Chess Publishing ECO : A00-A99 Volume 1 Second Edition
CBV to PDF
by Scorpionchess
Thanks to
Echai the master Uploader & his invaluable successor bandidobk
All friends who made the All in one Cbv
Dedicated to
Dearanna She inspired the idea
Introduction to the second Edition If the first edition had no introduction, the second need one ! The publication of the first edition of this series in 2013 represented an innovation in chess books shared at forums : It is part of a new trend that migrates from simple sharing to the creativity . This publication mainly benefited of the work made in the background by many forums members (Sharers, collectors, Cbv & pgn makers) and as I'm unable to name All, I just want to thank All of Them . Special thanks must go to the master sharer & Uploader Echai & his successor bandidobk : without their invaluable work & perseverance to update the chess publishing thread, this second edition would never have been released . This second edition has an updated material & also some improvements, especially to enhance readability ...and I will let you discover the rest . All your suggestions are welcome and will be as far as possible taken into account in the next editions. S.C 06/10/2014
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 1 A00 Akopian,Vladimir 2660 Mamedov,Nidjat 2341 Open Dubai UAE (1) 28.04.2000 [Tony Kosten] 1.b4 The 'vice-FIDE World Champion' likes to play flank openings, although 1 Nf3 is his normal preference. e6 [ A more restrained approach than 1...e5 , but quite valid. ] 2.b2 f6 3.b5 White continues to gain space on the queenside. e7 [ 3...d5 4.e3 d6 5.f3 a6 6.a4 e7 7.c4 seems staid, but dissolved into mindboggling complications after dxc4 8.xc4 e5 9.g5! 0-0 10.c2 h6 11.h4! e4 12.c3 f5 ( 12...hxg5 13.hxg5 g4 14.xe4 f5 15.f6+ is very strong) 13.g4! (no let-up for Black) xg4 14.d5 e8 15.f4 axb5 16.c3 soon winning, Akopian, V-Ganguly,S/Goodricke Open, Calcutta IND 2000. ] 4.f3 0-0 5.e3 b6 6.c4 b7 7.e2 d5 8.0-0 [ The system's originator didn't obtain much after 8.a4 dxc4 9.a3 c3 10.xc3 d5 11.b2 f6 12.xf6 xf6 13.0-0 d8 in Sokolsky,A-Chekhover,V/Leningrad 1938, 1-0 (70). ] 8...bd7 9.cxd5 [ White keeps the play fluid, shutting the a1-h8 diagonal by 9.d4 is also possible, but less logical, e4 10.bd2 f5 Oliveira,LFigueiredo,F/BRA 1999. ] 9...xd5 10.c3 c5 Black must do this before White uses the b5-pawn to get a firm hold on c6. 11.bxc6 xc6 12.d4 b7 [ This new move is as valid as the alternative 12...xc3 when 13.xc3 b7 14.f3 xf3 15.xf3 offers little, Furlong,K-Wyeth,A/ Oxford 1998. ] 13.b5 An interesting way to continue, intending Qe2, and Rfc1, with play on the queenside, or Qg4, and f4 on the kingside. xc3 14.xc3 c8 15.f4 f6 Black has no particular problems here. 16.f5?! d5 [ 16...e5 17.f3 e4 18.d4 is less accurate. ] 17.e2 e4!? An original choice, Black allows the f-pawn to wind its way toward the king, but gains the bishop pair. 18.fxe6 xc3
19.dxc3 xc3! 20.exf7+ h8!? [ Playable, although 20...xf7 21.xf7 xf7 22.f1 is also fine for Black. ] 21.f5 c5 22.ad1 e5 The e3-pawn is a serious problem. 23.h1 g6 24.h4 xe3 [ 24...d6 25.f3 xf3 26.gxf3 xe3 27.f4 will probably lead to a drawish oppositecolour bishop position, too. ] 25.g4 d6?! [ This allows the exchange of queens, 25...c8 keeps an edge. ] 26.d4 xd4 27.xd4 e7 28.c4 W hite hangs on to his f -pawn, which will b a l a n c e t h e B l a c k p a i r o f b i s h o p s . g7 29.f3 c8 30.b3 c7 31.dd1 e2 32.h3 xf3 33.xf3 f8 34.fd3 ce7 35.d8 e1+ 36.xe1 xe1+ 37.h2 a5 38.g3 The different-colour bishops make this ending a draw. ½-½
2 Ardaman,Miles Anka,Emil Open Chicago USA (4) [John Watson]
A00 2324 2425 27.05.2006
Inspired by Tony's look at the openings that I have neglected, I've chosen a Pokish/ Sokolsky's/Orang-Utan opening to examine. With an average rating of 2375 I thought that at least the battle would be hard-fought and not the usual quick advantage and ultimate win for Black. It is somewhere in between. 1.b4 c6 [ 1...e5! 2.b2 ( 2.a3 d5 3.b2 f6 ) 2...xb4 3.xe5 f6 is the easies t way: Black plays ...0-0, ...d5, ...Re8, and ...c5 in one order or another. I always thought it was fun when something like 4.e3 0-0 5.c4 (establishing the central majority) e8 6.f3 d5 7.cxd5 xd5 8.e2? xe5! 9.xe5 f6 happened, based upon 10.f4 xe3 11.b3 xg2+ ] 2.e3 [ Here's an old trick from Sokolsky's book (late 1960's?), clever if not really worthy of high praise. 2.b2 b6 3.a3 a5 4.c4! axb4 ( 4...d6= ) 5.c5 c7 ( 5...xc5?? 6.axb4 ) 6.axb4 xa1 7.xa1 a6! 8.c3 1
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 d6 9.d4 f6 , probably about equal, although Black is better-developed. ] 2...b6 This is one of the oldest anti-Sokolsky manoeuvres. Superficially, it makes more sense when W hite has played 2.Bb2 and Black's 2...Qb6 'pins' in b-pawn, but as we just saw that's nothing special either. 3.a3 a5 4.b5!? More of that clever-but-so-what stuff. d5 [ 4...cxb5 5.c3 b4?! 6.axb4 xb4 7.a3 yields more than enough compensation ] 5.f3 f6 6.a4 g4 7.h3 xf3! Taking over the centre without further ado. The bishops aren't really a consideration. 8.xf3 e5 9.b2 bd7 10.g4!? d6 11.e2 0-0 12.g5 e4 13.f5 d8 14.h4 All bark but no bite. e7 15.c3 ec5 16.f3 ae8 17.f2 d4!? [ 17...g6 18.h3 f6 favours Black's centralized position and weakness-f ree structure. ] 18.e4 dxe3+ 19.dxe3 xe4+ 20.xe4 f5 21.gxf6?! xf6 22.c4+ h8 23.ag1 cxb5 24.axb5 c5! 25.b3? d8 Uh-oh. The threat of ...Nd5 is a real problem. 26.c1 e4+! [ Better still 26...e4! ] 27.g2 d6 28.h5 d2 29.c3? g5+ 0-1
[ 6.xc7+ d8 7.e3 looks rather good, as xc7 8.d5+ forks king and queen. ] 6...b4+ 7.c3 e5 8.d5! This must have come as a surprise! a5 [ 8...xd5? 9.xc7+ f8 10.xd5 is overwhelming. ] 9.bd6+!! cxd6 10.xd6+ e7 Obviously forced. 11.xf7+ d8 [ 11...xd6? 12.f4 pins the queen. ] 12.f8+ c7 13.e8+ b6 Again Black has no choice. 14.e3+ Going for the attack (with every justification!) rather than play [ 14.xg7 xg7 15.xg7 which also looks good, as b4 is threatened. ] 14...a6 15.0-0-0 xc3? Not the best def ence, by any means, but Black is lost anyway, e.g. [ 15...g5 16.d6 ge7 17.f7 b5 18.b3 an d t he bla ck kin g, wh ich h a s n o lega l moves, is unlikely to last long. ] 16.bxc3?! While this move is winning, White has much neater moves: [ 16.d5! is the simplest, xb2+ 17.b1 xd5 ( 17...e7 18.c7# ) 18.c7+ a5 19.xd5 ] [ 16.a3+ is also strong, a5 17.bxc3 xe8 18.d5 b6 19.xa5+! bxa5 20.d6+ b7 21.f4 d8 22.d5+ b6 23.e3+ c7 24.xa5+ d6 25.xd8 etc. ] 16...ge7 [ 16...xc3+ is no help, as 17.b1 b4+ 3 A00 ( 17...ge7 18.c7+ a5 19.f4 ) 18.xb4 xb4 19.c7+ a5 20.xa8 Arwanitakis,Michael 2286 with a rook more. ] Woeber,Friedrich 2195 2nd Bundesliga Mitte 2005-6 (11) 26.03.2006 17.c7+! The only move to keep the win. [ 17.xh8 xc3+ 18.b1 b4+ draws. ] [Tony Kosten] 17...xc7 18.xh8 The attack has subsided, 1.c3 e5 2.f3 c6 3.d4 exd4 4.xd4 but White has an exchange and pawn more, f6? This move is fine in the Scotch, where a n d m e r e l y n e e d s t o c o n s o l i d a t e . a5 The queen heads back to the king's White hasn't yet developed the knight and has 19.xh7 f5 Menacing ...Qxc3+ again with a a pawn on e4, but here, amazingly, it just aid. perp. 20.d2 Both defending c3 and loses! Black might at least [ 4...f6 is Ivanchuk, V-Anand, V, see the threatening e4+. d6!? have tried archives. ] [ 20...xa2 when White should return 5.db5 c5 It is already too late to retreat: material: 21.xf5 ( 21.e4+ b6 22.f4! [ 5...d8? 6.f4 d6 7.d5 1-0 Santoro, Dshould also win, giving the king room to Roman, F/Buenos Aires 1987, although escape the checks) 21...a3+ 22.c2 Black persevered by d7 8.g3 a6 9.h3+ a4+ 23.b2 xd1 24.e4+ b6 25.d5 before resigning in Simon, P-Balcerak, M/ g4 (else Be3+ wins the queen) 26.d6! Nickenich 1996. ] and Be3+. ] 6.e4!? Not bad, but 2
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 21.e4+ b5 22.exf5 xa2 23.e3 e5 24.xd6+ a5 25.d2 a1+ 26.c2 b4 27.d4?? It is difficult to know quite what to make of the end of this game! [ 27.d5+ is elementary and forces mate: a4 28.b5+ a3 29.xa1# ] [ 27.d4?? allows Black to mate by b3+! 28.xb3 b8+ 29.c2 b1# so I think it must have been incorrectly noted. ] 1-0
4 Azmaiparashvili,Zurab Mahjoob,Morteza FIDE WCh KO Tripoli LBA (1.2) [Tony Kosten]
A00 2679 2478 20.06.2004
1.g3 f6 2.g2 d5 3.d3 e5 4.f3 d6 Less usual than [ 4...c6 of course, but perfectly reasonable. ] 5.c4 dxc4 Black aims for rapid development, [ 5...d4 leads to a Benoni-style position, and ] [ 5...c6 holds the centre. ] 6.a4+ c6 7.xc4 0-0 8.0-0 Play resembles a Reversed Dragon. g4!? Rather unusual, Azmai has had this position a few times, when [ 8...h6 was played, to control g5 and continue with ...Be6, 9.c3 ( 9.bd2 e6 10.c2 d7 11.e1 h3 12.h1 b4 13.b1 c5 is pleasant for Black, Azmaiparashvili, Z-Yakovich,Y/Kiev 1986) 9...e6 10.b5 b8 11.e3 d7 12.fc1 g4 13.d2 f5 with kingside chances, Azmaiparashvili,Z-Smagin,S/Minsk 1985. ] 9.c3 Best, [ 9.g5?! plans to exploit the absence of the black bishop from e7, but xf3! is a strong reply, 10.exf3?! Suttles,D-Karaklajic,N/ Chicago 1 97 3 a nd no w ( 10.xf3 d4 is the point, and the bishop can't move without leaving e2 en prise) 10...d4 threatens ...b5. ] 9...d7 10.d1 Better than [ 10.g5 when e6 11.a4 d5 12.d2 b6 13.d1 h3 with good play, Ivekovic, M-Medak,B/Zagreb 1997. ] 10...ab8 By defending b7 Black frees his c6-
knight to play ...Nd4, and prepares a tactical trick. 11.e3 White must take further control over d4 to stop the knight landing there. b5! 12.xb5!? Incredible, White sacs his queen for two pieces. [ 12.b3 e6 13.c2 b4 allows a black initiative, but this soon runs out after 14.e4 , say. ] 12...a5 13.xd6 Otherwise White loses a piece. xc4 14.xc4 This is the position White was aiming for, he has a solid structure, and both e5 and a7 are hanging. e6 [ 14...xf3 15.xf3 fe8 transposes. ] 15.xa7 [ 15.fxe5 xe2 ] 15...xf3 Black takes the pressure off the e5pawn, but this bishop will have a serious influence on the rest of the game. 16.xf3 e4! 17.g2 White prefers to keep this important piece, [ 17.xb8 exf3 18.xc7 fxe2 leaves the kingside looking a bit bare. ] 17...exd3 18.exd3 bd8 19.a4 White's plan is clear - he will push the a-pawn supported by the bishops. Black's problem is deciding quite how to stop it! f5 20.d4 fe8 21.a5 e2 Black counter attacks against the white king, at the moment the white pieces are quite far away. 22.d5 c2? Very poor, Black allows W hite to get his pieces coordinated with gain of tempo. [ 22...g4 is obviously superior, 23.f1 d3 24.e3 and now f5 with chances to both sides. ] 23.e3! xb2 24.d4 b4 25.a6 Now this pawn is almost unstoppable. b8 Not very good, but [ 25...d2 26.xd2 xd2 27.xf6 gxf6 28.a7 a8 29.d6 is also winning. ] 26.d6 Freeing the long diagonal. c6 27.xc6 xd6 28.xf6 [ 28.xf6 xf6 29.xd8+ xd8 30.a7 and a queen is born. ] 1-0
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Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 surely notice a three time repetition! ] A00 Basman,Michael J 2400 35.c3 d5?! This way Black only obtains a Bellin,Robert 2395 pawn for his piece. 36.exd5 xd5 37.h5 BCF-ch Edinburgh (10) 1985 xf3 38.exf3 a8 39.a4 Black is better, of course, he has an extra pawn, but his h and a[Tony Kosten] pawns are weak, and his chances of winning 1.g4 e5 2.h3?! This is also possible, but slim. a7?! 40.cc5 fa8 41.f4 a6 42.ce5 White will be better soon, if Black doesn't offer any noticeable advantages. c5 [ 2...d5! 3.g2 c6 would transpose to the continues to play this passively! h8 43.f5 c5?! 44.f4 White slowly improves his game Basman-Strauss. ] 3.c4 e7 4.c3 a5 5.d3 0-0 6.f3 bc6 position. g8 45.e6 [ 45.xc5 with advantage to White, is even 7.g2 d6 8.g5 Starting a kingside pawn better ] advance before Black plays ...Ng6, and ...f5, with a kingside attack. e6 9.h4 d5 10.cxd5 45...c4 46.bxc4 c8 47.e5 c5+ 48.d4 xd5 11.e4 White has managed to create ac6 49.xc6 The obvious trick [ 49.e8+ g7 50.f6+ fails to win, f7 a useful square for this piece. b4+ 12.f1 51.xc5 xe8 and Black is saved by his Unfortunately, White cannot play o u t s i d e , p a s s e d h - p a w n . 52.xc6?? [ 12.d2 as he needs this piece to protect would even lose after bxc6 ] his weak dark squares, Black would answer f4 Anyway, White is hardly likely to castle 49...xc6 50.g5 h6 51.g4 As is often the ca se in ro o k a n d p a wn e n din gs, W hit e 's kingside, anyway. ] 12...h8 13.h5 f5 14.gxf6 xf6 15.h4!? po sitio n a l p lu s is mo re im p o rta n t th a n a d4 16.g5? White is embarking on a material advantage. h7 52.d5 h5 53.e4 kingside attack, but he has overlooked a c7 54.e6 g7 55.c5 h4 This should lose, but Black was experiencing severe difficulties tactical point, no matter what he played. 56.g6+ h7 [ 16.h6 is better. ] 16...xe4!! A winning queen sacrifice. 57.g4 h6 58.f6 [ 58.xh4+ W a s sim p lest , a n d o n g5 17.xd8 xf2 18.b1 axd8?! 59.h8 xf5 60.a8 White will take the a[ 18...xh1+ 19.g1 xe2+ 20.xh1 pawn, and win. ] axd8 Should win at a canter, the white 58...h3 59.e6? position is a mess. ] [ 59.h4+ g6 60.xh3 xf6 61.h8 e7 19.f3 This is forced. g4! This is stronger 62.a8 still offered chances. ] than 59...c6+ 60.e7 c7+ 61.e8 [ 19...xh1 20.xh1 g4 ] Now the game peters out. h2 62.h4+ g5 20.h6 e4! 21.hxg7+ xg7 22.dxe4 c4 [ 22...xe2! Is convincing, for if 23.xe2 63.xh2 xf6 64.h5 e6 65.d8 c6 66.g5 f6 67.d5 e6 68.h5 f7 then c4+ ] 23.c1 xf3 24.xf3 d2 25.h4 e3+ 69.d7 g6 70.d5 f7 71.d8 e6 26.f2 xc1 Regaining the queen with a 72.h5 f7 73.d7 g6 piece as interest. 27.xc1 d1+ 28.g3 ½-½ e6 29.b3 c6 30.h1 And now, rather than e3 A00 [ 30...b2 was the best way of springing the 6 knight from the 'trap', e. g. 31.c2 d1 Basman,Michael J 2400 32.xd1 xd1 33.c1 d8 ] Keene,Raymond 2475 31.c3 d1 32.c1 e3 33.c3 Manchester Benedictine op 4th (7) 10.09.81 A whole piece down, White is very happy with [Nigel Davies] a draw, of course! d1 34.c1 but why didn't he claim it with this move? e3? This was After playing both Tony Miles and Raymond the last chance for Ke e ne in th is t ou rna m en t , Mike B a sm a n [ 34...b2 as on the next go White will commented to me that he thought that Keene 5
4
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 was much the better player. I think it's true that he was capable of the deepest and most stylish chess of any British player, but then Tony Miles was one of the greatest fighters I've ever met. In any case this game provides a great model for Black against the Grob. 1.g4 d5 2.h3 e5 3.g2 c6 Erecting a solid barrier of pawns against the bishop on g2. From an exponent of the Modern Defence one would expect no less! 4.d4 e4 5.c4 d6 6.c3 e7 Black's set-up makes perfect sense, protecting the d5 pawn whilst keeping open the option of ...f7-f5. Basman's next move seems designed against this move, but in giving Black the f5 square he ends up in even worse trouble. 7.g5?! [ Later in the tournament Basman improved on this with 7.g5 after which f6 8.d2 0-0 9.b3 h8 10.c1 a6 11.e3 f5 also gave Black the better game but by no means as crushing a position as he obtains after 7.g5 (Basman, M (2400)-Kudrin, S (2465), Manchester 1981). Of course none of this is much of an advert for the Grob from an objective point of view, though it can cause Black to get overexcited. ] 7...e6 8.h4 f5 9.h3 0-0 10.cxd5 cxd5 11.xd5 Apparently winning a pawn, but Keene has seen further. g3! 12.f6+ [ 12.fxg3 xg3+ followed by recapturing on d5 is just horrible for White. ] 12...gxf6 13.fxg3 xg3+ 14.f1 c6 15.e3 b4 The knight is coming to the blockading square on d5. 16.g2 d5 17.xg3 A bishop move might have been held on longer. xe3 18.d2 d6+ 19.f2 f4+ 20.f3 exf3 [ 20...exf3 21.xe3 xh4+ 22.xf3 d5+ is curtains. ] 0-1
7 Basman,Michael J Miles,Anthony J Manchester Benedictine op 4th (4) [Nigel Davies]
underestimate the strength of 8...Nf4, and secondly the position seems to be unclear after 13.e3. Of course none of it seems to be particularly promising for White... 1.g4 e5 2.h3 d5 3.g2 c6 4.c4 This all looks like madness but there is some method to it. White is fighting for the central light squares. dxc4 5.a4 [ Objectively speaking the best may be 5.xc6+ bxc6 6.a4 , but this is hardly an advert for White's system. ] 5...ge7 6.f3 g6 7.c3 e6 8.h4?! [ In retrospect maybe White should have tried 8.d3!? cxd3 9.g5 with some play on the light squares. And White is stopping 8... Nf4. ] 8...b4?! [ W h a t d o e s W h i t e d o a b o u t 8...f4 ? It seems like both players either overlooked or underestimated this move. ] 9.g5 d7 10.d5 0-0 11.c2 xg4 [ And here the other knight move looks good - 11...d4 12.e4 c6 13.xc4 b5 14.xf7 f6! seems to leave White in a lot of trouble. ] 12.e4 d7 13.xh7 Certainly spectacular but not the right move. [ White should prevent Black's knight from coming to d4 with 13.e3 after which xc3 14.bxc3 f5 15.xc4 e7 16.b3 isn't at all bad for White. ] 13...d4! 14.h5 f4 [ 14...f5! is also very strong, in fact White doesn't have a good move. ] 15.xf8 [ Both 15.h6 ] [ and 15.g1 are answered by f5 . ] 15...xf8 16.f1 White doesn't have any g o o d m o ve s h e r e . e8 17.xc4 c6 18.d5 c5 19.d3 xd5 20.g1 f4 21.e3 f8 22.g3 dxe2 0-1
A00 2400 2565 07.09.81
At first sight this game looks like a convincing win for Black but there are mistakes on both s i d e s . F i r s t o f a l l b o t h p l a ye r s s e e m t o 5
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 4.exd5 xg4 5.dxc6! xc6 with a clear A00 advantage to Black. ] Basman,Michael J 2390 Strauss,David J 2425 3...e5 And Black has his central constellation. [ This seems so natural, but, nevertheless, ch-GB Brighton 1984 Black has found an alternative in 3...h5!? [Tony Kosten] attacking the exposed white g4-pawn. 4.g5 f5!? ( 4...h4?! is too ambitious, 5.e4 dxe4 1.g4 d5 2.g2 A finesse, but one that does 6.c3 a5! 7.xe4 f5 and Black's lit t le t o h e lp t h e wh it e p o s it io n , if W h it e advantage is minimal, Skembris,Sdefends the g4-pawn, instead, by Gheorghiu,F/Skopje 1984.; but 4...e5 [ 2.h3 t h e n B l a c k c a n c o n t i n u e e5 must be best.) 5.f3 d7 6.h4! e6 with an 'ideal' start- control of the centre, 7.xf5 exf5 8.d3 e7 9.e4 c5 10.exd5 and an easy development. Still, after 3.g2 xd5 11.0-0 when, despite his loose Black normally bolsters his d-pawn by c6 kingside, White was doing OK, Reprintsev, reaching an identical position as that A-Rozentalis,E/New York 1997. ] brought about after 2 Bg2. ( However, Black d o e s h a v e o t h e r o p t i o n s , f o r i n s t a n c e 4.d4 This is an integral part of White's attempt 3...c6 when 4.c4 dxc4 5.a4 ge7 to drum-up some play against the black centre, 6.f3?! g6 7.c3?! e6 8.h4!? if White doesn't play this then it is difficult to was Basman-Miles, Manchester 1981, but it see what he will do: [ 4.d3 e7! this is a thoughtful move, the is difficult to believe that this position is knight will come to the square g6 where it playable for White, and my computer thinks can survey h4, and f4, two squares that that he is simply lost. )] were undermined by W hite's first move. 2...c6 This is the safest move, deterring White 5.f3 ( P i n n i n g t h e k n i g h t b y 5.g5 from playing c4, which is his main source of achieves less-than-nothing, b6 6.b3 g6 counterplay 9otherwise his g2-bishop will be 7.f3 c5 8.0-0?! h5 levering open the 'scotched' ), and genuinely menacing the g4wh ite kin gsid e, an d exp osing t he kin g, pawn. Yavez Acin,G-Sutovskij,E/Benasque 1996.) [ 2...xg4?! Is certainly playable, but 5...g6 6.c3 h4!? this leads to an edge unnecessary: 3.c4 c6 4.cxd5 White is for Black, but I would prefer to continue s o f t e n i n g - u p t h e h 1 - a 8 d i a g o n a l . cxd5 development, myself. 7.xh4 xh4 8.e4 ra t h e r ac qu ie sce n t , I su gge st ( 4...f6!? c5 Skembris,S-Ivkov,B/ Budva zt 1981. ] 5.b3 d7 6.c3 cxd5 7.xd5 c6 I like this move, which keeps control wh e n B l a c k e n jo ys f re e d e ve l o p m e n t .) 4...d7! 5.b3 f6 6.c3 e6 ( 6...c6!? 7.xb7 of the position. The alternative, and main line c8 ) 7.xb7 bd7 8.b5 c8 is [ 4...e4 gaining space, but this allows White wh ich is u n cle a r, P ollio t t o, A -Fige ac, A / t o a t t a c k t h e b l a c k c e n t r e , b y 5.c4 Montpellier - Masters 1998. ] as 5...dxc4 is not possible, because the e43.h3 pawn is en prise. d6 6.c3 e7 7.b3 [ The move 3.g5 seems to be taking the joke the game Tuturin,S-Nikitin,A/Moscow 1999, too far, e5 ( 3...h6 4.h4 hxg5 5.hxg5 continuing: h6 8.d2 c7 9.0-0-0 0-0 xh1 6.xh1 d6 is also promising.) 4.h4 10.g5 with chances for both sides. ] g4 5.c4 dxc4 6.b3 cxb3 7.xb3 c7 This loses pawn, now, but otherwise 8.c3 e6 and White's compensation for 5.c4!? the pawn is non-existent, Muller,E-Heitland, ho w do es W hit e ga in a ny a ctivity f or h is pieces? dxc4 6.c3 P/Dortmund 1987. ] [ B a s m a n h a s a l s o t r i e d 6.dxe5 [ The real point behind Black's second move and following xe5 7.xd8+ xd8 8.c3 is that 3.c4? is no longer feasible, dxc4 b4 9.e3 White had fair play for the pawn 4.b3 cxb3 5.xb3 e5 and Black is a pawn sacrificed, Basman,M-Dawson,K/Torquay up with a good position. ] 1982, but the simple 6...Qa5+ is better, 7 [ 3.e4?! Has been suggested by Skembris, Nc3 Nxe5 avoiding the displacement of the but f6! seems to be an effective reply, 8
6
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 king. ] 6...d6 7.f3 e7 Black calmly completes his development. 8.e4 c7 9.g5 f6 10.d2 exd4 11.xd4 e5 12.c3 d5 Objectively, White is quite lost, not only has Black consolidated his extra pawn, but his knights have found good squares. 13.d2 f4!? Black decides that he would prefer to take the light-squared bishop. Once more, this tactic exploits the lacunas of White's first move. [ 13...xc3 was, perhaps, simpler. ] 14.g1 xg2+ 15.xg2 d5 16.e3 0-0 17.d1 d8 18.d2 b6 A curious picture, both white knights are pinned. 19.f3 d3+? This is a strange combination, due to time trouble, I suppose, as otherwise, almost any move was good for Black, [ 19...g6! 20.g1 f8 to e6, is one possibility, as is simple development by ] [ 19...e6 , say. ] 20.exd3 xd4 21.xd4 xd4 22.xd4 xd4 23.dxc4 xd2 24.xd2 W hat a change ! Suddenly W hite has regained his pawn, controls the open d-file, and his uncastled king is well-placed in the centre! e6 25.b3 f8 26.f2 e8 27.f4 c8 28.d6 d8 29.c5 Black is being dominated. b6 30.b4 bxc5 31.bxc5 e6 32.f5 d5 33.b2 a5 34.a3 h6 35.e3 a8 36.h4 g8 37.f4 f8 38.g5 White increases his space advantage almost every move. hxg5+ 39.hxg5 fxg5+ 40.xg5 g8? Too passive, [ 40...a4! and if 41.b7 then a5 still held out some hope. ] 41.b7 f8 else White plays Kg6. 42.a7 f6?! 43.xg7+! xg7 44.e8+ f7 45.xf6 b3 46.g4 d5 47.e5+ e7 48.f6+ e6 49.f7 e7 50.g6 Black must give his bishop for the f-pawn, the rest of the game is without interest. xf7+ 51.xf7 e6 52.d6 d5 53.b7 c4 54.f5 a4 55.e4 b3 56.d3 xa3 57.c3 a2 58.a5 a3 59.xc6 1-0
9 Bauer,Christian Isik,Engin Yasar 23rd ECC Men (1) [Carsten Hansen]
A00 2626 2190 03.10.2007
1.b4 c6 This move is quite popular as an attempt to "refute" the Orangutan, but in my opinion, it is a rather dumb idea, particularly if Black proceeds as in the present game, which is the intention behind the text move. Black instead should play either 1...e5 or 1...d5. 2.e3 [ This move is supposed to prevent Black's i n t e n t i o n s , b u t e v e n 2.b2 which is supposed to be wrong on account of b6 3.a3 a5 and according to Black's scheme, White now has to play c2-c3 to avoid losing a pawn, but White instead plays 4.e3! axb4 5.d4!? ( even 5.axb4 xa1 6.xa1 xb4 is a p la yab le ga m b it f o r W h it e , th o u gh entirely unnecessary) 5...d8 ( 5...c5? is effectively met with 6.xc5! and if xc5 7.axb4 W hite wins) 6.axb4 xa1 7.xa1 d5 8.f3= ] 2...b6 3.a3 a5 4.b5! The availability of this move demonstrates the weakness in Black's idea, and demonstrates that White certainly has nothing to fear from Black's choice of variation d5 [ Black's alternatives are: A) 4...cxb5 5.c3 A) 5...b4 6.axb4 xb4 A1) 7.a4!? b6 8.a3 f6 9.c5!? d8?! ( 9...c7 10.b1 c6 11.b6 b8 12.c4 e6 13.b5 ) 10.b1 d5 11.b6 d7 12.b5 , and Black is being dispatched in brutal fashion: a6 13.xa5 g4 14.xa6 xa6 15.c7+ d7 16.b5+ 1-0 Andersson, LJansson/ corr 1987; A2) 7.b5!? c5 8.a3 b6 9.b1 d8 10.f3 c6 11.d4 ( 11.c5!? b4 12.c3 a6 13.d4 ) 11...d5 12.c4 e6 13.xf8 xf8 , so far Raeva, E-Videnova, I/Vratsa BUL 2007, and now 14.e2; A3) 7.a3 b6 A3a) 8.b1 e6 9.f3 d6 10.d4 g6 11.d3 xg2 12.e4 h3 13.d5! , and Black is very much in trouble, and in lack of a good answer to the threat of Nd5-c7+ ( 13.e2 f6 7
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 8.xf6 gxf6 9.xb5 d5 10.f3 f5 wi t h a c o m p l i c a t e d g a m e , t h o u g h 11.c4 c8 12.bd4 with approximately W hite's chances seem pref erable, even chances, Bernhard, A-Liedtke, A/ Bennett, H-Gibbons, R/Auckland Ruhrgebiet 1998; 1996 ); B) 5.c4 A3b) 8.d5! c6 B1) 5...g6 6.b2 g7 7.f3 0-0 A3b1) 9.e4! a6 10.f3 g6 ( 7...d6 8.c3 0-0 9.e2 bd7 10.d4 11.d3 f6 ( 11...xg2? 12.g1 e8 11.0-0 c7 12.b3 e5 13.fd1 h3 13.xa6 xa6 14.c7+ d8 e4 14.d2 f8 , and White's chances 15.xa6 bxa6 16.e2+- ) 12.e5+-; seem preferable, Basman, M-Smith, A/ A3b2) 9.c4?! b5 10.f3 e6 Torquay 1998) 8.e2 d6 9.0-0 e5 11.e5 b7 12.f3 d6 13.b6 10.d4 e4 11.fd2 cxb5 12.cxb5 d5 ( White can finish Black off with 13.c3 e6 14.a4 d6 15.c5 b6 13.c5! dxe5 14.xb5+ d8 15.c6 16.xe6 xe6 17.c1 a7 18.c3 xb5 16.xf7 xc6 17.xf8+ e8 19.c2 f8 20.c1 d6 e8 18.d6+ d7 19.b6+ e8 , Borkowski, A-Pedersen, C/Frome 1998, 20.c7++- ) 13...a7 14.xf7+ and now 21.a4 (intending Ba3 - the xf7 15.xf7 xf7 16.xc8 b4 exchange of the dark-squared bishops 17.b2 with a clear advantage for will help W hite penetrate Black's W hite, Rudenkov-Strugatsch/corr queenside) b4 22.c8 ae7 23.b1 1988; ( 23.f1!? ) 23...g7 24.a3 xc8 B) 5...f6 25.xc8; B1) 6.xb5 B2) 5...d5 6.c3 ( 6.d4?! g4 7.f3 B1a) 6...d5?! 7.f3 c6 8.b1 d8 f5 8.c5 c7 9.b6 d8 10.d3 xd3 9.d4 f5 10.d3 e4 11.h4 e6?! 11.xd3 bd7 12.b2 e5 ( 11...d7 12.f3 f6 13.0-0 e6 with chances to both sides, Gibbons, R14.e4 ) 12.xf5 exf5 13.0-0 Koeller, O/Auckland 2004) 6...e6 7.d4 Lu k ovs ki, L-B erger, G/ W ie sba d e n ( 7.f3!? ) 7...dxc4 8.xc4 c7 9.f3 2001; d7 10.b3 Stejskal, D-Pachmann, A/ B1b) 6...d6 7.c4 g6 8.b1 g7 CZE 1995 ] 9.e2 0-0 10.a4 a6 11.a3 c6 12.f3 c5 13.0-0 1-0 Sticker, O- 5.bxc6 [ This isn't necessarily White's best move, as Werner, A/Ladenburg 1992; he has a few alternatives at this juncture, B2) 6.xb5 e6 7.b1 which a ll d eserve re co gn it io n: A ) 5.c4!? B2a) 7...c7 8.f3 e7 9.0-0 0-0 dxc4 6.xc4 f5 7.c3 f6 8.f3 e6 10.b2 ( 10.e2 d6 11.b5 c6 1-0 Steffens, O-Doescher, A/Germany 2000 12.c4 ) 10...d5 11.d3 d7 12.d2 9.d3 e7 10.e4 g6 11.0-0 0-0 ] c8 13.xd7 bxd7 14.fc1 e5 [ B) 5.b2 f5 15.b5 b8= Kreuzer-Kern, M/corr A) 6.c4!? e6 7.f3 f6 8.c3 e7 1994; 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.e5 ( 10.e2!? bd7 B2b) 7...c6 8.f3 e7 9.b2 11.h4 g6 12.0-0 ) 10...0-0 11.g4!? ( 9.0-0 0-0 10.d4 d5 11.d3 ) e4 12.xe4?! ( 12.f3 d6 13.d4 g6 9...0-0 10.g5 c5 11.h4 ( 11.f4 e5 14.h4 ) 12...xe4 13.h4 f6 14.f3 d7 12.fxe5 xe5 13.f3 ) 11...d5 12.d4 15.d3 d6 16.a4 f7 is better for Black, d6 13.d3 h6 14.f4 xd4 15.exd4 but undoubtedly White felt more xf4 16.h3 g3+ 17.f2 xg2 comf ortable than Black in this type of 18.e2 , and it is doubtful Black has position, and actually went on to win in the sufficient compensation for the piece, e n d , M a e u re r , C - O b e r s t , T / G e r m a n y Poley, V-Daurelle, H/ St Lorrain 2005 ] 2001; [ B) 4...f6 B) 6.c3 a4 trying to annoy White by not A) 5.b2 cxb5 ( 5...d6!? ) 6.d4 d8 a l l o w i n g a 3 - a 4 7.f3!? ( 7.g4!? 7.c3 ( 7.xb5 e6 8.f3 ) 7...c6 8
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 looks fun and isn't altogether bad either) 7...e6 8.e2 d6? A bad blunder that i m m e d i a t e l y l o s e s m a t e r i a l ( 8...f6 is better, but W hite is still doing well: 9.b1!? ) 9.xd5 cxd5 10.xg7 f6 11.d4! g6 ( 11...e7 12.xh8 d7 13.g7+- ) 12.xh8 f7 ( 12...f7? 13.h5!+- ) 13.h4 e5 14.h5 e4 15.d3! xg2 16.g1+- Schuehler, E-Muller, M/ DDR 1990 ] [ C) 5.f3 f6 6.a4?! ( White can do better with 6.c4!? cxb5 7.cxd5 xd5 8.b2 c6 9.c3 xc3 10.xc3 and White has ample compensation for the pawn) 6...g4 7.h3 xf3 8.xf3 e5 ( 8...bd7!? ) 9.b2 bd7 10.g4 d6 11.e2 0-0 0-1 Ardaman, MAnka, E/Chicago USA 2006 ] [ D) 5.a4 f6 ( 5...e5 6.b2 d7 looks comfortable for Black, but isn't particularly bad for White either) 6.b2 g4 7.e2 xe2 8.xe2 bd7 9.f3 e6 10.0-0 c8 11.c1 d6 12.c4 dxc4 13.xc4 1-0 Marinelli, G-Petronelli, A/corr 1997 ] 5...bxc6 6.c4 f6 7.c3 e6 8.f3 e7 9.b1 d8 [ 9...c7 10.b2 a6!? ] 10.e2 0-0 11.0-0 bd7 [ 11...a6!? ] 12.d4 [ This will take the game to a pawn structure akin to a sort of Meran Defence where Black has played ...a6 and ... b5, followed by the exchange ...bxc4. Instead White can also consider keeping the game in flank opening s t y l e , b y g i v i n g p r e f e r e n c e t o 12.d4!? , e.g. c7 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.cb5 c5 15.a4 ( 15.d3!? ) 15...b6 16.c2 c5 17.c3 c7 18.a3 a6 19.db5 ] 12...dxc4?! [ This looks perfectly normal, but Black will do better to play 12...a6 , e.g. 13.cxd5 ( 13.c2 dxc4 14.a4 c5 15.dxc5 xc5 16.b6 b8 17.xc4= ) 13...xe2 14.xe2 cxd5 15.b2= ] 13.xc4 c5 14.e5! [ 14.dxc5 c7 is perfectly fine for Black ] 14...xe5 [ 14...d6 15.f4 cxd4 16.exd4 b6 17.d3 ] 15.dxe5 xd1
[ Or 15...d7 16.f4 ( 16.f3 b8 17.xb8 xb8 18.g3 d7 19.e4 h4 20.f4 h6 21.b5 ) 16...b6 17.xd8 xd8 18.a2 a6 19.d1 ] 16.xd1 d7 17.f4 b8 18.b5 [ This move is entirely logical, preventing the exchange of a pair of rooks and tying Black down, but White can also consider 18.d2!? d8 19.e1! xb1 20.xb1 f8 21.a4 , and White's position of domination is close to a winning one as well. ] 18...d8 19.b2 f8 [ Or 19...b6 20.xd8+ xd8 21.e4 d5 22.a4 ] 20.xd8 xd8 21.d2 [ W hite can also opt for 21.e4!? d7 22.a4 xb5 23.xb5 xb5 24.axb5 with an advantage for White in the endgame, but W hite undoubtedly preferred to stay clear of heavy exchanges against his much lower-rated opponent. Often keeping pieces on the board will allow the weaker player greater opportunity to play inferior moves thu s lo se b y h is o wn h an d, ra th er t ha n White's superior skill. This will also come to pass in the game. ] 21...e7 [ Black can try to save a tempo over the game continuation with 21...b7 22.a4 f6 , but W hite can then choose a dif ferent approach: 23.c4! fxe5 24.f5 f7 25.fxe6+ e7 26.b2! xe6 27.d5 xd5 28.xd5+ d6 29.xb8 xd5 30.b5 ] 22.a4 b7 23.a3 f6?! [ White's advantage appears rather comfortable at this juncture, but with aggressive counterplay, Black can stay in t h e g a m e , e . g . 23...g5 24.f2 c8 and Black's position isn't that easy to penetrate, for instance 25.c4 c6 26.d1 d7 , and Black has almost levelled the game ] 24.exf6 xf6?! [ The text makes very little sense, as Black's dark-squared bishop's influence on the play from its new position on the a1-h8 diagonal will be of a rather temporary basis, whereas the def ect of the pawn structure is of a more permanent basis. Therefore 24...gxf6 deserves consideration, e.g. 25.f5!? f7 ( 25...exf5 26.d5 xd5 27.xd5 9
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 also looks appealing for W hite, but may actually be Black's best) 26.fxe6+ xe6 27.g4 f7 28.c4+ e8 29.b5!+- ] 25.d1 The knight is en route to c4 via b2. c8 26.c2 e7 27.b2 d8 28.f2!? [ This is probably okay, but more appealing seems 28.c4!? d1+ 29.f2 a1 30.d2 d5 31.b2 h1 32.g3 , and Black is more or less forced to xc4 33.xc4 f7 34.b5 , and White is undoubtedly on top: W hite's minor pieces are far stronger than their black counterparts and Black's a5-pawn is doomed after a white Bc3 ] 28...e4 29.e2 g6?! [ This is a weird move that pretends to activate the knight, but in fact misplaces it and takes the protection away from the weak e6-pawn. A more active alternative is 29...g5!? 30.c4 gxf4 31.exf4 d3 32.xa5!? xe2 33.xe2 f7 34.c6 c8 35.e5+ f6 36.g3 d6 37.c4 e7 38.a5 b8 39.a6 , and White should win. Nevertheless this line challenges White far more than the path chosen by Black in the game. ] 30.g3 f7 31.c4 d1 32.e1 d3 33.c1 c3 34.b2 b3 35.a1 d3 [ This loses an exchange, but even after the better alternative, White is winning: 35...d5 36.xa5 a3 37.b2 a2 38.e2 d8 39.c6 with an extra pawn and better coordinated pieces ] 36.xa5 xb5 37.xb3 xa4 38.d2 The next target is Black's c-pawn. f8 39.c1 d7 40.b2 b5 41.a3 e5 42.e4 Now the c-pawn is forced forward with an exchange of the dark-squared bishops as a re s u l t , m a k i n g W h i t e ' s win si m p l e r . exf4 43.exf4 c4 44.xe7 xe7 45.d2 c5 46.e3 d3 [ 46...b3 47.b1 xd2 48.xb5 c3 49.d3+- ] 47.b1 and with the c-pawn dropping as well, Black finally called it a day. 1-0
10 Bellon Lopez,Juan Manuel Pecorelli Garcia,Humberto Premier Casablanca [Tony Kosten]
A00 2465 2460 1997
1.c3 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.xe4 f5 4.g3 Just as in the Caro-Kann, but [ 4.f3!? is also possible, and lends a more o r i g i n a l f l a v o u r t o t h e p o s i t i o n d5 ( 4...xe4?! 5.xe4 c6 6.c4 f6 7.e2 e6 was solid, if not particularly inspiring, in Spice,A-Angus,J/4NCL967-HE:SWD 1997,; and 4...e6 5.g3 xc2 6.xb7 d7 7.b5 is probably playable for Black, as well ) 5.d6+ xd6 6.xf5 c6 7.b5 f6 and Black has obtained a lead in development in exchange for the bishop pair, Marroleni-Foguelman, Argentina 1969. ] 4...g6 5.d4 Once again, White continues as if in a Caro-Kann [ White can also choose a set-up with the dpawn on d3 instead of d4, e.g. 5.h4 h6 6.f3 d7 7.c4 e6 8.d3 although, following gf6 9.e2 d6 10.h5 h7 11.d2 e7 12.0-0-0 b6 13.b3 a5 Black's position was quite promising, Van Geet,D-Prins,L/ Amsterdam 1970. ] 5...d7 6.h4 Completely standard in these formations, White will try to exploit the active black queen's bishop's placing to advance his kingside pawns. [ 6.f3 e6 7.h4 h6 8.h5 h7 9.d3 continuing just as in the Caro main line, Isler, P-Mantovani,R/Lugano SUI 1999, is probably not so bad, but, providing Black chooses a line where he plays ...c5 in one go, rather than by passing by the c6-square, he should equalize easily. ] 6...h6 7.h3 Coming to f4, this promises White little, objectively. e6 8.f4 h7 9.c4 White raises the possibility of a later sacrifice on e6 gf6 10.0-0 This looks odd with the white h-pawn on h4, and may well backfire at some stage. White is following a line of the Caro-Kann, but Black profits, as ever, from the extra tempo gained from not having played ...c6. b6! The extra piece developed (in the corresponding Caro-Kann position, this knight is still on b8) gains a further tempo. 11.b3 d7?! Keeping a close eye on e6. In a similar 10
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 position from a famous Tal-Botvinnik World Championship game (1960), Tal sacrificed his knight on e6, by Nxe6 fxe6 Bxe6, when the e6-bishop cut the black position in two. [ That said, I think I would pref er 11...c5 myself, striking at the centre. The black qu e e n p ro ve s t o b e ve ry u n f o rt u n a t e l y placed. ] 12.e1 e7 13.gh5 It seems that Black is in trouble, his g-pawn is menaced, and f8 This is hardly any better [ 13...0-0?? loses on the spot to 14.xe6 fxe6?? 15.xe6+ winning the queen ] 14.xe6! Crunch! Bellon is not known for his fear of sacrificing. c5 Sad, but what else? [ 14...fxe6? Loses the queen after the sequence 15.xe6+ e8 16.hxg7+ f7 17.c5+ ] 15.xf6 xf6 16.xf6!! And again, Black is a llo we d n o re s p it e . gxf6 17.h5 c4 Trying to keep one of the white pieces out of the game 18.xh6+ Not bad, but [ 18.xc4! was strong, for if xc4 then 19.d5 wins, for example g6 20.xh6+ ( 20.xh6+ is f lashier, but, af te r xh6 21.xh6+ e8 22.xf6+ e7 23.xd7 xd7 W hite has a lot of work to do.) 20...e8 21.f3! with a decisive attack. ] 18...e7 19.d2 f5?! Of course, it is difficult to defend such positions precisely, but 19...Qd6 would have been better, so as to offer some protection to the black king when it w a n d e r s t o t h e q u e e n s i d e . 20.h5? A mistake, throwing away a brilliant victory, the right path was [ 20.e1+ d7 21.g7! cxb3 22.xf7+ and Black can resign, as the white pieces move in for the kill, e.g. c8 23.e8+ xe8 24.xe8+ c7 25.e6+ d6 26.b4+ d5 27.c7+ c4 28.axb3+ xb4 29.e1# What a wonderful finish! ] 20...g6 Suddenly, Black defends his position and the material advantage will prove decisive. 21.g3 xh6 22.xf5+ xf5 23.xh6 cxb3 24.c3 bxa2 25.xa2 e6 White has only two pawns for his piece, and his light squares are weak. 26.a1 a6 27.f4 h8 28.g3 h5 29.f3 b3 30.e1+ d7 31.g2 a5 Black is going to target the weak b2-pawn. 32.g4 a2 33.c1 c4 34.e2 White is tied-up and the win is just a matter of
time. d1 35.e1 c2 36.h5 h7 37.e2 a1 38.h6 a2 39.c1 a5 40.f2 a1 41.h6 b1 42.f4 xb2 43.xb2 xb2 44.f5 a4 White has had enough. 0-1
11 Bilek,Istvan Geller,Efim P Havana [Nigel Davies]
A00
1971
1.g3 d5 2.g2 c6 [ Black can also play the immediate 2...e5 when 3.d3 f6 4.d2 c6 5.e4 transposes back into the game. ] 3.d3 [ Black's move order also presents White with the opportunity to play a Reversed Leningrad Dutch with 3.f4 , for example g6 4.f3 g7 5.d3 b6 6.c3 f6 7.e3 g4 8.0-0 bd7 9.c2 xf3 10.xf3 0-0 11.d4 e6 12.d2 e8 13.b3 f5 14.c4 led to a tough positional battle in Larsen, BDay, L/St John 1970. ] 3...f6 4.d2 e5! 5.e4 [ It's risky to play 5.gf3 here because of e4 6.dxe4 dxe4 7.g5 e3 8.fxe3 g4 . ] 5...c5 [ After 5...d6 6.gf3 0-0 there's a good c a s e f o r p r e v e n t i n g . . . B g 4 w i t h 7.h3 , for example e8 8.0-0 bd7 ( 8...a5 9.e1 a6 10.d4! dxe4? 11.xe5! gave W hite an edge in Sax, G-Martin, A/ Hastings 1983) 9.a3 a5 10.e1 d4 11.f1 b5 12.g4 f8 13.g3 c5 14.g5 6d7 15.f5 c7 16.h2 e6 17.h4 and W hite had attacking chances on the kingside in Rigo, J-Groszpeter, A/Kecskemet 1979. ] 6.gf3 0-0 7.0-0 e8 8.h3 bd7 9.h2?! After this passive move Black has a good game. [ W hite should play 9.exd5 cxd5 10.d4 when exd4 11.b3 d6 12.bxd4 gives White play against Black's isolated dpawn. ] 9...a5 10.exd5 cxd5 11.d4 exd4 12.b3 b6 13.bxd4 e4 If anything White would prefer to have his king on g1 here so as to 11
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 protect f2. 14.c3 df6 15.f4 h5 16.d2 d7 17.e1 [ 17.g1 may be White's best, but this would represent a difficult admission. ] 17...hf6 18.a4 c8 19.g1 d6 20.ge2 c4 21.b3 d6 22.d3 de4 23.d1 e7 24.f3 c5 25.c2 c7 26.h1 h5 27.f2 g5 28.f4 h6 29.f5 xf5 30.xf5 e4 31.xe4 dxe4 32.e3? [ 32.g2 would have been much better, when White doesn't stand at all badly. ] 32...g6 33.g5 xg5 34.fxg5 xg3+ 35.xg3 xg3 36.d7? [ 36.c4 would have made a better fight of it. ] 36...xc3 37.fxf7 e5 38.f4? f3 39.xh7 xf4 40.h6 e6 0-1
14.c3 e7 Black's manoeuvre seems timeconsuming but he hopes to weaken the white queenside and dissuade White from putting his king there. The last thing a strong player wants is to be attacked by a weaker one in an opposite-castling situation! 15.e5 xe5 16.xe5 0-0-0 A wise decision, castling kingside would encourage White to attack: [ 16...0-0!? 17.f1 d5 18.0-0-0 ( 18.xg7?! xg7 19.xd5 allows xd3! 20.xd3 exd5+ ) 18...ad8 19.g4 f6 20.f4 with mutual chances. ] 17.f3?! The queen was better-placed where she stood, [ 17.0-0!? is possible, White's pressure along the f-file should insure against any black attack. ] 17...hg8 An odd move, played to defend g7, of course, but 12 A00 [ 17...c5! is strong, hitting the e5-bishop, 18.f4 ( 18.xf6?! gxf6 19.xf6? b5 Brameld,Arthur F 2076 20.b3? e3+ mates ) 18...f5 with a real Ward,Christopher 2513 plus. ] Jersey Open Jersey JCI (1) 16.02.2003 18.f1?! [Tony Kosten] [ 18.0-0-0 seems more logical, with equal chances, or ] 1.c3 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.xe4 f5 4.g3 [ 18.0-0 although c5+ 19.d4 xd4! g6 5.h4 I discussed this move in the notes 20.cxd4 xd4+ is pleasant for Black. ] to Bellon Lopez,J-Pecorelli Garcia,H/ Ca p a b la n ca P re m ie r 1 9 9 7 , whe re W h it e 18...f5 [ 18...c5! is possible, once again, 19.d4 preferred to play in Caro style with xd4! 20.cxd4 b4+ 21.d1 xb2 [ 5.d4 ] and the white position is a mess. ] 5...h6 6.h5 g4 White's prevarication should [ 6.f3 d7 7.h5 may transpose, h7 19.a4?! 8.d4 Mestrovic,Z-Rouchouse,S/Cannes now cost him dear, 20.e2 [ 20.f4?! h2 wins an exchange. ] 1 9 9 5 , a g a i n wi t h a C a r o - K a n n t y p e o f 20...xe5 21.xe5 xd3?? Messing-up his position. ] 6...h7 7.c4 For what it is worth, this seems large advantage. [ 21...g5 hits h5, and after 22.h1 xd3 new, but of course the position is quite rare. Black wins a key pawn. ] [ 7.f3 c6 8.c4 e6 9.d3 occurred in Ha inzin ge r, J-Do pp e lh a m me r, H/ A u st ria 22.xf7! Ouch! This must have been a shock to our gallant Dragon expert. d6 1999. ] [ 22...xf7 23.xe6+ wins the queen with 7...e6 8.f3 d6 9.d3 This seems more in check. ] the spirit of the opening than [ 9.d4 which is like a Caro-Kann where Black 23.xe6+ [ 23.xe6+ xe6+ 24.xe6+ b8 has avoided ...c6. ] 25.0-0-0 is simpler, White has a 9...f6 10.e2 xg3!? An interesting considerable advantage. ] decision, conceding the bishop pair to weaken t h e w h i t e k i n g s i d e . P e r h a p s B l a c k w a s 23...b8 24.xd6 xd6 25.e7 gd8 26.0-0-0 a5 27.g4 Quite a generous draw worried about White castling long after offer, but of course White was happy to draw [ 10...0-0 ] 11.fxg3 c6 12.d2 d6 13.f4 b4+ 12
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 with a strong GM. ½-½
13 Collas,Didier Vehi Bach,Victor Manuel IX EICC Plovdiv BUL (9) [Carsten Hansen]
A00 2446 2381 30.04.2008
1.b4 e5 2.b2 xb4 3.xe5 f6 4.c4 [ In Palliser's "Beating Unusual Chess Openings", the coverage is mainly focused on 4.e3 0-0 5.f3 e8!? , and now 6.e2 ( 6.c4 d5 7.cxd5 xd5 8.a3 c6 9.b2 d6 10.e2 g4 is given as comfortable for Black and playable for White by Palliser) 6...d5 A) 7.c4 c5 8.cxd5 xd5 9.0-0 c6 10.b2 f5 11.c1 ( 11.d3 ) 11...e7 12.c3 ad8 13.a4?! f4! , and Black is clearly better, Akopian-Ponomariov, Verdun 1995; B) 7.0-0 bd7 ( 7...c5 8.c4 ) 8.b2 b6 9.d3 d7 10.c1 a4 11.a3 a5 12.d4 b6 13.f3 c5 14.e2 c7 15.bc3 g4 , is very good for Black as indicated by Palliser based on the game Vidoniak-Tiviakov, Gausdal 2005 ] 4...0-0 5.f3 d5 [ 5...e8!? 6.a3 ( 6.e3 d5 7.cxd5 xd5 4 transposes to the line given after e3) 6...a5 ( 6...f8!? is an interesting suggestion of Palliser's) 7.e3 ( 7.g3? d5! is very good for Black ) 7...d5 8.cxd5 xd5 9.e2 c5 ( 9...xe5?! 10.xe5 f6 11.c4 xa1 12.xa5 is a recommendation by Tony K on t h i s s it e a n d q u o t e d b y P a l l i s e r i n t h e above-mentioned book) 10.0-0 c6 11.b2 f5 12.b3 ( or 12.d4 cxd4 13.xd4 b6 14.a2 g6 with an initia tive f or Black) 12...b6 13.xb6 xb6 14.c1 a4 , and now m y computer was kind enough to indicate that W hite can play the surprising ( 14...d7! 15.c3 ce5 16.xe5 xe5 is more solid and about even) 15.xg7! xg7 16.b5! (the point behind the previous move) e4 17.d3 g4 18.h3 g6 19.xa4 , and White has the upper hand ] 6.e3 c5 7.c3
[ White has tried several other things at this ju n ct u re : A ) 7.a3 is probably White's best move a5 8.cxd5 xd5 9.c2 A) 9...e7 A1) 10.d3 g6?! (this is a curious decision with White's bishop already on the diagonal and Black's bishop stuck on a5) 11.0-0 c6 12.b2 e6 13.c1 b6 14.b5 ac8 15.d3 fd8 16.bd2 Szczepaniak-Kozun/corr thematic 1991; A2) 10.e2 c6 11.b2 a6 12.0-0 b5 13.c1 b6 14.c3 e6 15.d3 g6 16.e4 ad8 17.d4 c4 18.xd5 xd5 19.e4 xe4? ( 19...e6! is much better, e.g. 20.d5 g4 21.dxc6 xf3 22.gxf3 g5+ 23.h1 d2 24.d5 xc2 25.xc2 f5 26.xb6 f4 with unclear complications) 20.xe4 xe4 21.xe4 xd4 22.xd4 xd4 23.xd4 xd4 24.e1 , and White should win, KuperskiKozun/corr 1992; A3) 10.c4 e6 11.0-0 d7 12.g3 h6 ( 12...f6!? 13.a2 ac8 may be an improvement for Black) 13.d3 7f6 14.bd2 xd2 15.xd2 ac8 16.ab1 ( 16.h4!? ) 16...h5 17.b3 xg3 18.hxg3 Pilczuk, A-Sternik, R/ corr thematic 1991; B) 9...g4 10.xc5? ( While the pawn is hanging, this is definitely not the way to go, of course unless you're angling to be at the losing end of a miniature...Instead 10.b2 c6 11.e2 e7 makes much m o r e s e n s e) 10...c6 11.b2 c8 12.b5 f4! 13.g5 xg5 14.xg5 d4! 15.f3 c2+ 16.f2 f5 17.a2 xe3 18.dxe3 xb1 19.a1 c2+ 20.g3 h5+ 21.h4 xb2 22.xh5 c8 23.g4 c5 24.e4 c7 0-1 AlgyEvoker/ www.playchess.de 2002. White's provocative 10th move was punished with computer-like (or probably more accurately computer-assisted...) accuracy.; C) 9...c6 C1) 10.xc5?! is simply put too risky for White who is far behind in development and with a king stuck in the centre xe5 11.xe5 C1a) 11...e6 13
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 C1a1) ? - a poor move by White, instead W hite should have played 12.c4 though f6 13.d4! ( 13.a2?! b6 14.xa5 xc4 15.c3 e5 16.c2 f5 should win f or Black) 13...xd4 14.exd4 d8 15.c3 xc3 16.dxc3 c8 , and Black is clearly better; C1a2) 12.b5 c8 13.c4 (?) f6 14.a2 b6 15.xa5 xa2 , and Black wins is given in the new book by Lapshun, but may in fact be a line quoted from an earlier work by Sokolsky, but I can't locate my copy of that book; C1b) 11...f5 12.c3 xc3 13.dxc3 e8 14.f3 c8 15.xa7 xc3 16.xb7 e4 17.b2 xf3 18.gxf3 a5 ( 18...a4!? 19.d2 f6 ) 19.h3 b8 20.c2 was played in Scholbach, T-Roe, P/IECG Email 1999, and now Black should have played a4+ 21.d2 ( 21.f1?! b2 22.c6 d8 gives Black too much compensation for the pawns) 21...a6 22.e2 g6 , and Black has adequate compensation for the sacrificed pawns White's main concern is to get his king to safety, and then get his pieces coordinated, neither task being particularly easy to accomplish; C2) 10.b2 e7 11.d3 h6 12.0-0 e6 13.c1 b6 14.c3 C2a) 14...xc3 15.xc3 ( 15.h7+ h8 16.xc3 is at first given preference by my computer, but Black is fine after f5 17.g6 c4 18.d3 cxd3 19.xd3 ad8 with a complicated game. ) 15...f6 16.e4 ( 16.h4!? looks obvious and attractive, the light squares around Black's king are s c r e a m i n g t o b e e x p l o i t e d; Another move with the same intention is 16.c2!? f5 17.c4 xc4 18.xc4+ f7 19.c3 with a better game for W hite) 16...a5 17.c2 fd8 "looks about equal" in the Lapshun book.; C2b) 14...ad8 15.a4 g4 16.e1
a5 17.ab1 ( 17.xb6!? axb6 18.ab1 looks good for White, but isn't m e n t i o n e d i n t h e L a p s h u n b o o k) 17...c8 18.h3 e6 19.xb6 axb6 20.f3 c4 21.h7+ h8 22.d4 C2b1) From the Lapshun book: "Trying to win the h7-bishop, but this allows a tremendous attack on the b l a c k k i n g . I n s t e a d 22...b3! 23.xe6 fxe6 24.d1 h4 25.f3 C2b11) CH: 25...xf3!? l o o k s l i k e a n o b vi o u s m o v e t o examine, but isn't mentioned in the L a p s h u n b o o k , e . g . 26.g6 ( 26.gxf3 g3+ 27.h1 xh3+ ) 26...f2+ 27.h1 f7 28.xe6 c6 29.xd5 xh7; C2b12) 25...b5 26.e4 is unclear as Black enjoys some counterplay on the queenside". Again this may be a quote from an e a r l i e r b o o k, b e c a u s e t h e l i n e given has obvious holes in it and it begs for improvements for both sides, improvements which may be fairly easy to find.; C2b2) 22...c3 23.dxc3 g6 24.xg6 fxg6 25.c4 f6 26.xg6 xc4 27.xh6+ g8 28.g6+ h8 29.a1 f7?? 30.xe6 xe6 31.b5 1-0 Katalymov, B-Giterman, S/Novgorod 196100 ] [ B) 7.e2?! c6 8.b2 d4! 9.c2 e8 10.0-0 g4 11.a3 d7 , and White's position is decidedly unpleasant, Amor Alcaide, M-Ionescu, C/Berga 1994 ] [ C) 7.cxd5 xd5?! ( 7...xd5!? ) 8.e2 ( 8.a3! a5 9.xf6 gxf6 10.a4 b6 11.c3 is an easy improvement for White, leaving him with the better chances) 8...c6 9.xf6 gxf6 10.0-0 f5 11.d3 ad8! 12.a3 a5 13.e4 xe4! 14.dxe4 xe4 15.bd2 f4 16.g3 ( or 16.a2! d4 17.d3!? xf3+ 18.xf3 c4 19.a4 xd3 20.xa5 xf3 21.gxf3 xf3 22.e1 g4+ 23.f1 h3+ with a draw by perpetual check ) 16...h6 17.a2 d4 18.h4 xe2+ 19.xe2 xd2 20.f5 g5 21.xd2 xd2 22.f3 e8 23.xb7 b6 24.c6 e6 25.a8+ d8 , thus far Lalic, S-De Kleuver, E/ Delden 1993, and now 14
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 26.f3 d2 27.a8+ d8 leads to a draw by repetition ] 7...bd7!? [ This idea is quite attractive and proves difficult for W hite to meet. Earlier games have tested 7...c6 8.xf6 xf6 9.xd5 g6 ( 9...b2 10.a3 a5 11.b1 xb1+ 12.xb1 b6 13.e2 f5 14.b2 e4 15.f4 , Myrberg-Dubleumortier, A/corr 1996 ) 10.f4 ( 10.b3!? f6 11.a3 a5 12.b1 g4 13.d3 ) A) 10...h6! 11.e2 ( 11.d5 g6 of course invites a repetition of moves) 11...g5 12.d5 g4 13.g1 f5 , a n d B l a c k h a s m o re t h a n a d e q u a t e compensation for the sacrificed pawn.; B) 10...e4? 11.d3 e7 12.0-0 g4 13.d5 d6? ( 13...d8 14.h3 h5 15.f4 ) 14.xh7+ h8 15.xb4 xb4 16.a3 xf3 17.xf3 xh7 18.axb4 cxb4 19.d4+- c7 20.h5+ g8 21.b5 a5 22.c5 fb8 23.fd1 1-0 Kreuzer-Sikora, A/ corr 1995 ] 8.g3 b6 9.cxd5 bxd5 This position already seems rather comfortable for Black. 10.c2 [ This definitely doesn't look good, but the alternatives are also far from promising, e.g. 10.xd5 xd5 11.a3 a5 12.a4 b6 13.c4 h5 14.0-0 b7 , and Black has the more comfortable game, even if the bishop on a5 is somewhat out of the game at the moment. ] [ 10.b3 e6 11.c4 xc3 12.dxc3 a6 13.e5 b5 14.xd5 xd5 15.d1 f6 16.f4 c4 , and Black dominates the game. ] 10...xc3 11.dxc3 f5 12.b3 a5 13.c1?! [ White should have given consideration after 13.c4!? e4 14.e5 g4 15.c2 e8 16.xe4 xc3+ 17.e2 xf3+ 18.gxf3 xe5 19.ab1 b6 20.f4 d6 21.xe8 axe8 22.f3 , and while White is a pawn down, he has some drawing chances. ] 13...e4! This strong move completely ties White up, and soon his troubles become very evident. 14.e2 [ Here 14.c4 is met by g4 , preventing 15.0-0 on account of xf3 16.gxf3 d2 , though this actually looks like a better
chance for White than the game continuation. ] 14...b6 15.a3? [ Or 15.0-0 xb3 16.axb3 xc3 , and Black is a pawn up for nothing, yet this is better for White than the game continuation, which is completely untenable for White. ] 15...xc3! This elegant combination wins a pawn and leaves Black with a won position. It exposes the issues in White's camp, first an foremost the vulnerable uncastled king and the last of overall coordination of the white pieces. 16.xc3 b1+ 17.d1 ad8 18.0-0 xd1 19.c1 xf1+ [ Black can also reach winning endgame after 19...xc1 20.xc1 xc1 21.xc1 d8 22.h4 b4 23.c7 d7 24.f4 f6 , and Black shouldn't have any troubles converting his advantage. ] 20.xf1 b4 21.c1 d8 22.e5 e6 23.a3 c3 24.b1 b3 25.h4 f6 26.f3 xb1 27.xb1 b6 28.e4 d3! Now White cannot prevent the loss of the a-pawn and furthermore with the rook and bishops ready to support the passed c-pawn, W hite is in serious trouble. 29.b8 c4 30.xa7 c3 31.e1 d2 32.c1 a2 33.c2 b3 34.d4 [ Of course 34.b4? xb4 35.axb4 loses to xa7-+ ] 34...a4 35.b8 c2 This well-supported passed pawn will end up costing W hite at least a piece and the game is already essentially over. 36.f4 c3 37.e3 b2 38.e1 xa3 [ Black can play even more convincingly with 38...b5 39.h5 xa3 40.e2 d3 , and it is all over. ] 39.xc2 xc2 40.xb6 With an extra piece, this is of course easily won for Black, even if it takes a while to convert. b4 41.e2 a1+ 42.h2 d1 43.e3 d6+ 44.g3 a3 45.g2 h5 46.xa3 xa3 47.f3 f7 48.f2 e6 49.e3 c1+ 50.f2 d6 51.d4 a3 52.g2 c5 53.c3 c6 54.b2 b5 55.c3 c4 56.b2 d3 57.c1 d6 58.f2 c5+ 59.g2 e2 60.b2 d6 61.d4 c2 62.b6 e5 63.c5 g6 64.b6 f5 65.exf5 gxf5 66.d8
15
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 a4 0-1
14 Davies,Nigel R Lev,Ronen Ramat Hasharon [Nigel Davies]
A00 2475 2480 1990
1.g3 d5 2.g2 c6 3.d3 [ Adopting a Reversed Leningrad Dutch f o r m a t i o n w i t h 3.f4 is also a pretty good idea. ] 3...e5 4.f3 d6 5.e4 e7 More ambitious than putting the knight on f6 in that Black is leaving his f-pawn free to advance. 6.0-0 0-0 7.c3 f5 Presumably attempting to punish me for not playing a proper opening, but Black is taking on a lot of responsibilities with this move. Pawns do not go backwards so one sh ou ld b e ca u tiou s ab ou t p ushing t he m . 8.exd5 xd5 [ 8...cxd5 9.g5 ( 9.b5 bc6 10.c4 is also interesting) 9...e4 10.dxe4 dxe4 11.d4 bc6 12.xc6 bxc6 13.d4 h6 14.e3 ] 9.d2 [ Varying from an earlier game which went 9.e1 d7 10.d2 e8 11.e2 7f6 12.ac1 d7 13.a3 e4 14.dxe4 xc3 15.xc3 xe4 16.d3 xc3 17.xc3 when Black was doing fine in Marangunic, S (2470)-Horvath, T (2200)/ Virovitica 1977. ] [ Another possibility is 9.xd5 cxd5 10.c4 when dxc4 11.dxc4 c6 12.d5+ h8 13.g5 gives White a temporary initiative. A sample line is c7 14.ad1 e7 15.xe7 xe7 16.d6 xd6 17.xd6 e4 18.d4 xd4 19.xd4 e6 20.f3 with the better endgame for White. ] 9...d7 10.e2 b4 [ 10...e8 was an interesting alternative, along the lines of Marangunic - Horvath. W hite might then do well to consider 11.xd5 cxd5 12.g5 e7 13.xe7 xe7 14.fe1 encouraging Black to play e4 when 15.ad1!? is interesting. ] 11.ac1 f6 12.fe1 a6 13.d1 Aiming to come to c4 via e3 and/or play Bd2c3. c7 14.e3 b6 15.f1 Black has
stopped Ne3-c4 so the knight seeks another route. e4?! [ Perhaps Black had taken fright at the t h o u g h t o f 15...d7 16.c3 but b5 17.xe5 xe5 18.xe5 f4 wouldn't be clear there. ] 16.dxe4 xb2 17.e3 xa2 18.c4 Attempting to cut off the queen's retreat, though it's not entirely clear that this was necessary. [ 18.a1 f7 19.exf5 looks very strong here , f o r example xf5 20.g5 e8 21.xf5 xe2 22.xe2 xf5 23.e4 wins the h7 pawn and leaves White with a powerful pair of bishops. ] 18...c5 19.e5 e8? Losing. [ 19...d4 was better, preventing White's rook from going to a1. ] 20.a1 b2 21.d3 d4 22.xc5 xc5 23.a5 d4 24.exf5 The f5 pawn is an important one and its loss has catastrophic consequences for Black. d7 25.d1 f6 26.g4 b6 27.a3 c5?! 28.c3 Forcing the win of the c6 pawn. g5 29.xc6 xf5 30.xa8 xa8 31.xa7 g6 32.h4 1-0
15 Dergatschova Daus,Anna Jussupow,Artur Jussopow-Clock Simul (1) [Tony Kosten]
A00 2214 2628 01.05.2000
1.b4 e5 2.a3 [ White wishes to avoid the tactical line 2.b2 xb4 3.xe5 f6 ] 2...d5 3.b2 d6 4.e3 f6 5.c4 c6 6.d3 [ Oddly, at such an early stage of the game, this seems to be a new move, 6.f3 e7 is also fine for Black, see the archives. ] 6...0-0 7.d2 e8 8.e2 White's development is restrained, but this simply allows Black to consolidate his centre. bd7 9.gf3 f8 10.c2 g6 11.g3?! [ White is worried about some threat to his kingside, but this weakens his light squares. 11.0-0 is best. ] 11...a5 12.c5 c7 13.bxa5 xa5 14.0-0 h3 15.fd1 h6 16.e4 [ This attempt to stabilize the centre only 16
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 succeeds in consolidating Black's space advantage, possibly 16.db1 was better. ] 16...d4 17.c4 c7 18.a4 d7 19.a3 f6 20.db1 a7 Preparing to attack the a4pawn. 21.e1 gf8 22.b4 [ 22.d6?! xd6 23.cxd6 c8 menaces ... c5, when the d6-pawn is lost. ] 22...e6 23.d2 White is obliged to defend h i s we a k c - p a wn . ea8 24.ef3 e7 25.b3 White prefers to defend his c-pawn, t h a n h i s a - p a wn . xa4 26.xa4 xa4 27.bxd4?! A small combo, but it loses material! xd4?! [ Of course, this was only a simul, but 27...xb4 is more accurate, as Black wins the c-pawn after 28.xb4 exd4 29.xb7 dxc5 ] 28.xd4 xb4 29.xb4 exd4 30.xb7 d8 [ 30...a5! would kill the game quickly. ] 31.c4 f6 32.f4 e7 33.c7 g5 34.f5 [ Not 34.e5? when xe5 35.fxe5 xe5 and the double attack on c7 and e2 wins material. ] 34...e5 Black infiltrates on the dark squares. 35.b4 g4 36.f2 g5!? Black his ha ving severe problems exploiting his material plus, a n d m a y, i n f a c t , n o l o n g e r b e wi n n i n g . 37.xd4 f6 38.c8+ h7 39.e3 g7 40.e1?? [ Losing immediately, better 40.f4 when d7! ( 40...g5? 41.f6 swaps the queens) 41.xc6 xc5 keeps some attacking chances. ] 40...g5 0-1
the knight there. My German team-mate, Andre Lisanti, plays these variations a lot, and always seems to get good positions! d5 2.g3 f6 3.f3 g6 4.d3 g7 5.f2 c6 6.c3 e5 7.g2 and now, a 'purist' would play his queen's knight to c2 via a3! Boeye, L-Schumacher,H/Antwerp BEL 1998. ] 1...e5 2.f2?! [ This is a really bad move, the 'normal' line would be 2.h3 d5 3.f2 f6 4.e3!? ( now, 4.g3 is usual, as in the previous note, e.g. c6 5.g2 etc. ) 4...c6 5.b5 d6 6.d4 exd4 7.xd4?! 0-0 8.xc6 bxc6 9.0-0 c5 Black has the two bishops and potential pressure on the e-line, Hunt, TGraff,J/ California 1992. ] 2...d5 3.d3 [ This risks further weakening White's dark squares. The only move with a 'pedigree' is 3.e3 f6 4.d4 c6 5.b5 d6 6.e2 0-0 7.e1 e4 8.g3 h5 9.f4 g4 10.e2 g6 11.g1 e7?! 12.a3 Black has almost no advantage, W illiams,S-Simons,M/ Scarborough 1999. ] 3...d4! 4.e4 dxe3+ 5.xe3 f5 6.g3 c6 7.g2 f6 8.e2?! [ O v e r l o o k i n g B l a c k ' s n e x t , 8.c3 had to be played. ] 8...d5 9.d2 d6?! [ This allows White time to recover, the immediate 9...f4 10.gxf4 h4+ 11.f1 d6 is very unpleasant for White. ] 10.e1? [ This allows the previously mentioned kingside breakthrough, W hite would still have a playable position after 10.f4 ] 10...f4! 11.gxf4 h4+ 12.g3 0-0 13.fxe5 16 A00 xe5 14.g1 xf3+ 15.xf3 xf3 16.f2 Desmarais,Chris 2180 W hite thinks that he has braved the worst, Seres,Lajos 2427 however ... xg3! 17.xg3 xg3+ 18.hxg3 FSIMA July Budapest HUN (13) 14.07.2001 xg3+ 19.h1 g4 [ after 19...g4 20.f1 Black wins by [Tony Kosten] eliminating the def ende rs of f 3 so : e3 21.c3 xf1 22.xf1 f8 ] 1.f3 [ Well, I suppose if I had to pick the worst 0-1 possible opening move, this would probably be it! W hite weakens his king protection, and kingside dark squares with no obvious advantages. W ell, except that f2 is made a v a i l a b l e f o r h i s k n i g h t o r k i n g . 1.h3 is similar, White will follow with f3 and bring 17
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 17 Fedorov,Alexei Ivanchuk,Vassily 2001 Wijk aan Zee [Paul Motwani]
A00
2001
0-1
18 Gelashvili,Tamaz Salgado Lopez,Ivan Acropolis Open (4) [Carsten Hansen]
A00 2612 2532 12.08.2008
1.a3 g6!? I seem to recall that this is the move that was recommended for Black against 1 a3 in the first edition of BCO. The argument behind the move may well be that b2-b4 now is less attractive and that a2-a3 isn't particularly useful against the King's Indian. Somebody clearly forgot to tell Gelashvili... 2.f3 g7 3.e3 f6 4.b4! Anyway! Black can move his knight to create an attack on the rook on a1, but it doesn't serve any real purpose, so Black decides to proceed as if everything is normal. d5 5.c4 0-0 [ 5...a5 6.b2 ( 6.b5 f5 7.b2 is likely the better continuation for White, though the chances here too are about equal ) 6...axb4 7.axb4 xa1 8.xa1 0-0 is fine for Black ] 6.b2 c6 7.e2 [ In some of the few games I could find with this variation, White also tried a couple of other moves as well: A) 7.c3 a5 8.e2?! ( 8.d4!? takes the games over in a Schlechter Variation of the Slav/Gruenfeld, which in this case is quite okay for White) 8...axb4 9.axb4 xa1 10.xa1 dxc4 11.xc4 b5 12.e2 a6 13.a5 d6 14.a3 c7 , and Black has a solid advantage, Raijmaekers-Simmelink, J/corr 1988 ] [ B) 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.e2 f5 9.0-0 a6 10.d3 e8 11.xg7 xg7 12.bd2 d6 13.b3 , and White's position is preferable, Thorsteinsson, E-Elyakim, D/ corr ICCF 1992 ] 7...a5
[ 7...g4!? 8.b3 ( 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.0-0 should be considered as it, like the latter game in the previous note, leaves W hite with a slightly more comf ortable game.) 8...e6 ( 8...dxc4!? 9.xc4 xf3 10.gxf3 bd7 11.d4 b6 is fine for Black) 9.d3 bd7 10.bd2 a5 11.0-0 b8 12.h3 xf3 13.xf3 c8 14.fc1 b6 15.ab1 axb4 16.axb4 b7 17.f1 h6 18.g3 Le n d wa i, R-S p in d e lb o e ck, G/ O b e rwa rt 1995 ] 8.b5 cxb5 [ Or 8...dxc4 9.xc4 f5 ( 9...cxb5 10.xb5 c6 11.d4 ) 10.c3 d3 with approximately equal chances ] 9.cxd5 [ 9.cxb5 f5 10.0-0 looks like a better continuation, White has a tiny initiative ] 9...xd5 [ 9...a6!? 10.xb5 c7 11.e2 cxd5 12.0-0 g4 , and the chances are about even ] 10.xg7 xg7 11.xb5 d7 12.b3 xb5 13.xb5 d7 14.b2+ The pawn structure on the board, the extra central pawn for White and the backward b-pawn on the semi-open f i l e f o r B l a ck b o t h i n d i c a t e a s o m e wh a t favourable game for White. g8 15.0-0 c6 16.c1 White's position is easier to play, even if Black has a somewhat more active position. The dark squares in Black's position calls for trou ble lo ng-t erm, e ve n if h is p os it io n is fundamentally solid. ab8 17.c3 xc3 18.xc3 b5 19.ac1 fc8 20.h4!? [ White points to the weakness of the dark squares around Black's king. The alternatives don't threaten Black su bsta nt ia lly, e .g. 20.c5 b4 21.h4 ( 21.axb4 xb4 22.e5 e6= ) 21...b3 22.h5 a4 ] [ or 20.c2 a7 , and Black is more or less okay. ] 20...a7 21.h5 xc3 22.xc3 d8? [ This passive move decides the game in White's favour because Black cannot resist White decisive penetration. Instead Black should have tried 22...c6! , e.g. 23.h6 f6 24.c5 b4 25.axb4 axb4 26.b3+ f8 ] 23.h6 f8?! [ Or 23...f6 24.b3+ f8 ( 24...h8 25.g5! fxg5 26.c8+- ) 25.d4 a4 18
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 26.e6+ e8 27.c2 b6 28.g7+ f8 29.c7+- ] 24.c7 c8 25.e5 b6 26.c6 d5 27.d7 c8 28.xd5 xc6 29.d8 1-0
19 Gulko,Boris F Gutman,Lev USSR [Tony Kosten]
A00
1978
1.c3 c5 2.f3 Black, a Sicilian (Najdorf) specialist, was obviously hoping to encourage White to play [ 2.e4 with a transposition to a Closed Sicilian ] [ 2.d4?! would avoid the well-trod routes, but after cxd4 3.xd4 c6 4.h4 d5 5.f3?! ( 5.e4 is safer, although after d4 6.d5 e6 7.xd8+ xd8 8.f4 f6 9.f3 e5 10.d3 Black has the slightly superior endgame, Soetewey, S-Le Quang,K/ B r u s s e ls 1 9 9 3 .) 5...d4 6.e4 b4 rather awkward! 7.d1 f5 8.d2 c6 Mordiglia,R-Godena, M/Open, Saint Vincent ITA 1998, White's unusually-placed king will lead to his downfall. ] 2...d6 and again, 3.g3 g6 4.g2 g7 5.0-0 c6 surely W hite will play e4 now? 6.e3 No! W hite decides to go his own way. h6 7.d4 White has no advantage, to speak of, he suffers from the usual problem of playing his queen's knight to c3 before playing c4- his cpawn is now shut-in. cxd4 8.exd4 f5 forcing the white d-pawn forward, but this does mean White will have more space 9.d5 e5 10.g5 The player with the space advantage should normally avoid exchanges, of cou rse (s ee 101 Tips to Imp rove you r Chess) h5 This does weaken the kingside, but it does safeguard the two black knights, as f4, and g4, was threatened, driving them away from the centre 11.h3 d7 12.a4 c8 Black's pieces take -up active posts 13.e2 See the remark on move 7, White is obliged to move this knight if he wants to improve his queenside pawn structure b6 14.a2 A simple precaution, White wishes to play b3, and c4, and cannot afford to leave his
qu e e n 's ro o k o n t h e a 1 - h 8 d ia go n a l, f o r instance [ if 14.b3 then f3+ 15.xf3 xa1 would be feasible ] 14...a6 15.b3 b5 Lev Gutman just loves to play active, aggressive chess. Sometimes he plays brilliantly, but sometimes things go wrong 16.d2 White plays carefully, [ 16.f4 seems tempting, but after b6+ 17.h2? Black wins with g4+ exploiting the h8-rook's uncastled state ] 16...bxa4 17.c3 First the white a4-pawn was pinned, but having captured it, it is now t h e b l a c k a 4 - p a w n t h a t i s p i n n e d ! d4 18.xa4 e2 19.f4 The game reaches its critical moment, will the active black pieces find a knock-out punch, or will they be forced to retreat? xa4!? [ 19...xh3 is more to the point, 20...Qxg2 mate is threatened, and 20.xh3? loses to ( 20.xh3 must be played, ef3+ and now 21.h1 xd2 22.e1! which is unclear) 20...df3+ 21.xf3 xf3+ when White must play 22.xf3 and lose his queen: xd1+ or be mated on h2, so ] 20.fxe5 xe5 21.bxa4 c4 hitting the a2rook 22.a3 e2+ 23.h1 f6?? a baffling move, [ 23...xg3+ 24.xg3 xg3 would have been the logical continuation, although after 25.xf7 White's two pieces are better then the black rook, ] 24.e4 Naturally, the knight defends g3 f5 25.e1 Black is now a whole piece down. 1-0
20 Hasangatin,Ramil Ramirez Alvarez,Alejandro Aeroflot Open (7) [Tony Kosten]
A00 2523 2413 17.02.2003
1.b4 e5 2.b2 xb4 3.xe5 f6 4.e3 Solid, but normally W hite plays more aggressively with [ 4.c4 to exploit his central advantage, see Lindqvist-Soerenfors/corr 1975. ] 4...0-0 5.f3 d5 6.e2 d6!? A new idea, although there seems to be nothing wrong with the standard 19
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 6...c5 7.0-0 c6 8.b2 ( 8.g3? d4 9.h4 d6 10.c1? f5 11.b2 e4 Black dominates, Vokac,M-Badea,B/Krynica 1998 ) 8...d4!? played to complicate White's development, ( 8...e8 9.d3 a5 10.bd2 e7 is fairly level, Rogers, I-Stone,R/ H e r t o g e n b o s c h N E D 1 9 9 9) 9.c3!? the most direct, attacking Black's advanced pawn head-on, ( 9.b5 g4 10.h3 xf3 11.xf3 e5 and White had problems with his b5-bishop, and developing his b1-knight, Arakelov, I-Lomaya,T/Batumi 1961) 9...d3!? ( 9...dxc3 10.xc3 with chances to both sides ) 10.xd3 xd3 11.cxb4 xb4 12.xf6 gxf6 13.e1 g6 14.c3 d8 W hite has the more solid structure, but Black the more active pieces, Pedersen, EChristensen,T/Denmark 1998. ] 7.0-0 c5 The position is similar to the above note, except that the black bishop is 'inside' his pawn structure, which is normally desirable. 8.d4 [ 8.c4 c6 9.xd6 xd6 looks very nice for Black, with his centralised forces. ] 8...c6 9.c3 e7! Threatening to capture the bishop and gain the bishop pair, always an advantage. 10.dxc5 [ 10.g3 h5 11.dxc5 xg3 12.hxg3 e6 is similar. ] 10...xe5 11.xe5 xc5 With an atypical IQP position: W hite's weak c2-pawn on the open c-file more than balances the d-pawn, and Black has the bishop pair, as well. 12.f3 e6 Black decides against the tactic [ 12...c7!? 13.d3 d6 attacking c3 and h2, 14.xd5 xd5 15.xd5 xh2+ 16.h1 d6 when Black has dissolved his IQP, but White can play c4 and maintain a strong bishop on d5. ] 13.h3 c8 14.e2 c7 15.d3 b6 16.c3 White is under severe pressure, his c-pawn ties pieces down to its def ence, and it is difficult to exploit the squares on f4 and d4. e4 17.c1 c4 18.c2 The impression is that White is just hanging on. f5 19.g4 xf2!? An interesting tactic, and afterwards Black maintains the advantage, but I would prefer the simple [ 19...xg4 20.hxg4 fd8 ] 20.xf2 xc2 21.xc2 ce8 22.d1 xe3+ 23.h1 b6 24.f3 e5 Black has
t wo p a wn s a n d a r o o k f o r t h e t wo wh i t e knights, and various positional advantages, can W hite manage to activate his pieces? 25.b2!? xa2 26.c1 a5 27.cd3 e3?! [ 27...e7 is stronger. ] 28.b4?! Missing [ 28.c4! when c8 29.c5! ( 29.b3? xf3! 30.xf3 a1+ 31.d1 dxc4 32.c2 d4 l o o k s s t r o n g) 29...xc5 30.xd5 attacks f7, and menaces Nc4, when White has real counterplay. ] 28...b5 29.d1 d8?! Again Black is not on his toes, [ 29...d4! wins, 30.4d3 d7 31.a4 xf3! 32.gxf3 xh3+ etc. ] 30.d2 [ 30.a4!? xa4 31.xa4 c7 32.xd5 is unclear. ] 30...d4 31.c4 a5 [ 31...e5!? appears strong, but after 32.d5 xd5 33.cxd5 c7 White can just hang-on: 34.d6! ( 34.g1? h2+ 35.f1 g3 wins immediately) 34...xd6 35.g1 as now h2+ 36.f1 g3?? allows the trick 37.xe3 dxe3 38.d8# ] [ 31...d7 ] 32.2d3 White has managed to find a good blockading square for one of his knights, and n o w h a s r e a s o n a b l e c h a n c e s . ee8?! 33.xb7 h5 34.f3 f5 35.d5 Now White is clearly better. c8?? 36.g4 e4 37.xc8 xc8 38.e1 1-0
21
A00 Hernando Pertierra,Jose Carlos 2403 Gallagher,Joseph G 2558 Master Open Lausanne SUI (4) 02.06.2000 [Tony Kosten] 1.g3 e5 2.g2 c6 3.c3 White wishes to play a sort of reversed Caro-Kann with a kingside fianchetto, and a tempo more. d5 4.d4 [ 4.b4!? is taking originality too far, perhaps, f6 5.d4 exd4 6.b5 a5 7.cxd4 c4 8.f3 b4+ and Black had no cause to complain, Petran,P-Rechel,B/Olomouc CZE 1999. ] 20
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 4...f6 5.h3 [ Just as in the corresponding line for Black, the knight will come to f2 to support the e4thrust. 5.dxe5 is an alternative manner of playing this, xe5 6.d2 c5 7.gf3 xf3+ 8.xf3 0-0 with equality, Teske, HSiegel,G/Havana 1998. ] [ However, 5.g5 would be the way to exploit the extra move. e4 6.xf6!? xf6 7.f3 exf3 8.xf3 level, Benjamin,J-Browne, W/ Philadelphia 1992. ] 5...e7 [ This natural move is a novelty, which indicates how much rarer this variation is, played with W hite than with Black. 5...h6 6.0-0 f5 7.f3 d7 8.f2 e4 9.b3 d6 is also fine for Black, Dehn,M-Vogler,T/ Mainz 1989. ] 6.f3 Perfectly normal, the square f2 is needed for the knight. 0-0 7.f2 e8 8.0-0 a5! 9.a4 b6 10.a3 a6 11.b5 White blocks the light-squared diagonal, so Black immediately tries to reopen it. exd4 12.cxd4 a7! 13.xa7 [ 13.c3 allows c5 which successfully challenges the d4-pawn, supporting it with e3 being impossible. ] 13...xa7 14.e1 c5 Black already has a plus, the white kingside formation is inappropriate here. 15.e3 d6 Intending to d o u b l e r o o k s o n t h e e - f i l e . 16.g4?! White hopes to pressurise the d5-pawn, but this move is anti-positional. xg4 17.fxg4 cxd4 18.xd4 [ W alking in to so me ta ct ics, bu t 18.exd4 is hardly any better, xe1+ 19.xe1 e7 ] 18...c5! 19.xd5? d7 20.f5?! [ White falls to pieces, but anyway, 20.f3 loses the exchange to b4 ] 20...d1 White can resign with a clear conscience. 21.xd1 [ 21.f2 xe1+ 22.xe1 b4 23.f2 d1+ 24.f1 c8 is also hopeless. ] 21...xd1+ 22.f1 xe3+ 23.g2 The c1-bishop is pinned. b7+ 24.h3 xc1 25.d3 d2! Allowing a couple of checks, but this is the most accurate move. 26.xh7+ f8 27.f1 e6 [ Effective, but missing the pretty line 27...e2!! 28.xe2 g2+! forcing mate with checks, 29.xg2 xe2+ 30.h3 f1+
31.h4 g5+ 32.h5 h3# ] 28.h8+ e7 29.h4+ g5 30.h5 e2! [ 30...e2 intends the same mate, 31.xe2 g2+ 32.xg2 xe2+ ] 0-1
22 Hulak,Krunoslav Beliavsky,Alexander G zt 1.2 Pula CRO (5) [Tony Kosten]
A00 2495 2640 15.04.2000
1.g3 d5 2.g2 e5 3.f3 A reversed Alekhine's Defence, as briefly examined in the archives. e4 4.d4 c5 5.b3 c4 6.d4 c5 7.c3 c6 8.xc6 bxc6 9.b3 So far, all according to plan for W hite, who attacks the black centre. cxb3 10.axb3 h5!! [ A powerful innovation, Black immediately exploits his space advantage and attacks the white king in the most direct manner. p re vio u s ly B l a ck h a d p re f e rre d s im p l e development: 10...e7 11.d3 ( 11.0-0 0-0 12.a3 b6 13.c4 f5 14.c3 e8 15.c1 with mutual chances, Johansen, DLau,R/Wuppertal 1986, 1-0 (30)) 11...exd3 12.exd3 0-0 13.0-0 e6 14.d4 b6 15.a3 e8 16.d2 and, if anything, White holds the upper hand, Rabeler, G-Stern,R/ Germany 1998, 1-0 (56). ] 11.a3 [ If 11.d3 then Black keeps the centre closed by f6 12.d4 ( not 12.0-0 when h4 13.dxe4 hxg3 14.hxg3 g5! planning ...Qh6, with a mating attack. ) 12...b6 ] 11...b6 12.h4 h6! Intelligent play, the knight can come to g4, but, more importantly, f5. 13.d4 e3! Black is in a particularly aggressive mood! 14.f4?! [ If 14.fxe3?! then but c7 ] [ 14.d3!? exf2+ 15.xf2 g4+ 16.e1 may offer better chances. ] 14...g4 The black pieces have good posts on g 4 a n d f 5 . 15.d3 f5 16.0-0 h6! Another fine move, bringing the h8-rook into play. 17.c4 [ White desperately searches for counterplay, as if 17.h2 Black simply replies g6 ] 17...dxc4 [ The strongest, but 17...xg3 18.xe3+ 21
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 e6 19.xg3 xd4+ 20.h1 xa1 is also sufficient. ] 18.e4+ d7 19.c3 xg3 20.c2 f5 21.c1 xf1 22.xf1 xd4 23.d1 e8 White has no real defence against ...Qxh4, and mate on f2. 0-1
pawn structure. ] 16...e8 Threatening to win a rook with ...c5. 17.c5 [ 17.cxd5 c5! anyway, winning material because of the d-file pin. Black's eleventh move continues to prove its worth. ] 17...e7! Another clever move forcing 18.c6 as if [ 18.cxb6?? c5 forks queen and rook. ] 23 A00 18...d6 19.c3 e8 The first doubled cIvanchuk,Vassily 2740 pawn bites the dust. 20.d4 xc6 21.d2 Anand,Viswanathan 2770 d7 22.d1 d8 23.c3 c5 Not only has Amber Blindfold, MON (3) 1998 Black won a pawn, but he has managed to retain his positional plusses, too. 24.d3 a4 [Tony Kosten] 25.b2 6d7 26.a3 b5 27.h3 a6 28.1d2 1.c3 e5 2.f3 c6 Black indicates that he g6 29.d1 a5 30.f3 h5 31.h4 c7 i s h a p p y t o t r a n s p o s e i n t o a k i n g - p a w n 32.g3 e5 Black does nothing precipitate, he p o s it io n a f t e r 3 e 4 . 3.d4 Introducing the knows that he will win, and so slowly improves 'pseudo-Scotch' variation, where W hite will h i s p o s i t i o n b e f o r e e n g i n e e r i n g a have various occasions to transpose directly, breakthrough. 33.d1 f6 34.g2 h7 by playing e4. exd4 4.xd4 f6 The most 35.3d2 g7 36.a1 g4 37.xg4 hxg4 38.g1 e5 39.a4 b4 Exchanging queens, solid reply. [ 4...c5 is also good. 5.f5 f6 6.e3 and bringing play to a rook and pawn ending. White eschews his last chance to transpose 40.cxb4 xa1 41.xa1 cxb4 42.d4 into the Scotch, by 6 e4. ge7 7.g3 d5! F o r k i n g t h e g a n d b - p a w n s , h a s B l a c k 8.g2 e6 9.0-0 d8 10.d3 0-0 b l u n d e r e d ? a5 43.xg4 d4! No, as the The white opening has been a complete protected, passed b-pawn is sufficient to win. disaster, Black has almost total control of 44.xd4 xd4 45.exd4 xd4 46.c1 b3 47.b1 b4 'Rook behind the pawn'! 48.f1 the centre, Wall,T-Flear, G/Hastings 1991. ] [ 4...xd4?! is a mistake, however, f6 49.e2 f5 50.d3 g4 51.c3 f5 Unfortunately, the king and pawn conceding the centre. 5.xd4 f6 6.e4 d6 52.b2 w i t h a d v a n t a g e t o W h i t e , D e m i a n , V - ending after [ 52.xb3 xb3+ 53.xb3 f3 is simply Salahub,M/ROM-chT (CCYB 1988. ] winning, Black will capture the white f and 5.g5 b4 6.e3 So it seems that there won't g-pawns, and then queen his own f-pawn. ] be a Scotch opening, after all. 0-0 7.e2 h6 Bla ck wis h es to b re a k t h e a nn o yin g p in . 52...xa4 53.d1 a2+ 54.xb3 xf2 8.xf6 xc3+! Wrecking the white queenside 55.d6 f3+ 56.a4 h5 Black will take the pawn structure. 9.bxc3 xf6 10.0-0 d5 g3-pawn, and then the h4-pawn, when his two Black is ready to complete his development, kingside pawns will march to the eighth rank. when he will be able to turn his attention to 0-1 t h e d o u b l e d c - p a w n s . 11.b1 d8 A useful move, just in case White wanted to A00 p la y c 4 , a s n o w t h is m o ve is im p o ssib l e 24 because of the subsequent pin on the d-file. Katalymov,Boris N 12.xc6 xc6 13.d4 e6 14.f3 b6 Kupreichik,Viktor D 15.c4 By clever play White has succeeded in Minsk 1971 exchanging one of his weak c-pawns. ab8 [Nigel Davies] 16.b4 White was not satisfied with the variation I once sat next door to Ilya Smirin and was [ 16.cxd5 xd5 17.xd5 xd5 When Black amazed to see him meet 1.b4 with 1...c5!? has control of the d-file to add to his better without even a second thought. It's not at all 22
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 an easy move for White to meet and has quite a bit of shock value. 1.b4 c5 2.bxc5 [ White can of course transpose into a Wing G a m b i t w i t h 2.e4!? , though this falls outside my remit. ] 2...e5 3.e3 xc5 4.d4 I don't like this move. [ 4.c4 looks like a better idea as in Sitnikov Aveskulov. ] 4...exd4 5.exd4 e7 6.d3 d5 7.f3 c6 8.0-0 g4 9.c3 f6 Reaching a kind of mutant Petroff Defence in which W hite's bpawn has been exchange for Black's c-pawn. This would seem to be quite nice for Black because he can get play along the c-file and possibly occupy the c4 square. On the other hand it seems unlikely that the b-file will do much for W hite because Black can simply block any play there with ...b7-b6. 10.h3 h5 11.b3 c7 12.e5?! [ 12.bd2 Would have been better. The knight's position is unstable on e5 and the attempts to support it just weaken White's position. ] 12...0-0 13.f4 [ 13.f4 d6 renews the problem White has with his knight. ] 13...g6 14.f5?! Critical, but very good for Black after his combinative reply. [ 14.xg6 was more stable, though Black would have the edge because of the weakness of e4. ] 14...xe5! 15.dxe5 c5+ 16.h2 h5! 17.xd5 [ After 17.fxg6 xe5+ 18.h1 g3+ 19.h2 xf1+ 20.h1 h2# White gets mated. ] [ and 17.e1 would also be good for Black after fe8 . ] 17...ad8 [ 17...ae8! was even stronger, for example 18.e1 f2 19.e2 d8 20.f3 g3+ 21.h1 xe5 22.fxg6 fxg6! is devastating. ] 18.e4 fe8 19.fxg6 hxg6 20.xf7! This counterattack is the best chance. [ After 20.c2 there would follow xe5 21.f4 xf4 22.xf4 d6 23.h1 e2 24.c1 c5! when Black is threatening 25... Qe5. ] [ And 20.f3 is similarly bad because of xe5 21.f4 xf4 22.xf4 d6 etc. ]
20...xf7 [ Maybe Black should have taken with the ki n g a s a f t e r 20...xf7 21.xg6+ f8 22.f5+ f7 23.xf7+ xf7 White has inadequate compensation for the exchange. ] 21.c4 e6 22.xe6?! There was no need to capture straight away and indeed this frees Black's pieces for action. [ White should have played 22.f3! when f2 23.xe6 xe6 24.xf2 xe5+ 25.g3 d3 26.d2 xg3 27.f4 xf4 28.xg3 e2+ 29.h1 e4+ 30.h2 is a draw. Needless to say this isn't an easy variation for humans to calculate. ] 22...xe6 23.d2 b6? [ 23...f2 was better with ongoing attacking chances. ] 24.f3?! [ Missing his chance to play 24.c4+ h7 25.e4 when g1+ 26.h1 d1 27.e2 d8 28.b2 leaves Black struggling. ] 24...d1 25.e3?? And this loses. [ 25.c4+ h8 26.h4 was quite playable for White, in fact he's still a pawn up! ] 25...xe3! 26.c4+ [ White can't take the rook because 26.xd1 f4+ 27.h1 g3+ 28.h2 xe4+ wins the queen and mates in a few moves. ] 26...h7 27.xd1 f4+ 28.xf4 xf4 29.g5+ h6 30.f7+ h5 31.d4 g5 An exciting game! 0-1
25 Kokolias,Konstantinos Romanov,Evgeny IX EICC Plovdiv BUL (1) [Carsten Hansen]
A00 2211 2547 21.04.2008
1.c3 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.xe4 d7 4.c4 gf6 [ This is fully playable, but allows White's next move which creates complications which aren't necessarily unfavourable for W hite. Therefore in "Beating Unusual Chess Openings" Palliser gives preference to the more solid 4...e6!? For further details, you should invest in that excellent book. ] 5.xf7+!? 23
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Keilhack, but Palliser continues playfully [ This option is the principal reason why with the following (and admitted computerPalliser chose 4...e6 as his recommendation. assisted) variation: 15.f2 b7 16.c7 Now the material unbalance creates unclear c5+ 17.d4 xd4+ 18.e3! e5! complications that are not entirely easy to 19.c4 xh2+ 20.f1 xc7 21.xe6+ deal with when you show up unprepared on f8 22.d1! e5! 23.xd7 ( 23.c5+!? either side of the board. Yet, with this being xc5 24.d8+ xd8 25.xe5 something as unusual as the Dunst Opening, isn't mentioned by Palliser, but is also it is quite likely that White will be the lower rather unclear) 23...a6+ 24.e2 xe3 rated player and the one who knows more 25.f5+ g8 26.d5+ f8 27.f5+ about this variation. The alternatives with a draw by perpetual check.; available to W hite are the following: D) 9...xg2 10.f3 xf3 11.xf3 e8 5.xf6+ ] ( 11...b6 12.c7 b7 13.e2 e5 [ 5.d3 ] 14.xe5 xh1 ) 12.a4 b6 13.a5 b7 [ 5.g5 ] 14.e2 xa8 15.axb6 xf3+ 16.xf3 [ 5.g3 ] axb6 This position is rather unusual[ 5.e2 All of which are discussed in detail looking with White's king being the only in the amazingly meticulous book "Knight on piece developed by W hite. It is being the Left: 1 Nc3" by Harald Keilhack. This evaluated as unclear by both Keilhack and book is a must for anybody remotely Palliser, but I have to admit that I prefer interested in 1 Nc3. ] White with his rooks that can easily be put 5...xf7 6.g5+ g8 7.e6 e8 8.xc7 i n t o p l a y , e . g . 17.d4 e5 18.e1 d8 , and W hite is on top, Van den Berg, A[ Black has another important option in Hicker, H/Lignano Sabbiadoro ITA 2005 ] 8...g6 9.xa8 and now Black has several 9.xa8 moves to choose between: [ 9.e2!? is an interesting alternative, which A) 9...d5 10.f3 ( 10.d3 b6 11.f3 i s n ' t m e n t i o n e d b y P a l l i s e r . N o w b6 b7 12.c7 e6 13.e2 e5 14.g3 is more or less forced, e.g. 10.xa8 xa8 xg3 15.fxg3 xc7 16.f4 d6 17.0-0 11.f3 d5 12.c4 h5 13.e5 xe2+ is also better for White) 10...7f6 11.e2 14.xe2 g6 15.d4 g7 16.e3 e5 12.g3 d6 13.0-0 g4 was played , and W hite has the better chances in Krajnak, M-Obsivac, J/Olomouc 1998, Chandler, P-Rutkowski, J/Griesheim 2000 ] and now 14.b3 f7 15.h3 gf6 16.d4 e6 17.c4 ( 17.dxe5 xe5 18.c4 e7 9...e5?! [ This is problematic for Black. Instead 19.e3 c6 20.f4 d6 21.b3 e7 p r e f e r e n c e s h o u l d b e g i v e n t o 9...e5 22.b2 ) 17...f4 18.xf4 xc4 19.c2 , although my computer initially hates the exf4 20.fc1 b5 21.b3 d5 22.c8+ move, e.g. 10.d4 d6 11.f3 ( 11.dxe5 e8 23.xe8+ xe8 24.c3! c6 xe5 12.e3 g4 13.d4 f7 14.e2 25.a4! with all the winning chances be c6 15.d2 b4 16.c3 xd2+ 17.xd2 squarely on White's side; d6 , Tolonen, J-Sisatto, O/FIN 2001, and B) 9...e5? 10.f1 f5 11.d3 d5 now White's best is 18.f3 e6 19.f4 d7 12.e2 e8 13.c7 xc7 14.f4 b5 20.b6 axb6 21.he1 with a complicated 15.c4 xb2 16.b1 xa2 17.xe5 e6 position, and chances to both sides, though I 18.a1 1-0 Steger, G-Thoeny, H/Wattens give W hite a slight preference) 11...e4 2000; 12.g5 ( 12.e5 xe5 13.dxe5 a5+ C) 9...b5!? 10.f3 ( 10.c7? xg2 14.d2 xe5 15.c3 e7 16.d2 e3 11.f3 b7-+; 10.f3!? c5 11.d4 b7 17.xe3 xe3+ 18.fxe3 g4 19.0-0 f7 12.g3! (Keilhack) xg2 13.dxc5 xh1 , and Black has the better chances thanks to 14.c7 is messy, but probably better for his bishop pair, and W hite's impractical White ) 10...d5 11.e2 f4 12.xb5 pawn structure, Van Geet, D-Henneberke, xg2 13.c4+ e6 14.xf4 xh1 F/Beverwijk 1964) 12...h6 13.e6 e7 with an uncle ar position according to 24
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 14.f4 h7 15.e3 b6 16.c3 b7 17.xb6 xb6 18.0-0 f8 with a complicated position with chances to both sides, Spice, A-Hinks Edwards, T/ England 1997. Van Geet claims W hite is b e t t e r , wh e r e a s K e i l h a c k a n d P a l l i s e r claim serious counterplay for Black, I call m y e va lu a t io n t o b e so m e wh e re in t h e middle, White's better, but he will have to be seriously careful. ] [ 9...c5 10.d4 a6 11.f3 e6 12.g5 e7 13.h3 d7 , Pel, B-Van Beek, L/ Hoogeveen 1998, and now 14.0-0-0 b5 15.d5! xd5 16.xe7 xe7 17.he1 l o o k s l i k e a wi n n e r f o r W h i t e , e . g . f6 18.xd5 xf3 19.gxf3 exd5 20.e8+ f7 21.xh8 ] 10.d4!? [ White should definitely consider 10.e2!? , for instance c6 11.c4+ e6 12.f3 ( 12.b4!? deserves attention, e.g. xb4 13.b2 d7 14.xf6 xf6 15.b1 f7 16.c7 a6 17.f3 , and White has excellent winning chances) 12...d7 13.0-0 d5 14.d4 d6 15.e1 ( 15.d3 xa8 16.c4 f6 17.e1 is another attractive option for White) 15...xa8 16.e5 xe5 17.dxe5 e7 18.c3 f7 , and a draw was, very prematurely, agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, in Mannhart, M-Rouchouse, S/Turin ITA 2006 after 19.g4 c8 20.c4 b6 21.b3 White appears to have the better chances. ] 10...f7 11.f3 e6 12.xb7?! [ 12.e2! d5 13.f3 xa8 14.0-0 b6 15.c4 xf3 16.xf3 xf3 17.gxf3 e6 18.f4 appears to be better for White, but it isn't entirely clear. ] 12...d5 13.c7 xa8 [ Or 13...xg2!? 14.xd8 xd8 15.f3 xh1 16.f2 e6 17.e3 g5 , and now 18.e2 g4+ 19.fxg4 xa8 20.c4 h5 is clearly better for Black ] 14.f3 e6 [ 14...e5!? looks attractive, e.g. 15.dxe5 b4+ ( or 15...e8 16.h3 d6 17.xa7 xe5 18.0-0 c8 19.f2 xc2 20.g5 g6 21.h3 with complications that appear better for White) 16.c3 e8 17.d7 xe5 18.f5 d6 19.e2 g6 20.c2 xf3 21.gxf3 xf3+ 22.f2 g7 with an unclear position, but I prefer Black because his king
is marginally safer ] 15.e2 d6 16.a5 b8 17.a6 g6 [ On 17...e5 , W hite replies 18.0-0 exd4 19.f4 e5 20.a4 f7 21.h1 with the better chances for White ] [ Or 17...c7 18.b3 e5 19.0-0 exd4 20.f4 e5 21.ae1 b7 22.a4 , and W hite can start thinking about consolidating his material advantage ] 18.f2 [ 18.b3!? begs to be considered, e.g. b7 19.d3 e5 20.0-0 exd4 21.f4 c8 22.xd4 , and White's position is clearly preferable ] 18...c7 [ 18...e5?! is p re m a tu re : 19.dxe5 xe5 20.d1 c5+ 21.f1 , and White is getting ready to consolidate his material advantage ] 19.d3? [ This move allows Black to grab the initiative with a firm hand. This premature retreat somewhat reminds me of the game Nimzowitsch-Capablanca, St. Petersburg 1914. The white queen should not retreat unless it is absolutely necessary, because it provides threats against Black's pieces on a6, whereas on d3 it is more passive and becomes a target of Black's pieces. Therefore W hite should consider 19.b3!? b7 20.c4! ( 20.d3 e5!? is more complicated) 20...b6! ( 20...xc4 21.bxc4 g7 22.c5 c7 23.b1 a6 24.c4! xc4 25.f4 , and White should win ) 21.a4! a6 22.a5! b7 23.xe6 g7 24.h6+! xh6 25.xd6 f5 26.f4 xe2 27.he1! with a complicated game and chances for both sides. ] 19...e5! 20.c3 b7 21.dxe5?! [ 21.f1!? appears to be a better option for White ] 21...xe5 22.d4 g7 23.d3 c8 24.e3 [ 24.b3? i s m e t b y t h e a m a z i n g e4! 25.fxe4 c3! 26.d1 xe4+ 27.f1 b6 , and it's goodnight for White ] 24...b8 [ This leads to a forced sequence of moves, which ends up with an advantage for Black. Yet Black may be able to even better with 24...xb2!? 25.hb1 c3 , and Black is 25
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 clearly better. But Black probably preferred a more controlled environment ] 25.b3 xh2 26.c4 e5 27.d2 eg4+! 28.f1 xe3+ 29.xe3 f7 30.e1 h5!? 31.c3? [ This leads to a lost position for White. Instead White should have played 31.xh2! xh2 32.g5 f4 ( 32...f4 33.e4 is better for White) 33.xf4 xf4 34.e7 , and W hite is still in the game, though Black should have the better chances ] 31...g3+ 32.f2 xh1+ 33.xh1 g3+ 34.f1 g8 and here the game ended on account of 35 Ne2 Bxc4!, which spells the ultimate end of White's games 0-1
strange positioning of the black queen prove a p r o b l e m ? 4.e3 White can also consider hitting the e5-pawn directly, by [ 4.f3 but after e4 5.d4 c6 6.e3 xd4!? 7.xd4 g6 White had some problems developing his kingside in Gielen, W-Lucas,F/Dieren 1990. ] 4...f6 5.d3 bd7 6.f3 c6 Black has successfully defended his central pawns, it remains to finish his development. 7.e2 g6 8.c4 g7 The king's bishop is certainly betterplaced on g7 than on the a3-f8 diagonal, as it s m o ve m e n t wo u l d b e h i n d e re d b y t h e queen. 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.0-0 0-0 It remains for Black to find a place for his queen's bishop, and his opening will be a success. 11.c3 a6 12.c1 b6 13.c2 [ 13.b3 Is a more active square for the 26 A00 queen. ] 13...b7 14.h3?! I am not so keen on this Lalic,Bogdan move, it might be time for White to try direct Uhlmann,Wolfgang Sarajevo 1980 action with [ 14.d4 e4 15.d2 , as Black now takes [Tony Kosten] matter into his own hands. ] 14...d4! Grabbing more space. 15.d1 ac8 1.b4 d5 [ 1...f6 2.b2 d5 could transpose into the 16.b1 d5 The logical follow-up, the knight next note, but King's Indian players are is targeting the sensitive squares e3, and c3. m o re li k e l y t o t r y ( 2...g6 3.c4 g7 17.e1 [ 17.e4 Is hardly any better, because of which transposes out of my 'area'. )] f4 ] 2.b2 18.fxe3 b5 19.f1 7b6 [ 2.a3?! takes provocation too far, Black 17...dxe3 would reply e5 with a strong centre as in the The 'other' black knight has found has also Hebden game, mentioned in the notes to found itself a good outpost, on a4. 20.d2 a4 21.a1 f5 Reminding White that Black ?? ] 2...d6!? A very ambitious move, suggested is also better on the kingside. 22.b3 fe8 a8 24.c3 Black's pieces can by Andersson, attacking the b4-pawn, and 23.a5 hardly expect to find better placements than preparing ...e5. [ 2...f6 3.e3 e6 is more normal, and quite they have already, so it is clearly time for a solid, White replies 4.b5 as the b-pawn was co mb ina t io n : xb2 25.xb2 e4 26.d4 White will pay for his lack of darkhanging, c5 5.f3 d6 6.c4 bd7 7.d3 xe3! 0-0 8.bd2 b6 9.e2 b7 as in Sokolsky- squared bishop. 27.e2 [ 27.xe3 xd4 pins the rook, and wins Keres, USSR Ch. 1950, when Black has a everything. ] pleasant development, but W hite a 28.xc8 xc8 29.c1 f8 q u e e n s i d e s p a c e a d v a n t a g e , a n d t h e 27...f4 White has had enough. straight-forward plan of a4-5. ] 0-1 3.a3 Tisdall has proposed the line [ 3.b5!? b4 4.e5 but, after xb5 5.xc7 c5 6.g3 c6 Black appears to have the edge, as ...e5 is threatened. ] 3...e5 So, Black ha s achieved his aim- setting up a pawn centre, will it be strong, or will the 26
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 27 Larsen,Bent Calvo Minguez,Ricardo Palma de Mallorca (10) [Nigel Davies]
A00 28
1968
1.g3 g6 2.g2 g7 3.c3 c5 4.d3 c6 5.a3 I really like this super-flexible move. White is adopting a plan reminiscent of the Panno lines of the King's Indian Defence, aiming to undermine Black's central control wi t h b 2 - b 4 . e6 6.f3 d6 7.g5 d7 Black is showing signs of being completely baffled by Larsen's provocative play. [ It must surely be better to play 7...f6 8.d2 ge7 , reserving the decision as to where to place his queen. But even so I prefer White after 9.b1 followed by b2-b4. ] 8.0-0 f6 9.d2 h6 10.b1 [ 10.b4!? was already possible because cxb4 11.axb4 xb4 12.e4 threatens both Bxb4 and Bxh6 followed by Nxf6+. ] 10...0-0 11.b4 cxb4 12.axb4 f7 13.b5 e7 14.c1 Larsen's manoeuvres are masterful. Here his queen is headed for a3 from where it will add to the pressure on B la ck ' s p o s it io n wh ilst a t t h e sa m e t im e maintaining great flexibility with his centre. e5 15.a3 d8 16.b4 The rook is headed for a4 from where it will add to the pressure on the a -f ile . e6 17.a4 c8 18.b1 f5 19.b6 a6 [ 19...xb6 20.xa7 would be very unpleasant for Black because of the weakness of b7. ] 20.e1 e4 [ 20...d5 would have been better, though White still has strong pressure after 21.a5 e4 22.a4 intending Na4-c5. ] 21.e3 d5 22.c5 f6? Rather premature desperation. [ 22...cd6 was a much better move. ] 23.b5 d8 24.c7 b8 25.d4 e5 26.a1 S h a d e s o f R i c h a r d R e t i . d7 27.xd5 d6 28.a5 b5 29.c4 xb6 30.xb6 f3+ 31.xf3 1-0
Larsen,Bent Gheorghiu,Florin (ol) Havana [Nigel Davies]
A00
1966
1.g3 g6 2.g2 g7 3.c3!? The more I look at this move the more I like it Larsen develops a piece whilst maintaining a very flexible pawn structure. c5 4.d3 c6 5.f4 [ Larsen would subsequently show a liking for 5.a3!? , even keeping a decision about his fpawn in reserve. The games against Calvo and Lehmann provide good examples of this. ] 5...e6 [ Black can also play 5...d6 followed by 6... e5 when White's best may be to transpose into a Closed Sicilian with a later e2-e4. This might be the reason why Larsen switched to 5.a3. ] 6.f3 ge7 7.0-0 0-0 8.a3 [ 8.e4 would transpose into a Closed Sicilian Larsen's move gives the game an independent character. ] 8...f5 This looks a bit odd to me Black is fighting for the d4 square when W hite can simply protect it at some point with e2-e3. [ 8...d5 was certainly an alternative when W h it e co u ld ch o o se b e t we e n 9 . e 4 a n d c o n t i n u i n g t o ' f i s h a r o u n d ' wi t h 9 . B d 2 intending Rb1 and b2-b4. ] 9.b1 b8 10.e4 b6 [ 10...e7 might have been a better idea, maintaining the option of ...b7-b6. ] 11.f2 d5 12.g4! fd4 13.d2! Highlighting the inadequacy of Black's plan of putting a knight on d4. As long as it cannot exchange itself it can simply be driven away. d8 14.e4 e7 15.c3 dc6 16.f3 f5 17.gxf5 gxf5 18.e5 d4?! A serious mistake which allows White to close the position and leave Black without any counterplay. [ 18...a5!? was a better chance for Black to get some counterplay. ] 19.c4 b5 20.d2 a5 [ 20...bxc4 21.dxc4 would allow White's f2 knight to come to d3 and attack the weak pawn on c5. ] 21.c2 b4 22.h1! The start of a profound manoeuvre the knight wants to go to h5. d7 27
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 23.g3 e8 24.a1 Threatening to penetrate along the a-file, which encourages Gheorghiu to close the queenside altogether. This leaves White's kingside play as the only game in town. b3 25.d1 h6 26.e2 h8 27.ae1 a4 28.g5 c8 29.h5 g8 30.f3 ce7 31.g2 g6 32.h3! W hite's pressure is manifesting itself into direct threats. W hite wants to play 33.Nf6. xg5 33.fxg5 c6 34.f6 f7 35.xc6 xc6 36.g3 fc8 37.h4 Black's problem here is that he has no counterplay. So White c a n i m p r o v e h i s p o s i t i o n a t l e i s u r e . f8 38.e2 6c7 39.g2 d7 40.f4 gxf6 41.exf6 c6 42.h5! h6 [ After 42...xh5 there would follow 43.h2 g4 ( 43...f7 44.g6 ) 44.xg4 fxg4 45.g6 xf6 46.e5 etc. ] 43.g6 xf6 44.xh6 e5 45.h3 e6 46.xf5 xf5 47.xf5 e4 48.f7 1-0
29 Larsen,Bent Lehmann,Heinz Palma de Mallorca (12) [Nigel Davies]
A00
1968
1.g3 g6 2.g2 g7 3.c3 c5 4.d3 c6 5.a3 f6 6.b1 a5 A controversial decision, preventing W hite's b2-b4 but at the cost of creating a weakness on b5. 7.a4 0-0 8.f3 [ 8.f4!? is also worth considering here, taking more space on the kingside. ] 8...d6 [ 8...d5 was certainly another possibility, for example 9.0-0 e5 10.g5 h6 11.xf6 xf6 12.d2 e6 13.e4 d4 14.d5 b4 ma ke s it d if f icult f or W h ite t o m ain ta in control of d5. ] 9.0-0 e8 10.e3 d4 11.xd4 cxd4 12.b5 e5 13.c3 d7 [ Maybe 13...c7 was better, though I still like W hite after 14.xc7 xc7 15.cxd4 exd4 16.c1 b6 17.d2 intending 18. Nc4. ] 14.cxd4 xb5 15.axb5 exd4 16.a4 d7 17.fc1 [ The simple 17.xd4 was worth considering as after xd4 18.xd4 xb5 19.fc1
Black has a truly miserable position. ] 17...c7 18.xd4 xd4 19.xd4 xb5 20.a4 fd8 21.e3 a7 22.h4 [ And here 22.b4 looks highly unpleasant for Black, for example da8 23.d4 e8 24.h4 g7 25.d5 c7 26.xe8 xe8 27.bxa5 xa5 28.xb7 leaves White with all the chances. ] 22...c7 23.d4 b5 24.b6 b8 25.c6 c7 26.xb5 bxc6 27.xc6 xc6 28.xc6 The rook endgame is also good for White but Larsen doesn't make the most of his chances. a4 29.a1? It looks like Larsen missed something here though it's not quite clear to me what it was. [ 29.cc1 would maintain the extra pawn and leave Black struggling for the draw. ] 29...xb2 30.a3 d5 31.d4 a5 32.c7 h5 33.g2 g7 34.f3 f6 35.c1 e6 36.ca1 b4 37.f4 f6 38.f3 a8 39.c1 d6 40.c5 c4 41.b5 c6 42.b1 e8 43.g4 hxg4 44.fxg4 e4+ 45.g3 f5 46.gxf5 gxf5 47.h1 f4+ 48.exf4 cxd4 49.f3 e8 50.h5 g8+ 51.h4 a3 52.h6 a2 53.f2 a4 54.a1 d6 55.h5 a3 56.h2 e6 57.h7 h8 ½-½
30 Larsen,Bent Panno,Oscar Palma de Mallorca [Nigel Davies]
A00
1969
1.g3 g6 2.g2 g7 3.c3 e5 [ This looks like a more solid approach than 3...c5 because playing for b2-b4 would now be rather pointless for W hite. Instead he must play on the kingside with f2-f4. ] 4.d3 c6 [ Black might also try 4...d6 in order to ma in t ain t h e p o ssib ility o f .. . c7 -c5 , f o r example 5.f4 e7 6.f3 c5 7.0-0 bc6 8.e4 transposes into the Botvinnik Variation of the Closed Sicilian. Of course there's no need for W hite to rush into 8.e4 and he might also play f or b2-b4 with 8.Bd2 intending 9.a3 and 10. Rb1. ] 5.f4 d6 6.f3 ge7 7.0-0 0-0 8.e4 h6!? 9.e3 d4 10.d2 h7 11.ae1 e6 28
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 12.h4 [ T h e i m m e d i a t e 12.f5!? was also worth considering, for example gxf5 13.xd4 exd4 14.e2 c5 15.h4 fxe4 16.xe4+ f5 17.xb7 b8 18.f4 f7 19.f3 xb2 20.e6 gives White strong play on the light squares. ] 12...exf4 13.gxf4 ec6 14.f3 [ 14.f2 would have been strongly met by g5! 15.fxg5 xg5! ] [ whilst 14.f2 runs into xc2! 15.xg6 fxg6 . ] 14...xf3+ 15.xf3 f5 16.h1 f6 17.d5!? [ 17.d4? would not be good because of xd4 18.e5 dxe5 19.fxe5 xf3 20.exf6 xd2 21.fxg7 fd8 when White finds himself the exchange down. ] [ B u t h e m i g h t h a v e c o n s i d e r e d 17.g3 to put pressure on the weakened g6 pawn. ] 17...f7 [ It's not clear what Larsen intended after 17...xb2 because 18.xc7 is strongly met by c3 19.c1 xa2 , leaving White struggling to find adequate play. ] 18.c4 ae8 19.f2 a6 20.b3 b8 21.c1 c6 22.e3 d7 23.exf5 xf5 24.xf5 gxf5 25.xe8 xe8 26.h3 c5 27.b4 e6 28.e3 c3 29.g3?! f6?! [ 29...xb4 seems playable here and expose s the chancy nature of L arsen's previous move. ] 30.a3 e7 31.g1 g7 32.b6 e6 33.c2 f6 34.g2 f7 35.a4! With Black tied down on the kingside White operates on the other flank. The idea is to play b4-b5 to gain control of the d5 square. e8 36.f3 d8 37.f2 h5? 38.d4! g8 39.b1 h4 40.b5 axb5 41.axb5 c5 42.c3 Threatening to penetrate Black's position via t h e a - f i l e . e8?! 43.g1 And Black's last move presented White with more fertile fields on the other flank. White is now threatening Qxh5. g8?! 44.xf5+! 1-0
31
A00 Linqvist,Grels Sorenfors,Per
corr [Tony Kosten]
1975
1.b4 e5 2.b2 This counter-attack is probably better than passively defending the b4-pawn by [ 2.a3 as this allows Black to build a strong centre A) 2...a5 3.b2 e4!? is also interesting, 4.c4 f6 5.b3 a6! so as to answer b5 with ...Nc5, 6.bxa5?! this is too helpful for Black, as the b-pawn is not really attacked, ( maybe 6.c3 is possible, axb4 7.axb4 and the pawn is immune, because of the pin along the a-file.) 6...c5 7.c2 d6 8.e3 f5 and White can hardly develop a sin gle p ie ce , Fo rga cs, G - Fo rin t o s , G / Hungary 1981.; B) 2...d5 3.e3 f6 4.b2 d6 Defending e5 and continuing to develop n a t u r a l l y . ( 4...d6 Appears silly, but would, in fact, transpose into the game Lalic-Uhlmann.) 5.c4 c6 Black wants to keep his centre intact, of course. 6.f3 e7 7.e2 this is better than ( 7.c3 when d4! caused no end of problems, 8.e2 g4 9.exd4 xf3 10.gxf3 exd4 11.xd4 a5 and White's extra pawn was scant compensation, with his king stuck in the centre, and the e-file open, Welling,GSadler,M/Ostende 1991.) 7...0-0 8.c3 dxc4 9.xc4 bd7 10.c2 b6 11.e2 h6 12.h3 e4 Black enjoys extra space, and good piece-play, Steffens,O-Hebden, M/Hastings 1995. ] 2...xb4 Black banks on quick development. 3.xe5 f6 4.c4 As White has no pawn presence in the centre, it is normal that he should want to keep some control like this, but it m a y b e b e t t e r t o a t t e m p t t o c o m p l e t e development first, [ 4.f3 0-0 5.e3 e8 and now 6.e2 would continue this policy, the disadvantage is that, after ( 6.c4?! d5! 7.cxd5 xd5 would return to the main game.) 6...d5 7.0-0 bd7 8.b2 b6 9.d3 b7 10.bd2 d6 11.e1 c5 Black has a wonderful position, with more space, Campora, D-German,G/ 29
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Lomas de Zamorra op 1995, and there are certainly other effective ways to play this for Black. ] 4...0-0 5.e3 'All roads lead to Rome' here, and [ 5.f3 will probably transpose after e8 although in Afifi,A-Hakki,I/GM B, Cairo EGY 1997, White tried ( or 5...d5 6.cxd5 xd5 7.e3 e8 also bringing us to the main game, ) 6.a3 instead of ( 6.e3 d5 7.cxd5 xd5 transposing, but it didn't seem to i m p r o v e W h i t e ' s p r o s p e c t s , f o r a f t e r :) 6...a5 7.e3 d5 Black continuing in id en tica l st yle , 8.cxd5 xd5 9.b3?! b u t w i t h t h e e x t r a m o v e s , ( 9.e2 would now be possible, as xe5?! 10.xe5 f6 is now met by 11.c4 xa1 12.xa5 so Black should play something else at move nine, like 9...c5, with an edge.) 9...c6 10.b2 e6 11.c2 g4 12.a4 xe3!? once again exploiting the pin on the e1-a5 diagonal, 13.fxe3 xe3+ 14.d1 h4 15.b5? ( 15.c4! was the only chance, with the cute tactical point xf3 16.gxf3 xf3+ 17.c1 xh1?? 18.xf7+ wi n n i n g t h e b l a c k q u e e n .) 15...xf3 winning. ] 5...d5 6.cxd5 This might be a mistake, but even after [ 6.f3 e7!? redeploying the bishop, ( b u t I h a v e p l a y e d 6...e8 with a transposition to the main game after 7.cxd5 xd5 ) 7.e2 c5 8.b2 c6 9.cxd5 ( Adorjan suggests that 9.0-0 f5! 10.a3 d4 is also better for Black.) 9...xd5 10.0-0 f6! Black counters White's best piece. 11.d4 this doesn't turn out so well, but ( 11.c1 e8 12.a3 b6 13.d4 xd4! is also good for Black, Teichmann, E-Allen,K/Southampton 1986.) 11...cxd4 12.xd4 b6! 13.d2 xd4 14.xd4 xd4 15.exd4 e6 16.a3 ac8 and Black enjoys a positional advantage, because of the weak d4-pawn, Urzica,AAdorjan,A/ Sweden 1970. ] 6...xd5 7.f3 e8! Preparing a devilish tra p, int o wh ic h W hite o f t en f alls! 8.e2? This move loses, and [ 8.c3?! i s n o t m u c h b e t t e r , xe5!? 9.xe5 xc3 10.b3 d5 11.e4 xd2+ with a strong attack. ] [ 8.b2 might be best, although after f5
( Yudovic has suggested that 8...f4 9.c2 c6 is even better for Black, but I am not so sure, myself.) 9.d4 g6 10.e2 c5 11.b3?! c4! 12.d4 d7 coming to e5, thence d3, Black had a large advantage, Bobrov-Yusupov, USSR 1974. ] 8...xe5! This move devastates the white position. 9.xe5 f6 10.f4 What else, the knight is pinned, and [ 10.d3 xa1 is clearly hopeless. ] 10...xe3 The d-pawn is pinned! 11.b3 xg2+ 12.d1 xf4 The dust has settled, and Black has obtained three pawns for the exchange , plus a winning attack. 13.xf7 xf7 This is good, but [ 13...e6 14.xb4 xa1 is probably even better. ] 14.c4 e6 15.xe6 xe6 16.e1 Not [ 16.xb4?? f3+ ] 16...c6 17.xe6 xe6 18.xe6 d6 Picking off another pawn, as 19.h4? e5! 20.c3 f8 Wins back the exchange, because of the twin threats of ...Rf1+, and ... Kf7, trapping the e6-rook. 0-1
32 McDonald,Neil R Thipsay,Bagyashree Sathe Ron Banwell Masters (6) [Neil McDonald]
A00 2406 2241 23.08.2001
1.a3 White wanted to try the Dutch with an extra tempo! d5 [ Or 1...e5 2.e4 f6 3.c3 and Black can't reach the Ruy Lopez reversed as the little pawn on a3 is preventing 3...Bb4. Nor is the Scotch that great because if d5 4.exd5 xd5 5.h5! and Black can't play the usual riposte 5... Nb4 again thanks to the pawn on a3. Of course none of this prevents Black from having a decent position, but it might be upsetting for a player to be denied his usual opening systems. ] 2.f4 f6 3.f3 g6 4.g3 g7 5.g2 0-0 6.0-0 c5 7.d3 c6 8.c3 White has reached the 7...Nc6 Leningrad with colours reversed. d4 9.a4 [ A l s o i n t e r e s t i n g w a s 9.e4 xe4 ( M o r e s e n s i b l e m i g h t b e 9...d5!? ) 30
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 10.dxe4 when we have the 7...Nc6 8 d5 Ne5 9 Nxe5 dxe5 variation with colours reversed. In some lines the inclusion of a3 will help White as a standard idea is Qe1 combined with h2-h3 and g3-g4 to bring the queen to the kingside. Here he can do it withou t worrying about the reply Nb4 hitting the c2 pawn. ] 9...d6 [ Here 9...d7 10.c4 c7 11.d2 b6 12.b4 b7 13.b1 should be compar ed with the analysis in ****MadeukweMcDonald with reversed colours. ] 10.c4 g4!? [ Safe enough was 10...dxc3 but aiming at the e3 square makes sense. ] 11.b1 b8 12.b4 b6 13.bxc5 bxc5 14.b5! White finds a way to gain the initiative on the queenside, though it doesn't amount to much advantage- the hole on e3 continually h a m p e r s h i s a b i l i t y t o m a n o e u v r e . xb5 15.cxb5 d8 16.c2 e6 17.f5 gxf5 18.h4 f6? During the game I had thought that I had the advantage here but in fact [ 18...c7! leaves White with nothing e.g. 19.xf5 xf5 20.xf5 xb5 and the knight gets to c3. ] 19.xf5 e5 20.b6! Now White takes control. axb6 21.xb6 g7 22.c4 c7 23.f4 d8 24.h6+ xh6 25.xh6 e5 26.a4 e8 27.a5 e6 [ Losing the exchange, but if 27...f5 28.a6! xh6 ( 28...xa6 29.xf5 ) 29.a7 and the pawn queens. ] 28.c6! g7 29.xe8 xh6 30.xf7+ g7 31.xe6 xe6 32.a6 a8 33.b1! xa6 [ If 33...xc4 34.b7+ xb7 35.axb7 e3+ 36.f2 xf2+ 37.xf2 ] 34.b8 xc4 35.f8+ White gave some checks to safely reach the time control. g6 36.f5+ g7 37.xe5+ g8 38.e8+ g7 39.f8+ g6 40.f5+ g7 41.dxc4 1-0
33 McDonald,Neil R Thipsay,Praveen Mahadeo Ron Banwell Masters [Neil McDonald]
A00
2001
1.a3 g6 2.f4 g7 3.f3 d5 4.g3 d7!? Thipsay avoids the usual Dutch Def ence k n i g h t d e p l o ym e n t wi t h c 7 - c 5 a n d N c 6 . Evidently he had been talking to his wife, as against her a couple of rounds earlier in the tournament I had played a Leningrad reversed with Nc3- see ****McDonald-B.Thipsay. 5.g2 gf6 6.0-0 0-0 7.d3 c5 8.e1 Black's idea was that if [ 8.c3 d4 9.a4? b5 wins material- the black knight is on d7 rather than its usual c6 square so that c5 is defended. Still, d7 is a more passive square than c6 so in some sense it felt like a small moral victory to White. ] 8...d4 9.c3?! White drops another tempo! Here [ 9.c4! was correct. ] 9...b6! I had thought the knight would be badly placed on b6- I had completely missed that it can land on a4 in what follows. 10.c4 c7 11.h3 d8 12.b4? Still missing Black's 13th move. I should have acted on the kingside with [ 12.g4 and 13 Qh4. ] 12...h5! Preventing 13 g4. 13.bd2 a4! Black's knights take control on both sides of the board. 14.b3 [ More accurate was 14.e4 centralising the knight. ] 14...b6! Thipsay is playing superb positional and tactical chess. 15.bxc5? Giving away the b file is a serious mistake. I was thrown by the fact that if [ 15.fxd4 b7! 16.b5 d7 17.xb7 xb7 and not only is a1 hanging but the knight on b5 is trapped and threatened with 18...a6. ] 15...bxc5 16.h2 c3 17.e4! The only way to gain space before W hite is put in a stranglehold after 17...Rb8, etc. b8 18.bd2 h6! 19.e5 f6? Finally Black goes wrong. After the game Thipsay told me he had planned to play [ 19...f6! 20.g4 xg4 21.hxg4 xf4! 31
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 22.gxf4 xf4+ 23.h3 ( White's pieces are t i e d u p a f t e r 23.h1 g3 24.f2 but it is the best chance for him.) 23...h5! but he couldn't quite assess how strong the attack was. It looks tremendous, for example 24.f3 hxg4+ 25.xg4 g7 and 26...Rh8+ will be very strong. ] 20.df3 b3 21.g5! Now White has counterplay. f8 22.f5! Hereabouts the game descended into a time scramble-not so surprising as we had both been thinking hard since move one! xe5 23.f3 c7 24.xh6 e8 25.e5 h5 26.g4 g7 27.fxg6 hxg6 28.h1 b7 29.f2 f8 30.ae1 b6 31.h4 b2? [ He had to eliminate the knight with 31...xf3 ] 32.xg7 xg7 33.g5! xg2+ 34.g1 Suddenly the game is over. Black resigned for if h8 35.xf7+ g8 36.f8+ xf8 37.xh8# 1-0
34 Mestrovic,Zvonimir Sermek,Drazen ch-(team) Pula CRO (7) [Tony Kosten]
A00 2466 2545 16.09.1999
1.c3 c5 2.e4!? There is still a place for originality in chess! This amazing move hopes t o p r o v o k e t h e b l a c k p a wn s f o r w a r d . e6 A sensible e, defending the c5-pawn, and preparing to repel the knight. Actually, it is this move that is new, as W hite's second move has already been employed, [ in Mestrovic,Z-Hulak,K/Zagreb 1977, Black played 2...e5 instead, and after 3.g3 d5 4.e4 f6 5.d3 c6 6.e2 e7 7.f3 0-0 8.0-0 e8 9.h3 h6 10.h2 d4 11.g4 xe2+ 12.xe2 xg4 13.hxg4 e6 14.f5 f6 15.c4 d4 16.g3 h7 17.g2 White was doing well. ] 3.g3 d5 4.e4 dxe4 Rather a limp reply, Black is clearly happy with equality. 5.xe4 e7 6.f3 f6 7.b5+ d7 8.xd7+ xd7 9.e2 xe4 10.xe4 c6 11.0-0 0-0 12.d3 f6 Black has no particular problems here, for sure, but [ 12...d4 13.xd4 cxd4 might have been
more interesting, hoping to pressurize the backward c-pawn straightaway. ] 13.g5 g6 14.h4 h5 15.f4 g7 16.e4 e7 17.g5 White has managed to drum-up a lit t le p la y a ro u nd t h e d a rk squ a re s . b6 18.xe7 xe7 19.b1 c6 20.d2 ad8 21.c3 d4 [ 21...b4! looks stronger, to me, as after 22.xb4 cxb4 Black keeps the bishop's diagonal open. ] 22.xd4 cxd4 23.f4 d7 24.be1 c8 25.e2 dc7 26.ff2 White has only one weakness, the pawn on c2, and this is easily defended. f8 ½-½
35 Minasian,Artashes Becerra Rivero,Julio It Los Angeles USA (8) [Tony Kosten]
A00 2571 2569 25.08.2003
1.g3 It is nice to see strong GMs playing this move, I sometimes try it myself, with reasonable success. g6 2.g2 g7 3.e4 e5 4.e2 c6 5.c3 ge7 6.d4 exd4 7.cxd4 d5! We have discussed this idea before. 8.e5 f6 Attacking the pawn head-on forces White to close the c1-h6 diagonal. [ 8...0-0 9.0-0 f5 10.a3 f6 11.f4 is f airly similar, Ubeira,E-Prol,I/Burgas 1999. ] 9.f4 e6!? A new move, although the [ 9...0-0 10.0-0 g4 of Polgar,Z-Xie Jun/ Jaen 1996, seems pretty effective - see the archives. ] 10.bc3 d7 11.h3 f5 Black plays this to stop White from playing Be3. 12.0-0 0-0-0!? A really aggressive choice, especially c o n s i d e r i n g t h e o p e n c - f i l e . 13.a4!? A case of 'you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs'! White concedes control of b4 but judges the b5 square to be more im p o rt a n t . a5!? Putting paid to the a-pawn's advance, but breaking the rule concerning not moving pawns in front of the king. It is true that other moves allow W hite to establish control of c5, e.g. [ 13...b8 14.a5 a6 15.a4 although even here f8 seems more than playable. ] 32
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 14.b5 Adding useful support to the d4-pawn, a s w e l l a s m e n a c i n g t h e b l a c k k i n g . b6 15.d2 b7 16.c1 White's play on the queenside seems to be the dominant factor here. a8?! Black is taking a very passive approach to this game. 17.f3! A nice way to double rooks. fe7 18.h2 hc8 19.fc3 ab8 Black has brought his pieces over to defend the king, but renounced any chance of p l a y o n t h e k i n g s i d e . 20.b3 a8? A b l u n d e r i n a b a d p o s i t i o n . 21.f5!! A liberating sacrifice, which opens the h2-b8 diagonal for the dark-squared bishop, and the f4-square for the e2-knight. gxf5 The only move, [ 21...xf5? 22.xc6 xc6 23.xd5 is instant curtains. ] 22.f4 White is winning - the main threat is Nxe6, then Rxc6 and Bxd5 with a decisive pin on the c6-knight. xd4 Pretty desperate, but [ 22...f7 is no help: 23.e6 xe6 24.xe6 xe6 25.xc6 xc6 26.xd5 ( or 26.xd5 ) 26...xd5 27.xd5 and Black loses a lot of material. ] 23.xd4 fxe5 24.dxe6 exf4 25.xc7+ a7 26.xd5? I can only believe that such a move is due to time trouble, as W hite has several simple wins, for instance [ 26.b5+! a6 27.c7 menacing the queen, and if that moves, mate on a7. ] 26...fxg3+ 27.h1? [ 27.xg3 e5 28.xc8 xg3+ 29.xg3 is still very good for White. ] 27...a6?? Returning the compliment, with interest! [ 27...xc3 is far from clear, Black has rook and two pawns for the bishops. ] 28.xc8 xc8 [ 28...xc8? 29.xb6# ] 29.c7+ a7 30.b5+ [ 30.c4 is even quicker. ] 30...a6 31.c7 1-0
36 Minasian,Artashes Ramesh,Ramachandran B 9th Open Dubai UAE (8) [Carsten Hansen]
A00 2586 2453 29.04.2007
1.g3 e5 2.g2 c6 3.d3 f6 4.a3!? Minasian likes to play somewhat unorthodoxly in the opening, and here tries something akin to a 'Tiger's Modern' with the colours reversed. It will probably not produce an advantage, but against a positional player like former British Champio n Ramesh, it can some times b e worthwhile to try something offbeat, particularly when it suits your own style. d5 5.d2 e6 [ Also 5...a5 can be considered to prevent W h i t e 's n e xt m o ve . B u t I gu e s s e i t h e r Ra m e sh d id n 't e xp e ct it o r p e rh a p s h e wasn't particular concerned about it. Yet ... a7-a5 limits White's options considerably. ] 6.b4!? This is entirely in accordance with Tiger Hillarp Persson's recipe, except he plays it as Black. Normally Tiger develops his bishop to b 2 (7 ) a n d p u sh e s h is c-p a wn f o rwa rd b e f o r e f in is h in g t h e d e ve lo p m e n t o f t h e kingside. It is very provocative and can be hazardous to your health. Nonetheless, Tiger has scored very well with his variation against players of all strengths thanks to the variation suiting his very combative and original form of chess. d6 7.c4 a5 8.b5 b8 9.gf3 [ White can also play 9.cxd5 xd5 10.b2 with a position that looks a lot like it came from an English Opening, but Minasian has other things in mind. ] 9...c6 10.bxc6 bxc6 11.b2 fd7 [ I suppose 11...bd7!? is a perfectly good alternative too. ] 12.0-0 0-0 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.e4 d4 [ Also 14...c6!? can be considered, e.g. 15.exd5 ( 15.c1!? c8 16.exd5 xd5 17.e1 ) 15...xd5 16.c4 c5 17.e1 ( 17.fxe5? dxe5 18.xe5 xe5 19.xe5 xg2 20.xg2 d4 ) 17...f6 18.c1 A) Here 18...e8 and only after 19.d2 B l a c k g o e s b8 is probably a better continuation for Black, leaving him with a slightly better game 20.fxe5 dxe5 ( 20...xg2?! 21.xd7 xe1+ 22.xe1 33
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xd7 23.xg2 is better for W hite!) 21.xe5 xe5 22.xe5 xf2+ 23.xf2 fxe5 with no more than a pull for Black; B) 18...b8 19.d4!? xd4 ( 19...xf3 will likely reach the same position as in the main line through a little transposition 20.xf3 xd4 21.d5+ h8 22.xd4 xd4 23.d6 ) 20.xd4 xf3 21.xf3 xd4 22.d5+ h8 23.d6 b6 24.f1 and W hite's active pieces easily compensate for the missing pawn. ] 15.xd4!? This is an entertaining way of shaking the matters up quite a bit, and Black responds in startlingly terrible fashion by making a massive blunder. If White had tried a more King's Indian kind-of-move, Black would be better thanks to the soft d3-pawn a n d t h e m a n y we a k s q u a r e s o n W h i t e ' s queenside, whereas W hite will be far from p ro d u c in g a n yt h i n g o f su b st a n ce o n t h e kingside. c5?? [ A dreadful blunder, although it has to be said that White's strong 17th move can be overlooked. However, it isn't entirely clear why Black thought his move in the game is s t r o n g e r t h a n 15...exd4 16.e5 xe5! ( 16...a6 17.exd6 xd6 leaves White with an advantage) 17.xa8 b6! 18.c1 ( Or 18.b1 a2 19.c4 xc4 20.dxc4 xb1 21.xb1 d7 22.e4 f6 and Black is doing rather well) 18...bc6 19.e4 xa8 20.xd6 h3 21.f4 xf1 22.xf1 d7 23.d2 and White has an edge, but Black has chances too. ] 16.xe6 xe6 [ Or 16...fxe6 17.c4 c6 18.d4 xd4 19.xd4 exd4 20.e5 and White is again winning ] 17.d4! This may well have been the move that Black had overlooked since he now resigned without any further ado. A possible continuation is d7 18.c4 c7 19.xd6 xd6 20.dxe5 and Black is down two pawns without any form of compensation 1-0
37 Minasian,Artashes Van Beek,Alexander IX EICC Plovdiv BUL (1) [Carsten Hansen]
A00 2574 2343 21.04.2008
1.g3 d5 2.g2 e5 3.d3 f6 4.f3 d6 5.0-0 [ 5.c4!? was examined in AzmaiparashviliMahjoob, Tripoli 2004, which can be found in the PGN archives. ] 5...0-0 6.c4 dxc4 [ This is ECO's preference for Black. An alternative is 6...c6 A) 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.c3 ( 8.g5 bd7 9.c3 h6 10.xf6 xf6 11.c1 e6 12.d4 e4 13.e1 d7 14.f3 exf3 15.exf3 b5 16.d3 with chances to both sides, Petran, P-Kreindl, H/Vienna 1998) 8...h6 ( or 8...d4!? 9.b5 c6 10.xd6 xd6 11.d2 e6 12.a4 d5 13.h3 e4 14.b3 exd3 15.f4 e7 16.exd3 e2 , and Black has the initiative, H o d g s o n , J - S a d l e r , M / L o n d o n 1 9 9 1) 9.b5 ( 9.b3?! d4 10.d5 xd5 11.xd5 c6 12.d2 e6 13.b5 e7 , a n d B la ck 's ch a n ce s a re so m e wh a t preferably, W arakomski, T-Dziuba, M/ Krakow POL 2006) 9...c6 10.xd6 xd6 11.d4 e4 12.e5 e6 13.xc6 xc6 14.f4 d7 15.d2 h5 16.fc1 e6 was another Minasian game: Minasian, A-Izoria, Z/ Batumi GEO 2003, and here White is possibly slightly better after 17.e5!?; B) 7.c2 e7 8.e4 dxe4 9.dxe4 a6 10.c3 e6 11.b3 b4 12.e2 a5 13.b2 fd8 with approximately even chances, Schoene, R-Baumbach, F/ Germany 1995; C) 7.g5 h6 8.xf6 xf6 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.c3 d4 11.e4 e7 12.a3 c6 13.b4 , and White has the initiative, Maiwald, J-Kayser, F/Dresden GER 2007 ] 7.dxc4 c6 [ This move is perfectly logical, removing White's access to the d5-square. Nevertheless, Black has tried several other things in this position: A) 7...e7 8.c3 h6 9.d2 c6 10.a3 a5 11.c2 a6 12.b3 g4 13.b2 fe8 14.de4 f5 15.xf6+ 34
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xf6 16.e4 xe4 17.xe4 f5 with chances to both sides, Rajkovic, DAlburt, L/Odessa 1975 ] [ B) 7...e4 8.g5 f5 9.c3 e8 10.c5 ( 10.b3 is the only move covered in the ECO, e7 11.xb7 bd7 12.d5 d8 13.xf6+ xf6 14.b5 c5 15.h3 c7 16.f4 ab8 17.a4 , and Black has adequate compensation for the pawn, Jansa, V-Gurevich, V/Andorra 1993) 10...xc5 11.xd8 xd8 12.gxe4 xe4 13.xe4 e7 14.f4 a6 , Maiwald, JSteingrimsson, H/Kreuzberg GER 2003 15.fd1 ] [ C) 7...c6 8.c3 h6 ( 8...g4 9.e3 d7 10.g5 f5 11.xf6 xf6 12.e4 e7 13.xd6 ad8 with a comfortable game for Black) 9.b5!? ( 9.e1 g4 10.c2 c8 11.e3 h3 , and Black is more comfortable Agrifoglio, F-Vancini, E/ C e r i a n o 1 9 9 9) 9...e4 10.fd4 e5 11.xc6 bxc6 12.c3 xc3 13.bxc3 , and here a draw was agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, in Moldovan, D-Grigore, G/Bucharest 2001, though obviously there is still plenty of play left in the final position. ] [ D) 7...e8 8.c3 h6 9.b5 ( 9.e4!? g4 10.e3 c6 11.a3; 9.c5 xc5 10.xd8 xd8 11.xe5 c6 12.f4 a6= ) 9...c6 10.e3 e4 11.xd6 cxd6 12.d4 e5 , and Black has the initiative, thanks to the weaknesses on the light squares on W hite's kingside, Bancod, R-Grigore, G/ Genova 1999 ] 8.c3 h6 [ Black has tried a couple of other moves at this juncture 8...f5 9.c5 xc5 10.xe5 e7 11.c4 d8 12.e1 e6 13.d2 bd7 , and Black has nothing to worry about, Gerzadowicz, S-Harabor, M/corr 1990 ] [ 8...e6 9.b3 h6 10.b2 e7 11.c2 bd7 12.ad1 fd8 13.e4 xe4 14.xe4 was Galinsky, T-Madynski, P/ Bydgoszcz 1999, and now Black should have played c5 15.e3 e4 16.d4 g4 17.f3!? exf3 18.xe7 f2+ ( 18...xe7 19.exf3 h5 20.f5 f8= ) 19.xf2 xe7 20.df1 f6 , and the chances are about even ] 9.h3 [ Or 9.c2 e8 10.d1 e7 11.d2 e6
12.a3 a5 13.b1 a6 , and Black has solved his opening problems successfully, Weber, S-Liwak, P/ Germany 2002 ] 9...e6 10.b3 e7 11.c2 d8 12.b2 bd7 13.ad1 f8 14.h4 [ 14.g4 g6 15.e3 a3 16.a1 is fine for Black after h5 17.g5 h7 ] 14...a3 15.a1 The exchange of the darksquared bishops is in Black's interest, so obviously White doesn't oblige xd1 16.xd1 8d7 [ I think Black can do better with 16...c7!? 17.c3 d6 18.c5 ( 18.e3!? ) 18...e7 19.xe5 xe5 20.xe5 xc5 21.xf6?! ( 21.b2= ) 21...gxf6 is absolutely fine for Black, in fact I prefer Black's chances in this position on account of the bishops and Black's queenside pawn majority ] 17.e3 e8 18.hf5 f8 [ 18...f6 19.f4 c5 20.h2 is better for White ] 19.g4 d6 20.e4 White has the more active position and the initiative. f6 21.d1 d8 22.c3 c5 23.d2 [ White has a couple of interesting alternatives, e.g. 23.ge3!? ] [ or 23.b4!? a6 24.xd6 xd6 25.b1 c5 26.b5 c7 27.e3 with an advantage for White ] 23...f7 24.h4 d4 25.f5 [ 25.e3 d8 26.f4 exf4 27.gxf4 d3 opens the game unnecessarily ] 25...d7 26.c3 d8 27.f1 d3 28.e2 c5 29.h4 a5 30.f3 e7 31.ge3 d6?! [ 31...f8 32.d1 b6 33.g4 h7= ] 32.h3 [ 32.xe7+ xe7 33.d1 f7 ( 33...c5 34.f5 d7 35.xd6 xd6 36.xd6 xd6 37.xa5 ) 34.f1 d7 35.f5 c5 36.xd7 xd7 37.d1 b6 38.h5 ] 32...xf5 [ 32...c5 33.b4 xf5 34.xf5 axb4 35.xe7+ xe7 36.xb4 e6 37.g4 ] 33.xf5?! [ 33.xf5!? xf5 34.xf5 d6 35.g4 ] 33...xf5 34.xf5 b4= 35.xb4 xb4 36.g4 h8 37.h5 xa2 38.g2 c3 39.c1 a2 40.e1 and here I suspect Black lost on time, because he isn't worse after either 40...Nc3 or 40. ..b5. 1-0 35
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 38 Minasian,Artashes Volokitin,Andrei IX EICC Plovdiv BUL (2) [Carsten Hansen]
A00 2574 2684 22.04.2008
1.g3 e5 2.g2 d5 3.d3 c6 4.a3 f6 5.b4 [ 5.d2 e6 6.b4 was examined in Minasian-Ramesh, Dubai 2007, which can be found in the PGN archives. ] 5...d6 [ This move looks perfectly logical, but Black has in fact tried quite a few different things in this position: A) 5...a5!? 6.b5 d4 ( 6...a7!? 7.f3 d6 8.a4 c6 9.bxc6 xc6 10.0-0 0-0 with a comfortable game for Black, Conquest, S-Finegold, B/Oakham 1986 ) 7.c3 c6 8.b1 d6 9.e3 e6 10.ge2 0-0 11.0-0 e7 12.a4 d7 13.f4 f5 , and Black is doing fine, Larsen, BLjubojevic, L/Las Palmas 1975 ] [ B) 5...h6 6.b2 d6 7.c4 d4 8.d2 0-0 9.gf3 e8 10.0-0 ( 10.c5!? ) 10...a6 11.e1!? ( 11.b3 f5 12.e4 dxe3 13.fxe3 d7 14.e4 g4 15.h4 f8 16.df3 ad8 , and Black has the somewhat better chances, Norri, J-Ebeling, M/Helsinki 1990) 11...f5 12.h3 d7 13.h2 h7 14.e4 b5 ( 14...a5!? 15.c5 f8 16.b3 e6= ) 15.c1 Mista, ASzymanski, M/Warsaw POL 2005 ] [ C) 5...a6 6.b2 e7 7.d2 0-0 8.c4 e8 ( 8...d4!? 9.gf3 d6 ) 9.cxd5 xd5 10.gf3 f6 ( 10...f8 11.0-0 f6 12.c1 h8 13.b3 a5 14.b5 a7 15.a4 Koshy, V-Sofieva, A/Calcutta 1993) 11.0-0 e6 12.b3 d7 13.c1 h3?! ( 13...ad8 14.c5 xc5 15.xc5 b6 is solid and playable for Black) 14.xh3 xh3 15.e4! b6 16.d4 , and White has grabbed control over the game, W ohl, ASolomon, S/Canberra AUS 2005 ] [ D) 5...e6 6.f3 d6 7.0-0 d7 8.b2 0-0-0 9.b5 e7 10.xe5 h5 11.xd6 xd6 12.h4 g4 13.bd2 f5 14.e4 , and W hite has taken over the initiative, Mirzoev, A-Rodriguez Dobladez, V/ Balaguer 2005 ] 6.b2 0-0 7.d2 e8 8.c4 [ In an earlier game by Volokitin, White tried
8.e4 dxe4 9.dxe4 a5 10.c3 g4 ( 10...axb4 11.axb4 xa1 12.xa1 g4 13.gf3 d7 is given as better for Black by my computer, but I like W hite's chances) 11.gf3 e7 12.e2 d7 13.h3 h5 14.c4 ( 14.g4 g6 15.0-0 also looks promising for W hite) 14...b6 15.e3 ( 15.g4!? ) 15...d7 16.0-0 a4 17.ad1 axb4 18.axb4 f6 19.c1 , and White has the slightly better chances, Movsesian, SVolokitin, A/Koelln GER 2003 ] 8...dxc4 9.xc4 a5 10.b5 d4 11.a4 b4+ 12.f1 d7 [ Black can also consider 12...c5 , and after the normal 13.e3 , the piece sacrifice g4!? 14.f3 e6 15.exd4 exd4 deserves attention ] 13.e3 f5 14.f3 f6 15.g4!? Obviously W hite cannot let go of this opportunity to shake things up a bit. d6 16.xd6 xd6 [ 16...cxd6!? intending ...d5 and ...Nb6 also deserve consideration ] 17.d2 c5 18.e4 f5?! [ I don't like this move, but Black undoubtedly tried to take advantage of the positio n o f W h ite 's king. A be tter try is 18...xe4 19.xe4 b8 20.f3 with chances to both sides. ] 19.xd6 xd6 22 , and here a draw was prematurely agreed upon. W hite is doing rather well after 20 d4 exd4 Qxd4 Qxd4 Bxd4 [ 19...cxd6 20.d4 exd4 21.xd4 c7 22.d5+ h8 23.b6 e7 24.gxf5 xf5 25.g1 ] ½-½
39 Miralles,Gilles Bologan,Viktor National I Bordeaux FRA (6) [Tony Kosten]
A00 2451 2663 06.04.2003
1.b4 e5 2.b2 d6 Unusual, Black solidly defends his e-pawn, but [ 2...xb4 is more common, and ] [ 2...f6 is not bad, either. ] 3.g3 f5 4.g2 f6 5.c4 So White takes play into the English Opening scheme of things. e7!? This appears a trifle passive, Black normally prefers to fianchetto his bishop 36
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 by [ 5...g6 6.d3 g7 7.e3 0-0 8.e2 W hite can delay the development of his queen's knight to keep this different, a6!? ( 8...c6 9.b5 e7 10.d2!? Kalinin,OHn yd iu k , A / Z a b rza n sk i W rze s ie n 1 9 9 4) 9.d2!? ( 9.bc3 c6 would be fairly similar to Closed English lines) 9...c6 10.a3 b8 11.0-0 was another game of Gilles Miralles, against Hofmann, at Groningen but played more than twenty years before! ] 6.b3!? An odd idea, and Gilles was not very happy with it after the game. [ 6.c3 c6 7.f3 0-0 8.0-0 e6 was Braley,J-Tomkins,K/Seattle 1984. ] 6...0-0 7.f3 h8 8.0-0 White delays playing d3 in the hope that Black will play ... e 4 a n d o v e r - e x t e n d h i s c e n t r e . e8 Standard play in such 'Dutch-style' positions, Black plans ...Qh5, and ... f4 with a kingside attack. 9.c3 h5 10.d5 xd5 11.cxd5 d7 12.d3 f6 13.ae1?! After the game we examined the more natural [ 13.ac1 d8 as with the bishop on this less active square W hite is unlikely to be mated, 14.e4!? f4 ( 14...fxe4 15.dxe4 xe4 16.xe5 d2 17.d1 h6 18.e1 dxe5 19.xe5 and the knight will be trapped by f4 ) 15.d4 which seemed very favourable for White. ] 13...f4 14.e4!? White wants to follow with d4 and open the centre, but this weakens f3. h3 All according to plan, ...Ng4 and ...fxg3 come next. 15.d4 g4 16.dxe5 dxe5 [ 16...xg2 17.xg2 xe5 18.xe5 dxe5 19.f3 looks nice for White. ] 17.xh3 White may already be lost, for example [ 17.a3 fxg3 18.fxg3 xg2 19.xg2 xf3! 20.xf3 xh2+ 21.f1 g5! and there is no satisfactory defence against ...Qh1+, and then ...Qg2+. ] 17...xh3 18.xe5?! Obviously critical, for if White can't take this then Black has an attack for nothing, but all the same it was time to defend the second rank by [ 18.e2 ] 18...d6! 19.d4 After this Black wins by a direct sacrificial attack, but anyway [ 19.xd6 cxd6 20.e2 f6 is also very
unpleasant. ] 19...fxg3 20.fxg3 xg3! 21.e2 Defending h2 laterally, [ 21.hxg3? xg3+ 22.h1 xf3 kills the defender of h2. ] 21...e5! Black plays with great precision. 22.c5?! [ 22.xe5 xe5 further attacks the pinned white knight, 23.e3 g4+ 24.h1 xf3 25.exf3 xe4 and Black is a pawn to the good, with a great position. ] 22...f6 23.g2 xh2! 24.xh2 [ 24.xh2 allows a f orced mate: xh2+ 25.xh2 xf1# ] 24...xh2+ 25.xh2 g6+ 26.f2 xh2+ 0-1
40 Morozevich,Alexander Kasparov,Garry Fujitsu-Siemens Giants (10) [Tony Kosten]
A00 2748 2851 25.06.2000
1.c3!? A surprising attempt to take the World Champion out of his opening knowledge. c5 2.d4 [ Unusual, 2.f3 is the normal Dunst move. ] 2...cxd4 3.xd4 c6 4.h4 The point, the queen takes-up an active post on the kingside. f6 5.f3 [ 5.e4?! whilst apparently desirable, allows the reply b4 6.d3 xd3+ 7.cxd3 d5 and Black is better. ] 5...d5 6.g5 a5! [ Already a new move, 6...e6 7.0-0-0 e7 8.e4 a5 9.exd5 xd5 10.xd5 exd5 11.xe7 xe7 12.b1 favoured White in Becking,F-Staggat,R/Weilburg 1995. ] 7.0-0-0 e6 Odd, but the only way of defending d5 which doesn't lose a pawn. 8.d2 [ An unnatural reply, but White already has difficulties, the natural 8.e3?! allows e4! 9.xe4 dxe4 10.xe4 xa2 denuding the white king. ] 8...g6 Black takes the opportunity to complete his kingside development. 9.e4!? [ White hopes to profit from his superior development to open the position, but the ta ct ics a re no t u nf a vo ura ble f or B lac k . 37
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 9.a3!? ] 9...d4 10.e5 g4! [ 10...dxc3 11.xc3 xa2 12.exf6 is very risky. ] 11.xd4! xd4 12.h3 g7 13.hxg4 xe5 14.a3 c8 15.d3 White seems well-placed, as the open h-file stops Black from castling, b u t t h e b l a c k p i e c e s a r e a c t i v e . b3+! Black sees a neat perpetual, and decides to m a k e a d r a w . 16.cxb3 xc3 17.xc3 xc3+ 18.b1? [ A risky winning attempt, 18.bxc3 xc3+ 19.b1 xb3+ 20.c1 c3+ is an immediate draw. ] 18...xb3 19.h2 c3! A key tactical point, parrying the threatened Qb8+, and menacing mate, too. 20.b8+ c8 21.d2 The only move to defend b2. 0-0 [ 21...xd2?? 22.xc8# ] 22.h2 h5 Black's threats give him the time to defend his king. 23.hd1 xg4 24.f3 e6 Now White has two pawns less, for nothing. 25.g4 hxg4 26.fxg4 xg4 27.g1 xb2+! The simplest. 28.xb2 xd3+ 29.c2 d7 30.d2 xd2 31.xd2 f3 The ending is hopeless, the f our extra black pawns are much more significant than the exchange. 32.b2 c6 33.c3 g7 34.b4 e5 35.a4 a6 36.a5 e4 37.c5 e8 38.e1 e6 Black is in no rush, and simply puts his pieces on good squares, before pushing some o f h is p a wn s . 39.d4 f5 40.h2 f6 41.h8 d6+ 42.c5 d5+ 43.b6 b5+ 44.c7 xa5 0-1
Ernst,T/Skelleftea SWE 1999. ] 2.e3 I think that this is White's soundest reply. [ Black's system is designed to counter the obvious move 2.b2 as Black replies b6 attacking, and pinning, the b-pawn, 3.a3 a5 4.c4 A trick, based on a tactic, ( 4.c3?! is horribly passive, d5 5.e3 e5 and Black has a good position, Dovzik,J-Revuckij,V/ S ze g e d 1 9 9 8 .; but I wonder if 4.f3!? i s p o s s i b l e ? T h e p o i n t i s t h a t axb4 can be countered by 5.d4 c5? 6.xc5! w i n n i n g a p a w n , a s xc5?! 7.axb4 is a standard trick, winning the exchange.) 4...axb4 5.c5 This is the same idea, of course, c7 ( 5...xc5?? 6.axb4 wins a rook!) 6.axb4 xa1 7.xa1 d6 8.a4 e5 9.f3 d7 10.cxd6 xd6 11.g3 gf6 12.c3 b6 and White had problems b e c a u s e o f h i s we a k b - p a w n , a n d t h e imminent advance of the black e-pawn, Teichmann,E-Watts,D/Southampton 1986. ] 2...d5 3.b2 f6 The move [ 3...b6?! has absolutely no effect here, 4.a3 a5 5.d4 c7 6.f4 keeping a firm grip on the e5-square, axb4 7.axb4 xa1 8.xa1 d7 9.f3 gf6 10.c1! very original, the queen is coming to b2 to emphasize White's control over the a1-h8 diagonal. e6 11.b2 b5 12.e2 and the black light-squared bishop is se ve re l y in h i b i t e d , H o rt - A n ga n t ys s o n / Bundesliga 1985. ] 4.f4 The same idea as in the Hort game, W hite attempts to control the central darksquares. [ 4.f3 is less effective, g4 5.e2 bd7 6.h3 xf3 7.xf3 e6 8.a3 d6 and Black 41 A00 had a solid set-up, Palac,M-Rosandic,D/ Pula 1994. ] Ornstein,Axel 2425 Hansen,Sune Berg 2520 4...g4 5.f3 e6 Sensible play by Black, Troll Masters (8) 14.01.1999 having developed his c8-bishop outside the pawn chain, he can now put his pawns on [Tony Kosten] light squ a re s, ju st a s in t h e Cap a b la n c a 1.b4 c6 A strange move, under the Variation of the Reti. 6.a3 bd7 7.c4 d6 circumstances, but one with a definite tactical 8.cxd5 exd5 9.e2 0-0 10.0-0 e8 11.c3 12.d4 xe2 13.cxe2 a5! point. In fact, I once saw someone claim that c8 Black attempts to create a weakness on the this was the refutation of 1 b4. [ 1...a5 is worse, as after 2.b5 f6 3.b2 queenside. 14.c2 b6 15.ed4 c5 16.f5 g6 4.g3 g7 5.g2 0-0 6.c4 d6 7.c3 f8 17.bxc5 bxc5 18.g4? Bearing in mind e5 8.d3 Black has simply encouraged White that Black has the stronger central presence, to gain space on the queenside, Akesson,R- this weakening of the king's defences seems 38
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 most inappropriate. b6 19.b1 e6 20.h3 3...e5 The position has turned into a type of h5! Black does not waste his time, but hits King Pawn Opening. If Black omits 3...e5, then straight at White's weakest point. 21.f2 b8 we will have a g3 Pirc, again, i.e. 22.a4 d4 The thematic hanging-pawns thrust. [ 3...d6 4.d4 or, if Black plays ...c5, a Closed 23.a3 b4 24.exd4 a2 25.b5? Sicilian. ] This loses a piece, the best chance lay in [ 3...c5 assuming White plays Nc3, there is [ 25.d3 when hxg4 26.hxg4 xb2 27.fxb2 o n e o r i g i n a l l i n e , w h i c h g o e s 4.c3!? xa3 wins two pieces for a rook, but there is i n t e n d i n g d 4 , c6 5.e2 but White's still play in the position. ] results with this line are disastrous, e5 6.d3 25...xb2 ge7 7.e3 d6 8.0-0 0-0 Black has 0-1 adopted a Botvinnik set-up, which is more than satisfactory, Mozes,E-Wells,P/ Harkany op 1993. ] 42 A00 4.e2 c6 Black keeps control of d4, Polgar,Zsuzsa 2550 otherwise, [ 4...f6 5.d4 Xie Jun 2530 A) 5...exd4 6.xd4 concedes the centre, (m/1) Jaen 1996 but cannot be too bad, as a Pirc-style [Tony Kosten] position will be reached, in all likelihood. 0-0 7.c3 c6!? ( 7...d6 is safer. ) 1.g3 g6 2.g2 g7 This is a flexible 8.xc6!? dxc6 9.0-0 with advantage to response to W hite's opening. Black is, White because of his extra kingside pawn, presumably, happy to adopt a King's Indian King-Ostojic, Mondorf 1991.; should W hite play d4, or perhaps a Closed B) 5...d6!? 6.bc3 ( 6.dxe5 dxe5 Sicilian if White plays a later e4. 3.e4 7.xd8+ xd8 must be a little better for [ 3.c3 Is a pet line of Larsen's, refusing to White. ) 6...c6 7.h3 b5 8.a3 b7 9.e3 t r a n s p o s e i n t o ' n o r m a l ' l i n e s . c5 bd7 10.f4 unclear, Wessman-Shirov, Black invites 4 e4, which transposes to the Moscow 1991. ] Closed Sicilian. 4.d3 c6 5.f4 but White The same idea as in the note to move p r e f e r s a r e v e r s e d D u t c h ! ( 5.a3!? 5.c3 takes play into entirely new territory: e6 three, W hite tries to set-up a pawn centre. Black prepares ...d5 in reply, and this 6.f3 d6 7.g5 when, despite Black's lack ge7! of ambition, he still has a good position, will be successful as White has insufficient L a r s e n , B - C a l v o M i n g u e z , R / P a l m a d e control over this square without his queen's Mallorca 1968.) 5...b6 6.f3 b7 7.0-0 d6 knight on c3. [ 5...d6 is solid, if uninspiring, 6.d4 ge7 8.e4 Against Black's refusal to play ...d5, 7.d5 b8 8.c4 0-0 9.bc3 and in this KI White finally 'concedes defeat', and plays e4. position, White has an edge, DamljanovicA position not atypical of the Closed Sicilian Cvetkovic, 1992. ] i s r e a c h e d . L a r s e n , B - S t r i k o vi c , A / L a s 6.d4 exd4 7.cxd4 d5 The standard method Palmas 1992. ] [ 3.d4 Is one of the tricky points of this of disarming a pawn centre, before it can do system. If Black plays f6 mechanically, any damage. 8.e5 f6 9.f4 0-0 10.0-0 g4 expecting to take play into a KI after 4 Nf3, The black pieces are well-placed to pressure or 4 c4, then he may get a nasty surprise: the white centre. 11.bc3 fxe5 12.fxe5?! 4.e4 of course, White's second move has Better to keep the f-file closed, by [ 12.dxe5 although Black gets plenty of play prepared the ground for this by controlling after d4 as if 13.b3+ h8 14.d1 then e4. d6 Black has to play a Pirc, whether he c8 wins the exchange. ] likes it, or not. 5.e2 0-0 6.0-0 e5 7.h3 with transposition into the g3 Pirc. Whilst it 12...xf1+ 13.xf1 d7 14.h3? This allows is true that it is not that worrying for Black, a tactical sequence, but even after [ 14.e3 f8 15.c1 Black has a plus, h3 but only providing he knows what he is doing, exchanging White's better bishop. ] Miles, A-Fedorowicz,J/Ramsgate 1981 ] 39
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 14...f8 15.f4 g5! 16.hxg4 gxf4 17.gxf4 xg4 The white centre is exposed, both the d, and f-pawns are going to come under attack. 18.e2 g3 19.f2?! xf2+ 20.xf2 xd4 21.xd5 g6 First the d4-pawn is lost, now Black attacks the e5, and f 4-pawns. 22.c3?! As White is in a bad way, she should try to exchange as many pawns as possible: [ 22.xc7 is the best chance, therefore, xf4 23.xf4 xf4+ 24.e3 although Black has every chance to win after xe5 ] 22...c6! 23.e3? xe5!? 24.d1 xf4 25.xf4 Unfortunately for White, winning the two pieces for the rook by [ 25.xd4 xd4+ 26.xd4 e6+ 27.e3 is quite hopeless after xd4 28.xd4 f2 as Black has too many pawns. ] 25...xf4+ 26.e3 f5+ 27.d3 g4 28.h3 d4+ Swapping rooks after this the game is a formality, despite the oppositecolour bishops. 29.e2 xd1 30.xd1 d6 31.b4 g7 32.a4 f6 33.f2 d4 34.d3 b6 35.f4 c5 36.d5+ e5 37.bxc5 bxc5 38.e7 a6 39.a5 c4 40.c6+ d6 41.b8 c7? A blunder, allowing a technical draw, [ 41...xa5 42.xa6 c4 was simple, and effective. ] 42.xa6+ b7 Trapping the knight, but 43.xc5+! The best, [ 43.f5 A l s o l o o ks g o o d , a f t e r xa6 44.d3 as b5 45.xc4+ forces 45...Kxa5, xc4?? would actually lose after 46.a6 and the pawn cannot be stopped! ] 43...xc5 44.a6+! b6 Forced, [ 44...xa6? 45.f5 h5 46.d3 b5 47.xc4+ xc4 48.f3 draws, as Black has the wrong rook's pawn! ] 45.d3? A mistake, [ 45.c8 should draw, as Black can only take the a6-pawn with his knight when a drawn position is reached. ] 45...d6 Stopping the above manoeuvre, and winning. 46.e2 xa6 47.f3 b6 48.e6 c7 49.g4 d8 50.h5 e3 51.g8 h6 52.b3 e7 53.g6 e4 54.d1 e6 55.g4+ e5 56.d1 g5 57.e2 f4 58.d1 g3 59.a4 h5 60.d7 h4 0-1
43 Pridorozhni,Aleksei Jakovenko,Dmitrij RUS Cup rapid final (2.3) [Fier, Alexandr]
A00 2517 2721 20.12.2013
It's always interesting to see how the top players react against exotic lines. In this game Pridorozhni tried 1.g4 and Jakovenko didn't try to refute it, but just played a solid and sound idea. It's important to appreciate that W hite needed to win this game to co n t in ue in th e Cu p . 1.g4 d5 2.g2 Since this position is not played so often at grandmaster level, alternatives can arrive early. 2.Bg2 makes some sense, developing the bishop and being ready to meet 2. ..Bxg4 with 3.c4, even if it is not clear if this is good for White. [ 2.h3 was the choice of one of the experts in this line when he played against Hebden. Black played som e st ra nge mo ve s an d White soon gained the initiative. This order can transpose to 2.Bg2 c6 3.h3 e5, but avoiding the line with 2... Bxg4 e5 3.g2 c6 4.d4 d7 5.c4 e4 6.c3 b6 7.c5 c4 8.b3 a5 9.f3 Basman, M (2340)-Hebden, M (2548)/4NCL rapid Daventry 2013. ] 2...e6 This is much less ambitious than the other moves. [ 2...xg4!? it's also OK to fall for this 'trick': 3.c4 c6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.b3 f6 6.c3 e6 7.xb7 bd7 and White changes the gpawn for the b-pawn which doesn't make much sense. In addition the pieces are unstable, so I think Black is already better here. ] [ 2...c6 3.h3 ( 3.c4 dxc4 here the pawn would probably be better on g3 instead of g4 4.b3 xg4 5.bxc4 e5 6.b3 c7 a n d B l a c k i s a p a w n u p) 3...e5 would transpose to 2.h3 ] 3.d3 c5 4.c3 c6 5.e4 dxe4 [ 5...d4 makes more sense with the pawn on g4, compared to the same position with the pawn on g3 6.ce2 e5 and the break with f4 is now less effective 7.g3 e6 8.h3 and White is going to try Ng1-e2 and f4 at some point, but Black should be fine ] 6.xe4 f6 [ 6...e7 7.e2 f6 8.2g3 xe4 40
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 9.xe4 ] 7.g5 [ 7.xf6+ can transpose to the game again xf6 8.g5 ( 8.e2 also possible, but doesn't change much d7 9.g5 d8 10.e3 with a balanced position) 8...d8 9.e4 and we are back ] 7...xe4 [ 7...d5 is another interesting option, but Black doesn't mind changing some pieces 8.e2 e7 9.0-0 0-0 10.a3 e5 11.c4 c7 12.e3 e6 13.d2 with a complex middlegame ] 8.xe4 e7 9.h4 [ 9.f3 is another setup c7 to castle on the queenside ( 9...0-0 10.h4 c7 11.e3 and White has decent attacking chances) 10.e3 d7 11.e2 0-0-0 12.0-0-0 b8 with a game full of life ] 9...c7 [ 9...0-0 was still possible and White can transpose to the last note with 10.f3 ] 10.e3 b6 [ 10...b6 is a provocative idea, when White will probably sacrifice the pawn 11.b1!? a5+ taking the a-pawn instead 12.f1 xa2 13.f3 0-0 14.g2 with some compensation ] 11.f3 b7 12.e2?! White allows some unnecessary exchanges. With the advanced pawns it would be better to keep the queens on to have some attacking chances. [ 12.0-0-0 avoids the trick of the game e5 13.g2 xe4 14.xe4 d8 ( 14...c6 15.xe5 xh1 and now this move is not check 16.xg7 f8 17.xh7 ) 15.e2 with a level position ] 12...e5 13.g2 xe4 14.xe4 [ 14.dxe4 d8 and White's king stays in the middle, since 15.0-0 is not good because of c4 with a good position for Black ] 14...c6! A good move for those who needs to draw. 15.0-0-0 [ 15.xc6+ xc6 16.0-0-0 0-0-0 is also ok for Black ] 15...xe4 16.dxe4 g4 And now not only Black is fine, but he is already slightly better. 17.h3 d8 [ 17...xe3! was more direct and White has no time to consolidate the position 18.xe3 h6 19.f4 ( 19.g1 hxg5 20.hxg5 h2
is also annoying, Black will play ...c4 and ... Rd8 and W hite has no clear counterplay) 19...hxg5 20.hxg5 e5 and White has some problems with the structure ] 18.g1 xe3 19.xe3 d7 Black goes for the most solid approach. [ 19...h6 was still possible 20.e5 this can control the position, but White will be kind of static hxg5 21.hxg5 h2 22.f4 c4 23.e4 b5 with a small advantage for Black ] 20.f4 d8 21.a4 c7 22.f5 exf5 23.exf5 d6 24.c3 dd8 25.f1 he8 And White t r i e s i n va i n t o c r e a t e s o m e t h i n g i n t h e endgame over the next few moves. 26.ff3 xe3 27.xe3 d7 28.c2 e7 29.xe7+ xe7 30.d3 c6 31.e4 d6 32.g1 g3 33.f3 d6 34.b4 cxb4 35.cxb4 a6 36.d4 g6 37.f6 b5 38.a5 f2+ 39.e4 g3 40.d4 f2+ 41.e4 g3 42.e3 Trying to force somehow. [ 42.d4 f2+ would be a draw ] 42...d5 But now Black is just winning. 43.d3 d6 44.c3 e4 [ 44...f4 45.d3 g3 46.c3 e4 wins ] 45.d2+ d5 46.b3 e5+ [ 46...g3 is still quite interesting 47.c5 xh4 48.xa6 xg5 49.d3 xf6 With a pleasant endgame for Black. ] 47.d3 d6 48.c3 e5+ 49.d3 d6 50.c3 ½-½
44 Reti,Richard Alekhine,Alexander Baden-Baden Baden Baden (8) [Nigel Davies]
A00
25.04.1925
Besides playing 1.Nf3 Reti adopted both the English Opening and 1.g3 as White. Here we see him venturing the latter move against no less a player than Alexander Alekhine. 1.g3 e5 2.f3 A kind of Alekhine's Defence with colours reversed. The move ...g7-g6 is often useful for Black in the Alekhine so g2-g3 will be similarly useful for White. e4 3.d4 d5 4.d3 exd3 5.xd3 [ 5.cxd3 would be more in keeping with lines of the Alekhine Defence. But Reti wants to play a later c2-c4 and then play along the 41
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 open d- and c-files. ] 5...f6 6.g2 b4+ [ 6...c5 should be considered here. ] 7.d2 xd2+ 8.xd2 0-0 9.c4 a6 [ 9...c5 is well worth considering here, for example 10.4b3 a6 11.0-0 b4 is more or less equal. ] 10.cxd5 b4 11.c4 bxd5 12.2b3 c6 13.0-0 e8 14.fd1 Once again Reti has achieved an excellent position with play along the open c- and d-files and a useful kingside pawn majority. What's fascinating to see in this game is Alekhine stirring up massive complications. And this all goes to show that the opening is not enough. g4 15.d2 c8 16.c5 h3 17.f3 g4 18.g2 h3 19.f3 g4 20.h1 [ 20.g2 would repeat the position. The text indicates that White is getting ambitious. ] 20...h5 21.b4 a6 22.c1 h4 23.a4 [ 23.e4 b6 24.c3 is also very nice for White. ] 23...hxg3 24.hxg3 c7 25.b5 [ 25.e4 e7 26.a5 would strengthen the position of the knight on c5 but Reti wanted to attack c6. In retrospect this was a fateful decision. ] 25...axb5 26.axb5 e3! Just when it was starting to look as if Black's strategy was not succeeding Black launches this stunning combinative blow. The position is unclear after this but Alekhine succeeds in confusing his opponent. 27.f3?? [ 27.fxe3?? xg3+ obviously leads to mate ] [ but 27.f3 deserved attention. After ea3 28.bxc6 bxc6 29.g2 White's position looks pretty good. ] 27...cxb5! 28.xb5 c3 Black's pieces are swarming into the attack but with so many things en prise this hangs by a thread. 29.xb7 xb7 30.xb7 xe2+ 31.h2 [ 31.f1 is a lso h op ele ss a f t e r xg3+ 32.fxg3 xf3 33.xf3 xf3+ 34.g2 aa3 etc. ] 31...e4!! A fantastic move from Alekhine, wa s t in g n o t im e in clo sin g in o n W h it e 's position. [ After 31...xc1 32.fxe3 a3 33.g5 ] [ and 31...xf3 32.xe2 f5 33.b2 White would save the draw. ] 32.c4 Reti is trying to exchange some pieces
via tactical means. [ 32.d8+ xd8 33.fxe3 d5! and ] [ and 32.fxe3? xd2 33.xd2 xc1 are good for Black. ] 32...xf2! [ After 32...xf3 W hite can play 33.xe4! xe4 34.fxe3 xh1 35.xh1 xg3+ 36.g2 with good drawing chances. ] [ And 32...xd2 doesn't work because of 33.xd2 d3 34.c5! . ] 33.g2 [ 33.c5 was a slightly better chance but is still winning for Black after ae8 34.g5 xh1 35.xh1 xg3+ etc. ] 33...e6! 34.cc2? [ 34.b4 g4+ 35.h3 would have been the best chance. ] 34...g4+ 35.h3 e5+ 36.h2 xf3! [ 36...xf3+?! 37.xf3 xf3 38.xe2 is also better for Black but much less clear than the game. ] 37.xe2 g4+ 38.h3 Neither now nor before could the white king move to the first rank because of the deadly check on a1 e3+ 39.h2 xc2 40.xf3 d4 41.f2 xf3+ 42.xf3 d5 Either the knight or rook will be lost. 0-1
45 Rogers,Ian Lukacs,Peter Budapest Budapeste [Tony Kosten]
A00 2565 2500 1991
1.c3 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.xe4 d7 Played in order to be able to confront the advanced e4-knight by ...Ngf6, and if White captures on f6, to recapture on f6 with a piece, thus keeping the kingside pawn structure intact 4.d4 Inviting transposition into a CaroKann by 4...c6, normally White tries to defer d4 for a while, and plays [ 4.c4 (or first 4 Nf3 Ngf6 5 Nxf6+ Nxf6, and then 6 Bc4) and now Black's safest move is e6 masking the f7-pawn, as if ( 4...gf6 then 5.xf7+!? xf7 6.g5+ g8 7.e6 e8 8.xc7 is possible. Following d8 9.xa8 e5 10.d4 d6 11.f3 e4 12.g5 h6 13.e6 e7 42
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 14.f4 h7 15.e3 b6 Spice,A-Hinks Edwards,T/4NCL, Telford ENG 1997, Black will win the trapped a8-knight by ...Bb7, when his two pieces may prove stronger than W hite's rook and pawns. Still, why get involved in this?) 5.e2 gf6 6.g5 b6 and not ( 6...h6? 7.xf7! decimating the black position) 7.b3 h6 8.5f3 e7 9.e5 0-0 10.gf3 c5 and Black has successfully brought play to a Caro position where he has an extra tempo. Still, after 11.d3 a5 12.a3 a4 13.a2 c7 White unleashed a strong attack with 14.g4! d6 15.h4 fd7 16.xd7 xd7 17.g5 h5 18.g6 fxg6 19.g5 with wild play, Schneider,A-Lengyel,L/ Budapest 1995. Perhaps Black should have deferred castling? ] 4...gf6 5.xf6+ xf6 6.f3 f5!? Ambitious in a pure Caro, Black would be happy to play ...e6, and then an eventual ...b6, and ...Bb7, bringing this piece into play on the long h1-a8 diagonal. Here, as he has a tempo more (in effect) he decides to play the bishop to a more active square immediately. 7.c3 e6 8.e5 e7 9.b3 c8 the first slight drawback to Black's sixth move is revealed, b7 is unde f ended . 10.e2 0-0?! A careless move, Black should have waited for White to castle before committing his king like this. The 'I have a tempo more, so I must have a good position' syndrome strikes! [ 10...h6 would have been more prudent ] 11.g4! Starting a kingside attack with gain of tempo . The f 5-bisho p pro ves to be more 'exposed' than 'active' e4 12.f3 d5 13.c4 c6 Finally finding safety, at least the bishop won't be lost 14.f4 e8 15.xc6 xc6 16.0-0-0 The dust has settled and White finds himself with the bishop pair, a space advantage, and the makings of a kingside attack d6 17.g3 a6 18.b1 This is almost always a useful precaution when one side has castled long. ab8 19.g5 e8?! 20.d3 g6 21.e4 d7 22.c5! Black is being pushed off the board xg3 This is hardly desirable, opening up the h-file onto his king, but [ 22...e7 loses material after 23.c6 24 and cxb7 ] 23.hxg3 c6 24.g4 c7 25.c2 Coming to
the h-file f5 26.gxf6 xf6 27.h6! bf8 28.dh1 xf3 Desperation, but other moves were also hopeless, e.g. [ 28...8f7 29.g5 f4 30.xg6 when the black king is not long for this world ] 29.xf3 xf3 30.xg6+! Pretty, and effective! [ 30.xg6+ hxg6 31.h8+ f7 32.1h7+ f6 33.xd7 wins easily ] 1-0
46 Short,Nigel D Caruana,Fabiano 5th Classic GpD 2013 (2.1) [Fier, Alexandr]
A00 2683 2782 11.12.2013
Short tries an unusual setup and Caruana punishes it in a good way. It's interesting to play some exotic lines, but to develop the pieces and control the center can't be bad either. 1.b4 d5 2.b2 f6 3.e3 [ 3.f3 is normal, trying to enter a normal position with some expansion on the queenside g4 4.e3 bd7 this was the setup chosen by Kobalia last year in a blitz game 5.e2 e6 6.b5 d6 7.h3 h5 8.0-0 and there is nothing wrong with the position. Later White managed to win in Nadanian, A (2428)-Kobalia, M (2651)/FIDE World Blitz 2013 blitz 2013. ] 3...f5 4.e2 Still avoiding the normal paths [ 4.f3 is again possible and was tried this ye a r b y Mo ro vic , e6 5.c4 c6 6.c5 but despite Black's loss, the opening was not the main problem in Morovic Fernandez, I (2560)-Obregon Rivero, J (2501)/ Capablanca Memorial op-A 48th 2013. ] 4...e6 5.a3 e7 6.d3 Trying to keep some flexibility, but basically it doesn't matter so much for Black [ 6.g4 I don't believe this move is completely sound, but it would be a legitimate try to use the fact that the knight is still on g1. With ideas of g5, h4-h5, White tries to disrupt the harmony between the Black pieces e4 this should be critical, trying to immediately p u n i s h W h i t e ' s e x o t i c p l a y ( 6...g6 is a solid option and, of course, playable 7.g5 e4 8.h4 and Black needs to keep 43
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 one eye on the h5-h6 idea. Still Black is bringing the knight to d6 and it's not so clear if W hite can continue the attack in a dangerous way. ) 7.f3 A) 7...g6 now the knight is not going to e4 anymore 8.g5 fd7 9.h4 e5 ( 9...0-0 is also possible 10.f4 with the idea of h5) 10.f4!? anyway exf4 11.h3!? this idea is also played in the lines with 1. d4 e6 2.c4 b6 where Black plays .. .f5 exf5 Nh6 fxe3 12.dxe3 b6 13.f4 with nice counterplay; B) 7...xg4!? again critical, going for what looks like a decisive attack, 8.fxe4 h4+ 9.f1 f2 10.b5+! an important detail, t o a c t i v a t e t h e q u e e n . ( 10.c1 d o e s n ' t w o r k b e c a u s e o f dxe4 and White's pieces have no place to go) 10...c6 11.h5 at the cost of one piece White activates his forces, cxb5 12.xg7 g8 13.xh7 xg7 ( 13...d7 trying to keep the rook is not so good 14.exd5 xh1 15.dxe6+ xe6 16.c3 c6 17.f3 and despite being a rook down White is better. Black's king is too exposed and his pieces are more or less hanging. For example: f2 18.d4 d7 19.d5 e7 20.xh4 xg7 21.xf2 with a huge advantage) 14.h8+ d7 15.xg7 xh1 ( 15...dxe4 Black can wait one more move to take the rook, since it's still hanging, 16.xf7+ e7 17.xe7+ xe7 18.g2 xh1 19.xh1 a5 and the material is back to normal, Black has some compensation for the pawn, but the position is unclear.) 16.xf7+ e7 17.xe7+ xe7 18.exd5 f2 19.c3 and Black kept the piece, but for 3 pawns. The game is still full of life. ] 6...h6 7.d2 bd7 8.gf3 Finally White brings the knight into the game. 0-0 9.h3?! The beginning of a flawed plan. White has not sufficient resources to start an attack against Black's king and he will be severely punished for this. [ 9.0-0 would be normal, and after a5 10.b1 c6 11.c4 the position is about equal ] 9...g6 10.b3 d6 Since White has no intentions of using the center, Black prepares t o o c c u p y it . 11.g4? Now there is no going
back anymore. W hite moves a knight to f5, and after ...Bxf5 gxf5 he is going to put the rook on the g-file. And after that? It's not clear. Meanwhile Black plays natural and strong moves. [ 11.c4 this would be my preference, but it doesn't make much sense to play 9.h3 then c5 ( 11...e8 lets White create a weakness on the queenside 12.c5! f8 13.a5 c8 14.c6 bxc6 15.xc6 with a slight advantage for W hite.) 12.cxd5 xd5 13.bxc5 xc5 14.xc5 xc5 15.0-0 and the position is quite normal ] [ 11.0-0 was still rational and prudent c5 12.xc5 xc5 13.bxc5 xc5 14.a4 and one day White can prepare the rupture on c4 to activate his pieces. ] 11...e5 12.h4 h7 13.f5 xf5 14.gxf5 e8 15.g1 [ 15.d2 would be interesting, to try 16.0-0-0, but there is no time for it c5 16.bxc5 xc5 17.xc5 xc5 and the king won't be safe on the queenside, either. ] 15...c5! Opening the other side too. 16.bxc5 xc5 17.xc5 xc5 And apparently both p l a ye r s m a n a ge d t o p u t t h e i r p l a n s in t o practice. White opened the file for the rook to attack Black's king and Black took the center and opened the queenside. The problem is that White needs one more piece at least to attack, and it's not so easy to bring the queen i n t o t h e g a m e w i t h o u t s p a c e . 18.f1 This move can't really work, but it's already hard to suggest anything decent for White. [ 18.c4 is the move suggested by the computer, but it also helps Black to open the position c8 ( 18...dxc4 19.dxc4 e7 20.f1 ed8 21.c2 ac8 and maybe White can bring the king to g2 and exchange some pieces) 19.cxd5 xd5 20.a4 f8 and it's still not clear what White is going to do next. ] 18...c8 19.d2 Since the queen can't go to the kingside, it tries to stay there, defending the pawns [ 19.f3 would be the plan, but now it's not possible because of b6 20.g2 ( 20.c1 e4 is just winning for Black) 20...f8 and both the bishop and the c2-pawn are hanging. 21.0-0-0 is not going to be enough. ] 44
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 19...b6 20.d1 a5 21.c3 h8 Final prophylaxis. [ 21...d7 there was nothing wrong with this t o o , b u t i t ' s a m a t t e r o f t a s t e 22.c1 xf5-+ ] 22.f3 d4 23.g2 g8 24.cxd4 d5 25.f2 b6 26.e2 b3# mate 0-1
m o v e t h o s e k i n g s i d e p a w n s b a c k . exd4 28.c1 d3 29.xd3 e5 30.d1 fd7 31.g3 Breaking up Black's kingside pawns. fxg3 32.xg3 Suddenly the knight has access to the juicy f5 square. f6 33.f5 f8?! 34.a2 [ 34.h4! would have been very strong, for e x a m p l e a f t e r h6 ( 34...gxh4 35.f4 ) 35.hxg5 hxg5 36.b2 White's rook is coming to h2. ] 47 A00 34...g6 35.b2 h6 36.g2 h5 37.f4! Sitnikov,Anton 2443 xd1 38.xd1 f7? [ After 38...gxf4 39.xf4 Black loses the Aveskulov,Valeriy 2457 pawn on h6, but moving the knight from e5 Kharkov Femida (11) 26.10.2005 is the last thing he should do. Now White [Nigel Davies] comes crashing through... ] White's 4.c4 is a very sensible way of playing 39.b2+ h7 40.b1 be8 41.h4 g8 against this system, but I can't say it looks 42.hxg5 hxg5 43.h2+ g6 44.dd2 [ Missing mate via 44.e7+ xe7 45.f5# that promising. Black was doing well here until . I guess they were in time trouble. ] he overreached. 1.b4 c5!? 2.bxc5 e5 3.e3 44...f6 45.e7+ g7 xc5 4.c4!? [ 45...xe7 46.e5+ is disastrous. ] [ This makes much more sense than the 4.d4 of Katalymov - Kupreichik. Now if Black's 46.xg8 xg8 47.dg2 e3 48.e5 dxe5 wants to play ...d7-d5 he must allow the 49.fxe5 1-0 exchange of another more central pawn. ] 4...c6 5.c3 f6 6.ge2 I quite like this as a concept bringing the knight in contact A00 with the e4 and d5 squares. Unfortunately it 48 d o e s n ' t s e e m t o a c h i e ve ve r y m u c h . 0-0 Skembris,Spyridon 7.d5 d6 8.ec3 e6 9.e2 xd5 Mariotti,Sergio 2475 10.cxd5 e7 11.b3 a5 12.b1 zt Budva (3) 1981 [ After 12.0-0 Black can pressure the d5 [Tony Kosten] pawn with b4! . So White prevents this 1.g4 e5 2.g2 This may be inaccurate, before castling. ] [ 2.c4 might be better, trying to control some 12...ab8 13.a4 Preventing 13...b5. a6 14.0-0 fc8 15.c4 d7 16.d3 f5 17.d2 light squares, and in particular d5 . h5!? d8 18.d1 b6 19.e2 h8 20.a2 3.gxh5 xh5 4.c3 c6 5.d3 d6 6.g2 f6 21.g3 g6 22.b3 a5?! f6 Certain portions of the position [ White was probably still hoping to equalise resemble an English opening. 7.h4 g4 8.f3 d4 9.g5 with an unusual position, at this stage, planning to meet 22...exd5 which might be slightly better for Black, with 23.e4 when fxe4 24.xe4 xe4 25.dxe4 c3 26.xc3 xc3 27.d5 Basman,M-Arkell,K/Southampton 1986. ] when the opposite colour bishops minimise 2...h5 This is a very popular idea, trying to ruin the value of Black's extra pawn. If anything the white pawn structure, and isolate the h2it's Black's ambition that proves to be his pawn, but I still think that undoing. ] [ 2...d5 is the best move. ] 23.e4 f4 24.e2 b6 25.h1 g5 26.f3 3.gxh5 g5!? 4.f3 h4 5.c3 f6 g6 27.d4! With the opening of the centre 6.e4?! W hite's position looks decidedly more [ 6.d3 Is less committal. ] promising. In fact Black's king position now 6...c5 7.d4!? xd4 8.e2 xc3+ 9.bxc3 leaves something to be desired as he can't xh5 In return for his pawn minus, White 45
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 seems to have a rotten position! 10.e3 f4 11.b5 c6 12.0-0-0 a6 13.a4 f6 14.e2 e6 15.g4 d6 16.b3 c5! T h i s s h o u l d w i n . 17.xc5 g5+?! This is unnecessary, [ 17...xg4 18.xb7 0-0 19.xc6 xe2 wins at least an exchange, for no compensation. ] 18.e3 xg4 19.g3 b8 20.hg1 e6 21.c4 f3 A computer would greedily capture, [ 21...xh2 and after 22.f5 xe4 23.xg7+ f8 Black should be able to defend. ] 22.f5 xf5 23.exf5 h7 24.c5! W h i t e t r i e s t o g e n e r a t e s o m e p l a y . d5 Black plays 'safe', but [ 24...dxc5 i s f i n e , a s 25.d7!? can be answered by xf5 ] 25.xd5 xf5 26.g5 e4 27.d2 With a few careful moves Black will win, but he must take care as the white pieces are active. e2 28.g3! f1+ 29.b2 b5+ Black has a perpetual check, and perhaps he should take the draw? 30.c1 f1+ 31.b2 b6 32.gxe5+! f8? [ After 32...xe5 Black must have been wo rrie d a b o u t 33.xe5+ f8 34.xc7 but he has the resource b5+! with at least a draw, and probably more after 35.a1 bxc5 ] 33.e3 bxc5+? [ 33...c4 is better. ] 34.b3 Now Black has problems because his h7-rook is out of play. c8? 35.xc5 e2 36.e3! The knight must move, and then the cpawn drops, and along with it the rest of the black position. 1-0
49 Smyslov,Vassily Adorjan,Andras Hoogovens Wijk aan Zee (2) [Nigel Davies]
A00 2620 2475 01.1972
2.b2 xb4 3.xe5 f6 4.f3 0-0 5.e3 e7 Despite having scored excellent results, this preference of Adorjan's remains a rarity. In fact other moves also seem fine for Black, for example: [ a) 5...e8 6.e2 ( 6.c4 f8 7.b3 b6 8.b2 e4 9.c3 d6 10.d4 xf2!? 11.xf2 c5 12.d5 cxd4 13.xd4 b7 was fine for Black in Hecimovic, I (2220)Lalic, B (2575)/Pula 1996) 6...d5 7.0-0 bd7 8.b2 b6 9.d3 d7 10.c1 a4 started to get troublesome f or W hite in Vid oniak, R (2 41 7)-Tivia kov, S (263 1)/ Gausdal 2005. ] [ b) 5...d5 6.e2 c5 7.0-0 c6 8.b2 f5 9.d3 a5 10.bd2 c7 11.c4 dxc4 12.xc4 was about equal at this point in Schoenwaelder, B (2120) -Ikonnikov, V (2549)/Deizisau 2007. ] 6.c4 [ Varying from Adorjan's earlier game which went 6.e2 d5 7.c4 c5 8.cxd5 xd5 9.0-0 c6 10.b2 f6 11.d4 cxd4 12.xd4 b6 with an excellent game for Black in Urzica, A-Adorjan, A/ Stockholm 1970. But despite this (apparent) home cooking, White does not gain any advantage. ] 6...c5 7.c3 c6 8.xf6 xf6 9.c1 d6 10.e2 [ White has partial control of the d5 square but the problem is in using it. For example 10.d5 b4 11.xb4 cxb4 gives Black a dangerous queenside pawn majority, not at all the kind of thing that's to Smyslov's taste. ] 10...e6 11.0-0 c8 12.c2 h6 13.a3 e8 14.d3 [ T h i s w a s t h e l a s t c h a n c e f o r 14.d5 but after xd5 15.cxd5 a5 16.d3 b5 Black gets excellent play in a double edged position. Smyslov no doubt balked at the prospect of playing this against the yo u n g a n d ve r y d a n g e r o u s H u n g a r i a n player. ] 14...xc3! 15.xc3 b6 16.fd1 d5 ½-½
1.b4 In playing this Smyslov must have noted Adorjan's game against Urzica and thought he could do better f or W hite. Indeed his 6th move varies from the earlier encounter. e5 46
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A00 position typical of a reversed King's Indian, but Black is better, as he enjoys more space. Sokolsky,Alexey g6 9.g3 c8 10.g2 h3 11.0-0 g7 Veresov,Gavriil N ch Moscow (7) 1944 12.h4 0-0 13.d2 xg2 14.xg2 e6 15.e2 d7 16.h1 f5 Normally, White [Tony Kosten] should have played f4 before Black plays ...f5. 1.b4 e5 2.b2 f6 Erecting a barrier against 17.exf5 gxf5 18.f3 ae8 19.ae1 h8 the b2-bishop along the a1-h8 diagonal, and 20.c1 f7 21.g2 h5 22.b3 f4 preparing to continue with 3...d5 with a good This appears anti-positional, but Black has centre, is also a viable way of continuing- decided to attack the white king, and must f5 especially if Black doesn't like giving-up his we a k e n t h e p a w n c o v e r . 23.h3 This is the point behind Black's play, the h4central pawns. [ 2...d6 is solid, and aims for a King's Indian knight is pinned, so Black will be able to ruin Desperation, set-up, 3.c4 f6 4.e3 bd7 5.d4 g6 the white structure. 24.xf4 6.dxe5 dxe5 7.a3 g7 Jaszczuk,J-Geller,E/ W hite plays a combination relying on the W oerishofen chs 1991, Black winning by looseness of the d7-knight, but there is a flaw. direct attack, after playing an eventual ...e4, xh4 [ Not 24...exf4? 25.xe8 xe8? 26.xf5 and ...Ne5-f3+. ] and White is better. ] [ On t he ot he r h an d , 2...c6? is a bad 25.gxh4?! Losing quickly, mistake, and loses a pawn to 3.b5 ] [ 25.c1 was a better chance, but even so, 3.b5 A common idea in this variation, the b5after xf3 Black has a plus. ] pawn cramps the black queenside. [ White played in gambit style in the game 25...exf4 26.d2 Admitting defeat, [ h i s i n t e n d e d 26.xd7 loses to xe1 Sokolsky,A-Zagorovsky,M/corr 1968, by 27.xe1 xf3+ 28.g1 g8 threatening 3.e4?! but after xb4 4.c4 c6 5.f4 d6 an evil discovered check. ] 6.c3 a5 7.e2 e7 8.0-0 b6+ 9.h1 d7 10.d4 0-0-0 With the bishop on c4, 26...e5 c a s t l i n g s h o r t wa s a l wa ys g o i n g t o b e 0-1 problematical, so the black king goes the o t h e r wa y . 11.d2 h6 12.d5 a5 A00 13.a4 f5! and, by careful defence, Black has 51 disarmed the white initiative, and having Stein,Leonid completed his development, has a clear Book,Eero advantage. ] Tallinn 1969 3...d5 4.e3 e6 The most accurate move, as [Nigel Davies] White's counterplay depends on the move c4, Blac k a tt em p ts t o m ake t his p awn b re a k 1.g3 d5 2.g2 c6 3.d3 f6 4.d2 g4 impossible. A standard development of the bishop against [ 4...d6 is also possible, but allows 5.c4 ] both the King's Indian Attack and the Reti 5.f3?! Black takes complete control of the Opening, but here there are a few twists. 5.h3 centre after this, in later games Sokolsky f5?! White's reply gains an important tempo preferred on the bishop. [ 5.d4 when, after e4 6.d2 c6 7.a4 d6 [ Perhaps Black should have played just 8.c4 he would have achieved the c4-move, 5...h5 though he might have been in a 'French-style' position, and would be concerned about his bishop being shut out r e a d y t o c o n t i n u e wi t h Q b 3 , a n d B a 3 , of pla y af te r 6.f4!? ( Stein would probably exchanging his dark-squared bishop. ] have played just 6.gf3 ) 6...e6 7.g4 g6 5...c5! 6.c4 d4 The white position is critical, 8.e4 dxe4 9.dxe4 h6 10.f5 , though in this for his b2-bishop is 'biting on granite', and he final position White's game looks none too risks being swept-away by the black central compact. ] pawns. 7.d3 h6 8.e4 transposing into a 6.e4 dxe4 7.dxe4 e6 The bishop will prove
50
47
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 non e to o c om f o rta ble he re eith er, n ot t o mention the fact that Black cannot move his epawn for the time being. 8.gf3 a6 [ 8...bd7 is strongly met by 9.g5 . ] 9.0-0 a5 10.d4 0-0-0 Accepting the mangling of his pawn structure in order to avoid losing further time. [ 10...d7 is indeed none to pleasant for B l a c k a f t e r 11.c4 c5 12.b3 , for example 0-0-0 13.a3 h5 14.e5 xd1 15.axd1 d5 16.e6 xe6 17.xe6 fxe6 18.e5 g8 19.c4 gives White a large advantage. ] 11.xe6 fxe6 12.e2 g6 13.c4 c7 There's really no good square for Black's queen, just relatively bad ones. [ After 13...a4 14.b3 b5 15.a4 she also gets pushed from pillar to post. ] 14.f4 d7 15.fd1 e8 16.xd8+ xd8 17.d1 e8 18.f1 d7 [ Stein's last move prepared to meet 18...g7 with 19.b6+! axb6 20.xa6! bxa6 21.xa6# . Book manages to avoid this but does little to repair the rest of his position. ] 19.e3 c5 20.b3 ab8 21.a5 b6 22.xe6 [ After 22.xe6 bxa5 there follows 23.a6+ xa6 24.c6+ d8 25.a8+ ab8 26.xb8# . ] 1-0
Jonny Hector! ] 3...f6 When played in the Caro-Kann this m o ve d o e s n o t h a ve a p a rt i cu la rly go o d reputation, still, at the time that this game was played that was not the case. 4.xf6+ gxf6 Opening the g-file, and strengthening the black centre, however, the doubled f-pawns may turn into a liability [ 4...exf6 is the other possibility, and in Hector, J-Preuss,F/Roskilde 1998, play returned to a 'pure Caro' following 5.d4 c6 ] 5.c4 Pointing the bishop aggressively at f7, [ 5.d4 c6 leads to another Caro-Kann position ] 5...c6 Black, who likes to play Dunst's Opening himself, decides to take play in a resolutely original direction, [ 5...c6 would be more standard ] 6.h5 You don't often see this sort of crude p l a y f r o m s u c h s t r o n g p l a y e r s ! e5 parrying the menace to f7, with gain of tempo 7.b3 d6 8.f4 g6 9.e2 f5 Stopping the onward advance of the f-pawn 10.d4 e6! The positionally correct decision, Black swapsoff his lesser bishop, after which he will be able to place all his pawns on light-squares 11.g4!? White, clearly not happy with the outcome of the opening, decides to introduce a tactical element to the play xb3 12.axb3 d5 [ 12...fxg4? i s i m p o s s i b l e , a s 13.f5 would leave the knight bereft of squares, 52 A00 and win for White ] 13.f1 e6 14.c4 e4 15.gxf5 exf5 Suba,Mihai The black pawn structure leaves something to Bellon Lopez,Juan Manuel Bucuresti 1978 be desired, but White's is hardly better, and his light-squares are sensitive 16.d2 c2 [Tony Kosten] 17.c1 xb3 Now, if Black can bring his king 1.c3 d5 2.e4 Presenting Black with a to safety, he should be winning 18.xf5 e7 19.g4 h4+ 20.g3 f8 The black king choice of two good replies: dxe4 might be safe here, but it will be difficult to [ 2...d4 is the alternative ] develop the h8-rook henceforth. Perhaps 3.xe4 [ 20...0-0 could have been played, as there [ Hector has played 3.c4?! but it looks is hardly time for 21.f5 ae8+ 22.f2 rather dubious f6 4.d3 g4 5.ge2 xb2 23.cd1 f6 when Black will have an exd3 6.cxd3 e6 everything seems under attack, and several pawns, as compensation control, but 7.f3 f5 8.g4!? g6 9.h4 for his knight ] t h r e a t e n i n g t o s u r r o u n d t h e b i s h o p h6 10.f4 h7 11.g5 with a dangerous 21.f2 e8+ 22.f1 d3+ 23.g1 xd4? initiative for the pawn, Hector,J-Vafeas,A/ this loses the queen [ 23...f6 must be stronger, returning the Komotini GP-1 1992, White going on to win bishop to the fray, and planning to capture in 18 moves. Still, we can't all play like 48
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 19.fd1? a6! 20.a3 c3! wins on the spot. ] 19...xf4 20.f3 a6! 21.d6 cd8 22.xb7 xd4 23.a3 Intending 24.Rb4. d3! 24.a4 [ After 24.a1? Black has an attractive combinative sequence in h3+! 25.h1 xf3! 26.gxf3 d5 27.g2 f4+ 28.g3 e2+! 29.g2 xb7 etc. ] [ And after 24.b4 h e c a n p l a y h3+! 25.h1 xa3 just winning a pawn. ] 24...c8 25.a5 g6! 26.fd1 [ 26.b7 c5 27.c6 d6 28.b8 e2+ 29.h1 a5 leaves White's minor pieces 53 A00 stranded in a way that they won't be able to help the weak a-pawn. ] Urzica,Aurel 26...c2! 27.b7?! Adorjan,Andras [ After 27.xd3 xd3 28.e4 Stockholm 1970 A d o r j a n i n t e n d e d f5! 29.xf5 gxf5 [Nigel Davies] with an edge because of his well placed minor pieces. Still, this would have been 1.b4 The Orang Utan Opening. It got its name better for White than the game. ] because of Savielly Tartakower's friendship with one of these apes at New York zoo. e5 27...xd1+ 28.xd1 a2 29.h3 [ 29.c6 e2+ 30.f1 c3 would also Adorjan's recipe in this game is simple and lead to the loss of the a-pawn. ] effective. [ Those who are looking for a good answer to 29...xa4 30.c6 g7 31.e5 a5 32.c6 W hite's provocative opening might also a2 33.h2!? c2 [ 33...xf2 would not have been good consider the sensible 1...d5 followed by 2... because of 34.g3 ] Bg4. ] [ but Black could also have played 33...e2 [ A more exotic option is 1...c5!? 2.bxc5 e5 34.f3 xf2 35.g3 c2 when he wins a , though naturally this 'risks' a W ing second pawn. ] Gambit after 2.e4. ] 2.b2 xb4! 3.xe5 f6 4.c4 0-0 5.f3 34.e4 e2 35.d4 xf2 36.c6 a2 xh3 A nice game which well d5 6.e3 e7 7.e2 c5! This makes perfect 37.f3 illustrates the 2...Bxb4 approach. s e n s e , t a k i n g s o m e sp a c e in t h e c e n t r e b e f o r e W h i t e ' s c e n t r a l p a wn m a s s g e t s 0-1 properly established. 8.b2 c6 9.cxd5 xd5 10.0-0 f6! 11.d4 A00 [ After 11.c1 Ad orjan ga ve ju st f5! 54 a f t e r w h i c h ( 11...db4 12.xf6 xf6 Watson,William N 13.c3 was less good in the game Volke, K Hartston,William R 1982 (2480)-Schaefer, M (2460)/Germany 1994/ BCF-ch Torquay (10) GER-chT ) 12.a3 xb2 13.xb2 db4 [Tony Kosten] 14.c4 b6 is better for Black. ] 1.c3 d5 2.e4 d4 While this may not appeal 11...cxd4 12.xd4 b6 to players who prefer open positions, it has a [ 12...f4 was also pretty good. ] 13.d2 xd4 14.xd4 xd4 15.exd4 e6 lot of advantages. Firstly, Black gains a space advantage. 3.ce2 e5 4.g3 White makes16.a3 ac8 17.ab1 d6 18.b5 [ After 18.c4 Black can play f4 19.e3 way for his king's bishop. b6 with an unpleasant position for White. ] [ 4.f3 Hitting the e5-pawn, is the other m a i n p o s s i b i l i t y d6 5.g3 e6! 18...f4! 19.xf4 on d4 with the minor piece. Black must be better ] 24.c3 e3 hitting the rook on c1, but, unfortunately, after 25.e1 the position is lost for Black xe1+ 26.xe1 xe1+ 27.f1 xg3 28.hxg3 e3? this loses, but anyway, although material is nearly equal, without the use of the h8-rook, things were looking bleak for Black 29.f5 e5 30.d4 Forking the only two black pieces in play. [ 30.d4 xg3+ 31.h2 d3 32.xe5 ] 1-0
49
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 careful play, stopping Bc4 6.b5+ d7 7.e2 c6 8.c4 so White manages to play this anywa y, albeit at t he co st of som e tempi. c5 9.0-0 f6 with a good position for Black, Oppici,G-Marcoli,P/FIDE Open, Corsico ITA 1997. ] 4...e6! A good move, hindering White's natural development plan of Bc4, d3, Nf3, etc. 5.f3 f6 6.b3 White finds a way to bring his king's bishop to an active square. Naturally, he could not be happy with [ 6.d3?! when the light-squared bishop would be seriously confined. ] 6...c6 7.c4 White has achieved his aimexchange his lesser bishop. How will Black react? xc4 8.bxc4 d3! Well-played! Before White gets a chance to play d3 himself, Black takes control of the square. At the same time he frees the d4-square, and this will provide a fine square for a knight, or his bishop, and frees the g1-a7 diagonal. So much achieved wi t h j u s t o n e p a wn m o ve ! . 9.0-0 c5 The first fruit of his eighth move, the bishop enjoys a wonderful diagonal. 10.b1 ge7 11.cxd3 xd3 12.a4?? An awful blunder in a difficult position. [ 12.xb7? allows the bishop to be trapped by b6 13.c5 a6 of course, but ] [ 12.b3 held out better prospects, although Black is clearly better, anyway- W hite's backward d-pawn will never go away (unless Black captures it!) ] 12...xb1 13.d4 b4! After this, White should resign, a whole rook down for zero compensation, but continues a bit. 14.c2 xd4 15.xd4 xd4 16.d2 c5 17.b1 xf2+ 18.f1 xg3 19.hxg3 c6 20.b5 Allowing further simplification. d4 21.xc5 xc2 22.xc7 0-0 White was quite young wh e n t h i s g a m e w a s p l a ye d , a n d ye t t o achieve GM status. 0-1
55 Zschalich,Arndt Werner,H World Seniors (4) [John Watson]
A00 2087 27.10.2004
1.b4 e5 2.b2 xb4 3.xe5 f6 4.e3 0-0 5.f3 d5 6.c4 e8 [ Also good is 6...c6 7.b2 f5 8.cxd5 xd5 with wonderfully centralised pieces to pit against White's centre, e.g., 9.b5 de7 10.0-0 d3 11.xd3 xd3 ] 7.b2 e7!? Conservative yet not so easy to meet. This just shows how fundamentally sound Black's position is. Black has other promising moves: [ 7...c5 is the normal continuation. Then 8.cxd5 xd5 9.e2 f5 is pleasant. ] [ 7...c6 8.cxd5 ( 8.a3 a5 9.cxd5 xd5 10.b5 de7 ) 8...xd5 9.e2 e6 with free play. ( Probably insufficient but fun would be 9...xe3!? 10.fxe3 xe3 11.b3 xg2+ 12.f2 f4 , with ...Bg4 the major theme. )] 8.e2 c5 9.0-0 c6 10.cxd5 xd5 11.d3 [ 11.d4 f6 should favour Black. ] 11...b6 12.c3 xc3 13.xc3 f6 14.xf6 xf6 15.d4?! cxd4 16.exd4 [ Black stands much better here after 16.exd4 g4! ( 16...b7 is also goo d) 17.d5? ( 17.h3? xe2; 17.e1 ad8 with a large advantage. 18.d5 xf3 19.xf3 xe1+ 20.xe1 d4 21.e4 e2+ 22.f1 e8 ) 17...xe2! ] ½-½
56 Arencibia Rodriguez,Walter Kaidanov,Gregory S 34th Olympiad (13) [Tony Kosten]
A01 2513 2624 10.11.2000
1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 d5 4.b5 d6 Black's most aggressive line, he constructs a full centre, if White can't successfully knock it d o w n t h e n B l a c k w i l l b e b e t t e r . 5.f4 Increasing the pressure on e5, the pawn is 'untakeable', as g7 is vulnerable. e7!? [ 5...h4+ 6.g3 e7 7.f3 g4 ( or 7...f6 are more popular, giving W hite a slight 50
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 light-squared weakness on the kingside. )] 6.f3 f6 7.c3 e6 8.0-0 h6!? [ Black brings his knight to f7, to further support his centre, but it appears to be too slow, the alternative 8...a6! allows 9.xc6+ bxc6 10.fxe5 fxe5 11.xe5?! but now, instead of A) 11...xe5! 12.h5+ f7 should be played, 13.xf7 xh2+ 14.xh2 xf7 15.e5+ e7 ( 15...e7? 16.xd5 cxd5 17.xg7 ) 16.xc7 gives White some dark-squared compensation for the exchange, but no more after 0-0; B) 11...f6 12.xc6 ( 12.e2!? ) 12...d7 13.d4 g4 14.f3 and W hite has a solid two-pawn lead, Naszadi,F-Pal,F/Hajduboszormeny 1995. ] 9.fxe5 fxe5 10.e4! White is fully developed, and strikes at the centre before Black can fully strengthen it. dxe4?! [ I don't like this, 10...d4 11.d5 d8 is worth consideration. ] 11.xe4 0-0 12.xc6 bxc6 The black pawn structure is a mess, and his light-squared bishop does not provide sufficient compensation. 13.e2 g4 14.c4+ h8 15.fg5 d7 16.ae1 f5 17.f3 The knight simply returns to control d4, and pressure e5. ae8 18.f2 Winning the e5pawn. e6 Black prefers to give the c-pawn. 19.xc6 d4 20.xd4 exd4 21.e4! [ 21.xd4? h4 22.f3 allows Black back into the game, h5 ( 22...xf3? 23.xe8+ f8 24.xf8+ xf8 25.xe6 ) 23.e4 xf3 24.xf3 d5 with at least a draw for Black. Anyway, why complicate? ] 21...d7 22.d5 f5 23.xd4 a3 24.f2 d8 25.xe8+ xe8 Thus we see the real horror of a weak pawn structure, Black has already lost his weak c6, and e5-pawns, but his structure remains weak! 26.e1 c8 27.e3 f8 28.d3 d6 29.fe5 c8 30.c4 Rather than grab the a7-pawn, White p r e f e r s t o e x c h a n g e s o m e p i e c e s . b7 31.xd6 cxd6 32.h4 [ Creating an escape square for the king, 32.e8?? f1+ ] 32...h6 33.e8 f1+ 34.h2 xe8 35.xe8+ h7 36.e1 f7 37.e6 d7 38.c4 1-0
57 Asimenios,Asterios Timoshenko,Georgy Open Kavala GRE (1) [Tony Kosten]
A01 2536 31.07.2004
1.b3 e5 2.e3 d5 3.b2 c6 4.b5 d6 5.f4 The critical line, but the weakening of the white kingside has its drawbacks. h4+ 6.g3 e7 7.f3 f6!? Defending e5, but this is actually a pawn sacrifice. [ 7...g4 is more solid. ] 8.xc6+ In the notes to Bagirov,V-Mainka,R I suggested that [ 8.c3 is safer, as in Chandler,M-Crouch,C/ Birmingham ENG 1998. ] 8...bxc6 9.fxe5 fxe5 10.xe5 White really has to take this pawn now, as otherwise he has no compensation for the bishop pair and Black's strong centre. f6 Black continues his development obviously [ 10...xe5? is met by 11.h5+ ] 11.f3?! The worst of several tries, [ 11.d3 0-0 12.0-0 h3 shows the problem for W hite in this line - the weak kin gsi d e li gh t sq u a r e s , 13.xf6 xf6 14.xf6 xf6 15.c3 f8 16.e2 g6 with a dangerous initiative, Pridorozhni,AGipslis,A/Decin 1997. ] [ 11.xc6! is really greedy, but best! e4 12.0-0 h3 13.f2 ( 13.f3? xf1 14.xe4+ xe4 15.xf1 0-0+ is almost winning for Black, Sandhu,M-Fedorchuk,S/ Oropesa del Mar 1998) 13...g4 14.f3 ( 14.c3?! h1+! 15.xh1 xf2+ 16.g1 xd1 is at least equal for Black, who has an exchange for two pawns, Krnic,Z-Vuruna, M/Yugo slavia 1 97 4) 14...f8 15.d4 Forced, ( 15.xf8+? xf8 16.e2 xc2 wins ) 15...0-0-0 ( 15...e5 16.xf8+ xf8 17.e2 g6 also keeps some initiative for the pawns ) 16.c3 g6 17.e2 Blatny,P-Van Buskirk,C/Agoura Hills USA 20 04 , a nd no w I t h in k B la ck sho uld t ry ( 17.xd5 xh2! 18.xh2 g4 19.f4 h6+ 20.g2 g5 is messy ) 17...c5 ] 11...0-0 12.0-0?! This novelty makes matters worse, the previous move was [ 12.e2 g4 and only now 13.0-0 e4 ( t h r e a t e n i n g . . . N g 5 ) 14.g2 d7 but Black is clearly better here, too, 15.c3 51
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 h3 16.e2 xf1 17.xf1 xc3 18.xc3 g4 ( 18...f5 19.d4 xf1+ 20.xf1 xf1+ 21.xf1 c5 was also effective in Rosales,E-Asbjornsson,A/Caracas 1976) 19.g2 f7 20.g1 e4+ winning the cpawn, and soon the game, Lakic, N-Vukic, M/Yugoslavia (ch) 1976. ] 12...h3 13.e1 g4 14.e2 xf3! Already winning. 15.xf3 f8 16.e2 f2 Good, but [ 16...xg3! 17.hxg3 d6 18.h1 xg3 is even stronger. ] 17.xf2 xf2 18.xf2 f7+ 19.e2 [ 19.g1? f3 is mate next move. ] 19...h5+ 20.d3 The king is forced to go for a stroll on the wrong side of the pawns! b4 [ 20...f3! Forces a quick mate. ] 21.c3 [ 21.c3 is no improvement. f5+ 22.e4 dxe4+ 23.c2 e3+ ] 21...f3! Pinning the e-pawn and threatening a deadly check with the bishop on f5. 22.a3 f5+ 23.d4 c5+ 24.e5 xc3+ Black's next move is ... Qe4 mate. 0-1
58
A01 Bacrot,Etienne 2695 Adams,Michael 2729 World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (19) 21.11.2007 [Carsten Hansen]
1.b3 e5 2.b2 d6 3.e3 g6 4.f4!? [ This complex move allows the game to move over towards a Bird Opening. White could keep it in the Nimzo-Larsen proper with 4.f3 g7 5.d4= though this is hardly critical for Black ] 4...g7 5.f3 [ 5.fxe5 h6 ( 5...c6 ) 6.e2 0-0 7.f3 g4 8.0-0 xe5 9.xe5 dxe5 Stretch, WDe la Rosa, E/Buenos Aires 1978 10.c4!? f5 11.d3 c6 12.e1 ] 5...d7 [ This is just one of many possible continuations for Black at this juncture, so let's have a brief overview of the others: A) 5...c6 is the main line, but I think Black will do best to stay clear of this line and give preference to either Adams' choice in the
ma in ga m e o r va ria t io n 'B ' b e lo w 6.b5 ( 6.c4 h6 7.0-0 0-0 8.fxe5 g4 9.e2 gxe5 10.xe5 dxe5 11.f3 e8 12.d3 f5= Rotstein-Hertneck, Austrian League 1999 ) A) 6...ge7 7.fxe5 0-0 8.0-0 , Wunder, S-Vlasov, I/St Petersburg 1992, and here Jacobs/Tait offer dxe5 9.c4 ( 9.c3 a6 ) 9...h6 , "and White has nothing very much at all"; B) 6...d7 7.0-0 ge7 8.fxe5 dxe5 B1) 9.g5 0-0 ( 9...f5?! 10.xf7 xf7 11.e4 Gutierrez, J-Castro Gonzales, G/ Bogota 1976) 10.c4 ( 10.a3 a5 11.e2 b6 12.b4 b7 13.b5 d6 14.c3 c8 with a complicated position with chances to b o th side s, Fo rin to s, G -Hoe n , R/ S k o p j e 1 9 7 2) 10...e8 11.c3 ( 11.g4 h6 12.e4?? b5! (Oops) 13.xb5 f5 , and Black is on top, Georgiev, K-Ermenkov, E/Sofia 1984) 11...a5 B1a) 12.d3 c8 was played in TaitMutton, Notts League 2000 as mentioned in Jacobs/Tait's book 13.f3 ( 13.g4!? leads to a crazy line only my computer can take credit for: h6 14.e6!? d7 15.b4 xe6 16.xa5 d6 17.b5 , and White may have an edge; 13.ce4!? h6 14.c3! c6 15.f3 e7 16.f2 d6 17.e4 f5 18.e2 d7 wi t h a c o m p l e x g a m e) 13...d6 14.a3 f5 15.e4 f4 16.e1 g5; B1b) 12.e2 B1b1) 12...c8!? is suggested by Jacobs/ Tait, one possible c o n t i n u a t i o n i s 13.ce4 d6 14.a3!? ( 14.c3 c6 15.f3 xe4 16.xe4 f5 17.xa5 fxe4 18.g4 ) 14...c6 15.d3 h6 16.f3 f5 17.xd6 cxd6 18.b1 , and with ready to expand on the queenside with c4 and b4, White's chances are preferable; B1b2) 12...f5?! 13.ge4 d7 14.b4 c6 15.b5 ce7 16.a4 , and White is in control of the game, Wall, T-Clegg, C/Sutton 1999; B2) 9.c3!? 0-0 10.g5 f5 11.ge4 52
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 a6 12.e2 ce7 13.e1 c6 was played in Rahman, Z-Dzhumaev, M/ Kuala Lumpur 1993, and now I prefer White after 14.f2!?; B3) 9.c4 ] [ B) 5...f6!? 6.fxe5 g4 A) 7.c4 c6!? ( 7...d5 8.e2 d7 "seem OK for Black" Jacobs/Tait) 8.0-0 0-0 9.c3 cxe5 10.h3 xf3+ 11.xf3 e5 , and Black is already slightly on top, Bartholomew, J-Friedel, J/ Connecticut USA 2004; B) 7.c3 dxe5 8.a3 e6 9.h3 h6 10.e4 d7 11.e2 ( 11.c4 xc4 12.bxc4 c5 13.0-0 0-0 14.d5= Horn in CB M) 11...c6 12.0-0-0 a5= Minasian, A-Hansen, C/Groningen 1990 ] [ C) 5...g4 6.fxe5 xe5 7.xe5 dxe5 8.e2 d7 9.c3 Opitz, F-Klein, A/ Chemnitz 1997 ] [ D) 5...e7?! 6.c4 0-0 7.fxe5 bc6 8.0-0 ( 8.d4?! dxe5 9.d5 e4 10.xg7 wa s p l a ye d i n Ra f o l s A l b e t , J- G a r r e t a Martinez, A/Barcelona ESP 2007, and now Black should have continued wit h xg7 11.dxc6 xd1+ 12.xd1 exf3 13.gxf3 xc6 with a slightly better game for Black) 8...xe5 9.xe5 ( 9.xe5 dxe5 10.g5 f5 11.xf7 xf7 12.xf7+ xf7 13.g4 Van Run, J-Van Beek, A/Hengelo 1999) 9...dxe5 10.c3 ( 10.e4 c6 11.f3 e8 12.g3 Verot, M-Sorin, B/Hyeres 2000) 10...f5 11.e4 ( 11.a3! e8 12.e4 ) 11...b6 12.a3 c5= Takalo Eskola, ALehtinen, H/Oulu 2000 ] 6.c4 [ 6.a3!? e7 ( 6...h6!? ) 7.fxe5 xe5 8.xe5 dxe5 9.e2 f5 10.0-0 0-0 11.c4 , and although the chances are about even, White's position seems easier to play, Duche, J-Rocher, O/Sindelfingen 1984 ] [ 6.e2 e7 7.0-0 0-0 8.c4 ( 8.fxe5 xe5 9.xe5 dxe5 10.e1 e6 11.d3 f5 12.f3 c6 , and Black is doing fine, Canteli Martinez, D-Rodriguez Modrono, J/Asturias 2001 ) 8...e4 9.xg7 exf3 10.xf8 fxe2 11.xe2 xf8 12.c3 a6 13.ac1 f5 14.d5 c6 15.c7 a7 16.d3 b6 , thus far Ranby, H-Winsnes, R/Stockholm 1991, and now my trusted digital f riend
claims W hite has a way out with 17.xd6 f6 18.c5 bxc5 19.e8 f7 20.c7 f6 21.e8 with a draw by repetition as the best result for both players ] 6...h6 [ Black can also consider 6...e7 7.0-0 h6 8.fxe5 xe5 9.xe5 xe5 10.xe5 dxe5 11.f3 0-0 12.c3 c6 13.d4 , Rustemov, A - Y a n d e m i r o v, V / S t P e t e r s b u r g 1 9 9 6 , ( 13.a4!? ) 13...g4 14.e4 ae8= ] [ Whereas 6...e7? is a bad idea: 7.xf7+! xf7 8.g5+ f6? ( 8...g8 9.e6 e8 10.xc7 d8 11.xa8 b5 12.g4! c5 13.h4 b7 14.0-0 xa8 15.a4 ) 9.c3! c5 10.f3! f5 11.g4 , and it is already game over for Black, Melnikov, D-Fedoseev, V/St Petersburg RUS 2007 ] 7.0-0 0-0 8.fxe5 [ 8.a4 c6 ( 8...e4!? 9.xg7 xg7 10.g5 f6 appears pleasant for Black) 9.fxe5 xe5 10.xe5 xe5 11.xe5 dxe5 12.c3 g7 13.e1 Novikov, M-Bakutin, A/ Tula 2000 ] 8...xe5!? [ This appears to be slightly stronger than the line chosen in the only previous game I could find with this line: 8...dxe5 9.e4 c6 10.c3 b6 11.e2 e6 12.e1 f5 13.exf5 gxf5 with a complicated game and chances to both sides, Bagoly, J-Loginov, V/Hungary 1991 ] 9.xe5 dxe5 10.c3 [ 10.e1!? c6 11.a4 seems like the right way for White to go, as Black in the game continuation has the better chances. ] 10...c6 11.a3 e8 12.e4 [ 12.f3 e6 13.xe6 xe6 14.e4 f5 ] 12...b5 13.d3?! [ 13.e2 f5 14.g3 e6 ] 13...e6?! [ 13...f5!? 14.d6 f8! 15.xe8 xa3 ] 14.e1?! [ 14.d6!? e7 15.e4 c7 16.c5= ] 14...a5!? [ Black can also consider 14...f5!? 15.c3 e4 16.e2 a5 , and he is control of the game ] 15.c5 c8 16.b2 f5 [ 16...e7 17.e4 f5 18.g3 e6 ] 17.a3 g4 18.h3 f6 19.b4 d5?! [ 19...d7 20.xd7 xd7 21.e2 e6 ] 53
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 20.c4 bxc4 21.xc4 h8 22.e4 [ 22.d3 b6 23.xd5 cxd5 24.c1 axb4 25.xb4= ] 22...f4 [ 22...fxe4 23.f7 axb4 24.axb4 xa1 25.xa1 e3 ] 23.exf5 [ 23.e3 axb4 24.axb4 xa1 25.xa1 g5 ] 23...xf5 [ 23...g5 24.g3 xh3+ 25.h2 xf5 ] 24.e3 [ 24.h1 to take some of the potency out of Black's upcoming ... Qg5 is much better. From here onwards it is play to one goal ] 24...g5 25.g4 h5 26.e4 xe4 27.xe4 hxg4 28.h4 xh4 29.xf4 g3+ 30.h1 xf4 31.xg6 h6+ 32.xh6+ xh6 33.bxa5 xa5 34.c3 a4 35.b3 aa8 36.g2 g7 37.e1 f4 38.a4 f6 39.a5 ed8 40.e2 h8 41.e4 f5 42.c2 e6 43.b3+ d6 44.d4 c7 45.dxe5 h2+ 46.g1 h3 47.xf4 xc3 48.f7+ b8 49.f8+ a7 50.xa8+ xa8 51.f7 e3 52.e6 g3 53.g2 a7 54.h5 a6 55.f3 c5 56.xg3 xe6 57.f4 e7 58.e4 xa5 59.e3 b4 60.d3 c4+ 61.d4 d7+ 62.e3 c3 63.g6 b2 64.f5 d8 0-1
exploiting the undefended g7-pawn. h4+ Rather than defend e5 by the immediate 5... Qe7, Black first weakens White's kingside. ( 5...f6 6.h5+ g6 7.h4 exf4 8.exf4 f7 9.f3 ce7 Gonsior,E-Novak,I/CSSR 1979, is also a sound way for Black to react.) 6.g3 e7 7.f3 g4 Black relieves the pressure on his centre by pinning the attacking piece. ( 7...f6 is also possible, when White should play 8.c3 e6 9.e2 a6 10.xc6+ bxc6 11.0-0-0 with unclear play, Chandler,MCrouch,C/ Birmingham ENG 1998, as the line 8 fxe5 fxe5 9 Bxc6+ bxc6 10 Nxe5 Nf6! 11 Nxc6 Qe4 is very wild.) 8.h3 xf3 9.xf3 f6 Black has conceded a bishop for a knight, but should now be able to finish his development in peace. 10.c3 0-0 Barczay,L-Hardicsay,P/Budapest 1978, and now 11.xc6 ( 11.xd5? xd5 12.xd5 b4 is exceedingly awkward for White.) 11...bxc6 12.0-0-0 is best, with chances for both sides. ] [ 5.f3 seems inferior, although rather than e7 ( 5...f6 is better ) 6.d4 e4 7.e5 which would not be possible were the black fpawn on f6, xe5 8.dxe5 e6 9.xc6+ bxc6 10.d4 threatening Ba3, with a powerful grip on the dark squares, Groszpeter,A-Zimmerman,Y/2nd Perenyi mem, Gyula HUN 1998. ] 5...ge7 The alternative is [ 5...dxc4 when 6.f3 cxb3 7.xb3 59 A01 gives White good play for the pawn. ] 0-0 Good, logical, play by Black, he Bagirov,Vladimir 2485 6.f3 completes his development rather than waste Manika,Reinaldo 2430 Gausdal 1991 too much time defending his centre. 7.xc6 xc6 8.cxd5 b4 A standard ploy to regain [Tony Kosten] th e d 5 -p a wn, .. . Nd3 + is t h rea t en e d . 9.d3 10.xe5!? Very risky, White goes 51/3 1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 d5 xd5 T h i s i s B l a c k ' s m o s t a m b i t i o u s l i n e . B y pawn grab bing, althou gh, it is true, if h e completing his centre in this way, he calls doe sn 't do th is he m ay be a little worse . White's bluff. 4.b5 d6 The e5-pawn needs xe5? Black goes astray, when his good play was about to bear fruit, defending. [ 10...xe3! is very strong, 11.fxe3 g5 [ 4...f6 is an inferior method, 5.d4 e4 6.e2 regains the piece with advantage, as neither a6 7.xc6+ bxc6 8.c4 f5 Larsen,B-Balinas, 12.f3? ( 12.c4 xg2 13.f1 h3 R/Manila 1975, and now 9.c2 f6 10.a3 14.f3 xh2 are sufficient.) 12...xg2 would have given White a superior reversed forking h1-rook and b2-bishop, nor ] Winawer-French type of structure. ] 5.c4 This is the thematic positional counter, 11.xe5 g5 12.g3 Simply masking the g2pawn. h5 13.h4! g6 14.e4 Black is hoping but the tactical [ 5.f4 is the critical test of this system, to get play on the light squares, his c8-bishop 54
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 has no opposition, and so White cleverly setsu p a l i g h t - s q u a r e d p a w n b a r r i e r . f5!? Black cannot afford to do nothing, he will just be a pawn down, so throws some wood on to the fire. [ 14...e3!? is a lso in terest ing, 15.c1 xg2+ 16.f1 f6 17.c3 e3+ and now 18.e2 may be strong, as after g4 19.d5 is awkward. ] 15.exd5 f4 16.h2 xg2 So, at the cost of a piece, Black has achieved his light-squared attack. 17.d2 xf2+ 18.e2 d4?! [ 18...xh4 Might be better, Black does have three passed pawns. ] 19.c3 g4 20.f1 ae8 The black attack is r e a c h i n g i t s a p o g e e . 21.g1 b4? A let-off for White. [ 21...e3! brings a further piece into the business zone, and relies on the fact that 22 Bxe3+?? fxe3 is check, and discovers an attack on the white queen. 22.h2 and now e2!! which certainly deserves a diagram, as almost all Black's attacking pieces are en prise. 23.xe2? ( 23.xe2? xd3+ wins immediately,) 23...xd3+ 24.c1 xc3+ winning. In fact, to avoid defeat White will have to find the, far from obvious, move 23 Qe1!!, with unclear play. ] 22.c2! After this, the white king finds safety. f3 23.f2 f7 24.c5 Proposing the exchange of queens, after which the game should be a formality for White. f4 25.f2 fe7 26.ae1 xe1 27.xe1 1-0
60 Barnaure,Vlad Victor Grunberg,Mihai ch-ROM Predeal ROM (9) [John Watson]
A01 2433 2414 05.12.2006
activity might even give him a small advantage. 9.g3!? [ 9.0-0 , intending f4 at some point, looks equ al. W h ite tries so met hin g d if f ere nt , preparing 0-0 and f4. ] 9...b5 10.xd6 cxd6 11.0-0 e8 [ 11...d5 and ] [ 11...c5 are options. ] 12.f4!? Loosening. [ 12.e2 ] 12...g4!? An ambitious move that threatens ...Qh4. [ 12...g4 13.e1 ad8 14.h3 d7 is equal. ] 13.f3? White goes astray. [ Instead, 13.h3 h6 ( 13...f6 14.fxe5 dxe5 15.f5 xf5 16.xf5 ) 14.fxe5 dxe5 15.h5 is solid and even promising. ] 13...exf4? Black could punish White's mistake by [ 13...e4! 14.e2 h4 15.h3 xg3 16.hxg4 xg4 winning a pawn, although winning that position will take some doing. ] 14.exf4 [ Or 14.xf4= ] 14...a7+ 15.d4!? [ 15.h1 makes 14...Qa7+ look useless. ] 15...e3 [ 15...e7! has the simple idea of ...Qe3+, exploiting the newly-made weakness on e3. ] 16.fe1 My copy of this game says '0-1' at this point. Unless White had an illusion regarding capturing the c-pawn by ...Nxc2 or didn't see 17 Qf2 and 16. ..Bg4, then my guess is that the game continued at this point with approximate equality. The opening looks equal to me, and quite interesting. 0-1
61 1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 f6 4.b5 d6 5.a3 Here we go again. See the notes to Karayannis-Banikas. a6!? 6.xc6!? [ 6.e2 is the other natural continuation, when b5 (to prevent Nc4) 7.f3?! ( 7.c4! ) 7...e7! 8.b1 0-0 gives Black space and development. ] 6...dxc6 7.c4 e7 8.e2 0-0 Fairly normal thus f ar. Black's space and
Bello,J Benko,PP 1971 Palma de Mallorca [Paul Motwani]
A01
1971
B31: "W ho's attacking who in the NimzoLarsen Attack?!" IM Byron Jacobs and Jonathan Tait, a former British Correspondence Chess Champion, are very 55
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 open and honest right from the outset in their new 192-page Everyman book entitled "NimzoLarsen Attack". They do not make any false attempt to claim an opening advantage for White after 1 b3, but it's fair to say that this quite rare starting-move does carry some surprise-value which may unsettle opponents with little or no experience of having faced it. Numerous illustrative annotated games in the 14.99 (UK pounds) book provide the reader with lots of noteworthy strategies and neat tactical ideas in the opening phase, and wellbeyond there too. On many occasions Black gets punished for overreacting to the innocuous-looking 1 b3, but instead a wiser approach is to seize a share of the centre with 1...e5!, for example, and then continue calmly with further sound, sensible moves which do not make brash attempts to instantly refute White's opening. Nevertheless, superqu ic k m in ia t u re vict o rie s a re so m e t im e s possible, and for your enjoyment now I've chosen and annotated a short attractive GMencounter from my own personal files. 1.b3 e5 2.b2 d6 A good move, which already blun ts t he e f f ect of W hite's f ia nche ttoe d bishop on the long a1-h8 diagonal. 3.d4 [ B31.1: The more common 3.e3 occurred, for example, in the game M.Munoz Muriel-X. Mateu at the 1996 Spanish Team Championship. The continuation was c6 4.b5 d7 5.e2 a6 6.xc6 xc6 7.0-0 g5! 8.g3 h5! (a case of "h for hunting!", which is the favourite attacking motto of Belgium's Gorik Cools) 9.f4 g6 10.f2 h4 11.f1 f6 (11...h3 would force 12 f5, since 12 g3? Qe4 is just too horrific for White) 12.d4? (certainly not the most t e n a c i o u s d e f e n c e ) h3 13.f5 g5 White resigned in view of 14 g3 Ng4 15 Re2 Qxf5 or 15...Bf3. ] 3...exd4 4.xd4 c6 5.d2 f6 6.c3 d5! With the terrible threat of ...d4 followed by ...Bb4. 7.e3 b4 8.b5? White plans to answer 8...Ne4 by 9 Qd4, but instead Black simply castles now, thereby really making ... Ne4 a huge threat. Therefore, 8 Bd3 should have been preferred. 0-0 9.0-0-0 9 a3 would also have lost to 9.. .Ne4 because of 10 Qd3 Qf6!. e4! 10.e1 d4!! 11.xc6 After 11 exd4 Nxc3 12 Bxc3 Qg5+ Black picks
o f f W h i t e ' s l o o s e b 5 - b i s h o p . xc3 GM Juan Bellon resigned, since White cannot avoid heavy loss of material. 0-1
62 Berkes,Ferenc Balogh,Csaba 54th ch Budapest HUN (6) [Tony Kosten]
A01 2614 2513 24.08.2004
1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 f6 4.b5 d6 5.a3 a5 6.e2 The bishop retreats immediately, to allow the black knight to take its place. [ 6.f3 was already analysed in Hodgson,JSpeelman,J/GBR 1998. ] 6...a6 7.c4 This move, gaining space on the queenside, and preparing a safe spot on c2 for the knight, has gained quite a following in recent years. [ 7.f3 e4!? was another Hodgson game in the archives, against-Barsov. ] 7...c5 Black gains more control of d4, and gives the d6-bishop some space to retreat. [ 7...0-0 8.f3 e8 9.c2 e4 10.h4 c6 11.f4?! c5 12.f5 d5! 13.cxd5 b4 was very promising for Black in Zurek,MHracek,Z/CZE 2002. ] [ 7...c6 8.c2 0-0 9.d3 it seems wise to stop Black from playing ...e4, e8 10.f3 f8 11.e4!? White stops Black from playing ...d5 with Sicilian-style play, Grabuzova, TPrudnikova,S/Varna BUL 2002. ] 8.f3 [ 8.d4?! cxd4 9.c2 d3?! ( 9...dxe3!? 10.xd6 exf2+ 11.f1 fxg1+ 12.xg1 c6 wins two pawns, but White has good p o s i t i o n a l c o m p e n s a t i o n) 10.xd3 1/2-1/2 Odesskij,I-Potkin,V/Pardubice CZE 2001, but now I prefer White. ] 8...c6 9.d3 c7 This is a new try, keeping the bishop on the queenside. In Teske,HBerndt,S/Tegernsee GER 1999 Black preferred [ 9...0-0 10.0-0 e8 11.c2 f8 keeping the bishop on the other side of the board, 12.d4 cxd4 13.exd4 e4 14.e5 d6 15.xc6 bxc6 16.d5 and White has an edge. ] 56
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 10.0-0 0-0 11.c1 e7 12.b1 A different idea for these positions, normally the knight goes to c2, but then where? Berkes decides that the best place for the knight is c3, with some control over d5, or d2, and so heads there instead. d5 Otherwise White plays Nc3. 13.cxd5 xd5 14.bd2 White opts for a typical Sicilian type of position, although objectively play is equal. d7 [ 14...b6 15.a3 b7 seems more logical. ] 15.c2 b6 16.fe1 Typical Hedgehog play, W h it e is r e a d y t o re a ct t o a n y a t t a ckin g gesture from Black. fe8 17.f1 a5 18.a3 ad8 19.g3 c8 20.b1 White plays a very can ny gam e, pla cin g his piece s o n goo d squares and asking Black how he intends to proceed. d8?! Black hastens too remove his queen from the same file as the white rook, but I prefer [ 20...cd8 as then 21.d4?! is met by e4 ] 21.d4! This is possible now that Black cannot play .. .e4 - White controls e4 with two pieces. exd4 22.exd4 cxd4 23.xd4 xd4 24.xd4 Strictly speaking White has only liberated his position, but the white pieces have slightly be tter squ ares in this ope n position. e7?! Black's tact ical neurons must have been switched off by the long manoeuvring phase! [ 24...g5 is obviously stronger, 25.e4 g6 wh en a f t e r 26.a6 Black can simply play cd8 ] 25.a6 White takes a move to force the rook off the open file. b8 26.d3 Returning with gain of time. g6 27.b2 Forcing a slight kingside weakness. f6 [ 27...xe1+ 28.xe1 f8 is very passive. ] 28.c2 White seems to be doing everything with gain of tempo. now g6 and c7 are attacked. d6 29.c4 [ 29.xg6?! hxg6 30.xg6 xa3 throws White's advantage away. ] 29...f8 30.xb6? This wins quickly, but I think it is a mistake. Better [ 30.xg6 hxg6 31.xg6 which seems good, b5 32.e3 xa3 33.cd1 and White has a very aggressive setup, for instance b4 34.d5! and wins. ] 30...xb6 31.xb6 xe1+?? A bad blunder, that can only be explained by time trouble. [ 31...xb6 seems OK, 32.c4+
can be answered by A) 32...e6!? c a n b e m e t b y 33.xe6! xe6 ( 33...xe6 34.xe6+ xe6 35.c4 f7 36.e1 transposes) 34.f5 f7 35.e1 e5 36.xe6+ xe6 37.xe6+ xe6 38.f4 xa3 39.fxe5 fxe5 and I prefer White; B) 32...h8 33.f7 d8 when Black is at least equal. ] 32.xe1 xb6 33.c4+! The point, Black's b a c k r a n k i s t o o w e a k . h8 34.f7 White attacks d7, and threatens to capture on g6 when f8 is hanging. d8 The only move to defend both pieces, but ... 35.xg6 hxg6 36.d1 [ 36.d1 e7 37.d5 leaves White with a solid exchange more. ] [ 36.e4 is also winning, menacing Rh4 mate: g5 37.d4 e7 38.h5+ g8 39.d1 and the bishop drops. ] 1-0
63 Bernadskiy,Vitaliy Nevednichy,Vladislav Albena Masters op (5) [Fier, Alexandr]
A01 2475 2580 05.06.2013
W h it e t rie s a n e xo t ic n e w se t u p a ga in s t Black's exotic setup in White's exotic opening, but maybe this time it has all gone a bit too far! 1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 f6 [ 3...d6 is another main line ] 4.b5 d6 For me this is the beginning of a strange path, but somehow it all makes sense. With the bishop on d6 Black goes for quick development and doesn't need to care about Bxc6 5.a3 a5 Avoiding Nc4 6.e2 a6 A v o i d i n g N b 5 7.c4 c5!? This move was played sometimes before and even analyzed here, but it's still kind of exotic. In a strange way it usually transposes to a Maroczy system, since White's knight can go back to d2 via b1 and Black usually plays with ...Nc6, .. .Bc7 and ...d5 at some point. 8.g4 But not today! This is a move that I would consider during a game, but W hite's position is probably not solid enough to go for it. If Black can open the center after this White has good chances to be close to lost 57
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 8.f3 c6 9.d3 0-0 10.0-0 c7 11.c1 e7 12.b1 d5 13.cxd5 xd5 14.bd2 was too normal in Berkes, F (2614)-Balogh, C (2513)/HUN-ch 54th Budapest 2004, ] 8...h6 [ 8...c6 can bring some complications after 9.g5 g8 10.f3 e4!? 11.xg7 exf3 12.xh8 fxe2 13.xe2 xg5 14.g1 h5+ 15.e1 xd1+ 16.xd1 ge7 17.g7 with an unclear position ] 9.h4 The problem is that after 8...h6 White needs to spend one more tempo to play g5 c6 10.f3 c7 11.e2?! Going for a wrong plan [ 11.g5 would be a logical continuation A) 11...hxg5 allows White to organize his pieces 12.hxg5 xh1 13.xh1 h7 A1) 14.f4!? exf4 15.h5 xg5 16.xh7 xg1+ 17.e2 g6 the queen needs to be defended ( 17...g5? 18.g8+ e7 19.xg7+- ) 18.g8+ ( 18.xg6 fxg6 19.g1 e7 is ok for Black) 18...e7 19.xg7 d5 ( 19...d6 20.f8+ d7 21.f1 is dangerous for Black) 20.f8+ e8 21.g1 ( 21.xg6 fxg6 22.xc5 g4+ 23.f1 fxe3 24.xe3 d4 25.xc6+ bxc6 26.xd4 d8 and the bishop pair comp ens ate s t he pawn in a unclea r position ) 21...xg8 22.xg8 e7 23.xe7+ xe7 24.xd5 fxe3 25.d3 b8 is a pacific equal endgame; A2) 14.h5 xg5 15.xh7 xg1+ 16.e2 g5 17.f3 with some compensation for the pawn, but nothing more; B) 11...g8! 12.h3 ( 12.gxh6 xh6 13.h5 f6 14.e2 d5 and Black is better ) 12...d6 13.gxh6 xh6 14.g5 f6 15.b1 f5 is more harmonious for Black, but things are far from clear, the position is playable ] 11...d5 12.g5 [ 12.cxd5 would be still better, but White's position is already collapsing b4 13.d3 xg4 14.xg4 xd5! A) 15.e4 xd3+ 16.f1 xe4 17.h2 d8 ( 17...f6 18.h3 xb2 19.xd5 xd5 20.b1 e4 21.xb2 0-0 ) 18.c3 xc3 19.xc3 b5 brings no joy for White;
B) 15.g1 xd3+ 16.f1 xb2 17.xd5 xd5 18.f3 d8 19.c4 xc4 20.bxc4 f6 21.xb7 0-0 and White is still alive ] 12...hxg5 13.hxg5 xh1+ 14.xh1 b4! Maybe W hite overlooked t his move, no w Black is winning 15.d4 [ 15.gxf6 d3+ 16.f1 xf6 17.f4 h4-+ ] [ 15.c1 g4 16.cxd5 xg5-+ ] 15...g4 16.dxe5 [ 16.c2 xg5 17.xb4 a5! 18.a3 cxb4 19.axb4 xb4+ 20.c3 xf2! 21.xf2 h4+ 22.g1 xc3 23.xc3 g3+ 24.g2 xe3+ 25.h1 xc3 would be a nice end ] 16...xg5 17.cxd5 xe5 [ 17...xe5 was also winning 18.xe5 xe5 19.c1 ( 19.g3 xe3 20.fxe3 xg3+-+ ) 19...f6 20.f4 g5 wins ] 18.f4 [ 18.d2 ed3 19.c4 g4 20.g1 d8-+ ] 18...ed3+ 19.d2 g6 20.c3 g4 21.f1 [ 21.b1 gives more resistance but it's still losing f5! defending e4 square ( 21...h5 22.xb4 xb4 23.e4+ f8 24.g2 e8 25.h1 xh1 26.xh1 xe4 27.xe4 xa2 White is just a pawn down) 22.c4 0-0-0 23.xb4 xb4 24.c3 b5 25.e5 xe5 26.fxe5 c6 27.g1 xe5 and Black has compensation for the extra pawn! ] 21...0-0-0 22.g3 xd5 23.e4 e6 24.g2 3b4 25.f5 xc3+ 26.e1 xg3+ 0-1
64 Bischoff,Klaus Khenkin,Igor Bundesliga 2000-1 (5) [Tony Kosten]
A01 2556 2633 07.01.2001
1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 f6 4.f3 Very unusual, W hite lures the black centre forward. d6!? [ According to my databases this is already a novelty! Normally Black plays 4...e4 5.d4 xd4 ( 5...d5!? 6.b5 d7 7.xc6 bxc6 8.e2 d6 9.d3 0-0 is also possible, 58
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Karlsson,L-Gausel,E/Hillerod 1995.) 6.xd4 e7 7.c4 0-0 8.c2 c6 9.c3 d5 10.cxd5 cxd5 11.e2 e6 12.0-0 c8 13.b2 which looks equal, despite the possible pressure along the a1-h8 diagonal, Larsen,B-Parma, B/Vinkovci 1970. ] 5.d3 0-0 6.bd2 e8 7.a3 b5!? 8.c4 b4 9.a4 b7 Black has found a way of developing his pieces 'around' his d6-bishop. 10.c2 c5 11.e2 g4!? Black is planning to attack on the kingside, and commences with a threat to sacrifice on e3. 12.f1 [ 12.a5?! xe3 13.fxe3 xe3 14.b1 xg2+ ] 12...f6? This whole idea is mistaken. 13.h3 h6 14.g1! White breaks the pin on the hpawn to drive the g4-knight away. The loss of castling rights is unimportant as he can castle queenside. xf2?! [ Sacrificing a piece, as unfortunately for Black, 14...f6? actually loses a piece to 15.g4! xh3 16.g3 h1 17.0-0-0 h6 18.g5 ] [ However, 14...e4 15.dxe4 ge5 is a better try. ] 15.xf2 f5 16.e1!? xe3 17.xe3 xe3 18.d2 c5 19.f1 a5 20.g5!? [ White decides to counterattack, although 20.d4 exd4 21.xd4 is more than sufficient. ] 20...xb3 21.d1 xf3 [ The re is no way to de f e nd f 5 , 21...f8? 22.xe5 ] [ 21...g6 22.g4 fxg4 23.xe5 ] 22.xf3 c6? [ Why not 22...f4! when Black has three p a w n s f o r t h e p i e c e ? A s i f 23.xa8?? e3# ] 23.xf5 f8 24.e4 ae8 25.h5 xf1+ 26.xf1 d5 27.cxd5 cxd5 28.e2 e6 29.f3 With a threat. a5? 30.d4 the e-pawn is p inn e d, s o B lack will lose b o th ce nt re pawns. 1-0
65 Bischoff,Klaus Sutovsky,Emil 3rd Julian Borowski A (6) [Tony Kosten]
A01 2533 2604 08.05.2001
1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 f6 4.b5 d6 5.e2 [ The most logical reply, 5.a3 was seen in the archives. ] 5...a6 Forcing the exchange of the bishop, which can only retreat at the cost of its life. 6.xc6 dxc6 Thus Black gets his d-pawn 'around' the d6-bishop. 7.bc3 [ The most thematic, 7.d4 aims for a central presence, e4 8.c4 0-0 9.bc3 e8 , f a irly le ve l, G a rcia P a d ro n , J-Ro m e r o Holmes,A/Cordoba 1995. ] 7...e4!? [ An innovation, unusually Black advances his e-pawn, which serves to hinder the b2bishop. More normally 7...e7 8.g3 g4 9.f3 e6 10.ce4 xe4 11.xe4 , but this is level, Lein,A-Malbran,G/ Philadelphia 1989. ] 8.g3 e7 9.e2 0-0 10.0-0-0?! [ The king is not ideally placed here, 10.f3 exf3 11.gxf3 may be better. ] 10...a3 Typically exchanging the king's defender. 11.xa3 xa3+ 12.b1 e8 13.f3 exf3 14.gxf3 a5 Black plays for a standard attack on the a-file. 15.ge4 [ It appears that Black's attack is stronger than W hite's along the g-file, i. e. 15.hg1 a4 16.g2 g6 and the attack gets nowhere. ] 15...xe4 16.fxe4 a4! 17.d3 [ It is difficult to know how to react, 17.xa4 is met by the exchange sac b5 18.c3 b4 19.a4 xa4! 20.bxa4 e6 with mate to follow. ] 17...e6 18.d2 b5 19.c1 b4 20.b2 axb3 21.axb3 a3 The build-up on the a-file, with a passing threat of a sac on b3, is too strong. 22.e2 ea8 23.hg1 Menacing mate! g6 24.c3 d6 25.f4 b4 26.b2 c5 This time the tripling on the a-file is really decisive. 0-1
59
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A01 43.f3 d2+ 44.g3 xf5+ Blatny,Pavel 2456 0-1 Arencibia Rodriguez,Walter 2528 III Festival Olimpico (1) 17.02.2005 67 A01 [John Watson] Blatny,Pavel 2479 Mueller,Karsten 2518 So far I've neglected 1.b3, which doesn't seem 05.12.2002 to be hot at the moment. It's most famous TCh-2002-3 Frohnleiten AUT (1) modern advocate was Bent Larsen, and for [Tony Kosten] some years now GM Pavel Blatny has used it with regularity. 1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 Harvey Williamson writes: "I was wondering f6 4.b5 d6 This has become a popular what you thought about 4...e4 instead of ... defence. Black's idea is to castle quickly and Bd6 in the line 1.b3 e5 2.Bb3 Nc6 3.e3 d5 4. move the bishop again after driving White's Bb5 e4 then 5.Ne2 and what next, maybe ... bishop away. So f ar it seems the perf ect Qg5!?" 1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 d5 4.b5 solution. W hite may need to return to 4.c4. e4!? There is no mention of this move in my 5.e2?! A little inconsistent. Instead, ECO A, rather than defend the attacked e[ 5.g4 0-0 ( 5...a6 6.e2 ) 6.g5? e4 pawn with the standard is over committal. ] [ 4...d6 Black simply advances. On the one [ But 5.f3 e4 6.g5 h6 7.h3 hand this gains space, but on the other was a plausible alternative. ] Black weakens his control of the a1-h8 5...0-0 6.g4?! Blatny likes such moves. The diagonal, and make the b2-bishop more po int is n 't ve ry cle a r, ho weve r, sin ce g5 influential. I prefer setting-up a barricade appears to help Black. b6 against this piece myself. ] [ 6...c5! would meet 7.g5 by e4 8.h4 5.d3!? Blatny, a Larsen's Opening specialist, d5! 9.d3 d6 with advantage. ] attacks W hite's advanced pawn head-on, 7.g5 e8 8.h4 b7 9.f3 e7 10.c3 although the most natural move seems to be a3!? 11.d5 d6 12.xa3 xa3 13.e2 [ 5.e2 when Harvey writes again: "The [ 13.c4 is also logical. ] game I am playing by email - these are the 13...d8! 14.g3 c6 15.c3 d5 16.f5 moves so far. They may be of interest" It's hard to find a good plan, and Arencibia g5!? there are no games with this gradually takes over the game. c8! 17.e4 aggressive move in my databases, so I d4 assume it is a novelty. Black puts [ Or 17...f6! ] immediate pressure on the white kingside, 18.e2 g6!? 19.h6+ g7 20.g3 e6 ( 5...a6 6.xc6+ bxc6 7.d3 g5 8.dxe4 21.g4? White had to bring his pieces to xg2 9.g1 xe4 10.xg7! favoured safety by White in Stojanovic,M-Pap,M/Palanka YUG [ 21.g4 ] 2001 ) 6.f4 g4 7.h4 xf4 this is forced, 21...f6! 22.xe6 xe6 23.gf5+? ( 7...xd1?! 8.hxg5 xc2 9.g6 h6 Desperate, but W hite was going to lose a 10.xd5 is better for White) 8.exf4 xd1 pawn and position in any case gxf5 24.exf5 9.xd1 ge7 ( 9...h5!? planning ...Ne7-f5) d5 25.g4 h8 26.g1 The only problem 10.h5 0-0-0!? 11.h6 g8 12.hxg7 xg7 is that this doesn't threaten anything. White's and Black has a pleasant position, with all w h o l e p l a n w i t h g 4 h a s f a i l e d . a5! h is p ie ce s d e ve lo p e d , a lt h o u gh o n t h e Second-rank defence. The rest is easy. 27.g6 downside his h-pawn is weak. ] a7 28.h5 b2 29.d1 xc2 30.d3 e4 5...f6!? 31.g3 e7 32.f1 e3 33.fxe3 dxe3 [ 5...exd3 6.xd3 g5 7.c3 f6 8.0-0-0 34.e2 c5 35.e1 d6 36.g4 g7 was unclear in Schober,M-Mosionzhik,I/ 37.exe3 xe3 38.xe3 h2 39.e7 d2 Rowy POL 2000, but why not ] 40.f7+ xf7 41.xf7 xd3+ 42.f2 e8 [ 5...g5!? , attacking the g2-pawn? 6.e2 xg2 7.g1 xh2 8.dxe4 dxe4 66
60
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 might just favour Black. ] 6.d2 e7?! Black must have a better move than this. 7.dxe4 dxe4 8.e2 White intends Ng3, attacking the e4-pawn, which causes Black a little inconvenience. f5!? 9.d4 d7 10.xc6 bxc6 11.e2 So, White has managed to cause structural damage to the black queenside without having to concede his bishop - he now has a positional plus. 0-0 12.g4!? Wow! [ 12.0-0 was quite satisfactory, but Blatny has more aggressive ideas. ] 12...e8 13.c4 White menaces the win of a piece with g5, as d5 was the knight's only square. b4? I prefer [ 13...c8 as then 14.g5 d7 15.xe4 c a n b e m e t b y b4+ 16.c3 xc3+ 17.xc3 xg5 with chances. ] 14.a3 White gains the important dark-squared bishop. Black was ready to answer [ 14.g5?! with g4 as the double capture on g4 would lose to ... Qxd2+. ] 14...xd2+ [ 14...xg4 is tricky, but loses to 15.g1! ( 15.axb4? xf2 16.xf2 h4+ 17.g1 g5+ draws ) 15...xd2+ 16.xd2 and Black has severe problems along the open g-file: h4 17.0-0-0 f6 18.c3 f8 19.b4+ g8 20.xd7 should win. ] 15.xd2 xg4?! Opening the g-file is extremely risky. 16.0-0-0!? This is not bad, although [ 16.g1! is more accurate, h4 17.0-0-0 wins a piece, as it transposes to the last note. ] 16...f5? Hoping for the exchange of queens. [ 16...xf2!? loses to 17.hg1 xd1 18.xg7+ ( 18.xg7? g4! ) 18...f8 19.xd1 f5 20.f2 f6 21.g1 g6 22.xf6 with a powerful attack. ] [ 16...f6 is Black's best chance, 17.hg1 h8 18.a5 ( 18.xd7!? xd7 19.xg7+ g8 20.f6+ o f f e r s l e s s) 18...g8 and Black is still in the game, although his position is quite unpleasant to play. ] 17.a5! This wins immediately. c8 18.xg4 xg4 19.g5 A lovely manoeuvre the queen moves from d2 to g5 despite there being a pawn on e3! f6 20.xf6 g6 21.h6 f7 Black could resign with a clear conscience, but decides to continue until mate.. 22.g7+
e6 23.h4 xd1 24.f6+ d7 25.xd1# 1-0
68 Blatny,Pavel Yudasin,Leonid Mayor's Cup New York USA (7) [Tony Kosten]
A01 2547 2568 24.06.2001
1.b3 c5 [ 1...d5 is more common, A) t h e i m m e d i a t e 2.f4 is likely to transpose: f6 3.f3 g6 4.b2 g7 5.e3 g4 6.e2 c5 7.h3 xf3 but now White should certainly avoid the 'clever' 8.b5+? fd7! Ouch, White was ( expecting 8...bd7 9.xf3 ) 9.xg7? ( 9.c1 xg2 10.xg7 offered some small chances) 9...xd1 10.xh8 xc2 W hite could, and should, resign, Khomeriki,G-Ehlvest,J/New York 1998.; B) 2.b2 f6 ( 2...c5 3.e3 c6 4.b5 f6 5.f4 is quite interesting for White, he can capture on c6 and play a favourable Nimzo-style position: f5?! 6.f3 e6 7.e5 White's f4-move prepared e5 for the knight's use, c7 8.0-0 e7 9.g4! the black bishop proves to be misplaced, g6 10.e2 (menace: Nxc6 and f5) h6 11.xg6 fxg6 12.d3 , Blatny,PSivasailam,J/ Saint Paul USA 2000, Black is in so m e t ro u b le , b u t co u ld t r y g5!?; 2...g4 3.f3!? interesting, White doesn't want to put his knight on f3 and allow Black to capture it, but tries to profit from the g4-bishop's exposed position. h5 4.h3!? e6 5.f4 f6 6.xh5 xh5 7.g3 f6 8.g2 c5 with chances for both si d e s , D u s s o l , P - B a u e r , C / P a r i s F R A 2001. ) 3.e3 B1) 3...c6 4.e2!? (to dissuade Black from ...Bg4) f5 5.g4!? e4 6.f3 g6 7.h4 h5 8.g5 fd7 9.f4 a bit late, e6 10.f3 White has an interesting kingside space advantage, Zurek,M-Polak,T / Team Championships, CZE 1998.; B2) 3...e6 4.f4 c5 5.b5+!? d7! ( 5...c6 will transpose to the Rogers game ) 6.xd7+ bxd7 7.f3 d6 8.0-0 c7 and having established 61
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 control of e5, Black has few problems, Wall,T-Tiviakov,S/Bunratty IRL 1999.; B3) 3...bd7 4.f4 g6 5.g4?! This is how to play real chess!? g7 6.g2 e5! A flank attack is countered in the centre... 7.e2 0-0 8.fxe5 xg4! 9.xg4 xe5 10.d4 d3+ 11.cxd3 ( 11.xd3 xb2 wins an exchange) 11...xd4 12.xd4 f5 13.c3 c6 14.e2 d6 White's three pieces are not quite a match for the queen here, the white king is too open, Blatny,PRodgaard,J/ Istanbul TUR 2000.; B4) 3...c5 the most natural, but there are others: 4.f3 c6 5.b5 e6 6.0-0 d6 7.e5 c7 8.f4 White has achieved a favourable Nimzo position, this could also occur after an earlier f4. 0-0 9.xc6 bxc6 10.f3 exploiting the b2-bishop and e5-knight to attack on the kingside, d7 11.h3 f6! 12.h5!? whilst watching this rapid game (I was doing the commentaries) I thought that this verged on a decisive attack, fxe5 13.xh7+ f7 14.g3 e8 15.xg7 a6! Rogers,I-Bacrot,E/Cap D'Agde F R A 1 9 9 8 , a n d n o w 16.g6 exf4 17.xe6+ d8 18.g7 e8 19.xe8+ xe8 is very unclear. ] [ 1...b6 2.b2 b7 3.e3 d5 ( 3...e6 4.f4 f5 5.f3 f6 6.c4 c5 7.c3 c6 tries to suggest that W hite's set-up is so good that it has to be copied! Arencibia,WRidameya Tatche,J/3rd Open, Malaga ESP 2000. ) 4.f4 e6 5.f3 f6 6.e2 d6 7.0-0 0-0 8.e5 fd7 is a very solid line f o r B la c k , h e co n t e st s e 5 , 9.e1 f6 10.xd7 xd7 11.c4 a6 12.c3 fairly equal, Fernandes, A-Bruzon,L/Lisbon POR 1999. ] 2.b2 f6 3.e3 b6 4.f4 b7 5.f3 g6 A very sensible line for Black, he neutralises the pressure on the long diagonal thus. 6.g3 [ Against such a strong opponent White decided not to repeat his 6.g4!? g7 7.g2 d6 8.0-0 bd7 9.e1 0-0 10.h4 e6 11.h3 e7 12.c3 and it is not clear if the advanced white kingside pawns are a plus or a minus, Blatny, P-Donaldson,J/ Stratton Mountain USA 2000. ] 6...g7 7.g2 0-0 8.0-0 d5 9.e2 c6
Black plays in classical style. 10.e5 c7 11.xc6 xc6 12.d3 ad8 13.e5 b7 14.d2 fe8 15.f3 h6!? Black wants to drive the e5-bishop back, and then play ...e5, without allowing an exchange on g7. 16.b2 d7 17.f5!? e5 18.fxg6 fxg6 19.h4 f8 20.e4 d4!? [ 20...dxe4 i s t e m p t i n g : 21.xe4 xe4 22.xe4 ( 22.dxe4? d2 ) 22...xe4 23.dxe4 e3+ 24.h1 d2 but White can minimise his disadvantage by 25.c1 e2 26.xe3 xe3 27.ae1 ] 21.c1 g7 22.h3 xc1 23.axc1 e7 24.f2 f7 25.xf7 xf7 26.f1 e7 Black has extra space, but the white position is rock-solid. 27.g4 h8 28.f3 d7 29.g5 xg5 30.xg5 xh3 31.xh3 g7 32.g5 d7 33.a4 e7 34.f3 d7 35.d2 b8 36.c4 e6 37.f2 c6 38.f1 f6 ½-½
69 Cicak,Slavko Hansen,Curt VISA GP Reykjavik (4) [Tony Kosten]
A01 2480 2595 1998
1.b3 e5 2.b2 d6 Positionally speaking, blocking the a1-h8 diagonal with pawns is a very so und st rat egy f o r B lack. Bla ck will almost certainly have to fianchetto his king's bishop, which will take play into positions r e m i n i s c e n t o f t h e K i n g ' s I n d i a n . 3.c4 W hite takes a hold of d5, much as in the English Opening. Normally he will play this move sooner or later, others: [ 3.e3 f5 this is an ambitious continuation, ga in in g sp a ce o n t h e k in gs id e . ( 3...f6 4.c4 g6 is more normal, heading for the KI p o s it i o n s . 5.g3 g4!? Black adds a new twist, trying to exploit White's unusual mix of g3, and e3. 6.f3 e6 7.g2 c6 8.e2 g7 9.0-0 Now, 9...0-0 would be normal, wi t h a r e a s o n a b l e p o s i t i o n , b u t B l a c k decides to inject a dose of 'unbalance' into t h e p o s i t i o n . h5?! 10.d4 Of course, everyone knows how to react to a wing attack. exd4 11.xd4 xd4 12.xd4 h4 13.g4 h3 14.h1 which was quite obscure, 62
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Hodgson, J-Sadler,M/1998-9 French Team Ch FRA 1999.) 4.d4 e4 5.c4 White has decided to go for a reversed French set-up, which is the standard reaction whenever Black plays ...e5, and ...f5. f6 6.c3 e7 7.ge2 c6 8.f4 a6 The knight is coming to c7, to support the ...d5 push. 9.d5 So White plays it himself. 0-0 10.e2 c7 11.h4 1/2-1/2 Hodgson, J-Agrest,E/It, Harplinge SWE 1998, although White has an edge, as he has gained a couple of tempi on a line from the English. ] [ 3.g3 f6 4.g2 The ultimate in flexibility, a double fianchetto! c6 ( 4...g6 5.c4 g7 6.f3 0-0 7.d3 e8 8.0-0 c6 resembles a King's English, which is fairly typical, Spraggett,K-Barlov,D/ Paris 1991.) 5.e3 g6 6.e2 g7 7.d4 and White took play into a type of King's Indian position, Bezold,M-Piket,J/ 1998-9 French Team Ch FRA 1999. ] 3...g6 [ 3...c6 Is also perfectly reasonable, of course, 4.g3 g6 5.g2 g7 6.c3 e6 7.d3 d7 and, once again, a King's English set-up has occurred, Ehlvest,J-Atalik,S/ Beijing (open) 1996. ] 4.d4 More often, White prefers to defer this 'in your face' move, and plays 4 Nf3. g7 5.dxe5 d7 Black exploits the pin on the e5-pawn, along the a1-h8 diagonal, to avoid losing his castling rights . 6.d2!? A new idea in this position, protecting the b2-bishop, and obliging Black to capture the e5-pawn. [ 6.f3 is more usual, dxe5 7.c2 e7 8.a3 c5 9.e4 f6 10.c3 c6 11.d1 0-0 12.c1 h5!? 13.a4 b6 14.xc5 bxc5 15.e3 and White wins a pawn, when it is not clear that Black's compensation is sufficient, Zak, U-Rechlis,G/Ramat Aviv ISR 1998. ] 6...dxe5 7.f3 c6 8.c3 By retarding his kingside development, W hite gives himself other options, like exploiting the open d-file, but he has to take care that he doesn't find h i m s e l f b e h i n d i n d e v e l o p m e n t . gf6 9.g5!? Elaborate, simply [ 9.d1 e7 10.e4 gives a small plus. ] 9...0-0 10.ge4 White's time-consuming manoeuvre aims to establish a knight on the weakened d6-square. xe4 11.xe4 f5
12.d6 White has achieved his goal, can he now finish his development so that he might exploit his mighty knight? c5 13.d1 e7 14.a3 b6 15.b4?! Played to support the knight with Pc5, but [ 15.xc5!? bxc5 16.e4 was an interesting option, but possibly too slow d8 17.exf5 gxf5 18.e2 e6 looks dangerous for White. ] 15...e4 16.xe4 fxe4 White has doubled Black's pawns, but opened the f-file. 17.e3 g4 18.c1?! ad8 19.c2 h4 The black position begins to appear very active. 20.h3 h6! 21.g3 h5 22.e2 f3 There is not much chance that White will be able to castle kingside now with all his weak light squares, but what else can he do with his king? 23.d1 White tries to exchange pieces. xd1+ 24.xd1 f5? missing the combination, [ 24...xe3! 25.fxe3 g5 26.xf3 xe3+ winning everything. ] 25.xf3 exf3 26.g4 e6 Black is still better. 27.c2 e4 28.0-0 g7 29.h1 d8 30.c1 d3 31.b2 xb2 32.xb2 Despite the reduced material, Black's advantage is still consequent, he controls the d-file, and can attack the white king. h5 33.g1 hxg4 34.hxg4 g5! Black forces mate, by ...Qh6+. 0-1
70 Gorovets,Andrey Fedorov,Alexei ch-BLR Minsk BLR (4) [John Watson]
A01 2345 2603 07.03.2005
These Reversed Sicilians ought to be very n i c e f o r W h i t e wi t h h i s e xt r a m o v e , b u t somehow White never seems to get anything out of it. In this game with Larsen's 1.b3 he spends two moves playing b3-b4, which is hardly the way to exploit the tempo. 1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.c4 f6 4.e3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.a3 d6 7.c2 [ You could argue that the queen does little he re a n d t h a t W h it e sh o u ld h e a d f o r a Scheveningen setup as soon as possible by 7.d3 0-0 8.f3 e7 9.e2 intending 0-0 and Nbd2, with Re1 when appropriate. ] 63
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 7...0-0 8.f3 e7 9.d3 f5 10.bd2 h8 [ Black could already play 10...f4 11.e4 b6 12.b4 a6 13.e2 e6 unclear. ] 11.b4?! White has to be careful to get developed. [ 11.e2 is more cautious, when Black's plan in the game is less impressive: d7 12.0-0 ae8 13.c4 e4 14.dxe4 ( or 14.xd6 cxd6 15.dxe4 fxe4 16.d2 g5 17.h1 g6 18.ad1 ) 14...fxe4 15.fd2 and W hite may even have a small ad va n t a ge wit h t wo b ish o p s a n d sligh t pressure on Black's e-pawn. ] 11...d7 12.e2 ae8 13.c4? [ 13.0-0 e4 14.d4 h4 yields a winning advantage af ter ( or 14...xe3 15.fxe3 h4 ) 15.g3 xe3! 16.gxh4 ( 16.fxe3 xg3 17.2f3 exf3 18.xf3 h3 ) 16...xd4! 17.b1 ( 17.xd4 xc2 ) 17...xe2+ 18.h1 xf1 19.xf1 f4 threatening ...Nxd3 or ...Bc6, e.g., 20.c4 ( 20.dxe4 fxe4 and ...Bh3 is still another threat ) 20...c6 21.b5 xb5 22.xd6 cxd6 23.g1 f7 ] 13...e4! 14.xd6 [ 14.fd2 xb4! 15.axb4 b5! 16.a5 cxb4 17.b3 exd3 18.xd3 xe3! etc. ] 14...cxd6 15.dxe4 fxe4 16.d4 g5!? 17.g3? White stood badly anyway but this allows a pretty finish: xf2! 18.xc6 [ 18.xf2 xe3+ 19.e1 xd4 20.xd4 xd4 21.d1 e3! ] 18...xe3! 19.c3 ef8 20.d4 xe2+ [ The finish could be 20...xe2+ 21.xe2 ( 21.xe2 g2+ 22.d1 a4+ ) 21...g4+ ] 0-1
71 Hertneck,Gerald Medvegy,Zoltan Schwarzach op-A (9) [Jonathan Rowson]
A01 2572 2430 02.09.2001
3.e3 g4 4.f3 h5 5.g4! g6 6.h4! If nothing else, such early pawn pushing looks like a lot of fun. h5 [ 6...h6 was the choice of a very young Etienne Bacrot, but White seemed to retain some advantage: 7.e2 e6 8.bc3 c6 9.f4 d6 10.b5 xf4 11.xc6+ bxc6 12.exf4 h5 13.f5 exf5 14.g5 d7 15.e2+ e7 16.xe7+ xe7 17.a3+ d8 18.d4 f8 19.xf8 xf8 20.d2 f4 21.e2 f5 22.xf4 g6 23.ae1 d7 24.e5 f6 25.gxf6 xf6 26.he1 e4 27.fxe4 xf4 28.exd5 xd4+ 29.c3 xd5 30.e7+ c8 31.1e6 b7 32.xg6 c5+ 33.b2 a6 34.h7 e5 35.g5 e2 36.hxh5 d8 37.c5 d6 38.a4 h2 39.c4 b6 40.b4+ a7 41.h7 1-0 Relange, E (2420)-Bacrot, E (2300)/ Epinal 1995 ] 7.g5 fd7 8.c3!? c6 9.h3 It is noteworthy that White doesn't play f4 too soon, keeping this square available for a knight. In previous games White had played f4 and achieved merely some extra space, but now Black's structural integrity soon comes into question. e6 [ 9...e5 is possible, but the position gets very sharp after 10.f4!? intending to snuff out the bishop on g6. exf4 11.exf4 d4 12.f5!? dxc3 13.xc3 is just off the top of my head, but Rybka seems to find it vaguely plausible. ] 10.ce2!? A devious manoeuvre that gives this line some sting. c7 [ 10...f5 11.xf5 exf5 12.g3 ] 11.f4 e5 [ 11...f5 12.xf5 exf5 13.g6 ] 12.xg6 fxg6 13.e2 d6 14.f4 f7 15.0-0-0 e4 16.d3 e8 17.f5 e5 18.fxg6+ xg6 19.f1 xb2+ 20.xb2 f8 21.xf8 xf8 22.f1 f7 23.e2 a6 24.dxe4 dxe4 25.g3 f3 26.f5+ f7 27.xe4 xf1 28.xf1+ e7 29.f5+ 1-0
1.b3 d5 2.b2 f6 [ 2...g4 Paradoxically, this move makes it harder for W hite to create immediate problems with the kingside pawns, simply because e3 is prevented, but as we see below, it invites different kinds of trouble. ] 64
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A01 d i a g o n a l , a n d p r e p a r i n g . . . d 5 . 12.d3?! Hodgson,Julian M 2605 Opening the centre only seems to f avour Barsov,Alexei 2539 Black here, perhaps [ 12.f4!? was best, xd4 13.exd4 d5 Vikings GM York ENG (8) 20.12.1999 14.cxd5! (creating the famous Irish pawn [Tony Kosten] centre) xd5 15.xd5 xd5 16.c1!? ( 16.c1 ) 16...c6 17.c5 d6 18.c1 1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 f6 4.b5 d6 hoping to play Qc3, and d5, but Black may Played as lon g ago as1859 , in t he gam e have sufficient resources. ] Suhle-Anderssen, at Breslau! 5.a3 a5!? This move of Sveshnikov's, which he played 12...d5 13.cxd5 exd3 [ 13...xd4 14.exd4 exd3 15.xd3 g4 as far back as 1975, is becoming all the rage. was also interesting, although I can 6.e2 understand that Black might have been [ Perhaps more accurate than the immediate worried about the loss of his dark-squared 6.f3 which transposes after a6 7.e2 bishop. ] , as W hite obtains other possibilities on 14.xd3 xd5 15.xd5 xd5 16.f3 d6 move seven. ] 17.0-0-0 White has little choice about this, 6...a6 7.f3 [ In another game from December '99, White although the king's position does look quite tried a different idea, 7.c4 gaining some exposed. b6 18.c2 A pragmatic draw space on the queenside, and controlling d5 offer, White can only be worse here, [ 18.c2 c5 19.e2 xb2+ 20.xb2 c4 c5 8.f3 c6 9.d3 0-0 10.0-0 e8 with an attack. ] 11.c2 f8 ( 11...c7 would be my p r e f e r e n c e) 12.d4 cxd4 13.exd4 e4 ½-½ 14.e5! d6 15.xc6 bxc6 16.d5 with a plus, Teske,H-Berndt,S/ Tegernsee 73 A01 GER 1999. ] [ However, 7.c4?! seems to give Black all Hodgson,Julian M 2575 he wants, xc4 8.bxc4!? ( 8.xc4 b5 Hall,Jesper 2485 9.e2 b7 is too easy for Black, but the Harplinge (2) 16.08.1998 text is risky) 8...e7 9.a4 0-0 10.h3 c5 [Jonathan Rowson] 11.f4? xe3! 12.xe5 ( 12.dxe3? b4+ ) 12...a7 13.f2 d6 14.b2 e8 15.d4 A positional classic, in which the Trompovsky g4 0-1 Sakaev,K-Sveshnikov,E/ Gausdal trend setter wins in Trompovsky style with 1. 1992. ] b3! Instead of d4, Bg5 and Bxf6, b3, Bb2 and 7...e4!? Bxf6 gets the same job done in the same [ A principled decision from Black, who n u m b e r o f m o v e s . I n s o m e c a s e s t h i s d o e s n ' t f e a r t h e o p e n i n g o f t h e a 1 - h 8 achievement comes at the cost of weakening diagonal. 7...e7 had been tried previously, the queenside, and W hite will need time to 8.c1 ( 8.b1 was played by Hodgson, see play d4 later. But in this case White makes the archives) 8...b5 9.c4 bxc4 10.xc4 good use of the d4 square for other purposes. xc4 11.xc4 a5 with counterplay, Murey- The following reminded me of Karpov's fairly Sveshnikov/USSR, 1975. ] f a m o u s s t r a t e g ic vi c t o r y a ga i n s t W a lt e r 8.d4 g6 Keeping the knight out of f5, Browne in a line that is quite similar. 1.b3 although at a cost to the kingside dark [ 1.c4 c5 2.b3 f6 3.b2 g6 4.xf6!? squares. 9.c4 0-0 10.b1!? exf6 5.c3 g7 6.g3 c6 7.g2 f5 8.e3 [ 10.0-0!? might be possible, although e7 0-0 ( 8...xc3 9.dxc3 gives White an looks annoying, White is forced to get his advantage based on the d-file.) 9.ge2 a6 knights into a tangle by 11.Ndc2, as he is 10.c1 b5 11.d3 b7 12.0-0 d6 13.d2 probably far from OK after 11.b1? e5! a5 14.fd1 ab8 15.d5 xd2 16.xd2 12.g3 c5 13.f4 exf3 14.xf3 e4 ] b4 17.d4 fd8 18.cd1 cxd4 19.exd4 f8 10...e8 11.c3 e5! Fighting for the a1-h8 20.c5 a7 21.e3 xg2 22.xg2 dxc5 72
65
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 23.dxc5 xd2 24.xd2 c8 25.d5 xc5 26.xb4 a5 27.d5 c6 28.e3 c5 29.f4 h6 30.d5 xd5 31.fxd5 xe3 32.xe3 e7 33.c4 c6 34.f3 e6 35.e3 d5 36.a3 e6 37.d3 d5 38.f3 h6 39.c3 h5 40.d3 f6 41.f4 g5 42.e3+ e6 43.h4 gxh4 44.gxh4 e7 45.c4 g6 46.g2 d6 47.b5 d5 48.xa5 e4 49.b4 f3 50.b5 xg2 51.b6 f8 52.b5 d7 53.a4 xb6 54.xb6 f3 55.a5 xf4 56.a6 e3 57.a7 f4 58.a8 f3 59.e8+ 1-0 Karpov, A (2630)-Browne, W (2530)/ San Antonio 1972 ] 1...f6 2.b2 g6 3.xf6 exf6 4.c4 g7 [ 4...d5!? 5.cxd5 xd5 6.c3 a5 7.a3! ] 5.g3 f5 6.c3 d6 [ 6...xc3 7.dxc3 0-0 I think to play 1.b3 successf ully, you have to be excited by tiny advantages in positions like this. In this case W hite will have a slight lead in development, a marginally better bishop, a n d t h e p a wn b r e a k c 4 - c 5 l o o k s m o r e feasible than f5-f4. ] 7.g2 d7 8.c1 f6 9.d3 0-0 10.f3 d7 11.b4 a6 12.0-0 e8 13.a4 c6?! 14.e3 b6 15.b5 b7 16.d4! xg2 17.xg2 d5 18.c6 d6 19.b3 dxc4 20.xc4 a5 21.fe1 d7 22.d5 c5 23.e4 Complete positional domination and a great advert for this way of playing with White. fxe4 24.dxe4 h5 25.cd1 e6 26.c2 ac8 27.a7 h4 28.xc8 h3+ 29.g1 xc8 30.c4 g4 31.f1 xe4 32.xe4 xe4 33.xh3 xa4 34.e1 f8 35.f6+ g7 36.h7+ xf6 37.h8+ g7 38.d8+ f5 39.d5+ g4 40.xf7 d4 41.xg6+ f3 42.h5+ g4 43.e3# 1-0
74 Hodgson,Julian M Speelman,Jonathan S 4NCL Birmingham (11) [Tony Kosten]
A01 2575 2605 1998
1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 f6 4.b5 d6 T h i s m o ve l o o ks l ik e t h a t o f a c o m p l e t e beginner, developing his king's bishop in front of the d-pawn, how will it ever be able to
move forward? In fact it is a good move, for White intends to capture on c6, so Black can recapture with his d7-pawn when his queen's bishop will be free to develop. That said, as soon as Black plays this move, White tries to a v o i d c a p t u r i n g o n c 6 , o f c o u r s e . 5.a3 I t s e e m s t h a t W h i t e h a s ca u g h t B l a c k ' s disease, for what sort of square is a3 for a knight? [ 5.c3 0-0 6.ge2 achieves nothing. e7 7.d4 c6 8.d3 exd4 9.xd4 b4 f ollowed by ...d5, with a good position, Bellon Lopez,J-Narciso Dublan,M/ Havana CUB 1999. ] [ 5.e2 0-0 6.0-0 e8 7.g3 e4 this illustrates a different method of development for Black, 8.e2 e5 9.xe5 xe5 10.d4 exd3 11.cxd3 d5 and Black has managed to play ...d5 anyway, and now has a good position, Morozevich,ASveshnikov,E/Podolsk 1993. ] [ After 5.f3 e4 White tried an unusual move in Mikhalevski-Avrukh, Ramat Aviv 1998, 6.h4!? instead of 6 Nd4. 0-0 7.0-0 e5 8.xe5 xe5 But Black has a fine position here, 9.f4 exf3 10.xf3 e7 11.c3 d5 12.e1 and now Black played c5!? planning to play ...c4 and trap the b5bishop. This led to obscure complications, and an eventual Black victory, but he had simpler options, like 12...c6 for instance. ] 5...a5!? I am not sure whether this a case of two of the most original chessplayers in the world battling out to see who can find the most original moves, or an example of modern GMs being guided less by established principles, than by concrete appraisal of the position! [ In fact, Black wants to stop the white knight se tt lin g o n c4, as in t h e gam e L ein , A Gruzmann,B/Grieskirchen GER 1998, which c o n t i n u e d : 5...a6 6.xc6 dxc6 7.c4 with a position not untypical of the Exchange Ruy Lopez. e7 8.e2 0-0 9.0-0 b5! 10.xd6 cxd6 but Black could have no reason to complain about his opening. ] 6.f3 a6 7.e2 e7 Putting the question to the a3-knight. 8.b1 Rather than acquiesce to exchanging the a5-knight. 0-0 9.c4 b6 Black finally decides to leave the d7-pawn where it is, and develop the c8-bishop another 66
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 way. 10.c3 b7 11.0-0 fe8 12.d3 a3 13.c1 xb2 And the players, exhausted by having to find so many original moves, agreed to split the point. Seriously, this was a key battle for team supremacy in Britain, and the quick draw suited both sides. The position is level, anyway. ½-½
probably lead to Black taking en passant which would be the same as 9.d3. ] 9...0-0 10.h3 c5 11.f2 e8 12.g4 d6 13.g5 d7 14.h4 f8 Hereabouts Black starts to play rather passively, which will prove fatal with his opponent charging up the kingside like this. 15.h5 f5 16.g4 d7 17.e2 a5 18.0-0-0 [ 18.xf5 xf5 19.g4 looks quite strong here, preparing to diagonalise Black with 20. 75 A01 h6 or 20.Qg2 intending 21.Nh6+. ] 19.dg1 axb3 20.axb3 a5 Ipatov,Alexander 2507 18...a4 Fierro Baquero,Martha Lorena 2372 21.a1 c6?! 22.g6 [ 22.xf5 xf5 23.g4 seems very strong Andorra Open (5) 21.07.2010 here too. ] [Nigel Davies] 22...fxg6 [ 22...hxg6 would be decisively met by 1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 f6 4.b5 d6 23.h6! with a winning attack. ] 5.a3!? This odd looking move makes sense when Black can no longer play ...d7-d5 to 23.h6 gxh6?? A blunder in a poor position. [ 23...e7 would have put up more keep the knight out of c4. a6 6.e2 resistance. ] [ I think there's a good case for 6.xc6 dxc6 xf5 25.g4 There's no good 7.c4 , simply making sure the knight 24.xf5 doesn't get misplaced on a3. This doesn't defence to the threat of 26.Nxh6 mate. look like much for White, for example after 1-0 e4 . But his position would at least be nicely coordinated. ] A01 6...b5 Preventing the knight from coming to c4 76 but at the cost of weakening his queenside. Ismagambetov,Anuar 2531 Black has also tried other approaches which Lahiri,Atanu 2361 seem better, for example: 9th UIL&UL GM (4) 23.08.2009 [ a) 6...b4 7.c4 e4 8.a3 e7 9.d4 d5 [Nigel Davies] 10.e5 b8 11.f4 0-0 12.h3 c5 13.g5!? c6 14.h4!? was the enterprising 1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 d5 4.b5 d6 but rather wild continuation of Karlsson, L 5.f4 This thematic pawn thrust hasn't been too popular lately. It does seem that if Black (2493)-Wang Hao (2624) / Taby 2007. ] [ b) 6...e7 looks like an eminently sensible knows what he's doing he gets fully equal choice for Black simply arguing that White's play. h4+ It makes sense to weaken White's knight will now be badly placed on a3. After kingside before dropping back to e7. 6.g3 7.c4 e4 8.f4 d5 9.e5 d6 10.d4 exd3 e7 7.f3 f6 8.c3 e6 9.e2 [ White has also played 9.0-0 , for example 11.cxd3 xe5 12.xe5 b6 13.f2 c5 h6 10.fxe5 fxe5 11.e4 dxe4 ( 11...c5+ 14.c1 d4 was simply good for Black in Ivanov, M (2470)-Vyskocil, N (2315)/ Brno is strongly met by 12.d4! exd4 13.xd5! ) 12.xc6+ bxc6 13.xe4 was agreed drawn 2009. ] (1 / 2 - 1 / 2 ) in M e l la d o T r ivin o , J (2 4 2 2 ) 7.c4 b4 8.c2 e4 9.f4 An ambitious looking move, trying to gain space on the kingside. Strikovic, A (2498)/Lorca 2005. I prefer [ On e ea rlie r ga m e sa w W h it e pla y 9.d3 White's position though the rating difference may have accounted for the early af t e r wh ic h exd3 10.xd3 0-0 11.f3 ( 11.h3!? ) 11...e8 12.f5 e7 13.d1 negotiations for peace. ] looked slightly better for White in Jarvenpaa, 9...a6 10.xc6+ bxc6 11.0-0-0 This sensible moves seems new, though it J (2090)-Tiitta, S (2204)/ Jyvaskyla 2008. ] [ 9.d4 is another idea, though this would does little to change the assessment of this 67
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 position as being very comfortable for Black. Earlier games had gone as follows: [ a) 11.a4 e4 12.d4 d7 13.c4 f7 ( 13...c5 makes sense here) 14.c5 e7 15.f5 h6 16.f1 g6 17.g4 g8 18.0-0-0 gxf5 19.gxf5 looked quite nice for White at this stage in Schramm, C (2350)-Rabiega, R (2520)/Germany 2003. ] [ b) 11.fxe5 fxe5 12.e4 d4 13.a4 h6 14.0-0-0 0-0 15.h3 c5 16.g4 f7 17.c4 d7 essentially refuted White's strategy in Krupkova, P (2293)-Polushkina, S (2159)/ Varna 2002 because she can not prevent a timely ...Bxa4. ] 11...h6 12.a4? Blundering away the exchange. [ 12.h3 is better, trying to cover up the kingside light squares. ] 12...e4 13.d4 g4 14.f1 xd1 15.xd1 c5?! 16.e2? [ 16.h5+ f7 17.e6 was a better try, and maybe Black should have avoided this by castling on his previous move. ] 16...0-0 17.h3 c4 18.b1 a3 19.c3 ab8 20.g4 c5 21.g1 Trying for g4-g5 but there's no way that White has enough here. f7 22.g5 fxg5 23.h4 d7 24.hxg5 d6 25.a1 f5 26.e5 b7 27.ec3 cxb3 28.cxb3 c8 29.b1 b4 30.a3 a5 31.c2 c4 [ 31...c6 might have been a steadier way to play it. Now White manages to selotape his queenside together for a while. ] 32.b4 c7 33.b2 d6 34.bc3 f8 35.b1 e6 36.e2 a5! 37.bxa5 b3 38.c1 b5 39.c3 xb1+ 40.xb1 xa3 41.a2 xc1 42.xc1 b8 43.a3?! d4! This break through spells the beginning of the end of White's resistance. 44.exd4 xd4! 45.c5 c6 46.xc6 xc6 47.b6 h5 48.gxh6 gxh6 49.xc4 h5 50.a3 h4 51.e5 a7 52.a4 h3 53.g4 f7 54.f5 c6 55.e5+ xe5 56.xe5 d8 57.f4 xd2! 0-1
77 Ivanchuk,Vassily Le Quang,Liem SportAccord Blitz Men 2013 blitz (29.6) [Fier, Alexandr]
A01 2731 2703
1.b3 is becoming more fashionable, especially for rapid and blitz games. Le Quang tries the idea played by Jakovenko last month and also gets into trouble. 1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 f6 4.b5 d6 5.a3 e7 [ 5...e4 is one of the critical variations and was tried in two elite games from this month 6.e2 a s o l i d a p p r o a c h ( 6.c4 is more direct, keeping the bishops e7 7.xc6 dxc6 8.e2 0-0 9.0-0 e8 10.f3 and the position was level in Ivanchuk, V (2731)-Vachier-Lagrave, M (2745)/ S p o r t A c c o rd B a sq u e M e n 2 0 1 3 (3 . 1 ) .) 6...e5 7.c1 e7 8.xc6 dxc6 9.c4 xb2 10.xb2 arriving into a typical position for this variation. In this long game the knight proved to be stronger than the bishop, Nakamura, H (2786)-Jones, G (2654)/5th Classic GpC 2013 (4.2) ] 6.c4 d6 7.xc6+ bxc6 8.e2 0-0 9.0-0 c5 10.f4 [ 10.d4 is strong, and was analyzed by me f o r C h e s s P u b l i s h i n g l a s t m o n t h , exd4 11.exd4 a6 12.a5 and White has good chances to obtain an advantage, as seen in Jobava, B (2694)-Jakovenko, D (2719)/29th ECC Open 2013 (6.4). ] 10...e4 To keep the f-file closed is quite natural and probably right. [ 10...exf4 was another possibility when the po sition h a s a dif f e re nt cha racte r th a n compared to the game. White has an open diagonal and the f-file for the heavy pieces, on the other hand Black has the bishop pair and good central control. 11.xf4 c6 12.f3 d5 13.e5 d6 14.d3 could be a natural sequence when the position is level, but easier for White to play. ] 11.g3 e8 12.d3 Since the pieces are now well placed, it's time to open the position. b7?! I'm not a fan of this move. White always has Na5 when he can get back the bishop pair at least. [ 12...exd3 was a respectable option and n o w b o t h r e c a p t u re s a re p o ss i b l e a n d 68
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 interesting 13.cxd3 with the idea of making the center more solid and concentrating the p i e c e s o n t h e k i n g s i d e ( 13.xd3 m o r e a i m e d t o p l a y i n t h e c e n t e r a5 14.ad1 a4 15.e4 g4 16.d2 axb3 17.axb3 a2 with a complex position) 13...a5 14.e4 d5 15.e5 f8 with a level position ] 13.a5 c8 14.xb7 A concrete approach, which is good with the right sequence. [ 14.d2!? since the bishop has no good squares to go to, it makes sense to wait a bit before taking on b7. d8 ( 14...a6 15.c4 exd3 16.e4 and the bishop is hitting rock ) 15.ac1!? another good prophylactic move, threatening 16. Bxf6. Now Black has difficult problems to solve. ] 14...xb7 15.f5 d8 16.e1 [ Makes sense, but is slow compared to the option 16.g4! this is the move which should be connected with 14.Nxb7, now Black's pieces are not well placed to defend the king, A) 16...e6 doesn't really help 17.xg7 xg7 18.g5 and the attack is much faster than any counterplay in the center; B) 16...exd3 17.cxd3 g6 18.h6+ f8 19.d2 and Black's king is in much more danger than White's.; C) 16...d5 17.f2! with the simple idea of bringing the rook to the g-file ( 17.xg7 xg7 18.g5 f5 and Black is fine) 17...e6 18.xg7 xg7 19.f5 d5 20.g5 and White is much better; D) 16...c8 again trying to go to f5 17.dxe4! xe4 18.f3 d5 ( 18...e6 19.g3 wins an exchange) 19.c4 c6 20.ac1 and it's hard for Black to defend against all the threats ] 16...d5 Black takes his chance and creates c o u n t e r p l a y i n t h e c e n t e r . 17.g3 A sad move to make. [ 17.g4 was still possible, but now things are completely unclear exd3 18.h4 h6! ( 18...dxc2 19.g5 wins a piece) 19.xg7 xg7 20.g5 h8 21.gxf6+ f8 with unusual chaos. ] 17...exd3 18.d1 c4 19.cxd3 [ 19.bxc4 w a s a l s o p o s s i b l e b7 ( 19...xc4 20.cxd3 xa2 21.a1 would be similar to the game) 20.c3 dxc2
21.d2 b6 and Black has few problems. ] 19...cxb3 Ambitious. [ 19...cxd3 doesn't win a pawn, but leaves Black with a comfortable position 20.d2 c6 21.xf6 ( 21.xd3 b6 22.d4 xd4 23.xd4 xd4 24.xd4 d5 is about equal ) 21...xf6 22.xd3 e6 23.f3 d5 and White has more reasons to be worried than Black ] 20.axb3 xb3 21.a1 White finally was able to stabilize the center at the cost of the apawn, which is not so important. After all the position remains unclear. g4 [ 21...b6 was a good idea, trying to fight against W hite's center and avoid 22.e4 22.f3 ( 22.d4 c5 23.a1 d5 is good for Black ) 22...b8 23.h1 d5 and Black's position is slightly preferable ] 22.e4 [ 22.e2 could bring strange positions after xe3 23.f5 c6 24.xg7 b6 25.xe8 xd1+ 26.h1 f2+ 27.xf2 xf2 28.f6+ g7 where I'm not able to say who is better. ] 22...f6 23.xf6 xf6 It's rational to exchange the dangerous white bishop, but it gave White time to consolidate the center and start a new attack with the remaining pieces. 24.f5 g6 25.h4 h5 [ 25...gxf5 this was better and the position will be probably be drawn by perpetual at s o m e p o i n t 26.g5+ ( 26.xf6 fxe4 27.g5+ h8 28.f6+ g8= ) 26...f8 27.xf6 fxe4 28.h6+ g8 29.f5 h8 and W hite has nothing better than perpetual. ] 26.e7+ g7 Now the position becomes just too dangerous for Black. [ 26...f8 was necessary, putting the king near the rook, 27.d5 c6 28.e3 ( 28.f6 xf6 29.xf6 g8 is less dangerous) 28...g8 29.f5 with the initiative. ] 27.f5 f6 Now Black's king is too exposed and also the knight on h5 has no squares. 28.d5 c6 [ 28...f8 would be another idea to defend, but after 29.h3 f7 30.g4 c6 31.e3 wins a piece ] 29.b1 And suddenly the attack comes from the other side. xd3 30.b7+ h8 31.fxg6 hxg6 32.xf6 Now it 's f in ished . e3+ 69
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 33.h1 h6 34.g5! g3+ 35.xg3 [ 35.g1 7 wa s m a t e i n e2+ 36.f2 xh2 37.xe8 ] 35...ab8 36.h7+ xh7 37.xh7 xh7 38.xd6 f8 39.xf8 1-0
78 Jadoul,Michel Fontaine,Pierre TCh-2003-4 Belgium BEL (1) [Tony Kosten]
A01 2342 2143 14.12.2003
1.b3 f5 2.b2 e6 Black tries to play a Classical Dutch against the queenside fianchetto, but is this wise? 3.e4!? Maybe not! The problem is that Black can hardly answer White's Qh5+ with ...g6 as the h8-rook would be lost. fxe4!? 'In for a penny ...' but the alternatives are not particularly enticing: [ 3...d6?! 4.exf5 exf5 Ventura,S-Tocco,P/ Saint Vincent 1999, when 5.h5+ forces e7 which is horrible. ] [ 3...f6 is th e be st b e t : 4.exf5 ( 4.e5 gains a lot of space) 4...exf5 5.e2+ e7 ( 5...f7!? ) 6.xf6 ( 6.g3?! c6?! 7.g2?! d5?! 8.h3?! is a bit limp, Skripchenko,AGervais, C/Cannes 1993) 6...gxf6 7.xe7+ xe7 and the doubled f-pawns give White a plus, Jadoul, M-Froeyman,H/Antwerp BEL 2000. ] 4.h5+ e7 [ 4...g6?? 5.e5 wins material. ] 5.c3! A novelty, but obviously this position is very rare. [ 5.d3 is similar, White is happy to make his pawn sac permanent and open the central files, f6 6.h4 exd3 7.xd3 d6 8.f3 with sufficient compensation for the pawn, and good practical chances for W hite Sinowjew, J-Wach,M/Voitsberg 1995. ] 5...f6 6.h4 d5 This is White's idea, he forces Black to defend his e-pawn before playing d3, this way the long diagonal cannot be closed by .. .d6 and ...e5. 7.d3 exd3 8.xd3 f7 9.0-0-0 e7 10.f3 White is close to completing his development, and is ready to attack Black before he manages to secure his king position. e8?! Retreating one of Black's only two developed pieces
seems odd, he should prefer [ 10...c6 , say, to control e5. ] 11.e5+ g8 12.h5 d6 13.b5 Aiming to deflect the knight from its defence of f7. d7?! Initiating a tactical sequence which just favours White, [ 13...e8!? was the best bet. ] 14.xd6 xe5 15.xc8 xd3+ 16.xd3 g5+ 17.b1 xc8 The fog clears and we see that White's initiative has increased: the black king is stuck in the corner stopping his rook from moving, and W hite has gained a swinging rook along the third rank. 18.g4 e7 [ 18...f7?! is worse, 19.e1 e8 20.g3 f6 21.xf6 xf6 22.f3 winning the queen. ] 19.e1 [ 19.xd5! is also tempting, as the e-pawn is pinned. ] 19...h5! This is Black's best chance, the rook might be able to re-enter the game. 20.xe6+ xe6 21.xe6 c6 Black has a solid position, but the white pieces are very active. 22.g3?! White misses a trick, [ 22.c4! is strong, trying to batter the rook's way through to the seventh rank: dxc4?! 23.d7 h7 24.bxc4 with a consequent advantage. ] 22...f7?! Black misses it too! [ 22...h6! is possible, solving Black's problems at a stroke! 23.xg5!? ( 23.xh6 xh6 is level ) 23...xe6 24.xg7+ f8 25.xb7 e1+ 26.c1 ce8 with good play. ] 23.d6 hd8?! Another error, Black resigns as after [ 23...hd8?! 24.xd8 xd8 25.xg7+ e6 26.xb7 he is two pawns down with a bad position. ] 1-0
79 Jobava,Ba Jakovenko,D 29th ECC Open 2013 (6.4) [Fier, Alexandr]
A01 2694 2719 25.10.2013
Jobava had one more success with 1.b3 and this time against a 2700 player. 5.. .Be7 is not 70
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 played so often (5...e4 is kind of critical lately and 5...Na5 is the mainline) and after some natural moves White already had a pleasant position. Maybe 9...c5 is already not the best, but it's nice to see how much poison there is in White's position 1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 f6 4.b5 d6 5.a3 e7 The basic idea is to come back with the bishop now that the pawn is not hanging on e5. So, after 6...d6 Black can finish normal development, which is not that common in this variation. [ 5...e4 was already played twice against Jobava 6.c4 looks more natural than ( 6.e2 e5 7.c1 0-0 8.h3 e7 where W hite was not really successful in Jobava, B (2711)-Aronian, L (2815)/Beijing Sportaccord blitz 2012) 6...e7 7.xc6 dxc6 8.e2 0-0 9.0-0 with an interesting position in Jobava, B (2711)-Giri, A (2720)/ Beijing Sportaccord blitz 2012. ] [ 5...a5 was analyzed by me some months ago in Bernadskiy, V (2475)-Nevednichy, V (2580)/Albena Masters op 2013. ] [ 5...a6 is another popular alternative and was analyzed in games such as Ipatov, A (2507)-Fierro Baquero, M (2372)/Andorra Open 2010. ] 6.c4 d6 7.xc6+ bxc6 8.e2 0-0 9.0-0 c5 Somehow I think Black starts to have some problems after this move. Nothing serious, b u t s t ill I t h in k t h e p o sit io n ca n b e co m e unpleasant quickly [ 9...e6 trying to get rid of the knight could be another option A) 10.d4 enters an unusual structure xc4 ( 10...exd4 11.xd4 only helps White ) 11.bxc4 b8 12.b1 d7 13.c5 f6 ( 13...exd4? 14.xd4 and Black has problems with the c6-square) 14.cxd6 cxd6 15.d3 with chances for both sides; B) 10.a5 is more in the spirit of the position and after d7 11.d4 e4 12.c4 d5 13.c2 d6 with a double-edged position. White needs to decide whether it's worth closing the position with c5 or not. An expansion on the queenside might be successful, but also there are not many people defending the other side. ] 10.d4 exd4 [ 10...cxd4 11.exd4 e4 12.d5! and White can use the e3, d4 and c6 squares.
Meanwhile it is not entirely clear where Black is going to put his pieces. For example: a6 13.e1 d7 14.e3 xe2 15.xe2 followed by 16.c4 with advantage ] 11.exd4 a6 [ 11...d5 is the main option, trying to open some space to activate the pieces and after 12.e5 e8 is better, aimed against the d x c 5 i d e a s ( 12...d6 if White opens the diagonal, all the pieces can go easily onto t h e a t t a c k 13.dxc5 xc5 14.g3 e8 15.f3 with some initiative for W hite) 13.c6 getting back the bishop pair ( 13.g3 d6 14.e1 cxd4 15.xd4 c5 16.d2 d4 is fine for Black) 13...d7 14.xe7+ xe7 15.g3 c4!? it's important to keep the diagonal closed for the moment, White has the slightly better prospects, but the game is balanced. ] [ 11...cxd4 12.xd4 d7 13.a5 and Black will always have problems with the c6-square. White can put the queen on f3 and bring the rooks to the central files with some advantage. ] 12.a5 d7 13.e1 [ 13.c4 can bring some nice complications it's less precise than the move in the game d5 ( 13...cxd4 14.xd4 c5 15.dc6 ) 14.dxc5 dxc4 15.xd7 xd7 16.b4! this works because the bishop on e7 is not defended c3 17.xc3 xc5 the best move order ( 17...xe2 is good for White 18.fe1 xc5 19.xe2 d6 20.c6 with strong control ) 18.fe1 b6 19.c6 and because of the bishop pair the position is equal. ] 13...b5 Trying to disrupt the harmony between White's pieces and defend against dxc5, but now the queen and bishop are on the wrong diagonal [ 13...cxd4 again this is not good 14.xd4 fe8 15.f3 with the usual problem on the c6-square ] 14.c4 ae8 15.e3!? Bringing the pieces to the kingside. e4 16.c4 [ 16.d5 was also interesting d7 17.ec3 xc3 18.xc3 threatening 19.dxc5 again c4 19.f3 with pressure ] 16...d7 17.dxc5 xc5 [ 17...h4 exchanging one piece, trying to free some space for the pieces, but still not e n o u g h f o r e q u a l i t y 18.g3 xg3 71
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ( 18...xc5? 19.xg7 xg7 20.d4++- ) 19.hxg3 xc5 20.b4 e6 21.d5 and almost all W hite's pieces are more active than Black's corresponding ones. ] 18.g3 d8 This move is too passive. [ 18...g5 is interesting, trying to exchange the bishop, Black needs to be aware of the bishop sacrifice 19.xg7!? ( 19.gf5 f6 20.d4 e6 21.xa7 f4 and after ...Bb7 and ...Be5 Black has some decent compensation for the pawn.) 19...xg7 20.ef5+ h8 21.d4+ f6 22.xe8 xe8 23.h4 and the bishop has no square to go to e5 24.xe5 fxe5 25.hxg5 e6 and Black is in the game. ] 19.h3 This move also looks too slow, White could try more direct approaches with [ 19.gf5 f6 20.d4 e4 21.d5+ f7 22.d2 ] [ or 19.b4 e6 20.gf5 f6 21.f3 in both cases with an initiative ] 19...b7 [ 19...f5!? trying to free Black's pieces 20.h5 ( 20.gxf5 xf5 21.xf5 xe1+ 22.xe1 xf5 23.e8+ f8 24.e1 is a hard to evaluate endgame. My feeling is that Black should be fine.) 20...e6 21.d5 c6 22.df4 xf4 23.xf4 e4 and Black is ok. ] 20.gf5 f6 21.b4 a4 22.d4 b6?! [ 22...g6 was also more active 23.h6+ g7 24.d2 e4 trying to sacrifice the exchange. ] 23.c5 d5 24.g4 h8 25.cxd6 cxd6 26.xd5?! [ 26.c4 just wins a pawn, xe1+ ( 26...c7 27.xe8 xe8 28.fxd6+- ) 27.xe1 g6 28.fxd6 c6 29.xd7 xd7 with a much better endgame for White. ] 26...xd5 Now things are not clear anymore. 27.e3 e6 28.f3 b6 it's dangerous to leave the a-pawn passed. [ 28...g8 29.ed1 f5 30.ac1 and White still has some initiative, but looks better compared to the game ] 29.xb6 axb6 30.a4 a8 31.e4 [ 31.d5! can enter an endgame with a pawn up where White has good chances to convert the point xd5 ( 31...ab8 32.a5 bxa5 33.bxa5 and the pawn becomes too dangerous ) 32.xd5 xa4 ( 32...h6 33.b5
and Black is dominated) 33.xa4 xa4 34.xd6 c8 35.xb6 h6 and it's not clear if the endgame is winning or not, but White is much better anyway. ] 31...f5 [ 31...d5 was another option 32.d4 xa4 33.xa4 xa4 34.xb6 e8 ] 32.f4 g8 Black has no active plan and a lot of weak pawns, in a few moves the position is close to collapse. 33.b5 b3 34.a3 f7?! 35.b1 e6 36.d1 d5 37.c3 a7 38.e5 f6 39.d4 Black can't do much now. af8 40.c6 winning material. f4 41.c7 [ 41.xd5 xd5 42.xf6 gxf6 43.xd5 also wins ] 41...b8 42.xf4 xc7 43.xc7 xf4 44.xb6 g8 45.a5 And the passed pawns decide the game. d4 46.g4 4f5 47.a6 d5 48.a7 d3 49.e3 d2 50.h2 d1 51.xd1 xd1 52.c7 dd8 53.b6 a8 54.d6 fe8 55.c5 1-0
80 Jobava,Baadur Andriasian,Zaven Fujairah Masters 2012 (5.6) [John Bartholomew]
A01 2710 2604 17.11.2012
Jobava played the Nimzo-Larsen five times at the Fujairah Masters, scoring a stellar 4.5/5. Perhaps even more impressively, all but one of his opponents were Grandmasters! He kept the 1. b3 tra in rolling a t his next e vent in December, the prestigious SportAccord World Mind Games. There he achieved only mediocre results playing 1.b3 in all his White games (+4, =2, -7), though he did manage to beat Ivanchuk, Mamedyarov, Giri, and Bologan. Thanks to Mr. Jobava's herculean efforts there is suddenly a wealth of high-level Nimzo-Larsen theory to digest. As such, I think it's only appropriate that we examine some of his fine efforts this month. 1.b3 e5 The main line, as played by Jobava's opponents in 10 of his 18 games. 2.b2 c6 [ T h e f l e x i b l e 2...d6 was preferred by Bologan and Guseinov. ] 3.e3 f6 72
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ Leave it to Ivanchuk and Morozevich to try t h e l i t t l e - k n o w n m o v e 3...ge7!? . Those two games proceeded 4.e2 d5 5.d4 , and now: A) 5...exd4 6.xd4 xd4 7.xd4 f5 8.d2 c6 9.c3 e6 10.0-0-0 b4 11.a3 ( 11.g4!? ) 11...a5 12.b4 c7 Jobava, B (2711)-Morozevich, A (2748) Beijing CHN 2012 13.e4 dxe4 14.xd8+ xd8 15.xd8+ xd8 16.xe4 0-0=; B) 5...f6!? 6.bc3 e6 7.d2 d7 8.0-0-0 0-0-0 9.b1 b8 10.a4 b6 11.h4 f5 12.dxe5 fxe5 13.g3 b4 14.c1 f7 Jobava, B (2711)-Ivanchuk, V (2766) Beijing CHN 2012.3...Nge7!? is very intriguing and virtually unexplored. Based on these games, I think we'll be seeing it again. ] [ Nakamura went straight for one of Black's most ambitious lines: 3...d5 4.b5 d6 5.f4 h4+!? (a disruptive check, forcing a light-square weakness) 6.g3 e7 7.f3 f6!? 8.c3 ( 8.xc6+ bxc6 9.fxe5 fxe5 10.xe5 f6 Asimenios, A-Timoshenko, G (2 5 3 6 ) K a va la 2 0 0 4 [ T o n yK ] h e re T o n y indicates that W hite should play 11.xc6! , when d7!? 12.xf6 0-0! is a fantastic reply that might be Black's best) 8...d4!? ( a n o v e l t y ) ( 8...e6 was played in Ismagambetov, A (2531)-Lahiri, A (2361) Dh a k a 2 0 0 9 / [ Nig e l Da vie s ]) 9.d5 ( natural, but maybe 9.exd4!? is better, e.g. exd4+ 10.e2 d3 11.cxd3 h3 12.f2! and Black needs to prove compensation) 9...f7 10.fxe5 fxe5 and now Jobava sacrificed a piece for insufficient c o m p e n s a t i o n : 11.0-0? ( 11.c4!? ) 11...xd5 Jobava, B (2711)-Nakamura, H (2760) Beijing CHN 2012. ] 4.b5 d6 5.a3!? Preparing Na3-c4. This has been the 'tabiya' of Jobava's NimzoLarsen experience thus far. [ Alternatives like 5.e2 ] [ 5.e2?! ] [ and 5.h3!? can also be found in the archives, but apparently Jobava does not believe in them (rightly so, I think!). ] 5...a5!? Countering White's idea and similarly distinct fashion. [ 2700-rated Etienne Bacrot fell victim to the Jobava 1.b3 steamroller in classical chess
after 5...e7 6.e2 0-0 7.c4 e4 8.xc6 bxc6 9.0-0 a5 10.g3 d5 11.e5 e8 12.c4 d6 13.d4 exd3 14.xd3 e4 15.cxd5 cxd5 16.f4 xf4?! ( Black is not w o r s e a f t e r 16...xg3 17.hxg3 b7! because 18.xd5?? e4-+ wins ) 17.exf4 xg3 18.hxg3 d7 19.e1 b7 20.d4 and th e Geo rgian e nde d u p cru is ing t o victory Jobava, B (2710) -Bacrot, E (2702) Fujairah City UAE 2012. ] [ Instead, Jobava's highest-rated foe, Levon Aronian, preferred 5...e4 . After 6.e2 e5 7.c1 0-0 8.h3 e7 9.xc6 xb2 10.xb2 dxc6 the Georgian got a bit frisky with 11.0-0-0? and paid the price after ( 11.0-0=; 11.c4!? ) 11...a5 12.c3 b5 when White fell under serious pressure in Jobava, B (2711)-Aronian, L (2815) Beijing CHN 2012. ] 6.e2 [ For 6.c4!? see Karagiannis, A (2361) Banikas, H (2568) Salonica 2006/[John Watson]. ] [ The Trompowsky pioneer Julian Hodgson has played 6.f3 on a couple occasions. It could transpose to the game after a6 7.e2 e7 ( 7...e4!? Hodgson, J (2605)-Barsov, A (2539) York 1999/[TonyK] ) 8.b1 . ] 6...a6 7.f3 e7 8.b1 Funny, but this is the best move! [ 8.c4 xc4 9.bxc4 0-0 10.0-0 e4 ( 10...b6!? ) 11.e1 b5! 12.cxb5 axb5 13.xb5 b8 Utegaliev, A (2288)Sherbakov, R (2500) Izhevsk 2009 ] 8...0-0 9.d4 [ W hite obtained no advantage with 9.c4 in Hodgson, J (2580) -Speelman, J (2605) England 1998/[TonyK]. ] 9...exd4 10.xd4N [ 10.xd4 c6 11.h4 b4+!? 12.bd2 e4 13.xe7 xe7 14.a3 c3 15.xc3 xc3 16.d3 d5 17.b1 xb1 1/2 -1 /2 Filipo vic, B (2 44 4)-Bo sioc ic , M (2571) Sibenik 2009 ] 10...e5 11.c3 b5 [ Karjakin improved Black's play a bit in China: 11...c6 12.0-0 d6 13.f3 ( 13.f3 ) 13...f5 14.c1 b4 15.d1 c5 16.e1 e4 17.xe5 xc3 18.xc3 dxe5 19.a3 c6 20.b2 f6= Jobava, B (2711) Karjakin, S (2775) Beijing CHN 2012. The 73
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 view. 1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 g6 This move was never analyzed on Chess Publishing before, but it's a logical one. Black wants to enter a King's Indian type of position, where W hite is not expanding on the queenside so easily. 4.h4 Not a surprise in Jobava's games. [ 4.f4 is typical in 1.b3 positions g7 5.b5 ge7 6.f3 d6 7.fxe5 0-0 8.0-0 g4 an d Bla ck will re co ve r t he pa wn with a good position, Pap, G (2569)-Szamoskozi, G (2368)/HUN-chT 1213 2012. ] [ 4.c4 trying to expand on the queenside g7 5.f3 d6 6.d4 exd4 7.e2 g4 8.a3 ge7 9.b5 is ok for White, but not hin g spe cial, a nd se en in It urrizaga Bonelli, E (2604)-Harika, D (2473)/Dubai op 12th 2010. ] 4...h5 Black doesn't want to allow White's expansion on the kingside, and thinks that the pawn on h5 will be more useful than the one on h4. [ 4...g7 was also played and White went 'all-in': 5.h5 a6 6.f4 d6 7.g4?! e7 8.g5 h6 but White could not control the position in Mandiza, F (2404)-Liou, Y (2283)/ Northern California op 2012. ] 5.f3 White tries to play like in an English, but this pawn on h4 makes things more comfortable for Black. g7 6.c4 d6 7.d3 ge7 8.bd2 a5 9.a3 0-0 10.c2 b8 This looks a bit mysterious, but it's aimed against White's long castling. 11.e2 g4 12.e4 d7 13.0-0-0?! This move is not prudent and after it Black's position should be better. Dubov now plays actively and precisely and quickly gets the better position. [ 13.0-0 would be normal, and better f5 14.g3 and the position looks slightly better for Black, but nothing serious. ] 81 A01 13...b5 W ithout losing any time. 14.cxb5 15.d4 The beginning of a nice Jobava,Baadur 2706 xb5 Dubov,Daniil 2614 sequence. White is pushing all Black's pieces Minsk Bronstein Memorial op-A (7) 17.02.14 to the first two ranks. The big problem is that after all the pieces have gone back White is a [Fier, Alexandr] tad over extended and the king has no safe Following the saga of 1.b3, this month we take place to go. b6! Important, the rook can go a look at another game of Jobava from a to c6 in some variations. [ 15...bb8 is less precise 16.dxe5 xf3 tournament that he won convincingly. This 17.gxf3 xe5 18.f4 g4 19.xg7 xg7 time the approach can't be considered good 20.b2 White is safe with the queen going for W hite and 0-0-0 is a bit too much in my
game was drawn. ] 12.f3 b7 13.xe5 [ Here 13.d5!? xd5 14.xe5 deserved attention. ] 13...xe5 14.f3 f5 15.xb7 xb7 16.0-0 fe8 17.e2 White has a small but stable advantage, so his opening can be considered a success. From here it's interesting to see how utterly helpless Jobava makes his 2600 opponent look! c5 18.f3 d6 [ 18...xe3?! is met by 19.g3 d5 20.xd5 xd5 21.d4 , winning the exchange. ] 19.e4 g5 20.g3 ad8 21.f5 e6 22.g4!? f4?! 23.e1 g5 24.g2 e6 25.d1 d7 26.h4! Jobava launches his attack. f6 27.h1 [ N o t b a d , b u t W h i t e m i s s e d 27.d5!+with the unstoppable threat of 28.Bc1. ] 27...g6 28.c1 [ 28.d5! ] 28...e5 29.h6+ g7 30.g5! Excellent! Andriasian's king is exposed to the elements. b4 31.g4 c3 32.f2 h5? [ Lo sing quick ly, bu t 32...fxg5 33.hxg5 was no picnic either! ] 33.d3 a1 34.gxf6+ h7 [ On 34...xf6 35.h6+ decides. ] 35.d2 df8 36.f7! Black resigned, as he's facing a decisive loss of material. The line with 1...e5 and 4...Bd6 is one of Black's most theoretically respected answers to the NimzoLarsen, and the analysis here shows he is fine in m o re t h a n o n e wa y. No n e t h e le s s, it ' s awesome to see how a creative and strong player like Jobava can play for the full point! 1-0
74
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 to c3 and can even be slightly better ] 16.c5 Using the rook on b6. [ 16.dxe5 now this is worse compared to the note to the last move xf3 17.gxf3 xe5 18.f4 c6 this is the point 19.c3 g4 20.c4 b8 and White is under heavy pressure ] 16...f5! Provoking White's bishop. It will be more exposed on d3 than e2. [ 16...c8 17.a4 b8 18.dxe5 ( 18.d5 a7 19.b1 e4 20.xg7 exf3 21.gxf3 f5 22.e4 xg7 23.exf5 xf5 ) 18...xf3 ( 18...e6 19.c4 xc4 20.xc4 f5 21.c2 g4 ) 19.gxf3 xe5 20.b1 e6 21.a2 ] 17.d3 c8 18.a4 b8 19.d5 a7 [ 19...d8 to go to e6 was another interesting option 20.c4 c6 21.dxc6 xc6 also with advantage. ] 20.c4 So, finally White got what he wanted, but his position is now really unstable. [ 20.e4 gives the important d4-square c6 21.dxc6 axc6 22.c4 xf3 23.gxf3 d4 and White's position is close to lost ] 20...c6 21.dxc6 xc6 [ 21...d5!? was active, but there is no reason for Black to avoid the game continuation 22.xd5 ( 22.xd5 xd5 23.xd5 e6 24.xe6 xe6 is also good for Black) 22...xd5 23.xd5 e6 24.c7 xd5 25.cxb8 xb8 26.d2 xg2 and with the Bishop pair for nothing, Black should be winning. ] 22.e4 [ 22.c3 a4! 23.xa4 ( 23.d5 xd5 24.xd5 d7-+ ) 23...f5 24.c3 b5 25.xb5 xb5 and White's position collapses ] 22...b5 23.b1 fc8 I don't like this plan so much. [ 23...xf3 was another way to proceed and it would be my preference 24.gxf3 d4 25.xd4 exd4 26.a2 fc8 27.he1 d5!? 28.exd5 d6 29.e4 f8 30.c1 f5 and White has little to do ] 24.a2 [ 24.c1 could exchange some pieces, but th e p o s it io n re m a in s goo d f o r B la ck d5 25.xd5 xc2+ 26.xc2 xc2 27.xc2 xd5 28.exd5 f5+ 29.d2 d8 and there is no way to defend the d5-pawn
30.b6 ( 30.d1 e4 31.g5 f6 32.h3 g4 33.e1 xd5+ ) 30...d6 31.c4 xd5+ 32.e2 d3+ and White is in trouble ] 24...e6 [ 24...b7 can give White some counterplay 25.d3 d5 26.xd5 and White releases the pressure with massive exchanges xd5 27.xd5 xd5 28.xd5 xf3 29.gxf3 c2 30.b4! axb4 31.b3 xf2 32.axb4 xf3+ 33.c4 and things are not so clear ] 25.c1 h6 [ 25...b7 26.d3 d5 27.exd5 e4 28.xe4 xd5 29.xg7 b4+ ] 26.g5 xc4 Now things become more unclear. [ 26...xg5 27.hxg5 e8 with the idea of 28...Nc6 keeps the advantage ] 27.xc4 e8 28.d3 f6?! After this move things are more or less ok for White. During half a move! [ 28...c6 is still possible, and after 29.c3 xc3+ ( 29...bd4 30.d5 g7 31.c3 W h it e is in t h e ga m e) 30.xc3 a4! White is still under pressure ] 29.f4? An original idea, but White is just lost after this move. [ 29.xc8 is quite decent and White is a l r e a d y o k xc8 ( 29...xc8 30.c4+! xc4 31.bxc4 fxg5 32.cxb5 xb5 33.c1 with a balanced endgame) 30.b6! b8 ( 30...fxg5 31.xc8 xc8 32.d5+ h7 33.a4 d4 34.c1 and White is already better ) 31.d5 and it is Black who needs to take care to not be worse ] 29...fxg5 30.hxg5 f8? This is still not losing, but complicates the position for no reason. [ 30...g7 is quite simple and I don't see h o w W h i t e ca n co n t i n u e t o a t t a c k 31.f5 ( 31.fxe5 xe5-+ ) 31...gxf5 32.exf5 e4 33.xe4 xb2 34.xb2 xc1 35.xc1 f7 and Black is winning ] [ 30...xc1 31.xc1 f8 32.f5 gxf5 33.exf5 f7 followed by 34...Qd5 and Black is a piece up ] 31.fxe5 dxe5 32.xe5 xc1 33.xc1 c8? This is already pleasant for White. [ 33...d8 was good and Black is still better 34.c4+ h7 35.e6 g8! and White can't increase the pressure ] 34.c5 c6 75
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 34...g7 Black needs this move to defend the position 35.xg7 xg7 36.a4 a7 37.e6+ g8 38.d4 f7 and somehow Black is holding ] 35.d7 xe5? Now Black is basically lost. [ 35...g7 was still possible and necessary, but White can at least take the piece back 36.xg7 xg7 37.f6 d8 38.xd8 xd8 39.xc6 d2+ 40.a1 xg2 but Black has counterplay because of the active rook and the h-pawn ] 36.d5+ f7 [ 36...g7 37.f6 f7 38.xc8 is also good enough for White ] 37.xf7+ 1-0
Morozevich, A (2731) -Karjakin, S (2777)/ Moscow 2014 (1-0 (33)), when Black could consider opening the position by exf3 ] 8.e2 0-0 [ 8...e6 9.d3 ( 9.0-0 ) 9...b4+! 10.c3 xc3+ 11.xc3 e7 12.0-0 0-0-0 with play on the two central files, Bromann, T (2385)-Jones, G (2624)/Reykjavik 2011, 0-1 (47), although White is fairly solid. ] 9.0-0 Now Black has a wide choice. b6 However, this is the first time for this move. Black plans to bring his light-square bishop to either b7 or a6. [ 9...e8 is sensible, 'over-protecting' the advanced e4-pawn, 10.f3 ( 10.d3 f5 11.g3 g6 Bromann, T (2395)Christensen, S (2290) Denmark 2013, 1-0 (56), 12.f4!? exf3 13.xf3 I like White here, 82 A01 e4 is co ming.) 10...exf3 11.xf3 e6 12.e1 e4 13.d3 h4 14.f1!? xc4 Jobava,Baadur 2713 15.bxc4 d2 16.xf7! e7 ( 16...xf1? Dukaczewski,Piotr 2288 17.xg7+ f8 18.xf1+ forces f6 Tromsoe ol (Men) 41st (2.1) 03.08.2014 19.xf6 xf6 20.xh7! with advantage.) [Kosten, Tony] 17.xe7 xe7 18.f4 f8 19.g4? ( 19.e5 ) 19...xe3+?! ( 19...f6! wins, as 1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 f6 4.b5 d6 20.xf6? xf6 attacks a1 and threatens 5.a3 e4 An ambitious alternative to the mate on f1.) 20.h1 f6 21.xf6 xf6 more popular moves 22.g3 Ivanchuk, V (2731)-Vachier Lagrave, [ 5...a5 and ] M (2745) Beijing 2013, 1/2-1/2 (68). ] [ 5...a6 ] [ 9...c5 is also positionally well-founded, 6.c4 Normal. 10.g3 g4 11.e1 e6 Jobava, B [ 6.e2 allows e5 exchanging dark square (2711)-Giri, A (2720) Beijing 2012, 0-1 (83), bishops, as in Jobava, B (2711)-Aronian, L when W hite should probably play his (2815)/Beijing Sportaccord blitz 2012, and thematic 12.f3 here, exf3 13.xf3 Nakamura, H (2786)-Jones, G)/5th Classic with the typical play down the f -file and GpC 2013 (4.2). ] strong centre. ] 6...e7 7.xc6 [ 9...g4 10.d3 d5!? 11.h3 h5 [ 7.f4?! is met by b4! threatening to win is more aggressive, 12.e1 ( 12.hxg4?! the bishop, 8.e5 0-0 9.a3 bd5 10.e2 xg4 13.e1? is met by h4! 14.f4 d6 forcing White's pieces to retreat, xf2+ 15.f1 h4 winning. ) 12...e6 K a rl s s o n , L ( 2 4 5 3 )- Na rc i so D u b la n , M 13.f4 f5 14.xe6 fxe6 15.e2 ad8 (2535)/ Montcada 2010, but 1-0 (55). ] 16.ad1 b4 17.f1 d5 18.a3 d6 7...dxc6 Black accepts 'Exchange Spanish' 19.dxe4?! ( White has repelled the early doubled c-pawns to free the bishop and use a t t a c k , a n d c o u l d n o w p l a y 19.f4 the open d-file. with advantage.) 19...xe4 20.d2?! g5 [ The more ambitious 7...bxc6 was preferred 21.h4?! xc2! 22.a1? f3+! 23.gxf3 by Karjakin this year, 8.e2 ( 8.d3 0-0 g6+ 24.h1 h5 25.c4 f4 9.e2 d5 10.d2 exd3 11.cxd3 c5 0-1 (25) Bromann, T (2413) -Ris, R (2407) with the bishop pair and more space in Copenhagen 2014. ] return for the doubled pawns, Ipatov, A (2613)-Karjakin, S (2771)/Dubai 2014, 0-1 10.a4 e8 [ 10...c5 would stop White's next. ] (31). ) 8...0-0 9.0-0 d5 10.e5 e8 11.f4 76
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 11.d4! Aiming at both c6 and f 5. d5 Defending both squares. [ 11...b7 12.f5 c5 was still possible, but maybe White could play 13.f3! anyway: exf3 14.xf3! xf3 15.xf3 with strong threats. ] 12.f3 exf3 13.xf3 xf3 14.xf3 c5 15.b5 [ 15.f5 is more natural, but White may have been put off by xf5 16.xf5 e4 17.af1 f6 18.d3 d6 19.xd6 xd6 although he still has some advantage after 20.e4 and g4. ] 15...d8? This is passive, and leads to the sort of endgame that any strong player would strive to avoid. [ 15...d5! kept the game interesting, 16.e4 a6 17.exd5 axb5 18.axb5 xa1+ 19.xa1 d7 regaining the pawn with equality. ] 16.xf6 Of course. gxf6 17.af1 a6 18.c3 b7 19.g3+ [ 19.f4 was stronger, with d3 and e4 as in the game. ] 19...h8 20.d3 e7 [ 20...f5!? was a good chance, the point being that 21.xf5 h4 wins the exchange, 22.xf7 ( 22.h3 c8 ) 22...xg3 23.hxg3 ac8 24.e4 White is better, but Black is still alive. ] 21.e4 Now the game is over, the white knights have nice outposts on the light squares and Black's pawns are terribly weak. g8 22.gf3 g6 23.e3 ag8 24.g3 d8 25.g2 There is absolutely no rush. h5 26.f5 [ 26.cd5! xd5 27.xd5 g7 28.e3 would also leave Black with a bad bishop to add to his other woes. ] 26...h6 27.cd5 gg6? [ 27...c8 28.5f3 h4 ] 28.f4 g5 29.h4 xf5 30.xf5 h7 Now the black rook is in a mess! 31.d5 [ 31.d1! and d4 would be difficult to counter. ] 31...g8 32.g4!? Creating a passed h-pawn, but making the black rook useful again. f8?! Black decides to leave his rook on the h-file and centralise his king. [ 32...hxg4 33.g3 h8 34.xg4 h7 was more natural, when White has quite a lot more work ahead of him. ] 33.g3 hxg4 34.h1 c6 35.de3 c7+ 36.xg4 c8 Black has managed to do
something with his bishop pair, but it won't save him. 37.h5 e6 38.h6 e5 39.f3 e8 40.g4 d7 41.xe5+ [ 41.g7 xe6 is also good. ] 41...fxe5 42.g7 e7 43.xe6 xe6 44.g4 The rook ending should always be w i n n i n g w i t h s u c h a c o n f i g u r a t i o n . f6 45.h5 h8 46.f1+ e6 47.f5 a5 48.c4 Forcing a sort of zugzwang. f6 [ 48...h7 49.g5 h8 50.f6+ e7 51.f5 wins lots of pawns. ] [ 48...g8 49.h7 g1 looks like it might defend, but then 50.f6+! e7 ( 50...xf6? 51.h8+ is check. ) 51.h6 forces h1+ 52.g5 f6+ 53.xf6 xh7 54.xc6 which is hopeless. ] 49.f1 f7 50.g1 h7 51.g3 If the rook retreats then Rg7+ wins, and if the king goes back then Kg6 wins. h8 52.g7+ e6 53.g6 1-0
83
A01 Jobava,Baadur 2711 Mamedyarov,Shakhriyar 2764 SportAccord Rapid Men 2012 (2.7) 14.12.2012 [John Bartholomew] Jobava opts for a strategically rich line with 3. Bxf6!? and dismantles his formidable opponent in a mere 25 moves! 1.b3 f6 Arguably the most f lexible answer to th e Nimzo-Larsen, and the third most popular re p ly o ve r a l l ( b e h i n d 1 . . . e 5 a n d 1 . . . d 5 , respectively). [ J o b a v a f a c e d t h e c o p y - c a t 1...b6 a couple times in Beijing. His game with Anish Giri proceeded 2.b2 b7 3.e3 ( 3.c3!? c6 4.d4 d5 5.e3 e6 6.d2 d7 7.0-0-0 0-0-0 8.b1 b8 (apparently Kamsky had resolved to take the copy-cat strategy to an extreme!) 9.f3 g6 10.ge2 g7 11.h4 h5 12.f4 ge7= 13.a3 hg8 14.ce2?! e5 15.h3 exd4 16.exd4 f5 and Black went on to win in Jobava, B (2711)-Kamsky, G (2762) Beijing CHN 2012. ) 3...e6 4.c3 c5 5.ge2 f6 6.d4 e7 7.d2 0-0 8.0-0-0 c6?! 9.d5! exd5 10.xd5 xd5 11.xd5 f6 12.c3 b8 13.f5 d8 14.d3 f8 15.xh7 77
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 and our hero prevailed in Jobava, B (2711)Giri, A (2720) Beijing CHN 2012. ] [ I ' v e n e v e r b e e n a b i g f a n o f 1...d5 (perhaps I've seen too many classic Nim z o wi t s c h -s t yl e e xp l o it a t i o n s o f t h e weakened d4 and e5 squares!), but it's certainly viable. Jobava faced this as well. 2.e3 f6 3.b2 and now: A) 3...c6 4.f4 f5 5.f3 bd7 6.h3 h6 7.c3 e6 8.g4 h7 9.g2 d6 10.d3 0-0 11.d2 e5 12.0-0-0 d4?! ( 12...exf4! 13.exf4 c7 14.e2 a5 ) 13.exd4 exf4 14.g5 hxg5 15.xg5 Jobava, B (2710) Ma Qun (2534) Fujairah City UAE 2012; B) 3...g4!? 4.f3 f5 5.g4!? (here comes the pawn roller) g6 6.h4 h5?! ( 6...h6! ) 7.g5 g8 8.e2 e6 9.f4 f5 10.c3 e7 11.ce2 d6 12.g3 d4 ( this seems risky Black should probably just continue developing, e.g. 12...bc6 ) 13.fe2 dxe3 14.dxe3 g6 15.xd6 cxd6 16.0-0-0 bc6 17.e4 0-0-0?! 18.f4! Jobava, B (2710) -Yu Ruiyuan (2538) Fujairah City UAE 2012; C) 3...g6 4.c4 g7 5.cxd5 0-0 6.f3 xd5 7.e2 c5 8.0-0 c6 9.d3 (W hite is happy to adopt a Hedgehog setup) b6 10.bd2 b7 11.a3 ad8 12.b1!? a5 13.c4 d7? 14.e4! h5 15.xg7 xg7 16.b2+ g8 17.fe5 h4 18.xd7 xd7 19.xb6 J o b a v a , B ( 2 7 1 1 ) - K a m s k y, G ( 2 7 6 2 ) Beijing CHN 2012 ] 2.b2 g6 3.xf6!? A Trompowsky-style approach to the position. White spoils Black's structure and aims to fight for the central light squares with c2-c4, Nb1-c3, g2-g3, Bf1-g2, e2e3, Ng1-e2, etc. Ideally he'll combine this scheme with an eventual pawn storm on the queenside. [ The opponents met in the blitz with the s a m e c o l o rs . T h e re Jo b a va t rie d 3.c3 , but after d5 4.d4 g7 5.e3 c5! 6.d2 c6 7.0-0-0 cxd4 8.exd4 0-0 9.f3 h5!? 10.b1 f5 11.a3 c8 Black had achieved a comfortable position. Jobava, B (2711)Mamedyarov, S (2764) Beijing CHN 2012. ] [ White has a number of other development schemes, e.g. 3.e4 ] [ 3.e3 , ] [ 3.f3 , ]
[ 3.g3 , etc. ] 3...exf6 4.c4 g7 [ Wang Hao had a unique take with 4...d5!? , opening the center before White can clamp down on d5. Following 5.cxd5 xd5 6.c3 d8 7.g3 g7 8.g2 0-0 9.e3 c6 10.ge2 f5 11.0-0 d7 12.d4 a5 13.a3 e8 the play was dynamically balanced in Jobava, B (2711)-Wang Hao (2737) Beijing CHN 2012. ] 5.c3 [ No small wonder this line attracted the attention of the Trompowsky "Godfather", Julian Hodgson: 5.g3 f5 6.c3 d6 7.g2 d7 8.c1 f6 9.d3!? 0-0 10.f3 d7 11.b4 (White's play is reminiscent of the English) a6 12.0-0 e8 13.a4 and White won a superb positional game in Hodgson, J (2575)-Hall, J (2485) Harplinge 1998/[JR]. ] 5...f5 [ Typical play for this line is 5...0-0 6.g3 f5 7.g2 e8 8.e3 d6 9.ge2 d7 10.d4 f6 11.0-0 g5 12.b4 , as in Mellado Trivino, J (242 6)-Va lle jo Po ns, F (2 674 ) Calvia 2005/[González, JW ]. Readers looking to familiarize themselves with this structure should definitely check the notes to this game. ] 6.c1 0-0 7.g3 e8 8.g2 f4?! Black seizes the chance to offload his doubled f-pawn, but this is not without risk. [ More normal is something like 8...d6 9.e3 d7 10.ge2 b8 11.0-0 f6 . Now 12.h4?! (I would be hesitant to play this if Black had not yet committed to ...h7-h5) h6 13.f4 c6 14.d3 was Orlova, Y (1961)-Pina Vega, S (2332) Mexico City MEX 2012, when g5 15.hxg5 hxg5 16.h3 g4 looks good for Black. White should play 12. d 4 o r e ve n 1 2 . d 3 i n p re p a r a t io n f o r a queenside assault ala Hodgson-Hall. ] [ Another example: 8...c6 9.e3 d6 10.ge2 d7 11.0-0 f6 12.b4 e6 13.b5 c7 14.d3 ac8 15.a4 d7 16.b1 h5 17.b3 h4 18.fb1 Barkhagen, J (2430) Holm, M (2315) Stockholm 1994. ] 9.gxf4 h4 10.f1! xc3 An unfortunate necessity if Black wants to regain the pawn. [ The problem is that 10...xf4? 11.d5 is already decisive, as Black cannot defend c7: d6 ( or 11...e5 12.d4 ) 12.c5+- . ] 78
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 11.xc3 Conveniently, White has managed to lif t h i s ro o k b y m o ve 1 1 ! xf4 12.h4! Black's king is vulnerable and his queenside lies dormant, so Jobava decides it's time to strike. d6 [ Nor does 12...h5 13.h3 d4 14.g3 promise an easy life. ] 13.h5 c6 14.h3 d4 [ 14...f6!? ] 15.e3 f6 16.f4 e7 17.f3 g5? A serious loss of time. [ Black must hasten to exchange queens: 17...g5! 18.d5 xd5 19.cxd5 ( 19.xd5 c6 20.f3 f5 ) 19...xf3 20.xf3 e7 with a worse but defensible position, e.g. 21.g2 f5 22.hc1 c8 23.g3 . ] 18.h3 c6? This doesn't help either. 19.hxg6 hxg6 20.xc8 axc8 21.h5! f5 Unfortunately for Mamedyarov, this was the o n l y m o v e . 22.d3! Black's position is collapsing. f7 Other tries fail: [ 22...d5 23.g1 h4 ( 23...h6 24.f6++- ) 24.d4! h2 25.f4+and Black is unable to pary the monster t h r e a t s o f R g 1 - h 1 o r N f 4 xg 6 , e . g . h6 26.xg6! xg6 27.xf5+- . ] [ 22...cd8 23.g1 h4 24.d4 h2 25.f4 is virtually the same ] [ 22...ed8 is the best try, but 23.g1 h6 24.f4 g5 25.e4!+- shreds Black's position beyond repair. ] 23.f4 cd8 24.h7+ f6 25.d1!! A beautifully timed retreat! Black resigned in view of the irresistible threat of 26.Qa1+. Should he interpose his rook (i.e. 25...Ng8 26. Qa1+ Re5), then 27. Nh3 followed by 28.f4 decides. Bravo, Baadur! 1-0
84 Juan Vallejo Pons,Francisco Calvia II op (2) [Gonzalez, JW]
A01 2426 2674 22.10.2005
Julio Alberto GonzÃ!lez writes: "I am a ChessPublishing subscriber. I write f rom Argentina. I attach a game commented in Spanish (you excuse me for not understanding the English language very well).
I think that it is an interesting game with the Nimzo-Larsen Attack." I've put in selected and severely abbreviated notes of Julio's. This involves a translation f rom the Spanish forgive me if I've introduced errors but I think the gist of it is there. 1.b3 f6 2.b2 g6 3.xf6!? Giving a type of Nimzo-Larsen Attack. It tries to interfere with Black's development. Just when the f8 bishop was about to contest the long diagonal W hite ch a n g e s p l a n s a n d f o c u s e s o n t h e l ig h t squares via c2-c4, Nc3 Bg2, and eventually the advance of the queenside pawns. exf6 4.c4 g7 After the game in the post-mortem, V a lle jo h a d d o u b t s a b o u t t h is m o ve a n d suggested the immediate [ 4...h5?! which has not appeared in the databases. This commentator has his doubts about that. If Black wants to play ] [ 4...d5 at this point, an example is 5.cxd5 ( 5.e3!? ) 5...xd5 6.c3 A) 6...a5 7.a3 c5 8.c1!? . JW Note: This isn't very convincing after c6 9.e3 ( 9.e4 e7 10.b2 0-0 ) 9...e6 10.c2 0-0-0!? or 10...Bd6; B) 6...d8 7.g3 f5 8.g2 g7 9.c1 c6 10.h3 0-0 11.f4 d7 12.d4 with initiative, Lovric-Turci, Montecatini Terme 1999. JW : this isn't much but I'd indeed rather be White. ] 5.c3 0-0 6.g3 [ 6.c1!? deserves attention, defending the knight against possible counterplay: f5 7.g3 d6 8.g2 c6 9.e3 d7 ( 9...a6!? 10.ge2 b5 11.0-0 e6 Martinez-Perelshteyn, Catonsville 2000) 10.ge2 e8 11.0-0 reaching a ion in which Black has experimented with various moves: 11...a5, 11...Nf6 and 11...h5!?. ] 6...f5 7.g2 [ Undoubtedly 7.Rc1!? again deserved attention. 7.c1!? ] 7...e8 8.e3 [ 8.h3 was looked at in the post-mortem. ] 8...d6 [ Black could use the counter-method 8...xc3!? (to avoid the suggested Rc1) 9.dxc3 d6 10.e2 d7 11.0-0 a5 12.c2 a4 13.fd1 e7 14.f4 c6 A.Segal-U. Andersson, Sao Caietano 1999 ] 9.ge2 d7 10.d4?! Al Nimzo-Larsen 79
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 player might disagree with this return to a classical central scheme. Perhaps it's a a matter of taste. [ 10.0-0 c6 11.c1!? ] 10...f6 11.0-0 g5!? An ambitious decision. [ Mellado hoped for 11...e4 12.d3 xc3 13.xc3 followed by b4-b5 with good play for White. ] 12.b4 b8?! [ Mellado thought that it was better to play 12...d7 13.b5 ( 13.xb7 b8 14.g2 xb4 ) 13...c6 ] 13.b5 d7 14.d3 [ Maybe directly 14.a4!? ] 14...h5 15.a4 JW: this is the end of the opening so I'll just give the moves from here on out. Note that the above are truncated co m m e n t s b a s e d u p o n Ja vie r G o n za le z' extensive notes. h8!? 16.a5 h4 17.a6 b6 18.gxh4 [ 18.d5 ] 18...gxh4 19.f4 [ 19.h1!? ] 19...h6 20.h1 g8 21.g1 [ 21.fd5! f4 ( 21...xd5 22.xd5 ) 22.xf4 xf4 23.exf4 g6 24.g1 ] 21...xf4! 22.exf4 g6 23.d5 xd5 24.xd5 e7!? [ 24...f6 25.xg6 ( 25.f3!?; 25.ae1!? ) 25...fxg6 26.e1 ] 25.g5?! [ 25.ae1! bg8! 26.f3! f6 27.h5+ g7 28.xg6+ fxg6 29.g5! ] 25...xg5 26.fxg5 xg5 27.g1 h5! 28.e3 g8! [ 28...e8? 29.f4 ] 29.e7?? [ 29.xg8+ xg8 30.f3 ] 29...xg1+ 30.xg1 d1+ 31.g2 h3+ 0-1
threatening one if flipping the colours, the idea employed by Black in our main game, would be no threat against the Pirc/Modern. Obviously, with a tempo less, it is even less dangerous. There are two main alternatives: A) 5...c5 A) 6.d2?! xf2+ ( 6...g4!? 7.e3 xe3 8.fxe3 xe3 9.e2 xc2+ 10.d1 xa1 11.xe5 0-0 12.xa1 e8 ) 7.xf2 g4+ 8.e1 e3 9.c1 xg2+ 10.f2 h4 11.gxh4 xh4+ Ca sas, E -Rod rigu e z, I/ Bu e n os Aire s 1975; B) 6.e3 g4 ( 6...d4!? 7.e4 a5 8.a3 h5 9.h4 e7 10.d2 g4 11.gf3 a6 Bezold, M-Aagaard, J/Budapest 2003) 7.c1 0-0 8.a3 a5 9.h3 e6 10.d2 d7 11.e2 b6 Castro Rojas, OGipslis, A/Budapest 1977; C) 6.f3 0-0 7.0-0 ( 7.xe5 xf2+ 8.xf2 xe5 9.h3 e8 10.f1 xh3 11.xh3 eg4+ 12.xg4 xg4+ 13.g1 e3 14.c1 xf1 15.xf1 was played in Craveta, C-Hervas, F/IECG Email 1998, and now Black's best seems to be e7 16.e1 f5; 7.d4 exd4 8.xd4 xd4 9.xd4 e7 10.xc5 xc5 Zimmermann, J-Kund, W/ICCF Email 2001) 7...e8 ( Black has a couple of alternatives at this point: 7...e7!? 8.a3 e4 9.dxe4 dxe4 10.d4 , Lovati, PSbarra, M/ Bratto 1998, and now xd4 11.xd4 d8 12.e3 xd4 13.exd4 c5 14.c3 f5; and 7...e4!? 8.dxe4 dxe4 9.xd8 xd8 10.fd2 e3 , Zimmermann, J-Korosec, S/ICCF Email 2001, and now 11.xf6 gxf6 12.e4 exf2+ 13.h1 b6 14.a3 e5 ) 8.c3 b6 9.a3 g4 10.h3 h5 11.h4 e4 12.e1 d7 Flesch, J-Szekely, M/Budapest 1969 ] [ B) 5...d6!? 6.c3 ( 6.d2 0-0 7.e4 g4 8.e2 dxe4 9.dxe4 e7 10.h3 xe2 85 A01 11.xe2 a3 12.xa3 xa3 Keskinen, S-Lehtivaara, P/Finland Team Ch 2002) Kamsky,Gata 2714 6...d4 7.b1 0-0 8.f3 e6 9.0-0 d7 Ponomariov,Ruslan 2705 10.e1 fe8 11.c3 dxc3 12.xc3 h3 World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (36) 22.11.2007 13.h1 h6 14.c1 ad8= Vajda, A-Tincu, [Carsten Hansen] R/Tusnad 1997 ] 1.g3 d5 2.g2 f6 3.b3 e5 4.b2 c6 6.h3 [ 6.f3!? ] 5.d3 h5?! [ A novelty, but not really a particularly 6...b4+ 80
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 6...c5!? 7.f3 e7 ] 7.d2 e6 8.a3 d6 9.e3 [ White's set-up looks like something you would see in games between much lower rated players, but it is quite flexible and not entirely bad as Kamsky soon will demonstrate. An alternative is 9.gf3 d7 10.c4!? ] 9...e7 10.b4 0-0-0 11.b5 b8 12.a4 bd7 13.gf3 b8 [ 13...e4 14.d4 is fine for White ] 14.a5 c8 15.a6 b6 16.g5 c6 [ 16...c5 17.xe6 fxe6 ( 17...xe6 18.0-0 e8 19.f3 is pleasant for White) 18.d4 cd7 19.c4 exd4 20.xd4 ] 17.xe6 [ 17.bxc6 xc6 18.0-0 cc8 19.c4!? ] 17...fxe6 18.bxc6 xc6 19.0-0 c7 20.c4 hc8 21.e2 [ 21.f4!? ] 21...b4 [ 21...g5!? ] [ 21...e4!? ] 22.fc1 d6 [ 22...g5!? 23.f3 e4 24.dxe4 dxc4 ] 23.f3 e4?! [ 23...h7!? ] 24.dxe4 dxe4 25.d4 e7 26.b5 c6 27.c2 e5 28.a4 c5? [ This more or less stops Black's counterplay by blocking the open c-file. Instead 28...d6 p r o v i d e s B l a c k wi t h b e t t e r c h a n c e s o f obtaining sufficient counterplay, e.g. 29.d2 c5 30.a1 e6 31.ad1 c7 , and Black is still in the game, for instance: 32.d4 exd4 33.exd4 e3 34.fxe3 ce4 35.d5 d6 36.dxc6 xg3 , and now Black is actually better ] 29.c3 6c7 30.xe4 xe4 31.xe4 f6 32.g2 e4 33.xf6 gxf6 34.xh5 d7 35.a1 cd8 [ 35...e6 36.h6 e8 37.b1 f8 38.h5 f5 39.c5 c8 40.c6+- ] 36.f5 e8 37.cc1!? [ 37.xe4! ] 37...e6 38.xe6 xe6 39.d1 c7 40.xd7+ xd7 41.d1+ c6 42.g4 b5 43.cxb5+ xb5 44.f1+ b4 45.b1+ c3 46.c1+ b4 47.c4+ 1-0
86 Karayannis,Athanasios Banikas,Hristos 56th ch Salonica GRE (8) [John Watson]
A01 2361 2568 04.12.2006
More original chess is stemming from the variation in this game that any other 1.b3 line. The highest-rated players seem to be treating it as a main line just two years ago it was only a 'surprise' opening with great shock value. 1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 f6 4.b5 d6 5.a3 The idea is to play Nc4 and make the bishop on d6 look foolish. [ 5.e2 has also been played. but commits White's bishop to exchange on c6 after a6 6.xc6 dxc6 . Compare the lines below. ] 5...a5!? Now an established move, this stops Nc4 and clears the way to drive White's bish o p a wa y b y . . . c6 . B u t 5 . . .a 6 is a ls o possible, as in this month's game BarnaureGrunberg. 6.c4!? An interesting new try. [ We've seen 6.f3 a6 7.e2 on this site, with e4!? and 7...Qe7. ] [ The line 6.e2 a6 (versus Nb5) 7 c4 and 7 Nf3 have also been analysed. White hasn't really gained anything special in all these lines, but they have all yielded f ighting ideas for both sides. ] 6...xc4 7.xc4 c6 8.f3 e7 White seems to be losing the centre.. Black threatens ... Bc7 and . ..d5, while ...e4 can also be a strong move. So he should move fast. 9.d4?! [ 9.h4! g6 10.f4 exf4 11.0-0 goes for the initiative, with unclear prospects. ] 9...e4 10.e5 Probably best, but the knight lacks good retreat squares and has to be handled carefully. 0-0 11.a4 [ 11.0-0 c7 12.e2 d6 13.c4 b5 14.d2 d5 obviously favours Black, who has the centre and attacking prospects. ] 11...c7 Now 12...d6 is threatened, winning a piece! So White prepares a retreat square. 12.h3 d6 [ 12...h5?? 13.g6 ] 13.g4 d7 14.f4!? White wants to secure f2 for his knight this is too ambitious. Better is [ 14.0-0 , although h5 15.h2 d5 16.e2 g5! launches a serious attack. ] 14...h4+ 15.f1 81
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 15.f2? g3 hits g2 and e3. ] 15...b6! 16.e1?! [ 16.e2 f5 17.f2 g3 18.d2 f6 keeps the attack going. ] 16...xe1+ 17.xe1 xc4 18.bxc4 e6 19.c5 Forced, if White is not to lose material. But structura lly, it dooms his po sition . f5 20.f2 dxc5 21.dxc5 fd8 Two bishop s, central control, and W hite's weak pawns make success very likely f or Black in the position. The rest is easy to understand. 22.d1 a5+ 23.f1 xd1+ 24.xd1 d8 25.d4 b6 26.f2 [ 26.cxb6 c5 ] 26...bxc5 27.xc5 d2+ 28.g3 a6! Black is in no hurry, and saves his a-pawn before picking up material. 29.f2 xc2 30.d4 c5 31.e5 e2! 32.b1 e1 33.b8+ f7 34.b7+ e8 35.d6 xf2+ 36.h2 d7 0-1
87 Kovacevic,Blazimir Marzolo,Cyril 6th EICC Warsaw POL (6) [John Watson]
A01 2510 2388 23.06.2005
It's silly to call the variation in this game the 'Ma in L in e ' o f 1 . b 3 , b u t B la ck 's se t u p i s certainly popular! So nice to see professional players having some fun. I'll try to incorporate as much theory as I can of what Tony has already laid out on this site. 1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 f6 4.b5 d6!? This has been all the rage versus 1.b3. 5.a3 Heading for c 4 t o e m b a r r a s s t h e b i s h o p . a5! We've seen this before. White really only has one idea so far, and Black prevents it at all positional cost! 6.e2 [ The main alternative has been 6.f3 a6 7.e2 e7 8.b1 Rather than acquiesce to exchanging the a5-knight. ( 8.c4 xc4 9.xc4 b5 10.e2 b7 or 10...0-0 looks fine: Black has space and actively-placed pieces. ) 8...0-0 9.c4 ( 9.h4 threatens Nf5. It is consistent to put yet another knight on the side of the board, and perhaps e6 10.g4 b5 11.g1 with the i dea of g5 (and perhaps Bg4) would complete the insanity.
This time W hite's position is a bit hard to believe in.) 9...b6 10.c3 b7 11.0-0 fe8 12.d3 a3 13.c1 xb2 1/2-1/2 Hodgson-Speelman, Birmingham 1998. ] 6...a6 Versus Nb5, and thus 'threatening' ... Qe7. 7.c4 The games that Tony cites as options are still relevant (one might also want to look at Jeroen Bosch's SOS volumes), e.g., : [ 7.f3 e4!? ( 7...e7 8.c1 b5 9.c4 bxc4 10.xc4 xc4 11.xc4 a5 'with counterplay' (Kosten), MureySveshnikov/USSR, 1975.) 8.d4 g6 9.c4 0-0 10.b1!? ( TK: 10.0-0!? e7 11.b1? e5! 12.g3 c5 13.f4 exf3 14.xf3 e4 ) 10...e8 11.c3 e5! ] 7...0-0 [ 7...c5 has also been played ] 8.c2 e8 9.d3 f8 10.f3 c6 [ 10...e4 11.dxe4 xe4 12.0-0 gives White a standard English Opening advantage, and Black's a5 serves no purpose. ] 11.e4 White's d4 is almost always met by ...e4, so he looks for an alternative plan. Now Ne3d5 is a possibility. b5 12.0-0 bxc4 13.bxc4 c5 14.d2 d6 15.b3 a7 Since Nxc5 wa s n ' t r e a l l y a t h r e a t , B l a c k c o u l d a l s o consider [ 15...a5 ] 16.c3 e7 17.e3 d7 18.d2 g6 19.fe1 f4 20.f1 g4 Neither side is doing much but at least Black has kingside ideas like ...Qg5/h4 and ...Re6-g6. Thus he should consider [ 20...6h5 ] 21.xg4 xg4 22.d4 c5?! [ 22...g5 ] 23.d5 d7 [ 23...g5 ] 24.c1 b6 [ 24...h4 Black now has a bad bishop on a7 and no attack. Still, it's hard for White to undertake anything. ] 25.d3 xd3 26.xd3 h4 27.g3 g4 28.f4 exf4 29.xf4 c7 30.ab1 ab8 31.b3 f6 32.a3 a5 33.b3 xb3 34.axb3 xf4 35.gxf4 b8 36.c2 f7 37.f2 g6 38.f3 This must have been a time forfeit, or the result was really a draw. 1-0 82
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 88 Larsen,Bent Andersson,Ulf Teeside (10) [Jonathan Rowson]
A01 2660 2535 1972
1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 f6 4.b5 [ 4.c4!? is also perfectly playable. ] 4...d6 [ 4...d6!? now seems to be critical here, Black intends 0-0, Re8, Bf8 and d5 or ...e4 followed by Be5. Although there is now plenty of scope for creativity, no clear path to an advantage has been found for White. One idea that appealed to me was 5.a3 ( 5.e2 0-0 6.0-0 e8 7.g3 a6 8.xc6 dxc6 9.d3 is about level, but might appeal to certain players who like to play the Rossolimo anti-Sicilian or the exchange Ruy Lopez. Personally I would tend to prefer W hite in such positions, because I can look forward to playing f4 in the long term, while with Black I am less sure about what I should be trying to do, if anything.) 5...a5 I know, it's all a bit weird, but it has been seen several times before and does make some sense- it's all about the e5 pawn. 6.e2 a6 7.c4!? xc4 8.bxc4 e7 The structural change is not obviously bad for White, and Black's piece still look odd, so I feel White might have some chances to be b e t t e r h e r e . 9.a4?! looks too slow- white s o o n s u f f e r s f o r l a c k o f d e ve l o p m e n t . ( 9.h3!? 0-0 10.0-0 intending f4.; 9.f3 e4 10.d4 g6 11.g4!? food for thought.) 9...0-0 10.h3 c5 11.f4? xe3 12.xe5 a7 13.f2 d6 14.b2 e8 15.d4 g4 0-1 Sakaev, K (2540) -Sveshnikov, E (2525)/ Gausdal 1992 ] 5.f3 [ I include the following game to show another polished positional win with 1.b3. Once again, W hite gained no theoretical advantage, but he did gain some strategic imbalance, and this was enough to demonstrate his relative strength. 5.e2 g6 6.d4 g7 7.dxe5 d7 8.xc6 bxc6 9.f4 dxe5 10.0-0 0-0 11.g3 f5 12.d2 e7 13.e2 b6 14.f3 exf4 15.xg7 xg7 16.exf4 xe2 17.xe2 c5 18.c4 b7 19.e5 fd8 20.ad1 d6 21.c3 ad8
22.fe1 f6 23.f2 a6 24.g3 xd1 25.xd1 xd1 26.xd1 e6 27.e3 d7 28.xd7 xd7 29.f2 g2 30.d3 d6 31.e5 e4 32.d2 e6 33.h4 e7 34.c3 a5 35.b2 d6 36.f7+ e7 37.g5 h6 38.h3 c6 39.f2 d6 40.d3 e8 41.a3 d7 42.b2 e8 43.c3 d7 44.d2 e8 45.e3 c6 46.e5 e8 47.g4 fxg4 48.xg4 h5 49.e5 e6 50.e4 a4 51.bxa4 xa4 52.f5+ gxf5+ 53.f4 c2 54.f3 d6 55.d2 e6 56.f1 d6 57.e3 b1 58.a3 c6 59.xf5 b6 60.e3 a5 61.g5 a4 62.xh5 xa3 63.g5 h7 64.h5 b3 65.h6 e4 66.g7 c3 67.h6 d4 68.f1 c2 69.d2 e5 70.b3 d6 71.f6 h7 72.d2 1-0 Hodgson, J (2590)-Van der Sterren, P (2555)/Germany 1998 ] 5...d7 6.0-0 e7 7.e2!? A noteworthy idea. On the one hand this move simply loses a tempo, but because the bishop was on b5 Bla ck d e ve lo p ed h is p ie ce s t o re la t ive ly passive squares, so although the tempo was 'lost' it was not entirely 'wasted'. 0-0 8.c4 e8 9.c3 f8 10.d3 h6 11.a3 a5 12.d2 e7 13.de4 g6 14.xf6+ xf6 15.g4! I love the simplicity of Larsen's play. Now he has a pleasant initiative on the light squares. xg4 16.xg4 c6 17.ac1 ad8 18.fd1 e6 19.h3 e7 20.g3 d7 21.e4 e7 22.h1 f8 23.f1 h5? An unprovoked error? Well not exactly provoked, but some p l a ye r s f in d i t e xcr u c i a t i n g ly d if f i c u l t t o manoeuvre indefinitely. That said, I would not have though Ulf Andersson was one of them, so this move must simply have been based on an oversight. 24.xh5 h8 [ 24...f4 25.gxf4 h6 26.f5 My best guess is that Black missed this move when deciding to play ...h5. ] 25.g4! f5 26.exf5 h6 27.d1 xf5 28.xf5 xf5 29.g2 g6 30.e3 fh5 31.g4 h8 32.h1 f6 33.c3 b6 34.b4 axb4 35.axb4 f7 36.a1 b8 37.a7+ e7 38.e1 hh8 39.d4 a8 40.b7 hb8 41.xb8 xb8 42.dxe5 dxe5 43.xe5 a8 44.xf6 gxf6 45.h6+ 1-0
83
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 89 Larsen,Bent Cafferty,Bernard Teeside (14) [Jonathan Rowson]
A01 2660 2440 1972
1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 d5 4.b5 d6 5.c4!? I like this move, but only when it is tied to the noteworthy follow-up. [ 5.f4!? would be the first choice of most players, but it would appear that after f6 White has no advantage and might even be in danger of being worse. Ilya Odessky seems to admit as much in his recent book. A) 6.fxe5 fxe5 7.xc6+ bxc6 8.xe5 h4+! 9.g3 e4; B) 6.f3 e4 ( 6...exf4!? ) 7.d4 ge7; C) 6.h5+ g6 7.h4 exf4 8.exf4 f7!? Black threatens ...Nce7-f5. 9.xc6 bxc6 10.e2 is just about playable, but White's play does not convince, for instance after t h e s i m p l e e7 intending Qe4, White's position does not add up.; D) 6.h3!? ge7 7.fxe5 fxe5 8.0-0 f5! is comfortable for Black. ] 5...dxc4 6.f3! A significant detail. White forces Black to slightly misplace his pieces before recapturing on c4. [ 6.xc4 f6 is easier for Black. ] [ 6.bxc4 is playable, but looks odd, partly because now that the queenside is open, Bxc6 doesn't feel like a positional threat. ] 6...ge7 [ 6...e7!? 7.xc6+ bxc6 8.c1!? f6 ( 8...a6 9.a3 seems to work.) 9.xc4 0-0 And I don't think White is actually better, but the position is strategically rich, and Black will have to play well to show the dynamic compensation for his damaged structure. ] 7.xc4! And now the knight on e7 is badly placed and W hite has chances of retaining some initiative. f5 8.c3 h4 9.g3 xf3+ 10.xf3 0-0 11.h4!? Larsen became famous f o r p u s h i n g h i s r o o k ' s p a wn s , o f t e n f o r mysterious reasons, but I noticed that very often they provoked anti-positional reactions, as was the case here. e6?! 12.xe6 fxe6 13.e2 f6 14.e4 f5 15.d3 White has control. ad8 16.g4 f7 17.a3 e7 18.0-0-0 d6 19.b1 e7 20.a2 a5
21.h5 d7 22.h6 g6 23.d4 exd4 24.xd4 e5 25.b2 b5 26.a1 b8 27.d5 e7 28.d3 e6 29.hd1 b6 30.g5 c8 31.f4 c6 32.g2 e7 33.fxe5 c5 34.d7 xe3 35.xe7 xg5 36.g7+ h8 37.e6 1-0
90 Larsen,Bent Eley,Brian Hastings [Nigel Davies]
A01
1972
1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 f6 4.b5 d6?! B l a c k p l a ys a m o ve t h a t l o o k s s e n s i b l e enough but it proves to be rather too passive. [ B l a c k ' s b e s t l i n e i s p r o b a b l y 4...d6 which featured in a couple of games from last month's update. The treatment I most like d f o r W h it e wa s u se d in V a iss e r, A (2515) -Gozzoli, Y (2520)/Belfort FRA 2010, which went 5.e2 a6 6.xc6 dxc6 7.d3 e7 8.e4 d7 9.0-0 0-0 10.d2 c5 11.f4 g4 12.f5 with slightly the better game for White. ] 5.e2 d7 6.0-0 e7 7.f4! e4 [ 7...exf4 8.xf4 would also be far from pleasant for Black with White having such active pieces. ] 8.g3 0-0 9.xc6 bxc6 [ 9...xc6 10.f5 d7 11.xe7+ xe7 would also be very nice for White because of his powerful bishop on b2. Though this migh t h a ve b e e n b et t e r t h a n t h e ga m e because Black would at least have simplified the position a little. ] 10.c4 d5 11.c3 e8 12.c1 g4 13.ce2 d7 Clearly intending to challenge the bishop on b2 with 14...Bf6 but this bishop is also needed to defend Black's weaknesses on the c-file. [ 13...a5 looks like a better move, trying to generate some counterplay on the a- or bfiles. ] 14.h3 xe2 15.xe2 c5? After this White generates a dangerous kingside attack. [ 15...f6 would also have left Black in trouble after 16.xf6 xf6 17.cxd5 cxd5 18.f5 d7 19.d4 intending to double 84
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 4...e4 5.d4 c5 Black simply gets-on with his development. 6.xc6 dxc6! This is the most direct, the c8-bishop is freed. 7.e3 f5 Overprotection! 8.c2 e7 9.e2 0-0-0 The black rook goes straight to the open file. 10.f4? White wants to target the e4-pawn, by playing 11 Bxf6, and then Nc3, but [ 10.c3 and 0-0-0, is sounder. ] 10...g4! Avoiding the threat, Black is fully mobilised, and starts to attack. 11.g3 h5 Simple, and effective! 12.h3 Hoping to drive the annoying knight away. h4! But Black is h a v i n g n o n e o f i t ! 13.hxg4 hxg3 Black's piece sacrifice served to open up the hfile, and get at the white king, who is almost devoid of defenders. 14.g1 The only move, bu t it is t o o lat e . h1!! Black sacrifices a whole rook for one tempo! 91 A01 [ 14...h4 is also good, as 15.g2 xg4 is winning for Black, but the played move is Larsen,Bent far prettier. ] Spassky,Boris V Belgrade 1970 15.xh1 g2 16.f1 Hopeless, of course, but [ 16.g1 is no better: h4+ 17.d1 and [Tony Kosten] h1 is the point. ] 1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 The most natural move 16...h4+ This forces mate. 17.d1 gxf1+ for defending the e5-pawn. 3.c4 White aims 0-1 for a reversed Sicilian position. f6 4.f3!? A risky move, played in the style of Alekhine's A01 Defence, Black invites the advance of the e5- 92 Liascovich,Lucas 2432 pawn, and consequent opening of the b2Tristan,Leonardo 2288 bishop's diagonal. ch-ARG s/f Buenos Aires ARG (3) 23.03.2006 [ 4.e3 is sounder. A) 4...e7 5.a3 0-0 6.d3 d5 7.cxd5 [Tony Kosten] xd5!? ( 7...xd5 is more normal.) 8.c3 d6 9.f3 f5 10.c2 also leads to a 1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 d5 4.b5 d6 typical Sicilian-style position, with chances 5.f4 f6 A solid choice, and maybe strongest, I for both sides, Fischer,R-Tukmakov,V/ had only previously looked at [ 5...h4+ and ] Buenos Aires 1970.; [ 5...e7!? ] B) 4...d5 5.cxd5 xd5 playing these 'Sicilian' positions with Black is often the 6.fxe5 fxe5 7.xc6+ bxc6 8.f3! [ 8.xe5? is a blunder, h4+ ( 8...xe5? simplest way to equalise in these 9.h5+ ) 9.g3 e4 10.xg7 openings. 6.a3 d6 7.c2 to control e4. A) 10...g4 11.c3 ( 11.d3 g6 0-0 8.f3 e7 9.c3 ( 9.d3!? 12.xh8 xd1 13.xd1 should favour is interesting, h8 10.e4 and now, Black ) 11...g6 ( 11...xh1?! 12.xg4 rather than b6?! 11.xc6 bxc6 12.d3 xg1+ 13.e2 xa1 14.xd5 ) 12.xh8 with the superior structure, Petrosian,Txd1 13.xd1?! e7 and Black won in Balashov,Y/USSR 1978, 10...Be6 is fine.) Alexandrou, A-Hadjiyiannis, C/Cyprus 9...xc3 10.xc3 f5!? 11.b5 e4 1992.; 12.xc6 bxc6 13.e5 c5 threatening ... B) 10...xh1! 11.h5+ d8 ( 11...e7! Ba6, with unclear play, Larsen,B-Spassky, looks winning to me, 12.f1 f6 13.h4 B/Leiden 1970. ] rooks on the c-file. ] [ T h e b e s t w a s t h e r a d i c a l 15...g6 , taking away the f7 square from W hite's knight. ] 16.g4 g6 [ The knight on c5 is the problem after both 16...f6 17.xf6 xf6 18.cxd5 ] [ and 16...f8 17.xg7 xg7 18.cxd5 . ] 17.f5! d3 [ Or if 17...f8 there is 18.fxg6 hxg6 ( 18...fxg6 is met by 19.f5 f6 20.xf6 xf6 21.cxd5 ) 19.f5! d3 20.xe7+ xe7 21.f6 etc. ] 18.fxg6 hxg6 19.xf7! Tearing down the barricades... xf7 20.f1+ f6 21.xf6 1-0
85
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 a6+ 14.c4 af8 etc. ) 12.f1 xg3 13.g5+?! e7 14.xh8? Romero Arraya, D-Godoy, J/Pan American 19 9 8 , a n d n o w xh2 was the simplest, winning on the spot. ] 8...e7!? A good move, although [ 8...g4 is not bad e ither: 9.h3 xf3 10.xf3 e7 11.c4 f6 12.c3 Koenig, B-Leddin, M/Greifswald 2004, 0-0 looks good, 13.cxd5?! e4! 14.f5 xd5 15.g4 ( 15.xe4?? g3+ 16.d1 xc3+ ) 15...e5 with advantage, as White's king must stay in the centre. ] 9.xe5 Well, this looks risky, but if White doesn't play this trick he is worse as Black has a strong centre and bishop pair. g5!? [ 9...h4+ is the theoretically approved move: 10.g3 h3 11.f3 ( 11.e2? f6 12.a3 g4 13.xg4 xg4 14.f1 h5 wi t h s t r o n g p l a y o n t h e l i g h t s q u a r e s) 11...f6 12.f1 ( 12.xc6 e4 13.f1 xg3+ 14.hxg3 xg3+ 15.d1 W olf, R-Kindl, P/Moeglingen 1989 g4+ 16.c1 g3 17.e1 e2+ draws ) 12...h5 13.e2?! g4 14.d4 0-0 and White was already losing in Blatny, PNyback, T/Dos Hermanas 2004. ] [ 9...xe5? 10.h5+ forks king and bishop. ] 10.f3 xg2!! This looks like a blunder, but is very strong! [ 10...h6 11.e2 f6 Krumpak, H-Furlan, A/ Slovenia 1992, 12.0-0 is balanced. ] 11.g1 h3 12.xg7 White wins the h8rook. xh2 13.f2?! Did he overlook Black's next? [ 13.xh8 xg1 14.xg1 is the best chance, although g3+ 15.f1 e7!? ( 15...h3+ 16.xh3 xh3+ draws ) 16.h5 a6+ 17.c4 f8+ with an attack. ] 13...f6! 14.xh8 [ 14.xf6? f8 wins. ] 14...e4+ Not bad, but [ 14...g4! is very strong, 15.f1 e4+ 16.e2 g3+ 17.d3 xf1 regains the material, and will soon add considerable interest. ] 15.e2 xg1 16.xg1 g4 The knight is pinned, and W hite can't defend it. 17.d1! The only try the king heads to relative safety on c1. 0-0-0 18.e5 f8 19.c1 xf3
B la ck h a s re ga in e d h is r o o k, a n d k e e p s control of the initiative. 20.b2 f1 21.h2 xh2 22.xh2 f2 23.e5 xd2 24.xd2 xd2 25.f1 Phew! White finally scrapes into a p la ya ble po sit io n with a pa wn les s bu t opposite coloured bishops. h5 26.f6 b7 27.e6? White goes active at the wrong time, he still had to passively defend by [ 27.h6 g6 28.h2 ] 27...g6 28.e7 xc2+ 29.a3 e2 30.xc7 b1 This is the problem, White has to jettison another pawn. 31.b4?! c5+! T h e m o ve h e m u s t h a ve m i s s e d . 32.c3 Now the king gets caught in a mating net, but [ 32.xc5 c2+ 33.d6 c6+ wins a piece. ] 32...c2+ 33.d3 xa2+ 34.c3 c6 35.b8 a5 36.c7+ b6 37.d7 c2+ 38.d3 g2+ 39.c3 e4 0-1
93
A01 Mamedyarov,Shakhriyar 2752 Bacrot,Etienne 2695 World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (22) 22.11.2007 [Carsten Hansen] 1.b3 d5 2.b2 c5 3.e3 c6 4.b5 a6 To me this move seems awfully accommodating, Black plays a sort of Saemisch Nimzo-Indian with a tempo less... Hmm! 5.xc6+ bxc6 6.f4 f6 [ Black has also tried: A) 6...f5 7.f3 e6 8.0-0 ( 8.e5 c8 9.d3 f6 10.d2 d7?! 11.xd7 xd7 12.e2 Hofmann, K-Brieger, S/W ildflecken 1993) 8...f6 9.d3 e7 10.bd2 0-0 11.e1 Timman, J-Matute, M/Zuerich simul 1988 ] [ B) 6...h6!? 7.f3 f6 8.0-0 e6 9.d3 , Lopez, F-Gonzalez Perez, L/Stockholm 1994, and here d6 looks interesting ] [ C) 6...f6 7.h5+ ( 7.f3!? ) 7...g6 8.h4?! h6 9.f3 g7 10.c3 f5 with a pleasant game for Black, Essing, ASiemes, R/GER 1999 ] [ D) 6...d6 7.f3 f6 8.0-0 e6 9.e5 e7 10.d3 0-0 11.d2 e8 12.e1 , a n d W h i t e h a s a ve r y go o d r e v e r s e d Saemisch Variation, Kalajzic, I-Tomic, T/ Zadar 1998 ] 86
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 7.f3 a5 [ Black has a number of alternatives at this ju n c t u re : A ) 7...f5 8.d3 e6 ( 8...c8 9.e2 e6 10.0-0 e7 was Nothnagel, MMagiera, R/Hessen 1999, and here 11.e5 0-0 12.d2 is White's best ) A) 9.e5 c7 10.d2 d7 11.df3 f6 12.xd7 xd7 13.0-0 ( 13.h4!? ) 13...g4 14.e1 Simon, P-Bauer, T/ Kettig 1994; B) 9.bd2 b6 10.e5 h5 11.e2 c4!? 12.dxc4 xc2 13.c1 f5 Drel, N-Benensonaite/Moscow 1972 ] [ B) 7...g6 8.0-0 ( 8.e5 c7 9.0-0 g7 10.c3 0-0 11.a4 c4 12.bxc4 b8 13.d4 e4 Dominguez Sanz, J-Ridameya T a t c h e , J / G r a n C a n a r i a 1 9 8 9 , 14.d3!? ) 8...g7 9.e1 0-0 10.e5 b6 11.c3 c4 12.a4 ( 12.a3!? ) 12...b5 , Vandenbruane, C-Tabak, S/Antwerp 2000, and now W hite can obtain an advantage with 13.d3! cxd3 14.cxd3 f5 15.d4 h5 ( 15...xd3?? 16.c3+- ) 16.c5 ] [ C) 7...g4 8.h3 ( 8.0-0 e6 9.e1 c7 10.e5 f5 11.d3 d6 12.d2 Amini, A-Noroozi, O/Tehran 2001) 8...xf3 9.xf3 e6 10.d3 A) 10...b6 A1) 11.0-0!? e7 ( 11...c4 12.dxc4 c5 13.e1 ) 12.c4; A2) 11.d2 e7 12.g4 0-0 13.g5 e8 14.h4 f5 15.h5 d6 16.c4 , and White dominates the entire board, Kalajzic, I-Bazaj Bockai, S/Pula 2001; B) 10...e7 11.0-0 0-0 12.d2 b8 13.g3 d4 14.e4 c7 15.c4 Raupp, K-Yahkind, A/Detroit 1992 ] [ D) 7...e6 8.0-0 d6 A) 9.d3 0-0 10.bd2 d7 11.e1 f6 12.c4 e5 13.h4 ( 13.f5!? ) 13...b6?! ( 13...exf4 14.exf4 e8 15.g3 f8 ) 14.fxe5 fxe5 15.g3 Slagter, R-Van Vliet, H/Hengelo 2005; B) 9.e5 c7 10.d3 0-0 11.d2 d7 12.h5 f6 13.ef3 Reales Murto, MCosta Costa, E/Lorca 2005 ] 8.a4 [ Nimzowitsch would probably approve of this move, but also 8.e5!? looks pleasant for White. ] 8...g6 9.0-0 g7 10.d3 0-0 11.e1 c4
12.e5 [ I think White with advantage could have interpolated an exchange on c4 with 12.bxc4 dxc4 , a n d o n l y t h e n p l a y 13.e5 , leaving W hite, in my opinion, with the preferable game. ] 12...cxb3 13.cxb3 b6 14.d2 g4 15.d4 c5 [ 15...xe5!? looks like an attractive alternative, for instance 16.fxe5 a6 17.f2 f6 , and I prefer Black ] 16.c1 c4 17.a3 cxb3 18.b1 xe5 19.fxe5 e6 [ 19...f5 20.xb3 ( 20.xf5 looks attractive, bu t is p ro b a b ly n ot t h a t go o d , e . g. gxf5 21.xe7 fe8 22.xb3 c6 ) 20...c7 , and Black shouldn't be worse. ] 20.xb3 f6 21.c5 c6 22.h4 a7 23.exf6 xf6 24.g3 a6 25.f4 c4 26.h4 aa8 [ B l a c k c a n a l s o c o n s i d e r 26...e8 intending ... .e7-e5 to open up the game for Black's bishop pair. ] 27.h5 g5 28.h6 [ 28.f5!? ] 28...d6 [ 28...fb8!? ] 29.g4? [ This loses an exchange without further ado. A better choice is 29.h2!? intending Rf5 with a pleasant game for White ] 29...e2! 30.xe2 gxf4 31.f1 h8 32.xf4 g5 33.e4 xh6 34.xg5 xg5 35.g4 f6 36.f4 g7 37.g4 f6 38.f4 e6 39.h4 g8 40.h5 g6 41.e5 [ 41.f3 ag8-+ ] 41...c6 [ 41...h3! settles everything immediately, e. g. 42.xe7 ag8 ] 42.f5 ag8 43.f2 e6 44.f3 f6 45.e2 e4 0-1
87
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A01 17.f2?! [ 17.g1!? ] Mamedyarov,Shakhriyar 2752 Kamsky,Gata 2714 17...g4 18.d5? [ 18.d5 xd5 19.xd5 xf2 20.c7+ World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (19) 21.11.2007 f7 21.xa8 e4 ] [Carsten Hansen] 18...xf2 19.xf2?-+ [ 19.g5 g8 20.xf2 b5 is clearly better 1.b3 c5 2.b2 b6 3.f3 b7 4.d4?! f6 f or Bla ck, bu t n eve rthe less b ett er tha n 5.c4 cxd4 6.xd4 With some effort from what happened in the game where Black is White, we have landed in something similar to now just winning ] a Hedgehog, but thanks to White's innocuous handling of the opening, one that is absolutely 19...h6 20.d3 0-0+ 21.g1 h7 22.e1 f6 23.c3 ad8 24.d1 g4 25.d5 harmless for Black. d6 7.c3 bd7 [ 7...e6 8.e3 a6 9.c1 bd7 10.f3 e7 f2 26.c2 xd1? [ Black has a mate in seven with 26...h3+ 11.e2 0-0 12.0-0= Casagrande, H27.g2 f2+ 28.h1 f1+ 29.g2 g1+ Elsness, F/Yerevan 1996 ] 30.xh3 c8+ 31.f5 xf5+ 32.h4 8.d2 g5# ] [ Two examples of the game heading to a normal Hedgehog are 8.f3 a6 9.e4 e6 27.xd1 b5 28.cxb5 axb5 29.f3 a7+ 10.e2 e7 11.0-0 0-0 12.d2 c7= 30.g2 xa2 31.c3 c8 32.d3 xb3? [ A dumb blunder in a winning position. Right Diapetis, A-Kyriakides, T/Patras 2002 ] is 32...a7 in order to be able to swing the [ and 8.c1 a6 9.f3 e6 10.e4 e7 11.e2 queen back to defend his majesty. ] 0-0 12.0-0 c8= Srba, M-Meduna , E/ Prague CZE 2006. In both cases Black 33.h4 xd5+ 34.xd5 xc3 35.xd6 doesn't have any problems, though much g8 36.d7+ g7 37.xb5 e4 38.d5 depends on which player understands the e3 [ 38...e3!? ] position better. ] 39.f2 a3 40.xe4 e3 41.d5 ge7 8...a6 9.g1?! [ A reminder that we are looking at blitz 42.b5 xe2+= games. Although g2-g4 being seen more ½-½ and more frequently in the English Opening, it is hardly what I call a critical line. Sadly A01 for White, Kamsky is less than impressed 95 by Mamedyarov's idea, and soon White is Mamedyarov,Shakhriyar 2752 just worse. Normal, but harmless is 9.e3 e6 Karpov,Anatoly 2670 10.f3 e7 11.e2 0-0 12.0-0 c7 World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (24) 22.11.2007 with another equal position. ] [Carsten Hansen] 9...h5!? Stops White's g2-g4 dreams, which leaves the rook looking quite silly on g1. 10.g3 1.b3 d5 2.b2 f5 It is quite amazing, it [ 10.h3 c5 is better for Black ] don't find any mention of this move in either 10...e6 11.f4 ECO A (both 2nd and 4th editions), [ 11.g2 xg2 12.xg2 c8 13.f1 e7 ChessBase's Opening Encyclopaedia 2007 or 14.g1 is probably about equal, but the J a c o b s / T a i t ' s " N i m z o - L a r s e n A t t a c k " ! fianchettoed rook doesn't exactly impress. ] Nevertheless, it has been played more than 11...c7 12.f5 e5 13.c2 g6!? 250 times according to by database. Often it [ This appears to complicate the game Black transposes to other variations, including the can also play the fully adequate and good Reti (quite frequently) with 3 Nf3, 4 g3, 5 Bg2, 13...e7 , e.g. 14.e3 b5 15.g2 6 0-0, 7 d3 etc or other lines in the Nimzo( 15.cxb5 axb5 16.xb5? b6 17.c3 Larsen Attack (not as frequently). However, g4 wins for Black) 15...xg2 16.xg2 Mamedyarov's next move is new, though the bxc4 is also better for Black ] idea isn't new, but loses a tempo over the 2... 14.fxg6 fxg6 15.g2 xg2 16.xg2 b7 B g 4 va r i a t i o n , a n d t h e r e f o r e c a n n o t b e 94
88
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 p a r t i c u l a r l y g o o d . 3.h3?! e6 4.g4?! Bold, but hardly any good. g6 [ 4...e4!? looks very attractive as well, e.g. 5.f3 xf3 ( 5...h5 6.g2 c6!? ) 6.exf3 f6 7.f4 c6!? ] 5.f3 d7 6.d3 h5 7.g1 hxg4 8.hxg4 c6 9.bd2 h7?! [ This doesn't appear to make any immediate sense unless Black intends to develop his bishop shortly, but the bishop doesn't get developed until move 28!. The normal move is 9...c7!? , intending to castle queenside, e.g. 10.c4 0-0-0 followed by ...Ne7 and ... e5 with a better game for Black. ] 10.e4 c7 11.e2 f4 12.exd5 cxd5 13.e5 xe5 14.xe5 b4 15.f4?! [ 15.a3!? b6 16.e3 xe3+ 17.fxe3 f6 18.b2= ] 15...b6 16.f3 f6 [ 16...c5!? 17.d4 b4+ 18.d1 0-0-0 ] 17.d4 a6?! [ 17...c5!? 18.xc5 xc5 19.0-0-0 ( 19.xe6+ f8 20.0-0-0 e8 ) 19...d7 ] 18.f5 f7 19.g5 h5 20.fxe6 c8 [ 20...xf3 21.xf3 xe6+ 22.d2 0-0-0 23.e1 h2+ 24.g2 xg2+ 25.xg2 ] 21.h3 [ 21.c3!? ] 21...xf3 22.xf3 xc2 23.f5?! [ White appears to be winning after 23.d1! , for instance: c7 ( 23...xa2 24.c1 b4 25.c8+ e7 26.gxf6+ gxf6 27.c7+ d8 28.e7++- ) 24.f5 h2 25.gxf6 xf6 26.g3+- ] 23...a5+?! [ 23...hh2!? ] 24.f1 hh2 25.g3 [ 25.f4!? ] 25...e7?! [ 25...b4 26.b8+ e7 27.xa7 fxg5 28.a3 xb3 29.e1 ] 26.b8+ [ 26.gxf6! gxf6 27.g6+ ( 27.b8+ c8 28.g6+ e7 29.f4!? ) 27...d8 28.b8+ c8 29.f7 e7 30.f4 h6 31.c1 xc1+ 32.xc1+- ] 26...c8? [ T h i s i s a m i s t a k e b e t t e r i s 26...d8 27.g6+ ( 27.xd8+ xd8 28.gxf6 gxf6 29.g4 c6 30.xf6+ e8-+ ) 27...xg6
28.xd8+ xd8 29.gxf6 gxf6 30.xg6 h1+ 31.g1 xg1+ 32.xg1 with decent drawing chances for White ] 27.xb7?? [ 27.gxf6! gxf6 28.xb7 c7 29.b4 xb7 30.bxa5 d6 31.g4 b4 32.e3 a4 33.a3 ] 27...c7 28.b8?? [ A blunder that loses the game, but this position is almost impossible to play accurately in blitz. The correct move is 28.g6+ , a n d a f t e r d8 29.a8 d2 30.xd5+ d6 31.e4 , keeping the game alive: c1+ 32.xc1 xc1+ 33.e1 f4+ 34.f2 c5 ] 28...d6 29.gxf6 [ Or 29.g6+ d8-+ ] 29...d2 30.b5+ [ Or 30.g6+ d8 31.e7+ xe7 32.fxe7+ xe7 , and it is game over ] 30...d8 31.e7+ xe7 32.fxe7+ xe7 33.a5+ xa5 0-1
96
A01 Mamedyarov,Shakhriyar 2752 Kramnik,Vladimir 2785 World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (20) 22.11.2007 [Carsten Hansen] 1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 d6 4.f3 [ 4.b5 is considered the main line ] 4...g6 This isn't seen that often 4...Bd7 is the normal move. 5.d4 [ The normal mover here are 5.b5 and ] [ 5.c4 though the text move has been played at International Master/Grandmaster level a few times before. ] 5...g7 [ 5...f6 6.c4 g7 7.c3 h6 8.e2 0-0 9.a3 f7 10.b4 f5 11.d5 e7 12.e4 , and the play now resembles a King's Indian, th o u gh o n e wh e re B la ck' s kn igh t o n f 7 appears to be a bit in the way, Gonzalez, JGonzalez Velez, F/Castellar 1999 ] [ 5...exd4? 6.xd4 f6 7.b5 ( 7.xc6 bxc6 8.f3 g7 9.xc6+ d7 10.a6 is also better for White, but not as accurate, Bobanac, M-Bozanic, I/ Solin CRO 2007) 7...d7 8.xc6 bxc6 9.f3 g7 10.xc6 89
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xc6 11.xc6+ , and White is winning Jadoul, M-Geirnaert, S/Belgium BEL 2003 ] 6.b5 [ 6.dxe5 xe5 7.c3 ( For those playing for a draw as White 7.xe5 xe5 8.xe5 dxe5 9.xd8+ xd8 is possibly worth considering, though those of us who are eager to play a more interesting game, this is hardly worth our time. Nevertheless one continuation is 10.c4 e7 11.c3 f6 12.e2 c6 13.a4 f5 14.f3 h5 , and a d raw was a greed upo n 1/2-1/2 , Nielsen, P-Kjeldsen, J/DEN 1989 ) A) 7...xf3+ 8.xf3 h5?! ( 8...e7 ) 9.h3 ( 9.c4!? ) 9...h6 10.e4+ f8 11.0-0-0 f5 12.d3 a5 13.a4 with an obvious advantage f or W hite, Zurek, M-Blatny, P/CZE 2001; B) 7...e7 8.e2 0-0 9.0-0 ( 9.d2!? has been suggested by Horn in CBM, but Black is fine after 7c6 ) 9...d5 10.b1 xf3+ 11.xf3 e6= Rogers, I-Solomon, S/Sydney 1991 ] [ 6.e2 ge7 7.d5 b8 8.c4 0-0 9.bd2 f5 10.c2 a5 11.h3 a6 12.a3 Wager, J-Maxwell, A/Leeds 1999 ] 6...ge7 [ 6...d7 7.d5 ( 7.xc6?! xc6 8.dxe5 dxe5 9.bd2 e7 10.e2 0-0-0 11.0-0 f5 , and Black has obviously no problems, Flu via P o ya t o s, J-Flu via P o ya t o s , J/ S t Cebria 1997; 7.bd2 ge7 8.dxe5 xe5 9.xd7+ xd7 10.xe5 dxe5 11.c4 e6= was Puranen, J-Molander, R/Finland FIN 2002 ) 7...ce7 8.xd7+ xd7 9.0-0 f6 10.c4 is in my opinion a pleasant King's Indian for White on account of the exchange of the light-squared bishops, Huebsch, HPesch, H/Nickenich 1998 ] 7.d5 a6 8.e2 b8 9.0-0 0-0 10.c4 a5 11.c3 a6 As in some of the sidelines covered in the notes above, we have reached a King's Indian type of position, where it is hard to assess who is better. My computer prefers W hite, and I slightly prefer Black, despite my dislike for the King's Indian as Black, because it seems like it is the easier position to play. Nevertheless, the game is probably about even. 12.a3 d7 13.d2 f5 14.f4 exf4 15.exf4 c6 16.h1 cxd5 17.cxd5
[ 17.f3!? seems like an interesting a l t e r n a t i v e , e . g . c7 ( 17...dxc4?! 18.xc4+ h8 19.d2 leaves White with amble compensation for the pawn) 18.d2 c6 19.cxd5 xd5 20.c4!? ( 20.xd5 exd5 21.c4 xb2 22.xb2 b5= ) 20...xc4 21.bxc4 ] 17...b5 18.f3 b6 19.g5 c7 [ 19...c5!? ] 20.d2 [ 20.e1!? b4 ( 20...ae8 21.f3 ) 21.axb4 axb4 22.a4 ] 20...h6 21.e6 xe6 22.dxe6 d5 23.a4 [ 23.fe1 fd8 ] 23...b4 24.b5 xb2 25.xb2 xe6 26.ae1 [ 26.e5 ad8 27.f3 d7 ] 26...c5 27.d4 ab8 28.c4!? e4 29.xd5+ xd5 30.xd5+ g7 [ 30...h7 31.d7+ h8 32.xe4! fxe4 33.d6 e3 34.f7+ xf7 35.xf7 c6 36.e1 b7 37.f8+ h7 38.f5! e4 ( 38...g5 39.f6 ) 39.fxg6+ xg6= ] 31.g4!? [ 31.e5+ h7 32.c7 b7 33.e6 ff7 ] 31...bd8 32.e5+ g8 33.gxf5 fe8?! [ , and here the game, probably by White forfeiting on time, though now having an acceptable position if he could get to play 34 Qc7. Instead on move 33, Black should have opted for 33...d2!? 34.e6+ xe6 35.fxe6 xf1 36.e7 d2 37.d1 f7 38.exf8+ xf8 with a better endgame for Black ] 0-1
97 McShane,Luke J Grischuk,Alexander Tal Memorial Blitz, Moscow blitz (6) [Richard Palliser]
A01 2706 2761 07.06.12
1.b3 f6 [ Following in Fischer's footsteps, Hikaru Nakamura is something of an occasional dabbler in Nimzowitsch-L arsen waters , especially in blitz games. He was the first to punt 1 b3 in this blitz tournament and after 1...c5 2.b2 c6 3.e4 ( 3.e3 would be 90
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 2012. ] more normal, keeping play in independent waters ) 3...f6 play had transposed to a 3.g3 Very hypermodern, but not overly critical. l i n e o f t h e 2 b 3 S i c i l i a n i n N a k a m u r a - The alternatives: [ a) 3.xf6!? exf6 4.c4 g7 is the critical Grischuk (round 3). This is really outside line in my view: will Black's bishop-pair our remit here, but you never know - Sam compensate for his inferior structure? Who may give the line a bit of coverage at some to prefer here is really a matter of taste, point in the future! ] but Black must be prepared to manoeuvre 2.b2 g6!? for quite a while before obtaining any real [ Undeterred by the result of this game, the activity and counterplay. For some helpful plucky Englishman repeated his choice of coverage please see Jonathan Rowson's opening in round 8 where Tomashevsky notes to Hodgson-Hall, Harplinge 1998, preferred the solid 2...d5 . Play continued and especially Julio Alberto González's to 3.e3 c6 4.h3!? ( a rare move, but this Mellado Triviño-Vallejo Pons, Calvia 2005, prevents Black from developing normally which can both be found in the Archive. ] with ...Bg4 and now g2-g4 will be possible in [ b) 3.e4 is also quite tempting, although I've the event of ...Bf5 - full marks for creativity never been too certain about this mix of b3 t o L u k e ! a l t e r n a t i v e l y , 4.f4 is quite a n d e 4 . F o l lo wi n g g7 ( recent Sicilian thematic,; 4.f3 g4 5.e2 e6 6.0-0 practice suggests that Black can even get bd7 7.d3 xf3 8.xf3 d6 9.d2 h5!? away with 3...c5!? here - again keep an eye saw Black follow up his simple, classical on S am 's co lu m n) 4.g3 ( 4.e5 d5 development by boldly looking to attack in is a strange-looking Alekhine where White S a n c h e z - P a v l o v i c , G i b r a l t a r 2 0 1 2 ,; doesn't want to block his bishop with d4, but and in the high-level game Short-Almasi, in any case ...d6 will give Black decent Gibraltar 2012, 4.c4 f5 5.e2 e6 6.c3 counterplay) 4...0-0 5.g2 d5!? ( 5...d6 bd7 7.f3 h6 8.0-0 d6 9.cxd5 exd5 6.e2 followed by a double advance of the 10.d3 0-0 11.e4 g6 was fine too for c- o r e -p a wn m igh t well h ave b ee n t h e Black ) 4...bd7 (keeping it solid, but now choice of a Pirc practitioner) 6.exd5 xd5 Black's light-squared bishop won't be able to 7.xg7 xg7 8.d4 c5! 9.dxc5 a5+ t a k e t h e e a r l y a i r i t w a s a f t e r ) 5.f3 10.c3 f6?! ( 10...d8! was the correct ( in an earlier game 5.g4!? was tried, but follow-up to Black's fine, active start after after e5 6.g2 d6 7.d3 f8! 8.d2 h6 11.xd5 xc5 Qxc5 the pin down the d-file White's kingside expansion was likely more ensures he will regain his piece with ...e6) of a weakness than a strength in Bromann11.b4 c7 12.e2 Naka had stolen a Holst, Aarhus 2002,; bu t p e rh a p s 5.f4!? pawn, albeit not exactly for zero and only then d3 followed by g4 could be compensation, and went on to convert in tried, Bird style) 5...g6 6.c4 g7 7.cxd5 Nakamura-Altounian, Internet (blitz) 2011. ] cxd5 8.e2 0-0 9.0-0 b8! (the knight [ c) 3.f3 g7 4.e3 0-0 5.c4 c5 6.e2 d5 would h ave achie ved little o n b 6 a nd a 7.cxd5 xd5 8.d3 c6 9.a3 d8 second fianchetto might well have left Black 10.bd2 g4! 11.xg7 xg7 12.0-0 b6 weak on the queenside, but even this fine 13.c2 ge5 14.fd1 b7 was all very regrouping isn't enough to fully equalise) thematic from Black and later led to a draw 10.c3 c6 11.c1 f5 12.b5! c8 in Finegold-Altounian, Las Vegas 2012. ] 13.a3 ( White wants to expand on the [ d ) F i n a l l y , I c a n r e m e m b e r 3.g4!? queenside, which is very logical besides, being mentioned in David Norwood's fine, Nbd4 ideas can be kept in reserve, although old work on the Modern, but I dare say this I can't help feeling Reti himself might well is rather too radical for us to be covering have gone 13.bd4 xd4 14.xd4 d7 on these hallowed theoretical pages! ] 15.xc8 xc8 16.a1 ) 13...b6 14.b4 a5 15.b3 axb4 16.axb4 and White was a 3...g7 4.g2 c5 [ It makes sense to me to seize space like little better, going on to triumph in this, but of course there are many set-ups McShane-Tomashevsky, Moscow (blitz) 91
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 B l a c k c o u l d e m p l o y . A f t e r 4...d6 I doubt Luke would have pushed his d-pawn t wo s q u a r e s , b u t W h i t e d i d i n a b a t t l e between two young (and already 2600+ back in the day when that really mean t something) stars, where 5.d4 c5! 6.d5 0-0 7.h3! g4 8.f4 d7 9.c1 e5 10.dxe6 fxe6 had certain Trompowsky connotations and was ab out e qua l in Ad ams-S hirov, Hastings 1991/92. ] 5.e3 0-0 6.e2 [ New according to the database. I can see why W hite wouldn't want to obstruct his light-squared bishop and Luke did enjoy some success as Black in this event with the Hippo (d3 and Nd2 here would lead to a r e s e r v e d f o r m ) , b u t p e r h a p s 6.c4!? was a better try, comfortable though Black does look after d5 7.cxd5 xd5 8.xg7 xg7 9.a3 c6 . ] 6...d5! Grischuk decides he might as well take the space that's on offer - and why not? 7.c4?! [ This seems to ask too much of White's position, but presumably Luke was no longer so certain about going down the Hippo route and conceding a big centre with 7.d3 c6 8.d2 e5 9.h3 . ] 7...d4 [ The reversed Benoni structure after this is at least OK for Black, but 7...dxc4!? 8.bxc4 f5 followed by ...Bf5 also looks quite attractive, since White is going to have to hurry with d4 and so be saddled with hanging pawns. ] 8.exd4 g4! Now if h3 the knight will come round to f 5 via h6 and all the time W hite needs to try and make sure Black lands up recapturing with a pawn on d4. 9.a3 c6 10.c2? [ This innocent-looking move concedes the initiative and quickly leaves W hite in hot w a t e r . A f t e r 10.0-0 cxd4 11.d3 e5 a n d o n ly t h e n 12.c2 a reserved Benoni position would have arisen, very much with chances f or both sides, even if I would prefer to move the knight from e2 to f3! ] 10...cxd4 11.d3 Pretty much essential, but this creates a new weakness on which Grischuk is quick to pounce. a5+! 12.f1 [ 12.d2 xd2+ 13.xd2 xf2 14.hf1 g4 would have cost White a pawn, ]
[ but perhaps he had to try 12.b4!? xb4 13.0-0 , hoping to at least obtain some Benko-like pressure for his pawn. ] 12...f5 It's all gone wrong already for White. Suddenly there's no time to thinking about picking of f d4 in view of the mate threat. 13.f4?! [ White soon loses a piece after this. That said, it was very hard to readjust and find a defence here in a blitz game, and even after the machine's suggestion 13.f4!? e5 14.e4 f6 15.h3 I rather doubt that White would have survived. ] 13...b4! Neat. The weakness of the e3square is going to cost White. 14.exd4 [ This doesn't help, but grovelling with 14.c1 xd3 15.xd3 xd3 16.h3 would have been most unpalatable too. ] 14...c5 15.a3 a5 [ Perhaps 15...xc2!? 16.xc5 ge3+ 17.e2 xd4 was also rather dangerous, but Grischuk keeps it simple. ] 16.h3? A final slip in a very tough position. xd4! 17.xd4 e3+ 18.e2 xd1 19.axd1 xd4 20.he1 d8 21.d2 e6 22.e2 xa2 0-1
98
A01 McShane,Luke J 2683 Jansa,Vlastimil 2513 12th ch-EUR Aix les Bains FRA (6) 27.03.2011 [Nigel Davies] 1.b3 d5 2.b2 g4 3.f3 f5 4.e3 e6 5.c3!? It's rare that you get a 'theoretical novelty' in on move 5, but this is one of the joys of playing Larsen's opening. W hite is angling for e3-e4 and might also prepare castling long with Qd1-e2. [ In earlier games White has played 5.f4 ] [ and 5.e2 . ] 5...f6 6.g4 [ 6.e2 is possible here, xc2 losing the bishop after 7.d3 . ] 6...g6 7.ce2 c6 [ 7...fd7! looks like a better idea when 8.h4 e7 seems good for Black. Of course none of this is easy to work out over the board. ] 8.h4 h5 This leads to a difficult position for 92
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Bla ck an d he th ink h e sho uld h ave b ee n looking to push the h-pawn one square rather than two. [ After 8...h6 9.f4 d6 10.b5 Black is under some pressure. ] [ So perhaps he should first play 8...b4!? after which 9.d3 h6 10.f4 h7 11.g5 g8 looks OK for him. ] 9.g5 d7 10.f4 e7 11.e2 c6 [ 11...xc2? 12.d3 wins the bishop. ] 12.xg6 xg6 13.f4 White is clearly better now because of his bishop pair and space. Could he have achieved this kind of opening advantage with something more standard? Probably not. a5 14.f3 c5 15.a3 e4 16.g1 0-0-0 17.h3 b8 18.b4 c7 19.c4 dxc4 20.xc4 d6 21.c2 d7 22.f2 I wouldn't be surprised if Jansa was running short of time at this stage. He often finds himself in time trouble and in a planless position like this it isn't easy to find decent moves for Black. f5 23.xf5 exf5 24.d4 g8 25.a4 a6 26.a5 d6 27.b6 c8 28.b5!? Prising open Black's queenside at the cost of a pawn. axb5 29.a4 c7 30.a7 [ 30.axb5 is good for White but McShane wants the queens on so he can play for mate. ] 30...b8 31.a5 d7 Heading for the hills! 32.b6 c8 33.axb5 c5 34.a2 e8 35.c4 f8 36.a7 e7 37.g6 1-0
that this was exactly terrible for Black after e6 11.h1 c5 ) 7.dxe4 xe4 is quite awkward, since 8.xg7? runs into b4+ 9.c3 xd1+ 10.xd1 g8 11.e1 d6 , as I pointed out in BUCO. ] [ Perhaps that's why Nakamura later switched to 5.e2 and after 0-0 ( 5...a6 6.xc6 dxc6 is, as usual, a sensible alternative and after 7.d3 e7 8.e4 I w o n d e r a b o u t h5!? ) 6.xc6 ( White should really go in for this exchange the dangers of not doing so were revealed in Cie za -Ne gi, Ca p p e l le la G ra n d e 2 0 1 2 , where 6.g3 e7! 7.c3 c6 8.e2 c7 9.d4 d5 didn't leave the white pieces overly well coordinated) 6...dxc6 7.d3 ( 7.bc3!? would transpose to our main game) 7...e6 8.e4 e7 9.0-0 d7 10.g3 g6 11.d2 a3 12.c1 xb2 13.xb2 a5 14.a4 f6 15.c3 c5 16.xc5 xc5 17.f4 exf4 18.xf4 White eventually ground out the win in Nakamura-Hovhannisyan, Internet (blitz) 2011, but Black didn't have to be so compliant and play for exchanges. ] [ F i n a l l y , I s h o u l d m e n t i o n t h a t 5.f3?! is rarely seen these days, probably because e4! 6.h4 e5 7.xe5 xe5 just looks a lit t le t o o cre a t ive f o r W h it e . No w h e i s supposed to castle, since 8.f4?! g6 9.f5 (T.W all-Palliser, York 2008) 0-0 10.0-0 ( 10.g4 d5 is even worse) 10...d5 11.g3 d4 can hardly be correct. ] 5...a6 [ Gawain, like many grandmasters, doesn't 99 A01 m i n d t h e e x c h a n g e o n c 6 . 5...0-0 is also possible, whereupon 6.g4? b4 McShane,Luke J 2671 7.g5 saw White entering into the spirit of Jones,Gawain C 2624 t h in gs, a lb e it ra t h e r u n wi se ly, a s xc3! German Bundesliga (10) 25.02.2012 8.dxc3 e4 9.h4 d5 10.f3 g3 11.h2 [Richard Palliser] e7 with advantage to Black demonstrated in J . K a r l s s o n - P e t i t c u n o t , C a p p e l l e l a 1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 f6 4.b5 d6 Grande 2009. ] 5.c3!? It may seem strange to block the bishop, but the knight is hardly great on a3 as 6.xc6 Consistent. dxc6 7.ge2 0-0 [ This position can also come about via a 5 we've seen. Moreover, from c3 it fights for the Ne 2 m o ve o r d e r, a s i t d id i n B i s c h o f f pivotal e4-square and may later come round S u t o v s k y , E s s e n 2 0 0 1 , w h e r e 7...e4!? to the kingside via e2. 8.g3 e7 9.e2 0-0 should have been [ Another route for the knight is 5.xc6 dxc6 met by 10.f3! exf3 11.gxf3 (Kosten). ] 6.d3 , but here e4! ( 6...0-0 7.d2 e8 8.e4 d7 9.e2 f8 10.0-0 gave White 8.0-0 e7 [ Again Gawain holds off 8...e4!? . After t h e s e t - u p h e wa s a f t e r i n N a k a m u r a 9.g3 g4 White might well go 10.ce2 Ponomariov, Saint Louis (rapid) 2011, not 93
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 and only later f3. ] 9.f4!? A thematic advance, if quite risky here. Black may be about to lose a centre pawn, but his pieces are well centralised and will exert good pressure in return. g4 10.e1 ad8 11.fxe5 xe5 12.g3 Logical play from both sides and the position seems unbalanced but about level to me, although if pressed I'd take Black thanks to his actively placed pieces. fe8 13.a4 [ Black's bishop was too strong to leave on e 5 a n d , o f c o u r s e , it ' s f a r t o o e a r l y t o mobilise White's central majority, with 13.d4! shedding a pawn to xg3 14.xg3 xe3+ .] 13...b5! Likely to come under pressure on the kingside at some point (after Nf5), Gawain decides it's time to stake out some space and begin play on the other flank. 14.xe5 xe5 15.c3 c5 16.f2 h5!? [ Driving the knight back and fighting hard for the initiative. Another possibility was 16...b4 17.a4 c4 18.bxc4 d7 , when the knight is trapped, but White may be OK after 19.d4 xe3 20.xe3 xe3 21.c5 . ] 17.h3 e6 18.ad1 White is undoubtedly on the back foot, but Black must continue with some energy or else his pawn weaknesses will begin to cost him. b4 19.a4? [ Eyeing c5, but this may be too ambitious. A se ns ib le a pp ro ach wo uld ha ve b ee n t o finally use those centre pawns with 19.d4! , and after cxd4 20.exd4 g5 21.ce4 xe4 22.xe4 g6 23.g3 White's position doesn't seem too terrible, in view of the possibility of h4 24.f5 . ] 19...h4 20.h1 This retreat might have heralded good things for Nimzowitsch and Keene in a couple of famous games, but here I doubt Luke enjoyed having to play it. e4 [ Direct, although one can also make a good case for 20...g5!? 21.f4 g6 22.f2 d5 , hitting both g2 and c2. ] 21.xh4 xd2? [ White is able to grovel out after this. Instead 21...xd2 22.fe1 (there's nothing better) c4 would have kept pieces on and left White under continuing pressure. ] 22.xd2 xd2 23.d1 e4 24.f4! Offering a timely queen swap. f5 [ White also seems to be OK in the event of
24...h5 25.f3 xf3 26.gxf3 g5 27.xc5 . ] 25.xe5 xe5 26.f2 d6 27.d3 xd3 28.cxd3 [ 28.xd3? c4 had to be avoided, ] [ and after 28.cxd3 xe3 29.xc5 a5 30.f2 e5 the ending would have been pretty level. ] ½-½
100 Minasian,Artashes Adams,Michael EU-chT (Men) (9) [Jonathan Rowson]
A01 2545 2620 1992
1.b3 e5! 2.b2 c6! 3.e3 d6! My impression is that these three first moves poses the stiffest test to 1.b3 because White st ruggle s t o do be t te r t h a n get a n orm a l English kind of position where b3 looks a bit committal without really getting anything in return. [ 3...a6 As suggested in what follows, there is no need for this move because Bb5 is not really a threat. 4.c4 g6 5.c3 g7 6.g3 h5 7.g2 ( 7.h3!? ) 7...d6 ( Black should definitely take the chance to play 7...h4! because the pawn is a bit of a nuisance for White. ) 8.h3 h6 9.d3 0-0 10.d2 d7 11.ge2 White has a good reversed Closed Sicilian! b8 12.c1 White's position seems easier to play, though it is difficult to sa y wh y. I wo u l d a t t r i b u t e i t m a i n l y t o coordination, though that is easier felt than e x p l a i n e d . ( 12.0-0 h4 13.g4 f5 looks like too much trouble.) 12...f5 ( 12...b5 13.d5 ) 13.d5 ce7 14.0-0 c6 ( 14...xd5 15.cxd5 ) 15.dc3 ( 15.xe7+ xe7 16.e4 d4 17.xd4 exd4 18.f4 Ftachnik in CBM.) 15...e6 16.e4 d5 ( 16...f6 17.f4 ) 17.cxd5 cxd5 18.g5! ( 18.c5 c8 19.f4 b6 ) 18...c8 19.h4 c6 ( 19...f6 20.h3 e6 21.d4 ) 20.c5 d4 21.exd4 cxd4 ( 21...exd4 22.fc1 ) 22.xd4 xd4?! Perhaps failing to anticipate the pending fireworks. ( but 22...exd4 23.f4 also leaves White in command. ) 23.e1 ( 23.f4 exf4 24.xf4 g4 25.h2 ) 23...g4 ( 23...b6 24.d5 94
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 c7 25.a3 g4 26.d6; 23...d6 24.d5 b6 25.a3 ) 24.exe5! A crushing exchange sacrifice, stemming from the power of the bishop on b2. The weaknesses on the a1-h8 diagonal soon prove to be decisive. xe5 25.xe5 c8 ( 25...f6?! 26.d5+ g7 27.xd4 fxe5 28.xe5++- Ftachnik.; 25...c6 26.d5 e7 27.e4 f6 28.h6 g7 29.xg7+ xg7 30.d6 Ftachnik.; 25...e6? 26.xe6! xe6 27.c3+- Another Elegant line- all given by Ftachnik in ChessBase magazine. ) 26.d5 e2+ ( 26...c2 27.xd8 e2+ 28.xe2 xe2 29.f6+- ) 27.h2 c7 28.e4 Black has no defenders in the relevant sector. f5 ( 28...f6 29.c5 d7 30.xc8 xc8 31.f3 xg3 32.xg3+- ) 29.h6! 1-0 Sasikiran, K (2573)-Shabalov, A (2601)/Istanbul 2001 And W hite's position is suddenly so good t h a t r e s ig n a t io n m u s t h a ve c o m e a s a slight disappointment. ] 4.b5?! This just doesn't make sense here, so the best approach to this early d6 system is to play a type of closed English, or else angle for an early d4 (but always in such a way that you can recapture with a knight. [ Odessky tries hard to find a novel way to play this position, including 4.f3 A) 4...g6! 5.d4 g7 looks rock solid to me. 6.b5 ( 6.dxe5 xe5 7.xe5 xe5 8.xe5 dxe5 9.xd8+ xd8 10.c3 c6 gives White nothing.) 6...ge7! 7.dxe5 ( 7.d5 a6 was Mamedyarov-Kramnik, W orld Blitz 2007, which Kramnik won.) 7...0-0!; B) 4...f5 5.d4 e4 6.d5!? but it doesn't seem very convincing. For more details see Odessky's book. ] [ 4.c4!? is probably best, with an unusual kind of closed English/ reversed Closed Sicilian. ] [ 4.d4 exd4 5.exd4 d5! has been known to be fine for Black for some time. ] 4...d7 [ 4...ge7 also looks comfortable. ] 5.e2 /\ f4 a6 6.xc6 xc6 7.0-0 g5! [ 7...f6 8.f4 ] 8.f3!? [ 8.g3?! h5 with a promising attack. ] 8...f6 9.c4 intending to plug the light
squares with e4 and Nc3-d5, but Black hits first. d5! 10.bc3? [ 10.f4!? exf4 11.xf4 dxc4 12.bxc4 d6 ] 10...0-0-0 11.a4? [ 11.cxd5 xd5 12.xd5 xd5 13.c3 d7 ] 11...dxc4!-+ 12.bxc4 c5 13.h1 xe3 14.c1 xd2 White is completely lost, and the following is just a desperate attempt to try to complicate. 15.b5 b8 16.ed4 xc1 17.xc6+ bxc6 18.b3 [ 18.xc1 xc1 19.axc1 cxb5 ] 18...cxb5 19.axb5 e3! [ 19...e3 20.bxa6+ b6 21.c5 ] 20.a4 b2 21.xa6 [ 21.a2!? ] 21...xa1 22.xa1 d1+ 23.xd1 a7 24.c6 b6-+ 25.c5 xc6 26.bxc6 e8 27.g4 h6 [ 27...e6? 28.d8+ a7 29.d1 ] 28.h4 g5 29.hxg5 hxg5 30.g2 c8 /\ Re6 0-1
101 Nielsen,Peter Heine Svidler,Peter Politiken Larsen Blitz b3 blitz (7) [Nigel Davies]
A01 2700 2734 04.08.2010
1.b3 d5 2.b2 g4 3.f3 h5 4.e4!? A fascinating gambit line that contains a nice trap for a blitz game. The critical line is of course for Black to take it. dxe4 5.e2 Threatening 6.Qb5+, picking up the bishop on h5. A lesser player than Svidler might have missed this given the time limit. c6 [ Black has also played 5...a6 here, for example 6.xe4 ( 6.c3!? exf3 7.xf3 would be the way to continue in gambit style ) 6...c6 7.d3 e6 8.c3 f6 9.e2 b4 10.0-0-0 e7 11.e4 xe4 12.dxe4 e5 was about equal at this stage in Medancic, R (2260)-Guido, F (2351)/Verona 2002. ] 6.c3!? [ I see this as being much more consistent than the wimpy 6.xe4 . ] 6...exf3 7.xf3 f6 [ A l t e r n a t i v e l y B l a c k c o u l d p l a y 7...d7 95
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 , for example 8.h3 gf6 9.0-0-0 e6 10.g4 g6 was Koganov, M-Handke, F (2496)/ICC INT 2009, and now one intriguing possibility is 11.h4!? , f o r e x a m p l e ( 11.g2 was played in the game) 11...xg4 12.h5 f5 13.d4 h6 14.xf5 xf5 15.e4 (Threatening 16.h6) h6 16.h3 d6 17.xe6 fxe6 18.xd6+ xd6 19.xg7 with a vitriolic attack. ] 8.0-0-0 e6 9.h3 xf3 Svidler understandably prevents g2-g4 ideas. [ In the game Ypma, P (2074)-Michalczak, T (2367)/ Dieren NED 2010 Black playe d 9...a5 10.b1 a3 after which 11.xa3 ( 11.a1 was played in the game) 11...xa3 ( 11...xf3 12.xf3 xa3 13.g4 is also very dangerous for Black) 12.g4 g6 13.h4 gives White a strong initiative. A sample line is xg4 14.h5 f5 15.d4 h6 16.g2 f8 17.cb5! with a strong initiative. ] 10.xf3 a5 11.b1 a3 12.a1 [ I think there's a good case here for 12.xa3 xa3 13.g4 , for example 0-0 ( 13...bd7 14.g5 d5 15.xd5 cxd5 16.h4 also gives White an ongoing initiative for the pawn ) 14.h4 a5 15.h5 bd7 16.h6 creates dangerous threats on the kingside. ] 12...bd7 13.g4 With Black's queen covering g5 this is much less threatening, so White's compensation starts to look a bit nebulous. 0-0-0 14.g2 h5 15.e4? Losing a second pawn. [ 15.e2 was a better chance, though I doubt White's compensation. ] 15...hxg4 16.hxg4 xh1 17.xh1 e5 18.e2 exg4 19.xf6 xf6 20.g2 f8 21.f2 c5 22.f3 e7 23.d3 h8 24.a4 h5 25.b2 f5 26.g3 g6 27.g1 g4 28.e1 d5 29.e4 b4 30.f1 c3+ Finishing off nicely. 31.xc3 xc3 32.f3 b4 0-1
102 Petrosian,Tigran L Naroditsky,Daniel Golden Sands Open (3.3) [Richard Palliser]
A01 2657 2479 06.06.2012
1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 f6 4.b5 d6!? W hen this first became popular in the late nineties it looked provocative and trendy, but time has shown that the bishop move very much deserves consideration as one of the main lines of the Nimzowitsch-Larsen. 5.a3 [ Back in 2006 when I covered this line in BUCO ('Beating Unusual Chess Openings'), this was considered the main line. It's also received the most coverage of any 5th move on Ch essPu b a nd th is wa s P et ros ian 's second game of late with it against strong o p p o s i t i o n . H o w e v e r , n o wa d a y s 5.e2 and/or the exchange on c6 seems to be at least as popular - for those and some other ideas, see the notes to McShane-Jones. ] 5...a6 This solid move has been pretty popular of late, but is by no means obligatory: [ a) 5...e4!? is ambitious, but not necessarily bad and after A) 6.c4 e7 7.xc6 bxc6!? is probably OK for Black ( and in BromannJones, Icelandic League 2011, 7...dxc6 8.e2 e6 9.d3 b4+! also was ); B) 6.f4 a6 7.xc6 dxc6 8.c4 0-0 9.e2 a5! 10.a4 b4 11.h3 d7! 12.d4 b6 13.xb6 cxb6 14.0-0 h4 Black's fine handling of the queenside gave him rough equality in T.L.PetrosianKravtsiv, Dubai 2012. ] [ b) 5...a5!? was my main recommendation in BUCO , m ee ting on e stran ge -lo ok in g knight move with another. For some reason this has fallen from favour, although 6.e2 ( f o r H o d g s o n ' s 6.f3 a6 7.e2 please see Tony's notes to both HodgsonSpeelman, British League 1998, and Hodgson-Barsov, York 1999,; while 6.c4!? xc4 7.xc4 was considered by John Watson with Karayannis-Banikas, Salonica 2006 here I still feel that 0-0 8.e2 c6 9.g3 c7 is thematic and fine for Black) 6...a6 (wisely preventing any nasty notion of Nb5) 7.c4 0-0 ( again, ChessPub has been here before, with 7...c5 examined by Tony 96
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 in his notes to Berkes-Balogh, Budapest 2004,; and 7...c6 covered in KovacevicMarzolo, W arsaw 2005, this time by John Watson ) 8.c2 ( 8.f3 e8 9.0-0 f8 10.d3 c6 followed by ...d5 sees Black regrouping along classical lines, as examined in BUCO) 8...c5!? ( 8...e8 is a g a i n a n a t u r a l a lt e rn a t ive , b u t it i s tem pt in g to set u p a bind o n d4 b ef ore retreating the knight back to c6) 9.d4?! (an understandable bid for freedom, but as in McShane-Grischuk, the weakness of the e1-a5 diagonal will now help Black) exd4 10.exd4 c6 11.f3 ( 11.d5 a5+ 12.f1 e5! is similar) 11...a5+ 12.b4!? xb4 13.0-0 surely didn't give White more than some practical chances for his pawn in Calugar-Sambuev, Guelph 2011. ] 6.xc6 [ T h i s m u s t b e c r i t i c a l . A f t e r 6.e2?! ChessPub has considered a few moves, but not e4! , which worked out well after 7.d4 ( 7.c4 e7 8.d3 d5 9.e5 xe5 10.xe5 0-0 still leaves White with the problem of his knight on g1) 7...exd3 ( 7...d5!? 8.c4 g5 is a brave engine s u g g e s t i o n) 8.cxd3?! ( 8.xd3 c5 is rather pleasant for Black, but White had to try this ) 8...b4+! (a familiar motif) 9.f1 d5 10.c1 0-0 11.f3 d6 12.h3 b4! 13.d2 c5 and White never recovered in Filippov-Bacrot, Khanty-Mansiysk 2011. ] 6...dxc6 7.c4 e7 8.e2 0-0 The black position resembles the DERLD to some extent and as John Watson says: 'Fairly normal thus far. Black's space and activity might even give him a small advantage.' 9.0-0 [ W atson examined 9.g3 b5 10.xd6 cxd6 11.0-0 e8 in Barnaure-Grunberg, Predeal 2006, which is hardly inspiring for White. ] 9...e4?! [ An overambitious novelty. Black should prefer 9...b5! 10.xd6 cxd6 , as advocated by Tony. Now A) while both Bagirov and Lein tried 11.f4!? , which makes good sense, even if g4 12.e1 xe2 13.xe2 d7 14.f5 ( rather than this gung-ho approach, White might try to exert some positional pressure with 14.fxe5 dxe5 15.a4! ) 14...f6
did seem pretty solid for Black in LeinGruzmann, Grieskirchen 1998.; B) 11.g3 would transpose to our last note, ] 10.xd6 cxd6 11.g3 d5 [ 11...e8!? would have allowed Black the possibility of 12.f3 exf3 13.xf3 g4 , but this still looks bad for him after 14.h5! .] 12.f3! Thematically blasting open lines. exf3 13.xf3 e4! Good defence from the young American, showing that it won't be so easy just to roll Black over on the kingside. 14.h5!? The most ambitious, keeping the knights on and so hoping to drive Black back after Rad1 and d3. f6 [ The solid response, but White's kingside play gives him a definite edge after this. A ke y que stio n is co u ld Black h a ve go n e 14...g5!? , b ase d on th e lin e 15.xg7 ( 15.xg7 g4! is an important point, when White must avoid 16.f6+ xg7 17.xg4? h5 ) 15...xd2 16.f4 f6 . After 17.xg5 fxg5 18.xf8+ xf8 19.h5 White keeps up t h e initia tive, b u t t his m igh t we ll b e tenable for Black, not least with the opposite bishops lurking in preparation for any endgame. ] 15.ad1 f7 16.d3 g5 [ At least the knight gets in the way of White's attack here, unlike after 16...d6? 17.xf6+! gxf6 18.g3+ ] [ or 16...c5? 17.a3 b6 18.d4 . ] 17.e2 g6 18.h1 Petrosian is in no hurry. Realising that his opponent will have grasped the opening has not gone well for Black, he avoids any tricks down the g-file while giving Black the chance to lash out. d7 [ 18...c5? was just the sort of aggressivelooking move that Black might have played in a bid to fight for the initiative, but Naroditsky is too good for such things and no doubt spotted 19.f4! f5 20.a3 b6 21.d4 when White will win at least a pawn. ] 19.f4 e6! [ With 19...a5 s i m p l y m e t b y 20.a4 it's not easy to find any counterplay for Black, but Naroditsky begins preparations for a gradual advance in the centre to stymie the dark-squared bishop. ] 20.h4!? A dangerous manoeuvre, even if my 97
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 machine isn't so impressed. Now everything will b e a im e d a t t h e b la ck kin g on ce t h e queen's rook comes across to join the party. ae8 21.f1 h8 [ Black might have wanted to return the knight to keep the second rook out, but there was no time f o r 21...g5? on account of 22.f4 f7 23.a3 , netting the exchange. ] 22.f3 This was by no means obligatory, but was clearly very consistent. The battle is clearly heating up: will White manage to crash through on the kingside being the big question. c5 23.g3? [ Obvious, but this falls into a masterful positional trap. White should have begin with 23.f2 , a n d i f t h e n g5 ( and not 23...f7?? 24.xf6! gxf6 25.xf6 ) 24.f4 f7 25.g3 , maintaining a rough balance. ] 23...f7 Observe how the knight on e6 defends g7, while the king's rook has stayed on f8 to help shore up the defence of f6. I might have been unimpressed with Black's p l a y i n t h e o p e n in g , b u t N a r o d it s ky h a s regrouped impressively since then. 24.f2 [ In view of what happens, one might wonder about 24.d1? to keep the knight covered, but then d4! 25.exd4 g6 26.f4 g5 is rather awkward. ] 24...d4! 25.exd4 [ 25.e4?? g6 was definitely not the way to go. White's aggressively-posted pieces are actually in a slight pickle and so Petrosian has to keep the long diagonal open. ] 25...g5! [ After 25...g6 26.dxc5! gxh5 27.f3 White would have three pawns and ongoing pressure for the piece, rather unclear though this would have been. Naroditsky prefers to force matters. ] 26.d5 d4! [ White is being outplayed by his young adversary. Here Naroditsky rightly went for glory and so rejected 26...gxh4 27.xf6+ g7 28.xg7 xf6 29.xf6 xf6 30.xh7+ xh7 31.xh4+ g7 32.g5+ g6 ( 32...f7! , and if 33.h3 f1+ 34.h2 f5 , looks a better try) 33.d2 when White surely has enough pawns to be the only side able to win the resulting endgame. ] 27.xd4! Again, the only real chance for
White. cxd4 28.xf6!? [ The ending after 28.xg5 e5 29.xe5 fxe5 30.xf7 xf7 31.g1 g4 32.g3 c7 would have been pretty bad for White, so Petrosian goes all in. ] 28...xf6 29.f3 [ Trying to bluff, whereas even if Naroditsky was down to just a 30-second increment h e ' d s u r e l y s p o t t e d 29.xd4 e1+! 30.xe1 xd4 . ] 29...f4?? [ A strange move and a terrible blunder, which leads me to suspect Black was very low on time, or just panicked having missed the sacrifice on f6. He had to avoid both 29...g7?? 30.xd4 ] [ and 29...e7?? 30.xd4+ , ] [ while 29...f5 30.xf5 xf5 31.xd4+ f6 32.xf6+ xf6 33.xf6+ g8 34.g1 would have left a tricky ending. ] [ However, there was a clear win available wit h the calm 29...g8! , and if 30.xf6 xf6 31.g1 ef8 when there's nothing to be done about ...Rf1. ] 30.h3 The bluff has paid off! By creating some luft W hite leaves Black unable to save his qu e e n (go in g t o d 6 d ro p s d 4 t o a r a t h e r terrible check). h6 31.xf4 xf4 32.d2 Black does have two rooks for the queen, but h i s k i n g i s s i m p l y f a r t o o e x p o s e d . g8 33.b4 e2 34.d6! xc2 35.g6+ [ Either all the kingside pawns fall or it's mate after 35.g6+ f8 36.a3+ . ] 1-0
103 Rapport,Richard Golod,Vitali Riga Tech op 4th (5) [Kosten, Tony]
A01 2704 2574 20.08.2014
1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 f6 4.b5 d6 5.a3 e7 Quite trendy, the bishop retreats so that Black can play ...d6. [ 5...a6 is also considered this month in Rapport, R (2704)-Onischuk, A (2659)/ Tromso 2014. ] [ While 5...e4 is seen in Jobava, B (2713)Dukaczewski, P (2288)/Tromso 2014. ] [ We've previously considered Sveshnikov's 98
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 5...a5 a lot, see the Archive. ] 6.c4 [ 6.e2 0-0 7.c4 Jobava, B (2710) Bacrot, E (2702) Fujairah City UAE 2012, could transpose after d6 8.xc6 bxc6 ] 6...d6 7.xc6+ bxc6 8.e2 This is a SuperGM position (!), as so far only very strong p l a y e r s h a v e r e a c h e d i t . 0-0 9.0-0 Black has the bishop pair and more space, but typical 'Spanish' doubled c-pawns, which occurs a lot in Larsen's Variation. W hite is ready to play either f4 or d4 to open the a1-h8 diagonal and weaken Black's central control. e8 A logical novelty, Black figures that the rook will always be useful on the e-file at some point, and defers deciding where to put his pawns or minor pieces. [ 9...c5 Alex didn't like this move, 10.d4! ( 10.f4 e4 Ivanchuk, V-Le Quang, L.) 10...exd4 11.exd4 Jobava, B-Jakovenko, D both games are in the PGN Archive ] [ 9...e6 was mentioned by Alex, "to get rid of the knight", 10.f4!? exf4 ( 10...xc4 11.bxc4 b8 12.b1 is a little better for W hit e be cause of his sup erio r bishop .) 11.xf4 d7 12.f3 with the usual aggressive kingside stance, Aravindh, C (2467)-Rausis, I (2578)/ Riga 2014, 1-0 (63). ] 10.g3 White also keeps his options open. [ Both 10.f4 ] [ and 10.d4 were possible. ] 10...e6 11.d3 d7 12.d2 A strange idea, do es he ju st wa nt t o kee p p ie ces o n t h e board? [ 12.e4 must be a little better for White. ] 12...a5!? A double-edged move as this pawn was safer on a7. 13.a4 Fixing the a5-pawn on a dark square, White certainly shouldn't allow it to advance as then Black would be able to e x c h a n g e o n e o f h i s w e a k n e s s e s . d5 14.c4 Back again? Does this mean that he felt his 12th move was wrong, or that he has tricked Black into weakening his a-pawn? c5 W h e n y o u h a ve t h e p a i r o f b i s h o p s yo u should always put your pawns on the same colour as your opponent's remaining bishop. 15.d2 Looking at a5. b4 A good move, but maybe it was time to move over to the offensive: [ 15...f5!? 16.xf5 ( 16.xa5?! f4 17.exf4
exf4 18.e4 f3 would be rather unpleasant.; 16.f4 exf4 17.exf4 was best. ) 16...xf5 17.e4 f4 18.exf5 xf5 would oblige W hite to guard against sacrifices on g2 - Black can never be worse here. ] 16.f4! f6 Solid. [ 16...exf4 17.h5! f6 18.e4 with similar play to the game. ] 17.e4 f8?! If Black has to play this then maybe his ...Re8 wasn't so good after all? [ 17...exf4 18.xf4 d5 19.exd5 xd5 20.e4 was similar to the game except that his rook was still on the useful open e-file. ] 18.f2 Getting ready to double rooks. [ 18.ae1 is more natural, but leaves the apawn undefended, xc4 19.dxc4 c6 20.f5 d4 still, White is better here. ] 18...exf4 19.xf4 d5!? Active, but it leaves Black's queenside very weak. 20.exd5 xd5 [ 20...xd5 21.af1 is also good for White. ] 21.e4 Something has gone very wrong for Black, as W hite's knight is now very strong and he has strong pressure on the e-line. f7 22.xa5 A pawn is a pawn! f5 23.xe7! [ 23.ee1 was also playable, but less pretty: f4 24.e4 b4 25.c4 xc4 26.dxc4 xd2 27.xd2 and Black has a little compensation for the pawn, but not much. ] 23...xe7 24.b7 g6 [ 24...d5 25.xc5 c6 was an alternative. ] 25.e1?! An inaccuracy. [ 25.xc5 d6 26.c3 f7 27.e1 was simpler. ] 25...f4?! Black returns the favour. [ 25...d5! stops White from playing Qc3, and 26.xc5 d6 is not completely clear. ] 26.xc5 Now White is back on track. c6 [ 26...d6 27.c3 f7 28.ge4 is little better. ] 27.c3 Defending c5 with gain of tempo. f7 28.e6 d5 29.e5 c6 30.ge4 All White's pieces are on active squares, and he also has two pawn for the exchange. f3 31.gxf3 xe4?! Now Black goes down without a fight. [ 31...d5 can be met by the neat tactic 32.xd5!? ( 32.d4 xe4 33.xe4 also keeps a plus.) 32...xd5 33.xg7+ xg7 34.f6+ f7 35.xd5 which must be 99
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 8.f4 d7 9.bc3 d5 10.a4 d6 11.e1 e7 12.h1 f6 and there was certainly nothing wrong with Black's position, although 1-0 (46) Rapport, R (2701)-Petersen, T (2334) Helsingor 2014. ] 5.a3 a6 Grabbing the bishop pair. [ Sveshnikov's 5...a5 is the mainline. ] [ 5...e7 is Rapport, R (2704)-Golod, V (2574) Riga 2014 ] [ and 5...e4 is seen in Jobava, B (2713)Dukaczewski, P (2288)/ Tromso 2014, both this month. ] 6.xc6 dxc6 7.c4 e7 8.a4!? Rapport's new idea , which he'd already tried a f e w months before. White hinders ...b5, and plans both a5, to fix Black's weakened queenside, and also possibly Nxd6 followed by Ba3. [ In his first outing with 1 b3, Rapport, R (2691)-So, W (2719) Wijk aan Zee 2014, he h a d p l a y e d t h e ' a u t o m a t i c ' 8.e2 which had been met by A) 8...0-0 is normal, 9.0-0 is Petrosian, TNaroditsky, D ( and 9.g3 b5 is Barnaure, V-Grunberg, M, both in the PGN Archive. ); B) 8...b5 9.xd6+ cxd6 10.a4 b4 11.0-0 0-0 12.g3 d5 13.f4 f6 when Black had equalised, and went on to win. ] 8...0-0 [ 8...b5!? is still possible, when 9.axb5 ( 9.xd6+ cxd6 10.e2 would transpose to his game against So.) 9...cxb5 10.xd6+ cxd6 11.e2 still looks fine for Black. ] 9.a5 [ 9.e2 e4 10.xd6 xd6 ( 10...cxd6 ) 11.g3 ( 11.d4 w i t h a t h r e a t ! exd3 12.xd3 xd3 13.cxd3 with a structural 104 A01 advantage, but opposite colour bishops.) 11...e8 12.0-0 ( 12.f3! exf3 13.xf3 Rapport,Richard 2704 is stronger, White is better.) 12...g4 13.f3 Onischuk,Alexander 2659 exf3 14.gxf3 h3 15.f2 ad8 16.e2 Tromsoe ol (Men) 41st (8.3) 10.08.2014 d5 17.h1 h6 18.g1 [Kosten, Tony] 1/2-1/2 Grandadam, N (2306)-Antoli Royo, J (2443) Biel 2014. ] 1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 f6 This is slowly 9...g4!? Onischuk's new move. taking over mainline status from [ 9...d7 10.e2 b5 illustrates the [ 3...d5 , especially for the elite, although I advantage of having the a-pawn on a5: can see no obvious reason for this. ] ( 10...e4!? ) 11.axb6 cxb6 12.xd6 xd6 4.b5 d6 13.d4 exd4 14.xd4 xd4 15.xd4 e5 [ 4...d6 is the main alternative, 5.xc6+!? 16.f3 e8 17.f2 a7 18.hd1 ae7 ( 5.e2 is Larsen, B-Eley, B, in the Rapport, R (2687)-Stevic, H (2611) Austria Archive. ) 5...bxc6 6.e2 e7 7.0-0 0-0 better for W hite with his 4 pawns for two exchanges. Still, Black must have some chances here. ] 32.xe4 xc3 33.xc3 g6 34.c5 This ending is lost for Black, W hite has 3 pawns for the exchange and active pieces. af8 [ 34...xf3?! 35.xc7 hits g7, and after f7 36.xf7 xf7 37.a5 the 4 connected passed pawns will triumph. ] 35.g5 [ 35.a5 was more incisive. ] 35...f5 Taking advantage of the opportunity to exchange a pair of rooks - this is nearly always advisable when you are an exchange ahead. 36.xf5 xf5 37.e4 xf3 38.a5 f8 39.b4 White has a 4 to 1 majority on the queenside, but the black c-pawn does a useful job of holding the white pawns up. Can Black find a way to hinder White from playing c4, b5 a n d a 6 wh e n h is p a wn c h a i n wi l l b e t o o strong? e7 [ 39...f4 looks more active, 40.d2 e2+ 41.g2 but d4 42.c4 transposes below. ] 40.d2 c6 41.g2 f7 This looks slow, but [ 41...d4 42.c4 should also be enough. ] 42.b5 d4 43.c4 b3 44.b4 d8 45.a6 Now it's cle ar t hat W hit e is win ning. e6 46.f2 xd3 47.d6! d1 [ 47...cxd6 48.a7 queens. ] 48.xc7 d7 49.e5 c1 50.b6 c2+ 51.g3 The white pawns can no longer be stopped. 1-0
100
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 2014, 1-0 (65), when 19.e2 followed by Rd6 assures W hite a considerable advantage - he can double rooks on the open d-file and maybe capture on e5 to avoid opposite bishops. ] 10.e2 d7 [ Or 10...e4 first. ] 11.0-0 e4 12.xd6 Ironing out Black's structure, and introducing opposite bishops, but making sure that the powerful b2-bishop has no counterpart. cxd6 13.f3!? Essentially White is swapping the g-pawn for the e-pawn, he gains the g-file and a central majority, but weakens his king position. [ 13.d3 is a good alternative. ] 13...exf3 14.gxf3 h3 15.f2 White will play Nf4 and Rg2 with a potentially strong attack on g7. How should Black react? e5 [ 15...fe8 16.f4 h4 17.xh3 xh3 18.g2 g6 19.f4 looks unpleasant for Black, sooner or later the white queen will get to the a1-h8 diagonal. ] [ 15...c5! 16.f4 ( 16.h1 f6 ) 16...f5 17.g2 g6 is a better way of blocking the g-file, Black has nothing to fear. ] 16.f4 [ 16.f4 also has it's points. ] 16...g6 [ 16...d7 17.g3 f6 18.e4 and Qf3 or Qh5 and the makings of a strong initiative. ] 17.f5 g5+ 18.g3 e5 19.a4!! This might not be the best move, but what a great way to bring your final piece into the game, and what a way to justify playing a4-5! [ 19.h5! is a l s o r a t h e r s t ro n g : xh5 20.xh5 menaces Ra4 to trap the bishop, g4 21.xe5 dxe5 22.g3 g6 23.a4 with advantage. ] 19...g4 [ 19...g6! 20.h1 f6 kept Black in the game, although he is still worse. ] 20.f1 f6?? Stopping White from advancing his f-pawn, but losing on the spot. [ 20...fe8 21.af4 d5 22.h3 is hardly any better. ] 21.xe5 [ 21.xe5 fxe5 22.c4+ wins the bishop. ] 1-0
105 Rasulov,Vugar Ural Oglu Mchedlishvili,Mikheil Baku op (5) [Fier, Alexandr]
A01 2488 2633 23.09.2013
White tries a solid double fianchetto, but 7... d5 changes the character of the position and it l o o ks l i k e B l a c k is f i n e . O n e p o s s i b l e improvement is 10... Bg4!? 1.b3 e5 2.b2 d6 Looking for a King's Indian setup 3.g3 g6 4.g2 g7 5.c4 e7 6.e3 0-0 7.e2 d5 Opening the position bef ore W hite has a chance to play d4, reaching a kind of structure similar to some Kan lines with ...g6. W hite needs to be careful about the white squares but, if nothing serious happens, he has a solid position. [ 7...bc6 if Black continues with the normal plan White can try to get some advantage with d4 8.0-0 f5 9.d4 and the knight on e7 is worse than on f6 ] 8.cxd5 xd5 9.0-0 [ 9.d4 c a n b e a b i t p r e m a t u r e c5!? forcing the center 10.dxc5 ( 10.dxe5 b4 11.f4 xd1+ 12.xd1 d8+ 13.c1 g5 and Black has the initiative. One possible continuation can be 14.a3 gxf4 15.axb4 fxe3 16.fxe3 cxb4 and Black has the better prospects ) 10...b4 11.0-0 ( 11.xd8 xd8 and White can't avoid both 12...Nc2 and 12...Nd3.) 11...xd1 12.xd1 c2 13.bc3 xa1 14.xa1 and White has compensation for the exchange but probably not more than enough. ] 9...c6 [ 9...b4?! does not work now since it's not possible to en te r in to d 3 10.d4 exd4 11.xd4 8c6 12.xg7 xg7 13.a3 and White has pressure on the queenside ] 10.a3 [ 10.d4 g4 is annoying ] 10...e6 [ 10...g4!? I like this move, and it can enter into an improved version of the position played in the game 11.h3 ( 11.bc3 xc3 12.xc3 d3 13.f3 e6 14.f4 g4 15.f2 ad8 and White is under pressure) 11...e6 12.d4 ( 12.c2 d7 now this move attacks the pawn on h3 13.h2 ad8 with some advantage to Black) 12...b6 101
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 13.dxe5 xd1 14.xd1 xb3 and White needs to work to equalize ] 11.c2 [ 11.d4 g4 again is possible and good ] 11...d7 12.d1 f5 [ 12...a5!? is more forcing, trying to put pressure on the queenside before W hite f in is h es his de velo pm e n t 13.b4 c4 14.xc4 ( 14.bc3 xb2 15.xb2 c6 ) 14...xe3 ( 14...f4 does not work 15.c2 xe2+ 16.f1 and the knight is trapped) 15.xe6 xe6 16.dxe3 b3 17.bc3 ad8 18.db1 with unclear consequences, d e s p i t e t h e c o m p u t e r' s p re f e r e n c e f o r Black. ] 13.bc3 Finally White's knight can get out a n d t h e p o s i t i o n i s c l o s e t o e q u a l . ad8 14.a4 [ 14.xd5 xd5 15.xd5+ xd5 16.d4 would probably bring a drawish endgame ] 14...f7 15.c5 c8 16.f4!? This move is in te re s ting, b ut it 's risky f o r W hite to le t himself get cramped after ...e4. [ 16.b4 is a normal move, searching for counterplay before Black's attack begins f4!? 17.c3 ce7 18.ac1 xc3 ( 18...fxg3 19.fxg3 does not help Black) 19.xc3 d5 20.c4 c6 with a complex middlegame ] 16...d6 [ 16...b6 is natural and both escapes are possible 17.d3 looking at e5 ( 17.a4 i s m o r e n o r m a l b7 18.ac1 e4 but at some point W hite might have p r o b l e m s t o c o n t i n u e h i s co u n t e r p l a y) 17...a6! 18.fxe5 xd3 19.xd3 xe5 ( 19...f4 looks scary but the queen still has o n e s q u a r e 20.b5 xe2+ 21.xe2 xe5= ) 20.c2 c5 with a harmonious position for Black ] 17.c3 [ 17.fxe5 xe5 18.f4 is a nice way to combat Black's central control ] 17...xc3 [ 17...exf4! was tempting 18.xd5 ( 18.gxf4 d4! 19.exd4 xd4+ 20.h1 xc5 21.xd5 xd5 with a pawn up) 18...xb2 19.xb2 xd5 20.xd5 ( 20.b4 fxg3 21.hxg3 d6 ) 20...xd5 21.b4 fxg3 22.b3 ( 22.hxg3? f3-+ ) 22...gxh2+ 23.xh2 xb3 24.xb3 e5 and the position is not clear, but in the long
term Black's pawns can prove more important than the exchange. ] 18.xc3 e4 Closing the Bishop, but White still has the f1-a6 diagonal at his disposal. 19.f1 h8 20.b4 xc3 21.xc3+ g7 The weakness of the d-pawn is not enough for Black to try anything serious. Meanwhile White can try to use the c-file for his rooks. After all the position is about equal 22.f2 [ 22.ac1 xc3 23.xc3 fd8 24.b3 e7! 25.xc7? d5 and 26...Nxe3 is coming ] 22...fd8 23.e1 e7 24.ac1 xc3 25.xc3 d5 Now it's hard for anyone to make progress. 26.cc1 c6 27.b3 g7 28.a5 f6 29.c4 6d7 30.e5 d6 31.c4 b6 32.b5 cxb5 33.xb5 e6 34.c7 d5 35.cc1 e7 36.c4 ½-½
106 Rebel Century Nimzo 7.32 Cadaques Tournament (12) [Tony Kosten]
A01
28.01.2000
1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 d5 4.b5 d6 5.f3 [ A rare alternative to 5.f4 or ] [ 5.c4 ] 5...e7 [ 5...f6 would be my preference, I think, firmly defending the e5-pawn. ] 6.c4 f6 7.c5 the point of White's opening, swapping the c-pawn for Black's e-pawn. xc5 8.xe5 0-0 9.xc6 bxc6 10.xc6 [ And why not? The 10.e2 d6 11.0-0?! e4 12.c3 f5 is fine for Black, Zwaig,APoulsson,E/Sandefjord 1975, but 11 d3 might offer White something. ] 10...b8 11.c3 [ This new move appears to be a sound idea, the knight can come to e2 if necessary, so that W hite can castle if the black bishop comes to a6. 11.f3 d6 12.a4 g4 13.g3 a6 14.f3 also seems good for White, as the white queen didn't prove too exposed, Wolf,W-Wrobel,F/Germany 1990/ GER-chT2. ] 11...e6 12.a4 One problem for White is 102
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 the offside position of this piece. a6 13.e2 d6 14.f3 d7 The knight wants to come to c5, threatening intrusion on d3, and the bishop on a4. 15.xd7 Probably best, but now Black has the bishop pair, and the weak white light squares offer him some compensation for the pawn. xd7 16.0-0 fe8 17.e1 c5 18.c1 d8 19.f4 d4 A typical pawn thrust in such p o s i t i o n s , t h e h a n g i n g b l a c k p a wn s a r e s t a t i c a l ly we a k , b u t d yn a m i ca l ly st ro n g . 20.g3 a5 21.c2 b7 22.a1 a6 23.b2 c6 An odd position, both computers are lining-up on the opposing g-pawn, like two patzers. 24.d3 f6 25.e4 dxe3 26.c4 I n d i r e c t l y d e f e n d i n g t h e f - p a w n . bd8 27.xe3 xf4 Aiming for a drawn oppositec o l o u r b i s h o p e n d i n g . 28.xf6+ xf6 29.xe8+ xe8 30.xf6 gxf6 31.xf4 e1+ 32.f1 e2 Both sides are obliged to repeat moves. 33.f2 e1+ 34.f1 e2 35.f2 e1+ 36.f1 ½-½
success, his pieces are well-placed, and he is r e a d y t o e x p a n d w i t h . . . d 5 . 16.e4 Aiming for the weak g5-square, Black's sixth move has a cost! d5 17.cxd5 cxd5 18.g5 c8 19.h4 c6?! [ Perhaps 19...f6!? should be considered? ] 20.c5! Black's last move weakened his co nt rol of d 5 , a nd W h it e wa st es no tim e la t c h i n g o n t o i t . d4 21.exd4 cxd4 22.xd4 xd4 23.e1 g4? [ Black should certainly defend e5 more s e c u r e l y , a l t h o u g h 23...e8 24.f4 is favourable to White. ] 24.exe5! A powerful exchange sac, to deprive Black of his key dark-squared bishop. xe5 25.xe5 c8 [ This doesn't last long, but Black is probably l o s i n g a n y w a y , 25...b6 avoids White gaining a tempo with his rook, but even so, 26.e4 fd8 27.h6 threatening Ng5, is decisive, ] [ 25...c6 may be the best, as the knight is no longer a target, but 26.d5 e7 27.e4 f6 28.f4 f5 and now, 29.d6 107 A01 i s t h e s i m p l e s t , xe4 30.xe4 g7 31.xf6 winning. ] Sasikiran,Krishnan 2573 Shabalov,Alexander 2601 26.d5 e2+ 27.h2 c7 28.e4 f5 [ 28...f6 is only a slight improvement: 34th Olympiad (4) 31.10.2000 29.xf6+ xf6 30.xf6 ] [Tony Kosten] 29.h6 [ 29.h6 h7 30.xh7+ xh7 31.d7+ 1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 a6!? forces mate. ] Clearly played to stop Bb5, but not especially useful. 4.c4 g6 5.c3 g7 6.g3 1-0 W hite brings play into a hybrid English Opening where the black ...a6-move seems 108 A01 out-of-pace. h5!? Spraggett,Kevin 2495 [ A typical, aggressive, move in such Dorfman,Josif D 2575 p o s i t i o n s , b u t a n e w m o v e h e r e , 6...d6 1991 7.g2 f5 8.ge2 f6 is more typical, with France chances for both sides, Degenhardt, H- [Tony Kosten] Berndt,M/Germany 1996. ] 1.b3 d5 2.b2 g4 Black decides to play in 7.g2!? d6 [ 7...h4 would justify his previous move, but the style of the Capablanca line against the Reti. 3.h3 Black has decided to keep the pawn on h5. ] [ 3.g3 Is also logical, when c5!? ( 3...c6 8.h3 h6 4.g2 d7 5.f3 Transposes directly into [ Now 8...h4 can be answered by 9.g4 ] a main line Reti, e.g. gf6 6.0-0 c7 7.d4 9.d3 0-0 10.d2 d7 11.ge2 White has a e6 8.bd2 d6 9.c4 Minasjan,A-Akopian, harmonious set-up, much employed by V/USSR 1991.) 4.g2 c6 5.f3 e6 Howard Staunton. b8 12.c1 f5 13.d5 Leads to a standard type of position, with ce7 14.0-0 c6 15.dc3 e6 the exception that the black light-squared Black's opening seems to be a reasonable 103
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 bishop is outside the pawn chain. 6.e5 xe5 7.xe5 f6 8.c4 e7 9.c3 0-0 offering a pawn sacrifice that W hite was loathe to accept, Tu Hoang ThongNogueiras,J/Yerevan (ol) 1996. ] 3...h5 4.f3!? Provocative, [ 4.g3!? would be safer, with a likely transposition to the Reti Opening. ] 4...xf3! 5.exf3 White gains the bishop pair, bu t his pa wn st ru ct ure lo ses som e of it s elasticity. [ Ca p tu rin g to ward t h e ce nt re, b y 5.gxf3 i s n o b e t t e r e6 6.e3 f6 7.f4 g6 Black places his pawns carefully on light squares. 8.f3 g7 is level, BucholzMakarychev, Mexico 1977 ] 5...f6 6.f4 e6 7.g3 g6! This is the same p l a n a s i n t h e n o t e t o m o ve f i v e . B l a c k constructs a light-squared blockade, and is particularly careful to stop White from playing f5, which would liquidate his doubled pawn. 8.e2 bd7 9.g2 c6 White was threatening to capture on d5. 10.0-0 g7 11.d4 The owner of the bishop pair often puts his pawns on the same colour squares as his opponent's remaining bishop, in order to inhibit it. 0-0 12.d1 a5 13.a4 The position is reasonably level, as with such a relatively static structu re, knigh ts are th e equ al o f bishops. b6 14.d2 a6 15.e1 A slight concession, but White doesn't want to play the endgame. fc8 16.f3 The knight is c o m i n g t o t h e s t r o n g o u t p o s t o n e 5 . b5 Black continues his light-squared campaign. 17.e5 b4 18.g4 Black is making headway on the queenside, so White decides to make a d e m o n s t ra t i o n o n t h e o t h e r wi n g . b7 19.e2 ab8 20.e1 e8! Careful defence f r o m B l a c k - W h i t e wa s l i n i n g - u p a N xf 7 sacrifice. 21.h4 h5 22.f3?! White is trying to maintain his pawn flexibility, but [ 22.g5!? is tempting, gaining considerable s p a c e o n t h e k i n g s i d e , h7 23.f3 and White can prepare a sacrifice on h5. ] 22...c5 Now that the white kingside is weaker, Black can afford to open the centre. 23.ac1 c7 24.h1 c4!? offering a pawn sacrifice that W hite is under pressure to accept, as Black's queenside pawns are threatening to swamp W hite's b2-bishop. 25.bxc4 dxc4 26.xc4 xc4 27.xc4 ec8 28.f1! b6
29.xb6 xb6 Not only has Black gained the d5-square for his knight, he has also lef t W h it e's b isho p s lo oking m isp la ce d . 30.f5 This is White's best chance, ridding himself of the doubled pawn. hxg4 31.fxg4 xg4 32.fxe6 xe6?! Keeping all the rooks on the board by [ 32...fxe6 was more accurate. ] 33.xe6 fxe6 34.a6?! [ 34.c4 had to be played. ] 34...c7 35.c4? f2+ 36.g2 d3 Black is winning material. 37.b1 xb2 38.xb2 xd4 39.b3 Without the rooks this would be a draw, because of the oppositecolour bishops, but with the rooks, it is a different matter, altogether. h7 40.g3 f6 41.c8 f7 42.e3 e5 43.c5 White is unable to hold his h-pawn, as [ 43.e4 is met by b3 forcing the rook to move off the fourth rank. ] 43...xh4+ 44.f3 e7! 45.xe5 h5! B l a c k h a s co rr e ct ly wo rk e d - o u t t h a t t h e b i s h o p e n d i n g i s n o w wi n n i n g, b e c a u s e Black's two passed pawns are too far apart. 46.xh5 gxh5 47.c6 d6 48.e4 f6 49.h3 c7 50.g2 e6 51.d4 d6 52.c4 h4 53.d4 b6+ 54.c4 e5 The king goes towards the h4-pawn, to help it queen. if the white king follows, then the bpawn will advance, to deflect it. Notice that the black a5-pawn is the right rook's pawn! 55.h3 c7 56.d7 e4 57.e6 e5 58.d7 f4 59.d3 g3 60.e2 h3 61.e6 g2 0-1
109 Svidler,Peter Nielsen,Peter Heine Politiken Larsen Blitz b3 blitz (6) [Nigel Davies]
A01 2734 2700 04.08.2010
1.b3 d5 2.b2 g4 A popular and supposedly solid method of defence, though there are things that White can try. 3.f3 h5 4.h3 Aiming to gain the bishop pair with Nh3f4. This looks like a reasonable plan for White, though he has to be careful about the opening of the h-file and his potential vulnerability along the b8-h2 diagonal. e6 Some strong 104
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 players have tried o ther m oves he re, f o r example: [ a) 4...f6 5.d4 e6 6.e4 b4+ 7.c3 d6 8.d3 c6 9.d2 e7 10.e2 e5!? 11.dxe5 xe5 12.g4 g6 13.f4 d6 14.0-0-0 gave White some initiative in Oral, T (2565)-Gyimesi, Z (2613)/Germany 2005. ] [ b) 4...c6 5.f4 g6 6.xg6?! (W hite could certainly have delayed this exchange) hxg6 7.d4?! ( 7.e3 was better W hite doesn't realise the danger to his kingside ) 7...e6 8.g3 d6 9.f4 g5! 10.e3 gxf4 11.exf4 g5 put White in serious trouble in Ask, J (2191)-Brynell, S (2471)/ Helsingor 2009. ] 5.f4 g6 6.e3 [ Another mode of development is with 6.g3 after which f6 7.xg6 hxg6 8.g2 d6 9.0-0 bd7 10.c4 e7 11.d4 was quite pleasant for W hite because of his bishop pair in Ibragimov, I (2485)-Novikov, I (2550)/ Moscow 1991/URS-ch. ] 6...f6 7.xg6 hxg6 8.f4 d6 [ T h e d a n g e r o u s l o o k i n g 8...e4 can be answered by 9.g4 . ] 9.f3 e7 10.c3 c6 11.e4 dxe4 12.xe4 a3 13.d4 bd7 14.g3?! Developing rather too slowly after which Black opens up the centre. [ 14.e2 would have been better. ] 14...e5 15.xf6+ gxf6 16.e3 exf4 17.xf4 c5 18.f2?! Leaving White's king in permanent danger. [ 18.0-0-0 was better. ] 18...xe3+ Perhaps the clock played a part in Black's willingness to enter and endgame. [ 18...h5! would have been much stronger because of the ongoing danger to White's king. ] 19.xe3 xe3+ 20.xe3 f5 21.g2?! [ 21.e2 followed by 22.h4 would have been better. ] 21...f6 22.f3 0-0-0 23.d3 de8+ [ 23...h3 was stronger. Now White should have been OK, but then again this is a blitz game. ] 24.d2 g4 25.h4 f6 26.ae1 xe1 27.xe1 d7 28.f2 d6 29.c3 a5 30.a4 d5?! 31.xd5 cxd5 32.e3 e5 33.d4+ f6 34.c4 e8+ 35.d3 e4 36.cxd5 g4 This looks like a win on time as White is on
top here. 0-1
110 Svidler,Peter Nielsen,Peter Heine Politiken Larsen Blitz b3 blitz (2) [Nigel Davies]
A01 2734 2700 04.08.2010
1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 d5 Occupying the centre like this is a principled way to play the position, though the broad pawn centre also brings obligations in its wake. 4.b5 d6 5.f3 [ There are alternatives to this sensible move, for example 5.f4 ] [ and 5.e2 . ] 5...e7 [ 5...g4 is a solid alternative, see Valejo Pons - Gustafsson for details. ] 6.c4 a6 7.xc6+ [ After 7.a4 Black has an interesting possibility in b5!? 8.cxb5 b4 9.bxa6+ f8 with dangerous compensation for the pawn. ] 7...bxc6 8.c5! An excellent idea which takes out Black's important e5 pawn and leaves him with weaknesses along the c-file. W hite is b e t t e r n o w . xc5 9.xe5 b7 10.0-0 On the other hand this seems too automatic. [ 10.c2! looks much better, one of the p o i n t s b e i n g t h a t f6 can be met by ( 10...f6 is better ) 11.xc6! xc6 12.a3 , winning back the piece with a pawn as interest. ] 10...d6 11.f3 [ \/A wild gambler might well take a chance on 11.xc6!? xc6 12.c2 b7 13.xg7 e5 14.xh8 xh8 15.c3 , though Rybka likes White's position a lot more than I do. ] 11...f6 12.d3 c5 13.bd2 0-0 14.c2 fe8 [ The immediate 14...a5 would have been more incisive. Now the c5 pawn comes under fire and White gets an edge. ] 15.ac1 a5 16.a3 a6 Black is scrambling here. [ 16...d7 is strongly met by 17.d4 cxd4 18.xd6 cxd6 ( 18...xd6 19.xc7 is strong ) 19.xd4 with a clear advantage 105
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 for White because of his queenside pawn majority. ] 17.xc5 xc5 18.xc5 xd3 19.fe1 a4 Understandably trying to exchange off some pawns rather than get passively tied down to c7. [ After 19...xc5 20.xc5 e7 21.ec1 a7 22.d4 Black's position would be desperate. ] 20.xc7 axb3 21.xe7 xe7 22.axb3 g6 23.a1 ea7 24.xa7 xa7 25.h3 A bit slow. [ 25.e5 would have been much stronger. Now Black's rook takes up residence on the 7th rank. ] 25...a2 26.c1 b2 27.c3 e4 28.c8+ g7 29.c7 xf3 30.xf3 e4 31.e5 xf2 32.b4 g8 33.c6 [ 33.d7 would have been a slightly better try. ] 33...b2 34.e7+ g7 35.xd5 h5 36.c4? g3? [ Missing 36...b1+ 37.h2 d2 when W hite is face with the threats of ... Nxc4 and ...Nf1+ and goes a pawn down after 38.d4 f1+ 39.g1 xe3+ 40.f2 xd5 41.xd5 xb4 Admittedly he should drawn the rook and pawn endgame but it wouldn't be especially pleasant. ] 37.h4 f5 38.f4 d2 39.e4 d4 40.h2 b2 41.e5 c6 42.e4 d2 43.f4 d4 44.b5 xb5 45.e6 fxe6 46.xe6 d6 47.xd6 xd6 ½-½
fails to xd5 ] 8.fd2 e8 9.c4 f8 10.c3 d6 A logical move to which White responds with abandon. Somehow it seems to be a mistake! [ 10...d5 is more aggressive and keeps the bishop on b2 hemmed in. There could follow 11.cxd5 b4 12.0-0 bxd5 ] 11.a3 To stop ...Nb4, although this was probably unnecessary. Black responds with a loss of time, so it evens out. a6?! 12.g4! Why not? This is the reason for including this game. Remarkably, Black faces real troubles concerning g5 and Nxe4. The move g4 is being played in every kind of position these days! h8 [ 12...h6 13.h4 e7 ( 13...g5 14.hxg5 hxg5 15.c2 xg4 16.g1! leads to a powerful attack, e.g., xe2 17.xg5+ g7 18.xe2! h7 19.g2 f5 20.ag1 e7 21.d5 f7 22.f4 and Nh5 or a welltimed d5 wins. )] 13.h4! b5 Trying to divert White. There's nothing to be done about g5. 14.g5 g8 15.cxb5 axb5 16.xb5 [ 16.cxe4! is also very strong. ] 16...d7 17.dxe4 d5 18.g3 b8 19.d3 W hite is winning. A smooth attack follows. c8 20.c2 ce7 21.d3 g6 22.h5 g7 [ 22...f5 23.xf5 xf5 24.xf5 gxf5 25.d2 ] 23.hxg6 fxg6 24.0-0-0 c6 25.ce2 f5 26.f4 ge7 27.xg6+ xg6 28.xf5 xf5 29.xf5 e6 30.f7 1-0
111
112
Tumini,Juan Pedro Samur,Arturo IRT Eduardo Orosco (10) [John Watson]
A01 2142 2164 17.03.2005
In a game between two lower-rated players, Black shows another solid setup but then overextends. 1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 f6 4.d4 b4+ 5.c3 d6 Now we have a strange variant of Black's setup from the previous game. 6.f3 0-0 7.e2 e4!? Committal. [ 7...exd4 8.exd4 ( 8.cxd4 b4+ 9.c3 d5= ) 8...e8 9.0-0 f4!? with ...d5 next yie ld s s p a ce an d equ alit y, sin ce 10.d5?
Vaisser,Anatoli Flear,Glenn C FRA-chT poule haute (10) [Jonathan Rowson]
A01 2573 2489 10.05.2004
1.b3 d5 2.b2 g4 3.f3 [ 3.d3 An early b3 combined with d3 raises a tactical issue that I f irst learned f rom a game between Josh W aitzkin and Victor Kortchnoi: e6 4.d2 c6 5.gf3 f6 6.h3 xf3 7.xf3 a3! 8.xa3 a5+ and Black equalises. ] [ 3.f3 A simpler way to play, and if Black responds too automatically he runs into 106
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 some trouble: xf3 4.exf3 f6 5.g3 g6?! This is quite a standard way to try to neutralise the bishop on b2, but here there is a tactical problem. ( 5...e6 6.g2 g6! The move e6 is not entirely wasted, because it supports the centre, and Black has a very comfortable position here e.g. 7.0-0 g7 8.f4 0-0 9.d3 e8 10.xg7 xg7 11.d2 d7 12.f3 c6 ) 6.e2! Causing some annoying tactical problems. The reason I c h o s e t o s h a r e t h is ga m e is t h a t wh il e figuring out how Black could prevent the two threats- Bxf6 and Qb5+ I found a pleasing idea that is obviously bad, but is still somehow elegant: A) 6...d7!! 7.b5+ ( 7.h3+ e6 8.0-0 is presumably much better for White, but at le a s t B la ck d o e sn 't lo se m a t e ria l!) 7...c8; B) 6...bd7 7.xf6 xf6 8.b5+; C) 6...g7 7.b5+ bd7 8.xb7 0-0 9.h3 e6 10.0-0 c5 11.a6 Black never quite achieves adequate compensation. c7 12.e2 ab8 13.d3 e8 14.xg7 xg7 15.d2 d6 16.c4 fe8 17.f4 d4 18.f3 a5 19.e5 f6 20.xd7 xd7 21.fe1 f7 22.d2 b4 23.ab1 a4 24.bxa4 xa4 25.e2 f5 26.g2 e7 27.e1 d6 28.b5 a6 29.b1 ea7 30.h4 c7 31.f3 d6 32.b3 f6 33.eb2 a3 34.g2 xb3 35.axb3 a3 36.b4 cxb4 37.xb4 a5 38.b8 a2 39.a8 xa8 40.xa8 xa8 41.b6 1-0 Rogers, I (2570)-Stripunsky, A (2475)/ New York 1998. ] 3...h5 4.h3!? [ 4.e4!? is a curious Gambit idea examined in some detail by Odessky. c6! is simplest, with an obscure Caro-Kann where Black is fine, e.g. ( 4...dxe4 5.e2! intending Qb5+ to pick up the bishop on h5 is complexsee Odessky's book for details.) 5.e2 e6 6.exd5 cxd5 7.b5+ d7 8.h3 is mentioned by Odessky, but he readily admits that it is dangerous only for White if Black simply develops normally and heads for the ending. ] [ 4.g3!? intending Bg2 and perhaps f4 later. ] [ 4.e3 intending Ne2. ] 4...f6 [ 4...e6 also looks fine e.g. 5.f4 g6
6.h4!? The enjoyable thing about 1b3 is that it allows you to explore such obscure lines. d6 7.e3 ( 7.xg7 xf4 8.xh8 g3# ) 7...f6 8.g4 e5! ] 5.d4 d7 It's not clear that this was a knights before bishops moment. [ 5...e6 6.f4 f7 7.e4 b4+!? 8.c3 d6 was an idea tried by Hungarian GM Zoltan Gyimesi, and looks comfortable for Black. ] 6.c3 c6 7.e4 e6 8.e2 e7 9.0-0-0 White appears to have some initiative. 0-0-0 10.f4 f7 11.d3 h5 12.a4 h6 13.b1 e8 14.c4 b8 15.c5 g5 16.h4 gxh4 17.exd5 exd5 18.d2 g6 19.e1 f7 20.a5 e8 21.c1 a8 22.b2 f5 23.b6+ xb6 24.cxb6 a6 25.xe8+ xe8 26.f4 b8 27.xa6 bxa6 28.e1 c8 29.xg6 g8 30.f4 d6 31.e6 xf4 32.xf4+ b7 33.xf6 xg2+ 34.a3 d7 35.c5 e2 36.e5 xe5 37.dxe5 h3 38.e6 d6 39.f7+ b8 40.xd6+ xd6 41.h7 1-0
113 Vaisser,Anatoli Gozzoli,Yannick ch-FRA NatB Belfort FRA (3) [Nigel Davies]
A01 2515 2520 11.08.2010
1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 f6 4.b5 d6 An interesting plan that has found favour with some strong players. The d6 square isn't such a natural place for Black's bishop but it does the job of developing whilst protecting e5. 5.e2 a6 6.xc6 dxc6 7.d3 Sensibly posting his pawns on the opposite colour to the remaining bishop. [ After 7.bc3 B l a c k c a n t r y e4!? , f or exam ple 8.g3 e7 9.e2 0-0 10.0-0-0 a3 11.xa3 xa3+ 12.b1 e8 13.f3 exf3 14.gxf3 a5 suddenly gave Black a very dangerous attack in Bischoff, K (2533) -Sutovsky, E (2604)/Essen 2001. Vaisser seems to be very well aware of the possibility of ...e5-e4 so sets about preventing it. ] 7...e7 8.e4 [ Preventing ....Bd6-a3 with 8.a3 looks like a waste of time and after e4 9.d2 exd3 107
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 10.cxd3 e5 11.xe5 xe5 12.h3 c5 13.c1 b6 14.0-0 b7 Black had a very comfortable game in Sokolowski, R (2089)Malaniuk, V (2522)/ Koszalin 2007. ] [ On the other hand 8.d2 a3 also seems ve ry c o m f o rt a b le f o r B la ck a f t e r 9.xa3 xa3 10.0-0 g4 11.f3 e6 12.d4 exd4 13.xd4 0-0-0 14.e2 he8 , all of which was played in Vaisser, A (2542)-Maze, S (2553)/ Pau 2008. ] 8...d7 9.0-0 0-0 10.d2 The position now looks more like an Exchange Variation of the Spanish (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6) than a Larsen's Opening. And I prefer W hite here because of his nice pawn lever with f2-f4. c5 11.f4 g4 12.f5 f6 13.h3 xe2 14.xe2 a5 15.a3 b5 16.h1 d7 17.a4 fb8 18.a2 bxa4 19.xa4 b6 20.a2 a4 Black hurries to exchange off his queenside weaknesses, but he's always going to be worse. 21.bxa4 xa4 22.xa4 xa4 23.a1 b4 24.b1 f8 25.c4 c3 26.xc3 xc3 27.xb8 xb8 Despite the simplification the position is still very dangero us f or Bla ck b eca use of the wa y queen and knight cooperate well, especially against a weakened king. Black does pretty well to defend himself so easily. 28.d1 b4 29.g3 g6 30.fxg6 This could probably have waited. hxg6 31.g4 g7 32.h4 e1 33.h5 g3 34.g2 f4 35.f3 c3 36.b1 h6 37.hxg6 xg6 38.e2 d4 39.e1 g5 40.h1 g6 41.f3 c3 42.d1 g5 43.e3 xe3 44.xe3 g6 45.f3 ½-½
11.e2 f5 12.g4 f4 13.e4 exd5 14.c4 f6 15.f5 b5 was quite unclear in Rogers, I (2594)-Gormally, D (2472)/ Caleta 2005. ] 8.c3 This seems to be a theoretical novelty, not something that often happens on the 8th move of other openings. Alternatives are as follows: [ a) 8.xc6+ bxc6 9.d3 0-0 10.d2 a5 11.a4 e8 12.0-0 d7 13.e4 was slightly better for White in another game from the L a r se n 's O p e n in g t h e m e d b lit z m a t c h , Svidler, P (2734)-Nielsen, P (2700)/ Copenhagen DEN 2010 ] [ b) 8.c4 0-0 9.xc6 ( 9.cxd5 b4 will regain the pawn with some initiative for Black ) 9...bxc6 10.c5 xc5 11.xe5 is tempting but not really that great f o r White ] [ c) After 8.0-0 0-0 White should really capture on c6 because 9.d3?! b4 10.e2 c6 causes unexpected embarrassment to his bishop. ] 8...e4 [ 8...a6 looks better, just keeping his e- and d-pawns united. Now White gets an edge. ] 9.e2 a6 10.xc6+ bxc6 11.d3 exd3 12.cxd3 0-0 13.0-0 e8 14.a4 e6 15.ac1 d7 16.h1 [ Obviously White is not going to fall for 16.xc6 h2+ etc. ] 16...c5 17.d4 cxd4 18.xd4 h4 19.f3 g5 20.c5 xc5 21.xc5 c6 22.d4 a5 23.g4 xg4 24.hxg4 Black is worse in this endgame because of his inferior pawn structure and the fact he has to fight against White's bishop with his knight. Many moves of 114 A01 suffering result in defeat. a4 25.b4 b8 Vallejo Pons,Francisco 2703 26.a3 f8 27.h2 b6 28.xb6 xb6 Gustafsson,Jan 2640 29.c5 a6 30.fc1 e7 31.g3 h6 d6?! After White's reply Black 38th World Open (2) 30.06.2010 32.1c3 can't hold his d5 pawn. [Nigel Davies] [ 32...g6 would have been more tenacious. ] 1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 d5 4.b5 d6 33.b5 cxb5 34.xb5 e5 35.f4+ f6 5.f3 g4 [ This seems to be more solid than 5...e7 36.xd5 ac6 37.cd3 c2 38.f3 a2 g6 40.a5 b6 41.xa4 . White gets the bishop pair but will probably 39.f5+ After the fall of this second pawn it starts to be giving them back. ] look like a question of time. bb2 42.a6+ 6.h3 xf3 7.xf3 f6 [ 7...ge7 is and interesting alternative, for h7 43.g3 g2 44.g5 hxg5 45.fxg5 af2+ example 8.c4 0-0 9.cxd5 b4 10.a3 a6 46.g4 g1 47.a4 fg2 48.f5 h2 108
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 49.h4+ xh4 50.gxh4 f1+ 51.g4 52.f3 a1 53.h5 h1 54.d5 55.f2 h4 56.a5 f6 57.gxf6 58.g3 e4 59.f3 h4 60.e4 61.f5 h3+ 62.g4 xa3 63.xf6+ 64.e5 a1 65.h6+ h7 66.f5 67.e6 a6+ 68.f5 a2 69.e6 70.f7+ xh6 71.e7 f2+ 72.e6 73.d7 1-0
115 Williams,Simon Kim Ledger,David 2nd Big Slick GM (7) [Nigel Davies]
g1+ h3+ gxf6 h6 g7 a2 e2 e2+
A01 2520 2245 01.07.2011
1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 d6 4.b5 d7 5.f3 e7 6.0-0 h5?! Not surprisingly this is a new move and it's kind of difficult to understand Black's motives. [ 6...f6 is the sensible move after which 7.d4 exd4 8.exd4 a6 would give Black a solid if slightly cramped game. ] 7.d4 f6? Another rather astonishing move which is testimony to the effectiveness of taking the right opponent 'out of book'. [ 7...e4 8.fd2 f6 has to be the sensible way to play this position, and Black can argue that the pawn on h5 might give him some attacking chances. ] 8.d3 h6 9.c4 f8 10.dxe5 fxe5 11.c3 e8 12.d5 d8 13.e4 ce7?! [ Officially I suppose this is a mistake and th a t I s h ou ld b e reco mm e nd in g 13...f6 . Unofficially it probably just saves Black from unnecessary suffering. ] 14.xe5! dxe5 15.f4 This Larsen's opening su d de n ly lo o ks mo re like a 1 9t h ce nt u ry K in g 's G a m b it . B la c k i s ge t t in g k ille d o f course... xd5 16.xd5 e6 17.fxe5+ e8 18.d4 c6 19.a3 b6 20.f8# 1-0
116 Williams,Simon Kim Mista,Aleksander TCh-Top 12 2011 (10) [Nigel Davies]
A01 2520 2569 04.06.2011
1.b3 e5 2.b2 c6 3.e3 f6 4.b5 d6 5.h3 Fifteen (!) different moves have been tried in this position, the text being one of the rarer choices. [ Even less frequent, but possibly of some appeal to Englishmen, is the hyperaggressive 5.g4!? for example a6 ( 5...0-0 6.c3 b4!? 7.g5 xc3 8.dxc3 e4 9.h4 d5 was rather good for Black in Arencibia Rodriguez, W (2534) -Efimov, I (2465)/ S a i n t V i n c e n t 2 0 0 1) 6.f1 ( 6.d3 strikes me as being 'logical', getting ready for Nc3, Qe2 and castling long) 6...h6 7.g2 e7 8.d3 d5 9.h3 e6 10.e2 d7 11.d2 0-0-0 12.a3 h5 13.g5 h7 14.h4 brought about a Hippo set up with an extended fianchetto on the kingside in Vitor, A (2365)-Oral, T (2535)/Ortigueira 2005. Perhaps this isn't a bad way to play if you like to improvise over the board. ] 5...a6 6.e2 e7 7.d4 [ The most thematic looking pawn lever here is 7.f4 but after d6 8.f2 exf4 9.exf4 0-0 White is left wishing his f-pawn was back on f2 and his knight was on f3. ] 7...exd4 8.exd4 d5 9.f4 d6 10.d3 The net result of the opening hasn't been very f avourable f or W h ite . B lack's p iec es are simply better placed for this kind of pawn struct ure . 0-0 11.0-0 e8 12.d2 e4 13.f3 a3 [ Black might also have tried delaying this with 13...f6 but after 14.c4 a3 15.c1 xb2 16.xb2 e6 17.f4 White is doing OK. ] 14.xa3 c3 15.d2 xe2+ 16.h1 exd4 Winning a pawn, but White is going to get some play for it but basically he's struggling to draw. 17.xd4 xd4 18.f4 b5 19.b2 g5 20.ad1 c6 21.c4 A tough decision. Whittling away Black's d5 pawn certainly gives White more play, but on the other hand there are now new weaknesses on c4 and a2. dxc4 22.bxc4 c7 23.d6 e7 24.d4 After this Black 109
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 seems to get White's initiative under raps. [ 24.h5!? looks critical after which xd6 25.xd6 g4 ( 25...f6 26.xf6 ) 26.xg7 e2 27.f6 may give White enough counterplay in the endgame. ] 24...f6 25.b6 f5 26.c3 e6 27.fe1 f7 Missing his chance. [ 27...c5 28.xc5 xc5 leaves Black well on top in the endgame. ] 28.e2 g5 29.g3 c2 30.xe8+ xe8 31.d8 h5 32.h4 e4 33.xe4 xe4 The disappearance of the knights makes the position very drawish. If rooks and queens also come off it will be a dead draw. 34.f3 g6 35.xe8+ xe8 36.xb7 ½-½
117 Antoshin,Vladimir S Panchenko,Alexander N USSR [Tony Kosten]
A02
1983
1.f4 e5 From's Gambit may be one reason that Bird's Opening is not that popular. 2.fxe5 White takes the 'bull by the horns', [ 2.d3 is an alternative which entails less risk, c6 ( 2...exf4 3.xf4 d5 4.f3 f6 5.d2 Hort-Bronstein, Amsterdam 1994, is also fine for Black.) 3.f3 d6 4.e4 W hite has engineered a sort of 'reversed Philidor Counter-Attack'. f6 5.e2 e7 6.0-0 Martinovsky,I-Downey,G/Vancouver BC CAN 1999, and now 0-0 seems level. ] [ 2.e4 refuses the pawn, and brings us to a King's Gambit, of course. ] 2...d6 Black sacrifices a pawn for development, and to exploit the weaknesses created around the white king by White's first move. 3.exd6 [ 3.f3 A) If 3...dxe5 t h e n , a s we l l a s 4.e4 transposing into a King's gambit, there is ( 4.xe5 which seems OK ); B) 3...g5!? Black tries to bring play back to the main line, expecting 4 exd6 Bxd6, with a transposition. 4.e4 but White has other ideas! g4 5.c4!? gxf3 6.xf3 W hite has sacrifice d a piece in the manner of the Muzio Gambit, but this
version is even better, as there is no black pawn on f4 to impede White's play along t h e f - f i l e . e6? this is not very good, ( 6...h6 7.0-0 e7 is suggested by Larsen, but even so, after 8.exd6 cxd6 9.c3 White's compensation for the piece is fully adequate.) 7.xe6 fxe6 8.0-0 e7? 9.exd6 cxd6 10.c3 and Black is in big trouble, Weis-Wirz/Zuerich 1966. ] 3...xd6 4.f3 g5 This pawn thrust is the standard continuation here, threatening to displace the f3-knight and make a deadly check on h4. [ Black has other, less direct, methods, too: 4...c6 5.d4 f6 6.c3 g4 with active piece play, Krause,C-Weinreich/corr 1969. ] [ 4...f6 5.e3 g4 with the crude threat of ca p t u rin g o n h 2 wit h t h e b i sh o p . 6.e2 t h i s m o v e i s u n wi e l d y, b u t f 2 m u s t b e defended. c6 7.c3 ce5 8.g3 h5 and the black kingside attack is well underway. 9.d4 xf3+ 10.xf3 h4 Malaniuk,V-Dyachkov,S/Russian Club Cup, Maikop RUS 1998 ] 5.g3 The best move, providing a square for the f3-knight (on h4), and stopping a later . .. Qh4+. [ 5.d4 g4 6.e5 c6!? more enterprising than ( 6...xe5 7.dxe5 xd1+ 8.xd1 c6 which leads to equality.) 7.f4 f6 8.d2 ge7 9.c3 xe5 10.dxe5 xe5 having recaptured the pawn, Black has equal chances, Djordjevic, R-Ljubojevic,L/ Yugoslavia 1969. ] 5...g4 6.h4 e7! This knight is coming to g6 to defy the h4-knight. 7.d4 g6 8.xg6 This falls in with Black's plan to open the h-file, the alternative is [ 8.g2 , but it is passive, h5? ( 8...c6 is better, menacing tactics on the d4-pawn, 9.c3 e7 stopping White from playing e4, and intending long castling, with good play for Black, Kanel-Krizsany, Saanen 1994.) 9.e4 c6 10.e5 c7 11.f4 White has o ve r c o m e h i s d e v e l o p m e n t p r o b l e m s , Kovacic,P-Marjanovic,S/Nova Gorica SLO 1999. ] 8...hxg6 Black lines-up two powerful threats: ... Rxh2, and ...Bxg3+. 9.d3 White defends g3, o f c o u r s e . c6 White gets no respite, the new menace is 10...Nxd4, as 11 Qxd4?? loses 110
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 t h e q u e e n t o 1 1 . . . B xg 3 + . 10.c3 f5 Black gives a lesson in the art of gambit play, constantly trying to keep White off-balance. 11.e4 e7 Pinning the e-pawn. 12.g2 0-0-0 Every single one of Black's pieces is developed, and well-placed. 13.0-0 e5! There is still no let-up for White. 14.d1 [ Panchenko prefers 14.e3 the point being t h a t , a f t e r f3+ 15.xf3 gxf3 16.exf5 a n e x c h a n g e o f qu e e n s is t h r e a t e n e d , xh2!? is still possible, with transposition to t h e g a m e a f t e r 1 7 Q x f 3 , b u t 17.xe7 only leads to a draw after g2+ 18.h1 h8+ 19.h4 a useful resource! xh4+ 20.gxh4 h2+ ] 14...f3+! Black sacrifices further material to open the white king position, and kill the d e f e n d e rs . 15.xf3 gxf3 16.exf5 xh2! 17.xf3 This is forced, for [ 17.xh2?? allows mate in three after h4+ ] 17...h3 18.f4 xf4 19.xf4 dh8 The end is nigh! 20.f3 g5 21.f2 h2+ 22.g1 h1+! [ 22...h1+ as 23.xh1 e3+ 24.g2 e4+ 25.f3 xh1 wins material ] 0-1
d6 10.xc6 bxc6 11.d3 e7 12.e4 Rogers, I-Parakrama, A/Buenos Aires 1978; B) 6...f6 7.e5 xe2 8.xe2 c7 9.d3 d7 10.xc6 xc6 11.d2 e6 12.0-0 Mohota, N-Foisor, C/Moscow 2001; C) 6...xf3 7.xf3 f6 8.0-0 e6 C1) 9.d3 d6 10.d2 c7 11.c1 e5 12.e1 0-0-0 13.fxe5 xe5 Carrera Perez, F-Corradine, J/Bogota 1991; C2) 9.f5 d6 10.fxe6 fxe6 11.xf6 gxf6 12.c4 e5 13.cxd5 exd5 14.c3 ( 14.h5+!? d7 15.c3 c7 16.f3 ) 14...d6 15.xd5 0-0-0 Gretarsson, H-Olafsson, H/Reykjavik 1995; C3) 9.c3 e7 10.e2 c8 11.h1 ( 11.c4!? ) 11...0-0 12.g4 ( 12.d3!? ) 12...d4! 13.exd4 cxd4= Abou el Zein, ETissir, M/Cairo 2002; C4) 9.c4!? d4 ( 9...e7!? ) 10.xc6+ bxc6 11.f3 d7 was played in Bahr, A-Meyer, J/SWH 1992, and now White sh o u ld h a ve o p t e d f o r 12.d3 e7 13.d2 ] [ We also have the forcing 6.h3 , which has been played by one of the finest specialists 118 A02 of the Bird these days, the Danish-Icelandic (wh o m h e i s r e p r e se n t in g t h e s e d a y s ) Bacrot,Etienne 2695 G r a n d m a s t e r H e n r i k D a n i e l s e n : xf3 Leko,Peter 2755 7.xf3 d6 ( 7...f6 8.a3 e6 9.g4 d4 World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (29) 22.11.2007 10.g2 d5 Bergeron, M-Burke, M/IECG [Carsten Hansen] E m a i l 2 0 0 0 , a n d n o w 11.c4!? de7 12.f5 ) 8.g4 f6 9.g2 e6 10.d3 ge7 1.b3 c5 2.b2 c6 3.f4 d5 4.f3 g4 11.d2 0-0-0 12.0-0-0 c7 13.b1 a5 5.e3 a6 6.d3?! 14.h4 b8 15.g5 , White massive space [ This move is often seen in the Bird, but advantage along with the long-term usually not this soon, though exceptions are advantage of the bishop pair ensures White m a d e a ll t h e t im e . W h it e 's b e st o p t io n the upper hand, Danielsen, H-Wedberg, T/ p r o b a b l y c a n b e f o u n d i n 6.e2!? Munkebo 1998 ] , and then: 6...e6 A) 6...e6 [ Another try is 6...h6!? 7.e2 f5 8.d2 A1) 7.d3 f6 8.bd2 e7 9.0-0 c7 e6 9.e4 ( 9.0-0 d4 10.exd4 cxd4 ) 10.c1 0-0-0? ( 10...0-0 ) 11.e5 xe2 9...dxe4 10.dxe4 xf3 11.xf3 xd2+ 12.xe2 xe5 13.fxe5+- Sarasola, J12.xd2 fd4= ] Dominguez Sanz, J/ Cajas 1989; A2) 7.c4 f6 8.0-0 g6 9.h3 xf3 7.bd2 [ 7.e2 ge7 8.0-0 f5 9.c1 d4 10.xf3 g7 11.cxd5 exd5 10.exd4 cxd4 is rather pleasant for Black ] Rudolph, J-Herfurth, T/Leipzig 1997; A3) 7.0-0 f6 8.e5 xe2 9.xe2 7...f6 111
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 7...ge7!? ] 8.h3?! [ Now White is starting to make mistakes. A better choice is 8.e2 d4 9.e4 c7 ] 8...xf3 9.xf3 [ 9.xf3 d4 10.e4 b4! 11.d1 c7 12.g3 g5 ] 9...d4 10.e4 h5 11.d2 f6 12.g4?! [ 12.c1 g3 13.g1 e7 ] 12...xf4 13.gxh5 xf3 14.g2 xh5-+ White is down two pawn with absolutely no compensation in sight, so I will leave the rest of the game without any further comments. 15.0-0 d6 16.f3 0-0 17.af1 e5 18.3f2 g6 19.c1 h6 20.e5 xe5 21.xb7 a7 22.g2 g6 23.e1 g3 24.e4 xf2+ 25.xf2 e5 26.g4 e1+ 27.f1 h4 28.f3 e7 29.h5 h7 30.f3 f5 31.g3 f6 32.a4 c7 33.h1 e5 34.d5 f4 0-1
119 Basman,Michael J Tal,Mihail Hastings 7374 (11) [Nigel Davies]
A02
1973
A game which shows the potential for originality in chess. Basman's 1.f4 is met by Tal's 1...d6 and the players can construct their own patterns on the board. Curiously en ou gh a Ch rist ma s t re e is crea te d wit h W h i t e ' s 1 0 t h . T h e S a n t a s p i r i t ? 1.f4 These were the days when Mike Basman still played sensible openings, the Bird being positively mainstream compared to his later r e p e r t o i r e . d6!? And this is a somewhat offbeat reply by Tal, perhaps evincing a sense of humour more than anything else. 2.f3 g6 3.g3 g7 4.g2 f6 5.c4!? [ White can of course opt for a more regular L e n i n g r a d D u t c h t y p e s e t u p w i t h 5.d3 and after 0-0 6.e4 c5 7.0-0 c6 8.c3 t h e g a m e m i gh t e ve n t r a n s p o se i n t o a Closed Sicilian. Of course such well trodden paths would not appeal to the man playing White. ] 5...0-0 6.c3 c6 [ 6...c5 is certainly worth considering here. ]
7.0-0 d5 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.e3 c6 10.e2 Completing a formation that looks curiously like a Christmas tree - at least more than the Sicilian Dragon looks like a Dragon. Actually there is some strategic urgency behind preventing ...d5-d4. d6 11.a4 d7 12.a3 b4 [ Playing against a lower rated player Tal avoids the exchange of Queens. Actually it wouldn't be half bad for W hite after 12...xa3 13.bxa3 e4 14.b1 . ] 13.ed4 a5 14.d3 g4 15.d2 e5 T h is m a k e s se n se st ra t e gica lly s o a s t o expose the weakness on e3. B ut Black's po sit io n is n o t t oo b e a ut if u l h e re eit h e r. 16.fxe5 xe5 17.xe5 xe5 18.b3 c6 19.b5 a4 20.xd5 [ 20.xd6 axb3 21.xf7 xb2 would be qu it e goo d f o r B la ck an d right u p T al's street. ] 20...e7?! Continuing to play 'for a win' but taking ever greater risks. [ 20...xd5 was objectively much better, though Black is struggling to draw. ] 21.c3 [ 21.d4! is better, for example e6 22.e4 c4 23.dxe5 xb5 24.fd1 is just good for White because of his bishop pair. ] 21...b4 22.xb7 ab8 23.a7 xd3 24.d5 e6 25.c3 b5 26.c7? Letting his illustrious opponent off the hook. [ 26.f6! would have been very strong, for example xf6 27.xf6+ h8 28.d5 c8 29.g4+ f6 30.xf6 with a mating attack. ] 26...xc7 27.xc7 a3? But now Tal goes astray! [ 27...xe3+ 28.h1 f2+ 29.xf2 xf2 looks risky for Black because of the weaknesses around his king, but 30.e5 f6 is solid enough. ] 28.xf7! [ And not 28.bxa3? xe3+ 29.h1 bc8 etc. ] 28...xf7 [ 28...xf7 29.d5 wins the Queen. ] 29.xb8+ e8 30.d4 [ And not 30.bxa3?? b e c a u s e o f xe3+ 31.h1 f2+ 32.g1 h3+ 33.h1 g1+ 34.xg1 f2# . ] 30...axb2 31.d1 f2? [ And here 31...d7 was better. ] 112
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 32.f1?! as 15.g5? , s a y , i s m e t b y xh2+! [ 32.b1! would have won. ] 16.xh2 g3+ 17.g2 xe1 32...d3 33.xf7! xf7 34.d5 winning material. ] [ And not 34.xb2?? f2+ 35.h1 e1+ 15.xh2 g3+ 16.g1 0-0-0 36.f1 xf1# . ] [ Presumably Black had missed that after 34...b1+ 35.xb1 xd5 36.xd3 xa2 16...xe1 17.xe1 xe3 he loses a piece 37.e4 b5 38.g4 c4 39.a8+ f7 to the e-file pin: 18.e2 ] 40.f3+ e8 41.a8+ d7 17.f2?! ½-½ [ 17.h3 ] 17...xh2+ 18.xh2 d6+ 19.g1 Black has no compensation for the piece. d4 120 A02 20.xd4 g3+? 21.g2 xd4 22.e2 Broutin,Philippe 2013 1-0 De Boer,Albert 2185 22nd Open Bethune FRA (2) 26.12.2001 121 A02 [Tony Kosten] Chernyshov,Konstantin 2570 1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 3.exd6 xd6 4.f3 c6 Gorbunov,Igor 2242 [ An alternative to the more direct 4...g5 3rd Geller mem Open A (7) 14.09.2007 which I analysed some years back, see the [Nigel Davies] classic Antoshin,V - Panchenko,A/USSR, 1983. ] 3.e6 is another way to decline the From that I 5.g3 hadn't seen prior to preparing this update. I [ 5.d4 is also played, g4 6.e3?! e7 don't see much 'advantage' as such, but the 7.f2 0-0-0 and Black is already on top, position is totally original. Let's play chess! Albin,A-Tarrasch,S/Monte Carlo 1903. ] 1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 3.e6 This method of 5...h5!? An innovation, Black heads straight declining the From has found favour amongst for the weakness on g3. some strong players. xe6 4.f3 f6 [ 5...f6 is more common, aiming to Amazingly we've reached a little explored but complete development: 6.g2 g4 7.0-0 interesting looking position after just four h5!? ( 7...e7 and ...0-0-0 is also feasible) moves! Some more examples feature quite 8.d4 d7 9.c3 0-0-0 10.g5! hindering ... strong players: h4, Reinderman,D-Van Beers,E/Antwerp [ a) 4...d5 5.d4 c5 6.e3 h6 7.xh6 1992. ] (This is all wonderfully bizarre!) gxh6 8.c3 6.d3 c6 9.e3 g8 10.d2 c4 11.e2 f5 [ 6.g2 is another possibility. ] 12.c3 d6 13.g3 e7 14.g2 0-0-0 6...h4! The logical follow-up. 7.gxh4 15.0-0 d3 16.e1 e4 17.f4 b8 [ This weakens the kingside, but 7.xh4?! was probably about equal at this stage is worse, g5 8.f3 xg3+ ] t h o u g h W h i t e l a t e r wo n i n G i r i n a t h , P 7...g4 8.g5 f6 9.e3 e7 10.d2 xf3 (2 4 3 0)-S ara va na , K (2 24 3 ), Ne w De lh i 11.exf3 d4!? Tempting, Black menaces to 2008. ] capture on f3, and also c2, but [ b) 4...c6 5.c3 d5 6.d4 f6 7.g5 [ 11...c5! 12.f2 0-0-0 leaves Black with e7 8.e3 e4 9.xe4 dxe4 10.xe7 more than enough compensation for the xe7 11.d2 g5 12.e2 g4 13.h4 pawn (assuming he captures on h4), . ..f5 g6 14.h5 f5 15.f2 b4 16.xf5 xf5 is coming next. ] 17.f2 was if anything slightly better for 12.f2 f5 13.c3 xh4 14.e1 W hite in Kozel, R (2387)-Dolzhikova, K The pressure along the e-file causes a slight (2339), Illichevsk 2008, though Black went h i c c o u g h i n t h e b l a c k a t t a c k . xh2+? on to win. ] The right combination, ... at the wrong time! 5.b3 And now a queenside fianchetto! [ The obvious 14...0-0-0 should be played, [ A similar way of introducing this idea is via 113
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 5.e3 , for example g6 6.b3 g7 7.b2 0-0 8.e2 bd7 9.0-0 c6 10.d4 c7 11.c3 ae8 12.xe6 gave White the bishop pair in Schmitt, O-Boulineau, F, France 1996, though obviously there are many other possibilities for both sides. ] 5...d5 6.b2 d6 7.e3 g4 8.e2 c6 9.g3 [ I don't actually see anything clear for Black after 9.xg7 g8 10.b2 . ] 9...h5 10.c3 a6 11.0-0-0 e7 12.b1 0-0-0 13.g2 he8 14.hf1 g6 What can one say about this position except that it's a rich looking chess game with only a pair of pawns having been exchanged. And after a few moves the better player starts to gain the ascendancy... 15.h1 ge5 16.f2 xf3 17.xf3 e5?! [ 17...a3 was better as now White gets to advance his centre pawns. ] 18.d4 h8 19.e4 dxe4 20.xe4 f5 21.fe1 b4 22.c3 b6 23.a1 Now it's clear that White is better as his knight wants to come to c5. And maybe Black should have exchanged it with 23...Bxe4 rather than let this happen, though that would present W h i t e w i t h a u s e f u l b i s h o p p a i r . e7?! 24.c5 de8 This loses a pawn, but I don't see a good move for him. 25.xe7 xe7 26.xh5! b8 [ 26...gxh5 27.xf5+ Overloading Decoy Deflection Discovered attack Double attack ] 27.f3 a7? Losing immediately, though the position is bad for Black in any case. 28.g4 c8 29.a4 [ After 29.a4 b5 30.d5+ Black loses a piece. ] 1-0
those variations that are probably disadvantageous for White - where Black can c a p t u r e o n f 4 . dxe5 This seems to be the preferred move nowadays, although Black has a wide choice: [ 3...g5 is the 'real' From move: 4.d4!? ( I looked at 4.e4 g4 5.c4!? in the notes to the classic Antoshin - Panchenko, gxf3 6.xf3 e6?! 7.xe6 fxe6 8.0-0 e7?! Zach,A-Schmid,G/ Germany 1996, when 9.exd6 cxd6 10.c3 is strong, hitting h8 and threatening a check on c8.; 4.exd6 xd6 brings us back to the main line) 4...g4 5.g5 e7 ( 5...d7 6.fd2 dxe5 7.dxe5 f5 8.h4 c6 is also playable, Bachler,RKiss,A/Graz 1993) 6.exd6 is interesting, cxd6?! ( 6...xd6 7.xe7 xe7 is better,) 7.xe7 xe7?! 8.fd2 d5 9.c4 gaining the centre, with advantage, Katulic, Z-Ciganovic,N/Velika Gorica CRO 2002. ] [ 3...g4!? is also possible: 4.e4 ( 4.d4 d7 5.f4 xf3!? 6.exf3 dxe5 7.dxe5 h4+ 8.g3 b4+ 9.d2 c5 10.e2!? 0-0-0 11.0-0-0 leaves Black with little for the pawn, Pawliko wski,J-Pu gh, L/P arsipa nny US A 2002 ) 4...dxe5 5.c3 f6 6.c4 c6 7.0-0?? Rasmussen,M-Brantzeg,P/ Copenhagen DEN 1999 when, inexplicably, B l a c k m i s s e d xf3 8.xf3 d4+ snaffling a piece for nothing! ] [ 3...c6 4.e4 ( 4.exd6 xd6 returns to main lines again, Rasmussen, M-Rosenberg, J/Copenhagen DEN 1999) 4...dxe5 5.b5 d7 6.d3 with a fairly level position, Sikorova,O-Koenigova,P/Tatranske Zruby SVK 2000. ] 4.c3!? An important move, threatening to capture the e-pawn, and therefore stopping Black from playing his optimum set-up. [ 4.e4 might transpose should White play 122 A02 Nc3, c5 ( 4...e6!? 5.b5+ c6 6.a4 f6 7.d3 c5 8.b3 xb3 9.axb3 Danielsen,Henrik 2526 is fairly level, Markovic,G-Randjelovic,D/ Hardarson,Robert 2315 Herceg Novi YUG 2001) 5.c3 this is sort of Jonsson Mem Open (2) 24.10.2001 t h e m a i n m o v e h e r e , a l t h o u g h ( 5.c3 [Tony Kosten] might lead to our main game) 5...c6 6.b4 d6 ( 6...b6 is better ) 7.a3 f6 8.c2 1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 3.f3 What is the point of 0-0 9.e2 h5 10.d3 f5 11.0-0 this move? In fact, White is not bothering to with chances to both sides, Danielsen,Hd e f e n d h i s e x t r a p a wn a t a l l, b u t r a t h e r Lyell,M/Copenhagen DEN 1999. ] tra n s p o s e s in to a ra re lin e o f t h e K in g's [ 4.xe5 i s O K , b u t a f t e r d6 5.f3 Gambit with the advantage that he avoids 114
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 we reach the main line, with both sides having played an extra move, Deacon,FSteinitz,W/London 1863. ] 4...c6 [ 4...c5?! 5.xe5 is the point, when Black really doesn't have too much compensation. ] 5.e4 [ 5.e3!? is a bit timid, f6 6.c4 c5 7.0-0 0-0 and Black should be happy enough, Solano Cruz,A-Trejos,E/ch-CRC, San Jose CRC 2001. ] 5...c5 6.b5 This move, with the positional threat of capturing on c6, is only possible be c a u se B lac k h as p la ye d . .. Nc6 , wh ich explains the thinking behind W hite's fourth move. Incidentally, this position is most likely to arise from a Vienna Gambit, with 1 e4 e5 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 f4 Bc5 4 fxe5 d6 5 Nf3 dxe5 6 Bb5, say, than from a King's Gambit with 1 e4 e5 2 f4 Bc5 3 Nf3 d6 4 fxe5 dxe5 5 Nc3 Nc6 6 Bb5, although the proper classification is undoubtedly [C30]. g4 Pinning the knight protects the e-pawn, but others are possible: [ 6...d7 7.xc6 ( 7.a4!? ) 7...xc6 8.d3 ( 8.xe5 d4 9.d3 b6 10.e2 is unclear.) 8...d6 9.e2 0-0-0 10.e3 is fairly level, Nabil,F-Bereolos,P/ Philadelphia USA 2001. ] [ 6...ge7 7.a4!? ( 7.xe5!? d4 8.d3 i s a g a i n p o s s i b l e) 7...d6 8.d4 Prins,L-Cuellar Gacharna,M/ Moscow 1956, when exd4 9.e5 b4+ 10.c3 is wild. ] [ 6...d4!? 7.e2 ge7?! Muris,P-Erwich,F/ H e n g e l o 1 9 9 5 , 8.c3 b6 9.xe5 wins a good pawn for nothing. ] 7.h3!? The first new move, and one that asks the question of the bishop. [ 7.xc6+ is also very logical, wrecking the black queenside: bxc6 8.d3 ( 8.e2 e7 9.h3 xf3 10.xf3 is better for White, his structure is rock-solid, Gunsberg,I-Mieses, J/Has tings 1 89 5) 8...d6 9.h3 d7 it makes sense to keep the bishop pair, but Black's ragged pawns give him a permanent headache, Yakovich,YShabanov,Y/Kursk 1987. ] 7...e6 [ 7...xf3 8.xc6+ bxc6 9.xf3 is similar to the Gunsberg game, in the note above. ] 8.xc6+ bxc6 9.d3 f6 Black has the bishop
pair, but White's pawn structure is 'fire-proof' and it is instructive to see how he goes about winning the game. 10.b3!? [ 10.e2 and Be3 is also possible. ] 10...e7 11.a4 b6 12.a3 0-0 13.d2 e8 Black frees the knight from the pin so that h e c a n s e t - o f f t o wa r d s f 4 o r d 4 . 14.0-0-0 And why not, Black can hardly attack on the queenside because of his immobile pawns. g6 15.c5 f7 16.he1 f8 17.c3 e6 Black play s sensibly, he refuses to capture on c5, but tries to bring his knight to d4, and hopes that W hite will take on b6. 18.d4! Just in time. exd4 19.xd4 xd4?! Capturing a second bishop, but bringing the knight to a powerful square. [ 19...e7 20.xc6!? xd4 21.xd4 e5 is a better way of doing things, with some compensation for the pawn as White must capture on b6. ] 20.xd4 d6 21.xc6 f4+ 22.b1?! This move appears to lose the extra pawn, [ 22.b2! is better, as then f2 ( 22...xe4 23.g3 xe1 24.gxf4 xd1 25.f3 wins an exchange) 23.f1 xe4?? 24.d2 wins a piece. ] 22...f2 23.e2 The point is that now [ 23.f1 xe4 24.d2?! achieves nothing: e1+ ] 23...g3?! Strange, why not take the pawn? [ 23...xe4 24.e7+ f8! 25.xf2 xf2 26.c6 le ad s no wh ere xe7 27.xa8+ e8 ] 24.c5! Now White is back on track. h8 [ 24...xe4?? loses, 25.e7+ h8 26.c6 ] 25.c3 h4 26.f1 g6?! [ 26...h5 27.d2 g6 is stronger. ] 27.d5 a6 28.e5! White liquidates his w e a k e s t p a w n . fxe5 29.xe5 h5 30.xg6+ hxg6?! 31.c6 f8 32.xf8+ xf8 33.xa6 e5 Hoping for some play on the dark squares, but it never materialises, and meanwhile White has two extra pawns. 34.b2 g5 35.c6 f1 36.b4 f4 37.a3 f6 38.b3 h7 39.d5 b1+ 40.a4 The king is safe here. f1 41.xf6+ gxf6 1-0
115
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 gets interesting. c6 35.b4 a4 36.xe7 d7 37.xd3!? b2 38.xg6 xd1 Danielsen,Henrik 39.d6 cxd3 40.xd3 b2 41.d4 Ismagambetov,Anuar White's a rook down, but has the attack and 37th Olympiad (10) five extra pawns! e8 42.xe8+ xe8 [John Watson] 43.xc7 xc7 44.f2 a4 45.c4 c3 In this game White plays the Leningrad Dutch 46.cxb5 xb5 47.d3 a7 48.g5 c6 Reversed. This can't be bad, although White's 49.b5 e7 50.g3 g6 51.d6 f8 52.f5 extra tempo isn't worth much (the Leningrad xe5 53.xe6 Four passed pawns should do is mostly reactive). 1.f4 c5 2.f3 g6 3.g3 the trick. g7 4.d3 c6 5.g2 e6 6.a4 This again! 1-0 Larsen liked this in the Leningrad. I'd be more tempted to play 0-0 and c3, or even Qe1. A02 ge7 7.c3 d6 8.a3 0-0 9.0-0 b8 10.e4 124 a6 Natural and not very exciting moves follow. Dimitrov,Pavel 2448 Perhaps Black could have played ...e5 earlier. Stojanovic,Andjelija 2310 11.e3 b5 12.axb5 axb5 13.c2 c7 25th Festival Open A (4) 25.02.2008 Neither side wants to make contact with the [Nigel Davies] other. 14.fe1 d7 15.f2 fc8 [ 15...f5 and ] Against the 4...Nf6 variation of the From there [ 15...e5 are the natural English/Closed doesn't seem to have been much experience Sicilian moves. ] with a solid construction based on d2-d4 and 16.f1!? An odd move, indirectly hitting b5 e2-e3. But I don't see why not as it looks and supporting c4 if a knight has to go there. rather good. 1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 3.exd6 d8 17.b1 a5 18.bd2 e8 19.e5! xd6 4.f3 f6 Using pure piece play to try Finally! I like W hite. b7!? Good if White and generate compensation. 5.d4 White has plays e xd6 , b ut whe re will t his kn igh t go tried other moves here too, for example: otherwise? I think that he wanted to defend c5 [ a) 5.e3 g4 6.e2 0-0 ( 6...c6 7.c3 in advance of ...d5, but that's a little exotic. ce5 8.g3 h5 9.d4 xf3+ 10.xf3 h4 19...Nec6 or 19...Ra8 was more to the point, 11.b5+ c6 12.xc6+ bxc6 13.xc6+ challenging the file. Still, White stands better was good for White in Obukhov, A (2475)at this point. 20.g4!? Nikitin, A (2452), Alushta 2004) 7.g3 e8 [ or 20.d4 ] 8.g2 c6 9.0-0 h5 10.c3 h4 11.gxh4 20...d5?! The plans look mixed up if this were d4 12.xd4 xh2+ 13.h1 xh4 going to be played Black's last move doesn't 14.f3 h5 15.d1 was Rendle, T (2366)make much sense. 21.h4 c6 22.f6 Heinis, V (2156), Catalan Bay 2007 and now h6? This really is a mistake, inviting attack Black should have forced a draw with d6+ a n d l o s i n g t i m e . 23.g5! This is getting ( Rather than the 15...e6 o f t h e g a m e) dangerous. You can sense Ndf3, Qf2-h4. So 16.g1 h2+ etc. ] Black takes action, but in doing so cedes [ b) 5.g3 c6 6.g2 g4 7.d3 d7 8.c3 more squares. d4?! 0-0-0 9.g5 f5 10.d2 b4 11.h4 [ 23...g7 , to get ...h6 in quickly. ] c5 12.xf6 gxf6 13.a3 a5 24.de4 xe4 was Danielsen, H (2511)-Vea, O (2085), [ 24...g7 25.f5! ] C o p e n h a g e n 2 0 0 5 a n d n o w 14.b1!? 25.dxe4 Remember that knight on b7? Now would have been very annoying for Black as b5 is attacked. c4 26.f2 d3 27.h4 xg5 White is threatening b2-b4. ] 28.xg5 It's really over now there dark 5...f5 squares can't be protected. c7 29.e3! c5 [ 5...g4 has also been played but seems to Finally, 4 or 5 moves too late. 30.h3 f8 be well met by 6.c3 0-0 7.e3 . ] 31.xh7 e8 32.d1 c8 33.g7 d7 6.e3 A nice compact way to play it which 34.xf7 The rest isn't important, although it l e a v e s t h e o n u s f i r m l y o n B l a c k t o 123
A02 2520 2420 31.05.2006
116
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 demonstrate his 'compensation'. [ W h i t e u s u a l l y p l a y s 6.g5 here, for example h6 7.h4 g5 8.f2 g4 9.g3 f6 was Boerner, J-Heinrich, S, Eisenberg 1 9 9 3 , a n d n o w 10.c3 would have been good because xf2 11.xf2 g4 is met by 12.e4 . ] 6...e4 7.d3 d7 8.bd2 df6 9.0-0 e7 10.c4 [ 10.e5! would have been even stronger because xe5 11.xf5 leaves Black without a good move. ] 10...g4?! [ Here and over the next few moves Black gambles on a speculative attack. Of course he is a pawn down, but the calmer 10...0-0 would have been better. ] 11.xd6+ [ 11.fe5! would have been very strong because the bishop on f5 is hanging. For example after h4 12.h3 xe5 13.xe5 xe5 14.xf5 g6 15.f3 Black is in big trouble. ] 11...cxd6 12.h3 [ Even in this position 12.e5! is strong because of dxe5 13.xf5 g6 14.xg4 gxf5 15.xf5 d6 16.xe5 etc. Two bishops and three pawns are more than a match for a rook and knight. ] 12...h5?! [ Objectively speaking Black should play 12...gf6 , though he doesn't have much for his pawn. ] 13.e1 d5? Still overstraining to demonstrate his 'compensation'. [ 13...gf6 was better, though there's still the issue of him being down a pawn. ] 14.e5 g5 [ 14...xe5 15.xf5 c6 16.xd5 g6+- ] 15.b5+ f8 16.h4 [ 16.hxg4 hxg4 would be very dangerous for White because of the opening of the h-file. ] 16...f6 17.d7+ xd7 18.xf6 gxf6 19.b4+ e8 20.b3 a6 21.xd7+ xd7 [ Or 21...xd7 22.a3 d8 23.xb7 etc. ] 22.xb7+ e6 23.a3 he8 24.f1 ad8 25.c6+ d6 26.xd6 [ W hite is winning material after 26.xd6 xd6 27.xf6+ etc. ] 1-0
125 Grunberg,Mihai Kotronias,Vasilios 11th Open Kavala GRE (8) [Nigel Davies]
A02 2445 2578 16.08.2002
This game was of some theoretical importance with the superbly prepared Kotronias coming up with 11...h6 to stop any Bg5-f6 ideas. It seems to be a theoretical novelty, and a good one at that. 1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 3.exd6 xd6 4.f3 g5 5.d4 This leads to an approximately even endgame. [ 5.g3 is more complex but has greater attendant risks, for example g4 6.h4 e7 7.d4 ( 7.d3 g6 8.g2 h5 9.e3 h4 10.gxh4 xh4 11.d2 1/2-1/2 was Pavlov, M (2451) -Derjabin, I (2391), Alushta 2004, which really poses more questions than it answers. ) 7...bc6 8.c3 g6 9.xg6 ( 9.g2 h5 10.d3 h4 11.f4 g5 12.g2 hxg3 13.hxg3 xh1+ 14.xh1 ce7 15.e4?! c6 16.e3 f5 was very good f or Black in Paichadze, L (2410) Isgandarova, K (2230), Tbilisi 2009) 9...hxg6 10.d3 f5 11.e4 e7 12.g2 0-0-0 13.e3 e6 was Rendle, T (2370) Kotronias, V (2585), Caleta 2005, and now maybe W hite should have forced a draw with 14.e5 xe5 15.xc6 d6 16.xb7+ xb7 17.b5+ c8 18.a6+ b8 19.b5+ etc. ] 5...g4 6.e5 xe5 7.dxe5 xd1+ 8.xd1 c6 9.c3 e6 10.f4 0-0-0+ 11.e1 h6 Up to here it had all been played before but this is new all Black is doing is stopping any Bf4-g5-f6 ideas which might be quite annoying. [ A century old precedent, Chigorin, MTarrasch, S, Vienna 1898, had gone 11...ge7 12.e3 g6 and now 13.g5 ( Instead of 13.d3 ) 13...de8 14.f6 hf8 15.b5 would have been unpleasant. ] 12.e3 ge7 13.d3 g6 14.xg6 fxg6 15.d1 g5 16.g3 h5 17.e4 dg8 18.c5 e8 19.e4 [ 19.xe6 xe6 20.e2 he8 is also fine for Black who will recover the e5 pawn via ... h5-h4 and have wonderfully active pieces. ] 19...h4 20.f2 117
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 6...c6?! 7.xc6 h4+ ( 7...bxc6 8.g3 h5 9.g2 h4 10.d3 the black initiative is insufficient, Tartakower,S-Spielmann,R/ Vienna 1913) 8.g3 xg3+ 9.hxg3 xh1 10.e5 h5 11.d3 with a clear white a d va n t a g e , L a u , R- M ic h a il o w, S / K a s s e l 1995. ] 7.dxe5 xd1+ 8.xd1 c6 9.c3 e6 10.f4!? White hangs-on to his extra pawn, often he prefers [ 10.g5 to st op Bla ck ca st lin g, xe5 ( 10...ge7!? allows Black to castle, but after 11.e4 0-0-0+ 12.d3 hg8 13.f6 W hite is better, Szlabey,G-Emodi,G/ Kobanya 1991) 11.b5 d7 12.e1 f6 13.d1+ c8 White's bishops are countered by Black's superior structure, Williams,S-Quinn,M/Witley 1996. ] 10...0-0-0+ Automatic, but maybe [ 10...ge7!? i s s t r o n g e r , 11.e3 g6 12.g5 (when Black has castled this gains a t e m p o o n t h e r o o k ) gxe5 13.e4 Berescu,A-Tomescu,V/Sovata 1998, when f5 looks good. ] 11.e1 So as not to block-in the a1-rook, but [ 11.c1 i s s i m i l a r , ge7 12.e3 g6 13.g5 de8 14.f6 hg8 15.d3 Grunberg, M-Cechalova,E/Stockerau 1993, cxe5 equal. ] 11...h6!? A novelty, Black wants to play the n o rm a l p la n , . . . Nge 7 -g6 xe 5 , b u t wit h o u t allowing Bg5 in reply, hitting the d8-rook. [ 11...ge7 is the habitual move, 12.e3 g6 ( 12...d5!? 13.xd5 xd5 14.g1 126 A02 1/2-1/2 Grunberg,M-Nisipeanu,L/ROM-chT 1992, is quite good) 13.g5 Caamano,JGrunberg,Mihai 2445 Ra va zzo li, O / V illa B a lle st e r 19 9 4 wh e n Kotronias,Vasilios 2578 ( 13.d3?! cxe5 14.xg6 xg6 15.f1 11th Open Kavala GRE (8) 16.08.2002 is nice for Black, Chigorin, M-Tarrasch,S/ [Tony Kosten] Vienna 1898 .) 13...de8 14.f6 hg8 15.d3 cxe5 16.xe5 xe5 17.xh7 1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 Now both players go down h8 18.d3 seems logical, when Black has the mainline. 3.exd6 xd6 4.f3 g5 5.d4 almost enough for his pawn. ] Preparing a square for the knight, about to be 12.e3 ge7 13.d3 g6 14.xg6 hit by ...g4, we considered the alternative [ 5.g3 in the game Antoshin,V-Panchenko, Otherwise Black simply captures on e5. fxg6 15.d1 g5 16.g3 h5 Opposite-colour A. ] bishops are on the board, which makes it 5...g4 6.e5 [ 6.g5?! is worse, f5 and the knight is in fairly drawish, but Black's pawns are more mobile, and so, if anyone, it is he with the trouble. ] 6...xe5 Black concedes the bishop pair but better chances. 17.e4!? dg8!? [ 17...b4!? 18.xg5 xc2+ 19.f2 xa2 heads for a reasonable ending. [ And not 20.xe6? hxg3 etc. ] 20...g3 21.hxg3?! [ 21.e3 was better as now White loses the exchange. ] 21...g4 22.gxh4 [ 22.d5 hxg3 23.xh8 gxf2+ would cost a whole piece. ] 22...xd1 23.xd1 xe5 24.h5 g4 25.e2 b6 26.d3 xe4+ 27.f3 f6 [ 27...c4! was better. ] 28.h6 c5 29.e1 e6 30.c3 c4 31.e5 d5 32.g6? [ And here White should hang on to the g6 pawn with 32.g4 . ] 32...h7 33.f8 f7+ 34.g4 xf8 35.h7 xc3 36.h8 xh8 37.xh8+ b7 38.bxc3 e2 39.h2 xc2 40.xg5 xa2 41.h7+ c6 42.g4 a5 43.f4 f2+ 44.e3 g2 45.g7?! [ 45.f4 looks like a better try. ] 45...b5 46.g5 a4 47.f3 c2 48.g6 xc3+ 49.f2 d3 50.c7 b4 51.g7 d8 52.c6 b5 53.g6 a4 54.g8 xg8 55.xg8 a3 56.e3 c3 57.e4 a2 58.g3+ b2 59.g2+ b3 60.g3+ b2 61.g2+ b3 62.g1 c3 63.d3 b4 64.h1 c2 65.c1 b2? Falling at the final hurdle. [ 65...a3 66.xc2 b3+ 67.d2 b2 wins for Black. ] 66.xc2+ b1 67.h2 b3 68.c4 ½-½
118
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 is also worth trying. ] 18.c5 e8 19.e4?! h4 20.f2 g3! 21.hxg3 g4 Both threatening the rook, and hxg3 which wins a piece. 22.gxh4 [ 22.d2?? hxg3 23.xh8 gxf2+ ] 22...xd1 23.xd1 xe5 24.h5 g4 25.e2 b6 W inning the e-pawn. 26.d3 xe4+ 27.f3 f6 28.h6 This pawn is White's only hope. c5 29.e1 e6 30.c3 c4 31.e5 d5 32.g6!? h7 33.f8 f7+!? A mistake, White wins a piece, but allows the h-pawn through. [ 33...exh6 34.xh6 xh6 should be winning. ] 34.g4 xf8!? [ 34...f4+! i s t h e m o ve , 35.xg5 xf8 36.g7 ( 36.h7 xc3 37.h8?? n o l o n g e r w o r k s b e c a u s e o f e4+ which actually leads to mate!) 36...g8 and whilst White has some chances, Black should win. ] 35.h7 xc3 36.h8 xh8 37.xh8+ b7 38.bxc3 e2 Black is much better, anyway, for although as we all know rook endings are fairly drawish, and here the white king is active, unfortunately all his queenside pawns will drop off. 39.h2 xc2 40.xg5 xa2 41.h7+ c6 42.g4 White decides to ditch his queenside and run his g-pawn, which is a standard plan. a5 43.f4 f2+ 44.e3 g2 45.g7 b5 46.g5 a4 47.f3 c2 48.g6 xc3+ 49.f2 d3 50.c7 b4 51.g7 d8 52.c6 b5 53.g6 a4!? This must win, but can White really stop the passed pawns after [ 53...g8 54.e2 b3 ] 54.g8 xg8 55.xg8 a3 56.e3 c3 57.e4 a2 58.g3+ b2 59.g2+ b3 60.g3+ b2 [ 60...c3 61.g1 b2 62.d3 c2 wins. ] 61.g2+ b3 62.g1 c3 63.d3 b4 64.h1 c2 65.c1 b2?? An appalling blunder [ 65...a3! 66.xc2 b3+ 67.d2 b2 wins easily, Black must have been in severe time trouble. ] 66.xc2+ b1 67.h2 b3 68.c4 ½-½
127 Karlsson,Lars Tairi,Faruk Swedish Team Ch [Carsten Hansen]
A02 2486 2275 2007
1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 c6 This is an interesting alternative to the traditional From Gambit. However, as you will see from the coverage below, the number of quality games between players of a decent level is painfully small. This is unf ortunately often the issue with these off-beat gambits. 3.f3 g5 4.d4 [ 4.h3!? looks like a rather obvious move, but one that has yet to be explored in detail. d6 5.d4! dxe5 6.d5 e4! 7.xg5 d6 8.xe4 f5! 9.f2 g3 10.e4 h4 11.d3 xf2+ 12.f1 d4! 13.e1 xe1+ 14.xe1 b4 15.exf5 xd3+ 16.cxd3 e7 17.f1 xd5 is one very long variation f rom Bucker, though this hardly constitutes model play from both sides. ] 4...g4 5.g5 d6 [ 5...d5!? was the subject of ReddmannLangrock, 2001, which can be found in the PGN archives. ] [ 5...h6 was mentioned in the notes to the Reddmann-Langrock game as a possible improvement, but I think White can get the better chances in this particular line: 6.e4 xc1 7.xc1 xd4 , and now 8.d2!? ( 8.c3?! c6 9.f4 e7 10.f6+ xf6 11.exf6 e5 was Tony's main line.) 8...c6 9.bc3 e7 10.h3!? ( 10.d5 xe5 11.g5 xe4 12.xc7+ f8 13.xa8 b4+ 14.c3 xb2 15.c1 d6 , and matters are totally unclear.) 10...gxh3 11.0-0-0 xe5 12.xh3 , and White has a lead in development and the initiative. ] 6.exd6 [ White has tried a number of other things at this juncture: A) 6.d3 A) 6...h6?! 7.e4! ( 7.xh7?! f5 8.f6+ xf6 9.exf6 xd3 10.exd3 xd4 11.d1 0-0-0 12.c3 e6 13.e2 K r o g e r , H - G e rs t e l , J/ G e r m a n y 1 9 8 8) 7...dxe5 8.g5 xd4 9.f6+ d8 10.g8+ e8 11.xh6 xb2 12.b3 , and White is winning; B) 6...h6 7.xf7? xf7 8.e6+ xe6 119
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 9.xh6 xh6? ( 9...h4+ 10.d1 xh6 11.d5 f5 12.e4 e5-+ ) 10.d5 f5 11.d2 f6 12.dxc6 xb2 13.cxb7 xa1 14.bxa8 xb1+ 15.f2 g3+! , and Black won shortly, Franke, CLeeners, H/corr ICCF 1986 ] [ B) 6.e6 fxe6 7.e4 f6 ( 7...h6 8.xe6 xe6 9.d5 e5 10.dxe6 h4+ 11.g3 f6 12.g2 e7 13.c3 0-0-0 , and Black has clearly solved his opening problems, Cvejn, J-Haba, Z/ Usti nad Orlici CZE 2006) 8.b5 h6 9.e5 hxg5 10.exf6 xf6 11.f1 g7 with a better game for Black, Wiest, L-Nissl, M/Augsburg 1995 ] [ C) 6.e4 A) 6...h6 7.xf7 xf7 8.c4+ g7 9.e6 f6 ( 9...h4+ 10.g3 h3 11.c3 f6 12.f1 e7 13.e3 with some compensation for the piece ) 10.0-0 A1) 10...e7 11.c3 g8 12.f5!? ( 12.d5?! e5 13.e2 e8 14.f5 g6 , and Black is beginning to stablize h i s p o s i t i o n .) 12...xe6 ( 12...h7 13.g5! ) 13.xe6 xe6 14.d5; A2) 10...a5?! 11.d3 xe6 ( 11...c5 12.d5 e7 13.e3 ) 12.d5 c6 13.dxe6 e5 14.c3+- Williams, SHowell, D/Halifax ENG 2004; B) 6...e7!? 7.xf7 xf7 8.e6+! e8 9.b5; C) 6...dxe5 7.c4! ( 7.d5 h6 8.xf7 xf7 9.dxc6 xd1+ 10.xd1 bxc6 11.c4+ e6 12.xe6+ xe6 13.e3 f6 14.d2 Cools, G-Henris, L/BEL 1997 ) 7...xd4 8.xf7+ e7 9.c3! C1) 9...xd1+! 10.xd1 f6 11.d5+ ( 11.f1 h6 12.c4 d8= ) 11...xd5 12.xd5 h6 13.f7 h7 14.f1; C2) 9...f6? 10.e2 h6 11.e3 hxg5?! ( 11...b4 12.0-0 hxg5 13.f2 wins for White - Correspondence Chess Yearbook ) 12.xd4 xd4 13.c4 c6 14.g6 xc2+ 15.d2 e6 16.c5+ Hayward, K-Johnson, R/corr 1990 ] [ C) 6.e4 dxe5 7.d5 ( 7.dxe5? f5 Volf, R-Wiesinger, J/ Wattens 1997) 7...b4 8.ec3 c5 9.a3 a6 10.e3 ] 6...xd6 [ Black has a wonderfully complicated alternative in 6...xd6 A) 7.d5 is played less frequently, but
should be. It appears that White has the better chances: A1) 7...b4 8.c3 ( 8.e4?! e5 9.bc3 f5 10.a3 xe4 11.axb4 xb4 Rost, H-Svendsen, T/corr 1987) 8...f6 9.e4 h6 10.a3 hxg5 11.axb4 with a good game for White.; A2) 7...ce7 8.c3 f6 9.ce4 xe4 10.xe4 e5 11.c3 d7 12.g3 ( 12.e4 0-0-0 13.g3!? followed by Bf4 looks good for W hite) 12...g6 13.d3 0-0-0 14.g2 c5 15.d2 f5 16.0-0-0 , and White has the better chances, already beginning to consolidate his position and extra pawn, Ressler, E-Koegler, K/corr BdF 1991; A3) 7...e5 8.c3 f5?! ( 8...g7 9.ge4 g6 10.e3 ) 9.f4 g7 10.e4 h6 11.b5+! ( 11.b5? c5 was already fine for Black in Bohn, TGallinnis, N/Germany 1997) 11...e7 ( 11...c6 12.xe5 xe5 13.dxc6 wins for White) 12.e6 xe6 13.dxe6 , and White is more or less winning; B) 7.c3 B1) 7...f5 8.b3 ( 8.d5!? e5 9.a3 looks like an improvement for W hite.) 8...e7 B1a) 9.h3 h6 10.h4 g7?! ( 10...f6! ) 11.xh7 xd4 12.g5? ( 12.cxd4! is simple and good. After W hite's 12th move, Black is clearly better. ) 12...e5 13.c4 ( Black has excellent compensation for the piece. In fact, my computer suggests 13.d1 as W hite's best move, though obviously Black is doing very well after d7 14.d2 g3 followed by ... 0-0-0 ) 13...f6 Albert, M-Ebbecke, S/ Landau 1988; B1b) 9.d5 e5 10.e6 xe6 11.dxe6 0-0-0 12.g3 c6?! ( 12...h6! not allowing White to consolidate looks like a better try.) 13.e3 h6 14.d4 d5 15.g2 b5 16.c2 xe6 17.0-0 Sehner, N-Buecker, P/Enger Spenge 1978; B2) 7...g6 B2a) 8.d5 e5 9.a4+ ( 9.f4 g7 10.d2 e7 11.b3 f5 , Birtz, C-Arroyo, A/IECG Email 1998, 120
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Black. 11.e3 hxg5 ( 11...g7 12.ge4 12.e3!? xd5 13.b5+ c6 14.0-0 f5 13.b5+ f8 14.0-0-0 ) 12.exd4 xh1 xf4 15.exf4 0-0 16.e2 ) 9...d7 13.xg5 ] 10.e4 d6 11.f4 g7 , Fawbush, [ 10...d7 11.xf7 xf7 12.d1 b4 G-W heeler, K/ corr 1980, and now 13.xd7+ e8 14.xc7 f6 15.e5 f8 12.d2 f5 is also quite unclear; 16.e3 a6 17.h6 a5 18.d6 f7 B2b) 8.h3 f6 9.d5 d8 10.a4+ 19.xf6 xf6 20.e7+ d8 21.c7+ xc7 ( 10.e6? xe6 11.dxe6 gxh3! 22.xc7 xf1+ 23.xf1 xc7 , and White 12.xh3 xe6 is given as winning for has two pawns for the exchange, but Black Black by Buecker, but that is is probably still clearly better. ] exaggerating matters quite a bit Black is clearly bet ter af te r 13.d3 c6 11.d1 g7! [ 11...b6 12.xe6 xe6 13.b5 c8 , but not more than that) 10...d7 14.xc7+ xc7 15.xc7 xa2 16.h5 11.e4+ e7 12.xg6+ hxg6 f6 ] 13.e4 xd5 14.c4 , and White is 12.b5 c8 13.e3 a6 fine; [ 13...xa2!? picks up further material. B2c) 8.d3 f5 9.h3? ( 9.e3+!? However, the lower-rated player with Black e7 10.d5 d8 11.h3 f6 seems to almost panic while h aving a n 12.d4 ) 9...e7 10.e3 f6 opportunity to beat a grandmaster. ] Jendrian, M-Labahn, W/Bad Segeberg 14.d4 e7?? 1998 ] [ 14...xa2! is again perfectly viable ] 7.c3 [ A) 7.c3!? f5 8.e4 h6 9.e5 e7 10.h3 15.c4!? d8? [ Now Black ends up in a lost position. gxh3 11.h5+ f8 12.c4 e8 13.xh3 Instead, he could have developed another g6 14.0-0 , and despite only having two piece with 15...f6 , e. g. 16.gxe6 fxe6 pawns for the piece, W hite has obviously 17.xe6 g6 18.h6 e4 19.xc8 xc8 amble compensation, Rujzam, G-Goris, T/ 20.g5 f8 , and Black is still in the game, Budapest 1992 ] though White has the better chances after [ B) 7.e4?! h6 8.e5 hxg5 9.exd6 xd6 21.d2 ] 10.c3?! ( 10.c3 f5 11.b5 e7+ [ However, 15...g6 is ultimately Black's 12.e2 0-0-0 13.xe7 gxe7= ) 10...xh2 best option, e.g. 16.gxe6 fxe6 17.0-0 ( 10...f5 11.xg5 f6 12.e3 xh2 , and White has sufficient compensation for 13.xh2 xh2 ) 11.e2+ f8 12.xh2 the pawn. ] xh2 13.g3 xg3+ 14.f2 xf2+ 15.xf2 16.xe6 fxe6? f6 Philippin, O-Wege, J/Wuerzburg 1996 ] [ Or 16...xd4 17.xd4 fxe6 18.xc7 7...xd4 8.xd4? , and White wins, but the text move is even [ The Swedish grandmaster is clearly having worse. ] fun, but the queen sacrifice is in all fairness n o t a n y g o o d a n d l e a ve s B l a c k wi t h a 17.gxe6 g6 18.xd8 xd8 19.c6+ s ize a b le a d v a n t a ge . W h it e co u ld h a ve 1-0 claimed an advantage with the safer and saner 8.ge4 , for instance e5 9.g5 f6 A02 10.e3 fxg5 11.exd4 xd4 12.xd4 xd4 128 13.0-0-0 , and White is way ahead in Kogan,Artur 2518 development. ] Afek,Yochanan 2360 8...g3+ 9.hxg3 xd4 10.f4 e6! Pyramiden-Franken Cup (5) 25.08.1999 [ A long piece of analysis is given in the [Tony Kosten] S we d is h c h e ss m a ga zin e st a rt in g wit h 10...h6!? , and although the analysis is quite 1.f4 c5 2.f3 c6 Inviting White to play 3 flawed, it is also entertaining. Therefore I e4, with transposition to the Grand-Prix Attack, will give the line in its entirety, though the which he declines. 3.e3 g6 4.e2 g7 5.0-0 game continuation is likely the best play by e5?! An innovation already, Black hopes to 121
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 weaken the white kingside. be found in the archives. )] [ 5...d5 or ] [ 11...d7 is also commonly played. 12.d2 [ 5...f6 would be normal. ] (other moves are possible, but I believe this 6.fxe5 xe5 7.xe5 xe5 8.d4! is strongest) 0-0-0 ( 12...f5 13.c4 0-0-0 This is very awkward for Black. g7 After 14.xd6+ cxd6 can transpose.) 13.e4 [ 8...d6?! 9.e4 almost obliges Black to play h5!? ( M o r e p r o m i s i n g t h a n 13...f5 f6 ] 14.xd6+ cxd6 15.e3! f7?! 16.d5 e5 [ 8...cxd4? is even worse, for after 9.exd4 17.xa7 Taylor, T (2297)-Becerra Rivero, b o t h t h e e - f il e a n d c 1 -h 6 d ia go n a l a r e J (2552)/Minneapolis 2005.) 14.xd6+ cxd6 opened for White's benefit. ] Here I propose ( 14...xd6 15.f4 e7 9.dxc5 f6 Black decides to get on with his Ga rd ne r, R (2 25 7)-Rekhso n, V (20 00 )/ development, rather than waste more time Edmonton 2004. Now 16.0-0!? looks good, chasing after his lost pawn. 10.c3 0-0 intending to meet dh8 with 17.d5 xh2 11.e4 e7 12.d6 After this it is clear that 18.e3! when the endgame after xe3+ Black is lost- a pawn down with a bad position. 19.xe3 e5 20.d4 2h5 is pleasant for xd6 13.cxd6 h6 14.e5 e8 15.d5 W hite with the bishop pair and 4-3 xe5 16.xh6 g7 17.e7+ h7 18.f4! queenside majority.) 15.e3!? , which is A strong choice, returning a pawn to keep his just as useful as in the Taylor - Becerra powerful d6-pawn. game above. Black isn't thrilled about a [ 18.xg7 xg7 19.ad1 is simpler, but not queen trade, but has to beware of the d4-d5 nearly so effective. ] threat. ( 15.e3?! Dimitriadis, M-Kiss, A 18...xb2 19.ab1 d4+ 20.h1 g7 (2409)/ Oberwart 2003. f5 16.d2 e8 Allowing White a nice finish, 17.f2 e4 18.xe4 xe4 19.0-0-0 d5 )] [ but 20...b6 is little better after 21.f3 b8 12.d2! Clearly best - the knight is headed for 22.c6! dxc6 23.d7 c7 24.xc7 xd7 e4. Previously, White hadn't shown anything 25.xb8 xb8 26.bd1 and White wins. ] convincing: 21.b4! The point of White's play, the rook [ 12.e4?! White has to be judicious with this c o m e s t o c 4 . f6 22.c4 The bishop is p a w n p u s h . 0-0-0 13.e3? xh2! trapped, and so Black has little choice over In the 11...Bf5 12.e4 0-0-0 main line, 13.Be3 his next move. xe7 23.dxe7 h8 24.e5+ is fine because W hite would simply meet f6 25.xf6! The final nail in the coffin. xf6 13...Rxh2 with 14.Rxh2 Bxg3+ 15.Kf1 Bxh2 26.f4 e8 27.xf6+ 16.exf5. Here, Black's light-square bishop is 1-0 safe, so 13. Be3 is just a blunder. 14.0-0 c4! 15.d2 ( 15.xc4 xg2+ 16.xg2 xe4+ 17.f2 xg3+ 18.e2 e5! 129 A02 is totally crushing.) 15...xf1 16.xh2 h8+ 17.g1 xg2 18.xg2 h3 19.f2 Lie,Kjetil A 2560 g5 20.a3 xa3 21.bxa3 d2 22.e1 Sulskis,Sarunas 2577 e3+? 23.f1 d3+ 24.g1 xd4 18th European Teams (8.16) 10.11.2011 25.cxd4 xd4+ 0-1 Simonsen, O (2115)[John Bartholomew] Nolsoe, R (2150)/Faroe Islands 1997. ] [ 12.0-0 0-0-0 13.e4? Czarekk2-BornOfFire/ 1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 3.exd6 xd6 4.f3 g5 playchess.com INT 2004. Again, this is 5.g3 g4 6.h4 e7 7.d4 g6 8.xg6 misguided: xh2! and White can't recapture hxg6 9.d3 c6 10.c3 e7 11.g2 because 14.xh2 h4+ 15.g1 xg3 e6!? Sulskis chooses a rare continuation. is decisive, e.g. 16.d1 e5! 17.e2 [ The main line is 11...f5 12.e4 0-0-0 h2+ 18.f1 c4+- ] and now either 13.e3 Rendle, T (2370)[ 12.e3 We've seen that this move can be Kot ron ias , V (258 5)/ Calet a 2 005 /[Joh n good, but with the bishop on e6 White isn't Watson]. ( or 13.0-0 e5 Antoshin, V threatening a queen trade. Also, d4-d5 isn't Panchenko, A /USSR 1983/[TonyK]. yet a threat. h5!? ( 12...0-0-0! is stronger Analysis of both of these continuations can 122
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 be c au s e o f 13.d5? c5 ) 13.d2 0-0-0 14.b3 dh8 Bachler, R (2226)-Steinbacher, T (2059)/Jenbach AUT 2009. ] [ Finally, only White can get in trouble with 12.d5?! , f o r i n s t a n c e e5 13.b5+? ( 13.d4 f5 ) 13...d7! 14.xb7 0-0-+ White is fatally underdeveloped and unable to ward off threats like 15...Nd3+, or 15... Rfb8 followed by 16...Bb5. ] 12...0-0-0 13.e4 h5!? A nice, multipurpose square for the rook in this line. Black def ends against the imminent threat of 14.Bg5 and prepares to double on the h-file. A future d4-d5 push is also discouraged. [ The forcing continuation 13...d5 14.g5 xe4 15.xe7 xd3 16.xd8 e8 17.0-0 xe2 18.g5 xf1 19.xf1 is quite similar to the note to Gardner-Rekhson (11...Bd7). The static advantages of the bishop pair and queenside majority give White a stable edge. ] [ 13...e5!? takes advantage of the d-file pin. An intriguing line runs 14.g5 ( 14.b5!? ) 14...f5 15.e3 f6 16.dxe5 fxg5 17.xc6! bxc6 18.xa7 e4 19.a6+ b8 ( 19...d7 20.f1 is dangerous for Black.) 20.e3! c5 ( 20...xh1?? 21.a7+ a8 22.c5++- ) 21.b5+ c8 22.f1 , when W hite has some advantage in a messy position. ] 14.xd6+! Simplification is best. [ We've seen that castling short isn't altogether unusual in the main-line From's, so 14.0-0!? is interesting to investigate. After dh8 15.f2! is a good response. Ho we v e r , t h e c o m p l i c a t i o n s a f t e r xh2 16.g5 f8 17.d5 e5 18.d4 f5 19.xd6+ xd6 seem fine for Black, e.g. ( 19...cxd6 20.xa7+- ) 20.f4 ( 20.xa7 f3+! 21.exf3 xg3 forces White to take a perpetual: 22.a8+ d7 23.a4+ c8 24.a8+= ) 20...f6 21.xa7 g5! 22.xe5 xe5 23.d6! e4 A) or 24.d7+ xd7 25.a4+ c6 26.xc6+ bxc6 27.xh2 xg3+ 28.g2 e3+ 29.f2 g3+= ( The rook ending after 29...g3 30.d4+ xd4 31.cxd4 gxf2+ 32.xf2 e6 is level. ); B) 24.a8+ d7 25.a4+ c6 26.xc6+ bxc6 27.xh2 ( 27.xg4+??
f5-+ ) 27...xg3+ 28.g2 e3+ 29.f2 g3+ ( 29...g3 30.g4+ d8 31.dxc7+ xc7 32.af1= ) 30.g2= ] 14...xd6?! [ Here 14...cxd6! is preferable. On 15.d5 e5 16.d4 , a7 is indeed hanging, but f5 A) 17.e3! is best, when dh8 18.0-0-0 xh2 19.xh2 xh2 20.h1! A1) 20...xg2?? 21.h8+ c7 ( or 21...d7 22.xa7+- ) 22.xa7+-; A2) 20...xh1+ 21.xh1 b6 is only a little better for White.; B) 17.xa7? i s n ' t a d v i s a b l e : d3+ 18.f1 e8 19.e3 (this or the equ iva len t 1 9. Qe3 - the re's n o o the r defense) xe3 20.xe3 xe3 21.exd3 xd3+ 22.g1 d7 ] 15.f4 d7 16.e4? This results in an opposite-color bishop scenario where Black has ample counterplay. [ 16.0-0! dh8 17.f2! is a familiar and effective motif. Black's counterplay stalls because of xh2?? 18.xc6+- ] 16...g5 17.e3 e5 18.c2 [ or 18.d1 f3+ 19.xf3 gxf3 20.xf3 g4 21.g2 b5! ] 18...f3+ 19.xf3 gxf3 20.d5 h3 21.0-0-0 e8 22.he1 g4 The game is balanced. 23.d4 f5! 24.g1 fxe4 [ 24...e5!? ] 25.dxe4 hh8 26.d6!? h5 27.e7 [ 27.xe8+ xe8 28.xe8+ xe8 ( 28...xe8 29.f5+?! ) 29.dxc7 e6! 30.d1 xc7 31.xf3 xa2 is just symbolically better for White. ] 27...cxd6 28.xe8+ xe8 29.xe8+ xe8 30.f5+ b8 31.xg5 g6 [ The most clear-cut is 31...e1+ 32.c2 e2+ ( 32...xg1?? 33.d8# ) 33.d2 g6+ 34.c1 e6 with sufficient lightsquare play to keep the balance ] 32.f2 [ 32.b3! ] 32...b6 33.f4 e2 34.xd6+ b7 35.d7+ b8 36.d2 Playing for the win. f1+ 37.e1 b7?! Unnecessary. [ 37...f2! was an immediate draw: 38.xf2 d3 and one side will give perpetual. ] 38.b3! Now White has an escape route for his king via b2-a3. f2 39.xf2 d3 40.b2 b1+ 41.a3 c1+ 42.b4? 123
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ White's king is in a precarious position after 42.a4 , but this is the only try for victory! For example, e8+ 43.b4 a5+ 44.c4 d1 45.d2! g4+ 46.d3 and White is escaping the checks. ] 42...a5+ 43.c4 d1! Now it should be drawn, but it is W hite who has to secure it! 44.d2?? There were two ways to ensure the half point: [ 44.g2+ a7 45.d2 is equal, but White has to endure a scary-ish king walk: g4+ 46.d5 ( 46.d4?? e2+-+ ) 46...d7+ ( 46...f5+; or 46...f3+ also result in perpetuals.) 47.e5 ( 47.c4?? c6+ 48.d4 e4# ) 47...f5+ 48.d6 c5+ 49.d7 f5+ 50.e8 c6+ 51.d8 f6+ 52.e8 e6+ A) 53.d8?? g8+ 54.e7 g7+! 55.e8 ( 55.d6 f6+ 56.c7 e7+ 57.c6 c5# ) 55...g6+ 56.d8 f8+ 57.c7 and now ( 57.d7 f5+ 58.c7 c8+ 59.d6 c5# ) 57...f5!! and White is helpless against either 58... Qc8+ or 58...Qb8+.; B) 53.f8! O n l y t h i s w a y ! f6+ ( A n a t t e m p t t o m a t e w i t h 53...g6 w o n ' t s u c c e e d , f o r e x a m p l e 54.g7 ) 54.e8 e6+= ] [ The simplest draw is 44.b4 , e.g. A) 44...d3+ 45.b3 b1+ 46.a3 axb4+ 47.cxb4 c1+ ( or 47...d3+ ) 48.b3 b1+=; B) 44...a4!? the trickiest, taking away the b3-square. W hite is fine, though, after 45.d2 g4+ 46.d5 d7+ 47.e5 e7+ 48.d5 e4+ 49.d6 c6+ 50.e5= ] 44...g4+ 45.d5 [ 45.d4 e2+ 46.d5 f7+ 47.d6 e6# ] 45...d7+ 46.e5 e7+ 47.f4 [ The difference compared to the 44.b4 a4!? variation is that 47.d5 now just loses to f7+ 48.d4 c5+ - no control of c5! ] 47...f6+ 48.e3 e5+ With 49...Qe4 next. 0-1
130
A02
Mailbox Mike Ridge Question From,Sigfred [John Watson] A question from reader Michael Ridge: 'I've noticed that a lot of club players play From's G a m b it wit h t h e t h e o re t ica l n o ve lt y (n o t covered in the scant literature on the gambit, including Taylor's new book) 1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 3.exd6 xd6 4.f3 g4 . I wondered what you thought was the best line against this. I take it the idea is just to strand the king in the centre after ...Bxf3 and ...Qh4+. That makes me think 6 g3 might be the best way to cut across this, with Bg2, d4, and Qd3 all to follow. Thoughts on this sideline? No doubt its not a real threat to Bird's Opening or someone would have at least discussed it by now, but even in these sidelines it seems easy f o r Bla ck t o whip u p a da n ge ro u s at t a c k because of the activity of his pieces, so I wo n d e r e d wh a t t h e b e s t c o u n t e r t o t h i s particular set up might be...' [John Watson: Good Question! I checked Taylor's book and he does give a game in which 4...Nc6 5.d4 Bg4 occurred. Taylor as White played 6.e3. I'll throw out a few moves, including something similar to that: 5.e4!? This move is interesting because both main lines 4...Nf6 and 4...g5 prevent it, and 4...Bg4 doesn't, at least immediately. [ (a) The move you mention, and indeed the standard one in a majority of From's Gambits, is 5.g3?! . But it seems to fail (or at best draw) versus h5! threatening ...h4. This should give at least enough for a pawn, f o r e xa m p l e , 6.d4 h4 7.xh4 xh4! 8.gxh4 xh4+ 9.d2 A) 9...c6!? 10.c3 xh2 11.g2 g5+ 12.e1 ( 12.c2? f5+ ) 12...g3+ 13.f1 and White probably escapes; B) 9...g5+ draws after 10.e1 ( 10.d3 g6+ i s a t b e s t v e r y d a n g e r o u s) 10...h4+ 11.d2 g5+; C) 9...f6! 10.c3 ( 10.g2 f2! ) 10...h5!! ( 10...f2 is strong, but this is better ) 11.d3 c6 12.e3 e5+! 13.dxe5 d8! and White can resign, e.g., 14.d2 a3+! 15.c1 xb2+ 16.xb2 b4+ 17.c1 xc3 ] 124
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ (b) 5.e3 (a la Taylor) c5! (the idea is to gain spa ce and restrain W hite's centre ( 5...f6!? 6.e2 c6 7.0-0 e7 8.c3 0-0-0 . White stands pretty solidly and should be better) 6.c3 ( 6.b5+ c6 7.0-0 c7 8.h3 h5 9.c3 f6 ) 6...f6 7.e2 ( 7.d3 c6 8.e4 c7 ) 7...c6 8.0-0 a6 9.d4 c7 10.h3 ( 10.dxc5 xc5 unclear ) 10...cxd4 11.exd4 xf3 12.xf3 xd4 unclear ] 5...e7! This leaves open the possibility of ... f5. [ 5...f6 6.c3 e7 7.d3 c6 8.e2 0-0-0 9.0-0 h5!? , but the attack is hard to continue with. ] [ 5...f5!? is also worth thinking about. ] 6.c3 [ 6.d3 f5! 7.c3 f6 8.g5 bd7 9.e2 h6 10.xf6 xf6 11.d4 xh2!? wit h t he id e a 12.xh2 ( 12.xg4 xg4 13.xf5 g5 ) 12...e5 13.h1 xd4 ] [ 6.e2 f5 ( 6...xe4!? 7.c3 e6 8.0-0 f6 )] 6...f5 7.d3 f6 8.e2 c6 9.exf5 [ 9.g5 0-0-0 10.0-0-0 he8 with pressure and unclear compensation for the pawn. ] 9...e5! This threat ens ...Nd4 and in many cases ...Bxf3 will follow. White is tied up and Black can be happy. Conclusions: I think that 5.g3 is a mistake. 5.e3 is solid but at least 5... c5 prevents an easy buildup in the centre. Finally, Black should play some kind of ...f5 idea against 5.e4, because pieces alone won't break down White's structure. 4...Bg4 looks as good a try here as any, and perhaps the best one, especially since Taylor debunks some of Black's other continuations. That's just a surface-scratcher. Great question!
