The Modern Reti.pdf

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T- mO�N .tTI  .N .NTI�L.V PTOI

C  

e  et t heo heoyy d ctce ees e es he ode ode  t. t. n nt ntv v epeoe

 sto sto d edtg e dtg by emo emo e movv ove desg by o j Nchev Nchev opyght © 2012 by exde exd e echev echev

ted  g N 7854-8782-87-6

Contents

Frewrd rducin

5 7

r 1. AniQGA f3 d5 2.c4 dxc4

1

r 2. Reversed Benni .f3 d5 2.c4 d4

25

r 3. Ani-lv nd AiCebnenk .f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3! rare 3d mves ...f5 ...g4 ... 6 seups

53

r 4. iMern  .f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3! f6 4.c3 e6

83

r 5. AntiMern  .c3 e6 5.b3 bd7 6.c2 d6 7.b2 wi g

5

r 6. Ai-Mern  .c3 e6 5.b3 bd7 6.c2 d6 7.b2 00 8.e2

115

r 7. Ai-Queens Gmbi  .f3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 rre sems; 3...dxc4 4.4+

147

r 8. AtiQueens Gmbit  .f3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 f6 4.g2 e7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3

171

dex f Vriains

211

Bibliography

oo The English Opening, volume  M Marin Qualiy Cess 2010 Mastering the Chess Openings, volume 4 n Wasn Gambi 2010 Starting Out: The i Neil McDnald Gluceser Publisers 2010 The Dyamic Rti, Nigel Davies veryman Cess 2004

Etro/Proa Mega Database, Cess Base Chess Informant, avsky nfrmar New in Chess Yearbook nercess Chess Today

trt ror The Week In Chess cesscenercm) 10 Days Cessmixcm) Intrnet Chess Club cessclubcm) ChessPublishing.com forum Chesspro.ru

4

Foreword

 2010 exwrld campi An ea efanva ined me  assis er i preparing fr e frcm ig FD Gran Prix series f ur amens M cncree ask lked relaivel eas t me   ad  im rve er "service a is e ef feciveess f er pla wi Wie iu sucien familiari  p level wmens cess ad re impranl w Anane s plang sle and psclg  rused  acquain er wi e les pening develpments in e s ppular lines M analses ere deailed and prmised a slid edge in varius pical vaiains wever is apprac failed lgeer We were rutlessl pun ised wice and se was generall lcking in cndence in e ms ricipled penings ug er resul was nt a catastrpe 3-4 lace) fr te nex urnamen we decided  make a urn and em race aner apprac Tis ime e wuld be aiming t rw e pnens u f eir me prepa rin and made tem use eir  rains in unfamiliar psiins e swiced frm mvebmve erisati t planriened inking Tis tactic prved  be

especiall unpleasa fr e Ci ese girls w were deprived f eir peig preparai ad ad  g n ur grund Te resul was excelle  a vic i e las game wuld ave brug rs prize aaH a FE GP Uaaaaa 2010

f3 f6 2c4 e6 3g3 dS 4g2 e7 SOO 00 6b3 b6 72 cS e3 b7 c3 c6 1OcxdS xdS 1xdS 'xdS 12d4 aS 34 13dxcS! Par ) 13'd 14dxcS 4 Sgx4 'x4 16b7 x7 17c6 cS 'd4 '6 1ad ac 20b4 a4 21a eS 22'xeS 'g6+ 23@ 'xc6+ 24f3 f6 2S'g3  26g c3 27d2 'c7

2'g2 2'g4+) 2 bS 2e4 2f6!+) 2a3 30'g4 c4 31d3 eS 32eS S

Forewor fxeS 33g cf8 34.7 c6 3S.x x 36.8+ f8 37.xf8+ xf8 38.fS+ an a raw was signe 20 moes later. Te Cinese superGM wo eentually won te tournament an te Gran Prix an went on to be come a Worl Campion, was s ibly nerous uring te opening. e a to n a series of accurate moes oer te boar, spent a lot of eort an, not surprisingly, com mitte some serious mistakes in te milegame, being short of time. ne nal blow on moe 28 or 2, an tefanoa woul ae won te tournament. Tis experience as connce me tat in te computer era one migt aciee better practical re sults wit a exible opening stra tegy, base on unerstaning of te milegames plans. ne year later I ae decie to present my analyses to te reader. Many of tem eal wit positions wic are blank spots in opening teory. In my opinion, te most in teresting section is about te bayo net attack, were la fans face a eaon assault on teir king aer .f3 S 2.c4 c6 3.e3 f6 4.c3 e6 S.c2 b7 6.b3 d6 7.b2 0-0 8.g

Instea of te usual struggle for graual equalisation in te Classical la, Black as to sole urgent, ery concrete problems  ow to aoi a ebacle in te next 0- moes. Dont worry toug, for less bloo tirsty players (of wic I am one!), I also coer te set-up wt 8.e2. Tis leas us to te question: For o  t oo ?

Club players ae probably notice tat their opponents as a rule are well prepare against te central openings .e4/.d4. If you are is appointed wt your results, or just tire of enlessly stuyng te lat est analyses in te most explore ariations, youll n ere a able repertoire ersus ...S. You migt also use my suggestions as surprise weapons. Note, howeer, tat my work as nothing in common wit the -tye articles. It was meant for a top-leel professional and tis repertoire is esigne to sere for many years. It is base on com plex positions tout early pa clashes in te centre. Tis sis the focus towards middlegame plans an reuces te impact of ome brewed noelties. At te same time, it is no less ambitious tan te i cilian, or te Grnfe, wich were te subject of my preous books. Most of te material is fresh and is not coered anywhere else. Alexander Delchev February 01

6

Introduction

3.cxS exS 4.4 e S.fS �f8 6.c4 c7 7.ce3 b 8.�xf6 xf6 .6+ gx6 2.xf6, wit a big aantage.

aciee a winning position in only  moes. At tis stage e a no pawns beyon te tir rank! Tis strategy brougt im a no table success in tat year. He beat Rubinstein an Tartakower, but is biggest triump was yet to come. n te New York supertournament of 24, Rti use is system to crus te reigning Worl Campion Ca pablanca (is rst loss in  years!), te exCampion asker an te  ture Campion Alekine. Aer tat, no one woul ispute te name of te new-born opening system. Rti was te rst to notice tat te mainstream openings were running sort of fres ieas. aser an Capablanca also tougt tat cess woul suer a raw eat, but tey were too strong to worry about tat. Rti was te tiner wo puse forwar cess uner staning.

Rti was a uniersal player wo a been successfully opeing wit ot .4 an .e4, but in tis ame e place is fait in a ank stra tegy. Aer te ouble ancetto, e ontinue is attack wit pieces to

To be sure, is ieas were swi ly put uner te microsope. Bla as since iscoere some soli set ups wic as taken te stig out of is system to some extent. Ho eer, Wite as been strggling

n 23 Rcar Rti introuce an amazing new set-up: RF a 12

.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 S 4.�g2  S.b3 b7 6.�b2 �e7 7.00 0-0 .3 b6 .b2 �b7 O c .c2 cS 2.a �6

7

Introuction lately to acieve even te sligtest avantage in te lav Meran an te Queens Gambit. Tese open ings ave been explore in etail up to move 30. Tis as brougt about te now frequent penomenon of some granmasters games consist ing entirely of ome preparation. Te players sit bein te boar an nis te game witout aving mae a single move of teir own. This approac requires most of all a potograpic memory. 0% of te time for preparation goes into opening analysis an tracking te latest trens in te theory. Many youngsters are willing to pay te price in teir pursuit of quick re sults. The ipsie is that the oo of information has mae te latest novelties available to all. Nowaays even a very weak opponent might catc you unawares an crush you witout a gt. Thats wy many goo players begin to revise teir approac. Tey seek exibili an surprise. Tat accounts for the growing popularity of ank open ings as te nglish an the Rti. Frankly, I believe tat it will be more an more icult an unre waring to play te most principle openings. Te moern Rti has signi cantly evolve in te last few years. It as transforme into an nglis Rti ybri wich is oen use as a tricky move orer aime at sie stepping certain systems. Instea of employing a ouble anchetto versus any an every black setup, 8

Wite oen transposes to oter openings. For instance: .f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3  Anti-Nimzo, or .f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3  Ati Grnfel. In tis book I consier only te pure Rti scemes wich arise af ter .f3 S 2.c4. Note tat icilian fans migt prefer .c4 an turn to 2.f3 in te event of ...e6 or ... c6. Tus they woul avoi .f3 S 2.c4 4, wic is by far te sharpest Blacks response. Te main section of my book is te Atilav set-up: . f3 S 2.c4 c6 3.e3!.

It borrows from Rti the iea of elaying 24. Wite oes not rule out tis move permanently, e merely waits for the best moment for it. In my opinion, this approac as no rawbacks. The pluses are obious: We avoi the lav because our move orer iscourages an early ...g4 or ...fS owing to te possi bility of \b3. We avoi te main lines of he Chebanenko ystem.

ntrouction We rule out the Noteboom an ther "triangle variations. We can always transpose to sme mainline Meran, but we shoul o so only rarely, when the resulting position is known to be in hites favour. My repertoire har l requires any knowlege of the eran.  examine instea a kingsie pa storm th g an g4, an, as n alternative, quiet evelopment with e2 an kingsie castling. n th plans, the elay in plang 4 enables angerous tactical blows, ase on the latent power of the b2 ishop. n the latter setup, White cmmonly controls the centre wth f2f4, leang the long ark iago nal open. The elay in playing 4 is also ery useful versus the Queens ambit Accepte: .f3  2.c4 xc4 3.e3! f6 4.xc4 e6 .0-0 a6 .e2! c 7.!

which will be go if Black avan ces his bpawn to 4. My propose repertoire woul have been vulnerable to move or er tricks ha not  evote two sections to .f3  2.c4 e6. Now 3.4 c6 woul have been awkwar so  consier 3.g3, t the mai  branches 3...xc4 4.a4+! an 3... f6 4.g2 e7 .00 00 6.b3!?

m not against te Catalan, but it has been heavily explore latel an the character of the game is more suitable for Kramnik tan for a club player. n the iagram position Black can chose to keep te tension in the centre, when we shoul stc to 4, or e can take on c4, e.g. 6 ... c 7.b2 c6 8.e3 b6 .c3 xc4 O.bxc4 b7 .e2

We coul have transpose to the A th 7.4, hang siesteppe te Romanishin ariation with ...g4, but the rook move contains ore venom. The main point is that it keeps open the option of 23!, 

Introuction Tis ariation is still inae quately coere in opening books. Miail Marin aocates in is The English Opening, volume  a plan wit 24, but it is ineectie, for many reasons.  inestigate te classic plan of a kingsie pawn storm wt f2-f4 g2-g4, also keeping 2-4S6 in min It leas to strategically un balance positions wtout forcing arations, were te cost of eery moe is iger for Black because is king is in anger. f course,  also examine te re erse Benoni set-up .f3 S 2.c4 4. Tis part is sligtly out of step wit te rest of te book. I consier tree ierent options for Wite.

0

Te empasis, oweer, is on te extremely sarp gambit 3.b4 f6 4.e3 eS S.cS a 6 .b+!? c6 7.c4.  also analyse in etail 3.e3 c6! 4.b4. Im afrai tat general consi erations an plans woul be use less ere. Wite aims to open up te centre at any cost an tactics soul preail oer strategy. Finally,  soul like to stress tat most of te book is base on my own original analyses.  ae foun my sources to be mostly unsatisfactory for te aims of tis book, so  a to eelop my own teory in many lines. Youll n ery few oerlaps wt oter pub lications. Tat soul gie you an ege oer your opponents.

 

  ccpd 1.�f3 5 2c xc



 

Main deas

.�  .4 4 3.3!

Wite gets a favourable IQP po sition because ...c7 woul give im a serious lea in evelopment after O.xc! xc .a3!. 9 ... 4  O.�4! l.4 � . 3.b3  4 b3

�4 �3



Wites setup is rater eceiv ing. It looks like play will transpose sooner or later to te QGA main lines, but tis is true oly wit an important aition  we can coose to enter only te main lines that are better for Wite! ne example is te teinitz system: 3 ...  4 4 �f6 . 6 6.! �6 .l!  (7...a6 8.4! b 8.xc!  8.�3    9.4 

Wite is ominating all over te boar. He can evelop is initiative in te centre after 4...6 .c4! x2+ 6.h 6 7.c e7 8.f4 c6 .xc6 bxc6 20.a4 7 2.ab f8 22.b7 f8 23.x7, Gelfan-Aianto, Cap Ae 8, or attack on the kigsie follow ing 4... b8 .3! 6 6. 6 7.c4 b6 8.h3. f course, most QGA fans o ot put teir knigt on c6, but prefer to fiancetto their bisop first: 6 ... a6 7. l! b 8 . b3 b7

2

.f3  2.c4 xc4 White as it leaes him wit te et ter bishops. ee a  oa vyay Moscow 2007, where he finishe off the opponent with a kings ie attack. Another ersion of this struc ture arise after: ...b O.axb axb .xa8 xa8 2.a3! b4 3.c4 e 4.3! 9.a4!

The point of Whites esign is to prooke ...b4 an then fix the back ar pawn on c with 3. This is te reason White has refraine rom 4 in faour of . White aims to reach this typical position: 9...b4 .! 6 l.b  .4

The open a-file coul be only in Whites faour. Black can also try: 8 6 9.a4 b8  .ab a l.3 4  .  b4 3.3! 

Whites game is easier. His plan is to buil up a pawn barrier agains the bbishop with 3e4 then e elop the queens bishop on f4. As a rule traing the knights faours

The open files unerline Whites lea in eelopment.

Pot to rbr

White plays  before mong the -pawn. Then White meets ... c6 with 4 an recaptures on 4 by knight. If Black plays an early ...a6 an ...b White tries to prooke ... b4 an puts his central paws to 3 e4. 3

 

Step by Step

   4 4

Black opes to transpose to te QGA with ...f6, ...e6. The move or der is irrelevan for this set-up. Alteratives are: a) 3...b5?! Black is unable to old the gam bit pawn s this move only wastes time ad create weaknesses on the queeside: 4.a4 c6 5.axb5 cxb5 6.b3, with a initiative. b) 3...c6 4.xc4 e5

Instead of fortifying he d5pawn, QGA fans prefer a open cen tre and easy piece develoment. Tey might even argue that .f3 has deprived White of the aggressive option of .d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4!? In fact, te delay of d4 brigs about positions of indepeden sig nificance and enables many new possibilities for White. 33!

3.a3 a6 4.xc4 b5 5.e3 b7 oers Black comfortable equaliy. 3  

4

Now we ca follow up in the i cilian syle with 5.'c2 d6 6.a3 f6 7.c3 00 8.b4, bu: 5.d4! is more uleasa. Then 5... exd4 6.0-0! f6 ex4 oly looks like he QGA wih 3.e3 e5, because the kigh is already committed

f3 5    6 at the epense of �6 hs lak annot astle now an 7�e7 5! is gloom for him Perhaps at is wh vanhuk an other pla rs prefer: e nee, the position af r 6f \g 7g3 f6 83 \g6 5 5 O��f, Drozovs iIvanhk, essa 007, is n ar However, White an hamper aks natural evelopment b: b3! Now 6f6 7e e 8e 5 9g! f3 OJg wol gie it the pper han so Blak is re to onessions  the knight st go to the ge of the boar Af r: h6 7f g £5 83 7 9  8 f This is onl a porar retreat he bishop will rtrn to an atie position ver n) 8f 93 b 1ObS, ite has the more atie piees ) 3�g � e6 This is a lms attmpt to transpose to the Romanishin Vari tion of the QGA After \b3! f3 gf3,

  • 

jjj

jjj

j

the themati pawn sa 7 oes not work an Bla st re sort to the passie: 6 8 7 f6 83 where White has the bishop pair an a strong ntre  ol alwas meet 7-5 b -!, opening pa to his favor For instan: 8b7! 9e a6 O�e3 b5 (10 5 115) 11e6! fe6 16+ �e7 13e5 Whites atta is wort more than a piee here or l er is: 8a6!, hoping or 9 b 1O� !, bt 9  antiipats this iea (95 105) Pla might ontine 9b7 1Oe 5  e 1  3 7 1�e3 8 (�6 50-0-0) 50-00 7 Whit an lo his initiati wit 6£ 0-0 75 or 6hg g6 (60-0 7  �6 18\6±) 17£ 00 8  3�e6 Ioolo has ben tsting tis iea latel Now a3 5 5 6 6b3 f6 7�b g6 as no bit so White shol go for th aggrs sie: g! � e!

  •  jjj

jjj

  j  f 

/

f

  5

Pt 1 5...c6 5...e6 should be met by 6.exd5 6.d4 looks interesting but  ter 6...c6 7.xc4 e7! 8.h4 h6 9.xe6 xe6 1O.h5+ 8 11.xe6 e8 12.5+ 6 13.d5 d7 14.e5 xe6 15.dxe6 h5 16.xh5 xh5 7.g4 c6! Blck gins the initi tive.) 6...xg5 7.dxe6 e5+ 8.e2 c6 9.ex7+ x7 1O.d1! xe2+ . xe2 e5 12.b3! 12.3? x3 3.bx3 6 14.b2 d3 ws in Blcks vour in Pnchenko-Ro zentlis vov 1987.) 12...d3 or 2... cxb3 13.4 c6 14. c4+ g6 15.5+ x5 16J£1+ e5 17.c3 5 18.xb3 xc4 19.bxc4 e6 20.b5 d7 217+ e7 22.3 c6 23.d4 e8 24U2) 13£1 6 14.bxc4 xc 15.xc. 6.xc4 e6 7.d3! Blcks bishop is extremely clumsy t c6. t tkes the best plce or the ueens knight nd rules out ...c7-c5 which is n essentil move or controlling the centre. White will comortbly complete devel opment nd push d3d4 to domi nte the bord or instnce 7...6 8.c3 h6 9.3. Insted in Grn deliusI.okolov tockholm 2010 Blck mde nother mistke: 7... e7?! 8.g4! 6 9.h3! d7 9...h6 1O.x7 x7 11.xe6++) 10.00 6 when 1.d2! would hve s sured White o  big dvntge. he knight is heding or e5. Besides er 1.3 b5 12.2 c5 13.c3  4.e3 h5 15.d1 Blcks king would lso be very vulnerble. 16

4 . 4 �f6  .    6

6.!

Note this ine point. We re ol lowing the typicl QGA scheme o development but Blck cnnot do the sme. His setup is connected with...b5 which would oer White  lever or  queensde ttck with 24. he dely o d4 enbles new possibilities which ce Blck with some problems. Now Blck chooses between: A. 6...c6 nd B. 6...6. 6...bd7 hs never been tested in this position. he knight is ps sive on d7 nd tht could be un derlined with 7.d4 6 8.4! or in stnce: 8...c7 9.e4! cxd4 1O.e5 b6 1.b3 d5 12.xd4; 8...cxd4 9.exd4 e7 9...d6 1O.c3 00 1.e5) 1O.c3 0-0 11.d1 b6 12.b3 bd5 13.e5 d7 14.d3!.

.f3 d5 2.c4 dxc4  6 6 l! 

The poit of Whites strategy is  e fexible ad keep al the opns ope. Now 7...a6 will fial see 8.d4! whe 8...b5 would face .xc5!  see ie B.   8.3 (or 8.d4 cxd4 .c3!) 8    (8...a6 9.d4 b5 .xc5!) 9.4 



lopmet i this syetrical pos tio:  ...a6 2.b4 d6 3.b2 e5 (3 ...d7 14.ac±) 14.xe5 xe5 5.f4!± d6 (15...xc3 6.xc3 b5 7.xf6 gxf6 8 .d3 b7 9.ac b6 20.@f2±) 16.ac e7 c2 (or 7.d3 d8 8.e4 xe4 19.xe4±, chmittdielAigner, Vel den 2008) ..b5 8.e4 xe4 9.xe4 b7 20. d4±. et us exaie now both op tios: A. .exd4; A2. O.xd4!. A. .4

White hopes to use hs knight agaist the eemy kig so he keeps more pieces on the board. I sup pose that Black should regroup for defece, starting with:  !? 

e have reached by traspo tio the teiit Variatio of the A. t has bee upopular late l as it offers Whie a good vesio f a QP posiio. He has ot lost tpos o d3xc4 like i the Nim o, or o a4 (this comes i a set ith a hoe o b4), ike i oe of he ai lies of the QGA. As a result, hite usualy achieves to relocate is quee to a more active pace o te kigside ad gais a lastig i itiative. 9 4 

Afer 9.. c7 .dxc5! xc5 a3! Whie is wy head i deve

t is risky to diver the queens kight from the e5-square because White will occupy it imediately: a) ...b4 1.e5 bd5 2.d3! liftig the rook to the kngside. b) ...a5!? .d3 b6 2.e5!? Avrukhs recommedation. It ght be isufficiet for a advantage, but the other cotinuatios have o bite. The quee is headig for g3. 12...d6 13.g5 g6! 14. g3. In y opiio, Black ca hold now wth 14...h5! 5.g4 g7 6.h6 c8, followed by ...c6 or ...e7. The Black ca defed with ...f6 or .. .f5. This idea is yet to be tested. 17

art 1 c) 1O... 1O...a6 1.a3 1 .a3 aS 12.�a2 12.�a2 dS 13.eS. a

11.�b3 would not cange Blacks plan wit 11...�f6.   f6 

Blacks Black s setup is known from te emiTarrasc Defence. It is a bit passive, but very solid. Black needs only to develop is ueens bishop and ten e can tink about play of is own. Te game I.okolov egky, France 2004, went futer 13.�d3 g6 13... 13... g6) 14.�d2 b6 S.g4 S.g4 �b7 16.e4 16.e4 c8=. A  ! !

Vacating e7 for te c6-knigt. 

2.e4 removes a it from dS an allows Black to complete deve lopment wt 12...�d7. ...�d7. In Arutinianprenger, Cap plle la Grande 2010, Wite failed to acieve any advantage aer 13.xf6+ xf6 xf6 14.e4 ce7 1S.�d3 fS 16.4 g6 17.g3 17.fS x4 18.�x7+ wins a pawn, but oes not pose any problems to Blac: 18.. 18.. .x7 19.x4 ac8 20.�d2 c2 21.ab f6.) 17... 17... gf4 18.�xfS e2+ 19.@ xg3+ 20.xg3, draw.     

18

ractical results seem to indi cate tat Wites play after tis re capture is easier eas ier tan after a fter 1O.exd4. 1O.exd4. Te point is tat te e2queen now gets free access to f3 or S. Tis continuation continuation attracted attention af ter the spectacular debacle Topa lov-arlov, FID-Wc k.o. New Deli/Teeran Deli/Teeran 2000 1O... 1O ...xd4 xd4 1.exd4 e8 12.bS d8 13.c3 e8 14.bS d8 S.�f4 �d7 16.c7! c8

17.S! xc7? Te only move was 17... 17...exdS exdS 18.xdS e8 19.d3 �a4 20.b3 �c6 21.xe7+ xe7 22.ac, wit a strong bisop pair. 18.d6 c6 19.dxe7 xe7 xe7 20.�b5! 20.�b5! b6 21.�xd7 xd7 22.d2! eS

f3 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3 c5 24b4 e4 25c2 xb4 26a3 nning material   

ymmetry does not help Black e to his undeveloped bishop on : 1O'c7 'c7 1xc6 'xc6 12e4 l  '    

White ons the initiatie. De spite the exchanges is kingsie atack is looming for instance: ... f4 f4 19' 19'h4 h4 xc1 xc1 20.E 20.Exc xc11 b72.E b7 2.Eg3 g3 Efd 22Ed1 Ebc 23.'g4 g6 24.c h 25Ee1 when 25.. 25.. 'xc4? fails to 26'h4 26'h4 g7 27xg6 27xg6.. . 6   a6 !

This idea o f M.Mai M.Main n fro 997 poses serious problems to Black. White anticipates 7... 7...b5  b3 b7 en instead of the standard an innocuous d4 he as te nasty s prise 9 a4!   

7..c ..c6 6 8.d4 is in Wites favo: favo:

The latest attempt of Black to evive the variation He prepares ...b6 ...b6 or even b5 Instead Instead  14 14. .d6 d6 5.c4! xh2 16h1 d6 17c5 e7 .f4 'c6 19'xc6 bxc6 20a4 7 2ab1 Efd 22Eb7 f8 3Exd7 as better for White i Gel fand-Adianto Cap dAgde 199. ! 6

15. 15.b6 16'h5 g6 17.'h6 d6 1Eh3 f6 19d2 leaves the e6 awn very sensitive. 6' 6' 6   6   

a) 8. 8.b5 9.dxc5! c7 O.3 xc5 11.a4! b4 1 ...bxa4 ...bxa4 12.Exa b4 13.b5) 12.bd2 b7 13b3 d6 14d2 00 5.Eac 'e7 16.e4! Kaceisvili-Ksh, as Vegas 2009. White as a sig nicant advantage de to his active pieces and the weaknesses in te enemys pan strcture. Aer te nearly forced 16..g4 ..g4 17h3 ge5 18.xe5 xe5 19b Efc Wite could have add also the bisop pai advantage ith 20.a5!. b) 8.. 8..cxd4 9.exd4 e7 1O.c3 0-0 is a typically orse fo Black IQP position. position. White can acieve a small pls with 1.d5 or maintain the tension ith 1.g5. 9

Par 

ee a  otask 20. ann Aix-les-Bains 20.     

...c6 ...c6 9.a4 b O.axb5 axb5 .c3 (.d4 c4 2.c2 b4 3.c3 xc2 4.xc2 d5 was unclear in CampbellB.alic CCF 20) ... ...c4 c4 2.c2 b4 3.d3! cxd3 4.xd3 xd3 5.xd3 c7 6.e4 e7 Ras mussenPina ega Havana 20 when 7.e5! d7 .e4 b7 9.c3 d 20.d6+ xd6 2.exd6 00 22.e5 22.e5 would have given Whie he h e edge.

9a!

e see se e e  e cunnng ee e .. We as we for ...5 5 o 0

swich he focus of he game o he queenside and force an imporan posiional concession from Black The big difference in comparison wih he Classical QGA is ha 9... 9... bd7 O.axb5 axb5 .xa xa 2.a3! b4 will be me by 3.c4 e7 4.d3! 4.d3! followed followed up by e3-e4. e3-e4. n sead Pike-auier Aberblind fold Mone Carlo 995 coninued wh 2.. 2....xf3 3.gxf3 3.gxf3 b4 4. 4.b5 b5 b 5.d4 e7 6.e4 00 e5 d5 (7... (7... h5 .f4 g6 9.d5 exd5 20.xd5 b6 2.e4 d 22.xd+ xd 23.a7) .d5 exd5 9.dxc5 xe5 when 20.f4 f3+ 2.xf3 xb5 22.xd5 wns a pawn. 9    

Aemps o reain a flexible queenside pawn srucure face Black wih difficulies a) 9... 9...b6 b6 This was Blacks choice in he source game Marinaeding i ges 997 99 7. Whie chose 0.d4 bu he po siion fer O... O...bd7 bd7 .c3 b4 (... (...c4 c4 2.c2 b4 3.a5 c7) 2.a5 c7 3.4 is uncler. ven more challenging is O... O...c4!? c4!? .c2 c6 2.ab5 ab5 3.xa+ xa 4.c3 e7 5.e4 b4 6.b 00 7.e5 .xf3 fd5.  hink  Whie should ry o use he fc  he pawn is si on  .? 5 .x  2.c2?

Lf3 dS 2c4 dxc4 hacig the threat of La3  course 12La3 c4 13�c2 is also ssible whe 13 13 Lbd7 14d3 a3 Sbxa3 c3 16e4 00 should  pleasat for White due to his tre ad the bishop pair

thanks to our domination  t cetre Geerally, we do ot mn tradig the kights as we will re mai with the better bishops

2 2�e7 13La3 b4 (12c4 d3) 14Lc4 c7 c 7 1Sb3 1Sb3 White White has has t better pieces

r 1O 1O�e7 1Lbd2 0-0 12Lc4 12Lc4 a 13e4 c7 14g3 Lc6 1S�f4±

b) 9 9c4?! c4?! 1O�c2 b6 1axbS bS 12xa8 �xa8 13d3! This ssibiliy assues White of the ad tage !

ur pla is to build up a paw arrier agaist the b7bishop with e4 the develop our quees ishop to f4 ad put a kight o c4 e we could play o both laks

  6 

   

After 1LaS LaS 2�c2 �e7 13e4 c7 we ca swap oe pair of kights: 14Lb3 Lxb3 S�xb3 h6 16Ld2 (or 16h3 00 1�e3!), wit good prospects �

Whites play is easier ee a  oasvskyany os cow 2007

2

Part 1

Complete Games

1 . Wojas z ek-Buhmann Aix-Ies-B ai ns 24.03. 201 1 1 .d  d5 2 6 3.tf3 tf6 .e 3 e6 5 .d3 dxc 4 6 .xc4 5 7 .0-0 a6 8.� e 2 t6 9J d 1 cxd4 1 0.exd4 e7 1 1 .t3 0-0

1 2 ...tb Tis is a  very risky approac. Black gets full control of te dSsquare, but e gives too muc ree dom to Wite's pieces in te centre. Alternatives are: a) 12...bS 13. xf6 (13. b3 aS 14. c2 b7 S. xf6 xf6 16. e4) 13... xf6 14.dS bxc4 S.dxc6 c7 16.e4 xc6 7.x6+ gxf6 18.ac1 b7 19.xc4. b) 12... dS 13.xe7 cxe7 14.eS bS S.xdS xdS 16.e4 b7 17.cS e.

1 2 .g5 Anoter typical metod of play ing against te IQP is to prevent b4 by 12.a3. Ten Black answers 12...dS 13.e4 (13.a2!?) 13...f6 14.c2 dS S.a2 f6 16.e4, w t somewat better prospects. Te isolated pawn is always a doubleedged asset so most Wite players prefer to trade it gain ing a small edge with 12.dS!? exdS 13.xdS d7! [13...xdS 14. xdS c7 (14...e8 S.Ee)  S.e4 f6 16.gS xgS 17. xgS±] 14. e3 xdS S. xdS e8. 22

13.te5 b5 14. b3 b7

This move is not too dicult to nd, but it is a novelty! Previously White had played S.a4 or S.Eac1.

f3 S 2c xc 5..Jxf7 16.Wxe6fB

ites initiatie proes to e  strong 6 e8 7a3 c6 xf6 f6 e4 xe6 20xe6  faours im 7Je1 tc6 1B.�xf6 xf6 9.e4 ta 20txf6+ gxf6 .xf7+ xf7 22.�xf7 'f7 c1

We sall meet te sae paw structure in Part 7, ut Wites is op is on g2 tere n 3 it is moe expose to attacs wit
ite as a clear ege Te gene l ule is tat witout queens, a +two pawns are stronger tan  isop+nigt wen te roos e enoug open files 3...d5 4.Ec7+ g6 5.b3  26.Ed7 tb4 27.Ee3 EcB 8.h4 Ec1+ 2.'2 �c6? 2

 30g3+ fS 3x7 xa2 S xf2 336±) 30.Eg3+ f5 .xh7 td5 32.h5 Ec2 33.h6 Exf2 .hg7 1-0 . Tomshevsky-Gnguly Moscow 16.02.2007 .
I tin tat Blac soul ae taen c uner contol wt  aS 2c2 e Tus e woul be ale to cange te pwn t ture wic is not in s aou  it is now) 3e aer 33 S b2 c3  bxc3  0-0 
Blc ie to ee te it oe ot e  o  isie ttac e oul e te 2 e 3e 0-0 S  S [a Se S   23

Pat  Se3 d7 6ac b6 7xb6 xb6 8c2 aS 9d2 c8=) 4d7 Sa4 fd8 6e3

1B.4!  excellet positioal decisio! White seies the iitiative o the kigside Blacks poblem is that thout kights he lacks ay cou teplay 1 B...c 1.1 6 20.5 5 21 .  22. 4 0-0

This positio is still vey com plex 1.! 5 14.x5 x5 1 5.x5 x5 1 6.4 cB 1 . c4  Black is totally helpless The  al stage of the game does ot eed commets 2.2  B 24.a1 dB 25.2 d4 26 .xd4 xd4 2 . 5 B 2B.g4 g6 2. 6 5 30.xg5 1 -0

24

 

Rv Bo 1.�f3 d5 2.c4 d4

2

Par t 2

Main Ideas

l. d5 2.c4 d4

According to my database, this move is 6 times less popular than 2...c6 ...c6 or 2 ...e6, but in my opinion it is the most unpleasant retort to 2.c4. I have have spent many months months on analysis, only to conrm my con viction that White should hardly be better in a position where the opponent has a space advantage. adva ntage. When I ran out of fresh ideas I even egan asking for help other highly respectful Chess tars authors, but they also thought that Black should be OK here. Many authors have spent plenty of ink to describe the multitude of plans White has in his possession. 26

The truth is somewhat somewhat dierent. dierent. The variety of plans White has tried is due to the fact that he has not any clear path to an edge. Of course, that would not make me wite o the whole system so easily. Most of the chess giants have played it successfully (recently (rec ently amnik has crushed Topalov, for example). However, White should abandon abandon the deceptive idea idea that he could choose some standard Re versed Benoni set-up with g3, �g2, a3, c2 and outplay the oppo opp o nent. Practice has proved that such slow plans gadually lead  lead   White to a cramped position. position. Let us never forget that Black Black has a space adv an an tage and once he has consolidated, his game may turn to be preferable. White has an extra tempo and he should use it to destroy the en emy centre centre at any cost. Ad make it fast!

Lately White has been livng up to that understanding so the analyt ical focus has been shiing towards extremely sharp gambit lines. They are still nearly unexplored, but White's future is there. I'm sure we'll be witnessing more top leve games in variations like 3. f6 4.e3 eS S.cS a or even even 3.e3 c6 4.b4?!.

f3 S 2c4 4  te next pages I ill acquat  t te course of my researc  ll spare you may ell troe ts ic I tink to e irreleant  contemporary teory. I ill pay ttton only to te critical ara s accorg to my analyss. Frst of all, I rejecte te popu  plan 3.g3 Lc6! 4.�g2 eS 0-0  63 6 3 in e of 6. aS! or een comfortale tale ee . �6!?, it comfor pmet. Te oter ol lne: 3.e3 Lc6! 4.ex4 Lx4 Sx4 4 6.3 also seems tout prspects For nstance: 6.. 6.. c6! (A ern approac. Black restrcts tes knigt an plans to retreat t 6, folloe y long castlig) c3 L6!

Ts s practcaly a la spo  te teory. Tere are qute a f games, ut most of tem ar  solutely ireleat a full of ms takes Tat s ot out reaso toug. Te posto s ry a  ance a t es may traps  ae eelope ra e atack ng plas c soul e a asty surprse to your oppoets Peraps te est rsk/rar a to oers te arato

Black plays ext .fS fS .eS .eS  acte peces Ts as ee topcal lately so I conser it in etal. Accorng to my aalyss, lack is olig  te complca tos to s aer 8.�e2f 8.�e2fSS .00 eS O.g4 4 �e3 6, ut a future game gt introuce some ne ea for te  te fourt moe, oeer te as te eterprsg pan sac 44?! xe3 Sfxe3x4 6.4:

(3 cS?! cS?! 4e3  SxcS  ! (3 eS 6ex4 ex4 73c6 73c6 8�e2 8�e 2 a 3... g6?! 4g3 4 g3 �g7 S3 eS 6�g2 e7 70-0 0-0 8a4!? a S cS 8a2 a7 .e3 xe3 2.xe3 soul o e of great cocer to t)     a

!

2

Part 2 6.xe5 is a forced draw while 6.c4, as layed by amni, is not entirely sound. 6   6   

I have found only three examles n my database. he  eae ing wth 8.xe5 whch ll be oss ble aer 7...b4. ...b4. he ossbtes are 7... 7...�g4 �g4 and the al hot 7... 7...e7 which was intoduced n am  rsrsikin Bundes

28

lga 2012. I analyse this imotant novely in detal in the "Comlete Games chater. oo also at line B3 in the "te by te chater. I think that it is useless to gve here some "main line snce the next 20 moves require an utmost recsion and should be learned by heart. y general oinion s that White has ll comensaton for the mate al decit and the man queston is would Black suve or not. It s etemely dcult to nd ove the board all the tactical subtleties that oen hold together hs defence. ven if the oonent sent hous on home rearaton, he mght fall vctm o mseang "suggesos by te chess engnes. he tue wl sed moe lght on ths tcy varaton but ts current state s ab solutely layable wth far ractical chances fo hte.

 

ep by Step �   

A 3.g3; B. 3.e3;  3.b4.

The  vaaton 3.c5! has no te, te, fo nstance: nstance : 3...c6 ...c6 4.a4 7 5.xd4 e5 6.xc6 xc6 7.c2  8.e3 xc5 9.c3 f6 O.a3 a6 .b d6, B.alcDubeul, Cap lle a Gande 2011.   �6!

3...c5 ...c5 o 3... ...g 6 oe Whte moe nces to develop an ntatve n te revesed reve sed Moden Benon.      �f6 6 a!

Ths s  s oe accuate than 6 ... e7 7.b4 xb4 (o 7...b4 ...b4 8.xe5

xe5 9.a4+ c6 1O.xc6+ bx 11.xb4) 8.xe5 0-0. Wt  pawn majorty n te entre, Wte has more possbltes to ght fr the edge than n the man lne. Te ecent game amnk-Topao 20th Amber Blndfol onao 14.03.2011, went 9.d2 d6 1O.3 a6 11.f4! c6 12.b e7 3.df3 g4 14.xd4 xe5 15.e5 �xe5 16.e3 and Wtes centra pawns keep Black at bay, leang m t out a clear plan. 6...d6! ...d6! dscourages 7.b4 b defendng e5. Aer 7.e3 (7.g5  8.f6 xf6 9.bd2 0-0 1O.e4 d8 1.xd6 xd6 12.a4 d7 3.a3 xa3 s probably slgty bette for Black, N Hua-douard, Bel 2011) 7... 7... 00 8.exd4 8 .exd4,, te game s balanced, fo nstance: 8... 8...xd4 xd4 9.xd4 exd4 10.d2 b 11.e g4 2.f3 draw, N H-on maov, FDE Word Cp an Mansysk 201. Ae the text, Whte so undemne the opponets centre because slowplay wt 7.3 �c5 would allow Black to consodate and keep hs space antage 8.d2 0-0 9.c2 �f5 O.b3 e 1.b2 e4, Agrest-ga pez uense 2009. 2

Part 

7.e3 e3!

traigtforward and simple. 7...e7 8.exd4 exd4 9.a3 0-0 O.b5 gives Wite active pieces.

 4.exd4 xd4 5.xd4 Wxd4 6.d3 c6!

8.e3 e7 .d4

9.c3 0-0 does not cange mc te caracter of te position. ooner or later Wite will ave to ps d4. ...exd4 11.xd4

10.xd4

xd4

.xd4 0-0 .c3 c6 is totally eqal. Blacks only weakness at a5 is easy to defend. 11... 0-0 12. c3 c6 13.c5 g4 14.Wa4 Wd7=.

 3.e3 c6!

... 44   on n n 

3

Now te main line is B. 4.exd4 bt B. 4.4?! may pose more prob lems to Black. Te gambit cold be qite dangeros.

A modern approac. Black re stricts Wites knigt and plans t retreat te qee to d6 and castle log. 7.c3 h6!

f3 d5 24 d4 is manoeuvre is a potential iller of Wites setup Te knigt ill ontrol from f5 all te impor  ark squares in te entre and ill be disouraging a bisops sor i n e3 dently, Wite annot d it for long so e sould on plate g2-g4 It is still impossi e, toug 3 looks like a reasonable earation, but pratie as seen  at least equalising aer    9g4 e5!, for example: e4 d4 f4 a5 2�d2 , NaiditsBauer, 20 Mul se 20 Tats wy I prefer a i development: 8.e2  .0-0

9g4 4 Og d6 y

S

too

9 ...e5 1O.g4 h4 1.e3 d6

time, is astling positio is om promised and may tell i fture 12.e4

2d4 would ave been ne if Blak took on d4 (2 exd4 3d4 xd4 4d4), but te ank at tak 25! pinpoints te sore point of Wites set-up  te say position of is ing I inestigate in my analysis 3gx5, b Bla as suient onterplay Istead, te game DGrei-Wato, aint on 9, ontine  �d7 4d5 g6 Here 5g5 wo ave kept te kingside loed, b most players would prefer o be Bla anyway 12...c7 13.f4 e7 14.