131 Mena Sanroma,A Canal Oliveras,Joan Catalunya-chT (4) [Nigel Davies]
A02 2020 2245 1999
1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 3.f3 [ 3.exd6 xd6 4.f3 f6 would reach the same po sition as the game bu t a move faster. ] 3...dxe5 4.xe5 d6 5.f3 f6 6.d3 g4
7.g5 f6 8.c1 c6 This makes perfect sense, lining up against h2. [ Black's main try in this position has been just to develop as quickly as possible with 8...c6 , though in this case I find his play le s s t h a n co n vi n c i n g b e c a u s e W h i t e ' s position is rather solid (two central pawns!) even if he is behind in development. After 9.c3 ( Perhaps it's better to start controlling some central squares with 9.c3!? when 0-0 10.g3 ce5 11.g2 e8 12.0-0 h5 13.h3 h6 14.xe5 xe5 15.e4 xd1 16.xd1 xg3 17.d4 saw White reach a slightly better endgame in Markovic, MS t a d l e r , T / B e l g r a d e 1 9 6 8) 9...c5 ( Black has tried other moves here but 9...f5 f a i l s t o c o n v i n c e a f t e r 10.g5 d7 11.d2; whilst 9...ce5 10.g3 0-0 11.g2 xf3+ 12.xf3 xh2 13.xh2 xg3+ 14.f2 f5 15.e3 was good for White in Bocharov, I-Khlichkova, T/Berdsk 2007.) 10.e3 xe3 11.xe3 ( 11.e2 is better af ter which e7 12.d5 f2+ 13.d1 xe2+ 14.xe2 b6 15.f1 0-0 is about equal) 11...xe3 12.e2 e7 13.d2 xf1+ 14.xf1 e6 and Black wa s b e t t e r i n F lo ri a n , J-K o ska , J / B rn o 1957. ] 9.c3 c7 10.e4 [ W h i t e h a s a n o t h e r p o ssi b i li t y i n 10.g3 after which xg3+ 11.hxg3 xg3+ 12.d2 f2 ( 12...f4+ 13.e1 g3+ is a draw ) 13.g1 xg1 14.xg1 xd1 15.xd1 produces a messy endgame. ] 10...xh2 11.xh2 xh2 12.g3 [ W h i t e h a s a l s o p l a y e d 12.d2 , for example 0-0 ( 12...xf1 13.xf1 a6 seems more precise when 14.f4 0-0 is equal ) 13.f4 xf4 14.xf4 g4 15.d6 and White has the better endgame in Ja n se , L -Lo gda h l, U/Ha llsta h am m a r 2001. ] 12...g4? After this White gets a strong initiative. [ 12...xf1 was better after which 13.xf1 ( 13.f4 e3! ) 13...0-0 14.f4 b6 is about equal. ] 13.f4 a5+ 14.c3 g5 15.d6+ d7 16.c4 c5 17.e3 d8 [ 17...gxf4 18.xg4+ wins a pawn and keeps a strong attack. ] 125
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 18.b4 e7 19.d6 e6 20.h3 b5 21.xg4 xg4 22.xg4 xg4 23.a5 White is also better in the endgame, at least for the time being. d7 24.c5 h5 25.f2 c7 26.e7?! [ 26.d4 was the right move, still with a slight edge. ] 26...d7 27.b3 he8 28.c5 e5 29.c1 a5 30.e4 [ 30.bxa5 xa5 31.e4 was better. ] 30...axb4 31.xb4 [ After 31.cxb4 Black has a3! . ] 31...d7 32.b3 b6 33.d4 Trying to stabilise his dark square control, even if it means losing a pawn. [ If 33.a4 there follows c5 34.a5+ c6 35.a3 e6 etc. ] 33...xe4 34.he1 xe1 35.xe1 e8+ 36.f2 e2+ 37.f1 f5 [ 37...b2 would have been more patient. ] 38.e1?! [ 38.a4 was a better try. ] 38...xa2 39.c5 h3+ 40.g1 f4?! [ 40...xc5 41.xc5+ a5 looks like it should win. ] 41.xd7+ xd7 42.gxf4 g4 43.e5? [ 43.e7 was the right move. ] 43...h4 44.g5 h3 45.c5+ a5 46.g7 h2+ 47.h1 g3 48.xg3 e6 49.c4 bxc4 [ 49...b4! was better. ] 50.a3+ xa3 51.xa3 a4 52.c1 b3 53.xh2 c2 54.a3 c3 55.g3 d1 56.f3 c2 57.e4 c1 58.xc1 xc1 59.e5 d5 60.d6 c2 61.f5 c3 62.c5 White will win the c6 pawn by distracting the bishop with his f-pawn. ½-½
compensation for the pawn. 6.g3 [ 6.e4 g4 7.e2 ( 7.g3 xh2 8.xh2 xg3+ 9.f2 xf2+ 10.xf2 c6 11.c3 e6 is a line that more enterprising might like to test!) 7...xh2 8.xh2 h4+ 9.d2 g5+ 10.e1 ( Or 10.c3 c5+ ) 10...h4+ 11.d2 g5+ is a draw by perpetual check. ] 6...g4 7.g2 c6 8.c3 0-0-0 9.f4 he8 10.d2 b4 11.a3 A slip which could have lost material. [ 11.g5 was the right move, pinning that knight on f6, though after h6 12.xf6 xf6 13.0-0 c5+ 14.h1 e3 Black has terrific compensation. ] 11...xc3 [ 11...e4! is very strong here. ] 12.bxc3 d5 13.h3 h5 14.e4 f5 15.d4 [ 15.g5 f6 is very good for Black. ] 15...fxe4 16.xc6 bxc6 17.0-0? [ 17.d4 should be played here after which e3 is met by 18.d3 , menacing a check on a6. ] [ After 17.0-0? Black can get what looks close to a winning position via e3 18.e1 g5! 19.c4 xf4 20.gxf4 e2 21.f2 gxf4 etc. ] ½-½
133 Reddmann,Hauke Langrock,Hannes IHEM Hamburg GER (7) [Tony Kosten]
A02 2337 2261 08.06.2001
1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 c6 A sensible alternative to the standard [ 2...d6 ] 132 A02 3.f3 Otherwise Black would simply recapture Pribyl,Josef 2376 t h e e - p a w n . g5! The tactical point, Hausner,Ivan 2412 threatening to drive the white knight away and Steinitz Memorial-A 1st (9) 03.01.2001 recapture the sacrificed pawn. [Nigel Davies] [ 3...d6 would return to 2...d6. ] 4.d4 1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 3.exd6 xd6 4.f3 f6 [ 4.g3!? is a reasonable alternative, g4 5.d3 e7!? A novelty on move 5! Actually this 5.h4 xe5 6.g2 Kloster,O-Pedersen,L/ makes perfect sense as Black will bring his Oslo NOR 2002, W hite has returned the pawn to help his development, and can try pieces out to natural squares and castle long, arguing that his lead in development and the to exploit the f5-square. ] weaknesses in W hite's camp are good [ 4.h3?! justifies Black's play, d6 when the 126
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 p a wn c a n n o t b e t a ke n 5.exd6?! xd6 and the weakness of g3 is a problem. ] 4...g4 5.g5 [ 5.g1!? might be better, although d6 6.e4 dxe5 7.d5 ce7 8.g5 f6 9.h4 g6 gave Black reasonable play, Maroja,S-Zelic, M/Zadar CRO 2000. ] 5...d5!? Black threatens to win the knight, but as in the 'long whip' variation of the King's Gambit, the knight is happy to sacrifice itself. [ 5...h6! is the strongest, I think: 6.e4 ( 6.h4?! gxh3 7.f3 xc1 8.xc1 xd4! ) 6...xc1 7.xc1 xd4 8.c3 c6 ( 8...e6!? ) 9.f4 e7 10.f6+ xf6 11.exf6 e5 White's structure is looser than Black's, who has a small edge, Clausen,MSkaaning,K/Gausdal NOR 2000. ] [ 5...d6 6.a3?! ( 6.exd6 see the main line ) 6...dxe5 7.d5 ce7 8.c4 f6 9.c2 f5 is very pleasant for Black, Psathas,TVouldis,A/Kavala GRE 2001. ] 6.e4!? [ 6.exd6 might be the better choice objectively, although certainly not quite so much fun for White: xd6 7.c3 (there was a threat to d4) e7 with typical gambit play open lines and better development. ] 6...h6 7.xf7 xf7 8.e3 The black king is in the open, and White has a couple of pawns, but as White has no development advantage to speak of, I wonder if this is really enough. ge7 9.c3 g7?! [ 9...g7!? is a sensible move, removing the king from the open f-file, and the exposed a2-g8 diagonal. ] 10.exd5 xd5 11.c4 e6 12.0-0+ g8 13.xd5 xd5 14.xg4 Picking-up a third pawn. e7 15.xd5 xd5 16.f6! White could also try to advance his centre, by [ 16.b3 and c4. ] 16...h7 17.af1?! [ 17.e6! is almost winning: ae8 18.g5! and Black is in trouble as hxg5? 19.h5+ g8 20.xe8+ is catastrophic. ] 17...af8 The rook cannot be captured: [ 17...xf6?? 18.xf6 menaces mate on h6, g8 19.g6# ] 18.c4!? xc4 19.xh6 White forces a draw, but he could still continue the game by [ 19.e4+ g8 20.xf8+ xf8 21.xb7 ] 19...xh6 20.xh6+
[ 20.e4+ g8 21.g4+ is another way. ] 20...xh6 21.h4+ g6 22.g4+ h6 23.h4+ g6 ½-½
134 Rendle,Thomas Kotronias,Vasilios Gibraltar Masters (1) [John Watson]
A02 2370 2585 25.01.2005
1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 When's the last time you travelled through From's Gambit territory? I'll try to give you an update and inspiration! 3.exd6 [ Tony has thoroughly covered the options as shown in his e-book - the key games referred to there can be found on ChessPub. One suchdeviationis 3.f3 g5!? ] 3...xd6 4.f3 g5 He also discusses games with [ 4...c6 and ] [ 4...f6 ... ] 5.g3 [ ...as well as 5.d4 g4 6.e5 ! ] 5...g4 6.h4 e7 7.d4 bc6 This amounts to a transposition to the 'main lines', that is, those arising from [ 7...g6 8.xg6 ( 8.g2 is the other main line the interpolation of 7. .. Nbc6 8.c3 also transposes into the main line of that variation after c6 9.c3 e7 ) 8...hxg6 9.d3 c6 10.c3 etc. ] 8.c3 g6 9.xg6 hxg6 10.d3 f5 11.e4 e7 12.g2 0-0-0 13.e3 [ (a) 13.0-0 e5!? is a position known to all From Gambit lovers, but it's not clear that Black has enough: A correspondence game Poel-van Oirschot, corres 1986 went 14.e3! ( Tony analysed AntoshinPanchenko, USSR 1983, which went 14.d1 f3+ 15.xf3 gxf3 16.exf5 xh2 17.xf3 h3 18.f4 xf4 19.xf4 dh8 20.f3 g5 21.f2 h2+ 22.g1 h1+! 23.xh1 e3+ 24.g2 e4+ 25.f3 xh1 ) A) 14...f3+? 15.xf3 gxf3 16.exf5 xh2! was played in one brilliancy alas, after 17.f2! the attack falls short ( or 17.xf3 ); 127
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 B) 14...d7 15.d2 ( 15.b4!? c4 16.e2 and c5 is covered and White seems to stand better after xh2! 17.e5 dh8 18.f2! xe5 19.dxe5 xe5 20.f4 2h5 21.d2 Blankenberg,BHenke,S email 2002) 15...f5 ( 15...b5 16.d1 ) 16.f2 ( 16.exf5 (Given '??' in ' H o w t o p l a y t h e F r o m G a m b i t ' ) f3+ 17.xf3 gxf3 18.xe7 xe7 19.xf3 xf5 20.e5 is slightly better for White) 16...df8 17.f1 ( 17.b4! ) 17...b5 18.exf5 xf5 drawn. White has good options throughout and stands better at the end, so what was Kotronias (who is so theoretically inclined) thinking? My guess is that he would have settled for 13... Be6 or 13...Bd7, with ideas similar to the game but a little better. ] [ (b) 13.f4 xf4 14.gxf4 has been played a lot over the years. Black seems to do fine in the line beginning with h3! ] [ (c) 13.d5? e5 14.c2 f3+ 15.xf3 gxf3 16.d2 xg3+ ] 13...e6!? A move that is seldom played here and may not be very good. Alternatives are: [ (a) 13...de8 has been tried in a couple of g a m e s , b u t 14.d2 f6 15.0-0-0 leaves White harmoniously placed, and 15. exf5 Qxe3+ 16. Qxe3 Rxe3+ 17. Kf2 also favours White ] [ (b) A wonderful correspondence game went 13...xh2 (I'd give this a '?!?') 14.xh2 xg3+ 15.e2? ( 15.d2 pretty much wins, but the game is astonishing:) 15...e5 16.g5! xd3 17.xe7 f4+ 18.f1 e8 19.exf5? ( 19.g5! ) 19...gxf5 (White is temporarily a rook and two pieces ahead!) 20.h6 ( 20.h7 xe7 21.a3 e2 22.h8+ ) 20...xe7 21.a3 e2 22.h8+ d7 23.xb7 f2+ 24.g1 h3+ 25.xh3 gxh3 ( Now due to ...c6 Black has a draw any times he wants if 26.Bd5, 26... c6 drives the bishop away) 26.b1 c6 27.d5 f4 28.xc6+ c7 29.c4 a6 30.a8 g2+ 31.h1 1/2-1/2 Arnold,G-Bennborn,J/ ICCF Email 2000/MegaCorr2 (31). ] [ (c) 13...d7! has scored quite well. The immediate idea is 14.e5? xe5 15.dxe5 xe5 16.e2 d3+! 17.f1 he8 with a winning game ] 14.f2 More choices:
[ (a) If White takes up the challenge by 14.e5 (u n t rie d ? ), t h e n I t h ink t h at B la ck ge t s surprising play following xe5 15.xc6 d6! ( 15...bxc6? 16.a6+ and dxe5 ) 16.g2 xh2! 17.xh2 xg3+ 18.d2 ( 18.f2 xh2 19.d1 f5 ) 18...xh2 19.a3 f5 with two pawns and attack for the piece ] [ (b) 14.d2? xh2! 15.xh2 xg3+ 16.d1 xh2 is clearly better for Black, e.g. , 17.e2 f5 18.f1 e5! 19.c2 f4 etc. ] [ 14.f4 xf4 15.gxf4 g5 16.e3 gxf4 17.xf4 h4 18.d2 g8 19.g3 f5 20.0-0 h3 21.f4 h4 1/2-1/2 Westerman,H-Markus,J/NED-ch20 corr 1990/Corr Nr. 1 (21). ] [ 14.d5 xh2! 15.xh2 xg3+ 16.e2 xh2 17.c2 f5! ] 14...f5 15.d2! [ This time Black meets 15.e5 with xe5 16.xc6 f6 17.g2 c4+ 18.e3 f7 ] 15...f7!? [ Keeping threats in the position, as opposed to 15...fxe4 16.xe4 ( or 16.xe4 df8 17.e2! ) 16...d5 17.0-0-0! xa2 18.e2 , attacking g4. Still, that wouldn't be so bad, whereas 15... Qf7?! is a big risk. ] 16.0-0-0!? [ Perhaps it was time to pull the trigger: 16.d5! fxe4 ( 16...e5 17.d4 ) 17.xe4 e5 18.d4 f5 19.0-0-0 b6 20.a4 b8 21.d4 with a nice advantage. ] 16...xa2?! More provocation! [ 16...fxe4 17.xe4 xa2 was a sounder course. ] 17.b5? [ White seems intent upon playing "safe" moves. Could Black really have survived 17.e5! ? Then the logical follow up would be xe5 18.xc6 f6 ( 18...d6 19.d5! ) 19.b3 , with Kb2 to follow in most cases. Not only does White miss this opportunity, but now Black gains full counterplay. ] 17...fxe4 18.xe4 he8 [ 18...h5 is another way to proceed, preventing White from reaching defensive squares on the kingside. ] 19.e3 xe4!? Kotronias is in a wild mood! This speculative sacrif ice gains the light squares and tries not to cede the initiative. It is a gamble that pays off, although 128
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 19...a6 was a sounder option. ] 20.xe4 c4 21.g5 e2 22.xd6+?! [ The natural move is 22.de1 but White didn't want Black to keep pieces on the board, e.g., e7 23.f4 c4 with the idea of ...Nb4 and ...Rd5-a5 in some cases. ] [ The best try for a serious edge was 22.d5! , f o r e xam ple , xd1 ( 22...e7 23.f4 xf4 24.xf4 xd1 25.xd1 ) 23.xd1 e5 24.xd6+ cxd6 25.xa7 ] 22...xd6 23.he1!? [ 23.de1 d5 ( 23...d3?! 24.xg4+ f5 25.hf1! and Rxf5 follows) 24.f4 f5 25.xe2!? ( 25.h6 f3 ) 25...xf4 26.xf4 g5! 27.e5 is unclear ] 23...d5 24.xe2? Right idea, poor timing. [ 24.f4! f5 25.xe2 xf4 26.xf4 improves for White over the last note. ] 24...xg5 25.xg5 f5 Now Black takes control of the light squares with tempo and stands better. 26.d2 b6 [ Perhaps enough to win, but Black also had t h e s t r o n g m o v e 26...a5! 27.b4 ( 27.e5?? b3#! ) 27...c4 with a wonderful outpost and domination of the light squares. Then 28.e7? can be met by a3 29.b2 c2+ 30.xa3 xd1 ] 27.de1 a5 28.e4! b5! 29.c2?! [ 29.b4 c4 30.1e2 was a better chance, with ideas like Be1 and d5. Black is still bet te r af te r a5! 31.e1 axb4 32.cxb4 d6! ] 29...b3+ 30.d3 [ 30.b1 c4 31.c1 a3+ 32.a1 c2+ 33.b1 xe1 34.xe1 a5 is convincing ] 30...xb2 31.e7 [ 31.e5 c6! illustrates the dominance of Blac k 's k n igh t ove r W h ite 's bisho p : ( or 31...b3 ) 32.e6 b5+ 33.c2 c4 34.b2 a5 etc. ] 31...b5+ 32.c2 b3+ 33.d3 c4+ 34.c2 c6! 35.7e4 b4+ 36.d1 d5 37.xg4? [ But 37.c2 b4+ 38.d1 d3 39.f1 b2+ 40.e1 b3! threatening ...Qd1+ decides after 41.f2 c2 42.e2 d1+ 43.g1 xc3 ] 37...d3! 0-1
135 Szlos,Leonardo Quinteros,Miguel Angel ARG-ch qual Mar del Plata [Nigel Davies]
A02
1967
1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 3.exd6 xd6 4.f3 f6 5.d3 g4 6.g5 f6 7.h4 [ 7.c1 is another idea, keeping control of e3. ] 7...0-0 A simple approach from the Argentinian GM. Black has tried other moves here, for example: [ a) 7...g5 8.f2 ( 8.g3 xg3+ 9.hxg3 d6 10.h3 e3 11.d2 xf1 12.xf1 xh3 won the exchange in Bermejo, EBartis, G/Buenos Aires 1966) 8...xf2 9.xf2 g4 ( 9...c6 10.e3 c7 11.bd2 g4 12.d4 h5 13.g3 h4 14.g2 hxg3+ 15.hxg3 xg3+ 16.e2 h4 17.f1 saw White assume the initiative in Nielsen, E-Eiholdt, B/Copenhagen 2003) 10.fd2 f5 11.g3 c5+ 12.e3 0-0 13.b3 d5 14.d4! d6 ( 14...xh1 15.c4+ ) 15.1d2 f7 16.c4 e6 17.xe6 xe6 18.e2 left Black short of compensation for the pa wn in B a ile y, G-Ra f t sho l, W / De tro it 1990. ] [ b) 7...e3 8.d2 f4 9.c3 c6 10.f2 g4 ( 10...d6 11.d2 drives the knight from e3 and leaves Black with only nebulous compensation) 11.bd2 e7 12.c4 xf3 13.gxf3 d4 was Saint Pierre, S-Caire, F/Quebec 2004, and now 14.xe3! xe3 15.d1! 0-0-0 16.xe3 xe3 17.d2 would have left Black struggling to find enough play for the pawn. ] 8.c3?! I don't like this because White's queen lacks escape squares. [ I think that White had better ways to play it, f o r e x a m p l e 8.d2!? g5!? 9.h3 f4 10.c3 e3 11.f2 ] [ or 8.c3 g5 9.b3+ g7 10.h3 e3 11.f2 . In either case I remain unconvinced about Black's compensation. ] 8...e3 9.d2? [ White's queen needs to get out of the way o f B l a c k ' s c o m i n g . . . B d 6 - f 4 wi t h 9.b1 t h o u g h a f t e r e8 his position is deeply disgusting though perhaps not lost. ] 9...f4! Leaving White with no way to save his 129
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 queen. 10.g3 xg2+ 11.xg2 xd2+ 12.xd2 c6 13.0-0-0 a5 14.b1 [ 14.c4 looks like a better try, at least having some activity for the lost material. Black would have to be careful. ] 14...e6 15.e4 a6 16.b3 xb3 17.axb3 c7 18.hf1 b5 19.xb5 xb5 20.f5 b4 White could still play on here but probably thought he had better things to do. 0-1
16...e6 17.c5 d7 18.d5 xc5 19.dxc6 simply winning a piece. And Black's compensation is non-existent. xc6 20.c3 b6 21.b4 d3 22.d4 e5 23.c2 xc1 24.axc1 fe8 25.xg6 xg6 26.f3 c6 27.cf1 f6 28.f5 h8 29.g3 f7 30.d6 1-0
137 136 Taylor,Timothy Aigner,Michael1 Masters Las Vegas USA (7) [Nigel Davies]
A02 2330 2245 13.06.2006
Another good example of White playing d2-d4 and e2-e3 against the 'piece play' versions of the From. And I don't see much compensation for Black. 1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 3.exd6 xd6 4.f3 c6 This keeps open options of either piece play (...Ng8-f6) or a push with the gpawn (...g7-g5). 5.d4 g4 6.e3 Once again a conservative approach, putting the onus on Black to show that he has something. e7 7.e2 This simple developing move appears to be new. [ 7.c3 f5 8.e2 f6 9.d3 e4 10.bd2 0-0-0 gave Black a good game in Olszynski, K (2256)-Bjornsson, S (2329), Reykjavik 2007. But can 7.c3 really be the right move? ] 7...f6 8.c3 0-0 9.0-0 ae8 10.a3 Is it my imagination or does Black have very little for the pawn? The latter, I believe... d7 11.b5 d5 12.xd6 xd6 13.d3 h5 14.c4 [ Continuing his conservative ways with 14.d2! seems better. Now Black gets a brief opportunity for counterplay... ] 14...g6 15.b3 f4?! Missing the moment. [ He should have tried 15...a5!? when 16.b5 xe3 17.xa5 c2 18.d1 xa1 19.c3 is probably good for White because of Black's trapped knight, but at least it would have been a contest. ] 16.d1 [ And not 16.exf4? xd4! 17.xd4 xd4+ 18.h1 xe2 etc. ]
Bagirov,Vladimir Heemskerk,Fenny GMA op Moscow (2) [Nigel Davies]
A03 2460 2025 1989
1.b3 f6 2.b2 e6 3.e3 d5 4.f4 c5 5.f3 c6 6.b5 d7 7.0-0 e7 8.d3 As a waiting move this makes perfect sense and there's another one he can play with 9. Nbd2. Does Black have anything better than to force the bishop on b5 to declare its intentions with 8...a6? a6 [ Heemskerk doesn't think so or perhaps wondered what could be done after 8...0-0 9.bd2 . But playing devil's advocate for a moment I think it's reasonable for Black to play b4 10.xd7 xd7 , keeping the pieces needed to challenge White's control of e5. It's true that White wins a tempo on the b4 knight with 11.a3 but after c6 intending 12...Bf6 it doesn't look like anything special. ] 9.xc6 xc6 10.e5 b6 [ After 10...0-0 White should at least be able to claim a slight edge with 11.xc6 ( 11.f3 is the more violent interpretation) 11...bxc6 12.d2 because of Black's weakened pawn structure. ] 11.e2 0-0 12.f3 d4 Exaggerated urgency (or should I say panic?) seems to be par for the course in these positions for Black. But is it necessary at this stage? [ 12...d7 looks playable here, for example 13.h3 xe5 14.h5 h6 15.xe5 f6 seems fine for Black. ] 13.xc6 bxc6?! [ Black is understandably unwilling to jettison a pawn with 13...xc6 , but there seems to be some play for it after 14.exd4 cxd4 15.xd4 fd8 . For my money this seems 130
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 like a far better chance than the strategically gruesome capture with the pawn. ] 14.d2 fd8 15.c4 a7 16.h3 [ 16.f5 might have been even stronger. ] 16...h6 17.f1 h7? A blunder in a poor position, White's reply just forks the f7 and c6 pawns. 18.e5 f8 19.xc6 d7 20.xe7 xe7 21.exd4 d5 22.f5 exf5 23.xe7 xe7 24.a3 g6 25.xc5 fe8 26.c4 ac8 27.e3 c6 28.fe1 1-0
138 Balashov,Yuri S Sveshnikov,Evgeny RUS-ch m5-8 Elista (1.5) [Nigel Davies]
A03 2510 2560 21.05.1997
1.f4 Hoping no doubt to sidestep Sveshnikov's considerable theoretical knowledge. But even here it looks like the Russian Grandmaster knew exactly what he was doing. d5 2.f3 c5 3.e3 c6 4.b5 d7 5.b3 f6 6.b2 e6 7.0-0 e7 8.xc6 Simple and direct White tries to establish a knight on e5 and then build a kingside attack behind it. But in the light of Sveshnikov's precise defence in this game it is tempting to try and find improvements. [ With this in mind White might try 8.d3 ] [ or 8.a4 in his attempt to eke out an advantage. ] [ On the other hand it see ms tha t 8.e1 is well met by b4 . ] 8...xc6 9.e5 c8 A simple and logical defence, which when combined with Black's 11th move seems to solve his opening problems. [ Delving into the history books I found a game in which Black played 9...c7 10.d3 g8?! through concern against White's kingside pressure and possibly intending to strike back with ...g7-g5. But after 11.d2 d7? 12.h5 g6? 13.xh7 0-0-0 14.xf7 de8 15.xe6 Black found himself with inadequate compensation for the decimation of his pawns in Bird, H-Riemann, F/Hamburg 1885. ] 10.d3 0-0 11.d2 d7! The right way to
defend the position, immediately challenging White's knight on e5. 12.xc6 xc6 13.e4 f5! Once again a very instructive move from Black, preventing any further kingside expansion by White. It also places pawns on the opposite colour to Black's bishop, p ro d u cin g a kin d o f st ra t e gic 'h a rm o n y' . 14.e2 f6 15.xf6 xf6 16.ae1 dxe4 17.dxe4 d4+ 18.h1 xe4 Simplifying into a drawn rook endgame. 19.xe4 xe4 20.xe4 fxe4 21.xe4 d8 22.g1 d4 23.fe1 xe4 24.xe4 f7 25.f2 ½-½
139 Danielsen,Henrik Luther,Thomas Petermaennchen GM (2) [Tony Kosten]
A03 2512 2507 10.08.1999
1.f4 d5 2.f3 g4 Not a particularly popular move, but quite a logical one. However, after th is gam e it m igh t sim p ly b e co ns id e re d doubtful. 3.e3 d7 Black wants to play ...e5. 4.h3! This seems very strong, [ 4.e2 e6 5.0-0 was played in one of Larsen's games, against Barcza, Zurich 1959, but offers White little. ] 4...xf3 5.xf3 gf6 Necessary, to defend d5. 6.g4! A powerful move, intending to push Black off the board. Previously, W hite had played [ 6.c3 e6 and only then ( 6...c6 7.g4 e5 8.g5 g8 9.d3 also allows b4 10.d2 e7 11.a3 d6 which is similarly solid for Black, Vigus, J-Pert,N/Witley 1999.) 7.g4 b u t t h i s a l l o w s B l a c k t o p l a y b4 and following 8.g5 g8 9.d3 c6 10.d2 h6 Danielsen,H-Salmensuu,O/Open, Koge 1997, White was only slightly better. ] 6...e6 7.d3 b4+ 8.c3 The point, Black is not allowed to pin the white queen's knight. d6 9.e4! White plays concretely, forcing Black's developed pieces back, and gaining a la rge kin gsid e sp a ce a d va n t a g e , b e f o r e continuing his development. dxe4 10.dxe4 e5 11.g5 g8 12.f5 h6 13.h4 Keeping the kingside pawn-roller intact. e7 14.h5 b6 15.e3 Having achieved everything he wanted on the kingside, it is time to develop some 131
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 bits. d6 16.a3! c6 17.c4 xc4 game ) 12...b4 13.d2 would have been a 18.xc4 0-0-0 The f7-pawn couldn't be bit better for Black. ] d e f e n d e d , a n y w a y . 19.h2 Suddenly it 6.d3 h6 becomes clear that Black is quite lost. White [ Black can also bring the other knight out, intends Rd2, swapping Black's one, active, for example Danielsen, H (2520)-Ricardi, P rook, when the rest of Black's pieces remain (2515), Turin 2006 went 6...a6 7.e3 h6 trapped on the kingside. c7 20.xf7 hxg5? 8.0-0 f5 9.e2 h5!? 10.e5 e6 11.d4 De sp e ra t io n , b ut ot he r m o ve s we re also h4 12.g4 h3 13.h1 h4 14.d2 c7?! hopeless. 21.xh8 h6 22.xg7 g4 ( 14...0-0-0 is better ) 15.b3 a6 16.d3 23.f6 This is good, but b6 with a complex struggle ahead. ] [ 23.xa7 was even stronger, i.e. xh2 7.e4 dxe4 8.dxe4!? 24.e6+ ] [ 8.xe4 would have been easier to play, 1-0 but with little chance of being able to make life difficult for Black. ] 8...a6 9.e2 d7 10.a3 0-0-0 11.e5 g4 140 A03 12.e3 With a nice space advantage but an Davies,Nigel R 2457 uncastled king, White steers for an endgame. De Vassal,Thibault 2424 c5 13.0-0 f6 14.e4 b8 15.h1 f5 Attempting to set light to Black's Corres. FICGS (1) 01.07.2006 16.b4!? queenside. cxb4 17.axb4 xb4 [Nigel Davies] [ 17...xb4 18.b1 is very dangerous for Black. Here too there's an open b-file but I ' v e e x p e r i m e n t e d wi t h t h e B i r d a b i t i n at least he gains time on the knight on c3. ] correspondence chess, largely because I felt it would get my opponents 'out of their book'. 18.e1 c4 19.b1 b4 20.b5 d5 [ 20...a5 21.a3 would give White longUnfortunately it god me out of mine as well term compensation because of the and I didn't fare too well in these encounters, weakness of Black's queenside. ] though it would probably help if I understood the Leningrad Dutch a bit better. 1.f4 d5 21.f2 b6 22.e1 h5 23.d2 a4 24.xa7! xa7 2.f3 g6 3.g3 g7 4.g2 c6 [ White also has a powerful attack after [ Another Correspondence game of mine 24...xa7 25.c4 , for example c8 26.e6 went 4...f6 5.0-0 0-0 6.d3 c5 7.e1 threatens 27.Bxd5 followed by 28.Nxb6+. ] ( 7.c3 is a better try here.) 7...c6 8.e4 d4 Bailing out into a worse but dxe4 9.dxe4 e5 10.c3 d4 11.d2 25.xd5 exf4 12.gxf4 g4 13.e5 e6 with Black tenable endgame. [ 25...xd5? 26.xb6+ leads to mate. ] having a nice game in Davies, N (2457)26.xd4 xd4 27.e4 fxe5 28.c3 e6 Weber, K (2343), Corr. 2006. ] 29.a1+ b8 30.a8+ c7 31.a7+ c8 5.c3 [ Attempting to improve on Davies, N (2457)- 32.c4 c5 33.g2 b8 34.xe7 f8 Zubac, M (2387), Corr. 2006, which went 35.f7 e6 36.xe5 xf7 37.xf7 d3 5.d3 h6 6.c3 ( 6.c3 is better.) 6...d7 38.f1 c5 39.c6 c7 40.xh8 xh8 7.e4 dxe4 8.dxe4 0-0 9.0-0 c5 10.d4 41.d5 h4 42.g2 hxg3 43.hxg3 xc1 g5 Breaking up White's kingside e5 11.fxe5 g4 with the better game for 44.xc1 Black. My ef f orts in this opening would pawns after which the draw becomes clear. p r o b a b l y b e h e l p e d b y p l a y i n g m o r e 45.f5 g4 46.a1 d6 47.e6 h5 48.a4 ½-½ Leningrad Dutches with Black. ] 5...b6 [ A high level game, Malaniuk, V (2600)Gelfand, B (2675), Elista 1998, went 5...d4 6.e4 f6 7.f2 c5 8.0-0 c6 9.e4 dxe3 10.dxe3 xd1 11.xd1 0-0 and now 12.e4 ( Rather than 12.c3 , as played in the 132
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 141 Dimitrijevic,Aleksandra Sebag,Marie Stork YM Hengelo NED (9) [Tony Kosten]
A03 2292 2414 14.08.2004
1.f4 d5 2.f3 g6 3.e3 g7 4.e2 f6 5.0-0 0-0 6.d3 c5 7.e1 c6 8.c3 This stops ideas of ...Nd4 or ...Nb4. In the game Karlsson-Kindermann I looked at [ 8.d1?! and ] [ 8.h4 ] 8...d4! Black attacks immediately on the dark squares, rather than wait for W hite to play Q h 4 a n d t h e n p re p a re e 4 a t h is le isu re . 9.cxd4 A new try here. [ 9.e4 is met by the strong c4! 10.e5 ( 10.dxc4?! xe4 11.cxd4 xd4 is fantastic for Black) 10...cxd3 11.xd3 dxc3 12.xc3 ( 12.exf6?! xf6 attacks the bishop on d3, and threatens to capture on b 2 , r e g a i n i n g t h e p i e c e w i t h i n t e r e s t) 12...b6+ 13.h1 g4 14.e1 b4 15.e4 f5! Black has a powerful initiative, Parr,F-Mishra,N/ Eastbourne 1991. ] 9...cxd4 10.e4 g4 This is the point of Black's play, the knight aims for e3. 11.a3?! This looks wrong to me, White stops ...Nb4 and frees his queen, but [ 11.a3 is better, developing a piece and then playing Nc2 to cover e3. ] 11...b6 Black continues her play on the dark squares, ...Ne3 will soon become a serious threat. 12.b4 a5! White's queenside is starting to creak. 13.bxa5 xa5 14.h3? This is a tactical/ strategical mistake, allowing Black to exchange the one piece that controls e3. [ 14.b4 was the best bet, a6 15.a2 or ( 15.e5!? and White is still in the game. )] 14...b3 Of course! The young French player never misses a tactic. 15.a2 xc1 16.xc1 e3 17.b2? [ 17.f2 f6 is obviously very good for Black, with her enormous knight on e3, and bishop pair, but 18.c5 counter attacks d4, with some chances. ] 17...f6 Black attacks both f4 and the rook on f 1 , a n d win s a ke y p a wn . 18.f2 xf4 19.c5 xh3! Black continues to find the best moves. 20.g5?!
[ 20.gxh3? g3+ 21.h1 xf2 is disastrous. ] [ Objectively speaking 20.bd2 was best, but pretty hopeless, all the same. ] 20...g3! 21.xh3 e5 The only way to avoid mate on h2 is to capture on e5 and concede the queen, so White resigns. 0-1
142 Gardner,Robert Novikov,Igor A Canadian Open (7) [Tony Kosten]
A03 2221 2611 13.07.2000
1.f4 d5 2.g3 g6 3.f3 g7 4.g2 h6 5.0-0 f5 6.d4!? [ An odd idea, that isn't even popular with colours reversed. White decides to exploit the fact that Black has not yet played ...c5, and sets-up a 'Stonewall' structure. 6.c3!? is another try, c6 7.e4 dxe4 8.xe4 0-0 9.c3 d6 10.f2 d7 11.d4 Rechel,BAtalik,S/Groningen 1998 ] 6...h5!? Aggressive, but straightforward development is perhaps simpler. 7.h1! [ A u s e f u l p r o p h yl a c t i c m e a s u r e , 7.c3?! would allow h4 8.g4 h3 9.h1 h4 ] 7...c5 8.c3 d7 9.e5 cxd4 10.cxd4 b6 11.e3 xe5 [ Black was faced with a dilemma, and chooses a tactical solution, although this opens the f-file for W hite. Perhaps 11...e6 was better, followed by kingside castling, although Black may have bee n worrie d about the weakness he himself created on move six. ] 12.fxe5 h6 13.d3 e6?! [ A careless move, weakening the dark squares, 13...e6 14.c3 d8 kept the white position in check. ] 14.c3 d7?! [ 14...0-0 had to be played, for better, or worse. ] 15.xd5! Sacrificing a piece for two pawns to c a t c h t h e b l a c k k i n g i n t h e c e n t r e . exd5 16.xd5 d8 17.e4 The white attack develops apace. e7 18.f6+ f8 19.f3 [ Making Black regret opening the f-file, but for tactical reasons, 19.b3! is stronger, as 133
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 now h3 20.f2 xc1 21.xc1 xd4 22.d1 leaves the black queen without a retreat square. ] 19...h3 20.g4!? [ 20.d7+ e8 21.f6+ forces a perpetual check, but, despite the enormous grading difference, White clearly wants more. ] [ Now, the line 20.f2 xc1 21.xc1 xd4 22.d1 allows a4 i.e. 23.d7+ g7 24.xf7+ h6 and the d1-rook is en prise. ] 20...xf1 21.xh6+ xh6 Forced, other moves allow mate in one. 22.xh6 g7 [ 22...c4 23.d5 g7 also offers defensive chances. ] 23.xf7 xd4+ 24.h1 g2+! [ A u s e f u l reso u rce , if 24...c4? then 25.f6+ h7 26.g5+ h6 27.xe7 should win. ] 25.xg2 xb2+ So Black manages to play this with check, and pick-up the a1-rook. 26.h3 xa1 27.f6+ Despite being a rook down, White has all the chances. g8? [ 27...h7 is better, when 28.g5+ h6 29.e6 g8 will draw. ] 28.h8+ xf7 29.e6+ White wins the black queen. xe6 30.xa1 c8 31.d4 b6 Objectively Black is lost, 32.f2? [ A mistake, after 32.a4! Black is obliged to play c7 when White can progress with his king, 33.h4 ] 32...c5! Black sets-up a fortress, the white king can no longer pass the fifth rank. 33.d4 c6 34.g7 e7 35.d4 [ W hite decides to take the draw, 35.f8 a5 and Black can just keep his rook on the fifth rank, when everything is defended. ] 35...c6 36.g7 e7 37.d4 ½-½
143 Gelashvili,Tamaz Skembris,Spyridon Master Open Lausanne SUI (4) [Tony Kosten]
A03 2535 2450 24.05.2001
1.f4 d5 2.f3 [ 2.b3 c5 3.e3 a6 like a reversed 4.a3 Queen's Indian, 4.f3 c6 5.b2 g4!? 6.h3 xf3 7.xf3 d6 8.g4 f6 9.g2 e6 10.d3 ge7 11.d2 0-0-0 12.0-0-0 c7
13.b1 both sides have a flexible position, but White's two bishops give him the edge, Danielsen,H-W edberg,T/Munkebo DEN 1998. ] 2...f6 [ One problem with this particular move order is 2...g6 3.e3 g7 when White can't play b3. ] 3.e3 g4 [ A very typical 'solid line', Black lets his lightsquared bishop out before putting his pawns on light squares, just as in Capablanca's system versus the Reti. 3...g6 4.b3 g7 5.b2 0-0 was examined in Yin Hao-Zhang Zhong/Shenyang CHN 1999. ] 4.b3 bd7 5.b2 e6 6.h3 xf3 7.xf3 d6 8.c3 c6 9.g4 h6 10.h4 This type of kingside advance is quite justified here with a closed centre. h5!? 11.g5 g4 12.0-0-0 [ 12.h3 can be met by f5 ] 12...e7 13.e4!? [ White hits-out in the centre, but the prophylactic 13.b1 was worth considering, a3 14.a1 and White can retain his bishop. ] 13...d4 14.e2 e5 15.f5 Else Black may gain use of the e5-square. a3 16.h3 a5 Black plays for an attack along the a-file. It shouldn't force mate, but will certainly give W hite something to worry about. 17.xa3?! I always think twice before encouraging my opponent's queen to take up residence too close to my king! xa3+ 18.b1 a4 19.c1 axb3 [ The pretty interference 19...d3! is good, the knight and c2-pawn are both on defensive d u t i e s s o : 20.xg4 ( 20.xd3?! f2 ) 20...dxc2+ 21.xc2 hxg4 22.xg4 axb3+ 23.axb3 c5+ with a nasty attack. ] 20.cxb3 c5 21.xg4 hxg4 22.g3 The queen is needed on the third rank to d e f e n d b 3 . f6!? 23.gxf6 gxf6 24.xg4 d3! Trying for a deflection. 25.g6+ d8 26.xf6+ c7 27.c2 [ The only move, 27.xd3?? allows mate: xa2+ 28.c1 a1+ 29.c2 a2+ ] 27...b4+ [ 27...b2+ 28.xd3 b1+ 29.e2 xe4+ 30.f2 f4+ 31.e1 e4+ was another way of forcing a perpetual. ] 28.b1 he8!? Black eschews the perpetual, 134
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 and plays for a win! 29.f7+ b6 30.dg1 xa2 31.c2 b4+ 32.d1 It seems that the white king is on its way to safety, but... xc1+! 33.xc1 a1+ 34.b2 a2+ [ 34...a2+ White has to allow a repetition, with 35.c1 ( as 35.b1?? ea8 actually forces mate! ) 35...a1+ ] ½-½
problem is the doubled e-pawn which leaves e 5 a s a we a k n e ss a n d W h i t e h a v i n g a n effective kingside pawn majority. 19.d2 d6 20.f1 [ T h i s i s b e t t e r f o r W h i t e b u t 20.g3 was even stronger. ] 20...xf1+ 21.xf1 f8+ 22.e2 f6 [ Black could have defended more economically with 22...e8 23.g3 g6 . ] 23.g3 g6 24.g5 e8 25.f3 f5 26.g3 144 A03 b5 27.e4 f4 28.d2 [ 28.e3! was better with more serious Giffard,Nicolas 2317 problems for Black. ] Moret,Vincent 2178 FRA-chT poule basse (9.8) 08.05.2003 28...e7 29.e3 d6 30.h3 c6 31.e3 c4?! Overreacting to White's pressure. [Nigel Davies] [ 31...g4 would have been more stubborn. ] 1.b3 d5 2.b2 e6 3.f4 c5 4.e3 c6 32.bxc4 bxc4 33.dxc4 d4+ 34.d3 f2 5.b5 d7 6.f3 f6 7.0-0 d6 8.xc6 35.g3 f6 36.g5 a5 37.a3 b7 38.c5+ xc5 39.xe5+ d6 40.c4+ e7 xc6 9.e5 c7 [ Now that White's f-pawn is on f4 already he 41.xa5 f2 42.a7 can meet 9...xe5 with 10.fxe5 d7 1-0 11.g4 with attacking chances on the kingside. ] 145 A03 10.d3 0-0 [ I think I might have been tempted to play Granda Zuniga,Julio E 2680 10...0-0-0!? for Black, though I'm not Semcesen,Daniel 2502 convinced that a respectable GM should Karpos Open 2014 (9.10) 05.04.2014 a d m i t t o t h is . C e r t a i n ly I wo u ld n 't f e e l [Fier, Alexandr] comfortable with the position Black has in the game and W hite's pieces taking pot This was the most exotic game of the month. shots at his king. ] W h i t e go e s f o r a ki n d o f r e ve r s e d c o l o r 11.f3 d7 12.h3!? I'm not surprised that Stonewall Dutch with the bishop out and the Giffard chose the spectacular line. queenside developed. Basically it is not so [ 12.xc6 xc6 would be insipid by easy to explain. Despite the result I don't think comparison. ] I can recommend this variation for White! 1.f4 12...xe5 13.fxe5 xe5 It's interesting to d5 2.f3 g6 3.d4 There are already a few see how facing an attack can foster great high level games in this position. Usually trepidation on the part of the defender. W hite goes for 3.g3 or 3.e3. g7 4.c3 [ I t s e e m s t h a t 13...e7 is OK here, for And now we are practically in new territory. example 14.h5 h6 15.g3 g5 16.h4 White's idea is quite rudimentary: develop the g6 17.g4 e7 is fine for Black as White is queenside pieces, castle long and push the not attacking with enough pieces. ] kingside pawns. Unfortunately, Black has 14.h5 f6?! Going for the deceptive 'safety' enough resources to defend against this preof an endgame, but one which turns out to be historic attack. f6 5.e3 worse for Black. [ 5.e3 was too normal for Granda ] [ 14...f5 was better, for example 15.xh7+ 5...0-0 6.d2 a6?! This move is mysterious. f7 16.h5+ e7 sees the king slip I f B l a c k w o u l d c o n t i n u e w i t h 7 . . . b 5 t h e away. ] position would still be quite nice, but it looks 15.xh7+ f7 16.h5+ e7 17.xe5 like he changed his mind in the middle of the xe5 18.xe5 fxe5 Although this looks safe road. f o r B l a c k h e i s s l i g h t l y wo r s e n o w. T h e [ 6...e4 was direct, and probably enough 135
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 for an advantage 7.xe4 dxe4 8.g5 ( 8.e5 is also not a heroic route for the knight f6 9.c4 e6 10.a3 ) 8...d5 and the knight will just be running around 9.g3 h6 10.h3 c5 with good central pressure ] 7.h3 e4 Mixing plans. [ 7...b5 this would be the logical continuation, and one more time enough for some advantage 8.g4 ( 8.a3 e4 9.xe4 dxe4 and Black has an improved version of the game, where he can start an attack more easily if W hite castles long, 10.e5 f6 11.g4 d5 with a weird position) 8...b4 9.d1 e4! energetic ( 9...a5 10.f2 e4 11.xe4 dxe4 12.g5 followed by 13.Bg2 is interesting for W hite) 10.xb4 c5 11.dxc5 c6 12.a3 d4 13.d2 b8 and Black is two pawns down, but there is no c o mp ariso n b et wee n t he W h it e a n d Black pieces ] 8.xe4 dxe4 9.e5 f6 10.g4 e6 The bishop is slightly exposed here, and White has an interesting pawn sacrifice. [ 10...d7 would also be logical and after 11.f5 ( 11.0-0-0 b6 White needs to take care of all the weak squares) 11...b6 12.fxg6 hxg6 13.h6 xg4 14.hxg4 d5 is the computer's idea, but the king will need to go to the center again 15.xg7 xg7 16.h6+ f7 17.h7+ e6 18.xg6 g8 with a double-edged position ] 11.g3 Giving some space to the bishop on f1. [ 11.f5!? w a s a l r e a d y p o s s i b l e xf5 12.h6+ xh6 13.xh6 e8 14.g4 e6 15.g2 with some compensation for the pawn ] 11...d7 12.g2 [ 12.f5 was interesting one more time A) 12...gxf5 is too dangerous 13.h6+ xh6 ( 13...h8 14.d5 ) 14.xh6 e8 15.g4 with a dangerous initiative; B) 12...xf5 13.h6+ xh6 14.xh6 e8 15.g4 reaching the same position as in the last move's analysis, but with a tempo less. Still, the position is not clear ] 12...b8? Ignoring White's idea. [ 12...f5 13.e5 c5 14.c3 and somehow White's position looks normal again! ] 13.d5 Now Black's position already looks less harmonious than White's.
[ 13.f5 is still on the pocket xf5 14.h6+ xh6 ( 14...h8 15.xf5 gxf5 ) 15.xh6 e8 16.0-0-0 with the usual 17.g4 idea ] 13...f7 14.f5 Finally. b6 15.h6+ h8?! After a series of strange Black moves the position is already delicate. After this move W hite has a material advantage and Black has no compensation. There were several ways for him to not be worse in the 15 moves after White's opening, but sometimes exotic play leads to exotic answers! [ 15...xh6 was necessary 16.xh6 e8 17.xe4 xd5 18.xd5+ xd5 19.xd5+ xd5 20.0-0-0 bd8 and White can be slightly better in the endgame, but compared to the position of the game, it's much better for Black. ] 16.xf7+ xf7 17.xb6 cxb6 18.xe4 Now W hite is much better. In the endgame the position was again far from clear, but as we are going to see, he had some ways to keep the advantage. d6 19.0-0-0 e5 20.d3 gxf5 21.xf5 b5 22.b1 h6 23.hf1 g7 24.f3 It's not only the difference in the number of pawns, but also the bishops. W hite's one is centralized and looking to both flanks. Black's bishop would be wonderful on e5, but there is no way to get there. b4 25.e4 A solid choice. [ 25.g4 would be one way to continue the attack. The advance of the pawns on the queenside is far less dangerous than on the kingside a5 26.h4 a4 27.e3 a3 28.d4 d6 29.g5 fxg5 30.e6 and White will bring the rooks to the attack with devastating effect. ] 25...xe4 26.xe4 gg8 27.f5 a5 28.d4 gd8 29.fd3 b5 30.h4 g7 31.dd4 h8 32.de4 b7 33.h5 [ 33.e3 wo u ld a vo id B la ck's id e a c7 34.h5 followed by 35.Rg4 wins ] 33...d2 34.g4+ f8 35.xh7 xh7 36.xh7 White wins a second pawn, but Black can finally liberate his pieces e6 37.g8+ f7 38.e4 White starts to lose control. [ 38.dxe6+ was still winning. For example: xe6 39.e4 e7 ( 39...c7 40.h4+- ) 40.c6! d6 41.xb5 defending the pawn on e2 ] 38...exd5 39.exd5 [ 39.d8 also loses a pawn e1 40.exd5 136
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xg3 41.f5 with chances c7 and White's queenside is a problem at the moment, so Black has chances to hold ] 39...e7 40.c3 bxc3 41.bxc3 xc3 Now the endgame is not clear at all and Black even managed to recover the second pawn after some moves. 42.c8 e1+ 43.c2 e5 And with g3 and a2 weak, there is no way to keep any advantage. 44.d3 a1 45.xb5 xa2+ 46.d3 a3+ 47.e4 xg3 48.d7 a4 Somehow the pawn on h3 is more dangerous than the pawn on a4. The white rook controls the ...a3 advance well, but on the other hand Black's bishop is not able to help in the defence. Of course, the position is still drawn, but White has something to work with. [ 48...b3 with the idea of 49...Rb4+ should be sufficient to draw ] 49.e6+ e7 50.a8 a3 51.h4 b2? Black tries to liberate the rook to def end against the promotion, but now the d-pawn is also free. [ 51...d6 bringing the king up was quite logical 52.h5 g5 53.f7 f5+ this is the point 54.d3 g2 with a probable draw. ] 52.a7+ d6 53.a6+ e7 54.f5 e5 55.h5 b3 56.h6 b4+ 57.d3 d4+ 58.e2 h4 59.h7 h2+ 60.d3 a2 61.xa2 1-0
146 Jakubiec,Artur Gdanski,Jacek ch Warsaw POL (13) [Tony Kosten]
A03 2532 2529 07.05.2004
1.f4 d5 2.f3 g6 3.g3 c6!? Black plays an idea of Korchnoi's with reversed colours, a route is opened for the queen to the g1-a7 diagonal. 4.g2 b6 White is stopped from castling. 5.c3 [ 5.d4 is a less flexible alternative, g7 6.0-0 f6 7.e3 with a Stonewall-style position, Koc, P-Gleizerov,E/Koszalin 1998. ] 5...g7 6.e3 [ 6.e4!? is more ambitious, dxe4 7.xe4 f6 8.xf6+ ( 8.f2!? allows White to castle ) 8...xf6 9.a4 0-0 10.a5 b5
with reasonable play for Black, Adorjan,AVarga,Z/Budapest 1995. ] 6...h6 A novelty, although obvious, as Black continues using White's standard plan (with opposite colours): the knight will go to f5 to support ...h5-4. [ 6...d7 7.0-0 e5 8.fxe5 xe5 9.xe5 xe5 10.h1 g7 gave equal chances in Danielsen,H-Berg,K/Aalborg DEN 2000. ] 7.a4 a5 8.d4 [ 8.0-0 f5 threatens ...d4, and so after 9.d4 will probably transpose to the game. ] 8...a6 9.0-0 f5 10.e5 h5 Other moves are possible, but this is the key move here. 11.f3 The bishop moves to a 'safe' square, the point of White's previous move. If instead [ 11.e2 then the tactic h4 12.g4 h3 is possible, 13.h1 h4 with aggressive play. ] 11...e6 [ 11...d6 is also sensible, controlling c4 and e4, and preparing to bring the bishop to h3. ] 12.e1 d8 Black stops White from playing e4. 13.b3 As the white bishop is hemmed-in by the pawn structure in the centre, W hite prepares a route out to the a3-f8 diagonal. d6 [ 13...g5!? is a tactical alternative. ] 14.a3 f5 15.g2 b4 Black brings all his pieces to powerful posts before castling. 16.c1? A bad mistake, allowing a simple tactic. [ 16.d3 blocks the threat to the c-pawn, and keeps play balanced. ] 16...xc2! 17.xc2 xb3 This is the point, forking the rook and bishop and so recuperating the piece with two-pawns interest. 18.e4 [ 18.a2 xc3 19.b2 c2+ 20.xc2 xc2 21.c3 f5 22.xa5 regains one pawn, but is barely an improvement. ] 18...dxe4 19.xe4 xe4 20.xe4 xa3 Black has won two pawns, unless White finds some real compensation soon he can resign. 21.xg6!? Maybe the best chance. xe5 Simplest, [ 21...fxg6? 22.xg6 hits e7 (with mate) and the h8-rook. ] 22.fxe5 fxg6 23.exd6 xd6 The black queen returns and everything appears to be 137
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 u n d e r c o n t r o l . 24.ce2 The open e-file the variation from the game is also interesting. provides some counterplay for W hite. d5+ 1.b3 d5 2.b2 g4 3.f3 f5 25.g1 0-0! The best move, rather than [ 3...h5 4.e4 is a possible idea, and defend the e-pawn by against ...Bf5 it can be interesting too. Here [ 25...d7 when 26.e5 c4 27.xa5 there is a trick for blitz players and it was xd4+ 28.xd4 xd4 29.a7 d7 tried by Nielsen in his thematic blitz match 30.a8+ d8 31.a7 b8 32.a5 against Svidler. ( 4.h3 is more solid, trying gives White fair drawing chances as he will to catch the bishop pair and it was Svidler's win the b-pawn. ] choice when he had White e6 5.f4 g6 26.xe7 f7 Black certainly doesn't want to 6.e3 f6 7.xg6 hxg6 8.f4 with chances swap too many pawns by for both sides in Svidler, P (2734)-Nielsen, [ 26...xd4+ 27.xd4 xd4 28.xb7 f7 P (2700)/Politiken Larsen blitz b3 2010.) 29.b6 g7 30.xc6 xa4 ] 4...dxe4 5.e2 c6 smartly avoiding 6. 27.7e4 g7 Black has consolidated his Qb5+, Nielsen, P (2700)-Svidler, P (2734)/ position, and remains a pawn to the good. Politiken Larsen blitz b3 2010. ] 28.c2 d6 29.c3 h7 30.e3 df6 4.e3 31.e7 xe7 [ 4.e4 I can't say that this gambit is sound, [ 31...c4! is strong, threatening a deadly but still it's a way to use the 3.f3 move and check on f1, and the a4-pawn. ] bring the pieces into the game, dxe4 5.c3 32.xe7+ f7 33.e5 f3 The queen ( 5.fxe4 was never played but also possible, comes to menace the white king, but opening the center at once xe4 6.c3 [ 33...c4 is strong, again. ] g6 7.f3 f6 8.e5!? now the queen 34.e3?! White figures his best chance lies in has the f3-square to go to, and White will the rook endgame, but he would be better probably take the g6 bishop at some point. keeping the queens on the board, for better, The main issue with White's position is the or for worse. xe3+ 35.xe3 h6 36.h4 lack of control of the d4-square.) 5...f6 d7 37.e5 d5 38.e4 ( 5...exf3 6.xf3 c8 7.d5 threatening 8. [ 38.xd5? cxd5 leads to a lost king and Nxc7+ or bringing the knight to e3 followed pawn endgame. ] by 0-0-0; 5...e3 is supposed to be less 38...b5 Black gets his queenside pawns going. dangerous, but W hite recovers the pawn 39.axb5 cxb5 40.f2 b4 with an initiative, 6.dxe3 xd1+ 7.xd1 The two connected passed pawns are was seen in Bosboom, M (2455)-Van Veen, decisive. 41.e3 b3 42.d2 b5 43.c1 O (2 1 9 9 )/ V lis sin ge n HZ o p 1 4 t h 2 0 1 0 . a4 44.b1 b4 45.f4 c4 46.e4?! a3 xc2?? i s t o o g r e e d y : 8.c1 g6 0-1 9.d5+- ) A) 6.e2 exf3 7.xf3 ( 7.b5+ doesn't work at all d7 8.xb7 c6 147 A03 and White is already in trouble) 7...c6 8.0-0-0 e6 and it's not sure White has Jobava,Ba 2694 enough compensation for the pawn, it's Navara,D 2703 not easy to find where to put the pieces.; 29th ECC Open 2013 (3.5) 22.10.2013 B) 6.g4!? is another option g6 7.e2 [Fier, Alexandr] c6 8.0-0-0 d4 9.c4 with some counterplay ( 9.g2 with the idea of 10.h4 Jobava is a player with a lot of new ideas in is playable )] the openings and for more than one year he is playing 1.b3 with quite decent results. In 4...e6 5.f4 [ 5.c3 is kind of weird, but played by t h is g a m e h e t r a n sp o se s t o a B i rd s t yl e McShane and analyzed on ChessPublishing position and introduces 8.h3 instead of the in McShane, L (2683)-Jansa, V (2513)/12th normal plans with Be2. Navara tries to exploit ch-EUR Aix-les-Bains FRA 2011. ] it and the position was quite interesting. I would prefer 11.Rxf1 to castle queenside, but 5...f6 6.f3 e7 7.d3 138
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 7.e2 is the main line and it usually comes from Bird's. White spent a tempo playing f3f4, but Black also played ...Bg4-f5 h6 8.0-0 0-0 9.d3 Minasian, A (2530)-Boensch, U (2490)/Munich op 9293 1993. ] 7...c5 8.h3 h5 Trying to refute White's idea. But to use 4 tempi with the knight just to take the bishop on f1 is not so dangerous. After this move W hite has good chances to gain the advantage. [ 8...0-0 is possible, but there is no reason to give the bishop 9.g4 g6 10.e5 c6 with chances for both sides ] [ 8...h6 is the natural answer and maybe White would try the most direct approach with 9.g4 ( 9.e2 kind of transpose to the main lines, but there is no reason to play 8. h3 then ) 9...h7 10.g1 but it's hard to believe White's attack is strong enough with more than half of the pieces on the first rank c6 and with ...d4 afterwards, Black should be better. ] 9.g4 g3 10.g1 xf1 11.xf1 A concrete approach, but it's also risky. [ 11.xf1!? makes a lot of sense, since the kingside is not a safe place for the king. Jobava probably thought the rook would be more useful on g1, which is true, but the cost is high. f6 12.c3 with the king going to c1, it's better to keep the bishops, g6 13.d2 c6 14.0-0-0 and White has good attacking chances. ] 11...f6 Otherwise the pawn on g7 is hanging. 12.xf6!? Following a concrete idea. The main point is that White is able to play e4 by tactical means and with this the bishop on g6 is n o t go o d . B la ck n e e d s t o a n swe r in a precise way as well. xf6 13.a3 g6 14.b5 e7 15.e4 Probably this was the po sition J ob ava wa s aiming f or whe n h e played 11.Kxf1, White is going to expand on the kingside and there are chances for Black to stay in a passive position. White needs to take care not to overexpand, since if the position opens in a bad way the king will be in the wrong place. a6 16.c3 dxe4 17.dxe4 f6! Giving the d5-square to keep the bishop active. [ 17...h6 would be the option to keep the d5square under control, but it's hard to leave the bishop 'dead' on h7, 18.f5 h7 19.g2
0-0 20.d2 followed by 21. Rad1 gives White a stable advantage. ] 18.f5 f7 19.fxe6 xe6! The bishop is better on f7 than e6. [ 19...xe6 if Black exchanges the dangerous knight on d5, W hite creates a passed pawn and after some moves, when the position stabilizes, W hite is slightly better, 20.d5 xd5 ( 20...d6? 21.xf6+ that's the difference) 21.exd5 ( 21.xd5 is just bad, White can't avoid Black castling for too long, c6 22.g2 d8 23.c4 d4 24.ad1 b5 ) 21...d7 22.g2 0-0-0 23.e1 e5 24.c4 and White is positionally better. ] 20.d5 d6 Now White has some problems with the dark squares and his king is still not safe. White has enough resources to hold the balance, but for sure, not more than this. 21.e3 [ 21.g5 was a crazy idea, but probably it's working, fxg5 22.xg5 finally the 11.Kxf1 makes sense, 0-0 23.f5 necessary and threatening 24.Nxf6+ A) 23...d7 24.f6+ is embarrassing; B) 23...d8 24.xf7!? going all-in xf7 25.g5+ g8 26.h5 the attack looks quite dangerous since Black still needs to finish development, but there is enough resources for equality, f8+ ( 26...h6 also works 27.f7+ h8 28.e6 e5 def en ding g7 and a tt acking a 1 29.e1 c6 with dynamic balance) 27.g2 h6 ( 27...h6 falls to a beautiful trick 28.g6! xg6 29.e7+ h8 30.xg6+ g8 31.xf8 xf8 32.e6+ with a clear a d v a n t a g e .) 28.e7+ h8 29.f1 ( 29.f7+ xf7 30.xf7 c6 and Black is fine ) 29...c6 30.f7+ xf7 31.xh6 xf1 32.g5 f6 33.xc5 with an unclear position, but Black should be fine.; C) 23...g6 is more dangerous 24.e5! d8 25.xf8+ xf8 26.c7 e4 27.xa8 c6! forced since ( 27...xf3 28.d6 exchanges the queens) 28.e6 xf3 29.e7 xe7 30.d6 with a complex position. ] 21...f4 [ 21...xd1+?! without queens White doesn't need to worry about the king's safety 139
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 anymore 22.xd1 c6 23.f5 and White can fight for an advantage. ] 22.f5 The start of a wrong plan. [ 22.d5 repeating the position was White's best move, but nobody would be proud of this. xd5 is more ambitious, but again improves White's structure a lot, ( 22...d6 23.e3= ) 23.exd5 d7 24.e2+ e5 25.g2 0-0-0 26.xe5 de8 27.f2 xf2+ 28.xf2 xe5 will be drawn. ] 22...0-0 23.g5? Losing control, but the position is already not good for White. [ 23.g2 c6 24.e1 ad8 and Black is better. ] 23...xe4 Now the position is just lost. 24.d6 e6 25.xf7 xf7 26.g2 [ 26.g6 hxg6 doesn't really make a difference. ] 26...c6 The rest of the game is just a matter of time. 27.c3 f5 28.h2 e5 29.g3 xf3+ 30.xf3 xf3 31.xf3 fxg5 32.af1 af8 33.xf7 xf7 34.d1 f2+ 35.g3 xa2 36.d8+ f7 37.d7+ g6 38.xb7 c2 39.c4 h5 40.f3 h4 41.b4 xc4 42.bxc5 xc5 43.b6+ h5 44.xa6 c2 45.a3 h2 46.e4 g4 47.a7 g6 0-1
148 Johansen,Darryl Keith Budde,Vladimir 1986 Wuppertal [Paul Motwani]
A03
1986
B32: "The case of the gobbled galloping gpawn!" 1.b3 f6 [ 1...e5 starred in game B31. ] 2.b2 d5 3.e3 e6 4.f4 g6!? This move leaves Black's f6-knight temporarily with only one defender (namely the lady at d8), and th a t f a c t p ro voke s W h it e in t o (u n wise ly) lunging speedily forward towards the black steed. 5.g4?! g7 6.e2? [ 6.g5 h5 7.xg7 ( 7.c3 d4; 7.d4 h6 ) 7...xg7 is also unpleasant for White as Black threatens ...h6. Furthermore, the f5square is a powerful post ready for the g7knight, but at least the battle would continue longer than in the actual game... ] 6...xg4! GM Darryl Johansen resigned in
view of 7 Bxg7 (or 7 Bxg4 Bxb2) 7...Qh4+ 8 Kf1 Qf2, but perhaps he could have struggled on a bit with 7 Bb5+ c6 8 Bxg7 Qh4+ 9 Ke2, although Black should still win after 9...Rg8. 0-1
149 Kabanov,Nikolai Riazantsev,Alexander Polyarniy Krug (4) [John Watson]
A03 2521 2632 02.12.2006
Larsen's Opening seems to bring out the worst in people. Here a 2521 player loses with White in 23 moves! 1.b3 d5 2.b2 f6 3.e3 c5 This always seemed a little cooperative to me, since it gives White's light-squared bishop the typical Nimzo/Bogo b5 square. [ Something along the lines of 3...f5 ] [ or even 3...g6 (without playing ...c5 in the foreseeable future) makes strategic sense. ] 4.f4!? This move is often held to be consistent with the move b3 or b4 but that's not so clear, because White's e3 square can be weakened and subject to moves such as ...d4 and ...Nd5/ g4. Still, the plan of Nf3-e5 can't be too bad. [ 4.f3 is a Queen's Indian Defence a tempo up. That may be only equal if Black p l a y s s l o w l y , f o r e x a m p l e , b y c6 ( or even more safely, 4...e6 ) 5.b5 d7 ] 4...g6 5.f3 g7 6.b5+ [ 6.e2 0-0 7.0-0 c6 8.e5 c7 is comf ortable f or Black. Then perhaps 9.xc6 xc6 10.f3 f5 could follow. ] 6...d7 [ 6...bd7!? 7.0-0 a6 8.e2 leaves Black's knight slightly misplaced on d7, but that is still no great achievement for White, who in fact will probably play Ne5 and Bf3 anyway, si n c e t h e m o ve d 3 c a n we a k e n h i s e 3 square in a number of lines. ] 7.xd7+ xd7!? Good enough, and [ 7...bxd7 is safe and equal. ] 8.e5 c7 9.0-0 0-0 10.d3 [ 10.c4 is a natural move, or perhaps ] [ 10.a3 c6 11.c4 ] 10...fd7 11.d4 cxd4 12.exd4 c6 13.d2? It's so easy to go wrong when you think that nothing's happening! [ 13.h1 is one improvement, again about 140
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 equal. ] 13...dxe5! 14.fxe5 [ 14.dxe5 b4! and White can't defend c2 in view of 15.c3? d3 16.c2 c5+ ] 14...b6 Winning a pawn. 15.h1 [ 15.f3 xe5 16.xe5 xe5 offers even less counterplay. ] 15...xd4 16.c4!? [ W hite gets nothing from 16.c4 dxc4 17.xd4 e6 ] 16...f5! 17.f3 e3 [ 17...h6! is another good move. White is suffering. ] 18.xe3 xe3 19.f3 d4 20.e4 g4 [ Or 20...ad8 with the idea 21.xd4? c2 ] 21.xd4 xe5 22.d3 ad8 23.ad1 f5 The simple point is that after White's knight moves, .... Bxd4 followed by ...Nf2+ wins. 0-1
Moldova 1979, and here Black should opt for a5 16.f4 d5 with approximately even chances. ) 11...e7 12.f4 0-0 A) 13.e5?! g4 ( 13...c4!? looks like an excellen t altern ative f o r Black ) 14.xd6 xd6 15.e4 h6 16.h3 e3+ 17.xe3 xe3 18.f2 f6 19.e5 g5 with a small plus for Black thanks to White's central pawns being fixed on dark, the colour of Black's bishop, Putjatina, NKorneev, O/Karvina 1992; B) 13.ae1!? d7 14.xd6 xd6 15.e4 dxe4 16.xe4 xe4 17.xe4 f6 18.e3 ac8! 19.c3 c5 20.dxc5 xc5 21.xc5 xc5 22.d1 c7 , and although W hite has the initiative thanks to his control over the central files and his pawn majority on the queenside, Black should be able to hold the balance, Gurevich, M-Kuijf, M/Wijk aan Zee 1990 ] [ B) 6.d3 f6 7.c3 ( 7.fxe5 xe5 8.g2 150 A03 c6 9.e3 d6 10.e2 e7 is very pleasant for Black, Sanz Sixto, J-Korneev, O/Corunha Karlsson,Lars 2475 2000 ) 7...c5 8.g2 d4 9.e3 b6 Hector,Jonny 2532 10.fxe5 xe5 , Ricca, R-Korneev, O/Asti ch-SWE Vaxjo SWE (9) 07.07.2008 1997, and now 11.d4 g6 12.d3 0-0 [Carsten Hansen] leaves the game more or less balanced. ] [ C) 6.e3?! e4 7.g2 f6 8.c3 b4 1.g3 d5 2.f4 c6 This position isn't even 9.0-0 d7 is comfortable for Black, mentioned in the ECO, that's how quickly we Vaatainen, T-Halmeenmaki, T/ FIN 1997 ] have exited mainstream theory. To add a fun little side note, my computer at this point, 6...dxc4 [ Black can also try the pawn sacrifice claims a clear advantage for Black! Not so fast, 6...d4!? 7.fxe5 xf3+ 8.exf3 dxc4 my little digital friend. 3.f3 g4 4.g2 xf3 9.a4+ d7 10.xc4 e7 11.0-0 5.xf3 e5 This is the point behind Black's 2nd ( White achieves nothing by delaying d2-d4 and 3rd moves, but White has a somewhat and giving up on his extra pawn. Therefore surprising and quite strong answer up his White should go for 11.d4!? 0-0-0 12.c3 sleeve. 6.c4! xd4 13.xd4 xd4 14.e3 d8 [ White has a few alternatives available at , and W hite has a little more space, but this juncture. A) 6.fxe5 is the most obvious objectively the chances are about even.) and also the best of W hite's alternatives 11...c6 12.c3 0-0-0 13.d4 xd4+ xe5 7.g2 f6 8.0-0 ( 8.d4 g6 9.c3 14.xd4 xd4 15.f4 b4 16.d1 hd8 c6 10.d3 b4 11.g5 h6 12.d2 xc3 , and Black has already taken full control 13.xc3 0-0 , and here a draw was agreed over the game, Lutikov, A-Petrosian, A/ upon, 1/2-1/2, in Grunberg, M-Popa, V/ROM Leipzig 1977 ] 1993, though Black is already quite co m f o rt a b le a n d p ro b ab ly sh o u ld h a ve 7.a4 d7?! [ I don't like this move which leaves White played on. W hite's pair of bishops aren't with the better pawn structure and overall exactly a scary bunch.) 8...c6 9.d4 c4 advantage. Instead I think Black should 10.d3 d6 11.c3!? ( 11.g5 e7 have given consideration to 7...ge7 , e.g. 12.d2 0-0 13.c4 xc4 14.xc4 dxc4 8.xc4 d4 9.b3 0-0-0 10.e3 b6 15.xc4 , Gershtein-Chebanenko, V/ 141
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 11.xf7 exf4 12.xf4 b4 13.e4 a6 , and Black has compensation for the pawn ] 8.xc6 bxc6 9.fxe5 f6 10.xc4 fxe5 11.f1 f6 12.c3 b8 13.a3 e7 14.d3 f8 15.b4 White has a clear positional advantage, but the position is the kind of muddy water Grandmaster Hector enjoys operating in. g4 [ 15...c5 16.b5 d4 17.e3 xc4 18.dxc4 ] 16.xf8+ xf8 17.e4 [ 17.h3 f6 18.g4 ] 17...xh2 18.e3 a5 19.c5 h3 20.d2 [ White can do better with 20.c1!? because xg3+ i s n ' t a t h r e a t d u e t o 21.d2 , and Black can't do anything against the numerous threats with the knight and on the light squares in general. ] 20...axb4 21.h1? [ 21.g4!? g2 22.e6+ e8 23.xg7+ f8 24.e6+ e8 25.xc7+ d8 26.f7 f3+ 27.xf3 xf3 28.exf3 xc7 29.axb4 xb4+ 30.e2 , and White has the better chances in the endgame ] 21...f3+ 22.c2 xh1 23.d7+ e8 24.xb8 e1+ 25.d2?! [ 25.b3! xd3 ( 25...d5 26.d2 xc4+ 27.dxc4 g2 28.a4 gives White excellent winning chances) 26.exd3 d1+ 27.c2 xc2+ 28.xc2 bxa3 29.b3 h5 30.xc6 d6 31.f2 d7 32.a5 e6 , and it is highly doubtful White can win ] 25...d5 26.xe1 bxa3 27.c1? [ This loses. Instead White should have played 27.a6 , which more or less holds the balance. a2 28.f2 c5 29.c6 f6 30.a8+ f7 31.xe5+ xe5 32.xa2+ , and White is only a pawn down and should be able to draw without too much trouble. ] 27...a2? [ Here Black misses an easy win: 27...xc4 28.dxc4 e4! (this is probably the move Black o v e r l o o k e d ) 29.d2 a2 30.b2 f6 31.c2 a1 32.xa1 xa1 33.xc6 d7 34.a5 e5 , and Black should win without too much trouble ] 28.xd5 cxd5 29.b2 a3 30.xe5 c5? [ Black can play more accurately with 30...d6 31.a1 xg3+ 32.f1 c5 33.c6 f4 , and Black should win ] 31.a1 b4+ 32.d1 d4 33.c2 c3
34.b2 e7 [ Or 34...h5 35.a6 g5 36.xc5 h4 37.gxh4 gxh4 38.e4 h3 39.f2 h2 40.b3 a1 41.xa1 xa1 42.c4 , and a draw is around the corner ] 35.c6+ d6 36.d8 a1 37.xa1 xa1 It is pretty astounding that White manages to save a draw in this endgame which looks rather easily won for Black due to his capacity to create a passed pawn on the kingside at will. 38.b7+ d5 39.a5 c3? [ 39...h5! seems to win in a rather straightforward fashion, but Black's mistake indicates that the players undoubtedly were in time trouble at this stage. 40.b3 g5! 41.d2 h4 42.gxh4 gxh4 43.f3 h3 44.d1 c3 45.h2 e5 ] 40.e4+! Now White can at least get his king to the kingside to participate in the defence of a g a i n s t a p o s s i b l e p a s s e d p a w n . e6 41.b7 b4 42.d8+ e7 43.c6+ d6 44.d8 e1 [ 44...h5!? 45.d1 c4! 46.dxc4 d7 47.f7 d6 48.e5 c7 , and Black should win ] 45.g4 e5 46.d1 b4 47.c6+ d6 [ 47...f4 48.e5 g5 49.e2 g6 50.f3 f7 51.e4 is perfectly acceptable for White. ] 48.d8 h6 49.e2 a3 50.b7+ c6 51.a5+ b5 52.c4 Finally the game is completely in balance. c1 53.f3?! [ White has a much simpler path to a draw with 53.d6+ c6 54.f5 g6 55.e7+ b5 56.xg6 ] 53...c6 54.a5+ d7 55.e5 d2 56.c4 e1 57.e4 e6 58.d6 a5 [ 58...g6 59.b7 b4 60.d8+ d7 61.f7 h5 62.gxh5 gxh5 63.d5 h4 64.g5 , and White holds on ] 59.f5 g6 60.xh6 [ The text move can hardly be constituted as a way to play for a win, and therefore White sh o u ld p ro b a b ly h a ve lo o ke d a t 60.h4 as a safer path to reach a draw: f7 ( or 60...h5 61.gxh5 gxh5 62.f5 f7 63.d5 d8 64.xc5 e6 65.g7+ xe5 66.xh5 h4 67.f4 xf4 68.xd4= ) 61.d5 d8 62.g2 ( 62.e6+ f6 63.xc5 xe6 64.xg6 f6 65.f4+ e5 66.g6+= ) 62...e7 63.f4 f8 142
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 64.e4 ( 64.e6?? c4!-+ ) 64...e7 65.d5 f8 , and neither side can make progress. ] 60...c7 61.f5! xe5 [ After this move, all White needs to do is to place his knight on c4 and keep his king strategica lly in th e middle b etween th e pawns on d3 and g4 and a draw is result. Obviously we need to examine, what happens if Black takes the knight: 61...gxf5+ 62.gxf5+ f7 63.d5 e7 64.e4 a5 65.d5 b4 66.e4 f7 67.d5 g7 68.e4 h6 69.d5 g5 70.e6 f6 71.c4 , and neither side can win ] 62.h4 g5 63.f3 f4 64.e1 d6 65.c2 c1 66.a1 c6 67.b3 f4 68.a5+ b5 69.c4 c7 70.f3 b4 71.e2 c3 72.d2 f4 73.c4 ½-½
151 Karlsson,Lars Kindermann,Stefan Gausdal [Tony Kosten]
A03 2520 2535 1994
1.f4 d5 2.f3 g6 3.e3 White adopts a traditional 'Dutch' approach. g7 4.e2 [ 4.d4 Introduces a Stonewall Attack, and whilst this can be very effective against computers, is less so against humans, with their better positional sense. f6 5.d3 c5 6.c3 b6 7.0-0 0-0 8.e2 b7 One advantage for W hite, compared with the Dutch, is that he has managed to avoid the immediate exchange of light-squared bishops by ...Ba6. 9.d2 c8 10.e1 Somewhat laboriously, the white queen's b i s h o p f i n d s t h e l i g h t o f d a y . a6 so, Black has managed to effect this move, anyway. 11.bd2 xd3 12.xd3 a6 with equality, Bellin,R-Tiviakov,S/Kilkenny IRL 1998. ] 4...f6 5.0-0 0-0 6.e1 White plays a Classical Dutch with an extra tempo. c5 7.d3 c6 8.d1?! A standard move, White prepares e4, but [ 8.h4 may be better. b6 9.bd2 a6 10.f2?! ( 10.e5 xe5 11.fxe5 d7 12.e6!? is unclear, Larsen-Benko, Portoroz
IZ 1958. ) 10...e8 Black prepares ...e5. 11.c3 e5 12.xd8 xd8 Black has an edge in t h e e n d ga m e , L a rse n , B -S ch m id t , W / Aarhus 1971. ] 8...e8! Black plays as if he were White (in a Dutch) and attempts to expose the e3-pawn after the break ...e5. 9.g3 e5 The point of Black's p reviou s m ove . 10.xe5 xe5 11.fxe5 xe5 Black is at least equal. 12.e4?! [ Note that 12.xe5? is impossible, because of h5 , but 12 Nc3 is slightly superior. ] 12...e8 13.exd5 xd5 14.f3? f5 Black has a large lead in development, and, on top of that, it is not evident just how White will manage to complete his development. 15.c3 f6! The d3-pawn has nowhere to hide. 16.c2 c4 17.xb7 cxd3 The d3-pawn has magically changed colour! 18.b3 e7 19.b4 e2 20.d1 b8 21.c5 e4 White is lost, which is hardly surprising when the only white piece not on the back rank is the queen! 22.xa7 a8 23.b7 d4+! A nice finish. [ 23...d4+ after 24.cxd4 xd4+ there is the standard suffocation of the white king: 25.h1 f2+ 26.g1 h3+ 27.h1 g1+ 28.xg1 f2# ] 0-1
152 Karlsson,Lars Seirawan,Yasser Haninge [Tony Kosten]
A03
1990
1.f4 d5 Thus we reach a pure reversed Dutch Defence position. Obviously, the same plans that are available to Black in the Dutch, are also available to W hite, here, but with an extra tempo. 2.f3 g6 3.g3 White decides to play a 'reversed Leningrad'. g7 [ 3...f6 is similar, and can transpose. 4.g2 g7 5.0-0 0-0 6.d3 c5 Both players mimic the Leningrad Dutch main line, will White's extra move change anything? A) 7.e1 is another 'Leningrad move', d4 8.e4 ( 8.a3 c6 9.c3 b8 10.d2 b6 equal, Rebers, E-Polgar,S/Breda NED 1999. ) 8...dxe3 9.e5 White puts the e5 outpost to good use, so he does manage 143
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 to exploit the fact that Black has not yet played . ..Nc6, after all. fd7 10.c4 b6 An unusual 'knight chase'. 11.ba3 d5 12.b1 e6 White's extra move hasn't changed the impression that Black's superior pawn structure is more important, Blatny,P-Babula,V/Zlin 1998.; B) 7.c3 d4 8.e4 c7!? Black avoids the sharp line ( 8...xe4 9.dxe4 ) 9.h3 d5 This is a great square for the knight, c o ve r in g e 3 . 10.h4 f5 11.c4 f6 12.g5 c6 with unclear play, Movsziszian,K-Arencibia,W/Open, Ubeda ESP 1998. ] 4.g2 c5 Normal, Black takes space in the centre, but [ 4...c6 is solid, and quite playable. 5.c3!? d4 6.e4 f6 7.f2 c5 8.0-0 c6 9.e4 W hite would like to continue with d3, but dxe3 fortunately for Black, there is the en passant rule! 10.dxe3 xd1 11.xd1 0-0 12.c3 e5!? 13.g5 c4 the passive c1-bishop is a long-term problem for White, Malaniuk,V-Gelfand,B/ Elista 1998. ] 5.0-0 h6!? Obviously, 5...Nf6 would be standard, and would transpose into the note to move three. With the text, Black intends to play his knight to f5, to control the e3-square. 6.c3!? c6 7.d3 0-0 And not [ 7...d4?! 8.a4 when the c5-pawn is difficult to defend. ] 8.d2?! White should play [ 8.e4! dxe4 9.dxe4 with a good position. ] 8...f5 9.h1 [ 9.e4 is still possible, although now dxe4 10.dxe4 allows fd4 when the knight is much more active. ] 9...d4 Black fixes the weakness on e3. 10.a4 b6 11.g4 White tries to evict the knight. Attempts to exploit the open h1-a8 diagonal rebound: [ 11.e5? xe5 12.xa8 g4! and Black will regain the exchange by ...Ne3, with advantage. ] 11...d6 12.h3 b7 The white position is looking a bit loose. 13.e4 dxe3 14.xe3 d7 Black completes his development, all his pieces are on near-optimum squares. 15.c3 f5! 16.g5 f7! White can do nothing about the coming ...e5 break, which will expose the white underbelly. 17.d2 ae8 18.ae1 e5
19.fxe5 fxe5! 20.xe5 xe5! This type of structure can arise from other openings, for instance the Closed Sicilian, and is very good f o r B l a c k . 21.f4 xe1 22.xe1 d4! For one thing, he has control of the important d 4 - s q u a r e . 23.xb7?! xb7+ 24.g2 xg2+ 25.xg2 xc2 Black's play begins to bear fruit. 26.e7 f7 27.e6 White can illafford to change pieces. f8 28.e7 d8! Attack is the best form of defence! 29.xa7 e1+! 30.f1 xd3 31.c7 d7 32.a4? White was in time-trouble, and this mistake accelerates matters, but, anyway, Black's e xt r a p r o t e c t e d p a s s e d f 5 - p a wn s h o u l d decide. b5 33.b6 d4 34.a8+ f7 35.a7 e6 As is often the case, time-trouble checks have only succeeded in driving the king to a better square. 36.a6 b4 37.a5 d1+ 38.e2 b1 39.xb5 xb2+ 40.f3 d4 41.a4 a2 42.a5 d3 43.a8 f2+ 44.g3 Suddenly, the white king is looking extremely uncomfortable. c1! 45.e8+ f7 46.d8 e2+ as it is mate in four, [ 46...e2+ i.e. 47.h4 f4+! 48.xf4 f2+ 49.g3 xg3# ] 0-1
153 Kharlov,Andrei Raetsky,Alexander RUS-chT St . Petersburg (5) [Nigel Davies]
A03 2600 2453 20.05.1999
1.f3 d5 2.b3 c5 3.e3 c6 4.b5 d7 5.b2 e6 6.0-0 f6 7.d3 e7 8.xc6 xc6 9.e5 c8 [ Black can also let White give him doubled cp a w n s w i t h 9...0-0 though White was certainly on the positive side of the position after 10.xc6 bxc6 11.e2 d7 12.e4 c7 13.f4 ae8 14.c4 in Psakhis, L (2480) -Moehring, G (2400)/Sochi 1979. ] 10.f4 This has to be the challenging way to play it. [ 10.d2 0-0 11.xc6 xc6 12.e2 c8 13.e4 c7 14.a4 dxe4 15.dxe4 f4 16.g3 g4 17.xg4 xg4 soon led to a draw in Hort, V (2605)-Parma, B (2530)/ Moscow 1971. ] 10...0-0 11.d2 b5 I don't particularly like 144
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 this move as it presents another potential target on the queenside. [ The immediate 11...d7 looks much more to the point. ] 12.f3 d7 13.h3 This looks dangerous but Black can defend. [ I think there's a good case for playing it positionally with 13.xc6 xc6 14.a4 b4 15.e4 , when Black's pawns are moving on to the same colour as his bishop. ] 13...xe5 14.h5 h6 15.xe5 f6 16.b2 d4 [ There was an interesting alternative in 16...e8 intending 17.g4 c4!? with counterplay. ] 17.g3 dxe3 18.f1 [ After 18.xh6 Black defends comfortably with f7 19.f3 xf3 20.gxf3 d6 etc. ] 18...h8 19.g6 g8 20.h3 f8 21.xe3 e8 22.g3 c4!? Sacrificing a pawn to get some counterplay. Had Black chosen a better 24th move it would have given him equality. 23.bxc4 bxc4 24.xc4 d5 [ Black should first play 24...c5+ 25.h1 ( 25.d4 e7 gives Black more than enough for the pawn because of the weaknesses along the c-file.) 25...d5 when 26.e3? is bad because of xe3 27.xe3? xc2 etc. ] 25.e3 b5 26.d4 a8 27.g6 e8 28.g4 d7 29.c3 c5 30.xc5 xc5 31.d1 b8 32.e3 b6 33.d4 cb5 34.e1 b1 35.xb1 xb1 36.e2 d5 37.f1 a1 38.e3 xa2?! This looks like a mistake as the endgame isn't easy for Black. [ H e s h o u l d h a v e p l a y e d 38...xe1+ 39.xe1 e4 , for example 40.g3 h1+ 41.f1 g2 42.h4 h3 keeps White tied up and unable to use his extra pawn. ] 39.xa2 xa2 40.e2 a1+ 41.f2 e4 42.c4 a5? [ Black should have brought his king across with 42...g8! a f t e r wh ic h 43.d5 exd5 44.cxd5 f7 gets to the d-pawn in time. In the game Black is too late. ] 43.d5 exd5 44.cxd5 c1 [ 44...a4 45.d6 c6 46.c2 b5 47.b2! c6 48.b6 would also be very good for White. ] 45.d2 c8 46.d6 d8 47.c4 a4 48.e3 c6 49.d4 g8 50.c5 e8 51.b6
f8 52.f5 g6 53.fxg6 xg6 54.c6 a3 55.c7 b1 56.xd8 a2 57.xa2 xa2 58.d7 1-0
154 Larsen,Bent Keene,Raymond Teeside (3) [Jonathan Rowson]
A03 2660 2465 1972
1.b3 d5 2.b2 f6 3.e3 g6 4.f4 [ 4.xf6!? exf6 5.d4 Would be a strange kind of Trompovsky, where b3 may prove to be useful, but could also be a liability. If Black plays quietly with ...Bg7, ...0-0 and ... f5, White will have time to play g3, Bg2, Ne2, and c4 with a pleasant position, so Black should probably try to make something happen more quickly e.g. c5 6.c3 cxd4!? 7.exd4 ( 7.cxd4 b4+ 8.d2 a5 ) 7...d6 And Black has a position reminiscent of a line in the Caro-Kann (e4 c6 d4 d5 Nd2 de Nxe4 Nf6 Nxf6 ef!?) but it doesn't look like a bad version because the unopposed bishop on d6 looks very strong. ] 4...g7 5.f3 0-0 6.e2 a5!? 7.a4 g4 8.0-0 bd7 9.g5!? xe2 10.xe2 e8 11.xg7 xg7 12.c3 c6 13.g4 h6 14.f3 f6 It would appear that White has achieved approximately nothing out of the opening and that Black is very comfortable. Even so, I included this game because it shows that when there are a full set of pawns, there is plenty of scope to outplay people from equal positions, especially if you are enjoying yourself, and not dispirited by the lack of a theoretical advantage. 15.h3 h5 16.e2 d7 17.h4 f5 18.e1 c7 19.g3 e6 20.xf5 exf5 21.h4 e7 22.c4!? ad8 [ 22...g7!? ] 23.c5!? fe8 24.fc1 g7 25.d4 d7 26.xe7 xe7 27.ab1 a8 28.b4 axb4 29.xb4 a7 30.f2 b8 31.b3 e4 32.d4 e7 33.f3 a6 34.b6 b8 35.a1 d7 36.a5 b8 37.c1 d7 38.b3 f6 39.a2 e8 40.g3 e4 41.ba3 h4 42.g4 fxg4+ 43.xg4 f5+ 145
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 44.f3 g5 45.fxg5 xg5+ 46.f2 e4+ 47.g2 h6 48.e2 g8+ 49.f1 f6 50.f4 g4 51.g2 aa8 52.e2 f6 53.xg8 xg8 54.a1 f6 55.d3 g4 56.h3 f6 57.e5 e4 58.a6 bxa6 Perhaps a premature resignation, but after taking on c6 white follows up with Ne7 and threatens the d and f pawns at the same time as preparing the c-pawn coronation. 1-0
15.bxc4 dxc4 16.xc4 a5 17.e4 xe4 18.xe4! [ Maybe Black only saw 18.xe4 xd2 , but after the text taking on d2 loses the queen to 19.Bc3. ] 18...f5 19.c3 Black is a pawn down with a completely rotten position, though resignation at this stage could hardly have been very cheering for his team mates. 1-0
155
156
Ljubojevic,Ljubomir Zuidema,Coenraad Skopje ol (Men) fin-A (4) [Nigel Davies]
A03 2550 30.09.1972
1.f4 d5 2.f3 f6 3.e3 c5 4.b3 c6 5.b5 d7 6.b2 e6 7.0-0 e7 8.a4 This kind of waiting move is often seen in analogous positions in the Queen's Indian Defence. Here there's the interesting point that White can play Nf3-e5 on his next move without first exchanging his b5 bishop for the knight on c6. 0-0 [ After 8...a6 9.xc6 xc6 10.e5 White would be better off than after 8.Bxc6 Bxc6 9.Ne5 because of the additional possibility of blockading Black's queenside pawns with a4-a5. ] 9.e5 xe5 10.fxe5 e8 [ And not 10...xb5? 11.exf6 xf1 12.fxe7 xe7 13.xf1 when the two minor pieces are stronger than Black's rook and pawn. ] 11.d3!? c6 [ B l a c k s h o u l d h a v e p l a y e d 11...f5 but he has to be careful. For example after 12.exf6 xf6 White has an interesting s a c r i f i c i a l p o s s i b i l i t y i n ( 12...xf6 is much better when it doesn't look like W hite has much) 13.h5! g6 14.xg6 hxg6 15.xg6+ g7 16.xf8+ xf8 17.xg7+ xg7 18.c3 e7 19.h7 , with two pawns and ongoing pressure for the sacrificed piece. ] 12.g4 g6 13.c3 g7 14.f4 c4? W ith Ljubojevic feeding pieces over to the kingside Black panics. [ 14...f5 would have been a much tougher nut to crack. ]
Malaniuk,Vladimir P Thorfinnsson,Bjorn Quebec Open Montreal CAN (9) [Nigel Davies]
A03 2563 2395 25.07.2009
The Bird is a good opening for player with experience in the Dutch - you get the same position but with colours reversed. Malaniuk certainly fits the bill - he's a great expert in the Leningrad Variation. 1.f4 d5 2.f3 e6 At first sight this looks like a rather stately approach by Black though as we'll soon see he has some aggressive ideas in mind. 3.d3 b6 4.g3 e7 5.g2 h5!? Well that's interesting, Black wants to play ... h5-h4. Unfortunately for him this plan is foiled in typical Leningrad Dutch fashion. 6.h3! b7 7.0-0 d7 8.e1 Malaniuk's favourite move in the Leningrad. White is preparing to play e2e4 and vacates the d-file. c5 9.e4 c7 10.c3 a6 11.d2 dxe4 I tend to see this exchange as a bad thing for Black as now when White plays e4-e5 he can gain access to the e4 square. 12.dxe4 0-0-0 13.e2 gf6 14.g5 hf8 15.e5 e8 16.xb7+ xb7 17.ce4 Black's early play has been rather unsuccessful. W hite has a nice space advantage and Black's king looks weak on the queenside. h4 18.g4 c7 19.f3 f5 20.eg5 [ 20.gxf5! is much stronger as after xf5 W h i t e c a n p l a y ( 20...exf5 21.eg5 is ve ry u n p le a s a n t) 21.xh4! xh4 22.d6+ etc. ] 20...c4? Slipping up on the verge of equality. [ 20...fxg4 21.hxg4 b8 intending ...Nc6 wo u ld h a ve p u t Bla ck righ t b a ck in t h e game. ] 146
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 21.gxf5 xg5 22.xg5 xf5 [ 22...exf5 23.e6 would be a complete killer. ] 23.e4 Threatening the most horrible fork on d 6 . B l a c k ' s p o s i t i o n i s c o l l a p s i n g . e8 24.xc4+ b8 25.ae1 d5 Losing, but then what else? 26.xd5 exd5 27.g5 c7 28.c3 f8 29.e6 g6? [ 29...e8 30.f2 would protect the e6 pawn because of fxe6 31.fe2 etc. ] 30.f7 g8 31.d6 xf4 32.xf4 [ 32.e7 would have been even better, for example xf1+ 33.xf1 e8 34.xe8 xe8 35.e6 xe7 36.b4 is a killer. ] 32...xf4 33.e7 xh3+ 34.h2 g5 35.e8+ So White goes a piece up and the rest should be a 'matter of technique'. As one might expect, Malaniuk does a very prof essional job. xe8 36.xe8+ xe8 37.xe8 d4 38.b4 a5 39.d6+ c8 40.xg7 f3+ 41.h3 e1 42.f5 d3 43.c3 d2 44.e3 d3 45.d1 d7 46.h2 c6 47.g1 c1 48.xh4 xa2 49.g4 b5 50.f3 d5 51.e2 c4 52.xd2 b3 53.c5 a4 54.a3 b4 55.cxb4 xb4 56.e3 c6 57.f5 e5 58.d4+ c4 59.e2 f3+ 60.e3 e1 61.c1 c2+ 62.d2 d4 63.f8 e6 64.e7 d4 65.a3 1-0
157 Marin,Mihail Brunello,Sabino Edinburgh rap 1st rapid (2.6) [Nigel Davies]
A03 2549 2468 11.03.2007
1.b3 d5 2.b2 f6 3.e3 c5 4.f4 c6 5.b5 d7 6.f3 e6 7.0-0 e7 8.e1 [ White wants to wait before adopting the standard plan of taking on c6 and plonking his knight on e5, but this is not the best way to do it as we shall see. Instead of this he should probably play 8.d3 0-0 9.bd2 b4 10.xd7 xd7 11.a3 c6 12.e4 will give him a somewhat freer gaem. ] 8...0-0 [ Black could also play the immediate 8...b4! , f o r e x a m p l e 9.xd7+ xd7 10.d1 ( 10.a3 defends c2 whilst
developing a piece but leaves the knight on a3 just horribly placed) 10...0-0 11.a3 c6 12.d3 f6 13.xf6 xf6 14.bd2 ae8 ( 14...c3 is another good move here) 15.h1 e5 gave Black a nice game in Deuter, L (2041)-Mueller, M (2415)/Germany 2002. ] 9.d3 [ White was successful with the nonchalant 9.h1 in one game but only because his o p p o n e n t p l a y e d t h e w e i r d e4?! a f t e r w h i c h ( 9...b4 10.xd7 xd7 is fine for Black) 10.xc6 xc6 11.d3 f6 12.e5 got the knight to e5 with the associated attacking chances in Gonzalez Menendez, I (2276)-Trujillo Delgado, D (2118)/Aviles 2003. ] 9...b4 10.xd7 xd7 11.f2 With 9.d3 having been played this more rational defence of c2 becomes possible, but it still doesn't give White anything special because he can't get a knight established on e5. c6 12.bd2 f6 13.xf6 xf6 14.ac1 b4 [ 14...b2 looks quite annoying for White here, though it's often best not to get into such tricky lines in a rapidplay game. ] 15.a3 a2 16.ce1 c3 17.g3 [ The knight on c3 is likely to become a thorn in W hite's side so he should take the opportunity to exchange it with 17.b1 . ] 17...e5 18.fxe5 xe5 19.xe5 xe5 20.f4 ae8 21.a4 a2 22.xe5 xe5 23.f3 e7 24.f2?! [ 24.e4 was better. ] 24...fe8 25.d4 [ I wonder if W hite missed 25.fe2 c3 when he played 24.Rf2. Possibly, this was rapidplay. ] 25...cxd4 26.xd4 xe3 27.xe3 xe3 28.f5 b4 29.f2 c3 30.e5 f8 31.e2 c6 32.xd5 xd4+ 33.xd4 xc2+ 34.d3 c7 35.d8+ e7 36.a8 a6 37.d4 d6 38.h8 h6 39.h7 f6 40.h8 d7 41.g8 e6+ 42.c5 f5 The pawn majority starts trundling forward. 43.b4 f6 44.b5 axb5 45.axb5 g5 46.h8 g7 47.c8 f4 48.gxf4 gxf4 49.b6 f3 50.c2 f7 51.f2 g6 52.c5 g5 53.d4 g4 54.e3 e7+ 55.d2 h5 56.d3 h4 0-1 147
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 24.xe5?? allows c5+ forking king and bishop. ] Moreno Carnero,Javier 24.xc3 xe2 25.f3 e3 26.xe5 xe4 Bhat,Vinay S 27.xg7 xg7 28.ae1 xe1 29.xe1 Qualifier Internet ICC (1.2) d6?! [Tony Kosten] [ Missi n g t h e t a ct i c 29...d2!? 30.f2 ( 30.d5?? xd5 31.cxd5 f3+ ) 30...gxf5 1.g3 d5 2.g2 f6 3.f4 White transposes 31.gxf5 d4 with a trivial win. ] into Bird's Opening, and achieves a reversed Leningrad position, without permitting Black to 30.e7 gxf5 31.g5?! [ Better 31.xc7!? fxg4 32.xg4 play 1...e5. g6 4.f3 g7 5.0-0 b6 6.d3 with some drawing chances. ] b7 7.e1 0-0 8.e4!? [ White exploits a typical tactical motif, the 31...hxg5 32.hxg5 xc4 [ 32...c8 33.h5 f8 is simpler. ] p in a lo n g t h e h 1 -a 8 d i a g o n a l, t o f o rc e through this advance. 8.h3 c5 9.g4 c6 33.xc7 d3?? [ A quick-play blunder which throws away a 10.h4 is a less confrontational method, n i c e p o s i t i o n , 33...e5 34.h5 d7 Teran Alvarez,I-Izeta Txabarri,F/Palencia does the trick. ] 1999. ] 8...dxe4 9.g5 The point, recuperating the 34.h5?? [ Missing the obvious 34.e2 a3 35.xc4 pawn. a6! turning the tables. ] [ A n im p ro v e m e n t o n t h e m o ve 9...bd7 although play is similar on 10.xe4 xe4 34...e5 35.f2? a3 36.e7 [ 36.c2 f4 ] 11.dxe4 c5 12.c3 xc3! 13.bxc3 f5 14.exf5 xg2 15.xg2 gxf5 and the black 36...g6 37.e2?? xa2 38.e3 [ 38.d7 doesn't change anything: f4 ] knight comes to e4, Houska, M-Shaw,J/ 38...f4+ 39.f3 xe7 Rotherham 1997, 0-1 (45). ] 0-1 10.dxe4 [ Perhaps 10.xe4 is superior, as in the previous note. ] 159 A03 10...h6 11.h3 e5 12.f5 [ Now White gets more space on the kingside, Novikov,Maxim 2524 but 12.c3 b4 13.f2 exf4 14.xf4 e8 Selin,Oleg 2400 was superior, although Black is fine. ] Ch Tula RUS (3) 05.08.2007 12...d4+ Black gets strong play along the [Nigel Davies] open d-file after this, and pressure on e4. 13.f2 ad8 14.c3 Else ... Nb4 may prove 1.b3 d5 2.e3 A way of avoiding 2...Bg4 I awkward. a4 15.g4?! guess. f6 3.b2 c5 4.f4 Transposing into [ White finds himself in more trouble after a Bird's Opening, but having avoided some of this, 15.b3 d7 16.e2 is safer. ] Black's independent tries there (such as the 15...c5 Now White is obliged to defend e4 From Gambit with 1.f4 e5). passively, and his position goes downhill. [ W h i t e c o u l d a l s o h a v e p l a y e d 4.f3 16.d2 d3 with a reversed Queen's Indian Defence, [ 16...a6 is not bad either. ] an d th is wo uld p ro ba b ly h ave b ee n m y 17.xd3 xd3 18.e2 fd8 19.h4?! choice. ] Difficult to suggest a satisfactory move here, 4...g4 Aiming for an exchange of pieces but b u t t h is d o e s n o t h in g t o co n t e st B la ck' s this helps to speed White's development. control of the centre. a6 20.b3 [ A high level game Morozevich, A (2765)[ 20.c4!? was slightly better, although c2 Kramnik, V (2799)/Nice 2008 went 4...g6 21.f2 gxf5 22.gxf5 f8 wins material. ] 5.b5+ d7 6.xd7+ bxd7 7.c4 dxc4 20...a5 21.c4 xc4 22.bxc4 xc3 8.bxc4 g7 9.f3 0-0 10.0-0 a6 11.a4 23.b2 d2 b8 12.c3 c6 13.b1 d3 14.a3 [ N o t b a d , b u t 23...b4! is excellent, as xc4 15.xb7 d5 16.e2 xe2 158
A03 2506 2398 18.03.2000
148
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 17.xe2 a5 18.d7 fd8 19.xd8+ with an eventual draw. ] 5.e2 xe2 6.xe2 c6 7.f3 e6 8.e5 c7 Probably Black was already envisaging castling long at this point, though it's not clear that this is such a great idea. [ 8...xe5 9.fxe5 d7 intending ...Be7, castling short and a quick ...f7-f5 seems more solid. ] 9.0-0 d6 10.xc6 xc6 11.d3 0-0-0 Needless to say Black's king is going to be far from safe over here because of the ease with which White can open files on the queenside with c2-c4. Can he create play on the other flank, where White has more space? Well this is what I don't like about his strategy. 12.d2 c7 13.f3 h5 14.e5 d7 Perhaps by this stage Black was agreeing with me about his kingside prospects, so he gives up his gpawn for what looks like nebulous compensation. 15.xg7 hg8 16.b2 f6 17.c4 dxc4 18.dxc4 g4 19.f2?! This could probably have waited until Black plays ...Rdg8. Now Black switches his plan and gets some play. e5! 20.fxe5 xe5 21.xe5 xe5 22.xe5 xe5 23.af1 dg8 24.h1 h4 25.f3 c7 26.d2 b6 27.fd1 4g7 28.d5 b2 29.f4+ b7 30.5d2 e5 31.f3+ a6 32.c6 c7 33.d5 xd5?! [ 33...e8 would have been better with some prospects for survival. ] 34.xd5 cg7 35.1d2 h3 36.g3 h7 37.g1 e8 38.f2 1-0
[ 9.h4 e6 10.g4!? was played by the great endgame composer, Kasparian,G-Ebralidze, A/Tbilisi 1937. ] 9...b7 Natural, but the bishop may prove better on a6, so perhaps Black should prefer [ 9...e8 10.g3 when ( 10.e4?! dxe4 11.dxe4 e5 ) 10...e6 is Johannessen,SKeene,R/ Siegen 1970, but Black might prefer the trick ( 10...e5!? although there is a twist, 11.fxe5 xe5 12.xe5 xe5 13.xe5 h5 and the queen is trapped, but with the pawn on b6 W hite has the tactic 14.xd5 xd5 15.f3 however, after d6 16.xa8 e5 White finds himself behind in development, 17.g3 xg3! 18.hxg3 xg3+ 19.h1 h3 20.d2 xf1 21.xf1 e1 22.g2 e2+ 23.g1 xc2 and White's position is very loose. )] 10.c3 e8 11.g3 a6 Picking out the weakness on d3. [ 11...e5 is again thematic, but after 12.fxe5 xe5 13.xe5 xe5 14.e4 ( 14.xe5 h5 traps the queen) 14...h5 15.f2 White attacks f7. ] 12.e2?! Why play the bishop to d1, to follow up with this? [ 12.c2 looks right. ] 12...e5 Now the d-pawn is pinned Black could also consider [ 12...e4!? 13.e1 d6 and ...e5 next move, with an edge. ] 13.xe5 xe5 14.fxe5 d7! [ 14...xe5 is again possible, but Black wants to put more pressure on d3. ] 15.a3 xe5 16.b5 b7 17.d4? Positionally this looks wrong, although White drives the knight from a strong post, e4 will 160 A03 stay permanently weak. a6 18.a3 [ 18.dxe5 axb5 19.xb5 xe5 Rasidovic,Sead 2303 favours Black. ] Fressinet,Laurent 2640 20th ECC Izmir TUR (3) 05.10.2004 18...d7 19.h4?! f6 The knight heads straight for e4. 20.b1 e7 Black stops [Tony Kosten] White from playing Nd2. 21.f3 c8 22.e1 Black controls e4 four times with his 1.f4 d5 2.e3 g6 3.f3 f6 4.e2 g7 f5 5.0-0 0-0 6.e1 c5 7.d3 c6 8.d1 pieces, much more than W hite could ever White defends c2 and prepares e4, but I am hope to. 23.d2 ac8 24.e2 c4 25.f1 e4 26.h2 f6 White is completely lost. not too keen on this move myself. b6 h4 28.g3 g5 29.f3 c6 [ 8...e8 planning ...e5, worked well for 27.h5 Black in Karlsson,L-Kindermann,S/ Gausdal The black pieces gravitate to the kingside. 30.g4 d7 31.e2 f6 32.g2 gxh5! 1994. ] With two of White's pieces out of play on the 9.a4 149
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 queenside Black opens the g-file to decide matters. 33.gxh5 h8 34.xe4 dxe4 35.h2 [ 35.xg5?? xf1+ and the queen is lost. ] 35...g8 36.g2 f3 37.d2 h3 38.g3 xf1 39.h1 This is obviously hopeless, but [ 39.xf1 xe3+ 40.xe3 gxg3+ wins everything. ] 39...xg3 40.xg3 h6 Sufficient to win, Black is a piece up for nothing, but [ 40...xe3! i s e v e n s t r o n g e r , 41.xe3 h4+ ] 0-1
161 Ricardi,Pablo Dominguez Perez,Leinier Olympiad Bled SLO (6) [Tony Kosten]
A03 2544 2608 31.10.2002
1.g3 d5 2.g2 f6 3.f4 g6 4.f3 g7 5.0-0 0-0 6.d3 c5 7.c3!? Well, why not? White is a tempo up on a playable line in the Leningrad Dutch. d4 8.e4 xe4 9.dxe4 c6 10.e3 This is the extra move that White enjoys, he can attack the d4-pawn and try to exchange his doubled e-pawn. e5 Ambitious, and played as with colours reversed, but [ 10...dxe3 is also possible, 11.c3 xd1 12.xd1 e2 ( 12...a5 13.xe3 c4 14.c1 and White has a little extra space in this endgame) 13.e1 e5 14.xe2 e6 15.e3 b6 was fine for Black in Knezevic,MDely,P/Skopje 1967. ] 11.f5!? This is a perfectly normal move in a Dutch. [ 11.fxe5 xe5 12.exd4 cxd4 13.xe5 ( 13.xd4?? g4 ) 13...xe5 14.f4 offers nothing, Pimenov,S-Ilivitzki,G/Yerevan 1955. ] 11...gxf5! Before annotating this I had a quick look at the Leningrad Dutch eBook, and this move (which is actually an innovation here) is given an exclamation mark, in an almost identical position. [ 11...b5?! is probably doubtful, as White can continue 12.g4 with a powerful kingside attack brewing, Laine,H-Kauko,J/ Tampere 1996. ] 12.exf5
[ 12.h4?! fxe4 13.xe4 e7 14.d3 f5 15.xf5 xf5 16.xf5 xf5 17.xf5 xf5 18.xf5 d5 ( 18...a5 might be even s t r o n g e r h e r e) 19.e4 c4 actually t ra n s p o se s d i re ct ly i n t o t h e L e n i n gra d Mainline discussed by Neil McDonald (if you change the board around)! ] 12...xf5!? Black decides to liquidate the annoying f-pawn, although other moves, such as [ 12...e4 were also possible. ] 13.xe5 Discovering an attack on f5. e7 14.exd4 cxd4 15.d3 A nice blockading s q u a r e f o r a k n i g h t . g6!? 16.g5 W h it e pref ers no t to gra b th e pa wn , an d relinquish the initiative, by [ 16.xb7 b8 17.g2 d5 ] 16...c7 17.f4 b6 18.a4 White's pieces are harmoniously placed, and he enjoys the better pawn structure. f5 But Black can land his knight on the e3-square, and this gives h i m u s e f u l p l a y . 19.a5 b5 20.f3 Not bad, but [ 20.a6!? is tempting, e3 21.xe3 dxe3 22.axb7 ad8 Black has some play for the pawn, but not enough. ] 20...c4 21.f2 e3 22.e5 e6 23.xg6 hxg6 24.xb7 White as won a pawn, for not too much. xg2 25.xg2 Simplest, as if [ 25.xg2 then d3! is p o ss i b l e , 26.c3 ( 26.cxd3? d4 ) 26...ad8 and the d-pawn is potentially dangerous. ] 25...ac8 26.f3 c4 Black must press the backward c2-pawn, and try to tie White to its defence. 27.af1?! A waste of time, [ 27.d1 fc8 28.dd2 was better, although f5 gives Black fair comp. ] 27...fc8 28.c1 a6 29.h4 4c5 Black has picked-off the a-pawn, so W hite sues for peace. 30.c3 dxc3 31.bxc3 xc3 32.e2! xf3 33.xe6 xc1 34.e8+ h7 35.xf3 c5 36.e7 g8 37.e8+ h7 38.e7 g8 39.e8+ ½-½
150
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 162 Schnelzer,R Andersson,U 16th OIBM 2012 (8.14) [John Bartholomew]
A03 2230 2556 03.11.2012
Ulf Andersson meets 1.f4 in his usual fine intuitive style. 1.f4 f6 [ If Black intends to enter a reversed Dutch, then 1...d5 may be the most flexible move. One high-scoring possibility is 2.f3 g6 3.g3 g7 4.g2 c5 5.0-0 h6!? , wherein Black transfers the knight to f5 and aims to exploit the e3 square after a subsequent d2-d3. See Karlsson, L (2520)Seirawan, Y (2595)/Haninge 1990/[TonyK] ( 5...f6 would tranpose to the text game) 6.g4 ] 2.f3 g6 3.g3 g7 4.g2 d5 5.0-0 0-0 [ Another good option is the doublefianchetto with 5...b6 , i.e. 6.d3 b7 7.e1 0-0 8.e4!? dxe4 9.g5 a6! Moreno Carnero, J (2506)-Bhat, V (2398)/ Internet ICC 2000/ [TonyK]. ] 6.d3 c5 We now have a main-line Leningrad Dutch with colors reversed. The only difference is that Black has yet to play ...Nb8c6, so he's effectively a tempo behind. Funnily, this hasn't helped W hite much in practice (Black even scores fractionally better in this tempo-down version). Hence, when asked why he doesn't play 1.f4, the noted Leningrad Dutch expert GM Vladimir Malaniuk responded by saying "that extra move's gonna hurt me"! 7.e1 Black's most popular move in the Leningrad (by a fairly wide margin) is 7. .. Qe8, so no surprise here. [ In t ere st ingly, 7.c3!? is played slightly more o f ten here, proba bly b ecause it's amb itious in t he normal L eningrad an d easier to justify with an extra tempo. Nevertheless, after d4 8.e4 xe4 9.dxe4 c6 10.e3 e5 Black held his own in sharp hand-to-hand combat in Ricardi, P (2550)-Dominguez, L (2608)/Bled 2002/ [TonyK]. ] 7...d4 [ I like this a bit better than 7...c6 , allowing 8.e4 , but even then dxe4 9.dxe4 e5! gives Black plenty of counterplay. ] 8.c3
[ Also frequently seen is 8.a3 c6 9.d2 ( 9.c3 transposes to the game) 9...d5 10.c3 . Black has several good responses, i. e. b8!? ( 10...e6 11.c2 dxc3 12.bxc3 b6 13.d1 b7 14.e4 de7 15.e3 c7= Dietz, J (2185)-Mirzoev, A (2565)/ Calvi FRA 2010; I would personally avoid the sharp 10...e5!? , though it's fine too) 11.b1 b6 12.c2 dxc3 13.bxc3 b7 14.g4 e5 15.fxe5 xe5 16.xe5 xe5 Boric, E (2292)-Gabrielian, A (2532)/Aix-les-Bains FRA 2011. 17.e4 c7 18.d4 cxd4 19.cxd4 xd4+ 20.xd4 xd4+ 21.e3 d7 22.h6 fd8 23.g3 e6 0-1 Boric, E (2292)-Gabrielian, A (2532)/Aix-les-Bains FRA 2011 ] 8...c6 9.a3 b8!? Useful. Black prepares ...b7-b5 and reveals little else about his setup. [ In 2010, 9...d5 was played against... Vladimir Malaniuk! Yes, the originator of the famous 1.f4 quote actually DOES play the Bird f rom time to time (28 of his 1400+ W hite games in MegaBase). 10.d2 e5 ( again, I would shy away from this instead, 10...b8!? transposes to Boric - Gabrielian above ) 11.fxe5 xe5 12.xe5 xe5 13.c2 g7?! ( 13...a5!? ) 14.c4 f6 15.b4! cxb4 16.xb4 g4 17.d5 d7 and W hite went on to win in Malaniuk, V (2573)-Bindrich, F (2512)/Dresden GER 2010. ] [ T h e c o m p u t e r i s f o n d o f 9...e6!? , both here and on the next couple moves. On e e xa mp le : 10.c2 b6 11.c4 a5 12.h3 d7 13.f2 b4 14.a3?! Tzambazis, G-Parligras, M (2564)/Agios Kirykos 2004. Here e8!? 15.d2 d6 is pleasant for Black. ] 10.d2 b5 11.c1 It's not clear what White should do here. [ 11.c2 b6 12.h1?! e6 13.h3 fd8 14.cxd4 cxd4 15.b4 xb4 16.xb4 dc8 Beim, V (2544)-Karpov, A (2355)/ Pardubice 2003 ] [ 11.h1 a6 ( 11...e6 ) 12.c1 b7 13.c2 d7 14.h3 e5 15.cxd4 exd4 Hickl, J (2570)-Zueger, B (2470)/Altensteig 1995 ] 11...dxc3 12.xc3 b4! [ Worse is 12...d4?! 13.xd4 cxd4 14.a5 d7 15.c7 , as in Kislinsky, A 151
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 (2384)-Solomaha, A (2379)/Kiev 2006. ] 13.xf6 xf6 14.c4 e6 15.b3?! Weakening. [ It looks better to play 15.f2 c8 16.fd2 with roughly equality, though I'd take Black and the bishop pair. ] 15...c3 16.d1 xc4!? 17.dxc4 a5 18.c2 d4! Black opts to play the middlegame with bishops of opposite color. Th is is a s m a rt de cision , as he en joys a slightly better structure and a bishop with a tad more potential. In other words, Andersson's preferred type of game! 19.xd4 xd4+ 20.h1 b6 21.f5?! Creating more weaknesses. g7 22.e4 e6?! As always, Andersson searches f or complete saf et y before undertaking any active operations. [ Black has nothing to fear: 22...xa2! ] 23.fxg6 hxg6 24.c2?! c3 25.f4 bb8 26.f3 d8!? 27.cc1 b6! Andersson hits on a neat way to coordinate his heavy pieces. 28.cd1 d6 29.d3 xd3 30.exd3 e7 31.e2 h8 32.f3 d8 33.g2 d6 34.h1 d8 35.d1 d7 36.c2 d4 37.e2 a5! Continuing to soften White up. 38.h4 a4 39.d2 e7 40.g2 a6 41.h5 g5 42.h6+? White has a thankless defensive task on his hands, but there's no reason to pitch this pawn. xh6 43.h1+ g7 44.h5 f6-+ 45.h3 axb3 46.axb3 a3 47.d1 d8 48.e3 d4 49.f3 a2 50.e2 e5 51.d1 d2 52.a8 f5+ White resigned. A patient exploitation of positional trumps in classic Ulf Andersson style. I like Black's play quite a lot, especially the semi-waiting approach with 11... Rb8!?. I see no advantage for White in the reversed Leningrad Dutch. 0-1
too bad. 3.b3 Other moves: [ 3.g3 g4 4.g2 xf3!? 5.xf3 e5 6.d3 f6 and at the cost of the bishop pair Black has achieved good development, and a b e t t e r c e n t r e , R icca , R-K o rn e e v, O / A s t i 1997. ] [ 3.e3 is possibly the most logical, g4 4.b5 d7 otherwise White could simply double the black c-pawns, Reinderman,DBerelovich,A/Hoogeveen NED 1999, when i think I would play 5.h3 xf3 6.xf3 ] 3...e5!? This move is very sharp, but Black can also consider [ 3...g4 4.b2 f6!? 5.g3 d7 6.g2 0-0-0 with mutual chances, Stipic,M-Klaric,Z/ Zadar 1997. ] 4.fxe5 [ 4.xe5?? allows xe5 5.fxe5 h4+ 6.g3 e4 7.g1 and now Black wins a rook with the surprising fork d4 ] 4...g5!? A new move borrowed from From's Gambit, Black wants to displace the white king's knight, and attack on the kingside - he can always bring his king to safety on the queenside. Alternatives: [ 4...xe5!? 5.b2 ( 5.xe5 h4+ 6.g3 d4 regains the piece) 5...xf3+ 6.exf3 f6 7.d4 f5 with a good game, Lammi,JMaki Uuro,M/Tampere 1993. ] [ 4...g4 5.b2 xf3?! ( 5...e7!? ) 6.exf3 g5 7.g3 c5 8.f4 e7 9.d4 with a large white advantage, Auer,H-Oden,E/Pirmasens 1992. ] 5.g3?! White had a number of choices here, but this is probably not the best, [ 5.b2 g7 is possible ( 5...g4!? 6.e6! )] [ 5.e6!? as well, with the point xe6?! 6.b2 f6 7.xg5 ] 5...g4 6.h4 e7 7.g2 xe5 The opening has been a success for Black 163 A03 who is ahead on development, and has more control of the centre. 8.d4 g6 9.d3 f6 Strain,Hugh M Shulman,Yuri 2591 10.d2 d6 11.b2 e7 12.0-0-0 d7 0-0-0 14.b1? White is already 21st NAO Las Vegas USA (1) 30.08.2002 13.e1 behind in development, and certainly cannot [Tony Kosten] afford any unnecessary moves, [ 14.e4 was indicated: dxe4 15.xe4 xe4 1.f4 d5 2.f3 c6!? Over the years I have 16.xe4 g5+ 17.d2 although Black is considered a number of moves in this position, still better. ] but this one is definitely new to me. Still, this Black immediately takes control of is very similar to the 2 Nc3 line against the 14...de8 Dutch, which has a fair reputation, so can't be e4. 15.e3 h5 16.e2 h4 Although the white 152
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 king has escaped to the queenside Black is still stronger on the kingside, and should attack there. 17.d1?! [ 17.c4 was the only chance. ] 17...hxg3 18.hxg3 xg3 19.ef1 h3 Black is a pawn up with the better position. 20.a4 eh8 21.hg1 h2 22.h1 h5 23.a2 g3 24.a3 e8 25.f4? xf4 26.xf4 [ 26.exf4 xh1 attacks the queen and wins a whole rook. ] 26...xh1 27.xg4 xg4?! Possibly this last move should be [ 27...xf4 ] 0-1
164 Tartakower,Saviely Alapin,Simon Karlsbad Karlstad (19) [Nigel Davies]
A03
15.09.1911
1.f4 d5 2.f3 c5 3.e3 c6 4.b5 d7 5.0-0 e6 6.b3 f6 7.b2 e7 8.d3 [ It's interesting to note that two rounds e a r l i e r T a r t a k o w e r h a d p l a y e d 8.e2 but after c8 9.d3 b6 10.c4 a6 11.xc6 xc6 12.bd2 0-0 13.e5 e8 14.f2 d7 15.xd7 xd7 16.g4 d4 didn't really achieve very much in Tartakower, S-Suechting, H/Karlsbad 1911. And it's entirely possible that a theoretician such as Alapin had prepared an improvement for Black. ] 8...c7 9.e2 0-0 10.bd2 a6 11.xc6 xc6 12.e5 fe8?! [ Black should try and tackle that knight on e5 before the rest of White's army lines up behind it. So repositioning the knight on f6 looks like the thing to do and the best way to do it seems to be 12...d7 . ] [ Another possibility is 12...e8 but then 13.e4 f6 14.xc6 xc6 15.exd5 xd5 16.ae1 c7 17.f5 e5 18.e4 looks very nice for White. ] 13.f3 d4 [ It seems to late for 13...d7 now because of 14.h3 xe5 15.h5 . After h6 16.xe5 d6 17.xg7 Black's king position gets ripped limb from limb. ]
14.h3 ad8 15.f1 This massive gathering of force on the kingside is looking very ominous for Black. g6 16.e4 f8 17.df3 g7 Losing, but it's not easy to find a move for Black here. [ The disgraced Rybka 4 program wants to recommend 17...h5 here, but then 18.xh5 ( Or maybe 18.c1 f5 19.xh5 gxh5 20.g5 ) 18...gxh5 19.xc6 xc6 ( 19...bxc6 20.d2 h4 21.g4+ h8 22.xh4 gives more than enough for the exchange ) 20.e5 c7 21.xh5 f6 22.g4 g7 23.f5 provides ample demonstration of the superiority of nonmaterialist organic GM thinking. At least I think it does. ] 18.g5 e7 19.xc6 xc6 20.e5 d5 21.xh7 That's just about it. This is an important pawn and White has snaffled it for free. f5 22.exf6 xf6 23.xf6+ xf6 24.c3 h7 25.e5 f7 26.xh7+ xh7 27.cxd4 d5 28.h8 f8 29.dxc5 xc5+ 30.h1 xd3 31.h3 d5 32.g7+ e8 33.a3 1-0
165 Taylor,Timothy Fontaine,Robert Masters Las Vegas USA (1) [John Watson]
A03 2330 2521 10.06.2006
This one was similar but White gets c3 in early, which has to be right (cutting down on the g7 bishop's range, opening a square for the knight on c2, freeing the queen - very flexible). Although it still doesn't work out, the opening was fine and may even have favoured White. 1.f4 d5 2.f3 g6 3.e3 g7 4.e2 f6 5.0-0 0-0 6.d3 c5 7.a4 c6 8.a3 g4 9.c3 c8 10.h3 xf3 11.xf3 d4?! This seems to help White's pawn structure. 12.cxd4 cxd4 13.e4 d7 14.d2 h6 15.g3?! [ 15.e5!? activates White's pieces and readies b4-b5. I like White. ] 15...c5 16.g4 [ 16.e1 would intend b4. ] 16...e6 17.f5?! e3+ [ 17...xd2! 18.xd2 e5 takes over a great outpost and makes W hite's bishop 153
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 look a little funny out there. ] 18.xe3 dxe3 19.c1!? This hits c5 and plays for tactics but the centre can collapse.. This is a bad sign unless it wins outright. exf5 [ 19...b3 20.xe3 xa1 21.fxe6 ( 21.f6 h8 ) 21...f5! 22.exf5 b3 is wild after 23.f6 xf6 24.e7 xf1+ 25.xf1 xe7 26.e6+ f8 , but White has to take time to recover his material and his knight on a3 is a re al prob lem . 27.f4+ f5 28.xc8 xc8 29.g4 c5! 30.gxf5 xf5! with a pawn-up ending. ] 20.exf5 e2! 21.xe2 d4+?! A strange move. [ 21...d4 is obvious and pretty much killing. It's not clear what Black was thinking. ] 22.h1 ce8 23.b5 d5+ 24.f3 xf5 25.g2 e5 26.c4! a6 27.c3 d6 28.b4!? [ 28.ad1 ] 28...d7 29.f4?! [ 29.xc6! bxc6 ( 29...xc6+ 30.xc6 bxc6 31.ae1= ) 30.e4 d5 31.ac1 ] 29...e3! 30.af1 ce5 31.d4 xd4 32.xd4 xg3 With a clear pawn up. Again, the opening was reasonable. 33.d1 c8 34.e4 e3 35.d6 c2 36.c4 ee2 37.xb7 h2+ 38.g1 xh3 39.b5 axb5 40.axb5 g3+ 41.f1 Now instead of g4!? [ 41...h5 ] [ or 41...f3 was very strong. Black went on to win, less convincingly: ] 42.d2 c1+ 43.e2 de5 44.b2 gg1 45.xe5 xe5 46.b6 b1 47.xb1 xb1 48.d6 f8 49.a8 e7 50.d5 b2+ 51.d1 d7 52.b7 h5 53.c1 b6 54.d2 f6 55.e3 g5 56.f3 h4 57.g4 e6 58.a5 b4+ 59.f3 b3 60.e4 f5+ 61.d4 b6 62.a1 h3 63.e1+ d6 64.e8 g4 65.h8 b1 66.e3 e6 67.h6+ e7 68.f4 b5 69.h5 d6 70.h6+ c7 71.c6+ b8 72.c8+ a7 73.h8 b8 74.h6 d5 75.d4 xd4+ 76.xf5 a4 77.h8 b4 78.h7 a4 79.h8 c6 80.h7 b6 81.h6 a7 82.xc6 g3 0-1
166 Taylor,Timothy Golod,Vitali National Open (6) [John Watson]
A03 2330 2571 18.06.2006
Tim Taylor plays as he preaches. Tim wrote a book on Bird's Opening and put it to the test four times in the latest batch of TWICs. The 1-3 result probably doesn't condemn the opening however, and I hope we see some more of it as time goes by. He faced two very high-rated opponents, for one thing. And he was asleep for this game: 1.f4 d5 2.f3 g6 3.e3 [ 3.g3 , for the Leningrad Reversed, was of course possible. See DanielsinIsmagametov. ] 3...g7 4.e2 c5 Black accedes to a Classical Dutch Reversed. He can also just develop. 5.0-0 c6 6.d3 f6 7.a4!? An interesting move: very Larsen-like, although I'm not sure what the idea is (where's my copy of that book?). Taylor intends Ne5 and Bf3. I would think that one plan of the reversed position, Qe1-h4, could be prepared (W hite should wait for Black to castle, so perhaps [ 7.h1 0-0 8.e1 was a shot. Also, something like the 'Antoshin System Reversed' could come up after ] [ 7.c3 0-0 8.c2 ] 7...0-0 8.a3 a6 9.e5 Back to the original Alekhine plan for this Dutch. c7 10.xc6 bxc6!? This fights for the initiative. [ On 10...xc6 , 11.a5 might be tried, ( or 11.c4 )] 11.f3 In a few moves White lands in trouble but I'm not sure why. The problem seems to be a lack of direction. On bold idea would be [ 11.c3 (in any case this prepares to cover e3 by Nc2) with the idea e5 (unfortunately, ( 11...e8 may be better.) 12.fxe5 xe5 13.e4! dxe4 14.c4 , emphasizing the weak c-pawns. Bf4, Nb6, or Be3 will follow, depending upon Black's decision. e6 ] 11...e5 12.d2?! Is that the best White can do? e8 13.e1 This is beginning to look like Amateur vs Master. Taylor is a strong and experienced player, which makes you wonder about his position approach to this game. As I 154
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 know and many others have stated, once you write about something you start to have bad results with it. Probably something to do with over thinking. e4 14.e2 b8 15.b1 h5! 16.f1 Oh no. Better to stay on the e-pawn or protect the b-pawn, but what move to make? Black may already be winning regardless. g4 17.c3? exd3 18.xd3 c4 19.c2 xe3 20.xe3 xe3 21.f5 e5!? [ 21...e5 ] 22.fxg6 fxg6 23.xg6 g4 24.c1 e2 25.c2 h3! 26.e1 f8 27.f3 Utter despair. xg2+ 28.h1 xf3 0-1
[ 11...d7 12.e3 h6 is not so clear. ] 12.d2!? [ 12.h3 h6 13.f4 gxe5 14.fxd4 has its points, as White has won a pawn for very little compensation. ] 12...h6! [ 12...gxe5? 13.fxd4 wins a pawn. ] 13.f6 xf6 14.exf6 xf6 15.xh6 xe2 Black would probably have been happy with this position, material is equal and he has the bishop pair, but W hite has something u n p l e a s a n t i n m i n d ! 16.ae1!? Very ima ginative . xc2 17.g5 xg5 18.xg5 Having forced the black queen away from the defence of the kingside W hite menaces Bd5, and Rxf7, so Black has to find 167 A03 a p r e c i s e d e f e n c e i m m e d i a t e l y . b4? Vasiukov,Evgeni 2537 But this is not it! Black had two good lines, Bykhovsky,Anatoly A 2378 against which I can see no clear win: [ 18...e6 19.f6!? ( 19.xe6 xd3! Botvinnik Mem A (1) 17.08.2002 defends g6) 19...fe8 20.e4 keeps the [Tony Kosten] a t t a c k g o i n g , b u t e5! ( 20...e7? 21.xe6! fxe6 22.xg6 wins ) 21.xe5 1.f4 d5 2.f3 g6 3.g3 g7 4.g2 c6!? d2 22.ef1 e3+ 23.1f2 ( 23.h1 Black aims to play a quick ...e5, we have f5! ) 23...e1+ 24.f1 draws ] already considered several other moves here, [ 18...d8 i s e v e n s i m p l e r , 19.xf7 [ 4...c5 is the mainline. ] ( 19.d5? a6! ) 19...xf7 ( 19...xf7? 5.c4!? As far as I can see, this flanking blow is 20.xg6+ f8 21.h6+ g7 22.h8+ a new idea in this position. wins ) 20.xg6+ h8 and now White might [ 5.d4 h5!? 6.e3 h6 7.c3 g4 be forced to take a perpetual, as 21.e4? equalised for Black in King, D-Langner,L/ allows f2+!! 22.xf2 e5+ ] Espoo 1991. ] Destroying the black defences. 5...d4 Black goes for space, but he might also 19.xf7!! xd3 have considered [ 19...xf7 20.xg6+ f8 21.h6+ g7 [ 5...dxc4!? e.g. 6.a4 d5 7.c3 xc3 22.f6+ g8 23.e8+ h7 24.e4+ 8.dxc3 d7 ] mates. ] 6.d3 White has a typical Leningrad position with colours reversed, except that Black's c- 20.xf8+ [ 20.xf8+ xf8 21.f6+ g8 22.e8+ pawn is not on c5. h6 The knight aims for f5, h7 23.h8# ] t o c o v e r t h e w e a k e 3 - s q u a r e . 7.a3 Touche! White brings his queen's knight to c2 1-0 to cover the e3-square. 0-0 8.c2 a5 9.0-0 e5?! This move backfires, Black had plenty of 168 A03 good choices here, Williams,Stephen M 2421 [ 9...f5 for instance. ] 10.fxe5 g4 It seems Black will recapture on Zhao,Zong Yuan 28.09.1999 e5, opening the e-file against the weak e2- WJun Yerevan ARM (11) [Tony Kosten] pawn, but it is White's turn to move: 11.g5 [ 11.e3!? dxe3 12.d4 is also possible, and 1.f4 d5 2.f3 g6 3.e3 g7 4.e2 c5 may even be stronger. ] 11...e8?! The queen should stay on the d- 5.0-0 c6 6.d3 f6 7.a4 Prophylaxis, White shows that he is prepared to keep an file to guard the d4-pawn. 155
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 e y e o n t h e q u e e n s i d e . 0-0 8.h1!? A Simon W illiams' speciality, removing the k in g f ro m t h e g 1 -a 7 d ia go n a l wh ic h ca n become sensitive, should W hite play e4, or Black ... d4. [ 8.e1 is more usual, ready to bring the queen straight to the kingside, b6 9.a3 b7 10.c3 e6 11.b1 a5 with equal chances, Bellin,R-Kotronias,V/Gausdal 1992. ] 8...c7 The question is: how should Black best employ the free move? [ 8...e8 is also possible, likewise intending t o p l a y . . . e 5 : 9.e5 ( s t o p p i n g i t ) c7 10.c3!? a6!? ( (if 10...xe5 then 11.b5 b8 12.fxe5 xe5 13.e4 with the menace of Bf 4 , b ut pe rha p s g5 i s p o s s i b l e )) 11.xc6 xc6 12.f3 b6 13.e4 e6 14.g4 b7 15.g5 dxe4 16.dxe4 h5?! 17.e5 c7 18.e3 with an edge, Williams,SFerguson,M/8th S&W Masters, Witley ENG 1998. ] [ 8...b6 seems the most logical, continuing to develop, 9.e5 b7 10.f3 c7 11.xc6 xc6 12.c3 e5 with a good position to Black, Williams,S-Haslinger,S/Witley ENG 1999. ] 9.c3 a6 10.e4 dxe4!? It is amazing how quickly Black's position disintegrates after this, perhaps [ 10...d4 is better, with the possible c o n t i n u a t i o n : 11.b1 g4!? 12.c3 unclear. ] 11.dxe4 d8 12.e1 d4 Black must have been feeling pretty happy with himself after this move, however, a shock was in store! 13.c4!! A fantastic move! White jettisons a rook for an obscure attack. [ Following 13.d1 e6 Black would be better. ] 13...xc2 My computer considers this position to be completely winning for Black, but this just shows how lacking in imagination they are. 14.h4 xa1 [ Obvious, and no doubt Black felt that he would be able to defend against the white attack, and then make his extra rook count. If instead 14...d4 then 15.a2! ( following 15.xd4? cxd4 three white pieces are threatened, and the dangerous f3-knight is removed from the board.) 15...xa1 16.e5
g4 17.xd4 cxd4 18.d5 White has a powerful attack, which should be sufficient compensation. ] 15.f5 A whole rook down, but with the strong threat of Ng5, ganging-up on f7, and h7. b5? [ A natural reply, by opening the a-file Black assures the defence of his a1-knight. However, it seems to lose, and therefore we must search for an improvement hereabouts: 15...d4!! was his best chance, attempting to pester the powerful c4-bishop. After 16.f4 d8 17.xd4 ( 17.a2 c2 18.g5 can now be met by c4 cutting-off the a2-bishop's diagonal.) 17...cxd4 18.fxg6 hxg6 19.d5! the attack continues, e.g. c2 20.e5 xd5 21.xd5 which should be good enough for a draw, at least. ] 16.axb5 axb5 [ 16...b7 seems little better, 17.g5 gxf5 ( 17...f8? 18.fxg6 and win s, e.g. hxg6 19.xf6 and mate) ) 18.xf7+ h8 19.xh7 xh7 20.g6 h6 21.xh7 e6 22.xf5 exf5 23.xh6 and White recuperates his material whilst maintaining the attack. ] 17.xb5 b7 18.g5 e6 The only try, attempting to block the a2-g8 diagonal, if [ 18...f8 19.xf7 e8 20.fxg6 hxg6 21.e5 d8 22.h7! and its all over. ] 19.xh7! xh7 20.xd8+ f8 21.h4 Preparing f6. The immediate [ 21.f6 leaves the white queen too far from the black king. ] 21...f6 What else? [ 21...gxf5 22.exf5 c6 is met by 23.g3! exf5 24.d6 e6 25.h6 and the game is finished. ] 22.e5! White insists. g5 Forced, for if [ 22...fxe5 23.f6 wins the bishop. ] 23.g4 e7 24.xg5 There were several good paths now, for instance [ 24.exf6 xf6 25.xg5 xg5 26.f6 is also winning. ] 24...fxg5 25.f6 f7 26.d3 Again, [ 26.d6 g6 27.xc8 is also decisive. ] 26...xf6 [ 26...a6 27.xg5 is also quite hopeless. ] 27.exf6 h7 28.d6 Possibly [ 28.xh7+ xh7 29.f7+ is even simpler, as after f8 30.xg5 forces mate. ] 28...d7 [ 28...xf6 i s n o b e t t e r , 29.f3 b7 156
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 30.xb7 ] 29.f7+ f8 30.xh7 [ 30.xh7 Black, still reeling from the blows, g i v e s u p . A f t e r xd6 31.xg5 b7 32.g8+ e7 33.f8+ his remaining pieces drop off the board. ] 1-0
169 Yin Hao Zhang Zhong Asian Team Ch. (1) [Tony Kosten]
A03 2401 2541 10.10.1999
1.f4 d5 2.f3 f6 3.e3 g6 4.b3 Th is de ve lop m en t o f t he qu ee n 's b ish o p certainly makes positional sense now that W h it e ' s k i n g s id e p a wn s a r e s e t o n d a r k squares. g7 5.b2 0-0 6.c4!? [ An ambitious move, attacking Black's central pawn. 6.e2 is more normal. ] 6...c5! [ The best reply, preparing ...Nc6, and ...d4. 6...c6 whilst solid, is passive, and tends to justify White's move. 7.e2 g4 8.0-0 e6 9.d3 with a slight plus, Alexandre,J-Pereira,J/ Lisbon 1994. ] 7.c1?! [ Defending the b2-bishop against various tactical operations, for if 7.e2 for instance, then d4 8.exd4 h5 is possible. ] [ Normally 7.cxd5 is preferred, though, with level play after xd5 8.c4 h5 9.c3 c6 10.a3 g4 11.e2 fe8 intending ... e5, W oe st ma nn ,U-K ro eger,F/Mue nste r 1993. ] 7...c6 8.d3?! d4! The positional refutation o f W h i t e ' s p l a y, B l a c k cl o s e s t h e a 1 - h 8 dia go n a l, a f t er wh ich W h it e will f e e l t h e absence of his dark-squared bishop from the c1-h6 diagonal. 9.e4 [ 9.exd4 cxd4 10.e2 h6 menacing ...e5, is equally unpleasant. ] 9...e5 10.e2?! [ It is difficult to know what to do with White's position. After this move his f-pawn drops off the board, but even after 10.fxe5 the move g4 is very difficult to meet, with threats of ... Ne3, and ...Bh6, not to mention the simple ... N(either) xe5. ]
10...h6 Winning a pawn, the b2-bishop doesn't appear so well-placed now! 11.g3 exf4 12.0-0 [ Hoping to profit from the pin on f4, 12.gxf4 h5 is disastrous. ] 12...g4 13.gxf4 e3 14.f2 xf4 All of White's kingside dark squares, which seemed so strong after the first few moves, are no w f irmly in B la ck's ha nd s. 15.bd2 h3 16.f1 f5 Bringing further bits over to t h e s c e n e o f t h e a c t i o n . 17.e5 xe5 18.xe5 g5+ 19.g4 [ Otherwise, if 19.h1 g2+ ] 19...fxg4 20.g3 xg3 The simplest, exchanging off the king's defenders. 21.hxg3 xf2 22.xf2 f8+ 23.g1 [ 23.e1 e5 is also hopeless. ] 23...e5 0-1
170 Ansell,Simon Nunn,John DM 4NCL Birmingham ENG (9) [Neil McDonald]
A04 2383 2601 29.04.2000
1.e4 c5 2.f3 e6 3.d3 c6 4.g3 ge7 5.g2 g6 6.0-0 g7 7.e1 d6 The same old story, as in Malisov-Psakhis. Black stops any white expansion in the centre with e5, then next move he hinders d4. So White has to look to the queenside to gain space, but it is all pretty harmless. 8.c3 e5 9.a3 0-0 10.b4 a6 Nunn is trying to turn the position into a weird form of a Ruy Lopez! 11.bd2 h6 12.b1 b8 13.b3 This isn't the best way to engineer the advance d4. It was better to develop with [ 13.b2 though Be6 then looks OK for Black- or was Nunn intending b6 and Bb7, a 'Spanish' deployment of the bishop? In either case, White should be able to force through d4 at some point. However, this wo u ld re su l t in a liq u i d a t io n o n t h e d 4 square combined with a .. .d5 thrust by Black, which should lead to equality. ] 13...b6 14.d4?! This is consistent but bad. He could still play [ 14.b2! ] 14...c4! 15.d5 157
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ Instead 15.bd2 exd4 16.cxd4 d5! wo u ld b e ve ry n ice f o r Bla ck- if 17.exd5 xd5 18.xc4? c3 etc. wins. ] 15...cxb3 16.dxc6 e6 17.e3? He had to bail out with [ 17.d2 when c8!? 18.xb3 xc6 is slightly better for Black. ] 17...c7 18.c1 h7 19.c4 The method White uses to regain his pawn leaves c4 weak and a serious hole on d4. xc6 20.xb3 d4 21.c3 fc8 22.d2 b5! 23.c5 This leads to the creation of a black passed pawn which, as it is supported by all the black pieces, proves unstoppable. The only hope was to stand his ground with [ 23.f1 which at least brings the king's bishop into the fight. ] 23...d7 24.f3 dxc5 25.bxc5 a5 26.d2 xf3+ 27.xf3 xd2 28.xd2 b4 29.axb4 axb4 30.cc1 b3 31.e2 b2 32.cd1 b3 Nunn wrapped things up very nicely. 0-1
Fernandez Aguado,J-Vallejo Pons,F/Linares 1994, 1-0 (18). ] 10.g5 xf2?! [ I can't really believe this combination, as it doesn't really do anything about the e6pawn. 10...f6 i s b e t t e r , b u t 11.c3 and the e6-pawn is a thorn in Black's side, h6? i s i m p o s s i b l e : 12.f7 winning material. ] 11.xf2 d4 12.f4 xf2+?! [ At least 12...xb2 13.d2 d4 wins another pawn, although the two white pieces are better than the black rook and pawns, anyway. ] 13.xf2 f6 14.c3! h6 [ Black's thirteenth move threatened nothing, 14...xe6? 15.xe6 xe6 16.d5 wins the rook. ] 15.ge4 [ 15.f7 Seems even simpler. ] 15...xf4+ [ Losing more material, but 15...f8 16.g1 g5 17.h5 wins anyway. ] 16.gxf4 xe6 Black's two pawns are 171 A04 in su f f icie n t co m p e n sa t io n f o r t h e p ie c e . Aronian,Levon 2518 17.d2 f8 18.e1 f7 19.g1 g7 Jorge Bort,Emilio 2233 20.d5 xd5 21.xd5+ h7 22.b3 VII Anibal Open (1) 07.01.2000 f8?! 23.xb7 d4 24.c3 e6 25.g5+ Exchanging Black's last minor piece. xg5 [Tony Kosten] 26.fxg5 e5 27.xa7 hxg5 28.a4 1.f3 f5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 g6 4.0-0 g7 Black could have resigned before. f4 29.a5 5.d3 0-0 6.e4 This is one of the problems f6 30.a6 h6 31.b8 f2 32.a7 d2 with playing the Dutch against a Reti set-up, Black's one threat of the game! 33.f1 1-0 White can oppose the f5-pawn directly. fxe4 [ 6...d6 might be preferable, 7.exf5 gxf5 ( 7...xf5 8.h4 c8 ) 8.d4 e6 9.c4 A04 with th e supe rior p awn structure , Frie s 172 Bellin,Robert 2388 Nie ls e n , J -P la ske t t , J/ G ro n in ge n 1 9 7 9 , although 0-1 (49). ] Williams,Simon Kim 2550 London Classic FIDE Open (4) 11.12.2009 7.dxe4 d6 [ Of course not 7...xe4?? 8.d5+ e6 [Nigel Davies] 9.xe4 1-0 Moreno,A-Figari,E/Bariloche 1.f3 f5 2.d3 d6 3.e4 e5 4.c3 c5!? 1991. ] 8.e5! T h e s h a r p e s t re p ly. g4 9.e6! An interesting and ambitious approach from The point, W hite tries to retard the black Williams. Black rules out d3-d4 by White and argues that without this he will be unable to development. c6 [ A new idea, with a tactical point. 9...c6 e x p l o i t h i s l e a d i n d e v e l o p m e n t . 5.g3 10.g5 f6 11.c3 a6 12.h4! This looks sensible but I suspect that White is similar to the game, Black cannot get rid should be playing more directly for a pawn of the e6-pawn, or the g5-knight. d5 13.e2 lever. To this ef f ect I suggest one of the c7 14.f4 h6? 15.f7 winning a pawn, following possibilities: 158
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ a) 5.a3 c6 6.b4!? is an interesting gambit line, for example cxb4 7.axb4 xb4 8.a3 c6 9.e2 f6 10.0-0 e7 11.b1 0-0 12.b3+ h8 13.exf5 xf5 14.xb7 recovers White's pawn with some pressure. ] [ b) 5.d2!? c6 6.c4 f6 7.f4!? is an interesting and thematic plan in which the knight on c4 becomes very well placed, for example exf4 8.xf4 e7 9.e2 0-0 10.0-0 fxe4 11.dxe4 d4 12.e3 xe2+ 13.xe2 intends 14.Rad1 with pressure. ] 5...e7!? An interesting new move from Williams. [ After 5...c6 W h i t e c a n t r y 6.h4!? , f or example fxe4 ( 6...f4 7.g2 f6 8.gxf4 is good for White) 7.dxe4 f6 8.c4 g4 9.f3 h3 10.g5 was nice for White in Mozharov, M (2424)-Potapov, P (2386)/ Sibenik 2007. ] 6.h3 g6 [ 6...fxe4 7.xc8 xc8 8.dxe4 is just good for White because of the hole on d5. ] 7.exf5 h5!? This truly amazing move is probably the best! [ After 7...xf5 8.xf5 gxf5 White can play 9.h4 xh4 10.h5+ f8 11.gxh4 when Black is in serious difficulties. ] 8.g2 Faced by his opponent's ingenious play Bellin reacts passively. [ He should play 8.h4! , for example xh4 9.gxh4 xf5 ( Or 9...xh4 10.f3 ) 10.xf5 gxf5 11.g5 is good for White. ] 8...gxf5 9.d2?! Pointless. [ A more logical plan would be to play 9.d2 c6 10.c4 with ideas such as f2-f4. ] 9...c6 10.e2 e6 11.h4?! Another pointless looking move. [ 11.0-0-0 makes more sense. ] 11...f6 12.g5 g8 13.f4? After Black's reply White is in all sorts of trouble. [ He should have tried 13.xc6+ bxc6 14.f4 to try and break up Black's pawns. ] 13...d4 14.d1 g4 15.d5 e4 16.dxe4 xg5 17.hxg5 xd5 18.exd5 b6 19.c3 0-0-0!! A fantastic sacrifice which White should have rejected. 20.cxd4? [ 20.0-0 was better when there's still everything to play for. ] 20...de8+ 21.f1 b5+ 22.g1 xb2 23.e1 e2 24.f3 h2 White has no good
defence to the threat of 25...Rxh1+ and 26... Qh2+. 0-1
173 Bindrich,Falko Werle,Jan IX EICC Plovdiv BUL (10) [Carsten Hansen]
A04 2513 2581 01.05.2008
1.f3 f5 2.d3 d6 3.e4 g6?! [ This is at best dubious. Black's best is u n d o u b t e d l y 3...e5 which is the subject of Skoberne, J-Milchev, N/Plovdiv BUL 2008, also to be found in this update. ] 4.exf5 [ This is White's most direct continuation. Other tries include: 4.g3 ] [ 4.h4 ] [ 4.c3 ] [ and 4.c3 ] 4...xf5 5.d4 This position looks like Balogh's Defence, which arises after 1 e4 d6 2 d4 f5 3 exf5 Bxf5. What we have in the game should be an improved version for Black because White has spent two moves to play the pawn to d4. Nevertheless, W hite has a small but clear advantage. g7 [ Black has also tried 5...f6 6.d3 g4 7.bd2 h6 8.h3 xd2+ 9.xd2 xf3 10.xf3 c6 11.b5 ( 11.0-0-0 d7 12.he1 0-0-0 13.c3 ) 11...d5 12.xc6+ bxc6 13.h6 Zysk, R-Feldbacher, H/Bad Wiessee GER 2006 ] 6.d3 [ Or 6.c3!? e5?! ( 6...f6 is better ) 7.dxe5 dxe5 8.b3 d7 9.c4 , Black's position is a toilet, Weindl, A-Gengler, P/Kemer TUR 2007 ] 6...d7 [ 6...xd3 leaves Black with terrible weaknesses on the light squares: 7.xd3 d7 8.0-0 c6 9.e3 ( 9.d5 e5 10.xe5 xe5 11.e1 0-0-0 12.f4 f6 13.e6 h6 14.c4 ) 9...f6 10.bd2 e6 11.ab1 a5 Saheli, N-Gomes, M/Bikaner IND 2004 12.fe1 ] 7.0-0 c6 [ In an early game in this variation, Black tried 7...f6 8.c3 0-0 9.xf5 xf5 159
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 10.d5 e5 11.g5 h8 12.f3 d7 13.e3 , a n d B l a c k 's p o s it i o n is a l r e a d y q u i t e depressing, Keene, R-Platzack, S/ Barcelona 1965 ] 8.c3 [ A m o re lo gica l co n t in u a t io n is 8.xf5!? xf5 9.c4 e5 10.d5 d8 11.c3 with an absolutely horrendous King's Indianlike position for Black the conclusion of the gamewas f6 12.e2 ( 12.g5!? ) 12...0-0 13.g5 h5?? ( 13...c6 14.f3 ) 14.g4 d7 15.gxh5 h6 16.ge4 1-0 Strikovic, APena Dieguez, M/Seville ESP 2004 ] 8...e5 [ 8...f6!? ] 9.dxe5 [ 9.b5 can also be considered, e.g. e4 A) 10.h4!? d5 11.xf5 A1) 11...xf5 12.xc6+ ( 12.f3!? ) 12...bxc6 13.f3 is even worse for Black; A2) 11...gxf5 12.h5+ f7 13.xf7+ xf7 14.f3 e6 15.g4 gives White some initiative; B) 10.d5?! exf3 11.dxc6 bxc6 12.xf3 ( 12.e1+ is probably better, but still nothing for W hite f7 13.xf3 e8 14.e2 f6 ) 12...e7 13.d3 0-0 14.xf5 xf5 15.d3 ab8 with a very comfortable game for Black, Braun, SRuettinger, J/Bayern 2002 ] 9...dxe5 10.b5 [ 10.xf5 gxf5 11.xd7+ xd7 doesn't accomplish anything for White after 12.d1+ e6 13.a3 a6 14.g5+ f6 with a satisfactory game for Black ] 10...0-0-0 11.a4!? d3 [ 11...ge7 12.g5 d3 13.xd3 xd3 14.xe7 xe7 15.xa7 ] 12.xc6 xc6 13.xc6 bxc6 14.e1 f6 15.e3?! [ Over the next few moves White simply plays too passively, and Black gain counterplay to outweigh the deficiencies in the pawn structure. 15.xe5! he8 16.g5 leaves White with a solid advantage, and of course now d5? loses to 17.xf6 xf6 18.xd3 xe1+ 19.xe1 d1 20.f1 g5 21.e2 c1 22.g3 , and then Black's rook will be trapped on c1. ] 15...d5! 16.bd2 e8 17.h3?! [ 17.b3 e4 18.fd2 d7 19.f3 ( 19.d4
h6 ) 19...exf3 20.xf3 c5 21.f4 with at best a tiny edge for W hite, though Black's pair of bishops and generally active pieces provide excellent counterplay. ] [ 17.c4!? dd8 18.xa7 e4 19.d4 b7 20.c5 d7 21.2b3 a8 22.a3 xc4 with another complicated queenless m i d d l e g a m e i n wh i c h b o t h s i d e s h a v e chances, but I prefer Black ] 17...e4 18.d4 c5 19.c6 b7 20.a5+ a6 Black's king is actually rather well-placed on this square. 21.ac4 [ 21.c4!? f5 22.g4 fe5 23.b4 cxb4 24.c6 5e6 ( 24...d7 25.xb4+ b7 26.d4 h6 27.b3 xc4 28.xe5 xe5 29.ad1 ) 25.xb4+ b7 with a complicated game and chances to bot h sid es. T his is p ro bab ly W h it e las t active option before drifting into a difficult passive position. ] 21...d7 22.f4 b6 23.e3 d7 24.a4 c6 25.b3 f8 26.g4 c4 27.f6 [ White wins the exchange, but that's about it. The 'problem' with rooks is that they need to be on open files to be really effective, and White doesn't have any open files for either of the rooks. Therefore in this case, Black with his active pieces has adequate compensation for the exchange. The a l t e r n a t i ve 27.d4 d5 28.g3 d6 29.xd6 xd6 is also pleasant for Black. ] 27...cxb3 28.xe8 d5 29.g5?! [ White throws a couple of tempi away with this move. Nevertheless even af ter th e superior 29.g3 Black is doing quite well: c5 30.ad1 a5 31.d2 xa4 , and I prefer Black's chances White has a nominal material advantage, but Black's pieces are far better placed, and W hite's rooks are quite useless. ] 29...f7! 30.h4 [ 30.c4?! is met by b4 , and Black is clearly better ] 30...c5 31.g3 e3! 32.fxe3 xe3?? [ Oh no! Black should play 32...e7! , e.g. 33.d6 xc3! 34.c8 ( 34.ac1 c2!; 34.h4? xd6 35.xe7 xe7 36.bxc3 b2 37.ad1 c2 38.b1 xb1 39.xb1 a3 wins for Black; 34.bxc3? xe3! 35.h2 b2 , and Black is probably winning) 34...e6 35.bxc3 b2 36.ab1 xe3 37.f2 xe1+ 160
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 38.xe1 xf2+ 39.xf2 b1 40.xb1 xb1 41.e3 c2 42.d4 xa4 43.c5 b7 , and Black has excellent winning chances ] 33.f2?! [ White can end the game more effectively with 33.d6! xd6 ( 33...b6 34.a5 c2+ 35.axb6+ xb6 36.ed1 , and White will end up with an extra piece.) 34.xd6 e7 35.f2 d5 36.xe7 xe7 37.e3 c2 38.d4 ] 33...xf2 34.xf2 c2+ 35.f3 xa1? [ This loses without further ado. Black should have tried 35...xe1+ 36.xe1 , and now a3! 37.e3 c2 38.c7+ b6 39.bxa3 b2 40.e6 b1 41.xb1+ xb1 , and White has excellent winning chances thanks to active king after 42.d4 f5 43.d8 ] 36.xa1 a5 37.f6 h5 38.d7 1-0
weak. ] 14.exd5 xd5 15.c4 a6 16.e2 e8 17.e3 f8 18.d2 f6 A concession but the pressure was getting intolerable. 19.f4! f7 [ If 19...exf4 20.xd5 xd5 21.c7 wins at once. ] 20.f2 d7 [ If 20...exf4 21.xe8 xe8 22.xd5+ xd5 23.c7 xd3 24.xa6 winning the exchange. ] 21.ad1 White has no need to hurry. In fact by showing some patience he gives Black the chance to self destruct. b6 [ He had to try to muddy the waters with 21...exf4 ] 22.xb6 xb6 23.e3! b3 24.xc5 xd1 25.xb6 xa4 26.c7 e7 27.d5 Black resigned for if f7 28.fxe5 fxe5 29.f6+ wins the exchange. A fine game by Bologan to exploit Black's opening errors. 1-0
174
175
Bologan,Viktor Firman,Nazar Aeroflot Open (4) [Neil McDonald]
A04 2651 2485 07.02.2002
1.e4 e6 2.d3 c5 3.f3 c6 4.c3 ge7 5.g3 g6 6.g2 g7 7.0-0 0-0 8.e1 e5 9.a3 a5? [ We have already seen the solid approach 9...d6 10.b4 a6 in Ansell-Nunn. ( Here 10...h6 intending Be6 etc. is also sufficient. )] 10.a4! White fixes the b5 square for his knight. d6? Soon after is Black realises that the plan of Be6, h7-h6 and f7-f5 isn't promising and decides he wants to break in the centre with d6-d5. So he should save time with [ 10...d5 ] 11.a3 h6 12.d2! The other knight has also spied a fine square on c4. Note that 9.. a5 hasn't only given away the b5 square- it has also prevented Black from challenging for the c4 square with b7-b5 as was possible after a7-a6 in the Ansell game. e6 13.b5 d5 [ After 13...f5 White has attractive lines b a s e d o n d 3 - d 4 , b u t p e r h a p s 14.c4!? is th e strongest response - xc4 ( or 14...fxe4 15.cxd6 ) 15.dxc4 and d6 is
Cacho Reigadas,Sergio Khamrakulov,Ibragim S Spanish Team Ch Gp2 (1) [Carsten Hansen]
A04 2470 2545 27.06.2007
1.f3 c5 2.g3 b6 3.g2 b7 4.0-0 f6 5.d3 d5 6.bd2 g6?! (This double fianchetto looks perfectly normal and even logical, but will usually lead to major headaches for Black as demonstrated in both our main game and the supporting analysis. Black's best is 6...e6 leading to a balanced game with chances to both sides) 7.e4 dxe4 [ This is very likely a bad move that immediately puts Black on his heels. The alternatives should therefore be considered carefully, although they don't exactly promise Black an easy game either. A) 7...g7 A) 8.e5 fd7 9.e6 fxe6 10.g5 f8 11.g4 c8 , A.Giesenberg-W.Stroka, Dortmund 2001, and here 12.f4 f6 13.c4 leads to favourable complications for White, e.g. c6 ( 13...h6 14.ge4 c6 15.cxd5 d4 16.xf6+ exf6 17.e1 ) 14.cxd5 d4 15.e1 xg5 16.xg5 b7 17.b4 c2 18.b2; 161
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 12.e1 g7 13.c4 0-0 14.f4 ) B) 8.e2 e6 ( 8...0-0 9.e5 fd7 10.e6 11...c7 12.e1 d4 13.xd4 xg2 f6 11.g5 c6 12.exf7+ h8 13.e6 14.xg2 ( 14.c3 cxd4 15.xg2 d5+ d6 14.f3! xf7 15.fg5 ff8 16.f3 ) 14...xd4 15.c4 ( 15.f3 d5 ) 16.f4+P.Scheeren-T.De Jong, 15...0-0-0 16.a4 b7 17.f3 d6 Rotterdam 1974) 9.e1 0-0 10.c3 c6 18.f4 c6 19.xc6+ xc6 20.h5 11.f1 dxe4 12.dxe4 c7 13.e5 d5 , a nd W hit e h a s a sm a ll, bu t cle a r a n d 14.h4 ad8 15.1h2 a6 16.g4 enduring advantage, V.Mikenas-V. V.Karlik-J.Hlavnicka, Znojmo 2005 ] Alatortsev, USSR Ch (Moscow) 1950 ] [ B) 7...e6 8.e1 g7 9.c3 dxe4 10.dxe4 [ 8...c8 9.e5 h5 10.e1 g7 ( 10...g7 0-0 11.e5 fd7 12.c4 c6 13.d6 c7 11.e6!? f5 12.c4 0-0 13.g5 c7 14.a4 , and White is already clearly better 14.c3 ) 11.e4 h6 12.b4!? ( 12.d3 c6 Black has problems on both the h2-b7 and 13.b3 e6 14.b2 ) 12...cxb4 13.b2 the a4-d7 diagonals, S.Martinovic-J. e6 14.d4 a6 15.xe6 fxe6 16.g4 Vanheste, Dieren 1984 ] f7 , so far, P.Biyiasas-M. Suba, Hastings [ C) 7...c6 1978, and here could have nailed Black's A) 8.e5!? h5 9.e6!? fxe6 10.g5 c8 coffin shut with 17.d6+ exd6 18.xb7 ( 10...d6 11.e1 d8 12.g4 f6 xb7 19.exd6 , and White wins material 13.e2 with a small advantage for White) while continuing the attack ] 11.c4! , and White has excellent 9.e5 g4 compensation for the pawn; [ 9...h5? is an incredibly poor move that B) 8.c3 dxe4 9.dxe4 g7 , so far H. places the knight on the verge of being lost Suradiradja-Hsu Li Yang, Singapore 1997, t o a we ll -t i m e d g3 - g4 p a wn p u s h , e . g . and now 10.e5 d5 11.e6 fxe6 12.g5 10.c4 c8 11.h3 ( White can do even , and Black will have a long uphill battle to b e t t e r w i t h 11.g5! (White is threatening get his position to work for him ] Bxe7 followed by Nd6) c6 12.e1 a6 8.dxe4! 13.c3 , and Black literally has no decent [ Weaker is 8.g5?! , but for the sake of moves, the fact that my computer favours completeness, we will cover it: g7 13...Kf8 speaks volumes) 11...f5 12.exf6 A) or 9.dxe4 0-0 10.e1 h6 11.h3 xf6 13.e1 f8 14.e2 d5 15.g5 fd7 ( 11...e5!? looks positionally wrong (this is getting very embarrassing for Black by blocking the scope of the g7-bishop only the fact that this was played in the and permanently weakening the d5-square, Olympiad can justify Black struggling on a but the knight on h3 is all of a sudden f e w m o r e m o ve s ) f6 16.e4! d7 exceptionally poorly placed, and Black 17.h6+ g7 18.ed6 exd6 19.xd5 gains both space and the initiative, e.g. xh6 20.e7# 1-0 P.Hohler- P.Griffiths, 12.c3 c6 13.f3 c8 14.f2 d8 Siegen OL 1970. Black's team mates can't 15.c2 e6 ) 12.f4 c7 13.e5 xg2 have been particularly pleased by this effort 14.xg2 c6 with chances to both sides, by the well-known author of several L. Niko laiczu k-D. P olajze r, Sch oe ne ck excellent biographies. ] 1988; [ 9...d5 10.g5!? ( 10.e6! is a thematic B) 9.gxe4 xe4 10.dxe4 0-0 11.c3 punch that Black should keep in mind when d3 12.e1 d8 13.f1 d7 14.c2 playing this line. W ith Black's bishop c6 15.f3 e5 , and a draw was already occupied in the long h1-a8 diagonal, agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, A.Lein-M.Suba, Black's pawn structure will now be disrupted: Hastings 1978 ] f6 11.e2 White follows up with moves 8...g7?! like Nc4, Rd1, c3 and a4 with an [ 8...c6 is Black's best move at this point, unpleasant defensive task for Black ahead though White obtains a clear advantage in of him ) 10...h6 11.xf7! (the idea behind multiple ways: 9.e5 d5 ( 9...g4 10.e6! the previous move) xf7 12.f3+ ( 12.c4!? h6 11.e5!+- ) 10.e6 f6 11.h4 e6 13.e1 a6 14.e4 f8 15.f3+ ( 11.e2!? slightly improves, e.g. c7 162
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 g8 16.g4; 12.e6+?! xe6 13.c4 f7 14.cxd5 xd5 15.e4 d4 is fully playable for Black ) 12...g8 13.c4 d7 14.cxd5? ( 14.e6! 7f6 15.e4! xe4 16.xe4 h7 17.cxd5 is pretty horrible for Black) 14...xe5 15.b3 h7 , and Black is back in the game and in fact soon took over the initiative, V.Loginov-T.Tolnai, Budapest 1993 ] 10.e2 [ Here 10.e6!? looks very good for White, e. g. f5 ( 10...fxe6 11.e2 d7 12.g5 xg2 13.xg2 c6+ 14.g1 e5 15.f4 ) 11.c3 0-0 M.Geveke-C.Pritchett, German 2.Bundesliga 1995 12.e2 a6 ( 12...a6 13.c4 c6 14.f4 ) 13.c4 c7 14.f4 c6 15.h4 c8 16.fd1 ] 10...0-0 11.h3 [ 11.e6!? ] 11...h6 12.d1 c8 [ 12...c7 looks normal, but the queen will often end up becoming a target when White follows up with the natural Bf4, e.g. 13.e4 f5 14.f4 , and the queen will have to move again. ] [ 12...c6 13.c4 c8 transposes to the game continuation ] 13.c4 c6 14.f4 [ While the text move is perfectly logical, W hite can possibly consider saving it for later as Black, as we will see in the note to Black's next move, can with advantage attack with the gain of a tempo. So how should White improve his position. A crucial square in this type of pawn structure is the d 4 - s q u a r e , a n d t h e r e f o r e 14.c3!? makes perfect sense, and now a possible continuation is d8 ( or 14...a6 15.f4 e6 16.g5 xc4 17.xc4 xc4 18.xc6 ad8 19.b3 d3 20.d2 ) 15.e3 e6 16.g5 xe5 17.xd8 axd8 18.xb7 f5 ( 18...xg5 19.g4+- ) 19.g2 ] 14...f5?! [ This just turns out to be a waste of time after White's 15th and 16th moves, which, by the way, are incredibly simple and should have been predicted by the 2500+ rated player behind the black pieces. Instead Bla c k c a n t ry 14...d8!? 15.g4 ( 15.c3 e6 16.e3 c7 17.g4 ad8 18.a4 )
15...e6 16.h2 d8 17.xd8+ xd8 18.d1 c7 19.c3 , and while White has the better chances, Black is still well in the game, whereas Black in the game loses two tempi for no apparent reason. ] 15.c3 d8 16.g4! e6 17.h2 h6 18.e3 h8?! [ 18...f5!? 19.exf6 exf6 20.d5 ( 20.c4 f7 ) 20...e8 21.c4 f7 22.d2 ] 19.d5 (Black's position is a real toilet if the previous move didn't give it away, Black's next move will) g8 20.d2 [ 20.c4!? looks very good too, e.g. h6 ( 20...f5?! 21.g5+- ) 21.a4 f5 22.exf6 exf6 23.a5+- ] 20...f5?? [ This is a very bad move that I struggle to see the point behind. Though Black's position by no means is great, Black has several other moves that can be considered: A) 20...c7 21.xc7 ( 21.c4 xd5 22.cxd5 f5 23.c4 also looks amazing for White ) 21...xc7 22.e6 c8 23.xb7 xb7 24.f3 h6 ( 24...fxe6 25.g5+- ) 25.exf7 xf7 26.h4 c6 27.c2 f6 28.f4 ] [ B) 20...c6 21.f3 ( 21.f1 b7 22.fe3 ad8 23.f4 ) 21...b7 22.c4 ] 21.exf6 exf6 22.c4 (Now Black is toast at lightning speed White creates more threats than Black is capable of dealing with) a6 23.dxb6! axb6 24.xa8 e8 [ 24...f5 is 'sort of' Black's last chance, although White still wins comfortably after 25.g2 fxg4 26.hxg4 f4 27.xf4 xf4 28.xb6 xe2 29.xc8 xd1 30.xd1 xg4 31.b6+- ] 25.d6 (This is where the game should have ended, the rest is just a waste of everybody's time) h6 26.xc8 xe2 27.xb6 [ 27.e1 xc8 28.xe2 is even simpler ] 27...xd1 28.xd1 f5 29.c6 f8 30.f3 f7 31.e1 fd8 32.d5 1-0
163
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 25...c8 so as to activate his rook as quickly A04 as possible. ] Carlhammar,Magnus 2350 Marin,Mihail 2556 26.c6 bxc6 27.xc6 c8 28.xe4 c4 Open Reykjavik ISL (3) 26.03.2009 29.xh7 d7 30.f5+ xd6 Although White has three pawns for the piece and an [Nigel Davies] exposed enemy king his position is the worst 1.f3 f5 2.d3 d6 3.e4 e5 4.c3 f6 it has been in some time. The problem for him is that Black's pieces are finally getting active. 5.exf5 xf5 6.d4 e4 7.h4 g4 [ Carsten Hansen previously examined 31.d1+ c7 32.d5 c1+ 33.g2 c6 7...c8 (plus various alternatives) in the 34.g1 b8 35.h4 a8 36.b4 b7 game Skoberne, J (2492)-Milchev, N (2415)/ 37.d1 c3 38.b5 c8 39.h2 e8 40.a4 Plo vd iv B UL 2 0 08 . Ma rin 's m o ve lo o ks e4?? It looks like there was a time scramble. This should have lost to 41.Rd8+. After the critical but is it good enough? ] 8.e2 xe2 9.xe2 d5 10.g5 c6 exchange of queens Black is better because It's not quite clear to me whether this was of his powerful bishop and the weakness of inspiration or perspiration but I suspect the W hite's pawns. 41.xe4+?? xe4 42.a5 latter. After other moves White has done very e5 43.b1 e2 44.b6 xf2+ 45.h3 a6 46.b7+ b8 47.b6 e5 48.xa6 f3 well, for example: [ a) 10...b4 11.b5+ c6 12.xb7 xd4 49.g6 xb7 50.h5 c7 51.a6 d7 52.a7 13.0-0-0 xc3 14.bxc3 b8 15.xf6 gxf6 a3 53.h6 gxh6 54.a8 xa8 55.xh6 16.xa7 b5 17.c5 d6 18.xd5 g8 56.g4 e7 57.h5 e6 58.h6+ f6 was good for White in Dizdar, G-Grunberg, 59.h5 g5 60.g3 f6 61.h1 a8 62.f1+ g6 63.f3 f6 64.b3 e5+ S/Triesen LIE 2005. ] [ b) 10...c6? 11.f3 h6 12.g6 hxg5 65.f3 a4 66.b6+ f7 67.g5 f4+ 13.xh8 b4 14.0-0 was winning in 68.e2 g4 69.g6+ g7 70.b5 f6 Zacurdajev, M-Romcovici, V/Peterhof RUS 71.f3 a4 72.d5 xg6 73.b5 a1 74.e3 f6 75.d3 e5 76.b7 d4+ 2007 ] 11.xf6 xf6 12.xd5 xh4 13.xc7+ 77.e3 h4 78.d3 f5 79.b1 h3+ d7 14.xa8 Fritz 12 still likes White's 80.c4 c3+ 81.d5 c8 82.f1+ f4 position because even with the loss of the 83.e1 d8+ 84.c4 e5 85.h1 d4+ knight on a8 it figure that it will have a rook 86.c5 d2 87.h5+ e4 88.h4+ f4 and two pawns for two minor pieces. I kind of 89.c6 c2+ 90.b5 c8 91.b4 e5 agree, but it's not easy. d6 15.g3 g5 92.h1 d2+ 93.b5 c3 94.h5+ d6 95.a4 e5 96.b5 d5 97.b4 b8+ 16.0-0 g6 17.ad1 98.a5 b1 99.a4 c4 100.a5 d4 [ 17.b5!? was also worth considering. ] 17...xa8 18.c4 e7 19.c5 f6 20.b5 101.a6 b6+ 102.a5 e6 103.h4 g6 104.f4 g2 c8 21.d5 [ T h e r e w a s a n o t h e r m o v e i n 21.c4 0-1 , for example d7 ( 21...c7 22.d5 e5 23.d6+ d8 24.d5 would leave Black's A04 rook out of play) 22.a4 c7 23.d5 e5 177 24.c6 and White's attack looks the Carlsen,Magnus 2484 stronger. ] Dolmatov,Sergey 2591 21...d4? This should lose. Aeroflot Open (3) 19.02.2004 [ 21...a6 should have been tried. ] [Tony Kosten] 22.xd4 xd4 23.a4? [ T h e w i n n i n g m o v e w a s 23.d1! 1.f3 f5 2.d3!? An interesting anti-Dutch , f o r e xa m p l e f6 24.c6 gives White a s y s t e m , W h i t e f o r c e s e 4 t o e x p l o i t t h e winning attack. ] weaknesses caused to the black kingside by ... 23...f6 24.d6 d8 25.b5 f7 f5. d6 The most sensible, defending f5. [ And here Black should have played [ 2...f6 tries to stop e4, 3.bd2 ( 3.g5!? 176
164
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 c6 4.xf6 exf6 5.d4!? led to a sort of Du t c h , S p e e lm a n , J-G a rci a I lu n d a i n , D / Pamplona 1996; 3.e4!? is also possible, fxe4 4.dxe4 xe4 5.d3 with some initiative, Ef imov,I-Corvi,M/Montecatini Terme 199 7) 3...d5 4.e4 dxe4 5.dxe4 xe4 6.c4 c6 7.0-0 with good compensation for the pawn, it will be difficult for Black to castle, Gulko,BShmulevich,M/St Martin 1992. ] 3.e4 e5 4.c3 This position resembles a Latvian Gambit, and can transpose from it, except that White rarely plays d3 in that line. c6 [ 4...f6 5.exf5 xf5 6.d4 e4 7.h4 d7 8.e2 e7!? 9.xe4 0-0 10.f3 left White a pawn up in Benjamin,J-Gurevich, D/St Martin 1992, although Black has some compensation. ] 5.exf5 xf5 6.d4 xd4 [ 6...b4!? seems worse, 7.b5+ c6 8.a4 e4 9.g5 d5 ( 9...f6!? ) 10.f3 exf3 11.0-0! and Black was facing a strong attack on the f-file, Krasenkow,M-Kindermann,S/ Panormo GRE 2001. ] 7.xd4 exd4 8.xd4 f6 [ 8...xc2!? is legal, but very greedy. ] 9.c4! A strong novelty. [ 9.d3 xd3 10.xd3 gives little, Black can play ...c6 and ...d5 with a strong central presence, c6 11.0-0 e7 12.e2 ( 12.e4 xe4 13.xe4 0-0 led to a very quick draw in Romanishin,O-Malaniuk,V/ Tallinn 1987) 12...d5 13.d4 d7 14.g5 0-0 15.ae1 d6 Black is fine, Lerner,KBareev,E/Kiev 1986. ] 9...c6 10.g5 Black prepares to castle long and harass the black king. b5?! Not a good idea, Black would like to play [ 10...d5 to block the a2-g8 diagonal, as it will be impossible to castle otherwise, but then 11.0-0-0 e7 ( 11...dxc4? 12.e5+ e7 13.xf5 is crushing) 12.he1 0-0 13.e5 forks e7 and f5, forcing c8 when 14.xd5+ cxd5 15.xe7 should win. ] [ 10...xc2!? stops queenside castling, and may be the best bet, although after 11.0-0 d5 12.fe1+ f7 13.xf6 gxf6 White has strong compensation for the pawn. ( 13...xf6? 14.xd5+ cxd5 15.xd5+ g6 16.e6 )]
11.b3 e7 12.0-0-0 d7 13.he1 Now it is difficult to find an acceptable reply for Black. d8?! [ 13...0-0-0 might hold on longer. ] 14.xe7! A neat solution. xe7 Forced, [ 14...xe7 loses on the spot to 15.xf6+ gxf6 16.e1+ d8 17.xf6+ ] 15.f4 Forking f5 and d6. d7 16.e4 d5 17.xf6 Black can resign. h6 18.h4 g5 19.d4! [ 19.d4! gxh4?! 20.xd5 cxd5 21.xh8+ e8 22.xh6 leaves White two pawns ahead with a dominating position. ] 1-0
178 Cheparinov,I Jones,G 45th Italian Teams 2013 (4) [Danny Gormally]
A04 2702 2654 29.04.2013
1.f3 c5 2.b3 d6 3.e3 e5! If Black is offered the center, he should take it. 4.b5+ c6 5.0-0 f6 6.b2 This line is very rare wit h ve ry f e w ga m e s i n t h e d a t a b a s e . I t seem s stran ge to me t hat Ch erap ino v, a player who ha s worked very close ly wit h Topalov, should be prepared to leave the normal paths of opening theory so quickly. e7 7.d3 White continues his ultra quiet strategy, but you could argue he's already worse if he is not able to put any real pressure on the impressive black center. [ 7.d4?! was a tempting way to try and sharpen up the game, but it just turns out to be bad: e4! ( 7...cxd4? 8.exd4 e4 9.d5! a6 10.dxc6 axb5 11.cxb7 xb7 12.d4 looks good for W hite, who is threatening both Nf5 and Nb5) 8.d5 a6 9.dxc6 axb5 10.cxb7 xb7 and White has not solved his problems. ] 7...0-0 8.bd2?! [ In light of what happens, the unambitious 8.xc6 bxc6 9.bd2 may have been preferable. ] 8...a5! Jones is very tactically aware and already notices the problem with White's setup- the white bishop marooned in enemy t e r r i t o r y . 9.c4? White intends to sacrifice a pawn to reactivate the bishop, but Jones 165
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 clearly demonstrates the drawbacks of this strategy. [ 9.d4 cxd4 10.exd4 e4 11.e1 d5 is also slightly unpleasant- albeit probably necessary - Black will have a ready-made kingside attack after a subsequent ...Bd6. ] 9...a6 10.a4 b8! 11.b4 cxb4 12.c2 What is White intending to play? He wants to play d4 of course. In light of this Jones takes a prophylactic measure - he intends to put the Knight on c4. b5! 13.cxb5 axb5 14.d4 c4 15.b1 b7 Returning the pawn, but gaining an impressive clump of queenside pawns in return. 16.dxe5 dxe5 17.xc4 [ 17.d1 xf3 18.xf3 c7 doesn't help much. ] 17...bxc4 18.xe5 a8 19.d1 a5 20.d4 h5 21.e4 fd8 22.h3 c5 23.xf6 [ 23.b2 xe4-+ ] 23...gxf6 24.xd8+ xd8 Black is just winning here- W hite can do little about the cramping pawns on c4 and b4, not to mention the raking black bishops. 25.f1 c8 26.d1 f5 27.e1 c3 28.e2 fxe4 29.xe4 xe4 30.xe4 g6 Black played a very good game! 0-1
11.c3 b6 12.a4 c7 13.f4 b5 14.c3 b6 15.e2 f6 16.c1 cxd4!? This temporary sacrifice destroys W hite's centre and so ensures Black complete equality. But more fighting was perhaps 16... Ba 6 p la nn ing 17 .. . b 4 . 17.fxd4 xd4 18.xd4 fxe5 19.xc8! This counter sacrifice allows W hite to stay alive. axc8 20.xe6! exf4 21.xf8 xf8 22.xd5+ h8 23.b4 fxg3 24.hxg3 d4 Here 24...a6 or 24.. .Rf5 was more solid. It was too late to begin playing for a win. 25.f3 a6 26.g2 g7 27.e1 f5?? 27...Rf7 was necessary. 28.e7+ f8 29.d7 b8 30.c6 White gets in first with Re8. 1-0
180 Greenfeld,Alon Rodi,Luis Ernesto VI Magistral Hebraica (4) [Nigel Davies]
A04 2541 2357 23.04.2009
1.f3 f5 2.d3 d6 [ If Black intends to put his knight on c6 then usually he does it now. The advantage in playing 2...c6 is that Black does not need to play ...d7-d6 in order to prepare ...e7-e5. ] 3.e4 c6 179 A04 [ A n d h e r e B l a c k u s u a l l y p l a y s 3...e5 Datu,Idelfonso 2335 without first bringing his knight to c6. ] Watson,John L 2365 4.exf5 White tries to expose the drawbacks in Saitek US Masters (5) 1998 Black's unusual move order. [Neil McDonald] [ 4.c3 e5 would transpose into normal lines, but perhaps Black would have tried 4... 1.e4 e6 2.d3 c5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 g6 Nf6!?. ] 5.g2 g7 6.0-0 ge7 7.c3 0-0 8.d4 4...xf5 5.d4 e5 I couldn't find any other cxd4 9.cxd4 d5 10.e5 f5! games in this line which is quite strange given [ Instead 10...f6!? 11.e1 f5 12.c3 d7 the fact that both players have played fairly 13.g4 draw agreed was Glek-Sakaev, St. natural looking moves. 6.b5 exd4 7.xd4 Petersburg 1998, while with a slight [ Perhaps White should try delaying this transposition ] move with 7.0-0!? when f6 8.e1+ e7 [ 10...b6 11.a3 f6 12.e1 d7 13.b1 9.xd4 d7 10.xc6 bxc6 11.e2 ac8 14.f4 fxe5 15.dxe5 xf4!? 16.gxf4 prevents Black from castling. ] b4 led to a wild struggle which Black won 7...d7 8.0-0 xd4 9.xd7+ Greenfeld is in the rapidplay game Bologan-Ivanchuk, playing for a slight, risk free space advantage. Moscow 1996. Since Black is also fine in [ Here too White had an interesting th e p re se n t ga m e, we h a ve t o give t h e alternative in 9.e1+!? a f t e r wh i c h e7 thumbs down to W hite's plan of seizing 10.xd4 f6 11.c4!? would temporarily space with d4 and e5. ] stop Black from castling. ] 166
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 9...xd7 10.xd4 f6 11.c4 e7 12.c3 0-0 13.b3 White is slightly better here because of his extra space and better bishop. But with the position becoming simplified it will prove difficult to win. f7 14.b2 g4 15.xg4 xg4 16.d5 f6 17.xf6+ xf6 18.fe1 This endgame is also better for White what with the asymmetrical pawn structure and a bishop against a knight. f8 19.f3 e8 20.f1 g6 21.xe8+ xe8 22.e1+ d7 23.b4?! This looks like the wrong plan. [ White should be looking to advance his kingside pawns with the support of his king and to this end 23.f2 looks like the right move. I think Black has some problems here. ] 23...e8 24.d1 f5 25.f2 b6 26.e3 a6 27.g4 f7 28.c5 bxc5 29.bxc5 c6 30.cxd6 xd6 31.d4 e7+ 32.d3 b5 33.c1+ b7 34.c5 e6 35.f4 c8 36.a4 d6 37.d4 d7 38.h4 e4 39.f1 e6 40.d1 d7 41.f1 e6 ½-½
is already developed? [ 7...e4?! is a mistake, 8.g5 e7 9.f7+ d8 Speelman,J-Bartel,M/playchess.com I NT 2 0 0 4 , a n d n o w 10.d5! looks very strong, xd5 11.xd5 winning a pawn after g6 12.xb7 ] [ 7...b6!? is interesting, 8.b3 and now, as the bishop cannot return to e2 e4 9.h4 ( 9.g5 d5 ) 9...g4 looks reasonable. ] 8.e3!? e4 Critical, but [ 8...c6 9.e2 e4 is also worth consideration. ] 9.h3 exf3 Black has a wide choice here: [ 9...b6 10.b3 h5 11.g4 g6 12.h4 or ] [ 9...h5 10.g4 exf3 11.gxh5 c6 12.xf3 d5 which both seem reasonable. ] 10.hxg4 fxg2 11.g1 Once White recaptures on g2 his bishop pair will give him an edge. b6 12.d3 fd5 Black aims for oppositecolour bishops. 13.f3?! I am not at all sure about this, [ 13.xd5 xd5 14.d2 keeps the bishops, and a clear edge. ] 13...xe3 181 A04 [ 13...xc3 14.bxc3 d5 seems like a good solution to Black's problems, 15.xg2 d6 Halkias,Stelios 2533 followed by long castles. ] Grunberg,Mihai 2403 Open Olomouc CZE (9) 12.07.2004 14.fxe3 h4+ 15.e2 0-0-0 A curious position, the white king is stuck in the centre, [Tony Kosten] but it is well protected by the white centre. [ 15...d5!? 16.xd5 xd5 17.xd5 xg4+ 1.f3 f5 2.d3 d6 3.e4 e5 4.c3 f6 18.d2 c6 19.xg2 looks a bit better for [ 4...c6 has suffered recently, see Carlsen, White, but the opposite-colour bishops make M-Dolmatov,S, for example. ] a draw likely. ] 5.exf5 xf5 6.d4 bd7! I think this is best, 16.a4! Menacing to push the a-pawn to a6. defending e5. [ 6...e4 7.h4 d7 8.e2 e7 ( 8...c6!? h5?! [ 16...d7 is more circumspect, 17.a5 a6 ] 9.d5 xd5 10.h5+ g6 11.xg6 f6 12.h4 looks good for W hite) 9.xe4 17.a5 d7 18.a6 xg4 The pin avoids mate, wi n s a p a w n f o r s o m e c o m p e n s a t i o n , but Black finds himself in a worse ending. 19.axb7+ b8 20.xg4 hxg4 21.e4 Benjamin,J-Gurevich,D/St Martin 1992. ] An appalling move, allowing White to 7.c4 White will try to control the a2-g8 h1? keep the monster on b7. diagonal to stop Black from castling. [ 21...b6! threatens to play ...d5 and take [ 7.e2 is less ambitious, e7 8.0-0 0-0 the b-pawn, 22.xa7!? ( 22.a5 ) 22...d5 9.dxe5 xe5 and Black is OK, Renet,O( 22...xa7? 23.a1+ a4 24.xa4+ b6 Koch, J/Strasbourg 1992. ] 25.xg2 is excellent for W hite) 23.a8+ [ 7.dxe5 dxe5 gives Black an isolated king's xa8 24.bxa8+ xa8 25.xd5 b8 pawn, but allows his dark-squared bishop 26.xg2 White is on top, but Black also has to develop to an active square. ] his chances. ] 7...g4!? A new idea, but can it be right to use another developing move to move a piece that 22.xh1 gxh1 23.xh1 c5?! 24.b5 167
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Winning a7 when Black will do well to avoid being mated! 1-0
182 Janssen,Ruud Wiersma,Eelke TCh-NED 2008-9 (2) [Nigel Davies]
A04 2503 2419 01.11.2008
1.f3 f5 2.d3 d6 3.e4 e5 4.c3 f6 5.exf5 xf5 6.d4 bd7 Supposedly a solid line for Black but W hite's reply sets some interesting new challenges. [ 6...e4 is examined in the game Carlhammar - Marin. ] 7.g5!? An interesting new try, aiming at queenside castling. [ For 7.c4 see Halkias, S (2533)-Grunberg, M (2403)/Olomouc CZE 2004 which was presented early by Tony Kosten. ] 7...e7 8.dxe5 xe5 [ After 8...dxe5 W h i t e c a n p l a y 9.e2 threatening e5 and preparing to castle long, for example g4!? 10.d2!? c5 11.0-0-0! xf2 12.g5 c8 13.xd7! xd7 14.xe5 e6 ( 14...d6 15.b5 leaves Black with no good square for his queen ) 15.b5+ c6 16.xc5 xh1 17.b5 cxb5 18.xb5+ followed by mate. Not all of this is f orced of course but it does look very promising for White. ] 9.xe5 dxe5 10.f3 xc2 11.xb7?! Not the best. [ White should first play 11.c1 , for example g6 ( 11...e4 12.e3 d3 13.xf6 xf6 14.xe4 xe4 15.xe4+ forces either the wi n o f a p a wn o r f8 ) 12.xb7 0-0 13.c4+ h8 14.0-0 h6 15.xf6 xf6 16.b3 and Black's pair of bishops does not fully compensate him for his ragged pawn structure. ] 11...0-0 12.c4+ h8 13.0-0 b8 14.xa7 xb2 Now Black's active pieces give him excellent counterplay. 15.d1 b4 16.e3 a4 [ There was a good case for the immediate 16...h6 . ] 17.b7 e4 18.b5 a8 19.xe5 d6 20.e6 a5 21.h4 h6 22.xf6 xf6
23.h3 g6 24.ad1 c5 25.d4 e5 26.fd1 f3 27.1d2 [ 27.f7 might have been better intending f6 28.d5 . ] 27...c6 28.d5 xd5 29.xd5 xd5 30.xd5 e8 31.e3 e5 32.g3 f6 33.c8+ f8 34.g4 c5 35.d5 c3 36.f5 xf5 37.xf5 xe3 38.f8+ h7 39.f5+ h8 40.c8+ h7 41.f5+ h8 42.f8+ h7 43.f5+ ½-½
183 Lalic,Bogdan Rendle,Thomas Bunratty Masters (6) [Lalic, Bogdan]
A04 2489 2389 09.02.2014
1.f3 f5 2.d3 d6 3.e4 e5 4.c3 c5 Black stops White opening the position with d4. [ 4...c6 5.exf5 xf5 6.d4!? exd4 7.xd4 xd4 8.xd4 f6 9.c4 c6 10.g5 (seen in this month's update) b5 11.b3 e7+ 12.f1 ] 5.g3 c6 [ 5...e7 6.h3! fxe4 ( 6...g6 7.exf5 h5!? was Bellin, R-W illiams, S, see the PGN Archive. ) 7.xc8 xc8 8.dxe4 f6 9.g5 Fre ssin e t , L (2 6 9 3 )-V a isse r, A (2 5 4 8 )/ Haguenau 2013, 1/2-1/2 (69). ] 6.h4! fxe4 [ 6...d4? 7.d5! Le Roux, J (2571)Rendle, T (2384)/England 2013, 1-0 (18). ] [ 6...f4 7.g2 f6 8.gxf4 Flores, D (2514)Ravi, L (2390)/Andorra 2006, 0-1 (26). ] 7.dxe4 f6 8.c4 g4 9.f3 h3 10.g5 The position already looks unpleasant for Black, whose light squares are weak. d7?N [ 10...e7 11.f5 ( 11.d5?! xd5 12.xd5 f8 13.xe7 xe7 solves Black's problems, 14.b5 c7 15.0-0-0 0-0-0 16.xc6 bxc6 ) 11...xf5 12.exf5 d4 13.xf6 xf6 14.d5 ( 14.e6?! g6 Mozharov, M (2424)-Potapov, P (2386)/ Sibenik 2007, 1-0 (54).) 14...xf5 15.f4 d7 16.g4 g6 17.0-0-0 ] 11.xf6 [ 11.g4!? d4 12.xf6 gxf6 13.d5 ] 11...gxf6 12.d5 g7 13.f4!? g4? 168
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 13...0-0-0 14.f5 b8 15.g4! weak Bh3. ] [ 13...exf4 14.gxf4 ( 14.h5+?! d8! weak Qh5.; 14.xf4 0-0-0 15.xh3 xh3 16.h5 e5 17.d5 ) 14...0-0-0 15.d3 e6 16.0-0-0 h6 ] 14.e2 Obviously the exchange of light square bishops favours White. xe2 15.xe2 d4? [ 15...0-0-0 ] 16.h5+ f7 [ 16...d8 17.c1 ( 17.0-0-0 a4; 17.0-0 xc2 18.fxe5 dxe5 ) 17...exf4 18.c3 e6 19.gxf4 ] 17.xf7+? [ T h e s im p l e 17.c7+ e7 18.xf7+ xf7 19.xa8 w i n s e a s i l y , a s xa8 ( 19...xc2+ 20.d2 xa1 21.c7+- ) 20.0-0-0+- ] 17...xf7 18.0-0-0 exf4 19.gxf4 ae8 [ 19...h6 20.c3 e2+ 21.c2 xf4 22.f5 xd5 23.xh6+ g6 24.f5 f4 25.hg1+ h5 26.xd6 hg8 27.g7+ h4 28.xf6+- ] 20.he1 [ 20.c3!? e2+ 21.c2 xe4 22.f5 f8 23.d3 e6 24.fe3 traps the knight, xf4+ 25.xf4 e5 26.c4+- ] 20...hg8 21.c3 e6 22.f5 White has achieved a clear positional advantage with strong knights on advanced light squares, while Black has a poor dark square bishop. f8 23.d3! [ 23.e5?! fxe5 24.fxe5 dxe5 25.f1 f4 26.xf4 exf4 27.xf4 e6 ] 23...g4 24.g3 xg3 [ 24...xf4 25.xf4 xf4 26.c4+- ] 25.hxg3 c4? [ 25...h5 ] 26.h1+- c5 [ 26...g6 27.xh7! xh7 28.xf6+ g6 29.xe8 d5 30.fd6+- ] 27.xh7+ g6 28.c7! xe4 29.g4 The black king is in a mating net, the immediate threat is Nde3, Nh4+ and Nef5 mate. b5 30.xa7 e6 31.c7 1-0
184 Lazzaro,Mark Barletta,Antonio Estensi Open, 2001 [Paul Motwani]
A04
2001
W48: "Qh5+: rarely subtle, but almost always strong!" 1.f3 e6 2.g3 b6 3.g2 b7 4.0-0 f5 5.d3 f6 6.bd2 e7 7.e4! An excellent exhibition of energy emanating f ro m t h e e -p a wn ! fxe4 8.dxe4 xe4? Black should have been more suspicious than that about quickly accepting White's 'gift', and now he will have to pay a very high price... 9.e5! Suddenly Black is in deadly double trouble, f acing threats at e4 and h5. d6 10.xb7 xb7 11.h5+ Ouch! g6 [ In the actual game, Black prefers to reach a slightly more respectable move-count in st e a d o f le t t in g th in gs b e t e rm in a t e d immediately by 11...f8 12.f7# ] 12.xg6 hxg6 13.xh8+ f8 14.e4 e7 15.f6+ d8 16.h6 But now it really is time to 'call it a day'! 1-0
185 Leko,Peter FRITZ on Primergy K800 FSC Computer Match (8) [Neil McDonald]
A04 2725 18.06.2000
1.e4 c5 2.f3 e6 3.d3 c6 4.g3 g6 5.g2 g7 6.0-0 ge7 7.e1 d6 8.c3 e5 9.a3 0-0 10.b4 h6 The computer adopts the routine plan of ...h6 and ...Be6, but Leko's subtle play seems to render this dubious. In Ansell-Nunn, Black preferred the less committal [ 10...a6 ] 11.bd2 e6 12.c4! b5 The positi on is crying out for the advance f7-f5 which is the logical culmination of Black's play so far. However, W hite then appears to gain the advantage, for example [ 12...f5 13.exf5 gxf5 14.bxc5 xc4 15.cxd6! xd6 16.dxc4 xd1 ( A better try is 16...f6!? ) 17.xd1 e4 18.d4 an d it is d if f icu lt t o see h o w B la ck c a n regain his pawn, e.g. xd4 19.cxd4 fd8 169
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 20.b1 xd4 21.xh6 ] 13.e3 a5 [ Here also 13...f5 should be seriously considered. ] 14.bxc5 dxc5 15.c4! b4 16.d5 A nice position to have against a computer. White can quietly manoeuvre and prepare the f4 advance at his leisure. d6 17.b2 fb8 18.a4 g4 19.h3 e6 The white knight will be an excellent blockader on b3, so [ 19...xf3 20.xf3 d4 was more logical. Of course, Fritz cannot comprehend the superiority of the knight to the bishop. ] 20.d2 d4 21.xd4 Of course the human player doesn't hesitate to exchange a bishop for a knight in such a position! cxd4 22.b3 a7 23.d2 h7 24.e2 c8 Fritz cannot f in d a p la n . 25.f4 At last it is the moment to strike. c6?! 26.f5! gxf5 27.exf5 xd5 28.xd5 f6 29.f2 f8 30.g2 W h it e ' s p l a n i s t o a d va n c e t h e ki n g si d e pawns. b6 31.e4 d7 32.e1 c5 33.a2 g8 34.f3 d6 35.h4 c7 36.h3 h7 37.xc5! White relinquishes his blockade on the queenside as he judges that his kingside attack will become decisive before Black can utilise his passed b pawn. This was a brave decision which shows the excellence of human intuition. After all, this was a 25 minute game and deep calculation was not possible. xc5 38.g4 b3 39.g2 h8 40.g5 d6 41.g4 d7 42.h5 f8 43.g3 d6 44.eg1 b2 45.c5! White deflects the black rook from the second ra n k wh i c h m a ke s p o ssib le t h e d e cisive combination. xc5 46.gxh6 xh6 47.g6! The winning breakthrough comes just in time. xg6 48.fxg6 g7 49.gxf7+ Leko succeeded in completely outwitting the com put er in the st ra tegica l stru ggle t ha t preceded the violent denouement. 1-0
186 Malakhov,Vladimir Andreikin,Dmitry Siberian Bank Cup (8) [John Bartholomew]
A04 2709 2723 18.11.2012
Rapid chess is prime proving ground for lines like 1.Nf3 b5!?. The b-pawn spike is given the occasional punt by strong players and in fact seems quite playable at master level. 1.f3 b5!? 2.e4 The supposed antidote to Black's first move. White will not hesitate to exchange e-pawn for b-pawn. [ The most popular reply is 2.g3 , but Black scores well in the "extended fianchetto" after b7 3.g2 , where lots of approaches are viable (3...Nf6, 3...e6, 3...c5, 3...g6, etc.). ] 2...b7 3.xb5 xe4 4.0-0 f6 [ 4...c6!? 5.c3 xf3 6.xf3 f6 7.d4 d5 is a similar co ncep t t o t he ga me . A f t e r 8.d3?! ( 8.e2! e6 9.g3 g6 10.f4 ) 8...e6 9.h3 bd7 10.f4?! g6 11.xg6 (sort of desperate-looking, but White was not looking forward to facing a wall of pawns in the middlegame) fxg6 12.xe6+ e7 13.f5 g7 14.g5 gxf5 15.xc6 0-0 Black's unorthodox opening strategy had succeeded in Cordova, E (2566)-Pardo Simon, D (2421) Montcada 2012, and he went on to win. ] 5.e1 [ Critical is 5.d4 e6 6.c4 e7 7.c3 b7 ( 7...xf3?! makes less sense here, e.g. 8.xf3 c6 9.a4 0-0 10.f4 d5 11.c5 ) 8.d5! , as played by Vladimir Kramnik. The d5-pawn is a serious hindrance to Black's development, and W hite dominates the center (despite having one less central pawn). After 0-0 9.f4 a6 ( 9...d6!? Velikanov, I (2273)-Gubanov, O (2326) Kolo mna 201 2 10.xd6 cxd6 11.d4; 9...e8 10.e1 f8 Mackle, D (2065)-Arkell, K (2 4 09 ) P aign t on 2 0 1 1 11.g5!? c6 12.a4! cxd5 13.cxd5; Houdini's suggestion of 9...a5!? followed by 10...Na6 is intriguing) 10.e1 c8 11.d4 b4 12.g5 e8? ( 12...e7 13.e4 ) 13.e3 Black was struggling in Kramnik, V (2791)-Carlsen, M (2823) Moscow 2011. ( 13.a4! is e ve n st r o n ge r, e . g . xc3 14.xd7 c5 15.xc8 xa4 16.xb7 170
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 b8 17.bxc3 xb7 18.e7 )] 5...e6 6.d4 e7 7.d3?! [ It wasn't too late for 7.c4 . Play could transpose to 5.d4 after 0-0 8.c3 b7 9.d5! . ] 7...xf3! A strong and unexpected positional decision. 8.xf3 d5 Good fundamentals: Black exchanges his light-square bishop, then immediately goes about arranging his pawns on light squares, thereby restricting his White counterpart. 9.d2 0-0 10.b3 c6 11.d2 a5! Black has absolutely no problems. The advantage of the bishop pair often hinges upon the possibility of pawn breaks, and here White has none. With no meaningful way to alter the structure and open the position, I d o n ' t t h in k W h it e c a n p o s s ib l y c la i m a n advantage (though the computer does just that!). 12.a4 [ 12.c4?! dxc4 13.xc4 a4 14.c1 xd4 ] 12...bd7 13.g3 g6 Andreikin furthers the strategy he undertook on move seven. 14.h6 [ 14.c4?! is still bad in view of b6 . ] 14...e8 15.d2 b8 16.xb8 Uninspired, but there wasn't much else. exb8 17.b3 c5 18.dxc5 xc5 19.xc5 xc5 20.f4?! [ 20.c1! ought to keep things level. ] 20...g4! 21.e2 xb2 22.h3 b4 23.d2 f6! 24.xb4 xb4 Black's structure is perfect, and his compensation is obvious. His position is easier to play - especially in a rapid game. 25.c4?! d4 26.d1 c8 27.g4 d7 28.f4 c5 29.f5? [ It wasn't pretty, but 29.a2 offered far better chances to defend. xd3 30.xd3 xc4 ] 29...exf5 30.gxf5 xa4 31.fxg6 hxg6 32.e5?? Blundering in a dismal position. b2 White resigned. Andreikin's conception with 7...Bxf3! is straightforward and convincing. White needs to play accurately even against a line like 1...b5 thus, you should follow Kramnik's example with 5.d4 e6 6.c4 Be7 7. Nc3 Bb7 8. d5!. 0-1
187 Malisov,Boris Psakhis,Lev Israeli League (5) [Neil McDonald]
A04 2320 2599 10.03.2000
1.e4 e6 2.d3 c5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 ge7 5.g2 g6 6.0-0 g7 7.bd2 0-0 8.e1 d6! Not allowing 9 e5. 9.a4 b6 10.c4 h6 11.c3 e5! As always in this line, Black must respond to any threat to gain space with d4 by moving his e pawn a second time. 12.b1 a6! This is the third accurate pawn move from Black which I have awarded an exclamation ma rk f or em ph asis. Here h e pre pa re s t o neutralise White's plan of expansion on the q u e e n s i d e . 13.b4 cxb4 14.cxb4 b5 15.axb5 axb5 16.a3 b8 17.d4? After his lacklustre opening White suddenly gets ambitious, but this simply drops a pawn. Instead [ Black would be slightly better after 17.e3 f5 or ] [ 17.c2 d5 ] 17...exd4 18.c2 d5! 19.fxd4 xd4 20.xd4 dxe4 21.b2 White cannot regain his pawn as if [ 21.xe4 f5 wins. ] 21...f5 22.f1 d5 Now Psakhis gradually wears down W hite's defensive resources. 23.c2 xb2 24.xb2 e5 25.d4 c6 26.xe5 xe5 27.d1 e6 28.a3 c4 29.xc4 bxc4 30.b5 d3 31.c2 fc8 32.g2 f7 33.b6 e6 34.b7 xb7 35.f3 cc7 36.a2 d5 37.fxe4+ fxe4 38.h3 d4 39.g2 e7 40.da1 b2 0-1
188 Miles,Anthony J Andersson,Ulf Las Palmas [Tony Kosten]
A04
1980
Rare are the players who could so comprehensively outplay Ulf Andersson, one of the strongest positional players of all time. 1.g3 c5 2.g2 c6 3.f3 g6 4.c3!? An interesting idea, White wants to transpose into a KID formation. g7 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 171
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 d5 7.c3 e6!? [ N o r m a l w o u l d n o w b e 7...f6 when a symmetric King's Indian is reached, with a small plus for White, but Black prefers to avoid this by keeping a hold on e5. ] 8.f4 ge7 9.d2! White defers castling, and instead aims to exchange Black's one active bishop. 0-0 10.h6 xh6 11.xh6 f5 Forcing the queen to return. 12.d2 b6 The black bishop will come to the active f1-a6 diagonal, when a rook can occupy the c-file and his development will be complete. 13.d1! White carefully overprotects the d4pawn, and guards against any central counterplay by ...e5. a6 14.h4! The reason behind White's delayed castling is revealed, he wants to open the h-file and attack the black king. a5? A mistake. Black is relying on a tactical operation involving this piece, but the loose bishop on a6 is a problem. 15.g4! d6 [ A f t e r B l a c k ' s p r o j e c t e d 15...c4!? M i l e s i n t e n d e d 16.d3?! ( Although 16.c1! followed by b3, and h5 seems somewhat simpler, and good f or W hite) 16...ce3 17.xa6 xg2+ 18.f1 fxh4 19.h2 when the knights are a bit tangled, but f5! 20.g1 f4 favours Black. ] 16.h5 f6 At first sight Black seems OK here. 17.hxg6 fxg6 [ A n t i - p o s i t i o n a l , b u t f o r c e d : 17...hxg6? 18.g5 g7 ( or if 18...e7 19.f4 intends Qh2, g7 20.e5+ f6 21.gxf6+ xf6 22.xd5! wins ) 19.f4 and Ne5-g4-f6 is catastrophic. ] 18.h6 f7 19.g5 Black's kingside dark squares are horribly weak. g7 20.e5 xh6 21.xh6 ff8 [ 21...e7? 22.xd5 exd5 23.xd5+ wins the a8-rook. ] 22.d7 f7 23.f6+ h8 24.h3 c8 [ P a s s i v e , b u t 24...f5 25.xf5 gxf5 26.d2! and Rdh1 wins quickly. ] 25.d2 g7 26.f4 b8 Black is reduced to complete passivity. 27.h1 ac4+ 28.d3 bb7 [ T h e b - p a wn wa s p o i s o n e d : 28...xb2+ 29.c2 bc4 30.xe6! xe6 31.xh7+ mates. ] 29.b3 a3 30.e4! dxe4+ 31.cxe4 xe4 32.xe4 b5 33.e5 Total dark-squared
d o m i n a t i o n ! be7 defence to Bd3xg6. 1-0
34.f1!
189 Morozevich,Alexander McDonald,Neil R 4NCL Birmingham ENG (10) [Neil McDonald]
There is no
A04 2742 2398 05.05.2002
1.e4 e6 2.d3 c5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 ge7 5.g2 g6 6.0-0 g7 7.c3 0-0 [ An alternative method was to prevent White's next move with 7...e5 when if 8.e3 d6 9.d4? exd4! 10.cxd4 g4 is awkward for White. ] [ Also 7...d5 was an option. ] 8.d4 cxd4 [ I n t e r e s t i n g i s I v a n c h u k ' s i d e a 8...d5!? By delaying the exchange on d4 he doesn't give White the chance to go Nc3. Then 9.e5 ( I assume that if 9.exd5 xd5 10.dxc5 e7 regains the pawn with a good position f o r B l a c k .) 9...b6 10.a3 cxd4! Only now when White's knight cannot go to c3. 11.cxd4 f6 12.e1 d7 13.b1 ac8 14.f4 fxe5 15.dxe5 xf4! A splendid exchange sacrifice to free Black's game. 16.gxf4 b4 17.b3 f8 18.bc1 xb3 19.axb3 xf4 20.c2 f5 21.e2 h6 22.ce1 g5 23.d3 e4 24.ee1 g4 25.d2 d4 26.c5 xd2 27.xd7 fd4 28.c5 xe5 and Black won after a hard struggle in Bologan,V-Ivanchuk,V/Moscow 1996. ] 9.cxd4 d5 10.e5 f5 11.c3 f6 [ Black emerged with equality after 11...b6 12.a4 c7 13.f4 b5 14.c3 b6 15.e2 f6 16.c1 cxd4 17.fxd4 xd4 18.xd4 fxe5 19.xc8 axc8 20.xe6 exf4 21.xf8 xf8 22.xd5+ h8 in Datu, I-Watson,J/Hawaii 1998. ] 12.e1 fxe5?! [ Black broke free after 12...h8!? 13.h4 d7 14.f4 fxe5 15.dxe5 xh4! 16.xh4 g5 17.g4 gxh4 in Van der Weide,K-Glek,I/ Germany 1998. ] 13.dxe5 h6 [ Here 13...h8 14.f4 d7 as in the Glek game of the previous note, is less effective 172
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 for Black because he has already exchanged pawns on e5. If he still had a pawn on f6, then White would have to worry about g6-g5 chasing his bishop back. Here, however, he has no need to worry about g6g5 unless Black plays h7-h6. I tried this move straightaway and the response was predictable. ] 14.h4! An important move to prevent Black from gaining counterplay with g6-g5. W hite therefore safely maintains the pawn on e5. Black is solid and has no real weaknesses and can develop all his pieces, but he remains somewhat boxed in. d7 15.f4 e8 16.d2 c8 17.ac1 c7 18.h2 cf7 19.g4 h7 If [ 19...xh4 trying to undermine the bishop o n f 4 t h e n 20.xh6!? looks very strong for White. ] 20.b3? A surprising oversight. [ 20.e2! leaves Black bottled up: he cannot break through on the f file or play g6-g5, so all he can do is wait and see if W hite can strengthen his position. ] 20...xh4! I half expected that there was a trap waiting for me when I played this, but when Morozevich slumped into a long think I s t a r t e d t o t h i n k t h a t I m ig h t b e win n in g ! 21.e2 [ If 21.xh6 xf4! 22.gxf4 xh6 wins. The key variation is ] [ 21.xh6 xf2! 22.xf2 ( or here 22.e2? xg2+! 23.xg2 f3+ ) 22...xh6 when Black will regain all his material with a couple of pawns as a bonus by taking on g2 and c1. ] 21...f5 22.e3 A good defensive move l o o k i n g f o r c o u n t e r p l a y w i t h N f 4 . d4!? Objectively the best move though it lets White complicate the position. Perhaps safest was to grab another pawn with [ 22...xe3 23.xe3 h5 24.f6+ xf6 25.exf6 xf6 ] 23.xc6 xc6? An automatic recapture but much stronger was [ 23...bxc6! After the game Morozevich s h o w e d m e t h e v a r i a t i o n 24.xd4 ( 24.xd4 d7 i s s i m i l a r .) 24...d7 25.ed1 h5 26.e3 xd4 27.xd4 xe5 28.xe6 ( 28.ec2 c5 ) 28...xd2 29.xd8 fxf2 when Black is a pawn up with a
crushing position. ] 24.xd4 d5 25.xf5 gxf5!? If [ 25...xf5 26.f4 Black's problem is that while one of his bishops is great on d5, the other one is shut in on g7. Meanwhile White has the c file for counterplay. ] 26.h2 [ If 26.xh6 d7!? leaves the knight stranded on h6. ] 26...b6 27.f4 b7 28.f1 d7 29.c2 e8 30.e2 a8 31.c3 c8 32.ec1 xc3 33.xc3 d8 34.c1 d3 35.e3 d2 36.c4 e8? The losing blunder in time trouble. Instead [ 36...d7 keeps the advantage. ] 37.xf5! Uncovering an attack on Black's rook. d5 There's nothing to be done as if [ 37...h5 38.h4 ] 38.f1? [ Much simpler was 38.xg7 xg7 39.c7+ White was also in bad time pressure. ] 38...exf5 39.xd2 h5 40.f3 xf3 41.f4 e4 42.c7 h1+ 43.f2 h2+ 44.e3 xa2 45.d1! The killer move, defending b3 and threatening 46.e6. a5 46.e6 g6 47.e7 b5 48.c8! 1-0
190 Petkov,Vladimir Gretarsson,Hjorvar Steinn ETCC (Open) Warsaw POL (7.51) [Fier, Alexandr]
A04 2570 2511 15.11.2013
4.c3 is a good way to avoid the Symmetrical English, Black can transpose to the Fianchetto Grünfeld, but it's not to everyone's taste. In this game Black tried an ambitious app ro ach an d th e posit io n so on b ec am e chaotic where Gretarsson lost track in a better position. 1.f3 c5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 g6 4.c3 e5 The most ambitious way, trying to punish the lack of white pawns in the center [ 4...g7 is supposed to transpose to the Fianchetto Grünfeld 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 d5 ( 6...b6 7.e3 is also possible )] 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 e4 7.e5 d5 Here White has tried several different moves and it's not clear if any one is better than the others. 8.0-0 [ 8.c3 e6 9.0-0 g7 10.xc6 bxc6 173
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 11.b3 trying to use the c5 square with Na4 and Ba3 was the choice of the World Cup finalist in Andreikin, D (2700)-Kotsur, P (2548)/Wch Blitz Astana blitz 2012. ] [ 8.a4 is another idea, to lure Black's queen to the defence of c6, g7 9.xc6 d7 10.c3 bxc6 11.b3 ( 11.h3 f5 12.f4 was draw in a complex position in Georgiev, K (2671)-Ivanisevic, I (2645)/ Skopje Karposh op 2012.) 11...e7 12.a3 with a different version of the 8.Nc3 line. ] 8...g7 9.xc6 bxc6 10.d2 This idea seems a bit strange to me. I don't know if the knight is better on b3, compared to a4, and the bishop is now going to the kingside. Still, it's kind of provocative, since the d4-pawn is now hanging. [ 10.c3 was still possible and probably transposed to 8.Nc3. ] 10...h5!? With the exchange of the knights White's kingside is not so well defended. And it's possible to start an attack without hesitation. [ 10...xd4 was playable, but with the king in the center, W hite can try to make a quick attack: 11.a4 b6 12.xe4! using the fact that Black's position is not so stable, dxe4 ( 12...e7 is more prudent, but White's position has improved without the central pawns. 13.b3 g7 14.g2 0-0 with a double-edged position. White will play e4 at some point and try to take advantage of the better structure, on the other hand Black will have active pieces.) 13.c4 c5 14.f4 and all the white pieces have a a huge potential - the rooks are going to the open files and the d6-square is going to be used by the knight, f6 15.d6+ f8 16.ac1 d5 17.fd1 c5 18.xc8 and W hite recovers the piece with advantage. ] [ 10...e7 followed by 11...0-0 would be normal. ] 11.a4 e7 12.b3 White continues his counterplay on the queenside without worrying about the attack on the other flank. Soon the position will be really dangerous for both players. h4 13.g5 Coming for the c6pawn, now Black needs to make a highly c o m m i t t a l m o v e . f6!? 14.f4 h6 This move is quite logical because the bishop
on f4 is much better than the bishop on g7. W ith only the queen and knight on the queenside it's not clear that anything will happen. 15.xh6 xh6 16.f3?! A brave move, but not the best. Now the position enters such a level of complications that it's hard to make, and even to know the best moves. [ 16.ac1 would be the natural idea and Black will continue his attack, obtaining a complex middlegame with an exchange for some pawns, f7 17.c3 h8 18.xc6! not losing time, 18...hxg3 and 19...Bh3 would be dangerous, d7 19.xf6+ xf6 20.xd7 f5 21.d6 and now A) 21...ah8 amazingly in this position B l a c k i s u n d e r a t t a c k ! 22.g4! f6 ( 22...xg4 23.f3 and White opens the file, just winning, exf3 24.xf3+ e8 25.e3 6h7 26.h3 d7 27.f6 with a dominating position) 23.xf6+ xf6 24.f3 e3 25.f4 6h7 26.c1 with advantage.; B) 21...c8 22.c5 and White's position is slightly preferable. ] 16...hxg3 17.fxe4 This is the idea. [ 17.hxg3 d6 18.f4 e6 and with ...Qg4 and ...Nf5 Black will be just winning. ] 17...xh2 [ 17...d6 was crit ica l 18.c5 ( 18.exd5 h3 without the bishops the position becomes much more dangerous for White 19.xh3 xh3 20.f3 gxh2+ 21.h1 xf3 22.exf3 xd5 and Black has the better queen and safer king) 18...h3 19.xh3 xh3 20.f3 xh2 and White needs to be really careful to not get mated. ] 18.c5 [ 18.f3!? activating the rooks immediately is also interesting, h3 ( 18...d6 19.af1 and there is no good way to def end f 6 , xg2+ 20.xg2 e6 21.h1 and White can start to attack now.) 19.xg3 xg2+ 20.xg2 xg2 21.xg2 dxe4 22.h1 with compensation for the pawn. ] 18...d6 19.exd5 xd5 [ 19...b8 is the computer move, as usual not easy for humans to find, 20.ab1 b5 with the idea of taking on c5 ] 20.b3 [ 20.e4! it's important for White to take the 174
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 g3-pawn, e6 21.xg3 h4 22.e4 f4 and both kings are in danger. I think the position has a dynamic equilibrium. ] 20...f5 Avoiding Ne4. [ 20...h3 was once more the option 21.xh3 xh3 22.f3 c7 heading for the h-file, probably White is forced to exchange queens, 23.b7 ( 23.xf6 fails in a b e a u t i f u l w a y h1+! 24.xh1 h7+ 25.g2 h2+ 26.f3 f2+ 27.g4 xf6+ 28.g5 f5+ 29.h6 g2 and the pawn on g2 will make the d i f f e r e n c e .) 23...xb7 24.xb7 h4 25.xg3 xd4 26.xg6 f7 27.g3 d2 with advantage for Black. ] 21.xd5 cxd5 22.e3+ f8 23.f3 g7 [ 23...g2 24.f2! ( 24.h3?? f4 wins ) 24...f6 25.f4 h1 26.g1 and everything is under control. ] 24.d3 a6 25.xg3? Now White is lost. [ 25.f4! xf4 26.xf4 ah8 27.xg3 was possible, trying to sacrifice the exchange with chances to defend. ] 25...xd3! 26.xh2 e4 In the last 3 moves the bishop went from c8 to e4 and with all the piec es c om in g, th e at ta ck is irresistible . 27.g1 f4?! Right idea, wrong order. [ 27...h8 wins immediately 28.h3 f4 now it works better 29.c3 ( 29.a3 xa3 30.xa3 h1+ 31.f2 xa1-+ ) 29...f3 30.xh8 g3+ with mate. ] 28.a3 The position is really hard to defend for White, even more so in time trouble. e6 29.b3 Now there is a square for the rook! g4+ 30.f2 h4+ 31.f1 h1+ 32.f2 h4+ 33.f1 e8 [ 33...h8 bringing one more piece to the hfile was the best. It's also not easy to see, since the king will be in the way, 34.xa7+ A) 34...f6 this is draw, since White can e xc h a n ge t h e qu e e n s 35.b6+ g5 36.e7+ g4 37.xh4+ xh4 38.e1! only move g3 ( 38...h1+ 39.f2 h2+ ) 39.b3+ f3 40.g1! h2 41.exf3 g2+ 42.h1 h2+=; B) 34...h6!! 35.a3 f5! 36.g1 h5 and the king will be safe on g4! now there is no defence for White, 37.d6 g4-+ ] 34.h3 g5 [ 34...g4 35.xa7+ f6 36.h2 f3 37.a6+ g5 38.a3 is defending
somehow ] 35.h2 f3 36.exf3 f4 And suddenly Black is now lost. [ 36...f5 was necessary and after 37.f2 and W hite coordinates the pieces d2+ 38.g3 g5+= ] 37.xa7+ f6 38.h7! Probably this is the move Black overlooked. d3+ [ 38...xf3 39.h4++- ] 39.g1 e3+ [ 39...xd4+ White also stabilizes here, 40.h1 e3 41.h4+ g7 42.g3+- ] 40.f2 g5+ 41.h1 f4 42.h2 xd4 43.d6+ g7 44.g2 A sad end for Black, no w it 's ju st o ve r. e5 45.d7+ f8 46.d8+ e8 47.d6+ g7 48.h1 f5 49.c7+ f6 50.h7 e3 51.f7+ 1-0
191 Radlovacki,Jovan Micic,Cedomir It Pancevo YUG (10) [Tony Kosten]
A04 2411 2408 29.06.2003
1.e4 c5 2.f3 c6 3.d3 g6 4.g3 g7 5.g2 e5 Heading directly for a Botvinnik position. 6.0-0 ge7 7.e1 As White avoids playing Nc3 this position is not a Closed Sicilian, but a Reti, KIA. However, [ 7.c3 is more normal. ] 7...0-0 8.e3!? Presumably played to deter ... d5, but this doesn't seem to fit-in with Re1. d6 9.bd2 This actually appears to be a novelty in this position, [ 9.c1 f5 10.c3 b8 was played in Stratil, L-Ulibin,M/Oakham 1990, but now W hite made an instructive mistake: 11.h6?! f4! 12.xg7 xg7 with advantage to Black has he has exchanged his lesser bishop, and can advance his kingside pawns. ] 9...b6!? Very thoughtful, as normally Black brings his bishop to e6, but here he decides that a6 is the right square. 10.c3 a6 11.c2 d7 12.h3 White's moves are lacking in purpose, why not play [ 12.a4 and then Nc4, say? ] 12...ac8 13.ad1 h6 14.f1 d5 Black plays this move now that the white knight cannot hop to c4, but even now 175
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 14...d4 15.cxd4 cxd4 is possible. ] 15.c1 White continues on his way, and prepares to play Ne3, but Black immediately s t o p s t h a t . d4! 16.g4? Obviously White wants to play Ng3,but he is oblivious to the problems he will soon have. [ I would prefer to close the position with 16.c4 ] 16...dxc3 17.bxc3 fd8 Suddenly the d3pawn is under heavy fire, and the bishop is u n a b l e t o d e f e n d i t f r o m f 1 . 18.e3 What else? d4! 19.b1 a4!? The simple [ 19...e6 20.g3 f4 is better as White is in big trouble. ] 20.ee1?? White misses a simple tactic, [ 20.b2 is better, although e6 21.g3 f4 is still rather good. ] 20...e2+! [ 20...e2+ White loses an exchange and pawn af ter both 21.xe2 ( and 21.h2 xc3 ) 21...xd1 ] 0-1
192 Sandner,Gunter Rechel,Bernd Bundesliga 2003-4 (13) [Tony Kosten]
A04 2311 2420 28.03.2004
1.f3 f5 2.d3 This line is obviously set to gain in popularity after last month's win by Carlsen! d6 3.e4 e5 4.c3 c6 5.exf5 xf5 6.d4 xd4 7.xd4 exd4 8.xd4 c6 Black avoids the [ 8...f6 of Carlsen,M-Dolmatov,S/Moscow RUS 2004, which we analysed last month. ] 9.f4! White aims for swift queenside castling, and this move certainly seems to score very well - Black hasn't yet made it to move twenty in this line! [ 9.d3 is less effective, xd3 10.xd3 f6 11.0-0 e7 12.e2 d5 13.d4 d7 controlling e6, Black is doing well with his extra central pawn, Lerner, K-Bareev,E/Kiev 1986/URS-ch. ] 9...b6!? An attempt at improving on [ 9...xc2!? when 10.d2!? g6 ( maybe 10...f5!? is preferable, so that after 11.e1+ f7 is possible) 11.e1+ d7 ( now 11...f7?? loses immediately to
12.c4+ d5 13.xd5 as the g6-bishop is si t t i n g i n t h e b l a c k k in g 's o n l y e s c a p e square ) 12.g3 b6?! an inaccuracy in an awkward position ( 12...f6 13.h3+ c7 14.e6 is unclear) 13.h3+ d8?! ( better 13...c7 although after 14.xd6+! xd6 15.xg7+ b8 16.c1! xf2 17.e4 (mate on c2 was threatened!) f7 18.xf7 xf7 19.xd6 White is winning) 14.g5+ c7 15.d5+! 1-0 Seel, C-Horstmann,O/ Bad Wiessee GER 2003, as after the forced cxd5 16.c1+ Black loses his queen. ] 10.d2! The critical reply. d5 Black could also consider [ 10...xb2!? 11.b1 xc2 12.e3+ e7 13.xb7 but White is better - Black will have problems finishing his development, and the rook on b7 is annoying. ] 11.0-0-0 0-0-0 12.d3 Simple chess, White exchanges Black's most active piece. xd3 13.xd3 h6?? It is difficult to understand the reasoning behind this move, why not play the natural [ 13...f6 when 14.f5+ d7 15.e5 e7 is a little better for W hite, who has more mobility, but there is everything to play for still? ] 14.h3+ d7 15.xd5! d8 [ 15...cxd5 16.xd5 c6 17.hd1 wins the hapless pinned d7-rook, and forces a quick mate. ] 16.xh6 cxd5 [ 16...gxh6 17.f6 xf6 18.xd7+ is equally unappetising! ] 17.xd5 c7 [ 17...gxh6 18.hd1 as before. ] 18.f4+ [ 18.f4+ d6 19.xd6 xd6 20.d1 is decisive. ] 1-0
193 Schandorff,Lars Bartel,Mateusz 17th TCh-Eur (6) [Nigel Davies]
A04 2501 2609 27.10.2009
1.f3 f5 2.d3 g6 3.e4 d6 4.exf5 xf5 5.d4 g7 6.d3 d7 7.0-0 f6 [ I think this is more flexible than 7...c6 176
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 which Carsten Hansen presented in the game Bindrich, F (2513)-W erle, J (2581)/ Plovdiv BUL 2008. ] 8.xf5 [ In the game Keene, R-Platzack, S/ Barcelona 1965 White played 8.c3 0-0 9.xf5 xf5 10.d5 and now rather than 10... e5 (a mistake similar to that made in the game Roiz - Belyavsky in the note to White's 9th) Black should consider fd7!? . After 11.d4?! xd4 12.xd4 xc2 13.h6 f7 14.ac1 f5 White is struggling to find enough compensation for his pawn in view of Black's rock solid position. ] 8...xf5 9.c4 [ In the game Roiz, M (2658) -Beliavsky, A (2662)/Natanya ISR 2009 W hite played 9.c3 which also seems quite interesting. In the game there followed d5 ( 9...c6!? intending 10.d5 b4 11.d4 h5 is interesting) 10.e2 0-0 11.c4 b6 12.b3 c6 13.e3 e5?! ( Continuing to wait with, say, 13...ae8 would have been better ) 14.g3 d7 15.d5 d8 16.g5 a n d n o w W h it e h a d a cl e a r a d va n t a g e because of his grip on the e4 square. ] 9...0-0 10.c3 bd7 11.e3 c6 12.e2 ae8 13.ad1 d5! Good strategy, fixing the pawns on the opposite colour to his bishop. 14.h3 dxc4 15.xc4+ d5 16.b3 7b6 17.a4 h8 18.fe1?! Missing some fine print. [ W hite should play the immediate 18.a5 a f t e r w h i c h xe3 ( 18...xc3 19.bxc3 xa5 20.a1 d5 is better with approximate equality) 19.fxe3 xa5 20.a1 h5 21.xa7 is now better for White because he doesn't have to worry about an exchange sacrifice on f3. In the game this becomes a major issue. ] 18...e6 19.a5 xe3 20.xe3 [ Perhaps it was only now that White realised t h a t a f t e r 20.fxe3 xa5 21.a1 h5 22.xa7 xf3 23.gxf3 xf3 24.xb6 g3+ 25.f1 f3+ 26.g1 Black can play for more than a draw with f8! 27.e4 h6 . Because of this he has to go into a position in which Black has a strong bishop and the better pawn structure. ] 20...xa5 21.xe6 xe6 22.xe6 f5 23.e7 f7 24.e1 g8 25.e2 d5
26.g5 f5 27.f3? [ 27.xd5 was better. After Black's reply he loses a pawn. ] 27...f4 28.c4+ h8 29.e3 h6! Renewing the threat of 30...Nxh3+. 30.e5 xh3+ 31.f1 c2 32.e2 c1+ 33.e1 xe1+ 34.xe1 g5 35.e5 g7 Black is a good pawn up now and handles the technical phase without much difficulty. 36.d5 cxd5 37.xd5 f5 38.f4 xe5 39.g4 [ Deciding that this would give him better swindling chances than 39.xe5 but it looks a bit desperate to me. ] 39...xf4+ 40.xf4 xf4 41.e7 d6 42.xb7 c5 43.g2 h6 44.c7 b6 45.d7 g8 46.e7 f8 47.b7 f7 48.g3 g7 49.f4 f6 50.d7 e6 51.d1 c7+ 52.e4 g5+ 53.e3 e5 54.h1 b6+ 55.e2 f7 56.f1 e6 57.h1 f6 58.f1+ g7 59.f4 e5 60.d2 g5 61.e4 f6 62.e2 e6 63.a4 d5 0-1
194 Skoberne,Jure Milchev,Nikolay IX EICC Plovdiv BUL (7) [Carsten Hansen]
A04 2492 2415 27.04.2008
1.f3 f5 2.d3 d6 3.e4 e5 4.c3 f6 [ 4...c6 was discussed in CarlsenDolmatov, Moscow 2004 - see the PGN archives ] 5.exf5 xf5 6.d4 e4 [ A) 6...bd7 7.c4 ( 7.h4 e6 8.d5 f7 9.g3 c6 10.dxc6 bxc6 11.g2 d5 12.0-0 e7 13.f5 0-0 didn't achieve anything for White in Kosten, A-Alonso Moyano, J/Pobla d e L i l l e t 2 0 0 5) 7...g4 ( 7...e4?! is discussed in the notes to HalkiasGrunberg, Olomuoc 2004 in the PGN archives ) 8.e3 b6 ( 8...e4 is the topic of Halkias-Grunberg, Olomuoc 2004, which can be f ound n the PGN archives, and; 8...c6!? was suggested in the notes to the same game by our webmaster) 9.d3 e7 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.h3 h5 12.g4 ( 12.e2!? e4 13.xe4 xe4 14.xe4 xe4? 15.b5++- ) 12...f7 ( 12...e4!? ) 177
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 13.g5 Varga, Z-Galyas, M/Budapest 2000 ] [ B) 6...c6 7.b5 exd4 ( 7...d7 8.e2 e7 9.dxe5 xe5 10.xe5 xe5 11.xd7+ xd7 12.e3 0-0-0 13.0-0-0 e7 14.d5 e6 15.a5 Flores, DBeltran, J/Balaguer ESP 2007; 7...a6 8.xc6+ bxc6 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.xd8+ xd8 11.xe5 xc2 12.0-0 Lalic, BLedger, D/Hastings ENG 2005) 8.xd4 d7 9.0-0 e7 10.c4 ( 10.e1!? looks very pleasant for Black) 10...xd4 11.xd4 c6 12.g5 d5 13.xf6 xf6 14.fe1+ f8 15.c5+ e7 16.e3 g5 ( 16...d6 17.ad1 f6 18.xd5! cxd5 19.xd5 e8 20.e4 g6 21.e2! , and W hite wins) 17.g3?! h4 18.d6+ e7 19.f4+ f6 20.ad1 ( 20.xd5!? cxd5 21.d6+ e7 22.xd5 e8 23.xb7 b8 24.xa7 is pretty disgusting for Black) 20...b8 21.f3 d6 22.e4 e7 , Cyborowski, LGormally, D/Cappelle la Grande FRA 2005, and now 23.xf6 xf6 24.b3 b8 25.a4 , and with the dual threat of Bxd5 and Qxa7, White wins material and keeps the initiative. ] 7.h4 c8 [ Black has a number of alternatives at this ju n c t u re : A ) 7...d7 was discussed in the notes to Halkias-Grunberg as mentioned above. ] [ B) 7...g4 8.e2 xe2 9.xe2 d5 ( 9...e7 10.xe4 xe4 11.xe4 0-0 12.f5 Deglmann, L-Hoennekes, K/Bad W iessee GER 2005) 10.g5 ( 10.b5+ c6 11.g5 d7 12.xf6 gxf6 13.xd5 xd5 14.xd5 0-0-0 , and Black has nothing to worry about, Roos, M-Graf, A/ Dresden GER 2007) 10...b4 ( 10...c6? 11.f3 h6 12.g6 hxg5 13.xh8 b4 14.0-0 , and White is winning, Zacurdajev, MRomcovici, V/ Peterhof RUS 2007) 11.b5+ c6 12.xb7 xd4 13.0-0-0 xc3 14.bxc3 b8 15.xf6 gxf6 16.xa7 b5 17.c5 d6 18.xd5 and White is winning, Dizdar, G-Grunberg, S/Triesen LIE 2005 ] [ C) 7...e6 8.d5 A) 8...d7 9.g3 ( 9.e2!? ) 9...e7 10.g2 0-0 1/2-1/2 Shavtvaladze, NBronznik, V/Corfu GRE 2007; B) 8...f7 9.f5 ( 9.g3 c6 10.g5 cxd5
11.b5+ c6 12.xf6 gxf6 13.0-0 with excellent compensation for the pawn, Laznicka, V-Potapov, A/Olomouc 2005) 9...c6 ( 9...g6? 10.d4 c6 11.g5 e7 12.e6+- d7 13.c4 xd5 14.xd5 cxd5 15.xg7+ f8 16.xd5 xg5 17.e6+ e8 18.xg5 c6 19.f6 1-0 Odendahl, R-Van der Elburg, F/ Amsterdam 2002) 10.g5!? ( 10.dxc6 bxc6 11.f4 d5 12.d4 bd7 13.a6 c5 14.d6+ e7 15.f5+ e8 16.d6! b6 17.xc5 xc5 18.b7 xd4 19.xd4 b8 20.xc6 xb2 21.b5 a6 22.xa6 b6 23.b5 e7 24.a4 d6 25.a5 bb8 26.a6 c5 27.b3+ b6 28.a7 a8 29.b1 b7 30.a5+ c7 31.c6 c5 32.b5+ 1-0 Naumann, A-Genocchio, D/Baden 1999 ) 10...a5? ( 10...h6 11.h4 cxd5 12.xf6 xf6 13.e3 ) 11.xf6 gxf6 12.d4 xd5 13.xf6 , and White is winning, Kosten, A-Lapeyre, P/Sautron FRA 2005 ] [ D) 7...d7 A) 8.g5 e7 9.c4 e6 10.xf6 xf6 11.h5+ g6?! ( Here Black should give preference to 11...f7! 12.xf7+ xf7 13.xe6+ xe6 14.d5+ e5 with a decent game for Black) 12.xe4! xd4 13.e2 0-0?! ( 13...xb2!? ) 14.0-0-0 c6?! 15.g5 xc4 16.xc4+ , and W hite is winning, Taleb Moussa (UAE)-Jasim A R Saleh (UAE)/Abudhabi (United Arab Emirate 2004; B) 8.e2 B1) 8...e7 9.0-0 ( 9.xf5 xf5 10.0-0 is simple and effective, e.g. d5 11.f3 d7 12.fxe4 dxe4 13.b5 c6 14.c4 is much better for White) 9...e6 , Kuehn, P-Hisler, T/Saint Vincent ITA 2005, and now 10.d5! f7 ( 10...xd5 11.h5+ d8 12.xd5 xh4 13.g3 e7 14.xe7 xe7 15.e1 gives White the better chances as well.) 11.f3 xd5 12.xd5 xh4 13.fxe4 0-0 14.f4 with a better game for White; B2) 8...c6 9.0-0 d5 10.xf5 xf5 11.f3 g6 12.fxe4 dxe4 13.d5 0-0-0 14.xf6 xd4 15.g4+ d8 16.e2 gxf6 17.f5 e8 18.e3 d5 19.c4 e5 20.xe4 , and Black doesn't even 178
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 have a pawn in return for his suffering, Kapnisis, S-Klokas, K/Litohoro GRE 2006; C) 8.d5!? e7 9.e2 c6 10.f3 cxd5 11.xf5 xf5 12.0-0 e6 13.b5 , and Black is already in serious trouble, Mikac, M-Zorko, J/Bled 2001; D) 8.f3 e7 9.xf5 xf5 10.e2 exf3 11.xf3 c6 12.0-0 d7 13.d5 0-0 14.c3 xd5 15.xd5+ with a small, but clear advantage for W hite, Seeman, TBerg, E/ Stockholm SWE 2003 ] 8.g5 [ Now the following sequence is more or less forced. In another recent game, White tried 8.e2 e7 9.g4 xg4? ( 9...c6 10.g5 d5 11.xe4 0-0 offers Black excellent compensation for the pawn; or 9...e6 10.g5 d5 11.xe4 0-0 12.0-0 f4 13.g4 xg4 14.xg4 d7!? with some compensation for the pawn) 10.xg4 xh4 11.xc8 (now White is already winning) c6 12.g4 xf2+ 13.xf2 h4+ 14.g2 0-0 15.xe4 h6 16.g3 ae8 17.c3 e7 18.e6+ h8 19.g4 1-0 Sulava, N-Zelic, M/Sibenik CRO 2006 ] 8...e7 9.xf6 xf6 10.h5+ g6 11.xg6 hxg6 12.xg6+ d7 13.d5! f8? [ This is definitely wrong and more or less loses on the spot! Instead Black should try the less obvious (thank you, computer) 13...e7! 14.g4+ ( 14.f5+ e8 15.g6+ d7 doesn't accomplish anything ) 14...e8 15.g7 f8 16.g6+ d7 17.e2 e8 18.xe4 f7 19.0-0 with an ongoing initiative and three pawns for the piece ] 14.e2 c5 [ 14...c6 15.xe4 a6 16.0-0-0 e8 17.d3 e6 18.xf6 xf6 19.d5+ xd5 20.xd5+ b6 21.f3 isn't really desirable for Black either ] 15.dxc5 e5 [ In an earlier gam e Black trie d 15...c6 , but after 16.xe4 e8 17.f3 ( 17.a4+ xd5 18.0-0-0+ e6 19.xd6+ wins, if anything, faster) 17...xb2 18.d1 a6 19.f6+ d5 20.xe8 a5+ 21.f1 e6 22.f4 xc5 23.a4+ b6 24.b1 1-0 Zacurdajev, M-Melnikov, D/St Petersburg RUS 2007 ]
16.0-0-0 e8 17.g4+ c6 18.xe8+ xe8 19.xc8 a6 20.f5 and being two pawns down, Black is obviously lost, and it means we shouldn't spend too much time on the remaining moves. xc5 21.b4 a4 22.he1 f8 23.xe4 b5 24.f4 b2+ 25.b1 ae8 26.e6 e5 27.g4 b2 28.d2 c4 29.xc4+ bxc4 30.fxe5 dxe5 31.c3 b8 32.f3+ c7 33.a3 a5 34.b5 b6 35.b2 bd8 36.e2 f5 37.e4 c5 38.e2 d4 39.g4 f2 40.xe5+ b6 41.h4 h2 42.h5 h3 43.g5 g3 44.e6+ c7 45.g6 h4 46.f6 d7 47.b6 1-0
195 Speelman,Jonathan S Ward,Christopher MSO Masters London ENG (4) [Tony Kosten]
A04 2597 2473 24.08.1999
1.f3 c5 2.b3 By playing this move now, White manages to avoid the main 1. b3 lines where Black can play an immediate 1...e5. d6 3.e3! Probably the most flexible move, for as Black will block the a1-h8 diagonal with ...e5 it makes sense not to develop the c1-bishop straight-away. [ 3.b2 e5 4.d3 f5 5.g3 c6 6.g2 f6 7.bd2 is the type of position White should avoid , An tosh in,V -Gurgenid ze,B /USS R 1974. ] 3...e5 4.b5+ Already at move 4 the players have reached a very unusual position. White wishes to exchange light-squared bishops, then, by placing his pawns on light squares he can inhibit Black's remaining bishop. [ 4.d4?! e4 5.fd2 cxd4 6.exd4 d5 7.b2 offers White nothing, Roeder,M-Rytshagov, M/Groningen 1997. ] 4...d7 Alternatively: [ 4...c6 m i g h t b e b e t t e r , 5.0-0!? E n c o u r a g i n g B l a c k f o r wa r d . ( 5.xc6+!? bxc6 6.e4 is worth a try.) 5...e4 6.e1 f5 7.b2 f6 8.d3 e7 9.c3 e6 10.f3 b6!? 11.fxe4 fxe4 12.xc6+ xc6 13.xe4 xe4 14.dxe4 xe4 15.xg7 g8 gave Black reasonable compensation f o r t h e p a wn . M a n t o va n i, R - S e rm e k , D / Montecatini Terme 1999. ] 179
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 4...d7?! 5.xd7+ xd7 6.e4 would fall in with White's designs. ] 5.0-0 f5 6.d4 cxd4? Opening the c1-h6 diagonal for White's dark-squared bishop. [ 6...e4 first, has to be stronger, as White is thereby denied the use of the g5-square. ] 7.exd4 e4 8.g5 Following Black's fourth move, e6 is no longer covered by his bishop. gf6 9.e6 b6 10.d5! The b5-bishop is indirectly protected by the possibility of a knight fork on c7. f7 11.a4! This move contains a vicious threat. e5? A natural reply, but it loses the queen! [ 11...a6 would avoid the worst, but Black is still in a bad way, e.g. 12.e3 c5 13.a5 a7 14.c4 ] 12.e3 a5 13.b4 xb4 14.d2 b2 15.c3 Staggering! The trap closes on the unlucky monarch. xa1 16.xa1 xe6 Black could resign, but presumably wanted to reach move twenty! 17.dxe6+ xe6 18.xe5 xe5 19.d2 e7 20.a1+ f4 21.c3 1-0
[ Correct was 15...a6! ] 16.xd6+ cxd6 17.e2 Now White has positional pressure for his pawn. He proceeds to outplay his opponent but doesn't quite succeed in clinching the win. b6 18.g4 0-0 19.f1 d7 20.d2 ac8 21.f5 c6 22.f3 d4 23.g1 fe8 24.h3 f8 25.d5 e5 26.xc6 xc6 27.xd4 e4 28.c3 ce8 29.f2 d5 30.b4 e1 31.c4 f7 32.a4 1e7? 33.xg7+ g8 34.f6 c7 35.g5 xc4 36.g6 f8 37.gxh7+ xh7 38.d4 fc8 39.f4 g8 40.h4 f8 41.a3 g8 42.g3 h7 43.hg4 xa2 44.f6 f7 45.a3 c7 46.g7 xg7 47.fxg7+ g8 48.h4 c4 49.d3 a5 50.xb6 ½-½
197 Stohl,Igor Heidrich,Manfred Czech Open A (2) [Nigel Davies]
A04 2549 2368 25.07.2009
1.f3 f5 2.d3 d6 3.e4 e5 4.c3 c6 Stocek,Jiri 5.exf5 xf5 6.d4 xd4 Trying to avoid any Trang,Hoang damage to his pawn structure but with the FSGM Aug Budapeste (10) p o si t io n o p e n in g u p B l a ck 's k in g wil l b e [John Watson] temporarily vulnerable. 7.xd4 exd4 8.xd4 c6 1.f3 f5 2.e4!? fxe4 3.g5 e5! [ 8...f6 was played in Carlsen, M-Dolmatov, This is the simplest way to draw the fangs of S/Moscow RUS 2004, a game presented White's Gambit. 4.d3 e3! earlier by Tony Kosten. The text may also [ Instead 4...exd3 5.xd3 looks risky, so be promising for W hite but not after the Bla ck re t urn s t h e p awn in a way wh ich move he plays. ] hampers White's attempt to open lines in the [ 8...xc2!? is legal, but very greedy. ] centre. ] 9.d3 Fritz 12 likes this move at first but then [ Note that much less good is 4...f6 5.dxe4 changes its mind after a few moves. when W hite is ready to play Bc4 [ W h i t e s h o u l d p r o b a b l y o p t f o r 9.f4! immediately. ] wh ich was p re viou sly co ve re d b y T o n y 5.xe3 e7 6.f3 c6 7.d4 exd4 8.xd4 Kosten in the game Sandner, G (2311)xd4 9.xd4 f6! 10.e4+ e7 Rechel, B (2420)/Plauen GER 2004. ] So far Black has played the opening perfectly 9...xd3 10.xd3 f6 11.0-0 and here simply [ White could also try to play more [ 10...e7 planning 11...d5 looks at least aggressively with 11.g5 e7 12.0-0-0 OK. ] but after 0-0 13.he1 d5 Black's position is 11.xe7+ xe7 12.c3 d5 13.b5 way too solid for White's temporary activity White finds a way after all to gambit a pawn to have much effect. ] for positional pressure. xb2 14.b1 e5 11...e7 12.e2 d7 13.d4 0-0 14.f5 15.f4 d6? ae8 15.d2 d5 16.xe7+ xe7 17.ae1 196
A04 2460 2360 1996
180
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 White doesn't have anything here, his bishop 14.b1! Aiming for a1 with powerful pressure being compensated for by Black's greater on the black king's diagonal. c5 15.a1 control of terrain. d7 18.f3 xe1 19.xe1 bd7 Black could also try e8 20.xe8+ xe8 21.e3 xe3+ [ 15...f4!? in order to play ...Bh3, but then 22.xe3 b6 23.c3 f7 24.f2 e6 16.g5 g4 17.h3 is good, h6 18.hxg4 25.e2 d7 26.f4 e5 27.xe5 hxg5 19.f3 fxg3 20.fxg3 and White will ½-½ continue with Kg2 and use the h-file. ] 16.e4!? White decides that his pieces are all ideally placed and so it is time to break in the 198 A04 centre, but moves like [ 16.fd1 were also fine, of course. ] Tkachiev,Vladislav 2654 Clarke,Thomas 2128 16...fxe4 17.g5 f5 18.xe4 This is the ECC Rethymnon GRE (3) 30.09.2003 point, the f6-knight is pinned so W hite has brought his knight to the powerful e4-square, [Tony Kosten] and opened the e-file. c7 19.fe1 e5 1.f3 f5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 g6 4.b4!? Black blocks the long diagonal, and unpins the W e have examined this theme against the f6-knight, but now e5 will be a target. 20.c2 Dutch set-up in several games, although Time to return the offside knight to the game.. previously W hite had played c4 before b4. xe4 21.xe4 ae8 22.g2 b6 23.e3 Black's first real mistake in the game, g7 5.b2 a5!? Black tries to disrupt White d3? on the queenside immediately. Other moves his bishop goes to the 'active' square on d3, but will not be able to stay there, he should are more popular, e.g. [ 5...d6 6.c4 0-0 7.0-0 e5 8.d3 with typical have preferred keeping d5 covered by [ 23...e6! which also attacks c4, and Closed English play, Vaganian,R-Ehlvest,J/ restricts White's possibilities. ] Horgen 1995. ] 6.b5 This pawn gains lots of queenside space 24.d5! xd5 25.xd5 Black pays the price for W hite, and stops the black knight from f o r ign o rin g t h e d 5 -squ a re , a s t h e wh it e using the c6-square. a4!? A novelty, Black's a- bishop cuts through his position like a knife! b6 Removing the pawn from the bishop's gaze, pawn continues its progression. [ 6...0-0 was played in Meenakshi,S- as [ 25...e4? loses a pawn immediately to: Lagvilava,G/Istanbul TUR 2000, when 7.c4 26.xg7+ xg7 27.xg7+ xg7 28.xb7 ] seems most appropriate. ] The winning plan: White fixes the e7.c4 c6 8.a3! Not the ideal square for a 26.f3! knight, but from here it both keeps an eye on pawn on e5, and can double his rooks on the 27.e3 c4 and b5, and at the same time stops the e-file when the pawn will drop. g5 So, the bishop didn't manage to stay on black a-pawn from advancing even further. 0-0 f5 White's position 9.0-0 d5?! Black continues to harass the d3 for very long! 28.ce1 white queenside, but this leaves no pawns to reaches its zenith. h3 29.xe5! The neatest capture. xe5 30.xe5 Obviously winning, control e5. I prefer [ 9...d6 planning ...e5, and putting the although [ 30.xe5! is m o re e le g a n t , h6 31.g4 queen's knight on c5, but apart from 10.d4 with the decisive threat of Re6xh6+. ] leading to a Dutch, W hite could also [ After 30.xe5 Black resigned because consider playing 10 d3, English Opening xe5 31.xe5+ xe5 32.xe5 h6 33.g4 style. ] leaves him a pawn down with a trapped 10.c1 h8 11.d3 Obviously White doesn't bishop. ] want to block the a1-h8 diagonal with a pawn now that he has full piece control of e5. e6 1-0 I have to say that Black is single-minded, he puts pressure on the white queenside whenever he can, but then why play ...f5 in the opening? 12.c2 dxc4 13.dxc4 c8 181
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 14.e5 dxc4 15.xc4+ g6 16.xc2+ A04 f7 17.b3+ g6 18.d1 with a crushing Vachier Lagrave,Maxime 2758 attack. ] Vaisser,Anatoli 2531 d5 This is certainly the move that FRA-chT Top 12 (4.1) 27.05.2014 11.h4 Black would like to play, gaining space in the [Kosten, Tony] centre and closing the a2-g8 diagonal, but afterwards he has to be very careful to stop 1.f3 f5 2.d3 d6 3.e4 e5 4.c3 c6 [ 4...c5!? is seen in Bellin, R-Williams, S, White sacrificing on d5. [ 11...b5!? is interesting here, and this month's Lalic, B-Rendle, T. ] A) 12.b3 c a n b e m e t b y e7+! 5.exf5 xf5 6.d4 exd4 7.xd4 xd4 wh ich f orces W h it e t o mo ve his k in g, 8.xd4 f6 13.f1 ( 13.e2!? is risky, g5 14.g3 c5 [ 8...c6 9.f4! is Sandner-Rechel, in the a n d . . . c 4 .; 13.d2 transposes to De PGN Archive. ] Verdier, M (234 5)-Kalinins, V (2204)/ 9.c4! Carlsen's novelty. c6 10.g5 h6!? B u n r a t t y 2 0 1 4 , 0-0-0 14.ae1 d7 A new move, but does it help? 15.xf6 gxf6 16.xf6?! d5 17.e5?! [ 10...b5 11.b3 e4 draw, but White is actually in some A) 11...h6 12.e3+! ( 12.h4 e7+! troub le h ere a s .. .Bg7 is t hreat ened .) see below.) 12...d7 ( 12...e7 13.xf6 13...0-0-0 with unclear play where neither gxf6 14.0-0 xe3 15.fxe3 d7 16.e4 king is particularly happy, 14.a4 b4! wins a pawn.) 13.xf6 xf6 14.0-0-0 15.xb4 d5; looks dangerous for Black.; B) 12.g4!? is a favourite with Stockfish 5, B) However, 11...e7+!? is actually quite d7 13.d3 f7 a bit wild.; annoying for White, 12.f1 ( 12.e3 d5 C) 12.d3 xd3 13.xd3 e7+ 14.e2 13.0-0-0 d7 14.he1 e7 Black wins e4! getting the queens off, with near an important tempo, and can now castle.; equality. ] 12.d2 0-0-0 13.he1 d7 14.ad1 c5 [ 11...xc2?! 12.d2! f5 13.ae1+ d7 15.f4 c4 16.xb5 cxb3 17.xa7+ ( 13...e7 14.xf6 gxf6 15.g4 h7 is unclear.) 12...0-0-0 13.a4 b4! 14.xb4 16.xf6 ) 14.g4! and Black is in trouble, as d5 15.xe7 xe7 Black has some h7 15.e6+ c7 16.d5+! cxd5 compensation for the pawn as W hite's 17.c1+ b8 18.xf6 gxf6? 19.c8+ king is awkwardly placed.; wins. ] C) 11...e7? 12.0-0-0 a5?! This is the problem, White doesn't ( Back in 2004 I remember annotating the 12.0-0-0 impressive game Carlsen-Dolmatov, which even have to move his bishop, and meanwhile continued 12...d7?! 13.he1 Qe5+ is a massive threat. e7?! Very human, and W hite caused an upset.) 13.he1 but probably not very good. [ 12...f7 had to b e tried , 13.he1 g5 Black is already lost, f8 Karavade, E 14.g3 g7 and Black develops while (2307)-Navabi, S (2107)/Beirut 2004 , finally threatening the bishop on c4, and 14.f4! g6 15.xf6 gxf6 ( 15...xf6 maybe something along the a1-h8 diagonal. 16.xd6 c7 17.xf6+ gxf6 18.xf6+ ) I think I would prefer to have White anyway, 16.h6+ e8 17.e4 ] but this certainly seems playable for Black. ] [ 10...d5 11.0-0-0 is similar to the main game, e7?! ( 11...f7 ) 12.e5 ( 12.he1 13.he1 Natural and strong. [ Still, 13.e5 i s j u s t a s g o o d , c8 0-0 13.e5 forks e7 and f5, forcing c8 ( 13...g6 14.xd5! cxd5 15.xd5 when 14.xe7 dxc4 as below. ) 12...d7? i s w i n n i n g , f8 16.xf6 c8 17.c3; Lock, G (2212) -Rendle, T (2397)/Hastings 13...g4 14.f3 d6 15.xd6 xd6 2008, ( 12...g6 ) 13.xd5! xd5 14.xd5 16.xf6 gxf6 17.xd5 cxd5 18.fxg4 cxd5 15.b5 winning the queen. ] will leave White two pawns up.) 14.he1 [ I had thought 10...xc2? might be playable, 0-0 15.xe7 dxc4 16.f3 with a clear ten years ago, but now I think it is losing: advantage, f or instance g6 ( 16...b5 11.0-0 d5 12.fe1+ f7 13.xd5! cxd5 199
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Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 17.d6 f7 18.g4 h7 19.e6 ) 17.c5 f5 (threatening mate!) 18.xc4+ h8 19.d2 ] 13...0-0 14.e5 g4? [ 14...c8 was the best try, 15.xe7 dxc4 as above. ] 15.f3 Strong, but the flashy [ 15.xd5! cxd5 16.xd5! xd5 17.xe7 b6 18.xf8 xf8 19.xd5+ is also totally crushing. ] 15...d6 Presumably the point, but MVL has seen further. Black has nothing better anyway a s t w o p i e c e s w e r e h a n g i n g . 16.xd5! Beautiful! cxd5 [ 16...xe5 17.xf6+ (double check!) h8 18.xd8 axd8 19.xg4 ] 17.xd5 xe5 18.xd8+ h7 19.d3+ g6?! Weakening the 7th rank doesn't help. [ 19...g8 20.xf8+ xf8 21.xe5 with an extra two pawns and the bishop pair to boot. ] 20.xa8 f4+ [ 20...xa8 21.xe5 both black minor pieces are hanging. ] 21.b1 xa8 22.xf6 Anyway, the answer to the question at move 10 is that yes, 10... h6 is useful if Black follows up with 11...b5. [ 22.xf6 f5 23.e7+ g8 24.c4+ f8 25.g7 forces e8 26.g8+ d7 when 27.xa8 wins a rook to add to the pawns. ] 1-0
200 Van Mil,Johannes AJ Gurevich,Mikhail Bundesliga 2001-2 (3) [Neil McDonald]
A04 2416 2605 24.11.2001
1.e4 e6 2.d3 c5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 ge7 5.g2 g6 6.0-0 g7 7.e1 [ More flexible was 7.c3 f o r e x a m p l e d6 8.a3 e5 ] 7...d6! [ After 7...d5 8.e5 the rook on e1 performs a useful function in defending the pawn on e5. So Gurevich heads for a dif ferent pawn structure with the aim of making 7. Re1 an irrelevant move. ] 8.c3 e5 9.a3 [ Perhaps 9.a4 followed by Na3 and Nc4
was the safer plan. ] 9...0-0 10.e3 White prepares d3-d4, but Black's piece deployment is very efficient and not surprisingly he benefits the most from the opening of the centre. h6 Preparing Be6 without being disturbed by Ng5. 11.d2 h7 12.d4 exd4! This capture rather than c5xd4 is often the best idea for Black in this pawn centre- Black activates his bishop straightaway. 13.cxd4 d5! 14.exd5 [ After 14.e5 Black has many promising continuations, e.g. f5!? 15.dxc5 d4 16.f4 g5 17.g4 fe7! 18.g3 xg4 ] [ Meanwhile if 14.dxc5? dxe4 White is in trouble as b2 will drop. ] 14...xd5 15.dxc5 xe3 16.xe3 e6! Gurevich is in no hurry to recapture the pawn. He develops and takes away the c4 square from W hite's knight, so that it can't be activated as occurs after say [ 16...xb2 17.ad1 f6 18.c4 ] 17.b5 [ After either 17.ad1 or ] [ 17.e2 Black can play a5 when sooner or later he will regain the pawn thanks to the bishop pair bearing down on W hite's queenside. So Van Mil brings his knight back to the centre while he still has the chance. ] 17...xb2 18.ab1 g7 19.ed1? This merely chases the black queen to a good square. He had to play [ 19.d6 with counterplay. ] 19...a5 20.bd4? White collapses. Now [ 20.d6 was imperative. ] 20...xa2 21.xb7 ad8 The pin is fatal. 22.b2 xd4! 23.xd4 fe8 24.xe8 xe8 25.xc6? [ 25.xc6 was the only way to fight on. ] 25...e1+ 26.xe1 xe1+ 27.g2 c4 However W hite plays, either Qc3 or Qf1+ followed by either Qh1+ or Qd3+ will win for Black. 0-1
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Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A04 Nb6. [ 7...xd7 was played before, trying to bring Venkatesh,Marani Rajendran 2515 the knight to c6 instead of d7 8.e2 f5 Vallejo Pons,Francisco 2693 9.0-0 e7 10.e1 f6 Vidonyak, R (2452)Bangkok op 14th (4) 14.04.2014 Cvitan, O (2562)/ Zuerich op 26th 2002. ] [Fier, Alexandr] 8.e2 d5 9.c4 gf6 10.cxd5? B l a c k u s e s a g o o d s e t u p a g a i n s t t h e A big imprecision. Now Black has easy play queenside fianchetto, he closes the diagonal, against the isolated pawn. [ 10.0-0 was better and White has a nice controls the center and gains some space. p l a n a t h i s d i s p o s a l d6 ( 10...b4 This same plan was suggested before on is not so different 11.h4 0-0 12.f5 ) Chess Publishing against a similar setup and 11.h4!? the knight will be much better on one more time it proves effective. 10.cxd5 was f5 or e3, where it is a strong blockader a bad idea, I think the position is quite A) 11...g6 avoids White's idea but interesting after 10.0-0. 1.f3 c5 2.b3 d6 weakens the kingside 12.h6 ( 12.g3 3.e3 e5 4.d4 Immediately acting in the is another possibility, to bring the knight center. via g2 0-0 13.g2 c8 14.e3 [ 4.b5+ is thematic and was played on with a level position) 12...f8 13.xf8 s e v e r a l o c c a s i o n s c6 ( 4...d7 xf8 ( 13...xf8 14.cxd5 xd5 15.c3 is also possible, but the knight is in the way xd4 16.b5 b6 17.fd1 ) 14.c3 on d7 5.0-0 f5 6.d4 cxd4 7.exd4 g7 and the exchange of the dark and White was already better, as analysed squared bishops favours W hite, though in Speelman, J (2597)-Ward, C (2473)/MSO the position is double edged; Masters London ENG 1999.) 5.0-0 f6 B) 11...0-0 12.f5 b8 13.c3 ( 5...e4 ambitious, but White can strike in the and compared to the game this is a much center before Black has time to finish his better version for White. ] development 6.e1 f5 7.b2 f6 8.f3 d5 Black doesn't waste any time and 9.c4 with dangerous activity for W hite) 10...b4+ 6.b2 e7 7.d3 0-0 and Black is activates his pieces. 11.d2 0-0!? [ 11...xd2+ was also ok, but Black prefers supposed to be fine, as analysed in to keep the bishops on, 12.fxd2 0-0 Cheparinov, I (2702)-Jones, G (2654)/45th 13.c3 b6 14.0-0 e8 with a small Italian Teams 2013. ] advantage for Black ] 4...cxd4 [ 4...e4 is also interesting, since after 5.fd2 12.e5 [ 12.xb4 is too dangerous, now the king will cxd4 6.xe4 ( 6.exd4 d5 7.c4 f6 be exposed for a long time exf3 13.xf3 is ok for Black) 6...d5 7.g3 dxe3 8.xe3 b6 ( 13...e8+ 14.f1 a5 15.d2 b6 c6 and the White pieces would be much is also possible with full compensation) better if the bishop was on b2 and the knight 14.c3 b5 15.d2 ae8+ 16.e3 on f3 ] ( 16.d1 is better, but also not pleasant for 5.exd4 e4 6.b5+ White tries to get rid of the White ) 16...xd5 with the idea of ...f5-f4 ] bishop, winning a tempo to finish his d e v e l o p m e n t . d7 Black doesn't mind 12...d6 Keeping the pieces on. [ 12...xd5 White has more chances to dry exchanging his 'bad' bishop. the position here [ 6...c6 gives White a nice opportunity A) 13.xe4 7f6 14.f3 ( 14.d3 f4! 7.e2 f6 8.d5!? xd5 9.xe4+ e7 wins ) 14...b6 15.0-0 xd4 16.xb4 10.xe7+ xe7 11.b2 and Black is still xb4 ( 16...xb4 17.c3 ) 17.d7! fine, but I don't think it's the kind of xd7 18.xd5 fd8 and Black has some position he was aiming for ] pressure, but with precise play W hite 7.xd7+ xd7 This is not a bad square for should hold; the knight if you stop to think. Black will push B) 13.0-0 xd2 14.xd2 f5 15.dc4 ...d5 when it's possible and with the knight on xe5 16.dxe5 e7 is also not so d7 he can answer any c4 and cxd5 idea with ... 201
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Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 interesting for Black, even if he has a small advantage ] 13.c4 [ 13.xd7 xd7 14.c3 ac8 15.0-0 fe8 is also good for Black, the d5-pawn will soon fall and White has no clear plan. ] 13...b6 14.c3 bxd5 15.xd5 xd5 16.0-0 e8 17.ad1 White tries to bring the knight back to e5, but it can easily be attacked. [ 17.ac1 at least brings the rook to an open file A) 17...c8? 18.xd6 xc1 ( 18...xd6 19.xc8 xc8 20.xe4 wins a pawn) 19.xc1 xd6 20.b5 and White activates; B) 17...c7 18.g4 g6 19.g3 and the position is still unpleasant for White ] 17...c7 18.e5 f6 19.c4 d7 Black improves his position and soon he is ready to attack 20.e3? This is too early to be desperate. White just allows Black's knight to enter his position, with serious consequences. [ 20.g3 b5 21.e3 b6 22.xd5 xd5 23.e3 ad8 24.d2 would be better for Black, but White's position is not so easy to break ] 20...f4 21.c4+ h8 22.c5 Apparently White's pieces are more active than before and he's managed to unblock the d-pawn. But this is too superficial and is soon punished. ad8 23.h1 d3 24.xa7 xh2! Nice idea! Now the queen defends b7 and White's queen is kind of trapped. 25.xh2 [ 25.b6 was possible, but without the hpa wn B la ck will at t a ck m ore ea sily b8 26.a4 f7 27.g1 d6 and it's hard to believe White can survive ] 25...a8 26.b6 a6 27.xa6 bxa6 28.d5 f5 [ 28...e5 was more direct 29.g1 h5 30.c1 ( 30.c3 c7-+ ) 30...d6 31.g3 d7 and it's time to resign ] 29.f4 c8 Going to the wrong place, but the position is still winning. 30.c4 xd5?! I see no reason for this plan. The rook would do a good job on the kingside. [ 30...f8 was still possible 31.d6 f6 with the idea of 32. ..Rh6 and 33...Qe8 ]
31.b6 b7 32.xc8 xc8 33.e3 h6 34.c1? And I see no reason to give back the exchange. [ 34.d2 was better, trying to hold the position together after c3 35.e2 ] 34...xc1 35.xc1 There is no time and insuf f icient material f or W hite to setup a fortress, and now Black finishes the game in a precise way. d8 36.g3 a5 37.c2 e1+ 38.f2 d1 39.c3 g4+ 40.h2 xf4+ 41.g3 g4 42.e5 f4 0-1
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A05 Amin,Bassem 2544 Leitao,Rafael 2620 7th World Team Championship (2) 06.01.2010 [David Vigorito] T h is ga m e is n o t ve ry t h e o re t ic a l, b u t i t provides a nice example of how to meet the King's Indian Attack. Leitao plays a simple, but steady game, and gradually takes over. He beats a 2550 player with Black and makes it looks very easy. 1.e4 c5 2.f3 c6 3.g3 g6 4.g2 f6!? [ An interesting move order. Black wants White to protect the e4-pawn immediately. Also good is 4...g7 5.0-0 e5 when Black will often end up a tempo up on the KIA vs French line: 1.e4 e6 2.d3 c5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 g6 5.Bg2 Bg7 6.0-0 Nge7 7.c3 e5 because he has played ...e5 in one move. Still, the tempo is not so important here and the position is still equal. ] 5.d3 d6 6.0-0 g7 7.c3 [ 7.c3 would transpose to a fairly harmless line of the Closed Sicilian with an early Nf3. This position more of ten results with colours reversed in the English Opening. ] 7...0-0 8.e1 e5! This looks like a mix of sys t e m s , b u t t h i s i s a g o o d p l a n . I n t h e Botvinnik setup, the e7-knight sometimes has trouble finding an active role. The f6-square is very flexible - the knight may go to e8, d7, or even h5 or g4. 9.a3 [ A slow move typical of this system. 9.bd2 still looks better to me. ] [ N o t e t h a t ' p u n i s h i n g ' B l a c k w i t h 9.d4 runs into the typical King's Indian idea cxd4 185
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 10.cxd4 exd4 11.xd4 g4! when Black is ahead in development and has pressure against d4 and f2 (with ...Qb6 coming too). ] 9...b5! 10.h3 [ 10.b4 a5! forces a favourable (to Black) resolution on the queenside. ] 10...b7 11.bd2 c7 12.f1 d5 W hy not? It is as if Black is playing W hite here. 13.g5?! [ 13.exd5 xd5 14.e3 was still pretty safe for White, although I do like Black's space advantage. ] 13...d4! Seizing more space. Now the g5bishop and f1-knight look rather odd. 14.cxd4 cxd4 15.d2 White tries to justify the odd placement of the bishop on g5, but considering W hite does not really want to exchange dark-squared bishops (which would leave him with his own bad bishop), this does not help much. a5 16.ac1 d6 17.g4?! This creates a (useless) square for the f1-knight. White is playing the position like a Closed Spanish, but Black has too much play on the queenside for this to succeed. d7! 18.g3 f6 19.h6 xh6 20.xh6 c5 21.h4 White's obvious threats are easily repelled. e7 22.ed1 e6! Highlighting the weakness created by White's 17th move. 23.h2 f4 24.g5 White opens lines for Black's pieces. h8 25.gxf6 xf6 26.g5 af8 27.d2? This takes away White's queen's only retreat square. e6 28.g4 [ 28.h6 g8 ] 28...f4 0-1
th e p o sit io n m u ch . I t wa s a n a lyze d f o r Chess Publishing in Roiz, M (2659)Aleksandrov, A (2582)/IX EICC Plovdiv BUL 2008. ] 6.e4 d6 7.d4!? An exotic idea, taking advantage of the undefended pawn on b5 and also the diagonal. It's only possible with the bishop on e7. [ 7.a3!? this move is quite interesting and it's a way to try to exploit the early ...b5 a6 8.c4 c6 now the bishop is not well placed on b7, ( 8...bxc4 9.xc4 and White has a b e t t e r s t r u c t u r e) 9.e1 with a slight advantage for White Romanishin, O (2515)Morawietz, D (2449)/Kerkyra op 2009. ] [ 7.a4 is another logical move, b4 8.bd2 0-0 9.c4 and both players had chances in Kuzubov, Y (2628) -Kulaots, K (2592)/ISLchT 1011 2010 (1.1). ] 7...a6 [ 7...d7 was a move played in Correspondence. It looks a bit weird to defend the pawn like this, but it avoids the pla n p layed in th e gam e 8.f4 ( 8.b3 could be a coherent sequence c5 9.a5 c6 10.xb7 xb7 and White took the bishop pair, but Black is well developed and already started the queenside expansion.; 8.e5 doesn't work now xg2 9.exf6 xf6 and the knight is hanging) 8...c5 9.b3 c6 and the position is balanced Simon, B (2305)-Glauser, P (2165)/WSTT/1/ 11/2 ICCF 2011. ] 8.b3 Putting the knight away from d4 and threatening Na5. [ 8.e5 still doesn't work properly xg2 9.exf6 xf6 10.xe6 fxe6 11.xg2 0-0 203 A05 and Black has not much to worry about. ] Aronian,Levon 2801 8...c5 And Black accepts the challenge. Not a Ipatov,Alexander 2630 b a d c h o i c e , s i n c e t h e a l t e r n a t i v e i s World Teams 2013 (7.3) 03.12.2013 unpleasant. [ 8...c6 without ...c5 this move is not so [Fier, Alexandr] harmonious 9.a4 0-0 10.d4 and White has good central control. ] Ipatov plays 2...b5 to enter less theoretical Finally this move is possible. xg2 positions and Aronian also plays an exotic 9.e5 xf1 11.fxe7 xe7 12.xf1 idea. Soon they exchange two pieces for a 10.exf6 rook and pawn, and because of the lack of After the exchanges White has a bishop and o p e n f i l e s I t h i n k W h i t e h a s a s m a l l a kn igh t aga in st ro ok a nd p a wn . B la c k 's advantage. 1.f3 f6 2.g3 b5 3.g2 b7 position has no weaknesses, so the position is quite hard to play, since W hite has no 4.0-0 e6 5.d3 e7 [ 5...d6 is another idea, but doesn't change advanced post for any of his pieces. Still, 186
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 there are no open files which makes the rooks less useful in the position. It's not possible to say for sure that someone is better here, but my preference would be White. c6 13.e3 White's basic idea is to finish development and use the e-file to create a weak point in Black's position. 0-0 14.c3 f5 Black, on the o t h e r h a n d , s h o u ld t ry t o e xp a n d o n t h e queenside and open some files for the rooks. 15.g2 [ 15.a4 this move is thematic in this kind of position where Black has a6 and b5, but it's always dangerous to exchange the last white rook. e5 ( 15...b4 16.e2 e5 17.d2 and W hite controls c4) 16.axb5 ( 16.g2 b4 17.e2 c4 and Black can make good use of the c-file) 16...axb5 17.xa8 xa8 18.g2 b8 19.d4 cxd4 20.xd4 d7 with an unclear position. ] 15...ac8 16.a3 Not forced, but a good move to control the b4 square. f6 [ 16...b4 is not so interesting anymore, now the a-file will be more useful for White than the f ile t hat will open f or B lack, 17.axb4 xb4 ( 17...cxb4 18.a4 e5 19.f4 d7 20.a5 and White's knights are much more active than before) 18.f4 and the knight can go to a5-c4 later ] 17.d1 With the idea of 18.d4. d4 18.f4!? White is not afraid to damage the structure because after 18...Nxb3, W hite is going to create a block on the dark squares and the bishop and knight have no opposition. fe8 [ 18...xb3 19.cxb3 d5 20.d4 c4 21.b4 and White can play a4 in good conditions or to make some pressure on the e-file, Black on the other hand can just wait ] 19.xd4 A forcing move, giving the bishop and putting the knight on a strange square to s h a k e B l a c k ' s c e n t e r . cxd4 20.a2 The knight is going to b4 Where it defends c2, attacks a6 and looks to d5. d8 To meet 21. Nb4 with a5. [ 20...e5 21.b4 with a clear advantage ] 21.f1 A smart idea, now White is threatening to take on d4 because if Black comes with ... Qb6 and ...e5, White can take on f2 with his rook, defending the pawn on c2. [ 21.xd4?! is not good, since Black recover t h e p a w n w i t h a n a c t i v e p o s i t i o n b6 22.f2 e5 23.xf5 xf2+ 24.xf2 xc2+
25.f3 exf4 26.gxf4 xb2 and Black is not worse ] 21...b6 22.f2 e5 23.c3?! Not so necessary. [ 23.fxe5 White could play this move and j u s t t a k e o n f 5 dxe5 24.xf5 h8 ( 24...e6 25.xe6+ xe6 26.b4+- ) 25.f2 with a clear advantage ] 23...b7 [ 23...a5!? this move can complicate matters, since if White takes any of the pawns, Black can activate his position 24.fxe5 ( 24.cxd4 exf4 25.xf4 c2 26.xf5 b7 27.d5 xb2 and the knights are in an awkward position, but still the position is unclear) 24...dxe5 25.cxd4 e6 again using the strange position of the knights 26.ac1 f4 with interesting compensation ] 24.cxd4 Again Black has a chance to complicate. [ 24.fxe5!? to avoid ...exf4 dxe5 25.cxd4 d5 26.ac1 and White is better ] 24...exf4 [ 24...d5!? was possible A) 25.ac1 doesn't work so well now, exf4 26.gxf4 ( 26.xf4 c2 and Black is better ) 26...e6 with a dangerous position for White; B) 25.bc1 xd4 ( 25...exf4 26.c3 that's the dif f erence with bringing the other knight to c1 fxg3 27.hxg3 e6 28.xf5 and W hite is better) 26.xd4 exd4 27.g2 c2+ 28.f2 ec8 29.e2 xb2 30.xd4 xf2+ 31.xf2 g6 and the endgame is double edged ] 25.c3 [ 25.xf4 would be good if possible, but loses immediately e2 26.f2 e1+ 27.f1 c2 and W hite is in big trouble 28.d2 xf1+ 29.xf1 h1+-+ ] [ 25.b4 it's hard to understand if the knight is better on c3 or b4, from here it can go to c6 at some point, but from c3 it controls the invasions on e2 and c2 fxg3 26.hxg3 f4 this is an important source of counterplay 27.gxf4 f7 28.d5 g6+ 29.g2 f6 30.c6 e3 and the position is one more time unclear ] 25...fxg3 26.hxg3 f8 A bit slow. [ 26...f4!? I like this try again, opening W hite's king by force 27.gxf4 ( 27.xf4 187
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 is also playable, but Black's counterplay is quick f8 28.c1 b4 29.axb4 xb4 30.c2 xf1+ 31.xf1 f8+ 32.e2 b8 and Black is fine) 27...f7 threatening ...b3 28.c1 ( 28.d5 g6+ 29.g2 xd3 ) 28...f5 29.d5 and White can be better, but he needs to be extremely careful. ] 27.d5 f6 [ 27...f4 now this loses power 28.gxf4 f7 29.f5 This move is possible because the knight on b3 is not attacked in this variation. ] 28.d4 With this knight in the game, White is much better. b4 29.axb4 xb4 30.c6! [ 30.e6 is not so effective, since Black's queen is free to go to the kingside g4 ] 30...b7 31.e1 h8 32.e7 b3 33.d7 Now it's impossible to stop White's initiative e8 34.d4 b4 35.e6 g6 36.f7 g4 37.e2 f6 38.xg7 b4 39.xh7+ [ 39.xh7+ xh7 40.a7+ 5 with mate in ] 1-0
204 Artemiev,Vladislav Khismatullin,Denis 15th ch-EUR Indiv 2014 (3.1) [Fier, Alexandr]
A05 2621 2714 05.03.2014
Artemiev goes for an interesting idea with 7. c4 and easily gets a better position. 13.Bc6 was good for an advantage and again I think that this is a nice setup for White against 2... b5. 1.f3 f6 2.g3 b5 3.g2 b7 4.0-0 e6 5.d3 e7 6.e4 0-0 A provocative move. [ 6...d6 avoids 7.e5 and after 7.d4!? a6 8.b3 c5 9.e5 was analyzed by me some months ago in Aronian, L (2801)- Ipatov, A (2630)/WchT 9th Antalya 2013. ] 7.c4!? This can transpose to 7. e5, but gives Black the alternative of not taking on c4, where I believe White has good play. [ 7.e5 d5 8.c4 bxc4 9.dxc4 b6 10.c2 ( 10.e2!? maybe the queen is better here, to bring the knight to c3 at some point d5 11.exd6 cxd6 12.d1 8d7 13.c3 ) 10...c6 and White's position is slightly better, but both players have chances in Libeau, R (2420)-Emunds, H (2315)/ Muenster 1992. ]
[ 7.d4 was the same idea as in Aronian's game, but 28 years before! a6 8.b3 c6 9.e5 d5 10.e1 with an unclear position, since White still needs some time to develop his queenside Bilek, I (2400)-Portisch, L (2635)/Hungary 1985. ] 7...b4 I'm not convinced about this move. Now White has a tangible space advantage and in a few moves Black has a strange position. [ 7...bxc4 8.e5 d5 9.dxc4 b6 would transpose to 7.e5 ] 8.e5 e8 9.d4 d6 [ 9...c5 was another idea, since 10.d5 is not so scary 10.dxc5 ( 10.d5 exd5 11.cxd5 d6 with a level position) 10...f6!? 11.e3 c7 12.a3 a5 with a messy position ] 10.c2 d7 11.g5! A known theme in a diff erent position. xg5 12.xb7 b8 13.xg5 Missing a strong idea. Now Black has chances to equalize. [ 13.c6! a hard move to make, but here W hite has good chances to create some strong pressure. Black's pieces are poorly placed and Black has no way to win the pawn on e5 xc1 14.xc1 dxe5 15.d1! the key move and now Black's position is not so comfortable A) 15...exd4 loses a piece 16.xd4 ef6 ( 16...d6 17.c5 ) 17.d1 and Black has no way to defend the knight; B) 15...b6 16.a4 b8 17.dxe5 e7 18.g2 and Black's knights are on terrible squares ] 13...xg5 14.c6 d8 15.f4 e7 16.g2?! With this move Black can more or less free his position. White runs from the check on c5, but development was more important. [ 16.d2 was interesting and Black should play precisely to avoid getting into trouble dxe5 17.fxe5 b8 ( 17...xe5 is insufficient 18.xe8 xd4 19.b5 c6 20.b3 and White is better) 18.e4 f5 ( 18...xd4 19.f3 d8 20.xh7+ h8 21.g2 and Black's position is precarious, for example: g6? 22.xg6 fxg6 23.h4 and Black loses material) 19.exf6 xf6 20.f3 c5 and I still prefer White's chances, but the position is not so clear ] 16...dxe5 17.dxe5 [ 17.fxe5 b8 18.e4 now is not so nice, si n ce a f t e r ( 18.f3 xd4 19.d2 c5 188
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 and W hite has compensation, but Black s h o u l d b e o k) 18...f5 19.exf6 xf6 White has no 20. Nf3 to defend the pawn ] 17...f6 18.exf6 exf6 And Black is fine. 19.d2 g4 Now Black goes into a long variation that leads to an equal position where he needs to make a difficult choice. [ 19...e5 it was possible to keep the game a l i v e w i t h 20.e4 ( 20.fxe5 xe5 and the bishop has no good squares 21.e4 fg4 and W hite is almost lost already) 20...e6 21.xd7 xd7 22.g5 c6+ 23.g1 g6 with a level and complicated position ] 20.ae1 c5 21.e4 de5 Exchanging a lot of pieces and entering a delicate endgame. 22.b3 xc6 23.fxe5 xe5 24.xc6 xc6 25.xe6 d4?! This doesn't change t h e c o m p u t e r ' s e va l u a t i o n , b u t n o w t h e position is harder to play for Black. [ 25...xf1 was the best way to go, avoiding White's idea 26.xf1 d4 27.xd4 xd4 28.b3 d2 and Black is fine ] 26.xf8+ xf8 27.c5 c6 During the game this is a hard decision to make. One misevaluation and the game can be over if Black exchanges the rooks and knights. With some pieces on the board it's still possible to fight if something goes wrong. In this case, the exchange was good and after the move of the game White is slightly better. [ 27...xe6! 28.xe6+ e7 29.xd8 xd8 30.f3 d7 31.e4 d6 a n d W h i t e c a n n o t p a s s, h e r e I sh o w a possible continuation: 32.f5 c5 33.b3 d6 34.h4 d7 35.h5 e7 36.g4 c6 37.g5 d6 38.h6 gxh6 39.gxh6 e7 40.e5 a6 ( 40...a5?? 41.c5+- ) 41.c5 a5 with draw ] 28.e4 f7 29.f2 With a better knight and rook, White has good practical chances in the endgame. g5 30.h4 h6 31.hxg5 hxg5 32.g4! The knight on d4 is centralized, but it's not doing much in the position and it's also not stable. d6 33.e5 f6? This is a bad plan. W hite's rook is going to a8 and the position is close to lost for Black. [ 33...f6+ was the right way to defend the pawn 34.e3 f3 35.e4 h2 and Black is just slightly worse ] 34.e8 f7 35.a8 f6+
[ 35...e6 was a better practical chance 36.xa7+ A) 36...g6 37.d7! and the extra pawn in the knight endgame is enough for the win; B) 36...f8 37.xe6+ ( 37.d7? xc5 38.xd6 i s n o t c h e c k n o w e4+-+ ) 37...xe6 38.a4 c5 39.a5 e5 40.f3 and White is probably winning; C) 36...e8 37.xe6 xe6 38.a4 e4 39.xb4 xg4 40.b3 and Black has some chances to survive ] 36.e3 e6 37.xa7+ g6 38.d3 f4 [ 38...c5 39.e5+ h6 40.f7 wins ] 39.e5+ h6 40.a6 g2+ 41.e2 f4 42.xc6+ h7 43.c5 1-0
205 Bacrot,Etienne Mamedyarov,Shakhriyar World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (3) [Carsten Hansen]
A05 2695 2752 21.11.2007
1.f3 f6 2.g3 g6 3.b4 g7 4.b2 d6 5.g2 c5!? [ 5...0-0 is the normal move in this position. ] 6.bxc5 dxc5 7.c4 0-0 8.0-0 c6 9.d3 g4 10.e5?! [ The first new move, but not a very good one. W hite has done reasonably well with 10.bd2 , though the test games have mostly been online games between GMs: A) 10...d7 11.b1 ( 11.e1 ad8 12.a4 e5 13.a3 d6 14.g5 b6!? 15.xc6 xc6 16.xe5 fe8 17.gf3 h6 18.b2 d7 19.c3 xd2 20.xd2 xf3 21.exf3 xf3 22.xe8+ xe8 23.e1 xe1+ 24.xe1 f8 25.e4 d1+ 26.g2 c2 27.a8+ e7 28.e4+ d8 1/2-1/2 DumpsterW i s e g u y / w w w . p l a y c h e s s . d e 2 0 0 2) 11...ad8 12.e1 b6 13.e5 xe5 14.xe5 h3 15.f3 xg2 16.xg2 f5= Dumpster-GM Miles/www.playchess. de 2002; B) 10...c7 11.b1 ad8 ( 11...b6 12.h3 d7 13.a3 ad8 14.c2 h6 15.bd1 c8 16.e3 b7 17.b1 a6 18.e5 d7 19.xd7 xd7 20.c3 189
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Corovic, D-Dizdar, G/Makarska 1993) Roiz, M (265 9)-Aleksand ro v, A (258 2)/ 12.e1 h6 13.c3 e5 14.b3 c8 Plovdiv 2008/[Carsten Hansen] ] 15.b2 h5 16.f1! f5 17.e3 de8 4...b4 This gives White a hook with a2-a3, so 18.d2 h7 19.d5 Dobrzynski, W- Black ought to consider his choice carefully. Lipski, T/Krakow 1978 ] [ 4...a6 is more logical, restricting the knight. [ Another move is 10.h3 f5 ( 10...xf3 5.c4 11.xf3 d7 12.g2 ac8 13.c3 h5 A) 5...e5!? might be the way to go. 6.cxb5 14.b1 b6= Majer, D-Schneider, H/Hessen ( Simply 6.0-0 looks better.) 6...xa3 2000; 10...d7 11.b3 c8 12.h2 b6 7.bxa3 axb5 has been played a few times. 13.c3 a5 14.c2 c6 15.e4 Now the course of Karasev, V (2465) D'Amore, C-Lilly, R/Mount Buller AUS 2004) Razuvaev, Y (2540)/Elista 2002 took an 11.bd2 c7 12.c3 ad8 13.b3 e8 amusing turn: 8.b1 0-0 9.xb5 c6 14.fe1 c8= Weindl, A-Zelic, B/Baden 10.xe5?? ( 10.b4 ) 10...a4-+ 1996 ] and White's queen was rather 10...xe5?! embarrassed.; [ Here Black had 10...b6!? available, e.g. B) 5...b4 6.c2 Naturally, theory is 11.c3 xe5 12.xe5 e6 13.f4 h3 ] ch a o t i c h e r e . e6 ( 6...c5 7.0-0 e6 11.xe5 b6?! could transpose. ) 7.0-0 [ 11...d7!? ] B1) 7...e7 8.d4 is a kind of bizarre 12.c3 d7 13.xa8 xa8 14.d4 d8 Queen's Indian. ( 8.a3!? ); [ 14...h3 15.e1 cxd4 16.xd4 xd4 B2) 7...c5 8.d4! 17.xd4 ] B2a) 8...b6 9.g5 cxd4 10.cxd4 15.dxc5 c8 16.a4 xc5 17.xf6 exf6 ( 10.xf6 gxf6 11.xd4 xd4 18.fd1 c8 19.xa7 f5 20.ac1 d4 12.fxd4 xg2 13.xg2 f5 14.a3 21.f1 bxa3 15.b4! Veingold, A (2465)[ 21.d7! xf2+ 22.g2 e3 23.d5 g5 Illescas Cordoba, M (2545)/Linares 24.c2+- ] 1991. ) 10...e4 11.e3 Lingnau, C 21...xc4 22.b5?? (2395)-Grosar, A (2470)/Biel 1993.; [ 22.h3! ] B2b) 8...cxd4 9.cxd4 e7 10.f4 22...xf2+! 23.xf2 xe2+ 24.g1 e3+ ( White has played other moves here, 25.g2 xc1 26.xc1 d2+ e.g. 10.a3!? bxa3 11.b3 0-0 0-1 12.xa3 Andersson, U (2655)Chiburdanidze, M (2535)/Kalev 1997.; 10.b3 ) 10...0-0 11.c1 b6 12.b3 206 A05 c8 13.c5! d8 14.d6 Vaganian, R (2590)-Popovic, P (2540)/Sarajevo Berkes,Ferenc 2706 1987. ] Fedorchuk,Sergey A 2635 Schachbundesliga 2011-12 (3) 16.10.2011 5.c4 e6 Safest. [ 5...c5 6.a3!? ( This looks more testing than [John Bartholomew] 6.0-0 which has also been played.) 6...d5?! 7.ce5 bxa3 8.g5! Drasko, M (2508)1.f3 f6 2.g3 b5 The "Extended Heberla, B (2510)/Banja Luka 2008. ] Fianchetto" is an attractive and high-scoring [ 5...a5 rules out Nc4-a5, but leaves Black a reply to 1.Nf3 and 2.g3. Black grabs as much little overextended. One example: 6.0-0 ( or queenside space as possible and prevents 6.a3 like 5...c5 6.a3 above.) 6...e6 7.a3 d5 transpositions to many problematic c2-c4 8.ce5 bd7 9.d4 e7 10.axb4 axb4 systems. 3.g2 b7 4.a3!? This move 11.d2 c5?! ( 11...e4 ) 12.dxc5 xc5 caught my eye awhile back, as some quick 13.d3 Loginov, V (2530)-Timoshenko, G research found White scoring >60% with it. (2475)/Budapest 1991. ] Clearly 2700s like Berkes pay attention to the [ Finally, I can't resist mentioning a possible statistics too! "Double Extended Fianchetto" with 5...g5!?N [ For lines associated with 4.0-0 e6 5.d3 190
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 The idea isn't completely stupid! ] 6.0-0 e7 7.a3 By now we're well-familiar with this prod. [ Despite the "knight on the rim, " 7.a5!? also isn't bad. ] 7...a5 8.d3 d5 9.ce5 bd7 [ 9...0-0 10.axb4 axb4 11.xa8 xa8 Benidze, D (2491)-Arutinian, D (2566)/Tbilisi G E O 2 0 1 0 , a n d n o w 12.c4! would be similar to the game. ] 10.c4 0-0 11.cxd5 xd5 12.c4 [ or 12.e4 b7 13.e3 ] 12...b6 13.axb4 [ 13.e3!? ] 13...xc4 14.dxc4 axb4! 15.xa8 xa8 16.e3 e4 17.xd8 xd8 18.e5 a8! Black has essentially equalized, but W hite can hope to maintain a slim endgame edge due to his better pawn structure. A similar situation occurs in some Catalan endgames. 19.d1 h6 20.h4! a2?! Giving White a window of opportunity. [ 20...d6 is safer. ] 21.xe4 xe4 22.d7 f6 23.d3 c5! Black defends accurately. [ After 23...b3 24.xc7 xb2 25.b7 f6 26.b8+ h7 27.xb3 xe2 28.c5 Black must endure an unpleasant defense. ] 24.b3 xe2 25.g2! c2 26.f3 d2+ 27.xd2 xd2 28.xc5 b2 29.h5 f8 30.d3 c3! Now the position is equal. 31.d7+ e8 32.c5?! The remainder of the game seems like time trouble. [ 32.c5= ] 32...c2?! [ Missing a chance to turn the tables with 32...e1! 33.c6 xf2+ 34.g4 c2 and White is the one who has to think about drawing. ] 33.b6 e1? [ After 33...e5! Black will be able to play ... Bc3-d4, e.g. 34.d5 d4 35.c4 c3+ 36.e4 xb3 and Black should hold. ] 34.c4 xf2+? [ The endgame following 34...c3 35.xc3 xc3 ( 35...bxc3 36.e3+- ) 36.e4 is likely losing, it will at least tax W hite's technique. ] 35.g4+- The c-pawn is unstoppable. e7 [ 35...a2 36.c6 f2 37.d6+ d8 38.b5+ c8 39.c7+- ]
36.c6 f5 37.d7+ f6 38.c7 g5+ 39.f3 c5 40.d6 c3+ 41.e2 xg3 42.e4+ 1-0
207 Davies,Nigel R Fishbein,Alexander Tel Aviv (7) [Nigel Davies]
A05 2460 2495 1992
The play of ...c6 and ...a5 is quite a challenge for White's system because the attack on the b4 pawn encourages the self-blocking c2-c3. But in this game I try a different approach of just taking on a5. White's pawn island gets split but there's compensation too. 1.f3 f6 2.g3 g6 3.b4 g7 4.b2 0-0 5.d3 c6 6.bd2 a5 7.bxa5!? Although this splits White's queenside pawns he has the open bf i l e a n d s o m e d a r k s q u a r e we a k n e s s e s (notably b6) to aim at. [ I didn't think that 7.a3 was anything for White because after axb4 8.axb4 xa1 9.xa1 a6 the best seems to be to block the a1-h8 diagonal with 10.c3 . ] 7...xa5 8.g2 b6 9.c4 c7 10.0-0 d5 11.cd2 bd7 12.c4 e6 13.c2 e8 14.fc1 d8 15.a4 h5 16.xg7 xg7 17.b3 [ I t w a s a l s o w o r t h c o n s i d e r i n g 17.e4 , trying to open things up in order to exploit Black's dark square weaknesses. ] 17...dxc4?! giving up the central pawn voluntarily feels like a concession. 18.xc4 b6 19.b4 d5 20.d2 [ 20.c5 might be better, but I was staring longingly at the h6 square. ] 20...e5 21.b2 [ Again White could change pace with 21.e4 c7 22.c3 f6 23.d4 . One of the difficult things about playing this kind of game is in knowing when to change pace from purely positional play to something more direct. ] 21...f6 22.fd2 e6 23.e4 e7 24.a5 Threatening to push on to a6. dc7 25.ec5 a6 26.a4 b8 27.e3 d8 28.d1 ec7 29.ac1?! After Black's reply White is no longer better. [ This was definitely the time to initiate play 191
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 W h i t e a f t e r 12.d3 e6 13.b2 h6 14.a3 , for example. ] 12.f4 d7 13.xg7 xg7 14.c3 b6 15.d3 e3+ 16.h1 d7 This leaves Black with insufficient compensation but what else should he play? [ After 16...b8 17.a4 Black's position is truly horrific. ] 17.xb7 ab8 18.f3 h5 19.a3 g4 [ Perhaps 19...h4 was a better try, but White h a s a l a r g e p l u s a f t e r 20.gxh4 xf4 21.xc5 . ] 208 A05 20.c1 d4 21.b5 d7 22.c3 h4 [ Had Black repeated the position with Davies,Nigel R 2518 22...d4 I would probably have opted for Gormally,Daniel 2476 23.xg4 hxg4 24.f5 . But with Black BCF-ch 86th Scarborough (11) 12.08.1999 needing a win at any cost I didn't think this [Nigel Davies] was likely. ] This was a big game in which my opponent 23.e3 xf3+ 24.xf3 hxg3 25.xg3 had to win so part of my job was to frustrate c6+ 26.f3 f6 27.c1 h8 28.e4 him and get him to take risks. Even without h4 29.h3 d7 30.cg1 In addition to the this the position looks nice for White after 9. extra pawn White has strong pressure on the Ne5, and I like Dizdarevic's treatment with 11. kingside. b2?! 31.g5! Closing in for the Nc3. 1.f3 f6 2.g3 g6 3.b4 g7 4.b2 kill. f8 32.a4 b6 33.e3 e8 34.f5! f8 d6 5.g2 c5 6.bxc5 dxc5 7.0-0 0-0 8.c4 35.xc5 f6 36.f3 h5 37.a5 b2 38.c6 c6 9.e5 White has played other moves 1-0 here but it makes sense to open the h1-a8 diagonal. The bishop on g2 exerts a lot of 209 A05 pressure. xe5 Erdos,Viktor 2637 [ There's a case for Black avoiding this Khenkin,Igor 2655 e x c h a n g e w i t h 9...a5 , for example 17.03.2013 10.c2 d7 ( 10...f5 11.d3 d7 Bundesliga 1213 (12.1) 12.xd7 xb2 13.xb2 xd7 14.a3 [Danny Gormally] was slightly better for W hite in Simic, R (2495)-Cosma, I (2435), Belgrade 1994) 1.f3 [ When I looked at the game we are 11.xd7 xb2 12.xb2 xd7 13.d3 c8 currently discussing, I was immediately 14.c3 c6 15.h4 e6 restricted White to reminded of the following game: 1.c4 c5 j u s t a s m a l l p l u s i n D i zd a r , G ( 2 4 6 5 ) 2.b3 f6 3.b2 g6 4.xf6! Diagram An Velimirovic, D (2575), Sarajevo 1986. ] excellent decision, wrecking the structure. 10.xe5 b6 11.b3 With my opponent Perhaps one of the most outstanding facets needing a win for a GM norm I wasn't of the current world champion challenger concerned about an excess of solidity. Magnus Carlsen is his photographic recall. I [ In Dizdarevic, E (2515)-Licina, A (2125), was stunned when during the course of a Bled 1994 W hite offered a pawn sacrifice press co nf eren ce a t last ye ars Lo nd o n with 11.c3 e6 12.f4 after which xc4 chess classic, the young Norwegian 13.b1 a6 14.a4 e6 15.a3 d8 superstar mentioned this game in passing 16.xb7 xb7 17.xb7 c4 18.b1 g4 (along with a number of other obscure old 19.xg7 xg7 20.xa8 xa8 21.b7 games that have mostly been forgotten.) gave him a clear advantage. ] How, I thought, can someone so young 11...e6 kn o w a b o u t so m a n y g a m e s t h a t we r e [ Maybe 11...d8 was better but I still prefer in the centre with 29.d4 . ] 29...b4 30.bc5 xb2 [ 30...xa5 31.d4 would be very dangerous for Black with his queen so far out of play. ] 31.xb2 xc5 32.xc5 e6 33.a1 a8 34.f1 d5 35.xd5+ xd5 36.xd5 cxd5 37.e4 dxe4 [ It's dead equal after 37...dxe4 38.dxe4 b6 39.c4 bxa5 40.xa5 xa5 41.xa5 . ] ½-½
192
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 played before he was even born? This not only shows his remarkable memory, but also demonstrates a classical training that goes far beyond the usual computer clones. exf6 5.c3 g7 6.g3 c6 7.g2 f5 8.e3 0-0 9.ge2 a6 10.c1 b5 11.d3 b7 12.0-0 d6 13.d2 a5 14.fd1 ab8 15.d5 xd2 16.xd2 Karpov, A (2630)Browne, W (2530)/San Antonio 1972. ] 1...c5 2.b3 b6 3.b2 b7 4.g3 f6 5.g2 g6 6.xf6! A strong strategic decision, similar to the Karpov game. W hite exchanges the bishop for the knight on f6 like he does in the Trompovsky, but here he already has a n important concession- the enduring weakness of the d5 square. [ Nevertheless the straightforward approach wasn't bad either- 6.c4 g7 7.0-0 0-0 8.c3 a6 9.d4 d5 10.e5 e6 11.dxc5 bxc5 12.cxd5 exd5 13.d3 e7 14.a4 ac8 15.c1 White has strong play against the hanging pawns, Andersson, U (2585)Miles, A (2510)/La Valetta 1980. ] 6...exf6 7.c4 f5 8.c3 g7 9.c1 c6 10.0-0 0-0 11.e1 a6 12.d3 b8 13.f4 d6 14.e3 White has an obvious long-term strategic edge, and more importantly it is not so easy to suggest improvements for Black, who is devoid of any aggressive or creative ideas due to the clamp White has on the d5 square. e8 15.fd5 a8 16.a4 d7 17.c2 e5 18.b1 c6 19.f4! To use one of those clichés us chess writers are all too familiar with, "White's game plays itself". xd5 [ 19...g4 20.h3 f6 21.xf6+ xf6 22.xc6 xc6 23.d5 would be a dream position for White- devotees of the Najdorf are all too aware of the dangers of allowing a dominant knight to reach the d5 square. ] 20.xd5 c6 21.b4! e7 22.bxc5 bxc5 23.b6 c7 24.a5 f6 25.a4 bd8 26.d5 xd5 27.xd5 e7 [ 27...b8 28.b7! is one of those happy tactics that tend to happen when you have such overwhelming strategic advantages. ] 28.b6+- h5 29.fb1 c8 30.c6 d7 31.bb6 h4 32.b3 g7 33.xa6 g5 34.ab6 hxg3 35.hxg3 gxf4 36.gxf4 e8 37.xd6 xd6 38.xd6 d4 39.f3 h8 40.d1 h4 41.g2 xe3 42.dxe3 xe3 43.a1+ g8 44.h1 f2+ 45.h3 xf4
46.d8+ h7 47.g2 1-0
210 Miroshnichenko,Evgenij Krasenkow,Michal 5th IECC Antalya TUR (10) [Tony Kosten]
A05 2599 2609 25.05.2004
1.f3 c5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 g6 4.0-0 g7 5.d3 f6 6.c3 I prefer to push this pawn an e x t r a s q u a r e m y s e l f ! 0-0 7.a3 e5 An innovation, Black wants to counter White's threatened b4 tactically. [ 7...d6 8.b4 e5 9.bd2 is more normal, Utasi,T-Stohl,I/Stary Smokovec 1984. ] 8.b4 e4!? Blowing the diagonal open, [ 8...d6 is more solid. ] 9.dxe4 xe4 10.d5!! White shows he is also ready to play tactically, this move sacs the c-pawn to stop Black from playing ...d5 a n d f i n i s h i n g h i s d e v e l o p m e n t . xc3 11.xc3 xc3 12.g5 The point, the f-pawn is pinned so the black queen must move. e8 13.xc5! White offers the exchange for control of the dark squares. xa1 Black has to capture, otherwise he is positionally worse f o r n o t h i n g . 14.xa1 e6 15.d1 White has to stop Black from freeing himself by ...d6. e8 16.d6! Brilliant! The game will be decided without the participation of Black's qu e e n si d e p i e ce s . xe2 17.f6 e6 I think that Black should stop White's next by [ 17...b5! e.g. 18.g5 e6 19.h6 xf6 20.xf6 b2 21.f4 g7 22.xg7+ xg7 23.e5 with the advantage, but Black is still on the board. ] 18.b5 xd6? The decisive mistake, I don't see any clear win after [ 18...xf6 19.xf6 b2 20.d6 d8 ] 19.xd6 xb5?! Black had to take his chances with [ 19...e6 20.f4! ( 20.xe6 fxe6 21.bxc6 bxc6 is not too bad for Black) 20...e7 21.g5 e1+ 22.f1 f5 23.g4 but he is in big trouble. ] 20.g5 W hite's attack is decisive. b1+ 21.f1 e1 22.xh7! e8 [ 22...xh7 23.f8 forces mate. ]
193
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 23.f4! e7 24.c3 1-0
211 Narciso Dublan,Marc Pedersen,Jan Open Andorra AND (6) [Tony Kosten]
A05 2544 2339 05.07.2001
1.f3 f6 2.g3 g6 3.b4!? This is favoured by Angus Dunnington in his book on the Reti. W hite gains space on the queenside, and prepares to counter the pressure of the g7bishop along the a1-h8 diagonal. g7 4.b2 0-0 5.g2 d5 [ A n g u s g i v e s m o s t a t t e n t i o n t o 5...d6 and ...e5, with more typical KI play, and considers this line via the alternative moveorder ] [ 5...c6 6.0-0 a5 7.a3 axb4 8.axb4 xa1 9.xa1 b6 10.c3 d5 ] 6.0-0 c6 7.d3 a5 8.a3 axb4 [ 8...b6 9.c3 ] 9.axb4 xa1 10.xa1 b6 11.c3 White has a flexible position, but I don't think Black would be too concerned about that. The position is level, but there is lots of play for both sides. g4 [ More active than 11...bd7 12.bd2 c7 13.c4 e5 14.c2 with a small edge, Polugaevsky-Kortschnoi, Moscow 1966. ] 12.bd2 fd7!? Unusual, [ 12...bd7 is more common, 13.a4 e5!? the most forthright move, ( 13...c7 14.c4 dxc4 15.dxc4 c5 16.b5 b6 17.b3 a8 is equal, Smyslov,V-Bronstein,D/Amsterdam 1964/IZT. ) 14.h3 garnering the bishops, ( 14.e4 c7 15.c4 dxe4 16.dxe4 led to a quick draw in Balashov,Y-Khalifman, A / L v o v 1 9 9 0) 14...xf3 15.xf3 h6 16.a2 Angus' f avoured line, ( 16.b3 allowed e4 17.g2 c7 18.a7 h5! 19.dxe4 dxe4 Chechelian - Baikov, Moskauch 1974 when the threat of ...e3 is difficult to counter, e.g. 20.e3 xg3 21.fxg3 xg3 22.h1 e5 winning quickly.) 16...d8 ( 16...b8!? 17.b1 d8 would allow Black t o ga in c o n t r o l o f t h e a -f ile , b y . . . Ra 8) 17.b1 planning e4, with a small plus due to the bishop pair, Poley,V-Fries Nielsen,J/
Rimavska Sobota 1991. ] 13.h3 A new, but very obvious, continuation. [ 13.b3 a6 14.b2 a8 15.a1 is roughly level, Popovic,P-Banas,J/Trnava 1980. ] 13...xf3 14.xf3!? White wants to keep good control of e4, should Black try ...e5. a6 15.c2 e6 The solid line, Black asks how W hite will break him down . 16.e3 a8 17.b2 c5!? With all his pieces in action Black passes onto the offensive. 18.d4!? [ 18.bxc5 axc5 19.a1? xa1+ 20.xa1 a6 loses a pawn. ] 18...cxb4?! [ 18...cxd4! 19.exd4 c7 is strong, how does White rid himself of the c3-pawn? ] 19.c4! White frees his position at the cost of a doubled pawn. c7 20.b3 f6 21.b1 f8 22.c3 If White an successfully recapture the pinned b-pawn he will have an undeniable positional edge. dxc4 23.xc4 b5 24.xb4 xb4 25.xb4 xb4 26.xb4 a1+ 27.g2 b5 28.e5 [ 28.d6! is much more to the point. ] 28...a2 29.b3 c2 30.g4 fd5 31.e4 a2 32.b1 [ 32.g5 looks good, fixing the black kingside. ] 32...a7 33.h4 h6 [ 33...f6!? ] 34.g3 b7 35.e4 e7 36.g5 White is completely outplaying his opponent, advancing his kingside pawns while Black is obliged to passively defend his b-pawn. hxg5 37.hxg5 g7? [ 37...c8 is much better, the knight can defend both f7 and b5 from the d6-square. ] 38.f3 e8 39.xf7+ g8 40.f4? [ Time trouble, I suppose, White allows the bpawn to advance, 40.a2 wins quickly. ] 40...b4 41.g4 g7 42.f6 d6 43.h4 b3 44.h7+ f8 45.h8+ f7 46.d5?! A peculiar move, without this W hite is still better. exd5 47.exd5 ef5+ Black finds a square! 48.g2 b2 49.h7+ f8 50.xb7 xb7 51.d7+ g7 52.e5 bd6 Black's b-pawn saves the day, W hite can hardly win it without allowing Black into his kingside. 53.f1?! e7 54.e2 [ If 54.d3 xd5 55.xb2 f7 draws. ] 54...xd5 55.d2 f4 56.c3 f7 194
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 57.xf7 xf7 ½-½
212 Roiz,Michael Aleksandrov,Aleksej IX EICC Plovdiv BUL (9) [Carsten Hansen]
A05 2659 2582 30.04.2008
1.f3 f6 2.g3 b5 3.g2 b7 4.0-0 e6 5.d3 d6 6.c3 [ White has tried a few other things at this early stage: A) 6.c4 bxc4 7.dxc4 A) 7...c5 8.c3 e7 9.c2 0-0 ( 9...c6 10.d1 0-0 11.a3 h6 12.b1 c7 13.h3 fd8 14.e4 d7 15.e2 ac8 16.e3 e5= Motwani, P-Guidarelli, L/Port Barcares FRA 2005) 10.d1 b6 11.a3 bd7 12.f4 fd8 13.b4 cxb4 14.axb4 a6 15.a4 c7 16.b3 ac8 17.ac1 Akopian, V-Pogorelov, R/Ubeda 1996; B) 7...e7 8.c3 0-0 9.e1 c5 10.b3 c6 11.b2 a6 12.d2 c7 13.ad1 ad8 14.c1 d7 15.e4 fd8 Anand, V-Kortschnoj, V/Roquebrune 1992 16.f4!? ] [ B) 6.e4 (this is White's most popular choice) A) 6...c5 7.a4 a6 8.axb5 axb5 9.xa8 xa8 10.a3 c6 11.e5 fd7 12.exd6 xd6 13.g5 b4 ( 13...b6!? ) 14.c4 f6 15.e2 xg2 16.xg2 e7 17.e3 0-0= Vukic, M-Karpov, A/Bugojno 1978; B) 6...e7 7.e1 0-0 8.e5 xg2 9.exf6 xf1 10.fxe7 xe7 11.xf1 d7 12.e2 c6 13.f3 Quinteros, M-Minev, N/Cienfuegos 1972; C) 6...bd7 C1) 7.e1 b8 8.a4 b4 9.bd2 e7 10.c4 0-0 11.c3 a8 12.c2 d5 13.exd5 xd5 14.fe5 f6 15.d4 c5 , Kirov, N-Anastasian, A/Aegina 1993, and here W hite would do best to play 16.e4 g6 17.h6 xe5 18.dxe5; C2) 7.c3!? b4 8.e2 c5 9.h3 e7 10.g4 h6 11.a3 a5 12.g3 c7 13.e2 e5 14.xe5 dxe5 15.f4 , Conquest, S-Krasenkow, M/Dhaka 1995, bxa3 16.b3 ( 16.bxa3 c4 )
16...c4!? 17.bxc4 b4 ( 17...c5+ 18.h1 exf4 19.xf4 e5 20.e3 ) 18.f5 ( 18.fxe5 c3 19.xa3 xe5 ) 18...d6 19.fxe6 fxe6 20.h2 0-0; C3) 7.h4 d5 8.e2 dxe4 9.dxe4 C3a) 9...d6 10.f3 0-0 ( 10...e5 11.xb5 b8 12.bd2 0-0 13.e2 c5 14.d1 ) 11.e5 xf3 12.xf3 xe5 13.xa8 xa8 14.xa8 xa8; C3b) 9...c8?! 10.d1 b8 11.d2 c6 12.b3 c5 13.e5 xg2 14.xc5 ( 14.exf6!? xb3 15.axb3 c6 16.e5 g8 17.fxg7 xg7 18.c5 d5 19.e1 d8 20.c4 b7 21.h5 , and Black is in serious trouble ) 14...a8 15.exf6 xc5 16.fxg7 g8 17.e3 b7 18.f3 b6 19.xc5 ( 19.f5 xe3+ 20.xe3 xg7 21.a4 b4 22.d3 ) 19...xc5+ 20.f2 xf2+ 21.xf2 xg7 , and Black is over the worst, Soppe, G-Dorin, M/Pena City 1996; C4) 7.bd2 (this is the most frequently seen move, and also the normal continuation against other set-ups from Black, but other moves are not without merit either) C4a) 7...c5 is a solid alternative, e.g. C4a1) 8.e2 c7 9.d4 cxd4 10.xd4 a6 11.c4 b6 12.2b3 bxc4 13.xc4 e5 14.f5 b5 15.c7 c6 16.xc6 xc6 17.d1 ( 17.e1!? ) 17...xe4 18.xd6+ xd6 19.xd6 xg2 20.xg2 e7= Vladimirov, E-Novopashin, A/ Volgodonsk 1981; C4a2) 8.e1 c7 9.f1 e7 10.h3 0-0 11.g4 h8 12.g3 ac8 13.g5 d5 14.exd5 , and a draw was agreed upon, 1/2-1/ 2, in Nikolic, Z-Mackic, Z/Niksic 1997, even if Black is doing rather well after xd5; C4a3) 8.a4 a6 9.g5 b8 10.f4 h6 11.h3 e5 12.axb5 axb5 13.c4 c6 14.b3 e7 15.h1 0-0= Vasiukov, E-Donchenko, A/Arvier ITA 2006; C4b) 7...e7 8.e2 ( 8.e1 e5 9.a4 a6 10.b3 c5 11.d2 b4 12.c1 c4 195
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 13.dxc4 xe4 14.xe4 xe4 15.d3 Fiorito, F-Dorin, M/ARG 1995 ) 8...c5 9.a4 a6 10.b3 0-0 11.b2 b6 12.e5 dxe5 13.xe5 xe5 14.xe5 xg2 15.xg2 fd8= Huebner, R-Aleksandrov, A/Batumi 1999 ] [ C) 6.a4 b4 A) 7.e4 e7 8.e1 bd7 9.f4 b8 10.e3 1/2-1/2 was Quinteros, M-Panno, O/Buenos Aires 1975 c5 11.g4 h6 is unclear; B) 7.a5 c5 8.c3 ( 8.e4 a6 9.bd2 c6 10.c4 e7 11.e1 1/2-1/2 Maletin, PGeller, J/Nishnij Tagil RUS 2005) 8...bxc3 9.xc3 e7 10.a6 c6 11.d4 cxd4 12.xd4 xg2 13.a4+ d7 14.xg2 xa4 15.xa4 fd7 16.e3 c5 Lysyj, I-Geller, J/Nishnij Tagil RUS 2005 17.a3; C) 7.bd2 (this is, again, probably the best move for White) bd7 8.c4 a5 9.e4 e7 10.c3 d5 11.exd5 xd5 12.d2 c5 13.e2 0-0 14.fd1 c7 15.ce5 xe5 16.xe5 f6 17.g4 e7 18.c4 b6 19.f4 Todorcevic, MMackic, Z/Tivat 1995 ] [ D) 6.a3!? b4 7.c4 c5 8.e4 e7 9.a3 d5 10.exd5 exd5 11.ce5 , and White has the initiative, Sergeev, V-Manik, M/Czech Rep CZE 2004 ] 6...bd7 7.a4 [ A) 7.b3!? aims to take advantage of the loose b5-pawn and the unprotected bishop placed behind it. b8 8.a4 d5 9.c2 b4 10.c4 ( 10.e4!? b3 11.e2 looks clearly better for White.) 10...a8 11.bd2 g6 12.b3 c5 13.h3 ( 13.e4!? g7 14.g5 leaves White with a slight initiative to build on, whereas Black's queenside operations are at a standstill for now.) 13...g7 14.e3 0-0 15.d2 b6 ( 15...c7 16.h6 d5 17.cxd5 xd5!? ) 16.h6 xf3 17.xf3 d5 with chances for both players, Oztan, DMach, P/Rimavska Sobota 1996 ] [ B) 7.bd2 c5 8.e4 e7 9.e1 0-0 10.e2 b6 11.a4 a6 12.h3 c6 with a comfortable game for Black, Lenic, L-Barnaure, V/Balatonlelle HUN 2003 ] 7...a6 8.a3 [ This is a novelty over 8.axb5 axb5 9.a3
d5 10.b4 c6 11.f4 b6 12.b3 e7 13.e4!? 0-0 14.e5 fd7 15.h4 ( 15.d4!? obviously deserves attention with the bishop being buried on b7 for some time to come. Black will likely continue with g5 16.e3 f6 , claiming some counterplay, though White's chances still seem preferable. With the text move, White aims to prevent Black's p a w n a d v a n c e .) 15...a4 16.c2 ( White should give consideration to 16.d4 a8 17.a2 a7 18.fa1 a8 19.d2 f6 20.h3 f5 21.d1; 16.a2 a8 17.fa1 a7 18.h5 h6 19.d4 a8 20.d2 ) 16...c5 17.d4 cxb4 18.xb4 c7 , and Black is now fully in the game, Smyslov, V-Savon, V/Odessa 1974 ] 8...c6 9.d2 [ 9.axb5!? axb5 10.d4 d5 11.e4!? b4 is complicated, but not necessarily any better for White despite his lead in development ] 9...d5 10.b4 [ This looks like the normal move, but White can do better with the more aggressive 10.f4!? , and after e7 , then White strikes with 11.e4! with the initiative in White's hands, e. g. dxe4 12.dxe4 xe4 13.e5! xe5 14.xe5 xd1 15.fxd1 f6 16.axb5 axb5 17.xb5 ] 10...e7 11.d4 bxa4 [ 11...0-0!? can also be considered. The ga m e m o ve sh o u ld le a d t o a b a l a n c e d game ] 12.xa4 a5 13.b5?! [ White sharpens the battle, probably with Black's uncastled king in mind. But Black's position is solid and the king's situation is only a matter of temporary concern. Solid and leading to equality is 13.bxa5 xa5 14.b3 c5= ] 13...c5! And Black has taken over the initiative... 14.c2 cxb5 15.axb5 0-0 16.fb1 a4!? [ 16...g4!? 17.b3 ( 17.c4?! dxc4 18.dxc4 xg2 19.xg2 f6 20.e3 e5 is better for Black) 17...c6 18.xc5 xc5 19.d4 b6 20.h3 f6 21.c4 , and White has the initiative ] 17.c4 d7 18.b4 fc8 19.a2? [ This is a mistake of serious proportions. Instead W hite should play 19.c3! b3 196
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ( 19...dxc4 is probably better, though these lines are quite complicated, e.g. 20.xc5 xg2 21.xe7 xd4 22.xg2 cxd3 23.xd3 xd3 24.exd3 xc3 25.xa4 cc8 , and the players can get ready to shake hands.) 20.xb3 xb4 21.d2 xc3 22.xc3 d4 23.a3 xg2 24.xg2 a5 with a Benko Gambit-like position with the colours reversed. White is at least equal, bu t b e ing a 'B e nko 'it e ' m yself , I p re f e r White. ] 19...dxc4? [ 19...e5! 20.f3 dxc4 , and White's position falls apart with a thud. ] 20.dxc4 xg2 21.xg2 fe4 22.d1 e5 23.f3 e6 24.d5 f6 25.e1 ab8 26.xc5 xc5 27.e4 h5 28.h4 a8 29.c3 a6 [ Black should consider the promising 29...a3!? 30.b5 d7 31.b3 b6 32.xa3 xa3 33.xa3 xa3 34.xa3 xd5 35.cxd5 d7 , and Black has some winning chances, though the weakened kingside pawn structure is a concern for Black. ] 30.e2 g6 31.d1 f8 [ Or 31...f7 32.d3 b6 33.xc5 xc5 34.xa4 xc4 35.xc4+ xc4 36.b6 xa2 37.xc4= ] 32.c2 e6 [ 32...ab8 33.e3 c6 ] 33.e3 a6 [ Black has other moves available as well, though none of them promise any particular a d v a n t a g e : 33...c6!? 34.ed5 b3 35.b1 cb8 ] [ or 33...h6!? ] 34.ed5 f7 35.da1 ca8 36.b5 c8 37.bc3 ca8 38.b1 b3? [ 38...a3! is perfectly fine for Black, but time trouble likely played a serious role in the events on the board. ] 39.xa4! xa4 40.xa4 d4 41.d1 f5 [ 41...c8 42.ab6 c6 43.a4 ] 42.b6 e6 43.exf5 gxf5 44.c6 h7 [ 44...f4!? ] 45.ab6 e8?? 46.f6+! when Black takes the knight, then follows Qd1xh5+xe8. 1-0
213 Smyslov,Vassily Petrelli,Mark Los Polvorines op [Nigel Davies]
A05 2550 2200 1980
This game is a bit of a mismatch but provides an interesting illustration of some strategic themes. W hite takes space with 11.e4 and then more and more of it as the game progresses. Eventually Black is strangled without ever having played an active move. 1.f3 f6 2.g3 g6 3.b4 d5 4.b2 g7 5.g2 0-0 6.0-0 b6 Black's moves look sensible enough but they don't fit together that well a double fianchetto defence would be better without ...d7-d5 for example. [ A much better idea is 6...d6 though there to o W hit e h as ch an ces of a n e d ge , f o r example 7.a3 a5 8.e5 b6 9.c3 c6 10.a4 b5 11.c5!? fd7 12.xg7 xg7 13.d3 e8 was Davies, N (2505)Lane, G (2420), W rexham 1997 and now 14.b1 intending 15.Qb2+ would have given me more of a pull. ] 7.d3 b7 8.bd2 bd7 9.c4 e6 10.c2 [ I think there's also a good case for m u n c h in g a wa y o n e o f B la c k' s c e n t r a l p a w n s wi t h 10.cxd5 , f or example xd5 11.xg7 xg7 12.c2 e5 ( 12...xb4?? 13.c3+ ) 13.a3 would put Black under longterm positional pressure. ] 10...c6 11.e4 e7 12.a4 fc8 13.a5 a6? Overawed by the occasion (it's not every day that one plays against a former W orld Champion) and the problems of the position, Black commits strategic suicide. [ He had to try 13...bxa5 when 14.xa5 xb4 15.c3 e7 16.b1 c7 is unpleasant for Black but he's definitely on the board. After the text he finds himself in a vice like grip. ] 14.axb6 xb6 15.c5 bd7 16.b3 b8 17.a5 a7 18.e5 e8 19.d4 c7 20.h4 Aiming to open a second front on the kingside. b5 21.d3 d7 22.fe1 [ White could win a pawn with 22.xb7 xb7 23.xa6 , but Smyslov probably figured this would give his opponent some undeserved freedom. ] 22...f8 23.c1 d7 24.g5 e8 25.e3 197
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 f8 26.h3 b8 27.h2 e8 28.g4 c8 There's no defending those kingside dark squares. [ After 28...d7 29.f6+ xf6 ( 29...xf6 30.exf6 ) 30.exf6 h8 31.h6 Black even loses his queen. ] 29.f6+ xf6 30.exf6 d8 31.h6 e8 32.f4 h8 33.xb8 1-0
214 Stein,Leonid Rodriguez Gonzales,Jesus Capablanca mem [Nigel Davies]
A05
1968
T h is ga m e is a n e xce lle n t i llu st ra t io n o f White's strategic aims with 3.b4. He manages to nibble away Black centre pawns with 13. bxc6 and 14.c5 and then eventually takes control of the centre with his own. 1.f3 f6 2.g3 g6 3.b4 Stein liked this move, as did Smyslov. And as these are two of my favourite players I started using it myself. g7 4.b2 0-0 5.g2 d6 6.d3 bd7 7.bd2 e5 8.0-0 a5 It's not clear that Black should seek conflict on the side of the board on which he has less space. In subsequent encounters other moves have been tried, for example: [ a) 8...e8 9.c4 a5 10.a3 c6?! (Weakening the central dark squares, kind of like Rodriguez does) 11.c2 e7 12.e4 (An instructive switch to central play) f8 13.h3 h5 14.c5! dxc5 was Poley, V (2395)Hausner, I (2415), Manhems 1998, and now 15.bxa5 was probably the simplest. White is better here because it's so difficult for Black to defend his important e5 pawn. ] [ b) 8...h5 is interesting because it threatens 9. ..e4. Camara, H (2340)-Braga, C, Caxias do Sul 1975 went 9.d4 ( 9.e4!? is interesting because f5 can be met by 10.exf5 gxf5 11.xe5! ) 9...e8 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.e4 b6 and now 12.c4 was probably best, meeting a4 with 13.a3 . ] 9.a3 b6?! The knight is all wrong here, not least because of its vulnerability to the idea of c2-c4-c5. 10.c4 d7 11.b5 a4 12.c1 c5? And this is very helpful to White because it
significantly weakens Black's central pawn formation. [ 12...e7 wa s b e s t w h e n 13.c5 dxc5 ( 13...bd5 14.e4 wins a piece) 14.xe5 still gives White an excellent game because of his cen tral pawn majority and active bishops on g2 and b2. After xb5 15.xb7 ab8 16.c6 xc6 17.xc6 Black's position is unpleasant. ] 13.bxc6 xc6 [ 13...bxc6 14.c5! is very strong. ] 14.c5! dxc5 15.xc5 fd7 16.c2 e7 17.a1! Very picturesque, and something like a White ideal in the Reti Opening. Although White's pieces are posted at a distance they exert tremendous pressure. fe8 18.fc1 d5 19.e4 c7 20.d4 Finally White's central pawns push forward, and in doing so leave Black with a miserable position in which his minor pieces have difficulty finding decent squares. exd4 21.xd4 xd4 Black really wouldn't have wanted to do this, but with the bishop on c6 about to be taken he had little choice. 22.xd4 b5 23.b2 e5 24.c4 xc4 [ On 24...d3 White has 25.f6 . ] 25.xc4 d6 26.b4 ec8 27.c5 e8 28.c1 d7 29.bc4 xc5 30.xc5 c6 31.c3 f6 32.e5 After the exchange of light square bishops Black will find it difficult to defend his queenside. xg2 33.xg2 b6 34.c6 d8 35.xb6 fxe5 36.b4 d4 37.xd4 exd4 38.xd4 A clear pawn up and with ongoing pressure this is totally won for White. b7+ 39.g1 f7 40.h8 e4 41.xh7+ e6 42.h3+ d6 43.f1 c7 44.d1+ d5 45.h4 e6 46.d4 f5 47.xa4 1-0
215 Bagirov,Vladimir Polgar,Sofia Brno Morava-B (1) [Nigel Davies] 1.b3 c5 2.b2 d5 5.b5 d7 6.0-0 e6 [ This looks like an when White can try
A06 2485 2430 1991 3.e3 f6 4.f3 c6 7.d3 d6! improvement on 7...e7 to set up some pressure 198
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 with 8.xc6 xc6 9.e5 . ] 8.e4 [ With the bishop on d6 Black can meet 8.xc6 xc6 9.e5 with xe5 ( 9...c8 10.f4 would make it harder for Black to defend ) 10.xe5 after which I wonder if B l a c k c a n s a c r i f i c e a p a wn wi t h d7!? ( Of course 10...0-0 is also quite playable when 11.f4 e7 12.d2 d7 13.f3 d4 14.exd4 xf3 15.xf3 f6 16.c7 cxd4 was at least equal for Black in W ettstein, M-Postler, R/Ybbs 1968) 11.xg7 g8 12.b2 h4 13.e2 0-0-0 . White's king is certainly under pressure with the g-f ile being open and Black's bishop on c6 shadowing the g2 square. ] 8...d4! [ After 8...dxe4 9.dxe4 xe4 10.e1 W hite gets more than enough for the sacrificed pawn, for example f5 11.bd2 xd2 12.xd2N e7 13.ad1 c7 14.g5 creates very strong pressure. ] 9.bd2 [ One of the points behind Black's play is that 9.xc6 xc6 10.e5 can be answered by xf3 11.xf3 xe5 12.xb7 0-0 with a very comfortable game for Black. ] 9...e5 10.c4 e7 11.c3 0-0 12.xc6 xc6 13.cxd4 cxd4 14.a4 Trying to get a slight initiative with Nxd6 followed by Bb2-a3, but this shouldn't worry Black too much. fc8 [ 14...e8 looks fine for Black here, for example 15.xd6 xd6 16.a3 f5 brings some kingside counterplay. ] 15.h4 d7 16.f3 [ Black can meet 16.f5 with xf5 17.exf5 b4 , preventing White's rook from coming to e1 and at the same time targeting the c3 square. ] 16...g6 17.c1 e8 18.g3 c7 19.e2 g7 20.g2 White wants to play f2-f4 at a moment when he will hopef ully get some initiative on the kingside. But it's not easy to get this in without Black hitting back with ...f7f5. c6 21.a3 d7 22.d2 [ After 22.f4 Black can play exf4 23.gxf4 f5 with an excellent game. ] 22...e8 23.ae1 b6 24.c1 [ Here too 24.f4 is met by exf4 25.gxf4 f5 .] 24...b7 25.c2 a6 26.fc1 e6 27.h4
d8 28.h6 c8 [ 28...b5 29.d2 a5 would have been quite good for Black. ] 29.d2 f6 30.e1 b8 31.xc8 xc8 32.xc8+ xc8 33.c4 g7?! [ 33...d8 would have been safer. Now W hite gets the better endgame and it requires good defence for Black to hold the draw. ] 34.g5! [ 34.d2 d8 35.b4 c7 fails to make an impression on Black's solid position. ] 34...xg5 35.hxg5 b5 36.axb5 axb5 37.d6 e6 38.f3 xb3 39.xe5 e8! Aiming for an opposite colour bishop endgame. 40.xe8 xe5 41.f4 b4! 42.xb4 a4 43.fxe5 xe8 44.f2 [ 44.c5? b5 45.xd4 xd3 is also nothing. ] 44...b5 45.e2 a6 46.c5 b5 47.xd4 f8 48.c5+ e8 Despite the two extra pawns White will not be able to break through. ½-½
216 Blatny,Pavel Narciso Dublan,Marc FSGM October (5) [Tony Kosten]
A06 2476 2447 06.10.1999
1.f3 f6 2.b3 d5 3.b2 g4 4.h4!? [ This must have come as something of a surprise f or B lack! 4.e3 is the standard move here, whilst ] [ 4.e5 is sometimes played. ] 4...c6 5.h3 h5 [ In some ways this justifies Whites outlandish knight move, perhaps 5...d7 could be tried. ] 6.g4 g6 7.g2 e5 8.xg6 hxg6 Black has a solid position, with good development, but White is probably happy as he has two well-placed bishops. 9.c4 c5 10.c1 d4 11.d3 The players have reached a Benoni-type position where W hite's g2bishop is unopposed. e4!? [ Ra t h e r s p e c u la t i ve , t h e s im p l e 11...a5 was fine. ] 12.dxe4 xg4 The idea behind Black's previous move, but it might not be completely 199
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 sound. 13.hxg4 xh1+ 14.xh1 h4 Hitting the h1-bishop and threatening ...d3, with an attack on f2. 15.g2 [ 15.f3 h2 16.f1 e5 is worse. ] 15...xg4 16.f1 0-0-0 17.d2 d3 18.exd3?! [ This brings the black rook too close for comfort, 18.d1 might be more circumspect, defending the e2-pawn. ] 18...xd3 19.e5 [ Freeing the e4-square and h1-a8 diagonal. 19.e1 wa s a lso p o ssib le , wh e n f4 20.c1 e3 21.d1 d3 leads to a draw. ] 19...d4 20.e1? [ To control e2, but it almost loses. 20.xd4 xd4 21.e4 is forced, although Black has no problems after a3 ] 20...e6? Missing a great chance. [ Clearly White's idea is to answer 20...c2? with 21.e4! xe4 22.xe4 xa1 23.xc5 winning, ] [ but Black has far stronger, 20...g3!! with: 21.e4! ( 21.xb7+ is answered by b8! 22.fxg3 h3+ 23.g2 f5+ 24.f3 xf3 25.d1 g1+!; whilst 21.fxg3? loses to f5+ 22.f3 xf3 ) 21...xg2 22.xg2 e2+ 23.g1 xd2 24.xd4 xd4 when Black is slightly better, because of his activity and pressure on f2, but White may be able to hold. ] 21.e4! After this, White consolidates easily. f4 22.xb7+ d8 23.b8+ e7 [ Black's position goes from bad to worse. He can't play the normal 23...d7? because of 24.c6+! xc6 25.b5# ] 24.xc7+ f8 25.xc5+ g8 26.c6 Just in time to stop the mate on g2. xd2 27.f3 White can afford this simplification because of his extra queenside pawns. xf3 28.xf3 xb2 29.d1?! [ Missing the thematic 29.c5! as we all know that 'passed pawns must be pushed'! For example: d3 30.c6! xf2+ 31.g1 c2 ( following 31...xf3?? 32.c7 the pawn queens. ) 32.e4 c3 33.xd3 xd3 34.c1 winning at a canter. ] 29...xa2 30.d8+ h7 31.e1 b2 32.d1 a5 Black has actually managed to regain material equality. 33.d7 g8 34.c5 The problem, this pawn is very difficult to stop. b1 35.d2 b2+ 36.c2 a4 37.bxa4
e6 38.c6 b8 39.c7! The simplest, this pawn sells itself dearly. c8 40.b3 xc7 [ 40...xc7? loses a piece to 41.xe6 ] 41.xf7+ f8 42.e6 g5 43.e3 Black can hardly move. 1-0
217 Carlsen,Magnus Anand,Viswanathan Zurich Chess Challenge Blitz blitz (4) [Fier, Alexandr]
A06 2872 2773 29.1.14
This was a blitz game between two W orld Champions in what we can describe as a 'blitz' variation. Actually Carlsen's idea is not that bad, so we can take a look. 1.f3 d5 2.b3 c5 3.e4!? In my database this is called the Rieger/Simon gambit, but we can think of it as a Budapest with reversed colors. White has the extra move b3, and this can bring some funny implications. dxe4 Critical, of course. [ 3...e6 would transpose to a Sicilian, coming from the moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3 d5 4.exd5 exd5 5.b5+ and White can try to get a small edge, but this is a diff erent story ] 4.g5 Apparently this is already a novelty! White usually tries to bring the knight to e5 because of the well known trick. [ 4.e5?! is the most played move and analyzed by Rieger in an old ChessBase article. It looks like White is losing a piece, but it turns out that it's not that simple. d4? after this attractive move, White is just better ( 4...a6 this is a normal move in the Budapest and I don't see any problem with playing it here 5.b2 f6 and I don't think W hite has enough for the pawn in Ma gh so o d lo o , P ( 2 0 3 0 ) -K o wsa ri n i a , A (2289)/IRI-ch Zahedan 2012.; 4...f6 is another natural alternative and better than the text 5.b2 bd7 6.c4 b5 7.e3 a6 an d t he kn igh t is n o t d oin g well o n e 3 , Bisguier, A (2370)- Krush, I (2260)/ Parsippany m 1998.) 5.b2! and now the queen will have huge problems coming back home xb2 accepting the challenge ( 5...d6 would be the last chance to come 200
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 back, but then 4...Qd4 makes no sense) 6.c3 White threatens simply 7.Nc4 e6 ( 6...a3 7.b5+ d7 8.c4 b4 9.a3 wins the queen) 7.b5+ is given as the main line by Rieger ( 7.a3 this would be simpler, since c6 8.xc6 g4 9.e2 xe2 10.xe2 doesn't change the evaluation) 7...c6 8.xc6 a6 9.d4+ ( 9.a4 is the move analyzed and things here are not that clear b5 10.xb5 axb5 11.b1 a3 12.xb5 xa2 with some c h a o s a h e a d) 9...axb5 10.dxb5 and the queen is still trapped g4 11.f3 exf3 12.gxf3 xf3 13.xf3 xa1+ 14.e2 and Black's king will have some problems, nothing is developed ] 4...f6 [ 4...f5 would also be possible, and probably would transpose to the note to the next move after 5.c3 f6 6.b5+ c6 7.e2 ] 5.c3 [ 5.c4 I would prefer this move first, forcing 5...e6 and going for the pawn, transposing to the game e6 6.c3 c6 ] 5...c6 Anand gives back the pawn without a fight. This line is also playable with reversed colors, but for me it looks like b3 can be more useful now. [ 5...f5! is critical and it's not clear if White can have enough for the pawn 6.b5+ c6 7.e2 ( 7.xc6+ is another option and again we are following in the steps of the Budapest bxc6 8.e2 d4 9.b2 using the extra move to develop the bishop h6 10.d1 d6 11.e3 e6 12.xf5 exf5 and again White has compensation, but I'm not sure if it's enough to hold the balance) 7...h6! Black can use b3 in his own favor ( 7...d4 would be the normal answer, but here I like White's position 8.f3 exf3 9.xf3 d6 10.b2 with nice play, since Black c a n ' t p l a y xc2 b e c a u s e o f 11.d3 winning the piece) 8.gxe4 xe4 9.xe4 d4 10.c3 xc2 and Black has time to get out with the bishop before d3 comes 11.b2 g6 12.c1 e6 13.0-0 and White has some compensation, but Black is fine. Playing 5.Bc4 would avoid all this, and Black playing 4...Bf5 could bring play back to this line ]
6.c4 e6 7.b2 The next few moves are normal. e7 8.0-0 0-0 9.cxe4 xe4 10.xe4 e5? And here Black probably underestimated White's response. The attack will become really dangerous, really fast. [ 10...b6 is much better than the text and the position offers chances to both sides 11.g4 tries to bring more pieces to the kingside ( 11.e1 is ok, but afterwards White doesn't ha ve a cle ar p la n b7 12.h5 d4 13.ac1 c8 and maybe White can come with c3-d4 at some point) 11...d4 12.c3 f5!? ( 12...f5 13.d4 cxd4 14.cxd4 g6 15.ad1 is interesting for White) 13.h3 c6 14.g3 and even if White manages to take on f5, Black's pieces are better placed A) 14...xd2 can be dangerous 15.ab1 ( 15.xf5 is also possible, but White will lose an exchange in the complications xb2 16.f3! d7 17.ad1 h8 18.xd7 e5 19.e3 xd7 20.xe7 ae8 21.xe6 d2 and Black is slightly better ) 15...h8 16.b5!? Black can d e f e n d t h e k n ig h t i n a g o o d wa y e5 ( 16...b7 17.fd1 and the rook will enter the 7th rank g5 18.d7 a6 19.f4! xf4 20.xc6 xc6 21.xe7 and White is a bit better, but the position is still unclear; 16...d6 17.bd1 c7 18.fe1 e5 19.h5 with compensation) 17.h5 and White can come with 18.Rfd1 and the position is far from clear; B) 14...e5 15.xf5 f6 16.e3 xc4 17.xc4 b5 with compensation for the pawn ] 11.f4! Suddenly the position is quite d a n g e r o u s f o r B l a c k . exf4 12.h5?! One more time I think that the idea was right, but the move order not best. [ 12.xf4! d4 13.h5 g6 14.e5 would transpose to the game, avoiding 12... Be6 ] 12...d4 Now Black is already lost. It's interesting to see how the position went so wrong in 12 moves. [ 12...e6 was necessary and things are not so clear 13.xe6 other moves are not good ( 13.xf4 xc4 14.bxc4 d4 is fine for Black; 13.d3 f5 14.ae1 g6 15.h6 d4 and the attack is under control, so Black is better) 13...fxe6 14.g4 d4 201
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 15.c3 f5 16.xf4 c4! closing the long the natural development of the bishop to diagonal, with a double-edged position ] g4 saves one tempo! 7.g2 ( 7.xf6 exf6 13.xf4 g6 14.e5 b6 8.e2+ e7 9.g2 0-0! 10.cxd5? e8 ) [ 14...e6 was the last chance to play this 7...g7 8.0-0! 0-0! 9.f4 e8! 10.xg7 move, but White already has a clear edge xg7 11.d3 e6 12.d2 d7 13.f3 after 15.xe6 fxe6 16.xf8+ xf8 b6 Black squared strategy while the 17.xc5 xc5 18.xc5 c6 White has an opposing bishop hits a granite wall of extra pawn and the bishop is quite strong ] pawns on his own colour. 14.c2 fd8 15.af1 All White's pieces are centralized and 15.c3 a5 16.fd1 b4 17.b2 a4 look ing at Black's kin g. The re is alread y 18.e1 axb3 19.c2 b6 20.axb3 nothing to do and the computer gives at least xa1 21.xa1 c5 22.c3 dxc4 +10! f5 16.g4 23.bxc4 f5 24.c2 b3 25.xb3 [ 16.xf5 gxf5 17.xf5 c8 18.g5 d6 xb3 26.f1 a8 27.g4 h4! 28.d4 19.xf7 xe5 20.xe7+ e6 21.xe6 a2 29.e3 d2+ 30.g1 xg2 could be another way to finish the game ] 31.xg2 e4 32.f1 d2 33.f5 exf5 16...e6 17.xe6 fxe6 18.xf8+ xf8 34.gxf5 xd4 35.b1 d7 36.e1 g7 19.f6+ h8 20.c3 37.f3 c5 38.e2 h5 39.fxg6 fxg6 [ 20.e8+ was quicker, with a beautiful mate 40.a2 f7+ 41.g2 d3 42.c2? that Carlsen sees on the next move g8 e1+ 0-1 Brunelliere, P (2294) - Prie, E 21.h8+ xh8 22.xf8# ] (2489) Nantes op 2002 Clear, wasn't it?! ] 20...c6 21.e8+ 2...f5 3.b2 e6 4.f3 So the London 1-0 approach also works with reversed colours, with the slight difference that W hite could have played 218 A06 [ 4.f4 here under reasonable conditions. ] Chaplin,Erik 2140 4...d7 5.e2 c6 6.0-0 gf6 7.d3 d6 Prie,Eric 2516 8.bd2 e7 Actually, it is exactly the same Ouest Toulousain 2007 (3.1) 20.02.2007 position as against Karpatchev and the reason why I materialize it as a bonus game in this [Eric Prié] update... with the one difference that Black has spared the h-pawn move! 9.a3 1.b3 d5 2.e3 [ 9.h4 g6 Indeed, the fact that White has [ 2.f4 g4! ] already castled kingside provides Black with [ 2.b2 g4 the clear plan of action of castling queenside A) 3.f3 xf3 ( 3...d7 4.c4 c6 and himself creating attacking opportunities, Of course is also playable but it is thanks to the open h-file, when White will instructive for the d-Pawn Specials' World have taken the bishop. That is the problem to note that this idea of giving deliberately with playing defensive set-ups as the first up the queen's bishop against the Nf3 may player: Black systematically finds a way to be promising only in the case of an adapt... ] opposite queenside fianchetto like 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 b6 3.Bxf6 and the same plan 9...e5 10.h4 e6 11.hf3 [ 11.e4!? xe4 ( 11...0-0 ) 12.xe4 dxe4 of annihilating the potential of the 13.dxe4 c5! ( 13...xh4 14.xd6 xe4 opposing pair of bishops precisely on the 15.d3 d5 16.c7 ) 14.f5 xf5 long diagonal. ); 15.exf5 0-0-0 16.d2 f6 ( 16...e4 B) 3.c4 c6 4.f3 xf3 5.exf3 f6 6.g3 17.e3 e5 18.xe5 xe5 19.b4 a4 g6! So if White takes on f6 to inflict his 20.xa7 c3 21.c4 ) 17.a5 b8 opponent a symmetrically defective 18.ad1 ] structure, he will still have to deal with some annoying dark-squared weaknesses 11...h6 12.b4 [ 12.e4! ] because of the move b2-b3. A concern [ 12.c4 f5? 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.e4! dxe4 that is not symmetric, itself, because of 202
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 15.dxe4 xe4 16.c4 0-0 17.d3 dc5 18.xe4 xe4 19.xd6 ] 12...f5! 13.b3 [ 13.e4 dxe4 ( 13...h7 14.e1 ) 14.dxe4 xe4 15.c4 0-0-0 16.d3 e6 17.xd6+ xd6 18.xe5 xe5 19.xe5 ] 13...0-0 14.fd2 fe8 15.d4 exd4 16.xd4 g6 17.c4 a5 18.bxa5 xa5 19.a4 e5 20.2b3 [ 20.cxd5 xd5 ] 20...aa8 21.cxd5 xd5 22.a5 ad8 Y e s , I a m a c e n t r a l p l a y e r ! 23.a6? time trouble already. bxa6 24.xa6? b4-+ 25.a4 c5 26.b5 c2 27.a1 xb3 28.a7 e6 29.xd6 xd6 0-1
219 Francsics,Endre Eperjesi,Laszlo FSIMA Nov, Budapest HUN (3) [Tony Kosten]
A06 2245 2340 1997
1.d3 d5 2.f3 f6 3.f4 One of the few lines that leads to truly original positions. It is a speciality of Francsics, and, in actual fact, he is th e only p layer who seems to have played it. It is reminiscent of a known line for Black against 1 d4. c5 The most ambitious reply [ 3...c6 is a solid alternative 4.c3 ( 4.bd2 b6! 5.b3 g6 6.c3 g7 exploiting the a1-h8 diagonal 7.c2 h5 8.g3 d7 and black already has an edge, Francsics, EMas,H/Budapest 1997.) 4...g4 ( Now, 4...b6 achieves nothing af ter 5.c2 ) 5.bd2 bd7 6.h3 h5 7.a4 e6 is level, Francsics,E-Szeberenyi,A/ Budapest 1997 ] 4.c3 [ 4.bd2 g4 ( 4...b6 causes more problems ) 5.e4 e6 6.h3 h5 7.c3 c6 8.b3 b6 is fairly equal, Francsics,ELehmann,Z/ Budapest 1997 ] 4...c6 5.bd2 h5! Black forces the exchange of White's active bishop, and gains the bishop pair. [ 5...g6 is simpler, but allows White to maintain his dark-squared bishop on the h2b8 diagonal, 6.h3 g7 7.g4!? h5 8.g5
h7 9.g1 e5 10.h2 reaching an original position, but one that should be a bit better for Black Francsics,E-Eperjesi,L/ Budapest1997 ] 6.g3 g6 Black does not rush to capture the bishop, as it is not going to run away! 7.e4 [ 7.h4 h6 and ...g5, forces the retreat of the white bishop to g3, anyway ] 7...g7 8.b3 d4 Black gains space in the centre. 9.c1 xg3 10.hxg3 0-0 11.d5?! An original idea, but not particularly effective. dxc3 12.bxc3 xd5 Black is happy with a promising endgame, but [ 12...a5! was even better, Black can certainly play for the attack with a lead in development, and with the white king stuck in the centre 13.b3 e6 , black enjoys a strong initiative. ] 13.exd5 b8 14.d4 d7 15.b3 cxd4 16.fxd4 White has managed to obtain some sort of position, but his hanging pawns, and Black's bishop pair, are likely to tell against him in th e lo n g ru n . b6 17.c4 d7 18.h4!? Another original move from White, developing his out-of-play king's rook. fc8 19.e4 f6 20.g4 a5! 21.c2 a4 22.cd4 b6 23.c2 h5! After a little repetition, Black finds a better plan. 24.f3 Unfortunately, [ 24.gxh5 loses rapidly, to f5 25.e2 xc4 when the white position falls apart. ] 24...hxg4 25.fxg4 g5 26.d2 a4 Black is winning material. 27.d4 c5 28.e5 f6 29.2f3 xe5 30.xe5 g7 31.b1 a4 Black's extra exchange is more than sufficient to win. 32.b6 a6 33.b2 e6 34.d3 exd5 35.cxd5 0-1
220 Hodgson,Julian M Speelman,Jonathan S ch Millfield ENG (2) [Tony Kosten]
A06 2640 2623 01.08.2000
B y wh a t a b e rr a t io n o f t h e S wis s p a ir in g sys t e m t h e t wo st ro n ge st p la ye rs i n t h e tournament were facing each other as early as round two, I don't know! 1.b3 d5 2.f3 f6 3.b2 g4 4.xf6!? 203
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ Well, according to my databases this is already a novelty. 4.e5 is usual, when f5 5.d3 bd7 is level, Grigorian,K-Lein,A/Baku 1972. White is trying to play 'Trompowskystyle' with a tempo less. ] 4...gxf6 5.e3 g7 6.h3 xf3!? Another surprising move, Black voluntarily concedes one of his bishops. 7.xf3 f5 8.d4 c5 Logical play, Black is softening the white queenside dark squares, weakened by White's first move, and left without a defender by his fourth. 9.c3 c6 10.b5 a5 11.xc6+ bxc6 12.0-0 [ Presumably, White is happy with his position, else he would have played 12.xf5 w h i c h l e a d s t o a d r a w , b y f o r c e : cxd4 13.exd4 xd4! 14.b4 b6 15.cxd4 xd4 (this seems to win the rook, but) 16.c2! xa1 17.xc6+ f8 18.xa8+ g7 19.xd5 (forced) xb1+ 20.e2 xh1 21.g5+ f8 22.h6+ with a perpetual check. Still, when analysing lines as long as this there is always the fear that something will be missed! ] 12...e6 13.a3?! [ Careless, White wishes to achieve the positionally desirable advance of his b-pawn, b u t t h e r e i s a s n a g . 13.c1 is better, relieving the knight of the defence of c3, 0-0 14.a3 ab8 15.d2 cxd4 16.b4 c7 17.cxd4 when Nb3 is coming, so Black must react with a5! and equality. ] 13...b8! 14.b4?! [ This loses a sound pawn, and the game. W hite had to try 14.d1 0-0 ( 14...f4!? ) 15.d2! xc3 16.c1 b2 17.xc5 level. ] 14...cxb4 15.cxb4 xb4 The point, the apawn is pinned. 16.axb4 xa1 17.g3 0-0 18.c7 b2 Keeping the knight under control. 19.xa7 f4! White's dark squares a re c re a k in g u n d e r t h e p re ssu re . 20.exf4 xb4 21.d1 b3 22.c1 b2 Now Black is really on top. 23.a3 b8 24.f5 xa3 25.xa3 b3 26.b1 [ B a c k t o b a se , 26.c2? loses to c3 , 'pinning and winning'. ] 26...xd4 27.fxe6 fxe6 28.d2 b2 29.f3 Losing the f-pawn with check, although t h e r e wa s n o t h i n g t o b e d o n e , a n yw a y . Despite this early setback, the defending
champion, Julian Hodgson, went on to an emphatic victory. 0-1
221 Kortschnoj,Viktor Vallejo Pons,Francisco Match g/1h+25s (4) [Tony Kosten]
A06 2568 2679 10.07.2004
1.f3 d5 2.b3 This is the best way of playing Larsen's Opening, in my opinion, with his first move W hite stops Black from playing ...e5, and blocking the a1-h8 diagonal. The one disadvantage is that White can no longer play 'Bird's style' lines involving an early f4. g4 3.e3 White stops the doubling of the pawns, [ 3.b2 xf3 4.exf3 was analysed in Taimanov, M-Volzhin,A. ] 3...d7 4.b2 gf6 5.h3 xf3 Black aims for a solid structure, and quick development. [ 5...h5 is more ambitious, but Black has to beware W hite playing an appropriate g4, followed by g5 or h4. ] 6.xf3 c6 7.g4! With the bishop pair White can afford to advance his pawns more easily, here he intends to embarrass the knight on f6, and soften the long diagonal. e5 The most ambitious move, although the solid [ 7...e6 is a popular alternative, 8.c3 ( 8.h4!? h6 9.d3?! a5+! and White had some problems, Garcia Palermo,C-Godena, M/ R e g g i o E m i l i a 1 9 9 4 , b e ca u s e 10.c3? i s i m p o s s i b l e , e5 win s t he g-p awn .) 8...d6 9.g5 g8 10.h4 e7 with sharp p l a y, B a s a gi c , Z -M i ka c, M / M a ri b o r S L O 2004. ] 8.g5!? In the same match, Korchnoi also tried [ 8.c3 here: g6 ( 8...c5 9.e2!? d6 10.g3 g6 Grivas,E-Gavrilakis,N/Athens 1996 ) 9.h4 d6 10.h5 (single-minded!) e7 11.0-0-0 0-0-0 12.b1 c5 13.hxg6 hxg6 14.g2 e6 and Black is at least equal, Korchnoi,V-Vallejo Pons,F/Vera ESP 2004. ] 8...e4 9.h4 d6 [ 9...b4!? 10.h3 e7 11.xd7+ xd7 12.xe5 ( 12.a3 d6 13.b4 is interesting, threatening to win the e4-knight) 12...0-0 13.a3 a5 14.b4 c7 15.xc7 xc7 204
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 with some compensation for the pawn in Taimanov,M-Davies,N/Gausdal 1992. ] 10.h3 e7 11.d3 ec5 12.d2 Play is balanced, White has the bishop pair and his kingside spearhead, whilst Black has a better central presence. a5!? Black tries to dissuade White from castling long. Previously, Black had bravely played [ 12...0-0!? when 13.0-0-0?! ( 13.f5!? plans Qg2 and h5, the white king looks reasonably safe in the centre; 13.e4 d4 14.c4 immediately is also possible) 13...a5 14.e4 d4 15.g4 a4 16.c4 axb3 17.axb3 c7 looked rather good for Black who threatens ...b5 and ... Ra2, Barle, JZelcic,R/Balatonbereny 1994. ] 13.e4 d4 14.c4 c7 15.a3!? An annoying pin, White threatens to capture on d7. f8 16.c3! A clever tactic. d8 [ 16...dxc3?! is met by 17.e3 b6 18.c1 when W hite will regain the c3-pawn and then shatter the black structure by capturing on c5. ] 17.b4!? Korchnoi continues to play sharply. axb4 18.cxb4 b5! Black is up to the task, [ 18...a6?! allows the forcing line 19.b5 b4 20.d1 cxb5 21.b1 bxc4 22.a4+ d7 23.xb4 with advantage. ] 19.xe5 xe5 20.bxc5 g6 21.f5 A f t e r a ll t h e t a ct ica l p la y t h e p o sit io n i s approximately level, White has an extra pawn but his structure is worse. f4 22.c1 g6 23.g4 a8 24.xf4 White heads for the opposite-colour bishop ending, which should be drawn, but otherwise the knight on f4 was to o s t ro n g. xf4 25.xf4 xf4 26.d1 The bisho p is ide ally p laced on b3 , b ot h defending a2 and attacking f7. h6 27.g1 hxg5 28.hxg5 a3! 29.b3 h5 This is OK, but Black must have been very short of time as h e co uld simply ca pture immediately: [ 29...xg5 the bishop cannot be captured because of ...Rh1+ winning the a1-rook. ] 30.e2 xg5 31.h1 e7 32.xh5 gxh5 33.g1 f8 34.g3 a7 35.f3 White finally manages to attack f7, but Black is prepared for its defence. xc5 36.f5 a3 37.xh5 c5? A very bad move, almost anything else drew easily, e.g. [ 37...g7 38.f4 c7 intending...c5-c4. ]
38.h8+ e7 There was no way to avoid losing a pawn, [ 38...g7 39.b8 b4 40.c8 and the cpawn drops. ] 39.xf7 T h e p o i n t . c4? 40.xc4 Another pawn drops, Rh7+ is still threatened, so the bishop is still safe from capture. 1-0
222 Nogueiras Santiago,Jesus David,Vincent Open Cappelle la Grande FRA (7) [Tony Kosten]
A06 2528 2356 27.02.2003
A friend of mine has just taken up 1 e4, and was telling me how much shorter his games seemed to be. Perhaps I should show him this miniature, where Black makes no obvious blunder and gets completely flattened by 1 Nf3! 1.f3 d5 2.e3!? An interesting moveord er, p erhap s W hite wa s worried ab ou t Black trying to hang on to the pawn after [ 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3 which is the normal way this position arises. ] 2...f6 3.c4 dxc4 4.a3!? Unusual, but perfectly logical, W hite brings the queen's knight to the useful c4-square, rather than play the obvious [ 4.xc4 as in Zvjaginsev,V-Svetushkin,D/ Linares ESP 2000. ] 4...e6 [ 4...g6 5.xc4 g7 6.b3 0-0 7.b2 c5 8.e2 is fairly level, Froehlich,P-Hjelm,N/ Budapest HUN 2000, but there is a lot of play in the position, of course. ] 5.xc4 a6 A new move, but hardly surprising in a position that has hardly ever been played! [ 5...c5 6.b3 e7 7.b2 0-0 8.e2 c6 9.0-0 b6 10.b1!? b7 11.d1 was seen in Suba,M-De la Villa Garcia,J/ Sevilla 1993. ] 6.b3 e7 7.b2 b6 8.ce5!? White's play is original, and aggressive, [ 8.e2 would be similar to the Suba game. ] 8...b7 9.g5 The first point, White forces Black to castle to prot ect the f -pawn . 0-0 10.c4 With nasty threats to f7 and e6. d5 Of course, no human would seriously consider capturing the g-pawn: 205
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 10...xg2? 11.g1 ( 11.exf7!? xf7 12.xe6 xh1 13.xf7+ h8 14.c2 is also rather strong) 11...d5 12.c2 xc4 13.bxc4 and Black is lost, as h6 ( 13...bd7 14.xd7 xd7 15.xf6 a t t a c k s h 7) 14.xe6! fxe6 15.xg7+! xg7 16.g6+ h8 17.0-0-0 forces a quick mate. ] [ 10...d5 might be a better try. ] 11.h4 xg5 Black must have been reluctant to open the h-file, but [ 11...h6 12.f4 looks very uncomfortable. ] 12.hxg5 xg5 13.f3 The immediate threat is Rh5, followed by a concerted attack on h7. f5?! The black position is very difficult, but this doesn't seem to help too much, [ 13...a7 14.h5 e7 15.h3 f6 16.g5 might resist longer, but I know which side I would like to be on! ] 14.0-0-0 b5 15.h5 This just wins! xh5 Desperation, but [ 15...f6 16.dh1 h6 17.g3 h7 18.g4! fxg4 19.xf6 is crushing. ] 16.xh5 bxc4 17.bxc4 Black has little compensation for the queen, and the white attack continues anyway. 1-0
223 Short,Nigel D Wells,Peter K 98th ch Sheffield ENG (10.2) [Nigel Davies]
A06 2687 2489 04.08.2011
1.b3 d5 2.b2 c5 3.e3 a6 There is some logic behind this move in that it prevents W hite f rom playing h is bish op ou t t o b5 , indeed this motivates the Petrosian System of the Queen's Indian Defence (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.a3) . But is it really worth doing this when you're Black? 4.f3 c6 5.d4 [ I w o u l d b e s e r i o u s l y t e m p t e d b y 5.c4 at this point, arguing that 'active play' is more likely to exploit Black's slow development. Here is Viktor Korchnoi's interpretation: d4 6.exd4 cxd4 7.d3!? g6 8.0-0 g7 9.e1 h6 10.e4 0-0 11.d3 e8 12.e2 a5 13.xc6 bxc6 14.bd2 f5 15.e4 h5 16.a3 e5 17.c5 f8 18.xf8 xf8 19.a3 and at this point White wa s d o i n g q u i t e we l l i n K o r t s c h n o j , V
(2659)-Rabinovich, A (2406)/Ramat Aviv 2000, though he later went on to lose. ] 5...g4 6.e2 e6 7.0-0 f6 8.bd2 c8 Another slow move after which W hite manages to trouble his opponent by opening things up. Other moves have done better here: [ a) 8...e7 9.c4 0-0 10.h3 f5 11.h4 e4 12.hf3 g6 13.h4 cxd4 14.xg6 hxg6 15.exd4 c7 16.cxd5 xd5 and Black stood quite nicely in Rodriguez, A-Bronstein, D (2455)/Ubeda 1996. ] [ b) 8...a5!? 9.e5 xe2 10.xe2 cxd4 11.xc6 bxc6 12.xd4 b4 13.f3 c3 14.xc3 xc3 15.d3 e4 and White's position was far from comfortable in Pohla, H (2340)-Khenkin, I (2530)/Cappelle la Grande 1992. ] 9.c4 cxd4 10.xd4 xe2 11.xe2 xd4 [ Another possibility is 11...e7 , but there too Black's position is far from comfortable. After 12.cxd5 xd4 13.xd4 xd5 14.c4 b5 15.xf6 gxf6 16.g4 f8 17.ad1 Black's difficulty in getting his h8 rook into play left him worse in Vassallo Barroche, M (2290)-Eslon, J (2420)/Valencia 1992. ] 12.xd4 c5 13.xf6 xf6 14.cxd5 exd5 15.f3 0-0 16.ad1 fd8 17.d3 d4?! This seems like an overreaction to W hite's slight pressure af ter which Black loses a pawn. [ 17...e6 18.fd1 e4 is better, when Black's position seems quite playable. ] 18.exd4 xd4 19.e4 b6 20.xd8+ xd8 21.xb7 g6 Maybe Black thought that the vulnerability of White's f2 square would give him adequate counterplay here. But his forces now get distracted by the possibility of a W hite passed pawn emerging on the queenside. 22.b4 d3 23.a4 d6 24.a5 c7 25.g3 b3 26.c1 d8 27.e1 f6 28.e4 d1+ 29.e1 g7 30.g2 b2? A blunder after which it's easy for White. [ 30...b1 would have made it a lot harder for White. ] 31.xa6 c3 32.c4 d2 Losing on the spot. [ 32...xe1 33.xe1 d2 34.c5 xb4 was the way to continue fighting, though after 35.e5+ g8 36.e4 the combined 206
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 problems of the threats against Black's king and the passed a-pawn would be too much. ] 33.d3 c2 34.e7 1-0
224 Speelman,Jonathan S Cooper,John Grantley 4NCL West Bromwich ENG (1) [Tony Kosten]
A06 2583 2318 23.11.2002
1.f3 d5 2.b3 c5 3.e3 c6 Quite normal, although it does give White a tempo over a Nimzo position. We have already looked at [ 3...a6 as in Speelman,J-Nikolic,P/Solingen GER 2001. ] 4.b5 g4 5.h3 [ 5.b2 c8 6.c4 e6 7.cxd5 exd5 8.0-0 f6 was fairly level in Timman,J-Sokolov,I/ Wijk aan Zee NED 1999. ] 5...h5 6.a3!? Typical Speelman originality, and an innovation of course! [ 6.g4 g6 7.e5 d6 8.b2 would be a 'Nimzo' method of continuing, except that, wi t h t h e b la ck ki n g ' s kn i gh t s t i ll o n i t s original square, f6!? is possible, 9.xc6+ ( 9.xg6 hxg6 10.d3!? can be met by 0-0-0!? 11.xg6 e5 12.f5+ e6 wit h go o d c o m p e n s a t io n f o r t h e p a wn) 9...bxc6 10.xg6 hxg6 11.d4?! cxd4 12.xd4 e5 and Black had built a handylooking centre, Pinterne Kovacs,M-Berecz,A/ HUN 1995. ] 6...e6 7.c4 d6 [ 7...c8 would avoid the immediate doubling of the c-pawns. ] 8.cxd5 exd5 9.xc6+ bxc6 10.c3 It is clear that White plans a full assault on the c5-pawn, in classic Nimzovitch style. f6 11.c1 0-0 12.a4 c4!? [ 12...xf3! 13.xf3 e4 is an alternative, as t h e c 5 -p a wn is in d ire ct ly d e f e n d e d : 14.xc5? a5 15.xe4 dxe4 and the double attack wins a piece. ] 13.xd6 xd6 14.bxc4 d4!? [ 14...xf3 15.xf3 b4 16.d1 d4 ( or 16...dxc4!? ) 17.0-0 fd8 seems to offer ample compensation for the pawn. ] 15.g4 xg4!? This is fun, but
[ 15...dxe3! wa s s t r o n g e r , e . g . 16.gxh5 ( 16.dxe3 b4+ 17.c3 g6 18.a4 is safer, but White's light squares are weak) 16...exf2+ 17.xf2 e4+ 18.f1 f4!? threatening ...Nxd2+, ( 18...g3+ 19.g2 xh1 20.xh1 is not so clear, but I prefer the two knights over the rook) 19.d4! ( 19.h2 ad8 20.d3 fe8 might favour Black ) 19...ad8 20.g1 g3+ 21.g2 fe8 22.c2 f5 with a strong attack. ] 16.hxg4 xg4 17.g1 xf3?! This is too acquiescent, [ 17...h5?! didn't keep the pin, because of 18.g5 but ] [ 17...f5! was reasonable, 18.c5!? d5 19.g3 xa2 with play for the piece, although White is on top. ] 18.xf3 a3 19.d1 Forced (as the knight has no squares), but good. ab8 20.g3 fe8 21.f1 dxe3 22.xe3 White consolidates. d6 23.c3 1-0
225 Speelman,Jonathan S Nikolic,Predrag Bundesliga 2000-1 (9) [Tony Kosten]
A06 2623 2657 18.02.2001
1.f3 d5 2.b3 c5 3.e3 [ White has to be careful, the natural 3.b2?! allows f6! and Black might already be better, th e f a mo u s P et rosian , T -Fisch e r, R 6 t h ma t ch ga m e , f ro m Bu e no s A ires 19 7 1 , continuing 4.c4 d4 5.d3 e5 6.e3 e7 7.e2 ec6 8.bd2 e7 9.0-0 0-0 10.e4 a6 ] 3...a6!? Why not? Black plays a reverse 4 a3 Queen's Indian will the extra tempo change anything? 4.b2 c6 5.d4 cxd4 6.xd4 f6 7.c4 [ So there is some advantage to be had from the extra move. With colours reversed this would allows an annoying bishop check, but here Black's e-pawn is still unmoved. 7.d2 White plays exactly as if he had Black! e6 8.e2 d6 9.c4 0-0! 10.cxd5 exd5 gave Black a very comfortable IQP game in Andersson,U-Spassky,B/ Gothenburg 1971. ] 207
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 7...e6 8.cxd5!? [ Actually a novelty, if very logical. 8.d2 xd4 9.xd4 e7 10.e2 0-0 11.0-0 d7 12.cxd5 xd5 13.f3 b5 is level, Hodgson,J-Rogers,I/Breda 1999. ] 8...xd4 [ Black plays for equality in the coming e n d g a m e , b u t 8...b4+ 9.c3 a5 is an interesting alternative. ] 9.xd4 xd5 10.d2 d7 11.a3 c8 Black is first to reach the open c-file. 12.c4 xd4 13.xd4 b5 14.e2 [ 14.b6?! c6 15.xb5?! axb5 traps the white knight. ] 14...c5 15.xf6!? gxf6 Black is not too worried about the doubled pawns, his bishop pair provides sufficient compensation. 16.f3 c7 17.0-0 e7 [ Black obviously likes his position, 17...xc4 18.bxc4 leads to an immediate draw. ] 18.fc1 hc8 19.g3 d7 20.b2 f5 21.d1 e8 22.a4 b6 23.e2 b5 24.axb5 axb5 25.d3 d6 26.b4 c3 27.f1 White is on the defensive, but his position is solid. 8c7 28.a6 c6 29.b6 b3 [ The game peters-out after this, 29...e5!? s e e m s s t r o n g , b u t t h e n 30.e1 ( rather than 30.c5 xc5 31.bxc5 xc5 32.b1 e4 33.1xb5 xb5 34.xb5 c1 and W hite can def end by 35.b3 f3 36.b2 . Still, this is not a very pleasant proposition as W hite can only move his rook! ) 30...xb4 31.xb5 ] 30.c5 xc5 31.bxc5 f3 32.c1 b4 33.g2 xg2 34.xg2 c3 35.b1 3xc5 ½-½
226 Speelman,Jonathan S Sermek,Drazen EuTCh Leon ESP (9) [Tony Kosten]
A06 2596 2577 15.11.2001
The part played by White's backward c2-pawn in this game seems incredible, although it never quite made it to the queening square. 1.f3 c5 2.b3 d5 3.e3 g6 4.b2 f6 5.b5+ [ Normal, although Kramnik preferred 5.c4 when he had this position. ]
5...d7 [ 5...c6?! allows White to double the cpawns, 6.0-0 g7 7.xc6+ bxc6 8.d3 White has a promising Nimzo-style position, Hansson,D-Thorhallsson,T/Grundarfjordur 1986. ] 6.xf6!? [ Played in Trompovsky style, and reminiscent of Hodgson, J-Speelman,J, also t o b e f o u n d u n d e r [ A 0 6 ] . 6.e2 is 'standard', g7 7.xd7+ bxd7 8.c4 seems fairly level, Larsen,B-Donner,J/Palma de Mallorca 1971. ] 6...exf6 7.xd7+ xd7 8.0-0 g7 9.d4 White hastens to close the a1-h8 diagonal. f5 Black frees his bishop, and gains control of e4, the position closely resembles the Trompovsky with 3...d5 now, except that White would keep his b-pawn on b2 there, of course. 10.c3 [ Perhaps surprisingly, this exact position is not new, as in Savoya,A-Olivier,J/Metz 1994, W hite continued 10.c4!? dxc4 11.bxc4 c6 12.c3 0-0 with absolutely no problems for Black. ] 10...0-0 11.e2 The idea behind White's plan, t h e kn ig h t c o n t r o ls b o t h f 4 a n d d 4 . cxd4 12.fxd4 d6 13.c1 d8 14.d2 d7 B l a c k d e ve l o p s s e n s i b l y , h i s d - p a w n i s 'nothing to write home about', but the backward white c2-pawn is no better. 15.fd1 f6 e4 is a fine square for the black knight in such positions, as chasing it by f3 will weaken the white dark squares. 16.a5! a6 17.c4 Watch this pawn! White opens the game to take advantage of his slightly superior development, and anyway, he couldn't realistically achieve anything with his c-pawn stuck on c2 anyway. dxc4 18.bxc4!? [ More double-edged than 18.xc4 ] 18...ac8 19.c5 [ This move fixes the black b-pawn and prepares to attack this on the b-line. Note that there are no tactics for White along the d - f i l e , a s 19.xf5?? loses to the backranker xd1+ ] 19...e5 20.b6 g4 21.h3?! [ It is difficult to know what to say about such a m o ve ! I c a n o n l y a s su m e t h a t W h it e decided to pursue a win at all costs, as the 'forced' 21.f3 xd1+ 22.xd1 xc5 208
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 23.xb7 appears quite level. ] 21...h2+ 22.f1 h1+ 23.g1 h2+ 24.e2 xd4! [ This appears winning, whilst 24...xg2? allows the riposte 25.xf5! xd1 26.e7+ with fair chances. ] 25.xb7! [ White hopes to gain some swindling chances with his passed c-pawn, 25.xd4?! xd4 26.exd4 e8+ 27.d3 xg2 is the ugly point, mate is unlikely to be far off. ] 25...b8 [ 25...g7 26.c6 e8 ( 26...xg2? 27.xd8+ xd8 28.c7 xb7 29.cxd8+ ) 27.c7 is far from clear, the black queen and knight are stuck out of play. ] 26.c6! Forced, the black rook cannot be allowed to the second rank. xg2 [ Taking the chance to extract his queen, whilst pinning the c-pawn. However, 26...e8! 27.xd4 xb7 28.cxb7 xg2 seems crushing, as 29.b4 g7 30.b8 xb8 31.xb8 and now f4! starts a dangerous attack. ] 27.xd4 dc8?! [ 27...xb7 28.xd8+ g7 29.cxb7 xb7 30.d2 is better than the previous variation, but should still offer more fun to Black. ] 28.d7 [ White decides that it is time to keep his queen on the board, as 28.xb8 xb8 29.c7 c a n b e m e t b y t h e f o rce d a8 30.cxb8+ xb8 ] 28...b2+ 29.d2 [ White finds himself in a mating net following 29.d3? f8 30.c7 xf2 ] 29...xd2+ 30.xd2! [ The white queen is required to support the c-pawn, 30.xd2 xc6 31.d8+ g7 32.d4+ f6 favours Black. ] 30...xf2+ 31.d3 f8 32.c7 f1! W i t h o u t t h i s m o v e B l a c k wo u l d b e l o s t ! 33.c3! [ Not 33.c8?? d2+ 34.c4 xc1+ 35.b4 xc8 ] 33...xe3+ 34.b2 b6+ [ It is understandable that Black didn't want t o r i s k t h e e x c h a n g e s a c 34...xg1!? 35.c8 xc8 36.xc8+ g7 37.c7 but it was his last winning try. ]
35.a1 f6+ 36.b1 b6+ 37.a1 ½-½
227 Taimanov,Mark E Volzhin,Alexander Petrov mem, St Petersburg RUS (4) [Tony Kosten]
A06 2490 2510 1998
1.f3 d5 2.b3 This is might seem the best time to play this move, after having controlled e5, so that Black cannot reply ...e5 and close the a1-h8 diagonal. However, there is also a disadvantage. g4 The best reply. 3.b2 If instead [ 3.e3 then e5! ] 3...xf3 4.exf3 [ 4.gxf3 e6 5.e3 f6 6.f4 is also possible, with complicated play. ] 4...e6 5.d4 [ 5.f4 first, may well prove to be a better move order. ] 5...g6! A strong new move, Black intends to change the dark-squared bishops, before exploiting his structural plus. 6.d2 g7 7.f4 White takes a firm grip of e5. c5!? 8.b5+ c6 9.0-0 ge7 10.f3 0-0 Black has completed his development, and can now turn his attention to the attack on d4. 11.b1?! White unpins the d4-pawn, by defending b2, but [ 11.c3 was better, as after cxd4 12.cxd4 b6 White will be able to play a later Ne5, to mask the d4-weakness. ] 11...cxd4 Not bad, but [ 11...xd4! 12.xd4 b6 seems to win a pawn. ] 12.xc6?! After this move, Black gains a clear positional advantage, but even [ 12.xd4 xd4 13.xd4 xd4 14.xd4 is better for Black after a5 as c2, and c3, are weak, and Black can simply double rooks on the c-file. ] 12...xc6 13.xd4 xd4 14.xd4 xd4 15.xd4 a5 The dust has cleared, and all the minor pieces have been exchanged. It is clear that Black has a structural plus, f4, and a2, are weak, but it is the white weakness along the open c-file that is the most telling. 16.fc1 ac8 17.h4 h5 There is no point 209
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Black allowing his opponent any counterplay on the kingside. 18.a4 c6 The worst thing about this position for W hite, is that Black doesn't even have to do anything clever to win. First, he doubles his rooks on the only open file. 19.g3 fc8 20.b4 Desperation, but passive defence by [ 20.d1 c3 21.g2 c5 22.b2 is completely hopeless, anyway. ] 20...xa4 21.a1 b5 22.xa7 c4 23.c3 d4 An elementary conversion of positional advantage into material advantage. 24.a5 c6 25.e5 dxc3 26.b5 d7 27.e3 c2 There is a certain poetic justice in the fact that W hite's weaknesses on the c-file have disappeared, but been replaced by an e n o r m o u s b la ck c -p a wn ! 28.h2 d6 29.e2 d4 30.f3 d2 31.e3 W hite could easily have resigned here, he has absolutely no counterplay. d4 32.e1 xc1! 33.xc1 d1 0-1
Typical Shirov, this may not be best, but in a rapid game it will certainly set some problems. 17.xc5?! [ 17.g5!? is int e re st in g: fd7 18.xc5 xc5 19.xc5 ( 19.b4!? d3 20.xe4 xb4 21.xb7 is wild, but may favour White ) 19...xc5 20.xe4 g3+ 21.g2 xg5 22.d5 looks fairly drawish. ] 17...xc5 18.xc5 xc5 From here the queen surveys g5, so W hite can no longer kick the knight from the defence of e4. 19.e2 fe8 20.ac1 ad8 Black is a little better, he has more space and a useful e-pawn. 21.c3?! An odd move, why not contest the dfile by [ 21.cd1 ? ] 21...d4 22.e3 ed8 Black controls all the dark squares. 23.e1 b4? [ Allowing a stupid tactic, the positional 23...g5 keeps White 'under the cosh'. ] 24.g5 Winning the key e4-pawn. d3?! [ 24...h7 25.xe4 xb2 is not too clear. ] 25.c1 [ 25.xd3! xd3 26.c1 h5 27.xe4 228 A07 is very good for White. ] Azmaiparashvili,Zurab 2676 25...h5?! [ 25...h7 26.xe4 xc3 27.bxc3 xc4 Shirov,Alexei 2715 is a better chance. ] FIDE GP Dubai UAE (3.3) 05.04.2002 26.xe4 d2 27.d5 8xd5 This looks nice, [Tony Kosten] but has an enormous flaw! 28.cxd5 f4 1.g3 d5 2.g2 f6 3.d3 c6 4.d2 g4 29.f3?? Terrible, White misses [ 29.xd2!! (or White can play a check first) 5.h3 h5 6.gf3 bd7 7.0-0 e5 8.e4 d6 xd2 30.c8+ h7 31.ee8 xg5+ 9.exd5 cxd5 10.g4!? A novelty in this well32.f1 when Black has no sensible way to known position. stop Rh8 mate. ] [ The speciality of Vaganian 10.c4 0-0 11.cxd5 xd5 is standard, and I have 29...xf3 30.xd2 f4 Now White has only c o n s i d e r e d t h i s i n t h e g a m e B r i c a r d - one way to avoid mate on g2, what a turnaround! 31.xf4 xf4 32.d1 xg5+ Kosten. ] 10...g6 11.h4 White takes the two bishops 33.f1 f8 but loosens his kingside. 0-0 12.xg6 hxg6 0-1 13.c4 Softening-up the long diagonal. [ 13.g5!? is best met by h7 ( rather than A07 13...h5 14.xd5 xg5+ 15.g4 ) 229 Berkes,F 2679 14.xd5 xg5 when the white kingside is weak. ] Spoelman,W 2541 13...c5! 14.b3 dxc4 15.dxc4 c7 Bundesliga 2012-13 (7) 02.02.2013 Black must avoid the exchange of queens, [John Bartholomew] the endgame would be very unpleasant for him because of W hite's bishops, but in the The Réti line featured in this contest tends to middlegame White's weakened kingside will produce finely nuanced middlegames. 1.f3 o f f e r c o m p e n s a t i o n . 16.e3 e4!? d5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 c6 4.0-0 g4 5.d3 210
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 bd7 6.e1 Eschewing the usual Nb1-d2 for now. [ Refer to the archives for extensive coverage of 6.bd2 , which is more popular by a factor of six. Play could easily transpose of course, and the position after move nine in this game is in fact most frequently seen via the 6.Nbd2 move order. ] [ A different path altogether is 6.c4 , i.e. e6 7.cxd5! as we saw last month in Carlsen, M (2861)-Karjakin, S (2780) W ijk aan Zee 2013/[John Bartholomew]. ] 6...e5 [ Nikita Vitiugov (recent winner of the Gibraltar Open) headed for a standard setup against 6...e6 in the following game but failed to achieve much: 7.bd2 d6 8.h3 h5 9.e4 c7 10.b3 0-0 11.b2 e5 12.h4 fe8 13.f5 c5 14.h1 a5 15.a3 ad8= Vitiugov, N (2703)-Frolyanov, D (2564) Tyumen 2012. Here White struck boldly with 16.f4!? , but exf4!? ( 16...dxe4 17.xe4 xe4 18.dxe4 g6 19.h4 exf4 20.gxf4 f8 21.e2 e7 22.g4 was the game continuation) 17.xf4 g6! would have been exceedingly sturdy for Black. He's threatening ...Nf6-h5 and one gets the impression that W hite is overextended. ] 7.e4 dxe4 8.dxe4 An important position. c5 This natural bishop development is chosen more than half the time at this juncture. [ 8...e7 is probably the most solid choice. Following 9.bd2 0-0 10.h3 h5 11.h4 e8 12.c4 f8 13.g5 c7 14.a4 Blac k 's po s it io n h a s b ee n sho wn t o b e reliable enough, e.g. a5 15.h2 e6 16.d2 b6 17.e3 c5 18.f3 d8 19.c3 ee8 20.f2 e6 21.d1 c5 Aronian, L (2825)-Tomashevsky, E (2738) Moscow 2012. ] [ Also worthy of consideration is 8...d6!? , intending to retreat the bishop to c7 when harassed. White has been unable to show much against this unusual approach, i.e. 9.a4 0-0 10.bd2 e8 11.h3 h5 12.h4 c7 13.c4 c5 14.f5 g6 15.d2 b5 Vaganian, R (2590)-Gelfand, B (2719) Almaty 2008. ] [ Dreev's 8...a5!? is intriguing as well, staking out space on the queenside. 9.bd2
a4 10.h3 xf3 11.xf3 c5 12.h4 0-0 13.f5 e8 14.e2 b6 15.c3 f8 16.f3 e6 17.h4 e8 18.h5 Zh a n g Zh o n g ( 2 6 0 3 ) - Dr e e v, A ( 2 6 9 0 ) Taiyuan 2004 ] 9.bd2 0-0 10.h3 h5 11.c4 e8 12.a4 My database finds 66 games from this position. b6 Challenging White's knight before committing to anything else. [ Also common is the immediate 12...c7 . T h e n a f t e r 13.h4 f8 play has transposed to the solid line considered a b o ve ( 8 . . . B e 7 ) . ( For what it's worth Black h a s p l a ye d s e ve ra l o t h e r m o ve s h e r e , including 13...b5!? . The position after 14.a5 b6 was seen in Aronian, L (2783)Kramnik, V (2780) Shanghai 2010 and led to tangled play: 15.b3 a6 16.g5 c5 17.a5 a7 18.c4 ab8 19.d2 h6 20.e3 f8 . )] [ I t h i n k t h e c o n s e n s u s i s t h a t 12...a5 is premature and/or unnecessary, though this is likely playable too, e.g. 13.d2 b6 14.h4 c7 15.g5 b4 16.c3 f8 17.d2 e6 18.c2 c5 19.g4 g6 20.f5 fd7 21.fd1 ee8 22.e3 Dzagnidze, N (2535)-Stefanova, A (2523) Tbilisi 2012. ] [ 12...b5 could transpose to Aronian-Kramnik above after 13.a5 c7 14.h4 b6 . ] 13.a5 A fine square for the knight. White's dream of a4-a5 will be inhibited, but he gets t o e xe rt p re ssu re o n b 7 / c6 a n d lim it t h e movement of his rival on b6. [ 13.cd2!? was Akopian, V (2703)Dimukhametov, A (2347) St Petersburg 2012. W hite intends to chase the knight from b6 with a4-a5, probably followed by Bc1-d2. Thus, a5 14.b3 b4 is a normal continuation where I can't see much for W h i t e , e . g . 15.c3 f8 16.e2 fd7 17.e3 c7 with balanced play. ] [ 13.fxe5?! misfires after xc4 14.xc4 xe4! 15.xe4 f5 , ] [ and 13.cxe5? xf3 14.xf3 xe4 is even worse. ] 13...c7 [ Nobody has tried the computer's suggestion of 13...e7!? , so it's safe to say that h u m a n s f in d t h e c7 squ a re t o b e m o r e natural! ] 211
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 14.h4 f8 Again, Black has more than once acceptable move here. [ Amazingly, the Hungarian Grandmaster Zoltan Gyimesi has defended this position f i v e t i m e s a s B l a c k , c h o o s i n g 14...fd7 on eve ry oc ca sio n! His gam es are well worth examining: 15.b4 ( 15.b3 f8 16.c3 a5 17.g4 g6 18.xg6 hxg6 19.g5 b4 20.g3 c5 21.xc5 xc5 22.h4 d7 23.b3 d4 24.a2 f8 25.h3 ad8 Laznicka, V (2702)-Ter Sahakyan, S (2578) Plovdiv 2012) 15...f8 ( improving on the 15...e7 of Movsesian, S (2716)-Gyimesi, Z (2591) Mainz 2009, which led to an initiative for W hite after 16.f5 f8 17.f4! ) A) 16.f5 f6 (solidifying Black's structure and preparing a retreat square for the bishop) 17.e3 ( 17.c3 f7 18.d1 Kosic, D (2481)-Gyimesi, Z (2595) Hu n ga ry 2 0 1 0 ad8= ) 17...f7 18.c3 c8! (a standard maneuver for this line the knight angles for greener pastures on d6) 19.e2 d6 20.d2 a6 21.fc1 b6 22.ac4 xc4 23.xc4 b5 24.b2 b6 25.f1 c4 26.xc4 xc4 27.e1 f7 1/2-1/2 (27) Werle, J (2574)-Gyimesi, Z (2595) Germany 2010; B) 16.c4!? c5 17.b5 a6 (it doesn't appear that this move is necessary, but G y i m e s i h a s p l a y e d i t t w i c e ) 18.d2 ( 18.b2 axb5 19.axb5 Movsesian, S (2661)-Gyimesi, Z (2571) Ohrid 2001 f6!? ) 18...axb5 19.axb5 e7 ( 19...f6!? looks better) 20.f5 f8 21.f4 f6 22.g4 g6 23.g5 Malakhov, V (2690)Gyimesi, Z (2610) Sibenik 2007. ] 15.f5 fd7 16.b3 [ 16.e3 c5 17.b3 e6 18.c3 f6 19.f4?! Marin, M (2530) -Galego, L (2435) Benasque 1996. Here it would have been strong for Black to play g6 20.h4 exf4 21.gxf4 d6 22.d2 ad8 with a shaky position for White. ] 16...f6 This was Gyimesi's preferred procedure as well. The bishop is bound for f7. 17.c3 f7 18.d1 ad8 [ Interesting is 18...c4!? , intending 19.f1 b5 . ] 19.a5 c4?! [ It looks stronger to keep this knight closer
t o h o m e w i t h 19...c8! . After 20.f1 h8!? (preparing to kick the knight with ...g7g6 Black doesn't want Nf5-h6 to come with check) 21.c4 xc4 22.xc4 b8 Black has slightly less space but an otherwise completely viable position. ] 20.f1 b5 21.axb6 dxb6 22.xd8 xd8 23.e2 Berkes enjoys a tiny advantage thanks to his superior structure. c5 24.e3 d6!? Spoelman searches for counterplay by way of a pawn sacrifice. 25.xc5 c8 26.b4 d7 27.a5 b6? A big mistake. [ Black could come close to equality with 27...b7! 28.xa7 dxc5 29.bxc5 b8 , e.g. 30.a1!? xc5 31.a6 d6 . W hite's extra pawn isn't significant, and Black's minor pieces make a good impression. ] 28.xd7 [ 28.a3! may be even stronger. ] 28...xc3 29.xb6 axb6 30.a6 b5 31.a8 g6? [ Black was understandably hesitant to bite the bullet wit h 31...c8 32.xc8 xc8 33.d2 , but this pawn-down ending was his best shot. ] 32.g4! Now Black should lose immediately. xc2 33.h6 e8 34.d1?! Time trouble? [ W hite missed a clean win with 34.xf6+ f7 35.xf8 , e.g. c6 ( 35...xf8 36.xe8 xe8 37.xb5+- ) 36.d8+and White will emerge with an extra piece. ] 34...c8 [ 34...b2! offered more chances to resist because W hite is unable to get his light square bishop into the fray after 35.xf6+ f7 36.xf8 xf8 (no Nf6xe8 and Be2xb5!) ] 35.b3+ f7 36.xf6+ h8 37.xc8 xc8 38.xf8 xb3 39.c5 e6 40.g2 This endgame should be lost for Black. h5 41.h4 g7 42.d5 f7 43.f3 d7 44.e3 c6 45.f4 e6 46.c3 d6 47.xd6! A winning simplification. xd6 48.e2 e8 49.g1 exf4+ This would have been forced anyways after Ng1-f3. 50.gxf4 f7 51.f3 e8 52.d3 e6 53.d4 d6 54.e5 e6 55.c5 g5 56.hxg5 h4 57.f3 h3 58.f5+ e7 59.g6 f6 60.d6 g7 Black resigned. Precise theoretical recommendations for Black against the line at 212
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 issue here are a little unnecessary, as he can o b t a i n a f i n e g a m e b y wa y o f n u m e r o u s c o n t in u a t io n s . T h e i m p o rt a n t t h in g is t o familiarize yourself with the typical middlegames (i.e. studying Gyimesi's games with 14...Nfd7 would be a good idea) . Same goes for White! 1-0
230 Bosboom,Manuel Giri,Anish Corus C Wijk aan Zee NED (4) [Jonathan Rowson]
A07 2418 2469 20.01.2009
1.f3 d5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 c6 4.d3 g4 5.bd2 bd7 6.0-0 e5 7.h3 h5 8.h4!? This has been seen before, but it was a new concept for me. c5 9.c4! This also looks critical. [ 9.e1 intending e4, looks less dangerous for Black. ] 9...0-0 10.cxd5!? [ 10.b3 b6 11.g4 dxc4 was UbilavaSturua 1993 where Black emerged quite comfortable- playing g4 only really makes sense when there is a target on d5. ] 10...xd5 The safe option, but obviously some sort of concession. I am not sure if White is better in what follows, but I think I would prefer to have his position [ 10...cxd5 11.g4 ( 11.b3!? given that g4 m i g h t h a p p e n , t h e r e i s s o m e va l u e i n keeping the knight closer to the kingside. b6 12.g4? xg4 13.hxg4 xh4 14.gxh5 f6 gives Black a raging attack. ) A) 11...xg4 12.hxg4 xh4 13.gxh5 f6 14.f3 xh5 15.d4! exd4 16.f4 and White has some sort of control.; B) 11...xg4 12.hxg4 xg4 13.hf3 Black has lots of moves here, but I think White will feel more comfortable after d4 s o I w o u l d c o n s i d e r ( 13.df3 e4 ) 13...b6!? and now Rybka seems to think W h it e is b e t t e r a f t e r e 4 , b u t t h is is a tricky position to play, and clearly a line that needs to be checked.; C) 11...g6 12.b3 b6 ( 12...c8!? ) 13.xg6 hxg6 14.g5 h5 15.xd5 and even here, when W hite gets
everything, the position is still not totally clear. c5 16.xc5 ( 16.f3 e6 17.h4 g3 18.e1 f5 ) 16...xd5 17.e4 does look relatively safe though. ] 11.e4 b6 12.f5 c5 13.c3 In general exchanges favour White in such structures, so I am not too impressed by W h it e's m an o e uve ring a ro u n d h e re . e7 14.e3 e6 15.c4 c7 16.b4 d7 17.b1 b5 18.d2 a5 19.a3 f5 Now Black is very comfortable. 20.f3 d4 21.g5 axb4 22.axb4 a3 23.c1 xf3 24.exf3 xc3 25.xc3 d5 26.d2 xc3 27.xc3 f4 28.e1 fxg3 29.fxg3 f5 30.h2 f7 31.e4 g6 32.e1 h6 33.xe5 xe5 34.xe5 xd3 ½-½
231 Bricard,Emmanuel Kosten,Anthony C Toulon (5) [Tony Kosten]
A07 2506 2515 02.11.1999
1.f3 f6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 c6 4.0-0 g4 5.d3 bd7 6.bd2 e5 7.e4 d6 Capturing on e4 is common, see the archives, but is less ambitious, as it concedes the c4square to White. 8.h3 h5 9.exd5 [ This active move is the current preference, alt e rn a t ive ly 9.b3?! 0-0 10.b2 e8 11.e1 a5 12.a3 b5!? 13.f1 dxe4 14.dxe4 c5 with a plus to Black, Sturua,ZKramnik,V/ Moscow (open) 1992. ] [ 9.e1 is also common. ] 9...cxd5 10.c4 Trying to break the black centre. 0-0 [ Simplest, trying to complete development. 10...d4 11.e2 0-0 12.g4 g6 13.h4 was pleasant for White in King,D-Norwood,D/ BL9394 1994. ] 11.cxd5 xd5 12.c4!? [ White is returning to this move after 12.b3 lost its charm, but I'm not sure why, 5f6!? Adams' move, ( 12...5b6!? is considered worse, but it is not sure that this is the case, 13.e4 e7 14.a4 h8! 15.a5 f5 with unclear play, Vaganian,R-Khalifman,A/ Eupen 1994.) 13.c4! c5 14.a3 xf3 15.xf3 e7 16.xe5 with advantage to 213
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 White, Vaganian,R-Kaidanov,G/Glendale/ 1994. ] 12...c7 13.b3 Hitting d5 and b7, and emphasising the absence of Black's lightsqu a re d b is h o p f ro m t h e qu e e n sid e a n d centre, but Black has sufficient resources. c5! [ A s t r o n g i n n o v a t i o n a f t e r 13...5b6 White has 14.g5! e8 15.ac1 xc4 16.xc4 c8 17.h4 with active play, Hodgson,J-De la Villa Garcia,J/Dos Hermanas 1992. ] 14.a3?! [ Perhaps a bit doubtful, but 14.b5 xd3 forces 15.fxe5 xe5 16.xe5 xe5 17.xd5 e8 with equality. ] 14...xf3! [ 14...d7 is probably fine, but the text is stronger, Black concedes one of his bishops to control d4. ] 15.xf3 e6 16.g2 a5! [ A good move, threatening ...Nb4, if 16...d4 then 17.c5 ] 17.b3! [ I f t h e n a t u r a l 17.e1? then d4 wins the exchange. ] [ I h a d e xp e ct e d 17.d2 but then b5! 18.e3 xe3 19.xe3 a6 followed by ... Rd6, and then ...Bb6 and Black's hold on d4 confers him the advantage. ] 17...b4 18.e3 b8 19.a7 a8 20.e3 [ 20.e3 Instead of the repetition, there is: xd3 ( 20...b5!? was the move I wanted to play, although after 21.a3 b8 White has 22.a7 and Black has to sacrifice the exchange, although after the further d4!? 23.d1 b6 24.xb8 xb8 Black has great dark square control, and White has problems developing, still, this is not without risk for Black. 25.d2 f5 ) 21.xd3 xd3 22.xb7 ab8 23.d5 xb2 24.xe6 fxe6 25.fc1 Black's extra pawn is useless. ] ½-½
232
A07 Carlsen,Magnus 2714 Gelfand,Boris 2736 World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (30) 22.11.2007 [Carsten Hansen] 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.f3 c6 6.0-0 e7 7.d3 0-0 8.a3 a5 9.b3 e6 [ L i k e i n t h e S i c i l i a n D r a g o n , 9...e8!? is a perfectly good move, and so it is in this line: 10.b2 f8 11.bd2 g4 12.c1 ( 12.c4!? ) 12...d7 13.c2 d4 14.xd4 exd4 15.e4 f5 16.g5?! ( 16.c5 f7 17.xd4 b6 18.a4 ad8 ) 16...h6 17.f3 c5 Czebe, ACebalo, M/Baden 2000 ] 10.b2 f6 11.bd2 [ German International Master Sehner has tried 11.c2 a cou ple of t im es : e8 ( 11...d7 is less accurate, e.g. 12.d1 fd8 13.bd2 b6 14.c4 a4 15.xb6 cxb6 16.bxa4 a5 17.d2 dc8 18.c3 Sehner, N-Thormann, W/Nuremberg 1988) 12.bd2 f7 13.d4 exd4 14.xd4 fd8 15.c5 b6 16.xe7 xe7 17.e3= Sehner, N-Aseev, K/Berlin 1992 ] 11...d7 [ An alternative is 11...h8 , though the king move is hardly necessary: 12.e3 e8 13.d4 exd4 14.xd4 xd4 15.xd4 c5 16.b2 d8 17.c2 b5 Keeling, K-Evans Quek, D/Birmingham 2002 ] 12.c2 h8 [ 12...b6 13.fd1 ab8 14.ac1 ( 14.c4!? ) 14...fc8 15.e3 e8 16.c4 Panno, O-Maller, M/ Buenos Aires 1992 ( 16.h4!? g5 17.hf3 g6 18.e4 )] [ 12...ad8!? ] 13.fd1 b6 [ 13...h3 14.xh3 xh3 15.e4 b6 16.d4 exd4 17.xd4 xd4 18.xd4 c5 19.e3 ] 14.ac1 fd8 15.e4 e8 [ 15...a4!? ] 16.fd2 d5 17.c5 xc5 18.xc5 de7 19.c2 [ 19.b5!? ] 19...h5 20.e1 f7 21.c3 d5 22.a1 de7 23.b1 d5 24.e4 f5 25.e3 d6 26.h4 214
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 26.f4!? ] 26...xe4 27.dxe4 e6 28.c3 d7 29.ed1 ad8 30.xd7 xd7 31.b4 axb4 32.axb4 a7 33.f4 b5 [ 33...c4!? ] 34.b2 d2 [ 34...exf4 35.exf4 g4 36.h2 c6 ] 35.xd2 xd2 36.a1 a3 37.c1 c4 38.c3 d7 [ 38...e2! ] 39.f2 d6 [ 39...c6!? ] 40.f1 c6 41.g4 exf4 42.exf4 d2 43.e5 fxe5 44.xe5 d7 45.e2 g8 46.a1 [ 46.e3 b3 47.c2 d5 48.c3 ] 46...c4 47.f5 d5 48.c3 d8 49.a7 d6 50.e5 e4+ 51.e3 e8 52.f4 c5 [ 52...f6!? ] 53.f3 f6 54.xf6 xf3 55.xg7!? [ 55.xf3!? gxf6 56.bxc5 e5 57.a8+ g7 58.c8+- ] 55...c6 [ 55...d5 56.e5 cxb4 57.g5+- ] 56.f6 [ 56.e5! cxb4 57.g5 d5 58.g6 f3 59.a5 e2 60.c5 hxg6 61.fxg6 f8+ 62.g5 d3 63.h5+- ] 56...cxb4 [ 56...e4+ 57.g5 cxb4 58.a8+ e8 ] 57.g5 [ 57.e5!? b3 58.g5 ] 57...b3 58.a3 d5 59.a1 f7 60.c3 e4 61.d1 c6 62.d6 c4 63.h8 [ 63.f6+!? e8 64.e6+ f7 65.e3 d5 ( 65...h6+ 66.xh6 xg4 67.h5 g2 ) 66.e5 e4 67.xe4 xe4 68.f4 A) Attacking White's pawns from behind is the only way to defend against W hite's pawn majority on the kingside. An example, a very long one though, illustrates why: 68...d5 69.g5 c4 70.h5 d3 71.g6+ hxg6 72.hxg6+ f8 73.g5 e4 74.f6 d5 75.f5 c4 76.b2 b5 77.d4 b4! 78.e4 ( 78.a1 d3+ 79.g5 c4 80.d4 ) 78...e6 79.e5 g8 80.b2 f8 81.c1 c4 82.d4 e6 83.c5 e8 84.xb4 The many moves invested in picking up this apparently irrelevant move becomes obvious in another half d o ze n m o ve s d5 ( 84...d7 85.c5 g8 86.a3 e6 87.b2 d7 88.d4
e6 89.e3 d7 90.f4+- ) 85.c3 ( 85.c5? b2! 86.xb2 e4 87.g7 f7= ) 85...g8 86.d2 e6 87.e3 d5 88.f4 c4 89.g5 f8 90.a3+ T h e a c ce s s i b il i t y t o t h i s m o ve i s t h e reason why the b4-pawn had to be r e m o ve d b y W h i t e ' s k i n g e a r l i e r g8 ( 90...e8 91.h6+- ) 91.f4 , and the marches down to e7 and forces f6-f7-f8 through.; B) 68...c2! 69.h5 d1 70.h6 c2 71.g5 g8 72.g6 hxg6 73.f6 g5+ 74.xg5 f7= ] 63...f3 64.d7+ [ 64.d4!? b4 65.f6+ e8 66.e6+ d7 67.e3 xd4 68.xf3 b4 69.f1 e7 70.b1 b6= ] 64...e8 65.xh7?? [ Here White should have played the simple 65.d3! xg4+ 66.f6 b4 67.g5 e4 68.d4 xd4 69.xd4 , and White should draw without too much effort. ] 65...xg4+ 66.h6 xh4+ 67.g6 g4+ 68.h6 h4+ [ 68...g2! 69.e5 b2-+ ] 69.g6 xh7?? [ With this move, Black throws his last winning chance over board. The correct way t o p r o c e e d i s 69...g4+ 70.h6 g2 71.e5 b2 72.h8+ ( 72.xb2 xb2 73.g5 b5-+ ) 72...d7 73.xb2 xb2 74.g5 d5-+ ] 70.xh7 d7 71.g6 c6 72.g5 b5 73.f4 d5 74.e3 c4 75.b2 ½-½
233 Christiansen,Larry Mark Kortschnoj,Viktor Lone Pine [Tony Kosten]
A07
1981
1.g3 d5 2.g2 e5 3.d3 The standard 'Mo d e rn De f e n ce' m o ve , b u t L ars e n h a s experimented with a sort of 'reversed Alekhine's Defence': [ 3.f3!? e4 4.d4 c5 one of many possibilities, that assures Black good chances, if he is more ambitious he might try ( 4...c5 5.b3 c4 6.d4 c5 7.c3 f6 215
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 8.0-0 0-0 as in Poutiainen,P-Polugaevsky,L/ Budapest 1975) 5.b3 b6 6.0-0 f6 7.d3 exd3 8.cxd3 0-0 9.c3 c6 wh i c h i s l e v e l , L a r s e n , B - B r o n s t e i n , D / Vinkovci 1970. ] 3...c6 Black immediately supports his d5 bulwark with a pawn, if [ 3...f6 4.f3 d6 then White can play the f lan kin g b lo w 5.c4 more easily, as if Black replies 5...dxc4 there is now 6 Qa4+ and 7 Qxc4. c6 6.0-0 h6!? 7.b3 0-0 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.c3 d4 10.d5 xd5 11.xd5 which is level, Hickl, J-Kindermann, S/Nussloch 1996 ] 4.f3 The normal move, [ 4.d2 tends to restrict White's options, and following f6 5.e4 c5 6.gf3 0-0 7.0-0 e8 8.h3 bd7 Black could be happy with his opening, Bilek,I-Geller,E/ Havana 1971 ] 4...d7 5.0-0 d6 6.c3 This way White c a n p re p a re e 4 , a n d ye t k e e p t h e c1 -h 6 diagonal open for his queen's bishop. e7 This move keeps the f6-square free for the d7knight, and allows the black f -pawn to advance. [ 6...gf6 is perfectly logical, if rarely played. ] 7.e4 d4 8.e2 h6 9.d2 b6 10.f4 f6 A reversed KI structure has been reached. 11.fxe5!? Many players would prefer the standard kingside onslaught with [ 11.f5 here, intending g4, h4, etc., although Black is by no means obliged to put his king in the way, and will certainly castle queenside. ] 11...fxe5 12.c3 dxc3 13.bxc3 e6 14.f3 0-0 15.e3 f6 16.a4 c7 17.a5 d7 18.d4 White has ad vantage, and after driving the black knight from its post, proceeds to expand in the centre. d8 19.a4 b8 20.dxe5!? This seems like a strange decision, handing permanent control of the e5-square to Black, but, in fact, White prefers activity, freeing the d4, and f4-squares for use by his knights. xe5 21.xe5 xe5 22.d4 f7 23.b4 d6 24.b2 xf1+ 25.xf1 c5 Black would like to bring his knight to e5, but he needs to keep the f5-square guarded, as otherwise White would play Nf5, with threats against the black king. 26.h1 b6 27.axb6 axb6 28.f4 c8 29.b3 d6 30.xd6
xd6 31.d4 White menaces the move e5, liberating his bishop. g6 32.f5 xf5 33.exf5 f6 34.xb6 xf5 35.xf5 ½-½
234 Cornette,Matthieu Payen,Arnaud National I Sautron FRA (1) [Tony Kosten]
A07 2329 2359 31.01.2003
1.f3 d5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 c6 4.0-0 f5 5.d3 h6 6.fd2!? I have often wondered about the merits of this move, forcing through e4, and freeing the f-pawn, for White, as I like to play this with a tempo less when I have the black pieces and I have played the King's Indian against my opponent's London System. e6 Solid, and typical of Lasker's set-up, but [ 6...e5 is more ambitious, and makes sense now that White's knight no longer covers the square: 7.e4 dxe4 8.dxe4 e6 ( 8...g4 9.f3 h3 10.e1 c5 also seems fine, Lupu,M-Serafimov,T/Paris FRA 2002) 9.e2 c7 10.f4!? Badea,B-Neumann,A/ Giessen 1995, and now I think I would prefer c5+ 11.h1 g4 ] 7.e4 dxe4 Actually new in this position, otherwise Black can keep his central pawn, and simply retreat his bishop: [ 7...g6 8.c3 a5 9.h3 c5 10.h2 h5!? to dissuade White from f4, which would lose to ...Ng4+, Istrate, B-Manole,V/Baile Tusnad 1999, but where will the black king go? ] [ 7...h7 8.c3 e7 9.e2 0-0 10.f4 is the attacking set-up White is aiming for, he can even consider continuing with g4, Calotescu,C-Barasiant,M/Bucharest 1999. ] 8.dxe4 h7 9.e5!? With the d-file open the young French player decides to refrain from the normal plan of [ 9.c3 followed by Qe2, and then f4, g4, etc. and finds an original idea. ] 9...d5 10.e4 xe4!? To stop the knight going to d6, but this is hardly forced, [ 10...d7!? 11.d6+ ( 11.c4?! d ro p s a p a wn , xe4! 12.xe4 5b6 ) 11...xd6 12.exd6 and is the d6-pawn a weakness, or a strength? ] 11.xe4 d7 12.e1 Indirectly defending 216
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 the advanced e-pawn. c7 13.h5 g6!? Whilst no doubt playable, this is still very risky, rather than defend I would go for [ 13...c5 and keep the threat of ...g6 in reserve, myself. ] 14.xg6 Practically forced, [ 14.e2 xe5 15.c4 5b6 16.f4 f6 and Black is very solid. ] 14...fxg6 15.xg6+ d8? I don't like this move, as it allows W hite to re-establish a rough material equality. [ 15...e7 had to be tried, it looks ugly, but e ve r yt h i n g is d e f e n d e d , 16.c4 5b6 and now 17.d2 ( 17.b3?! xe5 18.e4 g7 ) 17...xe5!? 18.e4 g7 19.f4 f7 20.xe6+ d8 and ...Qd7, with unclear play. ] 16.c4 5b6 17.xe6 Garnering a third pawn for the piece, and the black king remains m i s p l a c e d . b4 18.c3 e8 19.xh6 xe5 20.g5+ e7? This move loses immediately, Black didn't want to leave the defence of his e8-rook, when the e5-knight would be pinned on the e-file, but nevertheless, [ 20...c8 21.g2! (to stop ...Nf3+) xc3 ( 21...f7!? 22.f6 xf6 23.xf6 bd7 24.xe5 xe5 25.xe5 xe5 26.e1 f7 27.e8+ d8 28.e4 is better for White, b u t B l a c k m i g h t h a v e s o m e c h a n c e s) 22.bxc3 bxc4 ( 22...f7 23.f6! xf6 24.xf6 bd7 25.xe5! xe5 26.xe5 xe5 27.e1 f7 28.e7 leaves Black helpless against the armada of white kingside pawns) 23.f4 f7 24.fxe5 xe5 25.d6 f3+ 26.g1 d5 27.xd5 cxd5 28.g2 should win easily. ] 21.ad1+ bd7 22.f4 A second horrible pin. f8 [ 22...f3+ d o e s n ' t h e l p : 23.h1 c8 24.e3 ] 23.xe5! The most precise. xe5 [ 23...xh6 24.f6+! e7 25.xe7 is a catastrophe for Black. ] 24.h4+ e7 25.xd7+! [ 25.xd7+ xd7 26.g4+ d6 27.b5+! ( 27.xe5 is also good, of course) 27...cxb5 28.d1+ e6 29.d5+ wins queen for rook and bishop whilst maintaining a crushing attack. ] 1-0
235 Davies,Nigel R Chandler,Murray G BCF-ch Southport (5) [Nigel Davies]
A07 2375 2485 1983
1.f3 d5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 c6 4.d3 g4 5.h3 h5 6.g4 g6 7.h4 e5 8.e3 d6 [ Another interesting possibility is 8...b4+ which aims at preve nting W hite's quit e favourable set up with Nc3 and Bd2. After 9.d2 ( 9.f1!? looks interesting to me as I'm not convinced W hite needs castling rights ) 9...a6 10.e2 d7 11.xg6 hxg6 12.a3 d6 13.c4 c7 14.b3 e7 15.b2 a5 16.f3 c5 Black was doing just fine in Danielsen, H (2415)-Berg, K (2405)/ Espergarde 1992. ] 9.c3 a6 Leaving d7 for the other knight which will force the knight on h4 to declare its intentions. [ Another interesting game of mine varied at this point with 9...bd7 after which 10.e2 e7 11.d2 b5 12.a3 0-0 13.xg6 fxg6!? 14.h4 a5 15.g5 h5 16.g4 h8 17.e2 c5 18.0-0 e4 19.d4 a4 gave Black good play in Davies, N (2375)De Boer, G (2330)/ Copenhagen 1983. ] 10.e2 d7 11.xg6 hxg6 12.d2 e7 13.0-0-0 f5 14.f4 e4 15.dxe4 dxe4 16.h4 0-0-0 17.h5 White has an edge here thanks to the potential of his light squared bishop. gxh5 18.gxf5 f6 19.c4 c5 20.e1 [ 20.a4 was worth considering here so as to prevent ...b7-b5. ] 20...b5! 21.e2 c7 22.d4 xd4 23.exd4 xf4+ 24.b1 b7 25.h4 [ Here too 25.a4 would have been promising. ] 25...d6 26.f1 h6 27.xf6 gxf6 28.xe4 xe4 29.xe4 White is better here and should have continued. ½-½
217
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 not active. 12.e5 fxg3 13.exd6 0-0 14.c3 A07 and I prefer White ] Dubov,Daniil 2629 Shirov,Alexei 2695 12.f3 [ 12.fxe5 was another variation heading for Moscow Generations m (4) 06.12.2013 positions hard to assess [Fier, Alexandr] A) 12...xe5 13.dxe5 c5+ ( 13...xe5 is also playable 14.f3 xg3 15.a4+ Shirov tries the setup with a quick 5...e5 one c6 16.xc4 0-0 17.c3 e8 and White more time. And one more time complications has problems to defend e4, so the position arrive quickly in this game. 1.f3 d5 2.g3 remains unclear) 14.h2 xd1 15.xd1 g4 3.g2 d7 4.0-0 gf6 5.d3 e5 6.h3 g4+! necessary and good ( 15...hxg5 e6 Trying to support the center. The 16.exf6 is just winning for White) 16.hxg4 drawback is that sometimes Black needs to hxg5+ 17.h3 xe4 and White needs to worry about Ng5. take care of 18...Bf3 and 19...Bxg4 ideas, [ 6...h5 7.g4 g6 Dubov, D (2629)-Shirov, to there is good compensation.; A (2695)/Moscow Generations m blitz 2013, B) 12...hxg5 this is less interesting, and was also analyzed this month in the other probably White is better after 13.exd6 g4 game between the same players. ] ( 13...cxd6 14.xg5 with advantage to 7.c4!? Sacrificing a pawn in order to open the White ) 14.e5 gxh3 15.exf6 is possible center immediately. I'm not sure if it's the best because of the bad position of Black's king move, but it's a forcing one. dxc4 8.d4 ( 15.xb7 is also good) 15...hxg2 16.fxg7 [ 8.g5 does not combine with 8.c4 f5 gxf1+ 17.xf1 g8 18.e1+! 9.xb7 ( 9.dxc4 h6 does not make much t h a t ' s t h e d e t a i l e5 19.xe5+ sense for W hite) 9...b8 10.g2 cxd3 and White is better ] 11.exd3 h6 with both structures damaged, 12...xe4 Now Black is not forced to give the Black has no reason to be afraid. ] 8...d6 It's important for Black to quickly finish piece anymore. He has the choice to give his development, but with the knight on f6 and nothing and try to defend against W hite's the bishop on d6 W hite has an important initiative or give a full rook and liberate his pieces. Shirov prefers the second option! resource. [ 8...e4 Black can't really hold this pawn 13.e1 Defending g3 and threatening 14.Nh4. 9.g5 f5 10.c3 e7 11.d2!? g6 exf4 [ 13...e7 now the bishop won't be attacked 12.f4 and White takes the pawn back by and there is no 14.Nh4 14.xe5 xe5 force, with some advantage ] 15.dxe5 but White's pawns are really 9.g5 f5 10.e4 g6 11.f4 Probably this is dangerous d3!? against 16.f5 ( 15...c5 the position White aimed for when he played 7. 16.f5 d3 17.e4 h7 18.e3 c4!?. White's pawns are threatening to win a is not funny for Black) 16.f5 ( 16.h2 c5 piece and probably he will succeed. On other a n d B la ck is f in e) 16...xg3 17.f3! hand, the pawns are unstable and Black can ( 17.fxg6 c5+ 18.h2 xf1+ 19.xf1 find good counterplay. During the next few xg6 and White's king is just too exposed) moves both players have options and it's hard 17...d4+ 18.e3 only forced moves xb2 to evaluate if one is better than another. h6 19.fxg6 e2+ keeping the knight The most testing move. ( 19...xa1 20.gxf7+ f8 21.xg3 xe5 [ 11...0-0 was a solid option with some is also possible and also unclear, but I feel compensation for the piece 12.fxe5 xe5 that White is better) 20.h1 xa1 21.xf7 13.dxe5 xe5 and White has no time to ( 21.gxf7+ f8 22.f1 b2 and Black is play 14.Bf4 because of the pawn on b2. Still, better ) 21...f8 22.xb7 g3+ 23.g1 even if Black manages to take on g3, the ( 23.h2 b2+ 24.g2 e4 ) 23...e2+ pieces are not so well located, so it's not 24.f1 g3+ is a possible draw ] sure if the compensation is enough ] [ 11...exf4 was another way to sacrifice the 14.h4 0-0 Going for the rook sacrifice. [ 14...df6 it looks like this move makes no piece, but one more time Black's pieces are 236
218
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 sense, but there is a nice intermezzo on the way A) 15.c3 b4 16.xf4 ( 16.xg6 xd4+ 17.h1 fxg6 18.xe4 0-0 with chances for both players) 16...xd4+ 17.e3 xe3+ 18.xe3 c5 and even with the knight attacked 4 times, this still works! 19.e1 0-0-0 20.xg6 fxg6 21.xe4 xe3+ 22.xe3 he8 23.e2 but because of the pawn structure the compensation is not enough; B) 15.xg6 b4! anyway! ( 15...fxg6 16.xe4 0-0 17.xg6 is bad for Black) 16.xb4 ( 16.c3 xd4+ 17.h1 fxg6 18.xe4 0-0 t r a n s p o s e s) 16...xd4+ 17.h2 fxg3+ 18.h1 fxg6 and with the pawn on g3 the e4-knight becomes more powerful (also there are 5(!) pawns for the piece), so Black has full compensation ] 15.xg6 xg3 16.xf8 xf8 [ It is important for Black to leave the queen o n d 8 , k e e p i n g a n e ye o n d 4 : 16...xf8 17.xf4! and the bishops are huge xf4 18.xf4 with advantage to White ] 17.f2 Other moves bring nothing for White. [ 17.xf4 xf1 18.xf1 xf4 19.xf4 e6 and Black is out of danger ] [ 17.xf4 now this move does not work xf4 18.xf4 xd4+ and the queen proves to be useful on d8 ] 17...e6 [ 17...d7!? trying to develop the rook as soon as possible. But during a game it's hard to give the f4-pawn so easily 18.xf4 e8 19.e5 ( 19.d2 xf4 with 20...Ne2+ c o m i n g n e x t) 19...g6 ( 19...f6? is refuted in a nice way 20.xf6! gxf6 21.xg3+ g7 22.xd6 cxd6 23.xg7+ xg7 24.a3 and all Black's pawns are weak ) 20.c3 xe5 21.dxe5 xe5 22.d2 with a hard position to understand, but with this opposite color bishop, White's king will never be safe. ] 18.c3 h4 19.e4 Right plan, wrong execution. White tries to take care of the d6bishop, buy maybe he overlooked Black's 21st move. [ 19.b5 was another option, defending d4 instead of the g5-square and using the same i d e a o f e x c h a n g i n g t h e b i s h o p g5 quite active, but not enough to hold the
balance 20.xd6 xh3+ 21.xh3 xh3 22.h2 g4 23.g2 cxd6 24.xf4 xf4 25.xg3 xd4+ 26.h2 and there are good chances for the rook to prevail ] 19...xd4 [ 19...xe4 20.xe4 c6 21.d2 and White will finally finish his development, with a good advantage ] 20.xd6 cxd6 21.d2?! Trying to bring the rest of the pieces into the game, but after Black's answer W hite's position is easy to misplay. [ 21.xf4! giving some material back was the right way to go ge2+ 22.xe2 xe2+ 23.xe2 xf4 24.f1 h4 ( 24...d4+ I would prefer to keep the queens on the board 25.f2 xf2+ 26.xf2 and White is bet te r du e t o th e stron g square f o r th e bishop on d5) 25.e3 and without pieces to attack, some of Black pawns are going to fall ] 21...f3! After this move White's rook can't go to f4 anymore, so Black can breathe more easily. 22.xf3 [ 22.xf3 was another option xf3+ 23.xf3 xh3 24.f2 e8 and if Black manages to change the knight he will be better. Since it 's n o t s o e a s y a n d t h e b i sh o p p a i r i s a lwa ys d a n g e r o u s, t h e p o si t i o n i s s t il l unclear ] 22...c2 23.g5 Keeping the light-squared bishop, but after this move it will take some time to catch the knight. [ 23.b1 xa1 24.xa1 e4 25.xe4 xe4 and Black exchanges White's most dangerous piece. ] 23...e2+ 24.xe2 xg5+ 25.g2 xa1 26.e1 After this move, Black starts to advance the pawns and he is already better. There was still one chance for White to keep the position unclear, but it's difficult to understand why he should go for the pawns and leave the knight alive. [ 26.xc4 d5 27.xd5 ( 27.c7 keeping one eye on c1 is also possible) 27...xd5 28.xd5 and one more pawn will fall, so the better pieces can compensate the pawn down ] 26...d5 27.xa1 d4 28.f1 d3! Black doesn't care about all the pawns, just the most important ones. 29.xf7 d8 30.f5 219
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 e3+ 31.h2 d4 32.f3 xb2+ 2013. ] And with two united passed pawns, there is no 7...g6 8.h4 xg4!? Why refuse such a way White can create enough counterplay. So chance in a blitz game? Black is winning. 33.h1 d4 34.g2 d2 [ 8...c6 Black could, of course, play this 35.d1 e8 36.f1 e1 37.f3 e4 move again, going to positions alread y 38.xe4 xe4 39.g2 e1 40.f2 xd1 played 9.d2 d6 10.e3 and this kind of 0-1 position is also possible with reversed colors, Ehlvest, J (2603)-Javanbakht, N (2406)/Al Ain op 2012. ] 237 A07 9.xg6 hxg6 10.hxg4 h4 Black threatens Dubov,Daniil 2629 mate in one and after W hite defends both Shirov,Alexei 2695 players still need to develop their pieces. Moscow Generations m blitz (1.1) 02.12.2013 Whether the sacrifice is really sound or not is another question, but it certainly forces White [Fier, Alexandr] to solve some problems. 11.e1 Natural. [ 11.f3?! is ugly and should not work, but This was a blitz game, so with a few seconds d e f e n d s t h e p a w n 0-0-0 ( 11...h2+ on the clock both players missed some moves Black can already make a draw if he wants in the middlegame complications, but the 12.f2 h4+ ) 12.e3 d6 and soon White opening is still quite sharp since Shirov tries will have some real problems on the dark to immediately punish Dubov's thematic 7.g4 squares ] and 8.Nh4. 1.f3 f6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 g4 4.0-0 bd7 5.d3 e5 This move takes the 11...f6 Black won't mate with only two pieces c e n t e r wit h o u t lo si n g a n y t im e . I n s o m e so he brings the knight to help with the attack. variations it can transpose to a line with ...c6, White also needs to bring some pieces to the but in both games that were played in this defence. 12.e3 Trying to bring the queen via match the pawn stayed on c7 for a long time. f3-g3. e4 And Black avoids it, opening the d6h2 diagonal at the same time. 6.h3 [ 12...xg4 is less scary 13.f3 f5 14.g3 [ 6.c4 can transpose to a recent game and xg3 15.fxg3 e4 16.c3 c6 blunting the another variation bishop on g2, and with the f8-bishop soon A) 6...dxc4 7.dxc4 c5 ( 7...c6 coming to attack g3 Black has some again could transpose) 8.c3 c6 compensation. ] one day or another Black needs to play this to control d5 and the long diagonal 13.dxe4 dxe4 And here White's position is 9.c2 0-0 10.h3 xf3 11.xf3 e7 already not easy to defend! There are plenty was a game between two elite players of options, of course, but some of the natural some decades ago, Petrosian, T (2645)- moves already lose by force. 14.e2?! [ 14.c3 this was possibly the best move, Portisch, L (2635)/Milan 1975.; and Black has an interesting move as an B) 6...c6 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.d4 this is a option b4!? ( 14...xg4 15.xe4 f5 thematic answer e4 9.e5 e6 10.xd7 16.g3 d6 17.f3 looks ok for White ) xd7 with a normal position, as seen in A) 15.d4 still looking at the e4-pawn Van Delft, M (2424)-Pijpers, A (2366)/ xc3 16.bxc3 ( 16.xc3 xg4 17.e2 Wijk Cultural Village rapid 2013. ] 0-0-0 18.d2 and White's pieces are 6...h5 7.g4 Basically this move is already a certainly not on the best squares to defend novelty! We still have chances to enter into the king. h2 followed by 19...Nf3+ with more common positions by transposition, but mate ) 16...h2+ 17.f1 h4 and 18... with White's idea we are going to play chess Rxg4 is really hard to meet, so W hite is from move 7. already lost.; [ 7.e1 c6 8.e4 would again transpose, B) 15.e2 and here one possible and this time there is quite a recent game in con tinu at ion wou ld b e 0-0-0 16.d2 this position Kramnik, V (2793)-Rowson, J h2+ 17.f1 h4 again this strong move, (2 5 6 9 )/ L o n d o n Cl a ssi c G p -B 5 t h r a p i d 220
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 but now W hite has resources to defend 18.ed1! opening some space for the bishop on d2 xg4 19.f3 h5 20.e1 this is the point xd1 21.xd1 f4!? the attack continues anyway, 22.d8+! to move the queen by winning an important tempo ( 22.exf4 c5! 23.d8+ xd8 24.d2+ c8 25.fxg4 g1+ 26.e2 xg2+ 27.d1 xg4+ 28.e2 e6 a n d B l a c k i s f i n e) 22...xd8 23.d2+ c8 24.fxg4 xc3 25.bxc3 xg2 26.xg2 e5 and White is better, but there is still a lot of play for a blitz game. ] 14...xg4 15.xe4 Trying to release the pressure at the cost of the most important defender. [ 15.d2 this move lets Black attack without any counterplay f5 16.f1 d6 17.d2 0-0-0 and it's hard to believe White can survive. ] [ 15.d1 is m o re o r le ss t h e sa m e f5 and White is not happy. ] 15...xf2 This move is logical and Black maintains the initiative, but I think 15...Bd6 was already winning by force, because of a beautiful idea. [ 15...d6! A) 16.c3 g3! this is the move 17.fxg3 ( 17.d1 d8 18.d2 xf2 19.xf2 xf2+ 20.xf2 xe4 and the position is hopeless ) 17...xg3+ 18.g2 ( 18.g2 h1+ 19.xh1 h2# is a classical mate ) 18...xe1+ 19.f1 h4 still with a strong attack and now with almost no material less; B) 16.g2 g3! anyway ( 16...xf2 17.xf2 g3 18.e2 xe1 is less clear) 17.fxg3 xg3 18.f1 ( 18.c3 h1+ 19.xh1 h2# ) 18...h5 19.e4 0-0-0 20.e3 d6 ] 16.xf2 [ 16.xb7 is a nice way to keep in the game, the point is not to take one more pawn, but to open the c6-square for the bishop, disrupting the harmony in Black's position h3+ ( 16...e4 17.xe4 xe4 18.g2 and because of the missing pawn on b7 the rook is hanging.) 17.f1 d8 18.c6+ ( 18.d2 e7 is less problematic) 18...e7 and with the king in the way of the bishop on
f8, White increases his chance of defending. Still, the position is not clear, Black will come with both rooks to d6 and h5. ] 16...xe4 17.g2 h4 A lot of things are happening on the kingside and both players still had no time to develop. But when the pieces come into the game, Black's ones have much more potential. 18.d1 h5 19.e4 c5+ [ 19...d8! another hard move to play in a blitz game, trying to exchange one of W hite's f ew developed pieces. 20.xd8+ xd8 21.d2 c5+ 22.f1 f6+ 23.e2 xb2 with a decisive advantage ] 20.f1 e7 [ 20...d8 is still possible, but now less strong, 21.xd8+ xd8 ( 21...xd8 22.c3 is another idea) 22.e2 and White found a good square for the king, so both players have chances ] 21.c3 c6 22.e2 ah8 23.e3 Missing the chance to exchange some pieces, but I imagine both players already have few seconds on the clock. [ 23.h1! wa s t h e t rick xh1 ( 23...f6 24.xh5 xh5 25.e3 is better compared to the game) 24.g5+ f6 25.xh1 xh1 26.f4 g5 27.c7 ( 27.g3 g4! controls important squares in W hite's position ) 27...d7 28.b8!? and White can keep a material advantage ] 23...xe3 24.xe3 f6 Liberating space for the rooks. [ 24...g5 was more brutal 25.f1 h2 26.e2 h3+ 27.d2 g2 28.e1 f2 29.g1 f4+ 30.d1 e3 and White is dominated ] 25.f1 [ 25.h1 was again necessary, exchanging one of the rooks. ] 25...h3+ 26.e2 [ 26.f3 was possible, but not human xf3+ 27.xf3 g5+ 28.d3 d8+ 29.c4 b5+ 30.b3 c5 31.f1 0.00 and the computer gives the usual ] 26...e5 27.f2 h2 [ 27...h5+ comes with a nice trick, with more or less the same idea as in the game 28.e1 ( 28.d2 h6+ 29.e1 e3+ 30.e2 h1+-+ ) 28...e3+! 29.e2 xe2+! ( 29...h1+ 30.xh1 xh1+ 221
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 31.f1 h2 32.f2 is just drawn) 30.xe2 8.c2 a4!? 9.e4 d4 10.c4 d7 11.h3 h1+ 31.d2 xa1 and Black is winning ] f6 unclear, Hickl,J-Romanishin,O/Polanica 28.g1 xf2+ 29.xf2 h2+ 30.e1 h5 Zdroj 1993. ] Winning the rook, but now White has time to 7.c2 at least activate one piece, and somehow this [ 7.bd2 e8 8.c2 is quite likely to was enough in the game. t r a n s p o s e , e6 9.b4 this is why Black [ 30...xc2 keeps up the pressure 31.d1 might pref er 6...a5. d7 10.b5 a5 xb2 32.d3 but there is still a game ] 11.b3 c5 12.xa5 xa5 13.c4 31.g3 h1+ 32.d2 xa1 33.c7+ Softening-up the long diagonal, Now the king can't go away. e6 34.c8+ Dzind zich ashvili, R-Ko rt ch no i, V/ Tilb urg e7 1985. ] [ 34...e5 is still possible 35.c7+ d4 [ 7.b4!? Might be playable immediately, too, bu t t h is is ju st su icid e 36.d6+ c4 although: e4! 8.e1 f5 9.d4?! h6 37.b3# ] 10.c2 d7 11.e3 h3 12.f4 exf3 35.c7+ f6 36.d8+ e6 13.exf3 fe8 favours Black, if anyone, Barle, ½-½ J-Tukmakov,V/Geneva 1996. ] 7...f5 8.bd2 All according to plan. d7 9.e4 h3 10.e1 xg2 11.xg2 fe8 238 A07 12.b4 a6 13.b3 ad8 Black has Dzindzichashvili,Roman 2570 centralised all his pieces while W hite has Ljubojevic,Ljubomir 2615 been playing on the flank, who is better? Tilburg (1) 1985 14.g5! h6 15.xf6 xf6 16.a4 b6 17.a5! W hite's queenside attack is being to show [Tony Kosten] results, he threatens to win a pawn, and if 1.g3 e5 2.d3 d5 3.f3 c6 4.g2 f6 Black replies 17...b5, then 18 Nc5 is strong. c8 18.a2 White renews the threat. dxe4 5.0-0 d3 Black counters by classically [ The immediate 5.c3 a5 and then 6.0-0 19.dxe4 is more committal, and Black can change infiltrating the centre. 20.c2 dd8?! [ The obvious move 20...ed8!? loses the plans accordingly, and play more exchange after 21.bd4 , of course, but it a m b i t i o u s l y : h6 (instead of 6...Be7, might be playable anyway, as Black will transposing) 7.bd2 e6 8.a4 d6 9.e4 certainly get some compensation. ] dxe4 10.dxe4 0-0 11.h4 b8!? Full points for imagination! The queen is 21.ed1 xd1 22.xd1 White is quite happy co m in g to a 7 t o h e lp con t ro l th e g1 -a 7 to exchange pieces, as he is looking-forward diagonal. 12.f5 c5 13.b5 a7 to an ending where the f6-bishop is inhibited Black has a plus, Kogan,A-Marciano,D/ by Black's own pawns. d8 23.xd8+ xd8 24.d3 bxa5 25.d5! e6 26.xe6 fxe6 Serbian Chess Fed, Sabac YUG 1998. ] 5...e7 6.c3 This is another Pirc plan 27.bxa5 So, White has reached the endgame 'hijacked' by White. This time he will prepare that he wanted, the black pawns are very the e4-move with Qc2, and Nbd2, but b4 is weak. e7 28.e1 f7 29.f3 d6 30.e3 d8 31.d3 It is important to make also on the cards. 0-0 [ Personally speaking, if I had the black good use of the king in the final phase. g5 p i e c e s h e r e , I w o u l d p r e f e r 6...a5! 32.c4 g4 33.d3 c6 34.b4! b8 wh ic h c o n s t ra in s t he wh it e qu e e n sid e . 35.c5 xc5 36.xc5 g6 37.xa6 [ 37.xa6 xa6+ 38.b5 b8 39.a6 Although White may not be intending to gain leads to a winning king and pawn space on the queenside immediately, with endgame. ] b4, he will want to play this move at some time, so it makes sense to stop him. 7.bd2 1-0 ( If 7.a4 0-0 8.c2 c5 9.e4 dxe4 10.dxe4 then Black can play b6 intending ... Ba6, Sax,G-Farago,I/Budapest 1976) 7...0-0 222
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A07 bishop: [ 21.f4 xf4 22.xf4 xg2+ 23.xg2 Fridman,Daniel 2621 and Black still controls the e-file, but the Godena,Michele 2527 white position is fairly solid. ] 4th IECC Istanbul TUR (8) 07.06.2003 21...xe4 22.c1 Played to defend b2, as [Tony Kosten] now [ 22.f4 xf4 23.xf4 a5 and ...Nc4 is 1.f3 d5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 e5 4.d3 very awkward. ] It is quite a while since we had a look at a Reversed Pirc. f6 5.0-0 e7 6.c3 0-0 22...a5 23.g2 c4 This game resembles 7.c2 On the strength of this game, there one of those old Master vs Amateur games, except that here the playing getting might be a case made for the move overwhelmed positionally has 100 extra ELO [ 7.bd2 ] 7...f5 8.bd2 e4! This seems to be a very points!! 24.d3 b5 25.h3 a5 26.g4 a4 effective idea. I examined Dzindzichashvili, R- Black places his pawns caref ully on light Ljubojevic,L/Tilburg 1985 some years ago, squares. 27.hf3 c6 28.e1 f8 29.e2?! This appears to lose, but it is difficult to know when White won nicely after [ 8...d7 9.e4 h3 10.e1 xg2 11.xg2 what to suggest in such a position, perhaps [ 29.b3 but after axb3 30.axb3 a5 31.b4 fe8 12.b4 but the text puts paid to any c4 and White hasn't improved his thoughts of White playing e4. ] position. ] 9.h4 exd3 10.exd3 e6 Simplest, 29...c5! A powerful and surprising blow. although [ 10...g4 11.d4 d7 12.e1 ae8 30.dd2?! This is hopeless, but after [ 30.dxc5 Black wins by xe2+ 31.xe2 13.f1 d8 14.g5 h6 15.xf6 xf6 xe2+ 32.f1 c2 33.cxd6 xc1+ and ] 16.f3 f5 is also reasonable, Odendahl,R[ 30.xe7 is n o b e t t e r , xd3 31.xe8+ Gurevich,V/Germany 1998. ] xe8 and the b-pawn is lost. ] 11.d4!? A new move here, as previously 30...xd2 31.xd2 e4 32.c2 c7 White had preferred [ 11.b3 to keep the d4-square free, and e4- Black is an exchange up, and he still has his square covered, d7 12.e3 ( 12.g5 b6 positional advantages (better bishop, more 13.f3 h6 14.f4 f5 15.bd4 xd4 space, e4 outpost). In fact I imagine W hite 16.xd4 h7 17.fe1 fe8 18.d2 c5 would normally resign here, but as Michele is and Black has more space, Gretarsson,H- always in time-trouble, his opponents often Haub,T/Pardubice 1999) 12...h3 13.c5 ge t e xcit e d a n d p la y o n t o o lo n g! 33.e2 Another shot, this time to exchange a xg2 14.xg2 b6 15.xe7 xe7 16.ae1 d2! ae8 with an edge to Black, Roos,D-Moreno piece. 34.eg1 xf3 35.xf3 e1 36.f2 g3+! 37.g2 Carnero,J/Mulhouse FRA 2001. ] [ 37.xg3 xg1+ ] 11...d7 12.f4!? A very aggressive plan aimed at grabbing space on the kingside, but 37...h4 38.f4 g5 39.d6+ g8 40.h2 the downside is the weakening of e4. h3 a1 41.h4 c1 42.xc1 xc1 43.b3 e3 B l a c k d i d n ' t w a n t t o l o s e a p i e c e t o f 5 . 44.bxa4 bxa4 45.d6 xc3 46.e2 c2 13.xh3 xh3 14.f5 fe8 15.df3 d6 47.f1 xa2!? Is this a blunder? It still wins, It is important to play this before White can but that might be a stroke of chance. Having play Bf4. 16.g2 g4! 17.d2 h6 18.h1 played with the new FIDE time-control, and e7 Simple chess from Black (who was being once down to 30 seconds a move, I can p r o b a b l y a l r e a d y s h o r t o f t i m e k n o wi n g vouch for the difficulty of playing good moves Michele!) 19.g1 White is getting his pieces at that speed! [ 47...b2 would have been best, I feel. ] in a twist trying to repel the black queen. e4 White was worried about Bf4, as the f4-square 48.xc1 a1 49.f4 a3 50.e2 a2 is now defended by the white rook. 20.ad1 T h e a - p a w n r e g a i n s t h e p i e c e . 51.xa2 ae8 21.xe4?! I think that White should xa2+ h a ve t a k e n t h i s c h a n ce t o e l i m i n a t e h i s 0-1 239
223
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 11...a5 12.b3 Opening the second rank for a rook transfer. e8 A thematic and good plan. Grachev,Boris Black tries to bring the knight to d6, where it Shirov,Alexei controls e4 and also looks at f5. At the same 21st TCh-RUS 2014 (2.4) time it makes room for the other knight on f6. [Fier, Alexandr] 13.g2 d6 14.a2 [ 14.c2 e8 15.b2 again is an important W hite tried t o pla y a slow game , withou t alternative, the rook can go to the e-file by committing to e4. For me it's too passive and normal means ] after 20 moves White needed to take care to avoid being clearly worse. 1.f3 d5 2.g3 14...e8 15.e2 White follows his plan, but g4 3.g2 d7 4.c4 e6 5.cxd5 exd5 Black is ready to triple on the e-file and when 6.h3 White immediately attacks the bishop. In this happens it will be hard to make progress. this line the move orders are not so important, e6 16.b2 e7 17.fe1 e8 18.d2 b6 19.c3 f5 Finally White has finished his so there are a lot of transpositions. [ 6.0-0 c6 ( 6...gf6 will be similar to the development, but all Black's pieces are more game 7.c3 c6 8.d3 c5 9.h3 xf3 active. The position is quite solid for White, 10.xf3 was seen on ChessPublishing in b u t a t t h e s a m e t i m e p a s s i v e . 20.d4 Shirov, A (2726)-Short, N (2697)/SuperGM A committal move, but otherwise, what to do? It Sarajevo BIH 1999.) 7.d3 d6 8.c3 Black is threatening 20...Nxg3, picking up a e7 9.h3 h5 is a different setup, and also lot of pawns. It's not that the position is worse p la ya b le , a s a n a lyze d in Ma rko wski, T for White, but he still needs to play something (2531)-Aleksandrov, A (2606)/1st ch-Europe connected with e4 to activate his position and after d4 it loses a bit of it's strength. 2000. ] [ 20.e4?? xg3-+ ] 6...xf3 [ 20.f3? xg3 21.fxg3 xe3+ 22.xe3 [ 6...h5 is also possible 7.0-0 c6 8.d3 xe3 23.xe3 xe3+ 24.xe3 xe3 gf6 9.c3 e7 ( 9...c5 is again 25.f2 xd3 and Black has too many possible ) 10.e4 dxe4 11.dxe4 c5 pawns ] with an interesting game in Jasim, A [ 20.h2 defends g3, but Black has another (2300)-Mchedlishvili, M (2560)/Dubai op 5th idea xe3!? ( 20...g5 increasing the 2003. ] pressure is probably better 21.d4 xg3 7.xf3 gf6 8.0-0 c6 9.d3 c5 10.e3 22.fxg3 c7 23.g1 xg3 with more than White wants to first improve his pieces and enough for the piece) 21.fxe3 d6 22.f2 only after to play some committal pawn moves xg3+ 23.h1 xe3 with compensation ] in the center. It's probably no worse than the main lines, but now Black will have time to 20...h5 Black follows his plan of attack. [ 20...g5 would be another way to continue prepare against the e4 break. and one possible idea for White would be to [ 10.c3 is a more played move order where play e4 to force a queen exchange 21.a4 W hite's plan is based on a quick e4, and c7 22.e4!? xd2 23.xd2 dxe4 24.d5 would probably transpose to Shirov - Short and White can activate all his pieces. One in the note to move 6. ] possible continuation would be e3 25.fxe3 10...0-0 11.a3 cxd5 26.xd5 xe3 27.xe3 xe3 [ 11.g2 e8 12.c2 was successfully 28.xf7+ xf7 29.xd7+ e7 30.xe7+ employed by Roiz a5 ( 12...b6 13.h1 xe7 with a draw ] c7 14.e1 was a more suspicious plan, despite the good result for W hite in Roiz, 21.a4 c7 22.e4 dxe4 [ 22...xg3 i s a l s o i n t e r e s t i n g 23.fxg3 M (2600)-Warakomski, T (2396)/Zurich op-A ( 23.c3 will leave White with just a pawn 29 t h 2 00 5 .) 13.d2 b6 14.f3 b4 less dxe4 24.xe4 b8 ) 23...xg3 15.a3 d6 16.d2 and White managed to 24.e3 xe4 25.xe4 xe4 26.xe4 slo wly out play his op pon en t in Ro iz, M dxe4 27.f4 and the king is open, but (2 5 9 0 )-L a n d a , K (26 0 0 )/ RUS -ch T 1 3 t h W hite has good control over the dark 2006. ] 240
A07 2659 2702 08.04.2014
224
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 squares so the position remains unclear ] 23.xe4 d6 24.g5?! [ 24.xe6 was probably a better way to go fxe6!? trying to avoid 25.d5 ( 24...xe6 25.xe6 xe6 26.d5 is good for White) 25.d5!? ( 25.c3 f6 and Black's position is more comfortable) 25...h4! White is not threatening to take anything 26.e4 f8 27.xf5 xf5 28.xe6 xd5 29.xd5 xd5 30.gxh4 and White is slightly worse ] 24...xe4 25.xe4 xe4 26.xe4 xd4 Now the position is opened and White needs to be careful of some tricks, since his king position is still not that safe. 27.xh5 f6 28.h4 e2+ 29.g2 xg3! A nice shot, taking advantage of the f act that W hite's queen has no squares. 30.xf6? Now it's basically over, Black wins a couple of pawns. [ 30.fxg3 was necessary d2+ A) 31.f1 d1+ 32.f2 ( 32.g2 e2+-+ ) 32...xg3+ 33.xg3 e1+ wins; B) 31.f3 g5! 32.h7+ xh7 33.d4 g4+!? ( 33...xd4 34.xd4 b5 35.c5 should be holdable for White) 34.xg4 ( 34.xg4+ g5+ wi n s t h e q u e e n) 34...e2+ 35.h4 e7+ 36.g4 g5+ 37.f3 xg3+ 38.e2 f6 and White will suffer with a pawn down in this complicated endgame. ] 30...xe4 31.xe4 h2+ 32.f1 xh3+ 33.e2 gxf6 The position is clear and White has no chances. 34.b4 axb4 35.axb4 d6 36.d4 e6+ 37.f1 b5 38.c3 e5 39.d3 b3 40.d8+ g7 41.d1 xb4 42.e3 b1+ 43.e2 f4 0-1
kn igh t wit h o u t ga in in g so m e t h in g(e . g. several tempi or structure) in return. 6.xf3 e5 7.d2 gf6 8.e4 dxe4 9.dxe4 c5 10.0-0 e7 11.c3 0-0 12.b4 b6 13.a4 fd8 14.c2 ac8 15.e2 c5?? 16.b5 e8 17.c4 d6 18.g5! f6 19.e3 xc4 20.xc4+ h8 21.a5 c7 22.fd1 f8 23.a2 xd1+ 24.xd1 d8 25.xd8 xd8 26.a6 b6 27.g2 d7 28.e2 g6 29.b3 e7 30.c4 h6 31.f7 h7 32.c4 d6 33.h4 d1 34.e8 f5 35.exf5 xf5 36.g8+ h8 1-0 Botvinnik, M-Szilagyi, G/Amsterdam 1966/MCL ] 5.h3 xf3?! 6.xf3 e6 [ 6...e5 is likely to transpose to the Botvinnik example above, though Black does not have to invite b2-b4 by putting his bishop on c5. ] 7.0-0 bd7 8.c3 c5 [ 8...h5!? is the sort of hopeful lunge that I might venture when I am out of form. White can deal with it in numerous ways, and in most cases Black will regret weakening his position. More generally, Black could consider castling queenside because with the knight on c3 it will take W hite quite a while to open lines against Black's king. ] 9.e4 dxe4 10.xe4! If White takes with the pawn, Black might make good use of the e5 square. xe4 11.xe4 f6 12.f3 0-0 Whatever advantage White has, it obviously isn't much, but I included this game to show how the two bishops, which currently appear to be an unimportant feature of the position, can gradually show their strength in such quiet positions. 13.g2 a5 14.c3 e5?! Perhaps not a mistake as such, but certainly positionally questionable because it weakens light squares, and the absence of the light squared bishop is therefore more keenly felt. 241 A07 [ 14...a4 15.d4 e7 followed by putting the queen on a5, a rook on d8 and sitting tight Granda Zuniga,Julio E 2610 while mulling over possible pawn breaks, Cramling,Pia 2528 looks better. ] III Ruy Lopez (7) 19.06.2009 15.e2 e8 16.d2 b6 17.g5 d5 [Jonathan Rowson] 18.ae1 h6 19.c1 f6 20.c2 Not much seems to have changed, but White 1.f3 d5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 g4 4.d3 f6 [ The following old classic is worth knowing has an easy plan of doubling on the e-file and about, if only because it highlights the issue slowly a dvan cin g on t he qu ee nsid e, a n d o f w e a k c o l o u r c o m p l e x e s s o c l e a r l y . Cramling didn't find anything to counter this 4...d7 5.h3 xf3 You will find very few idea. ad8 21.e2 a6 22.fe1 d6 23.a3 Grandmasters who will give a bishop for a c7 225
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 23...a4 feels like a reflex to me, but there here: 6...d4!? 7.b4! The point, b5 is are m any s cenarios when such a pawn t h r e a t e n e d , wi n n i n g t h e e 5 - p a wn , d7 could become a liability. ] ( 7...xb4?! i s a n e r r o r , 8.xe5! xe5 24.c4 d6 25.d2 f8 26.c3 d7 27.b4 9.a4+ c6 10.xc6+ bxc6 11.xb4 a7 28.c5 c7 29.d4 axb4 30.axb4 exd4 is much better for White.) 8.a3 0-0 9.e3 31.xd4 Now White is obviously clearly better, f6 10.a2 a5 11.b5 e7 12.exd4 exd4 and could probably have converted his 13.a4 White has an ideal position, Huzman, advantage earlier than he did. b8 32.c3 A-Mikhalevski,A/Beer Sheva 1993. ] f6 33.h5 e5 34.c4+ h8 35.e3! [ but 6...0-0 7.cxd5 xd5 transposes to the K e e p i n g t h e b i s h o p p a i r . f5 Avoiding English, Reversed Dragon, and is by far the suffocation, but the pawn soon drops off and most popular method of treating this after that the result was never in doubt. 36.f4 position. ] f6 37.g6 a8 38.a2 b8 39.f2 c7 7.dxc4 The best move, 40.e6 b8 41.xf5 f7 42.ae2 a6 [ t h e t y p i c a l P i r c m o v e , 7.a4 43.b1 c7 44.c2 g8 45.d6 b5 is less successful here, cxd3! 8.xe5 dxe2 46.a2 h7 47.xd8 xd8 48.d1 g6 this is the problem for White, the e2-pawn 49.b1 f7 50.d2 xd2 51.xd2 c3 menaces the rook with check, and Black 52.f5 b5 53.d7 xd7 54.xd7 c3 g a i n s a m o ve . T h e e xt r a t e m p o wo r k s 55.c8 xb4 56.xb7 a7 57.f3 g8 against W hite, strangely, for, if his king 58.e4 f7 59.a6 g6 60.g4 e7 61.e3 were still on e1 he would be able to capture h5 62.gxh5 gxh5 63.f5 b5 64.g6 on c6! 9.e1 0-0 10.xc6 bxc6 11.c3 c3 65.f5 d5 66.f6+ xf6 67.g5 c3 g4 12.h3 e6 13.xc6 b8 Black has 68.c4 d4 69.h4 c3 70.f5 d4 active play, Rajkovic,D-Vaganian,R/ 71.b3 c3 72.a4 d4 73.xc6 f7 Kragujevac 1974 ] 74.f3 g8 75.d5+ f8 76.xg8 xc5 7...xd1 77.d5 g7 78.f3 d4 79.xh5 c3 [ 7...0-0 Is also playable, 8.c3 e6!? 80.g6 b2 81.h5 9.b3 but now a5!? is very risky, better to 1-0 play ( 9...b8 perhaps, as in the Short game. ) 10.c2 xc4 11.g5! d6 12.xe6 fxe6 13.b3 c8 14.h3 f7 242 A07 Black is hanging -on to his e6-pawn like grim death, but Julian Hodgson is at his best Hennigan,Michael 2430 wh e n h e h a s s a c r i f i c e d m a t e r i a l f o r a Chandler,Murray G 2520 positional plus. 15.f4! exf4 16.xf4 b5?! 4NCL Birmingham ENG (7) 20.03.1999 17.e4 b4 18.d5! dxe4 19.xc7 [Tony Kosten] W hite is winning, Hodgson-Naumkin, London 1990 ] 1.g3 d5 2.g2 f6 3.d3 e5 If White e6 9.b3 The position appears doesn't want to put his pawns in the middle of 8.xd1 the board, Black will! 4.f3 c6 5.0-0 equal. 0-0 10.b2 d7 Passive, [ 10...fd8 is simpler, contesting the d-file. ] White has a classical Pirc position, with an e x t r a t e m p o . e7 This is the most natural 11.c3 f6 12.d5 d6 Despite White's advanced d5-knight, Black seems OK, his move, but [ 5...h6 is also possible, amongst others, to position is very solid. 13.e1! fd8 14.c2 stop Bg5, 6.c4 dxc4 7.dxc4 e6!? 8.b3 a5? [ 14...b6! would have avoided what b8 9.d1 d6 10.c3 a6 with equal follows. ] chances, Mack-Short, BL 1987 ] 6.c4 The traditional flanking blow, White has 15.a3! White has cleverly found a weakness only allowed Black to set-up a centre, so that in t h e b la ck p o s it io n , t h e c 7 - p a wn . ac8 he can attack it. dxc4 A sensible, if not overly This allows White to give Black a backward pawn on the d-file, but ambitious reply. [ 15...xa3? would have lost material after [ Aiming for a Benoni-style position is risky 226
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 16.xc7! ] 16.xd6 cxd6 17.a3 It is all too easy for W hite, now- the knight will come to b5 to attack the d6-pawn. g4 18.d2 c5 19.b5 f8 20.ad1 The white pieces find t h e i r i d e a l s q u a r e s . e6 21.dc3 the d6-pawn is lost. a4 22.xd6 axb3 23.xc8 xc8 24.d5! d4 25.e3 c6 26.xe6 xe6 27.axb3 The game is all over, bar the shouting. c5 28.b1 f5 29.b4 e6 30.c5 e4 31.d5 g6 32.h4 e7 33.d6 e5 34.d5+ f7 35.a1 g5 36.a7 b8 37.c6 f3+ 38.g2 1-0
243 Hickl,Joerg Hort,Vlastimil A Dortmund [Tony Kosten]
A07 2500 2580 1989
1.g3 e5 2.g2 d5 3.d3 c6 4.f3 f6 5.0-0 e7 This is not the only move, [ 5...d6 and Short's 5...h6, are reasonable. 6.g5 h6 7.xf6 xf6 8.c3 e6 9.d2 e7 10.b5!? fairly equal, Fries Nielsen,NThorhallsson,T/5th Nordic GP, Torshavn FAI 1997. ] 6.g5 White follows a plan used by Black, with colours reversed. He hopes to play a favourable e4. [ 6.c3 is also possible, with similar ideas, although this does allow Black the option of playing: d4 7.b1 0-0 8.c3 e8 9.g5 a5 10.a4 d7 11.cxd4 xd4 12.d1 xf3+ 13.xf3 c6 and the players have reached a Sicilian-type position, Urban,KBrodsky,M/Cappelle la Grande FRA 1999 ] 6...e6 Black over-protects his centre, which is often a useful precaution. [ 6...0-0 Is obviously fine, too. 7.c3 h6 ( 7...e6 transposes to 6...Be6.) 8.xf6 xf6 9.e4 d4 10.d5 e6 11.e1 e8 12.c3 Black's advantage is minimal, Hickl,JKindermann,S/ Dortmund 1989. ] 7.c3 0-0 8.e4 White invites the reply ...d4 when a closed KI position is reached. [ 8.d2 allows d7 9.xe7 ( 9.e4!? ) 9...xe7 10.e4 d4 11.e2 f6 12.f4 c5 When Black has a favourable 'Samisch KI'
set-up, Hulak,K-Quinteros,M/ Amsterdam 1977. ] 8...d4 9.e2 h6 [ 9...d7 Is met by 10.d2! a5 11.c3 dxc3?! ( 11...c5 is an improvement, when 12.cxd4 exd4 13.f4 g4 is fine for Black. ) 12.xc3 b4 13.d4 exd4 14.fxd4 White has exploded the black centre. xd4 15.xd4 xc3 16.xc3 with an edge to W hite, Gufeld,EYermolinsky,A/Lloyds Bank op 1994. ] 10.d2 d6 11.e1 White prepares the standard f4-blow. d7 12.f4 f5 Black wishes to avoid the white kingside pawn avalanche. 13.h3 fxe4 14.dxe4 a5 15.d3 The white knight finds a good blockading square. c4 16.b3 f7 17.h1 f6 18.e1 c5 19.ec1 White has no desire to lose the d3knight , and gets read y t o rep la ce it . d7 20.e2 c5 Neither side wishes to force the issue. ½-½
244 Hillarp Persson,Tiger Smith,Axel XVI Sigeman & Co (4) [Carsten Hansen]
A07 2491 2428 25.04.2008
1.g3 f6 2.g2 d5 3.d3 e5 4.f3 c6 5.0-0 e7 6.a3 a5 7.c3 [ White is heading for a sort of reversed Pirc, not quite like the one he plays as Black, but a more normal and less hazardous one. I don't know much about the guy playing Bla ck in t h is ga m e , b u t h e st a rt e d t h is t o u rn a m e n t su rp ri si n g ly we l l, s o T i ge r probably wanted to slow Black down and ju s t g r a d u a l l y o u t p l a y h i m r a t h e r t h a n heading into the typical kind of complications Tiger used to favour playing. W hite has also tried other moves in this position, the main one being 7.b3 A) 7...e6 8.b2 ( 8.c4 dxc4 9.bxc4 d7 10.c3 c5 11.a4 0-0 with chances to both players, Skalkotas, N-Lirindzakis, T/Athens 1988) 8...d4 ( 8...d7 9.bd2 0-0 10.e4 dxe4 11.dxe4 f6 12.e2 b6 with a typical position of this structure. My computer 227
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 calls this equal, but I have always favoured White, finding White's game easier to play: put a rook on d-file, play Nd2-f1-e3, the other knight to via h4 to f5 and then the p a wn s c a n b e a d va n c e d . S c h e i n , K Aschenbrenner, R/AUT 2002) 9.c3 0-0 10.bd2 ( 10.cxd4 exd4 11.bd2 d7 12.c1 fd8 13.c2 h3 14.a1 xg2 15.xg2 b6 16.c1 c5 , and Black has the better chances, Andersson, M-Sanden, S/SW E 1993) 10...dxc3 11.xc3 d7 12.c4 f6 13.fd2 db8 14.b1 a7= Moldovan, D-Ionescu, C/Baile Tusnad 1999; B) 7...0-0 B1) The alternatives are less imposing: 8.bd2? e4 9.e1 c5 10.b1 e7 11.c3 h6 , and Black is clearly better, Mandl, R-Ostermeyer, P/Germany 1986; B2) 8.e3 B2a) 8...e4!? 9.dxe4 xe4 10.d4 ( 10.b2 g4 ) 10...f6 11.b2 e8 12.d2 xd4 13.exd4 f5 , and Black has the upper hand, Tarmak, M-Kaczorowski, P/ICCF Email 1999; B2b) 8...c5 9.bd2 e7 10.b2 d8 11.b1 h6 12.c4 d4 13.exd4 exd4 14.e1 d6 15.h3 f5 16.h4 h7 17.e4 xe4 18.xe4 xe4 19.xe4 d7 20.f1 e8 with the chances to both sides, Gausel, E-Sammalvuo, T/Reykjavik 1995; B3) 8.b2 B3a) 8...d4 B3a1) 9.c4 h6 10.bd2 f5 11.c2 e8 12.ad1 h7 13.fe1 f8 14.e4 d7 Velez, N-Sariego, W/Holguin 1991, 15.e3 f5 16.ed2 dxe3 17.xe3 c5 18.e2 , and White has decent chances for a lasting plus.; B3a2) 9.c3 e8 ( 9...a6 10.bd2 e8 11.c1 f8 12.c2 dxc3 13.xc3= Roth, J-Dausch, R/ Wuerttemberg 1999) 10.cxd4 exd4 11.bd2 f8 ( 11...f5 12.c1 d7 13.xc6 xc6 14.xd4 c5 15.xf5 xf5 16.xb7 Gelman, AZakharov, A/Moscow 1998) 12.c1
e6 ( 12...d5 13.c4 b6 14.xc6 bxc6 15.xd4 b7 16.xc6 c8 17.e3 Welling, GP u l kk in e n , K / K e m e r T UR 2 0 0 7 ); 12...a6 13.e1 b6 14.c4 b5 15.a4 h5 16.cd2 h3 17.xh3 xh3 18.c4 Abeln, M-Zaragatski, I/ Netherlands NED 2007) 13.c2 d5 14.e1 d7 15.a1 ad8 16.c4 g4 17.h3 h6 18.c1 f5 , and Black has the upper hand, Andersson, M-Hartman, C/ Sweden 1993; B3a3) 9.bd2 d5 ( 9...e8 10.c4 f8 11.a4 g4 12.h3 f5 13.e4 c8 14.fd2 d7 15.f4 f6 16.f3 b4 , Hennigan, M-Apicella, M/Oakham 1990, and now W hite should have opted for 17.fxe5 xe5 18.fxe5 fxe5 19.f2 with the better chances) 10.c4 f6 11.a4 e8 12.d2 e6 13.ac1 e7 14.a3 xa3 15.xa3 f6 16.e3 , and a draw was rather prematurely agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, Ujtelky, M-Filip, M/Prague 1963; B3b) 8...e4!? 9.dxe4 ( 9.fd2?! e3 10.fxe3 g4 11.f3 ce5 12.f1 xf3+ 13.exf3 f6 14.c3 c6 ) 9...dxe4 ( 9...xe4!? ) 10.d4 xd4 11.xd4 c5 12.b2 a4 13.bxa4 b6 14.c1 xa4 15.c3 c4 16.h3 e6 , and Black has the better chances, Popovic, P-Deze, A/ Novi Sad 1979; B3c) 8...d6 9.bd2 ( 9.c4 d4 10.bd2 e8 11.c2 e6 12.e3 b8 13.fe1 e7 14.exd4 exd4 , Scrimgour, A-Bonner, G/Ayr 1974, 15.e4; 9.c3 e8 10.e4 d4 11.e2 a4 12.b4 e6 13.g5 d7 14.c3 dxc3 15.xc3 h6 16.f3 Mayer, S-Schmidt, T/Toronto 1983) 9...e7 ( 9...e8 10.e4 dxe4 11.dxe4 g4 12.h3 xf3 13.xf3 c5 14.g2 e7 15.c3 ad8 16.b4 a7 17.c2 d7 18.fd1 Lima, D-Cuartas, C/Cali 2001) 10.c4 d4 11.c2 d8 12.e3 c5 13.ae1 c7 14.exd4 exd4 15.b4 Ujtelky, M-Fichtl, J/Podebrady 1956 ] 228
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 7...0-0 8.e3 [ A worthwhile alternative is 8.g5 e6 ( 8...d4 9.xf6 xf6 10.e4 e7 11.c4 f5 12.ed2 a6 with chances to both sides, Nicholson, J-Solomon, S/Melbourne 1997) 9.e4 d4 10.e2 d7 ( 10...d7 11.xe7 xe7 12.d2 c5 13.f4 f6 14.f5 f7 15.a4 b5 16.axb5 b6 , Jurkovic, A-Tian Tian/ Budapest 2001, and now White should h a v e t r i e d 17.c4 dxc3 18.c4 xb5 19.xc3 ) 11.d2 ( 11.b1 a4 12.d2 g4 13.xe7 xe7 14.f3 f6 15.h3 h6 16.h2 c5 , and Black has the better chances, Szilardfy, G-Lengyel, B/ Budapest 1995 ) 11...g4 12.h4 e8 13.f3 e6 14.f4 xh4 15.gxh4 exf4 16.xf4 f6 17.e1 e5 18.h5 , and White has the upper hand, O rtega, L-Vezzosi, P/Forli 1991 ] [ Less convincing is 8.e4 dxe4 9.dxe4 g4 10.e3 c8 11.b1 d8 12.g5 xf3 13.xf3 d4 14.g2 c6 , and Black has a pleasant game, Shchekachev, A-Boidman, Y/Metz FRA 2007 ] 8...e8 9.b3 f5 10.h3 h6 11.b2 d7 [ 11...d4!? 12.exd4 exd4 13.b5 c5 14.d2 d7 , and chances to both sides ] 12.h2 ad8 13.e2 d6 14.d2 e7 15.b1 g6 16.a2! White is playing in an almost mocking fashion, but it is amazing how passively Black sits by, almost clueless to White's teasing symmetrical play. b8?! [ 16...h5!? ] 17.ae1 bd7 18.a1 c6 19.f4 c7 20.c1 d6 [ Some alternatives are 20...h7 21.f5 b5 22.e4 d6 ] [ and 20...e4 21.f5 h7 with a good for Black ] 21.a4 [ 21.fxe5 xe5 22.f4 a4!? ] 21...b8 [ Here 21...exf4 22.exf4 b6 looks pleasant for Black, whereas ] [ 21...e4 22.a3 c5 23.d4 c8 24.c4 b6 is about equal ] 22.a3 c7 23.f5 h5 24.e4 dxe4 [ 24...a7!? invites White to trap Black's b i s h o p o n h 5 w i t h 25.g4 ( 25.c3!? ) 25...xg4 26.hxg4 xg4+ 27.h3 df6 , but this is hardly particularly promising for
W h i t e , e . g . 28.f3 e3 29.h1 h7 , and I prefer Black. ] 25.dxe4 [ 25.xe4 xe4 26.dxe4 xe2 27.xe2 a7 leads to approximately equal chances ] 25...xe2 26.xe2 a7 27.g4 [ Or 27.c4 b6 28.b2 c8 29.c3 b5 with a complicated game and chances to both sides ] 27...c5 28.f3 d6 [ 28...h7!? ] 29.c4 e7 30.b2 [ Here I like 30.xc5 xc5 31.g5 , e.g. hxg5 32.xg5 h7 33.g3 e7 34.d1 , and W hite has the better chances it is difficult for Black to get active counterplay. Ho we ve r , T i g e r i s t a k i n g i s ve r y s l o w, continuing to massage Black into submission. ] 30...a8 31.e1 [ Also 31.g5 hxg5 32.xg5 b5 33.g2 f8 34.d2 is clearly better for White ] 31...b4 32.c3 c5 33.c1 b6?! [ Black refuses to play actively. Last chance is 33...b5 34.b2 a3 ] 34.xb6 xb6 35.g2 h7 36.h4 f6?! [ 36...c5 37.g5 hxg5 38.hxg5 looks outright scary for Black on the kingside ] 37.e2 c5? 38.c4+ [ 38.g5 hxg5 39.hxg5 fxg5 40.c4+ f8 41.g3+- ] 38...h8 [ 38...f8 39.g5 fxg5 40.hxg5 xg5 41.xg5 hxg5 42.f6 gxf6 43.h4! ] 39.g5 fxg5 [ 39...b5 40.axb5 fxg5 41.hxg5 cxb5 42.xb5 eb8 43.f6 gxf6 44.gxf6 xf6 45.c4+- ] 40.hxg5 hxg5 41.f3 f6 42.h3 e7 43.h1! and on account of the threat of Qg1-h2, Black decided he had seen enough and resigned. A beautiful effort on White's part, and a demonstration how small means are often adequate when having to beat weaker opponents. 1-0
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Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 245 Hodgson,Julian M Short,Nigel D Brighton (2) [Nigel Davies]
A07 2385 2475 1983
1.f3 f6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 c6 4.d3 g4 5.h3 h5 6.g4 g6 7.h4 e5 8.c3 [ This move is more or less interchangeable with 8.e3 . Black will be loathe to play ...d5d4 with his light square bishop about to disappear from the board. ] 8...e7 [ 8...b4 is interesting. ] 9.e3 0-0?! This looks natural enough but it is incredibly dangerous for Black to commit his king here. And the fact that a player of Nigel Short's considerable abilities does so here shows that it's an easy mistake to make. [ 9...bd7 was a much better idea. ] 10.xg6 hxg6 11.g5 e8 [ After 11...h5 12.h4 f5 (Otherwise White will play Bf3 and then capture on h5) 13.gxf6 xf6 14.e2 White will be castling long and then attack Black's doubled g-pawns (and then his king) along the open g-file. ] 12.h4 b5 Seeing the potential danger to his king, Short hurries to get counterplay. 13.a3 a5 14.g4 c7 15.e4 d4 16.e2 d7 17.g3 With h4-h5 coming White clearly doesn't want a queen swap. e8 18.h3 d8 19.h5 d6 20.hxg6 fxg6 21.f4 exf4 [ 21...ba6 22.h4 f7 ] 22.xf4 xf4 23.xf4 d6 24.0-0-0 W h it e's at ta ck is wa y to o st ro ng n ow. b4 25.df1 bxa3 26.h4 axb2+ 27.b1 a3 28.h7+! [ B l a c k i s m a t e d a f t e r 28.h7+ f8 ( 28...f7 29.xg6#; 28...xh7 29.e6# ) 29.xg6# ] 1-0
246 Hodgson,Julian M Sofrigin,Alexej Bern Cup Berna (4) [Nigel Davies]
A07 2615 2285 1996
1.g3 f6 2.g2 d5 3.d3 c6 4.f3 g4 5.h3 xf3 6.exf3 e6 7.f4
[ Here's another example of this set-up: 7.0-0 d6 8.f4 c7 9.d2 bd7 10.f3 0-0 11.e1 fe8 12.d4 (Preventing ...e6-e5 perhaps through concern that this would get drawish, but now Black gets another good lever) c5! 13.e3 ac8 14.c3 b5 15.e5 b6 16.d3 c4 17.e5 e4 18.h2 f6 19.f3 b4 and Black had sufficient counterplay in Stanec, N (2566)-Freitag, M (2396)/Austria 2005. ] 7...c5 [ I think it makes more sense to fianchetto this bishop with 7...g6 , one of the points being that it inhibits a later f4-f5 by White. ] [ Black has also tried 7...d6 which doesn't look quite right either, for example 8.d2 0-0 9.f3 bd7 10.0-0 e8 11.e1 e5 12.fxe5 xe5 13.d4 c7 14.g5 h6 15.e3 was slightly better for White in Hergott, D (2510) -O'Donnell, T (2425)/ Calgary 1996. ] 8.d4 This will only be worth doing if it gains a tempo, and personally I might have resisted the temptation even now. e7 9.d2 0-0 10.0-0 bd7 11.f3 b6 12.c3 ac8 13.e2 b5 14.e3 fe8 [ 14...c5 is Black's logical pawn lever, which is the reason I'd have preferred to keep White's d-pawn back. It's only Black's refusal to use this idea that eventually lands him in a passive position. ] 15.a4 b6 16.a5 c7 17.b4 b6 18.e5 xe5?! [ 18...c5 is still the right idea. ] 19.fxe5 d7 20.f4?! A slip which might have been inspired by Black's passive play. [ 20.d2 was better. ] 20...f5?! [ Missing a chance of counterplay with 20...bxa5 21.xa5 c5! , the point being that 22.dxc5 xa5! wins material. ] 21.g4 g6 22.h4!? b5? With White charging down the kingside it was vital to get some counterplay. [ 22...bxa5! 23.xa5 fxg4 24.h5 b6 was a better try, keeping some activity. ] 23.h5 f8 24.h3 Now White's attack is the only show in town. d8 25.f3 e7 26.a2 g7 27.h1 e7 28.h2 f7 Rightly heading for the hills. 29.d2 e8 30.e1 d7 31.g1 c7 32.g2 f7 230
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 later, Ne3-f5. b4 Hoping to encourage White to play c3, perhaps, a more natural alternative is [ 14...c5 15.f1 f8 16.g4!? A doubleedged advance, White must be sure that he can stop Black from playing a knight to the f4-square that he has just weakened. g6 17.g3 White builds-up on the kingside. 6d7 menacing ...Ne6-f4. 18.h4 f6 19.g5 f7 20.h5 e6 Finally Black is able to play this, but events are about to overtake him. 21.gxf6 gxf6 22.h4 h8 23.f3 f4 24.hf5 e6 25.h1 White has a violent kingside attack, Istratescu,A-Acs,P/Krynica POL 1998. ] 15.c4 xf3 Conceding the bishop pair, but this is a common theme in this variation, and Black wants to reduce the pressure on e5, for instance, 247 A07 [ 15...ad8?! allows 16.g4 g6 17.fxe5 xe5 18.xd8 and White wins the e-pawn. ] Istratescu,Andrei 2540 Torre,Eugenio 2545 16.xf3 f8 All part of the plan, the knight is White sets a light ol (men) Elista RUS (9) 07.10.1998 c o m i n g t o e 6 . 17.h4! square attack in motion, now that Black has [Tony Kosten] given his main light-squared defender. 6d7 1.f3 f6 2.g3 d5 This is the most common 18.g4 f6!? A difficult move to have to make, move order for reaching this position, Black his e5-pawn needed more defence, but this w a i t s b e f o r e W h i t e p l a y s g 3 b e f o r e further weakens the light squares. 19.e3 committing himself to ...d5. 3.g2 c6 4.0-0 e6 20.c4 df8 21.g2 h8 22.h5 g4 Capablanca's System, play should be Threatening to play h6, and then f4, exposing similar to a reversed Torre Attack. 5.d3 bd7 the a1-h8 diagonal. h6 White's strategy has 6.bd2 e5 As White has not made any effort triumphed, the kingside light squares belong to attack the black centre, with c4, Black to his pieces, but Black could barely avoid this move anyway. 23.f5 ad8 24.xd8 xd8 boldly constructs a full centre. [ 6...e6 is normal, although less ambitious, 25.d1 c7 26.c3 White only plays this B l a c k s e t s - u p a l i g h t - s q u a r e d w a l l o f move now that he can af ford to close the a1-h8 diagonal, the b2-bishop has achieved pawns. ] 7.h3 h5 8.e4 dxe4 9.dxe4 e7 its objectives here, and now moves to the A solid choice, leaving the c5-square open for c1-h6 diagonal. c5 27.h4 b6 28.c1 the later manoeuvre ...Nc5-e6, controlling the f7 29.g6+ g8 [ 29...xg6?! 30.hxg6 forces the passive d4-square. Personally, I prefer move g8 ] [ 9...c5 placing the king's bishop on an 30.f5 d8 Black seeks salvation in the active diagonal. ] 10.a4! A useful precaution, White hopes to put endgame, but White's control of the d-file will xf7 paid to any possibility of Black playing a later b e t h e d e cisive f a ct o r. 31.xf7+ A surprising move, White need to ...b5, the c4-square will provide a good post 32.e3! for a white knight. a5 11.e2 0-0 12.b3 e8 exchange the c5-bishop, even if it means 13.b2 By pressurising the e5-pawn he a l l o wi n g t h e d o u b l i n g o f h i s p a wn s . d8 makes it difficult for Black to bring a knight to This is easy for White, but even after [ 32...xe3 33.fxe3 Black cannot move any e6. c7 14.fd1 White has the slightly more of his pieces without allowing the white active position, he can continue with Nc4, and 33.gxf5 exf5 34.c4! Opening up Black's new residence for his king. bxc4 35.b5 e6?! [ 35...b8 was a much better try. ] 36.bxc6 gxh5 37.xh5? Hurrying a time troubled opponent? [ 37.d2 was strong here. ] 37...xg2? [ 37...g8! would have helped Black get right back in the game. ] 38.xf7 xh2+ 39.xh2 xf4 40.g3? Another slip from Hodgson which strongly suggests a time scramble. [ 40.g7 was better. ] 40...xc6 41.e8+ [ Presumably this was on time as after 41.e8+ b7 Black is much better. ] 1-0
231
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 pieces to infiltrate his position, e.g. e6 34.b4 d8 35.xd8+ exd8 36.e7+ f8 37.c8 ] 33.xc5 bxc5 [ 33...xd1 34.xf8 ] 34.e7+ h8 35.xd8 xd8 36.f3 Black is in zugzwang. c4 The only other move is [ 36...h7 but 37.e3 g5 38.d7 wins easily. ] 37.b4 Creating a distant passed pawn. axb4 38.cxb4 c5 39.bxc5 fe6 40.xe6 xe6 41.c6 The black king is still cut-off from the game, and W hite can queen one of his queenside pawns however he wants. 1-0
16.b3+ h7 17.c2 [ Why didn't Ivanchuk play the natural 17.xh8 xh8 18.xb7 ? Presumably he was concerned about Black's play on the light squa res, but is it really enough t o compensate for the material deficit? I don't think so. ] 17...e8 18.e1 Ivanchuk continues to reject ways of cashing in and gradually runs short of compensation. [ 18.f4 g8 19.xc7 was probably the way to go here. ] 18...g8 19.b3+ e6 20.xe6 xe6 21.xe6+ h7 22.f5 e8 23.e5+ g8 24.f4 xe5 25.xe5 [ 25.dxe5 d5 would also favour Black. ] 25...d7 26.xd7 xd7 27.xc7 c8 28.a5 c2 248 A07 [ Black could also have played 28...xd4 because 29.d1 can be answered by e5! Ivanchuk,Vassily 2764 .] Navara,David 2708 53rd Masters (7) 04.01.2011 29.c3 b6 30.e1 f7 31.f1 a4 32.e2 c1+ 33.e1 xe1+ 34.xe1 xc3 [Nigel Davies] 35.bxc3 e6 36.d2 d5 37.d3 b5 1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 g7 4.g2 d5 38.f4 a5 39.g4 f6 40.e3 a4 41.d3 5.0-0 dxc4 6.a3 e6 7.g5!? d8 42.h3 e7 This appears to be a novelty, and a very 0-1 interesting one at that. In playing this way White almost certainly had in mind the knight A07 sacrifice on move 10, which makes the whole 249 Kamsky,Gata 2720 concept very deep and fascinating. Aronian,Levon 2754 [ T h e t ra d it i o n a l 7.c2 seems far more c o m f o r t a b l e f o r B l a c k, f o r e xa m p l e 0-0 4th FIDE GP Nalchik RUS (12) 28.04.2009 8.xc4 c5 ( 8...c6 9.d3 d5 10.e4 [Jonathan Rowson] was Markowski, T (2603)-Romanishin, O ( 2 5 3 7 ) / M o s c o w 2 0 0 4 a n d n o w e6 1.f3 d5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 c6 It is not clear was best ) 9.d3 c6 10.e3 b6 11.fc1 that Black is obliged to play this move, but I d5 was fine for Black in Nanu, C (2418)- have noticed that most Slav players do it as a matter of course, perhaps thinking that with Lupulescu, C (2348)/Baile Tusnad 2001. ] 7...d5 8.e4 c6 9.xc4 h6 10.xf7! their pawns on c6 and d5, nothing can harm 4.0-0 f5 5.d3 e6 6.fd2!? W hite really had to have had this in mind them. when playing his 7.Ng5 which makes the Not a new idea, but probably W hite's best entire concept very interesting. And the result chance to generate a serious initiative in this of this game is not a f air indication. xf7 line. The point is to free the f-pawn as early as possible and force through e4 and f4 and 11.e5+ g8 12.xg6 bd7 [ B l a c k c o u l d a l s o c o n s i d e r 12...xe4 possib ly also g4 a nd/ or f 5 dep end ing o n , for example 13.e1 h7 14.xh8 d6 context. White can also play Nbd2, Qe1 and 15.d4 xg2 16.xg2 xh8 17.d5 e4, or Nbd2, e3, Qe2 and e4, but in most of looks slightly more comfortable for White but these cases White moves his f3 knight sooner or later anyway, often to a not particularly is far from clear. ] 13.d4 xe4 14.xe4 xe4 15.d3 ef6 natural square like h4 or e1, so Nfd2 has a lot 232
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 going for it. h6 [ 6...g6!? 7.e4 h5!? was tried by Sveshnikov here in a rapid game, but looks a bit suspect to my mind. ] [ 6...e5!? might be simplest. A) 7.c4 is probably more challenging, but there doesn't seem to be much wrong with B la c k 's p o sit i o n . T h a t s a id , a f t e r t h e natural e7 ( 7...d4!? ) 8.c3 0-0 9.b3 is already uncomfortable.; B) 7.e4 dxe4 8.dxe4 e6 Now White's creative knight manoeuvre looks q u e s t i o n a b l e . 9.e2 1/2-1/2 Badea, B (2520)-Malakhov, V (2535)/Tucepi 199698 ] 7.e4 h7 8.c3 bd7 Perhaps not a mistake, but I would have given preference to kingside development, retaining the option of Na6 and/or c5 and Nc6. 9.e2 b6 10.a4 a5 11.f4 b4 12.f5 e7 13.b3 dxe4 14.xe4 xf5 [ 14...xe4 15.dxe4 exf5 16.f2 d7 17.exf5 ] 15.xf6+ gxf6 16.xf5! exf5 17.f2 White has more than enough compensation and Black does well to survive. d7 18.f4 [ 18.xf5!? ] 18...e5 19.d4 g6 20.c3 xf4 21.gxf4 In some ways it is a pity to close the f-file, but fixing 1v3 on one file is not such a bad thing, and more importantly, White threatens Re1, w i n n i n g t h e q u e e n . 0-0-0 22.cxb4 There was something to be said for delaying this move. [ 22.e1 d6 23.e3 looks at least as strong. ] 22...xb4 23.c2 he8 24.f2 e7 25.d1 de8 26.d2 xa4 27.xf5+ b8 28.c5 c4 29.c2 xc2 30.xc2 d8 31.d2 c7 32.e4 ed7 33.e3 e7 34.f2 ed7 35.e3 e7 36.d3 d5 37.c3 d8 38.e4 d5 39.c3 d8 40.e4 ½-½
250 Kamsky,Gata Robson,Ray ch-USA Saint Louis USA (1) [Nigel Davies]
A07 2702 2569 14.05.2010
1.f3 d5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 g4 4.0-0 d7 5.d3 gf6 6.h3 h5 7.bd2 e5 8.e4 d6 9.c3 Kamsky places more trust in his ability to grind than any particular knowledge of theory. [ The most challenging line is 9.exd5 cxd5 10.c4 with interesting play. ] 9...a5 [ There are other move orders here, for example 9...0-0 10.c2 e8 11.e1 a5 12.a4 would transpose into the game. ] 10.a4 0-0 11.c2 e8 12.e1 c5 I must admit to finding White's position totally unappealing after both this and other moves. [ 12...c7 13.h4 ad8 14.b3 e7 15.f5 f8 16.e3 h6 was also nothing for W hite in Savon, V (2485)-Andrianov, N (2435)/Severodonetsk 1982. ] 13.h4 dxe4 [ Black could also keep the tension with 13...f8 , for example 14.f1 b6 15.g2 ad8 16.b1 c7 17.f3 d7 18.e2 g6 19.f1 e7 20.h2 h5 21.g2 e6 was very good for Black at this stage in Vrana, F (2259)-Meduna, E (2483)/ Kunzak 2001. ] [ Another possibility is 13...b6 when 14.g4 g6 15.g5 h5 16.xg6 hxg6 17.exd5 cxd5 18.xd5 d8 gave Black compensation for the sacrificed pawn in Cabrilo, G (2490)-Horvath, C (2460)/Niksic 1991. ] 14.dxe4 c7 15.f1 Given the way this turns out W hite wou ld be well ad vised to see k alternatives here. [ One possibility is 15.g4 af t er wh ic h d3 16.xd3 xd3 17.e3 xc1 18.xc1 g6 19.ee1 ed8 would be very comfortable for Black but maybe not better for him. Of course this is much better than the game. ] 15...d7 16.b3 cxe4! It must be great to be so young, talented and fearless! This sacrifice is new and looks rather good, but against a great defender like Kamsky it's a risky way to play. [ Older and less gifted players would be well 233
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 a d v i s e d t o t r y t h e m u n d a n e 16...e6 here instead, for example 17.e3 ed8 18.c5 ( 18.f5 seems slightly better for White as f3 is met by 19.d2 . ) 18...xc5 19.xc5 e6 20.f5 d7 21.b3 ad8 a n d B la c k wa s d o in g f in e in I va n o v, M (2489)-Juhasz, K (2175)/Feffernitz 2008. ] 17.g4 xg4 18.hxg4 xg4+ 19.g2 ad8 [ Perhaps Black should have chosen 19...g5!? , f o r e xa m p l e 20.e2 f3+ 21.xf3 xf3 22.d2 h5 leaves him with three pawns and ongoing attacking chances for the piece. ] 20.e2 e6 21.c4 f5 22.e3 h3 [ And here 22...d6 23.e2 g6 might have been a better way. ] 23.e2 g4? Allowing White to simplify into an endgame in which he has all the chances. [ 23...g5!? would have been much better. ] 24.xg4! xg4 25.d2 f6 26.xg4 xg4 27.c4 xe3 28.gxe3 h5 29.ab1 d3 30.ed1 ed8?! A stereotyped move after which White gets a clear edge. [ 30...e4! was much better when the situation remains far from clear. ] 31.xd3 xd3 32.b4! Despite the reduction in material W hite has managed to take the initiative on the queenside. axb4 33.xb4 b5 [ 33...b6 34.xb6 xc3 was a better try. After the text Black may already be lost. ] 34.axb5 cxb5 35.xb5 xc3 36.b7 d8 37.b8 d3 38.xe5 Going a piece for two pawns up. The rest of the game represents very little other than suffering for Black, with a f a r f r o m h a p p y o u t c o m e a t t h e e n d . d6 39.g2 g6 40.b7 f6 41.3c4 f4 42.d6 h4 43.f3 g5 44.dxf7 f6 45.b8+ g7 46.h8 f5 47.xh5 e1 48.xg5+ xg5+ 49.xg5 f6 50.d3 a5 51.e4+ f5 52.f2 c7 53.e3 b6+ 54.ec5 c7 55.b3 d6 56.d4+ f6 57.e4 g3 58.f4 h2 59.de2 e7 60.f5 d6 61.g4 e5 62.h5 1-0
251 Kasimdzhanov,Rustam Morozevich,Alexander World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (3) [Carsten Hansen]
A07 2690 2755 21.11.2007
1.f3 d5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 c6 4.0-0 g4 5.d3 bd7 6.bd2 e6 7.e1 e7 8.e4 0-0 9.h3 h5 10.e5 [ This doesn't accomplish anything for White, and actually promises Black an easy game. Similarly 10.h2?! e5 11.f4 exf4 12.gxf4 dxe4 13.dxe4 c5 is very nice for Black one game went 14.h1 e8 15.e5 d5 16.df3 f5 17.c4 c7 18.e3 7e6 19.d1 c7 20.g1 ad8 21.f1 d3 , and White resigned, 0-1 Horvath, G-Leko, P/HUN 1998 ] [ 10.h1 is the normal move in this position. ] 10...e8 11.h2 [ 11.g4 g6 12.h2 c7 13.f4 f6 14.f5 c5+ 15.h1 f7 with a comfortable game for Black, Leskowsky, Z-Eisen, D/corr ICCF 1993 ] 11...c7 [ Black has done well with two other moves at this juncture: A) 11...b6 12.h1 c7 13.f4 f6 14.g4 g6 15.exf6 xf6 16.b3 ae8 Lebredo, G-Savon, V/Lublin 1977 ] [ B) 11...a5 12.f4 b6+ 13.h1 g6 14.df3 c7 Skeels, J-Hage, H/ICCF Email 2000 ] 12.h1?! [ This amounts to waste of time and hands Black the better chances without a fight. Instead White should try 12.f4 A) 12...f6!? 13.df3 fxe5 14.fxe5 a6 15.a3 b6+ 16.h1 c5 17.h4 xf3 ( 17...ac8!? ) 18.xf3 f7 19.e2 af8 20.c3 with a bet ter game for White, Haub, T-Reefschlaeger, H/ Schoeneck 1996, although Black can easily improve on his play in this game; B) 12...f5 13.exf6 xf6 14.g4 ( 14.df3!? ) 14...xg4 15.hxg4 e5 16.g5 e7 17.f3 c5+ 18.h1 e8 19.h3 e4 20.h4 Tringov, G-Lukacs, P/Sombor 1980, and now d8!? looks very good for Black ] 12...f6 13.df3 f5 14.d2 c5 15.c4 b8 234
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 16.a5 b6 17.c3 c6 18.b3 d7 19.c1 ad8 20.g1 b5 [ 20...f4!? ] 21.e2 bxc4 22.f4 f7 23.bxc4 d4 24.a5 b8 25.h4 b2 26.f3 xa2 27.a1 xa1 28.xa1 b8 29.e1 a6 30.g5 xg5 31.hxg5 ab4 32.xb4 cxb4 [ 32...xb4!? ] 33.c5?! b3 34.a6 xe5 35.xe5 b2 36.e1 b1 37.xb1 xb1+ 38.h2 g6 39.c6 c7? [ 39...e7-+ ] 40.c4 b8 41.xe6 d6?! [ 41...e5 42.d5 c8 43.a6 b8 44.f4 ] 42.d5 c8 43.c7? [ 43.f4 ] 43...a5 44.f4 a4 45.h3 and White likely lost on time here 0-1
252 Kramnik,V Vitiugov,N Alekhine Mem (1) [Danny Gormally]
A07 2801 2712 21.04.2013
1.f3 d5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 g4 4.0-0 d7 5.d3 gf6 6.e1 e5 7.e4 dxe4 8.dxe4 d6?! Black has a wide choice where to put th e b is h o p , o n e 7 , d 6 o r c5. P la cin g t h e bishop here will inevitably run into a later Nd2c4, which may be why the development to c5 is much more common. [ Kramnik himself has experience of this variation, and in an earlier game against Aronian, adopted the more common and arguably more active development of the bishop on c5: 8...c5! 9.bd2 0-0 10.h3 h5 11.c4 e8 12.h4 b5 13.a5 c7 14.a4 b6 15.b3 a6 16.g5 c5? Pseudo-activity, which runs into a strong rejoinder. 17.a5 a7 18.c4! ab8 19.d2 h6 20.e3! White enjoys a large strategic advantage as the bishop on a7 is buried out of the game, and went on to win in Aronian, L - Kramnik, V/Shanghai 2010 ] 9.bd2 0-0 10.h3 h5 11.c4 c7 12.a4 e8 13.h4 c5 14.f5 By playing such a
way, White is aiming for strategic strangulation, as it is far from easy for Black to generate active play in such positions. But in order to make serious headway, he will probably need to advance on the kingside at some point, which will give Black a certain amount of counterplay. e6 15.e3 f4 Vitiugov is desperate to try and mix things up, but Kramnik just ignores him. The problem is this knight lunge does not change matters on the board too much, as White is reasonably happy to part with this bishop on g2 anyway. [ 15...d4?! was certainly worthy of consideration, but this entails a certain amount of risk, as after the exchange on d4 White's kingside pawns become a formidable force. 16.xd4 exd4 17.e5! And although White isn't threatening to take on f6 directly because of the pin on the e-file, with moves like Qb4 and Nf5-d6 threatened, Black is in some trouble. ] 16.f3! [ I very much doubt Kramnik even considered 16.gxf4? which runs into trouble after exf4 17.d4 f3! ] 16...xg2 17.xg2 g6 18.d1 d5! [ B l a c k r e m a i n s p a s s i v e a f t e r 18...b8 19.h4 b5? 20.axb5 cxb5 21.d2! As the knight on d2 will quickly manoeuvre around to the holes left on the queenside. ] 19.h4 xe3+ 20.xe3 e7 Vitiugov is happy to adopt a passive, defensive strategy, but Kramnik aptly demonstrates that such an approach can only guarantee a prolonged torture against players of the highest class. 21.b3! ab8 22.f2 ed8 23.xd8+ xd8 24.d2 c7 25.d3 e6 26.b4! A "creeping" move, as Spassky used to call them. This move prepares the re-location of t h e q u e e n t o d 2 , wh i c h d i s c o u r a g e a n y exchanges on that file, thus dooming Black to ye t m o re p assivit y. I t's o f t e n th e s e lit t le positional gems that set players like Kramnik apart, ensuring that he can turn positions that are only slightly better into victory, and also ensuring that he will be writing 1-0 in the scoresheet at the end when lesser mortals like ourselves will only manage a desultory half-half. b6 [ Again, it is very hard for Black to create a n yt h i n g . T h e b i s h o p o n g 6 i s a m e r e 235
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 spectator, which in any case W hite can exchange off at any moment if he so wishes. I f h e t r i e s t o b r e a k o u t w i t h 26...b5 He merely creates more problems af ter 27.axb5 cxb5 28.e3! So with ..b6 Black slowly prepares the idea of playing ..b5 but being able to capture back on b5 with the apawn, an admirable positional ideal, but the problem is it's so slow W hite can generate serious play in the meantime. ] 27.b3 a6 28.d2 b5 29.d7! bxc4 30.xc7 cxb3 31.b7! Kramnik is like a great composer, the symphony plays only for him. This little tactical sequence has greatly increased his advantage - Black is left with ho rrib ly we a k qu e e n sid e p a wn s t h a t a re almost impossible to defend in the long run. c8 32.xb3 xb3 33.cxb3 f6 34.d6 f7 [ Black's only faint chances of making a draw consist of somehow gaining a perpetual check against the white king. To this end, 34...a5 was worth a try, with the idea of ..Qa6-e2. However even here White h a s a n e f f e c t i ve a n s we r 35.g4! a6 36.g3 e2 37.g2 preventing any hopes of a perpetual, while Black's queenside pawns will inevitably drop off. ] 35.g4 e8 36.g3 b7 37.b4 c8 38.a5 f7 39.g2! With this move, White makes clear that it is not possible for Black to hold the position with passive play alone, as the knight is going to be funnelled around to the queenside to breakdown any passive defence. Essentially Black is now helpless. h5 40.e3 hxg4 41.hxg4 e6 42.d3 c8 43.c4+ f8 44.c5+ [ In such positions, there is often a pleasant c h o i c e b e t w e e n w i n s , a n d 44.g5! Is also very strong. b7 45.gxf6 gxf6 46.e6 g7 47.g4+- ] 44...g8 45.b5! axb5 46.b6 f8 47.a6 b4 48.a7 e1+ 49.g2 d2+ 50.g1 Nf 1 will cover any future checks. A good demonstration of how difficult it can be to get a result with Black against someone like Kramnik - it is difficult to indicate exactly where Vitiugov went wrong. 1-0
253 Littlewood,John Eric Davies,Nigel R Chorley (3) [Nigel Davies]
A07 2350 1977
1.f3 f6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 c6 4.0-0 g4 5.h3 xf3 6.exf3 g6 This feels like the right way to develop the bishop the pawn on g6 inhibits a White f4-f5 and the bishop will bear down on W hite's queenside. An analogous plan to this is thought to be best for White in the Trompovsky line with 1.d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 g6 3. Bxf6 exf6 4.c4 followed by a later g2-g3. 7.e1 g7 8.e2 e6 9.d3 0-0 10.f4 c5 11.d2 c6 12.c3 c8 [ Up to this point I had unwittingly followed t h e p l a y o f t h e g re a t Yu go s la v p la ye r , Borislav Ivkov. He played the immediate 12...b5 af ter which 13.f3 c8 14.e5 d7 15.f3 b4 16.c4 dxc4 17.dxc4 d4 18.d3 c7 gave him excellent counterplay in Ianov, V (2386) -Ivkov, B (2425)/Bijeljina 2001. ] 13.f3 d7 14.h4 True to his style John L i t t l e wo o d t r i e s t o d r u m u p p l a y o n t h e kingside. b5 15.h3 b4 16.d2 e8 17.h5 a5 18.hxg6 hxg6 19.cxb4 cxb4 [ Another possibility was 19...a6!? 20.bxc5 xb2 21.ab1 d4 22.xd4 xd4 ] 20.a3 b5 21.axb4 xb2 22.ab1 g7 23.ec1 d4 24.xd4 xd4 25.g2 b7 26.g4 g7 27.f3 b6 ½-½
254 Markos,Jan Kjartansson,Gudmundur Scottish Open, Edinburgh (5) [Jonathan Rowson]
A07
2009
1.f3 f6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 c6 4.0-0 g4 5.d3 bd7 6.h3 h5 7.e1 [ 7.bd2 is the most standard move, but another interesting wrinkle was seen in Markos-Shaw: ] [ 7.c3!? e5 8.c2 e7 9.e4 dxe4 10.dxe4 0-0 11.bd2 b5?! This looks wrong to me, but may not actually do any harm. ( 11...e8 intending f6 and (at some point) Bf7 looks 236
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 more reliable- an approach made popular by the young(er) Kramnik.) 12.b3 c7 13.h4 fd8 14.f5 f8 15.g5 h6 16.e3 It feels like White is a bit better now because his pieces are more harmoniously placed. e8 17.c4! f6 18.cxb5 Probably a m is t a k e - W h it e d o e s n o t se e m t o ga i n an yt hing s ignif ica n t f rom relea sing t h e tension. cxb5 19.d3 c5! 20.xb5 db8 21.c4+ f7 22.e2 xb3 23.axb3 xb3 24.fc1 b7 It feels like Black should be ok now, but John seemed to be a bit impatient t o r e s o l v e t h e t e n s i o n . 25.c2 h7 ( 25...a5!? ) 26.d1 g6 In general the knight did not look so scary on f5 while the weakness on the seventh rank proved to be fatal. 27.c1! c8 28.e3 c5 29.h4 h5 30.h2 d4 31.h3 d8 32.g2 b5 33.f3 e6?! ( 33...a5 ) 34.h3 xh3 35.xh3 c8 36.xc8 d7+ 37.h2 xc8 38.e2 xe3 39.xe3 b7 40.d8 xb2 ( 40...e7 41.d2 b7 42.d5 c7 might hold on a good day.) 41.c4 e7 42.c8 1-0 ] 7...e5 8.e4 dxe4 9.dxe4 xf3?! [ 9...c5 10.b4!? ] [ 9...e7 10.h4 0-0 11.f5 ] 10.xf3 c5 11.a4!? [ 11.b4 e7 is probably playable for Both sides- White gains space but his queenside is a bit vulnerable. ] 11...a6?! This looks wrong to me, giving White a long term structural and space advantage on the queenside. [ 11...a5 ] 12.a5 0-0 13.a3 c7 14.c4 fd8 15.e2 e8 16.g5 df6 17.g2 h6 18.d2 [ 18.e3!? xe3 19.xe3 d4! ] 18...e7 19.h2 d6 20.c3 xc4?! The W hite queen is very strong on c4, so Black should not allow it to get there without a fight. [ 20...d7!? 21.b4 b5 ] 21.xc4 d7 22.ae1 ad8 [ 22...d4 23.b4 e6 24.xe6 fxe6 looks superficially plausible, but Black's activity doesn't amount to much and the epawns will soon become weak. ] 23.f4 exf4?! [ 23...d6! is most solid and keeps the
position tense, but Kjartansson had just won two brilliant games against Indian Grandmasters and seems to try a bit too hard here to generate tactics. ] [ 23...d4 24.b4 e6 ( 24...e8!? ) 25.xe6 fxe6 26.c3 a7 27.fxe5 ] 24.gxf4 g4+?! A hopeful lunge, I think in some time pressure. [ 24...d4 25.b4 e6 26.xe6 fxe6 27.c3 a7 ] 25.hxg4 h4+ 26.h3 f2 27.xf2 xf2+ 28.g2 xf4+ 29.h3! Superficially Black seems to have chances, but two bishops are usually worth considerably more than a rook, and here Black's initiative is about to run out. g5 [ 29...d5 30.e2 ] 30.e2 f6 31.f3 h8 32.e5 fxe5 33.xe5 g6 34.e3 f8 35.e4 f7 36.f5 e8 37.xh6+ g8 38.g5 1-0
255 Markowski,Tomasz Burmakin,Vladimir XXII Open Benidorm ESP (5) [Jonathan Rowson]
A07 2610 2605 28.04.2009
1.g3 d5 2.f3 c6 3.g2 f6 4.0-0 h6 5.d3 f5 6.c4 dxc4 [ 6...e6 is the main line... 7.cxd5 ( 7.e3!? intending Qb3, but now it seems that dxc4 8.dxc4 xd1 9.xd1 equalises for Black if he plays carefully. ) A) 7...cxd5 is very solid, but White has a few ways to press for some advantage. 8.b3 ( 8.c3 c6 9.a4 intending e4, is also possible.; 8.d4!? ) 8...b6 and now taking on b6 before or after Nd4 gives some sort of symbolic advantage, but W hite rarely gets anywhere in the selected games.; B) 7...exd5 In general White now aims to achieve a 4-3 majority on the kingside, and there are various ways of doing this. 8.c3 ( 8.d4 g6 9.e4!?; 8.b3 b6 9.c2 ) 8...e7 9.d4 g6 10.e4 0-0 11.b3 dxe4 12.dxe4 The following grind is a good example of what White is aiming for in these lines. a6 13.e3 b4 14.f3 237
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 e7 15.f2 fd8 16.c2 c5 17.d4 e6 18.ce2 c5 19.ad1 xd4 20.xd4 b6 21.b3 xf2+ 22.xf2 c7 23.fe1 b6 24.xd8+ xd8 25.d1 c5 26.xd8+ xd8 27.d2 equal, but White went on to win, Nikolic, P (2623)Ferguson, M (2404)/ Budva MNE 2009. ] 7.e5!? Not new, but new to me, and a nice w a y t o c r e a t e s o m e i m b a l a n c e s . e6 Together with the follow up this looks very strange at first, but it is important to grasp that in the pawn structure with e2/d3 and the c-pawn swapped for the d-pawn, the bishop has nothing to do on the h7-b1 diagonal. The equivalent would be White playing against a Sicilian dragon, removing his knight from d4, playing h3 and Bf4. W ith this bishop out of play, the queenside minority attack becomes quite strong, which is why this line has some venom. [ 7...bd7 8.xc4 e6 9.d2 ( 9.f4 Rukavina ) 9...e7 10.b4 0-0 11.a3 b6 12.a5 d7 13.c3 e5 14.e1 h3 15.f3 And White was somewhat better in Damljanovic, B (2515)-Anand, V (2610)/ Manila 19909/ ] [ 7...cxd3? 8.b3 ] [ 7...c8?! 8.xc4 h3 9.b3 xg2 10.xg2 e6 11.f4 e7 12.d6 Rukavina-Nikolic, Vrnjacka Banja 1986 ] 8.xc4 xc4 This looks a bit submissive, but in the resulting structures it is really hard for W h it e to ma ke a n yt hing a t a ll o f t he t wo bishops, although in the game White comes very close. 9.dxc4 xd1 10.xd1 e5 11.b3 bd7 12.b2 c5 13.d2 0-0-0 14.e3 he8 15.a3 f8 16.b4 b6 17.ac1 a4 18.a1 c5 19.f3 d7 20.e1 f6 21.d3 c7 22.e4 db6 23.f1 e7 24.e2 f8 25.g4 c8 26.b1 cb6 27.dc1 b8 28.h3 White still has a slight plus. c8 29.b5 cd8 30.e1 c8 31.f3 d6 32.g6 e7 33.c2 b6 34.bc1 ed7 35.h4 e7 36.d2 f8 37.b3 a4 38.d2 c7 39.h5 c8 40.xd7+ xd7 41.d2 d6 42.c2 b6 43.b3 e4 44.a4 e7 45.b1 e8 46.c3 c8 47.a5?! bxc4 48.a4 xa5 49.xc5+ b8 50.a2 b6 51.d5 ac4 52.xc4 ½-½
256 Martin,Andrew D Weller,Jean Luc 4NCL 2010-11 [Nigel Davies]
A07
20.02.2011
1.g3 f6 2.g2 d5 3.f3 Going into standard King's Indian Attack territory. [ 3.f4 would probably lead to some kind of reversed Leningrad Dutch. ] 3...c6 4.0-0 g4 5.h3 h5 [ After 5...xf3 White has an interesting approach in 6.exf3!? , trying to use the half open e-file. ] [ Of course usually White will meet 5...xf3 with 6.xf3 , for example e5 7.d3 bd7 8.e4 dxe4 9.dxe4 e7 10.e2 0-0 11.d2 c7 12.g2 c5 13.b3 a5 14.b2 a4 15.c4 was a bit better for White in Morozevich, A (2741)-Gelfand, B (2733)/ Monte Carlo 2007. ] 6.d3 bd7 7.bd2 e5 8.e4 dxe4 9.dxe4 e7 10.a4 c7 This position has been reached quite often but one can hardly expect fireworks here. For example: [ a) 10...0-0 11.c3 ( I think White should avoid this move, for example via 11.e1!? ) 11...a5 12.c2 c7 13.c4 fe8 14.e3 c5 15.h4 xe3 16.xe3 c5 was fine for Black at this stage in Nureev, G (2456) -Kolev, A (2318)/Dos Hermanas 2003. ] [ b) 10...a5 11.e2 0-0 12.b3 e8 13.b2 c7 14.fd1 b4 15.c4 xf3 16.xf3 f8 17.h4 gave White a comfortable edge in Istratescu, A (2540)-Torre, E (2545)/Elista 1998. ] 11.e1 U n p i n n i n g . 0-0 12.h4 e8?! Starting down the wrong path. [ B l a c k s h o u l d p r o b a b l y p l a y 12...fe8 , f o r e x a m p l e 13.c4 ( 13.f5 f8 leaves the rook on e8 opposite W hite's queen so as to discourage f2-f4) 13...c5 14.d2 fd7 15.f5 f8 16.b3 f6 17.e3 e6 gave him an OK position at this point in Damljanovic, B (2585)-Komljenovic, D (2495)/Oviedo 1992. ] 13.f5 d8 The bishop is wrong here and the attempt to block the a3-f8 diagonal leads to further weakening. [ 13...c5 was better. ] 238
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 14.c4 g6 15.d2! Threatening to put the bishop on b4, forcing ...c6-c5. a5 16.b4!? axb4 17.xb4 c5 18.c3 White has a clear advantage now because of the weaknesses on d5 and b5 plus the possibility of using the open b- and d- files. f6 19.b1! A nice way to get the queen in play. f7 20.b5 e6 21.fd1 g6 [ 21...b6 would be an attempt to simplify the position with exchanges but then 22.xb6 xb6 23.xb6 xb6 24.db1 a6 25.a5 wins a pawn. ] 22.fe3 a6 23.ab1 f7 24.f1 f8 [ 24...a7 would have been more tenacious, but hardly pleasant for Black. ] 25.a5 b8 26.b6 d6 27.d3 e7 28.ed5 c6 29.e3 Now preparing f2-f4 with direct play against Black's king. a7 30.d2 g7 31.f4! exf4 32.xf4 xd5 [ After 32...d8 the move 33.e5! is devastating. ] 33.xd5 d8 34.e5 fxe5 35.xe5+ h6 [ Or 35...f8 36.h8# mate. ] 36.e3 g5 37.h4! [ Black gets mated after 37.h4 xe3+ 38.xe3+ h5 39.g5# mate. ] 1-0
257 Minasian,Artashes Sulskis,Sarunas US Open Los Angeles USA (10) [Tony Kosten]
A07 2571 2578 13.08.2003
An instructive pawn sac from W hite, and a nicely judged follow-up, but Black manages to scrape a draw with a tactic in time-trouble. 1.g3 d5 2.f3 c6 3.g2 f6 4.0-0 f5 5.b3 White continues his development and eschews c4 for the moment. e6 6.b2 d6 7.d3 0-0 [ Instead, Sveshnikov recommends 7...e7 immediately, to play ...Ba3. ] 8.bd2 e7 9.e4! White strikes immediately, as preparation by [ 9.e1 , say, allows a3 10.xa3 xa3 an d B la c k is f in e , P a n o v, V -K rzisn ik, R/ Vrnjacka Banja 1962. ] 9...dxe4 10.dxe4 xe4 Quite forced, as both [ 10...xe4? 11.xf6 and ]
[ 10...g4? 11.e5 lose a piece. ] 11.h4!? Strictly speaking, this is a novelty, but the game will later transpose to the original [ 11.d4 by xd2 ( 11...f6?! is worse, 12.xf5 exf5 13.e1 d8 14.c4 with advantage ) 12.xf5 exf5 etc. ] [ There is another possibility, though: 11.xe4!? xe4 12.xg7! xg7 ( 12...d8!? 13.d4 ) 13.d4+ e5 14.xe4 f5 with unclear play, although I think I would prefer to have W hite's sounder pawn structure. ] 11...xd2 This is better than [ 11...c5 12.e1! ( 12.xf5 exf5 13.e1 e6 is probably OK for Black) 12...g6 13.c4 c7 14.d4 f6 15.a3 when Black is under considerable pressure. ] 12.xf5 exf5 13.xd2 e5! Black hastens to block the long a1-h8 diagonal. 14.fe1! The second novelty! For in the stem game, Pigusov,E-Sveshnikov,E/St Petersburg 1993, (which occurred after 11 Nd4 instead of 11 Nh4) White preferred [ 14.xe5 xe5 15.fe1 c5 16.b4 b6 17.ab1 a5 ( 17...a6! 18.c4 ad8 is about equal) 18.bxa5 xa5 19.xa5 xa5 20.xb7 xa2 21.f1! Black had problems developing his knight. ] 14...f6 Black can also handle the annoying pin on the e-file by [ 14...d6 but then 15.xd6 xd6 16.ad1 c5 17.e5 a6 18.f1 allows White to capture on f5 with a plus. ] 15.ad1 For the pawn sacrificed White has a powerful bishop pair, control of the central files, and a promising lead in development. Even so, there was much to be said for the surprising [ 15.f4!? regaining the f-pawn immediately, as xf4 16.xe7 e5 17.xe5 fxe5 18.d1 leaves Black in some trouble. ] 15...a6 16.f4! This is still good. Note that [ 16.f4? is a mistake, as Black simply unpins with check: c5+ ] 16...c5 17.xe5 fxe5 18.xe5!? White aims to keep hold of the initiative, but the simple [ 18.xe5 xe5 19.xe5 leaves him with a g o o d e n d g a m e : ad8 20.xd8 xd8 21.a5! d1+ 22.f1 and following Kg2 the 239
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 black queenside will be destroyed. ] 18...xc2 19.de1 ad8 20.f1!? Threatening both Bc4+ and, maybe capturing the knight. [ 20.e7 h8 ( 20...f7? 21.xf7 xf7 22.g5 wins ) 21.g5 c3 22.f1 is also dangerous for Black. ] 20...h8 [ 20...xa2 21.e7 b2 might offer better chances. ] 21.e7 White's initiative is reaching worrying proportions, both Qg5 and Rxb7 are menaced. c3 g 7 m u s t b e d e f e n d e d . 22.1e5 White cuts the a1-h8 diagonal, but [ 22.g5! is strong, as h6 23.g6 f6 ( 23...c5? 24.c1! ) 24.xf6 xf6 25.xb7 c5 26.xa7 is crushing. ] 22...h6? Black stops Qg5, but the cure is worse than the illness, [ 22...c5 23.g5 g8 kept Black alive. ] 23.xb7 Now White is materially equal with a winning position as the black structure falls apart. c5 24.xa7 d1?! 25.ee7 [ 25.xf5! wi n s i m m e d i a t e l y, a s xf1+ 26.g2! ( 26.xf1? d3+ ) 26...g8 ( 26...xf5? is impossible, 27.a8+ h7 28.xf5+ g6 29.a7+ ) 27.f8! ( or 27.xf1 ) 27...xf2+ 28.xf2 and wins. ] 25...d3 [ 25...d3?? would allow a nice mate by 26.xh6+ gxh6 27.h7+ g8 28.ag7# ] 26.f3 a1 Black has some initiative, but once this peters-out he will be lost. 27.e2 d8 28.xg7? An obvious move to play, especially in time trouble, but it allows Black to draw! [ 28.ad7! xd7 29.xd7 wins easily. ] 28...e1! Now White has to force a draw, as otherwise he loses the bishop on f1 with check, and the game! 29.h7+ g8 30.hg7+ h8 31.h7+ g8 32.ag7+ f8 33.f7+ g8 34.hg7+ h8 35.h7+ g8 36.fg7+ f8 37.f7+ g8 38.hg7+ h8 39.h7+ g8 40.fg7+ f8 41.f7+ g8 Surely both players were in severe time trouble as the same position has been repeated numerous times! ½-½
258 Minasian,Artashes Tomashevsky,Evgeny 10th EICC Budva MNE (2) [Nigel Davies]
A07 2557 2664 07.03.2009
1.f3 f6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 c6 4.d3 g4 5.h3 h5 6.0-0 bd7 7.bd2 e5 8.e4 d6 9.exd5 Trying to use his slight lead in development to break up Black's pawn centre. The idea is logical enough and has been used in several games by Rafael Vaganian. But can W hite count on achieving any advantage? cxd5 10.c4 The logical follow up. If Black advances with ...d5-d4 then a kind of reversed Modern Benoni would appear. 0-0 11.cxd5 xd5 12.b3 5f6 [ T h i s i s p r o b a b l y b e t t e r t h a n 12...5b6 when 13.e4 e7 ( 13...c7 is also well met by 14.a4 ) 14.a4 h8 15.a5 f5 16.eg5 gave White a dangerous initiative in Vaganian, R (2625)-Khalifman, A (2660)/ Eupen 1994. ] 13.c4 c5 [ Black's position is also difficult after 13...c7 14.e3 b6 15.fe1 c8 16.d4 xf3 17.xf3 e4 18.g2 which was Vaganian, R (2645)-Torre, E (2535)/Moscow 1994. ] 14.a3 xf3 [ B l a c k h a s a l s o t r i e d 14...c8 when 15.xd6 ( 15.g4 g6 16.fxe5 is pro ba bly even st ron ge r) 15...xd6 16.e3 b6?! 17.xe5! d5 18.d4 xe3 19.fxe3 was good for White in Vaganian, R (2615)-Epishin, V (2645)/ Moscow 1996. ] 15.xf3 e7 16.xe5 Black seems to get enough for his pawn after this. [ Accordingly I think it may be worth exploring the line 16.d1!? e6 17.a5 which seems to offer some initiative. ] 16...cd7 17.c3 c8 18.e1 e8 [ 18...c5 19.xd7 xd7 gave White a slight edge in Vaganian-Kaidanov/Glendale/ 1994. ] 19.d4 c5 20.xb7?? A 'new move', but one which loses material and the game. W hite has reached this position in a couple of earlier games but without much joy, for example: [ a) 20.d1 xd4 21.xd7 xd7 22.g5 1/2-1/2 Collutiis, D (2429)-Maiorov, N (2511)/ 240
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 St Eufemia d'Aspromonte 2010. ] [ b) 20.dxc5 xe5 21.d1 xc5!? ( 21...xf3+ 22.xf3 d5 is equal but maybe too drawish for Lobron facing a lower r a t e d o p p o n e n t) 22.xb7 d5?! ( R e a l l y c h a n c i n g h i s a r m - 22...c7 would have been better) 23.b3 d7 24.d1 c4 25.xd5 xd5 26.f4 and White was a good pawn up in Weber, U (2322)-Lobron, E (2524)/Bad Wiessee 2001, though he later lost the game. ] [ c) Perhaps W hite's best here is 20.e3 , for example xe5 21.dxe5 xe5 22.c3 e8 23.xc5 exc5 24.a3 leaves him with the better minor piece. But the has not been tried in practice. ] 20...xd4 21.xc8 xe5 22.b7 [ I'm not sure what White missed when he capture on b7, but 22.d1 xc8 23.xd4 f3+ wins the queen. ] 22...b6 23.f4 xb7 24.xe5 xe5 25.d2 b6 Black's minor pieces far outweigh the rook and pawn here because of the weakness of W hite's kingside. 26.ae1 f5 27.h2 f3 28.e3 This trick doesn't particularly help White's chances because it leads to the creation of new weaknesses. [ 28.c2 would have been more stubborn. ] 28...xe3 [ And not 28...xe3?? 29.d8+ etc. ] 29.fxe3 h5 30.g2 b8 31.f3 e5 32.f2 h4 33.c2 c7 34.g2 hxg3 35.d2 a5 36.b3 g6 37.d4 g7 38.h4 b6 39.d2 xe3 40.e2 d5 41.xg3 e4+ 0-1
weakening the kingside. 5.d3 c6 6.0-0 e5 7.bd2 d6 8.b3 e7 9.b2 0-0 10.e4 a5 11.a4 c7 12.e1 f6 13.c1 fe8 14.h4 ad8 15.h1 c5 16.b1 dxe4 17.dxe4 b5! 18.axb5 cxb5 19.c3 b7 20.a1 b4! 21.b1 b5 And Black had more than equalised, due to his strong grip on the center and queenside, and went on to win in the game Vijayalakshmi, S Korneev, O Port Erin 2006 ] 5.xf3 The higher up the levels you go, the more the bishop pair is cherished. I recently suggested to a friend of mine, who is writing a book on the Trompovsky, that the opening is bad because White is simply handing Black the bishop pair. It is widely agreed at supergrandmaster level (not that I'm at that level of course, as much as I'd like to dream that I am, more th at I'm going on wha t I've see n in interviews and so on) that a bishop is worth more than a knight, but perhaps Kazim was playing on Moro's well-known prejudice for playing with knight's over bishops. gf6 6.d3! Slow and steady wins the races. [ 6.c4? would be somewhat rash and is met with e5! ] 6...c6 7.d2 g6!? [ I think personally speaking I would have d e ve l o p e d t h e b i s h o p o n d 6 h e r e - f o r example 7...e6 8.0-0 d6 9.e4 h5! with some reasonable counterplay- Black is threatening ..h4, and if g4 he controls the f4 square. ] 8.e4 g7 9.e2 c7 10.g2 0-0 11.0-0 e5 Of course it is vital to prevent f4, when Black would be in danger of being overrun. Nonetheless, W hite has a wide-variety of plans in this position. 12.b3 fe8 13.b2 259 A07 ad8 14.fe1 d4? But this is a real Morozevich,A 2758 concession, as it takes all the tension out of Kasimdzhanov,R 2709 the center, thus giving White something of a Renova FIDE GP Zug (1.1) 18.04.2013 freehand on the kingside. Kasim intends a slow advance on the queenside, but this is [Danny Gormally] just what it is - too slow. [ 14...dxe4 15.dxe4 c5 16.ad1 ( 16.a4?! 1.g3 d5 2.f3 g4 3.g2 d7 4.h3 e6 17.c3 trying to keep control over xf3?! Something of a strategic capitulation. everything, runs into c5! with the threat of Why give up the bishops for so little? taking on d2) 16...e6! would have kept [ Correct, and much more popular, is 4...h5 any disadvantage to a minimum. ] If White would then want to exchange this b i s h o p , t h i s w o u l d i n v o l ve a s t r a t e g i c 15.h4 c5 16.h3 b5 17.f3 a5 18.c1 c o n c e s s i o n h i m s e l f , b y p l a y i n g g 4 , a4 19.d2 a8 20.b4 e6 21.ac1! 241
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Intending c3, breaking open the c-file and exposing Black's queenside weaknesses. It is very clear now who has won the opening battle. ad8 22.g5! f8 23.c4 dxc3 24.xc3 6d7 25.ec1 b8 26.a3! You know when your opponent has time for such little "indulgences" that something has gone seriously wrong. h6 27.f3 e6 28.e3 d6 29.d2 h7 30.g2 ed8 31.h1 h5 is now in the air. e7 32.b6 e8 33.hc1 b7 34.e3 e7 35.a2 h8 36.c2 g8 37.e2 h8 38.h2 g8 39.h5! Finally. Just at the right moment, Moro forces the concession of the f5 square. g5 A grim decision to take, as not only does this permanently give away the light squares, but the threat of the white knight landing on f5 hangs permanently over Black's head. It would not be an exaggeration at this point to say that W hite is strategically winning. 40.e1 h8 41.g2 g8 [ One of the problems that Black has is that 41...d4 does not solve his problems42.xd4 exd4 43.c5 and f4 is a serious threat. ] 42.c5! xc5 43.xc5 ed8 44.e3 a7 [ 44...xd3 45.d5+- ] 45.5c3 f6 46.f5 e8 47.e3 xe3 48.fxe3 f8 49.g2 ee6 50.d4! exd4 51.exd4 g4 52.f1 d7 53.f4 It is not often your opponent will resign when there is complete material equality on the board! The best games are the most simple. 1-0
7.b2 followed by Nbd2, c2-c4 or e2-e4) 5...xf3 6.xf3 bd7 7.g2 e6 8.0-0 A) 8...c7 9.c4 ( 9.e4!? ) 9...dxc4 10.dxc4 e7 11.c3 0-0 12.c2 fd8 13.a4 c5 14.e3 a5 15.c3 b4 16.b3 e5 was equal in KortchnoiPetrosian, USSR 1971; B) 8...d6 B1) Here I would prefer 9.d2!? 0-0 10.e4 c7 11.f4 dxe4 ( or 11...e5 12.f5 c5+ 13.h1 dxe4 14.dxe4 e3 15.e2 h6 16.h4 Karasev-Klovans, USSR 1975 ) 12.dxe4 e5 13.f5 h6 14.e2 e7 15.a4 a5 16.c4 e8 17.h4 ( 17.e3!? b6 18.fd1 ef6 19.h2 looks plea sant f or W hit e) 17...d6 18.e3 xc4 19.xc4 f6 20.f3 h5 21.g2 ( 21.e2!? ) 21...ad8 22.ad1 xd1 23.xd1 d8 24.c3 xd1 25.xd1 d7 26.b3 d8 27.f3 b5 28.f1 g4 , and with Black having equa lised, the players agreed upon a draw, 1/2-1/2 J.PlachetkaP.Benko, Sombor 1976; B2) 9.e4 c7 10.e2 having already played e2-e4 and Black not having any threats against the pawn, White should in my opinion rest the queen for a little while on d1 until he knows which square is the optimal one for the queen. ( 10.d2!? transposes to 9.Nd2 given above and should be given preference.) 10...0-0-0!? Quite a surprise, normally Black castles kingside in the Reti. 11.d2 b8 12.a4 g5 13.d4 dxe4 14.a5 a6 15.c4?! ( Here Morozevich 260 A07 lets go and starts getting a little too fancy for his own good. Simple and good is Morozevich,Alexander 2741 15.xe4 xe4 16.xe4 dg8 17.f3 Anand,Viswanathan 2779 wi t h t h e b e t t e r c h a n c e s f o r W h i t e) Amber Blindfold (1) 17.03.2007 15...h6 16.xd6 xd6 17.d1 e5 [Carsten Hansen] 18.dxe5 ( 18.e3!? ) 18...xe5 19.e3 he8 and White has insufficient 1.f3 f6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 c6 4.d3 g6 compensation for the pawn and later lost, [ In a later round, Kramnik had success using A. Morozevich-V.Kramnik, Monte a different set-up against the Reti, but then Carlo2007 ] aga in , in t h is t o u rn a m e n t K ra m nik h a d success against nearly everybody in the 5.0-0 g7 6.bd2 0-0 7.e4 g4 8.h3 blindfold event. 4...g4 5.h3 this move has xf3 9.xf3 dxe4 [ 9...bd7 10.e2 ( 10.e1 e6 11.e2 a5 never appealed much to me. I think White 12.e5 e8 13.f3 c7 14.h4 h6 15.f4 has a decent chance of obtaining an Lazic, M-Dragovic, M/Vrbas 1993; 10.d4 advantage after ( 5.0-0 bd7 6.b3 e6 242
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 13.xe4 e7 14.g5 c5 15.e3 xe4 11.xe4 dxe4 12.xe4 f6 cd7 16.h4 ( 16.d4!? ) 16...fe8 13.d3 d7 14.b3 fd8 15.c3 17.fe1 f8 18.e2 1/2-1/2 Ivanchuk, with a spatial plus and the bishop pair, V-Chernin, A/Lvov 1987; W hite has a slight advantage, Koshy, VB3) 10...a6 11.e5 ( 11.b3 d7 Murugan, K/ India 1994 ) 10...e6 12.h4 h5 13.g5 e8 14.ae1 dxe4 A) 11.f3 c5 12.e5 fd7 13.h4 15.dxe4 xb2 16.b1 f6 17.h6 ( 13.f4!? ) 13...f6 14.exf6 xf6 15.d4 g7 18.xg7 xg7 19.a5 ac5 e4 16.g5 xg5 17.xg5 xd4?! 20.xb7 xb7 21.xb7 ( 17...f5!? ) 18.xe6+ f7 19.c3 e5 1/2-1/2 Flesch, J-Karaklajic, N/Belgrade 20.ae1 Akopian, V-Delchev, A/Rio 1965 (30) ) 11...d7 12.f4 b6+ Gallegos 1986; 13.h2 ae8 14.f3 f6 15.c3 ab8 B) 11.e5 16.d4 Mischustov, M-Reich, T/Bayern B1) 11...h5 12.f3 f5 13.d4 c5 2000 ] 14.c3 c4 15.e1 ( 15.g5!? ) 15...b8 [ 9...e5 10.e2 ( 10.b3!? ) 10...bd7 ( 15...h8!? 16.f3 g7 ) 16.f3 e8 11.f3 dxe4 12.dxe4 c7 13.b4 fe8 17.g2 h8 18.xh5 gxh5 19.h4 ( 13...a5!?= ) 14.a3 ( 14.d2!? ) 14...a6 Kasparov, G-Zarnicki, P/Internet ICC 15.d2 b5 16.c4 Gundelfinger, K-Liepert, L/ 1998; A n s b a c h 1 9 8 5 b6!? 17.c5 a4 B2) 11...e8 12.f3 f5 13.exf6 xf6 18.b3 ] 14.g5 B2a) 14...f5 15.e7 f7 16.h4 10.dxe4 bd7 11.e2 e5 [ Finally Anand plays a new move, but hardly f8 ( 16...xb2 17.ab1 f6 18.g4 one that changes the evaluation as this f4 19.g3 a4 20.xb7 ) 17.c3 being better for W hite. 11...c7 12.a4 h5? 18.g5 d7 19.f4 f6 20.f3 ad8 13.b3 b6 14.e3 c5 15.a5 e5? 6h7 21.e5 1-0 Mrva, M-Betko, L/ this is a truly ugly move which clearly shows Slovakia 2000; that Black has no idea what he is doing. The B2b) 14...f7 15.f4 h6 16.h4 ef6 black bishop is now buried behind his own 17.h3 fe8 18.ae1 Averbakh, Ypawns with very little hope of ever Bagirov, V/USSR Ch (Baku) 1961 ] b e c o m i n g a c t i ve a g a i n . W h i t e ' s l i g h t [ 9...e6 squared bishop, on the other hand, can be A) 10.e1 a6 11.c3 b6 12.b3 activated via f1 and enjoy the full range of fe8 ( 12...d7!? 13.exd5 cxd5 14.d4 ) Black's hopelessly weakened light squares. 13.g5 d7 14.d4 c7 15.e5 a5 16.d2! White will route his knight via b1 to 16.e3 a4 17.d2 Jansa, V-Kupka, S/ c3 where it grabs hold on the b5 and d5Trinec 1972; squares and protects the e4-pawn, B) 10.e2 t h e re f o re r e li e vi n g t h e b ish o p f r o m it s B1) 10...fd7 11.c3 f5 12.f3 f6 defensive duties regarding the e4-pawn, ( 12...fxe4 13.dxe4 e8 ) 13.exf5 exf5 allowing it to become active. e8!? 17.axb6 14.e6+ h8 15.g5 ( 15.f4!? ) axb6 18.b1 b7 19.c3 c7 20.b5!? 15...d7 16.xd7 bxd7 17.e6 f7 exchanging Black's defender of the light 18.e3 e7 19.xg7 xg7 20.fd1 squares, thus making the penetration f7 21.c4 f8 22.b4 ( 22.d4!? ) simpler. c6 21.xc7 xc7 22.b5 22...e6 23.a4 d7 24.ab1 f4 ( 22.c4!? ) 22...a8 23.c3 xa1 24.xa1 25.gxf4 h5 26.b5 ( 26.f5 gxf5 b8 25.a6 f8 26.f1 g7 27.a4 b7 27.cxd5 cxd5 28.h2 and White is 28.b5 b8 29.a8 d6 30.d1 c6 better thanks to the bishops superiority 31.d2 h5 32.h6+ h7 33.g5 b8 over the knights in an open position such 34.xb8 xb8 35.f6 c6 36.d5 a7 as this ) 26...hxf4= 37.e8 g8 38.xf7+ xf7 39.xd6 1/2-1/2 Polugaevsky, L-Nei, I/Moscow 1-0 Fischer, R-Ibrahimoglu, I/Siegen 1964; 197002 ] B2) 10...a5 11.a4 a6 12.c3 dxe4 243
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 12.a4 This along with the next couple of moves are s tan dard in this t yp e o f p awn structure which occurs very often in the Reti and King's Indian Attack. c7 13.c4 fd8 14.e3 [ Here 14.a5 looks logical to prevent Black's n e xt m o v e , b u t i n t h a t c a s e B l a c k c a n consider both 14...b5 and 14...Nc5, intending 15...Ne6 and then ...Nd4. ] 14...b6 [ Or 14...b5 15.axb5 cxb5 16.a5 a6 17.c4 bxc4 ( 17...b4 18.c5 ) 18.xc4 xc4 19.xc4 ] 15.d2!? [ Morozevich prefers to keep the knights on the board this decision makes a lot of sense as Black's position is a bit more cramped and thus will helped in his defence through exchanges. However, my silicon friends pref er the exchange over Morozevich's retreat, why can that be? Their reasoning is undoubtedly that Black will end up with a doubled pawn where the front pawn is fixed on a dark square and immediately attacked by White's dark-squared bishop and Black will therefore have to tend to it. One line runs: 15.xb6 axb6 16.b3 ( 16.b4!? ) 16...d7 17.fd1 ad8 18.xd7 xd7 and While Black's defensive task may well be both boring and somewhat painful, he should be able to hold on. ] 15...e8 16.c3 [ W hite can also consider 16.a5!? c8 17.a6 b6 18.ad1 with better chances for White ] 16...d7 17.f4!? exf4 [ 17...d6 18.f5 gxf5 19.exf5 f6 20.f2 ] 18.gxf4 d6 19.f2 e8 20.a5 b6 21.axb6 axb6 22.f3 xa1 23.xa1 f8 24.f2 c5 25.h4! d8 26.d1 [ 26.h5!? ] 26...e7 27.e1 [ 27.h5!? ] 27...d8 [ 27...e6 28.g3 d8 29.e2 ] 28.e2 [ 28.h5!? ] 28...h6 29.h3 b7 [ Here 29...e6!? 30.g3 a8 is met by 31.f5 d8 32.f1 and White has a strong initiative with his mobile pawns and bishop
pair ] 30.h5! e8 31.g2 f5 This is a classic ploy to somewhat close the position, block the passed pawn (when it moves to e5) with a knight and then prepare a pawn break with ... g6-g5 32.d3 c7 [ 32...e7!? 33.g3 fxe4 34.xe4 h8 is messy, but may be a better chance for Black than the game continuation, although a continuation like 35.hxg6 xg6 36.e1 xe4 37.xe4 d8 38.f3 f7 39.f5 f8 40.e5+ looks unappetizing for Black ] 33.e5 f7 34.d5 [ Or 34.g3 e6 35.hxg6 hxg6 36.f3 followed by Nc4-(or Nf1-)e3-d5 also looks very good for White ] 34...e6 Knights are excellent for blockading purposes, so White now has to rid himself of one of the components in his bishop pair in order to make progress. 35.xe6! xe6 36.g3 c6 37.c4! e7 Black tried to regroup his pieces and then push the ...gpawn forward to destroy the harmonious flow to W hite's game. 38.d5 e6 39.hxg6 hxg6 40.f3 g5!? A pawn break to open up the position rather than suffocating in silence. W hile it shouldn't work, it does, yet Black doesn't take advantage of White's faulty reply. 41.g2?! [ This loses a tempo White can do better with 41.f1!? e.g. h7 42.fxg5 xg5 43.xg5+ xg5 44.f4 d7 45.h1+ g6 46.g2 d1+ 47.f2 e7 48.e6 and Black is completely tied up ] 41...f8? [ Now it ends rather rapidly. Almost any other move with the king would have been better: 41...h7 A) 42.fxg5 xg5 43.xg5+ xg5 44.f3 g7 45.b3 h6 46.h2 ( 46.f2 d7 ) 46...a7 47.f2 g6 with a com plicate d stru ggle , t hou gh I prefer W hite due to his somewhat safer king; B) 42.h2 g7 B1) 43.f1 e8 ( 43...gxf4 44.h4 e8 45.f6++- ) 44.fxg5 xg5 45.f4!? this is why the king had to move to f1, so that ...Nxf3 wouldn't be a check. xd5 46.cxd5 xf3 47.xh6 xe5 48.xb6 d3 49.d2 d8 and Black can 244
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 defend; cxd5 28.c6+ c7 29.xe6 f7 30.xf7+ B2) 43.fxg5! xg5 ( 43...xg5 xf7 31.d4 a6 32.e8 with excellent 44.f1+- ) 44.xg5 xg5 45.g2 f7 winning chances for White - though this is 46.f3 f8 47.b3 and White has the a f a ir l y l o n g va ri a t i o n a n d l ik e l y s o m e initiative ] errors have found their way in ] [ 41...h8?! 42.fxg5 xg5 43.xg5 xg5 25.d5 cxd5 26.cxd5 c7? 44.f2! f4 45.h4! xd5 46.cxd5 xe5 [ Now Black is losing. Instead Black should 47.f6+ h7 48.xe5 xe5 49.e2+- ] opt for 26...e5 27.d3 f7 28.g6 f5 42.fxg5 xg5 29.b5+ e7 30.d4 xg6 31.c6+ f8 [ Or 42...g7 43.d2 xe5 44.xe5 xe5 32.xe5 xe5 33.xe5 d6 34.c6 45.xe6 xe6 46.e2+- ] with better chances for W hite, but Black 43.xg5 xg5 44.d8+ f7 45.f4 has counterplay on account of his active Now Black decisively loses material f3+ queen and rook along with W hite's open 46.f2 e8 47.c7+ e7 48.b8 king ] 1-0 27.dxe6+ xe6 28.e4? [ 28.d4! f4 29.xf4 c5+ 30.b1 xb2+ 31.a1 ( 31.xb2? xd4+= ) 261 A07 31...xa2+ 32.xa2 a5+ 33.b2 b4+ 34.c2 c4+ 35.d1 xd4+ 36.d2 Morozevich,Alexander 2755 a4+ 37.c2 a1+ 38.c1 , and Black is Bacrot,Etienne 2695 out of good checks and is now a rook down. World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (8) 21.11.2007 The rest of the game is a rollercoaster up [Carsten Hansen] and down regarding the size of W hite's advantage, and therefore I will only give a 1.f3 d5 2.g3 g4 3.g2 c6 4.d3 e6 few moves here and there, the narrative 5.h3 h5 6.g4 g6 7.e5 d7 8.xg6 doesn't make much sense given that this is hxg6 9.e3 d6 10.e2 f5 a blitz game, and the players evidently had [ 10...e7 is Morozevich-Rublevsky, also more or less no time left. ] from this update. ] 28...f7 29.g6 f5 30.a4+ d8? 11.d2 gf6 12.e4 e7 13.b3 0-0-0 [ 30...b5! 31.xa7+ c7 ] [ 13...a5 14.exf5 gxf5 15.gxf5 e5 16.a4 ] 31.xa7?! 14.d2 [ 31.c6! e5 32.d5+ c7 33.xe5+ [ 14.g5 e5 15.0-0-0 f7 16.e3 ] xe5 34.xe5+- ] 14...fxg4 [ 14...dxe4 15.dxe4 xe4 16.xe4 fxe4 31...c7 32.a8+ d7 33.a4+?! [ 33.d1 d3 34.a4+ c8 35.c6!? ] 17.xe4 ] 15.hxg4 xh1+ 16.xh1 h8 17.0-0-0 h2 33...d8?? [ 33...b5! 34.a8 f1 ] 18.d4 [ Morozevich decides to unbalance the game, 34.c4?! [ 34.d4 c5+ 35.c3! g5+ 36.b1 though 18.g1!? f7 19.g2 xg6+ 37.a1+- ] is a perfectly good option ] 18...xe4 19.xe4 dxe4 20.xe4 xf2 34...d7?! 35.a4?! [ 35.xe6! xe6 36.d4+ c8 37.xf2+- ] 21.xg6 f6 35...xg6?! [ 21...f7= ] [ 35...f4!? ] 22.e1 d7?! 36.d5+ e7?! [ 22...g3 23.d3 d6 24.h1 f4= ] [ 36...d6 37.b5+ c7 38.a5+- ] 23.c4! b6 24.g5 37.d4 xd2 [ 24.b1!? ] [ 37...f6 38.b4+ f7 39.xe6 xe6 24...e8 40.d7++- ] [ 24...g4 25.e4!? ( 25.d3 f7 26.c5 c7 27.a6 f5 28.xa7 b5; 25.h5 38.xe6+ h2 26.d5 ) 25...h2 26.c5 g3 27.d5! 1-0 245
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 262
A07 Morozevich,Alexander 2755 Gelfand,Boris 2736 World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (12) 21.11.2007 [Carsten Hansen]
1.f3 f6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 c6 4.d3 g4 5.bd2 bd7 6.h3 [ The normal move is 6.0-0 , but Morozevich is angling for the game to enter the lines we saw him play against Rublevsky and Bacrot. However, Gelfand isn't as accommodating. ] 6...xf3 7.xf3 e5 8.0-0 e7 [ This line isn't seen particularly often and White has previously succeeded in obtaining the better chances against it. With that in mind, it is somewhat surprising that Gelfand doesn't opt for the standard prescription for Black in this line, which is 8...c5 A) 9.xe5 xe5 10.d4 d6 11.dxe5 xe5 12.d3 0-0= Polugaevsky, L-Geller, E/Moscow 1969/URS-ch; B) 9.c4 dxc4 10.dxc4 e7 11.c2 0-0 12.e3 a5 13.b3 a4 14.b2 fe8 15.c3 b4= Quinteros, M-Milos, G/Moron 1982; C) 9.b1 e7 10.a3 e4 11.dxe4 xe4 12.e3 0-0 13.c3 fe8 14.c2 b6 15.a4 a5 , and Black has a comfortable game, Ljubojevic, L-Boersma, P/Antwerp 1997; D) 9.h4!? 0-0 10.e4 e8 ( 10...dxe4 11.dxe4 ) 11.e2 b6 12.c3 a5 Moser, E-Madl, I/Istanbul 2000, and now 13.f5 is pleasant for White; E) 9.c3 White has tried several other things at this juncture: 0-0 10.c2 ( 10.b4 b6 11.a4 a6 12.d2 e8 13.e4 f8 14.e2 d7 15.a5 a7 16.e1 ad8= Petran, P-Westerinen, H/Cappelle 1988) 10...e8 11.e4 dxe4 12.dxe4 a5 13.a4 ( 13.b3!? c7 14.a3 f8 15.b2 c5 16.fe1 a4 17.b4 Barcza, G-Bajec, I/ Ljubljana 1969) 13...f8 14.g5 h6 15.ad1 e7 16.c1 ad8 17.h4 c7 18.f5 g6 Cebalo, M-Arun Prasad, S/ Biel SUI 2007, and now 19.d2!? ] [ 8...d6 9.h4 0-0 10.f5 Krojanski, HLangschmidt, D/Dortmund 1993 ] 9.h4!? [ White has two perfectly acceptable alternatives in: A) 9.c4 dxc4 10.dxc4 0-0
11.c2 e8 12.b3 c7 13.b2 f8 14.ad1 ( 14.fd1!? ) 14...a5 15.a3 c5 16.e3 f8 17.h4 c5 18.f5 , and White is in charge of the game, Todorcevic, MCampora, D/Sevilla 1992 ] [ B) 9.b3 0-0 10.c4 c7 11.c2 d4 12.b1 a5 13.a3 a7 14.e1 A) 14...c5 15.e4 ( 15.e3?! e4! ); B) 14...b5?! 15.e3 dxe3 16.xe3 1-0 Maksimovic, S-Batkovic, R/Novi Sad 1996 (32) ] 9...0-0 10.f5 e8 11.xe7+ xe7 12.e4 dxe4 13.dxe4 c5 14.e2 ad8 15.e3 [ 15.b3 e6 16.c3 c5 17.d2= ] 15...cxe4 16.xa7 c5 [ 16...b4!? ] 17.b6 a8 18.b3 a6 19.xc5 xc5 20.c4 a3 21.ad1 e4 22.fe1 h6 23.d2 a5 24.ed1 g6 [ 24...h5!? ] 25.c2 g7 26.dd2 [ 26.d2!? ] 26...e5 27.e3 ea8 28.b6 a1+ 29.f1?! [ 29.h2 h5 30.c5 3a5 31.e3 e5 is uncomfortable for W hite, but playable. After the text move, Black is clearly better ] 29...xa2 30.xa2 xa2 31.xa2 xa2 32.xb7? [ 32.b4 d2 33.g2 d1+ 34.f1 d2 35.b5 cxb5 36.cxb5 d7 ] 32...e3 33.fxe3 e4 34.g2 f2+ 35.h1? [ 35.h2 xg3+ 36.g1 xe3+ 37.h2 c3 is also pretty disgusting, but it's better than allowing mate ] 35...e1+? [ 35...xg3+ 36.h2 e2 mates ] 36.h2 xg3+ 37.g1 xe3+ 38.h2 c5 [ 38...c3! 39.a6 ( 39.xc6?? e2!-+ ) 39...e2 40.a1+ h7 41.b1 c5 42.h1 c1 , and Black is winning ] 39.b6 e5+ 40.g1 d3?! [ 40...g5!? 41.b4 d4+ 42.h2 f4+ 43.h1 d3 leaves Black with good winning chances ] 41.xc6 e3+ 42.h2 f4+ 43.g1 d4+ [ 43...e3+!? ] 44.h2 e5+ 45.g1 c5 [ 45...e3+!? ]
246
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 46.b6 e1+ 47.h2 e5+ 48.g1 e1+ ½-½
263 Morozevich,Alexander Harikrishna,Penteala World Cup ACP 1st rapid (1.3) [Nigel Davies]
A07 2741 2673 06.01.2007
1.f3 f6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 c6 4.d3 g4 5.h3 h5 6.g4 g6 7.e5 [ Although this looks more 'aggressive' than 7.h4 it loses the option of a delayed capture on g6 when Black attacks the knight with 7...Nbd7. This in turn opens the h-file early for Black and makes it easier for him to know where to put the rest of his pieces. ] 7...bd7 8.xg6 hxg6 9.e3 e6 10.d2 It's not incredibly easy to develop the rest of White's pieces after this. [ So I prefer the development with 10.c3 followed by Bc1-d2 and Qd1-e2. ] 10...d6 11.e2 [ 11.b3 is another means of developing that is worth thinking about. ] 11...a5 12.a3 a4 13.f4?! It looks logical to take space like this though there are issues about the safety of White's king. [ Accordingly it might have been better to play 13.f3 a f t e r w h i c h e5 14.d2 ( 14.d2 b5 15.g5 g8 16.h4 e7 was quite comfortable for Black at this stage in Labuckas, A (2317)-Butnorius, A (2402)/ Siauliai 2007 )] 13...e7 14.0-0 e5 15.f5 gxf5 16.xf5 g6 17.f2 e4?! [ 17...h7 was probably a better idea, getting ready to bring the knight to g5. ] 18.dxe4 xe4 19.xe4 dxe4 20.c4 f5!? If followed up correctly this would have been very strong. 21.gxf5 gxf5?! [ 21...g3! is correct here as after 22.f1 gxf5 23.xf5 e5 24.xe4 0-0-0 Black's bishop is not blocking the d-file so he's ready to play ... Rd1+. ] 22.xf5 0-0-0 23.xe4 e5 24.d2 xh3?? A blunder, probably induced by the time limit in this game. 25.xe5! [ And not 25.xh3 because of h2+ . ] 25...xe5 26.xh3+ b8 27.c3 g5+
28.g2 Black is a piece down for zero co m p e n sa t io n so t h e re st re qu ir e s li t t l e comment. g6 29.f1 h5 30.f3 h6 31.g3+ a8 32.d4 h4 33.f2 xg2 34.xg2 e6 35.g5 e8 36.a5+ b8 37.a7+ c7 38.xa4 f5 39.g7+ d6 40.b4+ e6 41.xb7 d5 42.f7+ 1-0
264
A07 Morozevich,Alexander 2755 Karpov,Anatoly 2670 World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (10) 21.11.2007 [Carsten Hansen]
1.f3 f6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 c6 4.d3 f5 5.bd2 h6 6.0-0 e6 7.e1 h7 8.e4 e7 9.e5 [ The alternatives are 9.e2 ] [ and 9.b3 ] 9...a6 [ A new move in this position! The usual continuation is 9...bd7 10.xd7 xd7 11.f4 A) 11...dxe4 12.dxe4 0-0 ( 12...c5 13.b3 0-0 14.e2 xb3 15.axb3 d4+= Gasthofer, A-Scherer, H/GER 2002 ) A1) 13.b3 a5 A1a) 14.a4 b4 ( 14...c5!? ) 15.c3 c5+ 16.xc5 xc5 17.e3 d7 18.d1 Branca, R-Roldan, A/IECG Email 1999; A1b) 14.e3 a4 15.d2 c5 16.d1 e7 17.f2 xe3 18.xe3 b4 19.b3 axb3 20.axb3 c5 21.c4 xe3+ 22.xe3 Anastasian, A-Shen Yang/Beer Sheva 2005; A2) 13.h1 A2a) 13...a5 14.g4 f5?! ( 14...a4!? ) 15.gxf5 exf5 16.e5 c5 17.f3 e6 18.e3 e8 19.g1 Aronian, LDelgado Crespo, M/Linares 2000; A2b) 13...e8 14.g4 e5 ( 14...c7 15.b3 ad8 16.d2 b6 17.a5 B u e s e , R - P o p o vi c , A / I E C C E m a i l 2000 ) 15.f5 g5 16.f3 xc1 17.xc1 h8 18.h4 f6 19.g5 with a good initiative for W hite, Bakhtiari, K-Vahidi, M/Mashad IRI 247
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 2003; A2c) 13...c5 14.e3 ( 14.g4!?; 14.e2 a5 15.c4 b5 16.e5 c7 17.d3 xd3 18.cxd3 c5 19.e3 ac8= Vaganian, R-Karpov, A/Moscow 1993 ) 14...d7 15.a4 fd8 16.b3 xb3 17.xb3 c5 18.g4 e7 19.f5 Vaganian, R-Dominguez, L/ Poikovsky RUS 2005; B) 11...a5 12.h1 0-0 13.e2 ae8 14.g4 dxe4 15.dxe4 h8 16.b3 b5 17.c4 , and White has the game under control, Zhang Zhong-Yutuc, R/Manila PHI 2006; C) 11...0-0 12.h1 ( 12.e2 a5 13.h1 a4! 14.f5 dxe4 15.dxe4 exf5 16.exf5 e8 seems very pleasant for Black, Nasir Ali, S-Hartston, W/Delhi 1982 ) C1) 12...c5 13.g4 a5 14.a4 e8 15.g3 dxe4 16.xe4 xe4 17.xe4 f6 18.g2 Vaganian, R-Short, N/ Luzern 1985; C2) 12...e8 13.g4 ( 13.e2 a5 14.a4!? c7 15.b3 b5 16.b2 b6 17.g4 with an unpleasant attack, S c h u l z e , U - L a m b e r t , A / c o r r 1 9 9 8) 13...a5 14.a4 dxe4 15.xe4 ( 15.dxe4 b4 16.e2 h4 17.c4 f6 looks better for Black, Dunhaupt, HVukcevic, B/corr 1988) 15...f5 16.g3 c5 17.d1 f6 18.g5 g4 19.f3 hxg5 20.fxg5 e5 21.f4 , and here a d r a w wa s a g r e e d u p o n , 1 / 2 - 1 / 2 , i n Markowski, T-Haba, P/Germany 2002, though obviously there is plenty of play l e f t i n t h e p o s i t i o n , e . g . w i t h d6!? followed by ...Ng4; C3) 12...h8 13.g4 dxe4 14.xe4 f5 15.g3 g8 16.e2 fxg4 17.xg4 f6 18.h3 d5 19.d2 d6 20.h5 , and W hite has the upper hand, Vaganian, R-Thorhallsson, T/New York 1997; C4) 12...a5 13.g4 ( 13.f5!? is an old suggestion by Vaganian, but it has yet to tried. ) 13...a4?! ( 13...b5!? has also been suggested by Vaganian ) C4a) 14.a3 h8 ( 14...h4 15.e2 dxe4?! 16.dxe4 c5 17.c4 b5 18.e5 c7 19.g5 , and White's attack on the kingside is gaining
momentum, Vaganian, R-Comp Centaur/The Hague1996; 14...dxe4 15.dxe4 c5 16.e3 f5 17.gxf5 exf5 18.e5 Junge, K-Buhr, C/ Germany 1993) 15.f5 exf5 16.gxf5 dxe4 17.xe4 f6 18.d2 xe4 19.xe4 f6 20.c3 e8 21.g3 xc3 22.bxc3 , and White has somewhat the b ette r cha nces , bu t Black's position is solid and with only few weaknesses, Vaganian, RRiazantsev, A/Canada de Calatrava ESP 2006; C4b) 14.f5 a3 15.b3 e8 16.b1 exf5 17.gxf5 a5 18.exd5 cxd5 19.g3 b4 20.f3 Vaganian, RSveshnikov, E/ Sochi 1980 ] [ Then there is 9...0-0 10.f4 a6 11.h1 e8 12.g4 d7 13.xd7 xd7 14.f3 c5 15.g5 hxg5 16.fxg5 d6 17.h4 b4 18.d1 e5 19.d2 ( 19.c3! c6 20.exd5 exd5 21.g6! fxg6 22.g5! ) A) 19...dxe4! 20.d4! c7 21.dxc5 d5 ( 21...a6 22.e3 d5 23.g4 ) 22.h5 ( 22.xb4?? e5-+ ); B) 19...c6 20.exd5 exd5 21.h5 ad8 22.xf7 xf7 23.g6 xg6 24.xg6 e6 25.g5 d6 26.f1 xg6 27.xd5+ xd5 28.xg6 dd8 29.f7+ h8 30.f3 1-0 Vaganian, R-Van der Vorm, T/ Holland 1996 ] [ Yet another alternative is 9...c5 10.f4 c6 11.xc6 bxc6 12.h1 a5 13.e2 a4 14.a3 c7 15.g4 with a complicated game where White has the better chances thanks to his kingside potential and Black's somewhat rigid pawn structure, Aronian, LPlaskett, J/Hastings 2001 ] 10.e2 b4?! [ What is this? Karpov must not have thought t h i s i d e a t h r o u g h . N o r m a l i s 10...0-0 with chances to both sides. ] 11.c3 a6 Hmmm... 12.d4 0-0 13.xc6 bxc6 14.xa6 dxe4 15.xc6 d5 16.a6 e5 17.b3 exd4 18.xd4 c5 19.e3 [ 19.d1!? ] 19...g4 20.ad1 h5 21.h3 xe3 22.fxe3 g5 23.f4? [ After this move, Black is back in the game a g a i n . I n s t e a d 23.h2 b6 24.f4 248
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 is clearly better for White ] 23...xg3 24.e2 ad8 25.g4 e5 26.f1 d6 [ 26...f5 27.c6 d5 28.xd8 fxg4 29.d1 g5 ] 27.c4?! [ 27.b4 b6 28.f2 g6 is messy and the label 'unclear' fits well here ] 27...b6?! [ 27...d7!? 28.ff4 h5 ] 28.gf4 g6 [ 28...d7!? ] 29.h1 g5 [ 29...h8!? ] 30.f5 d2 31.g4 h5?? [ 31...xf5! 32.xf5 xf5 33.g3 e6 , and Blac k is by no means worse. In the game, however, Black dies promptly after this blunder ] 32.e7+ h7 33.xg6 1-0
265 Morozevich,Alexander Kramnik,Vladimir World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (6) [Carsten Hansen]
A07 2755 2785 21.11.2007
1.f3 d5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 g4 4.d3 d7 5.bd2 gf6 6.h3 h5 7.g4 g6 8.h4 e6 [ Black has a serious alternative in 8...e5 , and now: A) 9.xg6 is harmless for Black, even if in accordance with White's game plan: hxg6 10.e3 ( 10.e4?! dxe4 11.xe4 xe4 12.dxe4 c5 13.e2 b6 14.c3 a5 , and Black has the more comf ortable game, Knudsen, J-Nilsson, N/Copenhagen 1987; 10.c4 a5 11.f1 dxc4 12.xc4 c7 13.d2 c5 14.b4 e7 15.c1 0-0 16.b3 ad8 Labuckas, ARapoport, I/Polanica Zdroj 1996 ) 10...d6 A1) 11.b3 e7! ( 11...c5?! 12.b2 e7 13.e2 0-0 14.h4 e6 15.g5 Brkljaca, A-Jakovljevic, V/Niska Banja 1996 ) 12.a3?! ( 12.b2!? ) 12...0-0-0 13.e2 b8 14.b2 g5 15.c4 dxc4 16.xc4 c5 Bonin, J-Yudasin, L/ New York USA 2004;
A2) 11.e2 e7 12.c4 b6 13.a3 dxc4 14.dxc4 d8 15.g5 fd7 16.h4 a5= Fuller, M-Greenfeld, A/London 1984; B) 9.c4 also fails to frighten, e.g. c5 ( 9...d4 10.a3 a5 11.b3 d6 12.f1 g8 13.xg6 hxg6 14.g3 gf6= Likavsky, T-Hracek, Z/Trencianske Teplice 2002 ) 10.xg6 hxg6 11.e3 0-0 12.0-0 d4 13.exd4 xd4 14.f3 b6= Bradford, J-Georgiev, K/ Catalan Bay ENG 2007; C) 9.e3 C1) 9...c5 C1a) 10.a3 a5 11.b3 ( 11.xg6 hxg6 12.g5 h7 13.h4 hf8 14.c4 d4 15.e4 e6 Garcia Luque, AK o n o n e n k o , T / S e v i l l a E S P 2 0 0 6) 11...f8 12.xg6 hxg6 13.b2 e7 14.g5 6d7 15.h4 e6 16.g4 d6= Michalek, J-Pokorna, R/Czech Rep CZE 2003; C1b) 10.e2 f8 11.xg6 hxg6 12.f3 e4 13.dxe4 xe4 14.d2 f6 15.b3 b4+ 16.c3 d6 17.d2 e6 18.c4 Abramovic, BKarpman, V/Belgrade 1992; C2) 9...g8 10.xg6 hxg6 11.0-0 gf6 12.c4 dxc4 13.xc4 e7 14.e2 c7 15.d2 0-0 Giffard, NLacrosse, M/Paris 1993, and here White's best is 16.ac1; C3) 9...d6 C3a) 10.0-0 g8 ( 10...0-0 11.b3 c7 12.b2 ad8 13.e2 c5 Quinteros, M-Servat, R/Villa Martelli 1997 ) 11.xg6 ( 11.f5 xf5 12.gxf5 e7 13.e4 g6 14.fxg6 was played in Thiede, L-Houska, J/ Kreuzberg GER 2004, and now Black should have opted for hxg6!? 15.exd5 cxd5 16.c4 b6 ) 11...hxg6 12.c4 e7 13.b3 c5 14.d4 exd4 15.exd4 e6 16.f3 f4 17.xf4 xf4 18.e1 0-0 , Hickl, J-Blauert, J/Bad Neuenahr 1989, 19.d3 g5=; C3b) 10.b3 e7 11.b2 0-0 12.a3 h6 13.e4 c5 14.f5 c7 15.xd6 xd6= Bukhman, E-Arbakov, V/ Warsaw 1992; C3c) 10.e2 e7 ( 10...g8 11.f5 249
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xf5 12.gxf5 f6 13.e4 d4 D'Amore, C-Uribe, M/Bled 2002, and now 14.c3!? promises White a good game ) 11.a3 c5 ( 11...b6!? 12.c4 0-0-0 13.b3 dxc4 14.dxc4 c7 15.xg6 hxg6 16.b2 fd7 Kritz, L-E rdos, V/Dif f e rdange LUX 2007 ) 12.b3 fd7 13.xg6 hxg6 14.b2 f5 15.g1 0-0-0 16.gxf5 gxf5 17.f1 e6 Bilek, I-Varga, P/ Budapest 1995; C3d) 10.f1 g8 11.xg6 hxg6 12.b3 a5 13.a3 gf6 14.b2 e7 15.e2 0-0= Arencibia, W-Pigusov, E/ Havana 1985 ] 9.e3 [ The alternatives are: A) 9.df3 d6 10.xg6 hxg6 11.e3 c7 12.e2 e5 13.g5 ed7 14.d2 b6 15.c3 b4= Roselli, B-Donatti, A/URU 1994 ] [ B) 9.xg6 hxg6 10.e4 c5 11.e2 c7 12.b3 dxe4 13.dxe4 d6 14.e3 f4 15.0-0-0 g5 16.b1 xe3 17.xe3 f4 18.xf4 gxf4 , Aijala, J-Maidla, V/Lahti 1998, 19.g5 h7 20.h4= ] [ C) 9.e4?! e7 10.xg6 hxg6 11.e2 c7 12.c3?! ( 12.b3= ) 12...0-0-0 Brudzinski, M-Przybyla, K/Grodzisk Mazowiecki POL 2007, 13.d4 e5 ] 9...d6 [ The alternatives are: A) 9...g8!? 10.xg6 hxg6 11.e2 d6 12.b3 f6 13.d4 g5 14.b2 e7 15.0-0-0 ( 15.e4 f4 ) 15...g6 16.f3 e7= Quinteros, MGiorgadze, T/Hannover 1983 ] [ B) 9...e7 10.e2 c7 11.df3 0-0-0 12.d2 c5 13.0-0-0 b6 14.xg6 hxg6 15.e1 a6 16.b1 Panno, O-Letelier Martner, R/Casilda 1984 ] 10.e2 c7!? [ 10...e7 11.df3 0-0 12.d2 fe8 13.xg6 hxg6 14.g5 c5 15.h4 fd7 16.e4 f6 Panno, O-Ricardi, P/Buenos Aires 1985, and now 17.c3 leaves White with a comfortable edge ] 11.0-0 [ 11.b3 f8 12.b2 e5 13.0-0-0 0-0-0 14.g5 6d7 15.f4 exf4 16.xg7 g8 17.b2 e6 18.xg6 fxg6 Hemming, CMalbon, P/ corr 1999 ] 11...0-0-0 12.f4 h6 13.xg6 fxg6 14.f3?!
[ After this Black takes control over the game and doesn't ever really let go of it again. I n st e a d W h it e sh o u ld t r y 14.c4!? g5 15.b3 h5 16.d4 f8 17.cxd5 xd5 18.fxg5 hxg4 19.xg4 ] 14...e5 15.h4 exf4 16.exf4 he8 [ 16...c5+!? ] 17.f2 c5 18.d4 b6 19.b4 [ 19.xg6 e4 20.xe4 xe4 21.e3 de8 22.fe1 d6 23.e5 g5 ] 19...e4 20.xe4 xe4 21.c3 de8 22.xg6 c5!? [ 22...e2!? 23.f3 c2 24.a4 d6 25.e5 xe5 26.fxe5 xe5 27.f4 f6 ] 23.bxc5 xc5 24.f3 a4 25.d2 xc3 26.xc3?! [ 26.h1 xd4 27.ac1 e3 ] 26...e3 27.xd5 xc3 28.ae1 [ 28.ad1!? ] 28...d8 29.f5+ [ 29.g2 xd4+ 30.h2 e3 31.e4 d2+ 32.h1 c5 is also pretty devastating ] 29...b8 30.h2 xd4 [ Black can probably do better with 30...c2+ 31.h1 c3 32.e5+ a8 33.e3 b2 , and W hite's position doesn't inspire confidence of a successful defence. ] 31.e2 a6 32.fe1 a7 33.e4 b6 34.e5? [ 34.g2 is relatively best though after dd3 White's position is in shambles ] 34...d4 35.f5 g5 36.fxg5 dd3 37.g2 g3+ 38.f1 g1# 0-1
266
A07 Morozevich,Alexander 2755 Rublevsky,Sergei 2676 World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (26) 22.11.2007 [Carsten Hansen] 1.f3 d5 2.g3 g4 3.g2 [ 3.e5!? is discussed in RomanishinSulypa, Lvov 2001, which can be found in the PGN archives ] 3...d7 4.d3 [ Here White also has alternatives to choose b e t w e e n . F i r s t 4.c4 which has bee n discussed in Pigusov-Zhang Pengxiang, 250
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Moscow 2001 and Markowski-Aleksandrov, Saint Vincent 2000, and ] [ 4.0-0 which was recently covered in Movsesian-Komarov, Clichy 2007 - all of the just mentioned games can be located in PGN archives. The text move looks less ambitiou s an d ha s no t previo usly bee n covered here at Chesspublishing.com, but Morozevich soon lights a fire... ] 4...c6 5.h3 h5 [ 5...xf3 can also be considered ] 6.g4!? This was Morozevich's idea: to eliminate Black's light-squared bishop. g6 7.h4 e6 [ 7...e5 8.xg6 hxg6 A) 9.c3 d6 10.e4 d4 11.e2 c5 12.d2 f8 13.c3 e6 14.a4+ d7 15.xd7+ xd7= Arce Balluerca, JIruzubieta Villaluenga, J/Euskadi 1999; B) 9.c4 dxc4 10.dxc4 f5 ( 10...c5 11.c3 b6 12.e3 ) 11.c3 h6 12.e3 c5 13.d2 f7 14.0-0-0 xe3 15.xe3 e7 , Socko, B-Yagupov, I/ Moscow 2002, and now 16.b1; C) 9.e3 d6 10.b3 e7 11.b2 g5 12.c4 g6 ( 12...a5+ 13.d2 g6!? ) 13.cxd5 h4 14.0-0 xg2 15.xg2 cxd5 16.f3 b6 17.c3 Hodgson, JLputian, S/Yerevan 1986 ] 8.xg6 hxg6 9.e3 [ A novelty. White has a few alternatives, though none are particularly frightening for Black: A) 9.c4 A) 9...c5 10.cxd5 ( 10.d4!? b4+ 11.d2 b6 ) 10...cxd5 11.a3 e7 12.d4 b6 13.c3 c6 14.e3 , and a draw was agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, in Jasnikowski, Z-Kuczynski, R/ Czest ocho wa 1 992, tho ugh of c ourse the re is st ill plen ty o f play lef t in t his position. Objectively speaking, however, the chances are probably fairly level.; B) 9...b6!? 10.c3 d6 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.e4?! ( 12.d2= ) 12...d4 13.e2 b4+ 14.f1?! e7 15.f4 e5 16.f5 a6 , and although White's position is a bit of toilet at this stage, he still managed to pull a win out of the hat in Socko, B-Quinn, M/ Cork IRL 2005 ] [ B) 9.f4 b6 10.c1 c5 11.e3 a5 12.0-0 e5 13.g3 f5 14.d4!? exd4
15.exd4 xd4 , Dannevig, O-Haugli, P/ Norway 1993 16.e1+ ] [ C) 9.c3 d6 10.d2 e7 ( 10...gf6 11.f3 e7 12.g5 e5 13.e3 0-0-0 14.c2 c5 , Rety, J-Crouch, C/Newport 2001, and no w 15.0-0-0 is about equal) 11.f3 c7 12.c2 0-0-0 13.d2 f6 14.0-0-0 e5= Bognar, C-Rabovszky, G/ Aggtelek 1995 ] 9...d6 10.e2 e7 [ 10...f5 was played in Morozevich-Bacrot, also covered in this update. ] 11.d2 g5 [ Computer suggestions in this type of position are often rather peculiar moves, but here I think my computer may actually be on to something with its suggestion of 11...a5!? , which prevents White's continuation in the game, so White may be forced to go other ways, e.g. 12.a3 ( 12.b3? c3-+; 12.c3 c5 ) 12...0-0-0 13.b1 b8 14.b4 a4 15.c4 with chances to both sides ] 12.f3 g6 13.d2 de5 14.0-0-0 [ Or 14.xe5 xe5 15.0-0-0 f6 16.d4 c7 ] 14...f6 [ Here 14...xf3!? 15.xf3 f6 16.c3 e5 is fine for Black ] 15.c3 [ 15.xg5 xg5 16.f4 e7 17.fxe5 xe5 18.e4 d4 , and Black is doing fine ] 15...xf3?? [ A scary blunder, probably still registering the white king on e1. Black's perfectly good a l t e r n a t i ve i s 15...0-0-0 16.hf1 b8 17.d4 ( 17.xe5 xe5 18.d4 c7 19.b4 h4 is pleasant for Black) 17...e7 18.d2 d7 19.f4 ] 16.xf6 1-0
267 Movsesian,Sergei Acs,Peter FIDE WCh KO Tripoli LBA (2.5) [Tony Kosten]
A07 2647 2548 22.06.2004
1.g3 d5 2.f3 f6 3.g2 c6 4.0-0 g4 5.d3 e6 6.bd2 e7 7.h3 h5 8.e4 251
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 This Reti has taken on the contours of a King's Indian Attack (which often happens when W hite refrains from an early c4), and the question is whether it is an advantage for Black to have his light-squared bishop outside his pawn chain, or whether this piece will become a target. 0-0 9.e1 White normally prefers [ 9.e2 keeping the rook on the f-file to aid a later f4. ] 9...bd7 10.e5 Immediately gaining space, [ 10.c3 a5 11.g4 g6 12.h4 keeps this option for later, and plans f4-f5, Belenov,DMelkonyan,L/Voronezh RUS 2001. ] 10...e8 11.f1 A typical move in these positions, the knight heads for the kingside, and opens the c1-bishop's diagonal so that the e-pawn can be protected by Bf4. c5!? Quite logical now that there is no pressure on d5, in their previous game Acs preferred [ 11...c7 12.f4 f6!? ( 12...g5!? 13.d2 f6 14.g4 g6 is a bit risky, Junge,K-Orso,M/ Eger 1987; but 12...xf3!? 13.xf3 g5 is wo rt h t ryin g) 13.exf6 xf6 14.d4 fixing the e6-weakness, e5!? or does it? 15.dxe5 e7 16.d2 e6 with some compensation for the pawn, but not quite enough, Movsesian,S-Acs,P/ Tripoli LBA 2004. ] 12.f4 [ 12.1h2 c8 13.d2 c7 14.c1 b5 15.g5 was nothing for White in Prosch,CBaer,A/Hamburg 1999. ] 12...b5 13.g4 g6 14.d2 c4 Black's queenside counterplay is very quick. 15.g3 cxd3 16.cxd3 c5 Forcing White to defend the d-pawn. 17.f1 d4!? A doubleedged move fixing the d3-pawn, but opening the long diagonal. [ 17...a5 was another option, continuing to advance in the sector where Black is strongest. ] 18.h4 White also attacks where he has the m a j o r i t y o f h i s p i e c e s , o f c o u r s e . h6!? This weakens the kingside, but [ 18...xh4!? 19.xh4 xh4 20.g5 cuts th e quee n o f f f rom he r b ase , xg4 21.e2 h3 22.e7 d7 23.f4 and Black is in some difficulty. ] [ 18...d5! might be best, 19.h2 xh4 20.ac1 ( 20.g2? d8 21.xa8 xa8
is clearly better for Black) 20...e7 21.g2 d8 22.xa8 xa8 23.e4 xe4 24.dxe4 xe4 with good comp. ] 19.h5 h7 20.ac1 c7 The knight heads for d5. 21.g5 White's kingside initiative is becoming serious. d5? [ 21...hxg5 22.xg5 threatens to take on c5, but Black might be able to play f6!? ] 22.g2! xa2 23.xc5? Fancy, but [ 23.xd4! looks strong, e.g. xd3 24.g6 winning material. ] 23...xc5 24.gxh6 d5 25.hxg7 W hite has completely destroyed the black kingside. fc8 26.h6?! b4 Perhaps White hadn't noticed that he would be forced to concede a second exchange. 27.g5 xe1 28.xe1 b1 Black should be winning here, but in rapid chess anything can happen... 29.d2 The knight had to be defended. a5 [ 29...xd3! ] 30.h2 a4 31.e4 a3 Black is still attacking on the queenside! Normally he would try to kill the attacking pieces by [ 31...xe4! 32.xe4 but after a3 33.bxa3 xa3 34.f3 a2 he probably saw that the shot 35.g5 was possible, threatening mate on h7, however, after the forced f5 36.exf6 xf6 37.f4 xf2+! 38.xf2 c2 Black wins easily. ] 32.bxa3 xa3 33.d6 Now White has serious chances again. c1?? A horrific blunder, undoubtedly due to time pressure, [ 33...a2! 34.g5 ca8 35.xd5 looks nasty f or Black, but there is xf2+ ( 35...exd5? 36.e7 threatens mate on f7 and f8, and wins) 36.h3 f5+ 37.xf5 xf5 and Black seems to be on top. This line is n o t e a s y t o s e e in a q u i c k g a m e , o f course. ] 34.xc1 xc1 35.xc1 a1 36.d2 d1 37.a5 [ 37.h6!! xd2 38.xd5 exd5 39.c8 would be the neat way to finish the game. ] 37...b4 38.xd5 xe1 39.c4? [ 39.f3 protects the h-pawn. ] 39...xe5 40.xb4 xh5+ 41.g2 xg7 Black almost has some chances to save the game with rook and pawn against two pieces. 42.b5 e5 43.d6 g5+ 44.f1 g6 45.e8+ h7 46.e7 f5 47.d5 e4? 252
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 The last mistake. 18.d3 c7 19.c3 ) 16...xa5 17.xa5 [ 47...f4 hits d3, when White's winning xa5 18.e3 e6 19.d2! 0-0 20.b3 ] c h a n c e s a r e s e ve r e l y r e d u c e d : 48.e2 16.xb4 c5?! h5+ 49.f3 g6 50.c7 f6 and everything [ I'm not sure I understand what Black is defended. ] missed when playing this move because he 48.dxe4 e5 Black skewers the two minor loses a pawn without too much calculation. pieces, but there is a simple defence. 49.f6+ The alternative is also better for White, but g7 50.d8 d3 51.f4 The rook has no it is u nd o u b t e dly b e t t er t h a n t h e ga m e squares. d2 52.e2 xe4 53.fxe5 continuation: 16...c8 17.a5 a7 18.h4 1-0 e6 19.f5 f7 20.b1 b5 21.axb6 xb6 22.xb6 xb6 23.e3 xb4 24.xb4 d8 25.b7 g6 26.h6+ e7 268 A07 27.c7 , and White is slowly but surely snaking his way into Black's position, and Movsesian,Sergei 2642 W hite's con stricting p ieces are makin g Komarov,Dimitri 2539 their presence felt right about now. ] French Team Ch (8) 31.05.2007 17.xd7 xb4 18.xc7 xc4 19.xb7 c5?! [Carsten Hansen] [ 19...c5!? is a better choice, e.g. 20.f1 e6 21.a3 xa3 22.xa3 f7 23.a5 ] 1.f3 d5 2.g3 g4 3.g2 d7 4.0-0 c6 5.d3 e5 6.h3 h5 7.e4 dxe4 8.dxe4 c5 20.f1! xf1 [ While the exchange of bishops isn't exactly 9.bd2 e7 what Black needs when considering [ Or 9...f6 10.c3 f7 11.h4 e7 12.f5 potential counterplay, but avoiding it creates xf5 13.exf5 e7 14.e4 c5 15.g4 o t h e r p ro b l e m s , e . g . 20...e6 21.d2 R.Dzindzichashvili-Qi Jingxuan, Thessaloniki ( 21.a3!? c8 22.b6 xa3 23.xa3 OL 1984 ] sh o u ld win f or W hit e wit ho u t t o o m u c h 10.c4 c7 11.e1 effort ) 21...c8 22.b6 xd2 23.xd2 [ Also 11.d2 is interesting, e.g. f6 12.b4 d7 24.b5 , and White is winning ] b6 13.a4 a6 14.a5 a7 15.e3 xe3 16.d6+ f8 17.fxe3 xf3 18.xf3 d8 21.xf1 f7 22.e3 [ 22.d2!? ] 19.f2 A.Minasian-J.Smeets, Antalya 22...hb8 23.xb8 xb8 24.b1 2004 ] [ This is the simplest way to proceed: White 11...f6 12.b4 b6 13.a4 f7 activates his pieces and starts his attack on [ Or 13...a6 14.xb6 ( 14.d2 0-0 15.a5 Black's king and kingside. The alternative is a7 16.b2 ) 14...xb6 15.a5 d7 24.a5 although the win will undoubtedly 16.e3 0-0 17.c3 ] b e c o m e m u c h m o r e p r o b l e m a t i c . c8 14.c3 a5!? 15.d1!? axb4?! 25.d2 xd2 26.xd2 b2 27.a6 a7 [ The text move just hands over the initiative 28.b1 xb1+ 29.xb1 e7 30.c4 d6 and the better chances to White without a 31.c3 c7 32.a4 c6 33.e2 real struggle. Also not too impressive is the , and White will win in the long run ] move that has been previously tried by Black 25.c3! xc3 26.xc5 c6 in this position: 15...xc4?! 16.xc4 axb4 24...a8 17.xb4 a5 18.b3 0-0-0?! ( 18...b6 27.b7+ e6? [ This move looks active, but lets the king 19.b1 a7 20.a3 c5 21.xc5 xc5 walk into a mating trap just waiting to be 22.xb7 xb7 23.xb7 ) 19.e3+- g6 sprung. However, the alternative isn't all 20.ab1 he8 21.c3! gf8 ( 21...df8 h a p p y d a y s e i t h e r : 27...g8 28.c7 22.d2 e7 23.f3 b8 24.g4 d3 ( 28.b3 a5 29.e2 d8 30.a3 ) 25.c4 xc3 26.a2+- ) 22.d2 e6 28...a6 29.e2 b4 30.e3 g6 31.g4 23.c4 dc5 24.a3 d3 25.f1 a5 32.c8+ f7 33.d3 e7 34.b8 1-0 Stefanova, A-Sedina, E/Leon 200102 ] c6 35.g5+- ] [ P o s s i b l y b e s t i s t h e u n t r i e d 15...c8!? 16.bxa5 ( 16.f1!? g6 17.xb6 xb6 28.c7 a6 29.h4 d4 30.f8 g6 31.g4! 253
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 The final nail in Black's coffin by adding the last element in the mating net White has been weaving over the last few moves. White wants to play 32 Nf5, since 32...gxf5 33 gxf5+ is also mate, and if Black doesn't take the knight, then 33 Ng7 will be mate! f5 32.xf5! gxf5 33.gxf5+ f6 34.h4! Next follows Bg7 mate, unless Black gives up knight and with ends up no less than three pawns down. Therefore, Black's choice is obvious... 1-0
269 Nakamura,Hikaru Solak,Dragan 40th Olympiad Open (7.7) [John Bartholomew]
A07 2778 2599 04.09.2012
A sleepy King's Indian Attack is a deadly weapon in Hikaru Nakamura's hands! 1.g3 On us ch es s.o rg, Na kam ura is qu ot ed a s saying "I felt like my opponent played just about everything under the sun. I just wanted a slow position. I didn't feel like spending six or s eve n ho u rs lo o kin g a t e ve ryt h ing. I n general I try never to study [that long]. It's very counterproductive." Indeed, the Réti is a go o d c h o ic e f o r a p la ye r o f Na k a m u r a ' s temperament and versatility. White aims for less theoretical positions where a superior feel for the position is often the biggest factor. d5 2.f3 f6 3.g2 c6 4.d3 f5 5.0-0 e6 Though this is the most popular move, it does give White the opportunity to hunt down the bishop pair. [ 5...h6 would be my personal choice. Fairly s t a n d a r d i s 6.bd2 ( White tried to spice things up a bit with 6.c4 dxc4 7.e5!? in Markowski, T (2610)-Burmakin, V (2605)/ Benidorm ESP 2009/[JR].) 6...h7 7.e1 e6 8.e4 e7 . See Morozevich, A (2755) K a rp o v , A (2 6 7 0 ) / Mo sc o w R US 2 0 0 7 / [Hansen, Carsten]. ] 6.h4 [ An alternative is 6.fd2!? , trying for both e2 -e 4 a nd f 2 -f 4 . Ch e ck o u t Ka m sky, G (2720) -Aronian, L (2754)/Nalchik RUS 2009/ [JR]. ] 6...g6 I think White can count on a slightly more pleasant position after this retreat.
[ More combative is 6...g4!? , forcing White to work harder for the bishop. For example, 7.h3 h5 A) On 8.g4 , fd7! is a timely retreat worth remembering, e.g. 9.f3 g6 10.f4 ( 10.c3 d6 11.e4 0-0 12.e2 c7 13.h4 dxe4 14.xe4 xe4 15.xe4 c5 16.g2 h2+ 17.h1 f4 1/2-1/2 Nikolic, Z (2485)-Todorovic, G (2455)/Becici 1994.) 10...e7 ( 10...f6?! 11.c1 e5 12.g3 c5 13.c4! Socko, B (2497)-Midoux, S (2225)/ Cappelle la Grande 1999.) 11.bd2 0-0 12.c4 a5 13.e1 a6 14.c1 b6 15.c2 fe8= Nguyen Duc Hoa (2452) Barbosa, O (2514)/Kuala Lumpur MAS 2011.; B) 8.e1 e7 9.e4 ( 9.f4!? a6 10.e4 d7 11.exd5 cxd5 12.f5 Karasev, V (2347)-Tunik, G (2442)/St Petersburg 2000. ) 9...fd7 10.f3 0-0 11.c3 e8 12.g4 g6 13.f4 a5 14.a3 a6 15.e2 ac5 16.h1 a4 Movsziszian, K ( 2 4 9 3 ) - C r u z, F ( 2 4 0 6 ) / S i t g e s E S P 2011. ] 7.xg6 hxg6 8.d2 bd7 9.e4 [ Leading with the c-pawn is possible, too: 9.c4 e7 10.b3 0-0 11.b2 a5 12.a3 b5 13.c2 b6 14.fc1 Dizdarevic, E (2481)Radovic, V (2147)/Zupanja CRO 2011. A characteristic Réti position where White's bish o ps will be o f va lu e u po n e ve n tu a l pawn exchanges. ] 9...dxe4 [ 9...d6 10.c3 0-0 11.e2 c7 12.f4!? dxe4 13.dxe4 e5 14.f5 gxf5 15.xf5 fe8 16.c4 f8 17.g5 h7 18.d2 b5 19.e3 ad8 20.af1 Ivanov, M (2443)Semcesen, D (2195)/Skovlunde 2006. ] 10.dxe4 [ 10.xe4 is also good for an edge, i.e. xe4 11.xe4 d6 12.g2 , Markowski, T (2549) -Langheinrich, F (2363)/Germany 2002. I find Nakamura's recapture to be more promising, especially in view of the coming plan with h3-h4 and Bg2-h3, seeking a new horizon for the bishop. ] 10...e5 11.e2 c5 12.f3 c7 13.h4 0-0 14.h3 fe8 15.g2 f8 16.g5 ad8 Outwardly, Black's position is fine. He is wellcentralized and White's bishop pair hasn't yet 254
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 made an impact. The problem is that Solak has virtually no targets to attack, and Nakamura has the luxury of probing on either flank. Notice that W hite has even refrained from the typical move c2-c3, which might allow Black a chance to infiltrate on the d3 square. 17.a3 e7 18.d2 8h7 19.ae1 xg5 20.xg5 c7? This gets Black into trouble. [ Better is 20...d6! , overprotecting f6 and slowing down White's kingside initiative. ] 21.h5! gxh5 22.xf6 gxf6 23.f5 f8 24.h1 e7 25.xh5 h8 26.g4! [ Most players would probably choose 26.eh1 here, but Nakamura isn't like most players (or ANY player, for that matter)! ] 26...dg8?! This doesn't accomplish much. [ Black should probably attempt something on the queenside, e.g. 26...b5!? . ] [ Not 26...xh5?! 27.gxh5 . ] 27.f3! The king feels perfectly safe here. d8 28.eh1 hf8 Black cedes the h-file, and punishment is swiftly forthcoming. 29.h7 a5? [ Keeping the queen out of c4 with 29...b5 was now almost mandatory. ] 30.c4+- b5 Overlooking White's threat, but Black is lost anyways. [ 30...d6 31.g6 d8 32.xf7 xf7 33.xf7+- ] 31.e6# A tidy Epaulette mate to end things! W hite's play in this game was remarkably easy after he secured the bishop pair. My belief is that Black should either play 6.... Bg4!? or avoid Nh4xg6 altogether with 5...h6. 1-0
270 Romanishin,Oleg M Sulypa,Alexandre It Lvov UKR (8) [Tony Kosten]
A07 2575 2513 25.12.2001
1.f3 d5 2.g3 g4 3.e5!? I suppose this must be the critical test of an early ...Bg4. [ We have considered 3.g2 in the games Shirov - Short, and Pigusov - Zhang Pengxiang. ] 3...f5 4.g2 f6!? Very ambitious, planning to set-up a strong centre whilst gaining time
on the knight. [ The simple 4...d7 is normally preferred, a i m i n g f o r q u i c k d e v e l o p m e n t , 5.xd7 ( 5.xf7?! is too optimistic, three pawns are rarely worth a piece in the opening: xf7 6.xd5+ e6 7.xb7 b8 8.g2 gf6 Black has a lead in development, although it is true that the white pawn structure has a pristine look about it, Vebic,K-Kharlov,A/ Pula 1990 ) 5...xd7 6.c4 e6 7.b3 c6 and having solidly defended his light squares, Black has every reason to feel happy with his position, Poley,V-Rublevsky, S/Aalborg 1993. ] 5.f3 c6!? A novelty, that allows Black to answer White's thematic c4-move with ...d4, as the b7-pawn is no longer exposed to attack from g2. [ 5...e5 is quite playable, nonetheless, 6.c4 A) 6...d4!? might still be playable, 7.b3 ( or 7.h4 c8 ) 7...e4; B) 6...c6 7.b3 d7 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.c3 e6 10.d4 e4 and a reversed French-style structure is reached, where Black's space seems to give him the upper hand, Szakall,F-Urbanec,M/Prague 1964. ] 6.c4 d4 7.h4 g4 Now the bishop can stay active, and doesn't have to return to c8 to defend the b-pawn. 8.h3 d7 9.e4 W hite decides to close the position, which implies that the position is equal- he simply hopes to outplay his opponent later-on. g6 Black had to contend with the threat of Qh5+. 10.d3 e5 11.0-0 h6 The knight heads for f7 which is a good square f or the knight, although it is far from c5, where it would really like to be. 12.a3 f7 13.c2 a5 14.d2 e7 15.f3 [ The knight is too exposed to play the immediate 15.f4?! exf4 16.gxf4 f5 17.f3 fxe4 18.dxe4 e6 the white position is too loose. ] 15...0-0 16.h2 White prepares the standard flanking blow f2-f4. g7 [ Black can cut across White's plans with the annoying 16...g5! 17.h4 e6 when not only has the knight found its way towards c5, but he has also inhibited White from playing f4, as his kingside is that much weaker, i.e. 18.f4 exf4 19.gxf4 f5 20.h5 c5 with pressure on the white centre. ] 255
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 17.f4 c8 18.h4 b8 [ Now 18...exf4 19.gxf4 f5 is less effective, 20.e5 xh4 21.f3 attacks h4 and d4. ] 19.a4 White stops Black from playing the thematic . ..b5, and puts all his 'eggs' in the kingside 'basket'. a8 20.b3 cd8 21.e1 a6 22.a2 Both players strengthen their positions. f5!? [ 22...exf4 23.gxf4 f5 is another possibility to generate play in the centre, but I don't know why Black didn't wait a few moves, and bring his d8-knight to c5 first, say. ] 23.fxe5 xe5 24.f4 ef7 25.af2 The white pieces are nicely bunched on the kingside. fxe4 26.xe4 e6 [ There is something to be said for 26...f6! first, so as to exchange a further pair of rooks. ] 27.c1 d6 28.xf8 xf8 29.d5 Black is OK, but I feel his position would be even better had he exchanged his offside rook for one of the white ones, see move 26. f5?! [ This is inappropriate, 29...c6 puts the question to the white bishop. ] 30.f3 e8?! [ A further mistake, 30...c6 is still possible. ] 31.g4 xh4? This just loses a piece to a queen fork. [ 31...e7?! may also lose, but more prettily: 32.h6+!! ( r a t h e r t h a n 32.xb7 b6 33.h6+ g8 ) 32...xh6 33.xb7 b6? ( 33...g7 34.xa6 c5 gives a little compensation, but probably not enough) 34.f6 and g5+ is a killer. ] [ 31...e3! is Black's best chance, 32.xe3 dxe3 33.g5 intending Ng4, but Black has some chances. ] 32.f6+ 1-0
o p t i o n s o p e n . e6 The most solid, we considered [ 6...e5 in Azmaiparashvili,Z-Shirov,A and Bricard,E-Kosten,A. ] 7.b3 c5 8.b2 0-0 9.a3 a5 10.e4 b5 This move, gaining space on the queenside, is often seen in such positions, the weakening o f c 6 i s t h e o n l y d r a w b a c k . 11.e1 To the uninitiated this move seems less logical than [ 11.e2 but it is important that White breaks the pin on his f3-knight. c7 12.h3 h5 13.e5 xf3 14.xf3 e8 15.h4 g6 16.h2 g7 1/2-1/2 Szabo,L-Keres,P/ Budapest 1970/MCD (16) ] 11...e8 Black takes the force out of White's e5-move, and brings the king's knight to c7 to help-out on the queenside, and to support e6 should Black need to use his f-pawn. [ 11...b6 12.h3 h5 13.h2 e8 is also possible, D'Amore,C-Tatai,S/Andorra 1987. ] 12.h3 h5 13.h1 Again, White is in no rush as in such a closed position, where the forces have yet to come into real contact, tempi are not too important so both sides try to place their pieces on optimum squares ready for the moment when things liven-up. By unpinning the f-pawn W hite prepares to push on the kingside. c7 14.c4!? Just when White se e m e d t o b e re a d y o n t h e kin gs id e , h e strikes-out on the queenside! This innovation is possibly no better than the previous try but leads to a more tense position. [ 14.e5 b6 15.h2 c5 16.g4 g6 17.f4 is more typical of play here, White advances on the kingside, Black on the queenside, f5! 18.exf6 xf6 with chances to both sides, Bezold,M-Kipper,J/ Muenster 1996. ] 14...dxc4!? Perhaps Black should have kept the central tension with 271 A07 [ 14...b8 , say. ] This is the point, White gains time on Sasikiran,Krishnan 2670 15.d4! Anand,Viswanathan 2755 t h e b i s h o p t o e xp a n d i n t h e c e n t r e . e7 b4 17.e3 I suppose from an FIDE World Cup Gp C (2) 11.10.2002 16.bxc4 aesthetic viewpoint W hite must have been [Tony Kosten] feeling quite pleased with himself - he 1.f3 f6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 c6 4.0-0 g4 retarded his central pawn thrusts till after 5.d3 bd7 6.bd2 White adopts a KIA set- completing the development of this pieces, up, and plays for e4 rather than c4, but first and a few moves later has removed the black he develops his pieces, thus keeping his pawn centre and constructed an impressive 256
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 one of his own. Richard Reti would have been pleased! a6 18.fc1 e5!? Black decides on a temporary pawn sacrifice to break-up the impressive white pawns. 19.g4 g6 20.dxe5 e8!? [ 20...c5 21.d4 xd4 22.xd4 e8 might be simpler, as Black will soon recuperate the e5-pawn, the problem is that he has to do it without allowing White to play f4-f5, trapping the bishop, at the end. ] 21.b3! The knight comes to d4 to attack c6, and possibly hop into f5, whilst at the same time stopping ... Bc5. ac5 [ 21...a4 is critical, 22.bd4 c5 23.d1!? a n d n o w i f b3?! ( 23...b6 is stron ge r) 24.e6! fxe6 25.c3 leaves Black facing nasty threats to g7 and c6. ] 22.axb4 xb3 23.xb3 xb4 24.e3 h5!? 25.g5 c5 26.d4 e7 27.d1 a4? Black can regain his e-pawn immediately by [ 27...xd4 28.xd4 xe5 29.xe5 xe5 but the problem is that after 30.f4 c5 31.c3 ( 31.f5?? xf5 ) 31...h4 32.f3 White threatens to bury the black bishop by f 5, s till t his is prob ab ly be tt er t ha n th e game. ] 28.e6! A neat tactic that Black had probably missed, W hite returns the pawn but on his terms. xd4 [ 28...fxe6 29.xc5 xc5 30.e5 is the other point, forcing h7 ( 30...h7?? 31.g6 ) 31.xc6 with a big advantage. ] 29.xd4 f8!? [ 29...fxe6 30.e5! frees the dormant white bishop which will capture on c6 with only its second move of the game. ] 30.f4 This is positionally strong, as the black bishop will be blotted out of the game, but [ 30.e5! xe6 31.xc6 wins a solid exchange for zero compensation. ] 30...xe6 31.f5 xd4 32.xd4 h7 33.h4 This is the sort of position a computer can never understand, material is equal but in reality the h7-bishop is only worth a pawn, as it m a y ne ver b e a ble t o e scap e f ro m t h e kingside. ed8?! A tactical error to compound matters, [ 33...c5 avoided losing Black's only trump the a-pawn. ] 34.xa4! A back-rank trick! ab8 [ 34...xd4?? 35.xa8+ ]
35.a1 xd1+ 36.xd1 e5 37.b4 And again, not only does the h7-bishop have no squares, it also stops the black king from escaping to h7. a8 38.a4 b8 39.a3!? f4 40.e1 g6? This is pretty desperate, Black obviously hopes to set-up some sort of stalemate trick, [ 40...h8 m u st b e b e st , 41.g3 xg3 42.xg3 f6 43.d3 ( 43.g6!? g8 44.f1 is also an effective plan, the black bishop still has no moves.) 43...c5 44.gxf6 gxf6 45.d6 g7 46.c6 winning a second pawn, and the game. ] 41.f6 h8 42.g3 c1+ 43.h2 b1 This counterplay leads nowhere, the white kin g will be pe rf e ctly saf e on h3 . 44.d6! Threatening mate in two. g8 45.h3 b8 Black beats a hasty retreat, as Qf8 was once again the threat. 46.g3 b2 47.c5 b3 48.xb3 According to Fritz, [ 48.f8 leads to a forced mate, xg3+ 49.xg3 e5+ 50.f3 c3+ 51.f4 c1+ 52.e5 and the king escapes to d6, but the text is also good. ] 48...xb3+ 49.h2 e3 50.f8 f4+ 51.g1 e3+ 52.f1 d3+ 53.f2 As in the previous variation the white king will escape to d6, and c7 when the checks will expire and Black will have no way to counter the threat of mate on g7. 1-0
272 Stein,Leonid Averbakh,Yuri L USSR (ch) [Nigel Davies]
A07
1970
1.g3 d5 2.g2 e5 3.d3 c6 4.f3 Reaching a reversed Pirc Defence, which is quite common when you open 1.g3 as White. g6 5.c4 [ It's now or never with this lever as after 5.0-0 g7 6.c4 dxc4 7.a4 Black can play cxd3 because e5 is protected by his bishop on g7. Of course White could also play for e2-e4 as Black usually does in a g3 Pirc, but this would most likely lead to simplification via ...dxe4. ] 5...dxc4 6.a4 g7 257
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ In this position 6...cxd3 is strongly met by 7.xe5 attacking the pinned knight on c6. ] 7.xc4 ge7 8.0-0 0-0 9.c3 e6 [ In a later game Black took action against the possibility of W hite playing Qh4 with 9...h6 but after 10.e3 ( 10.h4 can be met by g5 ) 10...e6 11.a4 d4 12.ac1 c5 13.d2 d5?! 14.xd4 exd4 15.xd5 xd5 16.xc5 xg2 17.xg2 found himself a pawn down for inadequate compensation in Bezold, M (2495)-Raetsky, A (2455)/Werfen 1996. ] 10.h4 f5 The endgame specialist Averbakh is not worried about the exchange of queens, but maybe he should have been less nonchalant about it. [ 10...f6 was playable. ] 11.xd8 fxd8? This looks like a serious mis tak e b ec ause B la ck will b e una ble t o support a later ...f7-f6. [ After 11...axd8 the line 12.g5 ( 12.b5 d7 13.g5 fd4 gives White nothing) 12...d7 13.ge4 b6 14.g5 is harmless because of f6 . ] 12.g5 d7 13.ge4 fe7 [ In this position 13...b6 is strongly met by 14.g5 . ] 14.g5! A p owerf ul m ove h ere t oo . h6 15.f6+ h8 [ 15...f8 was worth considering, but White has a useful pair of bishops after 16.xd7+ xd7 17.e3 . ] 16.xd7 xd7 17.e3 [ S t e i n l a t e r t h o u g h t t h a t 17.xe7! was even stronger, intending no doubt to meet xe7 ( 17...xe7 18.xc6 bxc6 19.ac1 leaves Black with very weak cpawns ) 18.xb7 b8 19.f3 xb2 20.a4 b4 21.c5 d6 22.ac1 with an edge for White because of Black's weak pawns and inactive dark squared bishop. ] 17...b8 18.fc1 d4 19.f1 c5 20.ab1 b6 21.b4 Starting to open the position for his two bishops. cxb4 22.xb4 c8 23.bb1 dc7 24.d2 ef5 [ S t e i n f e l t t h a t 24...f8! was a better def e nce , b ut W hit e is be tte r a f te r 25.e3 e6 26.b5 . ] 25.e3 e6 26.b5 xc1+ 27.xc1 xc1+ 28.xc1 a6 29.c3 c5 30.e2 g8? [ 30...h5 was better to stop White's next
move. ] 31.g4! d6 32.c6 f8 33.d5 f5 [ 33...b5 is strongly met by 34.b2 . ] 34.gxf5 gxf5 35.xb6 e4 36.d4 37.d2 b5 38.b7 b4 39.a4 40.a8 a5 41.xb4 axb4 42.a5 1-0
d3 d6
273
A07
Stein,Leonid Portisch,Lajos Moscow (8) [Nigel Davies]
1967
Another game in which Black plays 'sensibly' but imprecisely and presents White with a nice edge. 1.e4 c6 2.d3 d5 3.d2 g6 4.gf3 g7 5.g3 f6 A rather unsophisticated move which leaves Black passively placed. [ Better is 5...e5 intending to develop the g8 knight on e7. ] 6.g2 dxe4 7.dxe4 0-0 8.0-0 a6 9.e5 d5 10.b3 g4 11.e2 c8 12.e1 ac7 13.d2 f6 An attempt to free Black's cramped position, but one which leaves him with a weak e-pawn. 14.exf6 xf6 [ 14...exf6 15.c4 e8 16.d3 e7 17.b4 gives White a powerful initiative. ] 15.c3 f7 16.e4 f5 17.c4 b6 18.f1 a4 19.c1 d7 20.e5 Gaining the two bish op s an d lea ving th e da rk squa re s in Black's camp very weak. xe5 21.xe5 b5 22.f4 d8 23.c5 xc5 24.xc5 c7 25.e5 e6 26.h6 d6 27.e2 g7 28.e1 d3 29.g4 f5 30.c4 xe5 Probably overlooking White's 33rd move, but his position is dire in any case. 31.xe5 d1+ 32.f1 h3 33.xe7 xf1+ 34.xf1 xf1 35.xf7 xf7 36.xf1 f5 37.e3 a6 38.e2 h5 39.d3 b5 40.e4 e6 41.h3 a5 42.c5 a4 43.f8 1-0
258
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 20.g4? b5 21.e3 d6 winning quickly. ] A07 Ubilava,Elizbar 2540 20...ad8 21.g2?! Allowing a further shot. Van der Wiel,John TH 2520 f3+! 22.xf3 exf3+ 23.xf3 e5 24.g2 It Elgoibar ESP (6) 26.11.1998 e4+ 25.h2?! After this, the attack gathers even more momentum, [Tony Kosten] [ 25.g1 was best, although the rook and pawn ending arising after xg3 26.fxg3 1.f3 d5 Obviously this reply is fine if you xe3+ 27.xe3 xe3 is very favourable to have some variation of the Queen's Gambit in Black. ] your repertoire. If you don't it is a bit risky, 26.c1 h5 The threat is ... h4, as one of my opponents replied with 2 d4 here, 25...f3! many years ago, and I found myself playing White is quite lost. 27.h4 d4 28.g1 xh4 [ 28...xh4 29.gxh4 h3 is too catastrophic something I didn't know! 2.g3 c6 3.g2 g4 to bear. ] By playing this before the habitual ...Nf6, Black gives himself several extra options. 4.d3 0-1 d7 5.bd2 e6 Solid, and good. 6.0-0 d6 7.e4 e7 This is the extra option I mentioned, A07 rather than play 7...Nf6, and have to worry 275 about an eventual Pe5, forking two pieces. Wunder,Stefan 2180 8.e1 h5!? Normally Black only plays this in Bunzmann,Dimitrij 2544 reaction to White's h3. Now, 9 h3 0-0 would 8th OIBM Bad Wiessee GER (2) 30.10.2004 t r a n s p o s e i n t o k n o w n l i n e s , b u t n o t [John Watson] surprisingly, White tries to make-do without h3 for a while. 9.a3 0-0 10.b3 Sensible This game shows how subtly powerful the Reti development. An example of the advantages c a n b e e v e n w h e n t h e r e ' s a 4 0 0 - p o i n t of having the black knight on e7 is shown by difference between opponents. 1.f3 f6 the line 2.g3 d5 3.g2 f5 4.d3 e6 5.0-0 h6 6.c4 [ 10.e5?! which is simply answered by c7 bd7 7.cxd5! exd5 8.c3 The seemingly and now the pressure on d5 is diminished, minor threat of Nd4 followed by Nxd5 in some Black can continue with ...c5, and Nc6, cases causes Black quite an inconvenience! and possibly win the e5-pawn. ] c5 10...e8 11.b2 e5 Black is well developed, [ 8...c6 9.e4 is also not easy for Black, for and decides to take some central space. example, dxe4 10.dxe4 h7 11.e5 g4 12.h3!? g6 13.f5 f6 14.h3?! 12.e2 e7 13.e1 c5 14.d1 This is not the right time for this move, White with advantage. ] wants to threaten g4, but only succeeds in [ 8...c5 9.e4!? e6 10.exd5 xd5 compromising his kingside. e7! It seems the 11.xd5 xd5 12.e1+ e7 13.d4! f5-bishop is in trouble. 15.h2 is quite interesting: xg2 14.f5 d5 [ 15.g4?! fails to xf5! 16.exf5 xg4 15.g4!! and White is winning. ] 17.hxg4 xg4 and Black gets three pawns 9.d4 g6 10.b4 cd7 11.b3 c6 12.e4! a n d a c ru s h in g a t t a ck in re t u r n f o r h i s Already White is better developed and taking piece. ] over the center. So simple! e7?! [ and if 15.xe5? then xf5 16.exf5 d7 [ 12...dxe4 13.dxe4 e7 14.d1 ] wins. ] 13.exd5 b6 14.dxc6! xd4 15.b5! 15...xf5 16.exf5 e4 Black takes full White launches a powerful attack. Moves like advantage of the awkward placing of the 16. cxb7 and Bf4 are in the air, but Black white queen, opposite his rook. 17.xf6 xf6 mustn't take the rook. e5 18.dxe4 dxe4 19.c4 c7 White tries hard [ 15...xa1 16.f4 xf1+ 17.xf1 but his two knights are no match for the black followed by cxb7. ] bishops. 20.e3 Note that White cannot win 16.cxb7 d8 17.c6+ fd7 18.f4 the h5-bishop because of the resulting [ Effectively winning would have been weakening of the h2-b8 diagonal: 18.b2! b8 19.xg7 h7 20.d4 274
259
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 wit h 4 p awns f o r t he piece a nd Black's position a shambles. ] 18...f6 19.xa7 0-0 20.d4?! [ 20.c7! picks up more material, eg, b8 ( 20...e5 21.ae1 xc6 22.xd8 xd8 23.xc6 xc6 24.xe7 ) 21.xd8 xd8 22.e4 xe4 23.dxe4 d7 24.ac1 xb7 25.c8 and White has too many powerful extra pawns. Compare the game. ] 20...d6 21.e3? Passive. White should just exchange by [ 21.xd6 xd6 22.g2 keeping the powerful b-pawn with ideas like a4-a5. After t h is W h i t e ' s g a m e g o e s d o wn h i ll . O n e le ss on o f th e o pe ning sho u ld b e clea r, however: top players can feel very uncomfortable against the Reti. ] 21...b8! 22.c8 f5 23.g2 xc8 24.bxc8 xc8 Black's pieces have become very active and he has won back the b-pawn a s we l l . F o r a l l t h a t W h i t e h a s d yn a m i c chances based upon his passed queenside pawns. 25.fc1 a7 26.d1 d6 27.b5 f6 28.a4? [ 28.a4 is the best move - the queenside pawns are White's main strength. ] 28...b6 29.c6 xc6 30.bxc6 d5 31.b5? xe3 32.fxe3 Things are collapsing now. [ 32.xb6 xg2 33.xg2 e4+ 34.g1 c8 wins the light squares and another pawn. ] 32...xd4! 33.e1 c3 34.c1 d2 35.a1 xe3+ Now it's a slaughter. 36.h1 d4 37.e1 d2 38.e5 c4 39.f1 e6 40.a3 c8 41.d6 a5 42.e5 c7 43.e4 c5 44.b4 h5 45.c3 d8 46.e1 d1 0-1
276 Fedorov,Alexei Dolmatov,Sergey Calcutta [Neil McDonald]
A08
1999
1.e4 e6 2.d3 c5 3.f3 c6 4.c3 d5 For a discussion of the opening moves, see the archives 5.e2 ge7 6.g3 g6 7.g2 g7 8.0-0 b6 9.a3 a6 10.e5 h6 11.h4 c7 12.e1 b5 In Morozevich - Gleizerov
Black tried to attack on the kingside with 12... g5?. Here he goes for a pawn attack on the queenside. Best, though not very promising is p r o b a b ly 1 2 . . . 0 -0 - 0 - s e e m y co m m e n t i n Morozevich - Gleizerov. 13.c2 b4 14.cxb4 cxb4 15.f4 b6 16.d2! h5? It is very easy to criticise this move. Indeed it makes a very bad impression as it gives away the g5 square and so opens up the dark squares on the kingside to White's bishop. But what else could Black do? He would like to develop his game by castling and bringing his rook on h8 into the game. But having pushed his pawns on the queenside, he doesn't want to castle there if he plays 16...0-0? then 17 Bxh6 wins. Therefore Black doesn't have a convincing continuation here, for which we must blame his opening strategy. Nevertheless, 16...h5 ce rt a in ly ma kes t h in gs ea sie r f or W h it e . Probably best was the redeployment 16...Bc8 a n d 1 7 . . . B d 7 f o llo we d b y . . . a 5 e t c . T h i s wouldn't solve the problem of what to do with the king, but it would make it harder for White to devise a plan to break through Black's solid position. 17.d4 f5 18.h3 c8 Black is in disarray. First of all he played ...h6 and then changed his mind with ...h5 now he decides the bishop belongs on d7, not a6. 19.b3 d7 20.ac1 a5 21.xf5! In some positions knights are worth more than bishops. This exchange clears the way for W hite to seize control of the dark squares. gxf5 As a general rule, the recapture away from the centre with ...exf5 is the correct response in such positions, in order to keep the kingside intact. Then the d pawn can be supported if necessary by moves such as ...Be6. However, in this instance 21...exf5 would hardly help Black as he would be in a stranglehold after 22 Ne3 Be6 23 Rc5! Rd8 24 Bg5 Ne7 25 Rec1, as given by Kavalek. 22.g5! a7 23.f6! xf6 24.exf6 b5 25.g5! This threaten s simply 26 Qxf5. Now the best chance to survive looks like 25... Nc3 0-0-0 26.xb4+ b7 27.d3! xd4 28.xd4 xd4 29.ed1! b6 30.c5 e5 31.g7! The queen finds an unexpected way to join in the attack. c6 32.xf7 d4 33.a4+ xa4 34.bxa4 d6 35.b1+ c5 36.b7 1-0
260
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 277 Kaidanov,Gregory S Benjamin,Joel [ch United States [Neil McDonald]
A08 2625 2595 1998
1.e4 e6 2.f3 c5 3.d3 c6 4.g3 d5 [ It would be a bad idea to combine ... Nf6 wi t h a f i a n c h e t t o . F o r e xa m p l e , 4...f6 5.g2 d5 6.e2 g6?! -standard is 6...Be7worked out badly in Glek-Saltaev, Cappelle la Grande 1998: 7.0-0 g7 8.g5 dxe4 9.dxe4 c7 10.c3 0-0 11.ad1 a6 12.fe1 and in this unpleasant position B l a c k i m m e d i a t e l y b l u n d e r e d w i t h h6? allowing 13.xf6 xf6 14.e3! attacking both c5 and h6. ] 5.bd2 [ 5.e2 ge7 6.h4?! wo u l d a l l o w e5! Now if 7.exd5?! xd5 8.xe5? d4 when White is in big trouble. Therefore in Certic-J.Horvath, Yuoslavia 1997, he bailed out with 7 Nbd2 f 6 8 c3 Bg4 9 Bh3 an d achieved a draw. ] 5...g6 6.g2 g7 7.0-0 ge7 [ Black could also relinquish the tension in the centre with 7...d4!? e.g. 8.a4 e5 9.c4 f6 10.e1 h6 followed by ...Nf7 was unclear in Chernov-Sakaev, Chisinau 1998. ] 8.e1 b6 9.c3 b7 [ A critical alternative is 9...a6 10.exd5 ( 10.d4; 10.a4 are alternatives) 10...xd5 11.a4 b7 12.d4 cxd4 13.xd4 d7 turned out OK for Black in MeszarosTibensky, Ceske Budejovice 1994. ] 10.e2 [ After 10.h4 h6 11.f1 d4 12.c4 e5 13.h5 g5 14.a3 White had some advantage in Van Mil-Van Wely, Leueuwarden 1997. ] 10...d7 11.f1 Because Black has avoided putting pressure on d3 with ... Ba6 there is no threat of ...dxe4 winning the d3 pawn. The re f o re , th ere is no n ee d f or W hite t o commit himself straightaway to the e5 advance. Instead he maintains the tension in the centre. h6 12.h4 dxe4 [ It was better to close the centre with 12...d4! with similar play to the note at move 10 above after the reply 13 c4. In the game White's knight reaches the excellent c4 square, from which Black can only evict it
by weakening his pawns with ...b5. ] 13.dxe4 0-0-0 14.e3 d3 Black is solid but he has no obvious plan. Meanwhile White has many moves with which he can strengthen his position, such as Nc4 followed by Bf4 and Rad1. Therefore Black seeks to relieve the pressure by simplification. 15.xd3 xd3 16.f1 d7 17.c4 b5 If left alone W hite would play a4 and a5, answering a subsequent ...b5 with a6! attacking the bishop on b7 rather than moving his knight from c4. This would prevent Black consolidating his pawns with ...a6. 18.cd2!! This begins an excellent manoeuvre to exploit the weakness of Black's queenside pawns. c4 19.a4 a6 20.axb5 axb5 21.b1! b8 22.a3! This ties Black down to the defence of b5. c6 23.f4! The next step in White's plan is to acquire the two bishops which will open the way for b3! to unpeel the black queenside and menace the black king. hd8 24.e5 xe5 25.xe5 a7 26.f4 h5 27.f3 b7 28.b3! cxb3 29.eb1! d7 30.xb5 xa1 31.xa1 xb5 32.xb5 c5 33.e3 c8 34.b1 Now the b pawn is doomed. Black makes a great effort to achieve counterplay, but ultimately it is hopeless. f5 35.c4! One of the golden rules in the endgame is 'do not hurry!' The b3 pawn won't run away so W hite targets the e6 pawn. fxe4 36.fxe4 c6 37.xc5 xc5 38.xe6 d8 39.xb3 d3 40.f2 c6 41.a3 e5 42.h3?! According to Kaidanov he should have played [ 42.a5+ d6 43.h3 as Black could now put up a tough resistance with 42.. .Kb6! This would deny the white rook a way to activate itself with check and so tie it down to the defence of the c3 pawn. ] 42...d2+? Black misses his chance. It often happens that a player becomes depressed at having to defend a miserable position such as this and fails to put up much of a fight. That is probably the main difference between humans and computers the latter never give up hope because they had none to start with! 43.f1 c4 44.a5 Black will succeed in winning the c pawn but meanwhile the e pawn will be f o r c e d t h r o u g h wi t h d e c i s i ve e f f e c t . f3 45.g2 h2+ 46.g1 g4 47.f3 f2 48.f1 xc3 49.e5 d3 50.e2 b4 51.c5+ b2 52.e6 d5 53.e1 d4 261
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 54.c4! xc4 55.xc4 e7 56.d2 f5 57.d3 e7 58.c2 1-0
278 Klenburg,Mikhail Bykhovsky,Avigdor It Tel Aviv ISR (9) [Neil McDonald]
A08 2376 2455 17.08.2002
than capturing on d4. 17.b3 c8 18.e2 b5 19.d2 c4 20.d1 h6 Winning the exchange. 21.b3 xd2 22.xd2 a6 23.f4 e8 24.f1 xf1 25.xf1 f6 26.h4 d7 27.g2 f5 28.b5 d3 White resigned, for if 29.e3 xe3 30.fxe3 c2+ 31.g1 xf3 wins. 0-1
279 1.e4 e6 2.d3 d5 3.d2 [ Long term subscribers will be aware I prefer 3.e2 to keep the option of Na3! if Black adopts the set up he chooses in this game. ] 3...c5 4.g3 g6 5.g2 e7 6.gf3 [ In the same tournament Bykhovsky had to face 6.h3 and succeeded in making the knight on the edge irrelevant: g7 7.0-0 bc6 8.f4 b6 9.e5?! h5! Fixing the f5 square for his knight. 10.c3 a5 11.f3 f5 12.d2 a6 13.e2 d7 14.fd1 0-0-0 15.b3 b8 16.a3 a7 17.b4 c4! and Black won in Livshits,G-Bykhovsky,A/ T e l A viv I S R 2 0 0 2 b e ca u se W h it e wa s unwilling to block the position up with 18.d4 ] 6...g7 7.0-0 bc6 8.e1 b6 9.c3 a5! [ Instead 9...b7 10.e2 transposes to Kaidan ov-Ben jamin on Ch essPub , wit h some edge for White. Note that if White had played the 3.Qe2 line, then in answer to 9... a5 he would have 10.Na3 followed by Nc2, e4-e5 and an eventual b2-b4. ] 10.a4?! By delaying the development of his queen's bishop Bykhovsky has given himself the chance of answering [ 10.e2 with a6 threatening to win a p a w n w i t h d 5 x e 4 . T h e n a f t e r 11.e5 White no longer has any direct pressure on t h e c e n t re a n d f5 looks solid for Black. Still White should have preferred this to the game move which begins a losing plan. ] 10...0-0 11.exd5 [ If 11.e5 a6 is awkward. ] [ Perhaps best was the embarrassing retreat 11.c2 ] 11...exd5 12.d4? This leads to the loss of material as Black's pieces are much better positioned to take advantage of the opening of the c f ile. cxd4 13.xd4 xd4 14.cxd4 d7 15.a3 c6 16.f3 b4! Much better
Morozevich,Alexander Gleizerov,Evgeny Tomsk [Neil McDonald]
A08
1998
1.e4 e6 2.d3 c5 3.f3 c6 4.c3 Since W hite plans a quick Qe2, it makes sense to rule out any possible ...Nd4 rather than rush to fianchetto with g3. d5 [ This is a very natural move but rather inflexible. I'm sure that Black should be OK in the game continuation, but I would advise you to avoid it until a good answer has been found to the system developed by Morozevich and others. Wait until Bareev or Dreev show us how to handle the black pieces! Therefore I would suggest 4...ge7 which keeps open the option of pushing the d pawn one or two squares. Have a look at the lines given on the Black's solid system with ...e5 sub page. ] 5.e2 Now Black is committed to the kingside fianchetto, as 5...Bd6? 6 exd5 loses a pawn, 5...Be7 6 e5!? leaves the knight on g8 with no good way out [though 6...f6 might be in t e re st in g h e re ] a n d 5 . . . d xe 4 is a n a n t i positional exchange in this type of position, especially when White can change his mind about g3 and play Qc2 planning Bb5. ge7 6.g3 g6 7.g2 g7 8.0-0 b6 9.a3! This move undoubtedly sets the most problems f or Black. W hite has avoided a routine Nbd2 development and instead found a far more promising square for the knight. Sometimes Nb5, in combination with e4-e5 will be strong, threatening to invade on d6 or perhaps, after ...0-0-0, the alternative Nc2 and b2-b4 will begin an attack on Black's king. And as the d2 square isn't blocked by the knight, the bishop on c1 has an easy 262
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 development. a6 An attempt to play actively. Instead [ 9...b7 allows White to consolidate a space advantage in the centre. For example 10.e5 0-0 ( 10...d4?! 11.c4 ) 11.f4 and White can start an attack with h4 etc. Black will find it hard to achieve counterplay with ...f6 because of the weakness of e6. ] 10.e5 h6 11.h4! This seems to prevent ...g5, but Black isn't deterred. c7 12.e1 g5? This begins a faulty combination. In a previous game Black tried 12...b5?! which also worked out badly. Perhaps he should try [ 12...0-0-0 though 13.c2 planning b4 would give White good attacking chances against the enemy king. ] 13.hxg5 hxg5 14.xg5 g6 It looks as though White has nothing better than 15 Bf6, when 15...Bxf6 16 exf6 0-0-0 leaves Black fully mobilised with a solid centre and attacking chances on the kingside. The extra pawn on f6 wouldn't mean much. Instead, White found a way to completely destroy his opponent. 15.d1! An insidious little move which exploits the loose position of the bishop on a6, as will be seen. White breaks the pin on the d3 pawn and so threatens 16 d4, when he would be a centre pawn up for nothing. Be side s, th e bisho p on g5 wou ld st ill b e preventing Black castling queenside. Therefore, Black is compelled to take the pawn and face the storm. gxe5 16.xe5 xe5 The first problem: he cannot play 16... Nxe5 because of 17 Qa4+ winning the bishop on a6. 17.a4! b7 ...and now he has to concede b5 to the white knight as 17...Bxd3 18 Rad1 c4 19 Rxe5! or 17...Qb7 18 Rxe5 b5 1 9 Q f 4 ! w i n s f o r W h i t e . 18.b5 b8 Perhaps the best chance was to head for the ending with 18...Qd7 19 Rxe5! Nxe5 20 Nd6+ Kf8 21 Qxd7 Nxd7 22 Nxb7, but as he cannot trap the wayward white knight Black faces defeat. 19.xe5! xe5 20.f4 e2 21.d6+ d7 22.xb7 xb2 23.c1! A temporarily passive role for the rook, but it deprives Black of any counterplay involving ... Q x c 3 a n d t h e n . . . N d 4 . ab8 24.d6 Not of course 24 Bxb8?? Qxc1+. b5 25.d1! The queen has enjoyed all its visits home! h7 26.c2 a3 27.xd5! The light squared
bishop has the final word. Black resigned as 27...exd5 28 Qg4+ Ke7 29 Nf5+ Kf8 30 Bd6+ Ke8 31 Re2+ is a complete wipe-out. 1-0
280 Morozevich,Alexander Lastin,Alexander Lightning Moscow RUS [Neil McDonald]
A08 2749 2628 02.09.2001
1.e4 e6 2.d3 c5 3.g3 c6 4.g2 g6 5.f3 g7 6.0-0 ge7 7.c3 d5 8.e2 b6 There is a big cloud over this set up for Black t h a n k s t o W h i t e ' s n e x t m o v e . 9.a3! Players who have studied previous games in this line will be familiar with the development of the knight to a3 rather than d2. It revitalises the system for W hite: the knight is not only ready to swoop into b5 if Black plays Qc7 but also planning to support a queenside attack by retreating to c2. a6 10.e5 h6 11.h4 c7 12.e1 0-0-0 [ Neither did 12...b5 turn out well in FedorovDolmatov. ] 13.b1 g5 This gambit also failed a move earlier in the game Morozevich-Gleizerov, but t h e re i s n o wa y e ls e f o r B la ck t o c re a t e counterplay before White starts an attack with b2-b4. 14.hxg5 g6 15.gxh6 xe5 [ A w i l d v a r i a t i o n w o u l d b e 15...xh6 16.xh6 xh6 17.b4 dh8!? 18.b5 f5 19.exf6 ( If 19.bxc6? h7 and Black has a lethal attack) 19...h7 20.xe6+ b8 21.d6+ a8 22.xc6+ b7 23.e8+ xe8 24.xe8+ and White mates. ] 16.b4! xc3 A forced move as otherwise 17. b5 just wins a piece. 17.b5 xe1 18.xe1 b7 19.bxc6 xc6 Materially speaking it isn't too bad for Black. What will kill him is the g i g a n t i c p a s s e d p a w n o n h 6 . 20.d4 Stopping Black mobilising a big pawn centre with e6-e5. c4 21.b5 xb5 22.xb5 c6 23.b1 b7 24.e5 xe5 25.xe5 The shrewd exchange of the minor pieces has cleared the way for the advance of the h pawn. a4 26.g5 xa2 27.e1 c8 28.g7 hf8 29.xe6 c3 30.e7+ a8 31.xf7 fe8 32.xd5+! A nice finish. Black resigned as if xd5 33.xa7+ b8 34.f4+ 263
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 all drop something. [ After 12...e6 13.xb7 c8 14.fd2 Black's compensation is a long way short of enough. ] [ 12...h8 13.cxe5! xe5 ( 13...fxe5? 281 A08 14.g5 is a huge point) 14.xe5 e6 Movsesian,Sergei 2747 15.c4 ( 15.c4!? looks to me like a pawn up Likavsky,Tomas 2487 f o r n o t a lo t) 15...b6 16.c2 xc4 Hustopece op rapid (5) 06.06.2009 17.dxc4 xc4 18.f4 White eventually [John Shaw] won in Movsesian-Gelfand, Moscow (blitz) 2008. A great player like Gelfand rarely falls 1.e4 c5 2.d3 c6 for such tricks, but of course it was just a [ Another move order is 2...d5 3.d2 c6 blitz game. ] 4.g3 f6 5.g2 e5 ] 13.a4 With sufficient care Black might avoid 3.g3 f6 4.g2 d5 5.d2 [ Another option is 5.exd5 xd5 6.c3 losing material, but White should gain an edge xc3 7.bxc3 g6 8.e2 with an interesting due to the contortions his opponent must endure. h8 almost unexplored position. ] [ Instead 13...g6 14.h3 was Renner -Hort, 5...e5 6.gf3 If you play a King's Indian with Germany 2000, but ( 14.fd2!? was more black, you may be happy to play the same to the point. White has ideas of Ne4 and/or thing with an extra tempo. If not, then White f 2-f 4. Fo r example : g7 15.f4 b6 can avoid this by choosing one of the various 16.fxe5 xc4 17.xc4 xe5 18.xe5 e x d 5 l i n e s . e7 Black has many options of xe5 19.xe5 fxe5 20.e3!? The idea is course. It would be tough for me to cover that White's initiative lasts all the way into every anti-KID line, so just a quick tour to the endgame. xd3 21.g5 c4 22.b5 point at some lines. d6 23.f1 c5+ 24.h1 xb5 25.axb5 [ 6...d4 You need to know the KID to play And Black must start shedding material. Just this particular line (with either side). For a an illustrative line rather than f orced or non-KID player, a few minutes of necessarily best play, but it does give a preparation will do no good. ] good idea of what can happen if White plays [ 6...dxe4 7.dxe4 e7 ] with enough force. )] [ 6...g6 7.0-0 g7 8.c3 0-0 9.b3 d4 [ 13...c7 is worth a look, although 14.h4 ( 9...dxe4 10.dxe4 h6 11.e1 c7 12.f1 is pleasant. ] e6 13.c2 fd8 ) 10.c4 e7 11.cxd4 14.a5 cxd4 12.d2 ] [ 14.cxe5! was working right now. ] 7.0-0 0-0 8.c3 e8 14...b8? [ 8...d4 ] [ 14...c7 ] 9.e1 Giving Black one more chance to play ... Okay, just a rapid game, and d 5 - d 4 . P e r h a p s m o r e a c c u r a t e i s t h e 15.cxe5! maybe it continued on from here. Anyway, it immediate [ 9.exd5 xd5 10.c4 f8 11.e1 makes a useful structure for looking at the line. KID players will be feeling happy here. as Movsesian had played previously. ] 1-0 9...f8 [ 9...d4 ] 10.exd5 xd5 11.c4 White's extra tempo means that standard KID tricks arrive quickly enough to catch out even very classy players. f6 [ 11...c7 allows 12.g5 when White had fun play in Planinec-Rubinetti, Nice 1974. ] 12.b3 e6 An awkward-looking move, but played for good reason, as the natural moves mates. 1-0
264
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 282 Shirov,Alexei Hernandez,G Yucatan [Neil McDonald]
A08 283
2000
1.e4 e6 2.d3 c5 3.g3 The most flexible move here is [ 3.f3 ] 3...c6 4.g2 This commits White to the development of his queen's knight to d2. Instead [ 4.c3 d5 5.e2 would preserve the option of the alternative deployment to a3, for example ge7 6.f3 g6 7.g2 g7 8.0-0 b6 9.a3! is Morozevich-Gleizerov. ] 4...d5 5.d2 There is little choice, as [ 5.e2 d4 is annoying. Thus with his move order White has deprived himself of t h e d a n ge ro u s kn ig h t m o ve t o a 3 . T h e alte rnat ive pla n he ado pts in the gam e proves unsatisfactory. ] 5...g6 6.gf3 g7 7.0-0 ge7 8.h4 h6 9.e1 b6 10.exd5?! Shirov isn't satisfied with the modest [ 10.c3 and so prepares a pawn sacrifice to set Black problems. ] 10...exd5 11.d4?! cxd4 12.b3 g4 Now W hite is unable to regain the pawn, though he does gain considerable pressure on Black's centre. 13.f4 0-0 14.d2 xf3 15.xf3 h7 16.e2 d7 17.ae1 fe8 18.g2 a5! 19.a3 [ A better try might have been 19.a4!? ] 19...ad8 20.d3 a4 21.d2 a5! 22.h2 b7! Black prepares to return the pawn to seize the initiative. 23.h3 f5 24.a6 c5 25.xb6 d3! 26.e5 Shirov makes a de s p e ra t e co m b ina t io n in vo lvin g a h u ge sacrifice of material as [ 26.cxd3 xd3 would be just horrible for White. ] 26...xe5 27.xe5 dxc2 28.h5 c1 29.f6 c6 30.xg6+ h8 31.xe8+ xe8 32.xh6+ g8 33.g6+ h8 34.h6+ h7 Of course. Now White's attack has been refuted. 35.f6+ g8 36.xc6 xh5 37.f3 c2 0-1
Stein,Leonid Zinn,Lothar WchT U26 08th (5.1) [Nigel Davies]
A08
21.07.1961
This game was one of the ones that 'proved' Black shouldn't take on e4 in such positions. In fact it was his later moves that lost him the game but such details tend to get lost in the wash. 1.f3 d5 2.g3 c5 3.g2 c6 4.0-0 e5 5.d3 e7 6.bd2 f6 7.e4 g4 If Black really wants to exchange in the centre this is probably as good a time as any to do it. Giving White 8.h3 for free doesn't help him. 8.h3 e6 9.e2 dxe4 Black probably felt obliged to do this because of White's growing pressure against the e5 pawn. 10.dxe4 0-0 11.c3 d7?! Taking his eye off d5 like this is the start of the wrong plan. [ I think that Korchnoi would have chosen from 11...c7 ] [ 11...h6 ] [ and 11...a6 , all of which look quite playable. ] 12.c4 b5 13.e3 c4 14.d1 c7?! Black seems curiously determined to plant his chin on White's fist. [ 14...b8 would have taken at least some of the sting out of 15.Nd5. ] 15.d5 xd5?! [ 15...b7 would have been much more stubborn. ] 16.exd5 a5 17.d4! exd4 18.xe7 ae8 [ On 18...d3 there would follow 19.d6 c8 20.xa8 e8 21.g5 xa8 22.f4 followed by 23.Re1. ] 19.f4! xf4 [ Or 19...xe7 20.xc7 b7 21.d6 etc. ] 20.xd7 f6 21.xd4 Emerging a good pawn up. The rest is fairly easy. e2 22.f4 b6 23.b4 b7 [ 23...cxb3 24.axb3 xb3 25.xa7 would even threaten 26.Qxf7+ Rxf7 27.Ra8+ leading to mate. ] 24.a4 d6 25.axb5 xb5 26.c6 c2 27.xb6 axb6 28.xc4 xc3 29.c6 f5 30.f1 xc6 31.dxc6 d6 32.d1 c8 33.c4+ h8 34.c7 g6 35.d8 g7 36.e6 A convincing looking game by Stein which probably did a lot to discredit ...dxe4 265
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ideas by Black. 1-0
284 Anand,Viswanathan Salem,AR Saleh Wch Blitz Dubai blitz (4) [Kosten, Tony]
A09 2785 2581 19.06.2014
1.f3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.g3 c6 4.g2 e5 5.0-0 f6 6.d3 h6!? Stopping Bg5, this move is not so popular, but makes a lot of sense. [ 6...e7 is very common, but also allows 7.b4!? xb4! 8.xe5 0-0 9.a3 a6 10.d2 when d6 11.ef3 is similar to this game, except that Black has moved his dark square bishop twice, see Odendahl, RKasimdzhanov, R in the PGN Archive. ] [ 6...a5 may be best, stopping b4 for a long time, and is the most popular, see Speelman, J-Koneru, H, again in the PGN Archive. ] 7.b4 Standard. xb4! Probably best. [ 7...xb4 8.xe5 xe5 9.a4+ c6 10.xc6+ bxc6 11.xb4 White has conceded his powerful bishop, but wrecked the black structure and stops Black from castling. d7! ( 11...h3 is worse, 12.e1 and now e3 is a threat, so d6 13.a3! and Black is in trouble, Mitter, G (2185) Pacher, S (1850) Feffernitz 2007, 1-0 (25), as xb4 14.xb4 d7 15.d2 c5 16.a3 and Nb3, winning the c5-pawn.) 12.e1 ( 12.d2 c5 13.a5 0-0 14.e4 is stronger, winning a pawn.) 12...a5 13.a4 c5 and Black was close to equality in Djuric, S (2485)-Pyhala, A (2350) Jarvenpaa 1985, 1-0 (40). ] 8.xe5 d6 This way it appears Black has gained a move (...h6) over the 6...Be7 line in the note above, but there is a slight flaw. 9.a3 [ 9.a4+! is the way to exploit Black's 6th move, as he has not yet castled compared to the 6... Be7 line. d7 10.f4 ( 10.a3! a6 11.f3 leaves Black's minor pieces m i s p l a c e d .) 10...a6 11.xd7 xd7 12.xd7+ xd7 13.xd6 xd6 should be a bit better for W hite, Delchev, A (2587)-Mellado Trivino, J (2460) France 2001, 1/2-1/2 (37). ]
9...a6 Often Black would be happy to put his knight here, as it might then go to c5, but in this exact position the d4-pawn will need defence so Black might have to play his pawn to c5 instead. [ 9...xe5?! 10.axb4 ] 10.f3 c5 Black should delay this as long as possible. [ 10...0-0 is best, 11.bd2 ( 11.b2 c5 12.e3 dxe3 13.fxe3 would aim to play as in the game, but with the bishop already on b2 Black has extra possibilities, such as g4! 14.e1 e8 ) 11...c5 12.b1 b8 13.b3 c7 14.e3 dxe3 15.xe3 g4 16.d2 c6 17.d4!? cxd4 18.c5 e7 19.f4 d8 20.h3 f6 21.e5 d5 22.xc6 bxc6 23.xd4 Gurevich, M (2315)-Tseitlin, M (2455) Severodonetsk 1982, 1-0 (38), when d7 was not too bad for Black. ] 11.e3! dxe3 12.fxe3!? [ 12.xe3 0-0 13.c3 is nice and active. ] 12...0-0 13.c3 b8?! Heading for the natural c6-square, but in the light of what follows Black should prefer something else here, such as [ 13...c7 keeping better control of d5. ] 14.b2 c6 15.d5! Suddenly Black is in trouble, first he has to solve the problem of the capture on f6. e7?! [ 15...g4 is the best bet, but not easy to find in a blitz game, 16.d2 f5 17.h3 ge5 but White is better anyway. ] [ 15...xd5 16.cxd5 e7 17.d2 f5 18.e2 is very good for White, he has a nice centre and very active minor pieces, i.e. f6 19.e4 e7 20.f2 and Raf1. ] 16.h4 h7 [ 16...xd5 17.cxd5 a5 18.f5 xf5 19.xf5 is a slight improvement, but clearly better for W hite with his centre and bishops. ] 17.f5 xf5 18.xf5 With his powerful minor pieces White is already winning. g5 [ 18...d6 19.g4 f6 20.af1 e5 21.xe5 xe5 22.h5 h8 23.e4 will soon be mate, Black is too weak on the light squares. ] 19.h4 e6 20.g4 g6 21.af1 Rxf7 is the immediate threat. g7 22.f6! Other moves were winning, too, but this is pretty and a thematic way to exploit Black's weakened 266
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 19.a6 c8 Now White sacrifices an exchange to decimate the black structure. 20.xc7! xc7 21.xd6 a7 22.xe5! [ 22.xf8 is good, but why swap this bishop for a mere rook? ] 22...fxg3 23.hxg3 g4 24.xg7 xg7 25.a1 Now it is the turn of the d4-pawn to c8 26.xd4 f6 27.c6 285 A09 fall. Anand,Viswanathan 2784 The endgame is a breeze f or W hite, who Svidler,Peter 2713 maintains a dominating position with extra xa1 28.xa1 af7 29.f4 Hoogovens Blitz blitz (12) 18.01.1999 material. Removing Black's only target. e3 30.f3 h6 [Tony Kosten] 31.ab4 g5 32.d5 White's light-squared 1.f3 d5 2.c4 d4 Black plays this natural c a m p a i g n c o n t i n u e s t o b e a r f r u i t s . gxf4 f5 34.h5+ h8 35.e5 advance, and forces W hite into a reversed 33.xf4 B e n o n i , o r B e n k o s t r u c t u r e . 3.g3 W in ning b ack th e excha nge, a nd e nd in g Black's resistance. The immediate [ 3.b4 is also a good choice, obtaining a 1-0 Benko Gambit-style position, without losing a pawn! ] A09 3...g6 4.d3 g7 Fianchettoing the king's 286 bishop has a good theoretical reputation, but Anastasian,Ashot 2545 Black often suffers because of his lack of Ponomariov,Ruslan 2616 control over the a3-f8 diagonal. 5.g2 e5 Eu Team Ch Batumi GEO (8) 07.12.1999 6.b4 Here is the advantage of that extra [Tony Kosten] tempo. To achieve the related advance, ...b5, as Black, in the Benoni, can often be difficult 1.c4 c5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.f3 c6 or well-nigh impossible. d7!? A novelty, 5.0-0 d4 6.e3 e5 7.exd4 exd4 normally Black completes his kingside [ The invariable choice in this position. The development thus: more ambitious 7...cxd4 is always avoided, [ 6...e7 7.0-0 0-0 ] although I don't know why. Perhaps Black 7.bd2 h6!? Another original development. players are concerned about the possibility 8.0-0 f6 9.b5 White has a very simple, and of White exploiting his extra tempo to good effective, plan in these positions: advance on effect, but no immediate problem is evident. t h e q u e e n s id e . 0-0 10.a4 f7 11.a5 For instance, 8.e1 ( 8.d3 would lead to a The immediate threat is a6, levering open the reversed Benoni position) 8...d6 9.xe5 h 1 -a 8 d ia go n a l . b8 12.e1! A typical xe5 10.f4 but Black can counter with d3! 'English' plan, the knight is heading for b4 to 11.fxe5 c5+ 12.h1 g4 with at least a complete W hite's domination of the critical draw. ] l i g h t s q u a r e s , d 5 , c 6 , a n d a 6 . f5 8.d3 e7 9.f4 An important part of White's B l a c k ' s q u e e n s i d e s i t u a t i o n i s s e ve r e l y plan. he needs to exchange a piece, as he compromised, and he must look for play on has less space, and at the same time, open the other side of the board. 13.c2 f6 the h1-a8 diagonal. 0-0 10.e5 xe5 14.b4 d7 15.b3 Black has to stop this 11.xe5 e8!? knight from going to c5. b6 16.axb6 [ A new plan. Previously, other moves were [ 16.a6 c8 17.b7 wins the exchange, t r i e d h e r e e . g . 11...g4 12.f4 d6 but the text is much clearer. ] 13.xd6 xd6 14.d2 b6?! 15.e1 d7 16...axb6 17.a7 f4 Black's counterplay is 16.h3 f6 17.b3 with an edge, Kasparov, much too slow, White has already infiltrated G-Pinter,J/Skara 1980, or ] the queenside. 18.a3 White's pieces seem [ 11...d7 or ] to flow naturally to powerful squares. d6 [ 11...g4 ] dark squares. h5 [ 22...xf6 23.xf6+ h8 24.xc6 bxc6 25.f4 f5 26.g4 is overwhelming. ] 23.g5 d7 24.h6 1-0
267
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 12.xf6! White shows a good understanding of the position. His dark-squared bishop is not particularly useful with this fixed structure. xf6 13.d2 e7 So as to eject the white knight with ...f5 should it come to e4. 14.d5! Both pinning the f7-pawn, and establishing the bishop on a powerful central square. b8 15.f3 f8 16.fe1 b6 17.e2 The white pieces come easily to strong squares. d6 18.ae1 d7 19.e4 c7 20.h5 W hite menaces Ng5 which would lead to a quick mate. h6 21.h4 Repeating the threat. e6 [ Positionally ugly, but tactically forced. Black had to do something about the strong t h re a t s t o h is k in g, f o r m o ve s s u c h a s 21...a6? lose immediately to 22.g5! i.e. hxg5 23.e7 ( 23.e4 is also effective) 23...e6 24.1xe6! d6 25.e4 f5 26.h6 with mate in two. ] 22.xe6 fxe6 23.f4 Fixing the frail e6-pawn. With this weakness on the open e-file, and possessing the superior minor piece, White has a consequent advantage. d7 24.d2 f6 Black is obliged to defend grimly, but this leads to passiveness, of course. 25.g4?! e8 26.f3 f7 Black manages a threat of his own: ...Bxf4! 27.e5 xe5 28.xe5 f5 [ This looks like a misjudgement to me. After a s e n s i b l e a l t e r n a t i v e l i k e 28...h7 Black is worse, but may be able to hold on. ] 29.xf5! The two rooks should comfortably out-gun the lone queen. exf5 30.xe8+ h7 31.8e7 g6 32.f2 b5!? An attempt to confuse White. 33.7e6 [ 33.1e6 g4 34.cxb5 h3 35.xa7 looks strong, menacing Ree7, but af ter h2+ the white king proves to be too exposed. ] 33...f7 34.cxb5 d7 35.c6 [ 35.a4 may be more effective, as after d5 36.e7 b3 37.xa7 xd3 Black has some counterplay, but not nearly enough. ] 35...c4! 36.xc4 [ Not 36.dxc4? as after d3 37.b3 d4+ 38.f3 c3 Black has mustered serious chances, with his active queen and dangerous passed pawn. ] 36...xb5 37.b3 a5 38.c2?! [ T h e s i m p l e 38.e2 s h o u l d w i n , d5 39.c7 h1 40.ee7 and when Back's
checks run out W hite will play Rxg7+. Of course, White may have been short of time, and worried about a possible perpetual check. ] 38...a6 39.d2 g6 40.e7 c6 41.h5+!? A double-edged move, which wins material, but allows the black king to become active. xh5 42.xg7 f6 43.xa7 g4 44.g2 c6+ 45.h2 f3 [ 45...f3 It is true that the position is far messier than it was, but even so W hite should continue, e. g.: 46.e7 g6 47.g2 h5 48.g1 f6 49.ge1 h4?? 50.h3! with a mating net. ] ½-½
287 Bezold,Michael Svidler,Peter Bundesliga 2008-9 (3) [Carsten Hansen]
A09 2513 2727 25.10.2008
This game is of a length that will normally disqualify it from being included in our updates. Nevertheless, I find it to be of some interest, I trust you will agree. 1.g3 d5 2.g2 f6 3.c4 d4 4.d3 e5 5.f3 c6 6.0-0 e7 [ This natural move is actually considered an inaccuracy on account of W hite's f airly obvious response in the game. It is a bit surprising that Svidler willingly goes into this line. The alternative, 6...a5 is the topic of Speelman-Koneru, Torquay 2002, where W hite continued with 7.e3 , and Koneru opted for the main line move 7...Be7 - see the PGN archives, The alternative is dxe3 8.xe3 e7 A) 9.c3 0-0 10.h3 ( 10.e1 g4!? ) 10...f5 11.d4 exd4 12.xd4 xd4 13.xd4 xd4 14.xd4 c6 15.fe1 e6 16.b3 fd8 , and Black has equalized, T o m a s h e vs k y , E - W a n g H a o / N i z h n i y Novgorod RUS 2007; B) 9.d4 exd4 10.xd4 xd4 11.xd4 0-0 12.c3 c6 13.a4 xd4 14.xd4 e6 15.b3 d7 , and Black has solved opening problems successfully, Vallejo Pons, F-Gelf and, B/Monte Carlo MNC 2005. ] 7.b4! xb4 268
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 c a n b e f o u n d i n t h e P G N a r c h i v e s .) [ The only truly playable move for Black in 11.b2 ( 11.b3 was played in Blatny, Pthis position. Other tries include: A) 7...d7 Ricaurte Lopez, J/Salinas ECU 2005, 8.b5 cb8 9.e3 ( 9.a4 a5 10.e3 c5 11.e4 which can be found in the PGN archives.) 0-0 12.e1 f6 13.f4 g4 14.h3 e3 11...g4 12.ef3 f6 13.a4 e8 15.xe3 dxe3 16.c3 exf4 17.gxf4 ( 13...e6 14.a5 b8 15.h3 h6 with an unclear position and chances to both 16.a3 c5 17.c1 e7 18.b3 f5 sides, Kantans, T-Plat, P/Mlada Boleslav with a comfortable game for Black, Roeder, 2008) ) 9...0-0 10.exd4 exd4 11.b2 c5 M-Bukal, V/ Porto San Giorgio ITA 2004) 12.bxc6 xc6 13.xd4 xd4 14.xd4 14.a3 e7 15.b1 c6 16.h3 f6 c5 15.c3 ( 15.d5!? ) 15...xd3 17.xc5 xc5 18.b3 d6 19.xc5 16.xd3 xd3 17.d2 b8 xc5 , and the chances are about even, with a comfortable game for Black, Nguyen Bauer, C-Mirzoev, A/ Elgoibar ESP 2005 ] Huynh Minh Huy-Varga, C/ Zalakarosi HUN [ B) 9.d2 promises White less: 2008. ] A) Black's best option is probably 9...e8 [ B) 7...xb4 8.xe5 xe5 9.a4+ fd7 10.b3 ( 10.a3 a6 11.b2 ( 9...c6 10.xc6+ bxc6 11.xb4 is an alternative) 10...f8 11.f3 c5 leaves W hite with a pleasant advantage, 12.a3 c6 13.e3 dxe3 14.xe3 f5 Z o n t a k h , A - M a r i c , D / B e l g r a d e 1 9 9 8) 15.e1 c8 16.xc5 , Vukic, M-Pajkovic, 10.xb4 c5 11.a3 0-0 12.d2 c7 /Niksic 1996, and now Black could gain a ( 12...a6 13.b1 a7 14.e3 dxe3 15.fxe3 simple advantage with xc5 17.xc5 b6 , and White is comfortably better, 18.a4 e5; Radziewicz, I-Stef anova, A/ Bled 2002) B) 9...d6 10.a3 a6 11.ef3 c5 13.e4 a6 14.e3 dxe3 15.xe3 12.b1 e8 13.g5 Bischoff, K-Kitte, S/Germany 1998 ] B1) 13...g4 14.e1 d7 15.de4 8.xe5 0-0 9.b2 e7 16.h3 f5 17.xb7 b6 18.f4 [ This isn't the most common move in this c8 was played in Odendahl, R-Rothuis, position. White's two main alternatives are: V/Dieren NED 2008, and now W hite A) 9.a3 a6 could have gained a decisive advantage A) 10.e4 c5 11.b2 e8 12.h3 with ( 18...d7 ) 19.xf7 xf7 ( 12.a4!?= ) 12...fd7!? 13.f3 f6 20.d6+ g8 21.xe8 xb7 22.xb7 14.e1?! ( 14.e1 e5 15.xe5 xe8 23.e3; xe5 ) 14...b6 15.f4 ba4 16.c1 a5 B2) 13...h6 14.ge4 xe4 15.xe4 (At first I must admit I didn't see Black's f8 16.f4 b8 17.f5 c6 18.g4 intended idea with this move. By the way, leaves White with a kingside initiative, Black is doing very well already.) 17.a2 Danielsen, H-Fries Nielsen, N/ a6! 18.af2 b6 19.c2 b3 20.d2 Espergarde 1992 ] c3 Aha, this was the thinking behind 16... a5!. Black is clearly better, Elorta, D- 9...d6!? [ As far as I can see, this move is new, and is Nguyen Anh Dung/Manila PHI 2008; also approved by my computer which claims B) 10.b2 (This move was recommended an edge for Black. Previously Black has tried by Watson in his notes to Blatny-Ricaurte a few other things: A) 9...e8 10.a3 a6 Lopez, Salinas 2005) g4!? ( 10...c5 11.e1 f8 12.f3 c5 13.e3 dxe3 11.f3 e6 12.bd2 c5 13.c2 e8 14.fxe3 , and I prefer White's chances, 14.e3 with a slight plus for White is Franke, R-Teschner, R/Germany 1980 ] Watson's line.) 11.xg4 xg4 12.d2 [ B) 9...g4 10.xg4 ( 10.f3 c5 11.bd2 c6 13.e1 c5 14.c2 f6 15.a4 e8 c7 12.b3 f5 13.d2 ad8 14.g5 with chances to both sides, Makarov, Me3 15.fxe3 xg5 16.xd4 cxd4 Ibragimov, I/Maikop 1998; 17.xb4 xe3+ 18.h1 g4 , and Black C) 10.d2 c5 ( 10...d6 has the more comfortable game, Plachetka, was the subject of OdendahlJ-Dobrovolsky, L/Frenstat 1982) 10...xg4 Kasimdzhanov, Vlissingen 2004, which 269
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 11.xb7 b8 12.e4 xd3 ( 12...f5!? ) 13.xh7+ h8 14.xd3 xb2 with an unclear position and chances to both sides, Kaidanov, G-Khmelnitsky, I/ Philadelphia 1993 ] 10.f4!? [ 10.f3 c5 11.bd2 d7 is of course also playable, but doesn't represent any problems for Black whatsoever. ] 10...c6?! [ 10...g4!? 11.xg4 xg4 12.d2 c6 13.a3 , and despite my computer's claim to the contrary, both sides have their share of the chances. ] 11.c5! Now White gains the initiative. Of course the pawn cannot be taken on account of 12 Nxc6 bxc6 13 Ba3, winning a piece. e6 12.xc6!? [ I think White is over-careful at this juncture. In my opinion, W hite should have trie d 12.xc6! e3+ ( 12...bxc6 13.xd4 is clearly better for White) 13.h1 bxc6 14.a3 xc5 15.c2 e7 16.xd4 with a very nice game for White. ] 12...bxc6 13.xd4 d7?! [ 13...d5 seems like the better choice, e.g. 14.e3 xc5 15.c3 d6 16.xc5 xc5 17.d2 ] 14.xd7 xd7 15.e3 And here the players agreed upon a draw, much too soon. W hite has a clear advantage, including an extra pawn. ½-½
and Qa4+, whereas a5 might be met by 7.a3 ( 7.0-0 f6 8.a3 xd2 9.xd2 0-0 10.c2 ) 7...f6 8.c2 xd2+ 9.xd2 ( or 9.xd2 )] 6.0-0 e7!? Surprisingly this makes things difficult for Black. Better was [ 6...a5 with the possible line 7.e3 A) 7...e7 8.exd4 exd4 9.f4 ( 9.a3!? 0-0 10.b5 e6 11.f4 c8 12.e1 unclear ) 9...0-0 10.e5 xe5 11.xe5 e8 12.e1 with a position that has been re a ch e d b e f o re a n d is a p p ro xim a t e ly equal.; B) 7...c5 ] 7.b4! Tony has already discussed this line in the game R Odendahl-Kasimdzhanov, Vlissingen 2004. I think that W hite is doing rather better than that game shows if he plays accurately. xb4! [ 7...xb4?! 8.xe5! xe5 9.a4+ c6 10.xc6+ bxc6 11.xb4 and White's pawn structure gives him a nice edge. ] [ 7...e4?! 8.dxe4 xb4 9.e5 ( or 9.b2 ) 9...e4 10.b2 c3 11.xc3 dxc3 12.b3 ] 8.xe5 0-0 9.a3 [ 9.d2 e8 10.b3 is also worth a thought. ] 9...a6 10.d2 [ Possibly 10.b2! is a better order, e.g., c5 ( Now 10...d6 loses a pawn to 11.xd4 ) 11.f3 e6 12.bd2 c5 13.c2 b8 14.e3 But White seems to have a small advantage after 10.Nd2 anyway. ] 288 A09 10...c5 [ Kasimdzhanov played 10...d6 11.ef3 Blatny,Pavel 2456 e8 and Odendahl responded with 12. Nb3 Ricaurte Lopez,Juan Carlos 2333 c5 13.a4?! Bg4 and got the worse game. III Festival Olimpico (6) 20.02.2005 Instead the normal idea of 13.Rb1 followed [John Watson] by e3 was critical. But I also t hin k t ha t Black's oddly-placed pieces can be better 1.g3 e x p l o i t e d b y 12.b1! (threatening Nxd4, [ This game could also have arisen by the since ...Be5 no longer pins the knight) c5 more common move order 1.f3 d5 2.c4 A) T h e s t a n d a r d p l a n o f 13.g5 d4 3.d3 c6 4.g3 e5 ] is also interesting because it hits b7 and [ See also how White ends up a tempo prepares the e3 idea in another way, for ahead of the reversed variation 1.d4 f6 example, b8 14.de4 xe4 15.xe4 2.f3 c5 3.d5 d6 4.c3 g6 5.e4 ] c7 ( 15...f8 16.f4 ) 16.e3! f5 17.d2 1...e5 2.g2 d5 3.c4 d4 4.d3 c6 5.f3 dxe3 18.fxe3 when 18...Qxd3?? 19.Bd5+ f6 and Rb3 is not advised, nor 18...Rxe3 19. [ 5...b4+ 6.d2 has the threat of 7. Bxb4 270
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Bd5+ and in most cases Ne4. Otherwise more like White's best try. Alex covered the W hite plays Bd5+ anyway and stands alternatives in January, but there have been a better. But this isn't as straightforward as few games since then: 13.e3; [ Delchev's recommendation 6.b5+?! c6 B) 13.e3 dxe3 14.fxe3 h6 (stopping Ng5 7.c4 has been seen a couple of times ( 14...b8 15.g5 h6 16.ge4 xe4 recently, axb4! 8.xe5 fxe5 9.h5+ g6! 17.xe4 or 17.Bxe4; 14...g4 15.e4 10.xe5+ e7 11.xh8 f6 c7 16.e2 and White has many ideas A) 12.b2 e6 13.xe6 ( 13.xd4 such as Nfg5, Nh4, and Nc3-d5, for bd7 14.xe6 xe6 and ...0-0-0 example, f5 --to stop Nc3-- 17.fg5 Thiele. ) 13...xe6 14.g4?! bd7 15.g5 xe4 18.xe4 e5 19.c3 ) 15.h4 e4 16.xd4 0-0-0 17.f3 xg5 18.0-0 b8 16.f5! e5 17.e4 with a small h6 0-1 Stella, A (2463)-Bertagnolli, A but distinct advantage. ] (2329) Ortisei 2013.; 11.b3 B) 12.d3 e6 13.d2 bd7 14.0-0 [ 11.b2 g4 12.ef3 f6 13.b3 xb3 0-0-0 15.exd4 might be the best bet, but 14.xb3 is unclear but I'd rather play h6 16.xd8+ xd8 17.e1 d5 White. ] f a vo u rs B lack (aga in t h is is Rein ho ld 11...a5?! Thiele's analysis).; [ B e t t e r s e e m s t h e n a t u r a l 11...xb3 C) 12.0-0 e6 13.d3? ( 13.xe6 12.xb3 c5 ( 12...g4?! 13.xg4 xg4 is better, but xe6 14.exd4 bd7 15.d3 14.xb7 ) 13.f3 e8 14.e1 b8 15.f4 0-0-0 -Thiele. ) 13...xc4 14.dxc4 d7 ( 15.d2!? ) 15...d7 16.e5 h5 15.d1 g7 16.xd4+ c7 and White 17.xd7 xd7 18.d2 c6 when Black h a d t o p l a y 17.d8+ xd8 18.xd8 stands solidly. ] t o a v o i d l o s i n g h i s q u e e n , b u t xd8 [ But 11...a4? 12.f3 c3 13.c2 c5 19.b2 bd7 is hopeless, Davis, T 14.e3 leaves the first player well on top. ] (1945)-Zelesco, K (2143) Cammeray 2013 12.f3 e6 13.a4 0-1 (24). ] [ Or 13.b2 c5 14.e3 a4 15.c1 dxe3 [ 6.c4?! axb4! 7.b3 ( 7.exd4 e4! ) 16.fxe3 . The extra centre pawn tend to be 7...h6 8.exd4?! ( 8.0-0 ) 8...e4 9.e3 a n a d v a n t a g e i n t h e s e p o s i t i o n s e ve n e7 10.h4 g5 ( 10...f5 11.g3 g5 though they are initially backward-looking. ] 12.g2 c6 is also strong.) 11.d3 ( 11.f3?! 13...a6 14.d2!? gxh4 12.fxe4 e6 should have been [ 14.b2! c5 15.e3 d6! 16.exd4 cxd4 winning for Black in Bosiocic, M (2542)17.h3!? , or less greedily, ( 17.e1 )] Kadric, D (2471) Zadar 2013, but 1/2-1/2 14...b4 15.h3 c5? (26). ) 11...gxh4 12.dxe4 c6 13.0-0?! [ Black can come close to equality by 15...c5! g4 14.d3 h3 ( 14...ce5! ) 15.xh3 16.xb4 cxb4 17.d2 d6 ] xe4 ( 15...xd4 ) 16.b2 d7 and Black 16.xb4! axb4 17.xc8 xb3 18.xb7 went on to convert his material advantage, b6 19.xb3 xb7 20.c5! e7 21.c6 b6 although it got a bit messy, Hakobyan, A 22.xd4 g4 23.a5 (2103) -Chibukhchian, A (2446) Yerevan 1-0 2014 0-1 (40). ] [ 6.exd4?! e4 7.e2 e7 8.g1 c6 ] [ 6.xe5?! is Van Wely, L-Kramnik, V in the 289 A09 PGN Archive. ] Demuth,Adrien 2476 6...d7 [ 6...d7 7.b5 c6 8.c4 was the sharp Duda,Jan Krzysztof 2587 game Hillarp Persson, T-Hector, J, analysed Mitropa Cup Ruzomberok (7.1) 29.05.2014 by Alex. ] [Kosten, Tony] 7.b5 xc5 8.c4 e7 9.exd4 exd4 1.f3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.b4 f6 4.e3 e5 5.c5 a5 10.a3 a6 'White has good compensation, 6.a4+ This is beginning to look more and since Black's king will never be safe' - Alex. 271
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 11.0-0 b4 12.d3 f5 The first new move, and it's a good one. Black wants to play ...b6, move his queen and then castle long, trying to keep the queenside closed. [ 12...c6 13.bd2 b6 is also quite playable, 14.bxc6 xc6 ( 14...xc6 15.d1 0-0-0 is also unclear.) 15.b3 b5!? ( 15...a4 ) 16.f7+ f8 17.ac1 b6 18.e4 c8 19.fe1 Bukavshin, I (2539) Shukh, N (2421) Saratov 2013 1-0 (33), when a6! 20.xc5 ( 20.e6 is a Houdini move, a4 21.xc5 xc5 22.d1 xc1 23.xe7+ xe7 24.xd7+ xd7 25.xc1 c7 ) 20...xc5 might be OK. ] 13.c1 [ 13.e1 xd3 14.xd3 xd3 15.xc5 xc5 16.c4 d6 17.bd2 is actually fairly equal, White will play Ne4 and regain the d-pawn, and retain sufficient play for the other sacrificed pawn. ] 13...b6 14.b3 d6 15.bd2 [ 15.f7+ d8 16.c4 g6 17.bd2 f4 18.e1 is unclear. ] 15...0-0-0 So, Black has found a reasonable square for his king, can he exploit his extra pawn? 16.h4 g6 17.e1 ed5 18.df3 [ 18.xg6 hxg6 19.h3 can be met by the tactic c2!? 20.xc5 xa1 21.xd6 xb3 22.xd5 c5 ( 22...xd2?! 23.e6+ b8 24.f4 ) 23.xc5 xd5 24.a3 xb5 when I suppose Black has any chances going. ] 18...f4 [ 18...b7 ] 19.xg6 hxg6 20.c1 bd5 21.e4 de8?! [ 21...g5 must be a little better for Black, and if he wants to put a rook on the e-file it should be the h-rook ] 22.g3!? [ 22.xf4 xf4 23.ae1 xe4 24.xe4 is a simple alternative, d8 25.g3 d5 26.xd4 with equal material and opposite colour bishops. ] 22...h3+ 23.g2 xf2? [ 23...c3 24.xe8+ xe8 forces 25.f7 ( 25.xh3? a4 26.c2 e2 27.d2 xf2 when the white king is in trouble.) 25...e7 26.xg6 d7 when my computer tells me it's equal! ] 24.xd5
[ After 24.xe8+! xe8 25.xd5 White was possible worried about xd3 26.c6 xc1 27.xc1 e2+ 28.f1 d3 but 29.g8+ forces the queens off, with advantage as the 3 black pawns are not worth a piece.. ] 24...xe4 25.dxe4 Reaching an interesting material imbalance. d7 26.h4?! [ 26.a3! i s t h e r i g h t m o ve , a s h3+ 27.g1 and White doesn't have to worry about ...d3+, xa3 28.xa3 with advantage, as the black rooks have little scope and the c7 and d4-pawns are weak. ] 26...g4 [ 26...g5! would turn the tables, and now White should probably play 27.a3 gxh4 28.gxh4 although g4+ 29.f2 xa3 30.xa3 g5 looks unpleasant. ] 27.d3?! [ 27.a3 should again be played, the c5bishop is too strong. ] 27...g5! Now White must be very careful. 28.h2 h5 29.f3 gxh4!? Offering the exchange for some winning chances. [ If Black tries to keep the queens on by 29...h7 then 30.g4+ b8 31.f3 gxh4 32.gxh4 g5 (those g-pawns!) 33.h5 d8 34.e6 and Black doesn't have anything better than xh5 35.xh5 xh5 36.g4 fairly level. ] 30.xh5 xh5 31.f7 hh8 32.xe8 xe8 33.gxh4 xe4 34.f3 With more activity and 3 pawns for a piece, Black has most of the chances going, although White should be able to hold a draw. d7 35.d2 c6 [ 35...e6 36.e1 d5 can be met by 37.h5 ] 36.e1! xe1 37.bxc6+ xc6 38.xe1 d5 39.f3 c4 40.h5 Fixing the g-pawn on a dark square. a4 41.e2?! White wants to bring his knight to the nice central square on d3, but this is passive. [ 41.e4 is more active, and natural, and b5 can be countered by 42.f3 ( 42.d3?? f5+ ) 42...b4 43.c1 c3 ( 43...b3 44.axb3+ axb3 45.b2 ) 44.d5! a3 45.d2! ( 45.xc5 is possible, but White would need to find lots of only moves: b3 46.xa3 bxa2 47.b4+ d3 48.e1+ e4 49.c2 f5 50.c4 f4 51.b3 f3 52.e1 d3 53.xa2 dxc2 54.b2 ) 45...b6 46.b3 and only White can win 272
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 this, d3 47.e4 c2 48.d2 but c5! and White is not worse.) 9...h4 10.g1 Draw. ] d6! A strong move. White has problems 41...b5 42.d3 d e f e n d i n g h i s n u m e r o u s we a k n e s s e s . [ 42.c1 ] 11.f4?! White has misdirected the Black 42...a3! 43.f4 c3 44.c7 f8 45.a5+ knight, but at the cost of falling behind in c2 46.b6 b1 47.xd4 xa2 d e ve lo p m e n t . ( 11.g3?! h5!; 11.e3!? Black has made real progress, his king and xh2 12.d2 is suggested by Marin, who bishop support his two passed pawns, and thinks White might have some White must be precise. 48.d2 b4 compensation in view of his slightly better [ 48...a3! keeps more chances, 49.c3 development and his strong centre. Perhaps b1 50.g1 d6 51.e3 a3 52.b4 a2 so, but most strong players would certainly but ( 52...xb4+ 53.xb4 a2 54.d4 a1 take Black here.) 11...e5! 12.f5 h5! 13.h3 55.xa1 xa1 56.xb5 b2 is a draw.) d4! 14.g3 hxg4 15.hxg4 g6! 53.c2! a1+ 54.xa1 xa1 55.b3 Vallejo's vigorous p lay ma kes a stron g b1 56.d2 traps the king and draws! impression- White is not given any time to Fantastic! ] settle down. 16.fxg6 xg6 17.e3 d8 49.c5! The only move not to lose. xc5 18.d2 e6 19.a4 f4 0-1 (29) Rausis, 50.xc5 a3 51.c2 b3+ 52.b1 f5 I (2506)-Vallejo Pons, F (2677)/Port 53.d3 Zugzwang! b2 54.xb2 b3 Barcares 2005 White has no compensation 55.xa4! The simplest. xa4 56.c2 b4 for his exposed king and for the weaknesses 57.d3 c5 58.e3 d5 59.f4 e6 on dark squares. ] 60.g5 e5 8...d8 I suspect this might be better than [ 60...e5 61.g6 f4 62.xg7 f3 63.h6 going to d6, where White tends to gain time f2 64.h7 f1 65.h8 ] with c4-c5. ½-½ [ 8...d6 9.d4 f5 10.d2 g6 11.c5 d8 12.c4 g7 13.d1 0-0 14.0-0 looked quite comfortable for W hite in 290 A09 Fontaine, R -Markowski, T Dresden 2004. ] Devereaux,Maxim 2415 9.d4 f5 10.d2 g6 11.d1 g7 12.e2 Rowson,Jonathan 2582 0-0 13.0-0 a5 14.c1 d8 15.d5 cxd5? 4ncl 03.05.2008 Too much too soon. While this more or less wins a pawn by force, it also gives White a lot [Jonathan Rowson] of activity so I would have been better of keeping the tension. 1.f3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.e3 [ 15...d7! simply intending Rac8 and [ 3.b4 feels critical to me, and we can revisit keeping options open, was best. ] this line another time. ] [ 15...xc3!? 16.xc3 ( 16.bxc3 cxd5 [ 3.a3!? Suba, is not as silly as it looks. ] 17.cxd5 xd5 ) 16...xc3 17.bxc3 d7 [ 3.g3 is of course fine, though it seems 18.f4 ac8 19.g4 And White just about Black can equalise quite easily. ] keeps the balance. ] 3...c6 4.exd4?! I now think this is probably just a mistake. xd4 5.xd4 xd4 6.c3 16.xd5 [ 16.b4 xb4 17.xd5 a5 18.b6 axb6 c6 7.d3 h6! 8.e3 19.xe7+ f8 wins for Black, but I must [ 8.e2!? was recommended by Zviagintsev, admit I was a little taken aback when I first but I am not sure how carefully he noticed this possibility. ] considered it. f5 9.g4?! This pseudoactive move was thought to be the best 16...e6 17.b4 xa2 18.d2 a4 [ 18...b3 19.d1 ] a n t i d o t e t o B l a c k ' s u n u s u a l s ys t e m o f development, but it appears to be unsound. 19.c7 xe3 [ 19...ac8 20.xe6 fxe6 21.fd1 f8 ( 9.0-0!? The d4 square isn't everything, so 22.b1 ] W hite should consider playing around it. d8 10.g4 g6 11.e1 g7 12.g5 20.xd8+ xd8 21.xe6 xf1 273
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 21...fxe6 22.xe3 xb4 23.xa7 d4 24.a2 c5 25.c2 f8 26.d3 e5 27.g3 b6 28.e2 I didn't think I could make progress here. ] [ 21...c6 22.xe3 ] [ 21...d6 22.c5 xb4 23.xe3 d4 24.d3 xc4 25.xe7 e6 26.d8+ g7 27.f4 ] 22.xd8 d7 23.xf7 [ 23.d1 xd1 24.xd1 d2 25.e2 b6 26.c6 f8 27.xa7 c3 keeps the game alive. ] 23...d2 24.g5 h6 25.h4 d4 26.d1! W hite has def ended well and Black is no longer better. xg5 27.hxg5 e5 [ 27...f4 ] 28.f3 xf3+ 29.xf3 xc4 30.xb7 c1+ 31.h2 f4+ 32.g1 c1+ 33.h2 f4+ ½-½
[ 5...a5 had been played, allowing the bishop t o e s c a p e : 6.c4 h6 7.0-0 e7 Namgilov,S-Dao,T/Budapest 1996, with unclear play. ] 6.b3 This does not work-out too well, perhaps White should attempt to stop Black from defending the d3-pawn, by [ 6.c3 ] 6...e4 7.d4 a5 8.c3 f5 An unusual position, W hite is a long way ahead in d e ve lo p m e n t - B la ck h a s o n ly m o ve d h i s pawns- but can he do anything with his lead? 9.e6 e7 10.xf8 xf8! Black needed to keep his light-squared bishop. 11.b5 e6 12.a4 d7 13.a3 The threats along the a3-f8 diagonal are worrying, but Black has sufficient resources. [ The move 13.c6 is no better, bxc6 14.bxc6 b6 and Black has time to remove his pieces from the c1-bishop's diagonal-to-be. ] 13...xc5 14.d4 b6 15.a4 f7 The king had to get out of the way. 16.xc5 291 A09 bxc5 17.xc5 g5 White is winning the Gabriel,Christian 2578 battle on the queenside, but it is a temporary Kortschnoj,Viktor 2676 victory. Next move Black will be able to bring Ehrat mem (SUI vs GER match) (4) 16.08.99 his knight out, and then his king's rook, when h i s e x t r a p i e c e s w i l l t r i u m p h . 18.g4!? [Tony Kosten] White attempts to bring his h1-rook into play 1.f3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.b4 f6 4.e3 e5 5.c5 at any cost. xg4 [ 18...fxg4?! allows White to develop his Termed 'the modern approach' by Dunnington, f1-bishop: 19.g2 f6 20.0-0 ] in his book on the Reti, White opens the a2g 8 d i a g o n a l a n d g a i n s s p a c e o n t h e 19.e5 c8 20.h3 g5 21.d4 f6 queenside. However, in the light of this game, Black has solved his development problems and now the 'writing is on the wall' for White. it might simply be a mistake! [ Alternatively, there is 5.b3 a5 6.c5 22.h2 hd8 23.g1 h4 24.c1 e8 with similar ideas, whilst avoiding the game 25.c5 g6 26.a4 d5 27.c6 d8 28.c3 continuation. axb4 7.c4 h6 8.0-0 xc5 d6 29.h4 Hoping to lever open the g-file for 30.h5 g5 31.h6 9.exd4 xd4 10.xd4 xd4 11.b2 d6 t h e g 1 - r o o k . d7 12.d4 White has a strong initiative, Ilinsky, V- This loses, but so does [ 31.a6 , albeit more prettily: h6 and if Lev,R/Gausdal 1991. ] 32.xa5 f6! ( 32...a8 33.xd6! [ 5.exd4?! is less good, however, as after e4 is less clear.) 33.c3 c5! profiting from 6.h4 ( 6.e2 e7 7.h4 allows g5 the back-rank mate. 34.f3 xc3 35.dxc3 although W hite will certainly obtain some xc3+ 36.d2 a3 when the threat of ... compensation for his piece.) 6...xd4 Nc4 wins, e. g. 37.fxe4 xe4 38.xd3 is already favourable for Black, because of c1+ 39.e2 b2+ 40.e1 f2+ White's awkward h4-knight, Liberzon,V-Ree, 41.d1 d8 and White must resign. ] H/Amsterdam 1977. ] 5...d3!! A stunning ! If Black can get away with 31...xc6 32.h5+ e6 [ 32...e6 33.bxc6 b8 is crushing. ] this provocative move, then he will probably be winning- the white kingside pieces will be 0-1 to escape the trap. Previously, 274
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 292 Granda Zuniga,Julio E Lima,Darcy zt 2.4 Sao Paulo BRA (8) [Tony Kosten]
A09 2641 2519 26.09.2003
1.f3 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3 [ 3.e4 is also possible, see Krasenkow,MVolzhin,A. ] 3...f6 4.xc4 e6 5.e2!? A novelty! Of course this may transpose to something else, but here White has a special idea in mind. [ 5.0-0 which we looked at in Zvjaginsev,VSvetushkin,D/Linares ESP 2000, is typical, whilst ] [ 5.d4 is a QGA, of course. ] 5...c5 6.e4!? This is the new plan, reminiscent of Krasenkov's 3 e4!?, but isn't W h it e a t e m p o d o wn h e re ? c6 7.e5 White hopes to use this space-gaining pawn move to mount a kingside attack. d5 8.0-0 e7 9.c3 0-0 10.e4 White forces the knight to retreat. b6 [ 10...xc3?! is an error, as after 11.dxc3 White has evened-out his pawn structure, with advantage. ] 11.d3 g6 12.b3 d4!? Black decides that it will be difficult to exploit the d4-square by gaining piece control, and so hopes to gain an a d va n c e d p a wn t h e re in st e a d . 13.b2 W hite decides to keep the structural imbalance, as [ 13.xd4 is met by xd4 14.xd4 cxd4 when 15.e2 ( 15.b5 a6! is the tactical j u s t i f i c a t i o n , a s 16.xd4? d8 w i n s a p i e c e) 15...f6 16.exf6 xf6 with good chances. ] 13...f5 White doesn't get a second chance to capture this piece, which moves to a strong kingside square. 14.ad1 [ 14.ac1!? is an idea, hoping to press on c5 before Black can play ...b6, d5 ( 14...b8 is less effective now, 15.e2 d7 16.e4 c8 17.f6+ with an attack) 15.c4 b6 16.e2 d5 17.d4 cxd4 18.xd4 with advantage, as Black hasn't managed to develop his queenside. ] 14...b8 Black defends the b-pawn to free his queen's bishop. 15.b1 Freeing the d-pawn. d7 16.g4?! This isn't the best square, [ 16.f4! means that after c6 White can
continue 17.xf5! exf5 18.d4 opening the d-file, and if xf3 19.xf3 cxd4 20.b5 regains the d-pawn with an edge. ] 16...c6 17.e4 Aiming for f6, but Black can easily parry this. The problem is that [ 17.d4?! loses a pawn to xf3 18.xf3 xd4 and ] [ 17.xf5 exf5 now gains a tempo, and permits Black to stop d4 by 18.f4 d3 ] 17...d5 Black has completed his development, and has two great light squares f or his knights. 18.g3 h5 19.h3 b5 20.d3?! White wants to reroute his darksqua red bish o p t o t he c1 -h 6 d ia gon a l t o e xp lo i t B l a c k 's we a k e n e d k in g s id e d a r k squares, but there is a tactical flaw. [ 20.c1 is one of several superior moves, e. g. b4 21.d4 c4 22.fe1 d5 which looks very nice for Black, but White is still in the game. ] 20...c8 21.c1? This is obviously White's intention, but he has missed a tactic. c3! 22.de1? This loses immediately, but even after the forced [ 22.xc3 xf3 White is in a bad way: 23.de1 ( 23.xb5 a5 24.a4 a6 and Black can capture on d1 or play the even stronger ...Nd4 (when mate is t h r e a t e n e d b y . . . N e 2 )) 23...d4 the b1-bishop is hopelessly offside, and can do nothing to contest the h1-a8 diagonal, 24.e3 g4 25.g2 f3+ winning an e xch a n ge wh ile m a i n t a in in g p o s it io n a l advantages. ] 22...xb1 0-1
293 Hillarp Persson,Tiger Hector,Jonny DEN-chT 1314 52nd (5.1) [Fier, Alexandr]
A09 2547 2503 12.01.2014
Of all the games from this month, this is the one which most impressed me. Black tries the most ambitious setup one more time and White comes with a really strong idea. I have no idea quite how much of this was home preparation. 8...dxe3 and 10...exf3 are the alternatives. 1.f3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.b4 f6 275
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 I confess I was always curious about this position, but never really understood what is going on here. Black is building a strong center, that can bring him an advantage if he finishes his development. On other hand, the a2-g8 diagonal is really weakened and there is a chance Black simply won't get out of the opening alive. And that's what happened in this game. 4.e3 e5 5.c5 a5 [ 5...d3 if this move works it's the best. Different evaluations of this position were given and until now it's not clear if the idea is good or not for Black A) 6.a4+ A1) 6...d7 7.b5 ( 7.b3 e4 8.d4 c6 9.b2 f5 10.e6 xe6 11.xe6+ e7 12.xf5 xb4 and White's position is quite strange) 7...e6 8.c6 bxc6 9.c3 h6 with chances for both players; A2) 6...c6 7.b3 there is some small difference in the positions with the pawn on c6 instead of c7. One of the important ones is that the knight cannot go to c6 any more. e4 8.d4 a5 9.c3 f5 10.b5 xc5 11.e6 e7 12.xc5 xc5 13.g4!? and White has good compensation fxg4 ( 13...b4 14.gxf5 xf5 15.g1 xb3 16.axb3 f7 17.f3 exf3 18.g3 with a slight advantage for White ) 14.xe4! e5 15.xd3 xa1 16.d6+ d7 17.0-0 and the attack is really strong f6 18.e4 f8 19.a3 e7 20.c4 c7 21.d3 d7 22.c5 cxb5 23.xb5 and White is winning; B) 6.b3 this was played in some games, and apparently Black is ok here e4 7.d4 a5 8.c3 f5 9.e6 e7 10.a4+ ( 10.xf8 was Korchnoi's game, analyzed by Tony in Chess Publishing xf8 11.b5 e6 12.a4 d7 and Black was fine in Gabriel, C (2578)-Korchnoi, V (2676)/ Ehrat mem (SUI vs GER match) 1999.) 10...f7 11.xf8 f6 12.xh7 xh7 13.a3 e5 and White is cut in half because of this pawn on d3 ] 6.a4+ [ 6.xe5?! is not dangerous, and Black can draw immediately if he wants fxe5 7.h5+ d7 8.f5+ e8 9.h5+ d7 10.f5+ e7 trying to keep the game alive
( 10...e8 11.h5+= ) 11.xe5+ e6 12.c4 d7 13.b5 c6 maybe this is not so necessary ( 13...f6!? 14.exd4 f7 is also possible and probably W hite does not have enough for the piece) 14.a3 f6 and Black should be ok in this complex position. It was analyzed for Chess Publishing in Van Wely, L (2681)-Kramnik, V (2799)/Amber-rapid 17th 2008. ] [ 6.c4 axb4 7.b3 h6 A) 8.0-0 xc5 9.exd4 xd4 10.xd4 xd4 11.b2 A1) 11...d6 was played and after 12.d4 e4 13.d2 f5 ( 13...f5 was necessary, but White has good play after 14.f3 ) 14.xe4 and Black was in trouble in Ilinsky, V (2350)-Lev, R (2425)/ Gausdal Int 1991.; A2) 11...b6!? is probably better 12.d4 c6 13.dxe5 a5 14.c2 xc4 15.xc4 e6 16.e2 f5 and White has insufficient compensation; B) 8.exd4 e4 9.e3 e7 and Black is already better, Bosiocic, M (2542)-Kadric, D (2471)/Zadar op-A 20th 2013. ] [ 6.b5+ it's still not clear if it's good or not to provoke Black to play ...c6 c6 7.c4 axb4 this looks like the most testing move, 8.xe5 h6 ( 8...fxe5? 9.h5+ d7 10.f5+ c7 11.xe5+ d7 12.e6+ e8 13.xc8+ with a decisive advantage) 9.d3 f5 White's pieces are not so active this time 10.0-0 dxe3 11.dxe3 xd3 12.xd3 a6 and Black is fine, as seen in Aranaz Murillo, A (2244)-Klek, H (2244)/Wch U18 Girls 2012 ] 6...d7 [ 6...d7 this is another reasonable option 7.b5 xc5 8.c4 e7 9.exd4 exd4 10.a3 a6 was seen some months ago and White has good compensation, since Black's king will never be safe Bukavshin, I (2539)-Shukh, N (2421)/RUS-ch U26 Saratov 2013. ] 7.b5 c6 8.c4 a6 It's almost impossible to see it here, but it looks like Black already has issues to solve after this move. [ 8...dxe3 was played in a correspondence game, clearing the center before the complications 9.fxe3 A) 9...a6 10.d4 axb4 11.0-0 e4 276
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ( 11...e7 Black needs to take care since 12.f7+! and Black can't take on f7 d8 13.dxe5 and the position should be better for White ) 12.fd2 f5 13.xg8 xg8 14.c4 c7 15.xb4 d5 16.b3 and White's position is more comfortable, since he will exchange the strong knight on d5, as seen in Voll, A (2555)Mannermaa, J (2493)/W-ch30 q03 email 2010.; B) 9...g4!? this is also dangerous, but Black take some pawns 10.b5 e4 11.d4 xg2 12.f1 xc5 13.a3!? xa3 ( 13...xd4 14.exd4 xh2 15.c3 a n d t h e b i s h o p s a r e j u s t t o o s t r o n g) 14.xa3 xh2 15.c3 and Black is material up, but it's not so clear he will survive with no development at all. So it's time to give some of the pawns back c5!? 16.xc5 d7 17.d5 e5 18.xe4 e7 and Black is surviving according to my computer ] 9.exd4 e4 [ 9...exd4 usually this move is not good, with the e-file open W hite has an advantage 10.0-0 axb4 11.e1+ d8 ( 11...e7 12.b2 also gives White good play) 12.a3 ( 12.e6 there is no need for this move xc5 13.xa8 xe6 with an unclear position ) 12...c7 13.xb4 e7 14.b2 and White is better ] 10.b5 b4 Makes sense with the plan, but now White is already better. [ 10...exf3 this was probably the best chance, going into some chaotic position 11.bxa6 A) 11...fxg2 12.g1 e7 13.c3 looks good for White; B) 11...e7+ 12.f1 ( 12.d1 fxg2 13.g1 e4 ) 12...e4 13.g4! xg4 ( 13...xg4 14.h3 ) 14.g1 h3+ 15.e1 xh2 16.f1 and now the situation on the queenside is delicate; C) 11...b5!? to change the strong bishop on c4 12.cxb6 fxg2 13.g1 xa6 and the position is unclear ] [ 10...xc5 takes one pawn, but loses a tempo 11.dxc5 exf3 12.0-0 xc5 13.e1+ e7 14.a3 and Black has no time to stabilize d6 ( 14...xa3 15.xa3 d8 16.e3 d5 17.xd5 cxd5 18.c3 d4 19.d3 c7 20.c5+ b8 21.d5
with a winning position) 15.xc5 xc5 16.bxc6 bxc6 17.d4 d6 18.c3 and Black won't survive ] [ 10...b8 11.g1 a funny answer, but now W hite is a pawn up with a better position g4 ( 11...xd4?? 12.f7++- ) 12.g3 e7 13.c3 and our famous magician gives almost +3 for White ] 11.a3 [ 11.bxc6 gives time to reorganize the pieces xc6 12.d5 exf3 13.dxc6 bxc6 14.0-0 xc5 15.e1+ e7 and the position is playable for Black ] 11...exf3 12.axb4 xd4 13.d3 e5+ [ 13...fxg2 14.g1 e7 ( 14...e5+ 15.e3 xh2 transposes to the game) 15.xg2 d7 16.e3 b2 17.d2 and it's still not clear what Black is going to do wit h h is p ie ce s, so W h it e h a s a b ig advantage ] 14.e3 fxg2 15.g1 xh2 It looks like Black h a s e n o u g h t im e t o t a ke t h e p a wn s a n d control the position with 16...Ne7. However, [ 15...e7 was necessary and would transpose to the 13...fxg2 note ] 16.bxc6!! White does not care about what is happening on the kingside and just opens files near Black's king! [ 16.f4 e7 and Black has a quite decent position ] 16...xg1+ 17.d2 Black is a rook up and can make a second queen, but because of his lack of development and exposed king, the position is already gone. b5 [ 17...d8 is also not enough to survive 18.c3 h2 ( 18...xa1 it's hard for Black to have any chance without extra material 19.c7+ xc7 20.d5+ d8 21.xa1 and the attack will continue, the queen can come back to the game via d4.) 19.d5 Threatening 20.c7+ g1 20.xg1 bxc6 21.xc6 b8 22.f4 xf2+ 23.c3 axb4+ 24.b3 the checks are over and when White's checks start it will be mate in a few moves ] [ 17...d7 is ingenious, but doesn't work 18.cxd7+ d8 19.c6 d6 20.cxb7 b8 21.b6+ e7 22.c3 h2 23.e1+ with mate ] 18.cxb6 xb4+ 19.c3 And now Black can't stop W hite's pawns, so the position with a 277
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 rook and pawn up is just lost! h2 20.b7 b8 21.c7+ f8 22.cxb8 xb8 23.bxc8+ xc8 24.g1 With a piece up everything is much easier. h5 25.xg2 h4 26.b5 e7 27.c2 h3 28.h2 c7 29.d5 xd5 30.xd5 g5 31.xh3 xh3 32.g8+ e7 33.e6+ 1-0
294 Huzman,Alexander Maryasin,Boris TCh ISR (2) [Tony Kosten]
A09 2580 2398 18.01.2002
1.f3 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3 [ We have also considered the aggressive 3.e4!? , see Krasenkow,M-Volzhin,A/MK Cafe Cup, Koszalin POL 1998. ] 3...c6 [ Perfectly reasonable, Black wants to play ... e5 with a Sicilian-type position with colours reversed. 3...c5 would aim for a QGA: 4.xc4 e6 5.0-0 f6 6.e2 have a look at Zvjaginsev,V-Svetushkin,D/Linares ESP 2000. ( 6.d4 a6 transposes directly into a QGA, as in Espig,L-Keres,P/Tallinn 1975 for example. )] [ 3...f6 4.xc4 e6 5.d4 is a QGA, of course. ] 4.xc4 e5 5.c2!? [ A new move in a relatively rare position, 5.c3 is one of several other moves here, to stop ...e4, d6 6.0-0 f6 7.d4 0-0 8.h3 seems fairly equal, Vladimirov,E-Gleizerov, E/Podolsk 1992. ] 5...d6 6.a3 As in many other King's English lines White aims for a Paulsen-type schema reversed where he has extra moves (the black g8-knight would normally be on d5 quite early. ) f6?! [ This is aggressive, the queen heads for the kingside, but it is not particularly natural, 6...f6 7.g5!? 0-0 8.c3 h6 9.h4 looks dangerous, but maybe Black can play e7 and ...Bf5. ] 7.c3 f5 8.d3 ge7 9.e4 xe4 [ Unfortunately Black has to part with his important light-squared bishop, as 9...g6?! 10.h4 is not too nice, and ]
[ 9...h6? 10.eg5 (threatening e4) g6 11.e4 h5 12.h3 leaves Black in big, big trouble. ] 10.dxe4 g5!? Black certainly gets the prize for imaginative play! He advances on the kingside, but White hasn't castled there yet. 11.b4 g4 12.d2 a5?! I don't really understand this, as now Black can hardly castle long as his queenside is too exposed. 13.b5 d8 14.e2 h5 15.b2 g6 16.c4 The knight finds a lovely square and can't be touched by the black pawns. 0-0?! The king position is too insecure for this. 17.h3 Of course, White opens the h-file as he can still castle queenside. g5 [ 17...g3 18.f4 h4 19.0-0 Puts intolerable pressure on the e-pawn and long diagonal. ] 18.hxg4 hxg4 19.0-0-0 [ A simple, and very human, move but most computers would play 19.d1! winning the g - p a w n , a s g3? 20.f4! exf4 21.d4 menaces mate on h8 and wins a piece. ] 19...e6 20.d5 fd8 21.b1 This is almost always a useful prophylactic move when W hite castles queenside. g7 22.d1 [ 22.f4 i s a l s o s t r o n g : gxf3 23.gxf3 when f4 is on the cards again, and W hite can also use the g-file. ] 22...e7? [ 22...f6 23.f4 gxf3 24.gxf3 is also good for White, but this should lose. ] 23.d2?! [ White misses an immediate win: 23.xe5! xd5 24.h8+! xh8 25.xf7+ ] 23...g3?! 24.xe5! gxf2 25.h8+! Now White sees it! xh8 26.xf7+ 1-0
295
A09 Korotylev,Alexey 2600 Kramnik,Vladimir 2785 World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (22) 22.11.2007 [Carsten Hansen] 1.f3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.b4 f6 (This line is recommended in Palliser's excellent "Beating Unusual Chess Openings") 4.e3 dxe3 [ Palliser only discusses 4...e5 , and on 5.c5 d3!? - see for example Gabriel-Korchnoi, 278
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Zurich 1999, in the PGN archives we will return to this line in a future update ] 5.fxe3 e5 And rather amazingly we are now out of all the books I have access to on the Reti, even if this position has been played several times before 6.c5! [ This is in my opinion sharper and better than the alternatives: A) 6.a3 A) 6...a5!? 7.b5 e4 8.d4 f5 9.b2 ( 9.e2!? ) 9...d6 A1) 10.g3 looks ugly but is probably necessary to survive, e.g. f6 11.e2 0-0 12.0-0 f4!? 13.c5!? ( 13.gxf4 h3 14.f2 bd7 15.c3 c5 , and Black has a dequa te co mpe nsation f o r th e pawn ) 13...xc5 14.xf4 d6; A2) 10.e2?! f6 11.c2 bd7 12.bc3 c5 , and Black is much better, Mazel, I-Alatortsev, V/ Leningrad 1934/ URS-ch; B) 6...e6?! B1) 7.e2 h6 ( 7...a5 8.b5 d6 9.0-0 h6 10.c3 0-0 11.d4 looks very nice for White) 8.0-0 e7 9.c3 f5 10.d4 exd4 11.exd4 Leskowsky, Z-Soto, J/corr 1975; B2) 7.b2 a5 8.b5 d7 9.d4 e4 10.fd2 f5 11.c3 h4+ 12.g3 h6 13.e2 d6 14.g2 gf6 with an unclear position and chances to both sides, but I must admit that I favour White thanks to his avalanche of pawns on the queenside, Kavnatsky, VThompson, D/Jackson 1988; C) 6...h6?! 7.c3 e7 8.d4 0-0 9.d3 g4 10.0-0 a5 11.b5 exd4 12.exd4 f5 13.d5 Bertholee, R-Van Riemsdijk, H/ Dieren 1989; D) 6...c5!? 7.bxc5 ( 7.b5 g4 8.e2 d6 9.b2 e7 10.c3 0-0 11.e4 g6 12.0-0 Schneider, F-Beyer, H/ Hassloch 1999 ) 7...e4 8.d4 f5 D1) 9.b3 c6 10.b2 ( 10.xc6 bxc6 11.b2 f6 ) 10...f6 11.e2 xc5 12.b5 xd4 13.exd4 d7 0-1 Xu Hanbing-Zhang Pengxiang/Wuxi CHN 2005 ( 13...0-0!? 14.d5 a6 15.b3 a5 16.c3 b5 17.c5 f7 18.d6 e6 looks better for Black) 14.c5!? a5 15.d6!? b6 16.c3;
D2) 9.b2 f6 10.e2 xc5 11.0-0 xd4 12.xd4 0-0 13.c2 c6 14.b2 e6 15.c3 c8 with a doubleedged position and chances for both sides, Nutu Gajic, D-Feustel, P/ Thessaloniki1984 ] [ B) 6.b3 A) 6...c5 7.bxc5 xc5 ( 7...c6!? ) 8.d4 exd4 9.b5+ d7 10.exd4 e7+ 11.f2 a6 12.b3 a7 13.c5 Lisitsin, G-Ravinsky, G/Leningrad 1955; B) 6...e6 7.d4 e4 8.fd2 f5 9.g3 g5 10.a3 a6 11.c2 is messy with a bunch of positional factors counting for and detracting from the overall evaluation on both sides, but I still believe White is better in this line too, Gjokaj, G-Meschke, A/Bad Wiessee 1998; C) 6...a5 7.b5 e4 ( 7...c5 8.d3 g6 9.b2 a4 10.c2 e7 Gajarsky, J-Feco, J/CCASR Email 2002 11.a3 0-0 12.c3 , and I prefer White) 8.d4 f5 9.a3 h6 10.c3 c5 11.bxc6 xc6 12.db5 xa3 13.xa3 0-0 14.e2 e6 15.d5 b8 16.0-0 e7 17.f4 Lisitsin, GRabinovich, I/Tbilisi 1937 ] 6...e6 [ Black's alternatives are: A) 6...g4 7.b3 a5 8.c4 h6 9.0-0 axb4 10.d4 Halmeenmaki, T-Terho, J/ Tampere 1990 ] [ B) 6...e4 7.d4 A) 7...a5 8.b5 d5 ( 8...xc5? 9.h5++- ) 9.a3 xc5 10.c3 e5 11.xc5 xc5 12.xe4 e5 13.d3 with a large advantage for White; B) 7...c6?! 8.xc6 bxc6 9.c4 h6 10.0-0 with a close to winning positional advantage for W hite, Benjamin, JBrookshear, T/USA 1990 ] 7.b5+ [ A perfectly good alternative is 7.d4 e4 ( 7...a5 8.b5 ) 8.fd2 f5 9.c4 Neckar, L-Gorla, L/Bern 1990 ] 7...c6 8.a4 h6 [ 8...a5 9.b3 ( 9.d4!? axb4 10.0-0 ) 9...xb3 10.axb3 d7 11.0-0 axb4 12.xa8 xa8 13.d4 Pastushkov, MPechenov, V/Tula 2001 ] 9.0-0 [ 9.d4 suggests itself, e.g. e4 10.fd2 f5 11.b3 with a complicated and fascinating 279
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 struggle ahead ] 9...e7 [ I'm sure some players will be attracted to t h e o b v i o u s 9...c4 10.e1 d3 , trying to restrain White centre ambitions, but I nonetheless still like White's chances after 11.c3 e7 12.a3 ] 10.b3 d7 11.c3 a6 12.a3 [ 12.d4!? xb4 13.xe6 xe6 14.b1 a5 15.a3 a6 16.xb7 is also quite pleasant for White ] 12...c7 13.d4 0-0-0 14.dxe5 xd1?! [ 14...g4 15.xe6 xe6 16.e2 xe5 17.xe5 fxe5 18.d1 c7 19.b2 ] 15.xe6+ xe6 16.xd1 fxe5 17.c3 [ 17.xe5 hf8 ( 17...f6 amounts to nothing 18.b2 d2 19.c4 , and White is much better) 18.xf8 xf8 19.b2 f5 20.c4 ] 17...d3 [ Black tries activity, hoping it will create sufficient counterplay to balance out the weak e5-pawn. Another continuation is 17...hf8 , though White looks comfortably be t t e r a f t e r 18.a2 f7 19.af2 d3 20.e4 ] 18.e4 g4 19.e1 hd8 20.h3 f6 21.f2 b3 22.xe5 d5 23.c4 c3? [ 23...f6!? is better for the reason pointed out in the note to White's next move 24.a2 b8 25.e4 c3 26.xc3 xc3 27.d6 , and White has an extra pawn and a nice k n i gh t o n d 6 , t h o u gh t h e la t t e r c a n b e dislodged at no great effort and expense and Black's pieces are rather active and will be able to generate some amount of counterplay. ] 24.a5? [ Trapping the rook with 24.d2 looks better, e.g. xd2 25.xd2 b5 26.a4 a3 27.ac1 , and I don't see any reason why White wouldn't win. ] 24...b1 25.xb1 xb1 26.c4 c3 27.b2 b5 28.d1 xd1+ 29.xd1 g6 30.f2 d7 31.e2 d8 32.f2 b6 33.cxb6 axb6 34.d3 d6 35.de5+ c7 36.xd6 xd6 37.f7+ d5 38.d3 c5 39.e4+ c6 and a draw was agreed upon, but of course W hite still had some winning chances, but was probably deterred due to a
lack of time left on the clock. ½-½
296 Kosten,Anthony C Brochet,Philippe Le Mans [John Watson]
A09 2519 2388 2004
1.f3 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3 [ Tony gives a game Krasenkov-Volzhin, Koszalin POL 1998 beginning with 3.e4!? c5 4.xc4 c6 5.0-0 . Then a straightforward approach is f6 6.c3 e6 7.e5 ( 7.d3 e7 ) 7...d5 when both sides have play but I don't think that Black is in any trouble. ] 3...e6!? An unusual defence that Tony treats very rudely. But it's definitely worth looking into. 4.g5!? Going for it. The assessment depends in part upon Black's 5th-move option. [ 4.a3 with the idea of Nxc4 is more common, but Black usually comes close to or achieves full equality. ] 4...d5 5.e4 Here we've arrived at a position that strong players have entered into a few times but has no serious theory. 3. ..Be6 is probably playable but Tony shows that Black has to be careful. c6 [ A strange-looking but crucial and promising alternative is 5...e6 Panchenko-Rozentalis, Lvov 1987 continued A) Perhaps White should try 6.d4 c6 7.c3 ( 7.xc4!? e7 8.h4 h6 9.xf7!? xf7 10.h5+ f8 11.xe6 e8! ) 7...e7 ( 7...b4 8.xc4 h6 9.f3 xe4 10.0-0 xc3 11.bxc3 with full compensation) 8.h4 h6 9.f3 b5 10.d5 exd5 11.exd5; B) 6.exd5 xg5 7.dxe6 e5+ 8.e2 ( 8.e2 fxe6 9.0-0 d6 10.g3 c6 11.xc4 d4! ) 8...c6 9.exf7+ ( 9.f4 xe2+ 10.xe2 fxe6 11.xc4 d4 ) 9...xf7 10.d1!? xe2+ 11.xe2 e5 12.a3 xa3 ( or 12...d3 13.xd3 cxd3 14.c4 d8 ) 13.bxa3 f6 14.b2 d3 15.xf6 and while 15...gxf6 was good, xf6! would have left Black a clear advantage ] 6.xc4 e6 7.d3 280
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ Too speculative is 7.d4 h6 8.xe6? b4+ 9.c3 fxe6 10.h5+ f8 11.xe6 f6 and White's initiative is dying. ] 7...e7 This position has arisen a few times and White's piece setup has proven hard to handle: [ (a) 7...f6 8.0-0 h6 9.f3 e7 10.c3 0-0 11.e2 a6 12.a4 a5 13.d4 a6 14.d3 b4 15.b1 b6 16.d1 b7 17.e5 h8 18.a3!? Van der SterrenFlear, W ijk aan Zee 1987, with attacking chances ] [ (b) 7...h6 8.f3 f6 9.c3 a6 10.a4 b4 11.0-0 0-0 12.f4 e7 Szekely-Khenkin, Kecskemet 1990, and White has a small edge, e.g., 13.e5 d8 14.f3 ] 8.h5! This direct attack appears to be new. Two mini-games by Szekely had gone [ 8.f3 f6 9.0-0 ( 9.c3 a6 10.a4 bd7 11.0-0 0-0 12.e1 1/2-1/2 Szekely,PKishnev, Netherlands 1993) 9...0-0 10.c3 a6 11.e3 bd7 12.d4 1/2-1/2 Szekely, P-Lputian, Lvov 1986 ] 8...g6 What else? White was threatening Nxe6 and Bxe6, whereas [ 8...xg5 9.xg5!? ( or 9.xg5 ) 9...xg5 10.xg5 gives White a favourable twobishops position for free. ] 9.g4 b5?? This ends up being a blunder. Perhaps Black had foreseen White's next and underestimated it. [ 9...f6 10.h3! keeps the pressure on e6 and makes Black's development somewhat awkward. It's fair to say that W hite has a practical and perhaps theoretical advantage. ] 10.xf7! d4 [ 10...xf7 11.xe6+ e8 12.f7+ d7 13.e6+ d6 14.d4 or 4.Nc3, and Black's king will only escape at great cost. ] 11.xe6 f6 12.e2 f8 13.g5 b4+ 14.d2 e5 15.e3! c5 16.df3! xe3 17.xe5 xf2+ 18.xf2 g4+ 19.e2 xe5 20.d4 The rest is straightforward: h6 21.dxe5 hxg5 22.xg5 xe4 23.ad1 c6 24.d7+ f7 25.hf1+ g8 26.e6+ h8 27.xf8+ xf8 28.f6+ 1-0
297 Kramnik,Vladimir Topalov,Veselin 20th Amber Blindfold (3) [Nigel Davies]
A09 2785 2775 14.03.2011
1.f3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.g3 c6 4.g2 e5 5.0-0 f6 6.d3 e7 Allowing White to play a known blow on the flank. [ I don't think there's much wrong with 6...a5 , though some Black players might be wary about giving away the b5 square. ] 7.b4!? xb4 [ Another possibility is 7...xb4 8.xe5 xe5 9.a4+ fd7 10.xb4 c5 , though White's bishops seem to give him an edge there, for example 11.a3 0-0 12.d2 a6 13.b1 a7 14.e3 dxe3 15.fxe3 c7 was Rajlich, I-Stefanova, A/ Bled 2002 and now 16.b2 looks better for White. ] 8.xe5 0-0 9.d2 [ White has also tried 9.b2 , for example c5 10.a3 a6 11.e3 dxe3 12.fxe3 c7 13.d2 d7 14.ef3 b8 15.c2 was slightly better for White at this stage in Gelfand, B-Ponomariov, R/Moscow 2010. ] 9...d6 10.a3 a6 11.f4!? Holding the knight in the centre like this appears to be new, and also quite good. [ In an earlier game W hite played 11.ef3 but after c5 12.b1 e8 13.g5 h6 14.ge4 xe4 15.xe4 f8 Black was solidly placed in Danielsen, H-Fries Nielsen, N/Espergarde 1992. ] 11...c6 12.b1 e7 13.df3 g4 Fishing in troubled waters. [ 13...c5 was probably better, simply protecting the d4 pawn. ] 14.xd4 xe5 15.fxe5 xe5 16.e3 g6 17.b3 g7 18.d4 b8?! Mistakenly allowing White to build a broad pawn centre. [ 18...f5 was better, though White can then s p e c u l a t e w i t h 19.xf5 gxf5 20.h5 and have good compensation for the exchange. ] 19.e4 b6 20.f4 b7 21.e5 e8 22.d2 f5 23.a4 b8 24.be1 White already has a dominating position and it's about to get a lot worse for Black. d7 25.d5 cxd5 26.xd7 xd7 27.xd5 bb8 28.e6 fxe6 281
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 29.xe6+ xe6 30.xb8 Winning the exchange for nothing. f5 31.d6 c8 32.f3 d3 33.f2 xc4 34.c2 b5 35.e7 c5 36.xa7 e4 37.e5 f8 38.d4 d8 39.c7 g5 40.g4 1-0
Preparing a 'luft' for the c4-bishop. b5 12.a2 b7 13.e4 White begins to mass his pieces on the kingside, ready for an eventual attack. d4!? If one of the first rules to engage a successful attack on the king, is to exchange the king's defenders, then a good rule for defending is to exchange the attacking forces. Black sets about this in consistent fashion cxd4 15.g4 xe4! 298 A09 14.xd4 Black eliminates the second white knight as Krasenkow,Michal 2660 Volzhin,Alexander 2510 well, otherwise, if [ 15...h8 16.d6 xd6 17.exd6 e5 MK Cafe Cup Koszalin (5) 1998 18.xe5 xe5 19.xe5 xd6 20.ae1 [Tony Kosten] and White 's control of the e-file gives him the advantage. ] 1.f3 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4!? An aggressive move that I hadn't known, before seeing this 16.xe4 h8! Both countering the threat of Bh6, and introducing a more disguised threat game, [ 3.e3 is likely to transpose to a Queen's of his own: 17...f5 18 exf6 Nxf6 winning the exchange. 17.e2 Gambit Accepted, but both ] [ 17.xd4? wou ld b e silly, c5 18.e4 [ 3.a3 and ] a n d B l a c k c a n p l a y t h e s a m e t r i c k : f5 [ 3.a4+ are more common methods of 19.exf6 xf6 with material advantage. ] recapturing the c4-pawn. ] 3...c5 Black immediately takes control of the 17...c8 18.g3 c5 19.d1 Neither of d4 square, weakened by White's third move. White's bishops have much perspective at the moment. d7 4.xc4 c6 [ 19...xd3? seems strong, as the knight is [ 4...f6 5.c3 e6 6.d4 cxd4 7.xd4 untouchable, but 20.ed2 c5 21.xd4 leads to a line of the QGA, with a slight plus turns the tables. ] to W hite, Sebenik,M-Lekic,D/ Bled SLO 20.f4 c7 21.f3 g6 Black is on his toes, 1999. ] 5.0-0 The most logical move, although in the White was planning to open the position for earliest game I could find in this line, White his bishops by f5. 22.f2 a5! Black looks for his counterplay on the queenside, where he played And White [ 5.b4!? e6?! 6.b5 ce7 7.c3 f6 8.0-0 h a s t h e a d v a n t a g e . 23.g4 and had gained the advantage, Kramer-Fine, advances where he is strongest. a4 24.h4!? Planning to go all the way to h6 with this New York 1948/9. ] 5...e6 6.c3 a6 7.d3 Naturally, White has to pawn. b3 25.xb3 axb3 26.h5 c2 Not a tactical move, a positional move, be content with a slightly more restrained 27.h6 c e n t r e t h a n i n t h e Q G A , b u t t h e c l o s e d as trapping the black king on the back rank position will make it more difficult for Black to allows W hite to consider various endgame find counterplay. f6!? In the game Neverov, possibilities. fc8 28.de1 b4 Short of time, V - I b r a g i m o v , I / M o s c o w 1 9 9 1 , B l a c k h a d Black overlooks White's next. 29.a4! xa4 30.xd4 c6 31.xc6 8xc6 32.g5 preferred [ 7...ge7 and after 8.e3 d4 9.xd4 What's this, another pawn on a dark square? cxd4 10.e2 c6 had a good position, but It might seem odd, but it is all part of White's there are no doubt many improvements on p l a n t o e m b a r r a s s t h e b l a c k k i n g . g8 33.f2 f8 Black hastens his king out of the White's eighth move. ] 8.e5 White does not need to be asked twice, trap. 34.a1 c5 35.a8+ e7 36.xc5+ 37.b8 It seems that White has but immediately grabs more space in the 6xc5 centre. The e5-pawn will be used to attack gained a clear ascendance, but Black still has Flash, but it the black kingside. d7 9.e1 e7 10.f4 su f f ic ie n t re so u r ce s . xb2 Nimzovich would like this move. 0-0 11.a3! amounts to the same as 282
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 37...xe2+ 38.xe2 c2+ 39.e3 xb2 ] 38.xb2 c2+ 39.e3 [ 39.xc2!? bxc2 is also drawn, as 40.b7+ d8 41.b8+ forces a perpetual, as c7 loses to 42.xb4 c1 43.c4+ ] 39...xb2 40.xb4 White is slightly better, because of his extra space, but the nature of this position means that a draw is certain. d7 41.d4 f2 42.xb3 xf4+ 43.c5 a4! Greed could still cost Black his half-point, [ 43...g4?! 44.b7+ e8 45.d4 xg5? 46.d6 and wins ] 44.b7+ e8 45.b8+ e7 46.h8 A little trick, a5+ [ 46...g4 would be answered by 47.a8! and Black cannot get back to check from the side. ] 47.d4 a4+ ½-½
299 Labollita,Martin Leitao,Rafael American Continental (7) [John Watson]
A09 2383 2598 12.08.2005
Here's a whacky opening that just won't go a wa y. I n t h i s g a m e it s u f f i c e s t o b e a t a 2600-level player! Perhaps the whole idea of this line was inspired by Stephan Buecker's advocacy of a similar line by Black. 1.f3 [ 1.d4 f6 2.f3 c5 3.d5 c4!? is Buecker's order, a system he calls HABICHD ("Gotcha!"), also known as the Hawk. In that case 4.c3 a5 follows our f e a t u re d ga m e b u t W h i t e h a s a n e xt r a tempo. ( incidentally, 4...b5 5.xb5 a5+ 6.c3 b7 is another Buecker idea, but it falls badly short after 7.d2 xd5 8.e4 )] 1...d5 2.c4 d4 3.c5 This is the point! White prevents ...c5 and would like to play 4.Qa4+ Nc6 5.b4!, when Black's d-pawn is in trouble. Of course Black gets a move first. [ 3.e3 c6 4.c5?! is another variant on the theme, but this time dxe3 5.fxe3 e5 is fairly simple. White can try 6.b5 xc5 7.xc6+ bxc6 8.xe5 h4+ 9.g3 e4 10.0-0 xe5 11.d4 d6 12.dxc5 xc5 but Black must be better ] 3...c6
[ 3...e5!? 4.xe5 xc5 hasn't been played, to my knowledge , pre sumab ly be caus e White gets two center pawns. On the other hand, Black has space and open lines . There are so many different move orders and ideas in that position that I'd hate to even guess what's going on. ] 4.a4 [ 4.b4 xb4 5.a4+ c6 6.b2 d7 7.xd4 e5! is insufficient, even a tempo ahead of Buecker's line above. ] 4...d5 5.b4 e5 6.e3 d7 These are all mo re o r less n a t u ral m o ve s an d in d e e d , they've occurred before in Gruenberg-Rahman, C a i r o 2 0 0 0 . 7.a3 TN! Probably not objectively a good one. Gruenberg played the natural [ 7.b5 d8? ( 7...xc5 8.a3! b4 9.b2 was another Gruenberg game) 8.c4 e4 9.c3! f5 ( 9...dxc3?? 10.xf7+ ) 10.d5 e6 11.c6 bxc6 12.bxc6 c8 13.0-0 with a huge advantage. ] 7...e4 The obvious refutation. [ White has the better practical chances although objectively it's nothing impressive after 7...d3 8.b5 ( 8.b5 c8 9.c3 c4! ) 8...d8 9.e4! xc5 10.b2 f6 11.xd3 ] 8.b5 c8! [ Tempting but inferior is 8...0-0-0? A) or even 9.fxd4 xd4 10.exd4 xb5 11.xb5! c6 ( 11...xd4 12.c6! ) 12.c4 xd4 13.xd4 xd4 14.a3 with two strong bishops.; B) 9.xa7+! b8 10.xc6+ xc6 11.b5 exf3 ( 11...dxe3 12.bxc6 ) 12.bxc6 fxg2?? ( 12...xc6 13.xc6 bxc6 14.a3 l e a v e s B l a c k a t a l o s s) 13.b1 and White's attack is decisive. ] 9.fxd4 xd4 10.exd4 a6 11.c3 xd4 Uh-oh. Although Black had to make some accurate moves it appears that 7. b5 was better than 7.Na3. Now Black stands somewhat better, although not disastrously so. 12.b3?! A waste of time. [ 12.c2! was more accurate and rather unclear: f6 13.a3! c6 ( 13...e7 14.b2 0-0 15.e2; The softening move 13...a5! may be best 14.b1 axb4 15.axb4 e7 and now 16.b2 0-0 17.e2? runs into xb4 ) 14.b2 d8 15.d1! 283
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Hoping for d3 at some point. e7 16.e2 0-0 17.0-0 with d3 or Nb5-d4 to follow. ] 12...e6 13.c2?! [ 13.a4+ c6 14.b2 may be better, planning 0-0-0 in some lines: d8 15.c2! f5 16.a3 f6 17.b5 d7 18.d4 e7 19.xf5 xf5 20.c4 ] 13...f6 14.b1 e7 15.d1 0-0 16.e3 W hite's blockade can hardly make up for Black's bind. cd8 17.b2 d7 18.d1 d5!? [ 18...g4 is a good option. ] 19.a3 f5 20.c6!? Not a great idea but it shakes things up. Otherwise there may occur something like [ 20.c4 c6 21.0-0 f4! etc. ] 20...bxc6 [ Or 20...xe3!? 21.dxe3 ( 21.fxe3 d6 threatens ...Bh4+) 21...xd1+ 22.xd1 xd1+ 23.xd1 d8+ 24.c2 b5 25.e2 ( 25.e5 d6 26.b2 d5 ) 25...d6 wins the c-pawn. ] 21.xa6 f4 22.c4! c5! 23.e5 [ 23.xe4 f5 ] 23...d6 24.c4 White is putting up maximum resistance. cxb4 25.axb4 f5?! Too fancy. Better was [ 25...f5 26.0-0 f3! is strong. ] 26.xe4 f6 27.d4 xb4+ 28.d2 Amazingly, everything has held and W hite has turned the corner. d6 You'd think that some capture on e5 would expose d2 but the pin along the a2-g8 diagonal prevents this. [ 28...xe5 29.dxe5 a5 30.d3! and 0-0. ] 29.h4?! [ 29.d3! ] 29...f3!? [ 29...xe5 30.dxe5 xd2+! 31.xd2 f6+ 32.d4 ( 32.exd6?? xe4+ 33.d3 xf2+ ) 32...xd4+ 33.xd4 xc4 34.exf6 c5 leaves some advantage but not enough to win. ] 30.g3 h5 31.d3 f8?? [ 31...b6 32.c6 b3 33.e5 b4 is a draw. ] 32.c4! e7?? A blunder, although Black is in trouble: [ 32...a6 33.0-0 threatens Ba3, but Black cannot defend adequately: d7 ( 33...f7 34.c2! and Ne5+ ) 34.b1! ]
33.a3 c3 34.xd6 c1+ 35.d1 c3+ 36.f1 cxd6 37.xe6 b5 38.xd6 1-0
300 Laznicka,Viktor Rombaldoni,Denis Czech Open A (6) [Jonathan Rowson]
A09 2617 2465 29.07.2009
1.f3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.b4 g4!? Favoured by Nigel Short. [ 3...g6 ] [ 3...c5 ] [ 3...f6 ] 4.b2 [ 4.e5 f5 doesn't seem to lead anywhere special for White. ] [ 4.b3 xf3 5.xf3 c6 6.e3 e5 7.g3 d7 8.b2 h6 9.d3 f6 10.c5 a5 11.a3 e7 12.0-0 0-0 13.f4 fd8 14.exd4 exd4 15.c3 xc5 16.bxc5 dxc3 17.xc3 xc5+ 18.h1 d4 19.ab1 b5 winning for Black in Ghaem Maghami, E Short, N Teheran 2003 ] 4...xf3 5.exf3 [ 5.gxf3?! looks a bit suspect to me. e5 6.g2 c6 with Ne7-g6 or f5 to follow. ] 5...c5 6.bxc5 c6 7.b3 b8 8.d3 e6 9.0-0 f6 Playable, but if I were Black here, my inclination would be to play [ 9...xc5 10.e4 ge7 followed by castling and f5 if possible, and meeting Ba3 with ...b6 to keep the knight on b1 inactive for as long as possible. ] 10.e4 d7 11.d3 xc5 [ 11...xc5 12.xc6+ bxc6 13.xd4 d3 ( 13...b4!? ) 14.c3 d7! gives Black excellent compensation. ] 12.f4 f6 [ 12...b6 13.a3 f5 14.xc6 bxc6 15.e1 f7 16.xc5 xc5 17.a3 d6 18.c2 c5 also looks better for Black. ] 13.f3 0-0 14.a3 b4?! off target. [ 14...e8 intending e5 was still comfortable for Black. ] 15.b3 a6 16.ab1 d6 17.g3 d7 18.d3 h6 [ 18...e5 19.c1! ] 19.c1 fc8 20.e1 c6 21.e2 284
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 21.c2? b5! 22.d2 looks ok until you spot bxc4 23.xc4 xb1 24.xb1 ce5! winning for Black. ] 21...b4! 22.g2 c5 23.d1 c3 24.c2 b5 25.cxb5 axb5 26.h4 b4 27.h2 b6 [ 27...e7!? With the idea of Qa6 hitting d3 looks very strong. 28.f5 e5 29.g4 f6 30.f4 e4! doesn't help. ] 28.a1 a5 29.e5 c6 30.e2 a6 31.b3 ca8 32.xc5 xc5 33.b3 8a7 34.g4!? A good practical try to change the nature of the position, but Black should still be a bit better. b5 35.e4 e7 36.a3 h8 [ 36...h5! seems to oblige White to play g5 sooner or later, and therefore takes away any fear on the kingside. ] 37.d1 b8 38.h3 b6 39.axb4 xb4 40.xb4 xb4 41.f5 exf5 42.gxf5 b5 [ 42...b6 ] 43.f6 g6? Black's first major error, but now White has a slight initiative. [ 43...d7+ 44.g3 d6+ 45.g2 xf6 46.b3 g8 47.a2 xa2 48.xa2 g6 ] 44.g1 h7 45.g4 h5 46.f3 gxf6 47.xf6 d7+ 48.h2 b4 49.f4 a5 50.b2 e7 51.xg6+ fxg6 52.xe7+ xe7 53.b7 1-0
W hite, but it does little to change the asse ssm e nt of t h e p osition , S a ba o , RSzmetan,J/Caseros 1974, 1/2-1/2 (21). ] 9...xb4 [ This is certainly the acid test of White's play, but 9...xb4 is perfectly playable, too: 10.xe5 0-0 11.e1 d6 12.a3 a6 13.d2 e8 14.ef3 c5 with equality, Vujadinovic,G-Ivanovic,B/Kladovo 1992, 0-1 (53). ] [ 9...d7?! is worse, 10.b5 cb8 11.e1 c7? ( 11...f6 ) 12.e2 and White wins an important central pawn, Freisler,P-Kiselev, S/Marianske Lazne 1989, 1-0 (40). ] 10.xe5 xe5 11.a4+ The point of White's combination, recovering material. fd7! [ 11...c6?! is a positional mistake, 12.xc6+ bxc6 13.xb4 stopping Black from castling kingside, b6 14.a3 xb4 15.xb4 e6 16.d2 0-0-0 17.b3 f5 18.ad1 d7 19.c5 and the d4-pawn is weak, Norwood,D-Ivanchuk,V/Baguio 1987, 1-0 (48). ] 12.xb4 xd3 13.b5 a6 14.h5 0-0 15.a3 In this open position, White's two bishops provide compensation for the pawn. e8 16.d2 7e5 Black tries to show that h is kn i gh t s ca n b e s t ro n g, t o o , b u t t h e i r central posts are far from stable. 17.e4 g6 18.e2 a5 19.d6 This cluster of knights 301 A09 and bishops in the central files is certainly an Lima,Darcy 2514 unusual sight! h3 [ Black decides to force a draw, he could try Vescovi,Giovanni P 2511 for more with 19...c5!? although 20.b3 BCX Open Brasilia BRA (6) 30.01.2000 xb3 21.axb3 c3 is unclear. ] [Tony Kosten] 20.f4! [ 20.xd3? xd2! 21.xd2 f3+ 1.g3 e5 2.g2 d5 3.c4 d4 is good for Black. ] [ The most ambitious reply, forming a pawn w e d g e i n t h e c e n t r e , a l t h o u g h 3...f6 20...g4 [ If 20...xf1?! 21.xf1 and one of the 4.cxd5 xd5 is more common, with a knights is lost. ] Reversed Dragon. ] 4.d3 c5 5.f3 c6 6.0-0 f6 7.e3 e7 21.g2 Forced. h3! 22.e2 [ White cannot afford to avoid the perpetual 8.exd4 cxd4 attack, f or if 22.xh3?! xd2 23.fxe5? [ As I mentioned in the archives (in a slightly Black wins by e3+ 24.h1 xe4+ ] different position), there is nothing obviously wrong with this optimistic recapture. 8...exd4 22...g4 23.g2 h3 24.e2 ½-½ 9.f4 would transpose to this game. ] 9.b4!? [ Clearly critical. 9.e1 d7 10.a3 a5 11.bd2 0-0 12.e4 c7 13.g4 is a Benoni position with a tempo more for 285
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 20.a7 b3 21.b1 e7 22.xc8 xc8 23.b7 a4 24.b4 b6 25.d2 xd2 Mac 26.xd2 c8 27.e2 f7 28.hc1 f5 Dergatschova Daus,Anna 29.exf5 h6+ 30.d1 xh2 31.g4 h1+ MM SVR RL Ruhrgebiet (8) 32.c2 h6 33.h5+ xh5 34.xh5+ g6 [John Watson] 35.fxg6+ hxg6 36.f3 e7 37.d2 d6 Another question from Mr. Naundorf: 1.f3 38.b8 c8 39.c5 d7 40.b6 h4 d5 2.c4 d4 3.c5!? "What do you think of this 41.d5 xc7 42.dxd6 move? I think it was a recommendation of BÃ1/ 1-0 4cker a long time ago. GM Grunberg used to play it too as you pointed out in one of your A09 great books on the middlegame." c6 4.a4 303 d5 5.b4 e5 6.a3 This would be my first Matamoros Franco,Carlos S 2472 instinct since it covers c1 and thus eliminates Vallejo Pons,Francisco 2645 ...Qxc5 after b5. TCh Lanzarote ESP (2) 07.05.2003 [ N a u n d o r f g i v e s 6.e3 , which is quite [Tony Kosten] reasonable and may well be best. I'm not sure what comes next. Natural is d7 ( or 1.f3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.g3 c6 A perfectly 6...g4!? 7.e2 xf3 8.xf3 e4 9.e2 d3 re s p e c t a b l e m o ve , a i m i n g f o r a S c h m i d 10.c3 e5 11.d1 unclear ) 7.b5 ( 7.b5 Benoni reversed, although xc5; 7.e2 e4! ) 7...f6 8.0-0 e4 9.xd4 [ 3...c5 is more ambitious. ] xd4 10.xd7+ xd7 11.xd7+ xd7 4.g2 e5 5.0-0 White aims to defer playing 12.exd4 This looks awful at first sight, but d3, which offers some extra possibilities, after Nc3 and Re1 W hite seems to stand [ 5.d3 f6 6.0-0 was seen in Speelman,Jwell. ] Koneru,H/Torquay ENG 2002. ] [ After 6.b5 , my computer engine finds 5...f6 6.b4!? This sharp flank blow is the xc5 7.a3 b4! Ouch! ] possibility alluded to earlier, White still had 6...e7 time for [ 6...d7! is the move I'd worry about. Then [ 6.d3 transposing to the previous note. ] 7.e3 ( 7.b5 d8; 7.b5!? d8 8.e3 a6 ) 6...e4 The strongest move, 7...d3 8.b5 c8! 9.c3 c4! 10.a3!? [ 6...xb4 is met by the standard 7.xe5 e4 11.g5 a5 12.b5 xa4 13.xa4 b4 xe5 8.a4+ c6 9.xc6+ bxc6 10.xb4 14.xb4 axb4 15.xe4 xb5 16.b2 d8 with advantage. ] 17.f3 is messy but hard to trust. So maybe 6. 7.g5 xb4 8.xe4 xe4 9.xe4 h3 e3 was best. ] [ 9...0-0 is an alternative, 10.a3 e7 11.d3 7.e3 e5 12.d2 c6 13.b1 with chances to [ 7.b5 is supposed to be the point of this both sides, Plaskett,J-Balashov,Y/Hastings line: d8 8.b6+ f8 ( 8...d7 9.c4 1985. ] xc4 10.xc4 ) 9.c4 e6 10.c6!? 10.a4?! An amazing novelty, White avoids (Fritz of course) bxc6 ( 10...xc6 11.xc6 the obvious bxc6 12.bxa7 e4 13.b1! ) 11.cxe5 cxb6 [ 10.e1 f6 11.a4 0-0-0 12.xc6 12.xc6 unclear. ] when Black played the surprising piece sac 7...dxe3 8.fxe3 bxc6 ( 12...xc6 is fine, though, menacing [ 8.dxe3!? ] mate on g2, 13.xc6 bxc6 with the bishop 8...e4 9.c4 b5 10.cxb6 d7 11.d3 d5 pair ) 13.xb4 he8 (menace ...Rxe2! and 12.e4 xb4 ...Qf3) 14.f4 d3 with sharp play ending in a [ 12...e6? 13.b5 ] draw by perpetual, Psakhis,L-Zhuravliov,V/ 13.b3 e6 14.bxc7 f6 15.e3 USSR 1979. ] [ 15.a3 c6 16.b7 c8 17.e3 ] 10...xf1 11.xc6+ bxc6 12.xc6+ f8 15...a5? 16.a3 a6 17.b7 The game is 13.xf1 After the excitement White has taken over. c8 18.b6 c5 19.xc5 xc5 a pawn and displaced the black king in return 302
A09 2075 2237 06.03.2005
286
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 8.0-0 g7 9.a3 0-0 10.f4 . White doesn't get this chance again. ] 5...g7 6.0-0 [ Now 6.e3 is at best ill-timed after dxe3 7.fxe3 ( 7.xe3? e4 ) 7...e4! ( 7...c6= ) 8.dxe4 xd1+ 9.xd1 e6 with pressure. ] 6...c6 7.a3 [ The plan to enforce b4 might also have b e e n st a rt e d b y 7.a3 , and by analogy with the game h6 ( 7...ge7 8.c2 a5 9.b3 0-0 ) 8.c2 a5 9.b1 0-0 10.b3 e8 11.a3 ] [ This time 7.e3 dxe3 8.fxe3 ( 8.xe3 e4 ) 8...ge7 ( 8...e4!? 9.dxe4 xd1 10.xd1 e6 11.a3 a6 ) 9.c3 0-0 looks equal. ] 7...a5 8.b3 h6!? The knight isn't particularly useful here. [ 8...f5 looks a bit loosening but may in fact be effective, having in mind the simple . .. Nf6, ...0-0, ...Qe7 and ...e4. ] 9.bd2 f5 10.b1 e7 11.e1 This stops . ..e4. White hopes to play Nc2 and b4, which is a good enough idea but slow. f7 [ 11...0-0 12.c2 e6 13.b4 axb4 14.axb4 g4!? 15.a3 d8 16.a1 e8 17.b3 has the idea of Nc5. Then something along the lines of c6 18.h3 f6 19.b5 c7 20.bxc6 xc6 retains the balance. ] 304 A09 12.c2 0-0 13.b4 cd8 [ 13...axb4 14.axb4 cd8 15.a3 d7 Minasian,Artashes 2584 has the idea of Ra1 and b5, although that Zvjaginsev,Vadim 2650 isn't much to fear. ] Petrosian Mem Internet (4) 21.12.2004 14.b5 a4 Played versus a4 and Ba3. 15.e3 [John Watson] [ 15.b4 e6 ] This game between two high-powered players 15...dxe3 16.xe3 [ More interesting is 16.fxe3 e6 17.b2 shows just h ow dif f icult it is f or W hite t o d8 18.b4 ] progress in a Reti/Benoni Reversed situation when Black has played ... e5 and ...d5-d4, 16...c6 [ Or 16...e6 17.b2 d6 ] and then played ...Nc6 without ...c5. Versus the apparently tepid setup involving ...g6, 17.bxc6 bxc6 18.e1 d6 19.b4 xd3 White has two possible ideas: e3, to break up 20.xa4 xa4 21.xa4 e4! 22.d1 c3?! [ 22...e2! leaves Black with the more active the centre, and/or trying to enforce b4. With position, intending ...Ne5. ] t h e f i rs t p l a n p r o m is in g a lm o s t n o t h in g , Z v j a g i n s e v s t r u g g l e s t o e x p a n d o n t h e 23.b3 e5 [ In view of 23...e5 24.d2 b2 25.b4 queenside and accomplishes little there. 1.g3 e8 26.d2 b1+ 27.d1 b2 28.d2 e5 2.g2 d5 3.d3 A Modern Defence etc. A well-played snippet it looks as Reversed, this soon turns into an obscure though W hite has to play an early e3 in form of the Reti. g6 4.c4 d4 5.f3 these lines in order to try for the [ 5.e3!? may be the best way to mix things up, e.g., c6 6.e2 ge7 7.exd4 exd4
f o r t h e e x c h a n g e . d3! Black cuts across White's natural development, and weakens the light squares. 14.e3?! I don't know if this is a good idea, leaving the advanced d-pawn which cuts across the white position. b8 15.a3 f6!? Black fancies his chances in the endgame, but [ 15...h5! is stronger, threatening both ...h4 and ...Rh6, when Black is just winning. ] 16.xc7? This move leads to a quick disaster, [ 16.xf6 was far better, ruining the black s t r u c t u r e , gxf6 17.b5 a6 18.d4 with fair chances, although Black is favourite. ] 16...d6 17.c6 e5 This is the problem, White is forced to exchange into a hopeless endgame. 18.xf6 xf6 19.b1 xb1 20.xb1 e7 The black rook enters the g a m e w i t h g r e a t e f f e c t . 21.e1 b8 The resignation might seem premature, but after [ 21...b8 22.c3 xc3 23.dxc3 b1 24.d2 a1 25.a3+ e6 26.xd3 xa2 27.c5 a5 White has to give his bishop to stop the a-pawn. ] 0-1
287
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 13...g4!? 14.d5! xe3 15.xe3 e4 16.xe4 f5 17.e1 xa1 18.dxc6 bxc6 19.xa1 cxb5 20.d4 with more than enough for the exchange. ] 305 A09 14.f4!? [ 14.fxd4 d8 15.f3 is also possible with Morozevich,Alexander 2758 some advantage ] Svidler,Peter 2735 57th ch Moscow RUS (4) 18.11.2004 14...e8 15.d2?! [ A little fancy. It was probably time for [John Watson] 15.fxd4! xd4 16.xd4 with the more active pieces. ] The Reti is made for original positions. Here 16.ad1 g4 White's having W h ite p ut s re a l p re ssure o n Bla ck b ut it 15...d7 dissipates after inaccurate play. 1.g3 d5 trouble regaining his pawn, so he rids the d8 2.g2 f6 3.f3 g6 4.c4 d4 A somewhat board of its defender on g7: 17.h6 unusual formation. Usually Black plays ...d4/... 18.f4 [ 18.xg7 xg7 19.bxd4! xd4 20.xd4 g6/...Bg7 in conjunction with ...e5 and ...Ne7. xd4 21.xd4 xd4 22.xd4 d8 5.d3 is roughly equal. ] [ 5.b4 is one drawback to Black's move order, putting pressure on the center by 18...a4 19.h3 xf3 20.xf3 axb3 21.axb3 xh6 22.xh6 g7 23.e4!? discouraging ...c5. ] [ 23.xc6 xc6 24.xd4 f6 favors Black 5...a5!? slightly. ] [ This prevents White's space grab after, e.g. , 5...g7 6.b4 ( or 6.0-0 0-0 7.b4! ) 6...0-0 23...f5 The natural [ 23...e6? runs into 24.h4 f6 25.d5 f7 7.bd2 of Reti-Rubinstein, Karlsbad 1923, 26.xc7! ] where White stood better. But 5...a5 also 24.f4 d6 to protect c7 and simplify. wastes time. ] The game was drawn here. There 6.a3 White's usual idea here is Na3-c2 25.xd6 followed by aiming for b4 and or e3. As we could f ollo w xd6 26.h6 f6 27.h4 h8! and Black's pawn makes up for White's will see, Black faces an additional problem. [ 6.f4 does little and may make White's activity. The moves ...Ne5 and ...c5 might central break e3 more difficult: g7 7.bd2 follow. 0-0 8.0-0 h5 9.e5 xe5 10.xe5 f6 ½-½ 11.ef3 c6= ] [ The natural 6.0-0 g7 7.e3 is worth A09 considering, for example, c6 8.exd4 306 xd4 9.xd4 xd4 10.c3 and White Neverov,Valeriy 2508 has a potentially powerful center, e.g., 0-0 Balogh,Csaba 2651 ( 10...g4 11.d5! ) 11.e3 d6 12.h3 15th ch-EUR Indiv 2014 (5.39) 07.03.2014 f5 13.d4 with freer play ] [Fier, Alexandr] 6...c6 To enforce ...e5. The natural [ 6...g7 runs into 7.b5! with the ideas A g a m e wi t h p le n t y o f c h a n c e s f o r b o t h Nbxd4 and Bf4. ] players, and probably decided in time trouble. 7.b5! An interesting move in place of the White's way to play is logical and the position usual Nc2. White threatens Bf4. e5 8.0-0 will always be full of life. Black can try to g7 9.e3 This is White's only logical idea. avoid the 10.g4 idea with 9...Qd7. 1.f3 d5 dxe3 10.xe3 0-0 Else Bc5 might be a 2.c4 d4 3.e3 c6 4.exd4 xd4 5.xd4 problem. 11.e1 xd4 6.c3 c6 This move has become the [ 11.d4 is an alternative but White may have main variation against this setup. Compared to feared g4 ] t h e s a m e p o s it io n wit h re ve rse d c o lo rs , 11...e6 12.b3 c8!? Clearing the d-file for coming from 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 ...Rd8. 13.d4 exd4 exd5 5.Nxd5 Nxd5 6.Qxd5 d6, White already advantage. ] ½-½
288
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 has the knight on f3. This is not necessarily good for White, since the knight is far from d5. In this position Black uses the tempo down to bring the knight to f5 via h6 or e7. [ 6...f6 7.d3 g4 is considered dubious and was analyzed for Chess Publishing in Tihonov, J (2503)-Smirnov, A (2249)/ Minsk Open 2005. ] [ 6...e5 is another possible way, now the knight can come to f5 from e7, 7.d3 e7 8.e3 d8 was seen in Karlsson, L (2506) Ernst, T (2456)/SWE-ch Gothenburg 2006. ] 7.d3 h6 8.e2 White does not hurry to attack the queen. Sometimes the bishop is slightly exposed on e3, so he prefers to make some useful moves first. [ 8.e3 d8 9.d4 ( 9.xh6?! doesn't make much sense, W hite's weaknesses on the d a r k s q u a re s a re m o r e im p o r t a n t t h a n Black's pawn structure) 9...f5 10.d2 g6 11.d1 g7 see M Devereaux (2415)-J Rowson (2582)/4ncl 2008. ] 8...g6 [ 8...f5 9.0-0 d8 is also possible, but in this variation its good that the bishop is still on c1 10.e1 g6 11.g5 is interesting ] 9.e3 d8 [ 9...d7 looks exotic, but avoids White's idea in the game. Later, with the knight on f5, Black can put the queen on a more reasonable square. 10.d4 f5 11.g4 g7 12.0-0 0-0 with chances for both sides 13.d2 Fridman, D (2526)-Short, N (2675)/ FIDE-Wch k.o. 1999 (2.2). ] 10.g4!? I think if Black allows this move then it should be played. Now ...f5 is forced, sooner or later, to bring the knight back into the game and the position becomes double-edged. g7 [ 10...f5 Black has to play this move at some point to bring the knight back 11.h3 e5!? looks a bit too ambitious, but I couldn't find any way to refute it. For example 12.c2!? fxg4 13.d2 now there is no 13...f4 anymore f5 14.hxg4 xe3 15.fxe3 a5 with a hard to assess position. ] 11.h3 `Threatening 12. Qd2. f5 12.d2 f7 13.0-0-0 0-0 14.d4 b5 It's quite an in t e r e s t i n g p o s i t io n . W i t h o p p o se d s i d e castling and contact points for both players it's natural that big complications soon arrive. Apparently Black is quicker to attack, since
gxf5 is not so dangerous for the moment. Still, it's not so clear how he is going to follow up to create something concrete. Resuming, the position has a dynamic balance. 15.f4 a5 16.a3 [ 16.cxb5 can be played, however it's not good for White to open the queenside cxb5 17.f3 ( 17.d5 shows the danger of the position xa2 18.xe7+ h8 19.f3 e6! and the attack is decisive 20.xa8 a1+ 21.c2 b3+! 22.xb3 a4+ 23.c3 c4# ) 17...b8 18.b1 b7 and even if W hite changes the queens, Black is ok ] 16...b8 [ 16...bxc4!? is another way to handle the position, and I prefer this compared to the game 17.xc4 h8 and Black can use the b-file in exchange for the active bishop on c4 ] [ 16...b4 17.a2 is White's point ] 17.c5 d8 18.b1 e6 19.a2 c7? With the queens on the board and a strong knight on b4, White has a big advantage. [ 19...xd2 was called for, and after 20.xd2 a5 21.f3 b4!? 22.axb4 axb4 23.xc6 fxg4 24.hxg4 xg4 will bring an endgame with chances for both players ] 20.b4 b3? Now White is winning. [ 20...bc8 is not so nice to make, but was necessary according to my computer 21.f3 d7 and clearly Black's idea went wrong, but the position is not lost, at least ] 21.a6 The position is still winning for White with this move, but W hite could play something more immediate: [ 21.gxf5! was the best, the knight on b4 is much stronger than the rook on b8 for the moment, xd1 ( 21...gxf5 22.dg1 is also sad for Black) 22.xd1 gxf5 23.d5 a n d B la ck ' s p o s it io n i s c o l la p si n g cxd5 24.xd5 xd5 ( 24...b7 25.c6! wins ) 25.xd5 d8 26.e6 with a decisive advantage ] 21...d7 22.xb8 xb8 23.f3!? [ 23.de1 was also possible, but Black can b u i l d s o m e k i n d o f f o r t r e s s w i t h d5 24.hg1 h6 and it's not so easy for White to break through ] 23...xd1 24.xd1 fxg4 25.hxg4 e6 Black has we ak pawns and badly place d 289
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 pieces. White was not supposed to allow any counterplay, but probably he missed some lines in time trouble. 26.g2 d8 27.b3?! This is a mysterious move. [ 27.f5! was good, Black is too uncoordinated to defend the position exf5 ( 27...b4 28.f4 b7 29.fxe6 xe6 30.d5 also wins ) 28.d5 e8 29.f4 c8 30.dxc6 xc6 31.d5+ h8 32.h1 and White's attack is enough for the full point ] 27...b7 28.e4 e8 29.h1 e7 Now Black is at least not losing. 30.h3 f6 31.c2 a5 32.e4 d7 33.g5 h8 Black can't take on d4 because the rook is tied to h7. 34.c2? This allows Black to create some chaos and counterplay. [ 34.c2 f7 35.d1 would keep the advantage ] 34...f7! T h r e a t e n i n g d 4 . 35.d1 a4 36.bxa4 e5! Opening the position at any cost. 37.d5 [ 37.fxe5 leads to an immediate draw a2+ 38.c1 xa3+ 39.c2 ( 39.d2? xd4+ can only be good for Black) 39...a2+ with a perpetual ] 37...cxd5?! The pawns on the queenside are more dangerous than the central ones. [ 37...exf4 would be enough for Black to hold the position 38.d4 xd4 39.xd4 cxd5 40.axb5 e6 41.xd5 d4+ 42.d3 xd5 43.xd5 xd5 44.c8+ f7 45.c7+ e6 46.c8+ with a perpetual ] 38.axb5 d4 39.d3 White tries to create a shield for the king to run away, but there was no need for this. [ 39.f2! was precise since Black can't really take the bishop a2+ 40.c1 a7 41.c6! a n d e v e r y t h i n g i s u n d e r c o n t r o l xa3 ( 41...a1+ 42.d2 b2+ 43.e1+- ) 42.d5+ xd5 43.xa3 and the c6-pawn decides xb5 44.a2+ f7 45.c7 c5+ 46.c2 xc2+ 47.xc2 d6 48.fxe5 xe5 49.xd4 wins ] 39...c4+ 40.d1 xb5 It's a really hard position to control, so now W hite has the advantage again. [ 40...e6!? this is the computer move and here I show a computer variation 41.c6 f7 42.b6 dxe3 43.b7 e2+! 44.xe2 xe4+ 45.d1 a4+ with a draw ] 41.d2
[ 41.c6 c7 42.d2 and the c-pawn will be decisive ] 41...a4+ 42.e2 exf4 43.f2 At least now White's king is safe and Black's pieces are still not playing together. e5 44.c6 e7 45.d5+ h8 46.b4 [ 46.b3! would be good, but again the machine finds a resource to try to keep the g a m e a l i v e h5! opening some air for the king A) 47.gxh6 d3 liberating the important d4 square 48.xd3? ( 48.g2 is better, but not clear ) 48...d4+ 49.f3 b5 50.xd4 e2+ 51.xf4 e5+; B) 47.b4! Now this move is good, Black's queen is out of play c7 48.d3 h7 49.e4 f7 50.h3 and the position will collapse soon ] 46...c7 47.d2 b5 48.f3 f7 49.e4 g7 50.c2 [ 50.b2! was winning on the spot, threatening a check on f8, and the queen also needs to defend the bishop on e5 in case of Bxf7 b8 ( 50...d6 51.e6 xb4 52.xb4 c5 53.f6+ g8 54.b8++- ) 51.xf7 xf7 52.f8+! this is possible to overlook xf8 53.xe5+ g8 54.b8 and Black is lost. ] 50...f3 51.c5 e2+ 52.xe2 fxe2 53.xe2 xg5 54.b5? Now Black can finally equalize. [ 54.a5! w a s d i r e c t a n d b e t t e r e7 ( 54...c8 55.c7 followed by 56.Bb7) 55.d3 c7 56.xc7 xc7 57.xd4 and the c6-pawn is going to decide the game ] 54...f6 55.b7 e6 56.a4?? A sad end to a tense game. [ 56.e4 was the move and the position is still complex ] 56...f4+ 0-1
290
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 307 Nisipeanu,Liviu Dieter Sasikiran,Krishnan MTel Sofia BUL (5) [Carsten Hansen]
A09 2693 2690 14.05.2007
1.f3 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.a3 a6 (This move and the plan Black follows in this game is easily the surest way to obtain even chances against White's 3rd move) 4.xc4 b5 5.e3 b7 6.g3 [ White has an important alternative in 6.a4 d7 A) 7.axb5 axb5 8.xa8 xa8 9.b3 a1 10.c3 c5 11.g3 gf6 12.g2 e6 13.0-0 e7= G.Sperber-M.Acosta, Dresden 1969; B) 7.d4 e6 8.c2!? ( or 8.g3 gf6 9.g2 d6 10.b3 b8 11.axb5 axb5 12.0-0 0-0 13.d1 c5 , and a draw was agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, in G.Tunik-V. Kuporosov, Gorky 1989) 8...c5 9.e3 b6 10.e2 gf6 11.0-0 d8 12.axb5 axb5 13.d2 Chan Peng Kong-Yeo Min Yang, Ho Chi Minh City 2003; C) 7.c2!? e5 8.axb5 axb5 9.xa8 xa8 10.e3 a4 11.e2 gf6 12.0-0 d5 13.a3 b3 14.e1 c6 15.d4 e4 16.d2 b4 17.f3 0-0 18.h4 xd2 19.xd2 d5 , so far J.Fedorowicz-J. Waitzkin, New York 1994, and now White can try 20.fxe4 xe4 21.d1 a6 22.c2 f5 23.b4; D) 7.g3 e6 8.g2 gf6 9.0-0 ( or 9.axb5 axb5 10.xa8 xa8 11.b3 a6 12.0-0 c5 13.c3 e7 14.b3 0-0 15.b2 c6= E.Tomashevsky-S. R u b l e v s k y , M o s c o w 2 0 0 6) 9...e7 10.axb5 axb5 11.xa8 xa8 12.b3 a6 13.d4 xg2 14.xg2 c6 15.d3 0-0 16.g5 h6 17.d2 b6 18.c2 a8 19.e3 c5 20.xc5 xc5 21.d4 b6 22.f4 c5 23.dxc5 xc5= A.Yermolinsky-Y. Yakovich, Kujbyshev 1986 ] [ 6.c2!? c5 7.b3 f6 8.e3 e6 9.a4 b4 10.e5 c6 11.b2 a5 12.b1 xb3 13.xb4 xd2+ 14.xd2 xd2 15.xa6 xa6 16.xd2 e4+ 17.c2 , and the players agreed upon a draw in E.Pigusov-V. Chekhov, Kharkov 1985, but why doesn't
Black continue in the final position? One possibility is f6 18.xa6 xa6 19.f3 d6 20.d3 xa4 21.a1 xa1 22.xa1 c4 23.a8+ f7 , and it isn't entirely clear how long W hite's limited initiative will provide White some compensation for the pawn, but it can't be long. ] [ 6.d4 e6 7.a3 f6 8.g3 bd7 9.g2 c5 10.0-0 e7 11.b3 0-0 12.b2 b6= L.Vadasz-V.Kuporosov, Budapest 1990 ] 6...f6 [ Black has several other options available at this juncture: 6...xf3?! 7.exf3 f6 8.g2 ( 8.a4 b4 9.d4 e6 10.c4 ) 8...d3 9.f1 d8 10.d4 c6 11.d5 b4 , M. KebrdleM.Stefanski, Lansing 1988, and now 12.a4 b8 13.axb5 axb5 14.b3 d6 15.d2 ] [ 6...e5?! 7.g2 e4 8.h4 f6 9.b3 ( 9.0-0 c6 10.b3 d4 11.b2 c5 12.d3 a7 13.dxe4 xe4 14.xe4 xe4 15.d3 g5 16.ef5 C. Adelman-A. Bisguier, Chicago 1996) 9...bd7 10.b2 c5 11.0-0 0-0 12.c2 d6 13.hf5 e5 14.xe5 xe5 15.ac1 c8 16.b2 e8 17.d3 V. Neverov-T.Thorhallsson, Reykjavik 2002 ] [ 6...d7!? 7.g2 c5 8.d4 cxd4 9.xd4 xg2 10.xg2 e5 11.b3 b4+ 12.d2 xd2+ 13.xd2 gf6 14.0-0 0-0 15.fd1 e7 16.d6 xd6 17.xd6= V.Topalov-N. Sulava, French League 2004 ] 7.g2 bd7 8.0-0 e6 9.b3 [ 9.d3 d6 10.d2 0-0 11.a4 c5 12.b1 ( 12.b3 soon led to a very double-edged position, which can appear attractive for either player, e.g. b6 13.c3 d5 14.xd5 exd5 15.d4 c4 16.c2 b4 17.a5 b5 18.d2 fe8 19.f4 b3 20.d1 xf4 21.gxf4 c3 22.bxc3 b2 23.b1 xe2 24.e5 xe5 25.fxe5 c8 26.f3 e4 27.xe4 dxe4 28.d2 d7 29.e3 g4+ 30.h1 xc3 31.xc3 e3+ 32.f3 xf3+ 33.xf3 xf3+ 34.g1 g4+ 35.f1 f3+ 36.g1 f2+ 37.h1 1/2-1/2 M. T a i m a n o v - S . L p u t i a n , Y e r e v a n 1 9 9 4) 12...e7 13.c1 fb8 14.axb5 axb5 15.xa8 xa8 16.b4 cxb4 17.d4 xg2 18.xg2 e5 19.g1 c5 20.b2 fg4 21.h3 xd4 22.xd4 f6 23.f4 xe3 24.xe3 g6 1/2-1/2 J.Stocek-Y.Yakovich, Port Erin 2001 ] 291
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 9...c5 [ B l a c k a l s o h a s 9...d6 available, e.g. 10.b2 0-0 11.c1 c5 12.d4 c8 13.dxc5 xc5 14.d4 a5 15.xc5 xc5 16.d4 fd8 17.b2 b6 18.fd1= T.Nyback-M. Rytshagov, Jyvaskyla 2001 ] 10.b2 e7 11.c2 [ 11.d4 0-0 12.c1 c8 13.c2 ( 13.d2 b6 14.dxc5 xc5 15.d4 fe4 16.b2 f6 17.xf6 1/2-1/2 A.Kveinys-T. W a r a k o m s k i , W a r s a w 2 0 0 6) 13...c4 ( 13...a5!? 14.a3 d5 15.e3 c4 16.xd5 exd5 17.e5 c7 18.h3 d6 19.xd7 xd7 20.bxc4 dxc4 21.e4 ) 14.bxc4 xc4 15.d2 xg2 16.xg2 a8+ 17.f3 a4 18.a1 c8 19.e4 b6 , and Black has no reason to complain about the outcome of the opening, A.Filipowicz-S. Kostyra, Lubniewice 1981 ] [ 11.c1 0-0 12.c2 ( 12.d3 d5 13.xd5 xd5 14.c2 a5 15.e4 b7 16.e1 a4 17.d4 axb3 18.axb3 c8 19.d5 exd5 20.exd5 f6 21.xf6 xf6 22.d3 1/2-1/2 M.Sher-D.Kumaran, Copenhagen 1996 ) 12...c8 13.a1 b6 14.fc1 a7 ( 14...fd8 15.d3 f8 16.h4 a7 17.e5 xg2 18.xd7 xd7 19.xg2 b7+ 20.g1 d5 , and Black has equalised, T. Nalbandian-A. Volzhin, Moscow 1999) 15.d3 fd8 16.h3 h6 17.g4 xg4 18.hxg4 f6 19.g5 hxg5 20.xg5 xg2 21.xg2 b7+ 22.f3 e8?! ( The beginning of a timeconsu ming and inf erior p lan, corre ct is 22...d5!? 23.h1 h5 24.cc1 d5= ) 23.h1 f6 24.xf6 xf6 25.h4 f8 ( or 25...d5 26.h1 f8 27.c1 ) 26.c1 d5 27.d4!? ( 27.b4!? ) 27...cxd4 28.xc8 e7 29.xd8 xd8 30.f4 , and W hite wins a pawn, S.Danailov-R. Bernard, Warsaw 1990 ] 11...0-0 12.fd1 b6 13.ac1 ac8 14.b1 [ Previously White has only tried 14.d3 fd8 15.b1 d5 16.g4 5f6 17.e3 d5 18.f1 f6 19.1d2 h6 20.a3 e8= J.Gonzalez Zamora-J.Estrada Nieto, Merida 2003 ] 14...fd8 15.a1 e8 16.d4 df6 17.a3 e4!? 18.dxc5 xc5 19.b2 f6 20.e1 [ 20.g4?! xb2 21.xb2 e4 22.xd8 xd8 23.e3 ( 23.e3 f6 ) 23...8f6 ]
[ 20.xf6!? is more ambitious, but Black can nonetheless still keep the balance without too many headaches: xf6 21.xd8+ xd8 22.e5 cd7 23.d4 xd4 24.xd4 xg2 25.xg2 f8 26.c6 d2 27.e7+ h8 28.c8 6d7 29.c2 xc2 30.xc2= ] 20...xg2 21.xg2 h6 22.f3 e4 23.xc8 xc8 24.c1 d8 25.d1 c8 26.c1 d8 [ 26...xc1 27.xc1 xb2 28.xb2 8f6= ] 27.d1 ½-½
308 Odendahl,Reiner Kasimdzhanov,Rustam HZ Open Vlissingen NED (4) [Tony Kosten]
A09 2377 2640 09.08.2004
1.f3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.g3 c6 4.g2 e5 5.0-0 f6 6.d3 e7!? Black normally prefers the prophylactic [ 6...a5 to stop White's next, see my analysis of Speelman,J-Koneru,H. ] 7.b4 xb4! [ 7...xb4 8.xe5 xe5 9.a4+ c6 10.xc6+ bxc6 11.xb4 is thought to favour White, mainly because of the doubled c-pawns, and the fact that Black cannot c a s t l e , f o r e x a m p l e h3 ( 11...d6!? 12.a3 xb4 13.xb4 is also promising for W hite, Pytel,K-Mancini,M/Orange 1990) 12.e1 d7?! Pilz,D-Muendle,K/Triesen LIE 2004, when 13.e3 looks nasty. ] 8.xe5 0-0 9.a3 a6 10.d2 d6 11.ef3 e8 New, and pointing to Black's plan in this line: pressure on the backward e2pawn. [ 11...c5 12.g5!? h6 13.ge4 xe4 14.xe4 e7 15.b1 c7 16.d2 b8 17.f3 d6 Schirm, F-Pohlers,J/Binz 1995, when I think I would play 18.e3 dxe3 19.xe3 b6 20.d4 with plenty of activity, although Black is solid. ] 12.b3 The a6-knight would like to come to the c5-square, so W hite f orces the FIDE World Champion to defend d4. c5 13.a4?! g4 14.a3 d7 Black has a good position 292
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 with more space and good squares for his pieces. 15.e1 e7 Black's position appears to play itself, however, in retrospect [ 15...ad8 may be somewhat superior. ] 16.fxd4! This somewhat surprising tactic really comes 'out of the blue' - I certainly didn't see it coming, and neither did Fritz! e5 Pinning the knight. [ 16...cxd4 17.c5 is the point, when e5 18.f4 b8 ( 18...xf4!? ) 19.c6 bxc6 20.xe7 xe7 21.xc6 wins the rook on a8. If we continue this a bit further: e3+ 22.h1 c7 23.c1 White threatens to swap queens and play a superior endgame as the black pieces are not very well coordinated. ] 17.b5!? White could have continued 'the joke' by [ 17.b1! cxd4 18.xe7 xe7 19.a5 with excellent play, as the b7-pawn is sure to drop. ] 17...xa1 18.xa1 ae8 Black has extra material and strong pressure on e2, however the white position is surprisingly solid. 19.f3 h3 20.c2! [ 20.xh3 xh3 21.xa7 is a bit greedy, as h5! 22.c2?! h4 23.g4 xg4! 24.fxg4 xg4+ 25.h1 xe2 wins. ] 20...xg2 21.xg2 e6 22.d2 b6 23.b2 b8 The knight was completely out of the game. 24.xf6!? The bishop seemed strong, but White wants the d5-square for his knight. xf6 25.e3 c6 26.d5 g6 27.f4 W hite's solid structure and the lack of completely open files make Black's task very d i f f i c u l t . b4!? The d5-knight had to be e x c h a n g e d . 28.xb4 cxb4 29.c7! The only move, .. .a6 was threatened and the point is that the knight had nowhere to go: [ 29.d4? d6 30.b3 xd3 as the epawn is pinned. ] 29...e6 30.f4?! [ 30.xa7! not only wins a pawn, but also stops Black from attacking the knight with ... a6! ] 30...f6 31.d2 e7 32.b2 a6 33.d4 e3 So that if the knight moves ...Rxf3 will win. 34.g4 h5 [ 34...e5! i s ve r y s t r o n g , 35.e3 f4! menacing ... Rxd4, so 36.f1 ( 36.f2 b3! and ...Rxd4 wins) 36...xe3 37.f5 xf5
38.gxf5 g5+ 39.h1 xf5 which should win. ] 35.h3 h4?! [ 35...hxg4 36.hxg4 e5 is winning again. ] 36.f5 Forced. xf5 This looks good, although [ 36...g5 may be even better, 37.h1 xf5 38.gxf5 g3 etc. ] 37.gxf5 g5+ 38.f1 xf5 39.f2 xh3 Now Black is a pawn up with attacking chances. Surely the result is a formality? 40.g1 g6? [ 40...h2+ 41.g2 e5 looks simple enough, as after 42.xe5 xe5 43.e4 a5 Bla ck will have a lot of out side pas se d pawns. ] 41.e4 d8 42.e3! The king is well defended by the pawn phalanx, and will prove a boon should White reach an endgame. d7 43.d4 xa4 44.a1 c6 45.xb4 f6 46.b2 g5+ 47.d3 g3 48.e3 h3 49.h1 c8 50.h2! White will have good chances in the rook and pawn ending. xh2 51.xh2 xc4 52.xh3 b5 53.d5 f6 54.d3 g5 55.h1 a4 56.c1 f7 57.c7+ e8 58.b7 a3+ 59.d4! Activity! xf3 60.d6 g4 61.d5 If White can play Ke6 he will win! e3 The only defence. 62.c6 White is happy with half a point, but [ 62.e5! is worth a punt: xe5+ ( 62...fxe5? 63.e6 shows the importance of activity against material in rook endings, f8 64.d7 d3 65.b6 xd7 66.xd7 and wins. ) 63.c6 e1 64.b8+ f7 65.d7 d1 66.d8 xd8 67.xd8 although Black should draw by e6! ] 62...c3+ 63.d5 e3 64.c6 c3+ 65.d5 e3 White can still play for the win, but anyway this was an excellent performance. ½-½
309 Panjwani,Raja So,Wesley Edmonton 9th (3) [Kosten, Tony]
A09 2440 2744 23.06.2014
1.f3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.b4 f6 4.e3 e5 5.c5 a5 6.b5+?! This was played just a day after I 293
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 posted my last Flank update, where I'd stated that: "Delchev's 6 Bb5+ is definitely dubious"! [ 6.a4+ is White's best try, see Demuth, ADuda, J, from the June 2014 update. ] [ 6.xe5?! is Van Wely, L-Kramnik, V/Nice FRA 2008, in the Archive. ] 6...c6 7.c4 axb4 8.xe5 fxe5 9.h5+ g6 10.xe5+ e7 11.xh8 f6 12.d3! I think this is White's best chance. [ 12.b2 e6 Stella, A (2463)-Bertagnolli, A (2329), and ] [ 12.0-0 e6 Davis, T (1945) -Zelesco, K, were both considered in the notes to Demuth-Duda. ] 12...e6 13.d2 [ 13.xe6 xe6 14.0-0 bd7 15.exd4 0-0-0 16.g5 f7 is Reinhold Thiele's original analysis, ...Be7 will win the white queen. ] 13...bd7 14.a3!? Trying to dissuade Black from castling long. [ I t h o u gh t t h a t 14.0-0 0-0-0 15.exd4 might be the best bet, but h6 16.xd8+ xd8 17.e1 d5 favours Black (again this is Reinhold Thiele's analysis). ] 14...dxe3 15.fxe3?! White misses his one chance. [ he had to try the surprising 15.0-0! as exd2 ( 15...b3 16.e1!?; 15...0-0-0 16.axb4 g8!? 17.xg8 g7 18.xg7 xg7 19.e6 exd2 20.xd2 i s a w k w a r d .) 16.xd2 xc4 17.dxc4 looks messy, Re1 is a big threat. ] 15...b3! Quite forced, Black can't allow White to o p e n t h e a -f ile wh e n h e ca st le s lo n g. 16.e4?! Desperately trying to free the queen, but this exposes White to a strong attack. [ 16.0-0 0-0-0 17.b2 is met by f5! 18.e4 h6 and Black wins material. ] 16...xe4 Black changes strategy, and instead of going for the white queen ... he goes for the white king! [ 16...0-0-0 is also winning. ] 17.xe6 h4+! 18.g3 xg3 19.g1?! [ 19.xd7+ xd7 20.f1 xf1+ 21.xf1 xh2 is better, but still winning for Black. ] 19...e4+ 20.d1 dxc5 Black's pieces pour into the attack. 21.e5 [ 21.dxe4 xh2 and ...Rd8+. ] 21...f2+ [ 21...xd3! ]
22.e2 fxd3 23.d4? [ 23.g3 f6 24.d2 is overwhelming. ] 23...f2+ [ 23...f2+ 24.d1 c2# ] 0-1
310 Ragger,Markus Postny,Evgeny TCh-FRA Top 12 2012 (4.3) [Tony Kosten]
xe6
A09 2670 2651 03.06.2012
1.f3 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3 f6 [ In his 'Modern Reti' book Delchev devotes most of his analysis to 3...c5 but, this can transpose at almost any point. ] 4.xc4 e6 5.0-0 a6 6.e2 White follows Delchev's basic scheme: he delays d4 hoping to be able to play other useful moves longer than Black can, in particular he will react to ... b5 by playing a n im media te a4 to c reat e queenside weaknesses. b5 This obvious move appears to be a novelty. [ 6...c5 7.d1 Marin's idea, b5 8.b3 b7 9.a4 "the cunning idea behind 7.Rd1" Delchev. ( 9.d4 reaches a mainline QGA.) 9...b4 10.d3! Now that c4 is weakened White can change plans and play d3 and e4 to blunt the h1-a8 diagonal. A) 10...c6 Delchev's mainline, 11.bd2 A1) 11...a5 12.c2 e7 13.e4 c7 14.b3 xb3 15.xb3 h6 16.e3 ( 16.d2 "with good prospects" Delchev. ) 16...g4 17.ac1 xe3 18.xe3 0-0 19.d4 ac8 20.e5 Sundararajan, K (2506)-Shumiakina, T ( 2 3 3 4 ) / B a d a l o n a 2 0 0 9 , d6 with no particular problems.; A2) 11...c7 12.c4 g4?! ( 12...e7 ) 13.g3! ge5 14.fxe5 xe5 15.xe5 xe5 16.e4 c8 17.c4 e7 18.f4! c7 19.f1 f6 20.f5 e5 21.e3 e7 22.h4 0-0 23.f2 h8 24.af1 fd8 25.g2 threatening g4-5, Black has no c o u n t e r p l a y . d4 26.xd4 exd4 27.h5 f8 28.g4 g6 29.h6 g5 30.hxg5 1-0 Tomashevsky, E (2624)Ganguly, S (2571)/Moscow 2007, as 294
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xg5 31.f6; B) 10...e7 11.bd2 0-0 B1) 12.a5 fixing the a6-pawn, but conceding the b5-square, which Black exploits by c6! 13.d4!? ( 13.e4 b5 14.c4 c6 ) 13...bd7 14.e4 b8 15.e5 d5 16.c4 b5 17.e4 cxd4 18.xd4 c5 19.g4 xb3 20.h6 g6 21.xb3 c8 22.d6 xd6 23.exd6 xd6 24.d4 f6 slightly better for Black, Kramnik, V (2791)-Karjakin, S (2760)/Moscow 2010.; B2) 12.c4 a5 13.e4 c7 14.h3 ( 14.g3 c6 15.f4 is given as advantage White by Delchev.) 14...c6 15.e3 ad8 16.ac1 a6 Safin, S (2490)-Egin, V (2437)/Tashkent 2007. ] 7.b3 bd7! [ 7...b7 8.a4 ] 8.d1 b7 Black's move order is very clever, he delays ...c5 until W hite plays d4. 9.a4!? The only way to continue according to the 'Delchev recipe'. At the time I was looking across from my board and wondered if Marcus had simply overlooked Black's next, but I shouldn't have worried. [ 9.d4 c5 reaches a mainline QGA [D29]. ] 9...c5 The problem, with no black pawn on c5 Black can put his knight t here ! 10.c2 xa4 11.xa4 bxa4 12.d4 White has conceded the bishop pair, but has a slight lead in development. c5!? Black doesn't have to play this, but then he would have to worry ab ou t W h it e playin g e 4 an d also t he c5 square. [ However, it is difficult to believe White has anything much after, say, 12...e7 13.c3 0-0 ] 13.c3 c7 14.xa4 The position looks fairly innocuous for Black, but he soon gets into trouble. cxd4?! Black might have missed White's, far from obvious, next two moves. [ 14...e7 15.dxc5 xc5 16.e4 c8 and ...0-0 looks solid enough, W hite can play e5 and swing his rook to the kingside but Black should be able to defend. ] 15.c4! b8 16.c2! Very nice! d6 Best. [ 16...dxc3?? loses to 17.a4+ e7 18.e5 ] [ 16...xf3? 17.a4+ d7 18.cxd4! b7 19.xd7!? ( 19.gxf3 is simpler, d8 20.b3
with a big advantage as the black king is stuck. ) 19...xd1 hits the queen on a4, and so 20.xd1+ e7 21.b3 White has a st ro ng a tt ack f o r th e exch an ge , e. g. h6 22.a3+ ( 22.b2 ) 22...f6 23.d7 xd7 24.xd7 xa3 25.h4! hd8 26.e4+ g6 27.h5+ ] 17.a4+ e7 [ 17...f8!? 18.cxd4 xf3 19.gxf3 xh2+ 20.g2 c7 21.e4 is also unpleasant for Black. ] 18.cxd4 xf3 19.gxf3 d8 [ 19...xh2+? 20.g2 c7 loses to 21.e4 h6 22.a3+ e8 23.e3 the black king's demise is just a question of time. ] 20.g2 White just needs to play b3 and Ba3 t o e xch a n ge h is o n e in a ct ive p ie c e . b6 21.b3 T h re a t e n in g Rxd 6 ! c5 22.a3 xa3?! [ 22...a5! to stop a later b4, and Black is still in the game, 23.c4 xa3 24.xa3+ e8 ] 23.xa3+ e8 24.a4+ e7 25.a3+ e8 26.xd8+ xd8 27.xd8+ xd8 [ 27...xd8 28.xa6 also wins material. ] 28.f8+ e8 29.xf7 xb3 Black pins his hopes on the passed a-pawn. [ 29...c7 30.xc7+ xc7 is possible, W hite's extra pawn is doubled and meanwhile the black king is close to the white b-pawn. ] 30.e2! The knight heads for d4 or f4. b1 31.f4 c7 32.f8+ d7 33.xg7+ c6 34.e4 a5 35.c3+ b6 36.d4+ b7 37.xe6! xe6 38.d5+ c7 39.xe6 b6 40.e7+ c8 41.f4 c7 42.e6+ d7 43.a6+ b7 The white king is outside the square, so Black can afford to offer the queen swap. 44.e2 [ After 44.xa5 xe4+ 45.g3 Ma rc u s wa s wo r r ie d a b o u t b1 but 46.c5+ d7 47.f5 g1+ 48.h3 f1+ 49.h4 will probably win. ] 44...c6 45.f5 a4 46.g4 b7 47.f3 Sto pp in g th e a -p awn an d sup po rt in g th e advance of the white f-pawn. f6 [ 47...a3? 48.xa3 xe4+ is met by 49.f3 ] 48.e5+ c6 49.f6 xf3+ 50.xf3 a3 51.f7 a2 52.f8 a1 Both sides queen but now W h i t e h a s a cl e a r t wo p a wn a d va n t a ge . 53.g7+ c6 54.f6+ b7 55.g2 d4 295
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Threatening a perpetual. 56.f3+ c7 57.e6 d6 58.e7! xe7 59.e3+ xe3 60.fxe3 T h e p a wn e n d i n g is lo s t , o f co u rse . e6 61.f3 f5 62.e4+ e5 63.e3 e6 64.f4 f6 65.h3 e6 66.h4 f6 67.h5 1-0
311 Reti,Richard Rubinstein,Akiba Karlsbad Karlstad (5) [Nigel Davies]
A09
04.05.1923
Rubinstein's 4...d4 is not a move that many modern players would venture. But at the time this game was played Benoni type positions were thought to confer a huge advantage on the player taking the space. 1.f3 d5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 g6 4.c4 d4 [ In my own games I've noticed that 4...c6 tends to be the most popular reply when I've played either 5.b3 or 5.Qa4. ] 5.d3 g7 6.b4 0-0 7.bd2 I've always liked the smooth harmony that you find in Reti's games by delaying the development of his qu e e n ' s b is h o p W h it e h a s e xt ra o p t io n s available, such as the a3 square. [ After the more forceful 7.b2 Black can play a5 , for example ( 7...c5 8.bxc5 c6 9.bd2 d7 10.b3 xc5 11.xc5 a5+ 12.d2 xc5 13.0-0 h5 14.e1 h3 15.h1 ab8 16.b1 was very pleasant for White in Geller, E-Novopashin, A, Kiev 1963.) 8.b5 c5 9.bxc6 xc6 10.a3 e5 11.b5 e8 12.0-0 f8 13.d2 f5 14.c1 d7 15.c5 h3 was not bad for Black in Larsen, B (2625)Pfleger, H (2540), Manila 1975. ] 7...c5 8.b3 [ 8.bxc5 is also better for White, for example fd7 9.b3 xc5 10.xc5 a5+ 11.d2 xc5 12.b1 gives definite pressure. But R e t i m a y h a ve p r e f e r r e d t o a vo i d t h i s because of the resultant simplification. ] 8...cxb4 9.b2 c6 10.bxd4 Gaining a central pawn for a flank one is one of the major themes of the Reti Opening. Now it will be W hite who gains a major share of the centre, despite the fact that he did not stake an early claim to this part of the board. xd4
11.xd4 b6 Contesting the h1-a8 diagonal. 12.a3 Getting rid of the annoying b4 pawn and setting up a position in which W hite has a single pawn island (c4 to h2) against Black's two. [ Note that 12.d2? is bad because of xd4 13.xa8 g4 14.0-0 xf2! etc. ] 12...b7 Threatening 13...Bxf3. 13.b2 bxa3 14.xa3 c7 15.a1! These days there is nothing strange about this development of the queen. But in Reti's time it was highly original and raised more than a few eyebrows. e8 16.xg7 xg7 17.0-0 e6 18.b1 [ And not 18.xa7?? xa7 19.xa7 a8 , winning the queen. ] 18...c6 19.d4 So now it is White who gains control of the centre. And this spatial control will a llo w W h it e t o pu t h is p ie ce s o n b ig squares. e4 20.d1 a5 [ And not 20...xc4? because of 21.d2 . ] 21.d5 c5 22.d4 xg2 23.xg2 fd8 24.c6 d6 25.e3 e8 26.e5 f6 [ On 26...d7 t h e r e f o l l o w s 27.xe7+ exe7 28.xc7 xc7 29.d6 as after xe3 30.dxc7 e8 31.d8 the passed c-pawn will promote. ] 27.b2 With the mission accomplished (creation of further weaknesses in Black's camp) the queen latches on to a new target, the weak pawn on b6. [ 27.xe7+? i s b a d b e c a u s e o f f7 by the way. ] 27...e5 28.b5 f7 29.b1 d7 30.f3 c8 31.d3 e4 With his position held in a vice like grip, Rubinstein makes a desperate bid for some counterplay. 32.fxe4 e5 33.xb6 xc6 [ 33...xd3 34.exd3 would be hopeless for Black because of White powerful clump of pawns. ] 34.c5 d7 35.dxc6 xd3 36.xc7+ xc7 37.exd3 xc6 38.b7+ e8 39.d4 a6 Getting his rook behind the passed pawn. But this rook endgame proves to be too much for even Rubinstein. 40.b6 [ And not 40.xh7?! because of a4 . ] 40...a8 41.xf6 a4 42.f2 a3 43.a2 d7 44.d5 g5 45.f3 a4 46.e3 h5 47.h4 gxh4 48.gxh4 e7 49.f4 d7 50.f5 1-0
296
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 312 Sadorra,J Kacheishvili,Giorgi UTD GM Invitational (4) [John Bartholomew]
A09 2525 2612 12.03.2012
1.f3 d5 2.c4 d4 Despite the prevalence of 2...c6 and 2...c6, Delchev calls 2...d4 "the m o s t u n p l e a s a n t r e t o r t t o 2 . c 4 " . 3.b4 Probably the most ambitious reply. [ Delchev's thesis is that White does not stand to gain an advantage against the Reversed Benoni with slower plans. Thus, he says, the first player should be keen to use his tempo to immediately destroy Black's center. His analysis suggests that Black has an easier time in the lines 3.g3 c6 ] [ and 3.e3 c6 , and I am inclined to agree. ] 3...c5 [ Delchev believes that the main line 3...f6 is best, with 4...e5 to come. W e also scru tin ize d t his in Van W e ly, L (26 81)Kra mnik, V (279 9)/ Nice 2 008 /[Hansen , Carsten]. Delchev presents a lot of ent erta in in g and o rigina l ana lysis, so I recommend that you check these lines in his book. ] [ For the interesting 3...g4!? see Laznicka, V (2617)-Rombaldoni, D (2465)/[Rowson]. ] [ For 3...g6 I again refer you to "The Modern Reti: An Anti-Slav Repertoire". ] 4.e3 [ 4.bxc5 totally backfired on White after c6 5.e3 ( White should choose 5.d3 e5 6.g3 xc5 7.g2 with a type Reversed Benoni play. ) 5...e5 6.exd4? e4! in Schaeffer, VBronznik, V (2410)/Elancourt 2004/ [TonyK]. ] 4...dxe3 A strange omission from "The Modern Reti", as accepting the pawn must be critical. Moreover, 4...dxe3 is approximately three times more popular than any othe r continuation here. [ Delchev's only gives 4...f6 , with a likely transposition to 3...f6. ] 5.fxe3 cxb4 6.a3!? Benko-style! This is certainly consistent with 3.b4, and I find this direct approach rather tempting. [ "Official" theory is pretty sketchy here
(Black has yet to commit a piece yet, so he especially has a ton of flexibility), but in 71 o f 8 6 g a m e s W h i t e h a s c h o s e n 6.d4 , occupying the center. For example, A) a recent game saw 6...e6 7.d3 ( 7.a3 would transpose to Sulskis-Skytte (see the note to 7.a3); 7.c5!? deserves attention) 7...e7 8.0-0 f6 9.b2 bd7 10.e2 0-0 11.bd2 ( 11.a3!? ) 11...b6 12.ad1 c7 13.e5 xe5 ( after 13...b7! White's compensation appears insuf f icien t) 14.dxe5 d7 15.xh7+ ( t h i s l e a d s t o a d r a w b y f o r c e ) xh7 16.h5+ g8 17.f3 f5 18.h3 xe5 19.e4 d7 20.xe5 xe5 21.xd7 a1+ 22.d1 e5 23.h7+ f7 24.h5+ g8 25.h7+ f7 26.h5+ 1 / 2 -1 / 2 T u rn e r, M ( 2 5 1 7 ) -H a m m e r , J (2647)/Hinkley Island ENG 2011; B) 6...g6 (first employed by Predrag Nikolic in the late 1980s) 7.d3 ( 7.a3!? m a ke s s e n se wi t h B la c k in t e n d in g t o fianchetto) 7...g7 8.0-0 h6 9.bd2 0-0 10.b2 ( 10.e2 f5 11.e4 c6 12.b2 c7 13.h3 e5! Seirawan, Y (2595)-Nikolic, P (2600)/Sarajevo 1987.) 10...e5!? 11.b3 g4 12.xe5?! ( 12.ae1 ) 12...xe5 13.dxe5 c6 14.f3 e7 15.a3 xe5 16.xe5 xe5 17.xe5 xe5 18.axb4 xe3+ 19.h1 e6 Baramidze, D (2528) -Meister, P (2407)/Bad Liebenzell GER 2010. ] 6...bxa3 [ 6...e6 7.d4 f6 Sulskis, S (2497)-Skytte, R (2323)/Lisbon 2000. Here I think 8.c5!? is worth consideration. ( 8.d3 c6 9.0-0 wa s t h e g a m e , w h e n B l a c k g e n e r a t e d counterplay with the unexpected e5!? )] [ T h e a c t i v e 6...e5!?N is Houdini's first choice. Then 7.axb4 ( 7.xe5 h4+ 8.g3 e4 9.f3 c6 ) 7...e4 ( 7...xb4 8.b2!? ) 8.d4 d6 9.g3 f6 10.g2 ( 10.c5!? ) 10...0-0 11.0-0 ] 7.xa3 A natural novelty. [ 7.xa3!? f6 8.b5 c6 9.d4 e6 10.d3 b4+ 11.d2 0-0 12.0-0 xd2 13.xd2 e5 14.c2 exd4 15.exd4 g4 Bandza, A-Chekhov, V (2495)/Tbilisi 1985. Here 16.c5! would leave no doubt about White's compensation. ] [ 7.e2 g6 8.xa3 g7 9.b1 is similar, e. 297
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 g. f6 10.0-0 0-0 11.d4 Erlich, V-Drexel, C (2227)/ Augsburg 2001. At this moment it l o o k s n a t u r a l f o r B l a c k t o p l a y b6 as in our game. ] 7...f6 8.c3 g6 9.e2 [ White would like to play 9.d4 and put the bishop on d3, but maybe he didn't like h6!? . However, White can go ahead and sac a pawn he re wit h 10.d3! , as accepting is dangerous for Black: xe3?! ( 10...g4 11.d5! defends e3 and hits e7, i.e. xe3 12.e2 xd5 13.cxd5; 10...0-0 is s af es t, b ut a f te r 11.e2 followed by castling White has an improved version of the game. ) 11.e2 f4 ( 11...xd4?? 12.xd4 xd4 13.xe7# ) 12.0-0 with a fully mobilized position and quite obvious compensation. ] 9...g7 10.0-0 0-0 11.b1 c6 12.d4 b6 Both sides have proceeded logically. White enjoys definite compensation for the missing pawn with his slightly better pieces and strong centralization. At the same time, Black's margin of safety is reasonably high and he suffers from no positional defects. The chances are balanced. 13.h1 White plays a useful move, waiting for Black to show his hand. [ 13.d3 was more constructive. ] 13...f5 14.b5?! Borrowing an idea of Delchev's (see p. 39)!? White hopes that the rook will inf luence matters on b5, but it's o c c u p yin g a ra t h e r u n st a b le p o st in t h is position. c8 15.e5?! This compounds the previous error. e4 [ Even better is 15...xe5 16.xe5 e6! targeting the c4-pawn, i.e. 17.b3 ( 17.d5 d7 ) 17...e8! when another piece will be brought to bear down on the pawn after 18... Nd6. ] 16.xe4 xe4 17.f3 a5 18.c5 h6 [ 18...d5! would have put Black firmly in the driver's seat. ] 19.cxb6 axb6 20.e5 c2 21.e1?! c6 22.b5 a4?! [ Strike while the iron is hot: Black should have snatched the pawn immediately with 22...xe3 . It's possible he thought the double-attack 23.c3 worked for White, but xd4 24.xe3 xe2! leaves Black clearly bet te r, i.e . 25.h6?! ( 25.xe2? d3-+
is the idea; 25.xe7? d3-+ is also very b a d f o r W h i t e) 25...f6! leaving White floundering. ] 23.b2 xe3? Now this is poorly timed. [ 23...d5= ] 24.a6 xd4 [ Black has to enter complications, as 24...a8? 25.b7 is downright terrible. ] 25.d2!? [ A f t e r t h e f o r ce d l i n e 25.xc8 xb2 26.xb2 xc8 27.c3 e5 ( 27...f6? 28.c4+ picks up the bishop) 28.xe5 xe5 29.xe5 f6 30.xf6 d7! (the only move) we are faced with a peculiar opposite-color bishop ending where the weakness of the Black king is more significant than Black's extra pawn. After, for instance, Black will still have to show some accuracy. 31.h4!? ( 31.xf8+ xf8 32.h8+ e7 33.xh7+ d8= )] 25...c7 26.xd4 xd4 27.b2? [ 27.e5! was called for, hitting the rook on c7 as well. a8! 28.xc7 xa6 29.g1 ] 27...a8! 28.xd4 xa6?? [ With 28...c2! Black threatens mate on g2 and completely turns the tables, i.e. 29.e2 xb2 ( 29...c6!? ) 30.f3 a6 ] 29.xa4! xa4 30.e5 Oops, that wins the rook. f6 31.xc7 b5 32.c1 White has prevailed in the tactical tug-of-war, and now he o n ly ha s t o n ego tiat e so me t e ch n ic a l problems. c5?! 33.d2 [ 33.a3! would immediately force the queens off. ] 33...c8 34.h3 b5 35.c1 f5 36.xc8+ xc8 37.d5+ g7 38.xb5 e6 39.c5 f7 40.c3 h5 41.g1 h4 42.d4 g5 43.d3 g7 44.f2 c6 45.f3 c5+ 46.e3 f5+ 47.f3 c5+ 48.e2 f7 49.d2 d6+ 50.c2 c5 51.e4 f2+ 52.b3 g3 53.d5+ f8 54.c4 g4!? Kacheishvili is defending tenaciously. 55.b4! c7+ 56.c5 f4+? Only this loses. [ After 56...d7! Black can continue fighting. ] 57.b3! g3+ [ Black is losing either e7 or g4, i.e. 57...e4 58.c8+ f7 59.xg4 d3+ 60.b2+- ] 58.a4 gxh3 59.xe7+ g8 60.e8+ h7 61.f7+ g7 [ or 61...h8 62.xf6+ h7 63.f7+ h6 298
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ( 63...h8 64.c3+ ) 64.d2++- ] 62.xg7+ xg7 63.gxh3 g6 64.e1 g5 65.b4 White has the right color bishop, so Black resigned. Alexander Delchev believes that the ambitious 3.b4 will be increasingly debated at Grandmaster level - especially (in his opinion) the lines with 3...f6. The gambitaccepted line 3...c5 4.e3 dxe3 5.fxe3 cxb4 warranted inclusion in "The Modern Reti: An Anti-Slav", but fortunately W hite has reasonable compensation with 6.a3!? or the usual 6.d4. 1-0
the extraordinary white pawn formation is almost worth a piece! ] 10...f5! Black stops d4, and leaves the c5pawn short of protection. 11.b5 xc5! Black goes for gold. [ 11...d8 would avoid losing a rook, although 12.d6 would leave Black with problems completing his development. ] 12.c7+ d8 13.xa8 d4 14.b2 f6 15.gxf3 [ 15.0-0-0 would avoid problems along the ef i l e , b u t a f t e r f5 16.e1 d7 Black recuperates the knight on a8 with advantage. ] 15...e8+ 16.d1 g4!! There must have 313 A09 been a brilliancy prize in this tournament! [ T h e p r o s a i c 16...f5 17.d3 d7 Schaeffer,Vincent again wins the trapped knight, with Bronznik,Valerij 2410 advantage. ] 7th Open Elancourt FRA (3) 20.04.2004 17.fxg4 [Tony Kosten] [ 17.xd4 is no improvement, xd4 18.fxg4 xg4+ 19.c2 xa1 20.d3 e5 21.b1 1.f3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.b4 c5 Black is happy b6 and the knight will be lost once again, with a reversed Benko Gambit. 4.bxc5 when the two black bishops will make short [ 4.e3 is more usual, but clearly White didn't work of White's straggling pawns. ] want to play with a pawn less after dxe3 17...xg4+ 18.e2 Forced, 5.fxe3 cxb4 ] [ 18.c1?? e1# ] [ whilst 4.g3 is probably the most natural, pla yin g a B e nko p o sit io n wit h an e xt ra 18...xe2+ 19.c1 xc4 The black minor pieces completely dominate here. 20.xd4 tempo. ] [ 20.d6 is the best chance, trying to extract 4...c6 5.e3 As it is too late to take on d4 t h e kn igh t , d5 21.f1 e2+ 22.d1 [ 5.g3 e5 6.d3 would be my preference. ] xd6 and ...b6 to capture the unhappy 5...e5 6.exd4? This 'obvious' move nearly knight. ] loses outright! 21.b1 xd5 What a pair of [ 6.d3 is safer, xc5 7.e4 ( 7.e2 ge7 20...xd4 bishops! 22.g1 d7 23.b4? The position 8.0-0 0-0 is also pleasant for Black, Varadi, A-Balogh,L/Gyongyos 1999) 7...ge7 was hopeless, anyway. c8+! Forcing mate. [ 23...c8+ 24.d1 ( 24.b1 e4+ ) 8.e2 0-0 9.0-0 g6 10.e1 f5 11.exf5 24...f3+ 25.e1 c1# ] xf5 Black has more space, and a clear plus, 0-1 Menchik,V-Sergeant,E/Scarborough 1930. ] 6...e4! Very unpleasant for White, his central pawns look very nice but they will cost a piece. 314 A09 7.e2 Pinning the pawn is best, Speelman,Jonathan S 2583 [ 7.g1?! xd4 8.c3 xc5 is a dream for Koneru,Humpy 2473 Black. ] 7...e7 8.d5 White decides his best chances ch Torquay ENG (9) 07.08.2002 [Tony Kosten] lie with this piece sac. [ 8.g1 xd4 9.d1 e5 10.b2 xc5 is positionally crushing. ] 1.f3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.g3 c6 4.g2 e5 8...exf3 9.xe7+ cxe7 10.c3?! 5.d3 f6 6.0-0 Play has wandered into a reversed Schmidt System, where Black has Hoping for tactical chances based on Nb5, but [ 10.d4 f5 11.e3 is worth consideration, preferred to keep the a3-f8 diagonal open 299
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 r a t h e r t h a n p l a y . . . c 5 . a5 Generally considered best, Black takes prophylactic action against White queenside expansion. [ 6...e7 allows 7.b4! xb4 8.xe5 xe5 9.a4+ regaining the piece with an edge. ] 7.e3 To my mind this is logical, as Black hasn't bolstered d4 with his c-pawn it makes sense to attack it. [ 7.a3 c5 8.c2 is an alternative way of playing. ] 7...e7 [ 7...dxe3 is a good alternative, refusing to bother defending the d-pawn, 8.xe3 e7 9.c3 0-0 10.h3!? (else Black plays ... Ng4) f5 11.b3!? c8 hitting d3 and h3 ( 11...d4!? 12.xd4 exd4 is also interesting) 12.d5 xd5 13.cxd5 b4 14.xe5 xh3 15.a3 a4 16.c4 was messy in Makarov,M-Muse,M/Berlin 1996. ] 8.exd4 exd4 9.a3 0-0 Black rarely captures on a3 to double the pawns, as it gives White the bishop pair and open b-file, and especially when it involves a waste of t e m p o ( . . . B e 7 x a 3 ) . 10.b5 This is the problem with Black's sixth move, the we ak ne s s of b5 - it is d if f icult f or him t o arrange to play ...c6 to drive the knight away. e8 Black defends c7 against the possibility of Bf4, and prepares to play ...Bf6 and ...Nd6, or ...Na7 to exchange the b5-knight. [ 10...f5?! 11.f4 1/2-1/2 Szekely,P-Tal,M/ Porz 1991, although White is better here, after e8 12.e5 ] 11.e1 e6 A new move, although it doesn't change too much compared with [ 11...f6 12.f4 e6 13.h3 a7 14.xa7 xa7 15.d2 when White has slightly the mo re p le a sa n t p ositio n, Na lba n dia n, T Minasian,A/Yerevan 1996. ] 12.b3! As c7 is well covered White decides to find another diagonal for his dark-squared bishop. [ 12.f4 is similar to the above note. ] 12...f6 13.b2 g6?! With the white bishop on b2 Black can no longer exchange the b5knight without losing his d-pawn, but this na tu ra l mo ve h as severe re pe rcussion s. 14.d2 White threatens to play Qf4 and attack the d-pawn a fourth time. f5?! 15.h3 h5 16.a3! Suddenly, almost 'out-of-the-blue',
Black is in trouble. b4 [ 16...d6 17.c5 and the d-pawn drops. ] 17.bxd4!! This must have been a shock for Black. xd4 18.xd4 xd4 19.b2 The point, the bishop returns to b2 having eliminated its opposite number (at the cost of a piece). d6 20.h6 Threatening mate on h8. f6?! [ 20...f6 21.a3 xd3 22.d5+ f7 23.g4 also gives White a powerful attack, e.g. hxg4 24.hxg4 xe1? ( 24...f8 25.h3 xe1 26.gxf5 c6 keeps Black in the game) 25.gxf5 f8 26.xg6+ g7 27.xe1 and wins. ] 21.c5 d8 22.e5! Threatening to capture on f5. d7?! Losing immediately, but [ 22...xd3 23.d1 pins and wins. ] 23.e4 This is good enough, but how did 'Spec' miss the simple [ 23.e8!! axe8 24.xf6 with immediate mate? ] 23...a6 24.xf5 gxf5 25.g5+ h8 26.xf5 There is no defence to Qh6+ and Bxf6 followed by Qh7 mate. 1-0
315 Tihonov,Jurij Smirnov,Aleksander inAUTOmarket Open (3) [John Watson]
A09 2503 2249 12.07.2005
1.f3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.e3 Many players prefer 3.g3 here. c6 4.exd4 xd4 5.xd4 xd4 6.c3 White is a tempo up on the FrancoBenoni line 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.Nxd5 Nxd5 6.Qxd5 Nc6, but that still makes it difficult to drive the queen away and e s t a b l i s h a c e n t r a l a d v a n t a g e . f6 Nothing clearly neutralises the play here: [ (a) The slow move 6...c6 has scored well over the years. At first I didn't understand this move. White's options of Nb5 and Nd5 are prevented, of course, but that wasn't much of a threat after most moves anyway. The real point is that without Nb5, Black is prepared for d3 followed by Be3 because he can play something like ... Nh6-f5 or ,,,e5 and ...Ne7-f5. Whereas ...c6 is also a useful move if White tries to play d4, for example, 300
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 7.d3 h6!? 8.e3 d8 9.xh6? W hite pays too high a price to create weaknesses that probably wouldn't have any deleterious effect on Black's game until t h e e n d g a m e . ( On the other hand, 9.d4! f5 10.d2 xe3 11.xe3 trades the bishop pair for development and central control. This results in mutual chances although I'd rather be W hite.) 9...gxh6 10.e2 g7 11.0-0 0-0 12.f3 the pro blem is th at W hit e h as n o d arksquared counterpart to the g7 bishop so d4 is almost permanently stopped. f5 13.e4 g6 ( 13...e6! followed by a queen move and rook to d8 should favour Black.) 14.e1 e6!? 15.c2 c7 16.ab1 ad8 17.b4 b6 18.e2 c5 19.bxc5 xc5 20.f4 c7 21.g3 e5 22.xg6 hxg6 23.a4 d4 24.a5 h5 25.a6 g7 26.g2 d6 27.b5 h4 28.f3 h8 and Black maintained real pressure in Rashkovsky-Giorgadze, Ubeda 1999. ] [ (b) 6...e5 has always been considered the easiest equaliser, but that doesn't mean hands must be shaken. The idea is 7.d3 ( 7.b5 d8 8.h5!? e7 and ..Nf6 ) 7...e7 8.e3 ( 8.e2 is possible, perhaps intending Nd5 in cases where the e7 knight moves to c6 or f5. f5 ) 8...d8 and ...Nf5 can follow, so 9.d4! exd4 10.xd4 xd4 11.xd4 c6 12.e3 d7 13.0-0-0 0-0-0 14.e2 , but it's not much ] 7.d3 g4 Not very impressive, although playable. Of the options, 7...e5 looks best. [ (a) Alekhine-Euwe, Netherlands 1937 showed what can happen if Black is a little too conservative and foregoes both ...e5 and . . . Ne 7 - f 5 : 7...c6 8.e3 d7 9.d4 g6 10.e2 g7 11.h3 Preventing ...Ng4. ( 11.0-0 0-0 12.e1 must be somewhat better for White in view of his better centre. g4 13.xg4 xg4 14.f3 h5 15.d5!? ) 11...0-0 12.0-0 b6 13.f3 b7 14.a4 ad8 15.a5 c7 16.b3 d7 17.axb6 axb6 18.a7 a8 19.fa1 e6 20.xa8 xa8 ( 20...xa8 21.xa8+ xa8 22.a3 b7 23.b4!? ) 21.d5 cxd5 22.cxd5 c5?! ( 22...xc3? 23.d6! xd6 24.xc3 xf3 25.h6; 22...exd5! ) 23.c4 exd5 24.xd5 xd5 25.xd5 and White stood better. ] [ (b) Arguably 6...e5 is better than 6...Nf6 and
7...e5, but it's still a good move here. 7...e5 8.e3 d8 9.d4 ( 9.e2 e7 10.d4 exd4 11.xd4 xd4 12.xd4 c6 13.0-0 0-0 14.ad1 e6 15.h3 fe8 ) 9...g4 10.dxe5 xd1+ 11.xd1 xe3 12.fxe3 should be okay for Black after b4 ] 8.f3! [ 8.d2 has also been played, when h3 follows. ] 8...c6 [ 8...e5!? 9.h3 b4 10.d2 f6 11.a3 c5 12.b4 d6 13.c1 c6 is probably better for White, but not much. ] 9.e2 e5 10.h3 h5!? [ 10...f6 ] 11.0-0 h6? 12.e3!? [ 12.xh5! is also safe and sound, winning a clear pawn. ] 12...d6? Black's last chance to get some counterplay was [ 12...h4 , for example, 13.e4 ( 13.e4 ) 13...e7 14.xh5?! xh5 15.xh5 f5 16.e2 , when at least Black is in the game, a l t h o u g h o b v i o u s l y w o r s e , a f t e r xe3 17.fxe3 f5 and ..Bc5. ] 13.e4 c7 14.xh5 and White had a winning advantage. The score goes oddly: f5 15.f4 0-0-0 16.f3 g6 17.fxe5 xe5 18.f4?! [ 18.xa7! ] 18...xf4 19.xf4 f5 20.f2 c5 21.fe1?! f7 22.f1 d4 23.f3 he8 24.xe8 xe8 25.b1 e5 26.e2 f7 27.b4 d8 28.b5 cxb5 29.xe5 Did Black really resign here? Probably the scoresheet's wrong: [ 29.xe5 xe5 30.xb5 e8 with only a pawn versus the bishop pair. ] 1-0
316 Tomashevsky,Evgeny Ganguly,Surya Shekhar Aeroflot Open (3) [Carsten Hansen]
A09 2624 2571 16.02.2007
1.f3 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3 f6 4.xc4 e6 5.0-0 a6 6.e2 c5 7.d1 b5 8.b3 b7 9.a4 [ 9.d4!? takes our game into a Queen's Gambit Accepted, which of course isn't 301
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 covered under Flank Openings. bd7 10.a4 b4 11.a5 c7 12.bd2 e7 13.c4 0-0= Vijayalakshmi-Suvrajit, Calcutta 2000 ] 9...b4 [ 9...b6 10.d4 this could be interpreted as a Queen's Gambit Accepted, but very few players would choose the moves for Black that he has picked in this game... bd7 11.c3 b4 12.a5 c7 13.a4 cxd4 14.exd4 d5 15.xd5 xd5 16.g5 d6 17.dc1 b8 ( 17...xa5 18.c3 xc3 19.bxc3 b6 20.d5 ) 18.c5 xc5 19.dxc5 f4 20.c4 1-0 Marin, M-Kaeding, R/Sitges 1997 (39) ] [ 9...bd7 10.axb5 axb5 11.xa8 xa8 12.a3 xf3 13.gxf3 b4 14.b5 b8 15.d4 1-0 Nikcevic, N-Adla, D/Mondariz 1998 ] [ 9...c4 10.c2 b6 11.axb5 axb5 12.xa8 xa8 13.d3 cxd3 14.xd3 b4? ( 14...b4 15.bd2 bd7 16.c4 c7 17.b3 c5 18.b2 ) 15.e5? ( 15.xb5+ c6 16.d4 ) 15...e7? 16.xb5+ c6?? ( 16...f8 ) 17.c4+c5 18.d2 ( 18.b4+- ) 18...0-0 19.xc6 xc6 20.xc6 xc6 21.c1 d7 22.b4?? ( 22.b4+- ) 22...d8 23.d2 h6?? ( 23...a8! 24.xc5 xc5 25.xc5 xd2 26.c8+ d8 27.xa8 xa8 ) 24.b3+- a4 25.xc5 xc5 26.xc5 1-0 Vujic Katanic, B-Savic, M/Vrnjacka Banja 199900 ( 26.xc5 d1+ 27.e1!+- )] 10.d3 c6 11.bd2 c7 12.c4 g4 [ 12...e7 13.a5 0-0 14.e4 ] 13.g3 [ 13.d2 e7 14.h3 ge5 15.cxe5 xe5 is fine for Black ] 13...ge5 14.fxe5 xe5 15.xe5 xe5 16.e4!? c8 17.c4 e7 18.f4 c7 19.f1 through very simple means White has gained a position of strength f ro m which he ca n conduct a kingside attack, while Black currently has nothing that can match it on the queenside or in the centre. The bishop on c4 is ideally placed to support White's activities on the kingside by applying pressure on the a2-g8 diagonal. f6 20.f5 e5 21.e3 e7 22.h4 0-0 23.f2 h8 24.af1 fd8 25.g2 d4? This is quite desperate and also unnecessary. W hite is winning now without any f urther ado. 26.xd4 exd4 27.h5
Maybe Black had missed this simple move, threatening f7 and supporting the g3-g4 pawn advance? It is a little hard to believe that this is the explanation, but any better reason is difficult to come up with. f8 28.g4 g6 29.h6 g5 [ Or 29...g7 30.f4 e5 31.f6 e8 32.g5 d6 33.b3 and White will prepare t o b re a k o n t h e h -f ile wit h d e va s t a t in g effect ] 30.hxg5 1-0
317 Tomashevsky,Evgeny Morozevich,Alexander 60th ch-Superfinal (3) [Carsten Hansen]
A09 2646 2755 20.12.2007
1.f3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.g3 c5 4.e3 c6 5.exd4 cxd4 6.g2 e5 7.0-0 f6!? [ This is a relatively rare bird in this variation. Black normally plays 7...f6 ] 8.d3 [ After 8.e1 g4?? White, a strong Californian International Master, several times missed out on the fairly simple ( 8...d6!? ) A) 9.d3 d6 10.a3 ( 10.xe5!+- ) 10...a5 11.bd2 ( 11.xe5!+- ) 11...ge7 (and now it's too late...) 12.b1 0-0 13.e4 a4 14.b4 axb3 15.xb3 a5 16.b2 , and White has the better chances, thanks to his superior minor pie ce s a n d p re ssu re d o wn t h e b -f ile , Altounian, L-Akopyan, H/San Francisco 2000; B) 9.xe5! xe5 ( 9...xd1 10.xc6++- ) 10.xg4+- ] 8...ge7 [ A novelty previously Black had tried 8...e6 on a couple of occasions: 9.e1!? ( 9.bd2 h6 10.a4 d7 11.a3 f7 12.e1 e7 13.b4 0-0 14.b5 cd8 15.d1 e8 16.b1 h3 17.h1 e6 with chances for both sides, Zvjaginsev, V-Hauchard, A/ Belfort 1999) 9...d7 10.a3 a5 11.a4 ( 11.bd2 h6 12.e4 f7 is similar to the Zvjaginsev game and is fine for Black) 11...a6 12.bd2 ge7 13.e4 c8 302
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 14.fd2 b6 15.c2 c7 16.f4! , and W hite is in control of the game, Polugaevsky, L-Gerusel, M/Buesum 1969 ] 9.a3 a5 10.bd2 g6 11.h4 e7 12.e1 0-0 13.h5 h8 14.h4 [ 14.h6 g5 15.h2 f7 is better for Black ] 14...g5 [ 14...e6!? 15.d5 ( 15.f4!? d7 16.f3 f5! 17.fxe5 f7 ) 15...xd5 16.cxd5 xd5 17.g4 A) 17...f7 18.f5 g5 19.e4 ac8 20.f4 exf4 ( 20...e6? 21.fxe5 fxe5 22.xg7! xg7 23.h6 ) 21.xe7+ xe7 22.xg5 fxg5 23.xe7 c2 24.gxf4; B) 17...ad8 18.f5 ( 18.c4 ) 18...g6 19.e4 d7 , and White doesn't have enough for the pawn ] 15.hxg6 hxg6 16.e4! [ 16.f4!? exf4 17.gxf4 ] 16...f5 17.xc6! bxc6 18.hf3 f7 [ 18...e4!? 19.dxe4 d3 20.e5 f6 21.df3 fxe4 22.xe4 f7 23.xd3 xe5 24.xe5 xd3 25.xd3 f5 26.e3 ae8 27.f4 d4 , and Black has decent compensation for the two pawns he has sacrificed ] 19.xe5 xe5 20.xe5 d6 21.e1 c5 22.f3 [ 22.f3 b8 ] 22...g7 [ 22...f4!? 23.e5 fxg3 24.fxg3 a6 25.f4 f6 ( 25...g5 26.h5! )] 23.g5 [ 23.b4 axb4 24.g5 b6 25.axb4 xa1 26.xa1 b7 27.bxc5 xc5 28.h4 a8 29.c1 f7 ] 23...c7 24.h4 [ 24.b4!? ] 24...f7 25.e2 [ 25.f4!? ] 25...d7 26.f4 [ 26.g2 b7 27.d2 h8 28.f4 xf4 29.xf4 h3 30.f3 c6 31.b4 xf3 32.e5+ h7 33.f4 h1+ ( 33...xg3+ 34.f2 g5 35.e6 ) 34.f2 h2+ 35.g1 ] 26...h8! 27.f2 [ 27.ab1 h5 28.f3 f8 ( 28...b7?! 29.h4 f8 30.e5 e8 31.f3! ) 29.e7 e8 30.xd6 xd6 31.d2 eh8
32.e2 h3 33.e7+ xe7 34.xe7+ f8 35.ee1 xg3+ ( 35...g5 36.fxg5 f4 37.f2 fxg3+ 38.g2 c6 39.f1 g7 40.be1 h2+ 41.xg3 2h3+ 42.g2 h2+= ) 36.f2 g4 37.e5 h2+ 38.f1 h1+ 39.f2 h2+= ] [ 27.f2 h5 ( 27...a4 28.e2 c6 29.ae1 ) 28.f3 c6 ( 28...a4 29.h4 f8 30.ab1 b8 31.e5 c6 32.xc6 xc6 33.e6 b3 34.e2 ) 29.e6 d7 30.e2 h3 31.g2 h5 32.f1 ( 32.f2 h3 33.g2 h5= ) 32...a8 33.ae1 b7 ] [ 27.g2!? ] 27...b7?! [ 27...h5! 28.f3 f8 29.h4 e8 30.d2 eh8 31.e2 g5! 32.xg5 xg5! 33.fxg5 xg3+ 34.xg3 h2+ 35.xh2 xh2+ 36.f1 h1+ 37.f2 h2+= ] 28.ab1 h5!? [ 28...a4 29.d1 ( 29.f3 c6 30.d1 c8 31.b4 axb3 32.xb3 h5!! 33.e2 xg5 34.fxg5 f4-+ ) 29...a8 30.b4 axb3 31.xb3 b8 ( 31...h5? 32.b6 f8 33.d8+- ) 32.a2 xb1 33.xb1 f8 ( 33...c7 34.e7 a7 35.f3+- ) 34.e7 b8 35.c1 c6 36.d1 ] 29.f3? [ 29.b4! axb4 30.axb4 cxb4 31.c5 c7 32.e7! ( 32.b2? d5 33.xb4 xh4!! 34.xh4 c6 35.e2 xf4! 36.gxf4 b7 37.xb7+ xb7 38.d1 c6 ) 32...d5 33.d6 xd6 34.cxd6 xd6 35.e5+ ] 29...c6 30.g1?-+ [ 30.h4!? xf4 31.gxf4 xf3 32.e7 c6 33.e5+ h7 34.e6 xe6 35.xe6 xh4 36.xf3 h3+ 37.g2 xd3 38.c6 d2+ ] 30...f8! 31.h4 [ 31.h4 e8 32.e5 xe5 33.fxe5 f4 34.g4 d7 35.d1 fxg3+ 36.xg3 f8+ 37.e1 f3!-+ ] 31...xg5! 32.fxg5 f4 33.g4 e8 34.d2 e3!? [ 34...h8! 35.f1 xh4 36.b4 axb4 37.axb4 h3!-+ ] 35.b4 e7 36.bxc5 xg5 37.h1 [ 37.f5+ gxf5 38.gxf5 g3-+ ] 37...xh1 [ 37...e7! 38.h2 xg4 39.g2 f3 40.bh1 g3+ 41.f1 e2+ 42.g1 f3-+ 303
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 isn 't th is a b ea utif ul p ositio n? W h ite is completely tied up. ] 38.xh1 xc5 39.d1 e7 [ 39...d6! 40.f3 xg4 41.g1 h3 42.g2 e7!-+ ] 40.a4 [ 40.g2!? g3 41.e1 d6 42.b1! c7 43.e4 g5 44.e1 xg4 45.f3 g3 46.b5 ] 40...g3 41.g2 b4 42.h2 e5 43.c5 [ 43.h1 f3 44.h7+ g8-+ ] 43...f3 44.h4 f4 0-1
318 Van Wely,Loek Kramnik,Vladimir Amber Rapid Nice FRA rapid (7) [Carsten Hansen]
A09 2681 2799 22.03.2008
1.f3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.b4 f6 4.e3 e5 [ In our December 2007 update we saw Korotylev-Kramnik continue with 4...dxe3 5.fxe3 e5 6.c5! with a better game for White - this game can obviously be found in the PGN archives ] 5.c5!? [ 5.b3!? can also be considered ] [ 5.b2 dxe3 6.fxe3 xb4 7.e2 is possibly also playable for White ] 5...a5!? [ This is Kortchnoi's recommendation, but the alternative also deserve serious consideration: A) 5...d3!? It is interesting how different this move has been evaluated. Tony in his annotations to the game (see PGN archives) gave this move '!!' and called it stunning. Kortchnoi, meanwhile, wrote 'This move is a bit too optimistic - Black is pushing his pawns too far, without appropriate support of his pieces. Correct was 5...a5, exploiting premature white's activity on the queen side.'. Palliser in his book, "Beating Unusual Chess Openings" also recommends 5...d3 for Black. A) 6.b2 e6 ( 6...e4 7.d4 ) 7.a4+ c6 8.c3 d7 ( 8...a5!? (Horn) deserves consideration, though 9.a3 a6 10.b5 is fully acceptable for White) 9.a3 a6 10.c1 d8 , and Black appears to have
the better chances, Bernstein, SMoskowitz, J/New York 1941; B) 6.b3 6.Bb2!? had been played before, the move which would prevent the white phalange on the queen side to get destroyed. e4 7.d4 B1) H e r e B l a c k h a s t r i e d 7...c6 on a couple of occasions, but W hite appear to have the better chances, e.g. 8.b2 ge7 ( or 8...a5 9.a3 xd4 10.xd4 e7 11.g3 c6 12.b2 e7 13.g2 f5 14.f3 e6 15.c3 d5 16.0-0 , and White has grabbed the initiative, Peralta, F-Palo, D/Copenhagen 2002 ) 9.xc6 bxc6 10.c3 f5 11.f3 exf3 12.gxf3 b8 , Wells, P-Timman, J/ London ENG 2007, and now W hite should have played 13.a3 a6 14.g2 , and White is clearly enjoying the better chances thanks to a better pawn structure and better development.; B2) 7...a5 8.c3 f5 9.e6 B2a) 9...xe6 10.xe6+ e7 11.b5 d7 12.a3; B2b) 9...a4 10.c4 e7 11.xf8 ( 11.f4 f6 12.a3 ) 11...xf8 is given as better for Black in Palliser's book, basing it on a recommendation by H.Williamson, but this isn't entirely clear, e.g. 12.b5!? f6 13.a3 e6 14.b4 c6 15.g3 f7 16.g2 followed by f2-f3 and I believe White has the better chances; B2c) 9...e7 10.a4+ ( In the game Gabriel-Kortchnoi, Zurich 1999, White continued with 10.xf8? xf8 11.b5 e6 12.a4 d7 13.a3 xc5 14.d4 b6 , and Black has the better chances. ) 10...f7 ( 10...c6? 11.d5+-; 10...d7 11.xc7+ d8 12.b5+- ) 11.xf8 B2c1) This is suggested by Kosten as Bla ck' s b est a n d rep e at e d b y Palliser in his abovementioned book K o r c h n o i o n l y g i v e s 11...xf8 12.a3 ( 12.b5!? Horn ) 12...f6 13.f3 f7 14.fxe4 fxe4 15.g3 e5 16.b5 e8 17.g2 g8 18.0-0 f5 19.c4+ h8 20.xf5! xf5 21.f1 after which Kortchnoi claims a clear advantage for White; 304
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 B2c2) 11...xf8 B2c21) 12.d5?! d7 13.a3 ( 13.d1!? ) 13...a6 14.xa5 e7 15.xc7 ( 15.xe7 xe7 16.b2 he8 17.g3 b6 18.a3 bxc5 19.bxc5 xc5 20.c3 g8 i s b e t t e r f o r B l a c k) 15...c6 16.b6 xc7 17.xc7 c8 wi t h a b e t t e r g a m e f o r B l a c k Kosten; B2c22) 12.a3 axb4 13.xa8 a6 B2c221) This is the only given by Kosten and Palliser, but W hite can easily improve on this, e.g. 14.c6! b6 15.xe4 fxe4 16.b2 e7 17.g3 c5 18.g2 and with W hite being ready to break with f2-f3 followed by 0-0, he is clearly better; B2c222) 14.xe4 fxe4 15.b2 f6 ( 15...xc5 16.a5 b6 17.xb4 f6 18.d4 and W hite has all the winning chances ) 16.c6 b6 17.g3 c5 18.g2 with the better chances for White; B2c223) 14.xb4? xb4 15.b1 c2+ 16.d1 f6 is promising for Black according to Kosten ] [ B) 5...g4 6.c4 ( 6.e2?! d3 7.a4+? d7-+ 8.c6 xc6 9.b5 dxe2 10.bxc6 xc6 11.xe2 d7 12.d1 d4+ 0-1 Kureza, S-Mezheritsky, Y/Kiev 2002; 6.h3!? xf3 7.xf3 c6 8.a3 d7 9.c4 ) 6...a5 7.b3 h6 8.d3 axb4 9.bd2 dxe3 10.fxe3 xc5 11.e4 e7 12.0-0 c6 Vodicka, V-Jirka, J/CZE 2001 ] [ C) 5...e7 6.c4 d5 7.xe5 e6 8.f3 xe3 9.dxe3 xc4 10.xd4 a5 , Bae, T-Westerinen, H/Gausdal 2000, and now 11.d2 d5 12.e4 f7 13.b2 axb4 14.2b3 ] 6.xe5 [ Hello! This is a novelty. Previously White has tried the following moves: A) 6.b5+!? A) 6...c6?! 7.exd4 A1) 7...e4 8.d5 xd5 9.c3 h5 10.xe4 ( 10.xc6+!? bxc6 11.a4 exf3 12.xc6+ d8 13.xa8 axb4
14.d5+ xd5 15.xd5 fxg2 16.g1 xc5 17.e3 ) 10...axb4 11.0-0 g4 12.d4 xf3 13.gxf3 ge7 ( 13...0-0-0 14.xc6 g6+ 15.h1 bxc6 16.a3+- ) 14.a3 d5 15.b2; A2) 7...exd4 8.0-0 d7 ( 8...axb4 9.e1+ e7 10.b3 g4 11.b2 ) 9.e1+ e7 10.d3 xb4 ( 10...axb4 11.b3 ) 11.xd4 c6?! ( 11...xb5 12.xb5 xd3 13.xc7+ xc7 14.xd3 ) 12.c4 , and Black is completely busted, Peralta, F-Bromann, T/Aarhus 2002; B) 6...c6 7.c4 g4 ( 7...axb4!? (Horn) 8.xe5 dxe3 9.fxe3 h6 10.f3 xc5 11.0-0 , and with his d- and e-pawns ready to advance in addition to the control over the a2-g8 diagonal, W hite has excellent compensation for the sacrificed pawn; 7...dxe3 8.fxe3 g4 9.0-0 h6 10.e1 e4 11.d4 axb4 was Peralta, F-Cafolla, P/Port Erin 2002, and now White should h a ve t rie d 12.f4 e7 13.g3 d7 14.b2 with a very sharp position and probably better chances for White ) B1) 8.b3!? B1a) 8...a4 9.c2 e7 10.b2 d5 11.exd4 ( 11.a3 ) 11...xb4 12.e4 xf3 13.gxf3 d7 14.0-0; B1b) 8...h6 B1b1) 9.exd4?! xf3 10.gxf3 ( 10.xf3? xd4 11.c3 e4+ 12.f1 axb4 13.xb4 d4 14.b2 xc5-+ Horn ) B1b11) Horn only offers 10...xd4 11.b2 f4 12.a3 ( 12.d4?! exd4 13.0-0 axb4 14.e1+ d8 15.xd4 xc5 16.xc5 g5+ 17.h1 xc5 18.a3 ) 12...axb4 13.axb4 xa1 14.xa1; B1b12) 10...axb4! 11.0-0 ( 11.b2?! exd4 12.xb4 b5!-+ ) 11...xd4 12.b2 h4 13.d4 d7 14.e1 ( 14.a3?! exd4 15.axb4 xa1 16.xa1 e5 ) 14...e7 , and White's initiative is rapidly running out, leaving Black t o c o n s o l i d a t e 15.e6 f8 16.dxe5 xc5 17.f7+ ( 17.e2 g6 18.exf6 gxf6 ) 17...xf7 18.exf6+ d8 19.d1+ c8 305
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 20.h1 gxf6 21.xf7 g6 22.d7+ b8 23.d2 b6-+; B1b2) 9.bxa5!? xf3 10.gxf3 xc5 11.a3 xa5 12.xb7 a7 13.b2 xa3 14.xa3; B2) 8.exd4 e4 9.e2 e7 10.h3 exf3 11.xe7+ xe7 12.hxg4 fxg2 13.g1 h5! ( 13...axb4 14.xg2 h5 (Horn) 15.h2 ) 14.bxa5?! ( 14.gxh5 xh5 15.xg2 h1+ 16.f1 axb4 17.b2 (Horn) d5 18.g3 a6 ) 14...hxg4 15.xg2 h1+ 16.f1 f5 , and Black has the initiative, Nikolaevsky, YSavchenko, S/Kiev 1995 ] [ B) 6.b3 axb4 7.c4 h6 8.0-0 xc5 9.exd4 xd4 ( 9...exd4 10.e1+ f8 11.b2 c6 ) 10.xd4 xd4 11.b2 d6 12.d4 with an unclear position, Ilinsky-Lev/ Gausdal/1991 ] [ C) 6.exd4 e4 Kortchnoi 7.e2 e7 8.g1 c6 Horn (CBM) ] 6...fxe5 7.h5+ d7 8.f5+ e8 9.h5+ d7 10.f5+ e7 [ 10...e8 11.h5+ d7 12.f5+ wo u l d h a v e b e e n a d r a w, b u t K r a m n i k evidently felt like a fight after all ] 11.xe5+ e6 12.c4 d7 13.b5 [ 13.xe6 xe6 14.xc7+ d7 15.0-0 f7 16.exd4 c6 17.g3 gf6 is given as much better for W hite by my computer, but I'm not so sure. ] 13...c6 [ 13...f6 14.b2 dxe3 15.fxe3 f7 16.xe6+ xe6 17.xc7+ ] 14.a3 f6 15.b2 [ 15.exd4 f7 16.0-0 d5 doesn't look as dynamic for White as the game continuation, but is possibly just as good... ] 15...f7 [ This posit ion is almost impossible to evaluate W hite obviously has some if not full compensation for the piece. 15...d3!? ] 16.xd4 cxb5 [ Also 16...e7 17.b1 d5 18.0-0 d8 should be given some thought, though it is extremely difficult to evaluate ] 17.xe6+ xe6 18.xe6+ xe6 19.xb5 a6 [ 19...e8!? 20.e2 a6!? ] 20.xf6!? gxf6 21.d4 The smoke as cleared somewhat, and only somewhat because the
NQE (Not Quite Endgame, thanks Flear) is ve ry co m p lic a t e d t h a n ks t o t h e m a t e ria l imbalance and the two rooks on either side of the table. A hard assessment of the position is very difficult to give. I would prefer to play Black (thanks to my somewhat materialistic attitude to chess), but objectively speaking I think White has very good winning chances. b6!? 22.cxb6 [ Here White can consider keeping the cpawn on the table with 22.c6!? c8 23.e4 f5 24.f3 , but putting all the pawns on light squares will make it easier f or Black to blockade them, which is probably the reason why White took on b6 instead. ] 22...b8 23.c1 xb6 24.a4 d7 [ 24...b4 25.e2 d6!? ] 25.e2 d6 26.f3 b8 27.h4 c7 28.c3 [ Also 28.a3!? b4 29.c4 a7 30.xa5 xa4 31.a1 xa1 32.xa1 deserve consideration ] 28...f5 29.e2 e6?! [ 29...a6!? 30.g3 d6 is an interesting alternative, because White doesn't have the same opportunities as in the game continuation ] 30.d5 d8 31.d4 f7 32.b1 e5+ 33.e2 b4 34.xf5!? [ 34.xb4!? axb4 35.b1 a7 36.xf5 c5 37.e4 ( 37.c1 c8 38.f4 g4 39.e4 f6 40.d3 b3 41.b1 b8 isn't easy to assess, but advancing the pawns is becoming quite difficult.) 37...a8 38.f4 g6 39.g3 xa4 40.e5 e7 41.xe7 xe7 42.g4 looks tempting the pawn chain looks very imposing and White should have very decent winning chances ] 34...c8 [ Kramnik didn't like 34...xa4 35.b7+ c7 36.c1 ( 36.d6?? a2+-+ ) 36...c4 37.xc4 xc4 38.f4 after which only White seems to have winning chances, e.g. f8 39.e4 xf5 40.exf5 d6 41.a7 xf5 42.g4 xh4 43.f5 ] 35.xb4 axb4 36.d4 [ Also 36.b1!? c2+ 37.d1 xf2 38.xb4 xf5 39.xb8 offers White winning chances, but Van Wely undoubtedly wanted to keep the pawns together to make them more powerful. ] 306
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 36...a7 37.b1 c4 38.f3? [ This is a straight-forward error White will have a hard time making the pawns count after doubling two of them on the f -file. Instead White should have given preference to 38.b5!? c5 39.f4 g4 40.d3 xe3 41.a5 , and White has all the chances to win, but Black still has decent chances of obtaining a draw, but at the moment his pieces are tied up defending each other. ] 38...xf3 39.gxf3 d6 40.e4 c5 41.b3 e5 42.h5?! [ Or 42.d2 xf2 43.h5 c5 44.a5 f4 45.a6 d6 46.b1 c7 , and Black has decent winning chances ] 42...c2+ 43.d3 xf2 [ 43...c1! is likely much stronger, even if it doesn't appear to be anything particularly clever. W hite's problem is that with the material he has left, his pieces are ideally placed, and any change to that will change that status. Therefore it is a kind of zu gzwa n g h e is in a f t e r 4 3 .. . Rc1 . , e . g. 44.b2 ( 44.d2 a1 45.b2 xa4; 44.a5 a1 45.c4 xa5 46.b2 ) 44...c3+ 45.e2 b3 46.a5 f4 47.b1 xf3 with excellent winning chances for Black ] 44.c4 c2+ 45.b5 d6 [ Th e im me d ia t e 45...c3 is also worth a look, e.g. 46.b1 b3 47.a5 d4 48.a4 xf3 49.xb3 f7 50.a6! xe4 51.b7 xb7 52.axb7 e5 , and now a draw becomes obvious because Black cannot k e e p W h i t e ' s k i n g a wa y f r o m h 1 wh i l e picking up the d- and h-pawns... 53.b3 d3 54.b4 d4 55.b3 xd5 56.c2 e4 57.d2 f3 58.e1 g2 59.e2 with a draw ] 46.a5 c3 47.a4 d4 48.a6 c5 49.d6? [ 49.xb4+? xb4 50.xb4 xf3 51.a7 f8-+ ] [ 49.a7! c1 50.b5 xa7 51.xb4+ , and White shouldn't lose. ] 49...xd6 [ Black could have considered 49...c1!? , e. g. 50.b5 xd6 51.a7 a1 52.c6 c5 with excellent winning chances for Black. After the text move, the game quickly settles in a draw. ] 50.xc3 bxc3 51.a7 c2 52.a8 c1 53.d5+ e3 54.xd6 xf3 55.e5 f4+
56.b5 e4 57.c6+ xe5 58.c7+ e4 59.xh7+ f5+ 60.xf5+ xf5 ½-½
319 Van der Werf,Mark Burg,Twan Tata Steel Chess 2013 (3.1) [John Bartholomew]
A09 2450 2492 14.01.2013
T h e r e h a s b e e n s o m e d is c u s si o n in t h e forums about the theoretical status of the pawn advance 2...d4 against the Réti, which, in practice is dwarfed in popularity by 2...c6 and 2...e6. As the saying goes, however, "numbers don't lie", and indeed, Black scores significantly better with 2...d4 than any other choice at that juncture. GM Alexander Delchev, author of "The Modern Reti: An Anti-Slav Repertoire", even calls it "the most unpleasant retort to 2.c4". 1.f3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.b4 Delchev's principle recommendation for White. [ Other options include 3.g3 ] [ 3.e3 ] [ and 3.c5!? . Refer to the "Réti 2 c4 - 2. .. d4" guide in the archives. ] 3...f6 '!' - Delchev. Black prepares reliable support for his d-pawn with ...e7-e5. [ 3...c5 can lead to a Benko-style position i. e. 4.e3 dxe3 5.fxe3 cxb4 6.a3!? , which was successful in Sadorra, J (2525)-Kacheishvili, G (2612) Richardson 2012/[John Bartholomew]. ] [ A n o t h e r p o s s i b i l i t y i s 3...g4!? . See Laznicka, V (2617)-Rombaldoni, D (2465) Pardubice 2009/[Rowson]. ] 4.d3 A calm choice, as played by Radjabov and Ivanchuk. [ Delchev endorses 4.e3 , with much of his analysis centering around the line e5 5.c5 a5 6.b5+!? c6 7.c4 . However, shortly after the publication of "The Modern Reti" the publisher, Chess Stars, published a letter from a reader, Reinhold Thiele. Mr. Thiele queries Delchev's sharp line axb4 8.xe5 and proposes an improvement for Black: fxe5 ( Delchev only examines 8...h6!? ) 9.h5+ g6!? 10.xe5+ e7 11.xh8 f6 "when Black continues Be6, ... 307
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Nbd7 ...0-0-0" (Thiele). In many of the lines W hite's queen is hopelessly marooned. Thiele's improvement is corroborated by d e e p H o u d in i a n a lysis , a n d in t e re st e d readers should investigate his variations here: http://www.chess-stars.com/Reti letter. html . As far as I know Delchev has yet to offer any counter-analysis, so his line with 4. e3 can rightly be called into question at present. Interestingly, one game did reach this position in the past month, and the result was favorable for Black: 12.0-0 e6 13.d3? xc4 14.dxc4 d7! 15.d1 g7 16.xd4+ c7 (Her Majesty is trapped) 17.d8+ xd8 18.xd8 xd8-+ and Black soon won in Davis, T (1945)Zelesco, K (2143) Cammeray 2013. ] 4...e5 5.a3 [ I v a n c h u k t r i e d t h e c r e a t i v e 5.a3!? in a blitz game against Wang Hao. It proved s u c c e s s f u l a f t e r e6 ( Black has many v i a b l e a l t e r n a t i v e s h e r e , i . e . 5...a5; 5...g4!?; 5...c5 , etc. ) 6.g3 c6 7.g2 a5 8.b5 , when c5? ( 8...xa3 9.xa3 e7 looks more flexible) 9.0-0 d6 10.e3 dxe3 11.fxe3 e7 12.c3 d7 13.d2 c8 14.de4 b8 15.a4 b6 16.exc5 bxc5 17.xa8+was disastrous for Black. Ivanchuk, V (2766)-W ang Hao (2737) Beijing CHN 2012. ] [ Radjabov played 5.b5 without success: a6! (a good reaction) 6.bxa6 xa6 7.g3 b4+ 8.d2 e7 9.g2 0-0 10.0-0 d7 11.xb4 xb4 12.b3 ec6 13.bd2 e7 14.b2 a7 15.b3 fa8 Radjabov, T (2781) -Naiditsch, A (2712) Porto Carras 2011. ] 5...a5 [ B l a c k c a n a l s o t h i n k a b o u t 5...c5 , a move that brought down Korchnoi twice i n t h e 1 9 8 0 s . 6.b3 ( 6.g3 cxb4 (play takes on a Reversed Benko character) 7.g2 c6 8.0-0 a5 9.e3 g4 10.h3 xf3 11.xf3 c5 12.d5 ge7 13.e4 xd5 14.cxd5 e7 15.a4+? d7 16.b3 a4 17.c4 d6 18.axb4 b5 19.a2 xh3-+ Kortschnoj, V (2635) Seirawan, Y (2525) London 1984) 6...a5 7.b5 d6 8.g3 f5! 9.g2 f6 10.0-0 0-0 11.g5 bd7 and Black could be more than satisfied with the opening in Kortschnoj,
V (2625)-Short, N (2615) Brussels 1987. ] 6.b5 e7 Black has tried 10(!) different moves at this point in only 14 total games (going back to 1972). Results have been favorable for the second player: he scores +5, =4, -4. Some Flank devotees may identify with W hite's characteristic Réti setup, but personally I find Black's position easier to handle. He dominates the center and has made very logical moves thus far. 7.g3 d7 The c5-square is a natural home f or this knight. 8.g2 c5 9.a4 g6 10.a3 e6 11.fd2 c8 12.h4!? d6 13.h5 [ I think 13.b3! is preferable. After xb3 14.xb3 e7!? 15.d2 0-0 16.e4 d7 17.c5 xc5 18.xc5 ab8 White possesses the bishop pair while Black retains a solid position. ] 13...f8! 14.b3 xb3 15.xb3 d7 Black's knight replaces his fallen comrade on c5. 16.d2 c5 17.c2 0-0 18.b3 xb3 19.xb3 f5 20.c2 xa3 21.xa3 f6 22.a1 f4 23.d2?! [ 23.gxf4 xf4 24.h6!? g6= ] 23...fxg3 24.fxg3 f2 25.f3 g4 26.hf1 h2!? 27.c5 h8 28.c4 f5 29.d5 g5+ 30.c2 c6?! [ B e t t e r w a s 30...xf3! 31.xf3 e7 , winning the c-pawn. ] 31.bxc6 bxc6 32.f7? An error. [ W h i t e p r o b a b l y r e j e c t e d 32.xc6 because of c8 , but 33.d6 xf3 34.xf3 xe2+ 35.b3 is actually fairly safe for him. Black would have to secure his own king with h6 , b u t a f t e r 36.af1 White has sufficient counterplay. ] 32...h6 33.ab1?! e4! A decisive lineopening blow. 34.xg4 [ 34.dxe4 xc5+ ( or 34...d3+ ) 35.d1 d3! crashes through. ] 34...exd3+ 35.xd3 e3+ 36.c2 d3+! 37.b2 dxe2 38.fe1 d4+ 39.a3 xg4-+ White's king is far too exposed and he can scarcely cope with the advanced passed e-pawn. 40.b3 d8 41.c7 d1 42.f7 h7 White resigned. Black's play in this game was natural and strong. My view is that 3.b4 f6 is a very reliable continuation for Black (no surprise here), so W hite players ought to think hard about what they're going to play
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Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 gain anything by passive play. [ 14.b4!? would upset the equilibrium, e.g., xb4 15.b1 a5 ( 15...xd2 16.xd2 b8 17.e4 ) 16.a3! xa3 17.xd4! exd4 ( 17...xd4 18.a4+ d7 19.xa3 ) 320 A09 18.xb7 d6 19.a4+ d8 ( 19...f8? Vukic,Milan 2474 20.e4 ) 20.a1 and Black's bishop can't Kovacevic,Aleksandar 2556 escape due to b4 21.xb4 ] Open Banja Luka BIH (5) 08.12.2004 14...0-0!? [John Watson] [ Or 14...a5 with at least equality. White has to move quickly to compensate for Black's This game tests the idea of playing a two bishops. ] Saemisch variation/Bg5 Benoni with reversed colours, and how White might address that in 15.e2 [ 15.b4 should be tried. ] order to try for an advantage. 1.f3 d5 2.g3 15...a5 16.e1 ab8 Preparing ...b5. 17.a4 c5 3.g2 c6 4.c4 d4 5.d3 e5 6.0-0 Going backwards. With White lacking [ 6.b4!? cxb4 7.a3 is not really a genuine f7?! reversed Benko Gambit because Black has queenside play Black should be able to build will have little trouble castling. Many times up an attack at his leisure. [ I t h i n k t h a t 17...h8! was preferable to ann ot at ors ta lk a bou t re ve rsed " Be nko prevent any tricks based upon the e-file and Gambits" with an extra tempo (which indeed Bd5. ] helps White) even though Black pays less of [ , or 17...be8 18.c2 f5 ] a price for accepting the pawn in terms of king position. Here a possible sequence 18.c2! d8?! [ 18...be8! would meet 19.f4 by d6 ] might be bxa3 8.0-0 ( 8.a4 b4+ 9.d2 xd2+ 10.bxd2 f6 11.xa3 ge7; 19.f4! exf4? 20.xf4 Suddenly the d-pawn is 8.xa3 xa3 9.xa3 f6 ) 8...d6 9.a4 under fire and White's pieces are active. d6 [ 20...c5 21.b3! ] ge7 10.xa3 0-0 . White has some compensation, but I doubt that it's as much 21.xd4 c7 22.f1 e5 23.e4 f5 24.d4! xe4 25.xe4 d6 26.c5 e7 as Black in the original Gambit. ] 6...f6 The Saemisch reversed, soon to 27.ce3 [ Or 27.e1! e8 28.fe3 would threaten become a Benoni. 7.e3 g4 8.exd4 xd4 Nd5 and give White a clear advantage. d7 [ 8...cxd4 gives White a choice between 29.d5+ xd5 30.xd5 f7 31.c7 h8 several Benoni setups with an extra tempo. 32.e3 with Nc4 to come. ] Whether this suffices for an advantage is 27...d7? unclear, but Kovacevic avoids it. ] [ 27...e8 28.e1 d7 29.d5+ xd5 9.e3 d7 10.xd4 30.xd5 c6! is better than the last note. ] [ 10.c3 is also possible, when ] 28.d5+ xd5 29.xd5+ f7 30.f5 10...cxd4 11.bd2 h6 [ Or 30.c4! fd8 31.fe3 but White has a [ 11...e7 invites 12.b4 ] nice grip on the position regardless. ] 12.h3 [ A more dynamic idea was 12.a3 a5 30...fe8 31.1e3 f8 32.c4! d8 13.b4!? axb4 14.axb4 xa1 15.xa1 33.g2 e2+ 34.f1 c2 35.fe3 h2 with pressure on the b-pawn and moves like 36.g2 Black has been just flailing about, and now loses the exchange back. c7 37.g4 c5 and Nc4 in the air. ] xg2 38.xg2 d8 39.d1 g5 40.d5 12...e6 e8 41.f2 e2 42.d2 e1 43.h4 f7 [ 12...xh3?! 13.xe5 fxe5 14.h5+ ] [ 12...f5 13.e2 e7 14.h2 0-0 44.d3 e4 45.b3 f5 46.f2 e1 47.d1 15.h4 e6 16.f4 exf4 17.xf4 g5 Perhaps White should quit messing around 18.e4 gxh4 19.xe6 hxg3+ 20.g1 and win the game by [ 47.d6! d8 48.d5 and Nd3. ] intending Bd5. ] 13.h2 e7 14.a3 White cannot hope to 47...e8 48.c3 against the unjustly unpopular 2...d4. 0-1
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Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ Or 48.d6! ] 48...d7 At least Black has prevented progress for a while. Now White settles for a rook-and-pawn ending that should be winning but is not easy. 49.b5 e5 50.xe5+ xe5 51.c2 c7 52.c6+?! [ 52.xc7 xc7 53.f3 d1 54.d6+ c6 55.f4 g6 56.c3 intending Kg5 looks good. ] 52...bxc6 53.xc7 xc7 54.xc6+ d7 55.a6 e3 56.xa5 xb3 57.a7+ d6 58.xg7 a3 59.f7? [ 59.xh7! xa4 60.f7 e5 61.h5! a5 62.h6 a2+ 63.h3 a6 64.h7 h6+ 65.g2 xd5 66.a7 ] 59...e5 60.d6 xa4 [ Poor is 60...xd6 61.xf5 xa4 62.f7 h5 63.f5 ] 61.d7 d4 62.xh7 f6 63.h5 d3 64.f2 d2+ 65.e3 d1 Suddenly White can't make progress! 66.g4!? fxg4 67.e4 [ 67.f4 d4+ 68.g3 g5 ] 67...d2 68.h6 g6 [ Or 68...g3 ] 69.e7 xh6 70.e5 g3 71.e6+ g7 [ 71...g7 72.d6 xd6 73.xd6 g2 d r a ws . A d i s a s t e r f o r W h i t e , w h o wa s winning at many junctures. ] ½-½
321 Vukic,Milan Stojanovic,Dalibor TCh-BIH Prem (6) [John Watson]
A09 2468 2452 09.06.2005
1.f3 d5 2.g3 c5 3.g2 c6 4.c4 d4 5.d3 e5 6.0-0 f6 7.e3 e7 8.exd4 exd4 9.f4 This position an arise in a number of ways. It is exactly a variation of a Benoni in reverse, but here White gets time to play the critical Ne5. W het her that give s him an y advantage is unclear, but in these two recent games Black followed a line that was supposed to be equal but left him clearly worse. 0-0 10.e5 xe5 11.xe5 g4 T h i s i s t h e m a i n l i n e i n E C O , wi t h a l l 3 alte rn at ive s th ey give lea ding to a sma ll advantage for White, i.e., [ 11...g4 12.b3 d7 ( 12...d7 13.d2
ae8= ) 13.f4 b6 14.e1 fe8 15.a3 - Minev ] [ 11...d7 12.f4 -Korchnoi ] [ 11...d6 12.xf6 xf6 13.d2 - Bagirov. The idea is that a knight is better than a bishop in this position, but that's not clear. Play might continue f5 14.e4 d7 15.xb7 ab8 16.g2 xb2 17.b3 ] 12.e1! [ 12.f4 d6 13.xd6 xd6 14.d2 Kasparov-Pinter, Skara 1980 and Kasparov suggests e5 15.h3 ( 15.e4 c7 16.h3 f5= ) 15...f5 16.e4 c7 17.f4 d7 18.g4 xe4 19.xe4 f6 20.g2 ] 12...d6!? [ T h e o b v i o u s 12...xe5 13.xe5 resembles the reversed Benoni mentioned. The position is slightly deceptive because W h it e ha s act ivit y an d th e p owerf u l g2 bishop. Nevertheless, Black has the bishop pair and no weaknesses, so he shouldn't stand much worse if at all. ] 13.xd6 xd6 14.h3 f6 15.d2! d7?! 16.xb7 ab8 17.g2 a5 [ In he same tournament Vukic had it easy after 17...c6 18.xc6 xc6 19.b3 a5 20.f3 d7 21.g2 a4 22.e5! a7 23.ae1 axb3 24.xb3 xa2 25.xc5 h6 26.e7 a3 27.d7 xd7 28.xd7 1-0 Vukic-Ribic, Neum BIH 2005. ] [ 17...xb2 18.b3 almost traps the rook and forces concessions: e8 ( 18...c6? 19.xc6 xc6 20.c1 ) 19.xe8+ xe8 20.c1 e2 21.a3! d7 22.xa7 ] 18.b3 b6 19.f3 a4 20.b1 axb3 21.axb3 [ or 21.xb3 a6 22.xb8 xb8 23.e2 ] 21...d6 22.a1 b6 23.a5!? fb8 24.d2 Vukic-Stojanovic, Neum 2005. White went on to lose, but here he is a clear pawn up with nicely-placed pieces. 0-1
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Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A09 19...dg8! 20.f4 [ 20.xf6? xh3! would actually lose! ] Zvjaginsev,Vadim 2652 Svetushkin,Dmitry 2486 20...d6 21.f3 g4 22.h1 So, White has VII Anibal Open (3) 09.01.2000 erected a solid defence, with so many pieces around his king, but exploiting his extra pawn [Tony Kosten] won't be easy. b8?! [ Can Black really afford to use two moves to 1.f3 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3 f6 4.xc4 e6 bring his king to a safer square like this? 5.0-0 One advantage of playing a Reti move22...g6 is more in keeping with his previous orde r a gain st Q u ee n 's Ga mb it A cce pt e d gung-ho play. ] players, is that you can delay d4, to keep 23.ae1?! them guessing. c5 6.e2 a6 [ Safety-first play, but 23.ac1 is better, [ 6...c6 7.d1 e7 and now White counter-attacking the c5-pawn. ] transposed into a QGA: 8.d4 cxd4 9.exd4 Kortschnoj,V-Huebner,R/Brussels 1987, 0-1 23...a8 24.b3?! g6 25.d1 The bishop is brought over to help, too, but why use two (55). ] moves to bring the piece to an inferior square? 7.b3 [ 7.d1 is similar: b5 8.b3 b7 9.a4 c4 f5 Softening-up the long diagonal. 26.xd6 10.c2 b6 11.axb5 axb5 12.xa8 xa8 xd6 27.f4 d4! 28.b3 a7?! [ Another wasted move, 28...e5 29.f2 13.d3 cxd3 14.xd3 with the initiative, Vujic gh6 30.h3 xd3 and Black has regained Katanic,B-Savic,M/Vrnjacka Banja YUG his pawn, and continues to attack. ] 1999, 1-0 (26). ] 29.a5 e5 30.f2 gh6 31.h3 xd3 7...b5!? [ Clearly, Black doesn't wish to play 7...c6 32.xd3 xd3 33.e3 [ 33.f3? fxe4 34.xe4 xe4 35.xe4 as perhaps this line isn't in his repertoire: xh3+ and the black attack breaks through. ] 8.d1 e7 9.d4 cxd4 10.exd4 0-0 11.c3 back to a QGA again, Zvjaginsev,V- 33...d2 34.e2 h4 35.f2 fxe4 36.g1 f8 37.f3? Magem Badals,J/Pamplona 1996, 1-0 (28). ] [ Time-trouble, perhaps, 37.d1 holds on. ] 8.a4 b4 [ This concedes the c4-square, but 8...c4 37...c8?? [ The obviou s 37...xf3 38.xc5+ a8 9.c2 b7 10.d3 cxd3 11.xd3 39.gxf3 f4 should win. ] is also awkward. ] 9.d3! So White is not going to play d4 after all! 38.f7 d4? 39.d1 On time, probably, Now that Black has shown his hand, W hite although now White is clearly better. prefers to play a set-up with pawns on d3, and 1-0 e4, keeping the c5-pawn backward on the o p e n c - f i l e . c6 10.bd2 This knight is A10 heading for the important c4-square. a5 323 11.a2 b7 12.e4 This pawn acts as a Agrest,Evgenij 2607 barrier to the b7-bishop, thus negating Black's Atalik,Suat 2575 habitual counterplay on the h1-a8 diagonal, in Olympiad Bled SLO (13) 08.11.2002 the QGA. e7 13.c4 xc4 14.xc4 c7 [Tony Kosten] 15.g5!? Having fixed the queenside, White will now use his extra space on the kingside 1.c4 e6 2.c3 b6 It is time to have another to a t t ac k with f 4 -5 . h6 16.h3 g5!? look at the English Defence. 3.e4 b7 4.f3 Black decides that his king is safer on the b4 5.d3 e7 6.e2 g6! Lalic's move. queenside, and tries to attack on the kingside 7.c2!? A new idea. Before we had himself. 17.f4 0-0-0?! This pawn sacrifice considered may offer practical chances, but it is difficult [ 7.0-0 and ] to believe that it is correct. 18.fxg5 hxg5 [ 7.a3 d6 8.c2 when f5! led to sharp 19.xg5?! play, Marjanovic,S-Ivanisevic,I. ] [ 19.e5! d5 20.xf7 is critical. ] 7...h4 322
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Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 7...f5!? should also be possible here, 8.exf5 h4 9.xh4 xh4 but with the black dark-squared bishop on b4, instead of d6, W hite can play 10.0-0 as there is no mate threat on h2. ] 8.a3 White is not scared of the capture on f3, which strengthens his e-pawn. d6 9.xh4 xh4 10.g3 c6 The thematic [ 10...f5!? must also have been considered, 11.d4 ( 11.exf5 xg2 12.g1 xh2 13.h5+ xh5 14.xh5 f3 15.xg7+ f7 favours Black as the knight is misplaced on g7 ) 11...fxe4 12.e2 with complicated play. ] 11.d4 0-0 12.e3 It is a good idea to defend d4, as after the natural [ 12.0-0 f5 13.e5 e7 it looks like White c a n s t r e n g t h e n h i s c e n t r e w i t h 14.f4? b u t t h e n c o m e s xd4! and the knight is untouchable. ] 12...a5 13.d3 [ 13.e2 is slightly superior. ] 13...f5! Black must strike before White completes his development. 14.exf5 [ 14.b4 allows xc4 15.xc4 f4 ] 14...xg2 15.g1 f3 If White had played his queen to e2 this move, which stops White castling, would not be possible. [ 15...xh2?! 16.0-0-0 is very risky for Black, who has opened files against his own king. ] 16.b3 xh2 17.d2 xg3!? [ 17...xa3!? is very dangerous: 18.c3! ( 18.h1?? b4+; 18.xa3? xg1 19.fxe6 g6 and W hite has no attack.) 18...c6 19.fxe6 b4+ 20.b2 g6 (else Rh1) as I wouldn't like to be in Black's shoes here after 21.h1! (anyway!) xh1 22.xh1 g2 23.xh7! ] 18.xg3 xf5 19.ag1 g6 20.d5 White has a useful initiative for his pawn. h5 [ 20...exd5?? allows a quick mate after 21.xg6+ ( 21.xf5 is also winning, of course ) 21...hxg6 22.xg6+ h8 23.xf5 ] 21.c1 h4 Black hastens his bits back for the defence. 22.dxe6 dxe6 23.d7?! [ 23.g5 seems strong: h2 24.f4 f2 25.e4 with nasty threats. ] 23...f6! 24.xf5 White must take the rook and concede a perpetual. c3+ 25.b1 xb3+ 26.a1 xa3+ 27.b1 b3+ 28.a1 c3+
[ 28...exf5?? is not advisable: 29.e6+ g7 30.d4+ h6 31.e7 which defends a3 and forces mate. ] 29.b1 b4+ 30.a1 a3+ ½-½
324 Agrest,Evgenij Ehlvest,Jaan TCh Lunds SWE (11) [Tony Kosten]
A10 2531 2638 18.03.2001
1.c4 e6 2.c3 b6 3.e4 b7 4.f3 b4 5.d3 e7 6.e2 Menacing to trap the b4bishop. bc6!? [ An innovation, we have seen 6...f5 and, ] [ 6...g6 before. ] 7.a3 d6 8.c2 f5 9.d4 fxe4 10.xe4 0-0!? So far this all seems very natural. 11.c2 f5 12.d5 This seems strong, Black is forced to weaken his structure, but relies on his full development. e5 13.xe5 xe5 14.dxe6 xe4 15.xe4 d6 16.g3 [ Who would like to be White following 16.exd7?! xd7 17.0-0 ae8 ? ] 16...dxe6 17.0-0! [ The correct approach, 17.xe6+?! h8 18.0-0 h4 can only favour Black. ] 17...f6 18.e2 Black's activity compensates his potentially weak e6-pawn. ½-½
325 Agrest,Evgenij Kanep,Meelis EuTCh Plovdiv BUL (9) [Tony Kosten]
A10 2605 2452 20.10.2003
1.c4 e6 2.c3 b6 3.e4 b7 4.f3 b4 5.d3 e7 6.e2 bc6!? [ 6...g6 might be the best - see the eBook. ] 7.a3 d6 8.c2 f5 9.d4 fxe4 10.xe4 0-0 11.c2 f5 12.h4! A brave innovation, by controlling h4 with the rook as well as the f3knight W hite threatens g4 to drive the f5knight back, and expose the h7-pawn. W e had previously looked at [ 12.d5 which Agrest had played against 312
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Ehlvest. ] 12...h5?! A bad reaction, weakening the g5square. Black probably rejected [ 12...h6 b e c a u s e o f 13.g4?! but then he h a s a f a n t a s t i c r e s o u r c e : ( 13.d2 f o l l o we d b y l o n g c a s t le s a n d g 4 l o o k s better ) 13...b4+!! ( 13...fe7 loses the exchange to 14.c5 bxc5 15.dxc5 xc5! 16.xc5 d5 (so that the bishop can't defend f3) 17.fd4 dxe4 18.xe6 although Black h a s s o m e c o m p e n s a t i o n a f t e r d5 ) 14.axb4? ( 14.d1 is unclear) 14...xb4 15.b1 xe4 16.xe4 d6 and Black wins as the white queen cannot f3. ] 13.g5 The bishop doesn't need a written invitation to come to g5! e8 14.0-0-0 b8 15.he1 As g4 is under control White turns his attention to the centre, and the semi-open ef i l e , p o i n t i n g a t t h e b l a c k q u e e n . a5?! The knight turns out being misplaced here, a n d l i k e l y t o b e h i t b y a l a t e r b 4 . 16.d5! W hite has no reason to exchange pieces. a6! Black looks for counterplay by attacking the c-pawn, but White's central possibilities a r e m o r e s i g n i f i c a n t . 17.ed4! xd4 18.xd4 The rook defends c4, but can it be deflected? e5!? [ 18...c5 is the alternative, but then 19.dxe6! dxe6 ( 19...xd4 20.xd4 dxe6 21.xe6! is crushing.) 20.d5! exploits the e-file pin, exd5 21.xe8 bxe8 22.xd5 xc4 23.d3! xd3 24.xd3 xf2 25.b4 winning the knight. ] 19.d3 The e-pawn is pinned, of course, and m e a n w h i l e b 4 i s a s t r o n g t h r e a t . b5! The only chance. 20.c5! Deflecting the bishop from its defence of e5. xc5 The point. 21.xe5 Now White is clearly winning. [ 21.xc5?? b3+ ] 21...xe5?! This loses, but after [ 21...c8 22.h7+ h8 23.g6 is decisive. ] 22.xe5 xd4 23.h7+ Black's weakened kingside allows White to wrap-up quickly. h8 24.g6+ xh7 25.e7+! h8 26.g6 b3+ 27.b1 There is no way to avoid Qxh5 mate. 1-0
326 Avrukh,Boris Shachar,Ehud ch Tel Aviv ISR (9) [Tony Kosten]
A10 2595 2374 03.12.2002
1.f3 e6 2.c4 f5 3.g3 f6 4.g2 d5 5.0-0 c6 6.d3! As I pointed-out in my book, the Stonewall Dutch doesn't work too well against an English set-up, as White can organise e4 quite easily. [ 6.d4 would lead to a mainline Dutch. ] 6...c5 This move has its drawbacks, but then so does [ 6...d6 which can be countered by 7.c3 0-0 8.e4 so perhaps Black should be happy with the more passive ] [ 6...e7 ] 7.c2! This is strong, threatening a discovered attack on the c5-bishop. bd7 Perhaps the other method of defending the bishop, [ 7...e7 is best, 8.g5 ( 8.f4! bd7 9.d4 d6 10.xd6 xd6 11.cxd5 is good ) 8...0-0 9.bd2 d4 Ovod,E-Zaitseva,L/ Moscow 1999, when 10.b3 leaves White on top. ] 8.cxd5 cxd5 This is the point, Black is forced to make an anti-positional recapture. [ 8...exd5?! 9.d4 d6 10.xf5 e5 11.c2 xf3+ 12.xf3 0-0 13.c3 leaves W hite a pawn up for nothing, Makarov,M-Stock,J/Berlin 1996. ] 9.f4!? An innovation, White intends to bring his knight to d2 instead of c3 in order to utilise the c-file more quickly. [ 9.c3 0-0 10.f4 is also better for White, though, e7 11.a4 d6 12.xd6 xd6 13.fc1 f4 14.c7 with a significant advantage, Makarov,M-Arnold,L/Cappelle la Grande 1996. ] 9...0-0 10.bd2 [ 10.c3 would transpose into the last note. ] 10...b6 [ 10...h5!? ] 11.ac1 g4!? 12.e3 h6 Planning to trap th e f 4 -bish op wit h . . . g5 , bu t t h e re is n o t enough time, [ 12...e5? loses material: 13.xe5 dxe5 14.xd5+ h8 15.xe5 xe5 16.xc5 ] 313
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 13.b3 d6 [ 13...e7 avoids the exchange of bishops, but can hardly have tempted Black. ] 14.xd6 xd6 15.fd4 a6 16.c7 Just as in the Makarov game, White uses the c-file to bring a rook to the seventh. xc7 17.xc7 b6 Hoping to play ...e5. 18.h3 f6 19.f4! Fixing the black central pawns on light squares, positionally White is already winning. f7 20.c2 e7 21.f3 The dark squares on d4 and e5 beckon to the white knights. b8 22.bd4 d7 23.e5 e8 24.fc1 The white position is a picture, reminiscent of one of those Master v Amateur games from the nineteenth century! f7 25.g4 g6 26.c7 be8 27.g5 hxg5 28.fxg5 h7 29.h4 f8 30.e4 Time to bring White's one inactive piece into the fray. dxe4 31.dxe4 fxe4 32.xe4 d5 33.xe7 xe7 34.c8 g7 35.h5! Black has had enough punishment. [ 35.h5 gxh5? 36.xd5 exd5? 37.f5+ ] 1-0
10...g4 11.e5 xf3+ 12.xf3 xe5 13.g3 xg3 14.hxg3 d8 Black's pressure continues into the endgame. 15.a4 f5 16.a5 d3 17.xd3 xd3 18.a4 f5 19.f4 g6 20.e1 ad8 21.f1 d6 22.a4 a6 [ Black could also play 22...xf2 23.xf2 xg3+ 24.e2 xe1 when he has all the chances. ] 23.e2 e5 24.e1 c6 25.e3 b4 26.d1 c5 27.e2 3d7 28.g4 d3 29.gxf5 gxf5 30.c2?! [ 30.f3 was better. ] 30...xf2 31.g4? [ And here White should play 31.b3 . ] 31...f4 32.ae4?! [ 32.xf4 xf4 33.xf2 would have allowed White to fight on. ] 32...f3 33.e8+ xe8 34.xe8+ f7 35.e4 a7 36.d1 f2 37.xf2 xf2 38.f4+ g6 39.d4 c7+ 0-1
327
328
Claesen,Pieter Hovhanisian,Mher BEL-ch Westerlo (5) [Nigel Davies]
A10 2392 2294 07.07.2004
1.c4 d5!? Shock tactics! [ A more respectable move order would be 1...c6 2.e4 d5 3.cxd5 f6 . ] 2.cxd5 f6 3.e4 Evidently deciding to punish his opponent for his presumptuousness. [ 3.f3 xd5 4.d4 transposes into an unusual Queen's Gambit line which is not thought to be great for Black. ] 3...c6 4.dxc6 xc6 5.c3 e5 6.b5 c5 7.f3 [ Better than 7.ge2 as played in Dezelak, B (2160)-Galeev, S (2275)/Bled 1996. ] 7...0-0 8.0-0 d4 9.xe5 [ In an earlier game W hite played 9.xd4 exd4 10.e5 , with Black getting a good g a m e a f t e r g4 11.e4 d5 12.c2 xe5 13.f4 h5 14.h3 b6 in Henneberg, I-Serdjuk, I/Ronneburg 1996. ] 9...d6 10.f3 [ Another possibility was 10.c4 e7 11.e3 xb5 12.xb5 xe4 ]
Damljanovic,Branko Kindermann,Stefan ECC Halkidiki GRE (2) [Tony Kosten]
A10 2535 2519 23.09.2002
1.c4 f5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 g6 4.c3 g7 5.d3 d6 6.e4 fxe4 7.dxe4 0-0 8.ge2 c5 Botvinnik fans should know that they can use the plan of this game to treat almost all these Dutch positions where Black tries to post a knight on d4, for instance, [ 8...e5 9.0-0 c5!? ( 9...e6!? is covered in Kharlov, A-Minasian,A/Batumi GEO 2002.) 10.h3 e6 11.b3 c6 as in my game against Santo Roman,M/France N1 2002, as now I could play 12.f4 and if d4 13.f5! ] 9.h3 [ 9.0-0 c6 10.f4 e6 11.b3 d7 is an alternative method of treating this position, Smejkal,J-Kindermann,S/ Germany 1998. ] 9...c6 10.0-0 e5 11.f4!? A strong new idea, Black is loathe to capture on f4 as it weakens h i s b a s e o n d 4 a n d t h e re f o r e le a ve s d 6 exposed. [ 11.g5 i s we a k e r , e6 12.d5 d7 314
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 13.h2 f7 ( 13...d4 14.xd4 cxd4 wa s n o t h i n g s p e c i a l f o r W h i t e e i t h e r , Psakhis,L-Grinshpun,E/Israel 1999.) 14.d2 af8 Danailov, S-Avshalumov,A/Cannes 1990. ] 11...d4 Perfectly logical, this is the whole idea behind Black's plan, nevertheless he should prefer [ 11...exf4!? perhaps, A) 12.gxf4!? is preferred by Damljanovic, who continues h5 13.e3 ( 13.d5+!? h8 14.b5 has its points) 13...d4! 14.xd4 cxd4 15.xd4 xd4+ 16.xd4 xf4 unclear.; B) 12.xf4!? e8 ( 12...e5! is best, 13.b5 e6! 14.xd6 h5 15.xb7 b6 is a complete mess) 13.d5+ h8 14.ad1 w i n s a p a w n , e . g . d4? ( 14...b6 i s b e t t e r , b u t 15.b5 certainly favours White) 15.xd4 xd4+ 16.xd4! cxd4 17.xd4+ f6 18.e5! dxe5 19.xf6 exd4 20.xf8+ g7 21.xe8 dxc3 22.bxc3 and Black can resign. ] 12.f5! gxf5 Positionally, acceptance of the pawn seems f orced, otherwise W hite will continue with g4, reinforcing his kingside phalanx. However, [ 12...d5!? is also possible, so that White c a n n o t u s e t h e d 5 - s qu a r e f o r a p i e c e , 13.fxg6 dxc4 14.gxh7+ xh7 is not too clear, although I would prefer White after 15.g4 followed by Ng3 and either Nf5 or g5, Qh5. ] 13.exf5 xf5 [ 13...xf5 14.xd4 cxd4 15.xf5 dxc3 16.bxc3 favours White because of his bishop pair and light-squared control. ] 14.d3! What has White achieved with his p a wn s a c ? B a sica lly h e h a s o p e n e d t h e h1-a8 diagonal for his g2-bishop, and freed the e4 and d5 squares for his knights. d4 15.g5 This pin further accentuates White's control over the central light squares, which are no longer defended by the knight, in effect. e6? This gets Black into real problems, he should unpin the knight immediately: [ 15...e8 when 16.xd4 exd4 ( 16...cxd4 17.b5 d8 18.a3 regains the pawn with advantage.) 17.ae1 h5 18.xf6 xf6 ( 18...xf6 19.g4 xf1+ 20.xf1 xg4
(forced) 21.hxg4 xg4 22.d5 is good for White ) 19.d5 e5 20.c7 ( 20.e7+!? g7 21.xf8 xf8 22.xc8 xc8 23.g4 g6 24.e4 g5 is equal ) 20...b8 21.d5+ g7 22.xf8 xf8 23.f1+ e7 24.g4 is dangerous for Black. ] 16.e4 Now the pressure on the f6-knight forces the black queen to stay where she is, while White can bring another piece to bear. c8 17.2c3 c7 18.h4? Played to protect the bishop, but [ 18.xf6+ xf6 19.xf6! xf6 20.e4 was rat he r go od , winn in g an e xc ha nge immediately. ] 18...f5 19.d5 cf7 20.xf5? To unpin the e4-knight, and win two pieces for a rook, but there is a problem. xf5 21.exf6+ xf6 22.xf5 xh4 23.g4+ g7? [ 23...g5! 24.h4 g7 25.hxg5 xg5 26.e6+ ( 26.xg5 xg5 27.f1 xf1+ 28.xf1 xg3 is a better bet, although Black has all the chances.) 26...h8 27.xd6 A) 27...f2!? is also quite good: 28.b8+ ( 28.xf2?? xg3+ 29.e2 xg2+ f o r c e s m a t e) 28...g8 and now White must give his queen by 29.xg8+ xg8 30.xf2 d2+ 31.f1 xb2 which is unclear; B) 27...f5! and White has difficulty defending against the g-file pressure. ] 24.xh4 xh4 25.gxh4 Now White has two extra pawns when compared with the similar ending considered in the last note, and this added to his light-squared control makes all the difference. f3 26.f1 xf1+ [ 26...xh3? 27.e7+ xe7 28.xh3 ] 27.xf1 f8 28.e3 f7+ 29.e2 b6 30.e4 e7 31.h5 d7 32.h6 Fixing the h7pawn on a light square, Black's extra central pawns have no future. d8 33.b3 d7 34.h4 d8 35.f5 [ 35.d5 followed by h5 and Bg6! was a neater winning method. ] 35...f6 36.h5 b5! 37.f3 [ 37.cxb5? d5 would turn the tables. ] 37...bxc4 38.bxc4 d5 Desperation, but after [ 38...d7 White would win by advancing his king. ] 39.cxd5 a6 40.e3 xh6 41.g4 a6 42.xh7 xa2 43.c2 a1 44.h6 h1 315
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 45.h7 a5 46.g2 One of many winning 330 moves, Black will have to concede his rook for Edouard,Romain the h-pawn. Rapport,Richard 1-0 Gibraltar Masters 12th (5) [Fier, Alexandr] 329 Dezelak,Brane Galeev,Shamil Bled op-B (9) [Nigel Davies]
A10 2160 2275 1996
1.c4 d5!? Black probably took a certain delight in playing this unsettling move. [ A more 'standard' way of getting into this gambit would have been 1...c6 2.e4 d5 3.cxd5 f6 . ] 2.cxd5 f6 3.e4 c6 4.dxc6 Refuting the gambit by accepting? [ It certainly doesn't turn out this way in the pres ent enc ount er, wit hin a f ew m ove s White was probably wishing he had played 4.c3 cxd5 5.e5 . ] 4...xc6 5.c3 e5 6.b5 c5 7.ge2 [ 7.f3 looks like a more natural move as in Claesen, P (2392)-Hovhanisian, M (2294)/ Westerlo 2004. ] 7...0-0 [ Black could already play 7...g4 when 8.d4 ( 8.0-0? h4! ) 8...exd4 9.d5 d3 10.xd3 xf2+ 11.f1 0-0 is very good for Black. ] 8.xc6 [ 8.0-0 would have been better. ] 8...bxc6 9.0-0 d3 [ 9...a6 was also very good it's difficult to see how White can develop. ] 10.g3 g4 11.a4 h5 12.h4?? A horrible blunder under pressure. [ W hite should play 12.e1 , which is far from pleasant but not necessarily lost. ] 12...xg3 13.d4 xd4 14.g5 [ 14.xd4 exd4 15.fxg3 dxc3 leaves White a piece down. ] 14...f3 0-1
A10 2658 2691 01.02.2014
They often say that the Dutch is not so good against 1.Nf3 because White can play d3 and e4 in some variations. Here Black goes for an exotic Stonewall setup with a knight on c6. 1.f3 e6 2.c4 f5 3.g3 f6 4.g2 e7 5.0-0 0-0 6.d3 [ 6.d4 would transpose to normal Dutch lines. ] 6...d5 The position after 6.d3 d5 is a bit funny. Apparently nobody cares about the e5-square for the moment. [ 6...d6 is the normal setup in this position, and here W hite can use the fact that the pawn is not on d4 7.c3 e8 8.e4!? and Black cannot attack so easily after this move fxe4 9.dxe4 e5 10.c5 and White's chances are slightly preferable, but the position is full of life Edouard, R (2657)Narciso Dublan, M (2521)/Barcelona Casino 18th 2013. ] 7.c2 This is one of the many ways to handle this position. White makes a useful move and awaits developments. [ 7.c3 is more direct and aims to enter into some kind of reversed Benoni d4 8.b5 c5 9.e3 c6 10.exd4 cxd4 at first sight it looks like W hite is better because of the strange pawn on f5, compared to the normal Benoni. However, W hite's knight is only stable on b5 when Black's pawn is already on a5. 11.e1 a6 12.a3 d6 and the position remains thematic, both sides playing normal Benoni plans, Dobrov, V (2537) -Pelletier, Y (2604)/Nancy Meurthe KO 11th rapid 2013 (2.2). ] [ 7.bd2 is a bit strange, but was also played before c6 8.cxd5 exd5 9.b3 and W hite wants to bring the knight to c5 after some moves a5 10.a4 and against 10...b6 W hite has good play on the c-file and also a good square for the knight on d4, Ibragimov, I (2546)-Ponfilenok, V (2392)/ Nezhmetdinov Memorial 34th 2012. ] 7...c6 To me this looks like a strange move, even though it doesn't contravene any chess 316
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 rules. W ith the pawn on d3 instead of d4, Black can play without ...c5 ideas, and this square is not in the way of the c8-bishop. Also the knight controls any queenside expansion at the moment. [ 7...c6 would be normal and White still has many ways to continue. One of them is p l a y i n g w i t h 8.c3 again trying to go for some Benoni-style position d4 9.a4 but the knight is also not ideally placed here c5 10.e3 c6 11.exd4 xd4 12.xd4 cxd4 with chances for both sides ] 8.a3 Forcing Black to make a choice: either he allows queenside expansion when the knight will soon have to leave c6, or he plays ...a5 and gives White's knight a good square on b5. Black chooses the second option. [ 8.cxd5 was also played and later White changed the position by playing 10.d4 exd5 9.c3 h8 10.d4 e4 11.f4 g5!? n o t l o s i n g a n y t i m e 12.e5+ xe5 13.xe5 c6 and the position was balanced in Dudukin, I (2401)-Ponfilenok, V (2445)/ Nabereznye Chelny op 8th 2010. ] 8...a5 9.cxd5 Now that White can create pressure on the c-file and c7, it makes more sense to exchange the pawns. exd5 10.c3 h8 11.b5 d7 12.f4 c8 For a computer the position is better for White, but wit hout a clear plan th e posit ion ca n become dangerous really fast. During the game Edouard was unable to find the best continuation and soon got into trouble. 13.ab1?! The b2-b4 advance is not that dangerous, and the whole idea is slow. On the other hand Black has a clear plan. [ 13.ac1 is also not much to the point and after h5 14.d2 f4 Black is fighting ] [ 13.b3! this looks like the best move to me. Usually it's not advisable to move the queen one more time and go away from the c-file, but with the bishop on d7 and the rook on c8, the pawns on d5 and b7 are targets h5 it's hard to suggest another plan 14.d2 now Black needs to do something about d5, b e f o r e h e c a n p l a y . . . f 4 ( 14.xd5 is ok, but Black will have some compensation xf4 15.gxf4 f6 16.d4 g6 17.c3 e8 and the position is not so clear ) 14...e8 15.bd4 and both the b7 pawn and the fork on e6 are threatened, so
White has an edge ] 13...h5 14.d2 f4 Now the bishop on d7 ha s a mu ch be tt er squ a re t o go t o . 15.b4 Following with his plan, finally it went nowhere. axb4 16.axb4 fxg3 17.hxg3 g4 White is still not in trouble, and even not worse, but compared to some moves ago I think Black's position improved more than White's. 18.c3 [ 18.h2 was exotic, and it's hard to believe that it is going to work d7 19.h1 a8 20.g1 but at least the king is safe and the rook is active ] 18...d7 19.bd4 xd4 20.xd4 d6 [ 20...h3 was a good idea. Black didn't want to let White's knight get to e5, but it's not so dangerous 21.e5 e6 22.h2 ( 22.c3 f6 23.e4 dxe4 24.xh3 xh3 25.dxe4 cd8 is another interesting position ) 22...xg2 23.xg2 f6 ( 23...f5 will probably lead to a draw 24.f4 h4!? 25.gxh4 xe5 26.xe5 g4+ with a perpetual) 24.f4 g5! and both kings are in danger, but the position is slightly easier to play for Black ] 21.c5? More important things are happening, there was no time for this. Now Black has a st ro ng init iat ive a n d is b a sica lly a lre a d y winning! [ 21.e5 was better and makes a lot of sense xe5 22.xe5 h3 23.f3!? creating some space for the defence f5 24.b2 fe8 25.e4 and White will change some pieces, the pawn on g3 is not hanging since the rook is still on c8 xe5 26.xe5 xe5 27.xh3 f8 28.h2 and White is ok ] 21...h3 22.xd6 cxd6 23.d1 [ 23.d2 f6 would be more or less similar to the game. Note that W hite's rooks are doing nothing and ...Nf4 is still a big threat ] 23...f6 The key move. White has no good way to avoid ...Nf4 24.h2 [ 24.h4 also doesn't help xg2 25.xg2 f4+ 26.g1 g4 27.e3 e2+ 28.g2 cf8 with a winning attack ] 24...xg2 25.xg2 f4+! 26.gxf4 h6 White has no way to defend the knight and stop the mate threats. 27.f5 xf5 28.f4 g6+ 29.f2 xh2+ 30.e1 g3+ 31.d2 d4 32.e1 e3+ 33.d1 e8 34.b2 a8 317
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 35.b1 a2 36.c1 e8 0-1
331 Franciskovic,Borka Sargac,Rajna Mediterranean Flower WGM (5) [John Watson]
A10 2193 2208 09.03.2005
1.c4 b6 This is the right move order if one wants to prevent or at least discourage g3. More specifically, there are many players who open with 1.c4 and play g3/Bg2/Nc3/e4/0-0 against nearly every setup. That is not possible now. 2.f3 [ Or 2.g3 b7 3.f3 ] 2...b7 3.g3 xf3! The point. Black cripples White's pawn structure in order to achieve an unbalanced game. In return White gets the two bishops. 4.exf3 e6!? [ Daniel King's English Defence book deals only with 4...c5, which is by far Black's most popular move. Generally there follows 4...c5 5.d4 cxd4 ( 5...c6!? 6.d5 d4 7.e3 f5 8.d2 g6! of Knott-A Summerscale, Millfield 2000, as examined by Tony) 6.xd4 c6 and depending upon White's reply Black has various plans. Among others he can build up by ...e6, ...Nge7, and/or ...g6 or he can play ...e6 and ..Bb4, with ...Rc8 and perhaps ...Na5. The ...e6 idea may be underrated, however. ] 5.g2 [ A wonderful miniature that used to be published from time to time went 5.d4 d5 6.c3 dxc4!? 7.xc4 c6 8.d5! exd5 9.xd5 e7 10.f6+!? ( 10.xe7 xd1+ 11.xd1 xe7 12.e1 d7 13.f4 ) 10...gxf6 11.xf7+ xf7 12.xd8 d5 and White's queen is trapped! With ...Bb4+ threatened, the game (Bilek-Schuessler, Helsinki 1978) was drawn on the spot in view of 13.f1 g7 14.d6 f8 15.d8 g7= ] 5...c6 6.0-0 [ 6.d4 d5 7.0-0 f6 transposes into a position that has been reached several times. White may have some advantage, but it's hard to break through. ] 6...e7!? 7.d4 d5 8.e2
[ 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.c3 f6 is about equal. ] 8...f6 9.f4 e7 [ 9...xd4 10.d1 is very risky. ] 10.d1 0-0 11.c3 d7 [ 11...f5! would force a concession from W h i t e , e . g . , 12.e5?! ( 12.e3 a5!? 13.h3 d6 14.b3 a6 ) 12...d7 13.f4 e7! ] 12.e5 g6!? [ Or 12...dxc4 13.f4 c8 14.xc4 d5 ] 13.xf6? [ White might try 13.f4 e7 14.h4 ] 13...xf6 14.f4 d7 15.f3 ac8 [ A go o d lin e is 15...e7 16.b3 ac8 17.ac1 dxc4 18.bxc4 fd8 ] 16.f5 e7 17.fxe6 fxe6 18.e2 f5 [ 18...dxc4!? 19.xc4 fd5 deserves a look. All these positions look awkward for White. ] 19.h3 ce8 20.d2 d6 [ Or 20...dxc4 21.xc4 d6 22.e2 d5 ] 21.cxd5 cxd5 22.c2 f5 [ 22...fe4!? 23.xe4 xe4 24.f4 g5 is very unclear. ] 23.d1 c8 24.d3 e8! Heading for d6. 25.e2 xc2 26.xc2 ed6 27.f4 e4!? [ 27...g5! 28.h5 f7 29.e2 e4 is Black's best chance to retain the advantage, but White can respond 30.g2! with equal chances. ] 28.g2 fd6 29.f3 One prefers White slightly now. It's not much, and the game is e ve n l y m a t c h e d a f t e r a f e w m o ve s . g5 30.h4 gf7 31.h3 d8 32.e2 f5 33.xf5 xf5 34.b3 f6 35.g2 c6 As so often in these positions, the weaknesses on d4 and e6 are of roughly the same importance. 36.b5 d6 37.a6 f8 38.e2 e8 39.e3 b4 40.a4 c6 41.d2 e7 42.e1 c6 43.d1 a5 44.e3 a3 45.xd5 xb3 46.xb3 xb3 47.c3 d8 48.d5 exd5 49.xd5 xd5 50.xd5 c5 51.c3 f7 52.f2 e6 53.e3 e5 54.g4 g6 55.f4+ e6 56.f3 h5 57.g3 f6 58.d5+ e6 59.c3 f6 60.d5+ e6 A well-played game. ½-½
318
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A10 17.0-0 0-0 18.d1 xf3?! Black is also in Fridman,Daniel 2577 serious trouble after [ 18...c5 19.e3 c2 20.d7 although Mainka,Gregor 2319 a6! 21.xc2 xc2 22.d3 xb2 23.xe7 13th Summer Open (7) 23.08.2002 b5 might offer some chances. ] [Tony Kosten] 19.d3! e2 20.d7 White attacks e7, c6 1.f3 b6 2.c4 b7 3.c3 We have already and the queen on e2! e1+ 21.g2 fc8? This poor move allows a back-rank trick. On considered the similar line [ 21...c5 22.xe7 d5 23.xa7!? [ 3.g3 xf3 4.exf3 c5 in Knott,Sthe white bishops are certainly far superior Summerscale,A/Millfield ENG 2000. ] to the rook, but Black can continue a while: 3...e6 4.g3 Only now. The fact that White has d1 24.e3 h1+ 25.h3 d5 played Nc3, and Black ...e6 makes this more w i t h a f e w t h r e a t s , a l t h o u g h 26.e2! interesting for White than in the previous note. seems to put paid to most of them. ] xf3!? The same idea, conceding a bishop to 22.xc6 gain more control over d4. [ 22.xc6 xc6 23.xc6 xc6 24.d8# ] [ 4...f6 5.g2 would transpose into one of 1-0 the Hedgehog lines on c5 see [A30]. ] [ 4...g5!? is a wild idea of Tony Miles. ] 5.exf3 c5 6.d4 Obviously forced, as Black A10 c a n ' t a f f o r d t o wa i t f o r . . . Nc 6 , a n d . . . g 6 333 followed by ...Bg7, when Black lords it over d4. From-like Gambit 1.c4 f5 2.e cxd4 N,Archana [ 6...c6?! is worse here, 7.d5 d4 8.e3 [John Watson] f5 9.h3! gh6 10.a4 and White is better, as he can break through the d-file by Ryan from California asks a question that I a timely dxe6, which is why Black's ...e6 think many readers will be interested in, so move changes so much, Davies, N-Plaskett, I've put it in this main section instead of the J/WFW1991 1991. ] mailbag: Do you know of any chess literature 7.xd4 c6 8.d1 c8 9.f4!? at all that discusses a reversed From's Gambit A curious, and apparently anti-positional out of the English (1 c4 f5 2 e4 fxe4 3 d3 exd3 no ve lty, b ut it co n t ain s va rio us p o ssib le 4 Bxd3 Nf6 5 g4, followed by g5 and Qc2)? Is threats on the dark squares. this sound? Maybe I'm blind, but I've looked in [ 9.f4 appears more logical, but after f6 5 E n g li s h b o o k s & M C O , B C O , e t c . a n d 10.a3 a5 11.a4 c7 White had real cannot find anything on it. I've played it vs problems defending his c-pawn, Gelashvili,T- people at my level with lots of success, but I David, A/Nagykanizsa 1993. ] know that this means nothing at all regarding 9...b4 10.c1 ge7 So far Black's moves its theoretical soundness. jw: A great question. appear very sensible. 11.a3 White breaks the This is a fun idea and a fairly natural one pin, and obliges Black to give another bishop. (From's Gambit Reversed with c4 in) , but I xc3+ 12.xc3 d5 The simplest, although see a couple of problems here, mostly due to [ 12...0-0!? 13.d6 e8 is also possible, as t h e f a c t t h a t c 4 s e e m s t o h u r t W h i t e i n Black threatens ...Nf5. ] comparison with a Bird's Opening. First, on a 13.cxd5 xd5 This is stronger than less important level, 1. c4 f5 2.e4 e5!? looks [ 13...xd5?! when you have to prefer the playable since a bishop can't get to c4. I've white bishops after 14.a6 xd1+ 15.xd1 looked at the normal solutions to the King's d8+ 16.c1 0-0 although Black should be Gambit and see nothing too attractive - Black able to make good use of the d5-square. ] even has the advantage in most lines. Best 14.xc6! Forced, but not bad. xc6 15.b5 looks 3.exf5 [see my analysis in the game]. e7 16.a4 d5?! Black's first slip-up, The main problem I see is 2...fxe4 3.d3 exd3 [ 16...d7 17.0-0 0-0 18.d1 b7 4.Bxd3 Nf6 5.g4 d5! [again, see my analysis is equal. ] below]. You might look into 5.Nc3. 1.c4 f5 332
319
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 2.e4 fxe4 [ 2...e5 3.exf5 ( 3.f3 fxe4; 3.d4!? exd4 4.e5 c6 5.f3 b4+; 3.c3 f6 4.exf5; 3.h5+ g6 4.e2 fxe4 ) A) 3...c5 is also interesting, with a Bishop's Gambit reversed: 4.h5+ ( 4.d4 xd4 5.f3 c6 ) 4...f8 5.c3 ( 5.f3 f6 6.h4 d5 7.cxd5 xf5 ) 5...f6 6.h4 d6 7.g4 c6 8.g5 g8; B) 3...f6 B1) 4.f3 c5 ( 4...c6 5.c3 c5 ) 5.xe5 d6 6.d4 b4+ 7.d2 xd2+ 8.xd2 dxe5 9.dxe5 0-0 10.exf6 xf6; B2) 4.g4 c5 5.g5 and now 5...Ne4 6. Qh5+ Kf8 is a mess (at least White has many options), while 0-0! 6.gxf6 xf6 7.f3 d6 is a messy Muzio. c4 helps make ...d5 less good (at least without ... c6) but also weakens d4 in the ..d6/... Nc6-d4 and/or ... Bxf 5 lines. I'd sa y Bla c k h a s ga in e d m o re t h an W h it e , enough that I'd rather be Black. Maybe one of the odd lines (3.Qh5+) is worth looking into? ] 3.d3 The main problem, probably more serious than 2...e5, is exd3! [ 3...f6 4.g4! ( 4.dxe4 e5 ) 4...d5 5.g5 g4 6.dxe4 is unclear ] 4.xd3 f6 5.g4? [ 5.c3!? is probably the best direction to look in. e5 6.f3 c5 ( 6...c6 7.g5!? ) 7.0-0 d6 ( 7...0-0 ) 8.g5 0-0 9.b1! h6 10.b4 b6 11.h4?! g5 12.g3 a5 ] 5...d5! I just can't seem to get around this one, where the extra move c4 definitely looks a negative: 6.g5 There are other tries, but g4 is attacked and ..dxc4 is a problem. [ 6.cxd5 xg4-+ ( 6...xd5-+ )] [ 6.c2 xg4 ( 6...dxc4 )] [ 6.d2 xg4 ] [ 6.h3 e5 ] 6...dxc4! 7.gxf6 [ 7.a4+ b5 8.xb5+ c6 9.xc4 a6 ] [ 7.xc4 xd1+ 8.xd1 e4 ] 7...xd3 seems way too strong: 8.h5+ [ 8.fxg7 xd1+ ( 8...xg7 9.h5+ g6 ) 9.xd1 xg7-+ ] [ 8.xd3 cxd3-+ ] 8...g6 9.e5 c6 10.f7+ xf7 11.xh8 g7 12.xh7 g4 and White should resign.
334 Gofshtein,Leonid D Williams,Simon Kim Hastings Masters 2006/07 (6) [Carsten Hansen]
A10 2509 2473 21.02.2007
1.c4 f5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 e6 4.b3 e7 5.b2 0-0 6.h3!? This position is almost unknown, neither the ECO nor MegaBase p ro vid e m u c h a ss is t a n ce in t h is m a t t e r , alth o ugh t he re a re so me tra nspo s it ion a l possibilities from this English set-up to a regular Classical Dutch. However. W hite's move order prevents a number of lines for B la c k, wh ile a ll o win g W h it e t o g o in t o a pleasant line of the Dutch when he so desires. It should also be added that W hite is also doing quite well after the normal 6 Nf3 followed by 7 0-0 and 8 d3. d6 7.d4 e8 8.f4 d8 9.d3!? [ With 9.0-0 White can allow a transposition into a line that is mentioned in the ECO u n d e r c o d e A 9 1 ( C l a s s i c a l D u t c h ) : e5 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.d5 Ulibin-Poluljahov, Budapest 1992. ] 9...bd7 10.d2 e5 11.e3 c6 12.c2 a5 [ I can picture that many less experienced players will be worried about 12...e4 13.f4 g5 bu t W h it e is b e t t e r a f t e r: 14.e2 and 15 h4. ] 13.a3 f7 14.dxe5 dxe5 15.c5 c7 [ Or 15...e4 16.f4 g5 17.e2 e7 18.d4 and thanks to Black's numerous structural weaknesses, White is comfortably better. ] 16.0-0 g5 17.f4! This effective counterpunch ends Black's hope of a kingside offensive while leaving Black with an open king (the a1-h8 diagonal and the soon to be opened gfile) and lacking development. gxf4 18.gxf4 e4 19.f2 d5 20.h1 h6?! Black wants the king to be able to crawl to h7 in case the threats against it become too severe. However, 20...N7f6!? is probably better. [ 20...xe3?? is of course taboo due to 21.c3 ] 21.g1 f8 [ U n f o r t u n a t e l y f o r B l a c k , 21...h7?! doesn't work on account of 22.xe4 xe3 23.c3 f6 24.xe3 xe4 25.fxe4 fxe4 26.d4 f8 27.xe4 and Black is toast ] 320
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 22.f1 e7 [ Before we move on, please note that 22...xe3? 23.c3 d5? ( 23...g4 24.xg4 fxg4 25.e1 f6 26.xe4 is also an unqualified disaster for Black runs into ) 24.g8+! ] 23.d4 h4 24.c4 7f6 25.g3 xf4?! This is a rather desperate measure to save the queen (W hite threatened 26 Rh3) and generate some counterplay in an otherwise extremely difficult position. [ 25...g4 is the normal move, but after 26.xg4 fxg4 27.e5 Black has a positionally completely lost position without the shadow of counterplay. ] 26.exf4 xf4 27.e5! After this practical move, Black's flimsy counterplay is completely diffused. xg3 [ 27...g4 28.xg4 xg3 29.xg3 xg4 30.d6+ ] 28.xg3 g5 29.h3?! [ 29.d6+ is even better: g7 30.b6 a7 31.c4 , and Black can resign. The rest of the game looks like it is played in heavy time trouble with numerous mistakes on both sides. ] 29...g7 30.d6+?! [T h e i m m e d i a t e 30.e5!? is more accurate. ] 30...g8 31.e5 f8?! [ 31...e7 is a better chance, e.g. 32.c3 xe5 33.xe5 d5 and Black is still playing, although White should win without too many headaches. ] 32.d6?! [ 32.b6!?+- ] 32...e7 33.d4 d5 34.c4 e6 35.xd5 xd5 36.f4 h7 37.g1 d8 38.h3 and with this little move, Black's tricks and hopes are over, and with 39 Nh5 looming, Black decided to call it a day. 1-0
335 Hertneck,Gerald King,Daniel J Bundesliga 1999-2000 (12) [Tony Kosten]
A10 2571 2514 12.03.2000
1.c4 b6 2.g3 b7 3.f3 xf3 4.exf3 c5 The point of Black's play, he tries to establish control of d4, which can no longer be controlled by either the e-pawn, which has moved to the f-file, or the f3-knight, which has disappeared from the board. 5.b3!? [ W hite can also play the immediate 5.d4 although Black is fine after cxd4 6.xd4 c6 ] 5...c6 6.g2 e6 7.f4 ge7 8.0-0 f5 9.b2 e7 10.a3 f6 Black has established complete control of d4. 11.c3 0-0 12.c2 g6 [ A perfectly logical novelty, and superior to 12...c8 13.e1 g6 14.c1 although play is equal, Hausner,I-Kalinitschew,S/Germany 1998. ] 13.e3 fd4 14.a3 a5 15.b1 g7!? [ Black is not worried about his rook on the g2-bishop's diagonal, but 15...b8 is safer. ] 16.b4 Possible because of the pin along the h1-a8 diagonal. axb4 17.axb4 cxb4 [ 17...a2!? 18.b5 e7 is worth consideration. ] 18.xd4 xd4!? [ The most exciting, although there is nothing wrong with 18...xd4 19.c2 f6 20.xb4 fc8 ] 19.c2 [ It is probably sensible to refrain from 19.xa8 when Black gains a powerful position for the exchange after xa8 20.f3 b3 ] 19...a5 20.xb4 c7 21.xd4 xd4 22.b3 The position seems drawish, because of the opposite-colour bishops, but the black bishop is rather the more useful of the two, and Black risks nothing by playing on. d6 23.a4 c5 24.a2 d4 Targeting f2, and tying a white piece to its defence. 25.c2 a1 Threatening mate by ...Qxf2+. 26.e3 xf1+ 27.xf1 a1 Black does not want to allow the exchange of queens. 28.c3 White insists. xc3 29.xc3 a8 30.c2 f8 31.g2 a3 32.e2 White is quite passive, but his 321
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 position seems sufficiently solid. e7 33.h4 h5 34.f3 d4 35.g4?! [ A questionable decision, White manages to exchange a couple of pawns like this but inflicts chronic weaknesses on his kingside s t r u c t u r e . 35.e4 d6 36.f1 c5 37.e2 keeps everything intact. ] 35...hxg4 36.xg4 c5 37.h5 f5 38.e2 gxh5 39.xh5 d3 Now Black will win the f4pawn by force. 40.e2 d4 41.f3 [ 41.f3 d6 ] 41...xf4 42.c1 d4 43.d3 d6 44.h1 e5 45.g3 d6 The rook finds its way back into the game. 46.h4 e3 47.f1 f4+ 48.g4 d4 Black has managed to retain many of his plusses, as well as the extra pawn. 49.h2 c3 50.a2 c6 51.a7 c8!? [ Black wants to win either the f, or d-pawns w i t h a t a c t i c a l o p e r a t i o n , b u t 51...d5 was quite acceptable. ] 52.xd7 g8+ 53.h4 g3 54.h3 e5 55.g4 d4 The point of Black's play, the bishop can no longer defend both pawns. 56.g5 xd3 57.c7 g1 Black will turn his attention to the c4-pawn. 58.f5?! [ This loses another pawn, but even after 58.c8 e4! ( 58...c1 59.e6 allows more re s is t a n c e) 59.xf4 e3 60.f5+ c3 61.e8 xc4 the two passed pawns will decide. ] 58...c1 59.e6 xc4 Black is happy to allow the exchange of rooks now, as his bpawn will cost White a piece in the resulting opposite-colour bishop ending. 60.f5+ c3 61.b7 d2 62.d5 c3 0-1
De f e n ce . W hite trie s a n u nu su a l bu t n o t unheard of solution. 4.g3 [ 4.ge2 f6 5.d3 ( 5.g3 c5 is easy to play. ) 5...d5!? ( 5...c5 is 'normal') 6.cxd5 exd5 7.e5 fd7 8.d4 c5 9.f4 c6! 10.dxc5 ( 10.xd5 cxd4 ) 10...xc5 11.xd5 0-0 and Black will regain his pawn with a clear advantage. ] 4...f5 5.g2 f6 6.f3 I believe that this was suggested by Speelman. White unpins the epawn and threatens e5 but also gives Black time to get established in the centre. The alternatives haven't been so great, for example, [ 6.d3 fxe4 ( 6...b4 7.ge2 fxe4 8.0-0 0-0 9.dxe4 c6 10.h3 e5!? Smejkal-Kavalek, Rapids 1997) 7.ge2 c6! 8.dxe4 e5 9.b3 c5 10.h3 e7 11.f4 f7 and Black was already better in Heinbuch-Kengis, Bonn 1995. ] [ 6.c2 a6!? 7.ge2?! b4 8.b1 fxe4 9.xe4 xe4 10.xe4 d5 ( or 10...xe4 11.xe4 d5 12.xe6+ e7 ) 11.cxd5 xe4 12.xe4 xd5 13.xd5 exd5 14.d1 d3 and Black was clearly better, Greenis-J Watson, Las Vegas 2004 ] 6...fxe4 [ 6...c6 stopping e5 is worth considering in view of 7.ge2?! ( 7.exf5 d4!?; 7.d4! fxe4 8.fxe4 e5 9.d5 d4 10.f3 looks about equal ) 7...fxe4 8.fxe4 e5 ] 7.fxe4 b4!? [ Here too the change of pawn structure by 7...e5 comes into consideration, e.g., 8.f3 c6 9.d5 c5 etc. ] 8.ge2 0-0 9.0-0 a6!? [ Or 9...e5 ] 10.h3 c5!? [ Again possible is 10...e5 11.a3 c5+ 336 A10 . This idea obviously d oesn't a ppeal t o Black. ] Janz,Frerik 2376 11.d3 e5 12.a3 xc3 13.xc3 e6 Boyle,Bernard [ 13...a5!? ] ch-EU Cork IRL (1) 22.03.2005 14.e3 d6 15.b4 c5 Without this move [John Watson] Black has nothing to show for the bishops. The slow variations of the English Defence Now at least he has control of d4 and his ca n b e c la s s if ie d in o u r Fla n k O p e n in gs pawns are on the right colour. 16.e2 e7 section. In lower-level practice, a 'Botvinnik 17.d2 f7 18.f5 af8 These moves are a setup" with g3, Bg2, e3, d3, Nge2 is popular. bit strange but the game seems balanced However, Black has several effective answers. overall. 19.a4 c8 20.af1 e8 21.d1 [ 21.xe8 xe8 22.b5 is the other idea only 1.c4 b6 2.c3 b7 3.e4 e6 The English 322
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 White can be better. ] 21...d8 22.5f2 e6 [ 22...e6 ] 23.g4 d7 24.g3 c6 25.f5 h8 26.a4 g8 27.g5 b8? [ 27...c7 28.b5 d4!? ] 28.xd7! xd7 29.e7? [ 29.b5! Black is tied up and passive whereas White can expand upon either side of the board. ] 29...xf2 30.xf2 cxb4? [ 30...xe7! 31.f8+ g8 32.xb8 cxb4 33.axb4 c6 and ...Nxb4. ] 31.xg8 xg8 32.axb4 c6 33.b2 d4!? [ 33...b5! 34.cxb5 d4 ] 34.e3 c6 35.f2 f7 36.e2 e8 37.d2 f7 38.c3 d7 39.a2 c8 40.g5 g6 41.b5 a5 42.f2 xf2 43.xf2 The bishops should eventually get out and create good winning chances. b7 44.f1 a6 45.d4 axb5 46.cxb5 exd4+ 47.xd4 b3 48.c4! xc4 49.xc4 c5 50.d5 [ Or 50.e5! ] 50...c7 51.e5 dxe5 52.xc5 bxc5 53.xc5 e4 54.d4 b6 55.xe4 xb5 56.e5 c4 57.f6 d4 58.g7 1-0
to keep his c-pawn well-covered. Similar play was seen after 8.a4 bc6 9.d3 a5 10.e4 in Pigusov,E-Ehlvest,J/Novosibirsk 1993. ] 8...d6 9.e4 d7 10.e1?! e5 Black has waited for White to move his rook to the e-file before playing this, so that White cannot play f4 too easily. 11.a4 a5 Black his happy with a static structure, without pawn mobility, as he wishes to inhibit the white bishop pair. 12.d4!? [ A normal plan in such a position would be 12.d2 i n t e n d i n g N f 1 - e 3 - d 5 , b u t f5 is an effective response. ] 12...g6 13.a3 The bishop is normally considered to be misplaced on a3 in such positions, as it is 'hitting on granite'. e8 14.c2 f6 15.d2 White refrains from d5, which hands the c5-square to Black, and tries to keep as much central tension as possible. d7 16.f3 a6 This is the downside of W hite's twelfth move, the c4-pawn needs piece defence. 17.f1 h6 18.d3 h7! Play is very similar to various Nimzo-Indian lines with both sides playing on their strengths. 19.f1 At last, the knight heads for d5, to try to induce a weakening ...c6 move from Black, bu t B la ck is no t go in g t o sta n d st ill, a n d initiates counterplay. g5 20.d1? [ T h i s a l lo ws a wo n d e rf u l t a ct ic , 20.e3 was a better method of defending f3. ] 337 A10 20...exd4 [ It is understandable that, in a quick game, Kasparov,Garry 2838 Black should miss the powerful move Kramnik,Vladimir 2809 20...d5!! as it appears to be doubly en prise, Botvinnik Mem Rapid Match rapid (4) 8.12.01 b u t it le a ve s W h it e i n se r io u s t r o u b l e : [Tony Kosten] 21.exd5 ( 21.cxd5? lo se s a piec e xd3 22.xd3? o r a q u e e n , h3+ 23.g2 1.c4 e6 2.c3 b6 It says something for the gf4+ ) 21...exd4 22.xe8+ xe8 current reputation of the English Defence 23.cxd4?! e1 24.xe1 xf3+ ] when it features in a match between the two best players on the planet. 3.f3 b7 4.g3!? 21.cxd4 f5 [ 21...d5! is again possible, with the same b4 ideas of the previous note. ] [ 4...xf3!? 5.exf3 c5 resembles the game Hertneck,G-King,D/Godesberg GER 2000, 22.h4?! [ It was time to return the dark-squared which resulted in a nice win for Black. ] bishop to the fray, 22.c1 fxe4 23.fxe4 5.g2 xc3 Kramnik decides to force is fine for White. ] doubled pawns on the queenside, instead. 6.bxc3 e7 This is better than playing this 22...fxe4! 23.hxg5?! [ U n d e r s t a n d a b l y W h i t e a v o i d s 23.fxe4 piece to f6, as the thrust ...f5 can be useful. h3+ 24.g2 f8 25.a2 (the only move) 7.0-0 0-0 8.d3 ae8 as his king is at risk, but there is no [ White avoids pushing his d-pawn two obvious win for Black. ] squares with a Nimzo position, and prefers 323
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 23...exd3 24.xd3 f7 Both defending g6, and hitting W hite's Achilles' Heal- the c4pawn. 25.gxh6!? xc4 26.c3 xf1!? Black decides to remove the opposite-colour bishops. 27.xf1 e2 28.f2 ae8 29.af1 [ 29.hxg7?! allows Black a violent attack: 8e3 30.c6 f4!? 31.gxf4 xg7+ 32.f1 xf2+ 33.xf2 xd4 34.g1+ f8 ] 29...8e3 [ 29...2e3 30.a1 gxh6 31.c1 is not so clear either. ] 30.c1 xf2 31.xe3 c2 [ 31...xf1+ 32.xf1 c4+ 33.e1 is m e s s y, t h e b la ck kin g is a s o p e n a s White's. ] 32.c1?! [ This was the wrong moment to bring the bishop back, it was time to capture on g7, 32.hxg7 ] 32...a2 Threatening mate. 33.f2 xf2 34.xf2 xa4 35.e3 d1+? [ The queen was well-placed where she stood, 35...gxh6 36.e6+ g7 should triumph easily, Black has two extra pawns. ] 36.f2 c2+ 37.e1 h2 38.g5! Gaining serious counterplay. h1+ 39.f2 h2+ 40.e1 h1+ 41.f2 h2+ [ Black decides to take the draw, thinking that 41...h7 42.hxg7 xg7 is too risky. ] 42.e1 ½-½
d4. ] [ 9...c5!? is a similar idea: 10.h3 e6 11.b3 c6 12.g4!? d4 13.g3 d7 14.d5 b6 15.e3 with interesting play, Kosten,ASanto Roman,M/France N1 2002. ] 10.b3 d7 11.f4!? A new idea, that may stop Black from realising his main plan. [ 11.d5 c5 12.g5 c6 13.d2 le d t o a qu ick d ra w in B rica rd , E -S a n t o Roman,M/Montpellier 1991, whilst ] [ 11.b2 a6!? ( 11...c5 and ...Nc6 is more appropriate,) 12.d2 c5 13.ad1 a5 14.c2 ae8 15.b5 Kupreichik,V-Solonar, S/Wiesbaden 1998, there is not a lot that Black can do, but White can always prepare an f4 break. ] 11...c6 [ 11...c5?! can now be countered by 12.f5! gxf5 13.exf5 xf5 14.xf5! xf5 15.xb7 g4 16.e4! f2 17.xd6! when the complications favour White. ] 12.d3!? [ 12.b2 would avoid Black's next. ] 12...d4!? 13.a3!? [ A strange move, 13.xd4 exd4 14.b5 is met by h3! 15.xd4 xg2 16.xg2 ae8 17.e1 c5 18.c2 c6 regaining the pawn, but after 19.b2 xe4 20.xg7 Black has no dangerous discovered check and White retains a structural plus. g5+?? 21.d5+ ] 13...c5!? White had hoped to stop this move, but Black offers a pawn to free his pieces. 14.fxe5 g4! 15.xd4 [ After 15.exd6 xd6 16.f4 e5 338 A10 the black knights have excellent central squares. ] Kharlov,Andrei 2633 Minasian,Ara 2473 15...cxd4 16.d5 [ 16.xd4? allows Black to mount a deadly 3rd IECC Batumi GEO (11) 23.06.2002 attack: xe5 17.d3 g7 18.b2 d4+ [Tony Kosten] 19.h1 xh2! and wins ] 17.d2 The d-pawn is still 1.c4 f5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 g6 4.c3 g7 16...xe5 18.b2 d3 19.f4 5.d3 0-0 6.e4 Taking play from a Dutch u n t o u c h a b l e . g4 D e f e n c e i n t o a B o t v i n n i k S y s t e m s t y l e White is trying to win the d-pawn, but even if position. fxe4 7.dxe4 e5 8.ge2 d6 9.0-0 he does Black's activity will be suf f icient compensation. b5?! e6!? [ Hardly necessary, 19...c7 was among [ 9...c6 would be more like a true Botvinnik, several moves that kept the d-pawn safe, as although Black has captured on e4 too soon. 20.xd3? xd3 21.xg7 c5+ 22.h1 As played Black tries to stop W hite from f2+ wins the exchange. ] playing h3 and g4, and then plants his knight on d4 by way of first ...c5 and then ...Nc6- 20.xd3 bxc4 21.xe5 dxe5 22.xf8+ 324
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xf8 23.xd7 xd7 24.bxc4 White has won a pawn, but Black has some play for it. c8 25.f1 c6 26.e1?! d8 27.c3 f8 28.g2 c5+ 29.h1 d3! Activity! 30.xe5 d2 31.a4 xa4 32.f4 d1 33.xd1 xd1 34.e5 a5 35.d5+ f8 36.g2 a4 The passed a-pawn is by far the most dangerous pawn on the board. 37.c1 a3 38.f1 g4 39.e1 b4+ 40.f2 c5+ 41.e1 e7!? ½-½
339 Knott,Simon JB Hodgson,Julian M ch Millfield ENG (7) [Neil McDonald]
A10 2381 2640 07.08.2000
1.c4 b6 2.c3 b7 3.e4 e6 4.f3 b4 It's a battle between the white knights and black bishops! 5.b3 a6 6.e2 e7 7.0-0 0-0 8.d3 g6! Simon Knott reached this position three times at the British Championship. In the first round his opponent played the inferior [ 8...d5?! and was in trouble after 9.exd5 exd5 10.d4! xc3 11.bxc3 c5 12.cxd5 cxd4 13.c4 c5 14.d1! as the d pawn wa s in d e f e n sib le -K n o t t -B a r t o n , B r Ch . 2000. ] 9.a3 c5! 10.c2 Naturally [ 10.xb4?? a5 wins the queen. ] 10...xc3 11.xc3 a5! As usual in this type of centre, Black is keen to cement the position of his knigh t on t he excellen t c5 square . 12.e3 a4 13.d2 Two rounds earlier Knott had tried [ 13.d4 but this had turned out unsuccessfully after f5! 14.f3 f4 15.f2 e5 16.f5 b3 17.ae1 c5! This prevents the freeing d3-d4, which ensures that White's light squared bishop is a useless piece. 18.g4 fxg3 19.hxg3 d6 20.d1 d4 21.xd4 cxd4 22.c1 h5! and Black went on to win in Knott-Ward, Br Ch. 2000. ] 13...f5 The same move as in the Ward extract a b o ve . N o w K n o t t w a n t s t o a vo i d b e i n g paralysed again after 14 f3 f4, but his d e c is io n t o o p e n t h e p o sit io n le a d s t o a fearsome Hodgson attack. 14.exf5 h4!
Attacking g2. 15.f3 xf5 16.d4 f6! 17.f2 a6 18.e4 h6 19.d5 d6 20.dxe6 ae8 21.d3 xe6 The position is now akin to lines in t h e B u d a p e st wh e re B la ck swin gs h is queen's rook over to join the queen in a direct attack on the white king. 22.c1 h5 23.g4 This looks suicidal, though it is understandable that W hite has become frustrated at his inability to generate any counterplay. g6 24.g3 xg3 25.hxg3 [ A slower way to lose was 25.gxh5 e2+ 26.h1 xc1 27.axc1 h6 ] 25...h3 26.c2 c5 27.xc5 xg4! 28.xh7+ h8 White resigned. A possible finish is 29.f2 [ 29.fxg4 h1# ] 29...xg3+ 30.g2 xf3 31.xg3 xg3+ 32.f1 e2+! 33.xe2 f2+ 34.d1 g1# 0-1
340 Knott,Simon JB Hodgson,Julian M ch Millfield ENG (7) [Tony Kosten]
A10 2381 2640 07.08.2000
1.c4 b6 2.c3 b7 3.e4 e6 4.f3 b4 5.b3?! [ I think that this is unnecessary here, 5.d3 is the best move, and is considered in the other games in this line. ] 5...a6! Both protecting the bishop, and planning a neat tactic, reminiscent of the 4 Qb3 Nimzo-Indian. 6.e2 [ Avoiding the trap 6.a3?! c5! 7.c2 ( and not 7.xb4?? a5 8.b5 c6 ) 7...xc3 8.xc3 xe4 9.xg7 f6 with equality. ] 6...e7 7.0-0 0-0 8.d3 g6!? [ More risky, but also more in line with Black's game-plan, than 8...d5 which seems to come close to equalising, 9.exd5 exd5 10.d4 dxc4 11.xc4 xf3 12.xa6 xc3 13.bxc3 c6 14.d3 d7 15.c2?! xg2! 1/2-1/2 Knott,S-W ard,C/ GBR 1999, as Black forces a perpetual check after 16.xg2 g4+ ] 9.a3 [ Stronger than 9.d2 d6 10.a3 c5! 11.c2 xc3 12.xc3 f5! 13.exf5 xf5 325
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 and Black's f-file attack is on its way, Serper, G-Yermolinsky,A/Lucerne 1993. ] 9...c5! [ This theme should be familiar by now, 9...d6 10.d4 c5 11.d1 b8 12.d5 a ll o ws W h i t e a n ic e sp a ce a d va n t a ge , Uhlmann,W -Bagirov,V/ Gladenbach GER 1999. ] 10.c2 [ Once again, 10.xb4?? a5 11.b5 c6 wins the white queen. ] 10...xc3 11.xc3 a5 Necessary to protect the c5-knight from being driven away with b4. 12.e3 a4 13.d2! [ A novelty, White improves over his previous effort from the same event: 13.d4 f5 14.f3?! ( 14.exf5 h4 ) 14...f4! 15.f2 e5 16.f5 b3 17.ae1 c5 18.g4 fxg3 19.hxg3 d6 20.d1 d4 reaching a closed position that favours the black knights, Knott, S-Ward,C/Millfield ENG 2000. ] 13...f5 14.exf5 h4 15.f3 xf5 16.d4 [ The point of White's thirteenth move, the dpawn is free to stake its claim in the centre, but 16.f2 might be even better, as d4 can hardly be stopped. ] 16...f6!? [ Obviously, because of the respective ELOs, Black keeps the tension, but, objectively, 16...xe3 17.xe3 a6 may be superior. ] 17.f2 a6 18.e4 Now White has some advantage, he has two powerful bishops, and the a6-knight is 'dim'. h6 19.d5?! [ Simply 19.ae1 looks good. ] 19...d6 20.dxe6 ae8 21.d3 xe6 Black's prospect s have improved, all his pieces have joined the fray except for the knight, but this will return via c5, thanks to White's nineteenth move. 22.c1!? [ Part of a faulty plan, once again 22.ae1 was indicated. ] 22...h5 23.g4?! [ Difficult to justify such a weakening move u n l e s s i t w i n s o u t r i g h t , 23.g5 is more prudent. ] 23...g6 24.g3? [ This loses quickly, 24.c5! is an important resource, xc5 ( 24...bxc5 25.g3 xg3 26.c4+ d5 27.gxh5 e2+ 28.h1 xc1 29.hxg6 is similar) 25.xc5 bxc5 26.g3 xg3! 27.gxh5 e2+ 28.h1 xc1
29.c4+ d5 30.hxg6 b3 31.xb3 axb3 offers Black reasonable compensation for the exchange. ] 24...xg3! Of course. 25.hxg3 [ This time 25.gxh5 fails to e2+ 26.h1 xc1 and the d3-bishop is attacked. ] 25...h3 26.c2 c5! This attacks the d3bishop, and thus threatens ...Rh6, which would otherwise be answered by Qg2. 27.xc5 [ 27.ae1 h6 28.f2 xe4+ 29.xe4 xg4 menaces ...Rh2+, and wins. ] 27...xg4! The point. 28.xh7+ [ 28.fxg4 h1# ] 28...h8 0-1
341 Knott,Simon JB Summerscale,Aaron ch Millfield ENG (10) [Neil McDonald]
A10 2381 2459 10.08.2000
1.c4 b6 2.f3 b7 3.g3 xf3 4.exf3 c5 Black decides to fight aggressively for control of the d4 square. In a similar position, Speelman adopted a milder course which aimed at restricting W hite's light squared bishop by setting up a triangle of pawns on c6, d5 and e6- you can see the game Yermolinsky-Speelman. 5.d4 c6 6.d5 White seizes space, but on the other hand the pawn on d5 will curb the action of his light squared bishop. d4 7.e3 f5 8.d2 g6! Black isn't afraid to exchange dark squared bishops as it will increase his control over d4. The wekness created in his kingside proves neglible as White's pieces are hardly poised for an attack. 9.c3 g7 10.xg7 xg7 11.h3 h6! This is much better than the routine [ 11...f6?! The knight heads for the d4 square. ] 12.0-0 hf5 13.a3 d4 14.c2 gf5 15.e3 d6 16.f4 0-0 17.b4 c7 18.a4 f5! White has clearly lost the opening struggle as the black knights are well entrenched in the centre while the bishop on h3 is the worst piece on the board. 19.a3 e4 20.d3 e5! Black uses his pawns admirably to strengthen 326
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 his bind on the centre. 21.fxe5 xe5 22.g2 A) 12.c1 c7 ( 12...hxg4 13.fxg4 f5 ae8 23.bxc5 bxc5 24.f4 b8 25.h1 i s u n c l e a r) 13.h3 was not so good, b2! Threatening a knight check on f2. Claesen, P (2430) -Groffen, H (2220)/ 26.xe4 xe4 27.d6 f7 28.g4 fe8 Antwerp 1998, as White has nowhere to 29.d2 b4 30.xf5 A desperate sacrifice, put his king.; but in any case the pressure was too much to B) 12.h3 g8 13.d2 followed by long withstand. gxf5 31.gxf5 e2 A great display castles with good prospects in McNab, Cby a Daring Defender! Martin, A/Edinburgh 1988. ] 0-1 8.g2 The critical move I suppose, but it does leave the c-pawn undefended. [ 8.c3 c8 9.e2 b4 10.0-0 xc3 342 A10 11.bxc3 f6 led to a battle of bishops v knights and better structure in Kosten, A Kosten,Anthony C 2493 (2510)-Bauer, C (2592)/ Cap d'Agde 2008. ] Paci,C 2379 TCh-FRA Top 12 2012 (7.4) 06.06.2012 8...a5!? [ 8...c8 first is more natural, [Tony Kosten] A) 9.0-0!? a5 10.b3 b5! ( 10...f6 11.c2 xa1 12.c3 favours White, 1.c4 b6 2.f3 b7 3.g3 I've played this a c6 13.e3 xf1+ 14.xf1 f6 few times, but may avoid it in the future. b u t B l a c k h a s r e a s o n a b l e c h a n c e s .) [ 3.c3 e6 4.g3 is also possible, and 11.d2 bxc4 12.xc4 xc4 13.bxc4 reduces Black's options as after xf3 5.exf3 xc4 14.e3 looks fairly level to me, lin es wit h .. .g6 a re n o lo nge r po ssib le . Gurevich, M (2643)-Bunzmann, D (2596)/ However, I think these lines are worse than Polanica Zdroj 1999.; those with ...e6 so I was happy to allow the B) 9.d2 this was my intention, e5!? possibility. ] ( 9...b4 10.a3 c5 11.0-0 f6 12.b4 3...xf3 d4 13.a2 is good for White.; 9...a5 [ 3...f5 4.g2 f6 5.0-0 g6 6.d3 g7 transposes to the game.) 10.e2 c7 7.c3 0-0 8.e1 a6 9.e4 fxe4 10.dxe4 11.b3 d3+ 12.xd3! ( 12.f1 xc1 c5 11.e5 was Kosten, A (2524)-Bauer, C 13.xc1 b5 Van der Valk, N (2088)-Bock, (2630)/ Switzerland 2006. ] J (226 1)/ Ne tte tal 20 10 .) 12...e5+ 4.exf3 c5 5.d4 cxd4 By far the most 13.e4 xa1 I had been busily analysing common move here. t h i s m o ve t h e m o r n i n g o f t h e g a m e , [ Black can also play for long-term control of ( 13...b4+? 14.e2 xa1 15.c2 e5 d4 by 5...c6 but then I was happy to 16.b2 f5 17.xg7 is winning, Riblicontinue 6.dxc5 bxc5 7.h3 Gutman BL 1987/88.) 14.0-0 xa2 as in Matamoros Franco, C (2510) -Pavlovic, ( 14...e5 15.f4 a5 16.d1 d6 M (2494)/Reykjavik 2006 - see the PGN 17.d2 is crushing.) 15.f4 and I felt that Archive. ] White's attack was more than sufficient 6.xd4 c6 7.d1 compensation for the material, e.g. d8 [ 7.d2 is possible: e6 8.c3 c8 9.b3 16.c7 f5 17.xd8 fxe4 18.fxe4 xd8 f6 10.f4 ( 10.g2 ) 10...d5 11.b2 d4 19.d1 d6 20.e5 a6 21.f3 h6 can be met by 12.0-0-0 ( 12.e4 g6 22.exd6 c8 23.e4 f5 24.d7 b8 Titz, H-Kengis, E Wien op 1990.) 12...b4 25.xe6 d6 26.e1 c7 27.b4 13.d3 as the d-pawn is pinned. ] winning. ] 7...e6 [ 8...b4+ should be answered by 9.d2 [ 7...g6 is equally popular, but allows White in my opinion, f6 10.0-0 d5 11.f4 c8 to develop easily, 8.c3 g7 9.e3 h5!? 12.cxd5 ( 12.f5!? ) 12...xd5 13.a3 e7 ( 9...c8 10.c1 f6 11.g2 0-0 12.0-0 Vincent, T-Mu Yuchen/ W innipeg 2002, d6 is pleasant for White, Nugel, K-Fegebank, 14.f5 ] F/ Germany 1989.) 10.e2!? h6 11.g4 9.d2 c8 10.b3 I had a long think about c8 327
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 this move. [ After 10.e2 c7 11.b3 I was a bit worried about d5 ( 11...e7 12.0-0 f6 13.b2 favours White, Renaud, O (2096)Picard, R (2229) /France 2003.) 12.0-0 ( 12.cxd5?? xc1+ ) 12...dxc4 although 13.b2 would give White good play, as c3?! ( 13...cxb3?! 14.axb3 f6 15.f4 e7 16.ac1 d7 17.xc8+ xc8 18.b4! xb4 19.b5+ wins a piece.; 13...f6 14.fc1 b5 i s s a f e s t .) 14.ac1 b4 15.e4 e7 16.xc3 with advantage. ] [ 10.a4 was also tempting, as c7 11.0-0! xc4 12.xc4 xc4 13.xa7 c6 ( 13...c5 ) 14.a6 and the queen escapes. ] 10...f6 Best. I was concerned by [ 10...f6 11.b1 e5+ but then realised that 12.e4! was strong: f5?? 13.f4 ] 11.0-0 e7 12.b2 0-0 13.e2 d5 14.fd1 e8! The best way to unpin. [ 14...dxc4 15.xc4 d5 16.ac1 c6 17.f4 f6 18.e3 with strong pressure on d5. ] 15.cxd5 c2!? 16.e5 [ I completely missed 16.xf6! xf6 17.dxe6 h e r e , w h e n a f t e r xa1 18.e7 xa2 19.exf8+ xf8 20.a6 h6 21.e4 Black is in some trouble. ] 16...xd5 Now play is equal. 17.f4 c6 [ 17...c3? fails to 18.d3 when xd1 19.xc2 traps the knight. ] 18.e4 [ 18.e4 was the alternative, c5 19.b2 f6 20.xf6 xf6 21.a4 but b5 is almost equal. ] 18...c5 My opponent thought a long time about this move, which struck me as odd ... as the move is forced! [ 18...c3? 19.xh7+ xh7 20.d3+ ] 19.b2 f6 [ 19...c3?! is still not very good, 20.xh7+ xh7 21.d3+ g8 22.xc3 ] 20.c4 xb2 [ 20...c3? 21.xc3 xc3 22.ac1!? ( 22.xh7+ xh7 23.c2+ g8 24.xc3 is also good, as b5? 25.e3 ) 22...f6 23.d6 d7 24.xc5 bxc5 25.h5 g6 26.xc5 with an extra pawn. ] 21.xb2 b5?! This move leaves the rook loose and short of squares. 22.xd5 exd5?
[ 22...xd5 23.xd5 exd5 24.d6 d7 25.xb5 l o s e s a p a w n , b u t a f t e r d4 Black has some compensation. ] 23.d6! b8 [ My opponent had probably intended 23...d7 'trapping' the knight, but then realised that 24.e4 wins the rook as the dpawn is pinned. ] [ 23...e7 is no better: 24.f5 f6 25.xf6 gxf6 26.ac1 xc1 27.xc1 wins material. ] 24.f5? Sloppy. I was so happy to win a pawn with no risk of losing, that I missed [ 24.b4! xb4 25.f5! d4 26.e7+ h8 27.xb4 ] 24...d4 [ 24...f6 25.ac1 xc1 26.xc1 is crushing. ] 25.xd4 xd4 26.xd4 b4 27.ad1 a5 28.e2 h6 29.e7 White's extra pawn is the doubled f-pawn, but this is still useful as the white king is better protected and the front fpawn can be advanced without risk. Meanwhile the d-file control is a plus. c7 30.d7 c6 31.7d6 [ I t h o u g h t a w h i l e a b o u t 31.e1!? threatening Qxf8+ and Rd8+ mating, but couldn't bring myself to play such a crude move! g6 defends, of course. ] 31...e8 32.a7 There is no need to exchange queens just yet. c8 33.h4 f5 [ I had expected 33...c7 and planned to play 34.xc7 xc7 35.a6 c5 36.d7 with some pressure. ] 34.6d2 A bit of safety-first as the time control approached. fc8 35.b7 h7 36.d7 g8 37.g2 h5?! 38.f3 [ 38.e1 f8 39.ee7 was stronger. ] 38...g6 39.7d5 [ 39.1d5 was much stronger, f6 40.f5! ] 39...f6 40.e4 g7? The last move before the time control. 41.d6 b2?? However, now we were no longer in time trouble, so it is not easy to explain this mistake. [ 41...f5 42.d4+ g8 43.e1 c2 keeps the game alive, although 44.e7 c3 45.e4 is still unpleasant for Black. ] 42.xg6+! f8 [ 42...fxg6 43.d7+ h6 ( 43...f6 44.e7+ f5 45.f7+ f6 46.d5+ xd5 47.xd5+ g4 48.f3# ) 44.e7 h8 328
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 and now we see the value of the f4-pawn: 45.g5+! xg5 46.fxg5# ] 43.d7 1-0
343 Kosten,Anthony C Popchev,Milko Clermont Ferrand (5) [Tony Kosten]
A10 2507 2481 21.02.2004
1.c4 f5 2.f3 f6 3.g3 e6 4.g2 d5 5.0-0 d6 [ 5...c6 6.d3 c5 i s s i m i l a r ( 6...d6 transposes) 7.c2! see Avrukh,B-Shachar, E/Tel Aviv ISR 2002. ] 6.c3 0-0 [ 6...dxc4?! 7.a4+ d7 8.xc4 e5 leads to an inferior Sicilian-style position. ] 7.d3 [ 7.d4 c6 leads to a mainline Stonewall Dutch. ] 7...c6 8.e4!? I had difficulty making-up my mind at this juncture, as I have also played [ 8.cxd5 exd5 9.e4 with some success, dxe4 ( 9...fxe4 10.dxe4 dxe4 11.g5 e7 12.cxe4 xe4 13.xe4 f5 14.e1 d7 15.b3+ h8 16.d1 led to a quick W hite win in Blatny,P-Salai,L/Stary Smokovec 1990; 9...d4!? 10.e2!? fxe4 11.dxe4 xe4 12.exd4 looks fairly equal, K o c h y e v , A - P i n n e l , P / D o r t m u n d 1 9 9 3) 10.dxe4 c5 11.b3+ h8 12.e5 e8 13.g5 with a big plus, Kosten,A-Williams,S/ 4NCL, Kenilworth ENG 1997. ] 8...dxe4 9.dxe4 b4! The best chance. 10.exf5 White has to do something about the threat to capture on c3, then e4. [ 10.xd8 xd8 11.g5 is an alternative, xc3 12.bxc3 fxe4 13.e5 h6 14.fd1! f8 ( 14...xd1+ 15.xd1 hxg5? 16.d8+ h7 17.xc8 is crushing) 15.e3 bd7 16.xd7 xd7 17.xe4 xe4 18.xd7 b6 which is about equal, Gasimov,R-Radjabov, T/ Baku 1998. ] 10...xd1 White was threatening to play Qb3, ga in in g a te mp o on th e b4 -b isho p wh ilst defending the knight on c3, but [ 10...xc3 11.bxc3 exf5 was possible, 12.a3 xd1 13.axd1 e8 14.fe1
xe1+ 15.xe1 bd7 but White's bishops and act ivity outweigh the inf erior pawn structure. ] 11.xd1! The most ambitious, [ 11.xd1 exf5 12.a3 d6 13.c3 wastes two tempi, Horvath,C-Radjabov,T/ Budapest 1999. ] 11...exf5 [ 11...xc3 transposes to the note to move ten. ] 12.a4! getting a grip on c5, and threatening to embarrass the dark-squared bishop. a6!? Apparently a new move, [ 12...e4 also covers the c5-square, 13.d4! ( 13.e3 d7 14.a3 e7 15.ac1 e8 doesn't give much, K r a s e n k o w, M - M e n c i n g e r , V / P t u j 1 9 8 9) 13...a6 14.e3 e8 15.a3 f8 16.ac1 g6 Malaniuk,V-Gleizerov,E/Barlinek POL 2 0 0 2 , a n d n o w I w o u l d p r e f e r 17.b4 with queenside possibilities. ] 13.a3 e7 14.f4 To keep the knight on a6. e4 15.b4 White's advantage is dependent upon his extra space on the queenside, c5 and Bf1 is one possibility. e6 Attacking c4 gives Black time to develop his queen's rook. 16.ac1 [ 16.d4? is tempting, but throws away the advantage: xc4 17.xf5 xf5 18.xe4 as Black has the tactic xf4! 19.gxf4 b3 ] 16...ad8 17.d4 c8 18.f3 Driving Black's one active piece back. [ 18.e5 looks like a nice square, but Black has c5 ] 18...f6 19.b3! Aiming for a5. [ 19.c5!? was tempting, d5 20.e5 fe8 21.f4 e3 22.e1 xg2 23.xg2 with a nice bind, and N-b2-c4-d6 coming, but I didn't want to concede the d5-square prematurely. ] 19...xd1+ 20.xd1 e6? A 'morning round' error, [ 20...e8 kept White's advantage to a m i n i m u m , a s t h e n 21.b5 ( 21.f2! followed by bringing the a4-knight to b2-d3 with a plus) 21...cxb5 22.cxb5 is met by e6! 23.d4 c5 24.xe6 xe6 25.c1 c8 with counterplay. ] 21.a5 b8? Trying to bring the knight back in t o t h e ga m e , b u t th is lo se s a p a wn f o r no th in g. B la ck sho uld ha ve a dm it te d his 329
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 mistake by [ 21...c8 although 22.e3 d8 23.xd8+ xd8 24.xa7 is very good for White. ] [ 21...h5 22.e5 c8 23.c5 leaves Black tied-up. ] 22.e1! f7 23.xb7 xc4? But otherwise Blac k ha s a lost a key pa wn f or noth ing. 24.d6! [ 24.d6 d5 25.xe7 xe7 26.d6+ wins a piece. ] 1-0
344 Krasenkow,Michal Rozentalis,Eduardas Jersey op St Clement Bay (5) [Danny Gormally]
A10 2643 2616 08.03.2013
1.f3 e6 2.c4 b6 3.e4 b7 4.c3 b4 5.d3 e7 6.0-0 0-0 7.e2?! White cannot hope to gain an advantage after this. In fact, if anything he ends up struggling for equality. This has turned out to be a wise opening choice by Rozentalis- Kransenkow, a wellknown theoretician, is not so comfortable in these unusual systems. [ 7.c2! Was a more resolute examination of this irregular opening. f5 8.exf5? ( 8.d3! keeping the tension, was to be preferred. Although this is not a normal system, so mistakes are less surprising. It is funny how often players go wrong when they are faced with unusual problems in the opening. ) 8...xf3 ( 8...xf5! With beautiful co-ordination between the black army, would have been a kind of dream Nimzo) 9.xf3 bc6 10.e2 c5 11.f6 g6 12.e4 xf6 13.h3 f8 14.d4 xd4 15.xd4 xd4 16.xa8? xf2 17.e3 f4 18.g4 xf1+ 19.xf1 xe3 Black has beautiful compensation for the exchange, Smirin, I (2691)-Atalik, S (2537)/ Sarajevo 2001. ] [ 7.e1 f5 8.e5 g6 9.f1? Heubner is rattled. It was games like this that brought this ..b6 line a huge following against the English xf3! Miles loved to play with knights against bishops, and here he wins a clear pawn to boot. 10.xf3 c6 11.d4 xd4 12.d3 c6 13.f4 d6 14.exd6 xd6 15.xd6 cxd6 16.d1 ( 16.xe6
d4 17.e1 c2-+ ) 16...ad8 Huebner, R (2600)-Miles, A (2555)/Bad La uterberg 1977. ] 7...f5! Classic strategy- exchange a wing pawn for a center one. 8.c2 a5 9.fd4 fxe4 10.xe4 xe4 11.xe4 bc6 Black has comfortably equalised, and can look forward to the future with confidence. 12.xc6 xc6 13.d4 f6! 14.e3 d6 15.f4 f5! 16.g3 xe4 17.xe4 b4 18.ad1 e7 19.a3 c2 Many players would be reluctant to "bury" their knight in such a fashion but Rozentalis has seen further- while this piece is in danger, the time White will expend trying to capture it will allow Black to build up a strong initiative. 20.c1 d5! Freezing the weakness on d4. 21.cxd5 exd5 22.c3 c6 23.d2 a1! It's always a pleasure to play such moves. Now Black has a clear strategical plan- to build up on the d-pawn- while for White it is not so clear what he should do. 24.d3 a4 25.e3 c2 26.f2 b5! 27.c1 xa3! 28.e1 [ 28.bxa3 xa3 29.c2 e7 Would be a horror to defend for White- the armada of black pawns on the queenside represent a formidable threat. ] 28...c4 29.xe7 b4 [ 29...xb2 30.g3 f7 was also possibleagain the queenside pawns look extremely scary. ] 30.xa4 xa4 31.b3 a1+ 32.e1 fa8 33.bxc4 dxc4 34.dd1 xd1 35.xd1 b3 36.e1 a2 37.b4? Having been forced to play only move after only move for some time now, Krasenkow finally cracks. [ 37.c1 b2 38.b1 a1 39.xb2 xe1+ 40.f2 e4= Would still have held the draw. ] 37...c2! Now it's all over. 38.g4 b2 39.a3 c3 40.f5 h6 41.h4 d2 42.e1 xd4 43.g5 hxg5 44.hxg5 e4 45.d1 f7 46.f2 f4+ 47.e3 xf5 48.g1 a5 49.g6+ e6 An excellent creative achievement by Rozentalis. 0-1
330
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 345 Krasenkow,Michal Speelman,Jonathan S Eu Team Ch Batumi GEO (7) [Tony Kosten]
A10 2647 2597 06.12.1999
1.c4 e6 2.c3 b6 3.e4 [ My personal preference, shutting the h1-a8 diagonal, and leaving Black's light-squared bishop 'biting on granite'. 3.d4 would lead to 'more normal' 1 d4 lines. ] 3...b7 4.f3 b4 5.d3 e7 6.e2!? A recently popular idea, hoping to embarrass the b4-bishop. [ 6.0-0 is more common, 0-0 7.c2 ( 7.e1 f5 8.e5 g6 9.f1?! xf3 10.xf3 c6 worked out well for Black in Huebner,RMiles,A/Bad Lauterberg 1977) 7...f5 8.d4 xc3 9.bxc3 xe4 10.xe4 fxe4 11.g5 although Black is fine, Rahman, Z-Speelman, J/Calcutta 1996. ] 6...f5 [ B l a c k m u s t t a k e c a r e , 6...0-0? drops a piece after 7.a3 d6 8.e5 xf3 9.exd6 xe2 10.dxe7 ] 7.c2 [ White reintroduces an older line. 7.g3!? has recently been the preferred method of defending e4, g6 ( 7...0-0 may be better, 8.0-0 d6 9.exf5 xf5 10.xf5 exf5 11.e1 f6 12.d4 xf3 13.xf3 c6 14.d5 e5 15.c3 f4 16.e4 h4 17.f3? and now b4! 18.xb4 d3 led to a brilliant victory for Black in Hanley, C-Plaskett,J/Port Erin IOM 1998) 8.0-0 f4 ( 8...0-0!? Speelman ) 9.e2 0-0 10.b1 h4 11.xh4 xh4 12.f3 shutting out the b7-bishop, and preparing d4, with a plus, Chernin, A-Speelman,J/Slough 1997. ] 7...bc6!? [ Speelman's improvement on 7...d6 8.a3 ( t h r e a t e n i n g e 5 ) g6?! 9.exf5 h4 10.e4! c6 11.fxe6 0-0 12.d4 xg2+ 13.f1 with a winning material advantage, Mitenkov,A-Ivanov,V/Moscow 1994. ] 8.exf5 xf5 9.xf5 White takes the offered pawn. exf5 10.xf5 e7 Black threatens to castle long, and then attack along the open e a n d f f i l e s , a n d h 1 - a 8 d i a g o n a l . 11.0-0 xe2?! [ A typical Speelman queen sacrifice, which
may offer better practical chances than 11...g6 , say, 12.c2 0-0 13.d4 intending Nf4-d5, or simply d5, but ] [ 11...f8 12.g4 0-0-0 13.g3 a5 was worthy of consideration. ] 12.e1 xe1+ 13.xe1 0-0-0 14.b3! hf8 15.h3 [ There is little point grabbing further material by 15.xh7 which opens lines against the king. ] 15...c5 16.d3 [ Without this funny move White would be in trouble. If 16.f3? then d4 with more than sufficient compensation. ] 16...d4 17.b2 e2+ [ The tactics don't quite seem to work for Black, if 17...e4 then 18.xc5 e2+ 19.f1 f4 20.e3 xg2+ 21.g1 de8 22.a4 xe3 23.fxe3 and White plays an endgame a piece to the good. ] 18.f1 f4 19.xf4 xf4 20.d4 Of course, White is happy to provoke further exchanges, even at the temporary cost of a pawn. df8 [ 20...xd4 21.xd4 xd4 22.xh7 wins comfortably. ] 21.e3 e7 22.e1 [ There is nothing wrong with 22.xe7 xf2+ 23.e1 but why bother to calculate it? ] 22...h4 23.g3 f3 24.e2 d8 25.d5 W h a t e ve r c h a n ce s B l a ck m a y h a v e h a d d i sa p p e a r wi t h t h e c lo su re o f t h e h 1 -a 8 diagonal. 3f7 26.a3 d6 27.b2 b8 28.d4 c8 Objectively, Black is quite lost, but tries to generate a little play. 29.g2 g6 30.h3 h5 31.d2 g5 32.e2 Ca lm co n solid a t io n . a5 33.e1 d7 34.e4?! [ An error, losing the exchange, 34.b4 axb4 35.xb4 is simplest, followed by a4-5, opening the black king position. ] 34...c5! 35.e3! [ The best decision, maintaining a safe edge. 35.c3 i s l e s s c l e a r , xh3+ 36.g1 ( 36.xh3? xf2 with a threat of ...g4) 36...h4 with play. ] 35...f5 36.e6 xe6 37.dxe6 f6 38.d1! xe6 39.xh5 After this, and despite the equal m ateria l, W hit e has a stron g plan : prepare f4, exchanging the g5-pawn, and then advance the passed kingside pawns. 331
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ef6 [ 39...e5 might be a better chance, for if 40.d1 c7 41.d2 Black can play fe8 holding-up the f4-plan. ] 40.d1 c7 41.d2 6f7 42.f4! gxf4 43.xf4 d7 44.h4 f6 45.h5 White's position is easy to play. e5! 46.xe5 dxe5 47.e3 e8 Black has created a passed pawn of his own, but it is not quick enough. 48.h6 e4 49.g4 f7 50.g5 f3 Both sides advance their pawns as fast as possible. 51.e1 f5 52.g3+ b7 53.h7 e3 54.g6 e2 This pawn will queen, but it is a move too late. 55.g7! g5! [ Resourceful play, after the obvious 55...e1 W h it e wi n s b y 56.xe1 xe1 57.g8 when Black cannot stop the h-pawn from promoting, as well. ] 56.xg5 e1 57.g8 [ Care is still needed, if 57.d5+ a6 58.g8 e2+ 59.h3 e3+ the position is not clear. ] 57...e2+ 58.h3 [ And not 58.f3?? when f2+ 59.g4 d1+ leads to mate! ] 58...h1+ [ Now, 58...e3+? 59.h2 e2+ fails to 60.g2+ which is check. ] 59.g4 g2+ 60.f5 f2+ [ Eventually, Black's checks peter out. Neither 60...xg5+ 61.xg5 g1+ when the white king will find refuge on the eighth rank (answering a check by in t e rp o s in g t h e wh it e q u e e n , a lso wit h check), e.g. 62.f5 f2+ 63.e6 e3+ 64.d7 etc. ] [ Nor 60...b1+ saves him, A) and not 61.e6?? when xg5 62.f7+ ( 62.xg5 xh7 ) 62...a6 63.h8 e4+ 64.d7 b7+ draws; B) 61.f6 xg5 62.f7+ a6 63.xg5 should win easily. ] 61.g6 e4+ 62.h6 h2+ 63.g7 d4+ 64.f8 f2+ 65.f7+ xf7+ 66.xf7 a6 67.g8 1-0
346 Lautier,Joel Taddei,Benoit TCh-Nat1 GpA (7) [Tony Kosten]
A10 2676 2340 04.04.2004
1.c4 f6 2.c3 g6 3.e4 e5 4.f3 g7 Forced if Black wants to play a King's Indian Defence, [ 4...d6 5.d4 exd4 6.xd4 g7 obliges Black to play a line he probably doesn't like. ] 5.d4 Heading for typical KID play, [ 5.xe5 is examined in Ibragimov-Odeev. ] 5...exd4 6.xd4 0-0 7.e2 e8 8.f3 c6 Black could always play [ 8...d6 which leads to a KID, but he hopes to gain advantage from delaying this move. ] 9.g5 Hoping to hinder the ...d5 break. d5!? A novelty, and exactly the move White tried to stop. [ 9...h6 is more normal, ready to break the pin on the h4-d8 diagonal, 10.h4 d5 11.exd5 ( 11.cxd5!? is not very popular, although wins a pawn after g5 12.g3 cxd5 13.db5 a6 14.exd5 Gurevich,M-Jansa, V/Forchheim GER 2000) 11...cxd5 12.0-0 c6 13.cxd5?! ( 13.xc6 bxc6 14.f2 was quickly agreed drawn in Petursson,MSax,G /Bu en os Aires 1 97 8) 13...xd4 14.xd4 xd5! and Black is better, Svirin,OKhasin,A/Podolsk 1990. ] 10.cxd5 b6?! This is Black's idea, although [ 10...h6!? has its points: 11.xf6!? ( 11.h4 transposes to the last note) 11...xf6 12.c2 cxd5 13.xd5 c6 with more than adequate compensation. ] 11.b3 [ 11.dxc6! bxc6 12.b3 should transpose. ] 11...a5?! Giving White a second chance to capture on c6, [ 11...cxd5! 12.exd5 a6 is better, e.g. 13.h4 (to play Bf 2) b4 14.f2 d8 15.d6 e6 16.0-0 fd5 and Black will regain a pawn. ] 12.dxc6 bxc6 13.c1! White has to regain control of the g1-a7 diagonal before he can castle. a4 14.e3 b4 15.c5 a3 It looks like Black has succeeded in undermining White's defence of the c3-knight. 16.d3 Forced, but strong. b7 332
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 16...axb2 17.xb4 bxc1+ 18.xc1 leaves White a solid pawn up in the ending. ] [ 16...e7!? ] 17.b1 bd7?! 18.0-0 White has castled and managed to easily consolidate his extra pawn, so Black is effectively lost. a5 19.b4 a8 20.b5!? This opens the b-file and gains cont rol of d5 , altho ugh at the sa me tim e exchanges a good pawn for a rather weaker one. a5 21.bxc6 xc6 22.b5 White virtually forces the exchange of queens, although he could also go for [ 22.b4 b7 23.cd5 xd5 24.xd5 with a fine knight established on d5. ] 22...xc1 23.fxc1 a6 24.d6 e6 25.c4 xc4 Every exchange brings Black closer to resignation, but he has little alternative as [ 25...a4 is met by 26.b4 xb4 27.xb4 xc4 28.xc4 ] 26.xc4 h5 27.b7 f8 28.cc7 d5!? A desperate last fling of the dice, but there is little better, e.g. [ 28...e5 29.xe5 axe5 30.d4 a5 31.c4 and the position explodes. ] 29.d2! Even stronger than [ 29.xd7 xe3 30.xf7 ] 29...xc7 30.xa5 As Black drops a piece one of the two knights on the 7th rank. 1-0
347 Marjanovic,Slavoljub Ivanisevic,Ivan 55th ch Subotica YUG (3) [Tony Kosten]
A10 2524 2460 18.03.2000
1.c4 b6 2.e4 b7 3.c3 e6 4.f3 b4 5.d3 e7 6.e2 g6!? [ Bogdan Lalic's improvement, 6...f5 7.c2 is all the rage. ] 7.a3 [ Im m e d ia t e ly ch a sin g t h e b ish o p , 7.0-0 offered little before. ] 7...d6 8.c2 f5! 9.c3 [ 9.exf5?! h4 10.xh4 xh4 11.fxe6 dxe6 leads to a typical black initiative. ] 9...h4 10.d4 xf3+ [ Sidestepping 10...xg2+?! 11.f1 h4 when 12.g5 e7 13.xh4 xg5
14.h5+ is awkward. ] 11.xf3 h4 This move makes it difficult for White to castle kingside. 12.g3 h3 13.f4 c6 14.0-0-0?! [ In view of White's coming difficulties, 14.b5! 0-0 15.xd6 cxd6 16.e3 is better, when White can claim a plus. ] 14...fxe4 15.xe4 0-0 16.xd6 cxd6 17.c3 a5 Suddenly the c4-pawn appears exposed on the newly-opened c-file. 18.he1?! [ Better to go for the complications of 18.xd6!? fc8 ( or 18...f3 19.d3 xc4! 20.xc4 c8 21.c7 xd3 which is also good f or Black) 19.c5 xh1 20.xh1 with some compensation for the exchange. ] 18...ac8 19.c5 [ W h a t e l s e ? 19.b3?? allows xf4 as the g-pawn is now pinned. ] 19...dxc5 20.b1 d5 21.d6 [ 21.dxc5 xc5 22.d3 c4 is also very good for Black. ] 21...f3 [ Or 21...xf2!? 22.dxc5 c4 menacing ... Nxd6, and the desperate 23.xd5 exd5 24.e7 fails to f1+ 25.a2 f6 ] 22.d3 xf2 Black has obtained a deadly initiative. 23.dxc5 [ 23.g4 is tricky, but following xg4 24.g3 xd4 25.e5 xc3 26.xg7+ f8 27.xc3 Black has a winning material advantage. ] 23...c4 24.xd5 Desperation. exd5 25.e7 Threat ening mat e, bu t B lack can def en d easily. f1+ [ 25...f6! ] 26.a2 f7 27.d4? [ This loses more material, White had one last chance: 27.d3 f2 and now 28.xc4 ( 28.xc4!? is also feasible! dxc4 29.xc4 bxc5 30.xd7 and Black should win, of course, but it is difficult to avoid losing the f7-rook on the way.) 28...xe7 29.xd5+ f7 30.cxb6! xc3 31.b7 b6 32.b8+ xb8 33.xb8 c2 34.xa7 xh2 35.a4 and the queenside pawns offer a certain amount of counterplay. ] 27...xd6 28.b3 [ 28.cxd6 is quite h o pe le ss, to o , xc2 29.xd5 c4+ 30.xc4 xc4 ]
333
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 28...xe7 0-1
348
A10 Matamoros Franco,Carlos S 2510 Pavlovic,Milos 2494 XXII Open Reykjavik ISL (9) 14.03.2006 [John Watson]
W hite's active move in an old line brings results, even if Black slips out against poor technique. 1.c4 b6 2.f3 b7 3.g3 xf3 4.exf3 c5 5.d4 c6 6.dxc5 bxc5 7.h3! A subtle move that serves as prophylactic in two different ways. One is simply that Black has to protect d7 before he castles or c o u n t e r a t t a c k s w i t h h i s q u e e n . g6?! Surprisingly, this standard move targeting the d4 outpost is probably a mistake! [ Black should play something like 7...f6 8.c3 e6 in order to protect his centre. ] 8.0-0 g7 9.c3 [ 9.d2 f6 10.b3 d6= ] 9...f6 The other is that d7 and c8 are covered after 9...d6? 10.Qa4. [ F u r t h e r m o r e , 9...xc3?! 10.bxc3 takes d4 away from Black. In spite of the pair of doubled pawns, White's bishops give him the advantage, e.g., f6 ( 10...h5 11.e1 h6 12.d5! ) 11.h6 ( or 11.g5 0-0 12.xf6 exf6 13.d6 ) 11...e6 12.d2 d6 13.fd1 e5 14.e2 ] 10.e3 Uh-oh. The pawn on c5 is indefensible. a5 [ 10...d6? 11.a4 ] [ 10...b8 11.b1 a5 12.e4! ] 11.e4 0-0 [ 11...xe4?? 12.xd7+ ] 12.xc5 [ 12.xf6+ xf6 13.xd7 d4 gives Black plenty of compensation, e.g., 14.xd4 xd4 15.xe7 ab8 16.b3 xa1 17.xa1 xb3! ] 12...d6 13.d3 d5 14.b4 d8 15.c1 [ 15.c2 is also good. ] 15...e6 16.cxd5 xd5 17.c5 d7 18.b5 e7 19.e5 b7 20.f4 [ 20.e2! and Rfc1 would cement White's advantage. His two bishops and forthcoming passed pawn on the queenside will decide. ]
20...fd5 21.f3 [ W h i t e i s s t a r t i n g t o s l i p . 21.g2! would leave him a clear pawn up. ] 21...a6 22.b6?! [ Missing a tactic. 22.a4! axb5 23.axb5 keeps Black's knights restricted. ] 22...xe5! 23.fxe5 xb6! 24.xd5 [ 24.fc1! xe3 25.xe3 d5 26.e2 Even without the extra pawn White keeps Black a little tied down, although it's probably not much. ] 24...b7 25.h6 Threatening Rd3. [ 25.c5 xd5 26.xf8 transposes to the next note. ] 25...xd5 26.d1!? [ 26.xf8 xf8 27.a3= ] 26...e7 [ It's e asiest to f o rce th ings b y 26...fc8! 27.xd5 xd5 28.f6 c1+ 29.f1 xf1+ 30.xf1 h1+ 31.e2 e4+= ] 27.xf8 xf8 28.f1 c7 29.xa6 a8 30.f1 xa2 31.e1 h5 32.h4 c5 33.d1 a3 34.d3 a1 35.d1 xd1 Black plays for a win. It doesn't hurt to try. The remaining moves require no n otes: 36.xd1 c3 37.e2 g7 38.h2 d4 39.g2 b6 40.f1 d7 41.f4 b6 42.g2 c4 43.f3 e3 44.h3 c3 45.h2 c1 46.f2 c5 47.e2 d4 48.h3 c3 49.h2 f5 50.f2 d3 51.g2 e3 52.f3 d4 53.e2 f5 54.e4 e3 55.f3 f8 56.h3 f5 57.e4 h6 58.f3 c3 59.h2 e7 60.f2 f5 61.a7+ f8 62.f2 e3 63.h3 d4 64.e2 e7 65.a6 c5 66.c6 d4 67.a8 d5 68.xd5 exd5 69.a3+ e8 70.a8+ e7 71.a3+ e8 72.a8+ e7 73.a3+ ½-½
349 Miezis,Normunds Svidler,Peter Keres Mem Rapid rapid (6) [Tony Kosten]
A10 2518 2689 07.01.2001
1.c4 b6 2.c3 b7 3.e4 e6 4.ge2 I like this move, and duly recommend it in my book on the English Opening. f6 [ Standard, 4...f5!? 5.exf5 exf5 6.d4 f6 7.d3 e4 Miezis,N-Ward,C/Port Erin 1998, 334
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 when 8.e3 has its points. ] 5.g3!? [ But I'm not so keen on this, the knight is not optimally placed on the wing. I prefer 5.d3 c5 6.g3 c6 7.g2 d6 8.0-0 as in McNab, C-Plaskett,J/Southend 1999. ] 5...c5 6.d3!? [ Miezis is trying to improve on his 6.e5 g8 7.d3?! d6 8.exd6 xd6 9.e3 c6 10.e2 ge7 11.f3 e5 12.d2 0-0 13.0-0-0 d7 when Black is quite a lot b e t t e r , b e c a u se o f h i s h o l d o n d 4 , b u t blundered, and lost, Miezis, N-Ehlvest,J, from the same tournament. ] 6...c6 7.f4 h5! This move is often effective against knights on g3. 8.e5 h4! 9.ge4 xe4 10.xe4 d6 11.exd6 xd6 12.e3 e7 13.a4 0-0 14.0-0-0 d4 Black seems to have built-up a similar advantage to the E h l ve s t ga m e . 15.d2 f5 16.c3 a6 17.d1 b5 Black is attacking all over the board. 18.e1 b6 19.f2 h3 20.h4 d6 21.g3 a5 22.g1 [ White cannot defend his a-pawn, 22.b1?? b4 23.e2 b3 ] 22...b4 23.gxh3?! f7 24.b1 f3 White's pieces seem to have found comical squares, and it is no surprise that Black wins mo re th a n an e xch a n ge . 25.dg2 c7 26.f2 xf4+ 27.d1 xg1 28.xg1 e5 29.g6 h7 30.g3 xg3 [ T h e r e i s n o t h i n g w r o n g w i t h 30...xg6 31.xf4 f6 , either. ] 31.xg3 f4 32.g4 e3 33.h4+ g8 34.d2 f3+ 35.xf3 xf3+ 36.e1 f5 37.e2 e5 The rest is a massacre, but in rapid chess there is always the chance that yo ur o p po ne n t blu nd ers. 38.f2 xd3 39.f1 xh3+ 40.g1 e3 41.xf4 xe2 0-1
bad idea. For White I would take a look at 11. Ne4!? 1.c4 g6 2.e4 e5 3.d4 f6!? 4.f3 [ 4.dxe5 xe4 5.d5 was fashionable in the 70's and here Black can choose between f5 ( or 5...b4+ 6.d2 xd2+ 7.xd2 xd2 8.xd2 c6 ) 6.exf6 xf6 Najdorf, M (2540)-Ribli, Z (2505)/Hoogovens Wijk aan Zee 1973 ] 4...exd4 [ 4...b4+ was played sometimes, but I'm not a fan of trading the fianchettoed bishop so qu ickl y 5.d2 xd2+ 6.xd2 xe4 ( 6...e7 7.dxe5 xe4 8.e3 b4+ 9.bd2 was Poluljahov, A (2554)-Sutovsky, E (2587)/MK Cafe Cup-A 1999.) 7.e3 d5 8.cxd5 xd5 9.xe5 0-0 10.c4 a5+ 11.c3 and this g7-bishop will be missing at some point. ] 5.e5 e4 [ 5...b4+ now it makes more sense 6.d2 e7 7.xb4 xb4+ 8.d2 xd2+ 9.bxd2 h5 10.xd4 c6 11.xc6 dxc6 with some strange kind of Berlin, but since Black can castle I assume that the position is ok. ] 6.xd4 b4+ 7.bd2 [ 7.c3 was seen in a recent game and is an ambitious try xc3 8.bxc3 c6 9.d3 e7 10.h6 with an interesting position in Cmilyte, V (2524)-Lahno, K (2553)/Beijing Sportaccord (Women) blitz 2012 ] 7...g5 This doesn't look so natural, but with 8...Nc6 ideas it's a good way to check White's setup. 8.a3 A novelty, but I'm not sure if it's a good one. The idea is to clarify the tension and to try to build a center with f4 later. [ 8.e2 was the move played before and I think Black is fine after c6 9.e3 xf3+ 10.xf3 0-0 11.0-0 e8 12.xc6 dxc6 13.f3 g4 Vitiugov, N (2726)-Volokitin, A (2686)/ Bundesliga 1112 2011 (11.1)/0-1 ] 8...xf3+ 9.gxf3 c6 10.e3 f8 350 A10 Coming back and going to the ideal square on Nakamura,Hikaru 2775 g7 11.b4 [ 11.e4!? I like this move, it makes Black Svidler,Peter 2769 less comfortable and tries to pose some Thessaloniki FIDE GP (11) 03.06.2013 problems from the start g7 12.f6+ f8 [Fier, Alexandr] 13.f4 and here Black has two continuations xf6 ( 13...d6 14.d2 h6 15.d5 dxe5 A really interesting fight! Black is probably 16.0-0-0 with good compensation) 14.exf6 better after the opening but it's not easy to xf6 15.d2 e7 16.0-0-0 xe3 17.fxe3 prove it. I think exchanging the queens was a 335
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 with an unclear endgame ] 11...g7 12.b2 0-0 13.f4 Now if White can hold the pawns in the center and queenside then everything is fine, but his position is overextended. The computer assesses it as good for Black, but to find a improvement over the game is not an easy task d6 14.0-0-0 dxe5 15.fxe5 h4 16.b5 e7 17.g3 h5 [ 17...f5 is one of the possibilities, but why change queens when White's king is much more open than Black's? 18.xh4 xh4 19.d3 e8 20.c2 a6! can give an edge, but nothing concrete ] 18.f4 [ 18.e4 g4 19.d2 ad8 20.g1 xd2 21.xd2 e6 22.f4 looks like the same kind of position as in the game, but with one defender less for White ] 18...a6 19.a4 axb5 20.axb5 g4 [ 20...c6 here or on the next move this can be played, trying to open the position even more. 21.bxc6 ( 21.b6 now the endgames are more interesting for Black, the b6-pawn can fall at any moment d8 22.e1 f5 23.f2 h4 ) 21...bxc6 22.e4 is logical and now g4 23.d2 f5 24.e1 fb8 can give Black good prospects even if the position is still not clear ] 21.e1 fd8 [ 21...c6 22.bxc6 bxc6 23.h3 ( 23.g1 e6 24.e2 h6 looks like this is the square for the queen and after 25...Rfb8 Black is much better) 23...e6 24.e4 fb8 ] 22.g1 e6 23.e2 f5 [ 23...h6 again Black can try to put the queen on this weird square and keep the initiative. Compared to the positions with ... c6, it looks like the rook is more active on the b-file than the d-file, so 23. ..Qf5 is consistent with Black's plan, but still the idea of 24...Nf5 followed by 25... Qh3 looks tempting 24.e4 f5 25.f2 h3 ] 24.g4 xg4 25.xg4 xg4 26.xg4 f5 Now Black has an excellent post on f5 and better rooks, but all the pawns and pieces are defended, so the task is not easy. 27.g2 d3 28.e4 Regrouping. a4 29.c2 e3 [ 29...b4 30.c3! sacrificing the pawn to activate d4!? ( 30...xc3+ 31.xc3 xc4 32.c2 a4 33.b3 a8 34.d1
is not what Black was dreaming of.) 31.c2 dxc4 32.f6+ h8 ( 32...xf6 33.exf6 looks dangerous) 33.ee2 and things are again not clear. ] 30.d1 d3+ 31.c1 [ 31.d2 was an interesting option xd2+ ( 31...e3+ leads to a draw after 32.xe3 xe3 33.d8+ f8 34.f6+ g7 35.e8+ h6 36.f6= ) 32.xd2 xc4 33.f6+ xf6 34.exf6 h5 35.e8+ h7 36.e7! and Black needs to take care to not be worse. ] 31...e3 Now I think Black's winning chances are not very good any more. 32.c5 xc2 33.xc2 xc4+ 34.xd3 xc5 35.a1 [ 35.b6 was also playable but the text move is more active cxb6 36.d4 c6 37.b1 with good drawing chances. ] 35...xb5 36.a8+ f8 37.d4 h6 Gaining some space while getting close to move 40. 38.c8 c6 39.c3 d5+ W ith just rooks and pawns it's hard to get anything. 40.e4 c5 41.d3 b5 42.h4 h5 43.d2 d5+ 44.c2 c5+ 45.d3 d5+ 46.c2 g5 Pushing too hard. 47.f5 gxh4 48.c3 g7 49.e6+ f6 50.c7+ g8 51.c8 g7 52.c7+ g8 53.xf6 xf5?? [ 53...c5+ A) 54.c3 xf5 55.e7 xe7 is a draw; B) 54.b3 b5+ 55.a4 b4+ 56.a5 h3 ( 56...b5+ is a draw ) 57.c8 e4 58.e7 leads to huge complications h2 59.xf8+ ( 59.xf8 i s s i m p l e r h1 60.b4+ g7 61.c3+ h6 62.d2+ h7 63.c7+ g8 64.c8+ g7 65.c3+= ) 59...g7 60.f6+ h7 61.f7 f4 62.f6 xf6 63.e7 h1 64.h8+ g6 65.g8+ f5 66.f8 with probably some perpetual around; C) 54.d3 d5+ and the king can never go to the e-file C1) 55.e3 xf5 now Black can take on f5 56.c8 ( 56.e7 xe7 57.xe7= ) 56...xf6 57.e7 e6+ this is the point; C2) 55.e4 h3! 56.xb7 ( 56.c8 h2 and the queen promotes with check) 56...h2 57.b1 d6 ] 54.c8 f2+ 55.d3 f3+ 56.d4 And Black cannot avoid e7. 1-0
336
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 open the f-file: 20.xf7?! hf8 21.b3 xd3 and f2 is a serious problem. ] Rasmussen 20...a6 21.ad1 xb2 Time to cash-in. Speelman,Jonathan S 22.d5 Politiken Cup (4) [ White pins his hopes on some attacking [Tony Kosten] possibilities on the h1-a8 diagonal, but it p r o v e s t o b e i l l u s o r y , 22.xf7 hf8 1.c4 b6 2.c3 b7 3.e4 e6 4.ge2 d5!? and again f2 will soon be lost. ] [ A move typical of 'Spec'- an innovation at move four! I looked at 4...f6 previously, 22...d4 23.f3 g6 24.g5 he8 25.h6 when if 5.d3 d5 is a sensible possibility, f5!? 26.xh7! f6 27.h6? [ This hastens the end, the only chance was that I analysed once. However, the 27.fe1 as now h8 28.e7 and White is possibility of playing this central thrust one still fighting. ] move before, hadn't even occurred to me! ] 27...h8 28.c1 Black to play and win? 5.exd5 [ 5.cxd5 exd5 6.xd5 f6 is the alternate xh2! 29.c6 [ The queen finally gets to the h1-a8 diagonal, pawn sac, when one possible continuation is but only to swap queens. 29.xh2 h8+ 7.a4+!? c6 8.xf6+ xf6 9.c4 d7 30.g1 h4 forces mate. ] when Black has some comp for a pawn, but 29...xc6 30.xc6 dh8 31.g3 g5 maybe not quite enough. ] 5...exd5 6.xd5 Expecting to gain the two The black attack continues in the endgame. 32.de1 2h6 33.g2 g4 34.b1 f4 bishops, no doubt. f6!? [ Offering a pawn for the initiative. 6...xd5 35.gxf4 g3 36.e4 h2 The f2-pawn is 7.cxd5 xd5 8.c3 e5+ 9.e2 finally, and irrevocably, lost. leaves Black weak on the queenside light 0-1 squares. ] 7.ec3?! A10 [ White prefers the bishops to the pawn. 352 7.xf6+ xf6 8.d4 c6 followed by long Ribli,Zoltan 2588 castles certainly provides good Muranyi,Karl Jasmin 2357 compensation for the pawn, but at least Bundesliga 2006/07 (9) 21.02.2007 White has something for his trouble. ] [Carsten Hansen] 7...xd5 8.xd5 xd5 9.cxd5 xd5 10.e2 c6 1.c4 f5 2.f3 f6 3.g3 e6 4.g2 e7 [ Black's control of d4, and open central files 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3 d6 7.c3 bd7?! more than make-up for his lack of light- It looks like Black puts the knight on a wrong s q u a r e d b i s h o p . N o t e t h a t 10...xg2?? s q u a r e , b u t i t i l l u s t r a t e s h o w W h i t e b y loses: 11.f3 ] choosing an English Opening move order can 11.0-0 d4 12.e1?! mess with Dutch players, who are used to [ P e r h a p s W h i t e s h o u l d c h o o s e 12.a6 respond to a set-up that includes d2-d4. Black (stopping castling) e7 13.e1 d7 14.b3 should probably opt for 0-0 15.b2 f6 with good drawing [ 7...a5 , angling for a transposition to the chances. ] Dutch if Black can only get White to agree to 12...0-0-0 13.a6+ b8 14.d3 b4 15.c4 play d2-d4. ] d7 16.f1 8.b2 a6 9.g5!? e5?! [ The rook must give way, 16.d2?! xd2 [ 9...b6 10.d4 g4 11.h3 e5 12.d2 ] 17.xd2 he8 and the knight will dominate 10.d4 Now when it's convenient for White, he the bishop. ] ha s n ot h in g a gain st p u sh ing th e d -pa wn 16...b5 17.b3 c5 18.e3 b6 19.xd4!? forward. f7 11.xf7 xf7 The resulting White seeks salvation in the opposite-colour position looks like a Classical Dutch, albeit a bishop position. xd4 20.h5 very clumsy one by Black. 12.e4 [ White is loathe to touch the f7-pawn, and [ W h i t e c a n a l s o c o n s i d e r 12.d3!? 351
A10 2281 2603 19.07.2001
337
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 after which Black probably does best to enter a Stonewall set-up with d5 ] 12...fxe4 13.xe4 xe4 14.xe4 d5 15.g2 [ Here 15.c2!? looks like an attractive alternative the idea is to follow up with 16 Qd3 and then on ...g6 by Black, White will throw either the f- or h-pawn forward. ] 15...f6 16.d2?! [ 16.e2!? appeals more to me, as Black c a n ' t p l a y dxc4 (as in the game) with the same effect due to White taking back with the queen: 17.xc4 c6 18.f4 and White dominates the board. ] 16...dxc4 17.bxc4 c5 18.d5 exd5 19.cxd5 d6 20.a4 d7 21.a5 af8 22.f4 Here my chess engine and I have a difference of opinion. It likes Black's position more, whereas I pref er W hite. However, it isn't entirely clear. b5 23.axb6 xb6 24.xf6 xf6 25.h4!? This prevents Black from playing ...g7-g5, which can be inconvenient for White in some lines and gives the White king an extra square. f5 26.fe1 c4+ 27.h2 d3 [ 27...c8!? ] 28.e4 d6?! [ This move is the beginning of trouble for Bla ck. I nst ea d 28...xe4 29.xe4 c8 30.c1 c3 31.xc3 xc3 32.xc3 f2+ leads to a draw. ] 29.xd3 cxd3 30.xd3 fd8 31.ab1 [ 31.e5 b2+ 32.e2 xe2+ 33.xe2 xd5 34.xa6 leads to an endgame Black should draw. ] 31...f2+ 32.h3 xd5? [ 32...c5! keeps the balance. ] 33.xa6 h6? [ 33...d3! 34.e6+ f8 35.f5+ g8 36.e8+ xe8 37.xd3 is still rather uncomfortable for Black, but Black should be able to defend. ] 34.e7 8d6? [ 34...5d6 35.c4+ h8 36.e4 d4 37.xd4 xd4 38.bb7 g8 39.f5 should win for White. ] 35.c8+ h7 36.xg7+ xg7 37.b7+ g6 38.e8+ f6 1-0
353 Rotstein,Arkadij Conquest,Stuart N1 France [Tony Kosten]
A10 2553 2582 03.05.2002
1.c4 b6 2.c3 b7 3.e4 e5!? [ We have considered 3...e6 in great detail. ] 4.f3 c6 5.e2!? [ A new move in this rare position, White avoids the no rma l 5.d4 as after exd4 6.xd4 b4 Black has reasonable play, 7.e3 ( 7.xc6 xc6 8.d3 xc3+ 9.bxc3 f6!? White's weak pawns give Black compensation for the bishop pair, De ub e lb e iss, R-Ho rn ,P / SW Z-chT 19 9 3) 7...f6 8.f3 0-0 ( 8...xc3+!? ) 9.c2 e8 10.0-0-0 White has a useful space advantage, Sjoestroem,O-Hof f mann,M/ Fuerth 1999. ] 5...ge7?! [ 5...c5 seems critical, taking a firm hold of d4, 6.xe5!? xe5 7.d4 b4 ( 7...d6 8.dxe5 xe5 is also f easible, 9.d5 ) 8.dxe5 xc3+ 9.bxc3 with chances to both sides in this imbalanced position. ] 6.0-0 g6 7.d4 Now White can make this ke y m o ve wit h o u t h a vin g t o wo rry a b o u t do ub le d c-pa wn s. exd4 8.xd4 xd4 9.xd4 h4 10.d5 0-0-0 Black plays sharply, but White has extra space, and his knight is strong. 11.e3 e8 12.f4!? c5 13.d3 xe3+ [ Perhaps Black should accept the pawn: 13...xd5!? 14.cxd5 xf4 when White planned to attack the king: 15.a6+ b8 16.xc5 bxc5 17.f3 when Black's position is quite unpleasant to play. ] 14.xe3 f5!? 15.e5 h6 Black is de spe ra te ly lo oking f or co u n te rpla y, t h e immediate threat is to capture on d5, then on e5, as the f-pawn would be pinned, but White keeps firm control. 16.f2 e7! 17.ad1 xd5 18.cxd5 g5 19.d4 Centralisation! hg8 20.c1 Which will be more important: B la ck' s o p e n in g o f t h e g-f ile , o r W h it e ' s control of the c-file? b8 21.f3 gxf4 22.fe1 White is not too concerned about the f4-pawn, his mobile e and d pawns supported by his pieces, give him some advantage. g6 23.c2?! 338
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ Too casual, 23.a4!? hitting d7 , eg8!? 24.c2 ( a t t a c k i n g c 7 a n d f 5 ) ( not 24.xd7?? when h3 wins! ) 24...h4!? so that 25.xf5 xg2+! 26.xg2 xd5 forcing 27.e4 g5 28.xg5 xg5 29.f2 xg2+ 30.xg2 xe4+ is not too clear, ] [ but 23.e2! is best, as then g2 is solidly defended, and ...Qh4 won't hit the rook on e1. ] 23...h4 24.ec1? [ 24.f2 keeps a plus, but both players were ge t t in g s h o rt o f t im e , a n d in p a rt icu la r Black. ] 24...c8?! [ 24...h6 25.h3 comes to nothing, but ] [ 24...c5! was strong, closing the c-file, 25.c3 ( 25.dxc6 dxc6 and White is unable to capture thrice on c6 because of ...Qe1 mate. ) 25...h6 26.h3 g3 27.h1 d6! 28.e6? ( 28.exd6 xd6 is also good for Black ) 28...exe6! 29.dxe6 xh3+ 30.g1 xf3 and Black wins! ] 25.c4! c6?! 26.xf4? [ A s A r k a d i j p o i n t e d o u t , 26.e6! i s e v e n s t r o n g e r , c5 27.exd7! d8 28.e5+ winning quickly. ] 26...xf4 27.xf4 cxd5 28.xc8+ xc8 29.xf5 White's better structure gives him a c l e a r a d v a n t a g e . d4 30.xb7+ xb7 31.f4! g5 32.xd4 c6 33.d6+ c7 34.h6 xe5 35.xh7 e2 36.h4 The point, whilst Black captures some queenside pawns the white kingside strides towards the queening square. xb2 37.h5 xa2 38.h6 a4 [ 38...e2 39.g7 ( 39.g4 a5 40.g7 ) 39...e1+ 40.h2 e6 ] 39.g3 g4? [ This simplifies matters although 39...e4 40.f7! a5 41.h7 e8 42.g4 is also convincing. ] 40.g7 [ My computer likes 40.xd7+?! xd7 41.h7 xg3+ 42.h2 when Black cannot stop the h-pawn, but might have time to set-up a fortress. ] 40...e4 41.h7 e1+ 42.g2 e2+ 43.h3 e1 44.g2 e2+ 45.f1 h2 46.g1 h6 47.g4 a5 48.g5 h5 49.g6 a4 50.g8 1-0
354
A10 Savchenko,Boris 2583 Bacrot,Etienne 2695 World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (34) 22.11.2007 [Carsten Hansen] 1.c4 b6 2.f3 b7 3.g3 e6 [ The continuation chosen by Black on this and the next move hasn't previously been covered here, whereas 3...xf3 has been discussed at length in earlier updates, check the PDF e-books for the game references. ] 4.g2 f5 5.0-0 f6 6.d3 [ Two other options are 6.b3!? ] [ and 6.d4 , of which the latter takes the game to a Classical Dutch ] 6...e7 [ This move looks so obvious, it is almost curious how many other tries Black has made in this position: A) 6...g6 A) 7.g5 g7 8.d2 0-0 9.c3 d6 10.e4 1-0 Rygaard, M-Torngarn, T/ Stockholm 1994; B) 7.e4 fxe4 8.g5 c6 ( 8...g7 9.dxe4 h6 10.e5 xg2 11.xg2 hxg5 12.xg5 c6 Mozny, M-Forman, S/ Czech Rep CZE 2003) 9.xe4 xe4 10.xe4 g7 11.c3 f6 Pedersen, CSedlak, N/Esbjerg DEN 2004, 12.e3!? 0-0-0 13.c5 , and White has the better chances, as his pawns a likely to crash in around Black's king before Black's pawn reaches their target. Nevertheless, this is a complicated position.; C) 7.c3 g7 C1) 8.e4 fxe4 9.g5 0-0 10.dxe4 c6 ( 10...h6 11.h3 e5 12.f4 c6 13.f5 gxf5 14.exf5 Bilek, I-Jamrich, G/ HUN 1999 ) 11.e5 e8 12.f4 e7 13.ce4 d8 14.e3 Richter, EKottnauer, C/Prague 1931; C2) 8.e1 0-0 9.e4 fxe4 10.dxe4 c6 C2a) 11.h3!? h8 ( 11...e5!? ) 12.e5 g8 13.f4 f7 14.d2 Kelly, BCarrasco Martinez, J/Zagan 1997; C2b) 11.e5 g4 12.f4 a5 13.e2 e7 14.h3 h6 15.ad1 Lukov, V-Droulers, D/ Paris 1998 ] [ B) 6...d6? 7.c3 ( 7.e4!? fxe4 8.g5 ) 7...bd7 8.d4 xg2 9.xg2 f7 , Villegas, B-Letelier Martner, R/Mar del 339
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 g4 12.d2 ge5 13.xe5 xe5 P l a t a 1 9 3 6 , 10.e4! , and needless to say, with a pleasant game for Black, Sabaev, EBlack is in serious trouble ] Janturin, A/ Pardubice 1998 ] [ C) 6...c6 7.c3 ( 7.bd2 e7 8.b3 0-0 9.b2 e8 10.e3 h5= 1-0 Reschke, S- 8...fxe4 9.g5 c6!? [ Black has tried several other things at this Just, W /Baunatal 2001) 7...b4 8.c2 juncture, but I don't think any of the ( 8.d2 0-0 9.a3 xc3 10.xc3 e8 alternatives are as good as Bacrot's choice: 11.b4 h5 12.e3 e7 13.a4 a6 14.a5 A) 9...b4 10.cxe4 xe4 11.dxe4 g5 15.xf6 xf6 16.e5 , and White is ( 11.xe4!? c6 12.d4 ) 11...e5 12.h5 win n in g, L e s k i , M-L a m b , H/ N ic e 2 0 0 0) h6 13.f3 xe4 14.xh6 f6 15.d2 8...0-0 9.a3 d6 10.b3 a6 11.b2 e8 ( 15.f4!? exf4 16.g5 f3 17.xe4 f5 12.a4 d8 13.c5! bxc5 14.xc5 c6 18.xf5 xf5 19.h3 e5 20.c3 xc3 15.ac1 ( 15.b4!? ) 15...a5 16.e4 21.bxc3 ) 15...xf3 16.xf3 xf3 17.xf3 , and W hite has slightly better game, xf3 18.xb4= Johansson, L-Svenn, G/ Buhmann, R-Bunzmann, D/Heringsdorf Stockholm 1991 ] 2000 ] [ B) 9...a6 10.gxe4 b8 11.f4 xe4 [ D) 6...c8 7.g5 e7 8.c3 h6 9.d2 12.dxe4 d6 13.e2 e5 14.e3 c5 0-0 10.e1 b4 11.e4 1/2-1/2 Trygstad, 1/2-1/2 Greiner, H-Doll, S/Baden 1993/GER K-Johannessen, S/Oslo NOR 2003 ] (27) 15.d5 ] [ E) 6...d6 7.c3 0-0 8.g5 h6 9.xf6 [ C) 9...c8?! 10.gxe4 c6 11.d4 b8 xf6 Borg, A-Yagiz, Y/Antalya TUR 2006 ( 11...xe4 12.xe4 a5 13.c2 Ribli ) 10.e3 ] 12.d5! exd5 ( 12...e5 13.b3 exd5 7.c3 White has also tried several other 14.xf6+ xf6 15.xd5 f3+?? 16.xf3 moves here, but they are all of little xa1 17.e7++- Ribli ) 13.cxd5 e5 consequence and do not challenge Black. 0-0 14.f4 f7 ( 14...d6 15.g5 Ribli ) [ 7...c8 8.c2 0-0 9.e4 fxe4 10.dxe4 15.c1! a6 ( 15...d6 16.xf6+ xf6 c6 11.a3 g4 12.f4 f6= Ivanov, M17.b5 Ribli ) 16.e1 d6 17.b4 f5 Gervasio, R/Le Touquet 1996 ] 18.b5 c8 19.e2! [ 7...b4 8.d2 0-0 9.e1 e8 10.a3 A) 19...xd5 20.xd6!? ( 20.d4 g6 xc3 11.xc3 d6 Romanov, V-Merzliakov, 21.c6 e6 22.xb8 xb8 ) 20...xd6 E/ St-Petersburg RUS 2006, and now 21.xd6 xd6 22.xd5+ h8 23.xf5 12.d2 e5 13.b4 ] xf5 24.d4 Ribli; 8.e4 B) 19...xe4 20.d4 f6 ( 20...xd5 [ A) 8.b1 21.xe4 xa2 22.c6+- ) 21.xe4 g5 A) 8...a5 9.a3 a6 10.e4 ( 10.b3?! e8 22.g2 b7 ( 22...h3+ 23.xh3 xh3 11.c2 h5 12.a2 g4 13.h3 h6 24.xc7+- ) 23.h4+- Jacobsen, B-Fenn, P/ 14.xh6 xh6 15.b4 axb4 16.axb4 f4 E u p e n 1 9 9 4 ( The alternatives are also Nemeth, Z-Jamrich, G/Budapest 2001) very good for White, e.g. 23.c6+-; and 10...fxe4 11.g5 e8 12.gxe4 xe4 23.e6!?+- )] 13.xe4 g6 ( 13...c5!?= ) 14.f6+ [ D) 9...c6 10.dxe4 h6 11.h3 e5 xf6 15.xb7 a7 16.g2 Michalek, C12.d5 c5 13.h1 xd5 14.cxd5 d6 Kleinegger, F/Ruhrgebiet 1999; 15.b1 a5 , Abbasov, F-Hasanov, R/Tehran B) 8...e8 9.b4 d6 10.d4?! ( 10.e4!? IRI 2005, and now 16.f4!? ] fxe4 11.g5 d8 12.cxe4 xe4 13.xe4 d5 14.c3 f6 15.b2 ) 10.cxe4 [ 10.d4 a5 11.b3 h6 ( 11...e8!? ) 10...bd7 11.d5 e5 12.g5 0-1 Mellen, 12.gxe4 xe4 13.xe4 d5 14.cxd5 S-Everett, M/ Detroit 1991 g6 13.c5! exd5 15.c3 f6 16.e3 , and on account bxc5 14.e6 c4 15.xf8 xf8 16.b5 ] of the weak light squares around Black's [ B) 8.c2 a6 ( 8...e8 9.e4 h5 10.e2 king, White has the better chances, Espig, fxe4 11.dxe4 b4 12.b5 a6 L-Mischustov, M/ Germany 1998 ] Kruse, H-Carton, P/Germany 1993/GERchT2 ) 9.e4 fxe4 10.dxe4 c6 11.f4 10...xe4 11.xe4 last book move d5!? 340
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ Rather amazingly only now do we leave exis t in g t h eo ry. Th e ste m ga me in th is variation, played some 80 years ago saw B l a c k e q u a l i z e f a i r l y e a s i l y : 11...e8!? 12.d4?! ( 12.f4!? ) 12...a5 13.e2 g6 14.e1 b4 , and here Black is already is very good shape: 15.d2 xd2 Ribli calls this position equal, but at the very least Black has the initiative, yet he probably b e t t e r a t t h i s s t a g e . 16.xd2 xg2 17.xg2 A) 17...f4!? 18.d5 ( 18.e5? af8 is almost winning for Black) 18...af8 19.f3 exd5 20.cxd5 d4 21.ac1 c5 22.dxc6 xc6 , and Black has the better chances; B) 17...c2 18.b3 c6 19.e3 f7 20.f3 af8 21.e2 f5 22.e5 xe5 23.dxe5= h5 24.d3 g5 25.d1 g4 26.e4 g5 27.d4 h5 28.d3 g7 29.d2 xe5 30.xd7 xd7 31.xd7 e4+ 32.g1 h4 33.gxh4 e1+ 34.g2 e4+ 35.g1 e1+ 1/2-1/2 Reti, RTartakower, S/Giessen 1928 ] 12.c3 dxc4 [ 12...d4 13.g4 c5 14.f4 f5 15.ae1 f8 16.e2 c6 17.c3 d4 18.e2 c6 19.c3 d4 ] 13.dxc4 xd1 14.xd1 ad8 [ 14...f6 15.f4 ] 15.f4 e5 16.xe5 xe5 17.xb7 c6 18.b3 [ 18.a6 g5 19.xd8 xd8 20.d1 xd1+ 21.xd1 g4 22.g2 f7 23.h3 h5 24.hxg4 hxg4 25.c8 f6 26.e3 ] 18...c5 [ 18...b8 19.a6 a3 gives Black adequate positional compensation for the pawn. ] 19.e4 [ To me it looks like White should have tried 19.xd8 xd8 20.d1 to eliminate some of Black's counterplay. ] 19...d4 20.ac1 f7 21.a6 c5 W h i t e h a s a n e x t r a p a wn , b u t h i s l i g h t squared bishop is decidedly out of play at the moment and bringing it back will take some time. Black's activity and reasonably wellcoordinated pieces offer him adequate compensation for the pawn. 22.h3 e7 23.g2 c6 24.c3 b4 25.b5 f8
26.d2 a6 27.a4 xf2+ 28.xf2 xf2 29.a3 d3 30.d1 e3 31.e4 xe4 32.xd3 d4 33.f3 e1 34.c6 f8 35.b4 e7 36.b7 f1+ 37.e4 d6? [ Black's idea is undoubtedly to let White grab the pawn on a6 and with that misplace the light-squared bishop, all the while Black a c t i va t e s h is p i e c e s. Y e t I t h in k B la c k should instead have played the obvious and simple 37...e1+ 38.f4 a5 39.bxc5 bxc5 , and Black isn't worse ] 38.xa6 e1+ 39.f3 f1+ 40.g4 g6?? [ A blunder that allows White an immediate win instead Black should have given pre f ere n ce t o 40...c1 41.bxc5+ xc5 42.f5 h1 43.g4 e1 44.b3 g6+ 45.g5 e5+ 46.h6 e7 , and White has some winning chances, but Black should hold the draw without too many difficulties ] 41.b7?? [ White could have won immediately with a petite combination: 41.xd4+ cxd4 42.c5+ bxc5 43.xf1 ] 41...e5 42.f3?! [ Or 42.bxc5 xc5 43.d7 h6 44.a4 c1 45.d5 h5+ 46.h4 g1 47.g7 f6 48.f7+ e5 49.g4 hxg4 50.hxg4 e3 , and Black shouldn't lose ] 42...f6?! [ Black should have played 42...c1! , e.g. 43.d5 cxb4 44.axb4 b5! , and Black actually has the marginally better chances ] 43.f4 e1 44.h4 h5 45.d5 f1+ 46.e4 e1+ 47.f3 c1 48.a4 c3 [ Bacrot seeks refuge in an oppositecoloured bishop endgame, which in the case is drawn. A perfectly acceptable alternative is 48...g5!? 49.hxg5+ xg5 , and White will have a hard time making progress, but can of course try. ] 49.xc3 xc3 50.bxc5 bxc5 51.c6 e1 52.e8 g5?? [ This is massive blunder, undoubtedly played with next to no time left on the clock. Black should draw after 52...f5 53.d7+ e5 54.c8 d4 55.a6 e5 56.b7 d4 57.d5 e5 , and White has will not be able to make any progress ] 53.xh5 gxh4 54.gxh4 xh4 [ T h i s l o s e s i m m e d i a t e l y , b u t 54...e7 55.g4 f6 56.e8 will lead to the same 341
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 result, but take longer ] 55.a5 1-0
t h e d - f i l e . T h e p r o b l e m w i t h 8.dxe4 is that, after e5 9.b3 c5 Black's darksquared bishop takes a strong post, aiming at the f2-square, 10.h3 e7 11.f4 f7 12.a3 a5 13.d3 0-0 with good play for Black, who won in double-quick time, in 355 A10 Heinbuch,D-Kengis,E/Bonn 1995. ] Schmit,Aaron 8...xe4 Pribyl,Josef [ A novelty, although it doesn't change too 1990 Altensteig 1990 much when compared with the move [Paul Motwani] 8...b4+ e. g. 9.d2 xd2+ 10.xd2 0-0 11.0-0 with slightly more space for White, W43: "Czech checked by a cheeky check!!" Smejkal,J-Speelman,J/Germany 1999. ] 1.f3 d6 2.c4 [ 2.d4 g4 is the Wade System, but in the 9.xe4 b4+ 10.d2 xd2+ 11.xd2 0-0 actual game W hite has a sneaky idea in 12.0-0 f6 Exerts pressure on the backward mind involving getting his queen out to b3 pawn 13.ad1 ad8 14.c3 a5 15.xb7 af t e r p la yin g 2 c4 . Ju st wa t ch a n d se e xb7 16.xf6 xf6 17.d4 [ 17.f4 might be more accurate. ] what happens next... ] 17...d6 18.b3 f3 19.g2 df8 20.f4 2...g4 c3 White is forced to exchange this rook, lest [ Of course 2...e5 was also possible. ] 3.b3 c8 4.h3 h5?? Black probably it becomes too active. 21.c1 xc1 22.xc1 played this routine-looking move very quickly, f5 23.e2 but in this instance there's a fatal tactical ½-½ flaw... 5.b5+ Oops. That's bye-bye black bishop! Reader's Challenge Puzzle W43P1: A10 Can you think of a similar situation in the 357 Trompovsky Attack where several masterSorokin,Maxim 2570 level players have made a losing move, as Lalic,Bogdan 2545 White on move 3, allowing Black to respond Goodricke Open (10) 2000 with a winning queen-check!? Look out...here [Tony Kosten] comes the answer! Solution to puzzle W43P1:1 d4 Nf6 2 Bg5 c6 3 e3?? Qa5+. 1.c4 b6 Something of a surprise from Bogdan 1-0 La lic, b u t a s h is p rep a ra t io n is n o rm a lly excellent, we can expect him to have a few tricks up his sleeve. 2.c3 b7 3.e4 e6 356 A10 4.f3 b4 5.d3 e7 6.e2 This move, Smejkal,Jan 2526 avoiding ...Bxc3, and threatening to trap the Kengis,Edvins 2574 b4-bishop, is very much 'a la mode'. g6! Bundesliga 1999-2000 (12) 12.03.2000 [ And here it is, Black's improvement over [Tony Kosten] 6...f5 which left Black worse in previously. ] 7.0-0 0-0 8.c2 A natural move, intending 1.c4 b6 2.c3 b7 3.e4 e6 4.g3 d4. f5! 9.d4 [ In my book, The Dynamic English, I [ P r o b a b l y b e s t , t h e c a p t u r e 9.exf5? recommend 4.ge2 as more flexible, as is strongly met by xf3 10.fxg6? ( 10.gxf3 this takes the sting out of any ... f5-move. ] i s s u p e r i o r , b u t h4 and Black has the 4...f5 Naturally, the e4-pawn is pinned along upper hand because of White's shattered the h1-a8 diagonal. 5.g2 f6 6.d3 fxe4 kingside ) 10...g5 11.gxh7+ h8 12.g3 7.ge2 Now it is Black's e4-pawn that is g4 and White must jettison lots of material p i n n e d a l o n g t h i s s a m e d i a g o n a l . c6 to avoid getting mated on g2. ] 8.xe4 9...xe4 10.xe4 fxe4 11.g5 e7 [ Probably strongest, keeping the d3-pawn on 12.xe4 d5 Now that Black has exchanged 342
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 his light-squared bishop, he hastens to place his pawns on this colour complex. 13.4c3 dxc4 14.a4 d7 15.xc4 c6 16.e3 a5 17.d3 c6 Black's e6-pawn is isolated, but so is White's d4-pawn, and this last stands on a dark square. Black has no problems, his opening has been a success. 18.ac1 ½-½
358 Troyke,Christian Krasenkow,Michal 16th Monarch Assurance (7) [Carsten Hansen]
A10 2386 2660 28.09.2007
1.c4 b6 2.c3 b7 3.e4 e6 4.ge2 This move isn't mentioned in the ECO, but is briefly covered in Daniel King's book on the English Def ence f rom 1999, where his coverage focuses on the move 4...Nf6 by Black as played in game between Kortchnoi and King himself. c5 [ Black players should take a further look at 4...f6 , and now White's main moves are 5.g3 ( and 5.d3 )] 5.g3 h5 [ This move is extremely rare, but carries som e p unc h, alt hou gh W hite can ge t a perfectly fine position in a number of ways. White's chosen set-up is extremely solid and can be difficult to break down. As the higher rated player, you may be inspired to try s h e n a n i ga n s s u ch a s t h e t e xt m o ve t o change the pace a little. Black alternatives are as follows: A) 5...d6 6.d4 e7 7.g2 d7 8.0-0 h5 9.f4 h4 10.g4 h3 11.f3 a6 12.e3 1-0 Czaya, R-Hoenlinger, B/ Bad Nauheim 1948 ] [ B) 5...c6 6.g2 f6 ( 6...ge7 7.0-0 d4 8.xd4 cxd4 9.e2 c6 10.d3 e7 11.f4 0-0 12.a3 d6 13.b4 e5 14.g4 h4 15.f3 c8 16.f5 , and although this is evaluated as about even, I clearly prefer W hite's chances, thanks to her space advantage and attacking potential on the k i n g s i d e , wh i l e B l a c k ' s c o u n t e r p l a y i s rather limited, Ptacnikova, L-Vyskocil, N/ Olomouc CZE 2003; 6...e5 7.d5 f6 8.0-0 e7 9.d3 0-0 10.e3 ) 7.0-0 h6 8.d4 cxd4 9.xd4 f7 10.e3 e7
11.e2 0-0 12.fd1 c8 13.ac1 xd4 14.xd4 b8 15.c2 , and White has the cl e a rl y b e t t e r c h a n c e s , B la ck s t o c k , L Basman, M/London 1974 ] [ C) 5...b5? is a not very good idea. executed in a manifestly stupid fashion: 6.cxb5 d5?! ( 6...a6!? 7.bxa6 xa6 8.g2 b4 9.d3 a6 ) 7.exd5 xd5? 8.xd5 xd5 9.g1+Norwood, D-Savva, A/ Groningen 1984 ] [ D) Black's main line move is 5...f6 6.g2 A) 6...a6 7.d3 c7 8.0-0 e7 9.h3 h5 ( 9...c6 10.f4 h5 11.e3 d6 12.a3 d8 13.b1 b8 14.f5 e5 15.b4 L e zca n o Ja e n , P -G o n za l e z V e l e z, F / Barcelona 2000) 10.f4 d6 11.e3 bd7 12.c1 c8 13.a3 b8 14.b4 a8 15.b1 c6 16.b5?! ( 16.f5! e5 17.bxc5 dxc5 18.d5 d8 19.ec3 looks downright ugly for Black) 16...axb5 17.xb5 h4 18.g4 d5 19.e5 ( 19.exd5!? exd5 20.g5 h5 21.f2 d4 22.xc6 xc6 23.xh4 ) 19...xg4 20.hxg4 h3 21.f3 d4 ( 21...h2+! 22.f2 d4 23.exd4 cxd4 24.xd4 xf3 25.xf3 c5 is complicated but probably better for White ) 22.exd4 cxd4 23.xd4 xf3 24.xf3 xa3 25.b5 a2 1/2-1/2 Hauchard, A-Rocha, S/ Porto 2000, and here White should have tried 26.d4 , and Black is facing serious problems given the wave of counterplay appears to b e o ve r a n d n o w W h i t e ' s p i e c e s a r e frothing at their mouths to have a go at Black's monarch.; B) 6...d6 7.0-0 a6 B1) 8.f4 c7 9.d3 e7 10.f5 e5 11.f3 h5 12.h4 bd7 13.a4 0-0-0 14.a5 dg8 15.axb6 ( White can also consider another approach, e.g. 15.g2 g6 16.fxg6 xg6 17.g5 bxa5 18.h3 with a solid plus for White, who's pieces are b e t t e r co o rd in a t e d) 15...xb6 16.d2 g6 17.a4 bd7 18.e1 ( 18.g2 gxf5 19.xf5 ) 18...d8 19.ec3 gxf5 20.exf5 Schwierskott, MKniest, O/Leverkusen 2001, and now h7 21.g5 hg7 with a complicated position, where I would be afraid to pick one side over the other, but I would probably pick Black if I were to pick one 343
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 side to play.; B2) 8.d3 c7 B2a) 9.a3 e7 10.b4 0-0 11.b1 c6 12.b5!? axb5 ( 12...e5 13.f4 ed7 14.bxa6 xa6 15.b5 c8 16.ec3 ) 13.xb5 d8 14.f4 d5 15.cxd5 exd5 16.e5 e8 17.ec3 d4 18.e4 h8 1-0 Miezis, NKulaots, K/Biel 1995; B2b) 9.h3 bd7 B2b1) There is no reason to rush things with 10.f4 g6 11.a3 ( 11.e5 xg2 12.xg2 c6+ 13.h2 h5 ) 11...g7 12.e3 0-0 13.g4 d5 14.f2 ( 14.cxd5 exd5 15.exd5 ae8 16.d2 d6 17.e4 b8 18.2c3= ) 14...d4 15.b1 e8 , planning ...f7-f5 leaves Black with a pleasant position, Werner, B-Lyrberg, P/ Copenhagen; B2b2) 10.e3 e7 11.f4 0-0-0 ( 11...d5?! 12.cxd5 exd5 13.e5 d4 14.xb7 xb7 15.exf6 xf6 16.xd4 cxd4 17.xd4 d7 18.xf6 xf6 19.e2+ , and White is a pawn for insufficient compensation, Baekgaard, M-Reefat, B/ Gausdal 2001) 12.a3 b8 13.b4 d5? 14.cxd5 exd5 15.bxc5 bxc5 16.e5 e4? ( 16...d4 17.xb7+ xb7 18.b1 a7 19.exf6 xf6 20.a4 dxe3 21.b3+- ) 17.dxe4 d4 18.xd4 cxd4 19.d5 xd5 20.exd5 c5 21.d3 a7 22.h2 1-0 Hebesberger, T-Aschenbrenner, R/AUT 2001 ] [ E) 5...f5 6.g2 f6 7.d3 e7 8.0-0 A) 8...fxe4 9.dxe4 0-0 10.e5 ( 10.f4!? ) 10...xg2 11.exf6 xf1 12.fxe7 xe7 13.xf1 c6 1-0 Taylor, P-Berry, S/Rd07T e l f o r d 2 0 0 3 ( 4 4 ) 14.g2!? d4 15.e3; B) 8...c8 9.b3 ( 9.g5!? ) 9...0-0 10.b2 g6 11.d2 ( 11.exf5 xg2 12.xg2 g4 13.f4 gxf5 14.d2 ) 11...f7 12.fe1 c6 13.exf5 gxf5 14.d4 xd4 15.xd4 cxd4 16.xd4 1-0 Reiss, A-Peredy, F/Veszprem 2000 ] 6.h3 h4 [ The novelty. In a previous game, Black tried 6...c6 7.g2 d4 8.d3 g5 9.xd4
( 9.f4! e7 10.fxg5 xg5 11.xd4 cxd4 12.b5 b8 13.0-0 ) 9...cxd4 10.e2 e5 11.g1 ( 11.0-0!? g4 12.f4 gxf3 13.xf3 is very pleasant for White) 11...e7 12.f3 f6 13.d2 e6 14.g1 For all of White's moving around with the knight, Black compensates for it by moving his queen and pawns rather than getting some real d e v e l o p m e n t i n . e7 15.e2 h4 ( 15...c6 16.a3 e7 with a complicated struggle ahead) 16.f3 hxg3 17.fxg3 c6 18.a3 e7 Compagnie, L-Orso, M/Budapest 2002, and despite all of W hite's clowning around with his knight, he can still obtain a good position with 19.h4 , and now g4? 20.0-0-0! is very problematic for Black, e.g. gxh4 21.gxh4 h5 22.h3 and White is obviously much better. ] 7.g2 [ There is nothing wrong with 7.g4!? , e.g. c6 8.g2 e5 9.0-0 and White has a comfortable game. The text, however, is more ambitious. ] 7...hxg3 8.fxg3 c6 [ 8...f6 9.d3 d6 10.e3 h5 11.b5 e7 ( 11...xg3+? 12.xg3 xg3 13.d6+ e7 14.f4+- ) 12.d2 a6 13.bc3 ] 9.d3 ge7 [ 9...d6!? 10.e3 ge7 11.d2 a6 12.0-0-0 looks better for White, e.g. c7 13.b1 xg3 ( 13...e5 14.hf1 f6 15.b3 ) 14.xg3 xg3 15.f4 g6 16.c7 ] 10.g5!? [ The immediate 10.e3!? is also perfectly playable ] 10...f6 11.e3 g6 12.f4?! [ This doesn't make too much sense, as this move simply encourages Black to place his g6-knight on a better square. Other ideas are 12.d2!? ] [ and 12.a3!? ] 12...ge5 13.a3 [ 13.h4 a6 14.h5!? d4 15.a4 A) 15...f5?! 16.exf5 ( 16.0-0? g5! ) 16...xg2 17.xg2 df3+ 18.e2 d6 19.fxe6 dxe6 20.f4 and White has the better chances; B) 15...c7 16.f1 e7 , and I prefer Black's chances somewhat ] 344
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 13...a6 14.h4 d6 15.b3? [ 15.h5!? d4 ( 15...e7 16.b3 d4 17.xd4 cxd4 18.ce2 c5 19.0-0-0 ) 16.0-0 f5! , and Blacks pieces are better coordinated, but this is clearly to be preferred over the game continuation, which is just horrible for White. ] [ 15.f1 e7 16.h5 c7 ] 15...g5 16.hxg5 xh1+ 17.xh1 fxg5 18.d1 [ 18.h5!? xd3+ ( 18...e7!? ) 19.e2 de5 20.f1 A) 20...d4+ 21.xd4 cxd4 22.d5 xd5 ( 22...exd5?? 23.g7+ e7 24.f5++- ) 23.exd5 d3+ 24.d2 c7 25.f6+ d8 26.dxe6 c5 with messy complications in which no one can be 100% sure to be better; B) 20...e7!? 21.f6+ d8 22.xb6+ c8 23.fd5! Best, because everything else pretty much sucks exd5 24.xd5 d8 25.xd8+ xd8 26.xg5+ e8 27.f6+ f7 28.xd7+ e6 29.b6 f8 30.xf8 xf8 31.f4 and Black has finally stabilized the game, but at least White in this variation has three pawns for the piece. Neverth eless Black should probably win this position. ] 18...gxf4 19.h5+ f7 20.gxf4 e7 21.e5 c7 22.f2 [ 22.e4 0-0-0 23.0-0-0 h8 obviously doesn't provide W hite any decent counterchances either ] 22...f8! 23.h4 h6 24.xh6 [ Nor does 24.g4 help the situation: d8 25.g8+ f8 26.h7 h8 and the queens once again depart the part, leaving Black a piece up for minimal compensation. White could just as well have resigned at this point, but decided to go on for a little while. ] 24...xh6 25.f3 d8 26.h5+ f8 27.xd8 xd8 28.a4 d4 And White resigned as he doesn't even win the b-pawn, e. g. 29 0-0-0 Bc6 30 Nxb6? Rb8, and another piece bites the dust. 0-1
359 Vaganian,Rafael A Heidrich,Manfred Bundesliga 2002-3 (4) [Tony Kosten]
A10 2667 2415 17.11.2002
1.f3 f5 2.g3 f6 3.c4 g6 4.b4!? g7 5.b2 d6 6.d3 e5 7.bd2!? This move is something of a favourite of Vaganian, and the position closely resembles that of his game against Kuczynski, which we examined a short time ago, except that there he played Bg2 and castled quickly, here he prefers to accelerate his queenside play. c6 8.b5 e7 9.g2 0-0 10.b3 This is a good time to play this move, as then Black has to play ... K h 8 i f h e wa n t s t o m o ve a wa y f r o m t h e threatened discovered attack, whereas if he gets time to play ...h6 the king will be able to go to the more comfortable square on h7. h6 Black prefers to allow W hite's next. 11.c5+ h7 12.c1 f4 Black starts his kingside pawns going, but weakens e4. This might not be too serious, but as White hasn't yet castled, Black would not have liked [ 12...g5?! b e c a u s e o f 13.h4! and if g4 14.g5+! ] 13.a4 b8 14.a3 The bishop seemed wellplaced on b2, but was stymied by the e5-pawn, wh e re a s d 6 is m u ch m o r e se n sit ive . f5 15.cxd6 cxd6 16.e4! e7 [ 16...xe4?! i s d o u b t f u l , 17.dxe4 d4 ( 17...e7? 18.d1 ) 18.xd4 exd4 leaves the black pawns shattered. ] 17.0-0 Now is a good time to castle as Black is too concerned with defending d6, and against a c-file invasion, to be able to completely concentrate on his kingside advance. d8 18.fe1 g5?! 19.c2 Aiming along the b1-h7 diagonal, and also the c-file, but White also had a sharp shot here: [ 19.g4!? xg4 20.h3 h5 ( and not 20...f6? 21.xc8 bxc8 22.xf5+ ) 21.fxg5+ with pressure. ] 19...g4 20.fd2 e8 21.d4! Further freeing the diagonal to Black's king, weakened by his reckless eighteenth move. exd4?! 22.gxf4 h8 23.g3 f7 24.b2 The bishop returns! h4 25.b3!? White does not bother avoiding the exchange of his lightsquared bishop, but aims to blast through the 345
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 a1-h8 diagonal as quickly as possible. xg2 26.xg2 d5+?! This fails to defend d4, [ 26...xf4?! was no improvement, 27.h5 f7 28.xg7 xg7 29.xd4 and the black king is in the line of fire. ] [ however, 26...d3 was a reasonable chance: 27.exd3 e6 when White's extra pawn looks pretty ragged. ] 27.g1 b6?! 28.xd4! [ 28.xd4 xd4 29.ed1 wins easily, the attack along the long diagonal after Rxd4 will be too strong. ] 1-0
on such a square, as it has no way to return! d4?! Black only succeeds in opening the f-file for W hite with this move. 22.d2 d5 23.c4 dxe3 24.fxe3 e7 25.cf2 g6 26.h5 Suddenly White has powerful pressure on the kingside while his silly knight keeps two major pieces from returning to help. e7 27.h3 a6 28.a3 axb5 29.axb5 a8 [ B l a c k i s i n r e a l t r o u b l e a f t e r 29...e4? which is met by 30.xe4! fxe4 31.xf7 xf7 32.xf7+ h8 33.g4! (to stop ... Qxh3) with a decisive attack. ] 30.xe7 xe7 31.g4?! Trying to break through on the f-file, but leaving the queen short of squares. f4! 360 A10 [ 31...fxg4 32.hxg4 xg4 33.g6 e6 34.e4 is very strong. ] Vaganian,Rafael A 2662 h8! With a nasty threat of ...Bf7, Kuczynski,Robert 2497 32.e4 Bundesliga 2001-2 (11) 17.03.2002 trapping the queen, but White has something prepared: 33.xe5? However, this should [Tony Kosten] lose. [ 33.bd6!? is a better try, perhaps, cxd6 1.f3 d6 2.g3 f5 3.g2 f6 4.c4 g6 34.xb6 ] 5.b4!? And why not? This is just like the 'b4 against the KI' line we have examined. g7 33...xe5 [ 33...fxe3! is simple and effective, 34.e2 How can such an obvious move be a novelty? xe5 35.xh6 f4 is winning. ] And yet it is, as previously Black had preferred [ 5...e5 6.c3 g7 7.0-0 0-0 Nikcevic,N- 34.xh6 f8!? [ 34...g7 35.exf4 gxf4 keeps the f-file Troffiguer,O/Paris FRA 2001, and ] closed. ] [ 5...a5 6.b5 g7 7.b2 Pihlajasalo,A35.h7+!? Paasikangas,J/FIN 1995. ] [ 35.xg5+ g7 forces the exchange of 6.b2 0-0 7.0-0 e5 This can be compared queens. ] with the games Hoffmann - Wemmers, and Na rcis o Du blan - P ed erse n in [ A0 5] , th e 35...xh7 36.xe6+ f7 Black has an extra h6? major difference being the black f-pawn which piece, and should still win. 37.d4 A comedy of time-trouble errors! is on f5, not f7. 8.d3 h6 9.bd2!? [ 37...g7 seems simple enough, when [ 9.c3 would lead to a typical Closed W h i t e c a n n o t c a p t u r e o n f 4 , a s 38.exf4 English position, but White wants to keep xd4 wins a further exchange. ] the diagonal open. ] [ However, 37...fxe3! is the most 9...g5 10.c5! e7 11.c4 The point of appropriate, 38.xf7 xf7 39.dxe5 g7 White's play is revealed: the knight goes to c4 forces the exchange of the last two where it defends the b2-bishop, and adds remaining white major pieces, and certain pressure to d6 and e5. e6 12.fd2 c6 resignation. ] 13.b5 d8 14.a4 White has a serious space advantage on the queenside. b8 15.c1 38.d5 g7?! [ Now 38...d6 is better, although I can f7 16.a5!? By taking the pressure off e5 imagine that Black didn't want to allow the White allows Black to play ...d5. d5 17.e3 b7-knight an honest move. ] fe8 Now the position is completely [ 17...g4!? and a later ...Ng5 is more 39.exf4 unclear. f6? aggressive. ] [ Black had to find 39...a3!! 40.fxg5 g3+ 18.c2 d8 19.db3 c8 20.c6 b6 41.g2 e3+ which gives him at least a 21.b7!? I would never dare putting a knight 346
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 draw, and maybe more. ] 8.b3 cxb3 9.axb3 , which I examined in 40.fxg5 Finally opening the f-file, and winning. the December 2012 update. See xf2 41.xf2 b4?! There was no defence Bartholomew, J (2427)-Kojima, S (2340) to g6: London ENG 2012/[John Bartholomew]. ] [ 41...a4 42.g6 xd4 43.d8!? 8.b3 White offers a pawn in order to speed ( t h e k n i g h t r e t u r n s ! ) xf2+ 44.xf2 his d evelo pment . He can expect at leas t should win easily enough. ] adequate compensation in the middlegame. 42.xf7+ h8 43.h5+ g8 44.g6 e1+ [ T h e t e xt h a s b e gu n t o su p p l a n t 8.e1 45.g2 e4+ 46.h2 White was very lucky! in t heoretical reput e, but still trails th e 1-0 knight retreat in overall popularity. ] 8...cxb3 [ Worse is 8...f5?! 9.b2 cxb3 10.axb3 361 A10 d8 11.c4 g6 , as in Mikhalevski, V (2525)-Matinian, N (2438) Moscow 2012/ Van der Elburg,Freddie 2348 [ J o h n B a r t h o l o m e w ] . H e r e 12.e4! Spoelman,Wouter 2461 is quite powerful for White. ] 3rd ACT Amsterdam NED (9) 23.07.2006 9.axb3 g6 [John Watson] [ Black hasn't been eager to repeat 9...e6 since the blistering game Timman, J (2571)The system that W hite uses is played a lot Ernst, S (2606) W ijk aan Zee 2012/[John against the English Defence because it looks Bartholomew]: 10.b4! b3 11.xb3 xb3 safe, but it always seems to lose! Essentially, 12.b5 c5 13.d3 fd7 14.d2 d5 15.e4 W hite grants Black a central majority and e6 16.f4 and the Dutchman crashed activity. 1.c4 b6 2.c3 b7 3.e4 e6 4.g3 through in 33 moves. ] f5 5.g2 f6 6.c2 fxe4 7.xe4 xe4 8.xe4 xe4 9.xe4 c6 10.e2 f6 10.c4 xc4 Simplifying a bit, but repairing White's structure in the process. In fact it's 11.d4 not altogether clear how much White benefits [ 11.0-0 c5! 12.d3 0-0 with control of d4. ] from b3xc4, as there were certain advantages 11...b4+ 12.f1 [ 12.d2 0-0 13.f4 ad8 14.0-0-0 d5 to keeping the pawn on b3 (restricts Black's entire queenside structure allows White to use gives Black the better game. ] the c-file c4 as a useful transfer point). 12...0-0 13.e3 h8 [ R e t u r n i n g t o b a s e w i t h 10...d8 [ Or 13...e7! 14.g2 d5 ] should probably be preferred. Following 14.g2 d5!? 15.cxd5 exd5 16.g4? 11.fe5!? ( White can also keep it simple [ 16.xd5 e7 , but this isn't so clear. ] with 11.e4 g7 12.b2 0-0 13.d4 16...ae8 17.hf1 e4 18.h5 g6 19.xd5 , as in Matamoros Franco, C (2548)f3+ 20.g1 xe3 Winning a piece. Gonzalez, B (2427) Quito 2012) 11...bd5 21.xf3 exf3 22.ac1 3f6 23.a3 d2 12.e4 c7 13.d4 and now: Best is 0-1 A) The pawn is poisoned, of course: 13...xd4?? 14.e3 ( or the difficult to find 14.b2 c5 15.a5 b5 16.b4!! 362 A11 xb4 17.d3+- ) 14...d8 15.ad1 d7 Adams,Mi 2725 16.xd7 xd7 17.e5+-; Kanep,M 2512 B) 13...g7 14.b2 0-0 and now: 11th Gibraltar Masters (3.1) 24.01.2013 B1) 15.h3 b5 16.ad1 c7 17.g4!? [John Bartholomew] Pantsulaia, L (2595) -Alavi Moghaddam, S (2443) Rasht 2012 here Black should Michael Adams tries his hand at the Anti-Slav play d7 18.f3 ( 18.f4 c5! ) gambit. He obtains no serious edge but wins 18...d8 19.fe1; anyway! 1.c4 f6 2.g3 c6 3.g2 d5 4.f3 B2) 15.fd1!?N; dxc4 5.0-0 bd7 6.a3 b6 7.c2 d5 B3) 15.f4!? e6 16.h3 b5 17.ad1 [ The line in question is similar to 7...e6 347
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 c7 18.g4 ad8 (White is fully mobilized, but Black is standing firm) 19.f5 c8 20.f2 d7 Pantsulaia, L (2596)-Wang Yue (2644) Yerevan 2006. Here 21.d3!? intending b6 22.ce5 looks best, though Black's defensive resources are considerable. ] 11.bxc4 h5 I think the queen is a little misplaced here. [ 11...d8 looks less logical now, but might b e b e t t e r, e . g . 12.e5!? ( 12.d3 g7 13.a2 0-0 14.e3 a6 15.b1 d7 16.d2 c7 17.c5! e5 18.f4 Azaladze, S (2433)-Feher, A (2260) Rijeka 2010; a game was played with 12.b2 righ t a s I wa s p re p a rin g t o su b m it t h i s update: g7 13.d4 a6 14.fb1 0-0 15.d3 g4 16.xg7 xg7 17.c5 f6 18.a4 c7 19.d2 e5 20.b3 f7 21.a5 Arun Prasad, S (2514) -Vorobiov, E (2584) Moscow RUS 2013) 12...g7 13.b2 0-0 14.d4 d7 15.d3 (as usual White has no interest in further exchanges) b6 16.c5!? d5 17.fd1 f5 18.b3 h8 , Trella, T (2234)-Ionov, S (2 5 2 2 ) Ca p p e l le l a G ra n d e 2 0 0 7 . No w 19.e3 ought to allow White to control the p a c e o f t h e ga m e q u it e n ice ly. He ca n target Black's queenside pawns in a number of ways and may also abruptly change the structure with Bg2xd5, possibly followed by Nd3-f4. ] 12.d3 Adams trusts the integrity of his position and chooses a positionally sound continuation. White has tried something different in each of the four games to have reached this position and scored a perfect 4-0, suggesting that he h a s a n u m b e r o f a c c e p t a b l e o f w a ys t o proceed: [ 12.e4 (straightforward and strong, so why not?) g7 13.e5 d7 14.d4 f5 ( 14...0-0 15.c5! ) 15.e2 c5? 16.f4 ( 16.a5!? ) 16...h5 17.h3! f8 18.g4 xg4 19.hxg4 xg4 20.g3+- and Black was soon swept off the board in Kuljasevic, D (2560)-Zufic, M (2409) Rijeka 2011. ] [ 12.c3!? g7 13.a5 (a neat idea) g4 14.d3 0-0 15.a3 a6 16.e5!? (creative use of the rook!) e8 17.xe7 xe7 18.xe7 e6 Hausrath, D (2527)Burg, T (2455) Netherlands 2010. Here
19.d8+ e8 20.a5 looks a little better for White. ] [ 12.d4 (also refusing to mess around) g7 13.e4 0-0 14.e5 d7 15.h3 ( 15.c5!? ) 15...f5 16.b3 c5 Schachinger, M (2360)Zimmermann, U (2128) Vienna 2011. 17.a5! ] 12...g7 13.a3 c5 14.b2 0-0 15.a3 [ 15.fb1!? ] 15...d7 16.fa1 a6 17.e5 ab8 18.h4 g4! Kanep defends resourcefully. 19.xd7 f5 ( T h e p o i n t ) 20.f3 xd7 21.xg7 xg7 22.b2+ g8 23.b3 b5 24.xa6 b4 25.a1 h5 The position now looks balanced, though I'd still favor Adams' coordinated long-range pieces just a smidgen. 26.b1 f5 27.a5 fc8 28.b5 d7 29.a5 b6 30.g2 f6 31.b2 d6 [ 31...f5!? ] 32.d4!? Seizing an opportunity to transform the pawn structure. cxd4 33.d5 c7 34.xd4 e5 35.xb4 xf3? Kanep dooms himself to passive defense in a pawn-down heavy piece endgame. [ A peace agreement would surely have been s i g n e d a f t e r 35...xf3! 36.exf3 c6 37.d2 xd4 38.xd4 xc4= . ] 36.exf3 Black should hold this with computerlike precision, but your chances are not good against a technician like Michael Adams. c6 37.c1 e6 38.d2 e5 39.e1 f6 40.d3 c5 41.ee4 8c7 42.d7 xd7 43.xd7 f5 44.d3 e7 45.d4 c5 46.d7 f6 47.b7 c8 48.e4 g7 49.d7 f5?! 50.e2?! [ Surprisingly strong was 50.d4+! e5 ( 50...f6? 51.xf7+! xf7 52.d7+ picks up the rook and wins; 50...h7 51.e7!!+- prevents ... e6-e5 and sees Black utterly helpless to stop g2-g4; White should w i n t h e q u e e n e n d i n g a f t e r 50...g8 51.d8+ xd8 52.xd8+ g7 53.d6+, as his king is extremely safe) 51.d6 , since xc4?? loses on the spot to 52.d8+- . ] 50...f6 51.d3 f5 52.c3+ [ 52.d4+! ] 52...f6 53.b4 f5 54.b3 f6 55.b7 e5 56.d3 f6 57.e4 g8 58.a7 g7 59.a8 c5 60.d3 c7 61.a5 c8 62.c5 Progress! e5 63.c4 d8 64.a3 348
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 d5?! [ Missing a great chance to counterattack: 64...d2! 65.c3 ( 65.c6 e1 66.f1 xf1+ 67.xf1 c2 and Black has an ideal defensive position in the rook endgame) 65...xc3 66.xc3 f6 and I believe Black can draw due to the proximity of White's cpawn (if the White rook and pawn were on a3/a5 this would most certainly be lost for the second player in the same vein as the famous 34th game of the 1927 AlekhineCapablanca match). An illustrative line: 67.c6 d8 68.g4 e7 69.g3 d6 70.f4 f6! 71.g5 ( 71.d3+ c7 72.xd8 xd8 73.g5 e5+! 74.g3 fxg5 75.hxg5 c7 76.f4 exf4+ 77.xf4 xc6 78.e5 d7 79.f4 e7 80.f5= ) 71...e5+ 72.e3 fxg5 73.hxg5 c7 74.e4 f8 and Black will hold. ] 65.c3! d4 66.b3 e1 67.b2 e5? [ 67...h7! was Black's last chance. ] 68.c1 d2 [ Or 68...b4 69.xb4 xb4 70.c6 b8 71.c7 c8 72.f4! . Compared to 64...Rd2! here Black's king is too far away, e.g. exf4 ( 72...e4 73.f3 exf3+ 74.xf3 changes nothing) 73.gxf4 f6 74.f3 e6 75.e4 d6 76.f5+- and White forces his way into the kingside. ] 69.xe1 xb2 70.xe5 White still faces a couple minor technical obstacles, but Black cannot resist. c2 71.g4! f6 72.g5 e6 73.g3 c4 74.gxh5 gxh5 75.xh5 f6 76.f4 c3+ 77.g4 f7 78.d5 e6 79.d6+ e7 80.c6 Black resigned. I don't see any reason to doubt White's compensation in this line, though I'd personally follow Kuljasevic's or Schachinger's example on move 12 (Adams' 12.d3 looks a bit limp). From Black's perspective, 10...Qd8 looks safer. 1-0
363 Agrest,Evgenij Postny,Evgeny Politiken Cup (10) [Jonathan Rowson]
A11 2590 2647 26.07.2009
1.c4 c6 [ To show that these lines do not always favour Black, Agrest has also won with this line, albeit via a different move order. 1...f6 2.f3 c6 3.c2 It's hard to believe that such a fussy move can be a threat to Black. d5 4.e3 g6 5.b3 g7 ( 5...f5!? 6.d3 a6 probably doesn't lead anywhere good for Black because White can even play the simple 7.b2 ) 6.b2 0-0 7.e2 g4 8.d3 bd7 9.0-0 e8 10.h3 xf3 11.xf3 c8 12.d2 e6 13.ac1 a6 14.fd1 e5 15.g3 h5 16.g2 f8 17.f3 d6 18.g5 No t t h e o n ly p la n . b8 19.f1 e7 20.cd1 bc8 21.b1 f8 22.fe1 b4 23.e2 ce8 24.h1 h4!? 25.gxh4 g7 26.c2 h8 27.cxd5 xh4? ( 27...cxd5 28.c7; 27...xd5!? ) 28.dxc6 bxc6 29.g1 eh8 30.c4! and White had control and went on to win in Agrest, E -Semcesen, D Helsingor DEN 2009. ] 2.f3 d5 3.e3 f6 4.c3 a6! One interesting point about this move order is that at this juncture Black either has to be willing to play a semi Slav or an a6 Slav or a Schlecter with ...g6, or else he has to make a slight concession because both . ..Bf5 and ... Bg4 run into slight problems with Qb3 related issues, as we have seen in previous updates. Now any Slav player worth his salt can play a system with a6, g6 or e6, but there are a few who much prefer to take White's pawn on c4. So if you are sure your opponent likes to play 1d4 d5 2c4 c6 3Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dc, then this move order can be quite tricky....But of course, don't' forget that when trying to lure your opponent into terra incognita, you ought to know something about it yourself! 5.c2 [ 5.d4!? is not a bad move either, but Bologan, a great expert on this line, told me that he can't find any advantage for White against the a6 Slav. ] 5...g6 6.b3 g7 7.b2 0-0 8.e2 e8 9.d4 Perhaps not plan A, but on the bright side the moves a6, g6 and Re8 are not a 349
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 particularly powerful trio. f5! 10.d1 [ 10.d3!? Odd though it seems, White probably has more chance of getting an edge by taking a tempo to exchange bishops. ] 10...e4 11.0-0 xc3 12.xc3 g4 13.c1 e6 Black is rock solid. 14.d2 d7 15.a5 b8 16.h3 xf3 17.xf3 f5! 18.a4 f6 W h it e i s n o t wo rse h e re , b u t a lr e a d y h e sho uld give so me th ought to ho lding th e balance because Black's position is more flexible, and the knight on f6 is generally slightly more useful than the bishop on f3. 19.c2 [ 19.b4!? half-hoping to swap queens with Qb6-c7, and more generally just fishing around, looks better. ] 19...d6 20.e2 f4!? 21.exf4 xf4 22.cd1 e4 Black now has a slight initiative, mainly because d4 is weak. 23.d3 d6 24.c7 ac8 25.g3 f8 26.b6 f5 27.e2 d6 28.d3 e5!? At first I felt this was anti-positional, but actually it is quite timely due to some well concealed tactical details based on the unprotected bishop on b6 and the weakness of W hite's kingside, particularly g3. 29.dxe5 xe5 30.cxd5? [ 30.f3! b4 31.a5 and White is not worse. ] 30...c5! White either missed this move, or failed to grasp that his bishop losing contact with e3 meant that his kingside would cave in. 31.a5 e3! 32.fxe3 xg3+ 33.h1 xh3+ 34.g1 g3+ 35.h1 e5 36.f4 xe3 37.e4 xf4 0-1
12.ad1 b5 13.e4 h7 gave Black a comfortable game in Yosilevich, D-Polaczek, R/Dos Hermanas 2004. ] 6...cxd5 7.b3 b5 This seems like the logical follow up to 4...a6 but White can break open the queenside now. [ 7...c8 is worth a thought despite its retrograde appearance. ] 8.a4! Breaking up the left flank before Black has time to support it with developed pieces. bxa4 9.xa4+ d7 10.c3 c6 [ White also has the initiative after 10...xa4 11.xa4 e6 12.b5 . ] 11.d3 e5 With White about to explode the centre with e2-e4 Black should keep things as tight as possible there. [ 11...e6 was much more solid though White still has a lot of pressure, for example 12.e4 g4 13.exd5 exd5 14.d4 xd4 15.xd4 e6 16.a5 e7 17.e3 0-0 18.fa1 is unpleasant for Black. ] 12.e4 [ It's possible that 12.d4 was even stronger, for example e4 ( 12...exd4 13.xd4 xd4 14.xd4 is also very good for White, for example e6 15.d1 e7 16.g5 0-0 17.e4! etc. ) 13.e5 xe5 14.dxe5 xa4 15.xa4 d7 16.xd5 wins a pawn. ] 12...e6 Losing a pawn to a neat combination. [ 12...dxe4 13.dxe4 g4 was relatively best though it's still nice for White after 14.d5 .] 13.exd5 xd5 14.xd5 xd5 15.xe5 xe5 16.xd7+ xd7 17.xd5 White has won a pawn and has two mighty bishops as well. He makes rather heavy weather of the endgame but gets there finally. c6 18.xf7 a5 19.e3 b8 20.d5 b4 21.xc6+ 364 A11 Snatching at the point a bit. [ 21.fc1! was much better, keeping his Alexander,Christian bishop pair. ] Boekhoff,Andrew 2299 Philadelphia National op 37th (2) 24.11.2006 21...xc6 22.fc1+ d7 23.c5 hc8 24.xb4 xc1+ 25.xc1 xb4 26.c2 d6 [Nigel Davies] [ The immediate 26...b3 would have made it harder for White. ] 1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.g3 f6 4.g2 a6 5.0-0 f5 6.cxd5 This simple move looks 27.f1 b3 28.e2 g5 29.e3 g4 30.f4 h5 31.g5 b5+ 32.g6 d7 33.d4 d6 quite good to me. [ After 6.b3 the move 4...a6 looks quite 34.c5 xb2 35.xa5 xf2 36.xh5 d2 useful as Black might later expand with ...b7- 37.d5 d4 38.f5 xd5 39.h4 d2 b5. For example h6 7.b2 e6 8.d3 e7 40.xg4 e6 41.h5 f7 42.f4+ g7 9.bd2 0-0 10.c2 bd7 11.a3 c8 43.h4 d5+ 44.g4 g6 45.h5+ h6 350
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 46.f6+ g7 47.f5 d3 48.h4 a3 when e4 14.d4 xe2 15.xe2 b4 49.g4 a1 50.g5 a7 51.c5 f7 52.h6+ is promising. ] h7 53.h5 f1 54.c7+ h8 55.g5 g1 11...b4 56.c8+ [ 11...e4 12.e5 b4 transposes. ] 1-0 12.d1 e4 13.e5 e8! The only move that causes White any problems, he will chase the strong knight away from e5. 14.a3 a6 365 A11 Automatic, but [ 14...f6!? is p o ss ib le , 15.h3 ( 15.axb4? Anastasian,Ashot 2602 xb4+ 16.d2 xd2+ 17.xd2 fxe5 Sakaev,Konstantin 2649 wins a pawn as f2 is hanging) 15...fxe5 7th ch-Euro Kusadasi TUR (2) 05.04.2006 16.dxe5 e7 17.axb4 xb4+ 18.e2 [Tony Kosten] looks a bit awkward for White, but may be OK. ] 1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 f6 4.c3 e6 5.b3 d6 6.b2 0-0 7.c2 I have had a few goes 15.h3 The knight needs a retreat square. f6 with Gurevich's setup myself, but lost one 16.g4 f7 17.e2 c7 18.0-0 White has very bad game in the Bundesliga, and so gave m a n a g e d t o c o m p l e t e h i s k i n g s i d e up! e5!? Sharp and to the point! If Black can development without major concessions. His p l a y t h i s m o v e i m m e d i a t e l y w i t h o u t plan now is to bring his dark-squared bishop punishment then White's opening will prove to the a3-f8 diagonal, and then break the black centre with f3. d7 19.a4 ac8 doubtful. [ 19...b4 20.a3 a5 is possible, to bring [ 7...e7 was Van Wely, L-Sveshnikov, E, in the knight to an active and well supported the archives, while ] square, 21.d2 ac8 22.ac1 equal. ] [ 7...bd7 is the normal move, and I've 20.a3 e6!? I don't understand why Black looked at this many times in the past. ] 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.b5 This is the reason Black allows W hite to control the dark squares avoided playing ...e5 in the past, as he is without a fight. [ 20...b4 is still good : 21.a5 ( 21.d2 forced to part with his dark-squared bishop. c2; 21.e1 a5 ) 21...b6 22.axb6 xb6 Still, in return he gets a centre, and easy 23.d2 a5 with a level game. ] development. c6 10.xd6 xd6 11.d4!? An attempted improvement, although it seems 21.f3 Now White begins to assume control. He a n t i - p o s i t i o n a l t o s h u t t h e b 2 - b i s h o p ' s plays on the kingside, and ignores the c-file. diagonal like this, W hite sees that he must d6 Now White solves all his problems with a grab his share of the centre, but does he couple of exchanges. 22.xd6 xd6 23.fxe4 dxe4 24.c4+ Shutting the c-file with gain of have time? The most obvious other retort is h8 25.f4 e8 26.e2? [ 11.b5?! , to pressure the e5-pawn, but tempo. then b4 12.c1 ( 12.b1? c5 A waste of a move, which only drives the wins an exchange, Ramirez Pereales, J- black knight to a better square. [ 26.f2 f5 27.h5 keeps the initiative. ] R o m e r o C a l d e r o n , C / B a r c e l o n a 1 9 9 6) 12...d7!? ( 12...e4! 13.d4 d7 26...b4 27.f2 f5 28.f1!? Tempting is nice for Black) 13.xe5 b6 14.a3 ac8 B l a c k i n t o t h e w i n o f a p i e c e . g5!? 15.c3 xb5 16.axb4 Fioramonti, H- This is probably OK, but very risky. [ 28...d5! 29.xd5 ( 29.h4 f6 Sherwin, J/Switzerland 1996, when e4 leaves the white pieces very awkwardly favours Black as White's light squares are placed ) 29...xd5 30.h5 g8! severely compromised. ] defends e8 and after a couple of prophylaxis [ 11.e2 g4 12.d1 xf3!? 13.xf3 e4 moves Black will take the pawn on b3, and 14.e2 d4 15.0-0 fd8 is very comfortable maybe e3 too. ] for Black, Balashov, Y-Kallai, G/Soviet Union 29.xe4 Forced. g6! 1991. ] [ 29...xe4 30.xe4 fxe4 31.h5 [ 11.c1 g4 12.b1!? a6 13.e2 is very dangerous for Black, the immediate Jonasson, B-Gretarsson, H/Reykjavik 1995, 351
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 threats are Qxg5-g8 and Rf7. ] A) 9.g4 xg4 10.g1 de5 ( 10...ge5 [ 29...fxe4? 30.f6 e6 31.h5 wins, ce7 11.g5!? ) 11.xe5 xe5 12.0-0-0 32.xe6 xe6 33.xe8+ xe8 34.xd6 ] with typical compensation.; 30.xg5 xg5 31.e4 White has given a B) 9.0-0 The great thing about playing this piece for two pawns, but in return he has line as White is that if you are not in the significantly improved the harmony of his mood to hack the opponent's kingside, you pieces, and has a strong centre. In short, he can still play positionally. For instance, the has obtained excellent practical chances. g7 f o l lo wi n g g a m e o f Mo s k a l e n k o ' s i s a [ 31...fxe4?? loses to 32.f8+ g7 strategic gem, showing why the two ( 32...xf8 33.xf8+ g7 34.g8+ ) bishops is, as Tony Miles once put it, "an 33.1f7+ h6 34.xe8 xe8 35.xc7 ] advantage you can win with". b6 10.cxd5 32.e5 c6? Time trouble, no doubt, as Black cxd5 ( 10...exd5 11.d4 e5 12.f4 ) simply drops the f-pawn which was stopping 11.b5 b7 12.xd6 xd6 13.ac1 the white rooks on the f-file. 33.xf5 d5 ac8 14.b1 a6 15.a1 fd8 16.h3 h6 With a nasty threat of ...Ne3 (because of the 17.e5 Moskalenko, V (2569)-Alsina Leal, p r e s s u re o n g2 ), b u t t h i s is e a s il y si d e D (2517)/ Barcelona ESP 2008. ] stepped. 34.1f2 g8 35.h2 g7 36.g4! 9.g4 Critical. White can also play Rg1, h4, White wants to avoid problems on g2, as castle or take on d5. [ 36.h5 s a y , a l l o w s f4! 37.xe8! [ 9.cxd5!? cxd5 ( 9...exd5 10.d4 b7 ( 37.xg8 exg8 forces 38.g4 xg4 11.f5 Kasparov once remarked that a 39.hxg4 e6 and Black is fine) 37...xe8 knight on f5 was almost always worth a 38.5xf4 g8 which is far from clear. ] pawn, and here W hite hasn't even 36...ge7 There was no time to shore up the sacrificed anything.) 10.b5 c5 11.a3 a6 d5-square, 12.bd4 b7 13.b4 d6 14.c1 c8 [ 36...d7?! 37.5f3 e6 38.f1! 15.b1 xc1+ 16.xc1 b8 17.a1 c8 and Rf8 wins. ] 18.0-0 Hard to believe White has anything 37.d2 e6 38.2f3! preparing the decisive here, but I thought it was worth showing how tripling! a6? such positions can be won. c7 19.g3 e5 [ 38...6e7! 39.f2 g6 keeps the game ( 19...c8!? ) 20.xe5 xe5 21.f4! d6 alive a little longer: 40.f8+ g7 41.8f6!? 22.f3 e8 23.d4 b5 24.g4! f6 25.g5 ( 41.d3 xf8 42.xg6 xf3 43.xf3 f7 26.f2 d8 27.h4 e7 28.d3 e5? hxg6 is not that easy) 41...xf6 42.xf6 Black was under pressure, but there was no g5 43.h4 xg4 44.xc6! looks winning ] reason to buckle in this way. 29.fxe5 fxe5 39.f2 There is no defence to the threat of 30.xe5 xf2 31.xf2 xe5 32.xe5 Rf8. g6 40.f8+ xf8 41.xf8+ g7 win ning, B an ikas, H (256 7)-P avlid is , A 42.d3! The bishop deflects the queen from (2175)/Athens GRE 2007. ] the defence of f7. 9...xg4 10.g1 f5 1-0 [ 10...de5 11.xe5 xe5 12.0-0-0 Ryb ka is n o t t o o co n vin ced b y W h it e 's compensation, but I imagine most 366 A11 grandmasters would pref er W hite here, because his position is so much easier to Andreikin,Dmitry 2580 play. dxc4 13.bxc4 g6 14.f4 f5 15.h5 Kaplan,Sasha 2428 and Black has plenty of defensive resources, IX EICC Plovdiv BUL (3) 23.04.2008 but the initiative endures. ] [Jonathan Rowson] 11.h3 gf6?! This seems to make things rather straightforward for White. 1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 f6 4.c3 e6 [ 11...ge5 is probably better, when White [ 4...g4 ] h a s o p t i o n s . 12.d4 ( 12.xe5 xe5 5.b3 d6 6.b2 0-0 7.c2 bd7 8.e2 contesting the diagonal, seems to ease b6 Black's position.) 12...c5 ( 12...b8!? [ 8...e7 352
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 is mentioned by Kosten, but seems encouraging from W hite's point of view.) 13.f4!? ( 13.0-0-0 f4 Seems to allow Black to keep more control.) 13...h4+ 14.d1 This might look like madness, but strange positions often call for strange solutions. g6 15.b4!? The main point of this move is that sooner or later White's queen will need to make way for the king on c2. ( 15.xc6 b7 16.cxd5 exd5 17.d4 xh3 s e e m s b e t t e r f o r B l a c k .) 15...a6 ( 15...e4 16.xe4 dxe4 17.c5 bxc5 18.bxc5 c7 19.c4 looks promising for White. ) 16.xc6 And this is a good starting point for analysis. My computer is initially quite happy with white's position, but it is too sharp to say anything definitive without giving the position a few hours of work. ] 12.d4 e8? [ 12...c5 13.xc6 d7 14.cxd5! exd5 15.xd5! ] [ 12...b8 is meek, but probably necessary. ] 13.cxd5!? [ 13.xc6 dxc4 is less clear cut. ] 13...cxd5 14.cb5 e5 15.c7 xc7 16.xc7 As is often the case in this line, White has complete dark square domination. b8 [ 16...f7 17.c6 ] 17.d6! White's play is remarkably simple. The knight on d7 can't move because the rook on b8 is en prise. f7 18.xe6 Resigns is just about the only move that doesn't lose material. 1-0
Aronian lost control in a winning position and went into a drawn endgame. 1.c4 c6 2.f3 d5 3.g3 dxc4 4.g2 d7 5.0-0 gf6 I think this line is sound and I even play this position myself sometimes. However, White has a dangerous initiative and Black needs to watch every step he makes very carefully. 6.c2 b6 7.a3 [ 7.a4 there are some differences in this p o s i t i o n wi t h 7 . a 4 a 5 i n c l u d e d . I n t h e chaotic lines it can be in White's favour, but now Black can also play in a solid way a5 8.a3 e6 9.e5 d4 ( 9...g6!? is ok and now we see the pawn moves are in Black's favour 10.axc4 xc4 11.xc4 g7 Zaragatski, I (2474)-Michiels, B (2502)/ NED-chT 1112 2011 (7.4).) 10.xc6 bxc6 11.xc6+ fd7 now White can't play a5, but the knight on b5 will be defended, so the attack is more dangerous than usual, as can be seen in Tikkanen, H (2591) -Hultin, J (2307)/SWE-chT 1112 2011 (4). ] 7...e6 8.e5 d4 9.xc6 bxc6 10.xc6+ d8 11.b5 [ 11.xa8?! was another try, but it is less critical xa8 12.d3 cxd3 13.d1 dxc2 14.xd4+ d7 and Black was fine in a game with a big material imbalance, Kaidanov, G (2593)-Holt, C (2513)/USA- ch Saint Louis 2013 (2). ] 11...c5 12.xa8 xb5 [ 12...f5 is a possible intermezzo and was tried by Holt 13.c3 ( 13.e4!? I like this move, Black wins a piece, but White has all his pieces ready for the attack h3 14.a4 xf1 15.xf1 xa8 16.d3 with a dangerous attack) 13...xb5 14.a4 d7 15.g2 c7 and Black made too 367 A11 m a n y q u e e n m o ve s , s o W h i t e h a s t h e initiative, Sadorra, J (2577) -Holt, C (2534)/ Aronian,Levon 2830 Houston op 2013 (4). ] Andreikin,Dmitry 2709 d7 A novelty. Black develops the FIDE Candidates 2014 (6.4) 19.03.2014 13.g2 bishop and now the king is less exposed. I [Fier, Alexandr] think Andreikin was already out of his theory, This was one of the decisive games in the and with this he at least made Aronian start to f irs t h a lf o f t h e Ca n d id a t e s t o u rn a m e n t . think as well. [ 13...h5 was played before, but I think White Aronian was trying to catch Anand and he has good chances to get an advantage played a good line to put his opponent under 14.h4 ( 14.d3 will exchange some pieces pressure. After some good moves Andreikin cxd3 15.d1 f5 16.e4 xe4 17.xd3+ could not resist and made a few inaccuracies. xd3 18.xd3+ d6 and Black was fine in A n d t h e n s o m e t h i n g s t ra n g e h a p p e n e d , 353
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Pantsulaia, L (2575) -Smeets, J (2608)/ Istanbul ol (Men) 40th 2012 (3.3).) 14...f5 15.e4 d7 16.a4 xa4 17.e5 and White was really active in Timman, J-Smeets, J see the PGN Archive. ] 14.b3 White needs to open the position before Black brings his pieces into the game, so this move makes a lot of sense. [ 14.d1 would be nice if Black could not e x c h a n g e t h e q u e e n s b y f o r c e a4 15.xa4 xa4 16.b3 cxb3 17.axb3 xb3 18.f1 a4 White has a nice center and Black still needs to consolidate his position, so there is enough compensation for the material ] 14...e5 15.b1 cxb3 16.xb3 xe2 17.a3 W hite exchanges the bishop and with this Black's king is safer on the black squares. On the other hand White is attacking the pawn on a7 and he is ready for an invasion on the seventh rank. [ 17.b2 was also interesting, keeping the pieces on a4 18.d3+ fd7 19.b1 h5 ( 19...c5 20.f3 is embarrassing) 20.c1 f5 21.e4 e6 again with a dangerous initiative for White ] 17...xa3 18.xa3 c4 19.b1 [ 19.xc4 is not what White is looking for xc4 20.xa7 e8 and the position is level ] 19...e7 20.xa7 d4 21.b7 a4 22.c1 [ 22.b4 can get the knights back immediately, but Black is out of danger then xd2 23.d1 c3 24.xd7+ xd7 25.xa4 b8 26.xh7 b2 with compensation ] 22...d8 23.h3 f8 Black is finally going to put his king in a safe place. Somehow it's funny, but the king will have problems with the back rank when it reaches g8. [ 23...c5 was possible here or on the next move, but here White can open the position with 24.b4 d6 25.d4!? ( 25.b6 d4 j u s t r e p e a t s) 25...e6 ( 25...exd4 now the pawn is on the square where the queen was supposed to be 26.b6 c7 27.b4 c8 28.b7 winning ) 26.dxe5 xe5 27.b7 d4 and White still has some pressure, but the position is ok for Black ] 24.b3 e4? This pawn will be lost by force. [ 24...c5 looks losing because of the pin,
but Black survives by tactical means 25.a3 c8 26.b4 d6 27.bc4 e8! 28.xc5 d7 and the rook on c1 is the big problem ] [ 24...e4 was also ok, and after 25.xe4 xe4 26.d3 ( 26.b4 a8 27.c7 will pro bably le ad to a n equal positio n) 26...d4 27.a3+ g8 28.e7 e8 Black's position is under control ] 25.c4 d5 26.b4+ g8 27.d4 [ 27.xe4! this was possible on this move, or the next, and the point is that White can use the last rank after the knight is on e4 xe4 28.b8! is probably what White overlooked e8 29.xd8 xd8 30.xe4 and White should be close to winning ] 27...c6 28.bxd7? The position is still good for White, but he again misses the best move. [ 28.xe4! this was still possible and now the p o s i t i o n i s w i n n i n g xe4 ( 28...e6 would be the best, but now White can play the same with a pawn up 29.bxd7 xd7 30.b8+ e8 31.xa4 and Black is lost) 29.dxd7 wins ] 28...xd7 29.xa4 [ 29.e7!? f6 ( 29...c8 30.xa4 is also good for W hite) 30.xf6 gxf6 31.xa4 and compared to the game Black's structure is slightly worse c5 32.c4 e6 33.xe4 xd2 34.a4 now some rook endgames are lost for Black. ] 29...xa4 30.xa4 f8 31.xe4?! I think Aronian didn't want to stay with his rook in front of the pawn, but with this move White's advance is much slower. [ 31.xe4 was better, but White can't just go with the pawn, Black has enough resources t o s t o p i t xd2 32.a8 ( 32.a7!? White also targets f7 g6 33.a4 e6 34.a5 d1+ 35.g2 a1 36.d5 ) 32...g6 33.a4 this looks good, but Black arrives just in time g7 34.a5 e6 35.a6 d6 36.b7 ( 36.a7 a6 and there is no way to make progress ) 36...c7 ( 36...c5 does not work 37.g2 f6 38.a7 xb7 39.b8 a6 40.a8 xa8 41.xa8+- ) 37.a7 b5 leads to a draw ] 31...xd2 32.a4 [ 32.a4 was probably better, but basically no human would play this. ] 32...a2 Now it's hard to make progress. Still W hite can try to put the bishop on b5 and 354
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 improve his pieces slowly. He tried to xe2 10.e5 ( my opponent faced exchange the bishop, but this endgame is 10.xb6?! earlier in the tournament: axb6 easy to handle for Black. 33.f3 g6 34.g2 11.e1 h5 12.e4 d5 13.b3 e6 e6 35.c4 g7 36.d5 f6 37.e4 a3 14.b2 Tozer, P (2176) -Kojima, S (2340) 38.xe6 L o n d o n E N G 2 0 1 2 h e r e b4 15.c4 [ 38.c6 was still possible, waiting for the d3 would have led to a large advantage end of time trouble ] f o r B l a c k .) 10...h5 11.e1 has been 38...fxe6 39.f4+ e7 40.h4 h5 And finally subjected to extensive testing and analysis. we are out of time trouble and the resulting Recently h6! solved all of Black's problems position is an easy draw for Black. W hite's in Dubov, D (2594) -Potkin, V (2651) rook can't stay on the f-file and the pawn on Moscow 2012/[John Bartholomew]. a4 is too far from promotion for White to give Interested readers may also want to check one of the pawns on the kingside. Apparently out GM Viktor Erdos's "CI Lab" survey of this the pawn is better on e6 than f7. 41.e4 f7 line in Informant 115. ] 42.f1 a2 43.e1 f6 44.d1 e7 8...cxb3 9.axb3 g6 45.f4 The last try. a3 [ A c o u p l e p l a y e r s h a v e t r i e d 9...d5!? [ 45...g2 46.a5 xg3 ( 46...a2 47.e5 , intending to offload the clumsy bishop on and W hite improved the position a lot.) f3. W hite may want to react with 10.c4 47.a4 was one trick ] , i.e. ( 10.d3 xf3 11.xf3 e6 12.c4 46.c2 xg3 47.d4 e3 48.b2 e5 bd5 Thorfinnsson, B (2402)-Illescas ½-½ Co rd o ba , M (2 6 09 ) P ort o Carras 20 1 1; 10.b2 ) 10...e6 ( 10...g6 11.a5 ) 11.a5 c7 12.d3 xf3 13.xf3 bd5 14.d2 368 A11 e7 15.b2 , angling for b3-b4. ] Bartholomew,John 2427 10.c4 g7 11.a5 The best place for the Kojima,S 2340 knight. Black will have to monitor b7 for quite 4th London Classic Open (6.12) 06.12.2012 so m e t i m e , a n d t h e r e ' s c e r t a in v a l u e i n restricting Black's three-on-one queenside [John Bartholomew] pawn majority. [ 11.b2 bd5 ( 11...0-0 looks more One of the unique selling points of the 3.g3 flexible ) 12.g5!? c8 13.e4 b4 14.c3 Anti-Slav Gambit is that White often just plays d3?! ( 14...a5! ) 15.xf7! xf7 16.xd3 b 2 - b 3 in t h e c r i t ic a l l in e s , n o t f e a r in g a xd3 17.e5+ e8 18.xd3 Hausrath, middlegame a pawn down. The present game D (2507) -Michalczak, T (2340) Oberhausen is one such example. 1.c4 c6 2.f3 d5 2008 ] 3.g3 f6 4.g2 dxc4 5.0-0 bd7 6.c2 11...c8 A novelty. b6 7.a3 e6 [ It seems slightly weaker to play 11...c8 [ The text has been gaining momentum over . After 12.b2 0-0 13.e4 e8 (a common 7...d5 primarily because Black has failed maneuver - Black intends to transfer the to demonstrate a convincing solution to the knight to d6) 14.xg7 xg7 15.c3+ g8 g a m b i t l i n e 8.b3!? cxb3 9.axb3 e6 16.h4!? White had interesting play with h410.b4! , as played in Timman, J (2571)h5 looming: f6 ( 16...d6 17.fe1 c7 Ernst, S (2606) W ijk aan Zee 2012/[John 18.h5 ) 17.fe1 c7 18.d4 d7 19.d5 Bartholomew]. ] Ha u sr a t h , D (2 5 3 7 )-B ru n n e r, N (2 4 6 2 ) 8.b3!? In the August 2012 update I suggested Germany 2010 ] that White players ought to have a look at this [ 11...c7 suggests itself. On c7 the queen typical pawn sacrifice, and the present game won't prevent the rooks from communicating was a good chance to test this with each other, but the queen is also a bit recommendation. Don't you like it when we more exposed. For instance, e2-e4 and d4ChessPub authors stick our necks out d5 could be a bother, or perhaps even Bb2there!?:) e5. A possible continuation is 12.b2 0-0 [ The continuation 8.g5 g4 9.xc4! 355
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 13.e4 A) 13...fd8 14.fe1 e8 15.xg7 xg7 16.c3+ g8 17.d4; B) 13...e8 14.xg7 xg7 15.d4 ( or perhaps 15.c3+ g8 16.h4!? ); C) 13...ad8 14.d4 ( 14.fe1!? ) 14...e8 15.fc1 h6 16.d1 g7 17.c4 xc4 18.bxc4 ] 12.b2 [ It occurred to me that 12.a3 also makes sense against 11...Qc8. However, after c7 I feel the bishop's long-term prospects are limited on the a3-f8 diagonal. The fact that this piece now interferes with the defense of the knight on a5 may also prove to be nont r i v i a l . W h i t e ' s b e s t m a y b e 13.b2 with a direct transposition to 11...Qc7. ] 12...0-0 13.e4 d8 14.fe1!? I liked White's play in Hausrath-Brunner, so here I'm borrowing a key idea. [ The point of this semi-waiting move is to de la y d 2 -d4 u n t il W h it e ca n e n su re a n exchange of dark square bishops. White will find it easier to create threats against the Black king when its primary defender has been eliminated. For what it's worth, I think White also enjoys decent compensation with th e s t ra igh t f o rwa rd 14.d4 , but the text seems more attractive to me. ] 14...e8 Black could try to delay or omit this move altogether, but it is the logical continuation of his plan. 15.xg7 xg7 This surprised me, as I thought the knight was fairly useless on this square. [ On 15...xg7 I probably would have played 16.c3+ g8 17.h4!? ala HausrathBrunner. ] 16.d4 b8?! 17.d2! I'm fond of this move. The queen has potential to influence matters on either side of the board. f6 Discouraging Qd2-h6 and Nf3-g5, but... 18.b4 f7?! It's hard to believe that any good will come from having the king staring down the barrel of a d4-d5 push. [ 18...d7 should have been tried, though I'm p lea s ed wit h W h it e 's po sit ion af t e r 19.c4 xc4 20.bxc4 . ] 19.ac1 Natural and strong. d4-d5 is on the cards. d7 20.c4! xc4 [ B e g r u d g i n g l y p l a y e d , b u t 20...c8?? 21.fe5+ is far worse. ]
21.bxc4 g4 [ 21...g8!? 22.d5 f7 ] 22.d5 White has a serious initiative. xf3 23.xf3 e5!? A good defensive try. 24.c5! [ D e f i n i t e l y n o t 24.dxe6+ xe6 , when Black's knight springs to life. ] 24...b6?! Time was becoming a factor for both players around this point. 25.ed1 [ The immediate 25.a4! was stronger. ] 25...e8 26.a4 bxc5? Opening the position is nearly fatal. [ Black had far better chances to hold out with 26...cxd5! , i.e. 27.c6 c7 28.exd5 a5! . White's passers are blockaded and it's not at all clear how I can break through. ] 27.dxc6 e7 28.g4! Aiming for the d7 square. g7? Black cracks. [ Ne c e s s a r y wa s 28...d4 , though after 29.xd4 exd4 30.d7 Black has a very difficult (and possibly hopeless) defensive task. ] 29.d7 xd7 30.xd7+- The threats of c6-c7 and Qa4xa7 are too much. e6 31.xe6+! Simplest. xe6 [ Or 31...xe6 32.xa7+ , picking up the rook. ] 32.c4+ d6 33.xc5+ e6 34.d5# W hite has rich compensation after 8.b3!?, though Black is not without his resources. A strong player could give this line a go with either color. 1-0
369 Bartholomew,John Ostrovskiy,Aleksandr SPICE Cup Open (7) [John Bartholomew]
A11 2446 2377 18.10.2012
Lasker's System (4...Bf5) is a solid option for Black. White normally obtains a slight edge after 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Qb3, but here my op p o ne n t su rp rise s m e wit h me with t h e enterprising pawn sacrifice 6...Nc6!?, an idea that injects new life into this variation. 1.c4 c6 2.f3 d5 3.g3 f6 4.g2 f5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.b3 c6!? Pitching the b-pawn for the sake of speedy development and central dominance. In the post-mortem my opponent said he had specifically prepared this pawn 356
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 sacrifice and that the engines rate it highly (something my Houdini confirms!). Somehow this idea has yet to attract much attention, though it has been tried 11 times since 2003. [ Black usually plays 6...b6 , when the q u e e n l e s s m i d d l e g a m e a f t e r 7.xb6 is pleasant for W hite , i.e. ( or 7.c3!? Georgiev, K (2649)-Kasimdzhanov, R (2690)/ Khanty Mansiysk 2007/ [Hansen, Carsten]) 7...axb6 8.c3 c6 9.d3 e6 10.b5 b4+ 11.d2 e7 12.fd4 xd2+ 13.xd2 g6 14.f4! Stefanova, A (2503)Zhukova, N (2439)/Krasnoturinsk 2003/ [TonyK]. ] [ 6...c8 is also popular. 7.c3 e6 8.0-0 e7 9.d3 c6 10.f4 0-0 11.ac1 Kosten, A (2542)-Bunzmann, D (2509) / Montpellier 2001/[TonyK] ] 7.xb7 White is obligated to accept. d7! Best. White must waste time retreating, as 8... Rb8 and 9...Nb4 are now threatened. [ Less accurate is 7...c8 8.0-0 e5 9.d4!? exd4 10.f4 d6 11.c1 d7?! , Tarlev, K (2384)-Alexikov, A (2353)/Alushta 2 0 0 5 . H e r e 12.xd7+ xd7 13.xd6 xd6 14.a3 is much better for White. ] 8.b3 e5 The powerful pawn duo is the crux of Black's compensation. 9.0-0 [ One game from this year went 9.d3 b8 10.d1 b4+!? (a common sortie Black tries to wrong-foot White's pieces) 11.fd2! h5 ( I think the simple 11...0-0 is better ) 12.c3 e7 13.0-0 h4 14.a3 d6 ( maybe 14...xc3!? 15.bxc3 hxg3 16.hxg3 c8 hitting c3 and intending ...Bd7h3 promised more) 15.e4! hxg3 16.hxg3 g4 17.f3 h3 18.e1 d4 19.d5 e6 20.c4 f8 21.g5 fg8 22.c1 and Black was in a very bad way Cox, J (2423)-Thorfinnsson, B (2402)/Hinckley ENG 2012. ] 9...b8 [ Another example: 9...d6 10.c3 b8 11.d1 d4?! Strangely, this natural move isn't as ef f ective here ( 11...0-0 12.d3 would transpose to our main game) 12.a4 h6 13.d3 e7 14.d2 b4 15.b3 xa4 16.bxa4 b8 17.c4 ed5 18.d2 0-0 19.b1 d7 20.b5! Griffiths, R (2301)Lalic, P (1978)/Sheffield ENG 2011. ] 10.d1 d6 Completing development and
maintaining a fluid pawn structure. [ I think 10...e4 , as in Mueller, J (2162)Reinhart, E (2347)/Pardubice CZE 2012, is weaker only if Black refrains from following up aggressively. This becomes apparent after 11.e1 c5 when White can use the e4 hook to begin chipping away at Black's central foundation with ( on the other hand, 11...h5!? deserves serious consideration compare to Cox - Thorfinnsson [see note to 9.0-0] ) 12.d3 . ( 12.c3 e7 13.a4 0-0 14.c2 d6 15.b3 fc8 was the game )] [ Black needs to avoid 10...c5?! 11.xe5! .] 11.d3 [ I was hesitant to play 11.d4 in view o f e4 12.fd2 h5! , with easy play for Black. ( 12...0-0 )] 11...0-0 12.c3 [ 12.fd2 was agreed drawn in Jacobsen, Bo (2302)-Skytte, R (2401)/Chess House IM 2012. A pity! Black has a number of ways to proceed, i.e. e7 ( or 12...e8; 12...h6; or even 12...a5!? )] [ I strongly considered 12.b3 , but it seems premature. The c3-square is chronically weakened, and White also has to watch out for ... e5-e4, opening the a1-h8 diagonal. e7 ( definitely not the immediate 12...e4?? 13.dxe4 dxe4 14.xd6+- )] 12...d4 Forcing White to a decision. 13.e4?! In retrospect, this is questionable. [ I didn't like 13.a4 on a ccou n t o f a5 ( Black should perhaps prefer the patient 13...h6 ) 14.d2 b4 , but actually 15.b3 seems fine for W hite, in spite of the possibility of ...Nb(f)d5-c3. For instance, xa4 16.bxa4 bd5 17.c4 c7 18.a3 c3 19.c2 fc8 20.b2 and White is doing well. ] [ Actually, it appears that the retreat 13.b1! is best. White isn't winning any development awards, but he is also refusing to create any weaknesses. The first player has slightly better chances here, and one (ideal!) way to continue would be Nb1-d2-c4, a2-a3, b2-b4, and Bb2(d2). ] 13...xe4 14.dxe4 e7 White remains a p a wn u p , t h o u g h I w i l l h a v e d i f f i c u l t i e s activating my queenside majority and making the g2-bishop relevant. Black has a totally 357
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 c o h e r e n t p o s it io n wi t h t h e p o ssi b i li t y o f playing on either wing. All in all, a roughly b a l a n c e d g a m e . 15.b3 c5 16.e1!? Transferring the knight to a superior square. bc8?! [ 16...fc8! ] 17.d3 b6 18.d2 a5 19.f4!? f6 20.fxe5 fxe5?! [ A f t e r w a r d s w e a g r e e d t h a t 20...xe5! was the superior recapture. ] 21.xf8+ xf8 22.a3 The rook exchange has improved my prospects. Now I can start crawling forward on the queenside. [ 22.c2!? is perhaps more flexible. ] 22...b8 23.c2 a7! The possibility of ... Na7-b5 is very bothersome to W hite. 24.b4 a4 25.c5?! Parting with my best piece! [ Simply 25.c1 was better. ] 25...xc5 26.bxc5 e6! ... Qe6-b3 is on the table. 27.e3! I have to hurry. The idea is Bg2f1-c4. dxe3 [ I was expecting the immediate 27...b3 , i.e. 28.xb3+ ( 28.c1 c6 29.f1 e6 ) 28...axb3 29.exd4 exd4 30.b1 e6 ] 28.xe3 [ I thought briefly about 28.f1 , but then I saw h6! . ] 28...b3 29.d2 e6 30.f2 b2! An excellent defensive resource that totally escaped my attention. Black parries the threat of Qd2-d6 by forcing a queen trade. 31.xb2 xb2 Despite the bishop pair and a pawn advantage, it's not easy for W hite! Black's minor pieces are clearly superior, and the a3 pawn is feeling the heat. The computer says I'm not in much danger, but in mutual time pressure I couldn't figure things out. 32.d1 f7 33.f1 a2 34.d6?! [ I should sit tight with 34.d3= . ] 34...xa3 35.c6 c8 36.d7+ f6 37.a6? S t i l l e r r o n e o u s l y p u s h i n g f o r w a r d . e7 38.d6 c3! Addressing the threat of Ba6-c4 and putting the breaks on the c-pawn once and for all. Amazingly, White is now dead lost. 39.e1 c1 40.f2 a3 I can't stop this pawn! 41.c7 a2 42.c8 xc8 43.xc8 a1 White resigned. A nice game by Aleksandr (who said he reads ChessPublishing.com!). The computerendorsed pawn sacrifice with 6... Nc6!? looks
completely playable, and I wouldn't be the le a st bit su rp rise d if it b eco me th e m a in continuation very soon. 0-1
370 Bruzon Batista,Lazaro Nielsen,Peter Heine 18th North Sea Cup (2) [Tony Kosten]
A11 2610 2625 05.06.2003
This is an elegant game, where White gains the advantage in pure 'Reti' style. 1.f3 f6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 c6 4.0-0 g6 A perfectly logical move, Black posts the king's bishop on the long diagonal, whilst keeping the h3-c8 diagonal open for the other bishop. 5.b3 g7 6.b2 0-0 7.c4 The advantage of delaying c4 like this, is that White doesn't have to worry about lines where Black captures on c4, as now W hite can simply recapture with the bpawn and gain a big centre. a5!? [ 7...g4 is more common, but Black tries to soften-up the long diagonal first. ] 8.d3 a4 T h e p a w n g o e s o n . 9.a3! Both stopping its further advance, and keeping the a-file closed. a6 10.c2 And now the k n i g h t r e t u r n s t o c o n t r o l b 4 . g4!? This perfectly normal move seems to be an innovation, as previously Black had preferred [ 10...e8 when 11.c1 b6 ( 11...g4 12.b4 c8 13.b1 h3 14.b5 cxb5 15.cxb5 c5 16.xh3 xh3 17.xf6 left Black with an awkward decision, as White continues with Ne3, hitting c5 and d5, Dizdar,G-Michaelsen,N/Bad W oerishofen 1992 ) 12.d4 c5 13.e5 axb3 14.axb3 d8 ( 14...xb3!? 15.d2 b6 16.cxd5 should favour White) 15.b2 leaves White with a plus, because of his harmonious pieces, Dizdar,G-Pfleger,H/Germany 1992. ] 11.b1 This guards against tricks along the diagonal, and may threaten to capture on a4 and use the open b-file that ensues. xf3 A radical solution, but the bishop isn't very important in Black's plans. 12.xf3 axb3 13.axb3 e6 Black sets up a solid lightsquared pawn barrier. 14.b4 b5 15.a5! W hite starts to take control, he first pressurises the b-pawn. b6 358
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 15...bxc4 16.dxc4 dxc4? 17.xc6 a7 18.b5 is very strong. ] 16.d4 b7 17.cxb5 cxb5 18.b2 A quick look at the position reveals that White is threatening to double rooks on the a-file, attacks the b-pawn, and controls the a1-h8 diagonal. e8 Best. 19.e4! White brings his other bishop into the fray. ac7 20.fa1 c8 A concession, but Black could hardly capture on a5 and allow W hite a passed a-pawn. 21.exd5 exd5 22.e3 Reti players look and learn! With simple, yet powerful moves, all of W hite's pieces participate in the fray, and B l a c k i s b e s e t f r o m a l l a n g l e s . h5 Hardly relevant, but it was difficult to suggest improvements. 23.g2 c6 24.a7 d6 25.h4 White is in no rush and simply improves h i s p o s i t i o n - r e a l G M t e c h n i q u e . xd4 26.xd4 e6?! [ 26...g7 was the best chance, e.g. 27.xd5 xd5 28.xd5 xb4 and Black is still fighting. ] 27.xd5 xb4 28.xf7! Suddenly White turns to a tactical solution, and kills the pawn that holds Black's light squares together. xf7? [ 28...xf7 was hardly appetising, and yet after 29.d7+ e7 30.xc8 8c7 31.b7 Black is 'only' a pawn down. ] 29.xe6 Forking c8 and g6. d6 30.xg6+ [ 30.xg6+ f8 31.h6+ g8 32.d5 is completely crushing. ] 1-0
one against Caruana. He didn't get much out of the opening in that one, though: 1.c4 g6 2.e4 e5 3.c3 g7 4.g3 d6 5.ge2 c5 6.d3 c6 7.g2 ge7 8.a3 d4 9.b4 g4 10.h3 xe2 11.xe2 xe2 12.xe2 c6= and Black equalized in Carlsen, MCaruana, F W ijk aan Zee 2013. Carlsen opened with 1 .e4 in all his other W hit e games. ] 1...f6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 c6 4.0-0 Flexible. [ We recently examined 4.d3 f5 5.0-0 e6 ( 5...h6 would be my choice) 6.h4 g6 7.xg6 hxg6 in Nakamura, H (2778) -Solak, D (2599) Istanbul 2012/[John Bartholomew]. White grabbed the bishop pair and cruised to victory rather effortlessly. ] 4...g4 5.c4 White more often prefaces this advance with d2-d3, but perhaps it's unnecessary. [ In that case 5.d3 bd7 6.c4 xf3! is an interesting response, i.e. 7.xf3 e5!? 8.g2 dxc4 9.d4 ed7 10.c2 b6 11.d1 e6 12.e4 e7 13.a4 a5 . See Nikolic, P (2671)-Strating, S (2307) Amsterdam 2004/[TonyK]. ] 5...e6 6.d3 bd7 7.cxd5! Judging by the n u m b e r o f h i g h r a t e d p l a ye r s wh o h a v e chosen this move recently (and their corresponding winning percentage!), it's fairly clear that this is considered to be the best path for White. Germany's GM Georg Meier is particularly fond of this capture, having played it on several occasions. [ 7.e3 is more innocuous. For example, d6 8.b3 b8 9.cxd5 exd5 10.c3 0-0 371 A11 11.fe1 e8 Frois, A (2346)-Dominguez Perez, L (2534) Lisbon 2000. ] Carlsen,Magnus 2861 Karjakin,Sergey 2780 7...exd5 [ T h e s y m m e t r i c a l r e s p o n s e 7...cxd5 Tata Steel Chess 2013 (8.4) 20.01.2013 can be met in many dif ferent ways, i.e. [John Bartholomew] 8.b3 (Meier's preference) ( 8.a4 d6 9.c3 0-0 10.g5 h6 11.xg4 xg4 I could hardly submit this update in good 12.xd8 fxd8= 1-0 (86) Laznicka, V conscience without commenting on at least (2674) -Jirovsky, M (2453); common is 8.c3 one of Magnus Carlsen's games! He is simply e7 9.h3 when xf3 10.xf3 0-0 11.e4 on a roll as of late, and in W ijk aan Zee he d4 12.b1 b6 13.d2 a6 14.e2 impressed everybody with his sheer tenacity ac8 15.f4 fd8 was balanced in and willingness to fight every game until bare Zaragatski, I (2474)-Van Wessel, R (2375) kings (usually his opponents resigned before Netherlands 2012) 8...b6 9.xb6 xb6 then!) This was one such game. 1.f3 10.c3 xf3 11.xf3 c5 12.b3 e7 [ Magnus only had one other pure Flank 13.b2 ac8 14.ac1 Meier, G (2642)game with White in the tournament: in round 359
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Kleiman, J (2371) Saint Louis USA 2012. ] 8.c2 [ 8.c3 could transpose, though c5!? is intriguing, as Karjakin had played previously: 9.h3 ( 9.b3 c8 10.f4 0-0 11.ac1 e8 12.h3 h5 13.g4 g6 14.d4 Malakhov, V (2709)-Rublevsky, S (2688) Novosibirsk RUS 2012) 9...xf3 10.xf3 0-0 11.c2 d4 12.b1 e7 13.d2 e5 14.g2 fe8 with play similar to the game. Svidler, P (2739)-Karjakin, S (2788) Moscow 2011. ] 8...e7 [ Again, it's entirely possible for Black to place this bishop elsewhere, e.g. 8...d6 ] [ or 8...c5!? . ] 9.c3 xf3 Parting with the bishop in order to clarify the position. [ Critical is 9...0-0 10.e4 dxe4 11.dxe4 . W hite has scored fantastically from this position (+13, =9, -2) despite the engine's proclamation of near equality. One illustrative game went c5 12.d1 c8 13.e3 e8 14.e1 h3 15.ad1 h6 16.d4 xg2 17.xg2 with an ideal position for White in Ehlvest, J (2591)-Bhat, V (2547) Saint Louis 2010. Karjakin must have also felt that Black has some problems to solve in this variation. ] 10.xf3 d4 11.e4 0-0 12.xf6+ xf6 [ 12...xf6 allows 13.b4! , jump-starting White's queenside play. b6 14.b1 d7 15.b5 ac8 16.bxc6 bxc6 17.d2 fe8 18.fc1 Loginov, V (2507)-Tunik, G (2451) Togliatti 2001 ] 13.d2 a5 14.a3 d5 15.ab1 d7 16.fc1 fe8 The opening phase has concluded. White cannot claim a theoretical advantage, but he has succeeded in obtaining a position fully suited to his style: no weaknesses, a pair of bishops, and the ability to play for another 75 moves! 17.c4 c7 18.h4 a4 19.b4 b5 20.g2 h6 21.c5 g6 22.b4 f6 23.d2 g7 24.c4 a6 25.d1 b6 26.b4 c5 27.d2 c7 28.cc1 d5 29.h1! Carlsen finds a neat way to generate pressure. e7 30.g1 d8 31.c2 e6 32.g2 a7 33.e1 ad7 34.h2 c8 35.h3 xh3+ 36.xh3 The evaluation doesn't change much following the queen trade. h5 37.b1 a8 38.g2
a6 39.b3 Magnus gets down to business. axb3 40.xb3 f6 41.c4 d6 42.f1 f8 43.a4 c3?! A nearly imperceptible error that Carlsen is quick to exploit. [ Black should stand still, i.e. 43...g7 . ] 44.f4 e6 45.e3! xa4 [ Not 45...xa4?? 46.bxc3+- . ] 46.d5 e7 47.d6 b5?! [ 47...c3! presents White with more problems. ] 48.xe7+ xe7 49.xb5 b6 50.e4 xc4 51.b8+ g7 52.xc4 Karjakin has won back the exchange, but he's a long way from surviving the Carlsen Inquisition! Black's f7 pawn is a clear target. a7 53.f4 d6 54.e8 b7 55.a8 e7 56.g2 b1 57.e5 e1 58.f2 b1 59.e8 f8 60.c8 e7 61.a8 b2+ 62.f3 b1 63.d5 e1 64.f2 d1 65.e8 f8 66.c4 b1 67.g4 Going for it! hxg4 68.h5 h1? Karjakin falters in a complex position. [ The computers indicate he could have held with 68...gxh5! 69.f5 h4 70.f6+ g6 71.xf8 f5! , which is a fairly non-human line. ] 69.hxg6 fxg6 70.e6! Target acquired (g6). h6 71.d5 h2+?! [ 71...a1 72.g3 c4! offered more resistance, but it's already very difficult for Black. ] 72.g3 h3+ 73.xg4 xd3 74.f5 e3 75.xg6+ h7 76.g8+ h8 77.f4 Carlsen's technique is flawless. c3 78.f6 d3 79.e3 c4 80.e6! h7 81.f5 c2 82.g2+ h6 83.xc2 dxc2 84.xc2+Despite the presence of opposite color bishops, Black cannot hold. g5 85.d4 a3 86.xc4 b2 87.d5 f4 88.f7 a3 89.e6 g5 90.c6 f6 91.d7 g7 92.e7 Black resigned. A brilliant effort Karjakin was equal, but never drawing against the 2013 Tata Steel champion. I think Magnus's 7.cxd5 is the best way for White to play, and it's yielding plenty of interesting games at present. 1-0
360
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 control and W hite can also play f3 A11 s o m e t i m e s .) 17.e1 ( 17.d1 c2 ) Clery,Nicolas 2390 17...xe2+ 18.xe2 e4 19.e5 ac8 Savchenko,Stanislav 2558 looks fine for Black ] XXIV Open Cappelle la Grande FRA (7) 21.2.08 16...ac8 17.d2 c3 18.exd4 exd4 [Jonathan Rowson] 19.fc1 xe2+ 20.xe2 g4 21.e5 1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 f6 4.c3 e6 xe5 22.xe5 e6 23.b4 d5 24.xd4 f6 5.c2 d6 It is important to note that Black 25.f3 Black will win back the pawn after Nf4. does not have to play Nbd7 and as Sakeev ½-½ showed in a previous update(see AnastasianSakeev), if White is not going to play d4 there A11 is a lot to be said for playing e5 as quickly as 373 possible 6.b3 0-0 7.b2 Davies,Nigel R 2475 [ 7.e2!? Might be a useful alternative move Adams,Michael 2555 order, if only to keep b2 available for the Blackpool zt 1990 queen. e5 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.b5 c6 [Nigel Davies] 10.xd6 xd6 11.b2!? However, after Bg4 or Re8, Black seems to have his full 1.f3 f6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 c6 4.c4 dxc4 share of the chances. ] 5.0-0 bd7 6.a3 b6 7.c2 d5 8.h4 7...e5!? e6 [ 7...a6!? is also possible in this move [ L a t e r o n N i c k P e r t w o u l d p l a y 8...d4 order. ] against me after which me liking of this 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.b5 c6 10.xd6 xd6 variation started to diminish. The game 11.b5 continued 9.d1 ( 9.e1 g6 10.f3 d5 [ 11.d4 b4 12.d1 e4 13.e5 11.h4 d4 12.f3 d5 13.e4!? It is not clear that White is better in this line, played 'for the win' in Ostrowski, L (2385)but in general I would prefer White in such Bernard, R (2335), Poznan 1987, but after situations, because the bishops give d3 14.xd3 cxd3 15.e5 g7 16.xd3 chances in the long term, and although he is 0-0 17.c5 fd7 18.xd7 xd7 quiet at the moment, the pawn structure W h i t e w a s p r o b a b l y a l r e a d y w o r s e .; means that the dark squared bishop could On the other hand 9.f3 e4 10.d3 cxd3 eventually be very powerful. e8 14.a3 11.exd3 a4 12.b3 a6 13.c4 g4 a6 15.h3 f6 16.g4 f7 17.e2 c7 14.fe5 was rather promising for White 18.0-0 d7 19.a4 Perhaps this is too early. when he agreed a draw (1/2-1/2) in Legahn, ac8 20.a3 e6? ( 20...b4 D (2250)-Luther, T (2480), Hamburg 1993, Black should contest the important a3-f8 though note that with 9...Qd5 Black could diagonal. 21.a5 b6 22.axb6 xb6 repeat the position) 9...g4 10.e3 d3 as indicated in a previous update.) 21.f3 11.xd3 cxd3 12.f1 e5 13.f4 g5 d6 22.xd6 xd6 23.fxe4 dxe4 24.c4+ 14.fxe5 gxh4 15.b3 f5 16.b2 g8 see Anastasian, A (2602)-Sakaev, K (2649)/ 17.f2 e6 18.g2 0-0-0 and the position Kusadasi 2006, in the PGN Archive. ] wa s t h o r o u g h ly m is e ra b le f o r W h it e i n 11...b4 Davies, N (2491)-Pert, N (2488), Halifax [ 11...e4 12.d4 b4 13.c1 probably (British Open Quickplay Championship) with Bc3 and Qb2 (or Qa3) to follow, should 2003 , t hough I man age d to scramb le a be better for White ] draw. ] 12.c1 d4 13.0-0 a6 14.a3 9.e4 g6 10.b3 [ 14.e2 g4 15.exd4 e4 ] [ In Salov, V (2550) -Torre, E (2540), 14...bd5 15.e2 f5 16.d3 Leningrad 1987 W hite prepared this with [ 16.exd4!? f4 ( 16...e4 17.e5 f4 10.e1 fd7 a n d t h e n p l a ye d 11.b3 18.d1 is not totally convincing for Black, but there seems to be little need for this. because Ne5-c4-e3 can wrestle back some After g7 12.b2 xb2 13.xb2 0-0 372
361
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 14.bxc4 e5 15.d4 exc4 16.xc4 xc4 17.c3 White had compensation, but I think Black finds it easier in such positions when t h e r e a r e f e we r m i n o r p i e c e s t o wo r r y about. ] 10...cxb3 11.axb3 g7 12.d4 0-0 13.b2 d7 14.ad1 One of several moves to have been played here though I don't think it makes a huge difference: [ a) 14.f3 c7 15.fe1 e8 16.e5 d7 17.f4 xe5 18.dxe5 f6 19.c4 fxe5 20.xe5 e6 21.b4 d6 22.h1 a6 23.d3 xb2 24.xb2 ad8 25.c5 gave White ongoing pressure for the pawn in Salov, V (2550)-Beliavsky, A (2630), Minsk 1987/URS-ch. ] [ b) 14.c4 d8 15.ad1?! g4 16.f3 d7 17.f4 a5 18.f5 a4 19.xb6 xb6 20.bxa4 g4 21.d3 c5! gave Black e x c e l l e n t c o m p e n s a t i o n i n P i g u s o v, E (2570)-Georgiev, K (2615), Moscow 1994. ] 14...e6 15.fe1 a5 16.f3 e7 17.c4 xc4 18.bxc4 I was pleased to get this mass of central pawns, notwithstanding Black's passed a-pawn. If Black isn't very careful here his position will be crippled by c4-c5 and Nf3d2-c4. d8 19.d2 [ In retrospect I should have played 19.c5! here, p re ve nt in g .. .e 6-e5 b y Black an d leaving the knight on f3 two routes to c4 (d2 or e5). ] 19...e5 20.d5 cxd5 [ 20...a4 might have been better because now I get to target the e5 pawn along the efile. ] 21.exd5 f5 22.c1 e4 [ 22...d7!? 23.a3 c5 was worth considering as af ter 24.d6?! Black can sacrifice his queen with xd6 25.e4 xd1 26.xd1 xe4 etc. ] 23.h3 h5 24.a1! This would have gladdened Reti's heart. Adams now makes a mistake: e8? 25.xg7 xg7 26.xe4 d6 27.xf5 gxf5! Very astute play by Adams, depriving me of the e4 square. Of course White is better here but I don't make the most of it. 28.d4 b6 29.f3 e8 30.b1 [ A much more testing line is 30.xe8+ xe8 31.b1 when e4 32.xb6 xb6 33.xb6 xc4 34.g2 leaves Black with ongoing
problems in the endgame because of all the weak pawns. ] 30...xe1+ 31.xe1 a6 32.d3 a4 33.b4 a8 34.c2 a6 35.b4 [ And here W hite's winning try is 35.b5!? a3 36.b4 a8 37.xb6 , though admittedly Black has counterplay after e7 . Instead of this I wimp out with a draw. ] 35...a8 36.c2 a6 ½-½
374 Davies,Nigel R Haslinger,Stewart 93rd ch-GBR Swansea WLS (5) [Nigel Davies]
A11 2512 2423 11.08.2006
1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.g3 f6 4.g2 dxc4 5.0-0 bd7 6.a3 b6 7.c2 d5 8.b3 f5!? A sharp move which attempts to refute White's scheme. 9.bxc4 [ I felt this had to be critical because after 9.b2 cxb3 10.axb3 e6 White's queen is blocking the square he'd like his bishop on. Mihajlovic, M (2243) -Kuzmanovic, R (1996), Belgrade 2007, continued 11.d3 d8 12.c4 e7 13.xb6 axb6 14.xa8 xa8 15.e3 d8 16.d4 g6 17.a1 c8 18.a3 d5 19.xd5 exd5 20.d6 e7 21.e5 f6 22.e6 xe6 23.xe6 f7 24.f4 f5 25.xb6 g5 and although W hite had recovered his pawn he stood worse in the endgame because of Black's powerful bishops. ] 9...xf3 10.xf3 xc2 11.xc2 xc4 12.d3 b6 13.a4 Looking to undermine the c6 pawn with a4-a5-a6. e5?! [ I think that 13...e6 makes more sense here because it would supply more cover to the light squares and take on fewer obligations (eg the need to defend the e5 pawn). ] 14.a5 bd5 15.b2 d6 16.a6?! Not the best. [ White can cause problems here with 16.e4! , for example e7 17.e3 (intending 18. Nc4) g6 18.f5 0-0-0 19.fd1 ( 19.xg7 f8 would win back d3) 19...f8 20.d4 and White would have a powerful initiative that provides more than enough compensation. ] 362
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 16...b6 17.g2 [ 17.e4 was still the right way to go, White has to deprive Black's knights of the d5 square and there's no need to retreat the bishop before doing this. ] 17...0-0-0 18.e4 Finally, though by now Black is well developed enough to cope. c7 19.d4 he8 [ 19...d7 was better in fact. Now I had a chance which unfortunately was missed. ] 20.fc1?! [ 20.h3+! was strong, for example d7 ( 20...b8 21.dxe5 xe5 22.xe5 xe5 23.b4 c5 24.fc1 is very unpleasant for Black ) 21.dxe5 xe5 22.xe5 xe5 23.b4 c5 24.fc1 and suddenly Black is in all sorts of trouble. ] 20...d7 21.e3 exd4 22.f5? A poor move. [ 22.xd4 was better, hitting the pawns on c6 and g7. ] 22...c5 23.xg7 f8 24.f5 e5 The d4 pawn is well supported now and that keeps both the bishop on b2 and the knight on f5 out of play. I don't have much to say about my death agonies. 25.f1 f3+ 26.g2 d2 27.e1 xf1 28.xf1 fe8 29.f3 e6 30.fd1 c7 31.f2 d7 32.e2 b5 33.h6 f8 34.g4 g7 35.f2 d3+! 36.xd3 xd3 37.xg7 xd1 38.e5+ d6 39.d1 0-1
home preparation. [ 6...e4 7.d4 again leads to a game that would be properly categorized as a Grunfeld. ] [ 6...0-0 is certainly the most flexible move at t h i s j u n c t u r e , e . g . 7.b2 g4 (n e wly p op u lar, an d a lso qu it e lo gic a l) ( 7...bd7; 7...a5; 7...f5; and 7...e8 are all common alternatives) 8.d3 xf3 9.xf3 e6 ( 9...bd7 10.c2 e8 11.e3 e6 12.d2 h5!? 13.ac1 g4 14.d4 h6 15.b4 f6 16.a4 Ivanchuk, V (2771)Karpov, A (2616) Cap d'Agde 2012) 10.c3 bd7 11.g2 e7 12.c2 fd8 13.e3 a5 14.fe1 h5 15.h3 e8 16.ad1 with a typical microscopic edge for White in view of the bishop pair. The position is not dissimilar to many Slow Slav positions were Black willing parts with his light-square bishop. Radjabov, T (2788)-Le Quang, L (2693) Astana 2012. ] 7.bxc4 e4 Mamedyarov didn't capture on d4 only to proceed normally. [ With that said, it was possible to play 7...0-0 8.b2 c5 , arriving at a position that can be reached through several different move orders. In f act, Mamedyarov played the Black side of this position in a 2007 encounter with Etienne Bacrot. ] 8.d4 c5 9.c2 c6?! Whoa - Mamedyarov says "go ahead, take my knight"! Interestingly, the computer is totally unconvinced by this sacrifice (Houdini instantly gives an assessment that is clearly favorable to White). 375 A11 On the other hand, for the human manning the Dominguez Perez,Leinier 2726 White pieces against a well-prepared 2764, Mamedyarov,Shakhriyar 2764 the task of proving such an assessment is FIDE GP Tashkent (9.1) 02.12.2012 something quite different. Still, it seems pretty reckless to play like this, especially if [John Bartholomew] Dominguez had chosen 11.Qf4. [ 9...f5? is refuted by 10.g4! , i.e. g3 "Shak-and-Awe" Mamedyarov introduces a 11.gxf5 xf1 12.xf1 . ] daring (dare I say reckless!?) piece sacrifice [ 9...f5?! 10.b2 cxd4 11.xd4! on move 9 in a traditionally restrained line of also looks very promising for White, as xd4 the Réti. 1.c4 c6 2.f3 d5 3.g3 g6 4.g2 12.d1 xf2+ 13.h1 c7 14.xh8 g7 5.0-0 f6 6.b3!? A trendy way of is definitely in favor of the first player. ] playing. W hite intends to occupy the a1-h8 [ Black could consider the simple retreat diagonal in good Réti style. 9...f6 , though 10.b2 0-0 11.bd2 [ Instead, 6.d4 leads straight into a is pleasant for White. ( 11.d5!? )] fianchetto Grunf eld, which is obviously 10.xe4 Dominguez cannot back down, even outside our scope. ] 6...dxc4!? A small novelty, hinting at some if he is sampling some home cooking. f5 363
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 11.e3 [ Houdini prefers 11.f4! xd4 12.c3 , and this does indeed look much better. After the nearly forced continuation xe2+ ( 12...c2? 13.d1 a5 14.d5!+- ) 13.xe2 xa1 , White has a couple of dangerous option, e.g. A) 14.h6!? f6 ( 14...d6 15.f4 0-0-0 16.d5 intending Bc1-f4) 15.g5 ( natural, though 15.d2! may be even stronger, for instance b8 16.e1! e6 17.b3 with oodles of threats) 15...e6 16.c3; B) 14.g4 c2 ( 14...c8!? 15.e3 g7 16.xc5 0-0 17.e1 ) 15.e3 f6 16.g5 g7 17.xc5 0-0 18.d4 . ] 11...xd4 12.e1 xe2+?! [ It looks better to play 12...g4! , a move that's tough to spot. The main idea is that Black frees up the f5 square for his knight f o r e x a m p l e , 13.c3 ( 13.h1!? xe2 14.g1 xc4 15.b2 b6 16.c3 0-0 ) 13...f5 14.xc5 xc3 15.b2! xb2 16.b5+ f8 17.xb2 d4! and Black should equalize. ] 13.xe2 xa1 14.xb7 [ 14.h6!? ] 14...b8 15.c6+ f8 16.d2 b2! 17.b3 xc1 18.xc1 d6 19.d5 g7 20.b3 hd8 21.e3 [ White had a good opportunity to solidify his advantage with 21.g4! : e6 ( 21...c8!? 22.d3 ) 22.f3 d3 23.xd3 xd3 24.e5+ g8 25.g2 . In the game, Mamedyarov manages to organize sufficient counterplay before W hite coordinates his pieces. ] 21...e6 22.f3 g8 23.g2 [ Or 23.xc5 d4! . ] 23...a6! Targeting White's weaknesses in timely fashion. 24.xc5 d3 25.e1 xc4 26.e3 xb3 27.axb3 xb3= Black has managed to equalize. 28.g2 b6 29.e7 dd3! 30.g4 d8 31.f6+ g7 32.e8+ g8 33.f6+ g7 34.e8+ Prudently, White issues a cease-fire. g8 Draw agreed. W h ile f a sc in a tin g, I se rio usly d ou bt th a t Mamedyarov's piece sacrifice is anything more than a one-off attempt. If Black wants to play 6...cxd4!?, then his best bet appears to be 7. bxc4 0-0 8.Bb2 c5, transposing to established
lines. ½-½
376 Dubov,Daniil Potkin,Vladimir 65th ch-RUS Moscow RUS (5) [John Bartholomew]
A11 2594 2651 07.08.2012
Black has been the victim of a few disasters in the pawn-snatching line featured here. Potkin, fortunately, is a great theoretician, so now we get to see how a well-prepared 2650 plays the complicated 7...Be6 variation. 1.f3 f6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 c6 4.c4 dxc4 5.0-0 bd7 6.c2 b6 7.a3 [ The line in this game can also be reached with the inclusion of 7.a4 a5 , i.e. 8.a3 e6 9.g5 g4 10.xc4 xe2! 11.e5 h5 when 12.b4!? was a creative try in Radjabov, T (2761)-Smeets, J (2601)/Wijk aan Zee NED 2009/[Nigel Davies] . ] 7...e6 [ See the "Reti - 1 c4 c6 with g3" guide for 7...d5 . The queen move has received the lion's share of coverage on ChessPublishing. com, but the text is no less critical. ] 8.g5 This knight lunge is presumably the reason why 7...Be6 has yet to achieve mainline status. [ White does have a couple valid alternatives a t t h i s j u n c t u r e . F o r i n s t a n c e , 8.e5 invite s the contin uatio n d4! 9.xc6 (the only consistent follow-up to White's last move) bxc6 10.xc6+ , leading to doubleedged play. Potkin recently scored a win in the Black side of this line after d8!? 11.d3 ( 11.xa8 xa8 12.b5!? Pantsulaia, L (2557)-Keler, F (2238)/Konya TUR 2012. d7 ) 11...cxd3 12.d1 dxc2 13.xd4+ d7 14.xa8 xa8 15.xc2 b6 16.f4 e6 17.d6 xd6 18.xd6 e7 S h i m a n o v, A ( 2 6 0 0 ) - P o t k i n , V ( 2 6 4 2 ) / Tyumen RUS 2012. Black doesn't have anything to fear if the queens come off the board, so I'm curious to see whether White can demonstrate anything here (Pantsulaia would be the guy to keep an eye on, as h e ' s a l r e a d y ve n t u r e d 8 . N e 5 a c o u p l e times). ] 364
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ White players may want to investigate the typ ic a l p a wn sa c 8.b3!? cxb3 9.axb3 . Here g6 is a very reasonable response, i. e. 10.c4 g7 11.a5!? ( 11.b2 Hausrath, D (2507)-Michalczak, T (2340)/ Oberhausen 2008. 0-0 12.d3 ) 11...c8 ( 11...c7!? ) 12.b2 0-0 13.e4 e8 14.xg7 xg7 15.c3+ g8 16.h4 f6 17.fe1 c7 18.d4 Hausrath, D (2537)Brunner, N (2462)/Trier GER 2010. ] 8...g4 Forcing the pace. The coming sequence is best for both sides. [ 8...d7 9.b3 ( 9.e4!? Almasi, I (2420)Lukacs, P (2460)/Zalakaros 200002.) 9...f5 10.e4 cxb3 11.axb3 g6 12.d3 e6 13.c4 xc4 14.bxc4 c5 15.a3 xa3 16.xa3 0-0 17.fa1 a6 18.c5 Mikhalevski, V (2525) -Papp, P (2269)/ Moscow RUS 2012. ] 9.xc4! [ I t ' s d i f f i c u l t t o b e l i e v e t h a t 9.f3?! present Black with any sort of problems. After h5 10.xc4 Black has demonstrated many routes to a good game, e.g. e5!? 11.d3 xc4 12.xc4 e7 13.e4 d5 14.f2 f6 15.h1 b6 16.a3 d8 17.h4 g6 18.d1 f5 19.g5 xg5 20.xg5 0-0 McShane, L (2657)-Adams, M (2728)/Baden-Baden GER 2011. ] [ Likewise, 9.e1?! d4 isn't too hot. ] 9...xe2 10.e5 h5 11.e1 h6! This has been played twice in recent months. Black needs to evict the knight before completing development with ...e7-e6. [ B l a c k M U S T a v o i d 11...e6? 12.f3! , which is already winning for W hite. Two brutal examples: g6 ( 12...xf3 13.exf7 d5 14.e5 d7 15.xh8+- ) 13.xc6+ bxc6 14.xc6+ A) or 14...bd7 15.xg6 c8 ( 15...hxg6 16.xf7!+- . Crunch! ) 16.xe6 e7 17.xg7# 1-0 Mons, L (2345)-Kramer, J (2052)/ Oberhof GER 2012; B) 14...fd7 15.exf7 xf7 16.xf7 f6 17.xh8 e5 18.e4 g6 19.d4 xh8 20.dxe5 e7 21.h6+- Grandelius, N (2541)-Perunovic, M (2578)/ Sarajevo BIH 2011. ] [ I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e t e x t , 11...bd7!? looks acceptable: 12.d4 e6 ( 12...h6!? )
13.f3! xe5 14.xh5 g6 15.xg6 hxg6 16.xe6+ (looks scary, but Black is fine) e7! 17.e2 0-0 18.f3 e8 19.g5 d5 Shengelia, D (2551)-Cvek, R (2563)/ Sibenik CRO 2012. ] 12.e4 [ On 12.h3!? Black can consider g5!? to sideline the knight. A possible continuation is 13.b4 g7 14.b2 0-0 15.f4! with an interesting game ahead. ] 12...e6 13.xf6+ gxf6 14.xc6 This leads to a draw with accurate play from both sides. [ After 14.xc6+ bxc6 15.xc6+ e7 W hite should take a repetition: 16.b7+ e8 17.c6+= . ] [ 14.e4!? was played in Lizak, P (2438)Higatsberger, M (2152)/Oberwart AUT 2012, which proceeded our main game by a few weeks. The most effective counter appears to be d6! , i.e. ( the game went 14...f5 15.c2 c8 16.b3 e7 17.b2 g8 ) 15.h4 fxe5 16.xh5 f6 , planning to castle queenside. Black is for choice. ] 14...bxc6 15.xc6+ d7 16.f5 [ 16.xa8? xa8 17.d4 f3 ] 16...g6 17.xe6+! Spectacular fireworks, but only good enough for a half point! e7! [ Not 17...fxe6?! 18.xg6+ e7 19.b3! when W hite has a raging initiative for the rook. ] 18.xf6 g8 19.e1 [ 19.xd7+? is refuted by xd7!-+ . ] 19...f8 20.f4 c8 The final accurate move. 21.xh6+ g7 22.h8+ g8 23.h6+ g7 24.h8+ Dubov wisely opts for a perpetual. [ White has plenty of pawns for the piece, but he's sorely underdeveloped. Playing on is risky, i.e. 24.d4 g8 . ] 24...g8 A short but theoretically important game. It would be unsurprising if one or both players already had this line worked out to equality. Black looks to be faring well in the complications following 7...Be6 8.Ng5 Bg4 9. Nxc4 Bxe2, so White should have a look at 8. b3!?. ½-½
365
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 377 Dziuba,M Bartholomew,J Reykjavik Open 2013 (5.15) [John Bartholomew]
A11 2602 2435 22.02.2013
In the January update I showed a win I had on the W hite side of the Anti-Slav, so I was probably due for some suffering with the other color:). 1.c4 c6 2.g3 d5 3.f3 f6 4.g2 dxc4 5.0-0 f5!? My opponent caught me by surprise with his opening choice, so I decided to try a line I had analyzed in the August 2012 update. [ 5...bd7 is far more common see the archives for extensive analysis. ] 6.a4 Logical. Black isn't necessarily thinking about .. .b7-b5, but a2-a4 is still a useful thrust, further isolating the c4 pawn. [ 6.a3 invites e5!? 7.xc4 ( not 7.xe5?? xa3 8.bxa3 d4 ) 7...e4 8.g5!? ( alternatives are 8.e1; and 8.fe5!? ) 8...h6 9.xf7 xf7 10.b3 with complications in Pantsulaia, L (2557)Gunina, V (2533) Konya 2012/[John Bartholomew]. ] 6...e6 7.a3 d5?! Forgetting my own analysis! ...Qd8-d5 is valid in many lines of the Anti-Slav, but in view of White's next move it cannot be recommended here. [ In the notes to Pantsulaia - Gunina I wrote that the simple 7...xa3 looked better, i.e. 8.xa3 0-0 9.b3 cxb3 10.xb3 c7 11.b2 bd7 12.c1 Vuorisalo, V (2101)Sammalvuo, T (2425) Lahti 2005. Looking at this position again I'd probably take White, as his side just seems so easy to handle. If this is the be st Black has af ter 5...Bf 5 , perhaps it's best to look elsewhere. ] 8.b3! Oops, forgot about that one. cxb3 [ I thought briefly about 8...c3!? , which in fact might be the best practical decision. Following 9.dxc3 xd1 10.xd1 bd7 11.d4 g6 12.c4 White is for choice in the queenless middlegame, though Black retains a reasonably solid position. ] 9.d3 Highlighting the error of Black's ways. Now I lose valuable time in view of the e2-e4 threat. g4? This proved unsuccessful, but I'm already quite pessimistic about Black's position.
[ Likewise, 9...a6 led to a smashing victory for White in Mikhalevski, V (2525)-Arslanov, S (2424) Moscow 2012: 10.c4 d8?! ( 10...c5!? ) 11.xb3 c5 12.b2 e7 13.e3 fd7? 14.xg7 f6 15.d6+ e7 16.xf5+ exf5 17.h6 xa1 18.xa1+and Black succumbed on move 25. ] [ Houdini actually recommends punting the piece with 9...a5!? 10.e4 ( 10.c4!? d8 11.xb3 b4 12.e1!? with the idea of Ne1-c2 ) 10...xe4 11.dxe4 xe4 . After 12.xd5 xd5 13.d2 b4 14.xd5 exd5 15.xb3 an unusual position has arisen where White is surely better. ] [ An analogous line is 9...b4!? and now: A) 10.e4?! xe4 11.dxe4 xe4 is more acceptable for Black in view of 12.xd5 ( 12.b2 ) 12...exd5 13.d2? xg2 14.xg2 b2 15.xb2 xd2; B) 10.b2!? d8 11.xb3 ( 11.a5!? )] 10.c4 a6 11.fe5 d8 12.xb3 W hite's initiative develops naturally, and Black's game is perhaps already behind hope. b4? Allowing a nice tactic, which Dziuba spotted immediately. [ My original intention was to play 12...c5 , b u t a f t e r 13.b2 I can nearly resign. In addition to the threat of d2-d4 (driving the knight away and winning b7), Black can't e v e n c o m p l e t e d e v e l o p m e n t w i t h e7 because of 14.xg4 xg4 15.xg7 f6 16.xg4 xa1 17.e3+- . ] 13.xf7! xf7 14.e5+ e8 15.xg4+Material is equal, but Black is completely busted. c8 16.e5 d6 17.c4 e7 18.b1 d8 19.a5 Refusing to allow Black even a hint of stability with ...a7-a5. fd5 20.d2 c5 21.d4! Dziuba finishes the job cleanly by way of this temporary pawn sacrifice. cxd4 22.e4 dxe3 23.fxe3 c6 24.xb7 c8 25.b2 g8 26.c2 g6 27.e4 db4 28.xb4 xb4 29.a4+ d7 30.xb4 xb4 31.xb4 d8 32.e5 d4+ 33.h1 Black resigned. Hardly my best day, but a very professional effort by Marcin Dziuba. I'm not sure I'd venture 5...Bf5 again, though I suspect a well-prepared Black player could find a tenable path in the line with 6.a4 (this lo o ks m o re p r o m isin g t h a n t h e 6 . Na 3 o f
366
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Pantsulaia - Gunina). 1-0
378 Fernandez Murga,Roberto Ginzburg,Maximiliano Najdorf mem Open (9) [Tony Kosten]
A11 2241 2406 30.09.1999
1.f3 d5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 g4 4.c4 c6 5.cxd5 It is a question of taste, I suppose, but [ 5.e5 first, might be more accurate. ] 5...cxd5!? A little risky, [ 5...xf3 6.xf3 cxd5 is a more solid way of proceeding. ] 6.e5 f5 7.c3 e6 [ 7...bd7! 8.a4 e6 9.g4 transposes, but avoids White's option at move 9. ] 8.g4 g6 9.a4+ [ 9.h4! is more accurate here. ] 9...bd7 10.h4 a6! A strong reply, threatening to break the pin by ...b5. Other moves lead to a clear White advantage: [ 10...d6 11.d4 h6 (Kaidanov, G-Hubner,R/ Groningen 1993) and now 12.xg6 fxg6 13.g5 with a significant plus. ] [ 10...c2 11.xf7! xa4 12.xd8 xd8 13.xa4 xg4 14.h3 likewise, Romanishin,O-Suba,M/Moscow 1986, and, finally, ] [ 10...h6 11.xg6 fxg6 12.g5 hxg5 13.hxg5 xh1+ 14.xh1 h7 15.g4 xg5 16.xe6+ winning rapidly, Kourkounakis,I-Engqvist,T/Gausdal 1990. ] 11.xd7 xd7 A rather obvious improvement on the previously played [ 11...xd7? which loses material after 12.h5 b5 13.d1 Rosen,B-Straeter,T/ Germany 1997. ] 12.xd7+ xd7 13.h5 c2 Black has just o n e s q u a r e f o r t h i s p i e c e , b u t i t p r o ve s s u f f i c i e n t ! 14.d3 Still trying to trap the poor bishop. [ 14.d4 h6 15.f4 f6 offers White little. ] 14...d4 15.e4?! This is nothing special, better [ 15.d2! gaining the pair of bishops: xd3! 16.exd3 dxc3+ 17.bxc3 0-0-0 18.b1 wi t h a r e a l p lu s , d e s p it e t h e d a m a g e d pawn structure. ]
15...a4 16.h6 g6 17.g5 e7 18.xe7 xe7 19.g5 ac8 20.b3 c6 Now that the bishop is back on home ground, Black has no problems. 21.d2 [ 21.g1 f5 amounts to pretty much the same. ] 21...f5! 22.gxf6+ xf6 23.xf6 xg2 24.hg1 xf6 25.xg2 c5 Black's position is now preferable. 26.c1 xc1 27.xc1 c8+ 28.d2 c5! 29.g4 e5 Black has a sure advantage, he can play ...g5 and Kg6 and pick-off the h6-pawn. 30.e3 f5 31.e4 dxe3+ 32.xe3 g5?! [ 32...b5 might be more accurate, keeping t h e wh i t e r o o k f r o m c 4 : 33.f4! exf4+ 34.xf4+ g5 35.f7 xh6 36.a7 c6 37.d4 which should be good for Black, although White's d-pawn will certainly give him some counterplay. ] 33.c4! As Black cannot play the pawn endgame. b5 34.c7 g6 35.g7+? Rather exotic, cutting the black king off with the rook, but [ 35.e4 xh6 36.f5 is simpler, with more than sufficient activity for the pawn. ] 35...xh6 36.g8 h5 Black is back on track, and should win handily. 37.e4 g4 38.h8 h5 39.f3+ h4 40.h7 b6 41.h6 a5 42.h8 g4? Very sloppy, [ 42...b4+! 43.xe5 f4 44.d4 xf3 wins at a canter. ] 43.fxg4 xg4 44.g8+ h3 45.g5 R e s t o r i n g m a t e r i a l e q u a l i t y . h4?? Another careless move. What is the point of playing the opening, and middlegame, well, if you then mess-up the endgame? [ 45...b4+ w a s n e c e s s a r y , 46.e3 ( (and not 46.xe5?? as after the pawn race: b5+ 47.f6 xg5 48.xg5 h4 49.d4 g3 50.d5 h3 51.d6 h2 52.d7 h1 53.d8 Black has the move h4+ winning! ) 46...h4 47.xe5 g4 48.d4 h3 49.e4+ g3 50.e8 with a likely draw. ] 46.d4! This way White manages to capture the pawn whilst maintaining the confinement of the black king. b4 [ 46...a4 47.bxa4 a5 48.dxe5 xa4+ 49.f5 xa2 50.e6 also seems hopeless. ] 47.xe5 h2 48.d5 a4 49.d6 axb3 50.axb3 xb3 51.d7 This pawn costs Black his rook, and meanwhile the black king is 367
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 unable to get out of the way of his h-pawn. d3 52.e6 h3 53.d5 xd5 54.xd5 g2 55.d8 h2 56.g5+ 1-0
379 Flores,Diego Peralta,Fernando ARG-ch 88th playoff rapid (1) [Fier, Alexandr]
A11 2578 2600 07.09.2013
Two of the best Argentinean players go for a thematic duel in a rare and interesting line. Despite the 3-0 score for Flores in the games, the position is far from clear 1.c4 c6 2.f3 d5 3.e3 g4!? I found really few games with this logical move 4.b3 [ 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.b3 c7 an important resource, attacking the bishop on c1 6.b5+ d7 7.c3 xf3 8.gxf3 e6 is quite playable for Black and was seen in Kramnik, V (2791)-Eljanov, P (2742)/W ch Blitz 5th blitz 2010. ] 4...c7 5.e5 e6 [ 5...xe5? is obviously not playable due to 6.xb7 f6 7.d4 ( 7.xa8 c7 is not enough for Black either) 7...d6 8.c5 d7 9.xa8 c7 10.a4 and the queen is far from being trapped ] 6.d4 d7 7.f4 A new idea played in the playoff for the Argentinean championship. The same players went for the same line in ARGch in 2008! [ 7.c3 dxc4 ( 7...xe5? 8.cxd5 this is the point cxd5 9.dxe5 a6 10.d2 and Black's kingside is locked by the e5pawn. W hite, on the other hand, has free play on the other flank) 8.xc4 xc4 9.xc4 gf6 is less ambitious, entering into so m e k in d o f Sla v in Flore s, D (25 4 8 )Peralta, F (2546)/ARG-ch 82nd Mendoza 2008. ] 7...gf6 [ 7...xe5 is another alternative A) 8.fxe5 f6 ( 8...dxc4 9.xc4 xc4 10.xc4 e6 11.0-0 is better for White. Compared to the game, the d-file is closed and a good f-line is already open for the rook ) 9.c3 ( 9.exf6?! xf6 10.c3 dxc4 11.xc4 xc4 12.xc4 0-0-0
and suddenly Black is ahead in development. At some point ... c5 or ...e5 are coming and Black is certa inly no t worse anymore) 9...dxc4 10.xc4 xc4 11.xc4 fxe5 12.0-0 f6 13.d2 gives White activity for the pawn; B) 8.dxe5 dxc4 9.xc4 xc4 10.xc4 is more or less similar to the game e6 11.0-0 d8 12.c3 h6 13.e4 g4! wi t h q u ic k co u n t e r p l a y. F o r e x a m p l e 14.e2 c5+ 15.h1 h5 16.h3 g5! with chances for both sides ] 8.c3 dxc4 9.xc4 xc4 10.xc4 e6 11.0-0 e7 [ 11...c5 is premature 12.b4! b6 13.b1 and Black is already in trouble e7 14.b5 c8 15.f5 a6 16.xf7 xf7 17.d6+ xd6 18.xe6+ f8 19.xd6+ e8 20.bxc5+- ] 12.e4 0-0 13.e3 After a sequence of logical moves, both players have finished development and now the question is if it's possible for Black to liberate some space for his p ie ce s. I n bo t h ga m es o f t h e p la yo f f Peralta went for ...Nxe5 sooner or later. I believe the position can be a bit harder for Black to play, but with some correct moves everything should be under control. ad8 This was his first choice [ 13...xe5 after having some problems in the first game Peralta went for this direct approach 14.dxe5 g4 15.d4 fd8 ( 15...c5 I like this move, Black's knight is probably going to h6 after h3 or Qe2. With this move, Black can expand on the queenside in exchange 16.h1 a6 17.g1 b5 18.e2 h6 19.g4 h8 and the key point of the defence is that f5 is still not possible since the e5-pawn is hanging. The knight goes to g8, rooks to the d-file and a queenside advance. Maybe White is still a bit better, but it's necessary to find a concrete plan) 16.h1 a5?! ( 16...c5 was still possible) 17.h3 b4 18.xb4 xb4 19.ad1 h6 20.g4 was the same kind of position as after ...c5 but without t h e q u e e n s i d e c o u n t e r p l a y, F l o r e s , D (2 5 7 8 ) -P e ra l t a , F (2 6 0 0 ) / A R G -c h 8 8 t h playoff rapid 2013. ] 14.h3 Avoiding ... Ng4 ideas xe5 15.dxe5 d7 16.b5 White goes with the knight to d6 368
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 and everything will depend on whether it's going to stay there or not a5 [ 16...b6 w a s a t r i c k y i d e a 17.c3! kee ping on e e ye on e 5 ( 17.c2 b8 18.d6 c8 19.c4 c7 followed by 20... Nb6 looks ok for Black) 17...b8 18.d6 c8 19.c4 c7 20.a4 b6 21.xb6 axb6 22.f5 exf5 23.exf5 fe8 looks a bit dangerous for Black, but not so clear ] 17.d6 b6 18.c5 [ 18.c2 d7 19.ad1 fd8 20.c5 c8 21.b4 c7 forces the knight to leave the c r i t i c a l s q u a r e 22.c4 b6 is quite acceptable ] 18...a6?! The queen is not doing much on a6. [ 18...xc5 19.xc5 d7 and without the queens there is less chances for White to attack. Now the plan is to concentrate all the pieces on d6 20.ad1 fd8 21.d4 c8 22.fd1 b6 23.a3 f8 and White has to bring the knight back because of 24... c5 ] 19.fd1 d7 [ 19...f5! is another idea to free the pieces, but is a committal move to play in a rapid game. The main goal of this move is to free t h e d 5 - s q u a r e f o r t h e k n i g h t 20.exf5 ( 20.exf6 xf6 21.e5 g6 22.d2 d5 ) 20...xf5 21.c2 ff8 22.f5 ( 22.g3 d5 is comfortable for Black) 22...d5 23.e4!? ( 23.f2 xd6 24.exd6 exf5 a n d t h e c o m p e n s a t i o n i s n o t e n o u g h) 23...xd6 24.exd6 exf5 25.e6+ h8 26.d4 f4 ] 20.b3 fd8 This plan is not really effective, so Black is in trouble already. [ 20...f5 now this doesn't work as on the last move 21.exf5 xf5 22.c2 f8 23.f5 d5 24.f2 xd6 25.fxe6! and now the rook is in prise. ] 21.d2 f6 [ 21...c8 22.ad1 is not going anywhere, White has enough pieces to control d6 ] 22.ad1 f8 [ 22...c8 23.h2 ] 23.a4 [ 23.exf6! was more precise, but it's hard to change plans when you have control of the position. The basic idea is to find a better place for the queen, either on the last rank
or on e5 A) 23...xf6 24.h5! not easy to see! f8 ( 24...g6 25.e5 a3 26.e8 xd2 27.xf6+ xf6 28.xe6+ g7 29.xd2 ) 25.e8; B) 23...xf6 24.a4 e7 25.e5+- ] 23...dd8 24.h2 c8 25.c4?! The white queen is much better than Black's one [ 25.c3 fxe5 maybe was what White was afraid of, but after 26.xc8 xc8 27.d7 f6 28.fxe5 h4 29.d2 the computer gives +6(!) for White because of Bg5 or Bh6 ideas ] 25...xc4 26.bxc4 fxe5 27.fxe5 b6 [ 27...b6 with the idea of 28...c5 would be a better try, but White is still better, 28.a5 c5 29.xc8 xc8 30.d7 fd8 31.a6 followed by 32.R1d2 with pressure. ] 28.a5 xd6 29.xd6 xd6 30.exd6 xc4 Probably played in the last seconds, now White wins material [ 30...d7 31.xa7 a8 32.b6 f7 and the game goes on, White is winning but there are practical chances ] 31.g5 [ 31.d7 xe3 32.d8 is also convincing ] 31...e5 32.d7 1-0
380 Frois,Antonio Dominguez Perez,Leinier Open, 2000 Lisboa [Paul Motwani]
A11
2000
Quick Tricks and Traps 1) B21: "White plays the Reti Black crushes like a yeti!" 1.f3 d5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 c6 4.0-0 g4 5.d3 bd7 6.c4 [ A n o t h e r c o m m o n c h o i c e i s 6.bd2 followed by e2-e4. ] 6...e6 7.e3 White wants to next play Qb3 without allowing ...Qb6. d6 8.b3 b8 9.cxd5 I would prefer to maintain the tension in the centre by not exchanging pawns there. exd5 After Black castles shortly, his king's rook will soon move to e8, from where it will enjoy operating on the freshly-opened e-file. 10.c3 0-0 11.fe1 e8 12.ac1 h6 369
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 13.a4? Missing Black's forthcoming stunning [ 9...e5 initially looks pleasant for Black, e.g. tactical sequence. .. xg3!! 14.hxg3 xe3 10.g5 e6 11.0-0 e7 12.d2 g8 15.fxe3 xg3 With the simple yet deadly 13.xe7 gxe7 14.f4 f6 15.fxe5 fxe5 threat of . ..Bh3 followed by ...Ng4. 16.f1 was Libov, G-Miroshnichenko, E/Polanica [ If 16.h1 h3 17.g1 g4 then White Zd ro j 2 0 0 1 , b u t a f t e r 16.f3 White is does not have the required move Nd1 to actually doing quite well, for instance d4 defend the squares e3 and f2 17.g5 g4 18.b5 d7 19.f7 hf8 simultaneously. ] 20.xa7! ] 16...h3 17.h4 10.e3 [ 17.f2 g4 18.cf1 xe3 is another [ A main alternative is 10.0-0 e7 11.e3 "dead end" for White. ] A) White reaches a better game after 17...g4 White resigned in view of 18 Rf3 11...0-0 12.d4 xd4 13.xd4 a6 Qh2+ 19 Kf1 Qh1. 14.e4 0-1 A1) 14...dxe4 15.dxe4 g6 16.fd1 ( 16.e5!? ) 16...d7 17.xg7 fd8 18.h6 c5 19.b4 d3 20.b5 381 A11 Velickovic, Z-Wiedermann, F/ Finkenstein 1994; Georgiev,Kiril 2649 A2) 14...g6 15.f4 ( 15.exd5 xd5 Kasimdzhanov,Rustam 2690 16.xd5 exd5 17.fe1 b4 18.c3 World Cup Khanty Mansiysk RUS (2.7) xc3 19.bxc3 ac8 20.c4 [Carsten Hansen] K i r . G e o r g i e v - S u b a , L u g a n o 1 9 8 7) 15...dxe4 16.dxe4 ad8 17.b6 d2 1.f3 f6 2.c4 c6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 f5 A2a) 18.f5 exf5 19.exf5 h5 20.h3 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.b3 b6 7.c3!? d7 21.f2 ( 21.e3 d3 22.f2 [ Interesting, White allows Black to give him f3 ) 21...f6 ( 21...e2 22.fe1+- ) doubled b-pawns 7.xb6 axb6 8.c3 22.xb7; is much more common ] A2b) 18.f2 xf2 19.xf2 d7 7...xb3 8.axb3 c6 20.e3 c5 21.d1 a5 22.g4 [ B l a c k c a n a l s o c o n s i d e r 8...d7!? Matychenkov, V-Kandyba, L/Smolensk which is quite normal in this type of position 1991; (for inspiration check out the classical game B) 11...g4 12.f4 0-0 13.e4 ( 13.h3 Janowski-Capablanca, New York 1916) f6 14.h4 g6 15.xg6 hxg6 16.fd1 9.d4 e6 10.db5 xb5 11.xb5 d7 d4 17.e3 xb3 18.xa7 xa7 ( 11...a6 12.0-0 d7 13.d4 e7 14.f4 19.xa7 d7= Van Mechelen, L-Den hc8 15.fc1 xc1+ 16.xc1 Zhidkov, VHeijer, N/corr 1990) 13...dxe4 14.dxe4 Glo t o v, M/ S erp u kh o v 2 0 0 2) 12.0-0?! g6 15.e5 d3 16.fd1 c2 17.dc1 ( White can do better with 12.xa7 xa7 xb3 18.h3 g5 with equality in Fischer, R13.xa7 c5 14.b5 c6 15.d3 ) Polugaevsky, L/Palma de Mallorca 1970 ] 12...c6 13.d3 a6 14.e4 c5 15.c3 d4 [ Again 10.b5 fails to provide White with 16.e2 ac8 17.f4 b6 , and Black has anything of substance, e.g. d7 11.bd4 th e in it ia t ive, Fe le gyh a zi, L -S o m la i, L / xd4 12.xd4 g6 13.f4 c5 14.e3 Sarospatak 1994 ] hc8 15.h3 e8 16.g4 d6 17.f2 f6= 9.d3 Pigusov, E-Gradalski, P/Swidnica 1997 ] [ 9.b5?! looks tempting, but proves rather p o i n t l e s s a f t e r c8 10.bd4 xd4 10...a6 11.d4 xd4 12.xd4 d7 [ 12...b4!? 13.0-0 d8 14.a4 e7 11.xd4 d7 12.0-0 e6 13.d3 c5 15.b4 ] 14.f3 e7 is better for Black on account of White's doubled pawn and no active play 13.e4!? dxe4 14.dxe4 g6 15.0-0 c5?! [ This is a strange decision, Black sacrifices to compensate for it, Tylor, T-W ade, R/ a pawn to develop his bishop, but other Hastings 1948 ] benefits don't seem obvious. Instead the 9...e6 370
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 s o l i d a n d n o r m a l 15...c5!? is fully ad e qu a te , e . g. 16.xc5 xc5 17.fd1 e7= ] 16.xg7 g8 17.h6 e5 18.a4 a7 [ 18...d4!? 19.fd1 c6 is an alternative ] 19.h3 [ White can claim an advantage in several ways. Also 19.f4!? looks good, e. g. d3 20.c7 c8 21.b6 xb6 22.xb6 c2 23.ad1 f4 ( 23...xb2? 24.d7+- ) 24.fe1 xg2 25.xg2 xb2 26.e3 ] 19...d3 20.ad1 0-0-0 [ Wanting to connect the rooks and allow the rook on g8 to join the game, Black makes an inaccuracy. I think 20...d8!? intending ... Ke7 is a better move. ] 21.d2 d7 [ Black has troubles emerging, White's pieces are slowly beginning to work together, and while Black's counterparts look quite active, the reality is somewhat different. 21...f5 22.exf5 xf5 23.g4 g6 24.fd1 ] [ 21...b5 22.c3 b4 23.e2 f6 24.c2+ ] 22.h2 [ Or 22.fd1!? e5 23.xd7 xd7 24.b4!+, and White has the pawn and the compensation to paraphrase Dzindzichashvili ] 22...b5 23.c3 c5?! [ 23...b4 Black should play 24.a4 e5 25.f3 Now on the other hand, Black gets in deeper trouble. ] 24.xd7 xd7 25.f4 f6 26.a1! b8 27.xb5?! [ Here White misses a chance to blow Black away with 27.f5! exf5 28.exf5 xf5 29.xb5 axb5 30.xa7+- ] 27...b6?! [ 27...f2! is Black's last chance. 28.d6+ d7 29.e5 fxe5 30.fxe5 xg3+ 31.xg3 e4+ 32.f4 xg2 33.h4 ] 28.d6++- c7 29.e5 fxe5 30.fxe5 d4 31.c1+ d7 32.d1 1-0
382 Goodwin,Ed Fowler,S Open Coventry ENG (2) [John Watson]
A11 2116 25.03.2005
Black plays an extremely common move order with ..Bg4 versus the Reti and gets a good game versus routine play. But Reti players should know that he can end up in serious trouble if White plays aggressively. In fact, the simplicity of White's correct plan may inspire players of W hite who hate meeting ...Bg4 systems. 1.c4 c6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 f6 4.f3 g4 [ Absolutely normal-looking. Nevertheless, it runs into trouble and gives a clue as to why so many players prefer 4...dxc4 ] 5.cxd5 [ The correct move order is held to be 5.e5! , when 5...Bf5 6.cxd5 cxd5 is the game, so B la ck m a y p re f e r e6! , as in GoodwinMansson. Thus the right choice of move orders leaves the variation up for grabs. ] 5...cxd5?! [ 5...xf3! 6.xf3 cxd5 has led to equality in many games. Black develops simply by ...e6, ...Be7, and ...0-0. Hence the order with 5. Ne5. ] 6.e5! f5 7.c3 e6 Tony discussed this va riat io n in Fe rn a nd e z Mu rga-G in zb u rg, Buenos Aires 1999. It's worth repeating that with some details, since W hite could use a simple plan versus this kind of Slav setup. It's odd that Black's natural alternatives also have drawbacks: [ (a) 7...d4?? 8.b3 ] [ (b) 7...bd7 8.g4! ( 8.a4 e6 9.g4 g6 10.g5 h5 11.d4 d6 12.e4 xe5 13.dxe5 0-0= ) 8...e6 ( 8...xe5 9.gxf5 d7 10.d4 c6 11.g5 xf5 12.xf6 exf6 13.xd5 d6 14.e4 g6 15.0-0 ) 9.a4 a6 10.g5 b5 11.d4 xe5 12.xe5 d7 13.f4 b6 14.d3 ] 8.a4+ [ I don't think that Black can equalise after the theoretical 8.g4! g6 ( 8...xg4?? 9.xg4 xg4 10.a4+; 8...e4 9.a4+ bd7 10.xe4 xe4 11.xe4 dxe4 12.xd7 xd7 13.xe4 ) 9.a4+ bd7 10.h4 d6 ( 10...a6 11.xd7 xd7 371
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 12.xd7+ xd7 13.h5 is the Fernandez Murga-Ginzburg game, when "best" play is probably e4 14.f3 c2 15.g5 e8 16.d3 d4 17.d2 dxc3+ 18.xc2 cxb2 19.xb2; A well-known line is 10...c2 11.xf7! xa4 12.xd8 xd8 13.xa4 xg4 14.h3 df6 15.g1! ) 11.d4 h6 ( 11...a6?? 12.xd7 xd7 13.xd7+ xd7 14.h5+- ) 12.xg6 fxg6 13.g5 hxg5 14.hxg5 xh1+ 15.xh1 h5 16.c2 f8 17.e4! ] 8...bd7 9.d4?! [ A g a i n , W h i t e h a s 9.g4! , normally transposing into the last note. After the text, Black may actually stand better. ] 9...e7 10.0-0 0-0 11.xd7 xd7 12.b3 f6 13.e3 b6 14.ad1 d7 15.b5 e7 16.c1 Floundering. The idea is to get e4 or e3 in. fd8 17.h3? [ 17.e3 c4 ] 17...ac8 18.a3 c4 White has little to do and Black goes on to win easily. 19.e3 dc8 20.d2? [ 20.g4 g6 21.b3 h6 ] 20...4c6! 21.dd1 c4 22.c1? [ White is lost in any case: 22.b3? b6 ] [ 22.c1 xe3 23.fxe3 g5 24.f2 f6 and Black wins. ] 22...c2! White's queen is trapped and ...Rb6 t h r e a t e n s . 23.b4 d7 24.a2 b6 25.e1 xd1 26.xd1 xb2 27.xb2 xb2 28.b4 b5 29.e4 a5 30.d3 b3 31.c5 xa3 32.exd5 exd5 33.xd5 d8 34.h5 e8 35.e4 e7 36.xf6+ xf6 37.c1 g6 0-1
Alternatives: [ (a) 6.b3 c7 7.d3 bd7 ( 7...g6 8.f4 g5 9.e3 g7 10.c3 ) 8.xd7 xd7 9.0-0 e6 10.d4= ] [ (b) 6.a3 dxc4 7.axc4 d5 8.f3 e6 9.d4 xc4 10.xc4 b4+ 11.f2 bd7 12.b3 b6! 13.d1 e7= ] [ (c) 6.cxd5 xd5 ( 6...cxd5 7.c3 bd7 8.d4 ) 7.f3 c5 ( 7...e5 8.c3 e4 9.h4!? ) 8.c3 c6 9.0-0 bd7= this has been played in some grandmasterlevel games. ] 6...dxc4 7.e4 Not bad, but too slow to be convincing. [ The more forcing 7.a3!? d5 8.f3 b5 9.e4 e6 10.f4 c8 11.0-0 gives White space and some development for the pawn this deserves to be looked at. ] 7...bd7 8.f4 xe5 9.fxe5 g4 10.d2 d7 11.g5?! [ W h it e sh o u ld f o r ge a h e a d wit h 11.0-0! Then it's not so clear, e.g., e6 12.f4 h5 13.e3 e7 14.d2 ] 11...e6! 12.d5!? [ White could play simply 12.0-0 although f6 13.exf6 exf6 still favours the second player. ] 12...f6 13.e3 g8?! [ 13...g4! 14.e6 e5 15.0-0 g5! 16.d2 g7 is very solid and holds onto the extra pawn, whereas ] [ 13...cxd5 14.exd5 f5 is also playable. ] 14.e6 e5 15.0-0 b6 Black reasons that the wedge created by White's pawn on e6 will mean less with the queens off. 16.xb6 axb6 17.e3 b5 18.d4!? A fascinating position because of Black's long-term problem with the p a wn o n e 6 . P e r h a p s W h i t e s h o u ld ju s t 383 A11 transfer his knight to d4 via d2 and f3. g6 [ 18...d3!? threatens ...c5 and virtually Goodwin,Ed forces 19.a3 ] Mansson,James 2093 Open Coventry ENG (4) 26.03.2005 19.d2 g7 20.b3 c5? [ 20...h6! looks great in view of 21.fd1 [John Watson] g4 ( 21...d8 22.bxc4 xd2 23.xd2 xc4 24.dd1 is still not easy. )] 1.c4 f6 2.g3 c6 3.g2 d5 4.f3 g4 5.e5 The more accurate order according to 21.xe5! fxe5 22.bxc4!? [ L o g i c a l , b u t W h i t e s h o u l d p l a y 22.a4! theory, since 5.cxd5 allows 5...Bxf3! 6.Bxf3 w i t h t h e i d e a 2 2 . . . c 3 2 3 . a x b 5 ! o r cxb3 cxd5. e6! Quite possibly Black's best here, 23.axb5 d8 24.c4 ] as opposed to 5...Bf5 6.cxd5 cxd5,transposing to Goodwin-Fowler, which seems to favour 22...h6!? 23.f3 b4? [ Black should enter the complexities of White. 6.d4!? An extremely interesting gambit. 372
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 23...bxc4 24.xe5 c3 ( 24...e3+ 25.h1 d4 26.d7! threatening Rf8 mate.) 25.d7 c2 26.a4 b5! 27.ac1 e3+ 28.h1 xe6! 29.dxe6 xc1 30.xc1 xa4 31.f1 c4 32.xc2 d8 ] 24.xe5 e3+ 25.h1 d4 26.d7 xe6 27.dxe6 xa1 28.xa1 Compare the last note: W hite is winning but makes several errors and then blunders terribly to lose the game. a5 [ 28...b3 29.e5! b2 30.b1 xa2 31.xb7 a1 32.e4 ] 29.e5 d8 30.d1 [ 30.xb7! b3 31.a3 ] 30...c7 31.e4 d8 32.d2 a3 33.d5? [ 33.f2! e3 34.xc5 ] 33...da8 34.f2 [ 34.xc5 xa2 35.d1 a1 36.xa1 xa1+ 37.g2 b6 ] 34...xa2 35.xa2 xa2 36.xc5 e2 37.d3?? b3 38.h4 e3 0-1
384 Grandelius,Nils Kuipers,Stefan Corus C Wijk aan Zee NED (2) [Nigel Davies]
A11 2515 2340 17.01.2010
1.c4 c6 2.f3 f6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 dxc4 5.0-0 bd7 6.c2 b6 7.a3 d5 8.b3 cxb3 9.axb3 e6 Black has tried other approaches in this position though it seems that White has compensation in any case. For example: [ a) 9...g6 10.c4 d8 ( 10...xc4 11.bxc4 d8 12.e5 g7 13.b2 0-0 14.d4 d7 15.d3 b6 16.c5 d5 17.fd1 f5 18.b3 gave White strong pressure for the pawn in Trella, T (2234)Ionov, S (2522), Cappelle la Grande FRA 2 0 0 7 , t h o u gh h e e ve n t u a l ly l o s t t o h i s higher rated opponent.) 11.fe5 bd5 12.e4 c7 13.d4 g7 14.b2 0-0 15.f4 e6 16.h3 b5 17.ad1 c7 18.g4 and at this stage W hite had pretty good compensation for the pawn in Pantsulaia, L (2596)-Wang Yue (2644), Yerevan 2006. ] [ b) 9...e6 10.b2 d8 11.e4 e7 12.d4 0-0 13.fd1 e8 14.c4 c7 15.a5
b5 16.e5 d6 17.ec4 and White had excellent compensation in Tukmakov, VKlovans, J, Kishinev 1975. ] 10.b1 g6 11.d3 [ White can also play 11.b2 as the b3 pawn would be indirectly protected, for example g7 ( 11...xb3? 12.xb3 xb3 13.xf6 wins on the spot) 12.d4 d7 13.xe6 xe6 14.e4 0-0 15.d4 ad8 16.fe1 e8 17.bd1 c8 18.c4 c7 19.e5 o n c e a g a i n wi t h i m p r e s s i ve p o s i t i o n a l compensation in Komarov, D (2475)-Sorokin, M (2500), Kherson 1991. ] 11...d8 [ The immediate 11...g7 might have been better. Black is trying to escape tricks along the a-file but there's also a case for defending the a7 pawn. ] 12.c4 g7 13.fe5 b5 14.a1 xc4 15.xc4 0-0 16.d2 [ 16.a5!? wins Black's queen, though the position that arises after xc4 17.xb5 xb5 18.b2 might be a difficult one to win. ] 16...h5 17.fe1 h3?! [ 17...g4!? was interesting, the idea being t h a t a f t e r 18.h3 xa1 19.hxg4 xg4 20.xa1 xe2 Black gets to break up W hite's pawn structure. He probably rejected this line because of the danger three minor pieces might represent to his king position, but objectively speaking this might have been the best. ] 18.a5 g4 19.f3 c8 20.xa7 After regaining the pawn it looks like White should be better, though it proves difficult to break through Black's defences. Eventually frustration kicks in and he blunders. d5 21.a2 d7 22.b4 e6 23.a5 c7 24.b6 d4 25.a4 b5 26.c5 c8 27.b3 d6 28.a4 e6 29.f4 xb3 30.xb3 e5 31.e3 fe8 32.g2 a8 33.c5 c7 34.ea1 ad8 35.e4 h8 36.c1 a8 37.e3 d7 38.a2?? Just as the game was heading serenely along towards a likely draw, White blunders. [ Just 38.g1 would leave the bishop on e4 a retreat path and be about equal. ] 38...xa4 39.xa4 f5 40.f3 e4 41.dxe4 fxe4 42.xe4 xe4 43.d1 c8 44.b3 c3 45.d6 d5 46.g5 f8 47.d7 h6 373
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 48.d3 d4 49.xg6 e3+ 0-1
win. ] 13.a3 a5 14.d4 g6 15.d3 exd4 16.xd4 g4 17.f5 f6 18.f3 h5 19.ae1 f8 20.xh5 xh5 21.f4 b6 385 A11 22.g4 [ 22.d3 looks like a more promising way of Grischuk,Alexander 2773 trying to keep a slight edge because f6 Kramnik,Vladimir 2784 may still be the best reply. ] 73rd Tata Steel (4) 18.01.2011 22...f6 23.f3 d5 This threat against e3 [Nigel Davies] encourages W hite to exchange off his light 1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 f6 4.c3 bd7 square bishop after which he really can't hope for any kind of advantage. 24.xd5 xd5 5.c2 e6 6.b3 d6 7.b2 0-0 8.e2 25.f5 f6 26.d1 e4 Kramnik is not one to [ 8.h3!? is an interesting alternative here. ] mind the queens coming off. 27.xe4 xe4 8...e8 9.0-0 [ It's not too late to play for a king side attack 28.f3 g6 29.h6+ g7 30.g4 f7 with 9.g4!? , for example e5N ( 9...xg4 31.h6+ g7 32.g4 f7 33.h6+ e7 10.g1 gf6 11.0-0-0 gives White 34.g8+ f7 dangerous attacking chances for the pawn) ½-½ 10.xe5 xe5 11.g5 d7 ( 11...e4!? ) 12.f4 d6 13.h4 e7 14.0-0-0!? a3 A11 15.d4! gave White the more promising 386 prospects because of his space in Gurevich, Gurevich,Mikhail 2634 M (2643)-Savchenko, S (2583)/Vlissingen/ Bareev,Evgeny 2737 1999. ] QF Cap d'Agde FRA (2) 27.10.2002 9...e5 [Tony Kosten] [ After 9...a6 10.d4 would be a standard Semi-Slav type position in which Black's ... 1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 f6 4.c2 a7-a6 is a questionable use of time. ] This move was certainly all the fashion at Cap 10.cxd5 xd5 11.e4 c7 12.g3 D ' A g d e , a s I s t a t e d i n t h e e B o o k , t h e In this quiet reversed Hedgehog type position advantage is that W hite stops ... Bf5, and some great players have tried other moves deters ...Bg4, as the knight on f3 is no longer here, for example: pinned, and can hop to e5. a6 A sensible Slav [ a) 12.a3 a5 13.c4 f8 14.g3 g4 move, stopping a white piece going to b5, and 15.e1 g6 16.h3 e6 17.f3 f6?! possibly preparing a later ...b5. Two other ( 17...e7 was better and equal) 18.xe6 tries at Cap D'Agde: xe6 19.ad1 e8 20.e4! intending d2-d4 [ 4...g6 5.b3 g7 6.b2 0-0 7.e2 a6!? was better for White in Tal, M-Bagirov, V/ 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.xa6 bxa6 10.d3 g4 Riga 1981. ] 11.bd2 c8 12.b1 and now Black [ b) 12.ad1 f8 13.d3 ( 13.d4 was worth started an interesting attack with xf3!? considering) 13...e7 14.a3 a5 15.fe1 13.xf3 a5+ 14.e2 d4!? 15.xd4 d5 f5 16.g3 g6 17.c4 b6 18.g4 although White won, Karpov,A-Dreev,A/Cap d7 was equal in Polugaevsky, L (2595)d'Agde FRA 2002. ] Piket, J (2605)/Aruba 1994. ] [ 4...bd7 5.c3 e6 6.b3 b6!? 7.cxd5 12...f8 exd5 8.d4 b7 9.e2 d6 with a Slave[ The only other game I could find with 12. like p ositio n , G ure vich, M-Dre ev, A/ Ca p Ng3 went 12...7f6 13.d3 e7 14.a3 c5 d'Agde FRA 2002. ] 15.ac1 b6 16.fe1 b7 17.b1 ad8 5.h3!? I don't really know what to make of this 18.f1 b8 19.a1 d7 20.d2 g5 move, a speciality of Mikhael Gurevich, is it 21.cd1 with a rather fishy looking position really so important to stop ...Bg4 ? Perhaps, for White in Kipper, J (2307) -Nazarenus, M as (2124)/Bad Zwesten 2003. Black went on to [ 5.b3 g4 6.e5 h5 7.d4 e6 8.d3 374
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 bd7 seemed to allow Black a quick equality in Azmaiparashvili,Z-Burmakin,V/ Ohrid MKD 2001. ] 5...g6 Strictly speaking, only this move is a novelty, as in the game Gurevich,M-Volkov,S/ Batumi GEO 2002, Black continued [ 5...e6 6.b3 d6 7.b2 bd7 8.d4 and again, a sort of Slav position is reached. ] 6.b3 g7 7.b2 0-0 8.e2 b5!? Black gains space on the queenside. 9.0-0 b6!? This really encourages White's next move. 10.c5 c7 11.a4 a7 12.e5 b7 13.b4 White has more space, a strong grip on the dark squares, and can open the a-file at his leisure, but the black position is a solid one. e8 14.c3 bd7 Black must be ready to counter the pressure on the a-file by doubling his rooks, for if [ 14...f5 then 15.a2 is awkward, threatening to exploit the pin on the a-file to win the b5-pawn. ] 15.h2 The bishop finds a more important diagonal. With the white pawns still on d2 and e3 it is u nu s ua l to see t h e da rk-squ are d bishop on the h2-b8 diagonal! e4 16.d4 df6 17.a3 White's plan is simple, he will pile-up on the a-file. f5 18.b3 xc3 19.xc3 e4 20.b3 ea8 21.fa1 d7 22.a2?! So the critical point is reached, White menaces the capture on b5 when Black would be obliged to recapture with the c-pawn, which is positionally undesirable as the a6pawn would then be backward on an open file, and the white c5-pawn would be passed. However, Black has some tactical points that are in his favour, and in a non-rapid game I am sure White would have preferred [ 22.d3 with a plus. ] 22...bxa4 [ 22...a5!? is interesting, 23.axb5 c3! this is the sneaky point, 24.d2 ( 24.xc3? axb4 ) 24...axb4 25.xa7 xa7 26.xa7 xa7 27.b6 a1+ 28.f1 c8 and although W hite has a powerful p r o t e c t e d p a wn o n b 6 , B l a c k h a s r e a l counterplay. ] 23.d2!? Played to eliminate the e4-knight before recapturing the a-pawn, but this allows Black time to play ...a5. [ 23.xa4? c3 forks queen and rook, but ]
[ 23.b1 might be best, to dissuade ...a5, and with the intention of regaining the a4pawn later-on. ] 23...a5! 24.bxa5 xd2 25.xd2 [ 25.a6 b4 26.xa4 c3 27.a3 ( 27.d1? b3 28.a3 c1! ) 27...b4 draws. ] 25...xa5 So, Black has seemingly emerged well from the previous play, but W hite will recuperate the a-pawn and maintain a slight spatial plus. 26.d1 b4? Black misses a tactic, [ 26...a7 is the way to hold onto the pawn, 27.d3 e5 28.c2 exd4 29.exd4 b7 30.f4! to defend the d4-pawn, and play is level. ] 27.c7 Ouch! b5 The only chance, [ 27...5a7? 28.b6 b7 29.xa4 xa4 30.xa4 b2 31.a8+ f8 32.a6 wins the exchange even more favourably. ] 28.xa4! [ 28.xb5?! cxb5 is far from clear. ] 28...xa4 29.xa4 b1 30.a8+ f8 31.h2 f6 [ 31...xd1 32.xd1 f6 is a better chance. ] 32.a4! b2 33.f4! After this Black is lost. xe2 [ 33...g5 34.a7 xe2 35.xd7 is also hopeless, gxf4 36.xe7 and mate. ] 34.a5! This is far stronger than [ 34.h6 when the black king escapes: f7 35.xf8+ e6 36.a7 a2 37.c7 xf2 which is wild. ] 34...f7 35.d8 xf2?! [ 35...e6 is better, 36.xf8 xf2 37.d6! exd6 38.xd6+ f5 39.xd7+ e4 40.xc6 White is clearly better, but the game continues. ] 36.xd7 As 37 Qe8+ is decisive. 1-0
387 Gurevich,Mikhail Dreev,Alexey 6th Masters Bastia FRA (2.2) [Tony Kosten]
A11 2634 2673 02.11.2002
Craig Hall writes: "Because of your column, I have recently begun playing the Gurevich system with 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 Nf6 4.Qc2 375
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Could we see some games where Black plays 3...Bg4 or 3.Bf5 ? Also, a game where Black employs a kingside fianchetto? Who better to follow then, than the master himself! 1.c4 c6 2.f3 d5 3.e3 f6 This is the normal move here, or course, but after W hite's 4th move B la c k wi ll h a ve d i f f icu lt y d e ve lo p i n g h i s queen's bishop actively, which is why Black sometimes develops this piece immediately: [ 3...f5!? 4.b3 (seems the most appropriate, as the b7-pawn is no longer defended) c7 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.c3 ( 6.xd5?? xc1+ ) 6...e6 7.b5+ this is one way to exploit the absence of the black bishop, the other is ( 7.a4+!? d7 8.d3 e7 9.e4 (this shows the disadvantage of playing ...Bf5 when White defers d4) g6 10.e3 dxe4 11.dxe4 c6 12.c1 b4 13.a3 with an edge to White, Milov,V-Summerscale,A/FrTCh, Mulhouse FRA 1998. ) 7...c6 8.d4 g6 9.a4 ge7 10.b3 a6 11.a3 but after c8 12.c1! axb5 13.cxb5 b6 14.c5 d8 15.d6+ d7 Garcia Palermo,C-Meduna,E/ Germany 1990/GER-chT, W hite should have played 16.xb7 c7 17.d6 b8 18.xf7! xf7 19.xe7 xe7 20.xc6+ with a fantastic attack. ] [ 3...g4 A) 4.b3 c7 5.e5! e6 6.d4 d7 7.xd7 dxc4 8.c2!? xd7 9.d2 f6 10.xc4 with an edge because of the central pawns, Jakubiec,A-Zawadzki,S/ Cappelle la Grande FRA 2003, and; B) 4.cxd5 xf3 ( 4...xd5 5.c3 a5?! 6.b4! c7 7.b2 e6 8.c1 is pleasant for White, Dizdarevic,E-Kos,T/Pula 1996) 5.gxf3!? ( 5.xf3 ) 5...cxd5 6.b3 d7 7.c3 e6 8.d4 c6 9.d2 d6 10.0-0-0 ge7 11.b1 0-0 and Black's better structure was equivalent to the white bishops, Gelfand, B-Hertneck,G/ Munich 1992.; C) 4.h3 I think that this is the simplest, W hite simply takes the long-term advantage of the bishop pair, but there are two other interesting possibilities: xf3 5.xf3 e6 6.d4 d6 7.c3 d7 8.d3 gf6 9.d2 e7 10.cxd5!? the introduction to a sharp plan, but White is a ls o b e t t e r a f t e r t h e sim p l e ( 10.0-0
because of his light-squared bishop e.g. dxc4 11.xc4 e5 12.b3 ) 10...exd5 11.g4! h6 12.h4 f8 13.0-0-0 0-0-0 14.g5 with more space and the initiative, Smejkal,J-Bohm,H/Amsterdam 1975. ] 4.c2 g6!? Black will fianchetto his king's bishop, and can also play ...Bf5 in some lines. We have mostly considered [ 4...e6 and also ] [ 4...a6 ] 5.b3 I once tried [ 5.b4 with success. ] 5...g7 6.b2 0-0 7.e2 a6 This is the best development for the knight, as it threatens to come to c5, or b4, whilst leaving the h3-c8 diagonal open. [ 7...f5 8.d3 bd7 is not particularly useful, as now the bishop becomes the 'attacked' r a t h e r t h a n t h e ' a t t a c k e r ' : ( 8...a6 transposes) 9.d4 dxc4?! ( 9...g4 10.f3 e5 11.fxg4 exd4 12.xd4 is not so clear) 10.bxc4 e8 11.xf5 ( 11.0-0!? is also effective, g4 12.f3 e5 13.fxg4 exd4 14.g5 with a big plus) 11...a5+ 12.d2 xf5 13.e4 e6 14.d4 and White made his big centre and pair of bishops count, Gurevich,M-Tischendorf,M/ Ordix Open, Frankfurt GER 2000. ] 8.d3 This seems more effective than [ 8.cxd5!? cxd5 9.xa6 bxa6 10.d3 g4 11.bd2 when c8 12.b1 xf3! 13.xf3 a5+ 14.e2 was a bit uncomfortable for White, Karpov,A-Dreev,A/Cap d'Agde FRA 2002. ] 8...f5 [ 8...e8 is similar, 9.bd2 f5 10.a3 c8 11.d1 b5 12.e4 with a plus, Horvath,CAcs,P/ Balatonlelle HUN 2002. ] 9.0-0 c8 10.a3 Controlling b4, and preparing queenside expansion, this is better than [ 10.d1 b6!? 11.c3 c5 12.ab1 fd8 13.b4!? Fradkin,B-Kashin,Y/Omsk/ Perm 1998, when Black might have tried xb4 14.xd5 cxd5 15.xf6 a4 ] 10...dxc4!? Best to play this now, and pressurise the d-pawn, rather than wait for White to play Nbd2 when he can recapture with the knight on c4. 11.bxc4 c5 12.d1 b5 13.e4 White had to reduce the pressure on d3. g4 14.bd2 a4?! This loses 376
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 control of c5, which has serious consequences. 15.e5 a5 16.b3 a6 17.c5! Now White is clearly on top, he can advance his d-pawn with a powerful centre. fd8 18.h3 xf3 19.xf3 e8 20.xg7 xg7 21.d4 e6 Black has a fairly solid position, but can only wait until W hite engineers a central breakthrough. 22.d3 b7 23.ad1 c7 24.g3 b8 Black's 14th move is still causing him problems, as the knight is stuck 'out on a limb', and so he prepares ...a5 and ...b4, followed by ...Nc3. 25.d2! Stopping ...a5. e5?! Black seizes his chance for counterplay, but it rebounds (as it should, I suppose). 26.d5! [ 26.dxe5 xd3 27.xd3 xe5 ( 27...b2 28.d6 ) 28.d6 is also promising. ] 26...cxd5 27.xd5?! A slip, but bear in mind that this was a rapid game. [ 27.exd5! xc5 28.d6 b6 29.xc5 xc5 30.c3 was the right way. ] 27...xd5? This returns the game to its 'rightful' path. [ 27...e6! is equal. ] 28.exd5 xc5 29.d6 b6 30.xc5 xc5 31.c1 b6 [ 31...xa3 32.d7 d8 33.c8 f8 34.g4 wins very much as in the game. ] 32.d7 This pawn wins the game. d8 33.c6 b8 34.g4 h5 After [ 34...f5 35.d5+ h8 the move 36.c5 wins, as there is no way to stop Rc8. ] 35.c8 b6 36.g5?! Deflection time! [ 36.e3! wins immediately, as now a5 37.g5 and Black can no longer play ...f6. ] 36...f6 37.e3 a5 38.b3+ White is still winning, of course. h7 [ 38...f8 might have given White more problems, although 39.c6! e7 40.d5 and Qd6+ wins. ] 39.b4! b6 40.e7 1-0
388 Gurevich,Mikhail Savchenko,Stanislav HZ Open Vlissingen NED (4) [Tony Kosten]
A11 2643 2583 12.08.1999
1.c4 c6 2.f3 d5 3.e3 f6 4.c3 e6 5.b3 Of course, White can play [ 5.d4 here, or later, with a transposition into a main line Slav, but can he do better? ] 5...bd7 6.c2 An important idea, for if the immediate [ 6.b2?! then e5! is possible, 7.d4 e4 8.d2 e7 9.a3 0-0 10.b4 e8 with mutual chances, Kortchnoi,V-Petrosian, T/Velden 1980. ] 6...d6 Now, the move [ 6...e5?! is countered by 7.cxd5 forcing xd5 with a good 'Sicilian-style' position for White, as ( 7...cxd5? allows 8.b5 i.e. c5 9.xe5! winning a pawn. )] 7.b2 0-0 8.e2 e8 9.g4!? A Gurevich invention. Of course, we are used to seeing this move in the Slav these days, although normally when the g7-pawn is undefended. [ 9.0-0 is the normal move here, of course, e5!? 10.cxd5 xd5 11.e4 c7 12.ad1 Polugaevsky, L-Piket,J/Aruba (m/7) 1994, with a slight edge to White. ] [ 9.h3 is a similar idea which, although slower, doesn't lose a pawn. a6?! 10.g4 dxc4 11.bxc4 f8 12.g5 6d7 13.e4 with good chances to W hite, Burnett, RPalsson,H/North Bay CAN 1999. ] 9...e5 Black makes a space for the f6-knight on d7. [ 9...xg4 Must be the critical test of this line, Gurevich's previous game in this line against Pavasovic, at Bern 1995, went: 10.g1 gf6 11.g5!? with many threats, f8! 12.f4 e5 13.fxe5 xe5 14.f3 g6 15.xe5 xe5 16.0-0-0!? entering into the complications, but ( 16.cxd5 first, might be better. ) 16...dxc4! 17.xc4 g4 18.df1 b5!? 19.e4! xe4 20.xf7+ xf7 21.xg4 fg5 when White never quite managed to get enough for his sacrifice, and lost. What exactly had Gurevich prepared as an improvement? ] 10.xe5 xe5 11.g5 d7 12.f4 W hite gains control of the a1-h8 diagonal. 377
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 d6 13.h4 e7 14.0-0-0 a3 The b2-bishop was too dangerous to be left on the board, but now Black's remaining bishop is limited by his pawn chain. 15.d4 xb2+ 16.xb2 b6 17.d3 f8 18.e4 White gains e ve n m o re s p a ce . b7 19.he1 ac8 20.f2 dxc4 21.xc4 b5 22.d3 a6 23.f5! W hite is ready to start his attack, f6 is menaced. e5 [ 23...d7 doesn't help, as 24.f6! anyway! gxf6 25.gxf6 xf6 26.xf6 xf6 27.g1+ f8 28.e5 d5 29.xd5 exd5 30.xh7 with a huge positional advantage. ] 24.f6 d6 25.fxg7 e6 26.dxe5 [ 26.f6 c7 27.d5 xg7 28.d6 is also strong. ] 26...xe5 27.f6 xg7 28.c2 b4 29.xe5 xe5 30.a4 The endgame is very pleasant for W hite, firstly he threatens to b r i n g a r o o k t o t h e s e v e n t h r a n k . ce8 31.b6 Now, Nd7-f6 will be unpleasant for Black. h5 Covering the f6-square, but after the exchange of knights, the pawn that arrives on f6 will allow W hite to finish the game. 32.d7 5e7 33.e5 c8 34.f6+ xf6 35.gxf6 d7 What else? [ 35...xe5? allo ws m ate : 36.xe5 xe5 37.d8+ ] 36.g1+ h8 [ 36...f8 37.xh7 and Rg8 mate is unstoppable. ] 37.xd7 xd7 38.g7 White wins a pawn, b u t m a i n t a i n s a l l t h e a d va n t a g e s o f h i s position. e6 Black's position is hopeless, e. g. [ 38...e6 39.xh7+ g8 40.h5 c5 41.h7+ h8 42.d3+ g8 43.g5+ h8 44.xa6 picking-up a second pawn, for nothing. ] 1-0
that he may keep a hold on the e5-square, and also stops ...Bf5, or ...Bg4 (because of the reply Ne5). e6 [ 4...g6 is also a reasonable reply. ] 5.b3 e7 [ Not the most aggressive square for this piece, 5...bd7 6.c3 would transpose into another Gurevich game, see the archives. ] 6.b2 0-0 7.g1!? [ In this last game it wasn't clear whether the g4-pawn could have been taken, so here W hite simply prepares the move g4 with this stunning innovation. 7.e2 is a more mundane try, bd7 8.0-0 c7 9.d3 e8 10.bd2 a5 11.a3 b6 12.e4 dxe4 13.dxe4 e5 with equality, Lauvsnes,AHarestad,H/NOR 1994. ] 7...bd7 8.g4 e4 9.c3 [ 9.d3?! allows b4+ , of course. ] 9...xc3 10.xc3 e8 11.d3 g6!? [ This creates weaknesses around the black king, 11...f8 might be more prudent. ] 12.h4! As Black has no real central counterplay (a result of his fifth move) White continues his kingside onslaught. f6 13.h5 xc3 14.dxc3 f6 [ Black brings a piece to the aid of his king, but 14...e5 was also worth consideration as 15.hxg6 hxg6 16.xg6? is met by the riposte ( 16.e4 ) 16...e4! ] 15.g3 c5 [ Again, 15...e5 is possible, although White has the edge after 16.g5 d6 17.cxd5 cxd5 18.e4 ] 16.hxg6 hxg6 17.g5 g7 Black must maintain control over the e5-square, lest he rema in with a ba d bishop . 18.0-0-0 e5 Finally! 19.e4 dxe4 [ 19...e6 keeps the central tension, and may be superior. ] 20.xe4 a5 21.d2 e6 22.h1 389 A11 White prepares to exploit the open h-file. ed8 Gurevich,Mikhail 2667 23.h6 Menacing a deadly demolition sacrifice Wegerle,Joerg 2296 on g6. f5? [ The resultant queen versus two rooks KB Czech Open (1) 21.07.2000 position favours White, because of the open [Tony Kosten] black king, better 23...f8 as on 24.f3? Black really can play f5! ] 1.c4 c6 2.f3 f6 3.e3 d5 4.c2!? If White wishes to play this way, then this is 24.gxf6! xh6 25.xg6+ xg6 26.xg6 an interesting move order, he defers Nc3 so f7 27.f3 e4 28.xe4 d6 Thus Black 378
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 attempts to eliminate the dangerous f6-pawn. 10...b8? leaves him in trouble following 29.g5! 11.a3! threatening both rooks, one directly [ Much simpler than 29.h7+ when f8 and one via Qc6. ( and not 11.c6? c5 30.e5 ad8! 31.xf7 d1+ 32.xd1 12.xa8 b7 )] xd1+ 33.xd1 xf7 allows Black to [ However, 10...c5! may be best, holding continue a little. ] both the c-file and a3-f8 diagonals: 11.c1 29...xf6 30.d2 ( 11.d4 b4+ 12.c3 e7 leaves White's [ Grabbing the a8-rook by 30.d5 cxd5 pieces on the wrong squares) 11...b7 31.h7+ f8 32.h8+ e7 33.xa8 12.0-0 a6 13.bd4 c8 14.b1 e7 seems even more convincing. ] and Black is not worse, Bistric,F-Szuhanek, 30...xe4 31.xe4 e6 32.g5+ g6? R/Rijeka CRO 2001. ] [ This further aggravates Black's problems, 11.c1 a6!? 32...f8 held on better. ] [ A new move, immediately putting the 33.c5 d6 34.xb7 e6 35.d8 d6 question to the knight, although after 36.xc6 e8 37.e5 g7 38.c5 de6 11...b7 12.c7 a6! 13.bd4 c5 39.f4 Black had equalised in Eliseev,A-Yevseev, 1-0 D/St Petersburg 2001. ] 12.c7 The knight goes into the hole, but how will it come out? b8?! 390 A11 [ I am doubtful about this pawn sac, better 12...a7 when White had clearly planned Gurevich,Mikhail 2641 the following combination: 13.g5 b7 Yagupov,Igor 2474 14.gxe6 fxe6 15.xe6 e8 16.xf8 3rd IECC Batumi GEO (5) 16.06.2002 xf8 when White's rook and two pawns are [Tony Kosten] probably better than Black's two knights. ] 1.c4 c6 2.f3 d5 3.e3 Mikhail Gurevich's 13.xa6 [ 13.g5 is still possible, but White prefers favourite 'anti-Slav' system, he avoids playing to grab a pawn. ] d4 t o k eep th e a 1-h 8 d iagona l o pen . f6 4.c2 e6 5.b3 bd7 6.b2 d6 7.c3 13...a8?! [ Black is hoping that the bishop pair will 0-0 8.e2 b6 provide comp for the pawn, but 13...xa6 [ A perfectly natural move, instead of playing 14.xa6 a8 15.xf6 xf6 16.b5 a3 8...e8 aiming for ...e5, see Gurevich,Mis a better choice, as Black will gain control Savchenko,S/Vlissingen NED 1999, Black of the c-file. ] prefers to develop his queenside. ] 14.xf6 This is necessary, otherwise the a9.cxd5 [ White decides to attack on the c-file. pawn wou ld be en prise when th e knigh t Actually, Gurevich's kingside attacking plan moves from a7. xf6 15.c7 a5 16.b5 17.a4 Frankly, White is a pawn up for is playable in this position, too: 9.g1!? b7 d7 10.g4 c5 11.g5 e4 12.cxd5 exd5 nothing. b8 18.c7 Extra material is most 13.xe4 dxe4 14.c3 (well, why not?) f6 easily exploited in an endgame! b4 19.xb8 15.gxf6 xf6 16.g5 with a powerful attack, xb8 20.e5 xb5 21.xb5 e4 22.e2! [ 22.e2 xd2?! 23.c2 c3 24.hc1 e. g. e5 Rotstein,A-Schmitz,A/Lido Estensi wins immediately, the bishop cannot move ITA 2002, and now 17.c4+!? h8 18.d4 because of the back-rank mate, and Nc6 cxd4 19.exd4 f4 20.e6 wins the and f3 are both menaced. ] exchange. ] 1-0 9...cxd5 [ 9...exd5!? might be possible, although 10.d4 b7 11.f5 is pleasant for White whose f5-knight is extremely well-placed. ] 10.b5 e7 [ Black allows an invasion on c7, as 379
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xd1+ 32.xd1 Where White's extra pawn A11 is meaningless and the game is dead drawnHarikrishna,P 2705 but this would be rather wet. ] Quesada Perez,Yu 2608 48th Capablanca Mem Elite (6.2) 27.04.2013 27...d7 28.e5 f8 29.d2? A tactical error, which his eagle-eyed opponent is quick [Danny Gormally] to seize upon. d6! 30.d4? [ 30.b2 c7! followed by ..Be5 is no bed 1.g3 f6 2.g2 d5 3.f3 c6 Probably a of roses either, but the move played in the more flexible choice than the immediate ... game runs into a neat shot. ] Bg4. 4.c4 g4 5.e5 e6! Taking the sting 31.xg7 Desperation, but pretty out of White's previous move. 6.cxd5 xd5 30...f4! 7.f3 c5 8.0-0 e6 9.c3 c6 10.d3 e7 much forced from a practical point of view, as the alternatives were unpalatable. 11.e4 0-0! The most flexible continuation. [ 31.xf4 xd4 Is beyond horrible. ] [ 11...bd7 12.e2! e5?! This just gives White a target- the kingside 13.h4 0-0 31...xd2 32.f6 e5! 33.d1 h6 34.h5 14.f5 e8 15.g5 f8 16.f4! With a very g7 35.xd3! The typically inventive Indian serious attack on the kingside, and W hite player finds his only remaining chance, but we n t o n t o win i n I va n is e vic , I (2 6 4 5 ) - Black is happy to depart with the queen, as he gains oceans of material in return. xf6! Vuckovic, B (2604) Valjevo 2012 ] [ 35...xd3?? 36.g5 ] 12.e2 [ 12.a4 d7!? 13.e5 d5 14.e4 36.xd7 xd7-+ 37.h3 g7 38.g5 h6 ( 14.xd5 exd5 15.d4 may have been 39.d2 [ 39.e7 f8-+ ] p r e f e r a b l e) 14...c6 15.g5?! xg5 16.exg5 e7 17.e1 fd8 18.c1 e8 39...b8 40.d5 f6 41.c6 d3 42.c5 19.c4 h6 20.h3 db4! Where Black is xb3 43.c7 f8 44.f5 c3 45.xa7 very solid with no weaknesses- by contrast d8 46.b6 d2 47.a5 b3 48.a6 b2 49.a7 all of White's pawns on a4, d3 and e5 are a3 50.g2 xa7 51.c6 c7! 52.xc7 po t e n t ia l t a rge t s. He we n t o n t o win in b1 53.a7 e8 54.a8 b2 55.xe8+ Petrosian, T (2663)-Michalik, P (2535) Dubai f8 56.g6 xf2+ 57.h3 h2+ 58.g4 e2+ 59.f5 f2+ 2013 ] 12...b5! The position is very Catalan like in 0-1 character. With his next move, White tries to create long-term weakness on c5, but the A11 downside is he loses further time with his 392 Knight. 13.a4 b4 14.b1 b7 15.bd2 Jaracz,Pawel 2539 c6 16.c4 d7 17.d1?! A novelty, but Breder,Dennis 2435 probably not a very fortunate one. previously ZMD Open Dresden GER (7) 31.07.2009 17 Be3 had been played. [Jonathan Rowson] [ 17.e3 c7 ] 17...d4! Black takes the opportunity to 1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 f6 4.c3 e6 5.b3 relieve himself of any lingering problems. d6 6.c2 e5! This very direct approach 18.xd4 cxd4 19.b3 It is not so easy for seems to work well against this particular White to formulate a useful plan, any advance m o v e o r d e r , wh i c h s u g g e s t s t o m e t h a t on the kingside seems a bit vague, while Black W h i t e ' s c o m b i n a t i o n o f Q c 2 a n d N c 3 i s has easy play by contrast, with ..Nc5, ..Ba6 inaccurate when Black begins with ...e6 and ... etc c5 20.b1 a6 21.f4 c8 22.h4 Bd6. 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.b5 This is the xc4! Acquiring a very useful passer. 23.dxc4 positional trap that White hoped would deter d3 24.f3 d7 25.f1 fd8 26.e3 c7 Black from early central expansion, but it 27.f4?! appears that black's control of the centre and [ Harikrishna should arguably just bail out to gain in development is more important than a draw here with 27.xc5 xc5 28.xd3 White's increased control of the dark squares. xd3 29.xd3 d8 30.d1 e5 31.e2 c6 9.xd6+ xd6 10.b5 0-0 11.xc6 391
380
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 bxc6 12.b2 t a k e s t h e p a w n . 10...fd7 [ 12.a4 feels too weakening to be good. c5 Was an alternative, but this has gradually 13.a3 d7 followed by Ba6 looks better be e n re p lace d b y t he kin g m ove , a s in for Black. ] some variations the knight may become 12...d7 13.0-0 a6 14.fc1 fc8 15.d4 u s e f u l o n f 6 . 11.b5 ( 11.xa8 xa8 [ 15.f5!? f6 16.a3!? xa3 17.xd7 12.d3! may be preferable, as taking the b5 18.d4 e4 19.h4 looks like some sort pawn on d3 allows an instant mate, and h3 of initiative, but it is hard to see how the 13.d1 d5 14.f3 looks quite promising for ro o k s wi ll give b a ck u p b e ca u se B la c k White ) 11...e5 12.d4 cxd3 13.xd3 c8 controls f1. g6 20.e6+ g7 21.c5 f8 14.xa7 xc6 15.xc6 c5 16.d4 c4 and both sides seem to be short of 17.d1 e5 18.f5 g6 19.e3 a6 constructive ideas so some sort of And Black is to be preferred as White has repetition seems likely. ] no attacking chances, and the two minor 15...e4 16.e5 b8! The knight on e5 will pieces are superior to a rook and pawns in now be pushed back and will take a long time the middle game, Black later won in to f ind any meaningf ul work. 17.h3 f6 Pa n tsu la ia, L (25 9 9 )-Mage m B ad a ls , J 18.g4 d7 19.d2 A well-timed draw offer, (2589)/Khanty-Mansiysk 2010 ] because Black is slightly better and can look 11.xa8 forward to a timely kingside advance. [ White can also try to retain the light½-½ squared bishop 11.b5!? c5 12.xa8 xb5 ( 12...xa8!? 13.a4 a6 14.d4 h5 15.c3 is also extremely murky) 13.g2 h5 393 A11 14.h4 f5 15.e4 d7 ( 15...g6!? ) 16.a4! xa4 17.e5 e8 18.e1 e6 19.f1 c5 Kaidanov,G 2593 20.d3 b3 21.xc4 xc4 22.dxc4 c7 Holt,C 2513 23.d1! c8 24.xd7 xd7 25.xa4 ch-USA 2013 Saint Louis USA (2) 04.05.2013 White was a pawn up and went on to win in [Danny Gormally] the game Timman, J (2566) -Smeets, J (2615)/Wijk aan Zee 2013 ] 1.c4 c6 2.f3 d5 3.g3 f6 4.g2 dxc4 5.0-0 bd7 6.a3 b6 7.c2 e6 8.e5 11...xa8 12.d3 cxd3 13.d1 [ 13.exd3? h3 14.e1 d5 Is just bad ] d4 Black is pretty much committed to playing this way, as if W hite recaptures on c4 then 13...dxc2 14.xd4+ d7 I think this ending is putting the bishop on e6 and the knight on b6 ve ry close t o equ al. W h ite n e ed s t o f in d will just look silly. However this provokes improvements earlier if he is to genuinely some very sharp complications, and this line threaten Black in this variation, perhaps with has become very topical lately. 9.xc6! bxc6 Timman's Nb5!? although I feel that Black should have good chances there as well. 10.xc6+ d8 [ You can pretty much guarantee that if your 15.xc2 e5! 16.d1 b6 17.e3 c7 opponent is willing to play either side of this 18.e1 fd5 19.ac1+ b7 20.c5 xc5 variation, then he has spent a minimum of 21.xc5 e6 22.d3 e4 23.e5 e7 10,000 hours analysing this position with 24.d4 f6 25.xe4 d5 26.g4 fxe5?! Houdini three, or whatever program passes Giving up on any hopes of winning. [ 26...g5 27.d3 c6 28.b4 f5 29.xd5 as the best in the market these days, thus fxg4 30.f6 h6 31.xg4 May well be rendering hopeless any prospect of a social drawn as well, but White would have to fight life. It's the sort of murky, tactical position for it... ] that computers revel in. To be honest, I would be fearful of playing such a position 27.xg7 e8 28.e4 g8 29.xe5 bc8 with Black, as I do not like having my king 30.b3 c7 31.f4 d6 32.f2 f8 33.e3 safety threatened at such an early stage of c6 34.h5 8e7 35.h4 e6 36.g4 f6 the game, but as I stated earlier, Black is 37.gg5 d8 38.c5 g7 39.c3?! d1 pretty much obliged to play this way once he 40.g5+ f8 41.f5 d6 42.c5 h6 43.e5 381
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 d5 44.xg8+ xg8 45.xd5 xd5+ 46.f3 c3 47.e6 xa2 48.g5 hxg5 49.hxg5 c3 50.e3 f8 [ 50...b5! 51.e4 c7 Forms an effective barrier to the white king, but is it enough to win? 52.d3 f8 53.c4 a5+ 54.b4 b7 55.f6 g8 56.g6 a6 57.c4 xe6 58.d5 bd8 And Black retains winning chances. Incidentally I should point out that this entire line was prompted by the engine, I wouldn't have a clue how to win this ending, and I think most other silicon based lifeforms would struggle to exhibit the sort of superhuman accuracy needed to do so, so a draw seems a fair result. ] 51.d3 d5 52.c4 c7 53.c5 b8 54.d6 e8+ 55.d5 c7+ 56.d6 b5+ 57.c5 c3 58.d6 b5+ 59.c5 c3 60.d6 b5+ ½-½
White plays 6. d4 it is a direct transposition. I remember Eric Prie suggested that this position was fine for Black, which might be true, but that doesn't mean it is not also somewhat better for White. ] 6.xf3 cxd5 7.g3!? Now I am reminded of another line, namely 1Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 Bg4 4.c4 c6 5.cd Bxf 3(otherwise Qb3/a 4 things can be tricky) 6 Bxf3 cd and I believe this line is considered both ok for Black and possibly a bit better for W hite- it's one of those... White has two bishops for not very much in return, but that is all he really has, and the position is relatively closed so White has to be very patient to make any headway at all. In that line White sometimes aims for d3 and e4, but has to be careful because d4 is then weak. In this case, playing e4 early looks unworkable because of the awkward placement of the queen on f3, so White has to be more patient, and perhaps exchange a few pieces before opening the position. 394 A11 [ While we are at it, 7.g4!? i s a m o v e . e6 8.g5 fd7 9.h4 This is the sort of way Kempinski,Robert 2590 Simon Williams would play, and would no Sorm,Daniel 2330 doubt enjoy it. It does not seem terrifying 1st Pfalz Open (4) 18.02.2008 for Black, who is very solid, but at least the [Jonathan Rowson] kingside expansion gives White something to work with. ] 1.c4 c6 2.f3 d5 3.e3 f6 4.c3 g4 5.cxd5 One of two main attempts to give this 7...c6 [ 7...e5 8.g2 e4 9.e2 c6 10.d3 move order some independent significance. appears to be a bit better for W hite, for The other one is to play the immediate Qb3. instance after b4 11.d2 0-0 12.0-0 e7 White can also try to play some combination 13.a3 d6 14.fc1 ] o f b 3 a n d h 3 a n d t h e n t r y t o p la y f o r g 4 8.g2 e6 9.0-0 e7 without playing d4, but I can't see a [ 9...d6!? would be my choice, and later I convincing move order to make it work. would put the queen on e7. ] [ 5.d4 e6 6.b3 b6 7.h4 is currently 0-0 11.b2 c8 12.ac1?! the main try for an advantage in the Slav, 10.b3 but White has to work very hard to get even S l o p p y . W h i t e ' s p r o s p e c t s a r e o n t h e queenside, so a tiny edge. ] [ 12.fc1 is almost certainly better. Then we 5...xf3 This looks compliant, but it would have a position where I hesitate to say that appear that after W h i t e h a s t h e a d va n t a g e , b u t I wo u l d [ 5...cxd5 6.b3 is very awkward and certainly prefer to be W hite, because B l a c k ' s b e s t m o v e i s p r o b a b l y c8 somehow the future belongs to the bishops. which is not as bad as it looks, because That said, as I have written elsewhere, the white's queen is not great on b3 and the advantage of the two bishops is very subtle, exchange on d5 removes white's spatial and is all but meaningless below about 2300, advantage, but even so, White should have so this modest approach may not be decent chances of being better here. The everybody's cup of tea. ] line is very similar to 1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 e3 Bf5!? 5 cd cd 6 Qb3 Bc8, indeed if 12...a5 13.b1 b5?! This leaves black's 382
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 queenside full of light squared weaknesses. [ 13...a3 14.a1 c7 15.e2 a6 looks comfortable for Black. ] 14.e2 b4 15.a4 d7 16.fc1 b6 17.f1! xa4 18.bxa4 b6 [ 18...xa4 19.a6 xa6 20.xa6 c7 21.e5 ] 19.a6 c5 20.a1 c7 21.a3 b8 [ 21...b3 just giving the pawn up, was the less evil here, when White would still have a lot of work to do. ] 22.xb6 xb6 23.b5 e7 24.axb4 Now it's completely winning. a5 25.e5 xc1+ 26.xc1 c8 27.xc8+ xc8 28.c3 axb4 29.xb4 a7 30.d7 g5 31.d4 c7 32.c5 b8 33.g4 g7 34.h3 f6 35.f1 e5 36.e2 exd4 37.exd4 g6 38.d3 h5 39.c3 hxg4 40.hxg4 f6 1-0
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A11 Korotylev,Alexey 2600 Dreev,Alexey 2607 World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (35) 22.11.2007 [Carsten Hansen]
1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 f6 4.c3 e6 5.c2 bd7 6.e2 d6 7.b3 0-0 8.b2 e8 9.h3 dxc4!? [ This is probably Black's best move. Other tries have offered White excellent chances f o r a n e d g e : A ) 9...e5 10.cxd5 xd5 11.e4 A) 11...c7 12.a3 ( 12.g4 f8 13.a3 a5 14.d3 g6 15.g5 f8 16.h4 Banikas, HMastrovasilis, D/Athens 2002 g4 17.h5 e7 ) 12...7f6 13.d3 xe4 14.dxe4 f6 15.0-0 e7 16.fd1 e6 17.g5 ad8 18.a4 h6 19.xe6 xe6 20.b4 Zvja g in s e v , V - Mo r o vic Fe r n a n d e z, I / Poikovsky 2001; B) 11...f8 12.a3 a5 13.0-0 e7 14.fe1 g6 15.f1 g7 16.d3 h6 17.ed2 h7 18.g3 c7 1/2 -1/ 2 Rasten is, G -Grablia uskas, V / Vilnius 1999 ] [ B) 9...a6 10.g4 dxc4 ( 10...e5!? 11.g5 e4 12.xe4 dxe4 13.xe4 c5 14.h4 f5 ) 11.bxc4 f8 12.g5 6d7 13.e4 c7 14.h4 e5 15.h5 f5 16.gxf6 xf6
Burnett, R-Palsson, H/ North Bay 1999 17.c5 ( 17.h6 g6 18.fg5 xe4 19.xe4 ) 17...xe4 18.xe4 e7 19.c4+ e6 20.g1 xc4 21.xc4+ e6 22.c1 ] [ C) 9...b6!? of Black's 9th move alternatives, this is Black's best 10.g4 A) 10...e5 11.xe5 xe5 12.f4 ( 12.d4!? ) 12...xc3 13.xc3 e5! Giardelli, S-Morovic Fernandez, I/Buenos Aires 2003; B) 10...e5 11.g5 e4 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.xe4 ( 13.xd5!? ) 13...dxe4 14.xe4 b8 15.d4 b7 16.g4 exd4 17.xd4 e5 Prokopchuk, E-Skatchkov, P/ Nefteyugansk 2002 ] 10.bxc4 [ 10.xc4 b5 11.e2 b7 12.0-0 a6 13.g5 c5 14.a4 b4 15.ce4 xe4 16.xe4 e7 Banikas, H-Kharitonov, A/ Ermioni 2006 ] 10...e5 11.d3 c5 12.d1 e7 13.0-0 h6 [ 13...f5!? ] 14.fe1?! [ 14.d4 exd4 15.exd4 e6 16.fe1 g5 17.xg5 hxg5 18.f1 c7 19.f3 d7= ] 14...f5 15.c1 e4 16.dxe4 fxe4 17.xe4 xe4 18.d3 ad8 19.a1 b4 20.xe4 xe4 21.xd8 xd8 22.d1 xd1+ 23.xd1 d6 24.d4 c5 25.g4 g6 The endgame of two bishops vs knight and b isho p is clea rly b et te r f or B la ck o n account of W hite's weak queenside pawns 26.b5 xg4 27.hxg4 d3 28.d6 f6 29.f3 b6 30.f2 d2 31.g3 a6 32.e4 b5 33.cxb5 axb5 34.e5 fxe5 35.xe5 b4 36.e4 xe4 37.fxe4 c4 38.e2 c1 39.d1 [ 39.d6!? ] 39...e3 40.d6 b3 41.axb3 cxb3 42.e5 f7 43.e2 g5 44.d3 f6 45.f4 e6 46.d2 e5 47.d3 g5 [ 47...xf4!? 48.gxf4 e7! 49.c3 g6 50.f5 h5 wins for Black ] 48.d2 xg3 49.e3 e5 50.d2 b2 51.c2 d6 [ 51...d4 followed by ...Ke5 looks like an easier win ] 52.b4+ e6 53.f8 h5 54.gxh5 g4 55.c5 g3 56.h6 f7 57.e3 g6 58.b1 g2 59.c2 f4 60.g1 c1 383
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ This isn't the best move, though White 19.xf3 xe5 20.xe5 xe5 21.e3 responded by either exceeding the time limit a5 22.c5= ) 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.fc1 b8 or resigning at this point, because the game 14.a4 b4 15.e2 e4 16.c2 b7 concluded in Black's favour at this juncture. 17.ac1 ac8 18.f4 e6= Gurevich, MBlack should instead have given preference Conquest, S/Clichy 2001 ] to 60...e5! , and now Black wins after 8...e8 61.e3 c3 62.b1 f6 63.g1 e5 [ Black has tried two other moves: A) 8...c7 64.c2 xe4 65.f2 f3 66.g1 e5 9.c1 f5 10.d3 dxc4 11.bxc4 e5 12.0-0 67.b1 e2 68.c2 f1 69.b6 g1 bd7 13.fd1 ( 13.e4!? ad8 14.fd1 70.xg1 xg1 . Now White should have xe4 15.dxe4 g4 16.h3 xf3 17.xf3 played ] b6 18.a3 c5 19.a4 ) 13...fe8 14.h4 61.e5 xh6 e6 15.d2 h6 16.f3 ad8 [ 61...xh6 62.c5 g5 63.e6 f6 64.e7 Kempinski, R-Schneider, S/Izmir 2004 ] f7 ] [ B) 8...b5!? 9.d1 ( 9.0-0!? f5 10.d3 62.xb2 f5 63.e6 xe6 64.c2 e5 bxc4 11.bxc4 dxc4 12.e4 cxd3 65.d3 f4 66.e2 g3 67.a7 13.xd3 ) 9...f5 10.d3 a5 11.d2 [ 67.e1 f3 68.h2 e3 69.d1 f2 ] bd7 12.0-0 ab8 13.e4 e6 14.a3 b6 67...h2 68.f3 d2 69.e2 a5 70.f3 15.a1 1/2-1/2 Paterek, M-Bombek, P/ h1 71.c5 c7 72.g4 h2 73.h3 Pardubice 2005 ] g1 74.d6 e3 75.h2 d4-+ 9.0-0 e5 10.d3 bd7 11.fd1 f8 12.cxd5 0-1 [ White can also consider 12.a4!? c7 ( 12...6d7 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.ac1 e6 15.d4 e4 16.e5 b5 17.xd7 xd7 396 A11 18.c5 ) 13.cxd5 xd5 14.ac1 a5 15.a3 e6 16.c3!? ] Korotylev,Alexey 2600 Ponomariov,Ruslan 2705 12...cxd5 13.a4 b5 [ 13...g4 14.ac1 c8 15.d2 e4 World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (6) 21.11.2007 16.xc8 xc8 17.c1 f5 18.d4 ] [Carsten Hansen] 14.c5 d6 15.b4 h5?! [ 15...g4 16.a4 ( 16.d4!? e4 17.e5 ) 1.f3 f6 2.c4 c6 3.c3 d5 4.e3 a6 16...6d7 17.axb5 axb5 18.h3 xf3 5.c2 g6 6.b3 g7 7.b2 0-0 19.xf3 xa1 20.xa1 xc5 21.bxc5 c6 [ 7...f5 8.d3 dxc4 9.bxc4 0-0 10.e2 b5 22.d4 ] 11.d4 ( 11.cxb5 cxb5 12.0-0 c6 ) 11...g4 12.0-0 xe2 13.xe2 16.a4 b8 [ 16...bxa4 17.xa4 d7 ( 17...g4 ( 13.cxe2!? ) 13...e5 14.b3 bd7 18.a5 ) 18.a5 d4 19.d2 b5 20.f3 15.ac1 b6 ( 15...b4 16.a4 e8 a7 21.c4 b8 22.a3 ] 17.fd1 ) 16.e4 xe4 17.dxe4 a5 18.cxb5 cxb5 19.fd1 Glicenstein, A- 17.axb5 axb5 18.h3 8h7 [ 18...6d7 19.a7 ] Gregoire, S/Hyeres 2002 ] 19.a7 g5?!+8.e2 [ 19...d7 20.c1 hf6 21.b3 ] [ Two alternatives are: A) 8.c1 g4 9.e2 e4 21.e5 White is completely xf3 10.xf3 e5 11.d3 e8 12.0-0 d6 20.d4 13.a4 bd7 14.cxd5 xd5 15.a3 ad8 winning f8 22.da1 g4 23.h4 g3 24.fxg3 16.fd1 Sammalvuo, T-Tuominen, R/Salo h6 25.1a3 g4 26.xg4 xg4 27.f2 f6 28.3a6 b6 29.xb6 xb6 30.a6 1998 ] [ B) 8.d4 f5 9.d3 xd3 (1/2-1/2 Ribli, Z- 1-0 Tukmakov, V/Porec 1998) 10.xd3 bd7 11.0-0 b5 ( 11...e6 12.a3 e8 13.d6 h6 14.h3 h7 15.e4 dxc4 16.bxc4 e5 17.dxe5 g5 Flores, D-Wang Yue/Turin I T A 2 0 0 6 , a n d n o w 18.ad1 xf3+ 384
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 g4 14.a2 d8 15.b4 is similar, and A11 fairly level, Dizdar,G-Vera,R/Portoroz 1987. ] Kosten,Anthony C 2542 Bunzmann,Dimitrij 2505 13...g4! 14.e4!? [ This seemed strong when I played it, but, Masters Montpellier (6) 09.07.2001 in retrospect, 14.h3 might be better, xf3 [Tony Kosten] 15.xf3 d8 16.b4 c8 17.g2 with the bishop pair, and a small edge. ] 1.g3 My opponent only played this, ... [ Played to avoid the English Defence, 1.c4 14...d4! because he hadn't seen my reply until he had b6 , a favourite of my opponent. ] 1...d5 2.f3 f5 3.g2 f6 4.c4 c6 t a k e n h i s h a n d o f f t h e p a w n ! 15.d5! 5.cxd5 I like this line, and recommended it in The point. d8! [ This simple move maintains the equilibrium, my book The Dynamic English. cxd5 6.b3 15...exd5?! 16.exd5 f6 17.dxc6 bxc6 c8 18.b4 leaves the black pawn structure in [ More accurate than 6...c7 7.c3 e6 tatters, and ] 8.d3 as now Bf4 will gain a tempo. ] [ 15...c5!? 16.c7!? b8 17.b4 xf3 7.c3 e6 8.0-0 e7 9.d3 c6 10.f4 0-0 18.xf3 ce5 19.xe5 xe5 20.e2 11.ac1 d7!? xc7 21.xc5 also favours White. ] [ A s u r p r i s e . I h a d e x p e c t e d 11...d7 which removes the queen from the c-file pin, 16.c7?! [ 16.xe7+ xe7 17.b3 didn't offer much, 12.e4 ( Aronian prefers 12.h3 h6 13.fd1 but was clearly better. ] h7 14.e4 a5 15.c2 fc8 16.e5 d8 17.e2 White has a small edge, 16...e8 17.xe7+ [ 17.fe1 leads nowhere, c8 18.xe7+ A ro n ia n , L -S ve t u s h k in , D/ Ye r e va n A R M xe7 19.f4 which is like the game. ] 2000. ) 12...g6!? ( 12...dxe4 13.dxe4 xe4 14.xe4 xe4 15.e5 xe5 17...xe7 18.b4 [ After an enormous think! 18.h3 xf3 16.xe4 favours White, Barcza,G-Smyslov, 19.xf3 c5 is awkward for White, and ] V/Moscow 1956) 13.exd5 exd5 14.fd1 [ 18.e5? loses to xf3 19.d6 xg2! ( and a5 15.c2 d6? 16.g5 and the d519...d8 20.xf3 dxe5 isn't bad either.) pawn is lost, Forintos,G-Sallay,R/Budapest 20.xe7 d5 21.b3 xe7 ] 1958. ] [ However, I spent most of my time analysing [ 11...g6 was the preference of Karpov, the exchange sac 18.xc6!? bxc6 19.e5 against Korchnoi, 12.e5 d7 13.xg6 ( 19.xd4?! fc8 20.a5 c5 ) 19...xf3 hxg6 14.h4! with an edge to White. ] 20.xf3 which seems quite dangerous: 12.a3 A) 20...g5 21.e4! d2 ( 21...a7?! [ Played to provide a luft for the white queen 22.f4 g4 23.d6 c8 24.f5 o n a 2 , a n d p r e p a r e b 4 . 12.e4 favours W hite) 22.c4! fc8 23.xc6 l e a d s n o w h e r e : c5 13.c2 g6 a7 24.xd7 axc7 25.xd4 and d3 is a problem. ( 13...b4?! 14.b1 with fair compensation.; g6 15.e5 )] B) 20...fc8! 21.d6 g5 22.e4 d2 [ 12.b5 c5 13.d1 d7 14.bd4 23.f4 a7 ( the problem is 23...b6! xd4 15.xd4 g4 is equal, Petrosian,A24.f5 d5 25.fxe6 fxe6 and White's Meduna,E/ Lvov 1981. ] comp is probably insufficient) 24.f5 b7? 12...a6 25.fxe6! xb2 26.xb2! xb2 27.exf7+ [ A s i n d i c a t e d b y B u n z m a n n , 12...c5 h8 28.e6 and despite his extra queen is c o u n t e r e d b y 13.d1! a5 ( 13...d4 for piece, Black can resign! I just couldn't 14.a4 xa4 15.xa4 d7 16.c4 believe that Black could be OK, and so also offers an edge to White) 14.b4! axb4 kept searching for a non-existent 'win' for 15.axb4 xb4 16.d4 ca6 17.xd5 White, and left myself too short of time! ] with advantage. ] 18...ac8 19.f4 f6! Ouch! It hadn't 13.a2!? [ Apparently this move is a novelty, 13.fd1 occurred to me that W hite could have any 397
385
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 11...d7 12.f4 d6 13.h4 e7 14.0-0-0 when W hite's space advantage was too great, Gurevich,M-Savchenko,S/ Vlissingen NED 1999. ] 12.xe4 [ 12.d4 xc3 13.xc3 d6 14.f4 is also possible, but c5! is a bit annoying. ] 12...xb2 13.xb2 dxe4 14.e5! Keeping control of the dark squares. [ 14.h4?! e5 15.0-0-0 f5 is nice for Black, and ] [ 14.0-0-0!? xg5 15.hg1 h6 16.e5 f5 is not too clear. ] 14...f5 [ 14...d7 15.h4 c5 and ...Bc6 might be a better line. ] 15.h4 [ 15.gxf6 xf6 16.xf6 gxf6 17.g1+ h8 18.0-0-0 e5 19.d3 is a little better for White, but I wanted more. ] 15...d7 Black hopes to contest control of the e5 square by ...Qb8, but White is alert to this. 16.f3!? [ 16.0-0-0 was tempting, b8 17.d4 exd3 18.xb8 axb8 19.xd3 e7 20.hd1 with solid control of the d-file, but the black position is devoid of serious weaknesses. ] 16...exf3 17.xf3 b8 18.d4! a5 [ 18...xe5 19.dxe5 doubles the white pawns, but keeps the black pawns fixed on light squares, and allows White to establish 398 A11 a rook on d6. ] Kosten,Anthony C 2514 19.f2 b6 20.hd1 a7 21.h5 Hoping that Olarasu,Gabriela 2305 the threat of h6 will oblige Black to capture on Open Montpellier FRA (7) 13.07.2003 e5. c5 22.h6!? Continuing the plan, but [ 22.xb8 xb8 23.d2 is also possible, as [Tony Kosten] here White can open the d-file at will. ] Dark-squared battle! 1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 22...xe5 23.dxe5 a4! Black seizes her f6 4.c2 I have had several previous goes chance, the threat to capture on b3 stops The king at playing Gurevich's sharp line, but each time W hite from playing Rd6. 24.g3 I was unable to play the g4-pawn sac. e6 5.b3 heads f or f4, when e4 will 'undouble' the d6 6.b2 0-0 7.c3 bd7 8.e2 e8 pawns. f8 25.ac1 e7?! [ 25...gxh6?! 26.gxh6 e7 is weaker, Black's development is the most forthright, 27.f4 axb3 28.axb3 g8 29.g1 aiming for ...e5. The immediate and W hite gains control of the g-file and [ 8...e5 is met by 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.b5 b8 wins. ] 11.c1 and White is better because of his c[ 25...g6 is probably best, and will file control. ] transpose. ] 9.g4!? e5 26.f4!? I had seen the game continuation, [ 9...xg4 is the critical test. ] 10.xe5 xe5 11.g5 e4! An improvement and thinking it was winning headed directly for it, but as Mark Hebden pointed-out after the on problems, but this move carries a very nasty threat of winning a piece, and I hadn't much time left! 20.g5?! [ Not best, 20.e5! f5 21.g5 looked tempting, Be4 is threatened, but then I noticed g6 , which leaves d3 and e5 weak, and, unfortunately, I hadn't seen the follow-up 22.h3! f5 23.f3! when with Nh4 to come, White is fine. ] [ 20.d2? loses to xf3 21.g5 ( 21.xf3 e5 22.g4 exf4 23.xd7 e5 wins ) 21...xg2! 22.xf6 xf1 ] 20...g6 21.d2?! [ 21.d2 f6 22.f4 e5 23.a2+ h8 24.h4 might hang-on for a bit, but the white pieces are far from ideally-placed! ] 21...h5 22.h4 [ 22.e1 e2 wins the exchange. ] 22...e2 23.fe1 ce5 The d3-pawn goes, and with it White's position. I should probably have resigned in the next few moves, but didn't have enough time left to think about this 24.f4?! xd3 25.xc8 xe1! 26.xf8+ xf8 27.d6?! xg2 28.xg2 d3! Threatening mate with ...Qe1+. 29.d2 xe4 30.e1 d5 31.c5 e5 32.c1 e6 33.a7 h6 34.c8+ h7 35.e8 d3 Enough is enough! 0-1
386
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 game [ 26.hxg7 is sim p le r, g8 27.f4 axb3 28.axb3 xg7 29.d6 then Rcd1 or Rh1, and Black is completely tied-up. ] 26...g6 27.d6 The point of White's previous play, the rook enters the heart of Black's position. b8 28.cd1 axb3 29.axb3 e8 [ 29...b5 is better, but even then 30.c6! xc6 31.xc6 bxc4 32.bxc4 b2 ( 32...d7 33.a1! with twin threats of R1a6 and Rxc5 ) 33.dd6 f2+ 34.g3 aa2 White wins by 35.xe6+ f7 36.f6+ e8 37.e6 when the king escapes the checks via f4 and e5. ] 30.c6! The surprising move that exchanges Black's 'bad' bishop, after which her light squares disintegrate. xc6 [ 30...f7 31.e4 c7 32.b5 leaves Black boxed-in. ] 31.xc6 The threat is R1d6 winning the e and b pawns. d7 32.dd6! Anyway! xd6 33.exd6+ d7 34.c7+ xd6 35.xh7 This is why I didn't want to exchange the hpawn. b5 36.g7 [ 36.a7! may be even better, White threatens Ra6+ and Ke5, so e5+ 37.f3 bxc4 38.bxc4 b4 39.h7 b8 40.g7 h8 41.xg6+ e7 42.g7+ and wins. ] 36...bxc4 37.bxc4 b4 38.xg6 [ 38.h7 xc4+ 39.g3 g4+ 40.h3 g1 41.h2 xg5 42.h8 h5+ 43.xh5 gxh5 44.g3 also wins easily enough. ] 38...xc4+ 39.f3 h4 40.g7 The two passed pawns are unstoppable, so does Black have time to do something with her own passed c-pawn? c4 41.h7 c3 42.e2! W ell in time! h2+ 43.d1 c5 44.g6 c4 45.g8 h1+ [ 45...c2+ 46.c1 d3 fails to many moves, b u t m o s t s i m p l y 47.h8 and h1 is covered. ] 46.e2 c2 47.c8+ [ 47.h8 is also winning, but why bother to analyse e1+ ( 47...xh8 48.xh8 c1 49.c8+ ) 48.f2 f1+ 49.g3 g1+ 50.f4 etc.? ] 47...b3 48.g7 1-0
399 Kozul,Zdenko Jakic,Ivan 17th Open A Zadar CRO (6.10) [Nigel Davies]
A11 2595 2399 15.12.2010
1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 f6 4.c3 e6 5.c2 bd7 6.b3 d6 7.b2 0-0 8.h3 This de ce ptive ly quie t lo oking m ove ha s distinctly aggressive intentions. White wants to play g2-g4 and castle queenside. [ The 'sensible' move is 8.e2 with the apparent intention of castling short on the next move. But White still might still consider g2-g4 on his next move anyway. ] 8...e5 This can be OK but when White takes on d5 it's no t go od f o r Black to kee p his central pawns intact by recapturing with the cpawn. Accordingly he should prepare ... e6-e5 if that's the way he wants a central pawn duo, but this is not an easy plan to realise. For example: [ a) 8...e8 9.g4 f8 10.g5 6d7 11.h4 b5 12.cxd5 exd5 13.d4 gave White the better game in Kozul, Z (2605)-Antunes, A (2540)/ Yerevan 1996. ] [ b) 8...e7 9.g4 e5 ( 9...a3 10.xa3 xa3 11.g5 h5 12.e2 g6 13.h2 g7 14.g4 was nice for White in Kozul, Z (2590) -Zaja, I (2440)/Kastel Stari 1997.; as was 9...a6 10.g5 e8 11.h4 c7 12.d3 f5 13.gxf6 xf6 14.g5 in Kozul, Z (2604)-Hillarp Persson, T (2517)/ Khanty Mansiysk 2010) 10.xe5 xe5 11.d3 h6 12.g1 d7 13.0-0-0 gave White dangerous attacking chances on the kingside in Bezold, M (2490)-Gerstner, W (2370)/Germany 1996/GER-chT2. ] 9.cxd5 cxd5?! [ Black could and should have taken with the knight here rather than allow what happens i n t h e g a m e . A f t e r 9...xd5!? 10.e4 ( 10.d3 h6 11.a3 xc3 12.xc3 e8 13.e2 c5 was Ok for Black in Flores, D (2607)-Dreev, A (2662)/Montcada 2009) 10...e7 ( 10...b4 a l s o s e e m s O K) 11.xd6 xd6 12.a3 e8 was OK for Bla ck in Ngu ye n , N (2 5 6 7 )-K a rja k in , S (2730)/Al Ain 2008. ] 10.b5 b8 11.c1 e4 [ Black cannot prevent the incursion on c7 so 387
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 he needs to think how he'll defend himself after that. My own preference would have been to try and avoid any weakening of the dark squares with 11...a6 12.c7 xc7 13.xc7 xc7 14.xc7 e8 15.c2 f6 , which is still going to be better for White (two bishops) but gets pawn power on the opposite colour to Black's remaining bishop. ] 12.fd4 a6 [ 12...e5 13.c7 is also very good for White, for example d3+ 14.xd3 exd3 15.c5 xc7 16.xc7 etc. ] 13.c7 xc7 14.xc7 xc7 15.xc7 This is a really horrid endgame for Black and he does remarkably well to save himself. This, however, should not be seen as an advert for Black's prospects. e5 16.e2 b8 17.0-0 d7 18.fc1 fd8 19.g4 g6 20.h2 e8 21.7c5 e6 22.g3 e7 23.xe6 fxe6 24.d3 exd3 25.xd3 bc8 26.f4 xc5 27.xc5 g6 28.e4 f7 29.f3 d7 30.e3 d6 31.e5 dc8 32.c1 a7 33.a3 ac6 34.d6 a7 35.a4 ac8 36.c5 c7 37.a5 e8 38.d2 c6 39.b4 f7 40.b5?! This attempted breakthrough doesn't quite come off. [ He should have continued to build with 40.e3 . ] 40...xa5 41.b1?! [ Here too 41.e3 was better. ] 41...axb5 [ B l a c k c o u l d a l s o p l a y 41...xf4 , for example 42.bxa6 bxa6 43.b8 d7 44.xa6 e7 is OK. ] 42.f5?! White is taking huge risks here. [ 42.xb5+ d8 43.e3 would have been equal. ] 42...gxf5 43.gxf5 c4+ 44.xc4 bxc4 45.fxe6 [ 45.f6 was the right move with a likely draw. After the move chosen Black is better. ] 45...c7 46.b4 c6 47.c3 xe6 48.d4 b6 [ 48...h6! was the right move when White is struggling to draw. ] 49.d6 c8 50.xd5 h6 51.xb7 xh3?? Presenting White with an unexpected opportunity. [ 51...xd6 52.exd6 c3 would be drawn. ] 52.b4??