Wite would be better if e ould x te 6-paw wle ai taining is kingside table wit  and 3 However, e laks a temp It is tempting to t in 4, b apart from 4f!, Bla alo a 4 5 5d4 exd4 6�x4 x 7�xg4 xg4 we te fored se quene 6 d6 9 d7 20g7 0-0-0 2�x x 22d4 6 23g7 x6 24f f3 25f d2 26xd2 x2 27x6eads to a draw 14...h5 15.h3

A ritial position I tink tat ite sould not be better He s ead in development, but onrete alysis sows tat e annot reap dends from tat At te same

Te orrespodene ae  ger-ersson, ICC 20, we  xg4 6�xg4 d7 , wt a tese gt weer es sggest  g6! 

Pat 2 15 hxg4 6 g4 c5 

Appanty, ak is hoing h, spit th somwhat hang ing stat of th h4knight. H a som iustativ vaiations: 17.� 7 B. f2 6 19.f6 x4 20 .g7 gB 21. dx4 g6; 17.f2 7 B.h2 6 19.� x4 20.x4 V6 21. Vx4 22 .f2 g6 23 .�h gxfS ! (23 . .. �xh 24 .xh gS 2S . ) 24 .�x4 4 2S .gS f6 26 .gxf6 f6 27 . g4=. B2 4b4! (isky!) 4 e3

S .. .S!? has nv n pay,  ut it may  a ent atnativ. Th position a 6.S 4 7.3 fS B.e4 g4 is statgiay una an an una. 6d4

6.Va4+ 6 7.4 has no bit: 7 ...7 B.�3 S 9.S 4, Kozu A.Ptosian, ovnia 1994.  hav anays a 6.4 the aggssive 2 1. 6 . . . eS, an th soi 22. 6 ... S! ? an 23. 6 .. . 6.



B2 6 e5 7a3 c6 

4 ... g4 gives Whit th initiativ without any matial onsolation a S .SS 6 . 2 S 7 .x6 xf3 B.gxf3 x6 9.f4. 5e3

The st game in this vaiation Taasunstn, ano 924, saw 7 .. . e4 ! ? B. f2 3+ 9. 3. it shou b mo aggssiv: B.S! 6 9.�a4 6 1O.x6 Vh4+ 1.g3 g3+ 12.hxg3 �xh 13.�bS! f6 14.S+ 6 S.x6 7 16.�S+ 6 17.V6! bx6 B.�x6+ 7 9. a4 B 20 . a3+ B 21.3 7 22.�6, wth a stong attak. 8 e2 e d2 

This gambit is quit ti. t fa s lak th som diut hois. Anothe point in its favou is that it is ompetely unxpo. 5 xb4 

32

 dS 2c4 d4 9   

The e4-pawn i important Aer   gS 0 xe4 xg2 3 g6 h3 12c3 �h4+ 13g3 f2 d7 14 �c2 f6) 3   d6 a2 f6 500 h3 16g2 d7 4 g4 18 0-0 9eS e7 dS] 12c3 e7 13dS + 14d2 d8 S2 ge7 f4 White otained a trong tiative in Tymrakiewcz-licock nngdale 2 007 10 b2! 

f coure we hould not let the ck knight to eS a in mearat tky Au Dhai 20O: OdS S 2 �h4+  2g3 �e7 13c3  10 g5 

Thi ha een played in the t game klundrynell we  2009 The queen' otie  doutedly the mot challenging tort to White' gamit and the ine love it till  uppoe that  retained development: 10   f6 ! ? i more unpleaant -0

Wite oud e careful to ao a lockade of i central aw ir It i much etter to ac anoter pawn wth c4-cS d4-dS6 tan to allow a lockade a n te varaio 1dS?! 8 (aS!?) 23 d7 1300 cS 14d4 6 We hould move one of our awn onl f we are ale to ecure the marc o it neigour 1 d6 irt lne o te enge ac create threat lie 2   S 3   h2+! At the ae te e di courage idea with g2g4 Alternatve re : a) 16 y revetng c4cS lack threaten to ut  o to d6 n full coort We v o coice ut force ay y 2  S!  (2 aS 3 c3 e7 4c4 fe4 Se4 00 6d6 cd6 7f6 f6 18 �dS+) 13 hS+ g6 4e4 t an attack  )     e7 ! ? Te a re trained tactc tarted wt O   f6 We houd do oetng quckly efore ac  ced 12g4!? g4 3c3 0-0 14ce4 Te game  rtegc ua anced and unclear lay migt co tinue 4   e8 SdS 8 6 d4 6 7�e1 a6 18 �g3 12 cS! e7 13�3 S Dragging te o o c4 dr the knight fork 3   d7 4c3 aS S �a2  awwrd to ac 4c4 �d7 33

Part 2 A spectacuar positio. For oy a couple of paws Wite as acieved a big advatage i deveopmet ad a mobile paw cetre. y aaysis suggests tat te positio is very dagerous for ack, despite the "opiio of te egies: 12...f6

 . c3!

I ave also aalysed �a2 g4 16 . + @d8 17.e 4 18 .g3 g 19.f f8 20. c4 (20 . S f6 21 .e2 d; 20 . b3 a 21.3 f6 22.d ) 20. . .aS 21.3 f6 22 .d  23.bd2 d7 24.d6 xc4 2.dxc7+ @xc7 26.xc4 e7 27Jac xc were te pi alog te a2-g8 diagoa is coggig Wite's pieces. Te text is sower, but Wite keeps te extremely im portat ligt-squared bisop. His superiority i te cetre promises i ll compesatio for te paw:  .. .d8 16.a4 g4 17.e g 18. f e6 19. a3 a6 20 .ad 4 2e2 0- 0 22 . b4 d8 23.d @8 24.ed2.

12 .. .xd4? fails to 13 . + g6 14.xe4!. 13.d5 e7

13 .. .d4 is already possibe, but Wite retais te attack af ter 14.xe4! xe2 .xf6+ gxf6 16.e @ 17.xe2 f4 18 .d2 d6 19.. 13 ... aS is more complicated. We cotiue wt 14.c3 d7 (14 .. . d6 .cxe4! ! + e4 16 . + e7 17.e d3 18. cS xc 9 . xf6+ gxf6 20.c e3 21.xc7+ d7 22.xe4 xe4 23.d 6+ @e6 24 . f3 f4 2 .ad ) 15 .  b !

11.0-0 'xe3+ 12.h

15 ...0-00  ...b does ot solve lack's probems i vew of 16 . xf6 gxf6 17 . + d8 18 .cxb g 19 .4 ! ! fxg4 20 . xg4 g8 21.3. lack's 34

    3  5 2 4 4

g ll arly n a sae aen e opposite coloure bsops in e s efene ne o te any tertaining arations is 2...5 f5 �g6 23.Ex5 e3 24.f3 c4 6! x6 26.�5 an Bla is lpless 6.4 .xa5.

�6

7.3!

woul ae been g r  I prefer to opete eelpt beore targetng soetng n te bla ap 16 f4 . .  74  B.a) 

5

J     I \    $ j

   Wtes atta is stong Il lstratie ariations are: B .. .eB b3 b6 20.c5; B.. .7 9.x7! 7 20.�3+ cB 2.a; B. .  6 9. x5!? or 9  6 a7; 9 6 20.3 7 2.c5 e2 22.c6! 6 23.�xe2 B f5± 9 .. .e7 20.Exf5) 20.cx5 S 2.xa6 �xa6 22.x7 �c4 .x7! ! x 24 .fx±. 14.b3 1.c3!

g6

15.c5

Yg5

In te ste gae lunBry ell ween 2009, Wite won aer 6b5+ B 7.a2 f4? 8.2 S 9.a5 B 20.c6 6 2 .7+ cB 22.c4 g4 23.xf6 g6 6 cx6 25.cx6 c7 26.�3

e5 27.2 e6 2B.�a4 5 29. x5 6 30.c4 c4 31.a7 0 bt 7 ... a6 ! B.c4 g4 9 .4 6

17J�f4!

7.5+ 6 B.g3 b5 9

5 s unlear 17 Yxf4 18.b5 e3 19 .xf6 f6 20.d6 cxd6 21.cxd6 xd6 22.xd6+ @e7 23.c4 e6 24.Yel a5 25.xa5@26.Y4 

Wtes two pees ae strnge tan te roo beause Blas g as no selter B22. 6 c5? 7.a3 6 

Ts aation is unerest ate probabl beause  te pas sie poston o Blas ngt at a6 owee I le Blas pst t s quite sol so te gae anot be ee n te penng Wte wll 5

Pat 2 have to regroup his forces in orer to prepare for a futher avance in the centre. I trie to investigate in eep the possibilities of both sies. lack seems to hol but ony wth active counterpay by .. .e6.

in both variations b ut only practice can te which is the best option. a) bd2 (9.b2 f6)  g7 0.b6 l d3 0-0 2.00 



S.d5

There is nothing to gain by maintaining the tension in the cen tre. lack only gets aitiona pos sibiities as B.3 g6 9.b2 cx4 1O. ex4 cS! . ack's general pan is ...g6 . . .g7 .. .h6-fSg4 for instance: B.a4+ 7 9. \b3 bB 0.S g6 1.c3 g7 12.b h6 13.3 0-0 14.0-0; B.c3 g6 9.S g7 1O.2 f6 11 .3 0- 0 1 2.0 -0 g4. S...g6

The easy part has ene. Now lack must ene his pan. He can either stay passive manoeuving to improve his pieces or attack the centre. The rst approach of fers White a asting initiative on the kingsie: 12 .. .bB 13.\e b7 14.\h4 \c7 S.b2 eB (1S . .. h6 wll be im meiatey attacke by 16 .g4 ! gS 17. xgS eS B.\g3) 1 6.c2 !

ow White shoul ecie where to put the arook. At rst sight b ooks the better pace. The rook hampers the break ...b7bS an re stricts the cB-bishop. n the other han, from a2 it can arrive faster at

The bishop is heaing for a more active osition at a4. This is

 o e ite s oenstion

essentil in itions li  

36

f3 dS 2c4 d4 4 S 1B <g7 1a4  20d6 6 21gS df6 6+ 6 23f3 16�aS dnis a4 bt lavs  black king wtot spport r 174 S 1Bd6 6 1b1 it's attack is strong  most rasonabl answr s to b: 166 to covr t gS sqar  mak room on 7 for t f6it Whit lads t attack wt 4! 7 (17gS 1BgS gS gS) 1B4 b2 1b2 f 20�6 g4 21�4 fS f2 bvosly lack nds contr  in th cntr:

16 c6 

lack as only ovs r  knigt on a6 igt asily bco a collatral damag of t attac on  16�dB 17�2 c7 sav i bt ar 1B4 Wit is doi nating on t dark sqars 7.g5 e6 8.b3

raps Wit as noting or tan a draw ar 1BS 16 6 201 f4 (20d4+ 211 g7 22�b7) 21�b7 3+ 221 f2+ 23g1=  b) 9 .d3 g7 0a2 f6 .00 00 2.el

12 e6! 3.e4 h5 

13b6 14S dS (1 4g4 2) 1ScdS dS 161 b7 f1 invrts t rols wn lack  to prov tat his 3 pawns bal  t opponnt's tra pic 14.e5 (14�1 b6!?) 4 exd5 .xd5 xd5 6.c4 

iing t q to t kingsid 124 bS (12 g4 13bd2) 131 also nds anal sis r t tt t typical 12  6 134 B 14�4 dS 1SdS S 162 d7 17B  18�f2 ors Wit copnsatio omptrs propo: 12...g4!? 13.bd2 e6 14.e4 exd5

r 14  �aS 1S3 f3 16f3 �1 171 d7 18S  bisop pair and t ovrwlig advantag in t ctr ovrwig lack's tra pawn 5.cxd5 e8 6.

37

Pat 2 ever, 9.e4 will be strongly met b 9 .. .e5 ! , favourably returig the ex tra paw.  the other had, 9 . e2 hopig for e4 o the ext tur, i too passive. lack will complet developmet with 9 .. .e7 10.0 0-0 leavig us woderig what t attack.  Fressietstratescu, L Port-Marly 20 12, White chose:

This positio is double-edged. White has excellet compesatio for the pawn, for example: 16 ...c4 17 xe4 .xe4 Exe4 19.d2! d4 20.xe4 xf2+ 21 .Eaxf2 f5 2 2.d 6! (22 . b2 Ec 23.f6+ f 24.xh7+ g 2 5. f6+ is a draw) 22 . .. c5 23.xc5; 16 ... d7 17 . b2 g4 .g3 b5 19.g7 xg7 20 .h3 h6 2 1.b1 c4 22 .d4 b6 23.c3 g 24. a4 c7 25.h1 a6 26.e3. B23. 6...e6 7.c3

I believe that the pieces should be developed on their most active places. Accordigly, the kight should go to 3 (ad not to d2 ), ad the bishop to d3 (but ot to e2). 7...f6 8.a3 c6

et us elaborate a little over this positio. bviously, White should aane  enra awn n or der to repel the mai defeer of lack's kig  the f6-kight. How3

9 . d3. The the mudae 9 .. e7 is ot so comfotable: 10.0 00 1 .e2 a5 12 . b2 c5 13. Ead cxd4 14.exd4 a6, Munoz Moreo Macebo baez, Aago 1997 when 15.d5! exd5 16.xd5 xd 17.cxd5 d6 .c2 h6 19.e would have give White a tagi ble iitiative. However, stratesc surprised his oppoet with 9 .  g6! and it turned out that Whit coul not nd eve a trace of a attack agaist the peectly pr tected king: 1 0.0-0 g7 1 . b2 0- 12 .e2 b6 13.Ead1 b7 14.h1 e 15.e4 Ead 16.d5 exd5 17.cxd5 a  .Efe1 whe best would have bee  ... e. he' se-u s does not wor agaist g6. n m opiion, the anhetto of the dark

f3 dS 2c4 d4 rd ishop should  attackd  2h4 Naturally, Whit should tl carry on 34S Thus 2 gins to look not so ad  it ucs n rsults in th vnt of   1O4 g7 (O  S is a mistak  du to 1dxS g4 12xd  13gS 7 14f4±) 11S  2h4! 00 13hS 7 14hxg6  1Sh6 fortunatly, ar 92 , lack  pt for th othr stup  9    ! I had to nd a multipurpos  which would nal 34, t shoud also  ctiv against   7 Thus a novlty has n : Jbl

 prpar a vry original rook  1SgS 9  g6 wakns f6 thus allowng ! g7  S is slightly ttr for Whit r 11dxS xd1 12xd1 g4 S  141 g7 1Sxc7  62 gxS 17f4 S d7

...e7 0 d3 0-0 1.0-0  b6 2J�b5? 

Whit suddnly rings th ha atillry closr to th  ki Th nsuing complicatios rquir practical tsts, ut it is clar tht Whit has sucit compsatio for th paw lack's positio is ot val Too many lis lad to  dacl Th ngins suggst: 2".a6

It is risky to ro th kht from th cntr with 2   aS (hop ing for   cS) 13 gS h6 14 3 6 S S 7 164  :

 

 

2 h4 00 (2  f6 3 S fxS S)  3hS 

ur pla has triuphd  last prcis prophylactc o a lack should  ual to dfd: h xS (   f6  fxS 19x6 h 20xh6 3

Pat 2 B.dxeS d4 19.bS xeS 20.f4 cS 21 .xh6±. 3.g5 h6 4g3 6 5h3

This is the most fashioabe cotiuatio. ts mai lies are very sharp ad require exact kow edge of forced variatio s. 3 6! 

Let us ivestigate the atera tives: a) 3 .. .g6?!. ack speds a tem po to develop his bishop to a pas sive square. hite should ejoy some iitiative aer achettoig his ow bishop ad opeig the cetre with e3. Perhaps he shoud rsty stabiise his space advatage o the queeside: 4.g3 g7 S.d3 eS 6 . g2 e 7 7 .0 0 0-0

15 c8 

S ...b7 coud be met the same way: 16 . b ! eB ( 16 . . .aS? 17.c2 xc4 B.gS+) 17.d3 aS B.e4 eS 19 .dS  . 6.c2! e5 7.h4 8.e4 e8 .b5

e4

White is clearly better, for i stace: 19 ... a6 20 .xd6 xd6 2.d3 bS 22 . xh6 . C. 3.b4

40

B.a4!? This improves o B.bd2 a! (Ay deay of this break eads to  dicut positio as i iroshi cheko-Gasaov, Potava 200B, which wet B . . .h6? ! 9. b3 gS 1O.a g6 1 .bS d7 12. aS a6 13 . a3 eB 14.fd2 fS S.c2 9.b3 gS 1O.a4 g6 1 .bS d7 12 .aS a6 13 . a3 eB 14 .fd2 fS S .c2±.) 9.bS cS 1O.bxc6 exc6 1. a3 b4 12 .e  Ba6 13.c2 eB 14.b4 ab4 S.a3 bxa3 16.xa3 bB=, Damja ovic-edak, ubotica 2 00B.

f3 dS 2c4 d4 I thik that White caot aspire t the iitiative wthout breakig i t cetre with e2-e3    aS 9bS cS 8a2! a7 1e3  12e3

6e3 f5 7b2

12xe3 is also pleasat for ite 12  b6 13c3 d7 14e This positio has  ot bee test ed yet The alteatve o move 4 s sky: 4bS cS

14  fS If lack waited passively with 6 White would put a kight o d d prepare g4, h4 .

Se4 f4 16af2 (or 16h3!? d6 17c8 �xc8 18g2) 16  d6 17dS gS Here i Markus ic, aja rucica 20 09 , 18 d4 ! !  ld have come out of the blue 

) 3  aS lack aims to dee the paw tcture o the quees ide hat uld give him a free had i the tre where he has a space adva t He wll try to put i both   cS d  eS Practice does ot shed ugh light o this variatio I ld suggest to ope the cetre icy with : 4a4+ ! d7 (4   d7 or 4   c6 ul be met by Sb2) SbS cS

er 4  f6?! S e3 eS (r 5   dxe3 6fxe3 eS 7c3 e6 d4 b4 9d2 d7 1a3) 6ex ex4 (6  e4 7e2 �e7 h4 S g3) 7d3 cS 8 �e2 + Whte is better Se3

 &   !  '  

       ·   S  f6! S  g6 s kow to e  Wht's avour sice the gae uwe khie, stera 1926 whc wet 6exd4 g7 7d3 cxd4 (7  xd4? 8xd4 �xd4 9c2! uwe) 8g3 d7 d2 cS 1b3 �b6 1xcS xc 12g2 h6 300 0 4 

P 2 6.exd If hte sed the oent for ths apture, Bk woud have the optn of reapturing by the eS pa. er 6.g3 eS 7.d3 d6 8.g2 e7 9.00 -0, t s unear what to do wth the queesde pees. 6.d3 eS 7.�2 s dubous due to 7 .. .e6!. Bak opetey gnores the ht on h7 and he s even pan nng t use the pen h-e againt the eney kng 8.xh7 e7 9.0-0 �8. The good haf ofte's pees are stuk useess on the queenside. 6 .. .xd 7.d3! er 7.h4 h6 8.d3  9.g3 d7 1O.g2 S 11.0-0 gS 12. fS Bak is doinatng n the en tre, Grgryan-Javash, Ax es-ains 2011 . 7 ...eS 8.0-0 d6! 9.h4 h6!? 1O .�hS+ f8, with unear pay. ) 3 .. .S. Chosing the Cosed enk wth ours reversed. Rti  beieved that White shoud answer 4.e3!. I onsde the positon aer 4 .. .f6 beow, fowing the ove r der th 3 . ..f6. ternatives are: 4.bxS 6 S.g3 eS 6.d3 xS 7.g2 f6 (ak had a ne gae eve aer 7 ...h6 8.0-0 f6 9.a3 a3 10.xa3 0-0 11.d2 �e7 12.2 fS 13bl, Kranik-Tka hiev, bitz Msw 2 00 9, when the  best ve is 13 ..  ad8 to protet d4 i the event f 14.f4 e4.) 8.0-0 0-0 9.a3 a3 10.xa3 fS=; 42

.b2. The bshop h o bui ne here. It s beer to tde  va 3.  .. .f6 S.d eS 6. bxS S 7.bd2 6 8.g3 h6 . 4.e3 e5!

Ths vration  a touh nut to rak. Note that  . . .dxe3?! S.e3 eS 6.S e6 7.bS+ 6 8. h6 9.- 0 (9.b3 �d7 10 .-0 6) 9 ..  e7 10.b3 (0.d!? d7 11.b3 s uh better for hte, fo exm pe 10 . . .�d7 11. (or 1.d a6 12 .bS xbS 13.3 b3 1.xb3 b S. e) 1 .. .a6 (12.a 7 13.d 0-0-0, draw Korotyevani Moow 2007) 12.d!±.  ... S s sed seen. The S.exd4 xd 6.S !? 7. axb 8.�b3 e6 9.0-0 xS hs turne we for Bak in strovass-Da Then Hai, anty Mansysk 2010 Wite shoud opt for: S. bxS eS 6.exd exd The most aggressive ontn ton here is 7.d3, but t an b ounterattaked wth 7 .. .xc5 8.0- e7 9.�2 b6 10.3 �a5 11 .xS �xS 12 e

f3 d 2c4 d4 2  b4!? ow the endgame r 13�a4+ d7 4�b3 xd3 xd3 0-0-0 6�xd4 �xd4 xd4 c6 looks ne for lack o we choose the quiet: 7d3 c6 B  e2 r Bg3 ! ? cS 9  g2 �e7+  e6  bd2 dB 2 b �d7 e2 ge7 14e4 6 1SxcS  6  a3; Bfd2 ! ?

B   cS 90-0 ge7 Obd2   b3

lack's set-up is based on the ne point exd4? e4! and Whit is already worse: 6�e2 (6h4 was kied in the game Reshet kov-ogdanovich, dessa 200 which went 6  �xd4 7c3 e3 ! 8�h+ g6 9e3 �xc3 Oxg6 �xa xhB+ dB 2�d+ d7 3�xgB �xc+ 4f2 c! bxc �xd2 + 6  e2 c7 7d �c2 Bd e 9h3 �f+ 0- ) 6    �e7 7g c6 B�e3 xb4 9d h6 0c3, umersaleLan, Torquay 200 9, when O   d7!, in tending �xe4 a4+, would have assured lack of the edge The gambit idea ScS is White's main hope for an advantage t is coming into fashion and  would like to add my two cents in its de velopment lack w have to show brilliant defence in order to survive the attack

ite has a ve good version  te reversed enko Declined  e-e is open, the black pieces  unstable For instance, aer 6 2 b1 b6 ( 2   7 3e1  4 b2 f  g3 a 6  f a 2) 3 bxd4 xd4 4 xd4 2 xh2 �xd4 16 f3 bB , White's bishop pair is ruling r the board nstead, the game aiparashvii-tefansson, os  994 went    b6 2xcS (or  a 3 e  �d6 4  f g6 xc bxc 16d2 f 17g3 d7 2, Pirc-Kostic 1936) 12     3d2

a)  �b3 is more restraind, t it has no bite akaev showed the best set-up for ack: S  cS 6bxc c6 7exd4 exd4 (7  xd4 Bxd4 �xd4 9  b2 �e4+ O�e3 �xe3+ e3 cS 2  e2 e7 3 d4 exd4 4exd4 b4+ c3)

S 43

Nw ite's darksquared bish p has not any prspects. Aer: 8.a3 ! 9.e2 f 10. 0-0 e7 1.d3 d7 12.bd2 xcS 13.�c2 (13.xcS xcS 14.bS b4 ISJ ab c3 16.eS a 1.�a4 bS 18.xc bxa4 19.xd8 @xd8=) 13 .. .0-0 14.b3 e (14 .. .b IS.fd2 b7 1. e 17.aeU) IS.e7 �xe7 1.fe d7 17. �d, the me is balanced. 8.d3 cS 9.0-0 e7 10.3 b was als equal in Tmashvsy aaev, erpuhov 2007. b) S.a3 cS .exd4 cxd4 7.d3 a is ne fr Black.

.) 13.f3  14.  e4 IS.S a the e4-paw shod ish aer 3 2.

8.xc bxc 9.  f 1 O. e 1.c3 f 12.3 e7 13.2 e 14.�a4 d7 1S.00±.

c) S.bS is a cmputer mve. Blac ca chse beween S . . .cS .3 d 7.�c2  8.exd4 exd4 9.0-0 7= ad S ... h .b2 cS 7.d3 f5 8.fS x 9.0-0 e7 1O.�c2 d 1.d3 0-0 12. bd2 d=. d) S.b2 culd be asweed by S ...cS=, traspsin to 4 .. .cS. How ever, Blac has n rasn to decline the paw sac. Aer S . ..dxe3! .e3 xb4 7.a3 (7.cS c 8.c4 xcS 9.0-0 h) 7 .. .e7 8�c2 h 9.d3  1 0. c3 c he has th bt ter ame. 5  a5 !

S ...d3?! leaves Blac verex tended: �b3! e4 7.d4 c r 7 .. .aS 8.c3! fS 9.e �e7 1O.�a4+  1.xf8  @xf8 12.a3 f6 (Aer 12 .. .ab4 13.�xa8  14.c b IS.3! bxa3 1.2 f 1.0-0 White brea thrugh with 44

Ma bchs  : C. .e5=; C2. c; C3. .bS+  Ct. 6�xe5,   fo d

ar  . ..S 7.� d7 .� @8 9.�5, Va lyKmik Nice 2008. C2 . 6  c4? ! b4!

This redy ov chllee White t prove t is attc i 

1f3 dS 2c d  two pawns e t game nk-Aonan, oscow 29  te weake 6 dxe3 e3 ax d c6 9- aS 1OxeS xc c e6 12d2 e 132 d 1f3 S 1Scx6 x6 x6 cx6 1c6+ d 18dS  19c4 bS 2eS+  6 6 s aso dos   (d3 8a+ c6 9c3 fS S b 1a3 c2 121 xcS  g 13 S 1SdS \ 16c and te d3pawn d fa   ax 8 exd4 exd 1+ e 1O2 c6 1a3 xa3 xa3+ 8S cS (8 g  S 1Oa3 9xd xd S+ , wnnng

 8xd e 9e6 e6 1Oxe6 d3 11c1 d6 12c c6 13- d8 1g dS 1Sc2, ceov-cen, e em 21 , wen 1S  d6 od ave pt te's compensato to te test 7 4 80-0 

te admts te fact tat e as no concete teats and ams fo a postona compensaton 83 pts te  atte n te scope of ack's qeen's kngt 8  6 9  xcS Od3 (Oe1+ f8 11a3 c6 122 aS 1O  c6 1e1+ f8 12 d2 (12 6 gx6 13d2 g 12  fS 13c2 gS

Apat fom te two exta pawns, ack aso as a space advantage 

teatvey, 7b2 cS and   8xeS eS 9S+ d d4 s ht fo a daw wth  d4 1d4 exd4 12dS 7 1+ d6 14dS+ ack d keep o payi by 1O e7 t not 1Of6 11e2 d4  d4 c6 1b2 e8 140-

8  c 3

te mst qcky ceate con cete teats to avod endng p n postos ke on te aove da am Howeve, n my anayss  ave foud moe tan enog de fensve esoces fo ack a 9e1+ f8 (9  e 1Od3 (1Oc2 e 113 6 12d3  S

Pat 2 13.bd2 dS) O ...c 11.bd  12.b3 b 13.3   . b) 9.h4  1O.d3 c + f 12.d2 a!. c) 9.�c2 7 10 .bS+ c 11.S cxb 12.xd4 dS! 13.�b4 c 14.xc c. 9 ... c6 !

9...7?! 10b2 dS + f 12.h4 ies ht a atak.

hit has ladd i a u a. 3. 6 b5+!? 

 lik this .  y pii it lads t y tald psiti whih a dicult f bth sid   hap plays shuld fl i th lt h. 6 c6! 

Th a tuizaa hatyMasiysk 010 , saw:  .. .c?! 7.xd4? 4 .dS wh  ...7! 9.c3  1O.� b 1.dc bc wul ha b a bi ipt   ...�d  Hw, th ly: 7.0-0! is it th upp had:

 sstil . 1O ...7

1.e4 b 12 aS allws th tactical hit 13.fS! S 14.hS+ d7 S.S wth a itiati, f exapl: S ...xc4 1.dc4 aS 17.cS  c .cb xb 19.h4  20.d2. 1l.b3 xc4 12.xc4 6 13.4 4 14.x4 e7 .h+ g6 16. x4 7 e3 a3 18.4  9. 

7 ... axb4 (7...7 .baS x 9.a4 4 1O.d3) .d4 d4 (   4 9.  .. .�dS 9. d3 d4 10.  7 1.a3 b3 12.bd2 �x 13.b3 d7 14 . b2) 9. +  (9 ...7 1O.�b3) 1O . b2 f 1. ba3 12. xa3 cS 13 .�c, with  cllt cpsati.



46

7 . c4

.f3 d5 2.c4 d4 8 ... e4 r 8 . . .axb4? 9.exd4 f3 1O. �xf3 �xd4  .�b3; 8 . . . 6 9.exd4 xf3 1O.�xf3 �xd4 1.�b3 axb4 12.b2 �xc5 13.d4. 9.h3 f3 9 .. . h5 1O.g4 exf3 .g5 ax4 12.�xf3 xc5 13.b2 dxe3 4.d4 fa vours White . 1O .gxf3 axb4 11 .�b3 7 e! 

A very origial move, aimed ist xe5. Alteatives are:

) 7 .. .g4 layed i Nikolaevsky-avche  iev 1995 whe 8 .exd4? loses to  ...  9xf3 xd4 1O.�b3 �xa . �d4 12.xg8 xg8 13.�xg8 +. .�b3 i s also dubious: 8 . .. h6 .a5 [o 9.exd  10.gxf3 .x? �xd4 11 .�c3 e4+ 12 .f  13.�xb4 �d 1.b2 c5)  ... �xd4 11.b2 �f4 12.a3 f5]  ... (9 . ..c5 1O.exd4 d4 .d4 �xd4 12.c3) 1O.gxf3 c7!! 13. a4 a7. .0-0

11.a3 c5 12.fe4 �e7 3.2 �xe4 14.axb4 xa 15.xa d6 16.xd4 �g6+ 7.h �f5 18.g2 is a draw while 1 .e4 a6 ( ...d3 12.a3) 12.b2 xc5 is uclear, with full compesatio for Whte. 1 ...h6 12 .exd4 �xd4

Here 13.�xb4 xc5 4.7 �xc4 15.�xa8 0-0 16.�b7 d4 17.c3 exf3 18.�b3 gives White a slightly better edgame with a ex chage fo a paw. 13.e leads to more tagled positios th full compesat for White sice 13 ...�xa 4.2 �xa2 15.xe4+ e7 6.xe7+ xe7 17.�e3+ d8 8.xa2 xa2 19.�d4+ d7 2 0.�x4 a7 2.a 3 is dubious for lac. 47

Part 2 b) 7 .. .dxe3 8.fxe3 axb4 eraltaafolla, ort ri 2002, saw 8 . . .g4 whe simplest would have bee 9. �b3 h6 1O .bxaS xaS (0 .. . d7 11.d4) 1 .c3. other possible lie is 8 . ..e4 9.d4 axb4 whe 1O.a3 prodes Wite wth good compesatio. For example, 1O ...h6 11.00 g4 12.�c2 cS 13.axb4 xa1 14.bxcS. 9.d4. I this complex positio Wite has compesatio for te paw.

19.d4 e6 20.�c4 g7 21.00 e 22.eU. A rare case where Whit has a extra paw 8.0-0!

8.bS is ot i the spiit of th variatio. lay would be uclea aer 8 .. .fS 9.�c2 (9.e4 h 1O .d3  1 .bxc6 xc6) 9 . .. dxe 10.e3 xcS 1 . d3 e. 8  b4   b2

c) 7 . .. axb4 8. xeS  h6  f couse, 8 .. . eS 9.�S+ d7 1O.�fS+ c7 11.�xeS+ d7 12 . e6+ e8 13 . xc8+ is ot i spirig for lack. 9.d3 a6 1O.�hS+ g6 11.�e2 dxe3 12 .b2 e7

13.�xe3 13.dxe3 xcS 1.xc S 1S.d2 �e7 16.3 is ulea. 13 ... fS 14.�e4 g7 ( . . .f8 1S.a6 xa6 16.0-0) 1.a6 xa6 16.xb4 a4 17.a3 0-0 18. a

48

This positio is the cuttig edg o te teo i te 6 . bS+  ? lie. I expect ew iteestig develop mets vey soo. Te oly deite thig I dare say is that Wite as ll compesatio for the paw ad is game is easier as he is th attackig side. t is possible, ow eve, tat t a peect defe lack may be able to keep te bal ace. ee detaied commetaies o Game 3 Berczes-rusi udesliga 2012 i te "Complete Games capte.

P 

mplete Games  rc-Prun la, an 2201 201 2  5 2c4 4 b4 6 4  c 5 a 6  b5+ c6  c4 � 80 axb4  b2 ! (9b3 dS)

9 a6? r h hmc mv c'

e s ceay wse Ctca s: 9 dxe3 10e3 fS (O dS xeS) 11e2 cS 12d4 a7!  any aatns ack's kng es es thugh b)

e ng exhastve anases  a st unsue hat s te best ay t oeed n ts o tn e has  oensato o the aws and s atta at an nts oks decsve bt soeo te engnes acos see t d acs oston togete wth a sees f ony oves ee ae t many banes oeve to each a dente assessent et  see what futue acte  so Meanwhe I thn that ove te bad hte's gae s  eas e e seem to aas ave oe nd f pepetua hec n esee shud ac dsa a eet e fence  hae anaysed thee an rch

a) 13a3?! e4 13  e7 4axb4 e Sxe xe 1dxeS fxeS 17xa7 xa7 18e4 h 19xeS  nea but ny ack can be bette 9  b 20d2  21g4 0-0 (2 d7 22g7 g8 23f+ x 24f) 22f+ 14e d Sb3 a 2 e7 17hS+ g (178 18axb 18e2 f8 19xb4 7 b) 13dxeS d7! 9

Pat 2 13  x3 oss to 14xf gxf Sh1  11 d8 1bd2  18f1 8 19x3 3 201+ 14bd2 S! 14   Sd4 xd4 1xd4 xS 1a1 favous ht

1 g4 (o 1d8 18 h 1 g 19d1  20 dS d (20  b8 21g3 214 8 22d aS 23xf gxf 24xf 184 d 19h1 0-0-0 20 dx5 fS 21! , th an ntatv  s an xamp 21xd2 22b1 h8 23 d 241 3 2S x 2 d+ xd 28+ d8 28xd8+ xd8 29gS+   30a3!  2 31 f4+ b 321 d3 33xb4+ xb4 34axb4 bS 3S d4 3xb+ 4 3d S4 x3 (S   1fgS 1d+ 

50

 ndb poston v

mo ndb s that t may tun to b qua th pft dfn fom ak! a1 1x8+ ! x8 18h1  19f2 d8 20f1 x4 21h4 8 22 x4 bS 23xb4 8 24a 5 2Sg4 xa4 2xa4 bxa 2xa4 b a2 1xS xS 18 5 x4+ 19h1 xd 20a1  21 xg g8 22f d8 23  h  24x xh8 2Sxd xd 2+ dS

ppanty, ht has no moe than a pptua h a3 1 x4+ 18h1 g8 193gS (19 3x dx5 20 x5 3 21 + x 19 xb2 20a1 b8 21xb2 h 22x5 x5 23x5+ S 24xS+  2S+ 8

f3 d5 24 d4 an, a eetua hek s ng ae 2xb hxg5  e4 ) 13bd2 e (13  d 1g5) 14e4 d 15dxe5 (15 3 @dB 1fg5 g5 1xf5 4 Bxg5 d3 19xd3 xe3+ xe3 e3+ 21@h g5 xg5 eB 23xg e2) 15  3 1d+ @dB 1@h

@ (1xf Bf5 fB  @ 20e) Bd4 d4 xd4 xf 20f5 dB 21e  22d aS 23xf (23exd f 24dxB+ s unea beause s ks ae t atve) 23   24e 

25xg (e 25  b xb d e5 2 xe 2BxhB  knght annt jn the the te fes) 25 xe 2 b

e5 2f3 xg 2b3 g4 29a4 aS 30xa5 b5 31b5 xb5 32xb5+ b 33g1 B  1 0.x4 x4 1 1 1

11xd4 x5 12h5+ g 13e+ @d 14a3 as etans the ntatve 1 1 ...x5

12.x4

hte has ened the ente thut sgnant atea sses Ths s a sue sgn that he s  t 12  d4 b5 13 5 bx4 4xb4 @ 153 d5 1xfB x3 1 xfB 1Bdx3 wud ave been bette f h, but te tet kees e tensn  Nw 12 a s nsuent due t 13b3 xb2 14xb2 (14+ @d 5e a5 1xb2 d5 1xfB+ xf Bxd5 xd5 19d3) 14 b 15a3 @dB 1e, wth a stng at tak 1 2... 1.a! a4 14.b xb2 15.xb2 8 1.axb4 xa1 1.xa1 xb4 18.  

51

at 2 wnnng 20e4 5 21b3 xe 22bx5 8 23b 4 24d3 was desve 20 ...x4! 21 .  22 .a?

s mstake tuns te tabes 22xf5 a 23b xf5 24xf was st n s favou 1.?

ees as been pang pe fet so fa and e needed on one moe auate move to ns o te opponent: 19a3! (defendng te d4kngt!  19 b8 20x8 x8 21x+ 1 ...b  20.x ?

Wte was ete n tme toube o e tougt tat evethng was

52

22 .. 2a1  24.  2.2 a 2.xa+ xa 21  2.1 E 2. E+ 0.1 Ex1+ 1.x x 2.x  .2  4.  .1 + . + 7.  . b . 4 40.  41 .2  42 .2 b4 4.xb4+ x b4 44.1 4 45 . a4  4 . d 4 4.x x4 4 .   4.h  0 .    1 .2  2 .  c2 5 .+ b2 4 .   0-1

 

Slv Chko

3

 3

Main deas   2.c4 c6 3.e3!

u a n the penn s t each the fllwn pstn:

3 «7 4.c3 f .�c2  

hadly desees uch atento because hte btans a d ce te and the nate ae .cxd xd 7.d4 d 8 . d2!?, pepa 0-0-0 y playn 2 ... c, lack h clealy dsplayed hs nenn  lead ut hs bshp t f  4.  e de s aed exactly aan that. Ths theatc deelpe des nt wk hee because f t weak d-pawn and the pssblty o Whte's knht t jup t d4   th tep. F exaple: 3 J 4.�b3 �b (4 ...� 

.cxd cxd .c3 e 7.�a4+  8.d4  9.b3) .cxd �x .b3 cxd 7.c3 Hee  adcate a ae and ey aesse appach, cnnected wth a knsde attack by 2-4.  wll als exane a e estaned deelpent whee Whte als de lays d2-d4, but des nt bun bd es behnd h and castles sht. The pble s hw t stee the ppnent nt u desed set-up. n ths pat  exane seeal sys tes whee lack ads tca Mean stuctues. 4

lack s lsn a pawn. 3 Jg4 4.b3 c7 .e  

.d4 d7 7.c3 dxc4 8.xc4 

. f3 d5 2 .4 6 3.e3  9x4 f6

sve set-up bsed on the Stonewl System.

 

g



�

:

O.4 e6 .e4;. Pehps you should emembe tt we meet ny b sho p so e wth   without exchanging on S Th mht be useful n some s wth . . . 7.