[ Missing a win with 52.b8 d8 ( t h r e a t e n i n g 5 4 . B c 7 + ) h6 , winning the knight and the game. ] 52...c3 53.c7 b6+ 54.c6 Black is holding now. 55.d6 c4 xd6 57.exd6 h3 58.c4 d7 d8 60.c4 d7 61.c7+ d8 d7 63.c7+ d8 64.c4 ½-½
400 Kramnik,Vladimir Li,Chao b World Teams 2013 (3.4) [Fier, Alexandr]
53.c6 54.b7 h6+ 56.d5 59.c7+ 62.c4
A11 2793 2679 28.11.2013
Li Chao tries a pawn sacrifice that looks a bit like a b lu n d e r. Fo r t h e m o st p a rt I d o n ' t believe in Black's idea so much, but to my surprise the position was repeated a few days later in the same tournament. Again White got some advantage in my opinion, so I don't believe people will continue giving the a5pawn. 1.f3 f6 2.g3 g6 3.b3 g7 4.b2 0-0 5.g2 d5 6.c4 c6 7.d3 a5 8.bd2 [ 8.0-0 is a more common move order and also played by Kramnik this year in a blitz game a6 ( 8...g4 to bring the knight to d7 instead is another option 9.bd2 bd7 and it was analyzed for Chess Publishing in Timman, J (2561)-Glek, I (2546)/TCh-FRA Top 16 GpA 2008.) 9.a3 g4 10.bd2 Kramnik, V (2803)-Mamedyarov, S (2753)/ Moscow Tal Memorial 8th Blitz 2013 (1). ] 8...a6 9.a3 g4 10.0-0 All these 0-0, d3, Nbd2, a3 moves are played in various orders and here Black has a lot of options too. Black chooses a solid one here, exchanging the bishop and creating a wall with the pawns. xf3 [ 10...c8 sometimes leads Black to a passive position 11.c1 c7 12.c2 h3 13.cxd5 fxd5 14.xg7 xg7 15.e4 xg2 16.xg2 f6 17.d4 as seen in Granda Zuniga, J (2614)-Hertneck, G (2552)/Bahia Feliz 2011 (6). ] [ 10...c8 is a more active plan 11.c2 b5 12.h3 xf3 13.xf3 c5 with an interesting position in Novikov, S (2498)-Bagirov, R (2494)/Moscow 2003 (6). ] 388
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 11.xf3 e6 12.c2 e7 [ 12...d7 this move makes more sense to me with the queen on d8, and it was tried before 13.d4 f5 and Black's position is really solid Panno, O (2465)-Szmetan, J (2420)/Mar del Plata op 1998 (5). ] 13.c3!? This is a typical multi-purpose move, a t t a c k i n g a 5 a n d p l a n n i n g 1 4 . Q b 2 . d7 This is kind of pawn sacrifice, even if Black recovers it afterwards, the resulting position is not so nice for Black. [ 13...c5 is not so good, since 14.b4 axb4 15.xb4 is annoying ] [ 13...c7 14.b2 fe8 15.e4 and the knight would be better on d7 than e8 ] 14.xg7 [ 14.d4 is also possible, expanding in the center c7 15.e4 dxe4 16.xe4 fd8 and Black's position remains solid ] 14...xg7 15.c3+ f6 16.xa5 [ 16.d4 now this is not so interesting anymore c7 17.e4 dxe4 18.d2 e7 ] 16...ac5 Now we enter a more or less forced sequence. [ 16...dxc4 this could be a real pawn sacrifice, in order to activate the pieces 17.bxc4 ac5 18.b4 a4 19.b1 e5 and it's sure that Black has compensation wit h t h e p ie c e s we ll lo c a t e d , b u t if it ' s enough for the pawn or not is not so clear ] 17.b4 a6 18.d4 b6 19.c3 xb3 [ 19...xb3 gives not enough for the exchange 20.c2 xf3 21.xf3 xd4 22.cxd5 exd5 23.fd1 and White is better ] 20.ab1 dxc4 21.xc4 a5 22.c3 xb1 23.xb1 b6 Black has some weak pawns and a passive position for the moment. It's not clear if White has something concrete, since Black will try to exchange some pawns with ... c5 or ...e5, but I think White has good chances of an advantage. [ 23...a8 is not so different than the game 24.d2 e5 25.d5 d6 26.dxc6 bxc6 27.e4 and White is slightly better ] 24.d2 Trying to go to e4. e5 Now White has a clear path to an advantage. [ 24...g8 amazingly this move was played in the same tournament, some days later! Quickly it went wrong for Black 25.e4 e7 26.h4!? trying to create some tactics on the
kingside, since Black's position is a bit passive, b8 27.h5 gxh5 28.f3 f5 29.c5 f6 ( 29...bxc5 was necessary, but W hite is already better 30.xb8+ xb8 31.xa5 cxd4 32.e5 d7 33.c7 and White is going to recover a pawn and this soldier on the a-file is really dangerous) 30.xa5 1-0 Petrosian, T (2660)-L'Ami, E (2648) Antalya TUR 2013. ] [ 24...c5 exchanges one of the weak pawns, but it's not advisable to give White a strong p a sse d p a wn 25.e3 cxd4 26.exd4 e5 27.d5 d6 28.a4 and probably Black is going to suffer in the endgame ] 25.d5 The most solid option, but I would prefer 25.Ne4!?. [ 25.e4!? was also possible and interesting exd4 26.b2 e5 27.f4 e7 28.xd4+ f6 29.d1 with an initiative ] [ 25.dxe5 wins a pawn. Black has some compensation, but I still think White is better xe5 26.xe5+ xe5 27.xb6 d8 28.f1 d1 29.a6 ac4 ] 25...cxd5 26.xd5 d6 27.b5 White tries to keep flexibility. [ 27.e4 b8 trying to bring the a5-knight into the game ( 27...f5 doesn't help 28.f3 ) 28.b5 b7 29.c4 c7 30.xf7!? enters into some fireworks ( 30.b4 bc5 31.a4 a7 and Black is defending) 30...d6 31.xe5 xf7 ( 31...xe5 32.xe5+ xf7 33.xd6+ ) 32.xd6+ xd6 33.c4+ f8 34.d5 e7 35.d4 with an unclear position. Probably W hite has enough compensation for the piece, but not more than that. ] 27...c5 28.f3 d8 A natural move, but not the only one. [ 28...f5!? Avoiding 29.Ne4 and planning to play ...e4 at some point A) 29.e3 d8 30.f1 ( 30.c4 xc4 31.xc4 e4= ) 30...h5 31.b4 d3 and W hite has nothing better than repeating the position; B) 29.f1 f6 unpinning 30.e3 e4 31.g2 c6 32.b1 a4 and Black is fine ] 29.f1 Trying to keep the pieces on, but now Black has a strong resource. [ 29.e4!? w a s a n o t h e r o p t i o n xe4 30.xe4 d4 ( 30...d1+ 31.g2 xe2 389
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 32.xe5+ g8 33.d5 with a slight advantage ) 31.xd4 xd4 32.d5 and with a stronger bishop than the knight, White has some chances ] 29...d4! Black correctly sacrifices a pawn in order to improve his piece position. After all, the a3 pawn is not so dangerous. 30.xd4 xd4 31.xb6 e4 32.g2 d1 Immobilizing White's pieces. 33.h4 a1 34.b5 ab3 35.g4 Black hasn't any real problems in the position and Kramnik somehow creates an amazing theme against Black's king in some moves, unf ortunately he miss his chance a f t e r wa r d s . f5? Now strange things start to happen. [ 35...xa3 was simple and good 36.g3 a1+ To move the king far from the f2-pawn. 37.h2 a4 and it's a draw ] 36.gxf5 gxf5 37.e3 f6 Black already has some problems to take the pawn on a3. [ 37...xa3 doesn't work anymore 38.g3 f6 39.h3 and the f-pawn falls ] 38.h3 e5 [ 38...xa3 39.g3 is the same ] 39.g2 f4 [ 39...xa3 40.b8!? ( 40.d2 wins a pawn, but it's not enough d5 41.xb3 xb3 42.xb3 xb3 43.xf5 h6 should be drawn ) 40...d3 41.g3 e1+ 42.f1 f3 43.b5+ d6 44.xf5 c6 45.xb3 d2+ 46.e2 xb3 47.xe4+ d7 48.xh7 with some chances in the endgame ] 40.exf4+ xf4 41.e3 xa3 And somehow after all the exchanges Black is almost getting mated! It's amazing how White's pieces could coordinate and dominate the position. 42.g4? [ 42.b8! it was hard to understand when I first looked at the position, but Black has some real problems with his king. 42...Ke5 is not possible because of the poor position of B l a c k ' s r o o k a7 43.e8 now 44.Nd5 w o u l d b e j u s t m a t e g7+ 44.f1 45.Ng2+ is also coming d7 45.g2+ f3 46.c8 and 47.Rc3! d2+ 47.e1 b1 48.c7 and Black is in trouble ] 42...a5 43.b8 a7 44.f8+? White tries to push the king far away from the kingside. [ 44.e8 Is possible again and probably the last clear chance in the game, now with the
idea of 45.Kh3!. h5 ( 44...d3 45.c8! o n e m o r e t i m e t h r e a t e n i n g m a t e b4 46.g4 now 47.Rf8 is coming f7 47.e6 winning ) 45.f8+ e5 46.xh5 getting the pawn, with good winning chances ] 44...e5 45.f5+ d4 46.d5+ c3 47.d1+ b4 48.g3 Now White's advantage has almost vanished and Black defends well in order to achieve the draw. c1 49.d4+ b3 50.e3 g7 51.d5 1d3 52.g5 a7 53.h5 c3 54.h6 a6 55.h5 g6 Black is completely fine, but Kramnik keeps trying. 56.d5+ d4 57.e7 f6 58.f5+ c3 59.e3 g6 60.d5+ d4 61.e7 f6 62.f5 e5!? [ 62...f7 there was nothing wrong with this, d e f e n d i n g t h e p a w n 63.c6+ c3 64.g4= ] 63.xh7 f3+ 64.g2 cd3 65.f5 f4+ 66.xf4 [ 66.g1 doesn't lead anywhere ed3 67.d5 e2+ 68.g2 df4+ 69.xf4 xf4+ 70.g1 e2+ with a draw ] 66...xf4 67.f5+ d3 68.g3 f7 69.xe4+ xe4 70.xe4 ½-½
401 Larsen,Bent Kortschnoj,Viktor Palma de Mallorca [Nigel Davies]
A11
1969
1.g3 d5 2.g2 c6 3.c4 g6 4.a4!? A creative and original idea which spices up an often dull opening system. White wants to take on d5 without Black being able to recapture with his c6 pawn. [ 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.d4 is the usual way to play it with a dour position al struggle in th e offing. ] 4...d4 Taking space, but also accepting some strategic responsibilities. The position soon resembles a kind of reversed Benoni but one in which White's pieces are much more active than Black's would be in a Benoni proper. 5.f3 g7 6.0-0 e5 7.d3 e7 8.bd2 0-0 9.b4 Gaining space on the queenside. This is never so easy to get in when you're Black. d7 10.b1 a5 11.b5 c5 12.e3 dxe3 390
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Of course Black would like to be able to keep this pawn where it is but he was evidently concerned about how to do that whilst continuing his development. [ For example after 12...a7 (intending 13... b6) White can play 13.exd4 exd4 14.e1 b6 15.e4 b7 16.f4 followed by doubling rooks on the e-file. ] 13.fxe3 a7 14.c2 b6 15.e4 Intending to follow up with Ne4-c3, e3-e4 and Nc3-d5. f6 16.xf6+ [ Korchnoi was ready to meet 16.c3 with h5 followed by ...f7-f5, but maybe White should play like this anyway. ] 16...xf6 17.b2 f5 18.be1 e8 19.e4 g7!? Fighting play from Korchnoi, keeping pieces on the board. [ 19...d4 20.xd4 exd4 would have been fairly equal. ] 20.d2 h5! Looking for counterplay on the kingside. [ 20...d7?! would not have been good b e c a u s e o f 21.b1 intending Nb1-c3-d5, and after g5 ( and not 21...xd3? 22.xf6! ) 22.c3 xd3 23.d5 White would win the exchange. ] 21.b1 h4 22.c3 hxg3 23.hxg3 h5 24.d5 g5 25.f2 f6 26.c1 xc1 27.xc1 f5!? Again playing with admirable drive and ambition. [ 27...f7 would have been the solid move. ] 28.e3 h7 29.ce1 h8 30.exf5!? gxf5 31.g4! f6 [ 31...g7 was probably better. ] 32.xf6 [ Korchnoi probably intended to meet 32.gxf5 with g4 33.g3 g8 but then Rybka likes 34.f6! xf6 35.xe5 . ] 32...xf6 33.gxf5 xf5?! It could well be that Korchnoi's habitual time trouble was intervening at this point, especially since Larsen had him thinking from the outset! [ 33...h5 would have been safer. ] 34.f3 f7? And this is losing. [ Black should have played 34...f8 . ] 35.h5+ g7 36.d5 ff8 37.f2! g6 38.xf6 xh5 39.xb6 A key pawn, not least because it defends its colleagues on a5 and c5. f3 40.d6 f4 41.xf3 xf3 42.d5 f6 43.g2 f5 44.e3 c8 45.f3 a4 46.xf5+ xf5 47.f3 a3 48.e3 h8
49.xc5 h2 50.b6 xa2 51.d4 e6 52.xe5+ d7 53.a5 c6 54.c5 h2 55.e4 1-0
402 Loginov,Valery A Grischuk,Alexander TCh Tomsk RUS (6) [Tony Kosten]
A11 2499 2667 19.05.2001
1.f3 d5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 c6 4.0-0 g4 5.c4 e6 6.d3 e7 7.e3 xf3! [ This certainly seems to be the critical test of this system. Loginov should have been prepared for this, as he has quite a bit of experience in this variation, e.g. 7...bd7 8.b3 c8 9.c3 0-0 10.cxd5 exd5 11.ac1 e8 12.d4 with an edge, Loginov, V-Lukacs,P/Budapest 1993. ] 8.xf3 d4 9.f4?! [ I don't really see the point of this, as B l a c k ' s . . . e 5 w i l l g a i n a t e m p o , 9.d2 was examined in the archives. ] 9...bd7 10.e4?! As in the previous game, but this closed position f avours Black. e5 11.c1 h5! Again! 12.d2 h4 13.e2 c5 14.b4 e6 15.c5?! hxg3 16.fxg3 a5 17.c4 White is relying on the tactics, but they are insufficient. axb4 18.xe5 c7 19.xf7?! Doubtful, but other moves are also good for Black. xf7 20.b3 xc5 21.g4 ae8 22.f4 d7 23.g5 g6 Black defends easily. 24.xf6 gxf6 25.e5 fxe5 26.c2 d5 27.f3 e4! 28.xe4+ xe4 29.ae1 [ 29.dxe4 d3+ recuperates the queen. ] 29...d5 White is badly in need of a new idea in this c4, and Be3 line! 0-1
403 Lputian,Smbat G Ivanchuk,Vassily GM Montecatini Terme ITA (2) [Tony Kosten]
A11 2598 2719 29.07.2000
1.f3 d5 2.g3 g6 A rare, if quite interesting, line. 3.c4 391
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ White attacks the black centre immediately, if instead 3.g2 g7 4.0-0 then the point o f B l a c k ' s o p e n i n g i s r e v e a l e d : e5 with equality. ] 3...c6 4.a4!? [ Interesting, White both protects c4, and pins the c6-pawn. 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.g2 g7 6.d4 leads into a variation of the King's Indian Defence. ] 4...d4! [ This is the most ambitious reply, otherwise 4...dxc4 5.xc4 g7 6.g2 e5 7.0-0 e7 8.d3 e6 9.c2 leads to a reversed Sicilian po s it io n , f a vo u ra b le t o W h it e , P ive n , I Kuporosov,V/Seefeld 1996, and ] [ 4...e6 is more passive, 5.g2 d7 6.d3 g7 7.0-0 gf6 8.a3!? e7 9.xe7+ xe7 10.c3 d8 11.f4 again with a plus, Hickl,J-Keitlinghaus,L/Reykjavik 1997. ] 5.b4 [ White also responds aggressively, and gains qu een side sp ace , b ut th e sim ple 5.g2 g7 6.0-0 e5 7.e3 dxe3?! 8.dxe3 d7 9.d1 might favour White, Gutman,LBoehm,J/ Dortmund 1985. ] 5...d7!? [ A new idea at move five! 5...g7 6.d3 e5 7.bd2 e7 8.g2 0-0 9.0-0 brings play to a typical reversed Benoni position, with chances to both sides, Nikolaidis,I-Kapnisis, S/Korinthos GRE 1999. ] 6.b2 e5 7.e3 g7! Black is not prepared to concede the centre. 8.g2 [ 8.exd4 e4 9.h4 h6 is similar to the game. ] 8...h6! 9.0-0 0-0 10.a3 [ White threatens to play c5, and Nc4-d6. 10.exd4 b6 11.b3 exd4 is level ( or 11...e4!? )] 10...a5! Black targets the white pieces on the a-file. 11.exd4 e4!? Black initiates a long combinatory series of moves. 12.e1 b6 13.b3 axb4 14.xb4 a4 Menacing to win a whole rook, by ...Nxb2, and .. .Bxd4, so White's next is forced. 15.c3 [ 15.ac2? xb2 16.xb2 f5 is terrible for White. ] 15...e3!! [ A fantastically imaginative, and surprising blow! Most players would be happy with the simple 15...f5 16.ec2 xd4
but Ivanchuk has planned something else. ] 16.fxe3 [ 16.ec2 exd2 17.xd2 f5 might be a safer course, and seems fairly level. ] 16...c5! The key follow-up. 17.dxc5 [ T h e o n l y o t h e r p o s s i b i l i t y i s 17.b3 but then cxd4 18.b4?! ( 18.exd4 xd4+ 19.h1 g4 20.xd4 xd4 will win the exchange with a knight check on f2, but W hite will enjoy a certain amount of compensation) 18...dxe3! 19.xf8 xf8 and White loses material. ] 17...xc3 18.dxc3 d2 The end of Black's tactical line, White temporarily has three extra pa wn s, b u t t h e y a re a ll in cre d ib ly we a k . 19.b5?! [ 19.c6!? is stronger, freeing the c5-square for the white queen, xc3 20.cxb7!? b8 21.bxc8 fxc8 22.e7 xa1 23.d5 with counterplay. ] 19...g4 20.f3 [ this loses the exchange, but neither 20.f3?! h6 21.h3 xe3+ 22.h1 xa2! 23.xa2 xe1+ nor ] [ 20.h3?! when xe3+ 21.h1 f2+ 22.h2 e5 wins quickly, offer any hope. ] 20...xe3+ 21.h1 f2+ 22.xf2 xf2 23.a4 d7 24.c7? [ White wants to bring his knight to d5, but this loses to another brilliant tactic, better 24.bd4 although Black is clearly on top. ] 24...xa4!! [ An o t h er sh o t o u t o f t h e b lu e ! 24...xa4 25.xa4 h3! 26.xh3 xf3+ 27.g1 xc3 and White must give his queen to avoid ...Bd4+, and mate. ] 0-1
404
A11
Mac N,Archana [Gurev, Watson & Kosten] Reader Maik Naundorf (alias mickeymouse) sends a lengthy analysis of " the GurevichQc2, Bg4-Varation", which he says "gives me quite a headache getting a advantage after 5 Ne5 Bh5.". Here is some of his analysis, which I've shortened considerably : 1.f3! d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3!? f6 4.c2!? g4!? 392
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 "This move really scares me while playing this variation in rapidchess. Why do the elite play .. a6 before moving the bishop to g4 I really don't know exactly. Below my analysis which does not solve the problem." 5.e5!? [ 5.b3!? xf3 6.gxf3 e5 ( Or 6...g6; or 6...bd7 ) 7.g1 bd7 8.b2 g6 9.c3 "unclear". This analysis looks sound. ] [ 5.cxd5 cxd5 ( or 5...xf3 6.gxf3 xd5 7.e2 bd7 ) 6.e5 h5 7.b5+ bd7 8.c3 e6 ] 5...h5 (f) 6.cxd5 [ Or: (a) 6.f4!? bd7 7.b3 ] [ (b) 6.b3 b6 7.xb6 axb6= ] [ (c) 6.e2 xe2 7.xe2 bd7 8.xd7 xd7 9.f3 with Black clearly better. ] [ (d) 6.d4 bd7 7.c3 e6 8.f4 g6 9.b3 ( 9.xg6 hxg6 10.d3 g4= ) 9...b6 10.xb6 ( 10.c5 xb3 11.axb3 xe5 12.fxe5 e4= ) 10...axb6 11.xg6 hxg6= ] [ (e) 6.d3 bd7 7.f4 xe5 8.fxe5 d7 9.e6 e5! ] [ 6.b3! bd7 7.f4!? ( 7.d4?! xe5 8.dxe5 d7; 7.b2?! xe5 8.xe5 d7 ) 7...xe5 8.fxe5 d7 ( 8...g6 9.d3 xd3 10.xd3 e4 11.0-0 e6 12.c2 g5 13.d3 c5= ) 9.e6!? fxe6 10.d3 e5! 11.f5 ( 11.xh7?? e4!-+ 12.f5 e6 13.h3 h4+ 14.f1 b4-+ ) 11...f7 ( or 11...e4 12.e6 c5 ) 12.0-0 e6 13.h3 e4 14.b2 c5 ] 6...cxd5 7.c3 [ A cute line is he gives is 7.g4? xg4 8.xg4 xg4 9.a4+ d7 10.b5 c6 11.xc6 xc6 12.xg4 xc1+ 13.d1 xd1+ 14.xd1 ] [ 7.b5+! (TonyK) looks obvious, bd7 8.f5 ( 8.xd7 xd7 9.f5 g6 10.xd5 is the same ) A) 8...e6? 9.xd7! ( or 9.xd7+ xd7 10.xh5 g6 11.xg6 fxg6 12.h3 with a solid extra pawn) 9...exf5 10.xf6+ e7 11.xh5 with 3 pieces and a superior pawn structure for the queen White is winning (TonyK).; B) 8...g6! 9.xd7 xd7 ( 9...xf5?? 10.xf6# ) 10.xd5 with a pawn more for negligible compensation (TonyK). ] 7...e6 8.d4 [ 8.b5 a6 9.a4 c5 10.c7+ e7 11.a5 b6 12.c6+ d7 13.xd8 bxa5
14.xa8 xd8 15.d4 ce4 ] [ 8.a4+! ha s it s p oint s (To nyK ) fd7 ( 8...bd7? 9.g4 g6 10.g5 wins a piece!) 9.g4 g6 10.h4 and Black is in big trouble. ] 8...d6 9.f4 [jw: I doubt that White will like the weaknesses on e4 and e3 which this move creates]
405 Mac Van Beek,Alexander MM SVR RL Ruhrgebiet (5) [John Watson]
A11 2087 2305 16.01.2005
Maik Naundorf sends us the following game. His questions and comments are in quotes, the rest is mine. 1.c4 c6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 f6 4.f3 dxc4 5.c2 The other way to approach this would be [ 5.0-0 b5 ( 5...e6 is ) 6.a4 Personally I suspect that this is a more effective order. With the threat of 7. axb5 White encourages Black to play ...Bb7, when after b3 and .... cxb3, White can capture with the queen. I think that in most positions this gives him more compensation than the lines in which he plays Qc2, b3, and axb3. b7 ( 6...a6 7.axb5 cxb5 8.d4! with the idea a7 9.xb5; 6...e6 7.axb5 cxb5 8.e5 d5 9.d3! ) 7.b3 cxb3 8.xb3 a6 9.d4 ( or 9.a3!? d5 10.b2 ) 9...e6 10.a3 xa3 11.xa3 e7 12.xe7+ xe7 13.bd2 followed by Rfc1 and Nb3 with a tremendous bind for the pawn. ] 5...b5 6.b3 [ 6.a4 Naundorf: "Svidler once played this move. Is it really better than b3?" Then one p r o b l e m i s a6 ( 6...b7 7.b3 cxb3 8.xb3 is a tempo down on the note above) 7.axb5 cxb5 8.d4 ] 6...cxb3 7.axb3 b7 [ 7...e6 allows Black to castle after 8.Ba3 Bxa3, so White might continue 8.0-0 b7 9.d4 , f o r e x a m p l e , e7 10.a3 ( o r p e rh a p s 10.b2 0-0 11.e5 a5 12.c1 d6 13.d3 ) 10...xa3 11.xa3 0-0 12.d1 with ideas like Ne5-d3 or a welltimed b4. ] 8.a3 bd7 393
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 8...g6 9.d4 g7 10.bd2 0-0 11.e4 a5 12.e5 d5 13.e4 , following the game Djindjihashvili-Bagirov, USSR Ch 1972. I like White's game: look at that c5 square! ] 9.d4 a5!? What do you think of this idea and w h e r e m i g h t i i m p r o v e ? 10.bd2 b4 I don't like this move. To me the idea of ...a5 is t o p r e ve n t t h e m o ve b 4 a n d c o n t i n u e holding c4. Now W hite's knight has a wonderful outpost on c4. 11.b2 e6 12.0-0 W hite doesn't have to allow ... c5. A good move is [ 12.e5! when Black's awkwardly placed, e. g., c7 ( 12...d6 13.dc4; 12...e7 13.0-0 0-0 14.xc6 c8 15.xe7+ xe7 16.c4 ) 13.0-0 c5 14.xb7 xb7 15.xd7 xd7 16.c4 , hitting the apawn. ] 12...c5! Now it's not as easy, but Black is still underdeveloped. 13.c4!? [ Better 13.fd1! cxd4 14.xd4 xg2 15.xg2 with chances due to the c6 square and queenside files. ] 13...e7 14.a2 e4! 15.d2 b6 16.fe5 White's play disappears as the bishops go off, but I don't see what to try anyway. Allowing ...c5 was only possible if you had an immediate plan for compensation. [ 16.xb6 xb6 17.dxc5 xc5 18.c1 d5 ] 16...xc4 17.xc4 xg2 18.xg2 a4!? 19.dxc5 xd2 20.xd2 a3 21.c1 0-0 [ Or 21...c8! 22.d4 0-0 The rest of the ga m e is o u t sid e o f t h e p ro vin c e o f t h e question. ] 22.d4 fd8 23.f3 d5 24.c4 f6 25.e5 c7 26.c6 xd4 27.xd4 d5 28.c6 c3 29.xc3 bxc3 30.xd8 c2 31.xc2 a2 32.xa2 xa2 33.b4 f8 34.f3 e8 35.c6 b2 36.e3 f6 37.d3 d7 38.d4 xb4 39.f4 e5 40.fxe5 fxe5 41.c2 b3+ 42.c4 b2 43.c3 b1 44.d3 h1 45.e3 xh2 46.g4 g2 47.xe5+ e6 48.d4 xg3 49.e4 e3+ 50.xe3 xe5 51.c6 d6 52.f4 xc6 53.f5 d6 54.e4 e7 55.e5 h5 56.f5 h4 0-1
406 Maherramzade,Javad Vladimirov,Evgeny ADCF Masters (8) [Tony Kosten]
A11 2476 2612 02.09.2001
1.f3 d5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 g4 4.c4 dxc4!? This is an odd time to capture on c4, normally Black does this with his knight on f6, instead. 5.a3! [ Curiously, after 5.e5 e6 it seems that Black has gained by losing a tempo, as with his knight on f 3 instead W hite can play Ng5! ] 5...d5 [ Not 5...b5? 6.e5 - the weakness of the h1-a8 diagonal changes everything. ] 6.c2 [ White can also aim for long-term positional pressure with 6.0-0 d7 7.c2 b6 8.b3 cxb3 9.axb3 e5 10.b2 Dizdar,G-Videki,S/ Makarska 1993, his open files on the queenside, and development advantage, are worth at least one pawn. ] 6...e6 [ Putting an end to White's idea of playing b3. I don't like 6...b5?! very much, as after 7.b3! cxb3 8.axb3 the position is similar to the previous note, except that Black's queenside is loose. ] 7.0-0 [ Loginov prefers 7.e4 e.g. d3 8.xd3 cxd3 9.e5 a6 10.xd3 d8 11.e2 g6 12.b3 g7 13.b2 xb2 14.xb2 White has an extra central pawn, and a bit more space, Loginov,V-Videki,S/Kecskemet 1993. ] 7...d7 8.c3! [ This is a strong, and far from obvious, innovation, White simply controls the a1-h8 diagonal to play Nd4 (or Ne5). Previously White had sacrificed the d-pawn by 8.d1!? gf6 9.d3 cxd3 10.xd3 c5 11.c3 f5 12.d1 e4 13.e3 but White's compe nsat ion seem s ina dequ ate here , Fancsy,I-Videki,S/ HUN-chT2 9394 1994. ] 8...b6 [ Further defending c4. 8...gf6 9.d4 d6 10.xe6 xe6 11.xc4 also clearly favours White, who enjoys an extra central pawn, and the bishop pair. ] 394
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 9.e5 d8 10.axc4 White has recaptured his c-pawn, and Black is far from finishing his development. xc4 11.xc4 f6 12.b3 e6 13.b2 bd5 14.c2 e7 15.d4 0-0 16.e4 b6 White has won the opening discussion: Black's position is solid but White has all the trumps. 17.e3!? c8 18.ac1 d7 19.h3 fd8 20.h1 e8 21.f4 White decides on a kingside attack, but other players would have handled this differently, no doubt. fd7 22.f5 g5 23.fxe6 fxe6 24.ce1 xe3 25.xe3 e7 26.c1 [ Being the proud possessor of two massive bishops, White should be trying to squeeze Black on both sides of the board, and so the move 26.a4! certainly seems to the point, a5 is threatened, driving the b6-knight to who knows where, and c5 is met by 27.a3 cxd4? 28.xe7 xc2 29.xd8 dxe3 30.xe6+ ] 26...f8 27.ee1 xf1+ 28.xf1 f8 Black does what he can, the fact that he is much stronger than his opponent obviously helps his chances! 29.xf8+ xf8 30.a3 f6 31.f4 bd7 32.xf6 gxf6 White may not have made the most of his position, but even this ending should certainly be winning. 33.g2 f7 34.f2 b6 35.d6 c5 36.e3!? [ 36.d5 must be good. ] 36...cxd4+ 37.xd4 g6 Now Black has the e5-square for one of his knights, but unfortunately he has two knights for only one square! 38.c4 a6 39.f1 ge5+ 40.c3 a5 41.c7 e7 42.b5 c5 43.xb6? [ 43.d4 cd7 44.xd7! xd7 45.c4 a n d K b 5 s e e m s t o win b o t h qu e e n sid e pawns. ] 43...xe4+ 44.d4 d6 The black knights p e rf o rm m ir a c l e s t o d e f e n d t h e a -p a wn . 45.e2 [ 45.a4 b7 ] 45...d7 46.e3 [ 46.xa5? c6+ is a nasty fork. ] 46...a4! 47.g4 axb3 48.axb3 f5 Having managed to change his sick a-pawn f o r W h it e 's h e a lt h y o n e , B la ck t u rn s h i s attention to liquidating the other pawns. 49.h3 c6 50.d8 d5 51.f6 g6 52.gxf5 xf5+ 53.f2 f4 54.f1 e5 55.b4 e4 56.b5 White has had enough, he has been
completely outplayed in the ending! ½-½
407 Malakhatko,Vadim Hoffmann,Michael 2nd Pfalz Open (8) [Jonathan Rowson]
A11 2610 2474 21.02.2009
1.c4 c6 2.f3 f6 3.c3 d5 4.e3 e6 5.c2 bd7 6.b3 b6!? [ 6...d6 7.b2 ( 7.g4?! This move has not yet been ventured, but for good reason. White has b3 instead of d4 in the Shirov/ Shabalov line of the Semi-Slav and it seems that this favours Black: xg4 8.g1 de5! The problem, highlighting the lack of a pawn on d4. 9.xe5 xe5 10.xg7 f3+ And white's creative play begins to look f o o lha rd y.) 7...0-0 8.e2 is now a fairly major sub-line, analysed by Tony Kosten in Dangerous W eapons: The Flank Openings. Black's main replies are a6, b6 and Re8 and W hite can try g4 with or without Rg1 against all of them. ( 8.g4?! xg4 9.g1 de5! 10.xe5 xe5 11.e2 h4 doesn't look too impressive for White. )] 7.cxd5!? Keeping things distinct. [ 7.b2 b7 8.cxd5 cxd5! 9.b5 c8 ] 7...exd5 [ 7...cxd5 8.b5 is just good for White. ] 8.b2 b7 9.e2!? It is hard to know how to describe this move, but its merits include f re e in g t h e b 2 -h 8 d ia g o n a l a n d h e a d in g towards the tender f5 square. c5 10.c1 This one is curious and not obviously necessary, but it is basically a waiting move, and quite a useful one. Black needs to develop his f8 bishop, and he is likely to play g6 to attempt to neutralise the bishop on b2, so White simply waits to have a target for his h-pawn. g6 11.h4! d6 [ 11...g7 12.h5 0-0 gives White plenty of p r o m i si n g wa ys t o c o n t i n u e . ( 12...xh5 13.xh5 ) 13.hxg6 fxg6 14.g5 being the most direct, and seemingly quite effective. e7 15.f4 ] 12.h5 e7 [ 12...g8!? 13.hxg6 hxg6 preserving the 395
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 integrity of the pawn structure and aiming to play Qe7 and 0-0-0 is another way to playboth side s will h ave sub-o ptim al king's positions, but Black will probably be the one to eventually get the h-file. ] 13.hxg6 fxg6 14.d4!? Trying to take some positional control in the centre. Otherwise Black might muddy the waters by playing d4 himself. However, although I admire White's play, I am not sure how good it really is. Black probably has his full share of the chances here, but at least he has been forced to think for himself. [ 14.h4!? this multi-purpose move(not least taking control of g4) might be objectively better. A) 14...0-0-0 15.c3 b8 ( 15...d4 16.xd4 cxd4 17.d5+ ) 16.b5 with some initiative for White.; B) 14...0-0 15.f4 ] 14...0-0 15.c3? This works out fine, but is probably bad. [ 15.g5!? ] [ 15.h4!? ] [ 15.g3!? ] 15...ac8 Generally useful, but relatively useless in the critical lines that follow. [ 15...cxd4 16.xd4 g4! looks good for Black e.g. 17.f3 de5 18.e2 xf2! ] 16.d3 cxd4 17.xd4 g4 [ 17...e5! is at least ok for Black, and indeed, without a clear attacking follow up white's play is called into question. ] 18.xg6! xf2 19.xh7+ f8 20.xf2+ xf2 21.xf2 White has only a rook, a piece and a pawn for the queen, but in such situations the initiative is all important, and Black's king's lack of pawn shield, and the queen's lack of targets means that White has the upper hand. e5 22.h3 xd4 23.exd4 f6 24.f5 e8 25.f3 f7 26.h1 f8 27.b1!? intending Ba3 b4 28.h4 e8 29.c3 d6 30.d2 a6 31.c3 f8 32.g5 e8 33.h6 Black is outnumbered. S o m e t i m e s q u a n t i t y b e a t s q u a l i t y . b4 34.xf6 xf6 35.xf6 a3 36.xd5 xa2+ 37.g3 b7 38.e6 c2 39.e3 f8 40.g5 g6 41.f4 The final humiliation. Not content to attack with four pieces, White decides to use his king too. Mate is not far
away, and Black didn't want to see it. 1-0
408 Marin,Mihail Laznicka,Viktor XXIX Open Benasque ESP (10) [Nigel Davies]
A11 2583 2617 11.07.2009
1.c4 f6 2.g3 c6 3.g2 d5 4.f3 dxc4 5.0-0 bd7 6.a3 b6 7.c2 d5 8.e1 e6 [ Another way to hit White's e2 pawn is with 8...h5 , but this is an empty threat because o f t h e l i n e 9.xc4 xe2 ( 9...bd5 is better, but then W hite just plays 10.d4 with a clear advantage) 10.xb6 axb6 11.xc6+! d7 12.f3 , winning back the pawn with a clear advantage. ] 9.d3 [ Another possibility is 9.e4!? , for example g6 10.b3 g7 11.b2 cxb3 12.axb3 0-0 13.d4 d7 14.d3 d8 15.fd1 g4 16.h3 h6 17.f4 e6 18.c4 xc4 19.bxc4 gave White excellent compensation for the pawn in Preiss, M (2287) -Pinter, J (2532), Germany 2007. ] 9...cxd3 10.xd3 g6 [ In Pantsulaia, L (2584)-Panarin, M (2502), p la ych e ss. co m I NT 2 0 0 6 B la ck p la ye d 10...f5 but this seems to be strongly met by 11.e4! because ( Rather than 11.e1 a s i n t h e g a m e) 11...xe4? 12.g4! leaves Black without a good way to protect the knight on e4. ] 11.e4! I'm sure this is the best idea for White. [ In Serafimov, T (2404)-Chuchelov, V (2534), F r a n c e 2 0 0 6 W h i t e p l a y e d 11.e3 but piece play alone feels less effective than using the e-pawn as a battering ram. The game continued g7 12.c5 fd7 13.b4 0-0 14.e4 c5! 15.d2 c4 and Black was getting some play whilst maintaining his extra pawn. ] 11...g7 12.f4 [ The fact that the players now agreed to a draw raises some fascinating questions. A f t e r Ma rin ' s 12.f4 Black's best may be fd7 and now ( 12...0-0? 13.c5 g4 14.h3 h5 15.g4 h4 16.d2! 396
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 p u t s B l a c k ' s qu e e n i n t e r r i b l e t ro u b l e) 13.fd1 0-0 14.d2 keeps improving W hite's position whilst it's difficult to see moves for his opponent. At this point I think I'll cop out and suggest that 'further tests' are required. ] ½-½
409 Marin,Mihail Ris,Robert Open Reykjavik ISL (4) [Nigel Davies]
A11 2556 2436 27.03.2009
1.c4 c6 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.f3 dxc4 5.0-0 bd7 6.a3 b6 7.c2 d5 8.e1!? Paradoxically this retreat looks like W hite's most promising option. Taken by surprise Black does not respond in the most cold blooded way. f5?! Trying to gain time f o r d e v e l o p m e n t b u t Ma ri n j u m p s a t t h e chance to get the better pawn structure in the endgame. 9.xd5 xc2 10.xc6+ bxc6 11.exc2 e6 12.b3 Although this c4 pawn is doubled and isolated it also has a cramping effect. So W hite exchanges it off so as to t a r g e t i t s c o m r a d e s o n c 6 a n d a 7 . cxb3 13.axb3 a5 Looking to exchange off his weak a-pawn at least, though within a few moves this pawn will be lost. Frankly I think that Black will suffer whatever he plays because of his weakened pawn structure. 14.b2 d7 15.e3 xa3?! Black was no doubt hoping to force through ...a5-a4 without suffering any ill effects. But this doesn't turn out to be the case and in fact he's just helping W hite to double rooks on the a-file. [ 15...b4 would have been a more stubborn choice, though W hite is still much better after 16.ac4 xc4 17.xc4 e7 18.fc1 . ] 16.xa3 a6 17.d4 ha8 18.fa1 e8?! Losing a pawn. [ 18...c7 would have been more stubborn, though this position is far from pleasant for Black. ] 19.b4 a4 20.xb6 xb6 21.xa4 xa4 22.xa4 f6 23.c4 b5 24.d4 c7 25.b2 e5 26.dxe5 xe5 27.f1 b5 28.d3 d6 29.h4 With a good pawn up
Marin trundles forward his kingside pawns. g5 30.hxg5 fxg5 31.e4 g4 32.e2 h5 33.e3 e6 34.a6 b8 35.a5 f8 36.f5 xf5 37.exf5 g5 38.f4 h3+ 39.e4 g5+ 40.d4 f3+ 41.c4 d2+ 42.c3 f3 43.f6! The winning move, distracting Black's king from the defence of c6. e6 44.c4 xf6 45.c5 f5 46.xc6 e4 47.c5+ d4 48.e6+ e5 49.f4 h4 [ 49...d4+ 50.c5 b3+ 51.b5 d4+ 52.a6 is hardly any better. ] 50.g6+ e4 51.gxh4 d3 52.h5 e2 53.h6 xf2 54.h7 g3 55.h8 g2 56.f4 1-0
410 Markowski,Tomasz Aleksandrov,Aleksej 1st ch-Europe (10) [Tony Kosten]
A11 2531 2606 13.07.2000
1.g3 d5 2.f3 g4 3.g2 d7 Possibly threatening ...e5. 4.c4 e6 5.cxd5 exd5 6.0-0 c6 [ Perhaps Black can consider delaying this move even further, with 6...d6 , say. ] 7.d3 d6 8.c3 e7 [ Although 8...gf6 seems more natural, I prefer the text, as it avoids problems with a later White e4-5. ] 9.h3 h5 10.e4 This position is a speciality of Markowski, and he has scored very well here. e5!? [ An interesting innovation offering a pawn sacrifice for good play previously 10...dxe4 11.dxe4 e5 12.g4 xf3+ 13.xf3 g6 14.f4 xf4 15.xf4 0-0 16.fd1 h a d p r o ve d ve ry p l e a sa n t f o r W h it e i n Dizdarevic,E-Soln,P/Dresden 1998, and ] [ 10...0-0 11.c2 c8 12.d4!? b6 13.e3 a6 14.g4 g6 15.f5 may also slightly favour White, Seeman, TIonov,S/Paide 1999. ] 11.exd5 [ 11.g4 g6 12.xe5 ( 12.exd5 allows xd3 ) 12...xe5 13.exd5 0-0 transposes. ] 11...0-0! 12.g4 g6 13.xe5 xe5 14.d4 c7 15.dxc6 d6 16.f4 bxc6 17.e3 [ A critical position, Black has sacrificed a pawn for an active position, some open lines, 397
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 and a slightly over-extended White kingside. He decides to complete his development, but giving his kin g a squa re on f 1, an d thereby threatening to play f5, was also possible: 17.e1!? f5 18.b3+ f7 19.a3!? trying to swap queens, although t h e e n d g a m e a f t e r xa3 ( 19...xd4+ 20.e3 d8 21.c5 b6 22.h2 xc5 23.xc5 d5 is also OK) 20.bxa3 d5 is perfectly reasonable for Black. ] 17...fe8 18.f3 ab8 Black brings his pieces to aggressive squares, and stops any thought of W hite playing f 5. 19.f2 f5 W hite's previous move created an escape square for his king on f1, so that trapping the g6-bishop with f5 really was on the cards. 20.d5! Before Black had time to bring his bishop to f7, and establish a piece on d5. c5 21.d1 f7 22.f1 a6 23.c4 g6 24.g5 [ 24.a4 seems more to the point, attacking c 5 , b u t t h e n B l a c k h a s t h e in t e r e s t i n g e x c h a n g e s a c , fxg4 25.hxg4 xe3! 26.xe3 d7 forking a4, and g4, 27.c3 xg4+ 28.g2 d7 with serious threats to f4, and the denuded white king. ] 24...h6!? Black opens the g-line, to exploit his safer king position. 25.gxh6 gxh6 26.c1 [ 26.a4!? i s n o w a n s w e r e d b y h7 27.xc5 h4 28.e2 g6+ 29.h1 g3! with a strong attack. ] 26...h7 27.h1 h4 28.d3 h5 29.g1 g8 Both sides proceed in a logical fashion, W hite tries to counter Black's kingside pressure. 30.g3 g6 31.xg6 xg6 32.d6?! [ Simply returning his extra pawn, perhaps he w a s w o r r i e d a b o u t . . . R g 8 , b u t 32.f1 was better, when Black still has to prove that he has enough compensation for the pawn. ] 32...xd6 33.h2?! [ 33.d5 would at least give some point to his previous move. ] 33...f3 [ 33...xb2!? appears tempting, as after 34.xb2 xf4+ 35.h1 f3+ White has to concede his queen to avoid mate, 36.xf3 xf3 37.xf3 but he gains sufficient material as compensation. ] 34.d5?! b7! With a decisive threat of ... Rg7. 35.f6+ [ Forced, 35.b3? g7 threatens mate on
both g1, and g3. ] 35...xf6 36.xf3 xf3+ 37.xf3 g7 38.d3 d4 39.xf5+ [ 39.f1 is objectively better, although c4! 40.xf5+ h8 is winning anyway, Black will play ...Rf7, and then take the f-pawn. ] 39...h8 40.g4 h5 The bishop is pinned. 41.e2 0-1
411 Markus,Robert Ansell,Simon Open Kavala GRE (2) [Nigel Davies]
A11 2587 2394 01.08.2009
1.c4 f6 2.f3 c6 3.c3 d5 4.e3 g4 5.cxd5 xf3 [ Black needs to interpose this move as after 5...cxd5 6.b3 b6 ( 6...c8 is n e ce s sa r y) 7.xd5 xb3 8.xf6+ White wins a pawn. ] 6.xf3 [ Capturing with the pawn achieves nothing after 6.gxf3 cxd5 7.b3 d7 . ] 6...cxd5 7.b5+ Quite a few different moves have been played for W hite here but this looks like one of the most interesting. The others that intrigue me are as follows: [ a) 7.g3 c6 8.g2 e6 9.0-0 e7 10.b3 0-0 11.b2 c8 12.ac1 a5 13.b1 b5 14.e2 b4 15.a4 d7 16.fc1 b6 17.f1 started to look a bit better for White in Kempinski, R (2590)-Sorm, D (2330)/ Neustadt an den W einstrasse 2008, the point being that after xa4 18.bxa4 xa4 19.a6 xa6 20.xa6 c7 21.e5 White wins the exchange. ] [ b) 7.g4!? is more aggressive, though it's not clear it makes much headway after e6 8.b3 ( 8.g5 fd7 9.h4 c6 10.d4 c8 11.d2 a6 12.c1 b6 13.d1 was Bauer, C (2582)-Dautov, R (2611)/ France 88 and now d6 might have been the best with a perfectly sound position for Black ) 8...c6 9.b2 a6! 10.e2 d6 11.g2! 0-0? 12.g5! e4?! ( 12...d7 was better, but Black is scared of the attack White might develop after 13.h4 ) 13.xe4 dxe4 14.xe4 xg5 15.h4! g6 16.xg6 398
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 hxg6 17.f4 fd8 18.h5! was promising for W h it e in Ha lk ia s, S (2 5 4 6 ) -V e lic ka , P (2445)/Cappelle la Grande 84. ] 7...c6 8.xc6+ [ 8.0-0 c8 prevents the unbalancing of the pawn structure and starts to look very equal, for example 9.b3 e6 10.b2 a6 11.xc6+ xc6 12.ac1 e7 13.a4 xc1 14.xc1 0-0 15.f4 e8 16.c5 xc5 17.xc5 f6 18.g4 d7 was rather equal in Gurevich, M (2630)-Bagirov, V (2465)/Nabereznye Chelny 1988. ] 8...bxc6 9.0-0 e6 10.b3 e7 [ Black has also tried 10...b4 but after 11.b2 0-0 12.ac1 e7 13.c2 d7 14.a4 ac8 15.fc1 White had the kind of pressure that typifies this line in Vavrak, P (2 4 72 )-Me du n a , E (2 4 31 )/ Ma ria n ske Lazne 2008. ] 11.b2 0-0 12.fc1 [ White can also play the other rook to c1, for example 12.ac1 a5 13.c2 fc8 ( 13...c5 14.fc1 a6 15.e2 xe2 16.xe2 was also better for White in Jirovsky, M (2482)-Velicka, P (2506)/ Havlickuv Brod 2008) 14.a4 c5 15.fc1 d7 16.e2 a6 17.d3 b5 18.g3 f5?! 19.e4! gave White a promising game in Bischoff, K (2545)-Bagirov, V (2460)/ Netherlands 1998. ] 12...a5 13.c2 d7 [ 13...c5 14.d3 ac8 15.a4 was slightly better for White in Kruppa, Y (2570)-Milov, L (2490)/Donetsk 1998. ] 14.a4 ac8 15.ac1 a6 16.h4 A prepared novelty? Yes probably, because Simon Ansell had played all this with Black before: [ 16.d1 fe8 17.f1 b7 18.h3 f8 19.d3 g6 20.e2 e5 21.e4 h6 wa s n ' t m u c h f o r W h i t e a t t h i s p o i n t i n Tomashevsky, E (2646)-Ansell, S (2410)/ Kallithea 2008. ] 16...fe8 [ The h-pawn can't be taken as after 16...xh4? 17.g4 f6 18.c5 xc5 19.xf6 g6 20.xc5 White wins a piece. ] 17.h5 h6 18.e4 f8 19.d3 ed8 20.d4 d6 21.e3 e5 22.b2 b7 23.f3 f6 24.c3 e8 25.d2 a3 26.e1 e7 27.c3 d6 28.g3 e6 29.g2 h7
30.d2 f5? Simon Ansell often runs short of time and maybe this was the case here. [ Just 30...f6 looks OK for Black. ] 31.xf5 xf5 32.exf5 f6 33.h1 c5 34.hc1 xh5 35.xc5 f6 36.e6 xc2 37.xc2 b8 38.c6 f7 39.c5 e4 40.d4 g8 41.a6 e7 42.xb8 xb8 43.c7 f6 44.f4 [ After 44.f4 e8 45.g4 it's quite hopeless for Black. ] 1-0
412
A11 Matamoros Franco,Carlos S 2460 Xu Jun 2626 XXVIII Sevilla ESP (9) 18.01.2003 [Tony Kosten]
1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.g3 f6 4.g2 dxc4 Black captures the c-pawn. Whilst this is not as popular as [ 4...g4 Capablanca's Variation, or ] [ 4...f5 Lasker's Variation, it is perfectly viable. ] 5.0-0 Alternatively, White can play the immediate [ 5.c2 ] 5...bd7 The knight heads for b6 to defend t h e e x t r a c - p a w n . 6.c2 b6 7.a4 It is a moot point whether White should play this or first [ 7.a3 which is less aggressive, but doesn't concede the b4-square. ] 7...a5 8.a3 e6 [ 8...d5 is the other attempt at holding on to t he p awn : 9.e1 e6 10.d3! cxd3 ( 10...fd5 11.dxc4 b4 12.b3 f6 13.d3 e5 14.d2 xd3 15.exd3 c5 is fairly level, Kirov,N-Huebner,R/ Solingen 1987 ) 11.xd3 fd5 ( 11...g6 12.f4 e5 13.d2 g7?! 14.xc6+! bxc6 15.xc6+ d7 16.xb6 is good for White, Hausrath,D-Chuchelov,V/Breda NED 2000) 12.d1 White has sacrificed a pawn, hoping that his lead in development will compensate fully, f6?! ( 12...f6! ) 13.f4 xf4 14.xf4 g5 15.c7 d7?! 16.c4 g7 17.e4 g8 18.b6! 1-0 Kirov,N-Ruf, M/Cannes 1990, as xb6 19.g6+ hxg6 20.xg6+ f7 21.d8# ] 399
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 9.g5 White must guard the initiative. g4 [ 9...d5?! is met by 10.e4 h6 11.exd5 hxg5 12.dxc6 ] 10.xc4! xc4!? As far as I can see this natural recapture is a novelty, as previously capturing the pawn with [ 10...xe2! had been preferred, play c o n t i n u i n g 11.xb6 ( 11.e5!? h5 12.b4!? is incredibly aggressive, and may be stronger, bd5?! 13.b5 cxb5 14.d3 b6?! 15.xd5 d8 16.xf7+ xf7 17.xb5+ xb5 18.axb5 d5 19.xa5 White has an extra pawn, Stocek, J-Boric,M/ Pula CRO 2000.) 11...xb6 12.e1 h5 13.b4!? White strikes while the black king is s t i l l i n t h e c e n t r e , g6 ( 13...axb4!? Schirm, F-Lingnau,C/Germany 1991) 14.d3 axb4 15.e3 a6 16.e4 e6 White's compensation appears insufficient, Kirov,NLuther,T/Leningrad 1989. ] 11.xc4 e6 12.e4 White takes the centre, wit h a n as t y t h rea t of e 5, d islo dgin g t h e b i s h o p ' s d e f e n d e r . h5 13.d4 h6 Th is m o ve c h ase s t h e kn ight t o a b e t t e r square, maybe simple development by [ 13...e7 should be preferred. ] 14.h3 g6 15.f4! xe4!? Black takes the bull by the horns, [ 15...h7 was possible, but White is better. ] 16.xe4 xe4 17.xe6! The point. d7 [ 17...fxe6?! 18.xe6+ e7 19.g6+ d7 20.e1 e8 21.f3 regains the piece with interest. ] 18.c5 xc5? This move is risky, Black should play [ 18...xc5! 19.dxc5 d5 when 20.xd5 cxd5 21.e3 d7! 22.fd1 c6 is fine. ] 19.dxc5 e7 20.e1 This is the problem. f8 [ 20...0-0 allows a tactic, although it may be the best chance anyway: 21.xh6! gxh6 ( 21...b5!? 22.axb5 cxb5 23.e4 ) 22.ad1 c7 23.g4+ g5 ( e l s e R d 7 ) 24.h4 regains the material with interest, but f5 25.c4+ f7 and Black enters an endgame wh e re h e is wo rse , b u t m ay b e a b le t o draw. ] 21.f4 f6? [ 21...d5!? ] 22.ad1 c8 23.e5 xe5 24.xe5 Black is already losing, he can hardly hope to
defend against the white major pieces with his king uncastled and his rooks unconnected. h5 25.d6 h4 26.d3 hxg3 27.hxg3 g8 [ 27...h3?? is impossible, of course, 28.d8+ ] 28.d7 h6 29.ee7 The white rooks make the seventh rank their own. f6 30.b3 f8 31.xb7 e8 32.c7 xe7 33.xe7 g6 34.e5 White aims to win a second pawn, the o n e o n a 5 . a8 35.d7 g7? This accelerates matters, [ 35...f8 held on a little longer. ] 36.e8 a6 37.h3 The queen aims for h8, and Black is mated. [ 37.h3 g5 38.h8+ g6 39.g4 and Rg8. ] 1-0
413 Mikhalevski,Victor Matinian,N 11th Aeroflot Open B (9) [John Bartholomew]
A11 2525 2438 15.02.2012
1.c4 f6 2.g3 c6 3.f3 d5 4.g2 dxc4 5.0-0 bd7 6.a3 b6 7.c2 d5 8.b3 This is very much the "move of the moment" in view of Timman's sparkling victory over Ernst. f5?! I judged this response to be unconvincing in the notes to Timman-Ernst. [ Instead, 8...cxb3 9.axb3 e6 10.b4! posed Black fresh problems in Timman, J (2571)-Ernst, S (2606)/Wijk aan Zee NED 2012/ [John Bartholomew]. ] 9.b2 [ Definitely better than 9.bxc4 xf3 10.xf3 xc2 11.xc2 xc4= Davies, N (2512)Haslinger, S (2423)/Swansea 2006/ [Nigel Davies]. ] [ 9.c3!? is possible. ] 9...cxb3 10.axb3 d8 [ The only previous game in this line went 10...e6 11.d3 d8 12.c4 e7 , a nd n ow I p ro po se d th e im provem en t 13.a5!? ( 13.xb6 axb6 14.xa8 xa8 was ok for Black in Mihajlovic, M (2243)Kuzma novic, R (1996)/Belgrade 2007 .) 13...c8 14.b4! 0-0 15.b5 ] 11.c4 g6 Fianchettoing makes sense because of the Qb2/Ra1. 12.a5 400
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ This provides adequate compensation, but White had a powerful alternative in 12.e4! , i.e. A) White's game has massive potential in other lines: 12...g4 13.e5 ( 13.fe5!?; 13.d4!? ) 13...fd5 14.e6 f6 15.g5!; B) 12...e6 13.g5 is very dangerous for Black, e.g. xc4 14.bxc4 xc4 15.d3! b5 16.e5 g7 17.exf6 xf6 18.b3 0-0 19.a3; C) 12...c8 13.e5 fd5 14.e6 f6 15.g5; D) 12...xe4 13.e1! g8 ( forced, since 13...xf3 14.xf6! is brutal ) 14.g5!? xg2 15.xf6 d5 16.xf7! g7 ( 16...xf7? 17.d6+ ) 17.f4! ( 17.xg7 xg7 18.xd8 xd8 19.xa7 xc4 20.bxc4 xc4 21.xb7= ) 17...xf7 18.d6+ d7 19.xf7 f8 20.a5!? when Black's position is quite precarious. The f ac t t hat normal play can lea d t o such consequences serves to emphasize the problems Black currently faces in the line beginning with 8.b3. ] 12...c8 13.e5 g7 14.axc6?! Difficult to resist, but incorrect. [ White should aim for positional compensation with 14.d4 0-0 15.e4 . ] 14...bxc6 15.xc6+ d7?! This results in rough equality. [ Best was 15...fd7! , when Mikhalevski m a y h a v e h a d t h e qu e e n sa c 16.xd7!? in mind. However, after xb2 17.xb6+ f8 18.xb2 b8 19.xc8 xc8 Black will emerge with an edge, e.g. 20.b7 b8 21.xh8 xb7 22.c3 f6 ] 16.xd7 bxd7 17.xa8 xa8 18.d4 a6 19.c4 0-0 20.xa6 The game is balanced. b8 [ Why not 20...b7= ? ] 21.a3 e5 22.c5 [ 22.a4!? ] 22...e4 23.e3 [ 23.d5 f6 24.a5 looks superior. ] 23...b5 24.xe7?! e8 25.fa1 xf2! Initiating favorable complications. 26.1a5 h3+ 27.g2 b7+ 28.xh3 xe7?! [ Here 28...c6! wins the bishop back with an initiative because 29.xc6? ( 29.a4 xe7 30.a8+ f8 ) 29...xc6 is out of the question, i. e. 30.a7 ( 30.c5
e6+ ) 30...d5! 31.c7 (31...Bd4 was the threat) e5! 32.a7 d4-+ ] 29.e4 d7+ 30.g2 c6 [ 30...f8= ] 31.a8 b8? Losing his way. [ 31...xa8 32.xa8+ f8 is equal-ish. ] 32.5a7! All of a sudden Black is in serious trouble. d8 [ 32...xe4 is a better chance, but after 33.xd7 xe2+ 34.f3 e8 35.b7 e5 36.d4! d6 37.b4 Black will be hardpressed to hold the ending. ] 33.c4 f6 [ The last chance was 33...f8 , but after 34.b7 e5 35.d4! d6 36.d5 I think Black's def enses begin to break down. ] 34.b7 e5 35.xf7+ h8 36.xe8+ 1-0
414 Miroshnichenko,Evgenij Burmakin,Vladimir RUS-Cup 300 years (4) [Nigel Davies]
A11 2571 2590 21.10.2003
1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.g3 f6 4.g2 a6 5.0-0 [ 5.cxd5 cxd5 will be harmless for Black at this point. ] 5...dxc4 6.a4 h6 Interesting. Black is willing to spend a tempo making sure that after 7... Be 6 he won 't get h assled wit h 8. Ng5 . A couple of other moves have been tried here, the first of which is just downright bad: [ a) 6...b5? 7.axb5 cxb5 8.d4 a7 9.xb5 won the pawn back with a clear advantage in Kirov, N-Pytel, K/Metz 1991. ] [ b) 6...bd7 should probably be met by 7. Na3 followed by just recapturing on c4 as after 7.c2 e5 8.xc4 c5 9.g5 c7 White's queen was exposed to harassment by Black's minor pieces in Reinderman, DErnst, S/Eindhoven 2010. ] 7.c2 This looks a bit routine to me. [ White has some interesting alternatives here such as 7.a5 followed by 8.Qa4 or ] [ 7.b3!? cxb3 8.xb3 . I've played these sorts of pawn sacrif ices quite a bit and wo u ld est im a te th a t W h it e h a s e no u gh 401
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 compensation. But not more than that. ] 7...e6 8.a3 b5 9.e5 d5 10.e4 e6 11.d4 [ 11.d3 i s m e t b y t h e a w k w a r d d4 with W hite's compensation disappearing down the drain. ] [ His best seems to be 11.d1 d4 12.c3! xc3 13.dxc3 with some compensating initiative in the endgame. But it's not easy to play this way when you've sacrificed a pawn early on. ] 11...xd4 12.f4 g5 13.fd1 b6 14.e3 b7 15.d2 fd7 I don't really see much c o m p e n s a t i o n f o r W h i t e . 16.f4 g7?! A bit tentative. [ 16...gxf4! 17.xf4 g7 is a lot stronger. ] 17.xd7 xd7 18.e5 0-0?! Maybe it's just me but Black's king doesn't look too safe on the kingside right now. [ It would have been better to delay this, say with 18...c8 . ] 19.fxg5 xe5 20.e4? [ Was 20.gxh6 too obvious? ] 20...g4 21.e1 d7 22.f2 hxg5 23.xg5 d4 Putting a huge spanner in the works. In order to avoid the exchange of queens White has to put his pieces on very awkward squares. 24.e3 c5 25.c2 d7 26.f5 xf5 27.xf5 g7?! [ T h e c o l d b l o o d e d 27...xb2 28.xd7 xg5 was much stronger but White is probably lost in any case. ] 28.xc5 xc5 29.xe7 xa4 30.xf8 xf8 31.xa4 Desperately trying to stop Black setting up a massive flotilla of qu e e n s id e p a wn s. bxa4 32.e4 xb2 33.xc4 a3 34.a4 d8 35.f1 d2 36.xa3 d1+ 37.e2 a1 38.xa6 c5 39.a8+ g7 40.a5 xa3 41.d3 g6 0-1
415 Miroshnichenko,Evgenij Kuzmin,Alexey 6th Open Dubai UAE (8) [Tony Kosten]
A11 2599 2567 27.04.2004
1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.g3 f6 4.g2 dxc4 5.a4 e6 6.0-0 White keeps his queenside options open, Black was doing well after
[ 6.a3 d5 7.c2 c5 8.xc4 c6 i n t h e R a d j a b o v, T - S vi d l e r , P g a m e w e examined a while ago. ] 6...d5 The bishop comes to a strong central square to avoid Ng5 and e4 tactics, and also to be able to play ...e6 to complete development. 7.c3 This knight often goes to a3 in these lines, to pressure the c4-pawn, but here W hite prefers to play against the black light-squared bishop. a6 This is a new move, and looks to be a good alternative to [ 7...e6 when 8.c2 (menacing e4) xf3 9.xf3 bd7 10.a5 a6 11.a4 d6 12.g2 was Romanishin,O-Dorfman, J/Lvov 19 7 8 , wh e n c7 is interesting, tying White to the a5-pawn. ] 8.b3!? A standard device, the c4-pawn must be eliminated. cxb3 9.d3 White intends to recuperate the pawn by playing e4 and Ng5. xf3 The simplest solution, but [ 9...c5 is also interesting, hindering e4, 10.d4 ce4 11.xd5 xd5 12.a3 t o t a k e t h e b 3 - p a w n , o r ( 12.d3!? with unclear play. )] 10.xf3 e6 11.xb3 b8?! [ 11...c5 12.c2 e7 seems easier. ] 12.b1 b4 Black hopes to have time to play ...a5 which will establish a piece on b4 and stop the white pressure on the b-line. [ White's previous move was played to stop 12...c5? which loses a pawn to 13.xc6+ ] 13.f4 White plays this when ...Bd6 is impossible as the black bishop is required to protect the knight on b4. c8 [ 13...a8 would avoid what follows, but it was difficult to see that the a-pawn needed defence. ] 14.a5! Beautifully played! White realises that he must stop Black from defending his knight w i t h . . . a 5 . xa5 15.a1 b6 16.e3 White regains one pawn. c7 [ 16...c5 is met by 17.a4+ d7 18.xa7 xa7 19.xa7 regaining the pawn, anyway, b6 20.b5 with a active pieces and a strong initiative. ] 17.xa7 e7?! Perhaps Black should prefer [ 17...b8 to defend the b-pawn. ] 18.a2! Of course, this undermining of the knight and exposure of the b7-pawn has been White's intention from the start. fd5 [ 18...xa2 19.xb7 ] 402
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 19.xb4 xb4 20.b1 0-0 21.c4 After this White regains his other pawn and remains with a positional plus. c5 [ 21...d6 22.xb7 d5 is better, but White has all the chances. ] 22.xb7 d6 23.f4! [ 23.xc5?! xc5 24.7xb4 wins a pawn, bu t a llo ws B la ck rea l d rawin g ch a n ce s because of the opposite-colour bishops. ] 23...e5 Black loses control over important light squares after this. 24.e3 h6 25.g4 c6 26.d7 f6 27.f3 cc8 28.b7! The white light-squared bishop is king of the l i g h t s q u a r e s ! cd8?! 29.xd8 xd8 30.xc5 xc5 31.xc5 [ 31.xc5 a6 32.xa6 xa6 33.xe5 leaves W hite with two extra pawns and a simple win. ] 1-0
416 Miroshnichenko,Evgenij Mammadov,Ayaz President's Cup (1) [Tony Kosten]
A11 2608 2163 04.05.2006
1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.g3 f6 4.g2 g4 5.e5 h5 [ 5...e6 might be better, see Goodwin, EMansson, J in the archives. ] 6.cxd5 cxd5?! This is probably a mistake, [ 6...xd5 is the only move that keeps things on a level keel. ] 7.a4+! [ 7.c3 is slightly less accurate, because after c6! ( 7...e6 8.g4 g6 9.a4+ bd7 10.h4 transposes to the main game) 8.a4 d6 9.d4 b4 10.xc6 xa4 11.xa4 bxc6 12.d2 and White has only a minimal advantage, Kosten, A-Shirazi, K/ Sautron FRA 2005. ] 7...bd7 8.c3 e6 9.g4 g6 10.h4 c7!? A novelty, but it doesn't seem to change the assessment of the position. Still it is instructive to see quite how White refutes it. W e have examined the other moves in the past: [ 10...c2 11.xf7! Romanishin, O-Suba, M/ Moscow 1986. ] [ 10...h6 11.xg6 fxg6 12.g5 hxg5
13.hxg5 xh1+ 14.xh1 h7 15.g4! Kourkonakis, I-Engquist, T, Gausdal 1990 ] [ 10...d6 11.d4 ] [ 10...a6! might be the best chance, see my analysis of Fernandez Murga, R-Ginzburg, M/ Buenos Aires ARG 1999. ] 11.d4 h5?! [ 11...h6 12.f4 c o u l d l e a d t o : b6 13.xg6 fxg6 14.c2 f7 15.g5 with a clear advantage because of the poor black pawn structure. ] 12.f4 b6 13.g5! This wins. [ 13.xg6 fxg6 14.c2 would be most player's choice, defending b2 and attacking g6 at the same time. ] 13...xb2 Obviously the knight can't move as that would allow mate on d7. 14.c1 b4 Black was doubtless relying on this resource, but W hite has seen further! 15.0-0! xc3 16.gxf6 Now the knight on d7 is attacked by queen and knight, so... d8 Objectively Black should prefer [ 16...0-0 but 17.xg6 fxg6?! 18.xd7 wins a piece for nothing with more to come. ] 17.xd7 White aims for the brilliancy prize, although [ 17.fxg7 g8 18.g5 was also very con vin cin g, i.e . b4 19.xd7!! xa4 ( 19...xd7? 20.xb4 xb4 21.c8+ mates. ) 20.f6+ e7 21.xg8+ d7 22.f6+ d6 23.xc3 with lots of pieces for the queen, plus a g-pawn that will cost Black a further rook! ] 17...xd7 18.xc3! xc3 19.c1 xc1+?! The queen cannot move because of Rc8 mate, but this move is not much better. The only chance was [ 19...b5 20.xb5 c2 although this only ho ld s of f th e in evit ab le : 21.fxg7 g8 22.g5 f6 23.xf6 with a crushing attack at no material cost. ] 20.xc1 gxf6 21.a3 This stops the king from ever castling. a6 22.a5 g8 23.c5 e4 24.f3 b1? 25.c8+ d8 26.xb7 xa2? Allowing mate on e7. [ 26...d7 27.xb1 ] 1-0
403
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 417 Mista,A Hnydiuk,A 6th Gora Sw Anny OpA (3.2) [Tony Kosten]
A11 2558 2416 27.01.2013
1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.g3 dxc4 4.g2 f6 5.0-0 e6 Defending the pawn this way scores very well for Black. 6.g5 d5 7.e4 h6 8.exd5 hxg5 9.dxc6 xc6 10.a3 After the forcing play an interesting position has arisen, White has the bishop pair, but d4 and d3 are weak and Black may be able to make use of the open h-file. e6 The most natural move, trying to complete kingside development, and the most popular. [ 10...d3!? is ambitious, 11.a4 0-0-0!? ( 11...c8 12.e1 e6 13.xc4 c5 14.e5 d4 was quickly drawn in Talla, V (2395)-Langner, L (2366)/Tatranske Zruby 2012. ) 12.xc6 bxc6 13.xc6+ b8 14.b5+ a8 15.c6+ b8 16.b5+ a8 17.c6+ 1/2-1/2 Marin, M (2583)Postny, E (2647)/Barbera del Valles 2009. ] [ 10...d4 11.a4 c8 12.d3 e6 13.b5 with advantage, Kirov, N (2422)-Stojanov, S (2326)/Pamporovo 2001. ] [ 10...c8 11.xc4 e6 transposes below. ] 11.xc4 e7 [ 11...c8 12.d3 ( maybe White should try 12.d4!? a n y wa y, e . g . xd4 13.b3 g4 14.b2 with good compensation for the pawn. ) 12...d5 13.d4 e7 gains a whole tempo on the main game, 14.e3 0-0 15.xd5 exd5 16.e3 f6 ( 16...d7 17.h5 g6 18.h3 d6 Loew, G (2251)-El De b s , F (2 4 9 7 )/ C a le t a 2 0 1 2 , 19.d1!? ) 17.g4 ( 17.h3 b8 18.d2 is also a bit better for W hite, Pigusov, E (2520)Tukmakov, V (2580)/Sochi 1987.) 17...c7 18.fd1 e8 19.ac1 d7 20.c3 d6 21.a3 with the bishop pair and a long-term ed ge , Dizd ar, G (24 9 0)-S h am ko vich, L (2435)/Saint John 1988. ] [ 11...c5 12.d3 ( 12.d4! xd4 13.xg5 with the bishops in an open position.) 12...g4 13.g5 h5 14.h4 gxh3?! Maletin, P (2543)-Landa, K (2584)/Tomsk 2006, when 15.xc6+ bxc6 16.xh5 xh5 17.xd8 xd8 18.h2 xd3 19.xh3 leaves White with an exchange for a pawn. ]
12.d4! d5 T o p r o t e c t g 5 . 13.e3 The key idea in this line, White pressures the d 5 - s q u a r e . d7 Necessary, to play ...Rd8 and defend d5. [ 13...0-0?! w o u l d a l l o w 14.xd5 exd5 15.g4 ( 15.e3 d7 would transpose below. )] 14.xd5 (1/2-1/2 Jansa, V (2485)-Agzamov, G ( 2 5 4 5 ) / K o l k a t a 1 9 8 6 ) exd5 15.f4!? A totally new idea here. [ 15.e3 is normal, but A) 15...0-0-0 16.b4!? xb4?! ( 16...b8! a n d p l a y a s i n t h e S h e n g e l i a g a m e .) 17.b1 b8 Vaulin, A (2515)-Fogarasi, T (2435)/Zalaegerszeg 1992, 18.d2 c6 19.b5 e6 20.fb1 with advantage.; B) 15...0-0 16.h5 f5 17.ad1 ad8 is Black's most solid, Kochyev, A (2450)Comp Mephisto Portorose/Dortmund 1990, but White has a small plus.; C) 15...f5!? 16.c1 0-0-0 why not try to make use of the open h-file? 17.b4 b8 18.a3 f4 Cebalo, M (2495)-Shengelia, D (2578)/Zadar 2010, when W hite should probably play 19.d2 ] 15...gxf4 16.xf4 White has further opened the position for his bishops, and can also exploit the f-file, but his d4-pawn is a target and his king is a bit open. 0-0 17.h5 f6 18.e3 fe8 19.xf6! xe3?? [ 19...gxf6 is completely forced. 20.d2!? ( 20.h3 e7 21.e1 b4! ) 20...e7 (to defend d5 and help cover the kingside as Bh3-f5 was threatened). 21.f1 e6 22.f4 White has a strong initiative, but Black has plenty of resources and can defend his king with ...Ng6. ] 20.f4 g6 [ 20...d8 21.h4 f6 22.f1 d6 23.f3 t h re a t e n s Q h 8 + f o l lo we d b y B h 5 + a n d basically forces xf3 24.xf3 with an easy win. ] [ 20...e6 21.xd5 also wins. ] 21.h6 The threat of Rh4 is decisive. e6 [ 21...d8 allows the neat 22.xf7 xf7 23.f1+ e8 24.f8+ d7 25.xd8+ xd8 26.xe3 ] [ 21...e4 is the only chance, but 22.af1! will win. ] 22.h4 e1+ [ 22...f6 defends h8 but leaves e3 404
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 hanging. ] 23.xe1 xe1+ 24.f1 1-0
418 Mohr,Georg Mencinger,Vojko SLO-ch Grize [Nigel Davies]
A11 2510 2390 1996
1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 f6 4.c3 e6 5.c2 bd7 6.b3 d6 7.b2 0-0 8.h3 a6 Preparing ...b7-b5 with the idea of gaining counterplay on the queenside. [ There are various options which aim for c e n t ra l p la y (8 . . . Re 8 , 8 . . . Q e 7 a n d t h e arguably premature 8...e5), another move which does not is 8...b6 , which looks very reasonable if a little laid back for many peoples' taste. Still it received the patronage of Vladimir Kramnik and after 9.g4 b7 10.g5 e8 11.h4 f5 12.d4 e7 13.g2 c8 14.f4 c5 Black had a very satisfactory game in Tomashevsky, E (2564)-Kramnik, V (2739)/Moscow 2005. ] 9.g4 [ D a n i e l F r i d m a n h a s p l a y e d 9.d4 here a couple of times, for example e7 ( 9...b5 10.d3 e5 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.dxe5 xe5 13.xe5 xe5 14.e2 a5+ 15.c3 xc3+ 16.xc3 xc3+ 17.xc3 gave W hite a nice endgame edge in Fridman, D (2572)-Braun, V (2195)/Senden 2002 ) 10.g4 dxc4 11.bxc4 e5 12.0-0-0 e8 13.g5 h5 14.e2 g6 15.e4 a3 16.dxe5 xb2+ 17.xb2 c5 18.d6 f8 19.d2 and White was well on top in Fridman, D (2515)-Woller, R (2210)/Senden 1998. ] 9...b5 [ After 9...e5?! W hite can play 10.g5 d4 ( 10...h5 11.cxd5 wins the d5 pawn) 11.gxf6 xf6 12.xd4 exd4 13.e4 g6 14.0-0-0 with dangerous attacking chances along the g-file. ] [ Another possibility is 9...e5 but then 10.xe5 xe5 11.g5 d7 12.d4 d6 13.h4 was nice for White in Damljanovic, B ( 2 5 9 0 ) - B o g o s a vl j e vi c , B ( 2 4 7 0 ) / V r s a c 2007. ]
10.g5 e8 11.h4 This seems to be new in this particular position, though the idea of charging down the king's wing isn't exactly astonishing. [ Another possibility is 11.d4 but then bxc4 12.bxc4 b8 gave Black counterplay on the b-file in Makarov, M (2480)-Shabanov, Y (2375)/Kuibyshev 1990. ] 11...b4?! I don't like this much as Black is reducing his chances of queenside counterplay by closing it up over there. [ 11...b7 ] [ and 11...bxc4 look better to me. ] 12.a4 e5 13.c5 b8 14.e4 d4?! And this gives White the c4 square. [ 14...c7 looks better. ] 15.c4 h8 16.0-0-0 e7 17.dg1 a7 18.h5 xc5 19.xc5 xc5 20.h4 d6 21.d3?! [ Missin g a m u ch st ro n ge r lin e i n 21.g6! after which a7 22.gxf7 fxf7 23.g6+! g8 24.g5! is very strong. ] 21...c7? [ 21...e6 was much better, which good chances to defend. ] 22.g3 e6 23.f5? A serious mistake which leads to White's attack being stopped in its tracks. [ 23.g6! was the right way after which h6 24.gxf7 xf7 25.g6+ followed by 26.Nxe5 is just good for White. ] 23...xf5 24.exf5 d5 25.g6 [ 25.f6! was the way to keep some kingside prospects alive Black dare not play gxf6? because of 26.g6! . ] 25...h6 26.h4 f6 27.e4 a5 28.c2 a4 29.c1 b6 30.e6 axb3+ [ 30...d5! looks stronger as the knight can shield h6 by coming to f4. ] 31.xb3 d5 [ Another good line was 31...d3+ 32.xd3 xd3+ 33.xd3 xf2 , again with the better game for Black. ] 32.d3 fb8? Allowing the following sacrifice. [ 32...e7 was much better so as to meet 33.xh6 with xf5! 34.xg7+ xg7 etc. ] 33.xh6 a7?! Going out with a whimper rather than a bang. [ Black should have tried 33...gxh6 34.g7+ g8 35.g6 d7 when White has to find 36.f4! ( 36.xh6? xf5 37.h8+ f7 405
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 is good for Black) 36...exf4 37.xh6 xf5 38.g6! with a winning attack. ] 34.d2? [ Missing an immediate win with 34.xg7+ xg7 35.h6 a7 36.g7+ g8 37.h7+ etc. ] 34...ba8 35.a1 d8 [ Black's best chance here is to head for the hills with 35...g8 . ] 36.h6 [ 36.h6 gxh6 37.h3 would be rather horrific for Black. ] 1-0
420 Morozevich,Alexander Tkachiev,Vladislav ETCC Crete GRE (7) [Carsten Hansen]
A11 2755 2661 04.11.2007
1.f3 d5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 g6 4.c4 c6 5.b3 g7 6.b2 0-0 7.0-0 dxc4 This is a rather rare cont in uat ion . Much m ore f requen tly played lines are 7... Nbd7, 7...Bg4, 7...a5, 7... Bf5, and 7...Re8 8.bxc4 c5 With move Black enters a variation with a tempo less than usual. There is a previous game by Svidler and a few by Shamkovich, but otherwise nothing. 9.c3 [ In the earlier games by Shamkovich, White 419 A11 each time chose a different path: A) 9.d3 c6 10.e5 xe5 11.xe5 e8 12.xg7 Mohr,Georg 2485 xg7 13.c3 f5 14.b1 b8 15.a4 Orel,Sz 2035 Stein, L-Shamkovich, L/Leningrad 1971 ] 11th Open Ljubljana 2000 [ B) 9.c2 c6 10.d3 g4 11.bd2 d7 [John Watson] 12.b3 b6 13.fd1 ac8 14.c3 e8 15.xg7 xg7 and Black has equalized 1.f3 c6 2.c4 f5 3.d4 e6?? Black wants to rather effortlessly, Tal-Shamkovich, USSR play the Stonewall but he is confused by 1968 ] W hite's move order. 4.d5! Of course. Note This position is well-known with an however that if White had played g3 rather 9...c6 than Nf3 then Black's move order might have extra tempo for Black, not having lost a tempo been reasonable: he could have answered 4 through... c7-c6-c5. For example the game d5 with cxd5 followed the bypassing e5 and Psakhis-Kirov, Sochi 1979:1 Nf3 Nf6 2 g3 d5 3 so avoided serious damage to his centre. Bg2 g6 4 b3 Bg7 5 Bb2 0-0 6 0-0 c5 7 c4 dxc4 cxd5 5.cxd5 a5+? This aggressive play 8 bxc4 Nc6 9 Nc3.The present position has just makes things worse though even after a only been played in one game I could locate. sensible move like 5...Nf6 Black was going to 10.d3 [ In the "stem" game of this line, White be left with a weak pawn on e6 and a hole on proceeded with 10.a4 d6 11.a3 d7 e5. 6.c3 b4 7.d2 f6 8.dxe6 dxe6 12.b1 b8 13.e3 b6 ( If 13...e5 9.a3 e7 10.e3 d7 11.c4 b6 12.b4 to discourage W hite from playing d2-d4, c6 13.b3 e5 If White has 14.g5 intending Ng5-e4-c3-d5 [ 13...d8 14.e5 is horrible, but the game as pointed out by Horn in ChessBase move leads to a swift collapse. ] Magazine ) 14.d4 a6 15.dxc5 14.g5 d8 15.0-0 h6 16.f3 e4 17.e5 ( My computer likes 15.e2!? a5 16.d2 e6 18.a4+ d7 19.xd7 xd7 20.d5 , a n d a f t e r fd8 17.c3 White is d6 21.fd1 c6 22.c3 g6 23.c7+ threatening Nb5, forcing Black to let go of 1-0 his light-squared bishop.) 15...bxc5 16.c2 ( For obvious reasons White abstains from 16.xd6? exd6 as White's pawn on c4 now is considerably weaker than Black's on d6 and furthermore, W hite's set-up with Na4 and Ba3 is entirely pointless.) 16...b4 17.xb4 xb4 18.xb4 cxb4 19.d1 ( Unsatisfactory is 19.c5 d3 20.xd3 xd3 , and the extent of White's troubles are 406
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 richly illustrated in the following continuation: 21.c1 b5 22.c6 c8 23.c5 xc6 24.b3 xc1+ 25.xc1 c5 , and Black should win without too many headaches) 19...c7 20.d2 b6 21.xb4 xc4 22.xc4 xc4 23.xb6 axb6 and with this liqu i d a t i o n , t h e d ra w b e co m e s e vid e n t shortly 24.b1 d8 25.h4 d6 26.a3 a2 27.c1 f6 28.e4 e5 , and a draw was agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, Gelfand, B-Svidler, P/ Biel 2001 ] 10...b8 11.d2 d4?! [ This looks rather peculiar, as it allows White to push Black backwards and grab some space in the process. Maybe Black was hoping to be able to target some of softer spots left behind with White's advances, but if so, his intentions failed rather spectacularly. A solid alternative is 11...d7 , though W hite also has a pleasant game after 12.b1 ] 12.e3 e6 13.e2 b6 [ Black's position is already quite u n c o m f o r t a b le . A ls o 13...g5 14.d5 ( 14.f4?! g4!? 15.f3 xf3 16.xf3 xf3+ 17.xf3 d7= ) 14...f5 ( 14...e8?! 15.ab1 xd5 16.cxd5 xb2 17.xb2 ) 15.e4 g4 16.f3 leaves Black with an entirely unpleasant position with almost no counterplay ] 14.f4!? [ White has several good continuations at his disposal also 14.de4!? xe4 15.dxe4 intending Rad1 and f2-f4 leaves Black with an uncomfortable game ] 14...c7 15.f3 g4 16.a4 fe8?! [ Black plays very passively an alternative is 16...d7!? , e.g. 17.d2 ( 17.fd1!? ) 17...xf3 18.xf3 fd8 19.fd1 g4 is playable for Black ] 17.a3 d6 18.b5 a6 19.xg7 xg7 20.a7 d7?! [ 20...e8 21.b2+ f6 looks solid, but White has the spectacular 22.e5!! fxe5 23.c6 (thanks Shredder) with a better game for White ] 21.e5! This is undoubtedly what Tkachiev had overlooked. Now White's advantage take on greater proportions. xe2 22.xd7 xf1 23.xf1 fd8 [ Or 23...b5 24.cxb5 axb5 25.xb8 b4
26.a1 xb8 27.c6 e8 28.e2 , and White's a-pawn, accompanied by the long-ranging bishop on g2, secures White a significant advantage, yet this is likely better than the continuation chosen by Black in the game. ] 24.xb8 xb8 25.b3 With this simple move, Black is losing the threat of Nc6 will win W hite at least a pawn along with White penetrating on the queenside. b5 [ 25...e6 26.c6 b7 27.e5 b8 28.c6 threatening Nd7, securing the breakthrough ] 26.axb5 axb5 27.cxb5 cxb5 28.f2 [ 28.e1 h6 29.h4 e6 30.f1+- ] 28...b6? [ Black can prevent White's decisive next move with 28...e6 but White nonetheless still wins af ter 29.e1 h6 30.f1 f5 31.xb5 xb5 32.xb5 xb5 33.d4 xd4 34.exd4 cxd4 35.d2+- ] 29.d5 1-0
421 Movsesian,Sergei Dubov,Daniil Tata Steel Chess 2013 (10.11) [John Bartholomew]
A11 2688 2600 23.01.2013
An important test of the Gurevich Anti-Slav. 1.c4 c6 2.f3 d5 3.e3 f6 4.c3 e6 5.c2 d6 6.b3 0-0 7.b2 e5! Previously this move was accompanied by the '!?' mark, but I feel it's proven enough to warrant a stand-alone exclam. [ That's not to say that Black's alternatives like 7...bd7 ] [ and 7...e7 aren't valid, but the text seems like th e m ost clea r-cut ro u te t o a go o d game. ] 8.d4!? [ Unusual, but I suspect Movsesian was aware of White's shortcomings after 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.b5 , attempting to capitalize on Black's move order. Following c6 10.xd6 xd6 11.d4!? ( 11.b5?! b4 12.c1 Clery, N (2390)-Savchenko, S (2558) Cappelle la Grande 2008/[Rowson] here T o n y l i k e s e4 13.d4 d7 ) 11...b4 407
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 12.d1 e4 13.e5 e8! Black had quite a reasonable position in Anastasian, A (2602)Sakaev, K (2649) Kusadasi 2006/ [TonyK]. Now on 14.a3 Tony mentions the possibility of f6!? 15.h3 ( 15.axb4? xb4+ 16.d2 xd2+ 17.xd2 fxe5 wins a pawn for Black because f2 is hanging) 15...fxe5 16.dxe5 e7 17.axb4 xb4+ 18.e2 with mutual chances. ] 8...e4! A smart choice, and a novelty, too. [ Previously Black had played 8...exd4 , e.g. 9.xd4 a6 ( 9...c5 10.db5 d4 11.0-0-0 c6 12.xd6 xd6 13.exd4 xd4 Rychagov, A (2542)-Kreisl, R (2406) M o s c o w 2 0 1 2 14.b5! f4+ 15.d2 xd2+ 16.xd2 ) 10.d1 g4 11.e2 xe2 12.dxe2 ( 12.xe2 ) 12...a5 13.0-0 c7 Radjabov, T (2757)-Ragger, M (2561) Novi Sad 2009. Here 14.cxd5 xh2+ 15.h1 d6 16.e4! is quite promising for White. ] 9.d2 e6 [ 9...a6!? ] 10.c5?! Releasing the tension central tension doesn't seem favorable. [ 10.e2 i s m o r e n o r m a l , i . e . bd7 ( 10...h5!? ) 11.0-0 e7= with a level game. ] 10...c7 11.f3 f5!? [ Developing with 11...bd7 is also possible because 12.fxe4 is strongly met by g4! , i.e. 13.f3 dxe4 14.xe4 ( 14.xe4 d5 15.eg5 f5 ) 14...df6 15.d3 e8 with a huge attack for a modest material expenditure. ] 12.0-0-0 g6 Forcing White to address the threat of ...exf3. 13.f4 [ Or 13.fxe4 g4 14.e1 f2 . ] 13...g4! 14.e1 f2 15.g1 h4 The opening has clearly not been favorable to White. He's fortunate to escape with a draw hereafter. 16.e2 [ 16.h3? g3! would have bound White up completely. ] 16...xh2 [ 16...a6!? ] 17.d1 xd1 [ It looks stronger to play 17...d3+ 18.xd3 exd3 19.c3 g3 . ] 18.xd1?! g3 19.c3 f5 20.f1 f2 21.d2 g3 22.f1 f2 23.d2 g3
Draw agreed. Black could play on, but he must have been satisfied with the results of the opening. If you have a good novelty prepared against 7...e5! please stand up! Black is looking incredibly comfortable at present. ½-½
422 Nakamura,Hikaru Friedel,Joshua E Championship 2006 (1) [John Watson]
A11 2774 2513 02.03.2006
They say that Hikaru Nakamura plays everything, and that includes English/ Reti complexes. His plan in this game works out well even if he loses his way in the complications and is victim of a surprising upset. Once again the bishop pair plays a role. [notes based upon my own in the bulletin] 1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 e6 4.c2 d6 Flexible. Friedel plays the Dutch and is still angling for one. 5.c3 f5 6.h3!? One of the better anti-Dutch systems. W hite plans to either open the g-file or loosen Black's grip on e4. f6 7.g4 0-0 [ 7...fxg4? 8.hxg4 xg4? 9.xh7 ] 8.gxf5 exf5 9.b3! e7 10.b2 a6 11.g1 Whether it is objectively better or not, I like White's position here. The bishop on the long diagonal coordinates with the rook on th e o p en g-f ile , a nd W h ite ha s a ce n tra l majority. [ Another approach is 11.cxd5 b4 12.b1 bxd5 13.xd5 ( 13.g1!? ) 13...xd5 ( 13...cxd5!? ) 14.g1 g6 15.h4! ] 11...d7 [ 11...f4 is an aggressive option. The play is very flexible in these positions. ] 12.cxd5 b4 13.b1 cxd5 14.a3 c6 In this position Nakamura uncorked 15.xd5! , which seems obvious enough but always leaves the risk that Black might retain too much material for his queen: xd5 16.c4!? [ The other route (perhaps clearer) was 16.xg7 xg7 17.xg7+ xg7 18.d3! , for example, ce7 ( 18...e6 19.d4 c8 20.g2 ) 19.d4+ f7 20.c4 c6 21.h4! e8 22.h6 d8 23.d4 and Black has weaknesses all over. ] 408
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 16...e6 17.xg7+ xg7 18.xg7 xg7 19.b2+ [ Again, 19.d3 was worthy of consideration. ] 19...f6 [ Black is too exposed after 19...h6 20.d3 ( 20.h4!? ae8 21.g5 g8 22.d1 e7 23.d4 ) 20...ad8 21.d1 ] 20.0-0-0 h6 Because of White's initiative, it's easy to forget that Black has the bishop pair. In the game they becomes a factor, which helps to explain why W hite wants to undertake immediate action. 21.d3!? [ A safer path was 21.b1 f7 22.d4! g8 23.e5+ ] 21...f7! 22.e4!? Very ambitious, freeing Black's bishops. It seems to work out because of some very concrete reasons. fxe4 23.dxe4 xf3 24.exd5 f4+ 25.b1 f5+ 26.a2 e5! [ 26...a5 27.g1 g8 28.e2! with the dual threats Qxf3 and d6+. ] 27.d6+ g6 [ 27...xc4? 28.bxc4 d7 29.e2 c6 30.d5!! xd5 31.cxd5 c3 32.e7+ g6 33.d7 wins. ] 28.e2 [ 28.g1+ asks Black where he's going. The most natural line is f6 29.d4 c8 with unclear consequences. ] 28...xh3 29.d4 f8! 30.b5!? [ B l a c k s e e m s t o h o l d a f t e r 30.d7!? . For example, double-edged play follows xd7 31.g1+ g5 32.b5 f3! 33.xd7 c2! ( or 33...xf2+ 34.a1 c2 )] 30...e6 [ Or 30...c2 31.d7! xb3+ 32.b2 xd1 33.d6+ f6 34.xf6+ xf6 35.d8+ isn't clear but would be tough for Black to play with limited time. ] 31.e4+ [ 31.d7!? xb3+ 32.b2 may be more accurate. W hit e has the initiative in all these lines, but nothing leading to a clear advantage. ] 31...h5 32.e2+ h4? [ A finesse is 32...g5! 33.g1+ h4 ] 33.d7! xd7 34.xd7!? [ Still following a logical path, but White had b e t t e r : ( a ) 34.d4 was good but not immediately decisive: g5 (the threat was
Qxe5) 35.h7! intending Qe7+. Black has a lot of loose pieces, e.g., f5 ( 35...e8? 36.xd7 xd7 37.g7+ ) 36.e7+ f6 37.xf4! xf4 38.xf6 h2 39.d6! , although it's a tough position to convert. ] [ (b) It was hard to see over the board, but W h i t e c o u l d h a v e g o t t e n a ve r y l a r g e a d v a n t a g e b y m e a n s o f 34.d5! , for example, h2 35.xe5 xf2 36.h5+ g3 37.a1! and White threatens Qd3+, so g4 ( 37...c6 38.g6+ g5 39.xh6 ) 38.d3+ f3 39.g6+ g5 40.xg5+! hxg5 41.xg5+ h2 42.h6+ g3 43.g7+ h2 44.xf8 ] 34...xd7 35.e7+? This move virtually loses, whereas [ 35.e6! forces the return of some material. There should follow f6 36.e7 c3 37.xf8 c2+ 38.b1 xe2 39.xf6+ g4 40.g7+ g5 41.xb7 etc., although it's still not an easy task for W hite due to the passed h-pawn. ] 35...g5 36.xd7 f4! Now the king is protected and f2 is weak, while Black has a passed h-pawn to boot. White can do nothing an d t h e re st t u rn s o ut t o b e surp ris in gly simple: 37.f3 h2 38.d3 g3 39.b4 f2 40.b1 g2! 41.d1 h4 42.g6+ g3 43.c2 [ 43.xh6 loses to d4 44.c2 ( 44.b3 h4! and ...Rh1 ) 44...dd2 etc. ] 43...h5 44.xh5 c4 45.e4 d4 46.f4+ What else? Mate threatened. xe4 47.d5 fe2 48.xb7 g1 [ A sample line is 48...g1 49.f5 e5 50.xa7+ f2 and wins. ] 0-1
423 Navara,David Sokolov,Ivan 16th ORDIX Open rapid (7) [Jonathan Rowson]
A11 2687 2655 02.08.2009
1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 f6 4.c3 a6 5.c2 g6 6.b3 [ 6.d4!? followed by Bd3 might be a better bet. ] 6...g7 7.b2 0-0 8.e2 b5! 9.0-0 f5 Note that Black plays b5 first so that now 409
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 White cannot easily meet this move with d3 but instead feels obliged to waste time with his queen. 10.c1 [ 10.d3 dxc4 11.bxc4 bxc4 12.e4 is playable and possibly better for W hite, but Black would be quite happy to deal with relatively minor problems while being a pawn up. ] 10...e8 11.d4 d7 12.f4 [ 12.cxd5!? cxd5 13.f4 looks more attractive, but opening the c-file with the queen on c1 is less than ideal and Black plays b6 followed by a quick Rc8 and White is struggling to hold equality. ] 12...c5! 13.f3 bxc4 14.bxc4 e6 15.a3?! [ 15.b1!? actually looks quite comfortable for White, so it is possible that his opening play was quite good after all. c7 16.d1! ] 15...a5 16.cxd5 exd5 17.e5 e6 18.f3 a7 19.b1 c7 Until here Navara had played quite sensibly and the position remains balanced, but now he seems to get impatient for action and enters unfavourable complications. 20.e4?! dxe4 21.xe4 xe4 22.xe4 xa2! A pawn is a pawn, as they say, though exactly what they mean I don't know. 23.b2 e6 [ 23...xa3 24.xb8 a4 looks stronger. ] 24.c2 ec8 25.h1 c4?! More mistakes than normal from players of this level- but that is expected in a rapid game. [ 25...d7 keeps the compensation to a minimum. ] 26.d6 xe5 27.fxe5 d7 28.d4 [ 28.b2! simply attacking the knight. xd6 ( 28...c6? 29.xc6 xc6 30.b8+ d8 31.a3! wins. ) 29.exd6 e5 30.f3 xd6 31.c3 is possibly a fraction better for White beca use Black's pawns a re split, bu t it f e e ls d ra wis h , b e cau se th e mo st like ly scenario is that White will win the a and c pawns in return for the d-pawn and then have slight pressure that is not enough to win. ] 28...c6 29.xc6 xc6 30.b2 c8 [ 30...cxd6!? in some ways it is surprising that Sokolov didn't sacrifice the exchange while it was relatively simple to do so. ] 31.a1? [ 31.c5 it's important not to let the black cpawn have too power power. ]
31...xa1 32.xa1 f5 33.xa6? collapse. [ 33.c1 ] 33...c3 34.c6 dd8! 35.bb6 c2 36.a3 xc6 37.xc6 xd4 38.h3 a4 39.b2 a2 40.e6 xb2 0-1
424 Nikolic,Predrag Khenkin,Igor Bundesliga 2003-4 (15) [Tony Kosten]
A11 2648 2596 25.04.2004
1.f3 d5 2.g3 g4 A sort of reversed Tromp, but as there is no threat to capture on f3 and double the white pawns (as White's natural reply protects this piece) it is only played to reach a flexible Capablanca System position. In fact Black often plays a later ...Nf6 (as in this game) and we have a direct transposition. 3.g2 c6 4.0-0 White can also play the immediate [ 4.c4 to avoid having to prepare this move with d3, and I have mostly looked at this before. ] 4...d7 Black controls e5 to hinder White from p l a y i n g c 4 . 5.d3 gf6 6.c4 xf3! This little tactic equalises immediately. 7.xf3 [ 7.exf3?! keeps the bishop pair, but wrecks the white pawn structure. e6 8.c3 e7 9.e2 0-0 10.f4 a5 Artigas Isart,MAnglada,J/Zaragoza 1993. ] 7...e5!? As far as I can see this a new move, normally Black prefaces this with [ 7...dxc4 8.dxc4 and then e5 when 9.b3 ( 9.d2 xf3+ 10.xf3 xd1 11.xd1 e6 is quite dull, Kotsur,P-Arkhipov, S/Abu Dhabi UAE 2001.) 9...xf3+ 10.xf3 ( 10.exf3!? b6 11.e3 xb3 12.axb3 a6 is fine for Black, Dizdarevic,E-Psakhis,L/ New Delhi IND 2000) 10...e6 11.c3 e7 12.d1 c7 13.e3 0-0 the black position has no weaknesses, Mortazavi,A-McDonald, N/GBR 1999. ] 8.g2! This is the best try, obviously [ 8.b3?! is worse without the exchange of p a w n s o n c 4 : xf3+ 9.exf3 d7 and Black would be very happy, but ] [ 8.d2 is possible, when dxc4 9.dxc4 xf3+ 10.xf3 transposes to the Kotsur 410
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 game in the note to the previous move. ] 8...dxc4 9.d4 This is the tactical justification. ed7 10.c2 b6 [ 10...e5 is an alternative, rather than trying to hang-on to the c-pawn Black goes for quick development, 11.d1 ( 11.xc4?! b6 12.c2 xd4 ) 11...exd4 12.xd4 c5 13.xc4 b6 14.e3 0-0 White has the bishop pair, but Black has free play for his pieces. ] 11.d1 e6 12.e4 Typical Catalan-style play, White has constructed a strong centre which will give him the advantage should he successfully regain his c-pawn. b4 13.a3 e7 14.a4 Planning a5, of course, to drive the knight from its post. a5 15.a3 0-0!? This is a key moment, Black allows White to recuperate the c-pawn. He must have been tempted to play [ 15...xa3 16.xa3 0-0 when he has conceded another bishop but keeps a pawn ahead, 17.b3!? ( 17.f1 e7 18.g5 allows White to get the pawn back, but will necessitate returning the bishops) 17...cxb3 18.xb3 fd7 19.f4 White has a good position for a pawn. ] 16.xc4 xc4 17.xc4 b4 Black has a solid position, and use of the b4-square, but White's bishop pair and centre leave him on top. 18.h3 e7 19.e3 ad8 20.d3 Both sides will double their rooks on the d-file. d7 21.ad1 fd8 22.h2 Strong players are often happy to play such strengthening moves before attempting to make progress. h6 23.c2 e5 Black decides to liquidate the centre, he could also have kept the tension and wait for White to commit himself. 24.e2 e6 25.b3!? White resists the temptation to win a pawn by [ 25.dxe5 xe5 26.xd7 xd7 27.xd7 xd7 28.xh6 b u t t h e n c o m e s c5! ( 28...gxh6?! 29.g4+ f8 30.xd7 ) 29.f4 e6 30.c2 a2 and the a-pawn is lost. ] 25...e7 Both players are unwilling to change the contours of the position, but Black could try [ 25...exd4 26.xd4 e8 say, to pressure t h e e - p a w n , a n d a f t e r 27.e5 d5 the knight finds a useful square. ] 26.f3 d6?!
[ 26...b4 is better, keeping the a-pawn well defended. ] 27.dxe5 White chooses this moment to capture, feeling that the black pieces are no longer on their ideal squares. xe5 Forced, [ 27...xe5? 28.d4 e7 29.xf6 gxf6 ( 29...xf6 30.e5 ) 30.g4 winning at least a piece. ] 28.b6 This is the reason White has chosen this moment to capture on e5, he can fork d8 and a5. xd3 [ 28...a8?! is a bit too passive, if playable. 29.e1 xd3 30.xd3 h5!? planning ...h4 with some counterplay. ] 29.xd3 xd3 30.xd3 h5?! Black decides to go active, but I think that [ 30...d7! is best, 31.e3 ( 31.xd7 xd7 32.xa5 c5 regains the pawn) 31...c7 and the a-pawn is defended, although White still has an edge, after, say, 32.d4 ] 31.xa5 h4 32.d2 hxg3+ 33.fxg3 d7!? Aiming for c5 to pressure the white queenside, this seems at first glance to lose on the spot, but Black ha s a re source . 34.g4 f6 35.e3 Certainly not [ 35.xd7?? f2+ 36.h1 xg3 when White has to give his queen to avoid mate. ] 35...h4 This looks impressive, but is easily parried. 36.f2 f8 37.b4 f6 38.g2 Now that Black's temporary initiative has disappeared W hite has a winning position. d6 39.b5 cxb5 40.xb5 e7 41.e5!? A simple approach, White swaps the e-pawn for the black b-pawn to create a passed apawn. xe5 42.f3 g6 43.xb7 g5 Still hoping to generate some play against the w h i t e k i n g . 44.c8+ h7 45.e4 Pinning the knight puts paid to Black's hopes. d2 46.c4 1-0
411
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 the position closed. ] A11 c5 By pinning the f-pawn Black Nikolic,Predrag 2671 22.dxe5 Strating,Sybolt 2307 makes sure the e5-pawn cannot be defended. ACT Open Amsterdam NED (1) 17.07.2004 23.h2 xe5 24.f4 g6? A mistake, although the refutation is far from obvious. [Tony Kosten] [ 24...ed7 is forced, adding support to the b6-knight. ] 1.f3 d5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 f6 4.0-0 g4 5.d3 bd7 6.c4 xf3! 7.xf3 e5!? 25.b3! Threatening Bf2, winning the hapless I was surprised to see Khenkin's move played b6-knight. a6?! [ 25...ad8 is a be tt e r ch a nce , 26.xd8 again so soon after its first outing. ( 26.f2 e7 27.xb6 xd1 28.xd1 [ 7...dxc4 8.dxc4 e5 is more usual. ] xf4 is sim ila r) 26...xd8 27.f2 e7 8.g2 Nikolic is happy to repeat his previous 28.xb6 xf4 with two pawns and some play. dxc4 9.d4 ed7 10.c2 b6 11.d1 play for the piece. ] e6 12.e4 e7 This is Black's idea, he prefers [ 25...c8 26.xb7 avoids losing a piece, no t t o pro vok e a3 , alt h ou gh t h is d o esn 't but Black's structure disintegrates. ] change the contours of the position too much. [ 12...b4 13.a3 e7 14.a4 a5 15.a3 26.f2 cxb3 This is hopeless, but [ 26...e7 27.xb6 xb6 28.xb6 xf4 of Nikolic-Khenkin, reaches an identical 29.xc4 wins easily enough, and ] position to the game with both sides having [ 26...xf2 27.xf2 cxb3 28.f1 played an extra move. ] is also conclusive - the rook cannot move. ] 13.a4 a5 14.a3 xa3! As I suggested in xa4 28.a3 b5 29.e3 my notes to the Nikolic-Khenkin game, this 27.xc5 Rook and two pawns is completely insufficient move is critical. [ 14...0-0!? 15.xc4 xc4 16.xc4 b4 against a queen. left W hite on top in Nikolic, P-Khenkin,I/ 1-0 Koelln GER 2004. ] 15.xa3 0-0 16.h3!? This is White's plan, he A11 starts a cramping kingside pawn advance, 426 and leaves the knight stuck on b6 defending Noel Aldebol Question c4. Instead, in my annotations I had N,Archana considered [John Watson] [ 16.f1 to recapture the c-pawn, and ] [ 16.b3 to open queenside files. ] Noel Aldebol discusses the line 1.c4 c6 2.g3 16...fd7 17.g4 c7 d5 3.g2 f6 4.f3 dxc4 5.c2 d5 [ 17...e7 18.e3 f5!? is an interesting 6.c3 h5 7.d3 cxd3 possibility, fighting for control of the d5[ 7...f5 8.h3 cxd3 9.a4 bd7 ( 9...d7 square, I am sure that Chigorin (who liked 10.g4 c5 11.e3 d6 12.d1+- ) knights) would play like this. ] 10.g4+- ] 18.e3 fd8 Black develops his pieces, he 8.xd3 a6 Aldebol says: "TonyK, here you could also play wrote: Black seems to have a pawn more for [ 18...c5 19.d5 exd5 ( 19...e5!? to keep the very little. I prefer to play such moves as d3 p o s i t i o n c l o s e d) 20.exd5 d6 when Black has weakened his queenside by which reduces White's dynamic prospects. ] playing ...b5, myself , but it is interesting 19.g5 e8 20.h4 The bishop comes to nonetheless! But please reconsider. Black, in the h2-b8 diagonal from where it will be more m y o p i n i o n , h a s n o t s o l v e h i s o p e n i n g effective. d6 21.g3 e5!? I do not like this problems completely yet. For example:" 9.h3 m o v e t o o m u c h , a s i t a l l o w s t h e w h i t e f5 kingside pawns to advance, supported by the [ jw: Another consolidating idea is 9...b4 white bishops. 10.b1 bd5 ] [ 21...b4 is perfectly reasonable, tying 10.d4 d7 W hite to the defence of a4, and keeping [ Aldebol gives the line 10...c2 11.g5 h6 425
412
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 12.xf6 gxf6 13.d2 g6 14.c1 f5 15.h4 h7 16.xf5 xf5 17.d1 h5 18.0-0 h6 19.d4 0-0 20.d7 xd7 21.xd7 c5 22.xe7 fd8 23.e4 xe4 24.xe4 ] 11.g5 "Does Black really have a comfortable game here? I mean, it is not simple to determine how he completes his development while White enjoys such a wonderful space advantage, .piece placement and lead in d e v e l o p m e n t . " h6 jw: This loses, so the analysis should be questioned. Best seems [ 11...e6!? with the idea 12.0-0-0 d7! 13.e4 f6 14.e3 a5 and White has no targets. 11. .Qg6 is also possible but riskier. ] 12.g4+[ jw: This is correct in view of 12.g4 g6 13.e5 xg5 14.e4 c5 15.xf6+ exf6 16.xd7# ]
427
A11 Nogueiras Santiago,Jesus 2552 Ehlvest,Jaan 2627 FIDE WCh KO New Delhi IND (1.6) 29.11.2000 [Tony Kosten] 1.c4 c6 2.f3 d5 3.e3 f6 4.c3 a6 5.b3 [ 5.d4 would transpose into the . ..a6 Slav. ] 5...g4 6.b2 bd7 7.h3 xf3 [ The solid approach, 7...h5!? is risky, 8.cxd5 cxd5 ( 8...xd5!? ) 9.g4! g6 10.g5 e4 11.xd5 e6 12.f4 xg5 13.xg5 xg5 14.h4 a5 15.c3 with dynamic play, Dragomarezkij, E-Maiorov,O/Sochi 1996. ] 8.xf3 e6 9.g4!? Vaganian's aggressive idea, adding a space advantage to W hite's bishop pair. h6 10.e2? [ To keep the d3-square covered, but there is a s e ri o u s f l a w, 10.cxd5 cxd5 11.g2 was met by e5!? 12.e2 g6 13.0-0 h5 14.g5 d7 15.f4 h4 with good play in Vaganian,R-Backwinkel,P/Germany 1993. ] 10...dxc4! [ Showing the drawbacks of White's previous move, after this new move d3 is exposed. Previously, 10...b5 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.h4 c8 13.g5 hxg5 14.hxg5 e5 15.g2 xh1+ 16.xh1 fd7 17.f4 c6 was Black's solid choice in Bischoff,K-Stangl,
M/Brno 1994. ] 11.bxc4 e5 12.g3 d3+ 13.xd3 xd3 14.c7 White counterattacks in any case his c4-pawn was undefendable. d8 15.d1 xc4?! [ OK, but 15...d7! may be superior, 16.a1 ( 16.xb7 b8 wins the bishop) 16...c5 continuing with ...Qxc4, and then ...Nd3+, bringing the second knight to the d3-square, with decisive effect. ] 16.xb7 b4 Black plans to castle, when the uncastled white king, marooned in the centre, will become a serious problem. 17.e2?! [ The odd 17.b1! is the best chance, defending d2, and menacing the capture on f6. ] 17...0-0 18.d4?! [ This loses quickly, but even the elimination of this knight by 18.xf6 doesn't help: gxf6 19.d4 ( trying to mask the d-file, 19.f3 loses to the standard combo xd2! 20.xd2 d8 ) 19...c5 20.b3 a5 and ...a4, leaves d2 too exposed. ] 18...e4 19.xc6?! [ The d2-pawn can no longer be defended: 19.b3 allows xd2 20.xd2 xd2+ 21.xd2 xd2 22.xd2 d5+ and the h1-rook drops. ] 19...xd2+ 0-1
428 Pantsulaia,Levan Gunina,V Turkish Bank Chess League 2012 (4) [John Bartholomew]
A11 2557 2533 14.7.12
We've seen plenty of Anti-Slav games where Black snatches the c4-pawn and doggedly defends it with moves like ...b7-b5, ...Nb8-d7b6, ...Bc8-e6, and ... Qd8-d5. How about an example where Black simply off loads the pawn and focuses on development? 1.f3 d5 2.g3 c6 3.c4 dxc4 4.g2 f6 5.0-0 f5 A new move for this site. Black develops the bishop to its most natural square. [ 5...bd7 is the main line. Consult the "Reti 1 c4 c6 with g3" guide in the archives. ] 6.a3 Most common. [ Sometimes White prefers to discourage ... 413
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 b7-b5 with 6.a4 , i.e. e6 7.a3 A) Fellow ChessPublishing.com author an d re ce nt A n ti-S la v exp on en t Vict o r Mikhalevski had a pleasant experience against 7...d5?! : 8.b3! cxb3 9.d3 a6 10.c4 d8?! ( 10...c5! was more stubborn. 11.fd2 d7 12.xb3 ) 11.xb3 c5 12.b2 e7 13.e3 fd7? 14.xg7 f6 15.d6+ e7 16.xf5+ exf5 17.h6 xa1 18.xa1+. Black was already defenseless in Mikhalevski, V (2525)-Arslanov, S (2424)/ Moscow RUS 2012.; B) 7...xa3 (this looks best) 8.xa3 0-0 9.b3 cxb3 10.xb3 c7 11.b2 bd7 12.c1 Vuorisalo, V (2101)-Sammalvuo, T (2425)/Lahti 2005. W hite has definite compensation with the bishop pair and op e n f ile s , b u t B lack h a s a so lid a n d compact position. ] 6...e5!? Refusing to lose any sleep over the c4-pawn. [ B l a c k c a n r e t u r n t o 6...b5 , but the programmed 7.b3 promises White excellent compensation: cxb3 8.axb3!? ( 8.xb3 also offers good play) 8...e4?! ( 8...e5!? ) 9.d3 d5 10.b2 g6 11.e4 e6 12.d4 g7 13.xe6 fxe6 14.e5 d5 15.h4 Lysyj, I (2632)-Dimukhametov, A (2355)/ Izhevsk RUS 2012. ] 7.xc4 [ Definitely not 7.xe5?? xa3 8.bxa3 d4 .] 7...e4 Now White has an important decision to make. 8.g5!? This amounts to a piece sacrifice with unclear ramifications, so White ought to consider the alternatives below. [ 8.fe5!? offers more clear-cut chances for a small advantage: bd7 ( 8...c5 9.d3 bd7 10.e3 xe5 11.xc5 xc4 12.dxc4 xd1 13.fxd1 Loginov, V (2500)Biriukov, O (2390)/St Petersburg 1998.) 9.d4 exd3 10.xd3 e7 ( 10...e6 11.c2 e7 12.f4 xc4 13.xc4 0-0 14.d1 G e o rgie v, K (2 6 7 2 )-Hu e rga L e a ch e , M (2435)/Pamplona ESP 2009) 11.b3 b6 12.a5 c8 13.f4 ( 13.g5!? 0-0 14.e4! e6 15.c2 ) 13...0-0 14.e1 e8 15.e4 f8 16.f3 c5+ Karner, H-Polugaevsky, L/ Tallinn 1973. Here 17.h1 d7 18.d2 is more pleasant for White. ]
[ The retreat 8.e1 is also reasonable, e.g. a6 ( the simple 8...e7 might be better) 9.e3 e6 10.d3 exd3 11.xd3 c5 12.f4 xd1 13.xd1 d7 14.c4 e7 15.e5 g4 16.xd7 xd7 17.b4!? Galliamova, A (2492)-Ruan Lufei (2479)/ Rostov-on-Don RUS 2011. ] 8...h6 9.xf7 [ I suppose White could bail out with 9.e3 g6 10.h3= , but this is hardly in the spirit of 8. Ng5!?. ] [ 9.h3? is rightly punished after c8! 10.f4 g5 ] 9...xf7 10.b3 This position had been reached twice before. d5!? Gunina finds an active response, agreeing to pitch her a8 in an attempt to seize back the initiative. [ Instead, two king moves deserve attention, particularly 10.. .Kg6. The source game, Salov, V (2675)-Piket, J (2580)/Amsterdam 1 9 9 6 , w e n t 10...e8 11.xb7 bd7 12.xc6 ( 12.d3!? ) 12...c8 13.a4 . Here Black would do best to get his king closer to safety with f7 , i.e. ( 13...e6 14.b3 xc4 15.bxc4 b6 16.d3 was the game ) 14.b3 e7 15.b2 e8 ] [ A m o re rece n t e n cou n t e r sa w 10...g6 11.e5+ h7 12.xb7 bd7 ( also very i n t r i g u i n g i s 12...c5!? 13.xa8 c7 14.d4! xd4 15.f4 xe5 16.xe5 xe5 17.xa7 ) 13.f7 e8 14.xh8 xh8 15.xc6 c8 16.a4 h5! . Black is fully mobilized with a very safe king, so he gets the nod here. The game continued 17.d3 exd3 18.exd3 e5 19.d1 , Markos, J (2565)-Haba, P (2541)/Erfurt GER 2010. Now g4!? 20.f3 f5 looks best since 21.g4?! fxg4 22.f4 ( there are too many threats around W hite's king after 22.fxg4? xg4 23.d2 f3+ 24.xf3 xf3-+ ) 22...xh2! 23.xh2 xd3 gives Black a full-fledged attacking position. ] 11.xb7+ bd7 12.e3 Clarifying the position somewhat. [ Murkier is 12.xa8!? xc4 13.d3! exd3 14.exd3 xd3 15.e1 b4 16.xh8 xe1 17.e3 b4 with chances for both sides. ] 12...b8! 13.xb8 xb8 14.xd5 cxd5 An imbalanced yet roughly level position has arisen. I find Black's position (with her active minor pieces and strong center) a bit easier to 414
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 play, but logical play ought to result in equality. 15.d3?! There was no reason to rush this move. [ 15.b3= ] 15...exd3 16.exd3 c5 17.e3 d4 18.b4 dxe3 [ 18...b6! ] 19.bxc5 xd3 20.fc1 exf2+ 21.xf2 e8?! [ M o n i t o r i n g t h e c - p a w n w i t h 21...c8 is safer. ] 22.c6 e2+ 23.f3!? Great fighting spirit! The game now takes an unexpected turn. [ White wasn't satisfied with 23.g1 xg2+ 24.xg2 e4+ 25.g1 xc6 . Three minor pieces or two rooks, who ya got!?:) ] 23...xc6?! [ Not 23...xg2?? 24.c7+- ] [ A lovely perpetual could have resulted from the precise 23...e4!! : 24.c7 d7 25.c8 e5+ 26.f4 g6+ 27.f3 e5+= . ] 24.xc6 e4 25.d1? Just when White could have been rewarded for his boldness, he falters. [ 25.c7+ g6 26.g4! is the way to go. It transpires that Black has no good way to utilize her centralized forces. ] [ T h e im m e d ia t e 25.g4? allows g5+ 26.g3 xg2+ 27.xg2 e4+= . ] 25...d2+ 26.xd2 xd2 Now Black is the only one who can claim an advantage, but the g a m e s o o n p e t e r s o u t t o a d r a w . 27.h3 xh2 28.e6+ e7 29.b3 a6 30.e3 b5 31.c7+ f6 32.a4 b2 33.d1 e8 34.a7 b6 35.e2 xa4 36.xa6 xa6 37.xa6 g5 38.f2 d7 39.e2 Gunina's active approach with 5...Bf5 and 6... e5!? certainly has merit. After 7.Nxc4 e4 I think White should play either 8.Nfe5!? or 8. Ne1, as the piece sacrifice with 8.Ng5 h6 9. Nxf7 - while interesting - probably isn't fully sound. ½-½
429 Pantsulaia,Levan Sundararajan,Kidambi 11th Dubai Open (6) [Nigel Davies]
A11 2581 2487 02.05.2009
1.f3 f6 2.c4 c6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 dxc4 5.0-0 bd7 6.a3 b6 7.c2 d5 8.e1 f5 At first sight this seems like a solid option for Black but after W hite's reply he's losing valuable time. 9.e4 h5 10.xc4 xc4 11.xc4 e5 [ 11...h3 12.xh3 xh3 13.f3 e5 14.d3 ( 14.d4 exd4 15.xd4 d7 16.e3 is slightly better for W hite, but drawish.) 14...d6 15.b4 0-0 16.b2 ad8 17.c3 fe8 18.a4 e6 19.xe6 xe6 was about even in Ponkratov, P (2469) Romanov, E (2501), Chelyabinsk 2007. ] 12.d4 exd4? Inadvertently opening the flood gates. [ 12...d6 was the right move though it still looks promising for White after 13.f3 e6 14.a4 exd4 15.xd4 etc. ] 13.e5 d5 [ Black rightly took fright at the possibility of 13...xe5 14.xc6+ , though the text is not much better. ] 14.d3 e6 15.xd4 e7 16.xd5 xd5 17.f4 g4 18.h3 d7 19.xd5 cxd5 20.h6! [ 20.d1 was also quite good, but White is playing for the attack. Of course taking the bishop would lose on the spot to 21.e6!. ] 20...xh3 21.xg7 g8 22.e6 [ 22.f6 xg3+ would draw by perpetual check. ] 22...fxe6 23.ac1 d6 24.c3 f5 25.e1 f7 26.e5 [ 26.g2! threatening 27.Rf3 was much stronger. ] 26...g4 27.f4 ag8? This sacrifice just doesn't work. [ 27...e7 was the right move, when Black doesn't stand at all badly. ] 28.xd6 xg3+ 29.f1? White in turn misses his way. [ 29.f2! would have left Black without adequate compensation. ] 29...h3+ 30.e2 xc3 31.xc3 g2+ 32.d1 f5?? Time trouble? 415
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 32...xc3 33.bxc3 xa2 would have produced a drawish endgame. ] 33.c1 d4 34.c7+ g6 35.e5 h5 36.h1+ g4 37.g7+ f3 38.xb7+ g3 39.g7+ f3 40.f1+ 1-0
position is not resignable, but next move White will but his queen on c3 or b2 and there will be no adequate defence to the g7 pawn. 1-0
431 430 Payen,Arnaud Couche,Didier XXIV Open Cappelle la Grande FRA (5) [Jonathan Rowson]
A11 2403 2122
1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 e6 4.b3 d7 5.e2 gf6 6.b2 d6 7.c3 0-0 8.c2 a6 9.h4!? A variation on a theme. Neither as weakening(for White) or threatening(for Black) as g4. The point seems to be to follow up with Ng5, and then hope for the best. e8 [ 9...e5 10.g5 e4 ( 10...h6 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.xd5 ) 11.0-0-0 ( 11.f4!? ) 11...h6 12.f4 e8 and I don't know exactly what is happening, but I would rather be White. ] 10.g5 f8 [ 10...e5? 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.xd5! ] [ 10...b5 looks better to me, because White is not yet threatening anything. 11.g4 b7 12.xf7 ( 12.h5!?; 12.0-0-0!? ) 12...xf7 13.g5 looks a bit desperate, but as these sacrifices go, it is a reasonably promising version- it just feels too crude somehow. e4 14.xe4 dxe4 15.xe4 g8 16.cxb5 axb5 17.xb5 and White almost gets the material back but Black is not in any danger. ] 11.d4!? The good thing about h4 instead of g4 is that it is less positionally committal, so White can still steer the game back to more conventional channels. b6 [ 11...e5!? 12.dxe5 xe5 13.0-0-0 looks promising for White. ] [ 11...b5 12.e4 is not a better version for Black. ] 12.e4 dxe4 13.cxe4 xe4 14.xe4 b4+ 15.f1 e7 16.h5 f5? And overreaction. [ 16...h6 17.d1 looks somewhat better for White, perhaps with Rh3-g3 to follow. ] 17.d2 c5 18.f3 b7 19.d1 c7 20.dxc5 bxc5 21.e5 At first blush the
Pigusov,Evgeny Zhang Pengxiang FIDE WCh KO Moscow RUS (2.2) [Tony Kosten]
A11 2613 2530 30.11.2001
1.f3 d5 2.g3 g4 3.g2 d7 4.c4 e6 5.d3 [ We have already considered 5.cxd5 ] 5...c6 6.0-0 White surely intended to play his favourite system, with Be3, but Black decides to 'put a spanner in the works'. xf3!? 7.xf3 d4 Black plays a similar plan to that successf ully applied by his compatriot in Pigusov,E-Zhang Zhong, and later in Loginov, V-Grischuk,A, but without gaining a tempo on the bishop (see [A11] for both these games). 8.e3! White won't repeat the error of the aforementioned game, and close the centre! e5 9.e2 Not natural, but d3 must be defended. h5!? [ Black goes 'all in'. 9...c5 10.f4 g6 11.e4 favours White. ] 10.exd4 xd4 11.c3 f6 12.e3 White evicts the queen from her proud post. d7 13.d4 eg4 This is why Black didn't play ...h4 earlier, the pawn provides a useful square for his knights. 14.g5 0-0-0 15.d5! Thematic! W hite has the bishop pair, and therefore opens the position. exd5?! [ I think I would prefer to keep the c-file c l o s e d , a n d p l a y 15...c5 answering 16.dxc6?! with xc6 ] 16.cxd5 f5 [ 16...cxd5? 17.b5 a6 18.c1+ b8 19.f4+ leads to a painful end for Black. ] 17.xf6 xf6 18.d3 h3? [ This move looks aggressive, but should lose, 18...d7 19.f3 b8 keeps Black in the game. ] 19.f3? [ This threatens Bf5+, but why doesn't White p l a y t h e o b vi o u s 19.dxc6 winning? For instance, bxc6 ( 19...g4? 20.f5+ c7 21.b5+ leads to a catastrophe) 20.a6+ 416
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 c7 21.b5+! cxb5 22.c1+ and the end is nigh. ] 19...g4 20.h1 [ Ugly, but forced, 20.g2? xg2+ 21.xg2 cxd5 leaves Black a pawn up. ] 20...e5 21.e4 h4!? [ 21...c5 was a more positional alternative. ] 22.dxc6 c5 The point of Black's play, he is g o i n g a l l - o u t f o r m a t e . 23.g2?! W h y n o t c a p t ure o n b7 wit h ch e ck f irst ? g4!? [ 23...xg2+ 24.xg2 xc6 is completely equal. ] 24.h3!? [ I am not sure if this is a blunder, or delib erate ! 24.cxb7+ b8 25.ad1 f5! 26.xd8+ xd8 27.d5 is also uncomfortable for White. ] 24...xg3! Oops! 25.cxb7+ b8 26.a4 d4 27.ac1 f4 28.c5 With a mate-ino n e t h r e a t . d6 The position is a complete mess , with bot h kings wid e o pen . 29.d3 xd3 30.xd3 f5 31.c2 xb2?! I don't like this, Black's attacking chances depend greatly on the power of the oppositecolour bishops, as he can attack on the dark s q u a r e s wh i l e h i s o p p o n e n t ' s b i s h o p i s powerless to help. 32.xb2 xd3 33.c2 d4? I imagine both players were short of time now. 34.c8+? [ 34.c6! bypasses the threat of ...Rg3, and wins: g3+ (how else can Black stop Qc7, Qc8+, etc.) 35.h2 xh3+ 36.xh3 g4+ 37.h2 f4+ 38.h1 and the checks runout. ] 34...xc8 35.bxc8+ xc8 36.c1+ d8 [ 36...b8 37.b1+ c7 38.b7+ d6 39.g6+ f6 is also satisfactory. ] 37.g5+ d7?? [ 37...f6 38.xf6+ gxf6 39.c4 a3 gives Black the better chances in the rook endgame, but the move played just loses! ] 38.xf5+ d6 39.g6+ e7 40.e1+ d8 41.e8+ c7 42.e7+ [ 42.e7+ b8 43.e8+ d8 44.b5+ b6 45.xd3 ] 1-0
432 Pigusov,Evgeny Zhang Zhong Sufe Cup Shanghai CHN (12) [Tony Kosten]
A11 2610 2611 14.03.2000
1.f3 d5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 g4 4.c4 c6 5.0-0 e6 6.d3 e7 7.e3 Pigusov's f favourite, the bishop move controls b6, so that Black cannot answer Qb3 with ... Qb6. xf3!? [ An clever new idea, Black often has to concede the bishop pair at some point, and e xch a n gin g im m e d ia t e ly o f f e rs c e rt a i n benefits. Previously, various moves had been tried: 7...bd7 8.b3 c8 9.c3 with an edge, Kortschnoi,V-Spassky,B/ Linares 1985, or ] [ 7...dxc4 8.dxc4 xd1 9.xd1 bd7 10.c3 xf3 11.exf3! e5 12.h3 b6 13.b3 0-0 14.e4 and the advantage is with W hite, Loginov,V-Nikitin,A/Maikop 1998. ] 8.xf3 d4 Gaining space with tempo. 9.d2 a5 10.e4?! This would work well if White co u ld p la y a la t e r e 5, a n d f re e h is ligh t squared bishop, but he never managed it. bd7 11.g2 h5! Not played to attack, but rather to stop the white kingside from expanding. 12.e2 e5 13.a3 h4 14.c2 c5 A perfect square for the knight in such a position. 15.ab1 fd7 16.f4 Trying to unravel the pawn chain. [ 16.g4? is a positional error, of course, allowing g5 gaining control of the dark squares. ] 16...c7 17.f5? White gains space, but this is a positional error, further weakening his dark squares. d8! Profiting from White's last move to bring his bishop to the c1-h6 diagonal. 18.e1 White tries to avoid the exchange of bishops, as his remaining g2b i s h o p c o u l d b e c o m e v e r y b a d . hxg3 19.hxg3 g5 20.d1 a4 21.b1 f6 22.f2 dc5 23.h1 xh1 24.xh1 h6 W hite is positionally lost, his 'good' darksquared bishop is bereft of squares, and the other pieces are even worse. 25.g2 c1 26.b3? [ A tactical error, but even 26.b4 axb4 27.xb4 c3 28.xc3 dxc3 looks pretty 417
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 example, gf6 ( 6...b4!? ) 7.d4!? ( 7.c2! b4 8.e2 0-0 9.0-0= ) 7...b4 8.d2 0-0 9.e2 a5!? 10.c2 exd4 11.exd4 ( 11.xd4 g5 12.0-0 c5 ) 11...e8 and it's easier to play Black, since 12.0-0?! xc3 13.xc3 xe2! wins material.; C) 6.b2 gf6 7.g3? e4 8.g5 c5 9.g2 f5 and Black stands clearly better. ] 3...f6 4.g2 So White plays what has been a fairly promising gambit. dxc4 5.c2 d5! But this move, which I don't see having been played until recently, messes up White's plans. The c-pawn remains protected and ...Bf5 is threatened (positionally speaking). But oddly enough, attacking the queen doesn't help much: 6.c3 [ Nothing is gained from 6.0-0 f5 7.d1 due to e5! 8.h4 d7 9.xf5 xf5 ] 6...h5 7.h3 White really doesn't want to give up his bishop, e.g., 433 A11 [ 7.0-0 h3 ( or 7...a6 ) 8.e4 ( 8.xh3 xh3 9.g5 h5 10.ge4 bd7 ) Poldauf,Dirk 2417 8...xe4 9.xe4 xg2 10.xg2 d5! ] Saltaev,Mihail 2500 Bundesliga 2006-7 (1) 28.10.2006 7...bd7 [ 7...a6! is more flexible. Remarkably, [John Watson] White can't seem to get his pieces out. ] Can't White simply play a Reti position versus 8.g4 a5 9.d1 Finally attacking c4. b6 Black's moves 1...c6, 2...d5, and 3...Nf6? It 10.e4 [ 10.e3 e6 11.d4 d5 ] seems harder all the time to do so and get positions that really match your expectations 10...a4!? [ Black is also better after 10...e5 ] as White. Here we see a recent line for Black th at wa s a lre ad y d iscu sse d in a n ea rlie r 11.b1 e6 12.c3 a5 13.0-0 e7 14.b3 column. I found nothing wrong with it then 0-0 15.b2 fd7!? Black is aiming for d3. and don't now. 1.c4 c6 2.f3 d5 3.g3 This keeps the advantage, but [ 15...d8 ] Okay, this is it. What move should we make? [ or 15...e5 is more natural. ] g3 leaves c4 hanging, so it must be treated 16.e2!? a6! 17.g3 c5 18.h5 f6 carefully. White's last four moves have a [ 3.b3 would be the traditional way of 19.e5 reaching a double fianchetto situation, but desperate air about them. f5 20.g5 d3 as I have pointed out in this column, the rare 21.c3 d5 Black has a killing position. I'll order dxc4 4.bxc4 e5! bothers me, with the leave the rest for you to contemplate. 22.a4 idea 5 Nxe5?? Qd4. The problem is Black's cxb3 23.xb3 c5 24.a2 e4 25.h4 26.dxc3 xc3 27.d2 d5 central control. Then some ideas are 5.c3 exc3 28.fc1 b4 29.d4 c5 30.b2 a5 d7 A) 6.d3 gf6 7.b2 d6 8.g3 31.b3 d7 32.f1 c6 33.c4 h8 looks solid, but I still prefer Black after c5 34.e1 d2 35.d1 c3 36.ab1 ab8 37.xd5 xd5 38.xd5 exd5 39.xd5 9.g2 0-0 10.0-0 f5; B) even 6.e3 forces White into a situation xa4 40.g2 e4 41.a2 xe5 42.e1 that he must play carefully un, for
hopeless for White. ] 26...b2! Decisively attacking the d3-pawn a second time. 27.xb2 xb2 28.d2 h7 29.f3 f6 30.e2 b6 31.g4 c3 W hite has eased his position with the exchange sacrifice, but Black's pieces are still superior. 32.c1 a6 33.f1 a4 34.bxa4 c5 35.d1 xa4 36.a3 a5 37.f3 [ 37.b1 allows the black queen in, h5 ] 37...h3+ [ 37...c3!? seems even better ] 38.g2 c3 [ 38...xg3? is a blunder, 39.h5+ d7 with a draw. 40.f7+ ] 39.xh3 [ 39.f3 h6 is also hopeless. ] 39...xd1 40.c1 c3 41.a3 b2 42.xb2 xb2 43.e2 d7 Preparing to bring the rook to the h-file. 0-1
418
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 17.e6!? fxe6 18.xh5 xh5 19.g6+ d7 20.xh5 with a strong attack for the sacrificed material. ] 17.f1 Missing what looks like a powerful 434 A11 sacrifice. [ After 17.xe6! fxe6 18.xe6+ f7 Radjabov,Teimour 2761 19.c4 Black is in deep trouble, for example Smeets,Jan 2601 g6 ( Or 19...d5 20.e5 g6 21.xd5+ Corus A Wijk aan Zee NED (10) 28.01.2009 cxd5 22.xd5 etc ) 20.g4 xg4 21.xg4+ [Nigel Davies] f7 22.f5 with only a single pawn down and powerful pressure. ] 1.f3 d5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 f6 4.c4 dxc4 5.0-0 bd7 6.c2 b6 7.a4 a5 8.a3 17...g6 18.b3 d6?! [ 18...e7 might have been a safer choice. e6 9.g5 g4 10.xc4 xe2! Now the storm clouds break. ] The critical line. [ After 10...xc4 11.xc4 e6 12.e4 19.xe6 fxe6 20.xe6+ d7 21.xd6+! White was better in Matamoros Franco, C xd6 22.xb4+ c5 23.xb7 c6 24.b5 c7 25.b6+ e7 26.e1+? (2460)-Xu Jun (2626), Seville ESP 2003. ] [ Missing a clearer win with 26.e5! c8 11.e5!? White in turn plays the critical move, 27.b7+ e6 28.e1 when Black has no sacrificing the exchange to get to f7. good defence to the threats. ] [ After 11.xb6 xb6 12.e1 h5 13.b4!? g6 ( 13...axb4!? Schirm, F-Lingnau, C/ 26...f8? [ 26...f7 was better but then 27.e6+ f8 Germany 1991) 14.d3 axb4 15.e3 a6 28.e5 f7 29.a6 is good for White. ] 16.e4 e6 White did not have enough compensation appears insufficient in Kirov, 27.e5 c8 28.d6+? [ 28.b7! threatening 29.Bd6+ looks very N-Luther, T, Leningrad 1989. ] strong. ] 11...h5 But at this point discretion seems to 28...g8 29.e7 h6 30.c4+ h7 31.b7 be the better part of valour. [ After 11...xf1 12.xf1 the f7 pawn is f8 32.d7 b8 33.xf8 xb7 34.xb7 falling and Black's king would be in terrible xf8 35.d3 g4?! [ 35...d8 is better so as to meet 36.a6? trouble. ] with xd3 37.xd3+ xd3 38.a7 a3 . ] 12.b4!? bd7 This seems to be new. [ After 12...bd5?! 13.b5 cxb5 14.d3 36.a6 e5 37.d5 a8 38.a7 e8 39.e7 b6?! 15.xd5 d8 16.xf7+ xf7 Really a draw? This seems odd because 17.xb5+ xb5 18.axb5 d5 19.xa5 White is winning. White won a pawn in, Stocek, J-Boric, M, ½-½ Pula CRO 2000. ] [ Another possibility is 12...axb4 but after A11 13.b2 bd7 we would transpose back into 435 the game. ] Radjabov,Teimour 2644 13.b2 axb4 14.a5 a6 Rightly preventing Svidler,Peter 2713 the a-pawn's advance to a6. vs NAO Internet INT (3) 28.05.2003 [ At f irst Fritz 12 seems to like 14...xe5 [Tony Kosten] 15.xe5 d7 but after 16.a6 xe5 17.axb7 b8 18.d4 starts to change its 1.c4 f6 2.g3 c6 3.g2 d5 4.f3 dxc4 mind. In fact it looks like W hite has very 5.a4!? A very committal move, White stops ... g o o d c o m p e n s a t i o n f o r t h e p i e c e , f o r b5, and isolates the c4-pawn, but creates a example d7 19.xc6 e6 20.a8 d6 long-term weakness on b4. 21.e4 c7 22.xb8+ xb8 23.a1 [ I loo ked a t 5.0-0 bd7 6.c2 b6 threatening 24.Ra8. ] and only now 7.a4 in Matamoros Franco,C15.fe1 xe5 16.xe5 e6 Xu Jun/Seville ESP 2003. ] [ Another interesting possibility was 16...h6 5...e6 6.a3 The threat is to play Ng5, or d4 43.e2 be8 0-1
419
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Ne5, and then recuperate the c-pawn. d5 Black pins the f3-knight. Other moves: [ 6...d5!? exposes the queen, but bolsters the c4-pawn, 7.0-0 a6 8.c2 ( 8.d3!? cxd3 9.g5 ) 8...c5 ( 8...b4?! is too early 9.c3 c5 10.d4 ) 9.c3 d5 Black seems to have consolidated, O'Cinneide,M-Stohl,I/Halkidiki GRE 2002. ] [ 6...a6 allows 7.e5 d4?! 8.xc6! c5 9.d4 cxd3 10.e3 with a powerful initiative, Padevsky, N-Sorensen,T/BerlinWest 1984. ] 7.c2 c5!? A new idea already, Black wants to finish his development in classical style with ...Nc6 and get a firm grip on b4 and d4. [ 7...g6 8.xc4 g7 9.b4!? 0-0 10.0-0 a6 11.a3 White has the sort of position he is looking for in the Reti, with unblemished centre, and queenside initiative, Bosboom,M-Haba, P/Germany 1995. ] [ 7...a6 8.xc4 b4 9.c3 a5 10.d3 Black has established the knight on b4, but White has recaptured the c-pawn and will soon complete development, Haroutjunian, G-Matveeva,S/Yerevan 1996. ] 8.xc4 c6 9.0-0 e6 10.b3 e7 11.b2 0-0 12.ad1!? White plays this rook here so tha t he c an d rop h is que en ba ck t o b1 if necessary, and then play Qa1 with pressure o n t h e a 1 - h 8 d i a g o n a l . c8 13.c3!? A really strange idea that smacks of planlessness, for if W hite wanted to do this why did he not play his king's rook to d1 and keep his queen's rook for the queenside? c7 The variation [ 13...d4!? 14.xd4 cxd4 15.xd4 xc4 16.bxc4 xd4 17.xd4 xc4 18.xa7 xa4 19.e3 b5 is interesting, as the passed b-pawn is quite a plus for Black. ] 14.fe1 This move is not to ply e4, as d4 will become too weak, but rather to defend e2 should Black play ...Nd4 as in the previous note. fd8 15.e3 White decides to gain the b is h o p p a ir , a s h e h a d n o u s e f u l wa y o f expanding in the centre. [ 15.e4 xc4 16.bxc4 d4 is fine for Black. ] 15...xf3 16.xf3 d4 [ 16...e8!? is a good alternative, to exchange bishops by ...Bf6: 17.g2 f6 18.c2 xb2 19.xb2 f6 and I prefer
Black because of the weakness of b4 and d4. ] 17.g2 d7 18.b1 If this move is the best that W hite can manage, then I suggest his previous moves were not optimum. f8 19.d3 d8 20.a1 g6 21.c4 g7 Black has chosen a different route to get his bishop onto the long diagonal. 22.d2 The queen was misplaced on c3, and quickly retreats from the exposed diagonal. d5 23.f1 b6 24.ec1 The white rooks have reached better squares, but it is very much Black who calls t h e s h o t s h e re . c6 Black exchanges the dark-squared bishops, although he could easily have done this much before - see the note to move 16. 25.xg7 xg7 26.h4 f6 27.a3 cd8 28.g1 d4 29.c4 Black holds all the aces here - good squares for his knights and pressure on the d-file, so W hite can only keep his position solid and wait-and-see. h5 30.b2 c6 31.d2 d4 32.b2 c6 33.d2 d4 Both sides seen happy to draw, but I am surprised that Black didn't want to play on, he has nothing to lose. ½-½
436
A11
Reti 4...Nbd7 [Tony Kosten] I received the following question from Theodor Seiz: "Hello, I am just starting to play the repertoire suggested in you book 'The Dynamic English'. One line is played a lot against me in blitz and I don't find anything against it that I like: 1.c4 Nf6 2.g3 c6 3.Bg2 d5 4.Nf3 Nbd7!? Black will try to play - ...e5 and get the center with easy development. ECO does not mention the line either. Playing a Catalan style position with d4 appears normal, but is out of question for me. Regards, Theodor" So, I've decided to have an in-depth look at this almost unknown variation. 1.f3 [ 1.c4 f6 2.g3 c6 3.g2 d5 4.f3 bd7 will tran spo se , bu t I t hink t hat t he Ret i move-order is more likely. ] 1...d5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 bd7 4.c4 c6 The black set-up, whilst rare, is quite sensiblehe wants to play ..e5 which would reach a 420
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 reversed 'Geller line vs the Pirc/Modern'. The question is: how should White react? 5.cxd5! Played to weaken the h1-a8 diagonal, this capture is no longer a concession when the black knight can no longer spring directly to its best square on c6. A real advantage of this move, though, is that White no longer needs to worry about defending hisc-pawn! [ 5.d4 leads to Slav-style lines, but allows dxc4! ( 5...e6 6.0-0 d6 7.c2 leads to a Catalan, with a white advantage, Velickovic,Z-Tomazin,M/Grize 1996. ) A) 6.c2 e5!? ( Black can also try to hang-on to the pawn more directly: 6...b6 7.a3 d5 ) 7.0-0 ( 7.dxe5 xe5 8.xe5 a5+ is the point, equal) 7...exd4 8.xd4 e5 9.d1 which is unclear, Jurek,J-Ramseier,J/Bad Ragaz 1992.; B) 6.a4!? e5!? 7.dxe5 g4 8.e6 fxe6 9.0-0 again unclear, Larsen,B-Simon,R/ Lugano 1989. ] [ 5.b3 e5!? ( 5...e5 6.b2 e4 7.d4 c5 8.c2 d4 9.d3 exd3 10.xd3 d6 11.0-0 e5 12.d2 g4 13.f4 c6 14.e4 dxe3 15.xe3 Novik,M-Petelin,A/St Petersburg 1992 )] [ 5.0-0 accepts transposition into a reversed Pirc, A) 5...dxc4 is also feasible, as above 6.a3 b6 7.c2 g6!? ( Black can also consider being greedy: 7...d5!? or; 7...e6!? 8.g5 d7 ) 8.xc4 xc4 9.xc4 g7 Pavlovic,M-Thorhallsson,T/ Copenhagen 1990.; B) 5...e5 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.b3 d6 Black has nothing to complain about, Kiss, A-Acs,P/Balatonbereny 1992. ] 5...cxd5 [ 5...xd5 allows White a central edge, 6.d4 7f6 7.e5!? f5 getting a firm grip of e4, Rabeler,G-Storm,R/Germany 1990. ] 6.c3!? Loginov's preference. [ 6.d4! is a good alternative, but this QG/ Slav type of position might not appeal to players of Flank Openings! e6 ( 6...g6 7.0-0 g7 8.c3 0-0 9.e5 gives White a superior version of a KI Fianchetto line (the black queen's knight normally goes to c6), Trauth,M-Frischknecht,H/ Zurich 1997.) 7.0-0 d6 8.c3 a6 9.f4 ( 9.e4!?
is interesting: xe4 10.xe4 dxe4 11.g5 f6 12.xe4 xe4 13.xe4 0-0 White enjoys a little more space, Filipowicz, A-Tassi,O/ Rome 1981.) 9...xf4 10.gxf4 0-0 11.e3 Black's position is solid, but White's superior bishop gives him a plus, Pavlovic,M-Nikolic,B/JUG-ch/1991. ] 6...e6 This solid choice is almost universally played. [ However, there is nothing wrong with the ambitious 6...e5!? 7.a4!? ( 7.d4 e4 8.e5 should be best, White can continue Qb3, Bg5, and possibly f3, to pressurise the black centre.) 7...c7?! ( why not 7...d6 as 8.b5 b8 9.a3 b6 leads nowhere) 8.d4 e4 9.e5 e7 10.f4 White has some pressure, Hoshino, IHoyt,W/Siegen 1970. ] 7.0-0 a6!? This move plans a quick expansion on the queenside, but many other tries are possible: [ 7...d6 8.d3 b6 9.b5!? b8 10.d2 a6 11.bd4 is fairly equal, Kirov,N-Ziatdinov,R/ Belgrade 1990. ] [ 7...e7 8.d4 0-0 9.f4 a6 White has more space, Sanz-W esterinen/Alicante/ 1975. ] [ 7...b4 8.d3 0-0 9.f4 e8 is similar, Sale,S-Milunovic,V/ Portoroz 1994. ] [ 7...b6 as with the main move, this will allow Black to develop his 'problem piece', the c8bishop, 8.d3 b7 9.f4 a6 10.c1 c8 11.e1 e7 12.e4 this idea i s one reason why White would want to keep his d-pawn on d3, rather than d4, dxe4 13.dxe4 b5 14.d6 b4 15.xe7 xe7 16.d5! xc1 ( 16...exd5? 17.exd5 e4 18.xc8+ xc8 19.d6 e6 20.d4 wins ) 17.xf6+ xf6 18.xc1 0-0 19.e5 d5 20.g5 and after all the excitement, play is level, although White went on to win, Loginov,VYemelin,V/ St Petersburg 1995. ] 8.d3 [ 8.d4 is, once again, a good move. ] 8...b5 9.e4 White wants to weaken the sensitive h1-a8 diagonal. dxe4 10.dxe4 b7 11.e5 d5 12.e4 Aiming for d6. h6 13.e1 b6 14.e3 xe3 15.xe3 d8! Black skilf ully saf e gua rds his qu een sid e before completing his kingside development. 16.e2 e7 17.d1 0-0 18.ed3 d5 421
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Having closed the d-file, Black can turn his attention to the e5-pawn, and the exploitation o f h i s b i s h o p p a i r . 19.xd5!? This is interesting, but may not quite work. exd5 20.c3 e6 21.xd5 c5 This is the only move, as Nd4 was threatened. 22.b4 [ 22.b3?! b6 23.f4 xd1+ 24.xd1 e7 25.e6 fxe6 26.h3 ( 26.g6 fails to d8 27.c2 f6 28.xc5 xg6 ) 26...xf4!? 27.gxf4 d5 28.c1 Black is better, but the opposite-colour b i s h o p s o f f e r s o m e h o p e , L o g i n o v, V Shovunov,B/Elista 1996. ] 22...a7 23.f4?! [ 23.c7! f5 24.e6 fxe6 25.xe6+ f7 26.h3 is approximately level, White will get two pawns for the exchange. ] 23...c4! Black offers the exchange of queens, and has a real plus, Loginov, VYemelin,V/St Petersburg 1996. Therefore it seems that White should capture on d5, and then play d4 on either move six or eight, to have some advantage.
437 Roiz,M Postny,E 40 Yrs Beer Sheva CC (1) [Daniel Gormally]
A11 2617 2637 26.05.2013
1.f3 d5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 g4 4.c4 e6 5.0-0 d7 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.d3 gf6 8.h3 xf3 In my previous update I stated how it was a mistake in such positions to give up the bishop for the knight, however a lot depends on the make-up of the position. W hite has already exchanged on d5 so doesn't have such a wide range of plans as he did in that game. 9.xf3 c5 Played to provoke d4, which takes a lot of the flexibility out of the white position. [ In a previous game Black elected to reroute the knight to c6 9...e5!? 10.g2 e7 11.b3 0-0 12.b2 c6 13.c3 c8 14.a3 d7 15.e4 d4 16.e2 b6! W here Black had more than enough counterplay in the game Stryjecki, M (2424) -Chuchelov, V (2591) Kallithea 2002 ] 10.d4 White takes the bait, but the bishop on
c5 wasn't really creating any danger for White, so I think he could have delayed any central action. [ 10.c3 e5 11.g2 c6 12.d2 0-0 13.c1 and White can lay claim to a tiny edge. ] 10...d6 11.c3 0-0 12.d3 The problem now is that White's only central break is with e4, which creates a hole on d5, but what else can he do? He must open the position at some point, for better or for worse, otherwise his bishops will lack the mobility to be able to exercise their potential. h6 13.d2 a6 14.ac1 b6 15.e4 [ Restricting the mobility of the knight on b6 with 15.b3 Was an alternative. White could then adopt a slow, build-up strategy with moves like Kh1, Rg1, g4 etc. ] 15...dxe4 16.xe4 bd5! 17.b3 b8 18.xd6?! After this the knights start to take over. Isolated pawn positions can be quite deceptive an aren't always as bad as they look, but in this case W hite finds it very difficult generating any meaningful play after this exchange. Granted, he should be able to maintain the balance as his position remains very solid, but I struggle to see a way he can realistically improve his position. [ 18.c3! Not giving up the fight for d5 so easily, would surely have made more sense. e7 19.fd1 f5 20.e1 ] 18...xd6 19.c4 fc8 20.fc1 d7 21.c5 b6 22.5c4 a5 23.d3 xc4 24.xc4 c8 25.b3 e7 26.g2 f5 27.xc8+ xc8 28.f4 d7 29.e3 d5 30.d2 de7 31.c3 d5 32.a1? White has been drifting for the last few moves, but this blunder simply gives the game away. [ 32.d2 would still have been more or less equal. ] 32...h4+! 33.h2 b4 34.e4 xf3+ 35.xf3 xa2 36.a8+ h7 37.e4+ f5 38.e2 b4 39.c3 d5 A beautiful strategic situation for Black, the knight sits proudly on d5, surveying the battlefield from it's powerful central position. 40.d2 f6 41.a6 d5 42.e2 c6 43.g1 f6 44.d3 e4 45.c4 d5 46.h4 f3 47.c1 c3! 48.e3 d5 [ 48...e2+ 49.h2 xg3 50.fxg3 xe3 is immediately decisive ] 422
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 49.c1 d1+ 50.g2 b5 52.h5 f6 53.e3? g4 0-1
438 Rowson,Jonathan Thomson,Craig SM Scottish Open, Edinburgh (2) [Jonathan Rowson]
51.c6
e2
A11
2009
1.f3 f6 2.c4 c6 3.c3 d5 4.e3 a6 [ 4...f5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.b3 ] [ 4...g4 5.cxd5 xf3!? 6.xf3 cxd5 7.g4!? is completely unchartered territory. ] 5.b3!? f5 [ 5...b5 6.cxd5 ( 6.h3!? ) 6...cxd5 7.a4 b4 8.e2 The weaknesses on Black's queenside are more accessible when White hasn't played d4 so this position might be promising for White. ( 8.a2 c6 9.b2 e6 10.c1 d6 11.d3 e7 12.c1 d7 and Black starts having fun ) 8...g4 ] [ 5...g4 looks more solid, as does the game continuation, ideally with h6 thrown in to keep the light squared bishop. ] 6.e2 e6 [ 6...h6! I would also be inclined to give my opponent as little encouragement as possible. The two bishops may be no big deal in such structures, but it is still s o m e t h in g, a n d p ro b a b ly a n a vo id a b le concession from Black. ] 7.h4! g6 8.b2 bd7 9.0-0 [ 9.g4?! I managed to control myself just in time. ] 9...e4?! [ 9...d6 10.g3 0-0 11.xg6 hxg6 and White has a slight edge on a very good day. ] 10.xg6 hxg6 11.g3 d6 With the white pawn on d4, Shirov showed that this manoeuvre is a coherent and combative way to play. It is less clear whether it make sense when White can play e4 supported by his dpawn. 12.d3 g5 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.e4 h6 15.h4 g5 16.h5?! [ 16.c1 f6 17.e5! I saw this idea during the game, but felt the game continuation was better. xe5 ( 17...xe5 18.d4 f5 19.g4 g6 20.xg5 e7 and Black
might be fine.) 18.xg5 f3+ ( 18...f5 19.d4 c6 20.g4 g6 21.a4 but Black's solid central structure gives him reason to face the future with confidence.) 19.xf3 xc3 20.c1 d4 21.c7 ] 16...d4 17.b1 e5? A fatal weakening of the light squares. Instead Black should fight for the dark squares in the centre. [ 17...g6! 18.xd4 g7 19.xg7 xg7 20.d4 xe4 ( 20...gxh5 21.c3 h4 and the position is highly unclear.) 21.f3 d6 22.hxg6 xg6 23.c3 g4 24.g2 0-0-0 ] 18.g2 e7 19.d2 0-0 20.g4 f6 21.c1 Black's position is worse that it looks. The queen on h6 is misplaced and W hite c o n t r o l s t h e c - f i l e . de8 22.h1?! A bit too fancy. [ 22.c4 xg4 23.xg4 f6 Here I felt f4 would be right, but I didn't really want to p l a y i t , s o I a vo i d e d t h e l i n e e n t i r e l y . However, in this position I can simply play 24.d7! and after b5 25.a5 I seem to be invading decisively. ] 22...b5 23.c6 d6 24.a3 fd8 25.c5 f8 26.b6 [ 26.b4!? ] 26...e8 27.c7 xg4 28.xg4 e6! 29.xe6 [ 29.xg5? e7 ] [ 29.h3 xe4 30.xe6 xe6 31.xe6 xf2+ 32.g2 xh1 33.b6 c8 ] [ 29.f3 f5 ] 29...xe6 30.f3 f6 31.hc1 f7 32.xd6 [ 32.a5!? ] 32...xd6 33.h3! f8 34.c7+ e7 35.7c6 e6 36.g4 a5 37.f5 xc6 38.xc6 e7 39.c7 a4 [ 39...b4 40.d2 a4 41.c4 axb3 42.axb3 a6 ] 40.b4 a3 41.e1! h8 42.g4 [ 42.g4 also probably wins, but I saw no reason to create a mating net for my own king. ] 42...e6 43.c2 b8 44.c6+ d6 45.a6 b7 46.xa3 d7 47.a5 c6 48.c2 b6 49.a4 [ 49.f5 xb4 ] 49...bxa4 50.xa4 c7 51.a3 e7 52.f5 1-0 423
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 439 Salman,Joel Fridman,Daniel Open Southampton BER (2) [Tony Kosten]
A11 2236 2572 08.02.2003
1.c4 f6 2.g3 c6 3.g2 d5 4.b3 [ 4.f3 may be the best move, returning to a mainline, and controlling e5, but perhaps White didn't want to sac his c-pawn? ] 4...e5 Well, why not? 5.d3? In the Reti group of openings White can often play his first 10 to 15 moves almost without thinking, and this sometimes makes us lazy. In fact there are only a few tactics to be aware of, and this is one of them. [ 5.b2 d6 6.f3 e7 is more normal, but Black has already equalised, of course. ] 5...dxc4! Black is on the ball. [ 5...d6 6.e3 g4 7.e2 0-0 8.h3 e6 is nothing special, Sudar, B-Kuljasevic,D/ Pula CRO 2001. ] 6.bxc4?! [ 6.dxc4 is ugly, but a better try, xd1+ ( 6...b4+!? 7.d2 d4 8.xb4 xa1 9.c2 d4 10.f3 gains some compensation for the exchange) 7.xd1 c5 8.e3 f5 and although the white king position is a concern, White is still playing. ] 6...d4 The unpleasant point, winning the poor a1-rook, but this is not a new position, as I have 0-1 Kaissi,Y-Imbert,G/Paris 1994 in my database! 7.c2 Perhaps White relied on this, wh ic h will t ra p t h e qu e e n . xa1 8.e3 White had to control the d4-square, otherwise t h e q u e e n w o u l d e s c a p e . a6 9.a3 W hite tries his best, ...Nb4 was a serious problem. c5 10.e2 f5 11.e4 g4 12.ec3 Now, if only White could play Bb2, he would have a serious threat, but even this is not possible because of the tactic with Nxd3+, forking e1 and c1. [ 12.f3 is no improvement: d8! 13.0-0 xd3 14.fxg4 c5+ 15.h1 xg4 wh en B lac k h as e xt ra ma t eria l a nd t h e attack. ] 12...0-0-0 13.f1 White defends d3, and finally there is a real threat to play Bb2, and win the black queen, but the positional cost has been too great. f3!? Black decides to allow White to trap the queen, seeing that the
white position is now full of holes, but [ 13...e6! was also strong: 14.b2 d4 15.c1 f3+ 16.d1 xh2+ 17.c2 xa3! 18.xa3 f3 and the black queen can escape along the a-line if need be. ] 14.g1 e7?! Fun, but [ 14...e6!? 15.b2 d4 16.d2 xe4! seems convincing, as ...Nf3+ is a threat. ] 15.b2 xb2 16.xb2 xd3+ 17.xd3 xd3 So, White has managed to gain the black queen for a further piece, but his king is stuck in the centre, and his rook out-of-play. 18.d2 c5 19.xf3 xf3 20.d1 d4 21.e2 xa3 Another stock-take shows that Black has a nominal material advantage: rook, bishop and 2 pawns for a queen, but more importantly, the black pieces are well-placed, and the white ones completely passive. 22.g4 h6 23.g3 a1 24.d3 d8 25.f1 d7 26.g2?! Just when White almost had reason to play on, he makes an error! [ 26.f3 c5 27.d2 is better. ] 26...c5 27.d2 e6 Ouch! The menace of forking the queen and king by ...Nf4+ brings the game to a swift conclusion. 28.f3 f4+ 29.h1?! xf2! 30.xd8+ xd8 31.h3 [ 31.xf2 xd1+ doesn't bear consideration. ] 31...c5 32.h2 a2+ 33.h1 a3 As if the queen moves ...Rxh3+ is decisive. 0-1
440 Sambuev,Bator Keosidi,Konstantin 1st Russian Cup (1) [Tony Kosten]
A11 2496 2219 04.07.2003
1.f3 f6 2.c4 c6 3.e3 d5 4.c2 e6 5.b3 e7 This is not quite as aggressive as [ 5...d6 , but it is solid enough. ] 6.b2 0-0 7.g4!? We have seen this move many times before, for instance with the white knight on c3 and bishop still on c1 in Tukmakov - W asnetsky, but in this exact position it seems to be a novelty. [ First 7.g1!? bd7 8.g4 was examined in Gurevich - Wegerle. ] 7...c5?! [ 7...xg4 is clearly the critical try, 8.g1 f5 424
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 9.h3 f6 10.c3 followed by long castles, when White will have some fun down the gfile, but Black's resources should be sufficient. ] 8.g5 e4 9.h4 c6 10.c3 b4 11.b1 b6!? [ 11...f5!? is possible, to gain some space on the kingside, 12.d3 xc3 13.xc3 f4!? ] 12.a3 Naturally White is not at all interested in [ 12.xe4 dxe4 13.xe4 d7! ( 13...b8?? 14.e5 ) 14.xa8 b7 ] 12...xc3 13.xc3 c6?! After this natural reply Black may already be completely lost! [ 13...b7! is interesting, 14.g2 ( 14.axb4?! d4 favours Black) 14...c6 and White has less possibilities for developing his attack. ] 14.d3 g6 15.h5! Obvious but effective, W h i t e w i l l l e v e r t h e k i n g s i d e o p e n . d4 B la c k t ri e s t o sh u t o n e o f t h e d ia go n a l s p o i n t i n g a t h i s k i n g . 16.hxg6! dxc3 Other moves are worse: [ 16...hxg6?! 17.xg6 dxc3 18.e4 a n d W h i t e w i n s , a s b7? 19.xc6 and Qh7 mate. ] [ 16...fxg6?! 17.xg6 dxc3 18.xh7+ g7 19.g6+ h8 20.g8# ] 17.gxf7+ [ 17.g7 xg7 18.e4 is also strong, cxd2+ 19.xd2 h8 20.xc6 b8 21.b2+ with a continuing attack. ] 17...xf7?! This loses simply, [ 17...xf7 is stronger, but even here 18.e4 b7 19.xh7+ e8 20.xc6+ xc6 21.g6+ d7 22.e5+ c7 23.dxc3 is fairly convincing. ] 18.xh7+ f8 19.e4 cxd2+ 20.xd2 g7 [ 20...d7 21.xc6 xc6 22.h8+ g7 23.h7# ] 21.xc6 [ 21.xc6 b8 22.h8+ g8 23.h7 forces mate. ] 1-0
441 Shchekachev,Andrei Romanov,Evgeny ChInt Open Paris FRA (7) [Jonathan Rowson]
A11 2520 2547 04.07.2008
1.c4 c6 2.f3 f6 3.c3 d5 4.e3 g4 5.b3!? b6 6.e5 e6 7.d4 bd7 8.xd7 xd7 [ 8...xd7 A) 9.xb6!? axb6 ( 9...xb6 10.c5 d7 11.b4 also looks a bit better for White.) 10.cxd5 cxd5 11.d2 and White has a small pull.; B) 9.cxd5 B1) 9...cxd5 10.d2 ( 10.xd5 xb3 11.c7+ d8 12.xe6+ xe6! is an important detail that I confess I missed in my first round of calculation. ); B2) 9...xb3 ] 9.a4! xb3 [ 9...c7 10.c5 c8 11.cxd5 xd5 ( 11...cxd5 12.b5+ ) 12.e4 gives White an edge. f6 13.e5 d5 14.d2 with a position that looks more like a queen's gambit accepted with 3e4 or an advance Caro-Kann, but one where W hite seems somewhat better. ] 10.axb3 0-0-0 When I first saw this position I was looking for a tactical kill based around the idea of e4, Bf4 and Nb6+ followed by mate on a8. I didn't expect it to work, but thought it might highlight a more productive path to an advantage. For what it's worth, I feel White should have a way to be at least somewhat better in this ending, and perhaps more than one way, as the following indicates. That said, I also believe in Black's resources. 11.d3 [ 11.e4 xe4 12.b6+ axb6 13.a8+ c7 14.f4+ e5 15.xe5+ d6 ] [ 11.c3 b8 12.e4 dxe4 ( 12...xe4 13.f4+ a8 14.cxd5 xc3 15.bxc3 cxd5 16.d3 followed by Kd2 keeps the a-file initiative going.) 13.f4+ a8 14.a4 a6 15.c7 e8 16.e2 This ploy is perhaps enough to scare Black a little, but not more. ] [ 11.c5 feels like it should give White a slight pull, but probably nothing to really s c a r e a s e a s o n e d S l a v p l a y e r . b8 12.xd7+ xd7 13.d3 and again we have a position where W hite is slightly for 425
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 play d4, after his eighth move. 9.h3 xf3 The simplest move, [ 9...h5!? is possible, but leads to sharp play after 10.g4 g6 11.e4 ] 10.xf3 0-0 11.e4 White advances his extra central pawn, other, quieter, methods don't offer too much, either: [ 11.b1 Intending a minority attack with b45. e7 12.g2 ad8 13.d4 Transposing into a Queen 's Gambit E xchange pawn structure, but one that is very pleasant for Black. d6 14.g5 h6 15.xf6 xf6 16.e3 h5 Black's position is preferable, Lopushnoy,D-Dreev, A/Russian Club Cup, Maikop RUS 1998. ] 11...dxe4 12.dxe4 e5 Black is slightly ahe ad in develo pme nt, an d starts act ive operations against the white centre. 13.e2 If instead [ 13.g2?! then d3 is awkward. ] 13...e8 Eyeing the e-pawn. 14.g2 g6 15.c2 e7 By putting more pressure on e4, B l a c k f o r c e s t h e f o l l o wi n g m o ve , wh i c h weakens the white light squares. 16.f3 ad8 Black has a very harmonious development, but W hite has the bishop pair, and a potentially mobile kingside mass. 17.d2 d6 442 A11 18.ad1 h5 Black starts a concerted attack Shirov,Alexei 2726 o n W h i t e ' s k i n g s i d e d a r k s q u a r e s . 19.f4 Short,Nigel D 2697 Forced, not only is [ 19.g4?? positional capitulation, but also SuperGM It Sarajevo BIH (4) 20.05.1999 tactical, as White gets mated after h4 ] [Tony Kosten] 19...xg3! 20.xg3 g5+ 21.h2 xf4 1.f3 d5 2.g3 g4 A reversed Trompovsky! 22.xf4 xf4+ 23.h1 So far, this has been Actually, this may be the most flexible line of forced since the 19th move, Black only has all, as played like this Black may even be able two pawns for his piece, but the white king is to do without the move ...c6. This line is a wide open . g3 24.g4 h5 No let-up for 25.f2!? An interesting decision, speciality of Shirov himself, but with black! White. 3.g2 d7 Controlling e5, and putting paid to giving-up a pawn to stop the attack, but [ 25.g1 wa s a l s o a p o s s i b i l i t y , h4 any possibility of White playing Ne5. 4.c4 e6 26.d7! as xd7? loses to 27.g2 ] 5.cxd5 Delaying this capture is worse, [ 5.0-0 for instance, allowing the standard 25...hxg4 26.xf4 xh3+ 27.h2 e3 trick: xf3 6.xf3 e5 7.b3 xf3+ Black prefers to keep the queens on the board, 8.xf3 f6 and Black has solved all of his which is normal, considering the exposed g6 29.xg4 opening problems, Schulze, U-Campora,D/ w h i t e k i n g . 28.h5 W hite recaptures one pawn, but allows an Bern 1992. ] 30.xd1 5...exd5 6.0-0 gf6 7.c3 c6 Black finally i m m e d i a t e d r a w . xd1 plays ...c6, but only once White has shown his And certainly not [ 30.xd1?? e5 and the menace of ...Rh5+, hand. 8.d3 c5 Other developments of this and ...Rg5 wins for Black. ] bishop are also possible, but this is the most active, especially since White is unlikely to 30...h3+ 31.g1 g3+ 32.h1
preference, but Black has nothing in particular to fear. ] [ 11.c5!? f5 12.f3 e6 13.b4 a6 14.g4 g6 15.d2 and if the bishop on d2 reaches the h2-b8 diagonal, W hite will be in business, but I suspect Black can stop that from happening, for instance with Nd7, f6 and e5. ] 11...g4 12.f3 h5 13.d2 g6 14.xg6 [ 14.c5! b8 15.xg6 hxg6 16.d3 d7 17.f2 Still looks somewhat better for White. ] 14...hxg6 15.cxd5 xd5 16.c5 a6 17.d3 f6 White's play is a bit tentative in what follows and Black gradually gets a slight pull, but at this stage W hite is at least not worse. 18.e2 e6 19.h3 d6 20.hc1 c7 21.a5 h5 22.c5 e5 23.xc7 xc7 24.e6 d6 25.xc7 xc7 26.dxe5 xe5 27.d1 xd1 28.xd1 b5 29.d3 a5 30.d2 a4 31.c2 xb3 32.xb3 axb3+ 33.xb3 b5 34.b4 b6 35.e4 c5+ 36.c3 g5 37.g3 c6 38.h4 gxh4 39.gxh4 d6 40.f4 e6 ½-½
426
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 32.h1 now g7 34.f6+ ] ½-½
e5?? loses to
443 Socko,Bartosz Ejsmont,Krzysztof TCh-POL Extraliga (9) [John Watson]
33.d8+
A11 2621 2348 10.09.2006
A Reti with some excitement on the king's wing! It's remarkable how often White plays g4 these days. 1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 f6 4.c3 e6 5.b3 bd7 6.b2 d6 7.c2 This is the same popular anti-Slav system that we see in Kveinys-Ejmont. Black is able to develop smoothly b ut has no targets. 0-0 8.e2 b6 Perhaps a bit slow, although it can't be too bad. I like the looks of [ 8...a6 , because apart from ...b5, it has the idea of stopping Nb5 once Black plays ...e5 and White trades on d5. ] [ 8...e5 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.b5 b8 11.a3 e8 12.c1 is awkward. ] 9.g1!? Typical of modern chess! White doesn't merely want to attack, but also to gain space after g4-g5. [ 9.d4 is the normal idea. ] 9...b7 10.g4 e5 11.g5 Centre versus Flank! Objectively it's unclear but I like Flank's chances on a practical level. e8 12.0-0-0 c7 [ 12...e4 13.d4 c5 14.f5 c7 15.d3! keeps an initiative. ] 13.h4!? At this point Kb1 seems prudent. This works out, but perhaps h4 should be delayed until W hite doesn't need the move Nh4 in response to ...e4. e6 With the good idea of covering d4 after ...e4, but Black never uses it. [ 13...b5!? opens either the c- or b-file. ] 14.b1 e7 15.g2!? A surprising move that is not only slow but exposes the rook on the long diagonal. The point will become clear. Nevertheless [ I like 15.h5! intending e4 16.h4 ] 15...ae8? Extremely passive. Better moves were [ 15...b5 w i t h t h e i d e a 16.cxd5 cxd5 17.xb5 d4! , ] [ 15...ac8 with the same idea. ]
[ or simply 15...e4 16.h2 e5 ] 16.dg1?! [ 16.h5! ] 16...dc5 [ 16...e4 17.h2 e5 is unclear. ] 17.d1!? [ 17.h5! ] 17...e4 18.e1!? b5!? 19.b4 [ 19.f4! looks correct, threatening f5 and h4h5, when exf3 20.xf3 releases Black's grip on d3. ] 19...d7? A turning point. [ 19...a4! looks risky in view of 20.c5 c7 21.f6!? , but White has trouble adding fuel to the fire after ( 21.a1 a5! ) 21...d7 , when the a-file will prove a real problem for him. ] 20.c5 e5 21.f4 xb2 [ 21...exf3 22.xf3 xb2 23.xb2 has the idea h5/g6, and Black's bishop on b7 is a liability. ] 22.xb2 f5? This loses! [ 22...a5!? 23.f5 c7 is the best chance. ] 23.gxf6 xf6 24.g4! f7 [ 24...xb2+ 25.xb2 g6 26.f5 g7 27.fxg6 and things are falling apart. ] 25.f5! ef8 26.h5 xb2+ 27.xb2 ee7 [ 27...g6 28.fxg6 hxg6 29.xg6 xg6 30.xg6+ h7 31.6g5 f6 32.g2! , a n d Nf 4 wi ll c e m e n t W h it e ' s wi n n i n g advantage. ] 28.xf7+ xf7 29.c2 e5 30.d4 1-0
444 Stefanova,Antoaneta Sebag,M FIDE WCh Women World Cup (4.3) [John Bartholomew]
A11 2491 2521 22.11.12
Antoaneta Stefanova is essentially winning out of the opening in this 7.a4 Anti-Slav, blunders badly, then most certainly should have lost. As Tartakower once said, though: "The winner is the player who makes the second to last mistake"! 1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.g3 f6 4.g2 dxc4 5.0-0 bd7 6.c2 b6 7.a4 [ 7.a3 is the hot move, but the text is no less popular. ] 7...a5 8.a3 e6 9.g5 This knight lunge is 427
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 demands a precise reply. I think Black usually the most direct counter to ...Bc8-e6. should counter with [ One drawback of 7.a4 is that the pawn A1) 14...xg4?! 15.exf7 xf7 sacrifice 9.b3 is no longer feasible. See A1a) and now 16.xe6! would have Bartholomew-Kojima for an example of this been hazardous for Black, i.e. in the 7.Na3 line, though. ] A1a1) 16...h4?! 17.f4 xe6 [ However, 9.e5!? still makes sense, just 18.xe6+ d8 19.g3! h5 as it does without the inclusion of a2-a4 and ( a cool line that illustrates the a7-a5. For example: dangers Black faces here is A) 9...d4 is most common here it leads 19...g5? 20.ae1 b4 and now to complications after 10.xc6 bxc6 21.xh7!!+- is a brutal surprise, e.g. 11.xc6+ , e.g. f8 22.h4 ) 20.f3; A1) 11...d7 12.xa8 xa8 13.xc4 A1a2) 16...xe6 17.xe6+ e7 d5 ( 13...b6 14.xa5 e5 15.d3 ( 17...f7 fails spectacularly to d6 16.d2 Heffalump (2464)18.g5!! (luring the Black queen out Rock doc (2 386 ) p layche ss. com INT o f h e r d e n ) xg5 19.b3+2006 ) 14.b3!? h3 15.b5+! xb5 when the various discoveries are 16.axb5 d5 17.xa5 ab6 18.xb6 immediately decisive) 18.g5 df6 xb6 19.d1 Valdes, L (2366)19.ae1 0-0 20.xe7; Beinoras, M (2346) Istanbul 2012; A1b) 16.xf7? xf7 17.e4 b4! A2) 11...fd7 (I think this is best) 18.xe6+ f8 19.f4 df6 20.h3 12.xa8 xa8 13.d3 h3 14.d1 e5?! xd4 21.hxg4 xf4-+ Carlstedt, J ( 14...d5!? 15.e4 h5 16.xc4; (2379)-Alonso Rosell, A (2521) 14...ab6!? ) 15.xc4 ab6 16.xd4 Figueres 2010; exd4 17.d2 xa4 18.b5 ab6 A2) 14...xe5!N , e.g. 15.dxe5 19.xa5 Tikkanen, H (2591)-Hultin, J ( B l a c k i s d o i n g we l l a f t e r 15.gxh5?! (2307) Malmo 2012; ed7 ) 15...g6! ( 15...xg4?? B) 9...g6 (simply developing) 10.axc4 16.xc6+ bxc6 17.xc6+ e7 xc4 11.xc4 g7 12.d3 d5 13.d2 18.xe6!+- ) 16.b3 d5 17.xb7 0-0 14.fc1 b6 15.e3 c5 16.xd5 c8; xd5 17.xd5 xd5= Zaragatski, I B) 14.f3 has been played a couple times, (2474)-Michiels, B (2502) Netherlands thou gh Bla ck is quit e solid a f te r xe5 2012 ] 15.xh5 g6 16.xe6+ e7! ( 16...fxe6? 9...g4 10.xc4 xe2! 17.xg6+ hxg6 18.xg6+ d7 19.f7 [ 10...xc4 11.xc4 e6 is less resolute. e8 20.xh8 ) 17.xg6 hxg6 e.g. Following 12.e4 h5 13.d4 h6 14.h3 18.e1 ( 18.e2 0-0 19.d2 d5 g6 15.f4! xe4 16.xe4 xe4 20.f3 f6 21.ae1 Maletin, P (2575)17.xe6! White unleashed a promising Panarin, M (2503) Samara 2011 d7= ) attack in Matamoros Franco, C (2460)-Xu 18...0-0 19.d2 d5 20.e4 e8 Jun (2626) Seville 2003/[TonyK]. ] 21.c5 c7 22.b3 b6= Valdes, L 11.e5 h5 12.b4!? Introduced by the (2366)-Michiels, B (2509) Istanbul 2012. ] Czech GM Jiri Stocek in 2000. Computers are initially skeptical of this pawn offering, but 12...e6 No funny business - just development. [ Instead, 12...bd7 led to major they often change their tune when left to stew complications in Radjabov, T (2761)-Smeets, in their own juices for a bit. The text has been J (2601) Wijk aan Zee 2009/[Nigel Davies]: p l a y e d b y s e v e r a l o t h e r s t r o n g p la ye r s , 13.b2 axb4 14.a5 a6 15.fe1 xe5 including Teimour Radjabov. 16.xe5 e6? and here White passed on the [ The alternative is 12.e1 bd7 ( not cr u s h i n g c o n t i n u a t i o n 17.xe6! fxe6 12...h6?! 13.e4 e6?! 14.xc6!; 18.xe6+ f7 ( 18...e7 19.ae1+- ) 12...bd5!? deserves attention) 13.d4 e6 19.c4+- ] and now: [ Nobody has dared to accept the pawn with A) 14.g4!? would be my choice, as it 428
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 12...axb4 . After 13.b2 the game could transpose to Radjabov-Smeets. ( 13.e1!? )] 13.b5 [ This is better than 13.bxa5 xa5 14.d4 d6 15.d2 a7 16.a5 bd5 17.a6 0-0 18.axb7 which was immediately agreed drawn in Matamoros Franco, C (2542)-Stella, A ( 2 3 9 8 ) F o r n i d i S o p r a 2 0 1 1 . xb7 19.xc6 d7= ] 13...d6 14.b2 [ 14.d4 0-0!? (this is far more acceptable than in the game) 15.bxc6 bxc6 16.d2 bd5 17.xc6 c8 18.b5 b4 Rodriguez Guerrero, E (2464)-Dunis, A (2534) La Roche sur Yon 2006 ] 14...0-0? Clearly bad. One wonders whether Sebag was on her own at this point or whether she simply confused her lines. Black has at least two valid approaches here: [ 14...xe5 15.xe5 g6 is the most straightforward. After 16.a2 ( 16.b3 looks preferable for instance bd5 17.fc1 c8 18.bxc6 bxc6 19.xd5!? xd5 20.xd5 exd5 21.f3 c5 22.a3 with compensation, but no more) 16...bd5 17.bxc6 bxc6 18.ac1 0-0 Black was on top in Cebalo, M (2478)-Chatalbashev, B (2 5 6 6 ) T rie s t e 2 0 1 1 b e ca u s e 19.xc6?? runs into b4-+ . ] [ 14...c7 i s a l s o f i n e , e . g . 15.c4 ( 15.fe1!? ) 15...xc4 16.xc4 0-0 17.h4 g6 18.bxc6 bxc6 19.ac1 e7 ( 19...d8! ) 20.xc6 Maletin, P (2541)Pilavov, G (2550) Nizhnij Tagil 2006 ab8 .] 15.bxc6 [ E v e n s t r o n g e r w a s 15.xc6! d7 ( 15...bxc6?? 16.xf6 is the point. Black has to play g6 to avoid mate on h7, but 17.xd8 xc2 18.xb6+- leaves White a piece to the good.) 16.xf6 g6 17.e4 bxc6 18.d4! d5 19.bxc6 c7 20.c4 .] 15...c8 16.b1 [ Or simply 16.b3! . ] 16...xe5? Black is sinking fast, though this is only the beginning! [ P r e s u m a b l y s h e r e j e c t e d 16...bxc6 b e c a u s e o f 17.xc6 c7 18.xf6 , but the zwischenzug g6! keeps her alive. Things are still difficult after 19.b2 gxf6
20.e4! ( 20.xf6 d7 ) 20...xe4 21.xe4 f5 22.g2 , but there's still everything to play for. ] 17.cxb7?! Thus initiating a slew of mutual errors that persists until the end of the game. [ White had an easy win with 17.xe5 g6 ( 17...bxc6? 18.xf6+- ) 18.c7!+- . ] 17...c5 18.d4! g6? 19.e4?? A colossal mistake. The pendulum begins to swing... [ Black would be hard-pressed to survive after 19.dxc5! xb1 20.xe5+- . ] 19...c4! 20.d1?! [ 20.dxe5 xe4 21.xe4 xe4 was the lesser evil. ] 20...c7 21.a3 e8? Gulp. [ 21...xe4 w i n s , i . e . 22.xe4 xe4 23.xe4 ( 23.xf8 c3-+ ) 23...d6-+ ] 22.xf6+ gxf6 23.b5 c2 24.e1 xa4 25.h5 c6?! 26.g4+? [ 26.xc6! xc6 27.e4 ] 26...h8 27.xc6 xc6 28.ab1 d5 29.e2 c4 30.c5 d6?? [ Black is up a clean piece after 30...d2! 31.xd2 xc5 ] [ , or even just 30...d6 . ] 31.ec1 xc5? 32.b8? The evaluation is changing move-to-move at this point. [ 32.xc4+- ] 32...xb8 33.xb8+ g7?? Oh no! This is the final straw. [ 33...f8! was absolutely mandatory. Amazingly, it seems to lead to equality! For example: 34.xf8+ g7 35.b8 and now e5! 36.xc6 f3+ 37.f1 xh2+ 38.g1 f3+ 39.f1= ( 39.g2?? xd4+-+ )] 34.xc4 Now White is (take a deep breath!) winning. xd4 [ Black should try 34...b6 35.xd5 exd5 36.xb6 xb6 , though White's win should only be a matter of technique. ] 35.xc6 a2 36.f3 f5 37.bc8 a4 38.8c2 b3 39.xb3 Black resigns. One of the most blunder-filled contests I've seen from players of this caliber for quite some time, though we must remember that it was played in the ultra-nervy quarterfinal stage of the Women's World Championship. Black looks to be in good theoretical shape in this line, so long as he/she chooses a better continuation
429
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 on move 14 like 14...Be5 or 14... Qc7. 1-0
445 Stefanova,Antoaneta Zhukova,Natalia North Ural Cup (6) [Tony Kosten]
A11 2503 2439 14.08.2003
Th e e n d in g t h a t a rise s h e re se e m s ve ry pleasant for White, and this is the first time that Black actually manages to win a game. However, she needed a lot of help from her opponent! 1.c4 c6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 f6 4.f3 f5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.b3 I recommended this in my book as a simple method of playing against Lasker's System. b6 Black accepts doubled pawns to remove the pressure on b7, and will have the halfopen a-file in exchange. [ 6...c8 is the main alternative, see my game against Bunzmann from Montpellier 2001. ] 7.xb6 axb6 8.c3 c6 9.d3 e6 10.b5 This is the normal move here, b5 is a strong square for the knight, as there are no black pawns to chase it away, but no doubt other moves are possible. b4+ 11.d2 e7 12.fd4 xd2+ 13.xd2 Both kings stay in the centre as for the moment they are entirely safe in this endgame on dark squares whilst the centre is closed. g6 14.f4! An important move, restraining ...e5. a4 This active move appears to be the mo st logical, as Black attacks the d4-knight, and prepares to double rooks, or play ...Rb4. [ But there are others: 14...h6 15.a3 hc8 16.ac1 h7 17.h3 d7 18.c3 with a pleasant edge which White managed to transform, Portisch,L-Smyslov,V/Wijk aan Zee 1972. ] [ 14...a5 15.e3 e8 16.a3 xd4 17.xd4 d7 18.ac1 c5 Fra n c o O c a m p o s, Z-B ra vo B a rra n co , N/ B a r c e l o n a E S P 2 0 0 0 , a n d n o w 19.b4 looks very unpleasant, i.e. cc8 20.f5! xf5 21.xf5+ exf5 22.xd5 and the b7-pawn is in trouble. ] [ 14...hc8 15.h3 h5 16.hg1 g4 17.g2 h5?! 18.h3 f5 19.xf5+ exf5
Black's structure is weak, Nguyen Ngoc Truongson-Megaranto,S/Ho Chi Minh City VIE 2003. ] 15.e3 This new move seems very sensible, White defends her knight on d4 rather than retreat by [ 15.c2 although after ha8 16.a3 d7 17.b4! (stopping the knight from coming to c5, and leaving the rooks looking silly on the a-file) f6?! 18.hc1 f8 19.g4 White had a nice advantage in Kirov,N-Van der Sterren, P/ Baku 1983, the game continuing d8 20.f5! exf5 21.gxf5 xf5 22.c3 a7 23.xd5+ f7 24.xb6 winning easily. ] 15...h6 16.a3 h7 The bishop withdraws from g6 so that tricks with f5 have less effect, b u t i t s e e m s t i m e - c o n s u m i n g . 17.hf1!? White decides on a kingside demonstration, but [ 17.ac1 c8 18.h3 seems very pleasant for W hite, she can continue with moves such as b4, g4, Rc3, etc. with good perspectives. ] 17...aa8 18.h3 hc8 19.g4 d7 20.f5 This is the point of White's play, she attempts to undermine d5, but [ 20.b4 was a sensible alternative, controlling c5. ] 20...g8 21.h4!? [ 21.fxe6! fxe6 22.e4 is interesting, with the idea of opening the e-file and embarrassing the black king. ] 21...ce5 22.g5 [ 22.e4! dxe4 23.xe4 c5 24.ae1 gives White a strong attack on the king. ] 22...c5 Black counterattacks the d3-square, w h i c h s e e m s t o b e d e f e n c e l e s s . 23.b4! cxd3 24.ab1?! Apparently trapping the knight by controlling its only escape square, but [ 24.e4!? seems very strong, blowing open the centre and long diagonal, hxg5 25.hxg5 d8! the best chance ( 25...b2 26.exd5 bc4+ 27.e2 exd5 28.xd5 tears Black apart ) 26.exd5 exd5 27.f6+! ( 27.c7 ac8 28.xd5+ xd5! 29.xd5 d8 ) 27...gxf6 28.xf6 with powerful threats. ] 24...b2! Anyway! 25.xb2 c4+ 26.c3 xe3+ 27.d3 xf1 28.xf1 hxg5 29.hxg5 e5 Rook and two pawn are generally worth two piece s, especia lly h ere a s th e 430
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 pawns are central pawns controlling important squares, but White has plenty of resources. 30.f6+?! White panics, and gives a further pawn. [ 30.e2 is s i m p le a n d g o o d , e . g . f6 31.d2! (saf er on a dark square) d7 32.e6! xe6 33.fxe6+ e7 ( 33...xe6? 34.h3+ f5 35.d4+! turns the tables) 34.h3 and the strong e6-pawn keeps White alive. ] 30...gxf6 31.gxf6+ xf6 32.f2+ e7 33.f5+ f8 34.e3 h7+ 35.d2 c6! [ 35...e4? 36.d3! xd3 37.xd3 d4 38.g4 e8 39.e2 wins the central pawns. ] 36.d3?! Drawing the pawns forward. [ 36.g4 e4 37.e3 gives chances of blocking the pawns on light squares. ] 36...e4 37.b1 d4! 38.xd4 What else? d8 39.ec2 xc2+! 40.xc2 xd4+ 41.e3 c4 Now Black is completely winning with two good pawns more. 42.b5?! c3+ 43.d4 xa3 44.e2 a2 45.e3 b2 46.h2 g6 47.h8+ g7 48.c8 xb5 49.e8 f5 50.e7+ f6 51.xb7 Regaining one pawn, but she could have resigned and saved herself the trouble. g5 52.d4 c5 53.a4 a5 54.c6 a3 55.xb6 d3+ 56.e5 e3 57.b1 h5 58.g1+ g4 59.f3 e2 60.xg4 [ 60.xe2 e3+ ] 60...fxg4 61.e1 e3+ 62.d4 f4 0-1
agree that W hite's best chances for an advantage are connected with this knight jump. [ Marin indicates that 5.cxd5 xf3! 6.xf3 cxd5 is less challenging to Black. The first player can try to squeeze something (and Marin presents a decent case for doing so in a later chapter), but W hite's bishops are d e va lu e d in t h is se m i- cl o se d p o s it i o n . S t a t ist ics co n f irm t h e ro b u st n a t u re o f Black's game. ] 5...e6 This is the most solid retreat. Black intends to recapture on d5 with his bishop while avoiding any unpleasantries associated with a tempo-gaining g3-g4. [ 5...h5?! is known to be risky for Black: 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.c3 e6 8.a4+ bd7 9.g4 g6 10.h4 ] [ Likewise 5...f5?! is begging for punishment: 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.c3 e6 8.g4!? ( 8.a4+ bd7 9.g4 g6 transposes to the line above. ) 8...g6 9.h4 ] 6.cxd5 xd5 7.f3 White must not permit B l a c k t o e x c h a n g e b i s h o p s f o r f r e e . c5 Securing the c6 square for the bishop is most popular. [ 7...e5 8.c3 e4 9.g5!? ( Marin's 9.h4 is safer ) 9...e3! A) 10.xd5 exf2+ 11.xf2 c5+?? ( 11...cxd5= ) 12.d4+Reinderman, D (2617)-Kleijn, C (2429)/PlayChess.com INT 2011.; B) 10.f3 exd2+ ( 10...h6!? ) 11.xd2 bd7 12.0-0 c5+ 13.h1 0-0 14.b3 h6?! 15.e4! xb3 16.axb3 hxg5 446 A11 17.xg5 d4 18.d2 c5 19.c2 b6 20.b1 e6= Hickl, J (2572) Sundararajan,Kidambi 2474 Charnushevich, A (2501)/ Switzerland SUI Sriram,Jha 2410 2010.; 49th ch-NatA (7) 15.10.2011 C) 10.dxe3 xg2 11.xd8+ xd8 [John Bartholomew] 12.g1 d5 13.xd5 cxd5 14.xf7+ e7 15.xh8 e6 An interesting 1.c4 c6 2.f3 d5 3.g3 f6 4.g2 g4 endgame is reached where W hite's h8 The Capablanca Variation. knight will soon perish, but Black will have [ T h e p r i n c i p l e d p a w n g r a b 4...dxc4 to cope with White's mass of pawns on the has been examined many times on this site. kingside. ] For an overview of this and other options [ 7...g6 is stodgy. 8.c3 ( 8.0-0 g7 9.c3 (such as the common 4...Bf5), see Nigel 0-0 10.d4 t r a n s p o s e s) 8...g7 9.0-0 Davies's "Reti - 1. c4 c6 with g3" guide in ( 9.xd5 cxd5 10.0-0 c6= Mogranzini, R the archives. ] (2387)-Epishin, V (2598)/Porto San Giorgio 5.e5 Marin gives this move a "!" in "GM ITA 2010. ) 9...0-0 10.d3 xf3!? 11.xf3 Repertoire 4 - The English Opening vol. 2". I 431
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 a6 ( 11...bd7 ) 12.d2 d7 13.b1 d5 14.c2 ac8 15.fc1 fd8 16.a4 1/2-1/2 Kreisl, R (2394)-Postny, E (2585)/ Aix-les-Bains FRA 2011 (43) ] 8.c3 c6 9.0-0 e6 10.d3 Seeking to reduce the influence of Black's bishop with a subsequent e2-e4. [ White can take the game into Catalan territory with 10.d4 ] [ A few GMs have also experimented with 10.e1!? i.e. e7 ( 10...bd7 11.e4 e5?! 12.a4 e7 13.d3 0-0 14.d2 e8 15.c4 f8 16.f4 b6 17.g4!? Wang Hao (2722)-Ma Qun (2366)/ Hefei CHN 2010.) 11.e4 b6? ( 11...0-0 ) 12.d4 cxd4 13.xd4 b7 14.e5 d5 15.f5 exf5 16.xd5 c6 17.b3 c8 18.xe7 xe7 19.g5+ e8 20.ad1 1-0 Pantsulaia, L (2588)Coleman, J (2136)/Dubai UAE 2010. ] 10...e7 11.e4 0-0 12.e1 Probably an inaccuracy. [ 12.e2 is Marin's recommendation, keeping d1 as an option for White's rook. A r e c e n t g a m e c o n t i n u e d b5!? 13.a4 " ! " M a r i n . ( 13.a3 b4 14.axb4 cxb4 15.a4 b5 16.d1 c6 17.b3 Zygouris, H (2215)-Al Sayed, M (2490)/ Ca le t a E NG 2 0 1 1 . c8; 13.d1 b4 14.b1 Johannesson, I (2338)-Halldorsson, J (2195)/Egilsstadir ISL 2011. a4!? 15.b3 b5 and Black has successfully impeded White's intended Nb1-d2-c4 maneuver due to the pressure on d3.) 13...b4 14.b1 b7 15.e5?! ( 15.bd2 c6 16.c4 c8 17.f4 White has achieved his strategic goal of establishing his knight on c4. Black has a couple of weaknesses to cope with, though nothing is decided yet.) 15...fd7! 16.c4 c6 17.f4 b6 ( 17...g5!? 18.e3 de5 19.d1 a6 ) 18.bd2 d4 19.g4 f5 Astrup, K (2274)-Straeter, T (2325)/ Stockholm SWE 2011. ] 12...b5!? If 12...b5 is playable against 12. Qe2, I see no reason why it shouldn't be here. W hit e ha s t o f ine-t une his pla ns if B lack insists upon maximum queenside space. [ Marin dismisses 12.Re1 due to a game of his with 12...b6 : 13.e5 d8 14.a4 ( 14.e2!? ) 14...bd7 15.a5 ( Perhaps 15.c4 maintains a small edge.) 15...c7 16.xc6 bxc6 1/2-1/2 Marin, M (2583)-
Balogh, C (2595)/Arinsal AND 2009. ] 13.d4?! White shouldn't be worse after this, but an effective d3-d4 break (if it comes at all) requires further preparation. [ Better is 13.e5 i.e. A) 13...fd7 14.xc6 xc6 15.e5! ( 15.xb5?! de5 ); B) 13...e8 14.a4 b4 15.e2 c6 16.c4 d7= Moor, R (2362)-Sermier, G (2381)/Switzerland 200809. Black has organized effectively and enjoys excellent control over the critical d4 and e5 squares. ] 13...b4 14.a4 cxd4 [ 14...c4!? 15.e5 d5 ] 15.e5 fd7 16.xd4 xg2 17.xg2 xe5!? [ Black is totally fine after 17...b6 ] [ or 17...c7 but he prefers a tactical solution. ] 18.xe5 c6 19.e4 e5 20.xc6?? Flat-out collapsing. [ White failed to notice 20.g5 , when the tactical flurry d5! 21.xc6 xe4+ 22.f3 xc6 23.xe7 fc8!? results in rough dynamic equality, e.g. ( or 23...fe8 24.c1! b7 25.g5 e4 26.c5 exf3+ 27.f2 )] 20...xd1 21.xe7+ h8 Three pieces for the queen, but none of them coordinated! 22.b3 d7 23.xe5 fe8 24.g5 f6 0-1
447 Tikkanen,Hans Hector,Jonny ch-SWE 2012 Falun SWE (6.2) [John Bartholomew]
A11 2573 2530 12.07.2012
Jonny Hector is known for his aggressive brand of chess. In this game he chances a little-known idea in the Anti-Slav only to see it backfire from Hans Tikkanen's energetic play. 1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.g3 dxc4 4.g2 f6?! Defending the c4-pawn with ...Bc8-e6 is a normal occurrence in this line, but in turn Black often encounters the bothersome Nf3g5 thrust. W ith 4...f6 Hector takes the g5square under control and prepares the maneuver ... Bc8-e6-f7. Highly original, but can Black afford such extravagance? 432
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ The main line is 4...f6 . We have recently exam ined the gam bit cont inua tio n 5.0-0 bd7 6.a3 b6 7.c2 d5 8.b3 cxb3 ( 8...f5?! Mikhalevski, V (2525) -Matinian, N (2438)/Moscow RUS 2012/[John Bartholomew]) 9.axb3 e6 , when 10.b4! l e d t o a s p a r k l i n g vi c t o r y f o r W h i t e i n Timman, J (2571)-Ernst, S (2606)/Wijk aan Zee NED 2012/[John Bartholomew]. ] 5.a3 [ 5.c2 e6 6.a3 would transpose. ] 5...e6 [ 5...e5!?N is inconsistent with Black's main idea, but in light of the game continuation it may be best. 6.xc4 e4 7.g1 ] 6.c2 b5 7.b3! The familiar Anti-Slav lever. Black is further behind in development than normal, thus W hite has the go-ahead to rip open the queenside. f7 [ Black accepted the pawn in the only two previous games with 4...f6: 7...cxb3 8.axb3 a6 ( 8...d7 9.0-0 h3? 10.xh3 xh3 11.xb5! d7 12.a3 a6 13.c4 a7 14.d4 g5 15.d1 g4 16.h4 h6 17.e4 xc1 18.axc1+Poettinger, H (2200)Kondrak, C (2176)/Salzburg AUT 2012. Black's scattered forces, numerous pawn weaknesses, and open king make this an e a s y c a l l .) 9.0-0 a7 10.d4 d7 Xiu, D (2521)-Deshmukh, A (2326)/Kuala Lumpur MAS 2010. Here 11.e4 is the most natural way to continue, i.e. e6 12.e3 when White's compensation is abundantly clear. ] 8.bxc4 b4 Desperately trying to contain White's growing initiative. 9.b1 e5 10.a3! Tikkanen is persistent! h6?! Black's position is highly unenviable, so it's tough to query any attempt at development. [ Still, 10...d7 offered better chances for survival. ] 11.0-0 g6 12.a4 [ 12.b2!? ] 12...bxa3 13.h4! h5 14.c3 f7 15.c5 g5 16.b3+ e8? [ For better or worse Black had to try 16...g7 17.b7+ d7 18.xc6 when xc5! keeps some hope alive. 19.xa3 ] 17.e4!? A difficult move to resist. [ Also strong is 17.b7 d7 18.xc6+- ] 17...d7
[ 17...gxh4 18.e6+ e7 19.xf6+ f8 20.xh5+- is the point. ] 18.e6+ e7 19.d4!+A final blow that su c c e e d s i n b r e a ki n g B l a c k ' s b a c k . g4 20.d6+ f8 21.hf5 xf5 22.xf5 xf5 23.xf5 Black cannot deal with the dual threats on c6 and g5. The bishops have a field day. c7 24.xg5 exd4 25.h6+ e8 26.g7 f7 27.xh8 xh8 28.fc1 e5 29.xa3 g7 30.f4 g6 31.ca1 This game had all the makings of an early rout. Black tempted fate with the time-consuming 4...f6?!, and White had plenty of bullets in the chamber to mete out the punishment (7.b3!, 10.a3!, and 19.d4!). Tikkanen went on to win the Swedish Championship in a f our-way playoff, so congratulations are in order to him! 1-0
448 Timman,Jan Ernst,Sipke 74th Tata Steel GMB (5) [John Bartholomew]
A11 2571 2606 19.01.2012
1.c4 c6 2.f3 d5 3.g3 f6 4.g2 dxc4 5.0-0 bd7 6.c2 b6 7.a3 d5 8.b3 "Let's make it a true gambit, Alex." I believe this is the most promising option White has available, and Timman's sure handling makes 8.b3 all the more appealing. [ Mihail Marin gives 8.e1 an exclam in "Grandmaster Repertoire 4 - The English O p e n i n g vo l. 2 " . Ne ve rt h e le s s, li m it e d practical results have favored Back in the l i n e s w i t h d4 , For example, Marin's line ( 8...f5 Pantsulaia, L (2581)- Sundararajan, K (2487)/Dubai UAE 2009/[Nigel Davies],; and 8...e6 Marin, M (2583)-Laznicka, V (2617)/Benasque ESP 2009/[Nigel Davies],; but not 8...f5?! Marin, M (2556)-Ris, R (2436)/Reykjavik ISL 2009/[Nigel Davies].) 9.e3 g4 10.e4 has been improved upon a f e w t i m e s , i . e . e5 ( Other new moves include 10...g6 , Eichhorn, A (2294)-Roiz, M (2645) /Biel SUI 2010.; and 10...h5!? , Janssen, R (2512)-Spoelman, W (2564)/ Boxtel NED 2011.) 11.xc4 xc4 12.xc4 and now e6 ( See the archives for 12...d6 Zueger, B (2448)-Gagunashvili, M 433
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 (2580)/Istanbul 2003/ . This is the only move Marin considers.) 13.c2 e2!? ( 13...h5!? ) 14.b3 0-0-0 15.c3 b5 16.b2 c5! with interesting play. Tkachiev, V (2636) -Fressinet, L (2707)/Wijk aan Zee NED 2011. ] [ An alternative is 8.h4 , Davies, N (2475)Adams, M (2555)/Blackpool 1990/[Nigel Davies]. ] 8...cxb3 [ I'm not convinced by 8...f5?! , e.g. 9.b2 ( 9.bxc4 xf3 10.xf3 xc2 11.xc2 xc4= Davies, N (2512)-Haslinger, S (2423)/ Swansea 2006/[Nigel Davies].; 9.c3!? ) 9...cxb3 10.axb3 e6 11.c4 d8 12.d3 e7 13.a5!? ( Better than 13.xb6 axb6 14.xa8 xa8 , Mihajlovic, M (2243)Kuzmanovic, R (1996)/ Belgrade 2007.) 13...c8 14.b4! 0-0 15.b5 with excellent play. ] 9.axb3 e6 The main continuation. [ Black has also tried 9...g6 ] [ and 9...h5 see the notes to GrandeliusKuipers (below). ] 10.b4!? Surprisingly a novelty. [ 10.b1 was examined in Grandelius, N (2515)-Kuipers, S (2340)/ Wijk aan Zee NED 2010/[Nigel Davies]. ] [ White can also stoke the fire with 10.d3!? , i.e. xb3 11.d2 ( 11.e3 xc2 12.xc2 bd5 13.xa7 c3 14.e4 b3 15.c5?! xa1 16.xa1 a4! 17.e3 xc2 18.d4 xd3 19.xa4 xe4 Thorfinnsson, B (2419)-Friedel, J (2529)/ Reykjavik ISL 2011.) 11...d5 12.g5 d7 13.xe6 xe6 14.c4 ( 14.b2!? ) 14...xc4 15.dxc4 c8 16.e3 e6 17.xa7 e7 18.d2 0-0 19.b1 wit h c o m p e n sa t io n t h a t wa s o n ly go o d enough for a draw. Valdes, L (2391)Gonzalez, B (2416)/San Jose CRC 2011. ] 10...b3 This is definitely critical. [ White isn't opposed to a slower pace, e.g. 10...g6 , e.g. 11.b2 g7 12.e5 ] 11.xb3 [ W hite has full compensation after 11.b5 xc2 12.xc2 cxb5 (White has sacrificed his entire queenside structure!) 13.cd4 d7 14.e5 , but again - not much more. fd5 15.xd7 xd7 16.xb5 a6 17.d4 e6= ]
11...xb3 12.b5 c5? Understandable, but Black quickly runs into problems on the long diagonal. [ 12...a4! looks best. Now 13.e5!? ( or 13.bxc6 xc6 14.c2 ) 13...fd5 14.bxc6 bxc6 15.d3 e6 16.b2 f6 17.fc1 gives White certain compensation, though Black maintains a sound position. ] 13.d3 fd7 [ or 13...g6 14.d2 d5 15.e4 e6 16.e5 fd5 17.ac4 ] 14.d2 d5 15.e4 e6 16.f4 f6?! [ 16...g6!? ] 17.e5! Timman confidently develops his initiative. d5 [ 17...b8 was more resilient, although it's already tough. 18.ac4 ] 18.e6! xe6 19.xb7 b8 20.c6 g6 21.ac4 White completely dominated the opening discussion. The pawn deficit is really a moot point when Black cannot complete development, coordinate his pieces, or secure his king. Black's position is probably already be yo nd sa lvat io n . c8 22.e4 f7?! 23.e5+! An elegant blow. It's nice to see the Dutchman in his element! xe5 [ Steve Giddins provides the following line on ChessBase. com: 23...fxe5 24.g5+ f6 25.fxe5+ xe5 26.e1+ ( or 26.f4+ f6 27.xe6+- ) 26...f6 27.xe6+ g7 and now 28.xd7 continues the massacre. ] 24.fxe5 f5 25.xc5 Material equality has been restored, yet White's attack hasn't fizzled a bit. g7 26.d4 [ T h e i m m e d i a t e 26.xf5! was more efficient. ] 26...d8 27.xf5! gxf5 28.e6+ g6 29.d7 Black is helpless. d6 [ or 29...b6 30.xb6 axb6 31.a8 when xd4 32.xc8 d1+ 33.g2 xc1 loses to 34.e8++- ] 30.xb8 xb8 31.xa7 xb5 32.xe7 h6 33.e8+ Jan Timman made it look easy in this game. 8.b4!? is a natural decision that gives Black real problems. 1-0
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Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 9.c3?! xc3 10.dxc3 fd7 11.xd7 A11 xd7 , Christiansen, J (2062)-Bai, J (2288) Timman,Jan 2566 Maribor SLO 2012. ] Smeets,Jan 2615 Tata Steel Chess 2013 (6.10) 18.01.2013 9...bxc6 10.xc6+ d8 Black has three ways to escape the check, but it's not clear [John Bartholomew] which one is best. [ For example, 10...fd7 appears equally Jan Timman turned in a 2653 performance in playable, i.e. 11.xa8 xa8 12.d3 h3 the "B" group this year, ahead of many very ( 12...g6 13.d1 g7 14.xc4 0-0 15.e3 talented teenage Grandmasters. He is 61 d5 16.ac1 ab6 17.b3 was roughly years old and plays at least as well as any level in De Ramos, J (2362)-Yeoh, L (2264) ambitious young gun! 1.f3 d5 2.g3 f6 Penang MAS 2012; 12...ab6 13.dxc4 h3 3.g2 c6 4.c4 dxc4 5.0-0 bd7 6.c2 14.d1 c5?! 15.e4! e6 16.e3 c8 b6 7.a3 e6 This line remains critical. 17.c5! f5 18.f4 xc5 19.ac1 0-0 [ Timman won a brilliant game with his novel 20.xc5 xc5 21.e3 1-0 Prusikin, M 7...d5 8.b3 cxb3 9.axb3 e6 10.b4! (2541)-Pacher, M (2403) Merlimont 2011) almost exactly a year prior to the present 13.d1 d5 14.f3 ( 14.e4!? ) 14...e5 ga m e . S e e T im m a n , J (2 5 7 1 )- E rn st , S ( 14...d4+!? 15.e3 f6 16.xc4 ab6 (2606) Wijk aan Zee 2012/[John 17.f4 ) 15.dxc4 c5+ 16.h1 e6 Bartholomew]. ] with a messy, roughly balanced game in 8.e5!? Enterprising! White is willing to Vojinovic, J (2346) -Houska, J (2415) Porto sacrifice the knight on c6. The Dutch legend Carras 2011. ] is always spoiling for a fight in Wijk aan Zee. [ Black can also consider 10...d7 . 11.xa8 [ The usual continuation is 8.g5 g4 xa8 12.xc4 ( 12.xc4!? Trella, T (2395)9.xc4 , b u t a f t e r xe2 10.e5 h5 Russo, J (2097) Belgium 2010) 12...b6 11.e1 h6! Black drew with ease in Dubov, 13.xb6 xb6 14.d3 d5 15.e4 b4 D (2594)-Potkin, V (2651) Moscow 2012/ 16.c3 e6 17.e3 b7 18.a3 c6 [John Bartholomew]. ] B r u n e ll o , S ( 2 5 3 7 )- K o r n e e v, O ( 2 5 7 3 ) [ I ventured the thematic pawn sacrifice Otranto 2011 19.b4 ] 8.b3!? in Bartholomew, J (2427)-Kojima, S An important zwischenzug, (2340) London 2012/[John Bartholomew]. I 11.b5 obtained good compensation for the pawn inconveniencing Black's queen. [ I think less is promised by the immediate after cxb3 9.axb3 g6 10.c4 g7 11.a5 11.xa8 , as played twice by an expert in c8 12.b2 0-0 13.e4 d8 14.fe1!? t h is l in e , L e vo n P a n t s u la ia . A f t e r xa8 e8 15.xg7 xg7 16.d4 . See last 12.d3 ( 12.b5!? was played in Pantsulaia, month's update. ] L ( 2 5 5 7 ) - K e l e r , F ( 2 2 3 8 ) K o n ya 2 0 1 2 . 8...d4 Smeets takes up the gauntlet. Perhaps Black should react with d7 , i.e. [ 8...g6 is a calm alternative, i.e. 9.axc4 13.a4 a6 14.a3 d5 15.d1 h3 16.f3 xc4 10.xc4 g7 11.b3 d5 ( 11...0-0 d4+! 17.e3 d5 ) 12...cxd3 13.d1 12.b2 d7 13.e4 h3 14.d4 xg2 dxc2 14.xd4+ d7 Black has proven to be 15.xg2 ac8 16.ad1 fd8 17.fe1 q u i t e s a f e , i . e . 15.xc2 ( 15.c4 Fridman, D (2661)-Buhmann, R (2579) Bonn Pan tsu laia, L (261 7)-Co lovic, A (24 77 ) 2011 ) 12.b2 xg2 13.xg2 0-0 ( 13...c5 H e r a k l i o 2 0 0 7 e8!? 16.g5 c7 ) 14.fd1 0-0 15.d4 cxd4 16.xd4 c7 15...b6 16.f4 e6 17.d6?! xd6 17.ac1 Pantsulaia, L (2599)-Sargissian, G 18.xd6 e7 19.dd1 b8 Shimanov, A (2677) Khanty-Mansiysk 2010) 14.d3 (2600)-Potkin, V (2642) Tyumen 2012. ] ( perhaps 14.ad1!? intending d2-d4 [ 11.d3 ] prom is es m ore) 14...c5 15.ac1 c8 16.fd1 d5+ 17.g1 fd8= Pantsulaia, L 11...c5 12.xa8 xb5 [ Nobody has tried 12...xa8!?N . A possible (2510)-Palo, D (2519) Gothenburg 2005. ] continuation is 13.a4 a6 ( Black certainly 9.xc6 has other moves, i.e. 13...d5!? ) 14.d4! [ Nothing is to be gained from the cowardly 449
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Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 b6 15.c3 ( 15.a3!? ) 15...c7 16.e4 with complex play where I'd most definitely choose White. ] 13.g2 h5!? 14.h4!? Timman comes armed with a small novelty. [ Smeets already has this position at the Olympiad against the aforementioned GM Pantsulaia. That game went 14.d3 cxd3 15.d1 f5 16.e4 xe4 17.xd3+ xd3 18.xd3+ d6 and Black was not worse in the queenless middlegame. Pantsulaia, L (2575)-Smeets, J (2608) Istanbul 2012. ] 14...f5 [ 14...g6!? deserves attention. ] 15.e4 d7 16.a4!? xa4 [ 16...b3 17.xb3 cxb3 18.a5 c4 19.d1!? ] 17.e5! The point of White's last move. e8 [ On 17...g4 18.e4! is a dangerous response. ] 18.e1 e6 19.f1 c5? An error from which Black never recovers. 20.d3! b3 [ Black's pieces suffer from a serious lack of coordination after 20...cxd3 21.xd3 , i.e. b6 22.d1 c7 23.e4+- with decisive t h r e a t s ( R a 1 xa 4 , R d 1 xd 7 , b 2 - b 3 ) . c8 24.xd7 ] 21.xc4 xc4 22.dxc4 c7 23.d1 c8 24.xd7! xd7 25.xa4 White is a pawn to the good and possesses the bishop pair to boot. b8 26.e2 g6 27.d1 d4 28.b3 a6 29.f4 c3 30.a2 c6 31.f1 a5 32.d2! b4 33.xb4 axb4 34.f3+ b6 35.c5+!? Nearly forcing the game into a rook ending where Black will be hard pressed to hold. b5 [ Of course 35...xc5? 36.c2+ b6 37.c6+ b7 38.xe6+ c8 39.e7+is a disaster. ] 36.d2 d5 37.xd5 exd5 38.xd5 b7 39.e2 c6 40.d3 e7 41.f4 a7 [ 41...f6? 42.d6++- ] 42.f5! gxf5 43.f3 a1 44.f4 f1+?! [ More tenacious is 44...xc5 45.xf5 ( not 45.g5? c1! 46.xh5 c3 ) 45...e1 , with some chances to hold. ] 45.g5 xc5 46.xh5 c1 47.f3! c3 48.xf5 d5 [ 48...xg3 49.e6++- ] 49.g4 e6 50.f6+ e7 51.g5 xb3 52.e6! fxe6 53.g6+Power of the
connected passed pawns! h3 54.h5 b3 55.h6 Black resigned. 8.Ne5!? can lead to rather obscure play where both should know what's going on. Black is fine in theory, but he does have a smaller margin for error. A wellprepared White player can most certainly try to catch him unawares. 1-0
450 Timman,Jan H Glek,Igor V TCh-FRA Top 16 Gp A (6) [Carsten Hansen]
A11 2561 2546 12.04.2008
1.f3 f6 2.g3 g6 3.b3 g7 4.b2 0-0 5.g2 d5 6.c4 c6 7.0-0 a5 8.d3 g4 [ 8...a4 9.a3!? was discussed in BruzonNielsen, Esbjerg 2003 which can be found in the PGN archives ] 9.bd2 bd7 10.c1 [ White has tried a couple of other things in this position: A) 10.a3 e8 ( 10...e8 11.xg7 xg7 12.c2 , and a draw was prematurely agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, Damjanovic, M-Padevsky, N/ Bari 1972; 10...b8 11.c2 e6 12.h3 xf3 13.xf3 e8 14.e4 dxe4 15.dxe4 e5 16.fe1 f8 17.c3 c7 18.b4 with a small but clear advantage, Dobrovolsky, L-Konopka, M/ K u n za k 2 0 0 1; 10...xf3 11.xf3 e6 12.c2 e7 13.e3 e8 14.fc1 xb2 15.xb2 ef6 16.b4 a4 17.d2 Lehmitz, G-Okrushnoy, I/corr 1990) 11.h3 ( 11.c2 e5 12.e4 dxe4 13.dxe4 c7 14.c5 f8 15.b4 xf3 16.xf3 axb4 17.axb4 xa1 18.xa1 b6 19.cxb6 xb6 20.c1 , and a draw was agreed upon, 1/2-1/ 2, in Smejkal, J-Kholmov, R/Sochi 1973 there is very little to be played for in the final position.) 11...xf3 12.xf3 ( 12.xf3 e6 13.c2 h5 14.d4 hf6 15.d2 a4 16.b4 b5 , 1/2-1/2, Znamenacek, KDamjanovic, M/Prague 1987, but White can obviously play on with 17.c5 , and if e5 18.dxe5 xe5 , then 19.e4!? promises White the better chances) 12...e5 13.g2 b6 14.c1 ( In a later game, White tried to improve with 14.c2 d4 15.ab1 f8 16.h2 h5 17.c1 g7 18.b2 c5 436
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 completely winning at this stage, Black 19.e4 xe4 20.xe4 e6 rather miraculously managed to get a , and although Black has a fully satisfactory draw in this game, Psakhis, L-Paehtz, E/ game, the point at stake was halved at this playchess.com INT 2004; point, 1/2-1/2, Prokopchuk, E-Galkin, A/ D2) 11...fc8 12.fe1 xf3 13.xf3 e6 Krasnoiarsk 1998) 14...d4 15.c2 f8 14.e3 d8 15.b4 axb4 16.axb4 f8 16.ce1 h5 17.h2 f5 18.e3 dxe3 17.c5 e8 18.b3 c7 19.xg7 19.xe3 ad8 20.e2 c5 21.d4 exd4 xg7 20.d4 Bistric, F-Vucic, M/Rijeka 22.xe8 xe8 23.xd4 d8 24.f3 e4 2001; , and although I prefer White with his safer E) 10...xf3 11.xf3 b6 12.ac1 a4 king and pair of bishops, the position is more 13.d4 a6 14.b4 a3 15.c3 fc8 or even at this point, Prokopchuk, E-Galkin, 16.h3 e6 17.e5 h6 18.xd7 xd7 A/Kolontaevo 1997 ] 19.f4 dxc4 20.dxc4 McNab, C-Morris, P/ [ B) 10.c2 London 1990 ] A) 10...a4 11.b4 e8 12.h3 xf3 [ C) 10.b1 b8 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.d4 e5 13.xf3 a3 14.c3 e5 15.e4 d4 16.d2 13.b5 a6 14.h3 e6 15.e4 b6 h5 17.c5 Volkmann, F-Neubauer, M/ ( 15...c8!? ) 16.c3 dxe4 17.dxe4 c8 Aschach 1992; ( 17...c5 18.d5 xd5 19.exd5 f5 B) 10...c8 11.fc1 e8 12.h3 xf3 20.a3! c8 21.c1 ) 18.d5 xd5 13.xf3 e6 14.a3 c5 15.e3 b6 16.ab1 19.exd5 f5 20.c1 d3 21.e1 e7 17.cxd5 exd5 18.b4 axb4 19.axb4 Blatny, P-Mirumian, V/Pardubice 1996 ] c4 20.b5 , and White's position deserves [ D) 10.h3 xf3 11.xf3 preference, Gyorkos, L-Balazs, T/Hungary A) 11...e6 12.c2 ( 12.e5 b6 1994; 13.xd7 xd7 14.xg7 xg7 15.d4 a4 C) 10...e5!? deserves serious attention, 16.d3 axb3 17.axb3= Plenkovic, Zf o r e x a m p l e 11.h3 ( 11.xe5 xe5 Navinsek, T/Zadar CRO 2004) 12...e8 12.xe5 e8 13.d4 xe2 14.fe1 g4 13.e4 dxe4 ( 13...e5 ) 14.dxe4 e5 is fairly harmless for Black) 11...xf3 15.ad1 c7 16.a3 ( 16.a3 ) 16...f8 12.xf3 e8 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.fc1 h6 17.c5 b8?! ( 17...c8!? is probably 15.e3 d4 16.exd4 xc1 17.xc1 c8 better to play ... b7-b5, although White is 18.h6 c2 19.b1 b6 , and here for still better after 18.e1 b5 19.d3 ) some reason Black offered a draw against 18.g4!? d8 19.d2 e7 20.fd1 his stronger opponent, which Radjabov, T-Ivanchuk, V/Dubai 2002; unsurprisingly was accepted, 1/2-1/2, in B) 11...b6 12.b1 fe8 13.cxd5 cxd5 Ernst, S-Willemze, J/Dieren 1999 Black of 14.e5 ( 14.d2 e5 15.fc1 course has the better chances.; is a suggestion by Horn, though it's D) 10...b6 11.a3 doubtful if White accomplishes much in D1) 11...ac8 12.e4 dxe4 13.dxe4 this variation either) 14...e6 ( 14...xe5 c5 ( 13...cd8 14.b4! axb4 15.xe5 e6 16.d4 b5 ) 15.xd7 15.axb4 ) 14.e5?! ( 14.d4!? xf3 xd7 16.xg7 xg7 17.d2 ec8 15.xf3 fxe4 16.xg7 xd2 18.fc1 g8 19.h4 b4 20.g5 g7 17.xd2 xg7 18.c3+ f6 19.b4 ( 20...a3= - Horn ) 21.f3 h6 22.e3= , and White has excellent compensation Gonzalez de la Torre, S-Paunovic, D/ f o r t h e p a w n; However, White's best Elgoibar 2002 ] move is the simple 14.e5! , e.g. e6 15.c3 cd7 16.xd7 xd7 17.b4 10...e8 11.cxd5 xd5 [ This move is new, but hardly a particularly , and White is clearly better) 14...f5 impressive novelty. I think W hite is just 15.d1 fe4! 16.d4 xd2?? comfortably better in the game continuation. ( 16...cd8! 17.e1 xd2 18.xd2 Previously Black had only tried 11...xf3 xb3 , and Black is better) 17.xd2 12.xf3 ( 12.xf3!? cxd5 13.e4!? dxe4 fd8 18.e3 xd4 19.xd4 d7 14.dxe4 xe4 15.xg7 xg7 16.d5 20.e2+, and while White is 437
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 df6 17.xb7 ) 12...xd5 13.xg7 xg7 14.c2 7f6 15.b2 e5 16.a3 e7 17.c2 g8 18.fc1 c7 19.c4 b5 20.e3 with a comfortable little edge for White, Votruba, P-Schlueter, W/Germany 1991 ] [ Finally, Black can also consider 11...cxd5 , but after 12.h3 xf3 13.xf3 e5 14.e3 White's chances are preferable ] 12.xg7 xg7 13.c4 e5 14.d2!? [ 14.d4 promises less after e4 15.fe5 xe5 16.xe5 f5 17.e3 f6 18.c4 d7 with chances to both sides ] 14...xf3 15.xf3 7f6 16.fd1 c5?! This is a bizarre move, somehow hoping to setup a sort of Maroczy Bind structure. However, White is far better developed and coordinated than Black, leaving Black with a rather weak pawn structure. 17.a3 e6?! [ 17...a6!? ] 18.g2 b5? [ This move is an invitation to trouble. In situations such as this I always remember Razuvaev's comment regarding the Hedgehog: If W hite places four or more pawns on the fourth row, he will lose one of them. Indeed after the text move, he will have a very difficult time holding on to all four of his pawns, most of which are i n s u f f i c i e n t l y p r o t e c t e d . H o we ve r , t h e alternatives are pretty either, for instance 18...c7 runs into 19.e3! d8 20.b4 axb4 21.axb4 , and again Black is in trouble, e.g. b6 22.xd5 xd5 23.bxc5 ( 23.c4 c6 24.dc1 ) 23...bxc5 24.c2 , and White will likely end up winning the cpawn, though that by no means is a certain win. ] 19.e3! d6 20.c2! xe3 [ Now 20...c8 runs into 21.h3 ] 21.fxe3 a6 22.xc5 g4 This looks clever, but again W hite is on top on the situation. 23.h3! xc5 24.xc5 xe3 25.dc1 Black has won the pawn back, but this is only very temporary, because getting the knight back will cost at least a pawn. f5 26.xf5 gxf5 27.xb5 This endgame is of course hopelessly lost for Black, having to defend it against Timman who loves endgames doesn't make the task any more joyful. a4 28.b4 ad6 29.f2 g6 30.c4 h5 31.bc5 e4 32.d4 g5 33.h3!? Played to answer ...h5-
h4 with g3-g4 e3+ 34.f3 e4 This allows W hite to finish Black off with a little flurry. 35.xf5+! xf5 36.c5+ , and it's game over. W hat attracted me to this game is how seamlessly W hite's game went from being slightly better, to clearly better to won. A beautif ul, yet very simple game f rom the Dutch veteran. 1-0
451 Topalov,Veselin Anand,Viswanathan FIDE Candidates 2014 (2.2) [Fier, Alexandr]
A11 2785 2770 14.03.2014
We can always expect good opening ideas in the Candidates and this was no exception. Anand played an unusual idea against Topalov and he easily neutralized W hite's efforts to get an advantage with a correct pawn sacrifice. I think this is a good antidote a g a i n s t t h e l i n e s w i t h o u t d 4 . 1.f3 The game in itself was not that interesting, but it's Black's merit to use a new setup and equalize without any problems. d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 f6 4.c3 bd7 5.c2 [ 5.d4 e6 would transpose to the normal Meran ] [ 5.cxd5 can be a possible idea to 'punish' 4...Nbd7, but I think it can't be the refutation cxd5 ( 5...xd5 is a bit strange in this position and af ter 6.d4 g6 White can change the character of the position with 7.e4!? xc3 8.bxc3 and Black has a tempo more, but the pawn on c6 usually should goes to c5 anyway. Also the knight is often m o re a ct ive o n c 6 g7 9.c4 ) 6.d4 and the knight would be theoretically better o n c 6 , co m p a r e d t o d 7 . S t i ll, t h e i d e a l position for White would be with the bishop o n f 4 i n s t e a d o f c 1 e6 was seen in Tomashevsky, E (2641)-Romanov, E (2520)/ RUS-chT Sochi 2007 (1). ] 5...e5!? Black just takes the center [ 5...e6 would again transpose to the normal lines with 6.b3 ( or 6.d4 )] 6.cxd5 Now this makes a lot of sense, since Black cannot play 6...cxd5. xd5 Forced. [ 6...cxd5? 7.b5 and there is no good way 438
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 to defend the check on c7 c5 8.b4 b6 9.d6+ and White is almost winning ] 7.d4 The critical answer, but some other options are also playable. [ 7.e2 is a solid option and was played in a blitz game between two famous seconds d6 8.0-0 0-0 9.b3 7f6 with a level ga m e in s o m e k i n d o f r e ve rs e d co l o r s Sicilian Fressinet, L (2693)-Kasimdzhanov, R (2687)/FRA-ch op blitz 2011 (5). ] [ 7.c4 also interesting, bringing the bishop to an active diagonal 5b6 8.b3 d6 ( 8...e7 9.0-0 0-0 10.e4 and White can also fight for an advantage here) 9.e4 e7 10.h4 with some attacking chances in Bauer, C (2550)-Kosteniuk, A (2459)/Biel MTO op 2002 (6). ( 10.0-0 0-0 11.d3 )] 7...d6! I like this move. Black now sacrifices a pawn in a position that requires some deep understanding. The main point of the sacrifice is that Black can freely develop his pieces and create strong pressure against the queenside pawns. [ 7...exd4 8.xd5 A) 8...a5+ doesn't isolate the d-pawn, but I believe W hite can have some advantage here 9.d2 xd5 10.c4 h5 ( 10...d3 11.c3 d6 12.xd3 is also pleasant f or W hite) 11.xd4 and W hite's position has potential, No g u e ir a s S a n t i a go , J (2 4 8 2 )- A b r e u Delgado, A (2459)/CUB-ch op Havana 2004 (3).; B) 8...cxd5 9.xd4 with a typical isolated pawn position ] [ 7...xc3 8.bxc3 d6 9.d3 h6 10.0-0 was slightly better for W hite, despite the ea rly d raw in T a l, M (2 6 25 )-Ba giro v, V (2470)/Jurmala 1987. ] 8.dxe5 Accepting the challenge, now the next moves are more or less forced. [ 8.e2 is still possible, and probably we can have another typical isolani position 0-0 9.0-0 exd4 10.xd5 ( 10.xd4 7f6 brings few problems for Black) 10...cxd5 11.xd4 f6 12.d2 with a balanced game ] 8...xe5 9.xe5 xe5 10.e4 e7 11.xd5 cxd5 12.b5+ With this move it looks like White's position should be better, but even with the king on f8, Black can bring
all his pieces to the game quicker than White. [ 12.xd5 is also insufficient for any advantage 0-0 13.e2 d8 14.b3 f5 15.0-0 ac8 and White has problems moving the bishop from c1 ] 12...f8 13.xd5 g6 14.d2!? The best chance. W hite returns the pawn to create some quick counterplay. [ 14.0-0 would be another try for advantage, but Black is doing well here g7 A) 15.f3 d8 16.e2 will transpose to 15.Qd2 ( 16.e4 e6 and the pressure on the queenside pawns fully compensates the pawn ); B) 15.d2 d8 16.e2 f5 ( 16...a6 17.c4 f5 is also possible) 17.e4!? xe4 ( 17...h4 is also possible 18.f4 d4+ 19.h1 g4 20.d3 g1!? 21.c3+ d4 22.b3 e6 and White is still fighting to finish his development) 18.e1 c5 19.a4 a6 20.xa6 bxa6 21.xe4 ab8 22.b1 d4 and Black is certainly not worse ] 14...g7 The most precise move. [ 14...xb2 is probably playable, but there is no reason to enter the complications 15.b1 ( 15.b3 e5 16.b4 d6 17.xd6 xd6 18.d1 f6 is probably ok for Black) 15...e6 16.e4 a3 and the bishop can be missing from the long diagonal ] 15.xe5+ Going into an endgame with an isolated pawn up, but Black's pieces are too active and there is no time to consolidate the position. [ 15.c3 is already worse for White xc3+ 16.bxc3 d8 17.b3 g5 and White would not like to make any of the possible moves ] 15...xe5 16.c3 xc3+ 17.bxc3 e6 18.e2 [ 18.0-0-0 won't bring anything and White needs to take care not to be worse xa2 19.d7 hc8 20.c2 ( 20.b2 e6 and the rook needs to go from the seventh rank, since 21.xb7 ab8 22.xb8 xb8 loses a piece for White) 20...c5 21.d3 ( 21.xb7? d5-+ ) 21...d5 and Black can already fight for an advantage ] 18...ac8 19.hc1 c5 20.a4 [ 20.d3 could be another try hc8 21.d2 d8 22.c2 dc8 23.b2 8c6 439
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 and it's still not possible to consolidate ] 20...hc8 21.a3 a6 Now Black forces a theoretically drawn endgame. 22.d3 b5 23.axb5 axb5 24.b1 xc3 25.xc3 xc3 26.xb5 c4 27.xc4 xc4 28.f3 h5 29.h3 c2 30.b1 f6 31.e1 g5 32.a1 g6 33.a6+ f6 34.a4 h4 35.g3 hxg3 36.xg3 b2 37.e4 b1 38.f3 g1+ 39.f2 h1 40.g2 b1 41.a6 f7 42.a5 g6 43.a6 f7 44.a2 e6 45.g3 g1+ 46.g2 xg2+ 47.xg2 e5 48.f2 f4 49.g2 e5 50.g3 f5 51.exf5 xf5 52.h4 gxh4+ 53.xh4 f4 54.h3 xf3 A good opening idea and I believe this line can become one of Black's main answers to this Anti-Meran. ½-½
452 Tukmakov,Vladimir B Wasnetsky,Ursula 3rd Hilton Open (1) [Tony Kosten]
A11 2595 2059 01.01.2001
1.f3 f6 2.c4 c6 3.c3 d5 4.e3 e6 5.c2 bd7 6.b3 e7 [ More passive than the normal 6...d6 ] 7.g4?! [ A sharp new move, although the g4-thrust is common in these type of positions, as we know. 7.b2 i s n o r m a l , 0-0 8.d4 with a typical Slav position, Fridman,DHidding,M/Kleve 1999, and ] [ 7.d4 b6 8.g4 0-0 9.g5 h5 10.g1 is a m ix b e t we e n t h e t wo , G u re vich , DWaitzkin, J/Chicago 1997. ] 7...h6?! [ 7...xg4! is critical. What had White intended, as 8.g1 ge5 9.xe5 xe5 10.xg7?! loses an exchange after g6 ] 8.g1 c5?! [ Black's play is not very strong, 8...e5 ] 9.b2 The advantage of playing g4, without d4, is that this bishop's diagonal is open, and it can participate in the attack on g7. g8?! 10.g5 hxg5 11.xg5 e5?! 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.b5! a6 14.b4 axb5 15.bxc5 d7? [ Black can't hold both e5, and b5, but he should have preferred to keep the former, by 15...e4 ]
16.xe5 c8 17.d4 b6 18.c6 xc6 19.b2 c8 20.xb5 c2 21.b3 xb5 22.xb5+ d7? [ Following 22...c6 23.a4 White is a pawn ahead, but this is disastrous. ] 23.xd5 1-0
453 Vaganian,Rafael A Jussupow,Artur 34th Olympiad (10) [Tony Kosten]
A11 2623 2610 07.11.2000
1.f3 d5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 g4 4.c4 e6 5.cxd5 exd5 6.b3 b6 7.c2 White withdraws his queen, he has no wish to play an equal endgame, and hopes to gain a tempo on the black queen later-on. f6 8.0-0 e7 9.d3 bd7 10.c3 xf3 [ Not actually a novelty, as it was already played in Filippov, V-Ibragimov,I/Sochi 1997, although they immediately agreed a draw. The idea is to hinder White's expansion in the centre, as otherwise, 10...0-0 11.e4 h5 12.h4 dxe4 13.dxe4 e5 14.f5 d8 15.h3 f3 16.e3 and White has a plus, Filippov,V-Barsov,A/Corsica 1997. ] 11.xf3 So, a new position! d4 12.b1!? [ 12.e4 xe4 13.xe4 0-0 is level. ] 12...h5! Very aggressive, White is behind in development so Black plays for the attack. 13.d2 e5 14.g2 h4 15.c4 xc4 16.xc4 g4! Putting further pressure on the white kingside. 17.b4!? [ 17.h3 is answered by e5 gaining a move on the white queen. ] 17...d8 18.d2 c7 19.b5 White is counterattacking strongly on the queenside. c5 20.b6? [ Logical, I suppose, but White finds himself quickly mated, perhaps 20.f4 is a better bet, d6 21.h3!? xf4 22.gxf4 f6 23.fe1 and White is still in the game. ] 20...axb6 21.b5+ f8 22.ab1?! [ 22.h3 is necessary. ] 22...hxg3 23.hxg3 e5 The queen comes to the h-file and W hite's days are numbered. 24.fe1 h2! 25.e4 h5 Mate is threatened with ...Rh1+!. 26.f1 xg2! 27.xg2 h2+ 440
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 28.f3 e5+ [ 28...e5+ 29.e2 h5+ 30.f1 h1+ 31.e2 f3+ 32.f1 g4 gives mate. ] 0-1
454 Van Wely,Loek Sveshnikov,Evgeny Liepajas Rokade (2) [Tony Kosten]
A11 2680 2508 30.07.2004
1.c4 c6 2.f3 d5 3.e3 f6 4.c3 e6 5.b3 d6 6.b2 I played a similar game last year: [ 6.c2 bd7 7.b2 0-0 8.g4 xg4 9.g1 f5 10.h3 and now Black preferred ge5 11.g5 f6 12.f4 g6 13.0-0-0 White had long-term attacking chances, and won easily, Kosten,A-Nguyen Van,S/ Cap d'Agde FRA 2003. ] 6...0-0 7.c2 e7 A slight change from the more common [ 7...bd7 which we have considered many times. ] 8.g4!? This looks like a good choice for a rapid game! However, White can also play [ 8.h3 bd7 and now 9.g4 b6 10.g5 e8 11.g1 as in Kozul,Z-Tukmakov,V/Portoroz 1996, although the h3-move looks useless now. ] [ 8.e2 bd7 and now 9.g4!? is also possible, as is ] [ 8.g1!? because e5 9.cxd5 e4 10.d4 cxd5 11.cb5 looks good for White. ] 8...xg4 This is obviously the critical reply, although opening the g-file against your king is not everyone's cup of tea! 9.g1 f5 This is played to allow a defence of g7 along the rank, and gain some kingside space. 10.h3 f6 11.cxd5!? One problem with this particular setup is that after [ 11.0-0-0 Black can play a3 to exchange the important dark-squared bishop, although ( 11...e5 might be even better. )] 11...cxd5 [ 11...exd5!? 12.d3 f4 looks very risky, 13.e2 fxe3 14.fxe3 with open files for the kingside attack. ] 12.b5 White exchanges Black's important dark-squared bishop. c6 13.xd6 xd6 14.b5 White's plan is to exchange the c6-
knight to gain complete control of e5 and the a1-h8 diagonal. d7 15.xc6 xc6 16.c3 W hite is lining-up on g7, a more positional method is [ 16.d4! (m e n acin g B c5 ) c7 17.c1 ac8 18.b2 and White's dark-squared control offers excellent comp for the pawn. ] 16...d4!? A drastic method to open the c6bishop's diagonal. 17.xd4 [ 17.xd4 allows h2 18.e2 xh3 ] 17...xd4 18.xd4 d5 19.f4 I prefer White in this endgame because of his strength on the dark squares, but the opposite-colour bishops make a draw likely. ac8 20.d3 a6 21.d2 [ 21.e4!? looks tempting, but probably only le a d s t o a d ra w: fxe4 22.dxe4 xe4 ( 22...xe4 23.xe6 f7 24.xf6 xf6 25.xg7+ h8 26.e7 ) 23.xe6 xe6 24.xg7+ h8 25.e7+ g8 26.g7+ etc. ( 26.xe6 xf4 )] 21...f7 22.ac1 fd8 23.a4 g6 24.b4 d7 25.e2 To stop ...e5. b6 26.a5 d7 27.d4 b8 28.b6 xc1 29.xc1 d7 30.c8 White is making good progress, he gets his rook into the black position. c6 31.c3 [ 31.c5! looks more accurate. ] 31...g7 [ 31...g2! 32.h4 e7 threatens the rook and ...Nd5+. ] 32.c5 f3 33.g3 Not the best square for the knight but W hite wishes to avoid exchanges. f7 34.h4 [ 34.e4!? ] 34...e5 35.f8+ g7 36.c8 exf4 37.exf4 I guess Whi te lost on time, as he is still everso-slightly better in the final position. 0-1
455 Wang Yue Zhou Jianchao TCh-CHN Beijing CHN (17) [Nigel Davies]
A11 2749 2650 03.11.2010
1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 f6 4.c3 g4 5.b3 b6 6.e5 e6 Black has also tried other moves, for example: [ a) 6...xb3 7.axb3 e6 ( 7...e6 8.d4 441
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 bd7 9.xd7 xd7 10.d3 e6 11.c5 a6 12.b4 d8 13.h3 g6 14.d2 g7 15.0-0-0 g8 16.c2 e7 17.g4 f5 18.f3 was also a bit better for White because of his bishops in Kohlweyer, B (2405)-Sielecki, C (2366)/Germany 2008) 8.d4 bd7 9.xg4 xg4 10.f3 gf6 11.g4 h6 12.h4 a6 13.f2 g6 14.d2 g7 15.cxd5 exd5 16.h5 gxh5 17.gxh5 f8 18.e2 e6 19.g3 aiming at f5 was better for White in Goldin, A (2608)-Labollita, M (2454)/Buenos Aires 2003 ] [ b) 6...e6 looks like an attempt to be rock solid but it gives up the two bishops. After 7.xg4 xg4 8.e2 f6 9.d4 bd7 10.0-0 e7 11.d2 0-0 12.c2 dxc4 13.xc4 d8 14.fd1 White had a slight edge in Flores, D (2553) -Alonso, S (2437)/ La Plata 2008. ] [ c) 6...f5 7.xb6 ( 7.cxd5 xb3 8.axb3 xd5 9.c4 e6 10.e4 xc3 11.exf5 d5 12.fxe6 fxe6 13.0-0 d7 was about equal at this stage in Malakhatko, V (2543)-Drabke, L (2439)/W erther 2004) 7...axb6 8.cxd5 xd5 9.xd5 cxd5 10.b5+ d7 ( 10...d7 11.xd7 xd7 12.d4 e6 13.d2 d6 14.e2 was better for White in Brener, I (2382)-Bruchmann, S (2265)/ Berlin 2007) 11.f4 g6 12.d3 f6 13.f3 f7 14.e4 dxe4 15.dxe4 a5 16.a4 xb5 17.axb5 xe4 left Black with inadequate compensation for the exchange in Chatalbashev, B (2543)-Drabke, L (2453)/ Antalya 2004. ] 7.d4 This looks like White's most promising choice here. [ 7.c2 bd7 8.d4 g6 9.f4 f5 10.d3 e6 11.0-0 e7 12.c5 c7 13.b4 0-0 wa s a b o u t e q u a l i n S o ko l o v, I ( 2 5 7 0 ) Bagirov, V (2465)/Belgrade 1988. ] 7...bd7 [ White seems to keep a little something after o t h e r m o v e s t o o , f o r e x a m p l e 7...dxc4 8.xc4 xc4 9.xc4 e6 10.e4 a6 was Hort, V (2610)-Keres, P (2605)/ P e t r o p o l i s 1 9 7 3 / I Z T , a n d n o w 11.f4 looks like a small edge. ] [ Another possibility is 7...g6 after which 8.f4!? g7 9.e2 dxc4 10.xc4 xc4 11.xc4 0-0 12.0-0 bd7 13.b3 was more comfortable for White in Zlotnikov,
M (2355)-W essman, R (2440)/New York 1992. ] 8.xd7 xd7 [ Black has also tried 8...xd7 , for example 9.cxd5 xb3 10.axb3 xd5 11.xd5 cxd5 12.d2 e6 13.d3 d6 14.e2 e7 15.hc1 was marginally better for White because of his bishop pair in Cossin, S (2466)-Prie, E (2526)/Pau 2008. ] 9.cxd5 [ Another attempt to squeeze an edge out of th e po sition is 9.a4!? but after xb3 ( 9...c7 10.c5 c8 11.cxd5 xd5 12.e4 looked like an edge for White in Gurevich, M (2610)- Hauchard, A (2500)/ Belfort 1998) 10.axb3 0-0-0 11.d3 g4 12.f3 h5 13.d2 g6 14.xg6 hxg6 15.cxd5 xd5 16.c5 a6 17.d3 f6 and it was starting to look very equal in Shchekachev, A (2520)-Romanov, E (2547)/ Paris 2008. ] 9...xd5 10.c4 e6 11.e4 xb3 12.xb3 xc3 13.bxc3 c5 14.0-0 c8 15.d1 This doesn't look like much for White because his space advantage doesn't mean much with so many pieces exchanged. b6 16.d5 [ There's a case for waiting with this and playing, say, 16.f4 . White's position looks slightly the more comfortable. ] 16...c4 17.dxe6 fxe6 [ 17...xe6 18.a4+ e7 19.f4 ] 18.c2 c5 19.f1 h6 20.e2 e7 21.a4 hd8 22.e3 e5 23.f3 xe3 24.xe3 c5 [ 24...e8 looks dead equal to me but when both players want to fight that's what they'll probably get. ] 25.h4 [ 25.a5 seems more logical, stopping the apawn becoming a fixed target. ] 25...e8 26.db1 a5 27.b4 c8 [ 27...b5 looks like a more active way to play it. ] 28.g3 c6 29.g1 g5 30.hxg5 hxg5 31.h1 White is a bit better now thanks to Black's misplaced rooks. g6 32.h8 ac5 33.a8 c7 34.b1 f7 35.d1 f6 36.h8 g7 37.dh1 g6 38.d8 5c6 39.hd1 e7 40.1d2 e8 41.f4 gxf4+ 42.gxf4 exf4+ 43.xf4 f6+ 44.e3 b5?! [ 44...g6 was better. ] 45.g2+ f7 46.axb5 xb5 47.d1 e5 442
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 48.dg8 c6?! 49.2g7+ e6 50.f3 Suddenly Black's king position gives great cause for concern. The rescue operations l e a v e h i m a c o u p l e o f p a w n s d o w n . a5 51.c8 d6 52.d4 xf3 53.g6+ e6? 54.xe6+ xe6 55.xc6+ d7 56.a6 d3+ 57.xc4 d1 58.xa5 e6 59.h5 e1 60.d4 White intends e5 d1+ 61.c5 e1 62.e5! d1 63.c4 d8 64.b6 c8 65.c5 d5 66.b7 1-0
456 Zilberman,Yaacov Postny,Evgeny Channukah Closed (4.1) [Nigel Davies]
A11 2481 2604 05.12.2010
1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 f6 4.c3 a6 5.e2 b5 [ Black has also tried 5...g4 but then 6.b3 is quite unpleasant. After a7 ( 6...bd7 7.cxd5 c5 8.c4 cxd5 9.xc5 e5 10.b5+ untraps White's queen and wins a pawn ) 7.h3 xf3 8.xf3 e6 9.d4 b5 10.cxb5 axb5 11.0-0 e7 12.d2 0-0 13.fc1 White had a plus in Tomashevsky, E (2689)-Ni Hua (2701)/Sochi 2009. ] 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.b4 I like this move, trying to stake out dark squares but without losing access to the d4 square by occupying it with a pawn. e6 [ Black has also tried 7...c6 but then 8.a4 xb4 9.axb5 a5 10.a3 e6 11.0-0 was a bit better for W hite in Nikcevic, N (2540)-Marin, I (2261)/Sitges 1997. ] 8.a3 Quiet, sensible and apparently 'new', though this position hasn't been explored too much. The other possibilities are as follows: [ a) 8.b3 bd7 9.a4 bxa4 10.xa4 b8 11.a3 was Delchev, A (2548)-Voiska, M ( 2 3 6 4 ) / T e r a m o 1 9 9 9 , a n d n o w b7 was best with only a slight advantage for White. ] [ b) 8.a4 xb4 9.axb5 0-0 10.b3 e7 11.0-0 b7 12.a3 axb5 13.xe7 xe7 14.xa8 xa8 15.xb5 became very drawish in Kempinski, R (2608)-Movsesian, S (2629)/ Izmir 2004. ] 8...d6 9.b2 0-0 10.0-0 bd7 11.d4
b6 12.d3 c7 13.f4 White is a bit better here because of his nicely placed knight on d4 plus potential outpost on c5. d7 14.c1 a7 15.h1 e5 This meets with a strong and possibly unexpected reply. [ 15...ac8 was more sensible though White is still for choice after 16.e4! , trundling his central pawns forward. ] 16.f5! xf5 17.fxe5 d4 [ After 17...xe5 18.xf5 b8 White has a powerf ul con tinuat ion in 19.d4! xh2 20.xf6! gxf6 21.d3 followed by 22.Qh5. ] 18.exd4 fd5 19.xd5 xd5 20.d2 After this simple move everything becomes clear White is going to win his piece back and come out ahead on pawns. e6 21.exd6 ad8 22.c6 d7 23.c5 e6 24.f3 xd6 25.e1 White's extra doubled d-pawn may not look like much but it lends him great central control plus squares such as c5. d7 26.g5 d8 27.g3 f6 28.ec1 f7 29.c6 e7 30.h3 f8 31.1c5 f7 32.c1 xc6 33.xc6 c8 34.c5 d8 35.d2 e8 36.h6 f8 37.d2 e8 38.e4 h8 39.h4 g8 40.f3 d7 41.g3 e8 42.h2 f7 43.e4 g8 44.h1 There's no hurry, and White's patient play will wear down Black's psychological resistance. f7 45.f3 d7 46.e1 g8 47.g3 e6 48.f5 e8 49.e4 f8 50.c6 e7 Giving up the a-pawn in an attempt to maintain coordination. [ A f t e r e i t h e r 50...a8 51.e6 xe6 52.xe6 c3 53.c6 ] [ or 50...a5 51.bxa5 xa3 52.c7 xc7 53.xc7 d6 54.c6 White is making steady progress. ] 51.xa6 d5 52.g4 xf5 53.xf5 h6 54.c7 a8 55.b6 f7 56.g3 d8 57.xb5 g6 58.f4 g7 59.c5 e8 60.b5 g5 61.f5 f7 62.b6 e7 63.c7 e3 [ 63...e8 64.b7 is equally forlorn. ] 64.e5! 1-0
443
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Even so it isn't easy. 35.bxc5 xc5 36.d8+ f8 37.d3 b4! Creating a passed a-pawn. Zueger,Beat 'Opening the way to the a-pawn. ' 38.axb4 Gagunashvili,Merab xb4 39.e5 fxe5 40.d5 d4 41.xf7+ 4th IECC Istanbul TUR (1) xf7 42.f5+ e7 43.g5+ e6 44.g6+ [Nigel Davies] d5 45.f7+ c5 46.a2 e4 47.a3+ 1.g3 d5 2.f3 c6 3.g2 f6 4.c4 dxc4 b5 48.g2 d2 49.e7 e3! 50.b7+ 5.0-0 bd7 6.a3 b6 7.c2 d5 8.e1 c5 51.a7+ b4 52.b6+ c3 53.c6+ b3 54.b5+ a3 55.c5+ b2 56.b5+ d4 9.e3 [ Another possibility was to make a gambit of c1 57.f1+ d1 58.c4+ c2 59.f1+ it with 9.d3 , for example cxd3 10.xd3 d2 60.fxe3 xe3+ 61.h3 g6 62.f4+ f5 11.d1 e6 12.e3 a4 13.xa4 e2 63.e5+ f1 64.f4+ g1 65.d4+ xa4 14.c4 e7 15.ac1 d5 16.d4 f2 66.e3 [ 66.d1+ is bad because of f1+ ] leaves Black having to deal with awkward 66...a3 67.xa3 possibilities such as b2-b3 or e2-e4. ] [ Or 67.c1+ f1+ etc. ] 9...g4 10.e4 e5 11.xc4 xc4 12.xc4 So White recovers his pawn and has a central 67...h2# pawn majority but is behind in development. 0-1 My estimate is one of approximate equality. d6 13.b3 h5!? Declaring an intention to 458 A12 complicate and unbalance the game. [ 13...e6 followed by 14... 0-0-0 would have Kortschnoj,Viktor 2619 been another way to play it. ] Sutovsky,Emil 2665 14.h4 e6 15.c2 d7 16.f3 f6 III Marx Gyorgy (4) 15.06.2005 After White's reply I don't like Black's position [John Watson] b u t m a y b e s o m e t h i n g h a s a l re a d y go n e wrong. Two very high-level grandmasters duke it out [ After 16...0-0-0 17.g5 his queen would in the Reti Opening. The elder prevails. 1.c4 be in danger, for example c5 18.d4 f6 2.g3 c6 3.f3 d5 4.b3 ( 18.h2 e2 ) 18...xd4 19.h2 xa1 [ Korchnoi chooses the Reti. Over his career 20.f3 xg5 21.xg5 f6 22.xf6 gxf6 he must have filled 95% of the ECO codes! 23.xa1 wins it for inadequate But if you believe the next note, White might compensation. ] want to do without this move and play 4.g2 17.d4 0-0 18.b2 f7 19.ad1 e6 dxc4 . Then Tony has discussed several 20.d2 c7 21.dxe5 xe5 22.xe5 examples after 5.a4!? e6 , e.g., [ Against a lower rated opponent White might A) 6.a3 c a n b e a n s w e r e d b y d5 have played the sharper 22.d4!? when ( 6...d5!? ) 7.c2 c5 8.xc4 c6 9.0-0 g4 23.f4 ad8 24.c1 g6 25.h2 e6 10.b3 e7 11.b2 0-0 with an easy threatens 26.Bh3. ] game for Black, Radjabov-Svidler, Internet 22...xe5 23.xe5 xe5 24.b4 INT 2003.; Here too it looks like White is playing it safe B) 6.0-0 d5 7.c3 a6 8.b3!? cxb3 and he starts drifting into trouble. 9.d3 xf3 10.xf3 e6 11.xb3 [ 24.f4 was more dynamic. ] Miroshnichenko-Kuzmin, Dubai 2004. See 24...c7 25.d2 a5 26.c5 fd8 27.fd1 ChessPub. ] xd2 28.xd2 a4 29.a3 4...g4 [ After 29.b4 White's a2 pawn can become [ As discussed previously in the April Update, weak. ] most players still forego the chance for 29...b5 30.h2 b6 31.b4 d8 32.e3 4...dxc4 5.bxc4 e5! , when Black has c7 33.a3 xd2 34.xd2 c5! Now Black is scored very well and seems to have easy c le a r ly b e t t e r b e ca u se o f h is qu e e n sid e equality. It would have been fun to see majority and W hite's coming weak a-pawn. Korchnoi on the White side of this position. ] 457
A11 2448 2580 30.05.2003
444
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 5.e5 [ 5.g2 xf3 6.xf3 e5 is already considered equal. ] 5...f5 6.g2 bd7 7.d4 The position now takes on a Catalan flavour, It doesn't make sense to delay this, since [ 7.b2 e6 8.0-0 xe5 ( 8...d6 ) 9.xe5 d6 is very comfortable for Black. ] 7...e6 8.0-0 d6 An important decision, since n o w B la c k wo n 't b e a b le t o p la y . . . Nxe 5 because of an ensuing fork. The main options are: [ 8...e7 , e.g., 9.a3 ( 9.b2 0-0 10.d2 ) 9...xa3 10.xa3 0-0 11.c2 xe5 12.dxe5 g4 13.cxd5 exd5 14.d4 c8 15.e4 dxe4 16.xe4 xe5 17.xh7+ xh7 18.h5+ g8 19.xe5 e8 wit h a B lac k in itia tive, K ut yne c-K incyl, Moravian Ch 1995. ] [ and 8...xe5 9.dxe5 g4 10.cxd5 cxd5 11.d4 f6 12.exf6 xf6 13.f4 e7 14.d2 0-0 15.b4 ( 15.ac1 ) 15...d7 16.e4 f6 17.e5 e7 18.b3 b6 1/2-1/2 Eade-C Nakamura, Hawaii 1994. ] 9.b2 c7 10.d3 [ Mo re a m b it io u s t h a n 10.xd7 xd7 11.c3 0-0 12.e3 fe8 13.e2 ad8 14.ad1 e7 15.e4 dxe4 16.xe4 xe4 17.xe4 g5= Najer-Chuprov, St Petersburg 1994. White keeps the pieces on and launches a queenside attack, but he risks trouble on the kingside: ] 10...h5! 11.c5 e7 12.b4 h4 13.d2 g4 A bit sophisticated. [ Black could play for direct attack via 13...hxg3 14.hxg3 0-0-0 ] 14.h3 hxg3?! Sacrificing a piece for attack. There was no need for this. Black should simply retreat and keep his attack going by [ 14...gf6 , e.g., 15.g4 xg4! 16.hxg4 xg4 17.e5 dxe5 18.dxe5 h3 19.f3 xe5 ] 15.hxg4 gxf2+ 16.xf2 h2+!? [ 16...xg4 17.f3 g3 looks more ac cu ra te b ec au se W hite 's kin g is wellprotected on f1. ] 17.f1 xg4 18.f3 xf3? [ 18...g3 is necessary so as to keep the initiative, but White has enough defenders, e. g., 19.b5 ( 19.d2 g5! (stopping Qf4)) 19...cxb5 20.b3 a6 21.de5 ]
19.xf3 Black doesn't have enough pieces in t h e a t t a c k a n d s o s t a ys m a t e r i a l d o wn . Perhaps Sutovsky miscalculated something wh en h e m ad e t he piece sacrif ice. It 's a tribute to his tenacity that from now on he lasts so long in what looks like a mopping up operation. h3+ 20.g2 g3 21.f3 h2 22.f2 h5 23.c1 g5 24.h3 xh3 25.xh3 xc1 26.xc1 e5 27.g5 exd4 28.xg7 e5 29.xe5+ xe5 30.d1 a5 31.b5 d7 32.f4 xc5 33.bxc6 bxc6 34.c1 e6 35.xe6 fxe6 36.xc6 d7 37.b6 c8 38.h3 c1+ 39.f2 c2 40.xe6 c7 41.f5 xa2 42.d3 a1 43.f3 f1+ 44.g4 a4 45.a6 a3 46.xa3 d6 47.a8 e6 48.f5+ d6 49.a6+ e7 50.e6+ d7 51.g5 f2 52.g4 g2 53.e4+ d6 54.xd4 e5 55.d3 d4 56.h4 g1 57.h3 e4 58.f3+ e5 59.h2 g7 60.g2 g8 61.g1 f8 62.f3 f6 63.f2 a6 64.b3 a1 65.b5+ f4 66.b8 d1 67.e8 g5 68.e4 1-0
459 Kosten,Anthony C Doettling,Fabian Bundesliga 2000-1 (5) [Tony Kosten]
A12 2524 2473 07.01.2001
1.c4 c6 2.f3 d5 3.e3 f6 4.b3 g4 5.b2 e6 6.h3 h5 7.e2 bd7 [ More flexible than the 7...d6 seen in the archives. ] 8.d3 [ 8.a3 avoids Black's next move, h6 9.d3 d6 10.bd2 e7 11.b4 a5 12.c5 c7 13.c2 g6 14.0-0 0-0 the black position is fine, Speelman,J-Conquest,S/Hastings ENG 2000/1 ] 8...b4+! [ 8...xf3 is a solid alternative, 9.xf3 d6 10.0-0 0-0 11.g3 e7 12.g2 fe8 13.a3 a5 14.c3 , Malaniuk,V-Ulak,S/Polanica Zdroj 1999, although White made his slight edge count. ] [ 8...d6?! is the move White is hoping for, though, 9.g4 g6 10.g5 h5 11.h4 leaving the knight offside, and exposed, 445
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Prze wozn ik,J-Lukasiewicz,G/ Augu sto w 1996. ] 9.c3!? [ Apparently, this is a novelty (although I wasn't aware of this when I played it), but I wa s n ' t t o o s u r e a b o u t 9.bd2 xf3! 10.gxf3 ( 10.xf3? dxc4 11.bxc4 c5 w i n s a p a w n) 10...e5 11.a3 d6 as Black seems to have a fine position, Zilberman,Y-Zifroni,D/Herzliya 1998. ] 9...xf3 [ 9...dxc4 10.bxc4 c5!? ( 10...xf3 11.xf3 transposes to a later note) 11.a3 a5 12.g4!? g6 13.e5 is another possibility, which offers chances to both sides. ] 10.xf3 e5 [ I was expecting 10...dxc4 11.bxc4 c5 12.e2! a move I felt he might miss, when White has a central majority and the bishop pair, e.g. ( 12.e2?! a5 13.c2 a4 looks to favour Black) 12...0-0 13.c2 e5 14.g4 e8 15.ad1 e7 16.g5 fd7 17.h4 and White controls e4, as well. ] 11.e2 d4! 12.exd4 xd4 13.c2 At this moment I felt I was better, f or the queen will have to leave d4, and I would then be able to play d4, and take the centre. f4! [ I had n't expe cted this, rathe r 13...0-0-0 14.0-0! d6 ( 14...xd3?? 15.ad1 ) 15.fd1 g6 16.d4 etc., although Black is not without chances. ] 14.d1 [ Unfortunately, the queen cannot be driven away, 14.g3? f3+ 15.f1 d4 gaining complete control of d4. ] 14...d8 [ I was hoping for 14...c5!? which threatens mate, and seems to further reinforce the weakness of d4, but I had prepared: 15.d4! xd4 16.xd4 xd4 17.d5 c5 18.c7+ e7 19.xa8 xa8 20.0-0 when W hite's two bishops provide more than enough compensation for the pawn. ] 15.0-0 d6 [ Once again I had prepared a trick after the logical 15...c5 : 16.d4! xd4 ( 16...xd4?! 17.d5 cxd5 18.xd4 g5 19.cxd5 xd5 20.b5+ is very unpleasant for Black ) 17.a4 xd1 18.xd1 e7 19.d4! xd4 20.xd4 d6 21.xa7
when W hite has the two bishops, and a queenside majority in this endgame. ] 16.g3 Almost forced, Black threatened ...Nf3+, and ...Qh2 mate> f3+ 17.xf3 [ 17.g2? d4 ] 17...xf3 18.e4 xe4 [ 18...e7 19.fe1 0-0 is slightly simpler. ] 19.dxe4 0-0 20.c3 xc3 21.xc3 c7 22.g2 xd1 23.xd1 d8 Forcing the exchange of rooks, and a draw. In f act, I would have agreed one immediately, if this were not a team match. 24.xd8+ xd8 25.g4 g6 26.e5 h5 27.b4 hxg4 28.hxg4 f5 29.exf6 xf6 30.c5 a6 31.f3 f7 32.e4 g7 33.a4 f6 34.f4 g7 35.d6 e8 36.e5 f8 37.f6 d6 38.d4 d7 39.e5 ½-½
460 Larsen,Bent Kortschnoj,Viktor 1987 Brussels [Paul Motwani]
A12
1987
B1: "Scorching victory by Viktor Korchnoi!" B. L a rse n -V . K o rc h n o i, B ru sse ls 1 9 8 7 . Re t i Opening. The opening of the following swift clash (which occurred in a tournament sponsored by a company called SWIFT!) is named after GM Richard Reti, who contributed a huge amount to chess during his short life from Tuesday 28 May 1889 to Thursday 6 June 1929. His brilliant battles were rich in deep ideas, and the Reti Opening troubled numerous opponents, but in the following game the black pieces are being moved by an exceptionally strong player... 1.c4 f6 2.g3 c6 [ White's second move indicated a likely intention to fianchetto his king's bishop. Korchnoi's response to that is one of the most logical possible replies, designed to re d u c e t h e f u t u r e s c o p e o f t h e e n e m y bishop on the h1-a8 diagonal. He wants to be able to maintain a pawn on the d5 square, so he makes the preparatory move ...c6. Of course 2...e6 is a common and perfectly good move too, but one point in favour of Korchnoi's choice is that his queen's bishop 446
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 will h a ve lo t s o f f re e d o m o n t h e c 8 -h 3 diagonal once ...d5 has been played. ] 3.f3 [ Reader's Challenge B1P1 Changes in move order can sometimes make critical tactical differences. For instance, can you see why 3.g2 d5 4.b3?! is unsatisfactory for White? A solution appears after the game B1. ] 3...d5 4.b3 b6!? One key aspect of this interesting idea is that after 5 Bb2 dxc4, then 6 bxc4?? would leave the bishop on b2 en prise. Black is about to reveal another more disguised detail. 5.g2 [ 5.d4 merits consideration. Although it leaves White rather exposed on the e1-a5 and b1-h7 diagonals, the move does gain some space. ] 5...e5! 6.0-0 [ Suddenly Black has a spatial advantage, made possible by the tactical point 6.xe5? d4 Going back briefly to move four, another related and equally noteworthy possibility was 4...dxc4 5 bxc4 e5!. ] 6...e4 7.e1 [ A sad, but almost forced retreat, in view of 7.e5? d4 or ] [ 7.h4? g5 ] 7...h5! Grandmaster Dr Colin McNab faced this seven years later at the 1994 Moscow Olympiad. Like Larsen, Colin also found that White's position is already both cramped and insecure. Black's very direct assault on the hfile is not subtle, but is nevertheless highly effective! 8.c3 [ 8.h4 might have slowed down Black's attack, but it would relinquish almost all control of the g4 square, since the move h3 c o u l d n o l o n g e r b e p l a y e d . A l s o , d6 m e n a c in g 9 . . . B xg 3 , s h o ws u p a n o t h e r drawback of the advance h2-h4. ] 8...h4 9.d4 hxg3 10.fxg3 [ Purely from a structural point of view, capturing towards the centre with 10.hxg3 is preferable, since it keeps White's pawns more compact. However, Larsen was pro bab ly, a nd qu ite n atu ra lly, a f raid o f Korchnoi's queen quickly finding her way to h2 and announcing 'Checkmate'. ] 10...a5! 11.c2 [ 11.d2? e3! or ]
[ 11.b2 g4 pouncing on the weaknesses at e3 and h2. ] 11...b4 12.b2 e6! [ 12...g4 would be badly timed in this position because of 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.xd5! exploiting the unprotected situation of the bishop on c8. ] 13.cxd5 xd5 14.xd5 [ 14.xe4? e3 ] 14...cxd5 15.a3 d2! 16.d1? [ 16.b4 e3+ 17.h1 d8! 18.c3 g5 threatens ...Qxg3 or 19...Rxh2+! 20 Kxh2 Qh5+ 21 Bh3 Qxh3. Perhaps ] [ 16.h1 is relatively best. For example, A) A big improvement is 16...e3 17.c3 ( 17.b4? d8! transposes to a line already given) 17...xc3 18.xc3 d7! 19.c2 c8! 20.xe3 xc3 when White is vi r t u a l ly lo s t b e ca u se o f h is lo o s e structure and congested army.; B) 16...c6? 17.b4 c7 18.xd2 xg3 19.f4! xh2+ 20.g1 even puts Black in trouble ] 16...e3+ 17.h1 c7! The final position underlines how helpless W hite's king is to defend against the threat of 18... Qxg3. His other pieces, even those very nearby, cannot come to his aid, because they are so lacking in scope and space in which to move. Solution to B1P1 Black simply wins a pawn after 4... dxc4 5 bxc4 Qd4! because of the double attack against White's c4-pawn and a1-rook. 0-1
461 Larsen,Bent Petrosian,Tigran V (Clarin) Buenos Aires [Nigel Davies]
A12
1979
1.c4 f6 2.g3 c6 3.f3 d5 4.b3 g4 5.g2 e6 6.0-0 bd7 7.b2 e7 8.d3 0-0 9.bd2 e8 10.a3 a5 11.e1!? A rare semiwaiting move of the kind that was quite typical of Larsen. [ T h e m o s t c o m m o n c h o i c e i s 11.c2 when a recent example went f8 12.h3 h5 13.fc1 h6 14.f1 g6 15.e5 xe5 16.xe5 d7 17.c3 a4 18.b4 axb3 19.xb3 b6 with a comfortable 447
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 game for Black at this stage in Sunye Neto, J (2488)-Arias, L (2372)/ Dresden 2008. ] 11...f8 [ After 11...d6 Larsen intended 12.e4! dxe4 13.xe4 xe4 14.xe4 , claiming a slight edge for W hite. I'm not sure this is really true after Rybka's suggestion of f5 15.e3 e5 but it does give an insight into Larsen's natural optimism. ] 12.e5 [ And not 12.e4? because of c5! . ] 12...xe5 13.xe5 d6?! Attempting to simplify and perhaps secure a draw, but now White is left with the better bishop. 14.xd6 xd6 15.d4 ed8 16.c5 c7 17.b4 e5 18.b3 axb4 19.axb4 e4 20.d2 W hite is slightly better here though can it really be enough to grind down Petrosian? For Larsen the game is just beginning he plays on and on and attempts to exploit the slightest inaccuracy. h6 21.xa8 xa8 22.a1 xa1+ 23.xa1 g5 Trying to set his king side pawn majority in motion but the downside is that it creates some new weak nes ses . 24.c2 g7 25.e3 e6 26.f3 b8 27.b2 g8 [ Having the king on same diagonal as W hite's queen can be dangerous, for example 27...a7 is bad because of 28.fxe4 dxe4 29.xe4! . ] 28.a1 d8 29.a5!? Taking the fight into the endgame. Black has little choice but to allow this exchange as otherwise W hite's queen could take up a dominating position. xa5 30.bxa5 f8 31.f2 e7 [ After 31...exf3 32.exf3 White could bring his bishop to d3 from where it bears down on the weakness on f5. This is one of the down sides of 23...g5. ] 32.fxe4 Aiming to target Black's e4 pawn. [ Another possibility was 32.c2 intending 33.Nb4 and a5-a6. ] 32...dxe4 33.h3 d8 34.f1 c7 35.e3 [ The immediate 35.g4 is answered by h5! .] 35...b8 36.d2 a7 37.f1 d5 38.e2 e6 39.g4 d5 40.f1 The knight is coming to g3 to prevent Black from liquidating some kingside pawns with ... h6-h5. e6 41.g3 d7 42.c4 e6 43.f1 d7 44.e1 e6 45.f2 b8
[ Rather than take the king back Larsen felt that 45...d7 was a better try intending 46.g2 a6 47.xe4 xa5 . But Black could still counterattack on his next move, so maybe this wasn't so bad. ] 46.g2 d5 [ Rather than going passive like this a better chance would have been 46...a7 47.xe4 a6 . Now White's knight comes in with very unpleasant consequences. ] 47.f5 g8 48.d6 f6 49.g3 a7 50.f1 Preventing Black's king from coming to a6. e6 51.f2 d5 52.e2 e6 53.e1 d5 54.d2 f6 55.c4! b8 56.xe6 fxe6 57.f7 g8 58.d8 a7 59.xe6 a6 60.d8 f6 61.f7 g8 62.c3 xa5 63.d6 f6 64.xb7+ a4 65.d8 [ After 65.d8 d5+ 66.d2 e7 White has 67.f7 g8 68.d5! etc. ] 1-0
462 Leko,Peter Kasparov,Garry Corus Wijk aan Zee NED (8) [Tony Kosten]
A12 2745 2849 22.01.2001
1.c4 f6 2.g3 c6 3.b3 d5 4.b2 g4 5.g2 e6 6.f3 bd7 Play has transposed into a main line Reti, Capablanca System. 7.0-0 d6 8.d3 0-0 9.bd2 a5 10.a3 h5!? [ A n u n u s u a l p ro p h yl a ct ic m o ve . 10...e5 11.c2 e8 , Stummer,A-Luther,T/ Budapest 1992, is quite reasonable, and ] [ 10...e7 is very common. ] 11.c2 [ White plays for e4, 11.d4 b8 12.e1 b5 13.c5 e7 14.b4 gives White extra space, Pigusov,E-Wu Wenjin/Shenyang 1999, but Black is solid. ] 11...e5 [ Only this position is actually new, 11...e8 12.ae1?! e5 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.e4 c8 favours Black, Lamb,H-Meister,P/York ENG 1999. ] 12.e4 dxe4 [ 12...d4 occurred in the game Kosten,AFarago,I/Hyeres 1992, except that the white h-pawn was on h3 ] 448
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 13.dxe4 e8 14.h4 c5 15.df3 b6 Ideally Black would like to play ...Nf8-e6-d4, but the white pressure on e5 ties the knight to d 7 , a n d s t o p s t h i s . 16.ad1 f8! Black changes plan, and menaces ...Nc5, hitting e4, and b3. 17.b1 [ Unpinning the f3-knight, and stopping the a f o r e m e n t i o n e d m a n o e u v r e , b u t 17.h3 is an alternative, so that if c5!? 18.g4 g6 19.xg6 hxg6 20.xe5 , but then xb3 21.xb3 xb3 22.g5 h5 and White's advantage is minimal. ] 17...c5! Black dives into the complications. 18.xe5 cxe4 19.d4 c5 20.xc5 xc5 21.b4 axb4 22.axb4 f8 [ 22...a7 is tempting, Black will play down the a-file. ] 23.fe1 ad8 24.h3 g5! 25.g4 [ Safest, the exchange sac 25.f5!? xf3 26.xf3 d2 27.c3 is very risky. ] 25...gxh4 26.gxh5 g7 27.bd1 g5 28.f5 ½-½
7...c5 8.e3 White keeps the pressure on e4, [ 8.cxe4?! loses the exchange to xe4 9.xe4 d4 10.xc5 xa1 ] 8...f5 9.g2 d3? This natural move loses a pawn for nothing. Black should have tried [ 9...e7! 10.c2 b4 11.cxe4! ( 11.gxe4? xc3 wins a piece.) 11...h6 leading to a long forcing line: 12.d6+ xd6 13.xf5 hxg5 14.c8+ d8 15.xb7 bd7 16.xc6 e5 White has three pawns for the piece, and now 17.d4!? c8 18.a6 seems to favour White as his three central pawns, supported by two bishops, are very powerful. Nevertheless, Black should certainly prefer this to the game continuation. ] 10.b3 bd7 11.cxe4! The point, Black loses his e-pawn for nothing. xb3 [ 11...xe4?! 12.xe4 is worse. ] 12.axb3 h6 13.xf6+ xf6 14.f3 c2 15.a3 xa3 16.xa3 Easily defending the bpawn, White remains a pawn to the good, with the superior structure. c5 17.e2 0-0-0!? 18.e1 e4 19.xa7 b8 20.a2 g6 21.b4! cxb4 22.b2 e4 23.xe4 463 A12 The simplest - every exchange brings White 24.f3 g6 Malakhov,Vladimir 2647 closer to the full point. xe4 Sutovsky,Emil 2656 25.e4 f5 26.d3 fxe4 27.fxe4 hf8 28.xb4 10th Open Valls d'Aosta ITA (8) 16.02.2002 f6 29.e3 df8 30.b2 h5 31.h3 Black's temporary initiative is easily repulsed. [Tony Kosten] f1 32.bh2 8f2 33.xf1 xh2 34.h4 1.c4 f6 2.g3 c6 3.f3 d5 4.b3 dxc4!? e2+ 35.f4 d2 36.g4 e8 37.e3 d1 Anti-positional, but there is a tactical follow-up 38.e2 a4 39.f3 - this is the sort of line a computer plays if you 1-0 switch off its openings book! 5.bxc4 e5 The point, Black obtains free development A12 like this, but what about the positional cost of 464 Miles,Anthony J 2609 exchanging a d5-pawn for a b3-pawn? 6.c3 [ And not 6.xe5?? d4 ] Ledger,Andrew 2459 6...e4!? The most aggressive, as is to be 4NCL Birmingham ENG (8) 21.03.1999 expected from Sutovsky, although others are [Tony Kosten] possible: [ 6...b4 7.b3 a5?! 8.xe5! winning a 1.f3 f6 2.c4 c6 I am sure that one of the pawn, Kavalek,L-Lombard,A/Biel 1977, or ] reasons the Slav Defence is currently so [ 6...d6 7.g2 0-0 8.0-0 e7 9.d3 bd7 popular, is that it can be played not only 10.a4 with an edge, because of the centre, against 1 d4, but also against 1 c4, and 1 Nf3. Spraggett,K-Hector,J/Palma de Mallorca 3.b3 d5 4.b2 g4 5.e3 This anti-Slav system is a speciality of Tony Miles, and 1989. ] 7.g5! New, and better than contains quite a lot more venom than you [ 7.g1?! c5 8.e3 0-0 with advantage, m i g h t e x p e c t . e6 6.e2 d6 7.h3 The position resembles a main line Reti, Letreguilly,O-Haik,A/ FRA-chT 1992. ] 449
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 except that the white king's bishop is on e2, not g2. xf3 Conceding the bishop pair, after which, although Black has a solid position, White will retain a 'nibble'. That is, a slight, but enduring, advantage. [ However, there is a problem with the a l t e r n a t i v e , 7...h5 e.g. 8.d3 bd7 Kwatschewsky, L-Kargl,K/Wolfsberg AUT ch 1985, and now W hite should have played 9.g4! g6 10.g5 and Black is in trouble, his only reasonable move is h5 but this piece is badly misplaced, all the more so since the white bishop is on e2, instead of g2, and there will be constant threats of capturing the h5-knight. ] 8.xf3 0-0 9.d3 bd7 10.d2 e7 11.0-0 ad8 Black's development is very sound, but I think that he should prefer ...Ba3 on one of h i s n e x t f e w m o ve s , e xc h a n g i n g h a l f o f White's bishop pair. 12.c2 fe8 [ 12...a3! ] 13.fe1 e5 14.e2 Posing Black the problem o f wh a t t o d o n e xt wi t h h is ce n t re . f8?! 15.a3 Black won't get another chance to play ...Ba3. b8 16.ac1 h6 17.b4 6h7?! Black is running out of ideas, he decides to advance on the kingside, but his has a down s i d e , t o o . 18.f1 d6 19.g3 Black was threatening ...e4, with a discovered mate threat on h2. h5?! Hoping to open the h2-b8 diagonal with ...h4. 20.cxd5 cxd5 21.f3 g6 22.h4 f5 Unjustified aggression. 23.e4! W hite counters on the light squares, these turn out to be chronically weak in the black camp. f4 24.h3 f6 25.g2 e7 The black knights are awkwardly placed, and have difficulty finding useful squares. 26.d4! This move often seems to be stronger when it has been delayed a long time. exd4 27.xd4 f7 28.e5 This is strong, but [ 28.exd5! is possibly even more effective, xd5? 29.f5 f8 30.g5 and Black can throw in the towel. ] 28...fxg3 29.fxg3 c6 30.f1 With a heavily disguised threat of 31 Qxh7+! and 32 Ng5+. xf3+!? This queen sac fails to a tactical trick, but what else? [ If 30...c7 then 31.g6 is crushing. ] 31.xf3 xd4 32.g6 xf3 33.e6+! The tactic White had carefully prepared, [ 33.xf3 xe5 is not nearly so clear. ]
33...h8 34.f5 f8 35.xh5+ g8 36.xf3 xe5 37.c8 Simplest. xc8 38.xc8 h7 Black has to concede further pawns, if [ 38...b6 39.b7 and d5 goes, with check. ] 39.xb7 f6 40.g4 White doesn't let-up, he wants the d-pawn, too. d4 41.g5 e3 If the knight moves, 42 Bd5+ wins the house. 42.f5 1-0
465 Morozevich,Alexander Vallejo Pons,Francisco Amber Blindfold rapid (11) [John Watson]
A12 2741 2686 31.03.2005
Two superstars test out a main-line Reti. The move order is key for our purposes, with the note on move four being the important one. 1.c4 f6 2.g3 c6 3.b3 [ Tony's Dynamic English avoids the problems inherent in b3 by suggesting 3.g2 d5 4.f3 instead. Nigel Davies' recent Reti book does the same. That order sacrifices the c-pawn, but the next note shows why that's preferable. This is worth knowing. ] 3...d5 4.f3 What could be wrong here? White avoids the problems associated with ... dxc4. g4 [ But the most effective counter to White's order is 4...dxc4 5.bxc4 ( 5.b2 e6 ) 5...e5! Dunnington's Easy Guide to the Reti features the position after 4.Nf3 but doesn't mention 4...dxc4 at all! Statistically Black has scored tremendously well here (200 point performance rating edge) and White hasn't found a reliable solution, e.g., A) 6.b2 e4 hasn't worked out well for W hite. His best move is probably 7.d4 , when Black has good options: A1) 7...a6! has won a couple of g a m e s a f t e r 8.g2 c5 ( 8...d6 9.c2 c5 10.e3 e7 11.c3 h5 12.h3 a5 13.c2 0-0 with a nice advantage, McNab-S Collins, Blackpool 2003 ) 9.h3 d6 10.0-0 0-0 11.b3 e7 12.xc5 xc5 13.c1 h5!? 14.c3 f5 15.e3 b4 16.b3 e6 and Black stands well, Nickoloff-Kirton, 450
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Toronto 1978; A2) 7...d6 8.b3 ( 8.g2 e5 9.e3 c5 10.e6 d6! was already winning in Djosic-Laketic, Novi Sad 1989) 8...f5 ( 8...bd7 9.g2 0-0 10.c3 e7 11.0-0 e8 with advantage, PreissDobosz, Karlsruhe 2003) 9.g2 h5 10.c2 bd7 11.c3 e7 12.h3? g6! 13.e3? e5 14.xe4 xe4 15.xe5 xe5 0-1 Vujic KatanicStefanova, Becici 1994.; B) 6.c3!? e4! ( 6...a5 7.c2 e6 8.b1 a6!? came out well for Black in Strikovic-Piket, Lisbon 2001 White has to try 9.xb7 b4 10.a4 xa4 11.xa4 c8! 12.xb4 xb4 13.xe5 ) 7.g5 g4! (Practically everyone has missed this wonderful move) ( 7...c5 has also done well ) 8.gxe4 f5 this forces 9.f3 e5 10.f4 ( 10.f2 xc4 11.e3 b6 12.d4 b4!? 13.d2 e7 ) 10...xc4 11.e3 xe3 12.dxe3 xd1+ 13.xd1 fxe4 14.xe4= a6! 15.xa6 bxa6 and Black's bishops and rooks are extremely active. ] 5.g2 bd7 6.b2 e6 7.0-0 e7 [ 7...d6 is common, to support ...e5. Then White often plays the plan with d3 and Na3c2, aiming at e3 or d4. ] 8.d3 0-0 9.bd2 b8! An excellent move that is known from other positions. Black might want to expand by means of ... b5, but also challenges White's control of e5 without standing awkwardly on the c-file. [ 9...e8 and ...Bf8 is normal. ] 10.h3 h5 11.e1 a5 12.f1 e8 13.g4 g6 14.h4 a4 15.xg6 hxg6 16.c2 b5 17.d2 b6 White has the bishops, but Black stands well: his pieces are well-placed and he controls more space on the queenside. 18.e3 eb8?! [ 18...a3 19.c3 b4 ( or 19...e5 ) 20.d4 b8 with ...e5 next. ] 19.d4! c5!? [ 19...c5 20.c3 b4 21.b2 a3?! 22.xf6 xf6 23.cxd5! ] 20.xc5 xc5 21.ec1 a7 [ 21...e7 22.d4 ] 22.cxd5 xc2 23.xc2 axb3 24.xb3 cxd5 25.d4 e5 26.g5 e8 27.f4 xd3 28.d1 a3 29.c6 b6 30.f1
Black continues [ 30.f1 b2 31.e7+ fxg6 33.xb2 xe3= ] ½-½
466 Reti,Richard Capablanca,Jose Raul Moscow [Nigel Davies]
f8
32.xg6+!
A12
1925
This game was played a year after Capablanca's stunning defeat by Reti in the New York 1924 tournament. This time he plays a set-up that would become recognised as one of the most solid and reliable defences to the Reti. 1.f3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.b3 [ Of course 3.d4 would bring about a Slav Defence which Black must also be prepared for. ] [ If, on the other hand, White wants to fianchetto his king's bishop then he should d o t h i s n o w wi t h 3.g3 . But in this case White has to reckon with dxc4 . ] 3...g4 4.b2 f6 5.e5 [ One of the advantages of Capablanca's e a r l y . . . B c 8 - g 4 i s t h a t a f t e r 5.g3 he can mangle White's pawn structure with xf3 . ] 5...h5 6.g3 e6 7.g2 e7 8.0-0 bd7 Exchanging off White's advanced knight. It co u ld go b a ck o f co u rse , b u t t h a t wo u l d represent a loss of two tempi. 9.xd7 xd7 10.d3 0-0 11.d2 c7 12.c1 fd8 13.f3 e8 Preparing to exchange more pieces with ...Be7-f6. This time round it's e vi d e n t t h a t C a p a b l a n c a i s t r e a t i n g h i s opponent with far more caution. 14.c2 f6 15.a1!? Reti really loved putting his queen on this square! xb2 16.xb2 xf3 17.xf3 e7 18.d1 a6 There's not much in it now. 19.g2 g6 20.e3 h5 21.cxd5 exd5 22.b4 h4 23.a4 d6 24.e4 dxe4 25.dxe4 e8 [ 25...xe4 26.e1 f5 27.f3 would win the knight. ] 26.cd2 hxg3 27.hxg3 xd2 28.xd2 f6 29.d4 e8 30.b6 g7 31.e5 xe5 32.xb7 g4 33.b6 [ And not 33.xc6 b e c a u s e o f xf2 34.xf2 e2+ 35.g1 xd1+ etc. ] 451
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ whilst 33.xc6? is bad because of h5 34.g2 ( Or 34.a7 e2 ) 34...e2 etc. ] 33...h5 [ 33...h5 34.d4+ g8 35.d2 e5 gives Black adequate counterplay. ] ½-½
467 Rotstein,Arkadij Dogantug,Ismail 20th ECC Izmir TUR (6) [Tony Kosten]
A12 2525 2175 08.10.2004
1.f3 f6 2.c4 c6 3.b3 This avoids all the lines where Black captures on c4, but commits White to a queenside fianchetto, of course. d5 4.b2 f5 Lasker's set-up still remains popular at all levels. 5.g3 e6 6.g2 d6 7.0-0 bd7 8.d3 e7!? Black tries to deter W hite f rom developing his queen's knight, but this does put the king and queen on the same file, which allows the following tactical possibility. [ 8...0-0 is more usual, of course. ] 9.cxd5 exd5 [ 9...cxd5?! is we l l m e t b y 10.d4 0-0 ( 10...g6 11.b5 e5 12.a3 is u n p le a s a n t) 11.xf5 exf5 12.c3 wit h p re s s u r e o n t h e we a k b la ck p a wn structure and the bishop pair, Dake,A-Feigin, M/Folkestone 1933. ] 10.e4! The point! Reti players should always b e o n t h e l o o k - o u t f o r t h i s t a c t i c . dxe4 11.dxe4 g4 Almost forced. The other moves lose: [ 11...xe4? 12.e1 and the pin along the efile costs Black a piece, 0-0-0 Kennedy,MHurley,J/ Dublin 1992, 13.fd2 etc. ] [ 11...xe4? 12.h4 g6 13.xg6 hxg6 14.xe4 xe4? 15.e1 ] [ 11...g6? i s a l s o we a k : 12.e5! xe5 13.xe5 xe5 14.e1 and the e-file pin is again decisive. ] 12.h3! A new move, and better than [ 12.bd2 when e5 13.c2 xb2 14.xb2 0-0 is fine for Black, Euwe,M-Van den Bosch,J/Amsterdam 1934. ] 12...xf3 13.xf3 I think I would prefer [ 13.xf3! when e5 14.xe5 xe5 15.e3 0-0 16.f4 gives White some extra
space. ] 13...e5 This is positionally correct: when your opponent has the bishop pair you should try to exchange one of them. 14.c2 [ 14.c3 is more ambitious. ] 14...xb2 15.xb2 e5 16.g2 d8?! Black seems to have forgotten the castling rule! [ 16...0-0 is level. ] 17.a3! xa3 18.xa3 e7 W ithout queens the king might become a usef ul piece in the endgame, but with so many pieces still on the board this is a doubleedged decision. [ 18...0-0 19.ad1 still favours White, as f4 will drive the knight from the centre and give him some space advantage. ] 19.f4 d3 20.c4 d7?! Playing on the next board I was amazed to see how quickly Black's solid position disintegrated after this move. [ 20...c5 is safer. ] 21.e5 e8?! [ 21...d5 22.d6 is unpleasant, but better. ] 22.ad1 g6 [ 22...c5 23.b4 a4 24.xd7+ xd7 25.c1 c7 26.a5 leads to a strong white attack (b5 is coming) while the black pieces are bystanders. ] 23.a5! W inning material. g7 24.xb7! xe5?! [ 24...xb7 25.xd3 and White will win the c6-pawn as well. ] 25.c5 [ 25.c5 xd1 26.xd1 traps the knight on e5 and wins a piece. ] 1-0
468 Savchenko,Boris Dreev,Alexey World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (7) [Carsten Hansen]
A12 2583 2607 21.11.2007
1.c4 c6 2.f3 d5 3.b3 g4 4.b2 d7 5.g3 xf3 6.exf3 gf6 7.f4 [ 7.g2 is the move covered in ECO, leading to a slight edge for White, but the text move is also perfectly good for a slight edge. ] 452
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 7...e6 [ This is just one of several options for Black the others are: A) 7...g6 A) 8.g2 b6 9.f5?! ( 9.e2!? g7 10.d3 ) 9...dxc4 10.fxg6 hxg6 11.e2 d3 12.xd3 cxd3 Nosenko, AKhmelnitsky, I/Kharkov 1988; B) 8.d3 g7 9.g2 0-0 10.0-0 c7 11.c2 dxc4 12.dxc4 ad8 13.d2 e5 14.fxe5 xe5 15.f3 Rodriguez Guerrero, E-Epishin, V/Seville 2002 ] [ B) 7...b6 8.c2 e6 9.g2 g6 10.0-0 g7 11.d4 0-0 12.d2 fc8 13.c5 d8 14.b4 a5 15.a3 axb4 16.axb4 xa1 17.xa1 Bezold, M-Fridman, D/Senden 1998 ] 8.g2 [ W hite can also consider 8.e2 e7 ( 8...d6 9.0-0 0-0 10.d4 c8 11.c5 b8 12.c2 e8 13.d2 f8 14.fe1 g6 15.d3 c7 16.f3 f8 17.b4 Sarno, S-Valenti, G/ Italy 1994) 9.0-0 0-0 10.d4 a5 ( 10...e4!? 11.d2 xd2 12.xd2 f6 , and a draw was prematurely agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, in Sarno, S-Belotti, B/Asti 1995) 11.c3 b4 12.c5 xc3 13.xc3 b6 14.cxb6 e4 15.b2 xb6 16.c2 fc8 17.fc1 g6 18.f3 d6 19.d1 ab8 20.ab1 Malis, J-Sosna, J/ CZE 1995 ] 8...g6 [ A couple of alternatives are: A) 8...d6 9.0-0 0-0 10.c2 e5 11.fxe5 xe5 12.d4 d6 13.c3 dxc4 14.bxc4 e8 15.fd1 Tammert, G-Von Buhrmeister, P/Germany 1994 ] [ B) 8...dxc4 9.bxc4 c5 10.d4 b6 11.c3 ce4 12.0-0 ( 12.d3!? xc3 13.xc3 0-0-0 14.d1 a5 15.0-0 b4 16.e2 ) 12...0-0-0 13.c5 a6 14.b3 xc3 15.xc3 xd4 16.f5 exf5 17.fc1 Anic, D-Dunis, A/Gonfreville FRA 2006, and now c4 18.b1 d3 ] 9.e2 dxc4 10.bxc4 c5 11.0-0 a4 [ 11...g7 12.c3 d3 13.a3 xe2 14.xe2 d3 15.ab1 0-0-0 16.b3 c7 17.fb1 b6 18.c5 b5 19.c3 ] 12.e5! g7 13.d4 0-0 14.c5 [ 14.d2 e8 15.xg7 xg7 16.f3 f5 17.d3 ] 14...d5 15.c2 a5 16.xd5
[ 16.xg7 xg7 17.d2 ac3 18.c4 b4 19.d3 ] 16...exd5 17.d2 c3 [ 17...f6 18.d6 fe8 19.b3 c3 20.ac1= ] 18.b3 [ 18.g2 b5 19.xg7 xg7 20.a4 c3 21.xc3 xc3 22.a3 e4 23.xe4 dxe4 24.b1 ab8 25.ab3 fd8 26.a5 xd4 27.xb7 xb7 28.xb7 d5 29.xa7 xc5= ] 18...b4 19.g2 [ 19.xg7 xg7 20.fc1 e4= ] 19...e4 [ 19...b5!? 20.xg7 xg7 21.d3 fe8 22.fc1 e4 ] 20.f3 f6 21.d2 a5 22.fb1 a6 23.f1 fe8 24.h4 d7 [ 24...b6 25.cxb6 axb6 26.e1 ac8 27.e3 c5 28.dxc5 bxc5 ] 25.e1 c4 [ 25...f6 26.d6 b6 27.cxb6 xb6 ] 26.xc4 dxc4 27.e3 b5 28.cxb6 xb6 [ 28...axb6 29.xc4 f6 30.c7 xe1 31.xe1 xa2+ 32.h3 b5 33.a5 f8= ] 29.ac1?! [ 29.xg7 xg7 30.ac1 ac8 31.f2 ed8 32.ed1 c5 33.d5 d7 34.d6 cd8 35.xc4 xc4 36.xc4 xd6 37.xd6 xd6 38.e3 a6 39.a4 f6= ] 29...ad8?! [ 29...f6 30.d6 ad8 31.c5 f5 32.c2 xe1 33.xe1 d5 ] 30.g4? [ 30.xg7 xg7 31.f1 d5 32.xc4 xe1+ 33.xe1 c3 34.e5 xd4 35.xc6 a4 36.e7 xa2 37.xa7 xa7 38.xa7 ] 30...e6 31.h5 [ 31.a4 xa4 32.xc4 b6 33.c2 ( 33.b4 d5 34.a4 f6 35.xf6 xf6 36.xf6+ xf6 37.e6 d7 38.xc6 f7 ) 33...d5 34.a2 f6 35.xf6 xf6 36.xf6+ xf6 ] 31...gxh5!? 32.f5 ee8 33.f6+ xf6 34.xf6 xe1 35.xe1 c8 36.g4? [ 36.g5!? d5 A) 37.b1 c3 ( 37...f6 38.h6 e7 39.g4 f7 ) 38.f6 h6 39.xh6 h7 40.c1 g6 41.b7 a6-+; B) 37.h6 f6 38.b1 e7 39.g4 f7 453
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 40.b7 d8 41.c1 hxg4 42.fxg4 e8 43.xa7 xd4 , and Black has decent winning chances ] 36...hxg4 37.fxg4 d5 Now it is a rather simple win for Black. The strong knight on d5 kicks away the bishop on f6, allowing Black to follow up with ...f7-f6 and then support the dangerous passed pawn on c4-pawn. 38.e5 f6 39.d6 c3 40.f3 d8 41.c5 a5 42.a3 b8 43.g5 fxg5 44.g4 h6 45.h5 g7 46.g4 e8 47.xe8 f6+ 48.f3 xe8 49.d5 c2 0-1
469 Slobodjan,Roman Dautov,Rustem 10th It Lippstadt GER (7) [Tony Kosten]
A12 2539 2606 12.07.2000
1.f3 f6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 f5 4.d3 e6 5.c4 c6 6.b3 e7 7.b2 h6 8.0-0 0-0 9.a3 h7 Typical, the bishop retreats to a less exposed square, and Black maintains the most flexibility with his queenside development. 10.bd2 a5 11.c3 [ A move that has scored well for White, he wishes to force the b4 advance, and then weaken the solid wedge of Black central pawns. 11.c2 is perhaps more common first, a6 12.c3 b5 13.cxb5 cxb5 14.b2 b4 15.axb4 xb4 16.fc1 is fairly equal, Smejkal,J-Hubner,R/W ijk 1975. ] 11...c5!? [ A new move, clamping-down on b4, and intending to gain a tempo with ... d4 previously 11...a6 had been preferred, to stop b4, 12.a2 revealing White's plan, he will line his queen up on both the a1-h8 diagonal, and the a1-a8 file, b5 13.a1 b4 14.axb4 xb4 15.a4 with pressure on a5, and some advantage, Kasimdzhanov,R-Mari Arul,S/Genting Highlands 1998. ] 12.cxd5 [ White is obliged to change plans, for after, say 12.e5?! d4 13.b2 c7 Black gains a space advantage. ] 12...exd5 13.d4 c6 Black happily allows transposition into an IQP position, as his
pieces are very actively placed. 14.dxc5 d4 [ 14...xc5 is also perfectly reasonable. ] 15.b2 xc5 16.e1 Else Black may be tempted to advance his d-pawn even further. e8 17.d3 b6 18.c1 c8 19.b4!? axb4 20.axb4 d5 [ Aiming for c3, and e3, but the materialistic 20...xd3!? 21.exd3 xb4 was also worthy of consideration. ] 21.b5 xd3 22.exd3 e3! The knight sacrifices itself to free the b6-bishop's diagonal. 23.fxe3 dxe3 24.h1 [ Not forced, 24.h5!? exd2+ 25.h1 e7 26.cd1 was also feasible, although Black is certainly fine after d4 ] 24...exd2 25.xd2 d4?! [ 25...e3 26.c3 d4 27.b3 is not worse. ] [ 25...d4?! and although the players a g r e e d a d r a w , 26.f4! d7 27.c4 is worth trying ] ½-½
470 Agrest,E Grandelius,Nils TCh-SWE 2011-12 (9) [John Bartholomew]
A13 2599 2536 11.03.2012
1.f3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 f6 4.g2 dxc4 5.a4+ c6 6.xc4 b5 7.b3!? b7 8.0-0 bd7 9.d4 a6 10.e5! xe5 11.dxe5 d7 [ The alternative 11...d5 is analyzed in Fre ssi n e t , L (2 6 9 6 )-G o rd o n , S ( 2 5 3 5 ) / Bremen GER 2012. ] 12.c3!? Clearly the most flexible, and (by consequence) the most ambitious. [ 12.f4 ] [ and 12.d1 have been played, but you'll find that White has these options on almost every move going forward. ] 12...c7 Black is up against a number of tempting ideas: Nc3-e4, Rf1-d1, Bc1-f4, a2-a4, etc. He has tried various ways to complete development, but the practical results have thus far been heavily in White's favor (+6 =4 -0). Overall, I get the impression that this position is much easier for W hite to handle absent some very targeted preparation from 454
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 the opponent. [ Let's briefly consider the alternatives. First off, accepting the pawn is extremely risky: 12...xe5 13.d1!? ( 13.e4 c5 was less clear in Ehlvest, J (2595)-Vitiugov, N (2687)/Moscow RUS 2009.) 13...d7 ( 13...c7 14.f4 e7 15.ac1 ) 14.e4 b6? 15.f4 e7 16.d6+ xd6 17.xd6 (clearly things have gone wrong for Black) 0-0-0 Bernard, C (2348)-Mirzoev, A (2563)/ Cappelle la Grande FRA 2011. Here simply 18.c1+- leaves Black without an adequate defense. ] [ 12...e7 13.e4!? ( 13.d1 c8 14.e4 0-0 Markowski, T (2564)-Sargissian, G ( 2 6 1 1 ) / M e r i d a 2 0 0 5 . 15.g5!? xg5 16.xg5 xe5 17.ac1 ) 13...c5 ( 13...0-0 14.f4 ) 14.c3 ( a n o t h e r a p p r o a c h i s 14.xc5 xc5 15.c2 b6 16.d2 with 17.Rac1 to come ) 14...xe4 15.xe4 c7 16.e3 b4 17.c2 c8 18.fd1 xe5 19.d4 g5 20.h4 h6 21.c5 f6 22.d2 xc5 23.xc5 e7 24.d6 0-0 25.ad1 a8 26.b3 b7 27.d3 h6 28.d7 b8 29.xa6 cd8 30.e7 xd7 31.xd7 b6 32.d3 c5 33.g6 c6 34.xf7+ h7 35.f3 b6 36.xf8 c4+ 37.f1 1-0 Glud, J (2496) -Collins, S (2436)/ Rogaska Slatina SLO 2011 ] [ 12...c8 13.a4!? (a familiar strategy: White inhibits ...c6-c5) ( 13.e4 c5 14.d1 e7 15.f4 0-0 16.d6 xd6 17.xd6 c4 18.e3 xg2 19.xg2 c5 20.ad1 Rotstein, A (2528) -Gustafsson, J (2615)/ Austria 200506.) 13...e7 14.e4 0-0 15.g5!? xg5 16.xg5 c5 17.d3 g6 18.xb7 xb7 19.e3 Khalifman, A (2616) -Sargissian, G (2680)/Moscow RUS 2010. ] [ 12...b6 13.a4! b8?! (Black can ill afford t h i s d e l a y ) 14.e3 c5 15.xb7 xb7 16.axb5 axb5 17.a5! b4 18.b5 e7 19.g5! (energetic play!) b6? ( 19...c6 20.xe7 xe7 21.d6 ) 20.a4 xg5 21.d6+ e7 22.a7 hd8 23.d1+- h6 24.a6 c7 25.c6 a8 26.xa8 1-0 Baumegger, S (2433)-Diermair, A (2388)/ Leoben 2008. ] 13.f4 [ Black's last move is well-suited to
advancing the c-pawn, so I'd be interested in seeing a practical test of 13.a4!?N . ] 13...c5 14.e4 xe5? This is very optimistic. [ W h i t e w a s d i a l e d i n a f t e r 14...d5 15.d6+! in Zysk, R (2436)-Simeonidis, I (2 2 8 3 ) / K a l l i t h e a C h a l k i d i ki 2 0 0 3 : xd6 16.xd5 exd5 17.exd6 c6 18.e3+ f8 19.e7+ g8 20.fd1 h6 21.ac1 c8 22.c3 f6 23.e4!? e8? ( 23...d4 was the only try) 24.c7 xc7 25.dxc7 xe4 26.xd5! xc3 27.d8 e2+ 28.f1 h7 29.c8+- ] [ The best defense looks to be 14...xe4! 15.xe4 c4 . This dampens White's immediate attacking potential, though he remains a bit better with the bishop pair: 16.c2!? d8 17.a4 ] 15.a4!? [ Agrest didn't want to pull the trigger with 15.xe5 xe5 16.f6+ gxf6 17.xb7 , though this is dangerous for Black too. ] 15...b4 16.fc1 [ 16.a5!? ] 16...c4 17.xe5 xe5 18.xc4! [ 18.xc4 d5 can be met by 19.d2! , but e7 20.xd5 exd5 21.f4 0-0 22.f3 e6 isn't much for White. ] 18...d8 Grandelius faced an unenviable choice. [ 18...c8 is obvious, but Black probably assessed his position after 19.xc8+ xc8 20.xc8+ d7 21.ac1 very pessimistically. Indeed, White is well coordinated and a knockout punch seems likely to land. Still, this might have been a decent way to interrupt the trend of the game and complicate things. ] [ 18...d5 is also depressing. 19.c7 xc7 20.xc7 ] 19.f6+ gxf6 [ or 19...xf6 20.xb7 e7 21.xa6 0-0 22.c2 ] 20.xb7 h6?! This last error terminates the game rather quickly. [ 20...e7 21.xa6 0-0 22.c2 wasn't fun either, though. ] 21.xb4! Black can't castle to safety. d6 [ 21...xc1 22.c6+ d7 23.xc1+- ] 22.xd6 xd6 23.c8+ d8 24.xd8+ xd8 25.xa6 e7 It was better to head 455
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 towards the queenside, but realistically Black 13.b3! White defends c3, and is ready to has almost no chances to hold. 26.b7 b8 double rooks on the open file. a7 27.f3 f5 [ Black makes room for his bishop, [ 27...xb2 28.a5+- ] 13...bd7?! whilst natural, leaves Black in 28.a5 e5 29.d5 d6 30.xf7 t r o u b l e a f t e r 14.d4 ab8 ( 14...cxd4 Black resigned. These two games with 7. may be superior, but 15.xd4 gains the Qb3!? suggest that it may be in no way inferior important light-squared bishop) 15.a3! to the traditional 7.Qc2. Theory is developing ( 15.d5?! xb3 16.axb3 xc3 is the point) EXTREMELY rapidly in these sharp lines, so 15...c7 16.d5 exd5 17.exd5 b7 keep your eyes peeled! and although White cannot capture the e71-0 bishop (because ...Re8 traps the queen) his space advantage is significant. ] 14.d4! This move wil l leave White with an 471 A13 iso lat e d c-p a wn o n a n o p e n f ile, b ut t h e Akopian,Vladimir 2660 dyn a m ic p o ssib ilit ie s ou t we igh st ra t e gic Svidler,Peter 2686 considerations. Note that had Black played ... World Teams Yerevan ARM (4) 15.10.2001 b4 earlier, instead of ...bxc4, then W hite would be able to play this move more freely, [Tony Kosten] as the c4-pawn would be defended by his It is not very often that you can see such a partner on b3. cxd4 15.xd4 a8 16.e3 long line of captures and forcing moves, as The bishop eyes the a7-rook. b7? [ This allows an incredibly long, forcing was instigated by White's seventeenth move. tactical sequence, and is far from ideal, but 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 a6!? the natural 16...c7? , intending ...Nbd7-c5, Black prepares to expand on the queenside. allows the decisive tactic 17.xe6! fxe6 4.g2 b5 5.b3 Naturally, White has to 18.b6 ] defend his c-pawn. c5 6.0-0 [ Perhaps Black's only chance was 16...d7 [ There is nothing to be gained along the but after 17.fb1 c6 18.xc6 xc6 h1-a8 diagonal: 6.e5 a7 and ...d6. ] 19.b6 White's queenside pressure is 6...b7 7.c3 White would like to force Black considerable. ] to clarify the situation on the queenside, and 17.e5!! Th is m ove win s b y f orc e . xb3 so pressures the b-pawn. a5!? The first point, White is [ 7...b6 is more common, deterring White 18.exf6 f r o m p la yi n g h i s c1 -b is h o p t o b 2 , p l a y simultaneously threatening e7, a8, and b3. should continue along similar lines, i. e. 8.e3 xg2 [ 18...xc3 is a little better: 19.fxe7 e8 e7 9.e2 preparing Rd1 and d4. ] 20.xa8 and if a3 ( 20...a4 21.e4!? 8.e3 e7 9.e2 bxc4 xc4 22.h5 g6 23.h6 f5 hangs on for [ White was threatening to capture the b5a bit ) 21.b1 White's two bishops are pawn, and 9...b4 allows White a freer hand clearly more than a match for the black in the centre, and the pawn lever a3. ] rook. ] 10.bxc4 0-0 [ This is new here, and a possible 19.xb3 xf1 [ 19...xc3?! 20.fxe7 wins a piece. ] impro veme nt o n 10...c6 11.b1 b8 The critical second point, White 12.e5 xe5 ( 12...d8 ) 13.xb7 20.g4! with an edge, Zarnicki,P-Rosito,J/Buenos menaces both the black king and queen. xf6 21.xa5 xc3 22.xf1 Aires 1998. ] [ 22.d4 xd4 23.xd4 e2 24.xd6 11.b1 This position shows two advantages of is also more than sufficient. ] having the black queen on a5, as opposed to b6: firstly, this last move doesn't gain a tempo, 22...xa5 23.d4 d8 24.a7! The final and secondly, the attack on the c3-knight point, the black pieces are uncoordinated, means White will have to defend this piece and unable to resist the powerful white queen. before he can play d4. c6 12.e4 d6 h6 25.b6 xb6 26.xb6 c8 27.xd6 456
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 h7 28.c5 g6 29.c6! [ 29.c6! xc6 30.d7 wins the knight. ] 1-0
472 Al Hadarani,Hatim Adly,Ahmed ch-Arab Dubai UAE (5) [John Watson]
A13 2320 2503 16.09.2005
Black is utterly outplayed by his lower-rated opponent. This is a classic example of how to play a "Catalan without d4", but after some bad mistakes, probably in time pressure, Al Hadarani loses his way. 1.f3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 f6 4.g2 dxc4 5.0-0 bd7 The most popular move of late. 6.a4 [ 6.a3!? is suggested in Tony Kosten's "The Dynamic English", with the possible continuation xa3 7.bxa3 0-0 8.c2 b6 9.e5 ] 6...a6 7.xc4 b5 8.c2 b7 9.a4!? b4?! [ 9...c5! --see the next game. ] 10.b3 e7 11.b2 0-0 12.d3 c5 13.e4 c7 14.bd2 ad8 15.c4 e8 16.fe1 f6 17.e5 e7 18.e2 b6 19.ad1 g6 20.cd2 d5 21.h4 f5 22.exf6 xf6 23.xf6 xf6 24.g5 de8 25.ge4 a5 26.c1 [ A better route was to be had by 26.xf6+ xf6 27.xd5 xd5 28.e4 ff8 ( 28...f5 29.c1 b6 30.g4 ) 29.c1 etc. ] 26...xe4 [ 26...bd7! ] 27.dxe4 b7 28.h5! e5 29.hxg6 hxg6 30.h3!? This covers c8, but since it can be challenged there isn't much point. Much better was [ 30.e3 , winn ing ma terial af te r d7 31.h3 d8 32.f3! b6 33.xd7 xd7 34.xe5 , winning for White. ] 30...d8 31.c2 d4 32.g4? [ 32.b5! d6 33.e2 soon wins the cpawn. ] 32...d6 33.g5 [ 33.e6+ xe6 34.xe6+ h8 35.f3 is about equal. White goes downhill rapidly. He should have simply targeted and won the c-pawn. ]
33...c4! 34.bxc4! [ 34.xc4 xc4 35.xc4 xc4 36.bxc4 c6 leaving Black a dangerous b-pawn. ] 34...xa4 35.c5! f6 36.xf6 xf6 37.b3 xe4 38.d1? Probably time trouble. [ 38.a1! was an effective counterattack, and perhaps equal because of the additional threat of Bg2, e.g., d5 39.g2 xb3 40.xe4 xc2 41.xc2 xc5 42.xa5 ] 38...c3 winning. 39.a1 e2+ [ 39...e2+ 40.f1 xg3+ 41.g1 e2+ 42.f1 f4 43.d7 a6+ etc. ] 0-1
473 Aronian,Levon Anand,Viswanathan Zurich Chess Challenge (1) [Fier, Alexandr]
A13 2812 2773 30.01.2014
This was a more positional game compared to the other ones I analyzed for Chess Publishing this month. Aronian has an impressive score of +7 =18 -2 against Anand and this game was a victory move by move. 1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 f6 4.f3 dxc4 5.a4+ bd7 6.xc4 a6 7.b3 [ 7.c2 is more popular, but both of the queen retreats have their differences c5 8.0-0 b5 ( 8...b6 9.c3 b7 10.d1 was also seen here, in the game Bu Xiangzhi (2602)-Li W enliang (2506)/Tan Chin Nam Cup 2002.) 9.b3 b7 10.b2 is a slow and solid way to play for W hite, analyzed in Kozhuharov, S (2391)-Mateuta, G (2465)/14th Open Kavala GRE 2005. ] 7...b8 [ 7...c5 8.a4 b8 ( 8...d6 9.0-0 0-0 10.a3 c7 11.c4 b6 12.d3 b7 13.d2 e7 14.fc1 Bruzon Batista, L (2673) -Vallejo Pons, F (2724)/FIDE World Cup 2011 (2.4.) 9.a5 and Black is kind of tied. This position was analyzed for Chess Publishing in Naiditsch, A (2702)-Papin, V (2575)/13th EICC Plovdiv BUL 2012 (2.9). ] 8.0-0 b5 Black has no hurry to play ...c5. Instead he expands with ...b5 and opens the long diagonal for the bishop. [ 8...c5 9.d4 cxd4 10.f4 c5 11.c4 457
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 d6 12.xd4 Sorokin, M (2550)Sveshnikov, E (2580)/RUS-ch Elista 1995 (10). ] 9.a4 b7 10.axb5 axb5 11.d3 I like this way of playing and it's typical in this variation. Usually when White goes for a quick d4, there are good chances that Black can equalize after a well timed ...c5. With the pawn on d3, W hite can often try a setup with e4, restraining the bishop on b7 and the knight on d6. Meanwhile Black's counterplay is not so clear. Af ter all, it's not that W hite will be better after this move, but nowadays it's hard to find an advantage in any variation. e7 [ 11...d6 was the choice of Ivanchuk in the World Cup 12.e3 c5 13.c3 0-0 14.d2 ( 14.xb5?? c6-+ ) 14...xg2 15.xg2 g4 and Black managed to draw without big problems in Bu, X (2675)-Ivanchuk, V (2768)/ FIDE World Cup 2011 (4.1). ] 12.f4 d5 This move will be necessary here or after 13.Rfc1. [ 12...0-0 would probably transpose after 13.c1 d5 14.d2 ] 13.d2 Black's knight is not well placed on d5. White can play e4 with tempo if it stays there. On the other hand sometimes it can go to b6 and the bishop has a good square on f6. 0-0 14.c1 c5 After all the pieces are developed Black finally goes for ...c5. [ 14...b4 would be an interesting alternative. At first sight it looks strange to give the c4square for free, but it avoids the bishop going to a5 and there is a hidden issue with leaving the pawn on b5, as we are going to see in a few moves 15.e1 c5 ( 15...c5 is not so good 16.c2 and the knight will need to go back at some point) 16.bd2 5b6 and the knight comes back, opening the diagonal for a bishop exchange and ready to exchange on c4 if anything goes there. The position is level ] 15.a5 Opening space for the b1-knight. e8 I have a f ee ling t hat th e pieces are a bit packed on the kingside. To put the queen on the c-file is also not ideal, but still can be ok, if combined with ...b4 afterwards. [ 15...c8 16.bd2 b4 17.c4 a8 18.fd2 and White can have a small edge ] 16.bd2 5f6 17.ab1! A beautiful move to make. W hite realizes that one of the best
plans in this position is to play with b2-b4. If he can exchange the b-pawn for the c-pawn all the pieces have more space and most likely the pawn on b5 is going to be weak at s o m e p o i n t . d5 18.d1 a8 19.b4 Just in time! I think White has already some advantage a6?! The beginning of a faulty plan. [ 19...b8 was also possible and the position can become chaotic in a few moves 20.e4 b7 21.b3 c4! ( 21...cxb4 22.d2 is what White is dreaming of) 22.bd4 cxd3 23.c7 a7 24.xb5 a2 and Black creates nice counterplay in exchange for the queen, 25.c3 c4 26.d5 exd5 27.xc4 dxc4 28.c1 and White has some advantage ] 20.e4 c6 [ 20...a8 21.b3 c4 22.bd4 and White has a pleasant position ] 21.b3 cxb4 [ 21...a8 is another idea, looking forward to a nice exchange sacrifice 22.bxc5! xa5 23.xa5 xa5 24.d4 e5 25.f4 ( 25.xc6 xc6 26.d4 maybe this is better, with a strong center) 25...xc5! 26.xc5 b6 27.xe5 xd4+ 28.h1 d7 29.h5 g6 30.h4 and the rook is in a really strange place. Probably Black has compensation coming with 30...Rc8 and ...Nc5 ] 22.d2 xe4 Finally Black shows his plan he will fight with some pawns for a piece. Since White only has pawns on the kingside, there are still some chances. But Aronian plays well, and proves that the pawns are not enough for the piece. [ Here the alternatives are not so interesting anymore 22...a8 23.xb4 a2 24.c3 xb4 25.xb4 a7 26.fd4 a8 27.a1 is much better for White ] [ 22...c5 23.xb4 xb3 24.xb3 xb4 25.xb4 also with advantage ] 23.dxe4 xe4 24.c2 c3 25.a1 f6 This was more or less the position Black was looking for with the piece sacrifice. He has some nice posts for the knight and if they can stay on c3 and d5 it would be ok. White needs to find something to do against this. 26.e5 fd5 27.d3 First relocating the knight to the best square on d3, where it can attack b4. c6 28.xd5! And then exchanging one of the 458
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 strong knights for the fianchettoed bishop. No easy decision to make, but W hite's idea is concrete. exd5 29.e1 [ 29.xb4!? was already possible, but White needs to be sure of the complications and t h e r e s u l t i n g p o s i t i o n xb4 30.d4 ( 30.xb4 e2+ 31.xe2 xe2 32.xc6 and it's not clear the endgame is winning) 30...c4 31.xb4 e7! 32.bc6 f6 and now White needs to sacrifice the queen again 33.xc3 xc3 34.xc3 White has good chances in this position, but it might also be drawn. In the game W hite keeps more pieces on ] 29...c4 30.f3 d7 31.f2 d6 32.b6 f5 [ 32...a4 strangely putting the knight in the corner, bringing the bishop to d4 is the computer's suggestion 33.d4 fc8 34.f4 and White keeps the advantage ] 33.e3 White has optimized the position of all his pieces and now the plan is to exchange Black's pieces one by one, making the pawns harder to defend. It's a long task, but Aronian was able to do it without any major problems. [ 33.c5 xc5 ( 33...xd3 doesn't make m u c h s e n s e 34.xd6 fc8 35.a5 and the rook has no squares) 34.bxc5 a4 and there is still a lot of play in the game. ] 33...h5 34.d4 c7 35.a7 First the rook. xa7 36.xa7 a8 37.c5 Followed by the bishop. d4!? An interesting resource. Black tries to exchange everything and create a fortress in the endgame. It looks a bit desperate, but if Black just waits the pawns are going to fall one by one. 38.xd4 xc5 39.xf5 xe3+ 40.xe3 b3 Now the b3pawn is dangerous and it's going to be exchanged for the f3-pawn 41.d1 c8 42.xc3 xc3 43.d1 b2 The last chance to do t his , o t h erwise W hit e 's kin g wo u ld defend the f3-pawn 44.xb2 xf3 45.d8+ h7 46.d5 b3 47.d3 g6 and I'm not sure if the endgame is really winning, but looking at the game White won easily. 48.d7 g7 49.f2 a3 50.e3 a2 51.h4 f6 52.b7 a5 The b-pawn is going to fall at s o m e p o i n t . 53.c5 a3+ 54.f4 a1 55.e4+ g7 56.d6 f1+ 57.e3 f8 58.xb5 e7 59.e4 e1+ 60.f4 f8
And now the target is the f-pawn. 61.b8+ g7 62.b7 f1+ 63.e3 f8 64.d6 f6 65.b8+ e7 66.e4 f1 67.e2 f5 68.c8 e5 69.f3 f5+ 70.g2 e5 71.g5 e2+ [ 71...f6 would not be enough 72.h3 g5 73.h8 and Black is forced to take on h4, giving the vital f4 square to the knight ] 72.h3 f2 [ 72...f6 73.f3 f2 74.d4 g5 75.c7+ d6 76.hxg5 fxg5 77.g7 ] 73.c4 With 74.Rf4 winning. 1-0
474 Arvind,Shastry Ramesh,Ramachandran B ch Mumbai IND (16) [Tony Kosten]
A13 2330 2472 28.01.2003
White seems to be doing nothing in particular in the opening, and then produces a mating attack out of clear, blue sky! 1.f3 f6 2.b3 d5 3.b2 e6 4.c4 Taking play from Larsen's Opening to an English structure. e7 5.e3 I would play [ 5.g3 myself, and put the bishop on the long diagonal, but W hite's move has its advantages. ] 5...0-0 6.c3 b6 7.c2!? [ 7.e2 b7 8.0-0 c5 9.cxd5 is the mainline here, White's move seems innocuous, but... ] 7...b7 8.e2 I am reminded of Gurevich's set-up against the Slav here, where he followsup with g4, but as Black has dispensed with ... c6, he can react more aggressively. c5 [ 8...dxc4 i s a s o u n d i d e a , 9.bxc4 ( 9.xc4!? ) 9...c5 10.0-0 c6 11.fd1 which seems fairly equal, Mesropov, KKroencke,M/ Bad Wiessee 1997, it is very si m il a r t o a R e t i m a i n li n e , e xc e p t t h a t White's bishop is on e2 instead of the more active g2. ] 9.cxd5! Better than [ 9.0-0 c6 ( 9...dxc4!? ) 10.a3 d4 with a good Benoni for Black, Majzik, LHudecz,V/Budapest 1998. ] 9...xd5 [ 9...exd5 10.d4 c6 is also possible, but 459
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 the subsequent hanging pawn structure would not appeal to everyone. ] 10.xd5 It seems that White is happy to exchange pieces, and head for a draw perhaps? xd5 11.h4!? Suddenly, 'out-ofthe-blue', White plays for a kingside attack! h6 Maybe [ 11...d7 12.g5 f5 is safer, although after 13.0-0-0 h6 anything could happen. ] 12.g5! If this is possible, then Black's last move is pointless. hxg5? Opening the h-file is disastrous, [ and 12...f5? is no better: 13.c4 xg2 14.0-0-0! hxg5 15.xe6+ h7 16.hxg5+ g6 17.c3 wins. ] [ however, 12...f5! 13.d3 g4 is possible, e.g. 14.a6 ( 14.c4? hxg5 15.hxg5 e4 ) 14...e4! and no win is visible. ] 13.f3 The point of White's combination. xf3 It is all 'much of a muchness', [ 13...d7 also loses, 14.hxg5 (threatening m a t e o n h 7 ) f5 15.gxf6 xf6 16.xf6! ( 16.h7+ f7 17.h5+ e7 18.xf6+ xf6 19.g6+ e5 20.g3+ d5 21.f3+ xf3 22.xf3+ d6 and the king escapes ) 16...xf6 17.h7+ f8 18.h8+ f7 19.h7 g6 20.h5 f6 21.f8+ f7 22.d8+ e7 23.xe7+ xe7 24.xg6 with a winning material advantage. ] 14.gxf3 xf3 15.g1 g4 Black hopes that his light-squared control will give him enough compensation, but two pieces are rarely a m a t c h f o r t h e q u e e n . 16.xg4!? xg4 17.e4 Forking a8 and g4. d7 18.xg4 f6 19.g2 ad8 20.0-0-0 Black has had enough. [ 20.0-0-0 g6 21.xf6 xf6 22.h5 g7 23.hxg6 fxg6 24.g1 is convincing enough. ] 1-0
475 Bartel,Mat Dolzhikova,O 11th Gibraltar Masters (8.18) [Tony Kosten]
A13 2629 2239 29.01.2013
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 a6 4.g2 b5 5.a3!? Very rare, but logical, defending c4 while attacking b5. Bartel had already successfully tried this move last year. [ 5.b3 First is normal, but then Black can develop easily with b7 ] 5...c6 Solidly defending the b-pawn, but this seems a bit passive to me. [ Black can capture on a3, of course: 5...xa3 6.bxa3 White's pawns are damaged, but he has the bishop pair and the open b-file. bxc4 ( 6...b7 7.b1 c6 8.c2 bxc4 9.xc4 d5 10.c2 d6 11.0-0 c5 12.d3 0-0 13.e4 c6 White has a slight edge, but Black is solid, Novik, M (2405)-Aseev, K (2525) /Moscow 1991. ) 7.a4 ( 7.e5 d5 8.xc4 "and I think that pair of bishops and especially the weak black squares should provide W hite something of an edge." Bartel. ) 7...0-0 8.xc4 d5 9.c2 bd7 and ...c5, Ernst, S (2556) -Ipatov, A (2587)/ Wijk aan Zee 2013. ] [ 5...b4 6.c2 b7 7.0-0 c5 was Blomqvist, E (2469)-Ivanov, S (2537)/ Malmo 2012, when I would want to play 8.d4 cxd4 9.cxd4 ] [ 5...d5 "Looks the most logical." - Bartel. 6.cxd5 ( 6.cxb5 axb5 7.xb5 c5 "but I wasn't sure it this "Blumenfeld-like" position is so good for W hite." - Bartel.) 6...xd5 7.c2 b7 8.b3 e7 9.b2 0-0 10.0-0 Bartel, M (2658)-Popov, I (2599)/ Mo sc o w 2 0 1 2 , wh e n c5 is normal, with chances for both sides. ] 6.b3 Now White returns to a normal position h a v i n g p r o v o k e d . . . c 6 . d5 7.b2 This is actually a novelty. Bartel appears to pref er playing this move bef ore castling, although I can't see any real advantage. [ 7.0-0 seems more flexible to me, d6 ( 7...b7 8.b2 bd7 9.d3 e7 10.e4 Serov, M (2340)-Turov, M (2582)/Dagomys 2009.; 7...bd7 8.c2 b7 9.d4 d6 10.b2 with a position reminiscent of the 460
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Catalan, although the knight looks misplaced on c2, Badea, B (2495)-Turova, I (2394)/Eforie Nord 2010.) 8.d4 ( 8.b2 would transpose to the main game.) 8...0-0 9.c2 bd7 again like a Catalan, 10.a4!? bxc4 11.bxc4 a5 Maletin, P (2567)Zablotsky, S (2498)/Krasnoyarsk 2007. ] 7...d6 8.0-0 e7 Attacking the loose knight, but this piece will have to move soon anyway. [ 8...bd7 is m o re u se f u l , 9.c2 b7 10.e3 ( 10.a4! ) 10...0-0 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.c1 e7 13.c2 fc8 14.xc8+ 1/2-1/2 Hickl, J (2485)-Gruenfeld, Y (2550)/ Tel Aviv 1988. ] 9.c2 0-0 [ 9...b7 10.d3 ( I would prefer 10.a4!? a n d p l a y a s i n t h e m a i n g a m e , bxc4 11.bxc4 ) 10...bd7 11.d2 ( 11.e4!? dxe4 12.dxe4 ) 11...0-0 12.g5!? e8 13.xe7 xe7 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.fc1 fairly level, Loginov, V (2540) -Hellmayr, A (2300)/ Aschach 1994. ] 10.a4!? Putting pressure on Black's undeveloped queenside. [ 10.d4 is possible, with a Catalan type of position, but the knight on c2 is not very useful as we saw in some of the previous notes. ] 10...bxc4 11.bxc4 a5!? Black stops White f r o m a d v a n c i n g h is a -p a wn f u rt h e r, a n d prepares to develop his light-squared bishop to a6, but this weakens b5. [ In retrospect 11...bd7 might be better, Black may be able to play ...e5 later. ] 12.cxd5! I really like the way White plays this from now on, and it is worth trying to copy this strategy in similar Réti-style positions. cxd5 13.fd4 White heads straight for the b5square. d7 Making room for the d6-bishop to retreat. [ 13...a6 14.b5 c5 15.e5!? ] 14.b5 e7 15.cd4 b7 16.c1 c6 17.b3 The knight aims for c5. It's odd how Black is developed and has a solid centre, but is worse anyway. c8? This move looks ugly, the queen retreats to the open c-file, opposite the white rook. [ 17...fc8 18.c5 ( 18.xf6 gxf6 19.e4 ) 18...xc5 19.xc5 would give White some advantage, but the black structure is solid, a n d h e c a n t r y e4 20.c1 d6
and ...Nb4, to exchange the b5 outpost. ] 18.d3 d8 19.e4! The move Black was trying to stop! However, White goes on the offensive at the moment his pieces are the most active and Black's are slightly discoordinated. dxe4? Opening the h1-a8 diagonal is a mistake. [ Houdini suggests 19...a6 but White is clearly on top after, say, 20.e2 ] 20.xf6! gxf6 [ 20...xf6 21.xe4 and the pin on the knight wins material, e.g. a6 22.c5 b6 23.xb7 xb7 24.f3 ] 21.g4+ h8 22.xe4 Simply threatening to capture on c6. d5 [ 22...f5 23.e3! d7 24.c5 xc5 25.xc5 ac8 26.fc1 and Black can't move and can only wait for White to play d4 and Qc3. ] 23.c4 Winning the exchange and the game. d7 24.xd5 exd5 25.f4 e5? Desperation. 26.c7 h3 27.xe7 g4 28.c1! d4 [ 28...xh2+ 29.f1 h3+ 30.e2 leads nowhere. ] 29.xb7 e8 Threatening mate in two! [ 29...xh2+ 30.f1 h1+ 31.e2 xb7 32.xg4 is clearly hopeless. ] 30.xg4! A human decision. [ A computer might prefer 30.f3 xh2+ 31.f1 h3+ 32.g2 ] 30...xg4 31.d6 f3 32.xd4 d5 33.xe8 xb7 34.d6 The rook and two knights crush the black queen, especially as the black king is soon caught in a mating net. d5 35.c8+ g7 36.4f5+ xf5 [ 36...xf5 37.xf5+ g6 38.e7+ g5 39.g8+ h5 40.f5 and g4 mate. ] 1-0
476 Botvinnik,Mikhail Chekhover,Vitaly Moscow (16) [Nigel Davies]
A13
08.03.1935
1.f3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.b3 f6 4.b2 e7 5.e3 0-0 6.e2 c6 7.0-0 bd7 8.c3 a6 9.d4!? I find this move of Botvinnik's quite intriguing given his fondness for broad pawn centres. The knight hangs in the centre like a 461
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 lure, provoking Black to move his pawn s forward. [ The se d ays W h it e pref ers to p la y 9.d4 with a Semi-Slav type position in which Black's ...a6 is of questionable value. For example b5 10.c2 b4 11.a4 e4 12.e5 xe5 13.dxe5 f5?! 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.f3 g5 16.d4 d7?! 17.b6 b8 18.xd7 xd7 19.xa6 won a pawn in Turikov, V (2353)-Znamensky, V (2353)/St Petersburg 2005. ] 9...dxc4 [ After 9...c5 10.f3 . On the other hand he could have followed 9...c5 up with 10...dxc4 when 11.bxc4 produces a structure in which Black can aim for counterplay with a later ... b6-b5. b6 White can inflict some weaknes ses wit h 11.cxd5 exd5 12.d4 , threatening to give Black either hanging pawns or an isolated d-pawn with dxc5. ] 10.bxc4 c5 11.f4 Securing the position of the knight on d4 and commencing the process o f a d v a n c i n g W h i t e c e n t r e p a w n s . c7 12.f3 d8 13.c2 cd7 14.d4 c5 15.e5 b6 16.d3 From his quiet opening Botvinnik has built up a dangerous attacking position. In these 'hanging pawn' positions with a White pawn duo on c4 and d4, Black would prefer to have his queen's knight on a more active square than d7. cxd4 17.exd4 b7 18.e2 f8 19.d1! Covering the d4 pawn with the bishop on b2 whilst routing the knight towards the Black king. a7 20.f2 b8 21.h3 h6 Trying to stop White's knight from landing on g5, but appearances prove to b e d e c e p t i v e . 22.g5! A brilliant knight sacrifice that would have led to a rapid victory if followed up correctly. hxg5 23.fxg5 8d7 24.xf7?! Missing his way. [ 24.xd7! would have won for White, for example xd7 ( 24...xd7 25.gxf6 xf6 26.xf6 gxf6 27.g4+ f8 28.a3+ is also hopeless for Black) 25.xf7! xf7 (W hat else?) 26.h5+ g8 ( Or 26...f8 27.h8+ f7 28.g6+ f6 29.h4# ) 27.h7+ f8 28.h8+ f7 29.g6+ f6 30.h4# mate. ] 24...xf7 25.g6+ g8 [ 25...e8 would also be winning for White after 26.xe6 f8 27.f7+ d7 28.f5+ c7 29.xe7+ 8d7 30.d5 c8 31.e5
a8 32.xg7 etc. ] [ On the other hand 25...f8 would have been a tough nut to crack, f or example 26.xe6 e5! 27.xf6+ gxf6 28.h3 b4 29.g7+ xg7 30.dxe5 xd3 31.exf6+ f7 32.h7+ e6 33.xd3 g8 hangs on for Black. This is the reason that Botvinnik's 24th move was dubious. ] 26.xe6+ h8 27.h3+ g8 28.f5! W ith the bishop joining the attack it swiftly becomes overwhelming. f8 29.e6+ xe6 30.xe6+ h8 31.h3+ g8 32.xf6! xf6 [ 32...gxf6 33.h7+ f8 34.f7# is an immediate mate. ] 33.h7+ f8 34.e1! e5 35.h8+ e7 36.xg7+ d6 37.xe5+ d7 38.f5+ c6 39.d5+ c5 40.a3+ xc4 41.e4+ c3 42.b4+ b2 43.b1# A brilliant game by Botvinnik, though not a perfect one. 1-0
477 Bruzon Batista,Lazaro Leitao,Rafael IV ch-IberoAmerican Final GpA (5.1) [John Bartholomew]
A13 2694 2623 22.04.12
1.c4 f6 2.g3 e6 3.g2 d5 4.f3 dxc4 5.a4+ c6 6.xc4 b5 7.b3 b7 8.0-0 bd7 9.d4 a6 10.e5! xe5 11.dxe5 d5 12.c3 e7 [ W e examine d 12...b8!? in Fressinet, L (2696)-Gordon, S (2535)/Bremen GER 2012/ [John Bartholomew]. It didn't work out too well for Black, so the text move looks best at the moment. ] 13.e4 c7 [ 13...c5 14.g5! , as in Meier, G (2659) Blagojevic, D (2514)/Porto Carras GRE 2011, was discussed last month in the notes to the above game. ] 14.g5!? Correctly sacrificing e5. White has to be ready to pitch this pawn at a moment's notice if he hopes to profit f rom the dark square weaknesses in Black's position. [ 14.f4 xf4 15.gxf4 0-0 16.a4 ad8 17.fc1 d4 18.e3 xa4 19.xa4 bxa4 20.c5 xc5 21.xc5 d8 22.f3= Ni Hua (2641)-Frolyanov, D (2555)/Moscow 462
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 RUS 2012. ] [ Last month I suggested a slightly different versio n of th is pa wn sa c wit h 14.d6+!? , i. e. xd6 15.exd6 xd6 16.e4 b6 17.d1 e7 18.c3 0-0 19.b3!? . W ith the text Bruzon demonstrates that White doesn't even need the advantage of t h e b i s h o p p a i r t o c la i m f u l l p o si t io n a l compensation. ] 14...xg5 15.xg5 xe5 [ 15...d8!? is worthy of attention because 16.f4 ( White should prefer 16.e4 xe5 17.c5 c8 18.fe1 ) 16...c5! provides counterplay. ] 16.e4 0-0 17.c5 c7 18.fc1!? White can arrange his rooks in various ways. Another decision he faces is whether or not to play e2-e4. Bruzon clearly prefers to keep the pawn on e2 for now one benefit of its presence there is that d3 is a conveniently defended retreat square for the knight. ad8 [ I'd be tempted to play 18...a5 rather than await the fixing of the structure with a2-a4. ] 19.c2 c8 20.d3 b7 21.a4! The aforementioned "fixing" of the queenside structure. These positions are tricky to play for Black. Objectively he is OK, but he lacks improving moves that don't simultaneously create further weaknesses. Thus, there is no real hope to make use of the extra pawn on the queenside so long as White maintains a grip on the position. e7 [ W recking the queenside with 21...bxa4!? actually makes a good deal of sense here and might be the best way to resist. ] 22.c5! Positional compensation, folks! White will f ind it even easier to press when the queens are exchanged. fe8 23.xe7 xe7 24.c5 g6?! Leitao is running short on ideas. It's hard to blame him, as his position is becoming increasingly uncomfortable. [ 24...c8!? ] 25.e4 [ 25.d1 also made sense. ] 25...f6 26.d1 c8 Surrendering the only open file, but it wasn't an easy choice. [ 26...xd1+ 27.xd1 c7 28.d8+ g7 29.a5!? leaves Black quite bound up. ] 27.b4 [ 27.a5!? is tempting, but White sees no reason to release the tension. ]
27...bxa4 28.xa4 e5 29.f1 b8 30.f3! Bruzon slowly increases his advantage. g7 31.d6! e8 32.d7 xd7 33.xd7 d8 34.xe5 Restoring material equality. Unfortunately for Black, his own weaknesses persist. d4 35.d3!? [ Interestingly, White declines to enter a pawn-up en dgame, i.e . 35.xa6 xa6 36.xa6 xb4 37.a7 d6 38.xc6 . Probably he didn't like his winning chances in this endgame and saw no reason to halt the torture. ] 35...c7 36.f2 c5?! [ Black should sit tight, i.e. 36...c4 37.c5 c2+ 38.e3 c8 39.h4 h5 . ] 37.e3 e6 38.h3! c6? [ 38...c4! w a s c a l l e d f o r : 39.e5 ( 39.xe6?? xd3+-+ ) 39...c3! 40.a3 ( 40.xe6?? c2 41.a1 d1 ) 40...xb4 41.xe6! fxe6 42.xc3 a5 and the a-pawn gives Black hope of saving the game. ] 39.a5 b5 40.xc5 xb4 41.xe6 fxe6 42.xe6+ f6 43.c5 c4? Losing, but B l a c k wi l l f i n d h i m s e l f t wo p a wn s d o w n regardless. 44.xa6 c3+ 45.d2 d3+ 46.c2 c4 47.a4 xf3 [ or 47...b5 48.c7! xa4+ 49.xd3+- ] 48.xc4 f2+ 49.d3 xh2 50.e3 g5 51.b4 g4 52.e5+ Black has yet to demonstrate a clear route to equality against 7. Qb3. 1-0
478 Bruzon Batista,Lazaro Moreno Ruiz,Javier Azuqueca de Henares op (6) [Fier, Alexandr]
A13 2699 2469 19.09.2013
Bruzon basically plays the same idea as in a Ivanchuk - Alekseev game that impressed me so m e ye a rs a go . I n st e a d o f t h e 1 4 . Nb 4 played by Ivanchuk or 14. Bb4 played recently, he goes for 14.Nh4. Black answered with the ambitious 14.. .g5, but soon this move proved to be too committal and Bruzon won in an instructive way. 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 d4 An ambitious idea, trying to take the center and enter into some kind of Benoni with reversed colors. The main question is if 463
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 the tempo up for White is sufficient to bring any advantage. 5.0-0 c5 [ 5...c6 is the main alternative, and was analyzed in the game IstratescuPapadopoulos - see the PGN Archive. ] 6.e3 c6 7.exd4 cxd4 8.d3 e7 9.e1 0-0 10.a3 This plan is by far the most popular in this variation and also playe d sometimes in the Benoni. Compared with the reversed color position White is a tempo up because of the first move. Also, sometimes Black uses one more tempo to play ...e6-e5. The main difference with this position is that Black usually tries to equalize, and with White that's not enough. The Classical setup against the Benoni was always a solid option and here it's the same. e8 Black brings the knight to the queenside, looking for c7-a6 where it can control White's expansion on the queenside. Black also has the idea of playing ...f6 and afterwards ...e5. Other moves are possible: [ 10...e8 was tried once by Zhang Zhong, opening the f8-square for the bishop 11.c2 a5 12.b3 f8 13.g5 ( 13.e5!? would be my personal preference, holding e5 f or some time a nd ope ning t he lon g diagonal ) 13...h6 14.xf6 xf6 with a typical position in Pavlovic, M (2498)Zhang Zhong (2603)/Monarch Assurance 13th 2004 ] [ 10...d7 is quite logical, with the idea of ... e5 and ...f6 11.c2 e5 12.b4! the break comes just in time! With 12...f6 played this would be not possible f6 13.b5 ( 13.b1 is not really necessary a5 Ni Hua (2662)Ra d u ls k i, J (25 5 6 )/ P o lit iken Cu p 3 3 rd 2011 ) 13...b4 this was probably the reason for Ni Hua's 13.Rb1, but it is p u n i s h e d i n a n i c e w a y ( 13...cb8 14.e2 ) 14.fxd4! exd4 15.a3! and suddenly Black can't hold all his pieces together ( 15.xe7 is clearly worse, but still playable xc2 16.xd7 xd7 17.xc2 with compensation) 15...a5 ( 15...xc2 doesn't brings enough pieces for the queen 16.xe7 xe1 17.d5+ h8 18.xd8 xd8 19.xe1+- ) 16.bxa6 xa6 17.xb4 xb4 18.xb4 and White would be close to winning even without an extra pawn. ] 11.c2 f6 12.d2 [ 12.b4 was never played but it's not so bad,
trying to play a Benko-style position xb4 13.xb4 xb4 14.a3 c6 15.d2 ] [ 12.a3 a5 13.d2 a4 transposes to the game. ] 12...a5 13.a3 a4 14.h4 A new move, but not exactly a new idea. [ 14.b4 is typical, since exchanging pieces is good for W hite. It was played by Batsiashvili in August, the game continued: e5 15.e2 d6 ( 15...h8? 16.xe7 xe7 17.fxd4 this is the idea, winning an important pawn) 16.d2 c7 17.ab1 with a double-edged position in Batsiashvili, N (2412)-Tsolakidou, S (1986)/ 22nd Kavala op 2013. ] [ 14.b4 was Ivanchuk's way to play, and after c7 15.b1 d7 ( 15...a5 would be thematic, but the pawn is hanging 16.xa4 xc4 17.c2 xd2 18.xd2 and W hite should be fine. This shows a small difference compared to the game, since with the knight on h4 the capture needs to be made by the queen) 16.h4 a5 17.f4 g6 18.f5 with quite entertaining complications in Ivanchuk, V (2703)Alekseev, E (2714)/Jermuk FIDE GP 2009. ] 14...g5?! I don't believe this can be good. A similar idea exists in the King's Indian with 7... exd4 where Black plays ...Nh5 provoking g4, but in that position W hite actually has an attack because of this g4. Here it just weakens the kingside without having any initiative on that flank. [ 14...c7 is more natural A) 15.h5 a6 16.e2!? tries to apply pressure since the knight on a6 is far from t h e k i n g ' s d e f e n c e c5 17.b4 t h e p a w n i s p o i s o n e d f5!? with complications ( 17...xd3 18.e4+- ); B) 15.b4 is normal but now Black can play an improved version of the analysis of Ivanchuk - Alekseev. a5 16.xa4 ( 16.e2 b3 17.ad1 and White's position is not so harmonious) 16...xc4 17.c2 xd2 18.xd2 here is the point of the knight being on h4 e5 and Black is fine.; C) 15.b4 a6 ( 15...e5 16.xe7 xe7 17.e4 and I prefer White ) C1) 16.xe7 xe7 ( 16...xe7 17.h5 g6 18.e2 ) 17.f5! c5 ( 17...d8 464
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 18.xc6 bxc6 19.fxd4 ) 18.xc6 xf5 19.e4 is also possible ( 19.xa4 highly ambitious, but the bishop will neve r c ome back e5 20.b4 c5 21.c2 and if White doesn't get mated his position is better ); C2) 16.xc6!? taking the pawn by force bxc6 17.xe7 xe7 18.xd4 d6 19.c2 b8 20.b1 c5 21.d4 cxd4 22.xd4 c7 and it's not clear that the pa wn o n t h e qu e e n sid e will m a ke a difference, while the bishop's absence will be important.; D) 15.f4 is another logical move a6 16.e2 preparing to play 17.f5 with one more double-edged position. ] 15.f3 g7 Now White should continue the plan of pressure on the queenside as the knight on g7 is not doing much. 16.b4 f7 17.xe7 xe7 18.d2 Without the bishop the knight is ready to go to d2-e4-c5, the other knight can go to b4, and Rb1 followed by b3 is the other plan. White already has some advantage. h8 19.b4 c7 [ 19...xb4 20.axb4 d7 21.b5 wins the a4-pawn ] 20.e4 a7 [ 20...f8 to keep one eye on c5 is better, b u t B l a c k ' s s t i l l u n d e r p r e s s u r e 21.c5 ( 21.f3 f5!? sacrificing a pawn to take the bishop on g2 22.xc6 bxc6 23.g4 h4 24.xf6+ xf6 25.xf6 b8 with some compensation) 21...f5 22.xc6 bxc6 23.c1 e5 and the queenside pawns are weak but Black is still in the game. ] 21.c5 [ 21.xc6!? w a s s l i g h t l y b e t t e r xc6 ( 21...bxc6 22.c5 f8 23.xa4 would transpose to the game) 22.c5 c7 23.c1 e5 24.d6 with a clear advantage ] 21...f8 [ 21...e5! was the last chance to stay in the game, and it looks like things are not so clear, 22.xa4 ( 22.e4 is the computer m o ve , b u t h u m a n s a re u s u a l ly p r o u d !) 22...d7 23.b6 e8 threatening 24...Rc5 winning the knight, 24.b3 d6 ] 22.xc6 bxc6 23.xa4 c5 24.b6 b7 25.a4 Necessary, to support the knight xg2 26.xg2 a6 27.a5 Now White is already winning ca7 28.f3 h5
[ 28...xa5 29.xa5 xa5 30.d7 wins ] 29.g1 g4 30.c6 e5 31.d5 xa5 32.xa5 xa5 33.b4 a3 34.d7 d8 35.bxc5 a5 36.f1 1-0
479 Bu Xiangzhi Li Wenliang Tan Nam Cup Qingdao CHN (3) [Tony Kosten]
A13 2602 2506 05.07.2002
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 dxc4 5.a4+ bd7 The most popular reply, we have considered [ 5...c6 6.xc4 b5 in Van der Sterren,PDautov,R. ] 6.xc4 a6 7.c2 White retreats so that ...b5 can be met by a4. c5 8.0-0 b6 9.c3 b7 Black develops his queenside first, much as in the QGA, experience shows that if he castles first he has difficulties finding a satisfactory square for his queen's bishop. 10.d1 c8 11.a4!? A thoughtful innovation, White wants to expand in the centre, but doesn't want to allow ...b5-b4, dislodging his knight, e.g. [ 11.e4 b5 and now White must play 12.d3 , Huebner,R-Donner, J/Wijk aan Zee 1975, wh ich is t h e p o in t , t h e re is n o t im e f o r ( 12.d4? because of b4 )] [ 11.d4 just allows too many exchanges, cxd4 12.xd4 ( 12.xd4 c5 ) 12...xg2 13.xg2 c7 Sofrevski,J-Karaklajic,N/ Sarajevo 1958. ] 11...e7 12.d4 cxd4 13.xd4! d5 [ 13...c5 is also possible, but loses time when compared with the previous note - the black dark-squared bishop has already moved once. ] 14.e4 xc3 15.bxc3 c7 Black pinpoints the weakness on c3, but is it too greedy? [ 15...f6?! appears tempting, but after 16.e5! xf3?! 17.exf6 xg2? ( 17...xf6 18.f4 xc3 19.b2 loses a piece, but is Black's best try) 18.fxg7 g8 19.xh7 White wins. ] 16.f4! xc3 [ 16...e5? 17.h3 ] 17.d1 c5 18.b1! The trap closes around t h e q u e e n . 0-0!? This leads to a difficult 465
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 endgame, [ 18...xe4!? 19.c1 xf3 20.xf3 a3 21.b7 0-0 22.xc8 xc8 23.b1 is unpleasant for Black, who is an exchange down, but playable. ] 19.d2 a3 20.b4 a2 21.d2 xa4 22.xa4 xa4 23.xe7 This is all forced, White wins a bishop and Black's three pawns p r o v e i n a d e q u a t e c o m p e n s a t i o n . fe8 24.a3 xe4 25.b4 c6 26.d6 b5 27.d4 xg2 28.xg2 c3? Black misses a tactic, [ 28...a8 kept the pawns defended, 29.c6 b6 30.e7+ xe7 31.xb6 d7 32.b3 with advantage to White - the black pawns cannot advance and must be defended - but Black is still playing. ] 29.xa6! [ 29.xa6 xa3 30.xb5 and Rxa4 win the two queenside pawns whilst regaining the piece. ] 1-0
480 Cornette,Matthieu Sokolov,Andrei FRA-ch 88th Nancy (1) [Fier, Alexandr]
A13 2592 2558 11.08.2013
8.e4 is a rare approach in a known position and 8...a5 was played before by Morozevich, attempting to punish White for the opening of the a6-f1 diagonal. Still, it's a committal move and after W hite's pawn sacrifice Black was under pressure for the rest of the game. 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 dxc4 5.a4+ bd7 6.xc4 c5 7.0-0 [ 7.d4 was analyzed in Zhou Jianchao (2607)-Zhou W eiqi (2590)/Danzhou 4th 2013 ] 7...b6 8.e4!? trying to get a center without losing time, this idea was played by Korchnoi in 2000 and in a blitz game in 2009, but in this game White makes a logical improvement [ 8.d1!? was seen in Mareco, S (2586)Tristan, L (2449)/86th ch-ARG 2012 ] [ 8.d4 is not dangerous for Black and after e5 9.c6 xc4 10.xd8 d5 11.c3 xd8 12.xd5 b7 the position is equal ] [ 8.d4 b7 9.c3 is the main line ]
8...a5 A forcing move, but probably not the best one. [ 8...b7!? is an interesting alternative, avoiding 9.e5 and looking for Rc8 9.c3 ( 9.e5?! xf3 10.xf3 xe5 11.a4+ fd7 and to take the rook is not advisable; 9.d3 d6 ) 9...c8 10.e2 c4 ] [ 8...e7 is also possible 9.e5 d5 10.c3 b7 11.g4 0-0 ( 11...g6 12.xd5 xd5 13.d4 h5 14.f4 was double edged in Kortschnoj, V (2659)-Jussupow, A (2628)/ S U I - c h T S w i t z e r l a n d 2 0 0 0) 12.d4 went by transposition to Romanishin, O (2560)-Sveshnikov, E (2510)/URS-ch44 Moscow 1976 ] 9.c3 Sacrificing a pawn to enter a promising position [ 9.e1?! a6 10.c2 ( 10.a4 is another try, but Black keeps the initiative after c4 11.c3 b5! opening space for the queen 12.xb5 b6 13.c3 g4 14.d1 b5 15.c2 c5 followed by 16...Nge5 with huge compensation) 10...c4 11.e5 d5 12.c3 b4 went clearly wrong for W hite in Svidler, P (2754)-Morozevich, A (2750)/Wch Blitz 5th blitz 2009 ] 9...a6 10.b5 xe4 11.e1 Black already needs to be careful. xb5 [ 11...d6? is brutally punished by 12.xe6+ fxe6 13.xe6+ e7 14.xd6+ d8 15.f7+ ] [ 11...ef6 12.fd4! is forcing and good xb5 13.xb5 c8 ( 13...b8 14.d4 e7 15.d5 xd5 16.xd5 exd5 17.xd5 0-0 18.f4 and somehow Black is already c o m p l e t e l y l o s t c8 19.ad1 f6 20.b7+- ) 14.a7 c7 15.c6 xc6 ( 15...c8 16.xe6+ fxe6 17.xe6+ e7 18.xe7# ) 16.xc6 ] 12.xb5 d6 13.e2 For one pawn White has a big initiative, d4 is coming and both bishops are much stronger than the knights, but White still needs to be quick, otherwise Black can consolidate his position. e7 14.d4 0-0 15.f4 f5 16.ad1 [ 16.d5!? I like this move, recovering the pawn immediately A) 16...exd5 17.h3 wins a piece for two pawns ( 17.g4 d6 18.g5 d4; 17.ad1 ) 17...d6 18.xf5 xf4 19.gxf4 g6 20.h3 f6 21.e5; 466
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 B) 16...e5 is the best option for Black 17.xe5 d4 ( 17...xe5 18.xe5 f6 19.d6 b8 20.f4 ) 18.d3 xe5 19.xe5 c8 ( 19...f6 20.f4 is also not funny ) 20.xd4 cxd4 21.xd4 is solid for Black, but the pawns on the queenside are not well placed, so in the long run White can put a bishop on b5, for example, and Black has to just wait. ] 16...f6 The position is still delicate but I'm not sure if Black is worse anymore. 17.dxc5 bxc5 18.g4 [ 18.b5 a7 19.e5 b8 20.xb8 ( 20.xd7 xd7 21.xd7 ) 20...xb8 ] 18...e7 This is provocative. [ 18...d4 was more solid 19.xd4 xd4 20.xa8 xa8 21.h3 ( 21.e3? would be good if possible but e5 wins ) 21...b7 and Black has enough resources to hold the balance ] 19.d6 [ 19.g5!? this is a hard move to evaluate, since the resulting position is dangerous for White too, but this concrete approach can bring some advantage d5 20.c1 d4 ( 20...e7 21.xd5 exd5 22.xe7 e8 23.d6 e5 24.xd8 xf3+ 25.xf3 axd8 26.d1; 20...c3 21.bxc3 xc3 22.c2 xd1 23.xd1 ) 21.xd4 cxd4 22.xd4 ( 22.xd5 is the computer choice, but I wouldn't give my bishop like this exd5 23.xd4 c5 ) 22...b6 ( 22...7b6 23.h5! this is the idea, and 24.Rh4 will follow ) 23.g4 and White is better, but the position is still full of life. With the pawn on g3 things would be easier, with the pawn on g5 the knights become more dangerous ] 19...c8 20.b5 e8 Black position is really compact, but after giving the pawn back he will have some space to move. 21.g5 d4 22.xd4 cxd4 23.xd4 d5 This is an interesting practical decision, giving another pawn Black will get some counterplay due to the weakened white squares. [ 23...b6 le ad s t o excha nge s 24.xb6 xb6 25.xe7 otherwise 25...Ned5 xe7 26.b4 axb4 27.xb4 d7 and White has some chances in the endgame ] 24.xd5 exd5 25.xe8+ xe8 26.xd5 b6?! But I'm not sure about giving a second pawn.
[ 26...e2!? activating the queen is a nice idea 27.f5! White should be brave ( 27.xa5 xb2 28.c4 e8 is dangerous for White ) 27...c1+ 28.g2 f1+ 29.g3 g1+ 30.h3 f1+ 31.h4 c4! 32.xc4 xc4+ 33.g3 c6 ] 27.e5 [ 27.xa5 c1+ was probably the idea, but with the pieces centralized and the back rank mate in the air, Black has little. ( 27...c4 28.d5 ) 28.g2 c4 29.d5+- ] 27...c6 28.e7 h6 Giving the king some important air 29.gxh6 g6+ [ 29...xh6 there is nothing wrong with this 30.g5 h3 31.xa5 c6 with ...Rg6 ideas in the air ] 30.g5 c1+ 31.g2 c6+ 32.f3 [ 32.h3 f3+ 33.g3 h5+ 34.g2+- ] 32...c2+ 33.g3 xh6 34.xh6 gxh6 35.f6 Now the smoke has cleared and it looks like White is close to winning. But near move 40 I think both players were in big time trouble. h7 36.g4? This looks almost winning but Black has one last and sufficient resource [ 36.d6 a4 37.h4 h5 38.d5 would be better ] 36...d5! 37.d4 f6 And now things are far from clear. 38.e4 g6 39.a3 h5 40.h4 f5 41.b4 a2 42.bxa5 ½-½
481 Damljanovic,Branko Georgiev,Kiril Gorenje GM Valjevo SRB (9) [Carsten Hansen]
A13 2585 2660 21.06.2007
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 a6 (This line is gradually becoming more and more popular and represents a problem for those W hite players who prefer a classical 1 Nf3, 2 c4, 3 g3, 4 Bg2, 5 0-0 and only then start playing, because Black's unorthodox set-up prevents White from using many of this standard plans. ) 4.g2 [ Other options for White include 4.d3 ] [ and 4.c3 We will return to this line in the near future ] 467
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 perpetual check. ] 4...b5 5.b3 c5 6.c3 b6 [ B) 7...c6 8.e5 g4 9.0-0 ( After the text [ 6...a5 is another possibility for Black. ] move, Black has a perfectly good game. 7.e4 (This move is played infrequently, but Instead White should consider 9.h3!? h6 appears to ma ke perf ect se nse: B lack is 10.d3 b7 11.e4 f5 12.0-0 ) 9...b7 making an advance on the queenside before 10.e2 h5= 11.h3?! ( 11.a3!? f ight ing f or t he ce ntre , W hite in rea ctio n leads to messy complications, e.g. d4 claims his stake of the centre before Black 12.xd4 xg2 13.xg2 cxd4 14.xf8 gets his pieces ready to respond to it. That xf8 15.f3 xh2 16.xh2 dxc3 being said, White hasn't been overwhelmingly 17.dxc3 ) 11...h6 ( Here 11...d4!? successful in his results in this line yet, but leads to a good game for Black, e.g. theoretically White is doing very well) d6 12.xd4 cxd4 13.e4 xe5 14.d3 [ This isn't Black's only option. Two other g6 ) 12.cxb5 axb5 13.xb5 c7 tries have been tried at this juncture: A) 14.e2 f5 15.b5 b6 16.b2 a6 7...b7 8.e2 c6 9.0-0 d4 10.xd4 17.a4 e7 18.fe1 ( 18.d4!? is likely ( 10.d3 g4 11.cxb5 xf3+ 12.xf3 better: cxd4 19.fc1 b8 20.f1 ) e5 13.h5 d3 , R.Pogorelov-A. 18...b8 19.f1 0-0 20.e4 , and a draw Stefanova, Salou 2000, and now 14.e2 was agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, I.Stohl-P.Wells, b4 15.b1 ) 10...cxd4 11.d1 d6 Austrian Oberliga 2001 ] ( This position is called slightly better for Black by Mikhalchishin in a survey in vol 5 of 8.d4!? [ This is a new move in this particular position. the 'Secrets of Opening Surprises' from New E a r l i e r t r i e s i n c l u d e : A ) 8.0-0 b7 In Chess, but is a bit of a misrepresentation. ( 8...c6!? to prevent the idea suggested as An ot h er mo ve is 11...e5 12.b2 e7 an alternative to White's 9th move may be 13.d3 d6 14.a4 bxc4 15.bxc4 c7 prudent ) 16.a3 0-0 17.fc1 with a slight pull for A) 9.d4 is one again an important idea to White, R.Vaganian-V.Chuchelov, consider: Bundesliga 2004 ) A1) 9...cxd4 is better and also quite A) or 12.d3 d7 13.f4 e7 14.f2 a5 interesting, though not quite as much fun 15.d2 ( 15.cxb5 xb5 16.a3 ) 15...b4 for W hite as the main line... 10.xd4 16.f5 c5 17.h5 M.Tratar-R.Zelcic, c7 11.b2!? ( 11.d3 bxc4 12.xc4 Pula 2001; xc4 13.bxc4 bd7 14.b1 c5 B) 12.b2 e7 13.d3 ( 13.b4!? c8 15.e1 ) 11...bxc4 12.e2!? ( 12.c1 14.d3 h5 15.d2 h4 16.a4 ) 13...0-0 bd7 13.e2 b6 14.b1 e7 14.a3 bxc4?! ( 14...ac8!? 15.fc1 15.d2 ) 12...bd7 13.fc1 b6 d7 is comfortable for Black) 15.bxc4 14.a4 with an excellent game for White; c7 16.ab1 d7 ( 16...ab8!? ) A2) 9...xe4?! 10.xe4 xe4 11.e1 17.xb7! xb7 18.e5 c7 19.xa8 b7 12.d5 e5 13.xe5 dxe5 xa8 20.exd6 xd6 21.c5 ( White can 14.xe5+ d8 15.g5+ c7 16.a4! also c o ns id e r 21.xd6 xd6 22.c1 ( 16.f4 also looks attractive and c5 23.xc5 xc5 24.b1 a5 promises White excellent compensation, 25.d3 ) 21...f8 22.e4 d8 23.b1?! e.g. d6 17.e7+ d7 18.h3 xf4 ( 23.c1!? b8 24.f4 ) 23...a5 19.g4 h6 20.xd7+ b8 21.ae1 , and here the score ends with 0-1, O. and White, despite having only a pawn Foisor-S.Ionov, Oviedo 1993, but I suspect for the piece, has excellent the game must have continued a bit longer, co m p e n sa t io n a s we ll a s t h e b e t t e r because isn't in a particularly bad shape, e. chances thanks for Black's pieces g. 24.b4 xa2 25.c1 a5 26.c6 axb4 having a total lack of coordination ) 27.c7 c8 28.b7 , and now one A2a) 16...d6 17.a5 a7 18.f4! possible continuation leads to a draw: is even worse: xe5 19.xe5+ d8 xc7 29.xc7 xd2 30.xd7 xd3 20.g4 e8 21.xg7 d7 22.g5+ 31.c8 b1+ 32.g2 , with a draw by 468
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 c8 23.h3 xd5 ( 23...bxc4 24.d1 cxb3 25.xd7+ xd7 26.f5+ d8 27.f6+ c7 28.d6+ c6 29.d7+- ) 24.cxd5 c4 25.bxc4 bxc4 26.b1+-; A2b) 16...d7 17.e1 d6 18.a5 a7 19.e7 with excellent attacking chances to compensate for the piece; B) 9.d3 bd7 10.h4 e7 11.f4 0-0 12.g4!? b4 ( 12...xe4?! 13.dxe4 xh4 14.g5 is very problematic for Black, the bishop will likely not return alive.) 13.a4 c7 14.g5 g6!? B1) 15.gxf6? xf6 16.xg6 fxg6 ( 16...xa1? 17.xf8 d4+ 18.h1 xf8 19.f5 ) 17.b2 c6; B2) 15.f5 exf5 16.exf5 xg2?! ( 16...h5 17.f3 xf3 18.xf3 ae8 19.d5 ) 17.xg2 h5 18.f6 d8 19.e3 e8 20.d5 J.Arnason-M. Angelis, Komotini 1993 ] [ B) 8.e2 c6 A) 9.cxb5 axb5 10.xb5 xb5 11.xb5 b8 12.a4 b4; B) 9.b2 d4 ( 9...b7 10.cxb5 d4 11.xd4 cxd4 12.a4 xb5 13.xd4 e5 14.b2 xe4 15.xb5+ axb5 16.c3; 9...b4 10.a4 c7 11.d4 e5 12.d5 d4 13.xd4 cxd4; 9...b8 10.d3 e7 11.0-0 0-0= ) 10.xd4 cxd4 11.e5 b7 12.d5!? xd5 13.cxd5 dxe5 14.xe5 f6 15.xd4 fxe5 16.xb6 exd5 17.c1; C) 9.e5?! dxe5 10.cxb5 axb5 11.xb5 xb5 12.xb5 d5 13.b2 a6 14.a4 f6 C1) 15.g5?! is a fantasy move deramed up by my computer, but it turns out not to be particularly good: C1a) 15...e7?! 16.e4 f7 17.ec3 ( 17.ed6+ xd6 18.xd6+ e7 19.e4 cb4 ) 17...db4; C1b) 15...fxg5! 16.xd5 exd5 17.c7+ d7 18.xa8 b4 19.d1 d3 20.c2 d6 21.b6+ c6 22.a5 f8; C2) 15.0-0 d7 16.fb1 e7 M.Wahls-P.Wells, Germany 2000 ] 8...b7 9.d5 [ 9.0-0 transposes to 8 0-0 Bb7 9 d4 above ] 9...e5 10.0-0 [ 10.h4!? g6 11.0-0 g7 12.d2
, preparing f2-f4 in the near future. White should hold a safe edge at this point. ] 10...g6 11.e2 g7 12.d2 b4 13.a4 d8 14.f4 bd7 15.b2 e7 16.ae1 (This position is already very good for White) h5 17.f3 h6 18.fxe5 dxe5 19.c1 xc1 20.xc1 0-0 21.e1 [ 21.cd1!? is possibly even better ] 21...ac8 22.d3 c7 23.h3 [ 23.h3!? a5 24.cd1 d6 25.e3 also looks very good for White ] 23...a5 24.e3 g7 25.c2 c8 26.f3 h7 27.h4 hf6 28.cf2 d6 [ 28...b7!? ] 29.d1 g8 30.g4 hxg4 31.xg4 df6 32.d1 [ 32.e2!? d7 ( 32...g4 33.axc5 xe2 34.xe2+- ) 33.h5+- ] 32...g4 33.g2 xd1 34.xd1 h6 35.f3 h7 36.f1 h5 37.e3 fc8 38.g5 e8 39.h1 ee7 40.ff2 e8 41.axc5 xc5 42.xc5 f4 43.a4 [ 43.e6!? xg2 44.c5 d7 45.xg2+- ] 43...f6 44.g3 f5 45.c5 f6 46.g5 f7 47.d6 fxe4 [ 47...h3 48.d2 xf2+ 49.xf2+- ] 48.c6 [ 48.d7! xd7 49.xf4+- ] 48...e3 49.f1?? [ 49.xf4! exf4 50.h5 gxh5 51.d7 g8 52.xg8+ xg8 53.d8+- ] 49...e2 50.e1 [ 50.xe2 d5+ 51.h2 xe2 52.d7 g8 53.g2 e4 54.xe2 xc6 55.d1 c7+= ] 50...d5 [ 50...e6 51.d7 g8 ( 51...h3+ 52.g1 e3+ 53.h1 h3+= ) 52.h5 f7 53.d8 xd8 54.c7 h3+ 55.g1 e3+ 56.h1 h3+ 57.g1 e3+= ] 51.d7 g8 52.exe2 [ W h i t e ' s b e s t i s p r o b a b l y 52.h5!? , although this is hardly an idea most players would consider without the aid of a computer, a possible continuation runs gxh5 53.d8 xd8 54.xd8 xd8 55.b6 xg2 56.xg2 g8+ 57.f2 f5 58.c7 e7 59.xe2 c8 60.xc8 xc8 61.xe5 g6 62.c5 ] 52...xe2 53.e7+? [ This turns out to be the decisive error, 469
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 which is hard to predict because the position is still very complicated and the players were likely short on time. A better choice is 53.d8 g3+ 54.xg3 xd8 55.b2 d5 56.c7 c6 57.c4 with more or less equal chances ] 53...f7 54.b6 [ 54.h2 f3 55.c5 ( 55.c7 f4 56.c2 e2 57.xe2 xe2+ 58.g1 e1+ 59.g2 e2+ 60.h3 d3+ 61.g2 c2+ 62.f1 xc7-+ ) 55...f4 56.xf7+ g7 57.xf4 xf4+ 58.h1 d4-+ ] 54...f3 55.h2 f4 56.xf7+ g7 57.d5 (Desperation) xd5 58.d8 f4 (And the threat is reinforced with just as much strength as before) 59.c2 h3+ 60.g1 f7 61.d1 g3+ 62.h1 d3 0-1
[ 15.fd1 with the idea of e3 and d4 is also promising. ] 15...cxd4 [ 15...f6 16.a3! cxd4 17.d6! wins material. ] 16.xd4 xd4 17.xd4 a7 18.fd1 A pretty picture, and the type of position that readers should become familiar with. White's sp a ce a n d p o we rf u l b ish o p su f f i c e f o r a significant advantage. b8 What else? Rc6d6 was threatened. 19.h4 h6 20.a4 [ or 20.d6 ] 20...a5 21.e4 b5 22.c5 f5 23.f3 bxa4 24.bxa4 e8 25.dc1 Black has saved his queenside but at the cost of a weak pawn on e6. b6 26.e5? A very strange move, giving away his a-pawn for Black's weak epawn. After this the play is level. Better was [ 26.e3 or ] [ 26.c4 d7 27.c6 h7 28.e3 e8 482 A13 29.b5 , with a clear advantage in both cases, arguably a winning one. . ] Djuric,Stefan 2466 Drazic,Sinisa 2514 26...xa4 27.c6 xc6 28.xe6+ h8 TCh-Serbia Zlatibor SCG (3) 28.08.2006 29.xc6 b4!? Black banks upon the power of his a-pawn, which is sufficient for equality. [John Watson] Otherwise [ 29...b2 avoids the loss of a pawn after How even a strong grandmaster can get into 30.c8 a8 ] trouble trying to coast to a draw in the Reti. [ , as does 29...b5= ] 1.f3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 a6 Black tries to mix it up right away. His first idea is ...dxc4 and ... 30.c8 a8 31.xa8 xa8 32.xf5 a4 b5. 4.c2 f6 5.g2 e7 6.0-0 0-0 7.b3 33.f3 a5 34.c5 d8 35.d5 e8 c5 Now we're in a normal Reti Opening with 36.d3 d8 37.c3 e7 38.g2 f8 the trade-off Qc2 for ...a6. One could argue 39.e3 c5 40.e4 a3 41.a4 d5+ that White's queen is better-placed on e2, so 42.f3 a8 43.e8+ xe8 44.xe8+ h7 Black shouldn't have real worries here. 8.cxd5 45.h5 a2 46.g6+ h8 47.e8+ h7 48.g6+ h8 [ 8.b2 d4 or ...8...Nc6 with the idea ...d4. ] 8...xd5 9.c3 c6 If Black wants a more ½-½ dynamic encounter, [ 9...b4!? 10.b1 4c6 11.b2 f5!? 483 A13 intending ...e5 might be tried. ] Filippov,Valerij 2617 10.b2 xc3?! Kortschnoj,Viktor 2617 [ Again, he has 10...db4 11.b1 d4 27.09.2001 . After the simplification that follows he has ECC Panormo GRE (5) [Tony Kosten] no positive prospects. ] 11.xc3 f6 12.c2 xb2 13.xb2 W h it e n o w h a s a n a d va n t a ge d u e t o h i s Up to a point a very good game from Filippov, b e t t e r b i s h o p a n d c e n t r a l c o n t r o l . d7 including an instructive plan against an IQP, 14.ac1 b6 15.d4! Now White has the b u t t h e n , a r o u n d m o ve f o r t y, i t a l l we n t classic Reti/English Opening advantage in the haywire! 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 a6 4.g2 The real idea behind ...a6, Black centre, which shows how careful Black need b5 challenges the white c-pawn, and prepares to be to stay active. 470
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 bring his light-squared bishop to the h1-a8 diagonal. 5.b3 d5 6.cxd5!? There is no real need to c larif y t he centre qu ite so e arly, although this perfectly viable, of course. exd5 7.d4 [ Surprisingly, this seems to be a new move here, although 7.0-0 e7 8.d4 0-0 9.c3 is very similar, Huzman,A-Nikolic,P/Wijk aan Zee 1993. ] 7...c5 8.0-0 e6 There is little point putting this piece on b7 now, as the d5-pawn blocks the diagonal. 9.c3 bd7 10.e3 c8 [ Black avoids playing 10...c4 as by blocking the centre this way, he allows 11.bxc4 bxc4 12.e5 and both f4-5, and e4 are on the cards. ] 11.e2 f 4 b e c k o n s . d6 12.dxc5 Now was definitely the time to force the IQP position- White has good squares on d4 and f4. xc5 13.b2 ce4 14.fd4 A typical position, both sides can be happy w i t h t h e i r p r o s p e c t s . d7!? 15.f3!? A difficult decision to make. On the one hand White wanted to shift the strong black knight from e4, but on the other he won't want to weaken his e3-pawn, especially as Black has a semi-open e-file for his rook. c5 16.g4!? Very aggressive, White wants to secure the f 5 - s qu a re f o r a kn igh t a n d p re p a r e s t h e m a n o e u vr e N g3 -f 5 . e7 17.d2 0-0 18.g3 g6!? Another difficult decision, Black stops the knight from coming to f5, but loosens his kingside dark squares. 19.g5 e8 20.f4 The white set-up is looking very menacing. e4?! 21.xe4! dxe4 22.g2 c5!? [ Black jettisons the e-pawn hoping for sufficient counterplay on the e-file. Defending the pawn by 22...f5?! 23.gxf6 xf6 leaves Black facing the nasty continuation 24.gf5 xf5 25.xf5 e6 26.h6+ h8 27.f5! when the attack along the a1-h8 diagonal appears to be decisive. ] 23.xe4 g7 24.ac1 fe8 25.xe7 xe7 26.e4 Black's weak dark squares are still causing him discomfort. h5 27.f2 f6 28.h4 h6 29.f3 fxg5 30.hxg5 hxg5 31.fxg5 c6 32.g1 b4 33.e5 e7 Black's bishop pair provide no compensation for the pawn here. 34.gd1 b7 35.xc8 xc8 36.d6 d8
[ 36...xd6? 37.xd6 wins the g-pawn. ] 37.gf7 f8 38.c1 e6 39.g5?? [ Either the moves to this game are wrong, or both players were in terrible zeitnot, as 39.h6+ h7 40.c7 xh6 41.xe7 seems pretty crushing. ] 39...d5?? [ If this is really the right position, 39...xg5 wins a piece for nothing. ] 40.c7?? f6?? [ 40...xg5 ] 41.e2?? [ The final blunder, 41.xe7 wins a piece. Now the game resumes its previous route, White's extra pawn winning comfortably. ] 41...xd6 42.xd6 e8 43.c5 xd6 44.xd5 f6 45.c5 f5 46.c8+ g7 47.c7+ g8 48.c8+ g7 49.e4 g3+ 50.e3 d6 51.c7+ f8 52.e5 f5+ 53.e2 b6 54.d3 e8 55.e4 b4 56.a7 c6 57.d5 b6 58.e4 e3+ 59.c5 b5+ 60.c6 f5 61.d6+ 1-0
484 Fressinet,Laurent Gordon,Stephen J Schachbundesliga 2011-12 (13) [John Bartholomew]
A13 2696 2535 18.03.2012
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 dxc4 5.a4+ c6 [ 5...d7!? Lunev, A (2509)-Korchnoi, V (2632)/Togliatti 2003/[TonyK]. ] [ 5...bd7 was examined long ago in Bu Xiangzhi (2602)-Li Wenliang (2506)/Qingdao 2002/[TonyK], so I've taken a fresh look at it in Naiditsch, A (2702)-Papin, V (2575)/ Plovdiv BUL 2012. ] 6.xc4 b5 7.b3!? Lately White has been opting for this retreat square with increasing frequency. [ I e x a m i n e t h e m o r e s t a n d a r d 7.c2 in Sadorra, J (2525)-Lenderman, A (2581)/ Richardson USA 2012. The major benefit of the text is that W hite avoids the x-ray his queen so often finds herself in on c2 (facing an eventual ...Ra8-c8 and ...c6-c5) thus, White has more of a license to play an early d2-d4, not fearing an exchange of pawns. ] 471
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Plovdiv BUL 2012.; 7...b7 8.0-0 bd7 9.d4 a6 The most C1b) 12...0-0! as I submit this update, resolute. Black immediately prepares .. .c6-c5, t h i s l o o k s c r i t i c a l . 13.e4 so White has to hurry. ( th e co mp ut er sugge st s 13.xd5!? [ W e ' v e s e e n 9...e7 before. With no c5 exd5 14.e3 ) 13...c7 14.f4 a6 break to worry about for now, White has a 15.a4 c5 16.axb5 b6 17.d6 xd6 wider choice. Two recent games ended in 18.exd6 xf4 19.gxf4 xg2 20.xg2 victories for the first player: xd6 21.f3 b6 22.bxa6 xa6 A) Instead 10.d1 0-0 11.c3 a6?! 23.xa6 xa6 was completely equal ( 11...b4! 12.a4 a5 is better, when in Andreikin, D (2689)-Matlakov, M White won't be able to stop ...c6-c5, with (2632)/Plovdiv BUL 2012.; probable equality) 12.e5 xe5 13.dxe5 C2) 11...d7 12.c3 c7 13.f4 g5?! d7 14.f4 c7 15.e4! was promising (this is dodgy White will happily part with for White in Brynell, S (2486) -Rombaldoni, t h e e 5 p a w n t o o p e n l i n e s ) 14.e3 A (2459)/Porto Carras GRE 2011. xe5 15.ac1 a6 16.e4 (White's Following c5 ( 15...xe5?? 16.xe5 pieces occupy great squares and Black's xe5 17.d7 is a typical tactic.; 15...c5?! position is full of holes) h6 17.c5 0-0 meets wit h 16.f6+! xf6 17.exf6 e5 18.c3 f6 19.f4! gxf4 20.gxf4 g6 18.fxg7 ) 16.xc5 xc5 17.e4 e7 21.h3 h7 Khalifman, A (2632)it may be strongest for White to play Kulaots, K (2581)/Tallinn EST 2012. A1) 18.f3 ab8 ( this position was Here 22.e3! f5 23.g5+ xg5 also reached in Naiditsch, A (2702)24.fxg5 leaves White very much on Riazant sev, A (2 710)/Kishinev UK R top. ] 2 0 1 2 , w h e r e B l a c k c h o s e 18...fd8 and went on to lose after 19.dc1 ac8 10.e5! [ Holding up the c-pawn advance with 10.a4 20.a4 ) 19.g4 fd8?! ( 19...c5!= ) t u r n s o u t t o b e i n e f f e c t i v e a f t e r c5! 20.g5 xd1+ 21.xd1 d8 22.xd8+ (yup, this comes anyway!) 11.axb5 d5 xd8 23.xe7 xe7 24.f3 , when Black is at least equal. This has was the game; been known for quite some time, but White A2) 18.d3!? , hitting h7 and looking to players continue to push the a-pawn. A invade on d7.; recent example: 12.c2 axb5 13.xa8 B) 10.c3 a6 11.g5?! ( White should xa8 14.c3 c6 15.h4 xg2 16.xg2 try to transpose to our game with b4 17.b5 c6 18.a4 e7 19.dxc5 0-0 11.e5! ) 11...c5 12.xf6 xf6 13.dxc5 20.c3 xc5 21.e3 h5 22.f4 f5 xc5 14.b4 e7 was even a little better 23.d1 c8 Matthiesen, A (2316) -Hector, for Black in Van der Sterren, P (2569) J (2575)/Denmark DEN 2012. ] Dautov, R (2606)/Germany 2001/ 10...xe5 Again, critical. [TonyK].; [ 10...b6 gives White a free hand: 11.xd7 C) 10.e5!? (White plays by analogy with xd7 12.e3 ( 12.c3!? is a very our main game) xe5 11.dxe5 interesting gambit offer that Black may want C1) to give you an idea of the explosion to decline, e.g. xd4 13.e3 e5 14.f4 o f p o p u l a r i t y i n 7 . Q b 3 , 11...d5 f5 15.ad1 ) 12...c5 13.d5 exd5 was seen just days ago in the European 14.xd5 xd5 15.xd5 d8 16.a4 e7 Championship...in two different games! 17.axb5 axb5 18.c3 0-0 19.b4 12.c3 ( 19.f5 ) 19...f6 20.xb5 cxb4 21.a7 C1a) 12...b4?! 13.e4 0-0 14.d1 c5 22.f3 xf3 23.exf3= Meier, G a6 15.f3 c7 16.f4 ( 16.d6!? ) (2656)-Ponomariov, R (2764)/ Dortmund 16...xf4 17.gxf4 ad8 18.dc1! GER 2011. ] c5?! 19.a3 c4 20.axb4 b5 21.e3 [ 10...c8 also looks unimpressive, i.e. a6 22.b3 xb4 23.bxc4 c6 11.xd7 ( 11.f3!?; and 11.a4 also makes 24.xa6 xe4 25.xe4 Grandelius, sense ) 11...xd7 12.c3 ( 12.e3 c5 N (2545) -Kanmazalp, O (2389)/ 472
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 13.xb7 xb7 14.dxc5 xc5 15.c2 Maletin, P (2545)-Grachev, B (2640)/ Novokuznetsk 2008. c8= ) 12...c5 13.d5 c4 14.c2 with good prospects. ] 11.dxe5 d5 [ Black is at a crossroads here. I examine 11...d7 in Agrest, E (2599)-Grandelius, N (2536)/Sweden SWE 2012 ] 12.c3 b8!? Trying to sideline White by pressuring e5, though we know White doesn't mind pitching this pawn. [ Previously Black had only played 12...e7 , e.g. 13.e4 A) on 13...c7 , 14.d6+!? is an intriguing pawn sac , i.e. ( 14.f4 xf4 15.gxf4 0-0 16.a4 ad8 17.fc1 d4 18.e3 xa4 19.xa4 bxa4 20.c5 xc5 21.xc5 d8 22.f3= N i H u a ( 2 6 4 1 ) - F r o l y a n o v, D ( 2 5 5 5 ) / Moscow RUS 2012.) 14...xd6 15.exd6 xd6 16.e4 b6 17.d1 e7 18.c3 0-0 19.b3!? . White's compensation is of the positional variety, so more tests are needed.; B) 13...c5 14.g5! c4 15.xe7 xe7 16.d1 0-0 17.d6 c6 18.b3 ( 18.d4!? ) 18...c3 19.d2 xg2 20.xg2 b4 21.xc4 ( White is shooting for a slightly better ending he can consider going for more with 21.bxc4 ) 21...c5 22.d3 d5+ 23.xd5 exd5 24.e3 fe8 25.c2 xe2?! 26.xb4 xe5 27.f4 ee8 28.xd5 and Black managed to save a long rook ending in Meier, G (2659) -Blagojevic, D (2514)/Porto Carras GRE 2011. ] [ 12...c7!? is currently untried. White could c o n t i n u e a s i n o u r p r e s e n t g a m e wi t h 13.a4!? ] 13.a4 [ 13.f4 ] [ and 13.d1!? also come in to consideration. ] 13...b4 14.e4!? A nice, low-risk pawn sacrifice. If White doesn't regain the material, he'll surely have decent positional compensation to show. [ Fressinet probably decided that 14.xd5 cxd5 doesn't promise much. Black will just complete development with ...Bf8-e7 and ... 0-0. ]
14...xe5 15.e3 a5?! [ A small misstep. Developing with 15...e7! appears better, i.e. 16.c5 ( 16.ad1 xe3 17.xe3 c5 ) 16...c7! ( avoiding 16...0-0 17.xe7 xe7 18.xb4 c7 19.c5 ) 17.xe7 xe7 18.ac1 a5 19.c5 0-0 with objective equality (though I suspect most players would prefer White's activity). ] [ Also possible is 15...xe3 16.xe3 c5 , i.e. 17.f4!? d4! ( 17...xb2?! is too dangerous 18.f6+ xf6 19.xb7 b8 20.c6+ d8 21.ad1+ c7 22.e4 ) 18.xd4 cxd4 19.ac1 d5 20.fd1 d8 21.xd4 e7 though White looks marginally better here, i.e. 22.f2!? ] 16.fd1 c7 17.d4! e5 18.c5 [ I'd prefer 18.ac1!? : exd4 19.xd5 d8 20.c4 e7 21.c5 ] 18...xc5 [ 18...e7!? ] 19.xc5 d8?! [ 19...0-0 20.xb7 ( or 20.ac1 ) 20...xb7 21.xd5 cxd5 22.xd5 ] 20.c2!? Mysterious. [ Surely White looked at 20.e4! , but I guess t h e t r i c k i e r t e x t a p p e a l e d t o h i m . f6 21.xd8+ xd8 22.d1+ c8 23.h3+ b8 24.c4!? ] 20...c8?? Playing right into White's hands! [ 20...0-0! 21.b3 f6! ] 21.b3! Those pesky backwards knight moves! In one stroke, Black's position unravels due to the trio of weaknesses on a5, c6, and d5. b6 22.xa5 xa5 23.xc6+ e7 24.xd5 xd5 25.xd5 a6 26.b3 d8 27.f3 Black threw in the towel. 1-0
485 Gashimov,Vugar Luther,Thomas XXIV Open Cappelle la Grande FRA (4) [Carsten Hansen]
A13 2665 2526
1.c4 e6 2.f3 d5 3.g3 dxc4 4.a4+ d7 5.xc4 a6 6.g2 b5 7.c2 b7 8.a4 c5 [ Black's other options include: A) 8...b4 9.0-0 gf6 10.d3 d6 11.bd2 0-0 12.b3 e5 13.b2 Murey, J-Kuijf, M/Amsterdam 1987 ] 473
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xc6 , and Black is a pawn up and has [ B) 8...c5 9.c3 b4 10.e4 a7 11.0-0 the better position, Nureev, Ggf6 12.d3 c8 13.fd2 d5 14.c4 Karpeshov, O/Omsk/Perm 1998; Murey, J-Guigonis, D/FRA 1991 ] A2) 13.d3 e7 14.h4 d5 15.xd5 [ C) 8...gf6 exd5 16.f5 b4 17.b1 f6 18.d6+ A) 9.c3 b4 10.d1 e7 ( 10...d6 f8 19.e4 g6 20.h6+ e7 11.0-0 0-0 12.e3 e5 13.b3 ) 11.0-0 A2a) 21.f4!? g5 ( 21...f8?! 0-0 12.b3 c5 13.b2 c8 14.e3 h6 22.e1! g5 23.exd5 a4 24.c4 15.c4 Lukov, V-Preissmann, E/Geneve gxf4 25.e8+ xe8 26.xe8 xe8 1993; 27.b3 , and White is winning) 22.f5+ B) 9.axb5 axb5 10.xa8 xa8 11.0-0 d8 23.e3 d4 24.d2 a6 c5 12.a3 b6 13.b3 c6 14.h4 wit h a co m p lica t e d , in d e e d ra t h e r ( 14.e1 d5 15.d3 e7 16.e4 5f6 messy, struggle ahead; with chances to both chances, Thompson, A2b) 21.exd5 a4 22.b3 xd6 I-Porat, I/Port Erin IOM 2003) 14...d5 23.bxa4 xd5 24.d2 , and White ( My computer likes 14...g5!? 15.xc6 has the initiative and the better xc6 16.g2 b4 17.c4 g7 chances, Dyachkov, S-Sorokin, M/ with approximately even chances Sochi RUS 2006; according to the silicon beast, but I still B) 12...a6 13.d3 e7 14.b3 c6 prefer White's chances) 15.d3 b4 16.c4 15.h4 ( 15.g5 0-0 16.d2 xg2 a6 17.e3 ( White can claim an edge 17.xg2 b8 18.a1 h6 19.f4 e5 with 17.g5!? e7 18.xe7 xe7 20.e3 c6+ with an initiative for Black, 19.d6+ f8 20.c4 xc4 21.xc4 ) Tolstikh, N-Zinchenko, Y/Alushta UKR 17...xe3 18.xe3 xg2 19.xg2 e7 2005 ) 15...d5 16.f5 f8 17.xd5 20.f3 0-0 with approximately even exd5 chances, Panchenko, A-Moroz, A/ B1) 18.d4!? f6 ( 18...g6?! 19.e3+ Pardubice 1992 ] d8 20.h6 xh6 21.xh6 b4 9.0-0 22.g5+ f6 23.xf6+ xf6 24.g7 [ White unsuccessfully tried to obtain an e8 25.xf6+ c7 26.b1 xe2 advantage with 9.c3 b6 10.axb5 axb5 27.f4+ b7 28.f7+ ) 19.dxc5 11.xa8+ xa8 12.0-0 gf6 13.d3 e7 xc5 20.f3 e4 21.d4; 14.b3 , and a draw was agreed upon, 1/ B2) 18.e4 a4 19.xa4 bxa4 20.exd5 2-1/2, Sunye Neto, J-Slipak, S/Pinamar xd5 21.b5 d8 22.f4 Djachkov, 2002 ] S-Yakovich, Y/Sochi RUS 2005 ] 9...gf6 10.c3 [ C) 10.d4 c8 11.axb5 axb5 12.b3 b4 [ White has tried a few other lines at this ( 12...cxd4 13.xd4 xg2 14.xg2 b4 juncture: A) 10.d3 e7 11.fd2 xg2 15.d2 e5 16.4f3 c5 17.c4= ) 12.xg2 0-0 13.c3?! b6 14.b3?! d5 13.bd2 d5 14.d3 c4 15.c2 15.b2 b4 16.b1 c6 17.g1 de5 A) Here Black should instead have , and Black has taken control over the game, c o n s i d e r e d 15...c3!? which is a bit Fishbein, A-Kharitonov, A/Moscow 1989 ] p r o b l e m a t i c f o r W h i t e , e . g . 16.bxc3 [ B) White's strongest continuation is possibly ( 16.b1? b3 17.d3 c4 18.xc3 10.axb5 axb5 11.xa8 xa8 12.a3 ( Or xe2 19.e1 xf1 20.xf1 e7 12.h4 e7 13.a3 b4 14.xb7 xb7 , and Black is obviously better) 16...bxc3 15.c4 0-0 16.f3 b3 17.d1 b5 17.b1 c7 18.e1 xg2 19.xg2 18.d3 , Godes, A-Lugovoi, A/Smolensk 1992, d5 20.a3 b6 21.e3 xa3 22.xa3 and now a8= ) , and White has slightly better game; A) 12...c6 B) 15...b3 16.b1 a8 17.e5 xe5 A1) An inferior continuation is 13.d4?! 18.dxe5 xg2 19.xg2 , Kazantsev, Vc4 ( 13...cxd4 14.d1 c5 Salakhova, G/Togliatty 2001 ] looks promising for Black) 14.d5?! xd5 15.d4 xa3 16.bxa3 0-0 17.xc6 10...b6 11.d3 e7 12.b3 474
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ Another try is 12.e4 0-0 13.h3 c4 14.dxc4 bxc4 ( 14...b4!? 15.e5 bxc3 16.exf6 xf6 17.bxc3 c7 is perfectly acceptable for Black ) 15.a5 c7 16.d1 ( 16.a4!? c5 17.d1 ac8 18.h2 a7 19.f1 ) 16...b4 17.d4 ( 17.a4!? xa5 18.f1 xc3 19.xc4 c5 20.g5 e7 21.bxc3= ) 17...xa5 18.g5 b6 ( 18...e5!? 19.xf6 gxf6 20.f3 xf3+ 21.xf3 b6 , and Black has a very c o m f o r t a b l e g a m e) 19.ac1 ac8 ( 19...e5!? is worthy of serious consideration, . e.g. 20.a4 a7 21.xf6 gxf6 22.e2 fd8 23.f4 c6 24.c3 b6 , and White is a complete bind) 20.a4 a7 21.b3 a5 22.d2 h5 23.e3 cxb3 24.xb3 xc1 25.xc1 xd4 26.xd4 xe4 , and although Black somehow managed to avoid winning this position despite being two pawns up and this stage, Onischuk, A-Novikov, I/W ashington DC2002 ] 12...d5 13.axb5!? [ 13.g5 doesn't produce anything for White, if Black reacts properly A) Here 13...f6!? deserves consideration despite apparently weakening Black's pawn chain, e.g. 14.d2 0-0 A1) 15.axb5?! axb5 16.xa8 xa8 17.e4 ( Here White shouldn't get tempted by 17.xb5?? xc3 18.xd7 xe2+ 19.h1 f8 , and White's q u e e n w i l l n o t e s c a p e u n s c a t h e d) 17...xc3 18.bxc3 b4 19.h3 f7 , and Black is doing rather well; A2) 15.e4 f5 16.a5 c6 17.eg5 h6 18.h3 g5 , and Black is indeed doing very well; B) 13...xc3 14.xc3 f6 15.axb5 axb5 16.xa8+ xa8 17.a1 c6 18.a5! xa5 19.xa5 d7 20.a7 xf3 21.xf3 xg5 22.c6 0-0 23.xd7 with a small, but clear advantage for White, Wells, P-Haslinger, S/Torquay 2002 ] 13...axb5 14.xa8+ [ White doesn't achieve anything after 14.xd5 either, e.g. xd5 15.xa8+ xa8 16.e4 0-0 17.e3 b7 18.a1 a8 19.xa8+ xa8= ] 14...xa8 15.g5 xc3 16.xc3 xg5 17.xg5 0-0 18.xa8 xa8 Black has light
but solid initiative by having the a-file under control 19.c1 h6 20.e4 a2 21.e3 a7 22.b3 b4?! [ This leads to a quick and painless draw, but Black could have tried for more with the somewhat challenging 22...a3 , and now W h i t e h a s t o b e c a r e f u l . . . 23.c2 ( 23.xc5?? l o s e s i m m e d i a t e l y b4!-+ ) 23...a1+ 24.g2 b1 25.xc5 ( 25.d2 d1 26.f3 e5 will leave White suffering passively for a while to come) 25...xc5 26.xc5 xb3 27.c3 xc3 28.xc3 , and while this should probably be a draw, it is White who will be defending. ] 23.c4 a1 24.xa1 xa1+ 25.g2 ½-½
486 Georgiev,Kiril Adla,Diego Gustavo ch-FRA Top 16 GpA (4) [John Watson]
A13 2654 2485 31.03.2005
1.c4 e6 2.c3 b4 Tony dubbed this the ' A c c e l e r a t e d N i m z o ' ! 3.b3! c5?! This is loosening. [ Black might want to develop quickly by 3...c6 , e.g. , 4.f3 f6 5.e3 0-0 ] 4.a3 [ We have previously seen 4.b5 f6 5.a3 a5 6.d6+ of C Hansen-Lobron, Bundesliga 2000, when e7 gives Black a lead in development to make up for his king position and loss of the two bishops. But most players would still prefer to be White in such a position. ] 4...a5 [ 4...xc3 5.xc3 cedes White the bishops in a flexible position. Nevertheless Black is probably best off capturing. ] 5.e4! [ Also promising looks 5.b5 d5 6.g3 f8 ] 5...c7 [ 5...f6!? 6.xc5 c6 7.e3 e7 gives some compensation for the pawn, since Black is way ahead in development. ] 6.g3!? [ 6.d3!? keeps the queens on with some advantage. It's a matter of taste. ] 475
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 6...xg3 Pretty much forced. 7.hxg3 a6 8.b3 White concentrates upon the dark squares. He is aided by the open h-file. c7 9.b2 f6 10.e3 b6 11.d4 b7 12.c3 [ 12.d3! looks more pointed, maintaining the knight and eyeing h7: f5 ( 12...e7 13.f3 ) 13.g5 with the idea xg2 14.h2 b7 15.d5! ] 12...e7 13.d5 e5 [ 13...0-0 14.0-0-0 ] [ 13...exd5 14.cxd5 ] 14.0-0-0 xc3?! [ 14...exd5 15.cxd5 d6 16.f3 c7 17.xe5 fxe5 18.e4 ] 15.xc3 exd5 16.cxd5 d6 17.b5+ f7 18.e4 with a nice edge. Black doesn't have good squares available for his pieces. c7 19.d3 a5 20.a4!? [ 20.f3 a4 21.b4! allows less counterplay ] 20...a6 21.c2 [ 21.c4 b5 ] 21...c8 22.e2 h6 [ 22...d7 23.b2 a6! ] 23.d2 f5 24.f3 f8 25.f4 g8 26.c1 [ 26.de1 fxe4 27.xe4 ] 26...fxe4! 27.fxe4! Now Black can't control e5. g4 28.d2 ad8 29.e5 e8 30.e1 d7 31.e6 c7 32.g6 xg6 33.xg6 White's bishops dominate the board. f5? [ Black needs to give up an exchange to survive, but the position is ultimately hopeless af ter 33...e7 34.f7+ exf7 ( 34...h8 35.h1! h7 36.f1! h8 37.df2 ) 35.exf7+ xf7 36.f2+ f6 37.f4 ] 34.f7+ h8 35.f2 g6 36.xg6 xf2 37.xe8 e7 38.d7 xg2 39.e5 1-0
o f t h e h igh le ve l, i s t h e ir a b il it y t o t h in k without prejudice, and change the character of the position at any moment. W ith perf ect timing Giri exchanges the bishop for the knight, so he can then lay siege to the black d-pawn. xf6 11.d4! b8 [ 11...e7 12.c3 c6 13.e4! ] 12.c3 dxc4 13.d2 a5 14.a4 b4 15.a3! xc3 16.e4 f5 17.xc3 b3 18.ad1 c2 19.xc4 d2 20.xc7 xf1 21.e4! A move that needed to be seen in advance. For today's computer generation, making difficult calculations is a piece of cake. [ 21.xb8? xe3 22.fxe3 xc3 would only be better for Black. ] 21...b7 22.c5! b2 23.b1 d2 24.xf1 b2 It looks as if Black has survived the worst, b u t t h e r e is a s t i n g in t h e t a i l . 25.xh7+! xh7 26.e4 c2 27.xf8 xe4 28.xc8 The smoke has cleared and White is left with a technically winning ending. Giri very rarely p u t s a f o o t wr o n g in s u c h s i t u a t i o n s . a5 29.c5 a4 30.a7 f5 31.xa4 h6 32.e8 a2 33.h4 xa3 34.h5 1-0
488 Gomez Feria,Jose Maria Pogorelov,Ruslan XXIX Open Sevilla ESP (2) [Tony Kosten]
A13 1989 2451 10.01.2004
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 a6 4.g2 b5 This is an ambitious line, a bit like a Hedgehog, but Black aims for more queenside space. 5.d4!? The critical reply, but perhaps [ 5.b3 should be preferred, simply defending the attacked c4-pawn. ] 5...c6! 487 A13 [ 5...d5 6.cxb5 e5 is an interesting gambit. ] Giri,Anish 2730 6.cxb5 Bartel,Mateusz 2635 [ 6.d3 d5 7.0-0 is safer, Sunye Neto,JBundesliga 1213 (11.1) 16.03.2013 Stean,M/Lone Pine 1978. ] [Danny Gormally] 6...axb5 7.xb5?! At first sight this seems to win a pawn, but in fact falls for a trap. 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 a6!? 4.e3 d5 [ 7.0-0 d5 8.d3 c5 9.b3 b6 5.b3 d6 6.b2 0-0 7.g2 b5 Good luck and Black has the centre, Schinzel, W trying to find this line in your databases, as I Robatsch,K/Lublin 1976. ] couldn't find any! 8.0-0 bxc4 9.bxc4 c6 7...cxb5! Black can also play the gambit 10.xf6! One of the characteristics of a player [ 7...d5 8.5c3 e5 with the centre and 476
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 some open lines, Heine,R-Hajek,J/Dortmund 1990, but in view of the strength of the main move this seems unnecessary. ] 8.xa8 d5 The point, the hapless white bishop is trapped on a8! 9.c2 The idea is to stop Black from playing ...Qb6-a7, picking-up the a8-bishop immediately. [ 9.a4 attempts to bring direct aid to the bishop: a5 10.c2 d7 11.b7 b4 the bishop has no escape, 12.0-0 d6 13.d3 a7 (before White plays Be3) 14.c8 c6 15.e3 ( 15.e1?! 0-0 16.e4 c5 17.f4 xc8 is crushing for Black, Houdart, D-Bunzmann,D/Bethune FRA 2003) 15...d4 16.g5 Reis,L-Damaso,R/Lisbon 1999, when d5 17.d2 0-0 favours Black, who gains 2 bishops for a rook and 2 pawns. ] [ 9.b3!? d7 10.c3 is possible, b4?! ( 10...a6! ) 11.xd5 exd5 12.xd5 xd5 13.xd5 is unclear, Ilic,S-Carnic, D/Nis 1995. ] 9...d7 10.b4!? A pawn sac, trying to gain a te mp o o ve r 1 0 b3 , which is on e o f ma n y alternatives: [ 10.b3 a5 11.b7 e7 12.b2 0-0 13.d4 b4 14.0-0 b5 15.c7 xe2 16.a7 a6 17.xa6 xa6 18.b6 e2 19.e3 h5 and Black moved over to an attack on the light squares, Ehrenfeucht, W-Adamski,J/Warsaw 1990. ] [ 10.b7 e4 11.d4 d6 12.xd5 exd5 13.c3 a5 is clearly good for Black, Kohnert,A-Davidovic,A/Dortmund 1989. ] [ 10.0-0 e7!? ( 10...b6 -a6 is a simple solution ) 11.d3 0-0 12.e3 g4 Mukhtarov, L-Panchenko,A/Katowice 1993, and now 13.d4 looks critical. ] [ 10.xd5? makes it too easy for Black: xd5 11.c3 c6 12.f3 b4 13.b3 8a6 14.a3 c5 15.d1 bd3+!? with a crunching attack, Du,D-Van Meter,L/ Framingham USA 2001. ] 10...xb4 11.b2 0-0 12.a4?! [ 12.d4! is better, stopping ... Qb6-a7, d6 13.f4!? and Black has no obvious way to recover the bishop, although this piece is still a long way from escaping! ] 12...bxa4 13.xa4?! White panics, and returns his extra material, but without solving the bishop problem. xa4 14.xa4 b6 15.c3?! xc3
[ 15...a6 is also convincing: 16.c6 a7 17.b7 c5 wins a piece and the game. ] 16.xc3 a6 17.c6 c8 18.b5 c5 19.b4 b8 20.d4 ce4 White loses a piece. 0-1
489 Gourlay,Iain Motwani,Paul ch Edinburgh SCO (7) [Jonathan Rowson]
A13 2349 2503 17.07.2009
1.f3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 dxc4 4.a3 xa3 5.bxa3 b5 6.b2 f6 7.a4 b4!? an unusual approach. Black willingly gives back the c-pawn but hopes to win an a-pawn at a later stage. [ 7...a6 ] [ 7...c6 ] 8.c2 bd7 9.xc4 c5 10.g2 b7 [ 10...a5!? looks more critical to me. 11.d4 a6 12.b5 0-0 13.xa8 xa8 14.0-0 Here it felt to me like Black should have adequate compensation, but Rybka is not convinced and moreover Black doesn't even have a pawn for the exchange. ] 11.d3 0-0 12.0-0 c8 [ 12...a5!? to retain the option of ... Ba6 (can be useful to get off the h1-a8 diagonal and to le ave d5 f or t he kn ight ) migh t be a n improvement, but in general the position feels balanced. 13.fc1 makes it difficult for Black to find a constructive move. ] 13.c2 a5 This is potentially a good square for the queen, so I wonder if Black can do better here. ...a5 made more sense when ... Ba6 was still a possibility, but now it is not clear what it achieves. [ 13...h6!? Generally useful, and pre-empting any Ng5 surprises. ] 14.d2 xg2 15.xg2 d5 [ 15...b6!? seems to cause more problems and pe rh aps le aves Bla ck with a sligh t initiative. ] 16.c4 7b6 17.e4 xc4 18.xc4 b6 19.b5 d6 20.a3! c6?! [ 20...d7 somehow white's queen, though active, is more awkwardly placed so there is something to be said for keeping queens 477
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 on. ] [ 9...bd7 10.d4 transposes to Bruzon 21.axb4 axb4 22.fc1 fd8 23.xc6 xc6 Batista - Leitao in this update ] 24.a5 d7 25.c4 [ 9...e7 10.d1 d4!? 11.c3 b6 [ 25.d4! gives White chances to be better. 12.d4 0-0 13.e3!? Wojtaszek, R (2705)For instance c4 26.a4! ] Adams, M (2734)/Porto Carras GRE 2011. 25...e5 26.d4 exd4 27.xd4 f6 Paul's draw ( 13.g5 looks even better )] offer is curiously timed, and may have been 10.d4! xd4 11.d3 time-trouble related, because his position now [ Generally a good square for the knight, but looks quite comfortable to me, with a clear 11.f4! looks more promising. White can plan of centralising the king. follow with Rf1-d1 and Nb1-c3, among other [ 27...f6 28.f4!? ( 28.e3 f7 29.a6 a8 ideas. ] 30.a7 c7 and Black is clearly better.) 11...bd7 28...f7 29.f3 e6 30.e3 b8 [ Black can equalize cleanly by preparing ... and it will not be easy for White to hold the c6-c5 without delay: 11...b6! 12.e3 c5 position. ] and now I can't find anything but equality, i. ½-½ e. 13.xb7 ( 13.xc5? xg2!; 13.xc5? xc5 14.xb7 xf2+ 15.xf2 xb7 ) 13...xb7 14.xc5 ( or 14.xc5 xc5 490 A13 15.xc5 b6 16.d2 0-0 17.ac1 c6= ) 14...xc5 15.xc5 bd7 16.d6 Grachev,Boris 2705 e4 17.d1 ( 17.a3?? a5! is actually Aleksandrov,Aleksej 2604 terrible for White) 17...a7 18.f3 xd6 13th EICC Plovdiv BUL (10.28) 30.03.2012 19.xd6 0-0= ] [John Bartholomew] 12.e3 d6 13.c1 [ 13.d2!? ] 1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 f6 4.f3 dxc4 5.a4+ c6 6.xc4 b5 7.b3 b7 8.0-0 13...e7 14.c3 b8 15.e4 d5!? Keeping the tension. a6 [ Black need only exercise a bit of care to [ This is less common than 8...bd7 . ] reach a draw after 15...xe4 16.xe4 c5! 9.e5!? An important test of 8...a6. If Black 17.xb7 xb7 18.xc5 xc5 19.xc5 isn't going to cover the e5 square, why not xc5 20.xc5 0-0 21.ac1 . ] occupy it? [ The point of Black's move order is that on 16.ec5?! [ Jumping to c5 with the other knight is 9.d4 (trying to reach positions we're familiar better: 16.dc5! so as to answer xe3?! with after 9...Nbd7 10.Ne5), c5! is a fully with 17.xe3 ] satisfactory equalizer. White recently ground out a win in this line in Fridman, D (2653) - 16...xe3 17.xd7 c7! Possibly White Pridorozhni, A (2524)/Plovdiv BUL 2012, but underestimated this in-between move. 18.fxe3 in the game continuation 10.dxc5 bd7 xd7 19.c3 f6? This is over-ambitious in 11.e3 xc5 12.xc5 xc5 13.b4 c8 turn. [ 19...0-0 was far better, i.e. 20.xc6 xc6 14.c1 Black's position was more than 21.xc6 a7!? ] adequate . In fact, he could have ignored the attacked knight on c5 with 0-0! since 20.d1 d8 21.b3! c8 22.f4 d5!? ( 14...d3 15.xc8 xb4 16.xd8+ xd8 Black is under considerable pressure, so he 17.c3 e7 18.e5 xg2 19.xg2 ma ke s a p ra ct ica l e xch a n ge sa crif ic e t o was t he ga me , whe re W hit e re taine d a reverse the trend. [ The alternative is 22...xd1+ 23.xd1 e5 microscopic edge.) 15.xc5? d6! 16.xb5 24.e6 g6 , which looks unpleasant but d1+ 17.e1 ( 17.e1 xg2-+ ) defensible. ] 17...xe1+ 18.xe1 axb5 19.xb7 c1 20.f1 d8-+ is essentially winning for 23.xd5 cxd5 24.ac1 d8 25.e4 b6+ 26.f1 Black. ] [ 26.e3! dxe4 27.xe4 f7 ( 27...xe4? 9...d6 Actually a novelty. 478
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 28.c8++- ) 28.xb7 xb7 29.c2 ] 26...dxe4?! [ 26...d4! ] 27.c3? [ Missing 27.xe4!+- ] 27...d8! Now Black gains sufficient counterplay. 28.d4 0-0 29.xe4 f5 [ 29...xe4 30.xe4 f5 31.e5 f4!? ] 30.xb7 f6 31.c6 xd4 32.xe6+ h8 33.c8 xc8 34.xc8+ d8 35.xf5 xb2 36.xa6 b4 White tries for a bit, but Black easily hold s t he e ndgame . 37.g2 g6 38.e4 c3 39.c4 g7 40.h4 h5 41.c6 h6 42.f7 f6 43.e8 d6 44.e4 f6 45.e8 d4 46.e3 c3 47.f4+ xf4 48.gxf4 e1 49.e4 xh4 50.e5 g7 51.f3 e1 52.d7 d2 53.e4 c1 Grachev's 9.Ne5!? is likely the way to go against 8...a6. Should this line be repeated I believe White ought to go for 11.Bf4! instead. ½-½
and at any rate has a clear advantage. e4? 14.d3 g5 15.h4 e6 16.d4 d7 17.f3 The opening is over, so I'll leave it up to you whether you want to see W hite stretch his lead and win. ad8 18.c5 b8 19.xd7 xd7 20.0-0 f6 21.d3 g6 22.fe1 g7 23.g3 b6 24.f1 d6 25.ad1 bc8 26.b3 c7 27.e2 ce8 28.c2 e7 29.g2 e6 30.cc1 d8 31.c3 h6 32.b1 f8 33.e1 g5 34.hxg5 hxg5 35.f5 g6 36.d3 f7 37.c5 f8 38.e4 e7 39.g4 b8 40.e5 g6 41.exf6 xf6 42.d2 xc5 43.xg5+ f7 44.dxc5 e6 45.h5+ g6 46.c3 d4 47.e4 f6 48.xg6 xg6 49.b2 e5 50.f4 c6 51.e1 g7 52.g5+ f7 53.e4 d7 54.g2 b6 55.f5 b7 56.f6 e6 57.h5+ f8 58.xe6 1-0
492 491 Gurevich,Mikhail Kurajica,Bojan 37th Olympiad (11) [John Watson]
A13 2643 2548 02.06.2006
Hansen,Curt Lobron,Eric Bundesliga [Tony Kosten]
A13 2615 2550 2000
1.c4 e6 2.c3 b4 3.b3 c5!? [ A positionally desirable move, in many ways, W atch out for this trick! For some reason but the weakening of d6 does have players periodically fall for it, and have done consequences. 3...c6 4.f3 f6 5.a3 so for at least 30 years since it was widely xc3 6.xc3 d6 7.d4 is more usual, published. And who knows how many times transposing into a Qc2 Nimzo, Gurevich, before? 1.c4 e6 2.c3 b4 3.b3 c5 M-Rozentalis,E/Groningen 1992. ] 4.a3 4.b5! [ 4.b5!? c6 5.g3 ( 5.d6+ f8 ) [ Sharper than 4.a3 a5 5.e4 when Black 5...f8= ] seems OK: c7 6.g3 xg3 7.hxg3 a6 4...a5?! 8.f3 d5 Bodo,N-Laihonen,P/ Nagykanizsa [ Better is 4...xc3 5.xc3 f6 1993, 1/2-1/2 (14). ] , and Blacks best plan to counteract the 4...f6 bishops may be ...0-0, . ..b6, and ...d5. ] [ Black continues his development, 4...a6 5.e4! f6? is similar, 5.d6+ e7 6.xc8+ ( 6.g3 ) [ 5...d6 6.g3 simply loses a pawn ] 6...xc8 7.g3 f6 8.g2 b8 9.h3 b5 [ But 5...c7! 6.g3 xg3 7.hxg3 a6 10.0-0 bxc4 11.a4! b6 12.a3 b8 8.b3 d5 9.b2 f6 10.d6+ e7 13.c2 a5 14.xc4 with the more 11.xc8+ xc8 12.e3 hangs in there. pleasant position, Ragozin,E-Hartereau,P/ White is better due to his two bishops, but Paris 1993, 1-0 (24). ] it's a normal advantage. ] [ However, Black must permit the intrusion 6.xc5 c6 7.e3 e7 8.a4 0-0 9.c2 into d6, 4...d6? allows the fork 5.g3 ] d5 10.b4 c7 11.b2 a6 12.cxd5 exd5 5.a3!? 13.e2 White has pretty much consolidated [ A n e w i d e a . 5.d6+ e7 6.g3 479
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 is also dangerous for Black, c6 7.e4!? f8 8.f3 e8 9.xe8 xe8 10.d3 a5 11.e5 c7 12.b3 with more space, and easier development for White, Agrest,ESjoberg,M/ Stockholm 1998, 1-0 (34). ] 5...a5 6.d6+ e7 7.xc8+ [ The simplest choice, White will bank on his bishop pair, and the temporary discomfort of the black king, outweighing his temporary development deficit. 7.g3 is the sharp alternative. ] 7...xc8 8.g3 c6 9.f3 b8 10.g2 a6 11.0-0 b5 12.d3 d6 13.d1 d8 14.c2 h6?! [ Black is worried about ...Kf8 being a n s w e r e d b y B g 5 , b u t 14...b7 may be superior, so as to meet 15.b3 with bxc4 16.bxc4 b3 ] 15.b3 d7 16.b2 Now Black has problems, White is ready to play d4, and the black king cannot flee to the kingside without allowing Bxf6, wrecking the black pawn structure. d8 So as to play ...Kf8. 17.d4 cxd4? [ Black should prefer 17...bxc4 18.bxc4 ( 18.dxc5 is interesting, cxb3 19.cxd6+ xd6 20.c5 c7 21.a4 e4 with fair chances. ) 18...cxd4 19.xd4 xd4 20.xd4 and White has only a small edge. ] 18.c5 dxc5?! [ 18...f8 19.ac1 d5 20.xd4 is clearly better for W hite, with his passed c-pawn, and two bishops, but playable. ] 19.xc5+ d6? [ This loses, the only chance lay with 19...e8 although 20.ac1 e7 21.b4 is very awkward for Black. ] 20.xd4 xd4 21.xd4 d7? This leads to disaster, but Black was losing an exchange, anyway. 22.xd6+ [ 22.xd6+ xd6 23.xf6+ c7 24.ac1+ wins two pieces for nothing. ] 1-0
493 Hansen,Curt Lobron,Eric Bundesliga 2000 [Paul Motwani]
A13
2000
Quick Tricks and Traps 1) W3: The game Cu. Ha n s e n - E . L o b r o n , p l a ye d i n G e r m a n y ' s 'Bundesliga' on 29 January 2000, was an English Opening that began with the moves 1.c4 e6 2.c3 b4 3.b3 c5?! (even strong GMs can make errors at move three!) 4.b5! and Black was already in serious difficulties at the d6-square because 4...d6? loses to 5 Qg3. In the actual game, Denmark's super-GM Curt Hansen won easily in only 22 moves.
494 Hillarp Persson,Tiger Dreev,Alexey Politiken Cup (6) [Jonathan Rowson]
A13 2596 2660 22.07.2009
1.c4 c6 2.f3 d5 3.g3 dxc4 4.g2 e6 5.0-0 f6 6.a4 This appears to be one of those positions, fairly typical of flank openings in general, which comes under what you might call 'theory lite'- there are some games, and a few authors have give some tentative thoughts on the best lines, but there haven't been enough top level games to be completely sure which way the theoretical wind is blowing. a6!? [ 6...a5!? is a major alternative. 7.a3 xa3 8.bxa3! 0-0 9.c2 b5 10.b1 a6 11.axb5 cxb5 12.d4 xd4 13.xa8 left Black with inadequate compensation in Tomashevsky, E -Korneev, O Dresden 2007, main ly because th e o pen nat ure of th e position means that his queenside pawns are as much a weakness as a strength. ] 7.a3 xa3 8.bxa3!? This has been done before. Having one of the a-pawns already on a4 helps a lot because it makes it almost impossible for Black to hold on to his extra material. Your site manager, Tony Kosten, previously opted for what looks like the saner alternative. [ 8.xa3 b4 9.a5! 0-0 10.b3 cxb3 480
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 11.xb3 With compensation that looks at least adequate- I think I would rather be W hite here. I have retained the following moves just to show that Tony is really a hacker at heart. bd5 12.e5 ( 12.d4; 12.b1!? ) 12...d7 13.d4 xe5 14.dxe5 c5 15.f4 c7 16.e4 e7 17.c2 c4 18.g4 c5+ 19.h1 d8 20.h3 g6 21.g5 b5 22.e2 b7 23.e3 c7 24.a6 xa6 25.f5 f8 26.f6 xe5 27.f4 d4 28.e3 e5 29.f4 d4 30.e3 e5 1/2-1/2 Kosten, A -Goldin, A /Paris 1994. ] 8...c5 9.b1 a5?! I suspect this may be a mistake. [ 9...a6 10.e5! is no improvement but ] [ 9...0-0 10.c2 d5 11.xc4 b6 12.d4 a6 13.c2 d7 14.d1 with e4 to follow also looks better for W hite, so I begin to wonder if this whole doubled a-pawns with a4 included idea might be a very good one. ] 10.b4! c3 11.dxc3! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The pawns themselves may not look pretty, but Black's kingside has only one defender, the knight on f6, while W hite has several potential attackers and this eventually decides the game. 0-0 12.c2 d5 [ 12...d7 At first I though Black should probably just complete development and hope for the best, but the more I look at the position the more I like W hite- the weak queenside pawns don't matter, while the active rook on d4 and black's weakened d a r k s qu a re s a n d vu ln e ra b l e k in g, d o . 13.e3 ad8 14.g5 ] 13.e4! e7 14.e5 c7 15.h4! d5 A pseudo-threat, especially against Tiger, who wouldn't think twice about sacrificing the exchange. [ 15...b6 is slightly more tenacious, but White is certainly much better. ] 16.e1 b6 17.d4!? An interesting decision, perhaps based on the judgment that Black now had to play f5. [ The direct 17.g4 also looked strong. ] 17...f5 18.exf6 gxf6 19.h6 f7 20.c4 e7 21.d1! Now we see one point of the rook being on d4. g6 22.d8+ f8 23.e5! decisive b7 24.xa8 xa8 25.xf7 xf7 26.h5+ e7 [ 26...g6 27.f4 ] 27.g4 cd7 28.xf8+ A crushing victory,
and an impressive demonstration of why the doubled-a pawns are rarely the most important positional feature in these lines. 1-0
495 Illescas Cordoba,Miguel Shirov,Alexei XII It I Dos Hermanas ESP (2) [Tony Kosten]
A13 2595 2723 29.03.2003
1.c4 e6 2.f3 d5 3.g3 dxc4 4.g2 [ 4.a4+ first, is more common, White delays recapturing the pawn so that Black has to commit himself. ] 4...f6 5.0-0 e7 6.a4+ bd7 Mickey Adams preferred [ 6...c6 against me at Drancy in the French Team Championship, a couple of months ago (by transposition), and this game continued 7.xc4 b5 8.c2 b7 9.b3 bd7 10.b2 0-0 11.d3 c5 12.bd2 w h e n B l a c k f o u n d a s t r o n g p l a n : d5! 13.ac1 ( 13.a3 a5 14.e4 5b6 15.a4 may be better, keeping the knight out of b4, although a4 is a constant problem,) 13...a5! 14.a4 ( 14.a3 a4 favours Black as the a3pawn will be exposed on the a-file) 14...b4 15.b1 bxa4 16.bxa4 ( 16.a1!? axb3 17.xg7 a4! 18.c4 f5 19.xf8 xf8 and it will be difficult to stop the rampant aa n d b - p a w n s) 16...b6 17.a1 f6 18.c4?! ( 18.b3! ) 18...xc4 19.xc4 d5 with advantage to Black. ] 7.xc4 c5 8.d4 This move brings us into Ca ta la n te rrito ry, bu t is im po rt a nt f or a ll English Opening players. b6!? As far as I can see this is a novelty, if instead [ 8...cxd4 then 9.xd4 b6 10.d3 0-0 11.c3 is about level, Padevsky, N-Oney,F/ Albena 1977, but by far the most common move here is ] [ 8...0-0 when 9.dxc5 xc5 10.c3 a6 11.e4 e7 12.xf6+ xf6 13.d1 a5 14.d2 b6?? was a blunder, allowing 15.xc8 1-0 Telljohann,S-Kelecevic,N/Biel 1994. ] 9.c2 cxd4 10.d1 d7 11.xd4 c8 12.d3 fd5 Black has developed all his minor pieces, and has equalised. 13.a3 f6 481
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 14.b3 White refrains form the 'obvious' [ 14.e4 perhaps because of a4!? 15.b3 xd4 16.xd4 xb3 but following 17.exd5! xd1 18.xg7 xc1 19.xh8+ e7 20.b2 he may be better, but who would risk this against Shirov? ] 14...0-0 15.e4 e7 16.e3 c6 17.xc6!? [ 17.c3 seems more natural. ] 17...xc6 18.a2 d7! 19.e2 a5 This puts pressure on the white queenside, whilst allowing the black rooks to come to d8. 20.c2 White plays timidly, [ 20.ad2 fd8 21.f4 offers more. ] 20...fd8 The problem for White is how can he chase the queen away from his queenside, and then develophisb1-knight? 21.h3 a6 22.d2? Not like this! [ 22.cd2 still looks strongest. ] 22...b5! 23.b4 This leaves an ugly doubled pawn that needs defending, but the only other way of parrying the menace to the b3-pawn was by [ 23.b4 when c5 24.e1 a4 was awkward 25.xd8+ xd8 26.d2 xd2 27.xd2 xe4 winning a pawn. ] 23...xb4 24.axb4 e7 25.c4 e5 26.cd4 xd4 27.xd4 b5 28.f4 c6 29.d7 xb4 30.xb7 a5?! [ 30...d8! is even stronger, the immediate threat is the fork of king and knight, 31.f3 d3 32.f2 xb3 and White can resign, as 33.d2 (what else?) xe3! 34.xe3 c5# ] 31.b6 xb3 32.f1 If White can eliminate the a-pawn he should be able to draw. c5 33.xc5 xc5 34.xb5 axb5 35.d2 Now White is back in the game. [ 35.xb5? xe4 ] 35...g5!? Played to free the rook from defending the back rank. 36.xb5? [ 36.fxg5 d3 37.xb5 c2 38.b3 looks OK. ] 36...gxf4 37.gxf4 d3 38.g5+? Time trouble, I suspect, as this just puts the rook out of play, the immediate [ 38.f5 was best. ] 38...f8 39.f5 White desperately tries to exchange the remaining pawns. c1+ 40.f1 f4 The black pieces combine well together. 41.g4 [ 41.g3? e2+ ] 41...e5! 42.f2 The h-pawn cannot be
defended, [ 42.h4? h5 and the rook is lost to a knight fork. ] 42...xh3+ 43.g2 f4+ 44.f2 h5 45.g3 h4 46.g4 h3 47.h4 c2+ 48.f3 g7 49.g3 c3+ 50.g4 f6 White has managed to sort his pieces out to some extent, but the h-pawn will prove a thorn in his side. 51.h1 b3 52.f2 Can he capture the hpawn? e3! 53.xh3 e2 No, the cost will prove too great. 54.h5 g3+ 55.g4 xe4 56.h5 g3+ 57.g4 e2 58.h5? [ 58.h5 had to be played again, although White is lost. ] 58...g3+ [ 58...g3+ 59.h4 g2 leaves the three white pieces without a single move!! ( 59...xh3+ 60.xh3 f4+ is much too mundane. )] 0-1
496 Istratescu,Andrei Papadopoulos,Ioannis IX EICC Plovdiv BUL (2) [Carsten Hansen]
A13 2628 2471 22.04.2008
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 d4 This move is in my opinion very provocative, due to Black having played ...e7-e6 previously and by following up with ...e6-e5 later, he is losing a tempo on purpose. However, this is far from the first time this move has been played, but nevertheless White should have e xce l le n t c h a n ce s o f o b t a in i n g a n e d g e compared with other lines in the Reti where Black plays an early ...d5-d4. 5.0-0 [ 5.b4!? is also worth a thought, but likely insufficient for an advantage, e.g. A) 5...c5 6.b2 A1) 6...a5 transposes to our main line after 5...a5; A2) 6...c6 7.b5 A2a) 7...e7 8.e3 dxe3?! ( 8...f5 9.exd4 cxd4 10.0-0 ) 9.dxe3 xd1+ 10.xd1 g6 11.h4 h5 12.e2 g4 13.d1 Ilivitzki, G-Spassky, B/ Moscow 1955/ URS-ch; A2b) 7...a5 8.d3 d6 9.0-0 0-0 10.e4 e5 11.bd2 d7 12.c2 482
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 show ) 7...a5 8.exd4 exd4 9.d3 e7 c7= Mikhalchishin, A-Fernandez, A/ 10.g5 0-0 11.bd2 h6 12.xf6 xf6 Lisbon 1986; 13.e1 ( 13.e1!? ) 13...a4 14.e4 e7 A3) 6...b6 7.b3 c6 8.b5 ( 8.bxc5 15.f4 a5!? 16.f3 e6 17.d2 b6 xc5 9.0-0 0-0 10.a3 e5 11.xb6 18.ae1 d7 19.e2= f5?! 20.f2 f6 xb6 12.b5 d8 1/2-1/2 Vaulin, A21.c2 , and here, just as White is Serper, G/St Petersburg 1993) 8...a5 beginning to have the more comfortable 9.c2 d6 10.e3 ( 10.0-0 0-0 11.e3 position again, White offered a draw, which e5 12.exd4 cxd4 13.d3 f5 14.h4 was duly accepted by Black, 1/2-1/2 Nielsen, d7 15.d2 ac8 with chances for P-Fyllingen, R/Aars 1999 ] both sides, Raizman, M-Taimanov, M/ P a r i s 1 9 5 4) 10...e5 11.exd4 exd4 6...e7 [ Black has tried a couple of other moves in 12.0-0 0-0 13.d3 d7 14.bd2 h6 this position, but I don't think either of the 15.ae1 ae8 , and the game is more alternatives are particularly good: A) 6...a5?! or less balanced, Kotov, A-Taimanov, M/ (this looks a little careless, Black shouldn't Zuerich 1953/ Candidates; play this move unless White has played a2B) 5...xb4!? is likely the critical test a3, placed his knight on c2 or threatens to 6.a4+ c6 7.e5 b8 play b2-b4. In this position Black just hands B1) 8.xc6 bxc6 9.xa7 ( 9.0-0 8 White the b5-square at no charge can transpose to 0-0) 9...b6 10.a4 whatsoever.) b7 11.0-0 0-0 12.c2 c5 13.xb7 A) White must be a King's Indian fanatic, xb7 , Cuellar Gacharna, M-Albert, E/ because this really isn't even close to M a r d e l P l a t a 1 9 5 7 , 14.d3 a8 being critical why on earth does W hite with a pleasant game for Black; want to play this when he has much better B2) 8.0-0 0-0 9.xc6 bxc6 10.a3 c5 moves ava ilable such a s 7.e3! c5 11.d3 d7 12.d2 , and White has ( 7...dxe3 8.xe3 g4 9.e2 xe3 obvious compensation for the pawn, De 10.xe3 b4 11.a3 e7 12.fd1 Fotis, G-Karklins, A/ Illinois 1987; followed by d4 is very good for W hite; C) 5...a5 6.b2!? ( 6.b5!? 7...e5 8.exd4 exd4 9.f4 e7 10.a3 would probably be my preference) 6...c5 threatening Nb5 is even worse for Black) 7.bxc5 xc5 8.e3 ( 8.0-0 c6 9.d3 a4 8.exd4 xd4 9.c3 0-0 10.e3 10.a3 d7 11.fd2 0-0 12.xc5 xc5 with a pleasant game for White; 13.a3 e5 14.b1 e7 , and the B) 7.e4?! d7 8.e1 e5 9.f4 e7 chances are about even in this reversed 10.d2 0-0 11.f5 g5 with a better Benko Gambit, Donner, J-Bouwmeester, H/ game for Black, Andonov, B-Razuvaev, Y/ Beverwijk 1 95 2) 8...c6 9.0-0 0-0 Sochi 1987 ] 10.a3 e5 11.b5 with a pleasant game [ B) 6...c5 7.a3 ( 7.e3!? dxe3 8.xe3 for White in Ehlvest, J-Pomes Marcet, J/ xe3 9.fxe3 with a more comfortable game Terrassa 1991 ] for White ) 7...0-0 8.c2 a5 9.b3 e5 10.a3 5...c6 e8 11.g5 h6 12.xf6 xf6 13.b1 f5 [ 5...c5 is the main alternative. ] 14.b4 axb4 15.axb4 f8 16.d2 e6 6.d3 17.e1 h3 18.h1 h5 19.b5 d8 [ W h i t e h a s a l s o t r i e d 6.e3 e5 , Pajkovic, V-Guyot, P/Podgorica 1991, and ( My computer likes 6...d3 , but to me it here White's best is probably 20.e3 dxe3 looks like Black wants to lose a pawn for 21.xe3 with a complicated position, where i n s u f f i c i e n t c o m p e n s a t i o n a f t e r 7.e1 I prefer White, but objectively the chances f ollowe d by Qb 3) 7.a3 ( In my opinion, are about even ] W hite can obtain a better game with the simple and straight-forward 7.exd4!? exd4 7.e3 e5 [ Black can also consider 7...0-0 , though I'm 8.e1+ e7 9.d3 0-0 10.a3 followed by of the opinion that W hite can obtain the Nc2 and Bf4, and the downsides to the lost better chances, e.g. 8.xd4 xd4 9.exd4 tempo with ...e7-e6-e5 are beginning to 483
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 11.bd2!? xd4 10.c3 B1a) 11...xd3? '?!' by Ribli, but the A) 10...e5!? 11.e3 d8 12.h3?! move is a very bad move that leads , and a draw was agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, in Black to a lost position 12.b3 b4 Sher, M-Korneev, O/Elista 1995. Despite '?' by Ribli, but there isn't anything the few moves played, the position is more better - the mistake was on the or less completely equal, my computer's p r e v i o u s m o v e 13.xe7! xe7 main line goes ( The immediate 12.d4!? 14.e1 c5 ( 14...e2 15.xd4+- ) , however, is of more interest, e.g. g4 15.a3 c2 16.e5+- (Ribli); 13.d2 exd4 14.xd4 c6 15.f4 d6 B1b) 11...e8 12.e5 xe5 16.xd6 xd6 17.fe1 , and White has 13.xe5 (Ribli); the initiative in the queenless B1c) 11...d6 12.g5 h6 13.xf6 m i d d l e g a m e .) 12...c6 13.d4 exd4 xf6 14.e4 xe4 15.xe4 ae8 14.xd4 a5 , and Black should have 16.d2; nothing to fear; B2) 11.a3 (Ribli) b4 12.e2 d6 B) 10...d8 11.b5 d7 12.f4 e8 13.xd6 xd6 14.d2 ae8=; 13.a4 f6 14.ad1 xb2 15.d4 c6 B3) 11.a3 d6 ( 11...a5?! 12.e5 16.a3 c5 17.b5 xd4 1-0 Akesson, Ris the only variation discussed by Ribli.) Marusenko, P/Port Erin 2000/CBM 78 ext 12.xd6 xd6 13.b4?! ( 13.c2= ) (35) 18.a3 f6 19.e3 13...ae8 with a comfortable game for B1) 19...e5?! 20.xd4 exd4 Black; ( 20...cxd4?? 21.d5+ ends the fun on B4) 11.e5 This a typical move in this account of h8 22.f8# ) 21.xc5 b6 type of position, exchanging a pair of 22.a3 , and White has a winning knights to get a little more breathing advantage; ro om f o r th e p ie ce s a nd a dd a litt le B2) 19...f7 20.xd4 cxd4 21.xd4 pre ssu re a lon g t h e h 1 -a8 d ia go n a l. and White has the clearly better chances xe5 12.xe5 d7! ( Rather than thanks to his lead in development and co n t i n u i n g wi t h t h e p a s si ve 12...c8 Black's difficulties getting his pieces 13.e1 d6 14.xd6 xd6 15.d2 developed. ] , Black sacrifices a pawn for the 8.exd4 exd4 9.a3 initiative) 13.xb7 ab8 , and with his [ W h i t e h a s a n a l t e r n a t i v e i n 9.e1 lead in development and well, but this is less convincing: 0-0 10.f4 coordinated pieces, Black has ample A) or 10...d7 11.a3 c5 12.c2 compensation for the pawn, Groenn, Ae6 13.d2 a5 Carlsen, M/Gausdal 2004 ] A1) 14.e5!? xe5 15.xe5 c6 ( 15...c5 16.h5 f6 17.d5 d7 9...b4?! [ This is a peculiar and not very good novelty. 18.e1 ) 16.f3 f6 17.ee1 g5=; Previously Black has obtained an adequate A2) 14.e2! f6 15.a3 ( 15.b4 axb4 game with 9...0-0 10.c2 a5 ( 10...g4 16.xb4 xb4 17.xb4 c5 18.d2= ) 11.f4 h5= ) 11.b3 c5 12.a3 f5 15...c5 ( 15...a4 16.b4 a5 ( 12...e8!? ) 13.b1 d7 ( 13...e8 14.b4 17.d5 b3 18.ad1 ) 16.b4 b3 axb4 15.axb4 ) 14.b4 axb4 15.axb4 a7 17.ab1 xd2 18.xd2; 16.f4 ( White can grab the initiative with A3) 14.b3 f6 15.b1 c5 16.c1 16.b5!? d8 17.e5 d6 18.e1 e8 f5 17.f1 e8 18.xe8+ xe8 19.a3 19.a3 with an uncomfortable position for d7 , and Black has gained excellent Black ) 16...g6 ( 16...fe8!? ) 17.b5 d8 control over the position, Jimenez, J18.e5 c8 19.xg6 hxg6 20.e5 Sagalchik, G/ Alajuela CRC 2006; Hardicsay, P-Horvath, P/Balatonlelle HUN B) 10...f5 2007 ] B1) In his annotations to GroennCarlsen in CBM, Ribli suggests a few 10.b5 0-0 [ Or 10...c5 11.f4 0-0 12.c7 d7 ideas for White instead of the text move. 484
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 13.e1 c6 14.e5 xe5 15.xe5 with a very pleasant game for White ] 11.bxd4 c5 And with this move, Black wins back the pawn, but the resulting position is, as we will see, clearly favouring White 12.a3 cxd4 13.axb4 xb4 14.d2 xd2 15.xd2 The material is once again balanced, but the white position is more or less strategically won. The d4-pawn is terribly weak and so is the black queenside, with W hite being able to apply pressure along the a-file and the h1-a8 diagonal. In addition, White has a slight lead in development and the initiative. Black's prospects are indeed bleak. f5 16.h4 c8 17.fe1 c7 18.a5 d6 19.b4 a6 I'm uncertain about what Black is trying to accomplish with this move, but it could be so me th in g like . .. b7 -b 6 an d .. .Ra8 -a 7 t o remove some of the pressure W hite is applying against Black's queenside. Obviously, White isn't going to let Black off the hook that easily. 20.f5!? [ White forces Black to get exchange on f5 and with that remove one of Black's guard pieces that is currently protecting the weak queenside. However, W hite has an interesting alternative in 20.c5!? , e.g. b8 ( 20...d7 l o o k s w o r s e : 21.b5! d5 22.ab1 d8 23.c6 d6 24.b6! , and the back rank problem prevents Black from doing anything about White's advanced pawns without losing material.) 21.f3 e6 22.xd4 d5 23.xd5 xd5 24.f5 , and W hite is a pawn up and his pieces dominate the board. ] 20...xf5 21.xf5 ab8 [ Or 21...fe8 22.xe8+ xe8 23.xb7 xb4 24.xa6 b2 25.f1+- , White's e xt ra p a wn in a d d it io n t o a f a vo u ra b l e bishop vs knight imbalance should make the win fairly trivial ] 22.c5 d8 [ 22...c7 is met in similar fashion: 23.e5 be8 24.ae1 xe5 25.xe5 d7 26.d6 xd6 27.cxd6 d8 28.xb7 xd6 29.a1+- ] 23.e5 e8 24.ae1 xe5 25.xe5 d7?? [ This of course loses on the spot, but even t h e s t r o n g e r 25...f8 offers no hope of salvation after 26.c1 intending Rc4, and the d-pawn will fall. ]
26.xb8+ 1-0
497 Jurkovic,Hrvoje Pandurevic,Miro Riviera IM Opatija CRO (4) [Tony Kosten]
A13 2401 2280 04.05.2003
1.c4 e6 2.f3 d5 3.e3 The advantage of playing this move is that White keeps the cpawn well defended, [ 3.g3 f6 4.g2 dxc4 5.a4+ is the mainline, but I think it offers W hite little as his queen makes too many moves. ] 3...f6 4.b3 e7 5.b2 0-0 6.e2 dxc4 This capture is very common in such Reti lines, Black wants to avoid the IQP positions which could arise after [ 6...c5 7.0-0 c6 8.cxd5 exd5 9.d4 say, although this is very much a question of taste. ] 7.bxc4 c5 8.0-0 c6 9.d4!? White expands in the centre, although many Flank Openings players would prefer to reserve this advance for a more opportune moment, e.g. [ 9.c2 b6 10.c3 b7 11.ad1 c8 12.a3 White keeps his options open, Ribli,ZBarczay,L/HUN-ch 1975. ] 9...b6 10.c3 The most aggressive, [ 10.dxc5?! xc5 11.xd8 xd8 12.bd2 a6 13.b3 e7 14.fd1 offers White less than nothing, Petersen,N-Bezold,M/ Copenhagen 1997. ] 10...a6!? A novelty, and a very logical one at that, Black aims at the c-pawn. [ 10...cxd4 11.exd4 b7 had been played previously, setting up a hanging pawns position, 12.c1 ( 12.d2 c8 13.ad1 B a r n a , A - W i e d e r s i c h , J / G e r m a n y 1 9 9 7; 12.e1?! c8 13.c1 a5 14.b5 a6 15.a3 b4 favours Black, Rossello,CGonzalez,G/Las Palmas 1996) 12...a5 13.d3 c8 14.d2 d7 also looks promising f o r Black who has go od pla y against the white centre, Hickl,T-Siegel,G/ Germany 1981. ] 11.a4 a5 12.fd1 cxd4 Now Black goes f o r t h e h a n gin g p a wn st r u ct u re . 13.xd4! Anti-positional, as W hite concedes the c5485
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 square, but best, [ 13.exd4 e8 is a bit awkward, as Black will exchange queens which diminishes White's dynamic possibilities. ] 13...e8 14.b5 b7 Black is ready to evict the knight with ...a6, and remove queens from the boa rd, pe rha ps, but W h ite ha s o the r ideas... 15.c5?! Is this correct? I don't think so, but it certainly gives W hite a couple of tempi, and permits him to swing his queen over to the kingside, with reasonable practical chances. xc5 16.h4 e7 Best, Black had to defend against the threat of Bxf6, and after ...gxf6, Qg4+ and Qh5, forcing mate. 17.d3 A n o t h e r p i e c e j o i n s t h e a t t a c k . h6?! Moving pawns in front of the king is always a risky business when the opponent's pieces are nearby, [ 17...fd8! is best, as there is no real threat to h7 once the f8-square is vacated: 18.xf6? ( 18.c2!? ) 18...xf6 19.xh7+ f8 and White's position is a mess. ] 18.f4 Now Black is in trouble, as Rxh6 is menaced. h7? This loses, the best move might be the strange [ 18...h5 but then that implies the previous move is clearly wrong! ] 19.xg7! Devastating! [ 19.xh7+ xh7 20.xg7 is also good, of course. ] 19...g5? This is not the best, although, to be fair, Black could resign here, [ 19...xg7? is also hopeless, 20.xh6+ g8 21.xh7# ] 20.f6 1-0
Dautov,R. ] 7...b7 8.0-0 bd7 9.b3 c8 To add force to the ...c5 move, but Black can try to makedo without this move, Mickey Adams preferred [ 9...e7 10.b2 0-0 11.d3 c5 12.bd2 d5! against me last year, and his queen's rook proved useful on the a-file. ] 10.b2 This set-up appeals to me because White's piece set-up is simple to follow, and it almost doesn't matter what Black does. e7 11.d3 0-0 12.bd2 c5 13.a3!? Probably a useful move, if my experience against Adams is a n yt h in g t o go b y, b u t d e ve lo p in g t h e queen's rook is very popular, and may transpose: [ 13.ac1 b6 14.b1 fd8 (agreed drawn in Ehlvest,J-Grischuk,A/ New Delhi IND 2000!) 15.a1 and now Black has a wide choice: f8 ( 15...a6 16.c2 a7 Jansson,B-Langeweg,K/telex 1975; 15...b8!? (aiming f or d4) 16.c2 e8 17.fc1 f8 18.a3 d6 but Black's play seems a bit too original, Minnebo,A-Luther,T/ Asti 1996 ) 16.a3 d5 17.d4!? Bertok,MPavasovic,D/Pula CRO 2001. ] 13...b6 14.ac1 White continues his simple plan of development, the queen will go to a1 to increase the pressure on the a1-h8 diagonal, and then he will double rooks on the c-file when all of his pieces will be working at full power. fd8 15.b1 a6 Curiously this position is sometimes also reached with Black to move - when he plays ...Nbd7 instead of ... c6 in the opening so that ...c7-c5 comes in one move instead of two! [ 15...h6 has also been seen here, but 16.fd1?! looks wrong, b8 17.c2 c6 18.dc1 White has lost a tempo with his 498 A13 ro o k m a n o e u vre , V e liko v, P -V a s ile v, M / Pamporovo BUL 2001, obviously 16 Qa1 is Kharlov,Andrei 2591 more logical, as in the other games. ] Izoria,Zviad 2541 [ 15...f8 16.a1 transposes to the Bertok ECC Rethymnon GRE (3) 30.09.2003 game in the last note. ] [Tony Kosten] 16.a1 f8 17.c2 a7 18.fc1 One of the nice things about the Flank So, W hite has managed to get to move Openings is that you can sometimes follow a eighteen without even having to think, and he pre-arranged plan and get a good position. has a good position! a8 Black also likes the 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 dxc4 queen here, but W hite is able to blunt the 5.a4+ c6 6.xc4 b5 7.c2 Better than pressure, immediately, unlike Black. 19.e4!? So that the b7-bishop is 'biting on granite'. the [ 7.b3 I looked at in Van der Sterren,P- The loss of pawn control of the d4-square is 486
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 not too important yet, as the black pieces are n o t w e l l - p l a c e d t o e x p l o i t i t . e7 Black changes plan, and returns his bishop to e7, but he could also consider [ 19...e8!? hoping for ...f6 and ...e5, perhaps, or ...Nd6 and a later ...c4. ] 20.a4!? Personally I am not too sure about this move, a black piece may arrive on b4 lateron. c4? A typical tactical theme in this line (see the Korchnoi game from a few months ago, say), but it is not correct here. There was no need to play this, as there were lots of reasonable alternatives, like [ 20...c6 for instance. ] 21.bxc4 c5 The point, hitting both d3 and a4, but White can ignore these and continue capturing. 22.cxb5 xd3 23.xc8 xc8?! [ 23...xc8 24.xc8+ xc8 25.a3 also leaves White a pawn up, but at least the black pieces are more active. ] 24.c7! Rather than defend, White counters, attacking the e7-bishop. d7?! A bit too compliant, [ 24...xb2 is best met by 25.xe7 d3 26.c3 White has an extra pawn, and the better position - Qc7 is a threat. ] [ 24...d6!? may be the best bet, 25.xf6 gxf6 26.c2 g7 although 27.d4 looks strong. ] 25.xd7 xd7 26.a3 [ 26.xf6! is also good, gxf6 ( 26...xf6? 27.e5 e7 28.b1 c5? 29.g5 attacks the queen and threatens mate on h7 ) 27.d4 c5 28.e5 opening the long diagonal with a big plus. ] 26...c5 27.b6! This pawn will win the game. c6 Black is unable to stop White from protecting his passed pawn, as [ 27...a5?! 28.c3 c8 29.b7! xb7 30.xc5 wins a piece. ] 28.a5 a4 29.b2 [ 29.c1 is also good, xa5 30.b7 c7 31.xc5 xc5 32.xc5 xc5 33.b8+ with an extra piece. ] 29...c2 30.d4 c6 31.e3 White knows that he only has to avoid a blunder and the game will win itself. b7 32.d4 a4 33.xa4 xa4 34.4b3 f8 35.d4 e8 36.f3 d7 37.c4 Black's position is quite hopeless. 1-0
499 Korotylev,Alexey Timofeev,Artyom 57th ch Moscow RUS (8) [John Watson]
A13 2596 2611 24.11.2004
In this game Black plays a simple yet irritating f l a n k p a wn a t t a c k f r o m a S l a v D e f e n c e structure. It has had good success over the years an White still needs to find an answer. 1.c4 e6 2.f3 d5 3.g3 c6 4.b3 f6 5.g2 a5 A typical advance, played with or without ... c6 in. Black wants to play ...a4 and ...a3 or ... axb3 as appropriate. My database has over 50 examples! 6.b2 White hasn't cracked this line, e.g., [ 6.0-0 a4 A) Black achieves his aim after 7.b2 a3 8.c3 b5! ( or 8...e4 ); B) 7.a3 xa3 8.xa3 e7 9.c1 0-0 10.d4!? bd7 11.b2 e8 12.e3 b6= Ionescu,C-Soppe,G Istanbul 2000 ] 6...a4 That's 5 pawn moves out of 6 (with . .. a3 and ...b5 next if White allows it). In spite of the fact that Black's bishop on c8 and knight on b8 are problem pieces he stands well. Against the Double Fianchetto Reti the combination of ...a5-a4 and ...b5 has been a common plan over many years now. 7.a3 e7 [ 7...d6 might prepare ...Qe7 later. ] 8.0-0 0-0 9.d3 [ 9.d4 intending Ne5 has also been tried. ] 9...b6 [ 9...bd7 10.c2 e8 11.fb1 d6 was comfortably equal in Reichert,LRohrmueller,U Bayern 2002. ] 10.d4 A sign that Black's irritating pressure on t h e qu e e n si d e is h a vi n g it s e f f e c t . bd7 11.c5 c7 12.b4 b6! 13.c2 bxc5 14.bxc5 a6 Black already has some advantage. A great system to know! 15.b4 b5 16.a3 e4 17.c2 f5!? Or simply [ 17...c4 18.d3 fb8 ] 18.d3 f6 19.ab1 c4 20.a1 Now Black has the advantage on the queenside, but he plays ambitiously to attack: g5!? 21.d2 xd2 22.xd2 ab8 23.e3 f7 24.xb8 xb8 25.b4 Since it's difficult for Black to advance on the kingside without exposing his king he maneuvers for a break in 487
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 the centre. It's not clear what W hite can do about this. g8 26.c1 b5 27.d2 g6 28.e3 [ 28.d3 looks better. ] 28...e5! 29.dxe5 xe5 30.d1 g4 Preventing ...f4. 31.h4 e8 32.b1 b8 33.c2 h5 34.d4 c4? [ 34...e7 should precede this move. ] 35.c1!? [ 35.xf6 xf6 36.c3+ is very dangerous although Black may hang on due to the tactic e5! ( 36...e6 37.d3; 36...e5 37.xd5! ) 37.xe5+ xe5 ( 37...xe5 38.xd5 ) 38.xd5! d3! 39.b2 xb4 40.xb4 cxd5 41.xa4 f3+ with at least a perpetual check. ] 35...xd4? Too ambitious. The knight should return to e5. 36.exd4 f4 37.d3! f8 [ 37...f3? 38.g5+ h7 39.e1 wins. ] 38.xf4+ xf4 39.gxf4 f7 Black has no compensation and his king is still exposed. An unfair finish after a well-played game. 40.f1 f5 41.a1 e4 42.c3! xf4 43.d3+ f6 44.xc4 xc4 45.e1 f3 46.xf3+ gxf3 47.e5 1-0
8...b5! 9.b3 [ Now 9.e5 d5! and there's no knight on c3 to capture on d5. ] [ 9.a4 achieves nothing now after b7 ] 9...b7 10.b2 e7 11.d3 0-0 12.bd2 b6 13.ac1 ac8 14.b1!? fd8 15.a1 b8! 16.c2 c6 17.a3 d7 18.fc1 cd8 Black has superior central control but no break. White has to sit a wait for his opponent. 19.e5?! [ 19.a2! d5 20.a1 ] 19...xe5 20.xe5 xg2 21.xg2 g4! 22.e4? [ (a) 22.xg7? loses to c4! (hitting f2) 23.e4 ( 23.f1 b7+ 24.g1 f6 25.h3 cxd3 26.exd3 e5! ) 23...f5 24.h3 fxe4 25.hxg4 exd3 26.exd3 b7+ 27.h2 cxd3 28.d2 f3 ] [ (b) Best is 22.h3! xe5 23.xe5 c4 24.bxc4 xa3 25.b1 c5 , when Black has little if any advantage because of the pesky a-pawn after 26.cxb5 d5 27.c4! xe5 28.xb6 xb6 29.bxa6 d4 30.b7 a5 31.e3 c5 32.d4 d6 33.a7 ] 22...f5? This throws away Black's advantage. [ 22...c4! 23.xg7 f5 transposes to the last line. ] 23.xc5 d5?! 500 A13 [ 23...c6+ 24.e4! ] Kozhuharov,Spas 2391 24.c7! xc7 25.xe6 e5 26.xe5 Mateuta,Gabriel 2465 xe5 27.xd8 xd8 28.c8 The rooks 14th Open Kavala GRE (8) 18.08.2005 come into their own against minor pieces in an endgame and they will cost Black another [John Watson] pawn. f7 29.xd8 xd8 30.c5 f6 This game features another Catalan-without- 31.c7+ e7 32.d4 g4 33.a7 f6 d4 setup, but White misses his opportunity to 34.xa6 e4 35.a4 b4 36.a5 c3 37.b6 tie Black down and achieve a central break. 1-0 He also fails to create weaknesses in Black's position, thus suffering from a lack of space. A13 B u t h i s p i e c e s a r e w e l l - p o s t e d a n d i n 501 Hedgehog style he defends until his opponent Kuzubov,Yuriy 2642 tries for too much. 1.c4 e6 2.f3 d5 3.g3 Neverov,Valeriy 2508 f6 4.g2 dxc4 5.a4+ bd7 6.xc4 a6 15th ch-EUR Indiv 2014 (2.27) 04.03.2014 7.c2 c5 Different than the 7...b5 plan of the [Fier, Alexandr] last game because a4 will be somewhat less effective. White nevertheless has alternatives. Black goes for 5...a6 which is provocative and 8.0-0 Kuzubov proved that he was ready for it. Black [ White could try for the advantage by 8.c3! had an interesting alternative on move 11, (this covers d5 and thus prevents b5) e7 which would lead to unclear consequences. ( 8...b5? 9.e5; 8...b8 9.0-0 b5 10.d4 ) 1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.f3 dxc4 4.g2 f6 9.0-0 0-0 10.d4! ( or 10.d1 e5 11.b3 )] 5.0-0 a6 6.c2 The best. White wants Black 488
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 to open the long diagonal and play a real gambit instead of trying to recover the pawn. [ 6.a4 is the most played move, but a p p a r e n t l y i t ' s b a d f o r W h i t e c6 which looks a bit like a Catalan, but the pawn would be better on d4 here 7.a5 d7 8.c2 b4! and Black is already better 9.xc4 b5 wins the e2-pawn ] 6...b5 7.e5 d5 [ 7...c6 is a thematic sacrifice in this kind of position and is also possible here A) 8.d1 b7 9.d4 ( 9.d3 c7! ) 9...c8 would enter into the Catalan world; B) 8.xc6 b6 9.xb8 xb8 was double-edged in Sjugirov, S (2610)Frolyanov, D (2556)/RUS-chT 19th 2012 (4). ] 8.d3! White immediately opens the position a n d B l a c k ' s c e n t e r is n o t s t a b l e , s o t h e position is already dangerous. cxd3 [ 8...f6 can't really work, and White punishes it in a nice way 9.dxc4 fxe5 10.cxd5 exd5 11.g5! and Black needs to be careful to not lose on the spot xg5 ( 11...d6 12.c3 c6 13.xd5!+-; 11...e7 12.xe7 xe7 13.c3 c6 14.ad1 e6 15.e4 with a strong initiative) 12.xc7 d8 ( 12...e6 13.b7 ) 13.xe5+ e7 14.xd5 a7 15.c1 c7 16.d2 a n d it ' s h a rd t o b e lie ve t h a t B l a c k ca n survive ] 9.xd3 b7 10.c3 d6 11.xd5 exd5?! It's not easy to realize this, but Black already has some problems after this move. [ 11...xd5 was probably better, with some complications A) 12.xd5 exd5 13.a4! breaking Black's pawn structure bxa4 ( 13...b4 14.f4 with quite good compensation) 14.xa4+ c6 15.e4 0-0 16.d1 dxe4 17.c5 again with compensation for the pawn, but maybe no more than that; B) 12.e4 is also interesting c4 13.e5 e7 14.d1 c6 15.a4 d5 16.xd5 xd5 17.e3 0-0 18.ac1 c8 with a big positional fight ahead ] 12.f4 0-0 13.fd1 [ 13.ac1 this idea was also tempting c6 14.xd6 xd6 15.e4 dxe4 ( 15...d7 16.exd5 cxd5 17.c7 with a clear advantage for White, since Black is forced to
come back with the bishop to c8) 16.xe4 and 17.Nc5 is coming, so d7 17.xh7+ and White is better ] 13...c6 14.e4 xf4 15.xf4 d6 [ 15...d7 leaves Black under heavy p r e s su re a f t e r 16.exd5 cxd5 ( 16...c5 17.h3 wi n s a p a wn c4 18.e6! fxe6 19.dxe6 ) 17.xd5 c8 18.f5 but maybe it was better than the game ] 16.exd5 Natural, but not the best. [ 16.ac1! avoids ...c5 d7 17.exd5 c5 18.e6 fc8 19.c3 with an almost winning position ] 16...c5 17.ac1 c8 18.c3?! White improves the queen and prepares to launch an attack with 19.Nh5. However, there was a more direct idea. [ 18.e6! is best and Black has nothing better than to take the piece A) 18...d7 19.c3 and Black is clearly worse f6 ( 19...f6 can't be good for Black, but is the only move ) 20.xc5+-; B) 18...fxe6 19.dxe6 b6 20.xb7 xb7 21.xc5! this is th e ide a c6 ( 21...e8 22.g5! h6 23.h5 xe6 24.d8+ h7 25.f5+ g6 26.cc8 with mate; 21...f8 22.e7 e8 23.d6 and Black can't move any piece) 22.d7 a5! this is Black's best resource 23.g5 xc1+ 24.xc1 e4 25.c3 g6 26.xa5 b1+ 27.g2 e4+ 28.f1 with a healthy pawn up for White ] 18...b4 19.e3 d7 20.e1 f8 This move makes some sense to avoid 21. Qe7, but later Black had some problems with his king. [ 20...f6!? was another possibility, letting the queen enter the seventh rank 21.e7 b6 22.d6 xg2 23.xg2 ( 23.xg2 b5 and the passed pawn on d6 is under control for the moment) 23...c6+ 24.f3 d8 and it looks like Black's position is ok, but some hidden dangers exists in the position, f o r e x a m p l e : 25.cd1 ac8 loses to a beautiful idea ( 25...h6 is better and Black should be fine) 26.h5! xh5 27.d7 b8 28.d6 a4 29.b6! a8 30.xa6! c2+ 31.e2 and White is winning ] 21.cd1 f6 Black is coming with 22...Re8 and White doesn't have a nice square for the quee n a t t he mom ent . 22.g4!? I like this 489
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 move because it creates some problems for Black to solve. Now the queen has a good place to go. e8 [ 22...xg4 loses because of 23.g3 d7 24.e6+! fxe6 25.dxe6 e7 26.d7 and Black's position collapses ] 23.g3 g8? There was no need for this move and the king going to f8 and coming back to g8 cannot be good. After this move White has a tangible advantage. [ 23...xe1+ was necessary and after 24.xe1 d8 defends any trick with the q u e e n o n d 6 25.g5 e8 and Black's position is a bit passive, but still quite solid ( 25...xd5 doesn't work because of 26.xd5 xd5 27.d1 c6 28.d3 winning a piece )] 24.g5 xe1+ [ 24...d7 will be similar to the next note 25.d3 xg3 26.hxg3 xe1+ 27.xe1 f8 28.b3 transposes to the position analyzed in the next move ] 25.xe1 e8?! Now White wins a pawn. [ 25...d7 26.d3 xg3 27.hxg3 f8 28.b3 reaches a funny position. Black has the knight defending the pawn on c5 and he is not allowed to play 28...Rc8 because of 29.Bh3, winning. Also the bishop has no squares, the king can't go to the center. Still W hite is not winning, probably Black can sacrifice the pawn on c5 to bring the king into the game. ] 26.xe8+ xe8 27.d3 There is no way to defend the pawn on c5 without losing the pawn on b4, so W hite is much better. Still with the pawn on g5 Black has some hopes to h o ld t h e p o s it io n . a5 28.xd6 xd6 29.xc5 f8 30.f4 e7 31.f2 c8 32.f1 b7 Black wants to exchange the bishop and create a block with the king and knight. With the pawns on a5 and b4 this is not possible. White's king now goes for a long march and finally enters Black's position from the 8th rank. [ 32...f5!? was an interesting practical chance 33.e3 b1 34.d3! is the best, returning the pawn to centralize all th e pieces ( 34.a3 bxa3 35.bxa3 f5+ the bishop and knight are creating a wall, so White's king can't help the defence of the d5pawn 36.d2 d6 37.b7+ xd5
38.xa5 e4 and Black has good chances to hold ) 34...xa2 35.d4 h6 36.b3 and White is dominating ] 33.xb7 xb7 34.e3 c5 35.b5 d6 36.d4 With the king going to the queenside, there is not much to do. Black tried his best to hold the position, but it wasn't sufficient. b7 37.h4 f6 38.gxf6 gxf6 39.d3 h6 40.c4 c5 41.c2 d7 42.b5 xd5 43.xa5 c5 44.b3 b6 45.a6 c8 [ 45...c6 holds the king, but not the game 46.a3 bxa3 47.bxa3 will decide the game ] 46.b7 e7 47.h5 f5 48.c7 d4 49.f7 f5 50.d7 e2 51.e6 xf4+ 52.xf5 d3 53.g6 e5+ 54.g7 d6 55.b3 1-0
502 Larsen,Bent Timman,Jan H Tilburg (4) [Nigel Davies]
A13 2620 2625 1979
1.c4 b6 2.b3 b7 3.b2 f6 4.f3 e6 [ Larsen mentioned the possibility of 4...g6!? 5.xf6 exf6 6.c3 , obtaining the superior pawn structure at the cost of the two bishops. ] 5.e3 This looks quite innocuous but it puts great demands on Black's positional skills. T h e ce n t ra l p a wn s t ru ct u re ca n b e c o m e defined in a number of different ways which both players will have to judge very accurately. d5 6.cxd5 exd5 7.b5+ c6 8.e2 d6 9.c3 0-0 10.c1 bd7 11.0-0 c8?! [ 11...e7 followed by the centralisation of Black's rooks was better. ] 12.e1 e7 13.f1 c5 14.d4! Finally clarifying the position of the central pawns in a way the favours W hite. Black's hanging pawns on d5 and c5 are a problem here. fd8 15.g3 a6 16.h4 e6 17.e2 e8 18.g2 c7 19.c2 a5 [ After 19...c4 White can play 20.bxc4 dxc4 21.d5! xd5 22.d4! f6 ( 22...h6 23.df5 is even worse) 23.b5 , winning material. ] 20.c3! Getting ready to take on c5 without allowing Black to recapture with the b-pawn. 490
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 This forces his hand. c4 21.f4 e7 [ 21...xf4 22.exf4 c6 23.f5 is just very good for White. ] 22.f5 f8 23.xd6 xd6 24.b1 e4 25.ec1 a6 [ After 25...xc3? 26.xc3 b5 Larsen intended 27.bxc4 bxc4 28.b5 b4 29.xb4 axb4 30.3c2 when the weaknesses on b4 and d5 will spell Black's downfall. But Rybka pointed out an alternative for Black in 28...Bc6!. ] 26.e1 df6 27.h4 I suspect this move was played by Larsen with greater frequency than any other Grandmaster. Here the idea is to trap Black's knigh t on e4 with 28.f 3 . d8 28.bxc4 xc4 29.xc4 xc4 30.d3 d7 31.b2 a6 32.c2 a8 33.c6 xc6 34.xc6 c8 35.xc8+ xc8 36.f1 Th e e nd ga m e is cle a rly b e t t er f o r W h it e because of the bishop pair and the fact that the pawn duo on b6 and a6 can be blockaded just by White's a-pawn. So White's plan is to gradually advance on the kingside. f8 37.f3 d6 38.d3 b7 39.f2 c6 40.g4 h6?! 41.e2 e7 42.d1 e6 43.f2 b5 44.xb5 xb5 45.h3 The game was adjourned at this point so the players could go and eat dinner. This was one of the joys of p l a y i n g c h e s s b e f o r e t h e a d ve n t o f t h e personal computer. d6 46.d3 f8 47.f4 e6 48.e2! c6 49.e4 f6 50.d2 d6 51.a4 bc7 52.c3 c6 53.h5! Creating a permanent weakness on g7. d6 [ After 53...g5 54.exd5+ xd5 55.xd5 xd5 56.xg5 hxg5 57.c3 the pawn endgame is winning for White. ] 54.e3 c6 55.f4 dxe4+ [ Or 55...d6 56.e5+ c6 57.f5 etc. ] 56.xe4 d6 57.c1 d7 58.a3 e8 59.d5 d8 [ After 59...c5+ 60.xc5 bxc5 61.d3 f o llo we d b y 6 2 . K c4 , W h it e win s t h e c5 pawn. ] 60.d4 d7 61.c4 e8 62.e4 f7 63.f8 d8 [ 63...fd6+ 64.xd6 xd6+ 65.xd6 xd6 66.b5 ] [ 63...c7 64.b5 /\65.d6 ] 64.g3 1-0
503 Lautier,Joel Sokolov,Andrei ch-Gp A Marsailles FRA (7) [Tony Kosten]
A13 2675 2604 19.08.2001
1.c4 e6 2.c3 b4 3.f3 White invites transposition to the Nimzo-Indian. c5!? [ 3...e7!? 4.d4 c5 was tried in Beim,VBronstein,D/Rishon Le Ziyyon 1991, and ] [ 3...f5!? 4.g3 b6 5.g2 b7 reached a Dutch-style position in Horvath,G-Meszaros, A/Zalakaros 1992. ] [ 3...f6 4.d4 would be normal, of course. ] 4.g3 c6!? [ In this key battle (Lautier had to win to qualify for the top group, Sokolov to draw) Bla ck f in d s a n e w m o ve o n m o ve f o u r! Ob viou sly h e d e cid e d t o avo id W h it e 's e x t e n s i v e o p e n i n g k n o w l e d g e . 4...f6 5.c2 c6 6.g2 0-0 leads to more normal lines, Uhlmann,W-Taimanov,M/Brno 1975. ] 5.g2 ge7!? 6.0-0 0-0 7.d4 cxd4 8.xd4 d6 [ Tempting Black to play 8...xc3 9.bxc3 a5 with a more double-edged position, but Black prefers to stay solid. ] 9.e4!? This looks artificial, although the threats to d6, and the b4-bishop, seem real enough. d5! Black changes tack: the IQP position will prove very playable thanks to the time lost by the white queen's knight. 10.cxd5 exd5 11.g5 h6 12.gf3 'Knights are at their worst when defending each other'- 101 Tips to Improve Your Chess. g4 13.h3 h5 14.f4 c5 15.c1 b6 Black has an active position with pressure on d4. One of White's standard plans in such positions, the capture on c6 to produce a backward c-pawn, is no longer a problem as the knight is defended by its brother on e7. 16.d2 [ This cuts-off the f4-bishop's return, but if 16.g4!? g6 and the bishop will come to the outpost on e4. ] 16...xf3! Breaking White's hold on d4. 17.xf3 [ 17.xc6? is impossible: xc6 18.xf3 g5! 19.e3?! d4 and a piece drops. ] 17...g6 The bishop has nowhere to go, so opposite-colour bishops will arise. 18.e3?! 491
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xf4 19.gxf4 d4 20.e4 White is still hoping chipping away at the queenside with b6 to win, but now it is Black who is in the driving . The dark squares remain an issue for him, seat. a5 21.d3 f6 22.f5 ad8 23.a3 however. ] c7 White's kingside pawn structure is very 6.g3! Ouch! Only six moves in and Black is weak on the dark squares. 24.b4 f4 25.c5 under serious pressure. f6 fe8 26.d1 Naturally, Black is better, but a [ The point is that 6...f5? is met by 7.b4 b6 draw suited him well, otherwise he would 8.c5+- , trapping the hapless cleric. ] surely continue such a position. 7.e4! c5 8.e5 g6 9.d6+ e7 10.d3 ½-½ [ 10.f3!? ] 10...xg3 11.hxg3 c7 [ Black has to give a pawn since 11...h6? 504 A13 12.e4+- is awful. ] Le Quang,Liem 2693 12.xh7 xh7 13.xh7 h6 14.xc8+ Kurajica,Bojan 2551 xc8 15.e4 b8 16.f4 White is up a solid 40th Olympiad Open (2.28) 29.08.2012 pawn. f5 17.e2 d6 18.b4!? cxb4 19.axb4 dxe5 20.a3 f6? Trying to [John Bartholomew] escape the bishop's crosshairs, but Black is Le Quang Liem scores big in an unassuming soon forced back in to the line of fire. [ Threatening a back-rank check with line. 1.c4 e6 2.c3 b4 The Accelerated 20...h8! offered chances of resistance. ] Nimzo. 3.b3 e7?! Exceedingly rare, and 21.g4! h8 22.0-0-0 d6 23.g5+ e7 very likely dubious. Winning a piece. The rest is simple [ On 3...c5?! White has an idea related to 24.b5+our present game: 4.b5! f6 5.a3 a5 mop-up work for Vietnam's number one. exf4 [ Or 24...b8 25.fxe5+- . ] 6.d6+ e7 7.xc8+ xc8 8.g3 with an advantage in Hansen, C (2618)- 25.bxa6 bxa6 26.c2 h5 27.b1 xg5 28.b7 d7 29.xd6 xd6 30.d4 a5 Lobron, E (2550)/Germany 2000/[TonyK]. ] [ 3...c6 is the most reliable continuation. 31.xf4 g5 32.h5 f5 33.c5+ d7 Many games have been played in the line 34.f6+ d8 35.c6 a2+ 36.b3 d2 4.f3 f6 5.a3 xc3 6.xc3 37.c4 c2+ 38.d3 c1 39.xa7 d1+ , where W hite has chances for a modest 40.c4 c1+ 41.b3 d1 42.d5 c1 43.d6 xd6 44.d7+ c8 45.b7+ edge but Black remains very solid. ] 4.b5! Highlighting the weakness of Black's Black resigned. If Black wants to enter the last move. The knight jump also prepares a A c c e l e ra t e d N im zo , I s u gg e st h e p re f e r sneaky queen transfer to which Black often quieter channels with 3...Nc6. Alternatives like 3.. . c5 ?! an d the gam e's 3 .. .Q e7? ! brin g falls victim. a6 5.a3!? [ In Kovacevic, B (2490)-Fucak, E (2311)/ misery after Nc3-b5 and Qb3-b3. Sibenik 2006 White played the immediate 1-0 5.g3 , and after f8?! ( 5...f5! ) 6.a3 c6 7.c3 ( 7.xa7! i s s t r o n g e r , a s d6 A13 is met by 8.xc8 xc8 9.b3 . ) 7...d6 505 Lunev,Andrey 2509 8.d3 c5 9.c2 e5 Kovacevic should Kortschnoj,Viktor 2632 have played 10.b4 ( 10.f3?? e4 11.d4 20.05.2003 d3+ 12.d1 xf2+ 13.e1 xh1-+ TCh Togliatti RUS (5) was the game continuation.) 10...e6 [Tony Kosten] 11.e3 with a more pleasant game. ] 5...a5? Striving to overprotect the c-pawn, 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 dxc4 5.a4+ but the bishop is very poorly placed here. [ 5.a3!? is rarely played these days, and [ Better was 5...c5 6.g3 f5! , i.e. 7.d4 ( Black has compensation after 7.xc7+?! doesn't core very well for W hite, still he obtains the bishop pair, and there are some xc7 8.xc7 f6 ) 7...c6! 8.c7+ xc7 tricks that Black should avoid, like xa3 9.dxc5 a6 10.b4 and Black better start 492
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 6.bxa3 0-0 7.c2 b5?! 8.g5 c6 9.b2 (threatening Bxf6 and mate!) e8 10.0-0 h6 11.xf6 xf6 12.h7+ f8 13.e4 g6 14.xg6 fxg6 15.d6 d8 16.xb5 a6 17.c3 xd2 18.e4 xe2 19.d6 d7 20.xc4 c2 21.e5 ( 21.b6 a7 22.fb1 e8 23.c8 drew in Varga,ZGyimesi,Z/Heviz HUN 2003) 21...e8 22.fd1 c5 23.f4 and Black had problems moving his pieces, Smyslov,V-Kholmov,R/ Baku 1961/URS-ch. ] 5...d7!? Very rare, and possibly played to take his opponent out of his book knowledge, the main move is [ 5...bd7 as in Illescas Cordoba,M-Shirov,A, for instance, although, ] [ 5...c6 is fairly trendy at the moment. ] 6.xc4 c6 This method of developing the bishop to the long diagonal is borrowed from the Catalan, and indeed this would transpose if White played d4 on either of his next couple of moves. 7.c3 The one problem with this natural move is that it cuts-off the queen's retreat to c2. [ 7.0-0 is probably better, bd7 8.c2 ( t h e p o i n t ) d6?! ( 8...e5 9.c3 c5 Karpov,A-Sunye,N Amsterdam 1985) 9.c3 0-0 10.a3 c5? 11.b4! ce4 12.d1 trapping the knight in mid-board, although Black is not without compensation, and drew after a5!? 13.d3 axb4 14.dxe4 xe4 15.b3 d5 16.d3 e7 17.e3 bxa3 Gelfand,B-Polgar,Z/Munich 1991. ] 7...a6!? Aiming for ...b5 to embarrass the queen. 8.0-0 [ 8.a3 is a bit passive, b5 9.a2 bd7 10.0-0 b7 11.d4 c5 and Black has no problems, Ru kavina, J-Sa ntos,J/Budva 1981. ] 8...b5 9.b3 bd7 10.d3 This is fairly normal for these positions, although actually a novelty here, but it may be better to play Catalan-style with [ 10.d4 e.g. b4?! 11.a4 d5 12.c2 e4 13.d1 c5 Stangl,M-Smagin,S/ Gelsenkirchen 1994, and now Stangl suggests 14.g5 ] 10...e7 11.d2 0-0 12.fc1 b7 13.d1?! A really very strange move, perhaps White is hoping to play a4, and then Ne3 to c4, b u t i t i s a b i t s l o w . c5 14.a4 c4!