3...f6 4.c3 g4 s n t tt to mpove on the pevous l. 5 .b3 b6 6. e5 e6 7 .d4

At lest Blk n  he tht he s explotn hte's 3.e3. ndeed the ns nhetto s  moe popul wepon nst th Stonell. Howeve,  hee to etosns ve tht te best p poh of hte towds te Dut  s to not hmpe th opont to ply t Blks dk squs  honlly wek n we sou unlne tht by t k squed bshops.

5.e2 f6 6.0-0 d6 7.a3!

Whte   spe dvnt on t queensde. He n develop hs ttve w th  4.

3 g6 4.3 7 5.d f6 

.�2 tnsposes to the Shleh t ystem hh s too pssve fo ctempoy tstes.

3 e6 4.b3!  s nothe ps

No 8 .. .e? 8.  9 . b5 +  6 O .  ves Wht ontol ove the dk squs, so Blk should nd nothe wy o developn the 8bsop. H n ty to mnoeuve t to h5: 55

Pat 3  .. . 00 B.d4 e4 9.c1 d 1O

xd6 1l. bd2 f6 12 .eS

d

te as cea pay on te queensde: 13.cS  14.x x 1S.f3 eB 1.b4. ee Game 4 Lazicka aeau eceg No 200S. Moe oen ack ancettoes s bsop. Ten we attack wt b4:  ... a3 B.xa3 d 9.c1 0-0 1O.b2 b 1.d4 b 12.ac1 bd 13.eS acB 14.b4 e

te as a sma advantage af te 1S.b1 xeS 1.dxeS e4 1.f3 gS 1B.cS. ack can ty to pevent b3-b4 by .. .a, but ten te b-pawn and te woe queensde become weak e. te sould explot that by openng es on that wng: S

13.a4! Now 13 .. .b! stu bes nto 14.xb we 13 ...c 14.cxdS exdS 1S.bc1 o 13 ...e 14.cxdS gve te a astng nta tve on the queensde. ne of the most popua sys tems nowadays ae te set-ups wt an eay ...a. The st ctca pos ton ases ae: 3 .. 6 (3 .. .a6 4.c3  4.c3 a6 .c2!

hte can also tanspose to te extensvely tested man ne of t Cebanenko wth S.d4, but  thn that e· has good pospects fo a edge wt the Rt appoach. 'll not pay muc attenton t  ... g4 .eS e, because lack' set-up s obvously dubous. hte

.f3 dS 2.c4 c 3.e3 !  a space adantae ae 7.d4  8.e2 !  e6 s the second ost popu 

 ack's choce (ae S ..., but  s lke a concesson. e all,  es not t n wth lack's ntal s. n y opnon, the bayonet a would be the ost challen  ntnuaton: .3!? bd7 (o  ...cS 7.d3!  8.a3, wth fesh, nteestn  .b2 d 8J!?  exane  an n the next part. 

..b5 s oe consstent. .b3

Whte s on to an space wth cS and swtch hs attenton to the beakthouh e3e4 : 8 ...e7 9.0 0 0-0 1O.b2 b7 11.cS o 8 ... d 9.b2 b7 1O.cS, tansposn to Part / lne C. ee y game 2 Dehe-Beo Poto Caas 10.11.2011. 5  s the an lne. e have 

 ... 7.cxdS cxdS 8.b2 fS 3 d3 1O.xd3 e 11.a4! de sates one of the an deas of  enn statey:

te's peces ae ke a co essed spn. lack oen sezes e space, but then he nds h  veextended and undedeel e: 11 ...b4 12.e4! 7 13.xf+  14.f xf 1SJc±. .4 bd7 8 .e2

nothn bette than

6.4 g7 7    8.   

hs s the chlechte yste wth c2 a nseted. 8 g4 

he bshop woud be too passve on b7: 8 ...bS 9.b3 bd7 1O.h3 b. e apply the usual ecpe aanst a b7bsop  we peent ...cS and e57

Part 3 pare e4: 1.cS! a 12.a3 eS 13.dxeS e8 14.e4!.

should delay the queeside advac i favour of developmet.

.e5 1xd7

a) 1 .. .xd7 12 . d2 ! fS 13 . gxfS 14.e2 h8 1S.f4 g8 16. h6 17.d3 g7 18.ae1 ag 19. e2 e6 This positio has ee reache i azicka-Posty, Kolkata 200 Perhaps est is 20.fe1 i ord to use the ope e-le aer 20 .. .f 21. h1 hS 22.exf4.

e6

O!

bd7

oth sides have deed their plas. lack wll attack o the kigside while we'll try to exploit our space advatage o the op posite wig Note, however, that White should ot hurry to push 4! . If lack exchages the quees through fS, we wll have a more ef fective pla  a rook li to 3 ties lack dow with the defece of the 7paw, the the reakthrough e3e4 should gai some edge ee game 6 Postny-Himanshu, New Delhi 2011. If lack keeps the quees for a attack, agai we

) 1. . .xd7 12 . d2 fS 13.4  14f4!

White should e slightly e ter aer d2e1g3. ee game  Koneru-tefanova, laaaat 2010.

Points to remember:

White meets ..fS or .. g4 with 3. White meets .. g6 with d4 If lack plays a early .. a6 ad . S, White aswers 3, complete developmet ad plays c4cS followed up y e3e4 . If lack plays a early .. a6 ad .. g6, White aswers d4, later  c4cS ad does ot hurry wth 4

S8

 3

p by Step 1 d5 2.c4 c6 e!

cxdS (S   xdS 6d4) 64 e6 3 a6 I suggest to keep te tesio i te cetre

I tis part I examie several tes were lack avoids typical ra structures  3  d7;  3  g6; C 3  fS; D et-up wt g4;  3  e6 fol led by  fS ; F et-up wt a rl a6 e mai variatio 3   f6 c3 e6 is subect of te ext parts

  d7 

lack aims to occupy te cetre   eS This logical move is seldom  i practice probably because is positio aer cxdS is too pas ie t te same time, it is vey lid ad I do ot thik tat Wite s muc ae 4c3 gf6 ScxdS

he oly sesible way to stic to our repertoire sice Sb3?! eS! 6cxdS cxdS 7b2 a6 is uaccepta ble for Wite e quee ove pre vets tis variatio i view of S   eS 6 cxdS cxdS? 7bS 5...e5 6.cxd5 xd5 7.d4

icilia adepts migt prefer 7e2 d6 80-0 0-0 as i Fressi etKasimdzaov, Nacy 20  7...d6 8 .d2!?

Preparig 0-0 -0 S

Pat 3 8 - 9e4 c7 eg g6 le4 6 

12c4!

12xeS xeS 13dxeS xeS 140-0-0 lks psn ndeed, 14Ye7 1Sb ( Sh3 c 1 d4 17d3) ScS (S  d7 1e3 b 17h3 cS ) 1h4 4 17c4 bS dS b7 19xb7 Yxb7 20hS xf2 21YxcS faus Whte, but S Yc7!, takn f4 un de cntl, s unclea t s safe t lead an attack wth sht castln 12  ex4 13 e7 (13 cS 14Jae) 14e1

The pawn stuctue esebles the aatn th 3e4 eS n the QGA. B. 3  g6 4 c3 g7 4 6 6e2  -  7   

Play has tanspsed t the chlechte yste 'll nly entn the tw st ppula cntnuatns : 0

a) 7  a Yb3 e (  c 9xc4 bS Oe2 bd7 11e4 9Jd The chaacte f play s no fced hte can als deel wth 9d2 bd7 (9  e4 O e d 11cS fS 12Jd d7 13e4 OJfd 9  bd7 10a4 a 11Yc2 b) 7  dxc4 xc4 4 9h xf3 10x bd7 d eS 12d e4 13xe4 xe4 14Yxe4 b SJb e 1Yd3 cxdS 17bS e Yb3 c 19d2, Tu-patv Nahchan 2011  3 

Ths theatc deelpent de nt wk hee because f the wea dS-pa and the squae d4 whc ca be ccuped wth tep by f3 4b3 b6

4  Yc7 S cxdS cxdS c3 e  fes te tw d ptns : a) 7bSYb Yc3! c 9d6

f3 d5 2c4 c6 3e3 6 1xg 4 1d4 e 8 c 13xf5+ exf5 14c3 2+ 5d1 xa1 16xc+ xc 3 f6 18f3 wt te so  advantage ) a4+ c6 (d 85 6 9d4) 8d4 g6 93 a6 xc6 xc6 1a3 xa3 12xa3 e 13e2 0-0 140-0

amnanov Mosco 2 1 6 t an uncea gae) 4 c 5e5 e6 6d4 d c3 dxc4 8xc4 xc4 9xc4 gf6 (te s also somewat ette af te 9  5 1d2 f6 1ce4)

.x xb3 6.axb3 x 3

Te game Floes-eata Men doza 2008 went 10e4 5 1e3 wen 11e5 woud ave locked te cente  oose  a4 e6 1e4 4.�3 g4 (4f5 5cxd5

cxd5 63)

t tuns out tat lack s losng  awn: 7...e6 8.�b 8 9.�xa7.

t st glance ack as soved the oem of te lav so ut a coule of smle moves dssate te luson: .b3 b6 6.�e

D. et-up wth ...g4 3 ... �6

t makes sense to take the stng t of b3 The mmedate 3 g4 3 s awkwad fo lack (4cxd5 d5 5 b3 allows the defence 5  c 6b+ d7 7c3 x 8 gx e6 9d4 gf 10e4 a6 1e2 6

at 3   

tnatv a 6  5 xb6 axb6 8xd5 xd5 9xd5 xd5 1Ob5+ d 14 g6 12d3 6 133 @ 144 dx4 15dx4, Catabasvab  taa 20 04 b 6  6 xg4 xg4 t as a bso a and a sata ad vantag Now, o on t nxt ov,  an a ¥2, wt a xb awn oaton Raaa-n zbug unos s 1995, wnt 82 6 9d4 bd 1000  1¥2 00 12 b3 8 13b2 

Now t ot bso got stu on 8 and soud oo o sdwas   

 g6 8d3 g 90-0 0-0 s a a n o t t sst  1O¥a3 dx4 1x4 ¥ 12d2 8, asagva, ov na 1996, t as o sa and good onto o t nt 8  (8  xd 9xd5 9a  10a a 1l   12  2  1  a  1

t as so sa advan tag and s outost on b6 s a ng t oonnt's qunsd  ga onoaov-vanu, agos 2 010, wnt 62

 8 12  1 a 1£  18  19  



E. 

  



n ts vson o t ton wa, t soud tad da squad bsos and xand on t qunsd  ous,  an a d4 at an ont and tanso to standad ns n  sou oow t st-u o t ga  os, gad 1995, w wnt 1d4 d5 24 6 33 6 4 5 53 6 6d3 d6 0-0 0 8b3 4 92 d 1Oa4 b 1a3 xa3 12 xa3 a 13a2 b 142 8 15¥b1 ¥ 161

f3 d5 2c4 c6 3e3 Wite as a sligt pull ere but  lacks te tematic pla wit 4  rpse t rip beets frm av i delayed d4 ad c3 :

1Y1 Y 1 Y 12Ya a 1�a

  2 �   0  0  a!

lack lses ctrl ver te dark squares because 13    g4 14Jac d7 153 e4 16xg4 wuld cs im a paw  8  e5?; 2 7 xa3; 3 7    ; 4 8  e4

1  1�    1l 8 1 

  8 ?! 

E2  a 8� Y 9 00 0Y  1  12a � 1� 8 1 Y 

is is csistet but lack is derdevelped ad is pieces are gig

   9 ! 

aimav-Perss tcklm 4 saw 9d4 xa3 1Oxa3 e4 e5 0-0 12Jc 6 13Yc2 fd7 f4 but te text is mre straigt rard 9 �

 d7 drps a paw t 1 O xd7 d7 1xd6 Yxd6 12Yc2 wile   10 d4 is als glm

Wite as a small advatage 63

Part 3 t the cetre is still stale. I the game MalaikTregov, Krasodar 1997, White spet a tempo o 15.d3 ad allowed ex chages aer 15 . .. 8 16.1 fc8 17.d2 e4 18.f3 c5. He should have started redeploymet of his kight right away wth

1l  1  1 g 18

Petersrg 20 10 , wet 13 .. .7 14. xb6. 13 .. .c5 is more precis t aer 14.cxd5 exd5 15.c White eoys a lastig iitiative o the qeeside.

E 8  9l  10  1l2  12   

E   8    9  

White trasposes to a typical toewall. Withot dark-sqared ishops, this is a sesible decisio, which shold assre him of some edge. The Ri-approach 9. c3 0 0 1O.cxd5 exd5 11.�c2 is also possi le, ecase 11. . .f4 (11 . ..e6 12.d4) wold stmle ito 12 .e4  .

9  10 00 112  12al a 

This is the most passive, t solid developmet of the light sqared bishop. lack avoids a weakesses ad hopes to wthsta a log siege aer 1  1  1 8 1

a  Laa-Vaa Herceg No 2005, is a model ex ample how to exploit White's domi ace by opeig a secod frot o the kigside. F. t-up wt a ary lack has preveted b4, bt ow 13.a4 pipoits the weak ess o 6. Grigoadi, t. 64



a

  ( a     a 2 



1. dS 2.c4 c 3.e3 ! S.d4 tanspses t the exten ey tested an ne f the Che enk yste. Then S ...bS .b3 s t n cuse f devepent, but I d t dcult t ecend a ne nst S ...e, flwed by ...c-cS.  ay t successy as ack. pat f Sc2, te has  tested S.b3. e was sghty ette n Mzech-I.kv, ajev 2 00, ae S ...g4  . e2 e6 . b2 bd B.h3 f3 9.f3 4 1Oc2 0-0 11. 00 e 12a d1 B 13.g3 eS 14 . g2 EfdB 1S.e2 6 1.f4 eB 1.fS exfS 1B.d4, t S ...fS  . e2 h  . a3 bd .0 e 9.B xfB 1O.d4 Bd eased n Radjabv-Vaej ns, t Caas 2011. The queen ve as t pede te devepent f ack's bshp.

ng-te sa edge wth e2, d4, b3, b2. 

The pue Rt appach .b3! (deang d2-d4 s as an ptn  ... g B . b2 g 9 . e2 0-0 10.0-0 fS (1O ...bd 1.a4 11.d3 d 1a4 bd 13.cS c 14.f4, anssenvetushn, avaa 200B.  � 

8  2!

ack has ted hee: F S ...g4 2. S .. .e F3. S .. .bS F4. S .. .g. Fl   g  � 

 ... e .xg4 xg4 s sd, but the dull. Whte s assued f a

Ivanchu and eev have aed B.d3 t wn the gae ae  ... b 9.cS bd 1O.f4 g4 1.h3 hS 12.xhS, Ivat, athea 2009  B ...gS 9.xdS xdS 1O.4 g4 11.e4, eevaa n, paychess. 2004. wee, ack shud have saed a aw wth an exceent cpensat a te B .. .fS! 9.cxdS xdS O.b3 e 1.xb d 12 . e2 00 13.00 e 14.b3 EfcB. Natua devepet  the bsh t e2 s bette. Nw t  nt cea hw ac hud ntne. S

Part 3 8 ... dxc4 9.xc4 surrenders the centre, but 8 . . .xeS 9.dxeS d7 1O.cxdS cxdS 11.f4± is not a good option either. A a whole, White has the upper hand owng to the awkward position of the e6bishop . F 2. 5 . . .e6

I prefer to continue here in the Rti style with b3, d3, leavng the pawn at d2. This development is considered in line F22. However, switching to  well tested lines wth 6.d4 is also popular, and it is certainly less committal. F21. 6.d4; F22. 6.b3!? F21 . 6. d4 c5

Aternatively: a) 6 .. .bS 7.b3 bd7 8 . d3 b7 9.00 e7 1O.cS is rather gloom for Black. He cannot push 10 . . . eS i  vew of 11.dxeS g4 12 .xdS, KhenkinKaeser, sterburg 2006. Therefore, h e cannot prevent White from  playing e4, with a big space dvatage. b) 6 . .. bd7 7 . d2 Carlsen has crushed Nakamura with this move in Monaco 2011. Practice has seen Black gradually equalisig aer 7.b3 d6 8 . b2 0 0 9. e2 eS 1O.cxdS cxdS 11.dxeS xeS 2. 0 0 g4 3 . xeS eS 14 .xg4 xg4 S.h3 6. 7 .. . dxc4 8.a4 ! cS 9 . xc4 cxd4 O.exd4 

This treatment of IQP positio (wth a4), has been popularized b Topalov and now we see anoth top player choosing it. Black's tas is not easy. Nakamura had previ ously played this position as Whit against Ni Hua, London 2 00 9: 10 ..  e7 11.00 00 12 .Eac1 b6 13. d h6 14.�b3 bdS S.xdS xd Now 16 . c2, building a � bat tery against the enemy king, woul have provoked ...fS and the hol on eS would give White an edge. It is iteresting to see Nakamura in Black's shoes: 1O . . . b6 . d3 bdS 12.xd xdS 13 .0 0 b4 14 . xb4 xb S . xh7! . o he had no improv ment at all! White was on top a S .. .g6 16 .g6 xg6 17.�xg6+ . 7. cxd5 exd5 8 . e2

.f3 d5 2.4  3.3  8  

 ... xd4  dom n t  tnk tat t gv ak mo an to a. n 9.xd4  10.00 (o 10.5 d  10 .. .  (10...  pav. t  gt tt a .5 0-0 x x 13.a4  14.d3 .g5  12.d2   og ea.  t od oo 9.xd4 d 1. f5 0-0 1.xd  12.0-0

12 ...  ata t d wt an o at pawn od avod xang e. utafon-andk man 10 aw 12 ...g4 13.d 2 3 ...  14.3 (14.xd5 2 .xf+ xf 1.x2 ad  ... 2 15.x2 a 1.3 .x2  15.d2 g4 1 .g3. 13.d 5 . 9!  0  

1 ... x tm nto 1.4 d4 (1. . .dx4 12.x4 xd4 .xf+ gxf 14.0-0 12.xd5 xd5 13.xd5  (o 13 ...4+ .d2 d2+ 15.xd2 5 1.0-0  1.4 x4 1.x4 3 19.4

d 20.a1 2 21. 3 22.f1 x4 23.4 14.0-0 d 15.f3 xd5 1.+ @f 1.x x 1.3 d 19.2 o  - a anzo 2010. 0-0

1.dx5  pmat d to 11... x5 . ot tat 1 ...x5 12.d2 d do not tanpo to t man n n t a mo f mov tan atng nam 13. 00 14.3  Xangz a angzo 2010.  

 1 .. .xd4 12.xd4 t m mt wok n t favo a  p a tt ta tond 12 ...d (2 .. .4 13.f4 3 14.x3 x3 15.x3 d 1.a4 av t wt a ak wad pawn on 3 t t o pa and t opn  gav  an dg n Mamdaovang  ta 200. 13.f3  14.d2 0-0 15.a  1.3 d 1.a4 4 (1...a 1.4 dx4 

at 3 ueea Caavart, ub a 2009 N 19b s the exage f a an 12 ' 1 2 00 1al 

Ts st as ase  Ma medav-su, Na 20 09  aet, a dd t at t defend a smeat assve set-u t a sated a ae 14 e 1Sd3 s e deded t get d f t b 14 d4 1Se4 xe4 1xe4 eS 17xeS eS 1b3; Te teat f f3 ames la's de velmet F22 ! ? 

  bd7 7d4 d 8  e2 00 90-0 tansses t a el nn t-Mea s t, but 7  b2 d 8g1 ! ? s me entertanng I exame ths a  te ext art

a bstes s astg s t 8 d4 9e4 favus te, but 8  e7 deserves seus atte tn e 9  b2 0-0 I ave a sed 1Oe2 (OxdS exdS 1 b 12f? xf 137+ s matea) 1O b ad  Wt an gase a gsde atta us te g-  the -e: a) 1xdS exdS 12g3 g 13 d 14hS b) 1g4 eS (st e f te e gnes) 12xeS xeS 13eS x (13  dx4 14bx4 g4 1Sg1  1b1  17g3 b7 18  xg s usng, f nstae: 18 19xg+ 8 20  21 g8 22 e2) 14  b2 4 1S dx4 1bx4 g 173 f 18 e8

  ! (7xdS exdS)    � 8a

Whte as a stng ntatv s ext ste shud be t e te ete  de t atvate t send : 193 f8 200-0- b7 212 bS 22d4 9  2 g 1l   8 g 

8

10 � 2

0-

It ud be nteestng t test 1  exdS 1 2 xcS g4

f3 dS 24 6 33! 2� 8 g g

�

�

s pstn as ben ad  t gae tuzaga-Maakatk, s 2010 ht as t bett es  ud av xd s ad tag wt 1S2 ttng S and eang d2d4

6  g4! fa S and t bsp an nt tat t fS  th unsusptng  S tud ut t b a bund n vauk u Xangzh, a 200 xbS xbS! 9xbS+! axbS xbS ad t ga was v n pat ak  t to xpt t a dvpt o t's un b 6 g6  agan, t  bt t  wtut d4 xdS xdS b2 fS 9d3 xd3 1xd3 6 (t ng dagna s pn s 1  g ss t 1xdS! 

    

lak s tng t fw t Ce enk appah, but n ts st  2 s e use than d4 F tane, te theat:

ak's unsd s wakd and t sud dat tak advantag f tat b 11a4! nstad, u XangzMatak v, Msw 2010 saw 11 bd 122 d6 136  14xf6 xf6, wn nt 1S2 a3 1600 00 1b1  1d4 d6 191 b= , n 1S00  16a4 bxa4 gv a substanta dg Flwng 11a4, 11bxa4 12xa4 bd 1300 d6 14f s lal n t's favu as w as 1 b4 124 g 13xf6+ f6 14f6 xf6 1S 69

at 3    7

hs mov s not mandato t, t soon o at ht  hav to a t.  an stat th .2, thogh.

ht s not ntstd n k ng th tnson n th nt an mo. o xam, a 11.Ea  ht has not anthng tte than 12.5, t thn h has h  th ook on d1?! 1  

  82 

hts gna an n ths oston s to gan sa on th nsd th 5 and a . 8.d3  9.5 aso svs  ths goa and gvs ht an dg, fo xam, 9 ...g6 10.00 g 11. It s oss to da 3 fo a f movs 11.a3 a5 12.2 00 13.{2  1.h3. 11 .. . 12.5 x3 13.xf6 {xf6 1.x3, th th mo atv s.

 ht  a  hmsf. 12 a a 1a a  a 1a a 1   17  a 18  19a 





ht has th tt os n-ohv, agodna 1993. F  g   

8  

8 .. .d6 9.2  1.5 tans oss to at 6/ n C.  m ga

12

Druo

oto Caas 10 .11. 2011.

9 0 0 0- 0 102  11

0

has  shod xan h we hav to a d ght no. nd ht an s th Rt sna th 6.3 g .2 0-0 8 .2 ,  a 8 ...E8 9.00 5 a th fn  fo ak.  shod am fo a mo atv st-, onntd th d3.  g7 

1.f3 dS 2.c4 c6 3.e3! ack plays ths ove alost utoatcaly but the bg ques n s what happens n the event  6 ...fS. The ony chance to get ethng out of te openng s to xot the tepoa weakness of e eney ueensde. e answe t 7.b3 bS (7...a7 s too pas ve. te s soewat bette fo ng 8.e2 g7 9.0-0 00 1.a4!   exape 1 ...e4 11.xe4 xe .d2 fS 13.aS 8 .cxdS cxdS

 woud ke vey uc to pay e 9.a4 but ten 9 ...b4! ! 1.x4 6 woud ean te ntatve. e gae Matveeva-unna scow 2009 went 9.eS d7 .  11.xdS xeS 12.xf6  13. dxeS fxeS 14.c d7 (1 ... ! s stonge ut te etans e pu ae S.d2 d6 16.dS 6 17.xe6 xe6 18.xe6 fxe6 .e c8 20. e2 e7 21.ac  ee S.e! oud ave gven te a tec ntatve: S ...xe  S ...e6 16.xe6 xe6 1.xe6 6 18.e3 c8 19.d2 cS (19 ...  20.c1 d 21.xc8 xc8 .d3 20.xcS xcS 21.c1 xc1 .xc1 d7 23.cS 16.0-0 c6 .gS g7 18.x4.

oweve 9.eS s obaby n the best ove. Te engnes o pose a paadoxca etot: 9 ...e6! 1.f3 S! and  coud not nd a ay to beak toug ack's tences aong te h ank. n te poston on te ast da ga te soud eve te theat of a4 by: 9.d2! c6 1.eS aS 11. c4 12.a4! e an tucte ae 12. xc4 dxc4 (12 .. .xc4 133 ooks to e n te's avou e cause e can gaduay u  en ta custe n oton fo exae 13.e2 c8 1.f3 e6 S.c2 g 16.00 00 1.e2 S 18.e4 . oweve acks ece e e tatoned. 12 ... xd2 13.xd2  1.a2 e6 S.3 3 16.4 6

  

*     �

� :

e a6an y e ete ut ony at te exense o ac ng. te dea a te o 1xa6! xa6 18.!!  ee s uddeny no deee aga S  e.g. 18 .. .x4 9.8 e 20.8 c 21.S. 

a 3  0- 0 80 - 0

eS 12 a4 e7 13  a3 e6 14d5 , Lauter-eange, esancon 1999 c 8 e6 9c5 g4 (9  bd 1Og5 1Oe5 bd7 1h3 e6 12 b6 13cxb6 c5 14b3, Akes son-Hesten, weden 1998  9�  10 !

The rght pan ternates are:

Ths s the chechter ystem wth c2 a6 nseted te's game s sghty better because he has more space on the queensde 8 g 

The bshop woud be too du on b7, for nstance: a 8  bS 9b3 bd7 1Oh3 1O  b2 b7 11 ( cS eS 11Jc8 12Jac1 c7 13a3, wth a sma edge, s aso possbe, Akes son-Hammer, Gausda 20 0S 1O b7 1cS a 12a3 eS 13dxeS e8, Chernn-Murey, Co penhagen 1986 n these stuctures Whte can ony gan an adantage wth the breakthrough e3-e4 and t s qute strong here b 8  bd7 9b3 ndoubtedy, 9cxdS cxdS 10  d2 b6 (10 bS 11fcU 1fc1 retans some pu 1 b7 12e2 c8, Maoro-Fachet, autron 2008, 13a4 9  e8 1O  b2 dxc4 1bxc4 2

a 10  d2 ges ack the oppor tunty to open the centre th: 1O dxc4 1O  bd aows te to return to the pan th c4-c5 aer 1xd xd7 (1  xd7 12cxd5 cxdS 13a4 ac8 14cS c 15b3 fS 16xf5 gxf5 17ac 12cS 1xc4 b The breakthrough e7-e5 as sumes that ack w part wth the bshop par: 1  bd7 12 4 xc4 13xc4 e5 14dxeS xe5 15  e2 d6 16ab1 ad8 17fd1 eg4 18g3 12eS cS 13dxcS c7 14 xcS 1Sd4 d7 164 n AMaric-Zhu Chen, Mosco 20 01, te became een worse a ter 16a3? c6 17b3 d6 18a eS 16b6 17a4 c6 18xc xc6 19bS axbS 20xa8 xa8 21c1, MGurech-Van Haaste , egium 2003 Here 21g4 ? 22 h3 eS equases

1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3  b ) 1O.b3 has been ayed n a i r mount of games:

1  . c5 1.e2 fd7 I hae tred once 1 ... cxd4 1  d 4 c6 13.xc6 bxc6;, but te s better here. Another  ton s 1 ...dxc4 12.bxc4 fd7 1 d7 xd7 14Jb c6 15.dxc5;. 12xd7 xd7 13.b2 cxd4

D41. 1 .. .xd7 D42. 1 ... xd7. D41. 1l .. x7

ack ams to swa hs ght squared bsho through . The drawback of ths an s that ack's awn formaton oses ts exbty. That mght be crtca n an endgame when ack pushes ...e5 and the f5pawn remans wthout suor. 12 2! 

1exd4 1.xd4 dxc4 15.bxc4 c5 1e6 xe6 17.xg7 xg7 18.e4  does not promse te much.  uld rather take ack here. 1 ..dxc4 15.bxc4 c8 16.f4 1d c= 16 .. .xc4 17.xc4  1.x+ x and ony ack uld asre to the adantage here. 10 b7 1l. x7 

ccasonay, te pays 12.b4. Ths adance has no aternates n the eent of 12 ... 13.xf5 gxf5, but f ack swaps queens by 13 ... xf5, te w reman wthout an eecte pan.  show n the commentares of game 6 ostny imanshu, New Deh 2011, that wthout queens te has more wnnng chances wth the awn on b2. n the endgame he shoud ht b7 by the rook  a-c1-c3b3 and reare e3-e4. 12 ... 13.  (13 ... xf5? 14.e2 h8 1.f4 g8 16. h6 17.3 g7 18.ae1 ag8 19.e2 e6

73

art 3 Ths oston has been eached n Lazncka-ostny, okata 2009. hte s sghty better, because he has the an wth b4-bS n e see whe the oonent can ony ey on tactca trcks. erhas best s 20Jfe1 n ode to use the oen e-e aer 20 .. .f4 21.h1 hS 22.exf4;. F2 11 �7 12 2 



It s dcut to beak throug h ae 14.e2 eS 1S.dxeS xeS, a though n acea-otaszek, ar saw 2009, hte got an edge aer 16.c3 h4? (16 .. e7 17.d4 d7 18.c3 d4 19.xd4 xd4 20.exd4 f6 21.a4 e4 22.a2 e8 23. gS 24.f4 d7 2S.fa1 e6 26.xe6 e6 27.bS;. th the text, te xed her sace adantage and w enoy a astng ressue.

Ths moe ode s not obga tory. hte can aso begn wth 12.b4 when 12 ...fS shoud tansose to the man ne. ack can aso try to reare ...eS by 12 .. .f6, but ths moe s theoetcay unmortant as te can force .. .fS wth 13.f4 (13 ...? 14.fS. Note that 13.e4 e4 14.xe4  as n Tomashes ky-esee, och 2006, s aso good for hte foowng 1S.b2 h6 16.d2 fS 17J. 12 ... (12 .. .f6 13.f4  14.fS e8 1S.e4 1  1!

74

ee ga  Kon-tano a aanbaatar 2010.

 

oplete Gaes 4. Laznica-alanu rc Novi 1.0.2005

Lazncka makes a good strategc decson:

.c4  2. d5 . c 4.b 5 5.2  .OO d 7.a -0 8.d4 4 c1 d7 1 0.xd  11.bd2  12.5 d7  5 7

14.x7 x7 15. 8 1.b4 7 17.5 d7 18.xd7 xd7 1 .Vb2 Vc7 20.4!

he poston ooks too cosed d ack obousy rees on the  known fact that one weakness ud not ead to a oss. Ths ogc  t correct ndeed. hte can t wn ony by attackng c6 or an ther queens de pawn. Hs decse eakthrough shoud happen on he opposte wng. That expans  oowng moe. Generay, the  de wth a space adantage shoud d exchanges, but n the con te exampe, the back knghts ud be dangerous f Whte tred   pen the kngsde. o the young

Whte's pay s so cear and con sstent that t does not need any comments. 20 .. . b 21 .c1 8 22.Vc b8 2.a4 a 24.ab1 b5 25.a1 c8 2.a b7 27.ca1 Vc8 28. 1 a2 8 2.Va1 8 0. h  1 .4

75

a 3 The second stage of the game begns. The queston now s coud Whte ntrate hs queen or kng nto the enemy camp.

SOS exS S1 . xS Wd S2.We6+  S.W6+  S4 .e6+ e7 SS.WS+ 1-0

1 .. . 22  . 7 4. 4 6 S . 7 6  S W  7.x6+ x6  .axbS axbS 9a7 xa7 40.xa7

S. Koneru-eanova laanbaaar, 2010 1 .d4 dS 2.4 6 . 6 4.e a6 S.W2 6 6 . d 7 7.  0-0 .O-O 4 9.eS e6 1 0.S  bd7 1 1 .xd7 xd7 12 d2 S 1 .b4 7 14.4

40 .. .S

Ths moe ony heps Whte, but ack cannot stay passe any more. er 40 .. .g7 41.h h 42.xh+ xh 43.h4 g7 44.g5 he s n fact n a zugzwg: 44... 45.gxf5 gxf5 (45 ...exf5 46 .d5+  46 . h5+ e7 47. g6 d7 4. f6. Foowng 40 ...g5, Whte wns wth 41.h f4+ 42.xf4 g4 43 . g4 g7 44. (cearng the h2b dagona 44 .. .e7 45.h4+ (or een 45. h2 + 46. e2 xg4+ 47.d2+ 45 .. .f6+ 46.xf6+ xf6 47.f4 e7 4.e5 d7 49Ja2 h 50. f2 h7 51.+. 42.Wb6?! 41.Wa6?! W x4+? 4.ex4 x4 44 .xg4 6 4S.WaS a  46.xa xa 47.Wa1 b7 4.We1 Wd7 49.WeS+ 7

76

 mportant typca poston wth a cosed centre. n the pre ous game we hae obsered the same pawn formaton, but wthout darksquared bshops. n prncpe, ths exchange shoud faour Whte. n the other hand, here acks pawn chan on the queensde s weakened and she cannot keep t cose by .. .b5. To take stock, Whtes game s easer. he w push b5 and open es on the e wng. o ack shoud hurry to create counterpay or at east dstract some white pec es from the queensde. 1 4..e6

Ths moe ooks ugy, but t s the ony way to achee the break

1.f3 dS 2.c4 c6 3.e3  rough ...g6-gS. 14 .. .f6 S.e1 e4 16.h4 woud ae aowed te to actate er passe b op. 15a4?

Ths adance was not gong to un away. esdes, hte had a more urgent task. He shoud decde ow to meet ...gS. The most con stent way s S.e1 gS 16.g3, but ten 16 ...gxf4 17.4 eS 1.dxeS g6 19.e6 eS 20.e2 (or 20ad1 xd3 2xd3 e 22.e2 xe6 23.d4 e4 24.d2 20 .. .xd3 21.xd3 xa1 22.xa1 e 23.d4 f6 24.1 xe6 2S.xe6 xe6 eads to a poston where tes bette bshop s hady enough for a n. The rthe course of the game uggests that Whte shoud make a se prophyactc moe: S.h Now S ...gS fas to 16.gS xgS 17.e4, so ack shoud prepae t by S ...f6 when we ac tate the knght  16.a4. ( 16.e1 gS 17.e2 e4 1.xe4 dxe4 19.b1 gxf4 2 0.xf4 s aso possbe. 16 ... e4 (16...d7 s too passe and ges hte a comfotabe edge af ter 17.e1 gS 1.g3 g4 19.c3 hS 20.a4 h4 21.e1 f6 22.b1 h6 23.bS bS 24.bS f6 2S.bxc6 bxc6 26.a4. 17.b6 b 1.e1 gS 19.e4 dxe4 20.c4. 1 5g5

S...f6 does not make much ense: 16.bS bS (16 ...aS ony akes a target aer 17.bxc6 bxc6

11 c7 19.b3  20.ab1 e4 21 .xe4 e4 22 . e2 17.axbS e4 1.xe4 e4 19.e2. Te back peces are ery passe. 1fxg5

f couse, te shoud not open the g-e wth 16.g3 gxf4 17.gxf4 hS 1.bS f6 he coud aso try 16.e2, ntendng to re capture on f4 by knght. The prob em wth ths setup s that ack can exchange the knght fo he bshop and reach a dawsh pos ton, for exampe: 16 ...gxf4 17.xf4 e7 18.ab1 (.bS stumbes nto 1 ...axbS 19.bS xa1 20.xa1 eS . f6 19.c3 (aganst ...eS 19 .. .e4 20.xe4 e4 21.g3 h 22.e2 h6 23.1 xf4=.

t s dcut for Whte to aod ths scenaro. We ceary see that she has mssed the moment for ma noeung the bshop to g3 a e. 1  xg5 1 7.h 1

t s ate fo 17.e2 e7 18.e1 (.h1 f6 19.e1 g4, because ack can take oe the ntate wth 1 ...eS 19.g3 (19 . xfS g6 77

art 3 20.g6 xf+ 21.x hxg6 22.f2 f8 23. g exd4 24.xd4 e8 s ex ceent for ack. 19 ...g6 20.xfS fS 21.fS exd4 22.xh7+ h8 23.fS d3. Id say that ths pos ton s uncear, e.g. 24.d a 2S.xa+ g8 26. xfS 27xfS f8 28.xf8+ xf8 29.d4 fS.

22 .. 8 23. bS axbS 24.axb S 7 2S.bxc6 bxc6 26.a4! 6 27.xc6 4

1 7..h6 183 h8

13

19.e2 g8 20.g3 e7 21.h3 f6 s equa. Whte woud not be abe to aod the exchange of her kght.

The rook s more use on g, but 20. e2 g8 2 h3 g7 22 .g f6 23.f4 xf4 24.exf4 S s aso ne for ack.

The knght s shaky on g3, but at east t coers the g-e and ges Whte a respte, so she can pro ceed th her openng pan on he queensde. Pay s doube-edged, but dyamcay baanced. 78

A crtca poston. ack s threatenng wth ...xh2. A good defence s 28.c7 xe3 (28 ...xe3 29 . e3 xe3 3 0.f4 g4 31. ; 29. xd4 30.x xd3 31.xe3 e3 32.f6+ g7 33.c6 c4 34.xe6 xg3 3S.e8+ g8 36.xe3 xc6 37.xfS b7, wth a draw. Howeer, Whte makes a natura moe 28.3 xe3??

A horrbe bunder. 28... xh2 was the ogca contnua ton of acks attack. The gam shoud nsh peacey then ae 29.xh2 hS 30.xe6 (or 30.f2 xg3+ 31.g xe3 32.e3 xe3 33.d6, wth a compensaton fo the pawn. 30 ... 31.eS xe 32.dxeS e4 33.e4 e4 34.f and te een has some ntate thanks to her fantastc knght. 2xe3 4 30.xe6 xe6 31 .xe6 x3 32.xh6 a8 33.hx3 a1 + 34.h 2  d1 3S.e2 1-0

lf d5 2. c c6 3.e3 !

6. PostnyHimanshu New Delhi 2011 1 .d4 dS 2.c4 c6 3. �c3 �f6 4.e3 a6 S.'c2 6 6 . d3 7 7.�f3 0 8.0-0 4 9.�eS e6 10.cS � bd7 1 1 .� xd7 'xd7 12 .d2 fS  . xfS

Black's only counterplay is ... e5 and White should be constantly cal culating the consequences of this break. For instance, 17.f4 wold have let in 17. . .e5 18.h5 f4.

1 3...'xfS Black does not achieve good re lts in this endgame, but in fac� his recapture is thoroughly con istent. Aer 13 .. .gxf5, White has a clear plan with b2-b-b5, while lack's pressure along the g-le is ot too eective. The ne point be hind the qeen swap is that in the ndgame the pawn advance on the eenside does not give White any enets. This game illustrates why. On the other hand, I will show that ithout queens White receives oth r active options as the e4 break hrough. l in all, Black is playing r two results only and should de end ith patience and precision.

1 4.'xfS xfS 1 S.f3 �d7 1 6.�e 2 e6 17Jac1

17 ..J:Uc8 ( 1 7 . . .  18.ic3) 18. gc2 18.f would have stmbled into 18 .. .eS so White decides rstly to consolidate his centre against a possible breakthrough and then im prove his minor pieces. However, I'm not entirely sure that the knight would stand on d3 better than on e2. By all means, ite should not take on eS if Black pushed it. Instead, he should bolster d4 hop ing to wn the fSpawn. In that sce nario, the ight is best stationed exactly on e2 from where it can go to g3. The d2bishop, on the con trary, does need a better diagonal. It could be shied to g3, but: 18 . aS! ? was also a good option. Let s examine the two possible ap proaches of Black now  the passive waiting and the active . . .eS:

79

art  9xS xS 0f4 f  Wit ll put hi rook on h an pu -4hS o forc th nmy ino a zugzwg b) 8 S 9fd 8 0f  c Th tra of b i vry unplaant 1 8..f8 19.f4

a) 8 f8 9Jc!? Wll  lar in  am a t plan wi b4bS i no nou for an advana bcau i opn  al for  black rook  i muc br o li a rook o b and bind  opponn wi  dfnc of  b7pawn 9  ab8 0 f 7  b f !?