A nice tactical trick, that effectively allows Black to plant his knight on b3. 15.dxc4 c5 16.e3 Effectively forced, as [ 16.a3 allows xf3! 17.xf3 xd2 18.xa8 xa8 with a clear advantage. ] 16...bxa4 This is the point of Black's 'petite combinaison', the knight is strongly-placed on c5, and there is a threat of ...Nb3, forking the two rooks. 17.e5?! White decides to jettison an exchange, but [ 17.d4 wa s t h e b e s t c h a n c e , xg2 18.xg2 d7 and White is hanging on, just. ] 17...xg2 18.xg2 b3 19.c6 d7 20.xe7+ xe7 21.xa4 b7+ 22.f3 xc1 23.xc1 fc8 The smoke clears and White has a pawn for the exchange, but this is not sufficient. 24.a3 d7 25.e3 h6 26.f2 ab8 [ 26...e5!? ] 27.d3 The white pieces have found reasonable squares. b3 28.c5? A serious error, the endgame was quite playable: [ 28.xb3 xb3 29.f4 followed by advancing the white king, and Black has a lo t o f wo rk a h e a d o f h im t o e xp lo it h i s advantage. ] 28...c2! Attacking e2. 29.f1 White is in real trouble, [ 29.f2? b3 30.a2 xd3 and a piece is lost. ] 29...b3 30.a1 xd3! Anyway! 31.exd3 xd3+ 32.f2 xc5 Black has exchanged his exchange for a piece, a couple of pawns and a strong attack. 33.d4 c2+ 34.d2 b3! The killer. [ 34...b3 35.xc2 xc2+ 36.f1 xa1 leaves Black a rook up. ] 0-1
506 Malakhov,Vladimir Oparin,Grigoriy Latvian Railway op rapid (2) [Fier, Alexandr]
A13 2717 2526 28.03.2014
This rapid game went quickly out of theory. B l a c k p l a ye d w i t h o u t a n y p l a n a n d wa s qu ickly wo rse . I t wa s b e t t e r t o b rin g t h e bishop to c5 in one move and play ...a5 at 493
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 some point, since the main plan for White is to play with b4. 1.c4 e6 2.f3 d5 3.b3 d4 [ 3...f6 4.b2 e7 5.e3 0-0 6.e2 was analyzed for Chess Publishing in a game from 1935! Botvinnik, M-Chekhover, V/ Moscow 1935. ] 4.e3 c6 [ 4...c5 would lead to a Benoni-kind of position 5.exd4 cxd4 6.g3 Damljanovic, B (2569)-Palac, M (2571)/EU-chT (Men) 19th 2013 (5.8) ] 5.b2 This move can be controversial, the bishop hits the rock on d4 and stays passive in some variations. W hite's idea is to force Black to have a pawn on d4 instead of a piece and later to put pressure on it. e5 6.exd4 exd4 7.d3 f6 8.e2 Later the bishop can be relocated, right now the safety of the king is more important. [ 8.g3 i s t o o s l o w b4+! 9.bd2 0-0 10.g2 e8+ and White will need to resign soon ] 8...e7 [ 8...c5 I would prefer this move. Sooner or later Black will need to defend this pawn 9.0-0 ( 9.a3 a5 ) 9...0-0 and there are good chances for W hite to enter the same position of the game with a tempo less ] 9.0-0 0-0 10.a3 e8 [ 10...a5 is not the right move order 11.b5! and the knight is much better here than on c2 c5 12.a3 with a pleasant position for White ] [ 10...c5 is good, but chess players are proud 11.c2 a5 12.a3 e8 13.b4 axb4 14.axb4 xa1 15.xa1 xb4 16.xb4 xb4 17.xd4 with a better version of the game ] 11.c2 c5 12.e1 [ 12.b4 w a s a l r e a d y p l a y a b l e xb4 13.cxd4 g4 14.a3 xd4 15.xd4 c6 16.e3 with chances for both players ] 12...g4 Slightly superficial. [ 12...a5 is a good idea, exchanging one of the rooks 13.a3 f5 14.b4 axb4 15.axb4 xa1 16.xa1 xb4 17.cxd4 ( 17.fxd4 g6 18.xb4 xb4 19.f1 d6 ) 17...xd3! now this is possible 18.xf5 ( 18.xd3 xe1+ 19.xe1 xd4 and Black is more than ok) 18...xf2+ 19.f1 xe1 20.xd3 b4 21.xd8 xd8
22.xf6 gxf6 and with two pawns to comp ensa te t he knights the pos itio n is level ] 13.h3 h5 14.b4! White has developed all his pieces so it's time to open the position. xb4 15.cxd4 g6 16.d2 [ 16.b3 w a s a l s o p o s s i b l e xd3! a n d b y m a g i c e ve r yt h i n g i s d e f e n d e d ! ( 16...f8 17.e5 with a good position) 17.xc5 xe2 18.b3 c6 19.e5 xe5 20.xe2 g6 21.xe8+ xe8 22.xf6 b6! and the position is unclear ] 16...f8 [ 16...d6 is more active, but it can make the next move trick impossible 17.a3 xe2!? 18.xe2 xd3 19.c3 is interesting, but hard to evaluate ] 17.a3 a6?! Black wants to bring the knight to c5, but it's not really helping there. [ 17...xe2 is the same idea as in the last move's variation 18.xe2 xd3 19.h4 e4 and it looks like Black's pieces are not so stable ] [ 17...xd3! was a good shot, Black can use the pin on the d-file 18.xd3 xd3 19.xd3 c5 20.xe8 xe8 and the position is equal ] 18.f1 xe1 19.xe1 c5 The main problem for Black is that he hasn't any useful plan for the moment. White, on the other hand, can improve the knights and push the d-pawn. [ 19...c5 is an ugly move, but at least it stops any central expansion 20.b5 ( 20.c2 d7 21.e3 ) 20...c7 21.xc7 xc7 22.h4 ( 22.xf6 gxf6 is not so good, White's bishop is more important than the doubled pawns) 22...d7 23.xg6 hxg6 and White has some advantage ] 20.e5 a4?! The beginning of a bad plan. [ 20...c6 21.df3 e6 22.xg6 hxg6 23.d4 and White is much better with the bishop pair and mobile center, but still this position is better than what happened in the game ] 21.a1 xa3? An ambitious idea, but White just wins a piece. 22.a5 b2 23.xb2 xb2 24.df3 And the knight on b2 has no squares. d6 [ 24...xd3 does not help 25.xd3 xd3 26.d1+- ] 25.b1 494
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 25.d4 was also possible, the knight is not going anywhere ] 25...b6 26.a1 xd3 27.xd3 xd3 28.d1 a5 29.xd3 The rest is easy. e7 30.a4 h6 31.e3 d6 32.a2 c5 33.a4 h5 34.d7 f6 35.d3 f4 36.d6 e6 37.b7 e8 38.xb6 a4 39.c6 b8 40.d1 a3 41.a4 d4 42.xa3 1-0
507 Mareco,S Tristan,Leonardo 86th ch-ARG 2012 (3.1) [John Bartholomew]
A13 2586 2449 06.07.2012
W e've examined some of the more volatile lines in the Neo-Catalan over the past few months. This game proceeds down calmer channels but suddenly gets interesting. 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 dxc4 5.0-0 [ Our April and May updates focused on the h y p e r - p o p u l a r 5.a4+ c6 ( 5...bd7 6.xc4 a6 Naiditsch, A (2702)-Papin, V (2575)/Plovdiv BUL 2012/[John Bartholomew].) 6.xc4 b5 and now either 7.b3!? ( or 7.c2 )] 5...bd7 6.a4 c5 7.xc4 b6 This line has an extremely solid reputation. Black strives to develop as harmoniously as possible. 8.d1!? Exceedingly rare in this exact position, yet very standard in the Neo-Catalan. The x-ray is uncomfortable for Black, so White is fully justified in postponing d2-d4. [ Most usual is 8.d4 , but b7 9.c3 a6! has proven to be very reliable for Black. Take a quick look at the statistics to conf irm: Black is +10, =28, -4 f rom this position! ] [ The forcing line 8.d4 e5! 9.c6 xc4 10.xd8 d5 11.c3 xd8 12.xd5 b7 isn't anything to write home about either. ] 8...b7 9.c3 c8 [ I believe now is the ideal time for 9...a6! - before White can retreat the queen to e2. Two high -level e xa mp le s: 10.a4 c8 ( 10...e7 11.d4 c8 12.g5 cxd4 13.xd4 h6 14.e3 c5 15.d2 e7 16.xc5 xc5 17.f4 0-0 18.d6 c7 19.xc7 xc7 20.d6 c6 21.e5 xg2
22.xg2 b8 23.ad1 Karpov, A (2690)Miles, A (2555)/England 1977.) 11.d4 ( 11.e4 ) 11...cxd4 12.xd4 c5 13.f4 e7 14.e3 xe3 15.xe3 0-0= Ribli, Z (2590)-Korchnoi, V (2695)/ BadenBaden 1981. ] 10.e4 a6 11.e2 e5? This meets with a spectacular blow. [ 11...c7 is most accurate, side-stepping problems down the d-file. After 12.d4 cxd4 13.xd4 c4! Black can hope to complete development and castle. ] 12.d4!! Bombs away! This line-opening sacrifice is entirely correct given Black's vulnerability down the d and e-files. cxd4 [ 12...exd4 13.e5 is even worse, e.g. d5 14.e6 fxe6 15.xe6+ e7 16.h3! d8 (17. Re1 was a big threat) 17.xd5 xd5 18.e1 d6 19.g5+- ] 13.xd4 exd4?! [ 13...c7 14.f5 is surely unpleasant for Black, though it might have promised a better fate than the game. ] 14.e5 xg2 15.exf6+ e7 16.xd4! c6 17.f4? White has conducted the attack beautifully, but here he misses a knockout. [ 17.fxg7! g8 18.h6+- leaves Black with little hope of escape. For example, c7 19.e1 e5 ( 19...e5 20.d1! f6 21.e4 xe4 22.dxe4+- ) 20.d5! xd5 21.xd5 g6 ( 21...f6 22.h5+ g6 23.f5+- ) 22.h4!! and Black is utterly helpless. ] 17...gxf6 18.e1 0-0 19.xe7 xe7 20.xe7 fd8 21.f1 Black has kept W h i t e ' s a d v a n t a g e t o a m i n i m u m . c5 22.xd8+ xd8 23.c7 d2 24.e2 xe2 25.xe2 b5 26.e3 b4 27.e2 b3 28.axb3 xb3 29.f4 c5 30.h5 d7 31.f4 f8?! Why? 32.xf6+ g7 33.e5 g6 34.h4 e6+ 35.g4? An unfortunate misstep. [ 35.e3 ] 35...h5+! 36.h3 [ Not 36.xh5?? f5+ . ] 36...f3 37.g4 Draw agreed. [ A likely continuation is 37.g4 hxg4+ 38.xg4 f5 39.h2 d5 40.d6 f4+ 41.xf4 xf4= . Mareco posed Black some interesting problems in this line, so it's a shame he couldn't finish the job. Probably 495
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 9...a6! is the way to deal with 8.Rd1!? ] ½-½
508
A13 Matamoros Franco,Carlos S 2529 Ibarra Chami,Luis Fernando 2364 II ch-Ibero-Americano Gp C (2) 16.02.2008 [Carsten Hansen]
1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 f6 4.f3 dxc4 5.c2 d5 This is the move that has been the topic of discussion in the Forum for a while. Some claim it to be good for Black, but it appears W hite can claim an edge, but it is nevertheless an interesting option for Black. 6.0-0 [ White has two other options that can be considered at this juncture: A) 6.b3 cxb3 7.xc7 a6 8.f4 d6 9.a4+ d7 10.xb3 xb3 11.axb3 c5 12.a3 d5 ( 12...0-0 13.0-0 c6 14.d3 a5 15.bd2 b5 16.d4 xg2 17.xg2 cd7 18.a2 fb8 19.a3 xa3 20.xa3= ) 13.b2 0-0 14.e5 b5 15.c4 e7 16.d3 b4 17.0-0 c6 18.bd2 ( 18.d4!? xg2 19.xg2 e4 20.c1 b5 21.cd2 ) 18...fd8 ( 18...xg2 19.xg2 b5!? ) 19.aa1 xg2 20.xg2 f6 ( 20...b5 21.e5 a5= ) 21.fc1 ( 21.d4!? ca6 22.f3 ) 21...c6 ( 21...e5! 22.a3 e6= ) 22.a3 d4 23.xc5 xc5 1/2-1/2 Hulak, K-Sargissian, G/Antalya 2004, and now I think W hite can claim an edge with 24.e3 b5 25.d4 b4 26.e4 ] [ B) 6.c3 c5 A) 7.d4 cxd3 8.xd3 c6 9.0-0 b4 10.b1 e7 11.f4 bd5 A1) 12.xd5 xd5 13.e5 f6 14.d4 b5 15.e4 b4 16.d1 ( 16.a4 h5 17.e5 d7 18.exf6 gxf6 19.e4 e5 20.c3 c6 ) 16...0-0 17.e3 h5 18.a3 c6 19.a2 d6 20.ac1 f7; A2) 12.e5 xc3 13.xc3 c6 14.d3 0-0 15.fd1 h5 16.ac1 d5 17.d4 f6 18.e4 c7 19.b3 Snape, I-Barlow, J/corr 2002; B) 7.0-0 d6 8.d4 cxd3 9.xd3 c6 10.g5 ( 10.e3 h5 11.b5 0-0 12.xd6 d8 is insufficient for White)
10...0-0 11.xf6 gxf6 12.e4 f5 13.h4 e5 14.xd6 xd6 15.f3 f5 16.e4 fxe4 17.g4+ h8 18.xe4 ] 6...c6 7.a3 [ 7.c3!? looks counter-intuitive, but may well be White's best move, e.g. c5 8.b3 cxb3 9.xb3 a5 10.c2 d6 11.d4 c4 A) 12.d1!? d5 13.b2 d7 14.d2 ( 14.e5 xe5 15.dxe5 c6 16.ac1 xc3 17.xc3 xc3 18.xc3 xg2 19.xa5 c6 20.xc7= ) 14...a6 15.e5 xe5 16.dxe5 c4 17.c2 xc3 18.xc3 c6 19.xc6+ xc6 20.ac1 b5 21.a4 a6 22.b4; B) 12.e3 d5 13.b2 xc3 14.xc3 d7 15.d2 a6 16.xa5 ( 16.fb1! ) 16...xa5 17.xb7 b8 18.c6 ( 18.c4 a4 19.xa4 xa4 20.xd6+ cxd6 21.fc1 ) 18...xc6 19.xc6+ e7 20.c2 h5 ( 20...d5 21.e4 hd8 22.ab1 ) 21.c4 d5 22.fd1 Ragot, N-Komljenovic, D/Plancoet 2003 ] 7...xa3 8.bxa3 e5 [ 8...e4 9.d1 0-0 10.b2 f5 11.c1 c5 12.a4 d8 13.d4 b4 14.c2 A) 14...d5 15.ab1 b6 A1) 16.g5 f5 17.xc6 bxc6 18.e4 c5 19.exf5 exf5 20.dxc5 xc5 21.c3 ( 21.fe1 b7! 22.a5 h6 23.a6 c6! ) 21...e7 22.a5 d5 23.xc4 xg5 24.c6 b7 25.xb7 f4; A2) 16.fc1 xa4 17.xa4 xa4 18.xc4 xb2 19.xb2 e5 20.e3 d6 21.h4 exd4 22.xd4 xd4 23.xd4 xd4 24.exd4 b8 25.c2 c6 26.d5 cxd5 27.xd5 e6 28.xe6 fxe6 29.c7; B) 14...d7 15.c3 e7 16.ab1 ab8 17.e4 e8 ( 17...a5!? 18.fe1 ) 18.fe1 a5 19.e2 d7 20.xc4 b6 21.b3 a8 22.ec1 b8 ( 22...f6 23.e1 f7 24.bc1 ) 23.a1 a6 ( 23...c6 24.b2 ) 24.c3 xa4 25.xa5 Vaulin, A-Mackic, Z/Nis 1993 ] 9.b2 [ 9.g5!? leads to interesting complications: d4 10.a4+ b5 11.xb5+ xb5 12.a4 d6 ( 12...d4 13.b2 0-0 14.e3 e2+ 15.h1 d8 16.xe5 xd2 17.xf6 gxf6 18.e4 b2 19.xf6+= ) 13.b2 h6 496
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 14.h3 fe4 15.xe5 0-0 16.f4 e8 A) 17.d4 c6 18.fe1 ( 18.f3 f6 19.xd6 xd6 20.e4 f7 21.ac1 g5 ) 18...g5 19.h5 g4 20.f3 ( 20.xd6 xh5 21.a3 c3 22.e3 xa4 ) 20...xh5 21.xh5 e7 22.ac1 d8; B) 17.b2 f5 ( 17...xd2?! 18.fd1 2e4 19.d5 c3 20.a3 c2 21.dc1 c4 22.b4 c5 23.xc2 cxb4 24.xc4 d6 25.d4 ) 18.fd1 ad8 19.d4 ( 19.d3 c5!; 19.f3 c5 20.a5 a4 ) 19...b6 20.f3 g5 21.a5 b5 22.f2 c2 23.dc1 xd2 24.e1 exe2 25.xe2 xe2 26.f2 e6 27.f1 bd4; C) 17.d4 c6 18.d3 cxd3 19.exd3 f5 C1) 20.xg7 exg3 21.fxg3 xg7 22.a5 e3 23.h5+ C1a) 23...g6 24.f4+ g7 25.h5+= ( 25.fc1 xg2 26.xg2 e5 27.a6 bxa6 28.ab1 a5 ); C1b) 23...f8 24.f6 g4 25.f4; C2) 20.b2 c5 21.a5 a4 , and here White forfeited and thus 0-1 in Vidal, L-Cipressi, N/ICCF 2005, but W hite is better after 22.c1!? , e.g. ( also 22.a3!? looks good for White) 22...a6 23.b1 g5 24.h5 ] 9...e4 10.xf6 gxf6 11.h4 d4 [ 11...f5!? 12.f3 f4 13.xe4+ xe4 14.fxe4 fxg3 15.hxg3 g4 ] 12.xe4+ xe4 13.xe4 xe2+ 14.g2 0-0 15.fe1 d4 16.ac1 e6 17.xb7 ab8 18.a6 b5 19.a4?! [ 19.xb5 xb5 20.c2 d8 21.e3 g7= ] 19...d6 20.d3 b4! 21.xc4 [ 21.a5 a4 22.xc4 xc4 23.dxc4 xa2 24.a1 b2 25.ed1 fb8 ] 21...xc4 22.dxc4 xa4 23.g1!? The idea behind this move only becomes a p p a r e n t a f t e r W h i t e ' s n e x t m o v e xa2 24.g2 White wants to remove Black's bishop on e6, as it helps Black secure a clear advantage by preventing W hite from penetrating on the seventh rank, while simultaneously applying pressure on White's queenside. a6?! [ 24...d8! 25.a1 ( 25.f4?! dd2-+ ) 25...dd2 26.xa2 xa2 27.c5 ( 27.e3?! a5-+ ) 27...a5 28.f4 g4 29.g2 d7
30.f3 ( 30.e7? d2-+ ) 30...c6+ 31.e3 c2 with excellent winning chances for Black ] 25.f4 [ 25.e3 c6 26.f4 c5 27.g4 f5 28.gxf5 xf5 29.f2 e6 ] 25...c6 26.xe6!? [ 26.h5 d8 ( 26...f5 27.a1 a8 ) 27.xf6+ g7 28.d5 a5 ( 28...xd5? 29.cxd5 xc1 30.xc1 xd5 31.xc7= ) 29.e3 a6 ] 26...fxe6 27.ed1 d6?! [ With the win within reach, Black starts hesitating he should keep the pressure on W hite with 27...a5! 28.a1 c5 29.db1 f7 30.a4 e7 31.g2 d8 , and Black should win, though there is still a lot of work left to be done. ] 28.c5?! [ 28.xd6 cxd6 29.a1 f7 30.f4 c7 31.a6 d7 32.f2 f7 33.e3 h5 34.d4 with decent drawing chances for White thanks to his active pieces ] 28...xd1+ 29.xd1 a5 30.a1 a8 31.a4 W ith a passive rook and a pawn less, this endgame is lost f or W hite. But it is quite instructive how White blocks the black a-pawn as far back as possible and then creates counterplay with his king on the kingside. e5 32.g2 f7 33.f3 e6 34.g4 c6 35.h4 a7 36.h5 h6 37.f3 a8 38.e4 f5+ 39.f3 d5 40.g4 f4?! [ 40...e4+! 41.f4 fxg4 42.xg4 e5 43.h3 a7 44.g4 ( 44.f3 exf3 45.g3 d5 46.xf3 xc5-+ ) 44...g7+ 45.h3 f4 46.xa5 g5 47.a3 ( 47.h4 g1 48.h3 f3-+ ) 47...xc5 48.g2 xh5-+ ] 41.g5! hxg5 42.g4 e4 43.h6 f3 [ Black wins with 43...e3! 44.fxe3 fxe3 45.f3 h8 46.xa5 g4+ 47.xe3 xh6 48.f4 g6 49.g3 c4 ] 44.xg5 xc5??= [ With this obvious looking move, Black throws the win away. Like on the previous move, Black should have played 44...e3! , although the win is more complicated in this variation, e.g. 45.fxe3 g8+ 46.h5 f8 47.e4+ e5 48.h7 f2 49.a1 xe4 50.g6 f3 51.g7 d8 52.h8 xh8 53.xh8 g2-+ ] 45.h7 b5 46.xe4! a4 47.e7 497
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 47.h4 h8 48.f6 a3 49.g7 a2 moment Black's bishop on b7 is a miserable 50.h1 xh7+ 51.xh7 c4 52.g6 b3 piece and it's very hard to achieve a 53.f5 b2 54.e4 a1 55.xa1 xa1 successful ...c5. One analytical sample: 0-0 56.xf3 b2 57.e3 c5 58.d3 b3 12.bd2 e7 13.aa1 a6 14.fc1 fc8 59.d2= ] 15.e5 b4 16.c5 xc5 17.xc5 fd5 47...a3 48.a7 h8 49.g6 b4 50.b7+ 18.e4 f6 19.f3 d8 20.cc1 a5 c4 51.a7 b3 52.b7+ c4 53.a7 21.c5 with pressure. ] ½-½ 6...bd7!? The right idea, but I think that [ 6...a6! discourages White's best plan, i.e. , 7.a3 xa3 8.xa3 b4! and White 509 A13 can't play Qc2. ] Matamoros Franco,Carlos S 2522 7.c2?! [ T h i s i s t h e l a s t c h a n c e f o r 7.a3! Suba,Mihai 2529 , when the dark squares will provide at least VIII Malaga Open (7) 24.02.2005 some compensation: xa3 8.xa3 e5! [John Watson] ( 8...e7 9.c2 e5 10.xc4 e4 ) 9.c2 e7 10.xc4 e4 11.d4 0-0 with ...Ne5 T h e f o llo win g ga m e b e t we e n t wo st ro n g or ...Nb6-d5 to come. ] Grandmasters who understand the English tests one of White's disruptive ideas versus 7...c5 8.a3 [ 8.xc4 e5! ( or 8...d5 , also threatening the solid Slav. 1.c4 f6 2.g3 c6 3.g2 d5 ...Nb3. )] 4.f3 e6 [ In the Dynamic English Tony gives the 8...b6!? Suba is typically clever and indirect. variation 4...dxc4 5.c2 ( 5.a4 The obvious [ 8...b3! is somewhat better for Black since is also reasonable, as the game see he wins the two bishops after 9.a2 d5 Radjabov-Svidler, Internet INT 2003 ( 9...xc1 10.xc1 d5! 11.xc4 d6 shows. ) 5...b5 6.b3! cxb3 7.axb3 b7 12.aa1 0-0 13.d4 is also favourable) ( 7...e6 8.e5 ) 8.a3 . A major difference 10.xc4 xc1 11.xc1 e7 12.d4 0-0 ] between this and the game is that in the c a s e o f . . . e 6 W h i t e g e t s t o e xc h a n g e 9.xc4 b3 10.c3! [ 10.d4 xc2 11.xc2 b3 Black's good bishop and prevent him from is unattractive. ] castling at the same time. ] 5.0-0!? In this particular order, I'm not sure 10...d5 11.d4 b4! Threatening ...Nb3 that this standard sacrifice fully holds up. It again. Tempting but weaker was [ 11...f6 12.a3 b4 13.e4 e5? does cause a lot of problems, however, and is 14.fxe5! ] in line with an aggressive approach to the [ or 11...c2 12.e3 xe3 13.xe3 b3 English. 14.d4 xd4 15.xd4 with the slightest [ The conventional move is 5.b3 ] of edges due to White's extra centre pawn. ] 5...dxc4 6.a4 [ White could try the gambit here as well but 12.a3 b5? [ It was time to cash in Black's small the move 0-0 costs him a key tempo on the a d va n t a g e b y 12...b3 . Suba may have queenside, e.g., 6.c2 b5 7.b3 cxb3 feared 13.d6+ xd6 ( 13...xd6 8.axb3 b7 ( 8...d6 9.e4! intending e5 14.xb4 xb4 15.xb3= ) 14.xb3 10.d4 ) 9.d4 I don't trust this, but at least , b u t t h e n c5 is awkward, for example, W h i t e h a s a p o s i t i v e p l a n , e . g . , e7 15.e4 b6 16.d3 b7 ] ( 9...bd7!? 10.e5 xe5 11.dxe5 d5 12.c3 b4 13.e4 0-0 14.a3 a5 13.axb5 b3 14.xb3! xb3 15.bxc6 15.fc1 ) 10.a3 xa3 11.xa3 with material equality and a large advantage. 16.d3 b4 and White will try to bring a knight to e4 and Th e ga me con tinu e d a6 rook to c1 to control c5. The idea Ne5-d3 17.d2 [ Or 17.g5! c5 18.xc5 xc5 19.e5 ] will sometimes serve the same purpose. This may seem a bit far-fetched but for the 17...c5 18.a1! b5 19.e4 f6 20.b6 498
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 d8 21.xc5 xc5 22.c7 Effectively winning. xb6 23.cxd8+ xd8 24.e5 e8 25.c4 c7 26.f4+ c6 27.xb6 axb6 28.c1+ b5 29.c8 g8 Black needn't play on. 30.e5 d7 31.c3 e5 32.d4! exd4 33.f1+ a4 34.xd4 c5 35.xc5 bxc5 36.b8 h5 37.c4 a5 38.f1 f8 39.e1 f6 40.d2 h4 41.b5 hxg3 42.hxg3 f5 43.xe8 f7 44.c4 d7+ 45.c3 fxe4 46.e6 a7 47.c6 a8 48.xc5+ 1-0
510 Miroshnichenko,Evgenij Kruppa,Yuri 6th Open Dubai UAE (4) [Tony Kosten]
A13 2599 2533 22.04.2004
1.f3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 dxc4 4.g2 This is quite playable, although W hite normally prefers to recapture the c-pawn immediately by [ 4.a4+ ] 4...c6 This aims to protect the c-pawn, and forces White to look for positional c o m p e n s a t i o n . 5.c2 This forces Black to commit himself to the weakening ... b5 should he desire keeping his extra pawn. White can also continue developing: [ 5.0-0 f6 6.a4 a6 7.a3 xa3 8.xa3 b4 9.a5! 0-0 10.b3! cxb3 11.xb3 and I had real comp for the pawn: more space, open queenside lines, and the bishop pair, Kosten,A-Goldin,A/Paris 1994. ] [ 5.a3 Gurevich,D-Fridman, D/Europe vs Americas, Mermaid Beach BER 1998 can also be met by xa3 ] 5...b5 Black hangs-on to the pawn. 6.0-0 b7 7.a4 a6!? Aiming straight for the weakness on b4. [ 7...f6 reaches a more common position, 8.d1 ( 8.b3 cxb3 9.xb3 a6 10.d4 with typical compensation for the pawn, Fioramonti, H-W irthensohn,H/SW Z 1999) 8...a6! as in the main game, 9.b3 cxb3 Szczepaniec,S-Popov,V/Koszalin POL 1999, and now I have no idea why W hite didn't play 10.xb3 ] 8.b3 A typical device to open queenside files
against the weakish black structure. cxb3 9.xb3 c5 [ 9...b4!? is also possible, but leaves a nice square on c4 for a white knight. ] 10.b2 Forced, or the a4-pawn drops. b6 Now Black is really putting the question to the a4-pawn. [ 10...xa4? 11.xa4 bxa4 12.xb7 ] 11.a5 there is an alternative in [ 11.c3 which keeps more tension, although af ter b4 White has to retreat by, say 12.d1 ] 11...a6 12.d4? This is too casual, I prefer [ 12.c3 to cover a4, when f6 13.d4 forces cd7 when White has typical compensation. ] 12...a4 This is the problem, now that the b7bishop is protected the knight assumes an advanced post (albeit slightly offside) that hinders White's natural development . In the meantime the a5-pawn is vulnerable. 13.c2 f6 Time to complete the kingside development. 14.e5 White aims for c6, but this is easily defended for the moment. There is something to be said for [ 14.a3 which both develops a piece, and stops ...c5 (which would be answered by Nxb5 when the a4-knight would lose it's pawn defender), e.g. xa5 15.d2 d8 16.e5 c8 ] 14...c8 [ 14...c5?! is pre ma t ure , 15.xb7 xb7 16.xa4! bxa4 17.xa4+ d7 18.d1 with a very strong initiative, Black will have serious difficulties getting castled. ] 15.d2 [ 15.a3!? ] 15...e7 Once Black castles he will actually be ahead in development, when with his extra pawn and useful queenside development he will be well on top. 16.e4?! White wants to control c5 before Black can play the liberating ...c5 move, but this loses a further pawn. [ 16.b1!? might be th e best try, xa5 ( 16...c5? would now lose to 17.xb7 xb7 18.xa4 as the b-pawn is pinned) 17.b3 a6 18.c5 xc5 19.dxc5 and White has at least got some real compensation for his 2-pawn deficit. ] 16...c5! This is the move Black wants to play, advancing his backward c-pawn and freeing 499
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 10.g2 exd5 11.xd5 xg4 One extra pawn will not give Black much relief for his forthcoming pain on the open files on the kingside. 12.e3 [ 12.c2 creates numerous threats, including 13 Nxc7 and 13 Nf6+ gxf6 (13... Bxf6 14 Qxh7) 14 Rxh4. ] 12...c8 Black could do little else to meet the threats towards b7 and g4. 13.c2 h6 [ Black loses a piece in the case of 13...g6? 14.c3 f6 15.xh4 ] [ or 13...f5? 14.c4+ h8 15.xh4 ] 14.f5 xf5 [ 14...f6 15.xh6+! gxh6 16.xh6 xb2 17.h7# is a quick way for Black to exit. ] 15.xf5 d7 16.e4! This direct move is even stronger for White than 16 Bxb7 or 16 511 A13 Rxh4 Qxh4 17 Qxd7. g6 17.f4 g5 [ 17...g5 18.f5 leads to another dead-end Motwani,Paul for Black. ] Motwani,Paul 'Dream Game', January 1999 1999 18.xh6! xh6 [ 18...xf4 19.h8# ] [Paul Motwani] 19.xh6 f6 20.xg6 This final destructive W59: "A Dream Game" The funny thing about sa crif ice le a ve s B la ck' s kin g h o p e le s s l y the following game is that it happened to me... exposed. [ 20.0-0-0 followed by Rh1 is equally in a dream! It's a battle of me against myself, deadly. ] where everything looks bright for White and 20...fxg6 21.xg6+ h8 22.0-0-0 d5 really black for Black! 1.f3 d5 2.c4 e6 [ If 2...dxc4 , then White can choose 23.f3 [ B l a c k c o u l d o n l y h o p e f o r 23.h1+?? between 3 Na3, 3 Qa4+, and 3 e3 to quickly xh1+ but of course White can find a win win back a pawn on c4, and personally I even with closed eyes! ] would favour the third option. ] 3.b3 e7 4.b2 f6!? Black spends a 23...c6+ 24.b1 Black resigned. precious tempo to move a bishop f or the 1-0 second time already, because he hopes to nullify the effect of White's counterpart on the A13 long a1 to h8 diagonal, but in this particular 512 Naiditsch,Arkadij 2702 dream game the b2-bishop later turns Black's Papin,V 2575 life into a nightmare. 5.c3 e7 13th EICC Plovdiv BUL (2.9) 21.03.2012 [ 5...d4 allows 6.e4 ] 6.g4!? g for "go for it" is a favourite attacking [John Bartholomew] motto of mine. g6 7.h4 A very active move for a sleeping player! xh4 8.xh4 xh4 1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 f6 4.f3 dxc4 9.cxd5 0-0? White has pieces pointing 5.a4+ bd7 Historically the most common menacingly towards the "hot" region where choice. [ The knight's development has lately been Black has unwisely castled. superseded by 5...c6 , but it remains a solid [ However, 9...f6 10.h2 ] choice for Black. ] [ or 9...exd5 10.xd5 xf2+ ( 10...xd5 11.xh4 ) 11.xf2 xd5 12.h5 6.xc4 a6 7.b3!? It's important to retreat looks rosy for White, especially after 12... now so Black can't play 7...b5 with tempo. [ White has the same choice here as he does e6?? 13.e5 ] his light-squared bishop, and it must be even more gratifying when it actually wins material! 17.dxc5 [ 17.xf6+ is met by gxf6 ( 17...xf6 is also good) 18.xb7 xb7 19.f3 cxd4 both winning another pawn and providing a nice square for the black knight on c3. ] 17...xe4 18.c6? [ 18.xe4 is better, as after xc5 19.xb7 xb7 White has the resource 20.b3 xe5 21.xa4 as the b-pawn is pinned, although Black should still win easily after xe2 ] 18...xc6 19.xc6 f5 The pinned c6-knight is lost immediately. 0-1
500
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 in the line 6...c6 6.Qxc4 b5. Thus, for 7.c2 see Bu Xiangzhi (2602)-Li Wenliang (2506)/ Qingdao 2002. ] 7...c5 Staking some space and preventing a true Catalan setup with d2-d4. [ 7...b5?! is met by 8.e5 , e.g. c5 ( 8...xe5 9.xa8 c5 10.g2 h5!? Milchev, N (2373)-Rusev, K (2521)/Plovdiv 2 0 0 8 . B l a c k h a s s o m e a c t i vi t y f o r t h e exchange, but it ought to be inadequate for t h e e x c h a n g e : 11.f4!? eg4 12.e3 with the idea of h4 13.h3 h6 14.g4 ) 9.c2 d5 10.d4 ( I like 10.a3!? to prevent ...Nd5-b4. ) A) 10...b7! 11.0-0 ( 11.dxc5?! b4 ) 11...b4 12.d1 xg2 13.xg2 d7 14.f3; B) 10...b4 11.c3 d5 12.f3 f6 13.c3 b7 14.xd5 xd5 15.xf6 gxf6 16.xd5 exd5 17.g4 d7 18.f4 Poluljahov, A (2554)-Fomichenko, E (2409)/Krasnodar 1999. ] [ Black often chooses the flexible 7...b8 . For instance, A) 8.d4 led to Catalan-style play in Ivanchuk, V (2739)-Naiditsch, A (2626)/ W arsaw 2005. Black equalized after b5 9.0-0 b7 10.f4 d6 11.c1 ( Naiditsch has accumulated a great deal of experience on both sides of the 5... Nbd7 line. 11.xd6 cxd6 12.bd2 0-0 13.fc1 b6 14.c2 fc8 15.ac1 xc2 16.xc2 h6 17.b3?! c8 18.d2 c4! 19.e1 xg2 20.xg2 e4 21.e3 d5 Grunberg, M (2442)N a i d i t s c h , A ( 2 6 5 4 ) / D r e s d e n 2 0 0 7 .) 11...xf4 12.gxf4 d5 13.e3 c5 14.dxc5 c8 15.c6 xc6 16.a3 b7 17.bd2 b4 18.d3 0-0=; B) Another Ivanchuk game went 8.0-0 b5 9.a4 b7! 10.axb5 axb5 11.d3 d6 12.e3 c5 13.c3 0-0 14.d2 xg2 15.xg2 g4!? Bu Xiangzhi (2675)Ivanchuk, V (2768)/ Khanty-Mansiysk RUS 201.; C) 8.a4!? b6 ( 8...c5 transposes to our main game.) 9.0-0 b7 10.c3 e7 11.d3 0-0 12.d1 c5 13.f4 a8 14.ac1 d5 15.xd5 xd5 16.c2 f6 Podkriznik, G (2332)-Sjugirov, S (2627)/Rogaska Slatina SLO 2011. Here
17.e4 b7 18.e5 looks a bit better for White. ] 8.a4 This is the principle downside of 5... Nbd7 compared to the 5...c6 6.Qxc4 b5 line. Black will often find it difficult to break with ...b7-b5. [ I also think Nigel Short's treatment of this position as worth studying: 8.d3 d6 9.0-0 b8 10.a4 b5 ( 10...b6!? ) 11.axb5 axb5 12.c3 0-0 13.g5 h6 ( 13...b6 is better ) 14.e4! hxg5 15.xd6 g4 16.g5 c4 17.dxc4 c5 18.d1 bxc4 19.a7 Short, N (2698)-Sveshnikov, E (2514)/Porto Carras GRE 2011. ] 8...b8 9.a5!? Consistent with White's restriction concept. [ White can also revert to 9.d3 , as in the game from the last note. ] 9...d6 The maneuver ...Bd6-c7 will be useful in harassing the a-pawn. [ After 9...b5 10.axb6 White can claim a long-term positional edge thanks to Black's extra iso lat ed pa wn. A n e xa m ple : xb6 11.c2 b3?! (I don't think Black should necessarily push for a queen trade) 12.xb3 xb3 13.d3 d6 14.bd2 b5 15.c4 c7 16.d2 d5 17.0-0 e7 18.fc1 b7 19.e1 b8 20.fd2 c8 21.f4 Korotylev, A (2607)-Gutov, A (2467)/Sochi 2008. ] 10.d3 d5 [ If unopposed, White's typical plan involves 0-0, Bc1-d2, and Nb1-a3-c4, controlling many key squares and keeping Black very tied down. Two responses are likely: 1) Black plays ...e6-e5 to try and develop the bishop along the c8-h3 diagonal, and/or 2) Black plays ...b7-b5, accepting the aforementioned "c" and "a" pawn weaknesses. In either case I believe White should have a nice, workable advantage. Let's see these scenarios in practice: 10...0-0 11.0-0 h6 12.d2 e8 13.a3 e5 14.c4 c7 15.fd1 e7 16.h4!? ( 16.a3!? ) 16...b5 17.axb6 xb6 18.a5! bd5 19.c2 d7 20.b3 d6 21.xc5 xc5 22.xc5 xb2 23.e4 b5 24.a3 e7 25.c3 b7 26.dc1 b8 27.d4! exd4 28.xd4 Lputian, S (2610)Piket, J (2575)/Sarajevo 1998. ] [ 10...c7 11.d2 0-0 12.0-0 d5 501
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 13.c1!? (a useful move since Nb1-a3 isn't possible right this second ) b5 14.axb6 7xb6 15.c2 d6 16.c3 (16.Na3 isn't as attractive now with Black's knight on b6) ( 16.a5! l o o k s s t r o n g t o o) 16...b4 17.d1 b7 18.e4 xe4 19.dxe4 e7?! 20.e1 ( 20.xb4 cxb4 21.xa6 ) 20...d7 21.f4 b5 22.d2 g5 23.xg5 xg5 24.c4 e7 25.c3 Romanov, E (2594) -Yevseev, D (2520)/St Petersburg RUS 2010. ] 11.c3! A good adjustment to Black's last move. c7?! [ 11...xc3 isn't too appealing in view of 12.bxc3!? when a pawn exchange on b6 after ...b7-b5 will leave White with a healthy and compact structure. Still, this may have been best for Black, i.e. 0-0 13.d2!? (the other knight heads for c4) b5 14.axb6 xb6 15.0-0 ] 12.0-0 xc3 13.xc3 0-0 14.f4?! This exchange lets Black off the hook too easily. [ White already has an attractive position, a n d I t h i n k 14.g5!? f6 15.e3 was a more focused continuation. White is hounding the c5 pawn and emphasizing that his dark square bishop is more useful than its Black counterpart. If Black doesn't play ... b7-b5, then W hite will create unbearable pressure by playing Nf3-d2-b3 and Rf1-c1. ] 14...xf4 15.gxf4 b6 16.e5 xe5?! [ 16...b7! is more accurate. Black will liquidate and fully equalize, i. e. 17.xb7 xb7 18.axb6 xe5 19.xe5 xb6= ] 17.xe5 b7 18.fc1! White retains a bit of pressure. d5 19.h3 [ 19.axb6! led to the immediate win of a p a w n , e . g . xb6 20.e4 c6 21.xc5 xc5 22.xc5 b5 23.d4 fd8 24.d5 exd5 25.exd5 ] 19...e8?! [ 19...c8! was better, overprotecting c5. For example, 20.xd5 exd5 21.axb6 xb6 22.xd5 xb2= ] 20.axb6 xg2 21.xg2 xb6 22.xc5 xb2 23.xa6 b7+ 24.ac6 bc8 25.e4 xc6 26.xc6 Should this be drawn with good defense? Most probably. In practice, Black is bound to suffer indefinitely (especially with the FIDE time control!). d7
27.c4 h6 28.c7 d8 29.g3 b8 30.c5 b1 31.g2 b2 32.c6 f8 33.e4 a2 34.e5 a8+ 35.h2 b8?! 36.f5! exf5? [ 36...e8! was correct. ] 37.xf5 Now the f7 weakness forces Black's rook into submission. f8 38.d7 b8+ 39.g2 a8+ 40.e4 c6 41.d4! g6 42.d5 c1 [ 42...xd5 43.xd5 a8 Albeit depressing, the rook ending held more drawing chances. ] 43.d8 xd8?! [ Black may be technically lost at this point, but 43...d2! was a more tenacious defense, i.e. 44.xf8+ xf8 45.e5 b2! (at least making it d if f icult f or W hite t o a d v a n c e t h e d - p a w n ) 46.d6+ e8 when White still has some work to do. ] 44.xd8+ g7 45.e7!+- A fantastic square for the queen: here she prepares the advance of the d-pawn, covers g5 from checks, and prevents Black's king from assisting in defense. g5 46.e5+ f6 47.e7+ g6 48.e8+ g7 49.d7+ g6 50.d5 h5 51.f5+ g7 52.d6 c6 53.d7 [ Black resigned because of 53.d7 c7 54.e6 . 5...Nbd7 is less concrete than 5... c6 6.Qxc4 b5, so maybe it's not surprising that it isn't as popular in the Houdini era. Several model continuations for White were shown in this game, and you can probably tell that I support the first player's cause. If you're thinking about giving 5...Nbd7 a try, you might want to also investigate another popular sixth move - 6...c5. ] 1-0
513 Ni,Hua Tischbierek,Raj Porto Mannu op 6th (9) [Kosten, Tony]
A13 2653 2414 14.06.2014
1.c4 f6 2.f3 e6 3.g3 a6 4.g2 b5 The Romanishin Gambit. I had to prepare for this a few weeks ago (although the actual game took a different route), but didn't find anything convincing, and so I was curious and wanted to examine this quick win in more 502
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 detail. 5.b3 By far the number one move, simply defending c4 and preparing to develop the bishop to b2 if appropriate. [ 5.e5!? a7 6.d4 A) I analysed Wojtkiewicz, A (2551)Kamsky, G ten years ago, which continued instead 6...b7 7.d5 b4+ 8.c3 c5 and White was a bit better.; B) 6...d6 is answered by the neat trick 7.e3 as in the game, c5! ( 7...dxe5?! is m o re c om m o n , b u t 8.dxe5 xd1+ 9.xd1 c5 10.exf6 gxf6 favours White, Greenfeld, A (2530)-Loginov, V (2500) Beersheba 1998, 1-0 (55).) 8.c6 xc6 9.xc6+ d7 10.f3 c8 is a little plus for White, but no more, Neckar, L (2380)Panchenko, A Prague 1982, 1-0 (32).; C) 6...b4+!? new, 7.c3 d6 8.e3! Greenf eld would be well aware of this t h e m e ( s e e a b o v e ) , 0-0 ( 8...dxe5? is inad visa ble : 9.dxe5 c5 10.xd8+ xd8 11.exf6 gxf6 12.0-0-0+ ) 9.0-0 b7? ( 9...c5 ) 10.d5! dxe5 ( 10...a8 11.xf7! xf7 12.dxe6 wins material.) 11.xa7 bd7 12.cxb5 axb5 13.dxe6 xg2 14.xg2 fxe6 15.f3 Black has no c o m p e n s a t io n f o r t h e l o st e xch a n ge , Greenfeld, A (2545) -Smirnov, A (2463) Golden Sands 2014, 1-0 (35). ] 5...b7 [ 5...c5 is the equally popular alternative, when 6.0-0 ( 6.c3 is Damljanovic, BGeorgiev, K in the PGN Archive.) 6...b7 transposes below. ] [ I considered 5...d5 in Filippov, V-Korchnoi, V. ] 6.0-0 c5 7.c3 a5 This move, defending b5, was a favourite of Romanishin, but [ 7...b6 is the most common, when 8 e3 is s t a n d a r d , b u t 8.e1 intending e4 is interesting. ] 8.e3 e7 9.e2 Putting pressure on b5, White would like to force Black's hand. 0-0 [ 9...bxc4 10.bxc4 0-0 11.b1 led to a quick win for White in Akopian, V-Svidler, P, see my annotations. ] [ 9...b4 displaces the knight but allows White to open the a-file, 10.a4 0-0 11.a3 bxa3 12.xa3 c7 13.d4 with pressure, although Black's position is fairly solid, Kabanov, N (2509)-Turov, M (2561) Krasnoyarsk 2007, 1/
2-1/2 (64). ] 10.d1!? A novelty. This rook has a big future, and will soon be capturing the pawn on d7! [ 10.b2 is usual, but after bxc4 11.bxc4 White would prefer to have a rook on the open b-file. ] [ 10.cxb5 axb5 11.xb5 is greedy, yet playable, a7 12.e2 a6 13.d3 c6 with compensation for the pawn. ] 10...bxc4 11.bxc4 c6 12.e5!? c7 [ Houdini likes the cool 12...ab8 allowing 13.xc6 xc6 14.xc6 dxc6 when he considers that Black is slightly better. At first this seems absurd, as doesn't he have doubled c-pawns? Yet, on closer examination we see that it is not easy for W hite to finish his development, the c1-bishop can't move and neither can the dpawn. ] [ 12...xe5 would probably be my choice, 13.xb7 ab8 about equal, despite White's bishop pair. ] 13.d4 xe5?! I think that Black simply missassesses the tactics here. [ 13...a5 is more than satisfactory, 14.xb7 xb7 and ...d6, driving the knight a wa y wh e n B l a c k c a n c o n c e n t r a t e h i s attention on the c4-pawn. ] 14.xb7 a7? The rook stays here for the rest of the game! [ 14...xb7 15.dxe5 e8 16.b1 is also awkward, c7 17.b2 and on xe5 18.d5 d6 19.e7+ h8 20.xe5 xe5 21.xd7 still, Black is still on the board after f6 ] 15.dxe5 xe5 The point, both b7 and c3 are attacked so Black regains his piece. 16.b1 xc3 17.b2 a5 18.xf6 xf6 19.xd7 At the end of the tactics material is equal and there are opposite colour bishops on the board, but the a7-rook is terribly misplaced. g6 20.bd1 g7 [ 20...b4 21.f3 a5 would force White to show some way of improving, 22.a4 b2 23.e4 Planning Rb1, Qc6. ] 21.g4 Eyeing e6. White is obviously better, still, it seems strange that Black would lose so quickly from this position. e8 22.f4 b6 23.e4 e7 [ 23...d8 24.xd8 xd8 25.d7 f6 26.a4 is similar to the game continuation. ] 503
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 24.1d6! b2 25.xe7 xe7 26.d7 9.d1 Black can never move his rook. f8?! [ Due to the outcome of the opening, White [ 26...a1+ 27.g2 f6 28.c6 e5 being essentially lost, you have to examine 29.c8 e4! keeps the game going, although every single move to see where 30.xe4 xd7 31.xd7 would be a long improvements can be found. Here W hite and difficult defence for Black, W hite will tried 9.e1 , but again Black has a safe play Bd5 and tie his queen to the defence of e d g e a f t e r c5 ( 9...f5!? can also be f7 before advancing his kingside pawns, f4, co n sid e re d) 10.d3?! ( 10.b1 is better, e4-5. ] d5 11.d3 cxd3 12.xc5 xc5 13.xd3 27.c6! Qc8+/c7-b8 wins the rook. e7 14.e4 b4 15.xb4 xb4 16.c2 1-0 d6 , and although White has a little compensation for the pawn when looking at sp a ce a n d d e ve lo p m e n t , it isn 't n e a rly 514 A13 enough. ) 10...b3 11.b1 cxd3! 12.xc5 ( 12.xb3 dxe2-+ ) 12...xc5 13.xd3 Pantsulaia,Levan 2607 xa4 , and Black is up a couple of pawns Meier,Georg 2556 for insufficient compensation, Karlsson, ALake Martuni ARM (4) 14.07.2008 Thorhallsson, T/Hafnarfirdi 1992 ] [Carsten Hansen] 9...d7! [ This is Black's best move, targeting the a41.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 f6 4.f3 dxc4 pawn which is also becoming soft. Black has 5.0-0 also tried 9...d6 on a couple of occasions: [ I think that if White is to play for an 10.d3 cxd3 11.xd3 c5 ( 11...h5!? advantage in this line, he should opt for 12.d2 0-0 13.h3 c6 14.g4 c5 15.c3 either 5.c2 ] a7 16.e3 b4 17.b1 b8 18.c1 [ or 5.a4+ though in both cases Black has d7 19.c4 c6 with some but not quite excellent chances of equalizing. ] adequate compensation for the pawn for 5...a6 6.a4?! White, Butnorius, A-Grabliauskas, V/Vilnius [ According to the ECO, there is nothing 1994 ) wrong with this move. However, I think this A) 12.xc5!? xc5 13.e5 d6 may well be the time for White to bail out, ( 13...d7 14.d2 c6 15.ac4 e7 because in our main game and in the 16.b3 is simply better for White) 14.ac4 supporting material, things don't look too xc4 15.xc4 e7 16.g5 ( 16.a5 dandy for White. The alternatives are 6.c2 d5! ) 16...h6 17.d2 , and White's b5 7.e5 d5 8.d3 ] activity an d be tt e r de ve lo p me nt f or a [ and 6.c3 bd7 ( 6...b5 7.d3! ) 7.a4 change fully compensates for the missing with about even chances. ] pawn, which he is likely to win back as 6...c6 7.c2 a5! the pressure on Black's queenside [ 7...e5 is the ECO's main line, quoting the continues to mount.; game Gurgenidze, B-Ubilava, E/ Ckhaltubo B) 12.d1 0-0 13.b4 xb4 14.d2 c5 1981, but for some reason the combination 15.c1 h5 16.h3 e5! 17.g4 xg4 of Black's 7th and 8th move isn't mentioned 18.hxg4 xg4 19.xa5 e4 20.d5 f5 there. ] , and here W hite blundered with 8.a3 d5! 21.xc7?? ( 21.xd6 cxd6 22.e1 f4 [ 8...xa3?! is completely unnecessary, , and Black has excellent compensation solving several of White's problems for him for the sacrificed material) 21...xc7 without being able to hang on the c4-pawn 22.xc7 exf3 23.exf3 h2+ 24.f1 as he perhaps had hoped for with his last xc7 , and Black is winning, Adamski, Jmove. 9.xa3 0-0 10.d3 e7 11.c3 b6 Beliavsky, A/ Copenhagen DEN 2003 ] 12.dxc4 b7 13.g5 c5 , and the chances are more or less even, Ivacic, V-Gostisa, L/ 10.d3 b3 11.b1 [ W h i t e h a s a l s o t r i e d 11.a2 SLO 1993 ] 504
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 without success, e.g. xc1 12.xc1 xa4 13.xc4 xd1 14.fe5 b5 15.xd1 b4 , and Black essentially already has a winning position, Quinn, M-Onischuk, A/ Yerevan 1996 ] 11...xa4 12.xc4 b5 13.f1 [ Or 13.e3 d5 14.f1 b4 15.a3 xe3 16.fxe3 c5 17.xc5 xc5 , and also in this line, W hite has lost a pawn without compensation, Chuprikov, DZinchenko, Y/Alushta UKR 2005 ] 13...d5 14.cd2? [ The fact that White's best is 14.e3 d6 15.c4 xc4 16.xc4 e7 , leaving him a pawn down without compensation illustrate the magnitude of problems he is already facing. After the text move, W hite loses another pawn without compensation and with that, any hope of saving the game. ] 14...d4 15.c4 xe2+ 16.h1 xc4 17.dxc4 b4 18.e5 [ White tries to stir up a little complications, but as a result Black wins even faster. The relatively best move is 18.b3 , though this hardly inspires confidence, leaving W hite two pawns down without any compensation c6 ] 18...c2! 19.a1 f6!? [ 19...d8 20.df3 f6 21.g4 e4-+ ] 20.ef3 [ 20.xb7 almost works, but nevertheless still loses for W hite: b8 21.f3 d4 22.h5+ g6 23.ef3 e2 24.g4 f5 25.h3 g7 26.e1 xc1 27.axc1 e7 , and W hite's house of cards finally tumbles. ] 20...0-0-0 21.h3 c5!? [ 21...f5!? 22.e1 xc1 23.exc1 g6 threatens ...Bg7 and ...Bh6, needless to say White is completely lost already. ] 22.e1 [ 22.xe6+ b8 leaves White only a pawn down, but that aside, he can barely move. 23.g2 he8 24.g4 g6 , threatening ...f6f5 ] 22...d3 23.xe6+ b8 24.f5? A mistake in a lost position. xc1 0-1
515 Pogorelov,Ruslan Baron Rodriguez,Jesus XV Open La Pobla de Lillet ESP (6) [John Watson]
A13 2442 2445 07.08.05
Pogorelov plays a beautiful game in which he steadily and harmoniously builds up a better and better position. Then almost certainly in time trouble, he misses a number of direct wins (each requiring immediate resignation by Black). 1.f3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 f6 4.g2 dxc4 The Reti Opening isn't understood very well by computer engines (at least ones that aren't simply reading out of their book). Here as usual HiArcs 9 gives Black a clear plus, and even after the mighty [ 4...c6 and ] [ 4...c6 it gives Black a significant advantage. I think that this is less a p re j u d i ce a ga i n st t h e f i a n c h e t t o a s a n overrating of space. ] 5.a4+ bd7 6.xc4 c5 [ Here the computer suggests 6...b6 7.c2 b4 (!) and ] [ 6...d5 7.d4 7b6 , both very awkward. ] 7.c2 b6 8.0-0 b7 9.d3 d6 10.a4 0-0 11.a3 These are standard moves in this variation. White wants to establish control by means of Nc4, some developing moves, and a central ad vance such as d4 or e4. Blac k counts upon his active pieces and shared central control to give him good play. I'd call it equal. d5 12.d2 a6 Probably preparing ... b5 once the knight settles on c4, but the structure changes dramatically after White's 14th. 13.c4 c7 14.e4 5f6 [ C r i t i c a l w o u l d b e 14...b4 15.xb4 ( 15.b3!? ) 15...cxb4 16.d4 pitting two bishops versus centre. ] 15.b4 e8 16.b5! e5!? [ 16...axb5 17.axb5 e7 is similar to the next note. ] 17.c3 b8 [ 17...e7 looks preferab le. Perhaps Black was worried (justifiably) about eventual Nf5s and Nd5s. ] 18.b2 axb5?! 19.axb5 xa1 20.xa1 I like White, and don't see why Black gave him the a-file. Now let's sit back and enjoy a great e x e c u t i o n o f a t t a c k o n b o t h w i n g s : e7 505
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 21.h4 f8 22.f5 e6 23.h4! 6d7 24.h3 e8 25.fe3 e6 26.d5 ef8 27.g2 f6 28.h3! e6 29.xe6+! xe6 30.b3 f7 31.ce3 f8 32.a4! g6 33.a2 h6 34.e2! e8? [ But other moves are also unattractive, e.g., 34...h7 35.h5 ( 35.h5 ) 35...g6 36.f3 g7 37.h5 ] 35.g4+ [ Or 35.f5! ] 35...f7 36.f5 e6 37.h5 Now it's effectively over. There's just too much pressure. d8 [ 37...g5 38.f4 ] 38.g6+ f8 39.xh6! gxh6 40.xh6+ g8 [ Also losing was 40...g7 41.xf6 xf6 42.xf6+ g8 43.h6 ] 41.g6+ f8 42.xf6 xf6 43.xf6+ g8 44.xe5 d8 45.h8+ f7 46.h7+ f8 47.xb7 Good enough but [ winning immediately in a forced manner was 47.h6+ (or 47.Qf5+ Kg8 48.h6!) g8 48.a7 e7 49.xb7 xb7 50.xe6+ f7 ( 50...f8 51.d6+ g7 52.g6+ h8 53.e5+ ) 51.g6+ ( or 51.h6 ) 51...f8 52.d6+ e8 53.e6+ e7 54.xe7+ xe7 55.xe7 ] 47...xd3 [ A slightly tougher defence was 47...g5 48.a7 xh5 still losing to 49.d5! ] 48.a7?! [ 48.h6 is much easier d1+ 49.g2 h5 50.h7 , and 48.Qh7 is also curtains. ] 48...d1+ 49.g2 xh5 50.d6+? [ 50.d5! t h r e a t e n s B d 6 + , a n d g6 51.d6+ g8 52.g7+ xg7 53.xg7 xg7 54.xb6 is easy. ] 50...g8 51.d5!? xd5 52.exd5 d4 Now at least Black isn't getting mated and has a few chances if White goes wrong. It's hard for White to adjust to missing all those simple wins and he collapses: 53.f4?! [ 53.b7 ] 53...xb5 [ 53...d8 ] 54.b7 d8 55.xb6 c3 56.e5 xd5 57.c6 f7 58.xc5 e6 59.b2!? b8 60.c1 b4 61.f3 b3 62.g4 c3 63.d2 [ 63.f4! ] 63...e2 64.f2
[ 64.f4 ] 64...d4 65.c3 b5 66.g7 This still cle arly winn in g, bu t wh a t is W h it e do in g messing about? d6 67.f8 f7 68.g3?? Disaster. e5 69.xe5+ [ 69.g7 xf3+ 70.g2 ( 70.h4 xg4! ) 70...e3 ( 70...f2+ 71.xf2 d3+ 72.g3 xc5 may also do the trick) 71.g5 f3 72.f2 b3 73.g6 h4= ] 69...xe5 70.g7+ e6 71.f4 f7 72.d4 g6 73.e4 g5 74.e3+ h4 75.f2+ [ 75.g5 b4+ 76.f5 b5+! 77.g6 ( 77.f6 b3 ) 77...b3= ] 75...g5 76.e3+ h4 77.c5!? g3 [ 77...b7 also looks good to me. ] 78.d6+ h4 79.f4 b7 80.e5 f7+ 81.e4 g5 82.d6 d7 83.c5 f7 84.e3+ h4 85.f2+ g5 86.e3+ h4 87.f2+ What a sad draw to take. ½-½
516 Reti,Richard Bogoljubow,Efim Bad Homburg (2.3) [Nigel Davies]
A13
1927
This game was a bit of a tragedy from Reti's point of view. After obtaining an excellent position from the opening and even winning a pawn, he lets slip what should have been a really excellent endgame. 1.f3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 dxc4 4.a4+ d7 5.g2 gf6 6.0-0 d6 [ 6...c5 is the modern preference and frankly I doubt that W hite can hope for too much there. ] 7.a3 xa3 [ After 7...0-0 8.xc4 White has to be better because of his harmonious development and central pawn majority. So Bogoljubow's plan is critical. ] 8.bxa3 [ 8.xa3 b6 would make it difficult for White to recover the c4 pawn. ] 8...0-0 9.xc4 b6 10.c2 d7 11.b2 a4 12.b1 c6?! [ P r e s u m a b l y B l a c k d i d n ' t l i k e 12...h6 b e c a u s e o f 13.e5 but then xd2 506
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 isn't clear. ] 13.g5! This is very strong now, the threat being to take the knight on f6 when h7 hangs. bd7 14.xc6 bxc6 15.c1 c5?! [ And here 15...b8 was better. ] 16.xc5! b8 [ Of course 16...xc5 would lose on the spot to 17.xf6 . ] 17.c4 h6 18.e4 d5 19.c2 7b6 20.c6 c8 21.d3 b7 22.e5 a6 23.xc7 [ 23.c1 might have been better, simply protecting the a3 pawn. In any case White is better but this might have clamped down better on any counterplay. ] 23...bc8 24.xb6 xc6 25.xc6 c8 26.c5 xc6 27.xa6 xb6 28.b4 c3 [ 28...xb4 29.axb4 would give White all the chances in a simple endgame, so B o go lju b o w ke e p s m o re p i e ce s o n t h e board. ] 29.e3 a5 30.c2 b2 31.d4 xa2 32.e1? After Black's reply White has to go b a c k wh e n h e m i g h t e ve n b e s o m e wh a t worse. [ 32.g2 was a better chance. ] 32...d2 33.a1 a4 34.b5 g5 35.g2 g4 36.d6 c3 37.e4?! It looks as if Reti was blind to the dangers inherent in this position. [ 37.c4 was a better chance though after xd3 38.e5 d2 39.xg4 e4 he's still struggling to draw. ] 37...xd3 38.f6+ g7 39.xg4 [ Or 39.h5+ f8 40.f6 h5 41.xh5 e4 , tying White up. ] 39...f6 40.h4 h5 41.h2 b5 42.f3 xa3 43.xa3? Black's outside passed pawn is especially dangerous in the knight endgame. W h i t e s h o u l d h a v e k e p t r o o k s o n . xa3 44.d4 f7 45.f3 e5 46.e2 b1 47.e4 [ Or 47.e4 a3 48.c1 c3 etc. ] 47...a3 48.c1 c3+ 49.d3 a2 50.b3 a4 51.a1 [ Or 51.e2 c5! 52.a1 e4 , leaving White completely tied up. ] 51...c5+ 52.e2 e4 53.f3 f5 54.g2 d2 55.f3 e4 56.fxe4 xe4 57.f3 f6 58.f4 c5 59.c2 d3+ 0-1
517 Reti,Richard Lasker,Edward New York (7) [Nigel Davies]
A13
24.03.1924
Black's 5...Ne4 makes little sense before W hite has played d2-d4 as the knight gets driven away with d2-d3. But this is typical of the way people played against Flank Openings when they first started being played in strong tournaments. Players were used to 'doing something' so just did it anyway. 1.f3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 c6 4.b3 f6 5.g2 e4?! 6.c2 e7 7.b2 0-0 8.0-0 d7 9.d3 g5 10.bd2 xf3+ 11.xf3 f6 Attempting to ease his game via simplification, but White can avoid this easily enough. 12.d4 Now Black would like his knight on f6 so as to fight against White's central expansion with e2e4. e8 13.e4 b6 'Fast development' was still highly prized at this time in chess history, but now we have a greater focus on quality rather than just speed. [ Black's knight does nothing on b6 so it would have better to play 13...b6 instead. ] 14.e5 d7 15.g4 c8 16.xf6+ xf6 17.a4 ed8 [ 17...a5 18.c5 a8 19.e5 f5 20.d2 would win the a5 pawn. ] 18.a5 a8 19.e5 g6 20.e2 c7 21.a3 a6 22.fe1 e8 23.d6 f5 24.f4 h6 25.f3 Preventing 25...Bh5 and getting ready for eventual kingside action with g3-g4. Black 'strikes' first in order to effect some exchanges but the problem with his position continue into the endgame. g5 26.a2 [ 26.fxg5 xg5 27.h1 looks very strong here. ] 26...gxf4 27.gxf4 d7 [ After 27...xf4 White would obviously have compensation for the pawn along the open files on the kingside but with nothing clear th is might ha ve be e n a goo d swin d lin g chance for Black. ] 28.e3 g7+ 29.g2 xg2+ 30.xg2 Reti has a certain endgame in mind in which Black's knight on a6 will spell his doom. But the exchanges also weaken his king position so he needs to be careful. h5 31.xh5 xh5 32.g1 f7 33.h1 g8 34.xg8 507
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xg8 35.cxd5 cxd5 36.b4 The point behind White's recent moves. What does the knight do? f7 37.d3 h4 38.f1 d8 39.h3 g8 [ Or 39...g6 40.g3+ f7 41.g5 etc. ] 40.g3+ f7 41.g5 c8 [ 41...xg5 42.fxg5 g6 43.b5 also wins Black's knight. ] 42.b5 c1+ [ Or 42...b8 43.xb8 xb8 44.f6+ etc. ] 43.g2 d2+ 44.h3 e3+ 45.h4 e1+ 46.h5 e2+ 47.h6 xh2+ 48.h5+ xh5+ 49.xh5 g7 50.bxa6 bxa6 51.c5 f7 52.h6 g8 53.xa7 h8 54.b6 g8 55.d8 h8 56.h4 Not a great game but interesting nonetheless. 1-0
518 Reti,Richard Vidmar,Milan Sr British Empire Club Masters (4) [Nigel Davies]
A13
1927
5 . . . N b d 7 i s ge n e r a l l y vi e we d a s a m o r e reliable line these days. Vidmar's 5... Bd7 aims to put the bishop on c6 from where it will neutralise the one on g2. But the problem is that it blocks Black's c-pawn. This makes it difficult for Black to challenge White's centre. 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 dxc4 5.a4+ d7 6.xc4 c6 7.0-0 e7 8.c2 [ White can also leave the queen on c4, for example 8.c3 a6 9.d4 0-0 10.g5 bd7 11.fe1 b8 12.a4 d5 13.xe7 xe7 14.e4 was better for White in Va ga nian , R (26 15 )-Sm agin, S (25 20 ), Germany 1993. ] 8...0-0 9.c3 bd7 10.d1 Still keeping all the options open with his pawns. [ 10.d4 l o o k s n a t u r a l b u t a f t e r b4 Black gets some kind of hold on the d5 and e4 squares. ] 10...e5 11.d4 exd4 12.xd4 xg2 13.xg2 c6 14.f5 Already this looks very good for White. Perhaps Black should have played 13...g6 last move. e8 15.g5 c7 16.f4 a5 17.d6 f8 18.d2 g6 19.xf8 xf8 [ It might have been better to play 19...xf5
whereupon 20.xf5 gxf5 21.d6 must be better for W hite though Black's weak pawns may not be as weak as they seem. ] 20.d6 e7 21.ad1 e8 22.ce4 xd6 23.xd6 e5 24.f6+ g7 25.f1 e6 26.xe6 xe6 27.e4 e8 28.c3+ e5 29.d6 e6? [ 29...e7 was better when 30.xe5+ xe5 31.xb7 b5 gets the pawn back with a good game. ] 30.xb7 xc3 31.bxc3 e5 32.d4 e6 33.a4 d5 34.a5 [ 34.xa7 d7 puts White in a nasty pin. ] 34...d6 35.b3 d7 36.d4 xd4 37.cxd4 b7 38.a6 c7 39.e3 f8 40.e2 e7 41.d3 d7 42.a3 f6 43.c4 f5 44.c5 Black is doomed though there hasn't been a particularly good reason for him to resign as yet. e7 45.b3 g5 46.a4 f4 47.gxf4 gxf4 48.e4 f6 49.b8 g5 50.f3 h5 51.f8 b7 52.f5+ g6 53.xf4 b2 54.h4 a2 55.e5 xa4 56.e6 1-0
519 Richardson,Keith B Pokorna,Regina 4NCL West Bromwich ENG (4) [John Watson]
A13 2220 2370 21.11.2004
1.c4 e6 2.f3 f6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 dxc4 5.a3 d5!? I'm amazed that I can't find this move in my database! There are of course thousands of games after 5.Na3, and I keep thinking my search method must be wrong it's only move 5! But I see nothing wrong with the move, which of course entail some risk, but so do many such lines. [ I also fail to find this position via 5...xa3 6.bxa3 d5 ] 6.a4+ What's the problem here? Can't White achieve anything? [ 6.c2 c6 ( or even 6...xa3 7.bxa3 c6 8.0-0 e5 ) 7.xc4 might run into b4!? ( 7...d4 8.c3 c5 9.e3 d6 10.xd4 xd4 looks about equal) 8.b3 ( 8.c3 e4 ) 8...b5!? 9.e3 xb3 10.axb3 b7 ] [ 6.0-0 e5!? ( 6...xa3 7.a4+ c6 508
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 8.xa3 e5 ) 7.g5 e4 ( 7...d4!? ) 8.xe4! xe4 9.d3 is interesting, although n o t n e c e s s a r i l y a d v a n t a g e o u s : cxd3 ( 9...xa3 10.xe4 d7 11.bxa3 cxd3 12.xd3 c6 ) 10.exd3 xa3 11.bxa3 d4 12.e3 with two strong bishops. ] [ 6.b3 should provide White some compensation but nothing too frightening for Blac k , e .g. , cxb3 7.axb3 e5 ( 7...e7 8.c4 0-0 9.0-0 b5!? ) 8.b2 e4 9.d4 c6 unclear ] 6...c6 7.xc4 a6 [ Also reasonable looks 7...xa3 8.xd5 exd5 9.bxa3 f5!? ( 9...0-0 10.b2 e4 11.d3 c5 with a sound game White's bishops aren't doing much. ) 10.b2 bd7 ] [ 7...a6 is solid ] 8.0-0 c5 9.xd5 [ 9.h4!? ] 9...exd5 10.c2 0-0 11.a3 e8 12.e1 f5 13.cd4 d7 [ 13...g6 is also logical. The result of the opening is equality. I'll leave you to play through the rest of the game. ] 14.b4 b6 15.b2 c7 16.b3 e4 17.e3 d6 18.d3 f5 19.ed1 f6 20.h3 a5 21.bxa5 xa5 22.fd4 g6 23.a4 b4 24.c2 a5 25.a3 c4 26.xa5 xa3 27.xa3 xa5 28.b1 a7 29.ab3 xa4 30.xb7 e6 31.b4 c5 32.b6 xd3 33.xd3 xd3 34.c1 e4 35.bxc6 xg2 36.xg2 d4 37.exd4 xd4 38.c8 xc8 39.xc8+ f7 40.c7+ g6 ½-½
[ White adopted a more universal setup in Kharlov, A (2591)-Izoria, Z (2541)/ Rethymnon 2003/[TonyK]: 8.0-0 bd7 9.b3 c8 10.b2 e7 11.d3 0-0 12.bd2 c5 13.a3!? b6 14.ac1 fd8 15.b1 a6 16.a1 f8 17.c2 a7 18.fc1 a8 with a typical Reti game. Sadorra's approach with Nc3, 0-0, a4, d3 and e4 is considered more theoretically challenging. ] 8...bd7 9.0-0 a6 10.a4 An important move. Otherwise Black will get an easy game with ... c6-c5. c8 In view of 11.Rd1, this might be a slight move-order inaccuracy. [ 10...e7 limits White's options. If he p e r s i s t s w i t h 11.d1 ( 11.d3 could transpose to the game) 11...0-0 12.d4 , then Delchev points out the feasibility of c5! 13.axb5 axb5 14.xa8 xa8 15.xb5 e4 16.d2 cxd4 17.bxd4 b8 when W hite faces a near impossible task in r e a li zi n g t h e e xt r a p a wn . S vid le r, P (2755)-Gelfand, B (2744)/Moscow RUS 2011. ] 11.d3 [ D e l c h e v c l a i m s t h a t 11.d1! is even stronger alternative, preparing d2-d4. O n e o f h i s l i n e s b e g i n s w i t h b4 , which indeed looks critical . After ( he also analyzes 11...b6; and 11...e7 ) 12.e4 xe4 13.xe4 , I tried to improve Black's position with f6 ( Delchev gives 13...c7 14.e1! f6 15.c4 c5 16.b3 xg2 17.xg2 b7+ 18.f3 e7 19.b2 0-0 20.d3 ) 14.c2 ( if White plays by analogy with the above line with 14.c4 c5 15.e1 , then xg2 16.xg2 d5+ 520 A13 17.xd5 exd5= is totally fine for Black) 14...c5 15.b3 e7 16.b2 c7 Sadorra,J 2525 , but the resulting position is extremely Lenderman,Alex 2581 sim ila r. W h it e ke e p s a n ice e d ge , e . g . UTD GM Invitational (6) 14.03.2012 17.ac1 0-0 18.e5 xg2 19.xg2 ] [John Bartholomew] [ Delchev notes that the immediate 11.d4 is met by b4 12.e4 c5 ] 1.c4 e6 2.f3 f6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 dxc4 5.a4+ c6 6.xc4 b5 7.c2 White prefers 11...e7 12.e4 0-0 This position is important this retreat to 7.Qb3 by a more than 4-to-1 to the assessment of the entire line with 7. ratio. The text is also the recommendation of Qc2. 13.d1 Too routine. Black will now get a GM Alexander Delchev in "The Modern Reti: fine position with natural moves. [ Delchev proposes 13.h3!? , trying to cut An Anti-Slav Repertoire". Our present game out ...Nf6-g4. It's a good recommendation loosely follows Delchev's analysis and and definitely more challenging than the text. includes a very recent cameo by Delchev Now after himself, so let's get to it. b7 8.c3 509
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A) I w o n d e r i f 13...b4 isn't a better try. After 14.b1 (planning Nb1-d2-c4) ( instead, 14.e2 c5 15.b3 c7 looks fine for Black ) A1) Black can also consider the a d v e n t u r o u s 14...c5!? 15.d1 b3 16.e2 ( 16.c3? fxe4 ) 16...a5! in t en d ing .. . B b7 -a6 wit h in t ere st in g play.; A2) 14...c5 15.bd2 e8! (a good idea to remember Black counters with ...Ne8-d6) 16.c4 d6 Black gets an acceptable game, e.g. 17.f4 xc4 18.dxc4!? ( 18.xc4 b6 w i t h t h e i d e a o f 19.c2?! c4 ) 18...b6 19.ad1 fd8=; B) 13...b6 14.e3 c5 B1) 15.fc1!? was tried this month by G M L a s zlo G o n d a . He ga in e d in a n advantage similar fashion: fd8 ( I think 15...b4! was called for, once again with t h e i d e a o f 16.b1 e8! ) 16.axb5 axb5 17.b4! c6 18.b2 Gonda, L (2536)-Oparin, G (2487)/Budapest HUN 2012.; B2) 15.axb5 axb5 White gets in the ideal 16.b4! when c6 ( Delchev also gives 16...e5 17.b1 c6 18.c1; but what about 16...d8!? avoiding any unpleasantness on the b and c files?) 17.b1! actually occurred in the game Delc hev, A (2622 ) -Mast rova silis, A (2510)/Plovdiv BUL 2012, right as we go to press! This is straight from the man's book, and what do you know - he won a f i n e g a m e ! e5 ( 17...cxb4 18.d4 xc3 19.c1 is a nice line of Delchev's.) 18.c1 cxb4 19.d5 d6 20.xe7+ xe7 21.b2 xc1+ 22.xc1 c8 23.xc8+ xc8 24.d2 d6 25.f1 e8 26.xb4 and White eventually converted. Kudos to Alexander Delchev for practicing what he preaches! I believe Black should be fine after 13.h3!? (keep an eye on the possible improvements I mentioned with 13...b4!? or in 13...Qb6, as well as the timely . ..Nf6-e8-d6 idea), but these lines warrant independent investigation if you plan to play them as W hite or Black. ]
[ Another sub-optimal approach was 13.e3?! g4 14.f4 , Ivanchuk, V (2768)Grischuk, A (2746)/Khanty-Mansiysk RUS 2011. Here Delchev gives b4 15.e2 g5 16.d2 c5 ] 13...b6 14.e3 c5 15.axb5 axb5 16.e2 [ H e r e ' s t h e d i f f e r e n c e : n o w 16.b4?! is met by g4! when White's opening is a failure. ] 16...fd8 17.db1? White is still fixated on b2-b4, but it's a pipe dream at this point. [ 17.h3= ] 17...g4! Now Black will take over the central dark squares. 18.f4 f6 19.g5?! ge5 20.d1 h6 21.h3?! [ I'm not sure why White preferred this to the natural 21.f3 . Black has a great position in a ny case, i.e . xf3+ 22.xf3 e5 23.g2 b4 24.a4 b5 ] 21...c6 22.h5 de5 23.xe5 xe5 24.f4 d7 25.e2 cd8 A quick glance at the position is enough to confirm that Black's positional advantage ought to be decisive. 26.f1 g6 [ Black is understandably unhurried, but 26...b4 27.a4 c6 with the idea of 28.b3 (else Black rips open the center with ...c5c4) g5! 29.h5 h8 would already be de cisive , e . g. 30.b2 xd3! 31.xd3 ( 31.xd3 xd3 32.xd3 xa1-+ ) 31...xa1 32.xa1 xd3-+ ] 27.e3 g7 28.ac1 d6 29.h3 c4 30.dxc4?! [ 30.xb6 xb6 31.dxc4 xd1 32.xd1 bxc4 33.xc4 xe4 offered more defensive chances. ] 30...xe3 31.fxe3 bxc4 32.xd6 xd6 33.c2 f3+ 34.f2 d2 35.g2 xc3 36.e5? [ B e t t e r w a s 36.xc3 xe4 37.e1! with some possibility of holding. ] 36...xe5 37.xb7 b6 38.g2 xb2 39.xb2 xb2 Lenderman is two clear pawns to the good, and his technique proves more than sufficient. 40.e2 b1 41.d1 a3 42.e2 e5 43.d2 b5 44.g4 d6 45.c6 f5 46.g1 f7 47.e2 f6 48.f3 b2 49.e2 e5 50.gxf5 gxf5 51.g3 e4+ 52.f2 e5 53.e2 g5 54.a4 c3 55.b3 b5 56.e1 h4 57.e6 d6 58.g1 g3 59.f1 c2 60.e2+ f3 510
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 61.b3 xe3 62.xc2 f4 White can realistically aim for a small Catalan-type edge with 7.Qc2. Black's counterplay with ...c6-c5 (ideally combined with ...Nf6-g4!) ought to be easy to anticipate now, so learn from White's mistakes in this game! The critical line is definitely Delchev's 13.h3!?. I mentioned a couple potential improvements, but overall I h i g h l y r e c o m m e n d t h a t yo u p i c k u p h i s interesting work on these previously unexplored lines. 0-1
521 Salgado Lopez,Ivan Pelletier,Yannick Top 12 Haguenau (5) [Fier, Alexandr]
A13 2598 2599 03.06.2013
Salgado goes for an interesting gambit instead of the normal paths and gave Pelletier a lot of problems to solve. For Black, I would play something other than 9...Nxe5. 1.c4 f6 2.g3 e6 3.g2 d5 4.f3 dxc4 5.0-0 This is less common than the usual 5. Qa4+, but is an interesting way to play for a gambit, now Black has chances to def end the c4 pawn. a6 6.c2 c5 [ 6...b5 would be another logical continuation, and after 7.e1 d5 8.d3 cxd3 9.xd3 b7 10.c3 d7 ( 10...d6 11.xd5 exd5 12.f4 0-0 13.ac1 ) 11.xd5 exd5 12.f4 White had the initiative in Grigoryan, A (2579)-Rozum, I (2500)/St Petersburg Botvinnik Memorial op 2012 ] [ 6...bd7 tries to transpose to normal variations A) 7.a4!? is a way to try to take advantage of this move order c5 8.a5!? ( 8.xc4 b5! 9.b3 c4 10.c2 b7 and Black solved all his opening problems) 8...e7 9.xc4 b5 sooner or later this move is forced, otherwise Black will be paralyzed 10.axb6 xb6 11.c2 b7 with a slightly better version of this kind of position for White, since the pawns on the queenside are weaker, but the position is still quite playable for Black; B) 7.xc4 b5 transposes to 5.Qa4+ Nbd7 6.Qxc4 a6, and here 7.0-0 is not
c o n s i d e r e d t o b e d a n g e r o u s 8.c2 ( 8.c6 b8 9.d4 b7= ) 8...c5 9.b3 b7 10.b2 e7 11.d3 is about equal ] 7.e5 [ 7.a4?! is not precise now, since it allows Black to develop the knight in a more active way c6! 8.xc4 e7 and the Black knight controls e5, while White's queenside is not healthy ] 7...a7 8.d1 White is more or less forced to play a gambit since if 8.Qxc4 b5 will liberate all the black pieces. Still, the pawn sacrifice brings some initiative. bd7 [ 8...b5 would be interesting too, trying to bring the rook into the game 9.a4 fd7 10.xd7 xd7 now Black's rook neutralizes the d1 opponent, but the a1-rook enters the game 11.axb5 axb5 12.a8 d6 13.d3 cxd3 14.xd3 with typical pressure for the pawn. Now one possible continuation would be 0-0 15.c3 a6 16.d1 b6 17.e4 b7 18.xb8 xb8 19.xd6 xd6 20.xd6 xd6 21.xd6 xg2 22.xg2= ] 9.d4 xe5?! I don't like this move, as after it White can recover the pawn with a positional advantage because of the open file. [ 9...cxd3 A) 10.xd3 e7 11.c2 ( 11.c3 0-0 12.e3 c7 13.f4 xe5 14.xe5 b6 15.a3 d5 again this important move 16.d2 f6 17.c4 b5 with some complications) 11...0-0 12.c3 e8 13.c4 b5 14.a5 again with sufficient compensation for the pawn, but nothing more; B) 10.xd3 d5!? ( 10...e7 11.f4 0-0 12.c3 e8 13.c4 gives White too m u c h c o n t r o l) 11.xd5 ( 11.xd7? b4 ) 11...xe5 12.c6+ d7 13.xd7+ xd7 14.c3 b5 with two minor pieces out Black should be fine ] [ 9...cxd4 is more risky 10.xc4 ( 10.xd4 allows Black to sacrifice an exchange and finish his development with a good initiative. It's nice to see Black attacking at least once! b5 11.c6 b6 12.xa7 xa7 13.d1 c5 14.e3 b7 and the bishop exchange f o ll o we d b y . . . N e 5 gi ve s B la ck a go o d game ) 10...e5 11.e3 A) 11...b5!? can enter into some funny l i n e s l i k e 12.a5 c7 13.c6 b8 511
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 14.exd4 g4 15.e1 c8 16.xe5+ ( 16.d5 d6 is fine for Black) 16...e6 17.d5 d6 18.e1 ( 18.f4 exchanges too much xd5 19.xd5 xe5 20.xe5 xd5 21.xc7 xc7 22.d4 xc2 23.xc2= ) 18...xd5 19.d1 ( 19.xd5 is also possible) 19...xc6 20.c3!? xc3 21.xd6 d4!? 22.xd4 e2+ 23.xe2 xc1+ 24.e1 xe1+ 25.xe1 0-0 and finally entering an equal position; B) 11...c7 Black needs to make some precise moves here 12.exd4 b5 13.e3 exd4 14.xc7 xc7 15.f5 e5 16.xd4 g4 not afraid of the pin 17.e1 d7! 18.c3 d3 19.e3 xc1 20.xc1 b4 21.ce2 xc1+ 22.xc1 c7 and Black holds ] 10.dxe5 d7 11.d2 [ 11.a4 was a positional way to play, avoiding 11...b5 A) 11...c7 doesn't work because of 12.a3 xe5 13.xc4 c7 14.f4 e5 15.e4 f6 16.e3 and Black's white squ a re s a re go in g t o b e d e cisive e7 17.g4 0-0 ( 17...f8 18.h5 b5 19.axb5 axb5 20.d5 g6 21.h6++- ) 18.e6+ f7 19.d5+-; B) 11...e7 12.d2 b6 13.xc4 0-0 14.e4 h6 15.e3 is clearly better for White ] 11...b5 12.a4 c7 13.e4 xe5 14.f4 b4 [ 14...f6 doesn't really help 15.xe5 fxe5 ( 15...xe5 16.axb5 c7 17.xc4+- ) 16.g5 e7 17.xh7 f7 18.a3! and Black is in trouble ] 15.d2 [ 15.d2 is maybe a small improvement, just looking at the d6 square e7 16.ad1 0-0 17.d6 c3 18.bxc3 f6 19.xc8 xc8 20.cxb4 cxb4 21.h3! h8 22.xc8 xc8 23.xe6 and White's pieces are much better placed than Black's ones ] 15...d6 16.xc4 xc4 17.xc4 [ 17.xd6 was interesting, but hard to play in a game xd6 18.d1 f6 ( 18...0-0 19.xd6 d8 20.xc5 d7 21.c6 b7 22.xd7 xd7 23.xb4 ) 19.xd6 a5 20.c6+ f7 21.xc5 c7 22.d6 With good control over Black's pieces, but is not so sure White is able to keep improving
his position. White should be better, but it is not an easy evaluation to make ] 17...xf4 18.gxf4 0-0 19.ac1 d7 20.b3 e5 Returning the material. [ 20...c8 was logical, and after 21.d3 g6 22.cd1 c6 23.xc6 xc6 24.d6 b7 25.e4 Black shouldn't be worse ] 21.fxe5 xe5 22.xc5 xc5 23.xc5 Now Black's position is a little unpleasant to play since the queenside pawns are weak and White's rooks are more active. Salgado was successful in creating problems. e6 24.d3 g6 25.a5 b8 26.d5 xd5 [ 26...b5 is a risky decision 27.xb5 axb5 28.xe6 fxe6 29.d6 xa5 30.xe6 a1+ 31.g2 b1 32.e3 b2 33.f3 f7 and in my opinion W hite has some chances ] 27.dxd5 f8 28.c6 e7 29.e3 b5 It's hard to suggest an alternative plan here, but now W hite gets a strong passed pawn. 30.xb5 axb5 31.a6 d7 32.b6 [ 32.f6!? e7 33.b6 wins a tempo ] 32...c7 33.f6 b8 34.g2 c7 35.b6+ a7 36.xb5 xa6 37.xb4 And Black's king is too far away to help. The computer says that it's still not a clear advantage, but I think that White is almost winning in the long term. c5 38.h4 h6 39.g3 h5 40.f3 a5 41.b7 f5+ 42.g3 f6 43.e4 e5 44.f4 g5+ 45.hxg5 xg5 46.f3 g1 47.h7 1-0
522 Stripunsky,Alexander Shabalov,Alexander 87th Marshall CCC (9) [Tony Kosten]
A13 2530 2597 07.12.2003
1.c4 b6 2.b3 b7 3.b2 e6 4.e3 f6 A double queenside fianchetto, but W hite soon make sure that this is not a symmetric position. 5.f4!? e7 Perfectly natural, but new. [ 5...c5 6.c3 e7 7.f3 0-0 is like the main game, Mangei,K-Fehrenbacher,U/ Eppingen 1988. ] [ 5...d5 is sensible, but weakens the dark squares a little, in particular e5, 6.f3 bd7 512
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 7.c3 b4 8.d3?! Burris,D-Miller,J/ Gaylord 199 4, a mista ke allowin g ( 8.a3 is better ) 8...c5 9.c2 dxc4 10.bxc4 when d3 is weak. ] 6.f3 0-0 7.d3 This odd development of the bishop is quite normal in such positions remember the famous double-bishop sacrifice of Lasker! d5 8.0-0 dxc4 [ 8...bd7 is possible, as in one of the notes, intending to play ...Nc5. ] 9.xc4 c5 Black is unaware of what is about to hit him. 10.f5!? exf5 11.h4 g6 12.xf5! The point of White's conception, opening the black king position to exploit his two powerful bishops. gxf5 13.xf5 The sacrifice may not be objectively sound, but in practical chess it i s v e r y u n p l e a s a n t t o d e f e n d . e4! The bishop heads for g6 to closed the g-file. [ 13...bd7 is worse, 14.c3 covers e4 and d5 and W hite will bring his queen to the queenside with a massive attack. ] 14.f1!? More fuel on the fire! White doesn't want the bishop to come to g6, obviously. [ 14.g5+ g6 ] 14...b5!? Black wants to deflect the c4-bishop off the a2-g8 diagonal. [ 14...xf5 15.xf5 bd7 is met by 16.e4! when the further advance of the e-pawn will regain a piece. ] 15.xb5 [ 15.g5+!? g6 16.f3 bd7 17.xb5 is a reasonable alternative, White has two pawns for the piece. ] 15...xf5 16.xf5 d5 This is the point of Black's little tactic, the queen is able to help the defence laterally. 17.f4 e4 18.g5+ g6 The queen has managed to replace the light-squared bishop's task of bolstering the gfile. 19.e5 White cannot afford to exchange queens, as he has a rook less. a6 What else? [ 19...e4 repeats, and ] [ 19...d8!? looks very unnatural: 20.a3 and Black can hardly develop his pieces. ] 20.xe7 axb5 21.xf6 White has to accept the exchange of queens, as [ 21.xf6?! c6 22.d6 a6 leaves the black pieces misplaced, e.g. 23.f4? b4 24.c3 d3 with a clear advantage. ] 21...xf6 22.xf6 b4 Fixing the a2-pawn on the open file. 23.f2 a6 24.b2 c6 White has two pawns for the exchange, which
is fair value, but some problems on the a-file. 25.d3 fa8 26.a4 bxa3 27.xa3 b4 28.e2 f8 29.xa6 xa6 The exchange of a pair of rooks is go od f or Black, but his pawns are not very good, so his chances of winning slight. 30.a3 g6 31.g3 h6 32.h4 g6 A common tactic to force an exploitable weakness in two adjacent pawns. 33.d4!? White wants to create connected passed pawns. [ 33.xb4 cxb4 34.f3 c6 35.d2 is also possible, White should hold easily. ] 33...xg3 34.dxc5 d5 35.d3 A necessary evil, [ 35.c6+ e8 36.c5 g6 loses the cpawn. ] 35...xe3 36.b4 e7 37.b5 The pawns are coming! d7 38.c6+ c7 39.e4 c4 40.b4 g4+ [ 40...b3 fails to win a piece after 41.c3 xb4?? 42.d5+ with a nasty fork. ] 41.d3 The only move. b6 Black seems to be getting on top, he has the pawns b lo ck a d e d a n d t h e wh it e ki n g is c u t -o f f . 42.c3 e5+ 43.c2? Perhaps the king should head towards the kingside: [ 43.e2! ] 43...f5? [ 43...xb4! seems strong now, as 44.d5+ xb5 45.xb4 xc6! ( and not 45...xb4?? 46.c7 ) 46.d3 b4+ and wins the king and pawn! This is why c2 was the wrong square for the king on move 43. ] 44.e7! g2+ 45.b3 xc6 Black has to concede his knight, and a draw is assured. [ 45...g8 46.g5 threatens Be3+, and then Nd5+ when the pawns advance all the way! ] ½-½
523 Swiercz,Dariusz Malakhatko,Vadim 44th Rubinstein Mem GM (3) [Carsten Hansen]
A13 2456 2612 22.08.2008
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 dxc4 5.a4+ bd7 6.xc4 c5 7.0-0 a6 8.c2 a7 [ 8...b5 was the topic of Gashimov-Luther, 513
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 1/2-1/2 Ristic, N-Inkiov, V/Porto San Giorgio Capelle 2007, whereas ] 2001 ] [ 8...b6 was discussed in connection with Bu [ B) 11.d1!? a8 ( 11...cxd4 12.xd4 Xiangzhi-Li Wenliang, Qingdao 2002 - both xg2 13.xg2 a8+ 14.f3 c7= ) 12.dxc5 games can be found in the PGN archives. ( 12.e3 is interesting and transposes to the The text move seems a bit odd, because it note after W hite's 12th move in variation prepares to play one of these moves that 'c'. ) 12...xc5?! ( 12...xc5!? ) 13.f4 are already available to Black. Note that c6?! ( 13...e7!? ) 14.ac1 d7 15.xd7 9.e5 is met by d5 which took me a bit to cxd7 16.a4 b7 17.c7 a7 18.e5 notice. ] xg2 19.xg2 Nikolic, N-Kekki, J/Espoo 9.d4 1987 ] [ White has several alternatives here: A) 9.d3 [ C) 11.e3 a8 e7 10.a4 ( or 10.c3 b6 11.b3 b7 A) 12.ad1 proves less effective 12.b2 0-0 13.ac1 g4 14.h3 ge5 compared to the below alternative, 15.xe5 xe5 with a comfortable game for centralising the other rook: e7 13.dxc5 Black, W egerle, J-Aagaard, J/Pardubice xc5! 14.c1 ( 14.b4 cd7= ) 14...0-0 2000 ) 10...b6 11.d2 0-0 12.a3 b7 15.a4 fd7 16.xc5 xc5=; 13.c4 d5 ( 13...a8!? 14.a5 b5 B) 12.fd1!? e7 13.dxc5 xc5 15.b6 d8 16.xd7 xd7 is at least 14.xc5 xc5 15.d6 c6 16.e4 d7 okay for Black, Grebionkin, V-Konnov, O/Ufa 17.xd7 cxd7 ( 17...fxd7? 18.b4!+- ) 1999 ) 14.fc1 h6 15.d1 a8 16.f1 18.d4 b7 19.f4; Haag, E-Eisinger, M/Oberhausen (EU-chT) C) 12.dxc5?! leaves Black with an easy 1961, and the chances are about even after road to equality. White has two moves like 16...a5, 16...Nb4, and 16...N7f6 ] alternatives available: xc5 13.xc5 [ B) 9.a4 b6 10.d4 ( 10.d3 b7 11.bd2 xc5 14.fd1 0-0 15.b4 cd7 16.ac1 e7 12.c4 , and a draw was agreed upon, h6 17.b2= 1/2-1/2 Wells, P-Pinter, J/ 1/2-1/2, in Oblitas Guerrero, C-Urday Austrian League 1999 ] Caceres, H/Peru 1996, though for obvious reasons both sides could have played on in 11...cxd4 12.xd4 a8 [ Black's remaining alternatives are less this position.) 10...b7 11.dxc5 xc5 c o n v i n c i n g : A ) 12...e7 13.d1 c8 12.c3 a8 13.g5 0-0 14.ad1 14.e2 e5?! ( 14...0-0 ) 15.f4 c6 was another quick draw, 1/2-1/2, Bany, J 16.b3 0-0 17.e3 d7 18.ac1 a8 Skalkotas, N/Athens 1989, though Black 19.a4 b8 20.f2 Schoeneberg, Malready has the more comfortable position ] Augustin, J/Leipzig 1981 ] [ C) 9.b3 b6 10.b2 b7 ( 10...c7 11.d3 [ B) 12...c5 13.d1 a8 14.b3 b4 b7 12.bd2 e7 13.ac1 0-0 14.b1 ( 14...e7 15.e3 0-0 16.ac1 Ribli ) a8 15.c4 fc8= Csom, I-Hartman, C/ 15.a3 xc3 16.xc3 Wrexham 1995) 11.d3 e7 12.bd2 0-0 A) 16...xe4? 17.xe4 xe4 18.xg7 13.c4 b5 14.ce5 xe5 15.xe5 xg2 f8 , and now 19.xh7+- is the most 16.xg2 d7 17.f3 b6= Saric, I-Atalik, c o n v i n c i n g ( 19.h6+Ribli ef6 S/Zenica BIH 2005 ] 20.xd7 xd7 21.d1 e4 22.xd7 9...b6 e1+ 23.g2 e4+ 24.h3 xd7 [ 9...b5 has also been tried, is possible but 25.xf8 should also win without too many also more committing, though in its only difficulties ); outing Black equalised: 10.d1 b6 11.a4 B) 16...0-0 17.f3 c8 18.d4 c6 b7 12.axb5 axb5 13.xa7 xa7 14.g5 ( 18...e5 19.f2 c6 20.a4 ac7 e7 15.a3 b4 16.c4 1/2-1/2 Freisler, P21.h3 ) 19.f4 c5 20.xc5 bxc5 Kucera, P/CZE 1996 ] 21.c3 ( 21.xc5? a4 ) 21...d7 10.c3 b7 11.e4 Vaganian, R-Jussupow, A /Riga 1995 [ Again at this juncture, White has several 22.d6 ] moves available for consideration: A) 11.dxc5 xc5 12.f4 0-0 13.a3 13.e1 c5 14.b3 e7 514
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 14...b4 15.a4 d8 ( trying to prevent the pawn advance to a5 by playing it himself will only cause Black further suffering: 15...a5 16.d2 0-0 17.b5 ) 16.d1 c7 17.e3 0-0 18.ac1 , and White has the better chances ] 15.a4 c8 16.e2 c5 [ Or 16...0-0 17.e3 a8 18.ac1 b8 19.f4 with a somewhat better game for White. ] 17.xc5 xc5 18.e3 xe3 [ 18...0-0 This along with Black's following moves seem a bit eager to simplif y the position, but Black can also play the normal 19.ac1 c6 20.xc5 bxc5 21.e5 d7 22.xc6 xc6 23.ed1 with a comfortable edge for White. ] 19.xe3 c5 20.xc5 bxc5 21.a5! d7 22.a4 [ White can also consider a couple of other options at this juncture, though it isn't clear whether they exactly are any better than the game continuation, but they do have the advantage of keeping pieces on the board, maintaining White's position advantage. The first is 22.ad1 e7 23.f4 b8 24.e2 with a decent plus for White, and the second is ] [ 22.f4 e7 which can likely transpose into the just mentioned line. ] 22...c6 23.ec1 xa4 24.xa4 e7 25.b4 cxb4 [ Black aims at the ensuing simplifications to steer him to a drawable position. However, he also has a decent alternative in 25...c8 26.f1 cc7 27.b5 axb5 28.xb5 c4 29.a6 b6 30.b4 d6 , and Black should be able to defend. ] 26.xb4 b8 27.xb8 xb8 28.e5! d8 29.b1 d7 30.f4 c7 31.d1 c8 32.f1 b8 [ Here Black should have given 32...c6!? a try. W hite has the better chances in the endgame, but Black's position is solid and will be difficult to breach. The game continuation is what originally brought my attention to this game aside from a 2450 player beating a 2600+ player. Black is systematically pushed off the board in what seems to be a very smooth effort. I will not add any further comments, but recommend
that the reader play the game through to the end it is quite instructive. ] 33.d6 b7 34.d8 c8 35.g2+ c7 36.d6 d8 37.b6 d7 38.f2 d2+ 39.f1 c8 40.b7+ d8 41.h3 h6 42.xa6 xa6 43.xa6 a2 44.a7 e8 45.a6 h5 46.a8+ e7 47.e1 a4 48.a7 a1+ 49.d2 a2+ 50.c3 g6 51.g4 hxg4 52.hxg4 a3+ 53.b2 a6 54.f5! 1-0
524 Van der Sterren,Paul Dautov,Rustem Bundesliga 2000-1 (8) [Tony Kosten]
A13 2569 2606 17.02.2001
1.c4 f6 2.f3 e6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 dxc4 5.a4+ c6 This move is quite popular, and prepares queenside expansion, whilst keeping the h1-a8 diagonal firmly closed until Black is ready to open it himself. 6.xc4 b5 7.b3 [ Probably the queen is better-off avoiding the c-file: 7.c2 b7 8.a4 e7 9.e5 d5 10.0-0 0-0 11.d4 a6 12.c3 ( 12.xc6 xc6 13.xc6 ab4 14.xb5 c2 is unpleasant for W hite) 12...b4 13.e4 and now Black freed himself with the standard c5 14.dxc5?! c8 15.c6 b8 16.c5 xc6 and Black is even better, Ivanchuk,V-Kramnik,V/Monte Carlo 1999. ] 7...b7 8.0-0 bd7 [ 8...e7 is similar, 9.a4 a6 10.d4 bd7 11.c3 0-0 12.g5 b4 13.d1 c5 Black has equalised, Kortschnoj,V-Rabiega, R/AUT-chT9596 1996. ] 9.d4 e7 10.c3 a6 11.g5 1/2-1/2 Nielsen,P-Luther,T/Gausdal 1994 c5 Black has to play this sooner or later. 12.xf6 xf6 13.dxc5 xc5 14.b4 e7 15.ac1 d7 16.f4 0-0 Black's opening has been a great success, and he even has the bishop pair. 17.c7 c5!? [ Good, but 17...ab8 18.fd1 fd8 is more ambitious. ] 18.xb5 White decides to play for a draw. axb5 19.xc5 xc7 20.xc7 xf3 [ Black too! 20...d5 might preserve some slight chances. ]
515
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 21.xf3 xa2 22.b1 xb2 ½-½
525 Vaulin,Alexander Blatny,Pavel FSGM October (11) [Tony Kosten]
A13 2492 2476 12.10.1999
1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 dxc4 A common theme in similar positions, Black prefers to concede temporary control of the centre but wil l s p e e d h i s d e ve lo p m e n t wh il e W h it e wastes time recapturing the pawn. 4.a4+ d7 5.xc4 a6 [ A typical idea, preparing to drive the queen away by ...b5, but 5...c5 is normal in this position, or ] [ 5...gf6 transposing into main variations. ] 6.a4 Another standard move, restraining Black's queenside. b6!? [ This novelty is the start of a long knight manoeuvre, aiming to embarrass the white queen, and establish the knight on the b4outpost, 6...gf6 is more usual 7.d3 d6 8.c2 d5 9.d2 with balanced chances, Krasenkow,M-Brodsky,M/ Koszalin 1997. ] 7.c2 d5 8.f3 b4 The knight has landed on a strong square. 9.b3 d5 10.d1 [ Awkward, but the endgame after 10.xd5 exd5 is more than satisfactory for Black. ] 10...d7!? 11.c3 h5 12.0-0 c5 13.h3 With the threat of g4. f6 14.b3 e5? [ Hoping to gain time by attacking the h3pawn, but the weakening of the central light squares allows W hite to take command. 14...e7 was better. ] 15.d5! xd5?! [ This loses material, but if 15...d8 16.c7+ e7 17.d5+ and the black king has lost its right to castle. ] 16.xb7 d8 17.xd5 xh3 18.c6+ f7 19.xa6 And White has won a good pawn, and retains the better position, as well. e6 20.d3 d6 21.e3 h6 22.xh6 xh6 23.a5 The simplest plan, by pushing his extra passed a-pawn, W hite wins speedily. d7 24.c6 b8 So, Black has managed to b l o c k a d e t h e a 7 - sq u a r e , b u t n o w W h i t e
exchanges a couple of pieces to leave Black with a bad bishop, and of f side queen. 25.a3!? [ The re was n ot hing wro ng wit h 25.xc5 of course, but White has bigger fish to fry. ] 25...a7 26.b3 hd8 27.b7 xb7 28.xb7+ d7 29.e4 e7 30.a1 d5 31.a4 b7 32.h4 Threatening Nf5+, and thereby forcing the exchange of Black's good bishop. [ 32.h4 g6 33.xb7 xb7 34.c6 d7 35.f3 is quite hopeless. ] 1-0
526 Wells,Peter K Barsov,Alexei Premier Hastings ENG (7) [Tony Kosten]
A13 2517 2525 04.01.2002
1.c4 e6 2.c3 b4 3.e4 [ Probably the critical reply. We considered 3.f3 where White is happy to transpose to the Nimzo-Indian, in Lautier,J - Sokolov, A/ ch-FRA Gp A Marsailles FRA (7), 19.08. 2001. ] 3...e7 [ I like this more than 3...c5 when 4.b5 ( 4.g4 f8 ) 4...d6 5.a3 a5 6.b4 is unpleasant for Black, for if cxb4 7.g4 f8 8.g3 with threats. ] 4.f3 [ 4.d4 d5 5.e5 c5 6.a3 led to a quick win f o r W h it e in Ho d g so n , J -R o ze n t a li s , E / Rakvere 1993. ] 4...c5!? A novelty at move four! Black plays this now, noticing that, his kingside is better developed, and with the white knight on f3, White no longer has the dangerous possibility of playing Qg4. [ 4...0-0 is normal, but 5.d4 d5 6.cxd5 exd5 7.d3 dxe4 8.xe4 led to another crushing de f ea t f o r Ro sen t a lis in Kra se n k ow, MRozentalis,E/Krynica 1997, although the current position is reasonable for Black. ] 5.e5!? White intends Ne4-d6, but it seems slow. [ 5.b5?! d5 leads nowhere. ] [ 5.a3 a5 6.d4 is more sensible. ] 5...bc6!? 516
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ Interesting, Black continues his development and relies on a tactic to save h i s c - p a w n . 5...d6 is a straightforward alternative. ] 6.e4 0-0! 7.a3 a5 8.xc5 This is the point of White's play, it seems that he has won a pawn, but Black has seen further. xe5! 9.xe5 d6 10.xf7?! Opening the f-file is not such a good idea. [ 10.ed7! looks right, e8!? ( 10...xd7 11.xb7 c7 12.xa5 xa5 doesn't give Black enough for the pawn.) 11.b4 c7 12.f6+!? gxf6 13.e4 which is unclear. ] 10...xf7 11.b3 b5! Offering another pawn for an advantage in development. 12.xa5 xa5 13.b4 [ This does not work-out too well, but grabbing the pawn by 13.cxb5 also brings its problems: d7 14.a4 af8 all of Black's pieces are developed, and none of White's!! ] 13...b6 Threatening mate-in-one! 14.d4 bxc4 15.e3 [ 15.xc4 c6 16.f1 c3+ 17.d2 xd4 clearly favours Black. ] 15...f5 16.xc4 c6 This is the problem, hitting c4 and g2. 17.b3 xg2 18.0-0-0 White manages to bring his king to 'safety' on the queenside, but Black's initiative continues unabated. a5 19.b5 a4 20.b4 c7 21.b1 The king has to leave the open c-file. b8 22.d3 d7 23.a1 d5 The b5-pawn is not long for this world. 24.c1 [ 24.b1 does not help cb7 ] 24...cb7 25.c4 e4 The black position is very easy to play. 26.he1 xb5?! [ I imagine both players were short of time, as 26...d5 is far better, avoiding the following tactic (in the notes). ] 27.d2?? [ A clear blunder, White could have kept the game alive by 27.f3! xf3 28.xe6+ h8 29.c8 ] 27...xd4+ 0-1
527 Wells,Peter K Short,Nigel D 2nd IECC Ohrid (10) [Tony Kosten]
A13 2520 2675 2001
1.f3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 a6 Not an uncommon move, Black often plays a later .. .b5, and expands on the queenside. 4.b3 f6 5.g2 e7 6.0-0 0-0 7.b2 dxc4!? [ A common idea in main-line Retis, but a novelty here, Black sidesteps the possibility of W hite playing cxd5 at some point, and p l a n s p l a y a l o n g t h e d - f i l e . 7...b5 is more consistent, 8.e5 b7 9.d4 for instance, Espig, L-Dvorietzky,M/Vilnius 1978. ] 8.bxc4 c5 9.c3 c6 10.e3 [ Standard play in such positions, White wishes to bring his queen to e2, Rfd1, then play d3 or d4, as appropriate, but 10.d3 is also reasonable. ] 10...d3!? Black won't be able to maintain his queen here for long, he simply wants to force the white pieces onto less-than-optimum squares. 11.a4 The threat to infiltrate on b6 allows W h ite time to d ef en d th e c-pawn , b e f o r e e x p e l l i n g t h e b l a c k q u e e n . d7 12.c1 b8 Black prepares the positionally desirable thrust ...b5. 13.e1 g6 14.d4! Creating a hanging pawn formation, judging that Black is poorly-placed to counter this. cxd4 15.exd4 d8 16.d5 exd5 17.cxd5 a7!? [ This reply appears passive, but Black intends blockading the d5-pawn by bringing his knight to d6 via b5. He may have been worried about the line 17...ce5 18.f4 g4 19.h3!? ( 19.e2 is possibly stronger, f6 ) 19...e3 20.e2 but Black has the interesting tactic e8! ( as 20...xf1? loses two pieces for a rook after 21.xe7 ) 21.xe3 c5 winning the queen for three pieces, 22.xc5 xc5 23.xc5 xg3 which is not too clear. ] 18.d3 b5 19.e1 [ The white pieces find active posts, but 19.f4! is more aggressive, f6 20.e5 and White retains the dark-squared bishop, and some advantage. ] 517
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 19...f6 20.e2 xb2 21.axb2 f8 22.e5 f6 23.bc4 f5 24.e3! Taking aim at b6. h5?! [ If White didn't have 150 ELO points less than Black he would surely have continued, 24...h5 25.f3 g6 26.a4 keeps the initiative firmly in White's hands. ] ½-½
a5 16.e3 b7 17.ab1 d7!? [ 17...d7 looks more natural, but Black wants to play ...Bb5. ] 18.b4 cxb4 19.axb4 b6 20.e2 d4 21.d2 xe3 22.xe3 b6 Black decides to go for an ending where he has counterplay against the b4-pawn. 23.xb6 xb6 24.fc1 c8 25.f1 f8 We must always remember to bring the king to the centre in the endgame! 26.a2 This is a bit negative, why not the 528 A13 obvious [ 26.d3 planning f4, or Kf1-e2. ] Wojtkiewicz,Aleksander 2551 27.xc8 xc8 28.c1 d8 Kamsky,Gata 2717 26...e7 d7 117th NY Masters (4) 14.09.2004 The king arrives just in time! 29.f3 30.c2 b7 31.f2 c7 32.xc7 xc7 [Tony Kosten] 33.e3 b6 34.d2 White plays openly for Gata's back! 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 a6 the draw, but this is perhaps understandable 4.g2 b5 5.e5!? An unusual, if very direct, with 160 rating points less! [ 34.f4 f6 35.c3 offers some chances. ] line. Normally White defends his c-pawn by 34...a5 35.bxa5+ xa5 36.c3 a4 [ 5.b3 ] 37.c1 d7 38.h3 c5 The knight has 5...a7 6.d4 [ 6.cxb5 axb5 7.b3 also has its followers, done nothing all game, then springs to a although b7! 8.0-0 xg2 9.xg2 a6 strong square. 39.d3 xd3 And is then b4 41.f4 f6 10.xb5 b4 is very satisfactory for Black, e x c h a n g e d . 40.xd3 The white king is closer to the pawns, but this Vaganian,R-Seirawan, Y/Biel 1985. ] 6...b7 7.d5!? Somewhat surprising, as the d- doesn't count for too much as the king will fxe5 pawn's defender is under attack, but this is have difficulties invading. 42.fxe5 more ambitious than accepting the exchange 43.f5 h6 44.h4 b5+ 45.e3 c3 46.g4 c2 47.h5 c1 48.g4 a4 of bishops by [ 7.xb7 xb7 8.c5?! d6 Black is at least 49.h5 d1 50.e8 g4 51.a4 b2 52.d3 a3 53.e8 b4 54.c6 equal, Voscilla,A-Zaja,I/Pula 1995. ] ½-½ 7...b4+ An obvious improvement on [ 7...d6 8.d4 a8 9.c3 e7 10.g4 wit h an e d ge , Necka r,L -A lle gro ,V / S io n 529 A13 1990. ] 8.c3 c5 Zhou Jianchao 2607 Zhou Weiqi 2590 [ 8...bxc4 9.e4 exd5 10.e3 a8 11.exd5 29.05.2013 le a ve s W h it e wi t h m o re s p a ce , h e wil l Danzhou 4th (9) soon recapture the c4-pawn. ] [Fier, Alexandr] 9.0-0 0-0 This is only a rapid game, and K a m s k y i s p r o b a b l y a b i t r u s t y , b u t t h e Both players enter into a known position by a immediate different move order. Zhou Weiqi plays in an [ 9...d6 might be more accurate, as g4 is not interesting and provocative way by 11...Be7 protected by the white queen, 10.c6 xc6 and 12...Qa8, and after 13.d5!? the game 11.dxc6 bxc4 12.a4 c7 13.f4 e n t e r e d i n t o b i g c o m p l i c a t i o n s . S t i l l , everything is under control for Black. 1.c4 with unclear play. ] 10.e4 d6 11.g4 xg4 12.xg4 c8 f6 2.f3 e6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 dxc4 5.a4+ The e6-pawn was under attack. 13.e2 bxc4 bd7 6.xc4 c5 7.d4 Not so popular, but 14.xc4 e5 An important decision, Black an active option. [ 7.0-0 and ] closes the centre but leaves W hite with a [ 7.b3 are the main lines ] small edge because of his extra space. 15.a3 518
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 7...a6 8.c2 a7 Trying to keep the rook away from the bishop's diagonal. This order is almost never played, but since all the moves are more or less normal, there is still a lot of transpositional chances. [ Usually Black doesn't worry about the diagonal and answers with 8...b6 9.e5 d5 A) 10.xd7 is not so critical, but playable too xd7 11.dxc5 xc5 12.0-0 b7 13.d1 e7 14.e4 b4 15.e2 0-0 16.a3 c6 17.e3 and it looks like Black is absolutely fine; B) 10.c3 is the most played move at the high level, and after b7 11.xd5 xd5 12.xd5 exd5 13.0-0 ( 13.xd7 xd7 ) 13...xe5 14.dxe5 c8 15.d1 e6 16.d3 e7 17.xd5 d8 18.b3 xd1+ 19.xd1 0-0! ( 19...xe5? 20.a4+ is just bad) 20.b3 was seen in Kramnik, V (2750)- Deep Fritz 10/Bonn Man-Machine 2006. ( 20.f4 f6 21.exf6 xf6 22.e3 d8 gives big compensation) 20...xe5 21.xb6 xe2 22.e3 d8 Black is out of danger; C) 10.c6!? taking advantage of the early 8...b6, the big question is whether White can st abilize th e knight on c6 o r gain some activity after ...Bb7xc6 c7 11.e4 C1) 11...e7?! is not convincing 12.xe7 xe7 13.f4 a7 14.d5 e5 15.e3 Tkachiev, V (2639)-Sokolov, A (2596)/FRA-chA 85th 2010, and Black would be fine if ...Nd7-d6 was possible, but otherwise White has an edge; C2) 11...xc6 is playable, accepting the c h a l l e n g e . 12.exd5 exd5 13.c3 ( 13.0-0 f6 14.g5 e7 15.c3 e6 16.dxc5 xc5 17.e3 ) 13...f6 14.g5 cxd4 15.xf6 dxc3 16.xc3 Zaichik, G-Ivanov, A (2400)/URS-ch45 otbor 1977; C3) 11...5f6 was Meier's choice and looks possible 12.d5 b7 13.0-0 d6 14.d2 with a double-edged position in Landa, K (2598)- Meier, G (2648)/ Politiken Cup 32nd 2010. ] 9.0-0 b6 10.c3 This position can arise if White plays first 7.0-0 8.Qc2 9.Nc3 and only then 10.d4, or if Black plays ...b6 or ...Ra7 at dif ferent moments, putting all the games
together we have some material to take a look at again. b7 11.e4 [ 11.e3 is the main alternative but with pieces instead of pawns in the center the chances for an advantage are less. a8 12.dxc5 ( 12.fd1 waiting for 12... Be7 to take on c5 can be possible improvement) 12...xc5 13.xc5 xc5 14.fd1 0-0 15.d6 b5 was drawn in Huebner, R (2608)Prusikin, M (2545)/SUI-chT Switzerland 2012. ] 11...e7 Playing in a provocative way! Usually Black tries to take on d4 to avoid any d5 ideas [ 11...cxd4 12.xd4 a8 13.e1 c5 is analyzed in Swiercz - Malakhatko/ Rubinstein memorial 2008 - see the Archives. ] 12.d1 a8 Now White needs to make a serious decision. [ 12...0-0 13.d5 exd5 14.e5 g4 ( 14...e8? 15.xd5 xd5 16.xd5 c7 17.d3 Lautier, J (2645)-Pinter, J (2580)/ FRA France 1993.) 15.xd5 ( 15.f5 xf2 16.xf2 d4 is not so clear) 15...dxe5 16.xe5 xe5 17.f4 d6 18.b3 b5 19.a4 leaves Black with some problems to solve. ] 13.d5!? Accepting the challenge! [ 13.dxc5 maybe this is better but it's hard to understand what is going on after 13. d5 over the board, xc5 14.b4!? A) 14...cxe4 to take the pawn is too dangerous 15.a4 A1) 15...d8 does not help 16.e3; A2) 15...0-0 16.xb6 e8 17.e3 xb4 ( 17...g4 18.d4 f6 19.d7 and the rooks are in trouble) 18.c4 a8 19.ab1 e7 20.a3 c5 21.xc5 xc5 22.d6 e4 23.xe4 ( 23.xc5 xb1 24.xb1 ad8 25.b6 e8 26.e4 xc5 27.xc5 a5 ) 23...cxe4 24.e5 ac8 25.c6 c7 26.bc1 d6 27.d3 with advantage to White because of the strong knight on c6. Probably the a6 pawn will fall and Black will have to fight hard for a draw.; A3) 15...c8 16.xc8+ xc8 17.xb6 0-0 18.a3 c3 19.e1 fd5 20.xd5 xd5; B) 14...cd7! 15.a3 0-0 16.f4 c8 a n d m a yb e W h i t e h a s a r e a l l y s l i g h t 519
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 advantage, which is enough f or some players. ] 13...exd5 14.exd5 xd5 15.h4 [ 15.xd5 it's hard to believe this sacrifice, but White's pieces have a lot of potential. xd5 16.xd5 xd5 17.f4 f6 ( 17...0-0? 18.g5 ) 18.b8 d7 ( 18...a8 looks enough for equality 19.xa7 xa7 20.e5 0-0 21.c6 c7 22.e2 e8 23.xa6 f8= ) 19.e5 d2 20.b3 0-0 21.xd7 xd7 22.f4 b4 ( 22...c4 23.xd2 cxb3 24.axb3 a5 ) 23.d1 f6 24.c7 xb3 25.axb3 c8 26.xb6 b8 27.a5 xb3 28.c3 and the bishops compensate the pawn, but nothing more. ] 15...xc3 [ 15...b4! is interesting, leading to a p o s s ib le d ra w 16.xb7 ( 16.f5 xg2 17.xg2 f6 18.g5 0-0 ) 16...xc2 17.xa8 xa8 ( 17...xa1 is not so clear if the knight can escape from a1 at some point 18.e4 xh4 19.gxh4 0-0 20.f4 f6 21.xa1 xe4 22.xe4 e7 23.c3 d8 but I would still prefer to be Black here) 18.f5! White needs to keep the initiative at any cost. ( 18.b1 xh4 19.gxh4 a7 ) 18...xa1 19.d5 d8 ( 19...f6 20.c7+ ) 20.xg7+ f8 21.h6 f6 ( 21...g8? 22.f5 and White's attack is unstoppable f6 23.c7! xc7 24.xd7 e5 25.g7+ f8 26.a7++- ) 22.f5+ f7 ( 22...g8 23.c7! ) 23.d6+ e6 24.f4+ e7 25.f5+ e8 26.g7+ e7 27.f5+= with a beautiful draw. ] 16.xc3 f6 17.f5 Going into a forced draw variation. xg2 18.xg7+ f8 19.h6 [ 19.h5 doesn't change the evaluation h1 20.f3! xf3 21.h6+ e8 ( 21...g8 22.xf6+ xf6 23.xf6 xf6 24.d6 e7 25.e1! f5 26.xb6 d8 27.b8 f7 28.xh1 ) 22.g7+ f8 23.f5+ e8= ( 23...g8 24.d2! )] 19...h1 20.f5+ e8 21.g7+ f8 22.f5+ e8 23.h4? Suddenly White collapses! Now the position is just winning for Black. [ 23.g7+= ] 23...g8 24.f3 g4! 25.d3 [ 25.f4 xh4 26.e1+ e7-+ ] [ 25.fxg4 xh4 and Black can defend any
check on the e-file easily ] 25...xh4 26.xh7 xh6 27.xh6 A rich game with a disastrous end! 0-1
530 Bareev,Evgeny Kramnik,Vladimir Amber Blindfold (9) [Tony Kosten]
xf3
A14 2714 2777 30.03.2004
Craig Hall asked about a line in the notes, which seems to have escaped the attention of the various Reti writers. 1.f3 f6 2.c4 b6 3.g3 b7 4.g2 e6 5.0-0 e7 6.c3 0-0 7.b3 d5 8.e3 dxc4 The point of playing this move is that it takes away the possibility of advantageously capturing on d5 from White once and for good. [ 8...c5 9.b2 c6 has occurred a few times in my games, 10.cxd5 this is why B l a c k l i k e s t o t a k e o n c 4 ! ( 10.d3 ke e p s m o re t e n sio n , b u t I n o t ic e d t h a t Dunnington reckoned the capture on d5 wa s d a n ge r o u s f o r B l a c k) 10...xd5 11.xd5 xd5 12.d4 a5!? unusual, but not bad, 13.h4!? ( 13.a3 fd8 14.c1 ac8 doesn't seem to offer White much, Poluljahov,A-Maiorov,O/Krasnodar 1998; 13.dxc5! is best, xc5 14.xd5 xd5 15.fd1 fd8 16.ac1 c6 17.d4 xg2 18.xg2 xd4 19.xd4 xd4 20.xd4 xd4 21.exd4 with an edge in Miles,A-Short, N/ch-GBR, Torquay ENG 1998) 13...d8! 14.xb7 xb7 15.f3 b8 ( 15...xh4! is best ) 16.fd1 e8 ( 16...xh4 17.dxc5 g5 18.c6 c5 19.h1 regains the piece on h4 ) 17.g2 f6 ( 17...cxd4 18.xd4 f6?? l o s e s n e a t l y t o 19.xf6! gxf6 20.g4+ h8 21.xf6# ) 18.f4 e7 19.h5 cxd4 20.xf6+ xf6 21.xf6 gxf6 22.xd4 with a clear advantage, KostenDubois, Naujac 2004. ] 9.bxc4 c5 10.b2 c6 11.e2 b4!? Black aims for the weakened d3 square. Craig says: "In my database this has been met by 12.d4, 12.Ne1 and 12.Ne5 - d4 seems strongest to me, do you agree? None of my bo o ks h a ve a n y co ve ra ge o f t h is lin e . . " 12.e1 Solid, but I agree with Craig that 520
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 12.d4 is best, cxd4 13.exd4 White has hanging pawns, but an active position with well-placed pieces, c8 14.fd1 e8 prophylaxis, and better than aiming directly for the c-pawn by ( 14...c7 when 15.a3 a6 Ravikumar,V-Theulings,P/Dieren 1991, when 16.d5!? exd5 17.b5 looks really dangerous for Black) 15.a3 c6 16.e5 ( 16.d5?! is wrong with the rook facing the white queen, Petrosian,A-Kuzmin,G/Baku 1977 ) 16...c7?! offering White a free tempo, ( 16...d6 17.f4 a5 18.xb7 xb7 19.b5 b8 20.a4 gives White more spa ce, but the exchange o f light squared bishops helps Black, Plachetka,JGizynski,T/Bardejov 1991) 17.b5 b8 18.d5! exd5 19.cxd5 xe5 20.xe5 a6 21.xb8 xb8 22.a7 aiming for c6, d6 23.a4 a8 ( 23...e4! to block the diagonal ) 24.c6 ac8 25.ac1 ( 25.xf6 gxf6 26.ab1 c5 raises the spectre of opposite-colour bishops) 25...b5?! 26.b1?! ( 26.xf6 gxf6 27.axb5 axb5 28.b1 wins the pawn immediately) 26...a8?! Panno,O-Mecking,H/Buenos Aires 1970, but instead ( 26...e4 was best. )] 12...xg2 13.xg2 d7 14.d1 First, [ 14.a3 c6 then 15.d1 is an alternative, ( 15.f3 fd8 16.fd1 b7 17.g1 d7 is very pleasant for Black, Ivkov,B-Platonov, I/Wijk aan Zee 1970) 15...b7 16.g1 a6 17.a4 e8 18.f4 d6 19.b1 f6 20.f3 fd8 with fair chances, Bagirov,V-Psakhis,L/ Amsterdam 1989. ] 14...fd8 Black's main plan is simple: pile-up on the d-file! 15.d3 a6 16.a3 c6 17.a4 White often plays this to dissuade Black from playing ...b5. b7 18.g1 d7 Actually an innovation, although the [ 18...b4 19.f4 d7 20.f3 of Schmidt,WKostro,J/Polanica Zdroj 1970, is similar. ] 19.f4 This is the key to White's play, he controls e5 (and keeps the a1-h8 diagonal o p e n ) wh i ls t p r e p a ri n g a k i n g s i d e p a wn advance. ad8 20.f3 g4!? Black wants to blunt the b2-bishop's diagonal by playing ... f6. 21.h3 h6 22.h2?! Slow, [ 22.g4!? f6 23.g5 f7 24.e4 f5 25.f2 covers d3, and keeps e5 under control. ] 22...f6 23.d2 White must stay ready to cover d3, as now
[ 23.g4 is met by f7 ] 23...b4 24.d4 [ 24.e1 is possible, if a little passive, but ] [ 24.fd1? loses a pawn to xd3! 25.xd3 xd3 26.xd3 xd3 27.xd3 xf3 ] 24...f7 25.fd1 f8 Black plays a lot of useful prophylactic moves, which is often a good idea. 26.a1 c6 Black takes aim at c4. 27.f5? This is a bit desperate. [ 27.b2 kept the tension. ] 27...exf5 28.d5 c7 29.h4 d6 30.f1 e7 31.e1 d7 32.f2 de8 Black doesn't even need to weaken his kingside with . ..g6. 33.xf5? xf5 34.xf5 c2 Forking e1 and e3. 0-1
531 Borovikov,Vladislav Moro,Alfonso 74th ch-UKR KO (2.1) [John Watson]
A14 2595 2487 26.08.2005
1.f3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.b3 f6 4.b2 e7 5.g3 0-0 6.g2 c5 7.0-0 c6 8.e3 This is a traditional main line of the Reti, c o n t e s t e d o v e r a c e n t u r y o r m o r e . d4 A real test of White's setup with a long history behind it. 9.exd4 cxd4 10.e1 To prevent ... e5 and play for Ne5. [ 10.d3?! e5! is a reversed Benoni in which White's Bb2 is a disadvantage. So although Black lost a tempo by ...e6-e5. White lost one by Bb2 and may lose another by Bc1, back to the best square for the bishop! ] 10...e8! A strange remedy but a good one, intending ..f6 and ...e5. Oddly enough, this has been the only move that has worked well for Black, for example: [ (a) 10...e8 11.e5! xe5 12.xe5 d7 13.b5 and White was much better in TalZhuravlev, USSR Ch 1967. ] [ (b) 10...d3?! 11.a3 ( 11.e5!? xe5 12.xe5 ) 11...a5 12.c3 is excellent for White. Nb5 is in the air, as is Re3 in many lines. ] 11.a3!? [ The best order to mix it up is 11.d3! f6 ( 11...c7 12.bd2 f6 13.a3 a5 14.h4!? e5 15.h5 e8 16.xe8 xe8 17.f4 521
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 - I l i k e W h i t e) 12.bd2 ( 12.a3 is still playable) 12...e5! ( 12...c7 13.a3 a5 14.h4 b8 15.f4 with a small edge) 13.a3 a5 14.h4!? A) (or 14...g5 15.d5+ g7 16.g2 (intending f4 or h4) c7 17.e4 d7 ( 17...f5 18.xc6 bxc6 19.xe5 ) 18.f4 Black will acce de to some weakness, again with a dynamic position in which I favour White, for example, gxf4 ( 18...exf4 19.gxf4 f5 20.xc6 bxc6 21.f3 ) 19.gxf4 h8 20.h5 h3 21.xh3 xh3 22.fxe5 fxe5 23.xc6 bxc6 24.xe5; B) or 14...c7 15.h5 e8 16.xe8 xe8 17.f4 exf4 18.gxf4; C) 14...e6 15.f4 d7 16.h5 ( a more ambitious move would be 16.f5!? xf5 17.xf5 xf5 18.e4 h3 19.f3 c7 20.f5 h6 , but it's hard to see a go od f ollo w-u p) 16...f7 ( 16...g4?! 17.d5+ xd5 18.xg4 f7 19.f5 h8 20.f1 ) 17.e2 with a complex game, probably equal but easier for White to play. ] 11...f6 12.c2 e5 13.d3 c7 14.b1?! [ 14.d2! a5 15.a3 Tal-Grigorian, Gori 1968. This is the last way to fight for the advantage that I see, although it's doubtless okay for Black who has active pieces and even a practical advantage. ] 14...a5 15.c1 Proof that the setup has failed to achieve anything. Black has a mild advan ta ge . b8 16.a3 b5 17.d2 d7 18.e2 e8 19.h4! g6 [ 19...g5? 20.f5! f8 21.e4 ] 20.xc6 xc6 21.xa5 d7 22.xc7 xc7 23.b4 xb4? [ 23...b7! w i t h t h e i d e a 24.cxb5? ( 24.g4!? c8! 25.xc8 bxc8 26.c2 c7 and the bishops ensure some a d v a n t a g e .) 24...xb4 25.axb4 d7 exploiting the light squares an retaining the better game. ] 24.axb4 d6 25.g4 [ 25.c5 d5 26.f3 is also hard to crack. ] 25...d7 26.f3 c6 27.g4 d7 28.f3 c6 ½-½
532 Chuchelov,Vladimir Rogozenco,D Bundesliga 2003-4 (3) [Tony Kosten]
A14 2603 2517 22.11.2003
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.b3 e7 5.g2 0-0 6.0-0 b6 7.b2 b7 8.e3 bd7 A solid line, Black develops his bits foremost. 9.e2 a5!? Black plays to embarrass the b2bishop, [ 9...c5 is the main move. ] 10.c3 a4 This is the tactical point. [ 10...e4 11.cxd5 exd5 12.d3 xc3 13.xc3 c5 was fairly level in Tal,MCifuentes Parada,R/Buenos Aires 1991. ] 11.xa4!? This obvious capture is actually a novelty! [ 11.d4 ha d b e e n p ref e rre d , wh e n a3 12.c1 b4 13.d2 gives Black good play, e7 14.ac1 fd8 ( 14...ac8 15.fd1 fd8 is similar, Plaskett,J-Parker,J/ Birmingham 1999) 15.e1 xc3 16.xc3 e4 17.a1 c5 18.d3 dxc4 19.bxc4 ac8 and White's bishops don't amount to much, Pigusov,E-Kosashvili,Y/Biel 1989. ] 11...dxc4 This is the point, the c4-pawn is invulnerable. 12.fc1 [ 12.xc4?! a6 wins the exchange ] 12...cxb3 [ 12...b5 13.c3 b4 14.a4 d5 is more testing. ] 13.axb3 c5 This seems a bit too simplistic, Black exchanges pieces, but is the knight on a4 doing anything? Perhaps [ 13...d5 is more to the point. ] 14.xc5 xc5 15.d3 e7 16.e5 xg2 17.xg2 White's play is also simple, but there is a p l a n : e xc h a n g i n g t h e l i g h t - s q u a r e d bishops exposes the squares on c6 and b5 to infiltration. a3? Black continues the logic of exchanging pieces, hoping for a quick draw, but gets into surprising difficulties after this. [ 17...xa1 18.xa1 d7! would have achieved his objective. ] 18.c6 d6 19.e5 d7 The queen is short of squares, and the only other possibility was [ 19...d5+ when 20.e4 b5 21.xa3 xa3 22.e7+ h8 23.xf6 wins material, as gxf6? 24.b2 is decisive as it menaces 522
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 the rook and (more importantly) Qxf6 mate. ] 20.xa3! xa3 21.xf6 gxf6 22.b2 This is the point, the queen forks the rook and t h e f 6 - p a w n . fa8 There is nothing better. 23.xf6 d5+? The only move was [ 23...e8 when 24.c4 (threatening Rg4+ and mate) e5 (to cover g4 with the queen) 25.xe5 d5+ checks and attacks the knight at the same time, which gives Black time to defend, 26.f3 e6 and Black is clearly worse, but still fighting. ] 24.e4 xd3 [ 24...d6 looks better, but still loses, 25.e5 d5+ 26.h3 e8 27.c4 and Black has to give his queen to avoid mate. ] 25.e7+ f8 26.xc7 Mate follows after [ 26.xc7 xe4+ 27.h3 ] 1-0
533 Durarbayli,Vasif Yu,Yangyi World Teams 2013 (7.5) [Fier, Alexandr]
A14 2559 2668 03.12.2013
W hite's pawn sac was quite an interesting idea, much more active than the normal 15. Nb1 and it brought a lot of life to the game, but 16.Nxd5 was better and would be my recommendation in the position. Soon things went wrong and Black easily won the game. 1.c4 e6 2.f3 f6 3.g3 e7 4.g2 0-0 5.0-0 d5 6.b3 b6 7.b2 b7 8.e3 c5 9.e2 c6 10.d1 dxc4 11.bxc4 c7 12.c3 a6 [ 12...fd8 can also be tried here, and after 13.ac1 a5 14.d3 a6 with the same idea as in this game, and it was seen last year in Kvon, A (2492)-Sargissian, G (2693)/ Istanbul ol (Men) 40th 2012 (8.4). ] 13.ac1 fd8 14.d4 An ambitious approach. [ 14.d3 is also natural, trying to expand a f t e r w a r d s w i t h f 4 a7 ( 14...a5 wou ld tra ns pose t o Sargissian's gam e) 15.d2 xg2 16.xg2 c6 was Lahno, K (2548)-Kosintseva, T (2517)/Geneve FIDE GP (Women) 2013 (9). ] 14...a5 15.d5!? An new idea in the position. W hite give s a p awn in order t o ope n th e position - Black should not underestimate
White's attacking potential. [ 15.b1 is sometimes played, defending c4 a n d g o i n g w i t h t h e k n i g h t t o d 2 ac8 16.bd2 e4 17.b3 xb3 18.axb3 was recently seen in Wiedenkeller, M (2479)Kreisl, R (2408)/EU-Cup 29th Rhodes 2013 (1.2). ] 15...exd5 16.cxd5 xd5 17.e4 The computer doesn't like this move, but the position is not easy to understand. Changing the knights instead of 17.Ne4 could hold the balance, but with good practical chances. [ 17.xd5!? xd5 18.xd5 it looks like White is exchanging too many pieces, but it won't be a dead draw so early xd5 19.e5 A) 19...xe5 loses an exchange 20.xe5 xe5 21.xa8 with a clear advantage; B) 19...dd8 is already losing to 20.xf7! this theme will be seen in other variations xf7 21.h5+ f8 ( 21...g8 22.d5+ h8 23.e4 is j u s t m a t e) 22.xh7 and Black is not able to deal with the attack, for example: d6 23.d5 e8 to run away to e7-d8 with the king 24.d1 and Black's position is completely hopeless; C) 19...ad8 this is basically the only move 20.xf7!? a dangerous idea, and it's easy for Black to make a step in the wrong direction ( 20.xd5 is a solid option, but d oesn 't b ring any adva ntage xd5 21.xa6 f8 and Black is fine ) C1) 20...xf7 is not possible, and reminds me of the old Figatello 21.xd5+ xd5 22.f3+ e6 23.g4+! precise d6 24.e4 and the king is too exposed to survive g5 25.d1+ c6 26.e6+ b5 27.a4+! White needs to open the a-file ( 27.b1 a4 and suddenly the attack is over ) 27...xa4 28.a1+ b5 29.b1 winning; C2) 20...d2 C2a) 21.h5 is also interesting xb2 22.e4 C2a1) 22...g6 23.xg6 f6 ( 23...hxg6 24.xg6+ f8 25.h6 with a brutal attack) 24.xh7+ f8 25.h6+ g7 26.xd8! xd8 ( 26...xh6 27.e6++- ) 27.f4+ g8 28.f7+ h8 29.f5 d2 523
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 30.h3+ g8 31.e6+ with a perpetual; C2a2) 22...f8 23.xd8 xd8 24.d1 f6 25.xh7 with dangerous compensation, probably Black can defend, but the position is easy for White to play; C2b) 21.g4 leads to an entertaining draw xf7 22.xg7+ e8 23.f3 xb2 24.h5+ d7 25.g4+ ( 25.d1+ c8 is em barra ssin g) 25...c6 26.f3+= ]
complications. 20.f3? [ 20.c2 is the computer suggestion but without any concrete plan, b6 ] 20...dxe3 Now it's over 21.xd8+ xd8 22.f6+ xf6 23.xf6 xg2 24.xd8 xd8 25.d1 [ 25.xg2 maybe White was counting on this move, but White is paralyzed after f6 26.e1 c6 if the queen leaves the e-file 27...Ne5 is decisive, so there is nothing to do ] 25...f6 26.e8+ g7 27.d8 xf3 28.f8+ f6 29.d7 d5 30.h8+ f5 17...b5 [ 17...c6! was the best move, trying to 31.g4+ xg4 32.h3+ xh3 bring the queen to e6 and also threatening 0-1 18...Qb5 18.a1 ( 18.e5 e6 and it's not clear how W hite is going to A14 continue the attack) 18...h6 19.e1 e6 534 and there is not enough compensation for Filippov,Valerij 2639 the pawn ] Grischuk,Alexander 2719 18.h4? Trying to go to f5 and force Black to FIDE WCh KO Tripoli LBA (3.6) 24.06.2004 open the long diagonal for White's bishop, but [Tony Kosten] there are no real threats on the diagonal, so this move is not so effective. 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 e7 [ 18.fg5 was more to the point 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3 c5 7.e3 c6 8.cxd5 A) 18...xg5 19.xg5 h6 20.xd5! [ 8.b2 is more common, b6 9.c3 b7 again this idea, but now connected with 10.e2 and now we looked at dxc4 11.bxc4 the h7 square instead of f7 xd5 21.d3 b4 in Bareev-Kramnik last month. ] hxg5 22.xd5 and the bishops are really 8...xd5 9.b2 b6 10.d4 dangerous. Black needs to give the [ 10.c3 f6 ( 10...b7 11.xd5 e x c h a n g e b a c k f8 23.f5 xd5 was considered in a note to the ( 23...ac8? 24.xc5 wins ) 24.xd5 b7 aforementioned game.) 11.d4 xc3 25.xg5 f6 26.f5 and White is slightly 12.xc3 b7 13.c1 1/2-1/2 Hartung better; Ni e ls e n , J -M a k si m o vi c, B / C o p e n h a g e n B) 18...c4 19.xg7 more or less forced, 1989. ] but good xg7 20.g4 xg5 21.xg5 10...a6! More active than I p r e f e r t h i s o n e ( 21.xg5+ [ 10...b7 which would transpose to more is also possible, but Black can have some normal lines. ] a d v a n t a g e a f t e r h8 22.f6 e5 11.e1 cxd4 23.xd5 one more time this move xd5 [ 11...db4 has never been played, but has 24.h6 f5 25.xd5 xd5 26.e4 its points, ...Nd3 is an annoying threat. ] t h i s i s t h e i d e a b e h i n d 2 3 . R x d 5 g6 12.xd4 xd4 13.xd4 With the symmetric 27.xg6 hxg6 28.xd5 and in the structure it seems at first glance that a draw is endgame these pa ssed pawns on th e not far off. c8 The rook leaves the exposed q u e e n s i d e c a n b e e n o u g h f o r s o m e h1-a8 diagonal. 14.d2 White can also try to advantage ) 21...h5 22.e6+ f6 bring his rook to d2 by 23.xc7 hxg4 24.xa8 xa8 25.e4 [ 14.a3 when f6! ( 14...d7 15.a2 fd8 b2 26.d2 c4= ] 16.d2 is only slightly better for Black, 18...g6 19.a1 c4 And with two simple Zivkovic,V-Vuksanovic,S/ Vrnjacka Banja moves White's attack is completely neutralized. 1996 ) 15.a2 xd4 16.xd4 c3! W ithout a clear path W hite got lost in the 17.xd8 fxd8 18.xc3 xc3 524
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 wit h p re s s u r e o n t h e wh i t e qu e e n sid e , Maninang,R-Fernandez Garcia,J/Luzern 1982. ] 14...f6 Once again Black aims to control the c 3 - s q u a r e . 15.e4 xd4 16.xd4 f5! A powerful novelty, Black weakens e5 and e6, but wins control of c3 for his knight. [ 16...e7 17.ac1?! ( 17.ec1 is right, keeping the a-pawn defended) 17...a3 ( 17...f5! ) 18.cd1?! ( 18.d2 ) 18...c2 with a useful initiative, Pham Toan ThanhSaevareid,O/Bergen NOR 2002. ] 17.d2 c3 18.f1 [ 18.xd8 fxd8 19.f3 keeps White's position solid, but Black is clearly on top. ] 18...xf1 19.xf1 xd4 Black gives White an IQP, but also opens the e-file and exposes the e6-pawn. Perhaps [ 19...e5 20.xd8 fxd8 offers more, 21.c4 e4 with a small space advantage. ] 20.exd4 b5 21.f3 c3 22.g2? Astounding, White misses a simple tactic, [ 22.a4! is fine, xf3 ( 22...d6 23.g5 xb3 24.xe6 can only be good for White) 23.axb5 f4! 24.g4 xb3 25.xe6 xb5 26.xa7 f3 with a likely draw. ] 22...xf3! Winning a pawn. 23.xf3 xd4+ 24.f4 c2 The sting that regains the exchange. 25.ac1 xe1 26.xe1 f7 Black has a solid extra pawn, the backward e6p a wn is h i s o n e p ro b le m . 27.c1 f6 The king covers e5, and prepares ...e5 or ... g5. 28.e3 What else? If [ 28.c7 Black simply plays f7 29.c6 g5+ 30.e3 g4 ] 28...g5 29.b4 f7 30.c8 d7 31.a4?! White doesn't defend the position too well, [ 31.f4 should be played, for better or worse, as at least ...e5 is inhibited. ] 31...g4! This move leaves the white kingside pawns completely crippled. 32.b5 e5 33.c4 d6 34.h3!? It is always a good idea to exchange some pawns. gxh3 35.h4 [ 35.d4+ e7 36.h4 seems more accurate, keeping the black king further from the queenside. ] 35...c7 36.d3 c1 Black searches for activity. 37.xh3 a1 The beginning of the e n d f o r W h i t e , h e i s t ie d t o t h e a -p a wn . 38.h4 [ 38.xh7 xa4 is no help, the b5-pawn is
soon lost. ] 38...a3+ 39.e2 d5 40.f1 e5 41.g2 e4 Cutting the rook from the a4-pawn forces the exchange of h-pawn for a-pawn. 42.xh7 xa4 43.h3? White should at least try [ 43.h5 e6 44.h6+ e5 45.h5 f6 46.h6+ g5 47.h7 when the black king i s f o r c e d t o s t a y o n t h e k i n g s i d e , a5 and Black will probably have to exchange the a7-pawn for the b5-pawn, although this should win. ] 43...a2 44.h4 [ 44.g2? e3 ] 44...xf2 [ 44...e3! wins on the spot. ] 45.xa7 c5 46.f7 f3 Black will capture on b5 with a trivial win. 0-1
535 Galyas,Miklos Paridar,Shadi FSIM June Budapest HUN (13) [John Watson]
A14 2444 2263 16.06.2005
1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 f6 4.f3 e7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3 c5 7.b2 c6 8.e3 b6 9.c3 a6 10.e2 c8 11.d3 [ 11.b5!? was played in the instructive game Botvinnik-Bakulin, USSR 1967: b7 12.d3 a6 13.c3 c7 14.fd1 d7 15.cxd5! xd5 16.xd5 exd5 17.d4 e8 18.d2 cxd4 19.xd4 e5 20.ad1 c5 21.a3 a5 22.b5 c6 23.a4 a8 24.d4! ] 11...e5?! This is a tactically-based attempt to free Black's game at once, but it doesn't quite work. Instead, the modest [ 11...d7 has been played several times a n d s e e m s s o l i d e n o u g h , e . g . , 12.fd1 ( 12.ad1 fd8 13.fe1 d4?! 14.exd4 xd4 15.xd4 cxd4 16.e4 xe4 17.xe4 Hjartarrson-Belyavsky, Linares 1 9 8 8 , b u t 1 3 . . . Q e 8 w a s e q u a l - E C O) 12...fd8 13.ac1 e8 14.h3 b7 15.cxd5 xd5 16.xd5 xd5 17.e5 dd8 18.g4 with a slight initiative, Panchenko-Kharlamov, Smolensk 1986. ] 12.xd5! xd5 13.cxd5 e4 [ 13...b4 14.xe5 f6 15.c4 ] 525
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 14.d2! b4 18.c2 b7 19.a1 xa1 1/2-1/2 Roeder[ 14...xd3 15.g4 is White's point, Baklan, Saint Vincent 2003. ] although d4! 16.exd4 f5 17.h5 xf1 9.d3 18.xf1 g6 19.e2 f6 is only somewhat [ 9.c2 bd7 10.fb1 b4 11.d1 e7 better for White after 20.f3 cxd4 21.fxe4! 12.c2 d6 13.d3 axb3 14.axb3 xa1 d3 22.xd3 xb2 23.exf5 gxf5 24.c4 15.xa1 e5 16.e3 g6 17.d4 e4 18.d2 g7 25.xf5 ] Pribyl-Weglarz, Decin 1998. ] 15.g4 g6 16.dxe4 xf1 17.xf1 9...bd7 Now White has a huge centre and two bishops [ 9...a6 10.c2 b6 11.b1 axb3 12.axb3 along with two pawns for the exchange. The b4 13.c3 xc2 14.xc2 b7 15.a1 rest is easily understandable: d3 18.a1 d7 16.xa8 xa8 17.a1 Bofill Masf6 19.xf6 xf6 20.e2 b4 21.c4 b5 Hoensch, Banyoles 2004 ] 22.e5 a6 23.d6 b8 24.a1 a5 10.c2 b4!? 25.d2 c7 26.f4 a5 27.a3 a6 28.e4 [ 10...axb3 11.axb3 b4 12.d1 c4 29.d6 a7 30.b4 fd8 31.c3 axb4 and Nc2 follows perhaps W hite is a tad 32.axb4 b6 33.f6+ f8 34.d5 better. ] [ 34.d5 a7 35.xa6 xa6 36.e6 11.fc1 h6 and checkmate follows. ] [ Le ss casu al is 11...e7 12.b1 e5 1-0 ( 12...axb3 ) 13.cxd5 a3 14.c3 xd5 ] 12.d1 e8 13.c2 f8 14.b4! Black's play has been generally passive, 536 A14 although his position is solid enough. After 14. Ivanchuk,Vassily 2739 b4 we have the classic Reti tension between Asrian,Karen 2611 flank and centre. e5 15.a3 b5! Generally this 6th EICC Playoff (1.1) 02.07.2005 move is a bit awkward for White because c5 allows Black free rein in the centre. 16.c5 [John Watson] c7 17.d2 g6 18.e4 d4?! [ 18...g7 ] The ...a5-a4 system of the traditional main line of the Reti has always done well, so it's 19.e2 g7 20.f1 f8 21.ae1 h5? interesting to see how Ivanchuk handles it. Weakening. Black is losing the thread. 22.f4 1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 f6 4.f3 e7 exf4 23.xd4!? [ 23.gxf4! d5 24.e5 ] 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3 a5 [ 6...c5 7.b2 c6 8.e3 reverts to the main 23...e6 [ 23...g4! ] line. ] 24.xf6 xf6 25.e5 g5 26.d4 7.b2 a4 8.a3 Directly blocking the [ 26.e4! intending xe5? 27.xg5 xg5 advance of the pawn. White has gained time 28.xc6 ] but at the cost of putting the awkward knight 26...fxg3 27.hxg3 xd2 28.xd2 g7 on a3. 29.d5! cxd5 30.xd5 e6 31.xa8 xa8 [ 8.d3 ] 32.d6 Black has nothing for the pawn and [ 8.bxa4 and ] [ 8.c1 have all been played with indifferent goes on to lose. 1-0 success. ] 8...c6 In some games Black has achieved ... b5 so White has to be on the lookout for that idea. [ Black puts his knight on d7 in this game, so it's worth seeing another example: 8...bd7 9.d3 ( 9.d4 e4 10.c2 ) 9...b6 10.c1!? ( 10.e3 b7 11.c2 ) 10...b7 11.c2 c5 12.b1 axb3 13.axb3 c7 14.e3 c6 15.cxd5 xd5 16.e4 5f6 17.e3 fd8 526
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 537 Kosten,Anthony C Grimberg French League [Tony Kosten]
A14
24.03.2012
1.c4 e6 2.f3 d5 3.g3 f6 [ 3...c5 4.g2 c6 5.0-0 e7!? was an interesting idea to dissuade White from playing b3, 6.e3!? ( my opponent was doubtless hoping for 6.cxd5 exd5 7.d4 f6 transposing to the Tarrasch - but as I'd seen that he likes to play this I naturally wanted to take him out of his 'comfort zone'.) 6...f6 7.b3 e4!? continuing with the plan of stopping White from playing his queenside f i a n c h e t t o , ( 7...0-0 is normal, of course, 8.b2 transposing to the main game.) 8.b2 f6 9.xf6!? a novelty, and played after considerable reflection the move before. ( 9.d4 is the obvious reply, but then 0-0 10.cxd5 exd5 11.c3 returns play to a QGD Tarrasch once more, and would be much more to my opponent's liking!; 9.c1 was a reasonable alternative, Makarov, M (2505)-Vekshenkov, N (2295)/ Novosibirsk 1989. ) 9...xf6 ( 9...xf6 is worse, 10.c3 xc3 11.dxc3 dxc4 12.d2 as cxb3?! 13.e4 e7 14.d6+ ) 10.cxd5 xd5 11.d4 cxd4 12.xd4 f6 ( I had been expecting 12...d7 which is close to equal.) 13.d2! a n i c e t r i c k , xd4 14.e4 the point, f3+ 15.xf3 e5 16.c1 d7 to play ...Bc6. ( 16...0-0 is safer, 17.c5 b6 18.d3 with a small advantage.) 17.d2! heading for c4, 0-0 18.c4 f6 19.e4! A) 19...b4 was pretty much forced, 20.e5 ( 20.xd7? xf3 ) 20...e7 21.xb7 ab8 22.d6! winning a pawn.; B) 19...c3?? p l a y e d q u i c k l y , 20.e5! simply winning, xd1 21.exf6 the knight is trapped, Kosten, A (2498)-Wheeler, D (2272)/England 2011. ] 4.g2 e7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3 c5 7.b2 c6 8.e3 b6 9.c3 a6!? An ambitious move, pinning the c4-pawn. [ 9...b7 is the mainline and is 3 times more popular. ] 10.d3 [ 10.e2 c8 11.d3 transposes, and I don't know if W hite can gain any advantage by
delaying this by, say ( 11.fd1 as Black can play d4 12.exd4 cxd4 13.b5 d3 and White soon had a quite a bad position in Botvinnik, M-Van Scheltinga, T/ Amsterdam 1966. )] 10...c8 11.e2 c7!? This move is very rare, but seems very logical - the rook is coming to d7 to press on the d-file. [ 11...e5?! was Galyas, M-Paridar, S, analysed by John W atson - see the PGN Archive. ] [ 11...c7 is by far the most popular at this juncture. ] 12.ad1 Normally the other rook would come here, but I realised I would need it on the f-file later on. [ 12.fd1 d7 13.b5 b8 14.a4 b7 15.d4 led to a quick draw in Makarichev, S (2 5 05 ) -Marjan o vic, S (2 51 5 )/ S ara je vo 1982. ] 12...d7 13.h4!? This seems to be new here, but I like this idea which gives Black something to worry about on the kingside White might play cxd5 and then Nf5. [ 13.e1 b7 14.d2 dxc4 15.bxc4 a8 16.f4 fd8 17.f3 with interesting play in Sulava, N (2430) -Zelcic, R (2450)/Cattolica 1993. ] 13...e8 Freeing a retreat square for the bishop, and also placing the rook opposite the white queen. [ I had expected 13...b7 as the bishop has done its job on a6 and was now 'biting on granite', 14.cxd5 xd5 ( 14...exd5 15.f5 but d4 is fine. ) 15.xd5 xh4 ( 15...exd5 16.f5 f6 17.d4 ) 16.f4 f6 but this looks f airly equal, W hite might try 17.d4 cxd4 18.h5!? ] 14.f4 This was why I left the rook on f1, the threat is f5. g6!? This is like waving a red flag at a bull! [ 14...b7 has to be best, otherwise Black can never move his d-pawn as the c6-knight would be left hanging. 15.f3 with a tense position, but where Black is certainly not worse. ( 15.f5 can now be answered by d4 )] 15.f5!! With the c6-knight still loose and the dpawn pinned this is definitely the right time to start the attack, White can't afford a moment's hesitation. exf5 16.xf5! [ 16.xd5 is n o t th e id e a a t a ll, xd5 527
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 17.xd5 xd5! 18.cxd5 xd5 with a pawn and excellent play for the exchange. ] 16...gxf5 [ 16...f8 was the only other sensible alternative, 17.xd5 xd5 18.xd5 xd5! 19.cxd5 xd5 20.g4!? ( 20.h4 ) 20...xd3 21.g5 with the exchange and an attack. ] 17.xf5 The key position, White has a pawn for his piece, and will soon get a second as the d5-pawn is still pinned, but most important he has opened the black king position - the bishop on b2 points menacingly at g7. d6 A good move, the rook can block on g6 if necessary. Black had to be very careful: [ 17...b7? would lose to 18.xd5 xd5? 19.g4+ ] [ 17...f8? 18.xd5 xd5 19.xf6 ] 18.xd5 During the game I played this because it 'felt' right, although both I and my opponent thought that perhaps [ 18.cxd5 was objectively stronger, b4 ( 18...b8 19.e4 ) 19.a3 xd3 20.xd3 xd3 21.xd3 and this does indeed look unpleasant for Black. ] 18...c8 Absolutely the only move, anything else and White would play Rdf1 and then take on f6. 19.g5+!! I played this after a great deal of t hought, a s th e ro ok will b ecom e t ra p p e d . N o n e o f t h e a lt e rn a t i ve s r e a ll y appealed to me, though: [ 19.f4 xd5 20.xd5 xd5! 21.cxd5 xd5 ] [ 19.df1!? xf5 20.xf5 h6 21.f3 xd5 22.cxd5 g5! ] 19...f8 20.f1 h6 This was the basis of my opponent's defence, the rook is attacked and has no safe escape. 21.xf6! The first point. xf6? Obvious but losing. [ 21...hxg5? is also bad, as 22.h7+ g8 23.h5 forces mate. ] [ but 21...xf6 wa s e s s e n t i a l , 22.d5! ( in the post mortem we spent a long time looking at 22.d5 xf1+! and were unable t o d e c i d e w h i c h r e c a p t u r e w a s b e s t !) 22...e6! ( 22...hxg5? 23.h5 ) 23.xf6 xf6 24.h5 e5! 25.xh6 g4 and Black is still in the game. ] 22.h5! The second point, now Black is quite lost. ee6 The f6-bishop is pinned, and [ 22...hxg5 23.h6+ e7 24.xf6+ d7
25.h3+ c7 26.xd8+ wins the queen. ] 23.xh6+ e7 24.gf5 The bishop on f6 is pinned and lost. [ 24.gf5 I had actually expected my opponent to try the trick d4 when I'd planned A) 25.xd4 cxd4 26.d5 is also decisive,; B) even the blunder 25.exd4? isn't that bad: xd4+ 26.xd4 xh6 27.xf7+ e6 ( 27...e8 28.f8+ d7 29.xd8+ xd8 30.e3 ) 28.g7 with some nasty t h r e a t s, a n d m a yb e so m e a d v a n t a g e despite only having a piece for the queen!; C) 25.5f2 g8 26.exd4 xd4 27.h4+ f6 28.xd4 ] 1-0
538 Kosten,Anthony C Horvath,Csaba 20th ECC Izmir TUR (2) [Tony Kosten]
A14 2519 2565 04.10.2004
1.c4 e6 2.f3 f6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 e7 5.0-0 0-0 6.e5 bd7 last month I described this as 'a sensible alternative' 7.d4 c6 8.d2 xe5 9.dxe5 d7 10.f3 b6 11.cxd5 exd5 [ 11...exd5 Dorfman thought I may have some advantage after 12.c2 g4 13.h3 h5 14.d4 g6 15.f5 but I was d o u b t f u l a b o u t t h is , e8 16.e4 f6 and W hite's pieces seem a bit loose, so I was happy to take the draw. ] ½-½
539 Kosten,Anthony C Landa,Konstantin FRA-chT Top 16 GpA (5) [Tony Kosten]
A14 2511 2641 11.04.2008
1.c4 e6 2.f3 f6 3.b3 b6 4.g3 b7 5.g2 e7 6.0-0 0-0 7.b2 d5 8.e3 c5 9.c3 I've had this position many times. c6 This and [ 9...dxc4 10.bxc4 c6 are the most 528
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ambitious, ] [ 9...bd7 is the most solid, and is well covered in the PGN Archive. ] 10.cxd5 The normal move here. [ 10.e2 leaves Black too many options, such as d4 ( or 10...dxc4 )] 10...xd5 [ 10...exd5 11.d4 is also very common, but scores well for White. ] 11.xd5 exd5 [ I've actually had the position after 11...xd5 12.d4 mu c h mo re o f t e n myse lf , ad8 ( I also discussed 12...a5!? in the game Socko, B-Klovans, J - see the PGN Archive. ) 13.e5 leads play down a long forcing line, d6 ( 13...xg2+?! 14.xg2 xe5+ can't possibly be correct, can it? 15.f3 cxd4 16.exd4 c6 17.e2 d5 18.ac1 fd8 but Black actually managed to draw in Ehlvest, J (2606)-Nakamura, H (2701)/Saint Louis 2009 - perhaps W hite had a few drinks beforehand?!) 14.dxc5 xc5 15.d7 critical, ( 15.e2 xe5 16.xb7 is nothing for White, although Kaspa rov once pla yed it .. . in a s imul!) 15...f5 16.e4 g5 (Black doesn't want to allow White to unpin with Qg4.) 17.h4 h6 18.c1 g5 19.hxg5 g7 20.f6+ ( 20.e5!? h8 21.f4 a3 22.b4 xb4 Rath, U (2395)-Flear, G (2390)/Esbjerg 1982, 23.c1!? c5 24.c3 to d3. ) 20...xf6 21.gxf6 g6 22.e2 d4 23.d3 xf6 24.a3 1/2-1/2 Makarichev, S (2510)-Servat, R (2455)/Valencia 1990. ] 12.d4 a6!? 13.e1 c4 This whole idea was knew to me, although my opponent told me that he had prepared it and thought it was fine f o r B l a c k . 14.bxc4 xc4 15.d2 a5 16.c3 b5 17.xc4 xc4 Black has conceded the bishop pair, but his knight is strong and he has a useful 2-1 queenside majority. 18.b1! After much thought I played a new move. Previous tries: [ 18.h5 c8! 19.ac1 Rodriguez Cespedes, A (2470)-Borm, F (2260)/ Amsterdam 1978, b4 20.a1 f5 equal. ] [ 18.b3 d7 19.ec1 fc8 20.e1 ab8 Bla ck h as no p ro b le m s, Maka rich ev, S (2540)-Pushkov, N (2485)/Moscow 1994. ] 18...b8 19.h5 I couldn't resist having a prod at the weak d5-pawn, but perhaps I
should have ignored this and played [ 19.e4!? dxe4 20.xe4 which opens the position for the bishops. ] 19...b4 20.a1 b5 [ 20...f5!? ] 21.e4 Attacking the pinned d5-pawn, and undermining c4. [ 21.e2 a3 22.bc1 was also worthy of consideration. ] 21...a3 22.e2 dxe4?! [ 22...xb1 23.xb5 c3 looks equal, after 24.xc3 bxc3 there are opposite colour bishops. ] 23.xe4 f6 24.bc1 b6 25.c6! xd4 Agreed drawn, [ , but perhaps I should have played on as 25...xd4 26.ed1 c7 27.e4 c3 28.xh7+ xh7 29.xc3 bxc3 30.d3+ g6 31.xc3 wins a pawn. ] ½-½
540 Kosten,Anthony C Luther,Thomas Aut chT0809 Graz (5.4) [Jonathan Rowson]
A14 2514 2536 23.01.2009
Most of the major notes in what follow are taken from a theoretical article by Tony Kosten in Everyman's book "Dangerous W eapons: Flank Openings." 1.c4 e6 2.f3 d5 3.b3 f6 4.b2 e7 5.g3 0-0 6.g2 c5 The main move here. [ 6...b6 and ] [ 6...a5 are the main alternatives. ] 7.0-0 c6 [ 7...d4 8.b4!? ( 8.e3 c6 9.exd4 cxd4 10.e1 transposes. )] 8.e3 Preparing Qe2, Rd1 and d4. Once the queen lands on e2, d4 becomes difficult due to exchanging on d4 f ollowed by Ne5. d4 9.exd4 cxd4 I have never played this line with either colour, but I have always found it a bit surprising that Black, already trying to 'catch up' can take time to grab space with d4. The idea is to snuff out the bishop on b2, which might therefore have to move again. However, if White can find a way to show that the bishop is well placed on b2, as he does here, then this line begins to look ever so slightly 529
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 suspect. 10.e1 e8 The main line. In DWFlank Tony also covers the alternatives: [ 10...e8 11.a3 a5 12.d3 A) 12...f8 13.e5 xe5 14.xe5 d7 15.b5! Elegant, and keeping some initiative. A1) 15...e5!? 16.d2 ( 16.xb7 xb7 17.xb7 c5 18.b5 b8 19.a4 is probably even better.) 16...b8 17.b4 b6 18.bxa5 A1a) 18...a6 19.axb6 xb5 20.cxb5 xb6 21.b3 looks good for White. ( 21.a4 b4! ); A1b) 18...bxa5 and now White has various ways to play, but Tony Kosten suggests Rb1 is best, with some advantage.; A2) 15...c5 16.b4 axb4 17.axb4 xa1 18.xa1 a6 19.b3 c7 20.a5! another TK suggestion ( 20.e5 was worse, Vikulov, A-Pirozhkov, A/ Moscow 1995) 20...a6 21.a3! xb4 22.a8! c6 23.b5 with excellent compensation.; B) 12...c5 13.e5 xe5 14.xe5 c7 15.f4 d6 16.xd4! Tony's idea ( 16.e1 was Espig, L-Zaichik, G/Berlin East 1988) 16...xe5 17.xe5 with fully adequate compensation because of the centre and two bishops, but also due to the creative satisfaction of casually sacrificing the exchange. ] [ 10...d6 11.xd4 xd4 12.xd4 xg3 13.hxg3 xd4 14.c3 I prefer White here, though I think Black's play (normally ...a6 or ...Rd8) might be improved with h5!? ] [ 10...d3 11.c3 is now simplest. There is not much theory here, but I prefer White- all his pieces are happy and the d-pawn, which W hite can play around, should be a weakness in the long term. ( 11.a3 b6 Rybka- looks awkward, even if it may not be particularly good. )] 11.e5!? [ 11.d3 f6 12.a3 e5 13.c2 c7 14.a3 a5 15.d2 a6 ( 15...b8 16.b4 axb4 17.axb4 b5= ) 16.b4 and Tony remarks, somewhat cryptically, that he knows 'for a fact' that Black is fine in the ensuing complications. ] 11...xe5 12.xe5 f6 13.e1 e5
[ 13...c7!? 14.f4!? preventing e5, seems to be better for White. ( 14.d3 e5 )] 14.f4! exf4 [ 14...d6!? is not mentioned by Tony, but looks plausible to me. 15.fxe5 ( 15.f3!? is a more complex approach, though not obviously bad for Black after c7 ) 15...fxe5 ( 15...xe5 16.d3 followed by Nd2-f3 leaves the d-pawn looking weak.) 16.d3 f6 17.d2 and White seems to have a small but stable advantage. ] [ 14...c7 15.fxe5 fxe5 16.xe5 f6 17.e1 doesn't seem to give enough for the pawn. ] 15.f3! fxg3 16.d5+! h8 17.hxg3 xd5 [ In light of White's weakened king, I would try hard to avoid the exchange of queens. However, the queen on d5 is a strong piece, Black loses further time, and White's king is in no great danger. 17...c7 18.xd4 d6 19.c3 f5 20.f2 I guess White is still better here- all his pieces are more active. ] 18.xd5 d6 [ 18...c5 19.a3! xa3 20.xa3 d6 ( 20...c7 21.f3 and Re7 is coming.) 21.c2 f5 22.f2 is still better for Whitethe d-pawn will fall and White dominates the centre. ] 19.xd4 c7 20.f3 xg3 21.f2 xf2+ 22.xf2 d8 [ 22...e6 23.c3 b8 24.b5 a6 25.d6 d4 26.e7 with domination. ] 23.e7 e6 24.c3! Still following Tony's analysis. g8 [ 24...xd2+ 25.e3 d8 26.d1 f8 27.e4 ( 27.xb7!? ) 27...g5 28.xg5 fxg5 29.c5 seems to be no better for Blackhe has the familiar problem of being almost unable to move. ] 25.d5 f8 26.h5 g5 27.ae1 d7 28.d4 e8 [ 28...b5!? might be an improvement, and is at least more challenging for W hite e.g. 29.c5 e6! 30.1xe6 xe6 31.xe6 xd5 32.f3 f5 And Black is at least not worse. ] 29.xe8 xe8 30.xb7 xe1 31.xe1 f3+ 32.f2 xd4 33.e3 [ 33.c7 d8 34.xa7 h5 35.b4 when White is favourite in the race, but it's all a bit random. ] 33...f5+?! 530
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 33...c6! looks better. Partly to support a7, but mainly because the knight will be secure and relevant on e5, where it supports the kingside pawns, covers f7 and guards the queenside. W ith the rook on the seventh White is still somewhat better, but Black has more chances to resist. ] 34.f4 d6 35.d7 e8 36.c5 c8 37.b4 a5 [ 37...a6!? looks more tenacious, but Black remains very short of moves. ] 38.a3 axb4 39.axb4 h5 40.f5! a8 41.g6 And Black can only choose how soon he wishes to be mated. 1-0
541 Kosten,Anthony C Townsend,M Paul BCF-chTc 1112 (4NCL) (9.46) [Tony Kosten]
A14 2492 2255 07.05.2012
1.c4 e6 2.f3 d5 3.g3 f6 4.g2 e7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3 c5 7.e3 c6 8.b2 d4 This is an ambitious and strong move, but Black has to be happy playing a Benoni setup. 9.exd4 cxd4 10.e1 e8 11.d3 [ 11.a3 a5 12.d3 will transpose to the analysis below. ] 11...f8 [ In fact, in Delchev's book he only considers 11...c5 ("this is the best place for the bishop" - Delchev) when I analysed 12.a3 ( Delchev's 12.a3 to which he gives an exclamation mark, will transpose to the game. ) 12...a5 13.e5 xe5 14.xe5 c7 ( , b u t De lch e v p ref e rs 14...d6 (by transposition) 15.f4 b8 he now says this achieves "comfortable equality", giving the continuation 16.b4 axb4 17.axb4 xb4 18.a3 d7 19.b5 xb5 20.xb5 b6 ) 15.f4 d6 16.xd4! in DW-Flank. ] 12.a3!? Well, why not, after just having bought Delchev's book I thought I might as well give this a try! [ In 'Dangerous Weapons: Flank Openings' I gave 12.a3 a5 13.e5 as my preferred line, xe5 14.xe5 d7 15.b5 but here my opponent had prepared c5! (W hich I said was "rare, but possibly
s u p e r i o r " ) 16.b4 axb4 17.axb4 xa1 18.xa1 a6 19.b3 c7 20.a5 (my suggested improvement on the p r e v i o u s l y p l a y e d 2 0 R e 5 . ) ( 20.b6 offers to repeat: d5 21.b5 c7 22.b6 1/2-1/2 Horton, J (2147)-Hinojar Basa, A (2210)/Aragon 2008.) 20...a6 21.a3! xb4 22.a8 (so far this all my analysis from the DW-Flank book) a6 heading for c5 again. ( I'd only mentioned 22...c6 ) 23.b5 when White has some compensation for the pawn, but possibly not enough. ] 12...xa3 [ 12...e5 is possible, but 13.xf8 xf8 Moehring, G (2395)-Przewoznik, J (2370)/ Rzeszow 1988, 14.bd2! and the knight is better placed here, controlling e4, than on a3, or c2. ] 13.xa3 e5 14.c2 I played this immediately, after all it was in the new book I'd just bought (!), but if I write another DW book I would prefer [ 14.c5!? intending Nc4, as the knight is much better placed here than on c2. ] 14...a5 (To stop b4.) 15.a3 b8!? A logical move, defending b7 and possibly preparing ... b5. [ 15...h6! preparing ...Bf5, 16.d2 ( 16.b4 e4 17.dxe4 d3 is equal. ) 16...g4 is also good, and might be best, 17.f3 f5 18.e4 xe4 19.xe4 xe4 Peyrat, O (2345)-Brochet, P (2365)/Bagneux 2001, 20.xe4 f5 21.e1 e4 with advantage. ] [ Delchev briefly analyses the game Sherbakov, R (2541)-Grigoriants, S (2413)/ Mo sco w 1 9 9 9 , wh ich co n t in u e d 15...f5 16.h4 g4 17.d2 h6 "A critical position" - Delchev, and here he suggests 18.h3! d7 19.b4 axb4 20.axb4 xa1 21.xa1 However, he doesn't consider any of Black's 15th move alternatives. ] [ 15...d6 16.b4 axb4 17.axb4 xa1 18.xa1 f5 19.a3 is slightly better for W hite, Schwartzman, G (2455)-Flear, C (2195)/Parthenay 1993. ] 16.b4 axb4 Actually a new move. [ 16...b5?! is obviously weaker, though: 17.cxb5 xb5 18.a4 d5 19.b5 with a big advantage, Hutters, T (2390)Holst, P/Denmark 2001. ] 531
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 15.d4 ) 13.d1 ( 13.d4 c2 ); B) 10...d8 11.d1 Webb-Lambert, London 1977. The play might continue f5 12.d4 d7 13.bd2 ( or 13.d5 exd5 14.cxd5 a5 15.c3 b6 16.e4 h5 17.bd2 )] 10...h6 [ 10...a5 11.e5 ] [ 10...d8 is the most natural move. One example: 11.d1 e8 12.e1 g6 13.d4 f6 14.d5! xb2 15.xb2 exd5 16.cxd5 b8 17.c3 a5 18.d3 b6 19.e4 a6 20.e5 h6 21.f4 c4 22.f2 f6 23.xc4 xc4 24.e5 with a monstrous centre, Svensson-Korhonen, Jyvaskyla 1996. ] 11.d1 d8 12.e1 h7 13.d4 The point. 9...Qd3 was meant to tie down the d-pawn but there it goes. cxd4 14.exd4 d7 15.d5! exd5 16.cxd5 a5 17.c3 b6 18.d6 dc8 19.xa8!? Cute, but [ 19.d4 was a better way to advantage: f8 20.xa8 xa8 21.d2 etc. ] 19...xc3 20.xc3 f8 21.d5 xd5 22.xd5 g6!? [ 22...xd6 23.xf7+ xf7 24.xd6 b5 must still favour White's two rooks over the queen, but the game is obviously a long ways from the end. ] 23.f3!? [ An ambitious move, as opposed to 23.a3 542 A14 saving the d-pawn? ] Kostic,Vladimir 2439 23...xd6! 24.ac1! e6 Now Black's queen Brkljaca,Ante 2392 gets in trouble. [ But 24...g4 25.h4 h5 26.e4! Zepter Valjevo SCG (8) 18.06.2005 works out for White following xd1 27.c8+ [John Watson] f8 28.f5! f6 29.e7+ f7 30.g6+ ] 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 e7 4.g2 0-0 25.h4 g4 26.d4? [ 26.xe6! xe6 27.xg7! is a nice trick 5.0-0 d5 6.b3 c5 7.b2 c6 8.e3 dxc4 base upon xg7 ( 27...xg3 28.hxg3 9.bxc4 d3 This position (after 9...Qd3) has xg7 29.d6! ) 28.xd6 xd6?? 29.f5+ ] scored about 70% for W hite, regardless of A complete hallucination! Black the response. Ultimately the problem is that 26...xd4?? Black has no advantages that to make up for would have been well on top after [ 26...e2! 27.xe6 ( 27.c3 c5 ) W h i t e ' s m o b i l e c e n t r a l m a j o r i t y . 10.c1 27...xe6 ] This has been seen about half of the time in master play. W hite protects his c-pawn and 27.xd4 xd5 [ 27...xd5 28.f5 ( 28.c8+ h7 29.f5 prepares Rd1 and Ne1 so as to expand in the a3 30.xg7 also wins ) 28...a3 29.c7 centre. is not worth playing out. ] [ My book gave 10.b3! A) 10...b4 11.e5 xb3 12.axb3 d8 1-0 ( 12...c2 13.a5 d8 14.c1 b4
17.xb4 Maybe an inaccuracy, but I was wondering what I was supposed to do with the c2-knight otherwise, and I kept remembering something that I saw in the Delchev book: "In my opinion, it is principally wrong to play with bad pieces in one's camp." [ Also 17.axb4 e4 ( 17...b5!? ) 18.dxe4 d3 looked uncomfortable to me, but maybe 19.e3 xb4 ( 19...g4!? 20.xg4 xg4 ) 20.b1 c6 21.d1 favours White slightly. ] 17...d6! 18.b1 d7 19.g5 xb4 20.axb4 c6 At this point I was wondering how I was supposed to play for a win. 21.b3 xg2 22.xg2 h6 23.e4 xe4 24.xe4 e6 Solidly doubling rooks on the e-file. 25.be1 be8 26.c5 c6 27.c4 Planning b5. b5! [ 27...f5?? loses to 28.b5 ] 28.cxb6 xb6 [ 28...xc4 29.dxc4 xb6 is probably also equal, 30.b5 c8 31.xe5 xc4 ] 29.b5 b7! 30.g1 c8 31.b4 c3 32.xe5 xe5 33.xe5 c1+ [ I w a s h o p i n g f o r 33...f3?! 34.b6 when the b-pawn is running. ] 34.e1 xe1+ 35.xe1 xb5 36.e4 d7 37.g2 f6 38.h4 ½-½
532
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 543 Kramnik,Vladimir Ezat,Mohamed World Teams 2013 (9.1) [Fier, Alexandr]
A14 2793 2454 05.12.2013
Ezat tried a brave idea, sacrificing the queen for two pieces against Kramnik. Nakamura tried this move back in 2009 and he also drew. It's hard to believe that the sacrifice is enough for equality, but it is also not so clear how White should proceed to gain an advantage. In this game Kramnik actually blundered and got into trouble. 1.f3 f6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 e6 4.0-0 e7 5.c4 0-0 6.b3 An alternative to 6. d4, t ran sp osing in to th e Cat alan . c5 7.b2 c6 8.e3 b6 9.c3 b7 10.cxd5 xd5 11.xd5 xd5 [ 11...exd5 is also possible and after 12.d4 a6 13.e1 c4 14.bxc4 xc4 White is doing well - this was analyzed for ChessPublishing in Kosten, A (2511)-Landa, K (2641)/FRA-chT Top 16 GpA 2008 (5) ] 12.d4 ad8 [ 12...a5 was also analyzed on C h e s s P u b l i s h i n g 13.c1 ( 13.dxc5 this is supposed to be critical xc5 14.xd5 xd5 15.fd1 Miles, A (2595)-Short, N (2660)/BCF-ch 85th Torquay 1998 (11).) 13...fd8 14.a3 f5 with an interesting pos it io n in S ocko , B (2 55 4)-K lo va ns, J (2456)/ Skanska Open 2004 (7). ] 13.e5 xg2+ [ 13...d6 is the normal move and can lead to some interesting complications 14.dxc5 xc5 15.d7!? critical, but a hard move to make over the board. Still there are a lot of games in this position ( 15.e2 doesn't give much for White xe5 16.xb7 f6= ) A) 15...g5 is less precise and Black is in t r o u b l e a f t e r 16.h4 h6 17.c1 the rook is coming to c7 and Black has problems with the pin, Dizdar, G (2531)Carlsson, P (2430)/ Dos Hermanas op 5th 2006 (7). e5 18.g4 fe8 ( 18...f5 19.c4+ f7 20.d5 wins ) 19.fd1 with a big advantage for White; B) 15...f5 trying to make White play 16. e4 and close the bishop B1) 16.c1 there is just one game in this position, from 1980, but I think Black
should be careful to avoid getting into trouble B1a) 16...c5 17.b4!? and White wins an exchange in an ingenious way xb4 18.xb7 e5 19.c8! xc8 20.xf8 xf8 21.c4 and White should be slightly better; B1b) 16...b8 this is the most solid option 17.xb7 xd7 18.f3 d2 19.d4 xf3 20.xf3 f6 ( 20...xa2 21.a1 and White is going to recover t h e a -p a wn wit h so m e a d va n t a ge) 21.xf6 gxf6 22.c7 looks slightly better for White; B1c) 16...e5 this is the most forcing, and White needs to make a decision B1c1) 17.xf8 the most ambitious idea, entering into a queen against two rooks endgame xd1 18.fxd1 d4 basically necessary, to keep at l e a s t o n e f i l e c l o s e d ( 18...xf8 19.xc6 xc6 20.xc6 and with both files dominated White is clearly better ) B1c11) 19.exd4 xg2 20.xg2 e4 and the knight can't get out 21.g1!? ( 21.xh7 f3+ 22.g1 e3 23.fxe3 xe3+ is drawn ) 21...xf8 22.d5 h5 23.d6 e3 and the counterplay arrives just in time 24.fxe3 f3 Black will have a perpetual; B1c12) 19.xb7 e2+ 20.g2 B1c121) 20...xc1 21.e4! an important move g4 22.xc1 xf8 B1c1211) 23.c8 d7! 24.a3 ( 24.a6 e7 and everything is under control ) 24...xc8 25.xc8 xa3 with a draw; B1c1212) 23.c7! h5 24.xe5 and White's pieces a re t o o h a r m o n i o u s , B d 5 i s coming at some point with advantage for White; B1c122) 20...e4! 21.d7 ( 21.b1 doesn't bring anything for White f3+ 22.f1 xg3+ 23.hxg3 h1+ 24.e2 f3+ w i t h p e r p e t u a l , s i n c e 25.d2 533
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 loses to xf2+ 26.c1 xe3+ 27.c2 c5+ 28.c3 f6-+ ) 21...xc1 22.xc1 xd7 23.c8+ f8 24.a3 xc8 25.xc8 xa3 26.f5 and still with a pawn down this position should be drawn; B1c2) 17.xc6 this is a simpler way to play and here W hite also has a small initiative xc6 18.xc6 xd7 19.g4 xd1 20.gxf5 d2 21.xe5 xa2 22.d1 but with some good moves Black probably equalizes; B2) 16.e4 this is the main move and it looks like Black is holding on in this ext re m e ly co m p lica t e d p o sit io n g5 17.h4 h6 B2a) 18.c1 again this can be played, but now it's not so problematic b8 ( 18...e5 ) 19.xf8 ( 19.c7 gives nothing for White xd7 20.xd7 c6 21.xd8 xd8= ) 19...xd1 20.fxd1 xf8 21.d8 it looks funny, but in the end we are going to see an equal endgame c6 22.xc6 xc6 23.a3 g6 and the position should be drawn; B2b) 18.c1 this, on the other hand, is one of the advantages of the pawn being on e4 instead of e3 g5 forced ( 18...g6 19.h5 and the queen has no squares) 19.hxg5 g7 20.e5 h8 21.f4 and the chaos will continue for a long time. The position looks strange for Black, but there was a correspondence game that finished in a draw, so nothing is clear, Tienhoven, R (2410)-Endsley, B (2148)/RCCA 20, pr10 (RUS) 2013. ] 14.xg2 xe5+ 15.f3 cxd4 16.exd4 c6 17.c1 [ 17.e2 Ehlvest tries to activate the rooks wit h o u t lo s in g t i m e wi t h a 3 a n d b 4 d5 18.ac1 fd8 19.c4 sacrificing the e x c h a n g e t o c o n n e c t t h e p a w n s a6 o t h e r w i s e 2 0 . R f c 1 wo u l d b e a n n o yi n g 20.e4 xc4 21.bxc4 5d6 22.d1 f6 23.a3 xd4 24.xd4 xd4 and Black could somehow hold the endgame without too many problems in Ehlvest, J (2606) Nakamura, H (2701)/USA-ch Saint Louis
2009 (2). ] 17...d7 18.a3 This plan looks a bit slow. [ 18.c4!? could be another idea, in the style of Ehlvest's gam e fd8 19.c1 b4 20.c7 xa2 21.xd7 xd7 22.a1 b4 and with one roo k le ss t he e ndga me is supposed to be better for White ] 18...fd8 19.e2 f6 [ 19...xd4 gives White the chance to exchange one of the rooks 20.xd4 xd4 21.fd1 xd1 22.xd1 d5 ( 22...xd1 23.xd1 d5 24.b4 and Black cannot defend the pawns on the queenside properly ) 23.c2 and it will be hard for Black to defend the c-file, so White should be close to winning ] 20.b4 [ 20.fd1 would avoid Black's next move, but i t ' s n o t c l e a r i f i t ' s g o o d o r n o t xd4 21.xd4 xd4 22.c4 e5 and Black's position is hard to break, but probably White can change one pair of rooks ] 20...e5!? [ 20...xd4 could be a solid alternative. Black has no passed pawn, but both bishops are on excellent posts. And there is an interesting idea, if White tries to exchange th e roo ks o n th e c-f ile 21.xd4 xd4 22.fd1 e5 23.d2 trying to exchange a pair of rooks h6 24.dc2 e4!? this is the point 25.fxe4 e5 and it's not so clear what White's plan would be ] 21.d5 Now White can enter the seventh rank. xd5 22.fd1 d4 23.xd4 exd4 24.c7 c8 25.xa7 White can now create a passed pawn, but the d-pawn also becomes more d a n g e r o u s . d3 26.e4? Centralizing the queen looks natural, but the queen is also too exposed in the center. [ 26.f2 was more prudent h6 ( 26...e5 27.a8 with Rxc8 on the pocket) 27.a4 e8 28.e1 e6 29.c7 and White is controlling the advance of the d-pawn. Still the position is not so easy ] 26...e6 [ 26...e5! and here Black is already ok A) 27.xd3 de8! an important detail and W hite can't move the queen, since ( 27...xe4? 28.xd8+ xd8 29.fxe4 and Black has no way to deal with 30. Ra8 ) 28.c4 e2+ 29.h1 e1+ 534
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 30.g2 8e2# is mate; B) 27.c4 e6 28.c7 ( 28.a6 probably this is White's best choice c8 29.c4 e6 with draw ) 28...e2+ 29.g1 c2 30.f4 d2 and the d2-pawn is too dangerous. White already needs to be careful ] 27.a4?! Now it looks like White loses material, more or less by force. [ 27.d2 could be an interesting idea but B l a c k i s f i g h t i n g h6 ( 27...c3 is not possible, because d8 is not defended anymore 28.xd3 xd3 29.xd3 a n d W h i t e wi n s) 28.c7 and White is ho ld in g th e prom ot io n at te mp ts f or t h e moment, for example e5!? trying to use the e-f ile 29.f4 e8 30.c1 ( 30.xd3 White still needs to be careful e2+ 31.g1 g5 32.d4 h3 with a mate attack) 30...f5 31.f2 g5 32.xe5 xe5 33.f4 e4+ 34.g1 xf4 35.gxf4 e6 and White has slightly better chances ] 27...d2 28.e2 [ 28.c2 d4 29.b7 c4 30.xd2 ( 30.b1 g5 followed by 31...Rc1 wins) 30...xd2+ 31.xd2 g6 32.xb6 e7 and apparently White's passed pawns are only enough to bring a draw ] 28...d4 Threatening 29...Bb3 29.e3 h6 30.a5 bxa5 31.bxa5 d3 32.e2 b3 33.a8 White's only resource, since now W hite can get rid of the d2-pawn at least. xd1 34.xd3 xa8 35.xd2 d8 36.e3 I think Black has good chances in this endgame, even if the game showed something different. The a-pawn ties Black's pieces, but the bishop is still ok on the long diagonal and with a kingside expansion Black can create an attack. a4 37.a6 c6 38.a7 a8 39.f4 With the queen on b8 it's harder f o r B l a c k t o m o v e . g5 40.b8 g6 I don't like this move, now Black has no safe square for the dark squared bishop. [ 40...f8 41.b4+ e7 42.b8 h5 could be another idea ] 41.e5 f8 42.h4 d8 43.h5 Forcing Black to expose the king. gxh5 [ 43...g5 44.hxg6!? fxg6 45.h3 xf3 46.e6+ g7 47.d7+ g8 48.d3 threatening 49. Qxf3 is enough for a draw ] 44.xh5 g5 45.h3 g7 46.f4 f6
47.g4+ h8 48.f5 g7 49.g4 Now the position is already hard for Black to make any progress. They still kept fighting for a lot of moves, but with no big changes. d8 50.g3 e8 51.c5 d8 52.b5 c8 53.g5 hxg5 54.fxg5 a1 55.g6 Changing the last pawn. f6 [ 55...xg6?? 56.a6++- ] [ 55...fxg6?? 56.d7++- ] 56.gxf7 c3+ 57.g4 xf7 58.d7+ f8 59.h5 c6 60.d2 e7 61.b4+ d7 62.b5 e7 63.d5+ d6 64.g8 c8 65.f7+ c6 66.c4+ b7 67.b5+ c7 68.a5+ c6 69.a6+ d7 70.g5 c6 71.b6 f8 72.g6 a8 73.f6 f8+ 74.g7 c8 75.f6 e8 76.f7 d5+ 77.g6 e6+ 78.f5 e5+ 79.f6 e6+ 80.f5 e4+ 81.g4 g6+ 82.h5 g8 83.b5+ e6 84.e2 f5 85.f2+ e6 86.e3 f5 87.h3+ f6 88.h4+ f5 89.h3+ f6 90.h4+ e5 ½-½
544 Krasenkow,Michal Nakamura,Hikaru Casino Barcelona ESP (2) [Carsten Hansen]
A14 2668 2648 19.10.2007
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 e7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3 a5 7.c3 [ We haven't discussed this line before on Chesspublishing.com. Previously, in the July 2005 update, John discussed 7.b2 a4 8.a3 on the basis of the game IvanchukAsrian, which of course can be found in the PGN archives. As John points out, W hite has also tried a number of other continuations on move 8, but "with indifferent success" ] 7...c6 [ With this move and White's next, the game is taking on the outlines of a Closed Catalan, which is very solid f o r Black, but in m y opinion leaves White with excellent chances of obtaining the upper hand. In addition, Black has played the somewhat odd-looking ... a7-a5. I can hear the crowd yelling, what about 7...d4 for Black, which looks both obvious and pretty good. It sends White's 535
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 knight to b5, with no real target to play against or...? In actuality with the knight on b5 and if Black plays ...Nb8-c6, the position somewhat resembles those that can arise from the Schmid Benoni with the colours reversed, whereas if Black plays ... c7-c5, the knight is quite decently placed on b5. I n t e re s t in gly, in h is n o t e s t o t h e ga m e Nakamura doesn't even mention this option. Nevertheless, this line has of course been played numerous times, so let's have a look at it: 8.b5 A) 8...c5 9.e3 c6 10.exd4 cxd4 11.e1!? ( 11.d3 e5 12.e1 d7 13.a3 h8 14.b1 f6 15.d2 c5 16.e4 f5 Cs o m , I - Hu ss , A / S u h r 1 9 9 2) 11...d3?! ( 11...e8 12.b2 is also quite comfy for White, but pushing the d-pawn to d3 doesn't look like a particularly sensible thing to do.) 12.b2 c5 13.e5 b4 (This appears to be a good idea, but really isn't the knight quickly becomes vulnerable and doesn't have a good retreat square. 14.f1 a4 15.f3 b8 16.c3 b6 17.a3 b7? ( Or 17...c2 18.ab1 b7 19.xd3 xd3 20.xd3 xa3 21.xa3 xa3 22.a1 d6 23.xb7 xb7 24.xa4 , and White is a pawn up for nothing) 18.axb4! xf3 19.xf3 e7 20.c6 d7 21.xa4 (Did I hear anybody s a y d o m in a t io n ? B la ck is co m p le t e l y routed note that White at the moment only has two minor pieces for the queen, yet more is ready to be banked with W hite threatening Nxb8 and Ra7, to mention some of the most obvious issues a beautiful display by the Finnish International Master) b7 22.e5 c8 23.xb7 xb7 24.a7 e4 25.xe7 e2 26.f3 h5 27.c6 e4 28.cd4 1-0 Valkesalmi, K-Pulkkinen, K/Helsinki 1994; B) 8...c5 9.e3 B1) 9...e5!? is interesting if for no other re a so n t h a n 10.xe5 ( White's best is 10.exd4 exd4 11.b2 c6 12.e1 , and I prefer White, but the chances are probably about equal.) 10...c6 11.xd4 xd4 12.exd4 xd4 13.a3 xe5 14.d4 c7 15.xf8 xf8 is obviously fine for Black.;
B2) 9...c6 10.exd4 xd4 11.fxd4 xd4 12.xd4 xd4 13.b1 d8 14.e2 d3 15.xd3 xd3 16.e1 , and with the bishop pair, particularly the beast on g2, and more space, and has a clear advantage, Hauchard, AVidarsson, J/Istanbul 2000; C) 8...c6 C1) 9.b2 e5 10.e3 C1a) 10...c5 C1a1) 11.a3 b8 ( 11...g4 12.exd4 exd4 13.h3 f5 14.d3 e8 15.g4 g6 16.d2 ) 12.b4 axb4 13.axb4 xb4 14.exd4 exd4 15.bxd4 xd4 16.xd4 g4 17.b3 c5 18.c3 e8 19.fe1 f8 was played in Reizniece, DZa t o n skih , A / W a rsa w 2 0 0 1 , a n d here 20.xe8 xe8 21.e3 d7 22.f3; C1a2) 11.exd4 exd4 ( 11...xd4 12.fxd4 xd4 13.xd4 exd4 14.f3 d6 15.fe1 b8 16.c5 xc5 17.f4 d6 18.xd6 cxd6 19.xd4 Paunovic, D-Lanzani, M/ Seville ESP 2007) 12.a3 ( 12.d3 g4 13.d2 e8 14.a3 xf3 15.xf3 e5 16.xb7 b8 , Manouck, T-Flear, G/St Chely d'Aubrac 2001, and now 17.g2 c6 18.f4 xd3 19.xd3 cxb5 20.cxb5 e3 21.c4 b6 ) 12...g4 13.h3 h5 14.d3 e8 15.d2 ( 15.g4!? g6 16.d2 ) 15...xf3 16.xf3 e5 17.xb7 b8 18.g2 c6 19.f4 xd3 20.xd3 cxb5 21.ad1 e3 22.f5 xb3 , and a draw was agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, in Malaniuk, VNikitin, A/Smolensk 2000; C1b) 10...g4 11.h3 xf3 ( 11...h5 12.g4 g6 13.exd4 exd4 14.fxd4 xd4 15.xd4 c5 16.f5 xf5 17.d4! ) 12.xf3 d7? ( 12...d3 13.c3 d7 14.g4! ) 13.exd4 exd4 14.f4 fd8 15.xc7 xc7 16.xc7+Gabriel, J-Welker, M/ Germany 1993; C2) 9.e3 C2a) 9...e5 10.exd4 exd4 11.d3 g4 12.h3 h5 ( 12...e6!? ) 13.f4 c8 14.g4 g6 15.h4 d7 , Berezin, O536
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 12.cxd5 xd5 13.xd5 xd5 14.fd1 Nik it in , A / K h a rko v 2 0 0 0 , a n d n o w f6 15.g5 cxd4 16.xd4 xg2 16.f3 looks very pleasant for White; 17.xg2 d5+= Pineda, B-Escobedo C2b) 9...dxe3 10.dxe3 ( 10.fxe3?! Tinajero, A/Linares 1997; isn't as good, e.g. e5! 11.d4 g4 D) 9.e5 12.d2 e4 13.b2 ) 10...d7 D1) 9...fd7!? 10.f4 ( 10.f4!? xe5 11.b2 c8 12.a3 d8 13.c2 b8 11.xe5 d7 12.f4 ) 10...a6 14.e5 c6 15.c3 a6 16.e4 11.cxd5 cxd5= Hentunen, A-Pihlajasalo, ( 16.ad1!? e8 17.a4 c7 A/FIN 2001; 18.c5 ) 16...xe4 17.xe4 f5 D2) 9...a6 10.cxd5 ( 10.b2 fd7 18.g2 c7 19.ad1 Gross, S11.xd7 xd7 12.d3 b5 13.cxb5 Meister, Y/ Pardubice 1998; cxb5 14.xb5 b6 15.a4 fb8 C3) 9.d3 e5 10.e3 g4 11.h3 h5 16.fc1 f8 17.e4 xb5 18.axb5 12.g4 g6 13.exd4 exd4 14.f4 e8 xb5 19.xb5 xb5 Godes, D-Soffer, is usually given as unclear on account of R/Ramat Aviv 1998 20.c3 b6; 10.f4 t h e ga m e K o rt sch n o j, V -G e l f a n d , B fd7 11.xd7 xd7 12.a4 b7 Tilburg 1992, which Black won rapidly. 13.c1 Matjushin, G-Nasobin, A/St However, White has a pleasant position P e t e r s b u r g R U S 2 0 0 3) 10...cxd5 a t t h i s j u n c t u r e , e . g . 15.e2 a4 11.b2 a7 ( 11...fd7 12.xd7 xd7 16.ae1!? axb3 17.axb3 b4 18.c1 13.d2 b5 14.fc1 f6 15.c2 b8 , and I prefer White ] 16.ac1 h6 17.e3 Serafimov, T-Le 8.d4 bd7 Roux, J/ Clichy FRA 2003) 12.d2 b4 [ Black has tried several other things: A) 13.fc1 c7 14.a3 xc3 15.xc3 e4 8...b6 16.xe4 dxe4 17.b2 f6= Zueger, BA) 9.b2 a6 ( 9...b7 10.c2 bd7 Kurajica, B/Biel 1981 ] 11.fd1 b8 12.d2 c5 13.dxc5 xc5 [ B) 8...e4 9.xe4 dxe4 10.e1 c5 14.cxd5 exd5 15.f3 e8 16.e3 11.xe4 xd4 12.xd4 cxd4 13.b2 f6 1-0 Badea, B-Ciampi, V/Porto San Giorgio 14.d1 d8 ( 14...e5 15.f4 ) 15.c2 a4? 1998 ) 10.d2 a7!? ( 10...bd7 11.e4 16.xd4 Be717. b4 c6 17.b6+dxc4 12.e5 d5 13.bxc4 xc3 14.xc3 Ovetchkin, R-Glushenkov, F/Salekhard RUS b8 15.e1 Keres-BÃ|^ÂPÃ|^ÂPk 2006 ] Kemeri 1937 ) 11.c2 d7 [ C) 8...a4?! 9.xa4 dxc4 10.bxc4 a5 A1) Ribli gives the folllowing analysis in 11.b2 d8 12.c2 c5 13.dxc5 c6 ChessBase Magazine 12.fd1!? dxc4 14.d3 1-0 Rozhkov, V-Fedukin, A/ corr 13.xc4 xc4 14.bxc4 xd4 15.xd4 1990 ] xd4 16.e4 ( 16.d5!? c5 17.xe7+ xe7 18.b1 ) 16...d8 9.c2 [ 9.b2 b6 ( 9...b8 10.e5 xe5 17.d1; 11.dxe5 e8 12.d2 c7 13.fd1 b5 A2) 12.e3 c5 13.fd1 cxd4 14.exd4 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.f4 d7 16.e4 b4 c6 15.b5 b4 16.b1 b7 17.a3 17.e2 c6 18.h4 Van Wely, La6 18.d3 a8! Lautier, J-Kramnik, Cladouras, P/Munich 1992) 10.c2 a6 V/Cannes 1993; 11.d2 b5 12.fe1 bxc4 13.bxc4 c5 B) 9.c2 a6 10.d1 b5 11.c5 14.dxc5 xc5 15.ad1 c8 16.cxd5 ( 11.e5 fd7 12.xd7 xd7 13.e4 exd5 Sorokin, M-Magomedov, M/ bxc4 14.e3 b6 15.f4 f5 16.exf5 exf5 Cheliabinsk 1990 ] 17.f2 d7 18.b1 fe8 19.d2 d6 20.f3 cxb3 21.axb3 1-0 Ernst, S- 9...b6 [ Black has to play actively for instance Jonkman, H/Utrecht 1999) 11...b4 12.a4 9...e8?! i s t o o s l o w , e . g . 10.b2!? bd7 13.a3 b5 14.axb4 axb4 15.b2 ( 10.d1 b6 11.e4 dxe4 12.e5 b7 b8 16.e1 d8 17.d3 c7= 13.xe4 c7 14.b2 ad8 was played in Csom, I-Murugan, K/Wrexham 1996; Hernandez, T-Pazos, P/Varadero 2000, but C) 9.f4 b7 10.c1 bd7 11.d3 c5 537
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 after 15.g5! Black is in serious trouble: f8 16.h3 c8 17.exf7 xf7 18.xe6+- ) A) or 10...b6 11.d2 a6 12.e4 dxc4 13.xc4 b5 14.e3 b7 15.e5 d5 was Berkes, F-Sedlak, N/Balatonlelle 2000, and now 16.e4 h6 17.exd5 exd5 ( 17...cxd5 18.h7+ h8 19.d3 c6 20.a4+- ) 18.d3 b6 19.h7+ h8 20.f5 f8 21.e2; B) 10...b4 11.d2 b5 12.e4 bxc4 13.bxc4 a6 14.e5 g4 15.a3 xc3 16.xc3 c5 17.fe1 c8 18.d1 cxd4 19.xd4 h6 20.cxd5 Abramovic, BKosanovic, G/Belgrade 1991 ] 10.e4 [ 10.d1 is insufficient: a6 ( 10...b7?! 11.e4 a4 12.b1 axb3 13.axb3 dxe4 14.g5 a7 15.gxe4 xe4 16.xe4 a8 17.c5 Kosic, D-Gavric, M/Herceg Novi 1999 ) 11.e4 dxc4 12.bxc4 xc4 13.e5 ( 13.e5?! xe5 14.dxe5 d7 15.a4 b5 16.b2 c7 17.xc4 bxc4 18.f4 c5+ 19.h1 b6 20.b2 fd8 21.f5 xd1+ 22.xd1 d8 23.fxe6 fxe6 24.h3 xd1+ 25.xd1 e7 Nalbandian, T -A s ria n , K / Ye re va n 2 0 0 0) 13...d5 14.e4 b5 15.eg5 g6 16.h4 b6 17.h5 fc8 , and although White doesn't quite have enough compensation for the pawn, he still managed to swindle to win the game, Perez, R-Leyva, H/Holguin 1991 ] 10...a6 11.d2?! [ This has been played by some decent players before, but best seems 11.e5 e8 , and now 12.e2 ( 12.d1 dxc4 13.e4 cxb3 14.axb3 h6 15.g4 c7 16.g5 d5 17.gxh6 g6 18.eg5 e8 19.h4 xg5 20.xg5 f6 21.xe6 b4 22.b1 fxe5 23.xf8 xf8 24.a3 1-0 Nikcevic, NMazet, J/Paris 200001) 12...b5 ( 12...c7 13.d1 c8 14.f1 dxc4 15.bxc4 b5 Ager, J-Wolfsteiner, H/Bayern 2002 16.c5; 12...c8!? ( N a k a m u r a ) 13.d1 c7 is given as approximately equal by Nakamura, with him intending to play ...c6c5 on his next move. However, I quite like White's chances, e.g. 14.f4 c5 15.dxc5 xc5 16.e3 b7 17.a3 7a6 18.cxd5 exd5 19.h3 c7 20.b1 , and White is clearly better) 13.c5 b4 14.a4 ( 14.e1!?
xe2 15.xe2 c7 16.d2 b5 17.d3 c7 18.h4 Udovcic, M-Teschner, R/ Dortmund 1961) 14...bxa3 ( 14...f6 15.exf6 xf6 16.b2 e7 17.fe1 ) 15.xa3 c7 16.e3 ( 16.xa5 d3 17.xa8 xc2 18.xd8 xd8 19.e3 ) 16...f6 17.exf6 xf6 18.xa5 d3 ( 18...e5!? 19.dxe5 xe5 20.xe5 xe5 21.e1 e6 ) 19.xa8 xc2 20.xd8 xd8 21.h3 Timman, J-Karner, H/Tallinn 1973 ] 11...c5!? [ This novelty by Nakamura is an intended improvement over the established, which, however, seems fine for Black to me 11...c8 12.e1 c5 ( 12...dxe4?! invites trouble: 13.dxe4 xe4 14.xe4 f6 15.b2 b7 16.d1 c7 17.g4 h5 18.e4 g6 19.c1 d8 20.h3 , and White is clearly better at this juncture, Sinanovic, M-Janjic, J/Neum 2002 ) A) 13.exd5 cxd4 14.e2 exd5 15.xd4 b5 16.f5 bxc4 17.bxc4 xc4 18.xc4 xc4 19.b2 b4 20.ed1 e8 21.xd5 , thus far, Truskavetsky, A-Grabinsky, V/ Alushta 2002, and now g6 seems best, e. g. 22.f3 ( 22.g5? e5 ) 22...e5 23.xc4 xf3+ 24.xf3 e7 25.e5 c8 26.b3 , and White has sufficient compensation for the queen, but no more than that; B) 13.dxc5?! d4 14.a4 xc5 15.xc5 xc5 16.d3 e5 17.h3 b8 18.f3 e8 19.g5 b5 20.d2 b4 21.ed1 h6 22.xf6 xf6 23.ac1 c3 24.d7 bxc4 25.bxc4 ed8 26.b5 1-0 Renet, OBronstein, D/Oviedo 1992. Nakamura writes that Black resigned in the f inal position, but I don't think Nakamura even had this position on the board or for that matter his computer, because then he would have known that this is likely a forfeit on time (this was a rapid game after all), not a resignation. In the final position, Black is clearly better after b7 27.f3 e6 . Nakamura quoting a game in this fashion is a bit peculiar, but I guess we can all be lazy on occasion. ] 12.exd5 cxd4 The analysis to the remainder of the game is largely by Nakamura, unless where indicated [CH] 13.b5 [ 13.d6?! xd6 14.xa8 dxc3 15.e4 538
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xa8 16.xd6 e5 leaves Black with massive compensation the light squares around White's king are terribly weak ] 13...exd5 [ This is stronger than 13...xb5 14.dxe6 ( 14.cxb5 e5 is given as better for Black by Nakamura, but White is probably fine after 15.c4 c8 16.e2 ) 14...fxe6 15.cxb5 c8 16.c4 , and this is given as better for Black by Nakamura on account of White's strong bishop on g2, but this is a rather unclear position, and I'm not entirely sure, Black's position should be so easily dismissed, e.g. c5 17.b2 d3 18.c3 e8 with a complicated struggle ] 14.xd4 c8 15.e1 b5 Thanks to his pressure on the c4-pawn, Black has taken control over the game 16.b2 [ Or 16.f5 c5 17.b2 e8 is also pleasant for Black ] 16...e8 17.d1 bxc4 18.bxc4 b6 19.b1 dxc4 20.c6?! [ Nakamura gives preference to 20.c3 c5 21.c2 ] 20...xc6 21.xf6?! [ Nakamura says White's last hope was 21.xe7 xe7 22.a3 e5 23.xb6 xb6 , although White's chances of survival are quite small against two rooks and a strong advanced passed pawn. ] 21...xf2+! 22.xf2 c5+ The king hunt is on. After this there is no letting go: Black eit h e r m a t e s o r win s m a t e ria l d e cisive ly 23.f3 [ 23.f1 c3+ 24.e2 c2 wins a bucket load of material ] [ 23.e3 xe3+ 24.e1 xd2+ 25.xd2 d6+ 26.c2 xd1 27.xd1 xf6 leaves Black with an extra piece ] 23...xf6+ 24.g4 e5+ 25.g5 [ Or 25.xe5 c8+ 26.h4 xe5 27.g4 f2+ 28.h3 h5# ] 25...g6+ 26.h5 [ Or 26.f4 d3+ 27.f3 f6+ 28.g4 c8+ 29.h4 xe1 30.h5 f4+ 31.gxf4 f2+ 32.g5 f6# ] 26...f6 27.xe5 [ 27.d5+ h8 28.h4 h6+ 29.h5 g5+ 30.h3 xh5+ , and Black will be two piece up. ] 27...xe5+ 28.h4 c8 Nakamura calls this
his best game ever it's hard to fault him for thinking that way. 0-1
545 Kurajica,Bojan Horvath,Peter TCh-CRO Rabat CRO (6) [Tony Kosten]
A14 2540 2503 10.09.2004
1.c4 e6 2.f3 d5 3.g3 f6 4.g2 e7 5.0-0 0-0 6.e5!? Well, this move may not be a novelty, but it is certainly new to me! Is it any good (how can it be, White moves a piece twice in the opening?!), or is White just trying to take Black out of his book knowledge? c5 So, a completely new position at move 6, who would believe it was possible in this solid variation? [ 6...bd7 is a sensible alternative, but then W h i t e p l a y s 7.d4 leading to Catalan-style lines, Aijala,J-Haara,P/Helsinki 1994. ] 7.cxd5 exd5 8.b3 Now White develops this queenside, he is counting on the fact that Black cannot play ...Nc6 (because he will get doubled pawns) to hinder his natural development. e6 [ 8...e8 might be a more active choice, 9.b2 ( 9.d4!? ) 9...d6 and White has to decide what to do with the knight. ] 9.b2 c8 Planning ...Nc6, and possibly ... Bh3, but [ 9...bd7 seems simpler. ] 10.d4 Now White chooses to switch to more n o r m a l p o s it i o n s . cxd4 11.d2 c6 12.df3 The e5-knight is defended in time. h3 13.c1 xg2 14.xg2 e8 The queen was not very well placed on c8, but now W hite has completed his development and can try to exploit the ensuing hanging pawns. 15.xc6 bxc6 16.xd4 c8 17.c2 c5 18.f5 The black hanging pawns are not so dynamic here because the black pieces are passively placed, and on top of that W hite is pressing along the a1-h8 diagonal. d7 19.fd1 d8? Black wants to conserve his bishop but this leads him into a terrible tangle, [ 19...fd8 was natural, and pretty much f o r c e d , w h e n 20.xe7+ xe7 21.a3 539
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 gives White pressure against the c-pawn, but Black is not doing too badly. ] 20.e4! Of course! The d-pawn is pinned. e6 There is really nothing better, [ 20...xe4?? 21.xe4 ] 21.exd5 xd5 [ 21...d7 leaves Black a pawn down with a rotten position. ] 22.xg7 e8 23.b2 [ 23.e1 is ve ry st r o n g, t o o , a s xe1 24.xe1 xe1 25.d2 forks e1 and d5. ] 23...c6?! [ 23...g5 24.b1 ( 24.f4?! xf4 25.gxf4 xf5 26.xf5 e3+ is the point, although W h it e is eve n be t t e r h e re) 24...cd8 k e e p s t h e ga m e g o in g , a lt h o u g h t h e r e should only be one result. ] 24.g1 a5?! Instead [ 24...g5 is now met by 25.f4 ] 25.c4 White attacks d5, and threatens to swing his queen to g4. 1-0
and f2-f4/ g3-g4). [ 13.ab1 a6 14.a1 ab8 15.e1 a7 16.xb7 xb7 17.f4 db8 18.g4 b5 Sunye Neto, J (2500)-Ribli, Z (2580)/Las Palmas 1982/IZT. Despite White's efforts, Black has succeeded in organizing b6-b5. A balance struggle ensued. ] [ 13.d3 a6 14.ab1 ab8 15.a1 a7 16.a4!? ( On 16.e1 Black obtains counterplay with xg2 17.xg2 b5 ) 16...c6 (the b4 square is weak) 17.e1 b4 18.f4 xg2 19.xg2 e8 20.f3 d6 21.a2 c6 22.e4 f6 and again we have a complex fight. Drasko, M (2478)Svetushkin, D (2621)/Porto Carras GRE 2011. ] 13...a5! 14.d3 White resolves to play solidly, relinquishing any aspirations for an advantage. [ 14.b5 c8 ( 14...b8!? ) 15.d4 would be a critical test, but after a6 16.a3 ( 16.c3?! cxd4 and the c4-pawn is hanging ) 16...c6!? 17.b1 Black's position was fully acceptable in Sarno, S (2391)-Saccona, S (2113)/Turin 546 A14 2000. Simplest now was ac8 ( or even 17...cxd4 18.exd4 e4 . )] Kvon,A 2492 Sargissian,G 2693 14...a6 15.g5 [ Or 15.e1 xg2 16.xg2 ab8 40th Olympiad Open (8.3) 05.09.2012 with ...b6-b5 on tap. ] [John Bartholomew] 15...xg2 16.xg2 b7+ 17.f3 [ 17.g1 gives Black many ways of A continuation of our discussion from proceeding, including the direct b5 . ] Pantsulaia - Fridman. Here Sargissian e q u a l i z e s wi t h e n via b l e e a s e , a s W h i t e 17...xf3+ 18.xf3= Sargissian has won the hesitates to execute d2-d4 or the "kingside theoretical duel without much effort. Now he crawl". 1.c4 e6 2.f3 f6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 begins to outplay his lower-rated opponent. e7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3 b6 7.b2 b7 8.e3 c6 19.f1 d7 20.a4 White is clearly concerned about the prospect of ...b6-b5. g5! dxc4 9.bxc4 c5 10.e2 c6 11.d1 [ Not a mistake, but I think White should Staking space on the kingside. 21.e2?! [ White should put an immediate stop to follow the script with 11.c3 . This would Black's kingside expansion with 21.g4! . ] keep open the option of a quick 12.Nb5 (as 21...g4 22.e1 f5 The position is already a we see in Pantsulaia - Fridman). ] bit easier to play for Black. 23.b1 f7 11...c7 12.c3 fd8 24.g2 f6 25.xf6 xf6 26.c3 a5!? [ Black has a very wide choice: 12...a6 ] 27.h4?! The knight does nothing on the rim. [ 12...ac8 ] [ 27.f4 was more practical. ] [ and 12...ad8 all have their points. ] 13.ac1 Undeniably natural, but Black's next 27...d7 28.b1 b4 29.b3 ad8 30.b5 White is completely tied to the defense of move discourages W hite from pulling the h5 trigger on d2-d4. Consequently, the rook may d3. 31.a3 g8! Planning ... Ng8-e7-c6-e5. not be ideally placed on c1. Let's instead see 32.h3 e7 33.hxg4 hxg4 34.d4?! [ 34.g2 offered a better defnse, but it's a couple examples using Delchev's preferred hard to blame White for lashing out. ] plan (Rab1, Ba1 to prevent b6-b5, then Ne1 540
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 34...f6?! Sargissian plays a bit inaccurately in this phase of the game. [ The straightforward 34...ec6! was best. White is losing the d-pawn after 35.d5 f6 36.d6 e5! followed by 37...Nf7. ] 35.f3 g8 36.f2 ec6 37.fxg4 fxg4 38.g1! e7 39.b3 e5 40.c1 ec6 41.d1 g5 [ 41...gd8 42.f1! ] 42.d2 e5 43.c3 f7 44.c1 e5 45.g2 d8 46.dd1 f7 47.d2 d6 48.xd6 xd6 49.f1 d8 50.df2? Kvon has def ended well, but now - likely emboldened by Sargissian's marking of time he commits a mistake. [ White's defensive configuration is nearly optimal, so he should continue waiting, i.e. 50.g1 . ] 50...cxd4 51.f7+ d6 52.exd4 c2! It's probable that W hite missed this move. 53.c5+?! [ 53.b1 was more tenacious. ] 53...bxc5 54.dxc5+ c6 [ Or 54...xc5 . ] 55.b1 xc5 56.g6 d2+ 57.g1 [ 57.f2! was the last chance to resist. ] 57...d4!-+ 58.e7+ [ The text loses quickly, but 58.f2 f3+ 59.g2 cc2-+ 60.xd2 xd2+ 61.f1 a2-+ would be fairly simple for Black as well. ] 58...d6 59.b6+ e5 60.g6+ e4 61.f4+ e3 White resigned. Black's opening play was natural and strong. If W hite isn't going to venture d2-d4, then I'm unconvinced that the queenside rook belongs on c1. Still, Black's counterplay in other lines (13.Rab1, 13.d3) seems fully satisfactory. The standard procedure is ...a7-a6, ...Ra8-b8, and ...Nc6-a7, preparing ...b6-b5. 0-1
547 Marin,Mihail Gonzalez Garcia,Jose VII Sants Open (10) [John Watson]
A14 2537 2478 04.09.2005
1.c4 e6 2.f3 d5 3.b3 f6 4.g3 e7 5.g2 0-0 6.0-0 b6 7.b2 b7 8.e3 bd7
This is the other main setup: Black keeps the long diagonal open. 9.c3 c5 10.e2 c8 [ 10...e4!? --see Noviko-Turov ] 11.d3 Played in many games, but it's rather slow with the knight on d7.There are 2 better moves: [ (a) 11.cxd5 xd5 12.xd5 exd5 13.d4 looks thematic although W hite has to co n t e n d wi t h c4!? . Then 14.fc1 b5 15.d2! threaten bxc4 and in some cases a 4 . B l a c k ' s b e s t i d e a i s p r o b a b l y b6 , perhaps leading to 16.ab1 a6! 17.a4! unclear ] [ (b ) T h e m o s t f l e xi b l e m o ve i s 11.fd1! , preparing d4 with pressure down the d-file. a6 12.cxd5 exd5 13.d4 ( 13.h4!? eyes f5 and is attractive) 13...d6 ( 13...c4! would be totally unclear after 14.bxc4 dxc4 15.e4 b5 16.e5 d5 17.e6 ) 14.dxc5 bxc5 15.h4 with some advantage ( or 15.g5 h6 16.ge4 )] 11...a6 12.e1!? A standard manoeuvre begins. The other normal move is [ 12.fd1 ] 12...c7 13.f4 fd8 14.e4!? [ 14.f3 would complete the normal setup. That can be called dynamically equal. ] 14...dxe4 [ 14...d4! 15.b1 e5 makes it hard for W hite to progress because the f-pawn is e xp o se d if h e p l a ys a k n i gh t t o f 3 , f o r example, 16.d2 b8 17.df3 ( 17.f5 b5 18.g4 h6 19.h4 h7 ) 17...exf4 18.gxf4 h5! ] 15.dxe4 b8! Targeting the weakness on d4. 16.e5! xg2 17.xg2 e8 18.f3 c6 19.e4 b7 20.fd1 White has a little more space and flexibility. b5 21.ac1 bxc4? 22.xd8 xd8 23.xc4 The c-pawn is isolated and weak nevertheless, White's king is exposed and Black can exploit the weak point at d3. d5!? [ 23...b4 24.c1 d5 25.e3 d3 26.e1! ] 24.a3 b4 25.xb4?! I don't like straightening out Black's pawns, although it gains d4. cxb4 26.d4 h6 27.f3!? [ 27.c6! ] 27...d7 28.c6 a5 29.e3 f8 30.a7 [ 30.b6! ] 30...xa7 31.xa7 f5 32.exf6 gxf6 541
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 33.c6?! [ 33.c8 f7 34.c6 ( 34.xe8 f5 35.xf8+ xf8 36.f2 d2 Once again it's rook-versus-minor pieces in the endgame. W h i t e w i l l h a v e t o s t r u g g l e t o d r a w .) 34...d6 35.d8+ e7 36.xd6 xd6 37.c6+ f7 and Black will pick up White's a-pawn after losing his own. ] 33...f5! 34.f2 d2 35.d4 xa2 36.d8 White has to scrounge around to dig up play for the pawn. f6 37.f3 a4! 38.bxa4 xa4 39.d3 a3!? [ 39...g7 protects the b-pawn, and ] [ 39...b3!? 40.d4 ( 40.b8 a3 41.ce5= ) 40...b2 41.xb2 a3+ 42.e2 a2 wins. ] 40.cxb4 d5 [ 40...c3! 41.e3 c4 and Black is safe. ] 41.e2 xb4 42.xb4 f7 43.c6 a2+ 44.d2 xd2+ 45.xd2 d6 46.e3 c5+ 47.f3 f6 48.e5 d6 49.d3 c7 ½-½
548 Miles,Anthony J Godena,Michele 5th HIT Open (5) [Tony Kosten]
A14 2579 2487 05.02.2000
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 e7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3 b6 7.b2 b7 8.e3 bd7 9.d3 c5 10.e2 c7 11.c3 ad8 The most common, and most logical, move played in this position. 12.e4!? [ Very committal, normally White prefers to keep his pawns flexible, and plays either 12.fd1 or ] [ 12.ad1 ] 12...d4 [ This should be strongest, Black claims extra space, and play resembles a King's Indian reversed, where the white pieces are not optimally placed. 12...dxe4 13.dxe4 g4 14.fd1 a6 is less ambitious, but quite good, Mista,L-Slezka,V/CZE-chT2 1995, 1/2-1/2 (22) , as 15.h3 ge5 16.xe5 xe5 17.f4 c6 and the knight comes to d4. ] 13.d1 e8 [ A new move, but a perfectly good one, Black p lays h is knight to d6 in o rder t o
support the ...f 5, or ...b5 breaks. 13...g6 14.e1 e5 is similar, though, Bischoff, KAndersson,U/Dortmund 1987, 0-1 (37). ] 14.c1 There was no future for the bishop on b2, hitting on the strong black pawn chain. e5 15.b1 d6 16.b2 White finds a strange route f or the rook, which is now ready to s w i t c h t o t h e c e n t r e o r k i n g s i d e . de8 Black is better, he has more space, and his p i e c e s a r e w e l l - p l a c e d . 17.d2 White prepares for Black's ...f5, which would now concede the e4-square. g6!? [ Possibly Black should avoid this move, which weakens the kingside. Instead, he ca n p re p a r e . . . b 5 b y 17...a6 and then answer 18.f4 with f5! 19.exf5 exf4 with advantage. ] 18.f4 f5 19.exf5 xg2 [ The problem with 17...g6 is revealed after 19...exf4? as White can now play 20.fxg6 . ] 20.xg2 Removing the queen from the exposed e-line. xf5 21.e4 f6 22.e2 exf4 23.xf4 After this play is equal. All but one of White's pieces are in play and Black's extra space counts for little. d7 24.fe1 xe4 25.xe4 d6? [ A mistake, allowing a long tactical sequence, better 25...f6 which keeps the d5-square covered, 26.f2 xe4 27.xe4 g7 and Black has no problems. ] 26.xe8 xe8 27.d5+ With the black bishop on f6 this move would not be possible. g7 28.e5+ As the d6-bishop is pinned. h6?! [ ' O u t o f t h e f r y i n g p a n . . . ' 28...f8 is forced, with 29.xd6+ xd6 and the e8ro o k i s p r o t e c t e d b y t h e k i n g , 30.xe8+ xe8 31.a8+ f7 32.xa7+ e7 forcing an endgame where Black has some drawing chances. ] 29.e4 [ This is strong, and wins the exchange. 29.f2 threatens a mating attack beginning Ng4+, and also obliges Black to concede t h e e x c h a n g e : xe5 30.g4+ g7 31.xe5 winning. ] 29...d8 30.f6! xf6 31.xe8 g5 32.f3 d2 33.e2 c1 34.g2 e7 35.f2 Bringing the last piece into the game. e3+ 36.f3 g5 37.g4+ xg4 [ 37...g7 38.xe3 dxe3 is rather more 542
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 awkward. ] 38.xg4 e3 39.f3 1-0
549 Neverov,Valeriy Efimenko,Zahar 74th ch-UKR KO (4.2) [John Watson]
A14 2572 2643 31.08.2005
Black tries a radical solution, but the game is a tribute to the latent dynamism in W hite's position, even after a trade of queens. 1.c4 e6 2.f3 f6 3.g3 d5 4.b3 e7 5.g2 0-0 6.0-0 c5 7.b2 c6 8.e3 dxc4 Now for a sh ameless plug: There are actually 9 different plausible moves here, all discussed in my ancient book "English: Franco, Slav, and Flank Defences"! You can get a reprint f rom Hardinge Simpole (o n Am azon ) bu t there's a real drawback: it's in the old English D e s c r i p t i v e n o t a t i o n . 9.bxc4 d3!? If this works, W hite's whole move order is inaccurate, But since it's easily the most frequently-arising one over the past 50 years it's good that White has the appropriateanswers! 10.b3! d8 11.d1 a6 [ 11...xb3 12.axb3 gives White control of e5, a potentially mobile centre and the afile ] 12.xd3 [ 12.e1 f5 13.d3 ] 12...xd3 13.c3 [ 13.e1 d8 14.c3 ( 14.d3 b8 15.d2 is also slightly more comfortable for White )] 13...d8 14.ab1!? Quite effective. White could also play the immediate [ 14.d4 and stand better: cxd4 15.exd4 A) 15...b8 16.ab1 d7 ( 16...b5 17.e5! xe5 18.dxe5 xd1+ 19.xd1 d7 20.cxb5 axb5 21.e4 with the better game ); B) 15...a5 16.c5! c4 17.ab1 xb2 18.xb2 makes it very hard for Black to develop and is a solid plus. ] 14...b8 15.a4 [ 15.d4! ] 15...d7?! Uninspiring. Better [ 15...b5 16.cxb5 xb5!? ( 16...axb5
17.xc5! xc5 18.xf6 gxf6 19.dc1 f a v o u r s W h i t e) 17.c3 b6 18.d3 , when Black's pawns are a little weak but so are White's - slight edge to the first player. ] 16.b6 d6 17.d4! cxd4 18.exd4 e8 19.d5! exd5 20.cxd5 [ Even better is 20.xf6! gxf6 21.xd5 with a very large advantage. Black has to play g7 22.h4! ( 22.d2 b5 23.e3 ) 22...d7 23.e3! e5 24.hf5+ f8 25.f4 c7 26.c5! and Black is in trouble. ] 20...e7 21.e5 [ Also strong is 21.xf6! gxf6 22.d2 ] 21...c8 22.bc4 b5 23.xd6 xd6 24.a3!? [ 24.d4 ] 24...bc8 25.dc1 fe8 26.h3 xc1+ 27.xc1 e4 28.g2 xd5! 29.xf7? [ 29.xe4 xe5 30.xb7 ] 29...8f6! 30.f3 xg3 31.h6+ gxh6 32.hxg3 c6 [ 32...d2! Things have gone wrong for White and Black has some edge. ] 33.b2 f7?! [ 33...h5! 34.f1 g5 ] 34.c2 d3 35.f2 h5 36.c1 d7 37.f4 f8 38.e3 e6 39.f1 d6 40.c4 The bishops are very strong. Black had a few opportunities in what follows, but only when White played inaccurately. The whole position was terribly difficult for the second player: f6 41.c1 g5 42.a3 d7 43.e2 g6 44.c1 f7 45.xg5 xg5 46.f4+ g6 47.c5 d7 48.g5+ f6 49.xh5 e4 50.g4 d2 51.a4 d3 52.e3 xe2+ 53.xd3 e7 54.h6+ g7 55.b6 g8 56.d4 f7 57.a5 g8 58.d5 f8 59.f5 f7 60.g5 d7+ 61.e5 f8 62.f6+ g8 63.d6 c7 64.e6 c1 65.d8+ g7 66.f6+ g6 67.g8+ h5 68.f7 1-0
550 Novik,Steffen Turov,Maxim Open Dutch Championship (8) [John Watson]
A14 2534 2527 03.08.2005
This game makes the Reti look like a dull line used for equality, but the notes show how 543
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 interesting the play can become in these lines. 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 b6 4.g2 b7 5.0-0 c5 6.b3 e7 7.b2 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.e3 bd7 10.e2 With the knight on d7 instead of c6 it makes also makes sense to prevent ...Ne4 by [ 10.d3 . But that's not really necessary. ] 10...e4!? A typical freeing move, but White can still try for advantage. [ Tony annotate d the game SorokinSambuev, St Petersburg 1999, again illustrating the fact that these lines are more unbalanced than they sometimes appear: 10...a6 11.fd1 c7 12.ac1 dxc4 ( (Tony: "A normal plan in these positions, Black closes the c-file and aims for counterplay with ...b5. Further keeping the t e n s i o n r u n s i n t o p r o b l e m s : 12...ac8!? 13.cxd5 xd5 14.xd5 xd5 15.e4 b7 16.d4 with a mobile centre.) 13.bxc4 c6!? 14.d4! b7? ( 14...cxd4 ) 15.d5! exd5 16.cxd5 xd5 17.xd5 xd5 18.e5! f6 ( 18...xg2? 19.xd7 e4 20.c4 ) 19.xd5! xd5 20.d1 ad8 21.d2! xe3!? 22.xb7 xd1 23.c2 and White won easily. ] 11.cxd5 xc3 [ Or 11...exd5 12.d4 ( 12.fd1!? ) 12...xc3 13.xc3 c7 14.dxc5 ( 14.h4!? see the next note.) 14...bxc5 15.ac1 a5 (stopping b4 and threatening ...Ba6) 16.fd1 b6 ( 16...a4 17.b4! wins the d4 square) 17.b2 ( 17.e1!? ) 17...f6 18.h4! d7 ( 18...a4 19.f5 fd8 20.b4! c4 21.b1 ) 19.d2! a4 ( 19...g5 20.xa5 ) 20.b4! , transforming the pawn structure to White's advantage. ] 12.dxc3?! A nothing move. [ M o r e a m b i t i o u s w a s 12.xc3 exd5 ( 12...xd5 13.d4 c8 14.e4 b7 15.fd1 ) 13.d4 c7 , and besides 14.dxc5 of the last note, W hite might try 14.h4!? xh4 ( 14...ac8 15.f5 f6 16.ac1 , for example, fe8 17.fd1 g6 18.h6+ g7 19.g4 ) 15.gxh4 with the ideas of d x c 5 a n d Q g 4 ac8 16.h1 ( 16.dxc5 bxc5 17.fd1 )] 12...xd5 13.c4 c6 14.e4 [ More natural seems 14.ad1 , but after c7 White has nothing better than 15.e5 ( 15.d2 xg2 16.xg2 f6 ) 15...xe5
16.xe5 xe5 17.xc6 ad8= ] [ Or 14.e5 xg2 15.xg2 xe5 16.xe5 f6 17.ad1 c8 18.c3 c6+ 19.e4 leaves at best a nominal edge which can't possibly lead to anything. ] 14...c7 15.d2!? fd8 16.f4 White's basic idea is that Black has nothing going on so maybe he can grab some space in the meantime. f6!? A slight weakness but it doesn't matter. [ 16...e5 is also fine. ] 17.ad1 f8 18.f5!? d6 19.f3 exf5 20.exf5 e8 21.f2 ad8 22.fe1 xe1+ 23.xe1 e8 24.xe8 xe8 , about equal. A true grandmaster yawner, but it needn't have been. ½-½
551 Pantsulaia,Levan Fridman,Daniel 40th Olympiad Open (2.11) [John Bartholomew]
A14 2575 2653 29.08.2012
The following line in the Réti has been given extensive coverage in recent works on the English, so it's high time we tackled it. 1.f3 d5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 e6 4.0-0 e7 5.c4 0-0 6.b3 c5 7.e3 c6 8.b2 b6 9.c3 dxc4 10.bxc4 b7 11.e2 c7 In "Grandmaster Repertoire 4: The English Opening Vol 2" Mihail Marin characterizes this move as a loss of time in view of White's next. Meanwhile, in "The Modern Reti: An Anti-Slav Repertoire" Alexander Delchev calls 11...Qc7 "a flexible move" and actually labels 12.Nb5 as a "loss of tempo"! W ho is right? Of course it's impossible to say, but 11...Qc7 has been seen plenty of times in Grandmaster practice with reasonable results for Black (it's the second most popular move at this juncture). This line is quite subtle, and I personally doubt there are many bright-line rules. [ Most popular is 11...c8 ] [ 11...a6 ] [ 11...d7 ] [ and 11...b4!? are also played. ] 12.b5 Following Marin's recommendation. [ Instead, Delchev endorses the prophylactic approach 12.fd1 a6 ( 12...fd8 544
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 is examined this month in Kvon, A (2492)Sargissian, G (2693)/Istanbul TUR 2012) 13.ab1 ab8 14.a1 , keeping open options of either d2-d4 or the "kingside crawl" with Nf 3-e2, f 2-f3, g3-g4, etc. In general Marin favors the former plan, while Delchev usually opts for the latter. ] 12...b8!? Neither text mentions this retreat. [ Delchev writes that after 12...c8 13.fd1 a6 14.c3 a5 "the queen is not worse on c8 than on c7". This is probably due to the fact that d2-d4 has been held up, and if White reverts to the slower plan with Nf3-e1, then the queen's placement o n c8 isn't particularly significant. Often an exchange o f l i g h t - s q u a r e b i sh o p s wi l l o c c u r a n d Black's queen ends of on b7 anyways. ] 13.d4 Certainly the most direct. [ White could also play ala Delchev with 13.fd1 a6 14.c3 c7 15.ab1 (compare to the note to White's 12th). ] 13...e8!? Very mysterious! This appears to be directed against a future d4-d5. [ 13...a6 14.c3 a5 15.dxc5 xc5 ( 15...bxc5!? ) 16.ab1 ( 16.a4! l o o k s m o r e c h a l l e n g i n g) 16...c7 1/2-1/2 Solleveld, M (2502)-Levin, F (2482)/Netherlands NED 2011 ] 14.fd1 [ White can also consider 14.e5 , though a5! 15.xb7 xb7 is a good reaction. ] 14...a6 15.c3 cxd4 16.exd4 a5 17.d5!? Pantsulaia does not hesitate. Probably this is the correct decision, otherwise Black intends quick coordination with . .. Qb8-c7 and Ra8d8. f8! Now the significance of Black's 13th move is apparent. 18.dxe6 xe6 19.f1 c8 [ 19...c7!? ] 20.g5 xg2?! [ The awkward-looking 20...e5! is best. ] 21.xg2 c6 22.d5! xc4 23.xf6 gxf6 24.e4 f5? [ 24...g7! ] 25.ef6+ h8 26.h3 [ Here and on the next move White misses the murderous 26.e1 , looking to penetrate down the e-file. After, say, e6 the engine qu i c k l y p o in t s o u t ( 26...g7 27.e7! ) 27.ac1!+, threatening 28.Rxe6 followed by 29.Nxb6 or 29.Nc7. ]
26...h6 27.e7? Letting Black off the hook. [ 27.e1! was again powerful, this time with t h e r e m a r k a b l e a t t a c k i n g i d e a o f e6 28.e7 c5 29.xe6 fxe6 30.eg8!! . Did I mention I'm analyzing this with the assistance of an engine?:) ] 27...e6 28.xc6 xf6 29.d4 b2! Securing the draw. 30.d2 c4 31.dd1 b2 32.d2 [ White decides to call it a day. He could play on with 32.xf5 xd1 33.xd1 , but Black no lo nge r h as an y p ro b le m s. Su m min g things up, I don't see much wrong with 11... Qc7, and Fridman's unique take with 12... Qb8!? and 13...Re8!? is definite food for thought. ] ½-½
552 Reti,Richard Gruenfeld,Ernst Trencianske Teplice (2) [Nigel Davies]
A14
1928
Starting out as an English Opening this game soon transposes into a main line of the Reti. Black seemed to be doing OK up to move 22 when he finally succumbed to W hite's ongoing pressure. 1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 f6 4.f3 e7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3 c5 7.cxd5 [ These days we tend to keep the central tension, say with 7.e3 ] [ or 7.b2 . ] 7...xd5 8.b2 c6 9.c3 f6 10.c1 xc3 11.xc3 e5 12.d3 b8 It makes sense to take the rook off the h1-a8 diagonal but more recent encounters have featured other moves: [ a) 12...e6 13.b2 d4 14.e3 xf3+ 15.xf3 d5 16.e4 e8 17.e2 d6 was dead equal in Speelman, J (2583) Ganguly, S (2531), Bled 2002. ] [ b) 12...g4 13.h3 e6 14.b2 e8 15.d2 c8 16.e4 e7 17.f4?! f5 18.d2 exf4 19.xg7? fxg3 20.xc6 xc6 21.h8 f8 was good for Black in Dizdarevic, E (2520)-Zelcic, R (2554), Solin/ Spilt 2002. ] 13.b2 d4 14.e3 xf3+ 15.xf3 xd3 16.g2 545
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ And not 16.xe5? because of f5 17.xf6 xf3 threatening 18...Bh3. ] 16...b6 17.xe5 xe5 18.xe5 b7 [ 18...g4 might have been better to try and keep W hite's rooks off the d-file, at least temporarily. ] 19.fd1 b5 20.c7 xg2 21.xg2 a5 22.d7 White has kept an edge right into the endgame. Maybe Black could have held the game with super accurate defence but then this is never easy. bc8 [ 22...a4 is an interesting bid for counterplay as if White carries out his 'threat' of 23.xf7 there follows xf7 24.xb8+ f8 25.b7 e2 26.d5+ h8 27.f1 a3 threatening to take on a2. ] 23.d6 c6?! [ And here 23...c4 is a better chance, trying to hoover some pawns off the board. ] 24.d5 a4 25.a7 cc8 [ Perhaps it was only here that Black saw 25...axb3 26.a4 , winning the rook on c6. As a result he loses a pawn. ] 26.xa4 cd8 27.f3 d3 28.c4 d6 29.e4 e2 30.c2 b5 31.f3 fd8 32.e1 d7 33.e4 d3 34.e3 d1 35.ce2 e6 36.e5 h6 37.e4 1d4 38.xd4 xd4 39.e4 d2 40.a4 xe5 41.a8+ h7 42.xf7 e4+ 43.f3 e6 44.b8 d4 45.h4 d2 [ Or 45...c4 46.bxc4 xc4 47.xb6 xb6 48.d3+ h8 49.xc4 etc. ] 46.h5 e5 47.a8 d5+ 48.xd5 xd5 49.xb6 xh5 50.b5 d5 51.a4 d3 52.a5 1-0
many times. ] 10.c3 a4 11.xa4! Now I think this is best, otherwise the black a-pawn is too annoying. [ 11.d4 a3 12.c1 b4 13.d2 e7 "gives Black good play", according to me a decade ago! ] [ 11.ab1 axb3 12.axb3 c5 13.d4 d7 14.fd1 e5 15.c2 dxc4 16.bxc4 xg2 17.xg2 e4 18.f3 exf3+ 19.xf3 d3 was already quite promising for Black in Mge la d ze, T (2 19 8 )-A kop ian , V (26 6 7 ) Albena 2014, although 1/2-1/2 (49). ] 11...dxc4 12.xc4!? A surprising novelty. Eleven years ago I considered this dubious, but to be fair I hadn't looked too much further. [ 12.fc1 wa s t h e f o r m e r c h o i c e , b5! ( 12...cxb3 13.axb3 c5 was Chuchelov, V (2 6 0 3 ) -R o go ze n c o , D (2 5 1 7 ) - s e e m y annotations in the PGN Archive.) 13.c3 c5 ( 13...b8 ) 14.xb5?! ( 14.e5 ) 14...d3 15.cb1 cxb3 16.a4 forced ( 16.axb3? xb2 17.xa8 xa8 wins a piece.) 16...c5 17.c3?! ( 17.e1 ) 17...c4 with an obvious black advantage, Mgeladze, T (2295)-Dzagnidze, N (2390) Tbilisi 2002, 0-1 (33). ] [ 12.c3 is worth a thought, cxb3 13.axb3 c5 14.d4 but White has no advantage. ] 12...a6 13.c2 xf1 14.xf1 So, what exactly has White obtained for his exchange sac? W ell, apart from the pawn he has excellent light square control. c5 [ 14...b5 15.c3 c5 is better, Ne5 is no longer a problem and Black is fine. ] 15.e5 c8 [ 15...xe5! returns the exchange, 16.xa8 xa8 17.xe5 d7 18.a1 b5 19.c3 ( 19.d3 c6 20.c3 c4 ) 19...e5 553 A14 20.e4 xe4 21.xe4 d3 with compensation for the pawn. ] Rusev,Krasimir 2540 Brynell,Stellan 2463 16.c6 e8 17.a7 b8 18.c6 c8 b8 Black is happy to repeat, but Copenhagen Whitsun GM (1) 03.06.2014 19.a7 W h it e is o n ly g a in in g t im e o n t h e c lo c k . [Kosten, Tony] 20.c3! The knight heads for the weak b51.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 b6 4.g2 b7 square. Black is passive and his rooks are 5.0-0 e7 6.b3 0-0 7.b2 d5 8.e3 bd7 doing nothing, White is better. e5 21.cb5 9.e2 a5 Black's 2nd most popular move White controls the queenside light squares. plans the annoying ...a4 when Black can g6 22.h4!? [ I rather like the look of 22.f4! and f5. ] either open the a-f ile o r play ...a3 unde r 22...h5 Best, if favourable circumstances. [ 22...h6 instead, then 23.c6 d8 24.f3 [ W e ' v e c o v e r e d t h e c l a s s i c a l 9...c5 546
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 threatens both Nc6 and h5. ] 23.a4 A slow, strengthening move, but White's positional advantages are not going to disappear. [ 23.c6 d8 24.d4 is also strong. ] 23...g4 [ 23...d5! blocks the h1-a8 diagonal, when 24.d4 d7 25.d1 fd8 limits White's edge, at least Black has got his pieces into play. ] 24.d4 f5?! Further weakening Black's light squares. He obviously had ideas of some sort of kingside demonstration, but it is too optimistic. 25.c4 f7?! [ 25...xh4 at least justifies his previous play, but 26.dxc5 ( 26.gxh4? e7 menacing ... Q x h 4 a n d s u d d e n l y B l a c k i s wi n n i n g !) 26...bxc5 27.c6 c8 28.d6 d7 29.xc8 xc8 30.xc5 just ignores the sacrifice on h4. ] 26.c6 cxd4 27.bxd4! Hitting e6, while keeping e7 and b8 attacked. [ 27.xb8? dxe3! would be very unclear. ] 27...6e5 28.xe6 Taking a 2nd pawn and exchanging queens, Black is totally lost. xc6 [ 28...xe6 29.xe6 xc6 30.xf8 xf8 31.xc6 with the bishop pair and two extra pawns. ] 29.xf7+ xf7 30.xc6 bc8 31.d5+ e8 32.xg7 Grabbing a 3rd pawn for the exchange, and leaving the f8-rook short of squares. f7 33.d4!? White prefers not to swap his light square bishop for the rook. However, [ 33.xf7+ xf7 34.xe7 xe7 35.d4 would surely force resignation. ] 33...h7 34.xb6 h6 35.xe7 xe7 36.a5 The two bishops will help shepherd the white passers home. c2 37.b4 f6 38.f3 e4 39.xe4 fxe4 40.d4 a2 41.a1 xa1+ 42.xa1 c6 43.d4 d7 44.g2 c7?! [ 44...c8 45.b5 d6 46.a6 d5 47.b6 b8 stops the queenside pawns, but then 48.g4 hxg4 49.g3 followed by Kxg4 and h 5 wi l l q u e e n o n t h e o t h e r s i d e o f t h e board. ] 45.b5 c2 46.a6 Black can't stop b6-b7 and Be5 followed by b8(Q). 1-0
554 Sherbakov,Ruslan Aleksandrov,Aleksej 9th chT Ekaterinburg RUS (4) [Tony Kosten]
A14 2549 2654 20.05.2002
1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 f6 4.f3 e7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3 c5 7.e3 b6 8.b2 b7 9.c3 bd7 [ The solid choice, 9...c6 is possibly more active. ] 10.d3 [ I prefer 10.e2 which keeps the possibility of playing d4 in one move (instead of d3 first, then d4) a6 11.fd1 which we examined in Sorokin, M-Sambuev,B/St Petersburg RUS 1999. ] 10...c7 11.e2 c6!? [ Interesting, Black aims to nullify White's pressure on the h1-a8 diagonal. We looked at 11...ad8 in Miles,A-Godena,M/Nova Gorica SLO 2000. ] 12.fd1 [ 12.fe1 b7 13.e4 is an alternative plan, closing the diagonal. ] 12...b7 13.d4 Black was men acing to play ...d4 himself, because of the pin on the f3knight, so White strikes first. dxc4!? [ A perfectly logical novelty, Black opens the long diagonal, although at the cost of giving W hite a central preponderance. 13...fd8 is a sound alternative, Bobotsov,M-Najdorf, M/ Siegen 1970. ] 14.bxc4 e4 15.d5!? This is the sort of ce nt ra l brea kth ro ugh th at W h it e is o f t e n hoping to play in this variation, and here he takes advantage of the lack of black kingside de f e nd ers. xc3 16.xc3 exd5 17.e5 xe5 18.cxd5! This zwischenzug is the point of White's combo. a4 19.xe5 [ 19.d6!? c6 ( 19...xd1 20.xd1 d7 21.xe5 transposes to the game) 20.dxe7 xe7 21.xe5 xg2 22.xg7 is also interesting, and not too clear. ] 19...xd1 20.xd1 d7 The critical position, that White needed to assess before playing his fifteenth move. White has sacrificed the exchange, but in return he has two powerful bishops and a dangerously mobile centre. 21.d6 ad8!? 22.h5 [ 22.dxe7!? is a difficult move to judge: 547
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xd1+ 23.f1 xe2 24.exf8+ xf8 25.xe2 d2 26.c4 c2 27.d5 b5 White has two great bishops, but the active rook and passed queenside pawns make the situation quite unclear. ] [ The other alternative is the 'unpinning' 22.d5 g5 ( White has at least a draw after 22...f6 23.xf6 gxf6 24.e4 fe8 25.f5 c6 26.g4+ f8 27.f4 b u t m a y b e n o m o r e) 23.xg7 xg7 24.xg5+ h8 25.d5 with good compensation. ] 22...fe8 23.h3 a4 24.d7 f8 25.d2 b4 26.f5 [ 26.g4 xg4 27.xg4 c4 28.c7 would regain the exchange, but the oppositec o lo u r b is h o p s wo u ld m a ke a win ve r y problematic. ] 26...h6 27.d1 a4 The queen stays on the fourth rank to stop White from playing Qg4, and also keeps the rook under attack. 28.d2 b4 29.d1 a4 30.d2 White can make no progress. ½-½
555 Sherbakov,Ruslan Alexandrov,Alexei chT Yekaterinburg [R. Scherbakov]
A14
2002
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 e7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3 c5 7.e3 b6 8.b2 b7 9.c3 bd7 10.d3 c7 11.e2 c6 12.fd1 b7 13.d4 dxc4 14.bxc4 e4 15.d5 xc3 16.xc3 exd5 17.e5 xe5 18.cxd5 a4 19.xe5 xd1 20.xd1 d7 21.d6 ad8 22.h5 [ 22.dxe7 really gave nothing as the rook was very active and Black's Q-side pawn were dangerous. ] 22...fe8 23.h3 a4 24.d7 f8 25.d2 b4? This terrible mistake was played after 40 minute's thought! [ Black should have clarified the situation i m m e d i a t e l y b y 25...g6!? 26.h6 f6 27.e6+ h8 28.c7 c6 29.xd8 xd8 ] 26.f5 h6 27.d1 [ I was going to play 27.d5! and calculated
something like this: c4 28.e4 c1+ ( 28...xa2 29.g4 g5 30.h4 g6 31.hxg5 gxf5 32.exf5+- ) 29.g2 A) 29...g5 30.d1+- h5 31.h4 h6 32.f4 h8 (here I stopped calculation somehow White can win against such ugly major pieces) 33.d6 (probably the most precise way) xd6 34.xd6 g6 ( 34...c4 35.d5 c3 36.e5 ) 35.xg6+-; B) 29...g6 30.xg6 g5 31.xg5 hxg5 32.f5 /\\ Bc7+- with technically winning endgame also Black can still fight somehow. ] 27...a4 28.d2 b4 Taking a look at the scoresheet I noticed that the move h7-h6 was played just a few moves ago so I decided to repeat one more time having not realised that the position after 26. Bf5 h6 is just that the same. [ 28...c6 was already insufficient as White could have simply continued his K-side a c t i o n s b y 29.h4 with idea Qh5-g4 with strong attack. ] 29.d1 a4 30.d2?? [ 30.d5! ] 30...b4 And here my opponent wisely claimed a draw by three times repetition. It was very disappointing - we have eventually lost a very important match with the score 2, 5:3,5! ½-½
556 Socko,Bartosz Klovans,Janis Skanska Open (7) [Tony Kosten]
A14 2554 2456 29.07.2004
1.f3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.e3 f6 4.b3 e7 5.g3 c5 6.g2 c6 7.0-0 0-0 8.b2 b6 9.c3 b7 10.cxd5 xd5 11.xd5 xd5 12.d4 a5 By a very strange move order we reached the position I discussed in the notes to Bareev,E-Kramnik,V from Monte Carlo, a short while ago. 13.c1 A further possibility. I played [ 13.h4!? in my game, but thought that ] [ 13.dxc5! was best, as in Miles,A-Short,N/ ch-GBR, Torquay ENG 1998. ] 13...fd8 A natural move, as is 548
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 13...ac8 14.a3 f5 15.dxc5 bxc5 16.d7!? xf3 17.xf3 xf3 18.xe7 c6! 19.xc5 fd8 when Black has a little compensation for the pawn, because of the weakened kingside light squares, Bistric,FHulak,K/Makarska 1996. ] [ 13...cxd4 is worse, as after 14.xd4 xd4 15.xd4 White has a slight edge in the endgame. ] 14.a3 f5 Black removes his queen from the diagonal. [ 14...ac8 is also fine, 15.dxc5 ( 15.e2 h5 16.fd1 is fairly level, Poluljahov,AMaiorov,O/Krasnodar 1998) 15...xc5 16.xc5 bxc5 soon petered out to a draw in Toran Albero,R-Filip,M/Skopje 1972. ] 15.e2 e4 Threatening ...Bd3. 16.fd1 g5?! A bizarre novelty, which weakens the kingside and certainly is no improvement on [ 16...c6! when 17.dxc5 bxc5 18.xc5 xd1+ 19.xd1 d8 ( 19...xc5 20.h4 e5 21.xe4 xe4 22.xc5 is the point) 20.e2 d3 21.e1 ( 21.b2 xc5 22.h4 g5 23.xc6 xe3! 24.fxe3 xe3+ 25.g2 g5 1/2-1/2 Arkhipov,SSzekely,P/Moscow 1985) 21...xc5 22.h4 b4!? ( 22...e5 23.xc6 d6 24.g2 b5 is even simpler, ...Bb4 is coming with adequate play) 23.xf5 xe1 24.xe1 xf5 25.xc6 d2 with chances to draw the endgame, Toran Albero,R-Darga,K/ Skopje 1972. ] 17.dxc5 Obvious and good! bxc5?! [ 17...xc5 would avoid what follows, 18.xc5 ( 18.b4 f8 ) 18...bxc5 19.d2 xg2 20.xg2 b7 21.c4 with a positional plus. ] 18.xd8+ xd8 19.d4! The c-pawn is pinned. cxd4? Not a nice move to play, but after the superior [ 19...e5 20.xe4 xe4 21.xc5 wins a pawn for nothing. ] 20.xe4 xe4 21.xe7 White is already winning. d5 Black attempts to defend g5 and a5, but now his king gets into trouble. [ 21...d3 22.h5 e8 23.xg5+ g6 24.xa5 wins the knight whereas the bishop on e7 is untouchable: xe7? 25.d8+ g7 26.xe7 ] [ 21...d7 22.b5! xe7 23.xg5+ f8 24.c8+ e8 25.c5+ g7 26.xe8
wins material. ] 22.f6 There is no way to stop Rc8+. h6 23.c8+ h7 24.h5 Black has no sensible way to avert Rh8 mate! 1-0
557 Sorokin,Maxim Sambuev,Bator Chigorin mem (2) [Tony Kosten]
A14 2574 2390 03.11.1999
1.f3 f6 2.c4 A common method of reaching an English, the advantage is that B l a c k c a n n o t p l a y l i n e s wi t h 1 . . . e 5 , t h e disadvantage is that W hite is committed to playing his knight to f3. Still, if White is going to do this anyway, he might as well start with 1 Nf3. e6 3.g3 b6 4.g2 b7 5.0-0 c5 6.c3 e7 Black has indicated his willingness to play a Hedgehog, but W hite prefers to keep his centre in reserve, and heads for a Reti instead. 7.b3 0-0 8.e3 d5 9.b2 bd7 10.e2 a6 [ A perfectly logical move, but either the immediate 10...c7 or the simplifying ] [ 10...e4 are normally preferred. ] 11.fd1 [ I like White's method of playing this position, many players give away their intentions by the move 11.d3 but instead, in this game, W h it e d e ve lo p s h is ro o ks t o t h e ir b e s t squares, c1 and d1, first, before deciding how to move his d-pawn. ] 11...c7 12.ac1 dxc4 [ A normal plan in these positions, Black closes the c-file and aims for counterplay with ...b5. Further keeping the tension runs into problems: 12...ac8!? 13.cxd5 xd5 14.xd5 xd5 15.e4 b7 16.d4 with a mobile centre. ] 13.bxc4 c6!? [ A new move, and a very sensible one, preparing ...b5. 13...ac8 has also bee n tried, and in Tosic,M-Petronic,J/Novi Sad 1995, White continued with the committal 14.e4?! weakening his central dark squares, e 5 a n d d 4 . ( 14.d3 is m ore sens ible .) 14...g4! and Black had an edge. ] 14.d4! Illustrating the advantage of White's 549
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 flexible strategy to perfection, instead of d3 he can exploit the slight awkwardness of Black's piece placement to expand in the centre. b7? [ A natural reply, taking control of the h1-a8 diagonal, but it loses! 14...cxd4 15.exd4 fe8 was better, with a typical hanging pawn structure. ] 15.d5! White's d-pawn may have been slow to get going, but once started, it seems that nothing will stop it! exd5 16.cxd5 xd5 17.xd5 xd5 All forced so far. 18.e5! The point of White's combination. f6 [ T h e a l t e r n a t i v e 18...xe5 is little improvement, 19.xd5 g6 and White ha s various rook moves discovering an attack on the black queen, and winning material. ] [ M e a n w h i l e , 18...xg2? simply drops a piece after 19.xd7 e4 20.c4 ] 19.xd5! Lining-up a killing pin along the g2bishop's diagonal. xd5 20.d1 ad8 21.d2! [ The simplest, after 21.xd5?! xd5 22.f3 B l a c k c a n h e a d f o r a n e n d i n g b y f6 23.xd5 xd5 24.xd5 b5 with reasonable chances, so it is better for White to keep the queens on the board. ] 21...xe3!? [ Aiming to obtain some play in return for a queen sacrifice, but it fails. The alternatives were no h elp, i.e . 21...f6 22.c4 b5 23.a5 c7 24.xd5+ h8 25.e4 and the white minor pieces will dominate the black rook. W hite will win by judiciously advancing his kingside pawns, and exposing the black king. ] 22.xb7 xd1 [ 22...xd2 is quite hopeless, 23.xd2 f5 24.xa6 with a solid piece more. ] 23.c2 c4!? [ 23...xb2 24.xb2 f6 25.xa6 does not hold out too much hope either, White can easily defend the knight by a later f4. ] 24.xc4 c5 25.xa6 xf2+ [ Unfortunately, 25...xf2 achieves nothing: 26.a3! d3+ 27.xc5 ] 26.g2 fe8 27.c1 Careful play, White defends against any nasty 'accidents' on the e 3 - s q u a r e . c5 28.b2 Forcing the e x c h a n g e o f t h e a n n o y i n g k n i g h t . e3+
29.xe3 xe3 30.d3 The writing is on the wall for Black, White has fought-off the attack, and can now concentrate his pieces against the f7-square. g6 31.c7 Menacing Bc4, tying Black to the f7-pawn. d4 [ Hopeless, but 31...d5 also fails, 32.c4 f5 33.g4! f6 34.e5 f8 35.xf7! winning, as 6xf7 36.xf7+ xf7 37.c8+ picks-up the bishop, g7 38.c3+ ] 32.c4 f8 33.xf7+ h8 34.f4 [ Sufficient, but 34.e5 is also decisive, c5 35.xg6+! hxg6 36.xg6 and Black can only fend off the mate by giving a rook. ] 34...c8 35.e7 1-0
558 Zvjaginsev,Vadim Skatchkov,Pavel TCh Togliatti RUS (1) [Tony Kosten]
A14 2664 2475 16.05.2003
This game struck me as interesting as White delayed playing the 'automatic' e3, seemingly provoking Black to play ...d4. 1.c4 e6 2.f3 f6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 e7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3 c6 A solid choice, although there is nothing wrong with playing [ 6...b6 7.b2 b7 immediately, 8.e3 c5 and Black avoids playing ...c6 altogether. ] 7.b2 b6 8.c3!? Very provocative! Normally White plays [ 8.d3 b7 9.e3 a5 and only now 10.c3 as in Damljanovic, B-Piskov,Y/Belgrade 1998/, amongst many others. ] 8...b7 Black continues his development, he was not tempted into [ 8...d4?! as after 9.a4 d3 ( 9...c5?? 10.xd4 and the a8-rook is lost) 10.e5 dxe2 11.xe2 White has a substantial lead in development. ] 9.c2 White again forgoes playing e3 (to control d4) as now bd7 [ 9...d4?! is met by 10.e4! xe4 11.xe4 and the d-pawn is lost. ] 10.e3 Finally, but perhaps White could have delayed this even further? The position is fairly standard now, except that the white queen is on c2, whereas she normally goes to e2. h6 11.ad1 c8 12.d3 b5!? 550
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 This move is perhaps the justification behind Black playing ...c6, but even so I would prefer [ 12...c5 myself, to keep the b7-bishop's diagonal open. ] 13.e4 White is eager to provoke the opening o f t h e d - f i le t o e xp l o it h is ro o k wh i ch i s p o i n t i n g a t t h e b l a c k q u e e n . b6!? Black tries to bring maximum pressure to bear on c4, but the knight is not well-placed here. [ 13...b4 14.e2 c5 was interesting. ] 14.b1 The queen moves off the c-file to avoid a nasty skirmish with the black rook on c8, and threatens the b-pawn in passing. a6 [ 14...dxc4?! is not very good, because after 15.dxc4 the queen is attacked. ] 15.e2 a5?! Black misses White's positional threat, he should have played [ 15...c5! when there is absolutely nothing wrong with his position. ] 16.exd5! exd5 17.cxb5 cxb5 18.ed4 This is the point, the knight finds a lovely post on d4 eyeing the f5-square, and meanwhile the b7-bishop is stymied by its pawn on d5. b4 19.de1 c5 20.h4 The knight aims for f5, or does he have another square in mind? bd7 21.h3 All the white pieces are finding aggressive posts, and tactics are 'in the air'. b6?! Black misses the far-from-evident threat, better to play the prophylactic [ 21...h8 ] 22.e6!! This must have come as a shock! d4 This simply concedes the exchange, but if [ 22...fxe6 23.xe6+ h7 ( 23...f7 loses to 24.d4! f8?! and now the queen s p r i n g s i n t o t h e f r a y f r o m a f a r : 25.g6 and the rook cannot be defended.) 24.xf6 xf6 25.xc8 xc8 26.d4+ and again the white queen checks from as far away as possible, and the bishop is lost. ] [ 22...fe8 do e sn 't h elp : 23.xc5 xc5 24.xf6 xf6 25.xc8 ] 23.xf8 xf8 24.d1 d5?? Black drops the d7 -kn igh t a nd brings th e game to a n abrupt halt, but he was losing anyway, of course. 1-0
559 Agrest,Evgenij Ponomariov,Ruslan EuTCh Plovdiv BUL (1) [Tony Kosten]
A15 2605 2718 11.10.2003
The famous 'portable phone' game! 1.f3 f6 2.c4 b6 3.c3 b7 4.d3!? White aims for e4 to stymie the b7-bishop. [ 4.g3 is likely to transpose to a standard Hedgehog. ] 4...xf3!? Black shatters the white structure. [ 4...g6 5.e4 g7 6.g3 0-0 7.g2 c5 is a f ianchetto Hedgehog, Kortchnoi,VKuzmin, G/Leningrad 1973. ] [ 4...c5 5.e4 e6 6.g3 was examined in Morozevich,A-Lutz, C. ] 5.exf3!? A novelty, White captures away from the centre. [ 5.gxf3 g6 6.g2 c5 7.g5 g7 8.d2 c6 was fine for Black in Kluger,G-Barczay, L/ Budapest 1963. ] 5...c5 Controlling d4 as White's lack of an epawn weakens his hold on the dark squares. 6.d4 cxd4 7.xd4 c6 8.d1 g6 9.e2 g7 10.f4 0-0 11.e3 Black's position is solid, but White has the bishop pair, and the two open central files to pressurize the black centre. e6 12.0-0 e7! Both aiming for the f5-square, and preparing ...d5, as now Black can recapture on d5 with a knight two times. 13.a4 f5 Revealing another problem related to White's lack of an e-pawn: the f5square provides a nice spot for a black knight. [ 13...d5 is an alternative, 14.fd1 e8 ] 14.ad1 xe3!? Introducing opposite-colour bishops, and depriving W hite of the bishop pair, but also evening-out the white structure. 15.fxe3 c7 16.h1 a6 17.f3 a7 18.d2 A useful move, defending the second rank and preparing to double rooks on the d or f-files. c8 19.e2 Necessary to defend the c-pawn. b8 20.b3 White keeps pressure o n d 5 so t h a t t h e b la c k d -p a wn r e m a in s backward. f8!? Black aims to defend the dpawn on d6 with a typical Hedgehog structure. 21.e4 d6 22.f5!? White aims at the e6-pawn, which cannot be so easily defended without a light-squared bishop, still White also weakens h i s d a r k s q u a r e s , i n p a r t i c u l a r e 5 . d7 The e5 and c5 squares lure the black knight. 551
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 23.fxe6 fxe6 24.g4 The point, hitting Black at his weakest point before he can bring his p i e c e s t o t h e k i n g s i d e . e8 25.e2 The knight heads for f4 or d4 to bring the p r e s s u r e o n e 6 t o b o i l i n g p o i n t . e5? Black is too keen on getting to the e5-square, [ 25...g7 is better, 26.d4 ( 26.h3 c5 27.b4?! xe4 28.xe6+ h8 is good for Black ) 26...c5 27.e3 a8 28.e2 ae7 and e6 is well defended, and the black pieces well-placed. ] 26.xe6+! Ouch! xe6 27.c5 Opening the a2-g8 diagonal, and pinning the rook against the black king. d5 The only chance, [ 27...e8 28.d4 ae7 29.xe6 xe6 30.f6 wins immediately. ] 28.xd5 ae7 And Black was disqualified! Actually, his portable phone rang, and under new rules this equates to the immediate loss of the game! [ 28...ae7 of course he can still play on after 29.d4 g4! (with a threat to h2!) but he is quite lost: 30.g3 e3 ( 30...e5 31.xe6 xe6 32.c6 d6 33.c1 and the c-pawn is too strong) 31.xe6! xf1 ( 31...xd5 32.xf8+ ) 32.f2 e3 33.d6! with a massive attack. ] 1-0
560 David,Alberto Vachier Lagrave,Maxime ITA-chT 46th (1.1) [Fier, Alexandr]
A15 2579 2758 30.04.2014
This was an interesting game in a line which is not so popular. W hite tries a quick expansion on the queenside but Black shows that there are also dangers on the other side of the board. The game finishes with some amazing fireworks. 1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.b4 White plans to bring the bishop to b2, and so why not push the b-pawn one more square? g7 4.b2 0-0 5.g3 c6 I like this move, as it's always useful against the b4-pawn. Black can play ...a5 at some point to create some pressure against the queenside pawns. It's funny that even against 1.b4, 1...c6 is possible, with the idea of 2.Bb2 Qb6 3.a3 a5!?. [ 5...b6 6.g2 b7 was analyzed for
ChessPublishing in Reti, R-Capablanca, J/ New York 1924. ] 6.a3 This move looks unnatural, but the knight will be better on c2 than on c3. b6 Black attacks the b4-pawn and at the same time creates threats against the f2-pawn. [ 6...d5 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.g2 b6 9.b3 a6 10.c2 is another possible continuation and was played in Kosten, A (2516)-Jerez Perez, A (2416)/Fincas Mediterranea 1st 2004. ] 7.c2 [ 7.b3 is also possible, but Black had a comfortable position after e4 8.d4 a5 9.b5 a4 10.e3 d5 in Gofshtein, L (2560)Har Zvi, R (2485)/Zagreb zt 1993. ] 7...d6 8.b1 White defends the bishop and avoid any problems with the f2-pawn. However, it was also possible to just continue his development. [ 8.g2 is a playable option. White can sa crif ice a p a wn t o im m o b ilize B la c k ' s pieces. a5 9.a3 g4 ( 9...e4 is worse, since the knight will come under attack on e4 10.d4 xd4 11.fxd4 ) 10.d4 axb4 11.axb4 xa1 12.xa1 a6 in theory this can be a problem, but 13.0-0! ( 13.b1 f5 would be annoying) 13...xb4 14.b1 c5 15.d2 with the idea of 16.e4 and Black can't escape from the pin without losing the pawn a5 just gets into another pin after 16.c3 ] 8...e5 9.g2 White tries to just play normal ideas, but this poses no problems for Black. Instead, [ 9.c5!? is critical, going for a complicated middlegame dxc5 10.bxc5 xc5 11.a3 ( 11.xe5 is also possible, but Black will have good centralized pieces in exchange for the central pawns e8 12.d4 e7 13.e3 c5 14.c3 b6 15.g2 b7 16.0-0 c6 17.c2 ad8 with good play for Black ) 11...a5 12.xf8 xf8 13.g2 ( 13.a3 looks a bit slow, but maybe it's not a bad idea ) 13...bd7 14.0-0 xa2 15.d4 e6 and Black has two pawns for the exchange, but the position remains unclear ] 9...e4 10.fd4 [ 10.g5 tries to bring the knight to h3 d5 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.0-0 d8 13.d3 h6 14.h3 c6 but I prefer Black's center 552
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 domination and the squares for the respective knights ] 10...a5 11.a3 axb4 12.axb4 bd7 13.0-0 e8 14.c3 This move is not so necessary in order to exchange the rooks. [ 14.a1 was more direct xa1 15.xa1 e5 probably White didn't like to allow this option. ( 15...h5 is not so different ) A) Now 16.e3 leaves the pawn on b4 hanging, xb4 ( 16...fg4 is probably better 17.dc2 xe3 18.xe3= ) 17.a3 xd2 18.xd6 and White has good compensation for the pawn. The queen on d2 has no good squares; B) 16.b3 pinning the e5-knight c7 17.c5 d5 18.d4 fg4 with a complex position ] 14...e5 15.e3 h5 16.a1 [ 16.b5 doesn't help much c5 ( 16...c5 is not possible because of 17.b3 ) 17.b3 d8 18.c2 h4 19.a1 xa1 20.xa1 and with the queenside more or less closed Black can continue the attack ] 16...xa1 17.xa1 h4 18.b5 hxg3 [ 18...c5 was also possible, but Black has a more interesting idea in mind 19.dc2 d8 and it's similar to the position analyzed in the 16.b5 variation ] 19.hxg3 [ 19.fxg3 is ugly, but avoids the idea of the game fg4 20.xg4 xg4 21.bxc6 bxc6 22.e3 c5 23.b1 c7 24.b5 d7 25.xe5 xe5 26.a7 and Black is slightly better ] 19...eg4 Opening a path for the queen. 20.dc2 This is already slow, White is still not feeling the danger of the position. [ 20.bxc6!? bxc6 21.b1 ( 21.dc2 c5 ) 21...c5 22.a4 was a much more direct approach and one possible continuation could be h5 23.xg4 xg4 24.xc6 h2+ 25.f1 f6 26.e3 h3 27.xh3 h1+ ( 27...xh3+ 28.e2 h5+ is also draw) 28.e2 xb1 29.b5 d3+ 30.e1 b1+ with a perpetual ] 20...c5! And this was probably unexpected! Black just gives the bishop on g7 to create mate threats. Now the game becomes wild! 21.xg4 Accepting the challenge, but it's a bad decision. [ 21.f3 was possible, trying to keep the
tension exf3 22.xf3 h5 23.xg7 xg7 24.bxc6 bxc6 and Black still has some pressure ] 21...xg4! 22.xg7? Following the plan, but now White is officially lost. [ 22.e3 was the last chance to survive A) 22...xe3 this is the wrong move order 23.fxe3 xc3 24.xc3 cxb5 25.f6! just giving one more pawn xc4 26.xe4! th is is t he po int , Bla ck ca n 't ta k e t h e bishop in a good way e6 ( 26...xe4 27.d3 b3 28.dxe4 xe3+ 29.f2 c5 30.g2 and the endgame has good chances to finish as a draw; 26...xe4 27.xf7+ h8 28.f4 b1+ 29.f2 and Black is helpless) 27.xe6 xe6 28.c1 xe4 29.xc8+ g7 30.c7 and White holds; B) 22...xc3! 23.xc3 cxb5 24.cxb5 xc3 25.dxc3 xe3 26.fxe3 g4 27.f2 e5 28.d1 and Black is better, but White has chances to defend ] 22...h5 23.b1 Trying to give an escape route to the king. [ 23.e1 was tricky, avoiding the idea of the game. But now the king can't run too far h2+ 24.f1 f6!! the other square, now the knight will join the attack again via h5 ( 24...e5 25.g4! f3 26.exf3 and the rook on e8 is hanging now) 25.f3 h5 26.c3 xg3+ 27.f2 h3 28.e3 f5 29.g1 ( 29.h1 g3+ 30.g1 xe3 and White's position is just sad 31.f1 xf1 32.xh3 f5 winning ) 29...g3+ 30.f1 exf3 31.xh3 xh3+ 32.e1 xe3 33.dxe3 f2+ 34.xf2 xe3+ 35.g2 xe2+ 36.h3 h5+ with mate ] 23...h2+ 24.f1 e5 [ 24...f6 is not so good now, because the king miraculously runs away 25.e3 h3 26.e1 g1+ 27.f1 xf1 28.d1! xg7 29.c2 and the position is far from clear ] 25.g4 Last trick. [ 25.e3 h3 26.e1 xg2 27.d1 xg7 and Black is just a piece up ] 25...f3! [ 25...xg4 26.xe5 attacking the queen ] 26.exf3 exf3 27.xf3 xg4 A nice end! 0-1
553
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A15 27.d3 g5!? Black plans kingside aggression Ehlvest,Jaan 2588 wi t h . . . f 4 , m a k i n g u s e o f h i s c 7 - b i s h o p . Kasparov,Garry 2838 28.hxg5 hxg5 29.a5 de8 [ 29...bxa5 30.c5 f4 is unclear. ] FIDE GP Moscow RUS (1.2) 01.06.2002 30.axb6 axb6 31.a4 e7 32.e1? [Tony Kosten] Anything but this! White simply forgets about 1.c4 f6 2.g3 c6 3.b3!? An unusual the threat, and removes his knight from the a m a l ga m o f t h e E n g l is h a n d t h e L a rs e n control of f4. f4! O f co u rse ! 33.exf4 gxf4 g7 The black pieces spring to the Opening, White decides to take Kasparov far 34.g4 from his renowned opening preparation, but to attack! 35.f3 e8 36.c2 ge7 37.d3 no avail. e5 4.b2 e4!? Black has an a6 38.f1 h7 39.e2 d8?! 40.h2? [ 40.d4 would exchange queens when e n o r m o u s c h o i c e i n t h i s e xt r e m e l y r a r e White would have real fighting chances in position, but the World no. 1 goes for the gain the endgame. ] of space, in line with his aggressive style. 40...xh2 41.xh2 d5 42.b3 dxc4 5.xf6!? [ A fifth-move novelty! White concedes the 43.xd8+ xd8 44.xc4?! Otherwise White bishop pair to weaken the defence of e4, has lost material for nothing, but now the dark 5.c2 d5 6.f3 f5 7.h3 g6 squares come back to haunt W hite. h4+ allowed Black to bolster his strong centre in 45.g2 g3+ 46.f1 xc4+ 47.xc4 xf3+ 48.e1 f6 Smyslov, V-Kortschnoi,V/Moscow 1971. ] 5...xf6 6.c3 e5 7.g2 f5 Black is 0-1 s l ig h t ly b e h i n d i n d e ve l o p m e n t , b u t h a s managed to maintain his strong centre. 8.e3 A15 a6! Thoughtful development! The knight 562 aims for the weak d3-square. 9.ge2 c5 Frois,A 2320 10.0-0 e7 Maiorov,N1 2542 [ There is little point to occupying the d3- 29th Open Cappelle la Grande FRA (1.41) square immediately, 10...d3 11.c1 ] [John Bartholomew] 11.b1 0-0 12.d4!? White plans a tactical operation to free his position. exd3 13.d4 Nothing earth-shattering happens in this one, f6 14.a4!? but I wanted to include it to show how easily [ this leads to the recapture of the d-pawn, B l a c k m a y o b t a i n a g o o d g a m e a g a i n s t but at the cost of a weakened structure. mechanical play from White. 1.f3 f6 2.c4 14.b4?! is worse, e6 15.xe6 dxe6 b6 3.g3 b7 4.g2 g6 5.0-0 g7 6.c3 and the attack on c3 allows Black time to 0-0 7.d4 e4 8.d2 Another continuation defend his d-pawn. ] rooted in Queen's Indian play. 14...xa4 15.bxa4 b6 16.xd3 a6 [ The double-edged 8.c2 xc3 9.bxc3!? 17.fd1 g6 18.bc1 is examined in Putka, V (2321)-Wojtaszek, [ Missing a nice opportunity to justify his play, R (2710) Jurmala 2013. ] 18.b5! is strong, the knight will land on the 8...d6 Normal, but certainly not the only move! f i n e d 6 o u t p o s t a s cxb5? 19.axb5 [ Black has tried several other approaches wins back the material with interest. ] here - a true testament to his flexibility. For 18...ad8 19.b3 h8 20.h4 c5 example: 8...c5 (the most attractive, in my 21.e2?! opinion) 9.xe4 ( 9.c2 xd2 10.xd2 [ Again missing 21.b5! as cxb5? 22.cxb5 cxd4 11.xd4 xg2 12.xg2 c8 13.b3 hits queen and bishop, and otherwise the b7+ 14.g1 c6 15.xc6 dxc6 knight goes to d6. ] was at least equal for Black in Jakovljevic, 21...e5 22.c2 e7 23.c1 h6 24.d3 V ( 2 3 9 0 ) - S a r i c , I ( 2 5 4 9 ) N e u m 2 0 1 1) c7 25.b4 c8 26.cd2 White has a 9...xe4 10.c3 c6! 11.e3 d6 12.c1 h a r m o n i o u s p o s i t i o n , b u t h i s we a k e n e d e6 13.e1 c7 14.b3 ad8 Jankovic, A queenside pawns will always be a liability. f6 (2543)-Edouard, R (2646) Aix les Bains 561
554
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 2012 ] [ 8...a6!? 9.xe4 xe4 10.c3 c6 11.h4 xg2 12.xg2 b5!? 13.a3?! ( it looks better to play 13.cxb5 cxb5 14.a3 ) 13...bxc4 14.a4 b6 15.xc4 d5 16.d3 e5!? 17.dxe5 c5 18.d4 e4 19.f4 xd4 20.xd4 d2 21.fd1 b3 22.ab1 c5 23.e3 d4 Grunberg, M (2414)-Horvath, J (2560) Hungary 2011 ] [ 8...e6 9.e1 ( 9.c1 d6 10.c2 xd2 11.xd2 d7 12.b3 e7 13.e4 c5 14.fd1 ad8 15.e3 a6 16.c2 b8 17.cd2 led to a protracted maneuvering struggle in Vigh, B (2370) -Csom, I (2455) Hungary 1995. Black cannot be worse here with his influential dark square bishop, and indeed c6 18.d5 d4 looks quite good for him. ) 9...xc3 10.xc3 xg2 11.xg2 d5 12.b3 c6 13.fe1 a5 14.a4 a6 15.ad1 d7 16.e3 was agreed drawn in W erle, J (2556)-Speelman, J (2518) Sunningdale 2007, ] 9.xe4 [ 9.d5 xc3 10.xc3 xc3 11.bxc3 e5 12.e4 d7 13.h3 c5 was already a bit better for Black in Linqvist, G (2037)-Li, Y Seinajoki 2008. ] [ 9.c1 is reasonable, i.e. d7 10.d5 xd2 ( 10...dc5!? ) 11.xd2 c5 12.e4 a6 13.a4 Radulov, I (2359)-Bratanov, J Mizia 2002. Here Black can play e5 14.xe5 xe5 15.f4 d4+ 16.h1 c7 with fully adequate play. ] 9...xe4 10.c1 d7 [ 10...c5!? ] 11.c3 e6 12.d2 f6 13.fd1 b7 Both sides have been content to play quietly thus far. Black experiences absolutely no problems, so his opening can be thought of as a s u c c e s s . 14.c2 e4 15.e1 f6 16.c3 e4 17.d2 a5 18.b3 e7 19.f4 a4 20.d2 xg2 21.xg2 d7 [ Interesting is 21...d5!? . ] 22.f3 f5 [ This doesn't lead to much, so maybe Black sh ou ld go f o r an ot h er p a wn b re a k wit h 22...e5 , i.e. 23.e3 axb3 24.axb3 a2 25.a1 c2 26.ac1 a2= . ] 23.c6 a7 24.e3 e5 25.dxe5 xe5 26.xe5 xe5 27.f3 [ 27.b4! offered chances for a small edge. ]
27...b2 28.d5+ h8 29.d4 a5 30.c2 xd5 31.xb2 e5 32.c2 axb3 33.axb3 a8 34.b5 e7 35.dd2! e5 36.a2 xa2 37.xa2 White is definitely for choice now, but the players soon arrive at a peaceful result. c6 38.a7 e8 39.c7 e7 40.f4 [ 40.b5 e8 41.a3 followed by Na3-c2b4 was a possible winning attempt. ] 40...b2 41.a8+ g7 42.e8+ h6 43.xd6 Drawn by agreement. [ After 43.xd6 xe3 44.c8 xb3 45.xc6 a draw would indeed by the correct result. ] ½-½
563 Hentunen,Asko Fressinet,Laurent 20th ECC Izmir TUR (1) [Tony Kosten]
A15 2354 2637 03.10.2004
1.c4 f6 2.g3 c6 3.a4!? White deters Black from an immediate ...d5, but this move i s v e r y a r t i f i c i a l . e5 The most natural, although [ 3...g6 4.g2 g7 5.e4 0-0 6.e2 e5 7.bc3 d6 leads to a Botvinnik type of position where the white queen is oddly placed, Kortchnoi,V-Bareev,E/Brussels 1992. ] [ 3...d5!? ignores White's previous move! 4.g2 ( 4.cxd5 b5 5.c2 cxd5 ) 4...e6 5.f3 bd7 6.d3 d6 and Black has a very reasonable Slav set-up, Csom,I-Guindy, E/Aarhus 1991. ] 4.g2 a6! Probably the most accurate, the knight will come to c5 with gain of tempo. [ 4...c5 is also logical, 5.c3 0-0 6.b3 a6 7.d3 d5! and Black is doing well, Csom,I-Farago,I/HUN 1993, as 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.xd5 xd5 10.xd5 b6 with a strong attack. ] 5.c3? This seems to be new, but for tactical reasons is worse than [ 5.d3 b4+ ( 5...c5 6.c3 0-0 7.f3 e8 8.0-0 Gyurkovics,M-Kiss,P/Cseppko 1997; now 5...c5 6.c2 d5 is met by 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.f3 and Black has problems defending e5) 6.d2 0-0 7.gf3 e8 555
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 8.0-0 d5 Black has successfully constructed a good centre, Abolianin,A-Van der Stricht, G/Westerlo BEL 2004. ] 5...c5 6.c2 d5 Natural and strong. 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.d3 d4 9.b1 e6 Black has a space advantage, a lead in development, plus strong play on the c-file. It is fair to say that W hite's opening has not been a success! 10.b4 cd7 11.d2 d5 12.a3 e7 13.f3 0-0 14.0-0 c8 15.b2 f5!? Black plays ambitiously on the kingside, but [ 15...b6 was a good alternative: 16.c1 a5 17.b5 xc1+ 18.xc1 c8 and Black's pressure on the queenside will soon bear fruit. ] 16.e4?! If White wants to play this, then why not [ 16.e3 dxe3 17.fxe3 as Black can capture on e3 en passant if he wants anyway? ] 16...fxe4 But this is even stronger. 17.dxe4 5b6 The knight aims for both c4 and a4. 18.c1 a4 19.d2 b5 20.e1 c7 21.d3 c2 White's pieces form a sad picture. 22.f4 f6 23.fxe5 xe5 24.f4 f7 25.xc2 xc2 26.d2 d3 27.d1 c4?! This wins material, although [ 27...g4 is also strong, winning a whole rook. ] 28.b3 xa1 29.xa1 a2 30.b3 cb2 31.xb2 xb2 Both rook on d1 and knight on b3 are attacked. 0-1
564 Hodgson,Julian M Efimov,Igor zt 1.1 Mondariz ESP (4) [Tony Kosten]
A15 2640 2520 06.09.2000
1.c4 f6 [ If Black wants to play a King's Indian Defence, 1...g6 might be more accurate, as W h it e co u ld n o lo n ge r play th e ga me 's system. ] 2.f3 g6 3.b4 Quite a popular method of countering the KID, which has the merit of avoiding too much theory, and a similar line was recommended by Dunnington in his 'Easy Guide to the Reti Opening'. g7 4.b2 0-0 5.g3 d6 6.g2 e5 A natural reaction, Black
closes the b2-bishop's diagonal. 7.c3 c6 [ This is more active than 7...bd7 when 8.0-0 e8 9.d3 e4 10.xe4 xe4 11.xg7 xf2?! 12.xf2 xg7 13.d2 favoured White, with his better centre, and open f-file, Plachetka,J-Adamski,J/Stary Smokovec 1974. ] 8.b5 e7 [ Perhaps 8...d4 is more active. ] 9.0-0 e6 10.d3 h6 The position resembles a main line King's English, with the exception that the white rook had not had to move to b1, to prepare b4. 11.d2 c6!? [ A new move, Black prepares ... d5, and this seems better than 11...b8 12.a4 c8 13.c2 d7 14.fc1 with a plus, Wittke,MGrigore,G/Berlin 1996. ] 12.a4 d7 13.a3 The a3-f8 diagonal is the best place for this piece. fd8 14.b1 c5 Played to control White's queenside play, but n o w t h e d 5 - s q u a r e i s w e a k e n e d . 15.e4! The touch of a strong player! White closes the g2-bishop's diagonal, but only to better open it later. h7 16.d5 f5?! [ Black mechanically 'attacks' on the kingside. 16...xd5 17.cxd5 h3 leaves Black with the lesser bishop, and hands the d2-knight the c4-square. ] 17.b6 a6?! [ 17...xd5 18.cxd5 axb6 19.b5 a5!? might be a better try. ] 18.exf5 See the note to move fifteen. gxf5 [ 18...xf5 allows White control of both d5, and e4. ] 19.c7 ab8 20.f4! Thematic, the f5-pawn is fixed, and will be a target. f7 21.fxe5 xe5 [ 21...dxe5 22.xc5 g6 is hardly an improvement. ] 22.f3 Seemingly out of nothing White's position has grown, and grown. g7 23.d4! White is in no mood to concede the initiative, and piles-on the pressure. xc4 24.e1 cxd4 [ 24...g5 25.dxc5 dxc5 26.xd7 xf3+ 27.xf3 xd7 28.xc5 g6 is unpleasant for Black, because of the b7-pawn, but might offer some defensive possibilities. ] 25.c1 f7 26.e6! Another blow, freeing the c7-square for the rook. c6?! [ It is probably better to sacrifice the queen imme dia tely b y 26...xe6 27.c7 c6 556
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 28.xd7 xd7 29.xd6 bc8 although White is clearly on top. ] 27.xg7 xg7 28.xd4 f6 29.xc6 bxc6 30.e7! [ 30.e7 xe7 31.xf5+ wins the queen. ] 1-0
xa1 10.xa1 c6?! 11.b5 e7 12.c3 with a plus, Black has yet to use c5, Smyslov,V-Jimenez Zerquera,E/Havana 1964. ] 8...bd7 9.c3 [ 9.d4 is considered in Sulskis,S-Afek,Y [A15]. ] 9...c5 10.d4 This is to the point now that 565 A15 Black cannot contest the knight on d4, even Hoffmann,Michael 2450 though it temporarily cedes control of c5. [ 10.d3 e8 11.d2 h5!? led to interesting Wemmers,Xander 2350 play in Fuller,M-Plachetka,J/Copenhagen chT, NED Hengelo (4) 2000 1980. ] [Tony Kosten] 10...exd4 11.xd4 g4!? The knight heads for the other dark square weakened by 1.f3 f6 2.g3 [ 2.c4 g6 3.b4 is a different move-order that White's tenth move, e5, where it will attack is preferred by many good players, as White the backward c4-pawn. 12.d5 e5 13.c2 keeps his kingside options open (he can c6!? Black elects to play actively, but it is also play e3 and d4, instead of g3, say) and has loosening. 14.bxc6 [ 14.e3 e8 15.ad1 May be more an even greater queenside presence. See precise - White can capture on c6 when he the Sulskis - Afek game for this. ] likes. ] 2...g6 3.b4 g7 4.b2 d6 [ 4...c6!? is interesting: 5.g2 a5 6.bxa5!? 14...bxc6 15.e3 e8 16.ad1 f5? [ Ugh! 16...b8 is safer. ] ( 6.a3 is possibly better, with a likely t ra n s p o s it io n t o t h e Na rs isco Du b la n - 17.b5! Winning material. b8? [ Black should try the exchange sac 17...cxb5 Pedersen game) 6...xa5 7.0-0 0-0 8.d3 18.xa8 e6 19.d5 b4 although 20.f4 d6 9.c4 a6 10.a4 h5 11.bd2 h3 clearly favours White. ] 12.c2 c5 and this is fine for Black, his pressure on the a-pawn is more important 18.xd6 e6 19.a3 To add insult to injury, than White's potential play along the b-file, B l a c k h a s a l s o l o s t t h e u s e o f c 5 ! cd7 Its non-stop fun for W hite! h8 and the c5-knight is strong, Campora,D- 20.d5! 21.f4 f6 22.xc8?! Moreno,J/Malaga ESP 1999. ] [ 22.e4! is crushing. ] 5.g2 0-0 6.0-0 e5 Black gains a foothold in 23.e4 fxe4 24.xe4 f7 the centre, and erects a dark-squared pawn 22...fxc8 Black is almost back in the game! 25.c1 e8 chain to stymie the white b2-bishop. 7.c4 T h i s m o v e i s t h e m o s t n a t u r a l , w i t h a 26.fd1 h6?! Probably Black should only try t r a n s p o s i t i o n t o t h e E n g l i s h , a l t h o u g h this after having removed his king from the a1-h8 diagonal. 27.d6 b7 28.c3 g8 Dunnington prefers the line [ 28...xf4? loses to 29.gxf4 xf4 [ 7.d3 keeping W hite's options open, c6 30.xc6 ] 8.bd2 e8 9.e4!? a5 ( 9...bd7 10.c4 A terrible move! Why not something c5 11.a3 and White can prepare f4, 29.b1? Hickman, J-Lappage,J/Jersey Open, St like [ 29.e1 with a masked pin on the e-file, Helier JCI 2000.) 10.a3 axb4 11.axb4 xf4? wi l l a g a i n l o s e : 30.gxf4 xf4 xa1 12.xa1 a6 13.a3 but this 31.xc6 ] doesn't look like too much for White, Marin, 29...xb1 30.xb1 xf4 31.gxf4 xc4 M-Georgiev,V/Andorra 1997. ] 7...a5 8.b5 Gaining space at the expense of Attacking both of White's once-proud bishops. 32.xc6 the c5-square. Otherwise: [ 32.e5 cxe5 33.fxe5 xe5 34.xc6 ] [ 8.a3 axb4 ( 8...h5 9.c3 f5 10.d3 with typical Closed English play, Taimanov, 32...xd6 33.d1 e4?! [ Better 33...e6 34.d5 f8 ] M-Jansa,V/Marianske Lazne 1962) 9.axb4 557
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 34.b3 xb3 35.axb3 White wins a knight back. ec5 36.xd7 d8 37.d5?? [ How to explain White missing the obvious, and forced, move 37.g4 , drawing? It can only be very severe time pressure. ] 37...xd7 38.f5 g5 Presumably White lost on time, as he can still capture the a-pawn and continue. 0-1
566 Kosten,Anthony C Jones 4NCL Telford ENG (5) [Tony Kosten]
A15 2545 2063 08.03.2003
A banal queen sacrifice? Yes, it does exist as in the following game I obtained more than enough pieces for the lady. 1.c4 f6 2.f3 g6 3.b4!? An 'anti-KID' system that I have looked at a couple of times. g7 4.b2 0-0 5.g3 d6 6.g2 e5 7.0-0 e8 A standard move, but we had only really considered [ 7...a5 8.b5 before, where Black can plant a knight on c5. ] 8.d3 bd7 [ 8...a5 is still possible, and might be best: 9.b5 bd7 10.fd2!? c5 11.c3 leading to a quick draw in Speelman,J-Nataf, I/Mondariz ESP 2000. ] 9.bd2!? An unusual square for this knight in the English, as White normally likes to gain further control of d5, but I wanted to keep the b2-bishop's diagonal unencumbered. [ 9.c3 c6 10.c1 f8 11.b5 led to typical Closed English play in Chistiakova,T-Huang Qian/Heraklio GRE 2002. ] 9...f8!? I was more concerned about [ 9...c6 to play ...d5, 10.a3 Lupu,M-Sykora, R/Prague 1989, d5!? ] 10.c2 A new move, previously White preferred [ 10.b3 to control d5, h5!? 11.h4!? 8h7 12.ac1 b8 13.c5! dxc5?! 14.xe5 wi t h a d v a n t a g e , K r e u za h l e r , M - L a u , M / Jedesheim 1991. ] 10...e6 11.e3 d7!? Black plans to get his kingside pawns rolling, but this neglects the centre. 12.d4 f5 13.dxe5 Black's kingside demonstration is countered in the centre.
dxe5 14.e4! I didn't want Black to play ...e4, with some space. f4 15.c5 Nc4xe5 is on the cards, White cannot allow Black to play ...g5g 4 u n o p p o s e d . g5 16.h3 h8?! Bla ck a vo ids a p in , but run s int o trou ble elsewhere. [ 16...h5 is no particular problem, 17.xe6+!? ( or 17.f5 g4 18.h4 ) 17...xe6 18.b3 e7 ( 18...f7? 19.h4! gxh4 20.gxf4 e7 21.g5 leaves Black in all sorts of trouble) 19.c6!? bxc6 20.xg5 c5 (forced) 21.bxc5 xg5 22.f3 g6 23.xe5 and White should win this. ] 17.c6! I felt that this move was a bit greedy and 'computer-like', but strong all the same. bxc6 18.xc6 Forking a8 and e6. b8 [ 18...b6 19.xe5 xe5 20.xe5 is also hopeless. ] 19.xe6 b6 20.xd7 Of course, White gets t o o m a n y p i e c e s f o r t h e q u e e n . xc6 21.xc6 e6 I was originally worried about [ 21...g4 but then I saw a simple win with 22.xe8 gxf3 23.h5 as xd2 loses to 24.ad1 xb2 25.d8+ f8 26.xf8+ g7 27.xc8 when White has a material plus, and there is no problem on g2 as the f3-pawn can always be captured. ] 22.d5 g4 After [ 22...e8 23.c4 e6 24.ad1 xd5 25.xd5 e7 26.a3 White has complete control and can capture e5 when he wants. ] 23.xe6! Simplest. xe6 24.fd1! The point, returning a piece to keep Black's counterplay to a minimum. gxf3 25.xf3 e8 26.xe5 fxg3 27.hxg3 [ After 27.hxg3 Black resigned, as he saw that White menaces to play Rac1xc7, and Black's only attempt at counterplay, h3?! l o s e s o n t h e s p o t t o 28.d8 xd8 29.f7+ ] 1-0
567 Putka,V Wojtaszek,R Vladimir Petrov Memorial (1.5) [John Bartholomew]
A15 2321 2710 15.02.2013
This game and Frois-Maiorov might more properly be classified in the "Daring 558
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Defences" section, but the play is so decidedly flank-oriented that I couldn't resist including them here (also, there seems to be no existing information on this line over in the "Daring" archives). 1.f3 f6 2.c4 b6 3.g3 b7 4.g2 g6 I have to admit that I knew nothing of the existence of this system until a month or two ago. Thus, I was surprised to learn that many Grandmasters have been giving it a try of late! Essentially, Black is aiming for a super-flexible Double Fianchetto by holding off on any pawn advance in the center. It's an unabashedly hypermodern approach, and it's been seen since at least the early 1920s. As you can imagine, theory is chaotic at best in this line (and co m pa riso n s t o va rio u s I n dia n d e f en se s abound), so I'll use these games primarily to acquaint you with the themes. [ 4...e6 ] [ or 4...c5 would lead us to well-trodden territory, of course. ] 5.d4 g7 6.0-0 0-0 7.c3 [ White faces a Queen's Indian-like dilemma: should he play Nb1-c3 and allow Black's next, or delay it in favor of 7.e1 ] [ or 7.c2 ? ] [ Challenging is 7.d5!? , shutting the lightsquare bishop out of play. This has been t h e c h o i c e o f t o p p la ye rs l ik e G i ri a n d Grischuk: A) 7...e4 8.c2 f5 9.f4!? c6 10.fd2 f6 ( 10...cxd5! 11.cxd5 xd5 12.xe4 fxe4 13.xe4 xe4 14.xe4 d5 15.e6+ f7 16.c3 xc3! 17.bxc3 d7 ) 11.c3 h5 12.g5 h6 13.e3 e5 14.dxe6 dxe6 15.c5 d7 16.c4 xc5 17.xc5 bxc5 18.a4 Grischuk, A (2746)-Feller, S (2666) Khanty-Mansiysk 2011; B) 7...e6 8.c3 exd5 9.cxd5 e8 10.e1 c6 11.e4 ( 11.d6!? ) 11...d6 12.f4 cxd5 13.exd5 xe1+ 14.xe1 a6 15.d4 d7 16.d1 c7= Giri, A (2730)-Rodshtein, M (2616) Eilat 2012. ] 7...e4 In accordance with hypermodern principles, of course! 8.c2 [ More popular is 8.xe4 xe4 , i.e. 9.e3 ( 9.d2?! d5! 10.cxd5 xd5 11.b3 c5 12.b2 Malakhov, V (2682)-Taboas
Rodriguez, D (2296) Benidorm 2006 here d8 puts White under pressure; 9.d5!? a6 10.h3 (a common idea, White wants to move the knight and play e2-e4 without a l lo wi n g a n e xch a n g e o f b i sh o p s ) xf3 11.exf3 e6 12.b1 c6 13.f4 cxd5 14.cxd5 c8 15.e1 e8 16.d6 c7 17.dxe6 dxe6 18.f4 d5= Feller, S (2666)Vachier Lagrave, M (2722) Caen 201 1) 9...c5 ( 9...d6; and 9...d5 have also been played, while; 9...c6!? deserves attention) 10.d2 d6 11.h6 d7 12.fd1 f6 13.ac1 c7 14.b3 cxd4 15.xd4 xg2 16.xg2 b7+ 17.f3 fc8 18.e4 a6 19.a4 c5 20.xg7 xg7 21.c2 d7 22.dc1 g8 23.h4 ac8 24.b4 e5 25.b1 a8 26.b5 ec5 27.c6 8xc6 28.bxc6 xc6 29.b4 h5 30.b3 g7 31.f2 f6 32.g2 e5 33.bc1 h7 34.c3 h8 35.3c2 g7 36.c3 a5 37.a1 c5 1/2-1/2 (37) Radjabov, T (2788)-Kramnik, V (2797) Istanbul 2012 ] [ I examine 8.d2 in Frois, A (2320)-Maiorov, N (2542) Cappelle la Grande 2013. ] 8...xc3 9.bxc3!? A double-edged but possibly wrong decision. [ 9.xc3 c5 has held up well for Black, though: 10.e3 d6 ( 10...xf3!? 11.xf3 c6 ) 11.fd1 d7 12.d2 cxd4 13.xd4 f6 14.e1 c7 (Black has a more than acceptable Double Fianchetto) 15.b3 fd8 16.ac1 d7 17.d3 ac8= Trella, T (2 4 0 4 ) - Ma i o r o v, N ( 2 5 4 1 ) M i l a n 2 0 1 2 . Maiorov is a proponent of this line for Black, so interested readers may want to have a look at his games. ] 9...c6! I like this simple move a lot. W ojtaszek is showing his tremendous versatility. [ It's entirely possible for Black to proceed in standard fashion with 9...d6 10.e4 d7 , but the Polish Grandmaster sees no reason to define the central structure just yet. ] 10.b1 This doesn't look too useful. [ On 10.e4 Black would likely have continued with a5 11.d3 a6 12.d2 c5! re a c h in g a p o sit io n re m in isc e n t o f t h e Samisch variation of the Nimzo-Indian. ] [ Bu Xiangzhi recently tried to improve White's play, but Black was hanging tough: 559
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 10.d2 c8 ( or 10...a5 ) 11.e4 a5 12.e1 d6 13.f1 c5 14.d5 e5?! ( perhaps Black shouldn't rush this move, i. e. 14...a6!? 15.f4 d7 16.d3 ae8 with play similar to our main game) 15.b3 xb3 16.axb3 a5 17.f4 exf4 18.xf4 c7 19.d2 ae8 20.d3 c8= Bu Xiangzhi (2675)-Kjartansson, G (2430) Reykjavik 2013. ] 10...a5 11.d2 xg2 12.xg2 d6 13.e4 c5 14.d5 d7 15.f4 ae8 Black is fully co o rd in a t ed a n d e xtre m e ly com f o rt a b le . W hite doesn't have much to show f or his structural deficiency. 16.f3?! e6 Now watch W o j t a s z e k g o t o wo r k ! 17.dxe6 xe6 18.d3 f5! The game is opening in Black's favor. 19.exf5 xf5 20.f2 d5! Continuing to hammer White in the center. 21.g4 f7 22.f5 dxc4 23.f3 e3?! A small misstep that White fails to notice. [ Easier was 23...gxf5 24.gxf5 e5 25.b2 ef8 . ] 24.xe3 xe3 25.xc4?? Equivalent to resignation. [ 25.b3! would have given Black some problems, i.e. xc3 26.xa5 bxa5 27.f6! f8 ( the pawn is immune in view of 27...xf6 28.b8+ g7 29.b2 ) 28.b2 d3 29.c1 . ] 25...xc4 26.xe3 xe3+ 27.f3 c4 28.e4 gxf5+ 29.gxf5 d6+ 30.d5 xf5+- It's over. 31.e2 xc3 32.e8+ g7 33.g1+ h6 34.e6 f6+ 35.d5 d4 36.b1 e3+ 37.e4 c4 38.d3 d6 39.e7 f3+ 40.e2 f2+ 41.d3 c4+ W hit e resigne d. The re was quite a large rating mismatch in this game, but Wojtaszek's handling of this unexplored line was nearly textbook. Réti and Nimzowitsch would be proud! 0-1
against Black's King's Indian style set-up and have often played something similar in my own games (1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 g6 3.b4). White takes space on the queenside and this often leads to an undermining of any centre Black tries to set up. 1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.b4 g7 4.b2 0-0 5.g3 b6 6.g2 b7 7.0-0 d6 8.d3 bd7 9.bd2 e5 [ Black can also consider 9...c5 but after 10.a3 White's space gives him slightly the better chances. ] 10.c2 e8 11.fd1 [ A n o t h e r p l a n w o u l d b e t o p l a y 11.e4 with the aim of preparing f2-f4. This would probably have been my preference in fact. ] 11...a5 12.a3 h6 13.f1 c5 [ 13...e4 14.dxe4 xe4 would have been fine for Black, though perhaps Capablanca wa s co n ce rn e d t h a t t h e p o sit io n m igh t become drawish. ] 14.b5?! White should not close the queenside like this. [ 14.e3 looks like a much better idea, keeping open possibilities of play along the b-file. ] 14...f8 15.e3 c7 16.d4 e4 17.c3 exd4 18.exd4 6d7 [ 18...e6 looks like a superior alternative. After 19.d2 cxd4 20.xd4 xg2 21.xg2 b7+ 22.f3 Black can play ( 22.c6 d8 ) 22...e4! 23.fxe4 xd4 24.xd4 xe4 etc. ] 19.d2 cxd4 20.xd4 xc4 21.xg7 xg7 22.b2+ g8 23.xd6 c5?! Leaving the queen exposed. [ 23...c7 would have been better. ] 24.ad1 a7 [ And here 24...e7 was better. ] 25.e3 h5? This could have lost on the spot. [ 25...c7 was better. ] 26.d4?! [ Missing an even stronger move in 26.1d5! 568 A15 xd5 27.g4 xf3 28.gxh5 xh5 29.c6 etc. ] Reti,Richard 26...xg2 27.xg2 e5?! Capablanca,Jose Raul [ 27...xe3 28.fxe3 xd1?? loses to New York (5) 22.03.1924 29.f5! , threatening both mate on g7 and [Nigel Davies] Black's queen. But 27...Rxe3 might have been a better chance in conjunction with 28... A famous game in which Reti put his opening Ne5. ] on the map. I quite like this method of play 560
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 28.c4 c5 29.c6 c7 30.e3 e5? [ 30...xe3 was the last chance to keep fighting. ] 31.1d5 [ 31.1d5 c4 32.xc5 xb2 33.c2 threatening both the knight on b2 and 34. Nd5 is deadly. It rather looked as if both players were affected by nerves in this game, and certainly Capablanca looked far from at ease when facing Reti's indirect opening. ] 1-0
569 Sulskis,Sarunas Afek,Yochanan Open Lisboa POR (6) [Tony Kosten]
A15 2573 2381 26.08.2001
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.b4 g7 4.b2 0-0 This is by far the most common line here, Black simply completes development. [ The quick attack on the queenside is less effective here than when W hite has preferred g3 to c4: 4...c6!? 5.e3 d5 6.h3 0-0 7.a3!? b6 8.c3 e4 9.xg7 xg7 10.b1 White has the more comfortable position, Speelman, J-Gormally, D/Birmingham ENG 2000. ] 5.g3 [ T h i s i s a g o o d a p p r o a c h , b u t 5.e3 is preferred by many, continuing with d4. ] 5...d6 6.g2 e5 7.0-0 [ 7.d3 or ] [ 7.c3 are more common, when play resembles a Closed King's English line, a fine example is the Hodgson - Efimov game, also in [A15], but with the text White keeps the possibility of playing d4 on the cards. ] 7...a5 This is very common in such positions, when although Black allows White even more space on the queenside, he weakens White's hold on the dark squares, in particular c5, which provides a useful resting place for a black knight. 8.b5 [ For 8.a3 see the notes to Hoffmann Wemmers. ] 8...bd7 9.d4!? An interesting idea, White permanently concedes pawn control of c5, but gains space. [ 9.c3 with similar play, is seen in
Hoffmann - Wemmers. ] 9...exd4 10.xd4!? A novelty, keeping an eye on c5. [ 10.xd4 was also successful in Barcza, GHecht,H/Hamburg 1965 and may be stronger, e8 11.c2 c5 12.c3 e6?! Black lacks space for his minor pieces, but this loses control of c5, with serious consequences, 13.xe6 fxe6 ( 13...xe6? 14.xb7 ) 14.c5! with advantage, as dxc5?! would be countered by 15.a4 ] 10...e8 11.bd2 Another piece in the puzzle, as by playing the knight here, instead of to c3, White can play a later Nb3 to further contest a black knight on c5. c5 12.c1 f5 13.e1 A key position, Black has developed his minor pieces and has control of e4, how to proceed? fe4 [ 13...a4!? ] 14.xg7 xg7 15.d4 d7 16.e3 f5!? [ Black wants to keep a hold on e4, 16...xd2 17.xd2 a4 would maintain the knight on c5, and exchange a pair of pieces, but 18.e4 and f4 enhances White's space advantage. ] 17.2b3 The time has come to discuss the c5square. xb3 18.xb3 b6!? A very doubleedged move, defending a5, but weakening the h1-a8 diagonal. 19.f3 f6 20.d4 e7 21.f4 ad8 22.d2 White menaces the move e4, and Black must unpin his knight, but whe re sho uld he put th e king? h6?! Very doubtful, [ 22...g8 m u s t b e r i g h t , 23.e4 fxe4 24.xe4 xe4 25.xe4 (threatening a killer check on d5) g7 26.d5+ h8 is quite playable. ] 23.e4 fxe4 24.h3! With the simple idea of playing g4-5 when the black king proves to be b a d l y m i s p l a c e d . e3 25.g4 xg4! The only try, as [ 25...g5 is met by 26.c3! gxf4 27.xf4+ g7 28.cxe3 f7 29.g5 h5 30.d4+ ] 26.hxg4 xg4 27.f3 f8?! [ I think I would prefer 27...e4 and try my chances in the endgame. ] 28.g5?! [ 28.h2! xh2 29.xe3 f6 30.xf6 xf6 31.xh2 xf4 32.e7 is strong. ] 28...f6? [ Again, 28...f6! forcing the exchange of 561
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 queens, when the black king is safer. ] 29.c3 [ 29.e2! ] 29...df8? [ B l a c k m i s s e s t h e t h r e a t , 29...e8 was the best chance. ] 30.cxe3! xe3 31.xe3 Attacking the q u e e n , a n d t h r e a t e n i n g R h 3 + x h 7 . xf4 Forced. 32.xf4 xf4 33.xe7 xg5 34.xc7 The rest is trivial. h5 35.c6 h4 36.xb6 xc4 37.xd6 c1+ 38.h2 g5 39.b6 g4 40.d3 There was a threat of matein-one to deal with! b1 41.b7 a4 42.b3! Interference! 1-0
570 Agopov,Mikael Elsness,Frode 18th European Teams (6.16) [John Bartholomew]
A16 2450 2506 08.11.2011
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.c2!? It's remarkable, but this unpretentious queen move was a novelty when Topalov played it in May. Since then I count 38 total games with 5.Qc2 with White scoring a robust 68% (+14, =15, -5). It's too early to say whether this move is any better than the more established lines (5.Qa4+, 5. Qb3, 5.e4, 5.g3, even 5.h4!?), as much of its su c c e s s c a n be co rrela t e d wit h th e h igh caliber of its handlers (>2500 FIDE average for White). Still, it's clear that 5.Qc2 is useful (mainly because White reveals little about his intentions!), and sets Black some unique problems that deserve our investigation. c6 This move has been gaining steam since the source game. [ Check the archives for 5...g7 6.e4 A) 6...b4 7.a4+ 4c6 This retreat looks a little extravagant to me. ( 7...8c6 8.d4 d7 transposes to the game.) 8.d4 d7 9.b5 0-0 A1) 10.e3 a6 11.d5 e5 12.xe5 xe5?! ( 12...xb5 13.xb5 xe5! ) 13.xd7 xd7 14.b3 b6 15.0-0 a5 16.f4 g7 17.ac1 a4 18.c4 a5 19.fd1 a6 20.e5 Mareco, S (2597)Hunt, A (2437)/Livigno ITA 2011.;
A2) 10.d5!? e5 11.xe5 xe5 12.0-0 c6 13.dxc6 xc6 14.d1 a6 15.xc6 bxc6 16.e3 c7 17.h3 ab8 Rozum, I (2464)-Smikovski, I (2541)/St Petersburg RUS 2011. Now 18.ac1! seems good because xb2?! 19.a3! works out well for White, e.g. b7 ( 19...xc3 20.xc3 ) 20.d5; B) 6...xc3 7.dxc3 should favor White. B1) 7...d7 8.h4!? ( 8.g5!? ) 8...h6?! 9.e3 c6 10.h5 g5 11.0-0-0 c7 12.d4 e5 13.f3 d7 looked a little su s p e c t f o r B l a c k i n L e n d e r m a n , A (2525)-Sedlak, N (2580)/Amsterdam NED 2011. 14.f5!?; B2) 7...0-0 B2a) 8.e3 b6?! 9.h4!? ( 9.d1 ) 9...g4 10.h2 e6 11.h5 c5 12.hxg6 hxg6 13.f4 Bitalzadeh, A (2409)-Cigan, S (2343)/Rogaska Slatina SLO 2011. ( 13.f3 ); B2b) 8.f4 c6 ( 8...c5 9.e2 c6 10.h3 a5 11.0-0 b5 12.a3 d8 13.e3 c4 14.a4! Plischki, S (2332) Seidl, S (2090)/ Teplice CZE 2011.) 9.h3 d7 10.e2 e5 11.e3 e7 12.0-0 Malakhatko, V (2543)-Kanter, E (2406)/St Petersburg RUS 2011.; C) 6...b6 , Topalov, V (2775)-Kamsky, G (2732)/Kazan RUS 2011/[Nigel Davies]. Other recent developments: ] 6.d4 [ A couple of players have experimented with 6.e4 db4 7.b1 , but g4! appears to be a convincing answer. ( 7...d4?! 8.xd4 xd4 9.a3 c6 10.d5 e5 11.d4! Nisipeanu, L (2659)-Atakisi, U (2370)/Konya TUR 2011. ) 8.a3 xf3 9.gxf3 ( 9.axb4 g4 is no problem for Black.) 9...a6 10.b5 g7 11.d3 ab8!? ( T h e r e ' s n o t h i n g w r o n g w i t h 11...c5 12.e3 d6 ) 12.e3 a6 13.c4 e6 14.f4 d4 15.d1 h4! Emphasizing Black's dark-squared control. 16.xd4 xd4 17.f3 c6 18.c1?! g5! Cabrera, A (2530) -Asis Gargatagli, H (2431)/Sitges ESP 2011. ] 6...g7 This is risky. [ Alarmingly, the creative resources in the line 6...db4 7.a4 d7 8.d1 e5! may h ave alrea dy b een exhau sted in a 562
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 matter of months! The current conclusion is that Black is doing quite well - thus, I would definitely recommend 6...Nbd4 over the text. Observe: ( Too routine is 8...g4?! 9.a3 d5 10.e4 xc3 11.bxc3 g7 12.b1 b8 13.e2 0-0 14.0-0 Kamberi, S (2283)-Bagi, M (2309)/Budapest HUN 2011. ) A) 9.a3 exd4 appears entirely acceptable f o r B l a c k : 10.b5 ( 10.axb4 dxc3 11.bxc3 g7 12.d2 0-0 Alekseev, E (2673)-Kurnosov, I (2633) /Taganrog RUS 2011. ) 10...a6 11.bxd4?! ( 11.g5! ) 11...xd4 12.xd4 c6 13.f3 e6 14.xd8+ xd8 15.g5 e7 16.xe7 xe7 with even slightly slightly better chances. Dorfman, I (2578)-Vachier Lagrave, M (2722)/Caen FRA 2011.; B) 9.dxe5 f5 10.g5 e7 11.e4 g4 12.xe7 xe7 13.a3 xf3 14.gxf3 d8 15.a4 d3+ 16.xd3 xd3 17.b5 xf3 18.xb7 d8 19.b4 xe5 20.d1 c6 21.0-0 e6 22.d6 xd6 23.xd6 0-0 Up till here both players had f o l l o w e d H o u d i n i ' s m a i n l i n e ! 24.g2 ( H o u d i n i s l i g h t l y p r e f e r s 24.fd1 , though probably Sutovsky had things figured out even here.) 24...d3 25.xd3 f4+ 26.f3 xd3= Vorobiov, E (2574)Sutovsky, E (2700)/Khanty-Mansiysk RUS 2011. Kind of depressing, but it's a dogeat-dog chess world we live in today. If yo u d o n 't wo rk o u t t h e se s h a rp li n e s conclusively, your next opponent just might! ] 7.e4 db4 [ 7...xc3 is rather accommodating. 8.bxc3 0-0 9.h4!? Sambuev, B (2513) -Kleinman, M ( 2 1 9 5 ) / G u e l p h C A N 2 0 1 1 . ( 9.e2 Loncar, R (2385)-Debevec, B (2084)/Sentjur SLO 2011. )] 8.a4 [ The text has already been played three t i m e s , b u t 8.b3N merits investigation. xd4 ( Maybe White players are scared of 8...g4 , but 9.d5! xf3 10.dxc6 is st ron g.) 9.c4 0-0 and now 10.h6 makes much more sense because a5?? 11.xb4 c5 12.a4 is just winning for White. ] 8...d7 9.b3 xd4 Principled.
[ 9...e5 10.d5 d4 11.xd4 exd4 12.xb4 dxc3 13.bxc3 Khusnutdinov, R (2508) -Kozganbayev, E (2271)/Astana KAZ 2011. ] 10.c4?! [ 10.d5! is stronger, as Le Quang Liem demonstrated against Navara. A) 10...e6 11.c4 A1) 11...a5! is the only move. This might n o t b e s o b a d a f t e r 12.xb4 axb4 13.xe6 fxe6 b e c a u s e o f 14.xe6 ( 14.h6; or 14.0-0 ) 14...d6; A2) 11...b5?? 12.xb4 ( or 12.xb5 0-0 13.xc6 xc6 14.c4+- ) 12...a5 13.xb5+ 1-0 De Verdier, M (2359)Massoni, M (2294)/Krakow POL 2011.; B) 10...xd5 11.exd5 a5 12.a3 b6? ( 12...c5 ) 13.b4+- Gu, C (2209)Matlin, A (1989)/ICC INT 2011.; C) 10...a5 A couple disasters have been witnessed at lower levels in this very sharp line: 11.a3 a6 12.xd4 ( 12.xb7!? ) 12...xd4 13.c3 e5 ( 13...c5 14.e3 isn't pleasant either.) 14.xa6 c6 15.xb7 b8 16.e3 xb7 17.xd4 cxd5 18.xe5 0-0 19.0-0 dxe4 20.fd1 c8 21.e3 a4 22.d6 Le Quang Liem (2687)-Navara, D (2702)/Havana CUB 2011. Black has to show an improvement against 10.Nd5 (the closest thing I can see is 10...Be6 11.Bc4 a5), otherwise 6...Nbd4 should be preferred. ] 10...0-0 11.h6? White's game goes downhill fast after this error. [ 11.0-0 is best, but Black certainly isn't worse in the play after a5!? 12.xf7+ ( or 12.xb4 c5 13.xf7+ xf7 , transposing.) 12...xf7 13.xb4 c5 14.a3 b5! ] 11...a5! Powerful and unexpected. 12.xb4 c5 13.xf7+ [ 13.a3 xc4 14.b3 a5 15.c2 e8 ] 13...xf7 14.a3 b5! Black doesn't let up. 15.e2? Already teetering on the brink, White falters. [ 15.d1 is t h e o n ly m o ve . A f t e r c4 16.d3 a5+ 17.d2 xd2 18.xd2 xd2+ 19.xd2 af8 Black enjoys a pretty sizable advantage with the pair of bishops. ] 15...c4 16.b3 563
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 16.d3 a5+ 17.f1 xb2-+ ] 16...a5+ 17.c3 xb2-+ Winning further m a t e ria l. W h it e f la i ls h o p e le s sly f o r t h e r e m a i n d e r o f t h e g a m e . 18.0-0 xc3 19.ac1 b4 20.d5 d8 21.g5 e6 0-1
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A16
Anti Grunfeld Overview [Jonathan Rowson] 1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 [ 4.a4+ d7 ( 4...c6 5.d4! Appears to be somewhat better for White, for instance after d7 6.cxd5 xd5 7.xd5 xd5 8.xc6 xc6 9.xc6+ bxc6 And although Black managed to draw in Kramnik, V (2759)-Kamsky, G (2725)/Nice FRA 2009. White must be somewhat better. Here I like 10.b1!? intending a quick b3 and Bb2.) 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 A) 6...c6 Is a major alternative and does quite well for Black. However, personally I do not have full confidence in the mainline in which White gets three pieces for the queen. 7.d4 ( 7.e4 e5! is th e id e a) 7...g7 8.e4 0-0 9.e5 ( 9.h3!?; 9.e2; 9.e3 ) 9...e6 10.exf6 xc4 11.fxg7 xg7 12.xc4 xd4 13.xd4 xd4 14.e2 Black is probably ok here, but I would much prefer to be W hite, if only because I have more pieces to move. b4 15.0-0 fd8 16.b1!? Many previous games went ( 16.a3 b3 17.d1 c4 18.e2 with a repetition.) 16...d7 17.b3 g8 18.a4 ad8 19.a3 e4 20.e3 b6 21.c3 e5 22.bc1 d2 23.fe1 c5 24.c4 2d3 25.h6 h5 26.xd3 xh6 27.c4 e6 28.a4 d2 29.e4 d4 30.c3 f4 31.f3 b8 32.g5 f5 33.xe6 xc4 34.bxc4 d6 35.h4 d2 36.fe3 c2 37.g5 xc4 38.e8+ g7 39.1e7+ f6 40.xh7# 1-0 Nakamura, H (2648)-Mikhalevski, V (2584)/Bastia FRA 2007; B) 6...a6 B1) 7.e4 b5 8.e2 c5 appears to be fine for Black. ( 8...c8!? I am still fond of my extravagant novelty, but nobody
seems to have taken it seriously. ); B2) 7.d4 b5 ( 7...e6 8.d3 appears to be better for White.) 8.b3 c5! 9.dxc5 And now there are lots of move-order wrinkles that I haven't fully got my head around, but Black either plays Bc6 to attack e4 or goes for quick development with a combination of Nc6 and Be6 and possibly b4 or Nb4. The highest level example is the following, where Black was at least ok at the end. g7 10.e4 0-0 11.e2 c6 12.e5 fd7 13.e3 xe5 14.xe5 xe5 15.d1 a5 16.0-0 e6 17.f4 g7 18.a3 c7 19.c2 b4 20.axb4 b7 21.d6 xb4 22.fd1 a7 23.1d2 d7 24.xd7 xd7 25.d6 b7 26.d2 f6 27.f1 b8 28.d8+ f8 29.xb8 1/2-1/2 Topalov, V (2783)Svidler, P (2728)/ Morelia/Linares MEX/ ESP 2007 ] 4...xd5 5.a4+ [ 5.h4 Not a bad move, but not as good as those who play it feel it is when they release their h-pawn with a flick of the wrist. g7 ( 5...h6!? intending to keep the kingside closed with g5 after h5, is also very playable. ) 6.h5 xc3 7.bxc3 c5 8.a4+ d7 9.h4 f6 10.f4 f5 11.g3 g5 12.e3 c6 13.g2 d7 14.h6 c8 15.0-0 g8 16.e1 b6 17.d3 g6 18.a4 a5 19.e5 xe5 20.xe5 xh6 21.d3 c6 22.f5 d8 23.xc6+ xc6 24.a5 xa5 25.xa5 bxa5 26.e3 c6 27.b1 g6 28.c4 h6 29.f3 e6 30.xc5 h3 31.b5+ f8 32.f2 e6 33.g1 f6 34.b1 f5 35.c1 a4 36.h1 g8 37.d4 c6 38.c5 a6 39.g4 d5 40.c2 f7 41.xh7 xh7 42.c4+ f7 43.xa6 b3 44.c6 e6 45.c7 xa6 46.cxd8+ f7 47.d5 b5 48.d6 exd6 49.xd6 1-0 Aronian, L (2750)-Kamsky, G (2725)/Nice FRA 2009 ] [ 5.b3 is likely to transpose to the Qa4+ and Qb3 lines, but gives Black extra options because the bishop is not on d7 blocking the d-file, which sometimes makes it easier to attack the d-pawn. ] [ 5.e4 xc3 6.dxc3 was, for a brief time, t h o u gh t t o b e a p la u sib l e t r y f o r a t in y endgame advantage, but it seems Black can 564
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 17.b2 b8 18.c3 c5 19.e4 axb3 retain equality(at least) in lots of ways, the 20.axb3 a3 21.c2 b4 22.d2 b6 following being the game I remember most 23.a1 ba6 24.xa3 xa3 25.c3 d7 vividly. xd1+ 7.xd1 d7 8.f4 c6 26.d1 c6 27.d8 a8 28.xa8 xa8 9.c2 f6 10.d2 e5 11.e3 c5 12.xc5 29.b4 cxb4+ 30.xb4 e5 31.c5 f5 xc5 13.b4 a4 14.c4 d8 15.d6 32.a4 b7 33.c6 c8 34.f4 exf4 e7 16.d1 a5 17.b5 d8 18.xc8+ 35.gxf4 h6 36.d5 d7 37.c6 c8 axc8 19.xd8 xd8 20.b6 xb6 21.h4 38.e8 b7 39.h4 f6 40.b5 g5 h6 22.g3 c7 23.e2 c8 24.h5 g5 41.hxg5+ hxg5 42.fxg5+ xg5 43.c6 25.g4 d6 26.d3 b5 27.d1 e7 xc6+ 44.xc6 f4 45.xc7 e3 28.e3 b4 29.c1 b5 30.cxb4 axb4 46.d6 xe2 47.e5 e3 48.xf5 31.f4 gxf4+ 32.gxf4 d4 33.d3 a7 1/2-1/2 Gelfand, B (2733)-Svidler, P 34.fxe5 fxe5 35.b1 d6 36.xb4 a3+ (2726)/Dagomys RUS 2009 ] 37.d2 xa2+ 38.d3 a3+ 39.d2 g3 40.d1 b5 41.e2 g2 42.d3 h2 6.b3 [ 6.h4 43.d1 h3+ 44.d2 c5 45.a4 c3 A) 6...c6 keeps more tension in the 46.g4 g3 0-1 Gelfand, B (2713) position and is worth a try if you want to Ivanchuk, V (2702)/Batumi 19994 ] a v o i d d r a wi s h p o s i t i o n s . H o w e v e r , I [ 5.g3 is played quite often, and gives White suspect it also gives White more chances comfortable play but is not unduly t o a c h i e v e a n a d v a n t a g e e . g . 7.d4 threatening for Black, e.g. g7 6.g2 0-0 ( 7.e5 g7 8.xc6 xc6 9.e3 0-0 7.0-0 c5 8.a4 b6 9.h4 e6! 10.xd8 10.e2 e6 11.a4 ce7 12.d4 c5 xd8 11.d3 d5 12.g5 f6 13.d2 c6 13.xd5 xd5 14.dxc5 c3 15.b4 14.a3 f8 15.fb1 a5 16.a4 b8 xe2 16.xe2 g5 17.g3 ac8 18.d2 17.c1 b6 18.c3 de7 19.e4 g7 xc5 19.xb7 g4+ 20.f3 c4+ 20.ab1 f5 21.c3 h6 22.b5 d7 21.e1 xb2 22.d1 d8 23.e2 23.c3 e5 24.e1 e6 25.d2 d4 xe2+ 24.xe2 c2 0-1 Schandorff, L 26.b3 d5 27.xd5 xd5 28.f1 e6 (2520)-Howell, D (2593)/Dresden GER 29.f3 h5 30.c4 e4 31.dxe4 xb3 2008 ) 7...g8 8.e5 e6 9.xc6 xc6 32.xb3 xc4 33.bb1 b5 34.exf5 gxf5 10.a4 d7 11.e3 0-0-0 12.e2 35.d1 a4 36.a5 e8 37.c2 d4 ( 12.b5!?; 12.a3!? ) 12...db4 13.0-0 38.c3 b3 39.cb2 xc3 40.xc3 e3 d3 14.b4 b8 15.b5 ce5 16.f4 41.c1 b4 42.b1 b5 43.f2 e5 44.h3 xc1 17.axc1 d3 18.xd3 xd3 f7 45.g4 hxg4 46.hxg4 fxg4 47.fxg4 19.e4 f5 20.g5 ( 20.f2! d5 21.d4 b6 48.h1 f6+ 49.e1 d5 50.d2 g5 ) 20...xd2 21.f7 d5 22.b6 axb6 fd6 51.axb4 a3 52.xd5 a2 53.f1+ f6 23.e8+ a7 24.h6 a3 25.xg8 0-1 Grischuk, A (2748)-Svidler, P (2726)/ xe3+ 26.h1 xc1 27.e7 xf4 Dagomys RUS 2009/ ] 28.g1 a3 29.xd5 exd5 30.d7 d6 5...d7 31.xh7 d4 32.g3 e4+ 33.g2 d3 [ 5...c6 is solid, and playable, but there is no 0-1 Johannessen, L (2545)-Howell, D doubt that White is somewhat better after (2593)/ Dresden GER 2008; 6.xd5 xd5 7.e4 and d4. ] B) 6...xc3 [ 5...c6!? 6.e5 d6 ( 6...db4 7.a3 B1) 7.dxc3 c6 Here White has c2+ 8.xc2 xe5 9.d4! keeps some various ideas, but Black faces no advantage.) 7.xc6 xc6 8.xc6+ bxc6 theoretical problems White presumably has some way to prove B1a) 8.g3!? f6 ( 8...g7 9.f4 c8 an edge here, but it's not easy. Moreover, it 10.e4 0-0 11.0-0-0 e8 When Black will not be easy for Black to play to win from h a s a so lid a n d f l e xi b l e p o s it i o n .) such a position against a decent player. 9.b3 9.h4!? probably gives White some xc3 10.dxc3 ( 10.b2 d5 11.xh8 f6 ) initiative, so best might be the simple; 10...g7 11.b2 a5 12.g3 a4 13.g2 a6 B1b) 8.e4 e5 9.g5 e7 10.c4 h5 14.0-0-0 e6 15.c4 0-0 16.xg7 xg7 565
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 8.d4 c6 ( 8...g7!? ) 9.f4! ] 11.xe7 xe7 12.0-0-0 xh4 13.xh4 f8 and 0-0-0 is equal but 7...g7 8.f4 Currently the move of choice. [ 8.g5!? is also dangerous for Black. h6 not sterile.; 9.h4 e6 10.c2 c6 B1c) 8.f4 f6 9.h6; A) 11.d1!? Is more critical and leads to a B2) 7.d4 f6 8.xc3 c6 9.a3 ( 9.d4 highly curious and largely forced sequence e5! 10.dxe5 b4 ) 9...e5 10.d3 d6 that Black is probably well-advised to 11.e3 e7 fine for Black.; follow: The following notes are based on B3) 7.bxc3!? The latest wrinkle, that those of Ftatchnik's in Chessbase appears to give White a pleasant pull. c5 magazine. I would advise anybody 8.b1 c7 9.g3 xg3 10.hxg3 b6 choosing to play this line with either colour 11.e4 g7 12.d4 0-0 13.h6 cxd4 to check the details closely. My job for now 14.xg7 xg7 15.cxd4 d8 16.d2 is merely to state that I understand why all c6 17.e3 a5 18.c1 h5 19.d3 these fireworks are necessary- if Black ac8 20.a6 c6 21.e5 doesn't do something relatively forcing, he 1/2-1/2 Rustemov, A (2520)-Svidler, P will be sligh tly worse, a nd co uld f ac e (2727)/Baden Baden GER 2009 ] unpleasant positional pressure. Before [ 6.d4 f6 followed by Bg7 and 0-0 is plunging in, the point of Rd1 is not only to fine. ] support d4 but also to be able to meet Nb4 [ 6.c2 is a very tricky move, and still with Qb1 when the rook is already out of relatively underexplored. b4 is now critical, t h e c o r n e r . b4 12.b1 0-0 13.e3 because ( 6...b6 7.d4 g7 8.e4 ( 13.h3 f5!? JR ) 13...f5 14.e4 g4 and Be3 looks like a good Russian system 15.d5 ( 15.e2!? xf3 16.xf3 c6! for White. ) 7.b3 JR ) 15...f5 16.a3 g5 17.g3 f4 18.axb4 A) 7...c5 is the main recommendation fxg3 19.hxg3 xf3 here, but it requires a huge amount of A1) 20.gxf3 xf3 21.h2 xd1 work to navigate the tactics that can follow 22.xd1 d6 ( 22...a5!? ) 23.h3 f8 from this move. 8.e4 f5 ( 8...a5 24.e6+ h8 25.h5 e5 26.g6 is where the really sharp stuff kicks in, but f6 27.xf6 xf6 28.e5 f8 29.e4 my suspicion is that White is better.) 9.d3 c4 30.xg5 xe5 1/2-1/2 Herraiz xe4 10.dxe4 looks a bit better for Hidalgo, H-Fernandez Garcia, J/Burgos White.; 2003/ (43); B) 7...8c6 8.a3 e6 9.a4 d5 A2) 20.e2!?N xc3 21.xg4 10.e5 ( 21.bxc3 xe2 22.xe2 a4-+ ) B1) 10...xc3 11.dxc3 ( 11.bxc3!? ) 21...b3 ( 21...c4 22.e6+ h8 11...d7 12.xd7 xd7 13.e4 23.e5 e8 24.f5 g4 ) 22.e6+ h8 might be quite playable for Black, but ( 22...f8? 23.e5 xe5 24.g6+- ) certainly more pleasant for White due to 23.e5 e8 24.f5 c4! ( 24...xb2? the bishop pair.; 25.xg5 f8 26.f5! e6 27.dxe6 B2) 10...d6!? 11.xc6 xc6 xb4+ 28.f1 b5+ 29.g1+- ) 12.xc6+ bxc6 and although Black's 25.xg5 f8 26.d6 ( 26.f5 xe5-+ ) structure looks bad, we have seen in 26...xb2 ( 26...exd6!? 27.xc4 xb2 related lines that the lead in 28.d2 b1+ 29.d1 xb4 ) 27.f5 development and open lines often fully e6 ( 27...xe5? 28.dxe7 d3+ compensate, which also seems to be the 29.xd3 e8 30.e3+- ) 28.dxc7! case here, but it depends on the next A2a) 28...xb4+ 29.f1 d2+ few moves. ] 30.g1 exf5 31.xh6+ xh6 6...b6 7.d4 ( 31...g8 32.d6+- ) 32.xh6+ g8 [ 7.g5!? was played by no less than Victor 33.g6+ f8 34.f6+ g8=; Ko rtc h n oi a ga in st you r scribe , bu t it is A2b) 28...exf5 29.d8 b1+ 30.e2 designed to knock the opponent off balance b2+ ( 30...xh1 31.xa8 xa8 rather than achieve a theoretical edge. e6 566
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 32.d8+ xd8 33.cxd8+ h7 34.e6+- ) A2b1) 31.f3? xe5+ 32.e3 ( 32.f4 g4-+ ) 32...g4+ 33.d3 xf2+ 34.e3 g4+ 35.d3 xb4-+; A2b2) 31.d1 b1+ 32.c2 xh1 33.xa8 xa8 34.d8+ xd8 35.cxd8+ h7 36.e6 f1=; A2b3) 31.e1 b1+ 32.e2 b2+ 1/2-1/2 Bauer, C (2602)-Svidler, P (2723)/Germany 20040/ [Ftacnik]; B) 11.e3 These 'little centres' should not be un deres tim at ed. I f B la ck do es no t manage to achieve c5 or e5 he can easily b e s q u a s h e d . b4 12.d1 0-0 and now c5 is a threat that is not so easy for White to prevent. 13.a3 4d5 14.e4 d7 15.c1 Now Black can play solidly with c6, but given the lead in development he could also consider more aggressive play with f5 and g5 f5!? ] 8...0-0 9.e3 [ 9.d1 c8!? By no means forced, but an interesting reaction to white's move order. ( A more conventional interpretation is 9...c6 10.e3 a5 11.e2 a4 12.c2 f5 13.e4 g4 14.d5 b4 15.c1 xf3 16.xf3 a3 17.bxa3 xa3 18.e5 a5 19.0-0 4xd5 20.xd5 xd5 21.xd5 xd5 22.xd5 xd5 23.xc7 1/2-1/2 Reshevsky, S (2515)-Timman, J (2550)/Skopje 1976/MCD ) A) 10.a3 c4 ( 10...c5 11.dxc5 is not obviously working for Black. c4 12.b4 xb2 13.xb2 xc5 14.e4! ) 11.b4 ( 11.b3 b6 but Nd6 avoiding the repetition is also ok. ) 11...d6; B) 10.e3 c5 11.e2 ( 11.d5 e6 looks ok. ) 11...cxd4 12.exd4 g4 13.0-0 c6 14.b5?! ( 14.e3 and holding on, looks necessary.) 14...a5 15.b4 d5 16.d2 c4 17.xc4 xc4 18.c3 xf3 19.gxf3 xf4 20.xf4 e5 21.d2 exd4 22.e2 xa2 23.xd4 ad8 24.b4 d5 25.b5 xf3 0-1 Saravanan, V (2379) -Mirumian, V (2525)/Urmia IRI 2008 ] 9...e6 10.a3 And now we have some idea of why this, along with 4.Qa4+ and Qb3 is currently considered the critical anti-Grunfeld
test. This brings us to the relevance of the games selected for this update.
572 Aronian,Levon Areshchenko,Alexander WCC Khanty Mansiysk RUS (3.1) [John Watson]
A16 2724 2653 03.12.2005
Aronian has chosen to use the English opening at the highest level. As I've been telling you, it's a good way to avoid endless theory and still get a game. He doesn't extract much from the opening (do players get much against the Najdorf or Berlin W all?). The game remains complicated, however, and in the end we get to see the normal advantages of bishop-vs-knight in a simplified position with pawns on both sides of the board. White shows masterly technique. 1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 g7 4.g2 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.c3 b6 7.d3 c6 8.e3 0-0 9.d2 e5 10.h4 A probing move. Needless to say, White has several choices, for example, [ 10.c1 and upon g4 with the idea ...Bxf3 and .. Nd4, 11.g5!? Preventing ...Nd4 due t o t h e a t t a c k o n t h e b 7 p a w n . h6? ( 11...d7 12.ce4! ) 12.ge4 h7 13.c5 ] 10...h5 [ 10...g4 11.h2 ] 11.g5!? Probing White wants to reduce the influence of the bishop on g7. [ 11.0-0-0!? ] 11...f6 12.e3 e6 13.e4 d5 14.0-0 A key decision. W hite doesn't fear the following exchange because it gives him 2 bishops. Nevertheless, Black is smart to do so, since his knights have good prospects and the bishop on g2 needs time to get to the weakened light squares. The play is roughly equal. xe4!? 15.dxe4 xd2 16.xd2!? [ 16.xd2! is more natural. These are very complicated decisions in spite of the somewhat reduced material, play is doubleedged. ] 16...c4! 17.fc1 [ T h e o b v i o u s 17.c3 is met by d6! 18.d2 b5! and there goes the bishop anyway. ] 567
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 17...xd2 18.xd2 fd8 19.b3 f8! Areschenko controls the d-file temporarily. Now W hite finally activates his bishop and draws the king to the second rank. The next moves depend upon each player's assessment of a basic position: 20.h3! f7 21.e3 Positionally forced but it denies Black d4. a5 22.f1 a4 23.c5 xc5 24.xc5 d2 25.b5! d8 26.d5! [ 26.c1 c6 27.b6 e7! marching to c7. ] 26...xd5?! A dangerous move because it straightens out W hite's pawns. The natural move was [ 26...xb2 27.d7+ e8 28.xc7 ( 28.g7 e6 29.xg6 f7 ) 28...e6 29.h7 c8 preventing Bc4. ] 27.exd5 a3 28.bxa3!? [ Not awful because White wins the b-file. Still, 28.b3 is obvious and apparently good what was Aronian afraid of? Perhaps e7 29.c1 c6 30.c4 c8 , but 31.d3 continues to limit the knight's movements. In what follows White is only nominally better but strengthens his position. Likely both players are in some time trouble. ] 28...xa3 [ The pawn isn't going anywhere. Perhaps 28...e7 29.c1 d6 looks equal. ] 29.c1 c6 30.dxc6 xc6!? [ 30...bxc6 is anti-positional but covers the entrance squares. The king would quickly move in for defence. ] 31.b1 a5 The knight is cut off from c4, so unless Black wins the a-pawn this looks very passive [ 31...d8 32.c4+ e7 33.b6! has Bd5 in mind. Now we begin to see the normal advantages of bishop-vs-knight in a position with pawns om both sides of the board when there aren't many pieces left: ] 32.g2! g7 [ 32...e7 33.d5 d6 34.f7 ] 33.d5 f5 34.e4! fxe4 35.xe4 a4 [ 35...xa2 36.b6! and the kingside pawns are falling ] 36.d5!? d4 37.g2 [ Or 37.b5! Black is completely tied down and White hasn't even used his king! ] 37...d2 [ 37...a4! is the best try but 38.b6 ( or 38.b2 ) 38...xa2? 39.e4 repeats the
theme. ] 38.a3!? [ 38.e4! d4 39.f3 is winning, because Rb6 or Rb5 will follow. d6 , e.g., 40.b5 b6 41.xe5 ] 38...d3 39.e4 xa3 [ 39...d6 40.b5 ] 40.b6 We've seen this position before: White will win a n e xt ra p a wn an d re t ain a ll t h e adva ntages o f bisho p-ve rsus-knight . a4 41.xg6+ f7 42.f5 b5 43.b6 a1+ 44.g2 c4 45.xb5 a2 46.d3 The e- and h-pawn will f all. Incredible t e ch n i q u e ve rs u s a 2 6 5 0 p l a ye r i n wh a t seemed an innocent position. 1-0
573 Aronian,Levon Kamsky,Gata 24th ECC Kallithea GRE (4) [Carsten Hansen]
A16 2757 2729 20.10.2008
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.a4+ d7 6.h4 xc3 7.bxc3 g7 8.b1 b6 [ 8...c6 is the topic of Carlsen-Svidler, Kallithea 2008, which is also to be found in this update. ] 9.d4 h6 [ 9...c5 10.e4 c7 11.e3 ] 10.e4 [ 10.g3 was played in Roggeveen, P-Polak, I /Maastricht NED 2007, doesn't offer White any real chances of an advantage after f5 11.b2 c5 ] 10...c5 11.e3 [ The first new move. Previously White had tried 11.d2 cxd4 12.cxd4 c6 13.d5 d4?! ( 13...e5 14.d4 e6 15.xd8+ xd8 is quite playable for Black, and if White now go es f o r 16.b5 0-0 17.f4 , then xb5 18.xb5 d7 19.dxe6 fxe6 leaves White with only a minor advantage.) 14.xd4 xd4 15.d3 e6 16.g3 exd5 17.0-0 with a strong initiative for White to compensate for the pawn, Roeder, M-Lopez Gonzalez, D/Campillos ESP 2006 ] 11...c7 12.c1 c6 13.e2 c8 [ Black can also consider regrouping his 568
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 pieces with 13...d8 14.0-0 e6 15.e5 c6 ] 14.0-0 f6 While forcing the issue on exchanging the queens may not appear to be what Black should concern himself with the most, he has to do something about his king that is currently stuck in the centre. Despite the fact that the queens come off the board, Black's position is still very passive and fairly u n p le a s a n t . 15.g3 xg3 16.hxg3 g5 17.d5 [ Maintaining a broad, strong centre in this fashion has a natural appeal. However, you have to qu es tio n wha t wo uld h app en if White were to take the offered pawn on c5? I don't see a refutation or even a line that doesn't result in a solid plus for White, e.g. 17.dxc5 bxc5 18.xc5 0-0 19.fd1 e6 20.a3 fd8 21.xd8+ xd8 22.b5 , but I suspect that Aronian decided that the ga m e c o n t in u a t io n o f f e re d W h it e e ve n better chances, even if Black can improve on move 20. ] 17...a5!? [ The a lt erna tive is 17...e5 , but after 18.xe5 xe5 19.f4 g7 20.h5 ( 20.e5 h5 ) 20...gxf4 21.gxf4 White has a very pleasant game. ] 18.d2 e6 19.c4 e5 20.h5 0-0?! [ Now things start getting ugly for Black. I think Black's only reasonable option is to t r a n s f e r t h e k n i g h t t o d 6 wi t h 20...b7! 21.f4 d6! after which Black can decide whether castling or placing the king on e7 is the better choice. ] 21.f4 g7?! [ Black is trying to hold the position by letting White prove why he is better. However, the only way to stay in the game at this juncture is to exchange some pieces and open up the position, no matter how ugly it looks, such as for example 21...exf4 22.gxf4 b2 23.c2 d4 24.xd4 cxd4 25.fxg5 hxg5 26.e5 , and Black is still fighting. ] 22.f3 exf4 23.gxf4 g4? Black's position goes from being decidedly awful to plainly lost. 24.e5 If Black wants to avoid losing the gpawn, he has to add another centre pawn for White. xe5 25.fxe5 ce8 26.f4 c8 27.c3 With a series of precise cuts, White finishes Black off. h7 28.h2 g7 29.f6
e7 30.f4 h8 31.d6 b7 32.g3 f8 33.xh6+ 1-0
574
A16 Bacrot,Etienne 2613 Svidler,Peter 2689 FIDE WCh KO New Delhi IND (2.1) 30.11.2000 [Tony Kosten] 1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.a4+ d7 6.h4 The key move, W hite will follow with e4, and d4, bringing about a Grünfeld-style position where his queen is aggressively-placed on the kingside. xc3 7.dxc3 [ 7.d4 f6 8.xc3 is the alternative. ] 7...c6 8.e4 e5 9.g5 e7 10.c4 h5! Greenfeld's strong novelty, threatening ...f6, and ...g5, which seems to equalise for Black. [ P r e v i o u s l y , 10...h6 11.xe7 xe7 was played, when 12.g3! gives White an edge, e.g. 0-0-0 13.d5 h5 14.h4 de8 15.0-0-0 Vera,R-Gonzalez Diaz,D/Aceimar 1995. ] [ T h e t a c t i c a l 10...xg5? 11.xg5 h6 loses to 12.xf7+ f8 13.0-0-0 when the g5-knight is twice attacked, but can't be captured! ] 11.xe7 [ What else? 11.0-0-0?! achieves nothing: f6 12.xd7 ( forced, for the retreat 12.e3? allows g5 13.g3 h4 of course, leaving the white queen short of squares) 12...xd7 13.xf6 f8! 14.xe7 xe7 and White's compensation is insufficient. ] 11...xe7 12.0-0-0 [ The point of Black's tenth move is that 12.g3 no lo n ge r h a s a n y ef f e c t , h4 obliging 13.g5 ] 12...xh4 13.xh4 f8 14.d2 [ Mikhalevski's suggested improvement over 14.d5 , when the stem-game, Piket,JMikhalevski, V/Belgrade 1999, continued: 0-0-0 15.d3 e7 16.b3 f6 17.hd1 g4 with equality. ] 14...0-0-0 15.hd1 An unfortunate finish, many games were drawn quickly in New Delhi, wit h t he pla yers p re f errin g t o d ecide th e matches in the rapid chess because that way 569
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 they were guaranteed a bigger prize should they lose. [ After 15.hd1 a5 16.e2 g4 is possible, when they position looks quite level. ] ½-½
575 Batchuluun,Tsegmed Li Chao 6th ch-Asia Cebu City PHI (7) [Carsten Hansen]
A16 2415 2529 25.09.2007
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.e4 xc3 6.dxc3 [ Here 6.bxc3 will usually transpose to a standard Grünfeld. The text invites Black to exchange queens and a somewhat boring middlegame without queens, which, however, can be exceedingly difficult for Black if playing for a win. ] 6...xd1+ 7.xd1 g7?! Interestingly, this move is considered dubious, by some sources, and even a straight-out error. Black has a number of other moves available: [ 7...c6 8.e3 e5 9.c4 f6 10.c2 d8 11.a4 f7 12.d2 d6 13.d5 c6 14.b3 e7 15.f4! Timman, J-Kozul, Z Belgrade 1989 ] [ 7...f6! was first played by Korchnoi in 1960, and is Black's most popular move. The idea is to play ...e7-e5 to thwart White's hopes on a n in i t ia t i ve b a se d o n p re s su re o n t h e queenside. A recent example is 8.e3 e5 9.c4 d7 10.d2 c5 11.xc5 xc5 12.b4 d7 13.c2 b6 14.b3 a5 15.a3 e7 16.hd1 d8 17.c4 xd1 18.xd1 xc4 19.xc4 axb4 20.axb4 e6 , a nd Black ha s obviou sly successf u lly solved his opening problems, 1/2-1/2 Nalbandian, T-Petrosian, T/ Yerevan ARM 2007 ] [ 7...g4 was introduced by Botvinnik and has since been emp loyed by Ivanchuk. 8.e2 d7 9.h3 xf3 10.xf3 h5 11.c2 h6 12.xh6 xh6 13.ad1 e6 14.h4 e7= 15.d4 hh8 16.hd1 hd8 17.e2 e5 18.4d2 f6 19.f3 1/2-1/2 Kortschnoj, V-Ivanchuk, V/Luzern 1997 ] [ 7...c5?! transposes to a dubious variation
of the Symmetrical English ] [ 7...d7 was covered in Gelfand-Ivanchuk, Batumi 1999 - see the PGN archives ] 8.f4 c6 9.c2 d7 10.c4 [ White achieved little after 10.e1 c5 11.d2 1/2-1/2 Morozevich, A-Svidler, P/ T o g li a t t i R US 2 0 0 3 . N o t a p a r t i c u la r l y inspired effort by the two world class players. ] [ 10.a4 c5 11.d2 f5 12.f3 fxe4 ( 12...e6 13.e3 d7 14.exf5 xf5+ 15.d3 xd3+ 16.xd3 with a solid edge for W hite, 1-0 Halkias, S-Mouroutis, K/ Agios Nikolaos 2000) 13.fxe4 e6 14.e3 d7 15.a5!? f8 16.e2 e5 17.d4 f6 18.h3 d7 19.e3 g7 20.hf1 with a plus for W hite thanks to his more space and better coordinated pieces, Polovodin, I-Menzel, R/St Petersburg 1992 ] 10...b5 [ Black has played three other moves at this point: A) 10...0-0 A) 11.he1 c5!? ( 11...b6?! 12.b3 h6 13.a4 a5 14.h3 d7 15.e3 e8 16.ad1 1/2-1/2 Bjelobrk, I-Wastney, S/ Auckland 2000) 12.b4 ( 12.e5 e6 13.xg7 xg7 14.xe6 xe6 15.ad1 w i t h a t b e s t a s l i g h t p u l l f o r W h i t e) 12...e6! 13.xe6 xe6 14.e5 a5 15.xg7 xg7 16.a3 f4 , and Black has solved his opening problems, 1/2-1/2 Li Wenliang-Yin Hao/Beijing 1996; B) 11.a4 e5 ( 11...c5 12.d2 b6 13.e3 e6 14.f4 c7 15.b4 e5 16.hf1 with some initiative for White, 1/ 2-1/2 Ernst, S-Rosmuller, A/Utrecht 1998) 12.e3 h6 13.h4 e8 14.h5 g5 15.ad1 f8? ( 15...f6 16.d2!? g4 17.f3 xh5 18.b3 and White has suf ficient compensation f or the pawn) 16.xg5 b6 17.b3 hxg5 18.a5 g4 19.g5 d5 20.h6 e7 21.h7+ g7 , Aumann, W -Karius, T/GER 1996, and now 22.xf7 f5 23.exf5 xf7 24.xd5+ cxd5 25.xd5+- ] [ B) Probably Black's best is 10...c5!? A) 11.he1 a5 12.d2 ( 12.ad1 b5 13.f1 0-0= ) 12...b5 13.f1 0-0 14.e3 a4= 1/2-1/2 Treppner, G-Keller, M/ Krumbach 1981; B) 11.d2 e6 12.e2 0-0 ( 12...f5!? 570
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 13.f3 fxe4 14.fxe4 f8 15.hf1= ) 13.e3 d7 14.f4 f5 15.e5 d5 16.hg1 c5 17.b5 1-0 Mussoni, MBruns, M/Feffernitz 2000 ] [ C) 10...e5?! 11.e3 h6 12.ad1 a5 13.a4 f8 14.d2 f5 15.exf5 gxf5 A) 16.e2!? e4 ( 16...e7 17.e6 f4 18.c1+- ) 17.h4 e5 18.d4 xc4 19.xh8 f7 20.d4; B) 16.e1 e7 17.de2 e4 18.d2 g5 19.d4!+- 1-0 Libeau, R-Gauglitz, G/ Muenster 1992 ] 11.e2 c5 [ Black has tried a few other things here: A) 11...0-0 12.ad1 ( 12.hd1!? e8 13.e3 f6 14.d4 xe4 15.xc6 ) 12...c5 13.d2 f5 14.e3 xe4 15.f3 f4 16.xe4 fxe3 17.fxe3 g4 18.f3 ac8= Jansen, P-De Greef, H/Dieren 1990 ] [ B) 11...b7 12.d2 0-0 ( 12...a6 13.b3 c5 14.f3 c8 15.a4 c4 16.d2 0-0 17.axb5 axb5 18.a7 c6 19.ha1 f5 , Vaingorten, Y-Glinert, S/Toronto 2000, 20.exf5 xf5 21.g3 ) 13.f3 e5 14.e3 fd8 15.a4 a6 16.b3 ab8 17.hd1 f8 18.d2 e7 19.ad1 1-0 Richter, M-Voigt, U/Schoeneck 1996/ Juniors (30) ] [ C) 11...a5 12.a4 b4 13.e3 0-0 14.d2 e5 15.c5 , and here White chickened out and agreed to a draw despite his obvious advantage, 1/2-1/2 Logothetis, S-Caruana, F/Hamburg GER 2005 ( White can probably do even better with 15.cxb4 axb4 16.f4 d7 17.e5 ) 15...bxc3 16.bxc3 f6 17.f4 d7 18.a3 ] 12.d2 a5 [ Black has a couple of alternatives at this juncture: A) 12...f5 13.f3 fxe4 14.fxe4 f8 ( 14...e5 15.e3 f8 16.hf1 e7 17.b4 a4 18.a3 f8 19.c4 1/2-1/2 Berry, DMartinovsky, E/Lone Pine 1976) 15.e3 a4 16.b3 e6 17.c5?! ( 17.d4!? d7 18.af1 0-0-0 19.xf8 xf8 20.d1 a6 21.f3 is better for White) 17...xc5 18.xc5 f4 19.f3 g4 is perfectly fine for Black, Schippel, G-Keller, M/Finkenstein 2000 ] [ B) 12...0-0 13.e3 a4 14.b3 f5 15.f3 a5 16.d4 d7 17.ad1 fb8 Kwiecien, JKaczorowska, B/Lubniewice 1998, and now: 18.xf5 xf5 19.exf5 gxf5 20.d3 e6
21.g4 ] 13.e3 a4 14.b3 b4 15.c5 xc5 16.xc5 bxc3 17.bxc3 e6?! [ This allows White to penetrate via the b-file and the 7th rank. Instead Black should probably have tried 17...f5!? 18.d3 fxe4 19.xe4 f7 20.he1 e6 21.a4 f6 22.f4 ] 18.hb1 0-0 19.b7 fb8 [ Or 19...fe8 20.xe7 xe7 21.xe7 f5 22.d3 fxe4 23.xe4 a4 24.c5 ] 20.xb8+ xb8 21.xe7 f5? This move looks logical in the sense that Black wants to open the diagonals pointing down towards White's king. However, through very simple means, White closes Black's bishops off and generates a passed pawn, thus creating a winning position for White. 22.d6 e8 23.e5 d5 24.f3 xf3 25.gxf3 This position is winning for W hite, but in the game continuation, Black manages to make it look even easier than it is. f7 26.f4 g5 27.g1 g4?! [ 27...gxf4 28.g5 xe5 29.xf5+ f6 30.xf4+- ] 28.d3 e6 [ 28...d8 29.e3 f8 30.xf8 xf8 31.f3 gxf3 32.g5+- ] 29.f3 Now it's completely game over h5 30.fxg4 hxg4 31.h3 d8 [ 31...h6 32.hxg4 xf4 33.f1 xe5 34.xe5 d8+ 35.d4 c5 36.gxf5+ f7 37.f6 cxd4 38.cxd4+- ] 32.hxg4 h6 33.e3 h8 34.f3 d8 35.h1 fxg4+ 36.xg4 g8+ 37.f3 f8 38.xf8 xf8 39.e4 g8 40.h7 1-0
576 Bu Xiangzhi Lahno,Kateryna Trophee CCAS GpA rapid (2) [Carsten Hansen]
A16 2714 2488 26.10.2008
1.c4 f6 2.c3 d5 3.cxd5 xd5 4.f3 g6 5.a4+ d7 6.b3 We looked at this line several times last year, but this year too, this variation has been explored quite a bit. In the notes to this game, I have only included games from 2008. b6 7.d4 e6 571
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ The major alternative and the subject of much attention, including in most of the top games with this line, throughout this year is 7...g7 A) 8.g5 e6 ( 8...0-0 was discussed in Ionov-Klimov, St.Petersburg 2005, which can be found in the PGN archives) 9.c2 h6 10.f4 c6 11.e3 0-0 12.e2 c8 13.d1 b4 14.b1 4d5 15.g3 xc3 16.bxc3 d5?! ( 16...c5!? is perfectly acceptable for Black) 17.d3 c5 18.e4 cxd4 19.exd5 f5 20.b5 dxc3 21.0-0 c2 22.c1 , and Black doesn't have sufficient compensation for the piece, Shimanov, A-Nechepurenko, R/ St Petersburg RUS 2008; B) 8.e4 g4 is a regular line in the Grünfeld.; C) 8.f4 C1) 8...0-0 has also been tried: C1a) or 9.e3 a5 ( 9...e6 10.c2 c6 11.a3 d5 12.xd5 xd5 13.d3 Sfarlog, T-Voiteanu, G/ Timisoara ROM 2008) 10.e2 c6 11.0-0 b4 12.a3 e6 13.d1 4d5 14.g3 c6 15.e4 c8 16.d2 a4 17.h3 f6 18.xf6+ exf6 19.ac1 is comfortably better for White, Saric, A-Bykhovsky, A/ Plovdiv BUL 2008; C1b) 9.d1 c8 ( 9...a5 10.e3 a4 11.c2 c6 12.e2 b4 13.d2 e6 14.a3 4d5 15.e5 xc3 16.xc3 d5 17.c1 Wojtaszek, RKhmelniker, I/Plovdiv BUL 2008) 10.e3 c5 11.e2 cxd4 12.exd4 g4 13.0-0 c6 14.b5?! ( 14.e3 a5 15.b4!? ) 14...a5 15.b4 d5 , and Black is clearly better, Saravanan, V-Mirumian, V/Urmia IRI 2008; C2) 8...e6 C2a) 9.d1 is h a rm less, e. g. c4 ( 9...d5!? ) 10.e5 xe5 11.xe5 0-0 12.g3 c6 13.g2 f6 14.f4 xd4 15.xb7 b8 16.g2 e5 17.h6 f7 is fine for Black, Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son-Tomczak, J/Vung Tau City VIE 2008; C2b) 9.a3 C2b1) 9...c4 10.e3 xf1 11.xf1
0-0 ( 11...c6 12.c5 e6 13.0-0-0 is quite pleasant for White) 12.e2 c6 ( 12...d5 13.xd5 xd5 14.fd1 ) 13.fd1 8d7 14.b3 e8 15.a4 e5 16.dxe5 xe5 17.xe5 xe5 18.h6 g7 19.xg7 xg7 20.a5 Roiz, M-Kurnosov, I/Dagomys RUS 2008; C2b2) 9...c6 10.e3 was scrutinized in t he games B u Xiangzhi-Vachier Lagrave, Wijk aan Zee 2007 and Jakovenko-Vachier Lagrave, Crete 2007, both games leading to advantages for White and both games are available in the PGN archives.; C2b3) 9...0-0 C2b31) 10.e4 C2b311) 10...g4 11.e5 c8?! ( This is an decision instead Black should play 11...e6 12.d5 d6 13.xd6 cxd6 14.dxe6 xe5 15.xe5 dxe5 16.exf7+ xf7 ) 12.d1 8d7 13.f3 f6 14.h3 c6 15.e2 e6 16.b3 h5 17.g5 h6? ( 17...f6 18.e3 c7 19.c1 ) 18.xe7 c7 19.d6 d7 20.xf8 xf8 21.c1 , and White is winning, Svidler, PKazhgaleyev, M/Almaty KAZ 2008; C2b312) 10...c6 11.d1 8d7 ( Black varies over the encounter be t we e n t h e sa m e p la ye rs a t Mexico 2007, which can be found in the PGN archives. 11...c4 ) 12.g5 g4 13.f3 h6 14.fxg4 ( 14.e3!? hxg5 15.fxg4 is quite possibly better) 14...e5 15.f3 ( 15.dxe5 hxg5 16.e3 xe5 is unclear and okay for Black) 15...exf4 16.e5 e8 17.e2 e7 18.xe7 xe7 19.0-0 c5 20.dxc5 xc5 21.d5 xd5 22.xd5 d7 , and Black wins a pawn, but due to the opposite coloured bishops, W hite h as d ecent cha nc es o f keeping the balance, Gelfand, B572
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 18.f3 bc4 ( 18...xf3+!? Svidler, P/Sochi RUS 2008; 19.gxf3 g5 is quite pleasant C2b32) 10.e3 for Black ) 19.xc4 xc4 C2b321) 10...c6 11.e2 a5 20.b3 d2 21.xb7 f7 12.c5 d5 13.xd5 xd5 22.b4 b8 23.d4 xe4 14.xd5 xd5 15.0-0 ( 15.xc7 24.xd2 xf3+ 25.f1 xh5 fc8 16.b6 b4 provides with chances to both sides, B l a c k a m b l e c o m p e n s a t i o n) Eljanov, P-Svidler, P/Foros 15...xf3 16.xf3 e5 17.dxe5 UKR 2008; xe5 18.xb7 ab8 19.d5 C2b32222) 11...d5 xb2 20.ab1 fb8 21.b3 12.xd5 xd5 13.e2 e8 , and the bishop pair and 14.0-0 c6 15.g3 b6 superior pawn structure provides 16.b3 W hite with a clear advantage, C2b322221) 16...a5 Gustafsson, J-Areshchenko, A/ 17.c4 b4 18.c1 e6 Plovdiv BUL 2008; 19.a3 ( 19.d2!? C2b322) 10...8d7 i s w o r t h c o n s i d e r i n g) C2b3221) 11.e2 c5 19...e7 provides Black C2b32211) In a brand-new adequate counterplay game, played just days ago according to Eljanov in in the Olympiad in Dresden, CBM; W h i t e t r i e d 12.0-0 c4 C2b322222) 16...e5 13.a4 ( White should 17.xe5 xe5 18.dxe5 consider 13.xc4!? xc4 xe5 19.c4 Eljanov, P14.fe1 , e.g. b6 15.ac1 Shirov, A/ Foros UKR fc8 16.b3 e6 17.e4 2008 ] , a n d I p r e f e r W h i t e) 13...db6 14.c2 f5 8.c2 g7 [ 8...c6 looks normal, but has only ( 14...cxd4 15.xd4 d7 amounted to an awful lot of headaches for 16.g5 ) 15.c1 cxd4 Black in the games it has been tested: 9.e4 16.xd4 d7 17.xc4 A) 9...g4?! 10.d5 b4 11.b3 a5? ( 17.g3!? c8 18.d1 ( 11...xf3 12.gxf3 is also very good for c a n a l s o b e c o n s i d e r e d) White, but better than the game 17...xc4 18.d5 e5 continuation for Black) 12.a3 a6 19.g5 f6 20.f4 c8 13.e5+Obregon, A-Barrionuevo, P/ 21.d1 c6 , and Black has Villa Martelli ARG 2008; solved his opening problems, B) 9...b4 10.d1 g4 11.a3 xf3 Bu Xiangzhi-Vachier Lagrave, 12.gxf3 c6 ( 12...a6 13.e3 g7 M/Dresden GER 2008; 14.d2 c6 15.0-0-0 h6 16.h4 e5 17.d5 C2b32212) 12.dxc5 c4 c7 18.b1 Saravanan, V-Antonio, V/ 13.b4 a5 14.b5 c8 New Delhi IND 2008 ) 13.d5 15.0-0 , and a draw was B1) 13...b8 14.d4 f6 15.e3 c6 agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, in 16.h4 8d7 17.h5 g5 18.f4 h6 Radjabov, T-Vachier Lagrave, ( 18...gxf4 19.xf4 e5 20.dxe6 c5 ) M/Kallithea GRE 2008; 19.e5 fxe5 20.e4 , and White is C2b3222) 11.d1 winning, Ghaem Maghami, E-Antonio, V/ C2b32221) 11...c6 12.g5 Dubai UAE 2008; d5 13.e4 e5 14.dxe5 B2) 13...e5 14.f4 ed7 15.d4 xe5 15.xe5 xe5 16.h4 g8 16.h3 f6 17.e3 c6 18.d1 ( 16.f4!? - Eljanov - appears g7 19.b4 c7 20.a4 , and it seems to offer W hite the better like White is in control of the entire board, chances ) 16...e8 17.h5 f6 573
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Khmelniker, I-Tseitlin, M/Beer Sheva ISR 2008 ] 9.e4 c6 [ 9...g4 10.e5 leads to a better game for White: xe5 11.dxe5 c6 12.b5 d7 13.xc6 xc6 14.e3 d7 ( 14...c4?! is more aggressive, but also clearly better f o r W h i t e : 15.d1 c8 16.f4 g4 17.g3 h5 18.h3 g5 19.e2 h4 20.f4 xg2 21.g1 xe4 22.xe4 xe4 23.d4 xb2 24.xe4 d3+ 25.f1 c5 26.c4 e6 27.e3 gives Black three pawns for a bishop, but White is much due to his active pieces, Huzman, A-Livshits, G/ Israel ISR 2008) 15.d1 e6 16.0-0 0-0 17.f4 ad8 18.d4 f5 19.exf6 exf6 20.f5 gxf5 21.xf5 with a large advantage for White, Gelfand, B-Shirov, A/Dagomys RUS 2008 ] 10.f4 [ 10.e3 was played in Feller, S-Maze, S/ Pau FRA 2008, but reaches a position that has been seen several times in the Grünfeld the ECO reference is D96. ] 10...0-0 This position was first reached in a game from the 1945 Moscow Ch, AlatortsevFlohr, although using a decidedly unfashionable, both then and now, move order in the Grünfeld. 11.d2 Alatortsev played 11 Rd1, but didn't really get anything out of the opening. c4 [ This appears to be a reasonable choice for Black, at least at first glance. However, in the game continuation, White demonstrates that Black is more or less without any viable counterplay. Therefore Black should consider a move that was played in another v e r y r e c e n t g a m e : 11...8d7 12.h6 ( 12.e2!? ) 12...g4 13.xg7 xg7 A) 14.0-0-0!?; B) 14.g5 h6 ( 14...f6 15.e2 ) 15.h3 hxg5 16.hxg4; C) 14.f4 xf3 15.xf3 e5 16.0-0-0 exd4 17.xd4 g5+ 18.d2 ad8 , and with Black having fully equalized, the players settled on a draw, 1/2-1/2, Rodshtein, M-Nechepurenko, R/Gaziantep TUR 2008. ] 12.xc4 xc4 13.e2 b6 14.d1 a6 15.0-0 c7 16.g3! a6 This move is ugly, but she wants to play ... Nb5 to gain some
counterplay. Obviously, White is not going to l e t h e r g e t a w a y w i t h t h a t . . . 17.a4! This position is pretty depressing for Black who is essentially left without any counterplay. The next several moves are, like the previous ones, very accurately played by White, gaining a clear advantage. a5 18.d2 c8 19.fd1 d7 [ Or 19...e6 20.e5 e8 21.b3 with a solid plus for White ] 20.e5 e8 21.b3! White has plenty of time and continues to improve on his position until he is ready to break through in the centre. e6 22.d5! White gives up on his pure space advantage in order to gain other plusses, primarily a dominating piece position. cxd5 23.xd5 xd5 24.xd5 c5 25.d7! xd7 26.xd7 c1 27.d2 [ 27.xb7 c6 28.bd7 is also very good for White, but White prefers to keep Black restrained ] 27...xd1+ 28.xd1 c8 29.c7 e6 30.d5! xd5 31.exd5 Thanks to his activity, White is clearly better in the endgame. d8 32.xe7 xd5 33.h4 b6 34.e8+ f8 35.c7 g7 [ 35...f6 36.d8 xd8 37.xd8 ] 36.xb6 b4 37.g3 [ If White wants to play 37.d8!? , he should do it here and not on the next move, when Black's king is already in the centre. The p o i n t i s t h a t a f t e r xd8 38.xd8 , the bishop covers the f6-square, and the kings will enter the centre at the same time unlike in the game where Black has a head start. ] 37...f6 38.d8? [ This is a decidedly bad move, but of course White is likely in serious time trouble at this stage of the game. A much better choice is 38.g2 , hanging on to the pawn and decent winning chances. ] 38...xd8 39.xd8+ e5 Despite Black's king being far more active, W hite can still hang on to a draw with accurate play. 40.g2 d4 41.f3 c3 [ Or 41...h5 42.g4 c3 43.gxh5 gxh5 44.f4 xb3 45.f5 , and White will pick up both of Black's kingside pawns. ] 42.f4 xb3 43.g5 xa4 [ 43...e1 44.b6 xa4 45.h6 b5 574
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 46.xa5 is similar to the game continuation ] comp as d3 and b2 are chronically weak. ] 44.h6 b3 45.xa5! Forcing the draw 17.d4 a4 18.c6! White cannot realistically xa5 46.xh7 e1 47.g7 xf2 hold-on to the d-pawn, so decides to aim for ½-½ positional compensation based on his bishop pair and the backward c7-pawn. [ 18.c2 seems more natural, but then after xd4 19.b3 c5 20.b2 Black can play 577 A16 the surprising e6! as if 21.xd4 xd4 Bu Xiangzhi 2606 22.e4 xe5 23.ad1 c5 offers excellent Neverov,Valeriy 2527 co m p e n s a t io n f o r t h e e xch a n g e wit h a Aeroflot Open (8) 24.02.2004 strong knight and bishop (secure on dark [Tony Kosten] squares) plus extra queenside pawn. ] 1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.a4+ d7 18...xd4 19.e3 d3!? Black prepares 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 g7 7.e4 c6 8.d3 another positional sacrifice, he was wary of 0-0 9.e2 a6!? Very much in the 'Hungarian playing the obvious [ 19...c4 b e c a u s e o f 20.xa6 xb2 System of the Russian Grünfeld' style (that's 21.xb5 xe5 22.xe5 xe5 a mouthful!), preparing queenside counterplay which appears OK, but Black may have with ... b5. Before we had looked at the main problems dealing with the passed a-pawn move supported by the two bishops, to be frank it [ 9...bd7 for example as in Piket, J-Bacrot, is a difficult one to call. ] E/Escaldes 1998. ] [ 9...fd7!? has also been played, and this 20.b3 xe3! This is the idea. 21.fxe3 b6 is more in Smyslov's style: 10.e3 e5 22.ad1 xe5 Black has won a pawn, and 11.b4 b6 12.b3 d7 with fair chances, the e 3-pawn is weak, plu s he has u sef u l control of the dark squares, but his knight is a Pelletier,Y-Moor,R/Lugano 1999. ] 10.0-0 Strictly speaking, an innovation, lot less impressive than in the note to move 18, although it is so natural, it hardly counts as and an exchange is an exchange! 23.g3 d6 24.g2!? White decides not to bother one! [ 10.h3 prepares Be3, to control d4 and c5: defending the ailing e-pawn. If [ 24.fe1 b4 and once he has secured his b5 11.b3 bd7 12.e3 e6 13.a4!? queenside pawns Black can think about bxa4 14.xa4 b5 15.c3 c5 16.0-0 returning the knight to the centre by ...Nd7b8 17.a3 and White's superior structure e5. ] g a v e h i m a n e d g e a g a i n s t o u r n e we s t contributor: Smirin,I-Mikhalevski,V/Saint 24...xe3 25.fe1 c5 This is forced, [ 25...g5?? 26.xd6 cxd6 27.xb6 Vincent ITA 2000. ] wins. ] 10...b5 11.b3 bd7 12.e5 Now White 26.xc5 xc5 27.b7 White pesters the doesn't want to stop ...Nc5 with [ 12.e3 b e c a u s e o f g4 , but the move black queenside. b8? This brings problems, played seems strong as the knight cannot the a-pawn cannot move as [ 27...a5? is met by 28.e5 winning pawns go to its natural square on d5, or can it? ] on the fifth rank, but ] 12...d5! A neat tactic, Black sacs a pawn for [ 27...b4! seems fine, as 28.xa6? a8 good play. 13.xd5 c5 The point, although gives a significantly improved version of the the surprising game. ] [ 13...xe5!? might also be possible: 14.c3 xf3+ 15.gxf3 d7 planning ... 28.xa6 a8 29.xb5 xa2+ 30.e2 xe2+ 31.xe2 White has made significant Qh3 with some attack. ] 14.xe7+ White has to grab the material, as progress, as he has not only won a pawn but otherwise Black has equalised at no cost. also managed to exchange a pair of rooks. xe7 15.c3 xf3! The simplest solution, S t i l l , b r e a k i n g B l a c k ' s g r i p o n t h e d a r k squares will be no piece of cake as the e2Black develops quickly. 16.xf3 ad8 [ 16...xe5!? 17.xa8 xa8 also provides bishop can hardly provide assistance. d6 575
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 32.g4 g7 33.b5 c8 34.h3 c5 35.d7 b6 36.f3 d6 Black has decided that this is the safest set-up with both minor pieces defended and well-placed. In particular the f7pawn is covered by the knight so that the white pieces cannot successfully gang-up on it. 37.c6 f6 38.h4 h6 39.d5 g7?! Probably Black didn't want to commit himself too much bef ore the time control, but he should certainly have played [ 39...g5 immediately. ] 40.f4 f6 41.b4?! This gives Black a second chance, [ 41.g5+! must be the correct move positionally: hxg5+ 42.hxg5+ g7 43.b4 and now Black can only move his king! g8 44.e5 f8 and maybe White can engineer a route for his king to c6, via d5, and then capture on c7 or d6. ] 41...g5+ 42.g3 g7 43.h5 f6 44.f3 g7 Now Black has a secure blockade, as with f4 controlled White cannot advance his king past the third rank except on the a-file but then it can't get beyond a4! 45.e2 f8 46.d3 e8 47.c6 f8 48.c3 g7 49.b3 f8 [ 49...f6 is more active, Black can only move his king but this is sufficient. ] 50.a4 g7 51.d5 f8 52.d8+ g7 53.b3 e3 Black allows the king to a5, as this is met by a knight fork on b7! 54.c2 f2 W hite has skilfully stopped the black king from moving, as now [ 54...f6? loses the h-pawn to 55.h8 ] 55.a8 White would like to bring his king to a6, so Black stops this. b6 [ 55...c4! is possibly even better, threa te ning a kn ight f o rk o n e 3, a s th e white pieces have become a bit scattered. ] 56.d3 Controlling the knight and putting Black into zugzwang, any move f rom the minor pieces a allows the white king into a6 or c6, so Black has little choice. f6 [ 56...d4?! is t o o r i s k y: 57.a5 b6+ 58.a6 d4 59.d8 and b5-6 is on the cards. ] 57.h8 d4 58.xh6+?! [ 58.a5! was a better chance, as now the rook becomes trapped. ] 58...e7 59.a5 g7 60.h7 f8 61.a6 [ 61.h6 d4 62.b5 g8 63.a6 e8
and Black draws easily as he can play the position like an opposite-coloured bishop ending - the rook is going nowhere. ] 61...g8 62.g6? A doubtful decision, but it is possible that both players were short of time. [ 62.a7 f5 63.xg7+ xg7 64.gxf5 g4 65.b8 g3 66.f1 xf5 67.g2 e3 68.e4 is a complete draw - Black can win the bishop but W hite will capture his remaining pawn on c7. ] [ 62.g6? can only give winning chances to Black af ter fxg6 63.hxg6 e4! 64.b7 f6 65.h1 ( 65.xc7? xh7 66.gxh7+ xh7 67.b5 g6 68.b6 e5+ 69.c8 f6 wins ) 65...f8 66.xc7 xb4 67.g1 g7 68.c6 xg6 69.b5 d6 70.c4 f7 and White has a lot of work ahead of him to draw this. ] ½-½
578 Bu Xiangzhi Vachier Lagrave,Maxime Corus B Wijk aan Zee NED (3) [Carsten Hansen]
A16 2644 2573 21.02.2007
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.a4+ This move is not that problematic for Black, but there are a number of different ideas for White that Black needs to know how to handle. In the notes to this game, I have included all relevant recent games that have been played since the start of 2007 d7 6.b3 [ 6.h4 xc3 A) 7.dxc3 c6 A1) 8.g3 g7 ( 8...f6 9.e4 e5 is the main line in the ECO. Baramidze's choice looks more natural, but allows White to develop an initiative. However, Black may well be okay in this line too.) 9.f4 c8 10.e4 0-0 11.0-0-0 e8 12.e5 f5 13.d3 xd3 14.xd3 d8 15.xd8 xd8 16.h4?! ( 16.d1 c8 f o llo we d b y . . .Rd 8 is f in e f o r B la c k) 16...d5 and Black has already claimed the initiative, R.Buhmann-D. Baramidze, Koenigshofen (GER-CH) 2007; A2) 8.e4 e5 9.xd8+ xd8 10.c4 f6 576
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 11.e3 a5 ( 11...a5! 12.e2 e6 13.d2 b6 is fine for Black as in Kramnik-Yudashin, Wijk aan Zee (m/2) 1994 ) 12.d2 b6 13.a4 d6 14.e2 b8 15.f3 e7 16.hb1 h5 17.d1 e6 18.f2 , Peng Zhaoqin-P.Negi, Wijk aan Zee 2007, leaves White with a slight initiative; B) 7.d4 f6 8.xc3 B1) 8...e5 9.xe5! fxe5 10.xe5+ e7 11.xh8 c6 12.b3 e5? ( 12...b4 13.d1 0-0-0 14.a3 a5 is given in ECO, claiming compensation for the exchange for Black) 13.e3 0-0-0 14.a3 c5 15.c1+- G.Todorovic-I. Sarenac, Belgrade 2007; B2) 8...c6!? is a new idea: 9.e4 e5 10.a3 d6 11.c4 e7 12.d3 c5 13.e3 b6 14.0-0-0 0-0-0 15.d5 b8 with a good game for Black, G. Savchenko-W.Schmidt, Legnica 2006 ] 6...b6 7.d4 [ a) 7.h4?! e6 8.d1 h6 9.d3 g7 10.f4 c6 11.g3 g4 12.g2 e5 13.e3 d4 ( 13...d7!? also looks appealing) 14.xd4? ( 14.h2 c8 15.d2 c6 16.0-0-0 e6 is better than the game continuation, but nonetheless quite comfortable for Black.) 14...exd4 15.a4 0-0 16.0-0 e8 , and Black is completely in control of the game, M.Muse-A. Areshchenko, Berlin 2007 ] [ b) 7.g3 is a decent alternative, e.g. g7 8.g2 c6 9.d3 0-0 10.0-0 A) 10...e6 11.a3 ( 11.c2!? ) 11...d6 12.xd6 cxd6 is of course fine for Black; B) 10...e5 11.g5 Osuna Vega,ESolaroli,R, Catalan Bay 2007 ] 7...g7 [ 7...e6 is the main move in the ECO ] 8.f4!? [ 8.e4 g4 is a Grünfeld Defence, and therefore not to be discussed here ] 8...e6 9.a3 c6 10.e3 0-0 11.e2 a5 12.c5 a4 13.b5 a5 14.c1 d5 15.g3 Black is slightly ahead in development, but lacks in possible pawn breaks to take advantage of it. In fact W hite has a slight advantage at this point. g4 16.c4 e6 17.g5 f5 18.0-0 e5 19.f3 e6 20.c2
exd4 21.bxd4 xd4 22.xd4 White's advantage doesn't look like much, but it's nonetheless nagging Black, who has a hard time releasing himself from the pressure. d7 23.ad1 c6 24.b5 [ 24.e4!? f6 25.c4 looks very pleasant for White ] 24...f6 25.d6 xb2 26.xb2 xb2 27.xb7 a7 28.c5 c3 29.d2 a3?! [ 29...xe2+!? is possibly better, e.g. 30.xe2 a3 31.c2 f5 32.e4 xc5 33.exf5 a5 34.c4 with a slightly better game for White ] 30.c4 f5 31.f3 a5 32.d6 e8 33.e4 The material is even, but White is far better coordin ate d c8 34.d3 b5 35.xb5 xb5 36.xb2 axb2 37.b1 d8 38.a4 a5 39.bxb2 e6 [ 39...xa4 can also be considered, but the defensive task can well be long and unpleasant after 40.b8 e8 41.c7 ] 40.c7 xd2 41.b8+ g7 42.xa5 a2? [ The text move looks perfectly logical, but Black exposes his king to a direct attack. T h e ri gh t m o ve i s 42...c2 which still is rather difficult for Black ] 43.c3+ h6 44.f6 xa4 45.g4 xg4 This looks a bit desperate, but doesn't otherwise have an answer for 46 g5+ followed by 47 Rh8, and Black's king is trapped in a m a t i n g n e t . 46.fxg4 xe4 47.h3 e6 48.g5+ h5 49.h8 h4 50.g2 h5 51.gxh6+ h5 52.h7 1-0
579 Bu Xiangzhi Wang Yaoyao Torch Real Estate Cup (1) [John Watson]
A16 2630 2456 20.04.2005
1.c4 f6 2.c3 g6 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.g2 b6 6.d3 g7 7.e3 c6 This move a n d t h e n e xt t ry t o a vo i d t h e d if f i c u l t ie s associated with 7...0-0 8. Qd2 (or 8.Qc1) and at some point Bh6. The problem is that Black's knight will no longer come to c6 to contest the centre. The immediate [ 7...c6 8.xc6+ bxc6 9.c1 has generally favoured White. ] 577
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 8.d2 h6 9.f3 8d7 10.0-0 a5 11.ac1 f6 12.h3 To prevent ...Ng4. But White was already far enough ahead in development to play [ 12.c5 0-0 13.e4 intending d4. ] 12...fd5 13.d4 0-0 14.xg7 xg7 15.e4! xc3 [ 15...f6 16.d4 demonstrates White's greater control of the centre. ] 16.xc3+!? [ 16.bxc3 is easier to play, with Rb1 and d4 to follow. ] 16...f6 [ 16...h7 is less weakening. This move comes back to haunt Black. ] 17.d4 e6 18.a3!? f7 [ It's interesting that Bu Xiangzhi allows ...a4, with 2 pawns holding up one. This is the same decision, traditionally considered positionally bad, that Timman took in his games versus Hermanson and Hector! Here 18...a4 19.b4 ties Black down a bit, although a6 with the idea ...Qd6 doesn't look so bad. ] 19.fe1 d6 20.h4! White takes aim at the weakness on g6, which for the time being seems trivial and not worth pursuing. e6 [ 20...h5!? ] 21.h5! This looks easy, but remember that the pawn on h5 could prove weak if White hasn't calculated correctly. a4?! Wasting time. [ The problem with 21...g5 is that it cedes the key f5 square after 22.d5! cxd5 23.d4 , e.g., c8 24.f5+ h8 ( 24...h7? 25.d3 ) 25.d4 e6 26.xh6 ] 22.c2 b6 23.h4! Suddenly the weakness on g6 is extremely serious and W hite probably already has a won game! ad8?! [ But 23...g5 24.f5+ h7 25.e5 is very bad for Black and ] [ 23...fc8 24.hxg6 xg6 25.xg6 xg6 26.e5+ f5 27.g4 leaves White with an overwhelming advantage. ] 24.d5! e5 [ 24...cxd5 25.exd5 g4 26.hxg6 xg6 27.xe7+ is crushing. ] 25.hxg6 xg6 26.f5+ h7 [ 26...xf5 27.exf5 d6 28.dxc6 bxc6 29.e6 d7 30.e4! f7 31.f3 h7 32.h5 g7 33.exc6 and Black can
resign. ] 27.dxc6 bxc6 28.xc6 d7 29.b4 axb4 30.axb4 e6 Black has no constructive moves. 31.e7!? [ 31.f4! b8 32.xe6 xb4 33.ed1 would be decisive. ] 31...f7 32.c7 xc7 33.xc7 e5 34.f4 d3 35.b1 h5 36.c6 [ or 36.b5 ] [ or 36.f1! and Rb3. White's technique may not have been perfect but he remains in control until the end of the game: ] 36...c8 37.xc8 xc8 38.e5 g6 39.d1 fxe5 40.fxe5 c7 41.b5 b7 42.f1 [ 42.b4! ] 42...c5 43.d6 e4 44.c4 g7 45.h2 b7 46.d8 c7 47.b6 c8 48.h3 g6 49.xe6 f5 50.h4 xe5 51.xc5 xd6 52.xe4+ e5 53.a6 b8 54.c5 d6 55.a4 g8 56.e2 a8 57.b5 g8 58.c3 c5 59.b7 b8 60.a6 b6 61.e2 xb7 62.xh5 c5 63.e4+ d4 64.d6 d7 65.f7 d5 66.g5 a7 67.f6 a6+ 68.g7 e6 69.g4 e7 70.h6 a5 71.f7 b5 72.g6 b6 73.f5 b5 74.h6 b2 75.g5 g2 76.g4 g3 77.g6 f3 78.h6 g3 79.g4 a3 80.e2 a7 81.c4 c7 82.d5 c5 83.f5+ 1-0
580 Buhmann,Rainer Nedilko,Vasily 11th EICC Men (11) [Nigel Davies]
A16 2587 2400 17.03.2010
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.a4+ c6 This natural move has the drawback that Black gets doubled c-pawns, though he does get some activity too. 6.e5 d6 7.xc6 xc6 8.xc6+ bxc6 9.g3 [ Another possibility is 9.b3 when xc3 10.dxc3 g7 11.b2 a5 12.g3 a4 13.g2 a6 14.0-0-0 e6 15.c4 0-0 16.xg7 xg7 17.b2 b8 18.c3 c5 wasn't much for White in Gelfand, B (2733)Svidler, P (2726)/Dagomys 2009. Of course defending a position without much in the way of winning prospects may not be 578
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 everyone's cup of tea. Nor is it suitable for 6...xc3 Nevertheless, Black is facing a every tournament situation. ] completely different kind of game in the 9...b8 This seems to be 'new', though I don't game continuation without the active see it revolutionising the assessment of this counterplay that characterizes the Grünfeld. line. Other moves are as follows: While White will definitely not see a large [ a) 9...g7 10.g2 e6 11.b3 0-0 12.b2 advantage in the game continuation, he will fd8 13.0-0-0 b4 14.a3 d5 15.a4 f6 have that annoying plus-over-equals 16.c5 f7 17.a6 d6 18.d4 pressure which can be difficult to face. ] was better for W hite in Kraai, J (2526)- 7.d3 c6 8.e3 0-0 9.d2 Bezemer, A (2364)/Hoogeveen 2009. ] [ In a survey in New In Chess Yearbook 79, [ b) 9...xc3 10.dxc3 e6 11.g2 d5 Marin claims 9.c1 to be the slightly more 12.e4 c4 13.f1 xf1 14.xf1 0-0-0 accurate move, somewhat limiting Black's 15.e3 was looking very pleasant for White options. ] in Mastrovasilis, A (2518)-Oreopoulos, K 9...e5 10.h6 e7 (2284)/ Kalamaria 2008. ] [ This move is what Marin recommends 10.g2 e6 11.b3 g7 12.b2 0-0 against 9 Qc1, but in this line it doesn't 13.xd5 xd5 appear particularly effective. The ECO main [ There must surely be a case for undoubling line is 10...d4 11.xg7 xf3+ Black's pawns with 13...cxd5 , though it's ( 11...xg7 12.h4 xf3+ 13.xf3 still White for choice after 14.xg7 xg7 Marin/Stoica ) 12.xf3 xg7 15.c1 fc8 16.c5 c6 17.0-0 intending A) 13.h4 h6 14.c1 ( 14.b4 c6 15.b2 18.Rfc1. ] d4 16.0-0 a5 , and Black has solved his 14.xg7 xg7 15.0-0 fd8 16.d3 xg2 opening problems successfully, Ribli, Z17.xg2 b6 This is a nightmare endgame Pribyl, J/Germany 1989; 14.0-0-0 c6 f o r B la c k wh o f a ce s le n g t h y t o rt u re . I t ' s 15.b1 Marin/Stoica) 14...e7 15.e4 difficult to see what attracts Black players to c6 16.c3 d8 17.c5 e6 18.a3 this line unless they actually enjoy this kind of ( 18.g4!? d5 19.g5 h5 20.a3 thing. 18.fc1 f8 19.c4 e8 20.ac1 l o o k s l i k e a n i n t e r e s t i n g a l t e r n a t i v e) d6 21.a4 a6 22.f4 d8 23.f3 c8 18...d5 19.g2 f5 20.d2 f6 24.c5 d5 25.ac4 d7 26.d4 xc5 Gil Reguera, J-Fernandez Cazorla, A/ 27.xc5 b5 28.c4 d6 29.e4 f5+ Madrid 1992 21.0-0; 30.d3 d5 31.b4 d6 32.c3 d7 B) 13.0-0 33.b3 d5 34.e3 b5 35.a4 d5 B1) 13...a5 14.e4 c6 15.fd1 e7 [ 35...b8 might have been better. ] 16.ac1 d8 17.c5 d5 36.c3 b5 37.b3 d5 38.c4 c8 B1a) 18.d4 39.a3 b7 40.a5 d6 41.e5 e6 42.h3 B1a1) 18...b6!? isn't mentioned by h5 43.d3 White's impending 44. e4 Marin/Stoica, but it may represent a persuades Black to halt his suffering. better option for Black, e.g. 19.e4 1-0 ( or 19.dxe5 bxc5 20.e4 e6 21.exd5 xd5 22.e3 xf3 23.xf3 xe5= ) 19...f5 ( 19...f5 581 A16 20.dxe5 xe5 21.d4 xd4 22.xd4 ac8 with no more than a Butnorius,Algimantas 2442 tiny edge for W hite) 20.c3 e4 Iordachescu,Viorel 2584 21.xd5 cxd5 22.g2 a6 23.c3 IX EICC Plovdiv BUL (3) 23.04.2008 dc8=; [Carsten Hansen] B1a2) 18...b4 19.e3 xa2 20.xe5+ xe5 21.dxe5 e8 1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 22.a1 b4 23.e6 fxe6 24.xb7 xd5 5.g3 g7 6.g2 b6 xb7 25.d7+ f6 26.xb7 h5 [ It is arguably a question of taste whether 27.h3 ( 27.h4!? to fix Black's Black should prefer the text move or 579
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 k i n gs i d e p a wn s o n b l a ck se e m s m o r e l o g i c a l) 27...ed8 28.b6 ( 28.a4!? ) 28...c2 29.a4 ab8= Marin/Stoica; B1b) 18.a4 e6 19.a3 c7 Solleveld-l'Ami, Utrecht 2005, 20.c5 b5 21.e3 f6= Marin/Stoica; B2) 13...c6 14.b4 e6 ( This position is given as equal in ECO, but that is hardly t h e wh o l e t r u t h , s i n c e B l a ck is st i l l working to equalize well beyond this move. Alternatively in a more recent ga m e , B l a ck t rie d 14...c4 15.c2 d6 16.fd1 a5 17.ab1 axb4 18.xb4 e7 Teske, H-Joachim, S/ Panormo 2001, and now 19.db1 e6 20.a4 leaves White with a somewhat more comfortable game) 15.fc1 c4!? ( 15...f6?! 16.a4 f7 17.g2 f5 18.a5 d5 19.b5 cxb5 20.xb5 a6 21.a3 c8? 22.xc8 xc8 23.b2 e7 24.c4 f6 25.xe5 1-0 Komljenovic, D-Dragojlovic, A/Nice 2001) 16.c2 ( 16.d1!? d6 17.d4 c4 18.d5 cxd5 19.xd5 c8 is given as 'unclear' by Marin/ Stoica, but White has a clear initiative after 20.d3 b5 21.a4 a6 22.axb5 axb5 23.a7 ) 16...d6 17.b2 f6 18.e4 xe4 19.xe4 f7 20.a4 d6 21.c5 e8 22.ac1 R o b a t s c h , K - P o l u g a e vs k y, L / S o c h i 1974 ] 11.xg7 [ In an earlier game with this variation, White went for the more aggressive-looking 11.h4 xh6 12.xh6 f6 13.c1 g4 A) 14.h2 is a peculiar-looking alternative, e.g. d7 ( 14...e6 15.xc6 bxc6 16.0-0 is slightly more comfortable for White ) 15.a3 ad8 16.d5 ( 16.g4 d4 with sharp complications, though Black shouldn't have any problems) 16...xd5 17.xd5+ h8 18.f3 d6 19.e4; B) 14.0-0 ad8 15.e3 fe8 16.e4 d5 17.c5 f5 , Nedela, V-Konopka, M/ CZE 1997 , and now W hite should have played 18.xe7 xe7 19.c5 xf3 20.xf3 d4 21.xb7 xf3+ 22.exf3 b8 23.a5 xb2 24.c6 , and he is clearly not worse in the endgame. ] 11...xg7 12.0-0 d7 13.fc1
[ 13.ac1!? ] 13...ad8 14.b3 [ 14.e4!? f5 ( 14...c8 15.c5 f6 16.b4 ) 15.c5 c8 16.b4 e4 17.b2+ g8 18.e1 is very pleasant for White ] 14...f6 15.b2 f7 16.e4 c8 17.a3 d4 This is the move Black has been preparing wit h his la st co up le o f m o ves, b u t a s a n equalizer it doesn't fully do the job. 18.c5 [ White can even consider the not entirely obvious 18.xd4 exd4 19.a4 ] 18...c6 19.b4 e6 20.a4 d5 21.xe6+ xe6 22.cb1 a6 23.d2 b6 24.b5 , and in this position a draw was agreed upon, although only W hite can be better in this position, having all his pieces excellently coordinated to apply pressure against Black's queenside. ½-½
582 Carlsen,Magnus Svidler,Peter 24th ECC Kallithea GRE (5) [Carsten Hansen]
A16 2786 2727 21.10.2008
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.a4+ d7 6.h4 xc3 7.bxc3 [ Somewhat surprisingly, we haven't covered this move before on ChessPublishing. com. The main move is 7.dxc3 about which you can find a couple of references to other Svidler games in the PDF e-books. ] [ The other alternative is 7.d4 f6 8.xc3 which leads to a complicated game and chances to both sides. ] 7...g7 [ Black has two other options to consider at this juncture: A) 7...c5 A) White doesn't achieve anything with 8.g3 , e.g. c6 ( Black has several other moves to consider as well: 8...g7 9.g2 c6 10.0-0 d7 11.d4 h6 12.dxc5?! xc3 13.b1 a5 14.e3 xa2 15.d4 g5 16.h3 xd4 17.xd4 xg2 18.xg2 xc5 , and White doesn't have enough for the pawns, Rajkovic, DKrasenkow, M/Ptuj 1989; 8...a5 9.e5 g7 10.xd7 xd7 11.h3 d8 12.0-0 0-0 13.b1 b6 14.a4 e5 15.b5 a6 580
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A) Black can also play 11...exd4 12.cxd4 16.e4 f5 17.c2 Urday Caceres, Hf5!? ( this is better than 12...b4+ 13.d2 Sion Castro, M/Palma de Mallorca 1991; xd2+ 14.xd2 0-0 15.c1 8...c6!? 9.g2 d7 10.0-0 e6 leaves W hite wit h th e be tter cha nce s 11.xd8+ xd8 12.c4 g7 , and with according to Mikhalevski in CBM) 13.e5 Black having solved all his opening b4+ 14.d2 xd2+ 15.xd2 a5 problems, a draw was prematurely agreed , and Black is doing pretty good.; upon, 1/2-1/2, in W inkeler, U-Loehr, M/ B) 11...g7 12.g5! b8 13.d1 exd4 Germany 1996.) 9.g2 e5 ( 9...g7 14.cxd4 0-0 15.e2 be8! 10.0-0 e6 11.f4 0-0 12.b1 b6= with a pleasant game for Black, Tunik, GH u l t i n , J - M o b e r g , K / M a n h e m s 1 9 9 8) Tseitlin, M/Beersheba 1996. ] 10.c4 e7 11.0-0 0-0 12.d3 c8 13.h6 e8 14.h4 e6 15.b5 d7= 8.b1 c6 [ 8...b6 is the subject of Aronian-Kamsky, Spassov, L-Webb, S/ Concordia 1977; Kallithea 2008, which is the next game of B) 8.b1 b6 ( 8...c7 9.g3 xg3 this update. ] 10.hxg3 b6 11.e4 c6 12.e5 a4 13.c4 e6 14.b3 xb3 15.xb3 d7 9.e4 [ This appear to be White's best, whereas 16.c4 b8 17.a4 a6 18.e2 b5 9.d4?! is simply mistaken, leaving Black with , and Black has sufficient counterplay, the better chances after d5 ] Milos, G-Fernandez Garcia, J/Buenos [ Of more interest is somewhat provocative Aires 1990) 9.d4!? ( 9.e4 c6 10.c4 9.d4!? d5 ( 9...xd4 10.xd4 xd4 e6 11.g3 g7 12.h4 b8 is quite 11.cxd4 d7 12.f3 0-0-0 13.e4 e6 comfortable for Black, Peng Xiaominfollowed by ... f7-f5 is probably okay for S v i d l e r , P / N e w D e l h i / T h e r a n 2 0 0 0) Black even if I would rather play W hite) 9...cxd4 10.cxd4 g7 11.h6! 10.e4 xa2 ( 10...e5? was played in a W ith this move, making use of the recent game, but should be avoided as otherwise oddly placed queen on h4, most evidenced by this game. 11.xd8+ xd8 of Black's potential counterplay is 12.exd5 exd4 13.xb7 dxc3 14.d6! e8+ prevented. 15.d1 cxd6 16.b5 c2+ 17.xc2 c6?? B1) This gets Black into trouble a rather 18.xc6 1-0 Shimanov, A-Kilpatrick, C/Vung s i m p l e i m p r o v e m e n t i s 11...xh6 Tau City VIE 2008) 11.xb7 ( 11.b2 e5!? 12.xh6 , and now c6 has been given without further evaluation by B1a) 13.g7 f8 14.e4!? ( 14.xh7 Mikhaelvski, but White seems to hold the xf3 15.exf3 xd4 is complete okay better chances in this line, e.g. 12.xd8+ for Black ) 14...xe4 15.b5+ c6 xd8 13.f3 e6 14.xb7 , and White 16.g5 d5 17.xh7 e4+ 18.d2 has the better pawn structure along with d7 is complicated; the possibility of scooping up the advantage B1b) 13.c1 d5 14.d2 d7 of the bishop pair with Ng5 in some lines.) 15.e3 b5! is at best marginally better 11...0-0 is given as unclear by Mikhalevski, for White; which is quite possibly an accurate B2) 11...0-0?! 12.e3 f6 13.c4+ h8 assessment, although I somewhat prefer 14.0-0 c6 15.bc1 a5 16.d3 c8 White after 17.e4 , and White has a clear advantage, A) 12.a3 f6 13.h6 c5! ( 13...c8 Macieja, B-Areshchenko, A/ 14.b2 c5 15.f3 ) 14.b3 xb3 Wattenscheid GER 2008 ] 15.xb3 a5 gives Black excellent [ B) Black's second alternative is 7...c6 counterplay; 8.e4 ( 8.d4!? can also be considered, but B) 12.f3 c5 ( 12...f6 13.e2 d6 has yet to be tested.) 8...e5 9.xd8+ xd8 14.b2 f7 15.0-0 ) 13.b2 a5 10.b1 b6 11.d4 ( 11.b5!? 14.xe7 c6 15.b7 fc8 16.a6 is less committal and probably also better, , and W hite seems to be doing rather yet Black should be fine after g7 12.0-0 well. ] 0-0 13.a3 fe8 ) 581
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 9...e6!? [ This is a new move. Previously Black tried 9...0-0 10.d4 e6 11.g5! f6 A) 12.c4!? e8!? ( 12...fxg5?? 13.xe6+ h8 14.xg5 h6 15.f7+ xf7 16.xd8++- ) 13.e3 is a suggestion of Mikhalevski's White is doing very well in this line too; B) 12.e3 This is a rather unpleasant version of the Exchange Variation of the Grunfeld, Black has hardly any counterplay and both his pieces and pawn structure leave him in an awkward position. e8! 13.d3 ( 13.c4!? M i k h a l e v s k i) 13...d7 14.0-0 d8 15.fd1 b6 16.d2!? a4 17.b3 Sakaev, K-Mikhalevski, V/ Beersheba 1998 ] [ Another option is 9...e5 10.xd8+ xd8 11.g5 '!' is given by Mikhaelvski without an eva lu a t io n , th o u gh h in t ing t h ro u gh t h e punctuation that is supposed to be better for White. However, Black seems to be only slightly worse after e8 This line, however, is n 't a s f le xi b l e f o r B la ck a s t h e g a m e continuation due to the limitations imposed by the e5-pawn on the bishop on g7. ] 10.xd8+ xd8 11.g5!? [ Strictly speaking, this is the novelty of the game, because Svidler premiered 9...e6 against Sakaev in the Russian Championship two weeks prior to this game. In t hat game W hite gave pref eren ce t o 11.d3 d7 12.c2 c5 A) 13.g5 was played in a brand-new game less than two weeks ago, but it is definitely not any threat to this line for Black: e8 14.d4 ( on 14.a3 b6!? looks satisfactory for Black) 14...h6! Black is already doing rather well. 15.xf7 xf7 16.dxc5 xc3+ 17.e2 b5 ( 17...ad8!? ) 18.b2 f6 19.f4 ( 19.xf6 xf6 20.hd1 e5 ) 19...hd8 20.xf6 xf6 21.hd1 g5 ( 21...e5!? 22.g3 xd1 23.xd1 b4 24.e3 a5 may even be better for Black) 22.g3 xd1 23.xd1 gxf4 24.gxf4 g8 25.f3 a5 26.a3 h5 27.e3 g2 28.d2 g1 29.d1 g2 30.d2 g1 31.d1 1/2-1/2 Khismatullin, D-Timofeev, A (2670/ Serpuhov RUS 2008;
B) 13.e5!? f5!? 14.exf6 xf6 15.a3 d7! 16.0-0 b6 17.fe1 e8 18.c5 xf3 19.gxf3 c6 20.e4 ( 20.b3 d7 21.f4!? gives W hite a little pressure) 20...c7 21.eb4 ( 21.be1 ad8!= ) 21...e7! 22.xb6+ axb6 23.xb6 eb8 24.e4 xa2 25.d4 a6 26.xa6 bxa6 27.xb8 xb8 28.xc6 , and a draw was agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, Sakaev, K-Svidler, P/Moscow (Russian Ch) 2008 ] 11...e8 12.f3 White's position seems easier to play. W hile largely undeveloped at this juncture, White should be able to establish a solid centre and thereby gain a pleasant space advantage. Black, on the other hand, doesn't have access to the typical Grunfeld counterplay and is therefore at a disadvantage from the outset, though this disadvantage is fairly small. h6 13.h3 b6 14.d4 a4 15.f4 [ 15.d2!? ] 15...c5 16.d2 e7 17.d5 [ 17.d3 d8 18.d5 is also worth a thought. ] 17...g5 18.h5!? e5 19.g3?! [ This is a very dynamic move, but unfortunately for White, not a very good one. Instead W hite should have opted for 19.c4!? d7 20.0-0 after which White has perhaps a slight pull. Now Black takes over the control of the game. ] 19...exd5 20.exd5 c2! The target is the awkwardly-placed knight on h5. 21.c1 g6 22.f4 [ White tries to shake things up a bit, wellknowing that the pawns are very loose and w i l l f a l l . 22.g4 xh5 23.gxh5 d7 is obviously far from ideal for White ] 22...xh5 23.fxe5 The pawns look impressive and if White now only had time to p la y c3 -c4 , h e wo u ld b e n e a rly win n in g . However, in the game the pawns are just easy targets for Black, and as you will see, both are quickly picked up. d7 24.d6+ [ 24.g2 xe5 25.0-0 ae8 is inadequate for White ] 24...e6 25.h3+ g4 26.g2 ad8 27.0-0 xe5 28.c4 xd6 Black has won both of White's central pawns, but White has some compensation in his bishop pair, open files and Black's lacking piece coordination. This 582
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 allows White to stay in the game. 29.c3 f6 30.d5+ d7 31.xf6!? This wins back one of the two pawns. Carlsen may already have had the conclusion of the game in mind at this juncture. xf6 32.xe5 hf8 33.d1 c8 34.xf6 xf6 35.f1!? My computer objects to this move, but Carlsen may have judged this endgame to be an easy draw, which may or may not be right, depending on how you evaluate Black's chances in the lines given as alternatives after Black's 36th move. xf1+ 36.xf1 d7 [ Black can consider 36...a6!? 37.e2 b5 with reasonable winning chances. In the game continuation, White doesn't seem to have too many problems. ] [ Another idea to place the bishop on a better square, ideally d7, and then advance t h e p a w n s o n t h e q u e e n s i d e 36...e8 37.e2 c7 38.e3 c6 39.e6 ( 39.xc6? xc6 40.f4 h5 is of course an easy win for Black) 39...d7 40.d5 a6 41.f4 b5 with excellent winning chances for Black ] 37.e2 d6 38.b7 b5!? [ While this certainly is an interesting attempt at winning, Black may be able to do better with 38...f7 39.a6 e6 40.e3 e5 41.a3 d7 42.b7 b5 43.cxb5 xb5 44.c8 h5 with some chances. However, as with all lines in this endgame, Black has to be wary of the possibility of W hite exchanging all the pawns on the kingside and then sacrifice the bishop on the c-pawn, leaving Black with a-pawn and the wrongcoloured bishop. ] 39.cxb5 f7 40.a3 c4+ 41.d2 xb5 42.c3 Black has won the pawn back, but as long as White is able to maintain his king on c3 and the bishop on the a8-h1 diagonal (or at least prevent Black from using it for his king to penetrate the white kingside), White will be able to hold the endgame. The rest of the endgame sees Black trying to make it work, but Carlsen easily wards off all black attempts. c6 43.c8 d7 44.b7 e6 45.e4 e5 46.c6 c4 47.b7 h5 48.c6 f7 49.g2 d5 50.f1 e4 51.g2+ e5 52.f1 a6 53.a4 a5 54.xc4 c6 55.f7 xa4 ½-½
583 Chernyshov,Konstantin Malykin,Vitaly KB Czech Open (5) [Nigel Davies]
A16 2518 2410 23.07.2002
1.c4 f6 2.c3 c6 3.e4 d5 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.e5 fd7 A solid but rather passive move which leads to positions reminiscent of a French Defence. [ 5...e4 is more enterprising. ] 6.d4 b6 [ T h i s c o u l d w e l l b e b e t t e r t h a n 6...c6 wh i c h b l o c k s t h e c - f i l e a n d t h e e 8 - a 4 diagonal. After 7.ge2 b6 8.g3 g6 9.h4 h5 10.e2 d7 11.g5 Black came under strong pressure in Lautier, J (2645)Van Wely, L (2585)/Groningen 1995. ] 7.d3 [ After 7.ge2 Black gets a reasonable position with g4 8.f3 d7 9.g3 e6 and now ( 9...h5!? 10.h4 e6 is also possible) 10.h5 would be strong we r e i t n o t f o r h4+ , driving the knight back where it came from. ] 7...c6 8.ge2 e6 [ In some games between some not notably stron g p la yers Bla ck ha s pla ye d 8...g4 , but without notable success. For example 9.f3 d7 10.0-0 e6 11.a3 a5 12.b3 e7 13.c2 g6 14.h6 c8 15.d2 left Black very passively placed in Klauser, M (2260)-Silva, C/Zuerich 1986. ] 9.a3 a5 10.b3 d7 11.a4 [ This way of doing things looks quite creative, though I'm not convinced it's better than keeping it simple with 11.0-0 after which e7 12.c2 h6 13.e3 c8 14.d2 makes it difficult for Black to castle kingside due the possibility of a sacrifice on h6. White probably avoided this line because of a4 15.b4 a7 when Black gets at least some squares for his pieces on the queenside. ] 11...e7 12.e3 xa4 13.bxa4 a7 14.b3 b8 15.c3 The exchange of White's knight on a4 gives him the b5 square and some pressure on the b-file. But I can't help thinking this distracts him from playing on the kingside where his space advantage lies. 0-0 16.0-0 f5 17.f4 h6 18.fc1 h8 583
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 19.c2 g5 20.ac1 g8 21.b5 c6 22.f1 f8 Black has counterplay on the kingside now. 23.d2 d8 24.h3 g7 25.h1 g4 26.e3 b6 27.b1 d8 28.b3 c8 29.cb2 a8 30.e1 h5 31.c3 h8 32.d3 f7 33.g1 g7 34.f1 f7 35.e2 g7 36.d1 f7 37.c2 h4 38.b1 g7 39.a2 f7 40.d2 g7 41.e3 f7 42.c3 f8 43.e2 d8 44.b5 d7 45.d2 c7 46.c1 hc8 47.e3 d8 48.e1 c7 49.f2? A serious mistake. [ 49.c3 is about equal. ] 49...b4+! A real bolt from the blue. 50.b1 [ After 50.axb4 xb5 51.bxa5 ( 51.axb5 axb4+ 52.b1 a5 ) 51...c4 Black just wins. ] 50...c2 51.xd7 [ 51.c3 xb5 52.xc2 xc3 53.xc3 d3 is also winning for Black. ] 51...xe1 52.xc8 xc8 This result seems very strange because Black is winning here. ½-½
12.h3 cxd4 13.xd4 h6 14.d1 , and White is in control, Ivanchuk-Shirov, Polanica Zdroj 1998 ] 7.g3 This move isn't particularly popular and hasn't been discussed on this page before. It has seen a few outings in top level chess. The normal moves are of course 7 e4 and 7 d4 leading to lines we have discussed several times before. g7 [ The main alternative is 7...b5 A) Or 8.h4 c5 9.d3 c6 10.g2 A1) Black ca n a lso conside r 10...g7 11.h6 0-0 12.0-0 bd7 13.ac1 ( 13.xg7 xg7 14.b4!? c8 ) 13...c8 14.d1?! ( 14.xg7 xg7 15.fd1 e5 16.e3 h6 ) 14...e5= 15.e3 h5 16.xg7 xh4 17.xh4 , and here the players settled on a draw, 1/2-1/2, Nisipeanu, L-Timofeev, A/Dubai 2002, despite the fact that Black is doing rather well at this point.; A2) 10...h6!? 11.0-0 bd7 12.d2?! xg2 13.xg2 g5! 14.h3 g4 15.h4 g8 ( 15...e6!? 16.f3 e7! is very unpleasant for W hite, e.g. 584 A16 17.d1 h5 18.fxg4 xg4 19.h3 de5 , and Black is completely in Damljanovic,Branko 2595 command of the game.) 16.f3 e6 Areshchenko,Alexander 2650 17.de4 xe4 18.xd8+ xd8 IX EICC Plovdiv BUL (8) 29.04.2008 19.fxe4 h5 20.f4 g7 21.ac1= [Carsten Hansen] Davies, N-Rowson, J/Southend 2002; B) 8.b3 c5 9.d3 c6 10.g2 c8 1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.a4+ d7 B1) 11.e3 e6 ( 11...c4!? ) 12.d1 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 a6 d4 13.g5 d7 14.0-0 g7= 15.a4 [ T h e i m m e d i a t e 6...g7 is actually too b4 16.xd4?! cxd4 17.d5?? passive for Black, and White's score in this ( 17.ce4 0-0 ) 17...xd5 18.xd5 e6 variation in enormously in his favour, e.g. , oops and therefore: 0-1, Kongevold, H7.e4! 0-0 8.e5! g4 9.d4 Giemsa, S/Dresden GER 2007; A) or 9...e6 10.d5 f5 11.f4 d7 B2) 11.d1 g7 12.e3 ( 12.0-0 0-0 12.e2 f6 13.e6 de5 14.d1! c6? 13.e3 b4 14.h3 fd5 15.d2 b6 ( Mikhalevski has suggested two ideas, but 16.c1 c4 17.dxc4 xc4 n e i t h e r l o o k s c o n v i n c i n g : 14...xf3+!? with a pleasant game for Black, Psakhis, 15.xf3 e5 16.xe5 fxe5 17.e2 h5 L-Mikha levski, V / Ra mat Aviv 199 8) (necessary, White threatens g2-g4) 18.h3 12...a5 13.c1 0-0 14.b3 c6 15.0-0 h4 19.c4; 14...d6!? 15.d4! d3+ b7 16.h3 d7 17.xd7 xd7 16.xd3 xf4 17.g3 e5+ 18.e2 ) with more or less even chances, Wang 15.d4 d3 16.xd3 xd3+ 17.xd3 Yue-Predojevic, B/Lausanne SUI 2006 ] , and it was soon over: cxd5 18.e2 e5 19.b5 g5 20.e3 f5 21.xg5 f4 22.0-0 8.g2 c6 [ 8...0-0 g6 23.d1 1-0 Rustemov, A-Zezulkin, J/ A) 9.0-0 c6 10.d3 Swidnica POL 1999; A1) 10...e5 11.h4 f5 12.h6 g4 B) 9...c6 10.f4 a5 11.e2! c5 584
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 , and Black has a pleasant game) 13.xg7 xg7 14.xd8 axd8 15.fc1 18...b5 ("and Black is OK" c8 16.e4 f6?! ( 16...f5!? 17.c5 Mikhalevski) ( 18...xe5 19.dxe5 d6 makes more sense the chances are b5 20.a3 bxc4 21.f4 ) 19.c2 fairly level) 17.xf6 xf6 18.f1 d7 xe5 20.cxd5 d7 21.b4 a5 19.d2 , and White has the clearly 22.d2 f6 23.e3 xd5 24.xc7 better chances in the endgame, Jaracz, f8 25.dc1; P-Brkic, A/Nova Gorica SLO 2005; A2) 14...b6 15.a3 e8 16.ac1 A2) 10...g4 11.f4 d7 12.e5 d4! 17.d2 b5 18.b4 c6 19.a5 ( 12.g5!? ) 12...xe5 13.xe5 c6 d7 20.xd8 axd8= , and Black has 14.fc1 ac8 15.b4 h3 16.f3 e6 a t le a st e ve n ch a n ce s , T o p a lo v, V 17.c5 g4 18.g2 e6 , and Black Svidler, P/Dos Hermanas 1999; has solved his opening problems, B) 11.d2 Ionescu, C-Konopka, M/ Budapest B1) Bla ck sh o u ld co n sid e r 11...e6!? 2000; , e.g. 12.a4 ( If White plays 12.h4 B) 9.e5!? c6 10.xd7 bxd7 11.0-0 as in the game, Black has the clever c8 12.d3 a5 13.d2 h5 14.a4 a5 d7!? , and if White plays the natural15.h3 , and White has the somewhat looking, but careless 13.fc1? , then better chances, Miroshnichenko, Eg4! creates serious problems for the Timoshenko, I/Alushta 2000 ] w h i t e q u e e n) 12...0-0 , and here it 9.d4 seems as if White's dark-squared bishop [ 9.0-0 e5 10.d3 h6 Similar position with is somewhat misplaced on d2 Black White's queen on d1 can be reached by 1.c4 certainly shouldn't have any problems Nf62.Nc3 d5 3.cd N:d5 4.g3g6 5. Bg2 Nb6 6. here.; Nf3 Bg7 and so on. The position of queen B2) 11...0-0 12.h4 e8 13.xd8 on c4 is in the Black's favour as he can win xd8 14.ab1 f5 15.fc1 e6 16.e1 few tempos by the means of Be6 and then d6 17.b3 This looks utterly harmless Nd5 and Nb6. for Black, despite the fact that I would A) In an earlier game in this line, two of much rather play W hite in this type of today's top players tested the merits of position (the old Dragon itch is a difficult 11.d1 e6 12.a4 0-0 13.e3 d5 thing to shake off...) nevertheless Black 14.c5 soon ends up in a problematic position A1) Mikhalevski in CBM gives the on account of non-committal play. following line: 14...e8!? 15.d4 B2a) 17...e4!? 18.f4 ( 18.dxe4?! A1a) 15...exd4 16.xd4 xd4 xe4 19.xe4 fxe4 20.e3 f5 ) 17.xd4 xc3 ( 17...xd4 18...fe8; 18.xd5!+- ) 18.xc3 is quite B2b) 17...e7?! 18.a4 c6 19.a5 uncomfortable for Black; de8 20.c2 ( 20.b4!? b5 A1b) 15...xc3 16.bxc3 21.e3 ) 20...f4 21.b4 df5?! A1b1) 16...exd4 17.xd4 xd4 ( 21...d8! ) 22.c5!? ( 22.e4!? d4 18.xd4 ( 18.cxd4?! d5 ); 23.xd4 exd4 24.f3 ) 22...c8 A1b2) 16...e4 23.e4 h5?! , Rahman, Z-Gupta, A/ A1b21) 17.e1?! b5 New Delhi IND 2007, and now 24.c5 ( a l s o M i k h a l e v s k i ' s 17...f5 leaves W hite with a small, but clear is excellent for Black e.g. 18.d5? advantage. ] xd5 19.c4 b5! , and Black is 9...e6 10.a4 0-0 11.0-0 d5! winning ) 18.c2 d5; [ 11...b5 12.c2 b8 13.d1 ] A1b22) 17.e5 d5 ( 17...xe5!? 18.dxe5 g5 ) 18.c4 12.d1 b6 [ 12...b5!? isn't entirely hopeless, e.g. 13.e4 ( 18.c2!? - Mikh a le vski - e3!? xc3 14.bxc3 a5 with an interesting 19.f3 b6 20.a3 a5 21.c4 position ] xe5 22.cxd5 d6 23.b2 b5 585
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 13.f4 d5 14.g5!? h6 15.d2 b6 16.e3 a5 17.b3 f5 18.c1 [ In an old New In Chess Magazine from the 1980s, Timman wrote that it can be difficult to tear yourself away from thinking about what has just been played, rather than what is actually the best move in the position. I recalled this, because W hite's best move may actually be yet another move with the dark-squared bishop: 18.c1!? , and now d7 19.b2 ( 19.a3!? ) 19...h3 20.e4 leaves White with a comfortable edge. ] 18...g5?! [ 18...d7!? 19.e1 ad8 ] 19.e1 g6 20.d5!? [ White has an noteworthy alternative in 20.e4!? , e.g. d5 21.c5 b6 22.a4 ( 22.e6 fxe6 23.xc6 e8 is less clear) 22...a7 23.e2 e6 24.d3 with a clearly more comfortable game for White. ] 20...b4 21.e4 c6?! [ 21...e6 22.a3 a6 23.e3 exd5 24.exd5 ] 22.a3 a6 23.dxc6 bxc6 24.e3! b8 25.f4! d8 26.c2 gxf4 [ 26...d5!? 27.xd5 cxd5 28.f5 h5 29.exd5 c8 30.d2 d6 31.d3 ] 27.gxf4 h8 [ This is terribly passive and soon leads Black into an even worse position. Instead Black should have opted for something more active, e.g. 27...d5 28.xd5 cxd5 29.f5 h5 30.d3 d4 , and though White is also much better in this line, at least Black isn't passively awaiting the execution... The same can be said about the rest of the game, which is quite a lacklustre performance by Black. ] 28.f5 h7 29.f3 d7 30.a4 f6 [ Black needs to play more actively, such as 30...c5!? ] [ or 30...d6!? though White in either case is still much better ] 31.h1 [ 31.b6!? c8 32.h1+- ] 31...g4 [ 31...c5!? ] 32.g1 d6 33.b6! ab8 34.c4 Now things start coming undone for Black for real d3 35.xa5 e3 36.xd3 xd3 37.xe3 xe3 38.xc6 Black is not only two
pawns down, his minor pieces on h7 and a6 can't get into play. This is of course completely lost for Black, but White makes it looks eve n worse.. . a8 39.d2 e2 40.dc4 d4 41.f3 a2 42.b4 e6 43.b3 f2 44.b5 b8 45.c8+ g7 46.f6+ 1-0
585 David,Alb Salem,AR Gibraltar Open (10.18) [John Bartholomew]
A16 2598 2505 02.02.2012
1.c4 f6 2.c3 d5 3.cxd5 xd5 4.g3 b6 5.g2 g6 6.d3 g7 7.e3 c6 [ Subscribers may want to peruse the game Ivanchuk, V (2709)-Mamedyarov, S (2580) / Bled 2002/[TonyK] in order to get a feel for the positions resulting from Bg2xc6 in this line. That contest went 7...0-0 8.d2 c6 9.xc6! bxc6 10.h6 (in our main game Black put a stop to this) c5 11.d1 b7 12.f3 with characteristically unbalanced play. ] 8.xc6+ Flank openings are replete with scenarios where one side (usually W hite) exchanges a fianchettoed bishop for a knight in hopes of exploiting the resulting structural deficiencies. Here I believe Black's dynamic potential outweighs such considerations, but I wo u l d n o t b e o f f e n d e d i f yo u d i s a g r e e ! Evidence to the contrary is 8.Bxc6's status as the main line, a healthy 60% score in White's favor, and the patronage of World Champions Vasily Smyslov and Tigran Petrosian. Nevertheless, you can find plenty of strong players taking up Black's cause, and the "eye in the sky" (current ly named Houdini!) is particularly good at unearthing the concrete resources at Black's disposal. [ L a s t m o n t h I i n v e s t i g a t e d 8.d2 . Black has adequate play in the line d4 9.c1 f5 , preventing the exchange of dark-square bishops. See Reinderman, D (2581)-Harika, D (2516)/ Wijk aan Zee NED 2012/[John Bartholomew]. ] [ White may want to look in the direction of 8.f3 ] 586
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ or the newly fashionable 8.c1 . See the archives. ] 8...bxc6 9.d2 [ S m y s l o v a n d P e t r o s i a n p l a y e d 9.c1 , which look admittedly less natural than 9. Qd2. Black faces the same choice he had in the game, e.g. A) or 9...h6 10.f3 h3! 11.g1 ( 11.d2 0-0 12.de4 h7 13.f3 d5 14.c5 e6 15.f2 h3 16.d1 Malakhatko, V (2548) -Petrosian, T (2612)/ Dubai UAE 2010. f5! 17.c5 d6 ) 11...g4 12.d2 d5 13.xd5 cxd5 ( taking the opportunity to repair his pawn s t ru c t u r e , b u t 13...xd5 i s f i n e t o o .) 14.b3 d6 15.f3 d7 16.d4 Petrosian, T (2645) -Schmidt, W (2450)/ Skopje 1972. Here I like a5!? , i.e. 17.f2 a4 18.c5 b5 19.d2 h5! with active counterplay for Black.; B) 9...h5 10.f3 g4 ( 10...h3!? ) 11.g5 d5 12.xd5 xd5 13.f3 b8 ( 13...h4!? makes sense; there's nothing wrong with 13...0-0 either. ) 14.b1 d7 15.b3 Smyslov, V (2600) -Robatsch, K (2440)/Sochi 1974. Here Robatsch could have nabbed a pawn with a5+ 16.f2 xa2 . ] [ N a k a m u r a r e c e n t l y p l a y e d 9.c1 , which should probably be met by the old d5!? , e.g. ( 9...g4 10.d2 h5 11.h3 f5 12.f3 d7 13.h4 Nakamura, H (2710)-Mamedyarov, S (2717)/Mainz GER 2009. ) 10.d2 h5 ( 10...xc3!? 11.bxc3 d5 12.f3 g4 13.c4 h5 ) 11.xd5 xd5 12.f3 g4 ( 12...h3 ) 13.c5?! xa2 14.b4 xd2+ 15.xd2 d7 Ree, H (2470)-Van Dop, A (2340)/ Leeuwarden 1975. ] [ 9.f3 h3 could be similar to the game. ] 9...h5!? Black can treat this position a few different ways. The text makes sense: Black toys with the idea of ...h5-h4 and simultaneously prevents Be3-h6. [ 9...h6 is completely playable, and it's probably the move I would chose here. Castling is now more difficult to achieve, but in return Black guards against Ng1-f3-g5. A couple examples: A) 10.f3 h3! An important idea to remember - Black wants to force a small
concession ( 10...g4 has been played a couple times, but Vavrak's move is stronger. ) 11.g1 g4 (The optimal square now that White can't castle) 12.c1 d7 13.h4 d5 14.xd5 cxd5 15.d4 Dizdar, G (2548)-Vavrak, P (2466)/Plovdiv 200 8. At th is po in t I like t he en gin e's suggestion of c8!? with the idea of ...c7c5 and ...d5-d4 if W hite captures. After 16.c5 c6 White is somewhat lacking in ideas due to the poor arrangement of his kingside pieces, i.e. 17.f3 ( 17.g2 g5!? ) 17...h3 18.f2 ( Trying to trap the bishop with 18.g4?! backfires after h5! ) 18...g5 19.g2 0-0 planning ...Rf8-e8 and ... e7-e5 with excellent play.; B) 10.c1 a5! (exemplary flank play!) B1) Better is 11.h4 , i.e. d5 12.f3 xe3!? Black has an interesting dilemma: what minor piece scenario to go for? ( It's also very interesting to fight with two bisho p versu s t wo k nights : 12...xc3!? 13.bxc3 g4; 12...g4 ) 13.xe3 d6; B2) 11.f3 w o u l d b e m e t b y h3! as in Dizdar-Vavrak above. Notice that Black generally does well in waiting to commit his bishop until White has played h2-h4, Ng1-f3, or both.; B3) 11.f3?! a4 ( 11...d5; or 11...h5!? are also attractive.) 12.h4?! d5 13.xd5 xd5 14.a3 b8 15.d4 a2 Von Bahr, O (2284)-Tikkanen, H (2586)/ Stockholm SWE 2011. (23) ] [ 9...0-0 10.h6 would transpose to the af oremen tio ned Ivan chu k-Ma medyaro v game. ] [ Finally, I want to mention the slightly suspicious pawn sacrifice 9...c5?! , i.e. A) 10.h4?! c4 11.d4 b7 12.h2?! ( 12.f3 d7 ) 12...h5 13.h3 d7 14.0-0-0 a4 and White was clearly going off the rails in Cajbel, M (2104)-Kos, P (2220)/ Laczna 2002.; B) 10.h6!?N i s i n t e r e s t i n g : xh6 11.xh6 b7 12.f3! xf3 13.exf3 xd3 14.d1 xf3 15.0-0; C) 10.xc5 b7 11.f3 d7 Lerner, K (2494) -Khmelniker, I (2444)/Ramat Aviv 2 0 0 4 . H e r e 12.h4! looks good when Black's compensation is pretty nebulous. ] 587
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 10.f3 h3!? New, but entirely logical. [ 10...g4 had been played previously, when 11.0-0!?N is a critical response. After xf3 12.exf3 0-0 13.ac1 Black's pawn weaknesses are slightly more appreciable. ] 11.g5 g2 12.g1 d5 13.c1 0-0 14.ge4 This position is really difficult to assess. Houdini actually prefers White a bit, but (and I'm conjecturing here) I think it tends to overvalue static pawn weaknesses (c6+c7) when concrete counterplay has outwardly stalled. A human will probably wonder where White will put his king and how he intends to deal with the advance of Black's e and f pa wn s . Be s id es, m ost o f t he " p la ns" t h e computer suggests here for White don't make an ounce of sense (try it - you'll see!) f5!? 15.c5 h7 16.b3 g8 17.d4 This advance presents Black with a convenient opportunity for counterplay. e8! 18.d3 d8 Aiming to push the e-pawn. [ 18...a5!? is another good option. ] 19.b2 Trying to pitch the d-pawn. [ 19.f4!? was probably a smarter way to offer it, e.g. xd4 ( 19...d7!?; 19...c4!? ) 20.xd4 xd4 21.e3 d6 22.f2 ] 19...d7! Declined! [ 19...xd4 20.xd4 xd4 21.a4 e5 22.ac5 ] 20.f4?! [ White had better clamp down on c5 with 20.a4 when e5 produces complications. ] 20...c5! This is very well-timed. 21.a4 Damage control - White tries his best to close the floodgates. [ 21.dxc5?! e5! ] [ and 21.xc5 xc5 22.dxc5 e5! are not fun for White. ] 21...f6 [ 21...c4!? 22.bxc4?! f6 is also possible, hitting the knight on a4. ] 22.e5 [ Safer was 22.h3 . ] 22...g4! 23.xg4 cxd4 A key zwischenzug. 24.e5 xe5 25.fxe5 dxe3 26.c3 f4!? Refusing to lose momentum. 27.gxf4 xf4 28.xe3 dd4! 29.c5 b5 We've reached the climax of the game. 30.c3?? A very unfortunate square! [ White had several acceptable moves, i.e. 30.d3 ]
[ or 30.g3 . ] 30...c4! The proverbial "cold shower"! Suddenly White has too many loose pieces. 31.bxc4 There is no defense. [ 31.e3 xc1+ 32.xc1 b4+ 33.d2 ( or 33.d1 d4+ ) 33...xc5 34.xf4 xg1+-+ ] 31...xc5 32.g5 [ or 32.g3 g4! ] 32...f2+! The last accurate move. White resigned in view of 33.Kd2(d1) Rd4+ 34.Kc2 Rxc4. [ But not 32...xc4?? 33.e6! when White survives. ] 0-1
586 Filippov,Valerij Glek,Igor V Open Dubai UAE (3) [Tony Kosten]
A16 2632 2566 17.04.2001
1.c4 f6 2.c3 g6 3.g3 c6 An unusual m o ve , B l a c k wa n t s t o p l a y a s ym m e t r i c Fianchetto King's Indian. 4.e4!? [ W h it e t ries t o d et er .. .d 5 , 4.d4 d5 transposes to the KI, but with this move order (the knight on c3) it is impossible to play a Reti, ] [ 4.f3 d5 and ...d4 is a threat. ] [ However, 4.g2 d5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.b3 e6 7.f3 is quite possible, with a small plus. ] 4...d5 [ 4...d6 could transpose to a KI, but Black is more ambitious. ] 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.e5 d4!? [ No co ncessio ns, b u t 6...e4 is quite r e a s o n a b l e , 7.g2 g7 8.f4 xc3?! 9.dxc3 e6 10.e3 and White has a favourable French-style position, Spraggett, G-Girard,R/Quebec 1989. ] 7.exf6 dxc3 8.bxc3 exf6!? [ A perfectly logical innovation, although 8...e5 , the previously preferred try, also has its merits: 9.e2 ( if 9.f3 d6 10.c4 0-0 and . ..Nd7xf6, is also reasonable for Black ) 9...d6 10.d3 xf6 11.g2 0-0 Black is doing fine, Williams,S-Herraiz,H/ Menorca 1996. ] 588
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 9.d4 h5!? A typically eccentric Glek move, Black wants to play his bishop to d6, and so stops White from playing Bh6. 10.g2 d6 11.e2 c6 12.c4 White expands in the centre. b4+ 13.d2 xd2+ 14.xd2 White certainly seems to have a plus, Black's doubled kingside pawns are not particularly useful. 0-0 15.d5?! The pawns start rolling, but this is too loosening. e5 16.c5 h3 17.0-0 [ 17.xh3?? f3+ wins the queen. ] 17...c8 18.ac1 xg2 19.xg2 d7! Before W hite can properly support the advanced pawns. 20.c6 bxc6 21.xc6 b6 22.d1 e7 23.c2 b7 24.xc8 xc8 25.b3 g7 26.f4 c4 27.f3 d7 28.h4 d6 Strategically correct, the passed pawn is f irmly b lo ckad ed . 29.d2 c5 30.d4 b5 31.d3 a5 32.d2 a3 33.g1 White can make no progress. ½-½
[ 11...xf1? 12.gxf8+ queening with check and gaining rook and two pieces for the black queen and pawn. ] 12.xc4 xd4 13.xd4 xd4 14.e2 After the fireworks an unusual position is reached, three pieces is generally considered to be more than a match for a queen, but h e r e B l a c k h a s t w o p a w n s a s w e l l . c6 A new move, but it seems to change little, W hite should avoid the exchange of rooks and attempt to advance his queenside minority. [ 14...ad8 15.0-0 e5 ( 15...b4 16.b1 d7 17.e3 fd8 18.g3 c6 19.a3 b3 20.d1 xd1!? 21.fxd1 xd1+ 22.xd1 seems unclear but White went on to win in V l a d i m i r o v, E - S u t o vs k y, E / B a t u m i G E O 2001 ) 16.e3 d7 17.fe1 a5 18.a3 fd8 19.g4 f5 20.f3 e5 Kramnik,VIvanchuk, V/Belgrade 1997, when 21.xb7! c5 22.c6 seems to favour White. ] [ 14...fd8 15.0-0 c6 16.e3 b4 17.ab1 d7 18.fc1 ad8 19.h3 d2!? 587 A16 offers an exchange to gain some activity, which is a common theme in these positions, Friberg,H 2243 Janssen,R-Golod,V/Vlissingen NED 2000. ] Winge,Stefan 2262 Tch-2002-3 Sweden SWE (3) 13.10.2002 15.0-0 e5 16.e3 b4 17.ab1 ad8 The position is similar to that seen in the [Tony Kosten] previous note: the black rooks can control the 1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.a4+ d7 d - f i l e b u t t h e y c a n o n l y e n t e r t h e w h i t e 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 c6 7.d4 position at the cost of an exchange as the A more traditional Grünfeld-style approach, white pieces are covering all the important squares, so Black has to consider advancing previously I had analysed [ 7.e4 when e5 might be best, see Gerzhoy, his e and f-pawns to disrupt the white coo r d i n a t i o n . 18.h1!? fe8 19.f4?! L-Sutovsky,E/Tel Aviv ISR 2001. ] 7...g7 8.e4 0-0 9.e5!? The sharpest An unusual and interesting way of proceeding, attempt, other moves are certainly possible, White tries to lever open the f-file to attack the black kingside before Black plays ...f5-f4. for instance [ 9.e2 which blurs the line between the e4!? I am not sure that Black should close this English and the Grünfeld, and is considered column like this, as his rooks need files, why [ 19...exf4 when 20.xf4 d6 21.d4+ under [D90]. ] xd4!? 22.xd4 xd4 should favour 9...e6 This is the critical reply, as allowing Black. ] the knight to be displaced concedes control of 20.f5 f6 21.a3 a5 22.c4!? Offering the centre, e.g. [ 9...g4?! 10.f4 a5 11.e2 h8?! another pawn to weaken the black kingside. 12.h3 h6 13.xh6! xh6 14.e6 c6 gxf5 23.e2 e5? [ 23...e5!? ] 15.e5+ winning a piece, Vaulin,A-Vokarev, 24.g3 This regains the pawn with advantage S/Novgorod 1999. ] 10.exf6! Once again the only testing reply, for as the white pieces have found good squares. if the queen moves Black can play .. .Nd5. b5 25.xf5 bxc4 Returning the queen to reach an endgame where Black has rook and xc4 11.fxg7 xg7 And not 589
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 two pawns for the two white pieces, but where his pawn structure is significantly devalued. [ 25...d6 is met by the stunning 26.xf6!! xf6 27.f1+ g7 ( 27...g6? 28.f7+ g7 29.f5+ is even worse.) 28.f5+ regaining the queen. ] 26.xe5 xe5 27.g1 b5 28.e2 d3 29.d4 d5 30.c3 [ 30.xa7! ] 30...e3 31.g3 d1+? It is normally correct to exchange the opponent's one rook in such endgames, but here this move swaps a n active piece for a passive one, and allows the white king to win the e-pawn. 32.xd1 xd1+ 33.g2 g6 34.f3 f5 35.d4+ g5 36.xe3 Now White is winning. h1 37.f3+ g6 38.h4 c5 39.f2 b1 40.d2 d1 41.xc4 The weak pawns drop like ripe plums. d8 42.f3 f5 43.e3+ e6 44.f4 d7 45.h5 d8 46.g4 f5 47.e3 g8 48.h6 d8 49.xf5 d1 50.e3 h1 51.g7 h2 52.g4 h1 53.g5 White's technique is really very good and he leaves his opponent without a glimmer of a hope. f7 54.g4 f1+ 55.e4 d1 56.e5+ g8 57.g4 f7 58.e5+ g8 59.f6 d2 60.d3 c4 61.f4 f7 62.c3 h2 63.d5 h4 64.e5 g4 65.g6+! g8 [ 65...hxg6 66.h7 queens the h-pawn. ] 66.gxh7+ xh7 67.xc4 xh6 68.d5 g5 69.e6+ g6 70.d4 f7 71.b4 e8 72.c6 a6 73.a4 a5 74.b5 xa4 75.b6 a3 76.b7 b3 77.b8+ xb8 78.xb8 a4 79.d6 d7 80.a3 c8 81.c5 b7 82.b5 c7 83.d4 b7 84.xa4 1-0
castling rights. ] 6.dxc3 [ 6.bxc3 would lead to a Grünfeld Defence, of course. ] 6...xd1+ 7.xd1 d7 Black wishes to play ...e5, and then bring his f8-bishop out onto the a3-f8 diagonal (to c5 if possible)- the bishop has little future on g7 in this line. 8.f4 [ White tries to keep a grip on e5, but will have to lose a tempo later-on. Otherwise, he can try 8.c4 e5 9.e3 f6 10.d2 d6! 11.f3 e7 12.e2 a5 which seems fairly level, Gurevich,D-Gurevich,I/Chicago 1992. ] 8...c6 The reason that this line is less promising for White than the corresponding one in the Symmetric, is that the black c-pawn is not on c5, and therefore he can play this move and maintain control over the light squares. 9.c2 f6 Black persists with his plan. 10.d2 e5 11.e3 c5 [ The most straightforward move, exchanging White's best minor piece. 11...a5 12.h4 h5 13.h3 c5 14.d1 xe3 15.xe3 c5 allowed White to maintain a pull in Larsen, B-Cseshkovsky,V/Riga 1979. ] 12.xc5 xc5 13.b4 a4! [ Knights are normally badly placed when they wander offside like this, but Black has to find concrete answers to W hite's positional threats. 13...e6 would allow W hite to take hold of the initiative on the queenside by 14.c4 e7 15.a4 ] 14.c4 d8!? [ A new twist, the black king heads for the c7s q u a r e , r a t h e r t h a n t h e 14...e7 of Novkovic,M-Yandemirov,V/Eupen BEL 1999, which led to a quick draw after 15.e2 e6 16.hd1 xc4 17.xc4 a5 18.a3 b6 19.e2 axb4 20.axb4 xa1 21.xa1 588 A16 a8 ] Gelfand,Boris 2713 15.d6 [ White decides to exchange the black Ivanchuk,Vassily 2702 bishop. 15.e2 e6 16.a5 can be met, Eu Team Ch Batumi GEO (6) 05.12.1999 simply, by c7 ] [Tony Kosten] 15...e7! A clever change of plan, the point of 1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 which is revealed several moves later. 16.d1 a5 17.b5? xd5 5.e4 xc3 [ A m is t a k e , 17.a3 axb4 18.axb4 b5 [ By comparison with the similar line in the would be equal. ] S y m m e t r i c a l V a r i a t i o n , 5...b4?! w o u l d b e p o i n t l e s s a s a f t e r 6.d4 17...d8! Winning a pawn. 18.xc8+ axc8 White controls the centre without losing his 19.xd8 xd8 The rook needs to stay on the 590
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 a minor role this year so far. xd5 5.a4+ [ Other moves include 5.e4 (played in our other main game in this section) ] [ 5.b3 ] [ 5.h4!? . Examples of these lines can be found in the PDF e-books and the PGN archive. ] 5...d7 6.b3 [ White's two main alternatives are 6.c2!? , which Tony Kosten gives as his preferred move in the PDF e-book, but unfortunately hasn't been covered in any of the updates on Chesspublishing.com thus f ar. I will return to this move soon, because W hite scores incredibly well with it and its treatment in the ECO is by and large very superficial ] [ and 6.h4 which clearly is the theoretical m a i n l i n e a n d i s p la ye d 8 - 1 0 t i m e s a s frequently as our main game move and 6Qc2 ] 6...b6 7.d4 [ As mentioned in the notes to Bu XiangzhiVachier Lagrave in the February update, White has a decent alternative in 7.g3!? ] 7...g7 8.f4 [ 8.g5 was seen in Ionov-Klimov, St Petersburg 2005, which can be found in the PGN archives. ] [ 8.e4 g4 is a regular Grünfeld ] 8...e6 9.a3 0-0 [ An alt ernat ive is 9...c6 Bu XiangzhiVachier Lagrave, Wijk aan Zee 2007, which was discussed in my February 2007 update and th us ca n b e f ou nd in th e a rc hives . W hite obtained in my opinion the better chances in that game ] 10.e4 [ A new move in this position. Previous encounters featured the more reserved, and in my opinion probably better 10.e3 8d7 589 A16 ( 10...d5 11.xd5 xd5 12.e2 d7 13.0-0 c6 14.g3 f6 15.e5 e4 Gelfand,Boris 2733 16.xg7 xg7 17.fd1 h5 18.e5 d6 Svidler,Peter 2735 19.d3 f6 20.c4 xc4 21.xc4 WCh Mexico City MEX (11) 25.09.2007 1/2-1/2 W ang Yue-Areshchenko, A/ [Carsten Hansen] Lausanne SUI 2006; 10...a5 11.e2 c6 12.0-0 8d7 13.fd1 c4 14.xc4 xc4 1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 15.b3 d5 16.xd5 cxd5 17.ac1 b8 Gelfand started dabbling with 4 Qa4+ which 18.b4 c6 19.b5 a7 20.b6 xb6 has been quite popular all year. The text move 21.xe7 1-0 Granda Zuniga, J-Mikhalevski, is the main line move, which has played only
c-file. 20.b6 [ Now we see why the black king went to e7 instead of c7, as now 20.bxc6 meets xc6 which wouldn't be possible with the king in the way, and after 21.c4 b6 the black rook comes to b2, with a winning advantage. ] 20...xb6 And having won a solid pawn for nothing, the rest is, as they say, 'a question of technique' (or, at least it is at this level!) 21.h4 h6 22.g3 c7 23.e2 c8 24.h5 g5 25.g4 d6 Black doesn't want to allow a rook and pawn ending here, and anyway, his knight will prove stronger than the bishop because of the pawn structure. 26.d3 b5 27.d1 e7 28.e3 b4! Both creating a passed c-pawn, and exposing the isolated apawn on an open file, whilst at the same time establishing a powerful square for the knight on d4. 29.c1 b5 30.cxb4 axb4 31.f4 gxf4+ 32.gxf4 d4 33.d3 a7 Now the a2-pawn is a target. 34.fxe5 fxe5 35.b1 d6 [ 35...a3+! 36.c4 c2 seems more to the point, threatening mate in one. ] 36.xb4 a3+ 37.d2 [ If 37.c4 then xa2 wins easily enough, the white bishop is fairly useless here. ] 37...xa2+ 38.d3 a3+ 39.d2 g3 40.d1 b5 Black intends to bring his king to c5, thence d4, when the e4-pawn will drop. 41.e2 [ 41.c4 Would have held up Black more. ] 41...g2 42.d3 h2 43.d1?! h3+ 44.d2 c5 45.a4 [ 45.b2 h2+ 46.c1 xb2 47.xb2 d4 is equally hopeless. ] 45...c3 Winning the e-pawn with check. 46.g4 g3 0-1
591
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 V / L a L a g u n a E S P 2 0 0 7) 11.g5?! ( 11.e2!? ) 11...c4!? ( 11...f5!? 12.e4 e5 13.dxe5 xe5 14.e3 d6 15.a5 e5 16.exf5 ec4 17.xf7 e7 18.h6+ g7 19.xc4 xc4 20.f6+ xf6 21.d5 xa5 22.xe7 b4+ 23.e2 xe7= ) 12.xc4?! ( 12.0-0-0!? xf1 13.hxf1 c4 14.b3 db6 15.h4 , and I prefer White, but both sides have chances) 12...xc4 13.b3?! ( 13.b4 e5! 14.dxe5 dxe5 15.0-0 a5! 16.xb7 b8 17.a7 xb2 ) 13...e5 14.xc4 b6 ( 14...exf4!? 15.f3 fxe3 16.fxe3 e8 ) 15.b3 ( 15.d3 exf4 16.f3 fxe3 17.fxe3 d7 ) 15...exf4 16.f3 fxe3 17.fxe3 e7 0-1 Kottnauer, C-Richter, E/Chocen 1942 ] 10...c6 11.d1 [ 11.h4 xd4 ( 11...g4 12.e5 e6 13.0-0-0 ) 12.xd4 xd4 13.xe7 8d7 14.d1 f6 15.xf6 xf6 ] 11...c4 12.xc4 xc4 13.e5 a6 14.e3 [ 14.d5 ] 14...d6! 15.f4 [ This looks a bit odd, why does White allow Black to mess up his pawn structure. The answer lies in the fact that 15.xd6 exd6 16.d3 d7 while innocent-looking is quite u n c o m f o r t a b l e f o r W h it e t h a n ks t o t h e pressure Black can apply down the e-file and along the a6-f1 and h8-a1 diagonals, and White essentially is without any targets to focus his counterplay on. ] 15...xa3 16.bxa3 f6 [ 16...d8!? (intending ...Nd7) 17.h4?! d7 18.h5 ac8 looks very nice for Black ] 17.f3?! [ I don't agree with move, even if looks perfectly normal, overprotecting the d4-pawn which often becomes a target in the Grünfeld. Instead I tend to give preference t o t h e s o m e wh a t p ro vo ca t ive , ye t a ls o perfectly logical 17.d3 and now preventing Nc5 with A) Or 17...e6 18.c5 f7 19.d5 cxd5 20.xa6 xa6 21.exd5 exd5 22.xd5 fd8!? and the chances are about even; B) 17...d7 18.d5 c4 ( 18...f5 19.e5 ) 19.b2 f5 20.e5 xd5 21.xd5 cxd5 22.xd5 , and White should be okay; C) 17...c4!? also looks good, anticipating
White's Nc5, which now can be met with ... b6 18.f5 gxf5 19.exf5 d7 20.f4 b6 , and Black has at least a slight pull; D) 17...b6!? may be given preference e.g. 18.f5!? f7 ( 18...e6?! 19.fxe6 e8 20.f4 is better for White) 19.g4 d7 20.f4 c4 21.f2 fd8 , and despite W hite space advantage, Black has the slightly better chances thanks his better pawn structure ] 17...d7!? [ Black has another attractive option in 17...e6!? e.g. 18.h4 h5 19.f2 d7 20.he1 b6 21.d5 f5!? 22.d4 fxe4 23.xg7 xg7 24.xe4 exd5 and Black has the better chances ] 18.d5 b6 [ 18...fc8!? 19.dxc6 ( 19.f2 f7 20.d6 e8 21.dxe7 xe7 ) 19...xc6 20.d5 f7 21.b4 c3 22.f2 b5 looks very comfortable for Black ] 19.dxc6 bxc6 20.d4 fc8 [ Black has several good continuations at this juncture. The game continuation is one, but another one is 20...f7!? 21.f2 c4 22.c1 fc8 , and Black must be better with his well-placed knight on c4, bishop pair, and better pawn structure ] 21.e6 h6! 22.f2 And here a draw was agreed upon. [ 22.f2 rather prematurely I will say, because Black's position looks rather c o m f o r t a b l e a f t e r c4 23.c5 f7 followed by a knight to c4, and Black has every reason to be satisfied ] ½-½
590 Gelfand,Boris Vachier Lagrave,Maxime GM Biel SUI (5) [Nigel Davies]
A16 2755 2703 24.07.2009
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.g3 g7 6.g2 0-0 7.0-0 b6 [ This keeps more options with his pawns than 7...c6 as Black can still move his cpawn. On the other hand it moves a piece away from the centre. ] 8.d3 592
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 8.d4 c6 would be a regular Neo Gruenfeld, as would 8...Nc6 9.d4 Nb6. ] 8...a6!? This looks odd at first as Black is voluntarily putting his knight on the rim. On the other hand he is able to close the h1-a8 diagonal with ... c7-c6 which leaves Black's position very solid. [ Gelfand has also played against the more classical 8...c6 , for example 9.e3 e5 10.b4 e8 11.b5 d4 12.a4 e6 13.g5 b3 14.b1 d5 15.ge4 c6 16.b2 and he now had a clear edge in Gelfand, B (2758)-Obodchuk, A (2404)/Khanty Mansiysk 2009. ] 9.f4 Temporarily preventing ...e7-e5, which makes Black consume half a tempo (with ... Re8) if he still wants to get it in. [ White has played other moves here, for example 9.e3 h6 ( 9...e5 is certainly possible ) 10.c1 h7 11.d1 c6 12.d4 e6 13.f4 c8 14.e5 f6 15.f4 h3 was Khalifman, A (2662) -Bologan, V (2683)/ Moscow 2005, with a somewhat worse but still playable position for Black. ] 9...c6 The consistent follow up to 8...Na6. [ Another possibility is 9...e8 , for example 10.d2 c6 11.ac1 e6 12.fd1 d7 13.b3 ad8 14.h4 h3 15.h1 e5 16.h6 g4 17.h2 f5 didn't get anywhere for White in San Segundo Carrillo, P (2405)Balinov, I (2265)/Odessa 1990. White must surely be for preference in these positions, but converting his 'central pawn majority' into something more concrete is far from easy. ] 10.d2 g4 11.fd1 c7 12.e5 e6 13.d4 cd5 14.xd5 xd5 15.h6 xh6 16.xh6 b6 17.f3 f6 [ 17...xb2? 18.e4 f6 19.g5 is good for White, as even the clever doesn't help after xf2+ 20.h1 intending 21.e5. ] 18.d2 ad8 19.e3 c7 20.c2 f5 21.c4+ e6 22.e2 d5 23.e1 e5 24.dxe5 fxe5 25.f3 c5 26.g5 White is now better because of his possession of e4 in front of Black's isolated e5 pawn. But it's not much... e7 27.e4 g7 28.c2 e6 29.c3 g5 30.xg5 xg5 31.xd5 cxd5 32.f4 f6 33.xe5 xe5 34.fxe5 fe8 Things are petering out to a draw now. 35.ac1 d7 36.e4 xe5 37.xd5 exd5
38.exd5 xd5 39.c7+ f6 40.xb7 d1+ 41.g2 d2+ [ 41...d2+ 42.h3 h5 43.xa7 xb2 is never going to be anything but a draw. ] ½-½
591 Georgiev,Kiril Neverov,Valeriy 1st League TCh-SCG (9) [Tony Kosten]
A16 2637 2566 07.09.2003
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.a4+ d7 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 g7 7.e5!? An ambitious attempt to gain the bishop pair, we had previously examined the move [ 7.e4 which aims to drive the knight from f6, or set-up a strong centre. ] 7...e6! A novelty, Black preserves his bishop at the cost of a pawn. [ 7...0-0 had been the automatic choice up till now, 8.xd7 bxd7 9.g3 e8!? 10.g2 d6 11.b3 c5 12.d3 White has the bishop pair, but Black enjoys a solid setup, Andonov,B-Zahariev,Z/Sofia 1992. ] 8.b5+ White has to grab the pawn, o t h e rwi se h i s se ve n t h m o ve wo u l d b e a complete waste of time. bd7 9.xd7 xd7 10.xb7 0-0 So, Black completes his development and is ready for action, while White is hardly developed at all. On the other hand, W hite has an extra pawn, and has made a hole in the black queenside structure. 11.e3 d5!? [ 11...fb8 12.a6 c5 is also possible, keeping the queens on the board. ] 12.b5 d6 13.c6 Naturally White looks for an exchange of queens. ab8 Black has to acquiesce, as [ 13...d8?! 14.0-0 leaves him with little to show for the pawn. ] 14.xd6 exd6 15.a4 White has to guard the c2-square. b4 16.0-0 c5 Black has excellent compensation for the pawn due to his strong queenside initiative. Two other possibilities worth consideration: [ 16...xc3!? 17.bxc3 xa2 would regain t h e p a w n , a l t h o u g h a f t e r 18.a3 Black m igh t ha ve pro blem s m oving h is knight from a2. ] 593
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 16...d3 must have been tempting, 17.b3 c5 with a strong bind. ] 17.b3 d5 18.a3 d4!? A good move, although Black could also keep the tension by [ 18...fc8 , say. ] 19.exd4 xd4 The bishop comes to a commanding central post. 20.ac1 fd8 21.xb4 Conceding the two bishops, but the b la c k k n i gh t wa s ju s t t o o p o we rf u l . cxb4 22.e2 f5! Black seeks to show that the a4bishop is misplaced, and thus there is no need to move the d4-bishop. 23.fd1 [ 23.xd4?! xd4 24.fd1 bd8 25.c4 a5 26.xd4 xd4 is better for Black, as he will play ... Bc2 and recuperate the d-pawn, when he will have the superior minor piece (as the white queenside pawns are fixed on light squares). ] 23...b2 24.c7 d3 25.c1 f5 26.h3!? White decides to play on, although this is a very risky decision, [ 26.e2 would repeat, while ] [ 26.xa7?! g4 27.f1 ( 27.f3?? d4+ ) 27...xd2 is excellent for Black, whose bishops dominate. ] 26...bc8 27.xc8 xc8 28.e2 c2 Black's initiative seems to be never-ending! 29.b5 Time to bring this piece back into play. f6 30.g3 xa2?! White is happy with a draw, but after [ 30...e6 31.d4 d5 he is clearly better as he will take the a-pawn and have two bishops and an active rook. ] 31.xf5 gxf5 32.d4 f8 33.d5 f4 34.d3 White tries to keep rooks on, as [ 34.d6 a1 is an immediate draw. ] 34...c3! 35.d6 d2 36.xd2 xd2 There is no chance of making any progress in this opposite-colour bishop endgame. ½-½
592 Georgiev,Kiril Safarli,Eltaj 30th Open Benasque ESP (6) [Nigel Davies]
A16 2675 2603 13.07.2010
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.a4+ d7 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 a6 7.g3 e6 Here too Safarli seems well prepared with a
new and very reasonable move. In earlier games Black has played either 7...b5 or 7... Nc6 here, for example: [ a) 7...b5 8.b3 ( 8.h4!? is much more interesting) 8...c5 9.d3 c6 10.g2 g7 11.0-0 0-0 12.f4 c8 was fine for Black in Greenfeld, A (2560) -Baron, T (2299)/Haifa 2008. ] [ b) 7...c6 8.g2 g7 9.0-0 ( 9.d4 e6 10.a4 0-0 11.0-0 d5 12.d1 b6 13.f4 d5 was fine for Black in Damljanovic, B (2595)-Areshchenko, A (2650)/Plovdiv 2008 - see the Archives.) 9...e5 10.d3 h6 11.d1 e6 12.a4 0-0 13.e3 d5 14.c5 b6 15.a3 e8 16.ac1 d4 and the game was about equal in Topalov, V (2700)-Svidler, P (2713)/ Dos Hermanas 1999. ] 8.h4 [ 8.b4 is well met by c8 with ideas of ... Nb8-c6 and ... Be6-h3. ] 8...g7 9.d3 h6 Preventing Bc1-h6 and making the kingside less habitable for White's queen. 10.a4+ b5 11.d1 [ 11.xb5? loses to d7 . ] 11...c5 12.g2 bd7 13.0-0 0-0 14.e3 c8 Black has no problems here whatsoever. 15.h3 b4 16.a4 d5 17.d2 7b6 18.xb6 xb6 19.b3 ½-½
593 Gerzhoy,Leonid Sutovsky,Emil Open Ch Tel Aviv ISR (1) [Tony Kosten]
A16 2245 2604 09.04.2001
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.a4+ d7 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 c6 [ W e h a v e s e e n 6...g7 several times before. ] 7.e4 e5! [ N e w , a n d e x t r e m e l y l o g i c a l , 7...a6 was examined in the archives, but the text stops White from further advancing his epawn. ] 8.d4 exd4 9.xd4 e5!? [ Black keeps control of the e5-square, although 9...g7 10.xc6 xc6 11.f4 is only marginally better for White. ] 594
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xg7 11.xc4 is also feasible) 9...d5 10.g5 h6 11.xe6 fxe6 12.e4 is very awkward for Black, Adamski,J-Vujic, B/Valjevo 1984. ] 9.d4 e6 [ The 9...c6 of Ivanchuk-Shirov, was mentioned in the archives. ] 10.d5 f5 11.f4 d7 12.e2 W hite threatens to win a piece with h3. f6 13.e6 de5 [ 13...c5?! 14.c4 b6?! 15.d4 e5 16.xe5 fxe5 17.c6 e8 18.b4 is horrible for Black, Drogoon,A-Vorobiov,E/ RUS-Cup02/1998. ] 14.d1!? [ Considered stronger than the original 14.xe5 fxe5 15.h3 f6 of Goldin, AMikhalevski,V/Rishon Le Zion 1997, although here 16.g4 e4 17.d2 xd5 18.gxf5 seems to win a piece for next-tonothing. ] 14...d6! [ An improvement, suggested by Mikhalevski in h is n o te s to t h e ga me Ru st em ov, A Zezulkin,J/Swidnica 1999, which continued: 14...c6? 15.d4! d3 16.xd3 xd3+ 17.xd3 cxd5 18.e2 e5 19.b5 winning. ] 15.h3 [ This time 15.d4 can be answered by d3! 16.xd3? ( 16.xg4 xf1 17.xf1 xg4 18.xd6 cxd6 is not too bad for Black ) 16...xd3+ 17.xd3 xf4 ] 15...xf3+ 16.xf3 e5 17.e3 g5 594 A16 18.xe5 xe5 19.xe5 fxe5 20.b5 Golod,Vitali 2590 Reaching an endgame where White has the Tseitlin,Mark D 2445 better pawn formation, but Black has two ch-ISR Ramat Aviv Modiin ISR (3) 19.12.2000 bishops, and he hastens to free the darksquared one. e4 21.0-0 xc3!? 22.bxc3 [Tony Kosten] g7 23.fe1 ad8 24.d7 f6 The black 1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.a4+ king is well-placed on the dark squares. 25.c4 Once again this idea of playing a favourable 5 b6 26.e3 g6 27.d2 e5 28.a3 d6!? [ Offering a pawn for activity, 28...a5 29.c5 Qb3 Grünfeld where the d7-bishop is is more awkward. ] misplaced. d7 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 g7 29.c5+! 7.e4 0-0 8.e5! [ 29.xa7 a8 30.xa8 xa8 31.a4 c5 [ This reveals the point of luring the bishop to forces W hite to passively defend his d7, as now black's knight can't retreat to its queenside pawns, his king is currently far n a t u r a l s q u a r e o n d 7 . 8.d4 g4 a w a y f r o m t h e a c t i o n . 32.b5 e8 would transpose to a normal Grünfeld. ] will lead to a drawn rook endgame. ] 8...g4 [ 8...e6?! 9.h4 ( 9.exf6!? xc4 10.fxg7 29...bxc5 30.a6+ e5 31.xa7 e8!
10.e2?! [ Not a very useful square for the queen, 10.b3 c5 11.c2 c6 12.g5 is more testing, as f4 is threatened, and the c2-knight can head for d5 via e3. ] 10...g7 11.f3 e7 12.g5 [ 12.xe5 xe5 13.f4 a5 14.e5 d5 15.d2 0-0-0 is also fine for Black, who can break with ...f6. ] 12...0-0-0 13.d5 d6 14.xe5 xe5 15.f4 d6 Although Black is getting kicked around, he has completed his development and is ready to apply pressure on the central files. 16.c3? [ 16.xf6 xf6 17.d1 g7 18.e3 would allow White to castle, but Black will be happy with his bishop pair. ] 16...g4 [ Good, but 16...xe4! 17.xe4 b4+ 18.f2 de8 is a killer. ] 17.c2 he8 18.e5 Otherwise the pressure on e4 is too great, but now Black hits out: xe5+! 19.fxe5 xe5+ 20.e2 xg5 Black has gained two pawns, and control of the dark squares, for the exchange. 21.0-0? [ This loses by force, but better alternatives a r e f e w , e . g . 21.c1 e5 and White cannot castle. ] 21...d2 22.xg4+ xg4 23.e4 h4 24.h3 d4+ 25.h1 xh3+! [ 25...xh3+ 26.gxh3 h2# ] 0-1
595
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 32.xc7 xd7 33.exd7 d6 34.c6+ xd7 35.xc5 White has managed to achieve a rook and pawn ending with a solid extra pawn, but the respective activity of the kings allows Black to draw. c8 36.b5 b8 37.xb8 xb8 38.d4 b1+ 39.h2 b2 40.g3 e2 41.a4 h5 42.b4 d6 43.a5 h4+ 44.h2 [ 44.g4 xf2 45.xg5 xg2+ 46.xh4 xd5 might even favour Black, as the white king is cut-off. ] 44...xf2 45.xe4 a2 46.e6+ [ 46.a6 xd5 47.xe7 xa6 48.g7 a4 49.xg5+ e6 is a simple draw. ] 46...xd5 47.g6 xa5 48.xg5+ e5 49.g4 a1 50.xh4 e4 51.g3 f1 52.h8 e3 53.e8 d4 54.h4 [ 54.h4 following d3 Black will queen the epawn, but the white king and h-pawn will be far up the board. ] ½-½
595 Gonda,Laszlo Rajlich,Vasik G FSGM April Budapest HUN (4) [Nigel Davies]
A16 2482 2459 06.04.2010
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.a4+ d7 6.h4 c6 7.d4 This series of queen moves looks very odd, but Black's defensive moves don't gain much time and he has to play some moves that are not very thematic in Gruenfeld like structures. f6 8.e3 g7 9.e2 e5 10.c4 d6 11.d4 d7 12.0-0 f5 13.b5 [ Vladimir Kramnik's choice in this position was 13.b3 when e4 14.d2 a5 15.a4 h5 16.b5 e7 17.c4 was a bit better for him in Kramnik, V (2710)-Gurevich, I (2575)/Biel 1993. ] 13...xb5 This seems to be new it avoids a loss of time by moving the queen back. [ Previous games have featured 13...e7 when 14.dxe5 xe5 15.xe5 xe5 16.d4 xd4 17.xd4 f6 18.xf6 xf6 19.d1 was slightly better for White in Do nc he v, D (2 4 55 ) -G h in da , M (24 80 )/ Bratislava 1983. ] 14.xb5 0-0-0 15.dxe5 xe5 16.d1 c6
17.b3 f6 18.d4 White seems a bit bett er here be cau se h is kin g is sa f er. h5 19.d2 g4 [ 19...b8 was better, trying to safeguard his monarch. ] 20.e1 [ White was probably scared of playing 20.h3 because of e5 21.hxg4 hxg4 22.g3 e4 , but he can also play 22.Ba6!? which seems very strong. ] 20...e5 [ 20...d6 seems better, helping cover the queenside. ] 21.g3 h4 22.xc6!? [ Interesting, but 22.a6! bxa6 23.xc6 wi t h f o l lo w- u p s s u c h a s 2 4 . R a c 1 wa s probably very strong. ] 22...bxc6 23.a6+ d7 24.c3 b8? This is just bad. [ Black should play 24...e4! when 25.b7+ e6 26.xc6+ e7 27.c5+ e6 gives him a draw but nothing more, the point being that 28.xg7? hxg3 would give Black a winning attack. ] 25.xb8 xb8 26.xg7 White is just a pawn up now with a powerful pair of bishops. hxg3 27.hxg3 h3 28.e2 h7 29.d4 e6 30.ac1 c8 31.e4! b6 32.a4! e5 [ 32...xa4 33.c4+ Double attack ] 33.f4 ed7 34.a5 a8 35.xa7 c5 36.c4+ e7 37.b5 e6 38.exf5+ gxf5 39.xd7 xd7 40.e1+ f6 41.xd7 c7 42.e6+ g7 43.a6 xd7 44.b8 1-0
596 Grinev,Valeriy Schukin,Igor ch Kiev UKR (3) [Tony Kosten]
A16
18.01.2004
1.c4 f6 2.c3 d5 3.cxd5 xd5 4.g3 g6 5.g2 xc3 6.bxc3 g7 7.b1 0-0?! A surprisingly common mistake. [ 7...d7 i s b e s t , t h e n 8.f3 ( and not 8.xb7? xb7 9.xb7 b6 trapping the rook ) 8...0-0 9.0-0 is slightly better for White, with his big centre. ] 8.xb7 The unexpected point, [ 8.xb7?? xb7 9.xb7 d5 10.xb8 596
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xh1 is a quick way to lose! ] 8...xb7 9.xb7 d7 10.xa8 xa8 11.f3 [ 11.f3 is also possible, avoiding any problems along the diagonal, but it is u n n a t u r a l : c5 12.h3 b8 13.f2 ( 13.a4!? ) 13...c6 14.c2 a6 with counterplay, Bischoff,K-Henni,M/Tunis 1997. ] 11...e5 Black gets to damage the white pawn structure like this, and enjoys a lead in development although this doesn't count for t o o m u c h . . 12.0-0 xf3+ 13.exf3 d5 14.a4!? A new move that works well, but it is far from clear that is an improvement on the older moves: [ 14.a4 xf3 ( 14...e5 15.e4 e6 16.d4 d6 17.h6 b8 Scheuer,JThuesen,M/Hillerod 1980, and now 18.b1! looks good; 14...a5 15.g2 b8 16.d4 and although W hite's extra pawn is devalued, it is still a pawn! Vaulin,A-Honos, A/Budapest 1990) 15.d7 f6 16.xc7 h5 17.h4 g4 with some counterplay, Cekro,ELytchak,B/ GER 1999. ] [ 14.e2 f6 ( 14...xa2 15.xe7 ) 15.d4 c5 16.dxc5 xc5 17.c4 c8 18.h6 xc4 19.xc4 ( 19.c1!? e6 20.xe6 xc1+ 21.xc1 fxe6 should be drawn) 19...xc4 20.b1 c8 21.b7 a8 22.f1 with active pieces, Smejkal,J-Grimm,S/Porz 1992. ] 14...d8 15.e2 e5 16.g2 h6!? The start of Black's downfall, the bishop is b e t t e r d e f e n d i n g e 5 . 17.e1 f6? This weakness proves fatal, a good player would admit his mistake and return the bishop by [ 17...g7 he can't capture on d2 anyway. ] 18.a6 [ 18.d4! has its points: xc1 19.xc1 exd4 20.cxd4 attacks c7 with advantage. ] 18...a8?! This is based on a tactic that doesn't work. [ 18...d6! 19.xa7 c6 regains a pawn with some chances. ] 19.xf6 f8?! The white queen can't move because of f3, but he has seen a powerful retort. 20.xe5! 1-0
597 Grivas,Efstratios Liakos,Dimitris GRE-CupT Athens (1) [Nigel Davies]
A16 2498 2065 15.06.2008
1.c4 f6 2.c3 d5 3.cxd5 xd5 4.f3 g6 5.a4+!? c6!? 6.d4 [ 6.xd5 seems to be a simpler and more economical choice, my preference being for W hite because of his central pawn majority. ] 6...f6 7.e4 e5! [ 7...xc3? 8.xc3! e5 is difficult for Black after 9.c4 because he'll have trouble getting his king to safety and meanwhile White can open it up with d2-d4. ] 8.xe5!? xc3! The only good reply. [ Both 8...e7 9.xd5 cxd5 ( 9...fxe5 10.xe7 exd4 11.xc8 d7 12.xa7 xa7 13.a3 ) 10.b5+ d7 11.xd7 xd7 12.xd5 ] [ and 8...b4 9.xd8+ xd8 10.f7+ e8 11.xh8 c2+ 12.d1 xa1 13.b3 g7 ( 13...e6 14.c4 ) 14.xg6 hxg6 15.b2 xb3 16.axb3 are good for White. ] 9.xc3 e7 10.f3! xe4+ 11.e2 [ Rybka's novelty is 11.d1!? but is it really that great? I think Black can defend himself with d7 12.c4 d8! when 13.e1 g4 14.e6?! ( 14.g3 c7 is fine for Black) 14...xg2 15.d4 d6 is unconvincing. ] 11...g7? [ Black should play 11...d7! when 12.0-0 b4 13.e3 ( 13.b3 can be answered by c5 14.d1 d3 ) 13...xe3 14.dxe3 b6 15.d1 e6 16.a3 e7 17.d4 c4 18.xc4 xc4 19.b3 b6 20.e4 f7 21.e3 was just a tiny bit better for White in Franco Ocampos, Z-Krupkova, P/ Montecatini Terme 1998. ] [ On the other hand 11...e7? is strongly met by 12.0-0! when xe2 13.e1 b5 14.xf6 would win on the spot. ] 12.0-0! 0-0 13.e1 [ After 13.c4+ h8 14.e1 Black can hang on with f4! 15.d4 d6 . ] 13...h8 14.d4 d7 15.c4 f5?! [ 15...g4 was another try, though White c a n t h e n p l a y 16.b3 followed by 17.Ba3 which seems to win the exchange. ] 597
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 16.e6 b5 17.a4! b6 18.f4?! [ 18.h4! threatening 19.Nxg6+ would have been very strong, for example e5 19.xe5 fxe5 20.xg6+ hxg6 21.h3+ leads to mate. ] 18...d8 19.a5 [ Once again missing the deadly 19.h4! threatening 20. Nxg6+. ] 19...e5 [ 19...e8 might have been a bit tougher but even so White's lead in development gives him a winning advantage. A sample line is 20.a2 xe1+ 21.xe1 f8 22.b4 b6 23.c4+- threatening mate on g8. ] 20.xe5 xe6 [ Or 20...fxe5 21.xe5 xe5 ( 21...xe6 22.xg7+ xg7 23.xe6 ) 22.xe5 f6 23.e3+- with a good pawn up. ] 21.xg6+ hxg6 22.xe6 e8 [ 22...d7 23.d6 would not have helped Black much. ] 23.a6! xe6 24.h3+ 1-0
15...e7 16.c2 ( 16.g5 is worth considering here too) 16...e5 17.g5 e7 18.b3 g7 19.d2 d5 20.c5 h6 21.a3 h7 22.b4 d7 and Black was starting to get control of the position in Fressinet, L-Howell, D/Germany 2010. ] 15.g5 This seems to be new, though whether or not it was a 'prepared novelty' or just over the board improvisation is not clear. [ An earlier game featured 15.g5 f6 16.h6 c6 17.e3 f5 18.g5 dxe3 19.fxe3 c7 20.c5 d6 21.h1 f6 22.e4 xg5 23.xg5 e7! with approximate equality - Arkhipov, S-Leko, P/Nettetal 1992. To me the position after 14.Ne4 just looks like a tough middlegame in which both sides have their chances and there are many possibilities. ] 15...c6 16.fe1 a5 17.c5 e7 18.e4 f6 19.h4 f5 20.f4 g7 21.a3 e6 22.b4 axb4 23.axb4 d5 24.b5 h8 25.bxc6 bxc6 26.b1 f8 27.c2 e7 28.cb2 a5?! White is better in the endgame, though admittedly it proves difficult to win. [ Black should probably have kept queens on 598 A16 with 28...d7 when 29.b7 e6 would leave Black with an OK position. ] Huebner,Robert 2598 Kulaots,Kaido 2592 29.xa5 xa5 30.h3 a7 After contracting TCh-FIN 2010-11 (7.1) 13.02.2011 doubled f-pawns the position starts to look really nightmarish for Black. [Nigel Davies] [ As Black I'd try to avoid any further weakening by playing 30...e6 . ] 1.c4 f6 2.c3 d5 3.cxd5 xd5 4.f3 g6 5.g3 g7 6.g2 0-0 7.0-0 b6 8.d3 31.xf5 gxf5 32.d6 xd6 33.xd6 a2 34.xa2 xa2 35.b2 a8 36.f3 d5 c6 9.e3 e5 [ Black can also try 9...h6 10.c1 h7 37.b4 h5 38.xd4 g7 39.b4 a7 followed by ... e7-e5, but does he really 40.b6 a2 41.e4 [ I'm rather loathe to criticize the endgame need to prevent an incursion on g5? play of someone as strong as Huebner, but Probably not. ] surely it must be better to improve the king 10.d2 e8 On the other hand it seems quite with 41.f2 rather than have his king important for Black to avoid the exchange of confined to the first rank. ] dark square bishops. [ After 10...d4 11.h6 e8 12.xg7 41...fxe4 42.fxe4 e6 43.xc6 h3 44.e5 xg7 13.b4! c6 14.xd4 exd4 15.e4 fxe5 45.xe5+ f7 46.d4 g2+ 47.h1 d5 16.b2 White was better in d2 48.h6 g4 49.g1 e7 50.f1 d7 Romanishin, O-Whiteley, A/Hastings 1976/ 51.g6 f3 52.f6 g4 53.b6 f3 54.b4 g4 55.f4 d3 56.f2 f3+ 77. ] 11.h6 h8 12.ac1 d4 13.xd4 exd4 57.e1 d3 58.e5 e6 59.f2 f3+ 60.g2 d3 61.b2 d5 62.f2 14.e4 d5 Not the only move. [ 14...c6 also makes sense here, for ½-½ example 15.fe1 ( 15.g5 f6 16.h6 d5 wo u ld tra ns p ose in t o 1 4. . .Nd 5 1 5. B g5) 598
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 599 Ibraev,Nurlan Gupta,Abhijeet 12th Dubai Open (9) [Nigel Davies]
A16 600 2405 Ibragimov,Ildar 2560 Odeev,Handszar 13.04.2010 Open Dubai UAE (3) [Tony Kosten]
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.a4+ d7 6.c2 [ T h i s s h o w s a t l e a s t t h a t 6.d4 is not W hite's only move, though I'm not sure he should avoid it. ] 6...b4 7.b3 c5 8.a3 e6 9.a4+ d7 10.d1 [ 10.b3 e6 could already be a way for the players to take an early bath. ] 10...4c6 11.e3 g7 12.d4? White hasn't played this way before but it seems quite dubious after Black's reply. [ When Karpov got this position as White he played 12.e2 after which 0-0 13.0-0 e5 14.b1 f5 15.d3 c4 16.e4 cxd3 17.xd3 e6 18.d5 d4 19.xd4 exd4 20.b5 left him with an edge in Karpov, A (2725)Bacrot, E (2555)/Cap d'Agde 1998. ] 12...e6! I think White must have missed this unpleasant reply. He tries to make the best of it with a dubious pawn sacrifice. 13.g5 [ 13.d5? just loses a pawn after xc3+ ] [ whilst 13.dxc5 leads to a horrific endgame after xd1+ 14.xd1 d7 followed by 15... Nxc5. ] 13...cxd4 14.xe6 fxe6 15.exd4 xd4 16.c4 bc6 17.0-0 0-0 18.e3 h8 19.c1 d6 It's not so much the pawn down that's the problem for White here but rather Black's superb grip on the d4 square. Of course it might not be easy to win for Black because the extra pawn is crippled. 20.a2 ad8 21.h1 e5 22.g4 f5 23.h4 f6 24.h6 a5 25.h3 f5 26.h6 g7 27.h4 e5 Black has had enough of repeating moves and he is rewarded with a mistake. 28.h6? f5 29.xg7+ xg7 W ith W hite's bishop pair gone Black gets a c c e s s t o s qu a re s li ke d 2 wit h h is ro o k . 30.c4 d2 31.ce1? A blunder in a bad position. xf2! 32.g1 d4 33.xe6 h4 34.e4 fd4 0-1
A16 2611 2425 30.04.2000
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 g7 4.e4 This move order is used to allow the King's Indian Defence, whilst avoiding the Grünfeld. e5!? Black clearly doesn't want to allow a main line KI, and prefers this interesting sideline. 5.xe5 [ Critical, 5.d4 exd4 6.xd4 0-0 allows Black to play a K.I. position with a tempo more, he will continue with ...Re8, ... c6, and ...d5 in one go, without having to play ...d6, first. ] 5...xe4 6.xe4 xe5 7.d4 [ 7.g3 brought White a quick success after e7!? 8.d4 g7 9.g2 f5!? 10.g5 e6 11.0-0! in Epishin,V-David,A/Montpellier Masters (2) 1998. ] 7...g7 8.g5 f6 9.e3 0-0 10.c3 [ Sensible, the knight moves to a safer spot, 10.e2 provoked the advance of the f-pawn, f5 11.g5 e8 12.c3 d6 13.0-0 f7 14.e1 c6 15.d5 e5 with chances to both sides, Acebal Muniz, A-De la Villa Garcia,J/Cala Galdana ESP 1999. ] 10...f5!? [ An innovation, opening the dark-squared diagonal immediately, in Timman,J-Aronian, L/Las Vegas USA 1999, Black deferred this by 10...c6 11.d5 e7 12.d3 d6 13.0-0 f5 14.f4 h6 15.c1 f5 but White had the better position. ] 11.d2 c6 12.g3 [ 12.d5!? e5 13.d6 seems more critical. ] 12...d6 13.g2 f4! A fine positional offer of a pawn. 14.gxf4 [ 14.xf4 e8+ 15.e3 xd4 is equal. ] 14...g4 15.h3 h5 The idea is to stop White from castling long. 16.e4 h4 17.d5 e7 18.f5!? Before the knight can settle here. xf5 19.g5 h6 Forced, but adequate. 20.0-0 xg5 21.xg5 ae8 22.f4 h6 23.xh4 xh4 24.ae1 The endgame has been reached, and although W hite has more space, he is somewhat hampered by his weak kingside pawns. g7 25.c5 f5 26.b4 d8 27.c3 599
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 f7 28.h2 df8 29.e4 a6 30.f2 h4 counterplay and thereby avoid the pressure 31.f1?! A risky idea that pins the f4-pawn, p l a y W h i t e i n t e n d s a g a i n s t t h e b l a c k and allows Black to win it. g5 32.e2 g6 queenside. 8.f3 33.c4 gxf4 [ White has tried several other things in this [ 33...xf4 is met by 34.cxf4 xf4 35.xf4 p o s i t i o n : A ) 8.c2 can actually lead to a gxf4 36.c6 creating serious counterplay on transposition to our main game it has been the queenside. ] used m>Gurevich on a couple of occasions. 34.g4 f3 0-0 9.f3 ( 9.d3 is also playable, but less [ After this White regains a pawn, although critical, e.g. d7 10.f3 b6 11.f4 b7 remains worse, 34...d3!? is an alternative, 12.0-0 a5 13.e4 c5 14.bc1 ac8 35.d4 h7 36.c4 as now g6 is free for 15.e2 a6 16.fd1 fd8 with a pleasant the knight, g6 coming to e5. ] game for Black, Gurevich, M-Sutovsky, E/ 35.cxd6 cxd6 36.e6 f4 37.c7+ f6 Essen 2001) 9...b6 10.0-0 b7 11.d4!? 38.xb7 e5 39.b5 axb5 40.xb5 c4 a5 12.e4 d7!? ( 12...c5 Black has a healthy initiative. 41.d1 f4 would transpose to our main game) 13.f4 [ 41...c1 is tricky, as after 42.b2 , g2 fd8 14.fe1 c5 15.d5 c4 16.bd1 e5!? menaces ...Ne3. ] 17.g5 f6 18.f1! 42.fb2 a8 43.5b4 a4 44.a3 axb4 A) 18...b5 19.xc4 fxg5!? ( 19...bxc4 45.xb4 xb4 46.axb4 c2 47.f2 a4 20.e3 /\21.Nd2 - Gurevich) 20.f1 h6 The exchange of rooks hasn't helped White's is given as unclear by Gurevich, while my position much, the advanced f3-pawn and computer likes White in this case I agree active king tip the scales heavily in Black's with the computer, Black's bishops are favour. 48.c8 To get his b-pawn moving. both quite awful and White can generate a b5 49.b7 e3 50.c6 fair amount of pressure against Black's [ 50.g1 is slightly better. ] queenside after 21.b1 a6 22.a4; 50...c4?? B) 18...d6 19.e3 with a slightly better [ Overlooking the simple 50...xf2 51.xb5 game for White, though Black's position is f5 which must win, the knight will come to solid and not without counterplay, e3, and either the f-pawn will queen, or Gurevich, M-Sulypa, A/French Team Ch Black will capture the d5-pawn, and his d1999 ] pawn will queen. Note that the white king [ B) 8.h4!? Tyomkin calls this "Perhaps, the is trapped in the corner. ] most annoying move for Black", but I'm not 51.g1 d4 52.b5 xd5 53.g4 c5 sure I agree. However, if Black isn't careful, 54.xd5 xd5 55.xh6 c5 56.f2 xb5 he will soon get in trouble. 57.g4 White will win the f-pawn by force. A) 8...d6 9.f3 ( 9.h5!? has been ½-½ suggested by Tyomkin and is a natural follow-up f or W hite) 9...b6 10.a4 ( 10.d4!? is tricky to deal with, and Black 601 A16 will likely have to hand over his darksquared bishop due to variations like b7 Iljin,Artem 2556 11.a4 ) 10...d7 11.c2 ( 11.a3 d5 Sutovsky,Emil 2630 12.b3!? ) 11...d8 12.d3?! ( 12.h5 ) IX EICC Plovdiv BUL (2) 22.04.2008 12...c5 13.b2 e6 ( 13...a5!? ) [Carsten Hansen] 14.0-0 0-0 15.fc1 h6 ( 15...xa2 16.a1 e6 17.a3 f5 18.g5 1.c4 f6 2.c3 d5 3.cxd5 xd5 4.g3 g6 - Tyomkin ) 16.a4 g4 17.b3 e5?? 5.g2 xc3 6.bxc3 g7 7.b1 c6 ( Now Black's position falls apart. Instead T h i s i s a f a v o u r i t e o f S u t o vs k y' s i n t h i s o f t h e t e xt m o ve , B l a c k s h o u l d h a v e position. The more common moves are 7... c o n s i d e r e d 17...d6!?; or 17...a5!? Nd7, 7...c6 and 7...0-0. Black's idea behind in both cases with a fuly satisfactory game the text move is to play ... Qd7, ...b6, ...Bb7, for Black ) 18.a3 , and Black is more or ...Na5 and ...c5 with Gruenfeld style 600
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 less lost, Bischoff, K-Sutovsky, E/Ohrid 2001; B) 8...h5 is called "[A] strategical blunder" by Tyomkin in CBM, and indeed it does create some long-term problems for Black. B1) or 9.c4 0-0 10.d3 d4 ( 10...e5!? ) 11.e3 f5 12.b2 e5 13.f3 c6 14.0-0 c7 15.c2 Agdestein, S-Mikhalevski, V/ Port Erin IOM 2003; B2) 9.h3 Tyomkin, D: 'A very logical move - White intends to exploit the weak spots created by h5 ' B2a) 9...0-0 10.a3 e5 11.d3 c6 12.g5 c7 13.0-0 b6 14.b3! a6? ( 14...h6 ) 15.c4 ( 15.e4! more or less wins for White, the main threat being Bxg6, which is awfully difficult to prevent without material loss for Black ) 15...ab8 16.b2 Lo b ro n , E -Mikh a le vski, V / I n t e rn e t 2001; B2b) 9...d7 10.a4! d8 11.xd7+?! ( 11.a3! 0-0 12.0-0 e5 13.g5 as pointed out by Tyomkin, is very difficult for Black and rather ea s y t o pla y f o r W h ite , wh o ha s a small but clear advantage) 11...xd7 12.f4 c6 B2b1) 13.a4! 0-0 ( 13...b6 14.a5 b5 15.d3 - Tyomkin ) 14.a5 Tyomkin; B2b2) 13.a3 b6 14.0-0 c8 15.d4 e6 16.d3 c7 17.fc1 b5= Huzman, A-Tyomkin, D/ Montreal 2005; C) 8...d7 9.a4 ( 9.h5!? is logical and good ) 9...d8 10.c2 ( 10.xd7+ xd7 11.h5 b8 12.a3 ) 10...c6 11.h5 b6 12.f3 b7 13.d3 ( 13.d4!? a5 14.h6 f6 15.e4 ) 13...0-0-0 14.e3 b8 15.f1 h6 16.hxg6 fxg6 17.d2 df8 , and Black is doing well, Taylor, P-Knott, S/West Bromwich ENG 2003; D) 8...h6 D1) 9.c4?! 0-0 10.d3 e5 11.h3 d6 12.a4 d4 Bykhovsky, A-Khmelniker, I/ Givataim ISR 2005; D2) 9.f3 0-0 10.0-0 b6 11.h5 ( 11.c2!? ) 11...gxh5 12.b5 g4 13.h2 d7 14.xg4 hxg4 15.a4
and White has excellent compensation for the pawn, Rasmussen, K-Mikhalevski, V/Saint Vincent 2000; D3) 9.d4 0-0 D3a) 10.f4!? h5 11.f3 d5 12.0-0 ( 12.a4!? intending Rb5 in some v a r i a t i o n s i s w o r t h a t h o u g h t) 12...xa2 13.b3 a4 14.e5 xe5 15.fxe5 d8 ( 15...c6!? 16.g5 f6 is s im p ly b e t t e r f o r B l a c k W h i t e ' s initiative has simply run out) 16.g5 xe5 17.xe7 e8 18.g5 xg3 19.c4 with chances for both sides, Cvetkovic, S-Nikolic, Z/ Vrnjacka Banja 1989; D3b) 10.f3 a5 11.e4 c5 12.0-0 b6 13.e2 cxd4 14.cxd4 g4 15.d5 D3b1) or 15...c8 16.b2 ( 16.f4!? ) 16...c4 17.e3 xa2 18.xg7 xg7 19.e5 e2 20.fe1 c4 21.c3 d2 22.a1 ( 22.xd2 xd2 23.b4 a5 24.xe2 axb4 25.xd2 a1+ 26.f1 ) 22...h7 23.xe2 xe2 24.f1 xe4 25.xc4 Epishin, VLujan, C/San Marino SMR 2006; D3b2) 15...d7 16.b2 xb2 17.xb2 c4 18.d4 Matamoros Franco, C-Seger, R/Predeal ROM 2007 ( 18.c1!? xf3 19.xf3 e5 20.e2 )] [ C) 8.d4 0-0 9.f3 a5 10.d2?! ( 10.0-0 f5 11.b2 c5 ) 10...c5 11.e3 f5 12.b2 e5 , and Black has already taken over the control of the game, Chernin, O-Mikhalevski, V/Philadelphia USA 2004 ] [ D) 8.b2 0-0 9.d3 e5 ( 9...e5!? ) 10.c4 c5 11.d2 f5?! ( 11...b8 12.f4 g4 13.xg7 xg7 14.f3 f6 ) 12.xe5 xe5 13.f3 g7 14.xb7 b8 15.xb8 xb8 16.0-0 , and Black has inadequate co m p e n sa t io n f o r t h e sa crif ice d p a wn , Kotsur, P-Al Modiahki, M/Aden 2002 ] [ E) 8.a4 0-0 9.h4 ( 9.xc6?! bxc6 10.xc6 e6 11.a4 d5 12.f3 xa2 13.xa2 xa2 , and Black is in charge of the game, Ivanov, I-Sarthou, G/FIDE.com 2001; 9.h3!? e5 10.0-0 followed by f2-f4 is an interesting idea for W hite) 9...h6 10.f3 e5 11.0-0 e4 12.e1 ( 12.xe4?? f5-+ ) 12...e8 13.d3 xc3 14.xh6 d4 601
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 15.dxe4 xe2+ 16.h2 f6 17.d1 e7 with the better chances for Black, Cebalo, M-Nikolic, Z/ Novi Sad 1985 ] 8...0-0 [ 8...d7?! at this point is premature, e.g. 9.d4 b6 10.f4 b7 11.e5!? xe5 12.xe5 xe5 13.xb7 , and White is clearly better, Heberla, B-Ris, R/Plovdiv BUL 2008 ] 9.c2 [ A major alternative is the immediate 9.0-0 , and now A) or 9...a5 10.c2 c5 A1) 11.d3 c7 12.c4 c6 13.b2 e5 14.d2 f5 15.a3 d7 16.e3 b6 17.f4 ae8 18.be1 Mirzoev, A-Lujan, C/ Balaguer ESP 2006; A2) 11.g5!? h6 ( 11...g4 12.d3 c7!? ) 12.e4 f5 13.c4 b6 14.d3 c6 15.f6+ exf6 16.xc6 h3 17.e1 c8 18.d5 , and White is slightly better, Milos, G-Lujan, C/Sao Paulo BRA 2005; A3) 11.d1 d7 12.d3 e8 13.e1 a4 14.b2 c8 15.e3 d7 16.a3 b6 17.c4 c6 18.d2 xf3 19.xf3 xc4 20.dxc4 xd2 21.xa7 f6 22.ed1 c2 23.dc1 1-0 Kotsur, PKorniushin, N/Tomsk 2001; B) 9...e5 10.a3 e4?! , Drasko, MNikolic, Z/JUG 1989, and now ( 10...e8!?= ) 11.d4! e8 12.xc6 bxc6 13.d4; C) 9...b6 C1) 10.d4 xd4 11.cxd4 b8 12.d5 b7 ( Black can possibly improve with 12...e6!? 13.dxe6 xe6 14.c2 c5 , and I prefer Black's position) 13.b3 d7 14.d3 fd8 15.f4 bc8 16.fc1 xd5 17.xd5 xd5 18.xc7 xb3 19.axb3 d7 20.f4 xc1+ ( 20...dd8!? ) 21.xc1 f5 , and the chances are more or less even, Gurevich, M-Konopka, M/ AUT 2002; C2) 10.c4 b8 11.d3 b7 12.a4 d7 13.e3 fd8 14.fc1 d4 15.xd7 xd7 16.xd4 xd4 17.xb7 xe3 18.fxe3 xb7 19.c5 b8 , and though White has the initiative in the endgame, Black should be able to defend, Berkovich, M-Dragojlovic, A/
Moscow 1990; C3) 10.d3 a5 ( 10...b7 11.f4 a5 12.d2 c5 13.h4 c4 with a satisfactory game for Black, Thompson, I-Knott, S/ Nottingham ENG 2005) 11.c4 c5 12.d2 c6 13.a4 d7 14.b3 g4 15.a4 d7 16.fe1 , and here a draw was agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, in Gulko, BM i k h a l e vs k i , V / C o p e n h a g e n 2 0 0 0 , though Black has every reason to be satisfied with the outcome of the opening. ] 9...b6 10.0-0 b7 11.d4 a5 12.e4 c5!? This is an interesting new idea, the background for which is illustrated in this game. Previously Black had played 12...Qd7 as seen in Gurevich-Sulypa in the first note to this game. 13.dxc5 c7! [ Black sacrifices a pawn for active piece play and pressure against W hite's queenside pawns. 13...bxc5?! 14.e3 ] 14.cxb6 axb6 15.g5 [ 15.d1!? ] 15...c4 16.b4 a3 17.d4 [ 17.b3= ] 17...d6 18.d2?! [ 18.e2?! fa8 19.a1 b5 ] [ 18.fb1!? xc3 19.e2 c5= ] 18...e5 19.b3 fa8 20.a1 f8 21.c1 3a6 22.d2 b5 [ 22...e8!? 23.bb1 a4! 24.c4 c5 leaves Black with excellent compensation for the pawn ] 23.f3?! [ 23.a3 c6 24.f1 is somewhat passive, but also solid the chances are more or less even. ] 23...a4 24.xa4 xa4 25.xe5 [ 25.d2!? ] 25...xe4 26.xe4 [ 26.d3 xg2 27.xg2 c6+ 28.g1 g7 , and Black's active pieces more than compensate for the pawn. ] 26...xe4 27.f4 g7 28.e1!? xc3 29.xc3 xc3 30.d7?! [ 30.c6! h5 31.e8+ h7 32.e7 xa2 33.e5 xe5 34.xe5 g8 35.xf7 , and White has decent chances of saving the endgame. ] 30...e4 [ 30...f5 31.e7 e4 32.e5 xe5 602
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 33.xe5 xa2 34.f4 will be difficult for Black to win on account of W hite's active pieces and the location of Black's king. ] 31.xe4 xe4 32.b6?! [ 32.f1!? c3 33.a3 f5 34.e3 f7 ] 32...c3 33.a3 d4 [ 33...e2+ 34.f1 xf4 35.gxf4 f8 36.a4 bxa4 37.xa4 d6 will also leave Black a pawn up, but winning the ensuing endgame will be quite difficult. ] 34.e3 xe3 35.fxe3 Thanks to White's weaker pawn structure and Black's somewhat better placed knight, Black has decent winning chances. However, W hite makes several big mistakes, making Black's job significantly easier. f5 36.f1? [ White has to play more aggressively, e.g. 36.f2 f7 37.e4! fxe4 38.e3 e6 39.d4 b1 40.a4 bxa4 41.xa4 f5 42.h3 h5 43.c5 d2 , and it is by no means certain that Black will convert his pawn advantage to a win. ] 36...f7 37.e1 e6 38.d2 b1+ 39.c2 xa3+ 40.b3 b1 41.c2 a3+ 42.b3 b4! 43.a4 d5 44.xb4? [ This loses a second pawn. White should have tried 44.b6+!? after which Black still wins, but at least it seems a little more complicated, e.g. c6 ( 44...e4 45.d7 xe3 46.f8 b1 47.xh7 d2+ 48.xb4 isn't clear) 45.a4 b5 46.b2 b1 47.c4 c5 48.h4 c3 49.e5 d5 50.c4 ( 50.g4 xe3 51.gxf5 xf5 52.d7+ b5 ) 50...h6 51.e5 xe3 52.xg6 f1 , and Black wins another pawn. ] 44...c2+ 45.c3 xe3 46.d3 f1 and Black picks up a second pawn, which caused White to resign, though he could have played on due to the limited material left on the board. 0-1
602 Ionov,Sergey Klimov,Sergey 78th ch-City (3) [John Watson]
A16 2527 2509 19.03.2005
W hite plays the Anti-Gruenfeld line that is often resorted to by 1.c4 players. I'm not sure that Black has found his best path here. 1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 [ I like this order better than 4.a4+ d7 5.b3 , which has been seen in several ChessPub games. ] 4...xd5 5.a4+ d7 6.b3 [ It's also not so easy for Black after 6.h4 xc3 7.dxc3 c6 8.g3! , as Tony analysed in the game Piket-Svidler, Zurich SUI 2001, although I think that he should be okay there. ( Instead, the blindfold contest of a few days ago between stars Vallejo Pons and Ivanchuk went 8.e4 e5 9.g5 e7 10.c4 h5 11.xe7 xe7 12.xe7+ xe7 with approximate equality. )] 6...b6 7.d4 g7 8.g5 0-0 9.e3 White isn't supposed to have much here, but his centre is difficult to crack open. a5!? [ 9...e6 is the most common move, which is not to say the best one. ] 10.e2 e6 11.c2 c6 12.0-0 a4? Logical but time-consuming. He might have tried [ 12...b4 13.b1 h6 14.h4 c6!? , since the knight finds a home after 15.a3 4d5 16.e4?! f4 ] 13.fd1 f5 14.c1 [ Not bad, but White had a straightforward ad va n ta ge b y 14.e4! g4 15.d5 b4 16.d2 a3 17.b3 ] 14...d5 15.h3!? Or [ 15.e5! ] 15...a3 Also slow. [ Probably better was 15...h6 16.h4 xc3 17.xc3 e4 ] 16.xd5! xd5 17.bxa3 a5 18.d5! A nice sacrificial idea that forces the pace since Bxe7 will answer a knight move. xa1 19.xa1 b8 20.xe7?! [ 20.h6 f6 21.d6! is a very strong and more-or-less standard idea. There is no good defence, e. g., cxd6 22.c4+ f7 23.g5! ] 603
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 20...e8 21.f6!? Suddenly White's attack is faltering. He could have played [ 21.d6! cxd6 22.xd6 with Nd4 to come. ] 21...d7?! [ 21...xa3! 22.h8 f8 was better. ] 22.h8! There goes his best piece, but White retains an attack. He would also have good pressure after [ 22.b2 with ideas like d6 and in some cases Nd4. ] 22...f6 23.xf6 xf6 24.xf6 xa3 [ White's centre rolls after 24...f8 25.d4 ad8 26.c4 d6 27.e4 ] 25.d6! xa2 26.g5! h6? But the position was lost anyway. Now White finds one of the very few bad moves in the position: 27.d4?? [ Horrible. Among other immediate wins was 27.f3 c6 ( 27...f8 28.e7 ) 28.d5+! . But he gets one more chance to redeem himself: ] 27...a1+? [ T h e r i g h t d e f e n c e w a s 27...b1+ , when W hite doesn't seem to have more than a draw. Even if the opponents weren't in time pressure (which they probably were) these decisions were still difficult ones. ] 28.h2 hxg5 29.c4+ h7 30.dxc7?? Even for a 2500 player it's extremely hard to forget your blunders and settle down. Still winning was the subtle [ 30.d7 ed8 31.e7+! h6 32.f4! ( 32.h4+ gxh4 33.xh4+ g7 34.e7+= ) 32...g4 33.hxg4 xg4 34.g5+ g7 35.f5!! ] 30...a5! That's it. The idea of ...Qe5+ defends in all the critical lines. A tragic loss for W hite, although his opening came out beautifully. Black has a lot of repairs to make in this line. 31.xg5 xc7+ 32.g3 g7 33.f4 f8 34.e4 xc4 35.exf5 c6 36.g4 a1 37.xg6+ xg6 38.xg6+ h7 39.g4 a6 40.g5 b5 0-1
603 Ivanchuk,Vassily Mamedyarov,Shakhriyar Olympiad Bled SLO (8) [Tony Kosten]
A16 2709 2580 02.11.2002
1.c4 f6 2.c3 d5 3.cxd5 xd5 4.g3 Somewhat rare than [ 4.f3 but quite playable, nonetheless. ] 4...g6 5.g2 b6 6.d3 g7 7.e3 0-0 8.d2 This line was my recommendation in 'The Dynamic English'. c6?! This is thought to be incorrect, and falls-in with White's plan. [ 8...e8 avoids the exchange of darksquared bishops, but brings me good mem orie s - my e xcit in g vict ory agains t Ganguly at Calcutta, 1996. ] 9.xc6! Creating 'doubled singleton' pawns on a n o p e n f ile . bxc6 10.h6 An important follow-up, having given one bishop W hite immediately exchanges the other bishop so that Black cannot enjoy the famous bishop pair. c5 Played to open the h1-a8 diagonal, [ 10...e5 11.xg7 xg7 12.f3 f6 13.0-0 was Saidy,A-Byrne,D/New York 1966, where W h it e m a n a ge d t o e xp l o i t t h e we a k c pawns. ] 11.d1!? A novelty from Ivanchuk has to be taken seriously, although the simple [ 11.xg7 xg7 12.f3 b7 13.e3 was very effective in previous games: c4 14.0-0-0 ( 14.d1 c8? 15.dxc4 wo n a pa wn in S h a m kovich , L -W e b b , S / Hastings 1977) 14...xf3 15.exf3 cxd3 16.xd3 e8 17.h4 c6!? an attempted improvement on ( 17...d8 18.xd8 xd8 19.h5 d5 20.e5+ f6 21.h6+ g8 22.d1 which was crushing in Serper,GAlterman,B/Manila 1992) 18.h5 c4 19.d4+ f6 20.d7 e5 21.xc6 xc6 22.d7 and the superior pawn structure was enough for White (who obviously learnt from the previous game!) in Alterman,B-Roesch, A/Germany 1997. ] 11...b7 12.f3 A different approach, avoiding the capture on f3. d6 13.xg7 xg7 14.e4 The point, regaining the light-squared bishop. xe4 [ 14...e5 15.c1 forces the exchange anyway. ] 15.fxe4 f5!? Black plays aggressively, relying 604
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 on his activity to counter-balance the pawn s t r u c t u r e . 16.exf5 xf5 17.f3 e6 A t t a c k i n g f 3 a n d a 2 . 18.0-0 af8 This is stronger than [ 18...xa2 19.c3+ g8 20.e4 f6 21.a1 e6 22.xc5 ] 19.g2!? White could also try [ 19.b3! d5 20.g5 which seems like a p l e a s a n t p l u s b e ca u s e o f h i s s u p e r i o r pawn formation. ] 19...xa2 20.a1 f7 21.xa7 Regaining the pawn, but allowing Black to generate an initiative on the kingside. g5!? 22.aa1?! Probably due to shortage of time, which was e n d e m i c a t t h i s O l ym p i a d , W h i t e c o u l d maintain the advantage with [ 22.g4! f4 23.xc7 xg4+ 24.h1 although Black has some play. However, White should certainly avoid ] [ 22.xg5? which loses to a series of checks: f2+ 23.xf2 xf2+ 24.h3 f5+ 25.g4 f1+ 26.g3 f2+ 27.h3 and now f6 and ...Rh6+. ] 22...f6 23.h3 c4 24.g4 b5 Switching to attack the queenside. 25.d4 [ 25.dxc4!? xb2 26.d3 lines-up some nasty threats along the f-file, c5 ( 26...e5? 27.xg5! xg5 28.xf8 xf8 29.a3+ forks b2 and f8) 27.a7 f7 28.d2 c6+ 29.e4 and Black still has problems to solve. ] 25...f4! 26.xf4 xf4 27.a2 h6 28.c1 e4 29.f2 b3 30.d2 f4+ 31.f3 e4 ½-½
604 Jakovenko,D Sutovsky,E 20th TCh-RUS 2013 (3) [Danny Gormally]
A16 2734 2671 09.04.2013
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.b3 b6 6.d4 g7 7.e4 g4 8.b5+ c6 9.g5 0-0 10.e2 xe2 11.xe2 a6 12.h3 h6 13.f3 h5 [ 13...d7 14.h4 A) S a f e r t h a n 14...g5?! which allowed White to launch the kind of long-burning attack which is very difficult to defend over the board 15.xg5! hxg5 16.xg5 fd8
17.h5 e5 18.0-0 f6? ( 18...c7 19.f4! was also extremely dangerous) 19.h7+ f8 20.f4! White has a deadly attack exd4 21.f5 fxg5 22.f6 h8 23.xh8+ f7 24.g7+ e6 25.f7 d6 26.xd4 c7 27.e5+ d6 28.e6+ 1-0 Navara, D (2710)-Ris, R (2407)/Reykjavik 2013/ CB08 2013; B) 14...h5! 15.h3? ( the more sedate 15.0-0 was more advisable) 15...c5! 16.g4 cxd4 17.gxh5 d3! 18.hxg6 fxg6 19.g5 f6 20.f4 d6 21.g1? c4 22.d5 b4 23.xf6+ xf6 And Black was well on top and went on to win in Fressinet, L (2714)-Sutovsky, E (2687)/Istanbul 2012 ] 14.g1! White is gearing up to an out and out kingside attack, but Sutovsky, himself known for some rather primitive attacking instincts, proves up to the challenge. d7! [ 14...c5 15.g4 cxd4 16.gxh5 is now inviting trouble for Black, with the rook already menacingly posted on the gfile. ] 15.g4 f6 16.g5?! too optimistic. [ 16.gxh5! a5+! ( 16...xh5 17.f4 looks rather dangerous for Black) 17.d2 xh5 18.xh5 xh5 19.0-0-0 fd8 20.e3 with a slight pull in the endgame for White. ] 16...hxg4 17.xg4 c8 18.f3 d8 [ 18...b4! 19.f2 ( 19.e5 h5 20.f4 c2+ 21.f2 xa1 22.xh5 gxh5 23.xh5 f5 rather puts a dent in White's attacking ambitions.) 19...c2 20.b1 d8 21.e5 h5 22.e4 xh3 23.xh3 d7 would have given Black the upper hand in the endgame. ] 19.e5! Now everything is forced and although it looks dangerous for Black, with best play it's just a draw. xg4 20.fxg4 f6 21.h7+ f8 22.xg6 fxg5 23.e6 g8 24.xg5 [ 24.f7+ h7 25.h5+ h6 26.f7+ h8 27.g6= ] 24...d5! 25.f7+ h8 26.h5+ g8 27.f7+ h8 28.h5+ g8 29.f7+ ½-½
605
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 other hand, W hite has the opportunity to A16 send Black to a full count. ] Jakovenko,Dmitrij 2710 Vachier Lagrave,Maxime 2634 21.g5 f5 22.f4? [ I don't know what Jakovenko missed the ETCC Crete GRE (7) 04.11.2007 text move is obviously less accurate than the [Carsten Hansen] more punishing 22.e4 , and now A) 22...f4 23.g3 f6 24.e5 c6 1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 ( 24...xe5? 25.xf7 xf7 26.xb4+ xd5 5.a4+ d7 6.b3 b6 7.d4 g7 f8 27.f4++- ) 25.xb4 axb4 26.xf7+ 8.f4 e6 9.a3 c6 h8 27.e6+-; [ 9...0-0 10.e4 was the topic of GelfandB) 22...f6 23.e5 f5 24.g4 d3 Svidler of the October update. ] 25.xb4 axb4 26.xf7+ h8 27.e6 10.e3 0-0 11.b5!? f8 28.f7+ xf7 29.xf7 xe5 [ In the February 2007 update, we discussed 30.xe7 d5 ( 30...d4 31.xb7 ) the game Bu Xiangzhi-Vachier Lagrave, 31.f6+ xf6 32.xf6+ g8 33.d6 Wijk aan Zee B 2007. In that game White , and White should be winning ] continued with 11.e2 a5 12.c5 a4 13.b5 a5 14.c1 d5 15.g3 22...d5 23.xf7 xb3 [ 23...f6 24.xf6 exf6 25.e4 xb3 , and W hite obtained a slight edge, but 26.axb3 d3 27.xf6 xb3 28.c3 ] Vachier Lagrave undoubtedly had prepared a novelty in the event somebody would play 24.axb3 d5 [ 24...f6 25.xf6 exf6 26.e4 transposes this line against him. ] to 23...Bf6 above ] 11...d5 12.g3! [ Jakovenko apparently didn't like giving up 25.e4?! [ White seems to have a better and simpler t h e b i s h o p p a i r wi t h 12.xd5!? xd5 continuation in 25.xg7+ xg7 26.e6+ 13.xc6 xc6 , although White appear to f7 27.c7 ad8 28.xd5 xd5 29.f4 have an initiative after 14.0-0 d7 15.ac1 , and White is a pawn up and clearly better c6 16.g5!? f5 17.e4 g4 18.h3 e2 in the endgame ] 19.fe1 b5 20.f3 , and White has the upper hand. But as we will see, Jakovenko 25...d7 26.f3 a6 27.e5?! [ White has a couple of alternatives: A) aims for and achieves more with the 27.g3 is possibly better xb2 28.h4 chosen continuation ] ( 28.e5 c6 29.e4 d3 is very good for 12...cb4 13.c1 c5?! This aggressive Black ) 28...c6 29.e5 d5 30.e6 approach is quite typical of the Grünfeld, but (a n a t t e m p t t o m u d d l e t h e wa t e rs ) d4 in this case it falls short of achieving its goal 31.d6!? xc5! 32.xc5 cxc5 33.f7 of obtaining active counterplay. c6 34.xh7 , and now Black has to show [ 13...c6 14.e2 a5 15.0-0 b6 16.b3 some extra care if not to throw the with a small, but obvious advantage for advantage away by one inaccurate move: White ] b5 ( 34...f5?! looks perfectly normal, but 14.xd5 xd5 15.0-0 fc8 allows White back in the game with 35.g5 [ 15...xa2 16.xc5 b6 17.cc1 ] c3 36.f4 , and White is doing rather well) 16.c4 d7 17.dxc5 xc4 18.xc4 a5 35.c1!? xb3 36.xc6! b1+ 37.h2 19.b3 d8 20.h4 bxc6 38.xe7 f5 39.f3 , and White is [ 20.e5!? may be even better, e.g. d3 probably at least equal. ] 21.c3 ( 21.d4 xb3 22.axb3 c6 [ B) 27.e3 c2 28.e2 d4 29.e3 23.xg7 xg7 24.dd1 ) 21...xc3 Now Black can keep repeating the moves if 22.xc3 d5 23.a3 d3 24.c2 e5 he wants the draw, or play for the win with 25.xe5 xe5 26.c6 bxc6 27.xc6 ] c6 30.f4 xc5 , and Black has the better 20...e6? chances ] [ 20...c6!? 21.cc1 a4 22.c2 e6 28.e4 xb2 29.g5 e6 , and Black has some, but not entirely full, 27...xe5 compensation for the pawn. Now on the 30.h6 g7 31.xg7 xg7 32.c3 605
606
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ The text move invites a pure rook ending, which leaves Black with plenty of winning chances, but also the draw within reach. My computer gives preference to 32.e3 c2 33.g5 c6 ( 33...xe3? only serves White: 34.xe6+ f6 35.f8 xf1 36.xd7+ e6 37.f8+ f7 38.xf1 xf8 ) 34.e2 d4 35.d2 h6 36.e4 b6 37.cxb6 xb6 38.fd1 e5 ] 32...d3 33.a4 e5 [ can lead to a different type of R vs R e n d ga m e a f t e r 33...d5 34.b6 xc5 35.xd3 xb6 36.e1 e6! 37.f1 xe1+ 38.xe1 b5 39.d7 f7 with excellent winning chances for Black ] 34.h3 xc5 35.b6 d3 36.xd3 xd3 37.d1! Rook endings have a propensity for providing the defender with a certain level of drawing chances, almost no matter how dire the situation appears. Accuracy on the side of the advantage, however, will of course often lead to the desired win. b5 38.xd3 xb6 Black has excellent winning chances in this endgame, but at the same time, W hite also has decent drawing chances. I will not discuss the endgame in detail as this is hardly the forum for this. 39.d5 xb3 40.xa5 b1+ 41.h2 b5 42.g3 b3+ 43.f4 f6 44.a6+ e6 45.b6 g5+ 46.e4 b1 47.g3 b4 48.h4! Eliminating another pair of pawns helps White's defence. gxh4 49.gxh4 b3 [ The tempting 49...h1 50.xb4 xh4+ is unfortunately for Black answered by 51.f4 , and a draw is around the corner. ] 50.b5 b2 With this move Black eliminates his last real winning chances as the rook on b1 cannot leave its post without dropping Black's greatest asset. BY keeping the pawn on b3, Black would leave room for the king to run to b2 and thereby release the rook of its duty. This will likely also lead to a draw, but at least Black is still playing for a win. 51.f3 e5 52.g2 with the king carefully placed, away from any harmful checks, the draw becomes obvious. e4 53.b8 e5 54.b7 d4 55.b8 e5 56.b7 f5 57.b5+ g4 58.b4 f4 59.b8 g4 60.b4 h5 61.b7 h6 62.b4 e1 63.xb2 xh4 64.b8 g5 65.g8+ f6 66.h8 g7 ½-½
606 Jones,G Areshchenko,A TCh-ISL 2012-13 (6.1) [John Bartholomew]
A16 2653 2720 02.03.2013
I was teammates with GM Gawain Jones in the Icelandic league, so I was able to witness the following game first-hand. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 d5 3.cxd5 xd5 4.g3 g6 5.g2 b6 6.d3 g7 7.e3 c6 8.xc6+ The main line. White parts with his bishop but obta ins clea r st ruct ural com pens atio n in return. [ Alternatives are 8.d2 ] [ , 8.f3 , ] [ a n d t h e n e w l y f a s h i o n a b l e 8.c1 . Refer to the archives for all of these. ] 8...bxc6 9.d2 h6 [ An alternative is 9...h5 , which was seen in David, A (2598)-Salem, A (2505) Caleta 2 0 1 2 / [ J o h n B a r t h o l o m e w] . T h a t g a m e continued 10.f3 h3!? 11.g5 g2 12.g1 d5 13.c1 0-0 14.ge4 f5!? with unusual, complex play. ] 10.c1!? This is undoubtedly a useful move. White leaves the knight on g1 for a moment, preventing ...Bc8-h3. [ G a wa i n h a d p l a ye d 10.f3 a couple months prior. Af ter h3 11.g1 b8 12.f4 g5 he tried to force the issue with 13.e5!? , when xe5 ( Houdini points out the unusual resource 13...c8! 14.xc6 d7 ) 14.xe5 f6 15.g4 fxe5 16.g3 d4 17.xh3 xg4 18.g3 f4= led to rough equality in Jones, G (2644)Alsina Leal, D (2511) Hastings 2013. ] 10...d5 The most popular reply. The knight was fairly useless on b6, so Black deploys it back to the center. [ R u n n i n g t h e a - p a w n w i t h 10...a5!? deserves attention, as I mentioned in the notes to David - Salem. Black secured great co u n t e rp la y in t h e o n ly ga m e wit h t h i s co nt in u at io n : 11.f3?! ( 11.h4!? ) 11...a4 12.h4 d5 13.xd5 xd5 14.a3 b8 15.d4 a2 Von Bahr, O (2284)-Tikkanen, H (2586) Stockholm 2011. ] 11.f3 White cannot afford to delay this move much longer. [ 11.xd5 xd5 12.f3 xa2 607
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ( 12...h3!? ) 13.0-0 was Sega, C (2252)Barreto Filho, C (2258) Yerevan 2012. Here the engine claims compensation for White after h3 14.fd1 xb2 15.c2 b5 16.c4 (intending Be3-d4), but I doubt Black would be opposed to such a continuation. ] 11...xe3 [ 11...h3 12.d4! f6 13.xf6!? ( 13.g1!? ) 13...exf6 14.e3+ f8 15.c5+ g8 16.d4 h7 17.xc6 d7 18.f3 he8 19.f2 Ruck, R (2582)-Nedev, T (2514) Yerevan 2001 ] [ Nobody has tried 11...xc3!? , possibly because the exchange sacrifice 12.xc3! is a very real possibility, e.g. xc3 13.xc3 f6 14.xc6+ d7 15.c4 ] 12.xe3 0-0 Apparently a novelty. [ The programmed 12...h3 can be met by 13.e5! , i.e. d6 14.f4 g5 15.f2 f5 16.a4 f6 17.c5 0-0 , Milanovic, D (2507) -Zinchenko, Y (2546) Metz 2010. Here 18.c4! leaves White firmly in control. ] [ P e rh a p s B la ck s h o u ld o p t f o r 12...h5!? , probing on the kingside and menacing ... Bg7-h6. ] 13.0-0 d6 14.d4!? With his king secure, White can proceed in a few different ways. The text further restrains Black's structure and lends support to the attractive outposts on c5 and e5. [ 14.e4 also suggests itself. ] 14...h3 15.fd1 ad8 16.b3 f5!? Black's position is of course strategically suspect, so he must do everything he can do unbalance the struggle. 17.a4 g5 18.d3 f4 19.c5 d5 20.c4 [ 20.e4 looks preferable, avoiding the possibility Black has on the next move. ] 20...d6? A significant error, allowing White to dictate the terms of the queen trade. [ Correct was 20...xc4! , taking advantage of a m om ent ary lack of coordin at ion in White's position. On 21.bxc4 ( the point is that 21.xc4 is met by e5! , setting Black's entire structure in motion and opening lines for the bishops) 21...g4 22.g2 d6!? Black maintains the dynamic balance, as lines like 23.b1 f5 24.b7?! could easily backfire, e.g. g4 25.h4 c2 26.d2 xd4 ]
21.xd5+! xd5 [ Nor is 21...cxd5 22.e5 very appetizing, e. g. f5 23.g4 h7 24.a4 . ] 22.d3 fxg3 23.hxg3 g4 24.b4 xf3 25.exf3 df5? Areshchenko is striving for a c t ive co u n t e r p la y, b u t t h is o n l y m a k e s matters worse. [ He had to try 25...xd4 26.xd4 xd4 27.xc6 e5 , with chances to hold. The r o o k a n d p a w n e n d i n g a f t e r 28.xd4 ( t h e p a t i e n t 28.g2 might have been Gawain's choice) 28...exd4 29.xc7 d8! is not simple at all , e.g. ( not 29...xf3 30.xa7 ) 30.f1 d3 31.e1 e8+ 32.d1 a5 33.a7 e2 34.xa5 xf2 35.a4 xf3 . ] 26.xc6 xf3 27.xe7+ h7 28.d2 No w W h i t e h a s e ve ryt h i n g s e c u r e d a n d remains a pawn to the good. On top of that, B l a c k ' s p a w n w e a k n e s s e s r e m a i n . 8f7 29.c6 h5 30.e5! Simplest. xe5 31.dxe5 e7 32.c6! g7 33.dc2 ff7 [ Or 33...xe5 34.xc7+ f7 35.xf7+ xf7 36.c7++- . ] 34.2c5+- Black cannot hold. f8 35.e6 g7 36.a5 Black resigned. This game is a vivid illustration of the problems Black experiences in the 8.Bxc6+ line. Players who are uncomfortable operating with a shattered pawn structure should definitely avoid this one. If you're keen to take up Black's cause, check the notes to David - Salem and, in the case of 10.Rc1, consider the reply 10...a5!?. 1-0
607 Kekelidze,M Robson,Ray 40th Annual World Open (7) [John Bartholomew]
A16 2494 2601 07.07.2012
Ray Robson is an extremely well-prepared Grandmaster. In this game he demonstrates a ll t h e im p o rt a n t id e a s in t h is qu ie t (b u t venomous) line of the Anti-Grunfeld. 1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.e4 Ulf Andersson is the most noted practitioner of this "endgame" line. He amassed an impressive score of +5, =5, -0 with it in the period 1978-2009, and there's no doubting 608
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 that he's still searching for victims! xc3 [ 5...b6 transposes to a line of the Grunfeld where White can probably expect a slight edge. Korchnoi tried this against Andersson, b u t h e t o o c a m e t o g r i e f : 6.h3 ( the immediate 6.d4 is more common, but 6.h3 first is fully in keeping with Andersson's risk-averse style!) 6...g7 7.d4 0-0! 8.e2 c6 9.e3 f5 10.exf5 xf5 11.b3+ h8 12.d5 e5 13.d4 c6?! 14.d1 cxd5 15.xf5 xf5 16.xd5 xd5 17.xd5 c7 18.0-0! c6 19.fd1 xd5 20.xd5 Andersson, U (2635) -Korchnoi, V (2655)/Clermont Ferrand 1989 (1-0 on move 40). ] 6.dxc3 [ Of course White could seek a main-line G ru n f e ld wit h 6.bxc3 , but this isn't in the spirit of 5.e4. ] 6...xd1+ [ Andersson punished another opponent for getting creative: 6...d6?! 7.b3! g7 8.e3 0-0 9.d1 c6 10.c4 a6? ( 10...e6 11.0-0 ) 11.xf7+!+xf7 12.d8+ f8 13.e5 f6 14.xf7 xf7 15.h6 e6 16.xa8! xb3 17.axb3 c5 18.xf8+ xf8 19.xf8 xf8 20.e2 xe4 21.e3 d6 22.g4 e5 23.a1 a6 24.a5 f7 25.e4 e7 26.xe5+ 1-0 Andersson, U (2585)-Kouatly, B (2350)/ La Valetta 1980. ] 7.xd1 Theoretically speaking, the early exchange of queens is not considered dangerous for Black. All the same, he really ought to be aware of some key ideas to avoid n e e d l e s s t o r t u r e . f6 Black does best to immediately establish his pawn on e5. [ 7...d7 is another way of going about this, i.e. 8.f4 ( this eventually loses a tempo, so m a y b e W h i t e s h o u l d p r e f e r 8.e3 , as in our main game,; or 8.c4 ) 8...c6 9.c2 f6 10.d2 e5 11.e3 c5 12.xc5 xc5 13.b4 a4 ( 13...e6!? ) 14.c4 d8!? 15.d6?! ( 15.a5 is st ron ge r) 15...e7! 16.d1 a5 17.b5? d8 18.xc8+ axc8 Gelfand, B (2713)Ivanchuk, V (2702)/Batumi 1999/[TonyK]. ] 8.e3 e5 9.c2 [ Andersson most often began with 9.d2 . Here are a couple of his games, 30 years(!) apart: e6 ( per the strategy outlined in the
m a i n g a m e , I ' d r a t h e r p l a y 9...d7 intending 10...Bf8-c5) 10.c4 xc4 ( 10...f7 11.c2 d7 12.ad1 a5 13.a4 c5 14.xc5 xc5 15.f3 c6 16.xe6+ xe6 17.b3 e7= Andersson, U (2571)Atakisi, U (2393)/Budva MNE 2009 (1-0 on move 68). ) 11.xc4 d7 12.b4 b6 13.a5 (compared to Kekelidze - Robson, this knight is far more pesky on a5) 0-0-0+ 14.c2 e7 15.a3 f5?! 16.xb6!? axb6 17.c4 f6?! 18.a4! g7 19.he1 he8 20.b5 f4 21.a5 Andersson, U (2560) Franco Ocampos, Z (2360)/Buenos Aires 1979 (1-0 on move 42). ] 9...d7 10.d2 c5 Second order of business: exchange the dark-square bishops. The e3 bishop is W hite's best piece, while Black's own bishop is restricted by his e5/ f6 pawns. Thus, Black is quite eager to trade. 11.xc5 xc5 12.b4 [ 12.c4 ] 12...e6!? 13.c4 e7 14.a5 White's knight very often lands here, but Black has a convenient reply. d7! Accurately played. 15.a4 [ 15.xb7?! c6 16.a5 xe4+ 17.b3 ab8 ] 15...b6 16.c4? A positional error which Robson is quick to exploit. [ 16.b3 wa s n e e d e d . T h e n a f t e r a5 ( Black could also play more slowly i.e. 16...hd8= ) 17.bxa5 bxa5 18.c4= White maintains control over the crucial c5 square, and the game is balanced. ] 16...a5! Simultaneously fixing the pawn on a4 and ensuring control of c5. 17.b5 [ Neither does 17.bxa5 bxa5 18.f3 c5 19.b2 ab8 impress. Black has a clear plan of doubling on the b-file, whereupon White will be very tied down. ] 17...c5 18.e3 e6!? 19.c4?! [ For better or for worse, White should p r o b a b l y t r y 19.d5+ xd5 20.exd5 . Now he's just down a clear pawn. ] 19...xe4 20.d5 xf2! Perhaps White underestimated this reply. 21.xa8 [ The neat point is that 21.hf1 is powerfully met by g4!-+ . ] 21...xh1 22.f3 f2 23.f1 e4! 24.xf2 [ or 24.e2 d3 ] 24...exf3 25.xf3 d8-+ Black should win 609
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 with decent technique, and Robson is very m u c h u p t o t h e t a s k . 26.g4 h8! A nice switchback. White cannot prevent the kingside from opening up. 27.g3 h5 28.g5 h4 29.g1 fxg5 30.xg5 f6 31.g1 g5 32.d3 d8+ 33.e2 g6 34.c1 g4 35.c4 d4 36.c5 Speeding White's demise, but there was no longer anything left to do. If White had chosen to sit tight (Rc1-c2-c1 etc.), Black could even just walk his king over to the queenside. xa4 37.cxb6 cxb6 38.c6 f7 39.xb6 a2+ 40.d3 xh2 41.b7+ f6 42.h7 f5+ 43.xf5 xf5 44.b6 g3 45.b7 b2 46.xh4 g2 47.h5+ g6 48.h8 xb7 All in all, an exemplary display from Black. This is the sort of line you can play with either color so long as you've done your homework. 0-1
608 Khalifman,Alexander McShane,Luke J ECC Rethymnon GRE (7) [Tony Kosten]
A16 2678 2619 04.10.2003
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.a4+ d7 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 c6 McShane preferred [ 6...g7 against Krasenkow recently, but a similar queen swap occurred anyway, see the July 2003 update. ] 7.d4 g7 8.e4 0-0 9.e5!? e6 10.exf6! xc4 11.fxg7 xg7 12.xc4 xd4 13.xd4 xd4 14.e2 fd8 Possibly the most logical move, we looked at [ 14...c6 in the Friberg, H-Winge,S game, and ] [ 14...ad8 in the notes. ] 15.0-0 c6 16.e3 b4 17.ab1 d7 18.a3!? Actually a novelty, [ 18.fc1 was seen in Janssen, R-Golod,V/ Vlissingen NED 2000. ] 18...b3 19.e4 W ith a nasty threat. b6 20.d2 Driving the queen away from the b3square. e6 21.c4 Once again improving the white pieces with gain of tempo. [ An unfortunate decision, robbing us of the 'truth' in this line. 21.c4 a f t e r , s a y f5 22.fe1 ad8 23.e4!? both sides have
chances. ] ½-½
609 Kopinski,Tomasz Orzech,Dominik Lasker Mem A [Nigel Davies]
A16
03.06.2006
1.c4 f6 2.c3 c6 3.e4 d5 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.e5 e4 6.xe4 Attempting to refute the gambit by taking it, but Black turns out to have excellent compensation. dxe4 7.a4+ c6 8.b5 [ After 8.xe4 d4 Black gets excellent compensation, for example 9.xd4 xd4 10.d3 d7 ( 10...e6!? ) 11.f3 ( 11.e2 is also possible here. Black should probably reply with xe2 12.xe2 c6 13.f3 e6 14.b3 e7 15.b2 0-0 16.ac1 fd8 with compensation for the pawn.) 11...xf3+ 12.gxf3 0-0-0 13.b3 e6 14.b2 c6 15.e4 b4 16.c3 xc3 17.dxc3 xe4 18.fxe4 d3 19.g1 g6 20.g3 hd8 21.a4 h5 22.e2 d2+ 23.f1 d7 24.a5 e7 was equal and rather drawish in Panchenko, A-Sergeev, V/Kiev 1986. ] 8...d5 [ Simple and strong, though Black may also have a reasonable 8...d7 9.xe4 b6 ] 9.xc6+ xc6 [ 9...bxc6 10.e2 b7 was also pretty strong. ] 10.xc6+ bxc6 11.f3 f5 12.e2 exf3 13.gxf3 d3 Black is clearly better here thanks to his bishop pair and massive bishop on d3. 14.b3 e6 15.b2 e7 16.h4 a5 17.f4 b5 18.a4 a6 19.c1 d7 20.c3 hb8 21.xa5 xb3 22.c3 a3 23.a5 a4 24.g2 c5 25.h5 b8 26.h4 a2 27.g4?! [ 27.e3 might have been a better chance, for example xe3 28.dxe3 e2+ 29.d1 xe3 30.d4+ c7 31.b4 b5 32.f4 with counterplay. ] 27...g6?! [ 27...b3! was stronger. ] 28.hxg6?! [ 28.e3 gxh5 29.g7 was better. ] 28...hxg6 29.h4 g5 30.h7 e7 31.h5? 610
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 d3 [ 18.xc5? i s h o p e l e s s : xd5 19.xf8 [ 31...a3!? 32.d1 b3 threatening ... xh3 threatens mate on g2, and wins Rxc3 would have won immediately. White material, ] also allows this concept over the next few [ and 18.c3? is similarly hopeless, a4! ] moves whilst Black misses it, presumably 18...xd3 19.d2 the game being affected by time trouble. ] [ 19.a7!? appeared too risky to me at the 32.f4? g4 33.h6? g3 34.h3 f2+ time, b7 20.xb7 xb7 21.c5 d5 35.d1 e4 and I would prefer to be Black. ] 0-1 19...b7! Black has no time to defend the hpawn because of Rad1, but he has calculated everything. 20.ad1 xg2 21.xg2 d5+ 610 A16 22.h2 e4 Consolidating the knight's Kosten,Anthony C 2502 advanced position. 23.xh6!? Going for the Degraeve,Jean Marc 2536 king, [ 23.f4 c4 24.xd3 is met by fd8 ] tm 1st Monaco-Clichy (6) 1999 23...xh6 24.xh6 xa2 25.e3 c4 [Tony Kosten] 26.f4 bd8 Allowing White to escape with a 1.c4 g6 2.g3 g7 3.g2 f6 4.c3 0-0 draw, [ 26...xf4?! is dangerous for Black: 27.gxf4! The popular 'King's Indian Defence to the xb4 28.f5 with attack, but ] English'. 5.d3 d6 6.g5 Gurevich's line, [ 26...fd8 would have avoided the White wants to see how Black plays before perpetual. ] committing his central pawns. h6 7.d2 e5 This is no time for false bravery! 8.e4 A Botvinnik set-up is the appropriate 27.h5!? response to this. a6 9.ge2 b5 A pawn offer gxh5 Allowing a perpetual check, [ 27...gxh5 28.g5+ h7 29.xh5+ etc. ] that W hite dare not accept, in fact I didn't [ but, had the match situation been different, even bother to think about the possibility! Black might have been tempted by 27...d6 10.0-0 bd7 11.h3 b8 12.cxb5 axb5 e.g. 28.g5 renewing the threat of 13.b4 This fixes the b5-pawn, and hopes to perpetual, by Nf6-h5+. e3 ( 28...c3!? ) show Black's queenside play to be pointless. 29.fxe3 c2+ 30.g1 f2 31.e5 c6 14.e3 White is already for action, indeed and Black must take a perpetual himself. ] h e t h re a t e n s Q d 2 , a n d t h e n f 4 -5 , wit h a strong attack. d5!! A stunning riposte, I just ½-½ couldn't believe it was possible! [ The original game, Gurevich,M-Nijboer,F/ A16 B r e d a 1 9 9 6 , h a d g o n e r a t h e r m o r e t o 611 White's taste: 14...b7 15.a4!? a change of Kosten,Anthony C 2498 Griffiths,Ryan Rhys 2310 plans. bxa4 16.xa4 d5?! weakens c5, 31.03.2012 17.a7 a8 18.a5! d4?! 19.a4 e8 4NCL 2011-12 (7.34) 20.d2 d6 21.c5 xc5 22.xc5 [Tony Kosten] and White had a clear advantage, the b71.c4 f6 2.c3 d5 3.cxd5 xd5 4.g3 g6 bishop is particularly useless. ] 15.exd5 There is no other choice. cxd5 5.g2 b6 6.d3 g7 7.e3 c6 8.f3 [ 15...xd5!? with a likely transposition to I decided to play this over-the-board, trying to take my opponent out of his preparation. the game. ] [ My 'Dynamic English' recommendation was 16.xd5?! Trying to prove black wrong, but in 8.d2 when d4 9.c1 f5 10.c5 0-0 retrospect, 11.f3 is very slightly better for White, but [ 16.d4 m a y b e b e t t e r , e4 17.b3 it's not much, see Reinderman, D-Harika, D with play against d5. ] 16...xd5 17.xd5 c5! The point of in the January 2012 update. ] Black's tactic. 18.g2 The only move, but I 8...0-0 [ 8...e5?! is probably a bit dubious: 9.c5! felt that it must be good. 611
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 a5 ( 9...e7 10.0-0 0-0 11.d4 exd4 12.xd4 with a nice plus, although the black position is solid, Sloth, J (2380)-Ogaard, L (2490)/Aarhus 1976.) 10.c1! d7 11.a3 f8 How else to castle? ( Black had hoped to play 11...b4?! but then realised that 12.b5 was awkward.) 12.xf8 xf8 13.d4 g7 14.0-0 xd4 15.xd4 exd4 16.xd4+ f6 Kosten, A (2514)-Fontaine, R ( 2 5 4 6 ) / F r a n c e 2 0 0 9 , w h e n 17.c5 was probably the most accurate move, with some advantage, Rfd1 is coming and the epawn can advance to e5. ] 9.0-0 It was only at this point that the idea to play my intended 'Anti-Reversed Dragon' line came to me, as I reasoned that the black bishop would be misplaced on the a1-h8 diagonal. [ 9.d2 is more common, intending to push the h-pawn: e5 10.h4 ( or 10.h6 ) 10...h5 11.g5 f6 12.e3 e6 13.e4 d5 14.0-0 although I'm not sure White has anything here, Aronian, L (2724)Areshchenko, A (2653)/ Khanty-Mansiysk 2005. ] 9...e5 The most common move here, preparing an outpost for the knight. 10.a4 a5 11.xb6 cxb6 12.d2 [ 12.b5 e6 13.d2 will likely transpose. ] 12...e8 [ 12...e6 is the main alternative, 13.c4 A) 13...f5 Blumenfeld, R-Szabo, L/Haifa/ Tel Aviv 1958, 14.c1; B) 13...e8 14.b5 ( 14.b3 a6 15.e4 e7 16.ac1 d4 17.d1 d7 gave White nothing in Ree, H-Benko, P/ W ijk aan Zee 1970.) 14...f8 15.c1 transposes below.; C) 13...b8 defending the b7-pawn frees the c6-knight. 14.c1 e8 ( 14...h6 15.e3 b4 16.xe5 g7 17.d4 xe5 18.dxe5 d3 19.b1 xe5 20.d5 with the better pawn structure, Korobov, A (2470)-Areshchenko, A (2462)/ Ordzhonikidze 2001.) 15.b5 f8 16.e3 c5 17.e2 e7 18.fd1 bd8 19.h4 h5 20.h2 f6 21.h3 fairly level in Korobov, A (2511)-Areshchenko, A (2470)/ Alushta 2002. ] 13.c4 f8 14.c1 e6
[ 14...b8 15.b3 ( 15.b5 would be my choice. ) 15...c5 16.d5?! e6 17.e4 d4 and now Black is better, Djukic, Z (2370)-Rogers, I (2450)/Nis 1983. ] 15.b3 So far I was playing my moves very fast, and simply following 'the plan', but I don't think this is right, [ 15.b5 first has to be more logical, as it is far from clear that the pawn is best on b3. ] 15...f6 16.b5 b8 A common move in t h e s e p o s i t i o n s , d e f e n d i n g b 7 . 17.e3 Having put my minor pieces on their ideal squares it was time to advance the d-pawn. f5 Hitting d3, but White was going to move this anyway! [ 17...c5 was a sensible option, 18.e2 d7 19.fd1 and White is almost ready to play d4, he must just take care to remove his queen from the vis-à-vis with the e8rook. ] 18.d4 exd4 19.exd4 b4 20.c3 To control d3, now White is ready to push the d-pawn to d6 if given half a chance. d7! An annoying move, Black will capture on b5, int rod ucing op posit e-colo ur bisho ps an d weakening the white formation. 21.bd6!? Probably not a very good move objectively, I just wanted to avoid ...Bxb5 and a likely draw against a lower-rated opponent. [ 21.d5 looks tempting, but xb5 22.axb5 d7 23.d6 xb5 24.d4 can simply be answered by c5! 25.xc5 bxc5 26.xa5 xd6 27.xb7 f8 28.xc5 ec8 and it will be very dif f icu lt to make an y progress. ] [ 21.e3 xe3 ( 21...xb5 22.axb5 d7 23.xe8 xe8 24.f3 f5 25.f4 k e e p s t h e i n i t i a t i v e .) 22.fxe3 f5 is also nothing special. ] 21...xd6 [ 21...e6!? was a worry, trying to trap the knight. I intended to sac the exchange: 22.xb7!? c8 23.xb6 ( 23.d2 xb7 24.d6 xd6! 25.xc8 xc8 26.xb7 xb7 and I like the minor pieces here.) 23...xc3 24.xd7 be8 25.d5 unclear. ] 22.xd6 g4 Forced, but good. 23.xg4 xd6 24.d1 Probably this position is just equal, the d4-pawn is passed, but if I play d5 then the bishop is impeded, and meanwhile the b4-knight is strong. e7 25.c8+ g7 612
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 26.xb8 xb8 27.h4 Trying to open a front on the kingside. h5! Black plays well. 28.f3 c8!? A little bit risky, as this allows the dpawn to advance. [ I had expected 28...d6 ] 29.d5! I only need to be asked once! g4! 30.xg4 hxg4 31.d6 [ 31.f3! first might be best, gxf3 32.xf3 planning g4, maybe d6, and then Kf2, with some real chances. ] 31...d7 32.f3 gxf3 33.h3 After a long thought. [ 33.xf3 c6 34.xc6!? bxc6 35.g4 f7 36.f2 was possible, hoping for e6? ( but 36...e8 is equal, 37.g3 d8 and the rook is freed.) 37.h5 gxh5 38.gxh5 and Black is losing. ] 33...f5 34.g4 f6! [ 34...fxg4 35.xg4 d8 36.d7 would be most unpleasant. ] 35.gxf5 gxf5 36.f2 c6 37.xf3 e5! Th e m o s t a c c u ra t e , f o rcin g a re p e t it io n . 38.e1+ f6 [ 38...xd6? 39.d1+ e7 40.xd7+ xd7 41.xf5+ e7 42.e3 would be difficult to defend. ] 39.d1 e5 40.e1+ [ I briefly considered 40.e3 but xd6 41.xd6 xd6 42.xf5 e5 43.g4 d4 didn't look very promising, 44.d3 xb3 45.c4 c5 and Black can draw by taking on a4 if he wants - W hite has the wrong rook's pawn. ] ½-½
612 Kosten,Anthony C Noordhoek,Henk P 5th Rohde Open (1) [John Watson]
A16 2507 2118 22.10.2005
1.c4 f6 2.c3 d5 3.cxd5 xd5 4.g3 c6 This is passive but f airly solid. The main theoretical moves are [ 4...g6 ] [ 4...c5 ] [ and 4...e5 5.g2 b6 ] 5.g2 xc3 6.bxc3 g6 7.f3 g7 8.0-0 0-0 9.a4 To get Ba3 in, or even play with ideas like Qh4.
[ An ot he r ap proa ch is th e mo de s t 9.b1 d7 10.c2 b6 ( 10...e8 11.d3 e5 12.g5 ) 11.c4 Eventually White's central majority will give him the advantage. ] 9...d7 10.a3 e8!? [ More natural looks 10...b6 with the idea of bringing the c8 bishop out and answering 11.h4 by f6 ] 11.ab1 e5 12.d3 The d6 square is beginning to look inviting, with ideas like Nd2e4 or even Ng5-e4 if allowed. b6! 13.c2 e6 14.d2 f5 Black's pieces are coordinating pretty well. 15.c4 c7 16.b4! A star move. The idea of Ba5 makes Black's n e xt a lm o st o b liga t o ry. d7 17.a4!? Back again! This works out well, but [ 17.f3 h6 18.c3 was a sound alternative and probably better. ] 17...ac8! Clearing the long diagonal in preparation for ...b6 or ...b5. [ 17...c5?! 18.a5 b6 19.b3 ] 18.c5!? A good idea but it seems poorly timed. [ 18.f3 was possible, the exotic ] [ 18.a3 c5 19.c3 b6 20.b2 , preparing a4-a5. I still would rather be White in these positions. ] 18...f6?! Finally giving up on the queenside. Black could try [ 18...b6 anyway, or ] [ 18...b5!? , in both cases leading to 19.cxb6 axb6 20.fc1 c5 ( 20...b5!? ) 21.c3= ] 19.fc1 d5 20.e4! Now White is clearly better. e6 Black can test White's idea by [ 20...fxe4 21.dxe4 ( 21.xe4 xe4 22.xe4 xe4 23.dxe4 ) 21...e6 , but either 22.c4 or 22.Ba5 are quite nice for White. ] 21.a5 f7? A positional blunder. The queen might have retreated by [ 21...d7 , when Black is worse but still in the game. ] 22.f3 with the double threats of Nxe5 and Ng5. g4!? 23.g5 f6 24.xe6 xe6 25.exf5 Working on the light squares. [ 25.h3 and ] [ 25.xb7 fxe4 26.f1 are other very strong moves. ] 25...xf5 [ 25...gxf5 26.h3 h6 27.xb7 ] 26.f1! h5 It's pretty resignable whatever 613
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Black does, so why not threaten mate and see i f T o n y i s d r e a m i n g a b o u t l u n c h ? 27.h4 Bh3 is an unstoppable threat. ce8 28.h3 e4 29.d1 1-0
613 Kosten,Anthony C Schwarz,Michael TCh-2003-4 Graz AUT (3) [Tony Kosten]
A16 2540 2409 30.11.2003
1.c4 g6 2.c3 g7 3.g3 f6 4.g2 0-0 5.f3 c6 An unexpected reply. 6.e4!? I searched for an alternative to [ 6.0-0 d5 which leads to a fairly boring symmetric line of the Fianchetto King's Indian: 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.d4 c6 9.e5 ] 6...d5 The critical reply, although KI players might prefer [ 6...d6 7.d4 bd7 which is a mainline Fia n c h e t t o V a ria t io n , a s in S o ro kin , M Chuprov, D/Novgorod RUS 1999. ] 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.e5 [ 8.exd5 xd5 9.d4 c6 10.0-0 e6 is fine for Black, El Ghazali,Y-Neverov,V/ Tanta 1997. ] 8...e4 9.0-0 c6 10.d4 g4 The most logical move, Black brings this piece out before playing ... e6 with a solid light-squared structure. [ 10...e6 keeps the bishop pair, 11.e2 f6 12.f4 d7 ( 12...g4!? has its points) 13.exf6 exf6 14.e3 fe8 15.d2 f7 looks fairly equal, Vijayalakshimi,S-Lalic,B/ Goodricke Open, Calcutta IND 2000. ] [ 10...xc3 11.bxc3 g4 12.h3 Transposes. ] 11.h3 xf3 12.xf3 xc3 Creating a backward pawn on an open file. 13.bxc3 e6 The evident follow-up, although it appears to be a novelty. [ 13...a5 14.b1 d7 15.e2 c4?! shows why ...e6 is wise: 16.e6! xe6 ( 16...fxe6 17.g4 wins an exchange) 17.xb7 xe2 18.xe2 e5! Rahimbekov,SBurschowsky,M/ Oropesa del Mar ESP 1998, and now 19.dxe5 xe5 20.b5 is good for White whose bishops dominate. ] [ 13...d7 is sim ila r : 14.h4!? very direct,
fc8 15.h5 a5 16.g2!? b6? ( 16...xc3 17.hxg6 hxg6 18.e1 ac8 19.d2 xf3 20.xf3 c4 is not too clear) 17.hxg6 fxg6 18.e6! d8 19.d2 c6 20.g5 xc3 21.h1 led to a winning white attack in Bukal, V-Duric,S/ Bjelovar 1979. ] 14.h4 As in the above note White cannot hang around as his queenside position is compromised - he plays to use his kingside space to inaugurate an attack. c7 15.g5 a5 16.c1 c4 17.g2 This is not necessary, I should have avoided this to save a move for the attack. ac8 18.d3 [ 18.h5 is not so good: h6 19.f4 g5 and the attack is stymied. ] 18...h6 19.f4 e7 Black defends against possible sacs on g5. 20.c2 Freeing c1 for the bishop. c6 21.h5 g5 22.c1 fc8 Both sides play on 'their' side of the board. 23.e2 a3 This was accompanied by a draw offer, but after a little thought decided that I could play on without great risk. 24.xa3 xa3 25.fc1 a6 This is a little slow, I had expected [ 25...f8 26.f4 a5 intending ...Ba3, but then 27.f5 ( 27.fxg5 is also good) 27...a3 28.b1! ( 28.fxe6!? xc1 29.exf7+ f8 30.h7! is also strong) 28...xc3?! 29.b5! and wins. ] 26.f4 gxf4 27.gxf4 b5 Black is menacing ... b4 in certain lines, but White's attack is more pertinent. 28.f5 exf5 [ 28...b4 29.cxb4 xc1 30.xc1 xc1 gains two rooks for the queen, but 31.fxe6 fxe6 32.xa6 hits e6 and wins easily. ] 29.f3 The point. d8 30.h1 This was my plan, to use the open g-file for the final attack, but I considered [ 30.xd5!? long and hard: xd5 31.f3 r e g a i n s t h e e x c h a n g e , b u t a f t e r cc5! 32.dxc5 xc5 The white position is open. ] 30...b4 Perhaps it was time to consider helping the kingside defence by, say [ 30...f6 ] 31.g1 xc3 32.xc3 xc3?! It was very difficult to see all the following, but [ 32...bxc3 was the better chance: 33.xf5 c2! ( 33...f8 34.e2! h8 35.xa6 a8 36.d3 g8 37.c1 xa2 38.xc3 is very unpleasant for Black, who can hardly move ) 34.f6 ( 34.xg7+? xg7 35.f6+ 614
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 g8 36.xd8+ h7 loses! ) 34...f8 35.xg7+ xg7 36.xd8+ f8 37.c7 a3! the saving resource! 38.xc2 xf3+ 39.g2+ xg2+ 40.xg2 f8 draws. ] 33.xf5 White has some nasty threats, Qf6 and Rxg7+. e3?? [ 33...c8 i s t h e o n l y m o v e , 34.xc8 ( 34.f6?? would win if it were not for h3# ) 34...xc8 35.d1 d8 36.c1 and despite being a pawn down W hite is w e l l o n t o p , f8 37.c6 a5 38.a6 followed by Rxa5xd5. ] 34.xg7+! The simplest, but my computer also finds other wins, for instance [ 34.xd5 xd5 35.c8+ h7 36.g4 as g5 37.e4+ wins everything. ] 34...xg7 35.f6+ h7 [ 35...g8 36.xd8+ g7 37.f6+ g8 38.xd5 ] 36.xf7+ h8 37.f6+ h7 38.e7+ My opponent admitted that he had missed this check. [ 38.e7+ h8 39.xd8+ g7 40.f6+ h7 41.f7+ h8 42.e6 and the e-pawn will queen in a few moves. ] 1-0
6.bxc3 g7 7.c2 [ Another sensible way to develop is 7.d2 , which also seems to keep the possibility of playing a later Qc1 and Bh6. One game with this went 0-0 8.g3 b6 9.g2 b7 10.h4 h5 11.0-0 c5 12.b1 c6 13.g5 d7 14.e4 ad8 15.c4 c7 16.f4 c8 17.d2 d4 18.c3 xg2 19.xg2 fe8 20.fc1 f5 21.e4 c6 22.g1 d7 23.d1 ed8 24.a4 and White had some initiative in Sunye Neto, J (2415)-Popovic, P (2490)/Hastings 1980. ] 7...0-0 8.g3 After this we're going to transpose into a known position, but it doesn't normally come about via this 5.d3 move order. c5 9.g2 c6 10.h4!? In the style of Bent Larsen used to like pushing his h-pawn in the English W hite is spicing things up on the kingside where there aren't too many defenders. The other thing about h-pawn advances in flank openings is that the rest of your position remains very tough, so W hite isn't risking much here. [ An earlier game featured the quiet 10.0-0 after which b8 11.b2 e5 12.d2 c7 13.c4 b5 14.e3 e6 15.d5 d7 16.e4 f5 was fine for Black in Bachmann, K (2325) -Zimmermann, F (2255)/Germany 614 A16 1983/GER-chT. ] 11.d2 d5 12.b2 a5 Kramnik,Vladimir 2784 10...b4 L'Ami,Erwin 2628 Black is playing 'actively' but he makes little 73rd Tata Steel (9) 25.01.2011 impression on W hite's rock solid structure. 13.h5 b6 [Nigel Davies] [ 13...xc3 14.xc3 xc3 15.c1 xd2+ 16.xd2 will recover the pawn with the 1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 better endgame. White's bishop on g2 has a xd5 5.d3 Many different moves have been lot of influence here. ] played here but this is rather rare. So it's 14.hxg6 hxg6 15.a4 d7 16.f1 xa4 interesting to see Kramnik adopting it. xc3 b6 After this White's attack [ Black's most popular reply has been the 17.g5 natural 5...g7 though he hasn't scored becomes very strong. [ 17...fe8 was worth considering, the idea particularly well with it. For example 6.d2 b e i n g t h a t a f t e r 18.e5 Black can gain 0-0 7.g3 c5 8.c1 ( 8.g2 c6 9.0-0 counterplay with ( Or 18.h4 ) 18...c4! c7 10.a4 d7 11.h4 e6 12.xd8 . For example after 19.d4 c7 20.d5 e6 axd8 13.ab1 d5 14.fc1 b6 15.a3 21.g4 xb2 22.f6+ f8 23.h7+ fe8 16.f1 ce7 1/2-1/2 Petrosian, TWhite's attack is good enough to draw but Kortschnoj, V/Tbilisi 1956.) 8...c6 9.g2 not more than that. ] xc3 10.bxc3 b8 11.h6 b6 12.h4!? d6 13.h5 f6 14.xg7 xg7 15.hxg6 18.h4 fe8 [ Another try was 18...f6 but then 19.h7+ hxg6 16.g5 was very dangerous for Black f7 20.h4 is good. ] in Har Zvi, R (2512)-Zinchenko, Y (2516)/ 19.c1 e5? Losing immediately. ICC INT 2008. ] 615
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ Black should try 19...f8 20.h7 f6 , though he's probably losing anyway after 21.d4! threatening 22.Bg5!. ] 20.h7+ f8 21.h6 xh6 22.xh6+ e7 23.xe5 [ Black has no good defence, for example 23.xe5 f5 24.h4+ f6 25.xb7 xh4 26.xh4 wins material. ] 1-0
615 Kramnik,Vladimir Mamedyarov,Shakhriyar AZE vs World Rapid rapid (4) [Nigel Davies]
A16 2759 2725 08.05.2009
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.g3 g7 6.g2 0-0 7.0-0 c6 8.a4 b6 9.h4 Larsen and Stein used to li k e t h i s k i n d o f k i n g s i d e s a b r e r a t t l i n g . Actually I'm not convinced it's anything for W hite if Black plays accurately, but it can quicken the opponent's pulse. e5 [ Another sound method for Black is 9...f6 10.h6 e5 , f o r e xa m p l e 11.d3 g7 12.g5 f6 13.d2 f5 14.b3 h6 15.a3 e8 16.ac1 e6 17.e4 1/2-1/2 was Ljubojevic, L (2600)-Ivanchuk, V (2735)/ Reykjavik 1991. But there seems no particular reason for Black avoiding the exchange of queens. ] 10.xd8 xd8 11.d3 d4 12.g5 [ White must be careful about reflex captures on d4 in such positions as they lead t o positions in which Black has a well defined spa ce ad va nta ge . For exam ple 12.xd4 exd4 13.e4 h6 14.b4 d5 15.a3 a5 16.bxa5 xa5 gave Black a clear advantage in Schlosser, P (2375)-Herbrechtsmeier, C (2305)/ Germany 1987/GER-chT. Kramnik's move is better, though Black still manages to force Nf3xd4. ] 12...f6 13.d2 g4 14.xd4 What else can White do when Black is threatening to capture on f3? exd4 15.e4 xe2 16.fe1 [ 16.fc1 xd3 17.xc7 might be better though this is none too exciting for White. ] 16...xd3 17.c5 c2 [ 17...c4 18.xb7 ab8 was stronger when White is struggling to find
compensation for his pawn. ] 18.xb7 c4 19.f4 d3 20.e7?! This inappropriately active move ends up hitting the jackpot when Black blunders. [ 20.b3 was better when a3 21.xd8 xd8 22.d2 would leave things 'dynamically balanced'. ] 20...d4? A serious mistake which changes the course of the game. [ 20...d2! 21.xd2 xd2 would force White to play 22.a5 xa5 23.xa8 . I'd have to favour Black's two minor pieces here. ] 21.xc7 g5 22.e3 xe3 23.fxe3 dd8 24.xd8 xd8 25.e4 e8? Losing on the spot. [ 25...a4 would have been much more tenacious. ] 26.d5+ h8 27.b3 1-0
616 Kramnik,Vladimir Shirov,Alexei Corus A Wijk aan Zee NED (2) [Carsten Hansen]
A16 2766 2715 21.02.2007
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.a4+ d7 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 g7 7.e4 c6?! Shirov's move has not seen much action previously, Other ideas are 7...Na6, 7.. .Bc6 and 7...0-0. Recently Black has given preference to [ 7...0-0 which is also the main line in ECO 8.e5 A) 8...e6 9.exf6!? this is a very gutsy move, an idea also known from the Russian Variation of the Grünfeld Defence ( 9.b5!? ) 9...xc4 10.fxg7 xg7 11.xc4 c6 12.0-0 b4 13.d3 c6 14.e4 d5 ( 14...c2!? 15.b1 b5 16.b3 xd3 puts a question mark to White's idea) 15.d2 b6 16.b4 ad8 17.a4 h6 18.fe1 c7 19.a5 without any breaks for Black to destabilize White minor piece superiority, Black may well be in trouble fe8 20.d4 e6 21.e5 f6 22.d3 b6 23.g3 f7 24.e2 threatening Nef4, hitting the e6-pawn g5 25.g3 d7 ( 25...c7!? ) 26.b5! c5 27.dxc5 bxc5 28.e4 b4?? 616
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 1-0 A.Shchekachev-R.Swinkels, Bethune 2006; B) 8...g4 is the ECO main line, e.g. 9.d4 e6 10.d5 f5 11.f4 d7 12.e2 f6 13.e6 de5 14.xe5 fxe5 15.h3 f6 16.d1 e4 17.e5 c6 18.dxc6 c7 19.cxb7 ad8 20.d7 xd7 21.exd7 xb7 22.b5 xd7 23.c4+ h8= Goldin-Mikhalevski, Rishon Le-Zion 1997; C) 8...e8 9.d4 c6 10.b3 ( 10.e2 e6 11.d3 f6 12.f4 d7 13.e3 fxe5 14.dxe5 b6 15.d4 c7 16.g3 c4= S. Ovsejevitsch-J.Owczarzak, Le gnic a 2 0 0 6) 10...c5 11.dxc5 c6 12.e3 c7 13.e2 c8 14.0-0 xe5 15.xe5 xe5 16.c4 c6 , J.Gustafsson-D.Baramidze, Koenigshofen (GER-CH) 2007 17.f3!? ] 8.d4 b5 9.b3 a5 10.e5 a4 11.d1 d5 12.xd5 cxd5 While the first exchanges h a ve h a p p e n e d , a n d W h i t e 's qu e e n h a s retreated to her starting square, White has a small but clear advantage thanks to Black's advanced queenside pawns and the weaknesses around them. The key focus for W hite now is to complete his development while preven ting Black f rom ope ning th e position. 13.e2 c6 14.0-0 0-0 15.e3 a5 16.b3 keeping Black's knight away from the attractive c4-square axb3 17.axb3 b6 18.e1 heading to the weak c5-square b4 19.d3 b5 20.c5 b7 21.xa8 xa8 22.xb5 xb5 23.d3! c6 24.a4 White is not interested in exchanging knights as it will make Black's defensive task f ar easier, an d in order f or Black to pre ven t White's knight from returning to c5 later on, Black will have to keep his knight on a rather awkward square, either on e6 or on b7. d8 25.c1 b7 26.c2 Thank you - that's the cf ile f or W h it e. Kra mn ik ma kes po sitio na l chess look easy. f6 27.f4! h6 28.g3! W hite is obviously not interested in letting B l a c k ' s b i s h o p b a c k i n t o t h e g a m e . fxe5 29.dxe5 e6 30.c6! With better piece coordination, more active pieces - particularly Black's beauty on h6 is troublesome - White has a clear advantage xc6 31.xc6 f7 32.f2 b8 33.e2 f8 34.d3 b7?? and Black resigned due to 35 Rxe6 Kxe6 36 Nc5+, nonetheless Black's position is rather
difficult and undoubtedly one Kramnik took great joy in playing. 1-0
617 Krasenkow,Michal McShane,Luke J 18th North Sea Cup (4) [Tony Kosten]
A16 2609 2592 07.06.2003
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.a4+ d7 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 g7 7.e4 c6 By pressurising e4 Black hinders White from advancing d4. 8.d3 0-0 9.e2 bd7 10.0-0 Logical, we looked at [ 10.f4 in Piket,J-Bacrot,E/Escaldes 1998. ] 10...a5 The most precise, White might otherwise play the annoying b4-5, for instance: [ 10...e5 11.b4 a6 12.a4 b6 13.b3 and b5 would soon be a problem, Khalifman, A-Jansa,V/Tegernsee GER 2002. ] 11.e5!? A typical, sharp, Krasenkow innovation. [ 11.d1 e5 12.e3 ( 12.d4!? xe4 13.dxe5?! xc3 14.bxc3?! xf3! 15.xf3 xe5 won a pawn in Janssen,R-De Vreugt, D / W i j k a a n Z e e 1 9 9 9) 12...e7 Maksimenko,A-Sulipa,A/Lvov 1999, and now 13.d4 looks interesting, as now xe4? 14.d5 xc3 15.bxc3 wins. ] 11...b6!? Black willingly allows the queen for 3 pieces exchange. [ 11...e8 12.d4 b6 leaves White with a useful space plus, but is probably stronger. ] 12.exf6! A well-known idea in such positions. xc4 13.fxg7 xg7 14.dxc4 xf3! 15.xf3 c6 Compared to the Friberg-Winge game we examined a few months ago this must be somewhat better for White as he is ahead in d evelopmen t, and ha s an extra pawn. 16.b3! c7 17.b2 g8 18.ae1 W hite inhibits Black's main source of counterplay, the advance of his extra kingside pawn, because of the pressure on e5 from rook and bishop. ad8 19.e2 d7 20.fe1 fd8 21.a3! An annoying move, which gives B l a c k a n a w k w a r d d e c i s i o n . f4!? Black ditches the e-pawn. [ 21...e6?! allows 22.e4 with a nasty threat to check on f6. ] 617
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ but 21...e8 isn't impossible. ] 22.xe7 e8 23.a3? It is not like Krasenkow to miss a straightforward tactical win, [ 23.e4! leaves the black queen without any s e n s i b l e s q u a r e s , d2 ( what else? 23...f5 24.g4; 23...c7 24.a3 xe4 25.xe4 and Nf6+ decides) 24.d1 xd1+ 25.xd1 and after Black captures on e7 W hite will have two pieces for the rook, enough to win. ] 23...xe2 24.xe2 f5 25.e3 d4 26.g3 d2 White is still better, but Black's queen has become active, and things are not simple. 27.e2 f7 28.c5?! [ 28.c5! seems better, to play Bb6 and threaten the a-pawn. ] 28...e7 29.c4+ e8 30.d3 White certainly doesn't want to exchange both rooks, as his pieces cooperate better with a r o o k b y t h e i r s i d e s . c2 31.g2 The one major problem with White's set-up is that his bishop is looking a bit silly on a3, which is why his 28th move was not best. g5! 32.d1 This allows Black to exchange the last pair of rooks, better [ 32.h3 although d7 33.f3 f4 is not too clear. ] 32...d7! 33.b2 xd3 34.xd3?! I suspect White was in time-trouble here, as [ 34.xd3 c1 35.c4 a1 36.d6+ e7 keeps White well in the game. ] 34...xa2 35.c1 a4 The b-pawn is pinned. 36.xg5 e2! [ 36...axb3?! allows White to force a neat perpetual by 37.e5! c2 38.f7+ f8 39.h6+ e7 40.g5+ ] 37.f6 axb3 Yet another pawn drops, and this one is close to the queening square. 38.b2 e4+ 39.g1 f4! Black plays with great precision. 40.xb3?! e1+ 41.g2 e4+ 42.g1 fxg3 As ...Qf3 will fork both bishops. 0-1
618 Krasenkow,Michal Mikhalevski,Victor 1st ch-Europe (2) [Tony Kosten]
A16 2661 2499 04.07.2000
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.a4+ d7 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 a6!? [ A typical 'Grünfeld-type' move, although l e s s c o m m o n t h a n 6...g7 as played previously. ] 7.e4 [ The sharpest reply, Black had no particular problems after 7.g3 b5 8.b3 c5 9.d3 c6 10.g2 c8 in Psakhis,L-Mikhalevski, V/ Ramat Aviv ISR 1998. ] [ The other main possibility, 7.d4 brings play even closer to a real Grünfeld, and worked well for White after b5 8.b3 c6 9.f4 g7 10.e3 0-0 11.e2 e6 12.d1 b4 13.e4 , Lautier,J-Bacrot,E/ Enghien-lesBains FRA 1999. ] 7...b5 8.e2! [ This is possible now that the e-pawn has moved, 8.b3 is more 'normal'. ] 8...c6!? [ A novelty, 8...c5 9.e5 h5 10.e4 c6?! 11.xc5 f5 12.d3 ( 12.e6!? ) 12...e6 13.e4 b4+ 14.d2 f4 15.e3 d5 16.h6 f8 17.d6+!? xd6 18.exd6 xh6 19.xh6 was slightly favourable for W hite in Gelfand,B-Svidler,P/Haif a ISR 2000. ] 9.e5 b4? [ These type of combinations always seem very seductive to computers, but the knight r a r e l y e s c a p e s f r o m a 1 , b e t t e r 9...h5 although 10.d4 g4 11.e4 is more pleasant for White. ] 10.exf6! Krasenkow rarely shirks away from complications! c2+ 11.d1 xa1 12.b3 f5?! [ Hoping to withdraw the knight via c2, but 12...e6 13.b2 xb3 14.axb3 xb3+ was a better bet, although I prefer the pieces to the rook and pawns. ] 13.b2! c2 14.g4 [ 14.fxe7 xe7 15.e4 also wins the piece. ] 14...xg4 15.xc2 e6?? [ An unlikely blunder, but one that brings the 618
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 g a m e t o a s w i f t c o n c l u s i o n ! 15...d7 should have been tried, although 16.g2 e6 17.e5! favours White anyway. ] 16.xb5+!! [ A stunning move, after 16.xb5+ axb5 17.xb5+ d7 18.xd7+ xd7 19.e5+ picks-up the bishop on g4. ] 1-0
619 Krasenkow,Michal Zezulkin,Jurij chT Zakopane chT (7) [Tony Kosten]
A16 2702 2529 09.09.2000
1.c4 f6 2.f3 g6 3.c3 d5 4.a4+ d7 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 c6 7.e4!? [ Actually, this typical move is actually a novelty here. Normally W hite prefers 7.d4 g7 8.e4 0-0 9.e5 when the queen for three pieces combination is possible: e6 10.exf6!? xc4 11.fxg7 xg7 12.xc4 xd4 13.xd4 xd4 14.e2 which is unclear, Kramnik,V-Ivanchuk,V/Belgrade 1997. ] 7...a6 8.e5!? White keeps his d-pawn in reserve. e6 9.a4 Of course, without the bishop on g7, capturing on f6 as in the Kramnik game is impossible. d7 10.d4 b6 11.d1 d7 12.e3 White has gained central space, but a hole on d5 has been created. f6!? Black wishes to attack the white centre, but many other plans were possible, too. 13.e2 g7 14.e4! Black cannot stop the knight from landing on c5, and forking qu e e n a n d b is h o p . fxe5 15.c5 d5 16.g5! Charge! f5 17.f3 e4! [ Returning the pawn immediately, as after 17...g8 18.dxe5 xe5 19.xb7 b4 20.0-0 the black queen is oddly-placed. ] 18.gxe4 0-0-0 19.g3 White can ruin the black structure thus. c4 20.xf5 gxf5 21.xc6 bxc6 22.c1! b4+ 23.d2 xd4 24.e2 Menacing the powerful Qxa6+, and forcing Black's reply. xd2+ 25.xd2 xd2 26.xd2 h6+ Obviously, without this Black would lose an exchange. 27.e2 xc1 28.xc1 So, the dust has settled, and Black is actually a pawn to the good. However, White recaptures this easily, and can then try to
exploit his better structure. a5 29.d3 d8 30.e5 d5 31.xc6 d7 32.f4 T h is p ro vid e s a n ice o u t p o st o n e 5 . d6 33.e5 c5 34.g3 d4 35.c3 a4 36.a3 c4 Black plays actively to compensate for his weaker pawns. 37.c2 d5 38.f3 d3 39.d2! White decides that he has better chances without rooks, as the black rook is the more active of the two. xd2+ 40.xd2 d7? [ 40...h6 is stronger, so that if 41.c3 c5 and ...Nd5+ will drive the white king back. ] 41.c3 Threatening Kb4, and winning a pawn. h5 [ 41...c5 is no longer sufficient, 42.d4 ] 42.b4 c5 43.d2 e5 No doubt the point of Black's play, he wants to seek counter chances on the kingside. 44.xc4 [ 44.fxe5 d3+ 45.xa4 xb2+ 46.b4 d3+ 47.c3 xe5 is only slightly better for White. ] 44...exf4 45.gxf4 d3+ 46.c3 xf4 47.b6+ e4 48.xa4 Will Black's lone passed pawn be able to match the two white ones? Perhaps, if it is quick enough. e3 49.b4 e2+ 50.c4 f4 51.b5 f3 52.b2! Forced, but this resource is very strong. f4 [ 52...f2?? fails to 53.d1+ f3 54.xf2 xf2 55.b6 and the pawn cannot be stopped. ] 53.d1+ [ Not 53.b6? d2! controlling d1, 54.b7 f2 and Black queens with check! ] 53...d2 [ 53...e2 is also hopeless, 54.c3+ e1 55.e4 and the f-pawn is halted. ] 54.f2 e6 55.b6 d8 56.a4 The white pawns are unstoppable. e2 57.h3 f1 58.g5 f2 59.h3 b7 60.b4 h4 61.a5 [ 61.a5 g2 62.xf2 xf2 63.a6 soon brings White a queen. ] 1-0
619
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A16 25.d1 Kuznetsov,Vadim 2224 ½-½ Petrov,Yury 2105 60th ch-RUS sf Urals (9) 22.03.2007 621 A16 [Nigel Davies] Lautier,Joel 2645 Van Wely,Loek 2585 1.c4 f6 2.c3 c6 3.e4 d5 4.cxd5 cxd5 Groningen 1995 5.e5 d4 6.exf6 dxc3 7.fxg7 [ After 7.bxc3 I t h i n k t h a t exf6 [Nigel Davies] may be Black's best, despite the fact that it has rarely been played. ] 1.c4 f6 2.c3 c6 3.e4 d5 4.cxd5 cxd5 7...cxd2+ 8.xd2 5.e5 fd7 Solid but rather passive. [ 8.xd2 is nothing for White, for example [ 5...e4 is the more active knight move ] xd2+ 9.xd2 xg7 10.b5+ d7 [ and Black can also consider 5...d4 . ] 11.0-0-0 a6 12.d3 c5 13.c2 e6 6.d4 c6 14.e3 c8 with approximate equality in [ 6...b6 may be a more flexible approach, Johanssen, T (2001)-Strasser, J (1917)/ but I'm still not made about Black's Seefeld 2006. ] position. ] 8...xg7 9.b3 White has tried other moves 7.ge2! here but has nothing special, for example: [ Black is fine after both 7.xd5 db8! ] [ a) 9.c2 c6 10.f3 b6 11.c3 [ and 7.f3 b6 8.h3 (to prevent 8...Bg4) xc3+ 12.xc3 b4 13.xb4 xb4 f5 . ] 14.b5+ d7 15.xd7+ xd7 was equal 7...b6 8.g3 Making it difficult for Black to in Eibersberger, M (2155)-Bachofner, C develop his bishop on c8. g6?! (2085)/Austria 2000. ] [ After 8...e6? White has a strong reply in [ b) 9.b5+ d7 10.b3 b6 11.xd7+ 9.h5! when the knight is difficult to xd7 12.xb6 xb6 was pretty good for dislodge (...g6 allows Nh5-f6+) and Black's Black in Babos, L-Karpati, T/Balaton 1996. ] bishop is tied down to f8. ] 9...c6 10.e2 0-0 11.c3 e5 12.d1?! [ The best was probably to wait with 8...d7 [ 12.g3 was better, but Black would have a but I still don't like Black's position after 9.h4 dangerous initiative after e6 13.xb7 followed by 10.h5. ] d4 . ] 9.h4 h5 10.e2 d7 11.g5!? Initiating 12...e7 some interesting play on the kingside. [ 12...d4! looks even stronger after [ 11.e3 was the standard move when 13.xd4 exd4 14.f3 e6 etc. ] Black's position is far from pleasant. ] 13.a3 11...f6 12.d3 f7 13.e3! fxe5 14.f3+ [ Or 13.g3 d4 14.xd4 exd4+ 15.e2 g7 15.xd5 xd5 e6 , with a good game for Black. ] [ 15...g4? 16.e4 hits g6. ] 13...e6 16.xd5 e8 17.e4 With Black's king [ Black would also stand well after 13...d4 being vulnerable it makes sense to keep , f o r e xa m p l e 14.b4 xb4+ 15.xb4 queens on. exd4 18.d2 f7?! c2+ 16.d2 xb4 17.axb4 d8+ [ 18...e6 would have been better. ] 18.e1 xd1+ 19.xd1 f5 etc. ] 19.0-0 g8 20.f4! Preparing to set fire to 14.c2 fd8 15.xd8+ xd8 16.g3 d4 Black's ramshackle king position with f4-f5. 17.xd4 exd4 18.d3 b3+ g7 [ Black should have played 18...c8 when [ 20...e6 21.c4 d7 22.ae1 is also good 19.d2 f5+ 20.d1 xd3 21.xd3 h6 for White. ] leaves White in all sorts of trouble. ] 21.f5 e5 22.f4 d5 23.e2 xd3 19.e2 xe2+ 20.xe2 a6 21.0-0 b5 24.xd3 c6 25.g5?! 22.c1 c4 23.d1 b3 24.c1 c4 [ 25.ae1 was also very good. ] 25...d5 26.f2 b5?!
620
620
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ Black should probably have tried 26...b5 but he certainly wouldn't be out of the woods after 27.d2 e5 28.h2 intending 29. Re1. ] 27.d2 e5 28.f3! xg3 29.xg3 xf5 30.xd4 h7 31.e1 c6 32.d2 f7? Cracking under the tremendous pressure. [ 32...f8 would have stayed in the game. ] 33.e5! f1+ 34.h2 h7 35.e3 g7 36.xe7 f6 37.h6+ g8 38.xg7+ 1-0
If you want to make a draw it's usually better to keep rooks on. You can learn this from Eugene Znosko-Borovsky in his 'How to Play the Chess Endings'. xa1 28.xa1 e6 29.b1 f5 30.exf5+ xf5 31.f1?! [ Suddenly White sees that the pawn endgame is lost after 31.xf5 gxf5 32.c2 d5 33.d3 e4+ 34.fxe4+ fxe4+ 35.e3 e5 etc. ] 31...d5 32.c2 e4 33.f4 c5 0-1
622
623
Laxman,Rajaram Safarli,Eltaj 12th Dubai Open (5) [Nigel Davies]
A16 2485 2606 10.04.2010
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.e4 xc3 6.dxc3 xd1+ 7.xd1 f6 A very solid reply after playing ...e7-e5 Black's opening problems are over. Of course on e wou ld no t n ecessarily e xp e ct t o win games like this without a little bit of help from White. 8.c2 e5 9.e3 d7 [ Another possibility is 9...e6 , for example 10.d2 d7 11.a4 a5 12.c4 xc4 13.xc4 c5 14.hd1 xe3 15.xe3 b6 16.b4 e7 17.c4 c6 18.c5 d7 19.b3 hd8 20.c4 axb4 21.b6 xc5+ 22.xb4 xe4 23.xa8 xa8 24.f3 was a draw in Ribli, Z (2610)-Ftacnik, L (2535)/Germany 1992/GER-chT. ] 10.d1 White probably thought he could coast to a draw but he has to be careful. [ 10.d2 is a much better idea than just putting the rook on the open file, for example a5 11.f3 c5 12.c4 e7 was about equal in Kreizberg, M (2346)-Mikhalevski, V (2524)/Tel Aviv 2002. ] 10...c5 11.d2 d7 12.f3 h5 13.h4 a5 14.b3 e6 15.g3 c5 16.c4 b5 17.xc5 xc5 18.e3 c6 Black might claim to be e ve r s o s l igh t ly b e t t e r h e re a f t e r h a vin g gained space on the queenside. Of course it should still be a draw with accurate defence by White, though this is often easier said than done. 19.h3 xh3 20.xh3 e7 21.a3 hd8 22.xd8 xd8 23.b4 axb4 24.axb4 b7 25.h1 a8 26.b2 d6 27.a1?
Laznicka,Viktor Nechepurenko,Roman V WCh-Junior Gaziantep TUR (4) [Carsten Hansen]
A16 2601 2476 05.08.2008
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.a4+ c6 The main lines is of course 5...Bd7, which we have examined several times. 6.e5 db4!? [ The alternatives are unconvincing: A) 6...b6? 7.xc6 xa4 8.xd8 xc3 9.xf7 xf7 10.dxc3 Krasenkow, MAzmaiparashvili, Z/Groningen 1997 ] [ B) 6...xc3?! 7.bxc3 d7 8.xd7 xd7 9.g3 g7 10.g2 , and White has the easier game plan, Vekshenkov, NKorniushin, N/Tomsk 2001 ] 7.a3 g7 8.axb4 [ 8.d4!? xe5 9.dxe5 d5 10.e4 b6 11.c2 d4 12.d1 e6 13.e3 ] 8...xe5 9.b5 b8 [ 9...d4 is examined by John Watson in the notes to the game mentioned in the note after White's 10th move. ] 10.g3 [ The alternative is 10.e3 which also leads to an advantage to W hite as evidenced in Steingrimsson-Sakalauskas, 2006 - which can be found in the PGN archives. ] 10...c6 [ A major alternative for Black and also the o n l y l i n e g i v e n i n t h e E C O i s 10...0-0 11.g2 A) 11...g7 12.0-0 c6 (here ends the coverage in the ECO with an '=' based on the below Timman game, though matters are, as suspected perhaps, a little more 621
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 b-file, White is doing rather well out of complicated than that) 13.d3 a6 14.bxc6 the opening b5! 16.a3 b7 17.d4 xc6 15.xc6 ( 15.g5!? h6 16.e3 d7 is an untried and promising alternative for C2a) Here Postny in CBM White; 15.f4 d4= ) 15...bxc6 recomm end s 18.e4 fc8 ( 18...b4? A1) The theory's stem game goes along i s s t r o n g l y m e t b y 19.b3! bxc3 with 16.h4 b8 17.a4 h5 18.d2 20.e3 Postny ) 19.g5; g4 19.f3 C2b) 18.b2?! This move is not really A1a) Black can improve with sound, the B is too passive on b2. 19...d4+ 20.g2 f5 21.c3 fc8= Sturua, Z-Goloshchapov, A/ ( 21.xd4 xd4 22.c3 c5 ) Batumi 2002; 21...e3 22.fe1 b5=; C3) 14.d3 b8 15.f4 xf4 16.xf4 A1b) 19...xb2?! 20.xb2 d4+ Lopez Martinez, J-Moor, R/ Zug 2001; 21.h1 xb2 22.ad1 xd2 23.xd2 D) 11...d7 Black has several e3 24.fxg4 xd2 25.xe7 hxg4 alternatives at this juncture, e.g. 12.0-0 26.f4 Timman, J-Tseshkovsky, V/ c5 Bled 1979; D1) Or 13.c2!? f5 ( 13...e6 14.b4 A2) 16.xc6 b8 17.d1 ( 17.c4 b3 15.a3 xc1 16.xc1 ) 14.d3 d7 18.h4 f6 19.g5 xg5 a6 15.e3 xd3 16.exd3 xd3 20.xg5 xb2= ) 17...b7 18.a4 c8 17.b3 xf1 18.xf1 axb5 19.xb5 19.f4 h3 20.e4 bd8 ( Black can , and White is close to having a winning i m p r o v e w i t h 20...e5 21.e3 f5 advantage, Sherbakov, R-Pribyl, M/ , and Black has decent compensation for Belgorod 1991; the pawn ) 21.e3 h8 22.c2 f5 D2) 13.c4 d6 ( 13...e6 23.f3 fxe4 24.dxe4 , and White has also leads to a clearly better game for stabilized the position and consolidated White: 14.e3 a6 15.bxa6 xa6 his advantage, Pogorelov, R-Perera 16.xa6 bxa6 17.d4 d6 18.b4 Gonzalez, P/Las Palmas 1999; Benko, P-Rajna, G/Szolnok 1975) 14.b4 B) 11...d7 12.0-0 ( or 12.e3 c6 e6 15.e3 a6 16.a5 g7 17.d4 b8 13.bxc6 xc6 14.d4 g7 15.0-0 a6 18.d5 d8 was Zacurdajev, M16.d1 Cools, G-Lavrenov, Y/ BEL Khakimov, T /Peterhof RUS 2007, and 2001 ) 12...c6 13.d1! ( 13.b6 a6 now White should have tried 19.e4 e5 14.d3 ) 13...cxb5 14.xb5 c6 15.d4 20.h6 e8 21.c1 , and Black is g7 16.f4 Savon, V-Rudolf, M/Warsaw struggling getting his pieces back to life ] 1992; [ F i n a l l y , B l a c k h a s a l s o t r i e d 10...d7 C) 11...c6 12.0-0 ( 12.d3 g7 13.f4 11.g2 b6 12.c2 f5 13.d3 c8 cxb5 14.xb5 a6 15.a5 c6 16.xd8 14.h3 d7 15.e4 d5 16.c5 e6 xd8 17.xc6 bxc6= Doettling, FA) White should probably opt for 17.c4!? Dunsbach, R/Bad Wiessee 2002) 12...a6 c6 18.xd7 xd7 19.bxc6 xc6 ( 12...b6 13.e4 f6 14.d3 f5 20.xc6+ ( 20.a5!? ) 20...bxc6 21.e3; 15.e3 d4 16.d2 a6 17.fc1 cxb5 B) 17.b3 c6 18.xd7 xd7 19.bxc6 18.xb7 a7 19.f3 Lobron, E-Schirm, bxc6 20.xd5?! , and a draw was agreed F /Wiesbaden 1993 ) 13.bxc6 xc6 upon, 1/2-1/2, in Bison, B-Brockbank, H/ C1) 14.xc6 doesn't produce anything corr CAPA 1995, although it is only Black for White: bxc6 15.d3 b8 16.e1 c5 who can be better in this position ] 17.a5 d4 , and a draw was agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, in Sturua, Z-Turov, M/ 11.g2 0-0 [ On a few occasions Black has also given Dubai 2002, though Black has every 11...d7 a try: reason to be satisfied with the outcome A) Or 12.d4 g7 13.d1 0-0 14.0-0 of the opening.; c8 15.g5 ( 15.a4!? d8 16.c5 C2) 14.e3 xc3 15.bxc3! with a strong c8 17.e3 ) 15...e8 16.c1 ( 16.a4 centre, pair of bishops and a semi-open 622
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 d8 17.c5 ) 16...h3 , Ligterink, GDuesterwald, M/Curacao AHO 2002, and now White should probably opt for 17.d3 a6 18.bxc6 xc6=; B) 12.b4 0-0 13.0-0 c8 14.d3 a5 15.h4 f6 16.g5 xg5 17.xg5 cxb5 18.xb5 Saric, I-Banas, J/Zagreb CRO 2006; C) 12.e4 g7 13.d3 0-0 14.0-0 e5 15.e3 a6 16.fc1 e6 17.b4 d7 18.e4 , and Black is in serious trouble, B is c h o f f , K -Hu e n e rko p f , H/ G e rm a n y 1988 ] 12.0-0 [ 12.d3!? ] 12...d7?! [ A better try is 12...a6 , for instance 13.bxc6 xc6 14.d3 ( 14.xc6?! bxc6 15.xc6 b8 ) 14...d6 15.g5 , and White has the somewhat more comfortable game, but Black is nowhere near suffering like he is in the game. ] 13.b4 d6 [ Black can also consider playing more actively with 13...a5 , e.g. 14.bxa6 xa6 15.xb7 d4 16.a3 ( 16.xa6?? b8 17.xb8 xb8 ) 16...a7 17.b3 e6 18.d1 b6 , which looks somewhat prom ising f or Black, until W hite simply c o n t i n u e s w i t h 19.e3 g7 20.d4 , and Black's compensation is rather limited. ] 14.h4 b6? [ This invites more trouble and further losses of time. Black should instead have opted for 14...e5 , though 15.xd8 xd8 16.d3 is clearly better for White. ] 15.d3! cxb5? [ After this added mistake, Black pretty much loses by force. The superior, but still not very good 15...c5 16.e3 f5 17.e4 also leads to a very clear advantage for White. ] 16.e3 c7 17.d5 d8 18.b6 c6 19.xa8 xa8 20.xa7! xa7 21.d4 c6 22.xc6 And Black resigned a bit early pe rh a p s , b u t p la ying a n e xch a n ge d o wn without any counterplay after being routed straight out of the opening isn't what most people consider fun. 1-0
624 Malakhov,Vladimir Ni Hua CHN-RUS Chess Summit (7) [Nigel Davies]
A16 2690 2607 17.08.2006
1.c4 f6 2.c3 d5 3.cxd5 xd5 4.g3 g6 5.g2 xc3 6.bxc3 g7 7.f3 0-0 8.0-0 c6 9.c2 Rather than go for immediate activity White prefers to build up quietly. b6 [ The other plan is 9...e5 but it doesn't look like complete equality for Black either. For example 10.d3 d7 11.b1 b6 12.a4 b7 13.a3 fe8 14.fd1 ad8 15.d2 a5 16.xb7 xb7 17.c4 a5 18.e3 was slightly better for White in Rat, D (2316)Pg, M (2152)/Szombathely 2003. ] 10.b2 b7 11.c4 xb2 12.xb2 This looks quite nice for White because of his long term trump of having more centre pawns. This is an important factor even when Black neutralises the pressure along the h1-a8 diagonal. a5 New and better for White. [ T h e r e a g a i n 12...d6 13.ac1 ad8 14.fd1 f6 15.xf6 exf6 16.c5 fe8 17.e3 e7 18.d4 1/2-1/2 was also good for White in Thorarinsson, P (2149)-Seger, R (2400)/Pardubice 2001. This also illustrates the advantage of having a higher rating! ] 13.c5 d5 [ 13...bxc5 14.b5 would be extremely unpleasant. ] 14.ac1 bxc5?! Personally I would have gone to great lengths to avoid playing this move. 15.c3 c4 16.b1 ad8 17.b2 a8 18.e4 h5 19.g4! xg4 [ Black is losing a piece because 19...c5 is met by 20.d4! . But the game proves to be far from over... ] 20.xa5 xe4 21.h3 e6 22.e1 d5 23.b5?! [ 23.b4 looks stronger, intending just to take the pawn on c4. ] 23...c6 24.xd5 xd5 25.c3 d8 26.e2 b8 27.e1 xg2 28.xg2?! Another slip which lets Black right back into it. [ 28.e5! was better, followed by taking on g2 with the king. ] 28...e6 29.e5 b1+ 30.e1 b5 31.e3 f3 32.h4 a5 33.a3 [ 33.xc4?! b4 will get the h4 pawn. ] 623
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 33...h5 34.b1 f4 35.g2 d6 36.b7 with an ugly position for Black, Eingorn, Vb5 37.xb5 cxb5 38.xa5 e5 39.c3 Konopka, M/Graz 2001) 10.h6 xh6 e4 40.b2 c6 41.e3 h5 42.d4 a8 11.xh6 e5 12.f3 xf3+ 13.xf3 e7 43.c5 b7 44.f1 d7 45.e5 h7 14.0-0 c6 15.fd1 f5 16.e3 f6 17.b4 46.f4 g8 47.g3 e5 48.e4 e6 18.c5 Bischoff, K-Chabanon, J/Novi [ 48.g5! would have been very unpleasant Sad 1990 ] here. ] 9.d2 48...e7 49.g5 xa3 50.xe5 f3 [ White has a couple of alternatives at this 51.e8+ juncture: A) 9.h4!? [ This time missing 51.f6+! f8 52.c5+ A) 9...h6 10.f3 e5 ( 10...xf3+ g7 53.e8+ g8 54.d4 after which 11.xf3 c6 is relatively best) 11.e4 0-0 g4+ 55.xg4 hxg4 56.d6 gives White a 12.d2 h7 13.h5 g5 14.fxg5+ hxg5 winning endgame. ] 15.h6 ( Here White should probably have 51...g7 52.e5+ g8 53.c3 tried 15.xg5+!? h8 16.xd4 exd4 [ Aga in m iss in g 53.f6+ with a probable 17.f4 f5 18.xc7 with an on-going win. ] a t t a c k n o t e t h a t d5? 19.h6 f6 53...g4+ 54.g3?! After the exchange of 20.h7+ g8 21.h4 is unhealthy for queens Black's troubles are at an end. Black ) 15...f6 16.xf6+ xf6 17.h5 [ 54.f1 was the last chance to play for c6 18.xg5 g8 1/2-1/2 Eingorn, V-Finkel, something. ] A/Metz 1996; 54...b4 55.xg4 hxg4 56.d5 b3 57.g2 B) 9...h5!? 10.f3 xf3+ 11.xf3 c6=; b2 58.c3 g7 59.g3 f5 Black is in the C) 9...f5 10.d2 h5 11.f3 c6 12.0-0 driving seat now. 60.f4 h6 61.b1 h5 0-0 13.e1 d5 14.e4 xc3 15.bxc3 62.g3 g5 63.hxg5 xg5 64.f4+ f6 d6 16.f4 Eingorn, V-Bogdanov, V/ 65.f2 e6 66.c3 f6 67.g3 g6 Metz 1996 ] 68.h4 f6 69.g3 A lucky escape for [ B) 9.f3 xf3+ 10.xf3 c6 11.h4 h5 Black. 12.d2 e6 13.g5 , Stanec, N-Bogdanov, ½-½ V / A s c h a c h A U T 2 0 0 2 , a n d n o w d5!? is be st, e .g. 14.e4 b6 15.b3 g4 with a comfortable game for Black ] 625 A16 9...c6?! [ This passive move lets White gain an Marin,Mihail 2556 advantage without any problems. Instead Ris,Robert 2395 9...f5 has been established as the best IX EICC Plovdiv BUL (4) 24.04.2008 way for Black to proceed: 10.c5 0-0 [Carsten Hansen] A) 11.e3 is slightly premature on account of 1.c4 f6 2.c3 d5 3.cxd5 xd5 4.g3 g6 A1) 11...e8 12.ge2 ( 12.f3 5.g2 b6 6.d3 g7 7.e3 c6 8.c1 will transpose to 11 Nf3 and offers White [ This is a quite rare line in this variation. better chances of an edge) 12...e5 The normal moves are 8.xc6+ ] 13.0-0 c6 14.b3 a5 15.fd1 d7 [ 8.d2 ] 16.a3 b6 17.c5 d7 18.a3 b6 [ and 8.f3 which was seen in Butnorius19.c2 , Gritsak, O-Zezulkin, J/ Iordachescu - see the next game in this Z a k o p a n e 2 0 0 0 , a n d n o w h6 month's update. ] is approximately equal; [ whereas 8.c1 is seen less frequently, but A2) 11...d7! 12.a3 e5 13.d1 in conjunction with Nf3 can be a handful for b8 14.f3 xf3+ 15.xf3 b6 16.0-0 Black to handle. ] c5 17.b4 cxb4 18.xb4 a5= 8...d4 Grigorian, K-Gulko, B/URS 1974; [ 8...0-0 9.d2 d4 ( 9...e8?! 10.h6 B) 11.f3!? h8 11.h4! d4 12.h5 e5 13.hxg6 hxg6 B1) 11...e8 12.e4?! ( 12.0-0 ) 14.e4 f6 15.f3 xf3+ 16.xf3 624
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 12...h6 13.c2 xc1 14.xc1 , Zolt e k, T -K irov, N/ L od z 19 8 0 , d7 , and Black is already clearly better despite the absence of the dark-squared bishop; B2) 11...d7 12.a3 c5 13.0-0 b8 14.b4 cxb4 15.xb4 a5 16.a3 b5 , Dannevig, O-Bae, T/Bergen 2000, and now 17.e4 b4 18.b2 e5 19.c2; B3) 11...c6 12.0-0 e8 B3a) 13.c2 d7 14.a3 e5 15.xe5 xe5 16.e3 g7 ( 16...e6 17.e2 ) 17.d4 e6 18.b3 h5 19.fd1 with a solid plus for White, Vilela, J-Pribyl, J/Trnava 1979; B3b) 13.e3 e5 14.a3 ( 14.e4 e6 15.b3 d7 16.a3 d5 17.fd1 ) 14...e6 15.b3 d6 16.fd1 a5 17.c2 , Bischoff, KHouhou, O/Bad Zwesten GER 2006, and now Black could have obtained app roxim ate ly equal chan ce s wit h d5 ] [ Also 9...e5 has been tried, but after 10.h6 0-0 11.xg7 xg7 12.e3 e6 13.f3 f6 14.0-0 c6 , Bischoff, K-Seger, R/ Gladenbach 1997, White can obtain a clear advantage with 15.e4 ] 10.h6 0-0 11.xg7 xg7 12.e3! f5 [ 12...e6 13.f3 c7 14.0-0 f5 15.d4 cd5 16.fe1 , and White is clearly better, Schandorff, L-Holmsten, A/ Reykjavik 2000 ] 13.f3 f6 14.d4! This is like a dream version of a Gruenfeld for W hite: the dark-squared bishops have been exchanged, the black f orc es a re u nco ordinate d a nd W hite ca n expand in the centre more or less at will. h5?! This ugly move doesn't accomplish much, but serves to weaken Black's kingside further. W hite is now already clearly better. 15.h4! Whatever Black was trying to do with the hpawn has now been stopped and the weakness on g6 is of far greater importance than that on g4. h6 16.0-0 g4 17.c2 [ 17.e4!? followed by Nc5 is very unpleasant for Black, who is struggling a weak pawn structure and inf erior piece coordination ] 17...f7 18.e2 White wants to play Nf4, poking at the weak pawn on g6. [ 18.a4!? e5 19.a5 d5 20.xd5 cxd5
21.dxe5 xf3 22.xf3 xe5 23.g2 xa5 24.b3 ad8 25.fd1 ] 18...e5 19.dxe5!? [ 19.a4 d6 20.a5 d5 21.e4 b4 22.b3 exd4 23.exd4 ad8 is perfectly satisfactory for Black ] 19...xf3?? Routine pl ay, but missing an important detail. Black should have played 19... dxe5 with a small, but clear advantage for White. 20.xf3?? [ And White returns the favour... After 20.f4! the game would have been over. ] 20...xe5? [ 20...fxe5! is the lesser evil because it takes the f4-sqare away from White's knight on e2. White is of course still better after 21.cd1 f6 22.g2 ] 21.e4! f5 This is an necessity, otherwise White will play Nf4 with even more threats. 22.f4! f6 23.g2 ad8 24.cd1 h6?! [ 24...fe8 25.e4 ( 25.a4!? c8 26.b4 ) 25...fxe4 26.xe4 d5 27.xd5 cxd5 28.xd5 ] 25.d4! xd4?! This looks normal, but it actually creates an abundance of new problems for Black as the king on h6 now gets under fire. 26.exd4 g4 27.e1 f7 [ A passive defence with 27...g8 28.d2 h7 doesn't work either, e.g. 29.b4 h8 30.e6 f7 31.e7 xe7 32.xe7 g7 33.e8+ h7 34.e6 g8 35.e7+ h6 36.xb7 , and more pawns will fall ] 28.d2! e8 [ 28...c4 29.c1 only makes things worse for Black ] [ and 28...h7 29.e6 is also a disaster. ] 29.e6+ f4 Sadly this is the only move, yet it leads to a completely lost endgame. 30.xf4 xe1+ 31.xe1 d5 32.xd5 cxd5 33.e6! Gam e o ver! xe6 34.xe6 f6 Black is only a pawn down, but unfortunately for him, getting the king from h6 to f7 takes four moves because of the knight on e6. 35.f3 h7 36.f2 g8 37.e3 b6 If not the b7pawn will fall after 37...Kf7 38 Nd8+ 38.f4 f7 39.d8+ [ Or 39.e5 e7 40.f4 , and White wins the d5-pawn. ] 39...e8 40.c6 1-0
625
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 626 Meier,Georg Robson,Ray 5th SPICE Cup GpA (8) [John Bartholomew]
A16 2648 2583 23.10.2011
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.g3 g7 6.g2 b6 A trendy move. The problem is that W hite gains some flexibility due to the lessened pressure on c3. He may effectively delay castling, while Black can't really do the same. [ Black players should seriously study the main line 6...0-0 7.0-0 when many reliable moves are available, i.e. ( White has also ventured 7.h4!? here. ) 7...c5 Check the archives. ( or 7...c6; or 7...b6 )] 7.d3 c6 8.e3 0-0 9.d2 e5 10.h4 Having scrutinized many Anti-Grunfeld games over the past few months, I can tell you there's a definite trend towards pushing h2-h4 in nearly every line! Actually, I can't even limit that statement to the Anti-Grunfeld: see, for instance, Radjabov - Ivanchuk in this update. [ 10.h6 is more common, ] [ while 10.0-0 transposes to a well-known line. For recent coverage of the latter, check the archives for Huebner, R (2598)-Kulaots, K (2592)/Porvoo FIN 2011/[Nigel Davies]. ] 10...g4 A novelty mentioned by John Watson in 2005. [ Black has previously played 10...h5 , i.e. 11.g5 ( 11.g5 d4! 12.ge4 c6 13.d1?! e7 Bukal, V (2400)-Leko, P (2255)/Dortmund 1991.) 11...f6 12.e3 Aronian, L (2724)-Areshchenko, A (2653)/ Khanty Mansiysk 2005/[John Watson]. ] 11.g5! Quite a thematic move. White has various ideas: capturing on c6, playing f2-f3, targeting the h7-pawn, opening the h-file, repositioning the knight to e4, etc. [ Watson gives the tempo-gaining 11.h2!? , which also makes sense. For instance, e6 12.xc6 bxc6 13.h5 . Meier's move is more intuitive to me, though W hite's position remains promising here as well. ] 11...e7 Black's position is already difficult, which makes m e question th e entire lin e beginning with 7...Nb6. Others: [ 11...d4!? offers a pawn and might be Black's best bet. After
A) 12.h5 xh5 ( 12...c6 13.hxg6 hxg6 14.0-0-0 ) 13.xh7 e8 ( 13...xh7? 14.g4 ) 14.f3!? ( 14.xb7 b8 15.g2 c6 ); B) 12.xb7 b8 13.g2 f6 14.ge4 f5 15.g5 d7 Black has some practical compensation with White's king in limbo. ] [ 11...f6 12.ge4 d4 13.c5 c6 14.xb7 e7 15.a5 ac8 seems like a less desirable version of 11... Nd4. ] 12.h5 [ White plans to part with the light-square bishop anyway, so he could consider 12.xc6!? bxc6 h e r e , e . g . 13.f3 ( 13.ge4!? ) A) 13...d7 14.h5 ( 14.ge4!? ); B) 13...c8 14.h5 d8 15.hxg6 hxg6 16.ge4 c4 17.c5! d6 18.g4 ] 12...xh5 13.xc6 [ Here 13.xh7!? is interesting. Black must e s s e n t i a l l y s a c r i f i c e a p a wn , a s xh7? ( 13...fd8; or 13...fe8 is necessary.) 14.g4+- is already decisive. ] 13...bxc6 14.ge4?! [ Now 14.xh7 should definitely be preferred. ] 14...f5!? Robson seeks the initiative with an exchange sacrifice. [ This looks unnecessary, as after 14...d7! Black could cover c5 and expect counterplay with ...f7-f5 coming. ] 15.c5 d7 16.xf8 xf8 17.c5 [ 17.f3!? fxe4 18.xe4 White will regain the piece with g3-g4. ] 17...e7 18.b3 [ 18.a6!? ] 18...e4 Opening lines while White is a bit disorganized. 19.0-0-0? [ 19.dxe4 fxe4 20.h4! enables White to fight for the advantage. ( 20.0-0 c4 )] 19...c5? Black misses an excellent chance. [ 19...xc3! would have put White in a predicament. For example, A) 20.bxc3 exd3 21.exd3 ( 21.xd3 xe2 ) 21...xd1; B) 20.xc3 xe2 21.d2 ( 21.de1 g5+ 22.d2 xd2+ 23.xd2 xd3 ) 21...xd3 22.xc6? f6! ] 20.dxe4 fxe4 21.e3 Now White is in control. c4?! [ 21...xc3 is a better chance, e.g. 22.xc3 626
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ( 22.bxc3 a4 ) 22...xe2 23.de1 f3 ] 22.d4 c5 23.db5 b8? A blunder. [ 23...g4 and Black can still hope. ] 24.g4! Meier is alert. a6 [ 24...xg4 25.f4+- ] 25.d6 [ 25.gxh5 axb5 26.hxg6+is more efficient. ] 25...xg4 26.dxe4 f5?! 27.xc5 b7 28.d6+Now White only needs to consolidate. e7 29.e4 e6 30.f4 xc3 31.bxc3 a4 32.e5 b6 33.xh7! A killer - forcing mate! xh7 34.xe6+ h8 35.e8+ g7 36.f5+ [ faster is 36.f7+ h8 37.f8+ g8 38.h1# ] 36...f6 37.e5+ It's mate after 37...Kf7 38. Qe7+ Kg8 40.Qe8. 1-0
627 Miton,Kamil Vachier Lagrave,Maxime TOP 16 GpA Evry FRA (3) [Nigel Davies]
A16 2581 2727 28.03.2010
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.a4+ c6 6.xd5 [ A m u c h s i m p l e r t r e a t m e n t t h a n 6.d4 . White will gain time on Black's queen and rely on his central pawn majority. ] 6...xd5 7.e4 d6 8.d4 d7!? A new order of moves Black may be able to play ...e7-e5 or ...f7-f5 quite quickly. [ In previous games Black had played the automatic 8...g7 , for example 9.e3 0-0 ( An interesting plan for Black is to play for ... f7-f5, for example 9...d7 10.d1 b6 11.c2 0-0 12.e2 g4 13.0-0 f5 14.h3 xf3 15.xf3 fxe4 16.xe4 d5 wa s f in e f o r Bla ck in S te in grim sso n , H (2547)-Areshchenko, A (2673)/Reykjavik 2009 ) 10.e2 g4 11.d1 d7 12.0-0 e5 13.dxe5 e7 14.g5 e8 15.h3 xf3 16.xf3 b6 17.d4 xe5 18.b4 and W hite was slightly better in Turov, M (2595)-Svetlov, D (2399)/St Petersburg 2009. ] 9.e2 [ 9.e3 c a n b e m e t b y b6 ( 9...e5?!
looks dubious after 10.0-0-0 ) 10.c2 g4 transposing. ] 9...b6 10.c2 g4 11.e3 g7 [ 11...f5!? , trying to hunt down light squares in the centre. ] 12.0-0 [ Offering a temporary sacrifice of the d4 pawn but it doesn't really achieve much. He could also play just 12.d1 when f5 makes sense for Black. ] 12...xf3 13.xf3 [ There's still time for Whit to keep his d4 pawn with 13.e5 but then e6 14.xf3 d5 seems fine for Black. ] 13...xd4 14.ad1 e5 15.xd4 exd4 16.e5 e6 17.c5 [ 17.xd4 0-0 would be fine for Black. ] 17...0-0-0 18.xd4 xd4 19.xd4 d8 20.f4 h5 [ And not 20...xa2? because o f 21.g4+ d7 22.d1 with a horrible pin on the knight on d7. ] 21.e1 e8 22.g4 d7 23.gxh5 xe5 24.h1 c7 It seems slightly bizarre to pin the knight on e5 to the king as well as the rook, but it doesn't look bad for Black. 25.hxg6 [ 25.h6 f6 is fine for Black. ] 25...fxg6 26.g2 d6 27.h4 e7 28.g3 d8 29.f3 e8 30.g2 f8 31.e4 e6 32.e2 f7 33.xd6+ xd6 34.h5 gxh5 35.xh5 d5 36.xf7 xf7 37.f3 d2 ½-½
628 Navara,David Svidler,Peter Corus A Wijk aan Zee NED (3) [Carsten Hansen]
A16 2719 2728 21.02.2007
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.a4+ d7 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 a6 7.d4 [ 7.g3 c6 8.g2 e5 9.0-0 g7 10.d3 h6 11.d2 0-0 12.h4 e8 13.xd8 xd8 with at best a tiny little pull for W hite, Z. Rahman-A.Gupta, New Delhi 2007 ] [ 7.e4 b5 8.e2 c6 9.e5!? b4 10.exf6 c2+ 11.d1 xa1 12.b3 e6 13.g5 f5 14.g4 c2+ 15.e1 h6 16.h4 with a ridiculously complicated position, S. Arun Prasad-J.Aswin, Atul 2006 ] 627
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 7...b5 8.b3 [ 8.d3 c5 9.dxc5 g7 10.e4 0-0 11.a3 c6 12.d2 b4 13.d5 ( 13.a4!? ) 13...xd5!? 14.exd5 f5 15.c4 xb2 16.d1 bxa3!? 17.dxc6 e6 18.c2 b8 19.c4 xc4 20.xc4 b5 21.xb5 axb5 and Black's nasty passed pawn on a2 more than compensates for the sacrificed piece, T.Nyback-D. Howell, Stockholm 2007 ] 8...c6 [ 8...c5 9.dxc5 g7 10.e4 e6 11.c2 A) 11...bd7 12.c6 b6 13.f4 c8 14.e2 ( 14.d4 0-0 15.e2!? ) 14...c4 15.0-0 h5 16.e5 1-0 Sundararajan, K-Aswin,J/Atul IND 2006/The W eek in Chess 634 (34); B) 11...c6 12.e2 c7 13.0-0 0-0 B1) 14.a3 ad8 15.g3 a7 B1a) 16.e3 g4 17.d1 ( 17.d5 xd5 18.exd5 xd5 ) 17...xe3 18.xe3 a5 19.d5 xd5 20.exd5 xd5 21.ac1 h6 is fine for Black; B1b) 16.b4 xe4 17.b2 xc5 18.bxc5 xc5 19.ad1 b4 20.axb4 xb4 21.c1 c8 , and White is already in trouble, J.W erle-Vachier Lagrave, Wijk aan Zee 2007; B2) 14.h3 b4 15.b1 xc5 16.e3 c8 17.c1 c6 18.d4?! ( 18.b4!? b7 19.a4 looks like a better try for White ) 18...xd4 19.xd4 b8= Peng Zhaoqin-I. Nepomniachtchi, Wijk aan Zee 2007 ] 9.g5 [ 9.f4!? ] 9...e6 [ 9...h6 10.xf6 ( 10.f4 e6 11.d1 g5 also appears okay for Black) 10...exf6 11.d1 d6 12.g3 0-0 13.g2 e8 14.0-0 b4 15.a4 xe2 16.c5 xc5 17.dxc5 e8 1/2-1/2 V.Chuchelov-P.Popovic, Katernberg (GER-CH) 2007 ] 10.d1 g7 11.e3 0-0 12.e2 [ 12.d3!? b4 13.b1 c8 is okay for Black ] 12...d5 13.e4 h6 14.h4 f5 15.c5 d6 16.0-0 f7 17.b7 d7 18.g3 So far things look pleasant for Black, who now takes action to create counterplay. g5!? 19.a4 [ 19.c5 d8 20.a4 looks like a better way
to play it for Black, but things are rather complicated ] 19...f4 20.exf4 gxf4 21.h4 db4 22.axb5 axb5 23.xa8 xa8 24.xb5 d5 Black is fine now 25.e2 b8 26.c5 xd4 27.xd4 xc5 and despite plenty of play being left in this position, the players agreed upon a draw. ½-½
629 Ni Hua Li,Chao 6th TCh-CHN Ningbo CHN (3) [Nigel Davies]
A16 2667 2613 18.04.2010
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.a4+ d7 6.h4 c6 7.d4 g8 [ An interesting alternative to the preservation of castling rights with 7...f6 . Black supports the posting of his bishop on g7 so as to win time on White's queen. ] 8.e5!? e6 [ And not 8...g7 now because of 9.xc6 xd4 10.xd8 . ] 9.e4 b4 10.xd8+ xd8 11.d1 W eird but best. And now W hite enjoys an edge in the endgame because of his central pawn majority. e8 12.d4 f6 [ Maybe 12...d7 is better here, for example 13.xd7 xd7 14.e3 g7 15.c4 c6 16.e2 a5 17.d3 c5 18.dxc5 xb2 19.b1 e5 20.d4 ( 20.f4!? ) 20...c7 21.e2 ad8 which was OK for Black in Sargissian, G (2660) -Vachier Lagrave, M (2684)/Paris 2009. ] 13.f3 g5?! This advance of the g-pawn breaks with previous precedent, though I hesitate to call it a 'prepared novelty' because it probably wasn't! [ 13...c5 14.c4 d7 15.e3 cxd4 16.xd4 e7 was played in Halkias, S (2566)-Bykhovsky, A (2466)/ Benidorm 2009 and seems more logical to me. But I don't particularly like Black's game here either. ] 14.c4 f7 15.h3 c5 16.e5! cxd4 17.e4 Black's position is falling apart at the seams. He can thank 13...g5?! for a lot of the damage. d7 18.xf6 [ 18.exf6 might have been a simpler way to 628
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 play this. ] [ White usually chooses between the text and 18...c8 19.b3 9.b3 . A very recent example of the former: [ Suddenly it's not that easy an more, for b4!? ( Kaufman gives 9...xc3 10.dxc3 example 19.xg8 xc4 20.xg5+ c7 g7 11.b2 a5 12.g3 a4 , as in Gelfand, 21.b3 c2 22.a3 xg8 23.axb4 xf2 B (2733)-Svidler, P (2726)/ Dagomys RUS is looking a bit messy. But White could kill 2009. Black has good counterplay.) 10.d1 the counterplay here with 24.c1+ b8 e6 11.b2 g7 12.c1 0-0 13.a4 25.c2 , exchanging off Black's active rook. ] h6!? 14.c5 ad8 15.e3 f5 16.a3 19...xf6 20.exf6 b5 c2!? 17.a2 d5 with highly interesting [ 20...d5 was probably better. ] play. Postny, E (2653)-Shankland, S (2579)/ 21.xb5 c5 22.c4 c6 23.b2 xc4 Biel SUI 2012. ] 24.bxc4 e5 25.c1 h6 26.e1 g4?! [ 9.e4 b4 ] 27.xe5 xe5 9...g7 1-0 [ 9...b8 was seen in Buhmann, R (2587)Nedilko, V (2400) / Rijeka CRO 2010/[Nigel Davies]. ] 630 A16 10.g2 e6 11.a3!? Covering the b4 square. [ 11.b3 is more common, but after 0-0-0 Petrosian,Tigran L 2661 ( mo re a dve nt u ro u s is 11...0-0!? , i.e. Gupta,Abhijeet 2627 12.b2 b4 13.0-0 fd8 14.d3 g4 15.f3 21st Kavala Open A (7) 30.07.2012 d4+ 16.h1 e6 17.a4 e3 [John Bartholomew] Andreikin, D (2648)-Hammer, J (2583)/ L u b b u c k U S A 2 0 0 9 .) 12.b2 xc3 The early queen trade Black offers in the 5... 13.xc3 xc3 14.dxc3 d6 White is trying Nc6 Pseudo-Grunfeld used to be regarded to squeeze water from a stone. Black simply with suspicion, but many recent games have intends ...Rh8-d8 with a fully acceptable demonstrated the resiliency of Black's game, e.g. 15.d1 hd8 16.xd6 xd6 position. 1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 17.e4 c5! 18.c2 f5 19.e4 g4!? 4.cxd5 xd5 5.a4+ c6 A move that has ( 19...xe4 20.xe4 e6 21.f3 f5= ) 20.f3 been steadily gaining in popularity. It was xf3 21.f1 xe4 22.xe4 e6 23.xf7 recently recommended by Larry Kaufman in xe4+ 24.d2 h5 and, though still "The Kaufman Repertoire for Black & White". objectively fine, White went on to lose the [ T h e p r i n c i p l e c o n t i n u a t i o n i s 5...d7 ending in Markos, J (2585)-Li Chao2 . See the "Pseudo-Grunfeld" guide in the (2669)/Shenzhen CHN 2011. Black is +2 =7 archives. ] -1 from the position after move 14. ] 6.e5 d6 12.e3 Now all of White's pawns [ White has better chances for an advantage 11...b8 in the line 6...db4!? 7.a3 . See Laznicka, occupy dark squares, so he'll have to take V ( 2 6 0 1 ) - N e c h e p u r e n k o , R ( 2 4 7 6 ) / extra care on the light squares left behind. 0-0 13.a4 c8!? Black senses an opportunity to Gaziantep 2008/[Hansen, Carsten]. ] 7.xc6 xc6 8.xc6+ bxc6 The evaluation s w i t c h h i s b i s h o p t o t h e e n t i c i n g a 6 - f 1 of this queenless middlegame determines the diagonal. [ A different strategy is 13...b6 14.c5 theoretical fate of 5...Nc6. Black's fractured d5 as in Lalic, B (2503)-Bakalarz, M (2320)/ pawns are offset by his excellent piece activity, Plovdiv 2003. Following 15.e4 ( 15.0-0 e.g. .. Ra8-b8, ...Bf8-g7, and the possibility of looks wiser) 15...c4 16.d3 d4! 17.dxc4 ...Nd5-b4. White must proceed cautiously if xc5 18.h6 fd8 19.c1 d4 20.c2 c5 he hopes to exploit his structural advantage. Black was slightly for choice. ] This position first appeared in 2008 according to my database, and 50 subsequent games 14.0-0?! [ All of this had occurred before in a highhave yielded respectable results for Black. level game from last year. That contest went Almost two-thirds of games in this line have 14.c5 , which looks stronger to me. White been drawn. 9.g3 629
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 doesn't allow the bishop to travel freely to a6. Nevertheless, after a5 15.0-0 b5 16.d4 e5! 17.a4 b6 18.dxe5 xe5 19.e4 b4 20.f4 ( 20.b1!? ) 20...xf4 21.gxf4 a6 22.fc1 d8 ( 22...xb2 is playable, e.g. 23.xa6 xa6 24.xc6 d3 25.xc7 fb8 ) 23.f1 xc5 24.xc5 xb2 25.xa5 g4 26.c5 e2 27.xe2 xe2 28.c4 dd2 29.f1 a2 a draw was soon agreed in Vitiugov, N (2720)-Areshchenko, A (2687) / Olginka RUS 2011. ] 14...b6! A perfectly timed response. Black is happy to part with a pawn to obtain a bind on the light squares. [ After 14...a6 15.e1 White can hope for a miniscule advantage with Na4-c5 looming. ] 15.xc6?! White accepts the offering, but he'll very quickly regret doing so. [ 15.xb6 doesn't bother Black, e.g. xb6 16.d4 e5! ] [ Gupta would have likely met 15.c5 with d7! , but perhaps this was best. A draw is the logical result after 16.xd7 xd7 17.d4 c5 18.dxc5 xb2 19.xb2 xb2 20.fd1= .] 15...xa4 16.xa4 a6 17.e1 d3 Black has convincingly won the theoretical discussion. White's extra pawn is of almost no signif icance, and Petrosian f aces th e unpleasant task of trying to free his position. 18.a2 b1 19.a1 d3 20.a2 c5! 21.d1 [ 21.b3? b1-+ ] 21...c4 22.e2 b3 23.a4 a5 24.d1 White has seemingly run out of ideas. [ Exchanging a couple pieces with 24.xd3 cxd3 25.a3 xa3 26.bxa3 c8 27.g2 may offer better chances to resist. ] 24...b4 25.e2 b3 26.d1 b6 27.e2 fb8 28.f4 e5 29.fxe5 xe5 30.xd3 cxd3 31.b3? An ill-timed bid for freedom. [ 31.a3 c8 ] 31...xb3 32.a3 c8!-+ Now the everpresent threat of ...Rc8-c2 essentially freezes White's entire position. In particular, the a2 rook is completely stymied. 33.f2 c7 Ta k in g a wa y t he e 7 squ a re just in ca se . 34.f3 f5! Zugzwang motifs begin to appear! 35.h3 h5 36.g1 f7 37.c1 Surely White wasn't thrilled about exchanging his only semi-
active piece, but there wasn't much he could do. [ 37.g4 fxg4+ 38.hxg4 h4-+ is hardly an improvement. ] 37...xc1 38.xc1 b1 39.a3 e6! Yup, the threat is simply ...Ke6-d5-c4-b3! White has no answer. 40.e4 d4 41.exf5+ xf5 42.g4+ hxg4+ 43.hxg4+ e5 44.e7 d5 45.f4 b7 46.d8 c4! 47.a3 b2 48.a2 b3 49.xb2+ xb2 50.xa5 c2 White resigned. White is going to have to come up with something big in the 5..Nc6 line, as the queenless middlegame is holding up very well for Black. 0-1
631 Piket,Jeroen Bacrot,Etienne zt 1.1 Escaldes AND (3) [Tony Kosten]
A16 2605 2555 08.11.1998
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 Clearly Black wants to play a Gruenfeld Defence, but one of the advantages of playing an English moveorder is that it permits White to avoid this. [ If Black had played 3...g7 instead, then White can play, not 4 d4, but 4.e4 ] 4.a4+ This is less common than [ 4.cxd5 xd5 5.a4+ but is not without its points. ] 4...d7 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 g7 I n f a c t , t h e p o si t i o n re s e m b l e s a 5 Q b 3 Gruenfeld, except that the white d-pawn is unmoved. 7.e4 Played by Boersma a couple of times in 1988, and then f orgotten, ten years later it has suddenly been ' r e d i s c o v e r e d ' . c6 Black attempts to reorganise his queenside, the normal move is [ 7...0-0 when 8.e5 g4 9.d4 c6?! quickly turned to White's advantage: 10.f4 a5 11.e2! c5 12.h3 cxd4 13.xd4 h6 14.d1 b6 15.d2 f5 16.xf5 xf5 17.d5 d8 18.b4 and Black is in big trouble, Ivanchuk,V-Shirov,A/Polanica Zdroj 1998. ] 8.d3 The advantage of not playing d4, is that White can now play this move, which supports e4, and avoids giving Black a target on d4. 0-0 9.e2 bd7 10.f4 White menaces to take 630
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 the c6-bishop by Nd4, and force Black to decentralise his f6-knight. h5 11.e3 e5 Oddly, we have reached a Boleslavsky Siciliantype structure which is very favourable for W hite as he has a firm hold on d4, and his q u e e n s i d e i s f r e e t o e x p a n d . 12.g3 To keep the knight out of f4. hf6 13.0-0 e8 14.b4! The advance of the b-pawn is very embarrassing for Black. a6 15.a4 b6 16.b3 d7 17.fd1 e6 18.c2 e7 19.g5! Keeping-up the pressure. d8?! It is understandable that Black wished to avoid [ 19...d7 20.a5 c8 21.d5 when he is being driven back, but nevertheless, this was his best chance. ] 20.xe6 xe6 21.b5 axb5 22.xb5 W hite's queenside initiative is very strong. a8 Ugly, but necessary, unfortunately this knight will stay here until the end of the game. 23.ab1 c6 24.a3 d6 25.c4 xc4 26.dxc4 With a powerful bishop pair, and a target on the b-f ile, W hite should win. b6 27.c5 At the same time this move frees the e2bishop, and creates an outside passed pawn. bxc5 28.xc5 fe8 29.xd8 xd8 30.b7 Rook to the seventh, threatening Bc4. h8 31.c4 Black has had enough, his position is a picture in passivity. 1-0
9...d5!? [ Black persists with his concept. 9...f6 10.e4 d7 11.f3 e5 12.c4 is a more solid approach, although White has a plus. ] 10.e4! [ Best, White sacs a pawn for the initiative, 10.xc7?! d8 11.f4 f6 is too dangerous. ] 10...xe4 11.e3 0-0-0 12.e2 e5?! [ P r o b a b l y B l a c k s h o u l d r i s k 12...xg2!? 13.d1 ( 13.g1 h6 14.xf7 xf7 15.xg2 is also feasible) 13...xh1 14.xd5 xd5 15.c4 e6 16.xe6 fxe6 which is none too clear following 17.g4 ] 13.0-0 There is a threat of Rd1, Black has no time to develop his f8-bishop because of the loose position of its e4 counterpart. d3?! 14.c4! With this further sac White guards the initiative. xc4 [ It transpires that the black pieces are awkwardly placed, 14...xc4?! 15.xd3 xd3 16.xf7 forks the two rooks, and wins. ] [ 14...xc4? 15.xe5 xe2 16.xh8 is even worse. ] 15.fd1 The point of White's play, d5, c4, e5, and f7 are all menaced, how can Black avoid material loss? d3 [ Giving the queen doesn't solve Black's problems: 15...xe2?! 16.xd5 xd5 and now 17.e4! threatening Nc3. ] 16.b3 632 A16 [ Another strong possibility is 16.xd3 xd3 17.ac1 e5 18.c3 xa2 (so that the d3Piket,Jeroen 2628 bishop is untouchable because of the backSvidler,Peter 2695 ra n k m a t e ) 19.c1! and the bishop is lost, Korchnoi Birthday KO (1.1) 29.04.2001 all the same. ] [Tony Kosten] 16...a6 17.f3 a5?! [ B l a c k m u st u n d e f e n d f 7 , a s 17...f5?? 1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 is a blunder, 18.g4 ] xd5 5.a4+ d7 6.h4 xc3 7.dxc3 [ but 17...d6 is a better try. ] c6 8.g3 xb4 19.xf7 g7 20.ab1 [ White takes control of e5, 8.e4 gave White 18.b4! Thus White not only wins the exchange, but nothing in the archives, after e5 ] also retains a strong attack on the queenside. 8...f5 21.xh8 xh8 22.h3+ b8 [ Unusual, Black tries to hinder e4, instead, a5 23.xh7 f6?! 24.xg6 he normally prepares ...e5 with 8...f6 ] [ Good enough, but missing the opportunity 9.g5! to hit Black with 24.xb7! xb7 25.xd3 [ The critical reply. Although White moves winning further material because of the this piece twice, he regains control over e4. weak back-rank. ] 9.g5 f6 10.d1 c8 11.c1 e5 allowed Black easy equality in Krivoshey,S- 24...xa2 25.e4 1-0 Jasnikowski,Z/Katowice 1995. ] 631
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 633 Piket,Jeroen Svidler,Peter KasparovChess GP g/60, (3.2) [Tony Kosten]
A16 2630 2670 02.2000
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.h4!? A speciality of Piket, this sharp move aims to exploit the weakness of the black kingside. f6 [ A new move! Black stops the further a d v a n c e o f t h e h - p a wn , b u t l o s e s t h e possibility of capturing, Gruenfeld-like, on c3. 5...g7 6.h5 f5 7.b3 c6 8.d4 is a little better for White, Ftacnik,L-Kouatly, B/Thessaloniki 1984, but ] [ 5...h6 is the preferred reply, with 6.e4 xc3 7.bxc3 g7 8.d4 c5 reaching a s t a n d a r d G r u e n f e l d p o s i t i o n , wi t h t h e exception of the two h-pawns, 9.b1 0-0 10.e2 d7 11.0-0 Ribli,Z-Smejkal,J/Novi Sad 1982, and now cxd4 12.cxd4 e6 13.e3 b6 is fine for Black. ] 6.d4 g7 7.e4 0-0 8.e2 c5 Black takes his first swipe at the white centre. 9.d5 e6 10.h5! White protects his centre from the side! xh5 [ Black might as well take the pawn. 10...exd5 is the other possibility, when White has the interesting line: 11.hxg6 hxg6 12.e5!? g4 13.g5 f6? 14.xd5+ xd5 15.xd5 fxg5 16.e7+ f7 17.xc8 xc8 18.xg5+ picking-up the loose knight on g4. ] 11.g4 f6 12.g5 b6 Black has to unpin t h e k n i g h t . 13.xf6 xf6 14.d2 Threatening both Qh6, and e5. At the cost of his h-pawn White has opened the h-file and obtained a slight lead in development. g7 15.0-0-0 d7 16.g5 c4 17.h2 White prepares to double his rooks on the hfile. e8 18.d6 d8 19.f4 With an unpleasant threat. a5? [ This allows a simple tactic. Perhaps Black should be prepared to part with his darksquared bishop: 19...xc3!? 20.bxc3 a5 21.b2 b6 with reasonable counterplay. ] 20.xh7! f5 [ 20...xh7? allows a quick mate, starting: 21.xf7 , threatening Rh1. ] 21.gxf6 xf6 22.xg7+ xg7 23.e5
[ After 23.e5 Black's king is too exposed, h5 24.h4 d7?! 25.e7+ g8 26.g5 forces mate. ] 1-0
634 Poldauf,Dirk Pezerovic,Edin Bundesliga 9900 (5.5) [Nigel Davies]
A16 2453 2447 11.12.1999
1.c4 f6 2.c3 c6 3.e4 d5 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.e5 d4 6.exf6 dxc3 7.bxc3 gxf6 Capturing towards the centre as they recommend in many books though I don't think this is the best. [ 7...exf6 would leave White with a passed dpawn but it's certainly not out of the question. The pawn would be difficult to advance and Black would get free play for his pieces plus a super strong kingside. ] 8.d4 f5 Black has tried a number of alternatives in the smattering of available games, but none of them look entirely satisfactory: [ a) 8...a5 9.d2 c6 10.f3 g4 11.e2 0-0-0 12.c4 a3 13.d5 b4 14.0-0 e5 15.b1 e4 16.d4 was horrible for Black in Ravikumar, V (2305)-Roth, R (2370)/Copenhagen 1980. ] [ b) 8...e6 9.d3 d7 10.f3 a5 11.e2 a3 12.d2 b2 13.b1 xa2 14.0-0 a3 15.e3 e7 16.c4 a3 17.c5 gave White a very strong initiative in Lautier, J (2660)-Bajarany, I (2405)/Berlin 1997. ] [ c) 8...c6 9.f3 g7 (This at least lends Black's kingside more protection) 10.e2 g4 11.h3 h5 12.0-0 0-0 13.b1 b6 14.a3 c7 15.h4 g6 16.xg6 hxg6 17.f3 fd8 18.xc6 xc6 19.xe7 d7 20.e1 xc3 was only a bit better for White in Lechtynsky, J-Tichy, V/Havirov 1971. ] 9.f3 e6 10.e2 c7 11.c4 White is simply better here because of his central control and the potential vulnerability of Black's king. Over the following moves he shifts gear to 'attack mode', but would also have been better with more modest play. d6 12.0-0 0-0 13.d5 d7 14.d4 [ White could have prepared this with 14.h1 632
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 .] 14...xh2+ 15.h1 e5 16.xf5 xa1 17.d6 a5 18.d3 h8 [ 18...exf5? 19.h5 would give White a winning attack. ] 19.h6 exf5 20.xf8 xf8? Presumably missing the reply. [ 20...xf8 was better and fine for Black. ] 21.h5! d2 22.xf5 h6 23.xa1 [ 23.f4 is just winning for White after g7 24.xa1 xf4 25.xd7 . ] 23...e5! 24.c5 g7 25.h4 b6 26.cxb6 axb6 27.d7! d8 [ 27...xd7 would lose a piece after 28.g4+ . ] 28.g3+ g5 29.xg5+ fxg5 30.b1 f6 [ And not 30...xd7? 31.d1 etc. ] 31.g4 xd7 32.xd7 xd7 33.xb6+ e5 34.xh6 d2 35.g2 xa2 ½-½
with 8.Bb5 in Kopinski - Orzech but didn't achieve much. ] [ Bocharov, D (2574)-Ivanov, S (2553)/St Petersburg 2004 varied with 6.d4 but after c6 7.ge2 f5 8.g3 xg3 9.hxg3 e6 10.e3 b6 11.d2 c8 12.e2 b4 13.0-0 0-0 14.ac1 a5 Black had an excellent game. ] 6...c6 7.c2 g6!? [ Shamkovich didn't like 7...xc3 8.dxc3 g4 because of 9.d4! xe5 10.f4 c6 11.f5 but he might well be able to improve with 8...g6. ] 8.xe4 dxe4 9.xe4 f5 10.f4 g7 11.c4 [ After 11.d4 S h a m k o vi c h l i k e d d5! intending 12...Nb4, 12...Be4 or 12...Rd8. But there could be other good moves such as the simple 11...0-0. ] 11...a5 12.e6 [ After 12.0-0 xe5 Black would simply be better because of the isolated White d-pawn 635 A16 and a simplified position. ] 12...xe6 13.xe6 fxe6 14.0-0 f5 Polugaevsky,Lev [ After the game Shamkovich preferred Shamkovich,Leonid 14...f8! , presumably intending 15.h4 USSR 1971 xf3 16.gxf3 d4 with good compensation [Nigel Davies] for the exchange. ] 15.c7 d5 16.xb7 b8 17.a6 1.c4 f6 2.c3 c6 3.e4 d5 4.cxd5 [ 17.c7? i s s t r o n g l y m e t b y e5 [ 4.exd5 cxd5 5.d4 would transpose into when W hite's queen needs urgent rescue the Panov Attack line against the Carobecause of Black's threatened .. .0-0 Kann Defence. But with White's knight on followed by ...Rfc8. ] c3 already he loses options such as 1.c4 c6 2.e4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Bb5+ or 5. 17...0-0 18.e2 xb2 19.xb2 [ 19.xb2 xb2 20.e3 e5 21.ac1 Qa4+ and Gundaram's 4.d4 Nf6 5.c5. ] is fine for White. ] 4...cxd5 5.e5 [ After 5.exd5 xd5 6.d4 Black has quite a ½-½ good line in xc3 7.bxc3 g6 , for example 8.f3 g7 9.e2 0-0 10.0-0 c6 11.a4 A16 d7 12.a3 c8 13.g5 e8 14.ab1 636 Psakhis,Lev 2534 a5 was comfortable for Black in Khmelniker,Ilya 2430 Charleshouse, G-Arkell, K (2442), W igan 22nd Open Cappelle la Grande FRA (6) 2001. ] 5...e4!? Offering a pawn sacrifice that White [John Watson] probably shouldn't accept. Another win for White against the Gruenfeld [ Black has alternatives here in 5...fd7 ] with a Qa4+ system. W hite tries a daring [ and 5...d4 . ] queen sacrifice, with on the one hand activity 6.f3 [ As Shamkovich pointed out, Black gets a but on the other weaknesses. The former good game after 6.xe4 dxe4 7.a4+ prevails. 1.c4 f6 2.f3 g6 3.c3 d5 c6 8.xe4 d4! . White varied from this 4.a4+ d7 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 a6 633
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Black needn't be worried about any tactical incursions such as Nb5 so this move only serves to play the standard queenside expansion with ...b5. In my opinion this is not so good because it doesn't go well with . ..Bd7. Maybe just [ 6...g7 7.e5 0-0 8.xd7 bxd7 when the bishop pair has come at the cost of a lot of development, or ] [ 6...c6 7.d4 e6 ] 7.d4 b5 8.b3 [ 8.d3 may also yield some advantage because . ..b4 and ...Bf5 weakens Black's queenside. ] 8...g7 9.e4 0-0 10.e5! e6 11.exf6! The computer hates this 3-pieces-forqueen+pawn sacrifice, of course, claiming a wi n n i n g p o s i t i o n f o r B la c k . B u t P s a k h i s disagrees. Along with great development, the weakness of b3 actually helps his game by giving him the c-file. At least in a practical game, W hite has plenty of chances. xb3 12.fxg7 xg7 13.axb3 c6 14.e3 b4 Still a kill for Black according to the usually reliable HiArcs. 15.c1 d7 16.e2 e6?! 17.d5! xd5 [ 17...d6 18.0-0 xd5 19.xd5 xd5 20.xc7 fe8 ( 20...xb3 21.d1!? a2 22.d4+ g8 23.xe7 fe8 24.fe1 xe7 25.xe7 illustrates the kind of compensation that White can get: bishops and activity.) 21.c3 ad8 22.a1 d6 ( 22...d6 23.c5 c6!? 24.b4 threatens Rd1. )] 18.d4 d6 19.xd5 xd5 20.f3 d6 21.xa8 xa8 22.0-0 Now the material is nominally about equal, but the c-file and backward c-pawn grant W hite a lot of good squares. g8 [ 22...c5? 23.xc5 e5 24.c6 ] [ 22...e5 23.c6 g8 24.fd1 e6 25.b4 transposes ] 23.c6 e5 24.b4 e8 25.fd1 e6 26.h3 b3 27.h6? This slip doesn't end up hurting White, but [ 27.d7! xb2 28.h6 is decisive: Black can't move! ] 27...e6 28.c5 f6 29.d8 But why resign, o r i s t h is a m i s p ri n t ? P l a y m i g h t g o e7 30.cd5 [ White should go back and try something
like 30.c6! e6 31.a7 with pressure. Maybe the score was truncated. ] 1-0
637 Psakhis,Lev Lujan,C 2nd Open San Marino SMR (2) [John Watson]
A16 2551 2378 06.06.2006
Here's another 4.Qa4+ Gruenfeld and another win. Amazingly, Psakhis repeats his stunt from two months ago, in which we saw him give up his queen for three pieces and a pawn. This time it's for three pieces and two pawns! Furthermore, Black has no weaknesses. On the other hand, the bishop pair can be a mighty weapon. 1.c4 f6 2.f3 g6 3.c3 d5 4.a4+ d7 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 c6 [ The earlier Psakhis game went 6...a6 7.d4 b5 8.b3 g7 9.e4 0-0 10.e5 e6 11.exf6 xb3 12.fxg7 xg7 13.axb3 c6 14.e3 , when the d-pawn didn't fall (essentially, ...a6 and ...b5 cost time. I prefer the development with ... Nc6). b4 15.c1 d7 16.e2 e6 17.d5 xd5 18.d4 d6 19.xd5 xd5 20.f3 d6 21.xa8 xa8 22.0-0 g8 23.c6 e5 24.b4 e8 25.fd1 e6 26.h3 b3 27.h6 e6 28.c5 f6 29.d8 e7 30.cd5 1-0 Psakhis, -Khmelniker, Cappelle la Grande 2006 ] 7.d4 g7 8.e4 0-0 9.e5!? e6 10.exf6 xc4 11.fxg7 xg7 12.xc4 Exactly the same idea, but by comparison Black's ahead in development and can't resist the d-pawn. xd4 13.xd4 xd4 14.e2 b4!? Maybe Black should play the standard restrictive move [ 14...c6 ] [ or if he feeling frisky, just get that kingside majority rolling by, e.g., 14...e5 15.e3 h4 16.0-0 f5! ] 15.0-0 ad8 16.a3 b3 17.d1 c4 [ 17...b6 ] 18.f3 b3?! Would Black honestly take a draw here? That shows a very negative and pa ssive a t t it u d e, so P sakh is, a bs o lu t e ly unobjectively but with a good psychological sense, turns down the draw. 634
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 18...c6! takes away key squares from White's pieces. ] 19.e1 fe8 20.e4 b6 21.d2 Psakhis is just messing around hoping that something will show up. c2 [ 21...d3! 22.e4 f6! with ...e5 to come. ] 22.e4 c5 23.b4 d4?! It probably doesn't hurt that much but Black seems to be determined to lose time. 24.a2 e5 25.c2 Okay, so now the omission of ...c6 at some point starts to hurt. c6 and c7 are both vulnerable. e7?! [ 25...d7 26.b2 f6 ] 26.h4!? [ More psychology. White could start to get real chances after 26.b2 d7 27.f4 f5!? 28.c6 d3 29.a4 ] 26...f5? He keeps losing tempi with every move! This one's really a mistake. 27.f3 xe4?? Black must be in time trouble, or Ps ak h is ' reje ct ion of t h e d ra w m ay ha ve thrown him off. Now White just vacuums up material: [ 27...d7 ] 28.xe4 fxe4 29.g5 d1+ 30.h2 f7 [ 30...exf3 31.xe7 fxg2 32.xg2 , b u t t h e e x t r a p i e c e wi l l b e a t t h e t w o pawns rather easily. ] 31.xe5 f5 32.xc7+ g8 33.g4 Maybe next time he'll spot Black queen and t h r e e p a wn s f o r h i s p i e c e s ! A t r i b u t e t o courageous play. 1-0
h6 The most common (although from such a small selection of games this is perhaps not too relevant), Black stops the g-pawn in its tracks. [ 4...d6 attacks g4, and prepares a square on d7 for the king's knight, 5.h3 ( 5.g5 fd7 ) 5...e5 6.g2 c6 ( 6...0-0 Claesen, P (2260)-Bastida, A Odessa 1990, 1-0 (40), 7.ge2 ) 7.ge2 e6 8.b3 h5 occurred in the stem game, and continued 9.g5 g8 10.h4 f6? too loosening! Vandevoort, P (2010)-Grooten, H (2340) Belfort 1989 (but 0-1 (20)), as now 11.a3! e7 12.e4 is seriously unpleasant, close to winning. ] [ 4...0-0!? is provocative, 5.g5!? ( 5.g2 d6 6.h3 bd7 7.ge2 is more solid (or 'sensible', as you prefer), b8 8.0-0 a6 9.d3 c5 10.a4 e8 11.b1 c7 12.b4 with an edge, Jadoul, M (2400)-Van der Stricht , G (21 75) G en t 1 99 5, 1-0 (3 3).; 5.h4!? ) 5...e8 ( 5...h5 6.e2 ) 6.h4 e5 7.f3 c6 8.h5 d5 ('counter a wing attack' etc.) 9.cxd5 cxd5 unclear, Fries Nielsen, J (2369)-Jacobsen, B (2306) Helsingor 2013, 1/2-1/2 (23). ] 5.g2 c6! A new move, and a good one Black prepares ...d5. [ 5...d6 6.h3 A) 6...c5 7.a3 ( 7.ge2 and d4 immediately is better.) 7...a6 8.ge2 c7 9.b4 0-0 10.d4 d7 11.0-0 b8 12.a2!? a nice idea, b5?! 13.dxc5 dxc5?! 14.d2! the point, Bc6 will win a p ie ce, A n de rse n, J (2 2 7 6 )Matthiesen, M (2304) Aarhus 2010, 1-0 638 A16 (26).; B) 6...e5 typical KID play, but White's h3 Rapport,Richard 2704 and g4 looks more useful than ...h6 Melkumyan,Hrant 2655 compared to a normal Staunton setup. Riga Tech op 4th (7) 22.08.2014 7.ge2 c6 [Kosten, Tony] B1) 8.d4 0-0 9.0-0 e8 10.b3 i s a g o o d p a w n a r r a n g e m e n t , exd4 1.e3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 g7 (This position 11.xd4 ( 11.exd4 ) 11...d5 12.cxd5 is also likely to arrive from the move-order 1 xd5 13.xd5 cxd5 14.b2 c6 c 4 N f 6 2 N c 3 g 6 3 e 3 B g 7 ) . 4.g4!? Vandevoort, P (2205)-Penson, T (2280) This is actually the 4th most popular move Brasschaat 1990, 1-0 (49), when here ... and the highest scoring for W hite! 15.c1! with a clear positional plus White intends to fianchetto his light-squared because of the IQP and likely weaker bishop, but grab more kingside space than light-squared bishop.; normally. It is an invention of Belgian Pascal B2) 8.b3 a5 9.b1!? ( 9.0-0 Vandevoort from 1989, but he stopped playing and then d4 is simple and good.) 9...e6 it soon after, and went on to become an IM. 635
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 10.0-0 0-0 11.f4!? ( 11.d4 ) 11...exf4 12.exf4 ( 12.xf4! simple and good, White will play Bb2 and use the open ffile. ) 12...h5! 13.f5! gxf5 Andersen, J (2300)-Borbjerggaard, L (2365) Denmark 1998, 1-0 (27), and now 14.gxh5 xh5 15.d4 promises excellent play for the pawn. ] 6.h4!? Treating a 2650 player with utter disdain! [ The normal 6.h3 d5 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.ge2 would lead to a less exciting game, perhaps. ] 6...d6 Taking aim at g4. [ 6...d5 7.g5 hxg5 8.hxg5 xh1 9.xh1 h7 10.cxd5 xg5 was also possible. ] 7.g5 hxg5 8.hxg5 xh1 9.xh1 h7!? This knight looks pretty dim to me, why not [ 9...fd7 or even ] [ 9...g4!? 10.d4 e5 and Black is certainly not worse. ] 10.f4 e5 11.e2 e7 12.b3 Planning Ba3 a n d 0 - 0 - 0 . exf4 Black wants to exchange queens. [ 12...a6 13.a3 c5 14.0-0-0 f5 was a sharper approach. ] 13.exf4 g4 14.xe7+ [ 14.f3 xe2+ 15.xe2 might offer more. ] 14...xe7 15.b2 Maybe threatening Nd5+, as the g7-bishop is loose. d7 [ 15...a6 is b e t t e r, a s t h e n 16.d5+?! is met by f8 ] 16.f3 f5 17.ge2 a6 18.a4 xb2 19.xb2 f6 Time to get the h7-knight back into the game. 20.f2 f8 21.h1 f7 Just in time. 22.gxf6 xf6 23.g3 c5 Black has no problems, and might even be a bit better. 24.h8?! g4+ [ 24...b1 is awkward, hitting the a2-pawn, 25.b4 e6 and White might have to play 26.h1 xa2 27.a1 to avoid losing a pawn. ] 25.g2 e6 26.d3!? Tricky. xd3 27.xg4 Pinning the knight. e7 [ 27...xf4?? 28.h7+ ] [ My computer likes 27...a6 although I'm not sure whether this is to play ... b5, or to avoid having the a-pawn hanging later on. ] 28.b8! xf4+ 29.f3! Walking into a discovered attack! d5+ There is nothing better. 30.g2 f4+ 31.f3 d5+ 32.g2
f4+ ½-½
639 Reinderman,Dimitri Greenfeld,Alon Amsterdam Batavia Grolsch 5th (7) [Danny Gormally]
A16 2599 2540 07.03.13
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.a4+ These anti-Grünfeld lines are becoming increasingly popular these days, and as a Grünfeld player myself are always annoying t o f ace- W h ite tends to set th e tempo. d7 6.c2 b6 7.d4 g7 8.e4 0-0 9.e3 g4 10.e5! xe5 Personally speaking I would be reluctant to make this decision- many Kings Indian and Grünfeld pla ye rs a re lo a th e t o give u p th e ir d a rk squared bishop under any circumstances. [ 10...e6!? Would be more in the spirit of the opening. 11.d1 c8 12.f4 c6 13.e2 f5! grabbing crucial space 14.0-0 fxe4 15.xe4 d5 16.d2 d7 17.g5 xe5 18.xe6 f3+ 19.xf3 xe6 White has less than nothing 20.c1 h8 21.c4 ad8 22.b3 d6 23.f2 b6 24.f5 gxf5 25.xf5 xf5 26.xf5 f8 27.d3 f4 28.xf4 xf4 29.h3? xd4+! 0-1 Szabo, G (2553)-Petrisor, A (2383)/Plovdiv 20128 ] 11.dxe5 c6 12.h3 e6 13.d1 c8 14.f4 It seems to me White has a comfortable edge, as not only does he possess the two bishops, but Black can undertake little in the way of constructive play. He has no pawn breaks to speak and no dynamism, a direct consequence of giving up the dark-squared bishop so easily. d8 15.c5 [ Nonetheless a player of the calibre of Kamsky was quite happy to defend this position 15.b3 b4 16.xd8+ xd8 17.b1 f5 18.exf6 exf6 19.e2 e7 20.0-0 f7 21.f2 d8 22.d1 xd1+ 23.xd1 c5 24.f1 c6 25.g3 g7 26.g2 h5 27.b5 c8 Topalov, V (2775)Kamsky, G (2732)/Kazan 2011. ] 15...xd1+ 16.xd1 e8 17.c1 d8 18.b5! a6 19.xc6 xc6 20.xe7 d7 21.f6 A bishop reaching this square spells doom for the Black king. a4 22.0-0 xc3 636
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 23.bxc3 xa2 24.f5 c4 25.f2 c5 26.f4 a5 Black's queenside counterplay is horribly slow, as W hite's next turn convincingly demonstrates. 27.e6! fxe6 28.fxg6 hxg6 29.e5 g7 30.xg7 xg7 31.f6+ h7 32.h2 d6+ 33.e5 d7 34.f8 1-0
with interesting play. ( or 10...c6 11.h6 xh6 12.xh6 d4!? ); C) 9...e5 C1) 10.0-0 0-0 is fine for Black. For instance, 11.h6 c6 ( 11...e8 12.xg7 xg7 is also fine for Black. White has tried 8(!) different moves here without particular success.) 12.xg7 xf3+ 13.xf3 xg7 14.b4!? c4 15.c2 d6 16.fd1 a5! 17.ab1 640 A16 axb4 18.xb4 e7 with an excellent ga m e . T e s ke , H (2 4 8 6 )-J o a c h im , S Reinderman,Dimitri 2581 (2443)/Panormo 2001.; Harika,D 2516 C2) 10.h4!? 74th Tata Steel GMB (4) 17.01.2012 C2a) 10...h6 11.c1 Picana, A[John Bartholomew] Calugar, A (2144)/Toronto CAN 2010. Now it looks best to play c6! , i.e. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 d5 3.cxd5 xd5 4.g3 g6 12.0-0 ( 12.b4!? ) 12...e7! 5.g2 b6 6.d3 g7 7.e3 c6 covering the c5 square and intending Black's chief concern in this line is the 13...Nf5.; exchange of dark-square bishops with Qd1-d2 C2b) 10...h5 11.c1 c6 12.0-0 g4 and Be3-h6, very possibly in conjunction with 13.g5 0-0 14.h2 e7= h4-h5. The text aims to prevent this plan. Conquest, S (2513)-Areshchenko, A [ For 7...0-0 8.d2 see Ivanchuk, V (2709)(2570)/Coventry 2005.; Mamedyarov, S (2580)/Bled 2002/[TonyK]. ] C3) 10.c1 (I think this is best) 0-0 [ S u s p i c i o u s i s 7...c6 8.d2 h6?! 11.h6 xh6 ( 11...f6 12.xg7 xg7 , Bu Xiangzhi (2630)-Wang Yaoyao (2456)/ 13.0-0 a5 14.e4 Dimitrov, V (2512) Jinan 2005/[John Watson]. ] Pantale ev, P (2226)/ Tsarevo 2001 .; 8.d2 11...e8 12.h4 xh6 13.xh6 f5 [ The main alternative is 8.xc6+ bxc6 14.d2 h5 Talla, V (2367)-Dvorak, T , which leads to double-edged positions ( 2 3 3 1 ) / C z e c h i a 2 0 0 4 . 15.e4 ) where the empirical evidence has favored 12.xh6 f6 Redpath, J (2131)-Navara, W hite. In my opinion Black has plenty of D (2479)/Balatonlelle 2001. Now just reasons to be satisfied here, but I will save 13.0-0 looks a little better for White. ( or a thorough investigation for a future 13.xd4!? exd4 14.e4 )] update. ] [ White can also play 8.f3 , when 0-0 9...f5 [ P a s s i ve i s 9...c6?! 10.h6 , Marin, M 9.0-0 is a tabiya of the Pseudo-Grunfeld. (2556)-Ris, R (2395)/Plovdiv 2008/ [Hansen, ( In the archives you will also find coverage Carsten]. ] of other "delayed-castling" alternatives: 10.c5 0-0 9.d2; and 9.c1 . )] [ 10...d7 is also of interest: 11.a3 [ Finally, 8.c1 d4 9.d2 transposes. A) The computer is enthusiastic about ( For a round-up of the alternatives 9.h4!?; 11...e5!? , threatening 12...Bh6 when 13. and 9.f3 see the notes to Marin-Ris cited e3 would hang d3. An interesting line is below. )] 12.f4 c6!? 13.fxe5 h6 14.e3 8...d4 9.c1 White covers the c2 square ( 14.c2?! e3 ) 14...xe3 15.d1 xc1 and renews the threat of Be3-h6. 16.xc1 xd3 17.c5! 0-0 [ 9.f3 is also played, i.e. with a n un ba lan ce d po sit io n in whic h A) 9...f5 10.c5 0-0 is similar to the White retains the better prospects.; game.; B) 11...c6 12.f3 0-0 13.0-0 b6 B) I'm surprised that nobody has played 14.b3?! ( Unnecessary. I'd prefer 9...xf3+ 10.xf3 , e.g. h5!? 637
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 14.cd1; or 14.fd1 ) 14...d6 15.b2 f5?! ( 15...a5! ) 16.e4 g4 17.d4 Roesemann, R (2207)-W ahrenberg, R (1974)/Dresden 2007. ] 11.f3 [ This is better than 11.e3 when the old game Grigorian, K-Gulko, B/Soviet Union 1974 saw d7! 12.a3 e5 (the same Silic on -ap proved ma ne uve r as ab ove! ) 13.d1 b8!? ( 13...c6 also looks good.) 14.f3 xf3+ 15.xf3 b6 16.0-0 c5 with a balanced game. ] 11...c6 [ 11...d7 12.a3 c5 ( 12...e5 13.xe5 xe5 14.0-0 c6 15.fd1 g7 16.b3 McNab, C (2474)-Poobalasingam, P (2224)/ Edinburgh SCO 2009.) 13.0-0 b8 14.b4 ( It looks better to play 14.e4 b6 15.b4 cxb4 16.xb4 with a slight pull.) 14...cxb4 15.xb4 a5! 16.a3 b5 17.d5?! b7 Dannevig, O (2356)-Bae, T (2246)/Bergen 2000. ] [ 11...e8 12.0-0 ( Clearly unfavorable is 12.e4?! h6 Zoltek, T (2345)-Kirov, N (2455)/Lodz 1980.; but 12.h4!? deserves a t t e n t i o n .) 12...e5 and here 13.e3 or 13.Rfd1 is comfortable for W hite ( but again not 13.e4?! h6 14.c2 xc1 15.xc1 g7 with little compensation for the exchange. Talla, V (2417)- Toma, K (2224)/Frydek Mistek 2005. )] 12.e3 The first new move. White is playing for an immediate d3-d4, but Black can meet this wit h eit he r que en side activit y (. ..Nb6 -d 7 f ollowed by .. .a7 -a5 /. ..b 7-b 5), o r cent ra l counterplay (...Rf8-e8, ...Nb6-d7, and ...e7-e5). Harika decides on the latter. [ Cornette, M (2548)-Gislason, G (2318)/ L o n d o n E N G 2 0 1 1 w e n t 12.0-0 d7 ( 12...a5!? ) 13.a3 a5 14.e4 e8 ( 14...f6 looks playable as well.) 15.b3 . Now a4 would give Black good counterplay. ] 12...e8 [ Black should seriously consider 12...d7 13.a3 a5 as in the above game. I don't really see an edge f or W hite, e.g. 14.b3 ( 14.d4?! b5 is suddenly dangerous for White thus, he needs to take a time-out.) 14...a4!? ( 14...b6= ) 15.b4 ( 15.xa4?? b5-+; 15.bxa4?! a5 ) 15...d6
with mutual chances. ] 13.d4 This allows Black to carry out a key advance. [ 13.0-0 ] [ or 13.h4!? are better tries. ] 13...d7 14.a3 e5! Black should have few p ro b l e m s n o w. 15.dxe5 xe5 16.xd8 xf3+ 17.xf3 xd8 18.e4 e6 [ 18...a5!? ] 19.c5 xa2?! [ Slightly more accurate is the immediate 19...d5 e.g. 20.xd5 ( 20.e4 d4 21.g2 e8 ) 20...xd5 21.xb7 ( 21.e4 e5 22.0-0 d4 ) 21...b5 22.c5 xb2 23.xb2 xb2 24.a4 d8 25.0-0 and now Black can force a draw if she wants with xe3 26.fxe3 dd2= . ] 20.xb7 d5 21.xd5 xd5 22.c5 [ Not 22.xc6?! b5 ] 22...d6 23.a6! b5 24.b4 d6 25.xc6 xa3 26.bxa3 b2 27.c2 xa3 28.e2 White has managed to retain a small edge. Now he gets to press in an objectively drawn endgame. d7 29.a1 f8 30.a6 b7 31.d3 d7+ 32.e2 b7 33.g4 g7 34.g5 h6! Liquidation. Harika defends well. 35.h4 hxg5 36.hxg5 e7 37.xe7 [ Essentially agreeing to a draw, but 37.f4 d8! and ...Bd8-b6 was coming. ] 37...xe7 38.ca2 e5 39.f4 e4 40.2a3 ae8 41.f2 8e7 42.f3 h7 43.6a4 xa4 44.xa4 g7 45.e4 b7 46.g4 c7 47.f5 gxf5+ 48.exf5 c1= 49.xa7 g1+ 50.f4 f1+ 51.e4 e1+ 52.d3 e5 53.g6 xf5 54.xf7+ xf7 55.gxf7 xf7 Black is doing fine in the line 8.Qd2 Nd4 9. Rc1 Nf5. Of note is the plan for queenside co un te rp lay wit h . .. Nb 6-d 7 an d . .. a7 -a 5 , threatening ... b7-b5-b4. ½-½
641 Rustemov,Alexander Svidler,Peter Bundesliga 2008-9 (15) [Jonathan Rowson]
A16 2520 2727 29.03.2009
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.a4+ d7 6.h4 xc3 7.bxc3! I think this move is probably worthy of the 638
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 exclamation mark, because at the present time Black has no clear path to equality. [ 7.dxc3 is the main line. c6 8.g3!? always seemed to me to be the most dangerous test for Black here. ] [ 7.d4 f6 8.xc3 looks promising for White at first, but after c6 9.d4 is met by e5 so Black has time to get e5 Bd6 and Qe7 and generally develops comfortably. ] 7...c5 This move is not forced, but I guess the problem is that after [ 7...g7 8.b1 Black doesn't even have Qc7 and has to make do with a half-move. ( 8.d4 c5 9.h6! comes fast, but things are not so clear af ter a5 10.c1 xh6 11.xh6 cxd4 ) 8...b6 9.d4 and Bh6 is now threatened so W hite's initiative starts to build. ] 8.b1! A very annoying little probe. c7 [ 8...b6 9.e4 ( 9.d4!? looks more critical to my mind. g7 10.h6 f6 11.g5 0-0 12.e3 is at least somewhat better for White. ) 9...c6 10.c4 e6 11.g3 g7 12.h4 b8 13.g5 e5 14.xe5 xe5 Black's doing well, Peng Xiaomin (2657)Svidler, P (2689)/New Delhi/Teheran 2000. ] [ 8...c6 9.e5 ] [ 8...c6 9.xb7 b8 10.xb8 xb8 almost looks like promising counterplay, but White has 11.e4! g7 12.g3 f5 13.c2 e5 14.d3 c4 15.g2 0-0 16.0-0 cxd3 Hera, I (2530)-Roganovic, M (2458)/ S z o m b a t h e l y H U N 2 0 0 8 , 17.exd3 planning Ng5. ] 9.g3!? Safe and effective rather than forced, but the endgame is very pleasant for White. xg3 10.hxg3 b6 11.e4 g7 12.d4 0-0 13.h6 cxd4 14.xg7 xg7 15.cxd4 d8 16.d2 c6 17.e3 a5 18.c1 h5 19.d3 ac8 20.a6 c6 21.e5 W hite has quite a big advantage here, but Black has 200 rating points worth of compensation. ½-½
642 Shimanov,A Mchedlishvili,M Nakhchivan Open A 2013 (7.5) [Danny Gormally]
A16 2639 2640 29.04.2013
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.h4 g7 6.h5 An interesting idea test ed b y n o le sse r playe r th an Aron ian , amongst others. The main idea is to discourage kingside castling by Black. xc3 To some extent this justifies White's idea. [ By far the most popular and testing idea is 6...c6! to try and generate piece play in the center as soon as possible. There are now many possible ideas for White, but as the theory of this line is relatively new, the way forward is not exactly clear. A) 7.d4 g4 8.h6 f6 9.e4?! perhaps in the spirit of what has gone before, but this allows Black to launch strong counterplay ( 9.e3 seems more c i r c u m s p e c t) 9...db4 10.d5 d4 11.d3 c6! And Black had obvious counterplay and went on to win in Naiditsch, A (2712)-Volokitin, A (2695)/ San Sebastian 2012; B) 7.e4 b6 ( 7...db4 seems eminently playable, for example 8.d3 g4 ) 8.b5 g4 9.h6 f6 10.d4 xf3 11.xf3 xd4 12.e3 d6 13.f4 e6 14.0-0 0-0 15.xc6 bxc6 16.fe1 1/2-1/2 Vallejo Pons, F (2705)-Svidler, P (2755)/Porto Carras 20116 ] 7.bxc3 c5 8.g3! This may seem a rather strange switch to positional play, but the fact that White is opening the h-file just gives him a n o t h e r a t t a c ki n g o p t i o n , t o g o wit h t h e normal pressure. c6 [ 8...0-0 9.hxg6 hxg6 10.a4 e5 11.g2 ] 9.g2 e6 10.a4 a5 11.f4? Still harbouring attacking ambitions, but this could have backfired horribly. [ 11.xa5 xa5 12.g5 ] 11...f5? Black prepares the idea of taking on c3, but there was no need and it should have been played immediately [ 11...xc3! 12.b1 xa2 13.xb7 0-0-0! An easy move to miss in the calculations, it turns out Black has everything covered! 14.0-0 xb7 15.dxc3 f6 and although 639
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 W hite retains some chances due to the murkiness of the play, Black is certainly better after 16.e3 xc3 ] 12.g4! xc3 now this is just unclear. 13.dxc3 xc3+ 14.d2 xa1 15.gxf5 gxf5 16.0-0 g8 17.h1 d8 18.c2 xg2? panic. [ White still had to prove he was better after 18...e6 ] 19.xg2 g7+ 20.h1 g4 21.g1 xh5+ 22.h2 d4 23.g5 h3 24.xc5 d1+ 25.g1 xg1+ 26.xg1 h5 27.b5 g6+ 28.f1 b6 29.f3 White has consolidated and Black has an uphill struggle trying to save the game, which did not last much longer: d8 30.f4 e6? 31.g5 f6 32.xf7+! xf7 33.xc6 1-0
643 Steingrimsson,Hedinn Sakalauskas,Vaidas Keres Mem A Tallin EST (1) [John Watson]
A16 2439 2464 08.01.2006
For English players who need something versus the Gruenfeld (without transposing, maybe these Qa4+ ideas deserve a closer look. This game with 5... Nc6 follows theory straight through and W hite always stands better, even in the side notes. It seems that 5...Bd7 is still the most important move. 1.c4 f6 2.f3 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.a4+ c6 [ This is not uncommon but the main move must be 5...d7 . Here's a mni-overview, using some older games that I find still relevant: A) 6.h4 is popular nowadays. xc3 7.dxc3 c6 8.e4 e5 9.g5 e7 10.c4 h5!? 11.xe7 ( 11.0-0-0 f6! ) 11...xe7 12.xe7+ xe7 13.d5 h4 14.h3 f6 15.0-0-0 d8! = Vallejo Pons-Ivanchuk, Monte Carlo 2005.; B) 6.d4 and; C) 6.b3 are also played, and in fact the latter has scored rather well. I suspect that Black can equalise, however.; D) 6.c2 I prefer this option, although there are three fully legitimate alternatives: b6 7.d4 g7 8.e4 ( very Gruenfeld-like.