T mobiliy of i avy pic mak  dirnc lack rook ar id dow o  b7-paw and would no b abl o comp on  kinid i ould b loon o opn play by 4 or 4  i ood o dra  -paw o 4 Tn  would opn a l and/or produc a dian par   S f4 4 4d 7 S x+ x (x)  f 7 S 8dxS xS 80

9  aS wa ill poibl a 9  S 0d  c i ood for i

9 S 0 f4 wa poibl bu Wi rain om pull wi d 20. d3 22 . g3 h5

f8

21 .e1

g 6

A criical poiion n my opini on Wi only nibl plan r i conncd wi 4 H ould av rid: c d7 4b a7 S T ida of doublin rook on  b-l will b counrd by  S: Sc f b S Anor opion i Sf f   d f8 7   xf8 8 S 94 4 04

. S . c4 c6 .  x4 .x4 6 . =. A  , lack' plan wih ...f6 an .S i viabl an i houl b ci wih hi mov o. n h conrary, h ida of ...a i ubiou inc h pawn will b doomd af  S. a 6 .a 8 7.a4 f 8.c S 9.b;. S .. .f  .d6

23.b4?! 7 24.a4 h4 2S.  f8 2 .xf8 xf8 27. b1 f 28.bS axb S 29.axb S fc8

Whi ha llld hi plan, bu now h ulrapaiv ook a a8 uddnly doubld i powr. lack ha only o puh S o complly balanc h am. lack canno pvn 4. o inanc,  ... S? would um l ino 7.4. Th only quion i which ar h b in for h cnral brak. lay mih coninu: a)  ... f8 7.xf8 xf8 8.4 x4 9.4 4 0.x4;. oh hi' ook ar mo aciv han  black counrpar. b)  .. .8 7.  hav alo chckd h ida of manouvin h ih o b, bu lack' kin arriv o c7 ju in tim o hlp i rook o  from th ca: 7.c h 8. f8 9.8 xf8 0.c c7 .4 f4 . xdS xdS=. 7. . .h 8.f h8 (8...S 9.dxS S 0.4 4 .4 4 . f8 .) 9.4 4 0.4 dx4 .x4;.

aiv play uually co darly in ch. lack had h obviou ... S wih ood counrplay, bu pr hap Himanhu could no valu a h poiion ar .dxS S .S  4.f4+ xf4 S.xf4 c, which of cou, canno b wo for him. 32.f2 a8? 33.d2 �e7 34.3 �g 3S.f3 � h8??

lack do no ali ha h mu k o rad knih a any co. Th raon fo ha i h po ibiliy of i o produc a pa r on h h-l.  i vry ron n a kih ndam whil in a rook ndam i would b narly irrl van. o h hould hav ay 8

Part 3 actve wth 3S  eS 36deS eS 37eS e6 3f4+ If4 39ef4 aS Aer the tet, Back can not avod an echange of the rooks

36. 1 b2 f7 37. bxc6+ bxc6 38.b 8 xb8 39.xb8 d8 4. b4 c8 41 .xc8 xc8 42.g3 hxg3 4 3. x g3 +-  d7 44 . h4 e7 45.h5 f7 46.h6 e5 47.h4 exd4 48.exd4 e6 49.xc6 xf4 5.b4 g2 51.h5 Sc6 was an easy wn 51 .. .f4 52.c6? (S2 IdS+ 52 ... e3 53.c7 f5+

2

54.h7 d6 55.d3? SSdS st reserved ract ca chances aer SS . .. S6e3 f2 S7h6 c Sf d6 S9dS fS+ 60h7 d6 61g3 c 62 h fS 63h7 Id6 64fS IfS 6ScW fW 66We6+ f 67d6 d6,

55 ...f3 56. f2 c8 57.g 4 d 6 58.h6+ e6 59.g4 f7 6.h6 c8 61 .f2 e7 62. d3 c8 63.f2 e7 64.h3 c8 65.f2. Draw.

 

Anti-Meran I 1 f d5 2 c4 c6 e f6 4c e6

8

Part 

Main deas n  prou par,  av dal w lack' variou way o avoid  Mran -up Now  will xa min poiion wr lack play 4  , bu n  ri o rick u ou of our rpoir by xploiin our paricular mov ordr 1.�  2.c4 c6 3.e3 �f6 4.�c3 e6 .b3!?

 imporan n f w coo Sc,  av no ida wa o rcommnd aain  rar  qunc S d!? b O-O! 7b S! 8cxdS cxdS 9bS c O xd xd f cour, w can wic ovr o  normal Mran wi Sd4 r all, w av won alrady a mall bal avin idppd  lav and  Cbannko wi a Howvr,  av dirn plan for Wi Followin Sb d b 00 i ould coninu  7 !  84

Now 7 S (7dc4 8xc4) 8cxdS cxdS 9bS c Oxd �xd do no quali complly, bcau Wi' qun i no on c and inad  a mad a ul dvlopin mov: d4 4 S  xc �xc 4J �d 00 Accordinly, lack prfr in  ovlmin majoriy of am 7  bd7 wn 8 0-0 (or 8�c), followd up by �c, ll ak u o  main lin of Par   .. .�b7 6 .c2

 conidr in i par  7 and  b wil  main lin  

. dS 2.c4 c6 .e f6 4.c e6 d6 i examined in he nex wo  a. A. 6 e7!? 

Thi humble developmen of he hop, conneced h a ancheo of he queen' bihop, i undr aed. n my opinion, hie canno ove any advanae by conven tional mean. Aukh' whole reperoire again e lav i baed on he a smpion ha h follon poi tion (reachd aer he move ordr .d4 dS .c4 c . f 4.  S. bd7  . b b 7 . d b7 00 e7 9.c 00 O.c) i eer for ie:

The d-paw hould remain on d2 a lea for a while. Noe ha f ack ar wih 6 ... b6, hen ie obain an alernaive  he can fa voraby aler he pawn rucure by 7.cxdS becaue 7 ...cxdS doe no work  ee Line . 7 b2 0 - 0 S e2 b6 



9.gl!? b7 10.g4 eS H.g e 12.4 e4 13.e 6 14.0-0-0!

 prfr i hr. He ha a clear plan on e nid h S, hS, S (prap ar  r) and e alo and br in he cen re. l e black piec are paive. Her h xamin only O ...c7 11.eS and 0 .. Jc8 ad c7 1.S. Howvr, i i wll kow tha lack ould prven S by 1O ...h! and n pu  qun' ook on d8. A  exampl i Aira eianrv, Ru. c. 0, whic en Jad c7 . a d8 .S dxc4 4.bxc4 xeS S.dxS d7 16.f4  7.  a 8. bS.

B. 6 b6 7.cx 

A darin alrnaive i 7 . b b7 8 . d (8 ...e7 9.4!? or 9J) 9.4!?

 advocae a complly diren approach. A rnr  of lack' se-up i  bayon aack 4. 8S

ar 4 The ex ive Whie cear pay whou any rik 7 ed 8 d4 d6 9 d 7 1 0  0 - 0 0 - 0 1l 2 



ee more abou Whie' pay in he annoaed gae 7 Deev Couiis ovdiv 00 I ao con ider he ame pa rucure in ar , ine  The ony dierence i he whie bihop ayn on he paive quare e, bu ha maer ony if ack puhe cS-c f he adop a waiin raey, hie ex ecue he ame manoeue  f, he rook o o e and d

oins o reemer:

lay Sb before �c way aack e-eS wih cxdS folowed up by bS The queenid ancheo b, reardl of lack' move order, can alway be aacked wih , 4-S A ood olid approach aain b i cxdS, followed by ho calin and he manoeuvre e-f-

8

 

tep by Step

   2 6 e 6     !?

Te move order : 5c eem le precie Ten S d7  ranpoe o e an line ack a ried 5 c5 in only  ame er cxd5 exd5, we can ad our iop o e or 5 and play aan e iolaed d-paw: a) 7d4 a 8e c 90-0 e d cxd4 xd4 xd4 J xd4 5 JdU ) 75+ c We  inereed n radn e op wi 7 d7 8xd7+ d7 (8  xd7 9) 9d4 c   0-0 c4 e4;, w a lead n de opmen

8d4 cxd4 9xd4 d7 00-0 d r O  xd4 exd4 e7Je 0-0 xd7 (;)   xd7 45 fe8 5 ad8 e5; O c8 xc xc a; f5 xf5 xf5 0-0 d However, a  momen  ave no a decen recommendaion aain: 5  d!  (  no lae o reurn o e common line  d4! )   0-0! 7 e5! 8cxd cxd5 95 c Oxd xd



T poiion i aou equal: d4 4 d e4 e5 e8 4a f=, Grandelu- ayed, ona pen 0 c 4 c5 e 5 a8=, akuiec-aracz, Czec ep 0 o e queen on c  no ue l aan d,   0-0 and e5 87

ar 4  d 

 .. .d  . b 0-0 i a vry im poran dviaion. No ha  ...  7.cxd cxd 8.b c 9.xd+ �xd 0 . b 4 .d4 0-0 i in i' favour:  .  [Hrack advoca  .�c!? ...b4 ( .. .xd4 .xd4 dB 4.�b) .a a 4 . ]  ... xd4 .xd4 f5 4.0-0 d7 J (. x .x  7.f4)  ... auov-Mullr Lippad 000 and now .f4 x 7 . x+ B.�x 4 9.�4 � 0.�x hx .c7 b  .h4 f J i rahr plaan. i hould anwr  ...0-0 wih 7 .  ! and now:

a) 7 .. .dxc4 B.xc4! r B.bxc4  9. d4 xd4! (9 ... bd7 O. 0-0 B .�c �7 lav hi mor chanc o h for h d for inanc .a or .a4 4 .d fB 4.c c7  . a  .c4 4 7.d xd B.cxd �d7 9.x4 �x4 0. xf .x  .af hlv hankar Kolkaa 999) 0.xd4 4! lack olv  problm of hi qun' bihop dvopmn  BB

.0-0 bd7 .h h . (. h4 x 4.x B .f fB .= Tomahvky-Moylv ochi 007.)  ...B 4.�c= . In wo rcn am Whi ha rid in vain o rfrain from 9.d4: 9.d B 0.0-0 4 Aronian Glfand Lon 00 9.�c 4 0.4 x4 .�x4   .�d x .x �7 Viiu ov-V.opov Ru. ch. 0. B ...b 9 . In h rapid am AronianGl fand Lon 00 i rrad h bihop o d bu ar 9 ...b7 h hurrid up h 0.4 x4 .x4 whn  .. .f!  . d d7 urnd ou o b unclar. Inad h had o play 0J! and follow in 0 .. .bd7 .4 x4 .x4 cB . f rra o b h a lih pul. For inanc : 4 . b �7 .0-0 ?! .4 f4 7.d4. 9 ... b4 (or 9 ... bd7 0. b7 .�c) 0.a4 bd7 .c b7  .d4 7

Thi poiion ha bn rachd in Zainvnn Hrc No  00. hi hould b omwha br ar .d adB ( ...

. dS 2.c4 c6 . f6 4.c 6 4 c4 c7 S.xS! xS 6.cS c8 7.dxS  ...cS 4.dcS xcS S.xcS xc 6 . xf6 xf6 7 . ) 4  �c2 S S.dxS xS 6 .xS xS 7.�cS d6 8. 00. ) 7 ... S 8.cxdS cxdS 9. S 4 HalkiaRappor, Vrnjacka a ja 200, aw 9 .. ..c6 0.xd6 xd6 .d4 4 2 .S 6 wn .xc6 �xc6 4.c �d6 .00 fc8 6. i lily br for hi on o i biop pair. Af ter  xcan of roo alon  cl, lack' qunid will b vul erabl a o of i minor pic are uy on  or win. O.S (O.d4 alo d anion, plannin o undrmin the cnr lar.) O ...8 .xd6 xd6 .f

2 ...�4+ . �7 4.4 dx4 .00 d7. Hr  impl 6.xd7 xd7 7.a would av ivn i om pull. A a wol, i variaion i a blank po in o. Anor rar alrnaiv i  ... 6 6.2 7. n piinaracz, rao 20 07, i a inroducd r an oriinal up bad on  conraanco: 7. bd7 8 . 2 7 9.00 00 O.d4 �c7 .c ad8 .cxdS xdS .4 �8 4.fS. n a lar liz am, Kram nikGracv, Wc. liz Mocow 200, lack pu i biop on d6 and wa clo o qualiin: 8 ... d6 9.d4 0 0 0.00 6 .c 7 .d fd8 .4 dx4 4.d4 a S . xa �xa 6.�, bu 6 ...aS?! av i a lvr on  qunid: 7.fd �7 8.xf6+ xf6 9.a4. T plan  4, a in  main lin, i mor nrpriin. 6.c2

i a llld i plan o ain a complx, nonandard po sion. Hi darkquard biop a a ponial. Look a  vari aion  .. .f6 .4 x4 4.4 c6 .00 d4 .b4 d 7.�b+ h8 8.d �7 9.c ac8 and w 0.S! S 2.4 unla th iop pair. T am Val.o ovnarv, Ruia 2 0 wn: 89

at 4 I wil xamin h A. 6 7 and  6 b6 whil 6 d6 i con idd in th nxt two pat A. 6  7 7 2 

7d4 0-0 B  d b6 90-0 b7 10  b (10d c 7 11 b h6) 10   h6! ad (1cxd cxd=) 1  c7 i faily lvl 7  0 0 S 2 

B  9cxd cxd 10b i not with mpo o Whit would b dpivd of thi ouc S 6

90-0 b7 ac cB b  c 1cxd xd 1xd d 14d4 lad to a ymmtical poi tion wh lack hould b abl to nutai Whit' liht lad in d vlopmnt 9  7 10g �S Hg  12  1� 6 1 0 0 0 !

It i btt to kp th cnt clod and hi th focu of th am to th kinid 14f4 x 1x 7 164 dx4 7x4 c7 B�x7 7 190-0-0 fB i only qual 1 � 16ql!

1



ain, 16x4 b+ 17�xb ain th pawn, but iv lack countplay  17 7 Bf+
Th modn tatmnt of uch poition i bad on a pa tom on th kinid Howv, th ac ic 94 i dubiou: 9 x4 10 f6 110-0-0 b7 o w houd uppot th pawn by th kin' ook I pf Whit h H ha  cla plan on th kinid with 90

. d 2.c4 c6 .e f6 4.c e6 g6 (maye aer h r) and he can even exer prere on he c le y c. l he lack piece are paive.      

I hink ha Whie hould ake the opporniy o aler he pawn srucure in hi favor ince lack canno recapure y he c-pawn (.. .cxd? 8.S). If you like advenure, however, o mih prefer .  8.e2 d6 (8 .. .e 9.4! ? or 9.) 9.4! ?

A darin aack, enirely in he spiri of or book. Te ame al vador-anielian, Ceno 0, con tned 9 .. .h O. e7  .h4 eS 12.S?! ( .xeS! eS .S hxS 4.xS d7 S.f4 d6 .cxdS cxdS .bS± would ave been more ac curae.)  ...xS .hxS x+ 14.xf d7 S.cxdS eS? ( ... cxdS!) .e cxdS 7.f4 c6 18.bS c8 9.x7!+ . n e diaram poiion, lack

cold refrain from wakenin hi kinide y 9 ...0-0,  calin nder he re of all Whie' piece i alo a riy deciion. Wie can ry, for inance, O. e8 .h4 e 2.d!? 6 (2 .. .e4 hold e loin o .xe4 de4 4.xe4 6 .h+.) .hS c 4.e2 e6 S.0-0-0 e 6.h4. Te ale i enirely on lack' erriory. The ex i more rerained and i ive ie clear play wihou any rik.  e 8 4  9 3  100 -0 0- 0 1l 2 





I prefer i poiion for hie. He can manoeuve a eae, conan ly hreaenin  e-e4 or b-b4bS. lack' only acive plan i con neced wih ...c6-, bu en ie would have ypical play aain e hanin cenra pa. Look a e annoaion o ge  Dehev Cous Plovdiv 200.

9

Par 

omplete Games

7. Delchev-Colluiis u ro Club Cu p, Plovdiv 201 0 1 .t f3 tf6 2. c4 c6 3. tc3 d5 4.e 3 e6 5.Yc2 tbd 7 6.b3 b6 7 .cxd5

 ink a e only enible al ernaive o i excane i 7 . e b7 8 . b d 9.4!? 7 .. .exd5 8.d4 d6 9.d3 b7 1 0.0-0 0-0 1 1 .b2 e8 1 2.fe1 !

om d8 and e ex i aimed ex acly aain  .. .e7?!  .e4!. 1 2 ..c8 1 3.ad1

Ti rook ould ay away from c o avoid excane. ac c 4.�e e4 .a a .�xa df 7.dxc xc 8. �d7 9.�d ec8 0.e xc .xc xc+ .xc wa only equal in oricHuebner Manila 990. .e4 doe no brin any dividend a i poin:  ...dxe4 4.xe4 xe4 .e4 f  . f c7 7.xe8 + �xe8 8.e c oluaev Karpov Roquebrune 99. 1 3...Yc7

Ti pawn rucure dene wo main poin of conic  ie i conanly reaenin  ee4 wile lack may eek counerplay wi ...cc. n pracice lack avoid o commi imelf oo ear ly w i breakrou ince i would ive e opponen clear play aain e anin pawn. He would like o i rly e queen 9

lack decide o evacuae i queen o b8. n Aalikuono ra o 00 i quare wa aken by e biop:  ...b8 4 . f! �c7 . cd8 bu i eup made eecive ie' oer acive plan  .b4! a 7.a4 b 8.a �d 9 ie a rmly blocked e le ank and e can nally concenrae on e cenre: 9 ...c7 0.a e7 .d  .e4! .

. S 2.c4 c6 .e f6 4.c e6 Le u examine now he ypica poiion wh hanin paw: 1 ...cS 14.cS bxcS. [The ioa tor aer 14 ...xcS i omewha ul for lack, e.. S . fS e6 16.\ (16.\b b4) 16 .. .b8 17.U]

W

S.fS! No only pinnin he d7knih, bu ao boerin e de fence of Wie' calin poiion.  seem a r a i i even beer to include bS r: S.bS b8 16 . fS and wn he exchane aer 16 .. .a6 17. xf xf6 8.c8 \xc8, u deeper analyi ow a hie would be unable o ecape a raw by perpeual aer 19.c (or 19.a) 9 .. .d4! = . Wi a kni on c, hi idea i inucien for equal i: S .. .d4 (S .. .6 16.d7 \xd7 17.xdS!! dS 18.\c e 9.e4 c6 0.eS) .exd4  7.xe8+ xe8 8. cxd4 19.xd4 + 20. eS .d. Te pin i ill a caue of conce o lack.  4Wb d  g3!

A ve impoan redeploymen f e li -quared bihop. From g2 i wll rerain any idea h ... a d upport ee4 a e ame ime.  e7 6  f a6  7 g2 Wb

Te carm of i poiion i a ie can be manoeuvn for many move whou rikin o poil i inicanly. Te opponen' ak i much more dicul. n he dia ram poiion  could ave puhed 18.e4 de4 19.xe4 xe4 20.xe4 xe4 21.\xe4 f6 (1...c .d±)  .\c dS (2 .. .c .S±) .e, wih ome iniiaive, bu  decided o play on accumulaion of mall advanae and wai for an opporuni o deal a acical bow. My nex ep i o rade my paive biop and launch a minoriy aack on e queenide. 'm no afraid of counerplay wi 18 ...c 19.dxc bxcS becaue my piece are well e up exacly aain i break rou.  could coninue wh 0.4 d4 .a4 dxe .xe xe .\xe 2 4.x.  ee 9 a3  20 xd6 Wxd6 2 e2 e7

Wiou darkquared bihop, e anin paw oe mo of eir damic poenial. Moreover, he c-pawn i raher weak: 21...c 2.dxc bxcS 2.e b6 4.\a. 93

a 4 222 e 23.te2 4.t f4 a 25 .td3 f6

te4

29.d1 tb 3.3 g5

It i bcomin dicu for lack o wai any mor r 0   �c 7 h4 d8, vry in i rady for e4,     4x+ x SxdS + x x+ 7  8�c cxdS 9c7+; 31 .t d3 f5 32.W2 e6?!

Im binnin o rip dividnd from my manouvr lack la mov wakn  dS8 diaonal and  kinid a a wol I alo ak away  f-quar from  kni 26.td2 tg 5 27 .Wb2 a6 2.t f4

Finally a canc o bu  n my cnr a own up !   f4 xf4 d 4�xd xf4 S wa ill playabl alou  l would b of no ral u o lack Now  am nd in a fw mov: 33.te5! txe5 34.dxe5 Wd

lack ould avoid xcan of kni a y ar i only op for counrplay For inanc, 8  4 9dc c8 0x4 d4   a fS b4  up d4-dS and i advana b com anibl

94

(or 4  �xS Sf �f d4 d 7xc±) 35�f3 U 36td4 xe5 37.x6! f4 (7 xc 8xc �c7 9�b ! f8 40b4 �b7 4xa �xa 4f4 S 4dS i a ma in , accordin o  compur) 1-0

Part S

Anti-Meran I I 1 .f dS 2. c4 c6  .e f6 4. c e6 S. b  bd 7 6.9c2 id6 7.ib2

95

art 

Main deas 1 �  2 6   �6 � 6  �7 62 6 7 2

Thi par i he core of my book.  i moly baed on my o re earch on he bayone aack wih  followed up by 4. The move 8. ! ? (aer 7 0-0), ha been inroduced in 00 and ha no accumulaed enouh prac ice ye.  core very wel accord in o my daabae, achievin 7. Naurally, draw are eldom een in uch raeically unbalanced ame.  would like o re ronly ha hi harp plan i no my weap on of choice or a ea i i no my only reperoire. A he recen uro pean eam championhip  choe he reliabe and exible e, con neced wih hor calin.  i a perfec opion if you wan o avoid rik.  anaye i exenively in par . erhap i i be o vary boh 9

plan dependin on he opponen and he ournamen iuaion. f you do op for , houh, you mu play o he umo of your acical abiliie. The nex 0 move are likey o decide he ame. Thi i even more valid for your opponen houh. lack oen rie o folow recipe which are famiiar from he calmer variaion, and e cruhed rih in he openin.  hope ha my book will help you conribue your own hare of nice miniaure. Le' divide ack' defenive plan ino wo roup: wih an early calin and wihou i. Anoher major diincion i wheher ack play ... a, or puhe ...e5 wihou hi preparaion. Tha lead o dif feren pawn rucure. 1 lack doe no cale and re

ric 5 by .. .h:

7"a6 8gl!?  (or 8 .. .e7

9.4 h O.e! folowed by h4) g h6 (9 ...e4 O.5). Now we hould no hurry o open he h-le o he enemy rook. nead, we can complee developmen and rike in he cenre: 100-0-0!  11� � 12h

4c 6 Sb b7 6�c 6 7b  0 - 0 8g1 6 

Ti mov a no bn ri y  look v conin o m o  av pn a lo of im on i g b 10g �e8 1lh! e 12h bx 13bx b8! 12 b (   0-0 d! ) 133! 3 13 b 1 e2! 0-0 1± 



2 lack play  eS wou a6  0-0 8g1 e   (9 cxdS 0bS b8 c) 0e  1lg! e8 12g  13h  

n i exrmely arp poiion ie ould ak on d5  no o win a pa bu o poin wo more pice a  black kin 1x!  1x b 1 ! 

ie o e iniiaive er 14a  one way or anoer e ill play 4S even if e would av o rade liquared bi p Ten e ould conider bo 5- or S6 ee e deaild mmenarie of gme 8 ojt ekszto Lba 004 3 lack play  eS aer  a6

m afraid you ould memori e r of my analyi from "ep by p line  o id ave o follow a narrow pa wic reac a poiion were ie reain  iniiaive  lack doe no commi im

elf wi pawn move in  cenre  0 - 0 8g1 e g! ? 

n lack avoid acion in e cenr i can alo pnd a empo on devlopmen by 9!? 97

ar   ga 9 aas-aznar ogu, Analya 00 

lack a dlayd -, bu  may b nvr capabl of aciv in i anymor a i can uc clly con  dark quar: a) 9  a? ! O 8 xa xa 4 f xf dxf 4 d f4±, Polak-Pr, rava 00 b) 9  ?! 0x x  d7 f4 c) 9  8!? O4 b   f4 f 4 

in and mov ord Thi i du o  fac a b do no a d in any way  criical quar  and   for h cnr Ta iv Wi a fr and on  kinid f cour, w can alo xcan on d and njoy a mall, bu lain d a own in or par of  book

Tyc Tcc f Ti par dal w vry unbal ancd poiion wr acical vi lanc i on dciiv T follow in aackin uid ould lp you ni ou poibl blow om afar f lack do no bar  main diaonal by ,  on bcom cim of a  bary: Analysis

Wi' ra ar mor ub anial ar dx  lack play  b

T bayon aack i civ aain  anco in all i 98

!  cxd cxd xd! xd 4c+

4.c 6 5. 7 6.c2 6 7 . 2 Nogueiras-Kirk Dos Hermanas 2003

7.b4! a6 8.4 +.

i coninu w 2.5 5 an o a i avana ar  . ! 4 4.x4 x4 S . x4. Howvr, lack coul av pr vn  acl  2 ...4. o   in of i ia i 2 . ! 4 .x4 dx4 4 . x4 6 S.5!. nor inrin poiion ari if in  la variaion lack coo 2 ...6. i follow up  .5 c5 4 .  6 5.0-0-0 7 6. 4.

omim diar rac lack on bo nibour diaonal: Pekov-Friedrich Cesenaico 201 0

i will row ino  r f2f4 o crack nmy dfnc .

4 . d! 4 (or 4 ... 5.x f6 . x  7.7+ f8 18 . fS±) S.x4! dx4  . x4+ .

f a wi kni can rac f6 (from dS or mor on from 4) w ould alway b on  alr o po poibl acic bad on  opnin of  l:

Chadaev-Popov Russian ch 201 1

.f6+! xf6 2.!! wi an a ack. 99

ar  Hr i anor xampl:

44 ! ! (4bxc4 fS! i unclar) 4 cxb Sab i a a ron iniiaiv For inanc:   c7 f+ df 7xf xf 8c d8 9Ja4!

W   pawn rucur a ari ar an arly S T ra of f+ or S- rrain lack' counrplay Wi can r r incra i rikin powr by binin  qun o  knid ar  d-

o o mmb:

f ack pay S wiou a, w k on dS nd ina a pow ki on 4 f lck play  S ar  a , w do no k o n dS and procd wi our ck on  kinid   f lck rc S by  , w comp dvopmn, ca on and n py in  cnr or folow up wi 4

00

 

Step by Step �  2 6 e �f6 � 6  � 62 6  2

 0-0 

lack can  o ak  in  of  bayon aack 4 y dlayin calin, bu i kin would b vn mor vulnrabl in t cnr: a) 7  a 8J! ? T calmr alrnaiv 8d4 00 9  i xamind in Par lin C. i a a iny d in i -p wiou any rik 8   (8 00 94 b ranpo  o  main lin) 9 4  i amazin o wac ow poor y lack prform in pracic vru ti plan

T am Haucard-Rlan, Nan 99, conind 9 d4?! Oxd4 xd4 xd4   x4 f4, wn lack i clo o loin a  a 4a4± co a pic 9 4 look mor conin Prap i ould coo O  x xf xf x bcau Od4   f4 cxd c �x4 cxd4 (  f? 4x 0-0 + x f4+) 4xd4 00  x 0-0-0 8 i no oo clar T nin lik: 9   Ti civly dicour a rr advancin wi O4 bcau opnin  l would ip  balanc in lack favor: 0  4 d4 (    xf xf 4x7 )   x  f4 4cxd cxd xd  c d+ 7xd xd 8�xd xf 0

ar  19�c h 0 x ow ever, 9 h weaken he kinide and make ure calin riky for lack Whie can complee develop men wih: 1O0-0-0! e4 1d4 e 1h and hi in he cenre, for example:

1 b (1  0-0 1d) 1d! exd 14d bxc4 1e! 0-0 1f4  17b1 veryhin i ready for a deciive aack b) 7  �e7 i a exible move a mi ranpoe o e quie line of Par  aer Be 0-0 9 0-0 Tere are ome line of independen i nicance, were Wie combine B  e wi 9 ee gam 9 aa-azdaogu, alya 00 ie can alo reveal i a reive plan immediaely: B1 a 9 4  0 e lack a no caled ye o i i ood o make a developin move inead of 4 1O b Te emaic 1O e 1h4 dxc4 bxc4  1  14hx h 1e4 wa muc beer for ie in imonian-emenova, Voronez 10

010 The ex, however, weaken he c qare 1h4 7 1 b4 1a4 B 1 hx 14hx± e4 1cxd cxd 1�c bB 17xa co lack a pa in Dobrov-Menadue, Caerleon 0 07 1 hx 1hx B The ame oner-Ri, Neu hauen 007, coninued here  140-0-0, bu hi mih no be he be opion f lack open e b le, ie ould be able o cone i h b1 Therefore, 14d4 ! look preferable:

Wie a a pace advanae and e beer piece: 14 e 1cxd cxd 1dxe xe 17�d dB 1B0-0-0± or 14bxc4 1bxc4 bB b fB 17a4 �eB 1Bc (or 1Bc c7 19d e7 0U) 1B cB 9cxd cxd 0xa± Te above example ow a ie develop a ron iniiaive ve quicy Perap lack ould eriouly ink abou prevenin -4 by 9  10h 4! ? Now le u reurn o 7 0-0

4c e6 5 d7 6c2 d6 72 7 e7 8e2 0-0 9 earler n i caer 9  8!?

ie i now facin a fae oice: B! ? or e more conven nal Be2, wic i e jec of a 6 8g1!?

Te incion ofBe2 eB 9 s robably in ack' favor Aer  e5 cxd5 xd5 e4 7f6 e rook defend e e5-pawn!) xd xd6 1a d7 lack sand oidy in e cenre er B, main brance are: A B  e7  B  a6 C. B  e5 A minor aernaive i B e5 xe5 xe5 4! (10f4 c7  0-0-0 e5)   x2  7 15 eB 1d 6 140-0-0 ie only need o p in 1 o ae all i iece a e opo t' kin A. 8 W 9g! ? 

I ave examined e oiion  9e !? nder te move order

Hodini and Ryka ike i move I ave een in pracice ony: a) 9  a?! Te excane of i iop i poiionally nond a now lack' dark quare are oo weak: 5 eB a xa 1 4 f5 1xf6 dxf6 14e5 d6 15f4 d4 16e4 xe4 7xe4 f6 1B±, olaker, rava 010 b) 9  e5?! 10xe5 e5 5 d7 1 f4 d 1d 6 144 c5 15e2 dxc4 16xc4 5 174 a6 1Be4+, Noeira-Kirk, o Hermana 00 c) 9  dB 5 eB 4 a6 15 5, doard-Gliyev, Livry Garan 2009, wen 1d 6 (1 fB 146 6 15cxd5 cxd5 16xd5±) 14x6 x6 15cxd5 cxd5 16x6 6 17xd5± wod ave een crin 10

A r I analyed 00-0-0 c7 d4 6 1d 6 11, b ack enerae coniderale conerplay on e qeenide: 1  a5 144 (14e4 dxc4 15xc4 e5 14cxd5) 14  a6 15e 7 165 a4 17xa4 4 18d2 dxc4 19xc4 5 20c5 erap  i afer o eave e kin a e1 In e enin compcaion I wa in tried y e poiion ae: 1

at S   1

t s tme t a attet t te ete. t s ucea w t ceed ae 11.e2 eS 12.g3 g 13.S S.

 23 . x x 2.e 8 2S.g2 xg1 2.xg.

l  12g g 1  1 

9  !

este te seemg dage us attak f ack, Wtes teats ae me substata. ee ae sme caz vaatns 1   (1S...eS 1. 0-0-0

exf4 1.cxdS and 1..xe3+ fas t 18.1+) 1  1 

1 .. . e 18.d2 b 19.0-0-0 eS s as ssble, but nw te takes ve the tatve wth 20.fS b4 (20 .. .g 21.b1) 21.h2 a 22.e xe 23.gS e 24.b1 axS 2S .xbS . 18  

 18 ...xe3 19 . c b8 20. xdS+ h8 21 . eS 22.eS 14

 sd sta sut. 19.e2 eS 20 . xd exf4 21.S a 22 . d3 ws a ece, ut cm ete aads te tatve t te eem: 22 .. .ae8 23.g2 (23. f xe3 24.d1 c8 2S . c1 xe2+ 2. xe2 xg4 2. xa 3  23.hS xe3 24.d1 xe2+ 2 S. xe2 xg1 2 .xg1 d4 2 . c4+ g 28. xd4+  29 . xb) 23 ...4+ 24.f1 e3 2S.g1 f4. 19  ' 20    21  22'2  2 h+ 2\l a8 2l

The eS-kght s ung ve the bad, f stance, 2S ...a 2.fS± .  8   a

Ths ve has t been ted n actce et, but t s ve cnss tet. ack s an t en the

4c 6 b bd7 6c d6 7  b nid wih b7bxc4, o lon alin bcom qui problmaic  r Whi Hi nx wo mov ar ar: 9.g4 b 10.g e8

bu now h mu mak a major ciion

lack i rady o play , bu d4 bxc4 bxc4 Eb! i no oo spirin Th hra of dxc4 fol wd by cS i unplaan wi hi' kin uck in h cnr! hrfor hi hould probably  for a hadon aack h:

lack ha no im for c7 du o 4a4, hrnin o win h -pawn ar c4-c Followin 4 4 h6! 6 6c f6 7xf6 Exf c f 9S, Wi ll all hi opnin aim 14.cx!

Whi ha o ak h pawn b cau 4b  c7 Sd!? fS! (  4 x4 dx4 74+-   S cxd cxd 76   Exf 9h7+ f 0 ) xfS Exf 7xfS cS c 4 9h4 d+ 0  a i al for him Th immdia 4  d iv lack h opporuniy o how h ida of hi prviou mov: 4 fS!? (or 44 x4 dx4  4 fS 7c cS dS+  9+ x 0h  c Exb!) Scxd 4 x4 4 74 Exb! xb cS, wih an iniia iv 14  1.x b7 16.c4! 

l.h4 ! e

v mpo i prciou   7 hS S d! 4 4x4 mah lack' dfnc 12.h

Now  d fail o  ! 13 f ExfS 4 c 2 ...bxc4 13.bxc4 b8 !

 look lik Whi' pic ar hanin bu h forc (manin 0

ar S acic) i wi im. lack m play very carelly o avoid e n merou acical mine wic cold explode a any momen. For in ance:  ..JcB look normal, b en follow 7.f+ xf (7 ...dxf B.xf �xf 9.S+) B. xc4 (B ... 7 9.4) 9.�xc4 x 0.x 7 .4 and Wie iniiaive i undipuable.

erap e mo accrae an wer i: 16 �b6 17.�f6+! f6 18.f6+ 8 19.�x5 �xc4 

er 9 ...xeS 0. xeS d, Wie old probably op for e lily beer endame .xd �xf .�c �xc .c xc4 4 .xbB xbB S.b eS . d+ 7.e cS B. ince .7, amazinly, i no winnin  .. .e4 .d cB .�b eB 4.xd �xf S. (S.x �x .xe4 �f 7.b4 xe4 B.�xe4 �xa+ 9.e=) S .. .=. 20.g7 �xg7 21.g7+ xg7 22 .�c6 + �xb2 23.�xd8

Te maerial i abou balanced, b e afer kin poiion and piece aciviy ip e cale in Wie favor: a) . ..b  .�4 cB .�e4 �eB 4.a4. ile ack i ied dow w e defence of i kin, Wie can improve on e oppo ie wn. 4...aS (4 ...d7 S.aS cB .x+ x 7.fS S B.�xfS) S.c e .xaS dS 7.x+ �x B. b aB 9.�  fB 0. + eB  .bS. b) ...�c7 .x+ x .�xc7 xc7 4.c bB S. 7 .  B 7.a. ...c7 i no any beer de o 7.f+ xf 8.�fS B 9.d e4 0.xf B .7. 0

A criical poiion. m ure a compuer old be able o defend i, bu over e board lack ak i muc more dicl. Hi kin i expoed and e ran queen i able o creae on of rea. Gen erally, Wie aim o rade a pair of rook in order o amper e coor dinaion of e enemy piece. Look a i variaion:

4 c e6 5b bd 6c2 d6   b2 2  d8 24xb2+ f6 25c2 e (25  bc8 26h6+ xh6 2 b2) 26b d5 2xb8 xb8 28f a2 29h6+ h8 0d f8 c6 h6 2xf6+  xa6 8 4f4± lack mu eep hi piece oeher in order t avoid double aack, bu ha alow ie o ar rollin hi awn

c8 6d, wih acive piece The knih move aim o ain he bi hop pair advanae 0 b8 The aemen of O e de pend on he harp variaion c

23 S 24bl dS 5xb2 bcS 26 6 27c2 S 2S 4 

Whie ha more chance o n than lack o draw here C S e5 9cxd5 xd5 

ie will e an invaion suare on c7 aer: 9  cxd Ob The hemaic 04 alo de serve aenion, for example, 0 b6  e8 2b e4

xd6 (fd4 e7 4h4 d7)   xd6 4d4 (4e f  c8 6d xc 7xc c 8c e6) 4 d7 f4

a)   e4 2fd4 h h e 4f4 (4a±) 4e± b)   d4 xd6 xd exd4 exd4 4c7 e+ d epie he awkward placemen of Wie' kin in he cenre, he re of hi piece are o acive ha lack can no avoid implicaion For exam ple:  e4 6d4 df6 7c4 f 8e± c)   e8 xd xd6 4 f6 4 (or even 4h4 b �c) 4  e4 xf dxf 6e f 7c c e4 fd4 h (  e c d+ 4d exd c c7 6�xc7 d7 7) h Whie ha an ovehel min advanae for only one pawn The ame Luhenkovemianjuk, Mink 2008, wen on   e 4f4 ex x a6 6c c �xc 0

ar 

n he even of 0 .. �e7, Whie hould no hurry o ea he paive bihop on d. Aer .xd �xd  .a e8 .d c 4 . e b .4 b7 .h4 a 7. a4 8.h b 9.  0.hx h, ocharov elozerov, Tomk 0 09, i play on he kinide reaced an im pae. erhap he hould preven ...-f by .4! ? Thi idea ha been realized in pracice wi e inerion of .a c7 .4. The ame urrizaa arapov, ubai 0 0 wen  ... 7f .xf+ �xf 4. d  .e4 �e7 .

ndoubedy, ie own e ini ave, o  can underand lack impaien nex move, wic urned ou o be a blunder:  .. .f? 7.xf xf 8.x x 9.x+ 8 0.xe �7 . -0. 1g4

08

Thi i a model poiion for he bayone aack.  i pracically un eed a  found only  ame in my daabae. ie ll probably leave hi kin in e cenre. Hi nex move are 4-, 4h. Ten e ould reevaluae e iuaion de pendin on e opponen move. lack play i no o clear.  ... b4 .�c4 a doe no chane muc a aer .a b 4.�c 4d .�c , lack will probably ave o play  .. .e8 anyway. Ten  . d  7., followed by 4 i pleaan for Wie. Tu lack mo naural move remain: 1  12g5  13h4  

ie a ome iniiaive. ee e deailed annoaion of gam  ojazk-zoak, b 004.

art 

omplete Games

. ojaszek-Kszofiak PLch  1  Leba 2004 1.c4 e6 2.f3 d5 3.b3 f6 4 b2 c6 5.e3 bd7 6.Yc2 d6 c3 0-0 g1 e5 9.cxd5 xd5 1 .e4 c7 1 1 .g4 e 

ack' kni canno and on e dquare:  ...b4 .�c4 a a b 4.c 4dS S.�c. 1 2.g5 f 1 3.h4 f5

ric e dS-kni bu b4 i ou of i pan bcau e e ank could eer i kin ar an even ua calin.  eenia poin in ie' aack i 4-S and i em enibe o pu i wiou any de ay: 4.S. Ten mundane coninua ion ike 4 ...�e S.a ad woud favour ie   . d  .4 c .0-00±. Te only way o ree 4.S woud be an aack in e cnre by: 4.. .e! S. (ranin .f+) S .. .d4

14.a3!