8.f4 is probably okay for Black if he reacts quickly, but it's not easy, e.g., 0-0 9.d1 c6 10.e3 c8!? 11.e2 b4 Postny, E-Huzman, Israel 2003 and here 12.b3!? was worth a try in view of a5 13.e4 c5!? 14.c1 c4 15.d1 , although it's only +=) 8...0-0 ( 8...g4 9.e5 e6 10.e3 0-0 11.f4 c6 12.e2 8d7 13.d1 Arsovic-Cornette, Obrenovac 2004) 9.e3 c6 ( 9...g4?! 10.e5! Piket-Avrukh, Biel 1999) 10.d5 These lines requre further practical tests. ( Volzhin analyses 10.0-0-0!? g4 11.d5 e5 12.e2 bc4 13.d4; and 10.d1!? g4 11.d5 e5 12.e2 xf3 13.gxf3 ec4 14.c1 d6 15.f4 ) 10...e5 ( 10...a5? 11.d1 g4? 12.b5 f5 13.b4 1-0 Engel-Estrin, corr 1978 ) 11.xe5 xe5 12.d1 e8 ( Volzhin prefers 12...c8!? ) 13.e2 c6 14.0-0 cxd5 15.xd5 ( 15.exd5!? c8 16.d2 ) 15...xd5 Volzhin-Baikov, Elista 2001, and here Volzhin suggests 16.xd5 in vi e w o f g7 17.fd1 c6 18.5d2 ] 6.e5 White has over a 200 point performance rating lead after this move. db4 7.a3 g7 8.axb4 xe5 9.b5 b8 [ 9...d4 hasn't done very well but deserves a look: 10.e3 A) 10...e6!? 11.d4 g7 ( 11...d6 12.h4!? g7!? 13.e2 d7 14.f3 c8 15.e4 a5 Fuchs-Schneider, Eppingen 2004 ) 12.c4 0-0 13.0-0 d7 14.a3 Rohde-Mirabile, Philadelphia 2003; B) 10...f5 11.d4 g7 12.g3!? ( 12.e2 ) 12...0-0 13.g2 d6 14.0-0 d7 15.b4 e8 16.c5 xb5?! 17.xb7 xc3? 18.bxc3 h3 19.e1 and White is winning, M Ivanov-Desinte Charleroi 2004. ] 10.e3 Why shouldn't White stand better? He has solid development and more importantly a central majority. 0-0 [ 10...d7 11.d4 g7 12.e2 0-0 13.0-0 b6 14.c2 ( 14.a2 e6 15.b3 has also been played) 14...f5?! ( 14...e5 is natural, although I still like W hite after 15.dxe5 xe5 16.e4 intending f4, for example, h4 17.g3 h3 18.e3 e6 ? but f4 follows regardless) 19.f4 g7 640
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 20.f5 ) 15.e4 d7 16.d1 e6 17.e3 wi t h a s o li d a d va n t a g e , K u s t a r - P ri b yl , Bayern 2004. ] 11.e2 [ 11.d4 g7 12.e2 c6 13.0-0 a6! ( 13...e6 14.f3 is unpleasant) 14.bxc6 xc6 is essentially a tempo up on our game for Black, but White seems to be a bit better regardless: 15.d1 ( 15.b3!? ) 15...d7 16.b3 b5 17.e4 f5 18.g3 d7 19.d2 e6 20.a3 J Rubinetti-Zukerfeld, Tres de Febrero 2003 ] 11...c6 12.0-0 cxb5 [ 12...a6! 13.bxc6 xc6 14.d4 g7 15.f3 again gains Black a sort of 'tempo' - see the last note. ] 13.xb5 c6 14.d4 g7 15.f3 a6 16.b3 a7 What else? 17.a4 b8!? [ 17...e6? 18.d5 a5 19.b4 ] [ 17...a5 18.a3 ( or 18.xc6 bxc6 19.c5 )] 18.d2 d7 19.fc1 e5? [ Maybe 19...b5 , but White is clearly better. ] 20.d5? White is clearly better but could have gained a decisive advantage: [ 20.b4 e8 21.d5 ] 20...b5 21.c5 xc5 22.xc5 d7 23.e4 Black's position is just bad, and he went on to lose: b8 24.e3 a8 25.c3 d8 26.a5 f8 27.b4 d6 28.ac1 b7 29.c7 xc7 30.xc7 b8 31.g5 e8 32.g4 h5 33.h3 f5 34.xd8 xd8 35.b6 f7 36.g3 a5 37.exf5 g5 38.f6 xd5 39.d7 c4 40.d8+ h7 41.xa8 c1+ 42.f1 c4 43.a7+ 1-0
644 Tkachiev,Vladislav Sutovsky,Emil 8th Karpov Poikovsky RUS (3) [Carsten Hansen]
A16 2649 2629 17.03.2007
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.a4+ d7 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 a6 7.d4 b5 8.b3 c5 [ 8...c6 was the move Svidler chose against Navarra - see the February 2007 update ] 9.dxc5 g7 10.e4 0-0 [ 10...c6 11.e2 e6 is an alternative
which was played on a couple of occasions in W ijk aan Zee this year in the groups B and C. These games were discussed in the notes to the aforementioned NavarraSvidler. ] 11.e2 c6 12.e5 fd7 13.e3 xe5 14.xe5 xe5 15.0-0 [ 15.d1 is Topalov-Svidler, Morelia/Linares 2007, which is analysed separately. ] 15...c7 [ 15...e6 16.a4 bxa4 17.xa4 c7 18.f4 g7 19.b6 is already very good for White, and Gelfand drove the victory home: a7 20.fd1 e8 21.c4 h6 22.f1 b7 23.f2 d7 24.xd7 xd7 25.xa6 xa6 26.xa6 g7 27.d2 a7 28.b6 a8 29.b5 xb5 30.xb5 b8 31.c4 a1+ 32.f2 xb2 33.c6 xd2+ 34.xd2 a7+ 35.e2 c7 36.a5 c8 37.c7 f8 38.c6 f5 39.c3 f7 40.e5 e7 41.d3 g5 42.g3 gxf4 43.gxf4 1-0 Gelf and, B-Svidler, P/Moscow RUS 2006 ] 16.f4 g7 17.ad1 [ In comparison with the Gelfand-Svidler game, the 17.a4 idea isn't as effective, since after bxa4 18.xa4 d7 Black will put a rook on b8 with a decent game ] [ However, 17.fd1!? may be worth a thought. A transposition to the GelfandSvidler game is still possible, and if Black tried to avoid it, with, say, b7 then 18.d5 e6 19.b6 a7 20.f1 is pleasantly better for White ] 17...e6 18.c2 [ 18.a4 can also be considered, e.g. bxa4 19.xa4 d7 20.b6 xb6 21.cxb6 b7 22.f3 xf3 23.xf3 fd8 24.ff1 and while White's advantage is by no means winning, he clearly has the upper hand t h a n k s t o t h e p a s s e d p a wn o n b 6 a n d Black's queen's obligation to stop it: f6 25.xd8+ xd8 26.d1 xd1+ 27.xd1 with excellent winning chances for White. ] 18...b7 19.f2 [ 19.f3 xf3 20.xf3 c6 21.e4 b4 22.b1 ad8 23.d6 c6 and the knight on b4 will retreat to d5 with a fine game for Black. ] 19...a5 20.d6!? d7 21.xc6 xc6 22.f3 a6 23.xa8 xa8 24.e4 641
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 24.d2!? is also worth consideration: f6 25.d6 c8 26.xb5 d5 27.d4 f8 28.f5 ( 28.e4 xd6 29.xd6 d7 30.f5 28 leads ultimately to the same as f5) 28...xd6 29.xd6 d7 30.e4 gxf5 31.h4 f6 32.xf6 xf6 33.xf6 a7 34.g5+ and now the players can agree to a draw af te r h8 35.f6+ g8 36.g5+ h8 37.f6+ ] 24...f6 25.xf6+ xf6 26.d2 c8 27.e4 c6 28.xc6 xc6 29.b3 [ 29.d7!? c o u l d b e w o r t h a t r y xb2 30.b7 b4 31.a7 c3 32.xa5 h5 A) 33.b5 g7 ( 33...a6? 34.b6 xa2 35.b8+ g7 36.c6 wins for White ) 34.b6 c7 35.f1 f6 and Black is okay; B) 33.a7 g7 34.f2 e5 35.fxe5 xe5 36.f3 f6+ 37.e4 e6 38.d5 and White has definite winning chances, e. g. xh2 39.d4+ f8 40.c6 ] 29...e7 30.f1 f8 31.e2 e8 and now after 32.a4 White decided to offer a draw which Black accepted. [ 32.a3 f6 33.d3 c7 34.c2 would have left White with an edge ] ½-½
645 Topalov,Veselin Kamsky,Gata WCh Candidates (1.4) [Nigel Davies]
A16 2775 2732 08.05.2011
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.c2 [ I'm not sure if the line 5.b3 b6 6.d4 g7 7.f4 e6 is an English or a Gruenfeld, it can come about via either move order, but is more commonly arrived at via 1.c4 or 1. Nf3. So I've relegated it to the notes even though there was an innovation by Topalov. After 8.a3 c6 he played the super sharp A) 9.e3 had been played in a couple of earlier Kamsky games, for example a5 10.e2 ( 10.b5 0-0 11.xc6 bxc6 12.c5 d5 13.e5 xc3 14.xc3 d5 15.xg7 xg7 16.0-0 xf3 17.gxf3 d5 18.fc1 a6 19.c4 g5+ 20.f1 b6 21.b3 d8 22.c2 1/2-1/2 Eljanov,
P -K a m sky, G / O h rid 2 0 0 9) 10...b4 11.0-0 c6 12.g5 d5 13.fc1 h6 14.ge4 c4 15.xd5 xa3 16.c7+ f8 17.bxa3 d5 18.xd5 cxd5 19.c5 gave White compensation for the queen in Ivanchuk, V-Kamsky, G/Jermuk 2009; B) 9.0-0-0 A new move from Topalov. d5 10.g3 h6+ 11.e3 a5 12.h4 cb4 13.h5 c6 14.hxg6 hxg6 15.d2 f6 16.e4 b6 17.e2 c8 18.h4 f7 was more dangerous for White's king than it was for Black's in Topalov, V-Kamsky, G/ Kazan RUS 2011. ] 5...g7 6.e4 b6 7.d4 0-0 Despite its Gruenfeldy appearance, this position is only ever reached via 1.c4 or 1.Nf3. 8.e3 g4 9.e5 xe5 A radical way of playing the position. [ In earlier games Black has played mainly 9...e6 , for example 10.0-0-0!? ( 10.d1 c6 11.e2 8d7 12.0-0 xe5 13.dxe5 c8 14.f4 g4 was OK for Black in Malich, B-Vladimirov, E/Halle 1976; as was 10.f4 c6 11.d1 8d7 12.e2 f5 13.d5 cxd5 14.exd5 f7 15.xf7 xf7 16.0-0 c8 17.b3 c5 in Malich, B-Schmidt, W / Zinno witz 197 3) 10...c6 11.f4 c8 12.b1 xe5 13.dxe5 c6 14.c5 e8 15.f2 g4 16.d2 c7 17.c2 ad8 18.e3 c8 19.e2 b8 20.g4 st a rt e d a m a s sive kin gsid e b u ild u p i n Koneru, H-Nadig, K/Calicut 2003. ] 10.dxe5 c6 11.h3 e6 12.d1 c8 13.f4 d8 14.b3! This makes sense as taking control of c4 shuts down both the b6 knight and e6 bishop. It also happens to be a new move. [ 14.e2 b4 15.b1 xd1+ 16.xd1 was played in an earlier game Pogorelov, RFernandez Barrera, V/Albacete 2009, and now Black should probably have played c4 with annoying counterplay. ] 14...b4 [ 14...xd1+ 15.xd1 e8 followed by 16... Rd8 is also worth considering here as the c6 knight keeps the option of going to d4. ] 15.xd8+ xd8 16.b1 f5 17.exf6 exf6 18.e2 e7 19.0-0 White is slightly better now because of his bishop pair. Not to mention the fact that Black would probably 642
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 prefer to have his g6 pawn back on g7. f7 archives for Krasenkow-Mikhalevski, Saint 20.f2 d8 21.d1 xd1+ 22.xd1 c5 Vincent 2000 ] 23.f1 [ F i n a l l y a l s o 7.g3 has been seen with [ Another possibility was 23.f3 and after c4 frequency, though it is decidedly tamer than 24.bxc4 xc4 25.d4 c6 26.c5 the previous two options. Topalov has also White still has an edge. ] tried this line some years back and on this 23...c6 24.g3 g7 25.g2 h5 26.b5 site we examined the game-Damljanovicc8 27.d2 c4 28.bxc4 xc4 29.d4 Arashchenko, Plovdiv 2008 not too long b4 30.c1 The position would also favour ago. ] White after a queen exchange thanks to his 7...g7 two bishops. But Topalov still wants to play [ In one of the few games I have found, that against Black's weakened king. 8e7 31.a3 pertained to this variation, Black by a4 32.b2 b6 33.h2 f7 34.c3 a2 transposition reached this position in in 35.f5 Lechtynsky-Zezulkin, Czech Rep 2003 by [ 35.xc6 xc6 36.d4 was the quiet way transposition and now played the t o p la y it , o n ce a g a in wit h a n e d ge f o r aggressive: 7...b5 8.h4 White. ] A) Black is clearly concerned about White 35...c4 36.b2 e5 37.d2 g5 38.e6 playing Bh6, which may or may not be 7c6? Letting White in. just if ie d . Bla ck can inst ead cons ide r [ 38...b3 was better. ] 8...c6!? 9.g3 ( 9.h6?! xh6 10.xh6 39.d6! e8 40.c7+ f7 41.d5 e2 e6 is comfortable for Black) 9...g7 42.xf6+ e8 43.e6+ f8 44.g1? 10.g2 0-0 11.0-0 with an interesting After this neither king can find safety. game, though I prefer White's chances; [ 44.h6+ f7 45.g1 f3+ 46.h1 B) 8...h6!? 9.a4 c6!? ( 9...c6!? would have left Black with nothing, though can also be considered, e.g. 10.d4 g7 this isn't easy to accept at first. ] 11.e4 a5 12.e2 a6 13.axb5 b4 44...d1+ 45.f1 xd5 46.exd5 d4 14.0-0 cxb5 with a complicated position 47.f6+ g8 48.xg5+ f7 49.d8 c2 and chances for both sides) 10.axb5 axb5 50.g2 c1+ 51.h2 c2 52.g1 df3+ 11.xa8 xa8 12.xb5 a5+ 13.c3 53.h1 e1 54.f2 xf2 55.c7+ f6 B1) Black has an interesting alternative 56.d6+ f7 57.c7+ f6 58.d6+ f7 in 13...a1!? which immediately forces ½-½ W h i t e t o gi ve u p t h e r igh t t o c a s t l e 14.d1 ( 14.d2 gives Black a nasty initiative: g7 15.e3 a5 16.e2 0-0 646 A16 , and Black obviously has more than enough for the pawn) 14...g7 15.e3 Topalov,Veselin 2777 0-0 16.a4 a8 17.xa1 xa1 Shirov,Alexei 2741 18.e2 e6 19.d2 g4 20.f1 a5 XXIII Rapid Open rapid (9) 03.08.2008 21.d1 c5 , and Black's activity provides [Carsten Hansen] him with full compensation for the pawn, but probably not more than that.; 1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.a4+ d7 B2) 13...g4 14.g3?! ( Now White 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 a6 7.d3 ends up in severe trouble. Instead White [ As far as I know, this move have not been could have reached a reasonably played in this position before. White aims for comfortable position with 14.e3! a1 a position where Black doesn't have the 15.d1 g7 16.d4 , and White will be usual Grunfeld counterplay against White's able to complete his development and centre. The main line is 7.d4 which we have then start worrying about consolidating discussed several times previous, his pawn advantage.) 14...a1 15.f4 including Topalov-Svidler, Morelia 2007, e5 16.d2 b4 17.h3 f6 , and Black which can be found in the PGN archives. ] is already completely tied up. The rest of [ Also 7.e4 of interest - see the PGN 643
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 the game wasn't particularly pleasant for White: 18.d1 d4 19.xd4 exd4 20.d2 xb2 21.a2 xd2+ 22.xd2 a1+ 23.c1 0-0 24.g4 a8 25.f4? ( 25.f3 d5 doesn't appeal either, but at l e a s t i t d o e s n ' t l o s e o n t h e s p o t .) 25...c6 26.g1 a2 27.xa2 xc1+ 28.f2 xf4+ 29.e1 c1+ 30.f2 e3+ 31.e1 xg1 0-1 Lechtynsky, JZezulkin, J/Czech Rep 2003 ] 8.g3 0-0 [ To claim that the text move is a mistake is perhaps taking it a bit too far, but I think Black is playing a little too much with the auto pilot on. Black has two very reasonable alte rn a tive s in 8...e6!? 9.b4 ( both 9.c5 d5; and 9.a4+ b5 are also fine for Black ) 9...c8 10.g2 c6 , and Black seems to be doing well. ] [ or 8...c6 9.g2 e6 with chances to both sides. ] 9.g2 c6 [ In another game, also reached by transposition, Black tried 9...c6 10.0-0 e5 11.h4 ( 11.d1!? b5 12.c5 e8 is also pleasant for White ) A) Or 11...g4 12.xd8 axd8 13.h3 f6 ( 13...h6 14.d2 f5 15.fc1 ) 14.g5 b8 15.ac1 fe8 16.e3; B) 11...f5 12.h6 g4 13.xg7 xg7 14.xd8 axd8 15.fc1 c8 16.e4 f6 17.xf6 ( White can also consider the 'Dragon' move 17.xc6 , which also leads to an advantage for White after bxc6 18.xe5 xe4 19.xe4 , but White undoubtedly found this to be unnecessary as the game continuation leaves W hite with a nagging positional plus and no much hope for counterplay f or Black.) 17...xf6 18.f1 d7 19.d2 e7 20.b3 b8 21.c5 f6 22.ac1 , and White has a fairly clear advantage, J a r a c z , P - B rk i c, A / N o va G o r i c a S L O 2005 ] 10.0-0 bd7 11.f4 xf3 [ This move looks decidedly radical, handing over the bishop pair to White without really b e i n g f o r c e d t o d o s o . T h e a l t e rn a t ive 11...b6 is of less consequence, but also promises White the better chances. 12.b3 fd5 13.xd5 xd5 14.c2 e5 15.g5
f6 16.e3 d7 17.ac1 ] 12.xf3 c6 13.b4 b6 14.b3 a5 15.e3 [ 15.ac1!? is also worth a thought ] 15...fd5 16.c5 [ White can win a pawn with 16.xd5 xd5 17.xb7 , but Black gets reasonable compensation after xe3 18.fxe3 h6 19.f2 b8 20.xc6 xb2 21.fb1 b8 , and the opposite coloured bishops and the we a k e 3 - p a wn p r o m i s e s B l a c k d e c e n t counterchances ] 16...d7 17.a3 5b6 18.fd1 e8 19.e4 a4 20.c2 d5 21.ac1 W h i t e h a s o n e o f t h o s e s m a l l, b u t c l e a r advantages that are so difficult to neutralize and which will keep you on the defensive forever. Black's defensive task in rapid play ga m e su ch a s t h is ga m e is ve ry dif f ic u lt because any break for activity will likely only increase White's advantage. b6 22.c3 b4 23.d2 [ White can also claim an edge after 23.xb4 xb4 24.d4 a3 25.b3 ad8 26.e3 , but keeping the bishop pair is a far better option as Black's task will be more difficult with more pieces on the board and no active plans where they can be of any use. ] 23...e6 24.d4 ed8 25.e3 d5 26.c2 b4 27.e2 f6 28.c4 f8 29.g2 a5 30.e2 White is not in any rush, his advantage is not running anywhere. bd5 31.xf8 xf8 Finally Black managed to eliminate White's pair of bishops, but Black is still suffering from a lack of counterplay, thus preserving an edge for White. 32.a3 [ 32.e4!? ] 32...g7 33.a2 [ 33.e4!? e7 34.c4 ] 33...b6 34.c2 b3 35.c1 b6 36.d3 a5 37.dc1 aa8 38.c4 b5 39.c2 a7 40.c5 White's advantage is slowly but surely taking on a more definite shape. His space advantage is significant and Black's counterplay is still non-existent. da8 41.e4 Finally! b6 42.b4 a5 43.c3 c8 44.g4 fd7 45.h4 Now we have the type of position we associate with Topalov: full-board pressure. White's advantage is nearly decisive at this point. g8 46.e3 e5 47.e2 d8 48.g5 e8 49.e3 f6 50.dxe5 bd5 644
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 51.exd5 xd5 52.d4 [ 52.h6! xb4 53.axb4 is even worse for Black ] 52...xb4 53.axb4 d8 54.d7 b6 55.d1 c5 56.bxc5 bxc5 57.d6 h8 58.c4 e7 59.f6 f8 60.g3 ab7 61.d2 b8 62.xb8+ [ 62.d5! bc7 63.c6 threatens Nd7 and the pawn on a4, deciding the game immediately. ] 62...xb8 63.f4 eb7 64.h5 xb2 65.d6 2b7 66.a6 g7 67.g5 gxh5 68.xh5+ f8 69.f6 g7 70.g4 b4 71.d5 d4? 72.a7 bb4 73.xf7+ [ Here White can mate Black with 73.h5! xd5 74.a8 , and now Black can only delay mate by giving up his two rooks. ] 73...g6 74.f8?? [ An incredible blunder, undoubtedly caused by severe time trouble of both players. Here 74.h5! mates, Black can only delay matters by giving up his two rooks. xf4+ 75.xf4+ xf4+ 76.xf4 ] 74...xf4+ 75.g3 fd4? [ Black can keep White's advantage within re a c h wi t h 75...f1 76.e6 e1 . In the game continuation, Black now once again is losing. ] 76.e6 d3+ 77.f3 bb3? 78.g4 xg5?! 79.e7 xf3+ 80.xf3 b8 81.f6 Up to W hite's 74th move, this game wa s brilliantly executed by W hite. A beautif ul game. 1-0
647 Topalov,Veselin Svidler,Peter XXIV SuperGM (4) [Carsten Hansen]
A16 2783 2728 21.02.2007
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.a4+ So Topalov gets in on the f un as well, undoubtedly hoping to get something like the position Gelfand obtained against Svidler in Moscow 2006 - see the notes to the next main game. d7 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 a6 7.d4 b5 8.b3 c5 [ 8...c6 was Svidler's choice against Navarra - see the February 2007 update for
this line ] 9.dxc5 g7 10.e4 0-0 11.e2 c6 12.e5 fd7 13.e3 xe5 14.xe5 xe5 15.d1 [ 15.0-0 c7 16.f4 as in Tkachiev-Sutovsky may well be a better try - see the next main game ] 15...a5 [ Also 15...c7 , preventing White from castling right away, and 16.d5 xd5 17.xd5 c6 18.f3 ac8 looks okay for Black ] 16.0-0 e6 17.f4 g7 18.a3 c7 19.c2 [ 19.a4 bxa4 20.xa4 transposes to a line I have analysed at length in the TkachievSutovsky game, here each side has spent an extra tempo, W hite with a2-a3-a4 and Black with ...Qd8-a5-c7 ] 19...b4!? played to prevent White from playing b2-b4 with an uncomfortable bind for Black 20.axb4 b7 21.d6 xb4 22.fd1 a7 23.1d2 d7 24.xd7 [ Here 24.xa6 looks appealing, but after fd8! 25.xd7 xd7 26.f1 xd2 27.xd2 f8 28.f2 d7 Black wins the c5-pawn and is by no means worse ] 24...xd7 25.d6 b7 26.d2 f6 27.f1 [ 27.d1!? b8 28.d8+ e8 29.xb8 xb8 leaves White with no more than a nominal edge ] 27...b8 28.d8+ f8 29.xb8 [ 29.xb8 xb8 30.d4 e7 , and Black h a s e q u a l i s e d , w h i l e 31.xa6?! a7 32.d3 xc5 33.xc5 xc5+ gives Black the initiative ] ½-½
648 Turov,Maxim Hansen,Eric Oslo op (8) [Fier, Alexandr]
A16 2586 2584 29.09.2013
This line has been the subject of some recent games. Black believes the structural disadvantage is not enough to bring any real a d va n t a ge f o r W h it e . S t ill it 's a ri s k le s s position to play and Black can suffer sometimes. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 d5 3.cxd5 xd5 4.f3 g6 5.a4+ c6 The most forcing move here 645
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 5...d7 is the most played and was recently tried by Giri A) 6.h4 was Ni Hua's preference and his game was analyzed for Chess Publishing c6 ( 6...xc3 is another option 7.bxc3!? c5 8.b1 Gajewski, G (2653)-Tomczak, J (2564)/ POL-ch Chorzow 2013.) 7.d4 g8 8.e5 with an exotic position in Ni Hua (2667)-Li Chao2 (2613)/6th TCh-CHN Ningbo CHN 2010.; B) 6.b3 b6 7.d4 g7 8.e4 trying to transpose to the Russian variation of the Grünf eld with the bishop on d7 instead of c8. The verdict is still not clear, Wang Hao (2737) -Giri, A (2720)/Beijing Sportaccord blitz 2012. ] [ 5...c6 is not so goo d 6.d4 f6 7.e4 and White has a comfortable game, as seen in Li, C (2686)-Tazbir, M (2561)/Universiad Men 2013. ] 6.e5 d6 [ 6...db4 was tried on several occasions but the ball is in Black's court in this position 7.a3 g7 8.axb4 xe5 9.b5 b8 a n d h e r e b o t h 10.e3 ( and 10.g3 are enough for an advantage )] 7.xc6 xc6 8.xc6+ bxc6 9.b3 I think developing the queenside, where White has some weak points, is more important than bringing the bishop to g2. [ 9.g3 Black has decent results after this move g7 10.g2 e6 and Black's pieces are active enough to bring counterplay. It was analyzed in Petrosian, T (2661)-Gupta, A (2627) - see the Archive. ] 9...xc3 Going to an almost symmetric endgame but not with many chances for Black. My preference would be to keep the knights on: [ 9...b4 immediately questioning the queenside looks more interesting 10.d1 e6 11.b2 g7 12.c1 was played in some games and it's still not clear how W hite is going to finish his development. The main plan is to play Na4-c5, so probably Black can slightly improve from the played games with A) 12...0-0 this was played by Shankland, but after 13.Na4 the position can become annoying at some point, 13.a4 h6 ( 13...xb2+ 14.xb2 with 12...Rd8 this is
not possible ) 14.c5; B) 12...0-0-0 I'm not sure the king belongs on the queenside and sometimes the rook is more useful on the a or b-files, 13.d3 f5 14.a4 was more comfortable for White in Maksimenko, A (2554)-Le Roux, J (2551)/ POL-chT Warsaw 2012 (3.4).; C) 12...d8N this is basically aimed against 13.Na4 since the pawn on d2 is a t t a ck e d n o w 13.d3 ( 13.a4 xb2+ 14.xb2 0-0 15.a4 d5 defending c5 and soon Rdf8 will follow) 13...0-0 14.a4 d5 with a complex position. ] 10.b2 [ 10.dxc3 the bishop on g7 is more active than the bishop on b2, and after c4 White is going to exchange it anyway, so better to do it immediately g7 11.b2 a5 12.0-0-0 a4 13.c4 xb2+ 14.xb2 e6 enters the same kind of position as in the game, but with the pawn already committed to c4. ] 10...g7 11.xc3 xc3 12.dxc3 The endgame starts here. I'm always afraid to enter into early endgames where my opponent might have studied all the plans and doesn't have to make a real move with the head. White's plan is to expand the pawns on the kingside, and the king will be well centralized on e3. One of the key squares is c5, so Black probably needs to advance the c-pawn to control the position. e6 [ 12...a5 tries to get rid of one weak pawn and it's a respectable alternative. I thought about two plans for White A) 13.e3 to keep open the option of Bd3e4 at some point e6 14.d3 a4 15.b4 a3 ( 15...0-0 16.a3 and the a4-pawn can be an important factor later in the endgame ) 16.d2 and again White needs to be careful with ...c5 and invasions on the b-file since the pawn on a2 needs to be defended. But if nothing happens White should be better ( 16.e4?! 0-0-0 is too active for Black ); B) 13.g3 e6 14.g2 d5 B1) 15.0-0!? trying to quickly activate t h e p i e c e s a4 16.e4 e6 17.f4 with the idea of f5 and bringing the king to e3 again axb3 ( 17...0-0 18.f5 c8 19.g4 is comfortable) 18.axb3 0-0 19.b4 and White always needs to take 646
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 care of ...c5, but maybe there is some slight advantage.; B2) 15.e4 e6 16.c4 c5 was not much in Liascovich, L (2409) -Bacallao Alonso, Y (2580)/Pinamar Carilo 2012. ] 13.e4 0-0-0 [ 13...a5 is once again possible, and I believe it's the best plan, 14.d2 a4 15.b4 a3 with a similar kind of position as that analyzed in 12...a5. ] 14.a6+ b8 15.e2 d6 16.e3 c5 17.e2 The first part of the plan is complete, t h e k i n g i s we l l p l a c e d , n o w i t ' s t i m e t o advance the pawns. f6 18.f4 hd8 19.ad1 Exchanging one rook is good to avoid any counterplay on the d-file. xd1 20.xd1 But two rooks is too much! c4 Black needs to be active and get rid of the c-pawns. 21.c2 c5 22.f5! gxf5 This is committal, weakening the pawn structure but giving the bishop the d5-square. [ 22...f7 would be solid and can lead to a funny variation, 23.fxg6 cxb3 ( 23...hxg6 24.h4 and White can create a dangerous p a s s e d p a wn) 24.axb3 ( 24.gxf7 bxc2 25.c1 f8 26.xc2 xf7 should be ok for Black ) 24...xg6 ( 24...hxg6 25.h4 ) 25.a1 and White is better. ] 23.exf5 d5 24.d1 d6 25.g4 c7 So far things are under control 26.b4 b6 [ 26...cxb4 changes the position 27.cxb4 b6 with ...c3 and ...Bc4 ideas, and maybe ...a5 to exchange another pawn ] 27.h4 h6 28.e4 xe4?? This is just losing. [ 28...f7 was the move, and after 29.b1 ( 29.xd6+ exd6 30.bxc5+ xc5 31.b7 d5 and it looks like everything is under control. ) 29...d5 30.c2 White is trying to go lef t and right and Black needs to be careful. ] 29.xd6+ exd6 30.xe4 d5+ [ 30...c7 31.b5 and the king enters on d5 ] [ 30...cxb4 31.cxb4 ( 31.g5 also works hxg5 32.hxg5 b3 33.axb3 cxb3 but the king is in time 34.d3+- ) 31...d5+ 32.d4 followed by g5 winning ] 31.xd5 cxb4 32.xc4 Maybe this is what Black missed. bxc3 33.xc3 c5 34.b3 d5 35.b4 e5 36.c5 1-0
649 Vaganian,Rafael A Nedev,Trajce World Teams Yerevan ARM (2) [Tony Kosten]
A16 2650 2514 13.10.2001
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 g7 4.g2 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.0-0 c6!? [ 6...c5 is more normal, with a transposition to [A38]. ] 7.c3 b6 8.d3 0-0 9.e3 e5 Bringing play into a Reversed Dragon-style position, except that the black dark-squared bishop is on g7 here, not e7. 10.a4 [ White plays a typical Dragon schema, but 10.c1 is also not bad, intending Bh6. ] 10...a5 11.xb6!? This is just like the Hodgson-Gormally game, under [A29]. cxb6 12.b5!? [ An innovation, placing the knight on the fine b5-square. Previously White had preferred 12.d2 , when e6 13.c4 e8 14.b3 a6 15.e4 e7 was unclear in Ree,HBenko,P/Wijk aan Zee 1970. ] 12...e6 13.d2 As in the above game, the knight heads for c4. In return for his darksquared bishop White has devalued the black queenside structure, and gained two good square f or knights on c4, and b5. Still, a bishop is a bishop! e7 14.c1 ac8 15.c4 d4! Black contests the b5-knight's position. 16.bd6?! [ I think that this move is verging on the dubious, but White clearly wasn't happy with 16.xd4 exd4 17.xb6 xc1 18.xc1 b4 with more than enough play for the pawn. ] 16...cd8 [ Missing the lovely queen sac 16...xd6! 17.xd6 xc1 18.d2 ( 18.xc1 xe2+ is t h e p o in t) 18...c2 19.g5 xe2+ 20.h1 xb2 when Black is clearly on top, his piece s have go od square s, and th e extra queenside pawn (assuming W hite captures on b7) is useful. ] 17.e3 [ 17.xb7? d7 traps the knight. ] 17...f5?! [ 17...c6 18.b5 f5 is better, targeting the d3-pawn.. ] 18.b5 b4 The b6-pawn couldn't be 647
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 defended anyway. 19.xb7 e7 20.g2 xc4 21.xc4 xb2 Black regains his pawn, b u t s t r u c t u r a l l y h e i s w o r s e . 22.e1 With a nasty threat of Re2. a2 23.f1! [ Black stops 23.e2?? b e c a u s e o f xc4 as the d-pawn is pinned. ] 23...xc4 24.dxc4 xd1 25.xd1 Despite the opposite-colour bishops W hite has the advantage because he owns the d-file and threatens to molest the b6-pawn. c6? [ I feel that Black should open the a1-h8 diagonal for his bishop, whilst simultaneously closing the h1-a8 one, by 25...e4! 26.d6 c8 and there is no obvious way that White can bring his bishop into the game, as Black will continue with ... f5. ] 26.d6 c8 27.g2 This is why Black's 25th move was a mistake, the white bishop will come to d5 and attack f7. e4?! [ It is easy to understand why Black prefers this pawn sac to 27...b4 28.d5 xd5 29.cxd5 , b u t a f t e r c4 30.xb6 xa4 31.d6 a1+ 32.g2 d1 Black has reasonable drawing chances. ] 28.xe4 e5 29.d5 xc4 30.d7 e5 31.b7 The respective activity of the pieces says it all. c5 32.e4 c2 33.d6 d2 34.xb6 This is better than capturing the fpawn, as he will be able to attack it again later. f8 35.a6 h5 This hastens the end. 36.xf7! xf7 37.xg6+ g7 38.g5 The pretty point, Rf5 is the immediate threat. c2 39.xh5 c7 40.f5 The simplest, White will exchange the rooks and play with f o u r p a w n s a g a i n s t a l o n e b i s h o p . f8 41.g2 d4 42.h4 g7 43.xf7+ xf7 44.xf7 xf7 45.f4 e6 46.g4 d6 The only chance is to capture the a4-pawn and run his own, but the white pawns arrive much too quickly. 47.g5 c5 48.h5 b4 49.h6 [ 49.h6 xa4 50.g6 b4 51.g7 crowns a queen long before Black. ] 1-0
650 Vallejo Pons,Francisco Safarli,Eltaj Wch Rapid Khanty-Mansiysk (6) [Fier, Alexandr]
A16 2706 2660 07.06.2013
h4-h5 lines are tried in many different positions and are not always working. In the Anti-Grunfeld it's in fashion now, but I'm still not sure if it's sound. To spend 2 moves to open the file is sometimes too expensive. But if White manages to finish his development the attack can be dangerous, as seen here. 1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.h4 g7 6.h5 c6 [ 6...xc3 7.bxc3 c5 8.g3 is analyzed in Shimanov, A (2639)-Mchedlishvili, M (2640)/ Nakhchivan Open A 2013 2013 (7.5)/1-0 ] 7.d4 f5 [ 7...g4 A) 8.h6 was played before, and after f6 9.e4?! ( 9.e3 0-0= ) 9...db4! 10.d5 ( 10.a3 xd4 11.axb4 xf3+ 12.gxf3 xc3+ 13.bxc3 xd1+ 14.xd1 xf3+ ) 10...d4 And White was already in trouble in Naiditsch, A (2712)-Volokitin, A (2695)/ San Sebastian KO 2011; B) 8.hxg6 hxg6 9.xh8+ xh8 10.e4 b6 ( 10...db4 without a rook on h1 this doesn't work 11.a3 ) 11.d5 with a doubleedged position ] 8.b3 [ 8.g5 may be an interesting option d6 9.h6 f6 A) 10.xd5 A1) 10...xg5 11.c3 f6 can't be good ( 11...f6 12.e4 wins ); A2) 10...xd5 11.xf6 exf6 12.e3 0-0-0 with an unbalanced position; B) 10.xf6 xf6 11.e3 0-0 12.e2 with a playable position for both sides ] 8...xc3 [ 8...e6!? is a solid option and if White doesn't want to draw, he needs to enter into a not so exciting position A) 9.d1 f5= ( 9...g4 transposes ); B) 9.xb7 i s n o t g o o d db4 10.b5 d7 11.d1 c2 12.xc2 xd4+ 13.xd4 xb5 14.dxb5 c6 15.a3 xc3 16.bxc3 a5 is better for Black, White's pieces are not coordinated at all; 648
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 C) 9.hxg6 hxg6 10.xh8+ xh8 11.d1 and I don't see why W hite would be better ] 9.bxc3 0-0 10.hxg6 [ 10.xb7 is not in the style of the position, White has more important issues than taking a pawn A) 10...e4 is tempting but it looks like W hite survives 11.hxg6 hxg6 12.a3 b8 13.a6 xf3 14.gxf3 xd4! 15.cxd4 xd4 16.c1 b1! 17.d3 ( 17.xb1 c3+ 18.d1 d8+-+ ) 17...xc1+ 18.xc1 a1 19.d2 ( 19.d1 b2 20.d2 xc1 21.xc1 d8+-+ ) 19...xa2+ 20.d1 a4+ 21.d2 a2+=; B) 10...d7 11.hxg6 hxg6 12.b5 ab8 13.c5 e5 with good compensation ] 10...hxg6 11.h6 [ 11.xb7 is the same ] 11...xh6 12.xh6 g7?! It's not easy to understand why, and even more so in a rapid game, but this move already gives White the initiative. The rook is not doing much on h6, but now it's going to fulfil an important role. Central measures where necessary [ 12...e5! 13.e3 ( 13.xb7 f6 14.a6 exd4 15.xd4 e4 and compared to the game, Black's pieces are much more active, his rooks are ready to take the central files and W hite's king is not safe) 13...f6!? 14.xb7 ( 14.h1 ab8 15.e2 g7 is comfortable for Black) 14...exd4 15.cxd4 ab8! A) 16.a6 g7 17.xc6 ( 17.h1 b4-+ ) 17...xh6; B) 16.xc7 fc8 17.f4 b4 18.d1 c2+ 19.d2 xf4 20.exf4 f5 and even without queens Black's initiative is still dangerous, maybe W hite can defend the position, but he is certainly going to have to find some good moves. ] 13.h4! e5 [ 13...f6 to play 14...g5 is too optimistic 14.e4! g5 15.exf5 gxh4 16.xh4 and Black's king is going to suffer. ] 14.e4 c8 [ 14...g5 can be possible, but is hardly a move that any human would play 15.h5 xe4 16.xg5+ h8 17.h5+ g7 18.0-0-0 with a powerful attack. ]
15.0-0-0 exd4?! Black underestimates White's attacking chances and gives him too much liberty. Now the position becomes too dangerous. [ 15...h8 it's necessary to exchange the rooks without letting White's queen get to e3 16.dxe5 e7 17.xh8 xh8 18.b5 e6 19.b2 g7 with compensation for the pawn. ] 16.cxd4 e7? [ 16...h8 is not a move to make one happy, but at the cost of a pawn Black can finish developing his pieces 17.xh8 xh8 18.d5 d8 19.c3+ g8 20.xc7 g4 21.b1 c8 22.a5 but White is still a clear passed pawn up. ] 17.e3! Suddenly White's attack is decisive! With all his pieces aimed at the king there is no reasonable way to defend the position. h8 18.xh8 xh8 19.c4 g8 [ 19...g7 20.h1 and now 21.Qh6 will be check ] 20.h6 f6 21.g5 d8 22.h7! g7 23.h4 xh7 [ 23...c6 is brutally met by 24.h1 xd4 25.f6+ f8 26.h8+ e7 27.e8+ xf6 28.xf7+ e5 29.f4+ xe4 ( 29...d6 30.d1 ) 30.xg6+ f5 31.e1+ xf4 32.f1+ e3 33.h6+ f4 34.xf4# ] 24.xd8+ g7 25.xc7 g8 26.d8+ g7 27.c7?! This is not so bad, but misses a forcing continuation: [ 27.e8! and Black has problems defending his king with only the queen h6+ 28.c2 f4 ( 28...e6 29.xa8 xc4 30.xa7 h5 31.f3+- ) 29.h1 and soon the a8-rook will fall xf2+ 30.b1 ] 27...g8 28.d3 g4 29.f4 c8 30.c3 e6 31.d5 d7 [ 31...xd5 looks more active, but doesn't really help 32.exd5 b5 33.d6 bxc4 34.d7! d8 35.e4 h6+ 36.e3 g5 37.d4 and Black is completely paralyzed. ] 32.b2 b5 33.b3 xc3 34.xc3 h1 35.d6 a1+ 36.c2 e6 37.d7? Spoiling the game, as now White has no good way to avoid the perpetual. [ 37.d2 White should improve the position of the queen before advancing the pawn, like this the king has a secure path against 649
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 the checks: xb3+ 38.xb3 b1+ 39.c3 a1+ 40.d3 f8 41.e3 f6 42.d4 g5+ 43.d3 e8 44.xa7+- ] 37...xb3+ 38.axb3 a2+ 39.c1 a1+ 40.c2 a2+ 41.c3 a1+ 42.d3 b1+ 43.e2 c2+ 44.e1 b1+ 45.e2 c2+ 46.d2 xe4+ 47.d1 b1+ 48.e2 e4+ 49.f1 b1+ 50.e2 e4+ 51.d1 ½-½
651 Vladimirov,Evgeny Mamedyarov,Shakhriyar Open Dubai UAE (6) [Tony Kosten]
A16 2605 2542 22.04.2002
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.a4+ d7 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 g7 7.e4 c6 8.d3!? This novelty looks like an ugly move, but is not without its points, the bishop can drop back to c2 when W hite will be able to play d4 without worrying about his e-pawn which is solidly protected by his bishop and knight. We have examined the normal [ 8.d3 in the game Piket,J-Bacrot,E/Escaldes 1998. Otherwise, ] [ 8.e2!? is interesting, menacing to push the e-pawn, or d-pawn: h5!? 9.d4!? xd4 (if Black doesn't capture on d4 his 8th move loses any sense) 10.xd4 xd4 11.h6 keeping the king in the centre, d7 12.d1 e5 13.e3 f5!? unclear, Ehlvest,J-Isaev,J/ Elista 1998. ] 8...a6?! [ Black aims for a queenside advance, but two days later (!) Black preferred 8...bd7! 9.c2 e5 (to inhibit d4) 10.0-0 0-0 11.d1 e7 12.d4?! ( 12.b4!? ) 12...exd4 13.xd4 xe4 virtua lly f orced , 14.xe4 xe4 15.f4 ( 15.e1?! c5! ) 15...ec5 16.b5 1/2-1/2 Ehlvest,J-Goloshchapov,A/ Dubai UAE 2002, but Black is better here. ] 9.c2 b5 10.b3 bd7 11.d4 White has the centre, and Black has no obvious way of undermining it just yet, the white opening has been a success! e6 12.0-0 0-0 13.f4 b8 14.fe1 Simple chess - White just puts his p i e c e s o n g o o d , n a t u r a l s q u a r e s . a5?! W e a k e n i n g t h e qu e e n si d e , wh i ch W h it e hastens to exploit. 15.d3! b4 16.a4 b7
17.ac1 Both the c4 and c5 squares are weak, and the c7-pawn is a fat target sitting on the open c-file. fd8?! [ 17...fc8 avoids immediate defeat. ] 18.xc6! xc6 19.c1 b7 20.xc7 b8 All forced. 21.g3! [ The cool point, defending the bishop and threatening a nasty discovered attack on the b l a c k q u e e n . N o t e t h a t 21.g3? l o s e s c o n t r o l o f c 1 a n d a l l o w s c8! wh e n W h it e c a n n o t ca p t u r e t h e k n i gh t because of the back-rank mate. ] 21...e5?? Weak play from someone so highly classed, the only real try was [ 21...h5 with 22.xd7 xf4 23.xd8+ xd8 24.gxf4 xd4 White is clearly on top with two knights for a rook, but the game is not over yet, not by any means. ] 22.xe5! xe5 [ 22...xc7? lo s e s t h e q u e e n : 23.xf7+ h8 24.xg6+ hxg6 25.xc7 ] 23.xe5 d5 Hopeless, but how else to defend f7? 24.exd5 1-0
652 Wang Yue Howell,David UK-CHN Match (6) [Jonathan Rowson]
A16 2696 2519 09.09.2007
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.a4+ d7 6.b3 b6 7.d4 g7 8.f4 0-0 9.e3 e6 10.a3 8d7 11.e2 [ 11.d1 Gives Black three possibilities, all of which look plausible, and all of which have been endorsed by super-GMs. A) 11...a5!? 12.d5 ( 12.e2 c4 ) 12...xc3+ 13.bxc3 xd5 14.c4 xf3 15.gxf3 White has quite serious compensation due to the two bishops, better coordination and kingside attacking chances, but the position can only be classified as 'unclear' and Black's play can probably be improved. e6 16.h4 f6 17.e2 e5 18.g5 c6 19.h5 f6 20.h6 f7 21.g1 Eljanov, P (2720)Vachier Lagrave, M (2716)/Emsdetten GER 2008, g5!? 22.f4 exf4 23.exf4 e8 unclear.; 650
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 B) 11...c6 12.g5 d5 13.e4 e5 Very Grunfeldesque, but is it any good? 14.dxe5 xe5 15.xe5 ( 15.c1!? ) 15...xe5 16.h4 ( 16.f4!? ) 16...e8 17.h5 f6 18.f3 bc4 19.xc4 ( 19.b4 looks critical.) 19...xc4 20.b3 d2 21.xb7 f7 22.b4 b8 23.d4 xe4 24.xd2 xf3+ 25.f1 xh5 un cle ar, E lja no v, P (2 68 7)-Svidle r, P (2746)/ Foros UKR 2008.; C) 11...d5 12.xd5 xd5 13.e2 e8 14.0-0 c6 15.g3 b6 16.b3 e5 Black's play looks exemplary, but in these lines freeing the position does not always g u a r a n t e e e q u a l i t y . 17.xe5 xe5 18.dxe5 xe5 19.c4 xc4 20.bxc4 xg3 21.hxg3 It is hard to believe that Black is worse here, but no less tha n Shirov managed to lose from this position. e4 22.d7 ae8 23.c5 b5 24.xa7 a4 25.b6 xb6 26.cxb6 b8 27.b1 xa2 28.b4 c5 29.e4 b2 30.ee7 b1+ 31.h2 xb6 32.xf7 c6 33.g7+ f8 34.xh7 e8 35.d5 cc8 36.e5+ f8 37.xc5 xc5 38.h8+ e7 39.xb8 1-0 Eljanov, P (2687)Shirov, A (2740)/Foros UKR 2008 ] 11...c6 Perhaps a bit diffident. [ 11...c5! seems to be playable and therefore should be played. A) 12.dxc5 is of course critical. c4 ( 12...xc3+ 13.bxc3 d5 14.h6 e8 15.c6 bxc6 16.0-0 looks a bit better for White. ) 13.xc4 ( 13.b4 c8!? Looks like a useful detail. 14.xc4 a5 ) 13...xc4 14.b4 a6 with enduring compensation because White will probably have to castle queenside.; B) 12.0-0 c4 13.a4 db6 14.c2 f5 15.c1 cxd4 16.xd4 d7 17.xc4 xc4 18.d5 e5 Bu Xiangzhi (2714)Vachier Lagrave, M (2716)/Dresden GER 2008. ] 12.0-0 c4 13.fd1?! [ 13.xc4 xc4 14.b3 seems to make it harder for Black to break with e5. ] 13...xe2 14.xe2 e8 and now White cannot keep his 'little centre'. 15.a5 d5 16.g3 e5 17.c3 e4 18.xd5 cxd5 19.d2 e6 20.ac1 f5 21.c7 g5 22.d6 xd6 23.xd6 fc8 24.c7 f8
25.c2 e6 26.dc1 f7 27.g3 xd4!? This move must have been difficult to resist, and is not at all bad, but Black was a little better even in any case and could also have tried to play more simply. [ 27...e8!? ] 28.exd4 xd4 29.b3 xc2 30.xc2 e7 31.c3 d7 32.e5 xc3 33.xc3 c8?! [ 33...f4 ] 34.d4 f4 35.f3 f8 36.f2 f6 37.gxf4 gxf4 38.e2 f5 39.d4 b6 [ 39...e3+ 40.e1 b6 41.h4 d6 still favours Black. ] 40.h4 h5? [ 40...d6 ] 41.f6 h6 42.d4 Trapping the rook. d6 43.g2 e3 44.a3 a6 45.a4 c5 46.h3 e2 47.xe2 f5 48.d4+ c4 49.g4 f7 50.xb6 e7 51.d4 a5 52.b3+ c3 53.xf4 b7 54.c5 b8 55.e5 e8+ 56.xd5 d8+ 57.d6 1-0
653 Zvjaginsev,Vadim Najer,Evgeniy Aeroflot Open (5) [Tony Kosten]
A16 2671 2585 15.02.2003
1.c4 f6 2.c3 d5 3.cxd5 xd5 4.f3 g6 5.h4!? One of Piket's attempts to blast the Pseudo-Grünfeld. f6 The knight stops the hpawn's further advance. 6.d4 g7 7.e4 0-0 8.e2 c5 This looks like a perfectly normal Grünfeld position, except with a white h-pawn on h4! 9.d5 b5!? A sharp new move, [ 9...e6 10.h5! led to a fin e white victory in Piket,J-Svidler,P/ KasparovChess GP g/60, Internet (3.2) 2000. ] 10.e5 The alternative is [ 10.xb5 but then comes xe4! 11.xe4 a5+ 12.c3 xc3+ 13.bxc3 xb5 which is unclea r, Black's dark-s qua re d weaknesses are matched by White's lightsquared frailty. ] 10...g4 11.xb5 [ 11.d6!? is interesting, with the nasty threat of Qd5, b7 12.g5 f6 13.b3+! h8 14.xb5 and White seems to be well on top. a6 15.xc5 exd6 16.exf6! winning a 651
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 pawn. ] 11...d7!? Black plays for speedy development, but this is risky, [ 11...xe5 12.xe5 xe5 13.h6 is a little awkward, however. ] 12.e6!? This appears interesting, but [ 12.g5 also has its points, hitting the g4k n i g h t , a n d a f t e r dxe5 ( 12...gxe5? 13.f4 ) 13.f4 the knight has nowhere to go, but then comes h6 14.h3 e6 15.0-0 xh4 16.fxe5 xe5 and Black has reasonable compensation for the piece - one o f t h e d ra wb a c ks o f p l a yi n g h 4 is t h a t kingside castling is no longer a solution to the king's problems. ] 12...fxe6 13.dxe6 de5 14.xd8 xd8 15.xe5 xe5 16.0-0 a6 17.e2 xe6 Black recuperates his pawn with a perfectly satisfactory position. 18.e1 f7 19.f4 c6 20.f3 ac8 21.g4 a8 22.f3 White decides to repeat. ac8 23.g4 ½-½
Black's next. ] 10...d5 11.d3 d4 Both gaining space and closing the a1-h8 diagonal. 12.c2 c7 13.d2 d7 14.0-0-0 So the reason White has been reluctant to advance his b-pawn is clear, he wanted to keep his queenside strong to serve as a haven for his king. However, in this line White is often happy to leave his king in the centre and attack on the wings. d6 The knight heads for the strong square on f5. 15.f4 fe8 16.e5?! This move allows multiple exchanges, and ends in a position advantageous to Black, White should prefer to keep more tension in the position by, say, [ 16.g3 e5 17.e4!? ] 16...xg2 17.xd7 Forced, [ 17.xg2? f5 18.xd7 xf4+ 19.d2 d6 and the knight is lost. ] 17...xd7 18.xd6 [ 18.xg2?! is again doubtful, e5 19.g3 b5! 20.cxb5 xb5 and Black has the makings of a strong attack on the b and cfiles. ] 18...xd6 19.xg2 ab8 White's potential 654 A17 kingside attack is a long way from achieving Agrest,Evgenij 2616 anything, yet Black can lever the b-file open Ivanchuk,Vassily 2716 almost immediately. Black is better. 20.d2 TCh-SWE 2003-4 (8) 28.02.2004 b5 21.e3 Attempting to respond in the centre, but Black has this well under control. b4! [Tony Kosten] More effective than [ 21...bxc4 which allows White the c4-square 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.g4 0-0 after 22.xc4 ] It is always interesting to see how a really strong player responds to a critical variation, 22.axb4 [ 22.a4? is worse, c6 (hitting the rook on and here Ivanchuk is happy to put his king 'in g2) 23.e4 b3 24.b1 xa4 winning a the firing line'. 5.g5 e8 6.g1!? Vaisser's pawn whilst continuing the attack. ] move. Most attention has been concentrated [ 22.a4!? might be the best bet, bxa3 on 23.xa3 although Black is still better. ] [ 6.c2 as in, for instance, my game against 22...xb4 23.exd4 cxd4 24.g4!? Balogh earlier this year. ] 6...b6 Black brings the light-squared bishop to White looks to complicate, by offering the hthe long h1-a8 diagonal, a logical alternative pawn. [ 24.g3 is safer, yet eb8 25.d1 b3 to Sokolov's with a strong grip on the position, and once [ 6...d5 see the original game, against Black brings his queen into the attack the Vaisser. ] white position will be at breaking point. ] 7.c2 b7 8.a3 xc3 Conceding the bishop pair to help speed-up development. 9.xc3 24...xh2 25.f4 [ 25.xd4 g1+ 26.d1 xg5 c5 10.g2!? Why put the rook on g1 and wins a pawn, whilst retaining a big positional then play this? I think I would prefer plus. ] [ 10.b4 myself, bringing the important dark26.d1 b7 27.h4 b8 squared bishop onto the a1-h8 diagonal, 25...h1+ and pressurising the c5-pawn to hinder Tripling on the b-file and pinning White down 652
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 t o t h e d e f e n c e o f b 2 . 28.hh2 a6 pawn sac, Preparing a switch to the a-file. 29.c2 [ 15.0-0-0 xg2 16.xg2 is about level. ] [ 29.b1? a4 wins on the spot. ] 15...exd5 16.cxd5 e7! A good move, 29...e5! A far-sighted move that prepares the although once again taking the pawn by e6 -s qu a re f or t h e qu e e n . 30.fxe5 a4 [ 16...xd5!? i s p l a y a b l e : 17.g5 31.d1 The king must flee the danger zone. ( 17.xg6?! fxg6 18.xg6+ f8 19.g5 a1+ 32.e2 e6 This is the point of Black's looks good, but Black has the riposte e8! 29th move, the queen eyes g4. 33.f3 f5+ 20.xe8+ xe8 21.xd5 xd5 22.xd5 34.g3 xg5+ Forcing mate in a few moves. and now xg5 23.xg5 e5 regaining 0-1 material, with advantage) 17...ge7 18.h7 with a useful initiative. ] 17.g4!? White chooses the sharpest 655 A17 continuation at nearly every move. [ 17.xf4 xf4 18.g4 xc3+ 19.bxc3 Bareev,Evgeny 2721 f6 20.e4+ and now e6! is unclear. ] Naiditsch,Arkadij 2574 ECC Rethymnon GRE (5) 02.10.2003 17...xc3 [ 17...xd5!? might be playable, as 18.e4 [Tony Kosten] e5 19.xe5 ( 19.g5 d6 20.a4+ d7 defends ) 19...xe5 20.f4 xh2! 21.0-0-0 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.g4 xf4! 22.xe5 xe5 23.xb7 d8 Still the most topical line in the English, and with a position that is difficult to evaluate, when 2700+ players use it is fair to say that it but probably more than OK for Black. ] h a s b e c o m e t h e m a i n l i n e i n t h e N i m zo English. h6 5.g1 b6 6.c2 This move has 18.xc3 xd5 [ 18...h5!? is interesting, so that if recently taken over from the sharp 19.xg7? f5 wins an exchange. ] [ 6.h4 ] 19.xg7 h3 20.g5!? Bareev has a good 6...b7 7.a3 e7 [ 7...f8!? didn't do too well in Mamedyarov, eye for tactics. xh1 [ 20...d3+!? has its points, 21.f1 xf2! S-Naiditsch,A/Lausanne SUI 2003, see the 22.g1 ( 22.xf2? xh2+ wins; 22.xd5 September update. ] xg4 ) 22...xh1 23.xh3 xh3 24.xh1 8.g5 hxg5 9.xg5 h5 White has a small material advantage, but [ 9...f8 Zvjaginsev,V-Adams,M/Moscow his king is awkwardly placed. ] RUS 2001. ] 21.xh3 xh3 22.f5! The tactical point of 10.d4 c6 Back to this logical move. [ 10...c5!? 11.d5 may be playable, but took White's play, there is a veiled threat to the h3knight, which has no escape square. c6 a knock in Najer,E-Pedersen,N. ] 11.f3 f6 12.d5!? Gaining space and The bishop escapes to safety, [ 22...d5? plans to drive the queen from e4, shutting-out the b7-bishop, Bareev attempts but after 23.f3! the bishop is trapped, and to improve on c6 24.d2! f2 25.f6 d6 26.xg6! [ 12.d3 a5 1/2-1/2 Guidarelli,L-Sakelsek, fxg6 27.xg6+ d7 28.f7+ c8 29.g1 T/Opatija CRO 2003. ] wins. ] 12...e5 13.g2!? g6 For obvious reasons 23.f6 e6 24.e4 White is materially behind, Black avoids [ 13...xc4!? 14.dxe6 fxe6 15.g5 but his strong bishop cuts through the heart of ( 15.b5!? is also dangerous) 15...xg2 t h e b la c k p o s i t i o n , a n d t h e h 3 - k n ig h t i s 16.g6+ although no win is evident after misplaced. f8! Freeing the e8-square for the b la ck ro o k . 25.xe6 dxe6 26.c1 b5 e7 ] 27.xc7 hf4 Rough material equality has 14.d2 [ 14.dxe6 dxe6 15.h4 xh4 16.xb7 been reached, and the h3-knight has returned b8 17.c6+ f8 is quite playable for to play. 28.g5?! This just wastes a move, as Black will play ...e5 anyway. Black, who can continue ..g6 and ...Kg7. ] [ 28.d2 e5 29.h4 looks best. ] 14...hf4 15.h1!? White offers another 653
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 28...e5 29.c3?! A strange move, hoping for Rh3-h8 perhaps, but possibly just the result of tim e p re ss u re . d3+ Winning a pawn with check. 30.e2 The king must keep the f2pawn defended. xb2+ 31.f3 d3 [ 31...c4! to defend e5, followed by ..Re8e6 looks good for Black. ] 32.e3 e8? [ 32...b2! might be best, to go to c4 again, but having decided not to go there before, Black is hardly going to waste two moves getting there! ] 33.h4? Why not the obvious [ 33.xd3 xd3 34.xd3 e6 35.f5 with a small advantage to W hite, as the bishop is stronger then the knight. ] 33...c5 34.h5 d7!? [ 34...e6! 35.f5 e7 looks very promising for Black. ] 35.hxg6 xf6 36.c7 d7?! [ 36...fxg6 37.xg6 e6 (menace: ...Nd5+) 38.gg7 a5 39.cf7+ e8 40.a7 c6 seems better. ] 37.xa7 f6?! The g-pawn will prove to be a problem now, [ 37...fxg6 38.xg6 should be a draw. ] 38.g1! e7? Black gets his bits into a tangle. [ 38...e7 39.g7 g8 should hold this position. ] 39.h1 g8 40.a4 c4? The final nail in the coffin, the bishop had to continue defending the knight: [ 40...c6 41.d1! (planning Rd6xc6) ( 41.c1?! allows the neat tactic xe4! 42.xe4 c5+ 43.xc5 xa7 ) 41...e8 42.dxd7 xd7 43.xd7 a8 44.f7 xa4 with some slim chances to draw. ] 41.h7! [ There is no hope af ter 41.h7 xh7 42.gxh7+ xh7 43.xd7+ ] 1-0
656 Berkes,Ferenc Balogh,Csaba TCh-HUN 2005-6 (9) [John Watson]
A17 2597 2561 19.03.2006
A nice opening comb ination nets a large positional advantage and, soon, the game. 1.c4 e6 2.f3 f6 3.c3 b4 4.c2 c5 5.g3 c6 6.g2 0-0 7.0-0 d5 8.d3 xc3 9.xc3 d4 10.a3 d6?! [ 10...e7 11.e3 b4 12.b3 dxe3 13.xe3 e5 ] 11.e3 b4 [ 11...e5!? 12.exd4 exd4 13.f4 e7 14.ae1 e6 15.g5 ] 12.exd4! A big surprise. Black can't win material: c2 [ 12...cxd4? 13.d2! a5 14.xd4 xd4 15.xb4 ] 13.f4! The point. xf4 [ 13...e7 14.xc5 xc5 15.dxc5 xa1 16.xa1 and White's pawn mass will win for him. ] 14.a4 d6 15.xc2 cxd4 16.c5 d7 17.c4 [ 17.fe1 is also good: Black's quite tied down. ] 17...d8 18.b4 [ Or 18.fe1 ] 18...d5 19.fe1! [ 19.ac1 e5! isn't so clear. Now White will win something. ] 19...b8 [ 19...xc4 20.dxc4 leaves Black no hope but a5 21.b5 d7 , but it loses to 22.c6 c5 23.ad1! d3 24.e5 etc. ] 20.a3 [ Or 20.ac1 threatening Ne5. ] 20...e8 Black has nothing to do. Now the e n d c o m e s . 21.e4 xc4 22.dxc4 d3 23.d1 b5 24.cxb5 xb5 25.d4 d5 26.1xd3 c7 27.e5 f6 28.c6 1-0
654
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A17 9...a5!? [ A new move, but as mentioned above not a Bogner,Sebastian 2423 new plan. Previously Black had only tried Wirig,Anthony 2477 9...g4 10.e3 bd7 11.h3?! ( 11.e2= ) 5th GM Mulhouse FRA (7) 29.06.2008 11...xf3 12.gxf3 d5 13.0-0-0?! c5 [Carsten Hansen] , and Black is already better, Barbero, GTimman, J/Novi Sad 1990 ] 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.c2 d6 10.g3 axb4 11.axb4 xa1+ 12.xa1 b5!? 5.a3 xc3 6.xc3 e5 7.b4 0-0 8.b2 e8 [ 8...a5 has recently proven quite successful T h i s is s im i la r t o t h e . . . b 7 - b 5 p l a y e d b y for Black in Tratar-Kosten, Graz 2008 and Ivanchuk against Kramnik in Monaco 2007, Kramnik-Ivanchuk, Monaco 2007. The text but with a white d2-d3 and a black ...Re8 mo ve is o f c ou rse f u lly pla ya b le , b u t if inserted. Nevertheless, it is still very effective, Black wants to employ the plan laid out by and this game is another advertisement for Ivanchuk, 8...a5 is more accurate than the th is p a rticu la r an gle o f a t t a ck f o r B la c k . 13.cxb5 text move. ] [ 13.g2 bxc4 14.dxc4 b7 15.0-0 a6 9.d3 , intending ...Qb8 with more or less equal [ White has a couple of alternatives here: A) chances. ] 9.g3 Black's position is already quite A) 9...bd7!? 10.g2 b6 11.0-0 13...d7 ( 11.c2!? ) 11...e4 12.d4 c5 comfortable, if not not outright better. 14.g2 , and Black is alre ady f ighting f or th e xb5 15.0-0 a6 [ Personally, I prefer 15...c6!? intending to initiative, Jelen, I-Kuzmin, G/Bled 1979; meet 16.h4 with d4 with a pleasant B) 9...b6 10.g2 b7 11.0-0 c5 game for Black ] ( 11...bd7 12.d3 c5 13.e4 f8 14.h4 e6 15.ae1 d4 16.c1 d7 17.f4 16.b1?! [ With this move, White initiates a series of a6 18.xd4 exd4 19.b2 b8 20.b5 moves without much plan or merit, , a nd th o ugh t h e ch an ces ob ject ive ly ultimately leading to a bad position. White speaking are probably about even, White's should instead consider 16.h4!? , e.g. position is easier to play, Schmidt, W d7 17.d2 c6 18.h3 ( 18.f4 a7+ Kholmov, R/Legnica 1994) 12.e3 bd7 19.h1 g4 20.f3 e3 21.b1 c7 13.d3 c8 14.e4 a6 15.h4 b5= 22.fxe5 dxe5 23.g2 xg2 24.xg2 d5 Szabo, L-Larsen, B/Lugano 1970 ] is also quite unclear and also not worse for [ B) 9.e3 bd7 ( 9...g4 10.e2 bd7 Black ) 18...d5!? 19.b1 e6 , and now 11.d3 f8 12.h3 , and a draw was 20.e4 dxb4 21.xb4 xb4 22.xb4 prematurely agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, in xd3 results in an interesting distribution of Krivoshey, S-Epishin, V/La Laguna ESP material and a rather unclear position. ] 2007. In the final positional, I prefer White.; Black can also consider 9...a5 with similar 16...d7 17.d2?! d5!? Black grabs the ideas as in Tratar-Kosten, Graz 2008 - see initiative and at the same time prevents White PGN archives.) 10.d3 a5 11.e2 b6 from playing Nd2-c4-a3 to exchange the lightsquared bishop that is blocking the queenside. 12.c2 f5 13.0-0 d7 14.b5 e4 A) 15.xf6! exf3 ( or 15...gxf6 16.d4 18.e3 [ 18.f3 looks like a reasonable move, g6 17.dxe4 xe4 18.d3 ) 16.xf3 putting pressure on the Black centre and the gxf6 17.xb7 has White giving two minor a1-h8 diagonal. d4! 19.d2 c6 , and Black pieces for a rook and two pawns, but the has the better chances. ] minor pieces are severely restricted by White's pawn chain, and therefore White 18...d6 19.b3?! [ N o w i t i s d e f i n i t e l y t i m e f o r 19.f3 is clearly better.; , i n t e n d i n g d7 20.h4 with some B) 15.dxe4?! xe4 16.c1 f5 counterplay for White. ] with a comfortable game for Black, Ortega, 19...c6 L-Zelcic, R/Bratto 1997 ] 657
655
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 19...d7!? ] 20.h3 d7 21.b1?! [ 21.f3 f6 22.h4 should again be considered. I really don't know what White was hoping to accomplish with his passive play in the game. ] 21...c7 22.a3 f6?! [ Already at this juncture, Black can consider 22...d4!? , e.g. 23.d2 e6 , and Black is in complete control of the game ] 23.d2 h6 24.f3 [ After having missed out on this plan several times previously, White finally picks up on it. However, at this point in time, he could also try 24.c5! , e.g. xc5 25.bxc5 a6 26.d4! , and White can actually play for the advantage. ] 24...d4 25.exd4 [ 25.c5! is again an excellent option. ] 25...e4! 26.dxe4 xe4 27.b2?? [ This loses on the spot. Instead White shou ld have playe d 27.c1! , and after xb4 then 28.d7 e7 29.e5!? ( Or 29.g4 h5 30.f5 g5 31.e5 f6 32.c3 d6 33.g6 e8 with a messy position) 29...f6 30.xc6 xe5 31.dxe5 xc6 32.exf6 d2 33.f7+ xf7 34.c3 e4 35.xc6 f3+ 36.f1 xh2+ 37.g1 f3+ with a perpetual check ] 27...g5! Oops the old back rank problem! Game over! 0-1
658
A17 Buss,Ralph 2303 Mahesh Chandran,Panjanathan 2441 MTO Biel SUI (7) 26.07.2004 [Tony Kosten]
This is not a game of enormous theoretical significance, but the attack is amusing. 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.c2 0-0 5.a3 xc3 6.xc3 b6 7.e3 b7 8.e2 e4!? Played in 'Dutch/Nimzo' style, I had previously only considered the normal [ 8...d6 9.0-0 bd7 as in Kramnik-Zhang Zhong, for instance. ] 9.c2 f5 10.0-0 This might be a case of 'castling into it', although W hite's defensive resources should be adequate here. In Ree,
H-Kortchnoi,V/Amsterdam 1976 W hite preferred [ 10.b3 d6 11.b2 d7 12.d4 e7 13.d3 ef6 and now the knight has been pushed away he could safely play 14.0-0 when the game continued ae8 15.ae1 c5 16.f3 xf3 17.xf3 e5 with equality. ] [ 10.d3 is met by g5 putting pressure on f3. ] 10...a5 This is often a useful move for Black in such positions, the threat of ... a4, fixing a weakness on b3, obliges W hite to play b3 instead of the b4 he would normally prefer.. 11.b3 d6 The first new move. [ 11...c5!? 12.b2 d6 13.d3 g5 was played in Soylu,S-Kurajica,B/Kavala 1985, which continued 14.h1?! ( 14.d1 ) 14...f4 15.b4?! e5 and Black's kingside pressure is considerable, 16.bxa5 bxa5 17.xg5 xg5 18.e4 c6 19.ab1 c8 20.f3 f6 21.fc1 h6 and White soon cracked. ] 12.e1 h4 Typical play in such positions, Black prepares to use his extra kingside space to swin g his ro ok int o th e at ta ck. 13.f3? White might well be lost after this move, if it was me I would play [ 13.f3 f6 14.d4 followed by Bb2 and Nd3, with two bishops and a reasonable position. ] 13...f6 14.g3?! [ 14.d3 is better, although h6 15.h3 g5!? 16.dxe4 g4 17.d1 xe4 18.d2 xg2 is incredibly dangerous for W hite, whose king has lost its defenders, e.g. 19.xg2 xh3 20.f4 g3 forcing 21.h4 although xh4 22.f3 is unclear. ] 14...h3 15.g2 Forced, [ 15.d3?? h6 leads to mate in a few moves. ] 15...g5! A neat tactic, although it has been seen many times before in similar positions from the Nimzo-Indian. 16.f4 Neither [ 16.xh3?? xh3# or ] [ 16.xb7?? h6 are playable. ] 16...h6! Black continues the 'joke'! 17.fxg5 Once again the only move. xh2+ 18.f2 xg2 19.xg2 h3 20.g1 [ 20.b2? A) 20...xg3+ 21.g1 h2+ leads to a draw, but Black can easily play on here 656
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 with ( 21...d7 say, instead. ); B) 20...xg3 21.g1 d7 transposes. ] 20...d7! Black brings up some reinforcements, this is stronger than [ 20...xg3+ 21.f1 xg5 when Black has three pawns for the piece, but W hite can defend. ] 21.b2? The bishop needs to be controlling the f4-square. [ 21.d4 xg3 22.d2 keeps the game going. ] 21...xg3 22.d1?! White is losing anyway, even after the better [ 22.d4 f8 23.c1 t o s t o p . . . f 4 e5 and the attack is soon decisive. ] 22...f8 There is no way to counter the opening of the f-file by ...f4. 0-1
659 Cheparinov,Ivan Drasko,Milan ETCC Crete GRE (3) [Carsten Hansen]
A17 2670 2557 30.10.2007
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.c2 0-0 5.a3 xc3 6.xc3 d6 7.e3 [ In our April 2007 update, we discussed the merits of 7.b4 as played in KramnikIvanchuk. The move chosen by Cheparinov is played much less frequently. ] 7...a5 [ Black has a number of alternatives at this juncture: A) 7...e5 A) 8.b4!? e8 ( 8...e7 9.b2 e8 10.e2 bd7 11.0-0 c6 Ilsley, GJ a c k s o n , D/ c o r r 1 9 7 5 , a n d n o w 12.d3 leaves White with a pleasant little edge) 9.b2 c6 10.e2 g4 11.d3 a6 ( or 11...d7 12.h3 xf3 13.xf3 f5 14.0-0 g6 15.ad1 Sasikiran, KSatyapragyan, S/Mumbai 2003 ) A1) 12.h3! h5 ( 12...xf3 13.xf3 d5 14.cxd5 xd5 15.b3 ) 13.g4 g6 14.h4 - analysis by Chekhov; A2) 12.0-0?! d5 13.cxd5 xd5 14.c4 d7 , thus far, Timman, J-Larsen, B/ Buenos Aires 1980, and here Chekhov recommends 15.fd1 followed by Rac1 with White holding the upper hand;
B) 8.d3 a5 ( 8...e8 9.e2 c6 10.0-0 g4 11.h3 h5 12.c2 e4 13.dxe4 xe4 14.b3 g6 15.d3 e6 16.b2 a5 17.ae1 g5 , and a draw was soon agreed upon, but the moves quoted in Ch e ssBa se Ma ga zine a re h o p ele s s ly wrong, Dorfman, J-Almasi, Z/ Hilversum 1993. At this juncture I prefer White.) 9.b3 d7 10.e2 b5!? ( 10...c5 11.0-0 c6 12.b2 e7 is solid and probably good enough for equality.) 11.d4 b4 12.c2 exd4 13.axb4 c6 14.bxa5 dxe3 15.xe3 xa5 16.0-0 Dorfman, JSokolov, A/Marsailles 2001; C) 8.e2 b6 ( 8...a5 9.b4 axb4 10.axb4 xa1 11.xa1 c6 12.a3 e4 13.d4 1/2-1/2 Hartoch, R-Keene, R/ Amsterdam 1973 ) C1) 9.d3 a5 10.b3 e8 11.b2 c5 12.0-0 c6 13.fe1 g4 14.h3 h5 15.ad1 c8 16.c1 h6 17.a1 ( 17.c3 d5 18.cxd5 xd5 19.b2!? ) 17...d7 18.d4?! ( 18.c3 cd8 19.b2 ) 18...exd4 19.exd4 xe2 20.xe2 xf3 21.gxf3 xh3 0-1 Majorovas, V-Shneider, A/Vilnius 1984/MCD (29); C2) 9.b4 b7 10.b2 bd7 11.0-0 e8 12.d3 c5 13.d2 f8 14.a4 a5 15.bxa5 bxa5 16.b3 8d7 17.d2 b8 18.f4 exf4 19.xf4 1-0 Ree, HLangeweg, K/ Wijk aan Zee 1972 ] [ B) 7...bd7 8.e2 b6 9.b4 e4 10.c2 b7 11.b2 A) 11...g5 invites complications, and in the one game it was played, W hite im me diat ely ob lige d : 12.g1 ( 12.h4 xf3+ 13.gxf3 f5 14.0-0-0!? can also be c o n s i d e r e d) 12...xf3+?! ( 12...f5!? ) 13.gxf3 g6 14.f4 h4 15.f1 xh2 16.g3 h1 17.0-0-0 , and White has excellent compensation f or the pawn, Villalobos-Funes Castro, J/corr 1985; B) 11...a5 12.0-0 e7 13.d4 e5 14.b5 df6 15.f3 ( 15.d3 c6 16.dxe4 cxb5 17.f3 bxc4 18.bxa5 xa5 19.xc4 ) 15...c6 16.c3 g5 17.e2 e6 18.a4 d7 19.d3 h6 ( 19...h4!? ) 20.f4 axb4 21.axb4 exf4 22.exf4 1-0 Timman, J-Vogel, J/ Leeuwarden 1974 ] 657
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ C) 7...c5 8.b4 bd7 9.b2 e5 10.e2 e8 11.0-0 A) 11...b6 12.ae1 b7 13.d4 cxd4 ( 13...c8 14.dxe5 dxe5 15.b5 e7 16.d2 cd8 17.f3 f8 with chances to both sides, Roussel Roozmon, T-Hecht, H/ Kitchener CAN 2006) 14.exd4 c8 15.dxe5 dxe5 16.b3 c7 17.d1 f8 18.fe1 g6 19.f1 a5 20.h3 axb4 21.axb4 , and White has a pleasant plus thanks to his pair of bishops, queenside majority and in general well-coordinated pieces, Doettling, F-Balogh, C/Pula CRO 2003; B) 11...a5 12.d3 b6 13.b3 ( 13.bxc5!? a4 14.c2 xc5 15.d4 exd4 16.exd4 looks very pleasant for White ) 13...bd7 14.c3 b6 15.fe1 f8 16.d4 g6 17.bxc5 bxc5 18.d5?! ( Closing the centre doesn't strike me as the most sensible way to proceed. Opening the game for the benefit of the bishop pair makes f or a better overall strategy. 18.dxe5 dxe5 19.c2 b7 20.ed1 b6 21.d2 h4 22.f3 ) B1) 18...g4!? 19.h3 f5 20.g4 ( 20.d2 e4 is fine for Black) 20...e4 21.d2 h4 22.f3 g6 23.e4 also leaves White with the upper hand though my computer insists Black is at least equal here; B2) 18...e4 19.c2 f5 20.d3 g5 21.xg5 xg5 22.f4 exf4 23.exf4 xe1+ 24.xe1 xf4 ( 24...xf4? 25.c1+- ) 25.a4 ( 25.g3! g5 26.a4 f8 27.e8 b8 28.c3 is obviously very problematic for Black, e. g. f4 29.e7 , and it is time to throw in the towel.) 25...h6?! 26.c6?! ( 26.c3! prevents the counterplay Black is b a n k i n g o n , e . g . g4 27.f1 and the Black position is ripe to p e n e t r a t e d) 26...d2! , and Black is back in the game at full force 27.e8+ h7 28.xa8 xb2 29.e1 d4+ 30.h1 xd3 31.xc8 e5 32.e6 f4 33.xd6 f3 34.f8 d2 35.g1 fxg2+ 36.xg2 e1+ 37.g1 e4+ 38.g2 e1+ 39.g1 1/2-1/2 Pelletier, Y-Sokolov, A/Bled 200203 ] [ D) 7...b6
A) 8.b4 A1) 8...e4!? 9.c2 b7 10.b2 d7 11.e2 ( 11.d3 g5! ) 11...e7 12.0-0=; A2) 8...b7 9.b2 bd7 10.e2 e7 11.0-0 e5 12.d3 e8 13.d4 e4 14.d2 f5 15.d5 ef6 16.f4 exf3 17.xf3 1-0 Stokke, K-Revil, B/ Oslo NOR 2004; B) 8.e2 b7 9.0-0 c5 10.d4 ( 10.d3!? bd7 11.b4 e7 12.e4 ) 10...a5 11.b3 bd7 12.b2 ( 12.d2 e8 13.b2 g5 14.f3 g6 15.dxc5 xc5 16.ad1 ) 12...e7 13.ad1 fc8 14.dxc5 bxc5 15.d2 e8 16.d3 ( 16.e4!? a4 17.bxa4 xa4 18.b3 c6 19.g3 with excellent attacking chances for White ) 16...a4 17.bxa4 b6 18.c2 h6 19.b1 xa4 20.a1 c6 21.b3 ( 21.f4 cb8 22.e4 c7 23.xb8 xb8 24.xc6 xc6 25.e4 ) 21...c7 22.fb1 cb8 23.h7+ , and a draw was somewhat prematurely agreed upon, 1/2-1/ 2, Hansen, Cu-Werle, J/Katernberg GER 2003 ] 8.b3 e8 [ 8...bd7 9.b2 b6 10.e2 b7 11.0-0 e7 12.d4 e5 13.f5 e6 14.g3 e4 ( 14...c5 15.d4 fe4 16.xe4 xe4 17.d3 ) 15.xe4 xe4 16.d4 exd4 ( 16...g6 17.f3 f5 18.e4 h3 19.f2 exd4 20.xd4 c5 21.c3 ) 17.xd4 Berezjuk, S-Schmittdiel, E/Passau 1999 ] [ 8...e5 9.e2 g4 10.b2 c5 11.d3 c6 12.h3 h5 13.0-0 e7= Passerotti, PNaumkin, I/Montecatini Terme 2000 ] 9.d4 c6 10.b2 e5 11.d5 e7 12.d2 b5 13.e4 bxc4 [ 13...c6!? 14.dxc6 xc6 15.cxb5 d4 16.c1 d7 17.c4 c8 18.0-0 ( 18.d3 d5! 19.exd5 f5 20.g3 xd5 21.f3 f4! ) 18...d5 19.exd5 e2+ 20.xe2 xc3 21.xc3 xd5 22.e4 b6 23.c4 xc3 24.xc3 ] 14.xc4 d7 15.0-0 c6 16.dxc6 xc6 17.f4 [ 17.ad1!? ] 17...b6+ 18.h1 g6 19.fxe5 dxe5 20.a4 ad8 [ 20...ac8 21.g3 e7 is also perfectly 658
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 fine for Black ] 21.ac1 f4? [ 21...d7! would have avoided White's next move and aims to consolidate the position. However, White's bishops are well-placed and will hassle Black for some time to come, but objectively the chances are fairly even. ] 22.xf7+! Black likely had overlooked this s t r o n g m o v e . xf7 23.c4 d4? This speeds up the end by quite a bit, indeed Black just loses material. [ 23...e2 24.f3 xe4 25.xe2 b7 26.g4+- ] 24.xe5+ xe5 25.xd4 xd4 26.xd4 xe4 27.xf6 1-0
660 Conquest,Stuart Cox,John J 4NCL 2006-07 (8) [Carsten Hansen]
A17 2536 2404 04.03.2007
1.f3 f6 2.c4 c5 3.c3 e6 4.g3 b6 5.e4 I have always felt that this move was rather annoying to play against when playing Black in a Hedgehog formation. Theoretically Black is doing reasonably well, but the standard plans that Black aims for, such as the ...b6-b5 and ... d6-d5 breaks are not that attractive after this set-up for White. In addition, White will aim at setting up a kingside attack in a fashion that is normally not available in the Hedgehog. b7 6.d3 d6 7.g2 e7 8.0-0 0-0 9.g5!? This move looks rather bizarre and quite primitive: it is blatantly obvious that White will want to continue with f2-f4 and start kingside action. What is somewhat surprising is that it has not been tried more often. I only found two prior games on my database, one between two relatively unknown players from 1999 and then a game f rom 2003, where Morozevich used the move to beat the German grandmaster Lutz (this game can be found in the July 2003 update by Tony Kosten). The surprising thing isn't so much that other players haven't tried it in comparison to the lame continuations they have used instead. The theoretical main lines: 9 b3, 9 h3, 9 Qe2 and 9 Re1 don't exactly
kick-start the action. The text move is a good example that even in lines that are considered rather harmless or boring, simple and non-standard choices can help alter the general perception of a particular line. [ In one of the more recent games in the normal main lines in this variation, W hite tried to direct the play towards a standard Hedgehog: 9.h3 a6 10.a4 c7 11.e2 c6 12.e3 d7 13.d4 cxd4 14.xd4 fe8 15.ac1 f8 16.fd1 ac8 , Beliavsky-Su.B. Hansen, Bundesliga 2004, and Black has equalised. ] 9...c6!? In the previous games in this line, Black has tried to interfere with White's play on t h e kin gside , b ut th is st raight f o rwa rd developing move makes a lot of sense, taking control of the weakened d4-square, from where it can support Black's pawn-breaks in the centre with ...d6-d5 and on the queenside with ... b6-b5. [ In the aforementioned game, MorozevichLutz, Biel 2003, Black continued differently: 9...fd7 10.h4!? h6 11.h3 c6 12.f4 d4 13.e3 b8 14.h2 c6!? ( Tony K gave 14...a6 planning ...b6-b5 as safer; also 14...f6 looks logical) 15.xd4! cxd4 16.b5 xb5 17.cxb5 f6 18.g1! d7 19.a4 (White has the better chances at this juncture) a6 20.bxa6 a7 21.h3 xa6 22.f3 b5 23.a5 a7 24.g4 h7 25.g5 hxg5 26.hxg5 g6 27.d2 b4 28.f5 b5 29.a6 b6 30.fxg6 fxg6 31.xe6+ g7 32.d5 xa6 33.ac1 d7 34.g2 f4 35.g3 g4 36.e5 dxe5 37.f7+ h8 38.xh7+ xh7 39.h3+ 1-0 Morozevich, A-Lutz, C/Biel 2003 ] 10.f4 d7 [ Anyway, but Black has to keep an eye on how W h ite de velops his kingsid e p awn storm. My computer likes 10...d7 11.h3 ac8 12.f5 e5 13.e3 d4 for Black, even if I personally would pick W hite any day of the week on account of the potential for a kingside attack. ] 11.f3 [ 11.h4 h6 12.h3 d4 would be a transposition to Morozevich-Lutz above, but these moves are hardly forced from either side. ] 11...d4 12.e3 xf3+ 659
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ Unlike in the note to Black's 9th move, here 12...f6?! do esn't work du e t o 13.xd4 cxd4 14.b5 and Black has a problem with his two d-pawns. ] 13.xf3 a6 14.g4 b5!? 15.g5 [ After 15.cxb5 axb5 16.xb5 a6 17.a4 a5 Black is doing very well. ] 15...e5!? [ 15...b4 16.e2 f5 17.h3 e8 18.g3 and White has the initiative ] [ 15...a5 16.h3 ] 16.g3 exf4! 17.xf4 e5! 18.ad1 a5 19.xe5 A decision such as this one should only be made with a heavy heart. White does win a pawn, but Black gets ample compensation on account of the dark-squared weaknesses everywhere in White's position, thanks to the central pawns being semi-fixed on light squares and the kingside pawns being s o f a r a d va n c e d . dxe5 20.xe5 ae8 21.g3 [ 21.f5!? ] 21...d8! [ Immediately attacking the dark squares; in contrast, Black can win a pawn back with 21...b4 22.d5 xd5 23.cxd5 xa2 24.d2 but White has the better chances since Black has less control over W hite's central pawns ] 22.h4 d6 Around this point, Black in my opinion has an excellent game: the darksquared bishop more than compensates for the sacrificed pawn. 23.g4 e7!? [ 23...e5!? ] 24.h3 [ 24.cxb5?! e5 25.f2 h2+ 26.f1 c8 27.h5 axb5 looks very attractive for Black, W hite's pieces are not particularly well placed and White's king in isn't very happy at the moment. ] 24...e5?! [ 24...e5 25.f2 c6 ] 25.cxb5 axb5 26.xb5 xb2 27.b1?! [ White should concern himself with securing e q u a l i t y . O n e wa y t o d o s o i s 27.d7!? xd7 ( 27...e5 looks attractive 28.xb7 g3+ 29.g2 b8 30.d7 xb5 but after 31.f3 d4+ 32.h1 White has the better chances ) 28.xd7 e7 29.g4 c6 30.a4 xb5 31.axb5 b8 and the chances are fairly even. ]
27...e5 28.a3 a6 [ 28...a8!? ] 29.f3 a8 [ When analyzing this position, my computer originally favoured 29...f5 which in many ways is a real computer move, that not many players would reason their way to, but at closer examination, it does look rather at t ra ct ive . 30.exf5 d4+ 31.h1 e2 32.c4 c2 and Black is taking over the seventh rank (W hite's second) in accordance with Nimzowitsch's recipe for success. ] [ However, 29...d8!? is possibly best, e.g. 30.d7 a5 and if now 31.xf7 then d4+ 32.h1 xd3 looks very good for Black ] 30.d7 xd7 31.xd7 c8 [ Here my computer likes 31...fd8 32.c6 xd3 33.xa8 xb1 34.d5 xd5 35.exd5 e4 36.f2 xd5 and it claims a slight edge for Black. This, however, is not a decision most of us would go f or and Cox's choice is both a simple and attractive solution ] 32.xc8 xa3 33.b7 c4?! This looks like a typical time trouble move, that looks good at first glance, but turns out to be a real stinker. Black gets a passed pawn on c3, but at the same time, White has passed pawns on both a2 and d3. White is now clearly better. [ Instead 33...xa2 34.d5 d4+ 35.h1 a1 36.xa1 xa1 37.g2 g6 may be defensible for Black, but clearly White is having all the fun. ] 34.d5 c3 [ 34...xd3 keeps Black in the game, whereas after the text move it is play to one goal. ] 35.b3 a7 36.h5 g6 37.f2 gxh5 38.e3 d8 39.bf1 d4+ 40.e2 dd7 41.h3 db7 42.xh5 xa2+ 43.xa2 b2+ 44.f3 xa2 45.e5 d2 46.e4 c5 47.e6 fxe6 48.g6 e2+ 49.f3 e3+ 50.g4 d6 51.gxh7+ h8 52.a1 g3+ 53.h4 f3 54.a6 e7+ 55.g4 f8 56.xe6 c8 57.xe7 c2 58.e1 c1 59.xc1 xc1 60.f4 c8 61.d4 d8 62.e4 1-0
660
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 24.b5 ] A17 Cornette,Matthieu 2325 21...d5 22.cxd5?! Why open the c-file when Adams,Michael 2723 the king and queen are on it? [ 22.d3 still offers hope. ] National I Bordeaux FRA (7) 07.04.2003 22...cxd5 23.xf5 xf5 24.b4 c8 [Tony Kosten] Simplest, although other moves are also good. 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.g4 xc3 25.b2 a5! 26.b5 d4 27.d2 dxc3+ [ 27...dxc3+ 28.xc3 d4 forks queen and 5.dxc3 d6!? Adams returns to this solid move, rook. ] we have already considered 0-1 [ 5...d5 in Krasenkow,M-Dydyshko,V. ] 6.g5 fd7 7.e3 Actually an innovation, although W hite will continue with a similar 662 A17 development to [ 7.c2 c6 8.h4 de5 9.xe5 xe5 Dorfman,Josif D 2602 10.g2 c6 11.e3 as the white pieces Chabanon,Jean Luc 2511 have reached the same squares, and now ch-Gp B Marsailles FRA (5) 17.08.2001 d7 12.b4 c8 13.h5 is more pleasant for [Tony Kosten] White, with two bishops and lots of space, Razuvaeva, J-Zvereva,M/St Petersburg RUS 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.g4 1999, but Black could always play a quick ... Here we go again! h6 5.g1 b6 6.h4 b7 e5 as in the main game. ] 7.g5 hxg5 8.hxg5 e4 9.c2 xc3 7...e7 8.g2 e5 So this is Black's new plan, 10.dxc3 d6 11.e3 So far this has all been he has exchanged his dark-squared bishop seen before. c5!? and now sets-about putting his pawns on dark [ A new try, Black wants more central control, squares with a solid pawn structure. Both but this weakens his dark squares. Anyway, sides will likely castle queenside. 9.c2 c6 as we have seen some time ago, 11...c6 10.h4 b6 Necessary, to develop the rest of fared well in Van Wely,L-Timman,J/Wijk aan the qu ee nside . 11.b3 g6!? Interesting, I Zee 1999. ] would be wary of weakening the kingside like 12.0-0-0 e7 13.d2! A good plan, White th is , b u t if s o m e on e so st ro ng d o e s it is will try to exchange the dark-squared defender probably good! 12.d2 f5 13.e4 e6!? on d6. c7 14.f4 e5?! Black attempts to keep the central tension, if [ After a long thought, but this adds d5 to White captures on f5 Black will recapture with Black's list of problems, and what is so t h e f -p a wn t o ke e p co n t ro l o f e 4 . 14.a4!? wrong with 14...xf4 15.xf4 c6 ? As Positionally it is right to cramp knights like 16.c7 can be met by d5 ] this, but on the other hand, White should be [ Hamdouchi suggests 14...d6?! instead, but careful not to move the pawns in front of his 15.g2! keeps the threat to d6 alive, without king, so this makes long castling less secure. p e r m i t t i n g a c a p t u r e o n f 3 . ( instead of d7 Black must be able to answer White's a5 15.xd6 xd6 16.xd6 xd6 17.xd6 with ...a6. 15.h5 0-0-0 16.0-0-0 b8 17.h4 xf3 18.exf3 e7 when Black is OK. )] e7 18.hxg6 hxg6 19.dh1 xh4 20.xh4 15.g3 c6 16.g6! 0-0-0 White has gained control of the open h-file, [ Black has to allow the capture on f7, further but Black will react strongly in the centre. c6 weakening the black position, or go in for W ith the strong threat of ...d5, W hite's 16...f5?! 17.h4! e6 ( 17...xh4? position has suddenly become very difficult. is impossible: 18.xh4 xh4? 19.xd7+ 21.f1 If one has to play such moves then f8 20.f7# ) 18.g5 e7 19.h7 e6 that is a sure-fire sign that something has 20.h3 with powerful threats. ] gone drastically wrong! 17.gxf7 xf7 18.b3 h6 19.g2 d6 [ 21.d3!? d5 22.b2 is a better bet, as 20.e3 xd1+ 21.xd1 f5 22.g5 e4?! is e as ily an swered b y ( 22...xd3 Prepared by White's previous play, the knight 23.xd3 f5 keeps a plus) 23.cxd5 cxd5 makes its way to e4. b8?! 23.xb7+ xb7 661
661
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 24.e4+ xe4 25.xe4 Black has a bad bis h o p , a n d scru f f y p a wn st ru ct u re , a n d naturally White decides that the easiest way to exploit this in the endgame. h8 26.b4 cxb4 27.cxb4 h6 28.d3 g5?! A tactical trick, which only hastens the end. 29.xg5 c6 30.c3 d5 31.b2! xc4 32.xc4 dxc4 33.b5 This isolates the c4-pawn. a6 34.a4 d7 35.e4 axb5 36.axb5 f8 37.c3 g6 38.xc4 e7 39.c3 1-0
for the queen than after the habitual 10.c2 e.g. c5 11.0-0 c6 12.e3 c8 13.b3 e7 14.b2 fd8 and Black is fine, Van der Sterren,P-Dautov,R/Germany 1998/GERchT. ] 10...c5 11.b3 In order to control e5, before Black gets the opportunity to play e5. c6 12.b2 e8!? [ More aggressive than 12...e7 13.d3 fd8 as now Black envisages ...e5, and ...Nd4. ] 13.d3 e5 14.e3 [ To control d4, for if 14.0-0?! then d4 15.xd4 exd4 when Black has more space, 663 A17 and pressure on e2. ] A speculative piece sacrifice, Dydyshko,Viacheslav 2521 14...d4!? Dautov,Rustem 2597 opening the e-line, and setting-up various Eu Team Ch Batumi GEO (7) 06.12.1999 tactics along the h1-a8 diagonal. 15.exd4! [ Correct! If 15.xd4? then the white queen [Tony Kosten] gets into trouble following cxd4 16.e4 c8 17.a4 c6 but ] 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 Although [ 15.0-0 was also possible, not fearing b5?! White hasn't played d4, Black still plays as if a s t h e e x c h a n g e s a c r i f i c e ( 15...e2+!? he had, and indicates his acceptance of a m i g h t b e b e t t e r , 16.h1 dc3! Nimzo-style position. 4.c2 0-0 5.a3 xc3 as t h e o b vio u s 17.xc3 is met by d5 6.xc3 White has gained the bishop pair, 18.g4 xc3 with an edge) 16.xc5 xb3 without weakening his pawn formation. b6 17.xb5 xa1 18.xe5 seems promising 7.g3 for White. ] [ White avoids 7.d4 , as although this leads directly to a 4 Qc2 Nimzo-Indian, his knight 15...exd4+ 16.f1! [ The alternative 16.d2 leaves White in is on f3 which means that he cannot play the serious trouble after c3! 17.xc3 d5 most aggressive lines involving f3. ] 18.a4 ( for once, the queen for three 7...b7 8.g2 d5 Active central play, aiming p ie ce s swa p o f 18.b2 xc4 19.bxc4 to make something of Black's slight lead in favours the queen after b5! 20.cxb5 a5+ ) development. 18...dxc3+ 19.c1 e2 e.g. 20.f1?! xf3 [ More usual is either 8...d6 with 9.0-0 bd7 21.xf3 xd3 with mate to follow. ] 10.b4 e8!? 11.b2 e5 Illescas Cordoba, 16...f6 The point of Black's combination, M-Epishin,V/Dos Hermanas 1994, or ] [ 8...c5 as in, say, Kramnik,V-Nikolic,P/ menacing discovered attacks against the f3Monaco (rapid) 1997, which continued: 9.b4 knight. 17.c1! [ Skilful defence, for after a sensible d6 10.0-0 bd7 11.b2 c8 and in both a l t e r n a t i v e l i k e 17.c2 Black can play cases Black sets his pawns on dark squares, e3+! ( even 17...e3!? is possible, i.e. to compliment his remaining bishop, with 18.h4 xg3 19.xd5 xd5 20.hxg3 solid play. ] xh1 with play for the material) 18.fxe3 9.cxd5 xd5 xe3 with a strong attack, e.g. 19.c1 [ The fluid choice, 9...exd5 is also possible, xf3+ 20.g1 e8 ] intending to play a hanging pawn position: 10.0-0 ( 10.d3 d4! 11.c2 a5 ) 10...e8 17...e3+ 18.fxe3 xf3 [ Obligatory, as now 18...xe3?? is met by 11.e1?! c5 12.d4 e4 13.c2 c6 19.xe3 winning on the spot. ] 14.dxc5 bxc5 with active black play, 19.g1 xg2 20.xg2 c6+ 21.e4 f5 Speelman,J-Seirawan, Y/Saint John 1988. ] Black will gain two pawns, and some initiative, 10.c4!? [ A new attempt to find a more active square for his piece, but it shouldn't be quite enough. 662
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 22.c4+ h8 23.he1 fxe4 24.g1! [ Actually gaining a tempo over the immediate 24.dxe4 xe4 25.g1 ae8 26.f1 ] 24...g6 [ The pin on the c-file forces this queen move, if 24...e3? 25.xd4 ] 25.dxe4 xe4 26.f1 ae8 27.ad1 h6 28.xe4 xe4 29.f2 e6 30.d2? [ Dropping a further pawn, returning the bishop to the fray by 30.c1 was stronger. ] 30...f3 31.e1 [ 31.e1 after xb3 32.xe6 xe6 Black has nothing to fear, in fact he could well consider continuing. ] ½-½
664 Fridman,Daniel Meins,G 16th OIBM 2012 (9.6) [John Bartholomew]
A17 2670 2473 04.11.2012
The Nimzo-English with 4.g4 rose to prominence 10-15 years ago and still produces unbalanced encounters. Here Black chooses a positional continuation that may appeal to many Nimzo players. 1.c4 e6 2.c3 b4 3.f3 f6 4.g4 [ White has a host of viable alternatives. 4.c2 is the main line, and 4.g3, 4.Qb3, 4. e3!?, etc. are also played. See the "NimzoEnglish" guide in the archives. ] 4...h6 This has proven to be Black's preferred method in countering the g-pawn spike. [ You can find 4...d5 ] [ and 4...0-0!? in the archives. Both score reasonably well for Black, especially short castling. ] [ The radical 4...xc3!? can be compared to the game continuation. For example, 5.dxc3 ( possibly stronger is 5.bxc3 d6 6.g5 fd7 7.g2 c6 8.d3! , Nakamura, H (2710)Sokolov, A (2570)/Mainz GER 2009/ [TonyK] ) 5...d6 6.g5 fd7 7.e3 e7 8.g2 e5 with a similar structure and game flow. Cornette, M (2329)-Adams, M (2734)/ France 2003/[TonyK]. ] 5.g1 [ I'm not entirely taken by the concept of
5.a3!? A) More recently, 5...e7 6.d4 d5 7.g1 A1) 7...dxc4!? 8.e4 ( it's simpler to play 8.a4+ c6 9.xc4 with chances for a slight edge) 8...b5 9.e5 d5 10.xb5 Karttunen, M (2447)-Maki Uuro, M (2332)/Helsinki FIN 2012. Here Black s h o u l d c o n s i d e r b6 with obscure play.; A2) 7...b6 8.f4 looked like an a3Q u e e n ' s I n d i a n o r Q u e e n 's G a m b i t Decline permutation. b7 9.a4+ c6 10.0-0-0 dxc4 11.xc4 b5 12.b3 a5 13.g5 hxg5 14.xg5 b4 15.e4 Sitnikov, A (2506)-Polivanov, A (2435)/ Donetsk UKR 2011.; B) 5...xc3 6.dxc3 b6 7.a4 , but Boris Savchenko is 2-0 from this position as White. See Savchenko, B (2630)-Goganov, A (2 4 80 )/T a ga nro g RUS 20 11 / [ Nige l Davies] for the details. ] 5...xc3!? Fundamentally sound. Black makes good on his positional threat before White can play Qc2. [ More u sua l is 5...b6 . The position after 6.c2 b7 7.a3 e7 8.g5 hxg5 9.xg5 has been discussed some time back on this site for example, see Bareev, E (2721) Na i d i t s c h , A ( 2 5 7 4 ) / R e t h ym n o n 2 0 0 3 / [TonyK]. ] 6.dxc3 [ Or 6.bxc3 d6 7.d3 ala NakamuraSokolov. ( 7.h4!? )] 6...d6 7.h4 [ White can also consider the immediate 7.g5 , which was seen in David, A (2580)Rozentalis, E (2596)/ Turin 2006. After hxg5 8.xg5 e7 9.g2 e5 10.d2!? bd7 ( 10...xh2 11.c2 bd7 12.0-0-0 ) 11.f1 (White has his sites set on the e3 square) b6 12.h4 c6 13.e3 e6 14.d3 0-0-0 15.0-0-0 White had slightly better chances, though Black retained a very solid position. ] 7...c6 Leaving the d7 square open for the o t h e r kn ig h t . 8.g5 hxg5 9.hxg5 d7 10.g2 e5 [ Perhaps Black should play more flexibly with 10...e7!? , i.e. 11.e3 b6 12.d3 e5 13.d2 e6 . ] 11.e3 f8 12.b3 b8 13.0-0-0 663
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 W hite has completed his development and secured a nice spatial advantage to accompany his bishop pair. Despite his solidity, Black still has some problems to solve (his king, for example). b6 14.h1 [ I li k e t h e lo o k o f 14.d2 intending to transfer the knight to e4. ] 14...xh1 15.xh1? [ 15.xh1 is necessary so as to meet a5 16.b4 c5 with 17.xc5!+- . ] 15...a5! Forcing White to make an awkward decision. 16.a3 [ It's the decisive last round and Fridman outrates his opponent by 200 points, so he probably wasn't thrilled about a repetition after 16.b5+ d7 17.a6 c8 18.b5+ d7 etc. ] [ 16.b4 c5 is similar. ] 16...xc4 17.xa7 xe3 18.fxe3 b7 Black is fine, though things now get a little hairy. [ 18...e6!? ] 19.h8 c6?! [ 19...e7 ] 20.a6 d7 21.c4 e6 22.h4 e7 23.d2 d7 24.a4+ b5 25.a7 d8 26.g8 b6 27.b7 e7! 28.xg7? Finally swallowing the bait! d7! White's rook is trapped, and 29...Qh8 is the threat. 29.a8? Time was probably becoming a big factor. [ 29.e4 was necessary, controlling h7. ] 29...xa8? [ Missing 29...xb7! 30.xb7 h8 . ] 30.xa8 a6 31.e4 xa2 32.h7 a1+ 33.b1 a4 34.b4 f8 35.g6?! Black forfeits on time!? This is the result given by TWIC, which I confirmed by cruising over to the OIBM tournament website. [ An unfortunate end for Meins, as 35.g6 f6 36.c2 ( 36.g7+ g8 ) 36...xh7 37.gxh7 g7 38.xa4 bxa4 is clearly in his favor. So long as he's willing to manage a s li g h t l y c ra m p e d ( b u t f u n d a m e n t a l l y sound) position, 4...h6 5.Rg1 Bxc3!? is a reliable enough line for Black. . ] 1-0
665 Ftacnik,Lubomir Stocek,Jiri Jirasek mem Rakovnik CZE (4) [Carsten Hansen]
A17 2544 2559 11.08.2008
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.c2 0-0 5.a3 xc3 6.xc3 d6 7.b4 a5 [ 7...e5 8.b2 a5 9.e3 c6 10.d3 d7 11.b5 e7 was played in Tratar, M-Kosten, A/ Graz AUT 2008. For annotations to the game, see the PGN archives. ] 8.b2 axb4 9.axb4 xa1+ 10.xa1 e5 11.g3 b5 12.cxb5 d7 13.d4!? [ Here White finally departs from the amazing Kramnik-Ivanchuk game from last year's Monte Carlo tournament this game has dictated several new developments in this line, all in involving the idea of ...b7-b5 f or Black. I n the abovem ention ed ste m game Black obtained the better chances after 13.e3?! c8 14.e2 b7 15.d3 xb5 as you can see for yourself by looking the game up in the PGN archives. ] 13...e4 14.d2 xb5 Black has already fully equalised. 15.d5! [ White has to play actively, if not Black will co m p l e t e l y t a k e o ve r t h e ga m e a n d i n particular the queenside will cause White a l o t o f h e a d a c h e s , e . g . 15.g2 d5 with a better game for Black. ] 15...e3! 16.fxe3 bd7 17.g2 e5 W hite has an extra pawn and t he pa ir o f bishops, but in this position, both are entirely irrelevant and Black has at least full compensation for the pawn. 18.0-0!? [ White decides to give up on the pawn right away. The alternative is 18.f3 a8 19.e4 a7 20.d4 a6 with full compensation for the pawn. ] 18...xe2 19.c1 d3!? [ Black decides to play it safe. The main alternative is the more aggressive, e.g. 19...e7!? A) or 20.xc7 f3+ 21.xf3 xe3+ 22.h1 xd5! ( 22...e4 leads to a draw after 23.d4 f2+ 24.g1 h3+ 25.h1 f2+= ) 23.d4 a3 24.c3 xb4 25.c6 xc3 26.xc3 c5 with an interesting endgame, where Black should not be worse; 664
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 B) 20.e4 c8 21.e3 b5 e7 23.hg1 ] with approximately even chances ] 20.dxc6 c8 21.h4 xc6? 20.b1 e5 Inviting a draw by repetition, [ Black had to play 21...h5 to prevent White's White doesn't have much better than to follow next move. Now, however, Black loses a suit. 21.c1 d3 22.b1 e5 23.c1 piece ] ½-½ 22.h5! d5 23.hxg6 fxg6 24.e5 b5 25.cxb5 d4 26.c4+ h8? 27.xd4 [ 27.exf6!! wins immediately, e.g. xe3? 28.xh7+ xh7 29.h1# ] 666 A17 Gelfand,Boris 2736 27...xb3+ 28.xb3 xd4 29.xd4 xc4+ Adams,Michael 2729 30.b1 xe5 31.c1 xc1+ 32.xc1 h5 World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (27) 22.11.2007 33.b6 e7 34.c7 1-0 [Carsten Hansen] 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.c2 0-0 5.a3 xc3 6.xc3 b6 7.e3 a5 [ 7...b7 is the main line, the game continuation is quite rare ] 8.b3 [ 8.b4 c5 9.b2 axb4 10.axb4 xa1+ 11.xa1 a6 12.b5 b4 13.e2 b7 14.0-0 e7 15.b2 d5 16.d3 d8 17.a1 dxc4 18.dxc4 xf3 19.xf3 d3 20.a6 d6 21.h3 xb2 22.xb2 h5 23.c2 h4 24.c3 e5 25.c2 g6 26.d5 xd5 1/2-1/2 Prusikin, M-Jankovic, A/ Zemplinska Sirava 2004 ] 8...d6 9.b2 [ The only previous game saw 9.d4 e4 10.c2 b7 11.d3 f5 being tested and proved adequate for Black: 12.0-0 d7 13.d2 h4 14.f3 g5 15.f2 f6 16.f4 h3+ 17.gxh3 g6+ 18.f1 f6 ( 18...xh3+ 19.e1 xe3+ 20.e2 xd4 21.b2 g1+ 22.f1 xf1+ 23.xf1 g1 24.c3 e5 ) 19.e1 g1+ 20.f1 g2 21.a2 e4 22.d1 h5+ 23.e1 h4 24.d1 h5+ 1/2-1/2 Eng, HMeyer, H/Germany 1985 ] 9...e5 10.d4 e4 11.d2 e8 12.d5 f5 [ 12...bd7 13.e2 e5 14.0-0 ( 14.f4 exf3 15.gxf3!? ) 14...f5 15.ac1 c8 ] 13.e2 e5 14.f4 exf3 15.gxf3 This position looks quite messy, but Black's position is difficult to play, and Gelfand makes the process of winning look rather effortless bd7 16.e4 g6 17.0-0-0 c5 [ 17...h5 18.dg1 h4 19.e3 ee8 20.g4 e7 21.hg1 ] 18.e3 e8 19.dg1 c6 [ 19...h5 20.h4 d7 21.g2 f5!? 22.g5
667 Gelfand,Boris Eljanov,Pavel Corus A Wijk aan Zee NED (13) [Carsten Hansen]
A17 2737 2692 27.01.2008
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.c2 0-0 5.a3 xc3 6.xc3 b6 [ 6...d6 is an interesting alternative that was tested in Kramnik-Ivanchuk, Monte Carlo 2007 - see the PGN archives. We will return to this move in next month's update. ] 7.e3 b7 8.b4 d6 9.b2 bd7 10.e2 c5 This variation has been played numerous times, but it is my impression that the chances are clearly favouring White, even if his edge is minimal, because Black has very little hope of grabbing the initiative and will likely be forced to defend a slightly passive position with White holding the initiative. The score in top encounters is decidedly in White's favour, though it should be said, that it is usually the somewhat higher rated player who plays White in those games. 11.0-0 c8 [ Other tries are: A) 11...e8 has also been tested on a couple of occasions, for instance Kramnik-Zhang Zhong, W ijk aan Zee 2004 - the game can be found in the PGN archives. ] [ B) 11...e7 as for example played in Gustafsson-Khalifman, Cologne 2003 - see the PGN archives. I feel this is likely the continuation Black should give preference to. ] 12.d4 e4 [ It's difficult to say what is best for Black in 665
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 d6 20.c2 f8 21.e2 ) 18...f6 19.g4 th is lin e, b eca u se h e is f a cing a t o u gh f7 20.f4 b8 , Stojanovic, M-Jeremic, V/ defensive task in every variation at this Mataruska Banja SRB 2007, and here White ju n c t u re . O t h e r t ri e s i n clu d e : A ) 12...d5 s h o u l d o p t f o r 21.c2 f8 22.a3 13.dxc5 ( 13.d2 e7 14.f3 c7 , and it's obvious that Black is in serious 15.ac1 fc8 16.bxc5 bxc5 , Claas, Mtrouble. ] Schmock, S/Bonn 1996, and now 17.cxd5 13.b3 xd5 18.a5 c4 19.e4 f4 20.c3 ) [ White has also obtained good positions with A) 13...bxc5 14.b5 ( 14.cxd5!? xd5 13.d3 , for instance 15.ac1 cxb4 16.xb4 b8 17.d4 ) A) Or 13...f6 14.d2 g6 15.f3 xd2 14...c7 15.a4 fe8 16.fd1 e5 17.cxd5 16.xd2 d5?! ( 16...fd8 17.ad1; xd5 18.c2 , and here a draw was 16...cxd4 17.exd4 e5 18.ad1 ) 17.dxc5 prem a tu rely a gre e d u po n , 1 /2 -1/ 2 , in bxc5 18.ac1 fd8? ( 18...g5 ) Kozak, M-Vyskocil, N/ Brno CZE 2007. A 19.cxd5 xd5 20.e4 b7 21.fd1! possible continuation is c4!? 19.a3 c3 , and Black is basically lost if he is to ( 19...7f6 20.d2 c3 21.c4 release himself from White's pressure, he , and White has the upper hand) 20.g5 will lose material, Kramnik, V-Kogan, A/ e4 21.g4 cd8 with chances to both Port Barcares FRA 2005; sides; B) 13...e7 B) 13...dxc4 14.fd1 e7 15.a4 bxc5 B1) 14.d2 f5 ( 14...xd2 15.xd2 16.b5 b6 17.a5 bd5 18.xc4 g5 16.f3 ) 15.f3 ef6 16.fd1 e5?! , and Black is clearly struggling, Zarkua, ( 16...fd8 17.b3 ) 17.dxc5 bxc5 D-Kalashian, D/Istanbul TUR 2006 ] 18.xf5 b6 19.g5 h6 20.h4 [ B) 12...e7 , and Black doesn't have enough for the A) 13.fd1 fd8 14.ac1 ( 14.b3!? pawn, W erle, J-Rozentalis, E/ a8 15.a4 d5 16.bxc5 bxc5 17.a3 Wattenscheid GER 2006; e8 18.a5 cxd4 19.xd4 , and White B2) 14.fd1 fd8 15.ac1 h6 16.d2 has pleasant initiative, Savchenko, Sxd2 17.xd2 g5 18.f3 f8 19.e4 Brunner, N/Metz FRA 2005) 14...cxd4 Savchenko, S-Agafii, V/Illichevsk UKR 15.xd4 e5 ( 15...d5!? ) 16.e1 e8 2006 ] 17.f3 g6 18.f1 g5 19.h1 a6 20.e4 with more space and the pair of 13...c7 [ Black has tried a couple other things here, bishops, W hite has a clear advantage, though without much success: A) 13...g5 Laznicka, V-Petrik, T/Steinbrunn AUT 14.xg5 xg5 15.f3 cxd4 16.exd4 c7 2005; 17.f2 fc8 18.d1 a5 19.c1 e7 B) 13.dxc5 bxc5 14.b5 fd8 ( 14...d5 20.f4 e5 21.e3 Llanos, G-Jimenez, J/ 15.a4 b6 16.d2 fd8 17.a5 xc4 Buenos Aires 1998 ] 18.xc4 dxc4 19.fd1 d5 20.xc4 [ B) 13...c7 14.fd1 fe8 ( 14...d5 Gurevich, M-Aagaard, J/Torrelavega ESP 15.ac1 b8 16.a2 fd8 17.a1 f6 2007 ) 15.a4 f8 16.d2 e5 17.f3 18.b1 a8 19.e1 d6 20.cxd5 xd5 xf3 18.xf3 g6 19.fd1 e4 20.c2 21.dxc5 bxc5 22.f3 xf3 23.xf3 f5 21.d2 xd2 22.xd2 , and White Ostenstad, B-Tallaksen, G/Bergen 2001) has a comfortable advantage, Seirawan, 15.ac1 a5 16.d2 xd2 17.xd2 axb4 Y-Damljanovic, B/Istanbul 2000 ] 18.axb4 b8 19.dxc5 dxc5 20.c3 f6 [ C) 12...cxd4 13.xd4 e7 14.fd1 d5 21.b5 cd8 22.cd1 e4 23.g4 15.cxd5 xd5 16.ac1 b8 17.h4 fd8 , and Black is suf f ering, Jakovenko, D18.e5 f8 19.c4 , and White is Tiviakov, S/Sochi RUS 2007 ] c o m p le t e ly in c o n t ro l, K o m lje n o vic, D 14.fd1 Vaillant, S/Metz 2001 ] [ Also 14.ad1 is perfectly good and [ D) 12...c7 13.dxc5 bxc5 14.b5 fd8 playable, e.g. a8 15.e1 d5 16.dxc5 15.a4 d5 16.a5 e8 17.cxd5 exd5 bxc5 17.f3 ef6 18.cxd5 exd5 19.bxc5 18.h4 ( 18.fc1!?; 18.fd1 f6 19.d3 666
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xc5 20.b4 cd7 21.d3 e8 22.f4 Huss, A-Bellin, J/Biel 1987 ] 14...e7 15.a4 [ White tries a new, but perfectly normal move. In an earlier game, White gained the better chances after 15.dxc5 bxc5 16.d2 ef6 17.b5 e5 18.f3 h5 19.f1 h4 20.d2 b6 21.a4 h3 22.g3 ( 22.a5!? hxg2 23.g3 c8 24.e4 h7 25.f5 g5 26.c1 is pretty terrible for Black) 22...d5 23.cxd5 bxd5 24.a5 ( 24.ad1!? ) 24...b4 ( 24...e4 25.f4 d8 26.ad1 ) 25.e4 Gelpke, P-Douven, R/ Hilversum 1989 ] 15...d5 16.dxc5 bxc5 17.b5 d6 18.cxd5 exd5 19.ac1 b8 [ 19...e4!? ] 20.c2 cc8 21.a3 h6 22.b2! e6 23.c3! White more or less forces Black to create an ugly long-term weakness on the light squares, something Black will suffer badly from later in the game. f6 24.h3 This gives th e king a brea thing h ole an d simultaneously prevents Blacks queen from m e s s i n g w i t h W h i t e k i n g f r o m g 4 . b6 25.c2 bc4 [ 25...d4!? 26.exd4 e4 27.d2 dc4 28.xc4 xc4 29.e2 xb2 30.xb2 xf3 31.gxf3 c4 ] 26.a1 Keeping the bishop, which long-term is much better than even Black's nice-looking knight on c4. e8!? 27.g6 bd8? [ This looks perfectly normal, but because Black's position is already a positional toilet with weaknesses everywhere, he should have thrown the kitchen sink at White with 27...xe3 28.fxe3 xe3+ 29.h1 e4 and some compensation for the piece and at le a s t s o m e c o m p li c a t io n s t o wo rk a n d confuse Gelfand with. Gelfand had a terrible tournament in W ijk aan Zee, so Black should have tried to rock the balance a bit. In the game, Black is taken apart without hesitation. ] 28.d3 e4 [ 28...f8 29.h4 is slightly better for Black than the game continuation, but Black's position is pretty terrible in any case ] 29.h4! cd6 Black plays actively, but now he loses the f irst pawn. 30.xe4 xe4 31.f5 d7 32.xh6+ f8 33.f5 d4?!
[ 33...c8 34.h7 b7 35.h4 f7 36.h5+ g8 37.g6+- ] 34.exd4 a2 35.f1 cxd4 36.xd4 d5 37.f3 d6 38.c5 1-0
668 Gelfand,Boris Timman,Jan H It Pamplona ESP (7) [Tony Kosten]
A17 2713 2650 03.01.2000
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 b6 4.g2 b7 5.0-0 e7 6.c3 0-0 Black is clearly happy to pla y a Qu een 's In dia n Def e nce , m an y players would have preferred an early ...c5 to avoid this. 7.e1 [ White decides to avoid the QI, 7.d4 e4 with a slight edge to White, and goes for a Hedgehog. ] 7...e4 [ 7...d5 8.cxd5 exd5 9.d4 leads to another, but this time inferior, version of the Queen's Indian where Black normally plays ...c5, and defends the resulting hanging pawn position. ] 8.xe4 xe4 9.d3 b7 10.e4 c5 11.d4 d5?! [ A new move, previously Black had chosen between 11...cxd4 12.xd4 c6 when 13.f4 c5 14.xc6 xc6 15.d6 xd6 16.xd6 b8 is almost equal, Ibragimov,ITiviakov,S/Elista 1997, 1/2-1/2 (54), and ] [ 11...d6 allowing White to play a Benonistyle position: 12.d5 exd5 13.cxd5 d7 14.f4 b5 with a plus to White, Krivoshey,SOral,T/Prievidza 1997, 1/2-1/2 (44). ] 12.exd5 exd5 13.e5 This is a constant theme in these lines, W hite's g2-bishop is more powerful than its b7-counterpart, simply b e c a u s e t h i s l a t t e r i s u n p r o t e c t e d . cxd4 14.xd4 a6 15.g4 [ 15.cxd5 b4 and the threat to fork on c2 regains the pawn. ] 15...b4 16.d1 Pinning the d5-pawn a second time, but along the column on this occasion, and avoiding the loss of an exchange (...Nc2 was threatened). [ 16.d1 also has its points, a3 is the menace. ] 667
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 16.b2 ) 14.d2 f5 15.f3 g5 16.f1 f6 17.d2 g6 18.h1 f6 19.e1 Nguyen Anh Dung-Naiditsch, A/Budapest 2000; B) 11.b3 g5 ( 11...f5 12.b2 d7 13.ad1 g5 14.xg5 xg5 15.f3 e5 16.d4 exd4 17.exd4 ae8 18.f2 e7 19.bxc5 dxc5 20.d5 Prusikin, M-Markos, J/Pulvermuehle GER 2006) 12.xg5 xg5 13.f3 c6 14.b2 e5 15.f2 ae8 16.bxc5 dxc5 17.a4 e6 18.c3 e7 , and a draw was agreed upon, 1/2-1/ 2, Nielsen, P.H, -Rozentalis, E/Malmoe/ Copenhagen SWE 2004 ] 11.bxc5 [ White can also do without this exchange, f o r e xa m p l e 11.d4!? e4 ( or 11...e4 12.d2 bd7 13.bxc5 bxc5 14.b2 e7 15.d5 ) 12.b2 g5 13.xg5 xg5 14.f3 However, the opening of the b-file will likely benefit White more than it will Black ] 11...bxc5 12.d4!? White immediately takes countermeasures to Black's plan of keeping the centre closed. W ith the opening of the centre, White's bishops gain strength. exd4 13.exd4 e8 14.e1 cxd4!? [ This may not look entirely obvious, why does Black open the position further when an open position normally clearly favours the side with the bishop pair? The problem for 669 A17 Bla ck is th a t if W h it e ge t s t o clo s e t h e centre with d4-d5, Black's disadvantage is Grischuk,Alexander 2716 even greater because the bishop on b7 is Adams,Michael 2729 entirely out of play, and Black lacks FIDE GP Baku AZE (5) 25.04.2008 counterplay, thus reducing him to a sitting [Carsten Hansen] duck, for instance 14...bd7 A) 15.b2 is also okay, but less to the 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.c2 0-0 point and less problematic for Black, e.g. 5.a3 xc3 6.xc3 b6 7.e3 c5 8.e2 d6 e4 ( 15...e4 16.c1 ) 16.g5 b8 9.0-0 b7 10.b4 e5 17.dxc5 xc5=; [ This is a new move in this position, though B) 15.d5 b6 16.d3 xe1+ 17.xe1 the idea of playing ...e6-e5 in this variation a6 18.c3 , and White is completely in is hardly a new one. Nevertheless, W hite control. ] appears to obtain an edge after Black text move. Here 10...bd7 11.b2 has been 15.xd4 c6 16.xc6 xc6 17.e3 e4 discussed on this page previously - see the 18.d4 White clearly is in control of the game and Black is almost without counterplay. eBooks. ] [ Another try, which we haven't covered Black's can hope to throw a spanner in the works by playing actively and thus avoid a previously is 10...e4 A) 11.b2!? c6 ( 11...d7!? 12.d3 situation where he is waiting for W hite to g5 13.d2 ) 12.d4 d7 13.d1 e7 break through. c5 19.ad1 a4 20.b1 ( 13...f6 14.c2 f5 15.dxc5 bxc5 c8 21.h3 Taking time to make a breathing
16...c8 [ Removing the queen from both pins, if 16...d6 then 17.cxd5 c2 18.g5 is strong. ] 17.d2 d6 [ 17...c2?! fails to 18.ac1 f6 19.h6! xg4 20.xg4 ] 18.xb4 xe5 19.xc8 fxc8 20.cxd5 xb2 The point of Black's play, he recuperates the pawn, but White's passed dpawn, and active pieces leave him on top. 21.ab1 f6 22.h3 c4?! [ 22...c2 23.a3 d8 24.g2 e5 25.e7 d7 26.d6 might have been better. ] 23.d6 f3?! [ This concedes without a fight. Perhaps Black had intended 23...e4 but then saw that 24.f1! was possible, still, ( 24.dc1 xb1 25.xc4 xa2 26.c7 a5 27.d7 d8 is not so clear) 24...c2 might hold-out some chances. ] 24.dc1 xc1+ 25.xc1 d8 26.d7 N o w, t h e p o we r f u l d 7 - p a wn d e c i d e s . h5 27.c7 a6 28.c3! f8 [ Unfortunately, if 28...xc3 then 29.xc3 threatens both Rc8, and the f3-bishop. ] 29.c8 g5 30.d4 e7 31.xd8 1-0
668
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 disturbing factors. Instructive. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.f3 b4 4.c2 0-0 5.a3 xc3 6.xc3 b6 [ 6...d5 is also played. ] [ and 6...d6 prepares ...e5 freeing his bishop on c8. All these are matters of choice but I like this last setup. ] 7.e3 Establishing a purely English version of the ...Bb4 system. [ 7.d4 would be a line from the 4.Qc2 NimzoIndian. ] 7...b7 8.e2 c5 [ I like 8...d5 better, giving Black time for ... Nbd7 and ..c5. ] 9.b4 d6 10.b2 c6 11.0-0 e8 12.d4 cxd4 13.xd4 xd4 14.xd4 d5 15.cxd5 This isn't y (15. Qe5!?) but Gurevich wants to torture his opponent. Now we see the two bishops come into their own. xd5 16.xd5 xd5 17.ac1 ac8 18.fd1 xc1 19.xc1 c8 Black thinks that simplifying will help his cause. In fact, the closer that one gets to a pure minor piece two bishops ending the easier it should be for White. Watch the build-up over the next 20 moves. 20.xc8+ xc8 21.e4 e7 22.b5!? [ Or 22.f3 f6 23.f2 ] 22...f6 23.c3 f7 24.c4 g6 25.b4 e5 26.e2 b7 27.f3 d7 28.d6 g6 29.f2 f5 30.exf5 gxf5 31.g4!? A slightly strange solution. Yet opening the position makes Black's king a target. fxg4 32.fxg4 d5 33.e3 g6 34.h4 h6 35.h5+ g7 36.g3 f6 37.e5 f7 38.f4 g7 39.d4 e4 40.e5+ f7 41.f4 [ 41.b8 ] 41...g7 42.e5 [ White should win fairly easily after 42.b8! c5 43.xa7 d7 44.a4 f6 45.c3 ( 45.a5 bxa5 46.c3 ) 45...e7 46.b4 d6 47.a5+- ] 42...c3 43.d3 f3 44.d6 a4 670 A17 [ 44...xg4?? 45.e5+ ] Gurevich,Mikhail 2629 45.e5+ g8 46.g5! c5 47.g6 e4+ Sandipan,Chanda 2522 48.xe6 xg5+ 49.e7 e2 50.b8 a6 Gibtelecom Masters (7.5) 30.01.2006 51.bxa6 xa6 52.a7 f3 [ 52...b5 53.d3 ] [John Watson] 53.xb6 Now it's a matter of time. e5 Gurevich gives a convincing demonstration of 54.e8 c4 55.d4 d3 56.e3 g7 the power of two bishops in a neutral pawn 57.a4 b4 58.d4+ g8 59.a5 d5+ structure where there are no particularly 60.d6 f4 61.e3 f8 62.c6 xh5 hole for the king. It's difficult to fault W hite for doing this, the advantage is hardly running anywhere. c7 22.c3 [ Or 22.b2 ce7 23.eb1 e4 24.d5 4e5 25.d2 e4 26.d4 c5 27.f3 with a continued plus for W hite Black's pieces are placed as active as they can possibly be, yet Black has no counterplay worth talking about. ] 22...ce7 23.f3 h6 24.d5 [ This looks perfectly normal, but achieves little why block Black's weak backward pawn. To me it seems like Grischuk was either tired of the game and wanted to end the game or, more probable, he was short of time, which also explains the lacklustre play in the continuation. Instead W hite could consider 24.ec1!? c7 25.a5 d7 26.g4 c6 27.xc5 dxc5 28.e1 ] 24...c7 25.d4 [ Or 25.ec1!? ] 25...xe1+ 26.xe1 e6 27.xe6 [ White starts a series of exchanges leading to a draw. The only move offering any real chanc es to play f or a win is the b isho p retreat 27.e3 c6 28.d2 ( Winning a pawn with 28.xc6 xc6 29.xa7 doesn't achieve anything after d5 30.c5 d4 31.c1 c8 ) 28...c5 29.d1 offers White the slightly better chances ] 27...xe6 28.xe6 fxe6 29.c5 dxc5 30.xc5 a6 31.d4 d7 32.xd7 Now it's completely drawn of course. But even with the queens on the table, neither side has sufficient weaknesses to offer the opponent any kind of chances. xd7 33.d4 f7 34.h2 g5 35.g4 g6 36.g3 h5 37.gxh5+ xh5 38.f6 g6 39.d8 f5 40.h4 gxh4+ 41.xh4 ½-½
669
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 63.xh6+ f7 64.d5+ xd5 65.xd5 1-0
followed by ...Nh4, or ...Nd5-f4, so W hite prevents this. 18.d4 [ 18.a3!? ] 18...h4 19.d3 c4 20.c2 e4 671 A17 Black can't allow W hite to play f3 and e4. Gustafsson,Jan 2566 21.xe4 dxe4 22.d5! White must play this Khalifman,Alexander 2702 before Black gets the time to blockade the d5 Bundesliga 2002-3 (11) 09.02.2003 square, as this would leave the white darksquared bishop with nothing to do. f5 23.f4!? [Tony Kosten] exf3?! Risky, Black refrains from capturing the 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.c2 0-0 pawn by [ 23...xd5 b e c a u s e o f 24.d1 d8 5.a3 xc3 6.xc3 b6 7.e3 Probably the ( 24...e6? 25.d6! is the awkward point most popular move here, White completes his the black queen is tied to the g7-pawn, of kingside development before playing b4. b7 course. ) 25.f2! planning to double on the d8.e2 d6 9.0-0 bd7 10.b4 e7 11.b2 f il e t o p in t h e b ish o p , f7 ( 25...e6 c5 12.d3 fc8 This is the mainline at present, 26.fd2 xd2 27.xd2 f7 28.d6 ) one of Black's main plans is to open the a-file, 26.fd2 a7! (covering g7, and preparing to then swap both rooks (after playing ...Qf8 so d e f e n d d 5 ) 27.b1 (planning Ba2, then as to recapture on a8 with a major piece) and Rxd5 and Bxc4) c7 28.a2 and the black play for a draw. position is very uncomfortable, his pieces [ 12...e5 is a good alternative, blocking the can hardly move, and his knight doesn't a1-h8 diagonal. ] seem to helpful, nevertheless, after g6! 13.b5 Gaining more space on the queenside. 29.h1 dd7 he might be holding-on, as f8!? An innovation, normally Black continues 30.g3 f3 31.xd5 h5 a draw seems [ 13...a6 14.a4 axb5 ( or 14...f8 first, likely: 32.c2 xh2! 33.xh2 xd1+ 15.h3 axb5 16.axb5 xa1 17.xa1 a8 34.xd1 xd1+ ] 18.xa8 xa8 etc. Labollita,M-Ahmed,S/ Bled SLO 2002) 15.axb5 f8 16.d2 24.g3 [ 24.d1! seems very strong to me: fxg2 ( 16.fd1 is a waste of time, as Black plays 25.f4 g6 26.f2! and there is no xa1 17.xa1 a8 anyway, and the white defence to Bxf5-e6+. ] r o o k h a s m o v e d t wi c e , 18.e1 b8 19.xa8 xa8 20.a1 xa1+ 21.xa1 24...g2 25.xf5 xd5? In a complicated and White's bishop pair advantage is not too position the ex-FIDE champ goes astray, [ 25...xe1 26.e6+ h8 27.xe1 f8 much here, Shchekachev,A-Bunzmann,D/ 28.f2 g5 is far from clear, Black can play Bethune FRA 2001) 16...xa1 17.xa1 ...Bc8 to exchange the annoying bit on e6. ] a8 18.c1 xa1 19.xa1 a8 (o nc e a ga in, th is plan is re ally ea sy t o 26.e4! xe1 Forced, the black bishop cannot remember!) 20.g4 xa1+ 21.xa1 e8 move: [ 26...b7? 27.xf3! xe1 28.e6+ h8 and another quick draw occurred in Vera,R29.f7 is curtains. ] Vilela,J/Cienfuegos 1983. ] d3 28.d6! After this White is 14.a4 a5!? Completely closing the queenside, 27.exd5 clearly winning. g5 Forced, is a bit passive, [ 28...f6? loses to the elegant 29.e6+!! [ 14...a6 is still possible. ] h8 ( 29...f8 30.xf3! ) 30.xf6 gxf6? 15.ae1 White prepares for the central push. 31.xf6# ] g6 16.d2 d5!? The start of an interesting 29.xc8 f2+?! Not very good, but Black is plan to render the white b2-bishop obsolete. [ 16...e5 would be positionally desirable, losing anyway [ 29...xc8 30.d7! d e f l e c t i o n ! c7 when White will try lever the long diagonal 31.xg7+! xg7 32.d8+ f8 33.g5+ open again, 17.f4 e8 and Black is solid. ] ( 33.xc7?? f2+ 34.g2 e1+ 17.cxd5 exd5 Black hopes to be able to w o u l d b e e m b a r r a s s i n g !) 33...g7 reopen the h1-a8 diagonal with a timely ...d4, 670
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 34.xg7+ xg7 35.xg7 and wins easily. ] 30.xf2! xf2 31.d7 The black queen cannot guard the queening square, d8, and g7 simultaneously. h3+ 32.f1 f5+ 33.g2 f2+ 34.xh3 f1+ 35.h4 [ 35.h4 f8 36.xg7+ xg7 37.d8+ leads to mate. ] 1-0
672 Ivanchuk,Vassily Bologan,Viktor 21st ECC Saint Vincent ITA (7) [John Watson]
A17 2752 2700 24.09.2005
You always wonder why these top GMs (in this case 2700+) don't play the sort of unbalanced line that arises here. There's practically no t h e o r y , a n d t h e b e s t m a n t e n d s t o wi n . Interestingly, Ivanchuk has played varieties of the English Opening recently. 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.g3 0-0 5.g2 d5 6.a3 xc3 [ 6...e7 7.d4 is the other route, reaching a Catalan with White having played Nc3 and having the extra tempo a3. The latter may not be much, but is useful in more cases than not: dxc4 ( 7...bd7 8.c5!? e4 9.c2 , using a3 to good effect.) 8.e5 ( 8.a4 ) 8...c6 9.xc6 bxc6 10.xc6 e8 11.xe7+ xe7 12.a4 a5 ( 12...e5!? Ribli ) 13.g5 a6 14.0-0 c5 15.xf6 gxf6 ( 15...xf6 16.dxc5 ) 16.ad1 Kramnik-Salov, Madrid 1993. ] 7.dxc3 [ 7.bxc3 has done badly in practice, several games going c6 ( or 7...c5 8.0-0 c6 ) 8.cxd5 exd5 9.0-0 e8 with excellent piece activity. ] 7...c5 A logical but unusual move. Normally Black tries to play ultra-solidly by [ 7...bd7 8.cxd5 exd5 9.0-0 e8 . In spite of the interesting conflict between bishop and knight pairs, this line hasn't seen much action. There seems no particular reason for this, but play does seem about equal, e.g., 10.f4 ( 10.c2 e7 11.e3 c5 12.fe1 b6 13.ad1 b7= Schlosser-Lingnau, Werther 2003) 10...c6 11.c2 b6 12.a4 c4! 13.d4!?
( 13.ad1 ) 13...g4 14.b3 d6 15.fe1 h5 16.ad1 g6 17.c1 de4 18.f3 c5 19.e3 Eingorn-Popovic, Bor 1985. ] [ 7...dxc4 Ribli 8.xd8 xd8 9.e5 d5!? ( 9...bd7 Ribli 10.xc4 b6 11.a5 b8 12.0-0 e8 13.e3 f6 14.fd1 xd1+ 15.xd1 f7 16.d8! e7 17.xb7 d6 18.a5! xd8 19.c6++- Kaidanov,GNeverov,V URS-OT56 Blagoveshchensk 1988 ) 10.xc4 c6 11.0-0 e5 Ribli,Z-Speelman,J Manila olm 1992 ] 8.0-0 c6 9.g5!? Ivanchuk opts for the min or position al advant age o f t he bet te r bishop (on g2). dxc4 10.a4 h6 11.xf6 xf6 12.xc4 The position turns out to be an irritating one for Black. e7 The problem is that natural development by [ 12...b6 can be met by 13.b4 ] 13.e1! A clever move threatening both Bxc6 and Nd3. e5 [ 13...a5!? ] 14.f4 g6 15.e3 c4 This looks awkward but is a good move, stopping Nd3. 16.f3 c7 17.a4!? [ 17.h4! will kick out Black's knight and retain the advantage. ] 17...d7 18.fd1 fd8 [ 18...c6 19.c5 ] 19.a5 e7!? The position is roughly equal, but now Ivanchuk plays a series of masterly moves eventually wearing Black down and forcing a concession: [ 19...a6 is probably better. ] 20.e5! ac8 [ 20...xe5? 21.xe5 wins a pawn ] 21.d4! e8 Black's bishop can't move due to Qxc7. 22.ad1 a4 23.1d2 f5 24.g4!? h5 25.e4 xe5 26.xe5 b3 27.h3! W hite takes the bishop off its beautiful diagonal in order to play to the 7th rank and b e a b le t o u se d 4 a s a swin g squ a re . g6 28.d7 f8? [ 28...c5! 29.xf7?! ( 29.a6! ) 29...a4 30.xb7 c6 is the computer defence. ] 29.xf5?! Okay, but [ 29.xg6! fxg6 30.xe6 c6 31.xc6 bxc6 32.e4 h6 33.xa7 is overwhelming. ] 29...exf5 30.ed4 c5 31.f4 xa5 [ 31...b5 32.c7 and Rdd7. Black's bishop on b3 is out of play. ] 671
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 32.xb7 c2 33.dd7 e4 34.xa7 xa7 35.xa7 d5 36.d7 d8 37.f6+ f8 38.d7! The rest is pretty much a high-level mop-up. xd7 39.xd7+ e7 40.e5 d6 41.f2 e6 42.e3 c5 43.d2 d6 44.c2 d5 45.f3 f6 46.d2 d6 47.b3 cxb3+ 48.xb3 c4 49.e3 e2 50.d2 c5 51.e4 g4 52.d3 h3 53.c4 d6 54.d4 fxe4 55.xe4+ e6 56.c5 g2 57.c6 e7 58.c7 h3 59.c5 d7 60.d6 e6 61.h4 g5 62.hxg5 fxg5 63.fxg5 e5 64.f7+ e6 65.g6 f6 66.d6 f5 67.e5 c8 68.c6 h3 69.e7 g4 70.g7 xg7 71.e5 1-0
673
A17 Kjartansson,Gudmundur 2356 Panchanathan,Magesh Chandran 2493 ch Edinburgh SCO (4) 14.07.2009 [Jonathan Rowson]
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.g4 0-0 [ 4...h6 There are several playable moves here, and although I don't know the lines well, for what it is worth, ... h6 feels to me l i k e t h e b e s t m o ve , i f o n l y b e c a u s e i t generally forces White to compromise his kingside structure to make any 'progress'. ] 5.g5 e8 6.c2 d5 7.a3 [ 7.b3!? e7 ( 7...c6 might be better.) 8.g1 c5 9.e3 c6 10.d3! f5 11.gxf6 xf6 12.a3 e8 13.b2 h5 14.e2 and White had the initiative in Krasenkow, M-Romanishin, O/Lvov 2000. ] 7...e7 [ 7...xc3 looks better to me, but many strong(er) players have opted to retreat. ] 8.d4 b6?! [ 8...c5! Feels like the most thematic move. 9.dxc5 xc5 10.e3 e7 11.h4 dxc4?! ( 11...c6! ) 12.xc4 left White with a comfortable edge in Zvjaginsev, V Riazantsev, A Moscow 2003 ] [ 8...dxc4 is also plausible and after 9.e4 c5 ] 9.e4 dxc4 10.xc4 c5 11.d5 d6 12.a2 e5 13.g1 [ 13.xe5 xg5 ] [ 13.xe5 xg5 14.g1 xc1 15.xc1!
also looks promising. ] 13...f5 14.gxf6 xf6 15.e3 d7 16.0-0-0 b5 17.g5! xg5 18.xg5 b4 In positions with opposite side castling every tempo is precious and it is usually a matter of 'who lands first wins'. Not always, and perhaps not even here, but when in doubt it makes sense t o f o l l o w t h i s s p i r i t . 19.dg1! bxc3?! Perhaps Black underestimated the power of white's 21st move. He is not playing directly for mate, but for a more enduring attack. [ 19...f7?! 20.axb4 cxb4 21.b5! xb5 22.d6 is winning. ] [ 19...g6 looks too passive, but probably gives the best practical chances because even though white is better mobilised the position remains hugely unbalanced. ] 20.xg7+ h8 21.f4! cxb2+ 22.xb2! The idea is simply Qg2 with the assumption that Black cannot possibly stop all the mating threats. e8 23.g2! df6 24.d6! The dormant bishop wakes up. c4 25.xc4 g4 26.xg4 xg4 27.xg4 h6 28.fxe5 c8 29.e6! Elegant. xe6 30.xe6 g7 31.d5 Black is the exchange up, but he faces a hopeless battle against the bishop pair from hell supporting a pawn trio from somewhere even worse. ac8+ 32.d2 h7 33.e6 b8 34.d4 A sweet and powerful victory. 1-0
674 Kosten,Anthony C Balogh,Csaba Aut chT Velden (5.1) [Tony Kosten]
A17 2507 2456 23.01.2004
1.c4 e6 2.c3 b4 3.f3 f6 4.g4 0-0 5.g5 e8 6.c2 [ 6.b3 c5 7.a3 a5 8.e4 b6 is similar to this game, but the white queen is in a worse position, Huzman,A-Nikolic,P/ Neum BIH 2000. ] 6...c5!? This seems to be an innovation, I had expected [ 6...d5 as in the Zvjaginsev,V-Riazantsev,A game we examined previously. ] 7.a3 a5 The bishop gets stuck here for the rest of the game. 672
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 7...xc3 8.xc3 b6 9.b4 with the advantage because of the bishops. ] 8.e4!? Aiming for f6, but hitting c5 in the process. b6 9.b4! The point, g7 diagonal is opened with gain of tempo, and while the white dark-squared bishop will attack g7, its black counterpart is of absolutely no help to the king's defence. cxb4 10.b2 b7 This looks best, giving the option of capturing one of the dangerous white knights. Th e immediate threat was Rg1 and Nf6+ so the only serious alternative was [ 10...d5!? which is met by 11.f6+ gxf6 ( 11...xf6 12.gxf6 g6 might be playable, but the f6-pawn is a monster) 12.gxf6 xf6 ( 12...b3?! 13.d3! (keeps the threat of Ng5) d6 14.g1+ h8 15.g7 f5 16.g5 and wins ) 13.g1+ h8 14.g5 d4 (the only move to stop mate) 15.g2 wi n n i n g t h e a 8 - r o o k w h i l s t t h e a t t a c k continues. ] 11.g1 Really threatening Nf6+ now. [ 11.f6+?! doesn't work any more, gxf6 12.gxf6 xf3 13.g1+ h8 14.g7 xg7 15.fxg7+ g8 16.gxf8+ xf8 17.exf3 and Black is better because of the tatty white pawn structure. ] 11...b3!? This doesn't achieve a great deal, but Black didn't want to capture on a3, and drag the a1-rook into the attack, or allow W h it e t o t a k e o n b 4 wh e n it s u i t e d h i m . 12.d3 xe4 The knight had to go! [ 12...d5!? is very risky, A) 13.f6+!? xf6 ( 13...gxf6? 14.gxf6+ h8 15.g5 wins on the spot) 14.gxf6 g6 might defend, 15.e3 ( or 15.d1!? to free the queen and knight f rom the defence of d2) 15...d7 16.cxd5 xd5 17.h6 xf6 18.g5 e5 etc.; B) 13.g3! possible as the d5-pawn is pinned, d7 14.cxd5 exd5 15.f6+ exf6 16.gxf6 g6 17.e3 e8 18.h6 xf6 19.d4 planning Nf5 and also Nxb3, note that the black dark-squared bishop is a long way from its best post on g7! ] 13.xe4 c6 Clearly best, although there are alternatives: [ 13...d5?! 14.cxd5 xd5 15.xd5 exd5 16.d4 and Nxb3 leaves White with the bishop pair and a better structure. ] [ 13...a6 14.g3 c5 15.h4
and Rh3 wins. ] 14.g3 The attack continues - the immediate threat is Rh3 - and meanwhile White can pick t h e b 3 - p a w n u p w h e n h e w a n t s . f5!? The most obvious way to counter Rh3 and Qh4, however [ 14...d6 aims for f5, and may be better, 15.g4 ( 15.d3 is also possible, to take t h e b 3 - p a w n) 15...e8 (the king needs some space) 16.h3 e5 17.h5 xc4 18.xh7+ f8 19.b1 xb2 20.xb2 e4 and although the black king is bare he is still fighting. ] 15.gxf6 Simplest, opening the g-file, though I also considered [ 15.h4 when e7 16.h3 g6 17.d4 is unpleasant for Black who must constantly be on the lookout for mating attacks along the a1-h8 diagonal. ] 15...xf6 16.d3 e7 Black hopes to close t h e d i a g o n a l b y . . . e 5 . 17.g2?! The immediate [ 17.g5!? is more accurate: e5 18.g2 with a nasty threat of Bd5+ and Rh3. ] 17...c5 [ 17...h5! looks odd, but may be the best d e f e n s i v e p o s s i b i l i t y , 18.h3 f7 and Ng5 is impossible because f2 is hanging. ] 18.g5 e7 The point of Black's play, he wanted to prohibit Ng5. [ 18...d5? is met by 19.xg7+! xg7 20.g5 with a double threat of Qxh7 mate and Nxe6+, forking king and queen. ] 19.0-0-0 d5 20.cxd5 exd5 21.h4 [ 21.g1 is also strong, but I wanted to attack d5 as well as g7 (by Nf5). ] 21...ae8?! I had expected [ 21...c5+ 22.b1 c2+ 23.xc2 bxc2+ 24.xc2 but this is very good for White. ] [ 21...h8 22.g1 c7 23.b1 ad8 looks OK, but then 24.xd5! is good. ] 22.xd5+ h8 The knight on f6 is pinned. 23.xb3! [ 23.xc6?! i s n o t h i n g s p e c i a l : c7 and White has only succeeded in exchanging his powerful bishop, but ] [ 23.dg1 was tempting, e5!? ( 23...c5+ 24.b1 c2+ 25.xc2 bxc2+ 26.xc2 must win ) 24.xe5 c7+ with some chances. ] 673
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 23...xe2 24.g6+! The neat point. hxg6 25.xg6 [ after 25.xg6 e7 is forced, , but then ( 25...e7? 26.h5+ mates ) 26.xf6 xf6 27.h5+ xh5 28.xh5+ h6 is quite hopeless. ] 1-0
White's attack. [ 19...gxf5 might be answered by 20.h5 ] 20.d5+ h8 21.h5! gxh5 22.g2! Tony gains a tempo on c6 and diverts a Black defender from the kingside. c8 23.be1!? To some extent a matter of taste. Alternatively, [ 23.h3! wins the f5 pawn, after which the advance of White's own f-pawn will prove decisive even if Black's king survives. ] 675 A17 Kosten,Anthony C 2527 23...e7 24.xb7 xb7 25.h3 g7 Van der Linden,Lucas 2263 26.xh5 f8 27.d2 d7 Breaking the pin 4NCL Nottingham ENG (6) 23.01.2005 to prepare ...d5, which W hite immediately prevents. 28.e3! fg6? This ends up being [John Watson] time-consuming, since the knight will have to Our fearless Webmaster plays a pretty game defend h7 anyway. Better [ 28...d4 , to divert White from an easy which illustrates again the power of the g4-g5 rook shif t to t he h -f ile , alt hough 29.h2 expansion in nearly every opening these days. e6 30.h3! f8 31.cd5 is hardly fun for 1.c4 f6 2.c3 c5 3.g3 e6 4.f3 b6 5.e4 Black. Perhaps ] b7 6.d3 In general this system hasn't given [ 28...c6 29.ed5 d4+ 30.h2 xe1 Black too much trouble. Still, he can't waste 31.xe1 g6 would have stabilised for a too much time getting a plan going. d6 7.g2 moment. Of course there remains the e7 8.0-0 bd7 Black forfeits the idea of ... problem that Black can hardly move! ] e5, ...Nc6-d4 and aims for a Hedgehog 29.e2! c6 30.h2 f8 31.cd5 d4 formation instead. 9.e1!? Preparing f4. [ 31...xb2 32.h3! d4 33.h1 [ 9.e1 0-0 10.d4 cxd4 11.xd4 c7 and the crucial f-pawn falls. ] 12.b3 a6 13.b2 would be a typical f o r m a t i o n f o r b o t h s i d e s . W h i t e m i g h t 32.c3 b7 [ 32...g8 33.c2! f7 ( 33...xc2 consider a g4-g5 plan at some point. ] 34.xg7 xg7 35.f6 ) 34.xd4 xh5 9...e5!? Now Black switches to a ...Nc6 35.xh5 cxd4 36.cb4! grabs every formation, which is logical but takes time. available square. ] [ 9...0-0?! allows 10.e5! xg2 11.exf6 xf1 12.fxe7 xe7 13.xf1 when White's pieces 33.h1 e6? 34.xd4 xd4 [ 34...cxd4 35.xf5! ] should outweigh the rook and pawn. ] 35.xf5 d8 36.xd4 cxd4 37.f5 [ But 9...c7 10.f4 0-0 11.e3 a6! is a standard setup that has served Black 1-0 well. Who knows? Maybe White can close h i s e y e s a n d p la y 12.g4!? . Amazingly, A17 Fritz8 pref ers W h it e slight ly inste ad o f 676 b l o wi n g a f e w c i rc u it s o ve r h is la c k o f Kramnik,Vladimir 2785 development. ] Carlsen,Magnus 2714 10.f4 c6 11.e3 0-0 12.c2 a6 13.g4! World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (5) 21.11.2007 Whether this objectively gains the advantage [Carsten Hansen] or not, it is perfectly sound and difficult to meet. W hite simply pushes Black's pieces 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.g3 0-0 back and gains space. e8 14.g5 d7 5.b3 This combination of g3 and Qb3 is 15.h4 f8 16.d2 b8 17.a4 g6 18.ab1 somewhat of a Kramnik speciality, and one I have no idea what either side should be which scores well for him. This game is no doing here but Black's next seems logical, to exception... c5 6.g2 c6 7.0-0 d6 challenge the centre. f5 19.exf5 exf5?! [ Black has tried several other moves in this Opening the e-file yet underestimating p o s i t i o n : A ) 7...a5? is tempting, but 674
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 doesn't accomplish anything: 8.c2 xc4 9.a4! A) 9...b5 A1) 10.a3 a5 ( 10...bxa4 11.axb4 ) 11.xc5 Ribli; A2) 10.a3; B) 9...d5 10.a3 ( 10.d3 b6 11.xc5 bd7= Ribli ) 10...a5 11.d3 b6 ( 11...d6 12.xc5 ) 12.xc5 bd7 13.b4 B1) 13...c7! 14.b2 b6 15.xd7 xd7 16.e5 ( 16.xf6 gxf6 17.e4 c8 18.b3 c6 19.d4 a8 20.exd5 e5= Ribli; 16.fc1 c8 17.b3 Ribli ) 16...c8 17.xd7 xd7 which Ribli evaluates as very slightly better for White thanks to White's bishop pair; B2) 13...xc5 14.bxa5 B2a) 14...xa5 15.d2 c7 ( 15...b6 16.e3 fd7 17.fc1+- ) 16.ac1 ( 16.fc1 Ribli b6 17.d4+- ); B2b) 14...b6 15.e3 Garcia Ilundain, D-Psakhis, L/Benasque 1995 ] [ B) 7...d5 8.d3 xc3 ( 8...h6 9.e3 e8 10.a3 dxc4 11.dxc4 xc3 12.xc3 e5 13.b4 Kasparov, G-Anand, V/PCA-Wch/ 1995; 8...d4!? 9.a4 d6 10.e3 a5 11.exd4 cxd4 12.g5 e5 13.a3 h6 14.xf6 xf6 15.c2 g4 1/2-1/2 Izoria, Z - S a d y k o v , R / N a k h c h i v a n A Z E 2 0 0 3) 9.xc3 d4 10.a3 b6 11.f4 e8 12.e5 Ehlvest, J-Kortschnoj, V/Horgen 1995 ] [ C) 7...e7 8.d3 h6 9.a3 a5 10.e3 d8 11.c2 a6 12.d4 d5 13.dxc5 xc3 14.xc3 xc5 15.b3 b5 16.b2 bxc4 17.bxc4 Kramnik, V-Illescas Cordoba, M/ Yerevan 1996 ] [ D) 7...a6 8.d3 b8 9.d1 d6 10.g5 h6 11.xf6 xf6 12.e4 e7 13.a3 a5 Ch u ch e lo v, V -B a kla n, V/ B in d la ch G E R 2006 ] 8.d3 h6 [ 8...b8 9.h4 d7 10.d2 a6 11.a3 a5 12.d1 b5 13.b4 c7 14.cxb5 axb5 15.b1 cxb4= Kavalek, L-Ree, H/NED/ 1969/ ] 9.e3 [ 9.a3 a5 10.e3 b8 11.d4 d7 12.d1 e7 13.d2 c7 14.b5 b6 15.dxc5
dxc5 16.c3 e5 17.a4 a6 18.a3 c7 1/2-1/2 Pelletier, Y-Mastrovasilis, A/Athens GRE 2005 ] 9...e5 [ 9...b8!? 10.a3 xc3 11.xc3 b5 12.b3 b6 13.d2 d8 14.b2 bxc4 15.xc4 c7 16.b4 cxb4 17.axb4 xb4 18.a5 Bezold, M-Kortschnoj, V/Muenster 1996 ] 10.d2 [ 10.a3 a5 ( 10...xc3!? 11.xc3 a5 ) 11.d2 e7?! 12.d5 xd5 13.cxd5 xd2 ( 13...b8 14.c4 ) 14.xd2 ( 14.dxc6? xc1 15.cxb7 xb7 16.xb7 ab8 ) 14...b8 15.d4 d7?! ( 15...cxd4 16.exd4 exd4 17.fe1 f6 Ribli ) 16.dxe5 xe5 17.f4 Kramnik, V-Hracek, Z/Berlin 1996 ] 10...f5 [ 10...xc3 this is natural, because the bishop on b4 is already out of the game, whereas the knight on c3 is part of the fight over control of the centre, in particular the d5-square. 11.xc3 A) Premature, Ribli gives 11...e6 12.f4 d7 13.fxe5?! ( 13.e4! looks better CH ) 13...dxe5 14.xf6? gxf6 15.e4 e7; B) 11...d5?! 12.cxd5 xd5 13.xc5 db4 14.b3 ( 14.d4 exd4 15.e4 e6 is comfortable for Black - Ribli) 14...xd3 15.c3 xc1 16.axc1 e6 17.e4 ( 17.xc6? bxc6 18.e4 a5 19.fd1= Ribli ) 17...e7 18.c5! Kramnik, VAdams, M/Dortmund 1996 ] [ 10...e6!? 11.de4 xe4= is given by Dolmatov ] 11.a3 xc3 12.xc3 d7 13.e1 h3 14.h1 ac8 [ 14...a5!? ] 15.b4 b6 16.b2 fe8 17.b3 h5 18.f3 f5 19.h4 d7 20.c3 h7 21.d1 g4 22.f3 h3 23.f4 f6 24.f3 g4 [ 24...g4!? ] 25.b5 d8 26.a4 e4 27.xg4 xg4 28.d4 [ 28.dxe4!? xe4 29.d5 e6 30.f5 ] 28...cxd4 [ 28...d5!? ] 29.xd4 f6 30.ed1 h3 31.xd6 g4 32.d2 [ 32.d2!? ] 32...xc4 675
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 32...e6! ] 33.d7 f8 34.xg7 xg7 35.f5+ h7 [ 35...g8 36.d6 c3 37.xe4 xe3 38.g5 xg3+ 39.hxg3 xg3+= ] 36.d6 c3??+[ 36...b4! ] 37.xe4 e6 38.xc3 xe3 39.d3+ f5 40.d5 d8 41.e4 h6 42.e5 xg3 43.f6+ h7 44.xf7+ g7 45.hxg3 xd5 46.xd5 xg3+ 47.g2 e3+ 48.h1 f5 49.g1 1-0
677
A17 Kramnik,Vladimir 2766 Ivanchuk,Vassily 2750 Amber Rapid Monte Carlo MNC rapid (5) [Carsten Hansen] 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.c2 0-0 5.a3 xc3 6.xc3 d6 7.b4 Here also 7 d4 and 7 g3 have been played on several occasions. a5 [ 7...e5 8.b2 ( 8.g3 c6 9.b5 e7 10.g2 c5 11.bxc6 xc6 12.0-0 e8 13.b2 g4 14.h3 d7 15.d3 c8 16.d2 c7 17.e4 e7 with chances to both sides, Arduman, C-Maksimovic, S/ Katerini 1993 ) A) 8...b6 9.e3 c5 10.e2 b7 11.0-0 bd7 12.d3 c8 13.a4 e8 14.e4 cxb4 15.xb4 a5 16.a3 c5 17.d2 c6 with a fully satisfactory position for Black, Ivkov, B-Langeweg, K/Wijk aan Zee 1971; B) 8...c6 B1) 9.b5 e7 10.e3 b6 ( 10...f5!? 11.d3 a6 looks pretty decent for Black) 11.e2 b7 12.0-0 e4 13.c2 g6 14.e1 f5 15.f3 c5 16.d4 e6 17.d5 c5 18.d3 Portisch, L-Larsen, B/Palma de Mallorca 1971; B2) 9.e3 e4 10.c2 f5 11.e2 a5 12.d3 f6 13.b5 e7 14.c5 Portisch, L-Larsen, B/Las Palmas 1976; C) 8...e8 9.g3 ( 9.d3?! g4 10.e3 bd7 11.h3 xf3 12.gxf3 d5 13.0-0-0 c5 , and White is already in trouble, Barbero, G-Timman, J/Novi Sad OL 1990) 9...b6 ( 9...bd7 10.g2 b6 11.0-0 e4 12.d4 c5 13.c2 g4 14.fe1 c8
15.e3 a4 and Black has equalised without much effort, Jelen, I-Kuzmin, G/ Bled 1979 ) 10.g2 b7 11.0-0 c5 ( 11...bd7 12.d3 c5 13.e4 f8 14.h4 e6 15.ae1 d4 16.c1 d7 17.f4 Schmidt, W -Kholmov, R/Legnica 1994) 12.e3 bd7 13.d3 c8 14.e4 a6 15.h4 b5 16.f5 b6 with a doublee d g e d p o si t i o n , S za b o , L - L a r s e n , B / Lugano 1970 ] [ 7...bd7 8.g3 b6 9.g2 b7 10.0-0 c5 11.b2 A) 11...c7 12.d3 fc8 13.fc1 e5 14.h3 e8 15.e4 f8 16.h4 ( 16.a4!? ) 16...e6 17.d2 d8 18.xe6 fxe6 19.ab1 ( 19.a4!? ) 19...c6 20.e2 e7 21.g2 f7 with a satisf actory position f or Black , Illescas Cordoba, M-Karpov, A/Wijk aan Zee 1993; B) 11...e7 12.d3 fc8 13.e4 f8 14.fe1 a6 15.d2 ab8 16.d4 , and White has the upper hand, Lobron, EAdams, M Brussels SWIFT 25' 1992; C) 11...c8 C1) 12.d3 e8 ( 12...c7 13.a4 Georgiev, Ki-Lobron, E Tilburg1.1992) 13.e4 Kasparov, G-Karpov, An New York/Lyon Wch m(24) 1990; C2) 12.c2 c7 13.bxc5 bxc5 14.ab1 c6 15.c3 c8 16.d3 b8 17.e4 xb1 18.xb1 c7 19.d2 b8 20.xb8+ xb8 21.b3 xb3 22.xb3 and White has a slightly better endgame thanks to his bishop pair, and in fact managed to convert it to a win, Dueball, J-Hecht, H/ Bundesliga 1990 ] 8.b2 e5 [ 8...axb4 9.axb4 xa1+ 10.xa1 b6 11.g3 b7 12.g2 bd7 13.0-0 e7 14.b2 a8 15.d4 xg2 16.xg2 e8= Azmaiparashvili, Z-Corral Blanco, J/ Ponferrada 1992 ] 9.g3 [ 9.e3 bd7 ( 9...g4!? ) 10.e2 b6 11.c2 g4 12.0-0 e8 13.d3 d7 14.fd1 a4 15.c3 Furman, S-Kholmov, R/ USSR Ch (Baku) 1972 ] 9...axb4!? [ 9...e4 10.c2 g5 11.xg5 xg5 12.b5 d7 13.g2 c5 14.0-0 h5 676
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 15.d4 exd4 16.xd4 e8 17.fe1 Lengyel, L-Hecht, H/Budapest 1973 ] 10.axb4 xa1+ 11.xa1 b5!? This is a fascinating concept in this variation. Black appears to get a position where he plays for a win without any further ado. 12.cxb5 d7!? [ Even 12...d7 can be considered, but this is not part of Ivanchuk's concept. ] 13.e3 [ On 13.c4 Black still plays c8 and if 14.d4 then e4 15.d2 e3! 16.fxe3 b7 17.g1 xb5 with amble compensation for the pawn ] 13...c8 14.e2 b7 15.d3 xb5 [ 15...g4!? 16.e4 xb5 17.h3 xf3 18.xf3 c6 19.0-0 b8 20.g2 b7 21.b1 h6 ] 16.0-0 c6 [ 16...c6?! ] 17.b1 [ 17.b3 e7 18.c1 c6 19.e4 b5 ] 17...a6!? [ 17...e4!? 18.d4 xd4 19.xd4 a8 20.f1 exd3 21.xd3 xd3 22.xd3 e4 23.d4 f6 , and Black has the better chances. However, Ivancuk prefers to keep the pieces on due to White's lack of overall activity andcoordination ] 18.b3 a8 19.d2?! [ 19.e1!? a2 20.xa2 xa2 21.d1 a7 ] 19...a2 Black is already clearly better and on the verge of something more. 20.c3 xb3 21.xb3 a2 22.f1? [ 22.f3?! e7 A) 23.e4 fd5 24.b2 ( 24.e1 f5 25.d2 a4 26.b1 c2 27.c1 xb4-+ ) 24...h6 25.h4 a4-+; B) 23.b1 xd3-+ ] [ 22.b2 a1+ 23.b1 xb1+ 24.xb1 d5 25.f3 cxb4 26.d4 d3 27.xb4 xb4 28.c3 c5 29.dxc5 dxc5 ] 22...d5! and now Black wins a piece. The rest of the game is relatively interesting as Kramnik plays on, but never really has any chance and Ivanchuk rather methodically eliminates whatever counterplay Kramnik has dreamed up. 23.g2 ce7 24.b2 a4 25.a3 xb2 26.xa4 b6 27.a7 xd2 28.xc7 f8 29.b7 d1+ 30.f1 ec8 31.b5 a1 32.c7 g6 33.h4 b1 34.d4
exd4 35.exd4 e7 36.g2 h5 37.b7 bd5 38.b8+ g7 39.d8 b2 40.g1 f5 41.c4 b1+ 42.h2 f6 43.f3 b2+ 44.h3 xd4 0-1
678 Kramnik,Vladimir Zhang Zhong Wijk aan Zee NED (6) [Tony Kosten]
A17 2777 2639 17.01.2004
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.c2 0-0 5.a3 xc3 6.xc3 b6 7.e3 In some ways the least ambitious move, but if Kramnik plays it ... [ We have also looked at 7.g3 and ] [ 7.b4 ] 7...b7 8.e2 d6 9.0-0 bd7 10.b4 Kramnik plays this only af ter having f irst developed his kingside. c5 Black reacts in the centre, this move gives the possibility of pressurizing the c4-pawn. [ 10...e5 blocks the long diagonal, 11.d3 e7 12.b2 with a plus for White Vokac,MLechtynsky,J/Marianske Lazne 1978. In both ca se s B la c k p la ce s h is p a wn s o n d a r k squares to impede the white light-squared bishop. ] 11.b2 e8!? A novelty in a common position. [ 11...e7 is the most popular, and has similar ideas, see the game Gustafsson,JKhalifman ,A. ] [ 11...c8 puts pressure on the c-line, Portisch,L-Najdorf,M/Wijk aan Zee 1978. ] 12.d4 Gaining space at the (temporary) cost of the e4-square. e4 13.b3 b8 14.ad1 c7 15.d2 ef6!? Interesting, normally with less space Black should be happy to exchange a pair of pieces, and yet here he ref uses. Perhaps he con sidered that th e knight was misplaced on d2, or perhaps he simply wanted a more exciting position with m o r e p i e c e s . 16.c1 a5 17.fd1 e5 Black follows his plan of putting all his pawns on dark squares. 18.f1 axb4 19.axb4 h6 20.a1 ec8 Black plays solidly, ready to c o u n t e r W h i t e ' s p l a n s . 21.b2 A small repetition to gain time on the clock, 677
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 perhaps? e8 22.dxc5 dxc5 23.b1! The knight heads for the b5 square. cxb4 24.xb4 c5 The black knight finds a good square on c5, White's advantage (the bishop pair) seems to amount to very little here. 25.c3 bd8 26.b1 The b6-pawn is the target. c6 27.a1 xd1 28.xd1 d8?! Careless, B lack is keen on exchanging the last pair of rooks, when the draw would be close, but misses a neat tactic. 29.b5! xb5 Forced, [ 29...e7?! 30.xd8+ xd8 31.xe5 wins a pawn for nothing. ] 30.xe5! xe5 Black has little choice, the position of two knight versus rook and two pawns is unpleasant but otherwise he loses a pawn for nothing. 31.xd8+ e8 32.xb6 I am not sure that this position is winning for White, the c-pawn is well blocked, but it takes a lot of patience to defend it. e7 33.c8 fd7 34.c7 f8 35.g3 e6 36.c6 g6 Th e b la c k p o s it ion is so lid , b u t p a s sive . 37.h3 f5 If White is able to capture on e6 the c-pawn will be free to advance. 38.g2 g7 39.d5 ec5 40.a8 f7 41.a1+ f6 42.a7 White is probing the black position, hoping that Black will buckle under the pressure. a6 Black is unable to return to e7: [ 42...e7? 43.xc5 xc5 44.xd7 wins immediately. ] 43.xa6 xa6 44.f3 Without queens on the board W hite can advance his king and kingside pawns. ac5 45.f2 f6 46.c6+ e6 47.e2 e5 48.f4+ f6 49.d2 e7 B l a c k d e f e n d s w e l l . 50.f3 b3+!? Black plays a tactical sequence to simplify matters, but perhaps he should have preferred something like [ 50...a4 51.c2 dc5 ] 51.c3 a5 52.a6 Forced, or White loses t h e c 4 - p a w n . xc4 53.xe6+ xe6 54.xc4 An extra pawn on just one wing with bishop against knight is not the most promising scenario, but here the white king is active, and the black knight short of good squares. g5 55.d5+ f6 This takes the f6square from the knight but [ 55...d6 56.d4 f6 57.b7 is also difficult, Bc8 is a problem, attacking the f5-pawn. ]
56.c6 f8 57.d5 g6 58.d6 e7 59.b7 g6 60.f3 f8 Black hopes to survive by moving his knight from f8-g6, to break this W hite will have to advance his kingside pawns. 61.d5 g6 62.c6 f8 63.d7 g6 64.h3 h5 The best chance, [ 64...f8 65.h4! gxh4 66.gxh4 g6 67.h5 and Black loses use of the g6-square, and will soon be in zugzwang. ] 65.fxg5+ xg5 66.h4+! g4!? A difficult decision, if Black can only swap his knight for the g and e-pawns he would draw by virtue of the 'bad h-pawn', but it is difficult to achieve this. [ 66...f6! l o o k s b a d a f t e r 67.e8 but Black has the resource e5 68.d5 ( 68.xh5? c4+ draws ) 68...g4 69.d4 h2! (the knight works wonders!) 70.xh5 f1 and Black seems to have achieved his g o a l , b u t t h e n t h e r e i s 71.e4! fxe4 ( 71...xg3?! 72.e5+ g7 73.f3 ) 72.g4 with connected passed pawns, but Black is still not dead: g3! 73.g5+ f5 74.d1 f4! 75.g6 f5+ 76.c5 e5 77.h5 f6 and draws as the knight will play Nh4xg6. ] 67.e4 xg3 68.exf5 h8? A terrible decision, perhaps due to a shortage of time. [ 68...f8! might just do the trick: 69.f6 ( 69.e7 h7 70.f7 xh4 71.g7 g5 72.f6 g3 73.h6 f4 74.xh5?! h7 drawing ) 69...xh4 70.f7 g5 71.e7 g6+ 72.e8 f6 this looks bad but Black has a fabulous resource, e.g. 73.b5 g7 74.d3 f8 75.f5 h4 76.e7 h3! 77.xh3 g6+ 78.e8 f8 79.f5 (zugzwang?) h8! 80.xf8 stalemate!! ] 69.e7 xh4 70.f6! The knight is miserably placed on h8. g4 71.g7 g5 72.f6 [ 72.xh8?? f6 ] 72...h4 73.c8 h5 74.f5! [ 74.xh8?? g6 ] 74...g5 75.e6 g6 Black has to let the pawn advance, he has no other moves. 76.f7 f4 77.c8 h5+ Obviously hopeless, but [ 77...g6 is no better, 78.d7 ] 78.h7 1-0
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Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xh6 and Black may defend. ] A17 Krasenkow,Michal 2702 22...xd2+ 23.xd2 Black is temporarily a Dydyshko,Viacheslav 2525 p a wn t o t h e g o o d , b u t h a s n o m e a n s o f chT Zakopane chT (1) 02.09.2000 defending g7. g6 24.hxg6 fxg6 25.xg6+ f7 26.h7 [Tony Kosten] [ 26.h7 h8 27.f1+ e7 28.e1+! f7 29.g2 leads to a quick mate, the black king 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.g4 has no cover, i.e. hd8 30.h8! xh8 xc3!? 31.f2+ g7 32.g1+ h6 33.h2# ] [ A newish idea, the idea being that after 4...d5 5.g5 it is not possible to bring the 1-0 knight to e4 after xc3 because of the reply 6.bxc3 e4 7.d3 xc3 8.b3 d4 9.xd4 A17 xd4 10.b2 with a large advantage. So by 680 capturing immediately on c3, Black can then Krasenkow,Michal 2661 play ...d5 and then ...Ne4, should W hite Romanishin,Oleg M 2578 recapture with the d-pawn. ] Leonid Stein Mem (1) 12.05.2000 5.dxc3 [Tony Kosten] [ 5.bxc3 is also possible, when Play might resemble a Nimzo-Indian after d6 , say. ] 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.g4 0-0!? 5...d5 Provocative, but undoubtedly playable. 5.g5 [ So this is the point of Dydyshko's idea, e8 6.c2 d5 7.b3 p r e v i o u s l y 5...d6 had been played, 6.g5 [ White allow s the pawn to advance, fd7 7.c2 c6 with a solid position for natu rally he pre f ers to ke ep the ce ntre Black, but W hite's extra space, and two closed, 7.a3 e7 8.cxd5 exd5 9.d4 bishops, means that he is on top, allows Black simple development, Roiz,MRazuvajeva, J-Zvereva,M/St Petersburg Alienkin,A/Beersheba 1998. ] 1999. ] 7...e7 6.g5 e4 It will prove difficult to force this [ A logical new move, 7...c6 8.b2 e7 knight to move from this strong square, now 9.g1 b4 10.b1 c5 11.h4 led to similar that White no longer has a d-pawn. 7.f4 0-0 play in Zhukova,N-Lakos,N/Nova Gorica 8.e3 b6 9.c2 b7 10.0-0-0 d7 11.g1 SLO 1999. ] a6 12.h4 b5 Both sides attack the opposing 8.g1 c5 9.e3 c6 10.d3!? A doubleking position. 13.cxd5 exd5 14.h5 dc5 edged move. f5 15.e5 However, it seems that White's attack [ 10...b4!? is wild: 11.xh7+ h8 12.b1 is quicker, already the thrust g6 is on the dxc4 ( 12...d4? appears strong, but loses cards. e6 16.d3 e7 17.f3! White does after 13.e4! dxc3 14.h4 manage to play this move, and, at the with a devastating discovered attack next temporary cost of a pawn, gains an move. ) 13.bxc4!? g6 14.xg6 fxg6 appreciable advantage. 4xg5 18.xg5 15.e5 unclear. ] xg5 19.f4 h6 11.gxf6 xf6 12.a3 e8 13.b2 h5 [ Surely not Black's original intention, but 14.e2 d4!? This turns-out to be more after the natural 19...e4? 20.xe4 dxe4 dangerous for Black than for White. 15.xd4 21.g2 is winning, as after f6 there is the xd4 16.exd4 xh2 The idea behind stunning move ( 21...f6 22.d7 ) 22.d6!! Black's play, winning a pawn, but at the same ( a rook sacrifice to close the sixth rank, the time this opens lines against his king. 17.0-0-0 immediate 22.g4 is easily met by b6 ) cxd4 18.e4 f4 19.d3 xe4 22...cxd6 23.g4 e6 24.f5 [ 19...g6 might be a better defence, 20.xd4 and the queen is lost, if she leaves the sixth xa3+ 21.b1 e7 ] rank then: c4 25.f6+ h8 26.xg7# ] 20.xe4 h6 21.xd4! Otherwise Black will 20.fxg5 xe5 21.gxh6 xe3+ 22.d2! play ...e5 to close the a1-h8 diagonal. f6? [ The endgame is crushing, no t 22.b1? [ After this Black doesn't even get a pawn for 679
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Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 13.0-0 e5 14.e3 c8 15.d3 c7 16.fd1 c8 17.ac1 a5 with chances to both sides, Uhlmann,W-Kortchnoi,V/Hastings 1976. ] 11...c6 12.e3 c8 13.b3 e7 14.b2 fd8 Black has finished his development with h i s p i e c e s o n i d e a l s q u a r e s . 15.ac1 White has yet to fully complete his mobilisation, but enjoys the bishop pair, and says to Black "how are you going to exploit your lead in development before my bishops get going?" f6 [ 15...c7 16.fd1 e8 17.b1 h6 s e e m s wo r s e , I b r a g i m o v, I - B e l i k o v , V / Moscow 1998, but ] [ 15...e5 is certainly possible now (or even earlier, as in the Korchnoi game). ] 16.fd1 h6 17.b1! White still bides his time, and brings the queen to b2 to augment the pressure along the a1-h8 diagonal. [ The immediate 17.c3?! allows b4! ] 17...h7!? A new move here, but maybe not the best. In Rubinetti,J-Polugaevsky,L/Toluca 1982 Black preferred [ 17...a6!? 18.d3 b7 19.c3 ( 19.a1!? ) 19...d5 20.a1 e5 with fairly equal play, and ] [ 17...a5!? is also possible, 18.c3 d5!? 681 A17 pu t t in g p re ssu re o n b 3 , a n d so 19.xa5 bxa5 and although the black queenside Malakhov,Vladimir 2672 structure is shattered he will have lots of Nikolenko,Oleg 2521 play down the b-file. ] City-ch Moscow RUS (3.1) 22.04.2003 18.c3 Preparing Qb2, and possibly b4. a5 [Tony Kosten] I am not sure this is entirely necessary, [ 18...g5 would justify Black's previous In many ways this game seems to me an move, e.g. 19.xg5 xg5 and if 20.b4 c4 ] 'ideal' Flank game: W hite allows Black the f6 Black has to blunt the bishop's centre and simply manoeuvers his pieces into 19.b2 st ro n g squ ares an d t hrea t en s f ro m a f a r, pressure on the diagonal, but this weakens Stopping ...Ng5 before countering in the centre, when the the kingside pawns. 20.h4 game explodes into sharp tactics, and White once and for all. a7 21.d4 White finally 22.e1 wins! 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 pla ys t h is ce n t ral t h ru st . b5 4.c2 0-0 5.a3 xc3 6.xc3 b6 7.g3 b7 White needs to preserve both his bishops to 8.g2 d5 9.cxd5 xd5 The most natural count on an advantage, and the knight an easily be driven b ack f rom b5 later. cxd4 reply, keeping the pawn structure solid, 23.xc8 xc8 24.a4 e4? [ 9...exd5 is the alternative. ] 10.c2 We have already examined the Black miscalculates the sharp tactics, the simple unusual [ 24...c3 i s b e s t , f o r a f t e r 25.xd4 [ 10.c4!? in Dydyshko,V-Dautov,R/Batumi B l a c k h a s t h e r e s o u r c e e5 26.d3 GEO 1999. ] (where else?) e4 27.d1 and providing 10...c5 11.0-0 Black can bring his h7-knight back into the [ 11.b3 c6 12.b2 could transpose, but game he should be OK. ] now Black played more aggressively: e8
h i s t r o u b l e s , 21...xa3+ 22.b1 e5 23.e3 and Black has the resource xe4! 24.xe4 f5 although White is slightly better after 25.xf5 xf5 26.xh6 ] 22.e3 d6 Menacing mate in two, starting 23...Qxa3+. 23.c5 a6 24.a4 a5? [ Black continues to play for an attack, but W h i t e g e t s i n f i r s t , b e t t e r 24...h8 although White is on top now. ] 25.xh6 Now Black is lost. b4 Can you find the forced mate? 26.xg7+!! xg7 27.h7+ h8 28.xg7+ xg7 29.g6+ h8 30.h5 [ 30.g1 amounts to the same. ] 30...xf2 [ 30...a3+ 31.c2 a2+ 32.c3 and the checks run out. ] 31.e4+ [ 31.f5+ is slightly quicker. ] 31...g7 32.g1+ f8 33.h6+ e7 34.g7+ f7 35.g5+ e8 36.g8+ [ 36.g8+ f8 37.h5+ e7 38.g7+ d8 39.h4+ is mate in a couple of moves. ] 1-0
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Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 25.axb5 b7 This is the point of Black's combo, the knight has no way to retreat and defend the g2-bishop as both h4 and e1 are occupied. However, it is now that the weakening of the black kingside comes into play. 26.h3! [ 26.e2 c2 27.d2 d3 28.d1 is a l s o p o s s i b le , a l t h o u g h s e e m s ve r y uncomfortable for White. ] 26...xf3 27.xe6+ h8 28.xd4 The simple solution, obviously White avoids the line [ 28.xc8 xc8 29.xd4 because of the retort g5! 30.hxg5 h3 when it seems that there is no defence to mate, but on 31.d8+ h7 32.c2+ f5 White wins by the astounding 33.g6+ xg6 34.c6+! xc6 35.bxc6 and Black has no way to stop the c-pa wn queen ing! The only try is f4 36.exf4 e6 but then 37.c7 xe1+ 38.g2 e4+ 39.h2 c2 40.c8 xf2+ 41.h3 f1+ 42.h4 h1+ 43.h3 and there is no perpetual! ] 28...e8 29.f5 f8 30.c2 White has an extra pawn and the bishop pair, so has every chance to win. f7 31.d3 h5 32.f4 e6? A tactical error, first [ 32...a8 is best, followed by ...Ne6, if possible. ] 33.xf3! White is on his toes. xf3 34.d7 c7 35.g6 e2 If the rook moves, then Q x c 7 w i n s . 36.xe8 This is good, but, objectively, [ 36.c3! must be even stronger. e.g. f8 37.xc7 d1+ 38.g2 xb3 39.c6 a4 40.d4 winning easily. ] 36...xe1+ 37.g2 xe8 38.xe8+ h7 39.e4+ h8 40.d4 b1 41.xb6 e4+ [ 41...xb3 42.xa5 is hopeless. ] 42.h2 f3 43.b8+ h7 44.f4 d5 45.b6 White's extra two pawns are more than sufficient to win the game. b5 46.e4+ f5 47.e6 1-0
682 Mamedyarov,Shakhriyar Naiditsch,Arkadij 4th YM Lausanne SUI (3.1) [Tony Kosten]
A17 2585 2574 21.09.2003
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.g4 h6 5.g1 b6 6.c2 b7 7.a3 f8!? A novelty, the bishop returns to defend the g7pawn, Black hopes to gain a tempo over [ 7...e7 8.g5 hxg5 9.xg5 f8 ( w e e x a m i n e d 9...h5 in Najer, EPedersen,N) 10.d4 of Zvjaginsev,V-Adams, M/Moscow RUS 2001. ] 8.d4 In view of Black's last, White decides to ke ep g5 in re se rve . d6?! A little passive, Black aims for a solid set-up, but allows White to gain a lot of space. [ 8...c5!? ] 9.e4 bd7 10.e3 a6 11.0-0-0 I have to say that I like White's position here, he has a big centre, and has almost completed development. c5 Black strikes in the centre. 12.d5 e5 Black's play is logical in that he should be keeping the centre closed, but where is his counterplay? For his part, White can simply prepare the push of his g-pawn to open the black kingside. 13.h4 g6 [ 13...h5!? is also worthy of consideration, 14.g5 g4 and Black will exchange a piece. ] 14.g5 hxg5 15.hxg5 h5 The knight is temporarily safe, but without the support of the other black pieces will soon find itself driven from its post. 16.h3 g7 17.h1 Already threatening Bg4xh5. b5!? Black must h for some counterplay, as it is clear that he is in a bad way on the kingside. 18.cxb5 b6 19.bxa6 [ 19.f1! looks like a good move, too, Black's play for the pawn is significantly less than in the Benko. ] 19...xa6 20.g4 c4 Black has a couple of open files, and active pieces, in front of the white king, and in practical play, who knows? 21.xh5! At first sight White swaps a powerful bishop for a poor knight, but in fact, following Tartakower's dictum, it is not important which pieces have b een exchange d, but rathe r which pieces have been left - and a white knight will now come to f5 and dominate the 681
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 g7-bishop. gxh5 22.h4 b6 [ 22...c8 controls f5, but after 23.dg1 White will continue Nf5, and after ...Bxf5 he will establish his other knight on e4. ] [ 22...xe3 23.fxe3 xg5? loses to 24.f5 f8 25.a4+ ] 23.f5 f8 24.dg1 Making room for the knight, although [ 24.h4!? b8 25.a4 seems strong, White will proceed with Rdh1 and capture the h-pawn. ] 24...b8 25.d1 Now b2 is solidly protected, and White can try to exploit his advantages on the other wing. a5 26.g6 f6 Ugly, but what else? 27.h3 c4 28.d2 b3+ 29.b1 a6 Black tries to generate some play, but short of a white blunder it is unlikely he will ge t ve ry f ar wit ho u t h is kin gsid e p iece s. 30.c3 xd2+ 31.xd2 e2 32.h3 [ 32.de3! immediately, is even simpler, the threat is to capture the 'bad' bishop on g7 and then play Nf5+ (that Tartakower dictum again!) ] 32...f1 33.c3 e2 34.de3! The same position is reached and White finds the right path. g4 There is nothing better. 35.c2 b5 36.b3 xf5 37.xf5 The culmination of W hite's strategy, the knight totally dominates the black bishop and kingside. b6 38.gg3 [ 38.xb6! xb6 39.a4 is very effective, Qd7 is the menace, and after b7 40.xd6 Blac k c ann ot parry b oth Qe 8 m ate an d Qd7. ] 38...h4 39.xb6 xb6 40.a4 White will force mate in a few moves. 1-0
5...b7 6.d3 d6 [ 6...d5!? is possible, 7.cxd5 exd5 8.e5 fd7 9.d4 cxd4 10.xd4 ( 10.b5!? ) 10...xe5 11.b5+ bd7 12.e2 e7 13.0-0 with a strong initiative for the pawn, Platonov,I-Grigorian,K/Leningrad 1971. ] 7.g2 e7 8.0-0 0-0 [ 8...a6 9.e1!? is another way to force f4, ( 9.b3 ) 9...c6 10.f4 0-0 11.g4!? d7 12.f3 e5 13.g5!? with interesting chance for White on the kingside, Dzindzichashvili, R-Browne,W/Tilburg 1978. ] 9.g5!? This looks ridiculous, but reminds me of various openings where the same idea is employed to free the f-pawn. [ 9.h3 is more 'standard', a6 10.b3 c6!? 11.b2 b5 12.e5!? dxe5 13.xe5 xg2 14.xg2 was nothing special for White in Portisch, L-Yudasin,L/Manila 1990. ] 9...fd7 Quite surprisingly, this position has been seen before, and there Black preferred [ 9...h6 which demonstrates the point of W h i t e ' s n i n t h : 10.h3 c6 11.f4 and the knight can always drop back to f2 to suppo rt the kin gsid e pa wn adva nce , Staricek,P-Flasik,R/SVK 1999. ] 10.h4!? White could also play his knight immediately to h3, but would prefer to provoke ...h6, which slightly weakens the black kingside. Black's idea was that after [ 10.f4?! he can play xg5 11.fxg5 c6 with great squares for his knights on d4 and e5. ] 10...h6 11.h3 c6 12.f4 d4 13.e3 b8 With the centre closed Black must look f o r cou nt e rp la y o n t he qu ee nside , a s h e cannot simply allow White to push his kingside and gain a strong attack. 14.h2 c6!? This allows a surprising tactic, perhaps 683 A17 [ 14...a6 was safer, planning ...b5. ] Morozevich,Alexander 2679 15.xd4! cxd4 16.b5 The knight forks a7 Lutz,Christopher 2631 and d4, and so Black's next is obligatory. 17.cxb5 It takes good judgement to It Biel SUI (4) 24.07.2003 xb5 realise that this position is good for W hite. [Tony Kosten] The b5-pawn hampers Black on the 1.c4 f6 2.c3 c5 3.g3 e6 4.f3 b6 queenside, and c6 may prove a useful staging Black aims to transpose into a Hedgehog. post for a white piece later in the game. f6 18.g1! White wants to force Black to defend 5.e4!? 19.a4 a6!? [ 5.g2 b7 would be more normal, but d4 by continuing Nf3. d7 White prefers to play a Hedgehog with the d- Opening the queenside, as the a-pawn is easily recuperated. 20.bxa6 a7 21.h3 pawn on d3, instead of d4. ] 682
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 This move controls g4, as the immediate [ 21.f3? allows g4+ 22.g1 e3 ] 21...xa6 22.f3 White obviously aimed for a position like this when he played his 15th move. Not only is he threatening the d4-pawn, but g4-5 is an annoying threat, which is why he wanted Black to play ...h6 earlier. b5 23.a5 a7 24.g4 h7 25.g5 hxg5 26.hxg5 g6 Black attempt s to defend his kingside, as his queenside counterplay does not amount to v e r y m u c h . 27.d2 b4 28.f5 Further breeching the black defences, it is at this point that he would like a light-squared bishop to defend the e6-pawn! b5 [ 28...e5 29.f6 d8 30.h1 will quickly force mate along the h-file, as the black king is all on its own. ] 29.a6! There is no need to give the a-pawn, as it might prove useful later-on. [ 29.f6 d8 30.f4 is strong, but after xa5 31.xa5 xa5 32.h4 Black may be able to sacrifice a piece for the f and g-pawns to stop the attack. ] 29...b6 30.fxg6 [ 30.f6 is not bad, once again. Psakhis once said to me that such a pawn 'is worth a rook!' ] 30...fxg6 31.xe6+ g7 32.d5!? Th is ke e ps a lid o n B lack's co un t erp la y, although [ 32.c4 d5!? 33.exd5 d6+ is probably nothing much. for Black ] 32...xa6 33.ac1 d7 34.g2!? White goes for gold. [ 34.xb4 is obviously quite good. ] 34...f4?! [ 34...h8 is t h e o n ly t ry, 35.g1 f8 but this only defers the end to a later date after 36.g3 planning Qh4, and Nxd4. ] 35.g3 g4 [ 35...f8 36.h4 h8 37.xd4 is also crushing. ] 36.e5!! A stunner! dxe5 [ 36...xg3 allows a nice mate: 37.f7+ g8 38.xe7+ f8 39.xg6# ] 37.f7+ h8 38.xh7+! xh7 39.h3+ It will be mate on h6. 1-0
684 Morozevich,Alexander Van Wely,Loek Corus A Wijk aan Zee NED (1) [John Watson]
A17 2741 2679 15.01.2005
1.c4 f6 2.c3 c5 3.g3 e6 4.f3 b6 5.e4 b7 6.d3 It's hard to get anything out of this move. Black decides to set up a Hedgehog. c6 [ A more active approach would aim for ...d5, as in the line 6...e7 7.g2 0-0 8.0-0 d5 ] 7.g2 d6 8.0-0 a6 [ Also possible is 8...e7 9.d4 e5!? ] 9.d4 cxd4 10.xd4 c8 11.xc6 xc6 Black has already organized an ideal piece p l a c e m e n t . 12.e2 e7 13.d1 c7 14.f4 d7 15.ac1 b7 Versus Nd5. Now White has space but no real targets. 16.a4 c6 [ 16...c6 doesn't seem to allow anything b e t t e r t h a n 17.c3 when White has to switch plans. Now Black's position is typical of a solid Hedgehog with no real way for White to make progress. The play eventually simplifies. ] 17.b3 0-0 18.f1 c7 19.b4 e5 20.xe5 dxe5 21.c5!? bxc5 [ 21...b5! 22.b6 cd8 equalizes. ] 22.xc5 g5 23.c3 fd8 24.h4 d2 25.c4 b6 26.a3 c6 27.d3 h6 28.xe5 b5 29.xc8 xc8 30.e1 a4 31.b1 c2 32.a1 d4 33.f3 xe4 34.g5 xe1+ 35.xe1 g6 36.f1 c3 37.xa6 xa3 38.c1 a2 39.c4 b2 40.b5 a4 41.a1 b4 42.d3 f8 43.b6 h6 44.e4 c6 45.b1 xb1+ 46.xb1 f5 47.d2 c5 48.a2 f7 49.c4 e7 50.e5 ½-½
685 Najer,Evgeniy Pedersen,Ne 4th IECC Istanbul TUR (4) [Tony Kosten]
A17 2606 2508 02.06.2003
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.g4 h6 5.g1 b6 6.c2!? [ 6.h4 is probably the main move here, see 683
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Van W ely,L-Timman,J, for example, but the ] [ 6.b3 of Zvjaginsev,V-Adams,M/Moscow RUS 2001, also has its adherents. ] 6...b7 7.a3 e7 8.g5 White opens the gfile. [ 8.h4?! seems erroneous now, as Black can gain a strong grip on d4 by xf3! 9.exf3 c5 10.f4 c6 as White now played the gr o v e l li n g 11.e2 Wallace,J-Johansen,D/ Melbourne AUS 2002. ] 8...hxg5 9.xg5 h5 Aggressive, but there is something to be said for Adams' move [ 9...f8 to keep g7 protected, 10.d4 c6 11.d5 d4 12.d1 c5 13.e3 f5 with chances to both sides, Zvjaginsev,VAdams,M/Moscow RUS 2001. ] 10.d4 c5!? Possibly a prepared innovation, [ 10...c6 11.f3 f6 12.d3 a5 1/2-1/2 Guidarelli,L-Sakelsek,T/Opatija CRO 2003, doesn't tell us too much, but level seems a fair assessment, as Black is threatening ...Bxf3 followed by ...Nb3xd4. ] 11.d5 Shutting down the bishop's diagonal, and gaining space. a6 12.d2 b8 13.h4 White is ready to castle long and then get on with his attack, and meanwhile Black is far from solving the problem of his monarch. e5!? 14.0-0-0 c7? This gets Black into some trouble, but it was not easy to find a good alternative, [ 14...exd5!? 15.f3!? ( 15.cxd5 is a ls o go o d) 15...e6 16.cxd5 xd5 17.xd5 xd5 18.e4 b7 19.c4 with a powerful initiative. ] 15.f4! The most direct, although the simple [ 15.f3 f5 16.xf5 exf5 17.h3 g6 18.e4 is also fairly convincing. ] 15...xf4 16.f3 f6 17.e4 h6 [ 17...f5 18.g5 also wins the knight. ] 18.g4 The knight is pinned, attacked, and cannot be defended. exd5 19.xf4 e6 [ 19...h5 i s n o b e t t e r : 20.g5! xg5 21.d6+ e7 22.xg5 is crushing. ] 20.f2 The only move, defending the rook, but sufficient. 0-0-0 21.xg7 xh4 22.xh4 xh4 23.e3 f6 24.g1 The white pawn structure is a bit ragged, but his extra piece is a match-winner. e6 25.g3 h5 26.cxd5 xd5? This makes things even worse. [ 26...c7 ]
27.xd5 xd5 28.a6+ b7 29.e4 Attacking both the queen and the check on d6. f3 30.d6+ b8 31.xb7+ 1-0
686 Nakamura,Hikaru Sokolov,Andrei 16th ORDIX Open rapid (6) [Jonathan Rowson]
A17 2710 2570 02.08.2009
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.g4!? xc3 Another move I would hesitate to play, but many strong players, not least Michael A d a m s , s e e m t o e n d o r s e i t . 5.bxc3 Probably best. Lunging with the g-pawn feels less purposeful when there is little tension in the centre. [ 5.dxc3 d6 6.g5 fd7 7.e3 e7 8.g2 e5 9.c2 c6 10.h4 b6 11.b3 g6 12.d2 f5 13.e4 e6 14.a4 d7 15.h5 0-0-0 16.0-0-0 b8 17.h4 e7 18.hxg6 hxg6 19.dh1 xh4 20.xh4 c6 21.f1 d5 With a clear advantage to Black was vintage Mickey in Cornette, M -Adams, M France 2003 ] 5...d6 6.g5 fd7 7.g2 [ 7.d4 leaves c4 weak, and turns the position into some sort of strange Nimzo Indian. b6 8.e4 b7 9.d3 c6 10.e3 e7 11.d2 e5 12.b1 0-0 13.h5 f6 14.g6 hxg6 15.xg6 f7 16.g3 f5! was better for Black in Gurevich, M -Istratescu, A) Antalya 2004 ] 7...c6 8.d3! Positionally astute. It is better to leave the d4-h8 and e3-a7 diagonals free for the bishop, and the d4 square free for the knight. e5 9.h4 b6 10.e3 e7 11.d2 d7 12.a4 [ 12.h5!? Begs the question of how Black will connect his rooks, and White can continue to build with Rg1 and Bf3 if necessary. ] 12...a5 13.b3 c6 14.xa5 xg2 15.g1 [ 15.h2 c6 16.xc6 bxc6 17.a5 d7 18.a4 c5 19.c6 0-0 20.xc7 e4 21.d4 appears to be better for White, but in rapid games strong players much prefer to keep the initiative. ] 15...h3 16.c5 684
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 16.xb7 looks simpler and better. c5 17.a5 0-0 however, does leave White's extra pawn looking only marginally relevant. ] 16...d5 17.xb7 xe3 18.fxe3 dxc5 19.b3 0-0 20.a3 ab8 21.xc5 [ 21.xc5! looks better. ] 21...f5 22.b3 [ 22.a2+ f7 23.c4 The knight on c5 is strong and should probably stay there. ] 22...f7 23.d2 As I mentioned, Nakamura has a reputation for uncompromising chess but while looking at his recent wins I noticed that many of them featured a fairly complex opening struggle, followed by grabbing a pawn, and then slowly absorbing the pressure and winning the ending! That said, Black has a very active position here, and the assessment is f ar f rom clea r. h5 24.h1 xh4+ 25.d1 g3 26.c5 g4 [ 26...e4!? ] 27.c2 xe2 28.d5+ h8 29.e6 xd3+! 30.xd3 fd8+ 31.c4 xd2? A forgivable blunder in a rapid game, but in fact [ 31...g2! appears to be winning quite easily. ] 32.xf5 h2 33.af1 h4+ 34.c5 g8 35.xh2 xh2 36.b1 e4?! Unnecessary [ 36...g3! leaves Black at least ok. ] 37.xe4 d6+ 38.c4 a6+ 39.b3 b6+ 40.a2 c5 41.h1! g6 42.d4+ xd4 43.cxd4 White now has a slightly better ending, perhaps clearly better, but I imagine Black lost on time rather than resigned. 1-0
687 Pelletier,Yannick Skalkotas,Nikolaos Acropolis GM Open (1) [John Watson]
A17 2604 2278 06.03.2005
This game between two respected grandmasters indicates how White can gain an advantage in the 1c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4 line, although it's mainly Black's system that is suspect. 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.b3 [ 4.c2 0-0 5.a3 xc3 6.xc3 b6
has been played in hundreds of games. White can get only a very small advantage, if any. ] [ 4.g4!? is the newer and most entertaining move, played by top players in order to a vo id t h e ra t h e r d u ll o ld lin e s (in wh a t position ISN'T W hite playing g4 ?) Tony dealt with this in the game Bareev-Naiditsch, Rethymnon GRE 2003. The standard a n s w e r h a s b e c o m e h6 with a recent example being 5.g1 b6 6.c2 b7 7.a3 e7 8.e4 ( 8.g5 hxg5 9.xg5 ) 8...d5 9.cxd5 exd5 10.e5 e4 11.b5+ c6 12.e2 g5 13.d4 xf3+ 14.xf3 Krasenkov-Naiditsch, Antalya 2004. ] 4...c6!? Playing for development first. [ 4...a5! is a good alternative. A game just played went 5.g3 d6 6.g2 e5 7.a3 c5! 8.d3 h6 9.0-0 0-0 10.c2 c6 an d B lack wa s a t le a st equ al, Ars ovic Fedorchuk, Sozina 2005. ] 5.a3 xc3 6.xc3 d5!? It's a bit antipositional to play on the light squares and cede the long diagonal. [ 6...d6 intending ...e5 has been played with fair success. ] 7.e3 0-0 8.b4! The most testing move. [ 8.d4 is the solid alternative. Then a5! 9.b3 d7 would be a typical treatment, with White retaining just a formal edge after something like 10.d3 a4! 11.b4 dxc4 12.xc4 a7 13.0-0 b5 14.b2 c6 15.d2 Black's light square treatment characterises the plan following from 6...d5. ] 8...e5!? A dynamic sacrificial idea that tries to justify Black's setup. It is probably too much to ask of the position. Alternatively, Black has: [ (a) 8...e4 9.c2 g5!? 10.b2 ( or 10.xg5 -- Bareev ) 10...d7 11.cxd5 xf3+ ( 11...exd5 12.xg5 xg5 13.b5 ) 12.gxf3 exd5 13.g1 and White was clearly better in Bareev-Rozentalis, Pula 1997. ] [ (b) 8...e8 preparing ...e5, is the other ma in t ry a n d p ro b a b ly b e st , a lt h o u gh I prefer White after 9.b5 e7 10.b2 c6 ( 10...g6!? ) 11.g4! ] 9.b5!? [ It's probably more advantageous if seemingly risky to grab the pawn by 9.xe5! xe5 10.xe5 e8 11.d4! , for example, ( 11.c3? d4! 12.d3 e4! 13.b2 f6 685
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 a n d W h it e i s in t r o u b le .; 11.b2!? ) 11...e4?! ( 11...f5 12.b2 e4 13.c3 d4 14.b3 ) 12.c3 d4 13.c2 dxe3 14.dxe3 f5 15.d3 xc4 16.xc4 xd3 17.d4 and Black lacks compensation. P e l l e t i e r p l a ys f o r a c e r t a i n b u t s m a l l advantage. ] [ On the other hand, 9.cxd5 xd5 10.c2 e8 is quite fun for Black: 11.d3 g4 ( or 11...f5!? 12.e4 d4 ) 12.e2 a5!? 13.b5 a7 14.b1 d7 and Black will play for a properly timed ...c6. ] 9...e4 10.bxc6 exf3 11.gxf3 d4 [ Or 11...bxc6 12.b2 f5 13.g1! g6 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.c6! and White's two b i s h o p s c o m e a l i v e : b8 ( 15...e8 16.d4! ) 16.e5 e8 17.c3 etc. ] 12.a5!? d6! [ 12...bxc6 13.b2 dxe3 14.dxe3 has the ideas of Rg1 and Rd1 again the bishops will rule the board. ] 13.b2 e8 14.0-0-0!? Good, although [ 14.g1! was very strong: e5!? ( 14...b6 15.g5 g6 16.e2 ) 15.b4! xc6 16.xd4 ] 14...e5!? [ 14...h6 15.xd4 b6 16.c3! ( 16.a4 f5 ) 16...xc6 17.xf6 xf6 18.xf6 gxf6 19.d4 will win in the long run. ] 15.b4! xc6 16.xd4 f5 [ 16...e6 17.e2 ] 17.g1 xf3 18.g2 xf2 19.df1 h4 20.e7! e6?? [ 20...xf1+ 21.xf1 was pretty bad anyway. ] 21.xf5 xf5 22.xb7 b8 23.xf6 xc4+ 24.c3 g6 25.e5 1-0
688 Ponomariov,Ruslan Motylev,Alexander WCC Khanty Mansiysk RUS (2.2) [John Watson]
A17 2704 2632 01.12.2005
Another effective opening sequence for White, wh o c o m e s o u t wit h a co n s id e ra b le a n d probably winning advantage. 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.g3 xc3 5.bxc3 b6 6.g2 b7 7.0-0 0-0 8.d3 d6
[ Black can also post his pieces more actively by 8...c5 9.e4 c6 , not fearing 10.e5!? e8 11.e1 f6 12.d4 c8 ] 9.e4 bd7 10.h4 [ I tend to think that these positions should be better for White, since his centre is safe and he has two bishops. Another idea is to be able to meet ... d5 by e5 by, say, Qe2. Then Nh4 and f4 could follow. 10.e2 e7 11.h4 ] 10...d5?! [ 10...e5 11.f4 g6 12.f3 ] 11.exd5 exd5 12.f5! e8 13.g5 White threatens d5 and has won the opening struggle. e5!? [ 13...h6 14.h4! intends Qd2 with attack (cxd5 is a lso b e th rea t en e d ), e. g. , h7 15.d2 e5 16.g4 e8 17.f4! g5 18.xg5 ] 14.g4 h6 15.h4 c8 (with the idea ...dxc4) 16.e1! With the idea Ne7+ [ The alternative 16.f3!? stops ...dxc4 and threatens Nxh6+ still, I prefer the game move. ] 16...xe1+ 17.xe1 f8 18.xf6 White is better after several moves, e.g., [ 18.e7+ h8 19.xd5 also gains the advantage, since xd5 20.cxd5 xg4 fails to 21.d6 ] 18...xf6 19.e5! With the ideas Nxh6+ and Qxc7. xg4 20.xc7 b8 21.g3!? This should work out. On the other hand, [ 21.xb8+ xb8 22.cxd5 wins a (passed) pawn for virtually nothing. ] 21...xg3 22.hxg3 [ Similar is 22.fxg3! , and it leaves the option of h3 open: d8 23.e7+! ( 23.xd5 xd5 24.e7+ f8 25.xd5 b5! ) 23...f8 24.xd5 b5 25.e1 bxc4 26.dxc4 and the pawn is significant because Black's pieces are stuck (h3 is a threat). ] 22...d8 23.cxd5? After playing so well and securing a won game, Ponomariev slips up. Once again [ 23.e7+ f8 24.xd5 was strong, one cute line going e5 25.d4 xc4 26.xb6! xg2 27.xc4 ] [ or 23.xd5 xd5 24.e7+ f8 25.xd5 b5 26.e1 ] 23...g6 24.e7+ f8 25.c6 [ 25.e1 was the last chance but Black 686
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 holds after e8 26.d6 xg2 27.xg2 d8 28.d5 xd6 29.c4 ] 25...xc6 26.dxc6 xd3 27.c4 e7 28.d5 d6 29.e1 g5 30.e8 ½-½
689 Savchenko,Boris Goganov,Aleksey 64th ch-HL Taganrog RUS (1) [Nigel Davies]
A17 2630 2480 15.06.2011
1.c4 f6 2.f3 e6 3.c3 b4 4.g4!? An enterprising approach to a line which is often characterised by lengthy middle game manoeuvres. It's interesting how such moves seem to have become more popular as former 1.e4 players have switched over to Flank Openings in an attempt to get out of well studied lines. h6 [ I s u s p e c t t h a t t h e co ld b l o o d e d 4...0-0 is Black's best here. ] 5.a3 [ Although this has been played before it is less popular than 5.g1 , for example b6 6.h4 ( 6.c2 b7 7.a3 e7 8.g5 hxg5 9.xg5 f8 10.d4 c6 11.d5 d4 12.d1 c5 13.e3 f5 14.e4 d4 wa s v e r y o r i g i n a l b u t f i n e f o r B l a c k i n Zvjaginsev, V (2640)-Adams, M (2731)/ Moscow 2001) 6...b7 7.g5 hxg5 8.hxg5 e4 9.c2 xc3 10.dxc3 d6 11.e3 c6 12.0-0-0 e7 13.g2 0-0-0 14.d4 xd4 15.xb7+ xb7 16.cxd4 c6 1/2-1/2 was Stella, A-Naumkin, I/Forni di Sopra ITA 2011, again a highly original g a m e b u t wi t h a s u r p r i s i n g l y p e a c e f u l outcome in the end. ] 5...xc3 6.dxc3 b6 7.a4 a5 8.g1 b7 9.d4 e4 10.g2 h4?! This doesn't look very good for Black but Black might have been following a previous Savchenko game. It's also not easy to find great moves for him here, for example: [ a) 10...a6 11.b5 ac5 12.e3 looks quite awkward. ] [ b) 10...0-0 is quite dangerous with White's g-pawn creating some of the preconditions for an attack, for example 11.c2 d5 12.g5 hxg5 13.cxd5 exd5 14.xe4 dxe4
15.xg5 c8 16.f6 is terrific for White. ] 11.xe4 xe4 12.f4 a6 13.b5 d6? It's quite curious that this serious error should be the deviation from Savchenko's previous game in this line. Was it faulty preparation, no preparation or forgetfulness? In any case the position is very good for White now. [ Black is better off playing 13...0-0 but after 14.xc7 xc7 15.xc7 d5 16.g3 f6 17.f3 h7 18.cxd5 exd5 19.f2 Black was a pawn down for very little in Savchenko, B (2638)-Guliev, L (2426)/Baku 2009. ] 14.d4 g6? Another mistake. [ 14...b7 15.xg7 0-0-0 was the best chance. ] 15.xc7+! xc7 16.xd6 d8 [ After 16...a6 17.c6+ e7 18.d6+ f6 19.d7 White wins on the spot, so Black has to go two pawns down. ] 17.c6+ d7 18.xc7 c2 19.xb6 That's pawn number three! 0-0! 20.b5 e7 21.c1 h7 22.g5 hxg5 23.xg5 f6 24.h6 f7 25.d1 d8 26.c5 xd1+ 27.xd1 f5 28.c1 h7 29.e3 c7 Nobody ever won a game by resigning, and I guess that White has to be a bit careful here. 30.d1 e5 31.c4 e4 32.d6 d5 33.d3+ f5 34.f4 f6 35.xd5 exd5 36.xf6 gxf6 37.b4 g8 38.b5 f8 39.b6 1-0
690 Shchekachev,Andrei Prasad,Devaki V Metz Open FRA (5) [Carsten Hansen]
A17 2530 2413 18.04.2007
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.c2 b6 5.e4 xc3 [ 5...b7 6.e5 A) 6...xc3 7.dxc3 g8 8.e2 e7 9.h4 d5 10.h5 h6 11.f4 d7 12.0-0-0 V. Gavrikov-L.Couso, Gothenburg 2001; B) 6...g8 7.d4 e7 8.e3 d5 9.a4+ ( 9.c5!? bc6 10.a3 xc3+ 11.xc3 ) 9...bc6 10.cxd5 xd5 11.b5 d7 12.c2 a6 13.d3 J.Tisdall-R.Fyllingen, Oslo 2006; 687
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 C) 6...g4 7.d4! ( 7.h3 h6 8.a3 xc3 9.dxc3 f5 10.g1 xf3 11.gxf3 c6 Comp Chessica-G.Ligterink, The Hague 1996; 7.a3 xc3 8.xc3 f5 9.exf6 xf6 10.xf6 xf6 11.e2 , and White may h a ve a t in y p u ll t h a n k s t o t h e p a i r o f b i s h o p s a n d t h e a b i l i t y t o d e ve l o p a space advantage, A.Moen-K.Mork, Trondheim 2004) 7...c5 8.a3 xc3+ ( Or 8...a5 9.h3 (Chuchelov) h6 10.g5 xc3+ 11.xc3 cxd4 12.xd4 f5 13.c3 c7 14.e2 ) 9.xc3 c7 10.h3 h6 ( 10...cxd4 11.xd4 xf3 12.hxg4 b7 13.f4 c6 14.e3 according to Chuchelov) 11.xh6 gxh6 12.d5! exd5 13.cxd5 xd5 14.0-0-0 xf3 ( On 14...e6 Chuchelov gives 15.d6 c6 16.a6 ) 15.xf3 c6 V.Chuchelov-G.Dorenberg, Gent 2000, a n d h e r e C h u c h e l o v g i v e s 16.f6! with a clear advantage for White, but it is probably closer to a winning advantage, e. g. xe5 17.xe5+ xe5 18.e1 f6 19.f4 d6 20.b5+ f7 21.fxe5 fxe5 22.c6 ad8 23.d5+ ] 6.xc3!? [ 6.bxc3 e5 ( 6...d6 7.d4 b7 8.d3 bd7 9.0-0 e5 10.h4 g6 11.f4 h5 12.f2 xf4 13.xf4 exf4 14.xf4 e7 15.f3 0-0-0 16.ae1 A.Ramirez-V.Jeremic, ICC 2006 ) 7.e2 d6 8.d3 c6 9.d2 e7 10.f1 g6 11.h4 h6 12.h5 e7 13.e3 c6 14.a3 c7 15.d4 0-0 16.0-0 c5= V.Chekhov-A.Bagheri, Moscow 2000 ] [ Chuchelov analyses the third option 6.dxc3!? e5! ( 6...d6 7.e5 dxe5 8.xe5 b7 9.g5 ) 7.xe5 ( 7.d3 d6 8.h3 bd7 9.b4 0-0 10.0-0 e8=; 7.g5 d6 8.0-0-0 bd7 ) 7...e7 8.d3 ( C h u c h e l o v d o e s n ' t m e n t i o n 8.f4!? but it may well be worth a try, e.g. 0-0 9.f3 a6 10.g4 xg4 11.fxg4 h4+ 12.g3 xg4 13.d3 e6 14.e5 ) 8...xe4+ 9.e2 d6 10.xe4+ xe4 11.f4 b7 12.d5 a6 13.f3 ec5 14.b4 e6 15.d3 0-0 16.0-0 fe8= ] 6...xe4 [ The two tested alternatives favour White: 6...b7 7.e5 g8 8.d4 c5 9.e3 ( 9.dxc5!? bxc5 10.e2 ) 9...xf3 10.gxf3 cxd4 11.xd4 c6 12.d1 ge7
13.d3?! ( 13.e3 0-0 14.g1 ) 13...g6 14.e4 c8 R.Kipker-I.Varasdy, Dortmund 1988 ] [ 6...0-0 7.e5 e4 8.c2 g5 9.xg5 xg5 10.d4 e7? ( 10...h4 11.e3 b7 12.0-0-0 ) 11.d3 ( 11.e4 c6 12.d3 g6 13.0-0 ) 11...f5? ( 11...h4!? ) 12.exf6 xf6 13.xh7+ f7 14.e4+- B.Ciglic-B. Saxer, Bled 1998 ] [ However, the untried 6...d6 looks more solid, and could well be Black's best, e.g. 7.d3 0-0 8.e2 c5 according to Chuchelov. ] 7.xg7 f6 8.xf6 xf6 9.d4!? [ This is the first new move, but it appears a rather strong one. The previous game in this line saw White try 9.g3 b7 10.g2 c6 11.0-0 b4 12.e1 ( White tries to keep the dark-squared bishop in the hope that he can take advantage of the somewhat weakened dark squares in Black's position. The alternative allows Black more or less equalise: 12.d4 d3 13.d1 xc1 14.axc1 g8 15.e5 xg2 16.xg2 d6 , and White's advantage, if you can call it that, is negligible.) 12...xg2 13.xg2 c5 ( Here Black can consider 13...e7 , e. g. 14.b3 d5 15.b2 dxc4 16.bxc4 c5 and Black shouldn't be worse) 14.b3 d5 15.b2 d4 16.d3 e5 17.c1 g8 18.d2 c6 19.f3 0-0-0 20.g5 g7 M. Tyrtania-P.Cladouras, 2.Bundesliga 1996, and now 21.ae1 leaves White with a better game, e.g. dg8 22.f3 e8 23.h4 ] 9...b7 10.f4 d6 [ Trying to wreck White's pawn structure with 10...xf3 leaves White with the pair of bishops and space advantage 11.gxf3 d6 12.0-0-0 c6 13.d5 and White opens the position, allowing him to take advantage of his pair of bishops ] 11.0-0-0 bd7 12.g5 My computer engine doesn't like this move at all, but I must admit that I find it to be a fine positional idea. Black now has to decide whether he wants to keep his king in the centre to protect the f7-pawn or kick the knight away with ...h7-h6, which leave Black with the task of protecting it on h6 or pushing it further forward and weakening the dark squares. I'm not entirely sure which choice is the better for Black h6 688
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 12...e7 13.f3 ag8 14.b1 d5 ( 14...e5 15.dxe5 dxe5 16.e1 f8 17.d2 ) 15.g1 a6 16.b3 ] 13.h3 0-0-0 14.f3 dg8 [ Or 14...e5 15.e3!? ( 15.dxe5 dxe5 16.e3 e8! 17.d3 d6 18.b1 e4! 19.fxe4 e5 is good for Black) 15...c5 16.dxe5 dxe5 17.e2 with a structural advantage for White ] 15.e3! c5 16.d2! [ Another possibility is 16.dxc5 dxc5 17.g1 e5 18.b1 g6 ( 18...a6 19.b3 ) 19.d3 h4 20.d2 g7 21.f2!? hg8 22.xh6 xg2 23.gxg2 xg2 24.g5 , and White has the better chances. In the game continuation, W hite prefers to keep the game fluent and somewhat closed until White has all of his guns pointing where he wants them to. This is the modern way of exploiting the pair of bishops. ] 16...g7 17.f2 c7 [ 17...e5 18.d5! ( White doesn't achieve anything after 18.dxc5 dxc5 19.d3 h5 20.e1 h4 21.d3 h3 22.g3 e4 23.fxe4 xe4 24.xe4 xe4 25.f1 e5= ) 18...b8 19.g4 ( 19.g3 b5 20.b3 h5 21.d3 ) 19...b5 20.b3 and White controls the game. ] 18.d1 g8?! [ 18...cxd4 19.xd4 hg8 20.c3 a6 21.b1 ] 19.c3 a6 20.d3 e7 21.hd1 f5 22.f1! c8 23.e2 h5 24.a3 h4 25.b4!? [ 25.f4!? e8 26.f2 cxd4 27.xd4 e5 28.d5+ xd5 29.xd5 h8 30.b4 h6 31.b2 e7 32.5d2 f4 33.d3 h3 34.g4 fxg3 35.xg3 f6 36.e4 f5 37.f2 g2 38.c3 ] 25...e5?! [ 25...cxd4 26.xd4 g6 ] 26.dxe5 dxe5 27.f4 e4 28.c3 h6 29.d5+ b8 30.f2 cxb4 [ 30...hh7 31.e3 f7 32.c2 ] 31.axb4 f8? [ 31...f7 32.c5 bxc5 33.bxc5 ] 32.xb6!+- xb6 33.d8+ c8 34.xf8 a5 35.b5 [ 35.dd8!? c7 36.xf5 axb4 37.b5 b7 38.xb4+- ] 35...c7 36.c5 a4 37.c6 c3 38.dd8 1-0
691 Speelman,Jonathan S Gormally,Daniel Premier Hastings ENG (1) [Tony Kosten]
A17 2623 2499 29.12.2000
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.e3!? [ Something of a speciality of Speelman's, he hopes to be able to transpose into a favourable Nimzo, 4.c2 is the standard riposte here, to play 5 a3 and recapture on c3 with the queen. ] 4...0-0 5.e2 c5 [ Actually, I have had this position as Black a g a i n s t J o n s e ve r a l t i m e s , a n d i n t h e English Championships 1991 (was this the one and only time this event was held?) one of our games continued: 5...b6 6.0-0 b7 7.a3 xc3 8.bxc3 d6 9.d3 (one advantage of delaying the d-pawn is this possibility) bd7 10.e4 h8 11.e1 e5 12.g3 g8 13.h4 e7 14.g4 f6 15.h3 c8 16.g2 a6 17.a4 b7 which is about equal. ] 6.a4!? [ A new move! The knight goes to a 'silly' square, but White avoids the doubling of his pawns, and threatens to win the c5-pawn. 6.0-0 xc3 7.dxc3 b6 8.d3 b7 9.e2 e4 10.d1 c6 didn't give White a lot in Kortschnoi,V-Bronstein,D/ Leningrad 1960/ URSS-ch. ] 6...d6 7.a3 a5 8.0-0 c7 9.b4 b6 10.c3 c6 11.d4!? [ A positional 'Benko-like' pawn sac to open t h e q u e e n s i d e , t h e p r e p a r a t o r y 11.b1 would allow Black to play d5 ] 11...cxb4 12.axb4 xb4 13.a4 a5 14.a3 d7 15.b3 c6!? [ Black decides to return the pawn for some si m p li f ic a t io n , 15...a6 16.fb1 c6 is quit e viab le, alt hou gh W hit e h as f ull compensation. ] 16.xb4 axb4 17.xb4 a5 18.b5 xb5 19.cxb5 xa1 20.xa1 d5 Freeing the bishop. 21.c1 d6 22.c3 b8 23.d3 h6 24.c6 d8 25.g3 f8! 26.g2 e7 27.c3 f8 28.h3 b7 29.c6 b8 There are no weaknesses in the black position. 30.c3 ½-½ 689
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 692 Topalov,Veselin Kramnik,Vladimir Sparkassen Cat XXI (1) [Tony Kosten]
A17 2711 2802 12.07.2001
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.b3 [ Putting the question to the bishop. 4.g4!? has been considered in some detail o n these pages, whilst ] [ 4.c2 is the main line. ] 4...c5 5.g3 c6 6.a3 a5 7.g2 0-0 8.0-0 d5 Black expands in the centre. 9.d3 h6 [ The best move, in my opinion, guarding against the possibility of Bg5, pressurising the d-pawn. 9...d4!? is known to be dodgy: 10.a4 b6? ( 10...d7 is better, but even so, the c-pawn is exposed, and the darksquared bishop not particularly well-placed) 11.e5 xe5 12.xa8 with some advantage, Speelman,J-Seirawan,J Saint John m/1 1988, a s d7 13.g2 e8 c a n b e m e t b y 14.a2 xa4 15.b4 regaining the piece. ] [ 9...xc3!? is a reasonable alternative, conceding the bishops but forming a strong centre: 10.xc3 d4 11.c2 e5 12.d2 e8 13.b4 Granda Zuniga, J-Urday,H/Las Palmas 1989. ] 10.f4 [ A natural developing move, controlling e5. A t t a c k in g t h e c 5 -p a wn is , o n c e a ga i n , possible: 10.a4 b6 11.f4 d7 ( 11...e8 would transpose) 12.c3 xc3 13.xc3 d4 14.c2 e8 planning ... e5, but... 15.e5 xe5 16.xe5 g4 ( White wins the exchange anyway, 16...c8!? 17.b7 ) 17.xa8 xa8 18.f4 e5 19.c1 f5 20.f3 e3 21.xe3 dxe3 22.h1 c6 with some compensation for the exchange, Ehlvest,J-Romanishin,O/ Terrassa 1991. ] 10...e8 11.a4 [ A new move, although, as we have seen, this is a standard idea in this line. P r e v i o u s l y , 11.e5 w a s p l a y e d , xe5 12.xe5 , Filippov,V-Kiriakov,P/Krasnoiarsk 1998, when g4!? 13.f4 d4 14.e4 e5 15.c1 b6 is interesting. ] 11...b6 12.e5 d7! Black fights for control of e5. 13.e3
[ There was a menace of ...Nd4 and ... bxa4 t o d e a l wit h , a n d t a k in g t h e b is h o p b y 13.xd7 allows Black a nice position after xd7 14.c3 ad8 ] 13...g5! The bishop has nowhere to go, so the following moves are forced: 14.xc6 xc6 15.e5 g4 16.c3 xc3 17.xc3 dxc4 18.dxc4 xg2 19.xg2 e7 After the e xc h a n g e s , a l e ve l p o s it i o n h a s a r is e n . 20.e4?! [ Luring Black's pawns forward, but 20.h3 e5 21.ad1 was safer. ] 20...f5 21.h3 e5 22.c3 d7 23.d2 ad8 24.ad1 f6 25.f3 xd1 26.xd1 e5 White has only succeeded in giving Black a so l i d sp a c e a d va n t a g e o n t h e k in g s i d e . 27.c2 e4 28.g1 d8 29.e2 xd1! 30.xd1 d7 Black can do little without control of the d-file, and his advanced pawns give him real winning chances in the ensuing knight endgame. 31.xd7 xd7 32.b3 e5 33.c3 f7 34.g4! White cannot afford to hang around, and had obviously foreseen this resource beforehand. fxg4 [ Black counts on the advantage of an outside passed pawn, almost as effective in kn i g h t e n d g a m e s a s i n ki n g a n d p a wn endgames. 34...e6 35.gxf5+ xf5 36.b5 c6 also maintained an edge. ] 35.hxg4 xg4 36.xe4 e6 37.c3?! [ 37.g3 e5 38.f4 gxf4+ 39.exf4 c6 40.g4 appears stronger, with drawing chances. ] 37...e5 38.f4 gxf4 39.exf4 c6 40.b5 h5 41.g3 a5 42.c7+ f5 43.d5 d4 Black will simply swap his h-pawn for the fpawn, when his king will be the first to reach the queenside. 44.h4 [ 44.xb6 xb3 45.d7 h4+! 46.xh4 xf4 is also hopeless. ] 44...xb3 45.xh5 d2 46.xb6 xf4 47.a4 e4 0-1
690
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 693 Topalov,Veselin Tiviakov,Sergei Corus Wijk aan Zee NED (6) [Tony Kosten]
A17 694 2718 Tratar,Marko 2597 Kosten,Anthony C 20.01.2001 Austrian 1 Bundesliga (11) [Carsten Hansen]
1.f3 f6 2.c4 b6 3.g3 b7 4.g2 e6 5.0-0 e7 6.c3 0-0 [ 6...c5 at some point would bring play to a Hedgehog, whereas Black seems happy to allow White to play d4 unchallenged, when a Queen's Indian would result. ] 7.e1 e4 [ Nowadays this is preferred to the less flexible 7...d5 which allows White some advantage. ] 8.xe4 xe4 9.d3 b7 10.d4 [ 10.e4 is the other try, c5 11.d4 cxd4 12.xd4 c6 13.e3 c8 14.c1 a6 Black has sufficient space for his pieces, Chuchelov,V-Tiviakov,S/Haarlem 1999. ] 10...e4 The bishop returns, but otherwise White will play e4 with a full centre. 11.h4 [ The current favourite, fighting for the e4square, at the expense of exchanging a further pair of pieces. 11.d5 f6 12.d2 xg2 13.xg2 d6 14.e4 d7 gained little, Portisch,L-Karpov,A/Milan 1975. ] 11...xg2 12.xg2 d5 Again to stop e4. 13.cxd5 [ T o p a l o v ' s n e w m o v e , 13.a4 dxc4 14.xc4 c5 15.dxc5 xc5 16.e3 d7 dra w, S avch en ko ,S -T ivia ko v, S/ Ja ka rt a 1997. ] 13...xd5 [ 13...exd5 is worse, Black will be obliged to play ...c5 later, when weak hanging pawns will result. ] 14.e4 d7 15.f4 d8 16.e3 c6 Black gains counterplay against the d-pawn. 17.e2 f6 18.e5 e7 19.a3 f8 20.c2 e7 21.g5 dc8 22.xe7 The knight c a n n o t b e a l l o we d t o s e t t l e o n d 5 . xe7 23.ad1 c5 24.b3 [ 24.dxc5 e8 regains the pawn. ] 24...cxd4 25.xd4 c7 26.f4 ½-½
A17 2507 2511 16.03.2008
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.c2 0-0 5.a3 xc3 6.xc3 d6 7.b4 e5 8.b2 a5 9.e3 [ 9.g3 was played in Kramnik-Ivanchuk, Monaco 2007 - see the PGN archives for this imaginative game by Ivanchuk. ] 9...c6!? [ This already appears to be a new move. The alternatives have proven to be better f o r W h i t e : A ) 9...bd7 10.e2 b6 11.c2 g4 12.0-0 e8 13.d3 d7 14.fd1 a4 15.c3 1-0 Furman, SKholmov, R/Baku 1972/URS-ch (39) ] [ B) 9...axb4 10.axb4 xa1+ 11.xa1 g4 12.d3 ( 12.e2 e4 13.d4 xe2 14.xe2 c6 15.0-0 Chuchelov, V-Taimanov, M/ Fuerth 1999) 12...xf3 13.gxf3 c6 14.b5 e7 15.d4 Ortega, L-Zelcic, R/Montecatini Terme 1997 ] [ C) 9...g4 10.h3 h5 11.d3 axb4 12.axb4 xa1+ 13.xa1 bd7 14.e2 e7 15.0-0 a8 16.b2 Ruck, R-Kristjansson, S/Crete GRE 2007 ] 10.d3 [ 10.b5 e7 11.d3 d7 transposes to our main game, but avoids Black's alternative on his next move. ] 10...d7 [ If Black wanted to stick to the style of the Kramnik-Ivanchuk game from last year, he could consider 10...axb4 11.axb4 xa1+ 12.xa1 , and now b5!? 13.e2 ( 13.cxb5 a7 is fine for Black) 13...d7 14.0-0 b8 15.b1 b7 with an interesting position and chances to both sides ] 11.b5 e7 12.g3 [ This is very ambitious and not particularly obvio us. In st ea d 12.e2 g6 13.0-0 looks solid and good. Black's problem is his lack of active counterplay such as we saw in Gelfand-Eljanov in last month's update. ] 12...c8 13.h3 g6 [ Black has to be a little careful. For instance 13...c6 is premature, e.g. 14.c5 ed5 15.c1 e4 16.d2 exd3 17.cxd6 ] 691
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 14.g2 [ 14.g4!? ] 14...e8 15.h4 [ 15.g4 h6 16.g1 c6 17.a4 h7 ] 15...h6 16.d2 c6!? 17.bxc6 bxc6!? [ Black can also take back with the bishop, and although his chances after 17...xc6 18.e4 d7 are no worse, his position isn't as dynamic as in the game continuation ] 18.e4 xe4 19.xe4 f5!? [ Another option is 19...g4!? , e.g. 20.g2 a4! 21.f3 d7 22.h5 f8 ] 20.g2 a4 21.e4 g4 22.c5?! [ This looks a decent idea, but it is overly a m b i t io u s . I n st e a d W h it e s h o u ld h a ve considered 22.f3 , for instance: d7 23.f4 b8 24.f5 b3 25.d2 f8 26.f3 b8 27.c1 d5 ] 22...dxc5 [ Black has several good choices, for example 22...b8!? also leads to a better game for Black: 23.c2 b3 24.b1 dxc5 25.f3 d7 26.0-0 a6 ] 23.f3 d7 24.xc5 b8 25.c3 b5! 26.e3 b3! 27.b4 f5!? [ Very sharp, yet 27...a6!? intending 28.f1 f8! looks very pleasant for Black ] 28.h5 f4!? [ 28...f8!? 29.0-0 e6 30.exf5 d4 31.f6 f5 32.fxg7 xg7 ] 29.d2 [ 29.a7!? f8 30.gxf4 e6 31.f5 d4 looks quite scary for White ] 29...f8 30.gxf4 exf4 31.xf4 [ Here White should have opted for 31.d4!? , e.g. d8 ( 31...e3+ 32.f2 e6 33.ae1; 31...e6 ) 32.xf4 e6 33.d6 b2 34.0-0 h4 ] 31...c5! 32.d2?! [ 32.c1 is relatively best, though a6 33.c3 e6 34.e3 d4 is very nice for Black ] 32...e6 33.g3 [ White's troubles are evident everywhere: his pieces are totally un coordinated, he is way behind in development and his king is stuck in the centre... and Black has only temporarily sacrificed a pawn to achieve this... 33.d6 b5 34.f1 ( 34.g1 xd3 ) 34...d4-+ ] 33...d4 34.c1
[ 34.f2 a6 35.f1 f6-+ ] 34...xd3 35.c3 [ 35.f2 b3 36.c2 xd2 37.xd2 xa3-+ ] 35...xe4+! [ 35...xd2! is also nasty: 36.xd2 b7! 37.hc1 b2+ 38.1c2 xc2 39.xc2 d4+ 40.e1 b5! , and it is game over for White ] 36.fxe4 xg3 37.xg3 b8 38.c3 [ 38.f2 f8+ 39.e1 c2+ 40.d1 f2-+ ] 38...b5! 39.f1 b1+ 40.f2 xe4 A b e a u t if u l a nd im p re ssive e f f o rt b y o u r webmaster 0-1
695 Vaisser,Anatoli Sokolov,Andrei ch Val d'Isere FRA (2) [Tony Kosten]
A17 2581 2587 20.08.2002
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.g4 0-0 5.g5 e8 6.g1!? A new move, White bolsters his g-pawn and will decide on the exact placement of his pieces depending on Black's choice, we considered [ 6.c2 in Krasenkow,M-Romanishin, O/Lviv UKR 2000. ] 6...d5 7.b3 White attacks b4 and d5 at the same time, which shows one of the plus points of his sixth move. xc3 If Black wishes to avoid conceding his bishop he has to sac a pawn, for instance: [ 7...c6!? 8.xd5!? d6 ( 8...exd5?! 9.cxd5 e7 10.xb4 is worse ) 9.c3 e5 but it is hard to believe Black has sufficient comp here. ] 8.xc3 d6 9.b3 Both defending c4 and opening the a1-h8 diagonal. e4 10.c2 c5 11.b2 c6 Black develops sensibly. 12.a3 W hite has to take some prophylactic measures, firstly against ...Nb4, and then later against ...Qa5+ when he eventually plays d3 to chase the e4-knight away. b6 13.e3 f5?! A decidedly risky decision, Black hopes to open the f-file, but he also opens the g-file which certainly justifies W hite's sixth move novelty. 692
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 13...b7! 14.d3 d6 is simple and logical, although W hite's bishop pair give him the edge. ] 14.gxf6 xf6 [ 14...xf6!? i s n o b e t t e r : 15.d3! and the rook cannot capture on f3, ( 15.xf6? xf6 forking a1 and f3, 16.d1 e5 ) 15...xf3? 16.xg7+ f8 17.xe4 dxe4 18.xe4 winning. ] 15.cxd5! exd5 16.g5! Obvious and strong, s u d d e n ly t h e p o sit io n o p e n s f o r W h it e ' s bishops and g-file rook. d4 Black had to stop Bxf6 followed by Qxh7+. 17.g2 d7 [ 17...e8 18.xc6 xc6 19.xd4 exploits the c-file pin. ] 18.xc6!? [ 18.c4+! h8 19.xc6 xc6 20.f7+ xf7 21.xf7 is also possible, and must have been tempting, although I suppose W hite must have been worried about his lack of light-squared control here, i.e. g6 and ...Bd5 threatens to win the queen, still, White is clearly on top. ] 18...xc6 19.xd4 The point, White decides to take a pawn, but remove Black's c6-bishop. [ 19.e6 d6 20.xf8 xf8 is not so clear, as White's light squares are very weak. ] 19...cxd4? This move allows the white queen to infiltrate, [ 19...e4! 20.xe4 cxd4 is clearly superior, 21.c4+ h8 22.g5 dxe3 23.fxe3 d7 and Black has good play for the pawn, as the white king is awkwardly placed. ] 20.xc6 dxe3 21.fxe3 c8? This loses the exchange, although [ 21...e7 i s n o w m e t b y 22.e6+ exchanging the queens, when the extra pawn should decide. ] 22.e6+ h8 23.f7+ xf7 24.xf7 Black has no compensation for his material deficit, and even has to defend against the mate threat on g7. c7 25.e6 h6 26.e2 e7 27.f5 e4 28.a2 c7 29.g2 B la c k ' s m e n a c e s a re e a sil y p a rr ie d . e8 30.g6 e5 31.c2 f8 [ 31...xd2!? was worth a punt, although White has 32.g3! defending e3 and exchanging queens, ( 32.xd2? xe3+ 33.d1 xb3+ 34.c2 f3+ draws by perpetual check, and; 32.xd2!! xe3+
33.d1 e1# is even worse! )] 32.c6 White wants to finish with a queen sac on h6. g5! [ 32...xd2? 33.xh6+ gxh6 34.xh6# ] 33.h4? Careless, or were both players short of time? b5+? Black misses a great chance: [ 33...d5! is very strong, threatening ... Qf3+, and attacking the g2-rook, and brings B l a c k r i g h t b a c k i n t h e g a m e : 34.xg5 ( 34.f2 xf2+ 35.xf2 xd2+ ) 34...hxg5 35.hxg5 d8 and anything could happen here. ] 34.c4! The only move, but strong. xb3 [ 34...d5 is no longer so dangerous, 35.c6 f7 36.f4 ] 35.c2 White forces the queens off, and the ending is hopeless for Black. 1-0
696 Vallejo Pons,Francisco Adams,Michael SuperGM Linares ESP (11) [Tony Kosten]
A17 2629 2742 07.03.2002
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 c5 4.g3 b6 5.g2 b7 6.0-0 e7 7.e1 e4 I have mentioned this possibility in previous games, Black takes to time to exchange a couple of pieces. He won't be able to stop W hite f ro m f orcing e4 an d d 4, but in th e ensuing Hedgehog position he will be less cramped. 8.xe4 xe4 9.d3 b7 10.e4 0-0 11.d4 cxd4 12.xd4 d6 13.b3 a6 14.e3! Actually this seems to be a new move here, but it is, of course, very logical. Previously White had brought his bishop out on a different diagonal: [ 14.a3 leads nowhere, c7 15.c1 d7 Janssen,R-W illemze,T/Leiden 1999, the kn i g h t c a n g o t o c 5 t o b lo c k t h e a 3 - f 8 diagonal. ] [ 14.b2 d7 15.f4 is better, Son,I-Drilinsh, A/Kherson 1990, although ...Qc7 and ...Bf6 gives Black reasonable chances. ] 14...d7 15.f4 e8 16.f2 This careful move gives the e-pawn extra defence. c7 17.c1 f6 18.d2 ad8 Both players have developed their pieces sensibly: White has carefully bolstered his space advantage, and 693
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Black is ready to react to any aggression in t y p i c a l H e d g e h o g f a s h i o n . 19.g4!? This aggressive plan mirrors play in the main line, see Zhu Chen - Bischoff, for example. c5!? Luring White on, [ 19...xd4 20.xd4 e5 was an interesting alternative, 21.c3 exf4 22.xf4 e5 with goo d play, alth ou gh W hite 's d arksquared b isho p will a lways be a u sef u l piece. ] 20.b4 White advances on both fronts, but he risks becoming over-extended. g6 A little trick. 21.c2 Capturing the knight is a mistake: [ 21.bxc5? dxc5 ] 21...d7 22.g5 g7 23.e3 The white kingside advance starts to look very dangerous for Black, Ne3-g4 is the immediate menace. h5!? [ Apart from this, 23...f6 or ] [ 23...f5 24.exf5 gxf5 were also possible. ] 24.gxh6 xh6 25.g4 f8 The d6-pawn will n e e d d e f e n d in g . 26.h4 Although the g5pawn has disappeared W hite still has an initiative on the kingside dark squares. c8 27.g5 a5 Black counterattacks on the queenside - he can't let White have everything his o wn way. 28.a3 axb4 29.axb4 a6 30.f5! White ditches the c-pawn, and goes straight for the black throat, but it seems that Black has many resources. xc4 31.f6 e5?! [ Black should leave the knight on d7 to keep an eye on the f6-pawn, 31...b5 ] 32.h6+ xh6 33.xh6 Black was forced to concede his dark-squared bishop, and must now find a defence against the brutal threat of Bg7, and Qh6-h8 mate. b5 34.g7 b6+ 35.h1 g4 Absolutely the only move, Black stops Qh6, and even has a nasty threat of his o w n : . . . N f 2 + . 36.h3?! White misses something in the coming complications, [ 36.c2! is stronger, defending f2 and t h r e a t e n i n g h 3 : b3 37.b2 c2 (what else?) 38.h3 f2 (forced) 39.e2 h4 40.xc2 xc2 41.xc2 xf6 42.xf6 xf6 White has won a piece for two pawns, and although his structure is not very good he has every chance of winning the b5-pawn and the game. ] 36...f2 37.g5 This seems strong, but
B la ck h a s s e e n f u rt h e r ! e2! 38.hxg4 White accepts the draw, [ 38.xe2!? is too risky, xc1+ 39.xc1 xe2 40.hxg4 xg4 41.h6 h5+ stops the mate when the poor placement of the two white bishops, and the two extra pawns, make the black rook favourite to win. ] 38...f3 39.xf3 There is no choice, [ 39.g1?? xc1 40.xc1 h4# ] 39...xf3+ 40.h2 [ 40.g1 g3+ is also a draw. ] 40...f2+ 41.h1 f3+ ½-½
697 Van Wely,Loek Adams,Michael Corus Wijk aan Zee NED (5) [Tony Kosten]
A17 2646 2715 20.01.2000
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.c2 0-0 5.a3 xc3 6.xc3 b6 7.b4 a5 [ I have always had a penchant for this move in similar positions. The idea is simple: as White enjoys the advantage of the bishop pair, Black 'shortens' the pawn structure, as his knights are happier in a restricted space. The disadvantage is that W hite can sometimes use the open a-file, and that the b6-pawn can become a liability after Black plays ...c5. 7...b7 8.b2 d6 9.e3 bd7 10.e2 c5 is the more normal way of playing, Ftacnik,L-Rozentalis,E/ Moscow 1994, 0-1 (56). ] 8.b2 d6 9.g3 axb4!? [ A new idea, and a good one. Instead of the standard 9...b7 10.g2 axb4 11.axb4 xa1+ 12.xa1 bd7 13.0-0 c5 with a solid position for Black, but a slight advantage to White, Budnikov,A-Kholmov,R/ Voronezh 1988, 0-1 (69), Black defers the development of his light-squared bishop, it might be more useful on the h3-c8 diagonal, and tries to make something of the extra tempo. ] 10.axb4 xa1+ 11.xa1 c5 12.g2 e5 A t yp ica l pla n, th e bla ck pa wn ch ain will restrict the a1-bishop, meanwhile, the weakness created on the light squares can be 694
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 defended by the black pieces. 13.0-0 c6! W ith t he b la c k bish op o n c8, t he re is n o reason that this piece shouldn't find a more active square tha n the hab itual d7 . 14.b5 d4 15.xd4 cxd4 This last move creates a square on c5 for the black knight, or queen. 16.b4 [ This square may not be the best, but 16.c2 also seems fine for Black: c7 17.e3 dxe3 18.fxe3 e6 19.c6 d7 ] 16...c7 17.e3 c5 18.xc5 dxc5 Shutting-out the white dark-squared bishop. 19.f4 dxe3 20.fxe5? [ Amazingly, this move loses. White had to re ca pt ure : 20.dxe3 e6 21.xe5 xc4 which should lead to a draw. ] 20...exd2! 21.h3?! [ Trying, unsuccessfully, to stop the black piec es f rom using g4, o therwise 21.exf6 g4 22.fxg7 e8 23.d5 e7 and Black is better, the d2-pawn queens. ] [ 21.d1 g4 22.xd2 e3 23.d5 e6 wins the c4-pawn. ] 21...d8 22.d1 g4! Anyway! 23.c3 e3 24.xd2 xd2 25.xd2 xg2! The simplest solution, the opposite-colour bishop position is hopeless for White, as he cannot defend h i s q u e e n s i d e p a w n s . 26.xg2 f8! The white bishop can't be allowed into d8. 27.e6 xe6 28.f4 xc4 29.c7 e7 30.f3 xb5 31.xb6 d6 White could only draw if the extra two black pawns were closer together. 32.h4 d5 33.e3 d7 34.d8 d6 35.a5 h6 36.f4 f6 37.d8 e6 38.e4 c6+ 39.d3 b5+ 40.e4 d7 Black bides his time before finding a winning plan. 41.d3 d6 42.e4 g4 43.f4 d1 44.e3 c2 45.d2 b1 46.e3 e6 47.b6 c4 48.d4 f5 49.c3 c2 50.f3 d1+ 51.e3 g5 Finally Black transforms his kingside majority into a passed pawn. 52.b2 h5 53.c3 f7 54.f3 d5+ 55.f2 c6 Black is in no hurry. 56.e3 a4 57.f3 d1+ 58.e3 g6 59.d4 e2 60.b4 h5 61.f8 f5 62.e5 d3 63.hxg5 hxg5 64.a3 g4 65.c1 e2 66.d2 d1 67.d4 b3 68.e5 a2 69.c1 c3 70.d4 c2 71.e5 b3 72.d2 a4 73.c1 d7 74.d2 xg3 75.xg5 f3 76.c1 e2 0-1
698 Van Wely,Loek Ivanchuk,Vassily Monaco (Blindfold) rapid (1) [John Emms]
A17 2683 2750 17.03.2007
1.c4 [ The Nimzo move order to reach the relevant position would be 1.d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.c2 0-0 5.a3 xc3+ 6.xc3 b6 7.f3 b7 8.e3 a5!? ( discouraging b2-b4 we've mainly c o n c e n t r a t e d o n t h e p o p u l a r 8...d6; and the fairly new 8...d5 ) 9.b3 ( 9.b4 e4! is awkward for White, whose queen is forced to the undesirable b2-square.) 9...d6 followed by ...Nbd7, . ..Qe7, ...Ne4 etc. ] 1...f6 2.c3 e6 3.f3 b4 4.c2 0-0 5.a3 xc3 6.xc3 b6 Over the next few moves White can play d2-d4 and transpose to a Classical Nimzo (here he does so on move 12), although in practice those who play the English move-order often prefer to keep their d-pawn back and thus restrict Black's options regarding the e4-square. 7.e3 b7 8.e2 d6 9.0-0 a5 10.b3 bd7 11.b2 e7 12.d4 Now we are definitely back in the Nimzo. [ 12.d3 keeps an English flavour. Then c5 13.d2 e5 14.f3 xf3 15.xf3 fe8 16.d4 exd4 17.xd4 e5! 18.c2 e4! was equal in Cvetkovic-Rozentalis, Schellenberg 1991, but of course there are many other possibilities for both sides. ] 12...e4 Black begins the usual attacking plan on the kingside: ... Ne4, ...f7-f5, ...Rf6-h6/g6 etc. 13.c2 f5 14.e1 After this plausible move, simply trying to kick the knight away with f2-f3, White lands up in trouble, although it's not clear that this move is the problem. [ 14.b4!? is logical, even if Black can claim some sort of moral victory in that, given he has played b4 in two goes, White is a tempo down on the normal line. ] [ Another possibility is 14.fd1 - angling for d4-d5 df6 a n d n o w a f t e r 15.e1 Black no longer has ...Qg5. However, this also looks risky for W hite on account of g4! 16.d3 h4 17.xg4 fxg4 when W hite has to endure some worrying times on the kingside. ] 14...g5! Preventing White's f2-f3 plan, at 695
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 least for the moment. But there is more to B l a c k ' s m o v e , a s w e s h a l l s e e . 15.c1 W hite defends e3 and thus prepares f2-f3 again, but Black is not about to be dictated to! [ 15.f3?? not only blunders a pawn but also t h e k i n g a f t e r xe3+ 16.h1 g3+! 17.hxg3 f6 ] [ 15.c1!? is another way "forward" for W hite, as at least now Black has no trick with ...Qh5 after f2-f3 (see later in the main game). 15 Bc1 was played in the game Agrest-Ki.Georgiev, Turin Olympiad 2006, w h i c h c o n t i n u e d e7 ( 15...f6? now fails - the attack doesn't work after 16.f3! g3 17.hxg3 xg3 18.f4 h6 19.f3; 15...ae8!? 16.f3 ef6 ) 16.f3 ef6 17.b2 c5 with a typically complex and roughly level position. ] 15...f6!? [ 15...e7 16.d3 e5 17.c2 was M.Gurevich-V.Bologan, Sanxenxo 2004, and now Gershon gives g5!? (threatening ...Nd2) 18.f4 exf4 19.exf4 h6 as unclear. The text move is clearly more ambitious and it certainly does the business, but is there a flaw? ] 16.f3? [ Shredder likes 16.c5! - threatening c5-c6 and I'm finding it difficult to come up with a suitable answer for Black. For example, bxc5 ( 16...h6? 17.c6 h4 achieves nothing after 18.f3; 16...dxc5 17.dxc5 e5 18.f3 ) 17.dxc5 dxc5 18.f3! g6 19.xf6 xf6 20.d4 and Black certainly has some play for the material deficit but it's not clear how much. Note that e5 21.b5 xb3? loses to 22.c4+! ] 16...h5! Cleverly using the pin on the f3pawn - 17 fxe4 Qxe2 looks good for Black wh ile a lso lin in g u p t h e t h rea t of . .. Rh 6 . 17.g4? Panic, although I have a lot of sympathy for Van W ely. These sort of positions are hard enough to defend as it is with the board in sight, never mind trying to do so blindfold! [ Curiously (or perhaps not so given the number of games played these days), this position had been reached before: 17.d1 h6 18.fxe4 ( 18.h3 g5 gives Black a dangerous attack, and White must be wary of sacs on h3: 19.f4? xh3+! for example,
when the nicest line is 20.h2 xf4+! 21.xh5 e2!! ) 18...xh2+ 19.f2 f6 20.e2 (Miton-Balogh, Aarhus 2005), and here Mikhail Golubev in Chess Today advocates xe4 when it's true that Black has very good compensation for the piece, as well as excellent practical chances. ] 17...fxg4 18.fxe4 [ After 18.fxg4 - not that this would ever be the idea behind 17 g4 - Black has more than one winning move, but g3!? is the most e n t i c i n g . F o r e x a m p l e , 19.gxh5 ( and I particularly like 19.c2 xg4!! ) 19...xe2# ] 18...h6 19.f2 xe4 20.d2 h4! Threatening ... g4-g3, against which there is really no good defence. White's only chance is to try to chase the bishop off the diagonal, but he is too late and Black's impressive attack powers through. 21.d3 g3 22.g2 gxh2+ 23.h1 f8! 24.c2 hf6! 25.d5 e5 [ 25...f2 26.xe4 f1+ mates ( but not 26...xd2?? 27.xg7+! h8 28.xh7+! )] 26.e1 xg2+ 27.xg2 h1+! [ B l a ck m a t e s wi t h 27...h1+ 28.xh1 g4+ 29.h2 h6# A very well played attack by Ivanchuk, an a good illustration of the practical difficulties White faces in this line, even if objectively he may have an edge. ] 0-1
699
A17 Van Wely,Loek 2636 Timman,Jan H 2649 Hoogovens Wijk aan Zee NED (12) 30.01.1999 [Tony Kosten] 1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.g4 h6 This might weaken the kingside, but at least it stops the f6-knight from having to wander around the board. 5.g1 b6 Black plays the position as if it were a Queen's Indian, [ 5...d5 is an important alternative, 6.a3 e7 7.d4 e4!? 8.c2 xc3 9.xc3 d7 10.g2 0-0?! 'Castling into it', and now, i n s t e a d o f 11.h1 when Black quickly played g5! and managed to keep the g-file from opening, Tukmakov, V-Shneider,A/ Donetsk UKR 1998, White could have gone 696
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 f or 1 1 g5! hxg5 12 B h1 f 6 13 h 4 wit h a venomous attack. ] 6.h4 White is not a player for half-measures. b7 7.g5 So White manages to play this anyway, but at a cost in time. hxg5 8.hxg5 e4 Better this, than put the knight offside by [ 8...h5?! 9.e3 e7 10.b5 d5 11.a3 d6 12.cxd5 exd5 13.g6! c6 14.gxf7+ xf7 15.xd6+ cxd6 16.g5 e7 17.d4 and the black position is a mess, Piket,JNikolic,P/ Monte Carlo MNC 1999. ] 9.c2 xc3 10.dxc3 d6 An unusual square for the bishop. 11.e3 c6 12.d2? A careless slip, the obvious [ 12.0-0-0 maintained a small plus, e.g. e7 13.g2 ] 12...h2! Forcing the g1-rook onto an e xp o s e d l igh t s qu a re . 13.g2 The only square. e7 This is stronger than [ 13...e5?! which allows 14.xh2 xh2 15.f4 forking the two pieces. ] 14.f3 d6 And by returning, Black gains a useful move. 15.g4 g6 16.0-0-0 e7 17.g2 0-0-0 Black has a small advantage, he controls the h-f ile, and the g4-rook is m i s p l a c e d . 18.a4 a6 19.d4?! Now was the time for [ 19.d2 -e4. ] 19...xg2 20.xg2 b7 21.g4 e5 22.e4 f5 23.gxf6 gxf6 24.b3 White is hoping to generate some play against the black king, but he just puts his pieces on a w k w a r d s q u a r e s . c5! 25.f4 c7 Black prepares to play ...d5. 26.d2 d5 27.cxd5? Better to keep the fourth rank shut by [ 27.e3 so as to answer h4 with 28.g3 ] 27...exd5 28.e3 [ 28.xe5 dxe4 29.xe4+ was the last chance, although Black has a clear advantage. ] 28...h4! 29.f3 b5 Black wins a piece. 0-1
700 Werle,Jan Willemze,Thomas 10th Essent Open (5) [John Watson]
A17 2551 2384 24.10.2006
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 We have concentrated upon 3 e4. This move allows Black to enter into the Queen's Gambit by 3...d5 or keep it within the English Opening, as he does with his next move. b4 4.b3!? [ 4.c2 has been more common. ] 4...c5 5.g3 0-0 6.g2 d6 7.0-0 c6 8.d3 b8 9.a3 xc3 10.bxc3 b6 [ 10...e5! is consistent with Black's plan of giving up his dark-squared bishop in c o n j u n c t i o n wi t h . . . d 6 . T h e n h i s l i g h t squared bishop is good. White can try to use the fact that his pawn on c3 prevents ... Nd4 to bring a knight to d5, but Black can disrupt his development, e.g., 11.e1 g4 12.f3 e6 13.c2 ( 13.c2? b5 ) 13...a6 14.a4 d7 15.e4 b5 16.axb5 axb5 17.cxb5 xb5 ] 11.e4 a5 [ 11...e5!? ] 12.c2 e5 This is rather late because White already has the desired pawn structure set up. 13.a4 e8 14.h4!? f6 15.f5 d5?! B l a c k is p r o b a b l y n o t e xc it e d a b o u t t h e prospect of White transferring his knight to d5 vi a e 3 o r s u p p o r t i n g i t w i t h g 4 , b u t t h i s advance ends up costing material for insufficient compensation. [ 15...xf5! 16.exf5 d7 prepares ...Nc6, although I still like the bishops and White's k i n g s i d e p a w n m a s s a f t e r 17.f4 , for example, c6 18.d5+ h8 19.g2 ] 16.cxd5 xf5 17.exf5 d6 18.f4! c4! [ 18...xf5? 19.fxe5 fxe5 20.d4! establishes a huge centre. ] 19.fxe5 fxe5 20.dxc4!? [ 20.a3 cxd3 21.xd3 ac4 22.xd6 xd6 23.ae1 f6 24.g4 and White will try to enforce g5 by Qg3 and h4. ] 20...axc4 21.e2 c8 22.h5 Black's knights and rooks are ideally placed but White threatens on the kingside. c7 [ 22...e8!? ] 23.g4 cf7 24.f3!? h6 25.a2!? c7! 26.h3 c5+ 27.h1 e4? 697
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 27...f6 ] man who is intent upon tearing you limb from 28.xh6 xd5 29.e3 f6 30.d4 e5 limb. 31.e2?! [ Thus 7...c6 seems better after which [ 31.h7+ f7 32.f2 ] 8.dxc5 xc5 9.f4 b6 10.0-0-0 e5!? 31...c4 wo u l d g i v e B l a c k h i s f u l l s h a r e o f t h e [ 31...h6! ] chances in a complex game. ] 32.e1 8.a3 a5 9.dxc5 dxc5 10.e3 d7?! [ 32.g5! xf5 33.xe4! with the idea xe4 Another passive looking move, the knight 34.h7+ f7 35.xf5+ etc. ] should really want to come to c6. 32...h6 33.g5 df7 34.e3 xg4?? [ 10...e7 11.0-0-0 c6 looks more like it. ] [ 34...xh3 35.xh3 g5 isn't inspiring but 11.0-0-0 e7 12.e4 c7 13.d2?! keeps Black in the game. ] I can understand White wanting his bishop on 35.g3 xh3 36.xh3 the a1-h8 diagonal but this seems to lose a bit 1-0 of momentum. [ 13.g1 b6 14.a4 looks more like it, with B l a c k p r o b a b l y h a v i n g t o p l a y f5 701 A17 to get some freedom. ] 14.c3 b7 15.c2 d8 Williams,Simon Kim 2528 13...b6 Jones 2153 Sensible but still passive. [ Black needs to play 15...f5! when 16.gxf6 98th ch Sheffield ENG (10.13) 04.08.2011 dxf6 leaves him with rather a good [Nigel Davies] position. ] 16.g1 e5 17.h4 e6 18.e3 xe4 1.c4 e6 [ The position after Black's fourth move 19.xe4 f5 For many moves this has been would normally be reached via a different the key idea but here it is too late. 20.d5! move order: 1...f6 2.f3 e6 3.c3 b4 xd5 21.xd5 g6 22.e2 [ 22.e4! fxe4 23.h3! was much stronger, 4.b3 ( 4.g4!? ) 4...c5 etc. ] immediately cracking open Black's pawn 2.c3 b4 3.b3 c5 4.f3 f6 5.g4!? structure to get his light square bishop into This seems to be new in this particular play. ] position, though the idea is quite well known. Here are a couple of the quieter moves in 22...f7 23.gd1 e7 24.f3 g7 25.g2 e6 26.h4 f7 27.h1 df8? Blundering action: [ a) 5.a3 a5 ( 5...xc3 would stop the away an important pawn. [ H a n g i n g t o u g h , s a y w i t h 27...d6 bishop getting out of play) 6.e3 0-0 7.e2 , would still leave White wondering how he c6 8.0-0 d5 9.a4 d6 10.c2 d4 could win the game. ] 11.xc5 xc5 12.b4 xb4 13.axb4 xb4 14.b3 d3 15.xd3 xd3 16.xd3 c7 28.xe5 xd5?! [ And here 28...xe5 was a better try. ] 17.b2 d8 18.c3 b6 19.d3 b7 20.e5 e8 21.f4 was good for White 29.f6+ d6 30.cxd5 xd5 31.b5 xf6 because of her strong pawn center and 32.d1+ e5 33.f4+ A good example of the pressure on the a1-h8 diagonal in Stefanova, power of intimidation! But 5.g4 deserves more trials. A (2551)-Bojkovic, N (2368)/Plovdiv 2010. ] [ b) 5.g3 0-0 6.a3 xc3 7.xc3 b6 8.g2 1-0 b7 9.b4 d6 10.0-0 bd7 11.d3 c8 12.e4 c7 13.b5 fe8 14.e1 h6 15.h3 cd8 16.a2 c8 17.a4 e5 18.a5 f8 19.xc8 xc8 20.b2 was better for White because of his space in Topalov, V (2737)Abulhul, T (2076)/Tripoli 2004. ] 5...0-0 6.g5 e8 7.d4 d6 This feels wrong, it's usually better to stand up tall against a 698
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 702 Zhou Jianchao Bagheri,Amir 6th ch-Asia Cebu City PHI (3) [Carsten Hansen]
A17 2572 2495 21.09.2007
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.c2 d6 5.a3 [ if W h it e p la ys 5.d4 we arrive in an odd sideline of the Classical Variation of the Nim zo -I nd ia n bd7 ( or 5...0-0 6.g5 bd7 7.e3 e8 8.h4 e5 9.0-0-0 c6 10.d2 a6 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.de4 with as slight pull for White, Petrosian, TTaimanov, M/Moscow 1964) 6.g5 b6 7.e3 b7 8.d3 h6 9.h4 xc3+ 10.bxc3 e7 11.e4 e5 12.d2 g5 13.g3 h5 14.0-0-0 f4 , and Black is doing fine, Christiansen, L-Karpov, A/W ijk aan Zee 1993 ] [ Alternative, White can consider 5.g3 0-0 6.g2 c5 7.0-0 c6 8.e3 xc3 9.xc3 e5 10.b3 g4 11.h3 xf3 12.xf3 e4 13.g2 e5 14.b2 d7 15.c2 h5 ( 15...ae8!? ) 16.h2 e6 , thus far Gabriel, C-Sokolov, A/Swiss Team Ch 2001 17.d3 exd3 ( 17...xd3 18.xf6 gxf6 19.xe4 xe4 20.ad1 ) 18.c3 ae8 19.f4 c6 20.ad1 ] 5...xc3 6.xc3 e5 [ Black has a couple of alternatives at this juncture: A) 6...b6 A) 7.e3 bd7 8.b4 b7 9.e2 0-0 10.b2 e5 ( 10...e7 11.0-0 c5 12.fd1 fc8 13.d4 a5 14.b3 e4 15.d2 c6 16.dxc5 dxc5 17.b5 b7 , Roussel Roozmon, T-Kunte, A/Montreal 20 0 7 , a n d n o w 18.c2 ) 11.d3 e7 12.0-0 fe8 13.d2 a5 14.b3 axb4 15.axb4 eb8 16.e4 xa1 17.xa1 c5 18.a7 and White has the somewhat better chances, Benko, P-Schmittdiel, E/ Augsburg 1987; B) 7.g3 b7 8.g2 0-0 ( 8...e5 9.0-0 bd7 10.b4 0-0 11.b2 h5 12.d3 f5 13.c5 Fang, J-Jakab, A/Budapest 1998) 9.0-0 bd7 10.b4 ( 10.d3 c5 11.b4 d5 12.cxd5 xd5 13.b2 e7 14.d2 fc8 15.fc1 Jones, C-Kelson, R/Las Vegas 1994 (15)) 10...c5 11.b2 c7 12.d3 a5 , and here a draw was
prem a tu rely a gre e d u po n , 1 /2 -1/ 2 , in Benkovic, P-Vojinovic , G/Jahorina 2001, but after 13.e4 White has the better chances ] [ B) 6...0-0 A) 7.e3 e5 ( 7...c5 8.b4 bd7 9.b2 e5 10.e2 e8 11.0-0 a5 12.d3 b6 13.b3 bd7 14.c3 and I slightly p re f e r W h it e 's ch a n ce s, P e lle t ie r, Y Sokolov, A/Bled 2002) 8.d3 ( 8.e2?! e4 9.d4 c5 10.c2 g4 11.xg4 xg4 12.0-0 c6 13.h3 ge5 14.b3 d5 15.cxd5 xd5 , and White is facing uncomfortable pressure from Black along the open d-file, Chuchelov, V-Winants, L/ Belgium 2004) 8...a5 9.b3 d7 10.e2 b5 11.d4 b4 12.c2 exd4 13.axb4 c6 14.bxa5 dxe3 15.xe3 xa5 16.0-0 with a small but clear advantage for White, Dorfman, J-Sokolov, A/Marseilles 2001; B) 7.d4 b6 ( 7...bd7 8.g3 b6 9.g2 b7 10.0-0 a5 11.b3 e7 12.b2 e4 13.fe1 fe8 14.f1 Shulman, YBalandin, A/ Sioux Falls 2001) 8.g5 b7 9.e3 bd7 10.e2 c5 11.0-0?! ( 11.h4!? ) 11...e4 12.xd8 xc3 13.bxc3 fxd8 , and Black has at least equ alize d, Schu lz, M-S oko lo v, A/ Ba d Wiessee 2006; C) 7.b4 e5 8.b2 g4 9.h3 h5 10.g4 g6 11.g2 c6 12.0-0 e7 13.h4 Quist, V-Podolsky, A/corr ICCF 1984; D) 7.g3 e5 8.g2 D1) 8...c6 9.b4 ( 9.0-0 a5 10.b3 e4 11.e3 c5 12.b2 e8 13.c3 g4 14.c2 e4 Koenig, BHecht, H/Bayern 1998) 9...a5 10.b2 axb4 11.axb4 xa1+ 12.xa1 g4 13.h3 h5 14.d3 a8 15.g4 g6 16.0-0 a7 17.b5 e7 18.h4 Reis, G-Taimanov, M/Fuerth 1999; D2) 8...a5 9.b3 c5 10.0-0 c6 11.e1 g4 12.h3 f5 13.d3 h6 14.b2 d7 15.h2 fe8 16.e4 e6 , and Black has nothing to complain about, Hochgraefe, M-Sokolov, A/Germany 2001(43) ] 7.d4!? [ 7.g3 a5 8.b3 c5 9.g2 c6 10.0-0 g4 11.d3 d7 12.e1 h3 is comfortable for Black, Srebrnic, V-Balogh, C/Nova Gorica 699
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 2004 ] 7...e4 8.g1 bd7 [ 8...0-0 9.f4 c6 10.e3 d5 11.g5 e6 12.h3 h6 13.xf6 xf6 14.cxd5 xd5 15.f4 ] 9.g5 h6 10.h4 0-0 [ 10...f8 11.e3 f5 can also be considered ] 11.e3 e8 12.e2 f8 13.d5 8h7!? [ A new move in this position. In an earlier game Black won using 13...e5 14.d4?! ( 14.f4! exf3 15.gxf3 e7 16.f2 b5 17.0-0-0 a5 18.e4 is complicated, but clearly better for White) 14...g6 15.g3 e8 16.c3 f5 17.0-0-0 d7 , and Black has a comfortable position, as W hite will have a hard time getting anything started on the kingside thanks to his bishop on g3, wh i l e B l a c k c a n a i m t o b l o w o p e n t h e queenside, Zhou Jianchao-Sokolov, A/ Paris 2006 ] 14.c2 e7 [ 14...c6!? 15.c3 A) or 15...cxd5 16.xd5 g5 17.f4 c7 ( 17...b5!? 18.cxb5 d7 ) 18.c1 f5 19.e2; B) 15...g5!? 16.xg5 hxg5 17.h4 g4 18.g3 cxd5 19.cxd5 e5 , and Black is p ro b a b ly o ka y, a l t h o u gh I st i ll p re f e r White ] 15.c3 g4 16.h3 h5 17.e2 [ 17.g4!? g6 18.0-0-0 is complicated, e.g. g5 19.xg5 ( 19.g2 d7 almost looks comfortable for Black the knight will continue to c5 and possibly d3.) 19...hxg5 20.g2 d7 21.h2 a5 22.dh1 c5 23.h4 d3+ ( 23...gxh4? 24.xh4 f6 25.f4+- ) 24.b1 gxh4 25.xh4 f6 26.f1 e1 , and White appears to be better, but Black is still playing ] 17...c5?! [ Black can try 17...g5!? , e.g. 18.f4 c6 and I don't see any reason why Black isn't okay ] 18.dxc6 bxc6 19.g3 g5? 20.d4 d7 [ is an attempt to complicate that will fall short: 20...c5 21.f5 e6 22.xh6+!? ( 22.xd6!? ) 22...g7 23.g4 xg4 24.hxg4 xg4 25.f3 f5 26.f4 g4 27.e2 xe2 28.xe2 g4 29.f5 xf5 30.0-0-0+- ]
21.c5! d5 22.a4! After this move, Black is toast, his queenside is falling apart and he is lo sin g m a te ria l. B lack n o w sa crif ic e s a n exchange to create at least some complications unfortunately for Black, White is still in complete control over the situation and wins rather effortlessly. e6 23.xe6 fxe6 24.a6 f8 25.d6 f7 26.b4 d4 27.b5 [ 27.exd4 e3 28.f3 e8 29.e5+- ] 27...cxb5 [ 27...dxe3 28.fxe3 e8 29.bxc6 d8 30.f1 xd6 31.cxd6 xd6 32.xf7 xf7 33.c2+- ] 28.xb5 xb5 29.xb5 dxe3 30.fxe3 d5 1-0
703 Zvjaginsev,Vadim Adams,Michael FIDE WCh KO Moscow RUS (3.1) [Tony Kosten]
A17 2640 2731 01.12.2001
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.g4 h6 5.g1 b6 6.b3!? A newish idea, and quite a change from the sharp, and logical, [ 6.h4 which we have examined previously, intending to continue the kingside advance. Later in this same match, in the quick-play decider, White tried another idea: ] [ 6.c2 b7 7.a3 e7 8.g5 hxg5 9.xg5 (menacing Nxf7!) f8! 10.d4 which was qu it e u n cle a r (Zvja gi n se v, V - A d a m s , M / Moscow RUS 2001). ] 6...c5!? [ A new move, preparing to relinquish the bishop pair, but obtain good central play. In Miroshnichenko,E-Kuzmenko,Y/Kharkov U K R 2 0 0 0 , B l a c k p r e f e r r e d 6...c6 but then White returned to the 'traditional' plan: 7.h4 b7 8.g5 hxg5 9.hxg5 g8 10.d4 with some advantage. ] 7.a3 xc3 8.xc3 d5 Black's idea is to gain a central presence to compensate his loss of the dark-squared bishop. 9.cxd5!? exd5 10.b4!? White attacks the dark squares with sharp tactical moves. d4 And Black tries to block these same squares. [ 10...xg4?! is risky: 11.bxc5 bxc5 12.e5 ] 700
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 11.c2 bd7 12.e4 By strengthening his dark-squared pawn chain, Black has also weakened his light squares, this is a direct consequence of course, and so W hite prepares to bring his f1-bishop to c4 or b5. dxe3 13.dxe3 b7 A good way of playing in such positions is to remember to develop the pieces to good squares, and hope that the tactics take care of themselves! 14.e2 c8 A curious position has arisen where the white king will have to stay in the centre while Black will be obliged to castle, but into an attack on t h e g - f i l e . 15.b2!? Offering an interesting pawn sac. cxb4 16.a4 a5! [ Black is obviously not prepared to risk having his king stuck on e8 after 16...bxa3?! 17.xa3 ] 17.axb4 0-0 Black has successfully completed his development, but there is still the problem of his g7-pawn. Can he generate enough central counterplay? 18.g5! Naturally. hxg5 19.xg5 c6 20.a3 xf3! This all part of an elaborate defensive plan. 21.xf3 axb4 22.xb4 c5 Black's sixteenth move ensured that he could control c5, and so he now proposes to exc ha n ge W h ite 's d an gero us ro o k. 23.h4 c7 24.d1 e8 White has two mighty bishops, but the absence of white pawns on the queenside means that the black knights can operate effectively in a smaller area- the kingside and centre. 25.f1 e5 26.f4 e6 [ Black avoids the transparent trap 26...xf3?? 27.xg7+! xg7 28.xf6+ winning immediately. ] 27.g2 h7 28.g3 b5 29.d4 f6 30.g1 So, the white king does make it to the kingside eventually. c2 31.c3 b1 32.xb1 xb1+ [ After 32...xb1+ 33.h2 f5 W h i t e s h o u l d r e p e a t m o v e s , 34.g1 as there is a nasty threat of ...Ng4+, b1+ etc. ] ½-½
704 Zvjaginsev,Vadim Piket,Jeroen Fontys Tilburg NED (11) [Tony Kosten]
A17 2650 2605 04.11.1998
1.f3 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 One of the duller lines in the English, W hite normally plays 4 Qc2, takes the bishop pair, and tries t o m a k e h e a d wa y a g a i n s t B l a c k ' s s o l i d formation. 4 d4 is a bit livelier, transposing into a Nimzo. 4.g4!? It says something about this amazing game, that novelties can still be found, as early as move four, in an established main line! White profits from the temporary weakness of g7 to drive the f6knight from its post. d5 The normal central reaction against White's wing attack. [ 4...xg4?! 5.g1 f6 6.xg7 is the tactical point of White's aggressive idea. ] 5.g5 e4 [ 5...xc3?! 6.bxc3 e4 is worse: 7.d3! xc3 8.b3 The knight is trapped. d4 9.xd4 xd4 10.b2 f4 11.xc3 xg5 12.h4 h6 13.xg7 xg7 14.xg7 White has a large advantage: two bishops and the better centre, Popov,V-Orlov, V/St Petersburg RUS 1999. ] 6.h4! White blithely continues his kingside advance. This is stronger than [ 6.a4+ c6 7.xe4 dxe4 8.e5 e3 9.fxe3 xg5 unclear, Krasenkow,M-Garcia, G/Groningen 1997. ] 6...c6 7.c2 Posing Black an awkward problem , he d oesn't want t o retre at, an d capturing on c3 only allows White to speed-up his development. f5 8.gxf6 xf6 9.a3 xc3 10.dxc3 White is more interested in bringing his c1-bishop out, than constructing a large centre with 10 bxc3. e7 11.g5 d7 12.0-0-0?! [ 12.cxd5 exd5 13.0-0-0 was stronger, with an edge. ] 12...dxc4! White doesn't get a second chance to capture this pawn. 13.h5 0-0-0 14.h6 White is attempting to undermine Black's darksquared control, and make his g5-bishop even stronger. hg8 15.h3 gxh6 16.h4! W h i t e m a i n t a i n s t h e a n n o yi n g p i n . df8 17.d2 Menacing the gain of material by Ne4. 701
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 f7 18.xc4 e5! Otherwise the d7-bishop had no future. 19.xd7+ xd7 20.e3 c5 [ 20...g6 was best. ] 21.d5 d7 There was the threat of b4-5 to deal with, driving the c6-knight from its control of e7, and allowing Ne7+, winning the e x c h a n g e . H o w e ve r , t h i s m a n o e u vr e i s loosening, and [ 21...g6!? might still have been the best choice, e.g. 22.b4 e6 23.b5? ed4! 24.cxd4 xd5 and Black wins! ] 22.d3!? f5? 23.e4 e6 24.b4 P b 5 h a s b e c o m e a s t r o n g t h r e a t . f7? This loses serious material, [ 24...a6 25.a4 b8 had to be played. ] 25.c4 Threatening to win the c6-knight, with b5, and the black queen. a6? 26.b6+ 1-0
would prefer White. ] 13.d3 f5 Now that ... f5 is impossible (as the knight cannot recapture on f6) this move is forced. [ 13...g6? l o s e s q u i c k l y : 14.h5 xg5 15.hxg6 fxg6 16.xg6! xf3 17.xh7+ f7 ( 17...f8 18.e4 hits f3 and menaces Rh8+ ) 18.g6+ e7 19.xg5+ and Black can resign. ] 14.e4 d6 15.f4 Both developing and threatening to capture on d6 followed by e5. f5 16.exf5 xf5 17.0-0-0 Whilst Black has been fiddling with his king's knight (already 6 moves!) W hite has completed his development and already has some nasty threats lined-up. a5?! [ 17...b6 would stop the next move. ] 18.d4! White tries to blast his way past the f5-barrier. c6 [ 18...xd4 19.xh7+ h8 20.xd4 705 A17 is pretty awful, but was Black's best, e5?! 21.d5 ] Zvjaginsev,Vadim 2671 exf5 20.c4+ h8 21.d5 Riazantsev,Alexander 2538 19.xf5 Aeroflot Open (1) 11.02.2003 Suddenly the black queen is short of squares! c5 [Tony Kosten] [ 21...b6? 22.a4 ] 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.f3 b4 4.g4 0-0 22.a4 b5 Forced. 23.xc5 d4 24.d1 b7 Unfortunately for Black, 5.g5 e8 6.c2 White decides not to try the [ 24...xa4 25.xd4 bxc4 restores material [ 6.g1!? which, as we saw, worked so well equality, but allows mate! 26.c7 g8 in Vaisser,A-Sokolov, A/Val d'Isere FRA 27.xg7! xg7 28.d8+ g8 29.e5# ] 2002. ] 25.xd4 The simplest. xh1 26.c3 ad8 6...d5 7.a3 [ 7.b3 was considered in Krasenkow, M- 27.d5 xd5 [ 27...xd5 28.xd5 e1+ leads nowhere, Romanishin,O/Lviv UKR 2000. ] 29.c2 e4+ 30.b3 and the king 7...e7 8.d4!? A novelty, White avoids the escapes to a2. ] capture on d5: Rather than have two pieces for a [ 8.cxd5 exd5 9.d4 as this frees Black's 28.c7! light-squared bishop, c6 10.f4 g4 r o o k W h i t e t a k e s a w h o l e p i e c e ! b3 29.xd8 Roiz,M-Alienkin,A/Beersheba 1998. ] 1-0 8...c5 [ 8...dxc4 9.e4 c6 10.e3 d6 11.0-0-0 b5 appears to be critical, Black goes pawnA18 grabbing but allows W hite space and the 706 Agrest,Evgenij 2607 c e n t r e , t h i s m i g h t c o n t i n u e 12.e5 ( 12.e5?! f5 13.xb5? xe3 14.fxe3 Sturua,Zurab 2536 Olympiad Bled SLO (11) 06.11.2002 d5 ) 12...b7 13.f4 with sharp play. ] 9.dxc5 xc5 10.e3 e7 11.h4 dxc4 [Tony Kosten] 12.xc4 d6?! Black has happily liquidated the centre to allow his pieces to develop, but 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.f3 e5 8.d3 this is a mistake, [ 12...c6 13.d3 f5 is better, although I a6 9.c2?! This seems to be a new move, 702
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 as previously White had always preferred the natural [ 9.0-0 (with a passing threat of Nxe5) but is c5!? p o s s i b l e h e r e , t o o ? ( 9...d6 has been considered in some detail - see the [A18] eBook chapter) 10.c2 ( 10.e2?! e4 11.d4 d6 is more than fine for Black, Petursson,M-Marciano,D/Andorra 1991) 10...g4 11.d4! ( 11.e1 0-0-0 transposes to the game) 11...exd4 12.cxd4 and White is better than in the game, as Black still hasn't castled 0-0-0?! allowing the standard 13.g5 xf3 14.xf6 xd1 15.f5+ although after e6 16.xd8 e2 17.fe1 xc4 Black has a pawn for the exchange. ] 9...g4! [ 9...d6 10.0-0 would transpose to normal l i n e s , b u t B l a c k a s p i r e s t o m o r e ( wi t h some justification). ] 10.0-0 0-0-0 11.e1 c5 12.h3 h5 13.d4 xf3 14.xf3 xf3 15.gxf3 exd4 16.f5+ White was relying on this move to regain his pawn. d7!? Why didn't Black play [ 16...e6 ? I suppose he was worried about 17.g5 d6 18.f4 d7 19.xe6 fxe6 20.xe6 but Black has the resource dxc3! 21.d1 d6 22.xd6 cxd6 23.xd6?? c2! and the pawn queens! ] 17.cxd4 g6 18.e4 g7 Black has pressure on the d4-pawn, and has a slight advantage despite White's two bishops. 19.b1 [ 19.e3?! f5 20.c2 b6 21.c5 d5 is excellent for Black. ] 19...b6 20.c5 This concedes d5, and limits the effectiveness of the white central pawns, but White had no other way of defending d4. d5 21.g5 d7 22.b3 f5! 23.d3 [ 23.xd5? would be positional suicide, White would have bad bishop versus good. ] 23...c6 24.eb1 b6!? A simple choice, but [ 24...xd4! was even better, the attack on the b-file leads nowhere: 25.a6 ( 25.xb7 xb7 26.a6 h6! tran sp ose s) 25...h6! 26.xb7 (if the bishop on g5 moves, then B l a c k c a n d e f e n d b 7 b y . . . R h h 7 ) xb7 27.xb7 c7 or ( 27...hxg5 28.b4+ c7 29.xd4 xh3 and wins. )] 25.cxb6 axb6 26.e3 c7 [ 26...f4! 27.a6+ d8 28.d2 xd4 seems clear enough. ] 27.c4 b5 28.xd5 xd5 29.a4 White tries
everything to generate some activity, but the black position is too easy to play. b6 30.c1 e8?! Black, who is a very strong GM, is showing a bit too much respect to his opponent, and adopts a 'safety-first' policy, but [ 30...xd4 was simple. ] 31.bc3? [ 31.c5 gives some chances, e.g. xc5 32.dxc5+ a5 33.axb5 a4 34.d3 xb5 35.d7 ] 31...e6 32.axb5 cxb5 33.c8 xd4 34.f4 e5 35.e3+ b7 36.f4 b8 White's slight activity counts for little against Black's extra pawn and positional plusses. 37.8c2 e7 38.a2 g5?! Once again, I suspect a shortage of time might be involved here - this was endemic at the 2002 Olympiad. [ 38...e4! ] 39.fxg5? [ 39.a5! gxf4 40.c5 is messy. ] 39...f4 40.c5 ee5! 41.ac2 xg5+ 42.f1?! f3 Now Black wins by direct attack. 43.e7 h2 Flashy! 44.xg5 xg5 45.e1 g1+ [ 45...g1+ 46.d2 f4+ wins a rook. ] 0-1
707 Aronian,Levon Hou,Yifan Tata Steel Chess 2013 (8.3) [John Bartholomew]
A18 2802 2603 20.01.2013
Levon Aronian loves endgames, and he also happens to play them very well! Here he outplays Hou Yifan in a line that had already appeared in the 'B' group. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.f3 [ 7.d4 is the old main line. See the "Mikenas Attack - 3...d5 & Intro". ] 7...e5 8.d3 Presently White's principal try for an advantage. [ 8.d4 c6! 9.d5 ("A computer move") was seen in Naiditsch, A (2698)-Fedorchuk, S (2634) Belfort 2012/[Kosten, Tony]. ] 8...g4!? Houdini's top choice, as played a week earlier by Arkadij Naiditsch in group B. [ Major alternatives are 8...a6 ] [ and 8...d6 . Check the aforementioned 703
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 "Mikenas Attack" guide in the archives. ] 9.e4 d7! This leads to an endgame nearly by force. [ The only other game in this line saw 9...c6?! 10.0-0 0-0-0 , but after 11.a4 d7?! 12.b1 f5 13.xf5+ xf5 14.b5+Black was swiftly crushed in Nakamura, H (2657)-Zarnicki, P (2523) Minneapolis 2005. ] 10.xb7 The following line appears best for both sides. b8 11.d5 c6 12.e4 c5 13.e2 xe4 14.xe4 xf3 15.xf3 xf3 16.gxf3 The computer claims that this endgame is dead equal, but in practice I think White is for choice. His extra pawn isn't too useful at the moment, but it could become significant when the respective structures eventually do clash. Moreover, it's harder to envision an effective plan for Black. In the post-game interview Aronian said that he had analyzed this ending some time ago an d found difficulties for the second player. d6 Taking prophylactic measures against f3-f4. [ Interesting is 16...c5 is best, tying White down to the f2-pawn for awhile. For example, 17.d3 0-0 18.e2 f5!? intending 19.f4 e4 20.d4 d6 . ] [ Instead, the source game Movsesian, SNaiditsch, Wijk aan Zee 2013 saw 16...d7 17.e2 ( 17.d1!? ) 17...d6 18.d1 he8 19.d3 f5 20.h3 f4! and Black was even better for awhile (though the game was eventually drawn). Both Aronian and Hou were undoubtedly aware of this game, so it's intriguing to see them repeat this endgame line. ] 17.d1! Aronian spots a nice summer home for his monarch on c2. d7 18.c2 f5?! This pawn should probably stay on f7. [ Maybe just 18...b6 , preparing to double on the b-file (...Rb6-a6 could also be annoying). ] 19.d3 hf8 20.g1 g6 21.h6 f7 22.ad1 e6 23.c1 Returning home now that the queenside rook has been freed. b6 Aronian questioned the wisdom of this plan. [ 23...fb7 looks logical. ] 24.f4!? a6?! [ Black should play 24...exf4 25.d4 c5 . ] 25.fxe5 xa2+?? It's hard to understand what Hou was thinking.
[ Necessary was 25...xe5 , i.e. 26.c5 c7 27.b3 f6 28.f4 . ] 26.b1 xf2 27.exd6 b7+ 28.a1 xd6 29.d2 f3 30.e1 d7 31.b1+Black is completely lost. It doesn't help that White is one of the best technical players in th e wo rld ! g5 32.c2 f4 33.a3+ c7 34.d4 g4 35.d5 cxd5 36.cxd5 h5 37.e7 g3 38.e5 e3 39.d6+ c6 40.xh5 Black resigned. 8...Bg4!? has the engine's blessing, so I suspect that we haven't seen the last of the ending that occurs after 16. gxf3. Initial impressions suggest that Black needs to have some knowledge of how to proceed (here Naiditsch coped better than Hou). 1-0
708 Aronian,Levon Kramnik,Vladimir Botvinnik Memorial rapid (6) [Nigel Davies]
A18 2807 2791 03.09.2011
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.f3 e5 8.d4 exd4 9.g5 [ 9.cxd4 b4+ shows a plus score for Black in Megabase 2011, which testifies to its total lack of poison. After 9.Bg5 the defence is far more difficult. ] 9...e6+ 10.e2 e7 11.cxd4 xg5 12.xg5 f6 13.d2 0-0 14.0-0 c6 15.d5 [ In an internet game Garry Kasparov played 15.f3 but after g4 16.ad1 ad8 17.d5 xf3 18.xf3 e5 19.e2 b6 20.fe1 fe8 21.f1 d7 Black had an excellent position due to the nice outpost for his knight o n c 5 . A n d h e e ve n w e n t o n t o wi n i n Kasparov, G-Zarnicki, P/ICC INT 1998. ] 15...d4 16.e4 A new move from Aronian, merrily allowing Black to exchange his knight for the bishop on e2. [ In earlier games White had played 16.d3 , for example f5 17.xf5 xf5 18.e4 g6 ( 18...h4 19.fe1 fe8 20.d3 d6 21.g3 e7 22.xd6 xd6 was equal and later drawn in Bukal, V Rosandic, D/Zadar 1995) 19.fe1 ad8 20.f4 b6 21.a4 d6 22.xd6 xd6 704
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 23.xd6 xd6 24.a5 1/2-1/2 was Cramling, 4.cxd5 exd5 5.e5 e4 D-Wiedenkeller, M/Stockholm 1993. ] [ 5...d4 was played against me in August, 16...xe2+ 17.xe2 g6 18.fe1 f5 but somehow I was not able to remember [ In retrospect Black might have wished he'd my analysis and I needed to be caref ul p l a y e d t h e m o r e c o n s e r v a t i v e 18...b6 6.exf6 dxc3 7.e2+ ( 7.b5+ The following sequence, which leads to the w a s m y r e c o m m e n d a t i o n i n J u l y c6 loss of W hite's c4 pawn, gives W hite a 8.e2+ ) 7...e6 8.dxc3 xf6 9.b5+ dangerous initiative. ] d7 10.xb7 e5+ 11.e2 d5 12.b5 19.g3 d3 Going for it. c5 with good compensation, Fier, A (2595)[ But 19...d7 was safer. ] Van Ketel, R (2241)/Vienna Open 2013. ] 20.e5 xc4 21.f5 Threatening a nasty 6.f3 f o rk o n e 7 . h8 22.e3 d3 23.xc7 [ 6.d4 was the subject of Ding, L (2707)-Wei, The net result of the last few moves is that Y (2530)/Danzhou 4th 2013. ] White has secured a powerful passed d-pawn. 6...f5 7.e2 This position is far from easy for Black now. [ 7.b3 it looks like this move was popular e4 24.f4 fe8 25.f3 d3 26.ad1 h5 in correspondence in the 90's with terrible 27.d2 b5 28.ed1 ad8 29.d6 results for White c5 8.xd5 c6 The passed pawn is making its presence felt. A) 9.d4 b4 10.xd8+ xd8 11.g5 c6 30.d7?! As this was a rapidplay game ( 11.b5+!? can bring some funny we must forgive the players a few complications, but not necessarily good for inaccuracies. White c6 12.0-0 cxb5 13.dxc5 xc5 [ 30.c4 was better, keeping an iron grip on 14.g5 c8 15.xb5 d3 16.d6+ the position. ] xd6 17.exd6 xf1 18.e1+ d7 30...e6 31.c4 f6? Missing his chance. 19.e5+ e6 and the computer gives the [ Black should have played 31...xd7 when habitual 0.00 with 20.d7 or 20.Kxf1 32.e5 ( 32.xd7?? xd7 33.xd7 b1+ 20.g6+ ) 11...c2+ 12.d2 e7 would see W hite get mated) 32...xe5 13.xe7 xe7 14.d1 xd4 15.xd4 33.xe5 xd2 34.xd2 xf3 is far from xd4+ 16.e3 xd1 17.xd1 f6 clear. ] a n d B la c k is sl ig h t l y m o re a c t iv e b u t 32.xf6 gxf6 33.a5 g7 34.d4 f5 maybe White can hold the balance; 35.f2 b6 36.xc6 xc6 37.g3 B) 9.xd8+ xd8 10.d4 xd4 11.xd4 The rook endgame is winning for White. c2 xd4 12.e3 d7 13.d1 d3+ 38.f4 g6 39.e5 e2+ 40.d6 f6 14.xd3 xd3 is also not so nice to play 41.d5 xg2 42.c7 gg8 43.f4 gf8 with White; 44.g1 e7 45.d6 C) 9.b5 xd5 10.xd5 0-0-0 1-0 and the Black pieces are active enough to compensate the pawn and even give an advantage ] 709 A18 [ 7.d4 would be a normal way to develop A) 7...c5 here is not precise because of Aronian,Levon 2813 8.b3! c6 ( 8...xc3 fails here, but not Lysyj,Igor 2648 in the game 9.xb7! ) FIDE World Cup (2.2) 15.08.2013 A1) 9.xe4!? sends things out of [Fier, Alexandr] control dxe4 10.d5 b4 11.a3 xd5 ( 11...xd5 12.c4 ) 12.c4 c2+ One more time W hite goes for 4.cxd5 but 13.xc2 exf3 14.xd5 xc2 15.xb7 playing 6.Nf3 instead of the 6.d4 analyzed in fxg2 16.xa8 gxh1+ 17.xh1; Ding - Wey in July, probably based on another A2) 9.xb7 is better c8 10.b5 d7 game from Lisyj. Soon something went wrong 11.xc6 xc6 12.b3 c4 13.c2 for Aronian and Lisyj could have given him big and Black hasn't enough for the pawn; problems. I would take a look at playing 10. B) 7...b4 8.d2 ( 8.a4+ c6 9.b5 Nxd4 instead. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 705
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 d7 10.d2 xc3 11.xc3 0-0 and both sides has their own plusses) 8...xd2 9.xd2 0-0 is given as equal by Ribli in Rojas, L (2455)-Milos, G (2555)/ Villa Martelli 1998. ] 7...c5N This is a natural novelty. [ 7...c6 8.0-0 d7 9.d4 e7 was some kind of Petroff, but there is not much reason to not bring the pawn to c5 and combat the center, Zvjaginsev, V (2678)-Lysyj, I (2628)/ EU-Cup 28th Eilat 2012. ] 8.d4 [ 8.b3 now this is not so threatening because xc3 9.dxc3 ( 9.xb7 is not possible xe2-+ ) 9...d7 10.0-0 e7= ] 8...c6 9.0-0 cxd4 10.b5 [ 10.xd4 is slightly better compared to the game xd4 11.xd4 c5! ( 11...xc3 12.bxc3 only helps White e7?! 13.b5+ ) A) 12.a4+!? is an idea to surprise Black d7 13.b3 0-0! Black needs to be quick, to compensate the lost pawn with activity ( 13...xc3 14.xc3 b6 15.e6! a n d B l a c k ' s k i n g wi l l n e v e r b e s a f e) 14.xd5 ( 14.xd5? e6 15.c4 b5-+; 14.xb7 f5 15.xd5 b8 16.c6 c8 17.b7 b8= ) 14...c6 15.xd8 axd8 16.xe4 xe4 and the idea of ...Bd4 makes things even.; B) 12.b5+ d7 13.xd5 xb5 14.xb5 ( 14.xd8+ is just drawn xd8 15.xb5 xf2 16.b4 h3+ 17.h1 f2+ 18.g1= ) 14...xd5 15.c7+ d7 16.xd5 ae8 17.f4 c6 18.c3 xc3 19.bxc3 d8 and probably Black is fine, but still this extra pawn can make a difference. ] 10...d3! The main point of this move is put the d3-bishop in the way of d4. If White manages to play Nbd4 without any problem, his position will be better. 11.xd3 c5 12.g5 [ 12.e2 is a normal setup, going to trade the black squared bishops, but still Black is ok. There will always be counterplay on e5 0-0 13.e3 xe3 14.xe3 g6= ] [ 12.e3 tryin g to m ix th in gs u p xe3 13.xe4 dxe4 14.d6+ f8 15.xf5 exf3 16.fxe3 fxg2 17.xg2 xe5 18.c1 with enough compensation for the pawn. ] 12...b6
[ 12...xg5 enters some unnecessary co m p lica t io n s, 13.xg5 ( 13.xf5 0-0 14.xg5 xg5 15.xh7+ xh7 16.c2+ g8 17.xc5 xe5 is u n b a la n c e d) 13...xg5 14.c7+ d7 15.xa8 d4! covering d5 ( 15...h3 would enter another typical computer line 16.e4 d4 17.xd5 xa8 18.c1 xc1 19.a4+ b5 20.xc1 bxa4 21.xc5 e2+ 22.f1 b8 23.gxh3 f4= ) 16.xf5+ xf5 17.c1 xe5 18.f3 xa8 19.xf7+ e7 20.xd5+ d6 21.f7+ e7= ] 13.h4 The position is nothing special for W hite, but after two moves it will become worse. I would not imagine White going back to 13.Be3 after just playing 12.Bg5, but it's hard to suggest anything interesting. [ 13.d6+ xd6 14.exd6 0-0 leads nowhere ] [ 13.e3 0-0 ( 13...xe3 14.xe4 dxe4 15.d6+ f8 16.fxe3 xe3+ 17.h1 complicates things with no reason) 14.xc5 xc5= ] 13...0-0 14.a3 [ 14.c3 does not work tactically xb2 ( 14...xc3 15.bxc3 ) 15.xd5 xe5 16.b1 xa2-+ and the d5-knight is also hanging ] 14...fe8 Now the e5-pawn is going to fall. 15.c1 [ 15.b4 e7 ( 15...f8 16.c1 a5 ) 16.xe7 ( 16.c1 xh4 17.xh4 e6 18.f3 g4 ) 16...xe7 17.d6 c3! 18.d2 xd3 19.xd3 xe5 20.xe5 xe5 21.xc3 xd6 with some play, but a pawn up for Black ] 15...xe5 16.xe5 xe5 17.xe4? xe4? [ 17...dxe4 was really strong, with the idea of 18...e3 18.g3 I imagine this was the reason he avoided this line, but Black has a trick, ( 18.c3 e3 ) 18...xf2+! 19.xf2 ( 19.xf2 xb5 ) 19...xb5 20.xa7 e3 21.d4 e2 22.fe1 ae8-+ ] 18.g3 f5 19.c3 And somehow White is back in the game! f8 [ 19...xb2? 20.a4 ] 20.e2 The rook on f5 is a bit misplaced and the e4-bishop is good but has no squares. e8 21.fd1 Threatening 22.Nxd5. e6 22.b5 d4 [ 22...xb5 23.xb5 b6 24.d4 h5 706
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 25.b4 is too discoordinated. ] 23.xb6 axb6 24.xe4 xe4 25.f3 e8 26.f2 fe5 27.f1 White might be slightly better, but nothing serious, Lysyj defended we l l a n d t h e r e s t o f t h e g a m e i s n o t s o interesting. g6 28.xd4 5e6 29.f2 g7 30.c2 a8 31.d3 c6 32.xc6 bxc6 33.xb6 xb2 34.c5 g7 35.e2 f8 36.xf8 xf8 37.d2 e7 38.c2 e6 39.b3 b8+ 40.c3 b1 41.c2 b7 42.c3 b1 43.d2 c5 44.c2 b7 45.d1 h5 46.a4 a7 47.b3 b7+ 48.c3 a7 49.a1 a5 50.h4 d5 51.b3 c6 52.c4 d6 53.a2 e5 54.g3 d6 55.a1 e5 56.f4+ d6 57.b3 c6 58.f1 a7 59.f5 b7+ 60.c3 a7 61.fxg6 fxg6 62.f4 d5 63.g4 e5 64.c4 d5 ½-½
[ 8...f5!? is also possible, perhaps. ] 9.e2 [ 9.xe4 dxe4 10.xe4 d7 and ...Bc6 gives Black bags of compensation for the piece, and ] [ 9.cxd5 exd5 10.xe4 dxe4 11.xe4 d7 likewise, but ] [ 9.d1!? is worth a try, planning to trap the e4-knight by d3, a5 10.e2!? (to unpin the d-pawn) b5 11.d3 xd3 12.xd3 bxc4 wi t h t w o p a w n s a n d l o t s o f p o s i t i o n a l compensation for the piece. ] 9...f5 Black bolsters his powerful knight. 10.0-0 0-0 11.d1!? Again hoping to win the e4-knight, White plans for more than [ 11.d3 xc3 12.bxc3 c6 13.cxd5 exd5 which is only equal. ] 11...dxc4 12.xc4 b5! Black will give White no time to play d3. 13.xb5 b6 14.c4 a6 15.e3!? Again the most ambitious, although 710 A18 [ 15.d3 is also possible, xc4 16.dxc4 fd8 17.f2 xf2 18.xf2 d3+ 19.g1 d7 Azmaiparashvili,Zurab 2676 and Black's control of the d-file and strong Ivanchuk,Vassily 2711 knight provides an excellent return for the Saraybahce Blitz Exhib (2) 08.2002 pawn. ] [Tony Kosten] 15...fd8 Carefully controlling d3. 16.b3 h8 d3 Black's knights form an T h i s is 'o n l y' a b l it z ga m e , b u t is a ve r y 17.g3 impressive crush, even so. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 impressive pair. 18.b2 d7 Black improves e6 3.e4 c6!? This is a move I hadn't seen his position. 19.c3 ad8 20.c2 [ 20.xa6 xa6 21.c4 is another way, but before, normally Black plays how can White shift those two knights? ] [ 3...d5 or ] 20...b7 Black eyes the weak h1-a8 diagonal. [ 3...c5 ] 21.ad1 c6 The way Ivanchuk's pieces 4.f4!? have all gravitated to superb squares is quite [ 4.d4 is more natural: b4 5.f3 d5 6.e5 22.xd3 xd3 23.e1? d7 7.cxd5 exd5 8.f4 but this isn't too bad amazing. for Black, Adorjan, A-McCambridge,V/New This is a blunder, but it is almost impossible to successfully defend such a position in a York 1984. ] blitz game. xe3?! This is winning, but 4...d5 5.e5 e4 [ 23...xc3 24.dxc3 h1+ 25.f2 xh2+ [ 5...d4 6.exf6 dxc3 7.bxc3 xf6 8.d4 is somewhat simpler. ] is like the 3... d5 mainline, except that with the pawn on f4 Black can no longer free 24.dxe3 xd1 25.xd1 xc3 26.f3 a6 himself with ...e5, Luetzen,M-Premke,S/ 27.h5 g6 28.h3 e2+ 29.f2 xa2 0-1 Passau 1999. ] 6.f3 ...Qh4+ was a threat. e7 7.c2 b4 8.b1 c5! A novelty, [ 8...xc3?! is too compliant, 9.bxc3 a6 10.d4 White has a strong centre, and the black knight has been driven offside, Stef f ensen,S-Fredericia,L/Copenhagen 1998. ] 707
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A18 there is no real defence. Bareev,Evgeny 2709 1-0 Rozentalis,Eduardas 2630 Bundesliga 2000-1 (13) 01.04.2001 712 A18 [Tony Kosten] Bratanov,Zsivko 2438 Antonov,Ognjan 2123 1.c4 e6 2.c3 f6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 29.08.2002 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.f3 e5 8.d3 GP Izmir TUR (2) [Tony Kosten] d6 9.0-0 0-0 10.e4!? [ This is less usual, the main line, 10.c2 is examined in the archives, whilst ] 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 [ 10.e1 is also seen there. ] 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.d4 c5!? 10...c6 11.c2 h6 12.b1 White aims to This is the main alternative to cause Black problems on the queenside. [ 7...e5 ] a5?! 8.f3 h6 Black stops the threatened Bg5, but [ A new idea, Gelfand considered. 12...e6 [ 8...cxd4 is also a possibility, 9.g5 f5 to be forced, 13.d3 d8 14.d4!? xc4 10.cxd4 b4+ 11.d2 c6 1-0 Tal,M15.d3 e6 16.e1 c6 Gelfand,BSosonko,G/Wijk 1976. ] Yegiazarian,A/Yerevan 1996, when 17.e4 9.d3 c6!? Maybe best, Black retains the maintained an edge. ] central tension. 13.a4 f5 The tricky point of Black's play. [ 9...cxd4 is the main move, to develop the 14.xf5 xf5 15.b5 f 8 - b i s h o p wi t h c h e c k , 10.cxd4 b4+ [ 15.xa5? xb1 ] 11.f1!? ( 11.d2 xd2+ 12.xd2 0-0 15...b6 16.c5 So far this is forced. The text 13.0-0 offers White extra space, Oratovsky, seems strong as White wins a pawn. e7 M-Kruppa,Y/Budapest 1999) 11...c6 [ Rathe r tha n 16...xc5? 17.xc5 bxc5 12.b2 c5 13.c2 0-0 14.d3 18.xa5 e4 19.d4! d5 20.b3 favours W hite, Seirawan,Y-Kortschnoj,V/ and the c5-pawn is lost. ] Wijk aan Zee 1980. ] 17.cxb6 axb6 18.xe5 f6 So, White has 10.0-0! White offers the d-pawn as bait! won the e-pawn, what compensation does [ 10.b2 d6 11.0-0 0-0 12.e2 e5 Black have? Firstly, he has a slight lead in is plea sant f or Bla ck, as the b2 -bisho p development, and secondly the a2-pawn is does lit tle , Kramn ik,V -Ton g Yuanm ing/ weak, and on an open file. However, a pawn is Singapore 1990. ] a pawn! 19.e2 d6 20.fe1 f5 21.d4 10...cxd4 White scores very heavily after this d5 Training his sights on a2. 22.d3 fd8 pawn grab, perhaps 23.c2 f8 24.e5 d7 25.5e3 [ 10...d6 is more prudent, 11.b1 0-0 To cover the d3-pawn. c5 26.f3 c6 12.e2 e7 Black keeps the c-pawns 27.b1 d6 28.d2! White is doing his d o u b l e d , C r a m l i n g , D - S c h u l z, K / S l u p s k utmost to keep the advantage, the knight aims 1987. ] for d5. a5 29.e4 c6 30.c4! If Black 11.cxd4 xd4 plays ...c4 first, the c1-bishop will be weak. [ 11...c5!? might be possible, as the dd7 31.c3 ad8 32.h3 d6 33.g3 d7 pawn is pinned along he a1-h8 diagonal, but 34.d5 White has carefully prepared this I cannot find any examples of it. ] possibility, and now envisages developing his 12.xd4 xd4 13.b1 White prepares Bb2, bishop. b5! 35.f4 e6 36.xe6 xe6 h i s l e a d i n d e v e l o p m e n t i s m o r e t h a n 37.c7 a8 38.e3 g6 39.xb5 sufficient compensation for the pawn [ Strong, although 39.xa5 xa5 40.e8 sacrificed. d6 Black defends his g-pawn with mu s t s u re ly b e win n in g t o o , t h e kn igh t a little tactic, but maybe other moves could dominates the black bishop. ] also be considered: 39...c6 40.g3 e6 41.e3 g6 42.b7! [ 13...c5!? 14.b5 d6 15.f3 xa2 43.e8 White threatens Rxf8+, and 1/2-1/2 Krause,C-Kretschel,K/Bayern 1996, 711
708
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 although both sides could continue. ] [ 13...h4!? 14.g3 h3? Lellis, MZampronha,W/Sao Caetano do Sul 1999, and now 15.e4! is simple and strong. ] 14.b2 h4 [ 14...f4 15.g3 g5 transposes to the note below. ] 15.g3 h3?? A most unfortunate novelty! Clearly Black has hopes of playing . ..h5-h4 or forcing a perpetual should White snatch the gpawn, but there is a big flaw. [ 15...g5! is correct, A) 16.h4!? is aggressive, but weakening, e7 ( 16...c5! ) 17.g4 ( 17.c5!? xc5 18.xg7 g8 19.b5+ is good fun, d7 20.xd7+ xd7 21.xd7+ xd7 22.xb7+ with some advantage) 17...f6 18.g6+ f8 19.bd1 b5?? ( 19...c5 ) 20.xd6! xd6 21.f3 1-0 Cox,JRichmond,P/ Southport 1983, as W hite threatens the rook on a8 and Bxf6.; B) 16.e4 c5 17.c1!? e7 18.f3 1/2-1/2 Chekhov,V-Cherepkov,A/ Yaroslav 1982. ] 16.e4?! This is good, but [ 16.e2! threatens to trap the queen with Bg4, and to take the bishop on d6, and wins on the spot. ] 16...c7 17.d4 e5 18.c5 d7 19.a3 W hite has a truly virulent initiative, Black's game has already disintegrated. b6 20.c6! [ 20.c6 b8 21.bd1 xc6 22.xc6+ wins everything. ] 1-0
713 Bruzon Batista,Lazaro Zarnicki,Pablo Open Santo Domingo DOM (5) [Tony Kosten]
A18 2603 2513 30.11.2003
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.f3 e5 8.d4 exd4 9.g5 e6+ 10.e2 e7 11.cxd4 xg5 12.xg5 e7 13.d2 c6 14.d5 e5 15.0-0 0-0 16.fe1 f5 17.f4 f6 18.f3 fe8 19.h4! Ivanchuk's innovation from last month. g6 20.xf5 xh4 21.f1 b6!? Already a new move, which is based on a subtle tactical point.
[ 21...d4 22.d7 xe1 23.xe1 c5 24.h4! allowed White to keep a useful initiative in Ivanchuk, V-Nielsen,P/ Skanderborg DEN 2003. ] 22.g3 All part of White's plan, driving the black queen away, followed by h4-5 to dislodge the black knight. [ 22.d7 i s l e s s e f f e c t i ve n o w , e5! 23.xc7 f4 (with a very nasty threat) 24.h1 ac8 and White has to be careful, e.g. 25.xa7?? ( 25.b7 is better, and this reveals the point behind Black's 21st move, with the pawn still on b7 this would win a further pawn! g4 26.g3 xf2 27.e2 d e f e n d s , a s t h e e 2 - r o o k i s i m m u n e) 25...g4 26.g3 xf2 forcing mate. ] [ However, 22.ad1 might be an improvement, as Black must find a useful move, and if ad8 23.g3 is stronger as the black queen cannot go to d4 or d8 (as in the game). ] 22...d8 [ 22...d4 is also possible. ] 23.h4 Continuing in thematic style, but White misses a chance to gain control over the e-file: [ 23.e4! xe4 24.xe4 d6 25.e1 a n d h e re h 4 -5 a n d B h 3 will h a ve m o re effect. ] 23...d6 24.h5 f8 [ 24...e5! is inte resting, 25.g4 xe1 26.xe1 e5 27.e4 e8 28.g2! e7 29.f5 d7 and Black seems OK. ] 25.h3 e7 Black takes advantage of White's inaccuracy to double rooks himself. 26.h6 g6 27.g5 ae8 Black has no problems. ½-½
714 Bunzmann,Dimitrij Riazantsev,Alexander FRA-chT Top 12 (5.3) [Kosten, Tony]
A18 2464 2692 28.05.2014
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.d4 e5 8.f3 c6! This move brings back bad memories of my loss to Wesley So a couple of years ago! Time to have another look at it, and most importantly the games played during the last t w o y e a r s . 9.xe5 Not the best move, but 709
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Dimitrij plays very little these days (and was enjoying the Top12 in Saint-Quentin with his family) and might have been unaware of the fairly recent theory. [ 9.g5 still looks best, g6 10.d5 A) 10...e7!? has been played by Crouch a c o u p le o f t im e s, b u t 11.a4+! c6 ( 11...d7? 12.xd7+! Ouch! xd7 13.xe5+ ) 12.e3 f6 13.d1 with advantage, Reinderman, D (2597)Buscher, M (2334) Germany 2012, 1-0 (38).; B) 10...b8 B1) 11.h4 h6!? (m a yb e be st ) 12.h5 ( 12.e2!? hxg5 13.xe5 h5 14.g4 xg4 15.xg4+ d8 16.g2 Steingrimsson, H (2556)-Lysyj, I (2656) Plovdiv 2012, 0-1 (43), d7 when White doesn't have quite enough for the piece. ) 12...d6 13.e3 d7 14.d2 f6 15.e2 f5 16.0-0 e7 is nothing for White, Gerzhoy, L (2478)Adamson, R (2278) St Louis 2013 1-0 (74).; B2) 11.e3 d7 12.a4 c6 13.a5?! l o o k s v e r y o d d , b6 14.a4 b7 15.d3? but White was worse anyway, Bu, X (2662)-Wei, Y (2530) China 2013, 0-1 (32). Now Black has a choice of wins (which he didn't play!) For instance, xd3 16.dxc6 xc3+ 17.e2 c8; B3) 11.d2 d6 12.d3 h5 13.e3 a6 1/2-1/2 Abasov, N (2465)-Sadorra, J (2551) Richardson 2013.; B4) 11.d3 f5 ( 11...f5! was my recommendation in 'DW Flank'. ) 12.a4+ ( always played, but 12.xf5 xf5 13.0-0 d7 14.a4 is also possible. ) B4a) I've previously suggested 12...d7 here, let's see: 13.c2 f5 14.0-0 e4 15.fe1 d6 16.c5 xc5 ( or 16...0-0!? ) 17.xe4! fxe4 18.xe4+ f8 19.ae1 d6 20.b3 a6! 21.xb7 c8 (the a6-knight is in d ire ct ly d ef e n de d b y t h e que e n ) 22.e7+ g8 pretty unclear.; B4b) 12...d7?! 13.0-0 ( 13.h4! h a s n e v e r b e e n p l a y e d , b u t xg5 14.xf5 looks awkward for Black, d8 15.xd7+ xd7 16.f3 e7 17.0-0
m e n a c i n g b o t h N x e 5 a n d Q x a 7 .) 13...d6 B4b1) worse than the previously played 14.xf5 xf5 15.c5 xc5 16.xe5 f6 17.g4! xe5 18.ae1 0-0-0 19.xe5 xe5 20.e3 xe3 21.fxe3 b8 22.d4! ( 22.b1 b6 23.c4?! h5! Barnes, M (2335)Garcia, G (2540) London 1994, 0-1 (50). ) 22...h6 23.c4 he8 24.c5 with advantage, Kortschnoj, V (2645)Ashley, M (2460) New York 1996, 1-0 (36).; B4b2) 14.h4!? xg5 15.xf5 Williams, S (2515)-Faisal, A (2255) A l A i n 2 0 1 2 , 1 - 0 ( 2 6 ) , wh e n d8 is perfectly f ine for Black, he will castle and play ...Nc5. ] [ 9.e2 exd4 10.cxd4 b4+ 11.d2 xd2+ 12.xd2 (Wesley So told me he thought this was 'drawn') 0-0 13.h3?! ( 13.0-0 g4 14.d5 xf3 15.xf3 e5 16.e4 D'Israel, D (2250)-Leitao, R (2545) Sao Caetano do Sul 1999, 1/2-1/2 (25).) 13...d8 14.d1 xd4! 15.xd4 c5 winning a pawn, Nikologorskiy, K (2400)Shomoev, A (2571) St Petersburg 2012, 1/ 2-1/2 (64). ] [ 9.dxe5?! xe5 10.e2 d6 wa s m y ga m e a ga in st S o , W (2 6 5 3 ) a t Belfort 2012, 0-1 (37). ] 9...xe5 10.e2 e7 [ 10...f5!? looks like a mistake, but 11.f4 0-0-0 12.fxe5 g6 13.e3 e8 14.e2 f6 15.0-0 fxe5 16.dxe5 b6 17.h1 c5 18.f3 Ibarra Chami, L (2489)-Adamson, R (2 2 8 7 ) L a s V e ga s 2 0 1 3 , 1 -0 (3 3 ) , xe5 regains the pawn with advantage, as 19.f4 xe2! 20.xe2 d3 21.f3 xf1 22.a8+ d7 23.d5+ d6 24.xf1 f8 with the better structure. ] 11.dxe5!? The first new move, but it is no i m p r o ve m e n t , a n d i t wo u l d b e b e t t e r t o exchange queens by [ 11.xe5 xe5+ 12.dxe5 f5 13.e2 0-0-0 when, as I previously wrote: "Black has more than enough compensation for the pawn in the shape of W hite's poor queenside formation", Socko, B (2636)-Lysyj, I (2633) Moscow 2012, 1/2-1/2 (45). ] 11...g6 12.e3 710
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 12.h4!? ] 12...f5 13.e2?! [ 13.g3 is safer, but then he could have exchanged queens more easily on move 11. ] 13...xg2! Now the white king will have to stay in the centre. 14.f3 g6 15.xb7 b8 16.d5 c6! [ 16...0-0 17.g3 ] 17.xa7? [ W h i t e h a d t o r e t r e a t , 17.f3 0-0 although his position remains unpleasant. ] 17...d8 18.f3 [ 18.a4? 0-0! 19.xc6 xd5! 20.cxd5 ( 20.xg6 xe5+ ) 20...g2 21.f1 d3 forces mate. ] 18...g4! Black plays very accurately. 19.a3!? [ 19.xg4 e4+ 20.e2 xh1+ is also horrible. ] [ 19.g1? is impossible here, xf3 20.xg6 d1# ] 19...xa3 [ T h e c o m p u t e r m o v e 19...g5!! w i n s q u i c k l y , 20.xg4 e4+ 21.e2 xh1+ 22.f1 e4+ 23.e2 d2+ 24.d1 e3+ and the queen drops. ] 20.g1 Now this is possible. b2 21.xg4 d3 22.xc6+ f8 Black is slightly inconvenienced, but is still winning. 23.f3 Forced, otherwise ...Bxc3 was mate. xc3+ 24.f2 xa1 Now Black has a rook for two pawns, but White (who used to be a 2550+ player) manages to find some resources. 25.d5! c2+ 26.g1 f5 Defending f7. 27.a3+ g8 28.e7 f8 [ 28...b8! as 29.e6 b1+! forces mate. ] 29.e6 g6 30.exf7+ g7 [ 30...xf7 was legal, 31.xf7+ xf7 32.f4 xd5 33.cxd5 g7 but Black might have problems with his 'wrong rook's pawn'. ] 31.h4 f6 32.a7 b1+ 33.g2 c2+ 34.f1 h2 35.a4 xh4 36.a5 h1+ [ 36...h5! ] 37.g1 h3+ 38.g2 f5 39.e2?! d3! The threat of ...Qd1+ is very unpleasant. 40.e3 There is nothing else, but now it's trivial. xe3 41.xe3 xf7 42.xf7 xf7 43.a6 a8 44.a3 e6 45.g2 e7 46.a5 d8 47.a1 d6 48.d1+ c6
49.f4 c7 50.f5 gxf5 51.a1 b6 0-1
715 Delchev,Aleksander Pilgaard,Kim XXI Open Cullera ESP (4) [Tony Kosten]
A18 2629 2438 22.07.2001
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.f3 e5 8.d3 d6 9.0-0 0-0 10.e4 c6 11.c2 h6 12.b1 c5! [ A novelty, Black takes measures to stop both d4, and Rb5 followed by c5. However, in a way this will only encourage W hite to expand with d4, but it seems that Black h o l d s o n b y a w h i s k e r . 12...a5?! came a cropper in Bareev,E - Rozentalis,E, wh ic h we h a ve a lre a d y e xa m in e d , la s t April. ] 13.e1 e8 14.b5 b6! [ This looks suicidal, weakening the h1-a8 diagonal, but if Black can get away with it, h e w i l l b e d o i n g w e l l . 14...d6? appears possible, but loses to the beautiful line: 15.d4! (thematic) exd4 16.cxd4 xd4 17.xd4 xd4 ( 17...xd4? 18.d5 ) 18.b2 d6 19.c3! ( much stronger than 19.h7+?! w h e n , a f t e r f8 20.xg7+ xg7 21.xe8 Black has the resource f5! 22.xf5 xe8 ) 19...f6 20.d5+ f8 ( 20...e6 21.xe6+ xe6 22.xe6 xe6 23.xc5 wins a piece) 21.xe8+ xe8 22.xc5 xc5 23.a3 b6 24.e1+ and Black has to play e6 to avoid mate, but it is hopeless. ] 15.d4 This is certainly critical, and if White tries anything else he will just find his rook driven back, Black will then finish his development (by ...Bb7, and ... Rad8, for in st a n ce ), an d m a y e ve n b e b e t t e r. exd4 16.h7+ [ 16.cxd4 xd4! will transpose. ] 16...f8 17.xe8+ xe8 18.e4+ [ Again, 18.cxd4 xd4 19.e4+ t r a n s p o s e s , a s d o e s ( 19.xd4 xd4 20.e4+ )] 18...e6 19.cxd4 xd4! 20.xd4? [ T h i s l e a ve s W h i t e i n t r o u b l e , 20.xc5! 711
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 is t h e b e s t t r y: bxc5 21.xa8 e2+ ( 21...xf3+? 22.gxf3 ) 22.h1 xc1 23.xa7 xc4 24.xc7 ( 24.b8 d8 25.f5 a6 ) 24...e6 25.b8+ ] [ White has to eliminate the c5-bishop, as th e im me diat e 20.xa8?? allows mate in four: xf3+ 21.gxf3 e1+ 22.g2 xf2+ 23.h1 g1# ] 20...xd4 21.e3 [ The queen cannot capture either of the black pieces, e.g. 21.xd4?? e1# ] 21...c6! [ 21...xe4?! 22.xe4 xe3 23.e5+ f8 24.xa8 leaves White an exchange up, although Black is solid. ] 22.f5? [ and White, perhaps sensing that he was in trouble, punted the draw offer, which was a c c e p t e d . H o w e v e r , a f t e r 22.f5 t h e s i m p l e l i n e xe4 23.xe4 cxb5 24.xd4 ( 24.xa8 xe3 25.fxe3 bxc4 is quite hopeless) 24...b7! 25.xb7 d8 wins for Black!! ] [ 22.xd4!? cxb5 23.e4 b8 24.cxb5 may offer White's best practical chance. ] ½-½
same idea as 4. e5 d4, but the important difference is that the e-file is now open, giving White the opportunity to play Qe2+ sooner or later, 6.exf6 dxc3 7.b5+!? I prefer this move, developing one more piece bef ore the check ( 7.e2+ e6 8.dxc3 xf6 9.b5+ d7 10.xb7 e5+ 11.e2 d5 12.b5 c5 gives Black nice compensation. It's still not clear how White is going to finish his development.) 7...c6 ( 7...c6 would be natural, but allows White to wait before taking the pawn on c3 8.e2+ e6 9.c4 ) 8.e2+ e6 9.dxc3 ( 9.c4? is now answered by d4 ) 9...xf6 10.f3 d6 11.d4 0-0 12.xe6 ae8 13.c4 ( 13.xf8 xe2+ 14.xe2 xf8 i s a l s o p o s s i b l e) 13...fxe6 14.0-0 looks promising for White, with the bishop pair and better structure. ] 6.d4 [ 6.f3 c6 7.b5 is also interesting and wa s a n a l y ze d b y W a t s o n i n t h e g a m e Korchnoi-Nielsen, see the archives. ] 6...b4 7.a4+ c6 8.b5 d7 9.ge2 This is the main point of waiting to develop the knight. Here it protects c3 and d4 and leaves the f-pawn free to annoy the knight on e4. 716 A18 [ 9.xc6 makes little sense, xc3+ 10.bxc3 xc6 11.c2 b5 and Black has nothing to Ding,Liren 2707 worry about. ] Wei,Yi 2530 Danzhou 4th (2) 21.05.2013 9...0-0 10.0-0 xc3 [ 10...xc3 tries to keep the bishop but [Fier, Alexandr] White can claim an edge after 11.bxc3 e7 12.b3 h i t t i n g d 5 a5 ( 12...e6 Ding Liren is another one to try the less played 13.d3 ) 13.b1 xb5 14.xb5 c6 4.cxd5, which avoids the theoretical mainlines 15.d3 c4 16.g3 White has a clear in the Mikenas, and easily got a good position. pla n o f a tt acking o n t he kin gside wh ile I th in k t he po pu la rit y o f th is id ea sh ou ld Black still needs to find something concrete increase a lot in the coming months. 1.c4 f6 on the queenside. ] 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.cxd5 This line is increasingly popular since sometimes the 11.bxc3 [ 11.xc3 e8 ( 11...xc3 12.bxc3 e8 positions with 4.e5 are a bit too simple, 13.f4 ) 12.xc6 xc6 13.c2 ] [ 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 11...a6 12.xc6 xc6 13.c2 f6 is much more common by far. ] After this move Black is in real danger but the 4...exd5 5.e5 e4 [ 5...fd7 is comfortable for White 6.d4 c5 position is already more pleasant for White. [ 13...b5 would be an option, to activate the 7.f3 c6 8.b5 a6 9.g5 a5 10.xc6 bishop, 14.a4 bxc6 11.0-0 San Segundo Carrillo, P A) 14...xe2?! 15.xe2 f5 ( 15...xc3 (2495)-Mitkov, N (2455)/ESP-chT 16.e3 e4 17.f3+- ) 16.f3 g5 Ponferrada 1997. ] 17.xg5 xg5 18.a5 with a clear [ 5...d4 is the main alternative and has the 712
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 positional advantage.; B) 14...c4 15.f3 g5 16.f2 c5 17.xg5 xg5 18.f4 e7 19.f5 cxd4 20.cxd4 h4 21.f4 looks dangerous for Black as well. ] 14.f3 g5 15.xg5 fxg5 16.f4 d7?! I don't think Black can survive with two white pawns on e5 and f5. [ 16...b5 17.f5 g4 18.f2 doesn't change so much ] [ 16...gxf4 this should be played 17.xf4 g5 18.e6 xf1+ 19.xf1 g4 20.f4 ( 20.xc7? is not advisable c8 21.e6! White can still draw by finding some good moves xc7 22.f2 h6 23.f8+ h7 24.d8 b5 25.xc7 xf1 26.xf1 f5+ 27.g1 xe6= ) 20...f8 21.h3 g5 22.d2 White has a better knight and a passed pawn, but Black can still fight at least. ] 17.f5 a4 18.b1 b5 19.e6 [ 19.f2 xe2 20.xe2 xf5 21.xb7 is also good for White ] 19...e7 20.f2 h5 21.g4! h4 [ 21...hxg4 gives a nice place for the knight 22.g3 c5 23.d1 cxd4 24.cxd4 ac8 25.xg4 and Black is in trouble. ] 22.c1 c4 23.d3 xd3 24.xd3 a5 25.b1 b6 26.e2 fd8 27.f1 [ 27.e5! would be enough for the win d6 28.b5 ad8 29.a4 e8 30.f3 c6 31.g2+- ] 27...h8 28.f3 c6 29.e5 d6 30.f6 Opening the position. White is still better, but now the endgame requires precision and a lot of effort. gxf6 31.xf6+ xf6 32.xf6 e8 33.g2 g7 34.ff5 dxe6 35.xg5+ h6 36.h5+ g6 37.h3 xe5 38.dxe5 f8 39.xh4 f2 40.g5+ h6 41.h3 c2 42.g8 xc3 43.g5+ h7 44.d8 e3 45.d6 xe5 46.xc6 d4 47.d6 e2 48.a4 d3 49.xd3 e4+ 50.h5 xa4 51.g6+ g7 52.d7+ g8 53.b7 b4 54.h4 a4 55.g5 a3 56.h5 b5+ 57.f6 1-0
717 Ftacnik,Lubomir Kveinys,Aloyzas MK Cafe Cup Open A (10) [Tony Kosten]
A18 2589 2515 13.08.1999
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.f3 e5 8.d3 d6 9.0-0 a6 10.c2 After my experience with 10 Re1 ( see the archives) players have once again turned to this move, hoping to extract an edge from the bishop pair in the ending. g4 11.d4 0-0-0? A logical move, hoping to delay the capture on f3, but it seems to lose. [ 11...xf3 12.xf3 xf3 13.gxf3 is the best line, see the archives. ] 12.g5! Normally this move is impossible when its defender is pinned, but for tactical reasons this is an important exception. xf3? Black captures first, which seems strong, at first inspection. [ Objectively, 12...xg5 is better, although 13.xg5 xd1 14.axd1 wins the h-pawn, when W hite will have a clear advantage despite the opposite-coloured bishops. ] 13.xf6 xd1 14.f5+! The point, moving the bishop away from c2 with tempo, for if [ 14.xd8 instead, White will lose material after xc2 ] 14...d7? Black should have seen the problem by now, and played [ 14...b8 instead, although following 15.xd8 e2 16.fe1 xc4 he will only have a pawn for the exchange. ] 15.xg7 g8 16.axd1 exd4 Hopeless, but after the obvious [ 16...xg7 White wins material by 17.dxe5 as the d6-bishop is pinned against the d7rook. Without this White would be losing! ] 17.xd4 g5?! 18.xd7+ xd7 19.c5 [ 19.c5 xc5 20.f4 d5 21.c4 wins a second exchange. ] 1-0
713
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 718 Ghaem Maghami,Ehsan Azarov,Sergei Aeroflot Open (6) [John Watson]
A18 2623 2565 20.02.2005
Two high-rated players test out an older line in the Mikenas System. I will try to give a pretty deep survey of theory. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.d4 [ Tony and I have both talked about the newer (but now well-established) 7.f3 e5 ( 7...c5 8.d3!? ) 8.d3 ] 7...c5 [ What I think is a new idea was just presented in Seres - K Szabo, Budapest 2005: 7...e5 8.f3 e4 9.e2 ( perhaps 9.g5 e7 10.e2 f5 11.h3 is a good answer, with a small but definite advantage ) 9...e7 10.d2 ( 10.g5 transposes to my last note) 10...f5 11.g3 ( 11.e3 c5 12.e2 ) 11...c5 12.g2 c6 ( 12...cxd4 13.cxd4 c6 14.b2 b4 15.0-0 d3 16.c3! ) 13.b3 f6 ( a good idea is 13...cxd4 14.cxd4 d8 15.d5 b4+ 16.d2 xd2+ 17.xd2 e5 18.0-0 0-0= ) 14.0-0 e7 ( or 14...cxd4 15.cxd4 xd4 16.b2 xb3 17.xf6 gxf6 18.axb3 c5 19.e3 xe3 20.fxe3= ) 15.e3 0-0 16.f3 exf3 17.xf3 with a small advantage. ] 8.f3 cxd4 Azarov returns to this old line to sole Black's problems. [ 8...h6!? 9.d3 leads to Watson-Millar. ] 9.g5 f5 10.cxd4 Objectively best since it gives some advantage, but for those who are bored with fewer pieces on the board there are two fascinating alternatives: [ (a) A much-debated gambit follows 10.d3!? a5 11.0-0 dxc3 ( 11...h6 12.f4 dxc3 13.e5 d7 is complex, but now 14.g6?! of Drummond-Reeves, Canberra 1996 surely should have been a n s w e r e d b y fxg6! 15.xg6+ d8 and I find it extremely hard to believe that White has real compensation. Instead, 14... Rg8? 15.Nxf8 led to complications ) A) 12.c2 c6 13.fb1 h6 14.e3 e7 looks insufficient; B) 12.e2 c7 ( 12...c6 13.ab1 a6
14.e4 c5 15.xc6+ bxc6 16.e4 0-0 17.xc6 a7! should have been already close to winning in Kern-W uenderlich, Dortmund 1998) 13.ab1 e7!? 14.xe7 xe7 15.e5 f6 16.b5+ d7 17.fe1 0-0 18.g5?? Kanan AzerKalantari,/Arak 1998 lead to a win f or W h i t e b u t h e r e a6! 19.a5 b6! would have been curtains; C) 12.e1 (sensible) c6 13.e4 e7? ( 13...c5 ) 14.xc6+ bxc6 15.xe7 xe7 16.e5 c7 17.f3 f6? 18.xc6+ e8 19.ad1 (winning) d7 20.e5 a4 21.xa8+ 1-0 Gschwendtner-Forthauser, Niederbayern 2000; D) 12.b1!? This may not exert enough pressure. There have been a number of tries here: d7! ( 12...c6 13.c2 e7 14.b5 d8 15.xc3 with compensation, Mestel-Marusenko, England 1999) 13.c2 h6 14.f4 a6 15.fe1 e7 16.d4 c5 17.f5? ( Enterprising but unsound. 17.b3! xb3 18.xb3 was a better try) 17...xd3 18.xg7+ f8 19.xd3 xg7 20.e5+ f6 21.e3 and now ( 21.xc3 d8 22.g3+ g5 ) 21...f7 1-0 Bratanov,V-Djakov, K/Shumen 1997 (38) 22.Rg3 led to a win for W hite (still undeservedly) in Bratanov-Djakov, Shumen 1997. But ( 21...fxe5! 22.g3+ g5 would have ended the attack, e.g., 23.h4 d8 24.e2 c2! 25.xc2 d2 26.c1 xa2 27.hxg5 h5! )] [ (b) Remarkably, 10.xd4 c6 11.d2 seems to yield an attack because Bd3 will gain further tempi: c5!? ( 11...f6 12.e3 e5 ) 12.d3 g4 13.0-0 f6 ( 13...0-0 14.ae1 h5 15.f4 f6 16.d4! ) 14.h4 e5 15.h3 h5 16.e4! and White even haad the advantage in Timon Piote-Vega Gutierrez, Empuriabrava 1997. ] 10...b4+ [ I t ' s p e r h a p s s u r p r i s i n g t h a t 10...c6 causes Black more dif f iculties: 11.d2!? A bizarre move although logical in it's own right. White has two saner moves which lead to a small advantage: ( (a) 11.d3 b4+ 12.f1 a5 13.e4!?; (b) 11.e2 b4+ 12.d2 is the note to White's 12th move in t h e m a i n g a m e) 11...b4 ( 11...e5!?; 714
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 11...e7 12.e2 0-0 13.c3 ) 12.c1 d3+?! ( 12...e7 13.b3! a5! 14.a3 a4 15.b2 e4+ 16.e3 d3+ 17.xd3 xd3 18.c3 and White is still to be preferred ) 13.xd3 xd3 14.c3 e4+ 15.e3 c6 16.e5 c7 17.0-0 ( 17.f3!? f6 18.xf6! gxf6 19.h5+ d8 20.f7+ d7 21.xh8 xc4 ) 17...d6 18.g4 0-0 19.h3 f6 20.h5 g6 ( 20...g5 21.c5 xe5 22.dxe5; 20...h6 21.g4 ) 21.xg6 hxg6 22.xg6+ g7 23.h5 f5 24.f4 d7 25.g3 e8 26.xg7+ xg7 27.g5+ f7 28.d5 exd5 29.xf5+ e7 30.e1+ d8 31.xd5 c7 32.c5 Nachon Menendez-Acebal Muniz, Asturias 1996. ] 11.d2 c6 Azarov picks a traditional solution but see the next note. The other two moves are: [ (a) 11...a5 12.b1! ( 12.d3 c6 13.b1 xd2+ 14.xd2 xd2+ 15.xd2 is a better version for White of the ending that follows, for example, 0-0 16.e4 a5 17.hc1 d8 18.e3 ) 12...xd2+ ( 12...c6?? 13.xb4! xb4 14.b3 ) 13.xd2 xd2+ 14.xd2 e7 ( 14...0-0 15.d3 d8 16.e3 isn't much better) 15.d3 d8 16.e4 c6 17.xc6!? ( 17.e3 a5 18.hc1 is again very strong ) 17...bxc6 18.c3 f6 19.h4!? d7 20.he1 b7 21.xb7+ xb7 22.b1 c8 Zdenek-Blahacek, Czechia 1997 and here the idea of taking over d6 is attractive: 23.d2! ( 23.c5!? ) 23...c5 ( 23...f5 24.f3; 23...d7 24.e4 ) 24.dxc5 e5 25.e4 ] [ (b) 11...xd2+ 12.xd2 c6 ( 12...0-0 13.d3 gives White a more active game with more central control) 13.d3! ( 13.e2 is examined below ) 13...f6 14.e4 ] 12.e2 [ Maghami might have rendered the game less relevant by 12.xb4! xb4 13.b1 , which exploits Black's move order: c6 ( 13...a5 14.d2 c6 15.d3 xd2+ 16.xd2 b6 17.hc1! Miles-Sosonko, Tilburg 1977; or 13...c2+? 14.d2 a3 15.b3 a5+ 16.e3! ) 14.d3 f6 ( 14...a5+ 15.d2 0-0 16.e4 gives the usual advantage) 15.e4 0-0 16.0-0 d8 17.xc6 bxc6 18.a4 e5
(wh at e lse? ) 19.dxe5 g6 20.b3 c5 21.a3 a6 22.xc5 xa2 23.a3 e2 24.d4 e4 25.b5 e6 26.d6 and White ws winning in D Cramling-Solin, Stockholm 1992. ] 12...a5 [ 12...0-0 13.0-0 has been played several tim es, b ut I th ink t ha t 13.xb4! xb4 14.0-0 is good because Black's knight on b4 will lose another tempo. ] 13.b1 xd2+ 14.xd2 e7!? [ 14...xd2+ 15.xd2 e7! ( 15...0-0 16.d3 b6 17.e4 b7 is also not bad) 16.e3 d8 favours White, but 17.hd1 b6 keeps the damage to a minimum. ] 15.xa5 [ The placement of the king on e7 close to the action definitely helps Black. White gets lit t le f ro m 15.d3 d8 16.xa5 xa5 17.e2 d7 ( 17...b6 18.c5 b7!? 19.cxb6 xf3+ 20.xf3 axb6 is another course ) 18.e3 ac8 19.c5 c6 20.e5 d5 is equal. ] 15...xa5 16.c5!? [ A plausible continuation was 16.c5 d7 17.0-0 c6 18.e5 d5 19.b5 b6! 20.cxb6 axb6 21.xb6 f6 22.f3 xa2 . But we can see that Black really shouldn't have equalised in this line, whatever the move order he chose. ] ½-½
719 Ghaem Maghami,Ehsan Moradi,Behrooz ch-IRI Tehran IRI (1) [John Watson]
A18 2581 2299 22.12.2006
I f i t ' s m y l a st u p d a t e , t h e r e h a s t o b e a Mikenas Variation. Here's the most interesting of this month's lot, in which W hite retains some edge. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.f3 e5 8.d4 exd4 9.g5 e6+ 10.e2 e7 11.cxd4 xg5 12.xg5 e7 13.d2 0-0 [ 13...h6 14.f3 0-0 15.0-0 c5 ( 15...g4 16.ab1! c6 17.fe1 with space and advantage, Soffer-Nagetz, Bad Lauterberg 1991 ) 16.d5 d6 17.b2! d7 18.d3 f6 19.e2 d8 20.ae1 715
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 wi t h a s u b s t a n t i a l a d va n t a g e , I l le sc a s Cordoba-Pogorelov, Zaragoza 1996. ] [ We have also seen 13...c6 in numerous g a m e s , e . g . , 14.d5 e5 15.0-0 0-0 16.fe1 f5 17.f4 f6 18.f3 fe8 19.h4! g6 20.xf5 xh4 21.f1 with some advantage, Ivanchuk-Nielsen, S k a n d e rb o r g 2 0 0 3 a n d t h e la t e r g a m e Steingrimssom-Kulaots, Tallin 2006 - see earlier columns. ( 21.g4!? )] 14.0-0 d7 [ A slightly unusual move. There have been many games with 14...h6 ] [ and 14...c6 , all leading so some theoretical advantage for White. ] 15.fe1 f6 [ 15...h6 16.f3 c5 17.d5 d6 18.d3 f6 19.ab1 again favours White's greater space, e.g., b6 20.e5 e8 21.f4 ] 16.f3!? White has both space and activity, although Black is without weaknesses and hopes to keep things under control. [ P r e v i o u s l y 16.d3 was played in Christiansen-Lein, Philadelphia 1990. White stood better after d6 17.c5 d8 18.ab1 b6 19.f4 ( or 19.c2! )] 16...d6 17.c5 d8 18.ab1 c6 Notice that ...b6, as in the Christiansen-Lein game, is not available. 19.f4!? h6 20.e4 d5 Trading d5 for d6. [ 20...xd4?! 21.xf6+ xf6 22.xf6 gxf6 23.e7! ties Black down the other idea is ] [ 20...xe4 21.xe4 , when Black still has problems getting unwound, but this was perhaps best. ] 21.g3 b6 22.bc1!? [ Interesting and probably better was 22.d6 e6 23.xd5!? xd5 24.f5 f6 25.e7+ h8 26.xd5 cxd5 27.e5! xe5 28.xe5 bxc5 29.dxc5 d4 and White has excellent winning chances. 30.f1 ] 22...e6 23.a3 Slow. Still, [ 23.cxb6 axb6 24.xc6 xa2 is not convincing. ] 23...b5 24.d6 f6 25.e5 ab8 26.xd5!? xd5 This powerfully posted piece roughly evens the chances. 27.c3 d8? This retreat takes the queen from defence on the kingside. Better, for example, is [ 27...g6 28.f3 h8 ]
28.ce1 [ 28.f5! Prevents ...Qf6 due to Ne7+ and so prepares Rce1 and Qg3. It also introduces the idea of Rxd5. ] 28...e6 [ Black should return by 28...f6! ] 29.g3 [ 29.f3 ] 29...a5 [ Last chance for 29...f6 ] 30.f4! After f5, White will break through to the seventh rank. b4 31.axb4 axb4 32.f5 d5 33.e7 b3? Now it's over. [ 33...h7!? would hold on longer. ] 34.f6 g6 35.f5 e4 [ 35...h7 36.xh6! ] 36.xh6+ h7 37.7xe4 xf6 38.f4 d8 39.xf7 d5 40.e7 be8 41.e5+ 1-0
720 Grischuk,Alexander Aronian,Levon Norway Chess 2nd (3) [Kosten, Tony]
A18 2792 2815 05.06.2014
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.d4 e5 8.f3 c6 Just as I was analysing last month's game between Bunzmann and Riazantsev, this one was being played! 9.g5! g6 10.d5 b8 11.h4 The mainline, but I did wonder whether [ 11.d3 wasn't a better try, as the standard c o n t i n u a t i o n f5 12.a4+ d7?! c a n b e m e t b y t h e n o v e l t y 13.h4! - see the notes to Bunzmann, D-Riazantsev, A in the PGN Archive. ] 11...d7 Normal, the knight heads for c5, but after this White has some advantage. [ I suggested that 11...h6!? 'maybe best' last month - see the analysis to Bunzmann, DRiazantsev, A. ] 12.d3 [ 12.h5 d6 13.d2 c5 14.b3 e7 15.e3 is nothing special for White, Najer, E (2640)-Ovetchkin, R (2499) Sochi 2012, 1-0 (42), after a4 ] 12...e4?! A new move, but not very good - it seems that Aronian had simply forgotten his 716
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 home preparation. [ 12...d6! is so lid e nou gh , 13.0-0 h6 14.e3 e7 15.e1 b6 ( 15...0-0 16.c2 ) 16.c5!? ( 16.a4 is an alternative, White has more space and an advantage in development, but the question is whether the h4-pawn helps with a kingside attack, or whether it is just a weakness.) 16...bxc5 ( 16...xc5?! 17.b5+ d7 18.c6 b8 19.xe5 ) 17.b5 0-0 18.c6 b8 19.d2 heading for e4 or c4. W hite had obvious positional compensation for the pawn in Zaslavsky, M (2450)-Bulmaga, I (2307) Plovdiv 2012, 1/2-1/2 (44), although maybe not quite enough after, say, g6 ] [ 12...f5 can be met by 13.g4! e4 14.gxf5 xf5 15.d4 g6 16.e2 f6 17.b5 d6 18.d4 with advantage. ] 13.h5! One advantage of having the h-pawn on h4 is to defend the g5-bishop, but the other is to be able to drive the black queen to a w o r s e s q u a r e . f5? The World number 2 overlooks a surprising tactic. [ 13...a6 was forced, 14.xe4 h6 15.e3 xc4 but 16.d4 e7 17.d2 a6 18.f3 followed by Bd3 with a clear plus. ] 14.h4!! This must have come as an enormous shock, Black is already lost! exd3 [ 14...c5 15.xe4! xe4?! ( 15...d7 ) 16.e2 wins, as Rxe4+ is decisive. ] 15.f4 The vicious point - the queen is t r a p p e d i n t h e m i d d l e o f t h e b o a r d . c5 16.xf5 xf5 If Black was already castled he might hope for some compensation for his material loss, but instead White still has the initiative and soon wins the d3-pawn. 17.d4 d7 18.f1 Making room for a check on e1. [ 18.h6! is even more unpleasant, gxh6 19.f6 g8 20.d2 and Qe3+. ] 18...d6 19.b3 [ 19.e1+ f8 20.d2 is also good. ] 19...f6 [ 19...0-0 20.xc5 xc5 21.xd3 is similarly bad. ] 20.e3 b6 21.xc5 bxc5 22.xd3 Rounding up the advanced black pawn, White now has queen and pawn for rook and bishop, a significant material advantage. 0-0 23.d2 e8 24.h6 g5 25.b2! The queen will go to a3 and capture the c5-pawn. d7 26.a3 fe8 27.xc5 h2 28.e1
[ There doesn't seem to be much point continuing here, perhaps Black was hoping for 28.g3?? h3# ] 28...f5 29.xe8+ xe8 30.e3 White had to guard against ...Bd3 mate! f7 31.e2 e5 32.d2 g4 33.xa7 g6 34.a4 xh6 35.a5 c6 36.dxc6 c8 37.f3 f5 38.g4 e6 39.e7 xc4 40.d4 1-0
721 Ivanchuk,Vassily Nielsen,Peter Heine 1st Samba Cup (5) [Tony Kosten]
A18 2710 2626 14.10.2003
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.f3 e5 8.d4 exd4 9.g5 e6+ 10.e2 e7 As I have mentioned before, [ 10...d3?! is a mistake, but that doesn't stop even quite strong players from falling for it! 11.0-0 c5 12.xd3 0-0 13.e1 a6 14.d4! h6 ( 14...d6 15.h5!? g6 16.h4 f6 17.f4 is also very good for White, Kaspi,A-Haimovich,T/Tel Aviv 1993) 15.h5 xd4 ( 15...d7 16.f5 f6 17.xh6+ gxh6 18.xh6 xf2+ 19.f1! is win n in g) 16.cxd4 d7 17.e7 e8 18.h4 f8 19.f3 a5 20.c5 a4 21.e4 f5 22.d5+ h8 23.e7 f6 24.c4! 1-0 Kosten,A-Gregoire,S/Cap d'Agde FRA 2003 as W hite wins an exchange whilst converting into a trivial endgame. ] 11.cxd4 xg5 12.xg5 e7 13.d2 c6 14.d5 e5 15.0-0 0-0 16.fe1 f5 17.f4 Back to this move, we saw the innovation [ 17.ac1!? in Rasmussen, K-Rozentalis,E/ Linares ESP 2002. ] 17...f6 18.f3 fe8 19.h4! Ivanchuk's subtle novelty. [ 19.d4 looks more logical, but after g6! (Banas,J-Rigo,Z/Prievidza 1998) 20.xf5 xd4 the black queen is well-placed in the centre of the board, and play is equal. ] 19...g6 20.xf5 xh4 And here is the allimportant difference: the black queen is on a s l i g h t l y i n f e r i o r s q u a r e ! 21.f1 d4 The queen centralises anyway, but now White 717
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 has an extra move! 22.d7 xe1 23.xe1 c5 24.h4! Typical Ivanchuk power play, he will try to drive the knight to a bad square so that he can use the seventh rank, and have the better minor piece. f8 How should Black react? Not [ 24...xh4? be ca u se a f t e r 25.e7 f8 26.xc7 White is winning, but ] [ 24...f6!? is possible, so that after 25.h5 e5 the knight reaches a central square with gain of tempo, 26.e6+ h8 27.h6 is clearly good for White, but Black is still fighting. ] 25.f5 g8 Black has to return, else he loses his h-pawn. 26.h5 f8 This is the problem, the knight becomes very passive. 27.g5! d6! To defend the d7-square. 28.g3 h6 29.e7 Penetrating to the seventh rank, White keeps a solid long-term initiative. d7 So the knight returns to the fray. 30.h3 c5 A natural move, but it may have been better to keep this piece close to the king with [ 30...f6 although White stays on top after 31.f5! ( 31.xd6 cxd6 32.e7 b8 is equal ) 31...xh5 32.c5! d8 ( 32...xd5?? 33.e8+ ) 33.d6 with a monster passed pawn. ] 31.f5! Controlling the b1-h7 diagonal sets up back-rank mating tricks whilst keeping the black knight in check (d3 is no longer accessible to this piece). b8 [ 31...f8 avoids the coming tactic, although White is still better after a simple move such as 32.g2 ] 32.e8+! f8 33.e7 White has simply achieved the 'transfer' of the black queen from the central d6-square to the passive f8 square. xe7 34.xe7 f8? This is a blunder, Black had to defend the c7-pawn: [ 34...a6 e.g. 35.f4 f8 36.d7 e8 37.f2 d8 38.xd8+ xd8 39.e3 e7 40.d4 d6 with fair chances. ] 35.xc7 a6 36.d6! This is what Black missed, after [ 36.d7 c5 37.c7 a6 he would force a repetition of moves. ] 36...d8 [ 36...xc7 37.dxc7 e8 38.c8 is hopeless, of course. ] 37.c5 b6 38.c6! b8 [ 38...xd6 39.xa7 hits the knight and
threatens c7-8 winning immediately. ] 39.e4 xd6 40.c8+ 1-0
722 Jobava,Baadur Brunello,Sabino 52nd It Reggio Emilia ITA (9) [Nigel Davies]
A18 2696 2507 06.01.2010
T h e F l o h r - M i k e n a s a t t a c k , wi t h W h i t e ' s attempt to throw his opponent on his own resources with 8.Bd3 prompted an extreme reaction in 9...g5!?. It's difficult to believe this can really be good, but it certain led to some fun. 1.c4 e6 2.c3 f6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.f3 c5 [ One of my own efforts in this line is worth mentioning, if only because it shows I've played it! 1/2-1/2 Davies, N (2497)-Parker, J (2532), Birmingham 2000 went 7...e5 8.b1 e4 9.e2 e7 10.d4 h5 11.d3 exd3 12.xe7+ xe7 13.xd3 0-0 14.0-0 d8 15.f5 d7 16.e1 d6 17.g5 f6 18.h4 e5 19.xc8 dxc8 20.xb7 cb8 21.b3 xc4 with stone cold equality. ] 8.d3 Moves like this shouldn't be seen as a fight for the advantage but rather an attempt to put the opponent more on his own resources. With a rating difference of almost two hundred points W hite probably figured that a chess game was more to his advantage than a theoretical struggle. [ The 'theoretical' move is 8.d4 when h6 9.d3 has been covered in earlier games. ] 8...d6 [ S o m e p l a y e r s h a v e p r e f e r r e d 8...d7 so as to meet 9.e4 with c6 . Not that 9. Be4 is necessarily that dangerous. ] 9.0-0 [ 9.e4 is an argument against 8...Bd6 but doesn't seem to be that scary. For example 0-0 10.d4 h6 11.0-0 d7 12.b1 b8 13.e1 d8 14.e3 e7 15.c1 f8 16.f4 b6 17.g3 xg3 18.hxg3 f6 19.e5 b7 started to look quite equal in Kharlov, A (2633)-Jakovenko, D (2557), Batumi GEO 2002. ] 718
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 9...g5!? Needless to say this amazing move is new! Actually there seems to be a decent case for it with White having blocked his dpawn. [ A much more sensible approach is to play just 9...0-0 , f or example 10.e4 c6 11.d4 h6 12.e3 b8 13.b1 d8 14.e2 c7 15.fd1 a5 16.h3 b6 was very comfortable for Black in Valensi, B (2173)-Matnadze, A (2415), Izmir TUR 2002. ] 10.c2 g4 11.e1 h5 12.d4 c6 13.e3 d7 14.e4 g7 15.b1 [ This, if anywhere, might have been White's c h a n c e t o g e t a n a d v a n t a g e . 15.d3 looks like a good move when cxd4 16.cxd4 f5 can be met by 17.xc6 xc6 18.f4 intending d4-d5. ] 15...f5 16.xc6 xc6 17.d5 exd5 18.cxd5 e5 19.g3 xd5 Winning a pawn, but isn't Black's king in trouble? Not as much as it might seem at first sight... 20.g5 0-0 [ One can understand Black's interest in d e v e l o p m e n t , b u t m a y b e 20...e4 was a better move. ] 21.g2 f4!? [ At first sight 21...e4 looks very strong, but W hite can answer this with 22.f3 gxf3 23.e3 f2+ 24.xf2 without suffering any ill effects. ] 22.xf4 xf4 23.xf4 e4 24.f3 gxf3 25.f2 [ 25.xd6 d8 26.f2 xd6 is also very difficult to assess. ] 25...xf4 26.gxf4 xa2 27.b2 xf4 28.g1+ h8 29.g3 [ White is loathe to play 29.xf3 when the f3 pawn helps protect his king. But a couple of moves later he doesn't see a good alternative. ] 29...h4 30.h3 g5 31.xf3 [ And not 31.xf3?? because of g8 . ] 31...g8! This leads to a draw by perpetual check, an exciting end to an exciting game. 32.xa2 g1+ 33.e2 e8+ 34.d3 b1+ 35.c2 c4+ 36.d4 d8+ 37.xc4 c8+ 38.d4 d8+ 39.c4 c8+ 40.d5 d8+ ½-½
723
A18 Khalifman,Alexander 2667 Leitao,Rafael 2567 FIDE WCh KO New Delhi IND (4.2) 07.12.2000 [Tony Kosten] 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.f3 e5 8.d3 [ The older 8.d4 is rarely played nowadays. ] 8...a6 9.0-0 d6 10.c2 [ 10.e1 is covered in the archives. ] 10...g4 11.d4 xf3 [ 11...0-0-0? is also analysed in the archives. ] 12.xf3 xf3 13.gxf3 This endgame is considered to be slightly better for White, as, although his structure is compromised, his bishop pair is very effective. 0-0-0!? [ 13...exd4 is more common, but it allows the displacement of the black king: 14.e1+ d7!? ( 14...d8 15.e4 b8!? 16.cxd4 c5 17.e3 is fairly level, Milov,V-Dizdar, G/ Dresden 1998) 15.f5+ d8 16.cxd4 c5 also seems close to equality, Huebner,RStohl,I/Baden 1999. ] 14.c5! [ I like this better than 14.b1 c5 15.e4 b6 16.dxe5 xe5 17.b3 b8 18.e3 c7 19.fb1 c6 20.d5 d7 21.f4 draw, Gelfand,B-Jussupow,A/Erevan 1996. ] 14...f8 15.c6! [ A novelty, improving on 15.g5 which gave W hite nothing af te r f6 16.e3 exd4 17.cxd4 b4 18.f5+ b8 19.fb1 d5 in Suba,M-Pogorelov,R/Berga 1994. ] 15...exd4 [ O t h e r w i s e , 15...bxc6?! allows White to capture the e5-pawn after 16.f5+ b7 17.b1+ a8 18.dxe5 ] 16.cxb7+ b8 [ 16...xb7!? 17.b1+ c6 18.d1 and 19 Be4+ seems awkward for Black, but might be playable. ] 17.cxd4 b4 18.e4 d5 19.b1!? An interesting exchange sac, very much in Khalifman's style. c3 20.g5 f6 [ 20...xd4!? may be possible, answering 21.e3 with b4 ] 21.e3 xb1 22.xb1 White has only ga in ed a p awn f o r h is e xcha nge, b ut h is powerful b7-pawn's future is assured. d6!? 719
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ Encouraging some tactics, Black could sittight with 22...d6 23.c6 a6 , say. ] 23.f4 b6 [ 23...d8 would admit a mistake, but is possible. ] [ However, 23...xd4?? would be positively disastrous: 24.xc7+ xc7 25.b8+ ] 24.xc7+! xc7 25.c1+ c5! [ Black could also aim for an opposite-colour bishop position by 25...d7 26.c8 g6 27.b8 xb8 28.xb8 f5 , but the text is better. ] 26.xc5+ b8 27.c6 d8 28.d5 White's two pawns provide more than enough compensation. xb7! This will be necessary, sooner or later. 29.xb7 xb7 30.g2 a6 31.a4 d7 32.g3 b6 Despite the pawn less Black has no problems. 33.c6+ a5 34.d6 xa4 35.c7!? [ 35.xa6+ b5 36.a8 g6 is drawn. ] 35...xd6 36.xg7 h5 37.h7 White's play appears to be very risky, as he has allowed Black to create a passed a-pawn. d5 38.h6 g5+? [ This must be a time-trouble error, 38...f5 39.f4 a5 40.f3 b3 41.e4 b5 42.xf6 a4 is far from clear. ] [ However, 38...a5 39.xf6 b4 is worth consideration as the a-pawn is hard to stop. ] 39.f4 g2? [ This drops the h-pawn, 39...c5 40.xf6 a5 is fine. ] 40.xh5 xf2 41.h4 a5 42.h8 The start of a clever winning plan. a3 43.h5 h2 44.h6 a4 45.h7 h5 46.g4 h1 47.f4 h2 48.f5 h4 49.e4 h5 50.f5 This leaves Black in zugzwang. a2 [ There is nothing else, 50...h1 51.d5 and Ke6xf6 is easily winning. ] 51.a8! xh7 52.xa4+ b3 53.a6 The black king is too far from the remaining pawns. e7+ 54.e6 f7 55.d5 c3 56.e8 a7 57.e6 a6+ 58.f7 d4 59.e6 Once White captures the pawn the black king remains cut-off. 1-0
724 Kortschnoj,Viktor Nielsen,Peter Heine Smartfish Masters (7) [John Watson]
A18 2601 2663 03.01.2005
Just when the theory of the Mikenas Variation was beginning to go in a single direction (however unclear - see the previous column), we realise that some of the old lines are still unresolved. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.cxd5 [ For 4.e5 d4 see the December Update. ] 4...exd5 5.e5 e4 6.f3 It's long be en known that 6.Nxe4 dxe4 7.Qa4+ Nc6 8.Qxe4 Qd4 or 8...Be6 give Black at least enough for his pawn c6 [ Moves like 6...c6 ] [ and 6...f5!? (7. Qb3 Nc5! ?) have only been played a couple of times but ma y indicate the direction to look in if you're Black. ] 7.b5 e7 [ Korchnoi's lengthy experience with this line includes his game versus Sharif in France 1987: 7...d7 8.xd5 ( 8.0-0 has also b e e n p l a ye d) 8...xe5 9.e2 xb5? ( 9...xf3+ 10.gxf3 c6 11.c4 cxd5 12.xd5 and White is better) 10.xe4 d6 11.d4!? ( 11.xe5! 0-0 12.e3 ) 11...c6 12.0-0 xd5 13.xd5 xf3+ 14.xf3 with the advantage. ] [ Another game Korchnoi-Unzicker, Johannesburg 1979 went 7...xc3 8.dxc3 e7 9.d4 d7 10.xc6 bxc6 11.d3 0-0 12.c2 h6 13.e3 with the advantage. ] 8.a4 This has been a very common move over the years, but I'm not clear why W hite can't play [ 8.xc6+! bxc6 9.a4 , which wins a pawn following xc3 10.xc6+ d7 11.xc3 0-0 12.0-0 c5 13.d4 . Black has some compensation but not much. See the next note. ] 8...d7 [ 8...xc3 9.xc6+ bxc6 10.xc6+ d7 11.xc3 transposes to the previous note. Then c5 12.d4 cxd4 13.xd4!? ( 13.xd4 looks strong) 13...c8 14.e3 b6 15.0-0 c5 16.d1 0-0 17.f4 f6 18.e3 ce8 720
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 19.exf6 xf6 20.g5! d6 21.c2 f5 22.g3 b6? 23.b4 xe3 24.xe3 fe5 25.xd5 d6 26.e3 e7 was SerperSkomorokhin, Kstovo 1994. ] 9.xe4 a6! 10.f6+ [ White stands poorly after 10.e2 xe5 11.d4 xf3+ 12.xf3 dxe4 13.xe4 0-0 ] 10...gxf6 11.xc6 xc6 12.f4 g8 [ 12...d4! opens the long diagonal, and 13.xd4 xg2 14.g1 d5 15.exf6 d6 favours Black. ] 13.0-0 [ 13.exf6 d6 14.e3+ d7 15.d4 xf6! ] 13...d4! 14.exf6 d6! 15.d3 xf6 16.xf6 xf6 17.e1+ d7 18.f1 xg2? Flashy, but wrong. Black's bishops would have been dominant after [ 18...g6! 19.f4 ag8 20.g3 xf3 21.gxf3 h5! , for example, 22.h4 e7 23.e4 c5 24.ae1 d6 25.xd6 xd6 and Black should win. ] 19.xg2 g8+ 20.f1 xf3 21.f4 g4!? Black could just consolidate the position by [ 21...c5 when he has some chances for advantage. ] 22.g3 h5 23.ac1 c6 24.c5 d5 25.xd5+! cxd5 26.e5 d8 27.h3 g6 28.xd4 e6 29.e2 A lucky save for Korchnoi. There is plenty more for both sides to investigate in this old line. ½-½
Kasparov's opponents found-out to their cost in the early Nineties. ] 4.e5 d4 Best, Black refuses to give ground in the centre. 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.f3 e5 The critical position. 8.d3!? this unusual move has caught-on recently since it was found that the traditional move [ 8.d4 gives White little. ] 8...a6 9.0-0 White continues his development, he will defer playing d4, until it offers some concrete advantage. d6 10.e1 There is an alternative in [ 10.c2 which really does threaten d4, g4 is the problem, an d a f te r 11.d4 xf3 12.xf3 xf3 13.gxf3 exd4 14.e1+ d8 ( or 14...d7 15.f5+ d8 16.cxd4 c5 Huebner,R-Stohl,I/Baden SUI 1999.) 15.e4 b8 16.cxd4 c5 White's two bishops were offset by his structural weaknesses, Milov, V-Dizdar,G/Zonal 1998. ] [ 10.a3 - 51/(18) ] 10...0-0 Now, [ 10...g4 is nothing af ter 11.e4 c5 12.h3 h5 13.d4 ] 11.xe5? An unfortunate idea of Van Wely's, [ 11.c2 h8 12.e4 is more sensible, but gives White nothing after c5 Miles,A-Oll,L/ Szeged 1997. ] 11...xe5 In the original game, Black shied away from this, and instead played [ 11...c5?! but he was quickly worse after 12.c2 xe5 13.h5 xh2+ 14.xh2 d6+ 15.e5 Van Wely,L-Oll,L/Beijing (open) 1997, W hite's bishop pair the 725 A18 dominant factor. ] Kosten,Anthony C 2515 12.h5 xh2+! In my pre-game preparation I Dizdar,Goran 2570 had completely overlooked this possibility, Montpellier 1998 instead I considered [ 12...e8 when 13.xh7+ f8 14.a3+ c5 [Tony Kosten] 15.d4 leads to a powerful white attack. I should be more careful! ] 1.c4 e6 2.c3 f6 Black wants to play a Unfortunately, the move I want to Q u e e n 's G a m b it D e cli n e d p e rh a p s, o r a 13.xh2 Ni m zo - I n d ia n . 3.e4 White has other ideas! play, [ 13.xh2?? loses a piece to d6+ ] The sharp Mikenas Attack threatens to swamp This move helps Black's position no Black in double-quick time, by e5, and d4. d5 13...f5 Black's safest move, the only reasonable end. 14.f1 A retreat, but I felt it was in my own best interests to keep both my bishops. alternative is [ 3...c5 when 4.e5 g8 5.f3 c6 6.d4! fe8 15.a3 g5! 16.e3!? xe3 17.fxe3 The white queen is temporarily out-ofsacrificing a pawn, cxd4 7.xd4 xe5 e4! 8.db5 gives White enormous positional play, and the white central pawns awkward. g6 19.d1 d8 20.e5? compensation for the pawn- as several of 18.f4 721
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 7...c5 seems less critical. c6 The most logical, but there are others: [ 8...d8!? is intelligent, removing the queen f rom a n exp osed squ are , 9.c2 d7 10.0-0 g6 the point, 11.d4 g7 12.f4 e7 13.e2 0-0 14.ad1 White's space advantage, and better development must count for something here, Chandler, M-Levitt, J/London 1999. ] [ 8...d7!? plans exchanging Black's most pa ssive bit , 9.e4 c6 10.e2 xe4 11.xe4 c6 12.b1 0-0-0 13.d4 d7 14.f4 g6?? this was far better on the p r e v i o u s m o v e , ( 14...d6 ) 15.xc6+!! 1-0 Benjamin,J-Gamboa,N/Philadelphia 1995, the capture of the queen allows mate on b8. ] [ 8...d6 prefers developing the kingside first, 9.e4 0-0 10.d4 h6 (Bg5 was t h r e a t e n e d ) 11.0-0 d7 12.b1 b8 13.e1 ( 13.a4!? ) 13...d8 14.e3 e7 is fairly equal, Kharlov,A-Jakovenko,D/ Batumi GEO 2002. ] 9.e4 This is the idea behind White's last move, the bishop makes way for the d-pawn's advance, and at the same time attacks c6. d7!? A new move, and quite understandable, Black protects the knight, but it may be better to ignore this and get on with kingside development by [ 9...d6 10.d4 h6 11.0-0 0-0 12.b1 ( 12.a3! d8 13.xc6 bxc6 14.a4 is more to the point, e. g. cxd4 15.xd6 xd6 16.c5! d8 17.cxd4 and the c8bishop looks silly) 12...e5!? 13.dxc5!? (I would be very worried about playing such 726 A18 a move and then losing!) xc5 14.e1 b6 15.a3 e8 16.a4 c7 White has some Kosten,Anthony C 2514 pressure, but Black seems fine, Kortschnoi, Guedon,Stephane 2232 V-Ravia,M/Antwerp 1995. ] 11th Open St Affrique FRA (1) 19.07.2003 10.d4 This is the sort of move you play and [Tony Kosten] then try to look distracted, perhaps the 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 opponent won't notice that you are threatening 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.f3 The most to win his queen!! h6 Black spotted it! [ 10...d6?? 11.g5 is a recurrent theme in flexible move, in my opinion, although this line. ] t r a n s p o s i t i o n i s l i k e l y . c5!? d6 12.b1 b8 13.e3 W e h a v e c o n s i d e r e d t h i s a f t e r 7 d 4 i n 11.0-0 B r a t a n o v, Z -A n t o n o v, O / I zm ir T UR 2 0 0 2 . White develops with tempo. cxd4 Removing 8.d3!? I wanted to take advantage of the fact White's doubled pawn, but after [ 13...e7 14.e1 0-0 15.c2 is a little that I had delayed d4, and this looks like the annoying, as White will continue with Qd3. ] similar line following 7...e5 8 Bd3, except that
After this things go rapidly downhill, [ I hadn't seen that after 20.d3 f6 21.f2! d7 the move 22.d2 is possible, because xd3? loses to 23.e4! xe4 24.g3 and so White holds the balance. ] 20...h5 21.e7?! d7 22.h4?? The bishop is not too well placed here. h7? A reprieve! [ 22...g4! wi n s , I h a d in t e n d e d 23.d4 xd1? 24.e8+ h7 25.xe4+ g6 26.e8 and 27 Bf6, with mate, but hadn't noticed that simply 23...Bc6, and White has two pieces en prise. ] 23.d4 f6 24.g3 e8 [ 24...c5! was more worrying, bringing the knight into the game. ] 25.h3 g5 Black was getting short of time hereabouts. 26.e1 g6 27.d2 h4 28.c5 My first positionally useful move for a while! f5 It looks bleak for White with his bishops so badly placed, and the black e4-bishop so strong, but I had been sneakily preparing some counterplay. 29.g4! fxg4?! [ 29...hxg3 30.xg3 h7 31.h2 should keep Black slightly ahead. ] 30.xg4 Suddenly White has some play, B x h 4 i s t h e i m m e d i a t e t h r e a t . f5 Black decides to force a draw, he could still go wrong, by [ 30...h6? for instance, 31.h2 g6 32.c6 and suddenly it is W hite who will be victorious. ] 31.f3 e4 32.g4 f5 33.f3 e4 34.g4 ½-½
722
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 14.cxd4 0-0 15.e1 My original intention had been to play [ 15.d5 to win the a-pawn, but then exd5 16.cxd5 e5 is fine for Black, as 17.xa7? is met by f4! which attacks e4, and h2. ] 15...fc8? Black is oblivious to the threat, [ 15...fe8 was far better, as then the e4bishop would be 'en prise' if White were to play d5, but even here White is on top after 16.c5! c7 17.e5 as xe5? 18.dxe5 xe5 19.xd7 xh2+ 20.f1 leads nowhere. ] 16.d5! Now that the e4-bishop is defended this move is strong. exd5 17.cxd5 b4 There is nothing better, as now [ 17...e5 18.xa7 a8 ( 18...f4 19.xe5 xe5 20.g3 wins, as e4 is defended ) 19.xe5 xe5 ( 19...xe5?? 20.h7+ ) 20.xb7 grabs two pawns. ] 18.d4!? This is nice, but my first thought was [ 18.a3 when a6 is f o r ce d , ( 18...a2 19.b3 c3 20.d4 wins the hapless knight ) 19.xa7 a8 20.xb7 winning easily. ] 18...d8 19.e5 f5 I had been expecting [ 19...xa2 when White wins with the sacrificial attack 20.xf7! xf7 21.h5+ g8 ( 21...f8 22.xg7+! xg7 23.g6+ f8 24.xh6+ forces mate in a few moves ) 22.g6 and Black can resign. ] 20.h5! The second tactical point. xe5 [ 20...fxe4 21.f7+ h7 22.xd7 is quite hopeless, and ] [ 20...e8 21.xe8+ xe8 22.xf5 is hardly any better. ] 21.xe5 fxe4 22.xb4! Of course, there is no way I would play [ 22.xb8? allowing d3! and play is unclear. ] 22...a5?? This shortens matters, [ 22...f8 is better, 23.bxe4 ( 23.b2 a8 24.xb7 may be even stronger) 23...c2 24.d4 and White should win quickly by a t t a c k i n g g 7 , p r o v i d i n g h e a v o i d s f5 25.e7?? when ( 25.4e3 ) 25...xe7! turns the tables, as the back rank is weak! ] 23.g6 There is no way to defend g7. 1-0
727 Kosten,Anthony C Horvath,Jozsef TCh-AUT 2005-6 (2) [John Watson]
A18 2507 2522 19.11.2005
Our Webmaster plays a theoretically important game with an interesting ending as a bonus. I hope that he wasn't counting upon my p r e vio u s a n a l ysi s i n t h is c o lu m n , wh i c h proved flawed. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.f3 e5 8.d4 exd4 9.g5 e6+ 10.e2 e7 11.cxd4 xg5 12.xg5 e7 13.d2 c6 14.0-0 Annotating the game Timman-Kulaots, Prague 2004, I suggested that [ 14.d5 was probably a bit better. I may have b e e n r i g h t b u t n o t wh o l l y f o r t h e r i g h t reasons. ] 14...xd4 Otherwise White is clearly better off positionally and has a certain initiative. 15.h5 [ 15.xd4 xg5 16.f4 is worth thinking about. ] 15...0-0 [ 15...e6! A) 16.xf7+ xf7 17.fe1 e6 18.xe6 xe6 19.xe6 xe6 20.e1 xe1+ 21.xe1+ f7 22.b1 '!' ', which wins either the b-pawn or h-pawn, for example, ' ( [new note:] 22.e5 he8 23.xc7+ e7 24.a5 , about equal. Probably Black has what chances there because White has the weaknesses.) 22...he8 23.h4 ( 23.h3 b6 24.xh7 and the position looks balanced.) 23...b6 24.xh7 ad8 25.h5 'is another approach. I doubt that White will win this sort of thing however.' d6=; B) 16.xf7!? was the Timman game. I'll co m bin e n ot e s: xf7 17.xd4 xh5 18.fe1 e2 19.b2!? 0-0-0 ( 19...f7 20.xe2 f6 forces simplification: 21.xf6+ gxf6 . This looks drawish.) 20.ab1 b6 21.xe2 d7!? ( 21...c5! lo o ks like a so lid a lt e rna t ive . 22.xg7 xc4 23.e7 c2 24.f1 hf8 (intending ...Qxf2+!) 25.h3 h5= ) 22.h3 he8 23.xe8 xe8 24.c5 e6 25.b3 e7 26.f1 White has a small edge. The ideas of a4-a5 and Rc1 are available. Still, this isn't much...' [Timman went on to win] . 723
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 '...White should probably prefer the small advantage that he gets from 14.d5. ' ] 16.xf7+ h8!? [ In my analysis to that game I missed that 16...xf7! 17.xf7 c5! 18.g5 h6 19.f3 xf3+ 20.gxf3 e6 was playable. This looks like just enough for the Exchange. Fortunately Tony didn't have to deal with that one! ] 17.ae1 f6 18.d5 c5 [ I also missed that 18...c6! was better, since 19.f7+ ( 19.e4 f5 20.xf5 xf5 ) 19...g8 does nothing. ] 19.f4 [ I said that 19.e4 'yields a clear advantage. ' It does seem like the best move. ] 19...f5?! [ 19...h6 20.e4 with a some advantage because Black has to defend his b-pawn bef ore moving the bishop. There migh t follow b6!? ( 20...e7 ) 21.c3 b8 22.e7 d6 23.fe1 xf4? ( 23...d7 ) 24.e4! xe7 25.xf4 a8 26.d6! ] 20.xb7 ab8 21.e4 h6 22.xf5 xf5 23.e6 b2 [ 23...fe8 24.xc5 ] 24.d5 fb8 25.e5?! A little too careful. [ 25.xc5! turns out to be safe enough. d8 26.d7 g6 27.f2 ] 25...h4 26.f2 b1? [ The best chance was 26...xe5! 27.fxe5 xf2 28.xf2 b2+ 29.g3 ( 29.f1 xg2 30.xc5 xh2 isn't clear.) 29...g5 30.h3! ( 30.xc5 xg2+ 31.h3 c2 ) 30...xa2 ( 30...xg2 31.e4; 30...xg2?? 31.xg5! )] 27.xb1? [ Now it's White's turn. The not-so-obvious 27.ef1! xe5 ( 27...g6 28.d5 ) 28.fxe5 g6 29.e2 does the trick. 27.Rxb1 may still win but it gets a little difficult. ] 27...xb1+ 28.f1 xe5 29.fxe5 xf1+ 30.xf1 g6 31.xc5 xe5 32.e2 g8 33.e3 xc4+ 34.d4 White's king position should give him enough to bring the point home. I don't have any idea whether Black has chances here, but I'll give some superficial indications about what may be relevant lines. b6 [ 34...d6 35.d5 ( 35.e5 c4+ ) 35...f5 36.c6 f7 37.a4 e7 38.b7
and W hite will be ahead of the game continuation. ] 35.e5 f7 36.d6 White must be winning here but it looks as though there are a lot of subtleties. c4+ 37.c6 e3? Miscounting! Much tougher was [ 37...e7! 38.a4 , f o r e xa m p le , e5+ 39.b7 d6 ] 38.g3 f1 39.b7 xh2 40.xa7 and wins. f1 [ 40...h5 41.a4 g5 42.e4 ] 41.a4 xg3 42.a5 h5 43.a6 f5 [ 43...h4 44.b8 h3 45.d3! ] 44.e4 e6 45.b8 e5 46.c3 d4 1-0
728 Kuljasevic,Davorin Grigorov,Grigor TUR-chT 1st League (6.5) [Tony Kosten]
A18 2564 2494 26.06.2014
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.f3 e5 8.d3 Could we see a return to this line? d6 9.0-0 a6 10.c2 g4 11.d4 xf3 12.xf3 xf3 13.gxf3 The critical endgame, White's bishops offer him a small plus, but Black is solid, his defensive plan is well worked out, and W hite's weakened pawn structure is a problem. exd4 Standard, I looked at [ 13...0-0-0 14.c5! in Khalifman, A-Leitao, R. ] 14.a4+!? A new try, first played by Aronian, although play will likely transpose later on. [ 14.e1+ is normal, d8 A) 15.e4 b8 16.cxd4 c5 17.b2 c7 18.d5 he8 ( 18...be8 19.f5 b8 20.e4 d7 21.xd7 xd7 22.ae1 should be level, Akopian, V (2660)-Sorokin, M (2572)/Dubai 2000.) 19.a3 e5!? 20.xe5+ xe5 21.f4 ee8 22.xh7 d6 the pawn is not worth too much, Van W ely, L (2675) -Rozentalis, E (2586)/ Istanbul 2003.; B) 15.cxd4 c5 16.d5 c7 17.b2 ( 17.a4 transposes to the main game.) 17...he8 18.a3 ad8 19.e4 ( 19.a4 xe1+ 20.xe1 b8 was quickly drawn in Morovic Fernandez, I (2573)-Vescovi, G 724
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 (26 48 )/ S ao Pa ulo 20 04 .) 19...xe4 20.fxe4 f6 21.h1 Kuzubov, Y (2639)D i z d a r , G ( 2 5 1 3 ) / D u b a i 2 0 1 4 , f8!? 22.f4!? ] 14...d8 15.cxd4 c5 Thematic, Black shouldn't allow White to play c5 when his light square bishop would be more powerful. 16.d5 c7 17.f4!? Positionally well-founded, the pawn restricts Black's remaining bishop. [ 17.e1 allows b4 18.d2 ( 18.e3?! b5! 19.cxb5 xd5 was nice for Black in Shishkov, M (2278)-Grigorov, G (2490)/ Sunny Beach 2013.) 18...d3 19.e3 e5 20.c1 g5 occurred in the stem game, after 21.a5+ b6 22.c3 f6 23.ce1 hg8 24.g2 af8 ( 24...xc4!? 25.e7+ xe7 26.xe7+ b8 27.c6 ) 25.e4 g6 26.h1 e5 Black was fine, but went on to los e in A ro nia n, L (28 16) -Naidit sch , A (2712)/Istanbul 2012. ] 17...b8 The knight heads for a more useful square. [ 17...b4 would be pointless with no rook on e1, 18.d1 and a3. ] 18.b1 b6 [ 18...d7? 19.xd7 xd7 20.xb7+ ] 19.g2 [ 19.b3!? is interesting, with a swinging rook, d7 20.a3 a5 21.g3 g6 22.h3 forcing weaknesses in the black structure. ] 19...d7 20.f3 Another point behind White's 17th, the knig has a nice safe square on f3. he8 21.b2 g6 22.fe1 xe1 23.xe1 g8 Black defends passively behind his wall of pawns. 24.h4 a6 25.c3 b5!? A well-timed bid for counterplay. 26.cxb5 [ 26.a5+ b6 27.cxb5 axb5 28.xb5 transposes. ] 26...b6 27.a5 axb5 28.xb5 a8 29.xb6+ xb6 30.a4 White has gained a pawn but the opposite colour bishops restrict his winning chances somewhat. a5! 31.e4 [ 31.h5 seems natural, but gxh5 32.h1 b4! and ...c4. ] 31...d8 32.e3 f5 33.e6 b4 34.d3 xf4 35.c4 d6 36.f6 d7 37.h5 xa4 38.hxg6 hxg6 39.xg6 Now the game is soon drawn. a5 40.g5 f4 41.g8 b6 42.c8 c7 43.a8 b7 44.e8 d6 45.b5 e7 46.c6+ b6 47.d8 c7
48.g8 e1 49.g6 d1+ 50.e2 ½-½
729 Mastrovasilis,Athanasios Papaioannou,Ioannis GRE-chT 42nd (5.2) [Tony Kosten]
A18 2512 2642 01.07.2014
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 e5 4.f3 c6 5.d4 exd4 6.xd4 b4 7.xc6 The most common, and strongest. [ I looked at 7.f3 in Navara, D-Istratescu, A, see the Archive. ] 7...bxc6 We've reached a Scotch Four Knights position, except that White has gained the c2-c4 move for free. Is this useful? [ 7...xc3+ 8.bxc3 bxc6 9.e5 e7 10.e2 g8 11.f4 offers White some space and the bishops for his weakened structure, Tichy, V-Lange, D/Prague 1990 ] 8.e5!? One advantage of having the pawn on c4, as now the knight can't go to d5! [ 8.d3 i s n a t u r a l , w h e n 0-0 9.0-0 has to be an improvement for White on the Scotch, as Black can't play ...d5 so easily, d6 10.g5 h6 11.h4 e8 12.c2 still, W hite has very little here, even so, Jobava, B (2658)-Melkumyan, H (2534)/ICC INT 2008. ] 8...e4 [ 8...e7 9.e2 is a bit awkward: g4?? ( 9...xc3+ 10.bxc3 and now g8 is forced, Hoelzl, F (2415)-Hasan, Y (2260) / Novi Sad 1990.) 10.xg4 xe5+ 11.e2 and Black can't capture twice on c3 as his queen is pinned! Sidon, M (2013)-Kottemer, J (2070)/Nickenich 2012. ] 9.g4!? The most forcing, and reminiscent of the 4 d4 King's English Four Knights. Still, such lines are always risky. [ 9.c2 xc3 10.bxc3 c5 11.d3 d6 12.exd6 cxd6 13.0-0 it's not easy for Black to castle, Khatanbaatar, B (2395) -Battulga, N (2420)/Ulaanbaatar 2011. ] [ 9.d4 f5 10.exf6 xf6 11.e2 0-0 12.0-0 c5 13.h4 xc3 14.bxc3 looks equal, Lucena, L (2161) -Shumyatsky, V (2352)/Brazil 2010. ] 9...xc3 Clearly best. 725
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 9...d5? 10.xg7 f8 11.a3! h4 12.g3?! ( 12.e3! ) 12...xg3 13.axb4 xh1 14.g2 h3 15.xh1 xf1 16.xf1 g8 was a bit wild, Hausner, I (2451)-Pagerka, M (2215)/Brezova 2010, but should favour White after 17.cxd5 ] 10.d2?! The first new move, but not a good one. [ 10.a3 f8 11.bxc3 e7 12.g3 d6 13.e2 xe5 14.f4 f6 15.g5 e5 16.f4 f6 17.g5 1/2-1/2 Svane, R (2394)-Rusev, K (2549)/ Copenhagen 2012 ] 10...0-0 11.bxc3 e7! [ 11...a5 12.d3 d6 is also satisfactory, 13.e4 g6 14.xc6 b8 Black has excellent compensation for the pawn. ] 12.e2!? Of fering a pawn. xe5 13.0-0 A n d a s e c o n d o n e . xc3 14.f4 f6 15.ac1 d6 16.f3 b2 17.b1 f5 W hite has zero compensation, and is objectively lost. 18.g5 xg5 19.xb2 ae8 20.b7 e4 21.g3 a5! [ 21...xg3 22.hxg3 xg2 23.xg2 xe2 m u s t h a v e b e e n t e m p t i n g , b u t 24.xc7 xa2 25.xc6 will be difficult to win, despite the two extra pawns. ] 22.d3 h6 23.h3 e6 24.xe4 xe4 25.d3 fe8 26.b8 4e5 27.b1 c5 28.b3 e4 29.b1 xb8 30.xb8+ h7 31.xc7 f4 32.f1 f6 Black has returned a pawn, but is still one pawn ahead and enjoys a dominating position. 33.h2 xc4 34.f4 c2 35.f3 Activating the rook. c1 36.d7 a1 Not the most efficient. [ 36...g1+ 37.g3 e1+ 38.h2 h5 39.f5+ h6 forces 40.h4 d1 threatens ...Qg1+ and ...Rd2. ] 37.c3!? g1+ [ 37...xc3? 38.f5+ forces a perpetual, g8 39.c8+ f7 40.d7+ ] 38.g3 b1? Stopping Qf5+, but it decentralises the queen. [ 38...e1+ 39.g4 e4 keeps control. ] 39.h4! f5 40.g3 b2 Black has to defend g7, but now White is OK. 41.xf5+ h8? [ 41...g8 ] 42.b3 f6+ 43.xf6 gxf6 44.h5! Menacing Kg6 and mate. e1!? [ 44...xa2 45.g4 e2 46.xh6 e8 47.g6 followed by the advance of the kingside pawns would be very difficult to
face, still any win is far off. ] 45.xh6 e8 46.g4 Now we reach the same p o s it i o n wi t h a p a wn m o re f o r W h i t e . d5 47.h4 d4 48.g5 f5! [ 48...fxg5 49.hxg5 d8 50.d3 c5 51.g6 c4 52.d1 d3 53.f5 d2 54.f6 is winning. ] 49.g6 g8? Time trouble, no doubt. [ 49...c5 would draw comfortably, 50.b7 ( 50.xf5? d8 and ...d3.) 50...d8 51.h5 d3 and White would have to take a perp. ] 50.h5 d8 51.h6 h8 52.f7 d3 53.g6 d7+ 54.f6 Now Black can't stop mate, what a turnaround! d8 55.h7 c5 56.g5 1-0
730 Naiditsch,Arkadij Fedorchuk,Sergey TCh-FRA Top 12 2012 (10.1) [Tony Kosten]
A18 2698 2634 09.06.2012
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.f3 e5 8.d4 c6! "A computer move" - Wesley So told me after our game, and it's true that Houdini seems to like this move a lot. Unfortunately I hadn't noticed this particular game as our team had a free day (due to the forfeit of one of the teams) and I was sightseeing! The very next day it was played against me! 9.d5!? A novelty, but I don't think it will catch on. [ 9.g5! is critical, g6 10.d5 b8 A) 11.d3 f5 ( I gave 11...f5! 12.e2 e4 13.h4 d7 in 'DW-Flank' "when Black m i g h t e v e n b e b e t t e r " .) 12.a4+ Kortschnoj, V (2645)-Ashley, M (2460)/ New York 1996, d7!; B) 11.h4 d7 ( 11...h6 12.e2!? hxg5 13.xe5 h5 14.g4 xg4 15.xg4+ d8 was quite unclear in Steingrimsson, H (2556)-Lysyj, I (2656)/Plovdiv 2012.) 12.h5 ( 12.d3 d6 13.0-0 h6 14.e3 e7 15.e1 b6 16.c5!? Zaslavsky, M (2450)-Bulmaga, I (2307)/ Plovdiv 2012.) 12...d6 13.d2 c5 14.b3 e7 15.e3 b6!? 16.xc5 bxc5 17.b1 0-0 18.h6 g6 19.b5 a6 20.e2 d7 21.xc5!? offering the exchange for darksquared control, Najer, E (2640)-Ovetchkin, R (2499)/ Sochi 2012. ] 726
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 9.e2 exd4 10.cxd4 b4+ 11.d2 xd2+ 12.xd2 "is a draw" according to Wesley So. ] [ 9.dxe5?! is a 'morning move' - I simply couldn't think straight at all! xe5 10.e2 d6 A) 11.c5? wins a piece, but loses to A1) the obvious 11...g4? can be met by A1a) 12.cxd6? 0-0-0 is crushing, 13.c2 ( 13.xe5 he8 ) 13...xf3+ 14.gxf3 xf3 winning quickly, Hempson, P (2219)-Crouch, C (2424)/ Durham 2000.; A1b) 12.g5! f5 13.cxd6 xf3 14.d7+ xd7 15.0-0-0+ unclear.; A2) 11...0-0! the move I'd originally underestimated. 12.cxd6 g4 13.d2 xf3+ 14.gxf3 xf3 winning material.; B) 11.g5 A c h a n g e o f p l a n s ! e6! 12.d4 d3+ 13.d2 xe2+ 14.xe2 c5 with the better pawn structure for Black in Kosten, A (2493)-So, W (2653)/ Belfort FRA 2012. ] [ I thought a great deal about 9.xe5 when xe5 10.e2 is met by e7! ( 10...d6?! 11.f4 ) 11.xe5 xe5+ 12.dxe5 f5 13.e2 0-0-0 when Black has more than enough compensation for the pawn in the shape of White's poor queenside formation, Socko, B (2636)-Lysyj, I (2633)/Moscow 2012. ] 9...b8 [ 9...e4!? is certainly worth consideration, 10.g5 xc3+ 11.d2 d4 12.dxc6 c5 and White is in a bit of trouble. ] 10.d3 d7 [ Again 10...e4!? i s p o s s i b l e , 11.xe4 xc3+ 12.d2 xc4 ] 11.0-0 h6 12.e1 d6 13.c2 White has more space, but Black has a nice square on c5 and the better pawn structure. b6 14.b1 f8!? [ Black was clearly worried that after 14...0-0 White can aim for h7 by 15.d3 however, g6 16.xg6 fxg6 17.xg6 a6 18.d2 c5 gives compensation. ] 15.e3 g6 16.d2 d8 17.f4 g7 18.f5 f6 19.f1 [ 19.fxg6 fxg6 20.h3 with a small plus. ] 19...g5 20.h4 e7 21.e1 a6 22.d3?!
ag8 Too routine. [ 22...e4! i s t h e m a t i c , 23.xe4 xe4 24.xe4 f6 menacing ...Qxe4, ...Qe5 and ... Bxc4, and after 25.d3 e5 26.g3 xg3+ 27.xg3 xg3 I prefer Black. ] 23.e2 ½-½
731 Navara,David Istratescu,Andrei 5th IECC Playoff Bronze (2) [Tony Kosten]
A18 2602 2587 30.05.2004
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 e5!? An alternative to the normal moves [ 3...d5 and ] [ 3...c5 ] 4.f3 c6 We have reached Nimzovitch's System with an extra tempo for White! 5.d4 The most logical, although [ 5.e2 b4 6.d3 was tried in Ribli,Z-Hoelzl, F/Austria 1997. ] [ 5.a3!? would be my choice, stopping ... Bb4, d6 ( 5...a6?! 6.e2 c5 7.xe5! xf2+ 8.xf2 xe5 9.d4 with a clear advantage, fg4+? 10.e1 h4+ 11.g3 h3 12.f1 h5 13.dxe5 winning a piece, Damaso,R-Figueiras,J/2nd Open, Faro POR 1998 ) 6.h3 g6 7.g3 g7 8.g2 0-0 9.0-0 e6 10.d3 h6 11.d5 and White is a move ahead of a normal Botvinnik-style setup, Badea,B-Barbu,I/Miercurea Ciuc ROM 2000. ] 5...exd4 6.xd4 b4 7.f3 Solidly defending the e-pawn, [ 7.xc6 is an alternative, xc3+ ( 7...bxc6 8.d3 0-0 9.0-0 e8 10.e1 d6 11.g5 h6 12.h4 with a plus, Schneider,B-Klings, P/Schoeneck 1988.) 8.bxc3 bxc6 ( 8...dxc6 9.xd8+ xd8 10.d3 led to a quick win for White in Spaan, H-Van de Bruinhorst,G/ Alkmaar 1984, but looks OK for Black here) 9.e5 e7 10.e2 g8 11.f4 offers White some space and the bishops for his weakened structure, Tichy,V-Lange,D/ Prague 1990 ] 7...d6 [ 7...0-0 8.e2 e8 9.g5 d6 10.c2 ( 10.c1!? but not; 10.0-0?? xd4 727
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 11.xd4?? c5 ) 10...xc3+ 11.bxc3 is not very inspiring, Berechet,O-Talla,V/ CZE-chT 1993. ] 8.e2 [ 8.e3 xc3+ 9.bxc3 e5 10.e2 0-0 11.0-0 fd7 12.f4 g6 is similar to positions that arise from the Four Knights with 4 d4 (A28), White has more space and t wo b i s h o p s , b u t B l a c k h a s t h e b e t t e r structure and a nice square on c5. Himanshu, K-Satyapragyan,S/Mumbai IND 2004. ] 8...0-0 9.e3 White must still take care not to castle! xc3+ 10.bxc3 e7!? Heading for g6, as in the above note, but [ 10...e5 seems more logical. ] 11.0-0 g6 12.a4 a5 13.d2 [ 13.b5 would be my choice, threatening Bg5xf6. ] 13...e8 14.f2 b6 15.fe1 b7 16.f5 [ Once again 16.b5 is a different idea, the pressure on c7 will stop Black from becoming too active. ] 16...d7! Both sides place their pieces c a r e f u l l y . 17.h4!? White decides to use his advanced knight to generate a kingside attack. [ 17.e3 can now be answered by g5 pinning the knight and menacing ...Nf4. ] 17...c5!? Black continues to place his hopes on his well-placed pieces. [ 17...e7 would help defend the kingside. ] 18.h5 e5 19.h6?! White attacks on the dark squares, Black has exchanged his darksquared bishop, of course, but this pawn will soon be lost. [ 19.xc5!? dxc5 20.f4 f6 21.g3 is another idea. ] 19...g6! Black should certainly not grab the 'poisoned exchange': [ 19...b3? 20.d1 xa1 21.xg7! f8 22.f5 and White can capture the knight on a1 when he wants and remain with a powerf ul attack on the weakened black king. ] 20.h4 f6 21.d4 The knight returns to cover b3. f7 22.d1 g5 The point, the h6pawn is c ut -o f f f ro m it s de f e nd er. 23.g3 xh6 24.c2 White still has some chances because of the weakened black kingside. f7 25.f2 White wants to use the opened h-file. c8 26.h1 h6 27.h5 d7 28.ah1 g7
E ve r yt h i n g i s s o l i d l y d e f e n d e d . 29.b1?! This all looks rather crude, White lines-up his queen and bishop battery. h8 30.f4?! e7 31.c2 gxf4 32.xf4 ag8 The king can simply escape to f8. 33.d2 f8 34.xh6+ xh6 35.xh6 xh6 36.xh6? [ 36.xh6+ e8 37.h5+ is better, although Black is still on top. ] 36...g7 [ 36...xe4! would be a neat way to finish the game, 37.xe4 xe4+ winning. ] 37.f1 g5 Black decides to force play into a favourable endgame. 38.xg5 fxg5 39.h7 [ 39.b5 stops the loss of the a-pawn, but after xb5 40.axb5 Black has a good knight against a terrible bishop. ] 39...g7 40.h8+ e7 41.c2 f7+ 42.f5+ f6 [ 42...xf5? 43.exf5 would actually be fine for White, who can attack the g-pawn. ] 43.e2 xa4 The a-pawn was bound to disappear, sooner or later! 44.xa4 xa4 45.d3 c5+ 46.d4 e6 47.g8 a4 The a-pawn is coming! [ 47...xe4! 48.xe4 xf5 would be another winning method. ] 48.xg5? a3 49.e3 a2 50.d4+ d7 51.c2 Stopping the a-pawn for a short while. f1 52.g7+ c8 53.g4 c1 54.d4 0-1
732 Nepomniachtchi,Ian Aleksandrov,Aleksej 11th Aeroflot Open A (2) [John Bartholomew]
A18 2735 2612 08.02.2012
1.c4 e6 2.c3 f6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.d4 The old main line. [ The flexible 7.f3 is quite popular these d a y s . S p e c i f i c a l l y , t h e v a r i a t i o n e5 ( Transpositional possibilities abound between 7.d4 and 7. Nf3, i.e. 7...c5 8.d4 reaching the present game.; Black should a lso give s t ro n g c o n si d e r a t io n t o 7...b6 - see the note to Black's next move.) 8.d4 ( There's also 8.d3!? , forgoing d2-d4 in favor of development.) 8...exd4 9.g5 e6+ 10.e2 is still up for debate. See 728
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 "Mik en as A tt ack - 3. . .d 5 & In tro" f or a good launching point for the discussion. ] 7...c5 The most frequent reply. Now an exchange on d4 will result in a classic "hanging pawn" structure. [ Black has a couple noteworthy alternatives. 7...e5 8.f3 transposes to 7.Nf3 e5 8.d4. ( 8.e2!? has been tried by some very strong players, but e7! has proven to be a fully satisfactory response. )] [ The positional 7...b6 deserves attention. Black declines an immediate central clash (why allow White to easily rid himself of the double d c-pa wns?) in f avor of Queen's Indian-style development. After 8.e2 b7 9.f3 xf3 10.xf3 d6 11.0-0 0-0 12.h3 h6 13.e1 c6 Black was doing well in Nikologorskiy, K (1946)-Nikolaev, V (2186)/ St Petersburg 2006/[John Watson]. ] 8.f3 h6 Preventing the pesky 9.Bg5 but falling behind in development. [ John Watson thoroughly investigated the complications of 8...cxd4 9.g5 ( Compare 9.cxd4 b4+ 10.d2 xd2+ 11.xd2 to our main game: here Black has saved a tempo (no ...h7-h6) and W hite has yet to play Bf1-d3. This ensures Black an easy game after b6! , e.g. 12.e2 b7 13.0-0 0-0 with a bare-bones hanging pawn position where W hite has done nothing to obstruct Black's ideal piece arrangement. Though objectively level, I think such a position is already easier to play as Black, and this seems to be borne out in the statistics (Black is +3, =4 from this position). A brief example: 14.fd1 d8 15.e3 c6 16.d2 e7! (Black is fully coordinated) 17.ad1 f5 18.f4 d6 (insisting on a favorable queen exchange) 19.xf6 gxf6 20.c5?! e4 Quinn, M (2391)-Lenic, L (2531)/Kemer 2007.) 9...f5 in Ghaem M a g h a m i , E ( 2 6 2 3 ) - A z a r o v, S ( 2 5 6 5 ) / Moscow 2005. In addition to the game's 10.cxd4 , there are 10.Qxd4 and the risky gambit 10.Bd3!? ] 9.d3 cxd4 [ Alternatives can be found in the archives: 9...c6!? 10.0-0! cxd4 11.cxd4 xd4 12.xd4 xd4 13.b1 with excellent compensation, Bratanov, Z (2438)-Antonov, O (2123)/Izmir 2002/[TonyK] ]
[ and 9...d6 Watson, J-Miller, I/Buena Park G/ 60 1995/[John Watson]. ] 10.cxd4 b4+ 11.d2 xd2+ 12.xd2 0-0 [ White obtained an enduring positional a d v a n t a g e a f t e r 12...c6 13.e3 in Tomashevsky, E (2586)-Iljin, A (2510)/ Cheboksary 2006/[John Watson]. Aleksandrov prefers to develop the knight to d7. ] 13.0-0 Black experiences minor problems in completing development. This allows White to build pressure over the next few move and secure a nice advantage. d7!? A novelty that doesn't change the assessment of the position. [ The old game Golombek, H-Koenig, I/ Warsaw 1935 went 13...c6 A) A more recent contest saw 14.fe1 b6 , Agrest, E (2574)-Henriksson, J (2161)/ Dos Hermanas 2003. White should have reacted energetically, i.e. 15.d5!? ( or 15.e4!? b7 16.ae1 ) 15...exd5 16.cxd5 a5 17.e5; B) 14.e4 d7 15.ab1 ab8 16.fd1 fd8 . Here White rushed things with 17.d5 (Black is prepared for this advance) exd5 18.cxd5 and Black was fine after e5 ( or 18...e7 ) 19.e3 xf3+ 20.xf3 b6 21.a3 a5 22.bc1 bc8 . Perhaps he should have tried 17. c5!? with a slight advantage. ] [ White had an interesting idea in Oratovsky, M (2481) -Kruppa, Y (2602)/Budapest 1999: 13...d8 14.ae1!? ( 14.fe1 c6 15.ad1 is more natural and looks good for an edge. ) 14...c6 15.e4! g6! A) This peters out to equality. Instead, 16.c2!? b6 17.fe1 b7 18.d5 creates problems for Black. ( or 18.g4!? ); B) 16.xh6 xd4 17.xd4 xd4 18.xd4 xd4 19.d1 d7 20.c2 c3 21.xg6 fxg6 22.xg6+ f8 23.h6+ g8 24.g6+ h8 25.h6+ g8 1/2-1/2 ] 14.e3! Quite a useful move. White prevents ...e6-e5 and prepares his next. d8 [ The idealistic 14...b6?? loses instantly to 15.e4 . ] 15.e4 f8 [ Passive, but it's hard to fault Black for re ject in g th e co mp u t er's sugge st ion o f 729
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 15...g5!? ] 16.ab1 e7 17.c5! Positionally desirable W h i t e f i x e s t h e B l a c k p a w n o n b 7 . c7 18.b3!? [ It was also possible to play in the center with 18.fe1 . As usual, the side with the space advantage has the luxury of playing all over the board! ] 18...b8 19.fb1 b6 20.e5 d7?! [ Better was 20...b7! , i.e. 21.cxb6 axb6 22.xc7 xc7 23.xb6 d7 . Black has decent drawing chances despite the pawn deficit. ] 21.c6?! [ White has controlled the game excellently until now. W ith 21.a4! (threatening a4-a5) he could have gained a big advantage, i.e. f6 22.xc7 xc7 23.a5 d7 24.axb6 axb6 25.d2! ] 21...f6! Nepo may have missed this resource. 22.g3 xg3 23.hxg3 c7 24.c3 f7 No w W h it e 's e d ge is wit h in m a n a ge a b le b o u n d a r i e s . 25.cc1 g6 26.d5!? A reasonable decision. W hite sacrifices a pawn to support his waning initiative. exd5 27.d4 a6 28.a4 f8 29.f4 g6 30.e1 f5! 31.bc1 e6= Black has consolidated well. 32.xe6?! A tempting exchange sac, but probably a little optimistic. [ W h it e s h o u ld h a ve se t t le d f o r 32.xe6 xe6 33.xa6 d8= ] 32...xe6 33.xa6 d7 34.f2 e8 35.b5 a8 36.h1 h5 37.e1 e7 38.e5!? d8 39.a6 a8 40.b5 d8 Black acquiesces to the repetition. [ H e m u s t h a v e f i g u r e d t h a t 40...xe5 41.fxe5 offered him few chances to win, but g5!? was interesting since 42.xf5? e6-+ allows Black to decisively active his king. ] 41.a6 a8 42.b5 ½-½
733 Ni Hua Aleksandrov,Aleksej Open Calcutta IND (9) [John Watson]
A18 2611 2659 15.11.2004
exd4 9.g5 e6+ 10.e2 f6 Although it's not been seen as much recently, this has been considered a relatively solid option. This game challenges that assessment. 11.xd4 f7 12.h6! [ A terrific innovation! Here White has played 12.f4 in many games, doing fairly well. Objectively he shouldn't get much, however, after c5 and a timely ...c6 and/or ...Na6. ] 12...c5? Confronted with a new idea like the Bh6 shot even a first-class player can become disoriented. This move gives away b5 to the knight and horribly weakens d6. Of course Black can't respond by [ 12...gxh6?? 13.h5 but he can limit the damage with ] [ 12...g6 , after which there are several o p t i o n s f o r W h i t e i n c l u d i n g 13.d2!? , for example, xh6 14.xh6 f8 15.f4 f7 16.0-0 0-0 ( 16...a6 17.f3! ) 17.c5! ] [ Notice that 12...d6 13.h5 g6 14.e2 f8 15.d2 transposes to 12...g6. ] 13.b5 f5! This prevents Bh5 in lines like [ 13...c6? 14.xg7! xg7 ( 14...xg7 15.d6+ ) 15.h5+ e7 16.d6# ] [ and 13...e6? 14.xg7 etc. ] 14.0-0 d7 [ 14...c6? 15.h5 g6 ( 15...g6 16.e1+ ) 16.e1+ e5 17.xg6 hxg6 18.f4 and White's threats are overwhelming. ] [ 14...gxh6? 15.h5 g6 16.e1+ e7 17.d6+ ] 15.f4 a6 16.e1! f7 There's nothing else to do, for example, [ 16...xd1 17.h5+ d7 18.axd1+ c6 19.d6! ] [ or 16...0-0-0? 17.xa7# ] 17.f3 d8 18.xb7 [ Or 18.d5+ g6 19.f3 , but the move played traps Black's knight on a6. ] 18...g5 19.g3 b8 20.h5+ g7 [ 20...g6 21.f3 ] 21.ad1 xb7 22.xd8 c6 23.d5 g6 24.g4 h5 25.d7+ h6 26.e6 a8 27.xf6 e7 [ 27...e7 28.exe7 xe7 29.h4 ends it. ] 1-0
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.d4 e5 8.f3 730
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 734 Nikologorskiy,Konstantin Nikolaev,V White Nights Open (1) [John Watson]
A18 1946 2186 23.06.2006
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.d4 b6 8.e2 b7 9.f3 xf3 10.xf3 d6 11.0-0 0-0 12.h3 h6 13.e1 c6 14.a4 a5 15.c5 f4 16.a3 [ 16.xf4 xf4 ] 16...fd8 17.ab1?! [ 17.e4 seems to give White some advantage. ] 17...f5! 18.b4?! c4 A great outpost. B l a c k s t a n d s b e t t e r . 19.c6 d5! Correctly judging that the resulting ending will be very difficult for W hite. 20.xd5 xd5 21.g3 g5 22.xg5 xg5 Now White has no compensation for the huge disparity between the minor pieces. W orse, ...a5 is threatened, so Black gets another open file. 23.cxb6 cxb6!? [ Why not 23...axb6 ? It seems very strong. ] 24.g2? [ 24.a1 intending a4-a5. ] 24...d5 25.g4 d7 Again ...a5 is threatened and Black is winning (and won) 0-1
735 Pelletier,Yannick Bakker,Sven Gibtelecom Masters (8.19) [John Watson]
A18 2579 2308 31.01.2006
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.f3 [ White can't possibly have gotten an advantage in the following game and in fact probably stood worse, but the final position is worthincluding! 7.d4 e5 8.f3 exd4 9.xd4 e7 10.e3 c6 11.xf6 xf6 12.d4 0-0 13.0-0-0 a6 14.xc6 bxc6 15.c2 e6 16.d4 ab8 17.d3 fd8 18.f4 a5 19.b1 e7 20.xb8 xb8 21.f5 d7 22.c5 f6 23.b1 xb1 24.xb1 h5 25.xf6 gxf6 26.h4 1-0 Ubilava -Mascaro, Platja de Muro ESP 2005. ]
7...c5 8.d3 d7 9.0-0 d6 10.c2 c6 11.e4 xe4 12.xe4 c6 13.d4 0-0 14.d1 cxd4? Now White has what he wants: space and pawn mobility. The doubled pawns were Black's main advantage, and he should have played [ 14...a5! or even ] [ 14...g6!? ] 15.cxd4 ac8 16.b1 b6 17.b5! All of White's pieces are gaining scope and Black properly tries to simplify: g6 18.e2 Now we are treated to a comedy of errors! fd8?? 19.g5?? Mutual blindness. Winning was [ 19.h4 , trapping the queen and forcing xd4 20.xd4 f6 21.f3 , game over. ] 19...h6? [ 19...f6 looks bad but retains a playable game, e.g., 20.g4 ( 20.b2 e7 ) 20...h6 Versus Bg5 21.b2 f5 22.h4!? f6 ] 20.h3? [ 20.d5! leads to the machine idea a5 ( or 20...e7 21.f5! g6 22.h4! ) 21.f5 g6 22.h4! ] 20...e7?! [ 20...f6 ] 21.g4?! [ This time the analytical engine finds the bizarre 21.c5! xc1 ( 21...g6 22.xc6! xc6 23.e5 ) 22.xc1 bxc5 23.dxc5 xc5 24.g5! and Black lacks compensation, although this isn't resignable by any means. ] 21...h5 22.b2 Now White's advantage is rather small, especially if Black opposes bishops by ...Bf6. f8!? 23.g5 h6 24.d5 a5 [ 24...e7 is better, centralising. ] 25.g4! f5? 26.c1! Pelletier doen't miss this one! fxg4? [ 26...h5 27.xe6+ f7 had to be tried, however ultimately hopeless. The rest is easy. ] 27.xh6 gxf3 28.xe6+ h8 29.g5 e8 30.f5 xc4 31.xf3 c5 32.f4 f8 33.g3 cd8 34.d6 xd6 35.xd6 f6 36.xc5 xd1+ 37.h2 h6 38.g4 d5 39.d4 f7 40.e6 dd7 41.xh6+ 1-0
731
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A18 white queen should have retreated the move 28.c3 xf4? Returning the Pelletier,Yannick 2624 before. Ribli,Zoltan 2568 compliment, [ 28...b6! 29.h1 g8 is better, te being a Bundesliga 2002-3 (8) 11.01.2003 pawn down Black can take advantage of the [Tony Kosten] open g-file, 30.e6 xe6 ( 30...xg4?? is a b lu n d e r, 31.xf6+ g8 32.f8# ) 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 31.xg8+ xg8 32.dxe6 xe6 and Black 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.d4 is OK! ] The old main line seems to be coming back 29.xf4 xf4 30.h5 e5 31.xe5?! into fashion, since This may have been a Sunday morning round, [ 7.f3 e5 8.d3 offers little. ] 7...e5 8.f3 exd4 9.g5 e6+ 10.e2 as I can see no reason why White cannot play e7 11.cxd4 xg5 12.xg5 f6!? the simple [ 31.xf6 xc3 32.xc3 with an extra We have already analysed a couple of games pawn. ] involving the more usual 31...fxe5 32.f1 g8 33.f5 d7 34.g4 [ 12...e7 ] 13.e4!? A novelty, the knight moves again, White is still better, as his pieces are more active, but the win is far from obvious. c8?! but gains a tempo on the black queen. [ 13.d2 had been the almost inevitable Black should stop the rook getting onto the choice here: 0-0 14.0-0 f5 ( 14...c6 seventh rank, perhaps, by [ 34...h6 35.f6+!? ( 35.f2 f8 36.xf8+ 15.d5 d4 16.d3 f5 17.xf5 xf5 xf8 37.e3 f7 38.e4 offers better is almost equal, Cramling,D-Wiedenkeller, chances ) 35...xf6 36.xf6 f8 ( 36...g7 M / S t o c k h o l m 1 9 9 3) 15.ad1 e8 37.e6 ) 37.xh6 f4 38.h3 xc4 1/2-1/2 Stohl,I-Zarnicki,P/Moscow 1994. ] when W hite has two connected passed 13...g6 14.g3 0-0 15.0-0 One immediate pawns, but the black rook is very active. ] advantage of having the knight on g3, instead of g5, is that W hite no longer has to worry 35.g5+ h8 36.g7 f6 This is Black's about defending it, and so can concentrate on intention, to play the rook and pawn ending, xh5 h i s o t h e r p i e c e s . d8 16.c1 f6 but his rook is very passive. 37.e7 Black's logical plan is to force the d-pawn to 38.gxh5 h6 39.f2! The e-pawn is not going advance and then put his queen's knight on to run away, and so White keeps control of t h e c 5 - s q u a r e . 17.d5 a6 18.h5!? the seventh. b5 40.c5 g8 41.e3 a5 T h i s l o o k s o d d , b u t t h e y o u n g S w i s s 42.e4 b4 43.xe5 a4 44.e6 There is no Grandmaster is trying to create a weakness in real defence against Kd7xc7 when the two white pawns march to the queening square. Black's kingside structure. e5 [ 18...h6!? would keep g7 under 1-0 surveillance. ] 19.f3 c5 20.e1 d6 21.d4 A18 White achieves his desired piece set-up. f6 737 22.e3 White's extra space, and control of the Rasmussen 2397 e-file give him a certain plus. d7 23.g4! Rozentalis,Eduardas 2598 F r e e i n g t h e t h i r d r a n k f o r t h e r o o k . e8 Anibal Open Linares ESP (6) 06.03.2002 24.g3 White's kingside initiative is taking on [Tony Kosten] a l a r m i n g p r o p o r t i o n s . xg4 25.xg4 Attacking both g7 and f6, this wins a pawn. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 h8 26.xg7 e5! The knight's retreat will [ 4.exd5 exd5 5.d4 transposes to a lesser not be so easy. 27.f4?! This move is a useful line of the exchange French, although this resource, but it should be prepared, can still be dangerous, Miezis, N[ 27.d1! d7 28.f4 e7 29.h5 Gunnarsson,A/Reykjavik ISL 2002. ] and White is a pawn to the good. ] 4...d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.f3 e5 27...e4 Gaining a tempo, which is why the 8.d4 exd4 9.g5 e6+ 10.e2 e7 736
732
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 10...d3?! seems like a good idea, but 11.0-0! d6 ( 11...xe2? 12.e1; 11...dxe2?? 12.d8# ) 12.xd3 0-0 13.e1 d7 14.c5!? xc5 15.e5 d6 16.h5 gave White a powerful attack, Cramling,DOrnstein,A Gausdal 1980. ] [ 10...f6 is playable, though: 11.xd4 f7 12.f4 c6 13.0-0 e7 and White's development advantage is balanced by his weak queenside. ] 11.cxd4 xg5 12.xg5 e7 13.d2 c6!? An interesting alternative, threatening to capture on d4. 14.d5 e5 [ 14...d4?! is too flashy, 15.xd4 xg5 16.0-0 0-0 17.f3 a5 18.fe1 a6!? 19.e5 d8 20.ae1 with complete control of th e e-f ile, Gulko ,B-Plieste r,L/ Arub a 1992. ] 15.0-0 0-0 16.fe1 f5 Black has managed to develop his minor pieces to active squares, but will they prove to be targets for W hite? 17.ac1!? White provokes a weakness on c6, although I am far from sure that this novelty is much better than [ 17.f4 w h e n a f t e r f6 18.f3 fe8 White has next-to-nothing, Banas,J-Rigo,Z/ Prievidza 1998. ] 17...b6 To stop c5. 18.f4 f6!? Risky, [ 18...f6 19.f3 fe8 is similar to the previous note. ] 19.f3 d7 20.xe5 fxe5 21.e3 c5?! This leads to unexpected problems. 22.dxc6 xc6 23.c5! b5 [ 23...bxc5 24.xc5 xc5 25.xc5 forks c6 and e5, winning a pawn. ] 24.d3 f7 25.a3 ad8 Black seems to have reasonable play at the moment, but sooner or later he must find some real compensation for his weak pawn on e5. 26.f3 This puts pa id to any tactics along the f-file, and prepares Be4 to remove the bishop from its blockade of the c5-pawn. d4 27.c2 h8?! Black ditches the e-pawn, but [ 27...e8 28.b3 d5 29.xd5 xd5 30.c6 was also unpleasant, as the c-pawn is very dangerous. ] 28.xe5 g4?! The tricky point, but it leads nowhere. 29.f5! Exchanging queens is the simplest. xf5 30.xf5 a4 31.e4 a6 [ 31...xe4? 32.xe4 xa3 re-establishes material equality, but after 33.c6 Black will
have to give a rook to stop the pawn, i.e. h6 34.c7 c8 35.d4 h7 36.d8 ] 32.ed1 g8 33.d6 f6 34.xf6 gxf6 35.f2 f7 36.xc6 xc6 37.e3 e7 The extra white pawn, and the passive black rook, are enough to assure W hite the full point. 38.d4 a6 39.c3 d7 40.d5 a4 41.c6+ c7 42.e3 b6 43.e7 xa3 44.b7+ a6 45.b8 d3+ 46.e6 c3 47.d7 d3+ 48.c8 h5 49.c7 d2 50.b7 Kb8 and c8(Q) follow. 1-0
738 Ronchetti,Niccolo Brunello,Sabino XIII Luigi Serra (3) [John Watson]
A18 2421 2391 03.07.2006
1.c4 e6 2.c3 f6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.d4 e5 8.f3 exd4 9.g5 e6+ 10.e2 f6 11.xd4 f7 12.f4 The old move. Either White doesn't like or didn't know about Ni Hua)-Aleksandrov, Calcutta IND 2004, which I analysed in a previous column. Here is the game and a few of my notes: [ 12.h6! A) 12...gxh6?? 13.h5 but he can limit the damage with; B) 12...g6 , after which there are several o p t i o n s f o r W h i t e i n c l u d i n g 13.d2!? , for example, xh6 14.xh6 f8 15.f4 f7 16.0-0 0-0 ( 16...a6 17.f3! ) 17.c5!; C) 12...c5? 13.b5 C1) 13...c6? 14.xg7! xg7 ( 14...xg7 15.d6+ ) 15.h5+ e7 16.d6#; C2) 13...f5! This prevents Bh5 in lines like 14.0-0 d7 ( 14...gxh6? 15.h5 g6 16.e1+ e7 17.d6+ ) 15.f4 a6 16.e1! f7 ( 16...xd1 17.h5+ d7 18.axd1+ c6 19.d6! ) 17.f3 d8 18.xb7 g5 19.g3 b8 20.h5+ g7 ( 20...g6 21.f3 ) 21.ad1 xb7 22.xd8 c6 23.d5 g6 24.g4 h5 25.d7+ h6 26.e6 a8 27.xf6 e7 1-0 ( 27...e7 28.exe7 xe7 29.h4 ends it. )] 733
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 12...c5 [ 12...a6!? ] 13.a4+! c6 14.b3 e7?! [ 14...a6 ] 15.0-0 [ 15.xb8! gives some advantage after xb8 16.xa7 d6 17.d1 ] 15...0-0 16.fe1 d7 17.c5 e5! 18.e3?! e6 19.d4 d5 20.f5 fe8 Black is wellcentralized. 21.h4 [ 21.xe7+?! xe7 threatens ... Qg6. ] 21...f8 22.d4? g6 23.g3 d3 24.xd3 xd3 Black has 2 bishops, lightsquare control and play against White's weak pawns. 25.f4 xe1+ 26.xe1 b6!? [ 26...xa2 with a passed a-pawn. ] 27.g4! g6 28.xg6 hxg6 29.cxb6 c5 30.e3 [ 30.b7! b8 31.e3 splits the pawns, although the bishops should eventually prevail. After this White is clearly lost and plays until mate. Perhaps the clock was an issue. ] 30...axb6 31.b1 xa2 32.h4 a6 33.d1 c6 34.h5 gxh5 35.xh5 f7 36.f4 a7 37.f3 b5 38.c1 a3 39.f2 a2+ 40.f1 g5 41.d3 g4 42.xc5 gxf3 43.gxf3 xf3 44.b3 a3 45.e1 d5 46.d4 c4+ 47.g1 b2 48.b1 d3 49.d1 a1 50.xa1 xa1 51.d2 b4 52.cxb4 xd4+ 53.g2 e6 54.f3 d5 55.f4 e5+ 56.f3 c4 57.g4 d6 58.b5 xb5 59.e3 c4 60.f3 d5 61.d2 f5 62.e3 e4+ 63.e2 f4 64.xf4 xf4 65.f2 d4 66.e2 c3 67.f2 d2 68.f1 f3 69.f2 g4 70.f1 e3 71.g2 e2 72.g1 f3 73.f1 g3 74.e1 c1 75.f1 d2 76.g1 e2 77.h1 c3 0-1
739 Smirin,Ilia Kulaots,Kaido Monarch Assurance (9) [Tony Kosten]
A18 2671 2593 03.10.2004
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.f3 e5 8.d3 [ 8.d4 seems to have recovered its crown
now, so I was surprised to see this move. ] 8...d6 9.0-0 a6 10.e1 After my game against Dizdar I thought everyone had gone back to [ 10.c2 although this only seems equal. ] 10...0-0 11.xe5?! xe5! [ 11...e8 12.f3 g4 was about equal in Schlosser,P-Wells,P/Herzliya 1998, while ] [ 11...c5? 12.c2 xe5 13.h5 was very good for White in Van Wely,L-Oll, L/Beijing 1997. ] 12.h5 xh2+ The unpleasant problem. 13.xh2 f5 14.f1 [ 14.xf5!? xf5 15.d4 might be the best chance, d3 16.g3 xg3 17.fxg3 might not be too bad for White, despite the pawn structure, as his bishop is good. ] 14...fe8 15.a3 g6!? An innovation, but no improvement on the [ 15...g5! of Kosten,A-Dizdar,G - see the archives. ] 16.g3 The square h2 is not a satisfactory post for a queen! c6 [ 16...c5!? ] 17.g5! White stops the knight from returning into play. xe1 18.xe1 a4 19.c1 e8 [ 19...xa2?! i s t o o g r e e d y , 20.b5 threatens mate on e8 and wins the b-pawn. ] 20.xe8+ xe8 21.d4 Now I would say that W hite is better as his two bishops should prove important. h6 22.d2 e4 23.b2 e1! 24.d2 Of course, [ 24.xb7? xc1 25.xa6 d3 would lose a piece. ] 24...d1 25.c1 a4 26.b2 White decides to repeat moves, but [ 26.a3 was possible, perhaps, b6 27.f4 and White still has reason to hope with the better minor pieces. ] 26...d1 27.c1 a4 28.b2 ½-½
740 Steingrimsson,Hedinn Kulaots,Kaido Keres Mem A Tallin EST (8) [John Watson]
A18 2439 2558 12.01.2006
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 [ 3...c5 4.e5 g8 5.f3 c6 6.d4 cxd4 734
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 7.xd4 is seen less and less often. See previous ChessPublishing games - W hite seems to win them all! ] 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.f3 e5 8.d4 [ 8.d3 has received a lot of attention in these pages. Frankly, I don't think tha t White gets even the tiniest advantage. ] 8...exd4 9.g5 [ 9.xd4 was an original capture played in Ubilava-Mascaro March, Platja de Muro 2005. I seriously doubt that W hite gets anything from this line, but the ending is nice! e7 10.e3 c6 11.xf6 xf6 12.d4 0-0 13.0-0-0 a6 14.xc6 bxc6 15.c2 e6 16.d4 ab8 17.d3 fd8 18.f4 a5 19.b1 e7 20.xb8 xb8 21.f5 d7 22.c5 f6 23.b1 xb1 24.xb1 h5 25.xf6 gxf6 26.h4 ] 9...e6+ 10.e2 e7 [ The line 10...f6 11.xd4 f7 was almost put to rest by 12.h6!! c5? ( 12...gxh6?? 13.h5; 12...g6 ) 13.b5 f5! 14.0-0 d7 15.f4 a6 16.e1! f7 17.f3 d8 18.xb7 and wins, Ni Hua-Aleksandrov, Calcutta 2004. ] 11.cxd4 xg5 12.xg5 e7 [ For 12...f6!? see earlier ChessPublishing c o l u m n s , f o r e xa m p l e , P e l l e t i e r - R i b l i , Tegernsee GER 2003 went 13.e4!? g6 14.g3 ( 14.f3 ) 14...0-0 15.0-0 d8 and here instead of 16.Rc1!?, I gave 16.d3 d6 17.e1! intending moves like d5, Qc2, Rad1 etc. ] 13.d2 c6 [ We've also seen a number of games with 13...h6 , generally favouring White. ] 14.d5 [ 14.0-0!? xd4 15.h5! e6! should have been about equal in Timman-Kulaots, Prague 2004. ] 14...e5 15.0-0 0-0 16.fe1 f5 17.f4 f6 18.f3 fe8 19.h4 [ Ivanchuk's improvement on 19.d4 g6! (Banas, J-Rigo, Z/Prievidza 1998) 20.xf5 xd4= ] 19...g6 20.xf5 xh4 Since the queen goes to d4 next, White has gained a sort of tempo. 21.f1 [ M y p r e v i o u s s u g g e s t i o n 21.g4!? also de serves co nsideration, since th e
queen doesn't get back to d4. Potentially White might have to worry about back-rank tricks but not obviously so. The real question is whether W hite needs an improvement, since things go so well for him. ] 21...d4 [ Tony suggested several improvements for W hite after 21...b6!? from Bruzon-Zarnicki, Santo Domingo 2003. ] 22.d7 xe1 23.xe1 c5 24.h4 f8 25.d3!? An innovation on move 25! Whether it is ne ce ssa ry is n ot cle a r, bu t W h ite is certainly in charge and the move has several advantages. The elegant stem game IvanchukP Nielsen, Skanderborg 2003 went [ 25.f5 (threatening h5) g8 ( 25...xh4? 26.xh7 g6 27.d3 ) 26.h5 f8 27.g5! d6! 28.g3 h6 29.e7 with a clear advantage. ] 25...d6!? Trying to hang on. Although White threatened h5 again, that won't be true if the queens come off. [ 25...xh4?! doesn't suffice after 26.h3! d4 ( 26...g6 27.xg6 fxg6 28.xh7 f7 29.e4 ) 27.e4 a1+ 28.h2 g6 29.xh7 ] 26.f5 [ 26.b5!? hits the b-pawn but Black can defend after b6 27.h5 ( 27.b2!? ) 27...f4 28.xh7 xh5 ] 26...f4 [ 26...g8 27.h5 f8 28.g5 is at least as good as the Ivanchuk game, and there are other good moves. ] 27.h5 g8 28.e3!? [ 28.g3! would ask Black where he's going, e. g., d6 ( 28...d4 29.f5; 28...f6 29.e2 d6 30.h5 f8 31.e7 ) 29.g5 and Black is still tied down. ] 28...b6 [ 28...d4 29.g3! threatens Qf5 again. ] 29.g3! d6 30.xg6?! Incomprehensible. Obviously W hite still keeps the advantage, but consistent with all the previous play was [ 30.g5! ] [ or 30.e2 ] 30...hxg6 31.e2 f8?! It not clear what the threat was. Maybe a slower move was called for. [ 31...c8 has the idea of ...c6 if White strays: 32.h5 ( 32.e5 ) 32...gxh5 33.xh5 735
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 c6 34.e4!? cxd5 35.cxd5 g6 36.h6 by Tony. Let me add a few brief notes. The c5! ] key game Pelletier-Ribli, Tegernsee GER 32.h5! gxh5 33.xh5 Now Black has lost a 2003 continued 13.e4!? g6 14.g3 critical tempo. h6 ( 14.f3 appears a bit better for White as [ 33...g8 34.e4! threatens Rh4, but h6 well) ) 14...0-0 15.0-0 d8 and here instead 35.f5 f6 can be answered by 36.d7 of 16.Rc1!?, I t hink tha t 16.d3 d6 ( or 36.xf6 gxf6 37.g2 ) 36...d8 ( 16...f6 17.e1 c6 18.d5 d4 19.d2 ( 36...d6 37.xd6 cxd6 38.e7 c8 c5 20.e4 g6 21.h1 ) 17.e1! 39.xa7 xc4 40.a8+ h7 41.d8 ) prepares moves like d5, Qc2, Rad1 etc. I 37.h3 ] think this whole line is better for White ] 34.f5 f6 35.d7 13.d2 c6 [ There are several good ideas, e.g., 35.h7 [ Timman had another game versus h6 36.e4 d6 37.g2 ( or 37.g4 Naiditsch in Dortmund 2002 which went threatening Rh3 )] 13...h6 14.f3 0-0 15.0-0 c5 ( 15...g4 [ Even 35.xf6 gxf6 36.g2 likely wins, but 16.fe1 c6 Karpov-Yusupov, Linares it ' s e a s i e r t o ge t t h e k in g t o g2 b e f o r e 1991, and now 17.e5! xe5 18.xg4 entering the ending. ] h4 19.xe5 xg4 20.ae1 keeps the 35...d6 36.h3 h6 37.d7 d6 pressure on Black) 16.d5 d6 17.fe1 Terrible. W hite must have been completely ( 17.b2! d7 18.d3 left Black a little tied out of time towards the end. His winning down in Illescas Cordoba-Pogorelov, chances are excellent. Zaragoza 1996.) 17...d7 18.ab1 e8 ½-½ 19.d3 xe1+ 20.xe1 f6 and Tony's idea 21.e5 xe5 22.xe5 looks better for White after b6 23.a4! ] 741 A18 [ Also promising for White is 13...0-0 14.0-0 d7 15.d3! h6 16.e4! intending c5 Timman,Jan H 2602 17.d5 ] Kulaots,Kaido 2597 As far as I can see this is a novelty. Promopro Matches (1) 03.12.2004 14.0-0!? Which is not surprising since it allows Black to [John Watson] capture on d4. [ 14.d5 is probably better and yields a small 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 This variation is advantage: e5 15.0-0 0-0 16.fe1 f5 still critical and unresolved after 60 years of 17.f4! f6 18.f3 fe8 19.h4! g6 regular practice. d5 20.xf5 xh4 21.f1 ( 21.g4!? ) 21...b6!? [ 3...c5 4.e5 g8 5.f3 c6 6.d4 cxd4 ( 21...d4 22.d7 and White is much 7.xd4 is seen less and less often. See better, Ivanchuk-P Nielsen, Skanderborg previous ChessPublishing games - W hite 2003 ) 22.g3 ( Tony's 22.ad1 also give a seems to win them all! ] small edge to White.) 22...d8 , and here 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.f3 T o n y s u g g e s t s s i m p l y ( 22...d4 e5 8.d4 might be met by 23.ad1! c3 24.xe8+ [ 8.d3 has received a lot of attention in xe8 25.d7 e5 26.d6! cxd6 27.xa7 ) these pages. Frankly, I don't think tha t 23.e4! xe4 24.xe4 d6 25.e1 White gets even the tiniest advantage. ] intending h4-5 and Bh3. ] 8...exd4 9.g5 e6+ 10.e2 e7 14...xd4 Black's usual choice. [ This looks logical. Safer is 14...0-0 15.fe1 [ White develops too quickly after 10...d3?! f6 16.d3 ( or 16.d5 ) 16...f5 17.xf5 11.0-0! ] xf5 18.f3 but White remains with a [ For 10...f6 , see Ni Hua-Aleksandrov. ] nagging edge. ] 11.cxd4 xg5 12.xg5 e7 [ For 12...g6 see the next game Valden- 15.h5! The point. [ 15.xd4 xg5 has the idea 16.f4 c5! Stavrianakis. ] 17.c3 f6 ] [ 12...f6!? has been looked at thoroughly 736
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 15...e6! Accurate defence. [ 15...0-0? 16.xf7+ h8 17.ae1 f6 18.d5 c5 19.e4 yields a clear advantage. ] 16.xf7!? White has trouble getting more than a simplified position after this. A few more chances were given by [ 16.xf7+ xf7 17.fe1 e6 18.xe6 xe6 19.xe6 xe6 20.e1 xe1+ 21.xe1+ f7 22.b1! , which wins either the b-pawn or h-pawn, for example, he8 23.h3 ( 23.h4 b6 24.xh7 ad8 25.h5 is another approach. I doubt that White will win this sort of thing however.) 23...b6 24.xh7 and the position looks balanced. ] 16...xf7 17.xd4 xh5 18.fe1 e2 19.b2!? 0-0-0 [ Or 19...f7 20.xe2 f6 f o r c e s s i m p l i f i c a t i o n : 21.xf6+ gxf6 . This looks drawish. ] 20.ab1 b6 21.xe2 d7!? [ 21...c5! looks like a solid alternative. 22.xg7 xc4 23.e7 c2 24.f1 hf8 (intending ...Qxf2+!) 25.h3 h5= ] 22.h3 he8 23.xe8 xe8 24.c5 e6 25.b3 e7 26.f1 White has a small edge. The ideas of a4-a5 and Rc1 are available. Still, this isn't much, and Black plays poorly over the next few moves. b7 27.d5+ c6!? 28.cxb6 axb6 29.d1 f6!? [ 29...c5! 30.f3 c3 should draw ] 30.g4!? a7 31.d4 b5!? 32.g5 c1+ 33.g2 b6 34.h4 h6 The position is roughly equal and remains so for some moves u n t il T im m a n we a rs h is o p p o n e n t d o wn . 35.d3 b4 [ 35...c6= ] 36.a3! c3 37.axb4 [ 37.xc3 bxc3 38.c4 b2! ] 37...xd3 38.xd3 xb4 39.g3 hxg5 40.hxg5 e7 41.f4 b6 42.g4 c5 43.f5 c6 44.a6+ d5 45.a8+ e5 [ 45...d6 ] 46.c6 d4?! [ 46...d6! After this the game appears to be lost for Black. ] 47.f6 e2+ 48.f3 e6+ 49.h5! f7+ [ 49...gxf6 50.xf6+ d5 51.xe6+ xe6 52.h6 etc. ] 50.g6 f8 51.f7 c4 52.f4+ d3 53.f5+ e3 54.e6+ f3 55.c6+ g3 56.c7+
f3 57.g5 e3 58.g4 d3 59.d7+ c3 60.e8 c5 61.f8 g1+ 62.f5 Timman's 14.0-0 created a lot of problems. Objectively, however, White should probably prefer the small advantage that he gets from 14.d5. 1-0
742 Timman,Jan H Naiditsch,Arkadij Sparkassen Match (6) [Tony Kosten]
A18 2623 2581 19.07.2002
Leo Martinez wrote: "I was wondering about a line in the English opening. After 1 c4 Nf6 2 Nc3 e6 3 e4 d5 4 e5 d4 5 ef6 dc3 6 bc3 Qf6 7 Nf3 (or 7 d4 transposing I would think) e5, you say that 8 d4 is rarely played nowadays. I play this line on occasion as Black and I was just wondering what is wrong with this move and what I can do against it." 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.d4 It is true that I have focussed exclusively on the trendy [ 7.f3 e5 8.d3 here, so it is time to consider the old alternative. ] 7...e5 8.f3 exd4 9.g5! [ 9.cxd4 b4+ is too easy for Black. ] 9...e6+ 10.e2 e7 [ Certainly not 10...dxc3?? 11.d8# ] 11.cxd4! Again the most accurate. [ 11.xe7?! d3! equalises. ] 11...xg5 12.xg5 e7 13.d2 h6 [ 13...0-0 14.0-0 d7 15.fe1 h6! 16.f3 c5 is also OK for Black, Adorjan,A-Petrosian, A/Shenzhen 1992, and ] [ 13...c6!? is considered in another game this month. ] 14.f3 0-0 15.0-0 c5 [ 15...g4 16.ab1! ( 16.fe1 c6 17.h3 xf3 18.xf3 was equal in Karpov,AnYusupov, A/Linares 1991) 16...c6 17.fe1 gave White an edge in Soffer,R-Nagetz,F/ Bad Lauterberg 1991. ] 16.d5 White has obtained a protected passed d-pawn, but it impedes his bishop and is easily blockaded. d6 17.fe1 Actually the first new move. [ 17.b2 d7 18.d3 f6 19.e2 d8 737
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 20.ae1!? gave White a spatial plus in Illescas Cordoba,M-Pogorelov,R/Zaragoza 1996. ] 17...d7 18.ab1 e8 19.d3 xe1+ 20.xe1 f6 21.d2!? [ 21.e5 is an interesting try, hoping to break the blockade of the d-pawn. xe5 22.xe5 b6 but Black is very solid here. ] 21...g6! White's previous move was aimed against [ 21...b6 when 22.e4 xe4 23.xe4 g6 24.e8+ offers him some initiative. ] 22.h3 b6 23.e3 g7 24.f4 White plans Qe5, and tries to make something of his extra space and development advantage, but Black has a sound pawn structure and will soon bring his remaining pieces into the game. a6 25.e5 d8 26.b3! White's best chance, t h e r o o k t h r e a t e n s t o c o m e t o a 3 . b5!? Black also has his ideas, and decides that it was time to undermine the d5-pawn, [ 26...xe5? is faulty: 27.fxe5 d7 28.f3 e8 29.a3 c8 30.xa7 xe5 31.xe5 xe5 32.d6 and the passed d-pawn wins a p i e c e . W h a t d i d Ni m zo vi t c h s a y a b o u t keeping this criminal "under lock and key"? ] [ 26...c8 is a solid alternative.. ] 27.cxb5 b7? A faulty follow-up, [ 27...xe5! would have justified Black's idea: 28.fxe5 xd5 29.e4 ( 29.bxa6?! b4 with equality) 29...f4 30.f1 c8 with counterplay, although W hite is still better. ] 28.c4! xe5 [ 28...xd5 29.d3 leaves Black in a terrible pin. ] 29.fxe5 xd5 [ 29...d7 30.a3 xe5 31.xa7 xd5 32.xd5 xd5 33.e4 is a better try although the two passed white pawns should prove decisive. ] 30.d3 d7 31.b3 c7? This is hopeless, although [ 31...b6 32.xd7 xd7 33.e6 fxe6 34.xe6 is not much better as the c-pawn is lost. ] 32.xd5 c4 33.xc4 xc4 34.d7 c8 35.xa7 [ 35.e6! is perhaps even more effective as xd7?? 36.exd7 and a queen is born. ] 35...b4 36.c7 e6 37.c5 xa2 38.e6
xb5 Black tries his hardest to stay on the board by removing as many white pawns as possible. 39.e7! But the e-pawn decides the game. The win is problematic after [ 39.xf7+?! g8 40.c7 b1+ 41.h2 e1 ] 39...b8 [ 39...b1+ 40.f2 b2+ 41.e3 doesn't change the result. ] 40.e4 b3 41.b7! A nice trick, Black had only considered [ 41.d6? a4 ] 41...xb7 42.e8 e6 43.d8 h5 44.d4+ f8 45.h8+ e7 46.f6+ f8 47.c5 1-0
743 Timofeev,Andrei Airapetian,Gor 14th Chigorin Mem (4) [John Watson]
A18 2344 2328 25.10.2006
I 'm re lu c t a n t t o sh o w t h i s e m b a rr a s s in g miniature, but it has such compelling features. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d6?! Now this is a Mikenas Variation gone sour! Perhaps Black was afraid of the theory after 3...c5 or 3...d5. In a few moves, however, it's looking up a little. 4.d4 bd7 5.f4 Of course it can't be bad, but I don't like this move, which justifies Black's ...d6 and ... Nbd7. [ Obviously 5.f3 has to be a good move, and as it turns out, probably better. But Black can still confuse things by c5 ] 5...c5! Why not? 6.d5 [ The problem is that Black seems to be able to get a decent Sicilian Defence out of 6.f3 cxd4 7.xd4 ( 7.xd4 e5!? with the idea 8.fxe5?! dxe5 9.xe5?? c5 ) 7...e7 , when 8.f5 allows 0-0! , intending 9.fxe6 c5! 10.exf7+ xf7 and White's position is a mess in view of ...Ng4, ...Nfxe4, ...Qb6 and other problems. ] 6...exd5 7.cxd5 e7! 8.d3 An interesting coincidence: Now we have the same position that arises in the Benoni Defence after 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 e6 4Nc3 exd5 5cxd5 d6 6 e4 g6 7 f4 Qe7 8 Bd3, except that ...Nbd7 has been substituted for ...g6! This means that Black can't develop actively by ...Bg4, but it 738
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 also means that Black can play 8...Nxe4, whereas in the Benoni that would lose to 9 Qa4+! a6? [ The consistent move was 8...xe4! A) 9.xe4 f5 10.e2 ( 10.f3 fxe4 11.0-0 f6 12.e1 f5 13.a4+ d7! ) 10...fxe4 11.xe4 d8!?= or perhaps better for Black.; B) 9.xe4!? f5 10.f3! fxe4 11.0-0 f6 12.e1 f5 ( an unclear position arises after 12...d7 13.xe4 xe4 14.g5 0-0-0 15.xe4 f7 ) 13.a4+ f7 14.g5+ g8 15.d2! ( 15.xe4?? xe4 16.xe4 e8 ) 15...b5!? ( 15...e8!? ) 16.xb5 h6 17.f3 g6! ( 17...f7!? ) 18.h4 g7 19.xf5 gxf5= ] 9.e2?! [ Maybe with luck Black can survive 9.f3 b5 10.e5 ( but much better is 10.0-0! ) 10...dxe5 11.fxe5 xe5 12.0-0 xd3 13.xd3 d6 14.e1+ e7 15.e4! xe4 16.xe4 f5 17.h4 a7 ] 9...b5 [ 9...c4!? 10.c2 b5 11.f3 b4 12.a4 ] 10.f3 g6? No sense of danger! Black had to respond to the threat of e5 by [ 10...b7 11.0-0! b4! 12.d1 g6 13.e1 g7 14.e5 xd5 15.exd6 xe2 16.xe2+ f8 and Black is still in the game. ] 11.e5 Now it's real trouble! g4 [ A fun line for White is 11...dxe5 12.fxe5 g4 13.d6 e6 14.e4 a7 15.d5 f5 16.e6 ] 12.h3 h6 13.e4 dxe5 14.fxe5 xe5 15.xe5 Black must have played the last few moves in shock. 1-0
744 Tomashevsky,Evgeny Iljin,Artem U20ch-RUS Cheboksary RUS (7) [John Watson]
A18 2586 2510 08.03.2006
5.f3 c6 6.d4 cxd4 7.xd4 xd4!? 8.xd4 e7!? (this allows White to control d6) 9.f4 c6 10.e3 a5 11.0-0-0 b6 12.b1 a6? A waste of time that will be important soon because Black will need an extra tempo to free his queen. 13.e4 b7 14.e2 c5 ( 14...0-0-0!? 15.g5 f6 16.f7 c5 ) 15.d6+ f8? ( 15...xd6 16.xd6 e7 17.d3! c5 18.f3! Again the bishop pair will dominate once the queens go off.) 16.f3 b8 17.d2 xe5 18.f4 a4 19.xb7 xb7 20.xe5 1-0 Narciso Dublan-Spoelman, Cappelle la Grande FRA 2006 ] 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.d4 [ 7.f3 c5 8.d3 isn't my favourite line although it succeeded after c6 9.0-0 d6 10.e4 d7 11.b1 b6 12.d4 h6 13.a3 e7 14.c2 0-0 15.d3 g6 16.dxc5 xc5 17.xc5 bxc5 18.b7 in Rusev-Petkov, Svilengrad BUL 2006. ] 7...c5 8.f3 h6 9.d3 cxd4 10.cxd4 b4+ 11.d2 xd2+ 12.xd2 c6 13.e3 Now W hite has the kind of positional advantage that we've seen before. Only he can win, and Black can suffer for a long time. 0-0 14.0-0 d7 15.fe1 fd8 16.e4! e8 17.ad1 d6 18.d5! exd5 19.cxd5 e7 20.e5 b5 21.c5 b6? Effectively a blunder. 22.d6 g6 23.xg6 fxg6 24.d7 d8 25.a4 a6 26.xg6! h7 27.e5 e6 28.d5 e7 29.h3 b6 30.e4+ g8 31.g4! 1-0
745 Topalov,Veselin Rozentalis,Eduardas Eu Team Ch Batumi GEO (1) [Tony Kosten]
A18 2690 2586 29.11.1999
1.c4 e6 2.c3 f6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 e4 5.f3 e7 6.h4! [ A powerful new move in this standard position, making it dif f icult f or Black t o M i k e n a s f a n s m i g h t e n j o y t h e f o l l o wi n g castle. 6.c2 had been the preferred move positional crush. As we have seen before, up till now, attempting to force the knight to Black needs to play actively in this system. capture on c3, although c6 7.xe4 b4 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 offers Black some play for a pawn. ] [ 6.d4 also promises White some [ Another recent game went 3...c5 4.e5 g8 739
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 advantage. ] 6...xc3? [ This facilitates White's task, I think it is b e t t e r t o k e e p t h e t e n s i o n , b y 6...c6 for instance, e.g. 7.d4 0-0 8.d3 ] 7.dxc3 dxc4 Hoping to play the ending, but White has other ideas! 8.a4+ d7 9.xc4 c6 10.g4 The white queen has been drawn to the powerful square g4, from where it menaces the weakened black kingside. xf3 Black needs to find some space for his bits. 11.gxf3! Conceding doubled pawn is perhaps surprising, but this decision is absolutely correct tactically. f8 12.f4 The former gpawn is looking at a bright future, acting as a battering-ram against the black position. d7 13.e3 c6 14.0-0-0 a5 Black is ready to bring his king to safety on the queenside. 15.f5!! Just in time. xa2 [ Maybe 15...xe5 is the best bet, although the black king finds itself stuck in the centre on 16.e4 exf5 17.xf5 e.g. g6 18.f6 g8 19.g5 ] 16.fxe6 xe6 17.f4 d8 [ This loses, but there was no escape for the king 17...0-0-0 18.h3 a2 19.d4 a3 20.bxa3! and after a few checks White will win. ] 18.c4 e7 19.he1 Black is already lost, he has no real defence against e6, ripping open the e-file. h5 20.g3 [ A strong move, threatening Bg5, but 20.e6! fxe6 21.e4 was instantly decisive. ] 20...xe5 21.xd8+ xd8 22.f4 xc4 [ What else? 22...f6 23.xe5 fxe5 24.g5 wins the queen. ] 23.xe7 xe7 24.d3 [ 24.d3 b6 25.d6+ e8 26.b8+ wins all of Black's queenside pawns. ] 1-0
we're accustomed to this sort of "rule breaking" these days. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.d4 [ Last month we analyzed the consequences of the semi-forced endgame variation 7.f3 e5 8.d3 g4 9.e4 d7 10.xb7 b8 11.d5 c6 12.e4 c5 13.e2 xe4 14.xe4 xf3 15.xf3 xf3 16.gxf3 . See Aronian, L (2802)-Hou, Y (2603) Wijk aan Zee 2013/[John Bartholomew]. ] 7...e5 8.f3 exd4 This capture remains the main line. [ Instead, 8...c6 (! - Kosten) was examined in Naiditsch, A (2698)-Fedorchuk, S (2634) Belfort 2012/ [Kosten, Tony]. ] 9.g5 e6+ 10.e2 e7 Again the most u s u a l c o n t i n u a t i o n . 11.xd4!? A fresh perspective from Vachier Lagrave. Previously this move had attracted almost zero attention at Grandmaster level. [ The line 11.cxd4 xg5 12.xg5 has been analyzed thoroughly. The current theoretical verdict favors g6 , for example ( t h e o t h e r q u e e n m o v e s a r e 12...f6 , i.e. Aronian, L (2807) -Kramnik, V (2791) Moscow 2011/[Nigel Davies]; and 12...e7 , as in Timman, J (2602)-Kulaots, K (2597) Pra gu e 20 04 /[Joh n W a tson ]) 13.f4!? ( 13.f3 Valden, P (2204)-Stavrianakis, I (2045) Athens 2004/[John Watson]) 13...0-0 14.0-0 c6 ( 14...h6!? ) 15.d5 e7 16.d2 h6 ( 16...b6+ 17.h1 f5 18.d3 h6 19.f3 c6 20.ab1 c5 21.fe1 Grachev, B (2669) -Wojtaszek, R (2721) Lublin 2011) 17.f3 d6 18.ad1 c6 19.dxc6 xd2 20.xd2 xc6 21.e4 e8 22.f3 g4 23.xg4 xe4= Grachev, B (2669)-Socko, B (2654) Lublin 2011. ] 11...d6 A novelty that doesn't have much independent value. 746 A18 [ On a few occasions Black has played 11...e5 , which transposes after 12.xe7 Vachier Lagrave,M 2715 xe7 . ] Ris,R 2407 Reykjavik Open 2013 (9.7) 26.02.2013 12.xe7 [ 12.d2!? ] [John Bartholomew] 12...xe7 13.0-0 0-0 14.e1 [ Craftier than 14.f3 d7 15.e1 , i.e. f6 Very few players have pulled the trigger on 11. ( or 15...c5 ) 16.b1 ( 16.b5!? ) 16...c6 Nxd4!? in the Mikenas Attack. Accepting 17.e4 g6 18.d2 c5 19.c2 e6 double-isolated pawns is a big decision, but 740
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 20.xe6 fxe6 21.e3 b6 and Black was at least equal in Pfaff, T-Racherbaeumer, M (2270) Griesheim 1998. ] 14...f6 [ Black has tried 14...a6!? a couple times: 15.d3 ( 15.f3!? ) 15...f6 ( 15...g5 16.e3 c5 17.c2 g6 turned out fine for Black in Kamp, C (2280)-Ivanov, S (2505) Cologne 1994 ) A) now 16.c5!? is worth consideration, e. g. d7 ( 16...xc5 17.xh7+ xh7 18.h5+ g8 19.xc5 ) 17.h5 g6 18.e5 xe5 19.xe5 fe8 20.xe8+ xe8 21.c6 c8 22.xa6 bxa6 23.f3; B) 16.b1 g6 17.b5 c5 18.f3 was Labok, B-Grushevsky, A Podolsk 1993. Now xf3 ( or 18...g7 ) 19.xf3 b6 would be totally fine for Black. ] [ 14...d7N also makes sense. ] 15.f3 c6 16.e2 d7 17.ab1 c5 18.e3 f5? [ Safer is 18...d7! when White would probably aim for the position after 19.e5 xe5 20.xe5 d3! 21.e7 c5 22.b3 xb3 23.axb3 c8 . However, after (say) 24.be1 g6 it's difficult to find anything convincing for White, i.e. 25.c7 a5 26.a1 d8 and Black begins to unravel. ] 19.xf5 xf5 20.h3! A powerful 'quiet' move! Now W hite threatens 21.Bg4, and Black doesn't have time to solidify his knight on c5. b6?! [ It looks better to retain the c-pawn with 20...h5!? . Then 21.e5 ( 21.d5!? ) 21...xe5 22.xe5 d3 23.xh5 snaps a clean pawn, though converting to a win will take some serious work, i.e. g6 24.a5 b6 25.a3 e5 26.e2 g5 . ] 21.xc6 ac8 22.d5 c7 23.bd1 Black is in for a difficult defense. e6 24.h4 [ White isn't interested in the double rook ending after 24.xe6 xe6 25.xe6 fxe6 26.xe6 . Why hurry? ] 24...g6 25.g3 g7 26.d3! Signaling a nice regrouping. e8 27.d2 ce7 28.f3 h3 29.ee3 h5 30.e1 f8 31.b1! g7 32.e4 The heavy artillery is now in place. f6 Black buckles under the strain, but it was hard to blame him. [ A g a i n s t p a s s i v e d e f e n s e l i k e 32...h7 White works his way into the position, e.g.
33.e5 g8 34.f6 h7 35.e4 g8 36.g4+- trapping the queen. ] 33.e1! Menacing Rf3-e3. It's practically zugzwang! g4 [ Lashing out with 33...g5 loses trivially: 34.xe7+ xe7 35.xe7+ f8 36.fe3+- ] 34.xg4 hxg4 35.fe3 f7 36.f3!+- f5 37.fxg4 fxg4 38.f2 f6 39.xe6+ xe6 40.xe6+ xe6 41.xe6 xe6 42.e3 e5 Black resigned, as the pawn endgame is easily won. I'd like to see 11.Nxd4!? get a few more outings before passing judgment. It appears to be a worthwhile departure from the norm, though. 1-0
747 Valden,Petros Stavrianakis,Ioannis Acropolis IM Open (3) [John Watson]
A18 2204 2045 18.11.2004
1.c4 e6 2.c3 f6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.d4 e5 8.f3 exd4 9.g5 e6+ 10.e2 e7 11.cxd4 xg5 12.xg5 g6 This move has been see more recently and may be replacing 12... Qe7 as the way f or Black to maintain the balance. 13.f3!? [ The alternatives are: (a) 13.d2 0-0 ( 13...h6 14.f3 0-0 15.0-0 h3 16.e1 f5 ) 14.0-0 h6 15.f3 h3 16.e1 f5 17.d3 transposes to the note to White's 16th but with ...h6 in. ] [ (b) 13.f4!? mixe s it u p : 0-0 ( 13...f6 14.0-0 h6? 15.e4 with space and some initiative.) 14.0-0 ( 14.h5?! f5 15.0-0 h6 ) A) 14...h6 15.f3 c5 16.d5 d6 17.d2 f5 18.h4 d7 19.b2! e8 ( 19...b6? 20.e5 ) 20.f5 b5 21.f6 e5 22.xe5 xe5 23.ae1 a6 ( 23...e4 24.f3 bxc4 25.d2 ) 24.f3 followed by fxg7 with better prospects; B) 14...c6 15.d5 ( better was 15.d3 f5 16.xf5 xf5 17.d5 e7 18.b3 b6 19.ae1 g6 20.e3! ) 15...e7 16.h1 #0 Mulyar-A Gorlin, Saint Paul 2000, and f5! would have evened the play; 741
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 C) 14...f5 15.g4 c2 16.d2 h6 17.ac1 hxg5 ( 17...a4 18.d3 d6 19.f3 c5 20.d5 favours White with his space advantage.) 18.xc2 gxf4 19.b2 with the initiative after b6 20.f3 c6 21.xf4 Perhaps 13.f4 is best it definitely should be considered by those seeking double-edged play. ] 13...0-0 14.0-0 [ 14.d2?! e8 ( 14...xg2 15.g1 h3 16.xg7+ xg7 17.g5+ draws ) 15.0-0 h3 is better for Black than the game. ] 14...h3 15.e1 f5 16.f3?! [ 16.d3! is the only way to play for a very slight advantage. At least White retains the center pawns. Instead, ] [ 16.f3!? c6 gives Black the more aggressive pieces and instant equality. ] 16...e4!? [ The theoretical discussion ends with Black playing for the advantage. 16...h3 17.e1 f5= ] 17.e1 c6 18.h4 f6 19.f3 xf3 20.xf3 fe8! [ 20...ad8 21.d5 a5 22.a4 b6 23.ad1 and White stands better. ] 21.d2 [ 21.a4!? ] 21...b6 22.ad1 h6 23.d5 e5 24.xe5 xe5 25.xe5 xe5 26.e1 d6 27.g3 [ White should probably settle upon the s i m p l i f y i n g 27.e3 c6 28.e7 xe7 29.xe7 cxd5 30.cxd5 d8= ] 27...d8 28.e3 b4?! Too fancy. Simply [ 28...c6 was at least equal, for example, 29.dxc6 xc6 30.e7 d7 31.e8+ h7 ] 29.e7 xe7 30.xe7 c8 31.e3 f8 32.c5?! [ 32.g2 e8 33.f3= ] 32...d8 [ 32...bxc5 33.c3 ] 33.cxb6 axb6 34.c3 d7 35.d6? [ Further compromising his position. Instead, 35.c6 e7 36.d6+ cxd6 37.xb6 d5 38.f1 would have left Black only somewhat better. ] 35...c5! 36.a3 [ 36.d3 f5 37.g2 f7 38.f3 e6 and Black is winning. ] 36...xd6 37.a7 e8 38.b7 g6
[ 38...c4! 39.c7 b5 40.a4 bxa4 41.xc4 a6 ] 39.f1 e6 Cutting off the king. In the rest of the game Black's passed pawn is decisive. 40.h4 f5 41.a4 d8 42.a5 bxa5 43.a7 a4 44.xa4 c7 45.h5 gxh5 46.f4 e5 47.h4 d6 48.xh5 c4 49.xh6+ d5 50.h8 c3 51.c8 d4 52.f3 d3 53.d8+ e3 54.c8 d2 55.d8+ c1 56.g4 f4 57.d4 c2 58.xf4 c5 59.e4 d2 60.e2+ d3 61.e1 b5 62.f2 b1 63.e8 c1 64.d8+ c4 65.c8+ d5 66.xc1 xc1 67.g3 e5 68.f4+ e4 69.f5 e5 70.h4 f6 0-1
748 Watson,John L Miller,Ike S Park G/60 Baena [John Watson]
A18
1995
I've managed to sneak in one of my own efforts for the edification of the readership (or for my own egotistical reasons). It is quite relevant for the assessment of Black's most solid line. In the notes, a very recent game between two lower-rated players illustrates so m e o t h e r t h e m e s . B l a c k is f a c e d wit h co n sid e ra b le d an ge rs an d mu st d e ve lo p quickly. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.f3 c5 8.d4 h6 9.d3 [ P Petrovic-Marinkov, Belgrade 2005 went 9.b1!? c6 10.e2!? ( An unclear but dangerous gambit would be 10.d3 cxd4 11.cxd4 xd4 12.xd4 xd4 13.0-0 ) 10...g6?! ( 10...d6! 11.0-0 0-0 is p ro b a bly e qu a l - co m p a re m y ga m e) 11.e3 A) Horribly slow. 11...Be7 was a bit better. But the only way to justify 10...Qg6 is to grab the pawn. Unfortunately, 11...xg2 12.g1 h3 13.a4! looks very dangerous: ( 13.d5?! d8 14.f4 d7; 13.g3 f5 14.d3 f6 15.e4 d6 ) 13...cxd4 ( 13...d7 14.xb7 ) 14.cxd4 f5 15.b5 e4 16.d2! h4 17.f3! ( 17.g4 xh2 18.d5!?; 17.f3 e4 is a draw ) 17...d8 18.d5 e5 19.xb7+ 742
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 d7 20.a6 c8! 21.h1! exd5 22.xd5 d3+ 23.f1 b4 24.a5 xd5 25.xd5 and Black still has problems to solve; B) 11...b6? 12.0-0 f6 13.e1 e7?! 14.d5 ( 14.e5! xe5 15.dxe5 xe5 16.f3 b8 17.d4! d6 18.e5 xd1 19.bxd1 wins ) 14...b8 15.d2!? ( 15.d6! f8 16.d4! cxd4 17.xd4 and wins ) 15...0-0 16.d6 xd6 17.e4 xh2+ 18.xh2 h4+ 19.g1 b7 20.d2 d8 21.f3 xf3 22.xf3 and wins. Still, 9. Rb1 Nc6 10.Be2 Bd6 makes this move order look a bit slow. ] 9...d6 [ 9...c6 10.0-0 ( 10.e4 is less risky and keeps an edge.) 10...cxd4 11.cxd4 xd4 12.xd4 xd4 13.b1 is the line we saw above-W hite has a dangerous attack ( 13.b3!? d6 14.b2 c5 ) 13...c5 14.e3 c7 15.d4 ] [ 9...cxd4 10.cxd4 b4+ and now 11.Bd2 is good, but 11.f1! introduces a fun attack that seems to win every time. ] 10.0-0 0-0 11.e2 c6!? 12.g4! I've actually tried this idea in a couple of positions. Needless to say it's all or nothing. First, White wants to play Qe4. [ The immediate 12.e4 achieves nothing after f5! ] 12...g5!? [ Not 12...f4?? 13.e4 ] [ The most important move is 12...e5 13.g5 A) 13...e6 14.d5 g4+ ( 14...h3 15.dxc6 g4 16.e4 ) 15.h1 e7 16.gxh6 g6 17.g1 h5 18.g5 h3 19.xe5; B) 13...hxg5 14.xg5 e6 15.d5 g4+ 16.h1 d8 ( 16...f6 17.g1 h5 18.dxc6 fxg5 19.e4! ) 17.g1 h5 18.f6! g4 ( 18...g6 19.g5 h3 20.ag1 ) 19.h4! ( or 19.xg4 xg4 20.g1 xg1+ 21.xg1 ) 19...xh4 20.e4 f3+ 21.xf3 xh2+ 22.xh2 e4+ 23.h1 and mate follows ] 13.h4 f4 [ 13...gxh4 14.g5 g7 15.h1 hxg5 16.xg5 with a winning game. ] 14.e4 g6 15.hxg5 xe4 16.xe4+xc1 17.axc1 hxg5 18.xg5 [ 18.g2!? intending Rh1 was an option. ]
18...a5 19.dxc5 d7 20.h7!? [ 20.cd1! a4 21.d4 e5 22.d6 xc4 23.xb7 was much easier ] 20...fd8 21.f6+ g7 22.xd7 xd7 23.b1 c7 24.b5 xc4 25.xb7 [ 25.fb1 ] 25...b8 26.c6 d6 27.b3 with a winning advantage. White went on to win a tough rookand-pawn ending. 1-0
749 Zontakh,Andrey Poobesh Anand,S Open Moscow RUS (9) [John Watson]
A18 2545 2413 06.02.2006
Our customary Mikenas line. In the main game W hite may have to play a bit more ambitiously in the opening in order to get anything substantial. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 7.f3 e5 8.d4 exd4 9.g5 e6+ 10.e2 h6 11.xd4 [ 11.h4! is White's best chance, when g5 ( 11...e7 12.xe7 xe7 13.cxd4 ) 12.xd4 ( 12.g3 dxc3 ) 12...d7 13.g3 g7 14.0-0 0-0 15.c2 leaves Black with more weaknesses and W hite with more activity than in the main game. ] 11...d7 12.e3!? Objectively fine. [ 12.h4 is more active it can lead to the odd line c5?! ( 12...e7! ) 13.e6!? fxe6 ( 13...xe6 14.d8# ) 14.h5+ f8 15.f3+ g8 16.d1 d6 17.c5 with advantage. ] 12...c5 13.0-0 Possessing better development and space, White safely retains a small advantage but his pawn structure makes it difficult to create anything. [ 13.b5!? was interesting but not c o n v i n c i n g : xe3 ( 13...e7 14.xc5 xc5 15.d4! ) 14.xd7+ xd7! ( 14...xd7 15.d1+ c6 16.fxe3 with some initiative.) 15.xc7+ d8 16.xa8 c5 17.0-0 c8 18.f3 ( 18.ad1 b6 19.f3 c6 20.d3 b7 ) 18...c6 19.g4+ d7 20.f3 c6= ] 13...0-0 14.f3 This is a familiar position from similar positions except that Black's queen 743
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 isn't normally on d7. Perhaps W hite could attack it, e.g., [ 14.c2 a6 15.ad1 c6!? ( 15...e7 ) 16.fe1 d6 17.b3 e7 18.d4 ] 14...a6 15.e1 c6 16.d2 c7 17.ad1 [ or 17.f4 d6 18.xd6 xd6 19.ab1 ] 17...d6 18.g3 e5 19.h4 h3 20.h2 d7 Black doesn't seem to have a good spot for this bishop. 21.b5! cxb5 22.xd7 bxc4!? [ White stills holds a small advantage after 22...bxc4 23.xc7 xc7 24.b1 ] ½-½
750 Bacrot,Etienne Dorfman,Josif D ch-Gp B Marsailles FRA (2) [Tony Kosten]
A19 2653 2602 14.08.2001
A key point in Etienne's third consecutive French title, was this fine victory against his former trainer. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 c5 4.e5 g8 5.f3 c6 6.d4 cxd4 7.xd4 xe5 8.db5 a6 9.d6+ xd6 10.xd6 f6 11.e3 e7 12.b6 f5 13.c5 e7 [ We have already looked at the alternative 13...d6 in Hodgson,J - Barsov,A. ] 14.xe7+ [ The endgame is a good choice, but if White w a n t s t o a v o i d t h i s t h e n 14.a5 is a reasonable alternative. ] 14...xe7 15.f4 g6 16.g3 d6 17.h3! [ Why did no-one play this move before? Previously, 17.d3 had been preferred, e.g. h6 (to avoid the capture on f5) ( 17...d7 18.0-0-0 ac8 19.he1 f7 20.xf5 exf5 21.xd6 c6 22.b4 with some advantage, Thorsteins,K-Luther,T/Borsodtavho 1991.) 18.0-0 d7 19.fe1 c6 20.b4 Ribli,Z-Luther,T/Altensteig 1992. ] 17...d7 Now, with the bishop on h3, moving the f5-knight from f5 would expose the e6pawn. 18.0-0-0 c6 [ As the white bishop is not on d3 here, and t h e c 4 - p a w n u n p r o t e c t e d , 18...ac8!? was worth consideration, but 19.he1 e5 20.c5 and Black's centre is buckling under the pressure. ] 19.he1 The other advantage of Bacrot's
novelty is that both of the central files are unencumbered, the white rooks come immediately to pressure the e- and d- pawns. f7 20.d5! [ 20.xf5 exf5 21.xd6 is similar to the Thorsteins game, and certainly good for White, but Bacrot wants more. ] 20...exd5 [ Black must capture, Nc7 was the threat, f o r k i n g a 8 a n d e 6 , a n d e v e n 20...ae8 doesn't stop this: 21.c7 e7 22.xe6 xe6 23.xf5 and after regaining his pawn t h e t wo wh i t e b i s h o p s wi l l o f f e r W h i t e every chance of taking a whole point. ] 21.xf5 f8 [ Black must cover the e6-square, if 21...dxc4?! 22.e6+ f8 23.c7 with powerful threats. ] 22.c5!? [ An interesting idea, the simple 22.cxd5 d7 23.c2 (keeping both bishops) maintains a sure advantage. ] 22...dxc5? [ This allows White's rook to the seventh. 22...d7 must be an improvement, 23.c2 dxc5 24.xc5 e6 offers real defensive possibilities. ] 23.xc5 Menacing Re7+. h5 [ 23...e8 24.xe8 xe8 25.e1+ f7 ( 25...d8?? allows a neat mate: 26.b6# ) 26.e7+ g8 locks the black pieces in a box. ] 24.e7+ g8 25.de1 h6 26.c7 g6 Else White doubles his rooks on the seventh. 27.h4! Killing any hopes of counterplay. Black is bound hand-and-foot, his extra pawn is an irrelevance. a5 28.c8 a4 29.d2 h8 30.f5 h6 31.a3 d8 32.c3 h8 33.b6 a8 34.c8 g8 35.d4 [ White has prevaricated, but he knows that t h e r e i s n o t h i n g B l a c k c a n d o . 35.xb7 is convincing enough. ] 35...h8?! 36.e6+ h7 37.xf6 he8 38.xg7+ h6 39.c7 [ Good enough, Bg5 mate is a powerful t h re a t , t h o u g h 39.f5! forces mate more quickly. ] 1-0
744
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 26.d5+ f8 27.b3 xb3 28.xb3 g7 29.a5 e8 30.c7 e7 Bareev,Evgeny with a draw, Osnos, V-Salov, V/ L'Ami,Erwin Leningrad 1980; 3rd NH Amsterdam NED (1) B1b) 20.d3!? f5 21.0-0 f6 22.f4 [Carsten Hansen] b5 23.d4+ e7 24.xg7 e8 25.e5 xe5 26.fxe5 b7 27.f4 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 c5 4.e5 g8 , and White has the initiative, Hoelzl, 5.f3 c6 6.d4 cxd4 7.xd4 xe5 F-Gruenfeld, Y/Biel 1980; 8.db5 a6 9.d6+ xd6 10.xd6 f6 B2) 19...b5!? 20.h4 ( 20.d3!? b7 11.e3 e7 12.b6 f5 13.xd8 21.0-0 ac8 22.b4 provides White with [ 13.c5 is considered the critical move and a long-term initiative) 20...b7 21.h3 the subject of L'Ami-W ells from this ac8 22.a3 hd8 23.g3 g6 month's update. The game continuation is 24.gd3 e5 25.f4 e4?! ( Black could almost never played anymore, but as can be safely pick-up the pawn, e.g. 25...exf4 seen in the analysis given below, there is 26.b4 g5 27.a5 d7 ) 26.d4 e6 plenty of fertile ground for discoveries on 27.g4 , and White has some both sides. ] co m p e n sa t io n f o r t h e p a wn , G a rc ia 13...xd6 14.c7 e7 15.c5 e8 16.b6 Gonzales, G-Browne, W /Banja Luka [ 16.a5!? is a suggestion of John Watson's 1979; from his 1979 book. The idea is that after d5 C) 18...b6!? 19.xb6 17.cxd6+ xd6 18.b4 the bishop is better C1) 19...f5 20.0-0-0 b7 21.c5+ placed on b4 than it is on c5 in the note e8 22.f3 is better for White, Kaiszauri, after W hite's 18th move. It isn't entirely K-Botterill, G/London 1980; clear that it is so, but it is certainly worth a C2) 19...b7 20.c5 ( 20.d4!? try. ] is quite possibly an improvement White 16...d5 17.cxd6+ xd6 18.0-0-0 threatens to exchange on e5 and if Black [ 18.c5!? is likely more critical, even if the retreats the knight to f7, White has time theory claims Black to be at least okay. to complete his development and claim A) 18...b5 was tried in one of the most an edge thanks to the pair of bishops.) recent games involving a grandmaster, but 20...ac8 21.a3 hd8 22.0-0-0 ef7 W hite should be able to claim an 23.e2 e8 24.he1 Uhlmann, Wadvantage after this move: Kurajica, B /Sarajevo 1980; A1) 19.a4 is less convincing, e.g. bxa4 C3) 19...d7 20.e3 b7 21.f3 hc8 20.xa4 ( 20.f4 ef7 21.xa4 22.d1 Garcia Gonzales, G-Morales, H/ is a better try) 20...b7 21.b6 ad8 Bayamo 1980 ] 22.f4 d7 23.xd6+ xd6 24.xa6 xa6 25.xa6 c5 26.a3 c6 18...ef7 [ This is another important juncture. Black , and Black has a strong initiative in the has several moves available: A) 18...d7 endgame, Schneider, B-Huebner, R/ is fairly straightforward Solingen 1986; A) 19.f4!? is a noteworthy alternative, e. A2) 19.f4 ef7 20.d3 b7 21.0-0 g. ef7 ( 19...ec4! is the right answer, ac8 22.b4 , and White has established forcing the game into an even endgame: an unpleasant pressure.; 20.xc4 xc4 21.c5+ e8 22.d4 B) 18...ef7 19.d1 c8 23.xc4 b5 24.xb5 axb5 B1) 19...d8 is the line given in ECO, 25.c2= ) 20.d3 c6 21.d2 ac8 but is likely not the most critical line: 22.b1 g6 23.e1 he8 24.c2 B1a) 20.h4 d7 21.h3 ac8 Hellbing, B-Albert, V/IECG Email 2001; 22.b4 c6 23.g3 g6 24.e3 e5 B) 19.c5 ef7 20.e4 ac8 ( or 24...b5 25.a4 e5 26.axb5 axb5 ( 20...hc8 can of course also be 27.xb5 e6= Salov, V-Siegel, G/ conside red : 21.b1 c6 22.a3 e5 G r o n i n g e n 1 9 8 1) 25.c4 a4 751
A19 2655 2610 20.08.2008
745
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 B2) 21.b3 b6 22.d4 ( 22.d4 e5 23.d3 , Richards, B-Domanski, R/corr 23.bxc4 exd4 24.xd4 e6 25.d6 1991, and now e8 24.xd6+ xd6 xc4 26.xb6 hc8 leaves Black with 25.xh7 f5+ 26.xf5 xf5 the initiative in the endgame, Hellbing, Bis comfortable for Black.) 21.b1 c6 V a n B o m m e l , T / I E C G E m a i l 2 0 0 1) 22.a3!? ( 22.e2 e5 23.a3 f5 22...bxc5 23.xc4 b7 24.f3 ac8 24.d3 d8 is given as equal several 25.d1 c6 26.a4 e7 27.b2 b7 places, quoting the game, Miles, A-Karpov, 28.a5 h5 29.a4 h4 30.xc5 d5 A / L o n d o n 1 9 7 7 , b u t t h is m u st p a rt l y , a n d B l a c k i s b y n o m e a n s wo r s e , have something to do with the outcome of Quinteros, M-Abramson, H/Buenos Aires the game, which was a draw. At this point 1978 ] of the game, however, only Black can be [ C) 18...d7 19.a5 b6 20.b4 c5 better. ) 22...hc8 23.e2 e5 , Tolhuizen, 21.a4 xa4 22.xd6 a5 23.a3 d8 L-Kerkmeester, H/Eindhoven 1983, and 24.xd8+ xd8 25.f8 d7 26.xg7 e7 now White should continue with 24.f3!? 27.h6 c8+= Huebner, R-Wockenfuss, K/ f5 25.a1 b6 26.xd6 xd6 Germany 1981 ] 27.xd6 xd6 28.xb7 c4 29.xa6 cd4 30.e1 d7 31.xd6 xd6 32.b3 19.c5 [ The pin on the d6-knight is a common , and W hite has excellent winning theme in this variation. White, however, has chances. ] several alternatives available: A) 19.e2 [ B) 18...ec4!? d7 20.d2 hc8 21.hd1 a4 22.e1 A) 19.d4!? is possibly White's best, e.g. e4 23.d4 c6 24.d3 f5 25.xe4 A1) 19...d8!? 20.xc4 ( 20.f4!? b6 xe4 26.f3 c6 27.d2 , Quinteros, M21.d3 intending b2-b3 looks better for S o f r e v s k i , J / S t i p 1 9 7 7 , a n d n o w e5 White ) 20...xc4 21.b3 e5 22.xe5 would have left Black with the better xd1+ 23.xd1 fxe5= Melson, G-Mielke, chances. ] K/corr 1986; [ B) 19.g3 d7 20.h3 hc8 21.he1 A2) 19...b6 20.b3 e5 21.xb6 b7 A) 21...f5 is a suggestion of John 22.c5 Huebner, R-Gruenfeld, Y/ W a t so n ' s f ro m 1 9 7 9 b o o k, b u t W h it e Luzern 1982; ap p e a rs t o b e do in g f in e a f t e r 22.b1 B) 19.xc4 xc4 20.c5+ f7 c6 23.f4; B1) 21.d4 b5 22.b3 e5 ( 22...a5!? B) 21...g5! on the other hand, is quite 23.hd1 e5 24.d6 , and here Ftacnik uncomfortable for White, e.g. 22.g4 ( or claims that White has compensation for 22.g2 c6 , and Black is gaining t h e p a wn , b u t t h i s i sn 't p a r t i c u la rl y control ) 22...f5 23.e2 ge4 convincing after b7 25.c6 xc5 , White clearly has insufficient 26.xc5 g4 27.c7+ g6 28.f3 compensation for the pawn.; hc8 with a solid extra pawn for Black.) C) 21...e5?! 22.g2 c6 23.h3 d7 23.d5 a5 24.b6 b7 ( 24...c6 24.g2 c6 25.h3 , and a draw was 25.d6 e7 26.hd1 b7 27.g3 agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, Miles, Ais unc lea r accord in g t o Fta cnik, bu t Polugaevsky, L/Reykjavik 1978. ] again this seems unconvincing on [ C) 19.d3 d7 20.he1 ac8 21.f4 a4 account of hc8 28.b2 b4 29.a4 22.d2 c6? ( Black should opt for 22...c4 c6 30.c5 ab8 31.a7 b5 23.de2 d7 24.f2 fd6 ) 23.b1 b5 , and Black has an extra pawn and is 24.xb5 xb6 25.c7+- , and White is b e t t e r c o o r d i n a t e d .) 25.hd1 close to winning, Melson, G-Kutscheid, H/ Here a draw was agreed upon in Miles, corr BdF 1986 ] A - H u e b n e r , R / T i l b u r g 1 9 7 7 e8 26.b2 e6 27.5d2 ac8 28.e4 19...b5 20.a4 [ The text move is the most forcing c6 29.d6+ xd6 , and in this continuation. An interesting alternative is position a draw was agreed upon, 1/2-1/ 20.d3 in order to activate the h-rook and 2, Jund, C-De Backer, P/corr 1994; 746
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 put pressure on Black's entire position, for instance b7 21.he1 ac8 22.b4 e5 23.f4 g6 24.g4?! ( This looks normal, but W hite can do better with 24.fxe5 fxe5 25.e4 xe4 26.xe4 xc5+ 27.bxc5 xe4 28.xe4 c8 29.e2 xc5+ 30.c2 , and White has the slightly better chances in the endgame.) 24...hd8 25.g5 e6 26.f1 fxg5 27.fxe5 f5 Uhlmann, W-Csom, I/Berlin East 1979 ] 20...b7 [ This is more accurate than the alternatives: A) 20...bxa4 21.c4 d8 22.he1 d7 23.d5+ De Kok, W-Brkusanin, D/Bela Crkva 1983 ] [ B) 20...d7 21.axb5?! ( 21.b4!? is better, e.g. hc8 22.e4 c6 23.e2 ac8 24.axb5 axb5 25.b2 e5 26.f4 gives W hite some initiative) 21...axb5 22.b1 hc8 23.b4 c6 Lehto, VTolonen, L/Finland 1998 ] 21.axb5 axb5 22.xb5 [ The text move invites Black to liquidate into a complicated endgame with three minor pieces against two rooks that can be difficult t o e v a l u a t e . T h e a l t e r n a t i v e 22.b1 , and now hb8 23.f3 c6 24.b4 a7 25.e2 gives White full compensation for the pawn and should therefore is a perfectly playable alternative. ] 22...hc8 23.b4 a3 [ B l a c k c a n a l s o o p t f o r 23...xg2 which after 24.hg1 a1+ 25.b2 xd1 26.xd1 g5 gives Black a position, where it is doubtful that W hite can claim full compensation for the sacrificed pawn. ] 24.b2 xc3 25.xc3 xc5+ 26.bxc5 xb5+ 27.b4 c7 28.f3 d5 29.a5?! [ This looks like the logical move, trying to break through on the queenside with the king, but the progress is soon halted. I n s t e a d W h it e sh o u l d lik e l y h a ve t r ie d 29.a1!? , e.g. e5 30.hd1 c6+ 31.c3 b5+ 32.d3 , and White can continue his efforts to breakthrough on the queenside. However, Black's position is difficult to crack provided Black keeps his minor pieces protecting each other and managing the white c-pawn. ] 29...e5 30.b6 [ 30.b1!? d3 31.b6 a8+ 32.a7
c7 leads to a draw without any further ado a n d t h e re f o r e is b e t t e r t h a n t h e g a m e continuation. ] 30...d7 31.d4 a8+ [ Black heads for a draw. He can consider 31...c4+!? 32.xc4 xc4 , but endgames o f t h i s t yp e a re n o t o ri o u sl y d i f f ic u l t t o evaluate because the knight and bishop work quite poorly together. Nevertheless, I think Black can play for a win in this position. ] 32.b5 c7+ 33.b6 a8+ ½-½
752 Cramling,Dan Bergstrom,Christer opJ Hallsberg (7) [Tony Kosten]
A19
1975
Concerning the Mikenas Attack, Jeffrey Reep asks: "I do not understand at all why 10 ...f6 is played." So in this game I decided to have a look at the alternatives. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 c5 4.e5 g8 5.f3 c6 6.d4 cxd4 7.xd4 xe5 8.db5 a6 9.d6+ xd6 10.xd6 g6!? The knight retreats from its central square, but its new placement is not particularly good - where will it go next? [ 10...c6 is the other possibility: 11.e3 ( 11.g3!? f6 12.xg7 g8 13.h6 regains the pawn, but after d4 Black has go o d co un t e rp la y) 11...ge7 12.d3 (to stop ...Nf5) 0-0 Jahnke,K-Eckhardt,C/ Germany 1996, and now 13.0-0 looks best, when b6 14.e4 leaves Black in a terrible bind, while White can play Rad1 to eye the backward d7-pawn. ] [ 10...f6! is best, keeping the knight in the centre, and preparing a later retreat on f7 which will control the d6-square. ] 11.e3 [ 11.c5 also has its points, stopping ...b6 and ...d6, and if Black can't play either of these he won't be able to develop his queenside, which may prove to be a handicap! Still, Black has a resource: 8e7 12.d3 h4!? planning ...Nf5 to regain some control over d6. ] 11...e7 747
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 11...8e7!? m a y b e b e t t e r , 12.b6 ( 12.d3 Berg,D-Rosen,W/Germany 1990 should also be met by h4! to f5. ) 12...f5 ( e l s e t h e q u e e n i s l o s t ! ) 13.b4!? ( 13.xd8! xd6 14.b6 is rather good for White, as he will follow-up with c5 and the b l a c k q u e e n s i d e wi ll b e ' p u t t o s le e p ') 13...e7 14.c5 0-0?! ( 14...d5 was surely forced 15.cxd6 xd6 16.xd6 xd6 17.0-0-0 f5 with reasonable chances) 15.e4?! ( 15.0-0-0!? t o c o n t r o l d 6) 15...e5? ( 15...f4! to get to d5,) 16.d1 c6 17.c3 e5 18.d6 (end of game!) fd4 19.c4 h8 20.0-0 e6 21.fe1 Black can never move his queenside and might as well resign, Rotzinger, M-Kuepferle, E/Germany 1993. ] 12.b6!? Planning Bc5. [ 12.e4! ke ep s a ho ld o n d6 , e. g. f5 13.xe7+ xe7 14.c5+ d8 15.d6 h6 16.b6+ e7 17.0-0-0 f7 18.c5 and on ce again t he black quee nside is 'dead'. ] 12...d6? A bad, if understandable, move. [ 12...d8 13.b4?! I don't know why White players refuse these endgames, ( 13.xd8+ xd8 14.b6+ e7 15.0-0-0 f6 16.c5 looks good) 13...8e7 14.d3 0-0 15.d1 e5 16.e2 ( 16.c5!? ) 16...5c6 17.b3 f5 18.b6 f6 19.a4? d5 and Black has escaped from the dark-squared bind, Tassi,O-Adianto,U/Dortmund 1980. ] 13.e4 This attack on d6 just wins. d7 14.xd6+ f8 15.c5 8e7 16.0-0-0 f6 [ 16...f5 might last a few extra moves. ] 17.e4 c6 18.xc6 [ 18.xc6 bxc6 19.d8+ f7 20.d6# ] 1-0
giving up a pawn as he does after 5...Nc6 6.d4, but Black develops relatively smoothly. [ T h e m a i n l i n e i s 5...c6 , as seen in Machalik-Petrik. ] 6.exd6 [ 6.d4!? hasn't been tried, as far as I can see, but HiArcs suggests the line. A) 6...dxe5?! 7.dxe5 ( maybe 7.d5!? There are some interesting ideas here) 7...xd1+ 8.xd1 c6 ( 8...d7 9.d3 c6 10.e2 d7 11.e4!? ) 9.d3 ( or 9.b5 ) 9...b4 10.e4 f5 11.exf6 xf6 12.a3 xe4 13.xe4 d3 14.c2 xc1 15.axc1 The two knights look quite a bit better than the two bishops with the isolated pawn, especially when you factor in development.; B) 6...cxd4 7.xd4 ( 7.g5? f6 8.exf6 gxf6 9.xd4 fxg5 10.h5+ d7 11.d1 f6 ) 7...c6 8.e3 , supposedly with a small edge, although ge7 9.d3 g6 10.exd6 xd6 11.0-0 0-0 isn't much. ] 6...xd6 [ 6...c6 7.d4 cxd4 8.xd4 xd6 is another approach, which doesn't seem very good: A) 9.e3 has been played f6 10.e2 d7 11.0-0 b8?! 12.c5! e7 ( 12...xc5?? 13.xc6+- ) 13.b4! xb4 ( 13...a6 14.b3 0-0 15.fd1 ) 14.b1 a5 ( 14...bd5?! 15.xd5 xd5 16.c6; 14...c6 15.a6! b6 16.cxb6 axb6 17.xc6 xc6 18.xb6 xb6 19.xb6 xa6 20.d4 ) 15.a3 c6 16.f3 c7 17.cb5 with a very strong attack, AdorjanLarsen, Riga (izt) 1979.; B) 9.xc6 (I think that this is best my a n a l y s i s f o l l o w s ) xc6 10.e2! with the idea xg2 ( 10...f6 11.0-0 ) 11.f3 h3 ( 11...g6? 12.b5+- b4+ 753 A19 13.d2 xd2+ 14.xd2 ) 12.b5 b4+ 13.e2 e7 14.c7 b8 15.a4 ] Flores,Diego 2514 Garcia 2228 7.d4 cxd4 8.xd4 [ 8.xd4 a6 has worked out well for Black, XXIV Andorra Open (1) 08.07.2006 but our game Tsarouhas-Vouldis featured a [John Watson] promising innovation with 9.Nb3!. See that contest. Otherwise, play has gone 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 c5 4.e5 g8 A) 9.e2 f6 10.0-0 0-0 11.g5 h6 5.f3 d6!? This move may be 12.h4 c7! 13.xf6 gxf6 14.f3 underestimated. I've merged in the major ( 14.e4 e7! /\\ f5=/+ ) 14...d8= games with it over many years, and White has Ermenkov-Kolev, Bulgaria 1992 (notes in found nothing special against it. White isn't 748
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Informant).; h5 11.f3 f5 should appeal to King's B) 9.e3 f6 10.f3!? ( 10.e2 0-0= ) Indian players as White is several tempi up 10...0-0 11.0-0-0?! bd7! ( 11...c7 on a typical KI position here, Stjazhkina,O12.g4 ) 12.b1 ( 12.xe6 fxe6 13.xd6 Brodsky, M/St Petersburg RUS 2000. ] e8! with a double attack, although [ 6.exd5 plans capturing on d5 with a piece 14.d1 xd6 15.xd6 f6 16.xd8 instead of a pawn, the Williams,S-Emms,J xd8 17.f3 is still complex) 12...c7 g a m e f r o m H a s t i n g s 1 9 9 5 w e n t exd5 13.h3 e5 14.e2 d7 15.b3?! 7.xd5 xd5 8.xd5 ( 8.cxd5 transposes ( 15.g5= ) 15...g6 16.f3!? e5 17.f2 t o t h e m a i n ga m e) 8...f5!? instead, xc3 18.b6 c8! 19.bxc3 e5 ( 8...b4 9.e4 d3+ 10.xd3 xd3 Korchnoi-Vladimi orchnoi-Vladimi 11.e2+ xe2+ 12.xe2 g4 orc h no i-Vla d im irov, Sa la ma n ca 1 9 9 1 again Black has sufficient compensation for Black went on to win. (notes by the pawn, Rumiancev,G-Cherniak,L/ Odessa Vladimirov). ] 1991. ) 9.f3 e7+ ( 9...b4!? 10.0-0 8...f6 xd5 11.cxd5 xd5 12.e1+ e7 13.d4 [ 8...e5!? 9.e3 ( 9.d3 c6 10.e3 ) g4 14.e2 0-0 15.xe7 xf3 9...f6!= ( S a l o v ) b u t 10.c5 ( 10.xe5? looks mighty dangerous for White) 10.f1 0-0 ) 10...c7 11.b5+ d7 12.0-0 xb5 h3+ 11.g1 0-0-0 12.d4 which was 13.xb5 should favour White slightly, I unclear ] think. ] 6...exd5 7.xd5 xd5 8.exd5 b4 9.a3!? 9.g5 c6 10.h4 e7 11.d1 a5 [ 9.d3 e7 10.e2 xd5 is obviously very 12.e2 pleasant for Black, Paehtz,T-Vogt,L/Plauen [ 12.d2 (Salov) this doesn't look 1980. ] impressive. ] 9...d3+ 10.f1 e7!? A sensible novelty, 12...0-0 13.0-0 h6 14.d2 f5 15.f4 [ 10...f5?! allows the neat tactic 11.e4! xf4?! xc1 ( 11...xe4?? 12.a4+ d7 [ 15...e5! improves. ] 13.xe4+ wins! ) 12.xf5 xd5 13.a4+ 16.xf4 b6 17.b5 b7 18.d6 xd6 e7 19.xd6 fd8 20.fd1 xd6 21.xd6 f8 A) 14.h4+! f6 15.f4 is almost winning: 22.e5 xe5 23.xe5 White has a big d3 ( 15...xh1?? 16.c7+ e8 advantage due to his bishop pair. But Black 17.d7# ) 16.c7+ e8 17.xd3 xd3+ had improvements and I doubt that W hite 18.g2; stands more than slightly better. B) 14.f4? b3 15.e1+ d8 1-0 wh i c h i s wi l d , B r o c h e t , P - R o t s t e i n , A / Montpellier - Masters. ] 11.b3?! 754 A19 [ 11.e4 xc1 12.xc1 f5 13.f3 is stronger. ] Hertneck,Gerald 2525 Black is not afraid of sacrificing Zeller,Frank 2440 11...f5! 12.g4? This allows Black to BL2-S9798 Germany 1997 pawns! demonstrate his tactical ability. c4! 13.xb7 [Tony Kosten] [ 13.xc4? b6 14.h3 c8 wins. ] 13...b8 14.xa7 Now White has 3 extra 1.c4 f6 2.c3 c5 3.g3 e6 4.e4!? p a w n s , b u t t h e e n d g a m e i s f a r o f f . c5 [ 4.f3 is the best move here. ] 4...c6 5.g2 d5! It is difficult to even really 15.a4+ d7 16.xc4 h4 The triple call this a sacrifice, as Black will get so much at ta ck o n f 2 brings t h e gam e t o a c los e . 17.e4+ There is nothing better: play. 6.cxd5 [ 17.h3 b5 18.e4+ d8 and ] [ 6.d3 is the solid choice, d4!? ( 6...dxc4 [ 17.e2 b5 18.xb5+ xb5 19.xd3 7.dxc4 xd1+ 8.xd1 led to a quick draw xg4 are both hopeless. ] i n S m y s l o v , V - B a l a s h o v , Y / L v o v 1 9 7 8) 7.ce2 e5 8.h3 d6 9.f4 exf4 10.gxf4 17...d8 18.f3 e8 749
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 compensation. ] [ after 18...e8 19.e2 xg4 mate follows 19.e2 e3 20.d2 3d5 21.xd5 xd5 in 3 moves. ] 22.b1 xf4 0-1 [ B l a c k g r a b s a n o t h e r p a w n , 22...dxc5 23.xc5 b6 was another possibility. ] 755 A19 23.f3 d5 24.hd1 Threatening g3, and Hodgson,Julian M 2640 when the knight moves, Rxd5! . b5 25.e3 26.xd5!! Now is the time to strike, Barsov,Alexei 2534 g6 2nd Viking York ENG (5) 17.12.2000 before Black can bring his remaining pieces into play, and organise his defences. exd5 [Tony Kosten] 27.xd5+ f8 28.c6 Threatening Bc5+, the 1.c4 e6 2.c3 f6 3.e4 c5 4.e5 g8 black king is terribly exposed. e5! 29.cxb7 5.f3 c6 6.d4 cxd4 7.xd4 xe5 xb7 30.xb7 b8 31.a4! [ This resource had to be envisaged at move 8.db5 Black has grabbed the e-pawn, but 26, the plausible 31.a3+?! e8 32.d6 White has strong positional pressure on the allows Bla ck to escape by virtue of th e dark squares, especially when he exchanges s n e a k y t a c t i c xb2+! 33.xb2 c4+ the f8-bishop, more space and open lines. f6 34.c3 xd6 35.xd6 xb7 36.d8+ f7 [ The logical 8...d6?! leaves Black with grave 37.xh8 xb6 ] difficulties after 9.c5! e.g. dxc5? 10.f4 f6 31...xa4 32.c5+ f7 33.d4 b5 11.xe5 fxe5 12.h5+ winning. ] [ 8...a6 9.d6+ xd6 10.xd6 f6 11.e3 34.c7+ g6 35.c2+ f7 36.c7+ W hite plays a repetition to gain time. g6 transposes. ] f7 38.d5+! e8 39.c7 9.e3 a6 10.d6+ xd6 11.xd6 e7 37.c2+ 12.b6 f5 The point, saving the trapped Threatening to capture, not the rook, but the knight which guards c6. b6? queen. 13.c5! d6 [ 39...c8 40.e6 b8 might be a better [ The ending that follows 13...e7 14.xe7+ chance. ] xe7 15.f4 5c6 16.0-0-0 also favours W hite, Karpov,An-Ribli,Z Reggio Emilia 40.xe5 fxe5 41.c8+ e7 42.c7+ [ 42.c7+ d7 43.xe5+ d8 44.f3 1989/90. ] wins the queen. ] 14.a5 d7 [ 14...e7 15.0-0-0 0-0 16.f4 c6 17.a3 1-0 e5 18.g4 fd4 19.d5 f7 20.f5 g6 21.g1! gxf5 22.g5 with an edge to White, 756 A19 Kasparov,G-Sokolov,A Belfort 1988. ] 15.f4 c6 16.a3 ce7 L'Ami,Erwin 2610 [ To bring the queen to c6, and free the Wells,Peter K 2526 b l a c k p o s i t i o n t o s o m e e x t e n t , 16...e5 6th Staunton Memorial (9) 16.08.2008 17.d3 0-0 18.0-0 exf4 19.xf4 fe7 [Carsten Hansen] 20.d1 g6 21.ff1 ge5 22.e4 m a i n t a i n e d a s t r o n g p o s i t i o n a l b i n d , 1.c4 e6 2.c3 f6 3.e4 c5 4.e5 g8 Kasparov,G-Beliavsky,A/Linares 1991. ] 5.f3 c6 6.d4 cxd4 7.xd4 xe5 17.0-0-0 c6 18.c5!? 8.db5 a6 9.d6+ xd6 10.xd6 f6 [ A sensible novelty, 18.b3 d7 19.g1! 11.e3 e7 12.b6 f5 13.c5! d5! 20.g4 d6 21.cxd5 xd5 22.xd5!? [ K a s p a r o v ' s m o v e 13.xd8 is the less exd5 23.g2 e4 24.e1 led to unclear p o p u la r a l t e rn a t ive a n d t h e su b j e c t o f complications in Psakhis,L-Greenfeld, A/ Bareev-L'Ami, also from this month's Israel 1991. ] update. ] [ 18.a5!? ] 13...d6 18...f7 [ 13...e7 has also been the topic of [ 18...d5 19.b5 axb5 20.xa8 wins the discussion a couple of times as can be seen exchange, although Black may have some in the PDF e-books, most recently in 750
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Ramesa-Ljubicic, Omis 2006. ] 14.a5 d7 15.f4 c6 16.a3 ce7 [ In the 'old' game Kasparov-Beliavsky, Linares 1991, Black instead tried 16...e5 17.d3 ( 17.0-0-0 exf4 18.d5 0-0 Kasparov ) 17...0-0 18.0-0 , Kasparov, GBeliavsky, A/Linares 1991, and now Black should have played f7 , but 19.d5 ( 19.fxe5 fxe5 20.d5 g6 21.e4 also leaves White with amble compensation f o r t h e p a wn) 19...e6 20.e4 ac8 21.fxe5 fxe5 22.d3 leaves White with adequate compensation for the pawn according to Kasparov. ] 17.0-0-0 [ 17.g4 c6 18.a4 d7 19.xc6 xc6 20.g1 h4 21.0-0-0 h5 22.h3 hxg4 23.hxg4 d5 24.g3 c8 25.e3 f7 26.b1 hg6 27.f5 Aleksandrov, ABalashov, Y/Kstovo 1998 ] 17...c6 18.b3 [ White has tried several things in this position, not all of them equally good. A) T h e m a i n a l t e r n a t i v e i s 18.c5 which immediately threatens Bb5, winning the exchange, but as we shall see the threat may be an illusion A) 18...f7 19.e2 d7 ( 19...e3?! was played in Hodgson, J-Barsov, A /York 2000, which can be f ound in the PGN archives ) 20.f3 d5 21.d2 e3 was seen in the interesting Michalik, P (2330)-Petrik, T (2523)/Banska Stiavnica SVK 2006, which can also be found in the PGN archives. This line deserves s e rio u s c o n s id e ra t io n f o r B la c k, wh o according to John Watson in his notes to the game gave Black's chances a thumbs up.; B) 18...dxc5 19.d8+ f7 20.xh8 xb6 is given as unclear by Ribli and that seems just about right, though I prefer W hite, e.g. 21.e2!? d6 22.g3 c6 23.e1 , and White has the initiative.; C) 18...0-0 19.d3 ( 19.b5? axb5 20.xa8 dxc5 , and Black is already winning, Salo, K-Ljungberg, R/corr 1991) 19...e3 20.d2 7d5 21.e4 f7 22.xd5 xd5 23.hd1 dxc5 24.xc5 xc5+ 25.xc5 c7 26.c2 f7 27.xd5 exd5 28.xd5 e6 29.d6
xa2 , and White has drawing chances, Baermann, J-Heyn , U/Germany email 2002; D) 18...d5! is probably best, though by no m e a n s t h e o n l y m o v e t r i e d : 19.d3 ( 19.b5 axb5 20.xa8 e3 is also clearly better for Black.) 19...e3 20.d2 0-0 21.e1?! d4 22.d1 7d5 Like Dzindzi, I will say that Black has the pawn and the compensation. 23.e4 c4 24.d3 cxb6-+ 25.xh7+ h8 26.h3 xf4 27.h4 xc5+ 28.c2+ g8 29.xf4 e5 30.e4 e6 31.f2 ac8 32.h7+ f7 33.e4 b4 34.a3 xc2+ 0-1 Speelman, J-W ells, P/ London ENG 2007. A very one-sided game where White didn't stand a chance. No wonder Wells was eager to play this variation again. ] [ B) 18.a5!? A) 18...g6 19.d3 xf4 20.e4 xc4 21.he1 e5 22.g3 g6 23.b3 f7 24.d5 , and despite being three pawns down, White is in complete control of the game and has more than sufficient compensation for all of the pawns, Van Deursen, P-Leyen, P/IECC Email 1999; B) 18...0-0 19.g1 d5 ( 19...d7 20.d3 d5 21.xf5 xf5 22.cxd5 c4 23.g3 ac8 seems to leave Black with the better prospects ) 20.c5 d6 21.d3 b8 22.b4 1/2-1/2 Maiffret, P-McLeod, F/ IECG Email 2001; C) 18...d5 is suggested in the ECO, but this looks less convincing, e.g. 19.b1 0-0 20.cxd5 exd5 21.xd5 xd5 22.xd5+ xd5 23.xd5 e6 24.d2 with an edge for White.; D) 18...d7 19.g1 0-0 20.d3 Nitti, F-Britten, D/corr 1996 ] [ C) 18.f2 d5 ( 18...f7 19.g1 h5 20.g3 d7 21.c5 d5 22.b1 ad8 23.d3 g6 24.h3 g7 25.g4 hxg4 26.hxg4 , and W hite has more than adequate compensation for the pawn, Ramesa, DMazi, L/Trieste ITA 2006) 19.e2 c7 20.g3 0-0 21.b1 e8 22.cxd5 xd5 23.xd5 exd5 Kahlert, T-Meier, G/ Nuernberg GER 2007 24.h5 g6 25.f3 with more or less even chances. ] [ D) 18.b4 A) 18...d7 19.g1 c8 ( 19...d5 20.g4 751
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 gives White a good initiative for the pawn, Marek, S-Trebula, J/corr 1997) 20.f2 fe7 21.g3 b8 22.g2 c7 , Newman, N-Lentes, H/IECC Email 1999, and now 23.e4 promises White the better chances, e.g. d5 24.b3 0-0 25.b1; B) 18...0-0 19.g1 a5 20.b5 d5 21.xc6 bxc6 22.g4 h4 23.c5 e8 , and W hite has compensation for the pawn, but certainly no more than that, Kruse, H-Bennborn, J/ ICCF Email 1999 ] 18...0-0 [ Again here we have a couple of alternatives to look at: A) 18...d7 19.g1! ( 19.b1 c8 20.g1 h5 21.e2 f7 22.b4 h4 , Kovalyov, A-Goldwaser, C/Buenos Aires ARG 2007 23.g4 hxg3 24.hxg3 h2 25.a1 xe2 26.xe2 xc4 27.xc4 xc4 28.g4 c6 29.a7 h6= ) 19...d5! ( 19...c8 20.f2 h5 21.e2 ) 20.g4 ( 20.cxd5? xd5-+ ) 20...d6 21.cxd5 xd5 22.xd5!? ( 22.g2 xb6 23.xd5 e3+ 24.b1 0-0 25.f5 exd5 26.xd5+ f7 27.xd6 c6 1/2-1/2 Rak, P-Elburg, J/ ICCF Email 1999) 22...exd5 23.g2 e4 24.e1 c8! 25.b1 e6 26.xe4 dxe4 27.xe4 xb3 28.xc6+ f7 Ps ak h is -G ree nf e ld , I srae l 1 99 1 , 29.e4 ( 29.d7 cd8 30.xd8 xd8= Psakhis ) 29...c4 30.b3 b5 31.d5+ g6= ] [ B) 18...e5 A) 19.fxe5 fxe5 20.c5 d4! 21.xd4 ( 21.a4 xa4 22.xa4 g4 ) 21...exd4 22.b5 e6 Karason, AEdelstein, M/corr 1995; B) 19.g1!? B1) 19...exf4 20.g4 e3 ( 20...h6 21.c5 ) 21.xe3 fxe3 22.g2 c7 23.d5 xd5 24.xd5; B2) 19...e6 20.g4 h4 21.g5 c8 22.gxf6 gxf6 23.b4 , and White has excellent compensation for the pawn, Vujadinovic, M-Heinrich, A/ IECC Email 2001; C) 19.d3 e6 20.g4 h6 21.f5 f7 22.e4 xc4 23.xc4 xc4 24.b3 d5 25.g2 d4 26.bxc4 xg4 27.d5 xd5 28.xd5 e3 , Barendswaard, W-Van der Muysenberg, F/ corr 1993, 29.dg1 c8 30.e6 c6 31.c5 g6 32.d2 e7
33.b3 xf5 34.d5 e3 35.xc6 bxc6 with a fascinating endgame, where my computer prefers to bail out with 36.g3 c4+ 37.d3 b2+ 38.c2 c4 39.d3 b2+ , with a draw by repetition to come shortly. ] 19.g1 d5 20.g4 d6 21.c5 f7 22.g2 h8!? [ Only now the game parts from the path laid out previously. In the earlier game, Black went for 22...a5 23.h4 f5 24.gxf5 xf5 25.f1 a4 in Kleindl, P-Skalicky, F/corr ICCF 1997, and now 26.b4 d7 27.d3 7h6 is rather unclear, but White seems to have sufficient play for the pawn. ] 23.h4 d7 24.h5 [ 24.b1!? a5 25.h5 can also be considered ] 24...c8 25.a5 [ 25.xd5?! looks tempting to restore material balance, but Black instead obtains a n a c t u a l a d v a n t a g e i n r e t u r n : exd5 26.xd5 b5 27.xf7 xb6 28.cxb6 c6+ 29.b1 e4+ 30.a1 a4 , and Black seems to be on the road to victory. ] 25...xc5 26.b4 e3+ 27.b1 , and a draw was agreed upon, though I'm not entirely why, if some special circumstances dictated Black agreeing to W hite's of f er, because he appears to have the better chances after 27...Re8. intending ...Nb6 and Black's pieces are finally coming to life. ½-½
757 Michalik,Peter Petrik,Tomas ch-SVK Banska Stiavnica SVK (9) [John Watson]
A19 2330 2523 16.07.2006
T h is m a in lin e b e ca m e we l l-kn o wn a f t e r Kasparov (as White) won two fantastic games against Sokolov and Belyavsky. White's two bishops provide compensation for the pawn. The question seems to be: do they offer more than enough, or can Black hold the balance? 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 c5 4.e5 g8 5.f3 c6 6.d4 cxd4 7.xd4 xe5 [ Moves like 7...a6 8.f4 ] 752
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ and 7...c7 have gone by the wayside, although the latter may deserve a new try. ] 8.db5 a6 [ 8...f6 9.e3!? a6 ( 9...b6 10.f4 c6 11.f5! ) 10.d6+ xd6 11.xd6 transposes to the game. ] 9.d6+ xd6 10.xd6 f6 11.e3 e7 12.b6 f5 13.c5 d6 [ Tony reported on the game Bacrot-Dorfman, Marsailles FRA 2001, which went 13...e7 14.xe7+ xe7 ( 14...xe7 15.c5! 0-0 16.0-0-0 won two nice games for White in the Informant. Black is terribly tied down.) 15.f4 g6 16.g3 d6 17.h3! d7 18.0-0-0 c6 19.he1 f7 20.d5! exd5 21.xf5 with a nearly winning position already. ] 14.a5 d7 15.f4 c6 16.a3 ce7 17.0-0-0 c6 18.c5 [ 18.b3 has been played, and ] [ 18.a5 recommended. ] 18...f7 19.e2 d7 Finally a new move. [ 19...e3 20.d2 3d5 21.xd5 xd5 22.b1 xf4 23.f3 d5 24.hd1 b5 25.e3 g6 26.xd5! exd5 27.xd5+ f8 28.c6 led to a victory for White in Hodgson-Barsov, York ENG 2000. ] 20.f3 [ Or 20.h5+!? g6 21.f3 ] 20...d5 21.d2 e3! Threatening ...Nc4. 22.b3 3f5 [ 22...hc8 also looks good. Black seems to have found a good answer to this line. ] 23.e1 h4!? 24.h5+ g6 25.d1 c8! 26.a5 b6 27.cxb6 b8?! [ 27...xb6 . It's hard to see much compensation for the pawn, and W hite's king is as exposed or more so than Black's. ] 28.c2 d6? [ 28...xb6 ] 29.xd6 xd6 30.b2!? [ 30.g3 hf5 31.a4! ] 30...c8?! [ Time pressure? 30...hc8! ] 31.g4 h5?! 32.h3!? [ 32.xd5! hxg4 33.xf6 is strong, but that's certainly hard to see. ] 32...f5! 33.a4! xa4 34.bxa4 e8 [ 34...xb6 35.c7+ d7+ 36.a3 hd8 37.xf5 gxf5 ] 35.c7+!?