T pa ucur i dcepiv. ne mi aru a ie pay e iciian w coour rverd   caracr of poiion i in ac complly dirn. i i ry o kp a low a poib o  qunid in ordr o avoid eakn. H ll pu a o r

ie a wo poible cap ur bu lack reain counerpay ir way: a) .xd4 xd4 .f+ xf 8.�xfS  9. 4 (9 ... xS 0.c4 f .! +) 0 .c (0.  .� xf .f 09

art S �d7 .xf e6 4.cS ae S.fS e7) 0 ... .� xf .xf �d7 .h6 eS. b) 6. xd4 exd4 7.f6+ xf6 .�xfS xhS ( ...dS 9.6 6 0.hx6 dxe .e h6  . c4) 9 .c4 6  0. �x+ h .e f .�c4 b6 .4 �d7 4.xd4 f4 S.c xe 6.�xe. Wojazek prepare o cale and ha i a reaonable choice. Now 4 ... e6 would no be danerou in view of S.000. lack would no be able o hold he blockade on hS anyway.

�d 4.xe �d7 S.h4 ad 6. �e7 7.d. b) 6 .. .aS 7.h xe .xe d7 9. �e7 0.hS �e6 .f �fS .a. c) 6 .. .�e7 7.fd xe .xe ad 9.hS a 0. h .a

 4g6 5d3 f5

Thi look a bi impaien.  do believe ha lack canno urvive wh a paive defence aain he bea on e4 and ooner or laer e would be forced o move he f pawn. However he hould have waied for a beer momen for in ance: S .. .hS 6 . e

a) 6...6 7.h aS . 4 9.hS. The blockade i removed and Wie eaily redeploy hi piece for he aack: 9 ...f 0.e4 e6 .d �e7 .h4 xe .fS 0

Now lack can wai h: c) ...e6 . f (Aain  .. .fS doe no lly equalie. er .xf xf6 4.e  S.4 x .x  7.x+ x 8.�e Whie i ill beer even hou rook.) Perhap Whie can ry o hi hi queen o he kinide wih .f �e h4. C)  . ..�e  . �d7 . (.!?  4.hx6 h6 S.h)  ... b6 4.�e cS S.6  .hx x6 (6 ...h 7.fS) 7.fS f .�hS  9.�h6 �7 0.�h4. The early breakhrouh in he ame made weaknee and ave ie a free hand on he nide:  6gxf6 xf6  .0-0-0 �xe4  8dxe4 f6  9g 5 ad8

4c e6 Sb b 6c2 6   b2 19 h6 i not too helpl ue to  f4 20 . c4+  B

(2hS!hS24h2e 2S+) 23 ... b5 24.f7+ gB

25.f5 bxc4 26.fxg6 xg6 27�xdB xdB 2B.c2 cxb3 29.xb3+ 7 305 4? 31.xg6+ �xg6 32.d1 1-0 9. Halkias-Haznedaroglu Analya 2001

1 .�f3 �f6 2c4 c6 3. �c3 d5 4.e3 e6 5b3 d6 6 .b2 � bd7 7.c2 0-0 B .e2 e7 9g  21JxdB

Thi exchane would have been stied ony if i were winnin by ce White' rook are very active  he hould have preee both  them by 2d bS 22  e2 e6 3f4± 21 .. xdB 22f4 e7?

Loe by force From f6 the en defend the critical are  could not nd anythin ciive aer 22 h  d7  e2 b (24h7 Sb1 e7) eS e+ 26b1 e6 7c4  Je1 f4 9e6 f6 02 7 (The endame follon 0   1xf6 xf 2 4 d  c4 4x6 x6 Sx6 cxb @b2; i lihtly better, e   e 7xf6 7 + 6 fS xe6 40hS+ 7 41eS) 3 d4 eS 2fS fS exfS 2 4xb2; ite tand nice , but would he be able to make re?

t i hardly the bet idea o com bine e th  n many varia tion the bihop would be much more danerou on d We have alo een example here lack play eS-e4, eS Then White break throuh with d when e2 woud be a o of tempo n the other hand, ite miht arue that   e7 i not too challenin either, compared to  a6, folowed up by bS or eS A a whole, 9 i playable and face ack th con crete problem n the contrary, the ac 94 i dubiou althouh in Wojtazek-Cichocki, zwirzyno 2004, White had ome compen ation aer 9 x4 1O eS 11xeS xeS 12d4 6 10-0-0 11

art S dxc4 4c4 S SdxS xS f4 f 7Jd 8 8b I prfr to u t -pawn for rpllin t knit from f ratr tan for opnin t -l 9 ... e5

r a yar Hazndarolu im provd aaint Karadniz Ankara 00  wit 9  dxc4 Prap  wa aaid of 9S 0cxdS xdS 4 Indd   c7?!  4 would b imilar to our familiar am Wojtazk-Kryzto ak but tradin biop wit   a! 4 b �xb 8 would a bn n for im Obxc4 S 4 cS S 8 4 a 4S a4

Hr it co S4 and ad a ood am ar S   x4 but S  fS d x4 7dx4 b4+ 8d d+ would av bn awward Intad S  a look ood nou for intanc S  xd xd 7 x 8x cS 9x+ x 0! W ould nvr fort tat ndam ar uually favourabl for it in t bayont attack 

lack a alo ttd 9 a but ti xcan i only ood if it ad alrady takn on dS  tr Oxa xa 4 d8 S 8 4 a 4S bS S  d f8 S b7 7 d 8f4±

Wit dominatd on t dark quar in Martinz-Fnollar To tana 0 1 0g4 b6 1 1 g5 e8

12h4

it ad a ood altrna tiv r  cxdS xdS 4  4a imilarly to Wojtazk yztoak I uppo it would vn b t bt option a  4 4! d4 a would av bn a total m T trat of cS forc t anwr 4a4 cS SaS cxd4 xd4

4.c 6 .b bd7 6.�c2 d6 7 . b2 i by 20 ... 6 2.c 7 22.f4 f wi doubl-dd play. 20 .. ae

lack mi  canc o rad i biop: 20 ...4 .2  22.x2 a8 2.f4 6 24.f, and bcom clarly wor. Now  rdy 6 .d7? 17.xd �6 8.000 would iv i a rmndou iniiaiv, bu 16.. .dxc4! 7axb6 cxb 8x4 6 lad o an "unclar (man  unclar o m!) poiion. n  am, lack rrd and av  op nn conrol of  cnr 1 2...e6? 1 3.c5 xc5 14.xe5 d7 1 5.xd7 d7 1 6.d3 g6 1 7h5 a3 1 .a3 xa3 1 9.e2 g7

21 .f4 d6 23.b1?

22.0-0-0

c5

Ti i ovrly propylacic  m a Halkia wa vry rluc an o dn  pawn rucur on  kinid, bu i wa  b lin for im: 2.6! 6 4.b±. 23 ... b5

24.b2? 20g3

T xcan of  biop waknd  dark quar, bu i ducd Wi aackin pon ial. Trfor, Wi ould prob ably can i ra and play n a lonrm poiional advan a wi 06  xf  .c f6  4 4.4; Ti variaion u a lack d i kni and ould kp

4. 6 .b c4 6.f wa an ay n T x allow 24 ... x! x x 6 4,  a dfndabl poiion. nad, lack co  maic, bu loin brakrou .. .f. Ta wa wa Halkia wa waiin for o lon: 24...f5? 25.gxf6 xf6 26.hxg6 hxg6 27.c2 c4 2.xg6 cxb3 29.axb3 g4 30.xe xd1 31.xd1 1-0



114

Pa 6

Anti-Meran I I I 1 . dS 2.c4 c6 . e 6 4. c e6 S. b  bd 7 6.Vc2 Jd6 7.Jb2 0-0 B.Je2

115

Pa 6

Man deas

n hi par,  examine an alerna ive approach baed on hor ca lin Then ie play d4 veru eup h a and oen delay hi move in he oher yem

pah Le u examine lack' main opion:

 d 2c4 c6 33 f6 4c3 6 b3 bd7 6Wc2 d6 7  b2 0 - 0 8 2!?

The immediae B dxc4 i el dom een ie can oranize an aack lean hi kin in he cen re: 9c4 bS 0  e b7  S a  h4!? cS    4x lack' defence i no rivial, be caue he ha no any lever o ue for counerplay



1 lack ake on c4 aer B eB

or B  �e7

B  JeB or B  e7 are more cun nin coninuaion a hie ha o dene hi plan  i a bi lae for he bayone aack, o we have nohin beer han calin B  e i a exible developmen, where hie wan o exploi he abence of dd4 Play mih alo ranpoe o familiar line om he AniMeran, where hie i lihly beer, bu he real clah i deferred for he middleame n my opinion, hie ha enouh pure Ri-yle alernaive, o  do no ee any need o reo o he well rodden 

B  �e7 90-0 dxc4 Oc4 bS   d! ? (  e)   b7

4c 6 Sb bd 6c2 d6 b2 00 B  2!? A ical up Wi can pu a ig on 4, obaining good pro c for a ngid aack: 2gS 6 g4 c 4f4

Wi' gnral plan i o pu d4, poibly ar om prparaion a in  gam GricukKramnik, Wijk aan Z 20 :

Hr i a imilar xampl: B  B c4 O c4 bS   2 (Tr s noing wrong wi   d, bu  av no pracical xampl o show)  b7 2 gS cB, kov aan, alma 200 9

2 fB a a 4d4 g6 S  d! xd4 6xd4 g4 (6  S 7JaU)  fS f6

Wi a  uppr and

T gam wn f4!?, alo in ting i c4 x4 4x4 bB Sf4 fS g g6 7b4 2. lack nr icilian ruc

t wi coour rvrd

3 lack anco i biop

H ould do i by following  mov ordr wi B B 900 b, bcau B  b6 could b aackd wi 9g!? b7 Og4 S gS B 2000 c7 b 6 44 7

B  JB 900 S 0cxdS xdS 14 c7 2!

Sd4! 4 6S i i clarly aad wi i oniv B 900 b6?! i alo a mi ak du o OcxdS xdS d4! 

Pat 6 e 8 e8 9  b6 I suggest to dene the pawn stuctue wth 1 cxdS exdS 1d4 b 12fd e 1g

lac has now two options: 9  bS o 9  eS y deay would be un easonable since White will faou ably open the cente with e4: 9  e 1O-  bS 1e4 eS 1 2cxdS cxdS 1dxeS xeS 14xdS± a 9  bS 1 b It is impotant to now the ai ation 1O bxc4 11bxc4 dc4

ie sets the manoeue e2-g2 which wold gie him a asting ede de to the possible beathogh e-e4  see Pat 4 gam 7 Dcv-Cou Plo di 21O lacs only counteplay is 1   cS b bS b8 1S a6 16c d6 1g2 is pleasant fo White 4 lac plays a

12a4 cS? 1dxcS 14xcS xcS SgS 

xcS

1cS c7 1b4 eS 1dxeS xeS 14xeS xeS

He can do it on moe 8 o ae 8 e7 9- ainst this paticu la etp we shold not wait with d ny lone 8  a 9d4

Sf4 A thematic way to ene the supemacy of ou bihop alon the main diagonal  ie hee ex ample on that theme in the "Com mented Games chape ee fo 18

4.c3 e6 5.b3 bd 6.�c2 d6 .b2 - B . e2  stance my ga 12 D uo Poto Caas 1.11.211. b 9 .. .e5 1.cxd5 cxd5 11.e5 xe5 12.-

White payes oe this posi tion because they hae cea pay against the isoato. In fact it is dif cut to extact something tangibe th a standad manoeuing. That is why I chose to anayse in depth two games whee White assumes some is by aunching a diect at tac with f4. ee ga 13 D-Van y Meila 21.11.211 and ga 11 Ioo-s t. Pe tesbug 211.

Poins o rbr:

If lac taes on c4 we ecaptue by the bishop and eae the pawn on d2. We pay d4 ealy in the opening ae B ..eB 9. - b6 1.cxd5 exd 11.d4 and against ...a6. We exchange on d5 ae ... b6 as aboe o ae B ... e5. In the iciian stuctue ae B ... eB 9.- e5 1.cxd5 xd5 1.e4 c we play 12.g3 and aim fo d4.

119

Pa  6

Step by Step l.  d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 f6 4.c3 e6 5.3 d7 6.c2 d6 7 2 0 - 0 S e2!? 



e4 16.h6 with a pepetual. 9g is moe "solid but then 9 ...e5 1.cxd5 xd5 11.e4 gies lac exta options compaed to the line without e2. The e5-pa is aleady potected so 11 ...f6 is possible. e 12.xd6 �xd6 1.a d ites game is een a little wose.

A. 8 .. .e8  . 8 .. .�e C. 8 .. .a6 . 8 .. .dxc4  8 ...b6. 8 .. .e5 9.cxd5 xd5 1.e4 c g tansposes to lines A o . A. S ... eS 9. 0 - 0

I thin that the ealy e2 does not t in well to the bayonet attac because it may poe to be a loss of tempo. till some stong play es test this plan in apid games. ZaginseMaletin ch-R apid 211 saw the is sacice 9.g4 xg4 1. g gf6 11.g5 f8 12.  - e5 1.f4 d4 14.ce4 f5 15.x 12

b6.

A. 9 ...dxc4 A2. 9 ...e5  9 .. . 9 .. .�e tansposes to 8 ...�e. . 9 dxc4 10. xc4! 

1.bxc4 e5 11.d4 (the tic play th 11.ad is dubious due to 11 .. .e4 bings about a well no aiation om the Anti-Mean whee hite has committed his dasquaed bishop to b2 too ealy.

4c3 e6 Sb3 bd 6�c2 d6 b2 - 8e2 ?

(e Meran 16  eS?  1fS White was clealy An-Meran Variations Chess bette

ccoding to Dee &

tas 211 lac has fai chances e the exible 11 �e eeping pen the option of e4 o 11  exd4 2exd4 f8 lO b5 

1  b6 has been played in se eal games Pehaps the best etot  11d eS 12e4 xe4 1xe4 6 14d4; exd4 Sad1 although 11d4 xc4 12bxc4 as in eno ednis Pasadena 198 is also in hites faou lac cannot ee is play th  eS while the othe ea 12 cS 1bS cxd4 14d4 eS Sxd6 �xd6 16eS xeS ad is also hoible fo him

. 9 5 lOcxd5 �xd5 

1O cxdS is typically bad if White has 11bS The game Izoia-Peez Rodiguez Dos Hemanas Inte net 2 6 went 11 b8 12ac1 d4 when best would hae been 1gS h6? 14x x 1S  c4 f8 16a3 1l�4 c7

1l 2 b7 12 �g5 c8

This position has been eached n PetoMassanet Palma 29 ow 1ce4 xe4 14xe4 b8 Sf4 fS 16g g6 14 is pefea e fo Wite but maintaining ten on th 1f4? was not bad eithe e 1  a 14a4 �e 1S hS g6

We see a typical icilian pa stuctue with colous eesed Howee lacs pieces ae ey passie and misplaced His only actie plan is connected with ... and a ngside attac but ites last moe undelines the tility of such hopes ite on the contay has two pomising plans The one is to play on the queenside but lac should be able to oppose it by a e The othe one is to push d4 12

Pat 6 possiby ae some pepaation as in the game Pougaevs-Piket, uba 1994: 12ad f8 Hee 1d4 exd4 14xd4 is pematue due to 14 xh2 Sxh2 �h4 16g �xe4 1�xe4 xe4 18  e and lack can hold this position, but White could insert 1 g g6 14a a when Sd4 is aleady ne Polugaevs opted fo sow manoeuvring with 1d �e 14a a Sfe fS 16g g6 1�c4 b6 18�g4 �d 19h4, with a sight pu The text seems ike an impoved vesion of this game ee also game 10 D.Gurevic-Vigo rio, A 1998 fo moe explana tions 12 ...

The attempt to build up a Ma czy bind by 12  b4 1�b1 cS 14a dS Sc1 b6, as in Gitsa-Golod, ie 29, is dubious White can at tac it by 16b4 The same bea is possible as a eal sacice ae 15  h6, eg 16b4 cxb4 1axb4 xb4 18d4 exd4 19xd4, with excellent compensation f couse, instead of eteating to 1�b, it woud be even moe consistent to activate the queen on c4 13.a3 a5!

1  e 14b4 g6 Sac gives White clea play on the c-le 14.d4 g6 15 . d3! exd4 16.xd4 Jg4 (16 eS 1ae 17  f6 

122

I have been folong the game Gischu-Kamnik, Wijk aan Zee 211 White has the uppe hand Nothing can stop him fom oling the f- and e-pawns Pehaps the best way to do it is 18h  19dxfS eS 2f4 b2 21�xb2;, although 18 hS 19ae, as played, was not bad eithe . 9 6 

Now that the bayonet attac is no longe an option, this anchetto is quite vable Pehaps it is even the most solid etort to Whites set-up 10.cxd5

I ike this exchange since the symmety would be bad fo ac due to 1O cxdS 11bS ite has anothe easonable option though The position ae 1d4 b 11ad �e 12fe ad8 has been topica ately It seems that 1d eS 14cxdS cxdS SdxeS xeS is only equa so White has been test

4c3 e6 S3  6�c2 6   2 - 8  e2 g 13  eS 14xeS xeS SxeS xeS 16g3 �hS

lithea 28 shoul e met y S�xe4 13.g3

ites bishops ae moe ac e than thei blac counteparts w 1cxdS ceating an isolani esees attention but 1g2 dc4 8bxc4 c8 19e2 as in Hace chulz Gemany 21 is also easant fo White 10 •• •exd5 .d4 b7 12.fdl

I hae played the same pawn uctue (see Part 4 game 7 De ev-Couis Plodi 21 and I thin it is ey comfotable fo hite asically he plays without y is If he completed deel ment and edeployed the light uaed ishop to g2 his game uld be bette It is good to begin is manoeue ight away in ode  aoid counteplay in the cen e The game M Gueich-Dee p dde 22 saw 12ad e 3 fe ac8 14�fS (14 f cS �b c4 14  �e6= 12.. • 7

12   e4 13xe4 e4 14eS c emis-Katzouais Kal 

A citical position ite needs anothe two moes on e2--g2 so maybe lac should attempt to get some counteplay hee The most obous ty is: 13 cS 14S b8 Sf a6 16c3 d6 1g2

Now 1 c4 is dubious due to 18bxc4 dxc4 19e4 but the hang ing pawns in the eent of 1ac8 18dxcS bxcS 19h4 �e6 2�2 would also be a cause of constant concen to lac 13  ac8 is moe clee White follows with 14ac when 14  123

at 6 e4 (o 14 cS Sf1 Sxe4 dxe4 16 d2 cS 1dxcS (1dS xdS 18 c4 c4 19  xc4 f6 2  bS ed8 21xf6 xf6 22xe4= 1xcS 18c4 f6 19b1 e6 2eS dS 21bS ed8 22  a6 gies him the bette pieces In the game ischo-ode ad westen 22 ac opted fo a passie stand:

B1. ..b6?!

This moe is amost aways du bious against the Rti set-up with out d4 becase White gains the bishop pai adantage with: 10.cxd5 cxd5 1d4 1l.�b5

(O exdS

13 ad8 14. � 15.g2 �g6 16.�d2 b8 17.eU 

White has moe space fo ma noeing whie acs tas is not so tiia ites main theat is e e4 bt he has anothe possibe pan with bb4 He can aso foow my set-p against Cotiis  ad1 c1 a tading the bishops B. 8. .e7 . 0 - 0

1l..a6!

1 b is too passie The game Mosaenosina Lea aceona 2 8  went 12xd6 xd6 1ac1 ac8 14b1 a6 Sa1 fd8 16h h 1eS e8 18xd xd7 19d4 d 2b2 xc1 21xc1 c8 22xc8 xc8 2c b7 24a4 f6 2Sf4± 12.�fd4!

I coeed the isy pan with 9g? in the peios chapte Now ac chooses between: 1 9  b  2 9 eS  9  e8 4 9  a6 S 9  dxc4 124

ite is also sighty bette ae: a 12fc1 fc8 1d1 bS 14  bS a Sab1 (Sa xa 1d4; S b2 1xb2 b4 (16 xc1 17xc1 cS 18xc bxcS 19d4 cxd4 2xd c8 21 f8 22c2 xc2 2xc2

4.c e6 S.b bd 6c2 d6  . b2 - B . e2 e= 1. e2 e4 1B. d4 g6 9.bc2 fB 2. b, Roiz-Le oux, Caleta 211. b 12.ac1 fcB 1b cS (o  ..b5 14 . bS a 15  a xa 16d4 14a4 bS 1S.b5 6 16 . e2 12 ...b5

In hulman-Goe, Reyjai 1, lac had to pat wth both shops ae 12 .fc8 1c6 fB 14.xd6 xd6 1S.a6 xc6 6.d1 c 1c1 d8 18e2. 13.�xb5 fc8 14.dl e5 .d4 b8 16.cU.

lacs queenside is wea

I hae analysed in line A the game Gischu-Kamni which eached the same position, only with .. eB instead of .e. This dieence allowed lac to ede ploy his d-night ia f8-g6. In the diagam position he can follow the same outine: 12 e8 

2.  e5 10.cxd5 �xd5 

1  cxd5 1b5 gies White a tong initiatie: 1 . b4 12a (12. g5? e4 1fc1 12 1ac1  1fc1 e4 14fd4 e5 15a4  1a b4 1. b4 xb4 B.c 1 e4 14fd4 e5 15.f4.

The altenatie 12 f6 allows White to tae oe the e5-squae with 1.d4 (He can also maintain the tension with 1.a e4 14.d4 g6 15 ex 16 .  g4 1.de2 o een 1d 1 .e4 (1 . b4 14c1 exd4 15xd4 1 .. .ex4 14  d4 b 15  b2 14e5.

11.�e4 c7 12.�g3

This moe is not obligatoy at l. White could leae the night i  the cente and play a ey good esion ofthe icilian with 12.d en 12 f5 1g (1 .f4 14exf4 ould gie White chances of coun e atacng by e4

125

Pat 6 he game Daes-essma Katehom 1995 wet 14 g6 15c4 b6 whe 16a4 (theat eg a 16 xc4 1bxc4 c5 18a5 a6 19h woud hae bee  htes faou Fo stace: 19  cxd4 2 exd4 e 2 1 o 19 e8 2f4 ex 2xf e6 22af1  cxd4 2exd4 e5 24dxe5 c5 25f2 d 26d2 wth a dec se attac toge s 14  e8  tedg to captue o e5 Pehaps hte shoud opt fo a ty edge ae 15fd1 d (15  a5 16a 16xe4 (16 c4 xe5 1dxe5 xe5 18xd5 cxd5 19xd5 xg 2hxg f6 25 d should be leel 16  5f6 1f4 d5 18f5 f6 19e4 xe5 2g e 21dxe5 xe 22e5 xe5 2d4 e8 24ac1 xd4 25xd4 e6 26e4 13.d3 (amed agast e4 13 ...  14.a3 g6 15.fel d7 16.h3

cxd5 12b5 e4 1xd6 xd6 14e5 12xd5 cxd5 1dxe5 xe5 14fdU l.c b5

a 1  e5 12g5 f8 1f4 (1 ce4 s aso good 1  exf4 14exf4 h6 (14  b6 does ot hep ethe due to 15ae1 c 16ce4 xe4 1xe4 g6 18f5 15ae1 d8 Poa-Aamo acusa 2 Hee smplest woud hae bee 1e6 e6 1xe6 wg a paw b 1 h6 addesses the wea ess of , but exposes g6 Whte ca explot t by 12 ad1 e5 1h4 f8 At last al the lght squaes ae coeed but ow the ceta da squaes ae hagg: 14e4 xe4 (14 c 15dxe5 g4 16 f5 1c1 e4 dops the quee ae 18a 15xe4 exd4 16xd4 e5 1xe5 xe5 18xe xe 19d8

Thee s a log maoeug ahead B 3.  . . .e8

lac pactcally foces Whte to dee hs tue plas about the d paw 10.d4 c4

Alteately: a 1O  b6 tasposes to e A b 1O e5 1cxd5 xd5 (11   126

12 . d3

12e2 s moe passe athough thgs ae ot too cea I hae

4.c3 e6 S.3 d 6.c2 d6  . 2 -  . e2 aysed 12. . . 13.gS ac 13 ...h614.ge4c1S.a3aS16.fc 13 ...eS 14.ce4 xe4 1S.xe4 exd4 6.xd6 xd6 1.ad1 cS 1.S 6 19.d xd 2. S 21.exd4 e2 22 .c3 14.ce4 cS  14 .. . ScS xcS 16.dxcS eS .4; and uddenly ac otains conside e countepay e.g. 1S.S xe4 16.xe4 h2+ 1.xh2 h4+ .g1 e4 19.e2 cxd4 2.fc1  .ac1 g2= 2 .. .eS. 2 b7 3. �g5 

White has not much of a choice. 13.e4 xe4 14.e4 fS 1S . d3  oes ac the initiatie. 13.e4 eS 14.e2 is unclea ut cs pieces ae hamoniousy ced. 3 h6 

13 .. .h2+ 14.xh2 g4+ oses to S.g3 xgS 16.f4. 4.�ge4 c7

hee. e of them is to defend the S-pa y ...a6 and push ...c6-cS.  he ca open the cete  y ...eS eaing ...cS fo an appo ate mo ment. It seems that 1S.a3 eS 6.fe1 a 1.ac1 exd4 1.exd4 f i fai y aanced: 19.xf6+ xf6 2 e4 xe4 21.xe4 d so White s oud sty actiate his oos:

Now 16 ...eS is not good ow ing to 1.xf6+ xf6 1 .fS exd4 19.xd4. The game asiian Fessinet Haute y 2 went 16 ...a6 1.e2 xe4 1.e4 f6 19 .  6 when instead of 2.e4 cS= ite could hae peseed a tiny edge with 2.1 cS 21.b x 22.dxcS cS 23.f6 gxf6 24.g3 e 2S.hS xc1 26.xcU due to his safe ing. B4.  a6 0.d4 b5 

1O ...eS 1.dxeS xeS 12.cxdS cxdS eads to a typica IQP position with acs queen aleady com mitted to e. ite can foow the pan of the mode game 11 Ionov evseev, fo instance 1.ad1 e6 14.xeS eS 1S.f4 c 16 .  cS 1.f2 ad 1.a4 e 19.d4± D.Gueich-.Kogan stes Pa 196. .e4 e5

lac has two possie pans

1 ... 4 12 .eS xc3 13.exd6 is ceay ette fo White. 

Pat 6 2.cxd5

ite has many paths to a signicant adantage fo exam ple: 12exd5 cxd5 1c5 c 14c6 exd4 15cxd dxc 16dxc8� c8 1c± with an exta piece 2 .. .cxd5 4.�xd5±

3.dxe5

�xe5

I do not ndestand what lac was expecting fom this line in Gel fand-meets Nice 21

f5 15g (15d6? xd6 16cxd6 �xd6 1f4 15 g6 16c4 g 1f4 xc5 18d4 exd4 19exd4 e4 2 xe4 e4 21 d5±  Miltne-Pel letie Gemany 2 lacs ng ll feel ncomfotable at h6 b 12 c 1a4 (Anastasian TLPetosian eean 26 saw 1ad f8 14xf6 �xf6 15f4 �h6?  16f5± bt it was stonge to eep the qeen in the cente wit 15 e 1 xe4 14xe4 c5 15xc5 �xc5

B5.  ... dxc4 0.c4!?

This plan based on the idea to eep the pawn on d2 and contol the cente with f4 is completely new in this paicla position Anothe way of deating fom the big theoy is: 1bxc4? e5 g5 (instead of tansposing to the AntiMean th 1d4 1 c5 Anothe deeloping moe is: 1e8 12ge4

a 12  xe4 1xe4 c 14c5 128

16d Piece play aboe all The dpawn can wait 16 h6 1a �a5 18 d8 19b4 �c 2a5 e6 21c5 a6 22c The e5 and bpawns ae wea Late ite can nally open the cente with d2 d4 12d4 exd4 1exd4 e6 14xe6 xe6 15d

4c 6 5b bd 6c 2 d6 b2  B  2 ? he mobile p pai in the t e gies ite an initiatie I ave analysed hee: a) S  xh2? 16xh2 g4   g hS f4 Efe 19Eh b S  c 16Efe Ead 1e4 xe4 xe4 d6 ( h6 19dS 9  xh h 2g c S  g4 16Eae c 1h  cS h2 19h f4 2dS xd 21h h 22 bS c S  Efe 16Efe c 1h 1d7 e4 xe4 19e4 h6 adU 10 b5 

 O eS 1gS

a   bS 12d h6 1ge4  14xf6 xf6 Se4 b 1b6 12 d h6 1ge4 e4 14xe4 c Sa fS (1   16f4 fS 1g e4 e2  19 c4  2 e2 16cS  1e2 with typical fo the  mano (wih colous eesed essue on the queenside c 11h6 12ge4 c 1a4   eatening th a 1  Ee

J

14aS (A moe staightfowad plan is 14a d Sb4 14 a6 S 1l. d3! ?

1e2 b 12gS h6 1ge4 c 14f4 is also a wothy idea 1l .. .b7

Pehaps lac should peent gS th 11h6 White cn then choose 12d4 b 1f4 a6 14 e4 c5 Sxd6 xd6 16 Efd 1Ead o 12a4 b4 1e4 xe4 14e4 b 1SaS a6 with complex play 12 .�g5 h6 13. �ge4 c7 14.f4 e5 15.�g3!

White has good pospects fo a ingside atac . 8 . . a6 .d4! 

White has lost a tempo on e2 so the bayonet attac is not attac129

Pat 6 te anymoe ack s the st to stat an attack The game Fess net-poeman, attensched 211, seems to conm such an assess ment: 9g bS 1Og4 bxc4 1bxc4 b8 12 gS e4 1d4 c 14xe4 dxe4 Sc cS C 9  bS C2 9  eS Cl.  b5 10. 0 - 0 b7 

lack does not succeed n em nating the cente by 1  bxc4 bxc4 dc4, ntendng 12 c4  due to:

12a4  Now 12 cS? 1dxcS xcS loses to 14xcS cS SgS pn-Colluts, Aman tea 211 , but 12  b 1cS? leads to smla consequences H.5

ad s a bt too mun dane Whte w hae to cose the queensde anyway Fo example: 1 e8 (1  bxc4 12bxc4 cS 1cxdS exdS 14dcS xcS Sd4 g6 16a4 c8 1xcS xcS 8b c 19a; 12cS (o 12a bxc4 1bxc4 cS= 12  c 1b4 eS 1

 1  aS? 14a e (14   eS SxbS cxbS 16c6 c6 1dxeS xeS 18xeS eS 19eS xeS 2xc6 Sfe eS 16xbS cxbS 1c6 1 e 14a4 eS SaxbS axbS 16xbS cxbS 1c6; 14e4 xe4 (14  dxe4 Sxe4 xe4 16dxeS excS 1bxc5 e 18gS g6 19e6 e6 2e4± 14  exd4 Sxd4 xe4 16xe4 xe4 1d h4 18g hS 19fe± Sxe4 dxe4 16xeS f6 1 e 18fe dS, th countepay 

12 7 13.b 

hte has a consdeable space adantage The ncuson of 1  a? 14a s not ecommendable because 14 eS could be punshed by 14xbS e4 S eS cxbS 16c6 c8 1cxd d 18bxaS aS 19b b8 2c c 21fc1 wth tota domnaton 13 e5 13. e5 

1e4 dxe4 14xe4 xe4 Sxe4 f6 16c2 e4 1eS e8 s athe uncea

4c3 e6 Sb3 bc2 6   b2 - 8e2    xe5  .f 7 

.�xe5

e5

game  Dehev-Bneo,

o Caas 111 2 11

C2.  e5 10.xd5 .xe5 �xe5 2. 0 - 0 



12 g4 13xeS eS 14g4 xg4 Sh3 f6 exchanges moe pieces, but lack is playing f two esults nly

White has the bette pieces ee my

2 e6

xd5

ee game 1 Dehev-Van , Melilla, 2111211 12 e6 is moe cmplex, but ite etains a pleasant game af te 13xeS eS 14f4 ee game 11 Ionov evseev, t Petesbug 211 -

D. 8 dx 

 ey impotant position f

e e2 set-up It can aise ae di eent moe odes and White can t aoid it, but he has nothing t mplain about The isolato on dS es him an easy game with plenty  tential f manoeuing

This exchange is seldom seen at this point, but in fact it is moe logi cal hee than ae 8  e8 9, because the oo moe would be supeuous in the eent of 9 dxc4 1c4 The only way fo White to exploit the text is to oganise a kingside at tack leaing the king in the cente .4

9bxc4 eS 1 e8 11d4 (11 gS cS= is an extensiely tes te psitin m the AntiMean, 131

at 6 hee the bishop is not at its best place on b2 Coette-utinian Heaio 22 saw 1Og4? xg4 1e4 c 12Eg1 f 1eg when instead of 1 h6? 14Exg4 lac had 1  df6 14h xf2 1xf2 h6

 ...b5 10 . e2

1Od b 1g h6 12ge4 e 1- is a solid altenatie ite can ty to extact some alue fom his bette mino pieces eg 1  b4 14xf6 xf6 1a4 Ec8 16h h8 1e4 10 .. .b7 11. �g5 a6 12.h4 !

 amazing moe typical fo the oiginal style of Mihail uba 12a4 would be the standad positional option 12 ... c5 13 .   14.

lacs defence is not tiial be cause he has not any obious ways to geneate counteplay 12

The game uba-Cosma ucha est 1996 continued 14 eS 1f4 xc 16c Ee8 when instead of 1-- ite would hae been clealy bette followng 1e2 e 18Eag1 The Rti bishop is -ay ing the ingside both white oos ae actie . 8 .. .b6  .g!

I thin that the bayonet aac is ites best weapon esus the ancheo set-up In my database it scoes 8-1 If lac paes the st wae of the attac things might get complicated fo ite due to is ing in the cente Howee the second playes hae not sow a good defensie method so fa 9g4 is dubious: 9 xg4 In Chadae-Potapo Russi 211 was 9  b 1Og e8 4 e 12h b? 1d e4 14xe4 e 1e4 f when 16f6 f 1h xe4 18hxg ns

4c3 e6 5b3 bd 6c2 d6   b2 - B  e2? 1g1 de5 actce has ony seen 1   11h3 [Pehaps the best moe e s 11cxd5 exd5 (11cxd5  b5 12h3 11 ge5 (o 11   gf6 12d4 eB 13cxd5 cxd5 4 cb5 e5 15c c 16xc B 1d6  1Bxe6 and Whte n n den-Kapan Po dv 2B 12d4 c5 12  bB s  passe Whte has an attac af e 13cxd5 exd5 14-- f4 15 e (15  f5 16e4 16exf4 xf4  xe5 e5 1B  d3 13--

Ths poston was eached n onan-Gelfand Leon 21 Whte oud hae opted fo 1cxd5 exd5 3 cxd5 14cb5 g6 15h4 f4 h4 15d1 g6 16b4 e6  xc6 b7 1Bb5 h 19b3 th a mey game 11xe5 xe5

It s much safe to hae the f pawn at , nstead of f5 Now t s uncea how to lead the attac ae 12 -- g6 (12  dc4 13e4 I hae aso anaysed: 12cxd5 cxd5 12  exd5 ges moe chances n ew of the paw mach n the cente: 13-- g6 14f4 eB (o 14  b5 15f5 e5 16d4 d 1e4 b4 1Ba4 15f5 e5 16d4 d 1e4 de4 1Bd5 although t s only a daw folong 1B e5 19dc6 d3 2d3 exd3 21d5 dxc2 22 xg7 fB 23g  wth a pe petua 13 b5 b 14xd6 xd6 15f4 g6 16h4 acB 1b Now lac opens up hs bshop and taes oe the ntate wth 1  d4 1Bh5 h4 19 d4 f6 I should alo note that the the matc exchange 9cxd5  not too pomsng because ae 9 cxd5 (9 exd5  sy In Males Mano el 21 te owned the ntate: 1Od4 b7 11f5 b 12d4 e 1g4 f 14h4 1b5 lac ha 1O c5 coe ng the c-le Then 1a a6 12 bd4 b 1b4 d6  balanced  b7 

Ths s the most natual dee lopment but well ee that Whte get a tong attac n th ne I adme the ne sense of dange of Dee who choe wce n 22: 133

at 6 9  e 1O g4  This exchange is positionally du bious because lac emains with pemanently wea da squaes but it does tae the sting out of ites onslaught ite should switch to stategic play with a slight plus fo him 1gS e 2a xa 1h4

14c4 b (14  a 15g4? S d g 16h5 e (1  c5 1 e4 e4 18xe4 1g g hxg g6 19 e4 ac 2--

The open h-le and the sensitie squae f dene ites edge It is indicatie that no one has followed in Dees shoes in late games 1 dxc4 Dee impoes on his game against ischo in Hastings 2 wich saw 1  d 14 d g 1Sh5 fS 1cxdS cxd5 when 1xfS exfS 1 bS wold hae been clea ly bee fo ite It wold be also inteesting to exchange immediate ly on dS: 14cxdS cxdS Sd4 b 1cbS xbS 1xbS e 18c7 a 19d xd 2xd cS 21xa xa 22e2; The te xes a taget on c4 and eeps the cente open In Za ginseDee Poiosy 22 White ecaptued 14bxc4 d SS a 1e4 xe4 1xe4 and was only slightly bete The excange of the ights elieed lacs defence I thin that ite as the bette pospects ae: 14

10. g4 e5

Pactice has also seen: a 1O  a? is too slow Peto Fiedich Cesenatico 21 went 1gS e 12h4 eS 1hS c7 14  d and the battle is oe:

14 e4 (o 14  g Shxg g 1g x 1h f  Hee best is Sxe4 dxe 1 xe4

4c e6 Sb bd 6c2 d6   b2 - 8  e2? b 1OcS 1gS Aimed against e4 which would stumble into cxdS exdS 1xe4 dxe4 14c 6 Sgxf6 xf6 16gS eS Rot tein-chmitz Lido stensi 22 ee 1d4 exd 18xd xb2 9d is winning tefanoa ebag laanbaata 21  saw 1h4 c8? 12 e4? 1xe4 dxe4 4gS± and lac was pawnless t 1  e4 would hae taen oe e initiatie: 12 xe4 dxe4 1gS eS 14  xeS xeS Sxe4 xh4 6- fS 1  e8 12h4 e 12 dxc4 should be met by 3  e4 cxb 14axb c ShS as in he main line hS dxc4 hite intends to join the second o in the attac ae castling ac should do something quic  n ode to escape this scenaio and it seems easonable to acti e the bishop 1  fS only opens e on the ingside: 14gxf6 df6 --

 4e4 hee is no time to bothe with as 14bxc4  is unclea

(but not 14  c Se4 eS 16h4 fS 1c e4 18h6 g6 19f4 14cxb Saxb ite has a stong initiatie Fo instance: S c 16f6 f6 1gxf6 xf6 18c d8 19a4 o S  fS 16gxf6 dxf6 1xf6 xf6 18h6 g6 19a4 (against e4 19  c6 2h4 e8 2d The g6-squae ll be busted soon  H.g 13.h4

e8

12.0-0-0

c7

Im follong the game oco jsmont ston 26 but 1b aimed against  bS is the bete moe ode 13 e6 (1 bS 14.bl e7 

This position cannot be caced without a bea in the cente Al though ShS s possible I thin that the best appoach is Sd4 e4 16eS hite is clealy ahead th his oensie 1S

Pa  6

omplete Games 1  D. Gu revichigorio U 1998 1 .�3 �6 2.c4 c6 3.e3 dS 4.�c 3 e6 S.b 3 � bd7 6.c2 d 6 7  b2  8 . e2 e7 9. h3 eS 1  cxdS �xdS 1 1 .�e4 c7 1 2.�g3

this moe ts in with g1 and not th the passie h. 1 2...�b4 1 3.b1 �cS

In simila positions ac usu aly sends this ight to f8-g6 (ae ...e8. Whites loss of tempo on h howee allows lac to display ac tity st and oganise ...e5-e4. 1 4.a3 �dS 1 S.c2 a

In the opening White has played 9.h which I do not ecommend. This moe might poe supeu ous and by al means it is less usel than 9.- . I chose to comment this game in an attempt to shed some light on the icilian pawn stuc tue we see on the diagam. Thee is ey little pactical expeience in it and both sides usually stuggle to nd a clea plan. This tye of the icilian th col ous eesed can aise with  e o e8. In both cases it maes sense to eteat the centalised night to g. That not only hampes .. .£5 but it also theatens with d2-d4. In one game ite pefeed 12.g4 but 16

lac shoud not miss the op potunity to push 15 ...e4. e 16.d4 f5 (in the eent of 16 ...g 1.g  d6 18.- h 19.xh xg lac has only a daw. 1.b4 d (1 .. £4 18.bxc5 g 19. 18.d exd 19.xd f4

White is on the defensie. His ing will nee be safe on the ingside because of the lee on h. e.g. 2 .ge2 e 21 .dxe d 22 .- ae8.

4.c3 e6 S.3  6c2 6  . 2  B .e2 1 c1 b 17.-

hite poocatiely allows .e4, t appaently Vigoito tuste him thout calculation. It was inteest g to ty 1.c4. Then 1 ...e4 woul mply op a pawn to 18.xe4 an 17 . eB B.d3 would tae contol e e4 while leang the ishop  te B .. .a6 19. S 2 . xS S 21.c6 B 22.xS  3 xS;. 1 7...d7

1 ... e4 B.d4 d6 19.f4 g6  h2 d would hae een a ce. Now ite gets some ini te. 1 .c4! :ac

4.b ab4 S.ab td7 .4 S 7 .xS xeS  . xe xe 9.:e 1 d .:xe xb4 1 .:c4 dS 2.:exc :xc .:xc :d

The golden engame ule to put the oo ehind the passe should hae saed lac 33 ...bB 34.d6 e 3S.d fB 36.e2 bS 3.d4 4 3B.3. 4.S <7 S.:h < .d c 7.S dS .:c <7 9.d+
19.xeS

1 .c4 c 4.c e d 7 . b2 eS 1 .cxdS 1 2.- e

2. dS .e  S.b bd7 .Wc2 a . d4 0- 9 . e2 cxdS 1 1 .dxeS xeS

hite also hae the moe actie eces following 19.e4 f4 2.d4 e4 21.xd4 ce6 22.fS eB  3  e S 24.d;. The text simpli es to a bette ending which lac ld e ale to hold. 1 9...xeS 2 . xeS WxeS 21 .d4  22.dxeS xc2 2.xc2 e

13

Pat 6 13.xe5

I thin that mundane continu ations do not pomise hite any adantage: a 1ad1 c8 (1 ...x 14.x  c 15.h h2 16.h1 e5 1.�d2 ac8 18.e2 xb2 19.xb2 �c2 2. a1 is slightly bet te fo White. 14.�b1 �a5 15.�a1 fd8 16.d4 d. ites pieces stand solidly but they ae hampe ing each othe. b 1.ac1 c8 14.�b1 fg4 15.xe5 xeS 15 ... xe5 16.cd1 �h4 cost lac a pa in Halias-Dominguez i naes 22: 1.f4 (1.g± 1...g4 18.xg4 �xg4 19.h �h4 2.f5 d 21.xd5±. 16.xg4 (The game Koalyo Haslinge enidom 28 nished in a daw ae 16.h h2 1.h1 b8 18.xg4 xg4 19.f4 owing to the pepetual chec following 19 ... �h4 2.xd5 xh. 16...xg4

e6? 18.a4 xb2 19.xb2 �a5 2 .a4 �b4 2 1.�d4 but the bu tal 1...xc would hae le ite with a nice but dead daw position with opposite coloued bishops. 1 ...b8 18.xc8 xc8 19.d4 e8= Potisch-Kaspao Dubai 1986. White stands nicely but he is not theatening anything eally. 1 3...xe5 1 4.4 b8 1 5.3

Pehaps cucial fo the assess ment of this aiation is 15.ad1 e8 (The e-pawn is ieleant. lac gets cushed ae 15 ...a 16.f5 c8 1.h1 xe? 18.xd5 xd5 19.c4. 16. hU

ite has the moe ace pieces. He is intending f with pessue on d5. Iono speeds up play but eentually all the complications should chill down to a oo end game with a tiny edge fo White. 1 5...b6!

1.a4 White should pesee his night. Wang Rui-Chandle Kuala Lumpu 2 saw instead 1.�d 18

The queen huies to help it ing ia e.  15 ...a 16.f5 c8 1.hU. 16.h1

4.c e6 5.b bd 6.�c2 d6  . b2 -  . e2? The compute suggests an ex emely weid aiation which annot attact any human Im ue because of the multiple pins: 6.�f2 a 1.ae d4 .d dxe 9.xe d 2g b5 2f2 fe 22.e5 ad 2. h g6. 1 6 xe3 1 7fS d7 1 8x dS xdS 19  xdS Yh6 20 g3! xg3

29.af1 d6 .f h6 .a4 a 2.fS cS .xg h 4.xcS xf6 S.g a 6. g2. 21 g 1 xfS 22 Yg2 Ud8 23  xb7 ab8 24f3 f4 2Sxg 7 Yg6

The st citical moment of the ame. I thin that ite should play .�g2 h4 22.c1 ? Instead White can "wn the ueen in a much bette esion an in the game (because the hle  closed but I doubt that he could apie to a n ae 22. f6  3.h (2.g1 b2 24.�xb2 h .h f6= 2...xh 24.xh 2. His ing is too ulneable ude the e of the long-ange  ac pieces. 22 .. .�f6 2.g1 c6 24. c6 c6 2S.�xc6 bxc6 26.h6 f6  xg g 2.f6 ad White can squeeze out a small aantage using the fact that acs foo is tied with the de fence of the paw:

26Yf1?! A they say Wite does not

sense the dange. 26.c �xg2 2.xg2 g6 2.e2 f 29. d2 would hae been a daw end ing. He is geedy to sntch the queen pobably in ode to feel the moal wnne of the opening batle but that is not a pagmatic decision. The est of the game is not too inteesting fo us. Wites defence is not tiial and his blunde on moe 1 could be expected. 26  xg7

27xg6+

hxg6

19

Pat 6 28.c4 eS 29e1  30.xa d2 31.e2? d1+ 3g2 h8 33.b7 d4 34.g3 gS 0-1 12. Delchev-runello Poro Carras u. eam ch . 201 1 1 .�3 dS 2.c4 c 3.e3 � 4.�c3 e S.c2 �bd7 .b3 d 7 . b2 a6

Pehaps it is bette to conceal this plan until White has deel oped the bishop to e2 fo example 7   8e2 a6 8.d4

8Jg1? is much shape but I did not want to unnecessaily sti the emotions of my team mates so ealy in the match

1 O.cS c7 1 1 .b4 0-0 1 2.0-0 eS

lac has nothg to gain fom waiting: 12 e8 1ad1 e5 14e4   12 e7 11 e5  1  a 14a axb4 1axb4 xa1 16a1 e 17de xe 18d4 c4 (18 g6 19e4 dxe4 2xe4 d 21b2 19e4 14dxe 14e4 is not too clea because of 14 dxe4 1xe4 xe4 16xe4 f 17h4 (o 17e 17e4 18  d1 f6 17xh4 18xh4 d8 14xe 1e4 fe8 16d4 de4 17xe4 xe4 18xe4 a 19  d g6 2 xe7 xe7 2 1f 3.�xeS �xeS 14.dxeS xeS  S.f4 c7

8 .. .S 9 .e2

With this moe ode I could hae found a moe actie place fo my bishop: 9c c7 1Od e7 11e2   12 - e 1dxe xe 14e e 1xe xe 16d4

6.e4

9 .. .7

This moe seemed ey stong to me duing the game but the postmotem showed tha albeit clealy wose lac has chances to hold his position Pehaps I should hae ept the tension by 16a4 (o 16d1 e7 17a4  16 e 7 17d1 (This moe nee cossed my mind 17e4 18  d4 e8 14

4 c e6 Sb bd 6c2 d6 b2  8e2 ? 8aS 19c xc 2xc b4 21xb4 aS 22b2 bxa4  3g xe 24h± 19c In this position all my long ange eces ae actie and I could set up  ngside attac

A citical moment of the game lac denies me the c-squae but he misses the oppotunity to tade a pai of oos by 19 aS 2  d h4 21g hS 22 a axb4 2axb4 Exa1 24Exa1 c8

1 6 dxe4 1 7.txe4 txe4

f couse lac should see ex anges e 1dS? 18Ead1 e queen has not a comfortable uae: 18  e 19  d xb4 19  f4 2Ede1 c 21g h d6 f 2xh h8 24g6 c fS 21d6 (ite is also ette ae 21g dS 22Ede1  2d4 c8 24fS 21dS Ede1 d 2d4 d6 24cxd f6 2SEeS White has a temen us initiatie fo example: 2S  xd6 2  xfS Eaf8 2 e6 h8  fS c8 29dS cxdS E c 3a± 1 8.Wxe4 e8 1 9Wc2

19 d2 2  eS xeS 2 1eS 4 22h1 dS 2Ead1   4f Ee 2SEd6 g6 is leel

White certainly stands nicely but in the game I failed to bea though in a simila position Foced aiations lead to only a small edge ae: a 2Se4 e6 26h h8 2c eS 28xeS xeS 29xeS xh White has a clea exta paw indeed but in positions with opposite coloued bishops it is moe impotant to hae a stategic athe than a material adantage b 2S   f8 (ae 2S xfS 26xfS g 2xg hx6 28Ea Ee6 29Ea8 h Ec8 lac is close to a zugzwg   Ee2 1c Ee 2 f2 f   d2 Ed 4 e Ee S Ed Ee8± 26c8 Exc8 2fS Ed8 28 c g 29xg hxg6 Ea Ed 1a1 b 2 Exc6 Eb1 =

It may sound incedible but I was aleady short on time and 141

Pat 6 2h2 �e2 24Jb1 e8 2  xd5

tion to face the opponent with con cete poblems in his time touble was too stong to esist 21 ...xd?

Now 21xd5 �xa2 22g7 does not n in ew of 22 g  it is easy to miss such a moe 2f2 xb ite has sucient com pensation fo the pawn but I could not nd anything decisie Theefoe in the diagam posi tion it is pobably bette to tae a small edge in the endgame ae 2xd5 xd5 2 2 xd5 c7 2d7 b6 24h2 e2 25xb7 c5 26e5 xa2 27d1 f8 28b8; 20xd 

I was undestanding that I should simply eep the exta pawn with 2e5 b6 (2ed8 22e4 xe4 2xe4 d2 24d4 xa2 25h5 22h2 but the tempta 144

o he lied up to my expecta tions and eed The aogant oo is a challenging sight indeed but 21e6 22g ae8 2e5 (2 d g6 24 h2 c8 25d5 e4 2 g6 24d5 e1 25h2 xd5 (25  xg 26xg gxf5 27xf6 26xe6 xe6 (26e6 27xg6 27�xd5 xe= o 21  a 22a xd5 2xd5 xa 24g g6 25f6 h8 26g5 g7= wee eeping the balance

A hoible moe ae which my adantage slips away 2g  should be winning lac has two defences: a 2  d8 24h2  dd6 (24 xd5 25�xd5 xa2 26g7 g6 27d4 25f6 xf6 26f6 e6 (26xa2? 27xg7 g7 28�c8 27g5 xa2 28f5 6 29xf6 xb xa6 b 2 g6 24Jxg6 hxg6

4c e6 Sb bd 6c2 d6   b2 - B  e2? 25f6   @hB 26d5   missed this double attac on th e oo and the  -paw White has ll domination: 26  a 2  d4    (2gxf6 2B xa @g 29a4± is a pawn up 2Bd @gB 29xfB 1 @h2 @xfB 1aB @e 2 b2 (2  xg? c= xa6 6 2  (2  d1  xg  4xa±  xg wth vey d chances to n 23  xf6 24 xf6 e8 2S eS (2 d4 xa2 26d= 2S xa2 d7 e6 27dS c2!

Hee my opponent oeed me a aw which I should have accepted The position is objectively level and we both wee in time touble

28fS e8 29 d4 c7 30 f1 d8 31 e4 c8 32g4 d7 33g3? (h4 @h 4hS f6 Sh6 33 h8 34h4 f6 3ShS h6 36f3 a 37d1  38e4 e8! 39  b2 a4 40 bxa4 bxa4 41 dS b7 42  c3 b1 + 43d 1 cS+ 44h2? xe4 4Sxe4 xe4 46d8+ h 7 0-1

145

146

 

Anti-Queen's Gambit I 1�3 d5 2.c4 e6 33

14

Pa 

Man deas In Pat  and 8 I examine the ings anchetto against 2 e:

ite taes oe the initiatie: a   b d? cxd e b 8a4 b4

 d5 2 .c4 e6 3 g3

White can also play d4 if he wanted to aoid the la and the Chebaneno bt wold be happy with the possible Mean ae   c Anothe option is e f 4b c which is the emi-Taasch e g lac occasionally tries to play in the spiit of the Ti angle ystem:   c 4g2 (4b? dxc4 - 

148

9a ? (theatening a  9 e 1Oxd a 11a4 d 12Jd1 c8 1e4 Pantslaia-aee ee sheba 2 b   f a4 a a a 8bxa c 9Jb The most challenging appoach of lac is: 3 c4 4.%a4+ 

 dS 2c4 e6 g . 4 d   4  c6 C 4  d A. 4 ...d7 5.xc4 c5 6 .e5 !?

hite gains the bishop pai ad atage in an open position with a exbe paw stcte The game ianKamni Khanty Mansi  21 went: 6  6 xd xd 8g2 f6  e 1Oa4 d4 11xd xd 12c ab8 1d hd8  e8 Sb2 dS

Whites main plan hee is to pt pesse on the b and cpawns Hee is an example of his sta te:  cS 8a4 a6 9axbS axbS 1Oxa8 a 11 f6 12b b4 (12  c6 1eS 1d;

ite will late estict the ene mys pieces with e2e4 as in Game 14 Radjabov-Neg, Khanty-Man siys 21 1

hite shold see asymmetic tions so 16xdS exdS 1e e6 18a bS 19£4 loos consis tet

7... f6 8.00 bd7 .c3 a6!

9 e oes hite an addi tional options as 1Od4? 10.a4! e7 1.d3! 0 0 12.e4

B  4 ... c6 5.Yxc4 b5 6.Yc2

7 7.g2

ites set-p is niesa and does not depend mch on lacs moe ode 149

Pat 

His pan is to deeop his bish op on e safeguad it with h and bing the oo to d Then he wil be we pepaed fo the adancing in the cente o on the ingside acs ony counteplay is con nected with  cS-c4 12



c8 13.h3!?

A simpe but eectie noety ac is lacing a good place fo his queen 1  c7 faces 14 f4 e5? 15e5 e5 1d4 d 17de5 e5 18  e5 �e5 19f4 �c5 2�f2; while on b the queen wil also be unde the bishops -ay: 1 �b 14  e c5 15b5 ab5 1b4  . 4 d7 5.g2! �f6 

lac oen ties to deelop his bishop befoe ite has put g2 : 5  a �c4 b5 Howee this gies White ob jects to attac on the queenside idle-Kamni Moscow 211 went: 7�b b7 8- gf 9c e7 1O d - 11a4 b4 15

I popose hee the eteat 12d ? c5 1�c2; when 1  dS 14e b 15�b eeps the mateia baance

The plot of the net few moes is tuning aound the fate of lacs light-squaed bishop It is not easy to anchetto it because of the theat of d4 ac can ty a b5 o b We now that the st set-up has the dawbac of oeing tagets on b5 and c5 In pactice ac pe fes the moe estained b Then we shoud open the cente by d4 Let us conside a few tical lines a) 6 a6 7.c2 ! c5 8.� c3 c7 

 8  b8 9d4 d 1O dc5 c5 11-± 8  a7 9d4 b 1- b7 11e4 ? (a natua moe

1 dS 2c4 e6 g 1 cxd4 12xd4 a8 1f, fol

191 His plan is to incease it by pushing eS o b2-b4bS

.0-0! b6 10.d4 b7 1l f4 6 12.d6 xd6 13.l 0 -0 .e4 cxd4 15.�xd4;

b) 6 c5 7.0-0 b6 8.d4 b7 .dl cxd4 10 g5 e7 1l.�xd4 g2 12.xg2

ite had a space adantage in otschnoj-Flafsson Moscow

The c6-squae and the pawn on a ae wea



wed by fd







S

Pa 

Step by Step

1. � d5 2. c4 e6 3.g3

e is less eectie than it was against  c6 because lac can play c5 in one step thus getting a good esion of the emi-Taasch I do not hae esh ideas fo hite ae  f6 4b c5 5b2 c6 6cxd5 exd5 7c d6   e2 - 9. - e 1Od4

1O cxd4 11xd4 xd4 12�xd4 e5 1�d2 g4 14xg4 xg4 15h f6 16fd c 17ac1 c6=  The attempt to get without b is counteed the same way  lac dags the white night to d4: 4c c5 5cxd5 exd5 6d4 c6 7  e2 cxd4 xd4 d6=  b is inaccuate because lac obtains additional possibilities in compaison to the main line Fo instance ae  c5 4b2 c6 5g he can play 5 d4 6  g2 e5 7d d6 The ings anchetto is moe entepising It may lead to Cata lan set-ups whee the delay of d4 esticts lacs options In fact hite oen does not play d4 at all The Catalan has been extemely popula lately and you can nd tons of publications on it In this boo I will examine only lines which ae in the spiit of the Rti A.   c6   g6 C   dxc4  f6 4g2 e7 .- -  6b is the subject of Pat   c5 4cxd5 exd5 5d4 leads to the Taasch Defence although

152

1. d5 2.c4 e6 .g te can also folow the scheme th b. A. 3 c6 4 g2 



Now Man's method does not wo: 1O . g5 f6 1 . d2 e6 when 12xb7? b8 1.a6 a5 14.b5 c8 faous lac. . 4 ... c4 5. 0 - 0

5.a4 s also possble but then Whte should econ th the a aton 5 ...a6 6. a d5 ? e.g. 7.e4 e6 8.e2 a. 5 f6 

A1. 4 ...dxc4 A2. 4 ...f6. 4 ...d6 should be met by 5.d4

 two easons: 1 If ite s afaid of the pas e oldfashioned tonewall that ses ae 5 .. .f5 he should not y close openings at all. 2  He has not a bette altena e because .- concedes the ete to 5 ...e. Main adocates 6d cxd 7.c e7 8.b c7 9  but now he consdes only 9 .- 1 . g bc6. Instead 9 ... c6 i s ne fo lac:

5 ...b s consstent but is t woth to be sueing the next 2 moes fo only a paw? Apart fom the thematc 6.a4 Whte has 6.d? cxd 7.e b7 8.a4 b4.

White has two good options hee: a 9.xd f6 1.d2 e7 1.c4 - 12.c2. b 9.a? (theatenng a6  9 ... e7 1.xd a6 1.a4 d5 12.d c8 1.e4 Pantsulaaa ee eesheba 25. In both aatons te has an excellent game. 15

Pat  6. a4 �a6 7.�a3 a3 8.bxa3 �c5 .bl

5 ... �b7 6.4

6 ... 6

White will soon egain the pawn In pactice lac fails to neutalise successlly his initiatie 9  - 1O c2 dS 1xc4 aS 12d4 xa4 1d2 db6 14d hS 1Sc2± toce-Mosesian Plzen 2 1 9 aS 1b4 c 1dxc - 12c2 dS 1e4 e 14eS c 1Sh4 dS 16e1 Hillap Pes son-Dee Helsingo 29 A2. 4 ... �f6 5. 0 - 0

My intention is to play d4 and each the Closed Catalan till Sb e 6 - - is popula and exten siely tested in pactice ne pos sible plan is b2 d bd2 e4 wth complex play Hee is one ex ample b2 bd 8d bS 9bd2 a 1a b 1c2 a4 12b4 bxc4 1dxc4 cS 14cxdS dS 1SbS Macieja-Gelashili Kallithea 28 154

e 6 dxc4 a4 White e gains the pawn in a faouable po sition  e (o  aS 8c2 b6 9bd2 fdS 1xc4 b4 1b xc4 12xc4 e 8a 6 e leads to the main line of the Closed Catalan White has the initiatie followng c2 - 8bd2 b6 9e4 o b - 8c b6 9d2

White beas though the cente th e4 and obtains a spatial adan tage Pactice has seen the a 8  e8 9e4 dxe4 1de4 xe4 1xe4 e 12f4 f6 1cS Ianiseic-Ascic Zupanja 2 b 8  c 9e4 dxc4 1Oxc4 eS 1dS b6 12b xc4 1bxc4 d6 14bU Mioshnicheno-Gailo Moscow 28

f3 dS 2c4 e6 3g3  8  b4 9a3 (9e4 eS s un e a, but 9b3 a d, Laute  gan, nghen les ans 2 1, s a a altenate 9 xc3 1bxc3 b  11cxdS cxdS 12c4 b 13a4, lplaasu bena 211  3 g6 4 g2 g7 5.0-0 7 6.d4 bc6 



Man consides in his e Eng  Opening volume  only cxdS S 8c3 but I see no eason to en the blac lightsquaed bishop  7 0 - 0 8.e3 ! 

e'll exchange on dS only ae   ac weaens his queenside:

pawn majoty on the queensde The game Pdoozhnezgodo anty Mansysk 29 went 12  e6 13e4 b6 14h ad8 Sd  (o S  d3 16f2 d 1g4 16  e3 8  aS does not mae much sense ethe n ew of 9b3 a4 1 a3 .cxd5! exd5 10.a3 a5 1l.b3

hte has a clea plan on the queensde but hs secet and most eectie weapon is the bea though e3e4 Then lac ll e get his h moe Hee ae two pactical examples: DoanVaisse Moscow 1989: 1  h6 12e e6 1d3 gS 14  b2 d 1Sc1 ac8 16e g6 1b4 b4 18axb4 ce 19bS

8 .. .b6

8 dxc4 9a4 eS faous ite e 1xeS xeS 11dxeS c6 (11   eS 12dU 12f4 His pawn   ste in the cente s much moe  ageous than the opponent's 155

Pat  The d5-pawn is wea, acs pieces ac coodination ischo-enin, Recinghau sen 1996: 1a6 12e1 �d6 1b2 h6 14�c2 EacB 15e4 b 16Ead

C 4  d C2 4  c6 C 4  d C. 4 .. .d7 5.xc4

hie is uing in the cente C 5  c6 C12   c C. 3 . .. dxc4 4.a4+ !

Main adocates a in his epetoie tilogy, but  can not agee wih him e  a 6bxa, White pactically plays wihout a queenside Theefoe, he should ely only on a ngside a ac to win the gme Accodingly, if lac is not supeambitious, he can quicly nish deelopment and csle That would assue him of a comfotable equliy Fo exam ple, the game Dominguez-Meie, Lubboc 211, wen on h 6 b 7e d Bd (Mins ecipe B  cxd 9�xd - 1�xb5 a6 11b2 (o 11�b c5 1 c 12 - d 1xd �xd 14�c2 acB Pactical esults conm my opin ion as 4�a4 scoes much bee than 4a 156

Cll. 5 .. .c6 6 . g2

lac ties occasionally 6 d  when a4 �d 8�d c 9c f6 1 e7 xd exd 12d  1d2 fe 144 d 1fe e5 16�xd7 exd 17b 

1 d5 2c4 e6 g ghtly bette fo Whte I thn at c2 c6 Ba4 o d ay be een bette fo example:  d ( c6 Bc f6 9- e 1Oxd5 exd5 11�b bB  d �d 1  d2  14ac B OO gf6 9c c6 1O�c2; hte will seize the cente wth hs awns whle lac's counteplay th cS would be hndeed by the hop on c is



7. 0 - 0 �bd7 8.�c3 Je7 .e4!

te esticts the c6bshop and acates the e2squae fo the een Then he ll be able to oc py the cente by d2d4 



0-0

9  cS stumbles nto 1d4 xe4 1e5 dS 12xdS exdS 3bS

The oo moe s amed aganst th as you can see fom the aaton 1O bB 11�e2 c5 12e5 �d4 1xc6 bxc6 14d  the d pawn s potected and lac s unable to peent dd4 eg 14 eS 15  e �b4 16d4 exd4 1d4 fdB 1Ba± That's why n chmdt Gdansi Gdans 1994 lac chose 1 bB 1�e2 b5 but now 12e5 d5 1d4 aB (1 xc 14dxc g2 15xg2 14dxb5 gae White a clea edge C12.  c 6.Jg2 

eS? is moe smple and t may be the bette choce The game AonanKamni anty Man sys 21 went 6  c xd �xd B  g2 f6 9 - e 1O�a4 d4 11�xd xd 12c abB 1d1 hdB 14b eB 1Sb2 dS

0.d!

hite has the bshop pa ad antage n an open exble pawn fomation In geneal he should see asymmetc postions so 16xdS exd5 1e e6 1Bac1 bS 10 .�e2 is a mstak e b e cause

ht e loses contol oe the d4  a e ae 1O c5 1eS �d4

19.f4 k conssten t.

6 .. .�c6

15

Pat  6 c6 - d Bc gf6 9e4 bS 1xbS e4 11d4 dS as in tellwagen-agissian Po to Caas 211 should be met by 12 �e2 e 1c c6 (1  - 14xdS xdS SdcS cS 16b 14dxcS cS S  f4

The text is moe citical fo the assessment of this line Now Bd 4 bS 9�d cxd4 1Oxd4 xd 4 11�xd4 f6 12  gS (12�xa cS 1�b dS 14dS c is a daw  12d2 cS 1�d - 14e4 c6 Sxf6 �xf6 16c6 xc6 17�xbS fcB 12 cS 1�h4 - 14c h6 is about equal The plan th d4 is also insucient af te Bc f6 9d4 bS 1O�d cxd4 11xd4 xd4 12�xd4 cS 1�d b4 14e4 xe4 Se4 �b6 16a4 bxa 1bxa bS= Pehaps ite can ty to put pessue on cS wth: S.c3 �f6 .d3 a6

7.0-0

White cannot sae a tempo on - th c due to      Note that  f is possibly inaccuate White has some initiatie following d4 bS 9�d cxd4 1xd4 eS 11�d b4 12e4 xe4 1e4  14- e7 1S  f4 g 1  e; 10.b3!?

  f d4 tansposes to a well own ariation of the Cata lan Pactical esults suggest that White etains a small edge ae   cB 9 dxcS o   cxd4 9xd4 cB 1c xd4 11�xd4 cS 12�h4 - 1b bB 14   b4 1S�gS d4 16�d2 �c 1d Kamni Naiditsch Dotmund 21 o B  bS 9�d cB 1OdxcS SB

The game Velicoic-eshni  o Musa obota 2 saw 1e4 bS 11xf �xf6 when 12�b d4 1xd4 cxd4 14a4 (14 d2 d6 Sfc1 - 14 d SaxbS bS 16  d2 - 17fc1 is close to equal 10 ...e7 11 . b2 b5 12.

A long as c4 is unde contol

ites game is easie

1f d5 2c4 e6 g C2. 4 c6 5.c4 b5 6.c2   g2 



shoud pobably still tanspose to the main line o een 1d e 11c because 11 b4? 12b c5 1 bd2  as in ChucheloPost ny elgium 28 would be pleas ant fo White ae 14a5 Note that 9d4? c5 gies ac nice counteplay in the cente  a6! 

lac pepaes  c5 ltena ties ae: e hae eached the same pa ctue as we aleady examined in  1 The anchetto of the light aed bishop does not change te's genea plan He wil attac e b5pawn tying to dag it to b4 t would concede the c4squae ad would assue hite of a ast ig essue in the cente Hee is a example of hites stategy: 7  c5 8a4 a6 9ab5 axb5 1Oxa8 8 11 f6 (11  c6 12 c 4 1�d 12�b b4 (12 c6 3 e5 1d  

 f6 8. 0 - 0 bd7 .�c3 

ollowing the main Rti stategy   be exible and eep all options p Depending on lac's moes  could open the cente by d4 o p y n estiction by de4 ccasionally Whte nsets 9a4   hoping to pooe b4? T coect answe i s 9 a6 lac  y ty to deiate with 9  c8 but   ws 1Od4? esdes 1Oc

a 9  e This mundane dee lopment is inaccuate due to: 1Od4 Game 14 Radjabov-Ne,

KhantyMansiys 211 saw 1Oe4 ? b4 11a4 c5 12d c8 1b b6 14b2 and ite llled the positional aim of the opening  the ctical squae c4 is in his ll con tol Pehaps lac should hae tied the pawn sac 12 c4 1�xc4 �a5 14�c2 (14b c8 15�d4 xe4 16 b2 f6 1�e  c 14  c8 15�d  th some (albeit insucient compensation 1 a6 11 d The thematic 11e4 is also good: 11  xe4 12�xe4 f6 (o 12  b8 1 �g4  14 h6 f6 15 f4 c8 16 e4  1�c2 �b6 14d2  (14e5 ? 14   15b Vau lnRabiega Katowice 199 11 c5 (11   1 2e5 12 dxc5 c5 1e5 g2 14@xg2 a 15f �c8 16xd xd 1xd �xd 18g5 e 159

Pat 

lac is seeal tempos behind in deelopment and it is not easy fo him to nd a stable place fo his queen The game Ghaamian Libiszews Chates 25 went on 9f gxf 2e4 - 2d c8 when best would hae been 22U en bette is 9d c (9 c 2 d2  2 d5; 2 haing in mind to meet 2  - by 2 d5; The bottom line is: if lac does not play a ealy ite seizes the cente with d4 because the thema tic bea  c5 does not wo b 9  8 This moe discouag es O d4 owing to  c5 but d should tanspose to the main line ae O  a a4 e while   e a4 b4? 2b c5 d2 - 4a5 was bette fo White in Choma-Fie alneaio Camboiu 25 10.a4!

It is necessay to eep an eye on b5 o lac ll faouably open his bbishop with c5 lO e7 

6

 8 could tanspose to th e main line ae d but Wite has an een bette option: d The same insidious oo moe as in the main line of Pat  Wite pepaes d4 which was not good ight away due to d4 b4 2e4 c5

Let us examine lac's options hee: a  b 2 d4 c5 axb5 axb5 lac's wo moes with majo pieces neglected the deelopment of his ingside so the ineitable opening of the cente spells touble fo him 4e ite had a tiny edge af te 4b cxd4 5xd4 g2 xg2 b4 a4 b 8  9x tanojosLupu lescu esden 28 but he tet pactically wins a pawn 4e 4g4 the delays deelop ment White is able to chooe be

3 dS 2.c4 e6 3.g3 een S.�d2 e3 16.�e3; nd S.dc cS (S ...e3 16.cb6 xc2 177 b8 18.d7 d7 9 eS+ c8 20 .±) 16.�d3 0-0 .c �c (17...cS 18.�d4) 8.�d4   ery cie rook  er 18 ... 19.e g6 20.�cS S 21.. S.�b3 Ackng e bS-p be ore lck  cled. Now 1 ... c6 16.eS c4 17.S or 16 .. .g2 .g2 �b7 18. dS 19.dS exdS 20.S re bd or i. Te be opion i o gie up  aw wi  ubiou copen ton S.. .dS

Wie piece re beer obi  ed. He cn eliine o  be ter ene wi 1.�bS �bS  bS e3 18.e3 0-0 19.7 8 20.e g2 2.7 dS 2.e7 bS 23.cS b2 24.f2 c8 2S. bS 26.e4 e4 27.c7 b8 2 8.d7 or keep ore enion t 1.dc c 17. c cS 8dS S 19.�d3 f6 20.�d4 0 21.b4 e.g. 2 ...c 22.eS xd4 23.4 c2 24.e4.

b) 11 ... 12.e4 e4 13.�e4 �c7 14.e1 6 S.�c4 c 16.b3 g2 17.g2 �b7+ 18. e7 19.d3;. lck iled o orgnie ny counerply nd reined wi i bckwrd p on c. c) 11...e7 12.d4 0-0  lernie i 12 ... b4 13.e4 cS 14.f6+ 6 S.dcS �S 16 . e3

uc poiion re coonly unplen for lck. Hi queenide pw re ulnerble nd e need o pen wo epo on cing n ng  lu. Now 6...cS 17.cS cS 18.�d3 0-0 19.d4 woul be gloo or i. reden erce-Venke 201 1 w 16 ... 0-0 17.2 g2 18.g2 g4 wen be would e been 19.b3 e3+ 20.e3 �c7 21.c1 �c6+ 22.f2 �4 23.�c4. Ined 19.�e4 e3+ 20.�e3 �c 21.�c c 22.c1 8 23.b3 1 24.d1 c7 (24 .. . c2 2S.d2 c4;) 2S.c1 o re ined oe nge wic er ce eenully wen on o coner. 13.eS (niciping ...cS) 161

r 7 cd4 17.bd4 Eb dler-Gel nd Mocow 2011.

13 ...b6 13 .. .c7 14.4 d6 1S.bS bS 16.E7± AdreikinGrce Mocow 2010 i obouly unc cepble bu 3 ...eS? 14.deS dS 1S.e4 cS (1S .. .c7 16.gS) 16.bS bS 17.c3 b4 1.e4 c4 19.d6 d6 20.ed6 S 21.4 E 22.eS i no o cler. Aer 13 .. .b6 be i 14.d7 d7 1S.e3 6 (1S ...cS 16.dS) 16.e4 w n edge. Ined Giri Menee Vienn 2011 w 14.gS Ee? 1S.d7 d7 16.e7 Ee7 17.b4±. lck could e red 14 ... eS? wi drng cnce n e endge ring er 1S.deS g4 16.e7 �2+ 17.1 cS 1.e4 �g2+ 19.g2 e3+ 20.2 c2 21.cS 1 22.b7 Ee 23.d6 b3 24.c Ec 2S.Ed6 b4 26.E6 6 27. E4;. 11.d3!

In i order o oe 11.d4 0-0 llow lck o ole e opening proble by n inereing pw crice: ) 12.Ed1 cS 13.bS bS 14.E � 1S.bS e4 16.�d2 162

iilr poiion rie in oe line o e QGA. Wie uully cnno ke ny progre ro i poin. b) 12 . gS cS 13.bS (13.eS g2 14.g2 cd4 1S.c6 �e 16.e4 Ec 17.bS bS 1.Ec1  19.E7 eS 20.Ee7 �c6 21.6 �c2 22.Ec2 g6 23.Ec Ec=) 13 .. .bS 14.dcS cS 1S.E � 16.bS Ec. We ee e e cenrio  in e pre ou line. I ee  i eod o equliing gin d4 work well i lck  no lo  epo on ...Ec. 11



0 -0 12.e4

1. dS 2. c4 e6 3.g3 ie' pln i o deelop i op on e3, egurding i wi 3, nd bring e rook o d. Ten e will be well prepred or rer adncing in e cenre or on e ngide. lck' only ciiy i connec d wi ...cS, o i o nurl and eible coninuion i:

) 12 ... cS urned ou o be oer opiiic in inoGogno,  eerburg 2011: 13.bS bS 4.  1S.bS c4 16.dc4 xe4 17.e2 eS 1.eS g2 9.d1 cS 20 . e3 e4, wen .d3 eS 22.cS cS 3. g2 would e gien Wie e upper nd.

14.. .c S.bS bS 16.b4 rnpoe o e in line. 13.h3!?

I propoe i noely becue 13 . e3,  plyed in Incuk Gricuk, nyMniyk 2011, llow 13 ...g4 14 . 4, wen e engine ugge 14 ...b4 S.e2 gS 16. d2 c. rcice  lo een : 13.d1 b6 Te b6-qure i undoubedly e be plce or e queen. Te ge ino-Nidic, ock ol 2011, eure 13 ...c7 14.3 d S .e3 b4 16.b1 c 17.bd2

b) 12 .. .b6 ene lck pln one oe oo erly. Ti could l ow ie o e  epo on d1 aer 13 .e3 cS 14.3

Wie i ligly beer becue e pw couple on bScS wll be nerble er b2-b4 : 14 .. .c S.c1 c6 (S ...c6 i  no  er plce or e queen e o d2-b3-S) 16.b4

I ee  Wie  ciee ll e wne ro e opening. He need ony o pu c4 o be or ougy ppy, o e ne oe look conien: 17...c4? Ti eic c oen enble lck o irculouly ienngle i piece. Te e ge wen on wi 1.c4? e4 19.de4 c4 20.c4 c4=. Criicl i, ow eer: 1.c4 wen e endge  er 1 ...c4 19.c4 e4 20.b6 b6 would be beer or Wie. 163

rt  1 .. .�b? deee tention, but ill 19.�b3 cS 20.cS (20. �b4 Ed3 21. Ec1 e4 22.e4 Ed1+ 23.Ed1 e4 24.�b Eb 2S.eS 6 26.d d 2.Ed g2 2.g2 b4=) 20 .. .cS 21.c4 � 22.�c2 d6 23.2 lee Wie wi  ely etr pwn, e.g. 23 ...cS 24.Ed2. er 13 .. .�b6 14.e3 cS 1. S.bS bS 16.3 Ed, Wite coe in AliRobon, Lub bock 200, 1.Edc1 (1.b4) wic rongly ugge  Wie' rook i no  uel on d. n e oer nd, 3 look indipenble nywy.

Wite' piece re ore tble , te bSpwn i ngng. For e  ple: 16 .. .eS 1.�b1 c6 1.E c1 16 ...�c6 1.�b1 cb4 1.d4 �c3 19.Ec1, nning te queen. In bo rition we needed e king' rook on c1 bu no on d. C3. 4 ... �d7 5 .g2!

13 b6 

3 ...�c rdly deee en ion ince Wie  4.4 wen 14 ...eS? il o S.eS eS 16.d4 d6 17.deS eS 1.eS �eS 19.4 �cS+ 20.�2. 14 . e3 16.b4!

c5

15.b5

b5

Ti oe order i ore ccu re n S.�c4 wic would l low lck o nceo e biop wi S .. .b6? 6 . g2 b. Copred o e in line, ie  no  le er on e queenide wic e bS pw prode.