[ 35.xf5 gxf5 36.c6 ] 35...e7 36.xe7+ cxe7 37.xf5 xf5 38.c1 b7 39.c8 d6 40.c7+ xc7 41.bxc7 e8 42.c3 f5 Black wins a pawn but can't bring a point home. The somewhat tragic details I'll leave for you: 43.b3 d7 44.b4 xc7 45.d4 c6 46.a5 b7 47.b4 e4 48.a5 c6? [ 48...g5! 49.fxg5 ( 49.g3 h4 50.fxg5 hxg3 51.hxg3 xg5 ) 49...xg5 50.b2 f7 and ...e5 soon will win. ] 49.b4 b7? 50.a5 Now the notation falls apart. The game was quickly drawn after Black refused to play ...g5. ½-½
758 Miezis,Normunds Tissir,Mohamed Open Cappelle la Grande FRA (2) [Tony Kosten]
A19 2525 2303 14.02.1999
Concerning the Mikenas Attack, Jeffrey Reep says that "I have encountered numerous other moves on White's fourth. So far, I have not yet had to defend your mainline. However, moves like 4. Nf3 and 4.d3 have shown up for me. (And one 4.g3, in which I forgot about d5!. )" So here is a look at some alternatives. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 c5 Black plans ...Nc6, to control d4, and then ...d5 to grab his share of the centre so W hite cannot afford to hang around. 4.e5 Absolutely critical. Others: [ 4.f3 c6 5.e2 d5 is OK, see this month's Mohr,G-Haba,P/St Veit AUT 2003. ] [ 4.g3 c6 5.g2 tries to restrain ...d5, but after d5! Black is doing well, see Hertneck, G-Zeller,F/ Germany 1997. ] [ 4.d3?! is really too limp, d5!? 5.exd5 exd5 6.g5 e7 7.g3?! ( 7.xf6 xf6 8.e2+ e6 9.xd5 c6 favours Black who has a lead in development) 7...0-0 8.g2 g4 9.f3 e8! 10.xg4 xg4 11.xg4 xg5+ 12.f1 dxc4 13.dxc4 f6 with advantage, Bistric,F-Zelcic,R/Makarska 1996. ] 4...g8 5.d4 I think Tony Miles once wrote that: "less creative players tend to prefer this move"! The pawn sac [ 5.f3 c6 6.d4 cxd4 7.xd4 xe5 8.db5 is strong, see the Mikenas Attack-3... 753
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 c5 eBook. ] 5...cxd4 6.xd4 c6 7.e4 f5!? This does nothing to counter W hite's advanced e-pawn, [ 7...d6! is the best move, 8.f3 dxe5 9.xe5 d7! ( 9...f6 10.xc6 b6 11.f3 bxc6 12.g3 b7 13.g2 gave a pull to W hite in Kortchnoi,VAndersson,U/ Johannesburg 1981) 10.xd7 xd7 11.g5 (to hinder ...Nf6) b4 12.d1 xc3+ 13.bxc3 c7 14.e2 f6!? with an interesting battle of two knights against two bishops and doubled pawns in Miezis,N-Aleksandrov,A/Bad Wiessee GER 1999, which later turned in Black's favour. ] 8.e2 ge7 9.f4 b6 10.f3 g6 11.e3 White's space advantage and pressure on the d-file keeps him on top. b4 12.c1 0-0 13.a3 Putting the question to the bishop. e7 14.d1 b7 15.d3 Attacking d7 and preparing to complete his kingside d e ve l o p m e n t . f7 16.e2 c8 17.b4! Stopping ...Na5. h6 Black is short of ideas, his position is passive and he has no real p a wn b r e a k s , a p a r t f r o m . . . g 5 wh i c h i s do u b le -e d ge d . 18.g3!? Miezis continues in his inimitable style, many players would prefer to castle or play [ 18.b5 to d6 with a complete bind, but he has his eyes on a kingside attack. ] 18...f8 Ready for ...g5, but White is prepared for this. 19.h4 g5!? This looks desperate, but if White plays h5 Black can only sit and wait. 20.hxg5 hxg5 21.h5! gxf4?! Opening a further file in front of the black king. [ 21...g4 is slightly better. ] 22.gxf4 g7 23.f2 g6 24.g1 a5?! Now Black hits out on the queenside as well. 25.b5 b8 26.a4 As well as s space advantage, and kingside attack, White is also w i n n i n g t h e b - p a w n ! e4 27.d4!? This is complicated, but quite sufficient. [ T h e s i m p l e r 27.c3 was curtains for Black. ] 27...d5?! [ 27...c2!? looks attractive, as then 28.xb6 c5 wins the white queen, although 29.xc8! xd4 30.xd4 xc8 31.xc2 should win easily enough. ] [ 27...xa3 allows 28.hg5 f7 29.h4 e7 30.xg6 ( 30.h5 also kills) 30...xg5
31.xg5 xg6 32.h5 winning material. ] 28.exd6 xd6 29.xg6! A nice crush. [ 29.xg6 xd4 30.xd4 xg6 31.h8+ f7 32.e5+ wins everything. ] 1-0
759 Mikhalevski,Victor Vaibhav,S 11th Aeroflot Open B (3) [John Bartholomew]
A19 2525 2448 09.02.2012
1.c4 e6 2.c3 f6 3.e4 c5 4.e5 g8 5.f3 c6 6.d4 cxd4 7.xd4 xe5 8.db5 a6 9.d6+ xd6 10.xd6 f6 11.e3 e7 12.b6 f5 13.b4 c6 14.c5 e7 Suri Vaibhav has played this twice in the past six months. [ I examine 14...d6 in Potkin, V (2671)Grandelius, N (2536)/Emsdetten GER 2012. W hite wins the pawn back af ter 15.xd8 dxc5 16.b6 and seems to keep a small advantage in the resulting positions. ] 15.xe7+ [ I would be remiss if I failed to mention that 12.Qb4!? was first essayed by Korchnoi against Timman in 1991. Korchnoi played 15.0-0-0 , but he later evaluated the position after xc5 16.xc5 d6 A) Subsequently 17.a3 has been tried, but e5! ( 17...e7 18.d3 fd4 19.he1 Neuman, P (2428)-Petrik, T (2457)/ Czechia 2004.) 18.e4 e6 19.xd6+ xd6 20.xd6 f7 was level in Akermann, T (2149)-Rusev, K (2541)/Zurich SUI 2008.; B) 17.xd6 xd6 18.xd6 e7 as equal. Indeed, the game continuation 19.c5 d7 20.g3 ac8 21.h3 e5 22.hd1 hd8 proved absolutely fine for Black. Korchnoi, V (2610) -Timman, J (2630)/ Brussels 1991/Candidates. ] 15...fxe7 A small improvement over his previous game. [ I n A u gu st V a i b h a v p r e f e rre d 15...xe7 , but after A) t h e s i m p l e 16.0-0-0 might be even better, i.e. A1) 16...d6 17.d3 gives White easy play with full compensation. ( 17.g4!? ); 754
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A2) 16...f7 17.c5!? h5 Brenke, A (2357)-Romanov, O (2340)/NRW 2000 here 18.c4 ( or 18.e4 look very nice to me. ); B) 16.c5 d5 17.cxd6+ xd6 ( 17...xd6!? ) 18.c5 e5 19.e4 ef7 20.0-0-0 d8 21.xd6 xd6 22.e2 Black was compelled to give the pawn back with b6 (23.Rxd6 was a big threat). Then 23.xb6 d7 24.b3 b7 25.he1 c8+ 26.b2 was pleasant for White with the two bishops and queenside majority. Turov, M (2630)-Vaibhav, S (2430)/ Haarlem NED 2011. ] 16.0-0-0 [ If 16.c5 then b4! is a clean equalizer, i.e. 17.c1 bd5 18.a5 ( 18.e4!? c6 19.d6+ e7 20.d1 xb6 21.cxb6 e5 with the idea of 22...Nf7.) 18...d6 19.cxd6 b6 20.xb6 xb6 21.dxe7 xe7= ] 16...d5! As in Potkin-Grandelius Black is willing to give back the pawn to facilitate development. 17.e2 [ The immediate 17.cxd5?! xd5 18.xd5 exd5 19.xd5 allows e6 with the idea of 20...Bxa2 or 20...Rc8 when Black is definitely not worse. 20.d3 c8! ] [ On 17.b3!? t h e e a si e s t m a y b e d4 18.xd4 xd4 19.xd4 d7 when Black is very close to equality. ] 17...f7 18.f4! Controlling the e5 square. [ The natural move is 18.he1 , but e5! s e e m s t o wo r k o u t f i n e f o r B l a c k . F o r example, ( 18...d7 19.b3 ) 19.cxd5 xd5 20.xd5 exd5 21.f4 g6 22.f3 e6 ( 22...xf4?! 23.g3 ) 23.f5!? ( 23.xd5 ac8+ 24.b1 xd5 25.xd5 xf4 26.d7+ g6= ) 23...hc8+! 24.d2 ( 24.b1? xf5+ ) 24...xf5 25.xd5+ f8 26.c1 e5! 27.xb7 xc1 28.xc1 b8 29.c7 c4+ 30.xc4 xb7 with a completely drawn opposite colored bishop ending. ] 18...d7 Black does best to hunker down and complete development. [ The computer endorses 18...dxc4 19.xc4 b4 (a familiar idea: bring the knight to d5), but 20.e4! ( 20.he1 bd5 21.xd5 xd5 22.xd5 exd5 23.xd5 e6 of f ers W hit e no trace of a n advantage) 20...bd5 21.d6+ forces Black to tread
c a r e f u l l y : g8 ( 21...f8? is poor on account of 22.c5 when xf4? 23.f5!! is a d e c i si ve l in e -o p e n e r .) 22.d8 with sustained pressure ( not 22.c5?! can be safely met by xf4 )] 19.g4?! This proves to be an unnecessary weakening of the position. [ 19.f3 ac8 20.b1 he8 21.he1 is a more natural continuation. W hite shouldn't hurry to capture on d5 since this will only free Black's position. If Black plays by analogy with the game with b8?! , then ( 21...d4? 22.e4 is highly unpleasant; Black should probably play a non-committal move like 21...g6 when White can win the pawn back at any moment, but its unclear if he can achieve any real edge.) 22.cxd5 exd5 23.xd5 is a big improvement for White he has played Rh1-e1 and refrained from the weakening g2-g4. ] 19...he8 20.f3 ac8 21.b1 b8! Fo rcin g W h ite t o ca p tu re o n d 5, t he re b y easing the pressure. 22.cxd5 exd5 [ 22...xd5 23.xd5 c6!= was a more ruthless equalizer. ] 23.hf1!? c6 24.c5 cd8 25.f5?! Still searching for an advantage, but Black has a convincing counter-argument. [ 25.b6= ] 25...d4! 26.xd4 xf3 27.xf3 bc6 28.fd3 h5! 29.h3 hxg4 30.hxg4 h8 Now it's clear that only Black can be better. 31.e4?! [ Safer was 31.a3 when h4 allows 32.xf6! xf6 33.xd8 xd8 34.xd8 xg4 35.d7= ] 31...h4 32.c3 xd3 33.xd3 b5?! [ 33...xf5! i s s t r o n g e r , e . g . 34.d7+ ( 34.gxf5 xe4 ) 34...fe7 35.xb7 xg4 .] 34.f2 h2 35.e4 g2 36.g3 xg3 37.xg3 d5 38.c2! White is losing a pawn, but he does his best to active his king. [ or 38.d2 e5 when g4 falls. ] 38...e3+ 39.d3 xg4 40.e4 e7 41.d5 d7 42.h5 e7+ 43.c5?! Unnecessarily pushing things, though (remarkably) this still appears to draw. [ 43.e4 ho ld s co mf orta bly, i.e . f2+ 44.f3 d1 45.e4!= ] 43...xf5 44.b6 ge3 45.xa6 c6 755
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 46.a4 bxa4 47.a5 d5 48.xg7! Mihalevski knows his endgames! [ Instead, 48.xa4 xc3+ 49.bxc3 d5 wins for Black, i.e. 50.f4+ ( the knight is trapped after 50.b5 e5! 51.c4 g6-+ ) 50...e4 51.g6 e3 52.b5 f5-+ ] 48...xg7 49.xf6 xf6 50.xa4 The famous Troitzky ending! To refresh our m e m o r i e s , t h e s o - c a l l e d " T r o i t zk y l i n e " (extending from a5-b3-c4-d5-e5-f4-g3-h5) establishes that Black can force a win here only if White's pawn is blockaded on b3 or b2. Thus - as the Tablebase confirms - W hite draws since his pawn will reach b4. Knight pawns are in general the best pawns for the defending side to have in the Troitzky ending by contrast, a W hite central or rook pawn could be blockaded on the fifth rank and still allow Black to force a win. By the way, don't take the above as absolute truth: in practice, the 50-move rule and/or a very poorly placed defending king will complicate things! d5 51.a5 c7 52.b4 d5 53.c3 f5 54.d3 b5 55.b4 fd6 56.e3 e5 57.f3 f5 58.g3 e4 59.g4 f7 60.g3 e5 61.f2 d3 62.g2 e2 63.g3 e3 64.h4 f4 65.h5 f5 66.h4 g6 67.h3 h5 68.g3 g5 69.f2 f4 70.e2 c4 71.d3 e3 72.d2 e4 73.e2 g4 74.d2 f3 75.c2 e4 76.d2 f3 77.c2 e3 78.b3 d3 79.a4 c4 80.a5 f6 81.b6 d5+ 82.c6 dc7 83.d7 d5 84.e7 e5 85.d7 f6 86.c6 e6 87.c5 d6 ½-½
760 Potkin,Vladimir Grandelius,Nils Schachbundesliga 2011-12 (8) [John Bartholomew]
A19 2671 2536 04.02.2012
1.c4 e6 2.c3 f6 3.e4 Chess nomenclature is f unny. Gary Lane writes that 3.e4 was originally referred to as the "Flohr Attack" in homage to the great Czech player, while others began calling it the "Mikenas Attack" when Vladas Mikenas used it to score several victories in the 1950s and
60s. The "Flohr-Mikenas System" seems like a good compromise (is 3.e4 already an "attack"?), but on ChessPublishing we refer to it as the "Mikenas Attack" for consistency's sake. c5 [ The game Flohr, S-Kashdan, I/Folkestone 1933 saw 3...d5 4.e5 ( Mikenas also tried 4.cxd5 exd5 5.e5 ) 4...d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 xf6 . This position remains critical tod ay: se e t he gam e Nepo mniach tch i Aleksandrov from this update as well as "Mikenas Attack - 3... d5 & Intro". ] 4.e5 g8 5.f3 [ For the immediate 5.d4 check out Miezis, N (2525)-Tissir, M (2303)/Cappelle la Grande 1999/[TonyK]. ] 5...c6 [ 5...d6 is less principled. See Flores, D (2514)-Garcia Paolicchi, R (2228)/Andorra 2006/ [John Watson]. ] 6.d4 cxd4 7.xd4 xe5 8.db5 a6 9.d6+ xd6 10.xd6 f6 [ Second-rate alternatives such as 10...g6 ] [ and 10...c6 are examined in Cramling, DBergstrom, C/Hallsberg 1975/[TonyK]. ] 11.e3 e7 12.b6 f5 13.b4!? This retreat has proven popular at GM level in the p ast year. It was also Tony Kos ten's recommendation in "Dangerous W eapons: Flank Openings". [ The main line is 13.c5 . The problem is that d6 14.a5 d7 15.f4 c6 16.a3 ce7 17.0-0-0 c6 hasn't panned out for W hite. Search the archives and the "Mikenas Attack - 3...c5" guide by Nigel Davies. ] [ 13.xd8 is no longer considered dangerous for Black. After xd6 14.c7 e7 15.c5 e8 16.b6 d5 17.cxd6+ xd6 White has full compensation but no more. Bareev, E (2655) -L'Ami, E (2610)/ Amsterdam 2008/[Hansen, Carsten]. ] 13...c6 Critical. [ 13...e7 A) On 14.c5 Black ought to play A1) 14...c6?! 15.a4!? gives White excellent compensation , i.e. ( 15.a3 d5 16.cxd6 xd6 17.xd6 xd6 18.0-0-0 f7 19.c4 0-0 20.a4 ce5 21.b3 d7 1/2-1/2 Silseth, S (2295)-Kohlweyer, B (2420)/Gausdal 756
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 1993/TD ) 15...d5 16.cxd6 xd6 17.d1 f7 ( 17...0-0?? 18.c5 d8 19.a3+- ) 18.e2 d7 19.0-0 0-0 20.f4 and Black will not find it easy to free himself.; A2) 14...d5! , i.e. 15.cxd6 xd6 16.xd6 xd6 17.0-0-0 ( or 17.d1 df7 ) 17...df7 A2a) 18.f4 g6 19.g3 looks like a better try, though Black is OK after 0-0 ( 19...d7; or even 19...e5!? ); A2b) 18.c5?! d7 19.f4 c8! 20.b4 c6 21.c5 ce5 22.f2 g6 23.g3 Zugic, I (2465)-Bluvshtein, M (2462)/Toronto 2004. Now after b5 24.b1 c6 25.g1 0-0 White's compensation is lacking.; B) 14.a5!? tries to reach a popular line of the 12.Qc5 line after d6 ( 14...0-0; and 14...c6 have also been played.) 15.0-0-0 , e.g. Ramesa, D (2253)-Ljubicic, F (2404)/ Omis 2006/ [John Watson].; C) 14.xe7+ transposes to a favorable ending more commonly reached via 13. Qc5 Qe7. See Bacrot, E (2653)-Dorfman, J (2602)/Marseille 2001/[TonyK]. This is probably White's best option, though there are a couple alternatives: ] 14.c5 d6 [ 14...e7 leads to a different type of queenless middlegame. This was played in Mikhalevski, V (2525)-Vaibhav, S (2448)/ Moscow RUS 2012, just a few days after our present game. I have analyzed it eparately in this update. ] 15.xd8 dxc5 16.b6 So, White will win the c5 pawn and re-establish material equality. Black isn't tore up about this, though in return he gets a good moment to complete development. Still, W hite seems to keep a small advantage in the resulting positions. e5 This is new. [ 16...fd4 17.0-0-0 e5 18.d3 e6 19.xc5 ( 19.e4! looks more promising. ) A) T h e e n e r g e t i c 19...b5! should be preferred, for example 20.cxb5 ( 20.e4 c8 21.cxb5 axb5 22.xc6+ xc6 23.b4 f7 intending 24...Ne6 is fine for Black.) 20...axb5 21.e4 a6!?; B) 19...0-0-0 20.b6 d7 21.b3 f7 22.he1 g6 23.d5 Neuman, P
(2414)-Rusev, K (2409)/ Aschach 2006. ] [ Vachier Lagrave, M (2715)-L'Ami, E (2628)/ W i j k a a n Z e e N E D 2 0 1 1 s a w 16...d7 17.0-0-0 e5 . Here A) 18.e2?! resulted in a quick handshake: c6 19.xc5 xg2 20.he1 f3 ( cooperative Black had full license to play for more, e.g. 20...c8 ) 21.xf3 xf3 22.d3 c6 23.xe6+ f7 24.e2 1/2-1/2. Structure-wise Black has a slight pull in the final position, but L'Ami decided not to test his opponent's defensive technique.; B) The immediate 18.xc5?! is met by c8 19.b4 a5! , undermining White's shaky queenside construction.; C) 18.e4! is best, attacking the c-pawn twice. ] 17.xc5 d7 18.b4!? Ambitiously played and probably correct. [ A s e d a t e a l t e r n a t i v e l i k e 18.b6 is not challenging enough, i.e. c6 19.f3 h5! (a useful prod against White's f3-g2-h2 construction) 20.e2 h4 21.0-0 h3 22.g3 g5!? and Black's knights are quite wellplaced in the center. ( 22...d7 23.f2 e5 is also possible )] [ Likewise, I don't see much of anything after 18.f4 g6 19.g3 c6 20.g1 d8 21.d1 xd1+ 22.xd1 f7 23.d3 h5 . ] [ 18.0-0-0?! c8 transposes to the variation with 18.Bxc5?! above. ] 18...a5?! Committal. Black is trying to equalize by brute force when there isn't a pressing need to do so. [ He had more than one normal move at his disposal, i.e. 18...c8 ] [ 18...h5 ] [ or even 18...g5!? , preventing f2-f4 and solidifying the knight on e5. ] 19.b5 c8 20.e4 b6 Otherwise the inclusion of ...a6-a5 and b4-b5 is clearly in White's favor. 21.f4 White decides to sacrifice a pawn for solid positional compensation. [ 21.xb6! is the real test. Following xc4 22.c5 xb5 23.c1 Black must choose between two depressing endings: A) or 23...cd6 24.xb5+ xb5 25.b1! c3 ( 25...c7 26.g4 h6 27.d6+ d7 28.xc8 xc8 29.h3 is even worse) 26.xc3 xc5 27.b8+ 757
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 f7 28.xh8 xc3 29.d2 a3 30.a1; B) 23...c6 24.xc4 xe4 25.xe6 c6 26.b3 the crossfire from White's bishops forces Black to shed material after xg2 27.g1 , e.g. f3 28.a4 f7 29.xc6 xc6 30.e3 . Players with good technique would surely look forward to pushing in either of these endgames. ] 21...xc4 22.xc4 bxc5 23.f2 e7 24.a4 White's position is easier to play, but I don't think he can claim a concrete advantage. d4 [ B r e a k i n g o u t i m m e d i a t e l y wi t h 24...e5 deserved serious attention. ] [ R e r o u t i n g t h e b i s h o p w i t h 24...e8!? is also interesting. ] 25.ac1 f5?! Black begins to drift after this. [ Once again, Black ought to break free without delay: 25...e5! ] 26.d2 h6 27.h4 f6 28.a2! Preparing Nd2-c4. e8 29.c4 h5 [ 29...a8?! 30.e5 c8 31.d3 ] 30.he1 hd8?! [ Black should be looking for counterplay, i.e. 30...g5! ] 31.xa5 [ 31.e5!? with the idea of doubling on the cfile was also interesting. ] 31...a8 32.b7 xa4 33.xe6! e2 [ Black is also hurting in the semi-forced variation 33...xe6 34.xe6+ xe6 35.xc5+ e7 36.xa4 d4 , though 37.c3! A) 37...xf4+?! 38.e3 xh4 39.b6 pushes the second player to the brink: d8 ( 39...b4?? 40.d5++- ) 40.b5 e4+ 41.f2 e7 42.d4 b7 43.e6+ e7 44.xg7 g4 45.c6 h5 46.e6 d7 47.d4 with excellent winning chances despite equal material.; B) 37...d2+! 38.g1 d6 39.b1 c7 offers him reasonable chances of holding. ] 34.c4! d2 [ The b-pawn is a decisive factor after 34...xc1 35.xd8 f7 (forced Black has to prevent 36.Re6) 36.xf7 xc4 37.e5 xf4+ 38.g3 d4 39.b6+- ] 35.xe2 xe2 36.xe2 aa2?! [ 36...e4! 37.e1 c2 is much tougher to
break down. ] 37.e1 db2? Probably the decisive error. [ After 37...d7! 38.xc5 d5 39.b3 xb5 40.c1 ( 40.d4 b4 41.d1 g5 ) 40...c2 41.d3 Black finds a moment to play g5! , looking to exchange as many pawns as possible. ] 38.xc5 xb5 39.d7+ e7 40.e5 f6 41.f1 ba5 42.h5! Freezing Black's kingside structure. a1 There's not much else. 43.xa1 xa1+ 44.f2 Now it only remains for White to organize an attack on f5. a2 45.f3 a3+ 46.d3 b3 47.g3 a3 48.e3 a2 Immediately losing the pawn, but it's too late anyways. [ One illustrative variation is 48...a1 49.c4 h1 50.f3! xh5 (otherwise Nc4-e3 wins the f 5 pawn ) 51.g2 (the rook is trapped) g5 52.e2 g4 53.e3 e7 54.c4 f6 55.a6 e7 56.c8 f6 57.d7 (zu gzwa ng) e7 ( 57...g6 58.e8++- ) 58.xf5 f6 59.xg4 and White will win. ] 49.d7+ e7 [ or 49...e6 50.c4+ , winning. ] 50.xf5 The rest is very straightforward. a3+ 51.f2 b3 52.e5 a3 53.g4 c3 54.f3 a3 55.g3 c3 56.g5 hxg5 57.fxg5 c4 58.e5 a4 59.g6+ f7 60.f4 g8 61.g4 h8 62.d3 a5 63.e4 b5 64.d5 a5 65.f5 h7 66.e6 a6+ 67.f7 a7+ 68.f8 a6 69.h6 a4 Allowing a nice mate. [ 69...gxh6 70.g6+ xg6 71.e4+- ] [ 69...g6 70.f7+- ] 70.g8+ h8 71.g6# 1-0
761 Ramesa,Davor Ljubicic,Filip Goodbye Summer Open (4) [John Watson]
A19 2253 2404 06.10.2006
A good test of the main line of the 3 e4 c5 Mikenas System. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 c5 4.e5 g8 5.f3 c6 6.d4 cxd4 7.xd4 xe5 8.db5 f6 9.e3 a6 10.d6+ xd6 11.xd6 e7 12.b6 f5 13.c5 d6 14.a5 e7 15.0-0-0 All seen countless times. As a practical matter, 758
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Black has a difficult time holding off White's initiative. d7!? This seems slow, although it has turned out to be playable in previous contests. [ A more interesting approach is 15...0-0 16.f4 c6 17.a3 a5!? 18.g4 ( 18.d3 b4! ) 18...h6 19.e2 b4!? ] 16.f4 c6 17.a3 c8 18.d3 [ 18.g4 h6 19.e4 f7 20.b1 is also better for White, and perhaps best. ] 18...0-0 [ 18...fd4? 19.e4 ] [ 18...e5? 19.g4 fd4 20.d5 f8 21.f5! ties Black up beyond salvation. ] 19.xf5 exf5 20.he1 f7 21.xd6 [ 21.d5 fe8 22.xe8+ xe8 23.xd6 c8 is probably in White's favour, but only just so. ] 21...b8! Apparently the best try. [ 21...fe8 22.xe8+ xe8 23.d5 is very difficult, for example, f8!? 24.e6+ f7 25.xf5 xd5 26.xd5+ h8 27.d7 ] 22.c5!? c6! 23.e7 e6!? This isn't terrible but leads to difficult decisions. [ With 23...e6! 24.xf7+ xf7 Black comes close to equality. I don't think that W hite has any large improvement on the last few moves, so 15...Bd7 hasn't come out too badly. Probably 18 g4 deserves the most consideration. ] 24.xf7+ xf7 25.e2! e8 Nd4 will come in any case. 26.d4 cc8 27.b1 [ 27.xe6 xe6 28.xe6 xe6 29.b4 d7 30.d6+ e7 31.c2 favours White, whose majority is the better one. Nevertheless, Black is very much in the game. ] 27...d7 28.g3!? e4! 29.xe4?! Sec uring B la ck bo th a pa sse d pawn an d activity! fxe4 30.c2 b5 31.d4!? [ White can bail out with 31.d6 d7 32.b4 , but then his bishop on b6 is a liability, and xb6 33.xb6 c6 definitely favours Black. ] 31...d7 32.b4?? [ 32.a4 c6 33.e3 ( 33.a5 xb6 34.axb6 b5 35.b4 a5! gives Black a pull d u e t o W h i t e ' s p a w n w e a k n e s s e s .) 33...xb6 34.cxb6 g6 ] 32...c6 Perhaps a typo, given White's
resignation in two moves the game may have gone [ 32...xb6 33.cxb6 d3 34.d7+ e8 35.c7 xc7 36.bxc7 d7 ] 33.e3 xb6 34.cxb6 g6 Surely not the re a l f i n is h . B la c k s t a n d s b e t t e r, b u t t h e position is hardly resignable. At any rate, W hite held the advantage throughout the opening and early middlegame. The only question is whether it was enough to win with. 0-1
762 Reinderman,Dimitri Werle,Jan Open A Groningen NED (4) [Nigel Davies]
A19 2575 2565 24.12.2009
This game is a real theoretical duel, with the players following known paths for some 22 moves before White innovates. This is quite a rare thing for a flank opening. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 c5 4.e5 g8 5.f3 c6 6.d4 cxd4 7.xd4 xe5 8.db5 f6 9.e3 a6 10.d6+ xd6 11.xd6 e7 12.b6 f5 13.c5 [ The old move is 13.xd8 , but this is less dangerous for Black. ] 13...d6 [ Black can also reach an endgame after 13...e7 but then 14.xe7+ ( 14.a5!? ) 14...xe7 ( Or 14...xe7 15.c5! ) 15.f4 g6 16.g3 d6 17.h3! was better for W hite in Bacrot, E (2653)-Dorfman, J (2602)/Marsailles FRA 2001, see the PGN Archive. ] 14.a5 d7 15.f4 c6 16.a3 ce7 17.0-0-0 c6 18.b3 0-0 19.g1 d5 20.g4 d6 21.c5 f7 22.g2 a5 [ B l a c k h a s a l s o p l a y e d 22...h8 , f o r e xam p le 23.h4 d7 24.h5 c8 25.a5 xc5 26.b4 e3+ 27.b1 1/2-1/2 was L'Ami, E (2610)-Wells, P (2526)/ London ENG 2008. Black probably agreed to the draw because of his habitual time trouble as Carsten Hansen pointed out he's probably better after e8 . ] 23.a3!? Well this is it, the 'theoretical novelty'. [ In one correspondence game (Kleindl, P Skalicky, F, ICCF 1997) White played 23.h4 759
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 after which f5 24.gxf5 xf5 25.f1 a4 was played and now 26.b4 d7 27.d3 7h6 would have been produced an ongoing lack of clarity. ] 23...d7 24.b1 a4 25.c2 c8 26.e2 c6?! [ 26...e8 looks like a better idea when B l a c k c a n m e e t 27.f5? with exf5 . Now White's f4-f5 gives him the edge. ] 27.f5 e5 28.fxe6 [ 28.g5!? is very interesting, for example xf5 29.gxf6 gxf6 30.xd5+ h8 31.e4 leaves Black's king more exposed. ] 28...xe6 29.a1 h8 30.g5 d4 [ As White can just take this pawn, maybe Black should play 30...ae8 instead. ] 31.xd4 f5 32.b4 ae8 33.xc6 xc6 34.e4 White now has very strong pressure and he isn't even down a pawn any more. f7 35.f1+- e6 36.gxf6 gxf6 37.b5 g8 38.c7 e8 39.a5 ee7?! [ Losing, but 39...g8 40.c3 is hardly any better. ] 40.c3 h6 41.h5 g8 42.fe1 g7 43.d6 d5 44.f5 d3 45.xg7 xh5 46.xh5 [ 46.xh5 xe1 47.xf6 xe4 48.xe4+ forces Black to give up a piece with f6 . ] 1-0
763 Tsarouhas,Konstantinos Vouldis,Angelos 35th TCh-GRE (3) [John Watson]
A19 2282 2521 05.07.2006
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e6 3.e4 c5 4.e5 g8 5.f3 d6 6.exd6 xd6 7.d4 cxd4 8.xd4 a6 9.b3! A promising innovation that very simply threatens c5 and targets the dark squares. It may not achieve a large advantage, but other moves haven't done much. [ For 9.e3 ] [ and 9.e2 , see the notes to FloresGarcia. ] 9...c7 10.c5!? [ 10.g4 e5 11.d2 is another idea. ] 10...e5 [ 10...xc5 11.xc5 xc5 12.e3 wins all the dark squares with a large lead
in development. This looks like way more than enough for a pawn. ] 11.e4!? Now Nd6+ is unavoidable, but White has used a lot of time to get there. [ 11.d2!? with the idea d7 12.f4 ] 11...f6 12.d6+ e7 13.c4 c6 14.xe5!? xe5+ 15.e2 f5 [ 15...xe2+?! 16.xe2 gives White the bishop pair and dark squares, although e5 isn't too bad. ] 16.c4 d8 17.e2 White's taken a long time to get castled and he doesn't quite make it. e5 18.h4? [ 18.b4 ] 18...d3+ 19.f1 [ 19.xd3 xd3 20.d2 e5 is obviously better for Black, but so is the text. ] 19...xc1?! [ Why? 19...e5 ] 20.xc1 g5? [ 20...d7 is one good move. ] 21.g3 a5 22.h4!? a4 23.a1 a3 24.b4 g4 25.g1? This leaves everything unprotected and doesn't even develop the knight on a1. [ 25.b3 and White is practically equal. ] 25...d2 26.b5?? [ Still, 26.e3 xa2 27.d3 d5! gives Black a solid advantage. ] 26...e4 0 - 1 , b e c a u s e 27.e3 xf2+ 28.xf2 xf2 wins more material. 0-1
764 Aronian,Levon Shirov,Alexei 2nd Grand Slam Masters (5) [Nigel Davies]
A20 2773 2730 11.09.2009
In a slightly unusual line Aronian 'innovates' with 10.h3, preventing the exchange of his light square bishop via ...Qd7 and ...Bh3. Both sides had their chances in the tough struggle which ensued, with White coming out on top towards the latter stages. 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.f3 c6 6.0-0 b6 7.b3 d6 8.b2 0-0 [ 8...e7 9.d3 0-0 10.fd2 ( After 10.c3 Gurevich suggest that he could have e q u a l i se d wi t h a3!? , when 11.xa3 760
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xa3 12.b5 e7 is assessed by him as 'e q u a l ' . T h is m a y we l l b e t r u e , t h o u g h personally I would prefer to play White after, say, 11.Qc1 Bxb2 12.Qxb2.) 10...g4!? 11.c3 d7!? 12.e1 ae8 and Black stood quite well in Hertneck, G (2605)Gurevich, M (2620), Strasbourg 1994 because of his potential counterplay with ... f7-f5. ] 9.d3 [ I must admit that I'd prefer this move to either 9.d4 ] [ or 9.c3 . I play the Kan Sicilian quite a bit and like to keep the diagonal open for my queen's bishop there too. So 'naturally' I want to put the knight somewhere which doesn't block the bishop. ] 9...g4 10.h3 [ It seems that this is a new move, with 10.bd2 d7 (planning .. .Bh3) having been more commonly played in the past. White's idea is clear, he wants to prevent the exchange of his light square bishop. Sorokin - Rublevsky, Krasnoyarsk 2003 continued 11.a3!? h3 12.b4 xg2 13.xg2 a6 14.b3 ae8 15.e4 h8 when Black was ready to get some counterplay with 16.. .f5. ] 10...h5 11.bd2 e7 12.e4 f5 13.xd6 cxd6 14.b4!? Trying to generate some initiative on the queenside. The battle between these two great players proves to be quite closely fought for some time to come. xb4 15.b3+ 4d5 16.xe5 dxe5 17.xd5+ xd5 18.xd5+ h8 19.fe1 ae8 20.ac1 f4 21.g4 f7 22.e4 g6 23.g2 This looks a bit passive but Aronian evidently wanted to keep the game going. [ 23.d5 f7 24.e4 would repeat the position. ] 23...f7 24.c5?! xa2?! Perhaps time pressure was starting to rear its ugly head hereabouts. [ Black seems to have a strong move in 24...e4! when 25.dxe4 b6 26.c3 xe4 27.f3 xa2 seems better for Black. ] 25.b5?! [ A n d h e r e W h i t e s h o u l d p l a y 25.xe5 to rule out the possibility of 25...e4. ] 25...b6?! 26.a1 Now White has the initiative be c a u s e o f t h e we akn e ss o f . . . . g7 . f7
27.xe5 b3 28.xe8 xe8 29.d4 b4 30.d5 e7 31.c1 h6 32.f3 d6 33.b2 h7 34.c4 b5 35.c6 b4? Under persistent pressure Shirov goes wrong. [ 35...b8 would have kept his defences intact. ] 36.c3 e7 [ 36...b1+ 37.g2 leaves Black facing the twin threats of 38.Qxf4 and 38.Rc7. ] 37.xf4 f8 38.e3 [ 38.d4 was even stronger. Black now could (and should) have bailed out into an endgame. ] 38...f7? 39.e5 e8 40.f4 d7 41.c5 e7 42.c7 xc5+ 43.xc5 1-0
765 Azmaiparashvili,Zurab Kotronias,Vasilios 31st TCh Halkidiki GRE (2) [Tony Kosten]
A20 2676 2578 06.07.2002
1.g3 f6 2.g2 e5 3.c4 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.f3 c6 6.0-0 b6 7.c2!? A new idea at move seven in one of the most popular m a i n l i n e s ! e7 8.a3 0-0! 9.d3 g4 Black's main problem is deciding the most appropriate manner of responding. The text threatens to capture on f3, but Black could also consider [ 9...a5 or ] [ 9...d4 amongst others. ] 10.e3 d7 [ 10...d5 11.c5 xc5 12.xc5 d6 would equalise comfortably, but Black aims for more. ] 11.bd2 f5!? This is always a double-edged move in such positions, Black makes aggressive noises on the kingside, but also weakens his e-pawn and the a2-g8 diagonal. 12.b4 d6 13.b5 e7 14.c4 xc4 [ 14...xb5? loses the e-pawn after 15.fb1 ] 15.xc4+ h8 16.d4 White reacts in the centre - completely thematic! f4!? Black plays the sharpest move, [ 16...e4?! is not very good, 17.e5 xe5 18.dxe5 with a clear edge because of the dark-squared bishop, but ] 761
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 16...xf3!? is an alternative: 17.xf3 e4 18.g2 g6 menacing ...f4. ] 17.dxe5 Critical. e6 [ 17...fxe3 18.exd6 exf2+ 19.xf2 cxd6 20.af1 confers a small plus on White. ] 18.e4 fxe3 As played Black can capture on d6 with his queen. [ 18...d5 19.d3 fxe3 20.exd6 exf2+ 21.xf2 cxd6 22.af1 threatens Ng5, and virtually obliges Black to play xf3 23.xf3 with a plus because of the superior minor piece. ] 19.exd6 exf2+ 20.xf2 xd6 21.af1 Again we reach this same type of position, but W hite has two main threats: Ng5 which would threaten mate on h7, and the rook on f8, and would win immediately, but also Qxb7. g8?! Black should prefer [ 21...d5! both defending f8, and blocking the h1-a8 diagonal: 22.g5 g8 so that if 23.d4!? xf2 24.xf2 xa3! 25.xd5 c1+ 26.f1 xg5 recuperates the piece. ] 22.xb7 Of co urse . xa3 23.xc7 d5 24.c1! The threat to the black queen stops B la ck f ro m p la yin g h is kn igh t t o e 3 . b4 25.b1 This doesn't look best, [ 25.d2 is more natural. ] 25...xb1?! Black acquiesces to an ending a pawn down, but perhaps thought that h e would win it back. [ 25...c5 is a better chance, keeping the pieces on the board. ] 26.xb1 c3 27.b4 a5 Probably Black thought he could play [ 27...ab8 28.d4 xf2 29.xf2 a5 when he traps the white rook, but the last laugh is on him, as White has the resource 30.bxa6 ( 30.b2?? d1+ ) 30...xb4 31.a7 a4 32.a8 xa8 33.xa8 ] 28.bxa6 xa6 With so few pawns on the board Black has some drawing chances, but it is difficult. 29.e4 h6 30.f1 d8 31.e1 Behind the pawn! a2 32.f1 f8 33.e5 h7 34.d3 f7 35.e5 e8 36.f4 The knight careefully prepares the e-pawn's advance by each time attacking the square in f ron t o f th e p awn . d5 37.d3+ h8 38.c4! Simplest. xf4? [ 38...xb4 39.xf7 forks both rooks. ] 39.xa2 h3+ 40.g2 xa2 41.xh3 Now Black has lost an exchange as well, and
can resign. e6+ 42.g2 g5 43.d1 g7 44.d6 f7 45.b5 c8 46.b7 1-0
766 Bourquin,Pascal Vnukov,Denis WC-2002-S-00004 [Tony Kosten]
A20
05.03.2000
1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.f3 c6 6.0-0 b6 7.d3 e7 8.bd2 [ An interesting alternative to the normal 8.c3 ] 8...0-0 9.a3 a5 10.b3 e6 11.b2 f6 12.c2 d7 Black completes his development in a sensible way. 13.e3!? [ This move of Chernin's prepares the th em a tic d 4 -m o ve , lib e ra t in g t h e whit e pieces. 13.ac1 fd8 14.fd1 is less committal. ] 13...fd8 14.d4 exd4 15.xd4 xd4 [ 15...d5?! led to a White plus in the stem g a m e , a f t e r 16.xd5+ xd5 17.xc6 xc6 18.xc6 bxc6 19.fd1 Chernin, ASmejkal,J/Altensteig 1991. ] 16.xd4 c5! The critical reply. 17.xc5 [ W hite has little choice, as 17.c3 a4 may even favour Black. ] 17...ac8 18.b4 d5! [ The strongest move, which I discovered when writing The Dynamic English. 18...axb4 19.axb4 d5 20.d3 xb4 21.xd7 xd7 is equal, Matamoros Franco, C-Volzhin,A/Hamburg 1999. ] [ Chernin only considered 18...a4 when 19.e4 b6? 20.ad1 e8?? 21.xe7! wins material. ] 19.b3!? [ This was my suggestion, but may not be the strongest, 19.xd5!? is possible, xd5 ( 19...xd5 20.e4 f5 21.a2 xa2 22.xa2 might just favour White) 20.e4 e6 21.fd1 b5 is unclear ] [ 19.b2 allows xc5 20.bxc5 xe3 21.fxe3 xd2 when Black has no difficulties. ] 19...b6 20.e4 xb4! [ This exchange sacrifice seems better than my line 20...bxc5 21.exd5 f5 22.a2 762
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 axb4 23.d6 and White wins a pawn. ] 21.axb4 axb4 22.fd1 c7 23.d4 [ Pascal Bourquin also analyses 23.xe7? but after xc2 24.xd8+ ( 24.xd8 xb3 25.h3 a8 26.xb6 xa1 27.xa1 xe4 28.g2 e5 is no improvement) 24...xd8 25.xd8 xb3 26.xb6 c3 27.a8+ f7 28.a7+ g6 and he correctly indicates that White is lost, the b-pawn will cost another white piece. ] 23...xd4 24.xd4 bxc5 25.c4! [ White says: 'The only move I found to stay in the game. Not a computer move!' indeed, after the obvious 25.c1 b3 26.d2 e5 27.a4 c4 28.a7 ( B o u r q u i n ) c3 the passed black pawns are unstoppable. ] [ Pascal Bourquin also examines 25.dd1 when c4 26.a6 ( 26.f1 b3 27.c3 e5 28.d4 b4 wins,; 26.a4 c3 27.b1 d7 28.axb4 xb4 29.xb4 d2 likewise ) 26...b3 ( 26...f7!? ) 27.c3 g4 28.f3 b7 A) 29.a5 c3 30.fxg4 c2; B) 29.a4 b5 ( 29...e6 !? ) 30.aa1 e6 ( 30...b4 !? 31.b2 e6 32.e2 c5+ 33.h1 c3 also wins at a canter) 31.h1 b4 32.xb4 xb4 33.a6 c3; C) 29.aa1 b4 and the blockade of the pawns is broken, White can resign. ] 25...xc4?! [ Allowing White a strong light-squared b l o c k a d e , B o u r q u i n p r e f e r s 25...b8!? so that 26.b1 ( White may be able to try 26.f1!? b3 27.b2 e5 28.b1 ) 26...xc4 27.xc4+ h8 achieves a similar situation to that of the game, but where the white rook is less active. ] 26.xc4+ f8 27.h3 d8 28.e6 Now the black queenside pawns will need a lot of help to advance past White's light-squared barrier. g6 29.g8 d6 30.d5 g7 31.a8 xa8 32.xa8 e5 33.d5 a7 34.g2 d4 35.g8 [ White can also play more actively with 35.b5 as, providing White keeps queens on the board, Black will be unable to activate his own queen- the black king is too exposed. ] 35...e7 36.e6 a7 Black has no serious winning chances. ½-½
767 Buhmann,Rainer Balogh,Csaba TCh-AUT 2009-10 (2) [Nigel Davies]
A20 2603 2613 07.11.2009
W h it e go t n o wh e re in t h is ga m e a n d h is position even became very dangerous when he tried to prove something when he had n o t h in g. 3 . . . h 6 se e m s t o h a ve a c e rt a i n provocation value. 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 h6 4.c3 b4 This would probably be my choice, but it's not the only move. [ 4...c5 is also possible here, one of the ideas being that 5.f3 can be met by e4 when W hite's knight can't go to g5. After 6.g1 e7 7.c2 d5! 8.xd5 ( 8.cxd5 f5 ) 8...xd5 9.cxd5 f5 Black has compensation for his pawn in the form of rapid development. ] 5.e4 c6 6.ge2 c5 This second move with the bishop makes sense once White has committed himself to e2-e4 and weakened the d4 square. Of course it also costs a tempo. 7.0-0 d6 8.a3 a6 9.h3 [ In an earlier game, Cekro, E (2433)-Jaracz, P (2542), Belgium 2003, White played 9.b4 af t er wh ich a7 10.h3 Black could have played in a similar way to Balogh with just 0-0 ( 10...d4 was the move played in the game ) 11.d3 e8 . ] 9...0-0 10.h2 e8 11.d3 d4 The hole on d4 will prove a source of great frustration to W hite in his attempts to attack on the kingside. 12.f4 c6 13.b4 a7 14.f5 b5 15.a2 bxc4 16.dxc4 a5 17.b5 b7 18.bxc6 xc6 19.g4?! Aggressive but also loosening, and White's position starts to fray at the edges. [ This was probably time for the pedestrian 19.e3 after which xe2 20.xe2 xe3 21.xe3 is solid enough for White. ] 19...b8 20.d2 xe2 21.xe2 b3 With Black's pieces storming into the vacant holes, White's position is starting to look very dubious. 22.d3 d4 23.d5 xd3 24.xf6+?! This just helps Black. [ 24.xd3 was better. ] 24...xf6 25.xd3 h4 26.d2 b8 27.e1 d8 28.f6 b2?! Black in turn goes wrong. 763
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 28...a4 was better, supporting the rook's advance to b3. After 29.b4 ( 29.fxg7 b3 is good for Black) 29...g6 Black has the preferable game because of White's many strategic responsibilities. ] 29.fxg7 a8 30.f3?? This seems aggressive but it should lose. [ 30.d2 was the right move, shutting down the rook's activity along the 7th rank. ] 30...b7 [ Missing the powerful 30...f5! after which 31.gxf5 ( 31.xf5 xg2+ ) 31...xe4 leaves White without a saving check on f8. ] 31.f2 xf2 [ 31...xe4 was still better for Black, for example 32.xe4 xe4 33.xe4 xf2 34.d5 xg7 35.g2 e3+ 36.f3 f4 with a good extra pawn in an admittedly difficult endgame. Now it fizzles out. ] 32.xf2 xf2 33.xf2 xg7 34.d2 xe4 35.xe4 xe4 36.xd6 e2+ 37.g3 e3+ 38.g2 e2+ 39.g3 e3+ ½-½
768 Carlsen,Magnus Anand,Viswanathan Amber Rapid Nice FRA rapid (7) [Carsten Hansen]
A20 2733 2799 22.03.2008
1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.d4 e4 4.d5!? [ This is a very aggressive continuation, aiming to prevent Black from establishing a firm centre with pawns on e4 and d5. 4.c3 d5 is discussed in Narcisco Dublan-San Segundo Carrillo, Sanxenxo 2004, which can be found in the PGN archives. ] 4...f6 5.g2 b4+ [ Black's alternatives at this juncture have only bee n te sted in obscure game s: A ) 5...b5 6.c3 ( 6.d6!? ) 6...bxc4 7.dxc6 d5 8.g5 e6 9.a4 b6 Chavira, WStefurak, D/USA 1990, and now W hite's best is 10.xf6 gxf6 A) 11.0-0-0?! A1) 11...xf2? 12.c7+ d7 13.xd5 h6+ ( 13...xg2 14.xf6+ e7 15.xd7+- ) 14.b1 xd5 ( 14...xg2 15.xf6+ f8 16.xd7+ g7 17.b5+- ) 15.h3 0-0 16.xd7+-;
A2) 11...xc6! 12.xd5 xd5 13.xd5 b8 14.d1 h6 15.xe4 0-0 , and it is White who's in trouble; B) 11.c7+ c6 12.0-0-0 f5 13.xd5 xd5 14.xd5 g7 15.b5 xf2!? ( 15...xc7?! 16.xf5 ) 16.xf5 xf5 17.xc6+ e7 with a messy position and chances to both sides ] [ B) 5...cxd5 6.cxd5 c5 7.h3 0-0 8.c3 e3 9.f3?! ( 9.xe3!? xe3 10.fxe3 d6 11.0-0 ) 9...d6 10.0-0 a6 11.d3 e8 12.d1 bd7 , and Black has the better ch a n c e s , Ho ld , A -B e h n k e , D/ G e rm a n y 1997 ] [ C) 5...c5 6.c3 e7 7.e3 ( 7.h3!? d6 8.g5 seems to offer White the slightly better chances; 7.c2 e3 8.xe3 xe3 9.fxe3 0-0 10.e4 , and Black has some compensation for the pawn on account of White's weak dark squares) 7...d6 8.b3 b4 9.ge2 g4 10.b2 cxd5 11.cxd5 bd7 12.0-0 xc3 13.xc3 e5 Arsenault, L-Uranga, P/IECC Email 1998 ] 6.d2 e7 [ Black may also consider 6...c5 A) 7.c3 e7 8.h3 ( 8.g5!? xf2+ 9.f1! b6 10.xe4 0-0 11.d6 ) 8...d6 9.g5; B) 7.b3 0-0 8.h3 d6 9.c3 e8 10.0-0 e3 ( 10...e7!? is fine for Black) 11.fxe3 xe3+ 12.xe3 xe3 13.f2 e7 14.c2 c5 15.fe4 xe4 16.xe4 f5 17.xf5 xf5 18.xf5 Brugnoli, PSiqueira, F/IECG Email 1998 ] 7.c3 0-0 8.a3 [ The alternatives are: A) 8.h3 (this is possibly White's best option at this juncture) e8 ( 8...cxd5 9.cxd5 d6 10.0-0 f5 11.f3 a6 12.g4 g6 13.g5 d7 14.xe4 xe4 15.fxe4 Perez Fungueiro, M-De la Villa Garcia, J/Sanxenxo ESP 2007) 9.0-0 c5 10.h1 ( 10.g5!? ) 10...h6 11.a3 a5 12.c2 ( 12.a4!? d6 13.xc5 dxc5 14.c3 cxd5 15.cxd5 d8 16.xf6 xf6 17.c2 f5 ) 12...d6 13.ab1 f5 14.b4 axb4 15.axb4 d4 16.e3 b6 ( 16...xc3 17.xc3 cxd5 18.xf6 xf6 19.cxd5 d7 ) 17.f4 bd7 with a complicated game and chances to both sides, Kudriashova, I-Gansvind, V/Moscow 1996 ] [ B) 8.e3 e8 9.ge2 d6 10.dxc6 xc6 764
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 11.a3 xc3 12.xc3 g4 13.h3 xe2 14.xe2 ac8 15.0-0 e5 , and Black has taken over the control of the game, Giardelli, S-Campora, D/Asuncion PAR 2003 ] 8...c5 [ A novelty. In an earlier game, Black tried 8...xc3 9.xc3 d6 10.e3 ( 10.d2 bd7 ) 10...bd7 11.e2 c5 ( 11...cxd5!? ) 12.0-0 e5 13.xe5 xe5 with a pleasant game, Granados Gomez, MCampora, D/Lanzarote ESP 2003 ] 9.e3 d6 10.ge2 cxd5 [ 10...g4!? ] 11.xd5 xd5 12.cxd5 d7?! [ 12...g4!? should have been Black's choice. Now White grabs the initiative. ] 13.0-0 f6 14.c3 g4 15.xf6 xf6 16.b4 b6 17.xe4 a5?! [ 17...fe8!? 18.g2 b2 19.e1 xe3 ( 19...ac8!? ) 20.fxe3 xe3 21.f1 ae8 22.c1 e5 23.a2 f3 24.b2 g5 25.d4 ] 18.bxa5 xa5 [ 18...c5!? 19.d3 xe2 20.xe2 xa5 21.d3 e5 22.c2 ] 19.xh7+! xh7 20.b1+ g6 21.xb6 Now W hite is up two pawns, and the counterplay Black may have hoped for on the light squares around White's king soon prove to be going nowhere fa8 22.d4 [ 22.d4!? ] 22...f3 23.c3 e8 24.h3! f5 25.f6 g8 26.ab1 xe3 27.xb7 c8 28.d8+ g7 29.xc8?! [ 29.xf7+! xf7 30.fxe3 wins much faster ] 29...xc3 30.xf7+ [ 30.d8 xd5 31.b8 h5 32.f8+ f6 33.xd6+ g7 34.d1+- ] 30...xf7 31.d7+ f6 32.d8+ [ 32.e1! ] 32...f5 33.xa5 [ 33.e1! wins faster, but after the game continuation White doesn't risk anything and wins in convincing fashion ] 33...xa3 34.b4 e5 35.d2 d3 36.g5+ f5 37.e1+ xd5 38.xf5+ gxf5 39.g2 a3 40.h4 d4 41.h5 d5 42.h6 a7 43.f3 h7 44.e6 c3 45.c6+ d3 46.f4 f7 47.g5 e2 48.d6 1-0
769 Chabanon,Jean Luc Kasparov,Garry tt France [Tony Kosten]
A20 2425 2805 1993
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.g3 c6 4.d4 exd4 5.xd4 d5 6.g2 e6 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.f3 c6 9.a4 c5 10.0-0 0-0 11.e1?! [ Planning Nd3-f4, but 11.g5 is more usual, h6 12.xf6 xf6 13.fd1 ( 13.e4 dxe4 14.xe4 is a quick equaliser, e7 15.xc5 xc5 16.fd1 ad8 17.a3 and a draw was so o n a gree d , P irc,V -K e re s, P/ B e lgra d e 1956; 13.e1 offers a little edge, ad8 14.d3 d4 15.ac1 fe8 16.f4 e5 17.e3 xc3 18.bxc3 , Seirawan,Y-Sokolov,I/ Wijk 1995 ) 13...b6 14.b5 fd8 15.a4 d4 ( 15...d4!? ) 16.xb6 axb6 17.xb6 xa2 18.xb7 db8 19.d7 a7 20.g4 xb2 equal, Romanishin, O-Agdestein,S/ Taxco 1985. ] [ 11.b5?! aims for d4, but b6 12.e3 e4 13.bd4 fe8 14.a3 g4 Black is very act ive, Schwaiger,A-Ivan ov, I/ Dea rb orn 1992. ] 11...d4 Gaining space. 12.d3 b6 13.b5 d5 14.h3!? To avoid the exchange of his light-squared bishop, but it appears strange. Af ter the game Kasparov told me that he couldn't predict any of his opponent's moves! e8 Again, with the black pawn on d4, e2 is seriously weak. 15.f4 e4 16.d1 e7 17.a3 d3! Black opens the g1-a7 diagonal and exposes the white king. 18.exd3 [ If 18.xd3?! d4 19.f4 c6 wins. ] 18...f3 19.f1 g4 20.d2 ce5 21.g2 xf2! 22.xf2 xg2 23.xg2 xf2 24.xf2 g5 The point of Black's combination. 25.e4 [ 25.h5 xd3+ 26.g1 c5+ is crushing. ] 25...gxf4 26.gxf4 h4+ White is an exchange down for nothing. 0-1
765
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 770 Colin,Vincent Libiszewski,Fabien 81st ch-FRA Besancon BRA (1) [John Watson]
A20 2415 2482 14.08.2006
This is a game with extraordinarily clearcut positional issues having to do with space and minor pieces. I'll try to provide some opening notes of use. 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 h6 The mighty 3...h6 has been played by leading players for a few years now. As with so many modern moves, it's a useful waiting move that depends upon White to commit to a particular formation before reacting. At the same time, it serves a purpose in most logical continuations that the players might agree upon. W hite's task is simply to find a setup which is normally either not available to him without the extra tempo that Black hands him, or h armles s wit ho ut . .. h6 bu t f a vo urab le because of W hite's extra move. The game continuation is appropriate in that regard. 4.f3 For example, 1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Nf3 e4 4.Nd4 is slow for several reasons, one being 4...d5 5.cxd5 Qxd5, with the ideas of ...Qxd4 and ...e3 (...Qh5 and . ..Bh3 can f ollow). c6!? [ The critical 4...e4 5.d4 is quite a bit more promising for White than in the above note. W hether Black equalizes is unclear my guess is that W hite remains with a slight advantage in most lines. A few samples out of many: A) 5...c6 6.c2!? c5 7.c3 e7 8.0-0 ( 8.e3 0-0 9.ed5 ) 8...d6 9.d3 exd3 10.exd3 0-0 11.d4 b6 12.e1; B) 5...d5 6.cxd5 xd5 B1) or 7.c2 , f o r e x a m p l e , c6 ( 7...h5 8.h3 ) 8.c3 e5 9.0-0 f5 10.d4 exd3 11.exd3 0-0-0 12.xc6 bxc6 13.f4 a5 14.d4 followed by Re1. There are almost countless variations for both sides here; B2) 7.b3 d6 ( 7...f5 8.c3 d7 9.d3 b4 10.0-0 xc3 11.bxc3 0-0 12.f4 with an edge) 8.c3 e5 9.d3 exd3 10.xd3 ] 5.d4 Black can choose among several versions of the main line 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 Nc6 4.g3 after
[ 5.c3 .Then he also has the unique move e4 , which would normally be met by Ng5. ( 'normal' would be 5...b4 6.0-0 e4 7.e1 xc3 8.dxc3 0-0 9.c2 e8 10.e3 and Nd5, with the c1 bishop going to e3 or f4 ) 6.h4 ( 6.g1 e7 ) 6...e7 ( 6...e7 7.d3 exd3 8.xd3 e5 9.c2!; 6...d6 7.xe4 (e l se . . . g5 ) g5 8.xf6+ xf6 9.f3 ) 7.f5 0-0 8.xe7+ xe7 9.0-0 with advantage. All this is wide open to improvements by both sides. ] 5...b4+!? [ 5...exd4 6.xd4 c5 7.b3 b4+ 8.d2 xd2+ 9.xd2 0-0 10.c3 d6 11.0-0 e8 and W hite has space whereas Black can develop fairly smoothly. The first player has a small edge. ] 6.d2 [ Perhaps 6.c3 yields something, e.g., A) 6...e4 7.d2 ( 7.e5!? ) 7...xc3 8.bxc3 e7 9.c2 e3 10.e4!; B) 6...d6 7.dxe5 xc3+ 8.bxc3 dxe5 9.xd8+ xd8 10.a3 ] 6...xd2+ 7.xd2 d6 8.d5 [ 8.dxe5 dxe5 9.xd8+ xd8 10.c3 is safe for White, and mildly better for him. One gets the impression that 4... Nc6 has conceded some advantage. ] 8...e7 [ 8...b8 9.c3 a5 10.0-0 a6 is an option, but W hite stands better, in particular because he can expand on the queenside. ] 9.c3 0-0 10.0-0 a5 11.e1!? d7 aiming for c5. Now we have arrived at a basic position with White having space and Black having the better bishop. Compare 1.d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 Qe7 5.g3 Bxd2+ 6. Nbxd2 d6 7.Bg2 e5. Here White gets a knight on c3 instead of d2 and should stand better. Developing by [ 11...g4 is an option, but the bishop can get stuck on the kingside after 12.h3 f5 13.e4 h7?! ] 12.d3 f5?! This simple and obvious move condemns Black's bishop to passivity on c8. A better choice was [ 12...b6 13.e4 c5 ] 13.f4! e4 This is undesirable, leaving the bishop in the lurch, but much better than [ 13...exf4? , when 14.xf4 is awful. ] 766
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 13...g6? 14.e4! exploits White's space and better development. ] 14.e1 White's strategy until the end of the game is standard stuff. It is important to get a knight to the ideal blockading square e3, from which the break with g4 is supported. b6 15.b3 c6 16.c2 cxd5 17.cxd5 d7? Black should be preparing for g4 by ...Kh8, ... Ng8-f6, ...h5 etc. Of course, W hite is also better on the queenside. 18.ac1 h7 19.e3 g8 A tempo short. 20.g4! g6 21.gxf5! [ 21.d4 e7 22.g5!? ( 22.h1 bc8 23.g1 ) 22...h5 23.c2 and Rfc1. The pawn on g5 cramps Black's pieces. ] 21...gxf5 22.d4 e7 23.h1 g6 24.g1!? [ 24.xe4!? fxe4 25.xe4 is a typical combination. Rg1 and f5-f6 are among the threats. But evidently Black can't stop this anyway. ] 24...f6 [ Or 24...c8 25.xe4 fxe4 26.xe4 ce7 27.xg6! xg6 28.xg6+ xg6 29.g1+ h5 30.e4 g8 31.f3+ h4 32.g3! ] 25.xe4 fxe4 26.xe4 e8 27.c7+! [ Or 27.g4 ] 27...d7 28.g4 f8 29.xd7+! xd7 [ 29...xd7 30.f6+ xf6 31.xf6 g7 32.e6! f7 33.xg6+ xg6 34.xg6 xe6 35.xe6 ] 30.xg6+ xg6 31.xh6+ h5 32.g7 f6 33.g5+ h4 34.xd7 1-0
771 Damljanovic,Branko Vasilevich,Tatjana Open Kavala GRE (8) [Nigel Davies]
A20 2551 2420 07.08.2009
Here's a rare 4th move alternative for White which seems designed to sidestep the equally rare 4.Nc3 Bb4. It doesn't look very dangerous but may cast some light on what Damljanovic thinks about this line. 1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.d4 e4 4.b3!? [ Presumably this is designed against the line 4.c3 b4 which seems quite interesting despite its main proponent having been an
unknown Dutch player called Van Weersel. For example 5.d2 xc3 6.xc3 ( 6.bxc3 f6 7.g2 d5 8.cxd5 xd5 9.b3 0-0 10.xd5 cxd5 11.b1 b6 12.h3 a6 was quite good for Black in Smokina, K (2283)-Van W eersel, A (2169), Kusadasi 2006. ) 6...d5 7.b3 f6 8.cxd5 xd5 9.e3 xb3 10.axb3 0-0 11.b4 e8 12.d6 bd7 was Landa, K (2609)-Van Weersel, A (2173), Vlissingen 2005. White eventually won this game but it had a lot to do with him being 400 points higher rated. At the moment the position looks fine for Black. So will we now get a transposition back into normal lines after 4... d5 5.cxd5 cxd5? This was probably Damljanovic's hope, but Black has another way to play it. ] 4...d5 5.cxd5 xd5 Exactly. And the endgame looks fine for Black. 6.xd5 cxd5 7.c3 e6 8.f3 f6 9.fxe4 xe4 10.xe4 dxe4 11.e3 c6 12.d2 b4 13.b5+ d8 14.f2 c8 15.xb4 c2+?! [ Just 15...xb4 16.e2 e7 would have been at least equal for Black. The text gets slightly carried away by the prospect of having an active rook and Black ends up suffering a little for his enthusiasm. ] 16.e2 xb4 17.a4 d2 [ And not 17...xb2 18.ab1 xb1 19.xb1 a5 20.a3 xa3 21.xb7 which would be very dangerous for Black what with White's rampaging rook on the 7th. ] 18.hd1 xe2+ [ 18...xb2 is dubious here too after 19.ab1 xe2+ 20.xe2 g4+ 21.f2 xd1 22.xd1 a5 23.a3 xa3 24.xb7 , once again with a powerful rook on the 7th. ] 19.xe2 g4+ 20.f2 xd1 21.xd1 f5 22.a3 d6 23.g2 White is slightly better now. It's still not much but he gets full points for effort. e7 24.c1 f8 25.b3 d8 26.h3 b6 27.f1 f8 28.d5 g6 29.g4 b8 30.b4 d8 31.c6 f4 32.f2 f8 33.h1 fxe3+ 34.xe3 f3+ 35.xe4 xa3 36.b5 a5 37.bxa6 xa6 38.b5 a5 39.b1 d6 40.c4 c6 41.c1 a7 42.d5+ d7 43.g8 d6 44.b1 e7+ 45.d3 c7 46.f1 g7 47.f7 d8 48.c4 e7 49.d5 d6 50.e4 c7+ 51.d3 a7 52.f8 e7 53.b8 c7 767
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 54.h8 a3+ 55.e2 xh3 56.xg6 f6 57.f8 xd4 58.f7+ d6 59.xh7 g3 60.f5 b5 61.b7 c5 62.d3 xg4 63.xb5+ d6 64.h5 f6 65.f3 g5 66.e4 ½-½
772 Davies,Nigel R Cherniaev,Alexander 7th Staunton Memorial GM (5) [Nigel Davies]
A20 2493 2428 12.08.2009
Cherniaev seemed much better prepared than me for this game but that doesn't always help. I was blissfully unaware of the fact that my improvised 5th move sidestepped his preparation and created a lot of confusion to boot. 1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.d4 e4 4.c3 d5 5.f3 [ My opponent was probably inspired to play this way by the game Davies, N - Cornette, M, 4NCL 2008: 5.h3 a6 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.b3 c7 8.f4 d6 9.f3 exf3 10.exf3 e7 11.b5 xf4 12.xf4 0-0 13.f2 f5 14.d3 xb5 15.xb5 xd3 16.xd3 b6 1/2-1/2 which was all very comfortable f or B lack. Of course I was no t going t o repeat this as long as I remembered it, and the move played (5.f3) looked quite good to me. I found out later that it hasn't been played much. ] [ One of the critical lines here is 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.b3 c6 7.xd5 xd5 8.xd5 xd4 which I'll take a closer look at in Gelfand Karjakin. Does the inclusion of the moves f3 and .. . f5 make a difference to these lines? I could have asked this question in th e game. ] 5...f5 [ There's probably a good case for 5...exf3 6.xf3 f6 , for example 7.g2 e7 8.0-0 0-0 9.e5 e6 with complex play. ] 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.b3 c6 8.xd5 xd5 9.xd5 xd4 10.f2 [ 10.c7+ is similar to Gelfand - Karjakin and looks critical. But with ...f7-f5 included Black has an additional possibility in f7!? , f o r e x a m p l e 11.xa8 c2+ 12.f2 ( 12.d1 xa1 also needs checking
carefully ) 12...c5+ 13.e3 xa1 14.c7 f6 15.c4+ e7 looks fine for him. I can't say tha t I pa rticula rly trust this line f o r White. ] 10...e6 [ During the game I was more concerned abo ut t he lin e 10...c2!? 11.b1 e3+! , w h e n I wa s i n t e n d i n g t o p l a y 12.xe3 ( 12.xe3?! c5 looks strong) 12...xe3 13.xe3 without having a huge amount of confidence in it. Actually I think Black has plenty for the pawn after d6 14.h3 e6 15.hf4 f7 intending ...g7-g5. ] 11.g2 [ Fritz likes the move 11.h3!? , which is something I hadn't really considered at the board. It looks quite strong, for example exf3 12.xf3 e7 13.d1 xd5 14.xd5 seems better than the game because Black is forced to waste time defending his f5 pawn. ] [ My opponent on the other hand preferred 11.fxe4 fxe4 12.g2 which I rejected because of c5+ 13.e3 e7 14.xe4 g5 . I was probably wrong to have done so a s W h i t e i s a p a w n u p a f t e r 15.d3 . The move I played is not bad and keeps an easy game for W hite. Though in view of Black's excellent defence it's tempting to look for improvements here. ] 11...exf3 12.xf3 e7 13.d1 xd5 14.xd5 c5+ 15.e3 xe3+ 16.xe3 0-0 17.c1 White of course has 'strong pressure' but can this be converted into something more tangible? b8 18.e5 f4+ 19.d2 fxg3 20.hxg3 e8 21.d6 f8 [ I spent some time wondering about the rook endgame that arises after 21...g5 22.d7 xd7 23.xd7 e4+ 24.xe4 xe4 25.cc7 g4 26.xb7 xb7 27.xb7 xg3 28.xa7 . After the game Jon Speelman, who understands such things, opined that it looked good for White because the e-pawn would shield my king from checks. I'll take his word for it. ] 22.xc8!? I'd seem some spectacular lines after this and the way Black plays it I keep an edge. But he could have equalised immediately by recapturing with the right rook. bxc8?! Just not this way. [ After 22...exc8 I don't see anything for me 768
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 apart from perpetual check with 23.d5+ E-Hertneck, G/Muenchen 1994 and now h8 24.f7+ g8 25.e5+ etc. ] 12.d1 e6 13.c3 0-0 14.e4 23.d5+ h8 24.f7+ g8 25.g5+ h8 would have been slightly better for White) 26.f7+ g8 27.d8! This keeps an edge 11.d1 b6 12.e3 c5 13.xc5 xc5 though it's not enough to win. c5 The only 14.b4 b6 15.c3 0-0 16.a5 move. and White had a slight edge in Lobron, E[ After 27...cxd8 28.xd8+ h8 29.f7+ Kharlov, A/ Leeuwarden 1997. ] g8 30.d6+ e6 31.xb7 White wins a 10.xg7! This is good for White but not pawn ] everyone has played this way. [ and on 27...exd8 28.xd8+ h8 [ 10.e4 c6 11.c3 e6 12.e3 0-0 29.f7+ g8 30.d6+ it's a whole rook. ] 13.fd1 c7 14.ac1 fd8 15.a3 xd1+ 28.h6+ h8 29.f7+ g8 30.h6+ h8 16.xd1 d5 17.xd5 xd5 18.a4 31.xe8 xd5+ 32.e3 gxh6 33.xf8+ 1/2-1/2 was Ruck, R-Rogic, D/Porec 1998. ] g7 34.c8 So White has the better pawn 10...f6 11.h6 c2 12.c3 structure but Black's doubled h-pawns come [ Jon Speelman later commented that my in handy in many lines. After the game opponent's resignation was a very deep Cherniaev thought that perhaps he should move! He does appear to have a lost game have retreated his rook to d7 here, but either as a later game amply demonstrated: way it looks like a draw. b5 35.b3 e5+ 12.c3 xa1 ( 12...xc3 13.bxc3 xa1 36.f3 e7 37.e4 f6 38.f4 e6 39.f8 14.g7 is also winning) 13.d1 d7 d7 40.e8+ f7 41.h8 e6 42.e8+ ( 13...e7? is met by 14.d5; and 13...d4 f7 43.a8 a6 44.f5 d2 45.b8 f2+ by 14.g5 d6 15.xd6 cxd6 16.xd4 46.e5 b5 47.b7+ g8 48.a4 bxa4 etc ) 14.d5 e7 ( Or 14...e5 15.g5 49.bxa4 h5 50.b6 f3 51.xa6 xg3 c8 16.f6+ etc ) 15.g7 f8 16.h6 52.f4 h4 53.a8+ (Threatening 17.Nf6+ Bxf6 18.Qxf8 mate) f6 ½-½ 17.f3 f5 18.h5+ g6 19.xg6+ hxg6 20.xg6+ d7 21.xf6+ c6 22.e4+ 1-0 Franco Ocampos, Z-Needleman, A/ 773 A20 Buenos Aires 2003. ] Davies,Nigel R 2510 1-0 Thiel,Thomas 2320 Lloyds Bank op 18th (3) 1994 774 A20 [Nigel Davies] Ding,Liren 2742 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 Balogh,Csaba 2637 5.f3 c6 6.0-0 e7 7.d4 exd4 Tromsoe ol (Men) 41st (3.2) 04.08.2014 After this I think White has an edge. [Kosten, Tony] [ A more critical response is 7...e4!? 8.e5 f5 , for example 9.xc6 bxc6 10.c3 0-0 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 c6 4.f3 e4 11.f3 exf3 12.exf3 ( 12.xf3 might be a 5.d4 d5 6.cxd5 xd5 7.e3 Currently better way) 12...f6 13.e1 b8 14.f4 f a s h i o n a b l e . e5 Moving off the h1-a8 b4 gave Black excellent counterplay in diagonal is prudent, and is the 2nd most Carlsen, M-Gelfand, B/Moscow 2007. ] popular move, scoring well for Black. 8.xd4 xd4 9.xd4 b4 This tempting [ The most common, 7...c5 was analysed move pretty much loses by force. by Alex Fier a few months ago, see [ Black has to play 9...f6 when 10.a4+ Savchenko, B-Kravtsiv, M. ] ( 10.xd8+ xd8 11.c3 c6 12.b4 0-0 [ 7...c5 8.c3 e5 is also possible, 9.db5 13.a4 e6 14.b2 a6 15.b5 a5 16.bxc6 ( 9.f4 Miroshnichenko, E (2602)-Guner, S bxc6 17.e4 was marginally better for (2041)/Kocaeli 2014, 1-0 (39), e7 ) 9...a6 W hite in Lalic, B-Mohr, G/Zagreb 1993) 10.a4 c6 11.xe4 xe4 12.xe4 10...c6 ( 10...d7 11.c2 c6 was Lobron, looks greedy, but might be playable, d7 769
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 13.f4 ] 8.f4!? White revives an old idea. [ 8.c3 c5 ( 8...a6 9.0-0 b4 10.d3!? is possible, as xd3?! 11.xe4!; 8...c5 9.db5 as above. ) 9.d3! ( 9.b3 b6 is quite pleasant for Black.; Likewise 9.de2 0-0 10.0-0 Bilek, I (2485) -Gheorghiu, F (2530)/Teeside 1972, 1/2-1/2 (24), d8 ) 9...exd3 10.xd3 0-0 11.0-0 a6 12.a3 b6 13.b4 d8 14.c2 c7 ( 14...xd4 15.exd4 xd4 16.f4 gives good play for the pawn, h5 17.ad1 ) 15.ce2 e6 16.b2 xd4 17.xd4 with an edge to White, Zhigalko, A (2619)-Balogh, C (2630)/ Warsaw 2013, 1/2-1/2 (60). ] 8...exf3 A fairly human reaction, but not forced. [ 8...e7!? is p o s sib le , 9.c3 ( 9.c2 ) 9...a6 10.0-0 but White is a little better here, e4 is a target and it is not easy for Black to complete his kingside development. Still, after g4 11.a4 d7 Black may even consider ...h5-4. ] 9.xf3 h5 10.0-0 e7 11.c3 0-0 12.d4! W hite will continue e4 next move when his centre is very dynamic. e6 [ The only previous time this position was reached Black preferred to exchange the light-squared bishops: 12...h3 13.e4 bd7 but then 14.e5! is a wkward , d5 15.xd5 cxd5 16.b3 the d5-pawn is a problem, b6 17.a4 ab8 ( 17...xg2 18.xg2 f5!? i s b e t t e r , 19.a5 c4 20.b5 menaces b3, b6 21.axb6 xb6 ) 18.a5 c4 19.b5 b6 20.xd5!? ( 20.axb6 xb6 21.xd5 wins a pawn.) 20...xa5 21.xh3 xh3 22.g5 bd8 23.e4 d7 24.ad1 with some advantage b e c a u s e o f t h e m o b i l e c e n t r a l p a wn s , Chuprikov, D (2422)-Zakhartsov, V (2526)/ Voronezh 2002, 1-0 (66). ] 13.e4 bd7 14.c2 ad8 Black's pieces are a little bit congested. 15.e2! Heading for f4. [ 15.h4 g6 16.e5 can be answered by e8!? and the knight can reroute to a useful square via g7 or c7. ( 16...d5 17.f3 g4 18.xd5 cxd5 19.d1 xf3 20.xf3 and Black has a weakish d-pawn again. )] 15...b5 16.f4 c4! 17.b1! g4 18.b3 b4
[ 18...a6 looks safer, 19.h3 xf3 20.xf3 b6 21.e3 c5 22.e5 e8 23.d5 e6 W hite has the bishops, but his centre is weakening. ] 19.b2 [ 19.e3 ] 19...fe8 A natural move, but the f7-pawn lacks a defender later on. 20.c2 b6 [ 20...f8 -g6 is better, if Black can exchange a piece he will be more comfortable. ] 21.h1 h5 22.d3! White strives to keep pieces on the board, and anyway his knight on d3 is more useful than Black's on h5. hf6 It's a bad sign if Black can only sit and wait. 23.d2 Nc4 is the threat. [ 23.g5!? is crude, but quite effective: f8 24.h3 ( 24.f2 ) 24...h5 25.f4 g6 26.xg6 hxg6 27.e5 d5 and now 28.xf7! xf7 29.xg6 threatens the rook o n f 7 a n d B e 4 f o l l o w e d b y Q h 7 , df8 30.e6 e3 31.f3 xg2 32.xf7 xf7 33.f1 regaining the two knight deficit with interest. ] 23...f8?! Black goes downhill rapidly now. 24.c4 c7 25.e3! A strange but harmonious position for the white knights. The g4-bishop is under attack and Black is already in big trouble. c8 26.f2 Now e5 is coming, when f7 is undefended. h5?! Losing. [ 26...e6 ] 27.f4 g4 28.xg4 xg4 29.d5?! [ 29.h3 d7 30.d5 is completely crushing, B x g 7 i s t h r e a t e n e d , s o : f6 31.e5! transposing to the game. ] 29...f6?! [ 29...d6 30.h3 xf4 is the only hope, 31.hxg4 e5 32.xf7+ h8 when Black is still fighting. ] 30.h3 d7 31.e5! With a decisive attack. fxe5 32.h5 f6 33.xf6+ gxf6 34.xf6 xh3 35.xe5 Bla ck can re sign . xe5 36.xe5 g6 37.f6 f8 38.g5 xf1+ 39.xf1 xg2+ 40.xg2 e8 41.d6 e4+ 42.f3 1-0
770
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 775 Ehlvest,Jaan Charbonneau,Pascal ch-Marshall CC (4) [Jonathan Rowson]
A20 776 2601 Foisor,Cristina Adela B 2507 Kosten,Anthony C 09.12.2007 Aubervilliers [Tony Kosten]
1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.f3 c6 6.0-0 b6 7.b3 d6!? Now that the bishop is going to b2, it is not clear whether the bishop is needed on e7 to control g5 and the kingside more generally. Indeed this move looks like the most efficient form of development, but on the other hand, wi t h t h e k n i gh t o n b 6 , a n d wh i t e h a vi n g fianchettoed on the kingside, Black is unlikely to s ucce ed t hrou gh f orce of arm s on th e kingside. Play in the centre and the queenside is more common, and for that purpose it can be useful to have the d-file unobstructed. 8.b2 0-0 9.c3 e8 10.c1 g4 11.h3 h5 12.e4 The other issue with the bishop being on d6 is that it is more likely to be snaffled by a knight. f5 13.xd6 cxd6 14.d3 a5 15.d2 Intending Qg5. h6 16.e3 d7 17.h4 g5 18.f3 [ 18.xf5 xf5 19.g4 was probably plan A, but xg4 20.hxg4 xg4 leaves White without any sensible way to regain control on the kingside. ] 18...f7 19.h2 a4 [ 19...g6 20.f4 ] 20.g4!? axb3 21.a3 g6 22.f4 a4 [ 22...gxf4 23.exf4 a4 is more accurate. 24.gxf5 h5 25.g4 xg4 26.hxg4 xb2 27.xb2 d4 is one of many lines that leads to a fairly random position. ] 23.gxf5 h5 24.fxg5 hxg5 25.a1 ac8 [ 25...c5 obliges White to find something better than Bb2, (or Ba1 after Na4) if he wants to avoid a repetition. ] 26.c4 b6 27.cc1 a4 28.g4! xg4 29.hxg4 d5 30.b1 c5 31.f6 Black's suddenly position looks hopeless. e4 32.f5 [ 32.f2! is even stronger. ] 32...xd3 33.xg5+ f8 34.xb3 ce5 35.c3 e6 36.b1 xf6 37.xe5 f2 38.f5 1-0
A20
1996
1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 c6 4.d4 exd4 5.xd4 d5 6.f3 e6 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.0-0 c6 9.a4 c5 10.a3 0-0 11.b4 b6 12.b2 e4 With the bishop on the g1-a7 diagonal, and the knight on e4, f2 is a target. 13.bd2 c8 14.ad1 e7 15.e3 g4 16.h3 h5 17.g4 White breaks the pin, but it leaves the kingside weaker. g6 18.b3 fd8 I have always liked this variation as you often obtain such fine attacking set-ups for Black, every piece is on a strong square. 19.fe1 h5 20.d4?? White cracks (this was only a rapid game) xd4! 21.exd4 xd2! She had clearly overlooked this possibility. 22.a2 [ 22.xe7? xb3 ] 22...e4 23.f3 hxg4 24.hxg4 h4 25.fxe4 xg4 26.e5? White is lost anyway, but this should hasten matters. xb4 [ 26...xe5! is even stronger. ] 27.b3 [ 27.axb4? c2 forces mate. ] 27...c2 28.f3 xf3 29.xf3 d3 30.xd3 xd3 31.a4 c2 Black has a winning material advantage. 32.a3 e4 33.d1 d2 34.a5 c8 35.e2 cc2 36.f1 xe2! 0-1
777 Galkin,Alexander Alsina Leal,Daniel LIII TCh-ESP CECLUB Gp1 (2) [Nigel Davies]
A20 2608 2544 21.09.2009
I have some sympathy for White's 2.a3 here it's almost always a useful move for Black to have in the Sicilian Defence. Black's 3...c6 is a sensible reply as ...a7-a6 is of questionable merit against the 2.c3 Sicilian. But W hite could have spiced things up with 3.b4!? or maybe 5.exd4. 1.c4 e5 2.a3 f6 3.e3 [ 3.b4!? is worth considering here, the point being tha t c6 4.b2 denies Black time to 771
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 play ...d7-d5 because of the attack on the e5 pawn. It's an original position and I won't spare you the cliché that it 'deserves tests'! ] 3...c6 An intelligent choice by Black, using a plan that makes White's 2. a3 rather useless. From a theoretical point of view it's easy equality for Black, but there are a few things W hite might have tried to spice it up. 4.d4 exd4 5.xd4 [ One idea worth noting is 5.exd4 d5 6.c3 e7 7.c5 , reaching a position similar to some lines of the Tarrasch French with colours reversed in which Black plays ...c5c4. I don't think this is any 'advantage' for W hite, but it would create an original position on the board. This is the point of playing moves like 2.a3, one is not attempting to win any 'novelty of the year awards'. ] 5...d5 6.f3 e7 [ Other moves are also not bad, for example 6...d6 7.c3 dxc4 8.xc4 0-0 9.e4 c7 10.xd8 xd8 11.g5 f8 12.f4 h6 13.xf7 xf7 14.e5 fd7 wasn't really good enough in Bosboom, M (2423)Tiviakov, S (2663), Hilversum 2007, the point being that 15.e6 e7 pins the epawn. ] 7.c3 0-0 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.e2 c6 10.d3 This position will be familiar to 2.c3 Sicilian players as we've got one with reversed colours with White having a2-a3 in. A nice position for those who like playing against isolated pawns. g4 11.0-0 d7 12.b3 [ 12.d1 may be better. ] 12...fd8 13.b2 f5 14.d1 d4 15.exd4 A massive liquidation is in the offing. ½-½
sides. 1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.d4 e4 4.c3 d5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.b3 c6 7.xd5 xd5 8.xd5 xd4 9.c7+ d8 10.xa8 c2+ 11.d1 xa1 This is a quite critical line in which computer analysis is likely to feature heavily. I do have one or two thoughts to add to some earlier analysis on Chesspublishing. com and this high level game also deserves inclusion. As far as I can see Black is doing very nicely here. 12.e3 I'm surprised that a (normally) well prepared player like Gelfand would go into this line without having anything sp ecia l in m in d. P erha ps h e avoide d his normal stuff because of Karjakin's excellent preparation only to find himself out of the proverbial frying pan and into the fire. [ a) 12.f4 was dealt with by John Watson following a question from Jose Blades. I don't have anything to add here. ] [ b) 12.b3!? is Tony Kosten's idea, but I think B l a c k i s O K a f t e r b6 , for example ( 12...b5!? 13.b2 xb3 14.axb3 b7 15.e3! b4 16.c4 f6 17.h3 xa8 18.e2 e7 19.a1 c8 20.f4 with attack was Tony's line) 13.b2 xb3 14.axb3 b7 15.xb6 axb6 16.e3 f6 17.c4 b4 with no problems for Black. ] 12...e6 13.xa7 New but rather good for Black. [ Two years earlier the game Solak, D (2567)-Volokitin, A (2645), Murska Sobota 2 0 0 6 h a d g o n e 13.b3 xb3 14.axb3 xb3+ 15.c1 a3+ 16.d2 b4+ 17.c1 b6 18.b2 d5 19.xb6 axb6 20.xb6+ e7 21.d4 f6 22.e3 b8 and Black had a strong attack despite the absence of queens. ] 13...f6 14.b3 [ M a y b e W h i t e s h o u l d p l a y 14.h3 , though after xa2 15.b6+ e7 16.c5+ e8 17.c7+ d8 it still looks very 778 A20 dangerous for White. ] Gelfand,Boris 2737 14...a3 15.d4 e7 16.b6 d8 17.e3 Karjakin,Sergey 2732 c5 18.a4?! [ 18.c1 might have been more tenacious 2nd ACP World Rapid Cup rapid (2.4) 6.1.08 but xd4 19.exd4 xb6 gives Black two [Nigel Davies] pieces for a rook and all the chances. The fact that the d4 pawn is falling means that Alexander Cherniaev told me about this game the knight on a1 is alive. ] after our encounter in the 2009 Staunton. It was a rare opening disaster for Gelfand and a 18...xd4 19.exd4 xb3! Everything is clear few days later he would be seen changing now. Black goes a solid pawn up and gets his 772
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 knight back into the game. 20.c3 xd4 21.c1 c8 22.b2 d5 23.ge2 xe2 24.xe2 b4 25.d4 d8 [ I don't see a good reason to avoid 25...xa2 though maybe the clock was playing a role. ] 26.xe6 fxe6 Another surprising move. [ But after 26...xe6 27.c4+ e5 28.c3 d5+ 29.xd5 xd5 30.b1 it's not easy for Black. ] 27.c4 d3+ 28.c3 [ 28.xd3 xd3 would win the f2 pawn. ] 28...xf2 29.b1 d1+ 30.b4 e3 31.b5 d5+ 32.b3 c8 A bad loss for Ge lf an d. It wou ld be int e re st in g t o kn o w exactly how his opening went so wrong. 0-1
king and white's control of the centre are much more important factors. e6 13.e4 0-0 14.e2 a3 15.c2 e7 16.f4 f7 17.ad1 d7 18.d3 ac8 19.c3 [ 19.xa7!? is not very practical(unless you are really confident and play it quickly) but Rybka seems to think you can get away with it. ] 19...c5 20.f4 e6 21.xe6 xe6 22.e5! fxe5 23.xe5 3 4v has become 3v 2 and Black's king begins to feel slightly drafty. cd8 24.e4 h6 25.xd8 xd8 26.e1 b4 27.c3 xc3 28.xc3 Black has eased the pressure, but even here W hite keeps a niggle due to superior control of central squares and long term king safety. Moreover, Black has an immediate tactical issue to deal with on the e-file. f7 [ 28...d6 seems to retain material equality, 779 A20 though it is not straightforward. 29.e3 h3 30.xa7 d2 31.e3 xa2 ] Georgiev,Vladimir 2538 Krush,Irina 2447 29.e3 d5 30.xd5 xd5 31.xa7 d2 Winter Invitational (8) 12.01.2006 32.h4 h7 33.f1 g8 34.a5 d5 35.xd5+ cxd5 36.a4 d4 37.g2 d3 [Jonathan Rowson] [ 37...d3! 38.b1 f7 trying to win the micro-battle for king activity, looks more 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 tenacious. ] 5.f3 c6 6.0-0 b6 7.b3 e7 8.b2 f6 38.c1 c2 39.d1 c3 40.b4 b6 41.f3 9.d4 exd4?! a3 42.b5 f7 43.e3 xa4 44.xd3 b4 [ 9...e4 10.fd2 f5 11.d5 A) 11...f6 An interesting if slightly 45.d7+ f8 46.d5 e7 47.f4 b3+ irrelevant line: 12.xf6 xf6 13.c3!? 48.f2 c3 49.h5 c2+ 50.f3 c3+ xc3 14.c1 xd5! 15.xc3 xc3 51.g4 e6 52.e5+ f6 53.h4 c4 16.e1 d4 17.h1! ( 17.e3 c2 54.e3 b4 55.e5 c4 56.h3 b4 is an amusing may for the queen to meet 57.g2 b2+ 58.f3 b3+ 59.f2 b2+ her demise.) 17...0-0 ( 17...cxe2 18.f3 60.e3 b3+ 61.d4 xg3 62.d5 d3+ e3 19.c4 e6 20.xe3 f4 21.gxf4 0-0 This seems to lose a precious tempo. [ 62...g4! keeps some practical drawing 22.c2 keeps an edge for White. ); chances alive. ] B) 11...xd5 12.xg7 g8 ( 12...f7 i s m o r e s t y l i s h b u t 13.xh8 xh8 63.c6 d4 64.xb6 xf4 65.c5 g5 14.xe4 e6 15.bd2 fxe4 16.xe4 66.hxg6 xg6 67.a6 f2 68.b6 a2+ d8 17.e3 is hard to assess.) 13.b2 69.b5 h5 70.b7 h4 71.c6 b2 72.b5 e6 14.c3 f6 and again Black looks 1-0 comfortable. ] 10.xd4 xd4 11.xd4 c6 12.c3 Now W hite has an enduring edge. In many openings this structure arises and the rule of thumb is that with the queens off Black is better because he has a potential outside passed pawn and W hite's queenside pawn duo can become weak, but with the queens on, Black's relative lack of pawn shield for his 773
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 18.e4 b6 19.d6 ab8 A20 17...b7 Gonzalez Zamora,Juan Carlos 2524 20.xb7 xb7 21.xc6 and so forth... Estrada Nieto,Julian 2361 1-0 XVII Torre Mem (7) 18.12.2004 [John Watson] 781 A20 1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.d4 b4+ 4.d2 xd2+ Gulko,Boris F 2622 5.xd2 d6 6.c3 f6 7.g2 0-0 Harikrishna,Penteala 2514 If Black wants to play the ...Be6 idea, he Corus B Wijk aan Zee NED (4) 20.01.2001 should do so now. 8.e4 e7 This move [Tony Kosten] appears innocuous but places the queen on a square that may not be the best one. Black 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 can set up in numerous other ways: 5.f3 c6 6.0-0 e7 7.d4 e4 8.e5 f5 [ (a) 8...e6!? resembles the 8.e3 Be6 lines Probably Black's only good reply. 9.xc6 that have been discussed in this column, but bxc6 10.f3 W hite has clamped down on ...d5. Black [ White hits the important e-pawn head-on. switched strategies in Gurevich, M-Godena, 10.c3 0-0 11.a4 d6 12.xd5 cxd5 Istanbul2003by 9.b3 ( 9.d5 cxd5 10.cxd5 13.f4 a6 led to near equality in Dorfman, d7= ) 9...b5!? 10.cxb5 ( 10.d5 cxd5 J-Ivanchuk,V/Debrecen 1988. ] 11.exd5 d7 12.xb5 xb5 13.cxb5 [ 10.a4 was considered previously. ] --M Gurevich, and now I think Black should 10...exf3 11.xf3 0-0 12.c3 e6 play b6 14.a4 a6!= ) 10...cxb5 11.dxe5 [ 12...f6?! 13.e4! xc3 14.bxc3 fxe4 dxe5 12.xd8 xd8 13.xb5 c6 when 15.xe4 a6 16.e1 favoured White in 14.c7 should have led to some Zita, F-Hromadka,K/Prague 1943. ] advantage. ] 13.a4!? [ (b) 8...bd7 is the main line: 9.f3 ( 9.d5 [ A novelty, White hopes to pin Black down cxd5 10.cxd5 b5! 11.ge2 b4 12.d1 to defence of the c6-pawn, but fails, 13.e3 c5 13.f3 b6 14.e3 a6 was better xc3 14.bxc3 d5 , Spraggett,K-Vehi for Black in Ekeberg-P Carlsson, Bergen Bach,V/Ampuriabrava 1997, is equal, but ] 2001; 9.ge2 a6 10.0-0 b5 11.cxb5 axb5 [ 13.e4 may be best, fxe4 14.xe4 b8 12.a3 b7 13.fd1 b6 14.b4 fe8= 15.f2 e8 16.g5 d8 17.xe7 xe7 Rotstein-Fontaine, Montpellier 1999) 9...a5 18.c5 f5 , Sher,M-Smirin,I/Moscow 10.0-0 a4! 11.ab1 a5 12.fd1 e8 1990, 19.g4 with advantage, as the e613.b3 axb3 14.axb3 exd4 15.xd4 e5 bishop is loose. ] 16.f3 h5 --analysis by M Gurevich. ] 13...b6! 14.xc6 d7 [ ( c ) F i n a l l y , t h e o d d 8...c5!? 9.d5 [ 14...d7 15.b7 c8 forces a perpetual pits W hite's centre versus Black's better attack on the queen. ] bishop. One idea is a6 10.ge2 c7 ½-½ 11.0-0 a6 12.a4 b8 13.f4 e7 ] 9.ge2 bd7 10.0-0 a6 [ 10...a5 11.f4 exd4 12.xd4 c5 782 A20 13.ad1 e8 ] Gurevich,Mikhail 2652 11.f4! b5?! Anand,Viswanathan 2788 [ Black's best is 11...b6 12.ad1 b7 ] Corsica Masters KO (2.2) 04.11.2005 12.c5! exd4?? [John Watson] [ 12...dxc5 13.dxe5 e8 14.ad1 with the advantage. ] A confusing game between leading 13.cxd6 xd6 14.e5 c5 15.xd4 g4 grandmasters. First Anand uncorks the bizarre 16.h3 h6 17.h2 move 3...h6!? and Gurevich, without trying to [ 17.ac1 . White is in complete control. In exploit it, finds a way to get back to a normal the game he won convincingly after ] variation. Then W hite does everything that 780
774
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 he's supposed to do in this line but somehow gets in trouble. Finally we get a premature resignation. 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 h6!? What's this? It's amazing what players can get away with these days. Is ...h6 really useful in every variation? Maybe White should play 1. e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.h3!? 4.d3!? I almost gave this a '?!' because Gurevich makes no attempt to make Black pay for ...h6. It would be much more interesting to play some other formation, e.g. , [ 4.c3 b4 ( 4...c5 5.e3 ) 5.e4!? ] [ or 4.f3 e4 ( 4...c6 5.d4 ) 5.d4 ] 4...c6 5.a3!? [ 5.c3 c5 6.f3 d6 7.0-0 is a position in which ... h6 is normal and useful. ] 5...c5 It seems that everyone's playing this way. Anand recently played the Moeller versus the Spanish Game: 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 b5 6.Bb3 Bc5. 6.e3 [ 6.b4 d4 7.a2 a6 8.e3 a7 9.e2 might be tried. ] 6...a6 7.c3 0-0 8.ge2 d6 9.0-0 Back to book! It's instructive to see Anand counter White's traditional buildup. e8 10.h3 a7 11.h2 b8 12.b4 e7 13.b2 b5!? This is Anand's idea: he wants to chip away at the centre while preventing b5. White needs to react quickly on the queenside. 14.cxb5 axb5 15.d4 [ I wonder if the players looked at 15.xb5!? , which I would have skipped by without Fritz' oversight. Then xb5 ( 15...xh3 16.xa7 xg2 17.xg2 b7 18.d4! ) 16.a4 b6 17.xa7 a6 could follow: 18.b8 c6!? (threatening 19...Nd7! 20.Qxd6 c5) ( 18...d7!? also gives a lot of play, since ...Rb6 and ...Bb7 can follow) 19.b5 b6 20.a7 xb5 ] 15...g6!? [ 15...b7 16.xb7 xb7 17.dxe5 dxe5 is at best slightly better for White ] 16.dxe5?! Strange to say, this might be a mistake, ceding the c4 square. Unless the tactics in the next few notes are good for White. [ 16.a4! is a good option. ] 16...xe5 17.d4 [ Again, 17.xb5 xb5 18.a4 should be looked at, when Black's only counterattack begins xh3! 19.xh3 ( 19.xb5? xg2
20.xg2 a8+ 21.f3 fg4 with more than enough attack.) 19...f3+!? ( 19...b8 20.xe5 bxe5 21.c6!; 19...fg4+ is anothe r complicated move , probably better f or W hite af ter 20.h1 ) 20.g2 ( 20.h1 h5 ) 20...a8 21.xf6 gxf6 22.f4! d2+ 23.g1 g5! unclear, intending 24.g2 xg3! 25.fxg3?? xe3+ ] 17...d7 18.d5 White is flailing around a bit, and this move allows Black to activate his centre. xd5 19.xd5 c6 20.g2 b6 [ More aggressive was 20...c5! 21.c2 c8 with a clear advantage already! W hat did White do wrong? ] 21.f3 c4 A monster knight. Anand has gained the advantage without seeming to have done anything special. 22.c3 d5!? 23.d4 c7?! [ 23...f5 or ] [ 23...a8 would have been more effective. Anand is trying to keep pieces on, perhaps underestimating Gurevich's next few moves: ] 24.d3! d6!? 25.fe1 [ 25.c3 f8 ] 25...a8 26.c3 f8 27.e5! a6?! [ 27...xe5! 28.xe5 g5 29.f4 g6= ] 28.xd7? [ 28.e4! gives White a standard central advantage: e6 29.exd5 cxd5 30.d3! ] 28...xd7 29.e4 White has lost time, but he needs to do something about the queenside pressure after ...Rea8. ea8 30.exd5 cxd5 31.f3 xa3 32.xa3 xa3 33.f4! White accedes to loss of a pawn, since [ 33.xd5 xd5 34.xd5 d3! wins material after 35.xc4 bxc4 36.c5 xc5 37.bxc5 d5 ] 33...a8 34.c3 d8 35.d4 c6 36.h4 b6 [ 36...b6!? ] 37.e3!? Gurevich tries to shore up his position but puts his rook on a vulnerable square. a4 38.d2 c4! Suddenly e v e r y t h i n g i s c r i t i c a l f o r W h i t e . 39.d3! Sharp defence. [ 39.xc4? dxc4 40.e1 d1 is killing. ] 39...b2 [ The game may have ended due to a time forfeit because there was no harm in playing on by 39...b2 40.xc4 xc4 ( 40...bxc4 775
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 41.xd5 ) 41.c3 White seems to have real compensation for his pawn because of the d5 and d4 squares. Black still has the edge after b6 42.d4 a4 43.b3 , yet the two bishops shouldn't be underestimated. ] 0-1
783 Gurevich,Mikhail Malakhov,Vladimir WCC Khanty Mansiysk RUS (4.3) [Nigel Davies]
A20 2652 2670 08.12.2005
After having lost famously to Anand in this line, Gurevich is seen repeating his 4.d3. Black in turn takes fright at the thought of an improvement and finds himself on the receiving end of a technical grind. 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 h6 4.d3 Despite his lack of success with this move in an earlier game against Anand, Gurevich persists with his choice. Presumably he thinks he can do better this time. c5 [ Anand played 4...c6 and after 5.a3!? ( 5.c3 looks more 'normal') 5...c5 6.e3 a6 7.c3 0-0 8.ge2 d6 9.0-0 e8 10.h3 a position arose which was similar to the current game, except that White's a2-a3 meant that the c4 square was not as well su p p o rt e d . I nd e e d A n a n d th e n t rie d t o exploit this with a7 11.h2 b8 12.b4 e7 13.b2 b5!? (Gurevich, M (2652)Anand, V (2788), Bastia 2005). ] 5.c3 a6 This makes room for the bishop to retreat to a7, but I can't help thing that Black's loss of time is what enables White to choose an effective set-up for his pieces with 6. e3 and Nge2. [ U s u a l l y B l a c k h a s p l a y e d 5...0-0 a n d o n l y a f t e r 6.f3 ( After 6.e3 Black can play c6 ) 6...d6 7.0-0 should he play a6 . For example 8.a3 a7 9.b4 c6 10.b2 b8 11.d2 e7 12.d5?! fxd5 13.cxd5 f5 was nice for Black in the game Perez Fungueiro, M-Hamdouchi, H, Sanxenxo 2006 which was analysed by John Watson. ] 6.e3 c6 7.ge2 d6 8.b3 0-0 9.0-0 f5 10.h3 I know there are people who think this kind of thing is fine for Black what with all his
pieces going to natural squares. But I can't help thinking that his lack of effective pawn levers is a serious problem on a 'Philidorian' level. e8 11.b2 h7 12.d2 d7 13.a3 ab8 14.b4 a7 15.ac1 e4?! This attempt to gain counterplay just makes things more difficult. [ He should probably have tried 15...e7 when 16.e4 xe4 17.dxe4 is better for White but the position's not as nasty as the game. ] 16.xe4 xe4 17.dxe4 xe4 18.c5 xg2 19.xg2 e6 20.cxd6 cxd6 21.fd1 I t ' s n o w ve r y c l e a r t h a t W h i t e i s b e t t e r b e ca u se o f B la c k' s sick d -p a wn a n d t h e weakness at d5. And this is not the kind of position one would want against a master t e c h n i c i a n l i k e M i k h a i l G u r e v i c h . e4+ 22.g1 f3 23.d4 xd4 24.xd4 xd4 25.xd4 e6 26.d5 xd5 27.xd5 Black has only pain and more pain to look forward to here. f8 28.f1 e8 29.d3 d8 30.e2 d7 31.g4 e7 32.dc3 d5 33.c7 d6 34.xd7+ xd7 35.c5 d6 36.c8 h5 Giving up a pawn in order to try and get so me co un terplay. A nd wh o ca n blame him from trying to escape the rack? 37.gxh5 h6 38.g8 xh5 39.xg7 e6 40.g8 xh3 41.b8 b5 42.a8 d4 43.xa6+ d5 44.f6 dxe3 45.fxe3 h2+ 46.d3 a2 47.e4+ e5 48.f5+ d6 49.xb5 xa3+ 50.d4 b3 51.d5+ c6 52.c4 e3 53.b5+ b6 54.d6+ c7 55.c6+ b7 56.d5 b3 57.f6 xb5+ 58.d6 c8 59.xf7 b6+ 60.e7 b7+ 61.e8 b6 62.e7 [ 62.f8 c7 63.e7 was the right way to do it. ] 62...b7+ 63.f8? A rare slip from Gurevich. [ 63.e8 b6 64.f8 is again the way. ] 63...b5? [ I don't see a win for W hite after 63...b1 (or for that matter after 63...Rb2, Rb3 or Rb4!), for example 64.e8 e1 65.e7 h1 66.e5 h8+ 67.f7 d8 etc. ] 64.f5 b4 65.e5 d7 66.f6 e4 67.d6+ c7 68.e6 h4 69.g6? Another slip. [ 69.f7 h7+ 70.g6 h8 71.d6 is winning. ] 69...e4? 776
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ And here I don't see how White wins after 69...d8! , f o r e xa m p l e 70.d6+ c7 71.f7 h5 . After the move played it's easy. ] 70.e6 f4+ 71.e7 h4 72.g1 h7+ 73.f6 h6+ 74.f7 h7+ 75.g7 h8 76.g1 h7+ 77.g6 h2 78.d1 1-0
784 Gurevich,Mikhail Rublevsky,Sergei TCh-Nat1 GpA (2) [Tony Kosten]
A20 2656 2655 31.01.2004
1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.f3 c6 6.0-0 b6 7.b3 This move is being seen quite often in top-flight games these last few years. The immediate attack on e5, and possibility of playing the liberating d4 thrust, offers extra possibilities. d6 8.b2 More natural than [ 8.c3!? which we saw in Hertneck,GTimman,J. ] 8...0-0 9.d3 Simply better than [ 9.d4?! exd4 10.xd4 Hramtsov,AV o r o b i o v , E / M o s c o w 1 9 9 6 , w h e n e5!? is a wk wa r d , 11.xc6 ( 11.xc6? xd1 12.xd1 xb2 13.e7+ h8 wins an exchange) 11...bxc6 12.c3 d5 with good play. ] 9...g4 10.bd2 e7!? [ 10...d7 is more common, planning ...Bh3, and has been played by Rublevsky before: 11.c1 ( 11.a3 h3 12.b4 xg2 13.xg2 a6 14.b3 ae8 15.e4 h8 planning ...f5 with counterplay, Sorokin,M-Rublevsky,S/ Krasnoyarsk RUS 2003) 11...ae8 12.e4 h3 13.c5 xc5 14.xc5 xg2 15.xg2 f6 16.b4 with a slight edge to White, Korchnoi,V-Rublevsky,S/St Petersburg RUS 2001. ] 11.a3 White has the set-up I recommended in my book whilst Black has been forced into a d i f f e r e n t p i e c e p l a c e m e n t t o n o r m a l . a5 A new move, although perfectly normal in such positions, [ 11...f5 Dizdarevic,E-Zelcic,R/Solin/Split CRO 2000, could have been met by 12.b4 ] 12.h3 h5 13.e4?! White wants to play d4
without allowing the reply ...e4, but it s very committal for if Black gains control of d4 W hite will be worse. c5 14.c2 fd8 15.fc1 d7 16.h4 a7 17.f5 e8!? [ 17...e6 seems more natural. ] 18.b1?! This move allows a tactical sequence, W hite should have taken more care, e.g. [ 18.g4 g6 19.f3 although I still prefer Black. ] 18...c5 19.c3?! Better, first [ 19.f1 d7 then 20.c3 ] 19...e2 20.f1 xd3 [ 20...xd3!? 21.xe2 xf2 22.f3 xe4+ 23.g2 xc3 24.xc3 is not entirely clear. ] 21.xd3 xd3 22.xd3 d7 The point, the bishop on d3 is pinned. [ 22...d8 23.c4 xd2 is also quite good, maybe even better. ] 23.c4 xd2 24.a2! The only move to protect f2 successfully. xb3? This is a blunder, but Black's position was not as good as it looks: [ 24...xe4 25.xe5 c3 is met by 26.f1! xa2? ( 26...d7 27.h6+ gxh6 28.xc3 is unclear) 27.xf7+! xf7 28.c4+ e8 29.g8+ d7 30.f7+ d8 31.xc7+ c8 32.d6+ wins - an amazing resource. ] [ 24...d8 is best, although the position after 25.d4! g5 26.e3 f6 27.b4 is messy. ] 25.a1! xf2+ [ 25...c1+ 26.xc1 xc1 27.c2 traps the knight. ] 26.g2 d7 There is nothing better, but now Black drops a piece. 27.xf2 xa1 28.xa1 f8 29.b2 Black has 3 pawns for the piece, but the white pieces are perfectly placed and the attack decides. h8 30.d5 d4 [ 30...b6 31.xc6 xc6 32.xe5 f6 33.e7 is crushing. ] 31.xb7 1-0
777
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 785 Hertneck,Gerald Timman,Jan H Bundesliga 2000-1 (15) [Tony Kosten]
A20 2576 2620 29.04.2001
1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.f3 c6 6.0-0 b6 7.b3!? Rare, White prepares an immediate attack on the e5-pawn. d6 The logical reaction, e5 is supported. 8.c3!? [ White changes tack, and prepares to pester the d6-bishop . 8.b2 0-0 9.d4 exd4 10.xd4 xd4?! ( 10...e5 ) 11.xd4 f6 12.c3 is more normal, and slightly favours W hite, Hramtsov,A-Vorobiov,E/Moscow 1996. ] 8...0-0 [ This natural move seems to be new, 8...g4 9.b2 d7 was played in the game Reiter,U-Dehm,J/Eppingen 1988, when the move 10.d4 suggests itself. ] 9.b2 g4 10.d4!? In the Sicilian, if this freeing move is playable, it is often good, and sometimes bad, but here will W hite's extra tempo help? xf3 [ Black enters the complications, if 10...exd4?! 11.xd4 White is better, he has opened both bishop's diagonals in one fell swoop. ] 11.xf3 exd4 [ 11...xd4?! 12.xb7 b8 13.g2 c4 14.c1! leaves the black queenside horribly ragged. ] 12.b5 e5 13.c1 e8?! [ Th e c rit ic a l lin e wa s 13...a6 14.a3 ( 14.xc6?! axb5 15.xb7 xa2 is more than a bit awkward) 14...d5 15.c4 f6 16.e3 when White will regain his pawn, by capturing on d4, but will have an IQP (balanced by his bishop pair), so play is about level. ] 14.xc6!? [ Flashy, but the simple 14.xc6 bxc6 15.xd4 d5 16.c2! ad8 17.d2 should confer an edge- Black's queenside pawns are a mess. ] 14...bxc6 15.xc6 b8 [ 15...d3?! 16.xe8 xe8 17.xd3! ( 17.xe5? xb5 hits e5 and e2) 17...xb2 18.xc7 clearly favours White. ]
16.xe8 xe8 17.d3 Black's pawn formation is worse, but his pieces are active. c6!? Very dangerous, but for whom? 18.xa7! [ 18.a3 allowed the tactical line a4!? 19.xd4 d8 20.e3 c5 with equality. ] 18...b7 19.xd4!? [ Provoking exciting complications, but the clever 19.e4! xa7 20.xd4 forks knight and bishop- and both pieces are pinned! e7 21.xb6 xg3 22.g4 d6 23.d4 should favour White. ] 19...c7 The knight is trapped, how best to react? 20.xg7! xa7 [ 20...xg7?! 21.c3+ e5 22.xc6 gains a lot of pawns for the piece. ] 21.d4 a5!? [ Black is worried about his open king, and d i d n ' t f a n c y 21...xa2 22.f5 e6 23.g5+ when his king is forced to wander the board. ] 22.f3 e6 23.c1 d5 24.a4 a6?! A strange move, although Black's position is difficult to play- there is no clear defensive plan- the end of the game looks like it was played in a time scramble. 25.c4 e7 26.b2 a5?! This verges on a blunder, but somehow Black escapes. 27.e4 [ Avoiding the tempting, and false, variation 27.c3?! e5 28.f4? b6+ and it is the white king who is suddenly in trouble. ] 27...e5 [ The only move, 27...d6? loses to 28.f6 xf6 29.xf6 g6 30.e8+ f8 31.e7 ] 28.e3 f6 29.f4 It seems that the bishop's days are numbered, but it somehow manages to survive! f5 30.f3 [ 30.b6!? looks like a killer, but d4+! 31.xd4 xd4 32.xd4 d5 33.e3 g4 is annoying, the black queen enters on the light squares and W hite will have to calculate lots of checks. ] 30...d6 31.e3 f5 32.e4?! [ White accedes to the draw, but with more time he would no doubt have found the line 32.g4+! f7 33.h5+ g8 34.h3! pinning the knight, f7 35.xh7+ e8 36.h3 with excellent winning chances. ] 32...d6 33.e3 f5 34.e4?! ½-½
778
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 11.h6! Black had obviously only considered [ 11.xf3 xd2 12.xd2 when f5! 13.c3 e5 forks f3 and c4. ] 11...f5 12.g5 The point of White's play, t h e t h r e a t t o h 7 i s u n s t o p p a b l e . e8? This move compounds the problems, stopping 1.c4 e5 2.g3 g6 3.d4 Played before Black the black king's escape, [ 12...d8 is b e st , wh e n 13.xh7+ f8 can gain control of d4 14.h8+ g8 15.h7+ e8 ( 15...e7 [ 3.g2 is also possible, of course. ] 16.g5+ d7 17.h3! xh3 18.f6+ 3...exd4 wins the queen) 16.xg8+ e7 17.g7 [ 3...d6 4.dxe5 dxe5 5.xd8+ xd8 e6 18.g5+ leaves White a pawn up with is a little b ett er f or W hite, an d led to a a strong attack. ] famous victory of Seirawan over Karpov. ] 13.xh7+ f8 14.h3? This is winning, but 4.xd4 f6 White misses a mate in two: [ 4...f6 is safer. ] [ 14.e6+! xe6 15.h6# ] 5.d2!? A new move, planning Nc3, b3 and Bb2 to embarrass the black queen on the 14...f6 [ 14...xg5 15.xg5 g8 is quite open a1-h8 diagonal. previously many moves hopeless. ] have been played, e.g. [ 5.e3+ e6 6.c3 f6 7.h3 xe3 15.e6+ Now he sees the mate! 8.xe3 with a small edge for White, 1-0 Kortschnoj,V-Karpov,A/Roquebrune 1992. ] [ 5.xf6 xf6 6.c3 g7 7.g2 0-0 A20 8.f3 e8 9.e3 a6 10.0-0 d6 11.d4 787 again W hite has a plus in the endgame, Horvath,Jozsef 2519 Pigusov,E-Dvoirys,S/Kharkov 1985. ] Rabiega,Robert 2522 5...c6 TCh-2003-4 Graz AUT (3) 30.11.2003 [ 5...c6!? is not the sort of move that a [Tony Kosten] human would want to consider, but thre aten s to win a p awn , 6.d4! f6 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 c6 4.d4 b4+ ( 6...xh1?! 7.xh8 xg1 8.xg8 5.d2 xd2+ 6.xd2 d6 7.c3 0-0 8.e4 and White is winning because of the threat The most ambitious move gaining space and of Bh6! ) 7.f3 c5 8.e5+ e7 setting-up a large centre, if relatively rare. I with unclear play. ] have always preferred 6.c3 b4 It seemed at the beginning that [ 8.e3 which leaves the bishop's diagonal this piece was destined for g7, but Black open. Still, it is always useful to have an changes tack as this stops b3. 7.f3 d6 extra weapon. ] 8.g2 ge7 8...bd7 [ 8...e6! hits the loose c4-pawn, and may [ 8...a6 9.f3 g4!? 10.0-0 xf3 11.xf3 be best, 9.a3 xc3 10.bxc3 xc4 11.b1 bd7 12.fd1 b5 is also playable, with compensation for the pawn. ] Khalifman,A-Rublevsky,S/Elista 1996. ] 9.0-0 0-0 Now 9.f3 e8 Black solidly defends e5. This [ 9...e6 is met by the unpinning 10.e4! looks like a King's Indian position where the bu t t h is is t he la st ch a n ce f o r B la ck t o dark-squared bishops have been exchanged, capture on c3 and double the white pawns, and this should be to Black's liking as he has perhaps he underestimated W hite's next less pieces so his lack of space is less of a move. ] disadvantage. 10.0-0 a6 The .. .b5 thrust will 10.e4! xf3? This loses in surprising p r o v i d e B l a c k w i t h c o u n t e r p l a y o n t h e fashion, Black should play queenside, plus a square on b7 for his bishop. [ 10...g7 when 11.f4 f5 12.ed2 11.fd1! An innovation, is a little better for White, but not too much. ] [ 11.h3 seems unnecessary, b5 12.cxb5 786
A20 Hoelzl,Franz 2360 Schwarz,Michael 2410 TCh-2002-3 Fuerstenfeld AUT (10) 15.03.2003 [Tony Kosten]
779
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 axb5 13.a3 b6 is equal, Mandl,R-Hecht,H/ Germany 1991. ] 11...b5?! Thematic, but White was wellprepared for this, perhaps the preparatory [ 11...e7 is better. ] 12.c5! This is the positional point of White's play, undermining the e-pawn. b4 This looks critical. [ 12...dxc5 is met by 13.dxe5 g4 ( a s t h e d 7 - k n i g h t i s p i n n e d ) 14.f4 when the ugly h6 is forced. ] [ 12...exd4 is possible, though, 13.xd4 (hitting c6) e5 and now 14.xc6!? xc6 15.e5 xe5 16.xa8 g4 17.g2 might offer W hite a plus, because of the pressure on d6. ] 13.a4 a5 The alternative is [ 13...xe4 when 14.c2 d5 15.xe5! xe5 16.xe4 dxe4 17.dxe5 a5 18.b6 b8 19.d6 leaves White with a powerful dark-squared bind. ] 14.c2 dxc5 15.dxe5 xe5 16.xe5 xe5 17.f4 Structurally White is on top, as he can recapture the c5-pawn whenever he wants after which the c6-pawn will be very exposed. e8 18.b3!? White wants to capture on c5 with his queen without leaving his knight hanging, but he could have 'cashed in his chips immediately': [ 18.e5!? d5 ( 18...g4? 19.xc5! xa4? 20.xc6 wins material) 19.xd5 cxd5 20.xd5 b7 21.xc5 winning a pawn, but the weakness of the long diagonal may prove to be a problem, so he prefers to keep complete control. ] 18...g4 19.e1 ad8 20.xc5 xc5+?! Black drags the a4-knight to a strong square, [ 20...b5 is more tenacious, 21.ac1 d2 with some counterplay to compensate the pawn structure. ] 21.xc5 c8 22.ac1 d7 [ 22...d2 23.e5 g4 24.a1! wins the c6pawn, and there is also a threat of Ne4-d6.. ] 23.d3 a5 24.b2! [ 24.xc6 b8 25.b6 is also strong, but there is no need to bother with calculating this. ] 24...b6 [ 24...b7?! 25.c4 attacks the a-pawn, and threatens Nd6, forking the rook and bishop. ]
25.xc6 Now White has a good extra pawn. d2 Black's only chance is to pin White to the a-pawn. 26.d1?! A strange move, [ 26.xb6 xb2 27.a1 is playable, if a bit passive. ] 26...d7?! [ 26...e6!? seems to equalise! Note the logic - Black exchanges a passive piece for an active one! 27.xe6 xe6 and the a2pawn is lost, W hite can try 28.f5 d7 29.e3 xa2 30.d1 e8 31.e5 w h i c h g a i n s s o m e i n i t i a t i v e , b u t f8 should hold. ] 27.e3 b7 [ 27...xa2? loses a piece: 28.ec1 b7 29.c7 ] 28.c2 xc2 29.xc2 c5 30.e5 xg2 31.xg2 White has exchanged the active rook, and has every prospect of converting his sound extra pawn. c8 32.d4 e6! B la ck h o p e s f o r t h e we ll-kn o wn d ra win g chances in rook endgames. 33.xe6 fxe6 34.f3 f7 35.e3 The king heads for the queenside to stop infiltration on c2, but this risks conceding the other wing, [ 35.e2 looks right, followed by Ke4, and then g4, f5. ] 35...h5 [ 35...c2 leads nowhere after 36.e2 ] 36.d2 d8+ 37.c2?! g6 38.d1 xd1? A time-trouble mistake, the king and pawn ending is hopeless, so Black had to play [ 38...c8+ 39.b2 c3! ( 39...h4 40.g4 c3 is also interesting.) 40.d6 f5 when he has serious counterplay on the kingside. ] 39.xd1 f5 40.e2 e4 41.h4 g6 42.f2 d4 43.g4 hxg4?! [ 43...e4 44.g3 d5 45.f3 d4 keeps the suspense for a little while longer. ] 44.g3 c3 White can win immediately by 45 h5 or 45 f5 which both allow a pawn to queen. 1-0
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Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 play xe5? as in the game because of A20 15.hxg6 and the knight hangs. ] Hulak,Krunoslav 2557 Fedorov,Alexei 2595 13...xe5 14.b3 f7 15.d4 Black's ...f4 TCh-CRO Rabat CRO (1) 07.09.2003 pawn sac has resulted in W hite gaining a m a s s i v e c e n t r e ! e7 16.e3 b5!? [Tony Kosten] Black searches for complications in a 1.c4 g6 2.g3 g7 3.g2 e5 4.e4 desperate situation. 17.cxb5 b8 18.a4 a6 White tries to keep the queenside W hite is ready to play a Botvinnik System, 19.b6 and puts paid to any ideas of an immediate ... closed, but [ 19.h5! i s a g a i n s t r o n g , e . g . cxb5 f5. h6!? Amazingly I didn't find any game ( 19...axb5 20.hxg6 hxg6 21.a5 ) 20.hxg6 with this move in this exact position - the hxg6 21.f4 f6 22.d5 with extra English Opening is still a very fruitful area for material and a strong attack. ] originality! Actually the move reminds me of the line Gary Lane discussed recently in the 19...a5 Black isolates the b-pawn. 20.h5 d8 Closed Sicilian, but with colours reversed. 21.hxg6 hxg6 22.f4 xb6 23.a2!? f6 5.d3 0-0 6.e2 f5 7.bc3 f4!? 24.0-0-0 b4 25.d2 A useful prophylactic This aggressive advance appears a little move to defend the b-pawn, which is a bit 26.c2 premature before W hite has castled. Black exp ose d o n t he ope n f ile . a6 W hite reminds his opponent that the black could play more simply with [ 7...d6 8.0-0 ( 8.h4!? ) 8...c6 transposing pawns are even weaker than the white ones. t o a c o m m o n l i n e , e . g . 9.d5 e6 d5! The best practical chance, [ 26...c8 27.h3 c7 28.g1 Larsen,B-Spassky,B/Tilburg 1979. ] leaves Black on the brink of disaster. ] 8.f3 Stopping the f-pawn's advance, [ 8.gxf4 h4 is a little annoying for White, 27.exd5 [ 27.e5? is a mistake: xe5! 28.dxe5 xe5 as the f4-pawn is pinned. ] 29.d2 fxf4 and Black has swapped the 8...c6 9.h4! I like this idea, White really exchange f or two p awns, and f reed his threatens to capture on f4, as h4 is covered position. ] by the rook, and can also consider playing g4. The point, Black clears the long The white king is quite safe in the closed 27...xd4! centre, and will later go to the queenside. d6 diagonal. 28.xc6!? White is also doing well after This is certainly better than [ 28.e6!? (forking the rooks) d3! 29.d2 [ 9...fxg3? when White has the strong move cxd5 30.xf8 xf8 but Black is active. ] 10.g5! e7!? ( 10...e8 11.b5 f7 [ 28.xd4? is a blunder, of course, xf4+ 12.xc7 b8 13.d2 is also pretty and ...Qxd4. ] convincing) 11.d5 xd5!? 12.xd8 e3 29.e1 xf4 30.d2? 13.d2 xg2+ but now 14.f1 and Black's 28...e5 c o m p e n s a t i o n f o r t h e q u e e n i s q u i t e White cracks, [ 30.xa6 is best, b4 31.e2 ( 31.d2?! insufficient. ] xb2! 32.xe5 xa2 33.e7 b8! 10.d5 Strongest, although and White is in trouble) 31...f5 which is a [ 10.gxf4 is also possible immediately. ] bit of a mess. ] 10...e7 [ 10...fxg3 11.g5 is still unpleasant: d7 30...c4+?! [ 30...e2! is a difficult move to find, but 12.xg3 f7 13.h3 and Black must part surprisingly strong, 31.c3 ( 31.b3 xd5 with his queen. ] 32.c2 e5 33.xe2 d3+ 34.d1 b4 11.gxf4 c6 12.xe7+ xe7 13.fxe5 wins material) 31...d4 with strong threats [ 13.h5! seems very strong, White levers the and a piece more! ] h-file open when the h6-knight will wonder why it didn't go to f6 instead! f6 and now 31.xc4 xd5 pinning the rook against the ( 13...f7 14.hxg6 hxg6 15.e3 queen, but White can defend it. 32.f1 d6 followed by Qd2 and long castles is good for 33.b3 xc4 34.bxc4 f7 35.b3 xf3 White ) 14.fxe5 is awkward, as Black cannot Finally reaching a position with equal material! 788
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Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 36.d3 [ 36.xf3! is awkward for Black, because of xf3 37.g2! a3 38.d5+ f8 39.f1+ e8 40.f7 with good chances. ] 36...c8 And in this unclear position, Black must have lost on time. 1-0
13.xb4 xb4+ 14.d2 xd2+ 15.xd2 a6 16.e4 c5 17.he1 ae8 18.f3 e5 19.e2 g6 20.g2 f5 21.f4 xe4+ 22.xe4 xe4 The rook endgame is a draw. ½-½
790 789 Ivanchuk,Vassily Gelfand,Boris Corus A Wijk aan Zee NED (3) [Nigel Davies]
A20 2751 2737 14.01.2008
It's interesting to see Gelfand playing the Black side of this line just 8 days after his game with Karjakin - the Karjakin game was on January 6th whilst this one was on the 14th. White's failure to get anything with 4.Nc3 has thrust 4.d5!? into the limelight, but Black proved to be well prepared. 1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.d4 e4 4.d5!? White's failure to get very far wit h 4 . Nc 3 h a s t h ru st t h is m ove in t o t h e limelight. White cuts off support for Black's e4 pawn in the most radical way, but in doing so he gives Black some squares for his pieces and uses valuable time. b4+ 5.d2 e7 6.c3 f6 7.g2 0-0 8.h3 Possibly White's best. [ 8.a3 featured in Magnus Carlsen's win over Anand but it wasn't because of the opening. ] 8...cxd5 [ After 8...e8 9.0-0 c5 I think it's interesting to play 10.g5!? for example ( 10.h1 h6 11.a3 a5 12.c2 d6 13.ab1 f5 14.b4 axb4 15.axb4 d4 was quite promising for Black in Kudriashova, I-Gansvind, V/Moscow 1996) 10...e3 11.fxe3 xe3+ 12.h1 d6 13.xe3 xe3 14.xf6! gxf6 15.ge4 with more than enough for the exchange. Gelfand's move looks better. ] 9.cxd5 d6 10.xe4 [ 10.0-0 f5 11.f3 can be met by c5+ 12.h1 e3 , causing quite a lot of disruption. So Ivanchuk's decision to remove the pawn is understandable, even though the game now peters out. ] 10...xh3 11.xf6+ xf6 12.xh3 xb2
Ivanchuk,Vassily Sutovsky,Emil FIDE WCh KO Moscow RUS (3.2) [Tony Kosten]
A20 2731 2664 02.12.2001
1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 c6 4.d4 b4+ 5.d2 xd2+ 6.xd2 d6 7.c3 [ I still like 7.e3 first. ] 7...0-0 8.e3 e6 This move, and the plan it entails, is a critical test of White's set-up. 9.b3 exd4 10.xd4! [ In my book, The Dynamic English I suggest t h a t t h is m o ve 'is m o re p e rt in e n t ' t h a n 10.exd4 Lobron,E-Huzman,A/Budapest 1996. ] 10...d5 [ Black should also investigate the move 10...a5!? pinning the knight, 11.ge2 d5 , Jiro vsky,M-St oce k,J/CZE 2 000 , whe n 12.cxd5 xd5 transposes to the game. ( 12...xd5!? 13.b4 )] 11.cxd5 xd5 [ 11...cxd5!? also requires tests, 12.ge2 c6 13.d2 b6 14.0-0 ad8 with a reasonable IQP position, ] [ 11...xd5!? also has its points, 12.f3!? a6 13.ge2 c5 14.h4 c6 15.0-0 level, Chabanon,J-Fontaine,R/Bescanon FRA 1999. ] 12.ge2!? [ This is Ivanchuk's new idea, eschewing the possibility of isolating Black's d-pawn, e. g. 12.xd5 xd5 13.xd5 cxd5 14.e2 ( 14.f3 1/2-1/2 Ionescu,C-Marin,M/ Bucharest ROM 2001) 14...c6 15.b2 e7 16.0-0 e4!? 17.ad1 e5 18.d4 ac8 with fair chances, Kurajica,B-Fressinet, L/Solin/Split CRO 2000. ] 12...a5 13.a4! xa4 14.xa4 a6 Black plans ...c5, and then ...b5. 15.d4! ad8 Brazenly allowing White to capture on e6, but he is not interested. 16.0-0 c8!? 17.fc1 White needs both his rooks on the 782
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 queenside to support his coming queenside attack. dc7!? Black needs to shift the knight from d4, to be able to exploit the open d-file, so this knight heads for e6, but he temporarily g i v e s h i m s e l f ' l i n k e d k n i g h t s ' . 18.f1! Putting paid to Black's plan, as the ensuing capture on a6 would wreck his queenside. d5 Black has to force-through the advance ... c5. 19.h4 g6 20.a3 c5 21.f3 b6 Black has finally managed to set-up a solid queenside structure, but he needs one more move to separate his knights. 22.b4! e6!? [ 22...cxb4?! 23.axb4 opens the a-file, and the b-pawn cannot be captured because of the hanging knight on c7. This is often the problem with 'linked knights'- they are fine defending each other, but are unable to do anything else at the same time. ] 23.c3 [ White could win a pawn by 23.e4 dd8 24.xa6 xa6 25.bxc5 but has reasoned that the black counterplay is significant after d4 ] 23...f5 24.d2 cxb4 25.axb4 xb4 26.xa7 Now we can see how far-sighted White was when he put his king's rook on c1 as far back as move seventeen, and left his other rook on a1. After much effort Black has solved his knight problem, but his isolated bpawn is a weakness and the white kingside is rock-solid. c6 [ 26...d8 27.c4 c6 28.aa1 b5 29.b6 also loses the b-pawn. ] 27.aa1 d8 28.ce4 a5 29.ab1 e7 30.xb6 Inevitably the b-pawn has dropped, but Black still has some drawing chances, if he reaches an ending with rook and three pawns against rook and four, for instance. g7 31.c4 c5 32.b3 xe4!? [ Sheer desperation, if 32...xb3 33.xb3 Ng5 is the menace, and we see that Black suffers from the absence of his e-pawn, f7 is e x p o s e d , h6 34.d6 and Black must permit a further deterioration of his structure. ] 33.xa5 d2 This counterattack wins f2, but it is quite irrelevant. 34.f1! By controlling h3 White avoids ...Nxf2-h3+. [ 34.b3? xf2 35.c7?! f5 is a bit messy. ] [ and not 34.f1? h3 ]
34...xf2 35.c4 a2 36.b2 The point, the rooks are exchanged and Black's temporary initiative vanishes. xb2 37.xb2 e4 38.c7 f6 39.h2 e6 40.g2 f2 Black has a solid position, but an exchange is just too much. 41.g1 g4 42.e4 e5 43.d1 7c6 44.e3 d4 45.f1 ef3+ The knight goes on a 'wild goose chase'. If he could only swap his d4-knight for the white knight on e3, and leave himself with a knight on e5, he might have a chance, but as it stands he does not have enough squares for t wo k n i gh t s . 46.f2 g5 47.d5+ e5 48.g2 g4 49.e3 e1 50.h1 f5 51.f4 ec2+ Black has been forced to weaken his st ru ct u re , a n d h is kn igh t s h a ve n o go o d squares. 52.d2 fxe4 53.c5+ [ 53.xe6 e3+ 54.d3 is also more than adequate. ] 53...d6 54.xc2 e3+ 55.c3 xc2 56.xc2 f5+ 57.c3 e5 58.d3+ 1-0
791 Ivanchuk,Vassily Vachier-Lagrave,Maxime SportAccord Rapid Men 2013 rapid (5.6) [Fier, Alexandr]
A20 2731 2745
A complicated game with ups and downs, as is usual in rapid chess. White tries a new idea with 8.h4, to push the pawn forward if the queen leaves, and in a few moves it proved to be quite important. 1.c4 e5 Vachier-Lagrave tried this move 3 times in China, twice connected with the idea of ...c6, and nobody can say it didn't work, since he won against Ivanchuk and Leko. 2.g3 f6 3.g2 c6 4.f3 [ 4.d4 another important option and tried by L e k o i n C h i n a exd4 5.xd4 a6 personally I like this move, and it brings positions full of play ( 5...d5 is the main variation and after 6.f3 e7 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.0-0 c6 9.a4 0-0 10.c3 we are in a position quite similar to a Tarrasch) 6.c3 c5 7.d1 0-0 8.f3 e8 9.0-0 and the position was level in Leko, P (2730)-Vachier-Lagrave, M (2745)/ SportAccord Blitz Men 2013 (17.7). ] 783
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 4...e4 5.d4 d5 6.cxd5 xd5 The same idea as in the Alapin which starts with 1.e4 c5 2.c3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.d4 cxd4 5.Qxd4 7.c2 h5 8.h4!? This move is based on diverse plans. The first one is to keep the king safe in case of 0-0 at some point, the second one is to push the pawn to h5, to divert the black pieces from the defence of the e4-pawn. If the pawn is still alive after h5, h6 will be annoying since White plans to put the bishop on b2. [ 8.h3 is the main line and was the choice of Svidler against Adams in the London Chess Classic A) 8...g6 is the most played, waiting one more move to see where best to put the pieces 9.c3 c5 ( 9...d6 the bishop can come here, too 10.e3 0-0 11.c2 e8 12.b3 and Black was ok in Andriasian, Z (2624)-Petrosian, T (2636)/ ARM-ch 72nd Yerevan 2012 (5).) 10.d4 I don't believe in this plan exd3 11.xd3 xd3 12.exd3 e6 and Black was fine in Sale, S (2416)-Kotsur, P (2572)/Dubai op 5th 2003 (9).; B) 8...a6 played by Svidler in 2005! And surprisingly the choice of Adams against him in London 9.c3 g6 10.e3 c5 11.a4 trying to create weaknesses on t h e q u e e n s i d e b5 12.c2 a n i m p r o v e m e n t ( 12.d1 0-0 and W hite is missing some space, the queen is not well placed on d1, Leko, P (2749)- Svidler, P (2735)/Amber-blindfold 14th rapid 2005 (1).) 12...b4 13.b1 xe3 ( 13...0-0!? 14.xe4 xe4 15.xe4 f5 is also interesting 16.g2 f4 17.xg6 hxg6 and Black has counterplay b e c a u s e o f t h e c 2 - s q u a r e p r o b l e m) 14.dxe3 and White had a more comfortable position in Svidler, P (2758)Adams, M (2754)/5th Classic KO 2013 (1. 2). ] 8...c5 9.c3 g6 After this move White has a dangerous initiative. [ 9...f5 was also possible and maybe more precise. It's not clear the queen is doing well on h5, but at least it blocks the 'dangerous' hpawn 10.b4 b6 11.e3 0-0 ( 11...xe3 it's always a committal decision to give the bishop f or a better structure. Af ter this
White's c1-bishop can become a monster 12.dxe3 0-0 13.b2 and I slightly prefer White ) 12.0-0 d8 13.xf5 xf5 14.c2 with a double-edged position ] 10.b4 Typical, to bring the bishop to b2 to win a tempo. b6 11.h5! One of the main ideas of the 8.h4 move is now realized. Probably Black needs to change the central pawn for t h e h - p a w n . f5?! It's not a good idea to keep this pawn alive. [ 11...xh5 was better and Black has a trick to bring the knight back to a better position 12.xe4 f4!? 13.f3 d5 14.b2 but still it's a dangerous position for Black, even more so in a rapid game ] 12.e3 e5 After 5 queen moves, it's still not safe. 13.b2 0-0 [ 13...d4 does not help so much but tries to complicate the position 14.c1 xh5 ( 14...0-0 15.h6 d8 16.hxg7 and White has the powerful idea of Rh4 to increase the pressure on Black's center) 15.c4 xf2+!? an interesting practical chance, but st i l l a l l t h e p i e c e s a r e h a n g i n g 16.d1! ( 16.xf2 is also possible, but less precise xg3+ 17.g1 f4 18.f1 h3 19.e3 and everything is defended) 16...xg3 17.xh5 xg2 18.d6+ e7 19.cxe4 f1+ 20.c2 xc1+ 21.xc1 is hard to evaluate, but this position is better than the one after 16.Kxf2. All the pieces are at full p o we r a n d i t 's i m p o s si b l e f o r B l a c k t o avoid material losses ] 14.c2 d4 15.c4 [ 15.h6! including this move before Nc4 is good, since it creates one more tactical theme in the position g6 16.c4 e7 17.xe4 xb2 18.xb2 this is the point and Black has nothing to do, since after xe4 19.g7# is mate ] 15...f5 [ 15...e6 attacking the knight is better. White still has an extra pawn, but things are less clear 16.xe4 xb2 17.xb2 xe4 18.xe4 f6 19.c2 a5 and at least Black has some compensation for the pawn ] 16.e3 xc3 [ 16...e6 was still possible 17.a5 e5 18.h6 g6 19.xe4 xe4 20.xe4 with advantage to White ] 17.xc3 It's hard to imagine that Black can 784
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 survive without the bishop. The computer a l r e a d y g i ve s a wi n n i n g a d va n t a ge , b u t Vachier Lagrave keeps finding resources to survive. d8 18.h4 [ 18.h6 was still possible, but White prefers to improve one more piece beforehand a6 19.a3 c7 trying to bring the knight into the game 20.h4 cd5 21.d4! and soon some pawns are going to fall ] 18...g5 Defending g7. 19.h6 f5 20.hxg7 d5 With a white pawn on g7 the battery on the diagonal loses a bit of its force. Of course the pawn is also dangerous here, and, after all, White is a pawn up. 21.b3 e7 22.e5 [ 22.e2 would be my choice, just trying to bring one more piece into the game d7 23.ah1 7f6 24.a3 and it's hard for Black to come with anything useful ] 22...d7 23.xe4? Overlooking some small tactics. Now the position is again far from clear. [ 23.xd7 was better, and after xd7 24.b5 White is clearly better ] 23...xe5 This move is also good, but allows White an ingenious defence. [ 23...xe4 was the move to play, when W hite is losing a piece 24.xe4 5f6! and th ere is n o good wa y to def end e 5 25.xf7 ( 25.c4 xe4 26.xe4 xe5 27.xe5 xb4 and Black is already better) 25...xf7 26.h4 e8 and Black can already think about an advantage ] 24.xf5 Losing an exchange. [ 24.h5! this nice move could save the exchange and keep some advantage for White. A hard move to see in a rapid game, though A) 24...xe3 25.xe3 only move ( 25.dxe3? this is already losing by force d3+ 26.xd3 xd3 27.c4 xe3+-+ ) 25...d3 ( 25...d3+ simplifies the p o s i t i o n a n d a f t e r 26.xd3 xe3+ 27.dxe3 xd3 28.d4 White is better) 26.xf5! xe3+ 27.fxe3 g6 28.c3 and with all the pieces looking at the king, it's hard to believe Black has chances to survive; B) 24...xe4 25.xe5 xb4 26.xd5! this is easy to overlook when you are ana lyzing s om e mo ve s be f o re . W h it e recovers the piece and stays a pawn up
a5 27.xd8+ xd8 28.c3 c5 but still the position remains unclear. Now the bishop on e4 is much more dangerous than the one on c3. ] 24...f3+ 25.e2 xh4 26.gxh4 xh4 Logical, taking the pawn and keeping one eye on h7. [ 26...f4+ was also possible, trying to activate as soon as possible 27.d1 d5 28.c2 xh4 with a clear advantage for Black ] 27.g1 d6 Bringing more pieces to the defence. [ 27...h5+!? this was a nice way to improve the queen's position 28.g4 g6 29.g3 e4 attacking b4 and also with Nf4+ ideas ] 28.d1 Threatening 29.Rh1. [ 28.c2 ad8 29.xh7+ doesn't really work because after xh7 30.xh7+ xh7 31.h1+ h6 wins ( 31...g6 32.g1+= )] 28...h6 29.a3 e8 It's not easy for White to find any good plan with his king in the center. 30.c2 h5+ 31.f1 e7 32.e4 g6 F i n a l l y e ve r yt h i n g i s d e f e n d e d . 33.h1?! There is not much reason to exchange the rooks, since the black rook on h6 is not active. [ 33.e1 improving the king was a good idea to stay in the game ] 33...b5+ 34.g1? [ 34.d3 was still possible, avoiding the i n v a s i o n o n e 2 xh1+ 35.xh1 h5 36.e4 e5 and Black is better, but there is still fight ] 34...xh1+ 35.xh1 e2 Now Black is just winning. 36.e4 g4+ [ 36...g4+ 37.g2 h4 ] 0-1
792 Janssen,Ruud Van den Doel,Erik Dutch Open Dieren NED (8) [Tony Kosten]
A20 2437 2607 25.07.2001
1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.f3 c6 6.0-0 e7 7.d4 e4 8.e5 f5 9.xc6 bxc6 10.d2 [ Another move for White here, the knight heads for b3, to stop Black playing ...c5. We have previously examined 10.a4 and ] 785
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 10.f3 ] 10...c5? [ A novelty, immediately liquidating the forward c-pawn before it is too late, but I think it loses, 10...0-0 11.b3 e6 12.d2 f6 13.c1 left Black with queenside problems, Milos,G-Adla,D/Buenos Aires 1991, and the wild ] [ 10...h5!? 11.b3 h4 12.d2 d6 13.c1 a6 14.e1 h5 descended into anarchy after 15.c5 , Foisor,C-Minnebo,A/ Liechtenstein 1996, ( but 15.g4!? fxg4 16.c5 c8 17.xe4 was interesting )] 11.dxc5 xc5 12.c2!? [ Good, but there is also the sharp tactic 12.xe4! (softening-up the long diagonal) fxe4 13.a4+ f7 ( 13...d7? 14.xe4+ ) 14.c6 forking c5 and a8, and regaining the piece with interest. ] 12...d6 The only move. 13.c4?! [ Why not 13.xe4! fxe4 14.xe4 winning a pawn, or two, and destroying the black centre? ] 13...e6 14.a3 0-0 15.b4 e7 16.a5 f6 17.b2 xb2 18.xb2 f4 Black's queenside is ragged, so he gambles all on the other side of the board. 19.d4! f6?! [ T h e t e m p t i n g 19...f3?! 20.exf3 exf3 c a n b e m e t b y 21.fe1 f7 22.f1 with advantage. ] [ but 19...fxg3 20.hxg3 f6 avoids the loss of the f-pawn. ] 20.gxf4! Of course. f7 [ 20...a6 21.fe1 g4 22.e3 is no better. ] 21.ac1 h8 22.c6 The black c6-pawn may no longer be there, but the square is still weak! h5 23.e3 h3 Trying to drum-up some attacking chances. 24.c5 [ T h i s i s e f f e c t i v e , b u t 24.e5! is even stronger, as then h4 25.g5 exchanges the queens. ] 24...h4 25.g5 xg2 26.xg2 ae8 27.e5 With his extra pawn, and superior structure, W hite should certainly win. e6 28.g3 Rh3 is the nasty threat. g8 29.xe4 h6 30.h3 d8 31.c1 e7 32.g5 g8 33.c6 f6 Black has shed two pawns now, but his position has not improved one iota. 34.c4 c8 35.f5 e8 36.e6 a4 37.e7 d1 38.exg7 xh3 39.g8+!
xg8 40.xg8+ [ 40.xg8+ xg8 41.f7# ] 1-0
793
A20
Keres,Paul N,Archana [Tony Kosten] 1.c4 e5 2.g3 [ 2.c3 f6 3.g3 c6 As White hasn't forced Black to play ... Nc6, thus obstructing the c-pawn, this is a strong move, intending to set-up a strong centre with ...d5. The problem with having the knight on c3 is shown by the line A) The alternative line, where White lures the black centre forward in Alekhine's Defence fashion, is 4.f3 e4 5.d4 b6 as seen previously, and ( This is rarer than 5...d5 6.cxd5 b6 which also offers Black fine play.; the surprising sac 5...b5!? has also been analysed in Silva,F-Efimov, I. ); B) 4.d4 exd4 5.xd4 d5 6.cxd5 ( 6.g2 m a y b e s a f e r , e6 7.cxd5 cxd5 transposing to a later note ) 6...cxd5 B1) 7.g5 c6 8.a4 d4 9.d1 ( if 9.0-0-0 d7 10.h3 then xh3!? 11.xh3 c8 is also possible here) 9...d7 10.h3 xh3 11.xh3 c8 12.xf6 gxf6 13.d5 xh3 14.xf6+ d8 15.xd4+ c8 16.c4 b8 White's compensation for the piece is insufficient, Losoff, A-Alburt,L/Chicago 1989.; B2) 7.g2 c6 8.a4 when the move d4! is awkward, i.e . 9.xc6+ bxc6 10.e4 b4+! ( 10...xe4? 11.xc6+ ) 11.xb4 xe4 12.f3 c5 with advantage.; B3) 7.f3 is considered in elsewhere, whilst: ] 2...f6 3.g2 c6 4.d4 exd4 The most aggressive move, whereby Black accepts an IQP in exchange for active piece play. [ 4...b4+ is a more solid choice. 5.d2 xd2+ 6.xd2 d6 7.c3 ( I think that 7.e3 first, is more accurate) 7...e7 8.e3 ( 8.e4!? d5!? is analysed somewhere else.) 786
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 8...0-0 9.ge2 has also been seen. ] 5.xd4 d5 6.f3 [ 6.cxd5 allows the f8-bishop to come directly to c5, without having to play . ..Be6, i. e. cxd5 7.f3 c6 8.a4 c5 although play is likely to transpose, anyway, o n e e x c e p t i o n i s 9.0-0 0-0 10.c3 when instead of ...Be6 I tried d4!? 11.c4 b4!? 12.b5 e6 13.d3 c5 14.f4 c8 15.a3 a6 16.b4 axb5 17.bxc5 c4 with good play, Koshy,V-Kosten,A/Calcutta 1996. ] [ Players wishing to try this as Black should note 6.c3!? as e6 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.g5 c6 9.a4 will bring quick pressure on d5, and dissuades Black from playing ...Bc5: e7 10.d1 0-0 11.f3 b6 12.b5 Usachi,M-Kosten,A/Oberwart 1993, with equality. ] 6...e6!? [ This rare move is becoming popular through the efforts of Krashenkov. Black wan ts t o f orce W h it e to ca pt ure o n d5 , which allows Black to bring his f8-bishop to a m o re a c t ive squ a re . T h e m o re u su a l 6...e7 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.0-0 c6 9.a4 0-0 10.e3 g4 11.d4 allows White a firm control of d4. ] [ 6...dxc4!? is an interesting alternative, if Black wishes to avoid the IQP. ] 7.cxd5 [ 7.g5 might be better, dxc4 8.xe6 b4+ 9.d2 xd2+ 10.xd2 fxe6 11.xc4 with a small edge, Jaderberg,B-Adler,B/ Sweden 1998. ] 7...cxd5 8.0-0 [ 8.a4+!? is an interesting finesse, seen in Urban,K-Krasenkow,M, White decides to 'fall before he is pushed'. c6 9.d4 ( 9.0-0 c5 would transpose into the main line, see t h e a r c h i v e s .) 9...d7 10.0-0 c5 play is similar to normal lines. ] 8...c6 9.a4 c5 10.c3 This is the most important move, although most games with this come from a 2 Nc3 move-order. [ 10.bd2 0-0 11.b3 b6 is a little passive ] [ The new idea 10.e5!? , attacking c6, is considered in Markowski,T-Krasenkow,M. ] [ 10.g5 is a critical line, exploiting the absence of the bishop from e7, 0-0 ( 10...h6
11.xf6 xf6 12.c3 also transposing) 11.c3 transposing to 10 Nc3, h6 12.xf6 xf6 13.fd1 ( I prefer 13.e1! planning Nd3-f4; 13.ad1?! fd8 14.e1 d4 already favours Black, Ekeberg,C-Myhrvold, R/Bergen NOR 2000.) 13...b6 14.b5 fd8 seems fairly level, Romanishin,OAgdestein, S/Taxco 1985. See the archives for more details. ] [ 10.a3 plans b4, but, again allows Black active play, see in Foisor,C-Kosten,A. ] 10...0-0 and now this position is examined in [A25].
794 Kortschnoj,Viktor Bacrot,Etienne (m/4) Albert [Nigel Davies]
A20 2610 2545 1997
With 6...Nc6 being all the rage in this line it's easy to forget that there is an alternative. 6... Ne7 looks playable in conjunction with 11... Qd7. 1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.d4 e4 4.c3 d5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.b3 e7 [ This looks like a playable(ish) alternative to 6...c6 (Gelfand - Karjakin), but with the latter doing so well then should Black be bothered? ] [ On the other hand 6...f6 seems strongly met by 7.g5! , f o r e x a m p l e c6 ( 7...bd7 8.h3 intending 9.Nf4 is strong) 8.xf6 xf6 9.xd5 xd4 10.xd4 xd4 11.0-0-0 winning the e4 pawn. ] 7.f4 Threatening Nc3-b5. a6 8.f3!? [ Exchanging off White's 'bad' bishop with 8.xb8 xb8 9.e3 is sound enough but i n n o c u o u s . A f t e r e6 10.c1 c6 Black is certainly no worse. On the other hand this would be quite a good idea if Black now played 8...f5 because of the inviting home for W hite's g1 Knight on the f4 square. ] 8...exf3 9.xf3 [ In his notes to the game Korchnoi analysed 9.e4!? bc6 when White's best is probably ( 9...dxe4? 10.c4! is good for W hite) 10.xf3 , transposing back into the game. ] 9...bc6 10.e4 e6 [ After 10...g4 Korchnoi gave the line 787
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 11.xd5 xd5 ( 11...xf3 12.c7+ xc7 13.xc7 xh1 14.d5 is strong ) 12.exd5 xf3 13.xf3 xd4 14.e4+ e7 15.xe7+ xe7 16.0-0-0 with the better endgame for White because of his bishops. ] 11.d1 [ 11.0-0-0!? looks very interesting, all the more so because Korchnoi didn't mention it. ] 11...dxe4 Black has several alternatives here: [ a) 11...a5?! 12.a4+ ac6 ( And not 12...b5 b e c a u s e o f 13.xb5+ axb5 14.xb5 ac6 15.xa8 etc. )] [ b) On 11...d7 Ko rchn o i ga ve 12.g5 as being good for White, but this isn't simple after g4 ( 12...a5 13.xe6 xb3 14.c7+ d8 15.xa8 seems to give W hite more than enough for the queen) 13.e2 ( Both 13.exd5!? a5; and 13.xd5 xd5 14.exd5 b4+ 15.f2 xd1 seem to rebound on W hite) 13...xe2 14.xe2 a5 15.c2 f6 and Black repels borders with a very reasonable position. This looks like the way Black should play it because now he runs into trouble. ] 12.d5 xd5 [ 12...a5? is bad because of 13.a4+ b5 14.xe4 f5 15.e2 threatening 16.d6. ] 13.xd5 xd5 14.xd5 d6 This looks like Black's only move. [ After 14...c8 there follows 15.g5 c5 16.xf7! xf7 17.c7+ g6 18.e6+ f6 19.g4+ f7 20.c4+ winning ] [ whilst 14...exf3 15.c7+ e7 16.e3+ f6 17.g5+ wins Black's queen. ] 15.xb7 0-0 [ And not 15...a5? b e c a u se o f 16.c7+ xc7 17.xe4+ f8 18.xc7 etc. ] 16.xd6 xd6 [ 16...e8 17.xc6 exf3+ 18.f2 c8 19.c7 would defuse Black's play and leave him ruinously behind in material. ] 17.xc6 xc6 18.e7+ h8 19.xc6 exf3 The complications have fizzled out into an endgame but one in which White is clearly better. It still needs accurate handling of course. 20.f2 ac8 21.b4! c1 22.d3 [ And not 22.g2?? because of c4! . ] 22...a1 23.g2 xa2 24.xf3 d8 25.c1 g6 26.e3 g7 27.c7?! [ Korchnoi later felt that 27.c5! intending
Bf3-d5 was the correct way to regroup. ] 27...a5 28.a7?! [ And here 28.c6 may have been better. ] 28...d6 29.g4 b5 30.b4 h5 31.gxh5 gxh5 32.b7 bb6 33.c8 f6? The losing move. [ 33...bc6 would have held the draw. ] 34.c5! g6 35.xa6 f5 36.h4 f4+ 37.f3 f6 38.xb6 xb6 39.d3 c6 40.b7 c3 41.xf4 f6 42.e4 b3 43.e3 b1 44.d4 g1 45.b5 e6 46.b6 1-0
795 Kortschnoj,Viktor Rublevsky,Sergei Korchnoi 70 St . Petersburg RUS (3) [Tony Kosten]
A20 2639 2657 20.03.01
1.c4 f6 2.g3 e5 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.f3 c6 6.0-0 b6 7.d3 d6!? [ A novelty! The bishop goes directly to a more active square than normal. 7...e7 is almost invariably played here, leading to normal main lines. ] 8.b3 [ O n e o f m a n y p o s s i b i l i t i e s , 8.c3 being the most obvious, intending to take th e bish o p pa ir at som e p oint , b y Ne 4 / b5xd6. ] 8...0-0 9.b2 g4 10.bd2 d7 Black co nt inu es h is de ve lo pm e nt , wh ils t keeping his e5-pawn well-guarded. 11.c1 ae8 12.e4 h3 As Black is going to lose his dark-squared bishop, he quickly exchanges W hite's other bishop so that he won't have the bishop pair. 13.c5 xc5 14.xc5 xg2 15.xg2 f6 Black's opening seems reasonably successful, he has completed his development, and bolstered his centre. 16.b4! White needs to obtain some counterplay on the queenside. f7 [ 16...xb4? 17.b3+ 4d5 18.e4 wins a piece for insufficient compensation. ] 17.a3 d4! A standard positional ploy, Black opens the e-file against the backward e2pawn. 18.xd4 exd4 19.c2 fe7 20.e1 h8 [ 20...a6 stops White's further queenside expansion. ] 788
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 21.b5 d6 22.a4! Swapping the a-pawn for the d-pawn. xa4 23.c4 b6 24.xd4 a3 25.h4!? [ Very ambitious, White wants to win by direct attack, but some simple move such as 25.e3 could be considered, removing the need to defend the e-pawn. ] 25...a6 26.d4 h6 27.h5!? [ W hite wants more than 27.bxa6 xa6 28.e4 but starts going down the wrong path. ] 27...a5! Pinning the b-pawn. 28.g4 axb5 29.g5 d5! Ouch! This puts a spanner in the works. 30.f5 [ 30.gxh6?? f4+ ] 30...c6 31.e4! [ Not 31.gxh6?? g6 32.xg6?? f4+ ] 31...d8 32.gxh6?? [ W hite f a lls f or th e sam e trick, 32.exd5! xe1 33.xe1 xe1 34.gxh6 g5 35.h4 is roughly equal. ] 32...g6 33.g4 gxh5 34.h4 g8+ 35.f1 [ Presumably both players were in time trouble, and Black lost on time, as otherwise he is simply a rook up after 35.f1 g4 I expect we may see a lot more finishes like this with the new FIDE time controls! ] 1-0
endgame is quite pleasant for Black who can play ...d5 and free his position. Previously, [ 7...e7 was played, to keep the queens on, 8.0-0 0-0 9.c3 e8 10.d4 ( 10.d1!? b4 11.d4 ) 10...c5 (again!) 11.d1 d6 12.b3 f5 13.b2 e7 14.d4 Black hasn't managed to play ...d5, and White has an edge, Cekro,E-Van Mechelen, J/Antwerp 1997. ] 8.xe7+ xe7 9.0-0 White cannot stop Black from playing ...d5, and recapturing with a piece, i.e. [ 9.c3 b4 ( 9...d5 might be worse, 10.cxd5 b4 11.dxc6!? c2+ 12.f1 xa1 13.d4 and, surprisingly, White will regain a piece while the a1-knight remains awkwardly-placed on a1.) 10.0-0 d5 11.cxd5 ( 11.a3!? c2 12.a2 dxc4 13.d1 f5 14.e5 is unclear) 11...bxd5 Black has no worries. ] 9...d5 10.cxd5 [ 10.bd2 e6 11.b3 0-0 12.b2 retained more tension, but Black is fine. ] 10...xd5 11.e4!? I wanted to 'prove' that I had some advantage, but this simply weakens t h e d 3 - s q u a r e ( a n d l a t e r d 4 , t o o ) . db4 12.e1?! This was my idea, menacing the win of a piece by a3, but it is too ambitious it was time to develop some bits: [ 12.c3 d3 13.d1 xc1 14.axc1 796 A20 Black has snatched the bishop pair, but W h i t e h a s a h e a lt h y p o si t io n , a n d c a n Kosten,Anthony C 2551 consider e5, and Ne4-d6, for instance. ] Collins,A 4NCL 24.11.2002 12...c5 13.d2 a5 14.c3 e6 15.b3? [ 15.xg7? is also a mistake, g8 16.d4 [Tony Kosten] c4 winning the exchange, but I should have played ] 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 c6 4.d4 exd4 [ 15.d2 so that if xa2 ( 15...0-0 16.a3 5.xd4 a6 6.f3 c5!? A move first bd3 17.xd3 xd3 18.f3 p la ye d b y L a r ry Ch r is t ia n s e n , I b e lie ve , appears fairly level) 16.xg7 g8 17.d4 gaining a tempo on the white queen. 0-0-0 18.ef3 play is completely obscure. ] [ 6...e7 was played in my game against 16.d2 fd8 17.ef3 Miltner (see the second-move note to Miezis- 15...0-0 I had originally intended Zapata) ] [ 17.c4? b u t t h e n n o t i c e d a4! 7.e5+ and White is in trouble. ] [ 7.d1 allows Black to equalise easily: 0-0 An interesting idea, to exploit the 8.c3 e8!? ( 8...d5 9.cxd5 b4 10.0-0 17...g4!? bxd5 is completely equal, Kelly, B-Motwani, weakness on d3. 18.a3 xf3! The simplest, I P/Lichfield ENG 2000) 9.0-0 d6 10.a4 had been busily analysing [ 18...c2 19.a2 xa3 20.xa3 xf3 f5 11.a3 d5 with chances to both sides, ( 20...xe4?! looks good, but then there is Zueger,B-Christiansen,L/Bern 1996. ] 21.a4! xc3 22.xg4 and White wins a 7...e7!? A novelty, and why not? The 789
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 piece ) 21.xf3 xe4 22.xe4 xa3 23.c4 b4 which isn't very clear. ] 19.xf3? I miss assessed the resulting position, as my opponent pointed-out after the game, I should play [ 19.axb4 axb4 20.xb4 with fair chances to draw. ] 19...c2 20.a2 d4! Again I thought my opponent intended [ 20...xa3!? 21.xa3 xe4 as above, but this is much stronger. ] 21.d1 Played after a long reflection, I had t h o u gh t t h a t t h e o p p o sit e -c o lo u r b is h o p position was possible, but [ 21.xd4 xd4 22.b1 g5 23.c4 a4! ( 23...xe4 is not bad either) 24.b4 b3 and White is lost, the knight is hanging, and if it moves ...Nd2 forks rook and bishop. ] 21...b5 22.a1 xa3 Winning a pawn. 23.xa3?! This hasten s matters, I could still have tried to do something with my bishop pair after [ 23.e5 ] 23...xd2 24.b4 [ 24.c3 xe4 25.xa5 xa5 26.xa5 b2 27.b6 c5 is also hopeless. ] 24...d3! A killer, I had hoped to generate some tactical chances on the kingside after [ 24...xe4 25.e3 f5 26.g4!? (although White is still lost, of course). ] 25.xa5 [ 25.c3 also fails to xb4 ] 25...xa5 26.bxa5 c5 With a triple attack on f2. 27.b3 xf2 28.g2 h5!? (Threatening mate!) 29.g4? Time trouble, [ 29.c3 e2 ( 29...d3? 30.xf7+! xf7 31.e1 ) 30.e1 xe1 31.xe1 xe4 was a big improvement. ] 29...xg4+ 30.g3 d3+ 31.f3 xf3+ 32.xf3 xh2+ 33.g2 g4 34.c3 f8 I would normally resign, but as the match situation was still unclear ... 35.e5 e7 36.f3 g6 37.f4 e3 38.d2 d5+ 39.f3 d4 40.e4 c3 41.g5+ e6 42.c4 xe5 43.a6 bxa6 44.xa6 f5+ 45.f3 f6 46.c1 c5 0-1
797 Kosten,Anthony C Jones,Gawain C Masters Bunratty [Nigel Davies]
A20
27.02.2011
1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.d4 b4+ 4.d2 xd2+ 5.xd2 d6 6.c3 f6 7.g2 0-0 8.e3 e6 9.d1 a6 10.b3 [ This has been played almost as a matter of course though it's worth mentioning that 10.f3!? is legal here. After e4 11.g5 xc4 12.gxe4 xe4 13.xe4 f5 14.d3 the position looks about equal, but with more imbalance than after 10.b3. ] 10...exd4 11.xd4 b4!? A new idea which appears to equalise. [ P r e v i o u s l y B l a c k h a s p l a y e d 11...a5 which a lso se em s very re ason ab le , f o r example 12.d2 ( 12.ge2 d5 13.cxd5 xd5 14.0-0 xc3 15.xc3 xc3 16.xc3 fd8 17.h3 f8 wasn't really anything for W hite either in Glud, JMortensen, E/Denmark 2009.) 12...c7 13.ge2 ( 13.f3 might have been a better choice ) 13...d5 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.xd5 xd2+ 16.xd2 xd5 17.0-0 xg2 18.xg2 fd8 19.fd1 xd2 20.xd2 f8 21.c3 e7 22.f4 d7 1/2-1/2 was Reinderman, D-Giri, A/Groningen 2009. ] 12.d2 f5 13.e4 e8 14.ge2 [ 14.ce2!? appears to be very embarrassing as he's attacking two pieces. But Black gets a strong attack after xe4 15.xe4 xe4 16.xb4 f6 17.f3 c3 18.xd6 e5! , f o r e x a m p l e ( 18...a5 19.xf6 axb4 20.d6 xe2 21.xe2 xa2 22.d2 a1+ 23.d1 a2 is only a draw) 19.d2?! ( 19.f2 xe2 20.d2 c3 21.d3 seems to hang on, but I don't like it) 19...xe2 20.xe2 a1+ 21.f2 xe2+ 22.xe2 ( 22.xe2 xh1 ) 22...xa2+ 23.f1 d8 etc. ] 14...xe4 15.xe4 xe4 16.xe4 xe4 17.xb4 e7 18.d2 e8 19.0-0 c5 [ 19...c5 20.a5 xe2 21.xe2 xe2 22.xa7 leaves it equal. ] ½-½
790
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 22.a1 d5 23.b1 b6 24.xe5! Tactical opportunism of the best variety. Kotsur,Pavel White takes the chance to change the nature Naiditsch,Arkadij of the position before Black strengthens his WCC Khanty Mansiysk RUS (1.1) grip. fxe3 [Jonathan Rowson] [ 24...fxe5 25.g5 e7 26.xe6 xe6 27.e4 is comfortable for White- Black's 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 remaining light squares will be very weak. ] 5.f3 c6 6.0-0 b6 7.b3!? e6 8.b2 f6 9.c2 A curious move that only makes 25.fxe3 fxe5 26.c4 h5 27.b2 f6 sense when you realise that White is trying to 28.f2 d7 29.g2 h6 30.e4 b5 play d2-d4 in one move without allowing ...e5- 31.cd2 b6 32.f2 Now White appears to be better, but Black manages to complicate e4 in return. 33.f3 [ 9.d3 is absolutely fine, but White then enough to hold the balance. e8 loses whatever he sting the idea of a quick d5 34.e2 b4 35.xe5 c3 36.b2 [ 36.g4!? is more fun. ] d2-d4 has in this move order. ] 37.d4 g8 38.dxc5 xc5 [ 9.d4 is the most straightforward approach, 36...xb3 but is unlikely to give any advantage- if 39.axb4 a4 40.a3 xe3 41.xc8 xf2+ anything the opposite. e4! As a rule of 42.xf2 xc8 43.g1 b6+ 44.e3 xb4 thumb, these French-like pawn structures 45.c6 b6 46.xa7 xe3+ tend to be favourable in almost all openings ½-½ other than the French! For instance in the open Sicilians, W hite usually meets ...d5 A20 with e5, and here, in some sort of reversed 799 dragon, the same issue applies- if W hite Kramnik,Vladimir 2785 goes for d2/d3-d4, Black usually tries to Bacrot,Etienne 2695 respond with ...e4 when possible. Perhaps World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (36) 22.11.2007 the point is that in the French Black's pieces [Carsten Hansen] tend to be on squares to help a quick source of counterplay, for instance the knights on 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f5 After 2 g3 this move much d7 and c6 hit the e5 point, contribute to p l a y a b l e t h a n a f t e r 2 N c 3 , t h o u g h control of d4 and make ...f6 and g5 plausible. nevertheless still considered dubious by some In this case, the bishop on g2 might be a u t h o rit ie s, su ch a s R ib li in C h e s s B a s e slightly misplaced, as is the bishop on b2, Magazine. 3.d4 exd4 while Black's knight on b6, which is [ 3...e4 4.h3 ] otherwise a bit unsure of itself, now looks at 4.xd4 c6 5.e3+!? This is considered the juicy d5 square with glee. the critical line e7 A) 10.e1 f5 11.f3 exf3 12.xf3 [ The alternatives are: A) 5...e7 6.c3 ( 12.exf3!? d7 and 0-0-0 looks good for ( 6.f3 is h armless: f6 7.d4 xe3 Black ) 12...e7 looks very comfortable for 8.xe3 b4+ 9.d2 xd4 10.xd4 e4 Black; 11.e3 b6 12.a3 xd2+ 13.xd2 xd2 B) 10.fd2 f5 and again Black has some 14.xd2 b7= Spanton, T-Rosen, D/4NCL sort of good reversed French. ] (Birmingham) 2002) 6...f6 ( 6...b4?! [ 9.a3 d7 ( 9...a5 10.c2 a4 )] 7.d2 ) 7.g2 xe3 8.xe3 b4 9...b4! Equally strange, and effective. Noroozi, O-Barzigar, B/Tehran IRI 2004, and 10.c1 c5! 11.d3 e7 12.bd2 0-0 now 9.d2! leaves White with a small plus. ] 13.e4 c8 14.a3 c6 Black is very [ B) 5...f7 is unnecessarily artistic and comfortable. 15.d1 d4 16.fd2 d7 p r o v o c a t i v e 6.f3 ( 6.h3!? ) 6...f6 17.e1 fd8 18.c1 f8 19.e3 f5 20.f1 7.g2 b4+ 8.d2 ( 8.c3 e8 9.d3 The position is roughly equal, but I would take Ribli ) 8...e8 9.b3 c5 ( 9...xd2+ Black. In any case it feels like Black slightly 10.bxd2 e7 11.0-0 Ribli ) loses his way around here. h8 21.c2 f7 A) 10.0-0 e4!? ( 10...xe2 11.c3 798
A20 2587 2641 27.11.2005
791
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 e8 12.g5 Ribli ) 11.c3; B) 10.c3 h6 ( 10...g8 11.g5 ) 11.0-0 d6 12.ad1 a6 13.a4! e4 ( 13...a7 14.c5+ Ribli ) 14.xc5 xc5 15.a3 xe2 ( 15...a5? 16.b4 ) 16.e3 e4 ( 16...e6 17.c5 ) 17.d4! xd4 18.xd4 B1) 18...g5 19.c3 g6 ( 19...e6 20.d5 ) 20.c5 Ribli; B2) 18...e7 19.f3 g5 ( 19...d2 20.xe4+- ) 20.h5+! g6 ( 20...f8 21.h4 e6 22.xe2 xd4 23.xd4 xe2 24.c5 Ribli ) 21.xe2 xe2 22.e3! xe3 23.xe3 Delchev, ANikcevic, N/France 2003 ] 6.g2 f6 7.c3 0-0 8.h3 [ 8.d5 e8 9.xe7+ xe7 10.xe7 xe7 11.g5 f7 12.xf6 xf6 13.h3 e7 14.0-0-0 d6 15.he1 b8 16.f4 Rivas Pastor, M-Castro Valero, J/Mallorca 2000 ] 8...e8 Others: [ 8...d6 9.0-0 e5 A) 10.b3 c6 11.d1 e8 12.d4 a5 13.a4 ( 13.d2!? ) 13...fd7 14.d2 c5 15.b1 c7 16.a5 f8 17.f3 e6 18.f2 ad8 Romero Holmes, A-De la Villa Garcia, J/Leon 1996; B) 10.d5 c6 ( 10...xd5 11.cxd5 c5 12.f4 ) 11.xe7+ xe7 12.b3 d7 13.a3 fg4 14.d2 f6 15.ad1 f7 16.fe1 Just, J-Kuehn, P/Berlin 1978 ] [ 8...b4 The idea behind this move isn't just ...Nc2+, but also to play ...c7-c6 and ... d7d5. 9.d2 a5 10.f4 c6 11.0-0 A) 11...d6 12.b3 ( 12.a3?! a6 13.b3 c5 is fully adequate for Black. ); B) 11...a6 12.d3 ( 12.b3 c5 13.b2 ) 12...d6 13.b3 e8 14.b2 d8 15.ae1 e4 16.c2 ( 16.xe4?! fxe4 ) 16...ec5?! ( 16...ac5 17.xc5 xc5 18.e3 Ribli ) 17.d1 Miezis, NDamljanovic, B/Istanbul 2000 ] [ 8...b4 9.0-0 ( 9.d2 d6 10.d5 xd2+ 11.xd2 e4 12.c2 d4 13.d3 e6 14.0-0 c6 15.df4 6c5 Wiener, RKrivda, M/corr 2001) 9...e7 10.a3 xc3 11.xc3 d5 12.d1 c6 13.b4 a5 14.b1 axb4 15.axb4 e8 16.b2 Kern, G-Todts, B/Vlissingen 2005 ] 9.0-0 f8
[ 9...b4 10.d3 e5 11.c2 c6 12.a3 f8 13.b3 d6 14.b2 e6 15.g5 e7 16.ad1 ad8 17.xe6 xe6 18.e3 Chernin, A-Bologan, V/ Geneve 1996 ] 10.d2 e5 11.b3 d6 12.f4 c6 13.d1 c7 14.a3 f7 15.ac1 d7 16.e3 ad8 17.b4 [ 17.b4!? ] 17...e5 18.e2 [ 18.b2!? ] 18...g5 19.h5 xh5 20.xh5 e6 21.xg5+ g7 22.xg7+ xg7 23.b5 [ 23.b2 xc4 24.c2 d3 ] 23...xc4 24.bxc6 xa3? [ 24...bxc6 25.xc6 xa3 26.xe8 xe8 ] 25.cxb7 xc3 26.xc3 c4 27.d5? [ 27.d5! e7 28.xc4 xb7 29.c1 b2 30.a5+- ] 27...xd5 28.xd5 b6 29.a5 b8 30.c7 f8 31.xa7 f7 32.xf7 [ 32.c6 fxb7 33.xb7 xb7 34.xd6 c4 with decent drawing chances for White. ] 32...xf7 33.a4 e6 34.a5 d7?? [ 34...d5! 35.g2 d7 36.f3 c6 37.e4 fxe4+ 38.xe4 b4 39.f4 d5+ 40.d4 b5 41.c3 c6-+ ] 35.g2 d5 36.f3?? [ 36.a6 c5 37.f3 e5 38.h4 xa6 39.xa6 xb7 40.a5+ leaves White with excellent winning chances ] 36...c6?? [ 36...e5+ 37.f4 c6 38.a8 xb7 , and now it is Black who can play for a win ] 37.a6 c5 38.a8 c7 39.a7! xb7 40.c8+! 1-0
800 Kramnik,Vladimir Carlsen,Magnus 6th Tal Memorial (3) [John Bartholomew]
A20 2800 2826 18.11.2011
1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 h6 Possibly a slight nod to Kramnik's tremendous theoretical prowess. 3...h6 is not new to the top level, though GMs have been more likely to ve n tu re it a t b lit z/ rap id t im e co nt ro ls . Regarding the merits of 3...h6, I agree with 792
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 what John Watson wrote in his notes to Colin Libiszewski (below): "The mighty 3...h6 has been played by leading players for a few years now. As with so many modern moves, it's a useful waiting move that depends upon White to commit to a particular formation before reacting. At the same time, it serves a purpose in most logical continuations that the players might agree upon. W hite's task is simply to f ind a set up which is normally eit her no t available to him without the extra tempo that Black hands him, or harmless without ...h6 but favourable because of White's extra move. " With that in mind, let's see how the game unfolds. 4.c3 [ Quite interesting is 4.f3 c6 ( 4...e4!? 5.d4 ) 5.d4 , see Colin, V (2415)Libiszewski, F (2482)/Besancon 2006/[John Watson]. ] [ G M G u r e v i c h t w i c e p l a y e d 4.d3 , which doesn't make a serious attempt to profit from 3...h6. See the archives for c6 , Gurevich, M (2652)-Anand, V (2788)/Bastia 20 05 06 / [J oh n W at so n] , ( and 4...c5 Gurevich, M (2652)-Malakhov, V (2670)/ Khanty Mansiysk 2005/ [Nigel Davies]. )] [ In the only previous game where Carlsen vent ure d 3. ..h 6, h is oppo nen t tried th e unc onvinc in g 4.d4 exd4 5.xd4 c6 6.d1 . T h e g a m e c o n t i n u e d b4+ ( 6...c5 ) 7.d2 xd2+ 8.xd2 0-0 , with level chances, though Magnus went on to lose. Ostenstad, B (2480)-Carlsen, M (2673)/Moss 2006. ] 4...b4 5.e4 Ambitious - Kramnik is trying to put the 'extra' move to good use with unabashed central play. We see 5.e4 in more common form (with .. .0-0 instead of ...h6 for Black) in Naidtisch - Topalov. [ The text is most popular, though 5.f3 also makes a great deal of sense. Now Black has three main possibilities: A) 5...e4 6.d4 is a bit better for White, i. e. xc3 7.dxc3 0-0 8.0-0 e8 9.b3 d6 10.c2 b6 11.e3 b7 12.d5 , completing a typical maneuver. Markowski, T (2610)-Pavlovic, M (2593)/ Plovdiv 2003.; B) 5...xc3 6.dxc3 ( or 6.bxc3 - this recapture may be more promising, e. g. e4 7.d4 0-0 8.0-0 with a typical
stru ctu re in which W h ite sho uld have better chances. Ribli, Z (2585)-Rustemov, A (2564)/ Germany 2005.) 6...d6 7.0-0 c6 8.e1 e6 9.b3 d7 10.e4 0-0-0!? Hulak, K (2564)-Bologan, V (2676)/Ohrid 2001.; C) 5...c6 Logical development. 6.0-0 d6 ( or 6...0-0 ) 7.d3 ( 7.d4!? would be the most ambitious, when xc3 8.bxc3 0-0 prod uces a com plex p osit io na l f igh t .) 7...0-0 8.d2 e6 9.h3 d7 10.h2 fe8 11.a3 c5 12.b4 b6 13.c1 a6= wi t h a p o s i t i o n c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f t h e Karpov Variation. Rukavina, J (2418)Balogh, C (2567)/Zuerich 2005. ] 5...c6 [ More common is 5...xc3 6.bxc3 0-0 7.e2 , when the Naidtisch - Topalov game indicates to us that Black would love to get in ...c7-c6 and ...d7-d5. Here White can beat him to the punch: c6 ( The solid 7...d6 is normal; while 7...e8!? 8.0-0 c6 is a real attempt to achieve ...d7-d5 White can try to parry with 9.b3 , i.e. a6 10.a3 b6 11.d3 d6 12.ad1 c7 13.f4 c5 14.c2= Cekro, E (2410)-Glek, I (2575)/Vlaardingen 2005.) 8.d4 , although this seems acceptable for Black: d6 9.0-0 e8 10.e1 bd7 11.a3?! c5! Tkachiev, V (2642)-Fressinet, L (2625)/ Cannes 200607. ] 6.ge2 c5 Carlsen doesn't mind losing further time in order to enhance his control of the dark squares. 7.d3 [ We've actually seen this line before. Check the archives for 7.0-0 Buhmann, R (2603)Balogh, C (2613)/Jenbach AUT 2009/ [Nigel Davies]. ] 7...d6 8.h3 Prophylaxis against ...Bc8-g4. h7!? I really like this idea - the knight is headed to d4 via g5-e6. We're very familiar with White's occupation of d5 in the Botvinnik English via Ne1-c2-e3-d5 (or Nd2-f1-e3-d5) and the underlying positional logic behind such a maneuver. As he does so frequently, Ca rlse n de cide s to p ut a lit tle twis t on a standard concept. Great imagination from the world 1! [ 8...0-0 9.0-0 e6 would be very standard. Theoretically speaking, Black stands well at this point, so W hite needs to rethink his 793
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 strategy against 3...h6. ( or 9...a6; or 9...a5 )] 9.a3 a6 [ T h i s i s a c a s e w h e r e 9...a5 seems preferable to prevent W hite's queenside expansion. ] 10.0-0 g5 Gaining a tempo to accomplish the intended maneuver. 11.h2 e6 12.f4 d7 13.b4 Kramnik is correctly playing on both wings. a7 14.d5 ed4 [ Trying to further soften White's kingside with 14...h5!? is intriguing. ] 15.ec3 The knight seems a little superfluous on c3, but evidently Kramnik didn't want to allow an exchange on e2 followed by ...Nc6-d4 and ...c6-c7, kicking White's knight from d5. [ T h e i m m e d i a t e 15.fxe5 dxe5 16.c5 was possible, shutting out the bishop. ] 15...e6?! I don't see the point of this move. [ 15...h5!? ] 16.f5 d7 17.b1 White is beginning to g e n e r a t e s o m e c o n c r e t e t h r e a t s . b8!? 18.c5!? [ 18.g4 f8 and now Houdini's top move is 19.d1 , so it's safe to say things are unclear:) ] 18...dxc5 19.bxc5 c8 Carlsen is really playing matador to Kramnik's bull in this game! [ Black's position looks shaky after 19...xc5 20.xb7 d6 21.e3 bc6 , but I don't see anything clear-cut. ] 20.h5 The game is reaching a critical stage. [ On ChessBase. com, GM Ramirez examines 20.g4 f8 ( Ramirez claims that 20...g5! is stronger, with the nice supporting line 21.h5 c6 22.xg5 xg5 23.xg5 hxg5 24.c7+ d8 25.xa8 xc5 26.b6 xb6 27.xb6 b5! wh e n t h e r o o k i s t r a p p e d .) 21.h5! , with the idea that d7 is now met by 22.f6 g6 23.xh6+ e8 24.xg6!!+- when Black can't take the queen. ] 20...d7! 21.a4 c6!? Carlsen doesn't back down. [ 21...f6 22.xf6+ xf6 was safer. ] 22.db6 xc5! 23.f6 [ 23.xa8 xa4 24.f6 g5 25.xg5 transposes to the game. ( 25.h4!? )] 23...g5 24.xg5 [ 24.xc8!? ] 24...xa4 25.xa8 [ 25.xa4?! b5 26.c3 e6 (Ramirez) ]
25...b5 26.e3 A very messy position has arisen that revolves around the future of the a8 knight. Should Carlsen be able to win, he will have an overwhelming material advantage he n ce, K ram n ik will b e th ro win g vario u s ro a d b lo ck s in h is wa y. b8 White was threatening 27.Qxe5+ 27.g4 Now g4-g5 is on th e ca rd s. g8!? 28.xh6 e6 29.bc1 d7! 30.xd4 Again, White has to play with a sense of urgency. exd4+ 31.e5 c3 32.xc3! [ Carlsen was probably hoping for 32.f4 a7 , and with the d4 pawn solidly defended Black will pick up the knight. ] 32...xe5+ 33.h1 dxc3 34.e3 Kramnik is scrambling well. b8 35.c5 d6 36.a7+ d8 37.xa6 d4! 38.a5+ c8 39.a6+ d8 40.a5+ c8 41.a6+ Draw! If you've been following the coverage of the Tal Memorial, you'll now what computers (and thus commentators!) were quick to point out: b8 is likely winning for Black. After the forced 42.b6 , both Kramnik and Carlsen missed the excellent move c8! , when Black wins - for example, 43.xc8 xc8 44.a4 b4 45.c4 c5 etc. The majority of this game was clear as mud, but Carlsen's 3...h6 gave him a fine position out of the opening. His 7... Nh7!? conception as well as the possibility for completely normal play with 7...0-0 means W hite will have to go back to the drawing board. ½-½
801 Kuzmicz,Krystian Socko,Bartosz DMP Ekstraliga (5) [Jonathan Rowson]
A20 2400 2627 10.09.2008
1.g3 e5 2.g2 d5 3.c4 f6 4.cxd5 xd5 5.f3 c6 6.0-0 b6 7.b3!? An attempt to be distinctive. [ 7.d3 e7 8.a3 a5 9.b3 0-0 10.b2 f6 11.bd2 A) 11...g4!? Given White intends e3 and d4, it makes some sense to place the bishop out of the range of a prospective knight on d4. 12.c2 d7 13.fd1 ad8 14.ac1 h3 15.h1 d5 ( 15...g4 ) 794
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 16.e4 g4 17.c5 xc5 18.xc5 h8 19.b5 b6 20.e1 h5 21.d4 f7 22.dxe5 fxe5 23.c5 h6 24.e3 de8?! ( 24...d5 ) 25.xc6! bxc6 26.xe5 f6 27.f4 and White was clearly better in Mchedlishvili, M -Kasimdzhanov, R Emsdetten GER 2008; B) 11...e6 12.c2 Now if White is given the opportunity, he will play e3, Rfd1 and d4, possibly with Ne4 included. However, Bla c k ra re ly h a s t o a llo w t h is id e a t o proceed smoothly, and has various ways to compete e8 ( 12...f7!?; 12...d7!? ) 13.e3 d5 14.d4 exd4 15.xd4 xg2 16.xg2 xd4 17.xd4 c5 18.b2 c6+ 19.g1 a4 and Black has a slight initiative. ] 7...g6!? [ 7...d6 is probably best here, but many Black players stubbornly associate this line with the presence of bishops on e7 and e6. 8.b2 0-0 9.d3 I would prefer White but I am a life-long Sicilian player. Objectively Black should be fine. ] 8.b2 [ 8.c3!? g7 9.a3 looks more testing, b u t B l a c k m i g h t b e f u l l y o k a f t e r a5 intending Nb4 and 0-0 ] [ 8.a3!? a l so l o o k s i n t e r e st in g . g7 ( 8...xa3 9.xa3 0-0 is probably fine, but other things being equal these structures should slightly favour White.) 9.e1!? a5 10.xc6+ bxc6 11.c3 with highly unclear play. ] 8...g7 9.d3 0-0 10.c2 This feels a bit p r e m a t u r e . e8 11.bd2 f5 12.c4?! This looks compliant, but I am not sure White had anything better. [ 12.a3 e4! ] [ 12.fd1 e7 doesn't seem to help. ] 12...xc4 13.dxc4 e7 14.ad1 e6 15.c3 ad8 [ 15...e4 16.d4 xd4 17.xd4 ad8 l o o k s m o r e p r e c i s e . 18.b2? xd4 19.xd4 c5 ] 16.b2 e4 17.xd8 xd8 18.e5 xe5 19.xe5 xe5 20.xe5 d6 Black is clearly better. 21.c3 d4 22.a5 b6 23.c3 f7 24.e3 c5 25.a1 b6 26.f1 d6 27.c5?! An unforced error, doing Black's work for him. xc5 28.xc5 bxc5 29.c1 d5
Temporarily awkward, but Black now has extra sp a c e a n d h a lf a p a wn - e n o u gh t o h a v e se rio u s win n in g ch a n ce s. 30.c4 e5 31.f1 xc4+ 32.xc4 a6 33.e2 d5 34.a4 d6 35.c4 d5 36.a4 d6 37.c4 c6 38.h4 [ 38.f3 exf3+ 39.xf3 e6 40.e4 fxe4+ 41.xe4 looks drawish. ] 38...e6 39.d2 d5 40.c3 a5 41.a4 a6 42.c4 c6 43.a4 b5 44.c2 d6 45.c4 d8 46.c1 h6 47.c2 d5 48.c1 d6 49.c2 a6 50.a4 f6 51.c3 d6 52.c2 e6 53.d2 e8 54.c3 f8 55.c4 b6 56.a4 f6 57.c4 e6 58.a4 g5 59.hxg5 hxg5 60.g4 f4 61.d2 f3 62.c3 b5 63.c4 e8 64.a4 b6 65.c4 c6 66.a4 d6 67.xa5 h8 68.a6+ c6 69.a4 d5 70.a7 h4 71.d7+ e6 72.d2 xg4 73.a4 g1 74.b2 e1 75.a3 e2 76.d8 xf2 77.a5 f1 78.b2 f2 79.f8 e7 80.f5 d7 81.f7+ c8 82.a6 b8 0-1
802 Kuzmicz,Krystian Vovk,Yuri Najdorf Mem GpA (9) [Jonathan Rowson]
A20 2418 2557 28.07.2007
1.g3 e5 2.g2 f6 3.c4 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.f3 c6 6.0-0 b6 7.b3 e4!? I suspect this is a bit dubious, though gambiteers who are at ease with being a pawn down for nebulous compensation might like it. I wrote this line before looking at the position very closely, but after a little analysis it seems the compensation is actually quite enduring, so I am no longer sure about ...e4. 8.e1 f5 [ 8...f5 9.b2 followed by d3, will leave Black's position rather loose. ] 9.c3 [ 9.b2!? ] 9...f6! 10.c2 0-0-0 [ 10...g6 11.e3 ] 11.xe4 [ 11.xe4!? xe4 12.xe4 f5 13.f3 intending Nf2, is also worth considering, but even here Black has quite easy play for the pawn. ] 795
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 11...e6 [ 11...g6 12.d3 b8 followed by h5 looks plausible. Again, I don't think it is a pawn's worth, but there is no denying that Black's position is quite easy to play (Kb8 is not forced but it is useful to have c8 available for the bishop after Ne3). ( 12...h5 13.e3 e6 14.f4!? )] 12.d3 e7 13.g5 xg5 14.xg5 f6 15.e3 h3 [ 15...d5 keeps more tension in the position but the way Black plays almost seems to keep the balance so I am not sure it is an improvement. ] 16.xb6 Perhaps a bit simplistic. [ 16.e1!? ] [ 16.h1!? h5 17.g1 ] 16...axb6 17.d2 h5 18.e3! d7 19.f4 xg2 [ 19...h4! and seems to be fully adequate for Black. ] 20.xg2 h4 21.g4 he8 22.e3 d4 Now Black is winning material and is clearly better. 23.f5 g5 24.xd4 c6+ 25.e4 xd4 26.xd4 d7 27.f5 h3+ 28.xh3 xd3+ 29.f3 h8+ 30.g3 d2 31.h3 d8 32.f2 f4+ 33.g2 c6 34.e1 b5 35.e5 fxe5 36.e7+ b8 37.g6 b4 38.ee2 d1 39.xe5 f4 40.f1 xf1 41.xf1 g3 42.d3 xf3+ 43.f2 c5 44.c2 b6 45.e1 c7 46.e2 c4 47.c2 c3 48.b4 d6 49.e2 d5 50.e4 c2 51.d2 xe2+ 0-1
for Black, Gutsu,S-Dobrin,C/Eforie Nord 1998. ] 6.d2 b4 [ 6...xe5 7.xc4 is slightly to White's advantage. ] 7.gf3 c3?! [ Tempting, but in the light of what follows, 7...e6 is safer. ] 8.bxc3 xc3 9.0-0!! Blithely leaving a rook en prise! e7?! [ I suppose Black had to capture, but 9...xa1 10.c4 c7 ( 10...xa2? 11.d6+ f8 12.xc8 g6 13.d8+ g7 14.d6 wins ) 11.d6+ f8 12.a3 regains a piece with enormous compensation. ] 10.c4 d5 11.d6+ Now White obtains the attack without sacrifices. f8 12.xc8 xc8 13.a3+ g8 14.xd5 [ 14.xd5 cxd5 15.ac1 wins a bit. ] 1-0
804 Lenic,Luka Gajewski,Grzegorz ETCC (Open) Warsaw POL (4.42) [Fier, Alexandr]
A20 2637 2634 11.11.2013
One more game quickly following unknown paths. Lenic tries an idea of just going for the pawn on e4 and actua lly he takes it. Bu t Gajewski proves that the activity of Black's pieces a re e no ugh co mp en sa tion . 16 .b 6 would be more prudent in my view. 1.g3 e5 2.c4 c6 3.d4 e4 4.d5 Basically aimed to 803 A20 avoid 4...d5. It resembles the Sicilian with 1. Lauvsnes,Arild 2274 e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3 d5 4.e5 d4!?. This move Grotnes,Nils Ragnar 2291 was played by some strong players including TCh-Final Langesund NOR (2) 24.05.2001 Carlsen against Anand! b4+ [Tony Kosten] [ 4...f6 was Anand's choice and trying to keep the bishop later with 6...Qe7 5.g2 1.c4 c6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 e5 Transposing into b4+ 6.d2 e7 7.c3 0-0 a type of Keres system. 4.d4!? with a complex game in Carlsen, M (2733)[ Interesting, first 4.cxd5 would be more Anand, V (2799)/Amber Rapid Nice FRA usual. ] 2008. ] 4...dxc4 5.dxe5 a5+!? 5.d2 xd2+ Actually a novelty! But a quite [ A novelty! 5...xd1+ 6.xd1 is the normal normal move. way of playing this, c5 7.e3?! ( 7.d2!? [ 5...e3 is a t h e m a t ic s a cr i f i c e 6.fxe3 xf2 8.xc4 is fun ) 7...g4+ 8.e2 d7 ( 6.xb4 b6! 7.fxe3 xb4+ 8.d2 xb2 9.f4 0-0-0 10.e1 seems very promising and Black should be ok) 6...e7 7.b3 796
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 c5 8.d3 with typical compensation due to W hite's strange structure in Carlstedt, J (2386)-Goh Wei Ming, K (2382)/Budapest FS03 GM 2011. ] [ 5...e7 allows transposition to Carlsen Anand: 6.c3 f6 7.g2 transposing. ] 6.xd2 f6 7.c3 0-0 8.g2 e8 9.d4 An ambitious idea, but Black has enough resources to hold the balance. [ 9.d6 tries to block Black's position, but allows another break: b5! 10.cxb5 ( 10.h3 i s a l s o p o s s i b l e bxc4 11.0-0 a6 followed by 12...Rb8) 10...cxb5 11.xb5 a6 12.h3 b8 13.c3 b6 with compensation. ] [ 9.h3 h6 ( 9...d6 10.dxc6 e3 11.fxe3 xh3 12.xh3 xc6 gives insufficient compensation because of the d5-square for t h e k n i g h t .) 10.0-0 e7 11.ad1 could be a possible follow up with a small advantage for White. ] 9...d6! Not losing time, suddenly all Black pieces are going to enter the game. 10.xe4 xe4 11.xe4 c5 12.d3 a5+ 13.f1 g6 A difficult position to evaluate, if White can coordinate his pieces the extra e-pawn will make the difference, so Black needs to be quick. 14.g2 [ 14.h4!? trying a brutal attack d7 15.h5 f6 16.hxg6 ( 16.xg6 hxg6 17.hxg6 c7 18.f3 e7 19.gxf7+ xf7 is also possible, but now Black's queen is h e l p i n g m o r e t h a n i n t h e m a i n l i n e .) 16...xe4 ( 16...xe4 17.gxh7+ h8 18.h6 g4 19.xe4 xh6 20.f4 xh7 21.f3 looks good for White with the rook coming to the h-f ile.) 17.gxf7+ xf7 18.xh7+ g6 19.h4 f5 with chances for both sides in a chaotic position. ] 14...b5! Creating counterplay on the other wing. 15.cxb5 [ 15.b3 maintains the pawn chain, bxc4 16.bxc4 f5 17.f3 d7 and ...Rb8, ...Ne5 are sufficient to keep the position alive ] 15...a6!? [ 15...d7 16.c2 ( 16.f3 this sacrifice can be played in this position and in the next variation, f5 17.xf5 gxf5 18.xf5 xb5 19.g5 e7 20.e6 xb2 21.g5+ f7 22.h6 g8= ) 16...xb5 17.f3 b8 again with enough
counterplay. ] 16.h3 [ 16.b6 makes sense, and it's a typical B e n k o m o v e , d7 17.f3!? ( 17.h3 xb6 18.c2 b4 19.f3 e5 20.g5 f5 and Black is fine.) 17...f5 18.xf5 gxf5 19.xf5 xb6 20.g5 e7 21.e6 f7 22.g4+ h8 23.g5 f8 but with only two white pieces attacking Black should be fine again. ] 16...axb5 With this structure Black will always ha ve so m e b re a ks a n d e xp a n sio n s . T h e position is about equal, but still easier to play for Black. 17.a3 d7 18.hd1 I'm not sure if this move is really useful. [ 18.f4 was possible f6 19.f3 f5 20.d1 a7 with the idea of bringing the q u e e n t o e 7 - e 5 21.h4 e7 22.e3 with a complex position. ] 18...c4 [ 18...d8!? the computer prefers using the queen on the other side, where it can better control the dark squares and White needs to t a k e s o m e c a r e s i n c e 19.f4 fails to ( 19.f3 e5 20.c3 f6 is also interesting for Black) 19...e7 20.f3 g5! 21.h5 g4!-+ winning a piece. ] 19.f3 e5 20.f6 xh3+ 21.xh3 b6 22.f4 c3!? Activating all the pieces [ 22...b4 was another possible break, and after 23.axb4 xa1 24.xa1 xb4 25.b1 c5 with the idea of playing 26...f5 in case of 26.Kg2. ] 23.bxc3 a4 24.d4 It's necessary to give the pawn back, but it's hard to evaluate if it was better to have the pawns on b2 and c4 or a3 and b5 xd4 25.cxd4 xd4 26.b1 c4 27.b2 c5 28.g2 c4 29.b3 xa3 Finally recovering the pawn, but now White has time to organize his pieces. 30.f3 f8 31.h4 c4 32.h5 And the counterplay is enough to hold the balance. d4 33.d3 xd5? This is a blunder, probably caused by time trouble. [ 33...xf4 was necessary and the position is ok for both players after 34.xf4 c8 35.hxg6 hxg6 36.d4= ] 34.xc4? Returning the favour. [ 34.hxg6! hxg6 35.xg6 and Black's king is now too open to resist, for example, e6 36.d3 e5 37.h4 h8 38.g5+ g7 797
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 39.xb5 e5 40.f5 and Black is just lost. ] 34...bxc4 35.h6 e6 36.d4 e5 37.xc4 g5 38.d4 xh6 39.xd6 Now it's just drawn. g5 40.f4 xf4 ½-½
20.g2 f8 21.f5 d8 22.xd6?! [ Strong enough, although the elementary 22.h8+ g8 23.xg8+! xg8 24.h3 force mate. ] 22...e7 23.h8+ g8 24.h3 1-0
805
806
Markowski,Tomasz Gajewski,Grzegorz 58th ch Warsaw POL (12) [Tony Kosten]
A20 2595 2344 30.03.2001
1.g3 e5 2.c4 f6 3.g2 c6 4.d4 b4+ 5.d2 xd2+ 6.xd2 d6 7.c3 e7 8.e3 [ 8.e4!? d5! 9.cxd5 exd4! was examined in previously. ] 8...0-0 9.ge2 e4!? [ Unusual, and provocative, 9...bd7 and ] [ 9...e8 were evaluated in previous games. ] 10.d5! [ White 'isolates' the e4-pawn. Previously, 10.0-0 e8 11.h3 h5! (else White plays g4) 12.f3 exf3 13.xf3 h7! yielded nothing in Franco Ocampos,Z-Conquest,S/Saint Vincent ITA 2000. ] 10...c5 11.h3 h5 Again, Black has to stop White from playing g4, and Ng3, winning the e4-pawn. 12.0-0-0 [ 12.g4!? hxg4 13.hxg4 xg4 14.g3 is also possible, but White prefers to bring his king to safety first. ] 12...a6 13.c2 e8 14.g4! Thematic, and s t r o n g. W h it e u n d e r m in e s t h e e -p a wn ' s defence, and opens files on the kingside. hxg4 15.g3! [ 15.hxg4 xg4 16.h2 and 17 Rdh1 also has its points. ] 15...gxh3 16.xh3 xh3 17.xh3 g6 18.dh1 The attack down the h-file is already decisive. bd7 19.f4! [ This move, freeing the second rank, is e v e n s t r o n g e r t h a n 19.gxe4 xe4 20.xe4 xe4 21.xe4 xe4 22.h8+ which picks-up an exchange. ] 19...g7 [ 19...exf3 loses to the pretty variation: 20.f5! gxf5 21.g3+ g4 22.xg4+! fxg4 23.h7+ and mate next move. ]
Markowski,Tomasz Krasenkow,Michal TCh-POL Lublin POL (2) [Nigel Davies]
A20 2632 2651 13.09.2009
Markowski's 3.Bg2 is probably designed to avoid the line 3.d4 exd4 4.Qxd4 Nf6 5.Bg2 Na 6 . B u t h e lo se s so m e o p tio n s a gain s t Krasenkow's choice because his bishop is already committed to g2. Black equalises with some ease but finds himself outplayed in the middle and endgame. 1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.d4 e4 6.c3 c6 7.h3 b4 [ Black can also play 7...e7 , for example 8.a3 (this looks passive) h6 ( Presumably delaying 8...f6 because of 9.g5 but then b6 seems quite playable) 9.f4 f6 10.b4 ( 10.b3 can be answered by a5 ) 10...g5 11.h3 f5 gave Black a good ga m e in Ja n o sch ka , A (2 3 0 4 )-S o rm , D (2371), Bad Homburg 2008. ] 8.0-0 ge7 9.f4 0-0 10.b3 xc3 11.xc3 [ 11.bxc3 a5 would immediately exploit the weakness of the c4 square. ] 11...d6 [ Varying from a previous Markowski game, Markowski, T (2549)-Jenni, F (2483), Bled 200 2. In t hat o ne Black p la ye d 11...g6 a f t e r wh i c h 12.xg6 hxg6 13.b3 f5 14.a3 was a bit better for White. ] 12.f3 f5 Keeping White's g2 bishop out of the game by supporting the granite barrier on e4. 13.fxe4 fxe4 14.d2 f5 15.e3 Passive. [ White should have given 15.b4 a try, ] [ or maybe even 15.c5 . ] 15...g5 16.h3 h6 Black has obtained an easy game from the opening, so his early play can be considered and unqualified success. Of course after the opening the gods placed t h e m i d d le a n d e n d ga m e . 17.f2 h5 798
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 18.b3 h7 19.ac1 d7 20.b4 h4 21.g4 e6 22.h3 g7 [ 22...xb4 would have been at least equal for Black and was probably better than the move played. Could it be that Black wanted to keep pieces on because he thought it was the best way to aim for the full point? ] 23.a3 f7 24.c3 g8 25.c5 af8 26.d6 [ 26.xe4 is tempting, but Black can meet it with b6 ( And not 26...dxe4? 27.xg5+ ) 27.b5 a6 28.xa6 dxe4 when White will struggle to find adequate compensation. ] 26...xd6 27.xd6 d8 28.a3 c8 29.d1 d6 30.b3 b5 31.c5 c8 32.xf7 xf7 33.f1 c7 34.c3 e8 35.a3 b8 36.f2 a6 37.e1 g6 38.d2 c7? This should lose a pawn. [ 38...f6 was better. ] 39.e2? [ Just before the time control White misses a n im m e d i a t e wi n vi a 39.xd5! xd5 40.xc7 xc7 41.d6 , winning back the piece and keeping the extra pawn. ] 39...d7 40.f1 c6 41.a4 ef6 42.e7 g8 43.b4 gf6 44.a3 c8 45.b2 c6? After White's strong reply Black feels obliged to present his opponent with a quee nside p awn majority a f te r wh ich his chances of holding the game diminish sharply. [ 45...e8 w a s b e t t e r w h e n 46.c1 ( 46.c5?! is simply met by xc5 47.dxc5 xc5 ) 46...xc1 47.xc1 is better for White but by no means as good in the game. ] 46.c5! xc5 47.dxc5 d7 48.b4 e6 49.d4 e8 50.f8 e7 51.c3 f7 52.xf7 xf7 53.e5 e6 54.d4 a4 55.h2 f6 56.c7 d7 57.d8 e5 58.xg5 b5 59.xb5 f3+ 60.c3 axb5 61.d8 f7 [ A l s o a f t e r 61...d7 White's queenside pawns will march sooner or later, for example after 62.f6 e6 63.g5 h2 64.a4 . ] 62.g5 e5 63.f6 c6 64.b3 e6 65.c3 f5 66.a4 The beginning of the end. bxa4+ 67.xa4 d4 68.exd4 e7 69.b5 d5 70.e1 xg5 71.b6 f4 72.b5 e3 73.c4 1-0
807 Markowski,Tomasz Krasenkow,Michal chT Zakopane chT (9) [Tony Kosten]
A20 2568 2702 11.09.2000
1.g3 e5 2.c4 c6 3.d4 exd4 4.xd4 d5 5.g2 e6 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.f3 c6 8.a4 c5 9.0-0 f6 10.e5!? An innovation, att ackin g c6 . c8 11.c3 0-0 12.d3 Revealing the real idea, the knight drops back to d3, when it can be used to attack the d5pawn from f4. d4! [ Black has to be prepared to capture the c3knight, 12...b6? allows 13.g5 e8 14.f4 with unbearable pressure on d5. ] 13.g5 xc3 14.bxc3 h6 15.e3 The bishop will be able to defend the c3-pawn from d4. g4 16.f4 [ 16.fe1 would avoid the coming combination, but after e8 17.f4 e4 Black enjoys reasonable chances. ] 16...g5! 17.xd5 xd5 18.xg4 [ 18.xd5?! xe2 19.xc6 xc6 20.fe1 f3 is much too risky- the white king is liable to mated on g2 later. ] 18...xe3 19.fxe3 e7 White's extra pawn is useless. 20.d5 xe3+ 21.h1 e5 22.f5 xc3 23.e4 g6 24.d5 White decides to force a draw by threatening f7 and h7, alternatively. e5 [ 24...e7!? 25.xf7+ g7 26.e6 c6!? 27.xe7 c7 is possible, but can hardly offer any winning chances. ] 25.e4 g6 26.d5 ½-½
808 Markowski,Tomasz Krasenkow,Michal Rubinstein Mem (6) [Tony Kosten]
A20 2568 2702 23.08.2000
1.g3 e5 2.c4 f6 3.g2 c6 4.d4 exd4 [ The most aggressive move, whereby Black accepts an IQP in exchange for active piece play. 4...b4+ is a more solid choice. ] 5.xd4 d5 6.f3 e6!? [ Black wants to force White to capture on d5, which allows Black to bring his f8-bishop to 799
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 a m o re a c t ive squ a re . T h e m o re u su a l 6...e7 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.0-0 c6 9.a4 0-0 10.e3 g4 11.d4 allows White a firm control of d4. ] [ 6...dxc4!? is an interesting alternative, if Black wishes to avoid the IQP. ] 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.0-0 c6 9.a4 c5 The point of Black's move-order, the bishop points at f2. 10.bd2 [ A solid idea, White will bring a piece to d4, but 10.g5 may be a better method exploiting the absence of the bishop from e7, 0-0 11.c3 h6 12.xf6 xf6 13.fd1 ( I prefer 13.e1! planning Nd3-f4) 13...b6 14.b5 fd8 seems fairly level, Romanishin, O-Agdestein,S/Taxco 1985. ] 10...0-0 11.b3 b6 12.bd4 d7! [ A new move, menacing to win a piece by capturing on d4, and putting pressure on W h it e . P r e vio u sly B la ck h a d p re f e rre d 12...c8 which also defends c6, 13.e3 d7 14.d1!? e8 15.xc6 bxc6 16.d4 c5! 17.xf6 xf6 18.xd5 b5 with advantage to Black, Karlsson,LBackelin,R/ Gausdal 1990. ] 13.xe6?! [ The problem with this capture is that it strengthens the black centre, and opens the f - f i l e , b u t t h e a l t e r n a t i v e 13.xc6 is little better: bxc6! 14.e5 e8 15.xc6 f5 16.f4 d4 and Black regains his pawn, with advantage. ] 13...fxe6 14.d1?! The rook should stay on f1, to defend f2. e5 15.e3 Blocking the g1-a7 diagonal to the b6-bishop, but weakening f3. f5 [ Lining-up the pieces on the f-file, but 15...e4 16.d4 g4 is also strong. ] 16.f1 ad8 All Black's pieces are aggressively placed. 17.d2 e4 18.ad1 h5 19.h4 [ Forced, if 19.e1? then e2 attacks d2, and f2, and wins. ] 19...g5! Obliging White to part with his lightsquared bishop. 20.xe4 dxe4 21.g2 d6 Threatening both ...Rfd8, winning the d2b i s h o p , a n d . . . R h 6 . 22.c3 h6 This is simply winning. 23.h4 gxh4 24.c4+ [ 24.xh4 g4 25.g2 h3 26.h4 xh4 27.gxh4 h8 with mate to follow. ] 24...h8 25.xh4 g4 26.d5
[ White gives-up his knight, but there is little choice, 26.g2 h3 27.h4 xh4 28.gxh4 g4+ 29.h2 f3 leads to a quick mate. ] 26...xh4 27.xe5+ xe5 28.xe5+ g8 29.d5 xe3 0-1
809 Markowski,Tomasz Savchenko,Stanislav Masters KO, (3.2) [Tony Kosten]
A20 2530 2570 2000
1.g3 e5 2.c4 f6 3.g2 c6 4.d4 b4+ 5.d2 xd2+ 6.xd2 d6 7.c3 e7 This tricky move again, and in this game the exact point of Black's move-order is revealed. 8.e4!? [ This natural move may be inappropriate here, 8.e3 0-0 9.ge2 has been analysed previously. ] 8...d5!? Black exploits the opposition of his queen against the opponent's king. 9.cxd5 [ 9.dxe5 xe4 10.xe4 dxe4 11.0-0-0 d7 12.xe4 xe5 is level. ] 9...exd4! [ Now, 9...cxd5?! 10.dxe5 xe4 loses a pawn to 11.xd5! xd2 12.xe7 xe7 13.xd2 ] 10.xd4 cxd5 11.xd5 xd5 12.xd5 0-0 What compensation does Black have for the pawn? W ell, the white king is still two moves from castling, and Black will gain time kicking the exposed white queen around. 13.e2 e6 [ Another possibility is 13...d8 , but after 14.b5 a6 15.b6 c6 16.0-0 d2 17.c3 menacing Nd5, White's problems are behind him, Kelly,B-Ryan,J/IRL 1995, 1-0 (25). ] 14.d2 [ Perhaps 14.b5 is a better choice here, too. ] 14...d8 15.e3 b4+ 16.c3 c6 17.f4 [ A new try, but one that fails. The natural 17.0-0 allowed d2 18.xb4 xb4 19.c3 xb2 20.ab1 xb1 21.xb1 xa2 22.xa2 xa2 23.xb7 a5 when the passed a-pawn granted Black the advantage, 800
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Davies,N-Khenkin,I/Tel Aviv 1992, 0-1 (36) ] 17...c4! Confining the king to the centre. 18.f1? Overlooking a tactic that regains the pawn. xa2! 19.e2?! [ If 19.xa2 xe4+ wins. ] 19...xe4 20.f3 White seeks to justify his eighteenth move, but the tactics favour Black, which is only to be expected considering his better mobilisation. f5 21.d3 [ Once again, 21.xa2? loses, but this time to b1+ ] 21...e5+ 22.xe5 xe5 23.e4 c4 Black has emerged from the complications with a pawn more, and the better position. 24.f2 [ White cannot capture the pawn: 24.xb7? ab8 25.xa7?! d7 26.a5 dxb7 27.xe5 xb2 and White can resign, it is almost impossible to stop ...Ra8-a1. ] 24...d2+ 25.e3 ad8 26.xa7 g5 27.xb7 The f4-knight cannot move without allowing ...Re2 mate. gxf4+ 28.xf4 d3+ 0-1
810 Markowski,Tomasz Wells,Peter K 2nd IECC Ohrid (11) [Tony Kosten]
A20 2590 2520 2001
1.g3 e5 2.c4 f6 3.g2 c6 4.d4 b4+ A popular line for Black, when he wants a solid position with good drawing possibilities. How will White react? 5.d2 xd2+ 6.xd2 d6 7.c3 0-0 8.dxe5!? [ To beginners it might seem odd that White captures on e5 now, after Black has castled, rather than the move before when he could have displaced the black king to d8 with check. The reason is simple, in such an endgame the black king would be wellplaced on c7 (particularly as White has no dark-squared bishop), much more active than o n g8, as n ow. P revio usly we ha d co n s id e re d 8.e3 let us see if the endgame offers White more. ] 8...dxe5 9.xd8 xd8 10.f3 e8 [ 10...bd7 is worse, 11.0-0-0 threatens the e - p a w n a g a i n a n d f o r c e s e8 anyway, when the c8-bishop is temporarily
blocked-in. ] 11.0-0 So what advantage does White enjoy in this endgame? Firstly, not much, the black position is solid, but d6 is weak, and W hite will be able to claim the d-file. f5 [ A new move. In the original game in this line, Akopian,V-Gelfand,B/Cap d`Agde 1996 (a r a p i d g a m e ) B l a c k p r e f e r r e d 11...a6 12.fd1 f5 13.h3 h6 14.g4 h7 15.e1 c5 16.b4 with a tiny plus for White. ] 12.d2! [ 12.fd1 a6 would transpose to the above game. ] 12...a6 13.b3 So the point of White's play is revealed, he will bring this knight to a5 to pressurise the black queenside. ac8!? [ Possibly Black should have preferred 13...ad8 14.a5 c8!? as now White gains complete control of the d-file. ] 14.fd1 f8 15.a5 c7 16.d2 White prepares to double rooks on the only o p e n f ile , a n d B la ck ca n n o t o p p o s e t h is without losing his b7-pawn. e4! Black shuts the h1-a8 diagonal to free his queenside. 17.ad1!? [ 17.e3 b6 18.b3 d7 allows Black to contest the d-file. ] 17...b6 18.b3 e6 It seems that Black's plan to attack c4 will regain the equilibrium, but White profits from the tactical possibilities of his position. 19.d4!? c5 [ 19...e3!? first, is interesting. ] 20.d6 xc4?! [ This allows the b3-knight back into play with gain of time. As the c4-pawn is not going to run away, 20...e3! is good, when not 21.c6? because of xc6! 22.xc6 exf2+ 23.xf2 g4+ 24.g1 e3 and Black will capture the c4-pawn, and then the c6-rook, which is trapped. ] 21.d2 e6 22.dxe4 xe4 23.xe4 xa2!? Black was clearly depending on this shot, winning the a2-pawn. 24.c6 e6? [ Black should have tried 24...ec8! 25.d7 d8 26.xa2 e7 27.b5 xd6 28.xd6 xd6 29.xa6 c4 with really good chances as the a6-bishop is marooned, and Black has a useful queenside majority. ] 25.d8+ e7 26.b5 b4 Everything is defended, but W hite has seen further: 27.xa2 xa2 28.c4 Forking a2 and e6, 801
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 and winning the exchange. b4 29.xe6 xe6 30.e8+ f5 31.d6 f6 32.ed8 e7 33.d2 Care is required, as Black's 3 to 1 majority on the queenside can soon become decisive. e6 34.2d6+ A little re p e t it i o n t o ga in t im e o n t h e c lo ck (t h e tournament featured the new fast FIDE timec o n t ro l) . f5 35.f1 e4? Black starts going to pieces. 36.8d7 c2 37.d2 c4 38.xa7 g5 39.b7 d4 40.xb6 c1+ 41.g2 g4 42.h3 h5 43.hxg4+ hxg4 44.b4 1-0
811
A20 Matamoros Franco,Carlos S 2513 Belkhodja,Slim 2478 36th Olympiad (11) 26.10.2004 [John Watson]
12...a5 13.a4 xa4 14.xa4 a6 [ 14...d7 looks like a fine alternative and easier to play. ] 15.0-0 [ Ivanchuk,V-Sutovsky,E/Moscow 2001 was annotated by Tony. There followed 15.d4 ad8 16.0-0 c8 17.fc1 with approximate equality. ] 15...ad8 16.fe1 b6!? [ 16...c5!? 17.ed1 b6 is suggested by HiArcs 9. ] 17.ac3 d5 18.a4 b6 19.ac3 d5 The whole system with 4...Bb4+ is looking like an equaliser. White needs new ideas. ½-½
812
A20 Matamoros Franco,Carlos S 2462 Volzhin,Alexander 2569 A c rit ic al lin e of t he 2 .g3 Ke re s line h a s 5th Wichern op (8) 21.10.1999 received some tests. Can Black equalise? [Tony Kosten] 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 [ 2...c6 3.d4 b4+ 4.d2 xd2+ 5.xd2 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 d6 6.g2 usually transposes by f6 ] 5.f3 c6 6.0-0 b6 3.g2 c6 4.d4 b4+ 5.d2 xd2+ 6.xd2 [ To keep control of d4, if 6...e7 then d6 We have seen this system more than once 7.d4!? e4 8.e5 is interesting. ] in Tony's surveys. It is not easy to make 7.d3 e7 8.bd2 progress against. 7.c3 [ An attempt to avoid the heavily analysed [ 7.e3 e6 8.b3 (I'm not sure that Tony's lines after 8.c3 ] p r e f e r e n c e f o r 7 . e 3 o ve r 7 . N c 3 r e a l l y 8...0-0 9.a3 a5 Probably the most accurate improves W hite's lot here) ( 8.c3 exd4 move, keeping a lid on W hite's queenside and ...d5 doesn't inspire) 8...exd4 9.exd4!? expansion. 10.b3 e6 11.b2 f6 12.c2 ( 9.xd4 ) 9...d5 10.c5 0-0 11.c3 d7 13.e3! Chernin's move, planning the was a new but unimpressive plan in Rotstein, positionally advantageous d4-thrust. fd8 A-Rabiega,R Graz 2004. At this point the [ T h e m o s t n a t u r a l m o v e , 13...f5!? simplest answer was b6! in view of 12.b4? c a n b e m e t b y 14.e4 fd8 15.fd1 a5 13.a4 bd7 with a clear advantage. with an edge. ] White's play was too slow. ] 14.d4 exd4 15.xd4 xd4!? 7...0-0 8.e3 e6 9.b3 [ I have suggested that this might be Black's [ 9.d5 was again proven harmless after cxd5 b e s t m o v e . 15...d5?! was played in 10.cxd5 d7 11.b4!? a6 12.b1 c8 Chernin,A-Smejkal,J/Altensteig 1991, and 13.ge2 c4! in Granda Zuniga,J-Rohl,J after 16.xd5+ xd5 17.xc6 xc6 Calvia 2004. ] 18.xc6 bxc6 19.fd1 White enjoyed the 9...exd4 10.xd4 d5 11.cxd5 xd5 superior structure. ] Tony has also indicated that 16.xd4 c5!? 17.xc5 White has little [ 11...cxd5!? and ] choice, as otherwise Black will continue with ... [ 11...xd5!? are reasonable moves. ] a4, with a strong queenside set-up. ac8! 12.ge2 [ Chernin also gave 17...dc8?! 18.b4 a4 [ A string of equal positions have resulted but then 19.e4 b6 20.fd1 b5 is hit by from 12.xd5 xd5 13.xd5 cxd5 ] 21.d6! and Black is in trouble. ] 802
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 18.b4 axb4!? [ 3...exd4 4.xd4 d5 is the most popular. [ C h e r n i n m e n t i o n s t h e l i n e 18...a4?! Refer to the "Keres" guide in the archives. ] 19.e4 b6? when White wins by 20.ad1 4.c3 By far the most common response. e8?! 21.xe7! ] [ However, 4.d5!? deserves attention, 19.axb4 d5! 20.d3 preven ting B la ck f ro m co nstructing h is [ The safest response. If White wants to desired pawn chain with ... d7-d5. Carlsen, hang-on to the pawn he can try 20.xd5!? M (2733)-Anand, V (2799) Nice 2008/ xd5 21.e4 but it is quite risky, ] [Hansen, Carsten]. ] [ 20.b2?! is nothing, xc5 21.bxc5 xe3! [ 4.b3!? was tried in Damljanovic, B (2551)22.fxe3 xd2 23.xd2 xd2 Vasilevich, T (2420) Kavala 2009/[John with equality. ] Bartholomew], presumably to avoid ...Bf820...xb4 b4. ] [ One of several reasonable choices, 20...b6 4...d5 5.g2 '!'' according to Marin. This is seems fairly equal after 21.xe7 xe7 something of a parting of the ways: 22.f3 xb4 23.e4 with the intention of [ A critical (and bloody!) line runs 5.cxd5 playing Nd4, ] cxd5 6.b3 c6 ( ! ) - M a r i n ( 6...e7 [ 20...xc5 21.bxc5 xc5 is also level. ] is probably playable too, as in Kortschnoj, 21.xd7 xd7 22.xb4?! V (2610)-Bacrot, E (2545) Albert 1997/ [ An odd decision, 22.xe7 xe7 23.fb1 [Nigel Davies].) 7.xd5 xd5 8.xd5 is better, although Black should be able to xd4 9.c7+ d8 10.xa8 c2+ maintain equality on d5 24.a7 cc7 ] 11.d1 xa1 . Black appears to be doing 22...xb4 fine here see Gelfand, B (2737)-Karjakin, S ½-½ (2732) Odessa 2008/[Nigel Davies]. ] [ 5.h3 angles for Nh3-f4 and there also makes sense. Narciso Dublan, M (2487)813 A20 San Segundo Carrillo, P (2516) Sanxenxo 2004/[John Watson]. ] Movsesian,Sergei 2688 [ W hite tried the totally unexplored 5.f3!? Grandelius,Nils 2572 in Davies, N (2493)-Cherniaev, A (2428) Tata Steel Chess 2013 (12.11) 26.01.2013 London 2009. ] [John Bartholomew] 5...b4!? Grandelius had already used this An early space-gaining line against Marin's move in December to draw rather effortlessly favored English move order (2.g3) leads to with Normunds Miezis. 6.b3 [ M a r i n ' s r e c o m m e n d a t i o n i s 6.d2 fine positional play for Black. 1.c4 e5 2.g3 , b u t t h i s h a s n 't ca u gh t o n m u c h . O n e c6 In "Grandmaster Repertoire 3 - The English r e c e n t e x a m p l e : xc3 (White was Opening vol. 1" Mihail Marin refers to this as threatening Nc3xe4) 7.xc3 ( Marin advises the "Accelerated Keres". Black wastes no time 7.bxc3 , but after, say, f6 8.cxd5 cxd5 in preparing his central play. 9.h3 0-0 10.0-0 h6 11.f4 g5! [ Transpositional possibilities to the Keres Black's position looks entirely reasonable) " p r o p e r " w i t h 2...f6 3.g2 c6 7...e7 8.f3 f5 ( 8...f5!? looks more are plentiful. ] promising ) 9.cxd5 ( 9.fxe4! xe4 10.xe4 3.d4 e4 Staking a claim to as much space as dxe4 11.c2 f5 12.h3 ) 9...cxd5 possible. 10.fxe4 xe4 11.f3 0-0 12.0-0= [ There are some unanswered questions in Barbier, S (2088)-Dusthageer, I (2212) the line, for instance 3...b4+ 4.d2 xd2+ Chennai 2011. ] 5.xd2 d6 6.c3 f6 7.g2 0-0 8.e3 [ 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.h3 c6 8.0-0 ge7 e6 9.d1 a6 10.b3 exd4 11.xd4 9.f3 exf3 10.exf3 0-0 was equal in Miezis, b4!? and White hasn't been able to prove N (2596)-Grandelius, N (2583) Al Ain 2012. ] anything more than a draw. See Kosten, A (2498)-Jones, G (2593) Bunratty 2011/[Nigel 6...a5 [ Since Black ends up exchanging his darkDavies]. ] 803
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 squared bishop anyways, it deserves attention to develop with 6...a6!? , i.e. 7.cxd5 xd5 8.xd5 cxd5 9.h3 e7 10.0-0 0-0 11.f4 c7 12.d2 d6! 13.f3 f5 and Black was fine in Zenzera, A (2170)-Bezgodov, A (2494) Kazan 2010. ] 7.h3 h6 A useful move in many lines. 8.0-0 f6 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.f4 xc3! 11.bxc3 0-0 [ It's also possible to play actively with 11...g5!? , though 12.h3 0-0 13.f3 exf3 14.exf3 c6 15.f2 definitely looks more favorable for White when compared to the game. Black risks overextension in the entire line with 3...e4, so he ought to exercise some discretion. ] 12.f3 c6! 13.fxe4 dxe4 14.e3 b6 15.a3 [ Perhaps W hite should consider 15.b5!? , i.e. a5 16.h5 xh5 17.xh5 . ] 15...a5 16.b5 e8 17.b4?! d7 18.a6 c8 19.b5 a6! 20.e2 g4 21.e1 c4 Cementing the knight on a beautiful square. 22.a4 a5 23.a3 g5! 24.h3 f3!? [ Or simply 24...d5 . White's bishop pair has been totally neutralized. ] 25.f2 xg2 [ It looks better to play 25...d5 ] [ or 25...g4!? . ] 26.xg2 d7 27.c1 d5 28.d1 ac8 Black is clearly on top. Unfortunately he plays somewhat hesitantly from here on out, and Movsesian escapes with a half point. 29.a2 d6 30.a3 c4 31.c1 g7 32.e2 f6 33.g1 c7 34.h5 f7 35.e2 e6 36.h5 ec8 37.h4!? d6 38.h2 f7 39.g4 d7 [ 39...f5! suggests itself, e.g. 40.e2 gxh4 41.gxh4 h7 and White is still very much in trouble with his numerous weaknesses and poor minor pieces. ] 40.h5 e8 41.g4 d7 [ 41...f5! ] 42.h5 e6 43.a3 c4 44.c1 c6 45.hf2 e8 46.g4 8c7 47.h2 e6 48.h5 d6 49.hf2 h3 50.h2 e6 51.hf2 f7 52.d2 d6 Draw agreed. 2... c6 3.d4 e4 isn't the most popular line, but it's eminently playable and forces White to solve some unique problems. Grandelius's concept
with 5... Bb4!? is highly attractive. ½-½
814 Narciso Dublan,Marc San Segundo Carrillo,Pablo XLVIII TCh-ESP (8) [John Watson]
A20 2487 2516 25.11.2004
1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.d4 e4 This move seems viable. W hite should attack Black's center q u i c k l y, b u t i t ' s n o t e a s y . 4.c3 d5 A critical position 5.h3!? A logical try but it has drawbacks. [ In his book, Tony suggests simply 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.b3 ( 6.h3!? c6 7.f4 f6; 6.f3!? ) 6...c6 7.xd5 xd5 8.xd5 xd4 9.c7+ d8 10.xa8 c2+ 11.d1 xa1 12.f4 , but f6 13.c7 ( 13.c1 d5 14.b1 xf4 15.gxf4 b6 16.xa1 b7 ) 13...e3! (preparing ...Bf5 or . . . N e 4 b u t a l s o c r a m p i n g W h i t e ) 14.f3 ( 14.f3 e4 15.c1 exf2 16.b1 b3 17.axb3 g5! ) 14...h5 ( or 14...f5! ) 15.d5 e6 and White is in trouble. White can also try the rather passive-looking ] [ 5.g2 , when an interesting move is h6!? , for example, ( 5...a6!? ) 6.cxd5 ( 6.b3 f6 7.h3? dxc4 8.xc4 b5 ) 6...cxd5 7.b3 f6 8.f4 ( 8.h3 c6 ) 8...e7 ] [ Finally, 5.b3 m i gh t b e m e t b y dxc4 6.xc4 b5!? ( or 6...f6 7.g5?! b5 8.b3 xd4 ) 7.b3 e6 ( 7...xd4 gives W hite attacking chances but it's not clear how effective they are.) 8.d1 f6 9.g2 b4 10.g5 d5 ( 10...xc3+ 11.bxc3 d5 ) 11.f3 exf3 12.xf3 xc3+ 13.bxc3 h6 14.f4 0-0 15.0-0 e8 with double-edged play. ] 5...e7 [ A problem with 5.Nh3 is 5...dxc4!? , when 6.xe4 b4+ 7.c3 f6 isn't pleasant. S o m e t h i n g l i k e 8.e3 ( 8.g5? xh3 9.xh3 d5! ) 8...0-0 ( 8...e4 ) 9.f4 d5 doesn't look promising. ] 6.g2 [ Also not attractive is 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.f4 ( 7.b3 c6! 8.xd5 e6 9.hf4 b4+ 10.d1 xd4! ) 7...f6 8.b3 c6 ] 6...f6 804
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 6...dxc4!? ] 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.g5 g8!? 9.e3!? [ The critical line must be 9.xe7 xe7 10.f4 . This may yield some advantage, e. g., b6!? 11.b3 b7 12.cxd5! xd5 13.xd5 xd5 14.xe4 c7 15.f3 d7 16.xa8 xa8 17.xa8+ xa8 18.e4 and W h ite's big centre will make Black suffer. ] 9...c6 10.0-0 f6 11.f3 exf3 12.exf3 0-0 13.f4 e8 14.f2 h5!? A strange move, preparing ...Bf5 without getting hit by g4.. Simply [ 14...a6 15.e1 d6 ( or 15...b5 also keeps the balance. )] 15.e1 f5 16.a3 c8 17.f1 a6 [ 17...d7 ] 18.c1 b5?! 19.b4! Now Nd3 aiming at c5 is a p r o b l e m . d7 20.b3 ed8 21.d3 xd3 22.xd3 g6 23.b1 [ 23.xb5!? axb5 24.xb5 hits c6 and e7, so f8 25.c3 xb4! 26.xd7 xc3 27.xc3 xd7 28.b1 ( 28.axb4 xb4 29.cc1 xe1= ) 28...a6 29.b5 with an unclear situation. ] 23...f8 24.d1 g7 25.d3 [ 25.a2 e8 ] 25...e8!? [ 25...e8 ] 26.a2 c7 27.e2 e7 28.ec2 h7 29.e2 e6 30.xc8 xc8 31.c3 c7 32.xc7 xc7 33.f4 g8 Simplification h a s r e s u l t e d i n a n e ve n g a m e , wi t h t h e bishops of opposite colours endgame lurking in the background. 34.b3 c6 [ 34...h4 ] 35.g2 c1 36.e3 a1 37.c2? [ 37.b1 xb1 38.xb1 is equal. ] 37...f5 38.f2 e6? [ T h e o b v i o u s 38...xd4 is strong due to 39.xd5 xd5 40.xd5 xf2 41.xf2 ( 41.xf2 d4+ ) 41...e5 42.f4 ( 42.c5 xd5 ) 42...e3+ 43.h1 a1+ 44.g1 xa3 ] 39.xd5?? time pressure. [ 39.xd5 was correct. ] 39...xf4+? [ 39...h4+! wi n s o n t h e s p o t : 40.gxh4 ( 40.h3 f1+ 41.xh4 f6# ) 40...xf4+ ] 40.gxf4 xd4 41.c7? h6??
[ 41...h4+! wins: 42.g3 ( 42.xh4 g1+ 43.h3 f1+ 44.g3 f2# ) 42...xf2+ 43.xf2 d4+ ] 42.d6 h7 43.xf7 xf7 44.d5 [ 44.xd4= ] 44...g7 45.xf7 f6 46.b7 h6 47.g3 h4+ 48.g4 f5+ 49.xh4 xf4+ 50.h3 e5 51.g3 f5+ Quite a struggle, marred by the end. But 3... e4 is very alive. ½-½
815 Paunovic,Dragan Topalov,Veselin XXIII Rapid Open rapid (8) [Jonathan Rowson]
A20 2539 2777 03.08.2008
1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.f3 c6 6.0-0 e7 7.d4 The move that Nb6 is designed to avoid, but is it really a problem? e4 [ 7...exd4?! 8.xd4 xd4 9.xd4 f6 10.a4+ c6 11.d1 d7 12.c3 0-0 13.e4 was somewhat better for White in Reinderman, D-Hou Yifan W ijk aan Zee NED 2009 ] 8.e5 f5 9.xc6 bxc6 A curious position. The c-pawns are obviously an issue, but they are not the only issue. Black has a strong central knight, a space advantage and the chance to quickly open the position with ...c5, while white's bishop on g2 is a bit snuffed out, and it's not easy to f ind a role f or the c1 bishop. 10.d2 [ 10.a4 d7 intending ...c5 tends to be at least ok for Black. ] [ 10.f3 exf3 11.xf3 0-0 12.c3 e6 also looks fine for Black. ] [ 10.c2!? looks like the critical test. A) 10...d6 11.c3 e6 ( 11...0-0 12.xd5 xd5 13.e3 looks better for White. ) 12.xd5 xd5 13.f4 d7 14.f3 exf3 15.xf3 0-0 Black seems to be holding on, but somehow it feels like White should be better here.; B) 10...c5 11.dxc5 e6 12.d1 b8 gives White too many tactical ideas, not least taking on e4.; C) 10...d7 is probably best. The bishop on c8 can emerge on a6. 11.c3 0-0 805
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 12.xd5?! ( 12.f3 exf3 13.xf3 f6 14.d1 feels a little bit promising for White. ) 12...cxd5 13.f4 c6 14.fc1 b7 At first blush W hite may look better, but Black will play Rf c8, a5 and Ba6, and sooner or later c5, so in fact if anybody is better here it is Black.; D) 10...b4 11.a4 d7 ( 11...d7 looks best. 12.c3 c5! 13.xd7+ xd7 14.dxc5 xc5 And now there are lots of lines, but I imagine White has reasonable chances of creating a small edge here.) 12.a3 c5 13.d1 c6 ( 13...d5 lo o ks t oo sp e cula tive . 14.dxc5 e6 15.c2 0-0 16.d1 ) 14.dxc5 xc5 15.f4 g5 16.d2 e7 17.c3 d4 18.c1 0-0 19.b5 b6 20.xg5! xg5 21.xd7 and White soon won in SandipanKrush, Gibraltar 2007. ] [ 10.c3 0-0 11.f3 exf3 12.exf3 ( 12.xf3 e6 looks fine for Black.) 12...f6 13.e1 b8 14.f4 b4 15.xd5 cxd5 16.e3 xb2 17.a4 Subtle preparation from Carlsen. Black has to be careful to retain e q u a l i t y d e s p i t e b e i n g a p a wn u p , b u t manages to do so. a6 18.ab1 xb1 19.xb1 d6 20.c1 d7 21.a5 b5 22.xc7 xc7 23.xc7 c4 24.c5 xa2 25.xd5+ xd5 26.xd5 a8 27.xf5 a5 28.c5 a4 29.c2 a3 30.a2 f7 31.f5 g6 32.fxg6+ hxg6 33.g2 e6 34.c1 e7 35.h4 d5 36.g4 c4 37.g5 xd4 1/2-1/2 Carlsen, M -Gelfand, B/ Moscow RUS 2007 ] 10...0-0 11.b3 a5! 12.d2 a4 13.a5 [ 13.c5 xc5 14.dxc5 f6 appears to favour Black. ] 13...d7 14.xa4 [ 14.c1! e8 15.e3!? a3 16.b3 keeps the position very tense. ] 14...e8 15.b3 [ 15.c2 might save time. ] 15...h8 16.c4 You might think White is ok here, but Black has the initiative on both sides of the board, so his compensation seems adequate. c5 17.e3 b6 18.dxc5 xc5 19.c2 d6 20.fe1? [ 20.fd1!? White has to become more creative and transform his extra pawn into something else. f7 21.b3 f4 22.xe4 fxe3 23.xe3 and White is at least not
worse. ] 20...f7 21.d1 xa2 22.xa2 xa2 23.c3 f7 Now Black is simply better- more sp a ce a n d b e t t e r p i e c e s . T o p a lo v lo s e s control slightly, but gets there in the end. 24.f4 xf4 25.gxf4 h6 26.e3 e6 27.b5 c4 28.d4 c5 29.c6 d7 30.c3 d3 31.a1 e6 32.e5 xe5 33.fxe5 c4 34.d4 e8 35.a5 h7 36.h3 e2 37.d5 e7 38.h2 h4 39.f4 f3 40.d2 a8 41.d7 a6 42.d6 a2 43.d8? xg2 44.xg2 c3! Ouch. An unusual overloading motif. 0-1
816
A20
Reader Q From Jose Blades N,Archana [John Watson] Reader Jose Blades writes: "I really have been feeling for a while that one of the best counter to the move order 1.c4 2.g3 is ... e5 ... c6" He presents the following variation: [jw: all the move analysis in the notes is mine] 1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.d4 e4 4.c3 d5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.b3 c6 7.xd5 xd5 8.xd5 xd4 9.c7+ d8 10.xa8 c2+ 11.d1 xa1 12.f4 And here GM Tony Kosten writes in his book (page 61): "Preparing to retrieve the a8 Knight". But I think this is just bad for White." He's probably right, so White should consider [ 12.b3! (Tony Kosten's new suggestion) b5!? 13.b2 xb3 14.axb3 b7 15.e3! b4 16.c4 , slightly favouring White's more active bishops, e.g., f6 17.h3 xa8 18.e2 e7 19.a1 c8 20.f4 with attack. ] [ On the other hand, Blades' challenge also applies to slow moves like 12.e3? e6 13.b3 xb3 14.axb3 xb3+ 15.c1 a3+ 16.b1 f6-+ ] 12...e6 13.b3 xb3 [ jw: Also not bad is 13...f6 14.c7 d7 15.h3 ( 15.e3 a3 16.b5 xb5 17.xb5 e7 ) 15...a3 ( 15...h5 16.e5 f6 17.xa1 xc7 ) 16.e5 c8 17.xa1 xc7 18.xf6 gxf6 19.f4 d6 an d Bla ck's b ish o p s a re ve ry st ron g in 806
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 conjunction with his rook. ] 14.axb3 xb3+ 15.c1 a3+ 16.b1 e7 [ jw: Curiously, a recent game saw 16...f6 17.c7 a6 18.e3 g4 19.h3 h6?! ( 19...g5! 20.xg5 xf2 21.g1 h6 22.h3 d3 ) 20.e2 g5? 21.xg4 gxf4 22.d5! fxe3 23.fxe3 e8 24.c3 e5 25.d1 c4 26.c2 f5 27.d1+ c7 28.f4 b5 29.ce2! a5 30.d4 a4 31.h3? ( 31.g6! c5 32.h4 ) 31...b4 Now it's about equal. 32.fe2 ( 32.xa4!? bxa4 33.c1 c5 34.fe6+ xe6 35.xe6+ d6 36.xc5 xc5 ) 32...b6 33.a1 c5 34.c1 c3+ 35.b1 a5 36.ce2 b4 ( 36...xd4 37.xd4 b4 ) 37.g4! fxg4 38.hxg4 c7? ( 38...xe2! 39.xe2 g5 ) 39.xe4 a3 40.xc3 1-0 Kovalyov-Monier, Buenos Aires 2005. xc3 41.xb5+ xb5 42.c1+ ] 17.c7 a6 Jose: "The Nc7 is trapped and Black's chances of winning are at least as much as Whites." This is an understatement. [ jw: 17...c4! HiArcs! But same verdict can be applied to 17...a6 ] 18.h4 d7 [ j w : B e t t e r i s 18...g6!-+ 19.g2 f5 ( 19...xf4 20.gxf4 e3 ) 20.a8 xf4 21.gxf4 c5-+ ] 19.g2 f5 [ 19...d6 20.xd6 xd6 21.b2 a4 22.xa6 bxa6 23.xe4 b5 -HiArcs. But this isn't finished yet - at least there are opposite-coloured Bishops. ] 20.h3 d6 21.xd6 xd6 22.g4 a4 23.gxf5 xc7 24.xe4 f8 25.g3 xf5 26.xf5 xf5 27.xg7+ b6 28.xh7 xf2 Blades seems to think that White is lost and that looks true: 29.g7 [ 29.b2 g2 ] 29...h2 30.g4 d7 31.d4 c6 Now Black has the ideas of ...Rg2 and advance on the queenside. In the meantime White's pieces and pawns are immobilised: 32.g4 c5 33.c2 b5 34.d3 a5 35.f3 xf3 36.exf3 a4 etc.
817 Rotstein,Arkadij Bacrot,Etienne N1 France [Tony Kosten]
A20 2553 2653 2002
The IQP endgame that follows is very instructive , an d sh ould be stu died b y all English Opening players, as the same schema can occur from many different variations. 1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.d4 b4+ 4.d2 xd2+ 5.xd2 d6 6.c3 f6 7.g2 0-0 8.e3 e6 9.b3 exd4 10.xd4 d5 11.cxd5 xd5 12.xd5 [ The standard move, we considered the i n t e r e s t i n g 12.ge2!? in Ivanchuk,VSutovsky,E/ Moscow RUS 2001. ] 12...xd5 Black prefers to exchange his bishop, rather than recapture with the pawn when this piece would be passively placed. 13.xd5 a5+?! [ An unfortunate idea, Black wishes to force a weakness on c4 before exchanging quee ns, bu t t he endgame prove s t o b e u n p l e a s a n t f o r h i m . 13...cxd5 is more normal, 14.e2 ( 14.f3 c6 15.c3 e7 16.0-0 e4 draw, Sher,MPopovic,P/Bad Ragaz 1994) 14...c6 15.b2 e8 16.0-0 e5 17.d4 f6 White has a firm grip on d4, but Black has some activity on White's weakened kingside light squares. 18.e2 a6 19.ac1 ac8 and W hite failed to make anything of his tiny advantage, Psakhis,L-Avrukh,B/ ISR 2002. ] 14.b4 xd5 15.xd5 cxd5 16.f3 a5 17.b5 Black weakens the c5-square as well, but the advanced b5-pawn proves to be a match-winner. d7 18.e2! Of course, the king is well-placed in the centre. Alex Baburin points-out that this endgame would be level wi t h o u t r o o k s, b u t wit h r o o ks B l a c k h a s severe diff iculties. fc8 19.ac1 f8 20.d4 b6 21.g4! A move worth noting, White gains space on the kingside which may prove important later. g6 22.h4 e7 23.h5 a4 24.d2 c5 25.f3 Keeping the knight from e4. e6 26.xe6 xe6 27.d3 d6 28.hxg6 hxg6 29.d4 The d4-square is not just a useful post for a knight, but also provides a safe, yet advanced, spot for the 807
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 king. a4 30.a3 b6!? With the simple idea of pla yin g . . .Rc 5 , B la ck d id n 't wan t t o st a y passive and allow White to play g5, but the w e a k e n i n g o f c 6 i s i m p o r t a n t . 31.e4! A really difficult move to find if White is just concerned with exploiting his structural plus, as White goes from two pawn islands to three in his favour, to the other way around. However, after Black's previous move, concrete tactical factors are paramount here. dxe4 32.fxe4 e6 33.e5! The point White's plan becomes clear: Rf1-f6xb6. d8+ 34.e4 ac8? [ The critical position, and Black misses a g o o d o p p o r t u n i t y t o g o a c t i v e : 34...f5+! 35.exf6 xf6 36.c6+ g5 37.xb6 d2 The black king has found a safe square, and the black rooks should be able to force a perpetual check. ] 35.hf1 Now Black can't stop White penetrating on either f6 or c6. c5 36.xc5 bxc5 37.f6+ e7 38.b6 d4+ 39.e3 c4 So that Black can get behind the b-pawn by ...Rc3(+)-b3. 40.g5 c3+ 41.e4 xa3 42.d5 The king comes to ensure the further advance of the b-pawn, and can use the black c-pawn as cover against checks. b3 43.e6!? Simplest. [ 43.c6 c4 44.f4 must also win, although White has to be certain of his analysis: b4 45.b7 e6 46.c7 a3 47.f6+ d5 ( not 47...xe5? when 48.b6 xb6 49.xb6 a2 50.b8+ is check! ) 48.f3 a2 49.a3 c3 50.xa2 c4+ 51.d7 b4 52.a5+ e4 53.a4! and wins. ] 43...fxe6+ [ B l a c k s h o u l d a l s o l o s e a f t e r 43...xb6 44.xf7+ e8 45.a7 for instance: b1 ( 45...c4 46.xa4 c3 47.c4 ) 46.xa4 d1+ 47.e5 e1+ 48.f6 f1+ 49.xg6 e7 50.c4 and the g-pawn will win the game. ] 44.xe6+ f7 45.f6+ Driving the king far f ro m t he que enside . g7 46.c6 c4 The c-pawn is more of a hindrance than a help, stopping Black from checking the white king from behind. [ 46...a3 47.f4 b4 48.f3 a2 49.a3 wins easily, W hite will queen his b-pawn and easily win the a and c pawns. ] 47.b7 a3
[ 47...c3 48.c7 a3 changes nothing. ] 48.c7 a2 49.a6 c3 50.xa2 1-0
818 Savchenko,Boris Kravtsiv,Martyn Minsk Bronstein Memorial op-A (8) [Fier, Alexandr]
49.f2
A20 2556 2618 18.02.14
White tries 7.e3 which is not so ambitious, but also no worse than the other moves. After a series of small inaccuracies, White was able to improve all his pieces and increase the pressure. I think Black could play something other than 14...a5 or 17...Ba7. 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 c6 4.f3 e4 5.d4 d5 6.cxd5 xd5 7.e3 One of the many options in this position. White just wants to keep the knight in th e cen te r. Th e ligh t squ ares are no w weakened, but if W hite has time to play d3 there are good chances for an advantage. [ 7.c2 h5 8.h4!? was a new idea which I analyzed for Chess Publishing in December, see Ivanchuk, V (2731)-Vachier-Lagrave, M (2745)/SportAccord Rapid Men 2013 (5.6). ( 8.h3 g6 9.c3 d6 is the most played variation, Andriasian, Z (2624)-Petrosian, T (2636)/ARM-ch 72nd Yerevan 2012 (5). )] 7...c5 [ 7...c5 is a respectable alternative, forcing W hite to retreat the knight, 8.c3 e5 9.de2 c6 10.a4 d7 was seen in Anastasian, A (2606)-Stocek, J (2496)/ Ubeda op 5th 2000 (9). and it's dangerous to take the pawn 11.xe4 b4 12.xf6+ xf6 13.b3 a6 and White can have some problems to solve ] [ 7...a6 also makes sense and was tried by Timman 8.d3 b4+ 9.c3 xc3+ 10.bxc3 c5 11.dxe4 e5? Cekro, E (2410)Timman, J (2625)/Vlaardingen op act rapid 2005 (8). and after ( 11...cxe4 was more natural and prudent) 12.f4 White would be clearly better ] 8.d3 Protecting the knight on d4 by tactical means. e5 Black decides to keep the queens on. [ 8...xd4 enters an endgame which is hard 808
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 to evaluate: White has a strong bishop pair but the king in the center can give Black some activity 9.exd4 xd4 10.dxe4 xd1+ 11.xd1 0-0 12.c3 and Black managed to block the position in Miroshnichenko, E (2624)-Roiz, M (2668)/Bundesliga 1112 2011 (7.4). ] 9.dxe4 [ 9.c3 was also played, but Black can answer in a good way exd3 10.xd3 0-0 11.0-0 a6 12.a3 b6 the counterplay is based on attacking the queen on d3 13.b4 d8 and it's not clear if White can consolidate the position, Zhigalko, A (2619)-Balogh, C (2630)/EU-chT (Men) 19th 2013 (9.14). ] 9...xe4 10.c3 White doesn't care about isolating the pawn. [ 10.0-0 0-0 11.b3 d7 12.b2 df6 13.d2 ] 10...f6 Now both players can finish their development before something happens. [ 10...xc3 11.bxc3 0-0 12.0-0 d7 13.e4 and the pawn on c3 helps White's strategy a lot, but the position is also playable for Black ] 11.f3 e7 12.c2 A good move, avoiding ...Bf5 and also leaving the d-file. 0-0 13.0-0 bd7 14.a3 a5 I'm not sure if this move is really necessary. After this and the next move Black needs to take some care. [ both 14...d6 15.d1 e5 16.d4 c7 ] [ and 14...b6 15.b4 e5 16.xe5 xe5 17.b2 f5 are ok for Black ] 15.h3 e5 16.xe5 xe5 17.d5! With some subtle exchanges White can put pressure on the a5-pawn and thus discoordinate the Black pieces. Still it's not su c h a b ig d e a l b u t t h e p o sit io n is m o re pleasant for the first player. a7 [ 17...cxd5 is a move that nobody wants to play, but it's a concrete way to deal with the position 18.xc5 e4 19.d4 ( 19.b5 e6 and White has problems developing the c 1 b i s h o p .) 19...xd4 20.exd4 a6! creating pressure on the b-file 21.f4 b6 22.ab1 a4 and Black is still ok ] 18.xf6+ xf6 19.d2 Black can now defend the pawn in several ways, but always d o i n g s o m e t h i n g u n n a t u r a l . e8?! Black wants to play actively, but there are
some problems with the a7-bishop in this line. [ 19...f5 20.b3 d8! attacking the b i s h o p o n d 2 21.fd1 c7 22.ac1 and White's pieces are a bit more harmonious ] [ 19...b8 is probably the best move, followed by a bishop exchange 20.c3 e5 21.xe5 xe5 22.fd1 e6 23.d4 fd8 24.ad1 xd4 25.xd4 and White is slightly better, but the position is close to equal ] 20.xa5 h6 [ 20...d4 stays a pawn down 21.exd4 xa5 22.fe1 d8 23.ad1 and Black will suffer for a long time ] 21.b3! b6 and Black will get the h3-pawn. [ 21...xh3 22.xb7 xe3 doesn't work, because the f-file is now open and the f7 pawn hangs, 23.fxe3 xe3+ ( 23...xa5 24.xf7++- ) 24.f2 and the attack is over. ] 22.c3 xh3 23.a4 ab8 Locking the bishop on a7, since ...b5 is not realistic. [ 23...xg2 was not so different, but Black still has b8 for the bishop 24.xg2 g6 25.c4 and White is more comfortable ] 24.c2 c5 25.fd1 xg2 26.xg2 c6+ 27.g1 bc8?! There is not much reason to avoid fighting for the d-file. [ 27...bd8 28.xd8 xd8 29.d1 d7 was more consistent, but White will have a be t t e r qu e e n , b e t t er b isho p a n d b e t t e r pawn structure in the endgame ] 28.f5 c7 29.d5 White has increased the pressure a lot over the last few moves and B l a c k ' s p o s i t i o n i s a l r e a d y d e l i c a t e . f6 30.ad1 xa4? Now Black is just lost. [ 30...e6 was still possible, and better, but White has a large advantage after 31.h5 f7 32.e2 e6 33.b5 ] 31.d7 [ 31.d8 also wins ce7 32.1d7 xd8 33.xd8+ e8 34.e6+ f8 35.b3! a nice shot, the queen is not able to come back from b5, b5 36.xf6 gxf6 37.xf6+ g8 38.d5 winning. ] 31...b8 32.xf6 e4 33.g5 g6 34.d5+ 1-0
809
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 wins the e-pawn. ] A20 Schlosser,Philipp 2505 35.e2 f4 36.f2 xg2?! [ 36...g5! ] Khenkin,Igor 2622 Bundesliga 1999-2000 (7) 08.01.2000 37.xg2 d3 38.d2 d5 39.e6?! [ 39.f3 xe5 40.f4 d5 41.e4 c5 [Tony Kosten] 42.xd3 should be drawn, but White has all the chances. ] 1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.d4 b4+ 4.d2 xd2+ 5.xd2 d6 Having exchanged dark-squared 39...fxe6 40.fxe6 f8 41.f3 e7 42.e4 bishops, Black seeks to place his central d6 43.xd3 pawns on dark squares. 6.c3 f6 7.g2 ½-½ e7 8.e3 0-0 9.ge2 e8 [ The model game in this line was Dorfman,JA20 Razuvaev,Y/Burgas 1992, which continued: 820 9...bd7 10.h3! e8 11.g4 b6 12.b3 Soffer,R 2506 a5? 13.0-0 a4 14.ae1! axb3 15.axb3 d5 Belousov,D 2340 16.c5 bd7 17.g3 f8 18.g5 6d7 Chigorin Memorial (8.40) 03.11.2012 19.f4 e4 20.f5 d8 21.d6 and Black [John Bartholomew] was lost. However, Dorfman mentions that Black could have played 10...h5!?, to stop A new position by move four in the King's this plan of h3, g4, and Ng3-f5. ] English! 1.c4 e5 2.g3 h5!? The tenth(!) 10.h3 h5! As the Dorfman game showed, most popular move (53 games out of 16, allowing W hite to play g4, and Ng3, is very 00 0 +) a n d n e ve r p revio u sly e xp lo re d o n risky, and although moving the black h-pawn ChessPublishing.com. Compared to other weakens his king position, it may be the lesser obscure rook pawn sorties, this one seems of evils. 11.e4!? fairly logical. One nice point is that 3.Nf3 can [ White changes plan, 11.0-0 e4 12.ae1 still be met by 3...e4, so Black isn't compelled f5 13.d1 bd7 14.f4 g6 to go crazy and sacrifice an exchange (though wo u l d t r a n s p o s e t o S h e r, M- L a ke t i c, G / that might be interesting: 3...h4!? 4.Nxf3 Rxh4 Belgorod 1990, 1/2-1/2 (14). ] etc.). Also, should White respond with 3.h4 or 11...a6 12.0-0 b5! 13.b3 bd7 14.f4 3.h3, Black has the luxu ry of ch oosing a White plays aggressively, but Black is more King's English line where the inclusion of rook comfortable in these type of positions when he p a w n m o v e s m i g h t b e n e f i t h i m . 3.d4?! has no dark-squared bishop. b7 15.a3 Principled, but unconvincing. Of course there's ad8 16.ad1 bxc4 Black will target the no established theory on 2. ..h4!?, so White weak c4-pawn. 17.bxc4 a5 18.a2 a6 has met Black's last move in a number of 19.c5! Hitting the black pawn chain at its base. different ways. exd4 20.cxd6 xd6 21.xd4 c5 [ Most common is the no-nonsense 3.h4 Black's pieces are actively placed, and he . Now manages to avoid any disadvantage. 22.h2 A) Th ere 's also 3...d5!? 4.cxd5 f6 f8 23.xd8 xd8 24.e5 d5 25.f3 ( 4...xd5!? ) 5.f3 g4!? , as in Larsen, W hite is hoping to use his strong kingside B (2575)-Shirazi, K (2430)/New York 1986. pawn chain as a basis for an attack, but the Shirazi actually managed to "out-Larsen" queenside and centre are too open. xc3 Larsen in this one and went on to win!; 26.xc3 d4 27.f2 c5 28.e3 d3 B) 3...f6 4.g2 c6 5.c3 c5 6.d3 Stopping White from playing f5. 29.e2 looked like a normal Karpov Variation until [ 29.f5?? xc3 ] B la ck p la ye d g4!? (making use of the 29...xe2 30.xe2 h4! 31.g4?! e6 32.f5 s q u a r e we a k e n e d b y h 2 - h 4 ) w i t h a n f4 The one passive black piece has been interesting game: 7.h3 d6 8.a4 b4+ activated, and W hite must take care not to 9.d2 a5 ( 9...xd2+ 10.xd2 f6= ) lose. 33.xd4 cxd4 34.f2 d3 10.0-0 d4 11.e3 f5 12.a3 xd2 [ 34...g5! is tempting, as 35.fxg6 xg6 13.xd2 h6!? Kovacevic, B (2460)819
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Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Bosiocic, M (2593)/Zadar CRO 2011. ] [ 3.h3 is another normal (if hesitant) reaction. h4 4.g4 e7!? (setting his sights on the f4 square) ( I'd be tempted to gambit a pawn with 4...d5!? 5.cxd5 f6 6.a4+ c6 7.dxc6 xc6 ) 5.d3 g6 6.c3 c6 7.g2 e7 8.e3 ( 8.e4! ) 8...d6 9.ge2 a6 10.d4 c7 11.d5 d7 12.e4 0-0 13.c2 e8 14.d2 c8 Khropov, B (2235)-Szabo, Z (2305)/Budapest 1994. ] [ With 3.g2 White resolves to ignore B l a c k ' s d e m o n s t r a t i o n , b u t a f t e r h4 the constant threat of ...h4-h3 is annoying. 4.c3 c6 5.a4?! (trying to discourage Black from playing ...d7-d6?) f6 6.d3 c5 7.a3 a5 8.h3 d6! 9.xc6+ bxc6 10.xc6+ d7 11.g2 b8 12.g5 d4 13.d1 h3 Swinkels, R (2483) Rakhmanov, A (2585)/Shenzhen CHN 2011. ] [ Similar is 3.c3 . Following h4 4.g4 I like e7!? , as in Kovacevic-Bosiocic (above). ( 4...h3?! 5.xh3 h4 was the bizarre course of Dzindzichashvili, R (2565)-Shirazi, K (2450)/ Durango 1992. Black shouldn't have sufficient compensation after 6.d3 . )] [ Finally, 3.f3!? e4 4.h4 is a critical test After ( 4.d4 c6 ) 4...e7 ( 4...d6; or 4...f6 also look fine) 5.f5 d6 6.xe7 xe7 7.c3 f6 A) 8.d3 h4!? ( 8...c6 9.g5 King, D (2500)-Smith, A (2265)/Dublin 1993 ); B) 8.g2 h4 9.d3 exd3 10.xd3 h3 11.f3 c6 12.0-0 e5 13.d1 xf3+ 14.exf3 e6 15.g5 0-0-0 16.e1 W hite was f or choice in Markowski, T (2573)-Andriasian, Z (2540)/Polanica Zdroj 2007. ] 3...exd4 4.f3 A novelty! [ It looks stronger than the 4.xd4?! c6 5.e4+ of Schmitt, T-Lisanti, A (2300)/ G r i e s h e i m 2 0 0 0 . N o w a f t e r e7 I think Black is definitely for choice. ] 4...h4! Black plays his trump card without delay. [ I like this better than 4...c5 5.e3 dxe3 6.xe3 . ] 5.gxh4?! Rather unsightly. [ White should keep his structure tidy with 5.xh4 . Then c6 ( 5...c5!? 6.e3 c6
7.f3 f6!? 8.exd4 cxd4 9.xd4 c5 ) 6.g2 c5 7.0-0 d6 leads to a balanced fight. ] 5...c6 6.g5 [ Or 6.xd4 xh4 . ] 6...b4+ 7.bd2 ge7 8.a3 xd2+ 9.xd2 f6 10.f4 f5 11.d3?! d6 12.0-0-0 e6 13.e4 dxe3 14.fxe3 d7 15.g3 0-0-0 Black already stands better in view of White's abysmal structure and array of weaknesses. 16.e4 h6 17.c3 e8 18.c5!? dxc5 19.xd8+ xd8 20.xc5 g4 21.d2 d4 A queen trade simplifies White's defensive task. [ I'd prefer 21...f7!? , intending to active the rook via h5. ] 22.xd4 xd4 23.c4 e6 24.f2 xc4 25.xd4 e6 26.g1 h7 27.f3 f7 28.d2 b6 29.e3 d6 30.f4 d7 31.e5 e8 32.exf6 gxf6 33.d1 e7 34.e1 [ 34.b4!? might be a little better, just trying to frustrate ...c7-c5. ] 34...h5 35.f2 f7 36.d4 d7 37.g3 c5! Black begins to active his queenside majority. 38.e2 d6 39.f3 f5 [ 39...c4!? ] 40.f4 xh4+ 41.f2 f5 42.d1 e6 43.d8 g6 44.e3 e5+ 45.d2 e4 46.xg6 xg6 Black is up a clean pawn, but the presence of opposite color bishops means he probably can't win. 47.b8! a4 48.d6 f7 49.c6 d4+ 50.e3 f5 51.c7+ f6 52.xa7 e4+ 53.f2 c4 54.b4 cxb4 55.axb4 f4 56.c7 f5 57.c8! Soffer defends impeccably. d4 58.f8+ g4 59.h3+ g5 60.c7 b5 61.d8+ g6 62.c7 d2+ 63.f3 d5+ 64.xf4! Definitely the simplest. f2+ 65.e5 xf8 66.xd5 h8 67.c6 xh3 68.xb5 Draw agreed. Though it hasn't caught on, 2... h4!? certainly has merit against the "Marin" move order with 2.g3. My recommendation for White is to play 3.Nf3 e4 4.Nh4 in search of an edge. ½-½
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Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 22.xb4 xb4 23.d3 a5 is far from clear, A20 as the two bishops are strong, and ...a4 an Sorokin,Maxim 2574 awkward threat. ] Makarov,Marat 2527 Chigorin mem (7) 08.11.1999 20...xe6 21.xe6+ f8 Forced, but the i n c o n ve n i e n c e o f t h e b l a c k k i n g i s o n l y [Tony Kosten] temporary, and White cannot bring any other 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 pieces over to help the queen. 22.a4 c7 5.f3 c6 6.0-0 b6 7.b3 An idea of 23.b2 g5 24.h4 e7 25.xe7+ Speelman's, intending to put quick pressure ½-½ on e5. e7 [ This position may call for a change of plans A20 now, and 7...g6 has its points, ready to 822 def e nd e5 wit h t he bishop on g7 , 8.c3 Svidler,Peter 2738 g7 9.a3 a5!? 10.e1 b4 11.d3 Gelfand,Boris 2720 e7 12.f4 led to unclear play in Speelman,J- Tal Memorial Blitz blitz (30) 30.08.2008 Oll,L/Pula 1997. ] [Carsten Hansen] 8.b2 f6 [ The most natural means of defending e5, if 1.c4 e5 2.f3 This is a very rare bird that we 8...f6 9.c3 f5 10.d3 threatens Ne4. ] haven't covered previously on 9.d4!? Chesspublishing.com, but I couldn't resist the [ If this is possible, then why not? 9.a3 e6 temptation because it gives me a chance to 10.d3 a5 11.bd2 0-0 as in Speelman,J- q u o t e a f e w o l d g a m e s b y t h e l i k e s o f Romanishin,O/Moscow 1985, leads to more Nimzowitsch, Alekhine, Rubinstein and Euwe. normal lines. ] e4 3.d4 c6 4.c2 9...exd4 [ 4.xc6 dxc6 5.c3 ( 5.d4 exd3 6.xd3 [ 9...e4 10.fd2 f5 seems like a more xd3 7.exd3 f5 8.d4 0-0-0= Alekhinecritical test. ] Tartakower/Warsaw/1935) 5...f6 6.h3 10.xd4 xd4 11.xd4 ( 6.d3 exd3 7.e4 c5 8.h3 e6 [ T h e m o s t i n t e r e s t i n g c h o i c e , 11.xd4 is very good for Black, Shatskes-Seredenko, is also possible, aiming for a slight edge in V/USSR/1967) 6...b4 7.c2 d4 8.e3 the ending, e.g. xd4 12.xd4 c6 13.a4!? e5 9.d4 exd3 10.xd3 xc3+ 11.bxc3 e6 14.a5 d5 15.d2 although Black is e6 , and Black has the upper hand, Murey, fine, Hramtsov,A-Martin,A/Moscow 1991. ] Y-Ivanov, AV/ New York 1989 ] 11...c6 12.c3 e6 13.d3 0-0 14.ad1 4...f6 5.c3 c5 6.d4 White hopes that his slight lead in [ White has a number of alternatives at this development, and the weakness of the e6juncture: A) 6.b3 0-0 7.g3 ( 7.b2 e8 square is enough to give him an advantage. 8.d4 exd3 9.xd3 e5 10.d2 c7 15.e4 is more solid, though still rather comfortable [ Another way to approach this position would for Black ) be 15.e4 ad8 16.c2 fe8 17.e3 A) 7...e8 8.g2 a5 9.0-0 d6 10.e3 , a n d l a t e r f 4 , h o p i n g t o u s e h i s e xt r a d4 11.d3 exd3 12.xd3 d7 central pawn. ] with approximately equal chances, 15...f7 16.h3 fd8 17.f5 g6 Rubinstein, A-Saemisch, F/Breslau 1925; Black refuses to weaken his light squares. B) 7...a6 8.g2 e8 9.0-0 d6 10.e3 18.e6 f5 19.xb6 d4 11.d3 ( 11.b2 c6 12.d3 f5 [ 19.xf7+ xf7 20.e3 doesn't lead to 13.xf5 xf5 14.dxe4 xe4 15.xe4 much either, after f8 ] xe4 16.e3 g5= Lisenko, A-Fradkin, B/ 19...xb6!? Offering a pawn sacrifice. 20.c4 Sverdlovsk 1989) 11...exd3 12.xd3 b8 [ Evidently White had intended to win a pawn 13.b2 c6 14.cd5 e5 15.d2 c6 by 20.xf5 but then thought better of it. In 16.xf6+ xf6 , and the chances are fact, the ending after xd1 21.xd1 b4 about even, Rubinstein, A-Tarrasch, S/
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Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Breslau 1925; C) 7...d5! When I wrote my book on 1 c4 e5, I rather indiscriminately quoted ECO, wh i c h g i v e s t h i s m o v e a s l e a d i n g t o equality (probably based on the outcome of the game, which was a short draw), but matters are far from that simple. Alternatively Black has also tried a couple o f le s s c rit ica l c o n t in u a t io n s : 8.cxd5?! ( 8.g2 dxc4 9.bxc4 is relatively better, but still quite good for Black. ) C1) As Alekhine himself pointed out (and I'm baffled why this hasn't made it into the ECO), Black has the considerably stronger 8...g4! available (the following analysis is by Alekhine, except where noted), e.g. C1a) 9.e3 ce5 10.xe4 ( 10.d4 f3+ 11.e2 gxh2! 12.dxc5 g4-+; 10.e2 d3+! 11.xd3 exd3 ) 10...xd5 ( CH: 10...f5!? also looks rather promising 11.d3 xd5 12.f3 ad8 with a distinct advantage for Black ) C1a1) CH: 11.g2! is the lesser evil, e.g. d3+ 12.f1 f5 13.f3 ( 13.f4!? ) 13...b6 14.a3 e8 15.h3 h6 16.g4 , and while ugly, White's position is probably survivable; C1a2) 11.f3 f5! ( CH: Again Black s h o u l d g i v e t h o u g h t t o 11...f5!? , e.g. 12.d3 ad8 13.h3 h6 with a strong initiative to compensate for the pawn. ) C1a21) CH: This is just an absolutely terrible move that loses o n t h e s p o t , w h e r e a s 12.c4!? xc4 ( 12...xc4 13.bxc4 xc4 14.xc5 is much better for White analysis by ChessBase) 13.f6+ xf6 14.bxc4 d3+ C1a211) The editorial team at ChessBase only off ers 15.e2 gf2 16.f1 ( 16.g1! isn't mentioned either, e.g. e6 17.b2 h6 18.d4 xc4 19.xc5 h3 20.b1 xc5+ 21.d3 xd3+ 22.e1 e8 23.b4 b6 24.d2 a5 , and Black still has the initiative
and the slightly better chances) 16...e6 17.b2 h6 18.b1?! ( Here White can improve with 18.a3 xc4 19.xc5 xc5+ 20.xf2 xf1 21.axf1 with approximately even chances ) 18...xc4; C1a212) 15.f1; C1a22) 12.xc5 xf3+ 13.e2 , and now rather than Alekhine's xc5 , which is only clearly better for Black ( Black should have played 13...fxh2! 14.xh2 xh2 15.f2 xf1 16.xf1 xc5 with a won game. ); C1b) 9.e3 xe3 10.fxe3 f6 11.c2 ( 11.xe4 xa1 ) 11...f2+ 12.d1 f5 C1b1) 13.xe4 b4 14.b1 xe4-+ Alekhine; C1b2) 13.dxc6 d8 14.e1?? ( 14.b1 f2+ 15.e1 xh1 16.xe4 h5 17.b2 f5 ) 14...f2+ 15.d1 xe3# - analysis by the ChessBase editorial team; C1b3) 13.e1 b4 Alekhine; C1c) 9.xe4 xd5 10.g2 ( 10.f3 xe4 ) 10...xf2+ 11.f1 f5 Alekhine; C2) 8...b4?! 9.xb4 xb4 10.g2 e8 11.0-0 f5 12.b2 xd5 13.xd5 xd5 14.d3 ad8 15.dxe4 xe4 16.xd5 , and here a draw was agreed, 1/2-1/2, Euwe, M-Alekhine, A/ N L D 1 9 3 5 a f t e r xd5 17.fd1 , the position is completely drawn. ] [ B) 6.g3 A) 6...0-0 7.g2 e8 8.0-0 d6 A1) 9.e3 h5 10.ed5 f5 11.e3 h4 ( 11...xd5 12.cxd5 b4 13.xh5 g6 14.g4 e7 leaves Black with excellent compensation for the pawn) 12.xf6+ xf6 13.f3! was played in Chabanon, J-Cramling, P/France 1997, a n d h e r e B l a c k s h o u l d o p t f o r e6! 14.fxe4 g4 15.b3 h3! 16.h1 d4! 17.xb7 ab8 18.a6 e2+ 19.xe2 xe2 20.f4 xc4 with an unclear position; A2) 9.b3 f5 10.e3 xe3 813
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ( 10...d7!? ) 11.fxe3 d7 12.b2 e5?! ( 12...a6!? ) 13.c2 Gorbatow, A-Rotstein, A/Arco 1999; B) 6...e5 7.b4?! ( 7.g2 xc4 8.xe4 xe4 9.xe4= ) 7...e7 8.g2 ( 8.d3!? ) 8...xc4 9.xe4 xe4 10.xe4 d5 11.g2 c6 12.b1 a5 13.b5 c5 14.d4 ( 14.d3!? ) 14...f5 Lisenko, A-Cebalo, M/ Makarska 1994; C) 6...d6 7.g2 ( 7.b4 xb4 8.xb4 xb4 9.g2 f5 10.b1 is a suggestion f rom my book, but Black seems to b e doing fine after a5 11.a3 a6 12.xb7 c5 13.b2 0-0 with approximately equal chances ) 7...f5 C1) 8.0-0 d7 9.e3 h3 10.ed5 xg2 11.xg2 h5 12.h4 was Rejfir, JFlorian, J/ Prague 1955, and now xd5 13.cxd5 e7 is about even; C2) 8.b4!? b6 ( 8...xb4 would transpose to the line given above after 7 b4.) 9.e3 d7 10.0-0!? xe3 11.fxe3 xb4 12.f4 with an unclear position and chances to both players; C3) 8.e3 g6 ( 8...xe3 9.dxe3 d7 10.d5 xd5 11.cxd5 e7 12.d4 0-0 13.xe4 xe4 14.xe4 ae8= Gutop, Y-Rutman, A/Moscow 1999) 9.b3 d4 ( 9...0-0 10.b2 e8 11.0-0 a5= Lis enk o, A-It kis, B/B ucharest 1 99 3) 10.b2 h5 11.h4 0-0 12.c1 e5 13.cd5 xb2 14.xb2 xd5 15.xd5 c6 16.f4 f6 17.c3 , a n d t h e c h a n c e s a r e a b o u t e ve n , Lisenko, A-Lerner, K/Beltsy 1981 ] [ C) 6.e3?! d4?! ( 6...d6!? ) 7.b3 ( 7.ed5! d6 8.b4 xd5 9.xd5 c6 10.bxc5 cxd5 11.cxd5 ) 7...b5 8.b2 a6 9.cd5 ( 9.ed5!? b7 10.e3 e6 11.c2 is actually better for White) 9...xd5 10.xd5 c6 11.b4 a7 12.c5 e6 13.e3 d6 14.cxd6 xd6 , and Black is clearly better, Pliester, L-Welling, G/Dieren 1987 ] [ D) 6.a4 e7 7.g3 d5 8.cxd5 xd5 9.g2 0-0 10.c3 e5 11.0-0 e8 is comfortably better for Black, Tate, E Dougherty, M/ Philadelphia 1993 ] 6...exd3 7.exd3 d5 8.d4 e7 9.c5 0-0 [ Here we depart the established theory. However, I'm quite certain that the move
chose by Gelf and doesn't constitute an improvement. An old classic game c o n t i n u e d w i t h 9...f5 10.d3 xd3 11.xd3 b6 12.0-0 0-0 13.g5 h6 ( 13...bxc5 14.dxc5 b8 15.b3 d4= ) 14.h4 bxc5 15.dxc5 e5 16.d4 g6 17.g3 c6 18.b4 c8 with a comfortable game for Black, who eventually won the game, Reti, R-Nimzowitsch, A/Marienbad 1925 ] [ Another option is 9...g4 , for example 10.e2 xe2 11.xe2 0-0 12.0-0 e8 13.d3 e4 , and Black has equalised, Kwatschewsky, L-Petschar, K/Austria 1989 ] 10.d3 b6 11.cxb6 axb6 12.0-0 a6 13.g5 [ 13.xa6 xa6 14.g5 h6 15.d3 a8 16.h4 d7 is about even ] 13...h6 [ 13...xd3 14.xd3 d7 15.f3 is also slightly better for White ] 14.h4 xd3 15.xd3 h5!? 16.f3= [ After this move, I don't think White can claim any advantage. Instead White should consider 16.g3!? , e. g. f6 17.ad1 e7 18.b4 , and White has the initiative ] 16...xh4 17.xh5 f6 18.fd1?! [ This looks like a case of the wrong rook. White would be doing fine after 18.ad1!? e7 19.e3 c6 20.g4 d6 21.f4 , a l t h o u g h B l a c k c a n e q u a l i s e w i t h c5 for instance: 22.xf6+ xf6 23.dxc5 bxc5 24.xd5 xd5 25.xd5 xb2 26.xc5 xa2 27.f2 ] 18...e7 19.a4 [ 19.e3 c6 20.g4 d6 is slightly better for Black ] 19...c6 20.g3 [ White could possibly do better with 20.e1 d6 21.ad1 g6 22.g3 with only a minimal disadvantage for White. ] 20...d7 21.f3 f5 [ Black invites a repetition of moves. Alternatively he could consider 21...g6 with an edge. ] 22.e2 e6 [ 22...h3 23.d3 h5 leaves Black with the initiative and the better position, but unf ortunately he is ready to settle for a draw. ] 23.d3 f5 24.e2 e6 , and here a draw 814
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ Black has some tempting possibilities which unfortunately rebound, for example 10...d4+ 11.c2 xd1+ 12.xd1 xd5 13.h3 e3+ 14.d2 xg2 15.xf2 leaves Black's knight on g2 trapped. ] [ or 10...xd5 11.f3 e3+ 12.c2 e4+ 823 A20 13.d3 e3+ 14.d2 xd3+ 15.exd3 Svidler,Peter 2730 xg2 16.f1 e1 17.h4 g5 18.f5 Mastrovasilis,Athanasios 2547 gives W hite a massive attack even in the 12th ch-EUR Aix les Bains FRA (4) 25.03.2011 endgame. ] [Nigel Davies] [ As the endgame that arises after 10...fxg1 11.xg1 xg1 12.xg1 is also bad Black 1.g3 e5 2.c4 f6 3.g2 c6 4.d4 e4 5.d5 decides just not to recapture his sacrificed cxd5 piece. But this leaves him with woefully [ Most of the strong players who've reached inadequate compensation. ] this p os ition with Black h ave p re f erre d 5...b4+ 6.d2 e7 , for example 7.c3 11.f3 f5 12.c3 0-0 13.b3 d8 e8 15.xf2 g4 16.e1 0-0 8.a3 ( 8.e3 e8 9.ge2 d6 10.dxc6 14.hf1 xc6 11.a3 xc3 12.xc3 g4 White can comfortably afford to offer some of was quite good for Black in Giardelli, S- the booty back. e7 17.e4 d7 18.e2 Campora, D/Asuncion 2003.) 8...c5 9.e3 g6 19.xb7 h5 20.c7 ge5 21.xe5 22.xd7 xe2 23.xe2 g5 d6 10.ge2 cxd5 11.xd5 xd5 12.cxd5 xe5 d7 13.0-0 f6 14.c3 and now the 24.xd6 speculative g4 left Black with inadequate 1-0 compensation for the pawn after ( 14...f5 wa s b e t t e r) 15.xf6 xf6 16.b4 b6 A20 17.xe4 in Carlsen, M-Anand, V/Nice 824 2008. ] Thiede,Lars 2432 6.cxd5 b4+ Graf,Alexander 2630 [ 6...a5+ 7.c3 b4 8.d2 xc3 9.xc3 Bundesliga 2002-3 (8) 11.01.2003 xd5 is very bad for Black after 10.xf6 [Tony Kosten] xd1+ 11.xd1 gxf6 12.xe4 etc. ] 7.d2 e3?! This might have seemed like a Another look at the anti-Reversed Dragon line good idea at the time but it works out bady. that I recommended in The Dynamic English, [ B l a c k h a d p r e v i o u s l y p l a y e d 7...e7 but the judgement is unchanged. 1.c4 e5 i n t h i s p o s i t i o n w h i c h a l t h o u g h l e s s 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.f3 spectacular is probably just a better move. c6 6.0-0 b6 7.d3 e7 8.bd2 After 8.a3?! ( 8.c3 looks more natural) Of course, White can always try the mainlines 8...c5 9.c3?! Black could now have with played xf2+ ( 9...d6 10.xe4?! xf2+ [ 8.c3 ] 11.xf2 xe4+ 12.xe4 xe4 8...0-0 9.a3 a5 10.b3 e6 11.b2 f6 was quite good for Black in Hala, V-Koys, 12.c2 d7 13.e3?! Chernin's move relies M/Czechia 2007) 10.xf2 e3+ when on a tactical continuation that seems to be 11.xe3 g4+ would have put White in faulty. desperate straights. ] [ 13.ac1 ad8!? (the other rook seems 8.xb4 exf2+ 9.d2 b6 stronger) 14.fd1 h3 15.h1 g4 [ Th e im me d ia t e 9...fxg1 looks nice for 16.e4 fe8 Lobron,E-Fritz 5/Frankfurt W h i t e a f t e r 10.xg1 g4 ( 10...d6 1998, when 17.d4!? xf3 18.xf3 exd4 11.e3+ is strong ) 11.d4 g5+ 12.f4 ] 19.c5 xc5 20.xc5 is interesting: White [ but 9...a6 10.a3 fxg1 11.xg1 d6 will capture on c6, then on d4. ] 12.e3+ f8 looks kind of playable. ] [ 13.fd1! fd8 14.c4!? ( 14.ac1 f8 10.a3 d6 15.d4? exd4 16.e4 f7! attacks b3 and was agre ed, alth ough Bla ck's position is undoubtedly to be preferred. ½-½
815
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 wins a pawn, Giddins,S-Gurevich,M/ Amsterdam NED 2000 ) A) 14...d5 15.e4!? ( 15.d4?! e4! 16.xe4? f5 17.h4 g5 traps the queen ) 15...b6 16.xb6 cxb6 17.d4; B) 14...xc4 15.bxc4 ( 15.dxc4!? e8 16.h4 and Be4 is interesting) 15...a4?! ( 15...c5!? ) 16.d4! exd4 17.xd4 xd4 18.xd4 c8 19.xd8+ xd8 20.e4 W hite enjoys some advantage with his centralised pieces, Pecorelli Garcia,HFranco Ocampos, Z/Havana CUB 2001. ] 13...fd8! Critical, although other moves have been tried: [ 13...d5 14.fd1 fd8 15.c4 e6 16.ac1 with complex play, Vallejo Pons,FTiviakov,S/Ohrid MKD 2001. ] [ 13...f5 14.e4 fd8 15.d4!? exd4 16.xd4 xd4 17.xd4 d5 equal, Van Me c h e le n , J -Gu re vich , M/ Ch a rle ro i B E L 2001. ] 14.d4 exd4 15.xd4 Not forced, as against Yakovich, at Gausdal in 2000, fellow contributor Nigel Davies preferred [ 15.xd4!? xd4 16.xd4 d5 17.c4 xg2 18.xb6 cxb6 19.xg2 d5+ agreed drawn. ] 15...xd4 16.xd4 c5! 17.xc5 ac8 18.b4 d5! Stronger than [ 18...axb4 as we saw in Matamoros Franco, C-Volzhin,A. ] 19.b3!? b6 20.e4 xb4! 21.axb4 axb4 22.fd1 c7 23.xd8+?! This attempted improvement on [ 23.d4 xd4 24.xd4 bxc5 25.c4! which we considered in Bourquin,P-Vnukov, D/IECG 2000, seems weaker - or was White simply not aware of this game? ] 23...xd8 24.f1 My Fritz suggests the tricky line [ 24.d4!? xd4 25.h3! f7 ( 25...xh3? 26.b3+ f8 27.xd4 ) 26.xe7! but then Black has xe7 ( not 26...xc2?? 27.a8+ e8 28.e6+ h8 29.xe8# ) 27.c6 d6 28.a8+ d8 29.a1 but Black's forward b-pawn is very dangerous. ] 24...xc5!? [ 24...bxc5 25.c4 allows White some c h a n c e s o f b lo c ka d i n g t h e p a wn s, b u t appears more logical. ]
25.c1 d7 26.c4?! White should take the pawn: [ 26.xc5 bxc5 27.xc5 c8!? 28.xc8+ xc8 29.xc8+ xc8 30.c4+ f8 and White has fair chances of defending this ending. ] 26...f8 27.d4 xc4 28.xc4+ f7 29.e6 d6 [ 29...b3! i s a w k w a r d , 30.f4 ( 30.xd8? xc4 31.xc4 b2 makes another queen; 30.xb3? d6 win s a p ie ce .) 30...b2 31.b1 c5+ 32.f1 ( 32.h1 a8 wins. ) 32...a8! wins, as 33.xb2? a1+ 34.e2 h5+ forces mate. ] 30.xf8 d1+ 31.g2 xc1 32.xc1 xf8 After the tactics Black has a simply winning queen and p awn e nding. 33.c8+ e8 34.c4 e7 35.d5 b3 Offering to swap one of the b-pawns for the white e-pawn. 36.f3 b4 37.d8+ f7 38.d7+ e7 39.d4 c5 40.d7+ Once White runs-out of checks the game will be short-lived. g6! 41.h4 [ 41.g4+ g5 ] 41...h5 42.g4 hxg4 43.fxg4 b2 44.d3 e5 45.f3 h7 46.h5 b5 47.b3 d4 48.c2 e5 49.b3 h6 Presumably the players are short of time, as [ 49...h2 wins on the spot, the threat is ... Qh1+ and b1(Q). ] 50.b4 h2! Finally! 51.xb5 h1+ 52.g3 b1 53.g5+ xh5 0-1
825 Topalov,Veselin Timman,Jan H Hoogovens Wijk aan Zee NED (1) [Tony Kosten]
A20 2700 2649 16.01.1999
1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.f3 [ 5.c3 b6 6.f3 would transpose into the main variation. ] 5...c6 6.0-0 A tricky little move. e7 [ 6...b6 is the normal move, keeping hold of the d4-square. ] 7.d4 Thematic, if Black doesn't stop this, then White has to play it! e4 8.e5 f5 The only m o v e t o a vo i d d i s a d v a n t a g e , t h e b l a c k queenside pawns will be severely hamstrung, 816
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 but his e-pawn is strong. 9.xc6 bxc6 10.a4 d7! By immediately breaking the pin on the c6-pawn, Black manages to force the move .. .c5. [ 10...d6 11.c3 had been played previously. ] 11.d1 c5! Exchanging the first of the doubled pawns. 12.xd7+ xd7 13.dxc5 e6 Defending the knight before recuperating t h e c 5 - p a w n . 14.d2?! Very dangerous, W hite tries to keep some advantage, but should have been happy with equality by [ 14.c3 xc3 15.bxc3 xc5 16.f4 ] 14...0-0-0 15.a3?! e3 Black has a large lead in development, and now sets-about the white position. 16.f1 exf2+ 17.xf2 xc5+ A good time to recover his c-pawn, with check s o a s n o t t o l o s e t i m e . 18.e1 he8 Bringing the last piece into play. 19.g5 d6 20.ac1 White manages to develop his queen's rook. b6 21.f3 White carefully protects the e2-pawn, and moves the bishop from g2, in preparation for playing Bf4, else, if the immediate [ 21.f4?! then xf4 22.xd6? xg2+ wins. ] 21...h6?! A case of forcing White to do what he wanted to do anyway! 22.f4 Possible as t h e d 5 - k n i g h t i s p i n n e d . d7 23.e5 White's disadvantage is limited now that this piece has found a good square. g5 24.d4 g4 25.h1 f7 26.xb6 axb6 White has eased his position somewhat, but his knight is passive, and his pawn structure worse (somewhat ironic if compared with the respective pawn structures after the opening). 27.c6 Not best, the rook's placement will a ll o w a s m a l l t a ct ic . f4! 28.f2 h5 Missing the line [ 28...f3! 29.exf3 f4! winning the exchange, 30.gxf4 ( 30.xd7?? allows the surprising 'snap mate' h3+ 31.g2 e2# in either move order.) 30...xd1 31.fxg4 b1 32.c2 c5 and the possibility of swapping off the white rook by ...Bb3, and ... Rd8, leaving t he wh ite b -pawn sho rt o f defence, is good for Black. ] 29.d4! fxg3+ 30.xg3 Having activated this piece, W hite is close to equality. e5 31.h6 d8 32.e1 d6 33.h8+ d7 34.h7?! Missing the simple
[ 34.e4 g6 35.c3 forcing off pieces, and which should be drawn. ] 34...e8 35.a4 And again, but this time with serious consequences. f4?? A terrible blunder, just at the moment when Black's centralised pieces gave him the advantage, once again, e.g. [ 35...f6 36.h8+ e7 and both white rooks are offside. ] 36.xf4 1-0
826 Turner,Matthew Yastrebov,A2 4NCL Telford ENG (10) [Tony Kosten]
A20 2519 2207 04.05.2003
1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.d4 exd4 4.xd4 d5 5.g2 dxc4!? There is nothing wrong with this move, although up till now I have mainly concentrated on [ 5...f6 6.f3 e6 7.cxd5 cxd5 with the standard IQP position. My recent game against Shchekachev, French Tch 2003, continued 8.0-0 c6 9.a4 c5 10.g5 h6 11.xf6 xf6 12.c3 0-0 13.e1 fd8 ( 13...ad8 was Seirawan,YSokolov, I/Wijk 1995) 14.d3 d4 15.ac1 a6 16.f4 b5 new, ( 16...e5 17.e3 xc3 18.xc3 d4 was level in Taylor,M-Berry,N/ Telford ENG 2003) 17.d1 e7 18.e3 xc3 19.xc3 ac8 20.xc8 xc8 21.d2 d4!? which turned-out to be fairly level. ] 6.xc4 The critical line is [ 6.xd8+!? xd8 7.f3 when Black has a large choice: f6 ( 7...d6 8.0-0 f6 9.d1 c7 10.bd2 b5?! 11.e4 e7 12.f4+ won very quickly in Rotstein,A-Rahls,P/Arco 1998, and; 7...b4+ 8.d2 xd2+ (8...Na6!?) 9.bxd2 f6?! 10.xc4 c7 11.c1 favoured White in Suba,M-Peric,S/ Geneve 1995) 8.0-0 bd7 9.d1 e8 10.bd2 b6 11.e5 e6 12.xc6!? is unclear, Suba,M-Sax,G/Baile Herculane 1982. ] 6...e6 7.c2 f6 8.f3 a6 The most aggressive, [ 8...b4+ 9.bd2 h6 10.0-0 0-0 11.b3 a5 12.b2 bd7 13.ad1 h5 14.d4 817
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 is slightly better for W hite, Serper,GVakhidov,T/Bishkek 1993. ] 9.c3!? A novelty, as normally White has played [ 9.a3 to keep the knight from b4: c5 ( 9...h6 10.b4 e7 11.0-0 0-0 12.b2 c8 13.bd2 with an edge, Raicevic,MPaunovic,T/Belgrade 1988) 10.bd2 d5 11.0-0 e7 12.b4 ce4 13.c4 0-0 14.b2 e8 15.ad1 planning to gain the bishop pair by Ne3, Spraggett,K-Schroer,J/ Quebec 1986. ] 9...b4 10.b1 bd5 Black can also wait until his knight is 'kicked' for this move, and play [ 10...c5 say. ] 11.0-0 xc3 Black is playing a lot of moves with his knight, although this is hardly critical as yet. 12.bxc3 b6 13.e3! White simply plays natural developing moves. a6 [ 13...xb1 14.fxb1 is more than a little awkward, as the b-pawn needs defending. ] 14.d4 e7 15.b2 d5 16.fd1 d8 Again, whilst this move is not actually bad, [ 16...0-0 seems simpler. ] 17.f1!? An original idea which succeeds im m e d ia t e ly, W h it e t h re a t e n s e 4 , wh ic h discovers an attack on the black queen. a3?! A queen move would be best, i.e. [ 17...a4 as the b-pawn is indirectly defended 18.xb7?? c5 wins a piece. ] 18.c2 e4?? Black expected a repetition of moves, no doubt, and was looking-forward to a draw with his strong opponent, but this loses on the spot! [ 18...e7 i s s t i l l O K : 19.e4?! xe4! 20.xe4 xf1+ 21.xf1 xe4 22.xg7 g8 and Black has no problems. ] 19.xf6! [ After 19.xf6 Black drops a piece, gxf6 ( 19...xc2? 20.xd8# ) 20.xe4+ ] 1-0
827 Urban,Klaudiusz Krasenkow,Michal chT Zakopane chT (2) [Tony Kosten]
A20 2472 2702 03.09.2000
1.g3 e5 2.c4 f6 3.g2 c6 4.d4 exd4 5.xd4 d5 6.f3 e6 7.cxd5 [ 7.g5 Might be better, dxc4 8.xe6 b4+ 9.d2 xd2+ 10.xd2 fxe6 11.xc4 with a small edge, Jaderberg,B-Adler,B/ Sweden 1998. ] 7...cxd5 8.a4+!? An interesting finesse, White decides to 'fall before he is pushed'. c6 9.d4 [ 9.0-0 c5 would transpose into the main line. ] 9...d7 10.0-0 c5 11.xc6 White hopes to exploit the hanging pawns on the c and d-files. bxc6 12.c3 0-0 13.g5 g4 14.ac1 b6 15.d1 An odd move, but White wishes to bring his knight to c5 via a4, and, of course, the queen was in the way. e5 16.a4 h3 17.b3 [ 17.c5 is met by f5 , hitting the g5bishop. ] 17...fe8 18.d2 xg2 19.xg2 d4!? Menacing to fix the e2-pawn, and threatening ...Qd5+. 20.e4 f5! 21.exf5 d3!? [ Black continues to advance the newlypassed d-pawn, not bothering with 21...xf5 although this is also good. ] 22.xb6?! [ Opening the a-file is dangerous, if 22.f4 then f7 maintains the pressure, but this is certainly a better bet. ] 22...axb6 23.e3?! d5+ 24.f3 Forced. g4! 25.ce1 xa2! Lightning strikes from the side! 26.xa2 xe3+ 27.xe3 xe3 At the end of the tactics Black is lost, the d3pa wn is t o o stro n g, an d th e b la ck he a vy pieces well centralised. 28.f2 h5 29.d2 e5 30.h3 c5 31.g4 h4 32.f4 e4+ 33.h2 e2 0-1
818
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 828
A20 Wang Hao 2733 Rublevsky,Sergei 2681 27th ECC Rogaska Slatina SLO (4.1) 28.09.11 [John Bartholomew]
1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.f3 c6 6.0-0 e7 7.d4 e4 8.e5 f5 9.xc6 bxc6 This position is critical to the e v a l u a t i o n o f 7 . d 4 . H i g h - l e ve l d i s p u t e s continue to flare up. 10.d2 White scored 2/2 with this move at the European Club Cup against 2680+ opposition. Positionally speaking, it is quite desirable to maneuver the knight to b3 in order to clamp down on c5 and prevent the liquidation of Black's doubled pawns. Past updates have dealt with the alternatives: [ 10.a4 d7! Topalov, V (2700)-Timman, J (2649 )/Wijk aan Zee 1999/[TonyK] ] [ Jonathan Rowson gives the popular 10.c3 , as in Carlsen, M (2714)-Gelfand, B (2736)/ Moscow 2007, ] [ and 10.c2 good coverage in his notes to Paunovic - Topalov. Check the archives. ] 10...0-0 [ Premature is 10...c5? Janssen, R (2437)Van den Doel, E (2607)/ Dieren NED 2001/ [TonyK] ] 11.b3 d6 Black begins to shift his resources to the kingside, but this may not be the best way to handle the position. [ Rowson gives 11...a5 an "!", but the pawn sacrifice 12.d2 a4 13.a5 d7 ( 13...c5! i s a m o v e t o i n ve s t i g a t e .) 14.xa4 ( 14.c1!? Rowson. ) 14...e8 in Paunovic, D (2539)-Topalov, V (2777)/Villarrobledo 20 08 /[ Jo n at ha n Ro wso n] h as no t be e n repeated since. ] [ The natural 11...e6 was played earlier this year. 12.d2 b6 13.c2 c4 14.e3 ( 14.c3 is more accurate.) 14...xd2?! ( Here 14...a5! is strong. If White attempts to stop the a-pawns advance with 15.a4 then d5 threatens to embarrass the knight on b3. ) 15.xd2 ( 15.xd2!? ) 15...d5 16.c4 a5 17.fc1 c5 18.dxc5 xc5 19.d1 c6 20.e5 d6 21.d7 xd7 22.xc5 Matamoros Franco, C (2549)Lapshun, Y (2438)/Philadelphia USA 2011. White holds a marginal advantage. ]
[ A d a y a f t e r t h e t e x t g a m e , 11...d6 was tried in Vitiugov, N (2726)-Motylev, A (2690)/Rogaska Slatina SLO 2011. Black again ta kes aim at W hite 's king. 12.d2 ( 12.c2 is flexible.) 12...e8 13.e3 e6 ( 13...a6!? seems like a more useful diagonal, i.e. 14.e1 b8 15.f1 b5 , when Black isn't making it easy for White to exploit his positional advantage on the queenside.) 14.c1 e7 15.a5 d5 16.b3 f6 17.e2 h5 18.h4 g6 19.c4! Hurrying back to eliminate the dark-square bishop. e8 20.e5 xe5 21.dxe5 e6 22.c3 ( 22.a5!? ) 22...h6?! ( After 22...g4 23.xg4 hxg4 24.a5 g6 25.xc7 xe5 26.xe5 xe5 27.c5 t h e re a rise s a n e n d in g t h a t re se m b le s Matamoros Franco - Lapshun (though in slightly b ett er f orm ). W hite h as a n ice , w o r k a b l e a d v a n t a g e .) 23.f4!? A h u m a n d e c i s i o n . ( The computer is unimpressed with Black's kingside display and wants to continue 23.h3 g5 24.a6 ) 23...exf3 24.xf3 g6 25.h2 xf3 26.xf3 g4 27.d3 g5?! ( 27...e6 ) 28.d7 I feel it's speculative to stake everything on a kingside attack as Motylev did in this game. ] [ I believe 11...b8N ] [ or 11...a6N also deserve practical outings. ] 12.c2 g6 13.d2 f4? This is simply unsound. Black is extremely underprepared to breach White's defenses. [ Straightforward development with 13...a6 was called for, i.e. 14.fe1 ab8 15.ac1 b4!? ] 14.fc1 [ White can also just take the pawn: 14.xe4 f5 15.xf5 xf5 16.ac1 and Black's threats are largely illusory. ] 14...f6 15.a5 [ or 15.xe4 ] 15...f3 [ Maybe 15...fxg3 16.hxg3 f5 17.xc6 d6 had a better shot at confusing the issue. If White finds 18.e5! things would be fairly straightforward for Wang Hao. ] 16.exf3 exf3 17.xg6 hxg6 18.f1 W ith more than half his pawns as targets, Black is clearly suffering. d7 19.a3 e8 819
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 20.b4 f8?! 21.g5! Black's rickety position can't handle the strain. f5 [ 21...d6 22.c4 de6 23.h3+- ] [ 21...fe6 22.h3 d6 23.xd7 xd7 24.xc6+- ] 22.h4 e7 23.c4 d5 24.e5 xd4 25.e3 d5 26.c4+- White wins material and the game is decided. e6 27.xd5 xd5 28.xa7 f5 29.xg6 d6 30.c5 h7 31.h5 xc5 32.xc5 d4 33.d1 e2+ 34.h2 h6 35.g4 e4 36.h3 d4 37.g3 g5 38.xd4 xd4 39.e5 f6 40.xc6 d3 41.b5 1-0
829 Xu Jun Christiansen,Larry Mark 2nd Summit Shanghai CHN (3) [Tony Kosten]
A20 2654 2559 14.07.2002
Sometimes it doesn't pay to take too many risks to win - especially against a very strong opponent! 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 c6 4.d4 exd4 5.xd4 d5 6.f3 e6 7.g5!? Pestering the bishop. We have considered [ 7.cxd5 many times, and the resulting IQP position seems to give Black good tactical play, so it is certainly appropriate to consider this critical alternative. ] 7...bd7 I think this is best, Black simply gets on with his development, hoping that the strengthening of the black centre will provide compensation, [ 7...d7!? also allows White to capture the bishop, 8.xe6 xe6 9.0-0!? dxc4 10.d2 bd7 11.xc4 xc4 12.xc4 b6 13.xb6 axb6 White's bishop pair give him the edge, Serper,G-Zagorskis,D/ Lyon 1994 ] [ 7...dxc4?! is worse, though, 8.xe6 b4+ 9.d2 xd2+ 10.xd2 fxe6 11.xc4 e7 12.0-0 0-0 13.f3 White has the superior pawn structure, Jaderberg,B-Adler,B/ Sweden 1998. ] 8.xe6 fxe6 9.e3 The white queen was going to be attacked anyway, so moves before b e i n g p u s h e d . f7!? A new idea, Black decides to castle 'by hand'. [ 9...b4+ was the previous try, and would
be my choice: 10.d2 e7 11.0-0 c5 12.b3 b6 13.cxd5 exd5 Black has good p ro sp e ct s d e sp it e c o n ce d in g h is ligh t squared bishop, Serper,G-Xu Jun/Jakarta 1994. ] 10.h3 b4+ 11.d2 xd2+ [ 11...e7!? could now be met by 12.xe6+ xe6 13.xe6+ xe6 14.xb4 dxc4 although both sides have chances. ] 12.xd2 e8 13.0-0 b6 14.c3 a5 15.e3 b4 Black feels more comfortable in the ending, in f act his king might prove wellplaced there. 16.ac1 xc3 17.xc3 e5 18.cxd5 exd5 19.g2 a4 20.d1 ad8 21.f3 c4 22.d4!? e4 [ 22...xb2? 23.b1 c4 24.xb7+ is good for White, but ] [ 22...c5!? 23.e2 b5 is interesting. ] 23.c2 f6 24.e2 a3! 25.b3 b2 26.f1 d3 27.xe4 dxe4!? A risky winning attempt, [ 27...xe4 would be most players' choice. ] 28.c4 e5 Black seems to making slow but sure progress. 29.a4 [ 29.xe4? f3+ 30.g2 xe4 ] 29...d3!? [ 29...d2!? 30.c3 f5 31.xa3 c2 also keeps a useful initiative. ] [ 29...a8 was more circumspect, 30.xa8 xa8 31.d1 f8 level. ] 30.xa3 b5!? [ 30...ed8 31.a4 f3+ 32.g2 e5 33.c1 might also favour White. ] 31.a6 g5?! But this is going too far, was Larry hoping to set-up a mating net? 32.d4 d2 33.a4 bxa4 34.bxa4 Now Black is a p a wn d o wn wit h n o n o t i ce a b l e c o m p . c5 35.e6+ g4 36.g2! [ 36.xc5 h3 would allow some cheapo chances. ] 36...e7 37.xc5 c4 38.e1 b2 39.h3+ h5 40.b3 d5 41.d4 d3 42.e2 g6 43.a5 c5 44.g4+ h4 45.f4! c4? [ 45...exf3+?? 46.xf3# ] 46.f5+! After the knight is captured White mates on h6 with his rook. 1-0
820
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 830 Agrest,Evgenij Conquest,Stuart 19th Open Reykjavik ISL (8) [Tony Kosten]
A21 2604 2563 12.04.2000
1.c4 e5 2.c3 b4 3.d5 e7 4.d4 d6 5.e3 [ An unusual alternative to the normal 5.e4 f6 6.xe7 xe7 7.f3 when Black has reasonable play, although White's bishop pair and extra space offer him long term advantages. ] 5...f6 [ 5...f5!? is the aggressive alternative, 6.e2 f6 7.ec3 0-0 8.e2 xd5 ( 8...e6 9.0-0 bd7= ) 9.xd5 g5 10.0-0 c6 ( 10...c6!? ) 11.c3 and Black has no reason to be unhappy with his position, Lobron,E-Bologan,V/Moscow 1994. ] 6.xe7 xe7 7.e2 0-0 [ 7...f5!? 8.g3 g6 9.e2 c5 10.d5 is favourable to White, Williams,S-Pert,N/ Birmingham ENG 1999. ] 8.d5 bd7!? [ Conquest's innovation, which prepares a more aggressive strategy than the positional 8...a5 to gain the c5-square, 9.c3 a6 10.e4 c5 11.f3 h6 12.h3 h7 13.g4 (e l s e B l a c k p la ys . . . f 5 ) h4 14.e2 and White has more space, and the pair of bishops, Onischuk,A-Bologan,V/W ijk aan Zee II 1996. ] 9.c3 e4 The idea behind Black's previous move, he plays ...e4 before White can do it himself. Which will be more important, Black's extra space on the kingside, or the open a1-h8 diagonal for White's c1-bishop? 10.h3 c6 11.dxc6 bxc6 12.b3 Menacing Ba3. d8 13.a3 e5 14.d2 a5 15.e2 c5 Another committal move, as now d5 is weakened, but the black pieces can control this square easily, and it is more important to block White's bishop. 16.a4 b7 17.c3 c6 18.b2 fd7 [ 18...xa4!? is certainly possible, but playing with two knights against two bishops is not everyone's cup of tea. ] 19.0-0 g5 Black has plans on the kingside, his ninth move does give him a space advantage here. 20.h2 e8! 21.ad1 e6
22.g1 h6 Storm clouds are gathering around the white king. 23.f4! The best move, at the price of weakening the kingside, White gains some valuable space, and opens the gfile. exf3 24.gxf3 h5 25.g3 xf3? [ This seems tempting, but White can defend. I prefer 25...g6 , when 26.dg1?! allows ( 26.xg6! xg6 27.g1 is better, although h5 28.g3 e8 favours Black) 26...xf3! 27.xf3 xf3!! the point, for if 28.xf3?? xf3+ 29.h1 xg1# ] 26.xf3 xf3+ 27.xf3 e5 Defending against the mate on g7. 28.df1 xf3+ 29.xf3 g6 The g7-square had to be defended again. 30.e4 [ Possibly, in his habitual time trouble Black had missed this resource, the only move to defend the rook, otherwise, if 30.f2?? g5 wins. ] 30...e8 31.e3! White is ready to play Nc3d5, when his troubles will be behind him. f5!? A good practical try, as the rook will be more influential in the endgame. 32.xf5 xf5 33.exf5 xe3 34.fxg6 e2+ 35.g3 hxg6 W h it e is su re l y b e t t e r, b u t h a s d if f ic u lt y moving his pieces without losing his queenside pawns. 36.f3 h2 37.e4!? White decides to jettison his h-pawn and go after the black queenside pawns, but this will allow Black counterplay on the kingside, of course. f7 38.d5 e7 39.c6 xh3 40.c1 [ White prefers to keep an eye on the gpawns, 40.c3!? g5 41.xa5 g4 42.c7 h6 is very risky. ] 40...e6 41.b6 h2 42.a4?! [ White wants to create a passed a-pawn, but 42.f4 xa2 43.xd6 g5 44.a4 g4 45.xc5+ is very promising. ] 42...h3 43.b5 e5 44.d5 xb3+ 45.xa5 g5 46.a6? [ After this Black is better, the evident 46.xg5 keeps White on top. ] 46...g4 47.f4+ e6 [ 47...d4 48.xd6 g3 is excellent for Black. ] 48.a5 g3 49.e3 d7 50.a7 c6 51.a6 g5! This move wins one of the white pieces for t w o p a w n s . 52.xg5 g2 53.xg2 g3 54.e3 xg5 55.d5 Amazingly, this appears to be drawn as the black king cannot 821
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 approach the a-pawn. g7+ 56.b8 g8+ 57.a7 e8 58.f6 e7+ 59.b8 f7 60.d5 h7 61.a8 [ For after 61.a8 h4 62.b8 xc4 63.a7 a4 64.e7+! b5 65.d5 xa7 66.xa7 c4 67.c3+ b4 68.e2 White has time to bring his king back to stop the pawns. ] ½-½
14.gxf4 The white structure has been we a k e n e d , b u t h e h a s a p o we r f u l d a r k squared bishop as compensation. e4 [ 14...f5 and ...Be4 is also possible, but Black clearly doesn't want to allow W hite to generate too much pressure along the a1-h8 diagonal. ] 15.c1 f6!? Always a double-edged decision: Black impedes the b2-bishop's influence, but weakens his kingside light squares. 16.d4 b6 17.e3 d7 18.h5 Attacking d5 from 831 A21 the side! xd4!? 19.xd4 [ 19.xd5+!? e6 20.xe4 c6 21.c2 Agrest,Evgenij 2599 is also good, Black doesn't have a lot to Sasikiran,Krishnan 2650 show for his pawn. ] Ordix Open Mainz GER (10) 18.08.2002 19...d6? A bad mistake, [Tony Kosten] [ 19...e6 avoids losing a piece. ] Of course! The knight has no retreat as 1.c4 e5 2.c3 b4 3.d5 d6!? 20.f3 Unusual, Black intends ...c6 and ...Bc7, we d6 is occupied by the queen. g6 21.h4 g5 22.h6 have previously considered 1-0 [ 3...a5 and Shirov's ] [ 3...e7 ] 4.d4 Obviously best, White is not going to let A21 Black develop too easily. c6 5.dxe5 xe5 832 6.f4!? An innovation, White spurns gaining Almasi,Zoltan 2693 the bishop pair by Vallejo Pons,Francisco 2700 [ 6.f3 d6 7.xe5 ( 7.f4!? is clearly a 49th Capablanca Elite 2014 (6.3) 14.05.2014 move much liked by Agrest! e7?! 8.xe5 [Fier, Alexandr] dxe5 9.xd8+ xd8 10.d3 f6 11.b3 wa s f a v o u ra b l e t o W h i t e i n A g r e s t , E - In a reverse d Gra nd Prix Att ack po sitio n Moberg,K/Haninge 1997) 7...dxe5 8.c3 W h it e ch o o s e s t o st a rt t h e ga m e o n t h e xd1+ 9.xd1 e6?! ( 9...a6 or; 9...a5 queenside before Black is able to castle. 9.c5 are superior) 10.b3 a5 11.b2 f6 12.c3 is interesting, but I'm not a big fan of 10.Bg5?! a6 13.0-0-0 h6 14.h3 f7 15.e3 0-0 1.c4 f5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 e5 4.c3 16.e2 b4 17.f4! b5 18.g4 led to a fine [ 4.d4 d6 Black has excellent results in the white win in Salov,V-Kramnik,V/Linares m i d d l e g a m e w i t h o u t q u e e n s ( 4...exd4 1993, the e6-bishop is a problem. ] 5.xd4 b4+ 6.d2 xd2+ 7.xd2 d6 6...f6 7.f3 c7 As the white knight is no 8.c3 c6 9.h3 was slightly better for longer on d5 Black can simply withdraw his W h i t e in P o p o v, V (2 5 4 8 )- G o r o v e t s , A bishop, rather than play as above with (2467)/Petersburg Summer rapid 2013.) [ 7...d6 ] 5.c3 ( 5.dxe5 dxe5 6.xd8+ xd8 8.g3 0-0 9.g2 d5 Black correctly heads for and the king is not really exposed) 5...e7 an IQP position, if he plays with ...d6 his was played twice by Kasparov in blitz games position will become too passive. 10.cxd5 6.e3 0-0 7.ge2 c6 KEB-Kasparov, G/ cxd5 11.0-0 c6 12.b3 e8 13.b2 Internet blitz 1998. ] White menaces the capture on f6, destroying 4...b4 5.f3 xc3 6.bxc3 d6 Black enters the defence of d5. xf4 a typical 1...e5 English position, but with the [ 13...e6 is a viable alternative, but then his difference that the pawn is on f5 instead of f7. previous move doesn't make a lot of sense - This brings some extra attacking chances. it would be better to leave the rook on the f- 7.d3 file should White play Nxe6. ] [ 7.0-0 0-0 8.d4 is more active, but White 822
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 needs to take care of the c4-pawn ( 8.b1 would be a solid way to play e7 9.e1 bd7 10.d3 c6 with a complex middlegame in Shimanov, A (2516)-Volkov, S (2594)/ Rilton Cup 40th 2010.) 8...e4 9.d2 e8 ( 9...e7 is also possible) 10.e1 bd7 11.c2 and White's plan should be to play 12.f3 and bring the knight to e3, as seen in Simic, R (2495)-Nikcevic, N (2450)/YUG-chT Igalo 1994. ] 7...c6 8.b3 This idea has two purposes. To make Black lose a tempo defending the b7pawn to develop his bishop and to gain the a2g8 diagonal. White thinks he is quick enough to combat Black's center. [ 8.b1 would be normal, and a possible continuation would be 0-0 9.0-0 e8 with a typical Dutch attack ] 8...b8 [ 8...0-0 would be usual and it would bring a similar position compared to the game if 9.c5+ d5 10.g5 b8 11.xf6 xf6 and now W hite can take the d5-pawn by force ( 11...xf6 12.g5 e7 13.c4 d4 14.d5+ xd5 15.cxd5 is an interesting idea with a complicated position) 12.d2 e7 13.xd5+ xd5 14.xd5+ e6 15.f3 bd8 but Black should have enough compensation for the pawn ] 9.c5 Setting some kind of trap. Black can't take the pawn. d5 [ 9...dxc5 10.g5 and because of the rook on b8, Black has problems defending f7 and c6 at the same time d7 11.xc6! xc6 12.f7+ d8 13.0-0 g8 14.d4 and Black's king is in danger ] 10.g5?! Since White can't take the pawn on d5, this move doesn't make much sense to me. I would prefer to keep the bishop pair. [ 10.d4 is t he most direct e4 11.e5 it looks like White's pawns are going to be shattered, but Black's center is also not so stable xe5 ( 11...d7 12.f4 0-0 13.0-0 b6 14.a3 is interesting, White has many ways to fight against Black's center) 12.dxe5 g4 A) 13.a4+ f7!? ( 13...c6 14.h3 xe5 15.f4 e7 16.d4 is the idea) 14.d4 e8 and Black's king is doing well on f7; B) 13.f4 exf3 14.xf3 xe5 15.xd5 e7 and here White's pawns can become
weak 16.0-0 c6 17.g2 e6 18.b4 d8 and Black should be fine; C) 13.f4 this is the best g5 14.c1 xe5 15.h4 gxh4 16.xh4 0-0 17.h5 and big complications are on the way ] [ 10.0-0 is also ok, bringing more pieces to the game before striking in the center 0-0 11.d1 e7 12.e4 fxe4 13.dxe4 a5 14.a4 dxe4 15.g5 g4 16.e1 c6 17.xe4 xe4 18.xe4 f7 19.e3 e6 with an interesting position. Of course, nothing of this is forced ] 10...h6 11.xf6 xf6 12.0-0 [ 12.xd5?? would be embarrassing e6-+ ] 12...e6 Black is ready to finish his development and White had no reason to give t h e b i s h o p p a i r . 13.ab1 e4 14.d4 White makes a temporary sacrifice to create some counterplay. [ 14.d2 is possible, but Black is also fine here 0-0 15.c2 b6 16.b3 e5 and Black's chances are slightly preferable ] 14...xd4 15.cxd4 xd4 16.dxe4 fxe4 17.a3 [ 17.bd1 is the alternative e5 ( 17...xc5 is not necessary 18.xe4 c6 19.g6+ f7 20.xf7+ xf7 21.f3+ g8 22.e4 with compensation) 18.c6 trying to recover the pawn in a strange way 0-0 ( 18...b6 19.a3 is not what Black is looking for) 19.cxb7 c5 20.b1 f7 with some advantage to Black ] 17...0-0 18.e3 f6 19.xa7 g4! Activating the bishop, now W hite has some coordination problems. 20.a5 Sacrificing an exchange to rearrange the pieces, but White has insufficient compensation. [ 20.xb7?? a8 wins the queen ] [ 20.be1 is a sad move, but at least White defends e2 c6 21.a3 a8 22.b3 h8 and White's pawns on the queenside are too weak ] 20...e2 21.d2 d3!? Black is not in hurry to take the exchange. The bishop is basically stronger than the white rooks. [ 21...xf1 is also ok, but White can take the ce n t ra l p a wn s 22.xd5+ h8 23.xf1 fe8 24.xe4 e5 and the c5-pawn will fall 25.g2 xd5 26.xd5 e5 27.b3 xc5 and Black should be close to winning ] 22.bc1 b6 23.c6 823
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 23.cxb6 xb6 and the rook enters the game 24.f4 d6!? Black just doesn't want t h e e x c h a n g e 25.fd1 c5 26.f1 c4 27.c3 c5 28.e1 a8 and Black is dominating ] 23...xf1 Finally, Black goes for the exchange, now it's just matter of technique. [ 23...a8 is also good, but less human 24.fd1 b5 25.f1 c4 26.xc4 dxc4 and White is in trouble ] 24.xd5+ f7 25.xf7+ xf7 26.xf1 f5 27.a4 d8 [ 27...c5 was already possible, the endgame without rooks is hopeless 28.xc5 bxc5 29.b5 f7 30.f1 e6 31.e2 d5 and because of the weak f-pawn White is lost ] 28.c4 e5 29.c2 c5 And the c-pawn falls. 30.b2 xc6 31.b4 c1 32.g2 c2 33.xe4 f8 34.c4+ h8 35.h3 cxf2 36.e7 c6 37.e4 c2 38.f7 f2 39.c4 h5 40.c7 g5 41.e6 d8 42.f7 g4+ 43.h4 xh2+ 44.g5 h4 45.xg4 h3 46.e5 hd2 47.xh3 2d7 48.xd7 xd7 49.e6 e7 50.g4 g7 51.f5 b5 52.axb5 cxb5 53.h5 b4 54.d1 c7 55.e5 c3 56.a4 b3 57.e7 b2 58.d6 d3+ 59.c5 e3 60.d4 0-1
15.xh8 xg5 16.xg8 h6 resulted in a sudden and quite unexpected agreement to a draw. The position is quite unclear, for example one possibility is 17.d5 e3 18.fxe3 f7 19.xf8+ xf8 20.d4 with weird and wonderful play. ] 8.bc3 [ I think that White also has a pull after 8.xe7 but after xe7 9.c3 e6 I think White should play 10.b3 ( 10.e3 c6 11.b4 d5 looked fine for Black in Williams, S ( 2 4 8 7 ) - H o we l l , D ( 2 3 4 8 ) / C a l e t a 2 0 0 5) 10...c6 11.g5 0-0 12.e3 and maybe 13. d5 next. ] 8...0-0 9.xe7+ [ Another possibility is 9.g3 , for example e6 10.xe7+ xe7 11.d5 f7 12.h3 g4 was Speelman, J (2533)-Howell, D (2501)/Sunningdale 2007, and now 13.0-0 looks interesting after which ( Rather than Speelman's 13.xg4 ) 13...h5 14.f3 exf3 15.exf3 e5 16.b5 xc4 17.d4 is suddenly very good for White. ] 9...xe7 10.g5 f7 A new move from Volkov. [ In an earlier game Black played 10...e6 after which 11.e3 bd7 12.e2 c6 13.0-0 f7 14.d5 cxd5 15.b5 e5! 16.xd6 g6 17.xf6 ( 17.f4!? ) 17...xf6 18.cxd5 d7 19.c4 xc4 20.xc4 f4 gave Black counterplay in Lautier, J (2620)-Shirov, A 833 A21 (2685)/ Tilburg 1996. ] Andreikin,Dmitry 2696 11.e3 c6 12.e2!? At first sight this looks Volkov,Sergey 2607 l i k e a b l u n d e r b u t i n r e a l i t y i t i s a m o s t Baku Open A Baku AZE (6) 11.08.2011 interesting pawn sacrifice. [ Having said that White could also get a [Nigel Davies] nice position with 12.h4 a f t e r w h i c h h6 13.xf6 xf6 14.h5 leaves him with a 1.c4 e5 2.c3 b4 3.d5 e7 4.d4 d6 pleasant looking reversed French. ] 5.f3 e4 6.d2 f5 7.b1 This paradoxical retreat makes perfect sense the knight is not 12...g6 13.h4 h6 14.xf6 xg2 15.d2! well placed on d2 but really good when it gets xf6 16.d5 f7 17.g1! The brilliant point. to c3. So why not simply reposition it even if White goes into a pawn down endgame but one in which Black has serious problems. Very this involves some undevelopment. [ White's most popular choice has been 7.e3 deep and inventive chess. xg1 18.hxg1 f4 .] [ 18...f8 19.f4 would renew the threat of 7...f6 20.Bh5. ] [ Bogdan Lalic playced his own undeveloping f8 20.xc7 b8 21.e8 move with 7...f8 in Solonar, S (2445)-Lalic, 19.h5 B (2590)/Manresa 1995 after which 8.h4 c6 The knight's journey continues, this time 22.xd6 e6 9.g5 d7 10.f4 f7 11.h5 xc4 forking d6 and g7! h8 12.c3 f7 13.g6 hxg6 14.hxg6 xg6 23.g6 g8 24.ag1 fd8 25.c5 b6 824
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 26.xg7 bxc5 27.7g6 d7 the sake of the two bishops. 8.e3 [ 27...cxd4 28.xh6+ h7 29.f7# [ 8.e2 exd4! ( 8...f5!?; 8...0-0!? ) would see White's heroic knight deliver the A) 9.g4!? For the bold or slightly insane. mate! ] h4+ ( 9...f6 10.xd4 0-0 11.e2 28.dxc5 xa2 29.xh6+ h7 30.xh7+ looks comfortable.) 10.d2 f6 11.xd4 xh7 31.g6+ h8 32.exf4 xb2+ h5 12.gxh5 xh5 13.c2 is unclear.; 33.e3 b3+ 34.xe4 b4+ 35.e3 a5 B) 9.xd4 c6 10.d2 f5 11.exf5 36.f7 b3 37.xb3 xb3+ 38.e4 b2 e5! As pointed out by John Watson in 39.d5 d8 40.e4 It's fitting that the last the third edition of Mastering the Chess move should be made with this knight. Black Openings, works well for Black. ] now has no good defence to the threat of 41. 8...f5 Nf6 and 42.Rg8 mate. [ 8...exd4 9.xd4 c6 10.c3 0-0 1-0 intending f5 next, is also playable, ] 9.exf5 f6!? 10.e2 [ 10.g4!? e4 ( 10...exd4 11.xd4 c6 ) 834 A21 11.h3 does not lend itself to an immediate refutation. If this were Black's only way of Aronian,Levon 2739 playing it would be worth investing some Shirov,Alexei 2755 more time here, but given the alternative on XXV SuperGM Morella Linares MEX/ESP (5) move eight and the more general sense that [Jonathan Rowson] White is trying too hard, I think it's best not to get embroiled any further. ( 11.f4 h5 )] 1.c4 e5 2.c3 b4 3.d5 e7 4.d4 d6 5.e4 I think many, myself included, have 10...exd4 11.xd4 xf5 12.d2 c6 a s s u m e d t h a t t h i s is t h e b e st m o ve d u e 13.0-0-0 [ 13.c3 e5 ] principally to Kasparov-Shirov below. However, 14.g4 g6 15.f4 xd4 Black's play can be significantly improved 13...0-0-0 16.xd4 b8 17.h4 f7 18.d3 f6! [ 5...c6 6.xe7 xe7 7.e2 f5 8.dxe5 At first I felt W hite made quite a generous xe5 9.exf5 f6 10.d4! xf5 11.f4 offer, but in fact if anybody is better in the a5+ 12.c3 xc3+ 13.xc3 0-0 final position it is probably Black e.g. [ 18.d3 c5! 19.f2 c7!? 20.g5 d5! ] 14.0-0-0 d5 15.d6 c8 16.f3 bd7 17.g4 e6 18.g5 e8 19.cxd5 xd5 ½-½ 20.g3 e6 21.d3 c5 22.c2 d8 23.h4 f7 24.e4 xe4 25.fxe4 f8 A21 26.df1 g8 27.h5 d7 28.f2 d6 835 Aronian,Levon 2739 29.g6 e6 30.gxh7+ h8 31.h6 g6 Shirov,Alexei 2755 32.f6 e8 33.xg6 c4 34.e1 xh7 35.g3 e5 36.c3 c4 37.g7+ 43 XXV SuperGM Morella Linares MEX/ESP (5) 1-0 Kasparov, G (2805)-Shirov, A (2740)/ [Carsten Hansen] Novgorod 1994/CBM ] 6.xe7 xe7 7.f3 h5! Black has to play 1.c4 e5 2.c3 b4 3.d5 e7 Black has q u i c k l y a n d u s e h i s a s s e t s - p r i n c i p a l l y also tried several other moves here including development- before W hite can show the 3...Ba5 and 3...Bc5, but the text is considered relevance of his extra space and bishop pair. the most solid and best 4.d4 d6 5.e4 f6 My f eeling about this line is that if W hite 6.xe7 xe7 7.f3 h5 [ This is considered the main line in this wants to invest some time making sure he can variation complex. Nevertheless, Black has tread a tightrope for the next few moves then tried several other things in this variation: A) it might be rewarding, but on the face of it, I 7...c5 8.d5 ('+/=' Ftacnik) h5 ( 8...0-0 believe in Black's prospects, because his 9.g5 h6 10.h4 bd7 11.d2 e8 position is sound and active and there is only 12.d3 b5 13.cxb5 xe4 14.xe7 xd2 so much suffering one should put up with for 825
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 15.xd6 e4 16.xd2 exd3 17.xd3 a6 Degerman, L-Davies, N/Stockholm 1995, and now 18.h3 axb5 19.he1 ) 9.e2 0-0 10.e3 f5 11.c3 ( 11.exf5 xf5 12.g4 e4! ) 11...f4 12.f2 a6 13.e2 c7 14.d2 d7 Ater, G-Rausis, I/ Calella 1994 ] [ B) The only move previously covered here o n C h e s s p u b l i s h i n g . c o m i s 7...exd4 , where the game Cu.Hansen-I.Sokolov, Groningen 1995 was the subject, but since this is the main line and it has been played a lot since that game, let's take a closer look at that variation: 8.xd4 c6 ( 8...c5?! 9.d2 e6 10.d3 c6 11.e2 0-0 12.0-0 a6 13.b3 ab8 14.c3 d4 15.b2 b5 16.d5 xd5 17.cxd5 Karpov, A-Illescas Cordoba, M/Dos Hermanas 1994) 9.c3 ( 9.d1?! h5! 10.g3?! f5 11.g2 fxe4 12.fxe4 f6 13.g5 0-0 14.e2 h6 15.xf6 xf6 16.0-0-0 e5 Grant, J-Zueger, B/Ohrid 2001 ) A) 9...e5 10.e2; B) 9...0-0 B1) 10.e2 B1a) 10...e5 11.e3 a6 12.f4 c5 13.e2 d7 14.0-0 b5 15.fd1 fd8 16.b3 Lenz, A-Ganaus, H/Vienna 1998; B1b) 10...d7 11.f4 B1b1) 11...h4+!? 12.g3 d8 (Ribli) 13.e3 de5 14.g2; B1b2) 11...f5!? is likely Black's best: 12.d5 h4+ 13.g3 d8 14.exf5 ( 14.h4!? c5 15.g5 d7 16.h3 f7 17.0-0 e6= ) 14...e7! ( 14...xf5 Ribli 15.f4!? ) 15.e3 xf5 16.xf5 xf5 17.e3!? xf3 18.g2 f8 19.0-0-0; B1b3) 11...b6?! 12.a4 ( 12.e3 ) 12...a5 13.e3 d7 14.d5 d8 15.d1 b6 ( Ribli suggests 15...c5 16.xc5 dxc5 17.b6 xd1+ 18.xd1 cxb6 with some compensation for Black for the queen on account of the d4-square where Black will place a knight, but whether it is fully adequate is an open question) 16.d3 c5 17.c2 e6 18.0-0 xd5!? 19.cxd5 b4
20.d4 xc2 Marin, M-Dizdarevic, E/ Istanbul 2003, and now 21.xc2 with a space advantage and better chances for White; B1c) 10...e8 11.f4 f5 12.d5 f7 13.exf5 xf5 14.e3 f6 15.0-0-0 a5 16.a3 a4 17.d3 xd5 18.cxd5 a5 19.c2 xc2 20.xc2 b3+ 21.b1 a5 22.d3 , and now Megacorr 3 gives this as e n d i n g i n a d r a w, 1 / 2 - 1 / 2 , a t t h i s juncture in the game Wrba, K-Gehret, A/corr 1997, but Black is clearly better after e8 23.he1 e5!; B1d) 10...h5 11.g4 ( 11.e3 f5 12.exf5 xf5 13.g4 ae8 ) 11...h4+ 12.d1 f6 13.g3 e6 14.e3 Lalic, B-Shirov, A/Moscow ol/ 1994; B2) 10.g5 B2a) 10...e5 11.d2 ( 11.xe5 xe5 12.xf6 gxf6 13.e2 xc4 14.c3 b6 15.b5 d7 16.xc7 ac8 17.b5 xb5 18.xb5 c2= Kubasky, A-Koch, C/IECG Email 2002 ) 11...e8 12.e2 a6 13.c3 e6 14.d1 h6 15.f4 a5 16.e2 ab8 17.d5 Olarasu, G-Ionescu Brandis, I/Iasi 1999; B2b) 10...e5 11.e2 e8 12.g3 h6 13.xf6 xf6 14.e2 d7 15.xf6 xf6 16.f2 e6 17.hd1 g6 18.f1 d7 19.e3 Williams, SBuckley, M/ Scarborough 2001; B2c) 10...e8 11.d2 ( 11.xf6 gxf6 12.0-0-0 f5 13.d3 Lalic ) 11...h6; B3) 10.e3 (+= Shirov) B3a) 10...e8 11.e2 e5 B3a1) 12.g3!? c6 13.0-0-0 d5!? 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.exd5 d7 16.c5?! ( 16.b1!? ac8 17.b3 xf3 18.f4! ) 16...d8 17.a3 c8 18.b1 c7 19.c1 xd5 with a complicated game and chances to both sides, Chernin, AMoberg, K/Gothenburg 1996; B3a2) 12.f4 eg4 ( 12...g6 13.0-0-0 was Hansen, Cu-Sokolov, I/ Groningen 1995 - see the PGN a rc h ive s wi t h T o n y a n n o t a t i o n s) 13.d2 ( 13.fxg4? xe4 14.a3 826
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ( 10.d2 ) 10...f4 11.e2 cxd5 xg4 15.d5 d8 leaves White's 12.cxd5 h4+!? ( 12...xe2 13.xe2 ) king temporarily stuck in the centre, 13.f2 f6 14.xf4 ( 14.c1 ) 14...exf4 f a c i n g a n a s t y d e f e n s i v e t a s k .) 15.d4 Nielsen, P-Pedersen, S/Aalborg 13...d7 ( 13...xe4?! 14.fxe4 2000 ( 15.d2 )] xe4+ 15.e2 g5 16.0-0 gxf4 [ E) 7...xe4 8.fxe4 h4+ 9.d2 f4+ 17.xf4 g6 18.f3 leaves White ( 9...xe4 10.f3 f5 11.c3 exd4+ with amble compensation f or the 12.xd4 e5 13.d3!+- ) 10.d3 f2 pawn ) 14.e2 e5 15.0-0 a6 11.f3+Raetsky, A-Kleinert, J/Biel SUI 16.b4 b5 17.fc1 bxc4 18.xc4 2003 ] a4 is Kund, W-Zawadka, A/IECG Email 2001, and now 19.f1 c6 8.e3 [ 8.e2 0-0 20.d3 fd7 21.f2 intending f3-f4 A) 9.g4!? is probably the critical line, leaves W hite with the better though largely ignored, e.g. h4+ 10.d2 chances; A1) S v i d l e r d i s m i s s e s 10...f4 B3b) 10...h5!?; , but matters aren't as clear as Svidler B3c) 10...d7 11.e2 f5 12.exf5 leads us to believe, for instance 11.xf4 e8 13.f2 de5 14.g3 f7 exf4 12.c2 (+/- Svidler) c6 13.d5 15.e2 xf5 16.h3 e6 17.b3 g6 f2+ 14.e2 ( 17...f6!? ) 18.he1 f8 19.g1 A1a) 14...d4+ looks promising, but f4 20.d2 e5 with a comfortable is probably better for White I couldn't position for Black, Ibragimov, Ifind anything for Black in the following Kovacevic, B/Djakovo 1994; line: 15.d3 b5 16.cxb5 xe2 C) 9...e6 10.e3 0-0-0?! ( 10...0-0!? ( 16...a6? 17.e1 xe1 18.xe1 11.0-0-0 a5 12.b1 a4 is rather doublexe2 19.xe2 g5 20.c2 a7 e d g e d , a n d s h o u ld b e f i n e f o r B l a c k) 21.bxa6 xa6+ 22.d4+- ) 17.xe2 11.0-0-0 d7 12.xg7 hg8 13.c3 f5 b6 18.a4 d7 ( 18...a6 19.b4 ) 14.exf5 xf5 15.e2 c5 16.d4 19.e1 f5 20.gxf5 xf5 21.g1 Popov, V-Evertsson, K/Stockholm 2001 ] ( 21.exf5?? xf5+-+ ) 21...b7 [ C) 7...0-0 22.d4; A) 8.e2 c6 9.c3 d5 10.cxd5 cxd5 A1b) 14...xg4! 15.fxg4 f3 16.f1 11.dxe5 xe5 12.xd5 c6 13.c4 xe2+ 17.xe2 d4+ 18.d3 xe2 d8 14.0-0 e6 15.e1 xd5 16.exd5 19.f1 h5 20.xf3 ( 20.gxh5?! f5! ) d6 , and here a draw was agreed upon, 20...hxg4 21.f1 xc1+ 22.axc1 1/2-1/2, in Mellado Trivino, J-De la Villa , and White has more space, but Black Garcia, J/Zaragoza 1995, but White has a should be able to defend; strong initiative after 17.g5! , e.g. c5+ A2) 10...f6 11.e1 h6+ 18.h1 d7 ( 18...xc4? 19.xd8 xd8 ( 11...xe1+ 12.xe1 ) 12.d1 g6 20.dxc6!! xd1 21.exd1 f8 22.d8+ 13.g1 fd7 14.d5 c6 15.e3 cxd5 e7 23.cxb7+- ) 19.c2 xd5 20.f5 16.cxd5 a6 Fridman, D-Sulskis, S/ d6 21.f4 dd8 22.ac1; Riga 1995 17.c3 ac5 18.c2 B) 8.g5 h6 9.h4 exd4 10.xd4 c6 (Svidler); 11.xf6 '!' Ribli. gxf6 12.d2 f5 13.0-0-0 B) 9.e3 fxe4 14.xh6 f5 15.fxe4 xe4 16.f3 B1) 9...exd4 f5 17.d3 Uhlmann, W-Onischuk, A/ B1a) 10.xd4!? c6 11.d2 Dresden 1994 ] ( 11.d5 e5 12.g3 xg3 [ D) 7...c6 13.hxg3 e6 14.d4 c5 15.c3 f5 A) 8.g5 d5 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.exd5 16.exf5 xf5 Svidler ) 11...f5 exd4+ 11.e2 ( 11.e2 xe2+ - > 9 . . . f 5 ! ? 12.c3 fxe4 13.xe4 12.xe2 xd5 13.xd4 ) 11...b4+ ( 13.fxe4?! g4! is a positional toilet 12.d2 xd5 13.xd4 Ribli; for White ) 13...f5 14.d3 e5 B) 8.d5!? h5 9.e3 0-0 10.g4!? 827
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 c6 12.d2 xf5 13.0-0-0 ae8= 15.0-0 xd3 16.xd3 xe4 17.fxe4 was played in Lautier, J-Shirov, A/Las f6; Pa lm a s/ 1 9 9 4, a n d n o w Sh iro v c a lls B1b) 10.xd4?! c6 14.f2 g6 15.c3 f7 equal, but as I B1b1) 11.c3?! is given as equal already pointed out in my book on the by Gulko in Informator, but as King's English, this position already feels mentioned in my book, Black is just more comfortable for Black, a verdict my better after f5 12.d5 f7; computer now (I didn't have an chess B1b2) 11.d2!? is probably best, engine when I wrote the book) agrees though Black is quite comfortable with, e.g. 16.c5!? f4 17.cxd6 b4 after e6 12.c3 xd4!? 18.d4 ( 18.dxc7?? xa2+ 19.xa2 ( 12...f5!?; 12...e5 ) 13.xd4 g5 xa2-+ ) 14.d2 c5 15.0-0-0 b5; B3a) 18...xa2+ 19.xa2 e2 B1b3) 11.g4?! xg4 12.fxg4 xe4 20.d2 xa2 21.xe2 b1+ 22.d2 13.gxh5 xh1 Gulko, B-Granda c2+ 23.e3 b3+ 24.d2 c5!? Zuniga, J/Moscow ol/1994; ( 24...c2+= ) 25.xc5 d3+ B2) 9...c5?! 10.dxc5 dxc5 11.d5 ( 25...xb2+= ) 26.c1 b1+ 27.d2 a6 12.0-0-0 xb2+ 28.d1 b1+ 29.d2 B2a) 12...e6 13.d6 f6 b2+=; ( 13...h4? 14.xe5+- ) 14.c3 fd8 B3b) 18...c5! 19.xc5 ( 19.c4? ( 14...f4 -12...Qf6 ) 15.d5! h4 fd3+ 20.xd3 xd3+ 21.xd3 16.e7 xe7 17.xe7+ f8 xd3 22.xd3 g6-+ ) 19...xa2+ 18.d5 Svidler; 20.d2 ( 20.xa2 c8-+ ) B2b) 12...f6 13.c3 ( 13.xc5? 20...xc3-+ ] e6 14.d6 xc5 15.xc5 fc8 16.d6 xc4 17.xf6 xa2+! 8...f5 [ This is Shirov's novelty, immediately Svidler ) 13...f4 14.d6 e6 sharpening the game by opening the centre Svidler: ' -12...Qf6' ' -12...Qf6' with only a few pieces developed and both ( 14...xd6 15.xd6 e6 16.d5 kings still on their original squares. Normally, d4 17.f4 Yakovich ) Black castles first before playing this pawn B2b1) 15.d5? xd5 16.cxd5 advance. Black has also tried a couple of fd8 ( 16...ad8 17.dxe6 xd6 other things in this position: A) 8...0-0 18.xd6 e7 Yakovich 19.exf7+ A) 9.e2?! f5 ( 9...exd4?! is Gulko, Bxf7 20.xa6 bxa6 21.d5 ) Granda Zuniga, J/Moscow 1994 - see 17.dxe6 xd6 18.xd6; above ) B2b2) 15.xc5 fd8 16.e7 xc5 A1) 10.dxe5 dxe5 ( 10...xe5?! 17.xc5 xg2 18.xg2 g5+ 11.d5+ xd5 12.exd5 ) 11.c3 c6 19.b1 xg2; 12.exf5 xf5 13.g4?! xg4 14.fxg4 B2b3) 15.d2 b4 ( 15...ad8 h4+ 15.d2 d8+ 16.d3 a6! Yakovich 16.d5 xd5 17.exd5 ) Shirov; B2b31) 16.d5 bxd5 A2) 10.exf5 exd4! 11.xd4 ( 11.xd4 ( 16...xd5 17.cxd5 ) 17.cxd5 xf5 12.g4 xg4! 13.fxg4 e4 d7 18.b1 b6 19.g3 g6 14.g1 f4 15.g3 c6 Shirov ) 20.f4; 11...xf5 ( 11...c6 transposes to B2b32) 16.xc5 fd8 17.e3 Lautier, J-Shirov, A/Las Palmas 1994 xd1+ 18.xd1 xa2+ ( 18...c6 above ) 12.0-0-0 c6 13.d2 f7 Yakovich 19.b1! b6 20.a3 14.c3 ( 14.g3!? ) 14...e6 15.e2 d8 21.c3 ) 19.b1 d8 a6 16.g4 f6 17.g5 d7 18.d5?! ( 19...d8 Yakovich 20.f2 ) ( 18.g6! hxg6 19.he1! ) 18...xd5 20.f2 Yakovich, Y-Solozhenkin, 19.cxd5 b4 20.g6 hxg6 21.g5 e5 E/St Petersburg 1995; 22.f4 e4 23.b3 c5 , and Black is B3) 9...f5!? 10.exf5 exd4 11.xd4 828
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 clearly better, De Ramos, J-Bui Vinh/ Phu Quoc VIE 2007; B) 9.d5 f5?! ( 9...g6 (Ribli) 10.d2; 9...a6!? 10.d2 d7 11.g4 f4 12.h4 c5 13.0-0-0 a5 looks fine for Black) 10.exf5 f4 ( 10...xf5? 11.g4 xg4 12.fxg4 h4+ 13.d2 g3 14.hxg3 xh1 15.h3 /\ g5 - Ribli) 11.g4 b5 12.cxb5 ( 12.d2!? Ribli ) 12...b7 13.c4 g2+ ( 13...d7 14.e2 g2+ 15.f2 xe3 16.xe3 g5+ 17.f2 h4+ 18.g3 e4 19.fxe4 f6 20.g2 xg4 21.d4 Ledger, A-Hebden, M/ Hastings 1995 ) 14.f2 xe3 15.xe3 ] [ B) 8...exd4!? 9.xd4 c6 10.c3 e5 ( 10...f5 11.exf5 0-0 12.g4 e8 13.d2 f6 14.e1 e5 15.d4 b6 16.xe5 dxe5 17.h3 b7 Williams, S-Pert, R/ W itley 1999) 11.e2 d7 12.0-0-0 0-0 13.g4 f6 14.h4 fe8 15.g1 Smirin, I-Lehner, O/Vienna 1998 ] 9.exf5 f6! [ W h ite ca n claim a n e d ge af t e r 9...exd4 10.xd4 c6 11.d2 0-0 ( 11...xf5 12.g4 ) 12.0-0-0 xf5 13.g4 e5 14.f2 ] 10.e2 [ W hite should of course consider 10.g4!? , e.g. d7 11.g2 exd4 12.xd4 c6 13.c3 0-0-0 14.0-0-0 , and White appears to have the better chances. What did Shirov have in mind in this variation? ] 10...exd4 11.xd4 [ Taking back with the queen doesn't offer W hite anything: 11.xd4 c6 12.c3 xf5 13.g4 d7 14.0-0-0 b4!? ( 14...0-0 15.g3 e5 16.d2 ) 15.d2 a5 with a complex position where Black by no means is worse ] 11...xf5 12.d2 [ 12.g4 grabs space and attempts to gain a tempo, but Black is doing very well after d7 13.g2 c6 14.0-0 0-0-0 15.e1 f7 16.c1 g5 ] 12...c6 [ Or 12...0-0 13.0-0-0 c6 14.g3 e6 15.c3 ad8= ] 13.0-0-0 0-0-0 14.g4 g6 15.f4 xd4 16.xd4 [ 16.xg6 hxg6 17.xd4 b8= ] 16...b8 17.h4 [ 17.d3 xd3 18.xd3 d7 19.he1
f7= ] 17...f7 18.d3 [ 18.d5 xd5 19.cxd5 he8 20.d3 g6= ] 18...c5!? 19.f2 d7!? [ 19...d5 looks tempting, but White keeps the balance: 20.h2 ( 20.g5 h5 21.xd5 xd5 22.cxd5 xd5 23.h2+ c7 24.xc7+ xc7 25.c2 f4 26.e4 e5= ) 20...e3+ 21.b1 a8 22.he1 xf3 ] 20.he1 e5 21.b1 f6 , and here a draw was agreed upon, but Black already has a pleasant game. According to the comments online, Black was already quite short of time. ½-½
836 Cheparinov,Ivan Stevic,Hrvoje CRO-chT Bol (9.4) [Fier, Alexandr]
A21 2687 2626 22.09.2013
One of our subscribers asked about the other lines without 6.f4 in the Erdos - Stevic game, so I'm giving an overview of the options in these positions when Black has a setup with ... e5, ...f5 and ...Be7. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 d6 3.g3 f5 4.g2 f6 5.d3 [ 5.d4 when I received the email, ChessPub Support mentioned that the critical lines are with 5.d4 or 5.e3, so I'm also taking a look at these moves: e7 6.f3 forces some definition in the center ( 6.e3 0-0 7.ge2 c6 8.0-0 a6 9.b1 c7 10.b4 e6 11.b5 xc4 12.bxc6 b5 Kovalyov, A (2606) -Arencibia Rodriguez, W (2526)/Quebec-ch op 2013. ) 6...e4 7.g5 c6 8.d5 these kind of position are hard to understand. White can sometimes play a committal f3 g4 9.h4 0-0 10.f3 exf3 11.exf3 e8 12.e6 xe6 13.fxg4 f7 ( 13...cxd5 is bad, but was played in Khismatullin, D (2 6 57 )-S kob e rn e , J (2 5 09 )/E U-c h 1 1 t h R i j e k a 2 0 1 0 . 14.gxf5 and White has the a d v a n t a g e .) 14.0-0 fxg4 15.xg4 with a complex position, which looks slightly better for White ] [ 5.e3 is a slower approach where White tries to play a reversed closed Sicilian e7 829
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ( 5...g6 is analysed in Wang Yue-Smirin, see the PGN Archive.) 6.ge2 0-0 7.d3 c6 8.0-0 e6 9.f4 e8 and in this kind of positions I feel that the bishop would be better on g7, Das, A (2470)-Pert, N (2563)/ Hastings Masters op 87th 2011. ] 5...e7 [ 5...g6 would transpose into another kind of position, basically a Closed Sicilian with reversed colors ] 6.f3 [ 6.e4 was another interesting option suggested by Tony K, entering a Botvinnik System 0-0 7.ge2 c6 8.0-0 a6 and White can try one of the typical ideas in this position, with 9.h3 e8 10.exf5!? to open the center before Black develops his pieces in a harmonous way xf5 11.g4 e6 12.f4 with good prospects in McNab, C (2466)-Greet, A (2433)/Edinburgh Quality Chess 2009. ] [ 6.f4 was analyzed in Erdos, V (2650)Stevic, H (2626)/CRO-chT Bol 2013. ] 6...0-0 7.0-0 c6 [ 7...e8 is an interesting alternative 8.b4 ( 8.c5 doesn't make too much sense to me, and after c6 9.cxd6 xd6 10.g5 h8 Black has good potential for an attack, he has good squares for all his pieces 11.xf6 xf6 12.e3 d7 and Black is fine and managed to win in Flores, D (2578)-Peralta, F (2609)/ARG-ch 88th Resistance/Saenz Pe n a 2 01 3 .) 8...h5 Black goes for a full attack 9.b3 h8 10.d2 f4 11.d5 xd5 12.cxd5 and Black can try ...g5-g4 and then meet Rac1 with ...Bd8. The question will be whether White's counterplay is faster or not Morley, P (2315)-De Carlos Arregui, I (2361)/email 2011. ] 8.b4 h8 [ 8...a6 9.a4 h8 10.b1 transposes. ] 9.b1 [ 9.b5 is also possible and after A) 9...cxb5!? it's strange to open the qu ee n sid e, bu t B lack ca n get th e c6 square for the knight 10.cxb5 ( 10.xb5 c6 11.b2 a6 12.c3 e6 is also level) 10...a6!? 11.b1 axb5 12.xb5 c6 with chances for both players; B) 9...e8 10.a4 h5 11.c5 it looks like
White's chances are slightly preferable ] 9...a6 10.a4 e6 11.b5 axb5 12.axb5 fd7 [ 12...c7 is more logical, trying to finish d e v e l o p m e n t 13.bxc6 bxc6 14.b3 with a typical kind of position, as seen in Spraggett, K (2585)-Dolmatov, S (2615)/ Hastings 8990 1989. ] 13.d2 f6 14.b2 c5 15.c2 [ 15.b3 is a thematic move and the game could continue like this: xb3 16.xb3 c7 17.fc1 ] 15...c7 16.bxc6 bxc6 17.b5! d7 18.d4 a2 [ 18...a4 is also logical, but White can claim an advantage after 19.dxe5 dxe5 20.a3 e7 21.xe7 xe7 22.a1 b6 23.c5 xa1 24.xa1 d5 25.d6 with a pleasant position for White ] [ 18...exd4 is just bad 19.xd4 g8 20.e3 and White is clearly better ] 19.dxc5 cxb5 20.b3 a7 [ 20...a4 is n ot e nough 21.xb5 xb5 22.cxb5 dxc5 23.b6 and White's passed pawn is much more dangerous than Black's one ] 21.c6 [ 21.cxd6 was more precise bxc4 22.xc4 and W hite can go away f rom the pin by tactical means a6 23.fc1 d7 24.b7! and both knights are hostages, so White is better ] 21...bxc4 22.xc4 a6 [ 22...xc6 was quite direct, but Black's position can be unpleasant after 23.xc6 b8 24.d3 xc4 25.xc4 axb2 26.xb2 xb2 27.e6 e7 28.xf5 since W hite's bishop is much better than Black's one ] 23.a1 xc6 Fearlessly going into some strange complications. [ 23...c5 was also possible 24.a3 xc4 25.xc4 xc4 26.xd6 c8 27.xb8 xb8 28.xa6 xa6 29.a1 c4 30.c7 c8 31.b7 xc7 32.a8+ g8 33.d5 h5 34.xg8 g6 ] 24.xc6 xa1 25.xa1 c5 26.b5 b8 27.a5 [ 27.a4 was more prudent g6 giving some air to Black's king ( 27...d5 28.b4 d8 29.a4 and White is somehow getting out 830
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 o f t h e p i n s c6 30.a3 h6 31.b3 and f inally the piece s a re more o r less unpinned d5 32.xc6 xb3 33.xb3 xb3 34.c4 and White can try to work in t h e e n d g a m e) 28.a3 ( 28.b4 xc4 29.xc4 xb5 30.c2 d5 31.c8+= ) 28...xb5 29.xc5 xb3 30.xd6 d5 31.f3 c3 32.a3 b3 and the endgame is level ] 27...d8 28.a3 [ 28.d7 it's hard to understand what's going on in this position, since there are too many pieces hanging A) 28...xb3 i s o k f o r W h i t e 29.xc5 xd7 30.d5 and the d6-pawn is going to fall c7 31.xd6 g8 ( 31...xb2 32.f7+ g8 33.xd7= ) 32.d2 with a draw; B) 28...xa5!? since everything is hanging, the natural laws of chess are not working 29.xb8 e1+ 30.g2 d5+ 31.f3 xe2+ 32.g1 d1+ 33.f2 xf3+ 34.e1 h1+ 35.d2 xh2+ 36.d1 and Black has an initiative, but White should be ok, since the threats on the back rank give enough counterplay ] 28...xc4? Now the exchanges leads to a draw. [ 28...d4! was better, and sufficient to enter the same position with a pawn up, since White can't get away from the pins 29.b2 xc4 30.xd4 xb3 31.a7 xa5 32.xb8 b4 and the pawn on d6 is still alive, so Black has chances. ] 29.xc5 xb3 30.xd6 xa5 31.xb8 c3 ½-½
837 Cook,Robert Williamson,Harvey BCCA v Bccs [Tony Kosten]
A21
2004
Harvey Williamson writes: "What do you think of 3...Na6!? with the idea of a later ...Nc5 - is ...Na6 a good move? Or an interesting novelty?" 1.c4 e5 2.c3 b4 3.d5 a6!? This is Harvey's new move, it resembles [ 3...c6 but keeps the possibility of ejecting the white knight with a later ...c6. ]
4.a3 [ 4.xb4 xb4 5.b3!? is Dill,J-Sidi,M/ Buenos Aires 1978, although starting with 3...Nc6. ] 4...a5!? The most ambitious. 5.b4 c6 This is the point of Black's play, a retreat square on c7 is prepared. 6.c3 [ 6.bxa5 cxd5 7.cxd5 f6 8.e4 c5 is similar to the 3...Ba5 4 b4 c6 mainline, and seems fine for Black. ] 6...c7 7.d4 The natural central thrust, if [ 7.e4 f6 8.f3 Black might try d5!? ] 7...e7!? One of several possible replies, Black keeps the f-pawn's advance unhindered should W hite decide to close the position. 8.e4 White grabs even more space, other possibilities: [ 8.f3 exd4 9.xd4 0-0 10.b2 c5!? to justify the a6-knight's placement, 11.bxc5 f5 12.d5 d6 with some play for the sacrificed pawn, McMahon,F-Williamson,H/ BCCA v Bccs 2004 ] [ 8.d5 d6 9.e4 might be the most unpleasant for Black, sidelining the a6knight. ] 8...exd4 9.xd4 0-0 10.b2?! [ 10.c5 b6 11.b2 is superior, but Black's development compensates for the offside knight. ] 10...c5! This pawn sac prepares a lovely square for the a6-knight on c5, and is the key theme in this line. 11.bxc5 c6 Gaining time on the queen. 12.e3 e8 The line-up of the white king and queen on the e-f ile spells problems. 13.d1 b6! 14.cxb6 xb6 15.d2 c5 16.f3 a6 Black's pieces have found active squares, and W hite is yet to d e ve lo p h is k in g sid e a n d t h is wi ll p r o v e dif f icult be cau se o f t he we aken ed g1 -a 7 diagonal. 17.e2 e5 18.d5 If White loses th e c-p a wn he will b e worse wit h ou t a n y material compensation. b7 19.d2 f5! There is no let-up for White, Black levers the e - f i l e o p e n . 20.d5 a5 Keeping the pressure on, although [ 20...xe4! 21.fxe4 h4+ 22.g3 xe4 appears crushing as the h1-rook has no escape. ] 21.c3 xc3 22.xc3 fxe4 23.f1 d6 24.fxe4 xe4 25.d4 h4 Black has a crushing attack, and isn't even materially 831
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 down. 26.h3 xd5 27.cxd5 f8+ 28.g1 ac8 The threat is ...Rc3xh3 and mate on f2. 29.g3 xh3 30.xe4 c4! 31.xc4 f3+ 32.xf3 [ 32.f2 g5+ 33.e3 xe4 is also quite hopeless. ] 32...xf3 33.f1 c8 Intending ...Qc5+, or ... Qc2. 0-1
838 Crouch,Colin S Norwood,David 4NCL Birmingham ENG (7) [Tony Kosten]
A21 2424 2518 25.03.2000
1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.f3 e4 4.fd2 [ Slightly more passive than the usual 4.g5 f5 5.c3 , but playable, nonetheless. ] 4...f5 5.e3 f6 6.c3 e7 [ Black can also consider a more active placement of his dark-squared bishop, on g7, after 6...g6 ] 7.f3 White contests Black's central space advantage head-on. exf3 [ T h e p a w n s a c , 7...0-0!? is also worth consideration: 8.fxe4 fxe4 9.dxe4 xe4 10.xe4 d5 11.f2 b4+ 12.d2 e7 13.e2 c6! 14.cxd5 xd4 15.exd4 xe2+ 16.xe2 xd2+ 17.xd2 xf2 an d B la c k s oo n re cu p e ra te d h is p a wn , Raicevic,V-Guzijan,M/Niksic 1996. ] 8.xf3 0-0 9.d3 f4!? [ Very much in David Norwood's style, he at t e m p ts t o 'b lo w W h it e awa y', b u t t h e position doesn't really justify this. Normally Black defends his f-pawn: 9...g6 10.0-0 c5 ( 10...c6 11.e4 fxe4 12.dxe4 xe4 13.xe4 xf1+ 14.xf1 f5 15.f3 xd3+ 16.xd3 is a fairly drawish line, L e n t r o d t , T - P o h l K u e m m e l, J/ G e rm a n y 1997. ) 11.b3 c6 12.e2 cxd4 13.exd4 b6 14.b2 e5 led to a great position for Black in the game Potocnik,P-Kanstler,B/ Ljubljana 1992, after 15.g3? h5 16.e3 f4 17.xf4 xf4 but 15 Qe3 was more sensible. ] 10.exf4 [ 10.xf4 may also be playable, although Black has some initiative f ollowing g4
11.e4 g6 ] 10...c6 11.b3 g4 12.f2 b4 13.b1 d5 For his sacrificed pawn Black has gained a certain initiative. 14.cxd5!? fxd5 15.0-0 White plans f5, to free his c1-bishop. d6 [ Black's pieces are aggressively placed, and now he must find a way to increase their activity. The text plans to attack f4, but as the pawn can advance it may be better to l o o k f o r o t h e r m o v e s . 15...h4!? is annoying for White, and after 16.g3 f6 Black has real positional compensation for his pawn. ] 16.f5! g6?! [ Attempting to justify his previous move, but White was on top anyway, i.e. 16...c6 17.h3 h5 18.e4 and a3 is coming. ] 17.xd5 xd5 18.e4 f6!? [ Otherwise 18...c6 19.xd5+ cxd5 20.f6 is strong, the f6-pawn will be a constant problem for Black. ] 19.d3!? [ White is afraid of entering the complicated line 19.xb7 xf5 20.xa8 because of xh2+! b u t h e ca n p l a y 21.h1 g4 22.e1 xa8 23.h4 although Black has various tactical chances. ( 23.f4? e4 )] 19...gxf5? [ It is probably better to return to the previous note, by 19...d5!? 20.c4 c6 ( and not 20...xf5? 21.xd5+ xd5 22.f7+ winning ) 21.xd5+ cxd5 22.f6 ] 20.h6 This wins material. f7 [ 20...e8? loses quickly to 21.h3 h5 22.xf5 e7 23.g5+ with mate to follow. ] 21.c4 e4 22.xf7+ xf7 23.e3 h4 Threatening mate, but it is easily countered. 24.f4 e2 25.xe4!! [ 25.xe4 as after fxe4 26.g5+ xf1 27.xf1+ g6 28.xh4 White has an extra piece. ] 1-0
832
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 White a pawn up. ] A21 Damljanovic,Branko 2611 26.f2 c7 27.c4 e7? Rather setting Drazic,Sinisa 2501 himself up for White's powerful reply. [ 27...h6 would have been a better idea TCh-SRB Premier Men (5.5) 31.08.2011 when 28.g4 doesn't have quite the same [Nigel Davies] impact. ] 1.c4 e5 2.c3 b4 3.d5 e7 4.d4 d6 28.g4 g6 [ 28...h6 W h i t e w i n s w i t h 29.e5! 5.f3 c6 6.c3!? I can understand why , for example dxe5 30.g5 hxg5 31.fxg5 nobody has had the idea to play this move xg5 32.g2 h6 33.d6! etc. ] before - W hite retreats an apparently well placed piece. White's idea is that there's now 29.g5 g7 30.f5 e5 31.f6 [ 31.b5! would have been even better. ] a positional threat to gain space with 7.d5, and Black's knight on c6 does not have a 31...f8 32.c1 xa4 33.f4 e8 34.e3 35.xa3 bxa3 36.e3 h6?! convenient retreat square. And meanwhile a3 Helping White to open up the kingside. The Black can't play 6...e4. [ In earlier games White has often preferred later stages of this game bear the marks of 6.e3 , for example e4 7.g1 g5 8.h4 t i m e t ro u b l e wi t h b o t h s id e s co m m it t i n g e7 9.e2 f5 10.ef4 f6 11.xf6+ certain inaccuracies. 37.gxh6 d7 38.g1 xf6 12.d5 0-0 13.d2 e7 14.xf6+ h7 39.d3 d8 40.g5 f5 41.h3 xf6 15.d5 g6! 16.c3 e5 17.xe5 xh6 42.f3 c8 43.h4 c4 44.c2 b7 dxe5 18.c2 c5 was about equal in 45.h5 b2 46.g2? [ 46.e2! was strong here, for example Gelfand, B (2685)-Shirov, A (2710)/Moscow xa2 47.hxg6+ fxg6 48.e5 xe5 1992. ] 49.xg6+ wins Black's queen. ] [ Another popular move has been 6.xe7 but then xe7 7.d5 d8 8.e4 f5 9.d3 46...e5 47.g3 xa2 48.hxg6+ fxg6 fxe4 10.xe4 f6 was fine for Black in 49.c1 a1 50.xa3 d4?! [ 50...h5+ 51.g1 xa3 52.xa3 f7 Me llad o Trivino , J (2 39 5)-Sp ra gget t, K would have seen Black escape into an equal (2550)/Casablanca 1994. ] endgame. ] 6...exd4 Opting for a 'little centre' structure in 51.e3?! which White has more space. [ 51.g5 was better but then xg5 52.xg5 [ Old timers like myself would probably prefer xf6 53.e3 f7 gives Black play on the to keep their outpost in the centre with dark squares. ] 6...f6 7.d5 b8 with transposition into a 51...h5+ 52.g1 e5 kind of Old Indian Defence. ] [ 52...xf6 is just fine for Black. ] 7.xd4 xd4 8.xd4 f6 9.d2 e6 10.e4 e7 11.e2 0-0 12.0-0 c6 13.b3 53.a7+ h8? 54.a8 g8 [ 54...xf6 55.f2 shows why black should d4 14.d3 a6 15.b2 c6 16.d1 b5 have put his king on g8 on his 53rd move. ] 17.e3 c5 [ 17...e8 looks interesting here also, 55.xg6+ f7 56.g2 g4 57.a7+ e7 keeping his pawn structure flexible for as 58.fxe7 h8 59.e8+ long as possible. As the game progresses 1-0 the knight on d4 looks very impressive but without pawn levers it's difficult for it to A21 gain support. Meanwhile White can advance 840 his kingside pawns. ] Erdos,Viktor 2650 18.h1 e8 19.ae1 b8 20.c3 b4 Stevic,Hrvoje 2626 21.b2 a5 22.f4 a4 23.bxa4 a8 24.d5 CRO-chT Bol (2.5) 14.09.2013 xd5 25.cxd5 a5 [Fier, Alexandr] [ And not 25...xa4 b e c a u s e o f 26.xd4 xd4 27.b5 c3 28.e2 a7 29.xe8 Here White plays 6.f4 before developing the xe1 30.xf7+ xf7 31.xe1 , leaving g 1 - k n i g h t wi t h t h e i d e a o f s t o p p i n g a n y 839
833
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 attacking ideas for Black. I like the 10.exf3 idea and soon W hite got a tangible space advantage. For Black I would take a look at 1 2 . . . e xf 4 . 1.c4 e5 2.g3 d6 3.c3 f5 This is quite a flexible setup. 4.g2 [ 4.d4 is the main line and played by various t o p p l a y e r s e4 5.h3 was analyzed in Kramnik, V (2788)-Svidler, P (2738)/Tal Memorial Blitz 2008. ] 4...f6 5.d3 e7 6.f4!? In a strange way this is the same idea Black made some moves ago. With this move it's much harder for Black to cre a te an y at t a ck on t he kin gsid e . 0-0 7.f3 c6 8.0-0 d4 9.h1 xf3 10.exf3! White is going to exchange the f4pawn and then bring another pawn to f4. With this in mind White has time to bring the rooks to the center and expand on the queenside. c6 Now the d6-pawn can be an issue if White plays something with d4. [ 10...e8 could be a solid option 11.e1 f8 def ending e 5 12.e3 and White still has a lot of useful moves like Qd2 and b4, a4. For Black is not clear where the pieces should go. ] 11.e1 d7 12.e3 f6 [ 12...exf4 is more active, more or less winning a tempo compared to the game 13.xf4 e5! all the counterplay is based on the f4-square. If Black manages to play ... f4 the position should be fine even a pawn down 14.e3 ( 14.d2 is too slow g6 15.e3 f4 and Black is fine; 14.xe5 dxe5 15.xe5 d6 16.e1 f4 and Black has good activity) 14...h5 ( 14...g6?! 15.f4 locks the knight) 15.f4 g4 16.g1 and we reach a similar position compared to the game, with the difference that the pawn is already on h5. Now a quick expansion on the kingside can work h4 17.f3 hxg3 18.hxg3 g5!? with a risky position for Black, but full of life. ] 13.d2 [ 13.d4 exd4 14.xd4 c5 15.d2 ] 13...exf4 [ 13...a5 waiting is not good, since White still has useful moves like 14.ad1 with the idea of 15.d4! ] 14.xf4 e5 15.e3 f4 is coming and Black won't have counterplay on the kingside in time. The position is already more pleasant for
White. [ 15.b3 to play d4 doesn't work g6 16.e3 f4 and Black is fine. ] 15...d7 16.f4 g4 [ 16...f7 I prefer this move. The knight on g4 soon needs to go to h6. From f 7 it's passive but still better placed, 17.e2 c7 18.ae1 ae8 19.b4 with the same kind of position as in the game. Now Black can try a5 20.b5 xc3 21.xc3 cxb5 to complicate matters. Still 22.Bd4 can come and the position remains dangerous for Black. ] 17.g1 e8 [ 17...h5 18.f3 h4 19.g2 hxg3 20.hxg3 g5 and we reach a similar position to the 12...exf4 note where the f6-bishop is not so useful ] 18.h3 h6 19.b4 Now we see the White position improving little by little. c7 20.a4 a6 21.a5 xe1 22.xe1 e8 23.a4 xe1 24.xe1 The basic plan for White is to keep expanding on the queenside, since all the pieces are aiming there. Maybe Black can defend successfully, but the task is far from easy. f8 25.b6 e8 26.d4 e7 27.d2 It's important to keep the queens on, otherwise the lack of space is not so prob lema tic. f7 28.d5 Finally the break, Black is almost lost. c5 29.bxc5 dxc5 30.e3 c7 31.a8 c8 32.b6 c7 33.a8 c8 34.d6! It's necessary to open the position for the bishops. xa8 35.d7 e7 36.dxe8+ [ 36.d5 was a nice finesse, making one useful move, since Black's bishop can't get away, xd7 37.xd7 d8 38.xb7 xa5 39.c8+ d8 40.xf5 with a clear advantage for White ] 36...xe8 [ 36...xe8! activating the pieces was necessary 37.xb7 d6 38.d5 e4 39.xe4 fxe4 40.d5 a4 and Black is still in the game. ] 37.d5 d8 38.xb7 xa5 39.h2 This is not necessary. [ 39.c8+ w a s s i m p l e r d8 ( 39...d8 40.c6+ f7 41.xf5+ g8 42.e4 wins ) 40.xf5 and Black's position will soon collapse. ] 39...g6 40.b8+ d8 41.a7 d3 834
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 41...d6 defending the pawn was better and it's not clear how W hite is going to make progress. 42.d5 f8 ] 42.xc5 xc5 43.xc5 d2 [ 43...h5 44.c6+ d8 45.d5 e2+ 46.g2 h4 ] 44.c8+ Now W hite is just winning e7 45.b7+ d7 46.xa6 c7 47.a3+ e8 48.c5 h5 49.d5 f8 50.e3 g5 51.fxg5 h4 52.g6 e5 53.h6+ g7 54.xh4 xg6 [ 54...xg6 55.h8+ e7 56.xe5+ wins ] 1-0
842 Estremera Panos,Sergio Georgiev,Vladimir XVIII Open Andorra AND (2) [Neil McDonald]
A21 2353 2538 25.06.2000
1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.f3 e4 4.g5 f5 5.c3 f6 6.g3 White's strategy is fundamentally different from Xu Jun's in the no te ab ove . He pre f e rs to f ian che tt o h is bishop rather than develop it on e2 and plans to attack the black centre with f2-f3 rather than gain space with d4-d5. e7 7.g2 0-0 8.h3 c6 9.0-0 a6 10.f3 h8 11.g5 e6 12.b3 d5 Now we have a similar 841 A21 structure for Black as in Sultanov-Poluljahov, Ernst,Sipke 2392 which featured 4 Nfd2 instead of 4 Ng5. Once Dunnington,Angus J 2372 again, W hite is attempting to dismantle the IM Lichfield ENG (5) 10.07.2000 black centre. Black agrees to this, but makes sure it is dissolved under conditions which are [Neil McDonald] favourable to him. 13.f4 d7 14.h3 b4 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.c3 exd4 4.xd4 c6 15.c1 exf3 16.exf3 dxc4 17.xe6 xe6 ad8! This threatens 19...Rxd4! 5.d3?! Black has been unable to 18.bxc4 Most of Black's centre has disappeared but demonstrate a way to equality after [ 5.d2! -see the analysis in Tratar- his pieces are enjoying their activity and there is a clear target on d4. Srebrnic. ] [ On the other hand, dangerous would be 5...e5 6.c2 Besides the time lost, the 18...xc4 19.e4 f7 20.xf6 gxf6 queen will prove worse here than on d2. g6 21.h6 ] [ Not 6...xc4?? 7.a4+ ] 19.e4 White strives to activate his bishops, 7.g3 g7 8.g2 f6 9.b3? [ White is playing with fire. The modest 9.f3 b u t t h e e n d g a m e t h a t r e s u l t s f r o m h i s combination turns out to be unfavourable for was essential. ] xe4 20.fxe4 xd4! 21.exf5 9...0-0 10.b2 e8 11.e4 him. Of course if This is unsatisfactory, but if [ 21.xd4 c5 ] [ 11.f3 f5 12.d2 d3+ is painful. ] 11...b5! The beginning of a brilliant attack. 21...xd1 22.fxe6 c5+! This accurate move 12.xb5 c6 13.d4 d5 14.0-0-0 xe4 forces the white king one square further from 15.f3 d6 16.f4 c5!! Black gives up a piece the centre as going to g2 loses a rook to 23... 23.h1 fxf1+ 24.xf1 xc1 to open lines for his bishops against the white Rfxf1. king. 17.fxe5 cxd4 18.exd6 f5 19.f2 25.xc1 c7 26.h3 g8 Black now has h6+ 20.d2 a5 21.d1 xa2 an evident advantage because the passed A really severe punishment for White's failure pawn is a weakness rather than a strength. 27.f4 e8 28.g2 f8 29.f3 g1 to develop his king's knight. 30.e5 e7 31.g4 c5 32.h4 g6 33.h5 0-1 d6 34.d4 b6 35.hxg6 hxg6 36.e3 f6 37.d4+ e5 38.e3 c5 39.f2 d6 40.e3 Here White resigned or lost on time before Black could play xc4 0-1
835
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 843 Friedgood,David James,David J Four Nations Chess League 2000 [Paul Motwani]
A21 844
2000
Curiosity of the Month Consider game W11, the encounter D.Friedgood-D.James in the UK's Four Nations Chess League (4NCL) at Birmingham on 1 May 2000. David Friedgood is especially renowned for his prowess in endgame studies, but on this occasion there was no possibility of testing his skills in that a r e a . . . b e c a u s e h e f o u n d a d e va s t a t i n g combination immediately after the opening, and won at lightning speed in only 16 moves! Here's wha t happene d 1.c4 The English Opening has long been David's favourite e5 2.c3 f5 Certainly playable, although Black should be aware of the fact that he is really a tempo down compared to what White got with 1 e4 c5 2 f4 ingameW10 3.d4 e4 [ I would pre f e r 3...exd4 4.xd4 c6 5.e3+ f7!? intending rapid active piecedevelopment with ...Bb4, ...Nf6, and ...Re8, which is a speciality of Finland's GM Heikki Westerinen ] 4.h3! The white knight has spotted a promising position for itself at f4 f6 5.g5 c6 6.f4 e7 7.e3 0-0?! [ Missing the strength of White's next move Black should have played 7...d6 ] 8.c5! White's f1-bishop is eager to deliver a big check at c4! d5 9.cxd6 xd6 10.c4+ h8 11.h4! White goes straight for Black's king with a powerful case of "h for hunting"! b5? [ 11...g8 may not look very appealing, but at least it would stop 12.g6+ ] 12.g6+!! hxg6 13.h5 g8 [ Black is dead lost, as is demonstrated by lines like 13...bxc4 14.hxg6+ g8 15.xf6 xf6 16.h8+ xh8 17.h5+ g8 18.h7+ f8 19.h8# ] 14.hxg6+ h6 15.xh6 gxh6 16.h5 Black resigned, having no satisfactory way to protect his h6-pawn, since 16...Bg5 is crushed instantly by 17 Qxg5. 1-0
Gajewski,Grzegorz Heberla,Bartlomiej POL-ch Warsaw (3) [Fier, Alexandr]
A21 2629 2544 27.03.2014
A good game for W hite. It's always a good sign when it's hard to define where it went wrong for Black. My guess is that c5 doesn't help the counterplay and afterwards Black should try something with ...f5. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 b4 3.c2 White just tries to play the position like a normal English Opening. [ 3.d5 is the main move and it was seen many times on ChessPublishing e7 4.d4 d6 5.f3 ( 5.e4 f6 6.xe7 xe7 7.f3 was extensively analyzed in Aronian, L (273 9)-S hiro v, A (2 755)/XXV Sup erG M Morelia/Linares MEX/ESP 2008.) 5...e4 6.d2 f5 7.b1 is a thematic idea that was tried and analyzed in several games, such as Andreikin, D (2696)-Volkov, S (2607)/ Baku Open A AZE 2011. ] 3...f6 4.f3 e7 5.e4!? 0-0 [ 5...a6 was played last year by Sokolov 6.d3 c6 7.a3 a5 8.b4 b6 keeping the f le xib i lit y 9.e2 d6 and both sides have their pluses and minuses, Short, N (2688)Sokolov, I (2650)/Canadian op 50th 2013. ] [ 5...xc3 6.bxc3 d6 7.b1 0-0 8.d3 bd7 Bachmann Schiavo, A (2555)-Volkov, S (2594)/Dubai op 11th 2009. ] 6.e2 xc3 The idea behind this exchange is to close the position with the pawns on dark squares. 7.bxc3 Another thematic idea. With the pawn on d2 the structure is not so bad and with the pawn on c3 the d4-square is under control. d6 8.0-0 c5 Consistent, but not forced. [ 8...bd7 A) 9.d4!? this is always a committal move, b u t h e r e i t c a n w o r k exd4 ( 9...b6 10.h4 ) 10.cxd4 xe4 ( 10...xe4 11.d3 f5 12.e1 df6 13.g5 d8 14.h3 with good compensation) 11.d3 e7 12.b2 and White's bishops are quite scary; B) 9.d3 c5 5 would also be possible here and was the Volkov idea in the note to move ] 9.d3 c6 10.g3 White slowly prepares his 836
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 expansion on the kingside. h3 Somehow I already don't like this move. White's plan will work really well in the game, and probably it's around here and over the next few moves that Black should seek something different. [ 10...e8 is one of the options, preparing the pieces for ....f5 11.h4 g6 12.g2 ( 12.f4 exf4 13.xf4 g7 ) 12...h3 A) 13.f4 A1) 13...exf4 14.xf4 xg2 15.xg2 g7 16.f2 ( 16.e3 f5 is not what W h i t e w a n t s) 16...f6 17.h6 and W hite can be better, but Black's position is solid; A2) 13...g7 14.f2 f5 15.f3 g4!? otherwise the bishop on f3 can become too strong 16.xg4 fxg4 17.e3 e6 18.d5 f7 with a double-edged game; B) 13.e1 f5 and Black has much more play than in the game ] 11.e1 h6 12.h4 h7 13.d1! It's funny, but now the position is already unpleasant for Black. White is ready to start the game on the kingside and the last moves of Black are not helping anything. [ 13.f5 it looks tempting to take the second bishop, but Black is fine after xf5 14.exf5 f6 15.f3 d7 16.g4 fe8 17.h3 d5 with chances for both sides ] 13...e6 Coming back to keep the bishops in the game. [ 13...ab8 14.g4 this is the move Black wanted to avoid. Without the bishops, the knight will be stronger on f5 xg4 15.xg4 f6 16.e2 b5 17.f5 d7 18.cxb5 xb5 19.d4 with a slight advantage for White ] [ 13...d7 avoids 14.Bg4 14.b1 b6 15.g4! and the bishop is out of play e7 16.f5 ] 14.f5 d7 15.g4 ab8 16.e3 h8?! [ 16...a6 looks like a better option, Black needs this move to play ...b5 under good c o n d it i o n s 17.f4 ( 17.h1 b5 18.cxb5 axb5 and Black is doing ok) 17...h8 18.d2 and White is at least attacking with some danger now. His king can become too e x p o s e d a t s o m e p o i n t b5 19.d4 is an entertaining position with too many p o s s i b l e c h a n g e s . F o r e x a m p l e : xf5 20.gxf5 cxd4 21.cxd4 exd4 22.xd4 xd4 23.xd4 bxc4 24.xc4 b4 and Black is
ok ] 17.h1 b5 [ 17...e7 is another idea, but it's not so clear what the knight is doing here A) 18.d4 looks nice, but probably its not n e c e s s a r y t o o p e n t h e c e n t e r c7 ( 18...exd4 19.cxd4 is also good for White; 18...cxd4 19.cxd4 only helps White ) 19.dxc5 dxc5 20.d6 xd6 21.xd6 b6 22.f3 and White will try to play on the d-file; B) 18.g1 is more to the point a6 19.d2 b5 20.cxb5 axb5 21.d4 now this move is b e t t e r a n d g i ve s s o m e a d v a n t a g e t o White ] 18.cxb5 xb5 19.d4 And White has a clear advantage, Black is going nowhere on the queenside. b2 20.dxc5 [ 20.d5 is not good because xf5 21.dxc6 xe4+ is with check ] 20...d5 21.exd5 xd5+ 22.f3 f6 23.c4 xf3+ 24.xf3 Black is a pawn down and h a s n o g o o d s q u a r e s f o r t h e k n i g h t s h5 Opening the kingside for the white pieces, but there was not much to do. [ 24...e8 25.g5 and White is winning ] 25.gxh5 e7 26.xe7 xe7 27.d4 b7 28.c6 1-0
845 Gonzales,Jayson Sadorra,Julio Catalino ch-PHI Finals (4) [Carsten Hansen]
A21 2524 2470 03.07.2008
1.c4 e5 2.c3 [ A related line 2.g3 f5 3.d4 was the subject of Kramnik-Bacrot, Moscow 2007. ] 2...f5 3.d4 e4 [ The text move is considered somewhat dubious, whereas 3...exd4 is supposed to be somewhat more critical ] 4.f3 [ 4.h3!? was discussed in FriedgoodJames, 2000, which can be found in the PGN archives. ] 4...exf3 [ Black's best option is possibly 4...f6!? ] [ As discussed in my book on 1 c4 e5, White 837
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 h a s t h e b e t t e r c h a n c e s a f t e r 4...b4 , for instance: 5.h3 f6 6.d2 e7 7.e3 0-0 8.b3 xc3 ( 8...a5 9.e2 h8 10.f2 c6 11.f4 d5 12.c5 xc3 13.xc3 c7 14.a3 , and White has the clearly better chances, Stuart, P-Ker, A/Auckland NZL 2003 ) 9.xc3 d6 10.0-0-0 e8 11.e2 bd7 12.f2 f8 13.f4 d5 14.hg1 , and White has the better position and a simple plan to follow, Petursson, MVidarsson, J/ Gardabaer 1996 ] 5.xf3!? [ White can also obtain the better chances with the simple and straightforward 5.exf3 , e.g. f6 6.d3 d6 7.ge2 c6 8.c2 g6 9.e3 d7 10.a3 g7 11.0-0-0 0-0 12.b1 Vescovi, G-Rodrigues, A/Itabirito 1998 ] 5...f6 6.c2 [ At this juncture, in addition to the text move, W h i t e h a s t wo wo r t h wh il e a lt e rn a t i ve s available: A) 6.g3 c6?! ( 6...b4 7.h3 xc3+ 8.bxc3 d6 9.h4 ) 7.g2 d6 8.0-0 e6?! 9.d5 cxd5 10.cxd5 d7 11.e3 , and Black is already in severe trouble, Engel, G-Bachler, W/Graz 1995 ] [ B) 6.g5 e7 7.xf6 ( 7.e3 0-0 8.d3 is quite pleasant for White.) 7...xf6 8.e4 fxe4 9.xe4 A) 9...0-0!? A1) Or 10.xf6+ xf6 11.e2 ( 11.d3 e8+ 12.d2 c6 ) 11...d6 12.0-0; A2) 10.d3 h4+ 11.xh4 xh4+ 12.g3 h6 13.d2 h5; B) 9...e7 10.d3 b4+ 11.d2 xd2+ 12.xd2 e7 13.eg5+Cuadras Avellana, J-Lopez, E/Catalunya 1996 ] 6...d6 7.g3 [ White has another good continuation a v a i l a b l e : 7.e3 g6 8.d3 c6 9.a3 ( 9.0-0!? g7 10.d2 0-0 11.a3 ) 9...g7 10.b4 0-0 11.0-0 e7 12.d5 Eitel, PKuehl, R/Germany 1992 ] 7...g6 8.g2 g7 9.0-0 [ White can also send the king in the opposite direction with 9.f4 0-0 10.0-0-0!? , a n d wi t h o u t a n e -p a wn f o r B l a c k , h e appears to have a harder time generating real counterplay. ]
9...0-0 10.g5 [ 10.b4!? is also worthwhile of consideration. ] 10...h6 11.xf6 [ 11.d2!? ] 11...xf6 12.e4!? [ 12.e3!? ] 12...c6 13.ad1 g5 [ 13...f7 14.d5 ] 14.exf5?! [ 14.d5 e5 is pleasant for Black ] [ White, however, can improve further with 14.d5! , for instance: d8 15.e5! b8 ( 15...f7 16.fe1 with a very uncomfortable position for Black. ) 16.f2 a6 17.fe1 ] 14...xf5 [ While the exchange of queens are in Black's interest due to the open position and Black holding the pair of bishops, White can ea sily side ste p it. The ref ore Blac k sh o u l d c o n t i n u e h i s d e ve l o p m e n t wi t h 14...xf5!? 15.b3 ab8 with a doubleedged position ] 15.d2 [ White has a couple of alternatives here: A) 15.b3 d7 16.c5+!? ( 16.d5 e7 17.e4 b6= ) 16...h8 17.cxd6 cxd6 ( 17...xd6 18.b5 d8 19.d5 leaves White with the initiative) 18.d5 d8 with chances to both sides ] [ B) 15.e1!? lets Black exchange queens, keeping in mind the somewhat soft Black q u e e n s i d e . xc2 ( 15...g4 16.xf8+ xf8 17.f2+ f5 18.b5 xf2+ 19.xf2 g4 20.d2 c8 21.xc6 bxc6 22.xa7 a8 23.xc6 xa2 24.e3 ) 16.xf8+ xf8 17.xc2 g7 18.b5!? g4 19.f1 e8 20.f2 e2 , and the chances are about even. ] 15...g6 16.d5 [ The alternatives don't have much to offer f o r W h i t e : 16.b5 f7 17.d5 e5 18.xe5 xe5 19.xf7 xf7 20.f1 h7 , and Black has almost equalised. ] [ Or 16.d5 f7 17.b4 e6 18.xc7 xc7 19.d5 f7 20.dxc6 bxc6 21.c1 f6 ] 16...e5 17.xe5 xe5 [ 17...xf1+!? 18.xf1 xe5 19.b5 h7 with an identical position to the one after 16 Nb5 above in the note after W hite's 16th move. ] 838
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 18.xf8+ xf8 19.b5 g7?! [ Now Black is getting himself into a bit of trouble. The correct move is 19...h7! , e.g. 20.d4 ( 20.f1+ g8 21.e2 f5 ) 20...g8 21.e6 xe6 22.dxe6 c6 23.h3 , and White's advantage is truly minimal. ] 20.d4? [ White returns the favor He can obtain an advantage with 20.f1+! g8 21.e2 g4 ( or 21...a6 22.xc7!! xc7 23.h5 d4+ 24.h1 g7 25.e4 ) 22.e4 d7 ( 22...a6 23.xc7 xc7 24.g6+ g7 25.e8+ h7 26.e4+ ) 23.xc7 f8 24.e6 xe6 25.dxe6 xb2 26.d1 e5 27.xb7 xb7 28.xb7 , and White has excellent winning chances. ] 20...g8?! [ Here 20...xd4+ equalizes effortlessly: 21.xd4 xd4+ 22.xd4 d7 23.e4 a5 . Now on the other hand, White grabs the initiative once again, and Black has to play accurately. ] 21.e6 xe6 22.dxe6 c6 23.e2 [ 23.b4 to soften up Black's queenside and remove Black's protection of the d5-square makes perfect sense: f6 24.b5!? ( 24.h3 f3 25.d3 xd3 26.xd3 h5 27.f5 f8= ) 24...c8 25.bxc6 bxc6 26.e7 xe7 27.xc6 g7 28.d5 , White's advantage mainly consists of Black's weak light squares around the king, whether W hite can a ct ua lly e xp lo it th is weakne ss is a different issue altogether. ] 23...e8?! [ Black continues his parade of inaccuracies. Instead 23...g4 also leads to a better game for W hite, e.g. 24.e4 f8 25.b4 f6 26.e7 xe7 27.xg4+ ] [ whereas 23...g6! challenges White more, for instance 24.g4 ( 24.b4 initially looks like a good idea, intending xe6 25.b5 , b u t t h i s p l a n i s r e f u t e d b y d4+ , and it is game over for White.) 24...e8 25.h3 xb2 26.e2 a3 27.f1 , and White has compensation for the pawn, but not much more than that. ] 24.h3 d4+ [ 24...xb2!? 25.xd6 a3 26.d7 c5+ 27.h1 f6 28.a4 ( White can play 28.xb7 , but it invites nothing but problems
after a1+ 29.g2 g1+ 30.f3 h5 31.g7+! h8! (taking the rook loses for Black) 32.f7 d4 33.g4 h4 , and Black has successfully dug his way into the game again. ) 28...e7 29.d1 ] 25.h1 e5?? [ B l a c k s h o u l d h a v e p l a y e d 25...e7 , a n d t h e n o n l y a f t e r a m o ve l i k e 26.b4 Black could proce ed wit h e5 , after 27.d3 c3 28.a3 , White has a small but clear advantage. ] 26.d3! Game over, Black gets mated or loses the bishop on d4. f8 27.f1+ e7 28.h7+ g7 29.f7+ 1-0
846 Gulko,Boris F Short,Nigel D Elenite [Tony Kosten]
A21 2620 2645 1995
1.c4 e5 2.c3 d6 3.f3 White wishes to play d4, but should Black capture this, to be able to recapture with the knight on d4, rather t h a n t h e qu e e n . f5 Now that Black will not want to take on d4, he needs to control e4, ready to answer d4 with ...e4. The alternative is playing ...Nd7, with a transposition to an Old Indian. 4.d4 e4 5.g5 Sometimes other kn igh t m o ve s a re p la ye d , b u t t h is is t h e modern preference, the knight is unlikely to rest on g5, but will go to the important square f 4 , v i a h 3 . c6 Preparing to bolster the e4pawn by ...d5, [ 5...e7 6.h3 c6 will transpose. ] 6.g3 This way White can develop his lightsquared bishop whilst keeping the c1-h6 diagonal open for the use of his brother. [ 6.h3 a6 7.e3 is the, nowadays less popular, alternative, ( 7.g3 will transpose) 7...f6 8.f4 c7 planning . ..d5, or ...Ne6, to challenge W hite's forward knight. 9.d5! e7 10.b3!? The c1-bishop must be developed. 0-0 11.b2 d7 12.e2 g5! with unclear play, Timman,J-Yusupov,A/ Amsterdam 1994. ] 6...e7 7.h3 f6 8.g2 [ 8.d5 is possible here, but it seems to me that it might be premature as Black's 839
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 queen's knight can 'change course', and instead of heading for c7, can go to e5. bd7 9.g2 A) 9...b6!? i s t r i c k y , a s , i f 10.b3? then Black wins a pawn: ( 10.dxc6 bxc6 11.b3 is better, but equal.) 10...cxd5 11.cxd5 bxd5! 12.xd5 a5+ 13.d2 xd5 Lazarev,V-Gofshtein,L/Oberwart 1993.; B) 9...e5 10.b3 0-0 11.0-0 e8 12.f3 exf3 13.exf3 f8 14.dxc6?! ( 14.e1 keeps more control, d7 15.e3 c5 16.f4 f7 17.c2 with a space advan ta ge , Nikolic,P -V an de r W iel,J/ Netherlands (ch) 1997.) 14...bxc6 15.f2 d5! 16.cxd5 a6! 17.e1 c5 18.e3 d3! 19.xd3 xe3+ 20.h1 cxd5 Black's pieces have exploded into life, Poluljahov,A-Kotsur,P/ Novgorod RUS 1999. ] 8...0-0 9.0-0 a6 A key manoeuvre, borrowed from the Advance French, the knight comes to c7, either to prepare the ...d5-push, or to continue towards the kingside via e6. 10.f3 Attacking the black pawn chain head-on, but now is a good time for [ 10.d5 both gaining space in the centre, and stopping Black from playing ...d5himself. c7 11.h1 ( 11.f4 is met by g5 with sharp play.) 11...cxd5 12.cxd5 b5! with the annoying threat of ...b4, winning the d5-pawn. 13.b4 a5 14.b1 axb4 15.xb4 d7 16.b1 g4 17.f3 exf3 18.exf3 f6 with good play, Piket,J-Adams,M/Tilburg 1996. ] 10...exf3 Black prefers not to defend e4, but [ 10...c7!? is also possible, 11.fxe4 fxe4 12.d5 b5!? 13.dxc6 bxc4 14.b3! e8 15.f2 xc6 16.cxe4 d5 with chances f o r b o t h s id e s, P o rt is ch -G u lko , B i e l I Z 1993. ] 11.exf3 c7!? 12.d5 cxd5 13.cxd5 b5! Black mounts a concerted attack on the d5pawn, did this pawn cross the boundary too soon? 14.b4 A little bit weakening, [ 14.a3 a5 15.f4 might be an improvement, b7 can be met by 16.e6 xe6 17.dxe6 unclear. ] 14...a5 15.b1 axb4 16.xb4 d7 17.a3 a6 18.b1 c7 Black is happy to sacrifice the b-pawn, knowing that his piece activity will
be enough to recuperate the a, or d-pawns. 19.d4 [ 19.xb5 c5+ 20.d4 ab8 21.xc5 xc5 and ...Nxd5, is typical of the possibilities. ] 19...c5 20.xc5 xc5 The endgame is pleasant for Black who has two targets- the w e a k w h i t e q u e e n s i d e p a w n s . 21.e1?! After this move White's game slips downhill, [ 21.d1! was necessary, protecting the dpawn, and preparing to bring the g2-bishop into the game on f1. ] 21...d8 22.xb5 d3 23.d1 b6+ B la ck 's ' b a d ' b i sh o p h a s f o u n d a s t r o n g diagonal. 24.h1 xc1 25.dxc1 c5 26.f4 e3! 27.c4 xb5 Time to garner the fruits of his previous play, first Black takes the a-pawn. 28.xb5 xa3 29.b1 fa8 The white king is awkwardly placed, and the back rank weak. 30.f1 g5 31.e6 xd5 Now Black is a pawn up, and still retains his positional plusses. 32.c2 a1 33.cb2 c3 34.xa1 xa1 The black pieces are homing-in for the kill. 35.g2 f7 36.c7 d5 Black has another trump: the passed dpawn. 37.d3 g1+ 38.h3 f6?! [ 38...d1 39.e2 f2+ would have been more immediate. ] 39.f4 gxf4 40.gxf4 d1? 41.b3! A clever trick, for if 41...Rxd3 there is 42 Rxc3 Rxc3 43 Nxd5+, drawing. White doesn't give up, but uses all the resources at his disposal. d4 42.a6 g6 43.b8 f6 44.b6! e4 45.e8 d2 46.c8 h5 The opposite-colour bishops may yet prove a problem for Black. 47.d6 xd6 48.xd6 h4 49.e6? Careless, now Black is back on track . d4 50.d7 e2 51.c6 e3+ 52.g2 h3+ 53.f1 f7 54.d7+ e6 55.h7 d3 56.f2 d4 57.d7 c5? Strange, a computer would play [ 57...e4+ 58.f3 d2 and queens, without a moment's reflection. ] 58.d8 f6 59.f1 b6 60.d6+ e7 61.d7+ e6 62.d5 c7 63.d4 f6 Forcing a curious zugzwang. 64.b7 [ 64.b5 would lose to f3+ 65.e1 a5+ 66.d1 f1# ] 64...xf4! 65.a6 [ 65.xf4 d2 66.d4 e1+ forces the dpawn through. ] 840
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 65...f3+ 66.e1 xh2 67.xd3 g3+ 68.e2 White would draw, easily, if he could exchange the rooks. f2+ 69.e3 h2 70.d1 f4+ 71.d3 b2 72.c4 e5 Unfortunately, with the rooks on the board, Black wins easily! 73.c3 g2 74.d5+ e4 75.h5 f3 76.d5+ e3 77.h7 e5+ 78.c4 g1 0-1
27.a5 1-0
848 Gurevich,Mikhail Topalov,Veselin Bosna SuperGM (9) [Tony Kosten]
A21 2694 2702 26.05.2000
1.c4 g6 2.c3 g7 3.g3 e5 4.g2 f5 An aggressive move, Black makes his intentions on the kingside clear. 5.d4!? Gupta,Abhijeet [ A sharp reaction, White exploits tactical Nanjo,Ryosuke features of the position to make this XLIII WJun Kochin IND (1) advance, 5.e3 e7 6.ge2 d6 7.d3 ( or [John Watson] 7.d4 ) 7...0-0 8.0-0 a5 9.a3 c6 is more typical, Hort,V-Byrne, R/Sousse 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.f3 e4 4.g5 f5 1967. ] 5.c3 e7 This has been a reliable system used by professionals for many years now. It 5...exd4 [ Best, 5...e4!? maintains Black's central often arises from the move order 1.c4 e5 2. pawn, but allows White a plus, 6.g4!? ( 6.f3 Nc3 d6 3.Nf3 f5 4.d4 e4 5.Ng5 Be7. Of course is simpler) 6...c6 7.gxf5 gxf5 8.h3!? in that case White has options like 3.g3, 4.g3, xd4 9.d5 d6 10.g5 d7 11.e3 xb2 and 5.Bg5!?. 6.h3 f6 7.g3 c6 8.g5 12.b1 g7 13.h5+ with some initiative, [ 8.g2 0-0!? 9.0-0!? d5 10.cxd5 cxd5 Miles,A-King,D/Moscow 1990. ] 11.g5 e6 12.f4 f7 looks equal. ] 6.b5 c6 8...e6! 9.d5 cxd5 10.cxd5 f7 11.g2 [ Naturally, 6...c5?? allows 7.d6+ ( 7.f4 [ It's hard to get any pressure on Black's a6 8.d6+ f8 9.xb7 is also strong) c e n t r e , f o r e x a m p l e , 11.b3 d7 7...f8 8.xb7 ] ( 11...bd7!? ) 12.xf6 ( 12.e3! ) 12...xf6 13.f4 a6! and with ...Nc5 Black will have 7.f3 f6 8.f4?! [ White tries to extract the utmost from the the better game. ] position, but the bishop proves misplaced 11...bd7 12.0-0 0-0 13.d2?! here, 8.0-0 is more solid e4! ( 8...d5? [ 13.b1 b6 14.xf6 xf6 15.f4 ] 9.f4 ) 9.bxd4 xd4 10.xd4 0-0 13...b6! 14.f3 exf3 15.xf3 d7 ( 10...d5? loses a pawn, prettily, 11.cxd5 [ 15...h6! 16.xf6 ( 16.e3 c4 ) 16...xf6 xd5 12.xf5! xf5 13.a4+ ) 11.b3 17.d3 ( 17.f4 c4 ) 17...d7 ( 17...c8! is level, Benko, P-Petrosian,T/Curacao 18.xf5 c4 ) 18.f4 fc8 and Black 1962. ] seems to have the better of it again. 8...d6 9.fxd4 White's whole setup looks suspect. ] [ A new move, if an exceedingly obvious one, 16.b3 ac8 17.a4 e4? Losing material. 9.c5!? e4 10.cxd6 cxd6 11.0-0 0-0 Naturally Black was in no trouble and could 12.bxd4 xd4 13.xd4 b6 14.b3 have played e6 allowed Black sufficient activity to [ 17...h6 ] co u n t e r-b a l a n c e h is we a k d 6 -p a wn , i n 18.xe4 fxe4 19.xe4 xh3?? Gaspar,A-Santos,C/Loures 1996. ] [ But 19...ce8 20.f5 is very strong for 9...xd4 10.xd4!? White. ] [ The logical follow-up, 10.xd4 e4 11.0-0 20.xe7 fe8 21.f5 h5 22.g4 g5 would allow Black active kingside play. ] Trapping the queen. h3 23.f3 xf3 24.exf3 xe7 25.xc8 xc8 26.c1 b6 10...0-0 11.c5 e4 Once again , opening the long diagonal a1-h8, for the g7-bishop, and 847
A21 2412 2154 20.11.2004
841
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 u s i n g t h e e 4 - o u t p o st t o r e s t ra in t h e g2 bishop's influence. 12.c4+ d5 13.b4 a5 14.a3 f7 [ 14...c6 15.d6 b6 is also reasonable. ] 15.d1 g5!? Black plays very aggressively. 16.e3 [ 16.xc7 xc7 17.xc7 xc7 18.xd5 e6!? is dangerous for White. ] 16...e8 17.c3 [ 17.d4 also allows f4 ] 17...xc3 18.bxc3 f4! 19.gxf4 [ 19.d4 f3 20.f1 fxe2 21.xe2 g4 22.e3 e4 also leaves White on his knees. ] 19...gxf4 20.d4 g4 [ 20...f3 21.f1 fxe2 22.xe2 g4 is also dangerous, but 23.e3 defends for a while. ] 21.0-0? [ The kingside will prove to be an inhospitable place for the king, perhaps 21.f1 was the best try, xe2 22.xe2 f3 allows 23.d2 fxe2 24.g1 with real chances. ] 21...a6! [ The last piece in the jigsaw, the rook will make its presence f elt on the kingside. 21...xe2 22.xd5 h8 is not so effective. ] 22.f3 [ This is positionally undesirable, but if 22.xd5? then g6 23.h1 xe2 threatens mate on f3, and wins. ] 22...f5 23.f2 g6 24.f1?! [ This loses a piece. 24.h1 was a better bet, but although White may have avoided immediate mate, his position is still awful. ] 24...xd4 25.xd4 fg7 With an unstoppable threat of capturing the g2bishop. 26.xd5 h3 [ 26...xg2 27.xg2 h3 also wins. ] 27.b3 [ 27.xh3?? g1# ] 27...h8 28.d1 xg2+ [ It is surprising that White plays on, which suggests that Black was short of time. Here, 28...xg2 29.xg2 xg2 30.d4+ g8 is even more straightforward. ] 29.e1 h3 30.d4 g1+ 31.d2 e3+ 32.xe3 fxe3+ [ 32...d1+ 33.xd1 fxe3 is an amusing
t rick, t ra p p in g t h e ro o k, b u t t h e t e xt i s stronger. ] 33.xe3 e6 34.d4 7g5 35.e4 g8 36.f4 xc5 37.f5 g7 38.f6+ g6 39.e7 f7 40.d4 c4+ 41.d3 c6 0-1
849 Hansen,Curt Sokolov,Ivan Groningen [Tony Kosten]
A21 2635 2630 1995
1.c4 e5 2.c3 b4 3.d5 e7 A surprising move, popularised by Shirov. Black seems happy to lose the pair of bishops, h e wi l l p l a c e h i s p a w n s s o l i d l y o n d a r k squares. 4.d4 d6 5.e4 The most ambitious move, White takes control of the centre. f6 The safest choice, perhaps, Black wishes to oblige White to capture on e7. The alternative is [ 5...c6 although the risk here is that the d6square might be weakened. 6.xe7 xe7 7.e2! f6 ( 7...f5!? is too risky, 8.dxe5 xe5 9.exf5 f6 10.d4! xf5 11.f4 a5+! 12.c3 xc3+ 13.xc3 0-0 14.0-0-0 with an ideal endgame for the bishop pair, and a consequent advantage for W hite, Kasparov, G-Shirov,A/Novgorod 1994. ) 8.f3 ( 8.c3 may well be superior.) 8...d5!? 9.dxe5 xe5 10.c2?! dxe4 11.f4 f5 12.0-0-0 0-0 13.c3 c5 14.g4 e6 Smirin,I-Stisis,Y/Tel Aviv ISR 1999, but Black's computer-like pawn grabbing came out on top. ] 6.xe7 xe7 7.f3 Black has a lead in de ve lo pm en t, bu t, m uch as in t he 4 Q c 2 Nimzo, unless he manages to achieve something concrete with it, White's bishop pair, and space advantage, will gradually come into their own. exd4 8.xd4 c6 9.c3 0-0 10.e3 A perfectly logical move, preparing to evacuate the king to the queenside if n e ce ssa ry, a n d p o ss ib ly b e t t e r t h a n t h e alternative [ 10.e2 although this might transpose. ] 10...e8 11.e2 e5 12.f4 Both continuing development, and keeping an eye on d5. g6 13.0-0-0 xf4 14.xf4 a6 842
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Hoping to generate some queenside play, with ...b5, but it may be too late for Black as White has almost completed his development and can start making his trumps count. 15.h4 e6 16.g4 With a strong hold on the centre, White can happily advance on the kingside, Black risks being flattened. d7 17.g5 b5?! Black's best chance lay in [ 17...f8! planning to answer h5 with ...f5, and thereby attempting to put up some sort of defence on the kingside. ] 18.h5 f8? After this, the game slides quickly out of Black's finger-tips, [ 18...f6 was better, although Black is really struggling. ] 19.h6 g6 Black's dark squares are horrifically weak, and of course he has no bishop to d e f e n d t h e m ! 20.xd6! The thematic darksquared explosion. b4 [ If 20...cxd6 then 21.xd6 wins the black queen, which cannot leave g7 undefended. ] 21.d4 ad8 22.xd7? A bad mistake that ruins White's previous fine play, [ 22.xa6! wa s st r o n g, a s c5 23.f6 xa6? allows mate in five, starting 24.e5 ] 22...xd7 Now Black is fine, and may even be better. 23.b3 h3 24.b2 xf1 25.xf1 d3 26.xc7 c3+ 27.b1 c5 Black has managed to free the queen from the defence of g7. 28.f4 d8 29.e2 d4 30.c1 a5? Black's turn to err, [ h e s h o u l d k e e p q u e e n s o n b y 30...d3 31.b2 c5 as the endgame is more dangerous for Black than it might appear at first sight. ] 31.b2 d3+ 32.xd3 cxd3 33.f2 [ 33.g7! would have asked some searching questions, for how will Black manage to extricate his king from g8? ] 33...f8 Phew! 34.c2 e3 35.e5 e8 36.c7 c3+ 37.b2 a8 The position is level. 38.a3? A time-trouble mistake, worried bout the further advance of the black a-pawn, White tries to stop it, and only encourages it! Preparation of the c-pawn's advance was called-for. a4! 39.bxa4 xc4 40.d6 bxa3+ 41.xa3 cxa4+ Black has liquidated the queenside pawns, and has obtained a serious advantage again. Can Black set-up some sort of f o rt re s s ? 42.b3 4a6 43.d2 d8 Forcing the exchange of a pair of rooks, which
is desirable, but more chances were offered by [ 43...c8 cutting the white king off from the defence of the kingside. ] 44.b4 xd2 45.xd2 f6 46.c4 a2 47.d3 a3+ 48.e2 The white king has come back, winning with the limited number of pawns remaining will take care. f7 49.f4 a5 50.gxf6 xf6 51.f2 h5? Black misses the clear-cut line [ 51...g5 52.e3 g6 53.f4 g4 54.f5+ h5 55.f4 a3 when White has two connected passed pawns, but his king is cutof f , and stopping the g4-pawn won't be easy. ] 52.e3 h2+ Now, if [ 52...g5 then 53.d4+ g6 54.g7 defends the h6-pawn. ] 53.g3 e2 54.d4+ g5 55.g7 The black king cannot pass, and the position is therefore drawn. e3 56.f8 b3 57.g7 h5 58.f8 g5 59.f2 b2+ 60.e3 b7 61.g7 f7 62.e2 h4 63.e3 g3 Black has managed to force the white king away, but at a cost, it is now perfectly-placed to aid the passed e-pawn. 64.e5 h4 [ 64...xf3+ 65.e4 g4 66.e6 a3 67.e7 a8 68.f5 will be drawn, but only if Black is careful. ] 65.f6 h5 66.e4 g6 [ 66...xh6 67.f5 is simple for White. ] 67.f4 gxf4 68.xf4 f8 69.e4 xh6 70.f5 e8 71.e6 h5 72.g7 xe6 ½-½
850 Hodgson,Julian M Psakhis,Lev Metz [Tony Kosten]
A21 2570 2585 1994
1.c4 e5 2.c3 b4 3.g3 This is certainly a very logical reply, White ignores the threat to his pawn structure and continues his d e v e l o p m e n t . xc3 Little point putting the bishop on b4 unless Black plays this. 4.bxc3 d6 5.g2 f5 Perhaps a trifle over-optimistic, Black wants to play as in a Grand-Prix Attack reversed. 6.c5! If this is good, it is the refutation of Black's previous move. W hite 843
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 frees the position for his bishops, and rids himself of his doubled pawn. [ 6.d4 is much less critical. ] 6...dxc5 Black shows no fear, of course he doesn't want White to capture on d6, when he will have no compensation for the bishop pair, but [ 6...d5!? is possible. ] 7.a3 d6 8.d4! No expense spared in opening the position! exd4 9.cxd4 xd4 10.c1! A computer would be very happy with this position, I suppose, Black has two extra p a w n s , a f t e r a l l . f6 Black attempts to complete his development, defending the cpawn by [ 10...d7? w o u l d a l l o w 11.b2 g4 12.f3 g6 13.h5! deviating the queen from her defence of g7, and winning material. ] 11.h3 White is in no rush to capture the cpawn, but prefers to complete his development. d7 12.0-0 e7 13.b2 f7 14.e4!? White further exposes the soft black underbelly, but [ 14.e3! was also good, with a strong initiative. ] 14...0-0 15.g5 g6 16.exf5 xf5 17.e1 The strong b2-bishop, and awkwardly -placed black knights, cause Black no end of problems. d5 [ 17...xg5? e n c o u n t e r s 18.f4 g6 19.xe7 and Black will soon lose. ] 18.h4! 7b6 19.xc5 Black was obliged to return a pawn to develop his queenside. c6 20.e4 White decides to 'cash-in' but 20 h5! was more in the spirit of his previous play. h6? [ 20...a4! would change the powerful b2b i s h o p , w h e n B l a c k wo u l d h a ve s o m e compensation for the exchange he is about to lose. ] 21.f3 a4 Too late! 22.c2 xb2 23.d4! Of course, the b2-knight is going nowhere, and now White can take the f5-rook with his knight. e7 24.xf5 xf5 25.xb2 White is no ahead on material, and retains t h e b e t t e r p o s i t i o n , s o s h o u l d w i n . f7 26.c2! c5 [ 26...e6? would not have successfully countered the threat of 27 Bb3, because of the evident 27.xe6! xe6 28.b3 ] 27.b5! Renewing the menace of Bb3. e6
28.xc5 c8 29.xc8+! After 29...Bxc8 30 Bb3, W hite finds himself in an ending with two extra exchanges. 1-0
851 Illescas Cordoba,Miguel Arencibia Rodriguez,Walter Spanish Teams (1) [Tony Kosten]
A21 2605 2550 05.09.1998
1.c4 e5 2.c3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.xd4 c6 [ 4...f6 5.g3 c6 6.d2 will transpose. ] 5.d2 g6 6.b3 There is no reason to defer t h e d e ve lo p m e n t o f t h e q u e e n 's b i s h o p , although it is quite playable: [ 6.g3 g7 7.g2 f6 8.h3 0-0 9.f4 Getting a grip of d5. a5 10.0-0 e8 11.e1?! ( Now would certainly be a good time for 11.b3 , with an edge.) 11...a4 Forcing W hite to prepare the b3-move. 12.b1 d7 13.b3 axb3 14.axb3 ce5! 15.c2 c5 16.b4 f5 17.e4 e6! and the e1-rook allowed Black to conjureup favourable complications, Petursson,MAnand,V/Manila 1990. ] 6...g7 7.b2 f6 8.g3 The best time to develop the king's bishop. 0-0 9.g2 f5?! [ 9...e8 might be superior, and if 10.h3 d5 exploiting the h3-knight's temporary sojourn on h3. ] 10.h3 e8 11.f4! This way round Black fails to liberate his position, White's hold on d5 should give him a certain plus. e5 12.0-0 c6 13.e4 The problem for Black is that his pieces can be driven away from their, apparently active, posts. g4 14.f3 b6+ 15.h1 d7 16.ad1 White has finished his development, and has a consequent space a d v a n t a g e . g5?! 17.d3 g4 Black, understandably, tries to generate some play, but only succeeds in compromising his position. 18.xe5 dxe5 19.f4 Suddenly Black is lost, the tactics are working against him. ad8 [ Not 19...exf4? 20.xf4 with unstoppable threats along the f-file ] 20.fxe5 xe5 21.a4 White picks-up the exchange, but the d-f ile pin assures that Black will obtain absolutely no compensation 844
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 for it. c7 22.f4! Precise to the end. de8 23.xe5 xe5 24.xd7! A further, killing, blow. xd7 25.xf7+ h8 26.d1 Winning significant material. 1-0
852 Iordachescu,Viorel Kritz,Leonid 16th Monarch Assurance (7) [Carsten Hansen]
A21 2584 2571 28.09.2007
1.c4 e5 2.c3 b4 3.d5 e7 4.d4 d6 5.f3 c6 6.xe7 [ This is the normal move, White can also retreat his knight, although this leads to an Old Indian with an extra tempo for Black 6.c3 d7 ( 6...c7 7.e4 f6 8.e2 0-0 9.0-0 h6 10.h3 e8 11.e1 f8 12.d5 a5 13.e3 with a typical Old Indian type set-up for Black, and a white space advantage that matches W hite has a slight plus, Gofshtein, L-Stisis, Y/Panormo 2001) 7.g3 gf6 8.g2 0-0 9.0-0 b8 10.c2 a6 11.d1 c7 12.c5 e8 13.g5 h6 14.cxd6 xd6 15.dxe5 xe5 16.xe5 hxg5 17.c4 e5 18.d6 d8 Felecan, F-Nanu, C/Tusnad 1997 19.xc8 bxc8 20.f5 with a better game for White ] 6...xe7 7.c5 [ The text move markedly sharpens the battle with immediate effect. White has a couple alternatives here: A) 7.g5 f6 8.e3 ( 8.d2 g4 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.b3 a6 11.e3 0-0-0 12.a4 b8 13.a5 b6 14.c5 xc5 15.xg4 bxa5 16.c1 Grant, J-Shaw, J/Scottish Ch 1994) 8...a6 9.g3 f7 A) 10.d2 f5 11.g2 f6 Gulko ( 11...f4? 12.e4! Gulko ); B) 10.b3 e7 11.g2 0-0 , and Black has a very decent position, Renet, OGulko, B/St Martin 1993 ] [ B) 7.e3 f6 8.h3 ( 8.e2 0-0 9.0-0 g4 10.h3 h5 11.b4 bd7 12.a4 fe8 13.b2 ad8 14.e1 f8 15.b5 c5= Hansen, C-Lutz, C/Groningen 1993/) 8...0-0 9.e2 e4 10.0-0 d7 11.c2 f5 12.b3 c5 13.b2 b6 14.d3 b7 15.d5 df6= Lutz, C-Renet, O/Kaufbeuren 1993 ]
7...e4 8.cxd6 xd6 9.e5 e6 10.b3 b5 Thus far everything has been played before, and that was nearly a decade and a half ago. 11.f3!? [ In the only previous encounter in this line, White instead went with 11.h3 e7 A) 12.e3 f6 ( If 12...h5 then 13.e2 g6 14.0-0 f6 15.c2 fxe5 16.dxe5 d7 17.xe4 d5 18.c2 with messy complications is acceptable for W hite) 13.g4 d7 14.b2 d8 15.e2 f5 16.h2 0-0 , and Black has the upper hand; B) 12.b2?! A brave and gutsy move, but at the same time a very bad one too. h5 13.c2 f6 14.xe4 fxe5 15.dxe5 d5 16.c2 a6 17.e4 c5 , and White has nowhere near enough compensation for the piece, Miles, A-Mainka, R/ Copenhagen 1993 ] 11...f6 12.g4 xg4 [ Black shouldn't necessarily rush to make this exchange, but clearly Black thinks this will leave him with a long term advantage. A l t e r n a t i v e l y , 12...e7 13.f2 exf3 14.gxf3 f5 15.g2 0-0 16.0-0 like ly f ollowed by e2 -e4 will le a d t o a n unclear position ] 13.fxg4 e7 14.g3 h5 [ 0.64 Deep Shredder 10: 14...a6 15.g2 b4+ 16.d2 e3 17.xb4 xb4 18.e4 bd5 19.b2 ] 15.g5 f5 16.f4 b4+ 17.d2 xd2+ 18.xd2 g6 19.e3 xf4 20.gxf4 g6 The smoke has cleared and we are down to a position with two rooks and a minor piece on both sides. W hite has a clear advantage thanks to his ability to break with both a2-a4 and d4-d5 in addition to penetrating on the dark squares with the king, play along the open c-file with his rooks and the fact that nearly all of Black's pawns are fixed on light squares, the colour of White's bishop. 21.a4! bxa4 [ The alternative pretty much sucks too: 21...b4 22.a5 e7 23.a4 c5 24.dxc5 d8+ 25.c2 d7 26.xb4 xc5 27.c4 , and White is a pawn up and should win the endgame ] 22.bxa4 [ White figures the b-file will be even more 845
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 useful to him than the a-file, though 22.xa4 h7 23.a5 b7 24.c4 d7 25.ha1 also looks promising for White ] 22...h7 23.e2 [ 23.b1 c7 24.e2 d7 25.a5 transposes to the game continuation. ( 25.hc1!? )] 23...c7 24.a5 [ 24.hc1!? ] 24...d7 25.ab1 e7 26.hc1 d6 27.c4 f8 [ 27...b8 28.f7 xb1 29.xb1 f8 30.c4 c5 31.d5 d7 32.c3 e7 33.a6 followed by Bb7-c6, and White will penetrate decisively on the queenside. ] 28.a6 c5 29.b7 [ W h i t e c a n a l s o c o n s i d e r 29.b5!? , f o r e x a m p l e : cxd4 30.xc7 dxe3+ 31.xe3 xc7 32.b7+ d6 33.xa7 b8 34.c4 , and White has every chance of winning, but Iordachescu undoubtedly prefers to keep matters simple and waits to open up the position ] 29...b8?! [ Here 29...cxd4!? looks like a better shot, e. g. 30.exd4 b6! 31.a6 xc1 32.xc1 d5 33.xd5 xd5 34.c7 xd4 , and this is no longer a win for White ] 30.a6 e8 [ Now 30...cxd4 isn't as strong as on the previous move, because White doesn't need to spend a tempo guarding the bishop on b7, and therefore gains a winning advantage with 31.exd4 xc1 32.xc1 f8 33.e3 d8 34.d5 e7 35.d4 d6 36.c6+ ] 31.b5 d8 32.c4 e8 33.c2 f8 34.b3 b8 35.a3 f8 36.c2 b8 37.b2 f8 [ 1.35 Deep Shredder 10: 37...h4 38.h3 c4 39.c3 b6 40.b4 e6 41.c1 e7 ] 38.c4 b8 39.c2 f8 40.b3 b8 41.b2 f8 42.c1 b8 43.d1 f8 44.b2 cxd4 After a bit of shadow boxing to get past the time control, Black decides to exchange on d4 before White place a rook on d 2 a f t e r w h i c h t h i n g s c a n b e c o m e ve r y un co m f o rt a ble . 45.xc7 xc7 46.c2+ b6?! [ This isn't exactly the best place, though it is hard to fault Black for not wanting to put his king on the back row. One line runs
46...d8 47.exd4 e8 48.d5 e7 49.e2 g8 50.c7 d6 51.c6+ e7 52.c8 d8 53.xd7 xd7 54.xg6 xd5 55.g7+ and White wins without too many headaches. ] 47.c6+ b5 48.exd4 b6 49.xg6 Now the win is elementary - the g-pawn will decide d8 50.f6 xd4+ 51.e1 a4 52.xf5+ c4 53.g6 c3 54.g7 1-0
853 Kelly,Brian Speelman,Jonathan S ch-GBR, ENG Torquay (3) [Tony Kosten]
A21 2390 2605 1998
1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 This is an alternative method of reaching this position, which will be of interest to anyone thinking of playing this line as black, against 1 c4. however, there are two things to note with this move-order, first White can play 2 e4, with likely transposition into a Pirc, and secondly, 3 dxe5 dxe5 4 Qxd8+ is possible, and although this ending is fine for Black, it might not be to everyone's taste. 3.f3 e4 4.g5 f5 5.c3 c6 6.f3!? A more direct approach, aiming to dissolve the black centre before black has time to defend it. e7 [ 6...exf3 is not bad either, 7.xf3 f6 8.e3 g6 9.d3 g7 10.0-0 0-0 11.c2 a6 12.a3 c7 13.d2 d5 14.b3 h8 and with a firm hold on e4, Black has no reason to be unhappy, Hodgson,J-van der Wiel,J/ Amsterdam 1995. ] 7.h3 f6 Black prefers to keep his e-pawn for the moment. 8.g5 0-0 9.e3 White is loathe to capture on e4 because of the opening of the h3-c8 diagonal. [ 9.b3 h6 10.xf6 xf6 11.0-0-0 is another way to castle long, but the black f 6 -b is h o p l o o k s o m i n o u sl y s t r o n g , exf3 12.exf3 h8 13.f4 e8 stopping h4-5 because of the threat to play ...Qe3+, and then driving the knight away by 14...g5, Than Soe Aung-Mas,H/ Yangon MYA 1999. ] 9...a6 10.d2 c7 11.0-0-0 The white king looks quite safe here, but appearances 846
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 can be deceptive! d5 Black has managed to keep his e-pawn safe, and can now give it further support. 12.cxd5 fxd5! d5 provides a fine square for a black knight, Black keeps e4 def ended with tactical motif s. 13.xe7 xe7 14.c4 [ 14.fxe4 fxe4 15.xd5 xd5 16.f2 is passive. ] 14...e6 15.f2?! Black achieves an edge after the following exchanges, but if [ 15.fxe4 fxe4 16.xd5 then xd5 17.xd5 xd5 and White doesn't have time for Nf4, because the a2-pawn is hanging. ] 15...xc3 16.xc3 exf3 Black picks the right time to capture this pawn, the white central pawns will be very loose. 17.gxf3 xc4 18.xc4+ h8 19.de1 d5 20.d1 An ugly move, White would like to play Nd3-e5, but he doesn't have the time, [ 20.e2 ae8 and White has to play 21.d1 anyway. ] 20...b5! Switching attack from the centre to t h e q u e e n s i d e . 21.e2 c5 22.xb5 W h a t e ls e ? fc8 23.b1 ab8 24.a5 The black attack has developed quickly, but wh a t n e xt ? cxd4! Black throws a piece onto the fire. 25.xd5 c7 26.a3 Forced. c2+ 27.a1 [ 27.a2 is scarcely better, c4 28.e5 b3+ 29.b1 d3 and Black should win. ] 27...c3! The threat is 28...Rxa3+. 28.a2 cb3 [ 28...cb3 if 29.xd4 then xa3+ 30.xa3 b3# ] 0-1
0-0 11.e2 d7 12.g3 a5 with an unclear position in Xu Jun-Adams, Yerevan 1996. Black is ready to play Nc5 and Bf6 etc. ] 7...a6 8.g3 The fianchetto doesn't really fit in with the d4-d5 advance. Maybe he should play [ 8.f4 to aim for the Xu Jun line given above. ] 8...f6 9.g2 c7 10.0-0 0-0 11.f3 After this White's centre proves too loose and Benjamin plays in incisive style to further soften up White's defences. cxd5 12.cxd5 b5! 13.b4 a5! 14.a3 a6 15.b1 d7 16.d4 h5 17.fc1 [ If 17.fxe4 f6 18.d2 axb4 ( 18...b6+!? 19.h1 fc8 ) 19.xb4 xb4 20.xb4 a5 looks awkward for White. ] 17...f6 18.e3 e5 19.f4 xc3 20.xc3 axb4 21.xb4 xb4 22.xb4 xa2 23.a3 xa3 24.xa3 b6+ 25.e3 f6 26.d4 c5 27.b3 a8 28.f1 a3 0-1
855 Kramnik,Vladimir Svidler,Peter Tal Memorial Blitz blitz (2) [Carsten Hansen]
A21 2788 2738 29.08.2008
1.c4 e5 2.c3 d6 3.g3 f5 4.d4 This is White's most aggressive response to Black's set-up. I have preferred 4 Bg2 in my own games, following up with 5 e3, 6 Nge2, 7 0-0, 8 d3, and then either f2-f4 or Rb1 and a p a w n a d v a n c e o n t h e q u e e n s i d e . e4!? Svidler goes for a fairly obscure line that is 854 A21 seen only very rarely in games invo lvin g Kleist,F strong players. Alternatives such as 4...Nc6 or Benjamin,Joel 2577 4...Be7 allow early queen exchanges after 5 Canadian Open (4) 10.07.2000 dxe5 and are considered slightly better for [Neil McDonald] White and therefore they can be thought of as right up Kramnik's alley. There are more 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.f3 e4 4.g5 f5 de ta ils on t his in t he P DF e -b oo k on t h e 5.c3 e7 6.h3 c6 7.d5 By advancing his King's English. The text move was first played d p a w n W h i t e p r e v e n t s B l a c k f r o m by Tal. 5.h3 consolidating his pawn chain with d4-d5, as [ This move was given as interesting in my occurred for example in Estremera Panosbook on 1 c4 e5, but without further details Georgiev. However, this move seems and the ECO doesn't mention it all, but premature here. A more solid method was compare with the lines after 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 [ 7.e3 f6 8.f4 a6 9.h4 c7 10.d5 d6 3 Nf3 f5 4 d4 e4 5 Ng5, and now after 847
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 both main moves 5...c6 and 5...Be7, White chooses set-ups involving Nh3 and g2-g3. Therefore you would think that White should have a safe edge, having spared a couple of tempi by developing the knight to h3 in one go. The alternative is 5.f3 , which is also what is mentioned in the ECO: f6 A) 6.g5!? exf3 7.exf3 e7 8.d3 0-0 ( The sharp 8...c5!? looks like a much better way for Black to proceed.) 9.ge2 h5 10.xe7 xe7 11.d2 c6 12.0-0-0 , and White has the better chances, Frog, I-Yuferov, S/Moscow 1989; B) 6.g2 exf3 7.xf3 g6 ( 7...e7 8.0-0 0-0 9.d3 c6 10.a3 a6 11.g5 d7 12.ae1 with a comfortable edge for W hite, Lerner, K-Savchenko, S/St Petersburg 1992) 8.0-0 g7 9.d5 ( 9.e4 fxe4 10.g5 0-0 11.gxe4 xe4 12.xf8+ xf8 13.xe4 c6 14.e3 f5 , and Black already had nothing to worry about in Toran Albero, R-Tal, M/ Ob e rh au s e n (E U-chT )1 9 6 1) 9...0-0 10.g5 e7 ( 10...e8 11.e4 a6 is given as unclear in the ECO, but White may have a little initiative) 11.e4 xe4 12.gxe4 fxe4 13.xf8+ xf8 14.xe4 g7 , and Black has a comfortable game, McNab, C-Kilgour, corr 1993. I think it is safe to say that Black doesn't have much t o wo r r y a b o u t i n t h e l i n e a f t e r 5 f 3 , provided the suggestion of 8...c5!? holds up in the 6 Bg5 line. ] 5...f6 [ This strikes me as a little odd. Usually in the 3 Nf 3 f 5 4 d4 e4 5 Ng5 line, Black only commits to this move later. Black has a couple of alternatives here: A) 5...g6 6.g5 f6 7.f4 g7 8.h4 c6 9.h5 f7 10.d2 a6 11.0-0-0 c7 12.f3 exf3 was Vanderwaeren, S-Lanzani, M/Haifa (EUc h T ) 1 9 8 9 , a n d n o w t h e s i m p l e 13.exf3 would have left White with a position that is nothing short of outstanding. ] [ B) 5...c6 6.g2 e7 7.f3 exf3 8.exf3 f6 9.d5 e5 10.f4 f7 11.g1 ( 11.f2 0-0 12.e3 looks very comfortable for White. But in the game W hite is targeting the soft e6-square.) 11...0-0 12.ge2 e8 13.0-0 Kourkounakis, I-Myhrvold, R/ Gausdal 1992 ]
[ C) 5...c6 6.g2 f6 7.g5 e7 8.f4 a6 9.e3 0-0 10.b3 c7 11.0-0-0 , Lappalainen, S-Tuutti, P/Finland 2001, and here Black can equalize with g4 12.xe7 xe7 ] 6.g2 [ Either here or on the next move, White should give serious thought to 6.g5!? ] 6...e7 [ Or 6...g6 7.f3 exf3 8.exf3 g7 9.0-0 0-0 10.d5 bd7 11.b5!? e5 12.b3 h5 13.g5 d7 14.d4 Galego, L-Leonardo, J/Lisbon POR 2007 ] 7.0-0 0-0 In the main line with 3 Nf3 f5 4 d4 e4, White normally only reaches this position with Black having played ...c6 already and is now to move again (3 Nf3 f5 4 d4 e4 5 Ng5 c6 6 g3 Be7 7 Nh3 Nf6 8 Bg2 0-0 9 0-0). So with two extra tempi White should be on top here, yet in our main game he goes down in a hurry. 8.d5 [ In an earlier game, White played the equally good 8.f4!? c6 9.h4 ( 9.f3!? ) 9...h8 10.b3 a6 11.f3 exf3 12.exf3 c7 13.e1 Mascarinas, R-Romero Holmes, A/ Novi Sad 1990 ] 8...c5?! [ Here Black can consider 8...bd7!? 9.f4 e5 with an interesting position and chances to both sides ] 9.f4 a6 10.f3 exf3 11.exf3 c7 12.e1 e8 13.d3 d7!? 14.xf5?! [ White's last chance of retaining the advantage is 14.e6!? xe6 15.dxe6 f8 16.d5 , and White is in control ] 14...e5 15.e6 xe6 16.dxe6 f6 17.f4?! [ After this weak move, Black takes over the initiative. Instead White should have given preference to 17.d5 , e.g. xe6 18.xf6+ gxf6 19.c2 f7 , and although Black will pick up the c4-pawn, W hite will have adequate compensation ] 17...xe6 18.c2 g4 19.f3?! [ White is playing too passively. A radical and better choice is 19.xe6 d4+ 20.h1 f2+ 21.g1 xe6 22.d5 f6 23.g2 h8 , and Black has the better chances, though White can still play. ] 19...xc4 20.xe8+ xe8 21.e4?! d4+ 22.g2 d5 23.d2?! g6 24.e1? 848
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ Everything is pretty ugly at this point, but relatively best is 24.c1 e3+ 25.xe3 xe3 , though this too is clearly better for Black. ] 24...f2 25.e3 d3 26.e2 b4 0-1
Black might have thought that the d-pawn is untouchable because of the fork on b5, the apawn being pinned, but it was probably his only chance: [ 27...xd6 28.b5 axb5 29.xa7 bxc4 30.c7 d3 31.xe5 White is better, but can he win? ] 28.xe5 xc4 29.d1 f7 30.e7 a5 856 A21 The black a-pawn looks dangerous, but it is Lalic,Bogdan 2530 the white d-pawn that is the real match-winner. a4 32.f4 g6 33.e6 Ivanov,Alexey 2455 31.d4! Maidstone 1994 With a powerful triple attack, on a7, d8, and g7. aa8 [Tony Kosten] [ 33...xe7 34.dxe7 d1+ 35.f2 f7 allows the pretty finish: 36.e8+! xe8 1.c4 e5 2.c3 b4 3.d5 The critical 37.f8# ] reply. a5 4.b4 c6 Clearly forced. 5.bxa5 cxd5 6.cxd5 xa5 7.e4 The dust has 34.xd8 a3 35.e6 a2 The a-pawn is h8 37.a7! settled, and White has gained the bishop pair, u n s t o p p a b l e ? 36.xg7+ and a space advantage in the centre, but has No, 37...Rxa7 is impossible because of 38 Rf8 yet to develop a piece. f6 8.f3 d6 9.e2 mate, and the other alternative is: [ 37.a7 a1+ 38.xa1 xa1+ 39.f2 The knight is coming to the g3, or c3-square, a8 to stop Rf8 mate, 40.d7 and the da s a p p r o p r i a t e . 0-0 10.b2 a6 pawn queens. ] Black intends to place this piece on c5, and then play for ...f5. He must be quick, for if 1-0 White completes his development, and plays d4, he will have a dominating position. 11.c3 A21 Chasing the queen from its aggressive post. 857 a3 Obvious, but it doesn't work out too well, Lautier,Joel 2666 perhaps he should have retreated. 12.d4 d7 Fressinet,Laurent 2637 13.b3! Showing-up the problem of Black's ch Val d'Isere FRA (4) 19.08.2004 eleventh, the endgame is very pleasant for [Tony Kosten] White. xb3 14.axb3 f5 15.exf5 c7 16.dxe5 xe5 Black is fighting hard to 1.c4 e5 2.c3 b4 3.d5 a5!? d e s t r o y t h e w h i t e c e n t r e . 17.xe5! Well, we've looked at almost every other legal It is always difficult to give-up such a piece, move in this position, it was time we looked at but it has to be made for tactical reasons, the this one! 4.a3 e7 Now the position newly-created d-pawn will decide the game. r e s e m b l e s a 3 . . . B e 7 v a r i a t i o n , w i t h t h e dxe5 18.g3 e8 Black must try to a d d i t i o n o f a 3 a n d . . . a 5 - I wo u l d h a v e blockade the d-pawn. thought this favoured Black, but lets see what [ 18...xf5? would demonstrate the point of happens afterwards. 5.d4 d6 6.f3 White's 17th move: 19.d6 this pawn is now [ 6.e4 also makes sense, c6 7.xe7 xe7 passed, e8 20.c4+ h8 21.xf5! xf5 8.e3 f6 9.f3 0-0 10.e2 with a white 22.d7 d6 23.xa7! winning. ] plus, Schaller,S-Kalinitschew,S/Chemnitz 19.c4 d6 20.e4 Absolutely correct, 1997. ] W h i t e m u s t b r e a k t h e b l o c k a d e - b y 6...e4!? The sharpest possibility. exchanging the blockader. xc4 21.bxc4 [ 6...c6 7.xe7 xe7 8.g5 ( 8.c5!? ) 8...f6 xf5 22.d6 b6 23.0-0 g6 24.fe1 9.e3 c5!? 10.dxc5 dxc5 11.g3 c7 The frailty of the a7 and e5-pawns 12.g2 e7 looks OK for Black, although guarantees White a plus. fd8 25.b5 a6 White has the bishop pair, and went on to 26.c7 a7 27.d6! 'Passed pawns must be win, Renet,O-Glek,I/ Groningen 1992. ] pushed'. d3? This loses to a nice tactic. 7.d2 f5!? An aggressive new move, 849
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 supporting the e-pawn and gaining some space on the kingside. [ 7...c6 8.c3 f5 is similar, 9.e3 f6 10.f3 d5 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.b5+ c6 13.fxe4 fxe4 14.0-0 0-0 and Black was doing well in Zak,U-Luther,T/Catalan Bay ENG 2003. ] 8.b1! This move is worth an exclamation mark because of the thought behind it! White prepares to bring this knight to c3 to further control d5, and meanwhile his dark-squared b is h o p i s f re e t o m o ve ( h e wo u ld like t o develop this outside the pawn chain before playing e3). d7 [ 8...c6 is another possibility, White will hardly play Nc3 here, as t his square is p r o m i s e d t o t h e b 1 - k n i g h t , s o : 9.xe7 ( 9.f4!? f6 10.c3 ) 9...xe7 10.f4 f6 11.e3 0-0 12.c3 with the two bis ho ps an d h armo nio us de ve lop me nt , although Black has more space. ] 9.bc3 df6 10.f4 h5 Black refrains from ...c6 once again, and drives the bishop back . 11.d2 [ 11.b5?! is very dodgy: c6 12.dc7+ f8 13.xa8 xf4 and Black gets two pieces for the rook, as 14.c3 d7 and the knight on a8 is lost. ] 11...hf6 12.f4 h5 13.d2 hf6 14.e3 White decides to refuse the repetition, even though this means hemming his bishop in. c6 Finally! 15.xe7 xe7 16.c2 0-0 17.f4!? White coul d play to attack the centre by f3, but as Black can easily defend this by ... d5, instead Lautier closes the kingside (much as in some lines of the French) to play on the queenside. d7 [ 17...exf3!? is risky, 18.gxf3 and White will castle long and has a mobile centre, and the open g-file. ] 18.e2 b8 Black also has designs on this sector of the board. 19.a4!? White puts paid to possibilities of ...b5, and prepares to play Rb1 and b4 with pressure on the b-file. [ 19.0-0 is also good, as Black cannot really play b5?! b e c a u s e o f 20.cxb5 cxb5 21.xb5! xb5 22.b3+ h8 23.xb5 b6 24.a4 with a good pawn more. ] 19...h8 20.0-0 h6 21.ab1 g5?! A lt h o u gh i t s e e m s ri gh t t o a t t a ck o n t h e kingside, the problem is that Black weakens the a1-h8 dia gonal, and he has n o dark-
squared bishop to counter White's. [ 21...e6 is more sensible, although 22.b4 axb4 23.xb4 b6 24.fb1 is more pleasant for White who has a straightforward plan of attack on the b-file. ] 22.b4 axb4 23.xb4 g6 24.b2 Aiming at b7 while at the same time lining-up threats against the black king. c8 25.d5 a8 26.h1 h7 The king has to get off the l o n g d i a g o n a l s o o n e r o r l a t e r . 27.dxc6 Now White hits on the queenside, by creating a p a ss e d a -p a wn . bxc6 28.b8 xb8 29.xb8 e7? Black is worried about playing an endgame with White's bishops and a-pawn, but it might have been the better chance anyway: [ 29...e6! and if 30.xd8 xd8 31.b1 gxf4 32.exf4 d5 with plenty of counterplay. ] 30.b6 d5!? [ 30...d7 is more circumspect, but then 31.a5 and the pawn is difficult to stop. ] 31.cxd5! The simplest, although [ 31.xc6 se em s p erf ect ly le ga l, dxc4 32.xc4 d8 33.c1 and White is a whole pawn ahead. ] 31...cxd5 32.d4 e6 33.b1 g8 34.a5 Passed pawns must be pushed! g7 [ 34...gxf4 35.exf4 is better, but then g7 36.g3 and Black's attack grinds to a halt. ] 35.fxg5! Closing the g-file. hxg5 36.a6 f4 37.b7 f7 38.a7 h4 39.b8 The white apawn will queen. 1-0
858 Lautier,Joel Kramnik,Vladimir Cannes m (1) [Jonathan Rowson]
A21 2645 2685 1993
1.c4 e5 2.c3 b4 3.d5 c5 I have to admit that I am a bit confused by this line, mainly because I can't find any line for White that looks particularly compelling. 4.f3 [ 4.e3 f6 5.e2 xd5 6.cxd5 0-0 7.g3 d6 8.d4 A) 8...b4+ 9.d2 ( 9.c3 ) 9...xd2+ 10.xd2 e4 11.g2 f5 12.0-0 followed by f3, looks pleasant for White.; B) 8...exd4 9.xd4 e8 10.g2 d7 850
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 11.0-0 f6 12.d3 d7 13.b3 e7 14.b2 e5 15.c4 h5 I don't think Black is worse here. 16.fe1 e7 17.b4 b6 18.a4 h3 19.f3 g4 20.g2 ae8 21.a5 xd4 22.xd4 f3 23.xa7 xg2 24.xg2 g4 25.h3 xd5+ 26.g1 xf2 27.xf2 f5+ 28.g2 e4+ 29.f2 f5+ 30.g2 c2+ 31.g1 xb2 32.xb7 h6 33.ab1 f6 34.a6 c5 35.c6 e5 36.b5 d5 37.h2 f5 38.b2 c8 39.d6 e6 40.d7 a8 41.b7 ee8 42.b6 f6 43.ee2 1-0 Azmaiparashvili, Z (2658)-Bruzon Bautista, L (2677)/Beersheba 2005 ] 4...e4?! [ 4...c6 5.c3 A) 5...d6 allows 6.e4!? b6 7.c5 dxc5 8.xe5 f6 ( 8...e7 9.c4! ) 9.xf6+ xf6 10.f3 0-0 11.e3 Bricard, ETaimanov, M Wildbad 1990; B) 5...e7 B1) 6.e3 d6 ( 6...e4 7.d4! exf3 8.dxc5 fxg2 9.xg2 xc5? 10.e4 ) 7.d4 w h a t e l s e ? ( 7.e2 e4 ) 7...exd4 8.xd4 f6 and I doubt White has any real advantage.; B2) 6.d4 exd4 7.xd4 d6 8.f4 f o l l o w e d b y e 3 , o r p o s s i b l y ( 8.g3 but in all these cases, with the bishop on c5 I feel Black is active enough to claim his full share of the chances. )] 5.g5! [ 5.d4!? exf3 6.dxc5 fxg2 7.xg2 also looks promising. ] 5...e3! [ 5...f5 6.d4 ] [ 5...c6 6.xe4 cxd5 7.xc5 dxc4 8.a4 ] 6.d4! [ 6.dxe3? c6 7.e4 cxd5 8.xc5 a5+-+ Kramnik. ] [ 6.fxe3 c6 7.e4 h4+-+ Kramnik. ] 6...exf2+ 7.xf2 e7 8.xe7 xe7 9.e4 d6 [ 9...c6!? ] 10.d3 c6 [ 10...c5? 11.dxc5 dxc5 12.e5! c6 13.e1 ] 11.c2 f6 [ 11...f6+ 12.f3 g4 13.e3 ] 12.e1?!
[ 12.h3! indicated by Korchnoi and Kramnik, followed by Re1 and Kg1, keeps full control. ] 12...g4! 13.d3 [ 13.f3 xf3 14.gxf3 h5 ( 14...h5 Korchnoi 15.e3 h4+ )] [ 13.d2! ] [ 13.f3!? Ribli ] 13...d7! [ 13...b4 14.a4+ d7 15.b3 ] 14.a4 [ 14.e3!? ] 14...h6 [ 14...f6+ 15.g3 h5 ] 15.e5!? [ 15.f3 xf3 16.gxf3 h4+ ] [ 15.g3 f6+! ] [ 15.xc6 Ribli bxc6 16.f3 0-0 ] 15...dxe5 16.d5 d4!? By this point the game has become random and is no longer theoretically relevant, so I will spare you the worst of the complications and just give the remaining moves. [ 16...b4! Ribli ] 17.e4 e2! 18.h3 b5! 19.xb5 xb5 20.xe2 d4 21.d1 h4+! 22.f1 0-0 23.e3 f5 24.c2 xe3+ 25.xe3 f5 26.g1 ae8 27.f2 e4 28.c3 f6 29.g3?! h5 30.f1 d7! 31.g2 e5 32.h3 f4! 33.gxf4? xf4 34.xe4? g6+ 35.g3 xf2+ 36.xf2 xe4+ 37.h2 xc4 38.xc7 xd5 39.xa7 d6+ 40.g2 e3+ 41.h1 d5+ 42.h2 d1 43.g2 d6+ 44.h1 e1+ 45.g1 d5+ 0-1
859 Markowski,Tomasz Sasikiran,Krishnan 34th Olympiad (13) [Tony Kosten]
A21 2568 2573 10.11.2000
1.g3 e5 2.c4 g6 3.g2 g7 4.c3 d6 5.d3 f5 6.e3 a5 7.ge2 f6 This time Sasikiran plays the black side of this structure. 8.0-0 0-0 9.b3 c6 10.a3 a6 [ 10...e8 11.c1 a6 12.d2 c7 13.b2 e6 14.a4 f7 15.fd1 g5 16.c5! is unclear, Serper,G-Isakov,D/ Leningrad 1989. ] 851
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 11.c1 [ A new move, bringing the white pieces to their optimum squares before undertaking a n y a c t i o n , 11.d4 b4 12.d2 c7 13.b2 e6 14.a3 a6 15.ac1 f7 16.fd1 ae8 offered chances to both sides in Ledger,A-Mestel,A/Hastings 1991. ] 11...b8! [ A fine move, preparing ...b5, and removing the rook from the h1-a8 diagonal. 11...e8 would transpose into the Serper game. ] 12.b2 d7 13.d4 [ 13.f4 is a more flexible way of proceeding. ] 13...e4 14.d5 e7 15.dxc6 bxc6 16.d2 White eyes the d6-pawn. fd8 17.cd1 e8 18.a4 b4 19.c1 [ Played to control the d3-square ready to kick the knight from b4, but 19.c3 c5 20.a3 xa4 21.bxa4 d3 22.c1 was only level, anyway. ] 19...c5!? Black plans to capture on a4, and decides that the weakening of the d5-square is unimportant. In passing he sets a devilish trap. 20.c3? [ Obvious, but bad, 20.a3 c6 21.f3 ( or 21.c3 and there is everything to play for. )] 20...d5! This move grants Black a huge advantage, and the funny thing is that White's last move was expressly played to avoid this! 21.xd5 [ There is not much of a choice, 21.e2 d4 22.b1 d3 is horrible. ] [ and 21.cxd5 fxd5 22.e1 xc3 23.xd8 xd8 24.xc3 b5 wins the exchange. ] 21...fxd5 22.xg7 [ 22.cxd5 xd5 23.e2? b5 ] 22...c7 23.d4 White has lost a piece, and Black retains a good position as well. e6 24.e2 a4 25.b2 cxd4 26.exd4 axb3 27.axb3 d3 [ 27...d3 28.c3 f6 wins one of the two pawns. ] 0-1
860 Miezis,Normunds Popov,Valerij 39th Rilton Cup (6) [Nigel Davies]
A21 2530 2588 02.01.2010
People have been queuing up to play this line against the predictable Miezes, though like Uhlmann and his French Defence he understands the position well. Maybe not well enough... 1.c4 e5 2.c3 b4 3.g3 xc3 4.dxc3 d6 5.e4 [ The Latvian GM has also played first 5.g2 , for example c6 6.e4 e6 7.e2 d7 8.h3 ge7 9.f3 h6 10.b3 0-0 11.a3 a5 12.d1 was Miezis, N (2540) -Davies, N (2478), Liverpool ENG 2008, and now in retrospect I might have done better to play b6 and on ( rather than 12...fd8 ) 13.d2 play f5 . ] 5...c6 6.f3 h6 This has been played quite a lot against Miezes, though it doesn't look that natural. Alternatives: [ a) 6...f6 7.e2 h6 8.g2 e6 9.h3 d7 10.d2 g5 11.f1 0-0-0 12.e3 e7 13.b3 was probably better for White in Mi e zi s , N (2 5 0 2 ) - Ja k o b s e n , O ( 2 3 7 9 ) , Copenhagen DEN 2004 because Black's king can become vulnerable whilst W hite has maintained flexibility about where he intends to castle. ] [ c) 6...f5 7.exf5 xf5 8.h4!? e6 9.h5+ g6 10.e2 f6 11.g2 d7 12.f3 h3 13.xh3 xh3 14.g5 0-0 15.xf6 xf6 16.g5 g2 17.f1 xf1+ 18.xf1 was fine for Black at this stage in Miezis, N (2547)-Borisek, J (2489), Nova Gorica SLO 2005. I'm not sure Miezes would repeat his 8.Nh4 as it cost quite a bit of time. ] 7.h4 It looks like Miezis hasn't played this way before and neither has anybody else. So 'novelty'... [ A number of his earlier games featured 7.g2 e6 8.e2 ( 8.b3 d7 9.h3 ge7 10.d2 0-0 11.h5 a6 12.a4 a5 13.0-0 b5 14.f4 f6 gave Black good counterplay in Miezis, N (2547)-Gyimesi, Z (2602), Cork IRL 2005 ) 8...d7 9.h3 a6 10.d2 ge7 11.f1 a5 12.e3 b5 13.b3 b8 ( 13...bxc4 14.b4 b7 15.f4 f6 16.0-0 852
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 was similar in Miezis, N (2527) -Hammer, J 8.xc3 e4 9.d4 e5 10.f4! exf3 (2306), Gausdal NOR 2006) 14.f4 f6 15.0-0 11.xf3 e8 12.0-0 g4 13.b4 xf3+ bxc4 16.b4 b7 17.f2 a5 18.a3 c5 14.xf3 xf3 15.xf3 e4 16.c2 a5 19.xc4 axb4 20.fxe5 xc4 21.xc4 17.b5 d5 18.f4 g5 19.b2 e4 dxe5 22.axb4 cxb4 23.d2 was quite 20.cxd5 xd5 21.xe4 xe4 22.d3 g5 promising for White at this stage in Miezis, 23.a4 e6 24.e4 g5 25.f1 c5+ N (2 5 2 4 ) -J o n e s, G (2 5 2 6 ) , P o rt o S a n 26.f2 e3 which was equal in Kosten, A Giorgio ITA 2007. ] (2515)-Sokolov, I (2625)/Tilburg 1992. ] 7...ge7 8.h5 g6 9.e2 So White's queen 4.d5 c6 5.g3 Fairly insipid, but White just goes back after having weakened Black's wants to play chess. dark squares. Not a bad idea. e6 10.h3 [ White normally plays the aggressive 5.g3 d7 11.g2 a5 12.b3 a4 13.b4 a7 f8 ( 5...f8 6.e3 d6 7.e2 f6 8.a3 14.f4?! An attempt to take the initiative that c5 9.ec3 h5 was playable for Black, backfires this time. B a n a s, J (2 3 7 0 )- W e is s , C (2 2 9 0 )/ L i n z [ White should probably have settled for 1996. ) 6.e3 ( 6.d4 xd4 7.xe5+ e6 14.f3 so as to meet c6 with 15.d2 . ] is nothing, Luce, S (2395)-Bedos, M (2170)/ 14...c6 15.c5 dxc5 16.e3 0-0-0 17.bxc5 France 1990.) 6...d6 7.d3 ge7 8.xe7 [ 17.0-0 b5 would also be better for xe7 9.e2 e6 followed by ...g6 and ... Black. ] Bg7, Soffer, R (2520)-Gyimesi, Z (2360)/ 17...g5 18.f3 exf4 19.d4 fxg3! 20.xh8 Budapest 1994. ] xh8 21.e3 g6 White is the exchange up [ 5.e3 f6 6.d3 0-0 7.e2 xd5 8.cxd5 but his position is a total wreck. 22.0-0 b5 e7 9.a3 d6 10.c3 c6 equal, Pelletier, 23.fe1 d8 24.d4 xc5 25.xe6 Y (2478)-Gyimesi, Z (2518)/Bad xe3+ 26.xe3 fxe6 27.f1 a3 28.xg3 Woerishofen 2000. ] e5 29.c1 b5 30.g2 b7 31.e2 b6 5...f6 A novelty. 32.f2 g6 33.d1 xd1+ 34.xd1 f4 [ 5...d6 6.e3 ( 6.g2 ge7 7.f3 e4! 35.h2 b1 36.c2 c5 37.c4 b4 38.g4 W oe rd em an n, M (2 30 5)-Dunn in gt on , A c3 39.a3 b3 40.xc3 b2 (2445)/Rotherham 1997.) 6...f5 7.g2 e4 0-1 8.a3 c5 ( 8...a4!? ) 9.c3 e5 10.d4 b4!? Wow! 11.axb4 d3+ A) 12.f1! axb4 13.xd3! xa1 861 A21 ( 13...exd3 14.xa8+- ) 14.c2 with some advantage.; Morozevich,A 2739 B) 12.e2? axb4 13.xb4 (now White Vitiugov,N 2719 can't capture on d3 as ...exd3 would be FIDE World Cup 2013 (3.7) 19.08.2013 check!) xa1 14.xd3 exd3+ 15.xd3 [Gormally/Kosten] f6 and Black went on to win, Hodgson, J (2545)-Wolff, P (2485)/London 1989. ] 1.c4 e5 2.c3 b4 3.b3 A sensible l o o k i n g m o v e a t t a c k i n g t h e b i s h o p a n d 6.g2 0-0 7.e3 xd5 8.cxd5 e7 9.e2 avoiding doubled pawns. It was quite popular c6 10.a3 d6 11.c3 cxd5 [ 11...b6! 12.0-0 a6 ] 20 years ago, but doesn't give White anything. xd5 Black is playing safely. [ White should certainly play 3.d5! e7 12.xd5 4.d4 when generally speaking he can count 13.xd5 b6 14.0-0 c5?! [ 14...c7 followed by ...d6, ...Ra7 and ... on some advantage. ] Be6 would be fairly equal. ] [ but not 3.g3?! xc3! 4.bxc3 c6 when I learnt many years ago that Black 15.d3 xd5 16.xd5 a4 17.d2 a6 18.ac1 W hite is no w m uch be tt er. b5 scores very well from this position ] 19.b4?! 3...a5 [ 19.e4 followed by f4, or Be3, must be good [ 3...c6 s e e m s m o r e n a t u r a l , 4.f3 for White. ] ( 4.d5 a5 would transpose to the game.) 4...d6 5.e3 f6 6.e2 0-0 7.a3 xc3 19...xb4 20.axb4 d6 21.f4 853
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 21.c7 a3 22.bxa3 xa3 23.fc1 h3 24.b7!? xd3 25.e4 g5 and Black has no real problems. ] 21...exf4 22.xf4?! [ Moro was obviously not on good form, as he misses the simple tactic 22.xf7+! xf7 ( 22...xf7 23.xf4+ e7 24.xf8 xf8 25.xc8+ e7 26.c7+ f6 27.f2 with a pawn more.) 23.xc8+ f8 24.xf8+ xf8 25.xf4+ e7 26.f5 with some chances, but perhaps he considered this was too drawish? ] 22...e6 23.d4 h6 24.c3 e8 [ 24...c8! ] 25.e4 [ 25.c6! is possible: c8 26.xd6 f8 27.e4 ] 25...g6 [ 25...c8! ] 26.f2? [ 26.c6! again! ] 26...g7 27.e3 f6 28.c7 b8 29.f4 g5+ 30.e3 c8 Finally Black contests the cfile. 31.b7 c2 32.xe6 fxe6 33.xb5 xb2 34.a5 c6 35.xd6 xd6 36.e5+ e7 37.exd6+ xd6 38.xa4 xh2 ½-½
B c 2 , B b 2 a n d d 4 , wi t h a 4 t h ro wn i n t o prevent counterplay- White achieves these objectives, and the onus is on Black to show how it can be stopped. a6 9.f3 d6 10.b2 c5 11.c2 d7 12.a4! 0-0 13.e2 ac8 14.c3 a6 15.d4 exd4 16.xd4 a5+ 17.f2 e8 18.g4 c7 19.g5 b5 20.f4 b4 21.d2 b6 22.a5 b5 23.hb1 b3 24.d1 7a6 25.e2 b7 26.h5 g4 27.xg7 b4 28.g1 c2 29.fxg4 xe4 30.f5 fe8 31.d3 xa1 32.xa1 b4 33.d4 xd4+ 34.xd4 d2 35.d1 c2 36.b5 b8 37.d3 a2 38.c3 b2 39.xd2 1-0 Lautier, J (2580)-Kotronias, V (2550)/ Chalkidiki 1992 ] 7...d6?! An instructive error. [ 7...f6 first is necessary. The point being t h a t a f t e r 8.f3 d6 9.a3 e4! is an important resource, after which Black can stabilise the position by using the c5 square. ] 8.a3 f6 9.xd6 bd7 10.f3 e4 11.d4 b6 12.b5 White already has a decisive advantage and could probably have won even more easily than he did. bxd5 13.a3 e6 14.d6+ d7 15.xb7 b6 16.c5+ d8 17.e3 xb3 18.axb3 b6 19.xe6+ fxe6 20.a6 c8 21.e2 b8 862 A21 22.hc1 d7 23.c4 xb3 24.d4+ c7 Petursson,Margeir 2555 25.c5 e5 26.c4 b6 27.c2 d7 Sokolov,Ivan 2630 28.c4 xc4 29.xa7+ e6 30.xc4 c8 Manila ol (Men) 1992 31.b4 d3 32.b6+ f5 33.xg7 xc5 34.f7 c2 35.bxf6+ g5 36.f4+ exf4 [Jonathan Rowson] 37.exf4+ g4 38.g7+ 1.c4 e5 2.c3 b4 3.d5 a5 I remember 1-0 this move being popular around 1990, because my first serious chess trainer, A21 Donald Holmes used to play it. Since then 863 however, it has always looked somewhat Poldauf,Dirk 2405 dubious to me, but I suppose it has some Graf,Alexander 2649 value in unblancing the game very early, Bundesliga 2000-1 (12) 31.03.2001 which is not such a bad thing against 1.c4 [Tony Kosten] players who tend to be a bit on the stodgy side. 4.b4 c6 5.bxa5 cxd5 6.cxd5 xa5 1.c4 e5 2.c3 d6 3.f3 f5 4.d4 e4 7.b3 5.g5 e7 6.h3 f6 7.g3 c6 8.d5 [ 7.e4!? might be better, and the following [ Gaining space, and stopping ...d5, 8.g2 game makes a strong impression. Lautier's is considered elsewhere. ] b e s t g a m e s a r e / w e r e a l w a y s h i g h l y 8...g4!? thematic. f6 8.d3!? Odd-looking, but this [ A novelty, intending to play the knight to e5, is an odd position. White's utopia is Ne2, 0-0, and bishop to f6. 8...bd7 is analysed in a 854
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 note to a previous game, whilst the other possibility is ] [ 8...a6 9.g2 c7 10.0-0 0-0 11.f3 exf3 12.exf3 cxd5 13.xd5 fxd5 14.cxd5 f6 with reasonable chances, Urban,K-Chekhov,V/Lubniewice 1995. ] 9.f3 This must be the critical reply. e5 [ 9...exf3 10.exf3 e5 11.f4 cuts right across Black's plan. ] 10.fxe4 xc4?! [ 10...fxe4 11.xe4?! 0-0 (menacing ... Rxf1+, and then ...Bxh3) 12.g2 xc4 is m ore awk wa rd , st o p pin g W h it e f ro m castling. ] 11.exf5 xf5 12.e4 Forking c4 and f5, and f o r c i n g t h e f o l l o w i n g e x c h a n g e . xh3 13.xc4 This stops Black from castling, because of the discovered check. [ 13.xh3 is also interesting, but allows Black to establish a knight on e5. ] 13...d7 14.f4 f6 15.d2 White intends to simply castle long, with enormous pressure on d6, so Black enters into the f ollowin g complications. xc3 16.xc3 cxd5 [ 16...g2?! 17.g1 xe4 also favours White after 18.dxc6 xc6 19.0-0-0 ] 17.xd5 c6 18.0-0-0 e7!? [ Black tries to 'buy' the right to castle, but, a n y w a y , h e i s i n a b a d w a y , 18...c8 19.b1 g4 20.d2 e5 21.b4 only puts off the inevitable, he still cannot castle, and d6 is dropping. ] 19.xg7 0-0-0 20.b3! There is no point a llo win g B la c k t o ca p t u re t h is a n d f o rce opposite-colour bishops. c6+? [ This pawn-grab loses a piece, and hastens th e en d, o bjective ly 20...c7+ 21.c3 xc3+ 22.bxc3 c7 is better, but quite hopeless. ] 21.b1 xe4+ 22.c2 e6 23.he1 f5? 24.c3+ 1-0
864 Poldauf,Dirk Kasimdzhanov,Rustam ECC Rethymnon GRE (3) [Tony Kosten]
A21 2404 2664 30.09.2003
1.c4 e5 2.c3 b4 3.d5 c5 A perfectly logical move, although out-of-fashion at the moment. 4.f3 The critical reply, hitting the black e-pawn, that provokes bizarre com plicat io ns. e4!? More exciting than the older [ 4...c6 5.c3 e7 as in Adorjan,A-Timman, J/Linares 1985, although this is fairly level. ] 5.g5! A surprising counter. e3!? The pawn cuts across the c1-h6 diagonal, but there are other possibilities: [ 5...f5 is preferred by 'Mr Mo', 6.d4 e7 7.f4 (menacing to win the queen with Bxc7) a6 8.e3 f6 ( now 8...xg5?! is met by 9.h5+ g6 10.xg5 with advantage) 9.xe7 xe7 10.h4!? curious, ( 10.e2 0-0 11.h4 d6 12.h5 h6 13.h3 Vigorito,D-Dembo,Y/Budapest HUN 2003; 10.c5 l o o k s s t r o n g e s t : h6 11.h3 menacin g the capture on a 6) 10...h6 11.h3 d6 12.e2 e6 13.h5 c6 14.g3 f7 15.f4 c7 draw agreed, McNab,CMotwani,P/Edinburgh SCO 2003. ] [ 5...c6?! is nicely met by 6.xe4 cxd5 7.xc5 and ] [ 5...xg5?! by 6.d4 ( rather than 6.xc7+?! d8 7.xa8 when the knight is trapped )] 6.d4 C l e a r l y b e s t . exf2+ 7.xf2 e7 8.xe7 White might as well grab the bishop pair, although [ 8.f3 is also plausible, f6 9.xf6+ xf6 10.e4 when White has a big centre, but his king isn't ideally placed, Renet, OSteingrimsson,H/Reykjavik 1993. ] 8...xe7 9.e4 d6 10.b3!? A novelty in the st e m ga m e , t e n ye a rs p re vio u sly, W h it e preferred [ 10.d3 c6 11.c2 f6 12.e1?! ( 12.h3 first, is good for White) 12...g4! 13.d3 d7! 14.a4 h6 and Black was at le a st e qua l, a s th e kn ight h ad n o e a s y retreat, Lautier,J-Kramnik,V/Cannes 1993. ] 10...c6 11.f3 f6?! A strange move from such a strong player, [ 11...f6 i s n a t u r a l , 12.d3 g4+ 855
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 13.g1? ( 13.e1! ) 13...xd4! 14.xd4 f6 winning. ] 12.d3 f7 13.f1 ge7 Black has chosen a solid set-up, but White's centre and bishop pair give him the edge. 14.g1 White has had time to get his king to safety. h5 15.a3 0-0 16.b4 White's space advantage is b e c o m i n g p r e o c c u p y i n g . a6 17.a2! A nice way to bring the rook into play. e8?! 18.e2 g6 19.e1 d7 20.g3 White has a large advantage, his pieces are well placed behind the powerful centre and Black can only sit and wait. ce7 21.fe1 d8 22.b2 e6 23.h4 h5 24.e3 b6 25.c5! The time for action has come. bxc5 26.bxc5 dxc5 27.d5 Opening the b2bishop's diagonal. g4 28.xc7 [ 28.xa6 looks good, after all, the weak Black c-pawns are hardly going anywhere. ] 28...xf3 29.gxf3!? White elects to strengthen his centre, although [ 29.xf3 is very promising. ] 29...d7!? [ 29...xh4 is worth a try, although White is still on top. ] 30.g3 b8! The point of Black's play, exchanging queens and hoping to tie White to the h-pawn in the endgame. 31.xb8 xb8 32.a1 a5 The a-pawn was en prise. 33.a4 c8! The knight is looking for a better square. 34.b5 db7 35.c3 d6 36.f1 White has to keep his bishops on the board. a8 A bit passive, Black avoided [ 36...xh4 because it concedes control of f4, and 37.f4 is unpleasant, with the idea of e5, but Black can try g6 ( 37...xe4!? 38.xe4 f3+ 39.f2 xe1 40.xe1 but the two bishops dominate here.) 38.e5 c8 which is not so clear. ] 37.h2 e5? After this Black has no compensation for the centre and two bishops, he should have tried [ 37...xh4 which is still met by 38.f4 but b3! ( 38...xe4?! 39.xe4 f3+ 40.g2 xe1+ 41.xe1 b3 42.e3 is still good for White ) 39.e5 e4! is unclear. Could Black have rejected this because of the rating difference: wanting to win and trying to ke ep t he p osit ion as complicat ed a s possible? ] 38.g3 Defending the h-pawn and preparing
to push the centre. dc4 39.3e2 b3 40.c2 a3 41.cc1 Black's temporary initiative is easily parried. d7 42.h3 b6 43.d6! The advance of the d-pawn is decisive, the black pieces are stuck on the queenside and unable to help stop it. c4 44.e5!? [ 44.d7 is even easier, followed by Red1, or Bxa5. ] 44...fxe5 45.xe5 a7?! [ 45...d8 46.e6+ f8 47.f5+ e8 48.e1 is also crushing. ] 46.e6+ h7 47.f5+ [ 47.f5+ g8 48.ce1 xc3 49.e8+ f7 50.8e7+ xe7 51.dxe7 makes a queen. ] 1-0
865 Popov,Valerij Konovalov,Nikolay Chigorin Mem A (2) [Jonathan Rowson]
A21 2580 2453 02.12.2007
1.c4 e5 2.c3 b4 3.d5 a5!? I am surprised this move is not played more often, because in general the inclusion of a3 and a5 should favour Black, and it is rarely a good idea for White to take on b4(the extra space and a-file are typically worth more than the bishop pair. 4.a3 Not forced of course. [ 4.g3 f6 5.g2 is also viable, and there are so me scena rio s whe n t aking on b 4 might be ok. ] 4...c5 [ 4...e7 5.d4 d6 6.f3 ( 6.e4 f6 7.xe7 xe7 8.f3 h5 In most cases a5/ a3 should favour Black in this line, because White's king looks (even) less safe on the queenside, where it generally has to seek refuge.) 6...e4 7.d2 f5 8.b1 d7 ( 8...f6 9.bc3 0-0 10.xe7+ xe7 11.g5 e6 12.e3 bd7 ) 9.bc3 df6 10.f4 h5 11.d2 hf6 12.f4 h5 13.d2 hf6 14.e3 c6 15.xe7 xe7 16.c2 0-0 17.f4! An instructive decision, although it is difficult to say why. The main point is to avoid the f5-f4 pawn sacrifice/ breakthrough. d7 18.e2 b8 19.a4! h8 20.0-0!? h6 21.ab1 g5 22.b4 axb4 23.xb4 g6 24.b2 c8 25.d5 a8 856
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 26.h1 h7 27.dxc6 bxc6 28.b8 xb8 8.a3!? h6 ( 8...xb2?? 9.a4 ) 9.c1 g5 29.xb8 e7 30.b6 d5 31.cxd5 cxd5 10.e3 intends Qh5+ and b4; 32.d4 e6 33.b1 g8 34.a5 g7 B) 7.e3 f6 8.f4 c7 is the standard 35.fxg5 hxg5 36.a6 f4 37.b7 f7 38.a7 idea that has held up for years. Tony cites h4 39.b8 1-0 Lautier, J (2666)-Fressinet, T i m m a n - Yu s u p o v, A m s t e r d a m 1 9 9 4 , L (2637)/Val d'Isere 2004 ] w h i c h w e n t 9.d5! e7 10.b3!? 0-0 5.e3 11.b2 d7 12.e2 g5! with unclear [ 5.f3 play. ] A) 5...c6 6.c3 d6 ( 6...e7 6...f6 Black's position looks suspect here, but I [ Previously in ChessPublishing we saw can't see any clear refutation. 7.e3 ) 7.e4 6...e7 7.h3 f6 8.g2 0-0 9.0-0 a6 a7 8.c5; A key manoeuvre, borrowed from the B) 5...e4 6.g5!? e3 is very similar to Advance French, the knight comes to c7, the main line with Bc5 7.d4 still looks either to prepare the ...d5-push, or to better for White. ] continue towards the kingside via e6. 10.f3 5...c6 6.f3 f6 Attacking the black pawn chain head-on, but [ 6...e4 7.d4! ] now is a good time for ( 10.d5! ) 10...exf3 7.d4 d6 8.c5! xd5 9.cxd6 e4 10.d2 ( 10...c7!? ) 11.exf3 c7!? 12.d5 cxd5 f6 11.d5! White plays with impressive 13.cxd5 b5! 14.b4 a5 15.b1 axb4 vigour. e5 12.xe4! xe4 13.d4 cxd6 16.xb4 d7 and Black stood well in Gulko14.xe4 0-0 15.e2 b6 16.0-0 a6 Short, Elenite 1995. ] 17.xa6 xa6 18.d2 a8 19.ac1 c8 7.g2 h6 8.h3 g5 This kind of position has 20.h3 xc1 21.xc1 e8 22.b3 h6 23.c3 usually been satisfactory for Black, whose b8 24.d4 f6 25.d2 b7 26.f4 g6 kingside pawn formation is solider than it look. 27.d3 e7 28.e4 c8 29.xc8+ xc8 9.g1 30.e3 c7 31.c4 b7 32.f5 f7 [ 9.0-0 f4!? looks playable, due to the well33.b5 c8 34.f2 e7 35.g4 c7 know tactic ( 9...d5 10.cxd5 cxd5 11.f3 36.c4 b7 37.c3 f7 38.h4 e7 with approximate equality) 10.gxf4? ( 10.d5 39.d4 b8 40.g3 c8 41.xc8 xc8 g7 with a complex position) 10...g4! 42.a4 f8 43.f3 f7 44.e3 e7 trapping the knight and forcing W hite to 45.e2 d8 46.d4 e7 47.d3 d8 sacrifice a piece by 11.g5 hxg5 12.fxg5 48.g5 d5! , intending 13.gxf6? c7 ] 1-0 9...d5 10.h4 g8 [ 10...gxh4 11.xh4 dxc4 may look antipositional, yet Black wins a pawn. Best 866 A21 seems 12.h3 and 13 Nf4 compare the game. ] Prohaszka,Peter 2392 Vitor,Antonio 2414 11.hxg5 hxg5 12.h3 [ 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.h3 h6!? ] FSGM October (9) 15.10.2006 12...g4 13.f4 dxc4 14.f3 b4 [John Watson] [ S a f e r t h a n 14...gxf3!? 15.exf3 xg3 16.e2!? ] We take another look at one of Black's most successful def ences to the English when 15.fxe4 fxe4 [ 15...xe4! ] White has committed to Nf3. 1.d4 [ The game variation commonly arises via the 16.0-0 e7 Too slow. [ 16...f5 is better, since e4 is the key English move order 1.c4 e5 2.c3 d6 defensive square. ] 3.f3 f5 4.d4 e4 5.g5 ] 1...d6 2.c4 e5 3.f3 e4 4.g5 f5 5.c3 17.c2 xc3 Otherwise e4 falls. 18.xc3 e6 19.b3 Already intending Ba3, which only c6 6.g3 becomes better af ter W hite's next move. [ 6.h3 a6 A) 7.g5!? is in t e re st in g, wh e n b6 cxb3?! 20.axb3 d5 21.xd5 857
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ Or 21.a3 ] 21...xd5 22.c2 f6 23.f5!? [ 23.a3 e6 24.f4 is extremely strong. ] 23...bd7 24.g5?! xg5? [ 24...d6! h i t s d 4 a n d g3 , b u t 25.c3 ( 25.xf6 xf6 26.e3 0-0-0 ) 25...d5 is equal. ] 25.xg5 d6 26.c3 d8 27.e3 c7 28.f4 xf4 29.gxf4 a6 30.e3 White is obviously winning. b5 31.f1 d5 32.xb5 b8 33.c4 xe3 34.xa6 xc4 35.bxc4 b1+ 36.f2 b7 37.a2 b6 38.g7+ b8 39.c2 b4 40.g3 xc4 41.h2 d6 42.h8+ c8 43.gg8 xd4 44.xc8+ b7 45.b8+ a7 46.a8+ b7 47.ab8+ a7 48.xg4 1-0
867 Ruban,Vadim Miles,Anthony J Belgrade [Tony Kosten]
A21 2395 2500 1988
1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 Transposing into the 2...d6 King's English. 3.c3 [ The endgame after 3.dxe5 dxe5 4.xd8+ xd8 is equal. ] 3...exd4 4.xd4 f6 5.b3 g6 6.b2 g7 7.g3 0-0 8.g2 bd7!? The knight will come to c5, to survey the e4-square. [ 8...c6 9.d2 is the mainline. ] 9.f3 c5 Threatening a nasty discovered attack, with ...Nfe4. 10.d2 a5 11.d4 Directed against ...Bf5. e8 12.0-0 c6 13.ab1 [ 13.ad1 i s a b e t t e r m o v e , b6 the position has become typical of a KID Fianchetto Variation, Classical line, 14.e3 a4 with chances to both sides. ] 13...e7 14.a3 h5! Very strong, the h-pawn will soften-up the white kingside. 15.c2?! [ White is soon in trouble after this, he should aim for exchanges with the immediate 15.b4 axb4 16.axb4 ce4 17.xe4 xe4 18.c1! ] 15...h4 16.b4 axb4 17.axb4 ce4 18.xe4 xe4 19.f3? By allowing the black bishop to f5 W hite loses. h3! This leaves the white king without any moves. 20.h1 f5 21.b3
[ The queen and rook were both on the same mined diagonal, and there was no time for 21.xg7 as xg3 menaces the queen, and Nxe2+. ] 21...xf2!! A killer! 22.xf2 [ Forced, as 22.xg7? xh1 23.b2 xg3 24.hxg3 e3+ 25.h1 xb1 26.xb1 f2 wins, as does ] [ 22.xf2 xe2+ 23.g1 c2 ] 22...xb1 23.xg7 xg7 24.xb1 f6! The point, ...Ra1 is the immediate threat. 25.d2 [ If 25.f1 xe2 and ...Raa2 wins easily. ] 25...d4 26.d3?? [ This allows a neat mate, the only possibility was 26.b3! (to guard a1) xc4 27.b2+ e5! 28.a5 b5 29.d4 g8 but White's minor pieces are no match for the rooks (and pawns). ] 26...a1+ [ 26...a1+ 27.f1 xf1+! 28.xf1 a1+ leaves the king somewhat embarrassed! ] 0-1
868 Salov,Valery Kramnik,Vladimir Linares 11th (8) [Jonathan Rowson]
A21 2660 2685 1993
1.c4 e5 2.c3 b4 3.d5 d6 Some people love to put their bishops on d6, in front of their d-pawns. It is almost like the dark squared bishop is the elder brother of the light squared bishop on c8, and delights in dominating him by refusing to let him out until he is ready...but sometimes it's actually a decent move, although here I think Black has better ones. 4.d4! c6 [ 4...c6 5.f3 e4 6.g5 f5 ( 6...f6 7.a3!? e7 8.xf6+ xf6 9.xe4 xd4 10.e3 looks like a decent Budapest Gambit for both sides, which means that White is p ro b a b ly b e t t e r .) 7.c5! f8 8.b3 is actually winning! ] 5.dxe5 xe5 6.f3 What follows is pleasant for White, but perhaps nothing special from a theoretical point of view, and a stronger Black player could certainly outplay somebody who didn't have a feeling for where to put his 858
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 pieces in the queenless middlegame that results. [ 6.f4!? f6 7.f3 c7 8.g3 0-0 9.g2 d5 10.cxd5 cxd5 11.0-0 I like White's position here, even if just from an optical perspective- those knights on f4 and f3 are a pleasure to behold. c6 12.b3 e8 13.b2 xf4 14.gxf4 e4 15.c1 f6 16.d4 b6 17.e3 d7 18.h5 xd4 19.xd4 d6 20.f3 g6 21.h4 g5 22.h6 1-0 Agrest, E (2599)-Sasikiran, K (2650)/ Mainz 2002/CBM 089 ext ] 6...d6 7.xe5 [ 7.c3!? xc3+ 8.bxc3 is probably not worse for White. ] [ 7.f4 is not an exact transposition to 6. Nf4 above, because there is no longer any question of the bishop going to c7. e7 8.g3 f6 9.g2 0-0 10.0-0 is quite a strange position, because the bishop on e5 lo o k s b o t h a ct ive a n d m isp la ce d , b u t I suspect White is somewhat better due to his extra space and prospect of having the bishop pair. ] 7...dxe5 8.c3 xd1+ 9.xd1 e6?! A natural move, but given that White is going to play b3 anyway, the bishop was better deployed on f5. [ 9...a5!? ] 10.b3 a5 11.b2 f6 12.c3 a6 13.0-0-0 h6 14.h3 [ equally good is 14.e3 g4 15.e4 b4 16.h3! ] 14...f7 15.e3 0-0 A concession. [ 15...e7!? 16.a3+ ( 16.d3 ) 16...b4 17.a4 d6! is not so clear, but it's easy to understand that Black didn't want to walk into pins on the a3-f8 diagonal. ] 16.e2 b4 17.f4 b5! 18.g4 [ 18.cxb5 cxb5 19.xb5 fc8 20.d2 ( 20.b1 exf4 21.exf4 f5+ ) 20...exf4 21.exf4 d6! ] 18...exf4 [ 18...bxc4 19.f5 c8 ( 19...d5 20.e4 ) 20.xc4 a6 21.a3 xc4 22.bxc4 a6 23.e4 fd8 24.c3 a4 25.a5 ] 19.exf4 bxc4 20.bxc4 f5 21.a3 a6 22.a4 ab8 23.hg1 fxg4 24.hxg4 fe8 25.d2 d8 26.f5 f7 27.g5 b7 28.g6 hxg6 29.fxg6 e6 30.g5! bd8! 31.xd8 xd8 32.e5 e8! 33.d2 d6 34.d4
c7 35.c3 f5! 36.d3 [ Ftacnik points out a neat trick here: 36.c5? xg6 37.f3 cb5+! 38.cxb5 xb5+ 39.c4 f7+ 40.d3 d8 41.e4 g6 42.b3 c5! ] 36...xd3 37.xd3 d8? [ 37...e6! is still viable. ] 38.c5 a8 39.e4 xe4 40.xe4 c7 [ 40...c7 41.b6 c8 42.xc7 xc7 43.e8# ] 1-0
869 Savchenko,Boris Shirov,Alexei World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (5) [Carsten Hansen]
A21 2583 2739 21.11.2007
1.c4 e5 2.c3 b4 3.f3 xc3 4.bxc3 [ I more or less dismissed this line in my book on 1 c4 e5 and instead gave preference to 4.dxc3 , but Black should be okay in that line too. White's best may well be 4 bxc3 after all. ] 4...d6 [ Black has also tried 4...e4 ] [ 4...e7 ] [ , and most frequently 4...c6 ] 5.d4 [ The most aggressive, which almost seems odd a f ter the more rese rved 3rd move . White has also tried: A) 5.g3 A) 5...c6 6.g2 ( 6.b1 ge7 7.g2 0-0 8.0-0 b8 9.d3 h6 10.e4 g4 11.h3 e6 Kanellopoulos, P-Kritz, L/ E r m i o n i G R E 2 0 0 6 , a n d h e r e 12.e2 d7 13.g4 a5 14.h4 ) 6...ge7 ( 6...e6 7.b1 c8 8.b3 b8 9.g5 ge7 10.xe6 xe6 11.0-0 0-0 12.d3 h8 13.e4 Raicevic, I-Perunovic, M/Nis 1994; 6...g4 7.d3 d7 8.h3 h5 9.b1 b8 10.g4 g6 11.h4 Hansen, VSteinbacher, M/Bad Wiessee 2000) 7.0-0 0-0 8.d3 ( 8.a3 g6 9.b1 b8 10.d3 b6 , was played in Kantorik, M-Laketic, G/ Cheliabinsk 1991, and at this point White should have tried 11.d2 b7 12.e3 a5 13.xb7 xb7 14.f4 f5 , but as it turned out Kantorik was having the worst tournament of his life and lost all 859
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 his games in this tournament) 8...b8 9.a4 ( 9.c2 g4 10.h3 e6 11.g5 f5 12.e4 g6 13.f4 was Orchard, CClough, P/corr BPCF 1995) 9...e8 10.e4 b6 11.h4 d7 12.g4 d8 13.f4 exf4 14.xf4 g6 , O'Rourke, R-Brady, S/ Drogheda 1999, and now 15.xg6 fxg6 16.a5 appears best; B) 5...e6!? 6.d3 c6 7.g2 ge7 8.0-0 f6 9.b1 b8 , Perez, J-Lugo, B/ Fuerteventura 1992, 10.e4 0-0 11.e3 d7 12.h4 b6; C) 5...f5 6.d4 e4 7.g5 f6 8.d2 h6 9.xf6 xf6 10.g2 0-0 11.0-0 f7 12.e3 d7 13.f3 exf3 14.xf3 f6 15.e2 Schweda, R-Rogozenko, D/ Stockerau 1993; D) 5...e7 6.g2 0-0 7.c5 e4 8.cxd6 cxd6 9.d4 d5 10.0-0 bc6 11.a4 d7 ( 11...xd4 12.cxd4 g4 13.f3 exf3 14.xf3 xf3 15.xf3 e8 16.b1 c8 17.a3 f5 18.e3 ) 12.a3 e8 13.d3 e5 14.b3 exd3 15.exd3 c6 16.fe1 Raicevic, I-Maric, D/Nis 1995; E) 5...e4 6.d4 f6 7.g2 0-0 8.0-0 e8 9.d3 c5 10.c2 exd3 , Silseth, SBreivik, L/Gausdal NOR 2005, and now W hite c an o bta in a b et ter gam e af te r 11.exd3 g4 12.f3 d7 13.b1 b6 14.g4 h6 15.e3; F) 5...f6 6.g2 0-0 7.0-0 F1) 7...e8 8.d3 ( 8.c2 h6 9.b1 bd7 10.d3 c6 11.d2 c7 12.e4 b6 13.f4 Kovtun, S-Khmelnitsky, S/ UKR 1986 ) 8...bd7 9.e4 f8 10.h4 c6 11.f5 d5 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.f3 dxe4 14.dxe4 Rahman, Z-Handoko, E/ Dhaka 1995; F2) 7...h6 8.d3 bd7 9.b1 b8 10.d2 c5 11.a3 b6 12.d4 cd7 Vita, F-Klinova, M/Bratto 1997, and here 13.e4!? looks like a worthwhile try; F3) 7...c6 8.d3 e4 9.d4 exd3 10.exd3 d7 11.b1 b8 12.h3 h6 13.e3 Pitam, E-Klinova, M/Dresden 1998; F4) 7...bd7 8.d3 e4 9.d4 ( 9.g5!? exd3 10.exd3 ) 9...e8 10.b1 c5 Meyer, E-Christiansen, L/New York 1985 11.f3 exd3 12.exd3 d7 13.g4 ] [ B) 5.c2 c6 6.g3 ge7 7.g2 0-0
8.d3 h8 9.b1 b8 10.0-0 f5 , Pils, W-Weinzettl, E/Vienna 1986, and here 11.g5 e8 12.h4 d7 13.f4 ] [ C) 5.d3 A) 5...f6 6.e4 0-0 ( 6...h6 7.g3 0-0 8.g2 e6 9.0-0 c6 10.a3 a6 11.a4 e8 12.fb1 Diehle, J-Annabi, S/ Ronneburg 1996 ) 7.e2 A1) 7...c6 8.0-0 e7 9.b1 d8 10.e1 e6 11.c2 ( 11.f4!? ) 11...f4 12.e3 c6 13.f3 Levieux, P-Amram, R/Cappelle la Grande 1995; A2) 7...bd7 8.0-0 h6 9.e1 c5 10.f4 e8 11.c2 c6 12.e3 exf4 13.xf4 Hiebel, J-Maier, C/Gladenbach 1992; B) 5...c5 6.g3 c6 ( 6...d7 7.g2 c6 8.0-0 d7 9.c2 gf6 10.e4 f8 11.d2 e6 12.h4 Orchard, CMcMillan, N/corr 1994) 7.g2 ge7 8.e4 0-0 9.0-0 h6 10.b1 b8 Lerner, KOnischuk, A/Cuxhaven 1993 11.e2 g4 12.h3 e6 13.d1 c8 14.h2 c7; C) 5...f5 6.g3 f6 7.g2 0-0 8.a3 e8 9.d2 c6 10.e4 b8 11.0-0 e6 12.f4 g4 13.e2 d7 14.h3 h6 ( 14...f6 15.g4 fxg4 16.f5 f7 17.hxg4 ) 15.h2 bd8 16.f2 Musikhin, P-Frolov, A/Ufa 1999; D) 5...d7 6.g3 g4 7.g2 xf3 8.xf3 c6 9.b1 c7 10.0-0 f6 D1) 11.d4 bd7 ( 11...e4?! 12.g2 0-0 13.f4 h5 14.xe4 xf4 15.gxf4 d7 16.d3 f6 17.g2 ) 12.b3 b6 13.c2 0-0 14.g5; D2) 11.g5 bd7 12.c2 h6 13.xf6 xf6 14.b2 h5 15.fb1 b6 , Schre ib er, W -B a st ia n , S/ G erma n y 2001, and now 16.d2; E) 5...e7 6.c5 bc6 7.cxd6 cxd6 8.g3 0-0 9.g2 e6 10.0-0 d7 11.a3 ad8 Jungbluth, R-Deinert, W/ Recklinghausen 2005 12.g5 g4 13.f3 h5 14.f4; F) 5...c6 6.g3 f5 7.g2 f6 8.b1 0-0 9.0-0 e8 10.c2 ( 10.d2 b8 11.e4 fxe4 12.xe4 xe4 13.xe4 f5= Gonzalez, J-Estrada Nieto, J/ Merida 2002 ) 10...b6 11.d2 b7 12.e4 e7 13.f3 c6 14.exf5 xf5 15.e4 d7 860
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 16.f4 e7 17.d2 Avery, R-Bisguier, A/ Chicago 1987 ] [ D) 5.c5!? appears to be White's best chance for an edge in this variation: A) 5...c6 6.cxd6 cxd6 7.g3 ge7 8.g2 0-0 9.0-0 b6 10.c4 c7 11.d3 h6 12.a3 b7 13.c1 fe8 14.d2 ad8 15.e4 1-0 Dzindzichashvili, RKhmelnitsky, I/Philadelphia 1992; B) 5...f6 6.cxd6 B1) 6...cxd6 B1a) 7.d4 e4 8.d2 0-0 9.e3 a5 10.c4 d5 11.a3 d8 12.b3 e8 13.d2 f5 , Gerasimov, VHasangatin, R/Tomsk 2001, and now 14.c4 g6 15.0-0 c6 ( 15...h3 16.xf7+ xf7 17.xf7+ xf7 18.gxh3 f6 19.f3 exf3 20.xf3 ) 16.d5 f6 17.f3 xd5 18.xd5 exf3 19.xf3 e6 20.e4; B1b) 7.g3 0-0 8.g2 c6 ( 8...c7 9.0-0 c6 10.d3 b6 11.g5 d7 12.d2 h6 Thompson, I-Davies, N/ Port Erin IOM 2003 ) 9.0-0 B1b1) 9...e8 10.d4?! ( 10.d3!? ) 10...e4 11.d2 d5 12.e3 g4 13.a4 a5 14.a3 e2 15.fe1 d3 16.b3 xb3 17.axb3 b5 18.b4 a5 Gerasimov, V-Glek, I/ Tomsk 2001; B1b2) 9...f5 10.d3 d7 11.c4 h3 12.e4 ab8 13.a4 g4 14.e3 e8 15.d2 xf3 16.xf3 Arkell, K-Pert, N/Hastings 2000; B2) 6...xd6 7.a4+ bd7 8.a3 c5 9.d4 0-0 10.e3 c7 11.c1 b6 12.e2 b7 13.0-0 Knott, S-Davies, N/ Scarborough 1999; C) 5...e4 6.a4+ d7 7.xe4++Wiese, D-Keller, S/IECC 1997; D) 5...dxc5 6.xe5 f6 7.e3 0-0 8.e2 e8 9.f3 b6 10.0-0 b7 11.a4 d6 12.d4 bd7 13.a3 e4 14.c2 h6 15.ad1 Arkell, K-Plaskett, J/ Hastings 1988 ad8 ] 5...e7 [ 5...c6 6.g5 ( 6.e4!? ) 6...ge7 7.e3 0-0 Kulczyk, P-Merklejn, K/Bydgoszcz 2001 ] [ 5...e4 6.d2 f5 ( 6...e7 7.e3 f6 8.e2 0-0 9.0-0 bd7 10.a3 b6
Datta, A-Lee, W/Stillwater 2002) 7.e3 f6 8.e2 0-0 9.0-0 c5 10.f4 c6 11.b3 b6 Oakley, P-Brilla Banfalvi, S/corr 1983 ] 6.c5!? [ White may also consider another sharp move: 6.e4!? A) 6...exd4 7.cxd4 f6 ( 7...xe4+ 8.e3 ) 8.d3 0-0 9.0-0; B) 6...f6 7.d3 bd7 ( 7...exd4 8.cxd4 xe4 9.0-0 f5 10.e1 0-0 11.g5 f6 12.xe4 fxe4 13.xe4 g6 14.b2 ) 8.0-0 0-0 9.e2 e8 ] 6...e4! 7.cxd6 cxd6 8.d2 e3 Shirov as expected doesn't hesitate to sacrifice a pawn to gain a lead in development 9.fxe3 f6 [ 9...xe3? 10.a4+ d7 11.a3 (threatening Nc4) e6 12.e4 d5 13.d3 , and Black is in danger of being beaten to pulp. ] 10.g3 0-0 11.g2 g4 12.f1?! [ This is simply too passive, all just to hang on t o a pa wn . T h e b et te r a lte rn a tive is 12.b3!? , e.g. f5 13.0-0 g6 14.d2 c6 15.f4 f6 16.a3 fe8 ( 16...h5?! 17.e4! ) 17.af1 ad8 ] 12...f5 13.f3 d7 [ 13...e8!? ] 14.b3 b6 15.g1 [ 15.a4 ac8! 16.a5 c4 17.xb7 c7 18.d5 c2 19.a2 f6 20.g5 e4 ] 15...ac8 [ Black should consider 15...e6!? 16.c2 ac8 17.e4 f5! ] 16.e4 e6 17.d5?! [ 17.b4!? is relatively best: c4 ( 17...fe8 18.a4 ) 18.a5 c7 19.d2 a4 20.g5 f6 ] 17...d7 18.f4 c5 19.d2 [ 19.a3 a5 20.b2 c4 21.xb7 ge5 ] 19...fc8 20.c1 xh2 21.e3?! [ 21.c4 xf3+ 22.exf3 xd5 23.xb7 xf4 24.gxf4 d5!? ] 21...b5 [ 21...xd5!? ] 22.a3 xd5 23.xa7? [ 23.d4!? xf3+ 24.exf3 f5 25.f2 fxe4 26.xe4 c6 27.c4 a6 28.xa6 bxa6 29.cxb5 axb5 , and Black has the much better game and should win in the long run, but there is a lot of work left before the win 861
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 can be scored on the tournament table. ] 23...xf3+ [ 23...b6 24.c4 a5 25.b2 xa7 26.cxd5 xc1+ 27.xc1 xf3+ 28.exf3 transposes to the game continuation ] 24.exf3 b6 25.c4 a5 26.b2 xa7 27.cxd5 xc1+ 28.xc1 xa2 [ 28...f6! 29.a3 d4-+ ] 29.b1 a6 30.b4?! [ 30.b2!? f5 31.f2 fxe4 32.xe4 f7 33.b3 b5 34.c1 h5 35.c7 a2+ 36.e3 h6+ 37.d3 ( 37.f4? h2 38.xd7 e2+ 39.d4 a4+-+ ) 37...h2 38.c2 xc2 39.xc2 h5-+ ] 30...f5 31.e2 fxe4 32.xe4 a4!? [ 32...b5!? 33.c1 a2+-+ ] 33.xb6 g4! 34.f2?! [ 34.d2 a2+ 35.e3 a3+ 36.d2 xf3 37.e1 h6 38.d4 ( 38.xd6?! b7!-+ ) 38...f5 39.a1 e5 40.c3 f5-+ ] 34...a2+ [ 34...f8!? ] 35.e3 a3+ 36.d2 xf3 37.b8+? [ 37.e1!? f8 38.xd6 a7 39.c5 a2+ 40.d3 c8 41.b4 f5-+ ] 37...f8 38.b4 f3!? [ 38...e5! 39.c3 f2+ 40.d3 e2+ 41.c2 c4+ 42.b1 d4-+ ] 39.e1 xe4 40.xe4 g5+ 41.e3 h5!? [ 41...d8! 42.g4 a5+ 43.e2 b5+ ] 42.e6+ h7 43.d3 f5 44.d4 g4+ 45.c3 g5 [ 45...f3! 46.xg4 xe3+ 47.d2 hxg4 48.xe3 g6 49.f4 f6 ] 46.d4 f6 47.e4+ h6 48.c4 g6 49.b5 d8 50.f4+ h7 [ 50...g5 51.e6+ h7 52.xd6 xd5+ 53.xd5 xd5+ ] 51.e4?! [ 51.f5!? g5 52.xg5 xg5 53.c6 g6 54.f3 h6 55.f7!= ] 51...b8+ 52.c6 c8+ 53.b5 c5+ 54.a6 h6 55.f4+ g5??+[ 55...h7! ] 56.e6+ h7 57.xg5 c8+ 58.b6 b8+ 59.c6 c8+ 60.xd6 a6+ 61.e5 a1+ 62.f5 f1+ 63.f4 d3+ 64.g5 xd5+ 65.f5+ This is not a just outcome of the game, where Black created everything and obtained a winning advantage,
and all W hite did was to fight to stay in the game, though only barely so, though his effort is prize-worthy. 1-0
870 Skembris,Spyridon Lazic,Miroljub 11th Open Verona ITA (7) [John Watson]
A21 2446 2512 07.01.2005
1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.f3 e4 4.g5 f5 5.c3 A position also arising from 1. c4 e5 2. N c 3 d 6 3 . N f 3 f 5 4 . d 4 e 4 5 . N g 5 . c6 This move has become a standard solution versus d4 and Ng5. White has yet to make a dent in it. 6.h3 e7 [ Avoiding 6...f6 7.g5 with the idea e3 and Nf4. ] 7.e3 [ 7.f4 f6 8.e3 a6 9.e2 0-0 is equal ] 7...f6 8.f4 0-0 9.h4 Versus ...g5. a6 10.e2 c7 11.b3 b8 [ Another course is 11...b6 12.d2 d5 ] 12.d2 e6 13.d5 xf4 14.exf4 c5 [ 14...cxd5 15.cxd5 b5!? ] 15.h5 d7 16.a4 h6 17.0-0-0 a6 18.de1 b6 Black should definitely consider [ 18...b5!? ] 19.f3 exf3 20.xf3 ½-½
871 Sorokin,Maxim Tseshkovsky,Vitaly 99 Krasnodar RUS (10) [Tony Kosten]
A21 2574 2547 22.11.1999
1.c4 d6 2.c3 e5 3.g3 f5 4.d4 c6 5.dxe5 The standard method of treating such positions, the resulting ending is not quite as simple as it might seem. dxe5 6.xd8+ xd8 7.f3 e4 8.d4 f6 9.g5 e7 Forced, as Bxf6+ is a serious positional threat. 10.h3 [ 10.d1 seems tempting, but Black may be able to hold on af te r c7! ( 10...e8? 11.h3 g6 12.xf6 xf6 13.xe4 862
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 wins a good pawn) 11.h3 g6 12.db5+ cxb5 13.xb5+ ( 13.xf6 xf6 14.d5+ c6 15.cxb5+ xb5 is not so bad for B l a c k , a n d h i s k i n g s i d e p a wn c h a i n i s strong ) 13...b6 14.xf6 xf6 15.d6+ c5 16.xf6 ] 10...h6?! [ It might not be a good idea to weaken g6 like this, better 10...g6 as now 11.d1 can be met by d7 ] 11.f4 g6 12.f3 White only allows Black to ad va nc e h is pa wn s so th a t th ey be co m e easier to attack! exf3 13.xf3 [ Threatening Ne5, with an attack on f7 and g6, but 13.0-0-0 e8 14.exf3 opening a second central file against the king, is also tempting. ] 13...g5 14.e5 h7 15.0-0-0+ e8 16.d2 a6?! [ 16...bd7! is best, exchanging the annoying e5-knight, or obliging it to retreat. ] 17.hf1 g4? [ After this inaccuracy the black position d i s i n t e g r a t e s , h e h a d t o t r y 17...d6! whilst W hite cannot defend this with Bf4, 18.d3 g4 19.g2 and now e6 gains a tempo attacking the c4-pawn. ] 18.g2 c7 19.e4 e6 [ Black is forced to seek compensation for his f-pawn, as 19...fxe4 20.xe4 is extremely disagreeable for him. ] 20.exf5 d4 21.f4 c5 [ 21...xf5 loses material after 22.df1 ] 22.e1 h5 it is difficult to suggest any better, Black is a pawn down with a rotten position. 23.b5 xb5 24.cxb5 a6 25.b6 a5 26.c4 f8 27.c3 It is indeed a bad sign for Black when W hite's pieces find strong squares so easily. h6 28.e5 d6 29.f2 d7? [ 29...d7? 30.xd7+ xd7 31.e6 xe6 32.fxe6+ wins the knight. ] 1-0
872 Speelman,Jonathan S Howell,David 4NCL 2006-07 (5) [Jonathan Rowson]
A21 2533 2501 13.01.2007
1.c4 e5 2.c3 b4 3.d5 e7 This is currently the most popular retreat, and White's approach in this game is not the most critical line, but is noteworthy nonetheless, and as far as I can tell it does yield some advantage. 4.d4 [ 4.f3 I include the following striking game (Ehlvest-Shirov) more for entertainment than theoretical value, but it is worth noting that White doesn't have to meet Be7 with d4. A) 4...d6 5.b3!? ( 5.d4 ) 5...f5 6.b2 f6 looks fine for Black.; B) 4...e4!?; C) 4...c6 5.xe7 xe7 6.b3 d5 7.e3 h6 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.a4 c6 10.a3 e6 11.c1 d7 12.b4 f6 13.b5 d8 14.e2 f5 15.0-0 d6 16.b3 b6 17.d4 e4 18.d2 8b7 19.f3 f5 20.fxe4 fxe4 21.b1 1-0 Ehlvest, J (2655)-Shirov, A (2580)/Manila 1990 ] 4...d6 5.f3!? e4 [ 5...c6 seems unnecessary, though it does give Black the option of playing ...f5 before ...Nf6. 6.xe7 ( 6.c3 doesn't make sense, si n c e W h it e h a s e f f e c t i ve ly l o s t h a lf a tempo. ) 6...xe7 There are several ways to play now, but after something simple like 7.e3 f5 8.e2 f6 9.0-0 0-0 10.b4 White remains somewhat better, but it will take some skill to show it e.g. e4 11.d2 e6 ( 11...d5 12.a4! ) 12.a4 bd7 13.a3 f7 14.b5 c5 15.b3 b6 16.a5 ] 6.d2 f5 7.b1 f6 8.bc3 0-0 9.g3!? Perfectly playable, but White can probably do better. [ 9.xe7+ xe7 10.g5 e6 ( 10...h6 11.d5 ) 11.e3 bd7 12.e2 c6 Un d e rst a n d a b le , b u t n o w W h it e 's d a rk squared bishop is strong. 13.0-0 f7 14.d5 ( 14.b3 is also playable, and somewhat better for White.) 14...cxd5 15.b5 e5 ( 15...dxc4 16.xd6! and Nc7 or Nd4.) 16.xd6 g6 17.xf6 ( 17.f4! xc4 18.xb7! xb2 19.d4 c4 20.c5 863
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 and White has positional domination for his pawn and will increase the pressure with Rab1-b7. ) 17...xf6 18.cxd5 d7 19.c4 xc4 20.xc4 f4 21.exf4 h3 22.g3 xf4 23.d6+ h8 24.d5 xf1 25.xf1 ff8 26.d1 ad8 27.g2 f6 28.d2 e3 29.fxe3 h6 30.d3 f6 31.d2 h6 32.d3 f6 1/2-1/2 Lautier, J (2620)-Shirov, A (2685)/Tilburg 1996 ] 9...e6 10.xe7+ xe7 11.d5 f7 12.h3 g4! 13.xg4 fxg4 14.e3 [ 14.d4 g6 15.b3 d7 16.b2 ] 14...d7 15.d4 g6 16.0-0?! This gives Black a very clear and strong plan of Q-h5 followed by Ne5-f3 or Qh3 and Rf5-h5. [ 16.h3!? is fine for White, who can still castle queenside. ] 16...ae8 17.xa7 e5! 18.fc1 h5 19.f1 [ 19.d4 h3 20.d1 looks a bit passive, but many good ideas do, and in this case it is not clear how Black strengthens his attack, because White can play Qf1-g2 to bolster his king's defences. ] 19...c5 20.a3 xh2 21.e1 Black now has various ways to win. W hite's rooks are not pulling their weight. a8 22.b4 d3+ 23.exd3 g1+ 24.d2 xf2+ 25.e2 xe2+ 26.xe2 g2+ 27.d1 exd3 28.e1 f8 29.f4 e8 30.e3 f8 31.f4 e4 32.c3 e8 33.c1 g6 34.d1 e2 35.d2 f2 36.b3 e4 37.xg4 f1+ 38.b2 xd2+ 39.a3 f5 40.h4 xa1 0-1
873 Suba,Mihai Bosboom Lanchava,Tea 6th Open Malaga ESP (5) [Tony Kosten]
A21 2501 2325 25.02.2003
1.c4 d6 2.c3 e5 3.g3 f5 [ 3...c6 is my preferred move in 'The Dynamic English', keeping control of d4. Play is then likely to transpose into a normal Closed English. ] 4.d4 This is the thematic reply, as now Black can only capture on d4 at the cost of conceding the f4-square to a white knight. d7 Black defends e5. Alternatives:
[ 4...exd4 5.xd4 c6 6.e3+ e7 7.g2 e5 8.b3 f6 9.b2 0-0 Van't Veen,GJanssen,E/Haarlem 1988, and now 10.h3 is logical, followed by Nf4. ] [ We considered 4...c6 in the game Sorokin, M-Tseshkovsky,V/Krasnodar RUS 1999. ] 5.h3!? A surprising novelty! It seems so automatic to bring the light-squared bishop to g2 t h a t m a n y o f u s wo u l d d o s o wi t h o u t thinking. [ 5.g2 is good, of course, gf6 ( 5...c6 6.e4!? Smokina,K-Martyniuk,T/Tapolca 1996 ) 6.e3 ( 6.f3!? e7 7.0-0 e4 8.g5 f8 9.f3 is better for White, Davies,NHartm an,C/ Katrineholm 199 5) 6...g6 7.ge2 g7 8.0-0 0-0 9.b3 with a standard type of position, except that the black queen's knight is more passively placed on d7 than on the habitual c6, Vehreschild,A-Kovalev,A/Cappelle la Grande 1996. ] 5...b6?! Maybe not the best, after [ 5...g6 I assu me W h ite in tende d 6.e4 to soften-up the diagonal, fxe4 7.xe4 gf6 with unclear play, whilst ] [ 5...e7 is also possible. ] 6.dxe5! dxe5?! This almost loses by force, Black should try a pawn sac with [ 6...e6 ] 7.xd8+ xd8 8.g5+ e7 9.0-0-0+ Everything with check! d7 10.xe7+ xe7 11.c5 Each move of White's is forcing, but will his initiative achieve anything concrete? c4 [ 11...bc8 12.f3 wins. ] 12.f3 e8 13.b3 The answer is yes, Black is forced to jettison material. e4 [ 13...a5 14.xe5 e6 15.b5 is even worse. ] 14.xe4! c6 15.eg5 a5 16.e6 W hite has a pawn more, the more active pieces, and the black king is misplaced enough for a quick victory. f7 17.xc7 xf3 [ 17...ac8 fails to trap the knight because of 18.e5+ g8 19.xc6 axc6 20.d7 ] 18.exf3 ad8 Again, [ 18...ac8 19.d7 leads nowhere for Black. ] 19.b5 a6 20.d6+ f6 21.f4 W ith W hite's two extra pawns and various other advantages the game is effectively over. 864
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 b8 22.he1 g6 23.f1 b5 24.g2 hd8 25.d2 ec6 26.de2 b4 27.e6+ g7 28.e7+ g8 29.b1 ac6 30.c7 d3 31.xc6 [ 31.d5+! h8 32.f7+ g7 33.g5+ forces mate. ] 31...e5? [ 31...xe1 is hopeless, but allows Black to continue: 32.d5+ f8 ( 32...h8? 33.f7+ ) 33.f7+ g8 34.e7+ f8 35.xe1 ] 32.d5+ f8 33.f7+ g8 34.e7+ 1-0
10...c6 11.0-0 e6 12.b3 b6 13.d2 [ White would like to exploit the weakness of c6 but 13.b5 c8 14.d2 d6 15.c1? would fall for the Greek Gift xh2+ 16.xh2 g4+ 17.g1 h4 etc. ] 13...a6 14.e1 d6 15.c1 e7 16.h5+ g6 17.h4 0-0 White is att acking with his pieces without the support of his pawns and so he proves unable to put the black centre under any real pressure. It remains intact, and so confers a space advantage on the black pieces without any drawbacks. 18.xg6 hxg6 19.e1 b8 20.h3 a7 21.e2 af7 22.g3 d7 23.xd6 xd6 24.g3 xg3 25.xg3 b5 26.f2 e8 27.xf7 xf7 874 A21 28.c8 e7 Black has a clear advantage in Sultanov,Alexander V 2290 the endgame as his bishop is clearly the best Poluljahov,Aleksandr 2525 minor piece on the board. Both white knights 53rd ch-RUS Samara 2000 are passive and cannot easily find anyrthing to attack. Meanwhile the black king is active [Neil McDonald] while its counterpart is shut in on g1. 29.c1 White cannot exploit the c file for if 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.f3 e4 4.fd2 [ 29.b8 f6 planning Rc6. ] [ White can also play more aggressively with 4.g5 for example f5 5.c3 e7 6.h3 29...d7 30.c2 d6 31.b3 a5 32.a4 a6 c6 7.e3 f6 8.f4 a6! 9.h4 c7 10.d5 33.c3 f5 34.ge2? [ 34.xf5 White had to bite the bullet with 0-0 11.e2 d7! clearing the way for Bf6 gxf5 ] and heading for the active c5 square 12.g3 a5 with unclear play in Xu Jun-Adams, 34...g5! Zugzwang! 35.g3? A fatal weakening of the f3 square. The only move was Yerevan 1996. ] [ 35.h2 when if c8 36.g1 xc3 4...f5 5.e3 f6 6.c3 c6 A well established 37.xc3 xe3 38.f2 would keep up the alternative, which has also brought Black fight. ] some impressive successes over the years, is [ 6...c5!? aiming to counterattack against d4. 35...e7 36.g2 f3 37.g1 Losing, but I n t h e p r e s e n t g a m e B l a c k a d o p t s a there was no answer to the threat of 37...Nf5. completely different plan. He prepares to f1+ 38.h2 f2+ consolidate a space advantage in the centre. 0-1 The question is whether W hite is able to disrupt Black's build up with a blow from 875 A21 the flanks. ] Tratar,Marko 2435 7.f3 Srebrnic,Vojko 2200 [ Instead 7.d5 g6 looks unclear, though I 11th Open Ljubljana 2000 suspect fine for Black. ] [Neil McDonald] 7...d5 8.cxd5 [ 8.b3 a6! 9.e2 b5 10.c5 a5! d6 2.c4 e5 3.c3 exd4?! turned out well for Black in Ribli-Quinteros, 1.d4 Black concedes the centre. This isn't Las Palmas 1974. ] 8...cxd5 9.fxe4 fxe4 10.e2 This seems too recommended as although Black gains time slow to hurt Black. Much more enterprising with his next move he doesn't seem to be able t o ge n e ra t e e n o u g h d yn a m i sm t o o f f s e t would be [ 10.b5+ perhaps in combination with Qa4 White's space advantage and control of the d5 square. 4.xd4 c6 5.d2 g6 6.b3 or Qb3. ] 865
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 g7 7.b2 f6 8.g3 0-0 9.g2 e8 10.h3!? The knight is heading for the f4 square where it will clamp down further on the important d5 centre point. This persuades B la ck t o p a rt wit h t h e t wo b ish o p s . xh3 11.xh3 e4 12.xe4 xe4 A couple of exchanges have eased the congestion in Black's camp, but he still suffers from a space disadvantage. Furthermore, W hite's light squared bishop will soon demonstrate its superiority over the black knight. 13.g2 e8 14.0-0 e7 15.e3 a5 16.ac1 xb2 17.xb2 d8 Black cannot find a constructive plan. All he can do is bolster his defences in anticipation of W hite's coming attack. 18.fd1 b8 19.a3 With all his pieces on optimal squares, White decides it is time for a queenside pawn advance. e6 20.c3 b6 21.c6 ed8 22.b4 axb4 23.axb4 dc8 24.a1 d8 25.g2 b5 26.a7 bxc4 27.d5 e8 28.xc4 c6 Th is b id f o r f re ed o m me et s wit h a sha rp response. 29.xf7+!? [ 29.g2 Of course, another way to keep up the pressure was the quiet ] 29...xf7 30.xd6 d8? [ 30...a8 Black reacts badly to the sacrifice. H e wo u l d h a ve d r a wi n g c h a n c e s a f t e r 31.xa8 ( 31.b7 ab8 32.a7 draws. ) 31...xa8 32.xc6 though stopping the past b pawn would be a demanding task. ] 31.e6 f8 32.ee7 d5 33.xf7 xb4 34.g7+ This is a drastic warning about the dangers of conceding the centre if you don't gain a lot of piece play as compensation. 1-0
876
A21 Vera Gonzalez Quevedo,Reynaldo 2530 Hodgson,Julian M 2590 Winnipeg 1997 [Tony Kosten] 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.c3 exd4 4.xd4 c6 5.d2 Seems like an odd square for a queen, but it is very common in similar positions. The c1-bishop will be developed on b2, so the queen will be able to defend both the bishop on b2, and the g3-knight, from d2. f6 6.b3 e6 Threatening the freeing move 7... d5.
7.e4 And stopping it! g6 Sensibly continuing development, Black plays his bishop to the a1-h8 diagonal, but [ the immediate attack on the queenside 7...a5 is favoured by some, 8.b2!? a4 9.d1 freeing the a1-square for the bishop, otherwise ...a3 would be annoying. axb3 10.axb3 A) 10...g6 is also reasonable, 11.d3 g7 12.ge2 0-0 13.0-0 d7 14.d5 Lautier, J-Piasetski,L/Manila 1990, and i n s t e a d o f xd5?! which allowed White some advantage along the open c-file after exchanging dark-squared bishops, and recapturing on d5 with the c-pawn, ( 14...a2! might be OK for Black. ); B) 10...e7 11.ge2!? ambitious, perhaps 11 Bd3, and then 12 Nge2, was safer. 0-0 12.f4 d7 13.fd5 the point of White's play, ...Bf6 is ruled out, but White is getting behind in d e v e l o p m e n t . c5 14.c2 f5! and the opening-up of the position proved embarrassing to White, Akesson,JAgrest,E/ch-SWE, Ronneby SWE 1998. ] 8.b2 g7 9.d3 0-0 10.ge2 g4! Black's pieces are ready for action, already the white king is under fire. 11.h3 Driving the knight to the central e5-square, but [ the natural 11.0-0 was dangerous: h4 12.h3 ge5! (threatening 13...Bxh3) 13.f4 xd3 14.xd3 f5 with good play. ] 11...ge5 12.0-0-0!? White obviously felt that the king was safer here, but it is rarely the case. b4 Black passes immediately to the attack, although [ 12...xd3+ was also playable. ] 13.b1 xc4! Shattering the king's defences. 14.bxc4 xc4 15.f4 e5 16.h6 [ 16.g4? would lead to an amusing finish: h5! 17.f3 g5+ and the poor white king has no escape squares. ] 16...c6 [ 16...g7 with a repetition on the queen, would draw immediately, but Black strives for more. ] 17.d4! Sensibly returning material to blunt the attack. xd4 18.xd4 xb2 19.xb2 e8 An unbalanced position has arisen, W hite's two pieces should be a match for Black's rook and two pawns, but the openness 866
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 of the white king is also a factor. 20.d1 f6 21.f4 Risky, White cuts his queen off from the rest of his forces, [ 21.d2! was better. ] 21...a6 22.f5 c5 Countering the threat to d6, with an even bigger menace: ...Na4+. 23.e5 Desperately trying to close the diagonal. dxe5 24.d6 e6 25.xe6 fxe6?! [ 25...xe6 was far better, keeping the pawn structure intact with a clear advantage. ] 26.fxe5 f8 27.xf8+ xf8 28.e3 The endgame should certainly favour Black as rooks tend to come into their own in this phase of the game. d7 29.e4 xe5 30.c2 d8 31.c3 Trying to defend all the entry squares, if the black rook is passive, White will have drawing chances. b6 32.g5 d6 Short of time, Black allows a repetition of position, but [ jettisoning the pawn by 32...c5 at one point in the next few moves, would keep a plus, e. g. 33.xe6 d6 34.c7 f7 ] 33.e4 d8 34.g5 d6 35.e4 d8 36.g5 ½-½
877 Wang Yue Smirin,Ilia WCC Khanty Mansiysk RUS (2.3) [John Watson]
A21 2585 2673 02.12.2005
A good example of how to play one of the main ...e5/...f5 English Opening lines. White's setup is good but he can't slip up because Black's pieces are always ready to spring into action. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 d6 3.g3 f5 4.g2 f6 5.e3 g6 6.ge2 g7 7.b4 c6 8.b5 e7 9.a4 0-0 10.d3 b8 11.a3 e6 12.c1 h8 13.0-0 All standard stuff, but the rook's placement on c1 is an improvement over b1, and allows him to play f4 without c3 hanging. g5 I've always been a little skeptical of this kind of attack, but it certainly is difficult to face over the board! 14.d2 g6 15.d5 [ 15.f4! gxf4 16.exf4 ] 15...f4 16.exf4 gxf4 17.ec3?! The knights step over each other a bit. A good alternative was
[ 17.d4! ] 17...h6 18.cd1 g8 19.f3? This is a bad sign! 19.d4 was better. The rest of the game shows Black executing a very nice attack. h5 [ Or 19...xd5 intending exchanges on d5 and ...Ne7-f5. ] 20.e2 [ 20.g4 h4 21.de1? ( 21.e2 c6 ) 21...xg4! 22.fxg4 xg4 23.e2 f3 24.xh6 fxe2 ] 20...g7 21.c1 h4! 22.e1 fxg3 23.hxg3 xc1 24.xc1 g5 25.h2 bg8 26.g1 xg3 27.xg3 h6 28.e3 xf3# 0-1
878 Zvjaginsev,Vadim Tseshkovsky,Vitaly 56th ch Krasnoyarsk RUS (8) [Tony Kosten]
A21 2653 2538 11.09.2003
1.c4 e5 2.c3 d6 3.g3 f5 4.d4 e7 [ Not long ago we looked at 4...d7 5.h3!? in Suba,M-Bosboom Lanchava,T/Malaga ESP 2003. ] 5.h3!? Again this amazing idea, and again it is a novelty. [ 5.dxe5 is common, dxe5 6.xd8+ xd8 7.g2 f6 8.b3 c6 9.b2 but this ending doesn't offer White too much, as he hasn't even displaced the black king, Taimanov, M-Vaganian,R/Leningrad 1977. ] 5...exd4 This looks best, Black probably wanted to avoid [ 5...f6 because of 6.dxe5 dxe5 7.xd8+ xd8 8.e4 when the f-pawn is pinned. ] 6.xd4 c6 7.d1 White loses time with his queen, but, as I have stated many time s before, this structure is very favourable to White: he can use the f4 and d5 squares, the e6 and f7 squares are weak, and the black light-squared bishop is curbed by the f-pawn. e5 Trying to hinder White's natural development. 8.f3!? Offering to take play in a new direction, [ 8.g2 followed by Nh3-f4 was a reasonable alternative. ] 8...c6 Black threatens the c4-pawn, which could not be captured immediately because of 867
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 the queen check on a4. [ 8...xf3+ 9.exf3 f6 10.0-0 0-0 11.e1 is nice for White because of his extra space and open central files. ] 9.c2!? Rather than defend the c-pawn White counterattacks the f5-pawn. xc4 10.xf5 xf5 11.xf5 d7 [ 11...d5 is also possible. ] 12.d3 e5!? An odd decision, Black prefers to play an endgame with an isolated e-pawn, rather than play the logical-looking [ 12...d5 as 13.e4 is no particular problem: dxe4 14.xe4 d6 15.c2 f6 with equality. ] 13.xe5 dxe5 14.xd7+ Now White is ha p py t o e xc h a nge qu e en s, a s h e ha s a weakness to exploit. xd7 15.e4 f6 16.e2 e6 17.f3 c5 18.a4 d4 19.e3 xe3!? Again this seems a bit too compliant, but perhaps Black was worried that [ 19...b6 20.xd4 exd4 21.d3 c5 22.b4 d7 23.f4 left the white pawns mobile and the black pawns rather static. ] 20.xe3 b6 21.b4 White hinders ...c5, which straightens the black structure, he will try to p r e s s u r i s e t h e b a c k w a r d c - p a w n . hc8 22.ac1 c7 23.c2 d8!? Black prefers not to defend to passively, but [ 23...ac8 is not so bad, for after 24.hc1 Black has the resource c5! 25.bxc5 d7 and the c-pawn is pinned, 26.c6 b8 with no particular problems. ] 24.hc1 d4 This is his idea, the b-pawn is pinned against the knight. 25.a3! [ 25.xc6+ xc6 26.xc6+ d7 27.c2 xb4 is nothing for White. ] 25...c5?! Black follows his defensive plan, but [ 25...d6 is better. ] 26.b2 d7 27.d3 This is the problem, now Black has no method of breaking the pin o n t h e c - l i n e a n d w i l l d r o p a p a w n . g5 To hinder f4. [ 27...c4? is n o im p ro ve m e n t : 28.xe5! xe5 29.f4+ wins an exchange and pawn. ] 28.bxc5 bxc5 29.xc5+ xc5 30.xc5 xc5 31.xc5 a4 Black is a pawn down in the rook ending, but plays for activity - his only chance. 32.c6+ f7 33.c3 h5 34.h4 gxh4 35.gxh4 e7 36.f4 exf4+ 37.xf4 White has been forced to liquidate two of the k i n g s i d e p a wn s t o f r e e h i s p o s it io n . f6
38.c6+ e7 39.c5! The only try - if White is tied down to the a-pawn he can never win. xa3 40.xh5 a5 41.f5 h3? I am not so sure about this, perhaps he should try [ 41...a1! 42.h5 a4 43.a5 a3 44.e5 (the king seeks cover in front of the pawn, otherwise Black would win by ...a2, and then rook somewhere check) a2 45.a7+ f8 46.h6 ( 46.e6 e1 47.xa2 xe4+ draws ) 46...g8 and how can White make progress without dropping his e-pawn? ] 42.h5 a4 43.g4 h1 Perhaps Black had missed that after [ 43...e3?! White has 44.h6! xe4+ 45.g5 e1 46.h7 h1 47.g6 and wins, as the white rook comes to h5. ] 44.a5 g1+ 45.f5 h1 46.g6 g1+ 47.h7 a1 Now Black puts his rook on a1, but the difference with the note at move 41 is that White has brought his king over to help the h-pawn. 48.h6 a3 49.g6 g1+ 50.f5 h1 51.a7+ f8 [ 51...d6 52.xa3! xh6 53.a6+ ] 52.h7 a2 53.xa2 g7 [ 53...xh7 54.a8+ f7 55.a7+ leads to a winning king and pawn endgame. ] 54.e5 [ 54.e5 xh7 55.g2 cuts the black king and wins in textbook fashion. ] 1-0
879 Boensch,Uwe Ftacnik,Lubomir TCh-AUT 2006-7 (1) [John Watson]
A22 2524 2580 03.11.2006
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.g3 c6 4.f3 d6 Black goes for the Old Indian formation. [ 4...e4 is the traditional move. ] 5.g2 e7 6.0-0 0-0 7.e4!? Now White is ready for d4, but if Black stops that we get a so rt o f B o tvin n ik with Nf 3 in . T h is is n o t necessarily b ad, because t he knight ca n always go to h4 to support f4 or perhaps play Nf5. In this game Black tries to exploit the knight position, but not too successf ully. g4!? [ To White's horror, Black might play 7...c5! 868
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 , cancelling out d4, 8.d3 c6 9.h3!? b8 might follow, with W hite going for f4 and Black for f5. ] [ Other ideas are: 7...bd7 8.d4 ] [ 7...e6 8.b3 a5 intending ...b5!? ] 8.h3 h5 [ 8...xf3 9.xf3 c5 10.d3 c6 is still irritating, but this time W hite can play for f4-f5, g4, etc. ] 9.d4 bd7 10.e3 [ An interesting juncture. Traditionally, White is supposed to have some advantage in p o s i t i o n s l i k e 10.g4 g6 11.e1 because Black's bishop is so bad, but it's not clear how he can show that. ( Maybe 11.h4! with the idea xe4 12.xe4 xe4 13.f5 is a goo d gambit : ef6 14.f4! and Black faces some real problems. I think that White is better, and almost certainly so in practice. )] 10...e8 11.e1 [ Better 11.g4 g6 12.h4! ] 11...exd4! 12.xd4 [ 12.xd4 gives more hope to get a little so me th in g ou t of t he p osit io n, b u t a5! l o o k s e q u a l ( 12...f8 13.c2 e5 14.d2! )] 12...e5!? [ or 12...c5= ] 13.xe5 dxe5 14.xe5 a3! 15.d4 xb2 16.ab1 xc3 17.xc3 xe4 18.d4!? [ 18.xe4! xe4 19.xb7 , but the opposite colours will make it difficult to get anything. ] 18...xd4 19.xd4 d2 20.xe8+ xe8 21.xb7 f3+ 22.xf3 xf3 23.e5!? a6 24.b8 xb8 25.xb8 e2 26.c5 f6 27.f4 f7 28.a4 d1 ½-½
880 Chernyshov,Konstantin Kachur,Alexander Geller Memorial op-A 3rd (1) [Tony Kosten]
A22 2570 2284 08.09.2007
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.g2 b6 6.a4 [ 6.d3 e7 7.a4 was the move order in Karlsson, L-Narciso Dublan, M, though this might be less accurate. ]
6...a5 7.d3 e7 [ With this move order 7...b4 is possible, 8.f3 c6 9.0-0 0-0 the bishop is more active on b4, Leepin, P-Alekhine, A/ Munich 1941. ] 8.e3 0-0 9.xb6 cxb6 10.f3 c6 11.0-0 e6 12.b5 [ 12.d2 is analysed in Karlsson, L (2482)Narciso Dublan, M (2544)/Badalona 2011. ] 12...c8 [ 12...f5 13.d2 ( it is probably better to keep the knight on f3 when Black plays .. .f5, so 13.e3 should come into consideration.) 13...d7 14.c4 c5 15.xe5!? xf2+ ( 15...xe5 16.d4 ad8 17.dxc5 bxc5 18.c2 b6 19.fd1 is about equal.) 16.xf2 xe5 17.f4 g5!? 18.d4 e7 19.c1 ac8 20.xc8 xc8 21.d2 c5 22.xb7! xb7 Blot, J (2324)-Colin, V (2324) / Mans 2001, 23.d8+ g7 24.d4 d5 25.d6 with advantage. ] [ 12...f6 13.d2 c8 ( 13...d7 14.c4 c5 15.c1 fd8 16.c2 ac8 17.fd1 b4 18.b1 f7 19.b3 White plays all his useful moves, next up e3 and d4 is on the c a r d s , b u t B l a c k b l u n d e r s f i r s t ! d7? 20.xb6! winning, Vedral, O-Plasgura, P (2186)/ Czechia 2001.) 14.c1 f7 15.c4 c5 16.h1 Kortschnoj, V (2639)-Zhu Chen (2497)/Amsterdam 2001. ] 13.c1 h8 Black waits for White to move his f3-knight before pushing his f-pawn. [ 13...f6 is again good, 14.d4!? ( 14.e3 d7 15.d4 should not be answered by exd4 as 16.fxd4 leaves White with a positional plus, Nagy, A (2090)-Turkova, K (1908)/ Banska Stiavnica 2010.; 14.d2 would be the normal move, heading for c4, f7 15.c4 c5 transposing to the 12...f6 note.) 14...e4 15.d2 f5 16.e3 b4 17.b3 is possible, White will prepare the f3 break, Dableo, R (2453) -Panopio, R (2212)/ Manila 2007. ] 14.d2 f5 15.c4 g5 This seems a bit pointless, the bishop is best on the a3-f 8 diagonal, protecting d6. 16.c3 [ Or 16.e3 ] 16...e7 17.b3 e8 18.e3 White simply continues 'the plan'. b4 19.c1 White is ready to push d4, or play first Qe2, Rfd1 and then d4. xc4?! Introducing opposite-colour bishops. 20.xc4 869
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 20.bxc4 must also have been tempting. ] 20...f6 21.c2 ed8 22.d1 g5?! W eakening the kingside when W hite was r e a d y t o e x p a n d i n t h e c e n t r e . 23.d4 Of course, this gains in strength now that Black's king is exposed. exd4 24.exd4 f4 25.d5 e7 26.d4 The knight has done its job on b5 and now heads for e6. [ 26.c7! also stops Black exchanging rooks. ] 26...fxg3 27.hxg3 xc4 28.bxc4 g6 29.e4 f8 30.g2 e8 31.f5 W hite dominates on the light squares. e5 32.f3 c5 33.h6 White has a number of routes here, as both [ 33.d6 and ] [ 33.h1 were also natural and strong. ] 33...f6 34.g4 g7 35.h1 g8 36.f5 I suspect both players were short of time here, but Black is completely lost anyway. d4 37.h5 g6 38.d6 f8 39.d5+ h8 40.xg5 c5 41.e4 g8 42.h6 f7 43.xh7! xh7 44.xg6+ 1-0
881 Griffiths,Ryan Rhys Howell,David 4NCL 2011-12 (5.12) [John Bartholomew]
A22 2310 2633 11.02.2012
1.c4 f6 2.g3 e5 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.c3 b6 6.e3!? A high-profile victory in an u n e xp l o re d li n e is a su re -f i re r e c i p e f o r copycat games in subsequent TWIC updates! c5 Interestingly, Howell is content to repeat Navara's play until move 15. [ Two new games saw the logical 6...c6 7.ge2 . Here Black has a choice: A) Zygouris, H (2205)-Felgaer, R (2571)/ Caleta ENG 2012 went 7...f5 8.0-0?! ( My recommendation last month was 8.d4! when White gets the upper hand in the complications of b4 9.0-0 c2 10.e1 g6 11.f4! . See Nakamura, H (2759)-Navara, D (2712)/W ijk aan Zee NED 2012/ [John Bartholomew].) 8...d3 ( I s u g g e s t e d 8...d3 the text is also fine. ) 9.f4 exf4 ( 9...h5!? ) 10.xf4 d6 11.d4!? ( W h i t e c o u l d p l a y 11.f2
though 0-0 12.f4 xf4 13.xf4 e7 isn 't m u ch .) 11...xf4 12.xc6 bxc6 13.xc6+ f8 14.gxf4 ( 14.xa8 xg3 15.hxg3 xa8 ) 14...b8 15.b3 h5! 16.a3+ g8 17.f3 h6 18.c1 a6 19.d4?? g6+ and White resigned in view of 20.h1 ( 20.f2 h4+-+ ) 20...xc6 21.xc6 b7-+ .; B) 7...e7 8.0-0 0-0 9.f4! exf4 ( I gave 9...f6; Zvjaginsev, V (2663)-Mikhalevski, V (2584) / Aix-les-Bains FRA 2011/[Nigel Davies] went 9...a5 10.fxe5 xe5 11.d4 g6 12.b3 c6 13.e4 c5 14.e3 cxd4 15.xd4 xd4 16.xd4 d7 17.d5 ) 10.xf4 e5 11.d4 g6 (this maneuver l o o k s a l i t t l e s u s p i c i o u s ) 12.xg6 ( 12.d3!? ) 12...hxg6 13.e4 c5! 14.d5 c4 15.f4 g5! 16.e2 gxf4 17.xc4 fxg3 18.e5! gxh2+ 19.h1 h4 20.e4 b5 21.e2 e8? 22.e6! fxe6 23.h5 e5 24.f7+ h8 25.d6 g4 26.g6 1-0 Matinian, N (2438)-Grover, S (2532)/ Moscow RUS 2012. A spectacular victory! ] [ Turov, M (2645)-Brandenburg, D (2527)/ Wijk aan Zee NED 2012 was played in the "C" section several rounds after NakamuraNavara. It continued 6...e7 7.ge2 0-0 8.0-0 f5 (this is somewhat loosening) 9.d4! A) 9...e4 10.f4 ( or 10.f3 exf3 11.xf3 ); B) 9...exd4 10.exd4 f6 11.d5 (White has several good alternatives, too) 8d7 12.f4 e5 13.e1 e8 14.h5 d7 . A t th is po in t 15.f4 looks very promising for White. In my opinion these recent practical tests should not at all dissuade you from venturing 6.e3!? in your own games. ] 7.ge2 c6 8.0-0 e7 9.f4 exf4 10.xf4 0-0 11.b3 f5 12.b2 d7 13.e4 ad8 14.f2 b4 15.f1 g6 A safe novelty, a d d re ssin g t h e t h re a t o f N f 4 -h 5 . H o we l l doesn't feel the need to refute Nakamura's previous play rather, he's aiming for a solid position in which he can outplay his lowerrated opponent. [ The source game went 15...xe4 16.xe4 6d5 17.h5 g6 18.a3!? a6?? 19.xd5 xd5 20.f6!+- and White won beautifully. Nakamura, H (2759)-Navara, D (2712)/ Wijk 870
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 aan Zee NED 2012/[John Bartholomew]. ] 16.xg6 [ E x p e c t e d , b u t 16.c1! is much more challenging, i.e. c8 ( 16...xa2? 17.xc5 is definitely not advisable; I like White's attacking potential with the bishop pair after 16...xe4 17.xe4 f5!? 18.b1 ) 17.a3 4d5 18.xg6 hxg6 19.c3 ] 16...hxg6 17.d4 cxd4 18.exd4 6d5 Black has a sound position. 19.c5 [ 19.e1!? ] 19...c7 [ 19...xc5 20.dxc5 e3 21.e1 bd5! was an unbalanced alternative. ( 21...bc2? 22.c3+- )] 20.a3 e3 21.b5 xc5 22.c1 d7 23.xc5 xg2 24.xb4?! [ White is admittedly passive after 24.xg2 d5 25.xd7 xd7 26.e2 , but this was his best bet. ] 24...e3 25.d5?! Trying to offload the weakness. f6!? 26.e4 f5 [ 26...d1!? ] 27.e6+ f7 28.fc2 xe6 [ 28...e7! was stronger. ] 29.dxe6 e7 30.e2 de8 31.f2 xe6 32.xe6 xe6 33.c7 b6 [ It's unclear why Black refrained from the natural 33...e7 since a rook trade is not in White's best interest. ] 34.b4 a5 35.g4 d6 36.d4 a6 37.c5 e4+ 38.e3 xc5 39.c8+ f7 40.xc5 W h ite ha s go o d d ra wing ch a nce s in t h is ending. axb4 41.axb4 e6+ 42.d4 d6+ 43.e4 c6 44.b5 b6 45.h4 e6 46.h5 g5 47.d4 d6+ 48.e4 f7 49.e3 e6+ 50.d4 g6 51.hxg6+ xg6 52.d3 e1 Seeing no other way to make progress, Black makes for the g-pawn. 53.xb6 g1 54.e6?! Missing a sure draw. [ 54.b5 xg4 55.c6! b4 56.c5 s a ve s t h e d a y, in t e n d i n g K c 3 -c2 wh e n Black's rook cannot maintain an active post. For example, h5 ( 56...g4 57.c3 b1 58.c2 b4 59.c3 b1 60.c2 h1 61.b6 h7 62.b5 b7 63.d3= f5 64.e3 g5 65.f2= ) 57.c3 b1 58.c2 b4 59.c3 b1 60.c2 e1 61.b6 e8 62.d3 b8 63.b5 g4 64.e3 g3 65.e4 with an easy draw, e. g. g4 66.b3+ h2 67.f4 f5 68.b7 g2
69.xf5 g3 70.f4 f8+ 71.g4 g8+ 72.f4= ] 54...xg4 55.e4? A fatal miscalculation. [ 55.c3! still offered chances for the half point. ] 55...xe4 56.xe4 f7 Black gets back in time. 57.d5 e7 58.c6 d8 0-1
882 Grigoriants,Sergey Sadvakasov,Darmen Tournament for the 21st Century (4) [Tony Kosten]
A22 2503 2509 21.12.00
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 b4 4.g2 0-0 5.e4 xc3 The simplest line, this must be played now before White can play his other knight to e2. 6.bxc3 c6 I always felt that this was Black's strongest option here, he will play for ... d5. 7.a3 e8! [ Black is not worried about the bishop's incursion to d6, judging correctly that he can regain control of this square. W hen I had t h i s p o s i t i o n m y s e l f , I p r e f e r r e d 7...d6 , but this means Black will have to play ...d5 in two moves. Nevertheless the game turned out rather successfully for me: 8.e2 e8 9.b3 a6 10.c5?! to stop Black from p l a y i n g . . . b 5 , b u t i t w a s t e s t i m e , dxc5 11.xc5 b5 12.d1 e6 13.a3 bd7 14.d6 b6 the menace is ...c5, trapping the bishop, 15.f4? too aggressive, ( 15.d4 c4 was only slightly better for Black,) 15...g4 16.f1 xh2 17.fxe5 xf1 18.xf1 c5 Black won easily, Miezis,NKosten,A/Elgoibar 1995. ] 8.b3 White needs to control the d5-square. b6 9.e2?! [ 9.d3 b7 10.f3 d5 11.d2 ( 11.cxd5?! cxd5 12.exd5 xd5 13.c4 e4 is overwhelming) 11...a6 12.0-0 c7 which is fairly level, Huebner,R-Christiansen, L/Munich 1992. ] 9...b7 10.d6 [ White still strives to stop ...d5, 10.c5 a6 11.c4 bxc5 12.xc5 d6 13.a3 c5 ( 13...d5!? ) 14.0-0 a5 15.d3 c6 is fine for Black, Balduan, M-Lingnau,C/ Germany 1999. ] 871
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 fe8 13.d2 xf4?! 14.xf4 h3 15.h1 ad8 16.b2 e7 17.f2 White is certainly f o r p ref ere nce , b ut Karjak in's defensive skills came to the fore and he won this rapid game in the end anyway, Nepomniachtchi, I (2703)-Karjakin, S (2786)/ Moscow 2013. ] [ 7...f5!? Is a very natural way to play, with two ideas, either to clamp down on the d4 break by playing ..Bd3, or just by continuing with the straightforward ..Qd7 and ..Bh3. The problem though is that it runs into an equally natural response: 8.d4! exd4 ( 8...d6 9.d5! Is awkward for Black) 9.xd4 xd4 10.exd4 Now Black may feel the absence of the light-squared bishop from th e qu e en side - h an din g W h it e o bvio u s pressure so early in the game is a risky path. c6 11.0-0 e6 12.d5 Obvious, but strong. cxd5 Diagram 13.e3?! I feel this throws away any claims to an advantage. ( 13.d4! f6 14.xf6 gxf6 15.e3 was a very promising endgame) 13...e7 14.f4!? ( 14.xb6 xb6 15.xd5 xd5 16.xd5 0-0 17.f3 ad8 18.fe1 f6 Looks extremely drawish) 14...0-0 15.f5 d7 16.xd5 c6 Delchev, A (2622)Cheparinov, I (2664)/Panagyurishte 2012. ] 8.b3!? [ 8.0-0 g7 9.f4 0-0 10.fxe5 xe5 11.d4 883 A22 c6 12.f4 e7 13.b3 c6 14.a4 a5 15.d2 f5 16.ad1 Artemiev, V (2461)Hera,Imre Jr 2573 Brodsky, M (2563)/Tyumen 2012. ] Ribli,Zoltan 2554 Black is thinking smartly in the AUT-chT 1213 (11.2) 24.03.2013 8...a5!? opening. You may think this is played with the [Danny Gormally] intention of playing ..a4, but in fact it is also 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 a defensive measure, Ribli understands that 5.c3 b6 6.e3!? An interesting approach W h i t e will p la y B a 3 a t so m e p o in t i f t h e bishop goes to g7, so gets ready to meet this which has gained some popularity lately. [ Instead of the normal stuff with 6.f3 c6 with the neutraliser ...Nb4! It's so easy to drift 7.0-0 Which like most main-line theory these through the opening phase without paying days has been analysed to death, W hite attention to things- with the attitude that "any p la n s t o p u t t h e kn igh t o n e 2 a n d p la y old move will count" but if you see chess as a fight of ideas from move one, then you will be directly in the center with d4. ] less likely to overlook your opponent's plans. 6...c6 7.ge2 g6 [ Already it has become clear that there are 9.0-0 g7 10.a3 b4! 11.f4 0-0 12.fxe5 many ways of playing against this line . xe5 13.d4 g7 14.d2 I'm unconvinced An o t he r ap p roa ch is t he n at u ra l 7...d6 a b o u t t h i s c o m b i n a t i o n o f B a 3 a n d f 4 , After 8.0-0 0-0 9.f4! exf4 10.xf4 somehow it just doesn't feel right. On the A rather original position has arisen, with bright side White has an extra center pawn, very unclear play. f5 11.d4 d7 12.b3 but his position looks a bit clumsy. Black soon
10...e6 11.a3?! [ New, 11.xb8 xb8 12.0-0 d5 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.exd5 xd5 favours Black because of his superior pawn configuration, Bruzon, L-Sadvakasov,D/Istanbul TUR 2000. ] 11...c5 Forcing this move is obviously White's plan, now Black can no longer play ...d5, but he has overlooked a tactical point. 12.xb8 xe4! 13.xe4 xe4 White's bishop is trapped! 14.f3 f6 15.xa7 c8 16.0-0 b7 17.b2 xa7 After recapturing the bishop Black retains a plus- he has the better pawn st ructure . 18.d4 h6 19.a4 a6 20.a2 e8 21.fb1 d6 22.d5 ea8 23.f2 The weakness of a4 and c4 seems to be balanced by the frailty of b6, so Black must open up a new front. e4! 24.fxe4 e8 25.b5 ae7 Now the white pieces look to be on the wrong side of the board. 26.a5 bxa5 27.xa5 c8 Black requires his most powerful piece in the attack. 28.a8 g4 29.xe8+ xe8 30.f4 g5 31.g2 xe4+ 32.g1 xc3 33.d2 f3 Decisive, there is no defence. 34.e1 [ 34.f2 e2+ 35.f1 d3 leads to a killer discovered check. ] 34...e2 0-1
872
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 initiates strong counterplay in the center. c5! 15.ad1 cxd4 16.exd4 e8 17.f4 f5 18.g4 e6 19.xb4? When your opponent keeps finding strong moves, then it's easy to lose patience, but this just gives away the ga m e in o n e m o ve . W h it e e m b a rks o n a forcing tactical line, that it wasn't difficult to see would not end in his favour. [ Nevertheless Black's game was already clearly preferable, as the f ollowing line might indicate 19.xb7 b8 20.f3 6d5! 21.xd5 xd5 22.d2 c8! Leaving W hite with an extremely difficult choice, either exchange the knight on d5, which will almost certainly lead to his king being butchered on the light-squares, or allow the knight into e3, where it will inevitably cause havoc. ] 19...axb4 20.d5 xg4! Perhaps White had missed this strong blow in advance. Either way, the game is now more or less over. 21.xg4 bxc3 22.f3 c2 23.c1 xd5 [ 23...xa2! 24.xf7+ h8 25.f4 e7 26.xg6+ hxg6 27.xg6 e5 W a s t h e m o s t e f f ic ie n t wa y o f wi n n in g according to a computer, but a human will almost always choose a less hair-raising path... ] 24.xc2 e3 25.xf7+ h8 26.c7 g8 27.fc1 xa2? [ 27...g5! 28.f3 xa2 was killing, as the Rc 8 re s o u r c e i sn 't g o i n g t o h u rt B la c k anymore. ] 28.f4? Returning the compliment. [ D o u b t l e s s W h i t e s a w 28.c8! But dismissed it, as Black's forces look far too active for him to resist for long. But this was certainly the way he should have played, even if Black is still much better after xc8 29.xc8 xc8 30.e6 f8 31.xe3 a1+ 32.c1 c8 ] 28...g5 [ Perhaps I'm cheating by putting this game through an engine, as then the commentator always looks like a genius, while the players look like patzers (if only this was always true in real life.) The computer indicates that the m o s t b r u t a l k i l l w a s w i t h 28...d2! Don't quote me on this, as I rarely understand computer moves anyway, but I think the idea is to play ..Rd1, followed by
taking on d1, then when the king goes to f2, the Knight retreats to f5, and a splendid slaughter on the dark squares will then ensue. Basically to cut a long story short the computer just smells mate. ] [ I did wonder why Black couldn't just play 28...d4 with the smothered mate threat, This is also very strong, for example 29.d7 d5+ 30.h1 xf4-+ ] 29.c8 xg2+ 30.h1 xh2+ 31.xh2 g4+ 32.h3 f2+ 33.h2 h4+ 34.g2 g4+ 35.f1 xc8 36.xc8+ xc8 37.xf2 f8 Nevertheless the smoke has now cleared and Black is easily winning. 38.xf8+ xf8 39.f3 g8 40.e4 f7 41.d3 d6 42.d5 e7 43.f2 h5 44.e4 c7 45.c5 b6 0-1
884 Jones,Gawain C Le Roux,Jean Pierre Politiken Cup 36th (6) [Kosten, Tony]
A22 2665 2560 25.07.2014
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.g2 b6 6.e3!? This fashionable move was covered extensively by John Bartholomew a year or so ago, and of course Gawain would have seen this. c6 [ W e've also looked at 6...c5 quite a lot, 7.ge2 c6 8.0-0 e7 9.f4! as in Nakamura, H-Navara, D, for instance see the Archive. ] 7.ge2 f5 This seems critical, and JeanPierre is not one to shy away from a fight! [ 7...e7 is solid, and the most popular here, 8.0-0 planning f4, see Zvjaginsev, VMikhalevski, V in the PGN Archive. ] [ 7...g6 8.b3!? a5!? was analysed by Danny in Hera, I- Ribli, Z. ] 8.d4! This was recommended by John Bartholomew in his notes to the Nakamura game. [ 8.0-0?! d3 ( or 8...d3 ) 9.f4 e4 Nakamura, H (2760) -Fressinet, L (2700) Beijing 2012. ] 8...b4 Obviously critical. [ 8...exd4 is the alternative: A) 9.exd4 is OK, but b4?! is a waste of 873
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 time, ( 9...e7 10.0-0 0-0 looks almost level. ) 10.0-0 c6 ( 10...c2?! 11.g4 g6 12.xb7 xa1 13.c6+ d7 14.f4 is strong.) 11.a3 ( 11.f4 Grigoryan, K (2604)-Licznerski, L (2354)/Al Ain 2013, 1-0 (42), e7 12.a3 4d5 13.cxd5 xd5 14.xd5 cxd5 15.b3 e6 16.xb7 is Black's best bet, with a pawn less. ) 11...4d5 12.f4 ( 12.xd5 ) 12...xf4 ( 12...xc3! 13.bxc3 e7 ) 13.xf4 e6 Kuenitz, K-Mendl, M (2155) St Veit 1995, 1-0 (54), 14.d5! xd5 15.xd5 cxd5 16.e5 and Black can hardly move.; B) 9.xd4 xd4 10.exd4 c6 11.0-0 White is ahead in development, and d5 is coming, B1) 11...e6 doesn't help: 12.d5! cxd5 Delchev, A (2622)-Cheparinov, I (2664)/ Panagyurishte 2012, 0-1 (42), when 13.a4! is lo gica l , ( 13.d4!? ) 13...d4 ( 13...c5 14.a5 c4 15.a4+ almost forces f8 16.b3 e5 17.f4 with a strong attack.) 14.e2 c5 15.b4! xb4 16.a5 and Black is in big trouble.; B2) 11...e7 12.d5! xd5 13.xd5 cxd5 14.xd5 0-0 B2a) 15.f4 b6 16.f3 xb2 17.xb7 ( 17.ae1! ae8 18.e5 ) 17...ad8 there are too few pawns left, Mejzlik, O-Bechyne, J (2155) Czechia 1999, 1/2-1/2 (28).; B2b) 15.e3 c o u l d b e b e s t , h3 16.xb7 b8 17.g2 xg2 18.xd8 fxd8 19.xg2 xb2 20.fb1! with some advantage in the endgame.; B2c) 15.b3 a5! 16.e3 ad8 17.fd1 ( 17.xb7!? e6 18.c3 b5! 19.g2 f6 20.c5 xb2 should draw.) 17...b6 18.ac1 d7 an d with accu ra t e play B lack he ld q u i t e c o m f o r t a b l y i n B o c h a r o v, D (2602)-Ponkratov, P (2603)/KhantyMansiysk 2013, 1/2-1/2 (47). ] [ 8...d6 is a sensible try, 9.d5 e7 10.e4 d7 11.a4 0-0 12.0-0 c6 13.a5 bc8 Cuenca Jimenez, J (2481)-Zaragatski, I (2488)/Hamburg 2014, 1/2-1/2 (44), 14.e3 ]
9.0-0 c2 10.e1 [ 10.d2?? c4 11.e1 d3 would be extremely embarrassing! ] 10...g6 11.f4! 'With an initiative:' - John. c2 [ 11...exd4 12.xd4 ] 12.f2 xa1 [ It's too late to turn back: 12...exd4 13.f5 h5 14.xd4 and Black virtually has to play xa1 anyway, 15.xb7 ] 13.xb7! 'with complications favoring White.' according to John, let's see if he was right. exd4?! White's powerful play refutes this move. The alternatives: [ 13...c2 i s h o p e l e s s , 14.c6+ d7 15.f3 ( or 15.fxe5 b4 16.f4! ) 15...b8 16.f5 h5 17.xh5 exd4 18.f6! gxf6 19.e4 e7 20.g5! f8 21.e6 c8 22.xf8 xf8 ( 22...xf8 23.exd4 ) 23.xf6 now it's a forced mate: d8 24.xf7 e7 25.xh7 a6 26.g8+ 1-0 Rooze, J (2340) Geske, J (2402)/Augsburg 2014. ] [ 13...b8 14.c6+ d7 15.f5 f6 ( 15...h5 16.dxe5 ) 16.g2 xf5 17.g4 ] [ 13...b4 might be the best chance, trying to get the king to safety, 14.c6+ d7 15.f3 0-0 16.f5 b8 17.fxg6 hxg6 18.d5 with a strong initiative for the exchange, and the knight has yet to escape from a1. ] 14.c6+ d7 15.f5! Actually the first new move, and a big (if obvious) improvement over [ 15.xd4 c5 16.f5 0-0 17.xa8 ( 17.fxg6 fxg6 18.e2 xd4 19.xa8 xf1+ 20.xf1 is rather more convincing.) 17...xa8 18.fxg6 ( 18.e2 ) 18...fxg6 19.g2 xf1+ 20.xf1 xg2+ 21.xg2 wi t h a s m a l l a d va n t a g e i n t h e e n d i n g , b e c a u s e o f B l a c k ' s d o u b l e d g - p a wn s , Mogranzini, R (2461)-Baron, T (2467)/Ortisei 2012, but 1/2-1/2 (57). ] 15...h5 [ 15...dxc3 16.fxg6 f6 17.f5! is no better. ] 16.xd4 d6 Black is getting ready to castle, and is still a rook up! 17.e6! Decisive! This powerful move just wins. f6 [ 17...fxe6 18.fxe6 f8 19.xd7+ e7 20.d5# ] 18.e4? [ St ra nge t ha t Ga w sho uld miss 18.d5! e5 19.e4! fxe6 20.f4 winning the 874
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 queen, 0-0 21.xe5 xe5 22.xa8 xa8 23.fxe6 Black has 3 pieces for the queen, but this is only temporary as the a1-knight is trapped. ] 18...e5 19.xd6+ xd6 20.xg7+ White still has a strong attack. f8 21.xa8 [ 21.e6+ fxe6 22.xa8 e5 23.b4 and Bb2 might be better. ] 21...xg7 22.g2 f6 23.e4 The position is not so clear now. White has 2 pawns for the piece, and the a1-knight is trapped, but he has to f irs t win it a n d t h e n co n so lid a t e . d3! Jean-Pierre is a tough fighter and will make the most of his chances. 24.d2! xd2 25.xd2 c2 [ 25...b8!? 26.xa1 xb2 returns the piece for a pawn and some activity. ] 26.c1 d4 27.xc7 d8 28.xa7 [ 28.a5! keeps the pressure on. ] 28...f7 [ 28...e8 defends d7 and avoids the exchange of rooks. ] 29.a5 c6 30.xd8 xa7 31.a3 4 pawns and the two bishops should vanquish the two knights and bishop, but only two of the pawns are passed and Black has a good square for a knight on e5. c6 32.c7 b3 33.f2 c5 34.e3 a4 35.d2! The king is rushing over to the rescue! f7 36.g4 e7 37.h4 d7 38.f4 a5 39.f1 c4 40.xc4 xc4+ 41.c2 c5! Tricky! 42.c3 xb2 Regaining one pawn, but now W hit e a dva nce s o n t he kin gside and th e knights are stranded too far away. 43.g5 [ 43.xb2 d3+ 44.c3 xf4 45.a4 might also be enough, but why exchange the strong bishop? ] 43...fxg5 44.hxg5 d1+ The next few moves were probably played with increments. 45.d4 b3+ 46.d5 a5 47.e5 c3+ 48.c5 e4+ 49.d4 f2 50.e6+ e7 51.d5 1-0
885 Kamsky,Gata Gelfand,Boris Tal Mem Moscow RUS (1) [Carsten Hansen]
A22 2714 2736 10.11.2007
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.g3 b4 4.f3 This is a rare variation, and not considered particularly dangerous for Black, but against a strong theoretician like Gelfand, especially when you are not that strong in that particular department, like Kamsky, this isn't necessarily a bad policy. [ The variation played in this game can also be reached after 4.g2 xc3 5.bxc3 0-0 6.f3 e4 7.d4 ( White can also consider, although Black scores very well in that line too. 7.g5 )] 4...xc3 5.bxc3 [ If my analysis of Black's 7th move alternative, 7... c5!?, is correct, White may want to consider 5.dxc3 as discussed in the game Taimanov-Rublevsky, St Petersburg 2 0 0 1 , wh i c h c a n b e f o u n d i n t h e P G N archives ] 5...e4 6.d4 0-0 7.g2 d5 [ Black has a number of alternatives available here: A) The main continuation is 7...c5!? 8.c2 d5 9.cxd5 xd5 A) 10.f3 A1) 10...h5?! 11.fxe4 h3 12.f3 g6 13.d3 c4?! ( 13...c6 14.f4 h5 15.e3 ) 14.f4 c6 15.e3 cxd3 16.exd3 fe8 17.f2 ad8 18.e2 b5 19.a3 a5 20.hc1 b4 21.axb4 axb4 22.a6 e6 Kreizberg, M-Shevelev, D/Tel Aviv 2002, and now White has 23.xc6! xc6 24.e5 e8 25.xc6 xc6 26.f3; A2) 10...e6 11.0-0 b6 12.d4 exd3 13.exd3 b7 14.e1 c6= Costello, CBoersma, P/Leeuwarden 1993; B) 10.e3 h5 11.h3 c6 - Ribli; C) 10.d4?! d8 11.0-0 c6 12.e3 e5 13.e1 g4 14.f3 xf3+ ( 14...exf3 15.xf3 e4!? 16.b2 c4 ) 15.xf3 exf3 16.xf3 xf3 17.xf3 xf3 18.xf3 e4 , and Black has a comfortable edge in the endgame, Gollain, M-Danielian, O/ Paris 1994; D) 10.0-0 h5 11.e3 h3 12.f3 875
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ( 12.xh3 xh3 13.a3 bd7 14.f4 exf3 15.exf3 fe8 16.g2 ad8 17.e1 e5 18.f4 f5 19.f1 c4 20.c1 e3 21.dxe3 xd1 22.xd1 c2 23.f1 d8 24.e4 d1 25.xd1 xd1+ 26.f2 g5 27.e2 g4 28.b2 c2 29.a3 gxf3 30.xf3 xe4+ 31.f2 g4+ 32.f1 f3+ 0-1 Gordienko, ADolzhikova, K/Kiev 2005/CBM 107 ext) 12...xg2 13.xg2 D1) 13...d5!? D1a) 14.d3 exf3+ 15.xf3 c6 16.xd5 xd5 D1a1) 17.b3!? d7 ( 17...c4!? ) 18.f4 a5 19.a3 b6 with chances to both sides, though I prefer Black due to W hite's loose pawn structure, along with Black's ability to apply pressure along the open e- and d-files; D1a2) 17.c4?! h5 18.b2 fe8 19.d2 e5 20.xe5 xe5 , and Black is in control of the game, Shuraev, A-Vysochin, S/StPetersburg RUS 2006; D1b) 14.b3 xe3+ 15.dxe3 b6 16.d1 c6 17.d5 g6 18.b2 a5 19.a4 e6 with a terrible position for W hite, Alterman, BOratovsky, M/Jurmala 1989; D2) 13...c6 14.d3 ( 14.fxe4 xe4 15.f5 g6 16.f1 b6 17.d5 d6 18.f4 g5 19.e3 ae8 , and Black has the initiative thanks to his better coordinated pieces and better development, Stopkin, V-Vysochin, S/ K y i v U K R 2 0 0 3) 14...exd3 15.xd3 ( 15.exd3 ad8 is thanks to the weak d3-pawn better for Black) 15...fe8 16.f5 ad8 17.c2 e7 18.g4 ( 18.xe7+ xe7 19.e4 ed7 20.e3 d3 21.ad1! ) 18...g6 19.e4 i s g i v e n a s u n c l e a r i n E C O xg4!? ( 19...h5 20.h4 h7 21.g5 d7 Ribli 22.a4 g6 23.f5 h4 24.b1 ) 20.xe7+ ( 20.fxg4? xf5 21.exf5 xg4+ 22.h1 e2-+ Ribli ) 20...xe7 21.fxg4 xg4+ 22.h1 D2a) 22...xe4 23.f2 f6 24.e3 R i b l i , . e . g . e5 25.ae1! c4 26.g2 d7 ( 26...xc3 27.h6 d7
28.c1 ) 27.g1; D2b) 22...xe4+ 23.xe4 xe4 24.f4 f6 with an interesting endgame with fairly even chances, Anastasian, A-Danielian, O/ Protvino 1993 ] [ B) 7...e8 8.0-0 d6 9.f3!? ( 9.d3 bd7 10.c2 c5 11.g5 h6 12.xf6 xf6 13.ab1 exd3 14.exd3 g6 15.fd1 g4 16.d2 e7 , and Black has the upper hand, Psakhis, L-Adianto, U/London 1994) 9...c5 10.c2 exf3 11.xf3 c6 12.d3 d5 13.g5 dxc4 14.xf6 gxf6 A) 15.f4!? e5 ( 15...cxd3 16.exd3 d6 17.b1 ) 16.d4 ( 16.dxc4!? ) 16...cxd4 17.cxd4 g6 18.f2; B) 15.d4 cxd4 16.cxd4 e6 17.f4 e7 18.d2 , and a draw was prematurely agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, Marin, M-Garcia Ilundain, D/ Barcelona 2000, clearly there is plenty of play left in this position ] [ C) 7...c6 8.0-0 e8 ( 8...e5 9.d3 c5 10.c2 d5 11.f4 e7 12.e3 exd3 13.exd3 dxc4 14.dxc4 d8 was played in Portisch, L-Cao, S/Szekesfehervar HUN 2006, and now W hite can obtain a large advantage with 15.d5! xd5 16.cxd5 f6 17.e1 ) A) 9.a4 xd4 10.cxd4 d5 11.b2?! f5 12.ac1 c6 13.cxd5 xd5 14.c5 d7 15.fc1 h3 16.h1 g4 ( Also 16...f4 17.d1 g4 18.f3 is quoted on Me ga Co rr wit ho ut an e va lu at io n, a n d although Black is still better, White is still in the game g6 19.e5 e6 20.xe6 ) 17.c2 b6 18.c4 ( 18.xc6 b4 19.c7 xc2 ) 18...xe2 19.xe4 xe4 20.xe4 e8 21.c2 xc4 22.xc4 e6 , and Black has a positionally won position the knight is many times stronger than the lame dark-squared bishop, Altschuler, B-Grivainis, K/corr 1987; B) 9.d3 '+/=' exd3 10.exd3 xd4 11.cxd4 h6 12.h3?! ( 12.b1!? d5 13.f4 g4 14.a4 ) 12...d5 13.b1 b6 14.f4 ( 14.f4!? e6 15.c5 ) 14...b8 15.c5 a6 16.cxb6 axb6 17.f5 e7 18.f4 , and in this even position, the players agreed upon a draw, 1/2-1/2, in Ha n s e n , C u - R o g o ze n ko , D / G e r m a n y Bundesliga 1999 ] [ D) 7...a6 8.0-0 d6 9.f3 c5 10.c2 exf3 876
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 11.xf3 b8 12.d3 d7 13.a4 c7 14.f4 e7 15.d2 e8 16.e4 Marin, M-De Vreugt, D/Tel Aviv 2000 ] 8.cxd5 [ 8.a3 e8 9.cxd5 xd5 10.b3 h5 11.h3 b6 12.c4 bd7 13.b5?! ( 13.g4 e5 14.b2 b7= ) 13...a6 14.c3 c5 15.xc5 xc5 , and Black is in the driver's seat, Vaulin, A-Gavrilov, A/St Petersburg 2001 ] 8...xd5 9.f3!? [ A novelty, previously White had only tried 9.d3 , which is also perfectly fine for White, e.g. c5 ( 9...e8 10.0-0 c5 11.dxe4 xe4 12.b5 ) 10.c2?! ( 10.dxe4!? xe4 11.b3 c4 12.b5 e6 13.a3 d8 14.b1 is very nice for W hite) 10...d8 ( 10...e5 11.d4 cxd4 12.cxd4 h5 , and Black is already in control, Dominguez, H-Velasquez Ojeda, C/Santiago 1994) 11.c4 h5 12.b2 h3 13.xh3 xh3 14.xf6 gxf6 , Winants, L-Danielian, O/ Cappelle la Grande 1993, and now White's best chance to stay in the game is 15.e3 c6 16.d5 g7 17.d2 exd3 18.xd3 e6 , and Black has the initiative ] 9...c5 [ I'm not too keen on this move on account o f W h i t e ' s s t r o n g 1 1 t h m o ve c o u n t e r . Instead the normal continuation is 9...exf3 10.xf3 e5 11.d3 e7 with chances to both sides, though I think White's has the upper hand thanks to his bishop pair ] 10.fxe4 xe4 11.b3! h5?! [ This is an attempt at grabbing the initiative at the cost of a pawn, but as Kamsky will demonstrate, this approach falls flat on its f a c e . S o l i d a n d b e t t e r i s 11...e5 , although I af ter 12.f3 e7 13.0-0 prefer White ] 12.xe4 cxd4 13.cxd4 c6 14.b2 h3 [ 14...e8 15.f3 g4 16.xg4 xg4 17.0-0 e7 18.e3 ] 15.f3 g5 The following three moves from Kamsky are very good and change the nature of the game, from Black having some compensation for the pawn to White having t h e e xt r a p a wn a n d " t h e co m p e n sa t io n " 16.c1! ad8 17.c5! f6 18.h5! c8 19.d5!? [ 19.e4!? is also good: g6 20.f1 e7
21.h4 , but White doesn't seek complications when already having a winning position ] 19...d4 20.xd4 xd4 21.h4 e5 [ Now White can start consolidating before proceeding to slowly but surely advance his central p awns. 21...a1+ 22.f2 e5 23.c1+- ] 22.0-0 b6 23.d4 g5 24.e4 a6 25.d1 c8 26.f4 d8 27.e5?? [ This move is difficult to explain White is on the road to win, and then blunders away a central, passed pawn. Needless to say, most moves than don't blunder material away in this position are better than this, e.g. 27.a3 b5 28.e5 a6 29.d6 , and Black is going down ] 27...c4 28.b2 xd5 29.b5 [ 29.g2 xf3 30.xf3 e7 31.b3 ] ½-½
886 Karlsson,Lars Narciso Dublan,Marc Badalona op 37th (8) [Tony Kosten]
A22 2482 2544 08.08.2011
1.g3 e5 2.c4 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.c3 b6 6.d3 This move order might gain a few seconds on the clock. [ 6.f3 c6 7.d3 ( 7.0-0 e7 8.d3 0-0 9.e3 e6 10.a4 might not transpose as Black can prefer d5 ) 7...e7 8.a4 a5 9.e3 0-0 10.xb6 ( or 10.0-0 e6 11.xb6 ) 10...cxb6 11.0-0 would be the right way to transpose to the game from alternative move orders (more specifically the Four Knights.) ] 6...e7 [ T h e p o i n t i s t h a t 6...c6 could be answered by 7.xc6+!? ( although I would probably not bother to actually capture on c6 myself, and prefer 7.f3; or 7.e3 ) 7...bxc6 8.f3 d6 9.0-0 0-0 10.d2 g4 11.c2 f5 12.ac1 e8 13.h4 h5 14.fe1 g5 but this looks dangerous for W hite, Ivanchuk, V (2762)-Ruisinger, W (2175)/ Mainz 2007. ] 7.a4 [ 7.e3 0-0 8.a4 is another move order. ] 877
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 7...a5 The white a-pawn must be stopped, [ 7...c6?! 8.a5 d7 9.a6 c5 10.e3 with pressure on the queenside, Demidov, D (2017)-Yakovenko, A (1898)/Novosibirsk 2007. ] 8.e3 0-0 [ 8...c6 9.f3 8d7 10.b3 ( 10.0-0 ) 10...b4 11.0-0 0-0 12.fd1 e7 Kincs, I (2225)-Ruck, R (2435)/Harkany 1994, 13.d4 exd4 14.xd4 c5 15.c2 with a small plus. ] 9.xb6 [ 9.f3 c6 10.0-0 ( 10.xb6 ) 10...e6 11.xb6 cxb6 ] 9...cxb6 10.f3 c6 11.0-0 So we reach a key position. White has conceded the bishop pair but has weakened Black's queenside pawns, White has nice outposts on b5 and c4 for his knights, while Black has b4. W hite's simple, but effective plan is to put his pieces on these light squares and then prepare the advance of his (extra) d-pawn. e6 12.d2 The knight heads for c4. [ 12.b5 is considered in the game Chernyshov, K (2570)-Kachur, A (2284. ] 12...f6 A standard plan to control d4, Black intends ...Rf7, ... B-f8 (or c5/b4) and ...Rd7, [ 12...f5 i s m o r e a g g r e s s i v e , 13.c1 ( 13.c4 e4 Jolivel, P-Brunner, N (2407)/ Metz 2006.) 13...c5 14.b5 d7 when 15.f3 might be best, h6 16.xe5! xe5 17.d4 still, this does suggest that Nd2-c4 can be delayed a bit. ] 13.c4 f7 14.c1 b4 [ 14...c8 15.b5 c5 16.h1!? ( W h i t e w o u l d l i k e t o p l a y 16.e3?! but with Black's clever play this would be ans we red b y d7 ) 16...d4 ( 16...d7 ) 17.xd4 xd4 18.e3 c5 19.f4?! this looks weakening, ( I would play 19.e2 and Rfd1. ) 19...exf4 20.xf4 d7 21.d4 xd4! 22.xd4 xd4 23.exd4 1/2-1/2 Kortschnoj, V (2639)-Zhu Chen (2497)/Amsterdam 2001, as xc4 24.xc4 xc4 25.xb7 is fine for Black. ] 15.e3!? [ White can also continue to improve his pieces: 15.b5 d7 16.b3 c5?! 17.h3! the exchange of the light-squared bishops should normally favour White with t h i s s t r u c t u r e , e7 ( 17...xh3?!
18.xb6+ ) 18.xe6+ xe6 Wirig, A (2304)Abergel, T (2307) /Hyeres 2002, 19.xa5! ] 15...d7 16.e2 xc3 [ 16...xd3 17.xb6 d2 18.e1 b8 19.d5 is the tricky point, although xd5 20.bxd5 xd5 21.d1 threatening e4, ca n b e m e t b y e4 when 22.f3!? exf3 23.f2 xc3 24.bxc3 is messy, White will win a piece but Black will get some pawns. ] 17.xc3 b4 18.d4! White can achieve this ad va n ce a s th e e 6 -b ish op is lo o s e . exd4 19.exd4 f7 20.e3! b8 Defending b7, which is always a problem for Black in this line. [ 20...xd4 21.xb7 b8 22.f5 d2 23.g4 g6 24.e4 gives White play on the kingside, xb2? 25.fc1 wins, a2 26.d5+ h8 27.h4 b1 28.c7 ] 21.f5 White is a bit better here, as his IQP ju s t h a s t o b e m o r e u s e f u l t h a n B l a c k ' s doubled b-pawn. g6 22.h6+ g7 23.xf7 xf7 24.c4+ [ 24.e1! is more natural, and stronger: xd4 25.e6+ g7 ( 25...f8?! 26.c7! xc7 27.xf6+ g8 28.xd4 ) 26.e7+ xe7 27.xe7+ h6 28.cc7 with advantage. ] 24...g7 25.d1 d5 26.xd5 xd5 27.e2 d6 Black is close to equal as long as he keeps the d4-pawn well blockaded. 28.e3 f8 29.e6 d8 30.c4 f7?! This careless move drops a pawn. [ 30...d6 ] 31.xb6! xb6 32.xd5 xb2 33.xa5 This position won't be easy to win, but isn't that easy to draw either! b3 34.e1 b6 Black decides to head for a rook endgame as they are often drawish. [ 34...d7 ] 35.b5 xb5 36.axb5 d7 37.e6 xd4 38.xb6 g5? Making room for the king but allowing White to activate his rook. [ 38...b4 39.b7+ h6 looks right. ] 39.c6 b4 40.b6 g6 41.f1 b2 42.e1 h5 43.d1! The older GMs know h o w t o p l a y r o o k e n d g a m e s ! xf2? This loses by force. 44.c1 f5 The only m o ve t o st o p b 7 . 45.c2! b5 46.b2 Nice technique! c5+ 47.d2 c8 48.b7 b8 49.d3 f5 50.d4 g4 51.d5 f5 52.c6 f4 53.gxf4 xf4 Black is much too 878
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 slow. 54.f2+ e4 55.f7 h4 56.h3 h8 57.c7 g4 58.hxg4 [ 58.hxg4 h3 59.b8 xb8 60.xb8 h2 61.f1 ] 1-0
887 Kosten,Anthony C Salem,Zahed Golden Cleopatra (5) [Tony Kosten]
A22 2545 2319 05.06.2003
When I prepared for my Egyptian opponent I noticed that he had played this sharp, but perhaps slightly unsound, line before, and so with a little preparation I went into the game feeling very confident. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 e4!? A sharp idea of the Spanish GM Bellon-Lopez, but just what I was hoping for! Of course, since the advent of ChessBase such lines only have surprise value the first time you play them, as on the second occasion your opponent is almost certainly ready! 4.g5 b5 5.d3! This is well-known to be the best move here, as accepting the pawn by either [ 5.xb5 c6 6.c3 d5 or ] [ 5.cxb5 d5 allow Black a strong centre and useful initiative for the pawn. ] 5...exd3 [ 5...bxc4 6.dxe4 is the other main variation, but is very dangerous for Black: h6 7.xf7! the shot that justifies this line for W hite, xf7 8.e5 c6 ( 8...b7 9.exf6 xf6 10.e4 e6 11.e2 c5 12.0-0 with a clear advantage to White, because of the better s t ru c t u re a n d sa f e r k in g , C ve t k o vi c, S Nedeljkovic,M/ Jugoslavija 1976; 8...g8? 9.d5+ wins the a8-rook) 9.exf6 xf6 10.e4 d5 11.exd5! c5 12.e3 e8 Psakhis, L-Sermek,D/Groningen 1995, and now Psakhis gives 13.h5+ f8 14.xc4 xe3 15.fxe3 xe3+ 16.e2 e5 17.f1! as winning. ] 6.cxb5 h6 7.f3 dxe2 8.xe2 The key position, W hite has a lead in development, and free play for his pieces. a6!? This may be too ambitious, [ 8...c5 is possibly stronger, 9.0-0 b7 ( 9...0-0 10.e5 d5 11.f3 b7 12.d3
d6 13.f4 puts the d-pawn under strong pressure, Shahade,G-Tamburro,P/Chicago 1994 ) 10.d4 0-0 ( 10...xd4?! 11.xd4 0-0 12.b4 d6 13.b2 worked well for Black, but White is clearly on top here, Plaskett,JHe m p so n , P /B la ckp o o l 1 9 8 8) 11.e3 (with a threat!) b6 12.f3 d5 13.f5 e8 14.e1 with a big advantage, Ghitescu, TErmenkov,E/Moscow 1977/EU-chT. ] [ 8...b7 is similar, 9.0-0 e7 10.d4 0-0 11.f3 d5 12.f5 and once again Black is under pressure, Smejkal, J-Bueno Perez,L/ Leipzig 1977. ] 9.0-0 e7 [ 9...c5 came a cropper in the game Stean, M-Regan,K/New York 1977: 10.d4 0-0 11.f3 a7 12.e3 axb5? missing the menace ( 12...b6 was better, if still not too inspiring ) 13.c6! ( 13.e6! is also rather strong, maybe stronger) 13...xc6 14.xc5 forking the black rooks, b7 15.xf8 xf8 16.e1 with a significant advantage. ] 10.d4 0-0 [ 10...d5 11.f4 0-0 12.a4 d6 13.xd6 xd6 14.f3 b7 15.e1 d7 16.b3 c5 17.bxc6 xc6 18.ad1 e7 19.a5 ab8 20.a4 Kalevic,S-Stojanovic,A/Herceg Novi YUG 2001/The Week in Chess 344 ] 11.f3 d5 12.b3!? [ 12.f4 may be simpler. ] 12...axb5 [ 12...b7 13.f4 is also pleasant for White. ] 13.xd5 xd5 14.xd5 a6 [ After the game a spectator suggested 14...a4! when 15.d1 b4 ( 15...g4!? ) 16.f3 g4 ( 16...c6!? 17.xc6 xc6 18.xc6 g4! is a nice trick, 19.xd8 xd8 and Black recuperates the queen.) 17.xg4 xd5 18.f5 ( 18.a3!? a4 19.xh6 f6 20.e3 ) 18...e5 is better for White, if hardly earth-shattering. ] 15.d1 b4 16.f4 White's nicely centralised position, and better development give him a c l e a r e d g e . d6?! Falling for a nice trick. 17.b5! This gave my opponent a jolt. b6 [ 17...xf4 18.xf7+ h8 19.xd8 xd8 20.xb4 is crushing. ] 18.xd6 cxd6 19.g3 [ 19.e3 a6 20.xb4 is also good, of course. ] 879
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 19...f6 20.ac1 d7 Black desperately tries to finish his queenside development. 21.e3! a6 I had expected [ 21...c5 when 22.d4 g5 23.xg5 hxg5 24.xc5 dxc5 25.xc5 wins a good pawn. ] 22.c4 c6? This loses material, although the better [ 22...a5 is hardly fantastic: 23.xd6 xb2 24.xh6 ] 23.xf7+ This may be the best move objectively, but in retrospect perhaps I should have preferred [ 23.d4 g5 ( 23...e5 24.f4 ) 24.xg5 hxg5 25.xf7+ xf7 26.xc6 with an exchange and pawn more in the endgame. ] 23...xf7 24.xc6 I had expected my opponent to resign here, after all an exchange a n d t wo p a wn s d o wn a ga in st a G M ? f6 25.xd6 g4 26.f3 d7 27.cc1 [ 27.c7 wins, but I didn't want my opponent to regain the exchange by e8 28.xd7 xc7 although this is still hopeless, naturally. ] 27...xa2 28.xb4 f7 29.b7 e8 30.d4 P l a n n i n g e x c h a n g e s . e2 W ith a tact ical threa t, th at do esn't work! 31.b8+ Of course, I had intended [ 31.xf6! but didn't want my opponent to play xg2+ as there were so many s p e c t a t o r s ! 32.h1! ( 32.xg2? h3+ 33.xh3 xb7 34.e5 xf3+ is problematic) 32...xf6 33.xg2 g5+ 34.h1 and there are no more checks - but why give him the pleasure? ] 31...h7 32.xf6 xf6! 33.xd7! g5 Hitting g2 and c1, but White had seen further. 34.xg7+! xg7 [ 34...xg7 35.c7+ ] 35.c7 e7 [ 35...xg2+? 36.f1 and the queen is lost. ] 36.xe7 xe7 37.h3 To stop the mate threat! e1+ 38.h2 h5 39.b4 h4 40.b5 b4 41.b6 Black has no way to stop Qc7, b7 and b8(Q), and there are no checks for White to worry about. 1-0
888 Mestel,A Jonathan Hynes,Anthony 4NCL West Bromwich ENG (7) [Tony Kosten]
A22 2496 2289 01.05.2004
1.c4 f6 2.c3 g6 3.e4 e5 4.f3 d6 Black wants to keep his e5-pawn, after [ 4...g7 5.d4 Black has to capture, exd4 6.xd4 see Lautier,J-Taddei,B. ] 5.d4 e7?! A new move, [ 5...exd4 6.xd4 g7 leads to a King's Indian, while ] [ 5...g4? lo se s m at eria l, 6.dxe5 xf3 7.xf3! ( 7.gxf3 dxe5 8.xd8+ xd8 9.g5 e7 10.0-0-0+ is also promising, Santos,L-Reis,L/Evora 1995) 7...dxe5 8.g5 e7 9.xf6! ( 9.d1 fd7 is less effective, Chabanon, J-Grimberg,G/ Toulouse 1995) 9...xf6 10.d1 d7 11.g3 and Bh3 will win material. ] [ However, 5...bd7 is a superior method of defending e5, and leads to the KID, once again. ] 6.g5 Menacing Nd5. c6 7.c5! The most incisive, the position opens-up and Black is in some trouble. g4?! [ 7...exd4? 8.cxd6 xd6 9.e5 wins ] [ 7...dxc5? 8.dxe5 likewise, but the only real chance was ] [ 7...h6 although 8.h4 g5 9.cxd6 xd6 10.g3 b4 11.a3! is very unpleasant for Black. ] 8.cxd6 [ 8.b3! may well be even stronger, Black can hardly protect b7, e.g. xf3 9.cxd6! xd6 10.xb7 transposing to the game, whilst avoiding Black's superior alternatives. ] 8...xd6 9.b3 [ 9.dxe5 xd1+ 10.xd1 fd7 11.c1 xf3 12.gxf3 h6 is obviously good for White, but Black is still fighting. ] 9...xf3?! [ 9...exd4 10.e5 b4 11.xf6 dxc3! is a far better bet. ] 10.xb7 The a8-rook is lost. exd4 11.d5!? W hite plays to the crowd, and goes for an attack, but [ 11.gxf3! i s p e r h a p s s i m p l e r , dxc3 ( 11...e7 12.b5 cxb5 13.xb5+ f8 880
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 14.h6+ g8 15.c1 ) 12.d1 and Black can happily resign. ] 11...cxd5 12.b5+ bd7 13.xf6 Clearly best, [ 13.xa8+?! e7 14.xd7 ( 14.gxf3? b4+ forks king and bishop) 14...xd7 15.gxf3 g7 16.xd5 xd5 17.exd5 d6 gives Black fair chances in the endgame, as his better structure and active king compensate the lost exchange. ] 13...d8 Obviously forced. 14.xd8 xd8 [ 14...xg2 is not much of an improvement: 15.g5 f6 ( 15...xh1?? 16.c8# ) 16.c1! h3 17.d2 with extra material and an attack. ] 15.gxf3 dxe4?! Black doesn't have time for this. [ 15...b6 ] 16.c1! White threatens Rc8+, and then Rc7, winning another piece. b6 [ 16...g7 17.c8+ e7 18.xd7 xd7 19.c7 is also hopeless. ] 17.0-0 Calm development. e5? This allows mate in two, but even after [ 17...g7 say, White wins by 18.c6 d7 ( 18...e7 19.b8+ ) 19.xb6 ] 18.c8+! 1-0
setup. ] 8.f3 a6 This has been played successfully for 50 years or so. It is also a good plan with colours reversed. Another proven idea is [ 8...a5 intending ...a4 or ...Nc5. ] 9.0-0 [ 9.a4?! c5 hits b3, when 10.d2 a5 11.0-0 c6! makes it difficult for White to find a plan. ] 9...b5! Still book. The idea is to grab the light squares by force, and after ...Bb7, White will have to defend e4 but watch out for ...d5 as well. 10.d1! Switching plans. Inferior would be [ 10.cxb5 axb5 11.d2 ( 11.xb5? a6 ) 11...c5 ] 10...bxc4 11.xc4 a5 12.e2 a6 13.c4 a4! 14.b1 b7!? [ 14...e7 , to prepare ...Nc5 and in some cases ...Rfb8, is also logical. Then 15.h4 e6! 16.b3 axb3 17.axb3 c5 18.f5 g6 19.h6+ g7 achieves little. ] 15.h4!? c5 16.e3 fd7 17.f5 g6 [ 17...xe4?? 18.xe4 xe4 19.g4 ] 18.h6+ The knight isn't doing much here. h8 19.f4 e7 [ Again, grabbing the pawn runs into tactical trouble: 19...xe4? 20.xe4 xe4 21.fxe5 xe5?? 22.f4 ] 20.fxe5 xe5 21.d4 e6 889 A22 [ or 21...f6 ] Miezis,Normunds 2547 22.c3 c5?! Black hopes for ...Nd4 at some Olsen,Heini 2345 point but the timing is wrong. Simply [ 22...f6 was good, when White's e-pawn is Nordea Cup Dianalund DEN (9) 20.02.2005 the only weakness in the position. ] [John Watson] 23.g4! d4 [ Black would like to have been able to play ... With the move 3.Bb5 being so popular after 1. Nxg4 if ...f6 had been in, but now 23...f6 e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6, it's interesting to take a look 24.e3 brings the knight back from h6 to a at the reversed position. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 useful post. So Black mixes it up, but his 3.g3 b4 More than the Keres Variation pawn sacrifice is unsound. ] [ 3...c6 4.f3 e4 , this move drove people away from 3.g3 (as opposed to 3.Nf3 Nc6 4. 24.xd4 cxd4 25.xd4 f5 26.exf5 xg2 27.xg2 b7+ 28.d5 ae8 29.fxg6 xg6 g3, which is still going strong). ] 4.g2 0-0 5.e4 xc3 6.dxc3 d6 7.e2 30.d2 White is practically winning, and [ 30.d3! would have been even better, bd7 preventing Black's only idea of ...Re4. ] [ In the long history of this variation, Black h a s v e r y s e l d o m c h o s e n 7...c6 30...g7?! [ 30...e4! (h i t t i n g c4 a n d g4 ) 31.c3+ with the idea of ... Be6 and ...Qd7, as White e5 ] does in the reversed position. I don't think that the Rossolimo will continue to be much 31.h3! e4 32.h1?! [ 32.xd6! ] of a threat if White has to count upon that 881
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 32...xc4 33.xd6 b7+ 34.d5 xd5+ significant pressure, and Adams went on to 35.xd5 c2 36.g1?? White is two pawns win. Miezis, N (2547)-Adams, M (2734) / up and can consolidate by 36.Re3. Also good Porto Carras GRE 2011. ] is 6...c6 Preparing the ...d7-d5 advance is the [ 36.b5! , in view of f3? 37.b8+ g7 most critical challenge. 38.b7+ and Re1 or Rd1 g8 39.e1! ] [ S t r a n ge ly, 6...d6 , as in Smirin, I (2685)36...f3 Uh-oh. Now the tactics don't quite Comp Deep Shredder/ Kasparovchess.com work out and Black recovers. 37.d8+ g7 2002/[TonyK], is much less worrisome for 38.d7+ g8 39.d8+ g7 40.d7+ g8 W hite. One might think that with W hite's 41.h6+ doubled pawns and bishop pair, Black ought [ 41.e1 xg3+ 42.f1 f3+ ] to play this way to keep the game closed. 41...h8 42.f7+ Instead, experience has shown that Black [ Or 42.h1 e5 43.e7 ff2 as occurs in has at least equally good play in the open the game. Now the game is drawn. ] positions after 6...c6 and 7.. .d5. A 42...g8 43.h6+ h8 44.h1 e5 possible justification is that White's pawn 45.e7 ff2 46.xe5 h2+ 47.g1 cg2+ weaknesses will not simply disappear (the 48.f1 c2 49.e8+ g7 50.f5+ f7 a2/c3/d2 cluster is doomed to fragility), and 51.d6+ g7 52.g1 cg2+ 53.f1 c2 the open nature of the position will make it 54.g1 cg2+ 55.f1 c2 easier for Black to target them. ] ½-½ 7.b1!? White has an extremely wide choice. Various alternatives have been covered in this site: 890 A22 [ 7.d4!? Vallejo Pons, F (2674)-Aronian, L (2724)/Khanty Mansiysk 2005/[John Naiditsch,Arkadij 2712 Watson]. ] Topalov,Veselin 2768 [ 7.d3 Rogers, I (2569)-Acs, P (2623)/Wijk 18th European Teams (5.2) 07.11.2011 aan Zee 2003/ [TonyK]. ] [John Bartholomew] [ 7.a3 Grigoriants, S (2503)-Sadvakasov, D (2509)/ Subotica 2000/ [TonyK]. ] 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 b4 [ A kind of tabiya for this variation is reached The possibility of this tried and true move is after 7.e2 d5 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.exd5 xd5 one of the reasons why 2.g3 has become so 10.0-0 c6 . White's practical results from popular. 4.g2 0-0 5.e4 this position have been mind-boggling poor: [ Most common is 5.f3 ] +1, =14, -21!!! Seriously, confirm for 5...xc3 6.bxc3 yourself! Of course, this is an anomaly and [ Another game from the European Team isn't a reflection of the true assessment of Championship, Miezis-Adams, saw Black the position. Also, play has a tendency to having success after the alternative capture, merge with other move 7 alternatives - for 6.dxc3 . Interestingly, I discovered that instance, 11.b1 (most common and Miezis has an incredible devotion to this line. possibly best) reaches our main game - and The database shows him playing the White thus we can't take the statistics for gospel side of this position some 45 times! He has truth (you never can!). However, one thing preferred 6.bxc3 on only seven occasions. that these games suggest is that with his d6 7.e2 bd7 8.h3!? fewer weaknesses, perhaps Black may have ( See the archives for 8.f3 , Miezis, N the easier/more manageable game in (2547)-Olsen, H (2345)/Dianalund 2005/ practice. ] [John Watson].) 8...a6 9.f3 b5! A typical [ Finally, 7.b3 aims to prevent the ...d7-d5 pawn offering in the 6.dxc3 variation. 10.e3 advance entirely, but a6 (other moves are ( Accepting is reckless: 10.cxb5 axb5 playable) 8.a3 d6 9.e2 ( 9.d3 b5 11.xb5?! c5! ) 10...bxc4 11.xc4 a5! 10.cxb5 e6 1/2-1/2 Kasimdzhanov, R 12.d3 a6 13.c2 b8! 14.f2 a4 (2 6 9 0 ) - T k a c h i e v, V ( 2 6 5 7 ) / N e w De lh i / 15.b1 d5! White was already under 882
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Teheran 2000.) 9...c5 has done very well for Black. ( or 9...e6 )] 7...d5 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.exd5 xd5 10.e2 c6 11.0-0 e8 My feeling is that Black is quite comfortable here and thus has a few good ways of proceeding. [ Carlsen played the immediate 11...b6 in a blitz match against Nakamura a couple years ago. That game continued A) 12.a3 e8 13.d3 f5 14.c1 e4!? 15.b5 f6 16.dxe4?! xe4 17.xe4 xe4 Olafsson, H (2445)-Christiansen, L (2550)/Grindavik 1984. This is the sce na rio W hit e n e ed s to avo id: cle a r pawn weaknesses with no bishop pair or other compensation.; B) 12.c2 g4 ( 12...e6 13.d3 d7 1/2-1/2 Benko, P-Hecht, H/ Olot 1971.) 13.d3 d7 14.g5 h6 15.e3 d5 16.b3 ac8 17.c4 de7= 18.f4?! f5 Askarov, M (2421) -Plischki, S (2366)/ Karvina 2005.; C) 12.d4 C1) 12...e6 13.d2 ( 13.a4 c4 14.e1 d7 15.a3 fd8 16.c5 d5 Pribyl, J-Hecht, H/ Bamberg 1972. ) 13...d5 14.dxe5 xe5 15.xd5 xd5 16.h1?! b6 ( 16...a5 Ivkov, B (2570)-Olafsson, F (2570)/ Wijk aan Zee 1971. ); C2) 12...g4!? Kasubke, M (1950)Maus, S (2270)/Germany 1988.; C3) 12...f5?! An inaccuracy. 13.b3?! ( 13.b5! creates more problems.) 13...e6 14.d5?! xd5 15.xd5 xd5 16.a3 e8 17.xb7 c8 Nakamura, H (2715)-Carlsen, M (2801)/Oslo NOR 2009. ] [ Perhaps unnecessary (though not bad) is 11...b8 , i.e. 12.a3 e8 13.b5 e6 ( 13...e4!? ) 14.b1 d7 15.e1 a6 16.b2 b5 17.d3 f5 Budnikov, A (2535)Naumkin, I (2450)/London 1993. ] 12.d3 [ 12.a3 Stein, L (2620) -Gheorghiu, F ( 2 5 2 0 ) / L a s P a l m a s 1 9 7 3 . a5!? ( 12...b6 is Olafsson-Christiansen above. )] [ Black was fully coordinated with a superior pawn structure after 12.c2 g4! 13.e1 d7 14.a3 ad8 , Stefansson, H (2525)Olafsson, H (2535)/Vestmannaeyjar 1994. ]
12...b6 [ 12...g4!? is thematic, threatening 13... N x c 3 . A f t e r 13.f3 e6 14.xb7 White's rook gets stranded, but he can make it ugly: b6 15.f4! c8 16.xb6 axb6 17.f5 xa2 18.f6 ] 13.e3 g4 [ I'd prefer the simple 13...f5 with fine play. ] 14.c2 e7 A useful move, securing b7. 15.c1 e6?! White has a little something to work with after this. [ 15...d5 gels better with Black's last move. ] [ 15...c8 is likewise good. ] 16.b5!? [ 16.b3 seems more natural, but Naiditsch wants to pressure the e-pawn. ] 16...d5! G o o d d e f e n s e ! 17.c4 xe3 18.fxe3 c8 19.b2 Black has to pitch his epawn, but fortunately he'll get decent compensation in return. White must exchange off his good bishop and will still suffer from multiple pawn weaknesses. b6 20.xc6 xc6 21.xe5 f6 22.e4 h3 23.ff4?! An awkward square for the rook. [ After 23.xe7 xe7 24.e1 White faces a long road in converting his extra pawn, but there's no doubt about his advantage. ] 23...f5! Topalov brings the evaluation level with this alert move. 24.xe7 xe7 25.f2 e6 26.d2 b7! 27.e4 Not a move White wanted to make, but the threat of 27...Qg2+ must be addressed. e8 28.e2 fxe4 29.e3 c6 30.xe4 [ or 30.d4 a4 with counterplay. ] 30...f8+ 31.f4 e8 32.e4 f8+ 33.f4 e8 34.f3? Naiditsch's decision to play on was likely influenced by the match situation (Bulgaria won the match 3-1). His fighting spirit is commendable, but unfortunately White is a little worse now. c5+ 35.d4 [ 35.d4?? g5-+ ] [ 35.e1 g5! ] 35...xc4 36.g4?? [ Nece ssary is 36.e4 , when the B vs. N endgame after e6! 37.f4 f7 38.xe8+ xe8 39.d5+ xd5 40.xd5 f7 is a bit more pleasant for Black. ] 36...g5! Of course, the other possibility is that N a i d i t s c h j u s t m i s s e d t h i s m o v e ! 37.f5 883
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Naiditsch resigned here due to [ After 37.f6 xg4! 38.xg4 xe2+ 39.xe2 xd4+ and 40...Qxf6, Black should convert the queen ending. ] 37...xe2+ 38.xe2 xe2+ 39.xe2 xg4+-+ 0-1
891 Nakamura,Hikaru Navara,David 74th Tata Steel GMA [John Bartholomew]
A22 2759 2712 19.01.2012
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.g2 b6 6.e3!? Nakamura is fond of e2e3 setups in the English, and this time he strikes gold. The text is extremely unusual (I find only 76 games of nearly 4400 to reach this position), with the similarly creative Vadim Zvjaginsev being the only other GM to have ventured it here. [ In the first round Navara got nowhere in the main lines after 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 . See Navara-Topalov in this update. ] 6...c5 Navara chooses to clamp down on d4. This is logical, and one might now expect W hite to adopt a reversed Hedgehog formation with Ng1-e2, 0-0, d2-d3, a2-a3, b2b3, Bc1-b2, etc. Nakamura has a different idea in mind. [ Zvjaginsev, V (2663)-Mikhalevski, V (2584)/ A i x - l e s - B a i n s F R A 2 0 1 1 w e n t 6...c6 7.ge2 A) He could consider a disruptive move like 7...f5 , but then 8.d4! ( 8.0-0?! d3 is annoying,; 8.xc6+ bxc6 9.d4 d6 and I'd prefer Black.) 8...b4 (critical) 9.0-0 c2 10.e1 and now an attempt to force a repetition with ( 10.d2?? c4 11.e1 d3 would be an embarrassing queen trap) 10...g6 can be met by ( or 10...f5 ) 11.f4! with an initiative: ( 11.d1 c2= ) 11...c2 12.f2 xa1 13.xb7! with complications favoring White.; B) I like the look of 7...g4!? , for example B1) Black has a completely sound position af ter 8.d4 exd4 ( 8...f6!? and 9...0-0-0 is friskier.) 9.exd4 d6 10.0-0 0-0=;
B2) 8.0-0 d7! is very flexible Black may castle queenside and unbalance the struggle, or simply complete development and castle kingside.; B3) 8.h3 h5 9.0-0 d6 10.g4 g6 11.d4 0-0 12.f4 f6!? 13.dxe5 fxe5 14.f5 f7 with an interesting game.; C) 7...e7 . Black reacts normally, but he has grounds for a more proactive approach: 8.0-0 0-0 C1) Better than 9.d4 exd4 10.xd4 xd4 11.exd4 ( 11.xd4 c6 12.xd8?! xd8 O'Siochru, M (2100)Quinn, M (2275)/Dublin 1992. ); C2) 9.f4! a5 ( 9...f6 looks preferable) 10.fxe5 xe5 11.d4 g6 12.b3 c6 13.e4 c5 14.e3 cxd4 15.xd4 xd4 16.xd4 d7 17.d5 . See Nigel Davies's notes in the archives. ] [ Black has also played 6...e7 , though after 7.ge2 0-0 8.0-0 Black will probably revert to A) or 8...c5 9.d4! ( 9.f4!? ); B) 8...c6 as in the Zvjaginsev game. ] 7.ge2 c6 8.0-0 e7 [ 8...d6 Scheidegger, U-Habibi, A (2255)/ Ba d Ra ga z 1 9 9 0 . He re 9.f4!? is again possible. e.g. ( 9.d4 cxd4 10.exd4 0-0 11.dxe5 w a s t h e g a m e w h e n xe5 is very close to equal.; 9.b3!? ) 9...0-0 10.b3 with a more comfortable game for White. ] 9.f4! The key idea of 6.e3, perhaps contrary to early expectations. W hite breaks down the center with f2-f4 instead of d2-d4. exf4 [ White is for choice after 9...0-0 10.fxe5 xe5 11.b3! , i.e. d3 12.f4! ] [ , but 9...h5!? was interesting. ] 10.xf4 0-0 11.b3 f5 12.b2 [ 12.g4!? ] 12...d7 13.e4 ad8 14.f2 Black has developed strictly according to principle, yet W hite has still emerged with a slight edge. His minor pieces have secured slightly better squares, and Black has no real weaknesses to attack. b4 15.f1! xe4 Not ideal, but White was menacing Nf4-h5. 16.xe4 6d5 [ 16...f5 17.g2 g6 was preferable, though White is still sitting pretty with the bishop pair. ] 17.h5 g6 [ Black must weaken the long diagonal since 884
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 17...f6? 18.a3 c6 19.f5 d6 20.d3 leads to disaster on a corresponding diagonal, e.g. h6 21.h7+ h8 22.g6+- ] 18.a3!? [ There was also the remarkable possibility of 18.f5!? when Black cannot take: gxf5 19.xf5 d6 ( 19...c7 20.xh7+ and 21. Qf5+ mates quickly.) 20.h3! and with threats like 21.Qg4+, 21.Bxh7+, and 21.Nf6+ hanging in the air, Black is lost. ] 18...a6?? Overlooking a pretty idea. [ 18...f5! was necessary. ] 19.xd5 xd5 20.f6! Now Black must allow the knight to f6 to avoid a decisive loss of material. d6 21.xe7 xe7 22.f6+ g7 23.c4!+Deadly geometry. Black is unable to defend against the direct threats of Qc4-c3 and Qc4-h4 in addition to the simple e s c a l a t io n o f p re s su re wi t h Ra 1 -f 1 . e5 24.af1 h5 25.xh5+! Nakamura concludes the game with an efficient sequence. xh5 26.xf7+ xf7 27.xf7+ h6 28.f4+ g5 [ 28...g5 29.h7++- ] 29.f6+ g6 30.f1! Nice! Now the threats are 31.Rf6 and 31.Qh3+ Qh5 32.Rh7+. h5 31.xb7 Black is totally helpless. c4 [ 31...xd2 32.f6+ g6 33.h8+ mates. ] 32.f6+ g6 33.xd8 b1+ 34.f2 Black resigned, since White easily escapes the checks. It's too early to declare 6.e3!? theoretically challenging, but it's telling that a seasoned 2700 could not equalize out of the opening. W e'll definitely be seeing more of this line. 1-0
6.e3!? , which he used to beat Navara last year in the same event. See Nakamura, H (2759)-Navara, D (2712) Wijk aan Zee 2012. It's worth noting that Laurent Fressinet de f ea t e d Na ka m ura in t his va ria t ion in December at the W orld Mind Games in December: c6 7.ge2 f5 8.0-0?! ( I r e c o m m e n d e d 8.d4 in the notes to Nakamura - Navara) 8...d3 9.f4 e4 10.a3 e7 11.b4 f6 12.a2 0-0-0 13.c2 he8 and White was somewhat paralyzed in Nakamura, H (2760)-Fressinet, L (2700) Beijing 2012. ] 4.f3!? An attempt to enter standard Four Knights territory. [ 4.g2 is examined in the archives. See the guide "King's English - Moves other than 3 Nf3". ] 4...e4 [ Nakamura has experience against 4...xc3 as well: 5.bxc3 c6 ( 5...e4 6.d4 0-0 7.g2 d5 8.cxd5 xd5 Kamsky, G (2714)Gelfand, B (2736) Moscow 2007/[Hansen, Carsten] ) 6.g2 0-0 7.0-0 e8 8.d3 e4 9.d4 exd3 10.exd3 xd4 11.cxd4 d5 12.e3 and White obtained some advantage in Nakamura, H (2758)-Howell, D (2633) London 2011/[John Bartholomew]. ] [ 4...c6 would transpose to the Four Knights. ] 5.d4 c6 6.c2 xc3 7.bxc3!? Somewhat rare. [ White usually captures away from the c e n t e r w i t h 7.dxc3 , which lends more support to d5. For example, h6 8.g2 d6 9.e3 0-0 10.0-0 e8 11.c2 e5!? 12.d2 e7 13.f4 exf3 14.exf3 f5 15.g4 e8 16.ae1 e6= Portisch, L 892 A22 (2650)-Timman, J (2620) Amsterdam 1981. ] Nakamura,Hikaru 2769 7...0-0 8.g2 d5 Also the choice of superSokolov,Ivan 2667 solid British GM Michael Adams. [ The fact that Karpov has also played this Tata Steel Chess 2013 (2.6) 13.01.2013 position for Black only adds to the line's [John Bartholomew] pedigree: 8...e8 9.0-0 d6 10.e3 d7 11.c2 a5 12.d3 c6 13.d2 d7 Many English authorities consider W hite's 14.ae1 b6 15.f3 exd3 16.exd3 h5!? move order in this game (2.Nc3, 3. g3) to be 17.f2 e7 18.fe2 ae8= and Black went suboptimal, but Nakamura has displayed a o n t o wi n a h i g h l y i n s t r u c t i ve g a m e i n clear preference for it in recent years. 1.c4 e5 Huebner, R (2630)-Karpov, A (2715) Baden2.c3 f6 3.g3 b4 Baden 1992. ] [ A reputable line that avoids Nakamura's patented 3...d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.g2 b6 9.cxd5 xd5 10.f3 Challenging Black in the 885
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 center, but with logical moves Black soon obtains a great position. Nor do the alternatives seem to promise much. [ Amanov, Z (2401) -Adams, M (2728) W heeling 2012 took a dif f erent course: 10.d4 h5 11.h3 e6 12.f4 fe8 13.d2 a5 (immediately exploiting the w e a k e n e d c 4 s q u a r e ) 14.e3 c4 15.xc4 xc4 16.e5 d5! 17.xe4 f6 18.f3 f7 19.f4 xf4 20.gxf4 xe2+! 21.xe2 e8 22.e3 xe3 23.fxe3 d5 24.g1 e6 25.g3 b6 and Black later won. ] [ On 10.0-0 it looks logical for Black to play h5 intending ...Bc8-h3. ] [ Likewise 10.e3 ought to be answered by h5 . ] 10...exf3 11.xf3 a5 12.g2 f5 13.0-0 e4! 14.e3 [ Black has good play after 14.xf6 xg2 15.f4 h3 . ] 14...xg2 15.xg2 fe8 16.f5?! e5 17.f1 ae8 Black is fully mobilized and enjoys a wonderfully coordinated position. 18.xf6 True to his style, Nakamura opts to u n b a l a n c e t h e ga m e ra t h e r t h a n d e f e n d passively. gxf6 19.xf6 8e6 20.f3 e7! Pitching the b-pawn to engage White's strong knight on e3. 21.xb7 f5 22.c4 c5 23.b3 e4 [ Here 23...c6+! would have been very strong. For example, 24.g1 d4 25.d3 ( 25.b8+ e8 26.b2 xe2+-+ ) 25...d6 and White's position collapses. ] [ Likewise, 23...d4 makes a lot of sense since 24.b1? is refuted trivially: e4+ 25.g1 b6-+ . ] 24.d3 xe3+ 25.dxe3 xc4?! [ 25...f6! ] 26.d8+ g7 27.b2+ f6 28.f1 Nakamura has managed to coordinate some of his pieces, thereby minimizing the damage. c6 29.g1 d6 30.xd6 xd6 The game now enters a technical phase. 31.c1 xe3 32.xc7+ g6 33.f2 ee6 34.c2 c6 35.d2 ed6 36.xd6 xd6 This endgame ought to be winning for Black. 37.a3 a5 38.c3 a4 39.b4 b6 40.c5 b5 41.d6 b3 42.h4 f5 43.e7 g4 44.d6 f5 45.g2 h6 46.f2 h5 47.g2 f4?!