S .. .6 6.�c4 bS i lo opicl. erp ie ould rere ere o b3 in order o preurie e bS pwn: .�b3 b .OO gf6 9.c3 e 10.3 00 1.4 b4

164

. dS 2.c4 e6 3.g3

11.. .cS 12c2 b4 rnpoe o dler-Krnik wile: 11 ..Jb 12.bS bS 13.d2 b4 .d1 cS 1S.e3 b6 16.eS g2 .g2 c7 1 .3c4 llow ie t aciee i regic i. 12.? Te e inereing ge dler-Krnik Mocow 2.11.  11, w 12.b1 cS 13.c2 eS? (r 13...dS 14.b2 b3 1S.c3 b 6.c4) 14 . e3 (14.eS? loe  ece o 14 ...g2 1S.g2 S+ 6. b3) 14 .. .e4 1S.cS cS  6.de4 e4

Te ne poin o y ide i h 13 ...dS 14.e3 b3 1S.bU keep e eril blnce ince S .. .4 (1S ...4 16.d4 1S .. .dS 16.d4 d7 17.d3 e3 1.e3 dS 19.fc  20.d2) loe o 16.d2 . Anoher opion i 13 ...eS  in idler-Krnik bu en we cn nc e pw: 14.eS g2 1S.g2 dS+ 16.f3 b3 17.b1 d4 1.c4 c4 19.c4. 6.xc4

C31. 6 .. .6 C32. 6 .. .cS. C3. 6".a6

iler ugge ere 17.e3 wi  eer pw ruure. He coe   ste 17.f2 bu e bol 17... 2+ 1.f2 f2 19.b7 g4 gave lk uien counerply. 12 .. .S 13.2

Ti oe ould urn ou o be  we of ie. ie cn open e cenre o ue i ignin le in deelopen. 7.Wc2!

iourging 7 ...bS due o .eS nd indering e nceo of lk biop. 16S

r 7 7 c5 8.c3 c7 

ernes re: ) 8 ..§b8 9.d4 d6 (9 ...cxd4 1O.xd4 c 11.b3 d6 12.0-0 0-0 13§d c7 14 . e3;) 10.dxc xc 11.0-0. b) 8 .. 7 (reeng 8 or e queen) 9.d4 9.0-0 b 10.d3 lso deseres  enon. 9 .. .b6 10. 0-0 b7

We's ge s eser. xcng es only ncrese s dnge be cuse e possbe nson squres c6 n d6 lose ere deenders. n e oer nd, We sould lso g or epos so .dxc would no be precse. He sould ke on c er ...d6 or ke lck ply ...cxd4 wc would ce e kng. ossble connuons re: b)  . e3 8 12d  cxd4 Furer g or epo  12 .. .6 s rsky, becuse We s  ore usel oe: 13§c e7 (13 ... g4 14.4 cxd4 1.4 e 16 . 3+) 14.dc xS 1.xc xc 16.b4 cd7 17.e4 0-0 18.d4;. 166

3.xd4 e7 14.4;. b2) .e4? Ts s ore nurl.  .. .cxd4 12. xd4 8. ere n Herneck-cosser, Ausr 200, ws 13e e7 [13 .. . b4 14.3 c3 1.xc3 0-0 (1 ... xe4 16.e4 xe4 7§xe4) 16. c8 17.e3;, kebrs-Mlk ko, oo Mnnu 2009.] wen We ound nong beer n 14.3. bously, 13.3;, ollowed by d, would e been beer. .0-0!

Ts s ore cunnng n 9.d4, becuse en ck cn ply e c e 9 ...b 1O . 4 7 .d xd 12.xd exd s n bo-Keres, Wnnpeg 1967, wen 13.4 leds o  essy ge. Te ex ds courges 9 ...b n ew o 1O.4 b4 11.d ollowed by b3, b2, d3. We lredy know s srucure ro ne C2.  b6 10.d4 b7 1l f4 d6 12.d6 xd6 13.fdl 0-0 14.e4 cxd4 15.xd4; 



.3 dS 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Whie h reched  ypicl po tion wh n iniiive or hi. He  ore pce nd hi pln i o ncree hi dvnge by puhing S or b2-b4-bS. Follow he odel o orchnoj-F.lon, Mocow 91: 15  c7 (1S .. e 16e2) 6. e2 a7 17.ac1 b8 18.a4 a8 1.b4! c8 20.b5 (cliing e oupo on c6) 20 ac7 21 .e5 g2 



C2. 6 c5 7. 0 - 0 

.�b3? i uch ore popu lr, bu  ...b8 llow lck o ncheo hi bihop. .3 6 k equl. The ex i ore iple n conien. Whie oe no pend epo on nee, bu e ke on beer evelopent. 7 b6 8.d4 b7 .d1 cxd4 10 g5 e7 1l.xd4 g2 12.xg2 



21...xc3 loe o 22.xc3 xc3 3. c6 n he wekne o he l nk i eciive. (22 ...e8 3.c6 �8 24.�e4 cS 2S.b4±) .c6 (23.±) 23 e8 22.xg2

Wb7+



opre he wo igr tou ving coie ny iou ike, lck i olly oine. Now 24.2±, heing o b4, woul ve crowne or cnoj' regy.

Whie i obouly beer, o nin-Geln, Nice 2010. Te c6qure n he pw re wek. 12 ...c8 woul no be o uch elp ue o 13.�4 �c 14.c3 0-0 1S.bS �b+ 16.3 6 1.6; o Geln kep hi rook on 8: 12 ...�c8 n wen on o grul ly equlie er 13.2? h6. Whie houl en hi queen' kigh o noher roue: 13.xc8+ xc8 14.c3 0-0 1S.cbS 6 16. c 1.cU, unerlining he wekne oc6.

6

Pa 

omplete Games

14. RadjabovNegi Khany-Mansiysk 31 .08.201 1

Ti ge i  ne exple o ow o exploi e wekne o e c4-qure in e ypicl pwn ruc ure w  bckwr blck pwn on c. 1 .�f3 �f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4 . g2 dxc4 5.a4+ c6 6.xc4 b5 7 .c2 b7 8 .0-0 � bd7 9 .�c 3 e7

Ti i n inrucie poiionl ike. lck cn ccep i pwn rucure only i e   concree riion in in. I i poible  lck will e o ply i ler, bu only er Wie  pu in 4. en en, e conceion o e c4-qure oul be  jor w o lck' poiion, bu  le ie woul no be ble o open e -le. 1O .. . lo ee inccure in iew o 1.4 c 2. ex 13.x x 14.ex 00 1.  1.g;. erp lck oul e cle. Ten 1.4 woul be no longer cry ue o 1 ...b4 12.4 c. 11.�a4 c5 12.d3

10.e4

lck' l oe oe no pre pre ...c-c o ie cn nwer O.4? Rjbo  noer e-up in in. He reric e b7biop wi e43 n will ry bin e opponen wi e eence o e c-p. 1 0...b4?

68

1 2 .. c8?

er i reckle oe, lck'

. d 2.c4 e6 3.g3 queenide ge ino  poiionl vice. I would preer o row in  pw, bu keep y piece cie. For innce: 12 ...c4 13.�c4 � 4.�c2 c. I i rue  e ein e er pwn, e.g. 1.�d1  16.3 b3 17.b3 d 1.3 3 19.3 �b4 2.�U e 21.2 d6, bu i i uully e dicul o coner e bp in suc poiion.

 7a3 a 1 8fc Ud8  9Ye2

19.b4 b4 2.7 �b 21.c± w quie good, bu Wie wn o prooke noer wek ne. In ny riion e will e d4, e.g. 19 ... 20.c c 21.d4± o lck' repone look orced.  9e5 20 h 3 a8 2  Yc2 c8 22  xc8 dxc8 23 � c4

33 �6 4�2 0-0 5f4 h5  6 e3

 6Yc7

lck look copleely   lo. I y opnion, e ould eek coun eply  ny co o 16 .. . i in spenble. Wie would e n ege er 17.3  1.b4 (. e? d 9.bc4 b 20.dU) B .. e4 19.g, bu  le bo ie woul be in  direc conic, o ie would be prone o i  e. ly ig coninue wi 19 ... d 20.e6 e3 21.e3 cb4   c4 1+ 23.1 �d7 24.7  4. 4 ed3 2.�d3 ) 24 ... xe6 2Jb7 c4 26.dc4 c  d2.

Wie' regy  riuped. Te opponen  no  ingle c ie piece. 23  �d 7 24Ya2 a 8 25 Y2 f6

26 d2?!

Rdjbo w obiouly eing i eye on e poiion nd did no 169

 7 wn o e . Ts oen slps  ge de o e dvnge. s m no peces e edy peec. e only needs o invde e opponen's cmp   ey piece. yed s pwn on 4, s edge would ve been ony le nd e soud ve soug o open  second on in e cene o on e kngsde. In e c u posiion, oweve, e d e obvious 26.b4 b4 27.6 8 28.2±, cceeing e pce o e gme. 26...g6 27 .� e1 �f 2.� e3 Yd 29.�d5 �e6 30.axb4 axb4 31 .a7 d6 32.�2 f5 33.� e3

Tings ve cnged. lck l edy ve  gorgeous knig wic counerblnces e d-one. ie

17

si owns e nve, oug, nk o s cive rook. Tee oe, Negi soud im o de  nd 33 .. .8 34.c1 d4 seved wel s go. oweve, e misses s cnce nd s poson deeio es gin.

33 .. .�d4! 34Ja 1 f4 35.�4 �f6 361a6 6 37.x6 �x6 3.a6  39. �xf6+ Yxf6 40.xf4 1-0 Ye6 41 . e3 f 42.�a5

Par 

Anti-Queen's Gambit I I 1 . tf3 d 5 2 .c4 e6 3. g3 tf6 4 . g2 e7 5. 0 0 00 6. b3

11

Pa 

Main deas . d5 2 .c4 e6 3.g3 f6 4 . g2 e7 5.0 -0 0- 0 6.b3

I d  ery dicul coice o ke beween e Cln wi .d4 nd e Riyle .b3. In prcice plyer' preerence re diided lo eqully beween e wo opion. In y opinion lck i e cloe o equliy in e Cln wi ccure ply. Te ocu in i opening i on e endge o one need good ecnique nd uble poiion undernding. enully I coe o doce .b3. I i ore eible nd llow dieren oe order. A e e ie e regic ide re cler nd ey o ply een by beginner. A reperoire wi .b3 cn lo be  bonu gin oer populr opening. Here re wo eple: 172

.  2.c4 e 3.g3 b 4.g2 b7 .0-0 e7 .b3 0-0 7.b2 c 8.e3 d 9.c3 . c  2. c4  3.g3 b 4 . g2 b7 .00 e .b3 e7 7.b2 0-0 8.e3 d 9.c3. ou ee  i e-up could be ued o oid e Hedgeog nd e in line o e Queen' Indin. lck  wo in pproce gin .b3. ne o e i o de ne e pwn rucure by king on c4  e-up A. Te oer one i o inin e enion in e cenre nd lee ie o ecnge on d. I'll conider i  e-up . In bo ce lck nceoe i lig qured biop. Muc le oen lck cooe e reered Modern enoni :  .. .c 7. b2 c 8.e3 d4 9.ed4 cd4 Oe1

. dS 2.c4 e6 3.g3 6 4.g2 e7 S.- 0-0 6.b3 Wie oud no rey on e c  e  one or wo er epo opred o e Modern enoni. e  e pce in e cenre. I ck conolide nd crrie on   .e6-eS, e b2 y urn ino  ely ugly piece. Look  e ge buko-Koloenky, rk 2000: 10 ...e8 1.3?  12.d3 cS 3.eS eS 14.eS d6 1S.e1 d7 16.e2 eS 17.d2 fS 18.e4 e4 19.e4 e4 20.e4 S 21.e2 b6

Ti i e wor poiion scenrio ino wic ie could e enrppe. I ook i only 20 opening oe o ge ino  ur rpe poiion. An e  no oie ny ppren ike Te orl of i eple i  Wie ould ge ri of i reric ed biop  e r opporuniy: 10 ...e8 1.3 cS 12.3

I beiee  only i pn ee Wie in e ble or e opening dnge. ee game 15 herbakov-Grgorans, Mo cow 1999 or ore dei. I i o  good ide o rde  pir o kig. Ti i epecil y rue wen ...eS loo  er 1 .. .6. Ten be i 1.eS eS 12 .eS 6 13.e1 eS

Agin: 14.3  . Ten we quicky rol our queenide pw, ring  c4-cS. A 6 c5 7.b2 �c6 8.e3 b6 .� c3 dxc4 10 .bxc4 b7 e2 

Ti riion i ill inde quely coere in opening book. I i rue  Miil Mrin  pen on o ink on i in i e nglish pening Volume 2, bu in 173

t 8 ct i wok  dly dvnced teoy ny te. We'll ee in te "tep by tep cpte tt te pln e dvocte in te in line doe not wok. Min be i epetoie on te ide o plyng d ollowed by d2d4 gint ny lck' etup. Howeve, I ee t let ou vi tion wee ti pln doe not give ny dvnge. Tu te quetion ow to py i poiion  ite ein open. I ll inveigte te old clic pln o  kingide pwn to wit 2-4/g2-g4, vng lo 2-4S6 in ind. It led to tegi cy unblnced poition tout oced viion, wee te cot o evey ove i ige o ck be cue i king i in dnge. ck  tied nely  egl ove in te dig poition. Hi ony e countepy i bed on te bekoug ...b6bS (, o wout e peptoy ...6). Tu e o conient nwe oud be 1 .. .6. Aingy, i coninu ion i eivey e. Moe oen ck cooe deveoping ove. Two o e  1 ... b4 nd 11... d7, low  ipe nd igt od ppoc o Wie. He doe py d4, oowed by d4-dS (i poibe) nd ke ove te initi ive: ) 1 ... b4 12 .d4 cd4 13.ed4 c8 14.d 174

14 ... e8 S.3 c6 16.dS ? edS 17.dS dS, A.etoin-G. Kuin, ku 1977. Hee, 18.dS c7 19.e would ve bound lck up nd do. b) 1 ...d7 12.d d8 12 ... d8 i bd due to 13.d4 cd4 14.ed4 S S.eS c8 16.dS 13.d4 cd4 14.ed4

  ue, ite i ligty bee

wt nging pwn i i knigt e cive,  in te dig poi ion, wee d4-dS i wy on te gend. i te knigt o c3 to d2 wit e noeuve c3-b-d2 (i te c4-pwn equied e po tection), nd te ge woud be bnced i not even oe pent o lck.

. d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 6 4.g2 e7 5.- - 6.b3 norunely, e erly d2d4 rdly brng Wte n edge er  .. .6, 1 ..  or 1 .. .�c7. Ined, e  noer pln wc  ell eed, bu   ll dng  lo o ne pon. e ren pve n e cenre nd lunce  pw tor on e kingde w e elp o e - nd g- (or g- nd -) pwn.  e-up   lower veron  b + d , nd  rper vr nt w d (or b)+. Te orer  unverl nd  work gn o lck' deence. Te er  ore rky, bu   c clly jued n e even o pve nccure ply ro e opponen.

Te r ge o our pln  coplee. We ve r conrol o b5, evenully we cn renorce   2-4. Any rouble long e d-le re lo ruled ou for ner e ure. In or, We  won e or regroupng nd luncng e pw or on e nk.  nex ep will be e, followed up by 2-4 or g2-g4. lck' k  o w or u o looen e grp nd counerck wi ...b6-b5 or even ...-S. I e rued on e 14 or 15 ove o prepre ...b6-b5 w ...7, en d4 would ve ken e nve. o e ke noer uel ove:

oe ha engnes evaua ons may be mseadng!

15".a8 16.el nd only now 16".a7

We' ck uully devel op lowly nd decve collon ppen er 15 or ore ove of edeployen nd noeuvrng. u  dep o 22-25 lf-ove  ypclly nucen for e be engne o e correcly e ll oentl of We' ul. Le u now nvege:

Te connuon o e wng regy wi 16 ... e 17.4  con dered n game 1 Zachk-Tv akov, Mocow 1994. 17.xa8 xa8 18.g4!

1. 1l".a6 12.fdl!? c7 .abl! ab8 14 al fd8 15.d3 

We' degn  o pu g4-g5, �g4, e4, 2-4-5-6. oe ha es se-up s possbe agans praccay any move order of Back.

175

r  2. 1l c8?! 

Ti oe i  pure we o ie. I doe o prepre ...b6-bS o Wie c igore i re d op or  ore ggree e-up  i e preiou lie:

Leig e oer rook o  I will ence e eec o 2-4-S d e rook li 3 i lo  luble ckig reource. Wie oe begi wi e, bu e e i ore ccure. I i e up, e be nd o lck quee i d7 ro were i i eyeig ll our criicl qure: bS, S, d3 d d2. Howeer, 12.d �d7 would be dubiou due o 13.d4 cd4 14.ed4 b4 S.dS S 16.eS;.  eple o Wie rer ply i e ollowg riion: 12 ... �c7 13.e 6 14.4 7 1S.4 g2 16.g2 �d7 17.g4 e8 18.S

ce. ly y rpoe o lie 1 er 12d, or ke  rper coure ollowig 12.e I e l er ce, ie ply iilrly o lie 2, bu e i  epo dow. Hi ck i ill dgerou, oug. I w oe ei during y lye ow o recpure o g2 we lck ecge e biop iel. erp ere i o gee rl recipe, bu I ugge o ke by kig  g2, we our rook i o . We y ed i ler o 4-S. I e e-up  d, our ck ll oe eure g4-gS ied o -S. Te well eed our knig o oer roue  -eSg4()-f6/6, o we ould preer �g2 (or  2g2). I e oided ore deil o purpoe, becue ply i o orced d bo ide e oo y de ce poibiliie. I would be i poible o lye e brc by brnc. I i beer o reeber e i pl d build up  good uderndig o e poiion. I ope e e lie ll r you d equely for prcicl ble.

ck Gd ou ould lo ee game 17 arov-Kosev, r 20.0 6.20 00 or 12 .. .S 13.e Filly, 1l c7 i  priculr 

76

Ill ry now o pree e o i cl per o Wie ngide  ck. I begi wi  ew eple were Wie rook rei o  Ti eble cicl oluios long e -le:

. d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 6 4. g2 e7 5.0 0 0-0 6.b3

Analysis

Te preure on e6 orce Blck o concede e d5qure  20 . .. Wd7 i bd in ew o 21.ce4 or 21.e6 e6 22 .d4. 20 ... ex 2Ux5 bd7  22.d5 Ee8 23 .Ed Ec6 24.e4 d8 25. x x 26.W5+ g8 27. x6+ 10 .

Analysis 21.5 b5 22.e4 bxc4 23Jx8+! x8 24J+ �b7 25.�2 We7 26.xc5 cxd3 27.xe6.

Seakov-Loginov St Petes ug  998

19. ! ! gx6 (19 .. . x 20 .Ex6! gx 21.4 Ed8 22.5 e8 23.e4) 20.4 b5 21.xb5 xb5 22.d3 b4 23.e4 xe4 24.dxe4 Wb7 25. 5 e5 2.g5+. 20.g5!! g5 2Ux8+ 8  2.e4  23.5 (or 3J1+ g8 24.�4+ We7 25.+ x6 6Ex  27.Exe) 23 .. .bx5 x5 10.

Kharlov-Kosyev Samaa 2000

Makus-Peunovi Suotia 2008

ie  imply ollowed  e ypi cl cking ceme nd  wen on o obin  promiing poiion de pie Blck' ingeniou reince: 21.E3 b5 22.xb5 xb5 23.cxb5 c4 177

r 8 24.d4 d6 2.g g6 26. b 27.e c7. Here, be would e been 28.  29.7+ g8 30.6 8 31.g6+ g7 32. e6±. Wie ck i uc lower er d. We need ddiionl reource nd  i uully e  pw. Te ollowing digr i  odel poiion  n dnge or Wie:

ie oen reor o e e pwn in order o repel e eney piece. Ti coonly ppen wen lck  en i c6-knig wy ro d4, or eple o 7 or b4: Zaichik-Tiviakov Moscow 994

Anaysis

1.6±. n e le wing Wie i blncing wile on  kingide e enjoy  eriou pil nge. lck piece re on e deenie. Noe  i pln i no le e ecie wiou queen:

Ribli ugge ere 27.6 nd gin, lck i ignicnly crped.

B. 6 ...b6 7.b2 b7 8.e3

A.okoov-Thesing ein  993

Now lck  wo jor po ibiliie: o deelop e ig o c6 or d7. 29.g6 g6 30.g g wen 31.g6  w nning beuilly. 178

a) 8 .. .c5 .c3 c6 10.cxd 5 xd5 1l.xd5 xd 2.d4

. dS 2 .c4 e6 3.g3 f6 4 . g2 e S.- 0-0 6.b3

ck opts for this vrition minly in order to kil ll the cion (n tre s mny piece s pos sble), nd dry up the position prc ticlly by force. It is  tough nut to crck, ineed. We should b gl to obtin even the sightest ee in th endgme er: 12 ...  13.h4 %d7 14.dcS %xd1 1SJd1 xg2

1S ....%fS (S ...%gS 16.h4 %h6 17.c±) 16.4 %gS 17.h4 %h6 18.c1 gS 9.hxgS %g7 20.eS! h8 ! 21 .f4 3 22 .b4! xb4 This ws RthG.Flr, sbjrg 1982. Mrin points out here to 23.c1 cS 24.c3, intening 3, nd Wite is on top. b) 8 bd7  c3 9.%e2 !  is uncer to me)  e4 



The witing strtgy 9 ...cS 1O.%e2 c8 1O .. .e4 11.fd1!) 1.c1 %c7 les to the following position:

16.xg2 cS 17.3 The goo news is tht White t hs some le in evelopment hie lck is plyin for two re ts only. There is one long vrition tht euires emoristion:

I ike Mov's i .h4! dc4, trnsposing to th sructures from setup A.

12 ...d8 13.eS %d6 14.dxcS cS 1S.d

10e2! f6 11 cxd5 xc3 12c3

179

Prt 8 1 ...d 13.d4 4 14.1 7 .d! g 16.g  17.4 d4 18.d4 8 19.b

lk hs dlyd ... nd h y b unbl to hiv it t ll. Tht ks th whol opl of light squrs on th qunsid nd spilly  rthr wk for instn: 1 ...3 13.d3 d 14.d1 7 1.d4 or:

it is ning b4. l his pis r tiv in  shrp on trst to th opponnt's ry.

o o remember:

In th rvrsd Modrn noni trd bishops with 3. f lk tks on 4 our in pln is 1 nd  pwn stor on th ngsid. nly 1...d7 nd ...b4 ll for d4. If lk plys ...bd7 nd wits w prpr ff4 by h4. If lk plys . .. nd wits w opn th ntr by hnging on d nd ltr on  hoping to us our ld in dvlopnt.

180

Pat 8

Step by Step

 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 �f6 4 g2 e7 5.0 -0 0- 0 6.b3 

f course, the Ctn, which rises er 6.4, is n exceent terntive. Moreover, ite hs esteppe quite  few copex nches, for instnce, the check o b4. er 6.b3, I wi focus on: A. 6 .. .c . 6 .. .b6 Minor lerntives re: ) 6 ...4 ite cn trnspose to the vri tions  consier on ove 8 with:

.e3 c  ... c6 8.ex4 x4 9.b2 x+ (ck cnnot ho the 4 squre nywy  9 .. .c 1O.3 foowe by c2.) 1O.x b8 11.e2 b6 12. c3 b 13.1 xg2 14.xg2 oers White soe spce vntge. otnnikthberg, Aster 194, went 14 ...c6 1.e4 b 16.g  1.f3 f6 18.4;. 8.ex4 cx4 9.b2. esises, 9.3 c 6 10.e1 ! 1.3 is so plybe n es to typic Moern enoni positions with reverse coours. b) 6 .. . .c3 4 er  .. .b6 8.b2 b7, White wi py 4 t once or er 9.e3 6. It ooks ike  sieine Ct n, where cks pn is not too cer whie White wi exchnge on  n wil try to put pressure ong the ce. ... b 8.b2 b6 9.3 4 10.c2 3 1 . c1 4 12 .e4 tune we for hie in tykenovPo ivnov, usht 2009. f course, 8. 4 is so  soun choice. 11

Pt B A. 6 c5 7 2 �c6 



If ck wnts to py the e vesed Moden enon, he com mony pefes to do t on the next move. Thee s no objectve eson fo ths becuse e  ...d4, Whte hs not nythng bette thn B.e3 c6. In pctce, he so tres B.b4, but then B ...S shoud euse. 8.e3 b6

B ...c4 9.bxc4 d3 does not mke much sense becuse tdng uens does not sove ck's prob ems th devopment: 1O.b3 dB .d1 6 1.xd3 xd3 13.c3 dB 14.4 bB 1S.eS;. B ...d4 9.exd4 cxd4 10.e1! eds to the evesed Moden enon :

It s pointss to count the tem pos here. b my be consdeed  stp in the wong diection, but th hit on d4 prevents the themtc non redepoent f6-d-cS. It s mo mportnt tht ck cn not cheve ... e6-eS, whch s the conestone of ny ctive pn fo hm. He shoud wok hd to enbe t with: B

 1O ... eB, mng fo ...f6, ... eS, o b 10 .. e8 oowed up by  bshop's etet to cS o f8. A mno tentve s 1O ...d3. Ths move ony opens the dgon to Whte's wost pece nd nvtes 1.c3. Then the ony consstent contnuton s T's choce 1 ...d [o 1 ... b4 1.c1 e8 (1 ...c 13.f 13.eS d 14.xd xd 1S.hS;] 1 .3  when 13.bS cS 14.eS gve Whte the moe ctve peces n ndesson-Lngeweg,  sterdm 193. ) 1O eB Ths s too pssve. White shoud nswe: 1.eS! Whte hs ess spce so h shoud exchnge  coupe of mnor pieces to ensue moe brething spce nd ctvte the gbishop. It s so mpotnt to fee the wy to the fp n ode to enbe ff4. The ncuson of 1.3  is po stony wrong n my opinion, be cuse t deprves Whte of the pos sbity of tding ts dk-sured bshop: 1.eS xeS 13.xeS f6 14.e1 eS 1S.d3 c 16.d •

1.f3 dS 2.c4 e6 3.g3 f6 4 . g2 e 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3 White's bishop on b2 is un empoyed. The imminent brek hrough f2-f4 wi increse its im pct on the centre but not enough or  serious dvntge. Py my continue 16 ... e6 1. dS hB 1B.f4 cS 19.e4 with mutu chnces. 1 ...xeS 1 2.xeS f6 13.e1 eS 13 .. .c! is  wy to void the hrp vrition th f2f4. hite houd probby trnspose to the min ine th 14.3. Whs hnder Germny 2002 sw  imir pn: 14.d3 bB 1S.3 x3 16.x3 eS 1.d2 d6 1B.c2 hB 19.b4 b6 20.f4;.

14.3! I recommen this exchnge n most brnches of the reversed odern enoni. In my opinion it is incipy ong to py with bd eces in one's cmp. Trrsch's omu ws: one bd piece equs  d gme. To be fir hite hs o  tctic soution of tht prob m. It cnnot be  min repertoire  nce ck cn esiy sidestep it  13 ... c but t est it is n : 14.f4 exf4 1S. g3 16.dS+ hB 1.hxg3 xdS 1B.xdS d6  c 20. xg3 21.f2 2+ 22.xf2.

This crzy endgme occurred in Kostenuther Austri 2009. The ony thing I cn sy is tht it is toty uncer to me. ny  ve deep computer nysis cn shed some ight on it but I prefer to py chess nd not to spend my time on memorising ong vrition where even  considerby weker oppo nent might bet me thnks to  bet ter computer ssistnce. This gme went rther 22 ...dB 23.e e6 24.c3 gB 2S.dS fB 26. hS (26.xe6 xe6 2.c fS 2B.xB xB 29.xb dB 30.dS) 26...gS 2.e1 d 2B.d4 eB (2B ...cB!) 29.xeB xeB 30.xb xe1 31.xe1 + 32.f2 xd4 33.e3 fS+ 34.f4  3.d eB 36.cS cB 3.b4  3B.3 xb4 39.xb4 hS 40.fS B 41.g 10. 14 ...x3 1S.x3 c 16.c1 bB 1.cS

1B3

Pt  hites p mjoity on the ueenside mkes his gme pefe be. The bockding ttempt 1 ... bS shoud be met by .cxb6 xb6 19.f4 exf4 20., with n inititive. b) 1 .. Je 11 .d3 cS 12 . 3!

 beieve tht ony this pn eves ite in the btte fo the opening dvntge. Min's ecom mendtion 12eS xeS 13JxeS is insucient due to 13 .. .d6!  ee game 15 herbakov-Grgo ras, Moscow 1999 for more de tis.

Now ck hs to dene the tue chcter of the gme. 4

A. 9 .. .b A2. 9 ...dxc4 A3. 9 ... 6. Al.  .. .b7 1.xd5 �xd5

10 .. ..exdS 11.d4 oes hite  very esy gme. ne ecent exm pe is Vitiugov-Foynov, Russin pid ch. 2011: 11 .. Je (11 ...6 12. eS) 12 J1 f 13.e2 (the po phyctic move 13.e1 is moe po pu) 13 ...e4 14.f4 6 S.e1 c4 16.bxc4 c4 1.3 c .eS xeS 19.dxeS bS 20.g4;.

 inteesting tentive is: 12 ... exdS 13.d4 !   12 ...6 13.e1 c4 14.bxc4 c4 S.d2 bS 16.xc4 bxc4 1.4 b4 1 . c3 d3 19.ebU. 13.dxc 13.d2 ! is more estrined, but hite's pn, bsed on the wek ness of the dSp, is very cer nd esy to impement: 13 ...4 14.fd1 xb3 S.xb3 x1 16.1  1.c3 d .b2 f 19.e1 cxd4 20.d4 xd4 2.xd4 S 22.d3 bS 23.b2 d6 24.f4 xf4 2S.gxf4;, HicA.okoov, witzerlnd 200. 13 ...bxcS 14.e1! 14.h4 h4 S.gxh4 xh4 16.xdS d 1.eS f6 1.g3 ws ony equ in Reindemnnto , krt 2011:  ...xg3 19.hxg3 g2 20.xg2 e6 2.3 .

. dS 2.c4 e6 3.g3 f6 4.g2 e S.- 0-0 6.b3 14.. .6 1S.d3

hite retins soe inititive but he ust be ry to srice the exchnge er S .. c8 16.e c4 1.f4 b4 18.xd e 19.xe cxb3 20.b3 e8 21.d1 th  gret openstion.

b) 12 ...d8 13.eS  would not hve entioned this ove since 13.dxcS xcS 14.e xeS S .xb b8 16 . e4 is obviously in hite's fvour hd not nik chosen it versus Rdjbov in Kzn 2011.) 13 .. .xeS 14.xb b 8 S . g2 cxd4 16.exd4 d7 17.dS exdS 18.x f6 19.d1 b2 20.xd. f you hd nik's tehnique you would hve fir hnces to n this endge. All 12 ad8 

This is n invittion to the long forced vrition:

12d4 13�e5 d6

13 .. .xg2+ proises lck only  diult struggle for the drw. 14dxc5 xc5 15�d7

lk hs tried ny ontinu tns here but 'll stop y ttention t: A. 2 .. .d8 A2. 12 .. . 1 3. 12 ...4. Minor lterntives re: ) 1 ... fd8 3.e d6 14.  14.h±) xeS S.xb7 3 16 . 3 b8 1.x7± Pigusov ubn Rig 1988.

15  S ...g 16.h4 h6 17J1±) 16e4 5 17h4 h6 18  c 5 1hx5 7 20e5 h8! 21 f4 a3 22b4! xb4 

18S

Prt 8 This ws Rth-G.Fer, sberg 1982. Mrin points out here to 23 c 24.3, intending d3, nd ite is on top. A12 12  �a 13dx

The most principed nswer, but White hs other good terntives s we: 13.h4! or 13.! c8 14 . 3!  (14 ...fd8! .dxcx 16.xc c 17.xd cxd 18.d4 d7 19.b4±) .dxc c 16.xc c 17.d4 e 18.xb7 xb7 19.b4  20.x d6 21.dU. 13  xd1

13 ...xc 14.e2 so fvours ite: 14 ...fd8 .fd h ( .. .f 16 . c3 c6 17.b4 xb4 18.xb4 xb4 19.h4) 16.h3 6! 17 . c3 c6 18.c4  19.b4 f8 20.b; (Mrin).

A13 12 �4 

A tough nut to crck! ck hs considerbe chnces to mke  drw in this ine Compred to the previous ine, the knight ttcks the 2-pwn nd tht restricts White's choice. Most oen White nswers with: 13�4

13.e hs simir ides: 13 ... d7 14.dxc xd .xd xg2 16. xg2, th  tiny edge for White: 16 .. .x2 17.cxb6 xb6 18.d7 f6 19.xf6 gxf6 20.f3 or 16 ...d 17.e4 f6 18.. 13 d7 14 1d1 g2 

xd1

14d1  1 3!? 

1 8 16�e g2 17xg2 f6 (17...c6!) 18a bxa 1�4; (Mrin). 

186

I tried to mke 16.xg2 work, but then 16 ...xc 17.3 c2! 18. x3 19.xc bxc 2 0.x3 8 is uncer. In such endgme s  rook pus  distnt psser is in no wy weker thn  +.

. dS 2c4 e6 3.g3 f6 4 . g2 e .- 0-0 6.b3 6 xc5 

16 .. .bxcS! is n interesting t empt to restrin White on the eenside. The hit on 2 is very nnoying. In Reerndenburg ethernds 2011 White tried the ost ogic move 1d but the ossibiity of 1...xh4 1B.gxh4 dB rescues ck. hite shoud y positiony: 1. fdB (1 ...  1B.4;) 1B.xdB+ xdB 19. c3 c6 (19 ...S 20.3 c6 21.4;) 0. f1 f6 21.e2  22 .d2 wth  ighty better pwn structure. a3 �c6

I suspect tht the position er

7 . c2 1B.c1 x3 19.xcS bxcS

A21. 11 .. .cB A22. 11 .. .6 A23. 11 ...c A24. 11 ...d A2S. 11 ... b4 2   c8

This move is ck's most popu r nswer in prctice. It ims to discourge White's ctive py in the centre. However it is  pure wste of time ginst  nk ttck th f4.

) 12c c 13.d4 is possibe bt insucient for n edge due to 13 ...cxd4 14.exd4 d 1S.fd eB!



.x3 might be  technic drw. 8b4

White hs some edge since B ... e coud be ttcked by B. fS. 2  xc4 0bxc4 b e2 

This is ment to tke the sting out of d4-dS. White hs to py this position fst becse once ck hs consoidte the hnging pwns my rey begin to hn. o M rin's recipe 16.bS  1.eS seems deute but he stops his nysis too ery evuting hite's chn ces s higher. nfortuntey forced py er 1 ...xeS 1B.dxeS xg2 19.exf6 xf6 20 . f6 (20.xd xd 21.xg2 xbS 22.xf6 gxf6 23.cxbS dS+ 24.g B 2S.c4 1B

Prt 8 hS 264 d8) 20xd1+ 21 xd1 xf6 22xg2 xbS 23cxbS d8 244 g6 eds us to  drw:

2Sxd8+ x8 26e4 b8 27c6 f8 ck's king rrives just in tie to stop the psser: 28S bxS 29b6 e7 30b7 d8 My rther eorts filed to ke the pln wth 4 work so I hd to turn y ention to the right wing The universl setup o ine A23 is plyble: 12f1 c7 13b1 f8 143 b8 1e1  16f4 g2 17xg2 c6 18g4 e8 19e4 6 20 g3 b7 1h f6 2f8 22) 22

The ge Mov-okros, Minz 2009, went 14fS! g2 Sxg2 d7! 16e6 (16g4 fd8 17d1 d3) 16 e6 17f4 cd8 18d1 d6 19d3 c6 20 g2 (20d4!) 20 eS This expe teches us wht we shoud NT do  to push fS too erly when we coud not support it with g4 due to weesses ong the d e Insted, ite cn exploit the prticur ove order of the oppo nent by 14b d7 x7 cd8 16b7 xb7 17 e4 18d4, nning  pwn, but t the ost of the inititive It is ore in the spirit of the position to prepre f with 14d!  or: 14g4 g2 Sxg2 cd8 161 16g e8 17 d7 18h3 3 19hS 6 0e f6) 16 7 17d3 c6 ther wise lk is risking to get rushe wth his knight t the ede of the bor) 18fS

hite chieves excellent prcti  results with: b) 12 e1 ! Then 12 7! 13f4   es to this poition : We hve reched  ypil po sition with n inititive for Wite Poibe ontinutions re: 18e8 19e4 or 18ef 19 e 19  fe8 20e1  21 e 22  3e4  24e xeS 2)  0e4 The 188

. d 2.c4 e6 3.g3 f6 4 . g2 e 5.- - 6.b3 pwn mjorty n the centre gves Whte  ee hnd on the kingsde. In ths set-up, the bck ueen hs no busness on c7. er 12. e, best s probby 12 ... d 13.f4 Efd8.

Here 14.d3 nd 14d re probby of eu worth. White's chnces re preferbe. Hs pn s to push 4, f. e sure to ook t the deted commentries of game 16 Mars-eruoc, ubotic 208. My in ine 12.Ed!  presents  cever ve order which discour ges 2 ...d7 due to 13.d4 cxd4 14.exd4 b4 .d  16 .e. At the se time, it eves the other ook on the kinside. Tht coud be cruci for the success of the immi nent rch ford of the f-p er e s I hve shown in ine b. 12 a5

Lognov, t. Petersburg 1998, whch foowed the pn with  sower, bt better prepred ttck:  .. .xg2 16.xg2 d 1.g4 e8 18.f

18 ...f6 18 ...d6 ows the bod scrice 19.f6!! [Whte hs nother good continution: 19.f4 b (19 ... c6 2.h g6 21.g3) 20.xb xb 21.cxb xb 2xb xb 23.f6.] 19 .. .gxf6 (19 ...xf6 2.Exf6! gxf6 21.f4 Efd8 22.h e8 23.e4) 2.f4 b 21.b xb 22.d3 b4 23.e4 xe4 24.dxe4 b7 2.h e 26. g+. 19.e6 e6 20.g!! xg 21.Exf8+ xf8 22.e4 6 23. (or 23.E1+ g8 24.g4+ e 2.f6+ xf6 26.Exf6 g6 2.Exe6) 23 ...bx 24.xc nd ck re signed.

Another option is 12 ...c7 13.e nd then:

b) 13 .. .Efd8 14.f4 6 .f (15. g4!)  .. .d6 6.d3 Eb8 17. e 18 .xb7 Exb7 9.

) 13 ... 6 14.f4 7 .4 .f! seizes the inititive, but m foon the ge herbkov

ck remined coordinted n the centre, but he hs not creted ny countey. The gme mght continue:



189

P 8 he ws iming to. He shoud hve switched now to concrete ccu tions: 0.e6! e6 1.h when 1...b .e4 bxc4 oses to 3.xfB+ ! xfB 4.f1+ b7 .f e7 6.xc5 cxd3 7.xe6.

19 ...exf (or 19 ...xf3+0.x bd7 1.e6 xe6 .e4;) 0.e4!! e4 (0. . .x+ 1.x d7  .e g4 3.d h6 4 . c3 b  . d) 1.dxe4 e6  .xe xe 3 .d e6 4.xf6, with n oveheming dvntge. c) 13 .. . 14.f4 g 1.xg cdB 6.g4 We know redy tht f4-f shoud be we prepred. For in stnce, 16.f d7 17.f4 exf B.cd xd 19. xd c 0 .f b4! 1.xf is ony equ. 16 .. .b7 17.d3 6 B.f (B.g eB 19.f3 g6 0.h3 d7) B ... e B 19.f4 c6

13d3!? is  consistent tern tive. I nyse it in game 18 Ao koov-esig, erin 1993.

The text frees the ne to the f pwn. ee for more detis game 17 arov-Kosev, mr 0.06.000 A22 11 a6 

12fdl!

This position occurred in up tshvi-Mkrtchin, tumi 003. White hs chieved everything 190

The thret of ..b prctic rues out the pn th d. This does not men we renounce the ide of  kingside pwn storm. We re simpy deying it unti the b squre is under rm cotro.

. dS 2. c4 e6 3.g3 f6 4 . g2 e S. - - 6.b3 Mrin dvoctes 12.d4 cxd4 13.exd4 c8 14.d1 hoping for 14 ... S! 1S.e3 c 16.c1 fd8 1.dS. This mnoeuve hs two drwbcks, though. Firsty, I do not ike much ite's position er 14 ... bS! More importnty, ck cn deny together the knight's trnsfer to e3 by not exchnging on d4: 12 ...S! when Wite hs not nything better thn 13.dxc bxcS 14.e4 d 1.eS b6. In the gme runeo-tonsen, dense 2011, White went on to ose  pwn er 16.d1 c 1.e4 e4 18.xe4 c4. 12 Wc7 13abl! ab8 14 al 

The slogn of our opening cm ign is prophyxis! We keep the opponent t by nd we re sti oping for d2-d4 t n opportuni . For exmpe, the themtic 14 ...  woud stumbe into 1.d4! bS S ...cxd4 16.exd4 b 1.dS xc4 8.xc4 bxc4 19.d6 ws goom or ck in Todorovic-Cvetkovc, egrde 200) 16.dS!. In prctice, ck usuy opts for the exibe:

4f8 13 a8

1S ... is sti inccurte due to the sme 16.d4 cxd4 1.exd4

The next moves wl unesh the power of the hnging pwns or, to be precise, of the ctive ong-rnge pieces behind them. Prctice hs seen rther: ) 1...bS 18.dS! xc4 (18 .. . exd 19.xd xd 20.cxd xd 2e1!± gve ite mny threts in Kortschnoj-Kir.Georgiev, Lu gno 1986.) 19.xc4 bxc4 20.dxe6 bS (20...e6 21.xd8+ d8 22.gS b 23.4 g2 24.xg2 d 2.xe6 xc3 26.xb8 xb8 2.c3;) 21.ex+ f8 22.xd8+ xd8 23.e, spig-Gruenberg, Leipzig 1980. b) 1 ... bc8 18.b2! ! (setting up n mbush! ) 18 .. .b (18 .. .d 19.c bS 20.4) 19.d xc4 20.de6 xe6 21. gS b6 22.d! . 16el

This retret is commony con nected th f2-f4, but it is so in dispensbe for my ide of dvn cing the g-pwn. 191

Prt 8 16  �a7

16 .. .e8 1.f4 ws in game 19 aichik-Tviakov Moscow 1994. 17aS xaS

ur pln is to open the min igonl with h2-h4-h-h6 n buil the bttery 1-b2. How ever, lck cn ischrge prt of the tension with 21...6 22 . e c6 when 23.xc oes not win  pwn ue to 23 ... 24.x6 6 2.e4 xf4=. This ne point me me think tht f2-f4 my be not obligtory t ll. Let us check: Sg4!

Common continution here is 18.f4 b8 19.4, with ouble ege ply, for exmple, 19 ...c6 (19 .. .c6 2 0.f3) 20 .g4 b4 (20 ... e8 21. 6 222 f8 23.g f 24.e4 b 2.g3) 21.g e8 22.  (22. e4 6! ) 22 ... 6 23 .e f6 24.gxf6 f6. These vritions show tht one tempo coul be ecisive for the suc cess of ite's ttck so I ecie to sve 4 n begn nlysing 19.4 b 20.g e8 21.e4

192

This nturl move is  novelty. Inee, why shoul hite wek en his kingsie with f4 when his min pln is to push the hpwn! lck cnnot prevent g  by 18 ... e 8 19.e4 6, becuse 20 .x6 6 21.b2 is  little unexpecte ouble hit. S abS 195 eS 20g4 �d6

20...b oes not istrct ite om the right ng: 21.e4 bxc4 22.c4 xb1 23.xb1 c6 24.h4. 21h4 b5 22 h5

. d 2.c4 e6 3.g3 f6 4.g2 e7 . - 6.b3 ite hs n obvious inititive. The gme my continue th 22... c6 23. bxc4 24.xb xb 2b1 c7 26.dxc4 f 27.h6. 3 1l c7 

 ...d7 19.xc6 xc6 2.f4 d4 21. c2 22 .e b. The gme Wng ue-Hou ifn nzhou 211, sw: .e1 d7 19.e, when 19 .. . fd would hve kept the tension in view of the thret of .. .b6-bS. b) 12.e! is  ris, but en terprising pln. Compred to the position er 11...c, lck is prcticlly  tempo up. He cn de velop the rook on d or keep it on the queenside to support the brek through ...b6bS. Look t game 2 0 iov-Zon ochi 27. Aprt from 12.e1!, White hs lso the sme pln s in line  2: 12fdl a6

A exible move. t eectively tkes the sting out of the pln with 2-d4 becuse 12.c1 6 13.d4 could be nswered th 13 ...S. ) 1.bS looks like  loss of tempo since er 12 ...c 13.f1 6 14.c3 S the queen is not worse on c thn on c7: S.b1 b 16. 1 c6 17.e4 c7

Ply hs trnsposed to line  2. A24 1 l d7 

This woul be the idel plce for the queen  it controls e6 n f thus discourging ite's pln with f-f4-fS. Moreover, it puts pressure on the d-le nd supports the brekthrouh ...b6-bS. How ever, ll this is in conditionl mood since tctics works in White's f vour. lck stumbes into dicu ties er:

12 ... d is pin bd. Veg HolmMgem dls, Cl G dana 1999, went on with 13.d4 cxd4

.eS is not dngerous due to

14.exd4 laS 1 5.le5 'c 16.5 gfe

193

Prt B (16 ... exdS 1.xdS xdS 1B.cxdS) 1. h3 cS, when 1B.bS! 6 (B ... bB 19.x) 19.d4! (Mrin) woud hve given him n edge. er the text, things re fr from cer:

cS 29.6 d4 3.2 fB 31.g2  32.d6.

134 cx4 14ex4 !

A resiient defence, which Mrin does not consider. 14 ...S 1S.dS! is ne for ite, beyond doubt. In the digrm position, S.dS hs no venom due to S ...exdS 16.xdS xdS 1.cxdS e! so I took my time to nyse S.eS eB 16.bS dcB 17.3 3 1B.x3 S nd S. e S ... S 1.dS) 16.bS 6 1. 3 b4 1B.c3 cB 19.b1  20.bS. though White hs some spce dvntge, py remins compex. Perhps White shoud tke  sm edge in the endgme foong: S.4 S 16.eS eB 1.b xb 1B.bS dcB 19. S 20.dS xc4 21.xc4 xc4 22.6 gxf6 23.dxe6 (23.xf6 6 !) 23 ... e6 24.xf6 g6 2S. e4 26.xe4 xe4 2.c7 cB 2B.d 194

The e6pwn is vunerbe. White is redy to bring  second hit upon it th 6, c. The d4 bishop is so hnging so it shoud eve its ctive stnd in the centre. Here is n iustrtion of how jumpy the white knight coud be: 32 ...f6 33.c6 e 34.c  3S.S bxS 3.xS e2 3.bS g6 3B.4 b 39.d6 bb2 40.e4  41.cB±. A25 1l �b4 124 cx4 13ex4 c8 14l 

. dS 2.c4 e6 3.g3 f6 4 . g2 e S.- 0-0 6.b3  e8 

ck hs to do something bout he thret of d4-dS. hritonov Dvoirys, Hoogeveen 2000, sw insted 14 ...c 1S.3 6 16.dS exdS, when the forced vrition 1.bS xc4 18.xe xbS 19.f6 c 20.d6 gxf6 21.d4 d 22.xf6 e 23.f4 gives White  nice ttcking position. 5.a3 6 7.5 �5

6.5!?

e5

I hve been foowing the gme A.Petrosin-G.uzmin, ku 19. Here, 18.xdS! c 19.e1 woud hve bound ck up nd down. The ony sensibe nswer 19 ...S 20 .eS xc4 21. xe xe 22.xe xe 23.xe  24.f3 xb2 2S.x g6 26 . dS f8 2.b 4 28 . c4! eds to n endgme where ck hs no use moves: 28 ...g 29.h4 h6 30.g2 g8 31.f3 g 32 .e3, going to the ueenside.   a6 

This deveopment of the bishop is very tricky. ck wnts to deny us ctive py in the centre. ne mundne move s 1.d3! (M ins recommendtion), nd White shoud forget bout ny opening dvntge. ck  get time for bringing the rook in the centre nd his pwns woud be even more c tive thn ours. rmnik's pproch ginst Giri, Monco 2011, mkes more sense: 1.e2 d 1.fd1! c8 12.d4 cxd4 13.exd4 fd8 14.eS e8 1S. b 16.f4 . Chiburdnidze-ec, egrde 1992, introduced the missing ee ment: 1.e2 d 1.fd1! c8 12.bS! fd8 13.d4 cxd4 14.exd4 e8 1S.c1 b 16.eS 6 1.xc6 xc6 18.c3. However, this is sti bout eu. ur ony chnce is n energetic ssut in the centre wth d4, eS, bS. In this scenrio, fd1 is un necessry nd ony gives cks ueen time to retret comfortby to e8. o we shoud py concrete chess: .e2 7 .!

This is my two cents in the theo ry of this vrition. I ws mzed to nd tht this move ws  novety. Now ck fces some probems: l  2.e f8 

12 ... c8 13.eS is wkwrd s the ueen hs not  sfe hven: 19S

Prt  13 .. .c 14.bS! bS S.cxbS xeS 16.dxeS d 1c1 b .3! xc 19.xc1 c 20.e3 c 21 .b4; c

22.e1! c2 23 . d4. White cn esiy contro the invsion squres ong the ce with his bishop pir. ck wi hve to pssivey wit for White's ttck with f4. 13�e5 eS 14�b5!

The point of my ide. Now 14 ... bS r 14...c S.xc6 xc6 16.x7 xc4 1.bxc4 c4 18.2 4 19.fc1 x 20.4;, S.c1! my be even better.) S.xbS xeS 16.dxeS d7 1.3;, foowe by b4, gives White  contro of the bord. Lter he l continue with f4. 196

B. 6"b6 7 b2 b7 Se3 �b7 

 ... 9.c3 trnsposes to ine 

�c3!

9.e2 is more popur becuse it mkes 9 ...e4 pointess. Indeed, er 9 .. .cS 1O.cxS xdS 11.fd1! f6 12.d4 cxd4 13.x4, ite wou hve  sm ege. However, I hve no ie how to meet 9 ...S!. The gme Tiknen Grneius, Vsters 2011, went 10.d3 4 1.bd2 cS 12.e1 b3 13.xb3 2 14.b1 dc4 S.bxc4 x. 9.c3 is more ntur, but 9 .. .4! 1.x4 dxc4 12.fc1 bS! 13.c3 b 14.bxc4 bxc4 gives ck ctive py, for exmpe: S.cb1  16.x eS 17.d1 d3 .c2 b4 19.d1 3 . r 9.c3, my min ine brnches to: . 9 .. .e4  2. 9 .. .cS. 9...S is not too cer hr, be cus 10.d3 puts the qustion to cs lst move.

3 5 2 c e6 3g3 6   g2 e 5 - 6b3 l 9   !

n epetoe  be on: 1e2, bt I cn not ee even  tce o n ege Let  chec  the: 1 6 11c2 11 dxc4 12 bxc4 c5 (12 6 134 d6 14b3 cxd 15exd4 cB 16c1 c w better o c n omnge-Ly, nty ny 211 11 b2 12xb2 6 134 dxc4 14bxc4 d6 1Sd2 g2 16
 d5 

The ymmetry er 12 c3 13dxc3 d5 14d1 e 15d4   bt more pent or Whte nce the ctve nght on d4 h cce to c6 Th houd enre conto over the d-e n the other hnd, 13 exd5 14d1 e 1Sd4 f6 16c4 c5 1f5 e5 1Bg4 gve Whte n nttve on the kngde 3 d4  ac 7

rn end h ny hee wth the ement ", bt th  obouy n exmpe of h thnkng 1cxd4 1Bexd4 eS 19S xc4 2xc4 c6+ 21
Whte w ghty beer n  d-ku, ben 2 , due to e we ght ure on the ueende Th coud be nderned w: 5d! g2 6<g2 c5 74 cd4 8d ac8 9'b5

 f6 lcd5 c3 

No one hed to try 11 exdS  12d4 ed to  typc pwn tctue where Whte mntn tng preure ong the c-e c3

19

Prt 8 ite is mencing b4.  his pieces re ctive. B2  c5 c3 b 

9 ... c6 1 0.cxd is considered in ine A.

r 11 ... f6 1.cxd exd 13.d4 e7 14.c1 fd8 1.dxc dxc 16.d4;. 1.c3 f6 13.cxd d 14.d4 cxd4 1.xd4 g 16.xg c8 17.c.

10e2 k

Aterntives re: ) 10 .. .c7 1c1 c8 (11 ... d8 1.fd1) trnsposes to the min ine. Perhps hite does not even need c1 nd shoud try 11.h4 immeditey. b) 1O .. .e4 11.fd1! 11.cxd xc3 1.c3 d 13.e4 b7 14.fd1 c7 1.c1 d8 16.d4 b8 17.d exd 18.exd f6 19.h4 is n importnt ine.

White is sighty better nd went on to win in Dizdr-Num kin, Voskresensk 1990. ck's ueenside pwns nd the c6-sure re sensitive. lac1

11.h4 t once so desees considertion. 1l c 

ck used to strugge in such positions becuse hite's knight proved to be power on f. How ever, the gme PoettingerMren tini, Triesen 01 1, showed  simpe defence: 19 ...g6! 0.d d6. 11...xc3 198

12h4!?

. d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 f6 4 . g2 e 5.0-0 00 6.b3 In my opinion, this brin chid of Mkhov is the ony re y for White to set probems to ck. 12. cxd5 xd5 13.xd5 d5 14.e4 b 15.d4 b8 16fd1 cxd4 1.xd4 xc1 18.c1 d8 19 . f4 e5 20.b4 is toty eu. Mrin cims n dvntge for Wite, but er 20 ...d6 21.d2 c 22.b5 f6 23.c6 c6 24.xd8+ xd8 25.e5 it is high time to sign  drw.

1.bxc4 g2 14.�xg2

12 ...dxc4

If ck wits too long with this exchnge, we coud nticipte it by tng on d nd c5. My gme Dechev-Cornilius, ensue 2011, reched this position:

White hs obtined  good ver sion of the pwn structure which I hve considered in line A. The rook is useless on c8, but tht is blnced by the eully misplced c1-rook. The d-ight should oose time to rech its best sure c6. In M hovPotkin, Moscow 2010, ck tried to sve such  redeployment th: 14 .c6 

1 .. .8 17. f8, when the ctive ight on  enbed the combintion 18.xd5! xd5 (or 18 ...d5 19.xd5! xd5 20.h6+ @h8 21.h5 7f 22.f6 xf6 23. b8 24.x+ @g8 25.e6) 19.h+ @h8 20 .h5 7f6 21.xf6 gxf (21...xf6 22.x gxh6 23.b) 22 .e4 1-0

I see here t est two good wys to expnd on the kingside: 15.e4 cd8 16.e5 e8 1.e4 f 18.exf6 exf6 19.g5 e5 20.e5 or the stndrd 15.d3, followed by f4,g4, f5. The stem gme went insted 15.f4 e4 when 16.xe4 xe4 1.d3 c6 18.e4 cd8 19.e3 f6 20.e5 e 21.f5 woud hve so seized the inititive.

199

P 8

Pa 

omplete Games

1 5.  herbakov-Grigorians Moscow 1999 1 .c4 e6 2�f3 �f6 3.g3 d 5 4g2 e7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3 c5 7.b2 �c6 .e3 d4 9. exd4 cxd4 1 0e1 c5

This is the best pce for the bishop. It not ony protects the d4pwn but so brs the h rnk to White's rook so it cnnot rech bS. However ck's move order is probby not ccurte. He shoud py 1O .. Je8 rst in order to void the exchnges er 11.eS! xeS 12JxeS d6 13JxcS xcS 14.3. It is genery beneci to hite to trde these two minor pieces. In the gme hite sti hs to work hrd to chieve them. 1 1 . d3 e

12.a3!

2

White oen pys here 12eS (or 12 .3  13.eS). er 12 ... xeS 13.xeS c7! 14.f4 d6 1S.d4! gives ite compenstion for the exchnge though the posi tion remins very compex:

1S .. .eS 16.eS e7 17.c3 d7 18.d4 xeS 19.eS f8 2.bS f6 21.e2 b8 22.d6. The sme scrice is possibe with the insertion of 12.3  nd then 13.eS xeS 14.xeS c7! 1S.f4 d6 16.d4 eS 17.eS e7 18.c3 d7 but here best is 19.d4 (insted of 19.d4 xeS 20.eS f8 21.bS f6 22 .d6 c7 23.e2 b6) 19 .. .b8 2.g4 fS 21.e2 b6 22.bS b7 23.b7 xb7 24.c3 f6 2S.e1 with pressure. These probems of ck hve  simpe soution though: insted of 13 ...c7 ck shoud py 13 ...

. d 2.c4 e6 3.g3 f6 4.g2 e7 .0-0 0-0 6.b3 d6!, chieving comfortbe equ ity. For exmpe: 14.f4 bB 1.3 (or 1.d2 d7 16.e2 c6 17.f g2 B.xg2 b4 19.e4 xe4 20. xe4) 1 .. . 16.b4 b4 17.b4 b4 B.3 d7 19.b b 20 .xb b6. 1 2xa3

ck hs so tried: ) 12 ... d6 13.d6 xd 14.3  1.bd2 h6 16.c2 e 17.c

ite hs  cer pn to d vnce his queenside pwns. m jnovic-Nikcevic, Igo 1994, sw rther 17...fB B.e4 xe4 19.xe4 f 20.ee h7 21.2 hB 22.b f 23.b4 b4 24.b4 3 2.c4±. b) 12 ...7 13.f2! 3 14.x3 c 1.e4 xe4 1.e4 f 17. g e B.d2

ite is fr hed with his qeenside pn nd went on to win in buov-Koomensky, Nizh nij Tgi 2007: B ...e7 19.c2  20.f4 d6 21e xe 22.xe xe 3.e f6 24.f4 h6 2.c7 h7 6.eB g 27 . d b4 B . gB hB 9.e e6 30.xB e3 3.f gB 3. 1-0. 13�xa3 eS 14�c2 a 1Sa3 fS 1 6 �h4 g4 1 7d2 h6

A critic position. White hs good prospects on the e wing, but he shoud think bout prophy ctics, too. B.h3! d7 19.b4 xb4 20.xb4 x 21.x wou hve been the right course to tke since B.b4, s pye in the me, misses B ...xb4 9.b4 x 20.x e4! 21.dxe4 d3 22.e3 e2 23. g6 with doube-eged py. 1 8b4 gS 1 9bS � b8 20h3 c8 21�f3± d6 22h4 (22.xg!) 22  g4 23�fxd4 (3.xe!) 23 exd4 24xh6 e + 2S xe1 �bd7 26gS+ qh7

Now 27.xd4 wins t once, but quite mzingy, herbkov some how fis to convert his dvntge. 20

Prt Prt  1 2 . � e 1 ! ? (12Jd!) 12 ...Wd7 ...Wd7 13.f4 fd 14.d3

27 . e4+ � xe4 2 Jxe4 Wg6 29.Wd b6 30.�xd4 �5 �xd3 31JU4?? 3eS!) 32U 32 U66 e6 33.Wxa 33 .Wxa Wxf6 Wxf6 34.We4+ Wg6 35.�xe6 e6 36.Wb7+ Wg7 37We4+ Wg6 3.Wb7+ Wg7 YY 39.We4+ Wg6 1 6. Markus-Perunovi Markus-Perunovi u boia boia 02.09.200 1 .�f3 �f6 �f6 2.4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.b3 e7 5 .g2 00 6.0-0 6. 0-0 5 7 .b2 �6 .e3 b6 9.�3 dx4 10.bx4 b7 1 1 .e2 .e2 

lck nticiptes the pln wth d2d4, but ginst the other dn gerous pln pln  f2-f4, his rook is even worse thn on its initil squre. From c it does not support the only possible counterply bsed on ..6 .. 6 ...b6bS. ... b6bS. 202

14Jd1 is  vluble ltern tive. tive. In some vritions vritions ite my need the dditionl control over bS which e2 provides. The gme Pnchenko-Kucer, Prdubice 1992 199 2 went on th: 14...e. ... e. This is  themtic m noeuvre. noeuvre. From d6 the knight wll be eyeing fS nd suppor suppo rting the brek through ...bS. ...bS. 1S.g4 The exible 1S.d3 lso desees ttention. It my sve g4, s in the vriti vrition on 1S . . . b4 1S .. . d6 16.) 16. d6 17.eS c7 1. e4 c6 19.xc6 xc6 xc6 20 .fS. .fS. 1 S ...S ... S 1S.. .f6 looks sfer: 16.d3 16. gS xc3 xc3 17.xc3 17.xc3 d6) 16 ... .. . d6 17.. 16.d3 xg2 17.xg2 6

hite chose here 1.4 f6 19Jb1 b 20.gS xc3 21.xc3 x4 when 22. 7 23.h3 hv e given him  nice ttck would hve ing position. However he could

1. 1.  d 2.c4 2 .c4 e6 3.g3 3 .g3 f6 f6 4 . g2 e e .00 .0 0 0-0 6.b3 hve sved the prophyxis in f vour of the strighford B. d6 19.f b 20.e4!, for instnce: 2 0 ...bxc4 ... bxc4 21.e eB 22.f6 fB 23.g g 24.g±. (or 1 .. . d6 16.) 1 4 �b4  �b4 (or 15d1

 5  a6 

It is curious to investigte: investigte: 1 .. .g2. The 7 suggests tht ite's kight wol be ore ctive on  rther thn on 2 so we recpture: 1.xg2 1.xg2   1.3 1.3 c6 B. B.  B.g4 ooks preture due to B ...b! ... b! 9. eB 20.cxb b 2.x 2 .xb b bB 22. 4 6. B ... ... b 9. 9.4! Ain, ite hs no reson to give the opponent counterpy.  ter 9.4 b 20. bxc4 21.g  22.x xd 23.f6 6 24.c4 x 2.xd dB the ge is b nce. 9 .. . b4 20 .e2 It is nny to wtch the engines preferring ck here.

White hs good contro of the centre nd  cer pn pn on the king side with e3e4e, e4, e4 , f4-. f4-. The ere fct tht Houini 2 t depth 22 gives gives s  rst ine 20 . . . g4 21 .h3 f6 reve reves s the trut truthh  ck hs no counterpy. ite cn fo ow 2 2 .g4 fB 23. 2 3.e4 e4 c 24.e eB 2.f 2. f c6 26. 26 .e4; e4; h (26 ... cd cd 2.e6 e 2B.fg) 2.d2 when 2... 2...x4 x4 oses to 2B.e6 e6 29.fg! xg 30.. Let us exine now  ore sensibe retort: 20 . . . eB eB 2 1.g4 6 6 22 .e4 d d which enbes the noeuvre ...6bc6. ... 6bc6. 23.f b 24.

Now 24... 24...ef ef 2.exf d6 26.e± or 24... 24...eB eB 2.f6 fB 26.g g 2.e± re cery goo so ck  ck foows foows up his pn : 203

Prt Prt  24 ...S ... S 2S.g6! g6 26.g6 hxg6 hxg6 2.g2 gS 2 .e2 .e 2 xc4

20   exf5

The bttle hs suddenly het ed. oth sides hve llled their plns nd it is tie t ie for clcultions. clcultions. 29.xg is probbly not winning lthough it is  close cll for lck. The kill is  little unexpected: 29.dxc4!! xd 30.g4! d6 31.eS d 3.f4+, thretenin g6, hS.

Perunovic could hve conced ed  cler dvntge dvntge er 0 . . .eS 21 . c6 2 2 .g2, but he pre prefe fers rs to open the centre. 21 Jxf Jxf5  bd7? 22 d5

Ge Ge ov over  22 .. . xdS 23.hS. 22  Je Je 23 Jdf1 6 24e4 d d

16f3 V7 17a3

25x x 26Vh5+ g 27xf6+ 1-0

It is i s tie to tke stock. ite hs regrouped successlly, his pieces re redy for  ngside ssult. n the contr, lck's counterply counterply is nowhere nowhere to be seen. see n. No wonder wonder the ge did not lst long. 1 7 6  6 1g5 b 19 19 xb xb77 Vxb7 20f5 20f5

204

17 halov-osyev amaa 20062000 1 4 e6 2g3 d 5 3g2 f6 f6 4f3 e7 e7 50-0 5 0-0 0-0 6 b3 b6 7  b2 b2 b7  b7 e3 5 9Ve2 6 103 dx4 1 1 bx4 bx4   1 2ad1

. d 2. c4 e6 3.g3 f6 f6 4.g2 4.g2 e e .0 -0 0-0 0 -0 6.b3 plesnt. Tht is why Kosyrev tries to dstrct his opponent o the right wing wing,, t lest for  while:

 2 �  � a5 a 5  3  �e �e 

This is the coon continu tion of course, but I think tht hite shoud persist with the ex ibe pproh by 13.3! s in the next coente coente ge. ge .

2   b5 ? 22axb5 axb5 23cxb5 c4 24d4 �d6 25g5 g6 26�f3 �xb5 27�e5 c7

 3 g2 g2 4xg2 c7 5d3 a+  6g d  7f4 7f4 a6

2f2? g4

ite chooses to ttck on the h-e. In y opinion, 1B.f! ws  perfecty perfecty soun tetive.   b7  b7 9a4 �e 20f3  cd7 cd7 2 h3 h 3

It becoes evient tht ck is behind th his counterply. If he tries to suppo the brekthrough ...b6... b6-b b with with 21 . .. d6, d6 , then 2 2 .g g6 23.g4 would be extreely un

Here White issed the ht 2B.x!! x 29.xh+ gB 30.h6 30 .h6 fB 31.xg 31. xg6+ 6+ g 32.xe6±. 32 .xe6±. 2   �xc3 29 xc3 xc3 d5

29 .. . c6 c 6 llo llows ws the se tctcs tctcs  30.x 30 .x!. !. 30e4 b 5 3 e e

hrov is hestnt gn. er 3.f! exf 32.exf g 33.g6 hxg6 34.d! xd 3.e1+, 20

Prt 8 39 ... b3 4.xc4 c5 4 .d 3 c2+ 42.f2 :d7 43.:e3 d2 44.f :d5 45.b5 f7 46.c6 :d3 47.f3 :xe3 4.xe3 e4 49.xe4 xc3 5.g4 d6 5 .b7+ c7 52.e 5+ g7 53. f3 c4 54.d4 xd4 55.xc7+ g 56.e5 xe5 57.fxe5 f7 5.f3 e7 59.e4 %-%

l the les nd digonls re gping wide open for the invding white rmy. 3h (32.g2! b2+ 33.h!+) 32 .. b7 33.d5 :b 34.dxe6 3 .. .b6

It ws better to keep the d-pwn: 34.g2!+.

 . A.okolov-hesing erlin  993  .c4 e6 2.f3 d5 3.e3 f6 4.b3 c5 5.b2 c6 6.g3 e7 7.g2 - .O-O b6 9.c3 dxc4  . bxc4 b7   .e2 :c  2.:ad a5 3.d3

34 .. .fxe6 35.g2 b3 36. :xb c2+ 37.d2

37 ...xe4+?! 39.d4?

3.:f3

xb

39.g4! retined the ttck. This move would hve been inef fective hd lck tken on b two moves erier due to 39 ...xe4+. er ites mistke, ck hs plenty of counterply to keep the blnce. 26

The ide of this move is to see where lck's ueen is going. For exmple, er 13 ...d7, ite could gin  tempo by 14.e c7 1.f4, or even chnge plns by opt ing for 14.e4 fd8 1.e e8 16.e4.  3...d7

This gme is interesting most becuse it is  rre exmple where White gldy trdes ueens nd still retins n ttck. Another pr ticulrity is the pwn on d3 which

. d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 6 4.g2 e 5. -  6 .b3 ows d2 nsted o the common e.

25 b? 2 e 7 271  2h5 a

1  2 x2 1 5x2 c 7 1 a 17a

I preer 1.5! th n ttc n the event o 1...b5 18.e6 xe6 19.g4. 1 7c+ 1  1 e 1 9  b7

c pprenty hoped tht wthout ueens Whites ttc woud not be decsive, but he ws wong. 29 x 05 x5 1x5

20 ?

 very orgn decson! The nght on d2 does not support we the ttc th 4-5 so Whte em brces  sow  strtegy. Hs ony weness on d3 w then be deended by the ng so Whte s not runnng ny rs. 20 x 21 x c 22 2 a5 2 e2 c

ooov hs everything under contro nd now he cn unch  pwn storm on the ingsde. 25 b 25h?

White shoud hve prevented 25 .. .5 26. gx6 gx6 by 25.g1 !

White msses the chnce to win beuty th 31.hxg6! ! + 6 (31...hxg6 32.xg5 32.gxh  33.d6+ e 7 34.xe8. 1e7 (31...e5! 2xh7 xh5 x7+  5  5h7 e5 7+ e 75+  xe5+ xe5 9e+ e 0  xe5 xe5 1 e7+ 5 21 +  J mae 1 0 1 9 Zaichi kTiviakov Moscow 1 99 1   2 c b  e   2 b7 500 e7  b 0-0 7  b2 c5 c 5 9e xc 10bxc c 1 1  c7 1 2e2 a 1 ab 1 ab  1  a1  1 5f1 a 1e1 e

2

Prt 8 30.gxh6 b3 3.h7+ h8 32.xb3 cxb3 cxb3 33. 33 .ff4 e8 34.g4,

The knight is heding for d6. ro there, it not only supports ...b6b, ...b6b, but restrins the c3 night.  7f 7 f4 �d6  8a4 8a4

but bu t huns tend to void the with the defending defending side. 23e e7 e7

VokcA.vnov, Prgue 200 sw sw 8. 8 .e4 e4 xe4 9 . e4 e4 b b  when when 20.g4! g6 2.e2 would hve provoked n iportnt weess of the long digonl. lck should probbly probbly plug it with 2 2  . . .f6, but the thret of g4g would rein er 22 .g4 b4 23 . 8 x x88 24.3 24 .3 c6 2.cxb xb 26.xb. 8  � b4  9a8 9a8 xa8 20e4 �e8 2 d2

ite kes  usel ove us ing the fct tht the opponent hs not serious counterply. counterply. 2  c6 22�f3 f6

The engine Houdini suggests the dubiously looking noeue 22 . . . d6 d6 23.g4 23 .g4 b7 b7 24.f 24. f ,  , ob viously viously heding for for c6. He H e ight be ble to sve his skin in vritions of type of 2.e f8 26.g h6 27.h3 27. h3 b 28 .e6 e6 e6 29 .g bxc4 bxc4 208

24g4 Ge  Aokoov-esg

hs tught us tht endges in this structure oer ite n bso lutely sf sfee position posit ion with with  cler cle r pln on the kingside: 24.e4! c8 2.xc6 xc6 26.bd h 27.g2 g6 28.h3 g7 29.g4. 29.g4. 24  a7 2f ad7 26 bd  f8

A criticl oent. oent . ite should hve plyed here 27.f6! h n edge. nsted, he wstes  tepo

1. 1.  d5 d5 2.c4 2. c4 e6 3.g3 f6 f6 4.g2 e e 5.05. 0-00 0-0 6.b3 6 .b3 nd Tivikov Tivikov gets ust enough coun terpy to mintin the bnce:

27 .b2? ! � c7 28.f6 28.f6 b5 ! 29 .axb 5 axb5 30.fxg7 xg7 31.�e4 bxc4 32.dxc4 xd2 33.xd2 xd2 34.�fxd2 Wa4 35.�f3 Wa2 36.f1 Wb1+ 37.�e1 �ca6 38.�c3 Wg6 39 .� e4 h5 40.g 40 .gxh5 xh5 Wf5 Wf5++ 41 .Wf3 .Wf3 �c6 42.�f2 �ab8 43.Wxf5 %-% 20. Pigus o-Zo o-Zonakh nakh ochi 06.05.2007 1 .� f3 �f6 �f6 2.c4 b6 3.g3 b7 4 .g2 e6 5.0- 0 e7 6.b3 0-0 7 .b2 c5 8.� c3 d5 9.e3 dxc4 10.bxc4 �c6 11.We2 Wc7 12.�e1

( recommen recommen 12 1 2 J1)

12 . . .d d 13.f 13. f4 b4 is so pos sibe, but ite hs some inititive er er 14.f 14. f22 !  (14 (14 . xb xb xb xb 15.3 15. 3 c6 16.g4 e ! 1Jb1 6 1.1 f5 turns the tbes in ck's f vour.) vour.) 14 . . . xg2 15Jxg2

bi suggests here to reuce ite's ttcking potenti with 15 ...b! ... b! 16.g4 e4 17.3 xc3 1 . xc3 c6, c 6, with  efenbe po sition. Inste, the gme orokin ipk, Vi Mrtei 199, conti nue nue with 15 . . .  16.g4 16.g4 e 17.g 17.g55 6 1. 1.  f5 19. e5 b7, whe whenn 20.3! c6 21.g4  22.e4 f 23.c3  24.b1 woud hve been been goom g oom for for ck  ck becuse of the ck of use moves. For instnce, 24 ... ...  oses oses to 25.ef 25. ef6+ 6+ . 1 3.f4 3.f4 �a7 1 4.a4 4.a4

1 2 ...a ... a 6

t seems resonbe to orgnise counterp counterp yy th th . . . b5.

14.g4 turne we for White f ter 14 . . . b b 15.g5 15.g5 e 16.e4 16.e4 c6 17. f6 f6 1.h3, 1 .h3, Gi Gimo movv-ot -ot sri, Innsbruck 19, but critic is 14 ...b5! ... b5! 15.g 15.g55 e 16.e4 16.e4 6. e.g. 1.e5 c6 18.xc5 xe5 19.xb xb7 20.e5 20 .e5 bxc4. bxc4. 1 4 ... ... xg2 1 5. Wxg Wxg22

209

Prt 8 Now ck succeeds t o trde  coupe of minor pieces. 1 7 �e4  �e4 1 8�e5 �xc3 1 9xc3 9xc3 'c7 20g4 �c6 21 g5 �xe5 22xe5 22 xe5 d6 23 c3 e5 24f5

1 5 '  'c6? !

This move my be principed becuse it brings nother hit hit on the critic sure b but it cuts o the -knight -knight from the kingside. 1 . . . d8 16.g4 e8 ws preferbe: 1.e4 c6 (1... (1 ...d6 d6 18.xd6 xd6 19. 19. c6 c6)) 18.g 18.g d6. d6. 1 6�f3 6 �f3 d8 d8 1 7'e2

I see no need for this retret. 1.g4 b8 18.£ gives White nice ttcking prospects.

210

Despite the exchnges Wite hs  cer position dvntge. 24e4  e4 25' 25 'h5 ' c6 26 h 1 'e8 2 7 2 a7 28g 28 g 1 g6 29' h6 f8 f8 30'h4 g7 3 1 xg7 xg7 xg7 32g4 g8 33' h6 gxf5? gxf5? 34h4 34 h4 'e6 35' xh7+ xh 7+ f8 f8 36 36 h6 h6 'e5 37f 37 f66 'a1 + 38g2 'd 1 39'xf5 1 -0

ndex of Variations art 1. AniQA V�f  2.     .

3 ...cS ... cS (3... (3 ...bS bS 14; 3 ...c6 ... c6 14; 3 .. . g4 15; 3 ...e6 ... e6 15) 4 . c4 f f66 5.5. - e6 6.e2 6 d!  6 ... c6 .d e ( ... 6  .d4 ) .c3 . c3  9.d4 9. d4 cxd4 cxd4 (9 ..c .. c 1  1.exd4 17 1O.xd4  art 2. Rvrs noni f  2.  

3.g3 c6  3.e3 3.e3 c6 c6 (3 ...cS ... cS 42) 4.exd4 3 0 4 . b4 b4 dxe3 dxe3 (4... (4 ...g4 g4 32) S.e3 xb4 xb4 6.d4 eS  6 ...cS ... cS  6 .. . e 6   3.b4 f6 (3 .. . g6 40; 3 ...S ... S 41; 3 ...cS ... cS 42) 4.e3 eS (4 .. .dxe3 42; 4 .. . cS 42) S.cS S .. . S 6.xeS 44 6.c4 44 6.bS+  ar ar   . Antiav Anti-Cbannko Anti-Cbannko Vf  2. 6 .

3 ... ...  d   3 ...g6 ... g6 6 0 3 .. . fS 6 0 3 .. . f6 f6 (3. (3 . . .g4 .g4 61) 4.c3 g4  3 .. . e6 4 .b3 fS fS  3 ...f6 ... f6 4.c3 4. c3 6 S.c2 S. c2  (S.b3 ) S ... ... g4  S ...e6 ... e6 6.d4  6.b3  S ...bS ... bS  S ...g6 ... g6 7 0

art . Anti-ran I 1. 1.   2.   . f6 f6 . .  6

S.b3 (S.c2  bd bd (S . .. d6 d6  S . . . b6 ) 6.c2 e 9 0 6 .. .b6  21

Part . t-ra II .   . 6 3.3 f6 . 3 6 .3 7 6.Y 6 7  

... - (...a6 ...e   Bg  (B.e2  a 6 e   B ... a6  B ...eS 

Par 6 . -ra III .   .  6 3.3 f6  . 3 6 .3 7 6.Y 6 7 .  -  8 .2

B .. eB 9.- dxc4  9 ...eS  9 ...b6  B ...e 9. - b6  9 ...eS  9 .. .eB  9 .. .a6  9 ...dxc4  8 .. .a6 9.d4 bS  9 ...eS  8 .. .dxc4  B .. .b6 

Pa 7. -Qus Gambi I 1.  . 6 3.g3

3 ...c6 4.g2 dxc4  4 ...d6  4 ...f6  3 ...g6  3 ...dxc4 4.a4+ 4.a3  4 ...d S.xc4 c6  S ...cS  4 ...c6  4 ... d7 S.g2 f6 6.xc4 a6  6 ...cS  Part 8. ti-Qus Gambi II .  . 6 3.g3 f6 4 g 7 .  -  -  6.b3 

6 .. .cS 7.b2 c6 8.e3 b6 9.c3 b7 1.cxdS xdS 1.xdS xdS 12.d4 ad8  12 .. .aS  12 .. .4  9 ...dc4 1.bxc4 b7 11.e2 c8  1 .. .a6    1 .. . c  1 .. .d  1...4  9 ...a6  6...6 .b2 b B.e3 bd7 9.c3 (9.e2 a  9 .. .e4  9 ...cS  212

at 6 mssed to get a cea advantage af e 21. Then 21...xf4 oses to 22 .g3 xb4 (o 22 .. .c4 23.xc4 bxc4 24d cB 2S . d4 e6 26. hS+  23.d4 aS 24.h4 g6 2S .dS cxdS 26.f2. ack can doube hs ooks on the e-le wth 21...aeB, but 22.g3 h3 (22 .. .h6 23.fS 3e 24.f6 gxf6 2S.d4± ook crushng. 23 .f2 3e 24.fe1 f6 2S .c3 fS 26.xe xe 2.a3±.

2.c3  24.f3 (24 . g4

cB 2S . xcB xcB 26.g3 eB 2.e1 xe1+ 2B.xe1 fB= 24 ...f 2S.3?!

ny 2S.b3+ fB (2S ...dS 26.g3 fB 2.d3 g6 2B.xdS cxdS 29.f2 fS 3 .f3 hS; 26.eS eS 2.eS cB 2B.exf6 gxf6 29.h3 keeps some edge. Now ack's bshop entes pay and I cannot make any pogess. 2 ...c8 2.3 f8 2 7 .f3 d7 28. d3 8 29. xd8 xd8 3 0.d3 c7 31.4  32.x x 33.f2 a 34.a3 axb4 3S.axb4 d7 3.3 f7 37.4 b8 38.S c7 39 . c3 d8 40.4 7 41 .f2 d8 Draw.

Compaed to the game, hee my -bishop domnates ts poo coun tepat on b. Theefoe, I can even swap ooks, etanng the dge. lay mght continue 2...hS 2B.e1 xe1+ 29.xe1  3.e2 g6 31.e4 g4 32 .xg4 hxg4 33.fS gS 34.f2± and the g4pawn is about to peis  34 ... e7 3S.e3  (3S.. .cB 36.c6 fS 3. b7 d 3B.a6 fS 39 . b 3S ...eS 36 . d4  36 . d3 cB 3.e4.

1 3. Dl cv-an ly Mlilla, 21 .1 1 .201 1 1 .�f3 dS 2.c4 c 3.3 �f 4. �c3  S.b3 �bd7 .c2 d 7.b2 0-0 8.2 a 9.d4 S 10.cxdS cxdS 11.dxS �xS 12.0-0 4 13.�xS xeS 14.x4 �x4 1 S.3 �f

21 .. xd3 22.xd3 d8

22 ... eB  was moe accuate  23.g3 e 24 .  a 2S.c3 e3+ 26.xe3 xe3 2.f2 d3 2B.e2 dB 29.a3 f6 3 .c3 axb4 31.axb4 . 142

1.YfS