[ Computers were quick to point out a win: 47...c3! (White must give ground with his king) 48.f2 ( 48.h2 e3 picks up the ep a w n a n d w i n s t r i v i a l l y) 48...h3 ( z u g z w a n g ) 49.e3 g4 50.e2 b3 (zugzwang again!) 51.f2 b2+ 52.e1 f3-+ . ] 48.gxf4 xh4 49.e4 g4 50.f5 d3 51.b4 h4? This move significantly complicates things. [ 51...f3! freezes White's pawns and ought to be decisive. ] 52.f6 h3+ 53.h2 f3 54.e5 f2+ 55.h1 h5 [ Unfortunately for Black, the natural 55...g3 would be a huge blunder in view of 56.e1!+- . ] [ 55...h2 56.f7 xf7 57.xh2 is the game. ] 56.c5 f3 57.h2 g4 58.b4? [ Better is 58.b6! ] [ or 58.a7! , covering f2. On f5 59.b8 e6 60.d6 it appears that White can hold. ] 58...f2+ 59.h1 h2 60.f7 xf7 61.xh2 Can Black win? If he can nab the e-pawn and keep the White king sufficiently far from the apa wn , t h en yes. Ho we ver, it 's e xt re m e ly difficult to pull off, and in the game Sokolov was unable to figure it out. The analysis of this endgame is better suited to an engine/ tablebase, so I won't say much more. f2+ 62.g1 e2 63.d6 f3 64.f1 e4 65.g1 e1+ 66.h2 d1 67.b4 d4 68.d6 h4+ 69.g1 h6 70.f8 h8 71.d6 h6 72.f8 b6 73.d6 b1+ 74.h2 e1 75.c7 a1 76.d6 d1 77.b4 d4 78.d6 g4? [ The engines indicate that Black can eventually win the e-pawn with 78...d2+ 79.g1 d1+ 80.h2 e1 . ] 79.e6! Advancing the pawn to e7 makes White's defensive task much, much easier. g2+ 80.h1 e2 81.e7 g4 82.g1 f5 83.f1 e6 84.f2 g6 85.f3 f7 86.b4 e8 87.c5 d7 88.b4 b6 89.c5 c6 90.b4 c4 Draw agreed. White should probably opt for 6.dxc3, though I don't think he has much there either. Sokolov was understandably upset after his failure to win this game, but I think even he wo u ld a d m it t h a t h is re a ct io n wa s k in d a 886
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 funny! http: //www.youtube.com/ watch?v=pTg46f85RBQ ½-½
893 Nepomniachtchi,Ian Lintchevski,D 65th ch-RUS HL (11) [John Bartholomew]
A22 2716 2563 27.06.2012
A rec ent d evelo pm en t in the 6 .e 3 K in g's En glis h f ro m th e Russian Ch am pion sh ip Higher League. 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.c3 b6 6.e3 You'll recall that Nakamura's victory over Navara in Wijk aan Zee was the catalyst for the explosion of interest in this line. g6!? A fresh approach. Given that White's plan is to assault Black's center with f2-f4 (or perhaps d2-d4), directing the bishop to the long diagonal is entirely logical. On g7 Black can monitor the dark squares from afar. [ 6...c5 was Nakamura, H (2759) -Navara, D (2712)/W ijk aan Zee NED 2012/[John Bartholomew]. ] 7.ge2 g7 8.f4 Consistent with White's stated goal. [ The only prior game with 6...g6 went 8.0-0 0-0 9.d4 (too straightforward to pose any problems) exd4 10.xd4 c6 11.f3 a6 12.d1 e7 13.a3?! c5 14.b4 e6 Schwabe, M-Koch, T/ Griesheim 1997. ] 8...exf4 9.xf4 c5?! Reverting to Navara's strategy to discourage d2-d4, but the available games have shown that this isn't necessarily the ideal structure for Black. [ It looks better to maintain some flexibility. After 9...0-0 10.0-0 Black has many viable options, i.e. c6 ( or 10...e8; or even 10...a5!? ) 11.d4 e7 intending ...c7-c6. Black is doing well from a structural point of view so long as he refrains from ... c7c5. ( 11...a5!? )] 10.0-0 0-0 11.b3 c6 12.a3 b4 13.c1 Black already experiences problems with the c5 pawn. W hite is ready for Nc3-e4. d7?! 14.xb4 [ Good enough for the advantage, but the computer is enthralled by the exchange sacrifice with 14.e4!? xa2 15.xc5!
xc5 16.xc5 , for instance e8?! ( 16...a5 17.d5! ) 17.d6 e7 18.d5 with spectacular threats, i.e. e6 19.xf7! xf7 20.xe7 xe7 21.xg6! hxg6 22.xf7 xf7 23.xf7+ xf7 24.b4!+- ] 14...cxb4 15.cd5 a5 16.c2 e5 17.c7 [ 17.c5!? ] 17...c6 18.d4 xc7?! [ 18...a4!? looks more competitive. ] 19.xc7 b8 20.d3?! [ It's unclear why Nepomniachtchi rejected 20.xc6 bxc6 21.xc6 . Other than the bishop pair (which isn't even very effective here), Black has no compensation for the missing pawn. ] 20...g4 21.fe1 e7 22.c5 b6 23.b7 h5 24.b5 e6 25.7d6 fd8 26.c7 d5 27.xd5 xd5 Now it's a similar story to 20.Bxc6 bxc6 21. Rxc6, but White doesn't have the luxury of an extra pawn. 28.c4 [ 28.e4!? suggests itself. ] 28...e6 29.d1 dc8 30.d5 g4 31.d2 xc7 32.xc7 c3 33.f2 d7 34.d6?! f8 [ Here Black could have given White a sweat with 34...e5! . 35.xf7? doesn't work in view of ( 35.cb5 f6 ) 35...h3 , wh e n W h it e ' s l a c k o f co o r d i n a t io n i s evident, i.e. 36.cb5 d8-+ ] 35.cb5 xb5 36.xb5 d8 37.d6 e5 38.d2 f6 39.f2 f7 40.f3 e6 41.c2 c3 42.a4 [ 42.xc3 bxc3 43.xc3 xd6= ] 42...c8 43.c1 Draw agreed. 6...g6!? is definitely worth further investigation, especially if Black works to maintain some flexibility in the center. ½-½
894 Olafsson,Helgi Kortschnoj,Viktor Chess@iceland rapidplay Group A (4) [Tony Kosten]
A22 2491 2659 1.4.00
1.c4 e5 2.e3!? Very rare, but not bad at all. Lines with an early e3 were recommended by W atson many years ago, but have neve r r e a l l y c a u g h t o n . f6 3.c3 b4 Here lie s t he ad van ta ge of de f erring th e 887
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 g1-knight's development, W hite is ready to gain the bishop pair without losing time, or ruining his pawn structure. [ Very logical, as is 3...d5 4.cxd5 xd5 with a reversed Taimanov Sicilian, 5.f3 xc3 6.bxc3 d6 7.d4 e7 8.b1 0-0 with mutual chances, Hansen,S-Hector,J/ Helsingor DEN 1999. ] [ 3...c6 ] 4.ge2 c6!? [ Preparing to setup a strong centre, the one time I had this position myself I preferred 4...0-0 5.a3 ( 5.g3 c6 6.a3 a5 7.b4 c7 8.e2 d5 is more than reasonable for Black, Milov,V-Morozevich,A/Tilburg 1994.) 5...xc3 6.xc3 d5 7.cxd5 xd5 8.c2 c6 9.d3 h8!? with sharp play, Johnstone, P-Kosten,A/Birmingham ENG 1999, although 0-1 (21). ] 5.d4 e4!? [ Watson considered this move to be a mistake, and it certainly didn't succeed too well in this game, so perhaps Black should prefer 5...exd4 6.xd4 0-0 7.d2 e8 8.d1 d6 9.g3 g4 seems fairly level, Rivas Pastor,M-Garcia Ilundain,D/ Cala Galdana 1994. ] 6.d5! Before Black can play his own pawn to d5. cxd5 [ A new move. In the game Torre-Balinas/ Marboro PHI 1977, Black tried 6...0-0 7.a3 d6 8.g3 e8 9.e2 a5 which is more comfortable for White. ] 7.cxd5 a6 8.d2 0-0 9.g3 e8?! [ L o s i n g, o r s a cr if ic in g, a p a wn . 9...e7 is better, keeping the b4-bishop defended. ] 10.xa6! bxa6 11.cxe4 xe4?! [ Aiming for opposite-colour bishops, but 11...xd2+ 12.xd2 b8 gave more chances ( 12...xd5?! allows 13.c4 wh e n t h e k n i g h t c o m e s t o d 6 t o g o o d effect. )] 12.xb4 a5 [ So as to try to keep the white king in the c e n t r e , i f 12...b7 then 13.d4 f6 14.c3 xd5 15.f5 is favourable to White. ] 13.c3 a6 14.d4 h4 15.h5 White must drive the active black queen away. e7 16.a3 xg3 17.hxg3 With a brief mate threat on h7. d3
[ 17...h6?? loses quickly to 18.xg7 xg7 19.xh6+ ] 18.d1 g6 19.e2 g5 20.c3 Despite the drawish nature of the oppositecolour bishops, the presence of other pieces, and his far superior pawn structure, mean that W hite should win. a4 21.d6 e6 22.h4! With his king perfectly safe in the centre, W hite decides to develop his rook straight to a strong post. ae8 23.f1 [ W hite doesn't fall for 23.xa4? xe3! 24.fxe3 xe3 winning the queen. ] 23...c5 24.c4 f5 25.g1 c2 26.d2 [ 26.xa4?! xa4 27.xa4 c2 28.dd4 would throw away much of W hite's advantage. ] 26...c1+ 27.h2 e5?! 28.g4?! [ An odd move, when 28.xa4 won more material. ] 28...e4!? [ 28...h5+ 29.h4 he5?! would repeat the position, although White would simply c h a n g e h i s m i n d , a n d p l a y 30.xa4 , no doubt. ] 29.xe4 xe4 30.xa4?? [ Both players must have been short of time, I suppose, as this allows a draw. Better 30.b5! c6?! (else White captures on d7) 31.g5 with an almost unstoppable mate. ] 30...f6?? [ 30...f6?? after 31.xd7 g6 32.c6 the d-pawn will queen. ] [ but Black might have saved the game by 30...f1! 31.f3 e6 32.g4! e1 A) the only other possibility is 33.d5!? with the point that h4+ 34.g1 xd5 35.xd7 h6 ( 35...b7!? ) 36.c8+ h7 37.d7 wins!!; B) 33.g5 h4+ 34.g1 e1+ and a draw. ] 1-0
895 Papaioannou,Ioannis Gelfand,Boris EuTCh Plovdiv BUL (1) [Tony Kosten]
A22 2577 2703 11.10.2003
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.e3 This move has a certain novelty value, but for the moment it 888
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 doesn't seem to bring White particularly good positions. b4 4.ge2 0-0 We looked at [ 4...c6!? in Olafsson,H-Korchnoi,V. ] 5.a3 e7 Black preserves his bishop pair. [ 5...xc3 also has its points, Black is willing to concede the bishop for straightforward development: 6.xc3 d5 7.cxd5 xd5 8.c2 c5!? ( 8...c6 Johnstone,P-Kosten, A / G B R 1 9 9 9) 9.d3 xc3 10.dxc3 ( 10.xh7+? h8 11.dxc3 f5 12.g6 g5 wins the hapless bishop) 10...f5 11.0-0 e6 12.c4 c6 Black has more space, White the bishop pair, Franco, Z-Morozevich,A/ Pamplona 1994. ] 6.g3!? The knight controls e4 and f5. [ 6.d4 exd4 7.xd4!? a5 8.b3 a6 9.b2 c5 the pressure on b3 gives Black good play, Quinteros,M-Kouatly,B/Luzern 1985. ] 6...c6 The most ambitious move, attempting to construct a strong centre. [ 6...d5 7.cxd5 xd5 leads to an Open Sicilian structure, 8.c2 e6 9.d3 g6 10.b4 c6 which was previously preferred by Gelfand, against Klaus Bischoff, Dortmund 1990. ] 7.d4 Virtually forced if White wants to hinder Black's plans, [ 7.f5!? d5 8.xe7+ xe7 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.d4 c6 hands Black a useful lead in development. ] 7...exd4 8.exd4 [ 8.xd4 d5 9.e2 c5 10.d1 dxc4 11.xd8 xd8 12.xc4 c6 favours Black, Novgorodskij,V-Sherbakov,R/Omsk/Perm 1998. ] 8...d5 9.c5 White grabs space on the queen side, this pawn can have a s evere cramping effect on Black. The alternative was to play an IQP position: [ 9.e2 dxc4 10.xc4 bd7 11.0-0 b6 12.b3 bd5 13.e1 e6 but of course, Black is fine here, Bezold,M-Lukacs,P/Gyula 1997. ] 9...e8 10.e2 b6! A strong novelty which relies on a neat tactic to break the queenside bind. [ 10...h5!? is also interesting, to embarrass the knight, 11.xh5!? ( 11.g5 ) 11...xh5 12.xh5 xc5+ 13.e3 d6 and Black is doing well, Corral Blanco,J-Campos Moreno, J/Barcelona ESP 2000. ]
11.b4 In view of what follows White could prefer [ 11.e3 ] 11...bxc5 12.bxc5 xc5! The point. 13.dxc5 d4 14.0-0 [ 14.g5 dxc3 15.xd8 xd8 16.xf6 gxf6 17.c1 is similar to the game continuation, and if the knight moves ] [ 14.a2 then Black recuperates his piece by d3 ] 14...dxc3 15.xd8 xd8 16.g5 a6!? Black heads for a drawn endgame. [ 16...bd7 17.fc1 h6 is also perfectly sound. ] 17.xf6 gxf6 18.ac1 xe2 19.xe2 a6 20.xc3 d5 The black kingside is weakened but he will liquidate most of the queenside pawns and remain with active pieces. 21.f4!? xc5 22.xc5 xc5 23.c1 e8 The knight is taboo because of the back-rank mate. 24.g4 [ 24.g3 e5 is also equal, Black's extra pawn doesn't count for too much. ] 24...e4 Exchanging into a drawn rook endgame, [ 24...e5?! encounters 25.h5 ] 25.xc5 xf4 26.h3 a4 27.xc6 g7 [ 27...xa3 28.xf6 g7 is quite drawn. ] 28.c3 f5 29.gxf5 f6 30.g2 h5 31.f3 h4 32.f1 e4 33.c3 a4 ½-½
896 Rogers,Ian Acs,Peter GMB Wijk aan Zee NED (3) [Tony Kosten]
A22 2569 2623 14.01.2003
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.g3 b4 4.g2 0-0 5.d3 [ 5.e4 xc3 6.bxc3 c6 is a more habitual move-order, and should transpose, although White can defer playing d3. ] 5...xc3+ 6.bxc3 c6 7.e4 d5 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.exd5 xd5 10.e2 c6 11.0-0 I always thought that these positions were slightly better for Black, who enjoys easy development, play on the light squares and pressure against the white central pawns, whilst White's bishops have little immediate 889
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 scope. e8 [ 11...g4!? i s a l s o p r o m i s i n g , 12.f3?! ( 12.d2 ) 12...f5 13.h1 d7 and the d3-pawn is a problem, Hibbeler,SAbel,E/Germany 1992. ] 12.b2 In this rare position this is new. [ 12.h3 f5 13.b3 b6 14.d1 d7 15.h2 Arbakov,V-Naumkin,I/Warsaw 1992, and now Black can probably snatch the dpawn: xd3! 16.e4 d4! which unpins the bishop by blocking the d-file! 17.xd3 xb3 18.xd7 xc1 and wins a pawn. ] 12...f5 13.d2 White develops his pieces s e n s i b l y b e h i n d h i s c e n t r a l p a w n s . e4!? The young Hungarian tactician plays true to style, [ 13...d7 and ...Rad8 is a reasonable alternative, but he wants more. ] 14.c4! Provoking wild complications, but this is better than [ 14.d4? a5 to c4, which is positional suicide. ] 14...e3!? [ 14...exd3 15.cxd5 xe2 16.f4 e7 ( 16...xb2 17.dxc6 ) 17.d4 f6 is far from clear. ] 15.e1 White cannot capture the pawn as the knight lands on e3. b6 16.c3 e5 17.f4 a4 The other good move was [ 17...xd3!? , forcing 18.fxe5 xe2 19.fe1 xc4 20.xe3 and Black has won a pawn, although White's bishops might yet save him. ] 18.a3 xd3 It looks like White's position is falling apart, but he keeps trying to play the best moves. 19.d4 b6 [ 19...d7 20.c5 also leaves the black knights looking misplaced. ] 20.c5 c4 Perhaps too complicated, [ 20...d5 might have been simpler. ] 21.c3 d2 22.xg7! e6? Black underestimates White's next move, [ 22...xf1 23.h6 ( 23.h8!? f6 24.xf6 is a ls o me ss y) 23...f6 24.b3+! h8 25.xb7 d7 26.a6 e6 27.c6 might be good for Black, but calculating this over the board would not be simple. ] 23.d4! White grabs the lifeline he's been thrown - now he is better as the black pieces are all loose. xf1?! [ 23...c8 24.xe6 fxe6 is better, Black's e-
pawn could still prove useful. ] 24.xf5 e2 25.h6+! White doesn't waste the chance he has been given, and plays accurately till the end. xh6 26.xh6 f6 27.e4! e1 28.xe1 xe1 A picture! Black is a ro o k up , b u t lo ses b y f o rce ! 29.b3+ h8 30.xb7 Hitting h7, g7 and a8. [ 30.f7! is perhaps even stronger, but W h i t e p r o b a b l y d i d n ' t wa n t t o h a v e t o calculate the checks: f3+ 31.xf1 d1+ 32.f2 d4+ 33.xf3 and they soon peterout. ] 30...d4+?! [ 30...f3+ 31.xf3 d4+ 32.xf1 g8 would allow Black to carry-on a few moves. ] 31.xf1 c4+ 32.xe1 A sad end for the two knights! c1+ 33.e2 c4+ 34.f2 1-0
897 Smirin,Ilia Deep Shredder Smirin vs Computers (1) [Tony Kosten]
A22 2685 14.04.2002
Smirin showed good 'anti-machine' tactics in his match against a selection of four of the best programs, and managed to come out on top. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 b4 4.g2 0-0 5.e4 A good practical choice, White closes the centre and aims for a position d e v o i d o f t a c t i c s . xc3 6.bxc3 d6 Not a good decision from the program. I think [ 6...c6 is best, and leads to a more open position where the computer's tactical ability may well come to the fore, see Grigoriants, S-Sadvakasov,D/Subotica YUG 2000. ] 7.e2 g4!? New here, but this 'pseudoactive' move achieves little, Black has a wide choice here, although [ 7...bd7 may be best , 8.d3 a6 9.0-0 ( I prefer 9.a4! keeping a lid on Black's queenside play) 9...b5 10.cxb5 axb5 11.f4 with chance for both sides, Sakharov,AGavrikov,V/Beltsy 1977. ] 8.f3! White wants to keep pieces on the board. e6 9.d3 c5? Absolutely g. When left to their own devices (i.e. when their opening knowledge runs out) computers often play p o o r p o s it io n a l m o ve s. B la ck s h o u l d b e 890
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 playing for ...b5, or ...c6 and ...d5. 10.0-0 h6?! Black wishes to avoid Bg5, which wasn't a t h re a t (! ) a n d p lays a m o ve wh ich ju st weakens his kingside. 11.h3 White's intention is to play f4-f5 with a powerful kingside attack, b u t m u s t c o n t r o l g 4 f i r s t . a6 12.a4! I always play this move in similar positions White is happy to close the queenside as he hopes to mow Black down on the other (more important) side of the board. b6 13.f4 c6 14.f5 d7 15.g4 c7? [ Black should probably try to defend against g5 by playing 15...h7 and ...f6. Notice how Blac k su f f ers f rom conceding h is d arksquared bishop in the opening, as if this piece were still on e7 he would be able to control h4 and g5 and White's attack would be more difficult to construct. ] 16.g3 a5 [ Black is quite lost, as it is now too late for 16...h7 : 17.f6! stopping Black from playing ...f6 himself, xf6 18.xf6! gxf6 19.h5 and Black 's king is trapped on the kingside without any defenders, and will be mated in a few moves, e.g. fb8 20.d2 f8 21.xh6+ e8 22.h8+ e7 23.xf6+ e8 24.h8+ e7 25.g5+ ] 17.h4 It is all too simple for White. h7 18.g5 hxg5 19.hxg5 b7 20.e3 b5 21.axb5 axb5 22.h5 His big space advantage on the kingside allows White to bring his pieces over whilst stopping Black from doing likewise. bxc4 23.f6 The simplest, although White has many other ways to prosecute his attack, for instance [ 23.f2 (t o b rin g a ro o k t o h 1 ) b2+ 24.f3 xg5+ (what else?) 25.xg5 f6 26.h1 fxg5 27.h7+ f7 28.g6+ g8 29.h7 f7 30.ah1 ] 23...fc8 24.fxg7 g4 Desperation, Black has n o d ef en ce against W hit e's multiple threats, like Qh6 with Nh5/or Nf5, or Kf2 and Rh1. 1-0
898 Taimanov,Mark E Rublevsky,Sergei Korchnoi 70 St . Petersburg RUS (7) [Tony Kosten]
A22 2454 2657 22.03.01
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 b4 4.f3!? [ White wants to force Black to play .. .Nc6, a n d e n t e r n o r m a l l i n e s . 4.g2 is more common, and is seen in the archives. ] 4...xc3!? [ Black prefers to avoid the main line with 4...c6 ] 5.dxc3 [ Again unusual, 5.bxc3 is more ambitious, e4 6.d4 0-0 7.g2 with typical play, Marin,M-De Vreugt,D/Tel Aviv ISR 2000. ] 5...d6 6.g2 h6 7.0-0 c6 8.e1?! [ Actually, this is a new move here, although this is a very thematic idea in such positions: the knight manoeuvres to d5 via e1, c2, and e3. However, whilst this works well when Black has already castled kingside, there is a big problem here. More drastic measures are called for: 8.c5! d5 ( if 8...dxc5 9.xd8+ xd8 10.e3 d7 11.ad1 e7 12.d2 frees the position for White's bishops) 9.b4 a6?! 10.c4! dxc4 11.xd8+ xd8 12.b2 e8 13.fd1+ d7 14.a4 White has a powerful initiative, Uhlmann,W-Gavrikov,V/Tallinn 1987. ] 8...e6 9.b3 d7! 10.c2 h3 This is the problem, the white knight no longer defends the kingside so Black castles long and leversopen the h-file. 11.e3 h5 12.d5 xg2 13.xg2 h4 14.h1 White is already forced into playing this ugly move. 0-0-0 15.g5 f5 16.xf6 [ The h-pawn is poisoned, 16.gxh4? e4 or ] [ 16.xh4? g5 ] 16...gxf6 17.d3 g5 18.e3 g6 Na t u r a l ly W h it e a vo i d s t h e e xch a n ge o f queens. 19.b4 b8 20.d3 f5 21.b5 e4! To free the e5-square for the knight. 22.e3 e5 23.d4?! [ White should grab the opportunity to exchange his weak c-pawn by 23.c5 ] 23...g4 24.f4 dg8 25.f1 W hite's position is a mess, and it simply 891
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 remains for Black to find a killer blow. hxg3 26.fxg3 f3! 27.f2 [ An unfortunate necessity, 27.exf3? xf3+ 28.g1 xg3+ mates. ] 27...d2+ 28.e1 xc4 With an extra pawn, and a dominating position, the end should not b e f a r o f f . 29.a4?! xg3! Another shot! 30.hxg3 xh1+ 31.f1 xf1+ 32.xf1 xg3 33.f2 xc3 Black now has four extra pawns! 34.h1 a5?! [ Perhaps Black was short of time, as otherwise he would surely pref er 34...c6 , controlling d5. ] 35.d5 c2 36.h8+ a7 37.xc7 b6 [ This is fine, but 37...e3+ 38.g3 ( 38.f3? e5+ 39.xe3 xc7 ) 38...xe2 would force a quick resignation. ] 38.e8 d5 39.d6 White has managed to drum-up some counterplay, but it has to be insufficient. f4 40.h7 c4 [ 40...f3 41.xf7 xe2+ 42.g3 c4 wins easily. ] 41.c8+ b8 42.e7 e3?? [ A dreadful blunder, 42...d4 43.h8+ c7 44.d5+ d6 45.xf4 d3 is still crushing, and there were many other good lines, too. ] 43.b6 Threatening mate! This must have come as quite a shock. c8 Fortunately for Bla ck he is s till slightly bet te r a f t er th is. 44.xc8 [ 44.xf7 d8 45.xf4 d1+ 46.e1 c3 47.e3 is also worth consideration as the black king and rook are confined to the back rank. ] 44...xc8 45.xf7 c4 46.c7+ b8 47.c5 xb6 48.xa5 c7 49.c5+ d6 50.b5 c6 51.b4 c4 So, the situation has clarified, White has an exchange for two pawns, but without passed pawns of his own, or weak pawns to attack, the rook is hardly stronger than the knight. 52.b1 e3+ 53.g2 d2 54.b4? [ 54.c1+ d6 55.c8 keeps the game alive, the rook is most active when behind pawns. ] 54...d4! 55.xd4 f3+ 56.exf3 e2 Black has skilfully arranged for one of his pa wn s t o qu e e n . 57.xd2 e1 58.d4 e2+ 59.g3 e5+ 60.f4 d5 61.g4 g7+ 62.h3 e5 63.g4 c7 64.g2 f5 65.e4 White attempts to form a barrier
against the advance of the black king. g7+ 66.f2 b2+ 67.g3 d2 68.g4 e1+ 69.g2 e2+ 70.g3 d2 71.e4 b6 72.g4 e1+ 73.g2 e3! 74.g3 [ The problem is that 74.e4 loses to xe4! 75.fxe4+ xe4 and the pawn ending is lost. ] 74...g1+ 75.h3 f2 Now that the white king has been forced to concede ground, the rook has to defend the f-pawn, and W hite loses. 76.g3 f4 77.g4+ xf3 78.g6 f1+ 79.h2 e2+ 80.h3 e5 81.h4 e4+ [ Black pragmatically captures the pawn, but 81...f5! 82.g1 f4+ 83.h5 h2+ wins the rook, instead. ] 82.h5 xa4 83.f6+ g3 84.g6+ h3 85.f6 g4+ 86.h6 b5 87.h7 0-1
899 Turov,Maxim Edouard,Romain Tata Steel Chess 2013 (7.8) [John Bartholomew]
A22 2630 2686 19.01.2013
Two strong 2600s debate a line that ha s underwhelmed us in the past. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 b4 4.g2 0-0 5.e4 xc3 6.bxc3 [ T h e a l t e r n a t i v e r e c a p t u r e 6.dxc3 is a persona l f avorite o f GM Normund s Miezis (he had played it 45 times at my last count!). Black ought to have good play, i.e. d6 7.e2 bd7 8.f3 a6 9.0-0 b5! s e e M i e zi s , N ( 2 5 4 7 ) - O l s e n , H ( 2 3 4 5 ) Dianalund 2005/ [John Watson]. ] 6...c6 7.e2 [ 7.a3 e8 8.b3 b6 9.e2?! b7 10.d6 e6 11.a3?! c5 12.xb8 xe4! was excellent for Black in Grigoriants, S (2503) -Sadvakasov, D (2509) Subotica 2000. ] 7...d5 8.exd5 cxd5 9.cxd5 xd5 10.0-0 c6 A tabiya for the 6...c6 line. At the end of 2011 I mentioned White's unbelievably poor practical results from this position (+1, =14, 21 at the time). W ell, it's my duty to report some improvement in 2012: White scored a single win to bump his stats to +2, =14, -21. 892
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Hallelujah! In all seriousness though, it will take something major from White to overturn the theoretical assessment of this line. Perhaps Turov has something in mind? 11.d3 [ The position after 11.b1 was reached in Naiditsch, A (2712)-Topalov, V (2768) Porto Carras 2011 (W hite actually played it on move seven in that game). Following e8 12.d3 b6 13.e3 Black could have p l a y e d t h e s i m p l e f5 with fine play. Naiditsch, A (2712)-Topalov, V (2768) Porto Carras 2011/[John Bartholomew]. Readers may want to have a look at the notes to this game as I detail a lot of the early alternatives in this line. ] 11...g4!? Tony called this "promising" in his notes to Rogers-Acs (below). [ Black also had excellent play after 11...e8 12.b2 f5 13.d2 e4!? in Rogers, I (2569) -Acs, P (2623) Wijk aan Zee 2003/ [TonyK]. ] 12.b2 [ 12.f3?! f5 13.h1 d7 14.d4 exd4 15.cxd4 fe8 was hardly attractive for W h it e in Hib b e le r, S -A b e l, E G e rm a n y 1992. ] 12...d7 [ Another game saw 12...e8 13.h3 f5 ( 13...e6 ) 14.b3 b6 15.fd1 e7 16.d4?! , Giles, N-Ardovsky, P Dos Hermanas 2003. Here a5 17.b4 ac4 suggests itself. ] 13.e1 b6 I don't think there was a compelling reason to withdraw this knight from the center. [ Instead 13...ad8 14.d2 b6 15.ad1 c4 16.c1 xb2 17.xb2 fe8 was at least equal for Black in Strozewski, F (2046)-Diesner, M Germany 2010. This underscores the fact that Black doesn't have to do anything particularly impressive to obtain a good game in this line. ] 14.a4 ad8 15.a5 c8 A little passive. [ 15...d5= is safe enough. ] 16.d4! 8e7 17.a4 h3 18.xh3 xh3 19.a3 fe8 20.a6 White has a slight initiative, but it doesn't amount to much. c8 21.axb7 xb7 22.c5 g6 23.a6 d7 24.ed1 e4?! [ 24...exd4 25.cxd4 b8 26.d3 ( 26.xa7?? xe2 ) 26...g4 ]
25.a4 e6 26.c4! f6 27.b3 [ Better is 27.a3! preventing ...e4-e3 and allowing White to keep an eye on the knight on c3. ] 27...e3! 28.f1 f3 29.c2 g4?! [ Black had more active possibilities for example 29...ce5!? 30.dxe5 d2 31.a4 xe5! with threats of ...Ng6-h4, ...Rd2xe2, and ... Re5xc5. ] 30.f3 c8 31.a3 a5 32.c1 [ 32.a4! ] 32...a6 33.d1 c8 34.f4 f8 35.d5 b8 [ 35...d7!? 36.xe3 b4 ] 36.xe3 xe3 37.xe3 xc4 38.a3 a4 39.d4 b5 40.d3 b6 41.g2 bd7 42.c4 xc4 43.xc4 e3 44.xf8 b6 45.b5 xf8 46.h3 xd5 47.xd5 xe2 48.d8+ e8 49.xa5 c8+ Draw agreed. White got a little something from the opening here, but it's hardly e nough to upse t th e theoretical assessment. There's a reason why this line isn't very popular. ½-½
900 Turov,Maxim Potapov,P 6th Agzamov Memorial (3) [John Bartholomew]
A22 2658 2473 08.03.2012
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.g2 b6 6.e3 e7 7.ge2 c5 8.0-0 0-0 9.f4 exf4 10.xf4 c6 11.b3 f5 12.b2 d7 13.e4 b4?! Immediately heading for the d5 square. [ Black attempts to improve on 13...ad8 , which was seen in the source game Nakamura, H (2759)-Navara, D (2712)/ Wijk aan Zee NED 2012/[John Bartholomew]. The position after 14.f2 b4 15.f1 i s p r o m i s i n g f o r W h i t e a f t e r xe4 ( o r H o w e l l ' s m o r e s o l i d t r y 15...g6 , wh ich we d iscu sse d la s t m o n t h - s e e Griff iths, R (2310)-Howell, D (2633)/ Sunningdale ENG 2012.) 16.xe4 6d5 17.h5! , as Nakamura demonstrated. ] 14.a3 4d5 [ 14...d3?? just drops a piece: 15.xd3 xd3 16.xf5+- ] 15.d3! A strikingly similar motif to 893
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Nakamura-Navara above (17.Nh5!). Black's kn igh t s a re ra t he r su p erf lu o us, wh ere a s White's contain plenty of dynamic potential. Thus, Turov avoids a trade. Black is already under significant pressure here, so I believe 13...Nb4 ought to be discarded. [ N o t i c e , h o w e v e r , t h a t 15.h5?! is less effective because of g4 , e.g. 16.f3 xh5 17.xh5 f5! 18.f2 f6 ] 15...ac8?! [ It's marginally better to surrender the b i s h o p p a i r i m m e d i a t e l y w i t h 15...xe4 , but here too after 16.xe4 f5 17.g2 ad8 18.e5! ( not 18.c1? xe3 ) 18...d6 19.c2 White has a very pleasant advantage to work with. ] 16.c1 xe4 17.xe4 f5 18.g2 cd8 19.e5 e6 20.c2 Black has made fairly normal moves, but he's already in big trouble. g6 [ 20...d7! is a tougher defensive try. ] 21.e4! Thematically opening the position. [ The preparatory 21.fe1! is possibly even stronger. ] 21...fxe4 22.xe4 [ 22.xe4! was more direct in view of f6 23.xg6! xb2 ( 23...hxg6? 24.xd5 xd5 25.xg6+ h8 26.c4!+- ) 24.xf8 d4+ 25.h1 xf8 26.xh7+ g7 27.xf8 xf8 28.f5+ xf5 29.xf5 . ] 22...xf1+ 23.xf1!? g5 24.c2 f5? Black wasn't doing too badly here, but he had to keep queens on board. [ 24...e7!? 25.g2 ] 25.xf5 gxf5 After this it's impossible to trust t h e s c o re . W h i t e o f f i ci a l ly p l a ye d 26.f3 but the further moves [ I suspect that 26.d3 was actually seen, when Black will lose a pawn. ] 26...e8?? 27.h3?? surely would not have been played. Black's bishop hangs for the next several moves. e7 28.xc5 d8 29.xf5 xd2 30.e6+ f8 31.f1 e3 32.e5 d3 White is completely winning in this final position after 33.Ke2. Despite the finish, this game further illustrates the dangers Black has encountered in the newlypopular 6.e3 lines. 13...Nb4?! is dubious, but even Navara's 13...Rad8 gives White an edge. 1-0
901 Vallejo Pons,Francisco Aronian,Levon WCC Khanty Mansiysk RUS (4.1) [John Watson]
A22 2674 2724 06.12.2005
In a battle of heavyweights, Vallejo Pons plays an odd variant that turns out worse that the normal line. But he proceeds inventively and holds a balance, after which a complex battle ensues. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.g3 b4 4.g2 0-0 5.e4 xc3 6.bxc3 [ 6.dxc3 d6 isn't much better for White than when Black plays it in the Rossolimo Sicilian, f or example, 7.e2 bd7 8.f3 c5 9.d2 a5= ] 6...c6 A line that has always been considered comfortable for Black. [ 6...d6 7.e2 a6 intending ...b5 is also played. ] 7.d4!? This move wasn't played in the old days and I can f ind only 3 examples. But White never did very well with [ 7.e2 d5 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.exd5 xd5 10.0-0 c6 anyway, 11.d4 b6! ] 7...exd4 [ Black can also be content with the superior structure following 7...d6 8.e2 . Then ( 8.f3!? ) 8...c5!? is double-edged because it forgoes the idea of ...c6 with play on the cfile. Thus Black needs to get immediate access to c4, or White might sacrifice that p a w n i n o r d e r t o a t t a c k : ( a positional approach is 8...e6! 9.d5 d7; 8...e8 ) 9.d5 ( 9.0-0! c6 10.d3 ) 9...e8 ( 9...bd7! 10.0-0?! a5 11.f4 a6 ) 10.h3 g6 ( 10...f5 ) 11.h6 g7 12.g4 ( 12.0-0 f5 13.f4! would exploit the absence of Black's dark-squared bishop) 12...d7 13.g3 f6 14.f1 a5 15.d2 b6 with approximate equality, Sorokin-Motylev, Calcutta 2002. ] 8.xd4 White's point, operating on the d-file. [ 8.cxd4? xe4! 9.xe4 e8 ] [ In notes to the Sorokin game, Ribli gives 8.e5!? e8 9.cxd4 d6 10.f4 dxe5 11.fxe5 "W hite possesses the bishop pair and a strong pawn centre in return Black has a lead in development". Interesting, because after c5 that centre is collapsing and White is forced into a line that might be good for 894
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 him: 12.f3 c6 ( 12...cxd4 13.0-0 g4 14.g5! ) 13.0-0 e4 14.d5! xe5 15.xe5 xe5 16.b2 e8 17.xe4 xe4 18.xf7! ] 8...e8 9.e2 [ 9.g5 c5 10.xf6 b6 11.d3 xf6 12.e2 c6 ] 9...d5!? [ Stirring things up with a pawn sacrifice. It would be interesting to see what White had in mind after 9...d6 10.f4 ( 10.0-0 c5! and ...Nxe4 or ... Nc6-e5; 10.g5!? ) 10...c5! 11.xd6 xd6 12.xd6 xe4 13.xe4 xe4 14.xc5 g4 15.e3 xc4 wi t h t h e l i g h t s q u a r e s . W h i t e ' s w h o l e variation looks a little suspicious. ] 10.cxd5 cxd5 11.exd5 f5 12.d1 [ 12.e3 e4! ] 12...g4 [ 12...e4 13.xe4 xe4 14.g5 bd7 15.0-0 is unclear, but White still has his pawn, ] 13.f3 f5 14.c4 bd7 Black has superb development for the pawn, and moves like . .. Ne5, ...Rc8, and ....Qb6 all have to be dealt with. White properly runs away. 15.0-0 e5 [ A tempting move although it runs into a little trick. Also unconvincing is 15...c8 16.g4 g6 17.g5 h5 18.f4 b6+ 19.h1 e4 20.xe4 xe4 21.d3! cxc4 22.b1 ] [ The simple 15...c5 with the idea 16.a3 a5 looks best to me. ] 16.g4 b6+ [ 16...d3!? 17.g5!? ] 17.c5!? A surprise. [ 17.h1 d3!? 18.b3 f2+ 19.g1 h3+ 20.h1 is only a draw. Maybe Black could try 17...Bg6. ] [ 17.d4? d3! ] 17...xc5+ 18.d4 c2! [ Oddly unconvincing is 18...xd4+ 19.xd4 d3 20.d1! xd5 21.f4 c3 22.d2 ad8 23.fxe5 xd4 24.b2 and White actually stands better. ] 19.d1! Another subtle move. The obvious [ 19.gxf5 xe2 20.g5 ed7 21.d6 is interesting, but still in Black's favour. ] 19...c4 [ 19...c5+ 20.d4= ] 20.d4 xd1 21.xd1 d7!
[ 21...g6 22.b5! establishes definite counterplay, and the bishop pair may well be active shortly. ] 22.d6!? [ 22.b3= ] 22...xd6! This has to be well calculated, since t h e b ish op on d7 will h an g. 23.b3 b5! 24.g5 c3 25.d6 [ 25.d3? e2+ 26.f2 b5 ] 25...e1+ 26.f1 Always bold. The draw was to be had by [ 26.f2 e2+ 27.g1 ( 27.g3?? h5+ ) 27...e1+ ] 26...h3 27.b2 xf1+ 28.xf1 e8! 29.xc3!? [ 29.d2 xf1 30.xf1 xa2 is bad. ] 29...xd6 30.d1 b5 A slugfest. Now it looks lke Black is winning but W hite keeps coming up with resources until he manages to escape. 31.e5 e8 32.d5 a3 33.d2 c2 34.f4 b4?! [ 34...b6 ] 35.b5 d3 36.xb7 xe5 37.fxe5 h6 38.gxh6 xe5 39.xa7 e2 40.a8+ h7 41.hxg7 xg7 42.a3 g2+ 43.h1 xd2 44.xh3 xa2 ½-½
902 Van der Elburg,Freddie Van Beek,Alexander 10th Essent Open (7) [John Watson]
A22 2359 2379 26.10.2006
1.c4 c6 2.e4 e5 3.c3 f6 [ 3...a5!? is the subject of Postny-L'Ami in this month's column. ] 4.d4 [ 4.f3 i s p r o b a b l y b e s t , w h e n b4 is an old move that gives W hite the edge after ( Black's best is the normal 4...d6 5.d4 bd7 with an Old Indian after ... Be7 and perhaps a King's Indian after ... g6 and ..Bg7, although White has options in the second case. ) 5.xe5 e7 A) or 6.f3 xc3? ( 6...xe4! 7.e2 d5!? 8.cxd5 0-0 is an interesting gambit, but W hite must still be better) 7.dxc3 xe4 8.e3 is very good for White; B) 6.d3 xc3 ( 6...xe4 7.e2! xc3 895
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 8.dxc3 xe2+ 9.xe2 e7 10.f4 ) 7.dxc3 xe4 8.e2 0-0 9.0-0 with the advantage due to active piece play and Black's backward pawn. ] 4...b4 5.f3!? [ An odd move. White is trying to avoid 5.dxe5 xe4 6.d4 xc3 ( 6...a5 7.ge2 c5!? threatens ...Nb3 (HiArcs' suggestion), when 8.d1 e4 9.d4 repeats ) 7.bxc3 e7 with moves like ...Na6c5 and perhaps ...Qa5 to come. ] 5...exd4 [ or 5...d6 6.dxe5!? xc3+ 7.bxc3 dxe5 8.xd8+ xd8 and Black's king looks safe enough on c7. ] 6.xd4 e7 [ Black can also emphasise development by 6...0-0 , i n t e n d i n g 7.f4!? d5! 8.cxd5 xc3+ 9.xc3 cxd5 10.0-0-0 e6= with chances against White's king. ] 7.g5 h6? [ 7...c5 ] 8.xf6 xf6 9.xf6 gxf6 10.ge2 d6 11.a3 c5 12.0-0-0 [ 12.b4 e3 13.d1 e7 14.d4 ] 12...e7 13.d4 a5 14.f5+!? [ 14.e2 is calm and good. I'm not sure that W hite wants the opposite-coloured bishops. ] 14...xf5 15.exf5 d8 16.d3 d5? Losing material and giving up central squares at the same time! [ 16...d7 17.he1+ f8 18.f4 , stopping ...Ne5, and Black is tied down although this doesn't look so bad. ] 17.he1+ f8 18.cxd5 cxd5 19.e4 Perhaps Black missed this. d4 [ 19...c6 20.xd5 ac8 21.b1 ] 20.a4?! [ 20.xb7! is less complicated that it looks after a7 21.e4 c8 22.b5! ] 20...d6 21.b1 xh2? [ 21...c6! 22.xc6 bxc6 23.xd4 xh2 24.c4 d2 25.g4 g7 26.xc6 h5 is better for White but not so easy. ] 22.c5 a7 23.xb7 d7 24.c5 d8 25.d3! d6 This really IS a bad bishop, and it can't cover all of Black's weaknesses. [ 25...d7? 26.h1 ] 26.c1 c7 27.xc7 xc7 28.c1 b6 29.f4 d6 30.d5 d8 31.c4 c6
32.c2 g7 33.b4 axb4 34.axb4 d3+!? (a little desperate) 35.d2 e5 36.c8!? b6 37.b8 [ 37.f4! g4 ( 37...d7 38.xd3 ) 38.xb6! xb6 39.c4 and Black's knight i s s t u c k , e v e n a f t e r f2 40.d5 , the c-pawn will win. ] 37...a7 38.b7 a6 39.c3? A mistake at time control. Simply [ 39.xd3 a2+ 40.c2 c4+ 41.c3 d6 42.d7 ] 39...d4 40.d5 d6 41.b5 xc3+ 42.xc3 c6 43.b3 d2! 44.d1 e7 45.a5 d5+ 46.xd2 xb4+ 47.e1 ½-½
903 Wen,Yang Sasikiran,Krishnan Asian Continental 13th (9) [Fier, Alexandr]
A22 2581 2680 25.04.2014
This game really impressed me with the ease that White got the advantage. I don't think this idea actually leads to a concrete plus, but B la ck n e e d s t o t a ke ca re t o n o t ge t in t o trouble. 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.c3 b4 4.g2 0-0 5.f3 e8 6.0-0 c6 Black tries to control the center using the fact that the knight is still on b8. Later White tried to play a plan with 8.Ne4, not afraid to allow doubled pawns since with the pawn on c6 the black dpawn may prove exposed on d6. [ 6...e4 is the main line 7.d4 c6 8.c2 xc3 and here 9.bxc3 was seen in Kanep, M (2510)-Sammalvuo, T (2458)/TCh-FIN 2006-7. ( 9.dxc3 is the main line )] [ 6...c6 7.e1 is an interesting sideline h6 8.c2 c5 9.d3 d4 10.b1 a6 11.b4 with a n orma l En glish t yp e of p os it io n , analysed for ChessPublishing in Malakhov, V (2679)-Roiz, M (2605)/8th ch-Euro Dresden GER 2007. ] 7.d3 h6 8.e4!? Apparently this is a committal decision and White won't have an easy pawn break after 8...Nxe4, but all the pieces have good squares to go to and White will create annoying pressure on the d-file. a6 Keeping the options open. Black thinks that without the open d-file it will be harder for 896
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 White to create play in the center. [ 8...xe4 it's hard to say if this is better than t h e ga m e o r n o t . I t h i n k b o t h lin e s a r e equivalent 9.dxe4 A) 9...f8 i s a l s o o k 10.e3 ( 10.b3 maybe this is a better option, bringing the bishop to the long diagonal) 10...d6 11.d2 e6 12.ac1 d7 with a level position, as seen in the rapid game A d i a n t o , U (2 5 2 0 ) -B a re e v, E (2 6 7 5 ) / Tilburg rapid20 1994.; B) 9...a5 getting some space on the queenside 10.b3 d6 11.b2 e6 12.h4 c5 13.a3 and the position is ok for both players, Polgar, Z (2510)-Torre, E (2530)/San Francisco 1991. ] 9.a3 A quite logical move, expanding on the queenside and still leaving the knight on e4 for the moment. [ 9.xf6+ would avoid any structural change xf6 10.e4 avoiding 10...d5 d6 11.h3 c5 12.a3 c7 13.b4 b6 14.b2 and I think White has a tiny plus. It was interesting to see both Kosintseva sisters forced to play against each other in the W orld Cup, Kosintseva, N (2539)-Kosintseva, T (2515)/ Wch World Cup (Women) 2012 (3.6). ] 9...f8 10.b4 d5 Active, but it also gives White some targets. [ 10...d6 11.b2 c7 would be a solid way to play. Probably one day one of the players will lose the contest and finally exchange the knights. For example: 12.fd2 xe4 13.dxe4 ( 13.xe4 d5 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.c5 b6 16.b3 g4 with interesting game ) 13...a5 14.c2 e6 with a middlegame full of play ] 11.xf6+ xf6 12.b2 White has all his minor pieces targeting Black's center. So, the question is whether Black can finish development without making any big c o n c e s s i o n . d6?! Black tries to keep the center together, but it's too slow to spend one more tempo on the queen. [ 12...d4!? aiming against the bishop on b2. It's a committal decision, but then Black has more freedom for the other pieces 13.e3 c5 14.bxc5 ( 14.b5 is less good, White should try to open the position c7 15.d2 a6 16.a4 b8 and Black is fine) 14...xc5 15.exd4 exd4 16.d2 f5 17.e4 e7
with a complex position. White has a lot of potential, but Black's pieces also active ] 13.c1 f5? Now this is a mistake, Black overlooked something, maybe 15.e4. [ 13...g4 was a better square for the bishop 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.d4 e4 16.e5 e6 17.f3 is an active answer, and maybe White can h a v e a s m a l l p l u s exf3 ( 17...f6 is not interesting for Black 18.g6 f5 19.xf8 xf8 20.b5 c7 21.a4 and the bishop will find a good diagonal on a3 ) 18.exf3 ac8 19.f4 with some pressure ] [ 13...d4 was still possible 14.c5 d8 15.e3 dxe3 16.fxe3 f6 17.h4 e6 18.e4 and W hite's position is promising, but if Black's knight arrives on d5 before he get mated he should be ok ] 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.e4! This is not a real pawn sacrifice, but activates all the position while the black pieces are still uncoordinated. g4 Black wants to take the d5-pawn with the knight, but there is no time for his. [ 15...dxe4 was probably a better option, but W h it e st ill h a s so m e a d va n t a ge 16.h4 ( 16.dxe4 is probably not enough xe4 17.xd6 xd6 18.fe1 c6 19.xe5 xg2 20.xg2 c7 and with some precision Black should hold) 16...h7 17.dxe4 b6 18.f5 with good prospects ] 16.exd5 c7 17.h3 The most forcing. [ 17.e1 would also win a pawn but Black h a s a b i t o f c o m p e n s a t i o n a f t e r xd5 18.b3 b6 19.xe5 e6 20.d1 d5 ] 17...h5 18.g4 g6 19.e1 f6 [ 19...xd5 20.xe5 and the difference now is that the bishop can't go back to the long diagonal ] 20.h4 f7 21.f5 First activating the knight [ 21.d4 was also an interesting option and similar to the game, enough for an advantage e4 22.xe4 xd5 23.f5 b6 24.c2 Black's pieces are poorly placed and the king is not that safe ] 21...d7 22.d4 e4 23.xe4 [ 23.d6 trying to put the bishop in the way was slightly better xd6 24.xe4 d5 25.f3 and now the knight is attacked c7 26.c3 ad8 27.d2 with a dangerous attack ] 23...xd5 24.f3 a5 25.bxa5 b5 897
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 25...xa5 was a better way to try to hold t h e p o s it io n 26.d3 g6 27.e3 g7 and it's not so easy to break Black's position ] 26.c2 ac8?? A wrong idea, now White is winning with a simple trick. 27.xc8 xc8 28.xh6+! gxh6 29.f5 1-0
this passive position, but he should not be giving up a pawn here. [ 21...ge5 would have been much tougher. ] 22.xg6 hxg6 23.xc5 g4 24.b1 axb3 25.axb3 f3+ [ 25...f6 would have been better here. The text allows White to set up a mating net. ] 26.xf3 xf3 27.f1 e2 [ Perhaps Black's initial calculations had not 904 A22 t a k e n a c c o u n t o f t h e l i n e 27...xe4 28.e7+ h7 29.f4 threatening both the Zvjaginsev,Vadim 2663 bishop and mate on h4. ] Mikhalevski,Victor 2584 12th ch-EUR Aix les Bains FRA (6) 27.03.2011 28.e7+ h7 29.f4 a1+ 30.g2 a2 31.h4+ h5+ 32.h3 h6 33.g4 [Nigel Davies] Winning a piece. f5 34.exf5 e8 35.g5+ 36.fxg6+ f6 37.d5+ xg6 1.c4 f6 2.c3 d5 3.cxd5 xd5 4.g3 e5 xg5 5.g2 b6 6.e3!? Welcome to the World of 38.xh5 Va dim Zvjagin sev. He's f o rever crea tin g 1-0 original positions with unusual opening moves, and in practice this can be a very effective 905 A23 approach. c6 [ One of the very few games to feature 6.e3 Al Hadarani,Hatim 2356 varied here with 6...e7 after which 7.ge2 Soon Wei Yee 0-0 8.0-0 c6 9.d4 ( 9.f4!? would have 14th Asian Cities (2) 22.03.2004 been interesting here.) 9...exd4 10.xd4 [Tony Kosten] a6 11.h5 g6 12.e2 f6 13.d1 e7 14.e4 d8 wasn't much for White in 1.c4 c6 2.g3 d5 3.g2 e5!? Dornieden, M-Usachyi, M/Naumburg 2002. ] Very ambitious, but can it be good? 4.cxd5 7.ge2 e7 8.0-0 0-0 9.f4 This might be We looked at what attracted Zvjaginsev to 6.e3, the [ 4.d4!? in Lauvsnes,A-Grotnes,N. ] possibility of undermining Black's e-pawn with 4...cxd5 5.b3 Critical, White puts immediate f2-f4. pressure on the black centre and on the long [ T h e s t a n d a r d p a w n l e v e r i s 9.d4 diagonal. f6 The most common, but , but this doesn't bring much apart from [ 5...d4!? i s i n t e r e s t i n g : 6.xb7 c7! simplification. For example exd4 10.xd4 (the neat point) 7.xa8 xc1+ 8.d1 xd4 11.xd4 c6 12.xd8 xd8 13.e4 xb2 and now White must force a draw, e6 14.f4 c4 was nothing for White in 9.b3 c1+ ( 9...xa1!? 10.xb8 e7 O'Siochru, M-Quinn, M/Dublin 1992. ] 11.f3 is wild ) 10.d1 etc. ] 9...a5 10.fxe5 xe5 11.d4 g6 12.b3 6.c3 e4!? The most popular choice here is [ Af te r t he im me d ia t e 12.e4 Black can the strong pawn sac blockade the central pawns with c5 13.d5 [ 6...c6! with the continuation 7.xd5 d4 d6 . So White first prepares it. ] 8.xf6+ xf6 and White has certain 12...c6 13.e4 c5 14.e3! The point behind development problems, 9.d3 d7 10.e3 1 2 . b 3 B l a c k c a n n o t p l a y 1 4 . . . N c 4 . cxd4 c6 11.e4 0-0-0 12.b1 e6! 15.xd4 xd4 16.xd4 d7 17.d5 with a strong initiative, Gurevich,MIt's now clear that White has an edge because Sveshnikov,E/Alekhine mem op 1992. ] of his lead in development and powerful knight 7.d3 White continues his assault on the on d5. c5 18.ac1 b6 19.xc5 bxc5 centre. exd3 20.fd1 a4 21.ef4 de5? An active player [ 7...c6!? i s a g a i n p o s s i b l e : 8.d2 like Victor is not going to be comfortable in ( 8.dxe4!? ) 8...exd3 9.xd5 c5 10.xd3 898
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 0-0 Black has some play for the pawn, Njirjak,J-Starostits,I/Szombathely 1993. ] 8.xd5 dxe2?! An unsuccessful innovation. [ 8...xd5 is best, 9.xd5 ( 9.xd5!? b4+ 10.f1 dxe2+ 11.xe2 0-0 12.e3 seems about level, Wexler,B-Bazan,O/Mar del Plata 1960) 9...b4+ 10.d2 xd2+ 11.xd2 xd5 12.xd5 dxe2 13.xe2 and W hite has a slight development advantage, Duarte,R-Ramalho,J/Lisbon 1999. ] 9.xe2 [ 9.e3+! i s a w k w a r d t o m e e t : e6 10.xf6+ gxf6 ( 10...xf6? 11.xb7 ) 11.xe2 c6 12.0-0 with the better structure. ] 9...c6?! Black plays inaccurately, [ 9...xd5 10.xd5 b4+! is almost level. ] 10.g5 e7 11.d1 Piling-on the pressure. a5+? [ 11...xd5! is the best chance, 12.xd5 b4+ ( 12...xg5? 13.xf7+ e7 14.xd8 ) 13.d2 xd2+ 14.xd2 e7 15.0-0 0-0 and Black succeeds in getting his king to safety. ] 12.d2 d8 13.c3 Now Black is in real trouble. d6 14.xf6+ gxf6 15.0-0 0-0 16.f4 Heading f or h5. f5 17.h5 a5 18.f6+ h8 19.xd6 When the queen captures on d6 it is lost to a discovered check from the knight. 1-0
which also offers Black fine play. ] 6.c2 [ Probably the best square for the knight, as 6.b3?! is met by a5 menacing the win of the knight by ...a4, but ] [ 6.e3 is a good alternative, d5 7.c2 ] 6...d5 7.g2 [ Better than 7.cxd5 which allows the black knight the c6-square: cxd5 8.g2 e6 9.d3 c6! 10.0-0 d8 with good play for Black, Andersen,B-From,S/Nykobing 1961. ] 7...dxc4! [ The simplest solution to the pressure on the black centre, 7...e6 8.0-0 e7 allows 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.d3 Hentunen,A-Rytshagov, M/Espoo 1993, although, even here c6!? s e e m s r e a s o n a b l e , a s 11.dxe4 dxe4 12.xe4 xe4 13.xe4 d8 14.e1 f6 is active. ] 8.0-0 e6 [ T h e a g g r e s s i v e 8...h5!? is worth a thought. ] 9.xe4 xe4 10.xe4 d7 11.e3 [ Planning to exchange the light-squared bishops, and weaken the black c4-pawn which exerts a cramping effect on the white position. 11.g2 was agreed drawn in Perez-Barreras,A/Fuerteventura 1992. ] 11...f6 [ A logical innovation, that improves on 11...d4 12.f5 xf5 13.xf5 e4 14.e3 Dorfman-Karasev/USSR (ch) 1976. ] 12.f5! 906 A23 [ White uses Dorfman's recipe, which is not too surprising as he was Dorfman's student Bacrot,Etienne 2613 for many years! 12.g2 offers little. ] Svidler,Peter 2689 FIDE WCh KO New Delhi IND (2.4) 02.12.2000 12...xf5 13.xf5 b5 14.c2 0-0-0 15.e3 Thus we see the point of White's play, [Tony Kosten] the c4-pawn is compromised. e8 Black uses e4 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.g3 c6 Keres' line is tactics to defend his c-pawn. 16.e1 17.b3! effective here because of the c3-knight. 4.f3 [ Best, White gives-up trying to win the c[ The problem with having the knight on c3 is pawn, if 17.f3 then d4 and White has only shown by the line 4.d4 exd4 5.xd4 d5 succeeded in weakening his dark squares. ] 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.g2 c6 8.a4 when the move d4! is awkward, i.e. 9.xc6+ 17...h5!? [ Playing for the attack, but it is dubious, bxc6 10.e4 b4+! ( 10...xe4? 17...cxb3 18.axb3 is positionally good for 11.xc6+ ) 11.xb4 xe4 12.f3 c5 White, who has a strong centre, but had to with advantage. ] be played. ] 4...e4 5.d4 b6 [ This is rarer than 5...d5 6.cxd5 b6 18.b2 899
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 18.bxc4?! c5 ( 18...xe3? 19.dxe3 g4 leads nowhere after 20.h4 ) 19.b2 xe3 20.dxe3 g4 21.h4 he8 gives Black a useful initiative. ] 18...g4 19.xg4 xg4 20.bxc4 d6 Although White's kingside light squares are weak, the black attack appears insufficient for the moment. 21.e4 e8 22.d4 e6 23.e5 b4 24.f3? [ The beginning of White's troubles, 24.e3 h6 25.f4 consolidates. ] 24...f4! A surprising blow, regaining a pawn as both e1, and f3 are attacked. 25.f1 [ 25.gxf4? g6+ wins the white queen, or allows mate. ] 25...xf3 26.e4?? [ The second mistake, 26.xf3 xf3 27.b3 exchanges the queens with a positional advantage in the endgame, because of the powerful, and mobile, white centre. ] 26...h6! Of course! 27.h4? [ W h i t e c o m p l e t e l y c r a c k s , 27.c2 i s t h e o n l y c h a n c e , xg3+ 28.h1 leaves him some chances. ] 27...xf1+ 28.xf1 e2 The white queen can 't move with out allowing ma te on h2 . 29.f2 e1+ 0-1
907 Kapostas,Z Kallai,Gabor Hungarian Team Championship 20 [Paul Motwani]
A23
[ Better is 8.xf6+ , but even then Black still obtains excellent play via gxf6 9.d1 c7 , threatening to cash a big 'cheque' with the check & fork ... Nc2+. ] 8...d7 9.xf6+ xf6 10.d1 c8 Clearly, Black has an even stronger version of what he was getting in the notes at move 8. 11.b1 [ If 11.f1 t h e n 1 1 . . . a6 creates the deadly duo of threats ...Ba4 and ...Nc2. ] 11...a6! 12.b3 [ I n t h e c a s e o f 12.a3 a4 13.b3 Black wins on the spot by capturing the b3pawn with his knight or bishop. ] 12...b4! [ Black's actual move in the game is more devastating than 12...xa2 since it carries the crushing threat of ...Bf5, which W hite will not be able to meet with d2-d3 because his d-pawn is now pinned. ] 13.b2 f5 14.xd4 [ After 14.e4 c2+ White is horrified to find that his king cannot move, and so he's then f orce d to give up h is qu ee n f o r th e c2 knight. ] 14...xb1 15.xb1 xa2! Black brings this neat game to a classy finish. 16.b2 [ 16.xa2 c1# was another way for White to exit. ] 16...exd4 White doesn't wish to see any more, and so he throws in the towel here. 0-1
2001
B36: "Crushed by Keres' System!" 1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 Known as the Keres System, this is a very logical counter to W hite's last move, because Black's c6-pawn blunts the effect of the opponent's bishop which is about to be fianchettoed on the long h1-a8 diagonal. 3.g2 f6 4.c3 [ 4.d4 is a more popular option, by which White acts in the centre just before Black's d-pawn can do so. ] 4...d5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.b3 c6! The gambit that goes with this move is known to be strong for Black, as he will get a powerful lead in development in return for sacrificing his d5pawn. 7.xd5 d4 8.a4+?
908 Kosten,Anthony C Fedorchuk,Sergey A Open Marseille FRA (8) [John Watson]
A23 2504 2576 06.07.2006
Our W ebmaster provides yet another demonstration of the power of 1 c4 versus top opposition. 'I think it is an interesting game as I couldn't quite believe that he played this line when I was doing my prep, and was hoping that he would play it against me, which he did! It might not be so bad for Black, but I personally f eel very comfortable in these positions where White gets to dictate the play. ' He provides a few notes and I add some others, particularly about the opening. 1.c4 e5 900
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 2.c3 f6 3.g3 c5 4.g2 c6 5.e3 d6 [ jw: It seems to me that there are two moves tha t are m ore consiste nt with .. .c6 : (a ) 5...0-0 6.ge2 ( 6.d4 exd4 7.exd4 b4 8.ge2 d5 ) 6...d5 7.d4 exd4 8.exd4 b6 ( 8...b4 9.cxd5 xd5 10.0-0 e6= ) 9.cxd5 xd5 10.xd5 cxd5 11.c3 c6 12.e3 e6= ] [ (b) 5...d5 6.cxd5 A) HiArcs suggests 6...0-0!? 7.d4 exd4 8.exd4 b6 but then 9.g5! h6 10.xf6 xf6 11.ge2 f5 ( 11...g4!? ) 12.0-0 is better for White; B) 6...cxd5 B1) 7.b3 c6 ( 7...d4 8.xb7?! xb7 9.xb7 bd7 10.e4 0-0! W hite stands poorly.) 8.xd5 0-0 9.xf6+ xf6 and Black has plenty of compensation.; B2) 7.d4 exd4 8.exd4 e7 ( 8...b6 9.ge2 c6 10.g5 e6 11.0-0 0-0 , about equal.) 9.ge2 c6 10.0-0 g4!? 11.h3 xe2 12.xe2 b6= ] 6.ge2 a5 7.d4 a7 8.b3 [ jw: 8.dxe5 dxe5 9.xd8+ xd8 10.a4 a6 11.d2 b4 12.0-0 e7 with a balanced game. ] 8...a6 9.b2 Tony K: I don't really believe this system for Black, White has all the pawn breaks: d5, dxe5, c5 plus f4, and also h3 followed by g4. [ jw: Again 9.dxe5 doesn't achieve much: dxe5 10.xd8+ xd8 11.b2 e7 12.0-0 f5 , about equal ] 9...0-0 10.h3 e8 11.d2 f5 12.0-0 h6 13.ad1 h7?! 'Careless, [ 13...e4!? 14.d5 ] [ 'I had expected 13...c7 ' ] 14.d5! cxd5 15.xd5 Tony K: Control of this square will win the game! e4 16.c1 b4 17.a3 c6 [ 17...xd5 18.xd5 c5 19.c3 f6 ( 19...xc3?! 20.xc3 ) 20.d2 e7 ] 18.b4 c8 19.ec3 xc3 20.xc3 [ 20.xc3!? ] 20...b8?! [ 20...b5! and at least Black is hanging in there. ] 21.bxa5 c5 22.b4! xa5 23.c3 c5 24.xb7 d7 25.b5 e6 26.c3 a4 27.c7 xc7 28.xc7 e7 29.c6 a7
[ 29...xc4? 30.d5 ] 30.d5 e6 31.b4 c2 32.d2 a4 33.b5 xb4 34.axb4 xb5 35.cxb5 b7 36.a1 b6 37.a6 xd5 38.xd5 f8 39.c6 e7 40.b6 d7 41.b5 Tony K: Just in time! f6 42.e4 Tony K: Black is completely dominated, I started wandering around the tournament hall expecting him to resign! h5 43.d2 h6 44.h4 e6 45.g2 g6 46.f3 f5 47.e3 f6 48.f3 b8 49.a2 e6 50.a7 f4+ 51.gxf4 xf4 52.g7! a8 53.cc7 a3+ 54.d2 a2+ 55.c1 1-0
909 Kveinys,Aloyzas Stocek,Jiri 9th HIT Open (7) [Tony Kosten]
A23 2511 2552 03.02.2004
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.g3 c6 4.d4 exd4 5.xd4 d5 6.f3 White refrains from the immediate exchange, [ 6.cxd5 b e c a u s e o f cxd5 7.f3 c6 8.a4 d4! as we saw in Ljubojevic,LGelfand,B/Monaco MNC 2001. ] [ 6.g2 is a similar idea, see ChabanonKasparov. ] 6...a6!? We have seen ideas like this before in the Keres, Black plans ...Nb4 to menace winning the white queen. This is borrowed from the c3-Sicilian. [ 6...e7 is solid, 7.cxd5 ( 7.g2 c5 8.d3 d4 is level ) 7...cxd5 8.g2 c6 with a transposition to the mainline here. ] [ 6...e6 is more ambitious, 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.g2 c6 9.a4 c5 bringing the bishop to a more active diagonal. ] 7.g5! The most precise, [ 7.g2 c5 ( 7...b4! 8.0-0 c2 9.e5+ e7 ) 8.e5+ e7 9.xe7+ xe7 10.cxd5 b4 May,F-Lambert,A/GER 1998, and as I pointed-out in the notes to my game against Collins, 11.dxc6! c2+ 12.f1 xa1 13.d4 is probably good for White. ] 7...c5!? An innovation, [ 7...e6 8.cxd5 b4 Couso,L-V anderwae ren,S/Sa longerna s 1996, and now 9.xf6 gxf6 10.0-0-0 xd5 901
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 looks a tad better for White. ] [ 7...e7 is best, in my opinion. ] 8.e5+ e6 9.0-0-0 [ 9.cxd5!? cxd5 10.e3 is worth a try, b4 11.b5+ ] 9...d6 [ 9...xf2? is to o gree dy, 10.cxd5 cxd5 11.e4 with nasty threats. ] 10.d4 c5 11.xf6 This brings the slightest of advantages in the ensuing endgame, [ 11.h4 d4 12.d5!? might offer more. ] 11...cxd4 12.xd8 dxc3 13.a5 cxb2+ [ 13...c2 14.xc2 c8 is no improvement, 15.e3 b5 16.c3 bxc4 17.e4! taking advantage of the d-file pin. ] 14.xb2 d4!? [ 14...c7 15.cxd5 xa5 16.dxe6 fxe6 17.d4 gives White a very slight plus, but the opposite-colour bishops give significant drawing chances. ] 15.xd4 xc4 16.e4 xf1 17.hxf1 0-0 18.f4 White gains some space, and his pieces are slightly more active. fc8 19.e5 f8 20.f5 c5 21.c3 ac8 Black defends well, and his pawn structure is solid, so the draw seems close. 22.f3 b5+ 23.a1 b4?! Threatening mate, but [ 23...bc5 i s s t r o n g e s t , wh e n 24.b2 ( 24.d4?! d5 is a self pin 25.fd3 b4 and W hite has got his pieces in a tangle) 24...b5+ is a repetition. ] 24.xb4 xb4?? Losing a piece, [ 24...xb4 25.fd3 g6 26.a3 is better for White, but there is plenty of play left in this position. ] 25.b3! Pin and win! b6?! 26.xb4 [ 26.xb4 xb4 27.e7+ wins a piece. ] 1-0
910 Ljubojevic,Ljubomir Gelfand,Boris Amber Blindfold (1) [Tony Kosten]
A23 2566 2712 17.03.2001
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 c6 4.d4 exd4 5.xd4 d5 6.cxd5 [ 6.g2 may be the most accurate, e6 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.f3 c6 9.a4 stops the ... d4 thrust c5 with transposition into a main
line. ( 9...d4? 10.xd4 xd4?? 11.xc6+ )] 6...cxd5 7.f3!? c6 8.a4 d4! This space-gaining advance is the reason why the Keres can be so effective when the white knight is on c3 too soon. 9.b5 b4+ [ Good but so is 9...c5 10.g2 0-0 11.0-0 a6!? 12.c2?! e7 13.a3 b4 14.d1 d8 Black is on top, Uhlmann,W-Gligoric,S/ Moscow 1956. ] [ and 9...e4! (planning ...Nc5) is probably even stronger, although I cannot find any examples of it being played, for instance 10.g2 c5 11.a3 ( 11.d1 a5+ ) 11...f5 12.b4 d3+ winning. ] 10.d2 xd2+ 11.xd2 0-0 The e2-pawn is seriously exposed on the e-file. 12.g2 e8 13.f3!? [ A new attempt to make this line work, 13.xc6 bxc6 14.xd4 c5 15.4f3 , Kubicek,A-Kozma,J/Luhacovice 1968, is difficult to believe as the white light squares are too weak without the bishop. ] 13...d3 14.e3 g4 15.0-0 d7 16.c3 ad8 Black certainly seems to be well in charge here, he has a powerful passed dp a wn , a n d p e rf e ct d e ve lo p m e n t . 17.ad1 e5 [ Tempting, but 17...f5! is very strong. ] 18.xd7 fxd7 19.xe5 The only move. xe5 [ White is saved by the variation 19...xd1 20.xd3 when he will win the b7-pawn, and gain two pawns for the exchange. ] 20.f3 e6 21.b3 c8!? [ 21...a6 first, is better. ] 22.b5 c2?! [ 22...ed8 ] 23.f2 ec8 24.d4 Although Black has played aggressive moves, it seems that White has managed to defend, and his strong d4knight gains equality. xf2?! [ 24...c1 ] 25.xf2 Now White is much better, he can simp ly pla y Bf 1 xd 3 . d7 26.f1 f8 27.xd3 c1 28.e2 xd1 29.xd1 d3+ 30.f1 e7 31.a3 a5 32.e2 e5 33.e4 Now the win is just a matter of technique, even in a blindfold game. d6 34.e3 c5 35.e2 f6 36.f4 c6 37.xc6 xc6 38.c4 d6 39.d4 b6 40.h4 h6 41.f7 d7 42.b4 axb4 43.axb4 g4 44.e5+ 902
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 fxe5+ 45.fxe5+ e7 46.g8 d1 47.c4 g4 48.a6 d1 49.c8 f3 50.e3 d1 51.f4 c2 52.g4 d1 53.g5 c2 54.g4 b3 55.e2 e6 56.gxh6 gxh6 57.g4+ e7 58.h3 d5 59.f1 b3 60.e4 e6 61.d4 d1 62.h3+ e7 63.f5 f7 64.d5 e7 65.c6 1-0
911 Marin,Mihail Bacrot,Etienne Spanish Team Ch Gp2 (3) [Carsten Hansen]
A23 2533 2709 29.06.2007
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.g3 c6 4.f3 e4 5.d4 d5 6.cxd5 b6 7.b3 a5 8.d3 a4 9.e3 [ Based on the evidence from the analysis below, W hite's best choice is likely 9.d2 , and now: A) 9...exd3 10.c4 ( 10.g2 cxd5 11.xd5 xd5 12.xd5 e6 13.g2 dxe2 14.xe2 e7 15.0-0 0-0 , so far V.Duart-Z.Smuk, corr 1998, and now: 16.e4 c6 17.e3 a5 18.fc1 , and White has the initiative) 10...c5 11.exd3 cxd5 12.d4 e7+ 13.e3 e6 14.b5+ ( 14.g2 d7 15.0-0 e7 16.f4 ) 14...c6 15.0-0 a3 16.f4 b4 17.b1 A. Nikitin-A.Gorchakov, Moscow 1970; B) 9...a3 10.c4 b4 11.d2 cxd5 ( 11...exd3 12.exd3 axb2 13.b1 e7+ 14.e2 xe2+ 15.xe2 ) 12.bxa3 c5 13.a4 c7 14.cb6 a6 15.f4+D.Komljenovic-F.Salamero Pelay, Zaragoza 1994; C) 9...cxd5 C1) 10.g2 a3 11.bxa3 c5 12.0-0 e3 13.b3 exf2+ 14.h1 xa3? ( 14...0-0 15.xc5 xc5 16.b2 e8 17.e4 ) 15.xa3 xa3 16.c1+W . Ch o wa n ie c-M. S zcze d ryg in , co r r 1993; C2) 10.dxe4 C2a) 10...c5 11.e3 a3 ( 11...dxe4 12.xa4 c6 13.xc5 xc5 14.g2 ) 12.bxa3 xe3 13.b5+ c6 ( 13...d7 14.0-0 xd2 15.xd2
dxe4 16.e3 ) 14.fxe3 xe3+ 15.e2+was seen in R.Nowak-J. Widera, Wisla 1998; C2b) 10...xe4 11.dxe4 dxe4 12.c2 f5 ( 12...f5 13.d5 a5+ 14.d2 xd5 15.xc8+ ) 13.g2 xf2+ ( 13...c5 14.0-0 0-0 15.xa4+- ) 14.xf2 e3+ 15.xe3 xc2 16.ac1 f5 C2b1) 17.b5 a5 18.c7+ e7 19.b6! e5 20.d4 a5 21.d5+ e6 ( 21...d7 22.c7++- ) 22.e4 g6 23.b6+-; C2b2) 17.b5! 1-0 H.Heemsoth-J. Lorenzen, corr 1966; C2c) 10...dxe4 C2c1) 11.e3 b4 12.c2 ( or 12.g2 0-0 13.0-0 xc3 14.bxc3 g4 15.c2 e2 , N.Hocevar-F. Bentivegna, Cutro 2005, and now: 16.b1 a6 17.xe4 xe4 18.xe4 c6 19.a3 d3 20.g4 fd8 ) 12...0-0 13.g2 f5 14.0-0 xc3 15.bxc3 e6 16.b1 b6 17.a3 c8 18.b4 d5 19.c4 , G.McIntrye-S.Kerr, CCLA 2001, d7 20.xe4 xc4 21.xf5 xc3 22.xe6 xc2 23.xd5 a5=; C2c2) 11.dxe4 xe4 12.xe4 b4+ 13.d2 0-0 14.g2 d8 15.c1 xd2+ 16.xd2 e6 17.0-0 c6 18.f3 ac8 19.f4 xb2 20.xa4 xe2= , and a draw was agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, W.Hort-P. Leisebein, e-mail 2002; C2c3) 11.g2!? a3 ( 11...e3 12.fxe3 d7 13.0-0 xe3+ 14.h1 T.Krovel Velle-N. S p i r i d o n o v , I E C G E m a i l 2 0 0 0) 12.b3 xb3 13.axb3 axb2 14.xb2 xa1+ 15.xa1 e3 16.fxe3 c6 with a complicated game, M.Sorokin-A.Raetsky, Pardubice 1992 ] 9...b4 10.d4 [ This line is both rare and not particularly good, a somewhat odd choice for player with Marin's expertise in the English Opening. Another inadequate line is 10.dxe4 axb3 11.a3 A) 11...a5 12.g2 c5 13.xc5 xc5 903
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 13.b1 b4 14.d4 leads to 14.0-0 0-0 15.e3 b6; fascinating play one possible line is c5 B) 11...e7 12.xb3 g4! 13.h3 h5 ( 14...xd5!? ) 15.xf6 gxf6 16.d1 ( 13...b4 14.axb4 xa1+ 15.d2 xh1 xa2 17.xb2 xb2 18.xb2 b5 16.f4 ) 14.f4 ( 14.0-0 h4 15.d6 19.d1 a3 20.c2 exd3+ 21.xd3 e6 ) 14...d7 15.dxc6 bxc6 16.0-0 g5 c4 22.f4 d6 23.g2 e7 24.a1 17.d2 de5; , and the complications continue; C) 11...c4 12.d4 cxd5?! ( Black can B2) 11.cxe4 xd5 12.bxa3 xa3 do better by getting the queen away from 13.b1 ( 13.g2 f5 14.b1 a5 t h e c - f i le wit h 12...a6 13.e3 a5 15.0-0 xe3 16.fxe3 fxe4 17.c4 14.xf6 gxf6 15.g2 g7 16.xb3 a7 18.xa3 xe3+ 19.h1 xa3 a6 , now White has a number of 20.b3 d6 21.xe4 ) 13...a5 in te re st in g a lt erna tive s o ve r th e ne xt ( 13...xe3 14.fxe3 a4 (ChessMail) several moves:) 13.e3 ( 13.c1! c7 15.xa4 xa4 16.c3 a3 17.b3 14.xd5 xd5 15.xc7 xc7 16.e5 ) , and Black has insufficient 13...c7 14.exd5 ( 14.c1 a5 15.xf6 compensation for the pawn) 14.d4 gxf6 16.exd5 ) 14...a6 ( 14...g4 15.f3 xa2 d7 16.e4 a5 17.c1 ) 15.xb3 B2a) 15.c1 is given as interesting in ( 15.xf6 gxf6 16.g2 ) 15...c5 ChessMail, but Black appears to be ( 15...e7 16.c4 xc4 17.xc4 f5 better in this line too, e.g. b4 16.c2 18.d1 ) 16.d1 ( 16.xf6 gxf6 17.b5+ f5 17.c5 a3 18.xg7 ( 18.g2 d7 18.d1 ) 16...g4 17.xa6 c3 19.xc3 xc3 20.0-0 xc5 ( 17.b5+ d7 18.xg7 g8 19.h6 21.b1 b3 22.c1 xb1 23.xb1 xd1 20.xd1 0-0-0 21.c2 d6 ) a3 24.a2 b4 25.c2 e5 ) 17...bxa6 18.a4+ d7 ( 18...f8!? 18...c3 19.c1 g8-+; 19.xc5+ xc5 20.d2 h3 ) 19.xc5 B2b) 15.a1 b4! 16.c1 g4 17.f3 xd1 20.e4+ e5 21.xd1 xe4 e6 18.c5 xc5 19.xc5 b6 22.xe4 xc5 23.xc5+- S.Hutchings-d. 20.h3 0-0 21.xe6 fxe6 22.c4 Sherman, Brighton 1972 ] a5 23.c3 with a complicated [ 10.d2 game; A) 10...cxd5 B2c) 15.e3?! b4 16.xg7 g8 A1) An untried, but excellent alternative 17.e5 g4 18.e2 xe2 19.xe2 is 11.a3!? which promises a relatively d7 20.a1 f5-+; simple road to an advantage, e.g. a5 B2d) 15.g2 f5 16.g5 b4 ( 11...xb2? 12.xa4+17.gf3 c3 18.xc3 xc3 19.c1 is much worse) 12.g2 exd3 13.exd3 e6 20.c2 b3 21.xa2 xa2 e7 14.0-0 ( 14.f3 g4 15.f4 c6 W.Etzold-Fritsch, corr 1988; 16.0-0 e6 ) 14...0-0 15.d4 c6 C) 10...exd3 11.c1 a3 12.bxa3?! 16.c2 d8 17.f3 g6 18.g5; ( 12.b3!? improves, e.g. e7 13.g2 0-0 A2) 11.c1 e6 12.dxe4 c6 13.exd5 14.0-0 g4 15.dxc6 xc6 16.h3 dxe2 ( White can claim an advantage with 17.xe2 d7 18.c4 ) 12...xa3 13.a3! a5 14.b4 axb3 15.xb3 d8 13.db1 ( A slight improvement is 16.g2 ) 13...xd5 14.g2 ( 14.g5 13.cb1 xa2 14.c3 a3 15.cb1 xc3 15.bxc3 a5 16.e4 h6 a1 ) 13...xa2 14.xd3 xd5 15.d2 17.e3 xa2 ) 14...xe3 15.fxe3 xc3 16.xc3 a3 17.e3+ e6 xb2 16.c2? ( 16.d5 is better, but 18.g2 c5 19.e5 d7 20.c7 0-0-+ still leaves Black better: d8 17.c4 , with an extra pa wn and much bette r b4 18.0-0 a5 ) 16...xc2 17.xc2 position for Black, P. Nikolic-D. Rajkovic, b4 18.c1 a3 , and Black is winning, Borovo 1981 ] Machler-Schilde, corr 1988; 10...xd5 B) 10...a3! is Black's best: [ 10...a3 looks attractive, but promises White B1) Or 11.c2 xb2 12.xb2 axb2 904
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 the better chances immediately after 11.c2! xb2? ( 11...a5 12.b4 xb4 13.xb4 xb4 14.c1 ) 12.d4 b4 ( 12...c5 13.xf6 gxf6 14.xe4 e7 15.d6 f5 16.dxe7 fxe4 17.g2 e6 18.0-0 xa2 19.xe4 b3 20.d4 d7 21.b1 xc2 22.xc2 xe7 23.xb2 axb2 24.ab1 a2 25.b3 ) 13.xb4 xb4 14.xf6 gxf6 15.d2 exd3 16.b1 a5 17.xd3 0-0 18.g2 d7 19.0-0 e5 20.d4+B.Schneider-T.Van Houtte, Antwerp 1999 ] 11.d2 [ Black also obtains the better chances after 11.a3 xe3 12.fxe3 xb2 13.xe4 f5 14.h3 fxe4 15.xc8 c3+ 16.f2 xa3 17.e6 f8+ ( 17...exd3 18.exd3 b2+ 19.g1 f8 ) 18.g2 b5 ( 18...d7 19.a2 c5 20.c2 a5 ) 19.f1 a7 , and a draw was agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, in E. Pet it -M. Ge ene n, Clichy 19 98, a nd no w 20.xf8+ xf8 21.c1 a5 22.d5 c7 23.xc6 b6 24.xb8 xc1 25.xc1 xb8 26.c6+ d8 27.xe4 a3 28.d5+ e7 29.xh7 b4 30.g8 ] 11...xe3 12.fxe3 exd3 13.exd3 g6 14.g2 [ Or 14.c2 b6 ( 14...e7 15.e4 h5!? 16.d4 h4 17.g2 e6 18.f2 g5 19.d2 xd2+ 20.xd2 h6+ ) 15.g2 g7 16.0-0 0-0 17.ab1 d8 ] 14...h6 15.c2 e7 16.0-0 0-0 17.ae1 d7 18.d4 It's easy to second guess White's choices in this game, White obviously wanted to grab control over some squares, but the text move weakens the light squares and gives Black several targets to play against right away. b6 19.a3 [ This prevents Black's knight from jumping to c4, but also places the white knight on an awkward square. Alternatively 19.d5!? cxd5 20.d4 d8 21.xd5 xd5 22.xd5 looks slightly better than the game continuation, but Black's better pawn structure and bishop pair promises Black the upper hand, e.g. f5 23.d1 e6 24.e4 g7 25.b4 a5 26.d6 ae8 27.e7+ h8 28.exf5 ( 28.xe6 c5+ 29.f2 fxe4-+ ) 28...xf5 29.xf5 xf5 ] 19...e6 20.d3 ad8 21.f2 g7 22.d2 fe8 23.e2 h5
[ This is standard ploy to break up White's kingside structure further. A different plan is 23...f5!? 24.f2 f7 25.dd1 d5 26.xd5 xd5 27.xd5+ cxd5 ] 24.f2 b4 25.f3 h3 26.e4 f5 [ White is gradually pushed backwards into a hold position. The alternative is 26...e7 27.de2 d5 28.c2 b5 29.b1 c4 30.b3 f5 31.c3 xc2 32.xc2 axb3 33.axb3 xe3 34.xb5 xc2 35.xc2 cxb5 36.d5 h4 the opposite coloured b i s h o p s a n d W h i t e ' s we a k e n e d k i n g ' s position promise Black a long-term initiative. ] 27.c3 c5!? [ Black opens the position up for his better coordinated pieces and his bishop pair, W h i t e i s i n s e r i o u s t r o u b l e . 27...e6!? was also possible, but the text move seems more effective. ] 28.dxc5 xc5 29.e4?? [ This loses on the spot, but White's situation isn't exactly easy. The alternatives are as f o l l o w s : A ) 29.xb7 xc3 ( 29...xd2 30.xd2 h4 31.gxh4 e7 32.f3 h6 33.c2 xc2 34.xc2 xh4 ) 30.xd8 xd8 31.bxc3 xa3 32.e4 h3-+ ] [ B) 29.ab5 xd2 30.xd2 c4 31.d5 e5 32.xc5 xc5-+ ] [ C) 29.xd8 xd8 30.ab1 a3 ( 30...e8!? 31.a3 xe3 32.xe3 d4 33.d1 c4-+ ) 31.xa3 xc3 32.bxc3 xa3 33.e4 h3 34.xb6 d3 35.e2 xc3 36.f2 d2 37.e3 f6+ 38.f3 b6+ 39.e3 a5-+ ] [ D) 29.cb5 d7 30.d4 h3 31.d3 g5 32.ab5 h4 33.g2 hxg3 34.xg3 xg3 35.hxg3 g4 36.b3 axb3 37.axb3 c8 ] 29...xf2+ 30.xf2 d4 (White could have continued a bit longer, but most likely thought it a waste of time given Black's very effective play so far, and Black is winning anyway) 0-1
905
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A23 powerful black knight on e5. xd3 25.xd3 Markowski,Tomasz 2550 e6 26.d2 c5? [ A careless move, 26...c8 first was best, Hickl,Joerg 2600 and the black knight can come to c5 next Bundesliga 2001-2 (3) 24.11.2001 go. ] [Tony Kosten] 27.d5! This is the problem for Black: White 1.g3!? Markowski is a specialist with this hits f7 and forces the exchange of queens, move, but to play it against the '1 g3 king' is and the ironing-out of his structure. xd5 [ 27...e6 28.xc6 xc6 29.fd1 v e r y d a r i n g ! e5 2.c4 Play returns to the wins the d-pawn. ] English. c6 And then to a Keres System. 28.exd5 Black's pieces are shut-out of the 3.g2 f6 4.c3 e7!? [ We have already considered the critical game on the queenside, and d6 is a problem. c8 29.df2 This is strong, although 4...d5 ] [ 29.g5 , h4 and Bh3 is another logical plan, 5.e4!? White puts a clamp on d5 to prevent bringing the maximum pressure to bear on Black's freeing move. 0-0 6.ge2 a6 the black position. ] Hickl likes wing play. 7.0-0 This exact position seems to be new, although it soon returns to 29...f6 30.d4 Another good move, although I would possibly have been tempted by the the fold. [ 7.d4 d6 8.0-0 b5 is fairly level, Ujtelky,M- exchange sac [ 30.xf6!? xf6 31.xf6 a4 ( 31...d8 Csom,I/Amsterdam 1969, but in the main is n o b e t t e r , 32.xd6 axd6 33.xd6 game White decides to keep his d-pawn on xd6 34.xc5 a6 35.d6 xg2 36.xg2 d3 to protect c4. ] a8 37.b6 and the d-pawn costs Black 7...d6 8.d3 b5 9.h3 Often a useful move in dear. ) 32.bxa4 xa4 33.xd6 such positions, stopping Black from using the with a powerful position, note that if xc4 s q u a re o n g 4 , a n d p r e p a ri n g a ki n g si d e 34.f1 ] advance. [ 9.c2 bd7 10.f4 risks weakening 30...d7 31.e2 e5 Black tries his utmost W hite's dark squares, Hole,O-Jansson,J/ to stop an invasion along the e-file. 32.g5! fxg5 33.xd6?! NOR-ch 1993. ] [ If only White had continued his plan of 9...bd7 10.e3 b7 11.g4 undermining e5 by 33.c5! as Black has no White envisages Ng3-f5. e8 12.d2 g6 b e t t e r t h a n f8 when 34.xd6 xd6 Black controls the f5-square, and thinks about 35.cxd6 d7?! 36.e7 and the end is expanding on the kingside himself, by ... Ng7, nigh. ] and ...f5. 13.f4 exf4 Obviously forced, Black would be foolhardy to allow f5 when White's 33...xd6 34.xe5 e8 35.fe1 c5+ k i n g s i d e s p a c e a d v a n t a g e w o u l d b e 36.h1 a4 Black has managed to blockade s i g n i f i c a n t . 14.xf4 g7 15.h6 b4 t h e p a s s e d wh i t e p a wn s a n d g a in s o m e 16.d1 c5! Black opens the h1-a8 diagonal counterplay. 37.b2 xe2 38.xe2 axb3 for his light-squared bishop, and prepares the 39.axb3 a2 40.f3 f7?! [ 40...h5! ] e5-square for his knight, at the cost of the loss of control over d5. Sometimes it can be 41.g2?! [ 41.g4! to e6+ keeps White in the driving very difficult to judge which are more important, seat. ] the advantages of a move, or the disadvantages. 17.d4 a5 18.f2 cxd4 41...c8! 42.c1 [ 42.d6! kept some advantage: e6 43.d7 19.xd4 b6 20.ad1 fe8 Both sides e7 ( 43...xd7? 44.d5+ f8 45.g7+ have strengths and weaknesses, and with all xg7 46.xa2 wins an exchange.) 44.d5 the pieces still remaining on the board a xd5+ 45.cxd5 a7 46.f2+ g8 47.d6 c o m p l e x s t r u g g l e i s a c e r t a i n t y . 21.b5 d8 48.d4 xd7 49.c5 followed by White takes aim at d6. a6 22.e3 c6 advancing the white king. ] 23.b3 e5 24.d3! Of course White is 43.xe2 h6 44.f1? happy to swap his passive knight on f2 for the 42...xe2+ 912
906
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Adding weight to the defence of h3, but he overlooks Black's threat of ... Bf5-c2. [ 44.g4 f5! looks like a draw. ] 44...f5 45.f3 e7! Black must keep the dark-squared blockade, [ 45...c2? allows White to free his passed pawns by 46.e3 xe3 47.xe3 xb3 48.d4 and these two pawns will take some stopping. ] 46.e2 [ 46.e3 is met by d6 , naturally. ] 46...c2 47.g2 xb3 48.d3 a2! 49.f1 b1+ 50.e2 f5 51.f3 d4 White can no longer stop the b-pawn from continuing its route, except at the cost of a piece. 0-1
913 Miezis,Normunds Zapata,Alonso 11th Monarch Assurance (6) [Tony Kosten]
A23 2510 2549 03.10.2002
1.c4 f6 2.c3 With a different move-order, [ 2.g3 e5 3.g2 c6 4.d4 exd4 5.xd4 a6 is likewise possible (someone even had the effrontery to play it against me!), and n o r m a l l y t r a n s p o s e s , a l t h o u g h 6.f3 ( 6.h3!? c5 7.e5+ e7 8.xe7+ xe7 9.f4?! b4 10.d1!? g4 and White was forced to return: 11.h3 0-0 and Black was better, Bezold,M-Collinson, A/Birmingham ENG 2001.) 6...e7 7.0-0 0-0 8.c3 the advantage of the 2 g3 moveorder is that I have been able to complete my kingside development very fast, and only play this move afterwards, d6 ( 8...d5!? 9.cxd5 c5 ) 9.b3 a5 10.b2 h5 11.h4 aiming for a slight edge in the endgame, Kosten,A-Miltner,A/Menton 2001. ] 2...e5 3.g3 c6 4.d4 exd4 5.xd4 a6!? I had been meaning to examine this move for some time, Black plays much as W hite sometimes does with the c3 Sicilian, the knight can hop to b4 to threaten to fork the white queen and king, and then recapture on d5. [ 5...d5 is the standard move, of course. ] 6.g2 Others:
[ 6.e4?! xe4 7.xe4+ e7 8.g5 Breier,A-Feist,P/ Pinneberg 1996, and now f6 9.d2 b6 10.c3 d5! 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.xd5 b4 looks like lots of fun for Black. ] 6...e7 A novelty! Previously Black had preferred [ 6...c5 gaining a tempo on the queen, 7.d1 ( 7.e5+! e7 8.f3 0-0 9.0-0 e8 10.d4 is best, although fairly level, Shestakov, S-Dokuchaev,A/Tula 1998.) 7...d5 ( 7...b6!? 8.e3 b4 is interesting) 8.cxd5 b4!? 9.f3 ( 9.dxc6 xd1+ 10.xd1 xc6 offers fair compensation for the pawn ) 9...bxd5 10.xd5 xd5 11.0-0 0-0 Black has avoided the IQP, and ha s equ a lise d , 12.a4 ( 12.b3?! h5 13.b2 g4 14.d2 e8 15.ac1 b6 is d an ge rou s f o r W hite , O'Cin ne id e, MSutovsky,E/Halkidiki GRE 2002) 12...e4 13.xe4 xe4 14.d2 xd2 15.xd2 e8 16.e3 f5 17.c3 is completely equal, Kelly,B-Motwani,P/Lichfield ENG 2000. ] [ 6...d5 7.cxd5 b4 is also a good idea, 8.d1 bxd5 9.xd5 xd5 10.f3 b4+ 11.d2 0-0 12.0-0 equal, Tsivelekidis,GKogan,A/Athens 1999. ] 7.h3!? White wants to bring this piece to f4 to further control d5, but it is ambitious. [ 7.f3 0-0 8.0-0 is sounder, and transposes to my game in the note to move 2. ] 7...d5 8.cxd5 b4 Again, this move is the theme of this line. 9.0-0! xh3 [ 9...c2?! fails to 10.a4 xa1 ( 10...xh3 11.xc2 ) 11.dxc6 bxc6 12.xc6+ d7 ( 12...f8 13.xa8 xh3 14.g2 xg2 15.xg2 e8 16.d1 traps the knight, and once White recuperates it he will have a pawn or two more. ) 13.d1 b8!? 14.e4 b7! 15.g5 with a virulent initiative - remember, White may have a rook less but he can recapture the a1-knight at any time when he will have two pawns for the exchange. ] 10.xh3 0-0 [ 10...c2!? is again very risky: 11.a4 xa1 12.dxc6 bxc6 13.xc6+ f8 14.g5 and now if c2 15.a4 d4 ( there is no escape for the knight, 15...b4 16.xf6 gxf6 17.a3 ) 16.d1 White recuperates the 907
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 k n ig h t a n y wa y! xe2+ 17.xe2 b6 18.g2 and although White only has a pawn for the exchange, the awkward position of the black king is a def inite f actor in his favour. ] 11.d6!? xd6 12.f5 e7 13.f4 g6 14.b1!? The bishop is taking a torturous route to the queenside. bd5 15.f3 xc3 16.xc3 d5 17.f3 f6 18.h4!? This is typical of Miezis' aggressive 'hit or miss' chess. [ 18.a3 e7 19.a2 seems more logical. ] 18...e7 19.g2 fe8 20.e3 ad8 Black simply centralises his pieces. 21.a3 b6! 22.h5 If [ 22.a2 then d7 prepares ...Ne5-d3. ] 22...c4 23.a2 White is getting into a tangle on the queenside. e6 24.hxg6? A careless move, White obviously hadn't reckoned with the possibility of being attacked along the hfile he has just kindly opened for Black! hxg6 25.b4 g7! 26.h1 h8 27.xh8 W hite has to give way on the h-file as his queen's rook is unable to return to the first rank to help out. xh8 28.g1 e5 29.e4 h3 30.b2 h5! This move, threatening both ...Qd1+ and ...Nf3+, wins. 31.g4 Forced. xg4 32.f3 h2+ 33.f1 h1+ The bishop never did leave b1!! 0-1
7.dxe4 with an interesting position. ] 6...c5 7.c2 d5 8.g2 b7 9.d3 W hite must try to disarm the black centre before Black finishes his development. e7 10.0-0 [ 10.dxe4 is met by d4 ] 10...a6 Benko-style play to free the queenside columns and to rid Black of the annoying b5pawn. 11.bxa6 xa6 12.dxe4 d4 13.d5 [ The tactical line 13.e5 xg2 14.xg2 fd7 15.d5 xe5 also allows Black good compensation. ] 13...xd5 14.exd5 xd5 15.xd5 xd5 White has managed to exchange a couple of pieces, but still has problems because of Black's extra space, and 'swinging' rook. 16.b4 Continuing his counterattack against the black central pawns. 0-0 17.bxc5 xc5 18.e3 d3 19.d4 xd4 20.xd3 This fork is the point of White's clever play, reducing the black centre to nothing. c6 21.exd4 [ 21.xa6?? allows xa1 ] 21...fa8 Defending the a6-rook, and m e n a c i n g . . . N e 5 . 22.d1 Necessary, to defend the queen. h5 23.h4 b4 [ 23...xa2 24.xa2 xa2 might be OK for Black, who has the superior minor piece, but no more. ] 24.e2 f5 Black attempts to keep some initiative, as he is the stronger player and probably hopes to win, but he is playing with 914 A23 fire. 25.e3 [ If 25.a3 then e6! ( and not 25...c2? Sliva,Frantisek 2327 when 26.a2 xa3 27.xa3 xa3 Efimov,Igor 2445 28.xa3 xa3 29.d5 is winning, as the 15th ECC Gp 3 (3) 03.10.1999 p a w n i s t o o s t r o n g .) 26.d2 f3 [Tony Kosten] with threats. ] Black is still nurturing his initiative. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.g3 c6 As White 25...a3 h a s n ' t f o rc e d B l a c k t o p l a y . . . N c 6 , t h u s 26.ac1?! [ Hoping to free his position by returning one obstructing the c-pawn, this is a strong move, of the pawns. No doubt a computer would intending to set-up a strong centre with ...d5. be very happy with something like 26.d2 4.f3 e4 5.d4 b5!? e8 27.b2 d5 28.b5 e6 29.c5 [ An incredible innovation, offering a pawn in but then axe3 30.fxe3 f3 grants Black a return for a strong centre which will sweep strong attack. ] the white knights away. The main move here 26...xa2 27.d2 2a3 28.d5?! Returning is 5...d5 but Tal's move, ] th e second pawn, but a draw is still far off as [ 5...b6 is also popular. ] White's light squares are weak. xd5 29.c5 6.cxb5 30.xa1 xa1+ 31.d1 xd1+ [ Acceptance of the gambit is often strongest, a1 but 6.d3 was also possible, e.g. bxc4 A strange decision, swapping the rooks, if 908
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Black wants to win. 32.xd1 c3 33.d8+ h7 34.e3 e2+ 35.g2 e4+ 36.f1? [ L o s i n g a p a w n . A f t e r 36.h2 b1 White was no doubt worried about the threat of mate in two, but 37.d5 defends h1, and draws comfortably. ] 36...xg3+ 37.fxg3 xe3 38.b8 f6 W ell, I suppose this should be drawn relatively easily, but White has a lot of work before him yet. 39.c7 h6 40.b8 e5 41.b3 g6 42.g2 e4+ 43.h2 f5 44.f7 e2+ 45.h3 g4+ 46.h2 e2+ 47.h3 g4+ 48.h2 e5 49.c7+ e6 50.c6+ f7 51.c7+ g6 Black can afford to take his time, to see how White will defend. 52.b8 e2+ 53.h3 f5 54.f4+ e6 55.b8 f7 56.c7+ e7 57.b8 g5 Exchanging a pair of pawns, but Black has realised that he won't be able to make progress otherwise, as his g7-pawn will need d e f e n d in g . 58.hxg5 fxg5 59.b2 e6+ 60.h2 g6 61.b1+ f5 62.b6+ f6 63.b1+ h6 64.a2?! [ Black should take the opportunity to centralise his queen at some point. Here, 64.e4 is good, for instance, as after f2+ 65.h1 Black cannot capture the g-pawn without allowing a perpetual. ] 64...d6 65.g2 g4 66.b2 g6 67.c2+ f6 68.f2+ e6 69.c2 d5+ 70.h2 f3!? Giving the h-pawn with check, but this does allow his king to cross to White's side of the board. 71.g6+ e5 72.xh5+ d4 73.h8+ d3 74.b8 Black's winning chances reside in the fact that the king and pawn endings are almost all winning for him. e2+ 75.g1 d1+ 76.h2 d2+ 77.h1 e2 78.b5+ d3 79.b2+ e1 80.c1+ d1 81.e3+?? [ One check too many! As is often the case, it only brings the king to a better square. Simply 81.f4 should be played, cutting the black king from the f-file. After f3+ 82.g1 holds comfortably. ] 81...f1 82.d2 [ An obvious stalemate attempt, if 82.g1+ in s t e a d , t h e n e2 swaps queens, with a simple win: 83.xd1+ xd1 84.h2 e2 85.g2 e3 86.h1 f3 87.h2 f2 88.h1 xg3 and the king on the sixth rank, in front of his pawn, always wins, regardless
of opposition. ] 82...f3+ 83.h2 f2+ 0-1
915 Biocanin,Goran Rankov,Petar Belgrade Cup (1) [John Watson]
A24 2273 2127 05.04.2005
1.c4 f6 2.c3 g6 3.g3 g7 4.g2 e5 5.e4 0-0 6.ge2 d6 7.0-0 e6 The position from Motwani-Apicella. 8.d3 [ 8.b3 (with the idea d4) was briefly analysed in that game. ] 8...d7 9.d5 Again foregoing the f4-f5 idea in order to harass Black first. This should be harmless. xd5?! Not terrible, but it would be much easier to play [ 9...c6 10.xf6+ xf6 11.f4 g7 ] 10.cxd5 h3 11.e3 [ I prefer an idea that I used repeatedly when I w a s a c 4 / e 4 p l a y e r : 11.f4 g4 ( Probably better is 11...xg2 12.xg2 exf4! 13.xf4 a6 14.d4 ) 12.f5! gxf5 13.h3! xe2 14.xe2 fxe4 15.dxe4 f5 (else Rf5 and/or h4 and Bh3) 16.exf5 xf5 17.e3 with more than enough compensation: a6 18.xf5 xf5 19.f1 ( 19.b5! ) 19...d7 20.h5 f8 21.e4 xf1+ 22.xf1 f7+ 23.xf7+ xf7 24.xh7 with the two bishops and two dangerous passed pawns. ] 11...xg2 12.xg2 c6 13.dxc6 xc6 14.d4 exd4 15.xd4 fe8 16.f3 d5 [ 16...f5!? also looks good. Black is too active for White and stands better. ] 17.xc6 bxc6 18.d4 dxe4 19.xg7 exf3+?! [ Black would have had the better game after 19...xd1 20.axd1 e3 ( 20...xg7 21.fxe4 xe4 22.d7 ) 21.fe1 xg7 intending 22.d3 ad8 ] 20.xf3 xd1 21.xd1 xg7 [ The draw may be slightly premature as Black can play on by 21...xg7 22.d7 e2+! ( 22...f8?! 23.c7 ) 23.f1 ( 23.h3 f8 -the White king is a little exposed, e.g., 24.b3 h5 25.xa7 d8! 26.bb7 dd2! 27.xf7+ h6 28.h7+ 909
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 g5 29.a5+ f6 and wins ) 23...xb2 24.fxf7+ h6 25.xh7+ g5 26.xa7 xa7 27.xa7 xh2 , etc. ] ½-½
916 Bruzon Batista,Lazaro De la Paz Perdomo,Frank Guillermo Premier I (7) [Tony Kosten]
A24 2568 2462 01.06.2000
1.c4 f6 2.c3 g6 3.g3 g7 4.g2 0-0 5.d3 d6 6.e3 e5 7.ge2 c6 In this typical position, Black normally prefers to play his knight to c6, but controlling d5 thus, is a good idea. 8.0-0 d5!? [ Very ambitious, but rarely played, normally Black prefers careful preparation, by say, 8...e8 or ] [ 8...e6 9.b4 d5 10.cxd5 xd5 11.b1 d7 12.c2 h3 13.e4 xg2 14.xg2 xc3 15.xc3 a6 16.e3 c7 leading to a Sicilian-type position, slightly favourable to White, Nunn,J-Gruenfeld,Y/ Groningen 1974. ] 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.b3 Necessary, if White wants to punish Black. d4!? [ A new idea, leading to sharp tactics, 10...c6! i s t h e o t h e r m o v e , 11.d2 ( superior to 11.xd5 xd5 12.xd5 a5 13.b5 a6 14.c5 h3 15.g2 xg2 16.xg2 xd3 and if anyone is better, it is Black ) 11...d4 12.exd4 exd4 13.e4 xe4 14.dxe4 e6!? with counterplay, Hofland,L-Ligterink,G/Leeuwarden 1977. ] [ Otherwise , 10...a6 11.d4 e4 12.f3 with pressure on the black position. ] 11.exd4 exd4 12.xb7! Critical. xb7 13.xb7 bd7 14.xd4 c5 15.b5 c8 [ W h it e h a s ca lc u la t e d we l l, i f 15...xd4 16.e3 xd3 17.xc5 Black has no compensation for the pawn. ] 16.c6 d7 17.e5! h3 [ The tactics f avour W hite af ter 17...d6 18.f4 h5 19.xf7! xd3 20.h6+ h8 21.e3 ] 18.d4 fe8 19.e2 xe5! [ The point of Black's seventeenth move, and nearly leads to mate, but W hite has sufficient resources, 19...a6 20.c4 e6
21.xa6 xd4 22.xd4 xe5 offers some compensation, but not enough. ] 20.f4 [ Not 20.dxe5?? when g4 forces mate. ] 20...e6!! 21.xe5 [ O n c e a g a i n f o r c e d , 21.dxe5?? xf4 22.xf4 g4 and mate. ] 21...xf4 22.xf4 g4 23.e1 Giving the king some room. h6 [ Winning material, the obvious 23...xh2+ 24.f1 c2 seems strong, but after 25.e8+ f8 26.d2 is forced, but su f f i cie n t h1+ 27.e2 xa1 28.b8 and White is winning. ] 24.f3 xh2+ 25.f1 c2 26.e2 The best defence. h3+ 27.e1 xc1+ 28.xc1 xc1 29.e7 Black has won two pieces for a rook, but finds his pieces slightly misplaced. h6 30.d5 c8 [ 30...xb2 31.d6 f8 32.c6 will win a piece, although the game is far from finished. ] 31.d6 g5 32.d5!? c1+ [ 32...xe7 33.dxe7 g7 34.e5+ f6 35.e8+ and White is in charge, once again. ] 33.e2 xb2+ 34.f1 f6? [ An unfortunate inaccuracy at the end of a beautifully-played game, 34...f6! draws, 35.e8+ g7 36.d7 g4 forcing 37.c5 , when b1+ 38.g2 b7+ 39.g1 b1+ forces a perpetual. ] 35.e8+ g7 36.d7 g4 37.c5 a1+ But now there is no perpetual, the queen is on the wrong square. 38.g2 e3+ 39.fxe3 1-0
917
A24 Contin,Daniel 2371 Sabia,Corrado 2173 64th ch-ITA Montecatini Terme ITA (1) 29.1.05 [John Watson] In this game we see the standard e4/c4 setup against a King's Indian with ... c6. Black plays well and it's not at all clear that White could have achieved an advantage from the opening. 1.c4 c6 2.e4 e5 3.c3 d6 4.g3 f6 5.g2 bd7 6.ge2 g6 7.d3 g7 8.0-0 0-0 The basic position. White would like 910
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 to play standard moves like h3, Be3, and d4. Failing that, an alternate idea is f4-f5 and advance on the kingside. 9.h3 a6 10.a4 Preventing Black from breaking up W hite's centre, for example, [ 10.f4 b5 11.f5 ( 11.fxe5 dxe5 12.e3 e7= ) 11...gxf5 12.exf5 b7 13.g4 b6+ ( 13...h6 14.g3 d5 ) 14.h2 h6 15.g3 d5 16.cxb5 axb5 17.h4 b4 18.b1 b3! 19.a3 d4! and White's kingside play comes too late. ] [ Also too slow is playing for d4 by 10.e3 b5 11.cxb5 axb5 12.d4 b4 13.b1 a6 ] 10...a5 The standard positional idea to capture the c5 and b4 squares. Maybe Black could also angle for ...b5 by [ 10...b8!? ] 11.f4 c5 12.e3 fd7!? Black prepares for f5. Perhaps [ 12...e7 preventing d4 and preparing .. Bd7 was playable, for example, 13.f5 h6 14.g4 h7 ] 13.f5 [ The critical move here now that ...Nfd7 has released pressure on e4 is 13.d4 exd4 14.xd4 ( 14.xd4 xd4+ 15.xd4 b6 16.f2 e8 ) 14...e8 Black seems okay with careful play. Here are some thematic alternatives: ( 14...b6 15.b3 f5 16.exf5 xf5 17.xf5 gxf5 18.c1 f6; 14...b6 15.de2 e8!? ) 15.e1 b6!? ( 15...b6! is probably best, thinking about ...f5 as well as ...Qb4 ) 16.b3 d7 with the idea ...f5, e.g. , ( 16...f5!? 17.e5! ) 17.h2 ( 17.f2 f5 18.exf5 xe1+ 19.xe1 xd4! 20.xd4 xb3; 17.d2 f5 18.exf5 f6 ) 17...f5! with at least equality ] 13...f6! With the idea ...Bg5. 14.h4 [ 14.h6 e8 ( or 14...g7 15.xg7 xg7 16.g4 f6 -White's bishop on g2 is a liability )] 14...b6 15.a3 g5!? [ 15...b7 ] 16.d2 [ 16.h5 h6= ] 16...h6 [ 16...gxh4! 17.g4 h8 with the idea 18.g5 g8 ] 17.g4 h7 18.h1 g8 19.h5 Now neither side should be able to make legitimate progress. That doesn't stop them from trying, but I'd recommend going to the next game.
It's amusing that the players go 48 moves wit h o u t a n e xc h a n ge a f t e r 2 5 . Nxb 4 . b7 20.d1 e7 21.c1 ad8 22.f2 ge8 23.1a2 b8 24.b4 axb4 25.xb4 ba6 26.c2 b8 27.a2 a8 28.f1 b3 29.g1 bc5 30.aa1 ed8 31.ab1 c7 32.c1 e8 33.e3 d7 34.b2 ac5 35.f2 b7 36.c2 a8 37.a1 g8 38.db1 eb8 39.c1 h7 40.d2 g8 41.e2 a6 42.b4 b7 43.c3 bc5 44.f3 c8 45.b2 h7 46.ab1 c7 47.a3 b7 48.g2 a5 49.b4 aa8 50.f1 g8 51.e2 a6 52.a3 ac5 53.a1 g7 54.f1 a7 55.e3 aa8 56.ba2 g8 57.b4 a6 58.a3 ac5 59.c1 g7 60.d2 c8 61.a3 a7 62.a2 ba8 63.b1 b8 64.e1 ba8 65.f2 g8 66.f1 a6 67.d2 b8 68.e3 a8 69.b4 a7 70.b1 ab7 71.b2 g7 72.b3 c7 73.xc5 xc5 74.aa2 g8 75.d1 e7 76.b1 g7 77.ab2 h7 78.b4 g7 79.1b2 h7 80.b1 c7 81.d2 g7 82.d1 g8 83.c2 g7 84.g1 e7 85.e2 g8 86.f3 g7 87.g3 g8 88.h3 g7 89.b1 g8 90.d2 g7 91.b1 g8 92.4b2 g7 93.f3 h7 94.d4 exd4 95.xd4 d7 96.e1 c5 97.e5 cxd4 98.exf6 xf6 99.xd4 c7 100.e7 bc8 101.xf6 xf6 102.xc7 xc7 103.d2 e7 104.b3 ½-½
918 Gurevich,Mikhail Lanzani,Mario 12th Aosta Open (2) [Tony Kosten]
A24 2656 2352 09.02.2004
1.c4 f6 2.c3 g6 3.g3 g7 4.g2 0-0 5.d3 d6 6.e3 [ 6.e4 would save a move! ] 6...e5 7.ge2 c6 8.e4!? A curious decision, White plays a Botvinnik System with a tempo down, [ 8.0-0 is more normal, see Bruzon,L-De la Paz,F/Santa Clara CUB 2000. ] 8...a6 9.0-0 h5 Black inhibits f4, and prepares f4, but [ 9...c7 to e6 is quite f easible, 10.d4 911
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 curiously reaching a King's Indian position, will tu rn ou t t o h ave wea ken e d Bla ck 's wit h W h it e h a vin g lo st t wo m o ve s! e7 kingside pawn structure. A better move is 11.h3 d8 ( 11...exd4!? ) 12.d5! 13...f5!? although 14.f4 c6 15.exf5 gxf5 leaving the c7-knight misplaced, Espig, G16.fxe5 dxe5 17.d4 is very pleasant for Werner,V/Germany 1997. ] White ) 14.f4 f5 15.d4 h4 16.dxe5 dxe5 10.e3 e7 11.d2 c5 12.ad1 17.exf5 gxf5 18.d5 a6 19.fxe5 e8 Gurevich improves over his game against 20.f4 1-0 Bruzon Bautista, L-Kobese, W/ Grischuk, A/ Ca nnes FRA 2001 , wh en h e L i s b o n 1 9 9 9 ( An alte rna tive is 20.d4 played the immediate which is very problematic for Black, e.g. [ 12.d4 d7 13.ad1 e8 14.b3 hxg3+ 21.g2 xe5 22.xf5 xf5 which looks very promising for W hite, his 23.xf5 and White is winning )] loss of two moves is balanced by Black's ... 9.h3 Na6-c5-d7, also losing two tempi! ] [ 9.b1 12...a5 13.d4 exd4!? Black could follow A) 9...a5 Grischuk's lead, and play A1) 10.a3 h5 11.g5 c5 12.b4 [ 13...d7 but he prefers to maintain his ( 12.d4?! e6 13.e3 exd4 14.xd4 strong knight on c5. ] g4 is better for Black) 12...axb4 14.xd4 f6 So here Black loses two tempi 13.axb4 e6 14.d2 h4 ( 14...d7!? ) by ...Nh5-f6, thus bringing about a KID-style 15.c1 hxg3 16.fxg3 g4 17.h1 position after all! 15.g5 Pinning the knight ( 17.h3 can also be tried, but leads to a protects the e4-pawn. h6?! A small tactic, messy p osition : b6+ 18.c5 dxc5 radically unpinning the knight, but it rebounds 19.hxg4 cxb4+ 20.e3 d4 21.h3 on Black, better e6 22.h1 a5 and Black appears to [ 15...e8 for instance. ] have sufficient compensation for the 16.xh6 fxe4 17.xe4 xe4 18.xe4 piece ) 17...b6 18.d1 d4 19.ec3 xh6 ( 19.xd4 is worth a t ry, e. g. xd4 [ 18...xe4 is no im p rove me n t , 19.fe1 20.h3 f6 21.b2 ) 19...f5 20.e3 g4 20.xg7 xg7 21.c3 with a big xe3 21.xe3 c7 with chances to advantage. ] both sides, Ye Rongguang-Strikovic, A/ 19.xh6 xe4 20.fe1 g4 21.f3 d7? Novi Sad 1990; Bringing the game to a swift conclusion, A2) 10.h3 c5 11.e3 fd7 12.d4 [ 21...h5 was a far better try, although after exd4 13.xd4 e8 14.c2 e7 22.xh5 gxh5 23.e4 White can win the h15.fe1 a4 16.b4 axb3 17.axb3 f6 pawn by Rh4xh5. ] 18.b4 e6 19.b3 is a typical 22.e4 Black can only stop Rh4 and Qh8 Fianchetto King's Indian position, that is mate by giving his queen for the rook. better for W hite on account of Black's 1-0 lack of space and counterplay, Spiridonov, N-Radev, N/Pernik 1976; B) 9...a6 10.b4 ( or 10.b3 e8 11.h3 b5 919 A24 12.a3 b7 13.g5 b8 14.d2 c5 15.e3 , and the players prematurely Harikrishna,Penteala 2673 agreed upon a drawn, 1/2-1/2 Vakhidov, Poldauf,Dirk 2427 T-Kakageldyev, A/Bishkek 1993, but there Bundesliga 2006-7 (13) 18.03.2007 obviously loads of play left in this position, [Carsten Hansen] and I prefer W hite.) 10...e8 11.a4 ( 11.g5 f8 12.d2 e6 13.e3 g4 1.c4 f6 2.c3 g6 3.g3 g7 4.g2 0-0 14.h3 xe3 15.fxe3 h6 is pleasant for 5.e4 d6 6.ge2 e5 7.0-0 bd7 8.d3 c6 Black ) 11...a5 12.b5 c5 13.h3 d7 [ 8...a5 9.h3 c5 10.e3 fd7 11.d2 14.e3 ( 14.f4!? ) 14...c8 15.h2 c7 e6 12.h2 a4 13.ad1 h5?! 16.c2 ( 16.f4!? looks very good for ( this move is very weakening, because one White ) 16...ad8 17.fd1 c8 18.d4 side or the other will play f5, and then this 912
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ( 18.f4!? ) 18...exd4 19.xd4 is another position that is just pleasant for W hite, Teske, H-Van der Weide, K/Seville 2004 ] 9...c5 [ 9...a5 10.e3 A) 10...e8 11.d2 ( 11.f4 f5 12.exf5 gxf5 13.d4 e4 14.d5 Florian, T-Fletzer, G/San Benedetto 1957) 11...f5 12.ad1 a4 13.exf5 gxf5 14.f4 e7 15.h2 f7 16.c2 a3 17.b4 Kashljak, A-Gorshkov, A/Yaroslavl 1995; B) 10...e7 11.d2 c5 12.ae1 b6 13.f4 a6 14.f5 b5 15.g4 ( 15.cxb5 cxb5 16.g5 ) 15...b4 16.d1 fd7 17.g3 ab8 18.g5 f6 19.h4 Schmittdiel, E-Lendvai Wells, N/Oberwart 1995; C) 10...e8 11.d2 c5 12.f4 exf4 13.gxf4 e7 14.g3 a4 15.ae1 fd7 16.d4 e6 17.f5 Jeric, S-Mazi, L/ Feffernitz 2000; D) 10...b8 11.f4 b5 12.f5 bxc4 13.dxc4 b6 14.b3 gxf5 15.g5 d5 16.exd5 cxd5 17.cxd5 d6 18.h2 d7 19.d2 ( 19.g4!? f4 20.d2 ) 19...a4 20.bxa4 a8 21.ab1 xa4 22.xa4 xa4 with a complicated struggle, Kotov, AGeller, A/Leningrad 1956 ] [ 9...a6 10.e3 b5 A) 11.b3 b7 A1) 12.c1 b4 13.a4 c5 14.f4 c6 15.fxe5 xe5 16.b2 ( 16.c2 e8 17.f2 fd7 18.cf1 ) 16...a5 17.c2 b6 18.f2 b7 19.d1 a4 20.e3 axb3 21.axb3 a3 22.d5 xd5 23.exd5 d7 24.d4 f5 25.d2 xb3 26.dxe5 xe5 27.g4 d3 28.fe1 a6 29.f1 a3 30.ed1 e4 31.h6 f5 32.g5 b2 0-1 Turner, M-Kristensen, B/ Hafnarfjordur 1996; A2) 12.d2 e7 13.ac1 fe8 14.fd1 c5 15.b4 e6 16.a4?! ( an alternative is 16.b1 d7 17.a4 d4 18.cxb5 cxb5 19.axb5 xb5 20.xb5 axb5 21.c3 ) 16...a5! 17.b2 bxc4 18.dxc4 axb4 19.xb4 c5 20.b1 d4 21.d3 c6 and Black is in control, Eingorn, V-Van der Weide, K/Bad Wiessee 2004; B) 11.d2 B1) 11...b8 12.b3
B1a) 12...e8 13.f4 exf4 14.gxf4 ( 14.xf4!? ) 14...h5 15.ac1 b4 16.a4 f5 17.ce1 f8 18.c5 dxc5 19.e5 e6 20.xc6 Hebert, J-Ree, H/Luzern 1982; B1b) 12...c5 13.ae1 e8 14.c2 fd7 15.f4 e6 16.d2 d4 17.f5 b7 18.f2 xe2+ 19.xe2 d5 Hebert, J-Spraggett, K/Montreal 1982 20.fxg6 hxg6 21.ef1 d4 22.h6; B2) 11...b7 12.f4 exf4 13.gxf4 e8 ( 13...h5 14.f3 b4 15.d1 c5 16.xh5 gxh5 17.g3 h8 18.h2 g8 19.f5 Ruettinger, J-Dobrovolsky, L/Bayern 2002) 14.g3 ( 14.b3 e7 15.ae1 ad8 16.f2 Tempone, MP e r a l t a , F / M a r d e l P l a t a 1 9 9 8 b4 17.a4 a5= ) 14...b6 15.a4 b4 16.ce2 a5 17.b3 c5 18.ad1 e7= Lein, A-Vasiukov, E/USSR ch (Tbilisi) 1966 ] [ 9...h6 10.e3 h7 11.d2 g8 12.d4 Liebert, H-Hoshino, I/Siegen 1970 ] [ 9...h5 A) 10.h2 c5 11.e3 e6 12.d4 c5 13.dxc5 dxc5 14.d5 d4 15.f4 e6 16.f5 xd5 17.exd5 f6 18.g4 ( here 18.b4!? is best, e.g. b6 19.fxg6 fxg6 20.bxc5 bxc5 21.c3 is very good for W h i t e , d u e t o b e t t e r p a wn s t r u c t u re , passed pawn on d5 and the bishop pair) 18...gxf5 19.gxf5 h8 with a complicated struggle, Bilek, I-Gligoric, S/Teeside 1972; B) 10.e3 c5 11.d4 B1) 11...d7 12.c2 f5?! 13.exf5 gxf5 14.dxe5 dxe5 ( 14...xe5!? 15.b3 ) 15.f4 exf4 16.xf4 xf4 17.xf4 e5 18.ad1 Makarichev, SPetrovic, V/Novi Sad 1983; B2) 11...exd4 12.xd4 e5 13.f4 xd4+ 14.xd4 b6 15.f5 d3 16.xb6 axb6 17.b3 e5 18.ad1 Miezis, N-Schuurman, P/Seefeld 2000; B3) 11...e6 12.d5 cxd5 13.cxd5 g5 14.g4 xh3+ 15.xh3 h4 16.g2 f5? ( Better is 16...xg4 although this is h a r d l y d e s i r a b l e f o r B l a c k : 17.xg4 xg4+ 18.g3 f4+ 19.xf4 xf4 20.ce2 ) 17.gxh5 f4 18.h1 fxe3 19.e6+ 1-0 Kroll, O-Oney, F/ Groningen 197300 ] 913
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 9...e8 10.e3 f5 11.d2 df6 12.b3 c7 13.exf5 ( 13.f4!? ) 13...gxf5 14.f4 exf4 15.xf4 Kourkounakis, I-Novidis, N/Hania 1993 ] [ 9...b6 10.b3 ( 10.f4!? ) 10...d5 11.exd5 cxd5 12.g5 e6 13.d2 ( 13.d4!? ) 13...d4 ( 13...d6 14.f4 c5+ 15.h2 ) 14.b5 d7 A) 15.f4!? h5 16.g4 xf4 ( 16...f6 17.fxe5 fxg5 18.xg5+- ) 17.xf4 exf4 18.xf4; B) 15.h2 e8 16.h6 xh6 17.xh6 f5 18.f4 a6 19.a3 Gurevich, M-Wortel, M/Gent 1997 ] [ 9...e8 10.e3 a6 11.d2 b5 12.b3 ( 12.f4!? ) 12...b7 13.ae1 ( 13.f4!? ) 13...a5 14.f4 exf4 15.gxf4?! ( 15.xf4 ) 15...h5! 16.f3 g3! 17.f2 xe2+ 18.xe2 xd2 19.xd2 c5 Deng, K-Shaked, T/Honolulu 1997 ] [ 9...b8 10.e3 a6 11.a4 b6 12.b4 b7 13.b5 ( 13.f4!? ) 13...axb5 14.axb5 c5 15.f4 exf4 16.gxf4 h5 17.d2 f5 18.a7 e8 19.f2 Talla, V-Cerveny, M/Czech Rep 2006 ] 10.e3 e7 [ 10...a5 11.f4 exf4?! 12.gxf4 e7 13.d2 b8 ( the alternatives are no more promising: 13...h6 14.g3 e8 15.d4 h4?! 16.dxc5 xg3 17.f3 h4 18.cxd6+Hickl, J-Venkataramanan, T/ Calcutta 1994; or 13...d7 14.g3 ae8 15.ae1 c8 16.f5 David, P-Kaposztas, M/Slovakia 1998) 14.ae1 cd7 15.g3 e8 (from here onwards the annotations are from the tournament bulletin) 16.d4 c7 17.e5 dxe5 18.fxe5 b4 ( 18...c5 19.g5 e8 20.ce4 ) 19.h6 xc4 20.xg7 xg7 21.e4 e6 22.h4 h5 23.d5! A) 23...cxd5 24.xh5+! gxh5 ( 24...h8 25.f6+ g7 26.h7#; 24...g8 25.h6! gxh5 26.xh5+- ) 25.g2+ h6 26.f5!+- ( 26.g4?? xd4+!-+ ); B) 23...xf1+ 24.xf1 cxd5 25.xd5 b6 26.f4 xf4 27.xf4 a6+ 28.g1 d3 29.g5 h8 30.h6+ 1-0 Markland, PHort, V/Hastings 1970/[Bulletin] ( 30.h6+ g8 31.xh5!+- )] 11.d2 [ 11.b3 a5 12.d2 e8 13.fe1 e6 14.d4 exd4 15.xd4 ad8 16.ad1 c8
17.f4 c7 18.f2 b6? 19.xc6! xh3 20.xd8 xg2 21.xg2+Csom, I-Suradiradja, H/Surakarta 1982 ] 11...fd7 12.f4 e6 13.f5 d4 14.g4 a5 15.g3 [ Also 15.g5 f6 16.xd4 exd4 17.xd4 fxg5 18.xg7 xg7 19.d4 is very good for White, but White doesn't need to hurry, as we s e e i n t h e r e s t o f t h e g a m e , B l a c k doesn't have any counterplay of significance, so White can take all the time he needs to get his pieces on the right squares before breaking through ] 15...c5 16.f2 f6 17.h4 d7 18.af1 f7 [ Trying to run the king away from his kingside woes may appeal for a short while, but once you look at White's simple answer, the appeal quickly drifts... 18...f7 19.ce2 xe2+ 20.xe2 a4 21.g5 e8 22.d4 exd4 23.xd4 and Black's position reeks badly ] 19.ce2! Forcing the exchange of Black's only truly active piece. xe2+ 20.xe2 e8 21.g3 d7 22.g5 af8 23.h3 [ 23.h5!? gxf5 ( 23...fxg5 24.xg5 e8 25.f6 h8 26.d4 exd4 27.hxg6 hxg6 28.xd4 e6 ) 24.g6 f4 25.f5 xf5 26.gxf7+ xf7 27.xc5 dxc5 28.exf5+- ] 23...d8 24.h2 c8 25.g2 [ 25.h5!? fxg5 26.xg5 e8 27.h6 h8 28.h4 b5 29.cxb5 cxb5 30.h5 is clearly also very dangerous for Black, but W hite decides he is not in any hurry and continues to build up his attack undisturbed ] 25...h8?! This doesn't make any sense when looking at what follows, but clearly Black is at a loss of good moves 26.e2 fxg5 [ Or 26...d7?! 27.fxg6 hxg6 28.h5 and Black is in the ropes ] 27.hxg5 g8 28.gf2 [ Also 28.f6 h8 29.xc8 xc8 30.d2 is pretty awful for Black, but by keeping the tension and the pawn on f5, Black is left waiting for White to make a move, while White can improve on his position in several ways. ] 28...h8 29.h1! Black is being torn apart, and with White transferring the rooks to the hfile, the conclusion of the battle is approaching rapidly. b5 A rather desperate 914
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 attempt at counterplay, but it doesn't help at all because Black has no immediate follow-up, and also White's attack is quite menacing on t h e k i n g s i d e 30.cxb5 cxb5 31.g1! Getting out of the way of the rooks, Black is lost. b4 [ Or 31...c7 32.fh2 e8 33.fxg6 xh3 34.xh3 xg6 35.h6 f7 36.g6+- ] 32.fh2 g7 33.g4 e8 34.xh7 gxf5 35.exf5 b7 36.1h3 e4? 37.d4 d3 38.h2 1-0
920 Kosikov,Andrey Solomaha,Andrey ch-Kiev Kiev UKR (1) [John Watson]
A24 2210 2384 15.01.2005
1.f3 f6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 g7 4.g2 0-0 5.0-0 d6 6.c3 e5 7.d3 bd7 Here we see the line without ...Nc6. Normally Black plays some combination of . . . c6, Re8, and ...h6 here. This game shows an independent plan that has enjoyed some success for Black but probably favours White with perfect play. I'll give it without many notes: 8.b1 c5 9.b4 e6 10.b5 d7 11.a4 f5 12.d5 g5!? 13.d2 [ 13.xg5!? xg5 14.xg5 xg5 15.xc7 b8 16.d5+ h8 17.e6 e7 18.xf8 xf8 is very unclear ] 13...f4 14.e4 dc5 15.xc5 xc5 16.a3 e6 17.c1 [ 17.e3 g4 18.f3!? ] 17...g4 18.c5 f7 19.cxd6 cxd6 20.c4 g5?! 21.gxf4 exf4 22.xf4 h3+ 23.xh3 gxh3 24.xc8! xc8 25.d5 h8 26.h1?! [ 26.xd6! allows for Bg3 and destroys the vestiges of Black's centre. Now the play degenerates, probably due to mutual time pressure: ] 26...f6 27.g1?! d7 28.e1? f4 29.e4 af8 30.b4 g4 31.e1 d4 32.d1 gf4? [ 32...xf2 wins outright ] 33.f3? [ 33.c1! xf2? 34.e3! ]
33...h5 34.f1 g4 0-1
921 Motwani,Paul Apicella,Manuel ch-FRA Top 16 GpA (7) [John Watson]
A24 2543 2543 03.04.2005
In this game Black allowed W hite's ideal attack and should have lost. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 g6 3.e4 d6 4.g3 g7 5.g2 0-0 6.ge2 e5 7.0-0 Here we are again by the King's Indian route. e6 An unusual move not found in Hansen but appearing in three games of this update. Black plays without committing his queen's knight to either c6 or d7 (or a6). Nor does he decide upon ...c6. In most cases he wants to exchange the g2 bishop, but even that might (or should) depend upon White's move order. By attacking c4 and immediately playing ...Qd7, Black prevent h3 followed by Be3. 8.d3 [ An option is 8.b3 , thinking about d4: d7?! ( 8...c6 is probably fine. White can try the speculative 9.f4!? d4 10.f5!? . Sounder is simply 9.h3 Qd7 10.Kh2; 8...c5!? 9.f4 exf4! 10.xf4 c6 11.b2 e8 is unclear) 9.d4 exd4 10.xd4 h3 11.f3! xg2 12.xg2 e8 13.de2! intending c6 14.f4 ] 8...d7 9.f4 h3?! I don't like this move, which allows W hite to set up his ideal formation. Preferable seems [ 9...c6 , when 10.f5?! ( 10.h1 intending Be3 is logical) 10...gxf5 11.g5 e8 12.b3 followed by Qd2 offers some compensation for the pawn but nothing impressive. ] 10.f5 This is the consistent follow-up and in theory poses the greatest challenge to Black's plan. White inaugurates a flank advance by h3, g4 and g5. The exchange of his bad bishop on g2 is not unwelcome, since it isn't needed for defence of the kingside. Nevertheless, this attack is begun before W hite is developed and allows central counterplay. Another good move is [ 10.e3 , which still intends f5 but adds the idea of Qd2 and Bh6 to its effect. In some cases the bishop will support the move d4 915
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 (especially in the case of ... exf4). W hite retains a definite advantage. ] 10...xg2 11.xg2 c6 The other and probably better way to get central counterplay is [ 11...c6 12.h3 h6 13.g4 d5!? 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.fxg6 fxg6 16.b3 a6! 17.e3 ( 17.exd5 c5 18.c4 ac8 with plenty of play. ) 17...c7 ] 12.h3 [ 12.d5! forces the kind of position that White achieves in the game. Now Black gets a chance to break the bind. ] 12...gxf5?! [ 12...e7! 13.g4 gxf5 14.exf5 h6 15.g3 d5 changes the equation ( or 15...c6+ 16.h2 d5 )] 13.xf5! Not part of White's original game plan, but from now on he controls the key f5 square and allows Black no counterplay. [ 13.exf5 e7 would be the last note. ] 13...e7 14.f2 h8 15.g4 b5!? This probably isn't sound but Black wants to kick-start his play before moves like Ng3 and g5 happen. 16.g3 A good move, although [ 16.xb5 d5 ( 16...c6 17.bc3 d5 18.g3 ) 17.g5! is also strong ] 16...b4? It makes no sense at all to close the position and give White a free hand. On the other hand, Black stands worse even after [ 16...bxc4 17.dxc4 c6 18.g5 fg8 19.e3 ] 17.ce2 c6 18.g5 fg8 19.h5 f6 20.d2 a5 21.eg3 d5 22.c2 [ 22.e2 keeps an eye on the kingside attack but it doesn't matter much. Black's problem is that he has no effective break, and opening the d-file doesn't stop White's attack. ] 22...ad8 23.af1 dxc4 24.dxc4 d4 25.c1! g6 No better is [ 25...f7 26.e3 d6 27.g5 , e.g., df8 28.xg7 xg7 29.gxf6+ xf6 30.h6+! xh6 31.xf6 xf6 32.h5+ ] 26.xg7 h4+ 27.h1 xg7 28.e3 [ 28.g5! wins on the spot because Bxh4 and Nh5+ are both threatened. The play goes fxg5 29.xg5+ g6 30.f5+ xf5 31.exf5 etc. ] 28...d6 29.h6+? Probably ti me trouble is setting in for both players, but W hite sells
himself too cheaply. [ 29.g5! intending gxf6+ and/or Nh5+ would leave Black no good defence. ] 29...xh6 30.h5+ g6 31.xf6+ xf6 32.xf6+ xf6 33.xf6 Suddenly things have gone wrong. White is probably better but has won less material than he might have and left his king exposed. f7!? [ 33...d3! would have posed very real problems, since at the very least White's hpawn falls and king can't escape without material loss, e.g., 34.h2 f3+ 35.g2 h4+ 36.f2 ( 36.g1 xh3 ) 36...f3+ 37.e2 xf6 38.g5 f4 39.gxh6 xe4+ etc, ] 34.e1!? [ 34.f1 , covering f3 and d3, was more a c c u r a t e . T h e n g5 35.d5! cxd5 36.exd5 threatens Qf2 and creates dangerous passed pawns. ] 34...f3 35.e3? [ Last chance for 35.f1! ] 35...7g5?? Black's attack is probably winning after [ 35...d1+! 36.g2 e1+ ( 36...d3?! 37.c5 xf6 38.xc6+ g7 ) 37.f2 ( 37.h2 xf6 , when 38.c5 loses to d2+ ) 37...d3+ 38.g3 f4 ] 36.d5! This is still good, but White loses his way: d7 [ 36...cxd5?? 37.b6+ ] 37.b6 [ 37.c5! d4 38.e7+ f7 39.xc6 is winning. ] 37...d4 38.e3 xe4 39.xa5 f3 40.g2?? This allows a simple perpetual check. W hite could have penetrated into Black's camp by [ 40.a8 , when there's no defence to a coordinated attack by White's pieces. ] 40...h4+ 41.f1 d2 42.f5 f3 43.a7 h2+ ½-½
916
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 922 Rotstein,Arkadij Scharrer,Patrick Open Verona ITA (3) [John Watson]
A24 923 2528 Sareen,Vishal 2210 Ahlers,Ben 03.01.2006 Essent Open Hoogeveen NED (2) [John Watson]
A play o n th e Bo tvinn ik S yste m. W hite 's misplaced knight turns out to be well-placed indeed. 1.c4 g6 2.g3 g7 3.g2 d6 4.f3 f6 5.c3 0-0 6.0-0 e5 7.d3 h5 8.e4 I used to be dogmatic that one shouldn't play this when the knight was on f3 instead of e2. However, the combination of ...Nf6 and ... e5 in the Sicilian is sometimes best, so why not here? c6 9.g5! f6 10.e3 Threatening d4. f5 [ 10...d4? would be the thematic answer were ... f6 not in, whereas he it simply loses a pawn. ] 11.exf5 xf5 12.d4 [ P r o b a b l y b e s t , a l t h o u g h 12.g5!? has the ideas g4, Nd5 and Nge4. The most reasonable move is f6 13.h3 h6 14.g4 d7 15.ge4 and I like White. ] 12...exd4 13.xd4 d7 14.c5!? [ or 14.d2 White is somewhat better in both cases. ] 14...dxc5? [ 14...xd4 15.xd4 c6 ] 15.xc6 xc6 16.xc6 bxc6 17.xc5 e8 [ The lesser evil was 17...xd1 18.axd1 fe8 19.fe1 ] 18.b3+ h8 19.ad1 g5 20.d4 [ 20.c4! would tie Black down more. ] 20...f6? [ 20...xd4 ] 21.c4! c5 It's hard to find a good move, and c6 is hanging anyway. 22.xc5 g4 23.d4 e5 24.xe5 xe5 25.d5 e6 26.fd1 c6 27.c5 xc4 28.xc4 It's all over. xc3 29.xc3 e2 30.xc6 xb2 31.d7 xa2 32.cc7 a6 33.xh7+ g8 34.h4! Zugzwang. Neither rook can stray from the afile due to Rxa7, and Ra6-anywhere is answered by ...Rcg7+ and Rxg6. And 34...Kf8 allows mate in one. 1-0
A24 2375 2198 22.10.2005
This game illustrates what happens if White manages to establish the f5/g4 structure in t h e B o t vin n ik S yst e m a n d B la ck d o e s n ' t obtain early counterplay. The play is flawed yet the basic idea is clear. 1.c4 f6 2.g3 g6 3.g2 g7 4.c3 d6 5.e4 0-0 6.ge2 e5 [ 6...c5 transposes into the Symmetrical version of the Botvinnik, probably a better (or at least easier) version. A recent example shows something new for Black: 7.d3 c6 8.0-0 a6 9.h3 b8 10.a4 d7 11.e3 e8 12.d4 cxd4 13.xd4 c7 14.h2 e6 15.de2 a5! 16.b3 b5! 17.cxb5 axb5 18.b4 c4 19.a7 bxa4 20.xb8 xb8 21.d5 e8 with full compensation, Alekseev, E (2632)Mamedyarov, S (2674), Istanbul TUR 2005 ] 7.0-0 c6 [ A typical sequence after 7...c6 is 8.h3 d4 ( 8...h8 ) 9.f4 h5!? ( better is 9...e8 10.d3 c6 11.e3 f5 ) 10.f5 c6 ( 10...gxf5 11.xd4 exd4 12.xh5 dxc3 13.dxc3 ) 11.g4 xe2+ 12.xe2 f4! 13.xf4 exf4 14.xf4 d4+ 15.h1 g5 16.f1 f6 and Black has some compensation but he needs a plan before White unwinds. ] 8.d3 e6?! [ Asking for f5. One better line is 8...bd7 9.h3 a6 A) 10.a4 a5 11.e3 c5 12.f4 b6 ( or 12...e7 13.f5 gxf5 14.exf5 h6 ) 13.c2 fd7 14.f5 b3 15.d2 b4!; B) 10.f4 b5 11.f5 ( 11.cxb5 axb5 12.fxe5 b6+ 13.h2 dxe5= ) 11...gxf5 12.exf5 b7 13.g4 h6= ] 9.f4!? [ 9.h3! first makes sense, also preparing Be3. ] 9...b6+ 10.h1 g4 11.f5 c8 12.e1 e3 [ Black should probably try the computer idea 12...gxf5 13.exf5 d7 14.f3 ( 14.h3 ) 14...e3 15.a4 a6 16.xe3 xa4 17.g4 but he is still faced with g5, regardless 917
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 of whether he plays moves like ...h6 and/or ...f6, even if the queens go off after c2 18.c3! xc3 19.xc3 ] 13.a4 [ The extent of Black's difficulties is even more clearly shown after 13.f6! xg2 14.xg2 h8 15.b3 ] 13...xg2 14.xg2 d8 15.g4 Black is stuck. This is the desired result for a Botvinnik System. The only drawback is that White has rid himself of his bad bishop, which could be used for defence! Still, White can neutralize a counterattack. d5 16.ac3 d4 17.d1 [ 17.b1! b5 18.a3! ties Black down while White progresses on the kingside. ] 17...d7 18.f3!? [ 18.g3! b5! 19.b3 and something like Nf2 and g5 can follow. ] 18...f6 19.d2!? [ 19.h6 e8 20.g3 g5 21.xg5 xg5 22.f2 b8 23.c1! xc1 24.xc1 g5 is still threatened, and g5 25.f6!? c5 26.f5 keeps the edge. ] 19...g7 20.h3 [ 20.f2 ] 20...f6 21.f2 h5! 22.g3?! h4 [ Blac k misses th e ch ance f o r 22...xg4! 23.xg4 hxg4 24.xg4 h7 and ..Rh8. ] 23.f3 h7! 24.h3 g5? Locking up the position gives W hite free rein on the queenside. Better was [ 24...b5 ] 25.f1 [ Or 25.b1 ] 25...a5 26.eg1 f6 Necessary, but now the highly-desirable manoeuvre ...Bf6-d8 can't occur. 27.f3 f7? Allowing the following tactic, but W hite was clearly better on the queenside. 28.hxg5! xg5 29.xg5 fxg5 30.xg5 xg5 31.xg5 f6 To stop Bxh4 nevertheless White's pawns are too strong. 32.xf6 xf6 33.g5 f7 34.h3! h7 35.g4 d7 36.g6 h8 37.g5! A nice finish. c5 38.a4 [ 38.f6! ] 38...a6 39.f2 b6 40.af1 d6 41.f6 e6 42.f7+ 1-0
924 Adianto,Utut Sorbe,Stephane 2nd Dato' Arthur Tan Malaysian Open (7) [John Watson]
A25 2588 2340
1.c4 f5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 g6 4.g2 g7 5.e3 0-0 6.ge2 d6 [ There are many ways to approach this standard position, for example, one game analysed in this colum n proce eded (b y transposition) 6...e5 7.d3 c6 8.b1 h8 9.b4 a6 10.a4 a5!? 11.b5 b4 12.a3 c5 13.bxc6 dxc6 Rogozenko-Sadler, H e n g e l e 2 0 0 0 , w h e n 14.xb4 axb4 15.xb4 d6 16.b2 d8 would have given Black excellent compensation for the pawn. Note the value of omitting ...d6, which can sometimes come in handy if one wants to play ...Ne7 and ...d5 in one go. ] 7.0-0 White can try to gain time by delaying castling. Another ChessPublishing game Moor-Gallagher, Zurich 2000 went (again by transposition) [ 7.d3 e5 8.b1 c6 9.b4 ( 9.b3 ) 9...g5!? 10.b5 e7 11.f4! h6 with complications. ] 7...e5 The Dutch has become a full-fledged E n g l i s h O p e n i n g . 8.d3 c6 9.b1 Now we're back to "normal". a5 In his book on the ...e5 English Hansen makes a case that this is not the best move, since Black doesn't win the a-file anyway. [ 9...e7 is another way to reorganize for example: 10.b4 ( 10.b3 ) 10...c6 11.f4 e6 12.b5 c7 ] [ The most interesting try is 9...g5!? 10.f4 ( 10.b4 f4 ) 10...h6 11.b4 and now 11.. . Qe8 or h8 12.d5!? xd5 13.cxd5 e7 14.e4 gxf4 15.gxf4 g6 16.fxe5 dxe5 17.exf5 h4 Kurajica-Piskov, Skopje 1991. ] 10.a3 e6 11.d5 [ Also normal and good is 11.b4 , e.g., axb4 12.axb4 b8 13.b5 e7 14.a3 b6 15.b3 g5 16.d4 e4 17.d5 d7 18.d4 ] 11...b8 [ 11...f7 12.xf6+ xf6 ( 12...xf6 13.c3 ) 13.c3 e4!? 14.d5 with advantage, according to Hansen. ] 12.d2 [ 12.b4 axb4 13.axb4 e7= ] 918
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 12...d7 Perhaps considering ...b5, but I don't like this. f6 was a good square for the knight and where's it going now? 13.b4 axb4 14.axb4 e7 15.ec3?! [ 15.b5! c5 16.c2 . Then Bb4 and f4 are themes. ] 15...c6 16.xe7+ xe7 17.b5? [ 17.e4!? ] 17...e4! 18.dxe4 xc4 19.e1 fxe4 20.xe4 d5! Black has a nice advantage with his centre and bishops but there are tactics to consider. 21.b4! f7 [ 21...c5? 22.xc5 xc5 23.xd5+ xd5 24.xd5+ ] 22.xf8 xf8 23.bxc6 [ 23.d6 xf2+ 24.h1 c3 is unclear. ] 23...bxc6 24.b7 [ 24.d6! ] 24...dxe4 25.xd7 xf2+ 26.h1 c3!? [ Black has more than enough for the exchange after 26...d3! ] 27.g1 xe3 28.c1 f3! 29.d8+ [ White could launch a dangerous counterattack by 29.a3! ] 29...g7 30.d7+ g8 31.gd1 d5 32.d8+ g7 33.d7+ g8 34.a3 Not quite as effective now. d4 35.d8+ g7 36.e7+ f7 37.e8 f6?! 38.d7+ f7 39.f1 b3 40.dxf7+ xf7 41.xe4 c5 42.e7 e6 43.a7 Avoiding the 2bishop ending. The rest of the game is a lengthy attempt by White to make progress that shouldn't have succeeded but eventually did: h5 44.b1 g8 45.b8+ g7 46.f4 e3 47.f3 d4 48.d1 b3 49.e2 e6 50.e4 e5 51.f3 f6 52.d3 e6 53.b1 a2 54.f3 f2?? No ned for this at all. 55.xf2 xf2 56.g2 d4 57.b7 f6 58.b6+ g7 59.d6 e5 60.d7 f6 61.d5 xd5+ 62.xd5 c4 63.f3 e6 64.e4 f6 65.c5 c3 66.c6+ f7 67.h3 h8 68.d5 g7 69.c7+ g8 70.e6 h7 71.g4 h6 72.g5+ h7 73.f7 e5 74.c6 f4 75.xg6 1-0
925 Balashov,Yuri S Najer,Evgeniy IV Russian Cup Final (11) [Tony Kosten]
A25 2575 2597 30.08.2000
1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.g3 b4!? A move that is becoming popular, the idea is to delay the development of the g8-knight so that it may go to e7 (instead of the habitual f6), or Black may be able to play first ...f5, and only then ... Nf6. 4.d5 [ O b v i o u s l y t h e c r i t i c a l r e p l y , i f 4.g2 then Black can play xc3 5.bxc3 d6 ( 5...f6 is considered previously) 6.f3 f5 7.d3 f6 with a respectable reversed Grand Prix Attack, Cvek,R-Jovanovic,Z/Patras GRE 1999 (9). ] 4...c5 5.g2 ge7 6.e3 0-0 [ The first new move of the game, previously 6...xd5 had been preferred, 7.cxd5 e7 ( the 7...b4 of Balashov,Y-Pribyl,J/ Schwaebisch Gmuend 1998, is mentioned elsewhere ) 8.e2 c6 9.c3 d6 10.0-0 0-0 11.d4 with an edge, Gunter,D-Lalic,S/St Heliers 1997. ] 7.e2 xd5 8.cxd5 e7 9.0-0 f5!? [ This is the second innovation of the game! This position has been reached before, via the move order 1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 Nc6 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.Nd5 Bc5 6.e3 0-0 7.Ne2 Nxd5 8 . cxd 5 Ne 7 9 . 0 -0 , wh e n p l a y n o rm a l l y continues: 9...d6 10.d4 b6 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.c3 c6 13.dxc6 xc6 14.d5 with a tiny plus, Dorfman,J-Nedev,T/Cannes 1996. ] 10.b3 [ Simple development, but White could also shake-off Black's attempted hold on d4 by the standard trick 10.d4 exd4 11.e4 d6 12.xd4 with a space advantage. ] 10...d6 11.b2 b6 12.a4 d7?? [ B l a c k h a s o ve r l o o k e d a t a c t i c , 12...a5 is much more prudent, preparing a 'luft' for t h e b i s h o p , 13.d4 f6 with reasonable chances. ] 13.d4! [ This is all the stronger for being delayed. 13.a5 c5 14.d4 b4 ( 14...exd4?? loses a piece as below, 15.e4 e7 16.b4 xb4 17.xd4 etc. ) 15.e4 e7 16.dxe5 919
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 dxe5 17.xe5 is also pretty miserable for Black. ] 13...c5 [ Black is obliged to ditch his e-pawn, as he needs to make space for his b6-bishop, 13...exd4? loses, as 14.e4 e7 15.a5 c5 16.b4 wins a piece: xb4 17.xd4 f6 18.xb4 ] 14.dxe5 dxe5 15.xe5 With a solid extra pawn, and a strong centre, White is winning. e8 16.b2 d6 17.f4 c8 18.c1 a5 19.h5 [ A good move, forcing a weakening of the black kingside, and making Black further regret the absence of his e5-pawn, but 19.xc5 xc5 20.d4 is also strong. ] 19...f6 20.f4 The knight returns to eye the newly-created hole on e6. c4?! A further mistake, in a hopeless position. 21.a3 b6 22.xd6 xd6 23.bxc4 Black has had enough. 1-0
employed by Black previously. 11.b1?! [ 11.exf5! xf5 12.h3 followed by f4, and g4, is just as effective here, as in the previously cited link. ] 11...fxe4 12.xe4 h3 Hoping to gain a tempo to ease his development problems. 13.f4? Flashy, but faulty. exf4 [ B e t t e r t h a n 13...xf1?! 14.e6 e7 15.xf8 f6 16.g5 ] 14.h5 f6 15.xh3 xe4 16.e6+ h8 17.xe4 f3! [ In view of the rating difference, Black wants m o r e t h a n t h e t i n y e d g e o f 17...fxg3 18.hxg3 b8 ] 18.f4 d7 Menacing ...Qh3. 19.h4 [ W h i t e h a s l i t t l e c h o i c e , 19.xf3? loses a piece to g5 ] 19...e5 [ Now if 19...h3?! 20.xf3 and ...g5 is no longer possible. ] 20.h2 [ Again forced, 20.xe5?? loses the queen after h3 ] 20...ae8? 926 A25 [ Missing a straightforward win: 20...xd3! 21.xd3 xf4 is st ro ng, 22.gxf4?? g4 Cekro,Ekrem 2390 23.g1 xh4# ] Georgiev,Kiril 2661 34th Olympiad (5) 01.11.2000 21.xe5 xe5 22.xb7 g4? [ 22...g5! is much more to the point. ] [Tony Kosten] 23.xc7 White sees no win for his opponent, 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 c6 4.c3 b4 so grabs another pawn. g6 24.b8 xb8 e8 26.b1 h6 27.d4 5.e4 xc3 6.bxc3 The move that White most 25.xb8+ Agreed drawn, but W hite has a clear wants to play. 0-0 7.e2 d6 8.d3 a6!? [ Planning to play ...b5, to gain the advantage. ascendancy on the queenside, otherwise: ½-½ 8...e6 9.0-0 a6 10.f4 exf4 11.gxf4 the white centre gets bigger, and bigger, A25 g4 12.e1 xe2 13.xe2 d7 14.h3 927 Chabanon,Jean Luc 2455 with advantage, Schuh,K-Pinkas,K/Weilburg Godard,Maxence 2340 1995, and ] 02.05.2010 [ 8...e8 was roughly treated in another Top 16 Marseille (7) [Nigel Davies (Based on analysis by GMI Jean-L] annotated game. ] 9.a4! [ The right move, in my view, keeping a lid on 1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 g6 4.c3 g7 t h e b l a c k q u e e n s i d e c o u n t e r p l a y , b u t 5.b1 a5 [ S o m e o l d b o o k s a r g u e t h a t 5...f6 strangely an innovation, 9.0-0?! is careless, is a good reply to White's early 5.Rb1, for b5 10.cxb5 axb5 11.f4 b4! (to weaken d4) example the game Taimanov, M (2580)12.b2 e7 13.h3 a6 with good Gulko, B (2480)/Vilnius 1975 went 6.b4 0-0 possibilities for Black, Skalkotas,N7.b5 e7 8.f3 d5! 9.cxd5 exd5 Pandavos,E/Serres 1990. ] 10.b2 e8 11.0-0 e4 with a very good 9...e8 10.0-0 f5 The same plan as 920
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 game for Black. But White does not need to plunge in with b2-b4-b5 and can instead try to exploit the fact that Black's knight on f6 is not optimally placed for the middle game because it blocks his f-pawn. So 7.d3 is one of several improvements. ] 6.a3 d6 [ 6...f6 is very similar to Taimanov - Gulko above and features in the game Ivanov Razuvaev. Once again White should avoid getting too excited and play just 7.b4 0-0 8.d3 . ] 7.b4 axb4 8.axb4 ge7 [ The alternative treatment is 8...f6 ] 9.e3 Taking the d4 square away from Black's knight on c6 which no longer has e7 to retreat to. [ 9.d3 transposes into Davies, N (2500)Sadler, M (2440)/London 1991. ] 9...f5 [ Black can also play 9...0-0 , a famous example proceeding 10.ge2 e6 11.b5 a5 12.d3 c6 13.0-0 d5 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.a3 e8 16.b4 b6 with a good game for Black in Kasparov, G (2800)-Kortschnoj, V (2625)/Paris 1990. ] 10.d3 d7 11.h3 Preventing the exchange of White's light square bishop via ... Bf5-h3, though White will not be able to castle right away. 0-0 12.f3 h6 13.b5 d8 14.e4 e6 15.d5 h7 16.h4 c8 [ After 16...f5 White can play 17.xe7 xe7 18.exf5 gxf5 19.0-0 White has some pressure. ] 17.e3 c6 [ This time 17...f5 can be strongly met by 18.exf5 gxf5 19.h5 . But Black's delay also has serious consequences on account of White's brilliant reply. ] 18.hf5! gxf5 [ After 18...h8 W hite can play 19.d2! , f o r e x a m p l e h5 20.g4 gives White a dangerous attack. ] 19.exf5 e7 20.h5 d5 21.bxc6 bxc6 22.fxe6 xe6 [ 22...xe6 might have been better, though the bish op p air still gives W hit e all th e chances. ] 23.0-0 f5 24.cxd5 cxd5 25.b5 e4 26.dxe4 [ 26.xd5! seems very strong here, for
example xd5 27.dxe4 c3 28.exf5 f6 29.c5 with three pawns and a powerful initiative for the piece. ] 26...dxe4 27.h4!? dc6 28.h3 d4 29.b7 ae8? Allowing White's powerful reply. [ 29...a2 was better. ] 30.a3! d5 31.xf8 [ 31.xg7+! was also good, for example xg7 32.b2! b6 33.xe8 xe8 34.xd4+ xd4 35.xf5+ etc. ] 31...xf8 32.fb1?! [ 32.a1! was much stronger intending to double on the 7th rank. ] 32...xe3 33.fxe3 f3+ 34.h1 e5 35.f7 xg3 36.xf5+ g8 37.xf8+ xf8 38.g4+?! [ H e r e W h i t e s h o u l d p l a y 38.e6+ , for example h8 39.f6+ g7 40.f4 etc.. ] 38...xg4 39.xg4 xh4 40.f1! c5 41.f4 g7? 42.xe4? [ 42.h5 is much simpler. ] 42...f6 43.e6+ g5 44.d1 a7 45.e7 b6 46.c2 f3 47.g7+ h4 48.f5 [ A n d h e r e W h i t e s h o u l d p l a y 48.d1! , for example e1 ( Or 48...e5 49.e7! ) 49.h2 h5 50.h7 g5 51.xh5+ g6 52.e4 with a win in sight. ] 48...g5 49.e4? This could have thrown away the win. [ White should have activated his king with 49.g2! a f t e r w h i c h xe3 50.c7! le a d s t o a wi n n in g a t t a c k , d e s p it e t h e paucity of material. For example d2 ( Or 50...h5 51.g3 d4 52.f4 h4 53.c2 ) 51.c2 e3 52.c3 d2 53.d3 a5 54.d7 h5 55.e8+ g4 56.d4+ f5 57.d5+ wins the bishop. ] 49...g3! 50.g6 e3? Forgetting that White's passes pawn must be kept under lock and key. [ 50...d4! is much better when it's difficult for White to win. ] 51.e5 f4 52.e6 c5 [ 52...xf5 53.e7 xg6 54.e8+ picks up the bishop on e3. ] 53.c2! e5 54.b3 e7 [ Black also loses the h6 pawn after 54...f8 55.xh6! because his bishop is needed where it is to stop White queening. ] 921
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 55.xh6 f5 56.a4 e5 57.d7 58.h2 e4 59.a2 c5 60.d2+ 61.c8 g5 62.e2+ d6 63.g2 64.c2 d6 65.a2 c7 66.a8 67.f3 e5 68.a7 d6 69.g4 70.f5 h4 71.h7 e7 72.h8 73.h1 c5 74.d1+ c7 75.d7 76.b5 e7 77.g6 xe6 78.f7 1-0
d6 e5 c7 d6 e7 d3 d6
the open e-file. e7 15.e1 d8 [ Black wants to avoid conceding the e6square, 15...d6 16.g5 h6 17.e6 ] 16.d6! Larry is a master of attack, and sets about the black position with gusto. First, he o p e n s t h e a 2 -g 8 d i a go n a l wi t h a t y p i c a l sacrifice hindering Black's development - the two black pieces remaining on the queenside will stay there till the end of the game. cxd6 [ 16...xd6? lose s immed iat ely, 17.g5 with twin threats of Qh5, and Qb3+. ] 928 A25 17.xe7! White wants to use the g5-sqaure, Christiansen,Larry Mark 2578 so eliminates its defender. xe7 [ 17...xe7 18.g5 h6 19.d5+ h8 Charbonneau,Pascal 2405 20.h5 is also crushing. ] WCN Ch-North America (4) 14.06.2002 18.g5 d5 [Tony Kosten] [ T h e o n l y t r y , 18...h6 19.b3+ d5 20.xd5+ h8 ( 20...xd5?! 21.xd5+ O n e r e v i e we r d o u b t e d t h a t t h e E n g l i s h h8 22.f7+ xf7 23.xf7 g8 24.g6 variations that I recommended in The with decisive threats against g7) 21.f7+ D y n a m i c E n g l i s h we r e ' D yn a m i c ' . W e l l , xf7 22.xf7 regains the exchange with an perhaps he should have a look at this enormous positional advantage. ] attacking masterpiece! 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 19.e2 h6 20.e1! hxg5 21.xe7 xe7 3.g2 c6 4.c3 b4 5.d5 Black has no sensible defence [ I like this move, and recommend it in my 22.xe7 book on the English, although we have against Rxg7+. mostly considered 5.e4 which is also quite 1-0 good. ] 5...c5 6.e3 Placing a barrier between the A25 bish o p o n c5 an d t h e se n sit ive f 2-p awn . 929 Davies,Nigel R 2500 xd5?! Sadler,Matthew 2440 [ This is probably premature, I prefer 6...0-0 ] London WFW 1991 7.cxd5 e7 8.b4!? [ 8.e2 and d4 is also good, but this exploits [Nigel Davies] the fact that Black hasn't castled. ] 1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 g6 4.c3 g7 8...d6!? [ 8...b6 9.b2 d6 10.d4 exd4 11.xd4 5.d3 [ G i v e n t h e p o t e n t i a l d a n g e r s o f 5.b1 0-0 12.e2 left White with a nagging edge (i.e. that Black may be able to play f6 in Stanec,N-Ganaus,H/Austria 1999, because of the potential c-f ile pressure followed by ...Nc6-e7 and a quick ...d7-d5) it makes sense to wait for Black to play ...d7against c7. ] d6 before lunging forward with b2-b4. ] [ 8...xb4 allows White to destroy the black kingside: 9.g4 c5 10.xg7 g6 5...d6 6.b1 a5 7.a3 ge7 8.b4 axb4 9.axb4 0-0 10.f3 11.h6 ] [ T h e r e ' s d e f i n i t e l y a c a s e f o r 10.e3 9.b2 0-0 10.a3 f5?! , stopping Black's c6 knight from going to d4. [ This weakens the kingside, and does Aronian, L (2420)-Chipashvili, M (2320)/ nothing for Black's development, 10...c6 Pasanauri 1997 continued e6 11.ge2 would justify Black's eighth move. ] d7 12.d5 xd5 13.cxd5 a7 14.0-0 11.f4 White will lever-open the a1-h8 diagonal. b5 15.b3 a6 16.b2 c6 17.c3 g6 12.f3 e8 13.0-0 exf4 14.exf4! xc3 18.xc3 b6 19.a1 xd5 20.xd5 Recapturing the other way would be cxd5 21.xd5 c8 with approximate positionally correct, but White wants to use 922
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 equality. ] 10...d4 11.0-0 xf3+ [ The game Geller, E-Mazzoni, G/Monte Carlo 1967 varied with 11...c6 after which 12.e1 f5 13.f4 h8 14.h1 g8 15.b2 f6 16.e3 e6 17.c2 exf4 18.exf4 d7 19.d2 c7 20.f2 e6 21.h3 e8 22.a1 left White with a slight edge. This kind of indirect manoeuvring battle is typical of this line which is more dependent on positional understanding than theoretical knowledge. ] 12.xf3 h3 13.e1 c6 14.g5 [ 14.b5 might have been better here, setting up immediate pressure on the queenside. ] 14...f6 15.d2 f5 16.b5 d7 17.bxc6 bxc6 18.b3 e6 19.b7 [ 19.b6 was stronger as then after e4 20.dxe4 Black does not have ... Bd4 available. W hite would stand better after xc4 21.b4 f7 22.c7 . ] 19...e4 20.dxe4 d4 21.b3 xf2+! Once the tactics started Matthew Sadler was immensely strong. 22.xf2 fxe4 23.xe4 xe4 24.g1 f5 25.e3 e6 26.b7 f7 27.c3 [ 27.eb1 would have been more testing. ] 27...h5 28.g5 af8 29.h6 e8 30.a1 g4 White's position is still more comfortable, but it's dif ficult to see where the winning chances will come from. ½-½
930 Davies,Nigel R Tebb,David BCF-chT 9798 (4NCL) (2.1) [Nigel Davies]
A25 2505 2280 1997
1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 g6 4.c3 g7 5.b1 a5 6.a3 d6 7.d3 f6 8.b4 axb4 9.axb4 0-0 10.b5 Various other moves have been tried here but I still like my choice. Other strong players have also tended to prefer it. e7 [ A n o t h e r p o s s i b i l i t y i s 10...d4 when Dgebuadze, A (2510)-Vaznonis, V (2282)/Dresden GER 2007 continued 11.e3 e6 12.ge2 h5 13.0-0 f5 14.d5 e8 15.d2 f7 16.f4 exf4 17.gxf4 c5
18.b4 with the better game for White. ] 11.b2 [ I seem to have been in a minority in my preference for this move, a more common one being 11.f3 . A n e xa m p le i s h6 12.0-0 e6 13.b3 d7 14.a3 f5 15.d2 b8 16.d5 c5 17.bxc6 bxc6 18.xe7+ xe7 19.c2 which was slightly better for White in Schlosser, P (2564)-Nataf, I (2552)/Cannes FRA 2008. ] 11...h5 Nobody else seems to have played this way. [ The critical line is 11...d5! , for example 12.cxd5 ( 12.a1 xa1 13.xa1 seems better) 12...exd5 13.xd5 xd5 14.f3 e4 15.dxe4 ( 15.e5 is better, but b y n o m e a n s c o m f o r t a b l e f o r W h i t e) 15...c3 16.xc3 xc3+ was good for Black in Vinke, A (2070)-Roemer, U (2250)/ Seefeld 199600. ] 12.f3 f5 13.0-0 h6 14.d2 Now White is better, his pressure on the queenside being far more significant than anything Black can do on the opposite flank. h8 15.a1 xa1 16.xa1 g5 17.a8 b6 18.a1 White is gaining serious control of the position whilst Black's play on the other flank is stillborn. f4 19.de4 fxg3 20.hxg3 f5 21.d5 [ I did not want to weaken myself with 21.g4 , despite the fact that it would win a piece. ] 21...f4 This, on the other hand, is an offer tha n ca n no t be ref used . 22.gxf4 gxf4 23.b8 e8 [ After 23...h4 White can kill the attack with 24.xc7 e8 25.a7 g6 26.xg7+ etc. ] 24.a8 g6 25.xc8 xc8 26.xc8+ h7 27.xc7 h5 28.f1 h6 29.h3 h4 30.d7 h5 31.xf5 xf5 32.xg7 h3+ 33.g1 f3 34.c1 Closing the mating net around Black's king. He has no good defence to the threat of a knight coming to f6. 1-0
923
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A25 29.e2 Dorfman,Josif D 2600 1-0 Kishnev,Sergey 2495 Bundesliga 2000-1 (9) 18.02.2001 932 A25 [Tony Kosten] Dorfman,Josif D 2608 Libiszewski,Fabien 2451 1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 g6 4.c3 g7 Monte Carlo MNC (5) 05.02.2004 5.b1 a5 6.e3 d6 7.ge2 h5!? [ An aggressive move that is popular in [Tony Kosten] similar positions, a more positional approach is 7...f5 8.d3 b4 9.e4 e6 10.0-0 e7 1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 g6 4.c3 d6!? 11.a3 bc6 12.b4 axb4 13.axb4 0-0 A rare line, trying to speed-up the queenside 14.b5 b8 15.e3 d7 16.c2 c6 development, W hite has no real advantage, Gulko,B[ 4...g7 is normal. ] Karpov,A/Moscow 1992. ] 5.b1 e6 6.b4! xc4?! A doubtful novelty. 8.h3 f5!? Previously Black had played [ Black is really going flat-out! However, this [ 6...d7 7.b5 ( 7.a4 g7 8.d5 ge7 hyper aggressive novelty, also has its down 9.xe7 xe7 10.xd7+ xd7 11.d3 d5 sides, the kingside, and in particular g5, is is very nice for Black, Azmaiparashvili,Zloosened. 8...e6 9.d3 d7 10.d5 f6 Malaniuk,V/Moscow 1983) 7...d8 8.d4! f5 11.ec3 h7!? deters White from short 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.b3 f7 11.f3! castles, Foisor,C-Ibragimov,I/Linares 1994. ] excellent! e4 ( 11...xc4? 12.a4 g7? 9.h4! Obviously White has to play this before 13.g5 wins the c4-bishop) 12.g5 e7 Black plays ...h4 himself. e6 10.b3 f4!? 13.0-0 f6 14.b2 with some advantage, I suppose this is only to be expected from as the black pieces are misplaced, Smyslov, Black's previous play! 11.exf4 g4 12.fxe5 V-Kupreichik, V/URS 1969. ] dxe5 So, Black has the open d and f files to 7.a4 Menacing to win a piece in two ways, play with, and controls d4. Still, a pawn is a and given as best by Gelfand, but pawn! 13.d3 e4? [ 7.b5 is also effective: ce7 8.a4 e6 [ A sharp, if doubtful, tactic, but 13...ge7 9.xb7 b8 10.xa7 and White has an 14.g5 0-0 was a sensible alternative, extra pawn. ] Black has some compensation. ] 7...e4 It is difficult to suggest anything better, 14.xe4 d4 15.f3! [ 7...e6 allows 8.b5 d4 9.e3 f5 [ 15.b2!? f3+ 16.xf3 xf3 17.0-0 10.xb7 b8 11.b6+! d7 12.bxa7! xa4 was another option, White is happy to give 13.axb8 xb8 14.c6+ xc6 15.xb8+ the exchange, and can easily defend his wining an exchange. ] kingside light squares. ] 8.b5! 15...xf3+ 16.xf3 xf3 17.0-0 g4 [ 8.xe4 d5 is Black's idea, no doubt. ] 18.g5 Without having done anything special, 8...e5 9.xe4?! Simple, but White misses White finds that he has an extra pawn, and a [ 9.d4! exd3 10.f4 which wins a piece for large development advantage. e7 19.d2 limited compensation. ] f5 20.f6+ xf6 21.xf6 0-0 22.xf5!? 9...d5 [ Simply 22.g5 is very strong. ] [ 9...d5! is stronger, and avoids problems 22...gxf5 23.h6 along the a1-h8 diagonal. ] [ Black's weakening of his kingside returns to 10.b2 g7? It is surprising how many errors h a u n t h i m . 23.g5+ f7 24.f1 ca n o ccu r in t h e o p e n in g d u rin g a ga m e is also very unpleasant. ] between two very good players when there is 23...xf6 24.xf6 xd3 25.g5+ f8 no theory to follow! 26.e1 e4 27.f2 d8 28.c3 c2+?? [ 10...e7! is the best bet: 11.f4 ( 11.b6+! [ An inexplicable blunder, 28...d4+ 29.e3 c6 12.xa7!? xa7 13.bxa7 d8 d7 keeps the game alive. ] 14.xe5 might be good for White, though) 931
924
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 11...d3+! the tactical point, 12.exd3 xd3 13.c1 xe4 14.xe4 f6 regaining the piece on e4. W hite can try 15.b6+ c6 16.xc6 but after xe4+ 17.xe4+ dxe4 18.e6+ d7 19.xe4 axb6 White's advantage is minimal. ] 11.f4 After this Black is in real trouble. dxe4 12.xe5 xe5 13.xc4 d4 The only reasonable try, if the bishop moves then Qxe4 is check and b7 will drop immediately afterwards. 14.c2 d6 [ 14...g7 is slightly superior, 15.e3 d3 16.xd3 exd3 17.xb7 d8 but objectively Black is lost here. ] 15.e3 c5 [ 15...d3 16.xd3 exd3 17.xb7 b8 18.e4 wins a second pawn. ] 16.xe4+ e7 17.f3!? The practical move, but there was absolutely nothing wrong with grabbing the second pawn by [ 17.xb7 0-0 18.e2 ] 17...0-0 18.0-0 fe8 19.fc1 [ 19.xb7 is still good. ] 19...b6 20.c4 f5 21.h1 Played to free the e-pawn's advance and avoid any tactical tricks. White has an extra pawn and the better position so Black decided to avoid wasting his time! Two possible continuations: [ 21.h1 e7 ( or 21...g7 22.e4 e6 23.f5 g7 24.d4 gxf5 25.e5 e7 26.xc7 with a trivial endgame win) 22.e4 h6 23.e5 g4 24.d4 and the bishop is lost. ] 1-0
12.b4 a6 13.b5 b7 14.fxe4 fxe4 15.xe4 forced, White cannot allow Black to play ...Bxd5 for free, xe4 16.xe4+ e7 17.f3 xd5 18.g4 0-0 White's problems on the light squares are worsening, 19.f1 , Pismenny,A-Zemerov,V/ Budapest 1994, f6 with a clear advantage ] [ 8.d3 is the safest, xd5 9.f3 b4+ 10.d2 xd2+ 11.xd2 d6 12.0-0 0-0 13.ac1 e6 Black enjoys a comfortable equ a lit y, Lo b ro n, E -S oko lo v, I / Nus s lo c h 1996. ] 8...f6?! [ This is not sufficiently forcing. 8...d3+ 9.e2 fxe4 10.xe4 c5 11.d3 offers reasonable positional compensation for the (doubled) pawn. ] [ but 8...c6! appears strongest, for if 9.dxc6 d3 threatens ...Nc2+. ] 9.d3 c5 Black plays for pressure on the ffile. 10.f3 fxe4 11.dxe4 g4 12.a3 0-0 [ Better than 12...a6? 13.h3 when the pin is broken, and White can consolidate. ] 13.axb4 xb4+ 14.f1 xf3 15.xf3 xf3 16.xf3 xf3 17.e3 a6 18.e2 af8 19.hc1 The backward c-pawn assures White a positional plus. 3f7 20.f4 exf4 21.gxf4 e8 22.c4 a5 23.ac1 b5 24.d4 d7 25.f3 ed8 26.c6 White prepares his win c a r e f u l l y. f8 27.d2 a4 28.dc2 b4 29.xc7 xc7 30.xc7 a3 31.bxa3 bxa3 32.a7 b8 33.e5 1-0
934 933 Filippov,Valerij Volzhin,Alexander XIII Torre Open (5) [Tony Kosten]
A25 2593 2556 18.12.2000
Franco Ocampos,Zenon Akopian,Vladimir Anibal Open Linares ESP (10) [Tony Kosten]
A25 2482 2656 17.01.2001
1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 g6 4.c3 g7 1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 f5 4.c3 f6 5.e4 d6 5.e3 d5!? 6.xd5 xd5 7.cxd5 b4 [ A couple of my opponents have tried The thematic point, Black threatens to 5...d4 6.ge2 c5 completely closing the recapture on d5, but also to check on d3, centre, although W hite maintains a very slight plus. ] exploiting the slight weakening of the white light squares on White's fifth move. 8.e4!? 6.ge2 ge7 7.0-0?! [ In the light of what follows, this may be [ A novelty, hanging on to the pawn by 8.b3!? is risky, e4 9.f3 d3+ 10.e2 p r e m a t u r e . 7.d3 retains White's options, c5 11.c4 b6 those light squares again! and will lead to a normal position. ] 925
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 7...h5 A new move here, although quite common in similar Botvinnik positions. 8.h4 White wants to stop the further advance of the h-pawn, of course. d4 [ T h e i m m e d i a t e 8...g5!? 9.hxg5 h4 is also possible. ] 9.xd4? [ White doesn't want Black to establish a p i e c e o n d 4 , b u t co n t r o l l in g g 5 b y 9.d3 was certainly safer. ] 9...exd4 10.e2 g5! 11.hxg5 d3! Black f rees the d4-square f or his bishop. 12.f4 h4 13.h5 d4 14.f6+ [ 14.gxh4 g6 fails to stop the white king's cover from disintegrating. ] 14...f8 15.gxh4 g6 16.h5 f4 17.f3 e2+ 18.h1 xf6 [ 18...xf6 19.gxf6 e8 is decisive, White cannot stop Black from play ...Qe5, and ... Rxh5+, mating the white king. ] 0-1
935 Georgiev,Kiril Sokolov,Ivan Bosnia 2001 Sarajevo BIH (1) [Tony Kosten]
A25 2676 2659 13.05.2001
1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 g6 4.c3 g7 5.b1 f5 Typical reversed Closed Sicilian play: Black expands on the kingside, but concedes the queenside to White. 6.b4 a6 7.a4 f6 8.b5 The White queenside initiative is well advanced, and he has yet to complete his kingside development. axb5 9.axb5 e7 10.b3 d6 11.d3 0-0 12.f3 h8 13.0-0 W hite has brought his king to safety, and Black must now find a good way of continuing his kingside expansion. fg8!? [ I really don't know what to make of this new move. 13...h6 is more common, planning ... g5, but the white queenside attack is very fast, 14.c5! g5 15.b6! (hitting the pawn chain at its base!) c6 16.a3 e8 17.cxd6 xd6 18.b4 Black's position is already disintegrating, Anilkumar,N-Saravanan,V/ Calcutta 1993. ] 14.b2 f4 15.a1 b8!? Black prefers to keep pieces on the board, and reasons that the a-file is not too useful for W hite. 16.d4!
With his pieces perfectly developed, and the black ones awkwardly placed, White strikes in the centre. fxg3 17.hxg3 exd4 18.d5 c5 [ Black cannot hang-on to the d-pawn, 18...f5 19.fd1 ge7 20.xd4 and W hite opens the a1-h8 diagonal, whilst maintaining a structural advantage. ] 19.bxc6 xc6 20.fd1 e6 21.f4 f7 22.xd4 f6?! [ A l l o wi n g a c o m b i n a t i ve li n e , 22...xd4 23.xd4 xd4 24.xd4 b5 is Black's best chance. ] 23.xc6! xb2 24.xb2 xb2 25.xb8 xa1 26.d7 d8 So far all forced. 27.c5! T h e k e y p o i n t , w i n n i n g m a t e r i a l . e5 28.xb7 e8 29.d5 h6 30.e3 b8 31.b6 f5 32.d7 c8 33.g4 h4 34.xe5 dxe5 35.d6 c7 36.xf7+ xf7 37.d8+ g7 38.d5 White's extra pawn, and superior minor piece, is decisive. e7 39.c5 h5 40.gxh5 gxh5 41.c6 1-0
936 Goganov,Aleksey Khismatullin,Denis Samara Polugaevsky Memorial 4th (8) [Tony Kosten]
A25 2590 2680 9.7.14
1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.f3 Presumably White is aiming for a 4 Knights, but I would avoid this particular move order myself, and prefer [ 3.g3 ] 3...f5 4.d3 [ 4.d4 e4 is critical, with a reversed Frenchstyle setup, although we haven't looked at it too much on ChessPub [A27]. ] 4...f6 5.g3 b4 6.g2?! [ 6.d2 avoids the doubled pawns, and is definitely best, as is the case with reversed colours. ] 6...xc3+ 7.bxc3 d6 This is like a Reversed Grand Prix Attack, which is generally thought to b e qu ite go o d f o r W h it e (wit h c o lo u rs reversed), but here does the extra move make any difference? 8.0-0 [ 8.b3 b8 was Almasi, Z-Vallejo Pons, from a few months ago. ] 8...0-0 9.b1 The rook goes to the open file, 926
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 to pressure the b7-pawn together with the bishops on g2 and hinders the development of the c8-bishop. [ 9.c5!? is probably incorrect, but opens the position for the bishops, d5 ( 9...dxc5!? 10.a3 d7 11.h4 with some initiative.) 10.c4 ( 10.d4 e4 11.e5 xe5 12.dxe5 g4 13.f4 b6 14.h3 h6 15.a4 e8 favoured Black in Wohl, A (2458) -Jones, G (2561)/Sydney 2010.) 10...dxc4 11.b2 e7 12.a4 e6 1/2-1/2 Kosten, A (2535)Degraeve, J (2525)/Montpellier 1998. ( 12...cxd3 13.exd3 and Rfe1 with play for the pawn. )] 9...e8 The queen heads for h5 "with a typical Dutch attack" - Alex. This position scores very well for Black, his play is simpler, he will aim f o r th e st an da rd . .. f 4 , .. .B h3 a nd . .. Ng4 . 10.e1 Probably best, , heading for d5 via b4 o r e 3 , a n d p r e p a r i n g a p o s s i b l e f 4 . b6 Playing in more positional style, Black protects the b-pawn and can try to exchange the light square bishops. The alternatives are also good: [ 10...h5 continues the kingside build-up, 11.f4 ( 11.c2 f4 12.e3?! g4 13.f3 fxg3 14.hxg3 Froitzheim, R (1870)-Witte, T ( 1 6 6 8 ) / T r o i s d o r f 2 0 0 8 , c8!? with advantage.) 11...e4 12.c2 e8 and I would pref er to be Black, W hite's extra tempo doesn't seem to help at all, 13.d4 xd4 14.cxd4 b6 ( 14...c6 15.e3 f7 also favours Black, he will gain the e4square for his knight, Bagheri, A (2531)Gerard, N (2272)/Nantes 2003.) 15.e3 ( 15.d5 looks right, followed by an eventual Bb2. ) 15...xd1 16.xd1 d7 17.dxe4 xe4 18.xe4 xe4 Black is slightly better, but the opposite colour bishops make this drawish, Dornieden, M (2279)-Ljubarskij, J (2338)/Dresden 2004. ] [ 10...b8 is slower, 11.c2 d7 12.b4 ( 12.e3 e7 13.d5 exd5 14.cxd5 b6 15.f4 e4 16.c4 h5 Wang, H (2724)Vitiugov, N (2722) /Ningbo 2010, 17.dxe4 fxe4 18.b2 is about equal, as g4 19.h3 e3 20.d4 f5 21.c3 xe2 22.fe1 d3 23.g4 regains the pawn.) 12...e7 13.g5 c6 14.d4 g6 Ihsan, J (2166) Safin, S (2510)/Al Ain 2008, 15.c5!? ] [ 10...f4!? 11.e3 g4?! ( 11...fxg3 ) 12.f3
fxg3?! 13.fxg4 gxh2+ 14.xh2 g6 15.h3 Black doesn't have nearly enough for the piece, Anwesh, U (2413)-Roshan, R (2062)/New Delhi 2012. ] 11.c2 b7 [ 11...d7 makes a lot of sense, 12.b4 xb4 ( 12...a5 13.d5 xd5 14.cxd5 e7 15.c4 Cruz, F (2338)-Sustach, M (2254)/Arequipa 2003, can be answered by f4 when White has no real counterplay.) 13.cxb4 c6 14.xc6 xc6 15.b5 b7 with a slight plus to Black has his minor piece is more useful in this closed position, Pfleger, H (2500)-Hort, V (2615)/Germany 1984/ GER-chT. ] 12.b4 a5 13.d5 Thematic, the knight finally reaches its destination on d5. [ 13.f3?! also keeps the bishop pair on the board, Heinrich, P (2240) -Hughes, B (1920)/ Sa n t a Mo n ica 1 9 7 4 , b u t c5 is strong, 14.c2 d5 15.cxd5 xd5 with advantage. ] [ P o s s i b l y W h i t e s h o u l d o p t f o r 13.g5 and take on f6 - his dark-squared bishop is no better than the knight. ] 13...f7 14.xf6+ xf6 15.f3 f4 So simple, White's structure is worse, and his bishops stymied. 16.e4 ae8 [ 16...c8! looks good, stopping White's next. ] 17.h3 h6 18.g4 g6 19.b2! Swinging the rook to the kingside . fxg3!? Black decides to sacrifice the exchange to 'prove' his advantage, but it would be better to keep the position closed. 20.hxg3 h5 [ 20...c8 21.xc8 xc8 22.g2 is almost level, but Black certainly isn't worse. ] 21.f5 xf5!? 22.exf5 xf5 23.d2 e6 Planning ...Rg6. Black has enough compensation with his light squared play, but n o m o re a s is k n i gh t i sn ' t p a r t i c i p a t i n g . 24.g5!? White switches to attacking mode, it's possible that a shortage of time for one or both players contributed to this decision. [ 24.e3 g6 25.g2 h3 26.f2 f5 27.e3 with a likely repetition. ] 24...xd3 25.d8+?! [ 25.xh5 i s s t r o n g e r , xc4 26.h2 looks dangerous ... for both players! ] 25...h7 26.h2 xf3 27.g5 g6? 927
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Missing a trick. [ 27...f6! protects f3 and stops Qd8, 28.g4 ( 28.xh5+ g8! 29.h2 xc4 30.hf2 d5 and ...e4 with domination.) 28...g8! 29.gxh5 ( 29.xh5?? loses on the spot to xf1+ 30.xf1 xg4+ ) 29...f5 an d with c4 d ro p ping B lack will ha ve 3 strong pawns for the exchange. ] 28.xf3! xf3 29.xh5+ h6 Forced. 30.xh6+ gxh6 31.xh6+ g8 32.e6+ White has a perpetual. g7 33.e7+ g6 34.e6+ f6 35.g4+ f7 36.d7+ e7 37.f5+ e8?? An awful blunder, any other m o v e d r e w ! 38.g5 d7 39.f6! W a s t h i s t h e m o v e B l a c k m i s s e d ? h7 40.e6+ [ 40.e6+ f8 41.h6+ ] 1-0
D (2217) -Sanzhaev, D (2056)/Kazan RUS 2008, 13.b3! ) 13.xe4?! ( 13.d4! opens the centre while Black is unable to castle ) 13...f6 14.f3 e6? ( 14...h6 ) 15.d4! exd4 16.g5 f7 17.xd4 c6 18.xe6 xe6 19.e1 and Black soon re si g n e d , W e b st e r, A ( 2 4 3 0 ) -V a n d e Berkmortel, T (2262)/ Sutton 1999; C) 10...f6 the best way to solve the problem of the loose knight, C1) 11.b3!? 0-0 12.b2 aims for a nice Reversed Dragon setup, and would be my choice, e7 13.c2 d7 ( 13...b8 14.e4 fxe4 15.dxe4 g4 16.h4 Stryjecki, M (2420)-Miton, K (2636)/ W arsaw 2005) 14.d2! ab8 15.c4 with a small plus, Markowski, T (2560)Miton, K (2592) /Poznan 2005; C2) 11.b3 to hinder Black from castling, e7 12.e4 fxe4 13.dxe4 937 A25 ( 13.g5!? exd3 14.e3 is fun, e4 15.d4 and White will recapture the Grischuk,Alexander 2720 pawns with an edge) 13...c6 to defend Cobbers,Martin 2102 b7 laterally, and prepare ...Be6 Mainz CCM5 simul 08.2005 ( 13...f7!? 14.c3 h5 15.d2 0-0 [Tony Kosten] 16.f3 Gofshtein, L (2507)-Mitkov, N (2509)/Lisbon 1999) 14.e3 the most 1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 f5 4.c3 f6 logical, ( 14.g5 e6 15.c2 0-0 5.e3 The natural move, White is ready to play is nothing for White, Portisch, L (2600) Nge2 which both defends the knight on c3 Polgar, S (2480)/London 1996,; 14.d2 (against ...Bb4xc3) and prepares d4 (against c5!? 15.c2?! 0-0 16.b3 b6 ...Bc5). Instead, I recommended 17.f3?! a6 18.e1 g4 [ 5.d3 in 'The Dynamic English', to avoid was already crushing for Black, Ruck, R Black's next. ] ( 2 3 6 0 ) - N a j e r , E / B r a t i s l a v a 1 9 9 3) 5...d5!? This is the problem, the weakness of 14...e6 15.c2 0-0 16.h3 h6 17.h4 d3 allows Black to play an Open Sicilian-type fe8 18.fd1 c7 19.f5 xf5 position. 6.cxd5 b4 7.d3 bxd5 8.xd5 20.exf5 with advantage, Dzagnidze, N xd5 9.f3 The question is whether this is a (2484)-Kovalevskaya, E (2471)/Mallorca good Sicilian position for Black (because of 2004. ] the potential weakness of d3) or for W hite (active bishop on g2, pressure on e5). b4+!? 10.d2 xd2+ [ 10...e7 11.xb4 xb4+ 12.d2 e7 This allows Black to castle quickly, but also ( 12...xd2+? 13.xd2 and the e-pawn is helps W hite as his undeveloped bishop is lost ) 13.0-0 c6?! 14.e4! fxe4 15.dxe4 f6 exchanged. 16.c3 and the e-pawn is in trouble, d7 [ 9...d6 is the main move, 10.0-0 Schmittdiel, E (2387) -Giroux, F (2204)/ A) 10...c6?! 11.e4! fxe4 Velikov, P Avoine 2006, when White can brazenly play (2329)-Gerard, N (2283)/Angers 2006, is 17.h3 0-0 18.fd1 ready to capture on d7 met by 12.xe5! 0-0 13.dxe4 xe5 then on e5. ] 14.exd5 with an extra pawn; B) 10...e6?! also defends d5, but then 11.xd2 d6 12.0-0 0-0 At first glance this 11.e4! fxe4 12.g5 puts Black in all sorts position looks to be quite satisfactory for Black, of trouble, g8 ( 12...d7?! Ospennikov, but he is slightly behind in development and 928
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 e5 is more exposed as there is no knight on c6. 13.fe1! The key move, White threatens e4 to expose the e5-pawn. [ 13.a5!? b6 14.b5 c5 15.c4 e6 16.g5 ad8 is fine for Black, Komljenovic, D (2 4 2 5 ) -P s a k h is , L ( 2 5 6 5 )/ B e n a sq u e 1998. ] [ 13.ac1 e6 14.g5 c6 15.xe6 xe6 16.fe1 ad8 17.a5 a6 18.e4 is about level, Lobron, E (2590)-Sokolov, I (2665)/Nussloch 1996. ] 13...f4! Taking the sting out of e4. [ 13...e6 is the main alternative, A) 14.e4! i s t h e m a t i c , fxe4 15.xe4 when f5 ( 15...f6 16.xe5 g4 17.e4 f6 18.d4 with a pawn more) 16.xe5 g4 fails to 17.g5! xf3 18.xf3 xf3 19.xd5 b6 20.f1 xb2 21.d7 menacing Qd5+; B) 14.g5 ad8 15.e4 f6?! Mareco, S (2187)-Garcia, G (2453)/ B u e n o s A i r e s 2 0 0 5 , 16.xe6 xe6 17.exf5 xf5 18.xb7 xd3 19.e2 with a structural plus. ] 14.e4 [ 14.gxf4! exf4 15.e4 e7 16.d4 gives White a mobile centre, and a certain edge. ] 14...b6 [ 14...e7! m i g h t b e b e t t e r , 15.d4 (else ...Nc6) g6 16.c3 exd4 17.xd4 e5 with a good hold on e5. ] 15.c3 H i t t i n g e 5 a g a i n . e8 16.d4 The 'equalising' Sicilian move, but here it gives White the advantage. exd4 17.xd4 e5 18.ac1 c6 19.b3+ h8 20.f3 Freeing the e-pawn's advance. f6 21.e5 e7 22.d4 e6? [ 22...fxg3 23.hxg3 g4 is obviously better, but even so 24.e4 h5 25.f4 gives White an obvious advantage, with the e and fpawns marching up the board. ] 23.xe6 xe6 24.xe6 xe6 25.gxf4 This leaves White with an extra pawn to add to his other plusses. d8 [ 25...f8 was a better try, 26.h3 g6+ 27.h1 xf4 28.e6 f8 29.e7 e8 30.cd1 winning easily, e.g. d5 31.xd5! cxd5 32.d7 ] 26.f5 e7 27.cd1 xd1 28.xd1 g8 29.f4 c4? But the position was hopeless
anyway. 30.e6? A mistake but at this stage of a simultaneous display it is normal to feel tired, and play worse. [ 30.d8+ f7 31.e6+ f6 32.f8+ leads to mate. ] 30...h6?? [ 30...g6! keeps the game alive, 31.d7 f8 32.h3 gxf5 33.xf5 xd7 34.exd7 e7 although W hite should certainly triumph after 35.xh7 ] 31.d8+ h7 32.d7 [ 32.e4! ] 32...e8 33.f6 xe6 34.f7 f6 35.e4+ 1-0
938 Gurevich,Mikhail Gagunashvili,Merab 3rd IECC Playoff (1.2) [Tony Kosten]
A25 2641 2472 27.06.2002
1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 g6 4.c3 g7 5.b1 A popular and flexible idea, White wants to expand on the queenside, but keeps his kingside development plans hidden. a5 6.d3 d6 7.e3 f5 8.ge2 f6 9.b3 This piece set-up is a very popular one for W hite, but with the white rook on b1, and black pawn on a5, it is even better, as, for one thing White doesn't have to worry about tactics along the a1-h8 diagonal. 0-0 10.b2 e6 One of many alternatives tried by Gurevich's opponents here: [ 10...h5!? 11.f3 ( 11.0-0 f4! is the point) 11...e6 12.0-0 f7 13.g2 e8 14.d2 Gurevich,M-Ehlvest,J/ Reggio Emilia 1991, ] [ 10...d7?! seems inferior, 11.d2 b8 12.0-0 b6 13.be1!? planning f4, e4 h8 14.f4 led to a nice victory for White in Gurevich,M-Kamsky,G/Reggio Emilia 1991. ] 11.d5 Black was intending the freeing ...d5. d7!? This appears logical, but is actually an innovation: [ 11...f7!? intending 12...Nxd5 which, if played immediately would lose a piece, 12.ec3 xd5 13.xd5 b8! 14.c3 c6= , Gurevich,M-Nikolic,P/ Antwerp 1997. ] 12.0-0 h6 13.d2 White often plays these opening moves fairly quickly, as his pieces 929
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 almost always go to the same squares. h7 14.be1!? White intimates that he will play f4 and e4 to attack in the centre. ae8 15.ec3 b6!? I prefer [ 15...f7! so that if 16.b5 Black can play xd5 17.cxd5 b4 ] 16.b5!? [ 16.a3 is safer. ] 16...c8?! This offers the exchange, [ 16...xd5! is better, 17.cxd5 b4 18.c3 e4! and Black has dynamic compensation for the white bishop pair, in particular his knight threatens to land on d3. ] 17.xf6+ xf6 18.xc6! White boldly takes t h e m o n e y. xc6 19.a7 f3 20.xc8 f4?! This threatens ...Bh3, and forces White to exchange the queens! [ 20...xc8 is better, although after 21.d4! White is well on top, f4 ( 21...b7 22.d5 and the long diagonal is closed.) 22.e2 b7 23.f3 h3 with some play for the exchange. ] 21.e2 xe2 [ 21...b7? 22.xd6 cxd6 23.f3 is much worse than the previous line. ] 22.xe2 f3 23.d2 xc8 24.d4 e4 Black tries to keep the position closed, as the rooks can only function if they have open lines. 25.c1 e7 26.c5! This is the problem, White offers a temporary pawn sac to free the d and c-files. dxc5 [ 26...b5 might be a better chance. ] 27.dxc5 xc5 28.d4! d8 29.dc2 xd4 [ 29...d6 is also insufficient: 30.xb6! cxb6 31.xc8 ] 30.xc7+ g7 31.xc8 d2 32.8c2 d7 Black could easily resign here. 33.c4 d2 34.xe4 xa2 35.h4 g5 36.h5 b5 37.e7 a4 38.bxa4 b4 39.cc7 1-0
( 3.f3 c6 4.g3 This is one of the main lines, but now I have noticed that many top players pref er to put their bishop on c5 rather than b4. c5 and theoretically, as far as I can tell, this line is fine for B la c k(a lt h o u gh ve ry r ich in id e a s , a n d certainly fine for W hite too).) 3...b4 is comfortable, because without the knight on c6 Black can castle and play Re8, and not only is Nd5 not such a big threat(knight on c6 is not attacked after it is captured) but Black also has the option of c6 and d5, or of taking on c3 and then perhaps putting the b8 knight on a different route(e. g. d7c5). ] 2...c6 [ 2...f6 3.g2 Here is where Black would sort of like to play Bb4, but it makes no sense without a knight on c3 and putting the bishop on c5 before White has played Nf3 runs into e3 and d4. c6 4.c3 b4 ( 4...c5 5.e3 intending Ne2. Now this line is not obviously bad for Black, and there are complications with Black playing d5 around here, but we will revisit that.) 5.d5 is probably somewhat better for White. ] 3.g2 c5!? An interesting set-up against the so-called 'Kostenites' i.e. those who rely on Tony Kosten's book on the English for their White opening repertoire and therefore begin with 2.g3 4.c3 a6 Perhaps not necessary, but [ 4...ge7 5.a4!? looked annoying. ] 5.e3 d6 6.ge2 [ 6.d4!? exd4 7.xc6+ bxc6 8.exd4 looks too ambitious, but I must admit that it scared me a bit at the time. ] 6...ge7 7.0-0 0-0 So Black has achieved the solid Bc5 line set-up but now with his knight on e7 the idea of e3 and d4 is not so t h r e a t e n i n g . 8.d4 I wouldn't go so far as to say this was a mistake, but it does make 939 A25 good sense of Black's piece set up, all of wh ic h i s d ir e c t e d a t t h e d 4 s q u a re . I t i s Hanreck,Alan E notable that the two top W hite players who Rowson,Jonathan Brentwood Weekender 17.02.2008 have faced this line, Van W ely and Peter Heine Nielsen, have both preferred set ups [Jonathan Rowson] where d4 is delayed or avoided. After looking at these lines for a while, you find that it is 1.c4 e5 2.g3 [ My understanding of these move orders is not so easy to play Black's position because t h a t a f t e r 2.c3 f6 ( 2...b4!? ) 3.g3 unless W hite plays d4, the knight on e7 is 930
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 r a t h e r a w k w a r d l y p l a c e d . a7 9.d5 I am not sure about this move. I suspect whatever White gains is not as much as he loses by making my bishop on a7 so influential. [ 9.a3 exd4 10.exd4 f5 11.e3!? not as bad as it looks- taking on e3 leaves white with some tender dark squares and a weakened king, but the bishop on a7 is a little bit snuf fed, and white's remaining pieces are rather good. ( 11.xc6 bxc6 12.b4 is strategically critical, because if White gets c5 then my bishop will be snuffed out, perhaps forever. c5! comes just in time and after 13.bxc5 dxc5 14.d5 Black is better, mainly because there is no convenient way to protect c4 (after ...Nd6) and the bishop on a7 has a future on a5. )] 9...b8 10.b4 d7 11.h1 h5 I am not sure about this move. [ 11...f6!? looks more flexible 12.e4 g4 13.e1 f5 is a bonus. ] 12.e4 [ 12.e4!? didn't occur to me, and is not very human, but actually quite annoying. ] 12...h4 13.d3 a5 [ 13...h3 14.xh3 c5 15.bxc5 xh3 16.g1 xc5 17.g4 ] [ 13...g6 14.f4 hxg3 15.f5 f4 16.xg3 I found this position hard to judge, but Black is probably ok. ] 14.a3 b6 15.e3 xe3 16.xe3 hxg3 17.fxg3 c6?! A bit too ambitious. I knew that if the position were to open the bishop on g2 and knight on e2 might look very badly placed, and that is indeed what ultimately happened, but I take too many liberties to achieve this goal. [ 17...axb4 18.axb4 xa1 19.xa1 c5 is more solid. ] [ 17...f5!? was also a better move. ] 18.c5 axb4 19.axb4 xa1 20.xa1 f6 21.cxd6? [ 21.a8! I saw this, and wasn't scared, but perhaps I should have been. ] 21...xd6 22.c5 Superficially White is better, but keep an eye on the bishop on g2 and knight on e2- terrible pieces that struggle to play a role. d8 23.h3 [ 23.a8 h7!= ] 23...g6 24.h2 g7 25.xd6 xd6 26.g4
e8 [ 26...cxd5 27.exd5 fxd5 28.xd5 xd5 29.d1 e4 30.xe4 e6 is clever, but just enough for a draw. ] 27.dxc6? xc6 28.c1 [ 28.d1 ] 28...e6 29.d5? White was getting short of time, but this walks in to a lost ending. xd5 30.exd5 xc1 [ 30...b6 also looked good, but I couldn't see any defence for him after what I did. ] 31.xc1 f5 32.gxf5 gxf5 33.e2 e4 34.f4 f6 35.g3 e5 36.h4 f6 37.h5 exd5 38.xd5 xd5 39.h6 f6?! [ 39...f4+ 40.h4 f6 41.g5 f3 42.h1 f2 43.g2 e3 44.f1 h7+ 45.g6 f8+ 46.f7 e6 an instructive little dance! It seems I can win the pawn by force. ] 40.h3 It now seems obvious that I should play f4 while I had the chance, but at the time I didn't want to commit myself. e7 41.f4 g6+ 42.e3 f8? To control h7, but... 43.g2 [ 43.h7! We both completely missed this move, which narrows Black's winning margin, though doesn't close it. xh7 ( 43...g6 44.d4 is tense. ) 44.f4 e3! 45.xe3 e5 should eventually win. ] 43...e5 44.h3 h7 45.f1 f4+ 46.d2 f6 [ 46...f5 ] 47.h3 b6 48.b5 h7 49.d7 g5 50.g4 f6 51.h5 h7 52.d1 g6 53.c2 f6 54.c3 xh6 55.d4 f3 56.e3 g5 0-1
940 Hansen,Curt Hodgson,Julian M Bundesliga 2000-1 (11) [Tony Kosten]
A25 2619 2596 11.03.2001
1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 g6 4.c3 g7 5.e3 d6 6.ge2 h5 This aggressive response, is very popular, and White has to know how to handle it. 7.d4 [ White replies in the centre, in classical fashion, but 7.h4 is a sensible alternative. ] 7...exd4 931
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ The further advance of the h-pawn is the main alternative, but allows White to play a promising KI position : 7...h4 8.d5 ce7 9.e4 f5 10.g5 h3!? , Sokolov,I-Chernin,A/ Debrecen 1992, and now W hite pref ers 11.f1 with prospects of an advantage. ] 8.xd4 ge7 9.de2?! [ White preserves pieces, and avoids the exchange on d4, e.g. 9.h3!? xd4 10.exd4 f5 11.e4! 0-0 12.0-0!? ( 12.g5 ) 12...xd4 13.g5 f6 14.xd4 fxg5 15.d5+ h8 16.xg5 f6 when Black's bishops promises him good play, Geller,EKholmov,R/Moscow 1964. ] [ However, 9.xc6 is more popular. ] 9...h4 The critical reply, before White can play h 3 , o r h 4 . 10.0-0? This is really asking for trouble, but W hite obviously feels that his kingside is easily defendable. hxg3 11.hxg3 h3 12.xh3 xh3 13.f4 [ White has difficulty opposing rooks on the open h-file, i.e. 13.g2? d7 14.h1 xh1 15.xh1 0-0-0 and ...Rh8. ] 13...h7 14.c5 A desperate attempt to open the position, but it is not as if W hite has a development advantage. xc3! 15.bxc3 dxc5 16.f3 d7 17.a3 0-0-0! [ W hite was hoping for 17...b6 18.ad1 , although even here Black has no problems. ] 18.ad1 [ This fails, but recapturing the pawn allows Black a winnin g at tack: 18.xc5 e5 19.e4 7c6 20.d4 f5 21.g2 g5 etc. ] 18...e5 19.e4 xd1 20.xd1 xd1+ 21.g2 7c6 The exchange of two rooks for the black king has done nothing to dampen the black attacking prospects. 22.h3 [ Hopeless, but 22.xc5? f5 23.c2 dh1 forces mate. ] 22...b6 23.g4 b7 24.g3 f5 25.gxf5 gxf5 26.xf5 g7+ White must jettison material to avoid mate. 0-1
941 Hulak,Krunoslav Almasi,Zoltan TCh Pula CRO (1) [Tony Kosten]
A25 2566 2630 10.09.2001
1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 g6 4.c3 g7 5.e3 d6 6.ge2 h5 7.d4 h4 [ T h e a l t e r n a t i v e 7...exd4 fared well in Hansen,C - Hodgson,J. ] 8.d5 Gaining space, and taking play into a type of KI position. ce7 9.e4 f5 10.g5 h3 11.f3 [ Personally, I feel that the bishop can be awkwardly placed here, and I prefer 11.f1! f6 12.exf5 ( Chernin indicates 12.d2 xe4 13.xe4 fxe4 14.c3 followed by the recapture on e4 with a positional advantage because of Black's 'KI bishop'. One possible continuation: g4!? 15.e2 f3 16.xf3 exf3 17.d3 but this doesn't look to be too clear to me .) 12...gxf5 13.d2 a6 14.f3 d7 15.g1 and the h3pawn was a problem, Larsen, B-Karlsson, L/Copenhagen 1985. ] 11...f6 12.0-0 0-0 13.d2!? [ A novelty, but it allows some interesting tactics. 13.h1 seems safer, removing the bishop from the f-file, h7 14.e3 g5?! 15.exf5 xf5 16.d2 g4 17.e4 e7 18.b3 c5 19.f3 gxf3 20.xf3 when White's space, and possession of e4, give him an edge, Comas Fabrego, L-Gual Pascual,A/Terrasa 1995. ] 13...h7! 14.e3 f4! 15.gxf4 exf4 16.d4 [ 16.xf4? g5 wins a piece, and this is why White hastened to move the bishop from f3 in the previous note. ] 16...h6 17.c5!? Possibly White was worried about Black playing ...c5 himself, but putting his king in the corner, and bringing a rook to the g-file, may have been better. g5 18.h1 f7 [ 18...f3 19.g3 leads nowhere, the knight has no useful discovered attack. In fact, its real destination is f7, to control e5. ] 19.cxd6 cxd6 20.d3 h7 21.fe1 e5!? 22.xe5 dxe5 23.ad1 g8 24.d6 T h i s p a wn s e e m s s t r o n g . f6 25.f3 Now that the f-file is closed this is a much safer square for the bishop, of course. d7 932
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 26.d5 xd5 27.xd5 g7 28.h1? [ Pawn-hunting by 28.xb7!? b8 29.xa7 xb2 30.h1 was worth consideration. ] 28...b6 29.f1 [ 29.g1 might be the best move, but it is difficult to admit one's mistake. ] 29...ac8!? [ 29...xb2 is possible, although 30.b1 a3 31.b3 xa2 32.c3 a6 33.e2 gives White some initiative. ] 30.d3 f6! Out-of-the-blue the d-pawn is being rounded-up. 31.c3 xb2 32.d5 f7 [ Preferring to avoid opposite-colour bishops after 32...xd6 33.f6+ xf6 34.xd7 ] 33.b1 d4 34.b3?! [ 34.xd4 exd4 35.xb7 offers better chances. ] 34...e6 35.bd1 c5 36.d3 White defends the d6-pawn with tricks, but it shouldn't hold-out for long. c4!? [ 36...d8 37.d2 fd7! ( 37...xd6 38.f6+ xf6 39.xd6 xd6 40.xd6 is p la ya b l e f o r W h i t e) 38.b2 b6 and the pawn is lost next go. ] 37.b1 c6 38.c7 d7 39.g1 f8 40.c1 d4 41.b3 With a passing threat of capturing the loose rook on f7. f6 42.d5 fxd6 43.cd1 xf2 44.f6+ xf6 45.xd7+ g7 ...Rc2 is the nasty threat, and White is quite lost. 46.d1 f3 Now, ...Qg2+ is threatened. 47.d3 c3! 48.xg7+ [ 48.xc3 g2+ 49.xg2 fxg2+ 50.g1 f1# would be a nice way to finish (for Black!) ] 48...xg7 49.d7+ f7 50.xh3 xg1+! [ 50...xg1+ 51.xg1 f2+ 52.f1 xh3 is quite hopeless. ] 0-1
enough that its soundness isn't in question." John Watson. [ The text certainly does score much better than the routine 5...0-0 ] [ and 5...d6 . ] 6.cxd5 b4 7.f3!? A novelty. Chucky ignores the light-square weaknesses and carries on with development, leaving Black to weigh the ramifications of this decision. A strategy well-suited to the time control, I'd say! [ The main continuation is 7.d4 exd4 8.exd4 e7 , i.e. Sarakauskas, G (2414)-Kiik, K (2452)/Jyvaskyla 2006/[John Watson] and Rogozenco, D (2577)-Parligras, M (2377)/ Iasi 1999/[TonyK]. ] [ White also often chooses 7.d3 , aiming for a reversed Sicilian-type position after bxd5 8.xd5 xd5 9.f3 . This quiet approach has some venom. One recent example: ( or 9.a3 ) 9...b4+ 10.d2 xd2+ 11.xd2 d6 12.0-0 0-0 13.d4! e4 14.e5 f5 15.fc1 e6 16.c5 f6 17.ac1 c6 18.b4 d7 19.xd7 xd7 20.f1 a6 21.c4 xc4 22.1xc4 ad8 23.a4 Vachier Lagrave, M (2699) -Hunt, A (2462)/ Caleta ENG 2012. ] 7...d3+ Svidler "calls." [ It's a close decision between the text and 7...f5!? . Following 8.0-0 c2 ( 8...c2? 9.e4+- ) 9.e1 d3 ( 9...e4!? ) 10.e2 0-0 White can begin the process of untangling, i. e. 11.e1 xe1 12.xe1 e4! 13.c4 e7 14.a4 xa4 15.xa4 ] [ Natural is 7...e4 , but 8.e5! isn't too promising for Black. ( 8.g5!? obviously comes into consideration as well. )] 8.e2 f5?! Now this isn't such a good idea. [ 8...xd5! w a s n e c e s s a r y . 9.a4+!? ( clearly not 9.xd3?? f4+ with mate to come ) 9...d7 10.e4 xc3+ 11.dxc3 ( 11.bxc3!? ) 11...xc1+ 12.hxc1 f6 942 A25 13.d1 gives White a semblance of an initiative, though the position remains fairly Ivanchuk,Vassily 2769 balanced. ] Svidler,Peter 2749 World Rapid Final (15) 08.07.2012 9.a4+! A disruptive check. c6?! [ Black can't claim much compensation after [John Bartholomew] 9...d7 10.c4 xc1+ 11.hxc1 d6 12.f1 , but maybe this was the best Ivanchuk's innovative 7.Nf3!? catches Black practical chance. ] off-guard in this unbalanced line. 1.c4 e5 [ Similar is 9...f8 10.c4 d6 11.e4 2.g3 c6 3.g2 f6 4.c3 c5 5.e3 xc1+ 12.hxc1 . ] d5!? "This move has been around long 933
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 10.h4! Svidler begins to realize that he's been caught wrong-footed by his wily opponent. xc1+? Essentially losing. [ 10...b5! was the last chance to make a mess of things. Then 11.b3 c8 12.e4!? xc1+ 13.axc1 g4+ 14.f3 d7 leaves W hite in control, but not without plenty to consider. ] 11.hxc1 g4+ 12.e1 Of course. White has no interest in blocking the h1-a8 diagonal. b5 A day late and a dollar short! 13.xb5! cxb5 14.xb5+ d7 15.xc5 0-0 16.c3 Th e re st is ea sy, even u nd er a f ast tim e control. b8 17.c4 f6 18.b3 c8 19.b4 b8 20.a4 d7 21.c4 c8 22.d3 b8 23.f5 b5 24.c2 g6 25.a4! gxf5 26.axb5 e4 27.f1 xd5 28.c5 As a su rp rise wea po n 7. Nf 3! ? wo rked t o perfection in this encounter. It looks legitimate, so keep an eye out for further developments. 1-0
943 Ivanov,Alexander Razuvaev,Yuri S URS-ch FL46 Ashkhabad (13) [Nigel Davies]
A25 2395 2465 1978
10...c6 11.d4 d5! 12.exd5 exd4 13.xd4 cxd5 14.cxd5 exd5 15.0-0 xc3 16.bxc3 d5 17.d2 a4 18.e1 a6 19.f3?! [ 19.e4 was better. Black's reply takes the initiative. ] 19...xc3! 20.xc3 xd4 21.bd1 d6 22.b4 f6 23.e4 xf2+ 24.h1 xe1! 25.xd8 xb4 26.d1? [ 26.d4 is better after which e7 27.xf8+ xf8 28.g4 h6 29.h4 g5 30.xa4 will probably lead to a draw. ] 26...xa3 27.xa4 c5 28.a1 f2 29.e5 b6 Now Black has more than enough for the queen and with a little help from his opponent grinds out the win. 30.h3 h5 31.f1 xf1+ 32.xf1 e6 33.f6 a8 34.g4 hxg4 35.hxg4 a4 36.e2 a2 37.d8+ g7 38.d1 e3 39.d3 g5 40.g1 f6 41.f1 a1+ 42.f2 a2 43.f1 b2 44.d6 g5 45.c6 b4 46.e1 e5 47.f3 b1+ 48.e2 b2+ 49.f1 b5 50.e2 b4 51.e4 c3 52.c4 b1+ 53.f2 e1 54.c6 c1! 55.e4 xc4 [ After 55...xc4 56.xc4 e1+ the queen is lost. ] 0-1
944 1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 g6 4.c3 g7 5.b1 a5 6.a3 f6 7.e3 I don't like this much in this position. [ I think White has several very reasonable moves that prevent a Black central expansion, for example 7.d3 and ] [ 7.e4!? will both do the job quite nicely. ] [ Another possibility is 7.b4 , looking to consolidate the centre after this queenside expansion. W hat he should avoid is axb4 8.axb4 0-0 9.b5? e7 when Black is getting ready for a quick ...d7-d5. ] 7...0-0 8.ge2 d6 9.d3 e7!? An interesting plan, aiming to play ...c7-c6 and ...d6-d5. It goes without saying that if Black achieves this without making serious concessions elsewhere he will have a very comfortable game. 10.e4?! Razuvaev's reply gives him a good position. [ If White wants something here he should try 10.d4! a f t e r w h i c h f5 ( 10...c6!? is probably better ) 11.e4 is quite good. ]
Kortschnoj,Viktor Kasparov,Garry Korchnoi Birthday KO (1.2) [Tony Kosten]
A25 2643 2827 29.04.2001
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.e3!? An unusual move, recommended by John Watson many years ago, but it has never caught on. c6 4.d4!? [ Sensible, yet 4.ge2 (taking the sting out of an eventual ...Bb4) or ] [ 4.a3 (aiming for a reversed Sicilian) are more usual. ] 4...b4 5.d5 xc3+ 6.bxc3 e7 Aiming for a Nimzo-style position, but White has other ideas. 7.d6!? [ White attacks on the dark squares, previously other moves had been tried, i.e. 7.e4 d6 8.f3 0-0 9.e2 d7 10.g4 c5 giving Black a reasonable Nimzo, Garcia Gonzales,G-Bronstein,L/Rio de Janeiro 1979. ] 934
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 7...cxd6 8.xd6 a5 9.b4 c7 Obviously Black cannot iron-out the white pawn structure by capturing on b4. 10.a3 c6 11.b1 d6 12.d3 a5! Black plays with great precision. 13.xd6? Too optimistic, W hite is obliged to sacrifice the exchange. f5! 14.xf5 [ There is little choice, 14.d2 e4 ] 14...xc3+ 15.e2 xa1 16.f3 d8 17.c5 White has trapped the black king in the centre, but it is obviously not enough, especially as the white king is hardly ideallyplaced! xa2+ 18.d2 d5 19.g4 g6 [ Not bad, but 19...c3+! 20.d3 a4 is instantly decisive. ] 20.d3 d4+ 21.e1 [ Awkward, but 21.exd4? f4+ wins the queen. ] 21...xd6?! Hardly necessary. 22.cxd6 a1+ 23.b1 a5+ [ Kasparov decides to give a half-point as a 70th birthday present! 23...b4 24.d1 dc2+ is still very good for Black. ] 24.d1 a4+ 25.e1 a5+ ½-½
945 Kosten,Anthony C Touzane,Olivier Montpellier (3) [Tony Kosten]
A25 2551 2350 06.07.2002
1.c4 g6 2.g3 g7 3.g2 e5 4.c3 c6 5.e3 I decided to play the 'Staunton set-up' (double fianchetto, and the knights on e2 and c3) just as in the Gurevich game this month, but [ 5.b1 might be a more accurate way to do this, enticing Black to play ...a5 and removing the white queen's rook from the a1-h8 diagonal. ] 5...f5 6.ge2 f6 7.d3 0-0 8.b3 e4?! Bla ck t ries t o e xp lo it t he we aken ed lon g diagonal but W hite f orces a positionallyadvantageous structure whilst avoiding any tactics. 9.a3! Simple and good, [ 9.dxe4 fxe4 10.xe4 xe4 11.d5+ f7 12.xe4 wins a pawn, but allows Black some play on the light squares. ] 9...exd3
[ 9...e8 10.0-0 d5!? was a more principled choice, 11.cxd5 xd5 12.xd5!? ( 12.c1 xc3 13.xc3 xd3 14.xd3 exd3 15.d5 d8 16.fd1 is a calmer choice) 12...xa1 13.xa1 xd5 14.dxe4 fxe4 15.c3 f5 16.d1 leads to a lot of fun for White, who ca n combine threats to the e4pawn with mating possibilities along the a1-h8 diagonal. ] 10.xd3 e8 11.0-0 We reach a structure that is known to favour White - he has good squ a re s o n d 5 a n d f 4 f o r h is kn igh t s . b6 12.ad1 b7 13.d5! An important point, the knight closes the diagonal for the b7bishop, Black dare not capture the knight as it opens the c-file against the c7-pawn. e4 14.c2 d6 15.b2 d7!? 16.f3 This is the dif f e rence be twee n W h ite's square s an d Black's - th e black knights can eas ily b e driven from e4 and e5. c5 17.b4 [ 17.f6+?! xf6 18.xf6 xe3 favours Black. ] 17...e6 18.f4! Re-opening the g2-bishop's diagonal. This time [ 18.f6+?! xf6 19.xf6 allows xb4 ] 18...a5 19.a3 Of course White cannot advance the b-pawn as it would concede the c5-square to Black. f7 [ 19...axb4 20.axb4 a2 21.ec3 leads nowhere. ] 20.ec3 It seems that White gives-up on his efforts to play a knight to f6, but has he? ad8 21.g4! Unexpected and strong! a8 [ 21...fxg4 allows White to bring another knight to f6: 22.e4 h8 23.g5 xg5 ( 23...d7 24.b5 a7 25.f6 xg2 26.xd7 wins ) 24.fxg5 e6 ( 24...d7 25.f6 c8 26.xe8 is crushing) 25.xc7 xe3+ 26.h1 e7 27.xd6! ( 27.d5 is a good alternative, gaining an exchange) 27...xb2 ( 27...xd6?? 28.f8#; 27...xc7?? 28.xd8+ xd8 29.f8# ) 28.xb2+ e5 29.xe5+ xe5 30.df6! and the threat to capture a piece on c6 cannot be successfully countered. ] 22.gxf5 This was a difficult decision, as [ 22.g5 e7 23.f6+ xf6 24.gxf6 was also very promising. ] 22...gxf5 [ 22...xf5 allows 23.e4 ] 23.f3! Crude but effective! The rook swings 935
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 over to g3 to put further pressure on Black's anyway, after, for example 7.d4 ( or 7.d3 dark-squared bishop. f8 24.g3 bxd5 8.xd5 xd5 9.f3 ) 7...exd4 [ 24.b5 is also quite good, d7 25.xg7 8.exd4 e7 9.d6!? xd6 ( 9...xd6 10.a3 xg7 ( 25...xg7 26.c3+ winning. ) c6 11.ge2 0-0 12.0-0 Raeva, E (2286)26.g3 g6 27.xf5 is very good fro Bulmaga, I (2258)/Albena 2010, 1/2-1/2 White. ] (40). ) 10.ge2 c6 ( 10...f5 11.0-0 c6 24...e6 I had expected 12.a3 bd5 Jepson, C (2394)-Hector, J [ 24...g6 although 25.b5 is winning (2584)/Copenhagen 2010, 0-1 (51).) 11.f4 much as in the last note. ] as analysed by Marin. d8 12.0-0 0-0 25.xc7! The most elegant. d4! 13.e5 bd5 14.b3 b6 15.f4 g4 [ 25...xc7 26.d5 wins on the spot, both 16.ad1 xe5 17.dxe5 c7 18.e6 Nxc7 and Rxg7+ are menaced. ] ( 18.fe1 g4 19.c1 Marin. ) 18...g5 26.xd4 xc7 27.b5 e7 28.xa8 19.ce2 Bacrot, E (2709)-Gelfand, B (2733)/ One of a number of wins here, perhaps Odessa 2007, 1/2-1/2 (51). ] [ 28.xd6! is the best: exd6 ( 28...xe3 5...a5 Radically stopping b4, but this move 29.xf5 e1+ 30.f1 ) 29.xd6 g6 weakens b5. ( 29...xd6 30.xg7+ is no improvement) [ 5...a6 immediately (or later), might be 30.xd8+ and White is a rook to the good. ] better, preparing a retreat square for the 28...xa8 29.g2 Hitting a8. g6 The only dark square bishop, although the downside chance. is it allows W hite to expand on the [ 29...b8 30.xd6 g6 31.xf5 q u e e n s i d e . 6.e3 ( of course, White can is obviously hopeless, and ] always transpose back into 4 Knights lines [ 29...xe3 is simply countered by 30.xg7+! anyway by, say 6.d3 d6 7.f3 h6 8.0-0 xg7 31.xg7+ xg7 32.e4+ ] 0-0 9.b4 a7 10.b2 reaching Marin's 30.xa8! After Black's checks run out he will main position. ) 6...d6 7.ge2 0-0 resign: xe3+ 31.f1 xg3 32.hxg3 xd4 A) Marin only gives 8.b4 a7 9.0-0 f5 33.d5+! e6 34.xd4 d3+ 35.g2 ( or 9...e7 10.b2 c6 11.d4 ) 10.d4 1-0 ( 10.d3 d7 ) 10...e8 11.h3 exd4 12.exd4 d7 13.h2 h6 14.e3 d8; B) 8.h3 a7 9.d3 is another, more 946 A25 flexible approach.; C) 8.0-0 Kosten,Anthony C 2455 C1) 8...a7 9.d4 ( I mentioned 9.f4!? Velten,Paul 2429 in 'D E ', b u t i t n e ve r r e ce i ve d m u c h TCh-FRA Top 12 2014 (11.7) 03.06.2014 testing. ) 9...exd4 10.exd4 h6 11.h3 [Kosten, Tony] e8 12.b4 ( 12.e3 e7 plans ...d5, Tallarico Tallarico, O (2216)-Korneev, O 1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 f6 4.c3 c5 ( 2 5 8 3 ) / M o n d a r i z 2 0 0 2 , 0 - 1 ( 3 1 ) .) According to Jonathan Rowson: "theoretically, 12...e7 13.c5 c6 14.f4 probably as far as I can tell, this line is fine for Black a b o u t e qu a l a s B l a c k c a n b r in g h i s (although very rich in ideas, and certainly fine bishop into play via b8, Reinderman, D for White too)." Which seems about right. 5.a3 (2560)-Quick, S (2197)/Canberra 2009, In his GM Repertoire book Marin considers 1-0 (57).; this move dubious, and prefers C2) 8...f5 9.d4 a7 10.h3 ( not 10.b4 [ 5.f3 transposing to a 4...Bc5 Four Knights, d7 and ...Bh3. ) 10...e8 see Istratescu-Navara, this month. However, C2a) 11.d5 e7 ( 11...b8 12.e4 he later wants to play a3 and b4 anyway, so g6 13.b4 bd7 14.d3 1-0 (39) this makes no sense. ] Af ek, Y (2 301 )-L ampe rt, J (22 67)/ [ 5.e3 would be nice, if it weren't for d5 Haarlem 2012.) 12.e4 d7 13.d3 6.cxd5 b4 see the Archives for some 1-0 (36) Edouard, R (2607)-Lampert, J examples. Still, I was tempted to try this as (2205)/Deizisau 2012.; White gets some very, very slight advantage 936
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 C2b) 11.g4!?; C2c) 11.h2 h6 12.b3 exd4 13.exd4 e4 14.e3 1/2-1/2 (23) Sielecki, C (2424)-Scheerer, C (2140)/ Heringsdorf 2000. ] [ 5...0-0 could transpose if Black plays a quick ...a6 or ...a5, 6.e3 d6 was already played by my opponent a couple of times: 7.ge2 ( 7.b4 b6 8.ge2 a5 9.b5 e7 10.0-0 e6 11.xb7 b8 12.g2 xc4 13.d3 e6 14.d4 0-1 (72) Pogorelov, R (2403)-Velten, P (2385)/San Sebastian 2013. ) 7...f5 8.d3 ( 8.d4 b6 9.b4 a6 10.h3 must be better with the bishop on b6.) 8...h6 9.h3 a6 10.g4!? a nice kingside plan, h7 11.g3 b8 12.h4!? h8 13.b4 ( 13.g5 g8 ) 13...a7 14.b2 e7 15.g5 fg8 with sharp play in Wohl, A (2362)-Velten, P (2422)/Naujac sur Mer 2013, 1/2-1/2 (72). ] 6.e3 d6 7.ge2 I like this setup for White, for several reasons, one being, as I mentioned in 'DE ' : " W h i t e c a n st a rt a s t ro n g k in g sid e initiative with f4-f5, h3, g4 as the f2 pawn's advance is unhindered." 0-0 8.0-0 [ W hite can also play the immediate 8.h3 and then d3, g4, f4, etc., but it makes sense to play d4 and chase the bishop back. ] 8...f5 [ 8...e8 is another good move, 9.d4 ( 9.d3 g4?! 10.h3 e6? 11.d4 won material in Grivas-Miles, Komotini 1992.) 9...a7 10.h3 h6 11.b3 d7 12.h2 c8 13.b2 ( 13.d5?! was Psakhis, L (2598)-Janev, E (2445) in the Archive.) 13...e4?! 14.c2 f5 15.ac1 h5?! (to stop g4, but the cure is worse than the disease) 16.d5 h7 17.ef4 g5 18.e2 and Black is almost lost, Kosten, A-Janev, E/Aurec 2001. ] [ 8...g4 is actually the most played move, but after 9.h3 the bishop has to go back, h5 ( 9...xe2?! 10.xe2 is clearly good for W hite, Lie, E (2266)-Meyer, F (2348)/ G a u s d a l 2 0 0 3 , 0 - 1 ( 6 0 ) .; 9...e6? is a known b ut quite com mon, blunder: 10.d4 exd4 11.exd4 and Black loses a piece, Czebe, A (2496)-Frink, F (2239)/ Zalakaros 2004, 1-0 (25), as a7 12.d5; 9...f5 loses a move on the mainline, 10.d4 b6 11.g4!? g6 12.f4! Garcia, H-Saadi, J Cordoba 1970, 0-1 (36).) 10.g4 g6 11.d4
a7 12.b4 ( 12.f4! ) 12...axb4 13.axb4 with advantage, Trauner, R (2233)Waldmann, G (2153) Austria 2006, 1-0 (69), as xb4? 14.xb7 ] [ 8...e6? aga in lo se s a p ie ce t o 9.d4 and this has occurred a number of times! ] 9.d4 [ 9.d3 is worse here, d7 and ...Bh3. ] 9...a7 [ 9...exd4 10.exd4 a7 11.h3 transposes below. ] 10.h3! A necessary move, otherwise Black will play ... Qc8 (or maybe ...Qd7) and exchange the light square bishops with ...Bh3. Further White may harbour aggressive intentions on t h e k i n g s i d e w i t h g 4 , N g 3 a n d f 4 . h6 A logical move, preparing a luft for the f5bishop, and also ... exd4 without having to worry about Bg5 after. Alternatives: [ 10...exd4 11.exd4 e8 ( 11...h6 12.g4 h7 13.b5 b6 14.ec3 e8 15.e3 with more space, Miezis, N (2557)-Nikolajev, D (2325)/Riga 2012, 1-0 (63).) 12.g4! e4 ( 12...g6 13.e3 ) 13.xe4 xe4 14.c3! xf2?! 15.xf2 xd4+ 16.g3 e5+ 17.f4 f6 18.d2? ( 18.xc6 bxc6 19.d2 sh o u l d wi n .) 18...g5! 19.xe5 xe5+ 20.f2 c5+ 21.g3 e5+ 22.f2 c5+ 1/2-1/2 Frumkin, E (2029)Hess, R (2439) New York 2007. ] [ 10...h5!? 11.h2 d7 12.d5 xd5 13.cxd5 e7 14.e4 g6 15.f4 f5 16.dxe5 dxe5 17.fxe5 fxe4 18.f4 Favoured White, Skembris, S (2420)-Botsari, A (2335)/Athens 1996, 1-0 (36). ] 11.h2 It was a morning game, and I just wanted to play 'simple chess', so protected h3 and moved the king off the g1-a7 diagonal as a precautionary measure. It turns out that this is a novelty. [ 11.d5 (I don't like this move in such positions myself) e7 12.e4 d7 13.h2 g6 14.f4?! ( 14.d3 ) 14...exf4 15.xf4?! xf4 16.xf4 e7 17.d2 ae8 e5 and e4 are weak, as are W hite's dark squares, Serafimov, D (2157)-Van Elst, A (2258)/Condom 2006, 0-1 (43). ] 11...e8 12.b3 exd4 13.exd4 e4 Black's play is very logical, he uses the e4square to exchange some pieces. [ If 13...h7 then I was planning to play 937
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 14.b5! b6 15.ec3 and Na4, embarrassing the b6-bishop. Curiously, the idea came to m e f rom a game I h ad a s Black against Tony Miles 30-odd years ago, with the same queenside structure where he h a d p l a y e d t h i s wa y . I t h i n k I a c t u a l l y managed to draw, and stop him winning the G ra n d P rix, b u t n o t a f t e r c o n sid e ra b l e suffering. ] 14.e3 White has more space and a small advantage, while Black must find a way to bring the a7-bishop into the game. b8!? Played to reposition the knight and continue ... c6. 15.xe4! [ 15.b5 d7! 16.xa7 xa7 and it didn't s e e m t o m e t h a t m y e 3 -b is h o p wa s s o useful. ] 15...xe4 16.xe4 xe4 17.c3 e7 [ 17...e8 18.g4 h8 ( 18...e6 t r a n s p o s e s t o t h e g a m e .) 19.ae1 with advantage, d7?! 20.f3! forking f7 and b7. ] 18.g4 Menacing to take on h6, perhaps. e6 [ 18...d7 i s m o r e n a t u r a l , 19.ad1 ( 19.xh6 f5 20.g5 xd4 21.d5 f7 22.xd8+ xd8 23.ad1 might also be a bit better for W hite.) 19...f6?! 20.f3 and this time b7 and h6 are threatened. ] 19.d5! I was happy to gain a small but sure positional advantage, while avoiding any sharp tactics. g6 20.e4 xe3 21.xe3 d7 22.ae1 This position is very pleasant for White, he has more space and controls the only open file. In the meantime the g6-rook is offside, has no easy route back into play and must beware f4-f5 and Ne4. f5?! To play ... Rf6-f7, but now the weakness on e6 is a 2nd serious problem for Black. In my opinion he is now already lost! [ He suggested 22...h5 in the post mortem, to hide the rook on h6, but 23.e2 c5 24.e4 xe4 25.xe4 f6 26.fe1 keeps Black passive, g5 27.f4 f5 28.e7 ] 23.e2! f6 24.f4 f8 25.e2 Preparing to triple the heavy pieces on the efile. d7 26.fe1 f7 27.c3! b6 Solid, but now he loses any possibility (however slim) of creating some counterplay. 28.e3 I was in no rush, the game should 'win itself '. This prepares R1e2 and Qe1. h7
29.e6 g6 30.f4! Stopping ... Ne5 and ...f4 ideas. g8 31.c2 h8 32.e2 Tripling the heavy pieces again. f6 [ 32...h7? 33.g5+ hxg5? 34.h5# was one idea. ] 33.d4 f7 34.h5 f6 35.h4! Preparing a later h5 and Re7, Black is totally passive and c a n o n l y a w a i t t h e i n e v i t a b l e e n d . . f7 36.e2 c8 37.h5 f8 38.e7 g8 39.d3 g5 Desperation. [ I was e xpe ct in g 39...h7 to defend f5, when 40.b5 ( 40.g2 leaves Black in some sort of zugzwang, the only move to avoid immediate material loss is g8 when 41.c6 h8 42.a7 d8 43.xc7 ) 40...g8 41.xc7 starts taking some material. ] 40.xf5 gxf4 41.g7! [ 41.g7 xg7 42.xg7 xg7 43.e7+ g8 ( 43...f7 44.xf7+ xf7 45.f5+ forks king and rook. ) 44.gxf4 and Qg3+. ] 1-0
947 Macieja,Bartlomiej Pavlidis,Antonios GRE-chT 42nd (5.3) [Tony Kosten]
A25 2607 2478 01.07.2014
1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 c6 4.c3 c5 5.e3 An interesting choice, this move is by far the most popular here even though it is not considered very accurate. d6 [ We have only looked at the critical 5...d5 previously, I wonder what Maiceja intended against this? ] 6.ge2 f5 Logical. [ Marin looks at both 6...a6 7.0-0 0-0 8.d4 a7 9.h3 ] [ and 6...0-0 7.d4 b6 8.0-0 ( 8.b4 ) 8...e8 in his book. ] 7.d4 This exposes the drawbacks to the . .. Bc5 lines, the bishop is a target for the white pawns. I remember Alekhine considering them weak for this reason. b6 Not a very good square, which is why Black often prefers an early ...a6 so the bishop can retreat to a safer s q u a r e o n a 7 . 8.b4! If this is good, then it seems critical, White threatens to suffocate the b6-bishop with c5. 938
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 8.0-0 allows d7 stopping h3, ( 8...0-0 9.h3! ) 9.dxe5!? xe5 10.xb7 b8 11.g2 xc4 12.d4 g4 13.c2 Khasin, A (2503)-Gubajdullin, A (2305)/St Petersburg 1999, e5 ] [ 8.a3 see ms unn ece ssa ry, a5 9.0-0 transposing to 5 a3 lines. ] 8...d7 Probably best, supporting the knight on c6. [ 8...a6?! was the only previous try, giving the bishop some room, but 9.c5! a7 10.xc6+! bxc6 11.dxe5 e4!? ( 11...dxe5 leaves no way for the a7-bishop to escape.) 12.exd6 cxd6 13.d4 g5 14.f4 h3?! 15.e4! xe4 16.xe4+ Black is in a bad way, Kuljabin, V (2360)-Cisler, P (2165)/ Klatovy 1997. ] [ 8...a5!? is risky: 9.b5 b4 10.0-0 b8 (t o d e f e n d b 7 ) ( 10...c2 11.e4 xe4 12.xe4 xa1 13.b2 favours W hite.) 11.e4 ( 11.a3 d3 might be OK.; 11.h3 ) 11...g4 12.d5 and a3 will win material. ] [ 8...xb4? is im possible : 9.a4+ c6 10.d5 ] 9.a3 Defending b4 and renewing the threat of c5. [ 9.c5?! i s n o t h i n g : dxc5 ( or 9...exd4 10.xd4 dxc5 11.xc6 bxc6 12.a4 0-0; 9...xb4?! 10.cxb6 c2+ 11.f1 xa1 12.xb7 d8 13.bxa7 ) 10.dxc5 xb4 ] 9...a5 [ If 9...a6 10.c5 a7 11.a4 is awkward. ] 10.b5 d8 11.h3! A key move in such positions (see my game with Velden last month, for another example), both stopping the simplifying ...Bh3 and preparing kingside e x p a n s i o n . h5 T o s t o p g 4 . 12.a4 I like W hite's extra queenside space and f l e x i b l e p a wn f o r m a t io n . c6?! 13.a3 Eyeing d6 and supporting the c5 advance. exd4 14.xd4 c5 15.xc5 Simple and good. [ 15.bxc6 bxc6 16.xf5 xf5 17.b5 also wins material. ] 15...dxc5 16.xf5 xf5 17.d6! White is already winning. c8 18.0-0 e6 19.xc5 d7 20.a7 [ 20.d4 0-0 21.fd1 f6 should also win. ] 20...0-0 21.xa5 xc4 22.e4 White is a good pawn up with the better minor pieces.
e6 23.bxc6 xc6 24.xh5 a8 25.g5 h6 26.xh6 gxh6 27.e4 This is now a formality. a5 28.fb1 a6 29.b5 c8 30.d1 c7 31.xa5! xa5 32.xd7 xd7 33.f6+ f8 34.xd7+ e8 35.f6+ e7 36.g8+ f8 37.xh6 b6 38.c6 1-0
948 McNab,Colin Anderson Hodgson,Julian M MSO Ron Banwell mem (5) [Tony Kosten]
A25 2416 2640 24.08.2000
1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 c6 4.c3 c5 5.a3 [ To control the b4-square, as the obvious 5.e3 allows d5 6.cxd5 b4 as we have seen before. ] 5...d4!? [ A speciality of Julian Hodgson. Stopping b4 by 5...a5 is the normal reply, when White can continue 6.e3 and Nge2. ] 6.c2 [ A very sensible reply, the Scottish GM wishes to avoid doubled c-pawns, and so d e f e n d s c 3 w i t h h i s q u e e n . 6.d5 had been preferred in the game Spraggett,KHodgson,J/ W innipeg 1997, which continued: 0-0 7.f3 b6 8.d3 h6 9.0-0 d6 10.xb6 axb6 11.b3 with a plus to White. ] 6...xc3 Anyway! 7.xc3 d5 8.b4!? [ White refrains from playing a reversed Sicilian position after the natural 8.cxd5 xd5 9.c5 ] 8...0-0 9.b2 e8 10.d3 a5! [ W h i t e w a s c l e a r l y h o p i n g f o r 10...d4 leading to a Benoni structure in which he is well-versed, but, instead, Black embarks on a sharp tactical operation to exploit the white king's extended stay in the centre. ] 11.b5 d4 12.e3 a4! Of course, the d4knight is untouchable f or the moment, so Black prepares a strong square for it on b3. 13.f3? [ White brings a deluge down upon his head, there was still time for 13.cxd5 i.e. xb5 14.c5 with balanced chances. ] 13...h3! Undermining the f3-knight's support 939
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 in the most dramatic way. 14.xh3 xf3+ 15.e2 [ 15.f1 dxc4 16.dxc4 e4 is also awkward. ] 15...d4+ The knight turns to this apparently inhospitable square, but Black has to achieve something quickly, for otherwise White's two bishops will prove usef ul. 16.f1 b3 17.d1 c6 To open a queenside file for the rook. 18.bxc6 bxc6 19.c2 d4 20.e4? [ Closing the position does nothing to help the white bishops, 20.g2 seems better. ] 20...b8 21.g2 c5 The knight finally reaches a safe square, and what a strong one it is too! The threat of infiltration along the bline is difficult to counter. 22.he1 b3 23.g1 h5 24.e2 a5 25.c1? [ White overlooks a tactic, but after 25.f1 eb8 26.d2 the white position is near breaking-point anyway. ] 25...xd3! 26.d2 [ Of course, if 26.xd3?! xd3 27.xd3? then xe1+ but White could just as well resign. ] 26...c5 27.f1 xc4 28.g5 b2 29.xc4 xc4 30.xf6 gxf6 31.d7 d8 32.xc6 At least one of White's bishops has found some activity, but it is far too late to save W hite. xa3 33.a1 xa1 34.xa1 c8 35.xa4 a8 Pinning, and winning. 36.a2 d3 [ White loses a piece after 36...d3 37.f1 ( 37.b3 xa2 38.xa2 d2 39.b3 b2 ) 37...d2 38.e2 xa4 39.xa4 d1+ 40.xd1 b2+ ] 0-1
8.ge2 Transposing to the mainline, but [ 8.fxe5!? i s t e m p t i n g : e8 ( 8...xf2+ 9.xf2 e4+ 10.e1 f2 leads nowhere a f t e r , s a y , 11.h5 ) 9.f3 ( is Black's compensation sufficient after 9.xc6!? dxc6 10.d4 ? ) 9...d6 10.d4 xd4? 11.xd4 xe5+ 12.e3 g4 13.c2 won easily in Andrade,J-Santos,A/ Odivelas POR 2000. ] 8...d6 9.0-0 This is good, although I recommend [ 9.h3 e8 10.e4 in my book, as I don't like committing the white king too early here. ] 9...e8 This is the standard manoeuvre in all these lines, the queen heads for the kingside. 10.e4! This is known to be best since: [ 10.a4?! d4! 11.xd4 exd4 12.h3 ( 12.a3 a5 13.b3 and White managed to draw in Karpov,A-Bellon Lopez,J/Madrid 1973 ) 12...h5 13.a3 a5 14.b3 g6 and Black won a beautiful game, see Saidy, A-Fischer,R/New York 1969. ] 10...xe4 11.dxe4 h5 12.h1 Played to unpin the f-pawn so that White can repel ... Bg4 with f3. f6 Black's play is direct, but this m a y we ll le a d t o a qu ick m a t e a ga in s t a w e a k e r o p p o n e n t ! 13.f5!? A new move, covering h6. [ 13.c3 g4?! ( 13...xd1 14.xd1 xf2 ) 14.f3 h6 15.h4 e6 Oepen,L-Hermann,T/Germany 1987, and now 16.d5 looks good. ] 13...g6! Black forces open the f-file. 14.fxg6?! A risky reply, better [ 14.e3 when White's position is preferable. ] 14...xf2? A pity, [ 14...g4 was the right way to continue: 949 A25 15.d5+ ( 15.f3 xf3! 16.g1 xf1 17.gxh7+ xh7 18.xf1 g7 with threats Miezis,Normunds 2523 of ...Rf8, and ...Rh8.) 15...h8 16.c3 Simonsen,Olavur 2265 xf2 which is dangerous for White, e.g. Troll Masters (2) 08.01.2003 17.f4? xf4! 18.gxf4 g3 winning. ] [Tony Kosten] 15.d5+ h8 16.f4! The e-pawn is pinned Fischer's pawn sacrifice is rarely seen these along the rank. h6 17.d3 And now the 18.g5 f3 days, but still contains a lot of venom. 1.c4 b i s h o p i s p i n n e d . f8 c6 2.c3 e5 3.g3 f5 4.g2 f6 5.d3 W ith a very, very tiny hope that W hite will c5 6.e3 f4?! Fischer's famous pawn sac, capture the rook! 19.xf2 xf2 20.xf2 borrowed from the similar line with colours xf2 21.f1 1-0 reversed. 7.exf4 0-0 [ 7...d6! is more accurate. ] 940
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 950 Moor,Roger Gallagher,Joseph G Christmas Open (3) [Tony Kosten]
A25 2360 2514 27.12.2000
1.c4 g6 2.g3 g7 3.g2 e5 4.c3 c6 5.b1 f5 6.d3 d6 7.b4 f6 8.e3 0-0 9.ge2 g5!? Very aggressive, Black plays for out-and-out attack on the kingside. 10.b5 e7 11.f4 A standard device, White doesn't want to let Black play ...Ng6, and ...f4, himself, wh e n h e r is k s b e in g m o wn - d o wn o n t h e kingside, so stops the pawn's advance. h6 [ Keeping the tension, 11...exf4 12.exf4 ( 12.gxf4!? ) 12...g4 13.0-0 h5 14.e1 h4 should favour W hite, Lange,C-Rechel,R/ Kassel 1996. ] 12.d4!? [ A new idea, 12.0-0 e8 13.b3 g6 14.d5 xd5 15.xd5+ h7 is not so clea r, J an s en , C-A ub el, J/ NLD-ch T 94 9 5 1994. ] 12...e4?! [ 12...gxf4 13.exf4 e4 14.d5!? followed by Nd4, is interesting. ] 13.fxg5! hxg5 14.h4 White thereby gains the f4-square for his knight. gxh4 15.f4!? [ Sacrificing a pawn for a square, 15.xh4 g6 limits White's advantage. ] 15...hxg3 16.ce2 e8 [ Perhaps Black should try to evacuate his king by 16...f7!? 17.xg3 e8 ] 17.xg3 g6 18.gh5 xf4 19.xf4 f7 20.f1 g4 21.e2 c6 22.h5 a6 23.b6 d7 [ Blac k ha s to b e very ca re f u l, 23...h6? 24.xg4 xf4 25.exf4 fxg4 26.g5+ h8 27.d5 and Bb2 wins. ] 24.d2 fd8 25.xg4 fxg4 26.d5! The diagonal must be opened. cxd5?! [ 26...c5 would at least keep d5 out of White's hands. ] 27.g5 f6?? [ Presumably a time-trouble blunder, 27...f8 28.a3 f5 29.xd5 xd5 30.xd5 e6 is uncomfortable, but it may be possible to hold it. ] 28.xd5+ f8 29.b2 1-0
951 Movsesian,Sergei Acs,Peter FIDE WCh KO Tripoli LBA (2.2) [Tony Kosten]
A25 2647 2548 22.06.2004
1.g3 e5 2.g2 c6 3.d3 g6 4.c4 g7 5.c3 d6 By transposition we arrive at a standard Closed English. 6.e3 ge7 7.ge2 h5 We have already examined this idea with the white d-pawn on d2, which gives W hite the possibility of playing d4. 8.h3 d7!? As far as I can see a new move, Black wants to play .. .Qc8 and a ttack the h3-pawn t o hinder White from castling. [ 8...e6 has the same idea, but is met by 9.d5 which eyes c7, d7 10.d2 a6 11.b3 b8 12.b2 Sokolov,A-Bern,I/ Cappelle la Grande 1994. ] [ 8...h4 is clearly critical, 9.g4 f5 10.gxf5 xf5 11.d5 d7 12.ec3 0-0-0 with sharp play, Otero,E-Pecorelli Garcia, H/Cienfuegos 1991. ] 9.d2 White often plays this move first to protect c3 and avoid tricks along the a1-h8 diagonal, but I don't think it is necessary here, as there is nothing wrong with [ 9.b3 ] 9...c8 10.b3 d8 11.b2 This is the standard white set-up in this line, a piece formation that has been popular since first played by Staunton. It is true that here White cannot castle, but he often retards castling in this line, waiting to see how Black places his pieces and adapting his subsequent play a cco rd in gly. 0-0?! 12.g4! Perhaps Black should have thought twice about castling kingside too! h4 Black elects to keep the h-file closed, he hopes to open the kingside later with ...f5, but his h-pawn will prove a problem. [ 12...hxg4 13.hxg4 xg4 wins a pawn, but is very risky, 14.0-0-0 c6 15.f3 e6 16.f4 planning moves like Rdg1, Qe1-h4, etc., with a strong attack. ] 13.d4 White is still hesitant about castling, first he gains space, and makes sure that he has plenty of central play to dissuade Black from a kingside attack. a5 14.f4 Another typical move in this line, which has the advantage of stopping Black from playing ...f5-f4. [ 14.a4 is also a good idea, stopping Black's 941
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 10.0-0 g7 11.e3 ( Or 11.a3 0-0 12.b3 g4 13.d5 xd5 14.cxd5 b6 15.c4 b7 16.ac1 f7 17.c2 c5 A.Perkins-J.Tarjan, Graz 1972, and now 18.xc5 dxc5 19.a5 ) 11...0-0 12.b3 g4 13.a5 a6 14.d2 c8 , so far F. Svoboda-J.Simek, corr 1996, and now: 15.c5+ e6 16.b4 ( 16.a3!? ) 16...axb5 17.cxd6 cxd6 18.fc1 ] [ B) 8...h6 9.0-0 ( Another interesting try is 9.d4!? xc4 10.dxe5 g7 11.0-0 xb5 12.xb5 xb5 as played in V.Privalov-A. Zajarnyi, Lvov 1998, and now 13.a3 dxe5 14.b1 a6 15.b3 e4 16.d2 f5 17.c4 offers White excellent compensation for the pawns) 9...g7 10.e4 ( 10.b2!? ) 10...e7 11.a4 0-0 12.d2 f5 13.d5 c6 14.xe7+ xe7 , H.Hoffmann-T.Escher, Germany 1990, and here 15.h4 f6 16.exf5 xf5 17.xf5 xf5 18.e2 h7 19.ab1 ] [ C) 8...g7 9.g5!? e4 ( Or 9...f5 10.e4 g4 11.f3 e6 12.e3 ) 10.b2 exd3 11.xd3 a6 12.h4 axb5 13.cxb5 e7 14.d2 ( 14.h5!? is another fun line, so f orgive me f or taking the ana lys is a bit longer than can reasonably be expected to be accurate: d5 15.0-0-0 f5 16.e4 g4 17.f3 d4 18.fxg4 xg4 19.f3 dxc3 20.h3 h6+ 21.b1 xg3 22.hxg6 xg6 23.xc3 f6 24.hg1 f7 25.d7+ f8 26.xd8+ xd8 27.xd8+ e8 28.xe8+ xe8 29.e6+- ) 14...0-0 15.h5 gxh5 ( 15...h6 16.xe6 xe6 17.d1 e8 18.hxg6 fxg6 19.0-0 ) 16.xh5 f5 17.e4! ( 17.d5!? xb2 18.xb2 xd5 19.xd5 e8 20.c4 e5 21.d1+- ) 17...g6 18.xh7+- xh7 19.xh7+ h8 20.0-0-0 g8 21.h1 h6 22.d5 f6 23.e4 xa2 24.xh6 xh6 25.xh6 g7 26.h4 1-0 Tigran V. Petrosian-Y. Estrin, 952 A25 Moscow 1968 ] Navara,David 2720 9.xh3 xh3 10.d4! g7 [ Black recently tried 10...f6 and obtained a Ledger,Andrew 2413 quick draw, but analysing the few moves 4NCL 2006-07 (11) 07.05.2007 they played reveals that Black is on his [Carsten Hansen] heels in this line too: 11.e3! g7 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.a4 b6 ( 13...f7 14.e4 c8 1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 d6 4.c3 e6 15.d1 ) 14.d5 ( 14.c5 c8 15.d1 5.d3 d7 6.b4 g6 7.b5 d8 8.f3 h3 e7 16.g4 e6 17.c4+- ) 14...e6 [ The alternatives for Black also offer White 15.a3 ( 15.d1! f7 16.c5+- ) 15...f7 the better chances: A) 8...f6 9.a4 e7
qu e en s ide pla y, t h e wea kn ess o f b4 is irrelevant. ] 14...a4 15.bxa4!? exd4 16.xd4 dc6 [ 16...xa4 17.f3 wins the h4-pawn. ] 17.0-0 As so often in this particular line, White castles quite late, and only when he has maximised the possibilities of his pieces. a5 The c-pawn is weak, but relatively easy to defend, and difficult to attack. 18.d3 e8 19.ae1 White continues to strengthen his position, grabbing the h-pawn by [ 19.f3?! is worse, c6 20.xh4 xg2 21.xg2 e6 with lots of counterplay against the weakened white queenside. ] 19...ac6 The attack on the c-pawn has not amounted to too much, and so Black decides to exchange some pieces to get some room to breathe. 20.e2 xd4 21.exd4 c6 Targeting d4. 22.e4! The knight aims for the kingside, suddenly the black pieces seem far away. xa4 [ 22...f5 is tempting, but ... 23.g5! xe2 24.xe2 fxg4 25.d5+ h8 26.f5! a n d B l a c k i s l o s t , e . g . xf5 27.e1 (threatening Qxh4+) g3 28.f4 h6 29.xh4 g7 30.xc6 and d5+. ] 23.d5 The point, the f6-square beckons. b4 24.d1 f6 The situation is grim. [ 24...xb2 25.xb2 and there is no defence against the threats of Nf6+, Black must lose an exchange. ] [ 24...d8 controls f6 for one move, but then comes 25.g5 ] 25.a3 a6 26.xf6+ xf6 27.xf6 xe2 28.xe2 e8 29.f2 Black must have been rueing putting his h-pawn on h4! xa3 30.e1 [ 30.xh4 immediately is also winning, of course. ] 1-0
942
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 16.d1 f8 17.b2 A.Colovic-D.Otero, Havana CUB 2007 ( 17.b3!? )] 11.dxe5 [ 11.d5!? ] 11...e6? [ After this move, Black is on the brink of d i s a s t e r . A b e t t e r m o v e i s 11...dxe5 though after 12.b2 f6 13.d3 ( 13.a4 ) 13...f7 14.a3 c6 15.bxc6 bxc6 16.b1 ( 16.e4 c8 17.0-0 ) 16...e6 17.e4 White is much better. ] 12.d5 [ Or 12.b2!? dxe5 ( 12...0-0-0 13.d5 dxe5 14.a4+- ) 13.d5 f6 14.a4 f7 15.d1 ] 12...0-0-0?! [ 12...dxe5 is marginally better: 13.g5! ( 13.b2 f6 14.a4 is less convincing) 13...g2 14.f1 c8 15.a4 e7 16.b6+ c6 17.bxa7 0-0 18.b1 , and White is winning ] 13.a4 dxe5 14.e3 e4 [ Or 14...f6 , and now 15.b6! completely c r u s h e s B l a c k : axb6 16.xe5! b8 17.xb6 c5 18.b1+- ] 15.0-0-0! exf3 [ 15...xd5? 16.g5! xg5 17.b6 c6 18.bxa7+- ] 16.xa7 [ Another winning line is 16.b6 a6 17.bxc7 xd5 18.e8+ xc7 19.cxd5 d4 20.xf7+ e7 21.xd4 xd4 22.xe7++- ] 16...d6 17.b6+ cxb6 18.xd6 e5? [ 18...fxe2 represents a better chance as it complicates matters considerably, yet White still wins: 19.xb6 f1+ 20.c2 d4+ 21.xd4 e1+ 22.d1 d3+ 23.xe1 h6 24.c5+ b8 25.xg7 e8+ 26.e5 e4+ 27.d2 xe5 28.xe5 xe5 29.e1+- ] 19.c6+!? [ Elegant, but 19.a8+! c7 20.xb6 d8 21.d1 wins even faster ] 19...bxc6 20.bxc6 d8 21.a6+ b8 22.xb6+ c8 23.d1 c7 24.a6+ b8 25.xd8+ 1-0
953 Pelletier,Yannick Hansen,Sune Berg Bundesliga 2002-3 (15) [Tony Kosten]
A25 2624 2537 30.03.2003
1.c4 c6 2.c3 e5 3.g3 g6 4.g2 g7 5.e3 d6 6.ge2 e6 This move is similar to the 5 Be3 line that is currently 'all the rage' in the Closed Sicilian, Black wants to force White to defend his c-pawn when he will continue w i t h . . . Q d 7 a n d p o s s i b l y . . . B h 3 . 7.d4! This temporary pawn sac, f irst played by Botvinnik over 60 years ago, is the critical reply. d7 Black prefers to keep the position closed. [ 7...xc4?! is generally considered a mistake: 8.d5 xe2 ( 8...ce7 9.a4+ b5 10.xb5 is very good for White; 8...b8 9.a4+ b5 10.xb5 xb5 11.xb5+ d7 12.e4 likewise, Botvinnik,M-Levenfish,G/ Leningrad 1937 as W hite's light-squared bishop will be too strong) 9.xe2 b8 10.b5+ d7 11.xb7 a6 ( 11...b8?! 12.xa7! c5 13.a5! the only move, but good f5 14.0-0 and Black had insufficient compensation, King,D-W olff,P/New York 1990 ) 12.c6 e7 13.c4 0-0 14.e4 f5 15.0-0 with a white positional advantage because of the open c-file and bishop pair, Suba,M-Karlsson,L/Las Palmas 1982. ] [ 7...exd4 8.xd4 d7 ( 8...xd4 9.exd4 d7 10.0-0 e7 11.e1 0-0 12.d5 f5 13.h3! is very nice for White, Quinteros,MHo rt , V / V in ko vci 1 9 7 0) 9.0-0 ge7 10.de2! otherwise Black can capture on d4 when he likes, 0-0 11.b3 c8 12.b2 h3 13.xh3 xh3 14.f4 d7 15.e2 with an edge to White, Delchev,A-De Vreugt, D/Ohrid MKD 2001. ] 8.d5 [ 8.0-0 c8 9.d5 h5 10.ec3 is also perfectly reasonable, Krasenkow,MFritsche,L/Germany 1993/GER-chT. ] 8...ce7 9.c5!? A sharp novelty. [ 9.e4 would be 'normal', f5 10.f4 h6 11.fxe5 dxe5 12.0-0 f7 13.c5 with advantage, Kennedy,M-W alls,B/IRL 1992. ] 9...f6 Black decides to avoid the challenge, [ 9...dxc5!? puts White's move to the test, 943
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 10.e4 b6 11.d6 c6 12.2c3 f6 13.b5 cxd6 14.bxd6+ is unclear, as although the black king has been forced to move, and the white knight is in the heart of the black position, Black has a solid pawn structure, and a pawn more. ] 10.b3 b8 11.cxd6 cxd6 12.a4 0-0 13.e4 A King's Indian position has been reached. h8 14.0-0 c8!? [ 14...e8 and ...f5 seems more normal. ] 15.f3 g8 16.e3 h6 17.f2 Naturally White doesn't want to swap his better bishop. f5 18.exf5 gxf5 19.f4 This is a standard method of treating such positions, which is helped by the presence of the white knight on e 2 - t h e b l a c k p a w n s a r e b l o c k e d . f6 20.h1 g4 21.g1 e8 22.ae1 h5 This looks menacing, but White can defend easily. 23.c4 b6 24.b4 c8 25.b5 f6?! Both defending d6 and hoping to bring this piece to h6 as the black attack is in need of reinforcements, however, [ 25...xb5 might have been a better idea to avoid losing the a7-pawn. ] 26.f3 g7 27.ec3 After considerable manoeuvring White finally threatens to capture on e5, and forces the pawn to advance. e4 28.xg4! Players don't normally like exchanging their fianchettoed bishop, but here its counterpart is blocked by the black pawn chain. xg4 29.xa7 And White wins a pawn for no compensation. e8?! [ 29...xa7 30.xa7 g8 31.f2 h6 offers better chances. ] 30.c6! h5 Black threatens ... Qf3+ with a nasty smothered mate, but it is easily avoided, and then Black can resign. 31.d4 h3 32.g1?! [ 32.xf6 xf6 33.f2 appears even stronger. ] 32...g6 33.e3 f3 34.fxf3 bxc6 [ 34...exf3? 35.e8# ] 35.xg7+ [ 35.xb8?? xd4 would completely turn the tables! 36.xc8+? g8 37.xc6 exf3 and mate follows. ] 35...xg7 36.xb8 exf3 37.c7+ h6 38.xf3 h5 39.e3 The knight on c8 is lost. 1-0
954 Psakhis,Lev Janev,Evgeni Open Ubeda ESP (8) [Tony Kosten]
A25 2598 2445 28.01.2001
1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 c6 4.c3 c5 5.a3 [ This is my personal preference, 5.e3 allows d5!? see the archives. ] 5...a5 [ Hodgson's 5...d4!? was considered previously. ] 6.e3 0-0 7.ge2 d6 8.d4 [ T h i s i s g o o d , a l t h o u g h 8.d3 is more flexible. ] 8...a7 [ Best to keep the central tension. 8...exd4?! 9.exd4 a7 frees the c1-bishop, 10.0-0 g4 11.h3 h5 , Rehorek,L-Rehorek,R/ Brno 1999, would tempt me to play 12.g4 g6 13.f4 h6 14.f5 with a wonderful position. ] 9.h3 e8 [ Theoretically this seems to be a new move, although, curiously, Black played it against me recently! W as it before, or after, this game? 9...h6 10.0-0 exd4?! 11.exd4 e8 12.h2 f5 13.b4! axb4 14.axb4 xb4 15.xb7 c2 16.a4 won an exchange for White, Chabanon,J-Caposciutti,M/Cannes 1995. ] 10.0-0 h6 11.b3 d7 12.h2 c8 13.d5?! [ I don't really like this move myself, White ga in s e ve n m o re sp a ce, b u t o p e ns t h e g1-a7 diagonal. I preferred 13.b2 e4?! 14.c2 f5 15.ac1 h5?! (to stop g4, but the cure is worse than the disease) 16.d5 h7 17.ef4 g5 18.e2 and Black is almost lost, i.e. g6 19.h4 f3+ 20.xf3 exf3 21.xf3 e4 22.xh5 e7 23.xe7+ xe7 24.d5 f8 25.g4 , Kosten, A-Janev, E/Aurec 2001, and White h a d t h e a t t a c k t o a d d t o h i s e xt r a t wo pawns! ] 13...e7 14.e4 g6 15.d3 c6 16.e3 If W hite must exchange his 'better' bishop, then Black should be fine. xe3 17.xe3 cxd5 18.xd5 xd5 19.cxd5 b5 20.fc1 b7 21.b4 e7 22.d2 a4 23.c3 f5
944
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 24.d1 ½-½
955 Rahman,Ziaur Kortschnoj,Viktor Goodricke Open (1) [Tony Kosten]
A25 2465 2659 06.02.2000
1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.g3 b4!? [ An unusual move, Black plans to capture on c3 and double the white c-pawns. 3...g6 is normal here, of course. ] 4.g2 [ White is happy to allow Black to concede his dark-squared bishop. The alternative is 4.d5 c5 ( 4...f6!? 5.g2 0-0 6.a3 c5 7.b4 d4 8.b1 d6 9.e3 b6 10.e2 looks to be very promising for White, Miles,A-Rossiter,P/ GBR 1999.) 5.g2 ge7 6.e3 xd5 7.cxd5 b4 8.d4 exd4 9.exd4 d6 10.a3 a6 11.e2 c6 12.c3 cxd5 13.e2+ e7 14.xe7+ xe7 15.xd5+ with an edge, Balashov,YPribyl,J/Schwaebisch Gmuend 1998. ] 4...xc3 5.bxc3 f6 [ A n a t u r a l d e ve l o p i n g m o ve , b u t 5...d6 is more flexible, so that Black can play ... Nge7, if he wants, and the f-pawn is unhindered, e.g. 6.f3 f5 7.d3 f6 8.0-0 0-0 9.g5 e8 1/2-1/2 Cvek,R-Jovanovic,Z/ Patras GRE 1999 (9) ] 6.e4! A fine move, the white pawns will act as a barrier to the black bishop. normally this position is reached from a different moveorder, 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 Nc6 4.Bg2 Bb4 5.e4 Bxc3 6.bxc3 etc. 0-0 7.e2 d6 8.d3 e8 9.0-0 f5 Black plays the same plan as in the Nimzovich Variation (1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4.e4), but here the white knight is on e2, instead of f3, and this may prove important. 10.exf5 xf5 11.h3! [ Careful play, the immediate 11.f4?! d7! and the white kingside expansion is stopped, 12.d4?! e4 13.d5 a5 14.d4 f6 15.xf5 xf5 16.e2 ae8 17.e3 g4! winning the c4-pawn, Solomon,DIvanov,I/Philadelphia 1994, 0-1 (22). ] 11...e6 12.f4 b8 13.g4! Not only does White gain space on the kingside, but he will
also stymie the black bishop. e7 14.f5 f7 15.g3 It becomes clear that e2 was a superior square for the white knight, after all, and now it threatens to hop into e4, and then g5. d5 16.c5 c6 17.g5 The white kingside majority continues on its way. b6 18.g4 g6 19.a3 b5 20.f6 White drives this pawn deep into the black king position. The black position is in a critical state. a5 21.ab1 b4 22.cxb4 axb4 23.b2 [ Good, but there is nothing obviously wrong with 23.xb4 , winning a pawn. ] 23...b5 24.d4 exd4 25.xd4 xd4?! [ F o r c i n g W h i t e t o wi n a p a wn , 25...a5 may be better, but still looks pretty grim for Black. ] 26.xd4 c6 27.xb4 c7 At least this piece has found a square. 28.xb5 xb5 29.h4 h5 Offering another pawn to stop threats of Qh6-g7. 30.gxh6!? On the one hand this wins a pawn, but, on the other, W hite allows the break-up of his pawn chain. h7 31.a4 c7 32.b4 With two extra pawns, and a clear positional advantage, White should win easily. a8 33.b1 a6 34.a5 c8 35.f1 c7 36.a7 e6 37.b7 f7 38.h2 xh6 39.b8 [ Aiming for an endgame, where he hopes to use his a-pawn, but 39.b6 is stronger, returning the queen to the fray. ] 39...g5 Black simply picks up the f6-pawn. 40.a5 xf6 41.xc8 xc8 42.b6 e6 43.a6?! [ 43.xc6 b7 44.b6 c7 45.a6 a8 46.d3 retains some chances. ] 43...c7 44.b8 d7 45.b7 c8 46.b8 d7 47.b7 ½-½
956 Rogozenco,D Parligras,Mircea ch-ROM Lasi ROM (14) [Tony Kosten]
A25 2576 2377 26.12.1999
1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.c3 f6 4.g2 c5 5.e3!? [ This temporary weakening of the d3-square has interesting consequences, I prefer 5.a3 myself, and on a5 then 6.e3 is fine. ] 945
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 5...d5! 6.cxd5 b4 Threatening both ...Nd3+, and to recuperate the d5-pawn. 7.d4 exd4 8.exd4 e7 9.ge2 f5?! [ In the light of this game, perhaps Black should prefer either 9...0-0 10.0-0 bxd5 11.b3 ( 11.f4 xf4 12.xf4 c6 is equal ) 11...c6 12.g5 h6 13.xf6 xf6 14.d5 which seems fairly level, Bunzmann,DHodgson,J/Germany 1999, but 0-1 (34). ] [ Or the immediate 9...bxd5 10.0-0 e6 11.f4 xf4 12.xf4 c6 13.e5 0-0 14.xf6 xf6 15.d5 cxd5 16.xd5 xd5 17.xd5 and the draw is not far off, Foisor,CKorneev,O/Paris 1995, 1/2-1/2 (33). ] 10.0-0 c2 [ Thought to give Black a draw, but it is not t h e c a s e ! I t i s t o o l a t e f o r 10...bxd5? now, as 11.xd5 xd5 12.b3 wins a pawn. ] [ However, 10...d7 is feasible. ] 11.g4! [ In the previous game, Chernin,A-Miles,A/ Moscow 1989, both players made attempts to win bef ore settling on a draw: 11.b1 b4 12.a1 c2 13.g4 g6 14.g5!? d7 15.b1 b4 16.a1 b6?! ( 16...c2 draws on the spot) 17.f4 c2 18.d2 h6 19.g3 c4 20.f2 d3 21.d1 c2 22.f1 ( 22.e1! ) 22...d3 23.d1 c2 1/2-1/2 ] 11...g6 12.f4!! A powerful novelty that refutes the variation. xa1 [ 12...xg4 13.f5 xa1 transposes, ( if 13...xf5 14.xf5 xa1 15.d2 and, after the capture of the a1-knight, the two white pieces are superior to the rook and pawn,; 13...ge3? 14.xe3 xe3 15.a4+ is also good for White. )] 13.f5 xg4 14.g3 [ Trying to gain a tempo on 14.fxg6 hxg6 15.h3 ] 14...xh2?! [ Tempting, but faulty. 14...d7 loses to 15.xg4 as White will pick-up either the g6bishop, or the pathetic a1-knight. ] [ 14...f6 15.fxg6 hxg6 16.f4 may be best, but the white pieces look good here. ] 15.xh2 d6 16.ce4 h4+ 17.h3 xe4 [ Desperation, but after 17...xg3+ 18.xg3 White will capture the g6-bishop, and pick-
up the a1-knight later. e.g. 0-0 19.f4 f6 20.d2 ] 18.e1 xe1 19.xe1+ f8 20.fxg6 hxg6 21.g2 [ Safe, and good, but 21.d1 is also strong, keeping the knight 'in the box'. ] 21...c2 22.f2 b4 23.e6 It transpire that White is not only material up, he also has a strong attack. f6 [ If 23...f5 24.f1 threatens Nxf5, and Qb5. ] 24.f4 h4 25.xd6+ cxd6 26.d2 a6 27.d3 g5 [ If 27...h6 28.b5 threatening Qd7, and Qxb7, and mate on f7. ] 28.b5 [ Not bad, but 28.g6 leads to mate in a few moves. ] 1-0
957 Rogozenco,D Sadler,Matthew chT, NED Hengelo (4) [Tony Kosten]
A25 2560 2630 2000
1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.c3 g6 4.g2 g7 5.b1 f5 An aggressive treatment by Black. 6.d3 f6 7.e3 0-0 8.ge2 a6 An interesting move, whose point becomes clear later. 9.b4 h8 [ This novelty is a useful waiting move, which rem ove s th e bla ck kin g f ro m th e e x p o s e d a 2 - g 8 d i a g o n a l . 9...e7!? h a s a lso b e e n p la ye d , wit h a n e n t ire l y different idea, 10.b3 h8 11.0-0 d6 12.a4 g5 13.f4! gxf4 14.exf4 g6 with an un cle a r p osit ion , Mo ut o us is, K Prasad,D/ Manila 1992. ] [ 9...d6 would return play to more familiar paths. ] 10.a4 [ Obviously White should play this move if he wants to force-through b5 (and he always d o e s ) , b u t i t we a k e n s b 4 . I t w o u l d b e interesting to see whether Black could find another non-committal move after 10.0-0 or whether he would be obliged to continue with d6 ] 10...a5 The first point. 11.b5 b4 This move 946
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 justifies Black's playing of ...a5 in two goes, as now his well-posted knight will hold-up the white queenside onslaught. Of course, this whole idea is only possible after White plays a4, as otherwise White would now win a piece with a3! 12.a3 c5 13.bxc6 dxc6 O n l y n o w c a n we s e e wh y B la c k h a s s o studiously avoided playing the 'automatic' move ...d6. By recapturing this way he highlights the potential weakness of d3. 14.0-0 [ Capturing the pawn by 14.xb4 axb4 15.xb4 is critical, although Black will have good compensation after d6 16.b2 d8 be c a u s e o f h is b ish o p p a ir, a n d b e t t e r pawn formation. ] 14...h5 [ Preparing ...f 4. 14...c5?! concedes too many important light squares. ] 15.c1 [ 15.xb4 axb4 16.xb4 is now countered by f4 with strong pressure on the dark squares (not to mention the threat to win a piece with ... f3). ] 15...f4 This is always a double-edged move, for, the kingside threats are balanced by the loss of control over e4. In this position it is perfectly justified, as Black cannot afford to lose the initiative. 16.e4 f6 17.xf6 xf6 18.xb4 [ White hereby allows the further advance of the f-pawn, but the only move to stop this, 18.f3 is obviously too artificial. ] 18...axb4 19.xb4 f3 20.h1 g5 If Black can bolster the f3-pawn, the h1-bishop will be completely shut out of the game. 21.a2 e4! A positional sacrifice to stop the knight coming to e4. 22.dxe4 g4 23.c2 a5! Black swings another piece over, to molest the white king. 24.c5 e7 25.c1 e6 26.h3 White attempts to open the kingside. h5 27.e5 h4! Black switches to direct attack. 28.hxg4 hxg3 29.fxg3 f2+ 30.f1 xe5 31.e4? [ A n u n f o r t u n a t e m o v e , 31.g2 avoided immediate loss. ] 31...d5?! [ Good, but I suppose Black was in his habitual time-trouble, otherwise he would surely have found 31...h7! 32.g2 h2 winning a lot of material, e.g. 33.xe5 g1+ 34.e2 xg4+ 35.d3 xg2 and the f-
pawn queens. ] 32.xe5 xe5 33.xd5 xd5 34.e4 [ If 34.c3+ g8 and the a5-rook cannot be captured because of 35...Qh1+. ] 34...e5 35.d2 [ 35.c3 xc3 36.xc3 xc5 is quite hopeless. ] 35...xe4 36.h6+ After White's checks runout, he will be a whole exchange down for nothing. g8 37.g5+ h7 38.h5+ g7 39.g5+ g6 40.e5+ g8 41.d1 xg4 0-1
958 Rustemov,Alexander Mchedlishvili,Mikheil Bundesliga 1213 (11.2) [Danny Gormally]
A25 2544 2651 16.03.2013
1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 f6 4.c3 b4 5.d5 c5 6.d3 h6 7.e3 In these reverseSicilian lines White generally prefers a slow build up, the serious questions will be asked later on. 0-0 [ 7...d6 was the choice of the great Vassily Ivanchuk. I do recommend you study his games in great detail- they will undoubtedly deepen your strategic understanding! 8.e2 a6 9.a3 a7 10.0-0 0-0 11.b4 xd5 12.cxd5 e7 13.d4 f6! 14.h3 d7 15.e1 ( 15.e4 b5! Is B lack's ide a) 15...c6 16.dxe5 dxe5 17.c3 cxd5 18.xd5 e6 19.xe7+ xe7 Black has completely equalised 20.b2 fd8 21.e2 d5 22.ed1 xg2 23.xg2 b6 24.xd8+ xd8 25.d1 xd1 26.xd1 e6 27.d3 c7 28.e4 c6 29.g4 b5 30.d5+ xd5 0-1 Kotsur, P (2548)-Ivanchuk, V (2769)/ Astana 2012. I'm not exactly sure what happened here, but in the bishop ending only Black can possibly hope to win, as the d-pawn is a potential weakness ] 8.e2 a6 9.0-0 d6 10.h3 a7 11.d2 f5?! The problem with putting the bishop on this square, is that it aims at little. White can easily defend the h3 pawn if Black elects to attack it with ..Qd7 at some point. [ 11...xd5 12.cxd5 e7 Would have been a normal approach, similar to the Ivanchuk game. 13.c3 d7 14.d4 g6 15.a4 e7 947
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 W hen W hite can probably lay claim to a slight advantage, due to having more space and more potential plans of action, (for example at some point he might play Qb3, or Ba5, teasing the queenside, but Black would remain extremely solid. ] 12.c3 xd5 13.cxd5 e7 14.h2 c6 The typical freeing move. White was already intending to continue with a Kingside advance, so it wa s im p ort an t to f ight f or sp a ce a s quickly as possible. [ 14...g6 15.e4 d7 16.f4! And there is a d a n g e r y o u w i l l g e t s t e a m r o l l e r e d . f5 17.exf5 xf5 18.g4 d7 19.f5 h4 20.g3 Would be very pleasant for Whitethe pawn on f5 rather cramps Black. ] 15.dxc6 xc6 16.d4! Effectively cutting the a7 bishop out of the game. If Black elects to exchange on d4, he risks making both his d and b pawns potential targets. e7 [ 16...exd4 17.xd4 xd4 18.xd4 xd4 19.xd4 Is White's dream and Black's nightmare- the weak black pawns are easy t a r g e t s . I m a g i n e t r yi n g t o d e f e n d t h i s against Carlsen! ] 17.d2 ad8 18.ae1?! A measured buildu p , b u t p e r h a p s i t wa s t i m e t o b e m o r e proactive. [ There was certainly an argument for 18.d5 b8 19.e4 g6 20.f4 gaining crucial space. f6 21.f5 f7 22.g1! Diagram Intending to cycle the knight around to the g6 square. ] 18...e4 Unable to withstand the tension anymore, Black decides to gain some space in t h e c e n t e r . B u t t h is d e ci sio n is a l s o n o t without it's risks, as potentially the e4 pawn c o u l d b e c o m e w e a k . 19.d5 e5 But of course, the knight is much better placed on e5 than b8, so really White should have committed to playing d5 earlier. 20.f4 fe8 21.c2 h7 22.d1 c8 23.e2 d7 24.c1 c5 25.fd1 b5 26.a3 b6 27.g4 e7 28.h5 g6 29.xe5 xe5+ 30.f4 h7 31.g1 Diagram c5? A serious error. [ Easy equality could be found with 31...g5 32.h5 g6! This would solve the key st ra t e gic qu est io n of t h e ligh t -squ a re d bishop, which in the game effectively remains a spectator, unable to exert any meaningful influence on the action. 33.a4
bxa4 34.xa6 xc1 35.xc1 xb2 Is the difference- in the game White gets b4 f or f ree, ensuring tha t su ch a variatio n cannot save Black. ] 32.xc5 xc5 33.b4 b6 34.a4! So simple. All of a sudden Black is in serious trouble on the queenside. bxa4 35.xa6 b8 36.xa4 c3 37.e2 c4 38.d4 xd4 39.xd4 c1+ 40.f1 g6 41.c6 c8? 42.c4! [ 42.c4 xc6 43.dxc6! And the pawn goes through. ] 1-0
959 Sarakauskas,Gediminas Kiik,Kalle 16th Heart of Finland Open (8) [John Watson]
A25 2414 2452 15.07.2006
This gam e f e atu res a po pular t empo rary sacrifice for Black that has become a fixture and seems to offer equality. I give the game with only a few notes because of the entertaining battle in the middlegame: 1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.g3 f6 4.g2 c5 5.e3 d5! This move has been around long enough that it's soundness isn't in question. W hether White can gain even a small advantage is still being disputed. 6.cxd5 [ 6.xd5 xd5 ( 6...f5!? ) A) 7.xd5 b4 8.e4 ( 8.g2?? d3 ) 8...f5 9.a3 d3+ 10.xd3 xd3 11.e2 xe2+ ( 11...b3! 12.d4 e7 m a y b e b e t t e r) 12.xe2 e4!? with compensation, probably just enough.; B) 7.cxd5 ] 6...b4 7.d4 exd4 8.exd4 e7 [ 8...xd4?? 9.a4+ ] 9.ge2 bxd5 10.b3 c6 11.0-0 0-0 12.xd5 xd5 13.c3 xc3?! This strengthens White's centre. Better [ 13...b4!? 14.d5!? f5 15.dxc6 bxc6 ] 14.bxc3 d6 15.c4 b8 16.b2 f5 17.d5 c5?! Black may well be equal after this, but W hite gets all the practical chances. From now on W hite gains the initiative and eventually breaks through. The attack is fun so I'll leave it to you to look at. 18.fe1 c7 19.e4 d7 20.a4 be8 21.c2 b6 948
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 22.d3 f5 23.f4 a6 24.c3 xe1+ 25.xe1 f7 26.d3 xa4 27.e6 f8 28.e5 b7 29.xf5 b5 30.e8 bxc4 31.b8 xb8 32.xb8 xf5 33.c8 f7 34.xa6 e8 35.d6 d7 36.e5 f7 37.c8 e6 38.xc5 g6 39.f2 f7 40.f3 b7 41.g4 d7 42.h3 h5 43.gxh5 1-0
960 Seirawan,Yasser Kriventsov,Stanislav G ch Seattle USA (4) [Tony Kosten]
A25 2644 2415 08.01.2002
1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 g6 4.e3 g7 5.e2 d6 6.bc3 h5 7.h4 [ This is the most radical solution to the problem of stopping the advance of the black h-pawn, although it weakens g4. We have considered the main alternative, 7.d4 in both Hansen,C - Hodgson,J, and Hulak,K Almasi,Z. ] 7...g4 8.b4!? An innovation, attacking straightaway on the queenside, but is it good? [ The two most common moves are: 8.d3 f6!? 9.d5 xd5 10.cxd5 e7 11.b3 c8 12.c3 0-0 13.d2 with a tiny edge to White, Larsen,B-Spassky,B/Malmo 1968, and ] [ 8.b1 e.g. d7 9.b4 ge7 10.d3 d8 11.b5 with chances to both sides, Suba,MHort, V/Reggio Emilia 1986, but if White can play b4 in one go, why prepare it? ] 8...d4!? Wow!! I bet Yasser didn't expect this one! Surely [ 8...xb4 had to be tried, 9.a4+ c6 10.b1 and now c8! is critical. ] 9.exd4 exd4 10.xb7 [ The knight can't move, i.e. 10.d5?! d3 attacking a1 and e2. ] 10...dxc3 11.dxc3!? White enters into the spirit of things, offering an exchange (although this game was played a full two weeks after Christmas), but simply [ 11.d4 looks adequate, the c3-pawn will be picked-up later. ] 11...xc3+ 12.d2 xd2+?! [ 12...xa1 13.xa1 f6 14.f4 will certainly offer White plenty of play for the
exchange, but Black could have tried this. ] 13.xd2 b8 14.g2 White has a small, but certain, advantage. e7 [ 14...e7? achieves nothing: 15.0-0 xe2 16.fe1 and the bishop is recuperated with advantage. ] 15.f4 0-0 16.0-0 c8 17.b5 a6 In principal a good idea, swapping his weak apawn. 18.a4 axb5?! Black could certainly delay this. 19.cxb5! Capturing away from the centre, but the a-pawn will prove very da n ge rou s. b7 20.xb7 xb7 21.fe1 c6? Missing a simple tactic, [ 21...d7 is preferable. ] 22.bxc6 xc6 23.d5 c7 24.xg6 This is the problem, the f7-pawn is pinned. b4 25.b3 Good, but White misses a sweet tactic: [ 25.e7+! xe7 26.xh5 f6 27.g4+ forking king and knight, and winning quickly. ] 25...c2 26.xf8 xf8 27.a5 a8?? Black is lost anyway, but this should hasten matters. 28.b2 The threat of mate in one allows White to pin the knight. g8 29.ec1 c8 30.a2 With an exchange and a pawn less, Black should certainly resign this. d4 31.xc7 f3+ 32.g2! The most accurate. xh4+ 33.f1 [ Of course, White is never going to fall for 33.gxh4?? g4+ 34.f1 d1+ with a perpetual. ] 33...h3+ [ If 33...xc7 then 34.gxh4 is now possible. ] 34.e2 g4+ 35.d3 f5+ 36.c3 The checks soon run out. f3 37.e2 f6+ 38.b4 1-0
961 Spangenberg,Hugo Slipak,Sergio ch-Najdorf mem (11) [Tony Kosten]
A25 2531 2521 02.12.1999
1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 g6 4.c3 g7 5.b1 A popular and flexible line for White, who initiates queenside play before deciding h o w b e s t t o d e v e l o p h i s k i n g s i d e . a5 949
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 The normal response, stopping b4 at the cost of a slight weakening of the b5-square. 6.e3 d6 7.ge2 ge7 8.d3 0-0 9.0-0 e6 Black threatens ...d5, exposing the d3-pawn. 10.d5 The inevitable reaction in such positions, d5 is occupied while Black is unable to capture. d7 11.ec3 [ A perfectly logical move, if quite unusual, reinforcing White's control of d5. Normally, White prefers to continue with direct action on the queenside, by 11.a3 and b4. ] 11...d8 [ Intending to play ...Nc8 (else White can answer ...c6? with Nb6), and ...c6, expelling the powerful d5-knight. 11...f5 has also been played, when, as well as the standard 12.a3 returning to normal positions, as in Abel,P-Klemanic,E/SVK 1997, there is also 12 Qa4!?, as in the game, menacing 13 Nxe7+. ] 12.a4 [ A tricky move, which is the point of White's subtle move order. 12.b3 led to nothing for W hite f ollowin g xd5 13.xd5 a6!? 14.a3 c6 15.c3 Bazaj Bockai,S-Stadler, B/Pula 1996. ] 12...xd5! [ The best reply, making a fine temporary p a w n s a c . O f c o u r s e , 12...xa4?? is a blunder, allowing the Zwischenzug 13.xe7+ winning a bit, h8 14.xa4 ] [ t h e p a w n s a c r i f i c e 12...dc6? is also unsound, as after 13.xe7+ xe7 14.xc6 bxc6 15.xc6 Black's compensation is almost nothing- as the light-squared bishop is equalled by the white knight, which threatens to hop into d5. ] [ 12...ec6?! is the only sensible alternative, bu t le ave s t h e b la ck p ie ce s a wkward ly placed. 13.a3 ] 13.xd7 xd7 [ The move 13...xc3? seems tempting, at first sight, as Black picks-up a rook and two pieces for the queen, but the knight on b1 will be trapped, and following a sequence like 14.xc7 xb1 15.b6 a4 16.e4 , and c1-bishop moves, the knight is lost, and Black too. ] 14.xd5 [ Winning material, but, in retrospect 14.cxd5
might promise more. ] 14...e6 [ The point of Black's defence. Obviously not 14...c6?? because of 15.b6 ] 15.e7+ h8 16.xb7 ae8! The key, forcing the two advanced white pieces into a tangle. 17.c6 c5 [ No t b a d , b u t 17...a4! was worth serious consideration: A) after 18.b4?! White only escapes material loss by the skin of his teeth, b8 19.c6 xc6 20.xc6 b6 21.a5 ( 21.e7?? c6 traps the poor knight) 21...c5 22.d1 a8 23.d2 xd3 with an edge to Black; B) 18.a5 c5 19.c6 xc6 20.xc6 xd3 21.e4 f5 with good play. ] 18.xa5 Obviously forced. xb7 19.xb7 a8 Cutting off the knight's retreat. 20.d2 [ 20.a3? fb8 and the knight is lost, and a l t h o u g h W h i t e wi l l h a ve t h r e e p a wn s following 21.xd6 cxd6 , it is not enough. ] 20...xa2 21.c3 fa8 22.a5!? [ An interesting alternative to 22.b4 ] 22...d5! [ The best chance, if 22...e4 then, simply 23.d4 ] [ but the real point of White's 22nd move is that following 22...2xa5? 23.xa5 xa5 B l a c k i s i n a b a d wa y : 24.a1 xa1 25.xa1 and, despite his two bishops, Black will experience great difficulties defending his queenside pawns, g8 26.a7 f5 27.e4 g4 28.xc7 e2 29.b4! the b-pawn will cost Black a bishop. ] 23.b3 [ If 23.cxd5 Black can now take the knight, 8xa5 24.xa5 xa5 as, on 25.a1 xa1 26.xa1 the c7-pawn can be defended by f8 27.a7 d6 ] 23...dxc4 24.dxc4 f5 Black remains a pawn down, but his bishop pair will provide reasonable compensation. 25.a1 d3 26.xa2 xa2 27.d1 e4 28.d4 [ 28.xg7+? xg7 and Black regains either the c or b pawns. ] 28...h5 [ Creating a bolt-hole for the king, if 28...xc4?? 29.e6! and the threat of mate wins a piece. ] 29.c5 h7 30.h3 a4 31.c1 g8 32.g2 950
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 f8 33.g4 h4 This keeps the white king confined. 34.b3 xc3 35.xc3 b4 36.c1 xb2 37.xd3 exd3 38.xd3 c2 The black activity is enough to assure the draw. 39.d5 e7 40.g5 e6 41.e4 c3 42.f4 [ White is unable to improve his position, as 42.f3 allows c2+ confining the king to the back rank, and other tries lose either the hpawn or c-pawn. ] 42...e3 43.e5+ d7 44.f5 gxf5 45.xf5 e6 46.f6+ [ 46.f6+ e7 47.c6 d7 and White must repeat moves, or lose his e-pawn. ] ½-½
962 Timman,Jan H Jussupow,Artur Remco Inv Wolvega NED (5) [John Watson]
A25 2565 2600 26.11.2006
An odd game between two top-level GMs. Timman seems to miss something in a very conservative opening because he allows Black a positional advantage for free. Then, just when Black is about to cash in, Yusupov p l a y s i n a c c u r a t e l y a n d a l l o ws W h i t e a n unlikely drawing combination. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.e3 Avoiding standard theory. I once wrote extensively about 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 e3. g6 [ 3...f6 can be answered by 4 Nf3 with a main line, or by a Sicilian Reversed idea such as 4 a3 but I don't like 4.d4 due to b4 ( 4...exd4 5.exd4 d5 is also adequate, but not as likely to gain an advantage) 5.d5! ( 5.dxe5 xc3+ 6.bxc3 xe5 obviously favours Black, and; 5.f3 exd4 6.exd4 0-0 gives Black an irritating lead in development) 5...xc3+ ( or 5...e7 6.d2 0-0 ) 6.bxc3 e7 7.e4 d6 with a doubleedged position that I think is harder for White to play. ] 4.d4 d6 5.d5 ce7 6.f4?! I'm not sure what the point is, except to hope for 6... exf4. Black will be glad to activate his bishop along the long diagonal. [ 6.e4 ] [ or 6.f3 would be normal. ] 6...g7
[ 6...exf4 7.d4! forces the awkward response f6 ] 7.fxe5 xe5 8.f3 g7 9.e4 f6 We've reached a standard position in which Black has the e5 outpost in front of a backward pawn. If W hite doesn't move to change the structure he will probably stand a little worse. Now and for some time to come, my engine prefers White by almost a whole pawn! 10.e2 0-0 11.0-0 g4 To secure e5. 12.e1 [ Perhaps 12.h3 xf3 13.gxf3 was worth a look, but it's dangerous after h5 14.g2 f5 ] 12...xe2 13.xe2 d7 14.d3 c8!? A clever move to activate Black's queen and reinforce the blockading square, as we will see. 15.d2 [ 15.e3 e7! ( 15...cb6 16.c5 )] 15...cb6!? [ 15...e7 ] 16.b3 e5 17.xe5 xe5 18.ac1 d7 19.d1 [ perhaps 19.b4 a5 20.a3 was best. Then Black's piece activity comes into play: axb4 21.axb4 h4 22.g3 h3 ] 19...e7 20.c3 f5! [ 20...ae8 21.d2! c5 22.e1 holds everything together, although I still prefer Black by just a bit. ] 21.xe5 [ 21.exf5?? xh2+ ] [ 21.f2 f6 ] 21...xe5 22.c3 ae8 23.b5 c5?! The simple 23...Re7 preserves a moderate superiority, but it's surprising that Yusupov would miss [ 23...f6! with a substantial and possibly winning advantage, e.g., A) No better is 24.g3 xe4; B) or 24.d3? c6! 25.dxc6 bxc6 26.d4 ( 26.xa7?? fxe4 with ...Qc5+; 26.xd6? fxe4 27.d1 c5+ 28.h1 e6 29.b7 b4 30.d8 d6 ) 26...fxe4 27.c3 g4 28.g3 xf1+ 29.xf1 e3 and wins; C) 24.cd1 is perhaps best, but then g4 25.g3 g7! covers c7 and will win a central pawn; D) 24.xc7? g4 25.g3 d4+ 26.h1 xe4 and Black breaks through. ] 24.xc7! Leading to a well-calculated 951
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 simplification. e7 25.e6 xe6 26.dxe6 c5+ 27.f2 fxe4 28.xc5 dxc5 29.xf8+ xf8 30.f2 xe6 There's really nothing positive to do after 31 Ke3. ½-½
useful queenside pawns in return. ] 19.b5 e7 20.fe1 d8 21.d3 de8 P i l i n g t h e p r e s s u r e o n e 4 . 22.d5 White decides that it is time to stop the threat of ...exd4. c5 23.b5 d8 24.h4 a6 25.f1 c8 26.c4 White has more space, but Black has a strong grip on the queenside 963 A25 dark squares and White will almost certainly Vallejo Pons,Francisco 2648 never be able to play c5 to break through. Smirin,Ilia 2676 ee8 27.g3 d7 28.f3 h7 29.g4 g6 GM Biel SUI (9) 31.07.2002 30.e3 e7 31.f2 Pawn breaks are few and far between, and neither player wants to [Tony Kosten] take unnecessary risks. d6 32.h3 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.e3 c6 4.c2!? ½-½ W hite plays in reversed Sicilian style, we have examined 964 A25 [ 4.d4 b4 in a game Korchnoi-Kasparov. ] 4...d5 A novelty at move four! However, this Watson,John L 2345 move is so natural that it is hard to believe Enhbat,Tegshsuren 2408 that it hasn't been played before, somewhere, ch Seattle USA (4) 12.01.2003 although I can't find any examples of it! [Tony Kosten] [ 4...g6 is generally favoured here, 5.a3 g7 6.b4 0-0 Sunye Neto,J-Karpov,A/ 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 c6 4.c3 b4 Amsterdam 1985. ] 5.d5 c5 6.e3 xd5 Black can also defer 5.cxd5 b4!? But this is any interesting idea, this capture, but [ 5...xd5 would lead to known position[ 6...0-0 7.e2 xd5 8.cxd5 b4 9.d4 types. ] exd4 10.exd4 transposes. ] 6.b1 White wouldn't be happy with 7.cxd5 b4 This sort of tactical sequence is [ 6.b3 f5 7.d3 xd3 8.xd3 xd3+ t e m p t i n g f o r a c o m p u t e r a s . . . N d 3 + i s 9.e2 c5 ] threatened, but, as we shall see, Black simply 6...bxd5 7.d3 b4 8.d2 0-0 9.f3 gets rebuffed. So, a Sicilian position has been reached, [ 7...e7 8.b4!? led to a crushing tactical although the black knights are on odd victory for W hite in Christiansen,Lsquares. e8 10.e4!? This is not too bad, as Charbonneau,P/Richmond CAN 2002. ] there is no black knight on c6 capable of 8.d4! controlling d4, and the problem for White was [ 8.b3?! is not so good, a5 ( 8...c6! ) 9.a3 that a4? ( 9...a6 ) 10.c3 a6 11.xe5+ [ 10.e2 can be met by xc3 11.bxc3 e4 wins, Nemeth,Z-Bordas,G/Budapest HUN breaking-up the white pawn structure. ] 2000. ] 10...xc3!? 11.bxc3 c5 12.e2 b6 8...exd4 9.exd4 White has doubled pawns in 13.c2 h6 14.d1 a6 15.a4 b7 the centre, but they control important squares, 16.0-0 White has completed his development, and drive Black's two developed pieces back. and he has more central pawns, and will try to e7 This is best, manage the d4-thrust although then the e[ 9...xd4? loses, but you should know how: p a wn wo u l d n e e d lo t s o f d e f e n ce . d7!? 10.a3 ( 10.xd4?? c2+ ) 10...f6 11.f3 17.xd7 xd7 18.d4!? d6 Black is not ( 11.e2+ d8 12.axb4 e8 13.e3 tempted by xb2 14.b1 c3+ 15.d1 is also good [ 18...exd4 19.cxd4 xe4!? 20.b5 for White ) 11...c3+!? ( after 11...xb2 ( 20.d3? g4 attacks f3) 20...c6 21.d3 12.xb2 xb2 13.axb4 xb4+ 14.d2 xd4 22.xd4 xd4 is an interesting Black has 3 pawns for the piece, but this is exchange sac whereby Black obtains two insufficient, as the pawns are all on their 952
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 starting squares and are good targets for the white rooks.) 12.f1! the most accurate, although ( 12.bxc3 xc3+ 13.d2 c2+ 14.d1 xd2+ 15.xd2 xa1 16.d6! cxd6 17.b2 is also favourable to White) 12...a6+ 13.g1 f6 at first glance it appears that Black has avoided losing a piece, but the knight has no squares, 14.f1 good, but ( 14.f4 xd5 15.xd5 0-0 16.xc7 is very convincing) 14...b5 15.f4 xd5 16.xd5 b7 17.e1+ d8 18.d3 and White soon won, Spraggett,K-Gonzalez Galvan,J/Dos Hermanas ESP 2000. ] [ 9...d6?! is unnatural, 10.a3 a6 11.e2 c6 12.c3 cxd5?! 13.e2+ e7 14.xe7+ xe7 15.xd5+ with a significant advantage, Balashov,YPribyl,J/ Schwaebisch Gmuend 1998. ] 10.a3 a6 A sad square for a knight! 11.e3?! This new move is White's mistake, better to play the natural [ 11.e2 0-0 ( 11...d6 12.0-0 g4 13.h3 xe2 14.xe2 0-0 concedes the bishop pair, Vandevoort,P-Schuermans,R/BEL 1992, when I would be te mpted to pla y 15.b5 as the knight's future looks bleak) 12.0-0 c6 Black will have to play this move, sooner or later, if he wants to be able to recycle his offside knight, but it allows White to undouble his pawns, and establish a piec e on d5 . 13.f4! the key move, White stops Black from playing ...Nc7. This is why this piece should not go to e3, as in the main game. cxd5 14.c3! d6 ( 14...c7 15.xc7! xc7 16.xd5 d8 17.e1 f6 18.c1 is crushing) 15.xd5 e6 16.e1 ( 16.b3!? ) 16...e8 17.xe7+ xe7 18.h5 d5 19.xd5 xd5 20.xe7 xe7 21.xd5 White has a solid extra pawn, Gil Reguera,J-Servat,R/Orense 1997. ] 11...c6 12.e2 c7! Black manages to bring the knight back. 13.c3 xd5 14.xd5 cxd5 15.0-0 0-0 16.xd5 White has still got an edge because of his extra space, and better development, but the absence of black weaknesses means that exploiting this may not prove easy. a5!? 17.b3 Should White be concerned by the possibility of ...a4 ? [ 17.e1 d6 18.d3 a4 19.ac1 keeps White on top. ] 17...a6!? Very provocative. 18.c4 a8
19.f3 b8 20.fe1 f6 21.a4 b6 22.f4 b7 23.d5 Exchanging the light-squared bishops is positionally desirable, as the black queenside pawns are stuck on dark squares. xd5 24.xd5 c8 25.d6? This is where White throws away his advantage, [ 25.ac1! is more natural, e8 26.xe8+ xe8 27.c7! and Black is in serious t ro u b le , a s xc7? 28.xc7 Hoovers the queenside. ] 25...e8 26.ac1 e6 27.g2 xe1 [ 27...c6 would be prettier! ] 28.xe1 Although White could still continue here. ½-½
965 Bareev,Evgeny Azmaiparashvili,Zurab FIDE World Cup KO (1.4) [Tony Kosten]
A26 2702 2673 08.09.2000
1.c4 e5 2.c3 d6 3.g3 g6 4.g2 g7 5.d3 e7 6.e4 A good choice given the ma tch situ a tio n: W h ite ne e ds to dra w t o qualify. This avoids the typical black kingside attack that occurs when W hite plays exclusively on the queenside. bc6 7.ge2 h5 8.h4 [ The best reply, White doesn't want to place too many pawns on light squares by 8.h3 h4 9.g4 ] 8...e6 9.g5 f6 10.e3 d7 11.d5 0-0 12.0-0 [ It is difficult to believe that 12.d2 h7 13.0-0-0 can be better, f5 14.b1 ab8 15.g1 b5 with sharp play, Beikert,GHamdouchi,H/FRA 1999. ] 12...f5 13.g5 f7 14.d2 af8 15.ae1 [ A logical innovation, and completely in keeping with White's game plan, 15.b4 c8 16.ac1 allows White possibilities on the queenside, Ribli,Z-Nunn,J/ Plovdiv 1983, but Black is not devoid of counterplay. ] 15...fxe4 [ A common idea is the redevelopment of the badly-placed e7-knight by 15...c8 but then 16.exf5! is strong, A) 16...gxf5? keeps control of e4, but closes the f -f ile 17.f4 ( even 17.f3 953
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 is possible ); B) 16...xf5 and White can place a knight on e4. ] 16.dxe4 g4 17.b3 h7 [ 17...f3?! appears tempting, but is a positional error, as after 18.xf3 xf3 19.g2 3f7 Black has merely exchanged his good bishop for White's worse one. ] 18.f4 Played to reduce Black's pressure on t h e f - f i l e . g8 19.e3 h3 20.f5! Forcing Black to play the unfavourable exchange, and creating an outpost on f5. xg2 21.xg2 ce7 22.fxg6+ xg6 23.xf7 xf7 24.c3 f6 25.f1 g4 Now W hite forces further exchanges that l e a v e B l a c k i n t r o u b l e . 26.xf7 xf7 27.xe7 xe7 28.f5+ f8 29.g5 f6 Forced, but now the remaining black knight is swapped, and only the bad bishop remains. 30.d5 f7? [ A mistake, simplifying White's task, but 30...xe4 31.xh5 f6 32.g5 is also losing, the white kingside pawns are free to advance. ] 31.xg7 xd5 [ Obviously not 31...xg7 32.xf6+ ] 32.cxd5 xg7 33.d8+ f7 34.xc7+ g8 35.xg7+ And a draw was agreed, as t h is wa s s u f f icie n t t o gu a ra n t e e W h it e ' s qualification, but Black could otherwise resign this. ½-½
966
A26 Belotti,Bruno 2419 Collutiis,Duilio 2332 ch-Playoff Montecatini Terme ITA (2) 01.12.02 [Tony Kosten] 1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.g3 g6 4.g2 g7 5.d3 d6 6.e4 f5 7.ge2 f6 8.0-0 0-0 9.d5 e7!? Edward Dearing wrote on the Forum that he was having difficulty proving an advantage against this move, whereby Black hopes to chase the knight away from d5 (with ...c6), or exchange it. 10.xf6+ xf6 11.d4 'The logical reaction' as I wrote in my book, although [ 11.h6!? g7 12.xg7 xg7 13.d4! ( 13.exf5 xf5 14.d4 exd4 15.xd4 f6
gave White nothing in Psakhis,L-Collutiis,D/ Bled SLO 2002) 13...c6!? 14.d5 e7 15.f4! favours White, Hanley,C-Meis,F/ Hoogeveen NED 2002. ] 11...fxe4! This is the problem, in my book I gave [ 11...c6 when White gained an appreciable advantage by 12.dxe5 xe5 13.h6 e8 14.d4 fxe4 15.xe4 d5 16.cxd5 xd5 17.e1 f6?! 18.b3+ h8 19.f3 Serper,G-Ludwikow,T/Gausdal 1991. ] 12.xe4 Automatic, but perhaps White should prefer Dearing's suggestion [ 12.d5!? (planning to use the e4-square by Nc3xe4) g4 13.xe4 c6 14.f3 h3 15.f2 b6 and now I like 16.c3!? f5 17.d3 f7 18.d2 af8 19.b3 when I prefer White, as Black's pieces are 'all dressed up with nowhere to go'. ] 12...h3 13.e1 [ 13.g2 xg2 14.xg2 is just level, Sadorra,J-Tay,J/ Singapore SIN 2001. ] 13...c6 14.h6 For what it is worth, a novelty, [ 14.dxe5 dxe5?! ( 14...xe5! ) 15.h6 xd1 16.axd1 fd8 is slightly better for W h i t e , b e c a u s e o f t h e i s o l a t e d p a wn , Dannevig,O-Sagafos,M/Asker NOR 2000. ] 14...f7 15.d2 d7 16.dxe5 xe5 17.d4 f5 Black invites exchanges. 18.xf5 xf5 19.ad1 xe4 20.xe4 f5 21.e2 The backward d-pawn, and White's efile build-up promise him a slight plus. g7? [ 21...h3 ] 22.xg7 xg7 23.xd6 Now White is winning. af8 24.f4 [ 24.f4! White controls both central files, and has an extra pawn. ] 24...c5 25.xf7+ xf7 26.e6 b5 27.cxb5 cxb5 28.e5+?! Quite unnecessary, we all know that rook and pawn endings are drawish, whilst with the queens on W hite has every chance of winning (particularly as his king is safer). xe5 29.xe5 b7 30.b4 f6 31.c5 h5 32.h4 Black seems quite passive here, but he soon activates! b6! 33.g2?! [ 33.a3 a6 34.c3 was a better chance. ] 33...a6 34.xb5 xa2 35.f3 b2 36.e3 a6 37.b8 f5 38.f8+ e5 39.e8+ f5 40.f8+ e5 41.f4 a5! Swapping the last queenside pawn brings about a theoretical draw. 42.bxa5 b3+ 43.e2 a3 44.b4 954
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xa5 Of course, this is a draw, although I almost lost one like this against I. Sokolov once at Tilburg! 45.b6 f5 46.f3 a2+ 47.e3 a3+ 48.f2 ½-½
967
A26
Botvinnik N,Archana [Tony Kosten] 1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.g3 g6 4.g2 g7 5.e4 d6 I don't want to dwell too long on the strategic aspects of this line, they will be very familiar to anyone who has a copy of The Dynamic English. So, rather than repeat that (which probably wouldn't go down too well with my publishers!) I have decided to concentrate exclusively on the most recent games. One of the advantages of this line for W hite is that the opponent often only has a vague idea of how to respond, although there are a few signs (in particular with 8...Nd4!?) that some players have been preparing. The Latvian GM Miezis has been playing this line a lot with White and has scored very well, so there are a lot of his games mentioned at various points. 6.ge2 ge7 This is generally considered to be one of the two main lines. [ 6...f5 is an important move, because this position can arrive from various move orders where Black plays an early ...f5 (i.e. 1 c4 f5). 7.d3 A) 7...h6 8.h4 fxe4! as I suggested in my book, this is Black's best try, 9.g5 d7 10.dxe4!? ( White keeps a hold of f5, but loses the uses of the e4-square, I prefer 10.xe4 ) 10...f7 11.d5 d4!? 12.xd4 exd4 , Delchev,A-Grigore,G/ Budapest HUN 2000, and now White has several tempting continuations, for instance 13.a4+! ( 13.xh6 xh6 14.xd4 ) 13...c6 14.f3 and; B) 7...f6 8.0-0 0-0 9.d5 The best move, this and alternatives are discussed in Mie zis,N-Ru st emo v, A/ Tallinn ES T 2001. ] [ 6...f6 7.0-0 0-0 is examined in Bruzon,LKempinski,R/Linares ESP 2001, whilst 8.d3 d7!? , where Black plans to bring his
knight to e6, is seen in the archives. ] [ 6...e6 Can transpose to 6...Nge7, but Black can also play more aggressively: 7.d3 d7 8.d5 d8 ( not 8...f6? 9.h6!; b u t m o ve s s u c h a s 8...f5 are fine, and transpose elsewhere,) 9.0-0 c6 10.e3 f5?! allowing White to play his normal exchange: 11.exf5! gxf5 12.f4 f7 13.d4 exd4 14.xd4 0-0-0 15.b1! f6 16.b4 White's typical queenside advance proves even more effective when the black king is in the way! d5 17.b5 dxc4 18.xe6 xe6 19.a4 d5 20.xa7 Black can resign, Franco Ocampos, Z-Mantovani,R/8th Valle d'Aosta Open, Saint Vincent I 2000. ] 7.d3 Simplest, and best. [ 7.0-0?! s e e m s t o b e a m i s t a k e , h5! , Franco Ocampos, Z-Akopian,V/Linares ESP 2001, see the archives for the gruesome details! ] 7...0-0 [ 7...h5!? is often played at move six, so that B la ck re t a in s t h e o p t i o n o f p l a yin g h i s king's knight to h6, instead of e7, but just recently it has also been tried at this juncture a number of times, have a look at Miezis, N-Seirawan,Y/Istanbul TUR 2000. ] 8.0-0 e6 [ 8...d4!? 9.xd4 exd4 has been resuscitated recently, with Black finding new ideas that have been giving W hit e problems, look at the analysis in Zueger,BGallagher,J/ Pontresina SUI 2000. ] 9.d5 f5 10.e3 reaching the main position, which is considered in Miezis,N-Praytino,S/ Jakarta INA 2001.
968 Bruzon Batista,Lazaro Kempinski,Robert Anibal Open Linares ESP (9) [Tony Kosten]
A26 2584 2543 16.01.2001
1.c4 f6 2.c3 g6 3.e4 d6 4.g3 g7 5.g2 c6 6.ge2 0-0 7.0-0 e5 8.d3 [ Solid, the move 8.f4 is tempting, one recent example: exf4 9.gxf4 g4 by pinning the knight, defender of d4, Black hopes to put pressure on the dark squares. 10.h3 ( but 10.d4 is critical, if Black cannot exploit this, 955
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 he could be worse, e8 11.e5 d7 12.h3 with an edge) 10...xe2!? 11.xe2 e8 stopping White from playing d4, 12.d3 a5 13.e3 a4 14.d2 White has the better prospects, Ostenstad,B-Mortensen,E/Aars DEN 1999. ] 8...e6 [ 8...d7!? is seen in the archives. ] 9.d5 [ 9.f4 is best, threatening f5. ] 9...d7 10.e3 a5 11.d2 c5 12.f4 White prefers to play this advance after due preparation. exf4 13.dxf4 Menacing both t o p l a y d 4 , a n d t o c a p t u r e o n e 6 . e5 The attack on c4 holds-up pawn to d4. 14.h1?! [ To prepare the g1-square for the darks q u a r e d b i s h o p , b u t t h e s i m p l e 14.b3! is strong, preparing d4 again, g4 15.d4 xe3 16.xe3 d7 and now, 17.xe6 fxe6 18.e5 opens the g2-bishop's diagonal with great advantage. ] 14...g4 15.ad1? [ White prevaricates again, but this time it is really serious, 15.h3 kept an edge. ] 15...cxd3! 16.xd3 xc4 17.c1 xb2! The point, Black gives two pieces for a rook, b u t g a i n s a t h i rd p a wn , a s we l l . 18.xb2 xe2 19.a4 d7 20.c2 xf1 21.xf1 b5!? 22.e5 ae8 23.d3 bxa4 24.c6 h3 25.g1 b8 26.exd6 cxd6 27.xa4 e6 28.a7 bc8 29.f4 White manages to coordinate his bits, and regain equality. e5 30.d5 h8 31.b7 ce8 32.c6 c8 33.b7 cd8!? Black has the draw in hand. 34.xa5 b2 35.c7 de8 36.f4 d4+ 37.xd4+ xd4+ 38.h1 d2 39.g2 e1 40.c4 xf1+ 41.xf1 g7 42.e2?! e8 43.g2?? g5 0-1
969 Cebalo,Miso Tkachiev,Vladislav CRO-Cup Rabat CRO (2) [Tony Kosten]
A26 2524 2643 27.05.2003
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.d3 g6 5.g3 g7 6.g2 0-0 7.0-0 d6 8.g5 With this move W hite's plan is to exchange
his dark-squared bishop for the knight and then play for control of d5, and eventually a good knight versus imperfect bishop position. [ 8.a3 is the main move for White here, but will often transpose should White play a later Bg5, and to avoid this Black often plays h6 ] 8...h6 9.xf6 xf6 10.b1 a5 Not so much to restrain b4, as White can easily force this move, but to ensure that his rook will enjoy an open a-file when W hite does play b4. 11.a3 e7 Possibly the best move, the knight makes way for the c-pawn, so that Black can control d5 with ...c6, and aims for f5. [ 11...e8 12.b4 axb4 13.axb4 d4 14.d2 g7 15.e3 e6 is an alternative method of playing, but the knight may not be optimally placed on e6, Gelfand,B-Anand, V/Linares 1991. ] 12.b4 axb4 13.axb4 g7 14.d2?! Falling into an instructive trap, and one that often occurs in this line. [ 14.b5 e8 15.d2?! e4 is similar, Vaganian,R-Lautier,J Manila izt 1990. ] [ 14.c2 is safer, defending the knight, c6 15.d2 d5 16.e4!? e6 17.fd1 d6 18.exd5 cxd5 19.cxd5 xd5 20.c4 d8 21.xd5 xd5 22.xd5 xd5 23.b6 a2 24.c4! and White was getting on top, Rotstein,A-Wahls,M/Vienna 1991. ] 14...e4! This is the surprising shot! Still once yo u h ave se en it yo u sho u ld n 't f o rge t it ! 15.c2 [ 15.d4 might be better, xd4 16.dxe4 g7 17.d5 ( 17.b3 e6 18.b5 b8 19.d5 xd5 20.cxd5 f5 21.c4 b6 22.bc1 e8 23.c3 a3 24.a2 a7 25.b4 a4 26.e4 d7 Sloth,J-Jansa,V/ Svendborg 1981/ MCD) 17...xd5 18.xd5 e6 ( 18...b8 19.fd1 f5 20.c5 is about equal, Berkes,F-Acs,P/Budapest HUN 2003 ) 19.xb7 a2 ( 19...xc4!? ) 20.c5?! f5! and White was in trouble, Rotstein,A-Herndl,H/Werfen 1989. ] [ Note that 15.cxe4? f5 and ] [ 15.dxe4? f5 both lose a piece. ] 15...exd3 16.exd3?! This novelty is probably an error, conceding control of d4, [ 16.xd3 seems better, c6 ( 16...a3 17.b3 xb3 18.xb3 c6 19.xc6!? bxc6 20.d1 f5 and I prefer Black, but White managed to hold this, Georgiev, V956
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Benjamin,J/Europe vs Americas, Mermaid doesn't stand at all badly. ] Beac h B ER 199 8) 17.xc6!? ( 17.d5 6.g2 0-0 7.0-0 d6 e5 18.c2 c6 19.e3 isn't so bad for [ In this situation it's more risky to play White ) 17...bxc6 18.b5 and by gaining 7...d5!? because White can answer with control over d5 White managed to hold the 8.cxd5 xd5 9.xe5!? . Even so the balance, Jirovsky, M-Makharadze,J/ Batumi p o s i t i o n i s f a r f r o m c l e a r a f t e r xc3 GEO 2002. ] 10.xc6 xe2+ 11.xe2 bxc6 12.xc6 16...c6 17.fe1 White does not even b8 because Black is very active. ] contest d4 with 8.d3 h6 9.b1 [ 17.f3 ] [ After the immediate 9.b4 Black might try 17...d4 18.d1 h5!? Menacing the e4!? but then 10.e1! g4!? 11.d2 e3 annoying ... Bg4. 19.d5?! Perhaps White 12.fxe3 xc3 13.xc3 xe3 14.c1 xf1 should play 15.xh6 e5 16.f3 was very dangerous [ 19.h3 ] for Black, Horvath, G-Farago, I, HUN tch 19...g4 20.f3 A tactical error, White thinks 1992. ] t h a t h e h a s t i m e f o r N e 3 , b u t t h e r e i s a 9...e6 10.b4 d7 11.b5 d8 12.a4 problem. [ In the game Kortschnoj, V (2615)-Lutz, C [ Still, 20.f3 e6 21.f4 f5 is nothing to (2580), Garmisch Partenkirchen 1994 the write home about! ] great Victor played the immediate 12.e4 20...a2! 21.b5? This misses the threat, when Black saw no immediate reason to [ 21.f1 avoids the worst. ] excha n ge W hit e's n e wly in h ib it ed ligh t 21...xf3 22.xf3 d2! square bishop with 12...Bh3. The game went [ 22...d2 23.xd2? xf3+ wins the c6 13.h4 h7 14.a4 and now h3 queen. ] 15.bxc6 bxc6 16.xh3 xh3 17.a3 d7 0-1 18.c5 dxc5 19.xc5 e8 20.e3 left White slightly better. ] 12...h3 970 A26 [ Here too there's a case for delaying this move with 12...a6 . ] Gelfand,Boris 2758 xg2 14.xg2 e8 15.e4 Vachier Lagrave,Maxime 2718 13.d5 As White definitely wants to play this once the World Cup Khanty Mansiysk RUS (4.8) light square bishops are gone it makes sense [Nigel Davies] to play it straight away. [ Officially it seems that this is the 'new move' Gelfand's failure to get much after 4.g3 Nd4 as 15.b3 had been played in an earlier saw a switch to 4.a3 in this game. Black was game. But after e6 16.a3 h7 17.bc1 doing OK until he got edgy with 16...f5 and f5 18.c2 c6 19.c3 d4 was already within a few moves had White at his throat on slightly better for White in Seul, G (2415)the kingside. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 L u t z, C (2 5 5 0 ), G e rm a n y (B u n d e s liga ) c6 4.a3 g6 This move makes a lot of sense 1993. ] because White's 4.a3 is not his most useful 16.b2 Looking to play d3-d4, move in this kind of Reversed Sicilian. Usually, 15...e6 for example, the idea of b2-b4 will be prepared wh i c h i s p e r h a p s w h a t i n s p i r e s B l a c k ' s b y R b 1 , g e t t i n g t h e r o o k o f f t h e h 8 - a 1 loosening reply. f5? After this White obtains a powerful initiative. diagonal. 5.g3 g7 [ Black sh ould probab ly p lay jus t 16...a6 [ If Black wants to play an Reversed Open , when his position is a little worse but by Sicilian with ...d7-d5 it's probably best to do no means decisively so. ] so before White has his bishop on g2. Thus 5...d5 6.cxd5 xd5 7.d3!? ( 7.g2 17.h4! h7 18.exf5 gxf5 19.h5 [ 19.f4 would also have been very strong. might be met by xc3 8.bxc3 e4 ) 7...g7 After the text Black should play 19...Qf7. ] 8.xd5 xd5 9.g2 brings about a reversed Sicilian Dragon in which Black 19...c6?! 20.bxc6 bxc6 21.e3 f4 22.ef5 957
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 f6 23.d4 Opening the position like this 14.c1 xf1 15.xh6 e5 16.f3 exposes the weaknesses in Black's camp. is very dangerous for Black, Horvath, Gexd4 24.xd4 xd4 25.xd4 e6 Farago,I/HUN tch 1992. ] [ 25...f7 was probably more stubborn. ] 10.b1 e6 11.e4!? A key idea that has 26.f5+ g8 27.fe1 c7 28.xg7 xg7 o f t e n b e e n u t i l i s e d b y G u r e v i c h , W h i t e 29.b7 e7 30.xe7+ xe7 31.xf4 g8 transposes into a Botvinnik structure with his 32.f5 knight on f3. This can be even more effective 1-0 when Black plays ...Re8 instead of ...Be6, as then the rook is misplaced. d7 12.d5 e8 13.b2 h7 14.d4 White opens the 971 A26 centre, but restraining ..f5 by [ 14.h4 is also possible, as in my game. ] Gurevich,Mikhail 2644 Plischki,Sebastian 2310 14...g4 15.dxe5 dxe5 16.e3 Hitting the KB Czech Open (1) 18.07.2003 b i sh o p , a n d t r a n sp o si n g i n t o a s u p e ri o r e n d g a m e w i t h t h e g r e a t e r s p a c e . xd1 [Tony Kosten] 17.fxd1 xf3 Black has to concede the By simple moves W hite gains a crushing bishop pair, as [ 17...e6?! 18.b5 axb5 19.cxb5 advantage. This game is worth seeing for the wins a pawn. ] plan White employs. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.a3 g6 5.g3 g7 6.g2 18.xf3 d6 This knight will just get kicked Both players head for a Closed English, and and have to return, [ 18...d4 looks better. ] this can transpose into [A26] at any moment. 19.g2 fd8 20.c5 e8 21.d5 d4 0-0 7.d3 22.f4 White is gaining lots of space. c6 [ 7.0-0 d5!? is seen in Ruck - Romanishin. ] 7...h6 To stop Bg5, or later Ng5 when the 23.d3 exf4 24.gxf4 xb2 25.xb2 g7 26.bd2 By a series of simple moves White black bishop comes to e6. [ 7...d5!? is pla ya b le he re, to o , 8.cxd5 has gained a dominating position. f6 27.h4 ( perhaps White can try 8.g5!? ) 8...xd5 f7 28.h3 Every white piece finds a good 9.xd5 xd5 10.0-0 b5 which is level, post. ab8 29.a4 b6 30.b5 axb5 31.axb5 H o r v a t h , G - R u c k , T / S z o m b a t h e l y H U N a5 32.c3 xd3 33.xd3 bxc5 34.d7+ A f t e r ga in i n g c o n t r o l o f t h e d - f i le W h i t e 2003. ] infiltrates the 7th rank. f8 35.e6 d6 8.0-0 d6 Maybe not the best, after [ 8...a5 9.b1 d6 10.b4 Black can open the 36.e5 fxe5 37.fxe5 xb5 38.f7+ g8?! a-file by axb4 11.axb4 e6 and now I Now Black gets mated, but [ 38...e8 39.e4 amounts to much the surprised my opponent with the same idea same. ] of the main game: 12.e4!? d7 13.d5 e7 14.h4!? h7 15.h1 xd5?! 39.d5 d4 16.cxd5 f5 17.exf5 xf5 18.xf5 1-0 ( 18.xg6!? xg6 19.e4 f6 20.g4 xe4 21.gxf5+ xf5 22.dxe4 f7 A26 is nothing special for White) 18...gxf5 19.f4 972 (fixing the weak f-pawn) e8 20.c2 c8 Gurevich,Mikhail 2667 Shirov,Alexei 2746 21.fxe5 xe5 22.d4 g6 23.b2 b5 24.xf5 and won, Kosten,A-Gozzoli,Y/St FIDE WCh KO New Delhi IND (3.4) 05.12.2000 [Tony Kosten] Affrique FRA 2003. ] 9.b4 a6 With the rook on a1 [ 9...e4!? is possible: 10.e1! ( 10.dxe4!? 1.c4 f6 2.c3 g6 3.g3 g7 4.g2 0-0 xe4 11.xe4 xa1 12.xh6 g7 5.f3 d6 6.0-0 c6 Black provokes White 13.g5 was not very clear in Haase,W- into playing d4, when transposition into a Bu c h e na u , F/K a ssel 1 9 9 5) 10...g4!? King's Indian, Fianchetto Variation, would 11.d2 e3 12.fxe3 xc3 13.xc3 xe3 occur. 7.b1 a5 8.d3 White prefers to play a 958
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 King's English, to avoid any early dissipation of tension. Having lost the first rapid game he had to win this game at all costs to stay in the tournament. e5 9.h3!? [ A very unusual move, normally White c o n t in u e s h is q u e e n sid e p la y wit h 9.a3 when play often goes: h6 10.b4 axb4 11.axb4 e6 and chances for both sides. ] 9...h6 10.e4!? Very unusual, White transposes into a Botvinnik-style structure. Now we see why he play h3 on the move before, it was to stop Black from continuing ... Bg4, and winning the fight for the d4-square. d7 [ T e c h n i c a l l y a n i n n o v a t i o n , 10...e8 had been played before, with the idea of stopping d4, but e8 is a worse square for the k night , 11.e1?! ( 11.e3 ) 11...e6 12.e3 d7 13.h2 f5 14.exf5 xf5 15.d2 with rough equality, Junquera,MFrois,A/Candas 1992. ] 11.e3 c5 [ This shows the disadvantage of Black's tenth move- he can no longer stop W hite from playing d4, 11...d4?! would lose a pawn to 12.xd4 exd4 13.b5 although Black's g7-bishop offers some compensation. ] 12.d4 exd4 13.xd4 The position resembles a K i n g ' s I n d i a n p o s i t i o n a f t e r a l l . d7 14.db5! White avoids simplification, and shows-up the disadvantage of Black having a knight on c6, instead of a pawn. e5 15.e2 c6?! 16.bd1 [ 16.xc5! dxc5 17.f4 d7 18.e5 is tempting. ] 16...ed7 White doesn't get another chance t o c a p t u re o n c 5 , a n d cr e a t e a k in gs id e majority. 17.d5 xd5 18.cxd5 e8 Black hopes for active piece play to compensate White's space advantage, and two bishops. 19.c2 h5 20.fe1 a4 21.f4 a5 Black finds an original way of attacking the b5-knight that appeared to be u n t o u c h a b l e . 22.a3 h4 23.g4 b5!? Shirov in his element, somehow he manages to conjure-up complications out of nothing. To avoid Nc4, and the positional bind, he sacrifices an exchange. 24.d2 a8 [ 24...a6? 25.xb5 would just lose a pawn for nothing. ]
25.xa5 xa5 26.h1 b4 27.c4 b3!? 28.axb3 axb3 29.e2 [ 29.xa5? bxc2 30.d2 xe4! 31.xe4 xe4 is far from clear. ] 29...b4 30.e5!? White shows that he can also play sharply. b6!? [ 30...dxe5 31.d6 cxd6 32.xd6 e7 33.d5 is White's idea, reclaiming the initiative. ] 31.xb6 cxb6 32.d2 Effectively forcing the exchange of queens. xd2 33.xd2 g5 34.e6!? I am not sure that this is the best, W hite excha nge s a p air of ro oks b ut th e p o s i t i o n b e g i n s t o l o o k d r a w i s h . gxf4 35.exf7+ xf7 36.xe8 xe8 37.f1 f7 38.g2 e4 39.d3 c5 Having played the whole game as though he had to win at all costs, Black now shows that he hasn't forgotten that a draw would be quite alright, t h a n k yo u ! 40.f3 xb2 41.xf4+ g6 42.b4 e5 43.c4 b2 This strong b-pawn will present enormous technical difficulties to White. 44.a2 g5 45.b1 d7 46.f3 f6 47.b5 d4 48.c2 d7 49.e4 e5 50.e3 f4+ 51.e2 e5 52.f5 c5 53.b4 f6 54.f3 [ 54.xb6 is no better, a4 55.b8 c3+ 56.d2 xd5 and White's winning chances are problematic, to say the least. ] 54...c3! 55.xb6 e5 So, Black wins the dp a w n a n y w a y . 56.b1 xd5 57.g5 The g-pawn's route to g8 is opened. d7 58.b7 e5+ 59.f4 c4 [ 59...c6 60.h7 c4 61.g6 d2 62.a2 b1 63.xb1 xb1 64.g7 also wins for White. ] 60.g6 c6 61.g7 e5+ 62.f5 e3+!? [ Shirov continues to try and bamboozle his opponent, 62...xg7 63.xg7 d2 64.g1 is hopeless for Black. ] 63.e4 [ 63.g5 xg7 64.xg7 c4 65.xh4 d2 66.d3 wins easily enough, ( but not now 66.g1?? f3+ )] 63...d5 64.f7?? [ A typical move at the end of a fifteen minute game, 64.d3 wins immediately, Black has to concede his bishop for the g7-pawn, and that is that! ] 64...c3+ 65.d3 xg7 66.xg7 xb1 67.c2 Fortunately White has this move or he 959
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 would even lose! d2?? [ A n d n o w i t i s B l a c k ' s t u r n , 67...c3 68.xb2 d1+ 69.c2 f2 wins White's last remaining pawn, and draws. ] 68.xb2 d5 69.c2 f3 70.d3 e5 71.g4 f5 72.e3 The king comes over in time to help the rook, the h3-pawn will win the game. g5 73.xh4 d5 74.f4+ g6 75.h4 d4+ Tricky to the end, neither white piec e c an ta ke th e p awn . 76.d3 f5 77.h8 e6 78.c4 e4 79.h4 f5 80.g8 e4 81.h5 d3 82.c3 f5 The h-pawn is unstoppable. 1-0
973 Kasparov,Garry Paehtz,Elisabeth ZMD Blitz Munich GER blitz (6) [Tony Kosten]
A26 2838 2349 13.11.2002
1.g3 e5 2.c4 d6 3.g2 g6 4.c3 g7 5.d3 c6 6.e4 I think that this move is less accurate here, as we shall see. d4 [ 6...h5! is best, 7.h4 ( 7.h3!? d4 8.ge2 xe2 9.xe2 e6 was quickly drawn in Miles,A-Sadler,M/ Hastings 1998) 7...d4 8.ce2 ( t h e p o i n t i s t h a t 8.ge2 is n o w a ns were d b y g4 and White no longer has the possibility of h3) 8...e6 9.f3 ( 9.e3 f6 10.f3 0-0 11.d2 led to exciting play in Kosten,A-Georgadze,A/ P . S . G e o r gi o 1 9 9 4) 9...f6 10.g5 which is fairly equal in Chernin,A-Karpov,A/ Tilburg 1992. ] 7.ge2 With the h-pawns on their original squares this is good. g4 8.h3! f3 [ 8...f3+?? 9.f1 wins a piece. ] [ 8...xe2?! 9.xe2 xe2 10.xe2 e7 11.h4! c6 12.g5 f6 13.e3 h5 14.0-0-0 e7 15.h3 White's bi shop pair give him a pleasant edge, Csom,IKindermann,S/ Debrecen 1989. ] 9.xf3 xf3+ 10.f1 Black's check counts for nothing, as the white king will go to g2 with tempo, and Black has simply exchanged his better bishop. e7 [ 10...c6 11.g2 d4 12.xd4 exd4 13.e2 e7 14.h4 is similar to the game, Benko,P-Szabo,L/Winnipeg 1967. ]
11.g2 d4 12.xd4 Perfectly logical, although it is a novelty here, I recommend a similar ploy in related positions, the d4-pawn hinders the black bishop. [ 12.g5 e6 13.h4 c6 14.e3 is nothing special, Salov,V-Khalifman,A/St Petersburg 1997. ] 12...exd4 13.d5 c8!? [ 13...xd5 14.cxd5 leaves White with a small advantage - the better bishop and an open c-file. ] 14.h4 [ 14.g5!? xg5 15.xc7+ might be possible. ] 14...c6 15.f4 d7 16.h5 e7 17.b4 Typical Botvinnik System play, W hite has stabilised the centre, and attacks on both wings. 0-0-0 Probably the safest choice, kingside castling looks very risky when Gary can open the h-file! 18.a4 f5 Black looks for counterplay on the f-file. 19.exf5 xf5 20.b5 g5 21.g4 f7 22.h3 h6 23.b1 hf8 24.f1 e5 25.a5 This is a very quick game, of course, so there is not too much subtlety in the play. c5 26.a6 b6 27.f4 Having established a mighty queenside pawn chain, and in particular a possible spot on b7 for the white queen later-on, White utilises his extra kingside pawn. He has to act quickly as B l a c k wo u l d b e p l a yi n g . . . d 5 s o o n . gxf4 28.xf4 g7 29.f3 A little mate-in-one threat to keep Black on her toes! d5 30.h1 Played to unpin the g-pawn as ...Nf5 was a possibility. xf4 31.xf4 g5 32.b2 d6 Both sides bring their weight to bear on the ffile. 33.bf2 d7 [ 33...df6 34.g3 e5 looks more logical. ] 34.h2 ff6 35.g3 dxc4 36.dxc4 g8?! the knight was badly placed, but a move like [ 36...e5 was indicated. ] 37.f3 W ith a nasty threat. e5 38.g2 e7 39.d3? OK, it is difficult to criticise moves that are played instantaneously, but [ 39.e2 g5 40.b7+ was one of many wins here. ] 39...g5 40.b7+ e8 41.b8+ f7?? [ 41...d8 is far from clear. ] 42.xd6 The rook was not defended as its partner is pinned! xg4+ 43.g3 1-0 960
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 dark-squared pawns. 16.fxe3 xf1+ 17.xf1 The white queen is required on the queenside. Kharlov,Andrei d7 18.g1 d5! Popov,Valerij [ This is the best way to free his dark5th Russian Cup Final (5) squared bishop, Black has no time to play [Tony Kosten] 18...g4 as 19.b5 h5 20.a4 and the pressure on c6 is too great. ] 1.c4 e5 2.g3 g6 3.g2 g7 4.c3 d6 5.d3 f5 6.e4 The advantage of playing a 19.cxd5 cxd5 20.a4!? d6 [ 20...xa4 21.xa4 f8 22.a3 d6 Botvinnik structure against such aggressive is also fine, the bishop covers the c7-square black systems (with ... f5) is that White has a and stops the rook from infiltrating on the csay on the kingside, and should be able to file. ] avoid being 'mown down' there. c6 7.ge2 21.b5 c8 22.e2 ge7 8.0-0 0-0 9.d5 [ 22.xb7 d4 23.e2 xc1+ 24.xc1 [ 9.e3?! allows the annoying reply d4! dxe3 25.xa7 is a bit risky, if playable. ] , it is important that White can capture on 22...xc1+ 23.xc1 f8 24.xb7 xb4 d4 with a knight. ] 25.xd5 xb7 9...h6!? [ Both sides head for a draw. 25...e1+!? [ In my book I say that this move 'does not 26.g2 d2+ 27.f3 g4+ 28.e4 h8 appear to be overly useful', we will see if I 29.b3 is far from clear. ] am right! 9...e6 10.e3 d7 leads to the 26.xb7 a3 27.b3 xb3 28.axb3 c5 main line. ] The opposite-colour bishops assure the draw. 10.e3 g5!? [ An innovation, planning a kingside pawn 29.f2 g4 30.c8 h5 31.h3 gxh3 32.xh3 avalanche, but White should be well-placed f7 33.f3 b4 34.d4 t o h a n d l e t h i s . I n S e r p e r , G - H a r l e y , A / ½-½ Hastings 1990, Black pref erred 10...d4 11.xd4 exd4 12.xe7+ xe7 13.d2 c6 A26 14.b3 fxe4 15.xe4 h7 16.ae1 f7 975 17.f4 but White's mobile kingside pawn Kokarev,Dmitry 2650 majority gives him an easy plus. ] Levin,Evgeny A 2501 11.xe7+!? Samara Polugaevsky Memorial 4th (7) 8.7.14 [ Apart from the fact that White exchanges a [Tony Kosten] well-placed piece that has moved twice for a piece that has only moved once, this move 1.g3 g6 2.g2 g7 3.c4 e5 4.c3 d6 also suffers from the disadvantage that it 5.d3 makes it easy for Black to cover the d5[ 5.e4 is slightly more accurate if White is square with .. .c6. 11.exf5 xf5 12.b4!? g o i n g t o p l a y a B o t vi n n i k S ys t e m , b u t is an interesting alternative, White will try to perhaps he wanted to keep his options open play b5 as quickly as possible in order to here. ] gain light-squared domination. e4?! 13.d4 5...f6 6.e4 c6 7.ge2 0-0 8.0-0 d7!? e8 14.b5 favours White. ] "Black plans to bring his knight to c5, and 11...xe7 Black needs to be able to recapture then possibly to e6, to control d4." on f5 with a knight. 12.exf5 Almost forced, [ The mainline 8...e6 Bruzon, L-Kempinski, White cannot allow Black to play ...f4. xf5 R, and ] 13.c3 The knight eyes e4 and d5. c6 [ 8...d4!? Prusikin, M-Schunk, E, are both 14.c1 e6 15.b4 White plans b5, softeninganalysed in the Archive. ] u p t h e l o n g d i a g o n a l a n d t r yi n g t o g a i n 9.e3 In my view this 'automatic' move is a c o m p l e t e c o n t r o l o f d 5 . xe3!? slight mistake. This exchange has been on-the-cards for [ Otherwise, 9.f4 is popular, some time, Black gains the bishop pair, but A) 9...f5?! 10.exf5 gxf5 11.e3 d4 risks seeing his g7-bishop stymied by all his 12.xd4!? ( 12.fxe5 dxe5 13.xd4 exd4 974
A26 2656 2559 06.10.2001
961
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 14.d5 is only a little better for White, because of the f 4-square, Rotstein, A (2525)-Krasenkow, M (2676)/Izmir 2004.) 12...exd4 13.b5 s e e m s s t r o n g , c6 14.xd6; B) 9...exf4 10.gxf4!? ( 10.xf4 d4 Black has good dark-squared control. 11.e3 xe2+ 12.xe2 Popov, V (2542)Ba rba s hin , I (2 24 0 )/ E le t s 2 00 8 , e5 ) 10...d4 11.e3 xe2+ 12.xe2 f5 13.exf5 xf5 14.e4 f8 15.f5 gxf5 Stean, M-Biriescu, I/Teeside 1973, 16.xf5!? ] [ My preferred 9.d5 is seen in Kosten, ALilley, G, where I say: "As I explained in my book, this is almost invariably superior to 9 Be3"! ] 9...d4 This is the problem, Black occupies the d4-square, and White cannot capture with the knight. 10.d2 [ 10.xd4 exd4 11.b5 can be answered by b8 12.bxd4 c5 13.c2 xb2 regaining the pawn (on b2), 14.b1 g7 Lju bicic , F (24 80 ) -Ja nkovic, A (2 54 8)/ Sibenik 2007, 15.f4 c6 fairly level. ] 10...c6 An innovation, although play will later transpose. [ 10...c5 is the most common, when 11.f4 ( 11.b4 ce6 ) 11...c6 12.ae1 f5 transposes to the game. ] [ 10...a5?! stops b4, but is too slow, 11.xd4 ( 11.h3 c5 12.f4 c6 with good play for Black, Rodrigues, J-Askarov, B/St. Lorenzo 1995. ) 11...exd4 12.b5 winning a pawn. ] 11.f4 f5 12.ae1 c5 13.h1 a5 14.g1 Finally White can take on d4 with his knight. ce6!? Another new move, but perfectly logical. [ 14...xe2 is simpler, 15.xe2 Marantz, M (2420)-Ginsberger, A (2200)/Israel 1984, fxe4 16.dxe4 g4 which looks pretty good for Black. ] [ 14...a4!? Burwick, M (2239)-Couso, L ( 2 3 4 5 ) / S w e d e n 2 0 0 2 , 15.exf5 xf5 16.xd4 exd4 17.e4 Fairly equal. ] 15.exf5 Such positions can be a gold mine for the stronger player, as we often reach s it u a t io n s wit h a d yn a m ic t e n sio n in t h e centre (e4 and f4 against e5 and f5) and a difficult choice of which exchange to make, or whether it's better to keep the tension and
allow the opponent the same choice. [ 15.xd4 xd4 16.xd4 exd4 17.d1 would be an interesting alternative here, planning Nf2 and doubling rooks on the ef i l e . T h e n fxe4 18.xe4 and White can push his kingside pawn majority. ] 15...xf5 16.fxe5 dxe5 This double exchange favours White slightly, his backward d-pawn is less of a problem than the e5-pawn, and he has the e4-square for a knight. However, Black has good control of d4 and ... Bh6 can be awkward. [ 16...xe5?! 17.d4 ] 17.e4 [ 17.a4! is interesting, aiming at the b6square and answering h6 with 18.c3 when e5 is hanging. ] 17...h6 18.d1 e3 19.xe3 xe3 20.g1 xf1 21.xf1 xg1! I like this decision, the bishop was quite strong, but it is not the pieces that leave the board that are important, it is those that are left, and now Bla ck h as th e po t en t ially su pe rio r min o r pieces. [ 21...d4 22.d2 e7 as also playable, but 23.f3 keeps the pressure on, at some point Nf6+ will be a problem. ] 22.xg1 A strange choice, the rook was perfectly placed on the f-file, and [ 22.xg1 d4+ 23.h1 xb2? is no problem: 24.f3 and wins. ] 22...d4 23.c5 [ 23.f1 might be best, and if so the last move is shown to be a mistake. ] 23...e6 24.d6 xa2 25.e1?! White plays for the initiative, but it is not sure t hat this is the best square for the rook, [ 25.xb7 b8 also favours Black, 26.a1 xb7 27.xa2+ g7 because of his strong knight, but White is still in the game. ] [ 25.a1! is right, b3 26.xb7 b8 27.d6 and the difference is that the bpawn is defended. ] 25...f6 26.xb7 b8 27.d6?! [ 27.f1 e6 28.xa5 xb2 leaves the material equal. ] 27...xb2 28.e4 e7 29.c3?! These last few moves smell of severe time trouble. f7 30.a1 xg2! 31.xg2 c2 32.c1 xe1+ 33.xe1 xc5 Two extra pawns should prove decisive. 34.h3 e6+ 962
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 35.g4 b4 36.d4 xd4 37.e4 d3+ [ 12...xf5 concedes control of e4. ] 38.h4 d8+ 39.g3 f8 40.h3 f4+ 13.f4 cd4?! This allows White to force a 41.h4 h6 favourable adjustment of the pawn structure. 0-1 14.fxe5! Much better than [ 14.xd4?! exd4 (threatening to win the d5knight by 15...c6) 15.b5 a5! (renewing the threat by controlling the knight's escape 976 A26 s q u a r e , b 4 ) 16.bxa6 xa6 and Black is Kosten,Anthony C 2515 doing well. ] Lilley,Graham 2235 14...dxe5 15.xd4 xd4 16.xd4! 86th ch-British (4) 04.08.1999 Co nced in g th e b isho p pa ir, b ut in re tu rn [Tony Kosten] White closes the gap on d4, gains control of 1.c4 f6 2.c3 g6 3.g3 g7 4.g2 0-0 the f4-square, and isolates the f5-pawn. exd4 5.d3 e5 6.e4 Botvinnik's set-up is a good line 17.b5 So that if Black tries to chase the knight wh en Bla ck p lays . . .e 5. Th e g2-b is h op 's away from d5 he will give himself a weakness 18.e1 h8 h1-a8 diagonal is only likely to be closed on c6 (after b5xc6). d7 temporarily, as Black nearly always plays ...f5 19.h5 Black's loose kingside provides useful 20.bxc6 at some point, when White's reply e4xf5 will squares for the white pieces. c6 re-open it. c6 7.ge2 d6 8.0-0 d7!? bxc6 21.f4 f6?! [ 21...e8 was the only chance. ] Black plans to bring his knight to c5, and then p o s s i b l y t o e 6 t o c o n t r o l d 4 . 9.d5 22.e7! e8 [ 22...xe7?? is impossible because of As I explained in my book, this is almost 23.g6+ , of course. ] invariably superior to [ 9.e3?! w h i c h a l l o w s : d4! as here 23.e2 f7 24.e1 The move [ 24.c7 is also strong, justifying White's 10.d2 ( 10.xd4 exd4 11.b5 seventeenth move, but how could I resist can be answered by a6 12.bxd4 c5 tripling on the e-file? ] regaining the pawn (on b2).) 10...a5 11.h3 This brings the game to a swift c5 12.f4 c6 with good play for Black, 24...fe8? conclusion. I had expected Rodrigues,J-Askarov,B/St.Lorenzo 1995. ] [ 24...h6 although 25.e5 xe5 26.1xe5 [ Otherwise, 9.f4 is popular, but after exf4! xf4 27.gxf4 e8 28.b7 followed by 10.xf4 Goeslbauer, H-Schwarz,C/Graz doubling rooks on the seventh, would win 1994, d4 Black has good dark-squared easily. ] control. ] 25.xe8+! xe8 26.xe8+ xe8 27.xe8+ 9...c5 [ 9...a5 is possibly superior, stopping White's f8 28.e6 Black loses a piece. next, 10.b1?! ( 10.e3 ) 10...c5 11.e3 1-0 d4 12.d2 c6 13.dc3 e6 14.f4 f5 and Black was doing very well, Turner,M977 A26 Haydon,R/ENG-chT 1997. ] 10.b4 Taking the opportunity of gaining some Kosten,Anthony C 2533 space on the queenside. e6 11.b2 f5!? Renner,Christoph 2431 This is always a do uble-edged ad van ce . Bundesliga 2-Sud 17.03.2002 Previously, Black had played [Tony Kosten] [ 11...ed4 i.e. 12.xd4?! (White's play is timid, better ( 12.b5 xe2+ 13.xe2 d4 I arrived in Munich for this match, rushing 14.xd4 exd4 15.a4 wi t h a n e d g e )) straight from the Austrian league, after 1am in 12...xd4 13.e3 c6 14.c2 g4!? 15.f3 the morning, and by the time I found my hotel Mchedlishvili,M-Banikas,H/Zagan 1995, and it was almost 2am. I was awoken before 8 the now xc2 16.xc2 e6 should be next morning, as although we didn't play till 10, played. ] apparently the venue was some way away. 12.exf5 gxf5 However, the car I was assigned to didn't 963
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 leave until after ten, and I arrived over 40 minutes late! I was not very happy, to say the least, and rather than my planned preparation, decided to play something I knew very well, so that I could blitz-out my first 15 moves ... 1.c4 f5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 g6 4.g2 g7 5.d3 d6 [ Against Santo-Roman, a few weeks later the game differed here: 5...0-0 6.e4 d6 7.ge2 fxe4 8.dxe4 e5 9.0-0 c5!? not a bad idea, as Black will follow-up with ... Nc6-d4 the backward d6-pawn will be safe, 10.h3 e6 11.b3 c6 12.g4!? d4 13.g3 d7 Black intends ...Qh4, ...Nf6, and a possible sac on g4, 14.d5! b6 15.e3 xd5 16.exd5 d7 17.c1 c7 18.e4! the right piece! Placing the knight here would block the bishop on g2. Now White planned Kg2, f3, and then h4-5 with a kingside attack, and this was carried-out successfully. ] 6.e4 c6 [ 6...e5 may be more accurate, 7.ge2 0-0 A) 8.0-0 is more natural, but allows f4!? 9.gxf4 h5 10.f5! ( White should return the pawn, 10.fxe5?! dxe5 gives Black excellent compensation f or the pawn, because of the weak white dark squares, K o s t e n - P h i l i p p e , C a p D ' A g d e 1 9 9 8) 10...gxf5 11.g3 xg3 ( 11...f4?! 12.xf4 exf4 Rychel,D-Gruschinski,R/ Heimbach W eis 1997, and now 13.xf5 xf5 14.exf5 favours W hite) 12.fxg3 but this looks a little better for White, so may be best.; B) 8.exf5!? I gave this an exclamation mark on page 121 of my book The Dynamic English, so I was happy to try it, but now I am not so sure ... gxf5 9.f4?! this is probably faulty, I was still worried about Black playing ...f4, and so I decided to 'nip it in the bud', but this is too we a k en in g, ( 9.0-0 c6 10.d4 was my recommendation (maybe I should read my own book?!)) 9...c6 10.0-0! e6 11.h3 d7 12.e3 ae8 1/2-1/2 Kosten,AMcDonald,N/Birmingham ENG 2002, I decided to accept Neil's draw offer, as a f t e r m y i n t e n d e d 13.d2 I was a bit concerned about d5!? 14.fxe5 xe5 15.d4 f7!? 16.c5 dxc4 sacrificing the
exchange for dark-squared control. ] 7.ge2 e5 Play returns to a pure Botvinnik System. 8.0-0 [ I had an idea that my opponent might capture on e4, after 8.h3 he had played fxe4 9.dxe4 e6 against Danny King, Germany 1997, and had drawn. ] 8...fxe4?! [ This fixing of the pawn structure is premature, in my opinion, 8...0-0 9.d5 is normal. ] 9.dxe4 g4?! This loses a move, as f3 is useful for White. [ After 9...0-0 Spraggett has been known to play 10.f3 anyway. This demonstrates the u se f u ln e ss o f kn o win g t yp ica l p la n s i n such positions. ] 10.f3 e6 11.d5 d7 12.e3 0-0 13.d2 f7 this is the standard plan in such positions, ever since Botvinnik successfully employed it, against Benko. However, I remember playing similarly as Black against John Piggot when I was very young, and being crushed by a quick c5! Since that time I have learnt my lesson! 14.b4 b6 15.ac1 It always pays to remove this rook from a1 - you never know when the a 1 - h 8 d i a g o n a l m i g h t b e o p e n e d ! af8 The position is very similar to the Psakhis Danielsen game I have examined, but here it i s W h i t e t o m o v e ! 16.fd1?! I was a bit doubtful about moving this rook f rom the defence of the kingside, but I had already managed to catch-up on the clock, and w a n t e d t o k e e p t h e p r e s s u r e o n ! h3 17.xf6+!? Giving my opponent something to think about. xf6! [ 17...xf6 18.c5 puts the pressure on Black's centre. ] 18.f1! The rook returns to defend f3. I wrote about this in my '101 tips' book: one should never be afraid of taking a move back. [ 18.xh3? xh3 19.d5+ h8 20.xc6 xf3 and there is no way to defend the bishop on e3. ] 18...xg2?! I am not too sure about this move, the black bishop is much more active than its counterpart, so why exchange it? [ 18...e6 19.c5!? bxc5 20.bxc5 d5 is almost level. ] 19.xg2 f7 20.g1 Black's initiative turnsout to be quite temporary, as once the f-pawn 964
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 is well-defended, White can concentrate on the centre and queenside. d4? This loses. 21.xd4 exd4 22.b5! Sealing the d-pawn's fate, White has mobile kingside pawns, and a potentially food knight versus bad bishop. h6?! 23.d3 Freeing the knight. a6 24.a4 g5 25.e2 g4 26.f4 [ 26.xd4 gxf3+ 27.xf3 is also sufficient. ] 26...h5 27.f5 [ 27.xd4 h3+ 28.g1 xf4?! is Black's little trick, but even here, after 29.xf4 xf4 30.f5 White wins. ] 27...a8 28.f4 g5 [ 28...e8 29.d5 f7 30.f6 h8 31.e5! dxe5 32.g6+ is devastating. ] 29.e6 xe6 [ 29...e3 30.xe3 dxe3 31.xc7 a7 32.d5 is also without hope for Black. ] 30.fxe6 e5 31.f7! a7 32.a5! The cleanest kill. axb5 33.axb6 a2+ 34.f2 xf2+ 35.xf2 cxb6 36.cxb5 xe6 37.c4 xc4 38.xc4 f7 39.c7+ g6 40.c6 1-0
978 Ledger,Andrew Rendle,Thomas ch-EU Cork IRL (10) [John Watson]
A26 2450 2370 31.03.2005
1.c4 f5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 d6 4.g2 g6 5.d3 g7 6.e4 c6 7.ge2 0-0 8.0-0 e5 N o w we ' v e t r a n s p o s e d t o t h e R e ve r s e d Closed Position with ...f5 and ...Nf6, extremely popular at the top levels. 9.b1 Not given in Hansen but a good waiting move. White wants to play b4 but he is also waiting for ...Be6 before he plays Nd5. e6 [ 9...fxe4 10.dxe4 g4 11.f3 e6 12.d5 is no improvement. Sometimes Black plays aggressively with ] [ 9...h5 intending ... f4, when White has 10.exf5 ( or 10.f3!? with the idea f4 11.g4 f6 12.d4 xd4 13.xd4 exd4 14.e2 ) 10...xf5 ( 10...gxf5 11.d4 or 11.f4, both with advantage) 11.h3 e6 12.d5 d7 13.g4 ( 13.h2 ) 13...f6 14.f4 ae8 15.ec3 d4 16.fxe5 dxe5 17.xf6+ xf6 18.xf6 xf6 19.e4 e7 20.h6
and Whites pieces seem better-placed than Black's (Qd2 and Rf1 is an obvious plan). ] 10.d5 d7 [ 10...fxe4 11.dxe4 d7 12.g5 intends Qd2. Then ... Bh3 is impossible because Black's c-pawn hangs. ] 11.b4 d8 This sort of reorganisation is a normal idea, intending ...c6 to expel or trade off the knight. Also typical is [ 11...e7 , but in this particular instance it loses a pawn to 12.xe7+ xe7 13.exf5 xf5 14.xb7 ] 12.b5 [ 12.xf6+ xf6 13.exf5 xf5 14.h6 g7! offers Black no problems. ] 12...c6 13.bxc6 bxc6 14.exf5 Accommoda ting. [ 14.xf6+ xf6 15.f4 at least unbalances the play. Black shouldn't have too many difficulties, but fxe4 16.fxe5 xe5 17.xf8+ xf8 18.xe4 d5 leaves Black's king is a little loose and I would rather play White. ] 14...xf5 15.e3 h3 16.d4?! This both isolates the c-pawn and cedes the e4 square. xg2 17.xg2 f7 [ 17...exd4! 18.xd4 e4 and White has some problems, probably solvable, with ideas like ...Nc3 and ... Ng5. ] 18.f4?! More loosening play as now e4 becomes a permanent outpost. exf4 [ 18...exd4! 19.xd4 e4 puts real pressure on, e.g., 20.b2 ae8 21.e1 h6! ] 19.xf4 d5 20.cxd5 xd5 21.exd5 cxd5 22.b3 White is fine but he has the worse bishop, so [ 22.a3 fe8 23.c5 is a better solution. ] 22...ad8 23.d2! fe8 [ 23...xd4 24.d3 g7 25.a5 e5 26.b3 is roughly equal. ] 24.h4? These innocent-looking positions are often the hardest play. Better was [ 24.a5 c8 25.xd5 c2+ 26.h1 ] 24...xd4 25.d3 e5 [ Even better is 25...e4! with a pawn and very nice game. In any case Black stands very well and either time trouble or ratingfear must have influenced his decision to split the point. ] ½-½
965
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 979 Lyanguzov,Oleg Klimov,Sergey Czech Open A (2) [John Watson]
A26 2355 2481 22.07.2006
When you're on the White side of the English Opening, one of the scariest things to face is a massive pawn advance on the kingside, even if you know that it's premature or shouldn't be correct. It's important to study and think about these positions. Here's a cautionary tale: 1.c4 g6 2.f3 g7 3.g3 e5 4.c3 c6 5.g2 d6 6.0-0 f5 7.d3 h6!? Presumably Black is trying to avoid [ 7...f6 8.g5 , although it's difficult for W hite to get anything ou t of the lin e h6 9.xf6 xf6= ] 8.b1 [ White's preparation for b4 is logical and perhaps best, but I used to play the move 8.d2 in such positions, with the idea b3 and Bb2, e.g., g5 9.b3 g4 ( 9...ge7 10.b2 0-0 11.e1 f4 12.d5 ) 10.h4 ge7 11.b2 ] 8...g5!? 9.d5 Since the knight can't stay here White loses some time and control over d5. Two preferable courses were [ 9.d2 a5 10.a3 f6 11.b4 axb4 12.axb4 intending b5, and ] [ 9.d2 a5 10.a3 f6 11.b4 axb4 12.axb4 ] 9...ce7! One good thing about this standard retreat is that it does no good for W hite to reinforce d5 in view of ...c6. 10.xe7 xe7 11.b4 g6!? Black is asking a lot from his kingside attack, although W hite has no obvious counterplay. Also possible was simply [ 11...e6 12.d2 c6 , simply preparing ... d5. ] 12.d2 [ 12.b2 might be met by 12...c6 (best?), or 0-0? 13.d2 ( the central break 13.d4 is reasonable but unimpressive following e4 14.d2 d5 15.cxd5 xd5= ) 13...e6 ( 13...e7 14.b5 ) 14.b5 ( 14.xb7 b8 15.d5 xd5 16.cxd5 xb4 ) 14...c8 15.a4 f4 ] 12...g4!? Plunging ahead! Black plays singlemindedly. 13.a4+ [ 13.b2 h5 14.d4 has the idea 14...exd4
15.Nb3!, but h4 keeps the initiative. ] 13...d7 14.b5 c8 15.c5!? This is the logical way to continue W hite's queenside atta ck, and hard to f au lt in spite of wha t happens. [ 15.a3 a6! looks effective. ] 15...dxc5 16.c4 b6! Not only good, but p o s i t i o n a l l y f o r c e d . 17.xa8 xa8 With the light squares, an extra pawn, and ... h5 -h 4 co m in g, B lack ha s e no ugh f or t h e excha nge . Bu t h e ha sn't castled an d his centre is a bit loose. 18.e4?! This is the key point. From now on White's defensive task is a tre me n do us bu rde n . I t hin k th e wa y t o counter Black's attack was to close the long diagonal: [ 18.f3! A) 18...h5?! 19.fxg4 hxg4 ( 19...h4 20.gxf5 hxg3 21.e4! ) 20.e4! cuts off the attack and has the idea Ng5 or even Bg5; B) 18...gxf3 19.xf3 c6! 20.a4 e4 ( 20...h5? 21.g5 ) 21.e1 ( 21.dxe4 cxb5 22.axb5 xe4! creates new chances because 23.xe4+ fxe4 24.e1 e7! with the idea ... Nd5 emphasizes White's weaknesses on b5 and e2. That's probably about equal.) 21...cxb5 22.axb5 and alth ough Black is quit e a ctive h e needs a plan. Perhaps e7 ( 22...exd3 23.xd3! ) 23.b2 e5 24.b3 d8 is a start, although W hite's position has improved considerably and he stands better overall. ] 18...f4 19.f3 What else? c8!? [ 19...h5! would ask White what he's going to do about the attack. ] 20.b2 e6 21.c2 d7 22.c4 [ 22.fxg4 makes sense, before ...h5 comes. There might follow xg4 23.c4 fxg3 24.hxg3 h5 , when I prefer Black's attacking chances (... h4 and ...Bh6 are themes) but at least 25.e3 grabs some squares. ] 22...h5?! [ 22...fxg3! 23.hxg3 gxf3 24.xf3 h5! looks more accurate. It's very difficult to say, especially over-the-board. ] 23.a4? This ultra-conservative defence of the b-pawn throws away the last opportunity: [ 23.gxf4 at least gets this move in before Black can recapture with the knight (23... 966
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 c8 Black needs to move his knights if he wants to play ...c6, to drive the powerful d5knight back, but as soon as the e7-knight moves, White has the following stratagem: 16.exf5! xf5 17.d4 h3 18.dxe5 xe5 19.f4 g7 20.xh3 xh3 21.d4 the black rooks are now misplaced on the ffile, White is almost winning, e6 22.xg7 xg7 23.d4 d7 24.f3 c6?! , Davies,N-Duncan,C/ Scarborough ENG 1999, White winning quickly, but in fact he could have won immediately by: 25.e5! as dxe5?? 26.f6+ wins the queen! In cide n t a lly, Nige l t o ld m e th a t he h a d started playing this line after reading my book! ] 11.d2 h7 12.ac1 With less pressure on his kingside W hite is free to start his queenside play. g8!? [ Trying to bring the knight to a better square, 12...d7 is more natural, 13.b4 ab8 14.b5 d4 15.xd4! (White will play with his knights on the light squares- worth remembering!) exd4 16.ef4 c5 17.xe7 xe7 18.ce1 Black has problems on the efile, f7 19.xe6 xe6 20.exf5 xf5 21.e7 White has a strong initiative, despite the opposite-colour bishops, Istratescu,ANikolaidis,K/ Halkida GRE 2000. ] 13.b4 d4?! 14.xd4! As in the previous note, but this time a tactic is involved that guarantees the f4-square for White's knights. exd4 15.df4 c8 [ A necessary retreat, 15...d7?! 16.exf5 xf5 17.xb7 wins a pawn. ] 980 A26 16.exf5 gxf5 17.c5 c6 18.a4 e7 19.a2 Miezis,Normunds 2532 a5 20.b5 dxc5 21.xc5 d6 22.fc1 Prayitno,Sugeng 2391 White's queenside initiative gathers in pace. Wotulo Mem Jakarta INA (5) 26.03.2001 d7 23.bxc6 xc6 24.b3 ab8 25.b6 f7?! 26.xa5! f8 27.ac5 e5 28.g6! [Tony Kosten] A s i m p l i f y i n g c o m b o . xg6 29.xe5 1.c4 g6 2.c3 g7 3.g3 d6 4.g2 c6 As the knight is now pinned. h7 30.xc6 5.d3 e5 6.e4 ge7 7.ge2 0-0 8.0-0 f5 xc6 31.xd4 xa4 32.xf5! e8 [ 32...xf5 33.xf5 xf5? 34.c7+ 9.d5 e6 10.e3 h6!? wins the exchange. ] [ Quite a common move in OTB chess, Black puts his king in a safer spot, and controls g5, 33.c7 e1+ 34.g2 ee7 35.e6 e8 but it is not that useful. 10...d7 is best, 36.xf7+ xf7 37.xb7 xe6 38.xf7+ 11.d2 f7 12.ae1 ( I also like 12.f3 g6 39.g7+ f6 40.c7 f irs t , b u t t h e t e xt is q u it e re a so n a b le ,) 1-0 12...af8 13.b4!? a6 14.a4 d8 ( 14...fxe4 15.dxe4 g4 is possible) 15.a5
Nxf4? 24.Nxe5), so there might follow exf4! ( 23...xc4 24.dxc4 xf4 25.bd1 ) 24.xg7 xg7 25.b2 h7! 26.xg7 xg7 27.f2!? xc4! 28.dxc4 e5 You can see how little material need be on the board for an exchange sacrifice to retain i t s p o s i t i o n a l e f f e c t . 29.e2 xf3 ( 29...xc4 30.fxg4 xg4 also looks good White may be all right but he's struggling.) 30.xf3 gxf3+ 31.xf3 and White is stilt worse but can probably hold. ] 23...fxg3 24.hxg3 h4! This is decisive. Apart from the obvious threat of crashing through on the h-file, the move ...hxg3 will win the f4 square for a knight, and even ...Bh6 can be part of the attack if necessary. 25.f4 [ 25.gxh4 xh4 26.fxg4 xg4+ 27.f2 xc4! (to keep the knight from defending at e3) 28.dxc4 f4 and White should resign. ] 25...hxg3 26.f5 h2 27.d1? [ 27.fxe6 e7! 28.xh2 ( 28.b3 h4 and mates ) 28...gxh2+ 29.h1 isn't bad materially, but W hite's position has too man y h oles f o r h im to survives, e .g. , a pretty line is g3 30.e3 f4 31.xf4 exf4 32.f5 g5 33.xg7+ f8 34.e7+ xe7 35.f5+ e8 and there's nothing to be done about ... Qg4. ] 27...f4 . White resigns (0-1). ...Nh3+ and ... Ne2+ are threatened, while 28.xf4 exf4 29.xg7 xg7 actually mates within just a few moves. 0-1
967
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A26 12...af8 13.f4!? [ White decides to allow a hanging pawns Miezis,Normunds 2518 structure, but Black is well-placed to handle Rustemov,Alexander 2534 this, 13.f3 is my preferred move, ] Keres Mem Rapid rapid (2) 06.01.2001 13...fxe4 14.dxe4 e8 15.b3 g4 16.ec3 [Tony Kosten] exf4 17.gxf4 d4 18.h1 e6 Black's play 1.c4 g6 2.c3 g7 3.g3 f5 4.g2 f6 is normal, he tries to put pressure on the 5.d3 d6 6.e4 c6 7.ge2 0-0 8.0-0 e5 hanging pawns. 19.f5! But these pawns have great dynamic potential! xg5 20.xg5 h5 9.d5 Suddenly it seems that the black [ 9.f4!? is an interesting alternative, White is 21.h3! happy to play with hanging pawns on e4 and q u e e n i s o n a n e x p o s e d d i a g o n a l . c6 f4, but it lacks the strategical bite of the 22.g2?! [ White unpins the f-pawn, at the cost of a main line, fxe4 10.dxe4 e6 11.d5 d7 piece! However, whilst this may succeed in a 12.d3 h5 13.e3 f7 14.ad1 exf4 q u i c k g a m e , o b j e c t i v e l y 22.f4! 15.gxf4 with chances to both sides, is far stronger, for if xc3? 23.fxg6 wins. ] Movsziszian,K-Lautier,J/Cala Galdana ESP 22...cxd5 23.xd5 1999. ] [ Unf ortunately, if 23.fxg6 Black has the 9...e6 resource: f2+! 24.xf2 xf2+ 25.xf2 [ 9...xd5?! if this move were possible, there xh3 and wins. ] would be little point W hite playing Nd5 ! 10.cxd5 d4 with drawish intent, but the 23...h6! 24.h4 c6? [ Missing 24...f6! for 25.xf6+ xf6 open c-file, and target on c7, assure White a 26.fxg6 xg6+ is check. ] plus, 11.xd4 exd4 12.d2 h6 13.c1 a5 14.c2 f7 15.f4 a6 16.fe1 White also 25.fxg6 xg6 26.xf7 xf7 [ Not 26...xf7?? 27.e7+ ] has more centre pawns, e7 17.e5! dxe5 h7 28.xf7 xf7 29.e7 18.fxe5 xe5 19.xh6 d6 20.g5 27.e6 30.f4 White is well on top, Istratescu,A-Agouridis, White has a strong initiative. g6 f6?? 31.e6 No w W h it e wins . xe4+ A/Korinthos GRE 2000. ] 32.g1 h5 33.xe4 b6+ 10.g5 [ 33...xe4? 34.f8+ ] [ I think this is the most accurate, but 10.e3 is also worth consideration, the ideas are the 34.c5 dxc5 35.g4 c4+ 36.f1 same: d7 11.c1 h5 12.exf5! 1-0 the standard plan, gxf5 13.f4 f6 14.d4 thematic! g4 ( Black has little choice, A26 14...e4? 15.xf6+ xf6 16.d5 982 loses a piece) 15.dxe5 xe3 16.xe3 Miezis,Normunds 2518 dxe5 17.fxe5 xe5 18.f4 White has Seirawan,Yasser 2647 c o n c e d e d t h e i m p o r t a n t d a r k - s q u a r e d 34th Olympiad (3) 30.10.2000 bishop, but has gained f4 for his knight, and [Tony Kosten] weakened f5, c6 19.b3 h8 20.cd1 e7 21.xe6 xe6 22.c5 the f5-pawn is 1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.g3 g6 4.g2 g7 soon lost, Nogueiras,J-Paramos Dominguez, 5.d3 ge7 6.e4 d6 7.ge2 h5 8.h4 0-0 R/Santa Clara CUB 1999. ] [ 8...d4!? 9.xd4 exd4 10.e2 a6 10...d7 11.d2 f7 11.0-0 b8 Black plays aggressively on the [ Possibly not the best move, for 11...h5 queenside, 12.b4 b5 13.cxb5 xb5 14.a3 , intending ...f4, see the note in the 0-0 15.g5 g4 16.f3 e6 17.c1 archives. ] the pressure on the c-file assures White an 12.ae1 slight pull, Franco Ocampos,Z-Pazos [ To me, the most logical, although 12.f3!? Gambarrotti,P/Havana CUB 2001. ] is also good, see the archives. ] [ 8...e6 is examined in the excellent game [ 12.ac1 is likewise examined therein. ] Bareev,E-Azmaiparashvili,Z/Shenyang CHN 981
968
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 2000, see the archives. ] 9.0-0 g4 10.f3 e6 11.d5 d7 12.g5 f6 13.e3 A typical main line position is re ac he d, e xc ep t th a t th e two side s ha ve a d v a n c e d t h e i r h - p a wn s t wo squ a r e s . f5 The problem from Black's viewpoint, is that this standard advance concedes control of g5. However, Seirawan is a great English Opening expert, so must be aware of this. 14.d2 f7 15.g5 h7 16.b4 White has nothing to fear on the kingside, so expands on the queenside to accentuate his space advantage. g8 17.ab1 af8 18.b5 ce7 19.f4!? Most players would continue on the queenside, but Miezis certainly believes in this move in such positions. c6 20.bxc6 bxc6 21.e3 h6 With so many pieces clustered together on the kingside the s i t u a t i o n t h e r e i s v e r y t e n s e . 22.d4!? More oil on the fire! exd4 23.xd4 fxe4 24.xh6! xh6 25.xe4 White's idea is revealed, the f4-pawn acts as a barrier to the black rooks, and meanwhile the e4-bishop points at g6, and c6. g7?! 26.b7!? xb7 27.xe6 d7 28.xf8+ xf8 29.f5 White attacks on the light squares. g8 [ 29...xf5 30.xf5 gxf5 31.d3 is more awkward for Black than it appears at first glance, Qg5 is a strong threat. ] 30.d3 e5 31.g2 d5!? Black wants to exchange pieces, even at the cost of a pawn. 32.cxd5 cxd5 33.fxg6 xf1 34.xf1 e6 [ Forced, 34...dxe4?? 35.f7+ h8 36.h7# ] 35.f5 To win White would like to swap his bishop for the black knight, as otherwise the opposite-colour bishops will present technical problems. f6 36.f3 d4? Time-trouble, no doubt. 37.d5 Forced, but strong. xd5 38.xd5+ f8 39.a8+ e7 40.xa7+ f8 41.a8+ e7 42.b7+ f8 43.c8+ g7 44.d7+ f8 45.a4 e7 46.xe7+ xe7 47.a5 The passed a-pawn makes all the difference, as without it this would be drawn. 1-0
983 Mulyar,Michael A Revesz,Zoltan 34th World Open (2) [John Watson]
A26 2391 2161 29.06.2006
As far as I can make out from the PGN search there isn't a game in the ChessPublishing database with this popular position, one of B l a c k ' s f a vo r i t e s i n t h e C l o s e d S i c i l i a n Reversed (White's Botvinnik setups dominate the A26 system). It is considered fully equal, but the move chosen by Mulyar, 8.Nd5, isn't even mentioned in Hansen's excellent survey of the ...f5, ...Nf6 system. Here W hite produces a nice positional win in a game with almost no tactical element. This is a difficult variation against which to gain an advantage, and Mulyar makes it looks easy, lower-rated opposition or not. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.g3 g6 4.g2 g7 5.d3 d6 6.f3 f5 7.0-0 f6 8.d5 This is a good way to defuse Black's attacking setup, but has the drawback that it allows Black a choice of safe lines. Nevertheless, there seems a little poison in 8. Nd5, and 8.Bg5 hasn't gotten White very far. The main line has been the saame for many years, generally considered to lead to equality: [ 8.b1 a5 9.a3 0-0 10.b4 axb4 11.axb4 h6 12.b5 e7 13.b2 ( 13.b3 with the idea Ba3 was played by Seirawan verus Kamsky in Tilburg 1990. One of the better answers seems to be h7 14.a3 d7 -Kamsky.; 13.c5!? is best answered by e6 ) 13...e6 with dynamically balanced play. ] 8...0-0 [ 8...xd5 9.cxd5 e7 10.g5!? is messy, e.g., h6 ( 10...c6 11.a4 h6 12.dxc6 bxc6 13.xc6+ xc6 14.xc6+ d7 15.xd6 hxg5 16.xg6+ f8 17.xg5 gives White four pawns for a piece, albeit against two bishops. Only his h-pawn is passed, however, so it seems fair to call the position only slightly better for White. )] 9.g5 e7!? [ 9...d7!? 10.xf6+ xf6 11.xf6 xf6 12.d2 gave White a small edge in Romanisin-Kupreichik, USSR Ch 1981. This is similar to the game: ] 10.xf6+ xf6 11.xf6 xf6 12.c5!? 969
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 12.b3 b8 13.c3! ( 13.d4 e4 14.d2 d5 15.cxd5 xd5 looks fine for Black )] 12...g7!? Out of the a2-g8 frying pan into the a 1 - h 8 f i r e . 13.b3 c6 14.c3! e7 15.b4! d5 [ 15...dxc5 16.bxc5 d7 17.ab1 b8 18.e3 and d4 keeps a small edge. ] 16.b5 d4 17.b2 d8 18.e3! xc5 [ 18...dxe3 19.fxe3 xc5 20.xe5! xe5 21.xe5 and Black is under a lot of pressure. ] 19.exd4 exd4 20.xd4 No threats, but that d a r k - s q u a r e d d i a g o n a l i s o m i n o u s . d7 21.fe1 a6 22.e2 axb5 23.ae1 d6!? [ 23...h6 is the machine recommendation, although White has a lot of activity following 24.xb5 : e6 (vs Re7) 25.xe6 xe6 ( 25...xe6 26.a3 threatens both Bxb7 and Re5 ) 26.xb7 b8 27.e5 b6 28.xf5! d4! ( 28...gxf5 29.f6+ h5 30.f3# ) 29.f4 c5! 30.d2 xb7 31.xd4 cxd4 32.f7+ g5 33.h4 ] 24.e7+ g8 25.xb5 xb5 26.xb5 c6 27.b3+ h8?? [ 27...f7 28.xf7 xf7 29.xb7 xa2 30.xc6 with an extra pawn. ] 28.b2?? [ 28.e8+ f8 29.1e7! hits f8 and there's no defence: ] 28...g8 29.d7? There may be time trouble hereabouts. White's perfect buildup could still be rewarded after [ 29.e8+ f8 30.1e7 (threatening mate) f7 31.xf7! xf7 32.xa8 xa8 33.xb7+ ] 29...xd7 30.xf6 f7 31.d6! White is still way on top, but it's become a technical affair. f8 32.d7! f7 33.xb7 xa2 34.xc6 b4 35.e8+ g7 36.d5 a7 37.g2! d6 38.c4 d7 39.e6 d4 40.e7 xe7 41.xe7 f6 42.xf7+ xf7 1-0
984 Nikolaev,Leonid Cyborowski,Lukasz Open A Krakow POL (4) [John Watson]
A26 2301 2564 30.12.2004
The old but ever-popula r lin e with W hit e playing d3 versus a King's Indian is still of great interest. Here Black's system includes the move ...Nc6. If White is going to give up his bishop pair by Bg5 and Bxf6 he needs to esta blish a p ositio nal bind. Th at doe sn't happen in this game. 1.c4 e5 2.g3 g6 3.g2 g7 4.c3 c6 5.d3 d6 6.b1 a5 7.a3 f6 Delaying castling can be useful for Black because it forces W hite to commit. Here White deviates early but transposes by a circu ito u s ro u te to a ma in lin e . 8.g5?! Perhaps not really weak, but this move is too early to challenge Black, who can now transpose into a favourable line. h6 9.xf6 xf6 10.f3 g7 11.0-0 0-0 12.d2 White has had a hard time here. The point is that Bg5 is appropriate after Black has committed to a plan like ...Bf5 or ...Re8, but not before because Black can wait to pick his best plan. 12.Nd2 is a concession in that Black now needn't fear d4 or Nxd4 after ... Nd4. [ (a) By f ar the main m ove here is 12.b4 axb4 13.axb4 A) or 13...e7! 14.b5 ( 14.d4!? ) 14...e6 15.d2 e4! 16.c2 (upon a knight capture on e4, ...f5 wins) exd3 17.exd3 c6 gave Black a small edge in KharlovBacrot, playchess 2004; B) 13...e6 is also commonly played; C) 13...e8!? 14.b5 d4 ( 14...e7 15.b3 e6 is equal ) 15.d2 a3 16.b3 C1) (Probably unnecessary. White's only plan is e3, so even a cheeky move like 16...g5! -from HiArcs- looks good: 17.d5! ( 17.e3? g4! ) 17...c6 ( 17...d8!? is equal! ) 18.bxc6 bxc6 19.b4 c5! ( 19...g4!? 20.xd4 exd4 ) 20.d5 g4! with the idea 21.e1? xe2 22.xe2 xb3; C2) 16...c6!? 17.e3 xb3 18.xb3 xb3 19.xb3 and according to Kapengut and Gelfand White is slightly 970
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 better. I think that's true after, e.g., c7 20.a1 f5 21.e4 e6 22.a7 ] [ (b) 12.e1!? c a n b e m e t b y g4 (among others) 13.h3 e6 14.c2 d7 15.h2 f5 and Black's attack is coming pretty fast ] 12...e8 [ 12...e7 and ] [ 12...d4 are also played. The text is a useful semi-waiting move that supports Black's centre after an eventual ...c6 and ... d5. ] 13.d5 [ 13.b4 axb4 14.axb4 e4! ( or 14...e7 ) 15.b5 ( White loses a piece after 15.cxe4?? f5; or 15.dxe4?? f5 ) 15...exd3 ( or 15...e7 ) 16.bxc6 ( 16.exd3 d4 ) 16...xc3 17.exd3 b6 18.c2 d4 ( 18...g7 19.xb6! ) 19.b3 g7 and Black's two bishops and open files give him the advantage. ] 13...e7 14.b4 axb4 15.axb4 c6 16.xe7+ xe7 Now ...d5 is in the air. 17.b3 [ 17.b5 d5 18.b3 e6 ] 17...e6 18.b5 d5 It's been so easy. Black is better. The rest of the game is instructive: 19.cxd5 cxd5 20.fc1 d7! 21.f1 h5 22.b6 h4 23.c7 h3! 24.h1 e4! 25.bc1 e5 26.7c2 exd3 27.exd3 d4 28.c7 f6 [ or 28...d6!? 29.xb7 a6 ] 29.c2? xb6 30.xd7 xd7 31.d2 e6 32.e3 d4 33.b1 a3 34.e2 c5 35.xb7 xd3 36.b8+ g7 37.f5+ Spite check. [ 37.xd3 xd3 and the bishops will escort the d-pawn in even if W hite survives that long. ] 37...xf5 0-1
985 Paunovic,Dragan Marholev,Dimitar XXVIII Open San Sebastian ESP (3) [John Watson]
A26 2518 2381 20.03.05
1.c4 g6 2.g3 g7 3.g2 e5 4.c3 f5 5.d3 c6 6.e4 f6 7.ge2 0-0 8.0-0 d6 9.d5 There a kind of "rule" in these positions
that Nd5 (or ...Nd4) is best delayed until after ...Be6 (or Be3) is played. Then the opposing knight can't capture the intruder without being forked. Nevertheless, such an exchange does open W hite's c-file and more importantly, it t ra d e s o f f o n e o f B la ck 's m o s t e f f e c t iv e attacking pieces. In Ledger-Rendle, Cork 2005, White played 9.Rb1, waiting for ...Be6, which transposed to another typical position. [ W h i t e p l a y s 9.h3 extremely often, for example, e6 ( Like hundreds before him, Black doesn't play 9...f4! , the remarkable m o ve f r o m R o c a - P e r a l t a , I T T R i c a r d o Lettieri 2005 in the March column.) 10.d5 d7 11.h2 fxe4 12.dxe4 d4= was Harpur-Almond, Cork IRL 2005. ] [ The most attractive alternative to 9.Nd5 is 9.exf5 xf5 ( 9...gxf5 10.d4 or 10.Nd5 ) 10.h3 , but apart from the normal 10...Qd7 Black can try b4!? , which looks good and isn't mentioned in any modern source that I know of. ] 9...xd5 [ A main line is 9...e6 , when White can play 10.g5 d7 11.d2 with only a small edge if that, e.g., h5! ( 11...f7!? 12.exf5 xf5 13.xf6+ xf6 14.xf6 xf6 15.f4 ) 12.exf5 xf5 13.ae1!? ( 13.ab1 f7 14.b4 ) 13...f7 14.b4 af8 15.b5 d8= ] 10.cxd5 e7 11.f4!? This activates Black's bishop on g7. . It's better to play in the centre or on the queenside, e.g., [ 11.b3 ,as given by Hansen with an '!', but he follows up with two poor examples that went h8 12.e3 c5 ( 12...c6 is natural and roughly equal, in my opinion) 13.f4 exf4 ( Black can play 13...fxe4 14.dxe4 g4 ) 14.gxf4 , with 14...Qc7? in one and b6? ( perfectly fine is 14...fxe4! 15.dxe4 g4 16.c3 d7 ) 15.e5 dxe5 16.fxe5 xe5 17.d4 cxd4 18.xd4 xd4+ 19.xd4 d6?? 20.c3 1-0 Klimera-Radecki, corres 1993 ] [ Also logical (and perhaps best) is 11.e3 , intending Rc1 or sometimes d4. The play should be about equal. ] 11...c6!? This is the standard break after the ... Nxd5 and ...Ne7 sequence. It might be better to open the diagonal for the c8 bishop first, [ 11...fxe4 12.dxe4 ( 12.xe4? h3 or ...Bg4 gives Black what he wants) 12...c6 971
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ( or 12...h8 , to avoid diagonal tricks) 13.b3! ( 13.c3 b6+ 14.h1 exf4 ) 13...b6+! ( 13...cxd5 14.c3! ) 14.xb6 axb6 15.c3 b5! 16.fxe5 xf1+ 17.xf1 xe5 with the idea of ...b4 and the more active pieces ] 12.e3 Developing normally. [ A natural-looking sequence that gains some central control is 12.fxe5 A) 12...dxe5 13.b3 cxd5 ( 13...b6+?? 14.xb6 axb6 15.d6 ) 14.exd5; B) 12...xe5 13.d4 g7 14.dxc6 bxc6 15.b3+ h8 16.g5 , e.g., h6 17.e3 b6 18.e5!? dxe5 19.dxe5 xb3 20.axb3 xe5 21.xh6 with superior activity. ] 12...cxd5 [ Again, 12...fxe4! looks advantageous, if m e s s y , a f t e r 13.dxe4 exf4 14.xf4! ( 14.xf4 b6+ 15.h1 cxd5 ) 14...xb2 15.b1 e5 16.dxc6 bxc6 17.b3+ h8 ( 17...g7? 18.d3! f6? 19.xf6! xf6 20.d4 ) 18.d3 xf1+ 19.xf1 g7 ] 13.exd5 h8! [ The difference is clear in a line like 13...exf4 14.xf4 xb2 15.b1 g7 16.e6! xe6 17.dxe6 etc. Still, the text conceals a potent idea. ] 14.d2?! It turns out that d5 needs protection and that W hite should move to activate his pawns, e.g., [ 14.fxe5 dxe5 15.c3! intending g8 16.c5 e8 17.b5 ] 14...g8! A nice reorganisation. Black wants to pressure d5 without being harassed by fxe5 and d6. This follows Black's long-term plan of capturing on d5 and then attacking it. 15.h3!? A slow move that anticipates ...Nf6-g4. [ 15.ac1!? ] [ 15.b4!? ] 15...f6 16.h2?! [ A more active move was 16.ac1 , e.g., b6 17.fxe5 dxe5 18.d6 b8 19.d4! xd6 20.c6 d7 21.dxe5 xd2 22.xd2 e4 23.xe4 fxe4 24.xf8+ xf8 25.e6 ] 16...b6! From here on out Black is better because White is tired to the d-pawn. 17.c3 [ Or 17.fxe5 dxe5 18.d6 b8 19.d4 e4 ] 17...b7 18.ae1 d7 19.f3 f7!? [ 19...fe8 ] 20.g2 a6 21.d1 ae8 22.fe1 h5!?
23.a4 [ 23.c1 d7 ] 23...xd3!? [ 23...c8! and ...Rfe8 might prepare this better. ] 24.xd3 [ 24.fxe5! dxe5 25.xd3 e4 26.dd1 exf3 27.xf3 is a much-improved version of the game. ] 24...e4 25.dd1 exf3 26.xf3 e4 27.xe4 xe4 28.f2 fe8 29.b3 h7?! [ 29...8e7! with ...Qe8 to follow is a good idea. ] 30.h4 d4? 31.xd4! xe1 32.xe1 xe1 33.c4 W hite has escaped. e7 34.h3 h6 35.c3 h1+ 36.g2 e2+ This is drawn, although the game result is given as '0-1'. Perhaps a tragic time forfeit? 0-1
986 Prusikin,Michael Schunk,Eduard 76th ch-GER Altenkirchen GER (1) [John Watson]
A26 2540 2337 18.02.05
A mini-game whose opening shows another typical structure. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 g6 3.e4 d6 4.g3 c6 5.g2 e5 6.ge2 g7 7.d3 0-0 8.0-0 d4 9.xd4 exd4 A position with a 'dead point' on d4 is usually held to favour W hite's mobile kingside pawns but any advance is difficult to achieve, since ...f5 will be available. Anyway White, a 2500+ player, didn't see much reason to try. 10.e2 e8 11.h3 c6 12.b4!? [ 12.b3 c7 13.b2 e6 14.f4 f5 15.exf5 gxf5 16.d2 a5 is an illustration. White can play g4 at some point and try for kingside play. Should White do nothing, I wonder if Black can try for ... Bd7-e8-h5/g6 in addition to using the g-file? ] [ 12.f4 f5 ] 12...a5 13.b5 cxb5 14.cxb5 a4! 15.d2 b6 ½-½
972
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 987 Psakhis,Lev Danielsen,Henrik 3rd Int Torshavn FAI (2) [Tony Kosten]
A26 2611 2519 07.10.2000
1.c4 f5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 d6 4.g2 g6 5.d3 [ White avoids the main line of the Leningrad D u t c h w h i c h w o u l d a r i s e a f t e r 5.d4 , and plays a Botvinnik structure instead. ] 5...g7 6.e4 c6 7.ge2 0-0 8.0-0 e5 9.d5 e6 10.g5 d7 11.d2 f7 [ P o s s i b l y n o t t h e b e s t m o v e , 11...h5 intends ...f4, and has more venom, 12.exf5 xf5 13.b4 ae8 14.b5 d8 15.e3 c6! 16.bxc6 bxc6 17.dc3 f6 18.c2 1/2-1/2 Gavrikov,V-Ibragimov,I/Katrineholm 1999. ] 12.f3!? [ A new move in this position, although the plan is a typical one, 12.ac1 af8 13.exf5 xf5 14.xf6 xf6 15.xf6+ xf6 16.d4 is another possibility, but offers White little, Marszalek,R-Bielczyk,J/Warsaw 1988. ] 12...af8 13.ac1 fxe4 This capture leads to a favourable structure for W hite, but Black had few other useful moves. 14.dxe4 e8 15.e3 h3 Played to weaken the white king position, but this exchange leaves White with the better bishop. 16.c5 xg2 17.xg2 a6 18.cd1 c8 19.c2 h8 20.b4 White prosecutes his queenside attack, and meanwhile Black has dif f iculty achieving anything on the other wing. g8!? In order to bring the bishop to f8. 21.a4 dxc5 22.xc5 e6 23.c1 f8 24.d3 The knight arrives in time to recapture on c5 if necessary. d6 25.b2 gf8? 26.b5 axb5 27.axb5 b8 28.b6! White undermines the black bishop. d7 [ 28...cxb6 29.xd6 xd6 30.xe5+ xe5 31.xe5 wins material. ] 29.3f4! The black queen is trapped in its own side of the board! xf4 30.xf4 xf4 [ Black has to concede a further exchange, as 30...f7 is met by 31.bxc7 xc7 32.xf8 ] 31.xd6 [ 31.gxf4?? xc5 ] 31...xd6 32.gxf4 c4 33.bxc7 c6 34.xd7 xd7
[ 34...xd7 35.xb7 is decisive, and, anyway, ] [ 34...xb2 35.d8+ is no better. ] 1-0
988 Roberts,Paul Rowson,Jonathan ch Edinburgh SCO (8) [Jonathan Rowson]
d6
36.d1
g7
36.c8
A26 2176 2591 18.07.2009
1.f3 [ 1.e4 Not a flank opening I know, but you need to be familiar with the following game to understand the main ideas in the English lines that follow. c5 2.c3 d6 3.g3 c6 4.g2 g6 5.d3 g7 6.f4 f6 7.f3 0-0 8.0-0 b8 9.h3 b5 10.a3 a5 11.e3 b4 12.axb4 axb4 13.e2 b7 14.b3! a8 15.c1! This idea of ceding the a-file and p l a yi n g b 3 i s b a s i ca l l y a wa y o f s e m i permanently stabilising the queenside, and limiting Black's targets to the c2 pawn. By avoiding or at least delaying the exchange of rooks Spassky also makes it less likely his extended kingside will be infiltrated by major pieces. a2 16.g4 a8 17.e1 a6 18.f2! ( 18.h4? xc2! 19.xc2 xd3 is bad news for white.) 18...a7 19.f5 b5 20.fxg6 hxg6 21.g5 a3 22.h4 c8 23.xf6! exf6 24.h7+ f8 25.xf7! xc2 26.h6 xc1+ 27.xc1 xf7 28.xg7+ e8 29.g5 f5 30.xg6+ d7 31.f7+ c6 32.exf5+ 1-0 Spassky, BGeller, E/Sukhumi 1968/Candidates ] 1...g6 2.c4 g7 3.g3 d6 4.c3 e5 5.g2 c6 6.d3 f5 7.0-0 f6 8.b1 Black can meet Rb1 in three main ways. Ignore it, delay it(a5) or wait for b4 and play a6. In most cases the details won't matter much, because the structure is likely to be the same. It is really just a question of when the a-pawns are exchanged. Against a5, White plays a3 and b4 and chop chop if b4 a6, white plays a4 and b5 then chop chop, and if Black does nothing, white plays b4-b5 and follows up with a4-a5 and Black usually feels obliged to stop b5-b6 by playing b6 himself, leading to chop chop and the same structure! T here are som e 973
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 h id d e n n u a n c e s, b u t yo u a r e u n like ly t o remember them so it is more important to grasp the basic structural themes and pay a t t e n t i o n a t t h e b o a r d . h6 Given an exclamation mark by Psakhis in his notes to the following game. The ideas that follow are based partly on that game, and partly on it's precursor from the Closed Sicilian. I have included Spassky-Geller because it is really the model of how to play these positions and players on both sides should be aware of it. [ 8...a5 9.g5! According to Psakhis's notes in Informator, but what the plus-equals sign really means is that such positions are relatively easy for White to play rather than that pinning the knight gives him the advantage. That said, there is an issue with this particular move order. Ideally Black would meet Bxf6 and Nd5 with Qf7, and then after b4-b5 the knight comes to e6 via d8 and the coordination is good. However, when Black plays an early a5, it means that when a White knight lands on d5 it can only be chased away by weakening b6. In that case the queen needs to be on d8 and Black will probably have to meet b5 by exchanging knights on e7, which is not usually ideal, because it makes it easier for White to attack the queenside. ] 9.b4 a6!? [ 9...0-0 10.b5 e7 11.a4 e6! 12.a3 ( 12.c5? dxc5 13.xe5 e8!-+; 12.d2 d5 ) 12...c8! ( 12...b6? 13.xe5!; 12...b8 13.c5 ) 13.d2 b6 14.e3!? ( 14.a5 g5 15.axb6 axb6 16.b2 d7 17.a1 Interesting assessment- Psakhis clearly thinks that such positions are generally slightly in Black's favour.) 14...g5 15.d4 exd4 16.exd4 f4!? 17.e1 g4 18.f3! d7 19.c5 ce8 20.c1! f5 21.d3 h8! At this moment the position is merely tense and unclear, but Black eventually won in Psakhis, L (2575) -Kasparov, G (2800)/La Manga (m/5) 1990. ] 10.a4 0-0 11.b5 axb5 12.axb5 e7 13.b2 e6 14.b3 b6 15.a1 c8! F o l l o w i n g S p a s s k y ' s e x a m p l e . 16.d2?! Perhaps not a mistake, but the knight doesn't have much perspective here and to my mind it makes much more sense to play [ 16.e1 intending Nc2-b4. ]
[ 16.a7!? g5 17.fa1 e8 18.1a4 h5 19.a2 f4 20.a8 intending to defuse the attack by swapping rooks, is another plausible approach. ] 16...e8?! I think this is probably a bit inaccurate, but it shouldn't have done me any harm. [ 16...g5 makes more sense, so that the queen stays guarding c7 for now. ] 17.a7 g5 18.d5?! [ 18.b7!? is often played in such positions and tends to be annoying, but I forgot about it. d8 19.g2 ( 19.d5 xd5 20.cxd5 d7 leaves White's kingside vulnerable.) 19...c8 not forced, but after anything else it is no longer as easy to play in the thematic style of Spassky-Geller. ] [ 18.fa1!? The position is very rich so there are lots of ways for White to compete with B l a c k ' s p e n d i n g k i n g s i d e a t t a c k . h5 19.b7 cd8 20.f3 g4 21.g2 d7 22.a8 ] 18...exd5 19.cxd5 d7 d5 and b5 are weaker than c7, so Black should probably be better, but I was not in good enough form to find the relevant details over the next few moves. 20.c1 h5! 21.f3 This felt dubious to me at the time. [ 21.f3!? is better than it looks and probably ke ep s th e ba la nce . e8 Rybka prefers White but doesn't offer any plan to improve the position. Black's idea is Bf6-d8 followed by bringing the knight back to f6 and generally attacking on the kingside. 22.c4 f6 23.e4 f4 24.g4 h4 25.h3 h5 26.c3 g7 and I prefer Black's practical chances. ] 21...e8 22.ca1 f4 23.a8 f6 [ A f t e r t h e g a m e I f e l t t h a t 23...f7!? is probably much better. 24.xc8 xc8 25.f1 ( 25.a8 b7! is one point, and otherwise Black plans to take on g3 and play g4 and Qf2.) 25...b7 26.d2 f6 27.e4! A typical computer detail that we missed in our post-mortem analysis- White is not doing so badly after all. fxe3?! 28.fxe3 xd5 29.xd5 xd5 30.xf6! ] 24.xc8 xc8 25.a7 e8 26.c2 The trouble is that White's moves are almost f orce d, so I didn't give my op ponen t an y difficult decisions. xb5 With a heavy-heart! [ 26...e4 was plan A, and I had intended this 974
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 when I played Nf6, but then I saw an annoying detail a few moves down the line: 27.dxe4 xe4 28.xe4 xe4 29.xg7 xg7 30.e5! f5 31.c6! f6 32.d4 and here I felt W hite was at least ok and probably better. The immediate threat is to t a k e o n f 4 , t h e n f 5 a n d p l a y B h 3 + e5 33.xf5 ( 33.c6+ forcing a draw was the reason I didn't look any further.) 33...xf5 34.gxf4 c3!? with a complex ending. ] 27.xc7 d7 28.d2 b5 29.a3 f8 30.e4 xe4 31.xe4 a8 [ 31...d8 is obviously the soundest move, but I began to feel that the resulting endgame was unwinnable. 32.xc8 xc8 I felt White could take on c8, play Bb4 and exchange some pawns and I didn't see myself winning, but Paul said he was going to keep the queens on, after which I can at le a s t h o p e t o g e n e r a t e s o m e c h a n c e s although I don't think I am actually better. ] 32.b2 a4?! Fishing in murky waters without any bait. In a vain ef fort to win, I generate plenty of losing chances. 33.e3 [ 33.d4! exd4 34.h7+ h8 35.f5! ] 33...fxe3 34.fxe3 d8 35.b7 [ 35.d4! ] 35...a2 36.b3 a5 37.c3 [ 37.xd7 e1+ 38.g2 e2+ ] 37...a3 [ 37...a1+ Actually forces a draw so would have been a better move, but I was short of time and placed all my hopes in my peace offer. 38.xa1 ( 38.g2 a2+ ) 38...e1+ 39.g2 e2+ 40.g1 e1+ ] [ 37...a3 38.xa3 xa3 39.xe5 dxe5 40.xd7 I felt it was better to offer the draw before we actually reached this position, because the b-pawn looks much less scary than the d-pawn here. ] ½-½
played in this position. I have appended a lot of analysis to show the ideas. 1.c4 g6 2.c3 g7 3.g3 d6 4.g2 f5 5.d3 f6 6.e4 c6 7.ge2 0-0 8.0-0 e5 9.h3 A standard move, but Black's response makes a good case for [ 9.f3 ] [ Instead, 9.exf5 xf5 10.e3 d7 is comfortable for Black. ] 9...f4! Out of the hundreds and hundreds of games (including those at the top levels), I can find only 7 rather obscure games with this move, 3 of them leading to very quick wins for Black. In fact I see nothing wrong with it! 10.gxf4 [ It's pretty easy to see that slow alternatives such as 10.h2 g5 are undesirable, but even worse is ] [ 10.d4?! h5! ( or 10...f3 11.xf3 xh3; 10...fxg3 11.fxg3 exd4 12.xd4 xd4 13.xd4 e6! with a nice advantage) 11.d5 ( 11.g4?? f3 ) 11...d4 12.gxf4 h4! ] 10...h5 11.f5 [ (a) an important defensive try is 11.d5 h4! 12.f5 ( 12.xc7 exf4! ) 12...gxf5! 13.g3! ( 13.xc7? f4 14.xa8? -- but otherwise h3 falls -- f3 and Black's attack is simply winning) 13...xg3 14.fxg3 xg3 15.xc7 b8 16.f3!? Balashov,YDubinsky,R/Moscow 1999/, when Black s h o u l d h a v e p l a y e d xf3 ( instead of 16...h4? 17.e3 f4 when the players agreed to a draw Black would also get an a d v a n t a g e f r o m; 16...g6 ) 17.xf3 ( 17.xf3 fxe4 18.xe4 xf1+ 19.xf1 xh3+ 20.g1 d4 ) 17...d4 18.f1 f4! ] [ (b) 11.fxe5 and: (b1) A) (b2) 11...dxe5!? 12.d5 h4 A1) 13.xc7! xh3 14.xa8 xg2 15.xg2 f3! 16.g3! ( 16.xf3? h3+ 17.g3 d4+ 18.e3 h6+ 19.f4 xf4 and wins ) 16...xg3+ 17.fxg3 xg3+ 18.h1 h3+=; A2) 13.f4? xh3 14.e1 g4 15.e3 989 A26 d7 16.xh3 xh3 17.f5 ad8 0-1 Gelman,A-Annakov,B/Moscow Roca,Alfredo 2366 1997; Peralta,Eduardo 2252 B) 11...h4 12.f4 ( 12.d5 xh3 ITT Ricardo Lettieri (7) 14.03.2005 13.xh3 xh3 14.ef4? xf4 15.xf4 [John Watson] xf4! 16.xf4 xe5 17.f3 f8 18.xe5 xe5 ) 12...xh3 13.e1 g4 14.f2 I'm not sure why the pawn sacrifice employed xe5 15.d1 c6 16.d4 xg2 17.xg2 by Black in the following game is so rarely 975
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xg2+ 18.xg2 xc4 MarinangeliPanesso, Bogota 2004. ] 11...gxf5 [ 11...h4 is also possible and apparently equal: 12.d2?! ( B e s t l o o k s 12.g3! xg3 13.fxg3 xg3 14.f3 h4 15.b5 d4= ) 12...h6 ( 12...gxf5! 13.g5 xg5 14.xg5= --Ribli, but fxe4 15.dxe4 f4 should favour Black) 13.f3 gxf5 14.e1 xe1 15.xe1 b4 ( 15...e6 16.d5 f7 --Ribli ) 16.d1 c2 17.b1 c6 18.d2 #0 Gurevich-Maiwald, Germany 2003 and now the easiest course was f4! 19.b4 e3 with an obvious advantage. ] 12.g3 [ 12.exf5 i s p r o b a b l y b e s t : h4?! ( 12...xf5! results in equality or perhaps a slight Black advantage after 13.g3! xg3 14.fxg3 d7 15.g4 g6 ) 13.g3 f4? ( 13...xg3 14.fxg3 d4+ 15.h2 xf5 16.b5! b6 17.e2 intends Be3 and White has a definite advantage) 14.g4! xg4 15.hxg4 xd3 16.d5?! ( 16.b5! wins a pawn and shatters Blacks position.) 16...d7?? ( 16...f7 17.h5 and Black is tied down ) 17.xc7 ad8 18.b5 1-0 S Williams-R Palliser,Birmingham 2002. One of White's only successes. ] 12...f4! 13.xf4 exf4 14.xf5 xf5 [ Black played the riskier but interesting 14...e5!? in Heilinger-H Dobosz, Vorarlberg 1997: 15.h5!? ( 15.d4 xc4 16.e2 is another try, when b6 17.xg7 xg7 18.f3 c6 is probably about equal) 15...f3! 16.xf3 g5+! 17.h1 xh5 18.xh5 xf5 19.exf5 xd3 20.d5 ab8 ( 20...c6 ) 21.ab1 c6 22.e2 c5 23.e3 e4 with rough equality ] 15.exf5 xf5 [ A dynamic try was 15...d4!? 16.xb7?! ( 16.g4? xf5 ) 16...b8 17.d5+ h8 18.b1 xf5 , but 16.Be4 is a solid response. ] 16.e4 It's hard to come up with another move in the face of ...f3, e.g., [ 16.h1 f3! 17.xf3 h4 18.g2 af8 ( 18...h5!? 19.b3 d4 20.xb7 af8 ) 19.g4! (only move) xg4 20.hxg4 xf2 and Black stands better. ] 16...g5+ 17.h2 e5!? [ This time 17...d4! is more effective
b e c a u s e Q g 4 i s n ' t a v a i l a b l e : 18.xb7 ( 18.g1 c6! 19.xg5 xg5 20.g4 xg4 21.hxg4 f3! and ideas like ..Be5+ and ... Rf8f4 give White problems) 18...b8 19.d5+ h8 with threats of ...Rxb2 and ...f3. Black stands better. ] 18.g1 h8 19.xg5 xg5 20.g4 f3+ 21.h1 h6? Now White's attack is better than Black's. Black would have maintained at least equality by [ 21...xg4 22.hxg4 d4 23.b5! f8 24.xd4 ( 24.e1 f4 25.xd4 xd4 26.xb7 h5 27.gxh5 xf2 28.e4 f5! ) 24...xd4 25.g1 f4 ] 22.g1 f8 23.d5? [ White has a clear advantage after 23.b5! f4 ( 23...xb2 24.xc7 , as in the game.) 24.xf4 xf4 25.xc7 h4 26.xf3 ] 23...xb2? [ 23...d4! 24.g3 e5 25.g4 d4 26.g3 draws. ] 24.xc7 e5 25.e6? [ A cute win follows 25.g3! c6 26.d5! (threatening mate on g8) e7 27.e6 g8 28.xg8+! xg8 29.g5! ] 25...xe6 26.xe6 f6 27.b1 c3? The last mistake. Black should try [ 27...xe6 28.xb2 b6 ] 28.c7 h6 29.xb7 xh3+ 30.g1 d5?? B u t W h i t e wa s wi n n i n g . 31.e6 g8 32.b8+ f7 33.g5+ f6 34.xh3 dxe4 35.dxe4 d4 36.f4 b6 37.d5+ 1-0
990 Tatisic,Milan Blesic,Vaso Belgrade Cup (1) [John Watson]
A26 2281 2254 05.04.2005
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.g3 c6 4.g2 g6 5.d3 g7 6.e4 d6 7.ge2 e6 [ 7...0-0 8.0-0 h5 ( 8...d7!? -in this case with the idea of ...Nc5- 9.d5 c5 10.b4!? e6 11.b2 Kosten-Lilley,Scarborough 1999 ) 9.h3 f5 10.exf5 gxf5 11.f4 gave W hite some advantage in SmejkalBruckner, Bundesliga 1990/91. Here Black benefits by not castling. ] 8.d5 d7 This is the same idea as in the 976
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 last note. [ 8...0-0 9.g5! , when Black is stuck in the pin for a while in view of h6? 10.xf6+ xf6 11.xh6 ] 9.e3 0-0 10.d2 f5 11.f3 Normally this is played both to take the bite out of ...f4 and to enforce d4. Bruzon-Kempinski, Linares 2001 saw the plan f4 instead - see ChessPub f6 12.0-0 d7 Now this looks like one of the ...f5 systems, but White has gained two tempi due to ...Nd7-f6. 13.h1 [ 13.b4 is a normal plan. ] 13...ae8 14.g1!? e7 15.d4?! fxe4 16.fxe4 exd4 17.xd4 g4 White's pawn on e4 is isolated and he must stand slightly worse. 18.g5!? h6 [ Better was 18...exd5 19.exd5 e5! ] 19.d2 h7 20.ac1 eg8 21.f4 h5!? 22.xh5 xh5 23.h3 g5 24.g4 f7 25.b3 e5 26.h2 e7 27.f5 e6 28.f2 The position is relatively closed and a draw seems a fair result. ½-½
991 Vachier Lagrave,M Aronian,L 6th Final Masters (4) [Fier, Alexandr]
A26 2742 2795 10.10.2013
This was a great game of prophylaxis in the opening with subtle manoeuvres and unusual ideas compared to the normal English. 10... Ne7 is aime d a gainst W hite's qu een sid e expansion but to retreat the knight before being attacked allows White to choose plans other than the normal 11.b5. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 g6 In this order Black tries to go to a King's Indian setup, but allows White to immediately play in the center. 5.g2 [ The direct 5.d4 is also quite common exd4 6.xd4 g7 is the subject of plenty of strong games and was analyzed recently in Jones, G (2641)-Swiercz, D (2609)/ Bundesliga 1213 2012 (12.3). ] 5...g7 6.0-0 0-0 7.d3 [ 7.d4 is still possible and can transpose to a n e a r l y d 4 exd4 8.xd4 e8 was a nalyzed in Gretarsson, H (2 516)Bacrot, E (2671)/Hrokurinn Reykjavic ISL
2003. ] 7...h6 8.b4!? Without ...d6 played this move become possible. It looks a bit dangerous to open the diagonal with the rook still on a1, but there is no good way to use it. d6 [ 8...xb4 could be one attempt to 'refute' 8. b4 9.xe5 e8 ( 9...e8 10.b3 defends everything a5 11.f3 ) 10.f3 A) 10...fd5? is not good since Black cannot really take the exchange, 11.cxd5 xc3 12.xh6 xd5 ( 12...xa1 13.xa1 f6 14.d4+- Black's position is just too open. ) 13.e4; B) 10...d5 11.b1 c6 12.cxd5 xd5 13.xd5 xd5 14.c2 and White has two good files to use and all his pieces can quickly be active. W hite's chances are preferable. ] 9.b1 Now the position transpose to the normal path. [ 9.b5 d4 10.d2 would be a normal way to continue, but with the rook on a1 it does not really work a6! and 11.a4 is not possible since the rook is undefended. ] 9...a6 10.a4 e7!? One of the ideas of moving the knight before it is attacked is that against 11.b5 Black is not forced to capture anymore. On the other hand, W hite is not forced to play 11.b5 either. [ 10...e6 11.b5 axb5 12.axb5 e7 is the main line and almost one thousand games were played in this position so far, 13.b2 was seen in a recent top level game c8 ( 13...d7 is more common) 14.e1 with chances for both players in Movsesian, S (2693)- Andriasian, Z (2608)/EU-ch 14th Legnica 2013. ] 11.a3 Preparing 12.c5. [ 11.b5 would be logical, a5 ( 11...axb5 12.axb5 just transposes to the line with 10... Be6 ) 12.c5 allows Black to finally use the diagonal ( 12.a3 d7 and Black stops the a d v a n c e j u s t i n t i m e 13.d2 b8 followed by 14...b6 can be one option.) 12...dxc5 A) 13.xe5 looks like a blunder, but in fact can lead to a funny repetition, or a messy position h5! 14.f4 xe5 15.fxe5 d4+ 16.e3 xc3 17.b2! a n d t h e q u e e n c a n n o t r u n a w a y b4 18.d4 a3 19.a1 b4 20.b1 cxd4 977
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ( 20...a3 21.a1 b4 22.b1= ) 21.xb4 axb4 22.exd4 with unclear consequences; B) 13.b2 d7 14.d2 would be a gambit plan, and I'm not sure the compensation is enough for the pawn. ] 11...c6 With the bishop on a3 White can't go for b5 anymore, so ...c6 makes a lot of sense. 12.c5 e8 [ 12...ed5 is another idea A) 13.b2 xc3 ( 13...e8; 13...xb4 14.cxd6 xd6 15.xe5 xe5 16.e4 e7 17.xf6+ xf6 18.xf6 xf6 19.xb4 ) 14.xc3 e8; B) 13.c2 puts the queen in the line of fire, xc3 14.xc3 e4! 15.d4 ( 15.dxe4 xe4 16.c2 c3 and Black is too active) 15...exd3 16.xd3 d5 and Black should be fine ] 13.e4 Gaining some space in the center and restraining Black's position [ 13.c1 defends the bishop, and threatens b5 d5!? 14.xe5 f5 ( 14...d4 recovers the pawn, but allows White to use the c4square 15.d1 f5 16.c4 xe2 17.b6 b8 18.b2 and White is slightly better) 15.f4 ( 15.f3 d4 gets the pawn back) 15...d7 with good compensation ] 13...g4 Without the bishop on c8 the knight can go to d7, where it's more useful. [ 13...b5 is forcing, but usually opening up the queenside is better for White. Aronian wants to wait for cxd6 first, 14.cxb6 xb6 15.c2 ] 14.b3 d7 15.d2 [ 15.cxd6 does not win a pawn, since c8 16.b5 axb5 17.axb5 e6 18.b2 c5 is fine for Black ] 15...c8 16.c2 f8 Forcing matters, now the position opens up in a dangerous way. 17.cxd6 [ 17.d1!? hold the pawn on c5 with idea of bringing the knight to e3 dxc5 forcing 18.bxc5 b6!? 19.cxb6 xa3 20.b7 b8 21.bxc8 xc8 22.e3 and White has a go o d s qu a re on c4 . Me a nwh ile B lack' s bishop will also be strong on c5. ] 17...xd6 18.b3 b5! An important move for Black, W hite's bishop needs to find another place to go. 19.h3 e6 20.fd1 Black also needs to be careful here, if d4
arrives without any good counterplay White is better. bxa4!? Opening space for the d6kn igh t t o sto p d 4 p lan s. 21.xa4 b5 22.b2 xb3 23.xb3 c5 Now everything will be a mess! 24.bc1 [ 24.bxc5 is not the dream position for White xc5 25.xc5 xc5 and Black is slightly better. ] 24...b8 25.a2 [ 25.bxc5!? is also possible, sacrificing the exchange, d4 26.a2 e2+ 27.h2 xc1 28.xc1 a5 and White probably h a s e n o u g h c o m p e n s a t io n t o h o l d t h e balance. ] 25...cxb4 Black wins a pawn, so White needs t o b e qu ick in o rd e r t o f in d co u n t e rp la y. 26.c6 g7 27.d4 Finally opening the position. Both players are probably soon getting into time trouble so it's quite easy to lose control for both sides. b3 28.b1 exd4 29.xd4+ xd4 30.xd4 Here is the critical position! The computer says Black is better, but with a hard move to find over the board. a5 It is natural to escape from the pin, but now White finds counterplay on the seventh rank just in time. [ 30...e7 doesn't really unpin the queen 31.c7 ed8 32.b2! ( 32.d1 b2 33.xb2 xb2 34.dxd7 xd7 35.xd7 f6 and White is under pressure) 32...g8 33.d2 e5 34.cxd7 b2 35.xb2 xd7 36.xd7 xb2 now the queen is on e5 instead of f6 37.d5 xd5 38.xd5 b4 and W hite will find sufficient counterplay with Bf1-c4. ] [ 30...g8 this is the computer move, a bit mysterious but in some variations the king is better here, 31.d3 ( 31.e5!? to avoid ... Ne5! xe5 32.d3 e7 33.d5 g7 34.xg6 f8 35.xg7 xg7 36.xb3 and the computer says Black is better, but there is still fight) 31...e5! and Black is just winning! 32.xd8 exd8 33.xa6 xc6 34.xc6 d1+ 35.h2 b2 36.xb2 xb2 and there is no way to stop the rooks going to the second rank, surprisingly White has n o c h a n c e s a n y m o r e , 37.e5 ( 37.f6 dd2 ) 37...xf2 38.e6 dd2 ] 31.xd7 xa4 32.e5 [ 32.cc7! it looks like Black is promoting w i t h c h e c k , b u t i t ' s n o t e n o u g h , a2 978
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ( 32...b2 looks really scary 33.xf7+ g8 34.e5! a1 35.h2!! xb1 36.d5 and Black is just mated!) 33.xf7+ g8 34.d3 bringing all the pieces into the attack b2 ( 34...e7 35.e5! xf7 36.d5+ g7 37.c6 and there is no way to defend g6 d6 38.xd6 c2 39.d7+ h8 40.d4 ) 35.d7 b1+ 36.h2 ba1 37.xf8+ xf8 38.d6+ g8 39.xg6+ f8 40.f5+ g8 41.g6+= of course, all this lines are hard to see for a human. ] 32...e7! Now W hite is in trouble. 33.dd6 a2? But now White is winning! [ 33...b2 wa s d e c i s i v e , 34.xg6+ fxg6 35.xg6+ h8 36.e4 xe4 and the pawn promotes ] 34.xg6+ fxg6 35.xg6+ h8 36.d5 g7 37.xh6+ h7 38.e6 [ 38.g6! was necessary, g7 ( 38...g7 39.h5+ h7 40.g4 now the queen is better placed g7 41.h6++- ) 39.e4 h6 40.f5! and the threats of Rxh6 and Rc8 are unstoppable ] 38...b1+ Bringing the queen back to the defence. 39.g2 g7 40.c8 xc8 41.xc8 g8 Black is not getting mated anymore and the a6 pawn proves to be quite i m p o r t a n t i n t h e e n d g a m e . 42.b7 Trying to keep some pieces on. [ 42.xg8 was another option, but also not enough e4+ ( 42...xg8 43.e6+ h8 44.f6+ g7 45.d8+ is a draw ) 43.h2 xg8 44.e6+ h8 45.xb3 ( 45.f6+ g7 46.d8+ h7 and the checks are over ) 45...xe5 and Black's pawn will be quicker than White's counterplay. ] 42...h7 43.xb3 g5 44.e3 e7 Black's plan is to advance the p awn an d exchange the queens. It's hard for White to advance his pawns in order to create counterplay without exchanging anything, so Black is probably winning. 45.f4 g7 46.f5 g5! 47.xg5 xg5 48.g4 g7 49.e6 f6 White can play g4-g5 at some point but Black d o e s n 't n e e d t o wo rry so m u ch a b o u t it . 50.g3 a5 51.h4 g8 52.g5 g7! [ 52...a4 allows counterplay 53.f4 g7 54.h5! and the position is drawn, h8 55.h6+ xh6 56.gxh6+ xh6= ] 53.f4 h8! The most precise. [ 53...a4 54.h5= ]
54.g4 [ 54.gxf6+ xf6 55.e3 a4 56.e7 ( 56.d4 d8 wins ) 56...xe7 57.e6 ( 57.d3 d8-+ ) 57...d8-+ ] 54...b8 55.gxf6+ xf6 56.e7 [ 56.h5 d8 57.a2 d2 58.b1 a4 ] 56...a4 And the pawn is decisive. 0-1
992 Yudin,Sergei Stellwagen,Daniel WYb18 Heraklio GRE (6) [John Watson]
A26 2419 2512 08.11.2004
When Black plays the king's Indian Defence a g a i n s t t h e E n gl i s h O p e n i n g a n d W h i t e chooses d3 instead of d4, a classic struggle between White's queenside attack and Black's on the kingside. After at least 50 years of theoretical and practical examination it's very unclear who stands better. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 g6 3.g3 g7 4.g2 0-0 5.d3 d6 6.f3 e5 7.0-0 c6 8.b1 a5 9.a3 f5 Here various moves such as [ 9...h5 ] [ 9...e8 ] [ and 9...d4 have been played. ] 10.d2 [ The plan with 10.g5 (to prevent ...e4 as we ll as t o in crea se p re ssu re a lon g t h e h1-a8 diagonal) h6 11.xf6 xf6 12.d2 h a s n 't b e e n a c h i e vi n g m u ch , e . g . , g7 13.b4 axb4 14.axb4 b8 15.b5 e7 16.b3 c6= Oll,L-Jussupow,A, Elista 1998. ] 10...d7 11.e1 h3 12.h1 h6 13.b4 axb4 14.axb4 g4 [ Another and safer plan is 14...ab8 15.b5 d8 16.b2 c6= ] 15.b5 d8 16.b3!? It's a bit odd to abandon the kingside. White want to get either c5 or d4 in. The normal plan is still dangerous if Black over commits: [ 16.b2 f5 ( 16...f5!? 17.f3 e6 18.d5 h5 19.a1 and Black's attack was going nowhere, Kuehn,P-Lindinger,M, Berlin 1996.) 17.a1 xa1 18.xa1 f4 19.ce4 f5?! 20.f3 fxg3 21.hxg3 h5 22.a7 with a clear advantage, Shurygin,S979
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Czakon,J, Koszalin 2001. ] thematic 15.exf5! as the knight can no 16...f5 17.c5 dxc5! longer recapture on f5. ] [ 17...f4 18.f3 h8 19.cxd6 cxd6 9.xd4 exd4 10.e2 a5!? 20.d5?! should have been met by fxg3 [ This move shows some thought. As White 21.hxg3 xb5 in Aleksieva,S-Zielinska, needs to play b4 at some point, either to Elista 1998, in view of 22.c7?? b6 ] attack the d4-pawn, or to deflect the c518.d5+ pawn (if Black plays ...c5), Black simply [ 18.xc5?? d4 ] stops it! 10...b8!? is another good idea, 18...h7 19.xc5 e7 20.3a4 e4 Black intends to counter on the queenside Pointing out the weakness of White's kingside. with ...b5: 11.b4 ( White can stop ...b5 with The Re1/Bh1 plan always carries this risk. 11.a4?! but then a5 stops b4 for good,) N o w W h i t e b l u n d e r s : 21.dxe4? fxe4 11...b5 12.cxb5 xb5 13.d2 c5! 22.e3? xf2! 23.xe4 ( curiously, just before this game Davies had [ 23.xf2 e3 24.d3 exf2+ 25.xf2 e3 ] this position again, but this time as White, 23...g2+ against Murshed,N, also at Dhaka (BAN) [ 23...g2+ 24.xg2 xe3+ 25.h1 f2+ 2 0 0 1 . T h a t g a m e c o n t i n u e d , 13...b8 wins the queen, for starters. ] 14.c2 c6 15.ab1 h6 16.fd1 g4 0-1 17.f3 d7 18.a4 and White has some advantage, but clearly Nigel had spotted the potential of the line!) 14.bxc5 dxc5 993 A26 15.c2 b6 16.ab1 d7 if the white knight could get to c4, Black's queenside Zueger,Beat 2416 would be weak, and White would be clearly Gallagher,Joseph G 2514 better. However, the knight is miles away ch Pontresina SUI (5) 17.07.2000 f r o m c 4 , a n d t h i s c h a n g e s e ve ry t h in g ! [Tony Kosten] 17.xb5 xb5 18.b1 a6 19.f4 c8 20.h4 e5 preparing ...c4, with equality, 1.c4 g6 2.g3 g7 3.g2 e5 4.c3 c6 Miezis, N-Davies,N/Dhaka BAN 2001. ] 5.d3 d6 6.e4 ge7 7.ge2 0-0 8.0-0 11.d2 c6 12.c2 d7 13.f4 f5 14.ae1 d4!? [ This appears to be a respectable alternative W hite develops sensibly, his one problem to the standard 8...Be6. Other oddities: piece is the knight on e2 which, just as in the 8...a6!? 9.e3?! even the best can forget previous note, has no useful square to hop to. 15.h1 P r e p a r i n g N g 1 - f 3 . fxe4 that this is wrong! d4! the problem, White h8 can no longer capture on d4 with his e2- 16.dxe4?! [ White hopes to use d3 for his knight, a knight, 10.f4 c6 11.a4 e6 12.h3 d5!? common idea in these lines, but I would Black decides to liquidate the central prefer 16.xe4 myself, followed by Ng1-f3, tension, 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.fxe5 xe2+ and attempting to exploit the extra kingside 15.xe2 dxe4 16.d4!? d5 17.d2 c8 pawn. ] 18.f4 xf4 19.xf4 d5!? 20.xe4 xe4 21.xe4 d5 Black has positional 16...b4 17.xb4?! [ This concedes the bishop pair, and opens c o m p e n s a t i o n f o r t h e p a wn , M ie zi s, N the a-file. Obviously White wasn't too keen Ibrahimov,R/Dubai UAE 1999. ] on a move like 17.b1 as d3 18.c3 c2 [ 8...g4?! shows that Black doesn't know is possible, but this is probably less this line too well, as f3 is a move White will serious. ] of ten want to play anyway! 9.f3 e6 10.d5 d7 11.g5 ( 11.e3 17...axb4 18.c1 c5 19.b3 Necessary, to will transpose directly into my main line in defend the a-pawn, if W hite wants to play The Dynamic English, with White having an Nd3. b5 20.f2 a5 21.cxb5 xb5 extra move) 11...f5 12.d2 f7 13.ae1 22.e5?! ae8 23.d5 f5 [ Something has gone wrong for White, and af8 14.b3 c8 Mecking, H-Vescovi,G/Sao Black could even win a pawn by 23...dxe5 Paulo BRA 2000, when I would play the 980
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 24.fxe5 f5! although the move played is dark-squared bishops, as the weak c-pawns strong enough. ] will drop off eventually. ] 24.d2 dxe5 25.fxe5 d7 26.g2 d3!? [ 12...b8 has the best reputation, 13.cxd6 [ 26...f7 27.fe2 fe7 28.d3 c7 ( 13.d1 g4 14.e1 b4 15.g5!? should win the e5-pawn without too many xc5!? 16.xe7 fe8 17.h4 g5 problems. ] wa s m e s s y , S m y s l o v , V - Q u i n t e r o s , M / 27.g4!? Buenos Aires 1970) 13...cxd6 14.f4 d8 [ 27.f3 is an alternative. ] Illescas Cordoba, M-Godena,M/Lisbon 1993, 27...xg4 28.xf8+ xf8 29.xd3 e7 when 15.fd1 b4 brings about a fairly In an open position the bishop pair is very typical position for this variation: Black's useful. 30.g3 f5 31.d3 d8 32.b2 pawns remain weak, but he has open files d2 33.c4 The knight reaches a good for his rooks, and diagonals for his bishops. ] s q u a r e , b u t a t t h e c o s t o f a p a w n . xa2 13.d1 g4!? 34.e6?! xe6 35.b8+ f8 36.xf8+ xf8 [ An improvement on the previously played [ 36...xf8 37.xe6 a1+ regains the 13...f5?! allowing 14.e5! d7 ( 14...xe5?? piece. ] 15.e2 ) 15.f4 when Black had managed to 0-1 incarcerate both his bishops, Arsovic,ZCertic,B/Belgrade 1994. ] 14.d3 c8 15.g5 dxe4?! 994 A27 [ Another concession, 15...e8 is better, as 16.xe7?! xe7 17.exd5?! drops an Bruzon Batista,Lazaro 2569 exchange to f5 ] Quesada,Yuniesky 2411 f6 17.f4 b8 18.e1 Guillermo ALFIL (8) 27.05.2002 16.xe4 Black certainly seems to be poorly-placed [Tony Kosten] here, the white pieces are active, centralised, 1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.f3 g6 4.d4 and he has the superior queenside structure. This is the pertinent reply to Black's third move, f5 19.a4?! [ 19.xf5! xf5 20.a4 xb2 21.xc6 before he has time to play ...Bg7 and control wins the c-pawn for zero compensation. ] d4. exd4 5.xd4 g7 6.xc6 Doubling the b la c k p a wn s a ss u re s W h i t e a p o sit io n a l 19...xb2 20.xf5 xf5! [ 20...xf5? transposes into the previous advantage, but Black will always have active note. ] pieces in compensation. bxc6 7.g3 e7 8.g2 d6 9.0-0 0-0 Actually, ECO considers 21.c4+ d5 22.xd5 cxd5 23.xd5 this position part of A41, that arises after 1 d4 The attack on the queen, and threatened d6, but I personally feel that this is an English discovered check would finish many a game, but here Black can survive. c2 24.d4!? Opening. 10.c2 f5!? [ White could certainly consider the endgame [ Black provokes e4 so that the pressure here, 24.xc2 xc2 25.e7 c8 26.dd7 along the h1-a8 diagonal is cut, and White's f8 27.xh7 is obviously very good for control of d4 is lessened (e3 is no longer him. ] possible), but 10...e6 may be better, 11.b3 24...f5 25.e5 b1! A neat intermediate d7 12.d1 h3 with good play. ] 11.e4 e6 12.c5! This move is positionally move. 26.xb1 xb1+ 27.g2 xe5 strong, W hite certainly cannot afford to do 28.xe5 xa2!? [ This is very risky, 28...b7+ 29.h3 c6 nothing and wait for Black to play ...c5, . ..Nc6favours White, but at least the second rank d4. d5!? is protected. ] [ A drastic reply that leaves the c-pawns as White threatens mate and forces the we a k n e s s e s f o r t h e r e s t o f t h e g a m e . 29.e7 30.e8+ f8 12...dxc5?! is difficult to believe, 13.a4 c4 following continuation. f7 14.g5 e8 15.fd1 c8 , David,P-Pribyl, 31.xf8+ xf8 32.d8+ g7 33.xc7+ J / P r a g u e 1 9 9 0 , a n d n o w 16.e3 Material is equal, but the black king is open, looks simplest, intending to exchange the and White's c-pawn is very close to queening. 981
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 This should be enough to win the game for White, but Black has one useful resource: if he can get his queen to e4 he might be able to force a perpetual. f6!? [ This move allows White to check the black king around until he puts his queen on the best square to help the c-pawn, I prefer 33...f7 34.d6 c4 to control e4, when it will need some fancy footwork from White to avoid the perpetual. ] 34.d8+ f7 35.d7+ f6 36.d4+ e6 37.c6 c2 From here the queen surveys the c-pawn and the crucial e4-square. 38.d7+ f6 39.d6+ f7 40.c7 White is ready to play Qd7+ and c8(Q), but it is Black's turn, and he tries to force a perpetual. e4+ 41.f3 [ 41.f1 b1+ 42.e2 c2+ is also a draw, the white king cannot escape. ] 41...e2+ 42.h3 xf3?? [ 42...g5! threatens mate in one and draws comfortably: 43.d5+ g6 ] [ 42...f1+! 43.h4 xf3 is also a reasonable try, 44.d7+ f6 and White must take the perpetual, as otherwise there is no defence to the two mate-in-one threats. ] 43.d7+ f6 44.d4+ White stops the threat of perpetual, and queens his pawn next go. 1-0
often, when Black usually plays ...c6 and/or ...0-0-0 while White develops naturally by Bf4, 0-0, Rfd1 etc. ] 8...xd1+ 9.xd1 [ 9.xd1 retains the option of castling on either side. Bawart,M-Psakhis,L Vienna 1995 went c6 10.f4?! ( 10.d2 ) 10...e6 11.b3 0-0-0 ( or 11...b4+ 12.f1 e7 ) 12.h4 b4+ 13.f1 f6 14.f3 d6 and Black was better. ] 9...c6 10.c2 [ A fine example of a leading player handling the Black pieces is 10.f4 f6 11.e3 e7 12.e2 e6 13.b3 g5!? 14.e5 f7 15.ad1 he8 16.h4 g4 17.a4 ad8 18.d4 h5 19.d3 b4 20.hd1 f4+! 21.exf4 xd4 22.e3 ( 22.xd4 xc4# ) 22...xd1 23.xd1 d8+ 0-1 Schlindwein, R-Bareev,E Germany 2001. ] 10...f6 11.f4 c5 12.e3 e6 13.b3 0-0-0 14.h3 Versus ...Ng4. White is drifting a b i t b u t t h e p l a y i s s t i l l b a l a n c e d . h5 15.e5?! [ 15.h2 f4!? ] 15...he8! 16.f3 f7 17.h2 [ Black's point is 17.xh5?! xh5 18.xg7 f4! with a powerful attack, e.g., 19.a4 g6+ 20.c1 e7 21.d4 fxe3 22.fxe3 a3+ 23.b2 xe3! 24.xa3 e2 , winning. ] 17...g5! Straightforward aggression. 18.ad1 g6 19.b2 f8 Heading for g7. 20.e2 995 A27 f6! Heading to e4. [ 20...g7+ 21.c1 h6 22.xd8+ xd8 Ghaem Maghami,Ehsan 2558 23.d1 b2+ 24.c2 a3!? yields only a Agdestein,Simen 2589 small edge. ] 36th Olympiad (7) 22.10.2004 21.hg1 e4 22.xe4 fxe4 23.xd8+ [John Watson] xd8 24.c2 b4 25.c3 [ 25.d1 f8! 26.f1 c5! 27.g3 Espe cia lly be twe en two pla yers o f e qua l To protect the rook on f1 versus ...Bxe3. h5! strength, White's choice of the innocuous line and ...h4 win s the e-pawn. In general White that follows indicates a possible early draw. is cramped in these positions due to But in the end Agdestein accumulates Black's expansion on the kingside. ] advantages and shows that things are not so 26.g3 e7 27.h1 h5 easy. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.f3 f5 4.d4 25...f8 e4 5.d5 This is considered a harmless Preventing Rd1 and preparing ...Bf3. It's close continuation. 5.Ng5 is the most common move to over. 28.h4?! f3 29.h2 g4 30.h5 f5 e2 with 5.Nd2 less so. Interestingly, however, out To answer Bh4 with ... Rxh5. 31.b1 of a database of 84 games with 5.d5, 60% 32.f4 b5! 33.d2 d3+ 34.d1 b4! have had a decisive result. exf3 6.dxc6 fxg2 35.h6 a5 36.g2 f6! [ What an awful position for White. ...Rxa2 7.cxd7+ xd7 8.xg2 [ 8.xd7+ xd7 9.xg2 is played more 982
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 997
and a quick win follows. 36...f6 ] 0-1
996 Schlindwein,Rolf Bareev,Evgeny Bundesliga 2000-1 (6) [Tony Kosten]
A27 2441 2702 27.01.2001
1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.f3 f5 4.d4 e4 5.d5 [ This leads to multiple exchanges, 5.g5 is more ambitious. ] 5...exf3 6.dxc6 fxg2 7.cxd7+ xd7 8.xg2 [ 8.xd7+ xd7 9.xg2 is more popular, Taimanov,M-Polugaevsky,L/Baku 1961, although this allows Black to develop his queenside more quickly. ] 8...xd1+ 9.xd1!? [ 9.xd1 is also possible, c6 10.f4 e6 11.b3 0-0-0 but Black is fine, Bawart,MPsakhis,L/Vienna 1995. ] 9...c6 10.f4!? [ New. White will place his king on e7, but it proves exposed. 10.c2 might be stronger, e6 11.b3 c5 12.b2 f6 fairly level, Navabi,S-Stajic,S/Yerevan 1999. ] 10...f6 11.e3 e7 12.e2 e6 13.b3 g5! 14.e5 f7 15.ad1 he8 16.h4?! T h i s p a wn m a y p r o ve t o b e a lo n g - t e r m weakness on h4. g4 17.a4 ad8 18.d4?! [ White is forced to retain pieces on the board, a consequence of his sixteenth move, as 18.xd8 xd8 19.d1? loses a pawn: xd1 20.xd1 h5 the h-pawn is lost, as 21.g3? xg3 22.fxg3 d6 is even worse. ] 18...h5! This move carries a nasty threat. 19.d3? [ White had to admit the error of his ways by 19.e5 ] 19...b4 20.hd1 f4+! Brutally opening the e-file. 21.exf4 xd4 22.e3 [ The point is that 22.xd4? allows mate in one: xc4# ] 22...xd1 23.xd1 d8+ The black rook will infiltrate on the second rank, and 'Hoover' the white pawns. 0-1
Seirawan,Yasser Kritz,Leonid TCh-NED 2006-7 (5) [Carsten Hansen]
A27 2638 2597 21.02.2007
1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.f3 g6 4.d4 exd4 5.xd4 g7 6.xc6 bxc6 7.g3 e7 8.g2 0-0 9.0-0 d6 10.g5 [ In an earlier update 10.c2 was discussed. Now Black has tried a couple of different moves: A) 10...e6 11.b3 d7 ( Or 11...c8 12.d1 h3 David,P-Kulhanek,T, Czech Rep 2005, and now 13.g5 f6 14.f4 xg2 15.xg2 e6 16.c5 looks very good for W hite) 12.d1 ( 12.b2 h3 13.ad1 xg2 14.xg2 f5 15.f4 e6 with chances to both sides Christiansen,LL u g o vo i, A , A n t we r p 1 9 9 5) 12...f5 13.d2 e6 14.b2 h5?! 15.e1 h7 16.ad1 h6 17.e3 Georgiadis,IKoukoufikis,G, Athens 2005; B) 10...f5!? 11.e4 B1) 11...g4!? 12.b3 ( 12.e3 c5 13.f3 d7 14.ad1 ) 12...c5 13.h3 e6 14.b2 c6 15.e2 xb2 16.xb2 b8 is fairly even, Biolek, RArutinian,D, Olomouc 2006; B2) 11...e6 12.c5! b8 ( 12...d5 13.d1 g4 14.d3 c8 15.g5 dxe4 16.xe4 , and Black's position is quite ugly, Bruzon Bautista-Quezada,Y, Santa Clara 2002)) 13.cxd6 ( 13.g5!? Ribli ) 13...cxd6 14.f4 d8 15.ad1 ( 15.fd1 b4 16.d2 c4 17.b3 c5 18.ac1 Ribli ) 15...b4 16.d2 c4 17.b3 c5 18.c1 ac8 so far Illescas Cordoba-Godena, Lisbon 1993, and now 19.e3 d4 20.xd4 xd4 21.fd1 f6 22.e2 g4 23.f3 e6 24.d2 is better for White ] 10...f6 I criticized this move in my book on the 1 c4 e 5 E n g li s h , b u t i t h a s b e e n p l a y e d several times, even by rather strong players. Nevertheless, 10... Rb8 is still considered b e s t a n d i s p l a ye d f a r m o r e f r e q u e n t l y . However, I can't imagine a young, strong grandmaster like Kritz would enter a line like t h i s w i t h o u t l o o k i n g a t i t f i r s t . 11.f4 White has two other options at this juncture: a) 983
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 11.d2 A) Or 11...b8!? 12.b3 e6 13.e4 d7 14.c3 be8 15.h4 h3 16.d3 xg2 17.xg2 c5 A1) 18.f3 e6 19.ad1 f5 20.e3 ( 20.h2 d4! ) 20...h6 21.fe1; A2) 18.h5?! f5 and Black is grapping the initiative, Gasanov-Mamedyarov, Baku 2002; B) 11...e6 12.a4 d7 ( 12...d7?! 13.c5 d5 14.e4 f5 15.exd5 cxd5 16.h4 is much better for White, B.LarsenE.Torre, Leningrad IZT 1973) 13.ad1 h3 14.c5 xg2 15.xg2 d5 16.e4 ad8 17.e3 f5 18.exd5 cxd5 19.xd7 xd7 20.c6 xc6 and a draw was agreed upon, C.McNab-J.Rowson, Scotland 1995 ] [ b) 11.e3 d7 12.b3 a5 13.c1 h8 14.d2 c8 15.e1 h3 16.h1 Eliseev,A-Iljushin, Moscow 1996, and now e6 offers Black almost equal chances. ] 11...b8 [ 11...e6 12.c5 ( 12.a4!? d7 13.ad1 ) 12...d5 13.a4 d7 14.fd1 g5 15.c1 fd8 16.e4 g4 17.d3 h3 18.f3 Kutuzov,D-Gorkavij,V, Rybinsk 2001, and here Black can obtain a good game with g6! ] 12.c5 [ 12.b3 e6 13.d2 c5 C.Cobb-Thiruchelvam, 4NCL (Birmingham) 2001. and here 14.h4 f5 15.d5 e8 16.h5 with a better game for White ] 12...d5 13.a4 g5?! [ Black should probably have tried taking in b2: 13...xb2 14.xa7 b7 15.a4 and unlike in the game, White's advantage is rather manageable. ] 14.c1 b7 15.e4! dxe4 16.d1 e8 17.xe4 f5 18.e2 h6 19.e1 f6 20.b3!? f7 [ 20...xc3? 21.c4+ f7 22.xc3 wins for White ] 21.b2 f4 This is a rather desperate attempt to obtain counterplay. 22.ad1 b4 23.h3 g7 24.a4 [ 24.a3!? can also be considered, e.g. f3 25.xf3 xc3 26.xe7 xe7 27.xc3 followed by Bb2 and White is winning ] 24...d5 25.xf6 xf6 26.e5 g6
[ After 26...xe5 27.xe5 f3 28.f1 only White is enjoying himself. f5 29.g4 c2 30.d2 g6 31.c4 with a terrible position for Black ] 27.c3! After this simple move, Black's fragile position falls apart very rapidly. It is worth noting that Black's pieces, while seemingly active, completely lack coordination. f6 28.xc7 fxg3 29.fxg3 c2 30.d8 xc3 31.xf8+ xf8 32.xc8+ g7 33.c7+ [ White can also convert the win with 33.e7+ g6 34.f8 f5 ( or 34...xg3 35.g7+ h5 36.xf6 ) 35.g4+ f4 36.h2 g3+ 37.h1 c3 38.e6 and Black loses a piece. Seirawan's choice of line is more safe and more predictable, thus preventing any unpleasant surprises in time trouble. ] 33...g6 34.e5! xe5 35.xe5 W ith the queens off the board, W hite can start hoovering the black queenside pawns off the board. d7 36.e6+ f5 37.xc6 d4 38.c7 e5 39.xa7 d1+ 40.f2 d2+ 41.f1 1-0
998 Urban,Klaudiusz Krasenkow,Michal 58th ch Warsaw POL (6) [Tony Kosten]
A27 2429 2658 23.03.2001
1.c4 e5 2.c3 d6 3.g3 g6 4.d4 Th e correct a nswer to Bla ck's re f us a l t o control d4. g7 5.f3 [ T h e e n d i n g f o l l o w i n g 5.dxe5 dxe5 6.xd8+ xd8 offers White a small plus. ] 5...exd4 6.xd4 c6 7.xc6 bxc6 8.g2 e7 9.g5 f6 10.f4 e6 Putting the question to the c4-pawn. 11.c5!? [ This innovation certainly appears logical. Previously, both 11.a4 d7 12.0-0 0-0 13.fd1 with a small positional advantage to White, and some practical chances to Black, Staiger,F-Frick,C/Germany 1992, and ] [ 11.b3 d7 12.0-0 h3!? 13.xh3 xh3 14.c5 g5!? 15.cxd6 d8 Permiakov,VKlochko,R/Vladivostok 19 95, ha d bee n played. ] 11...d5 12.a4 0-0 13.a5 Placing more 984
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 pressure on Black's static doubled pawns. c8 14.0-0 g5 Black cannot wait for White to increase his strategic advantage, and strikes back in active fashion. 15.d2 d4 16.d1 d5 17.e4! c4 18.e1 g6 19.b3 e6 20.a6 [ Note that the a-pawn is always poisoned, 20.xa7? a8 21.b7 d7 and ...Rfb8, winning the queen. ] 20...d7 21.b2 The knight aims for one of the fine squares c4 or d3. h3 Black stakes his chances on weakening the white king position. 22.xh3?! [ 22.h1 might be more prudent. ] 22...xh3 23.f1 h5 24.e2 g4! [ Black dare not risk the ending after 24...xe2 25.xe2 f5 as his queenside will be a permanent liability. ] 25.d3 e5 The point of Black's play is revealed: the threat of ...Nf3+ obliges White to capture on e5, which both strengthens d4, and opens the f-file for Black. 26.xe5 fxe5 27.a6 cd8 28.f1 f6 29.xa7 Quite a good practical decision. White goes pawn-grabbing, reasoning that he might as we ll g e t s o m e t h in g f o r h is t ro u b le s . h6 Played to gain access to h6. 30.ad1 df8 31.xc7 h3!? [ Gambling everything on the h-file, 31...xd2 32.xd2 h6 allows White to defend easily, by 33.h4 gxh3 34.f4 ] 32.xe5 e3! Interference! 33.xe3 dxe3 34.g5+ Forced. h8 35.d7?? [ But not this! White misses a tactic. He had to play 35.xe3 h6 36.fe1 when xh2+ 37.f1 hf6 38.d2 is dangerous for him, but defendable. ] 35...exf2+ 36.xf2 White obviously relies on his threat of mate in one, but it is Black to move: xh2+! [ Of course, this stunning move is easily m i s s e d ! A c t u a l l y, f o r p u r e l y a e s t h e t i c r e a s o n s , I p r e f e r 36...g2+! 37.xg2 ( 37.xg2 f1# ) 37...xf2+ 38.g1 f1+ 39.g2 8f2# ] 37.xh2 [ 37.xh2 f1+ 38.g2 8f2# ] 37...xf2+ 38.g1 f1+ 39.g2 8f2# Very pretty! 0-1
999 Vitiugov,Nikita Blagojevic,Dragisa IX EICC Plovdiv BUL (4) [Carsten Hansen]
A27 2617 2532 24.04.2008
1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.f3 f5 4.d4 e4 5.d5 [ This looks sharp, but usually quickly leads to drawish positions and short draws. The m a i n a l t e r n a t i v e i s o f c o u r s e 5.g5 , but several other moves have been tried here, e.g. ] [ 5.d2 ] [ 5.g5 ] [ and Christiansen's sharp 5.e5 ] 5...exf3 [ Most books, including the ECO and my own b o o k o n 1 c 4 e 5 , o f f e r 5...ce7 as an alternative f or Black to avoid the bo rin g ma in line , b u t Fo r so me re a s o n noone has tried A) the established move for White is 6.d4 c5 7.dxc6?! ( 7.db5 d6 8.a4 f7 is given as unclear by Kupreichik, but 9.h4 a6 10.a3 f6 11.g5 looks somewhat better for White) 7...dxc6 8.g4 fxg4 9.g2 f5 10.xf5 xd1+ , Sher, M-Kupreichik, V/ Gistrup 1997, and here 11.xd1 xf5 12.xe4 0-0-0+ ( 12...e6 13.d3 f6 is better with perhaps a tiny edge for Black) 13.c2 xe4+ 14.xe4 d4 is deemed slightly better for Black by Kupreichik, but in fact W hite has the better chances after ( 14...e8= ) 15.c3! f6 16.e3; B) 6.d6! , which looks pretty good for White cxd6 ( 6...exf3?? is severely punished by 7.b5! ) 7.d4 a6 8.g4 d5 9.cxd5 fxg4 10.g2 , and White has the better chances. ] 6.dxc6 fxg2 7.cxd7+ xd7 [ 7...xd7 8.xg2 c6 9.f4 ( 9.b3!? c7 10.e3 e7 11.0-0-0 f6 12.c5 ) 9...e7 A) 10.g5!? e6 11.b3 b6 12.0-0-0 xb3 13.axb3 g6 14.h4!? ( 14.e4 f4 15.e2 e7! , and Black equalises) 14...e7=; B) 10.e3 g6 11.h5 b4 12.0-0 0-0 13.g5 e8= Benko, P-Benjamin, J/New York 1989 ] 8.xd7+ 985
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 8.xg2 can be found discussed in a couple of games in the PGN archives - see the PDF eBooks for reference. ] 8...xd7 9.xg2 c6 [ E C O g i v e s p r e f e r e n c e t o 9...0-0-0 , and now 10.f4 ( 10.e3 f6 11.0-0 makes more sense for White as in MikenasFurman belo w) 10...f6 11.0-0-0 c5 12.e3 e6 13.b3 c6 14.f3 xd1+ 15.xd1 d8 16.e5 xd1+ 17.xd1 is correctly given as equal in the ECO. ] 10.0-0 [ White has tried a few other moves in this position: A) 10.f4 e6 A) 11.0-0-0 c5 ( 11...b4 12.c2 e7 13.b3 g6 14.d6= 1/2-1/2 Mellado Trivino, J-Gual Pascual, A/ Ponferrada 1997 ) 12.e4 xf2 13.hf1 h4 14.exf5 xc4 15.f3 d8 16.e3+ e7 17.xd8+ xd8 , and Black has a good game, Romsdal, T-Royset, J/NOR 1998; B) 11.b3 b4 12.c1?! e7 13.h4 g6 14.e3 f7 15.f1? ( 15.h5 e7 16.d2 a6= ) 15...hd8 16.a4 d2 17.xd2 xd2 0-1 Winter, K-Ikonnikov, V/ Munich 1996 (23) ] [ B) 10.e3 f6 11.d4 e6 12.b3 ( 12.xf6?! gxf6 13.b3 d8 14.d1 b4 15.xd8+ xd8 is, if anything, better for Black, Bezman, V-Bukhman, E/Simferopol 1990 ) 12...a3 ( 12...d8 13.0-0-0 b4 14.b2 f7 15.a3 e7 is at best a tiny bit better for White, Liebert-Kivipelto, Aarhus 1971 ) 13.d1 f7 14.0-0 hd8 15.a4 with a tiny edge for W hite, which nevertheless was converted to a win in Mikenas, V-Furman, S/Leningrad 1965 ] [ C) 10.b3 f6 11.b2 e7 12.f3 ( 12.d1 0-0-0 13.0-0 e6 14.e3 xd1 15.xd1 d8 16.xd8+ xd8 17.e2 g6 18.d4 1/2-1/2 Ree, H-Gheorghiu, F/ T e e s i d e 1 9 7 2) 12...0-0-0 13.g1?! ( 13.0-0-0!?= ) 13...g6 14.0-0-0 he8 15.a4 e4 16.xe4 fxe4 17.d4 b6 , and Black has the clearly better chances, Cappello, R-Meulders, R/Groningen 1970 ] 10...f6 [ There is nothing wrong with the alternatives either: A) 10...e6 11.b3 f6 12.e3 d6 13.ad1 e5 14.d4 xd4 15.xd4 d8 16.e3 ( or 16.fd1 e7 17.a4 xd4
18.xd4 d8 19.xd8 xd8 1/2-1/2 Braga, F-Filguth, R/Sao Paulo 1979) 16...e7 17.e2 g6 18.f4 f7 19.fd1 d7 20.f1 1/2-1/2 Taimanov, M-Polugaevsky, L/ Baku 1961/URS-ch ] [ B) 10...b4 11.d2 0-0-0 12.g5 f6 13.ac1 , Bellia, F-Verrascina, R/Rome 1991, he8 14.e3 h6= ] 11.f4 [ A novelty - sound of trumpets! However, it hardly constitutes a major improvement over the previously played moves, which unsurprisingly failed to provide White with a n y a d v a n t a g e : A ) 11.g5 e7 ( 11...e6!? ) 12.ad1 e6 13.b3 f7 14.e3 d7? ( 14...g4!? 15.d4 hd8 16.e4 fxe4 17.xe4 f5= ) 15.a4?! ( 15.d5! d6 16.f4 , and White picks up one of Black's bishop with a small, but clear, advantage as the result.) 15...f6 16.d4 , Du ri ga , S -P rie h o d a , V / T rn a va 1 9 8 5 , hd8= ] [ B) 11.b3 b4 12.b2 f7 13.ad1 he8 14.a3 a5 15.b4 c7= Berebora, F-Ulibin, M/Andorra 1996 ] 11...e7 12.fd1 e6 13.b3 White has at best a slight initiative thanks to his slight space advantage and somewhat better placed pieces. The problem for White is that Black can force exchanges of the rooks on the d-file. f7 14.e3 ad8 15.e2 xd1+ 16.xd1 d8 17.xd8 [ 17.d4!? d7= ] 17...xd8 With the heavy pieces exchanged, White's minor space advantage has very little significance, nevertheless W hite tries for a few more moves. 18.d4 d7 19.f3 c8 Black is obviously not interested in handing White the bishop pair. Now the draw should be a certainty. 20.e5+ e6 21.d3 e4 22.b8 ½-½
986
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 1000 Agrest,Evgenij Akopian,Vladimir NY Open New York (3) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2525 2660 1998
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.e3 b4 5.c2 White avoids the doubling of his pawns, as Black might thereby achieve a favourable Nimzo-style position, having a greater central presence due to the e5-pawn. 0-0 6.d5 The only way to exploit Black's omission of ... Bxc3. e8 7.f5 This odd move is still at the centre of the theoretical debate, although its heyday was after its introduction in the late Seventies. Although behind in development, White moves his queen again, but considers the threat to Black's pawn structure more important than the time lost. d6 8.xf6+ xf6 taking play into the ending. [ 8...gxf6 is quite playable, but after 9.h5 Black must beware attacks on his weakened kingside. ] 9.xf6 gxf6 Which is m ore important: B la ck ' s le a d in d e ve lo p m e n t , o r W h it e ' s superior pawn structure? 10.a3 c5 11.b4 b6 12.b2 a5 An important move, weakening the proud white queenside pawns. 13.b5 e7 14.d4 Tony Miles' new move, W hite expands bravely in the centre, and 'ignores' the possible disadvantages of having his king on the same file as the black rook. [ 14.a4 and 14 Be2 had been played before, without achieving a great deal. ] 14...a4! Freeing the a5-square for the b6bishop, and much stronger than the [ 14...g4?! played in the seminal game. That continued: 15.c5! Attacking the black dark squares, and showing why a ...Ba5+ re s o u r c e wo u l d h a ve b e e n u se f u l . a7 ( 15...dxc5 16.dxe5 with a clear advantage to White. ) 16.b6! This pawn structure deserves a diagram! xf3 17.gxf3 b8 18.g1+ f8 19.d1!! and the black pawn structure was on the verge of disintegration, Miles,A-Rodriguez,A/Yopal 1997. ] 15.0-0-0 Removing the king from the e-file, and e1-a5 diagonal. g6 Black bolsters the e5-pawn. 16.d2 If White is looking for an improvement, it will probably be found here, or hereabouts. exd4 Now that White cannot
re ca p t u re o n d 4 wi t h h i s kn i gh t . 17.xd4 xd4 18.exd4 The black kingside is feeble, b u t t h e p a w n s a r e d i f f i c u l t t o a t t a c k . c6 19.bxc6 bxc6 20.g3 d5 21.g2 f5 22.he1 eb8 Although the black queenside pawns are on light squares, and susceptible to attack, the white king is awkwardly placed. 23.e3 e6 24.f4 e7 25.g4!? Aggressive, White plays to win, but the weakening of the f4-pawn may prove a problem. f5 26.h3 f8 [ 26...fxg4 was also feasible, 27.xg4 xg4 28.g1 and now f5 will likely transpose. ] 27.g1 fxg4 28.xg4 xg4 29.xg4 f5 30.h3 White continues in an active vein. e8 31.f3 e3?! A risky exchange sacrifice, Black hopes to get amongst the weak white pawns, but rooks are very powerful pieces in the endgame! [ 31...h6 was safer. ] 32.xh7 xf3 33.h8+ e7 34.xa8 At the moment Black doesn't have a lot to show for his sacrifice. c3+ 35.b2 xc4 Th e po in t, h e will ob ta in two co nn ec te d , p a s s e d p a wn s a f t e r h e c a p t u r e s o n d 4 . 36.a7+ f6 37.g8 Difficult to criticise such a move in time-trouble, but Akopian considers that White has an edge after [ 37.g1! with the threat of Rc1. ] 37...xd4 38.d8 xf4 39.dd7 e6 40.dc7 Quite a transformation! White has playe d act ively, bu t lost t wo pa wn s . d4 41.e7+ d6 42.xf7 e4 Of course, Black must avoid the exchange of rooks, as the knight would be incapable of stopping the hpawn by itself. 43.f2 [ 43.fd7+ c5 44.e7 h4 45.h7 would force a draw through the perpetual attack on the rook. ] 43...e6 44.h7 c5 45.f5?! Allowing Black va lu ab le t im e, t ha t he will use to s et h is pawns in motion, charging the h-pawn up the board by [ 45.h4 -h5 was called-for. ] 45...c4 46.a7 c5 47.h5 e2+ 48.b1 d2 Trying to weave a mating net around the wh i t e k i n g . 49.a8? The last mistake, Whit had to keep the d5-pawn under attack by [ 49.a5! so as to answer b3 (with the threat of ...c3, and mate next move) by 50.h6+ e5 51.h5+ e4 52.xa4 987
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 and the c-pawn is pinned. ] 12...f5 13.g3? 49...c3 Now it is too late for White. 50.h6+ [ White should control c4 at all costs: 13.d2 e5 51.e8+ f5 52.f8+ g5 d3+ 14.xd3 xd3 15.c4 and he is still in Side-stepping the checks. 53.h3 b2+ the game. ] Forcing mate. 54.c1 b3+ 13...e6! For the pawn Black has hegemony 0-1 over c4, and will try to ensure that the b2bishop has a miserable future. 14.f4?! [ This looks a bit desperate, but 14.e4 c4 menaces the capture on f1, followed by a 1001 A28 knight intrusion on d3. ] Agrest,Evgenij 2529 15.f5 b3 16.e4 e3 Anand,Viswanathan 2794 14...g4 Rapidplay Villarrobledo ESP rapid (4) 18.8.01 White's pawn moves have only succeeded in w e a k e n i n g h i s p o s i t i o n f u r t h e r . 17.f2 [Tony Kosten] White jettisons the exchange, but it doesn't help too much. d1+ 18.xd1 xd1 19.e2 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e3 e7 [ This move is not nearly as popular as the xh1 20.xh1 d8 21.c1 f6 22.c4 d1 23.f1 c2 24.g3 e5 The rest is too theoretical 4...b4 , but has its points. ] easy f or B lack. 25.e3 xg3+ 26.hxg3 5.a3 [ 5.d4 is the other line, but took a body blow xe4 27.f6 d3 28.xa7 xf1 29.xf1 after the game Timman,J-Karpov,A/Montreal a8 30.d4 xa3 31.fxg7 xg3 1979: exd4 6.xd4 0-0 7.xc6 bxc6 0-1 8.e2 d5 9.0-0 d6 10.b3 e7 11.b2 dxc4! 12.bxc4 b8 13.c1 g4 14.g3 A28 e8 15.d1 xh2! 16.c5 ( White didn't 1002 like the looks of 16.xh2 h4+ ) 16...xf1 Agrest,Evgenij 2554 17.cxd6 xg3! 18.fxg3 xd6 ] Piket,Jeroen 2635 5...0-0 6.b4 d5 Eu Team Ch Batumi GEO (1) 29.11.1999 [ 6...e4!? 7.g5 a5 8.b5 e5 is unclear, [Tony Kosten] Miles, A-Nikolic,P/Niksic 1983. ] 7.cxd5 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.e3 b4 [ Black is happy with a reversed Sicilian 5.c2 xc3 6.xc3 e7 7.e2!? position, but 7.b5 may be stronger, e4!? Agrest has made this move his speciality, he 8.cxd5 a5 9.g5 f5 10.a4 is simply happy to play a reversed Sicilian with some advantage, Agdestein,S-Xu Jun/ structure with the two bishops. 0-0 8.d3 d5 Biel 1993. ] 9.cxd5 7...xd5 8.b2!? [ 9.0-0 Previously, White had been loathe to [ A novelty, previously White has preferred to allow Black's pieces to gain tempi like this, keep e4 under control by 8.c2 i.e. xc3 a n d h a d p r e f e rre d e4 10.d2 exd3 9.dxc3 f6!? 10.d3 h6 11.0-0 11.xd3 e5 with equality, as in with a slight edge to White, Hansen,C-Lutz, P o l u g a e vs k y, L - M a t a n o vi c , A / B e l g r a d e C/Tilburg 1993. ] 1974. ] 8...xc3! 9.dxc3 9...xd5 10.c2 g4 [ White intends a queenside expansion [ A couple of days later, at the beginning of involving three pawns, 9.xc3 e4 10.b5 December, Damljanovic,B played 10...f5! is about equal. ] against Agrest,E (Batumi GEO 1999), and 9...e4 10.xd8 xd8 11.d2 Intending to obtained a good position with alarming ease: continue with c4, but Black's fine next move 11.e4 db4 12.c3 g4 13.e3 a6 opposes this. e5!! 12.xe4 14.g1 and a draw was agreed. ( 14.0-0 [ W h it e gra b s t h e p a wn , 12.c4 d3+ Allowing the exchange on f3 is risky, xf3 13.xd3 exd3 would concede the bishop 15.xf3 fd8 and ...Nd4. )] pair. ] 11.a3 ad8 988
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ Very sharp play resulted after 11...a5 12.b3 ad8 13.b2 d6 14.h3 c8 15.d2 g6 16.f3 d8 Agrest,E-Sokolov,I/Stockholm 1998. ] 12.h3 h5 [ 12...c8 is perfectly reasonable, as in the Sokolov game. ] 13.g4!? White plays to sideline the bishop, but at some cost to his structure. g6 14.e4 b6 [ The best square for this knight, 14...f4 15.xf4 exf4 16.0-0-0!? is nothing special. ] 15.d2! d7 [ I n t h e l i g h t o f w h a t f o l l o w s , 15...d6 might be more accurate. ] 16.c1 c8! Rather than rote play, Black has evolved a definite plan involving a queenside onslaught. 17.c5 d6 The ending would be ve ry n i c e f o r W h it e , wit h h i s k in g n i ce l y centralised, and his bishop pair. 18.b4 a6 19.e3 e8 The black plan takes shape. Returning the bishop to the f ray by ...f 6 , would be met by Nh4-f5. 20.f1?! [ Solving the problem of his king, it will come to g2 but, at the same time, the h1-rook stays at its post to p re-e mpt any Black attempts at kingside attack. However, the obvious 20.0-0 is better. ] 20...a4! 21.c2 d4 22.xd4 exd4 23.g2 c5 24.he1! Prophylaxis, defending against the threat of ...c4. For the moment the c-pawn is pinned. c3 [ As now, 24...c4 25.dxc4 xe4 is countered by 26.d3 pinning along the efile. ] 25.bxc5 xc5 26.f1 c6 Both guarding against e5, as the h1-a8 diagonal would be opened, and defending the powerful c3-knight. 27.d2 f6 28.h2 d8 29.g2 c7+ 30.h1 f7 Black finally brings his wayward bis h op b ac k in t o t h e ga m e , it se e ms h is strategy has worked to perfection. [ However, after this the game becomes messy. It might be simpler to leave the bish op o n g6, ke ep in g a lid o n W hite 's counterplay with Nh4-f5, and advance his queenside pawns, instead. 30...b5 ] 31.h4 a5?! [ This wins a pawn, but sends the rook offside, and loses control of the fifth rank, 31...g6 (to stop the knight from going to f5) 32.f4 c8 favours Black. ]
32.f5 xa3 33.e5 On the queenside White is completely lost, so must search for tactics involving his strong f5-knight. a2 34.f4 h6?? [ My French cl ub team mate seems prone to such blunders in winning positions, he has simply overlooked the White threat. Anyway, the position is now far from clear, 34...d5 for instance, 35.xd4 xg2+ 36.xg2 a4 37.d2 axd4 38.xc3 e7 39.e6 and f4-f5. ] 35.xd4? [ Missing 35.xg7! fxe5 ( as 35...xg7?? allows 36.exf6+ with a discovered attack on the queen ) 36.xe5 when the black king is wide open. ] 35...fxe5 36.xe5 d5 37.xc7 xf4 38.f5 e6?! [ 38...xd4 39.fxf7 e6 40.xb7 xd3 is less clear. ] 39.xb7 g5? [ 39...xd4 40.fxf7 had to be played, once again. ] 40.c6 xd3 41.h4 e6 42.hxg5 xf5 43.gxf5 a1+ 44.h2 hxg5 45.b8+ h7 46.e5 d6 47.f7 Threatening both the d6rook, and mate on h8. 1-0
1003 Beim,Valery Rublevsky,Sergei Ordix Open Frankfurt GER (5) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2563 2662 17.06.2000
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.a3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.c2 e7 7.e3 0-0 [ Simpler than trying to stop White's next move, by 7...a6?! when 8.xd5! xd5 9.d3! d7 ( 9...g4? 10.e4 d6 11.xc6+ bxc6 12.xe5 and wins, is the tactical point) 10.b4 e6 11.b2 d6 12.g5! g4?! 13.h4! xg2 14.0-0-0 g4 15.dg1 led to a powerful white attack in Chernin,A-Polgar,Z/ Brno 1993. ] 8.b5 g4 9.xc6 xf3 10.gxf3!? [ A n e w t ry, a lt h o u g h 10.xb7 xg2?! 11.xd5 xd5 12.xa8 was successful before. ] 10...bxc6 11.b3 xc3 12.dxc3?! 989
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ White is clearly worried about tactics along t h e a 1 - h 8 d i a g o n a l , a f t e r 12.xc3 , but now he loses the pressure along the cfile, and Black's feeble c-pawns become less of a problem. ] 12...d5 13.e2 [ 13.e4 may be more circumspect. ] 13...e4!! 14.xe4 [ 14.fxe4 may be better, but h5+ 15.e1 ad8 16.b2 f3 17.g1 h4 grants Black a strong initiative. ] 14...xb3 15.b1?! [ 15.d2 ] 15...a2+ 16.b2 xa3 17.xc6 f6 W hite's king is looking decidedly the more exposed of the two. 18.b7 a5 19.b2 ad8 20.a1 White has a strong attack on the queenside, but the real action will occur on the other side of the board! f5 21.e4 d7 22.c2 c6 23.axa7 c4+ 24.e1 d3?? [ Carelessly leaving the c7-pawn hanging, 24...d7 was a better way to proceed. ] 25.xc7 d5 26.c4? [ Another error, after 26.e4 b5 27.cb7 c4 28.b4 c5 29.xd3 xa7 White has every chance to win. ] 26...f5 27.e4?? [ 27.xf6! xe3+ 28.fxe3 xc2 may allow White to hold the draw. ] 27...xf3 Now Black is winning. 28.xf6 xe4+ 29.f1 h1+ 30.e2 f3+ 31.e1 gxf6 32.d7 xd7 33.xd7 e8+ 0-1
development here, as he will continue with ... g6 and ...Bg7 later. 6.d3 [ 6.f3 is the alternative: exf3 7.xf3 d6 8.e3 g4 9.e2 g6 10.0-0 g7 Black has a reasonable game, Horvath,GRuck,R/Budapest 1995. ] [ 6.c2?! which would be good after any other fourth move from White, is weak here on account of d4 7.b1?! b3 ] 6...exd3 7.e4!! An ambitious novelty, and very strong, White offers a pawn to be able to recapture on d3 with his bishop, relying on the fact that the black queen is awkwardly placed on an open e-file once Black captures the e4pawn. [ 7.xd3 had been invariably played, e5 8.c2 d6 ( 8...xc4? 9.b5 c5 10.e4 is horrible for Black, and; 8...h6 9.ge4 xe4 10.d5! d6 11.xe4 also favours White ) 9.e3 g6 10.e2 g7 11.h3 0-0 12.d2 h6 13.f3 f5 Black has every reason to be happy with his position, K o rt sch n o i, V -I va n ch u k, V / Ro qu e b ru n e 1992. ] 7...h6 8.f3 d5!? Probably best, Black forces White to block the d5-square, as [ 8...xe4 9.d5 d8 10.xd3 c5 11.0-0 offers White a powerful initiative for the pawn, with Re1(+) coming. ] [ 8...e5 9.xe5 xe5 10.f4 e6 11.xd3 gives White everything he wants. ] 9.cxd5 xe4 The point, now White cannot r e p l y N d 5 . 10.e3 xc3 11.bxc3 e5 12.xd3 Of course White doesn't capture on e5 as this solves Black's development problems. g4 The position is already difficult 1004 A28 for Black and he decides to close the e-file, at Beliavsky,Alexander G 2652 the cost of moving his knight a further two Turov,Maxim 2518 times. It is a pity that he didn't try [ 12...g4 as after 13.b5+ c6 ( 13...d8! 24th Politiken Cup (11) 26.07.2002 14.e2 xf3 15.xf3 c4 might just be [Tony Kosten] playable ) 14.dxc6 bxc6 I am sure Beliavsky w o u l d h a v e p l a y e d 15.xe5!! xd1 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.a3 e4!? 16.xc6+ d8 17.xd1+ c8 18.d5! Very sharp, so far I have only considered with two pieces and a massive attack for the [ 4...d5 and ] queen. ] [ 4...g6 ] 5.g5 e7 The advanced e-pawn is further 13.0-0 xe3 14.fxe3 d7 Black prefers not bolstered and Black threatens to send the to have his king trapped in the middle of the white knight offside by ... h6, so White must board by [ 14...xe3+?! 15.h1 e7 16.e1 c5 keep the pressure on e4. Note that the queen 17.e2 ] d o e s n ' t r e a l ly h i n d e r t h e b l a ck b i s h o p ' s 990
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 15.e4 c5+ 16.h1 Black has the bishop pair, but the white centre is more important, if he can play c4 and e5 he will dominate the middle of the board. 0-0-0!? This doesn't look too hot, although I don't see any move that is much better! 17.b3 [ 17.e5 e8 18.xf7 xf7 19.xf7 wins a pawn, but loses control of the dark squares - White doesn't want an oppositecolour bishop position. ] 17...e8 [ If 17...f6 18.e5 ] 18.a4 Otherwise White couldn't move his queen's rook without leaving the a-pawn en prise. a5 19.e5 g5!? 20.b5 xb5 21.axb5 b6 [ 21...g4 22.d4 xe5 23.xa5 d7 24.a4 is winning. ] 22.a4! Both stopping ...g4, and menacing Rc4. b7 23.c4 a3 24.c2 Black has no moves, [ 24.c2 g7 ( 24...c5?? 25.a4 wins the queen.) 25.d6 cxd6 26.e4+ b8 27.d4 and mate is not far off. ] 1-0
1005 Belozerov,Andrei Rublevsky,Sergei Team Smolensk RUS (1) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2487 2662 15.04.2000
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e3 b4 5.c2 xc3 6.xc3 e7 7.a3 d5 8.d4 exd4 9.xd4 xd4 10.xd4 0-0!? [ Black normally prefers 10...c5 here, but there seems to be nothing wrong with the text. ] 11.c5!? [ Belozerov played this novelty twice recently, White tries to exploit the opportunity to stop ...c5. 11.e2 would return to normal lines after c5 12.h4 Onischuk, A-Pena,E/ Mamaia 1991, and ] [ 11.cxd5 gains nothing on d8 12.e2 ( 12.c4 xd5! 13.xd5 e6 ) 12...xd5 13.h4 f5 when Black has only succeeded in speeding-up the black development, Biehler, T-Arnold,L/Germany 1990/GER-chT2. ]
[ The other attempt to take advantage of Black's tenth is 11.b4 a5 12.c5!? ( 12.b5 ) 12...axb4 13.axb4 xa1 14.xa1 e4 but here, too, Black has no reason to complain, Veinger,I-Birnboim,N/Jerusalem 1986. ] 11...e4!? [ Aggressive Korchnoi preferred the positional exchange of bishops by 11...b6 12.b4 bxc5 13.bxc5 e6 14.d3 a6 and the game is level, Belozerov, AKorchnoi,V/Smolensk RUS 2000, 0-1 (76). ] 12.b4 h4 13.a2 [ White doesn't wish to allow a weakening of his light squares by 13.g3 ] 13...g5 14.f3 f6 15.f2 c6 16.d3 e8 [ 16...f5? 17.e5 ] 17.0-0 White's position seems quite reasonable, if he can sort-out the problem of his e3-pawn, and then develop his c1-bishop, he could be better, with his two bishops. e5!? [ Possibly a psychological ploy, inviting play into an ending where W hite has an edge. 17...e6 18.e4 h4 is playable. ] 18.h4!? [ As he obtains a dangerous attack, it is easy to understand why W hite refuses the endgame, but, nevertheless, 18.xe5 xe5 19.e4! ( 19.e1 and 20 Bb2 is also promising ) 19...e6 ( 19...dxe4?! 20.fxe4 e7 21.g5 i s a w k w a r d) 20.b2 is clearly better for White. ] 18...e6 19.b2!? [ W h it e p la ys f o r m a t e, a lth o u gh 19.e1 is simpler. ] 19...xe3 20.d1 h6 21.xf6 gxf6 22.f4! [ White continues to play for the attack, as after 22.xf6 a5 Black threatens to infiltrate on the a-file. ] 22...g7 23.f1 f5 24.f3 d4 25.g3+ f8 26.e1? [ White had no reason to reject the obvious 26.xh6+ e7 27.e1! d8 28.xf5 when he has every chance to win. ] 26...h8 Of course, if White doesn't take it, Black will hang-on to it. 27.ge3 g7 28.h3 [ 28.g3 h8 29.ge3 will only draw. ] 28...a5!? 29.e5? [ Although 29.bxa5 is anti-positional, it s e e m s q u i t e g o o d , a s a f t e r xa5? 991
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 W h i t e p l a y s 30.xf5 xc5 31.xe6 and Black is lost. ] 29...axb4 30.axb4 a2 Black has found some counterplay! 31.g4? [ Rather risky, 31.1e2 is about equal. ] 31...ea8 [ Missing 31...fxg4! 32.hxg4 a4! and White is in trouble, as 33.f5 loses to xb4 34.fxe6? f4+ ] 32.xf5 xf5 33.xf5 b2? [ 33...g8 ] 34.e7+ g8 35.g5? [ 35.xb7 is very strong, as the a8-rook can't leave the back rank (because of Re8+), and the queen can't leave the f7-pawn. ] 35...g6 36.xb7?? [ One move too late! 36.d7 kept everything together. ] 36...xf5 37.xa8+ g7 38.a3 xf4+ White is suddenly mated! 0-1
1006 Bischoff,Klaus Pert,Nicholas ch-EU Liverpool ENG (10) [John Watson]
A28 2533 2503 15.09.2006
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.d3 b4 5.d2 0-0 6.e3 d5 7.cxd5 xd5 This type of Sicilian Reversed never seems to give Black any problems, but it is very unbalanced and can lead to a full-fledged game. 8.e2 xc3 9.xc3 [ 9.bxc3 looks natural enough, but is passive. Black can even try e4! ( 9...f5 10.e4!? ) 10.dxe4 f6 11.c2 e8 12.d3 A) or 12...g4 13.h3 ( 13.0-0? xf3 14.gxf3 d7! ) 13...h5 intending ..Bg6.; B) 12...e7 13.0-0 xe4 14.ab1 b6= ] 9...e7 10.c2 d8!? [ A standard setup which equalises is 10...f5 11.0-0 ( 11.e4 xc3 12.bxc3 g4 ) 11...ad8 12.fd1 a5 ( or 12...e4 13.dxe4 xe4 14.b3 xc3= )] 11.a3 a5 [ To get to an improved version of the game idea, Black could play 11...xc3 12.xc3 ( 12.bxc3 f5 13.e4 g4 14.0-0 c5! ) 12...g4 13.0-0 d6!? ]
12.0-0 d6!? [ 12...g4 is solid and less ambitious. ] 13.d2!? [ 13.d2! would preserve the bishops I doubt that Black's attack will amount to much. ] 13...f5 14.e4 h6 Black's position has plenty of resilience, so he can afford this only moderately-useful move. [ Instead, 14...xc3 would have secured easy equality, e.g., 15.bxc3 xe4 16.dxe4 b8! 17.ab1 b6 18.fd1 xd1+ 19.xd1 d7 20.d3 c5 21.d5 f8 . White has some advantages, but they are at least neutralised by the superb knight on c5. ] 15.g3 d7?! The first move in the wrong direction. Black should settle for [ 15...xe4 16.dxe4 xc3= ] 16.c5 c8 [ A d m i t t i n g h i s m i s t a k e b y 16...e7 w a s r i g h t , w h e n 17.d2?! ( 17.e4 ) 17...f4! is Shredder's idea, when 18.f3 d8 19.exf4 ( 19.gxf4 h4 ) 19...d4 20.d1 xc5 isn't clear ] 17.f3! de7 18.b4 This looks more like a successful English opening, with the rook on h6 looking out of sorts. b6 19.e4 h3 20.fc1 f5 21.e2 f8!? [ Because his rooks are uncoordinated, Black needs to avoid 21...axb4 22.axb4 xa1 23.xa1 ] 22.bxa5 bxa5 23.ab1 g6?! [ 23...d8 ] 24.b5! f5 25.d2 f4 26.xe5 xe5 27.xe5 fxg3 28.hxg3 f5 Black is a pawn down and everything is collapsing positionally. 29.d5+ h8 30.f3 g4 31.f4?! [ 31.e4! h5 32.f1 , and the game is basically over: g5 33.xc7 xg3 34.fxg3 and there's no follow-up. ] 31...h5 32.f1 g5! Here's the difference now 33.Qe4 runs into 33...Nxg3!, when the p a w n o n g 5 p r e v e n t s R x h 5 . 33.xf5 Still good enough. At least Black temporarily wins the Exchange for a pawn, however weak everything else is. [ 33.e4? xg3 34.fxg3 f3 ] 33...xf5 34.e5+ hf6 35.c6 g6 36.e4! d7 37.xc7 g7 38.e3 White has everything back under control. The rest of the game is easy. g6 39.c4 gf6 40.e3 992
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 6f7 41.xg7+ xg7 42.d4 c8 43.a7 a4 44.e5 c6 45.a6 xd5 46.xd5 c4 47.f6 e7 48.d5! g7 [ 48...xe5 49.a7! ] 49.d6 xe5 50.d7 d4 51.e8+ f8 52.d6 1-0, in view of e7 53.d8+ xd8 54.f7+ 1-0
1007 Bosboom,Manuel Podgaets,Mikhail VAM Open Hoogeveen NED (9) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2476 2490 23.10.1999
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e3 b4 5.c2 0-0 6.d5 e8 7.f5 Once again, this funny move resurfaces. d6 8.xf6+ xf6 9.xf6 gxf6 Black is counting on his lead in development to compensate him for his weakened pawn complex. 10.a3 c5 11.b4 b6 12.b2 a5 13.b5 e7 14.g4!? [ Another weapon in White's arsenal in this position, W hite tries to fix the f-pawn. For Tony Miles' move, 14.d4 see the archives. ] 14...g6 Menacing the g4-pawn, the immediate capture being impossible because of the subsequent pin on the g-file after 15 Rg1. 15.g1 e6 16.h4! I like this move. White is playing entirely on the flanks, relying o n h is s t ro n g c e n t r e t o h id e h is ki n g . e4 17.h5! The point behind White's previous move. exf3 18.hxg6 fxg6 19.xf6 W h it e 's s t r a t e gy h a s t ri u m p h e d , h e h a s swapped his h-pawn for Black's f-pawn, and f3 is weak. c6 20.g5 To consolidate the powerful bishop on f6. cxb5 21.cxb5 ac8 Black has to find counterplay quickly, as White is intending to round-up the f3-pawn. 22.g3 d5 23.h3 c2 24.g4 The critical position. If White can simply take the f3-pawn he will be a sound pawn up with the better structure. Black must react, but how? xe3!? Probably not sound, but the best practical try. 25.dxe3 xe3+ 26.f1?! [ White has been bluffed. He was naturally afraid of 26.fxe3 as f2+ 27.f1 c4+ seems crushing, but he has the computerlike resource: 28.e2! ( 28.g2?? f1# ) 28...xe2 29.g2 a2 30.f1 xf1+
31.xf1 xa3 32.b6 and White will win. ] 26...xa3! Exploiting the weak back rank. 27.e1 d3?! [ 27...aa2 28.d4 d2 seems more to the point. ] 28.g1 To free the e1-rook from its defence of the first rank. a4 At first glance it seems that White is in trouble, as, although he has extra material, his pieces are offside and the a-pawn is very fast. However, he actually manages to conjure a mating attack. 29.h3! a3 30.d7! [ White is playing for the win, as he has a simple draw here: 30.e8+ f7 and now 31.e1 forcing g8 ] 30...f7 Forced, as Re8+ and Rxh7 mate was threatened. 31.h4?! [ A natural move, bringing the rook back into play. In fact, the rook was already perfectly placed, oddly enough, as W hite had the powerful move 31.e8! continuing twine the black king in a mating net, I can see nothing b e t t e r t h a n e2 for Black, when White should win easily enough by 32.xf7+ xf7 33.xh7+ as f8?? loses on the spot to 34.c1 ] 31...c4! The h-rook is too dangerous. 32.xc4 xc4 33.e8+ f7 34.e7+ f8 35.xh7 a2 Will this pawn be enough to save Black? 36.h8+ f7 37.a8 d2?! [ I m m e d i a t e l y 37...d1+ 38.h2 d5 is superior. ] 38.e8+ e6 39.xg6 d5 The threat is ...d4, cutting the bishop off from a1. 40.c3? [ 40.e8+! d6 41.e1 is better, avoiding what follows. ] 40...d1+ 41.h2 c1 [ 41...d4! ] 42.b2 b1 43.d4?! This is not the best square for this piece. d1 44.g7 d4 Amazingly, Black is better! His d-pawn will stop the g7-bishop from controlling a1. 45.h7 d7 46.f5+ d6 47.e4 White doesn't have time to push the g-pa wn as the c4 bishop controls the queening square, so, as he is about to lose his rook for the a-pawn, must try to garner as many black pawns as possible. c5 48.xb7 a1 49.xa1 xa1 50.xf3 The dust has settled, and White has two pawns for the exchange, but the d4-pawn is very strong. d5 51.g2 d3! A nice trick. 993
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 52.c3 [ 52.xa1?? loses to d2 of course, and the pawn queens. ] 52...c4 53.d2 xf3+ [ After this move the white king manages to return to help the bishop, and White's two passed pawns assure the draw. If 53...a2 instead, then it is now W hite's turn for a surprising resource: 54.g6! as xd2?? loses to 55.xd5+ xd5 56.g7 ] 54.xf3 xb5 55.e4 c4 56.f4 d1 57.e3 g1 The position is drawn. 58.f2 d1 59.e3 g1 60.f2 d1 61.e3 ½-½
White's d-pawn but it's easily defended. c8 28.h2 d6 29.g3 f7 30.e2 g8 31.ah1 g7 32.d1 ad8 33.e3 d6 34.e1 ½-½
1009 Bukal,Vladimir Sr Olsen,Heini OSS January It (8) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2424 2255 31.01.2004
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e3 b4 5.c2 xc3 6.xc3 e7 7.d3!? Unusual, the mainline is 1008 A28 [ 7.a3 although this seems fairly level, and Agrest has had some success with ] Bu Xiangzhi 2640 [ 7.e2 although this is likely to transpose. ] Bacrot,Etienne 2708 37th Olympiad (11) 02.06.2006 7...d5 8.cxd5 xd5 Black is rig ht to aim for the reversed Sicilian position in which his [John Watson] knights are well placed. 9.c2 0-0 10.e2 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e4 Possibly not the most accurate, better to This move was first drawn to general attention control b4 by [ 10.a3 a5 11.b3 as in Chernin,A-Polgar,Z/ by Nimzowitsch, who never seemed much Budapest 1993. ] perturbed by traditional weaknesses. One idea This is the most annoying for is to answer 4...Bc5 by 5.Nxe5!? b4 5.d3 10...db4! d6 6.g3 g4 Not worrying about the bishop White. [ 10...e6 11.a3 a5 12.b3 f6 leads to fairly pair if it means better control over W hite's typical Sicilian play, Bosboom,M-Cuijpers, weakness on d4. 7.h3 xf3 8.xf3 d4 F/Hilversum 1988. ] 9.d1 c6 10.g2 0-0 11.0-0 c5! 12.h2 [ 12.a4 e7 13.xc5?! dxc5 11.c3 g4 [ 11...f5 12.e4 g4 has been played a simply leaves W hite's d-pawn more couple of times against Agrest, 13.e3 a6 vulnerable. ] 14.g1 (draw agreed in Agrest 12...a5 13.f4 b5 A big decision. The Damljanovic!) e6 15.h3 d4!? 16.f3 defensive option was ( 16.xd4 exd4 17.xd4 b4 18.c1 [ 13...h6 14.f5 e7 15.g4 h7 ] xa2 f a vo u r s B l a c k) 16...c5! 17.a3 14.f5!? b4 15.a4 d7 ( 17.xe5 b4 ) 17...f6 and Black is better, [ 15...a7 16.g5 h6 17.h4 ] Agrest,E-Mchedlishvili,M/Ohrid MKD 2001. ] 16.xc5 dxc5 12.a3 xd3+! Black is well-prepared. [ 16...xc5 17.f6! ] 13.xd3 e4 14.c4? White attempts to 17.g4 f6 18.h4 h6 complicate against his lower-rated opponent, [ 18...a4 19.g5 e8 is double-edged. ] 19.d2 f7! White's only real plan is g5, so but this new move is much worse than [ 14.e2 exf3 15.gxf3 ( 15.xf3 xf3 Black's king runs away before that move can 16.gxf3 e5 leaves Black with the superior threaten him. 20.f2 e7 21.g1 h8 minor piece.) 15...h5 16.g1 with the 22.f3 b6 23.d1 a4 24.g2 a3 25.b3 bishop pair and possibilities of attack along e8 26.g3 g5 27.f2 Now everything is the g-file, Agrest,E-Xu Jun/Istanbul TUR closed and there are various ways for Black 2000. ] to ensure the draw. The method in the game 15.gxf3 exd3 16.xd3 is good enough. It would be nice to go after 14...xf3 994
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 White has found himself in a position similar to that in a previous note. If he could play b4, Bb2 and Rg1 simultaneously he would be better, but as it is he never gets to complete h i s d e v e l o p m e n t . ad8 17.e4 f6! This puts paid to W hite's queenside! 18.0-0 fe8 The black rooks are naturally drawn to the open central files. 19.f4 This looks disgusting, but what else? [ 19.g4 loses to e5 20.g3 xf3+ 21.g2 e5 22.e4 d2 23.xd2 xd2 and White will lose at least two pawns. ] 19...xf4 20.exf4 d4 There is no let-up for W h i t e i n t h e e n d g a m e . 21.e3 xf3+ 22.h1 b6 23.fc1? Things were bad, but this makes matters even worse. xe3! [ 23...xe3 24.fxe3 d2 forces mate. ] 0-1
1010 A28 Carlsen,Magnus 2733 Topalov,Veselin 2780 XXV SuperGM Morella Linares MEX/ESP (12) [Carsten Hansen] 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.d3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.e4 b6 [ As you may ember, we looked at this peculiar variation back in the October 2007 update, where 6...f6 was tried, and now 7.e2 g4 8.0-0 xf3 9.xf3 d4 with a fascinating struggle, Morozevich, AGrischuk, A/Mexico City MEX 2007 - see the PGN archive ] 7.e2 e7 8.0-0 0-0 9.a4 e6 This natural move deviates from the lines given in the annotations to the above game, where only 9... a5 was discussed. 10.e3!? [ White achieves less after 10.a5 , e.g. d7 11.a6 bxa6 12.d4 xd4 13.xd4 exd4 14.xd4 c5 15.d2 b8 with chances for both sides ] 10...d7!? Anyway! 11.d4?! [ This move look s so obvious, it is hard to believe that it isn't the best move. However, in the continuation, Black faces no problems and soon White has to be creative to keep the balance. Therefore this may be the time and place to try something different, e.g. 11.b1 a5 12.d4 exd4 13.xd4 xd4
14.xd4 c5 15.d3 c6 with approximately even chances ] 11...exd4 12.xd4 xd4 13.xd4 [ 13.xd4?! c5 is fine for Black ] 13...c6 14.a5 [ White doesn't achieve anything with 14.ad1 , e.g. a5 15.d2 b4 with a pleasant game for Black ] 14...c5 [ 14...c7!? can also be considered, though a draw is likely after 15.f4 ad8 16.f5 c5 , and now 17.b4 b3 18.a4 c5 19.b4 d3 leads to a repetition. Topalov undoubtedly played for more as usual... ] 15.e5 b3 [ 15...b8 is playable for Black: 16.xb8 fxb8 17.f4 d8 , and Black should be fine ] 16.a4 d6 17.h5 g6! 18.h6 e5! Topalov transfer the dark-squared bishop to the h8-a1 diagonal where it is of much more use than on d6. 19.g5?! [ 19.d1 e7 seems fine for Black, but the game continuation is even worse for White ] 19...c7 20.e3!? xa5 21.f4 g7 22.h4 b3 23.d4!? A necessary sharpening of the game retreating the rook to a3 or a1 leaves White with insufficient compensation for the pawn ad8! [ 23...xd4 can also be considered, but the weak squares around the king after 24.xd4 f5 very likely didn't appeal to Topalov who would probably prefer to play the White side in this position. The text move is solid and good. ] 24.e5 xd4 25.xd4 c5 [ 25...c4 has been suggested several places, but White may be okay after 26.f2 ( 26.xc4 xc4 27.f2 d8 28.e4 a5 is b e t t e r f o r B l a c k) 26...b6 27.e4 which gives White some compensation for the pawn ] [ The second alternative is also playable: 25...c4 26.f5!? xe5 ( 26...xe5?? 27.xc4+-; 26...e8 27.e6 xd4+ 28.xd4 b6 29.xb6 axb6 30.e4 e7 31.exf7+ xf7 32.f3 with some initiative for White though Black should be able to defend.) 27.f6 h8 A) 28.e4 d8 29.c5 ( 29.g5 h5 ) 29...a2 with a double-edged position; 995
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 B) 28.f5 d7 29.h5 xf6 30.xf6 xf6 31.xf6 gxh5 32.g5+ h8 33.f6+ with a draw by perpetual check ] 26.e3 f6! 27.b5 d8 28.f5!? [ 28.e6!? is also worth a thought, e.g. xe6 ( 28...e7?! 29.f5! gxf5 30.f3 is quite dangerous for Black, particularly if in time trouble ) 29.xc5 f5 30.f2 f7 31.xa7 c4 32.d4 , and White is more or less okay. According to TWIC's coverage of the tournament, Carlsen thought for a long time before playing 28 f5, so he must have felt that it offered better chances than 28 e6, th ou gh m y an alysis d oe sn 't m at ch t ha t evaluation entirely. ] 28...fxe5 29.g5 b6 30.f6 c4+ [ This check looks safer than retreating the bishop on h8, which leaves the black king without breathing space the bishop awkwardly passive, yet it is worth considering, for example 30...h8 31.c3 b4 32.g3 d4+ 33.h1 c6 34.h3 f7 , and White doesn't have enough for the two sacrificed pawns. ] 31.h1 xb5 32.fxg7 xf1+ 33.xf1 xg7?! [ This obvious move allows White at least a pe rp e t u a l c h e ck. T he a lt e rn at ive s a re : 33...d7 34.h6 c6 35.xc4+ xc4 36.xc4+ f7 37.c1 d8 , and Black has all the chances, but whether it is enough to win is dubious. ] [ 33...d5 34.h6!? ( 34.e2?! xg7 35.h6+ f7 36.f2+ e8 37.f8+ d7 38.g4+ c6 39.f3 e4 40.e8+ b6 41.e3+ a6 42.xe4 d1+ 43.g1 d6 , and Black has excellent winning chances ) 34...c6 35.e2 e6 36.h3 with a continued complicated struggle ] 34.d8! Setting a nasty trap... c6?? [ ...which Topalov completely misses. A terrible blunder that loses the game on the spot. Instead 34...d5 would have lead to a draw by perpetual check: 35.xa5 xa5 36.e7+ , and Black's king can't escape the checks ] 35.f6+ g8 36.e6+ f8 37.g5! This may have been the move that Topalov missed when he played 34...Nc6?? 1-0
1011 Chernin,Alexander Bareev,Evgeny ECC Panormo GRE (5) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2601 2719 27.09.2001
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e3 b4 5.c2 xc3 6.xc3 e7 7.a3 d5 8.d4 exd4 9.xd4 xd4 10.xd4 0-0 11.d2!? A new move! d8 [ 11...c5 12.h4 dxc4 13.xc4 e6 wo u ld b e a n o t h e r, st a n d a rd m e t h o d o f treating this position. ] 12.b4 e8 13.c5 d7! 14.d3 b5 This simple plan either forces the exchange of the light-squared bishops, or obliges the white king t o st ay in t he cen tre a wh ile . 15.c2 W hite pref ers to keep his bishop pair. b6 16.a4 a6 17.f3 bxc5 18.xc5 d7! 19.f2 [ White has to part with his bishop pair all the same, 19.xd5? e5 20.b3 c6! 21.d4 xf3+ 22.gxf3 xf3 strips the white king bare. ] 19...xc5 20.xc5 d6 21.ac1 d4!? 22.exd4 e2+ 23.g3 [ The king has to try the other side of his kingside pawns, 23.g1?? e3# ] 23...d3 Cutting the bishop's control of g6, and therefore threatening ...Rg6+. 24.xd3 xd3 25.h3 d2 [ 25...d2 26.hg1 xb2 27.xc7 xd4 is level. ] ½-½
1012 Delchev,Aleksander Dabo Peranic,Robert 9th Open Bosnjaci CRO (4) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2583 2330 05.01.2003
Sometimes it is difficult to know how to react when your opponent offers to repeat a line you have already played - does he have a novelty prepared? 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.a3 e4 5.g5 e7 6.d3 exd3 7.xd3 It is strange that Delchev returns to the old move, when as we saw not so long ago, Beliavsky's move [ 7.e4! seems very effective: h6 8.f3 d5! 996
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 9.cxd5 xe4 10.e3 xc3 11.bxc3 e5 12.xd3 xd3+!? an attempted improvement on the ( 12...g4 of Beliavsky, A-Turov,M ) 13.xd3 d8 14.0-0 e7 15.c4 and White made his space advantage count, Delchev, A-Papa,S/Zurich SUI 2002. Perhaps Delchev feared an improvement on this game? ] 7...g6!? A new idea. [ 7...e5 is the normal choice: 8.c2 d6 9.e3 g6 as in Kortschnoj, V-Ivanchuk,V/ Roquebrune 1992, and others. ] 8.f3 g7 9.g5 e5! This unpins the knight and defends against the menace of Nd5. 10.xe5 xe5 11.f4! c5 12.0-0-0 0-0 13.h3 There is no rush, the immediate [ 13.e4 allows g4 ] 13...e8 14.e4 White has a serious space advantage, but the black position is solid. d6 15.g4 h6 16.h4 a5 Else b4 was always a potential problem. 17.h2! White develops his rook, but leaves the light-squared bishop on f1, to defend the c4-pawn. Note this also defends f2 in prophylactic fashion, so that Bf2 becomes possible. a4 Freeing the a5-square for the queen's retreat. [ 17...g5!? would be the sort of move Black would consider in a Sicilian-style position, to gain control of e5, but thanks to White's last move this would be answere d b y 18.f2 c6 19.g2 with nasty threats to the black queen. ] 18.c2!? a6?! An inventive move, but perhaps he should have considered [ 18...g5!? now, as 19.f2 ( 19.g3!? ) 19...a5 20.d4!? gxf4 21.f2 g5 is very playable. ] 19.f3! The queen frees the d-file, and lends her presence to the f-file, squelching Black's dreams of counterplay. d7 [ 19...g5?! is no longer feasible: 20.f2 a5 21.c5 ] 20.d5 This is good, but the more forcing [ 20.f2! a5 21.c5 is even better, xc5 22.xc5 dxc5 23.xa6 xa6 24.e5 and Black's compensation for the exchange is non-existent. ] 20...c6? Black cracks completely, [ 20...a8! keeps the game alive, although I know which colour I would prefer to have here! ]
21.c7 24.c5 1-0
e6
22.f2
a5
1013 Ehlvest,Jaan Harikrishna,Penteala FIDE World Cup Gp D (1) [Tony Kosten]
23.xe6
fxe6
A28 2600 2551 10.10.2002
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e4 b4 [ 4...c5! ] 5.d3 d6 6.g3 h6!? This is a very rare move, [ 6...c5 is the mainline (and holds very fond memories for me, see the eBook), whilst ] [ 6...0-0 is also common, with the follow-up 7.g2 xc3+ 8.bxc3 e8 9.0-0 f5 but after 10.exf5 xf5 11.h4 e6 12.f4! White is better. ] 7.g2 xc3+ Black opts to double the white pawns, but it concedes the bishop pair, and allows White to regain control of d4, he can also play for control of d4 by giving his other bishop: [ 7...g4 8.h3 xf3 9.xf3 a6 10.0-0 c5 11.g2 d4 but I prefer to have the two bishops here, Land enbergue,C-Lutz,C/ Garmisch 1994. ] 8.bxc3 e6 9.d2! A strong novelty, White plans Nf1-e3 in order to bring the knight to d5. Otherwise White can play the knight to f5: [ 9.b1 b6 ( 9...b8 10.0-0 0-0 11.h4 a6 12.a4! is similar, Tarasenko,A-Smirnov,Y/ M o s c o w 1 9 9 5) 10.0-0 ( 10.d2 could transpose to the game) 10...0-0 11.h4 b8 12.b2 ( 12.f4 is also possible, Black's problem is that he lacks meaningful counterplay) 12...g5?! 13.f5 xf5 14.exf5 e7 15.h4! with advantage, Hjelm, N-Plesec,D/ Budapest 1993. ] 9...h5!? 10.b1 b6 11.h4! White cannot allow the h-pawn to advance further. d7 12.f1 e7 13.e3 From e3 the knight does a f ine job cont rolling d5 a nd f 5, but als o defends c4 so that playing d4 becomes a possibility. f6 14.d4 f8 I always found, whenever I played this variation, that although the black position is super-solid, it is White who enjoys all the meaningful pawn breaks, 997
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 and the bishop pair are always useful. 15.b2 A standard plan in such positions, the darksqua red bisho p is f ine wh ere it is so th e queens' rook goes around it. c8 16.f4 Adding further pressure to the black centre. d7 17.a4 c6 18.d2 c7 19.a3 Now the bishop finds a good diagonal attacking d6, weakened by Black's 17th move. b5!? He could also have tried [ 19...c5 which blocks the a3-bishop although he probably didn't want to lose pawn control of d5. ] 20.d1!? An interesting pawn sac. [ 20.b4 was also strong. ] 20...bxc4 21.0-0 White has placed all his pieces on their ideal squares, and with the centre about to explode he can castle in safety. Note that Black is unable to castle kingside because of the weakness of his h-pawn. exf4 22.gxf4 f5?! A dubious move which just aids White in smashing the centre, [ 22...d8 is a better try, adding defence to d6, and waiting for White to decide how he will advance his big centre. ] 23.d5! [ 23.e5 d5 would suit Black fine. ] 23...cxd5 24.exf5! f7? Black is already in serious trouble, [ 24...xf5? loses to 25.xf5 xf5 26.e2+ d8 27.xd5 forking a8 and f5, but ] [ 24...b6!? was worth a shot, 25.d4 f7 and Black is still in with a shout. ] 25.xd5 xd5 26.xd5! White prefers to giv e h i s r o o k ra t h e r t h a n o n e o f h i s t wo massive bishops! 0-0 This is hopeless, but Black was lost anyway: [ 26...xd5 27.xd5 0-0-0 (forced) 28.a8+ b8 29.b1 d7 30.d5 is winning, Bxc4-a6 is the immediate threat. ] 27.xd6 b6+ 28.h1 xf5 29.xf5! xf5 30.xa8 d8 31.e4 xh4+ 32.g2 b5 33.e2 1-0
1014 Filippov,Valerij Joachim,Sven ECC Rethymnon GRE (7) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2630 2438 04.10.2003
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.e3 e7 A reasonable alternative to the ever-popular [ 4...b4 ] 5.d4 The whole point of 4 e3, White expands in the centre. We looked at [ 5.a3 in Agrest,E-Anand,V. ] 5...exd4 6.xd4 0-0 7.e2 d5 Black strikes b a c k i n t h e c e n t r e . T a l , wh o wo r k e d a s Karpov's second, revealed that this line was prepared for Karpov's match against Kortchnoi. . 8.xc6 White doubles the black pawns, but strengthens the centre. [ 8.cxd5 is fine for Black: b4! A) 9.e4?! xe4! 10.db5 ( 10.xe4?! xd5 11.f3 xd4! (the point) 12.xd4 c2+ 13.d2 xd4 should win) 10...f5 with a pleasant position for Black, Bagirov, V-Nei,I/URS 1979; B) 9.0-0 bxd5 10.xd5 xd5 11.b5 c6 12.xd5 xd5 13.d4 f6 14.d1 d8 with some pressure, Mikenas,V-Keres, P/Moscow 1950. ] 8...bxc6 9.0-0 d6 A second move of the bishop, but Black's plan revolves around an attack on the kingside - there is no white k n i g h t o n f 3 t o d e f e n d i t . 10.b3 e8 Karpov preferred [ 10...e7 which threatens the fork ...Qe5, h i t t in g h 2 a n d t h e kn i gh t o n c 3 , 11.b2 dxc4! Zaitsev's idea, ( 11...d8 12.cxd5 e5 13.g3 h3 14.e1 b4 15.c2 f5 16.c1 cxd5 17.f3 was fairly level in Keene,R-Jansson,B/Haifa 1976) 12.bxc4 b8! 13.c1 g4 14.g3 e8 15.d1?! xh2! and Black won a fine game in Timman,J-Karpov,A/Montreal 1979. ] 11.c2 e7 12.b2 dxc4 Zaitsev's plan works here, sa well. It looks illogical, but takes the pressure off the d5-pawn. 13.bxc4 [ 13.xc4 is positionally correct, but takes another piece away from the queenside, allowing e5 14.g3 h5 with a strong attack, ... Ng4 is the main threat, but ...Bg4f3 is also on the cards. ] 13...b8 All according to the Karpov recipe. 998
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 14.ab1!? Bolstering the b2-bishop, this is an attempted improvement on [ 14.fd1?! when e5 ( 14...g4 is a ls o in t e re st in g, a s 15.xg4 xg4 looks good for Black) 15.g3 g4 16.f3?! f6 17.g2 xf2+! 18.xf2 xf2 which looks winning, Stryjecki,M-Pinski,J/ Trzbinia 1999. ] 14...g4 This is just too easy for Black to play. 15.g3 Best. [ 15.h3? is a losing blunder: e5 16.g3 xe3 and the knight cannot be captured. ] [ 15.xg4 avoids immediate disaster, but after xg4 White will have to defend very well to avoid defeat, e.g. 16.a1 e5 17.g3 f5 winning a pawn. ] 15...xh2! Forcing a draw, at least. [ 15...e6 16.a1 h6 is also worth a try. ] 16.xh2 Forced, as [ 16.c5? loses to xf1 17.cxd6 xe3 hitting the queen, 18.fxe3 g5 ] 16...h4+ 17.g1 [ 17.g2 changes nothing, h3+ 18.g1 xg3 transposing. ] 17...xg3 18.fxg3 xg3+ 19.h1 h3+!? In view of the enormous rating difference Black decides to force a perpetual, but he could certainly play for more with [ 19...xe3! 20.e4 (there is nothing else) h4+ 21.g1 xe4 regaining one piece, but maintaining a strong attack and a number of pawns, 22.f3 g3+ 23.g2 e3+ etc. ] [ 19...e6 would win if White hadn't further defended his dark-squared bishop on move 1 4 , b u t n o w 20.h5 (the one and only move) h6 21.h2 xh2+ 22.xh2 xh5+ is unclear. ] 20.g1 g3+ 21.h1 h3+ ½-½
1015 Filippov,Valerij Svidler,Peter TCh Tomsk RUS (7) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2632 2695 20.05.2001
[ 8...e5 9.f4 was seen in the archives. ] 9.e3 e5 10.b5!? [ A sharp line, wasting more time chasing the c7-pawn, 10.f3 has been investigated in the archives, and is more positional. ] 10...d6 A good reaction, Black ignores the t h r e a t , a n d co n t i n u e s h i s d e ve l o p m e n t . 11.xf6 [ This is the whole point of White's play, of c o u r s e , a l t h o u g h t h e q u i e t 11.e2!? is possible, maintaining the 'threat', and vacating the f1-square for the king: g6 12.xf6 xf6 13.xc7 xc3+ 14.f1 b8 15.d5?! ( 15.b5!? e5 16.d4 wins the a or d pawn, and is worth consideration) 15...a5 16.h4 e6 17.h5 e5 18.h4 fe8 agreed drawn, Istratescu, A-Tkachiev,V/Ohrid MKD 2001, although Black might wish to continue. ] 11...xf6 [ 11...gxf6? is too ugly to contemplate. ] 12.xc7 f3+! The tactical justification of Black's tenth move! 13.e2 [ 13.gxf3? xc3+ 14.e2 xc4+ forks king and knight. ] 13...g4 'Protecting' the a8-rook by t h re a t e n i n g a d e a d ly d i sc o ve r e d c h e c k . 14.d5! xh2+! [ A novelty, previously Black had preferred 14...e5+ 15.e1 d8 16.d4 a5 17.e2 e6 18.e7+?! h8 19.f4 fe8! 20.fxe5 dxe5 left Black on top, Alterman,BHuebner,R/Yerevan 1996. ] 15.e1 g5 16.d4 xf1 17.xf1 e6 Black has regained his pawn and has the b e t t e r p a wn s t ru c t u r e . 18.d1 ac8!? P r o vo k i n g a s t r i n g o f p a wn e x c h a n g e s . 19.xa7 a8 20.b6 xa2 21.xd6 xd5 22.xd5 f6 23.f3 xc3 24.h4 a1 25.hd4 Having brought his king's rook into the game, White has equalised the position. fa8 26.xb7 ½-½
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.d4 exd4 5.xd4 b4 6.g5 h6 7.h4 xc3+ 8.bxc3 0-0 999
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 1016 Fritz 6a Junior 6.0 Cadaques Tournament (15) [Tony Kosten]
A28
26.01.2000
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e3 b4 5.c2 0-0 6.d5 e8 7.f5 d6 8.xf6+ xf6 9.xf6 gxf6 10.a3 c5 11.b4 b6 12.b2 a5 13.b5 e7 14.d4 Miles' move gets another outing. a4 [ 14...g4?! was the original Miles, ARodriguez,A game from Yopal 1997. ] 15.0-0-0 g6 16.h4 [ As I suggested in the archives an i m p r o v e m e n t o n W h i t e ' s 16.d2 of Agrest,E-Akopian,V/Ne w York 1998 , would be found at this point, however, I didn't imagine that it would be a computer which would do it! ] [ Incidentally, my version of Fritz6 prefers 16.e2 , here! ] 16...h5 Stopping the onward march of the hpawn, but the black h5-pawn will be a weakness. 17.e2 g7 18.h2! The knight will come to g3. h8 [ 18...xh4 19.f1 f5 20.xh5 might be a better choice. ] 19.f1 e7 20.g3 g6 [ 20...g4 21.xg4 hxg4 22.h5 is hardly The End of the World! ] 21.hf1 f5?? Such an ugly move, walking into an unbreakable pin. The computer sees that he won't lose the piece immediately, but doesn't see that he can never extract his pie c e s f ro m t he p in , it is ove r h is 'e ve n t horizon'. 22.d3 e8 23.h1 d5 24.cxd5 exd4 25.exd4 d8 26.he1 a7 27.e4 c6 Now Black sees that Rd3-f3 is menaced, and tries everything to avoid this, but only s u c c e e d s i n l o s i n g e ve n m o re m a t e ri a l . 28.dxc6 c7 29.d5 a5 30.cxb7 f4+ 31.c2 d7 32.d3 xb5 33.xf5 xf5 34.xf5+ xf5 35.e7 g6 36.f3 e5 37.xe5 fxe5 38.exf7 This sort of position is very easy for a computer. b6 39.e7 b8 40.g3+ h6 41.gg7 b5 42.d3 xd5+ 43.e4 c5 44.f3 c4+ 45.d5 xh4 46.g3 h3 [ 46...h3 47.xe5 threatens mate in two by Rh7+, and Reg7. Not one of Junior's
better performances, but, to be fair, this was one of only two Fritz wins, opposed to the six Junior victories. ] 1-0
1017 Gajewski,Grzegorz Tomczak,Jacek POL-ch Warsaw (9) [Fier, Alexandr]
A28 2629 2544 02.04.2014
An interesting game and I like White's idea. This variation is similar to a Paulsen with reversed colors, with the difference being that White didn't play a3 and also has the extra t e m p o o f t h e f ir st m o ve . W i t h t wo s m a l l inaccuracies Black's position simply collapsed. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.e3 White tries to enter a Sicilian with a tempo up. d5 [ 4...b4 is the main move and it was an a lyze d in G risch u k, A (2 7 8 5 )-G iri, A (2737)/FIDE GP Paris 2013 (8.5). ] 5.cxd5 xd5 6.b5 xc3 7.bxc3 d6 8.d4 So far everything is normal, and now Black has several alternatives. I'm not a fan of closing the center so quickly, but it's quite a popular idea in the Paulsen. e4 [ 8...d7 I like this move more. Compared with the position with reversed colors, the difference is that Black is not looking for an advantage, but only a way to equalize 9.0-0 0-0 and here 10.xc6 leads nowhere, White will miss the light squared bishop ( 10.e2 is better and the position is normal after e8 11.d5 e7 12.e4 Bachmann Schiavo, A (2519)-Cubas, J (2430)/Asuncion Roggio Cup 2008. ) 10...xc6 11.dxe5 xf3 12.xf3 xe5 13.a3 c5! 14.xc5 xh2+ 15.xh2 c7+ 16.g1 xc5 17.xb7 xc3 with a dead equal position Nikolaidis, I (2555)-Skembris, S (2463)/GRE-ch 62nd Athens 2012. ] [ 8...exd4 is another way to play, releasing the pressure, but it's not so nice to give the central pawns so easily 9.cxd4 0-0 10.0-0 f5 11.d3 and I think White already has a small advantage, Pala, V (2333)-Mudrak, J (2363)/CZE-chT2E 1011 2010 (5.1). ] 9.d2 g5 10.f1 It looks like Black did well 1000
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 from the opening, forcing the bishop to retreat to f 1, winning space and transferring the queen to an active position. However, things are not that clear, since the e4-pawn now a target and the bishop is much more useful on g2 than it was on b5. g6 11.g3 0-0 [ 11...h5 i s c o h e r e n t 12.g2 ( 12.h4 would probably be similar to the game, but White's light squares are slightly weakened) 12...f5 13.b3 h4 14.c4 hxg3 15.xd6+ cxd6 16.hxg3 xh1+ 17.xh1 f7 with a double edged position in Hess, R (2579)-Izoria , Z (2562)/USA tt ICC INT 2013. ] 12.g2 e8 13.0-0 g4?! There is no need for this move. [ 13...f5 was better. Probably Black was afraid of 14.f3 ( 14.b1 ab8 15.b5 d7 is a better version of the game, since the e4pawn is not threatened) 14...exf3 15.xf3 g4 16.f2 h5 17.e4 f6 18.b1 ab8 19.a4 a6 and White has a beautiful position, but the strong pawns can become weak at some point ] 14.c2 [ 14.b3! was better because of a nice trick ab8 ( 14...c8 15.b1; 14...b6 is maybe the best chance 15.xe4 a5 16.b1 f5 17.f3 and White is a bit cramped, but has a pawn up) 15.xe4 xe4 16.f3 e6 17.b1 and the rook ran out of squares ] 14...f5 15.b1 ab8 [ 15...b6 weakens the long diagonal, but it's not worse than the text 16.b5 d7 16 wit h t h e s a m e id e a o f t h e va ria t io n o n Black's move ] 16.b5! G o i n g f o r t h e s a c r i f i c e . a6? A mistaken judgement of the position. The bishop and central pawns more than compensate the rook, and I even think that Black is already close to lost after this move. [ 16...d7 was better. It looks like White is winning a pawn, but there are some problems on the way 17.xe4 ( 17.b1 d e f e n d s t h e ro o k b6 18.xe4 xd4 19.cxd4 xb5 20.xb5 xe4 21.xe4 xe4 22.b2 is ok for Black) 17...xe4! now it's Black's turn to sacrifice the exchange 18.xe4 xd4 19.xg6 hxg6 and the rook has no satisfactory place to go
20.a5 ( 20.b1 e2+ 21.g2 xc3 22.a1 e8 with full compensation) 20...c6 21.d5 e6 22.d3 and the rook i s t e r r i b l y p l a c e d e5 23.d4 b5 so the position is level ] 17.xf5 xf5 18.xe4 h5 19.g2 White's plan is quite easy: he just wants to start pushing pawns. Black has little to do against this, so White has a clear advantage. a5 Trying to create counterplay with ...c5. [ 19...g6 20.e4 f8 21.f4 is also not funny for Black ] 20.e4 c5 21.e5 f8 22.f3 g6 23.e4 h5 24.f3 cxd4 25.cxd4 c6 26.g2 f6 Black still tries to somehow combat White's center. [ 26...g6 would not help, since 27.b3 h6 28.d5 d8 ( 28...e7 29.xh6 xh6 30.xc6 wins ) 29.xh6 xh6 30.h4 g7 31.g5 e7 and Black is dominated ] 27.h3 f5 Now Black is lost. [ 27...h8 is the computer move, but White can just play without hurry 28.e3 bc8 ( 28...fxe5 29.g4 f7 30.g5 d7 31.b3 d8 32.xh7 e6 33.dxe5 and Black's position will fall soon) 29.b3 a n d B l a c k c a n n o t t a k e t h e p a w n fxe5? 30.g4 wins the queen ] 28.d5+ h8 29.g5 xd4 30.c4 c6 31.f7+ g8 32.xc6 1-0
1018 Gajewski,Grzegorz Volokitin,Andrei FRA-chT Top 12 (5.2) [Kosten, Tony]
A28 2641 2638 28.05.2014
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e3 b4 5.c2 xc3 6.bxc3!? I've often wondered ab ou t t h is m o ve , I kn ow it se em s o d d t o voluntarily recapture with a pawn after having defended the knight with the queen, but it's true that Black captures on c3 without being provoked, so White's not losing time, and he do e s give h imse lf a b igge r cen t re . S u b a consistently used this line over more than 30 years, although not with particularly good results. [ 6.xc3 is the mainline, of course, and 1001
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 we've covered it here on many occasions, but it is also a bit dull and drawish! ] 6...d6 This allows White to close the centre with e4. [ 6...e4 is a critical alternative, 7.g5 A) 7...d5 is normally met by A1) 8.b1!? is tricky: h6? 9.cxd5! hxg5 ( 9...xd5 10.b5 and e4 drops, is the point! ) 10.dxc6 bxc6 11.a3 stranding the king in the centre, and with his obvious structural advantage White was close to winning in Zagorskis, D (2515)-Sammalvuo, T (2395) Copenhagen 1998, 1-0 (36).; A2) 8.f3 exf3 ( 8...h6 9.cxd5 hxg5 10.dxc6 exf3 11.gxf3 bxc6 12.a3 d5 13.e4 White's bishops and centre leave him on top, Persson, J-Svensson, L (2285) Lidkoeping 1994, 1-0 (29).) 9.xf3 g4 10.a3 d7 11.d4 ( 11.cxd5 xd5 12.b3 xf3 13.c4 d7 14.gxf3 a5 regains one 'small exchange', with a good game, Lukin, A (2470)-Rekhmann, P Moscow 1990, but 1-0 (38). ) 11...0-0-0 12.a4 xd4 13.xd7+ xd7 14.cxd4 e8 is fine for Black, Shimanov, A (2649) Pa la c , M (25 6 1 ) Ye re van 2 0 1 4 , 0 -1 (46).; B) 7...e7 8.f3 (White can't allow his knight to be kicked back by ...h6.) exf3 9.xf3 d6 ( 9...0-0 10.e2 d6 t r a n s p o s e s .) 10.e2 0-0 11.0-0 Reaching a key position, White has more cen tral p awns, an op en f -f ile an d th e bishop pair, but his centre is a bit unwieldy and Black has free play for his pieces. g4 12.d3 White will continue e4 to free his dark square bishop. ( 12.b1 b6 13.d3 is similar, Suba, M (2501)-Mishuchkov, N (2379) Condino 2009, 0-1 (38).) 12...d5 ( 12...fe8 13.e4 h6 14.b1 ab8 15.h3 d7 Poloch, P (2264)-Sosovicka, J (2149) Frydek Mistek 2011, 1-0 (39), 16.d4!? to f5. ) 13.cxd5 ( Houdini likes 13.d4! e.g. ae8 14.cxd5 xd5 15.e4! ) 13...xd5 14.d2! ( 14.e4? c5+ ) 14...f5! (else e4) 15.c4 ( 15.h3 h5 16.d4? loses material to xe2 17.xc6 bxc6 18.xe2 xc3 19.c2 d5 20.xc6 xe3 although White has good chances to
hold, Kovalevskaya, E (2427)-Turova, I (2384) St Petersburg 2009, 1/2-1/2 (52).) 15...f6 16.h3 h5 17.b1 b6 18.h4 g6 19.b2 xe2 20.xe2 h5?! ( 20...d7 21.f3 ae8 ) 21.xf5! xf5 22.xf5 g3 ( 22...gxf5 23.xh5 ) 23.f3 xf5 24.d5+ f8 25.xc6 Nikolaidis, I (2493)-Brkic, A (2568) Leros 2010, 1-0 (32), when Black should prefer xe3+ 26.h1 d8 27.xc7 xd3 28.e1 d7 29.e5 g7! with chances to defend. ] [ 6...0-0 is the most common, 7.d3 ( after 7.e4! d6 we transpose below.) 7...d6 8.e2 e7 9.d2!? ( 9.e4 is more thematic, e8 10.0-0 f5 11.exf5 xf5 Kovacevic, B (2440)-Ruck, R (2485) St Veit 1998, 1/2-1/2 ( 2 1 ) , w h e n 12.b1 b6 13.g5 f6 14.h4 and Bf3 might give White a small edge. ) 9...g4!? 10.e4 f5 11.xg4 fxg4 12.f1 e6 13.e3 a6 14.a4 a5 15.d5 d7 16.e3 e7 17.0-0 g6 with good p la y, K i n g, D (2 5 6 0 )- K o s t e n , A (2 5 1 0 ) Hastings 1990, 1/2-1/2 (33). ] 7.e4 Positionally this seems right to me. White will continue with d3 when his wall of pawns on light squares stymie the black bishop while increasing the power of his own dark square bishop. h5 This might not be a good idea as White will play g3 and Be2 anyway. [ 7...0-0 is normal, A) 8.e2 h5 ( 8...e7 9.d4 g6 10.0-0 e7 11.d3 h6 looks more like a Nimzo-Indian! Bocharov, D (2600)Matlakov, M (2668) Tyumen 2012, 1-0 (40). ) 9.d4 f4 10.xf4 exf4 11.h4 e8 12.d3 g4 13.g1 f5 14.f1 is t yp ically b izarre p la y f rom Ric h a rd Rapport! Rapport, R (2621)-Zaragatski, I (2460) Germany 2013, but he won, of course! 1-0 (69).; B) 8.g3 now Black has a wide choice of moves, but here plans are more important, and White's plan is to play Nh4, Bg2, d3, 0-0, but he might also try d4 and Be2 depending on Black's play. Black, meanwhile, will often seek to play ...f5. h8 ( 8...a6 9.a4 a5 10.d3 h5 11.e2 g4 12.h3 d7 Suba, M (2470)Romanishin, O (2580) Yerevan 1980, 0-1 ( 4 1 ) , w h e n 13.xe5!? dxe5 14.xh5 1002
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 is perfectly playable.; 8...e8 is thematic, p l a n n i n g . . . f 5 , 9.h4 e7 Suba, M (2535)-Komarov, D (2580) Sovata 1998, 1/2-1/2 (40), 10.g2 b6 11.0-0 with a slight plus.; 8...h5 was the move order of Suba-Sutter, and transposes to the text.) 9.h4 g8 10.g2 ge7 11.d3 f5 this is always a go o d wa y t o g e t c o u n t e r p l a y i n s u c h po s it ion s , 12.g5 fxe4 13.xe4 e8 14.b1 b8 15.0-0 h3 16.fe1 f5! 17.g2 with an edge, Banikas, H (2535)Ivanisevic, I (2460) Dos Hermanas 2000, 1-0 (55). ] 8.g3 0-0 [ 8...g4 9.h4 g6 10.d3 h6 11.b1 b6 12.h3 d7 13.d1 g7 14.g2 e6 15.e3 f8 16.g2 h5 17.h4 b8 18.d5 after a period of 'manoeuvering knights around', White has some advantage as it is difficult to shift his knight from d5 wi t h o u t t h e w e a k e n i n g . . . c 6 , S u b a , M (2512)-Conquest, S (2514) Calvia 2005, 1/ 2-1/2 (43). ] 9.h4 Heading for f5, and stopping Black f ro m p la yi n g t h e f re e in g . . . f 5 m o ve . e7 Fighting for the ...f5 advance. [ 9...g6?! looks too weakening without a dark square bishop, 10.d3 f5 11.exf5 gxf5 12.h6!? ( 12.e2 g7 13.f4 a n d 0 - 0 l o o k s s o m e wh a t s i m p l e r , wi t h advantage.) 12...g7 13.f4 ( 13.g2 f6 ) 13...e8 14.0-0-0 led to sharp play in Suba, M (2475)-Sutter, O (2310) Bern 1995, 1-0 (49). ] 10.e2 f6 Black has to retreat, and has lost two tempi. 11.d3 g6 12.g2! This knight is heading for e3 where it surveys f5 and d5. h3 13.e3 d7 14.g1! Typical Gajewski, with the centre closed he launches a kingside attack. h5!? Fighting for control of g4, but weakening the king's shield. 15.d1 g4 16.f5 f6 17.g4! This came as a big surprise when I wandered over to see how my team mate was doing in this crunch match. hxg4 18.xg4! The point, White sacrifices the exchange for a strong, maybe winning, attack. [ 18.g5 is also interesting, h7 19.e3 g3 20.xg3 ] 18...xg4 19.xg4 d5 This looks a bit
desperate, but Black must find some counterplay. [ 19...xg4 20.xg4 threatening Nh6+, ad8 21.h4 and there is no defence to h5, winning the knight. ] [ 19...c6 looks reasonable, intending ...d5, but 20.g5! xg4 21.xg4 ad8 22.f6!! is winning, gxf6? 23.h5 and Qh6-g7. ] 20.cxd5 xd5 21.g5!? More really imaginative play, White intends Qf3 and then Nxg7. [ 21.g3 was also promising, if less flashy, as Black must stop the simple h4-h5 winning the g7-pawn. ] 21...xc3 22.f3 b5 [ 22...b5 23.d2! b2 24.c1 White threatens Rxg6! b1 25.e3 c6 26.e2 xe2+ 27.xe2 a3 28.h4 and h5. ] 23.xg7! d4 The only chance. [ 23...xg7? 24.f6+ g8 25.h3 forces xg4 ] 24.h3 f5 Andrei keeps finding resources. 25.xf5 xf5 26.exf5 xf5 27.0-0-0 The king looks pretty exposed over on the queenside, but Black's pieces are tied to the o t h e r w i n g . ae8 I couldn't find anything better: [ 27...f3 28.h6 c6+ 29.c4 d6 30.g1 f7 31.h7+ e8 32.e3 is crushing, as is ] [ 27...a5 28.d2 a6 29.dg1 ] 28.e3? Spoiling a beautiful attack. [ 28.dg1 is obvious, and winning: e6 29.d2 and there is no satisfactory defence t o Q h 6 a n d t h e c a p t u r e o n g 6 , a s ff6 30.xg6+ xg6 31.xf5 ] 28...e6! 29.g3 [ 29.dg1 xd3 30.xg6+ xg6 31.e6+ g7 and White can only draw, by 32.e7+ f7 33.xe5+ ] [ 29.g2 is better, though not enough to win. ] 29...a6 30.h4 ff6 Planning some checks on the 6th rank. 31.d2 f7 Andrei was mightily relieved to have saved this! Still, it was a shame for Gajewski who played fantastically well. ½-½
1003
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 1019 Ghaem Maghami,Ehsan Hernandez,Holden III Open Calvia ESP (6) [John Watson]
A28 2581 2524 25.10.2006
White has the usual problem of trying to get something out of a Reversed Sicilian. The way the game goes is promising but the players agree to a draw in an interesting position. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.d3 b4 5.d2 A reverse Moscow Variation (1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 Bb5+ Nc6). White has had a difficult time getting anywhere in this position, but the course of this game is original. 0-0 6.e3 e8 Setting up a possible ...e4. He might also play .. .Bxc3, when Bxc3 doesn't threaten the epawn. [ 6...d5 7.cxd5 xd5 is reasonable. White can try to set up a typical Sicilian formation by 8.c2 ] [ 6...xc3 7.xc3 e8 8.e2 d5 9.cxd5 xd5!? is also possible, with another position from the Sicilian reversed in which Black would normally castle queenside. Black is generally okay in these positions but at least this is all interesting stuff to play. ] 7.e2 d6 [ A more ambitious line is 7...xc3 8.xc3 d5 9.cxd5 xd5 10.c1 ( or 10.c2!? f5 11.d1 ) 10...xc3 11.xc3 e6 12.a3 would be a typical line. ] 8.0-0 f5 9.c1 [ 9.d5!? xd2 10.xd2 is another way to play it. Then xd5 11.cxd5 e7 12.c1 puts a little pressure on Black ( 12.b3 c6! is messy )] 9...xc3 10.xc3 e4 11.d4! xd4 12.xd4 b6 13.dxe4 xe4 [ 13...xe4 14.f3 and e4 is similar. ] 14.f3 g6 15.d2 d7 16.e4 a5 Versus b4. 17.fe1 [ 17.a3? a4 ] 17...f6 18.b3 e7 19.f1 White soon stops trying, apparently thinking that the e5 blockade won't be broken down and tha t other advances will be weakening. But two bishops and a space advantage should count for something, especially in a semi-closed position in which Black can do little else but wait around. Here's a good place to take a
look at alternatives. Clearly White will have to attack Black's pawn structure by one of e5, g5 or c5, or at least cause f avourable pawn t r a n s f o r m a t i o n s a l o n g t h e wa y. I f B l a c k follows the plan in the game, the move e5 will be almost impossible to enforce, because f4 will lose White's e-pawn. The g5 option is not unthinkable, and even the idea of trying to lock the kingside (by, for example, h4-h5, provoking ...h6) and then proceed on the queenside makes sense. The most ambitious plan involving attack on Black's king would be to bring W hite's king all the way to the queenside(!) and then throw the kingside pawns forward, with an emphasis on the move g5. All these strategies are possible, but rather exotic. The next thing to do is look at queenside expansion and in fact it looks fairly easy and almost risk-free to enforce the move b4. For example: I'm sure that this isn't best play for either side, but you get the idea. At any rate, White doesn't attempt to do anything and the game is quickly drawn. [ a) 19.b2 f8 20.a3 c5 ( 20...ae8 21.b4 axb4 22.axb4 f5 23.exf5 xf5 24.c3 ) 21.d1 ae8 22.b4 ] [ b) 19.c3 f8 20.a3 c5 21.d1 ( or 21.d1 , and if a4?! , 22.b4 b3 23.b1 f5 24.d5+ h8 25.exf5 xf5 26.d3 ) 21...f7 ( 21...d7 22.d4 f5 23.c2! fxe4 24.xe4 xe4 25.xe4 ) 22.b4 axb4 23.axb4 e6 24.c2 ee8 25.f4! ] 19...f8 20.f2 [ 20.f2 ae8 21.g3 e5 22.h3 ] 20...ae8 1/2-1/2 ½-½
1020 Grischuk,Alexander Giri,Anish FIDE GP Paris (8.5) [Fier, Alexandr]
A28 2785 2737 30.09.2013
Grischuk goes for an old line that even nowadays doesn't have a clear verdict. Giri plays 14...Ng6 instead of the critical 14...a4 and after one superficial idea got into big trouble. Also interesting is the sub-line with 8... gxf6. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e3 b4 5.c2 0-0 1004
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 5...xc3 6.xc3 e7 is the main line and some recent games went to an unclea r endgame after 7.e2 d5 8.0-0 d4 9.exd4 exd4 10.a3 xa3 11.bxa3 f5 and here 12.e1 was played in Short, N (2698)Rublevsky, S (2693)/Poikovsky Karpov 13th 2012. ( 12.b2 was seen in a blitz game Dubov, D (2624)-Karjakin, S (2772)/Moscowch blitz 67th 2013. )] 6.d5 e8 7.f5 d6 8.xf6+ xf6 This move is the mainline and tries to compensate the bad structure with a development advantage. [ 8...gxf6 looks more logical, winning a tempo and keeping the queens on to open the position, and leads to big complications. Still, sometimes Black is afraid of an attack on the kingside. A) 9.h5 is played much more, A1) 9...e4 10.a3!? the basic idea is to make Black spend one more tempo (with ...d5 in order to play ...Bf8 A1a) 10...c5 11.b4 b6 ( 11...exf3 12.bxc5 e5 13.xf3 ) 12.b2! exf3 13.gxf3 with a strong attack; A1b) 10...exf3 11.gxf3!? e5! ( 11...c5 12.g1+ and White is b e t t e r i n t h e c o m p l i c a t i o n s h8 13.h6 g8 14.xg8+ xg8 15.d3 f5 16.b4 e5 17.b2! with a strong attack xd3+? 18.e2 followed by 19.Rg1+ winning.) 12.g1+ g5 13.xg5+ fxg5 14.d3!? not in hurry to take the bishop! f6 ( 14...c5 15.xh7+ f8 16.h6+ e8 17.b4 b6 18.b2 with good c o m p e n s a t i o n) 15.axb4 xb4 16.xh7+ f8 17.e4 which is unclear.; A2) 9...d5!? 10.d3 entering a dangerous line e4 11.cxd5 looks kind of p r e c a r i o u s f o r W h i t e a f t e r f8! to keep the light squares open, ( 11...exd3 12.dxc6 bxc6 13.b3 is goo d f or W hit e) 12.xe4 xe4 13.dxc6 d3 ( 13...bxc6 14.0-0 g4 15.a5 xf3 16.gxf3 c8! draws. ) 14.h3 bxc6 15.g1 with the 16.Qe2 idea is totally unclear.; B) 9.c2!? is quite interesting, it was only played 3 times but it's no worse than the
main line. B1) 9...d5 i s b e t t e r a g a i n : 10.cxd5 xd5 11.c4 ( 11.a3 f8 12.c4 f5 13.d3 d7 14.e4 is slightly better for White ) 11...f5! 12.xf5 xc4 13.xf6 ad8 14.f5 d4 15.exd4 exd4+ 16.d1 d3 17.g5+ f8 18.h6+=; B2) 9...e4 10.a3!? is a similar idea to the one used in the 9.Qh5 line ( 10.g1 d5 11.a3 f8 is Kharlov, A-Korotylev, A, in the PGN Archive.; 10.h4 is not so good, the knight strays a bit out of play here, f5 11.g3 d5 and Black is fine.) 10...c5 ( 10...exf3 11.axb4 xb4 12.c3 fxg2 13.xg2 a5 14.g1 g i v e s W h i t e g o o d c o m p e n s a t i o n) 11.g1 d5 12.b4 now the bishop reaches f8 with more one tempo, f8 13.cxd5 xd5 14.e2 with good chances for an edge, since both the bishop and the knight have good squares to go to. ] 9.xf6 gxf6 10.a3 c5 11.b4 b6 12.b2 a5 13.b5 e7 14.d4 The most active move. Now White is threatening 15.c5! and if 15... Ba7 16.b6! with a picturesque structure! [ 14.a4 avoids 14...a4, but now the bishop can go to b4: c5! 15.e2 c6 was ok for Black in Hansen, C (2590) -Gurevich, M (2605)/Antwerp 1993. ] [ 14.g4 is an original move, avoiding ... Bg4 ideas and looking for kingside expansion. It wa s a n a l yze d f o r C h e s s P u b l i s h i n g i n Bosboom, M (2476)-Podgaets, M (2490)/ VAM Open Hoogeveen NED 1999. ] 14...g6 This is not the critical variation, but it's possible that Giri was not so well prepared in this specific line. [ 14...a4 opening an important diagonal for Black's bishop 15.0-0-0 A) 15...a5 allows the Nd2-e4 plan, 16.d2 g4?! 17.f3 f5 ( 17...c8 18.e4 g7 19.g4 with a comfortable position for White) 18.g4 g6 19.e4 and White has good prospects.; B) 15...g6 16.e2!? the most flexible, b e i n g a b l e t o a n s w e r ( 16.d2 is looking to play Ne4, but there is no time for this exd4 17.xd4 xd4 18.exd4 c6 and Black is fine, Agrest, E (2525)Akopian, V (2660)/New York op 1998 .; 1005
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 16.h4 h5 was also analyzed in Fritz 6aJunior 6.0/Cadaques Tournament 2000.) 16...g4 with 17.h3 is an interesting option and worth trying. ] 15.a4 I like this move, now any counterplay o n t h e q u e e n s i d e i s m o r e d i f f i c u l t . g4 Usually in these positions it's good for White to exchange the knight on f3 since the g-file will be opened and Black's bishop will be missing. 16.0-0-0 exd4 Trying to define everything quickly, but the resulting position is just sad for Black. [ 16...c6 is logical, trying to open the position on the queenside, but W hite still has the better chances after 17.h3 e6 ( 17...xf3 18.gxf3; 17...d7 18.dxe5 wins a pawn) 18.d2 this is one of the key plans for White, e 4 i s a g o o d s q u a r e f o r t h e k n i g h t , f5 ( 18...exd4 19.e4! this is the difference, in the Agrest game, Black's bishop was not in the way g7 20.xd4 xd4 21.xd4 with a clear advantage) 19.c5 dxc5 20.dxe5 and W hite plans to put the knight on c4 a n d e xc h a n g e o n c6 , b re a k in g B la ck' s structure. Probably this is enough for some advantage, but Black has some active pieces too. ] [ 16...e4 doesn't win a piece because of the simple 17.h3 and after xf3 18.gxf3 exf3 19.g1 will recover the pawn with a clear advantage. ] 17.xd4 xd4 18.xd4 xf3?! Now Black has no active plan and the knight has no good square. Even if the position is defensible it's not an easy task. [ 18...e6 keeping the bishop is better 19.e2 ( 19.b6 is premature ac8 20.bxc7 xc7 21.xd6 e5 with counterplay.) 19...e5 20.b2 gives White some advantage because of the structure. ] 19.gxf3 b6 20.f4 It's clearly visible that the bishop is better than the knight and the light square weaknesses are soon going to be decisive. e7 [ 20...f5 ties the knight to the defence of the f5-pawn, 21.d3 e7 22.g1+ h8 23.g3 ] 21.g2 ab8 [ 21...ad8 is basically the same, 22.d5 ] 22.d5 This move gives Black a choice, and I'm not sure if it's really necessary, but since
the choice is between two unpleasant positions, Black is still under pressure. f8 [ 22...xd5 would be my choice, but Black s t i l l h a s p r o b l e m s t o s o l v e 23.cxd5 ( 23.xd5 e4! ) 23...f5 with the idea of exchanging one rook, which makes the defence of c7 easier 24.c4 bc8 25.d2 e4 26.hc1 xc4 27.xc4 f8 28.d3 now Black's king can't both control c7 and stop an invasion on the g-file at the same time e7 29.c1 d7 30.g1 and move by move White can improve his position. ] 23.g1+ h8 24.dd1 xd5 25.xd5 Now this is possible, there is no ...Re4. g8 26.g3 g6 27.h5! Avoiding any counterplay, now W hite is ready for a royal march. [ 27.d2 h6! 28.h3 g8 and White can't defend the kingside in a satisfactory way. ] 27...g7 28.d2+And there is nothing B l a c k c a n d o a g a i n s t K - d 4 - d 5 - c 6 . h8 29.d3 xg3 30.hxg3 f5 31.xf5 h5 32.e4 h4 33.gxh4 xh4 34.d5 h1 This game shows that this endgame can be re a l ly d a n g e ro u s f o r B la c k if n o t p l a ye d correctly. A nice victory from Grischuk! 1-0
1021 Gritsak,Orest Sokolov,Ivan ECC Halkidiki GRE (2) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2542 2677 23.09.2002
This game is instructive for two reasons: Firstly, the B lack piece set -up out of th e opening, which is worth remembering as it is often playable, and secondly, the poor White 27th move which breaks one of the basic chess rules, and hastens White's defeat. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.d3 I have played this solid move a few times myself, but I feel that is less interesting than the various alternatives. b4 The standard move, [ 4...d5 is possible but Black plays a Sicilian position with a tempo less. ] 5.d2 e7!? Normally Black prefers [ 5...0-0 and then ...Re8, but here Sokolov has other ideas - he prefers to bring his 1006
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 king's rook to the d-file to pressurise d3. ] 6.e3 0-0 7.e2 xc3 8.xc3 d5! I have been unable to find another example of t h i s m o v e a n y wh e r e , a l t h o u g h i t s e e m s perfectly logical. Previously: [ 8...d6 9.0-0 e8 10.b3 h6 11.a3 a5 is a solid line, but White's bishop pair confer a long-term edge, Ubilava,E-Monakov,A/ Rostov 1976, whilst ] [ 8...e4!? 9.g5 exd3 10.xd3 e5 11.c2 d6 12.0-0 h6 13.f3 only opens the position for White's bishops, Nei,I-Lehto, V/Espoo 1989. ] 9.cxd5 xd5 10.0-0 d8 This is the aggressive 'raison d'etre' of Black's opening play, the opposition of rook and white queen already throw up certain tactical possibilities. 11.a4 d6 And now Black prepares to double rooks, and can also swing this over to the kingside. 12.ac1 f5 13.fd1 [ 13.e4? f4 ] 13...ad8 Black has achieved a strong set-up at the cost of the bishop pair, and he has strong pressure on the d-file. Still, we know from experience that W hite's extra central pawn in such Sicilian positions is a useful plus. 14.e1!? This appears overly passive to me. e4!? 15.dxe4 xe4 The bishop point s men acin gly a t g2 . 16.f3 xc3 Black elects to take this before it decides to go away! 17.bxc3 h6 18.xd6 xd6 19.d1 xd1+ 20.xd1 b6 After the mass of exchanges on the d-file Black has a tiny edge because of the extra white pawn island. 21.a4 a5 22.d2 d5 23.f3 e6 24.b3 xb3 25.axb3 White has managed to 'iron-out' his queenside pawn structure, but the draw is still far from sure, as Black has a queenside pawn majority which will prove useful in any subsequent endgame. a5 26.h4 g6 27.h5? White should no better than to put his pawns on light squares when he has a light-squared bishop! g5 28.c6 d6 29.b4 W hite had to free his queen from the b3pawn's d ef ence, even th ought th is help s Black create a passed pawn. e5 30.bxa5 bxa5 31.c4 Another pawn on a light square, but this time White had little choice, as [ 31.d4? xd4 32.cxd4 b3 wins a piece, as otherwise ...a4-a3-a2 is unstoppable. ] 31...c5 32.b5 c6 The simplest. 33.xc6
[ 33.a6? b6 ] 33...xc4 Black forces the exchange of queens as he has two trumps in the ending: the passed a-pawn, and the target on h5. 34.xc4 xc4 35.a4 f6 36.f4?! This doesn't help matters, [ 36.f3 was necessary, to defend the h-pawn with g4, f7 37.f2 e6 Black is clearly better, but White can still play on. ] 36...f7 [ 36...e2! is even simpler, 37.e8 d1 and Black proceeds with ...a4, Bb3, a3-a2. ] 37.fxg5 fxg5 [ after 37...fxg5 Black's position is hopeless, e.g. 38.g4 e6 39.d1 g7 or ( 39...f7 40.f2 a4 41.xa4 xg4 and ...Bxh5) 40.f2 d7 41.e1 a4 42.d2 f6 43.c3 a3 44.e2 ( 44.b3 a4+! ) 44...e6 ] 0-1
1022 Gurevich,Mikhail Bareev,Evgeny Corus Wijk aan Zee NED (4) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2641 2707 16.01.2002
The reason I gave-up playing 4 d4 was this sharp line for Black. I couldn't find anything f o r W h it e , b u t p e rh a p s G u re vich c a n d o better? 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.d4 exd4 5.xd4 b4 6.g5 h6 7.h4 0-0!? [ A critical line, Black plays dynamically and aims for a lead in development. 7...xc3+ is the traditional move, doubling the pawns at the cost of the bishop pair, and we have already analysed this in Zvjaginsev,V-Van W ely,L, and more recently in Filippov,VSvidler,P. ] 8.c1 White doesn't give Black a second chance to double the pawns. e8 9.e3 xd4! Black draws the white queen to an exposed square, [ 9...e4 is less effective: 10.xf6 xf6 11.db5 d8 12.e2 a6 13.a3 xc3+ 14.xc3 White is better, Kosten,A-Moen,O/ Slough 1997. ] 10.xd4 c5! T h e p o i n t . 11.d1 g5 Black has to break the pin to play his next 1007
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 move. 12.g3 d5 13.cxd5 xd5 14.xd5 xd5 The key position, Black's kingside weaknesses have less importance in the end gam e, wh ich is why he was ha ppy t o exchange queens. 15.h4 [ 15.b5 d8 16.h4 g7!? ( 16...g4 would transpose) 17.hxg5 hxg5 18.e4 xc3 19.e5+ f6 20.xc3 is level, Zvjaginsev,V-Chernin,A/Portoroz 1997. ] 15...g4! Black continues to develop quickly. 16.hxg5!? This seems new, although the contours of the position are similar. [ I preferred 16.b5 when I had this position, ed8 17.f3 d7 18.xd7 xd7 19.e4 ( in Gelfand,B-Kortschnoj,V/Groningen 1996 (by transposition), White played 19.hxg5!? instead, xc3+ 20.bxc3 xe3 21.f2 xg2+ 22.f1 f4 unclear ) 19...xc3+ 20.bxc3 f4 21.xf4 gxf4 22.d1 which is equal, although I went on to win the rook and pawn ending, Kosten, A-Degraeve, J/Belfort 1997. ] 16...hxg5 17.b5 Incidentally, Gurevich was also playing in the Belfort GM tournament, an d wo uld ce rt ainly ha ve see n my gam e against Degraeve. e7! Black is on his toes. [ The idea behind the immediate capture on g5 is shown by 17...ed8 18.f3 when d7? is no longer possible: ( 18...e6 ) 19.e5 f6 20.c4 winning a pawn. ] 18.f3! White needs to drive the black pieces away. a6 [ 18...xe3+? 19.f2 xc3 20.bxc3 e6 21.c4 wins material. ] 19.f1 The only square. [ 19.e2? xe3 20.f2 xc3+ 21.bxc3 xc3 22.xc3 xc3 23.fxg4 e8 ] 19...e6 20.e4 f4 21.a3 a5 22.f2 b6 23.e3 White threatens g3, he has solidified his central position and his king will be wellplaced in the centre, whilst his rook can use the open h-file. d7! 24.d1 [ Now 24.g3 allows d3+ ] 24...ad8 25.xd7 xd7 26.xf4 W h i t e s im p l if i e s , b u t a n ywa y h e c a n n o t maintain any advantage. gxf4 27.xa6 [ The f4-pawn is poisoned: 27.h4?! b5! 28.xf4? c7 29.f6 g3+ 30.e2 c4+ ] 27...xc3+ 28.bxc3 a7 29.b5 xa3 30.d2 a2+ 31.d3 xg2 32.h4 b2 33.c4 b5 A drawn rook and pawn endgame
is reached. ½-½
1023 Hansen,Curt Dautov,Rustem Julian Borowski A (3) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2618 2602 29.04.2000
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.e3 b4 5.c2 xc3 6.xc3 e7 7.e2 White perseveres with this move. 0-0 8.0-0 [ 8.d3 was played in the archives. ] 8...d5 [ Perfectly normal, but what had White p l a n n e d o n 8...e4 ? Smyslov, V-Gipslis,A/ USSR 1975, continuing: 9.e1 d5 10.b3 d8 11.c2 g4 12.a3 e6 with a good position for Black. ] 9.d4 [ Probably best, after 9.d3 e4 10.d2 e5 11.b3?! exd3 12.xd3 xd3 13.xd3 dxc4 14.xc4 d8 Black had equalised in Maksimenko,A-Dvoirys,S/Moscow 1991. ] 9...exd4 10.xd4 xd4 11.xd4 c5 12.f4 This position greatly resembles that reached after 7 a3, except that W hite has gained a bishop move for pawn-a3, but it won't change much. dxc4 [ A l o g i c a l i n n o v a t i o n , b u t 12...e6 is not bad, by any means, 13.cxd5 xd5 14.e5 ad8 15.d2?! f4!? ( 15...g4! 16.xe7 xe7 17.xg4 xd2 looks good) 16.exf4 xd2 and this is not unpleasant for Black, Ksieski,Z-Kaminski,M/Suwalki 1999. ] 13.xc4 e6 Reaching a known position (for instance Timman,J-Balashov,Y/W ijk 1982) except that the a-pawn is normally on a3, not a2! 14.b3 xc4 15.xc4 e5 16.b1 e4 With this little manoeuvre Black exchanges queens. 17.xe4 xe4 18.f3 c3 19.b2 fd8 Black lays first claim to the open d-file. 20.c2 d3 21.d2 White finally manages to d r i v e t h e k n i g h t a w a y . b5 22.xc5 This leads to a drawn position, but other moves would have allowed Black the advantage. xd2 23.xb5 c8! Activity is most important in such endings, the rooks will double on the second rank. 24.xb7 g6 25.h1 1008
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ How else to defend the g-pawn? 25.b4?! d7 12.d4 exd4 13.xd4 c5 14.f5 f6 cc2 26.g4 xa2 leaves White passively when Black's active pieces hold the balance, placed. ] Renet,O-Ristic,N/ Dortmund 1989, 1/2-1/2 25...cc2 26.g1 xa2 27.h4 Black can win (44). ] the b-pawn at his leisure, when the position is 10...xg2?! drawn. [ An exceedingly hopeful exchange sacrifice, ½-½ either 10...b4 11.axb4 xb7 12.0-0 xb4 or ] [ 10...xe3 11.dxe3 xb7 should have been preferred, when White has the better 1024 A28 pawn structure, but Black can count on his Harikrishna,Penteala 2354 two bishops. ] Dao Thien Hai 2550 Goodricke Open (8) 13.02.2000 11.xd5 [ Naturally, if 11.xa8?! xh1 White has [Tony Kosten] nothing. ] 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.a3 11...xd5 [ Forced, 11...xh1? 12.xe7+ xe7 This is a perfectly sensible move, stopping ... 13.xh1 wins two pieces for a rook. ] Bb4, and preparing c2 for the white queen, just like a Sicilian (with colours reversed). d5 12.xa8 xa8 13.g1 f3 Black wishes to 5.cxd5 xd5 6.c2 e7 7.e3 Indeed, the play ...e4, and play on the light squares, but f5 players ha ve reache d a perf ectly norma l he does not have enough time. 14.d3 Sicilian position, where White has an extra 15.e4!? [ White fights for the light squares, at the cost tempo. 0-0 of a certain loosening of his centre. 15.b4 [ Simpler than 7...a6 , which allowed White a appears to be simpler, e4 16.c4+ f7 very active position after 8.xd5 xd5 17.b2 ] 9.d3 d7 10.b4 e6 11.b2! A) 11...xb4? fails to 12.c4 g4 15...h8 16.e3 fxe4 17.dxe4 d6 18.g3 13.axb4 xg2 14.e4!! ( 14.e2 ) a5 19.c1 h4 [ 19...a8 i s s t r o n g e r , 20.c6 xc6 14...xh1+ ( 14...f5 15.d5 xh1+ 21.xc6 xe4 recuperating one pawn, with 16.e2 g2 17.g1 h3 18.f7+ d8 gain of tempo, although the ending is 19.xg7 also wins ) 15.e2 g2 16.g1 certainly favourable for White. ] h3 17.xf7+ d8 18.xe5 xe5 19.xe5 c8 20.xg7 when the black 20.h3 h6 [ Now, 20...xe4 21.xe4 xe4 is met by king is hardly likely to survive very long.; 22.c5 exchanging one of the bishops, and B) 11...f5!? Chernin, A-Hertneck,G/ W hite is well on top. Still, in seeking to Austria 1993, as the tactic ] avoid exchanges, and maintain the initiative, 8.b5 B l a c k o n l y s u c c e e d s i n wo r s e n i n g h i s [ Pressurising the e5-pawn, 8.xd5 xd5 position. ] 9.c4 d6 10.b4 f6 11.b1 is nothing h5?! 22.d2 d8 23.c4 special for White, Smyslov, V-Kapengut,A/ 21.d3 Suddenly the black 'attack' has evaporated, USSR 1979. ] and W hite starts probing the black 8...g4!? 24.xa5 e7? [ Doub le-e dged . 8...xc3 9.bxc3 d7 w e a k n e s s e s . h7 i s s i m p l e r , ( or 9...d5!? 10.c4 e6 Black continues to aim for tricks, but it is he 1/2-1/2 Smyslov,V-Miles,A/Bugojno 1984/ who has missed a crucial tactic. 25.xc7! It was too late to back-out now. MCD (10) ) 10.e2 d6 11.d4 e8 d4?! and Black enjoys good prospects, Poluljahov, 26.xg7+! xg7 27.xe5+ f6 28.xd4 1-0 A-Popov,R/Krasnodar 1997, 0-1 (65). ] 9.xc6 xf3 10.xb7!? [ A new idea in a sharp position. Previously, 10.gxf3 had been played, bxc6 11.e2!? 1009
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 12...xb2! 13.b1 g7 challenges White A28 to prove compensation. ] 2645 2646 13.b6 d7 14.e3 f6 [ 14...xb2 ] 19.09.2005 15.dc3 d5! 16.d3 g4 [ 16...xd3 17.xd3 e5 18.e2 fc8= ] O n e o f t h e wo rld 's u p - a n d -co m in g s t a r s 17.e2 xe2 18.xe2 e4 19.d1 xc3 m e e t s a n o t h e r . B l a c k d i d n ' t s e e m t o 20.xc3 d4?! [ 20...xc3+ 21.bxc3 e5 22.f4 a6= ] u n d e r s t a n d t h e o p e n i n g a n d wa s i n b i g trouble until White tried for too much too soon. 21.b5!? [ 21.0-0! , and upon a6 , 22.b5! ] 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.a3 A fairly unusual move. The point is that in a 21...ae8? [ 21...a6! 22.xd4 xd4 23.xd4 d6 Sicilian Defence ...a6 is almost always useful, 24.0-0 d8 ] so why not here? a5?! I don't like this. The 22.xd4 d5 23.f3 Just like that Black is a real problem is [ 4...g6! , for example, 5.b4 ( 5.d4 exd4 pawn down for nothing. b3 24.c5 xb2 6.xd4 g7 7.xc6 bxc6 8.e4 0-0= ) 25.0-0 xa3 26.b1 xb1 27.xb1 xc5 Black has a rook-and-bishop for the 5...d5 ( 5...e4 6.g5 g7 7.c2 e7 28.xb7 8.b2; 5...g7 6.b5 ) 6.b5 ( 6.cxd5 xd5 queen. However. his pieces are too exposed 7.b2 g7 ) 6...d4 7.xe5 e7 8.f3 for his position to hold. b8 29.xb8 xb8 xf3+ 9.gxf3 dxc4 . Nevertheless, there's 30.g4 f8 31.a6 b1+ 32.g2 c1 33.h4 c2 34.g5 b4? still much to be discovered here. ] [ 34...h6 35.e4 e7 36.g5 hxg5 5.d4!? Harikrishna exploits the fact that Black 37.hxg5 ] can't put a bishop on b4. Still, Black has other 35.b7 ways to proceed. [ 5.e3! improves upon 4.e3, since there too ... 1-0 Bb4 is a key defensive move. ] 5...exd4 A28 [ 5...e4 is usually an option here it falls short 1026 after 6.g5 h6!? (6...Bb4 would be normal) Ivanchuk,Vassily 2729 7.gxe4 xe4 8.xe4 d5 ( 8...h4 Karjakin,Sergey 2660 9.d3 f5 10.c3 xd4 11.xf5 ) 9.c3! Corus A Wijk aan Zee NED (13) 29.01.2006 dxc4 10.e3 d6 11.xc4 with a clear [John Watson] positional advantage. ] 6.xd4 g6? The last round of W ijk aan Zee. Ivanchuk [ 6...c5 is the best way to force the pace. achieves a respectable result (3rd-4th) with Then 7.e3 0-0 8.e2 e8 9.0-0 b6 h i s u s e o f a v a r i a t i o n l o n g c o n s i d e r e d is equal. ( 9...d6 10.xc6 bxc6 11.f3 )] harmless. In spite of this loss Karjakin 7.db5! Exploiting the move ...a5. g7 8.f4 impressed everyone with his play and finished A f orcef ul move: Black has great trouble +1. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e3 defending c7. The other good and perhaps b4 5.c2 xc3 6.xc3 e7 7.a3 d5 better move was 8.d4 exd4 9.xd4 xd4 10.xd4 c5 [ 8.g5! , threatening Nd5. ] [ 10...0-0 has also been played. ] 8...d6 9.c5! h5 10.cxd6! 0-0 11.h4 e6 Playable, but not my favourite [ 10...xf4 11.xc7+ f8 12.xa8 ] move. 11.e3 [ W e h a v e s e e n p r e v i o u s l y t h a t 11...0-0 [ 11.xc7! is objectively stronger. 11.Be3 12.cxd5 xd5 ( or 12...e5! ) 13.xe7 should also be effective. ] xe7 14.d2 e6 is about equal (here the 11...cxd6 12.d5!? Risky. bishop pair has few prospects), and I [ 12.xd6! ] suggested ] 12...f5 [ 11...g5!? in the same column, one line 1025 Harikrishna,Penteala Mamedyarov,Shakhriyar 6th YM Lausanne SUI (3.6) [John Watson]
1010
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 going 12.xg5 g8 13.f4 ( 13.h6 g6 14.h4 g4= ) 13...g4 14.f3 dxc4 with double-edged play. ] 12.cxd5 xd5 13.xe7+ xe7 14.b5+ You can see that things are a little more comfortable for White this time than in the last note, although Black should still not be in troub le. Notice , by the way, t hat W hite's kingside majority is just as good as White's on the queenside. No dogma for Ivanchuk! d7 15.e2 [ 15.xd7+ xd7 16.b3 ad8 17.b2 f6 18.e2 e6 19.hc1 b6 20.b4 c8 is roughly equal ] 15...f6 Slow [ Maybe better was 15...c6 16.0-0 ( 16.f3 0-0 17.e4 f5 ) 16...0-0 , delaying e4 for a while. ] 16.e4 f7 17.e3 hc8 18.f3 The problem for Black is that this is beginning to look like a classic "two-bishops-with-pawns-on-bothsides-of-the-board"! Objectively the game may well be lost already. e6 19.c1 b6 20.a6 d8 21.b4 cxb4 22.axb4 c8 23.e2 e6 24.f2 ac8 25.a1 [ 25.f4 is also good. ] 25...c6?! [ The power of the bishops stays intact after 25...d7 26.hc1 xc1 27.xc1 c7 28.f4 c2 29.e3 ] 26.a6 [ 26.hc1! i s m o r e a c c u r a t e : xb4 ( 26...d7 27.a6 b8 28.b5 ) 27.xc8 xc8 28.xa7+ g8 29.xb6 c2 30.c7+- ] 26...b8 27.b5! [ 27.f4 e5 ] 27...xb4 28.xa7+ g8 29.e7 f7 30.a1 a8 31.d7 dc8 32.xa8 xa8 33.xb6 h6 The bishops are dominant and White is a pawn up. The rest is technique. [ 33...b8 34.d6 c2 35.a4 ] 34.g3 c8 35.d6 e8 36.e2 c6 37.xc6 xc6 38.f4 e5 39.c7 d7 40.e3 [ 40.xe5 g5+ 41.e3 fxe5 ] 40...f8 41.d4 f7 42.a5 e5 43.b4+ e8 44.c5 g6 45.d2 e5 46.d6 a4 47.f4 f7+ 48.c7 d7 49.b4 a4 50.c4 h8 51.g3 f7 52.h4 h8 53.d6 g6 54.e2 h8 55.c4 g6 56.e5 fxe5
57.fxe5 e7 58.e6 g6 59.c5 f5 60.d3 e7 61.d6 h5 62.e5 f5 63.f6 c6 64.e7 1-0
1027 Karpov,Anatoly Bacrot,Etienne Match g/5 Cannes (6) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2695 2590 2000
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e3 b4 5.c2 0-0 6.d5 e8 7.f5 This move continues to attract attention. d6 8.xf6+ xf6 9.xf6 gxf6 10.a3 c5 11.b4 b6 12.b2 a5 13.b5 d8!? [ An unusual alternative to 13...e7 ] 14.d4! [ This seems like the critical reply, although 14.e2 has also proved successful, a4?! ( 14...e6 is better, Badea,B-Adams,M/ Prestwich 1990, 1/2-1/2 (21).) 15.0-0-0 c6 16.d4 cxb5 17.c5! dxc5 18.xb5 with a clear advantage, Stone,R-Dlugy,M/ Toronto 1989, 1-0 (38). ] 14...g4!? [ B l a c k ' s n e w t r y . P r e v i o u s l y , 14...e6 w a s p l a y e d , 15.d1 ( 15.c5! is more thematic, dxc5 16.dxe5 fxe5 17.xe5 with a clear advantage) 15...f8 16.e2 g4 17.h4 d7 18.0-0 and White is better, Serrano Marhuenda,SNamay Caceres,S/Catalunya 1996, 0-1 (45). ] 15.c5! White attacks the pawn chain at its weakest link. dxc5 16.dxe5 a4?! [ Black should at least take the pawn by 16...xf3 17.gxf3 fxe5 although after 18.0-0-0 White is better, anyway. ] 17.c4!? [ Pawn-grabbing with 17.exf6 a5+ 18.d2 is fine, Black has no compensation, whatsoever. ] 17...a5+ 18.f1 xf3 19.gxf3 fxe5 20.g1+ f8 21.d1 White enjoys open files for both his rooks, and good diagonals for his bishops. c6 22.g5 Black has to defend his pawns before he manages to complete his development. cxb5 23.xb5 f6! 24.f5 e6 25.c4 g7? 1011
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ Black offers the exchange to ease his p o s i t i o n , b u t t h i s l o s e s , 25...c6 was the best bet, 26.f4 ( even stronger than 26.xe5 e7 ) 26...f7 27.fxe5 d8 and although Black is clearly worse, his queenside majority offers some chances. ] 26.xe6? [ A mistake, missing a simple win, but this was only a blitz game, of course. Black was hoping for 26.xd8? xd8 27.xe6 d6 28.c4 d2 regaining the piece, but ] [ 26.d7+! win s im m ed ia te ly, i. e . g6 27.d3 ] 26...xe6 27.h5 g6 28.h4 h5? [ Black is hoping to cut the h4-rook out of the game, but this loses material. The move 28...b5 offered real chances, as the advance of Black's queenside majority will create two passed pawns. ] 29.d6 e8 30.xa4 Now White is back on track for a win. c7 31.d7 d8 32.xd8 xd8 33.a7 b6 34.e2 c4 35.d7 h4 36.h3 f5 37.c3 c7 Black would have resigned this long ago in a normal time-limit game. 38.b4 [ 38.e7 wins a piece- the threat is e4+. ] 38...b8 39.d2 g5 40.b7 xh3 41.xb8 g5 42.e2 g6 43.h8 h7 44.f1 1-0
1028 Kharlov,Andrei Diu,Viacheslav TCh Tomsk RUS (6) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2639 2445 19.05.2001
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e3 b4 5.c2 xc3 6.xc3 e7 7.a3 a5 [ Tryin g to s top b 4, b ut it d oe sn 't ! 7...d5 is more common. ] 8.b3!? [ 8.b4 is examined in the notes to a previous game. ] 8...d5 9.d4 exd4 10.xd4 e5!? 11.f3! [ A strong new idea, which works here, but could not have been tried in this month's other 4 e3 game. 11.cxd5 xd5 12.c2 was the previous choice, with 0-0 13.e2 g4 14.h3 gf6 15.0-0 e4 16.d3
W hite has an edge, Nei,I-Tal,M/Tallin n 1977. ] 11...xf3+ 12.gxf3 Planning to pressurise the g7-pawn along both the a1-h8 diagonal, and the g-file. dxc4 13.xc4 e6 14.e2! W hite needs to kee p the bishop pair. 0-0 15.b2 e8! To construct a barrier against the queen/bishop tandem, and unpin the knight. 16.g1 f6 17.c1 c6 18.d3 f7 Hoping to tie White to the defence of his bpawn. 19.d4!? h5 [ 19...xb3!? 20.h4 f5 21.g5 is dangerous, but possibly playable. ] 20.c5? This doesn't work-out as White hoped. xh2 21.g3 f7 22.e4 h1+ 23.f1 c7 24.d4 d8!? Black counterattacks. 25.xa5 fd7 26.f4 xd4!? Black hopes to catch the white king in the centre. 27.exd4 d5 28.e4?! d7!? [ 28...e8 almost forces 29.a8 ( as 29.h3 allows xf1+ 30.xf1 xh3+ )] 29.xd5! The only move. cxd5 30.xd5+ h8 31.f7? e8+ 32.d2 h6+ 33.d1 [ This loses, but if 33.c2 c8+ 34.c4 f5+ is also unpleasant. ] 33...c6? [ B l a c k m i s s e s t h e n e a t l i n e 33...e1+!! 34.xe1 c1+ 35.e2 b5+ winning. ] 34.f4 White is back in the game. d8 35.e1 d5 36.e7 g8 37.e3 h5 38.h3 f7? Allowing a tricky mate. 39.xh7+! xh7 40.h3+ g6 41.f5+ g5 42.e2 [ This is sufficient, but 42.e3+! xf5 43.d3+ leads to mate. ] 42...g6 43.f4+ xf4 44.h4+ e3 45.f2+ e4 46.f3+ [ 46.f3+ xf5 47.xd5+ wins the queen. ] 1-0
1029 Kharlov,Andrei Korotylev,Alexey ch Krasnodar RUS (9) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2609 2558 04.09.2002
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e3 b4 5.c2 0-0 6.d5 e8 7.f5 d6 8.xf6+ gxf6!? I had been looking forward to finding a decent recent game in this line, as a lot of the theory dates from the 70s. Previously I had 1012
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 only analysed the endgame after [ 8...xf6 9.xf6 gxf6 ] 9.c2!? A rarer move, theory has mostly concentrated on [ 9.h5 d5 ( 9...e4!? Lerner,K-Romanishin, O/Kiev, 1977 ) A) 10.a3 f8 11.d4 ( 11.d3!? e4 12.cxd5 exd3 13.dxc6 bxc6 14.b4 is unclear, Horvath,G-Sadler,M/Clichy 1993 ) 11...e6 12.d3 e4 13.c2 e7 14.d2 led to the famous game GoodmanNuun/ENG, 1978, which W hite won quickly after f5 15.cxd5 xd5 16.f3 c6? 17.xe4! xc2 18.f6+; B) 10.cxd5 xd5 11.e2 e6 12.a3 ( 12.0-0 e4 13.xd5 xd5 14.h4! equal, Kortschnoj,V.Karpov,An/ A m s t e r d a m , 1 9 8 7) 12...e7 13.d3 preventing .. .e5-e4, Black's centralised pieces compensate the doubled pawns, Timman, J-Portisch,L/Montreal 1979. ] 9...e4 10.g1! This move was recommended by Timman 30 years ago, but never played! [ 10.h4?! leaves the knight offside, f5 11.g3 d5 12.cxd5 e5 13.b3 e7 14.d4 exd3 15.xd3 xh4 16.gxh4 f3+ 17.d1 and the white king was awkwardly placed, Keene,R-Timman,J/Bad Lauterberg 1977. ] 10...d5 11.a3! Timman's analysis continued [ 11.cxd5 xd5 12.a3 d6 13.e2 f5 14.c3 e6 unclear, but Kharlov's move is stronger, as the black bishop is forced to a more passive square. ] 11...f8 12.cxd5 xd5 13.e2 f5 14.c3 d8 The difference between this position and that at the end of the previous note is small, but significant: the black queen and darksquared bishop are less active. 15.d4 exd3! 16.xd3 [ 16.xd3!? also allows Black to infiltrate on b3: d4 17.d1 e6 ] 16...e6 17.xd8 exd8 An endgame is re a ch e d wh e r e t h e b l a c k kin gs id e p a wn structure is a mess, but the black pieces are more active and Black is ahead in development. 18.b5 a5 19.e2 b3 20.b1 c5 Black also has a queenside pawn majority, and doesn't hesitate to set it in motion. 21.d1 xd1 22.xd1 a6 23.a4 d8+ 24.e1 xc1?! Perhaps Black should
have preferred taking the other white bishop by [ 24...b5 25.xb3 xb3 followed by ...Bg7, and ...b4. ] 25.xc1 b5 26.d1 g7 Black's bishop pair and queenside pawns look menacing, but the white position is very solid. 27.c2 f8 28.d1 e7?! I think this move is antipositional, Reti indicated that the two bishops work best with a pair of rooks on the board. [ 28...b8 29.d6 b4 seems more to the point. ] 29.xd8 xd8 30.d2 e7 31.c1 Defending the b2-pawn frees the knight. e5 32.e2 h6 [ 32...xh2? 33.g3 traps the bishop. ] 33.f4 c7? Black finds the worst square for the bishop! [ 33...d6 i s b e t t e r , a s 34.g3 f6 35.h5+ e7 36.g7 f6 37.e8+ e7 defends the bishop. ] 34.g3 White finally manages to exploit the doubled black pawns. f6 35.h5+ e7 [ 35...g6?! is worse, 36.g4 and Ng3 wins the f-pawn. ] 36.g7 c4 Now we see why the bishop sh o u ld n 't b e o n c7 , B la ck ca n n o lo n ge r defend the f-pawn: [ 36...f6?? 37.e8+ ] 37.xf5+?! Why allow the drawn oppositecolour bishop ending? [ 37.xf5! seems fine, b6 38.d2 d5 ( 38...f6 39.xe6 xg7 40.c8 a5 41.a6 and White wins a second pawn.) 39.c8 with every chance of winning. ] 37...xf5 38.xf5 b6 39.d2 d6 40.g4 c5 41.h5 f6 42.d1 a5+ 43.e2 b6 44.g4 b4 45.axb4+ xb4 46.h4 White obviously tries to win, but a single pawn advance is rarely enough to decide such positions. a5 47.f3 c3 48.bxc3+ xc3 49.g5 fxg5 50.hxg5 hxg5 51.fxg5 d8 52.g6 f6 53.e4 c4 54.c2 [ 54.e2+ c5 55.f5 h8 56.e6 a4 57.d1 c4 58.xa4 d3 wins the epawn with an immediate draw. ] 54...g7 55.f5 d5 56.b3+ Now even without the a-pawn Black would be drawing simply by putting his king on d6 and blocking the dark squares. ½-½ 1013
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 1030 Kortschnoj,Viktor Rublevsky,Sergei TCh-RUS Dagomys RUS (10) [Carsten Hansen]
A28 2598 2695 12.04.2008
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.a3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.c2 xc3 [ Previously we have only discussed 6...e7 on this website, but the text move is an important alternative for Black ] 7.bxc3 [ W hite can also consider 7.dxc3 d6 8.e4!? ( 8.g3 e7! 9.g2 e4 10.g5 f5 11.f3 h6 12.h3 exf3 13.xf3 e5 , and here a draw was agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, though Black seems to be doing quite well, Horvath, J-Varga, P/Austrian Ch-T 2002) 8...0-0 9.e3 e7 10.d3 c5 11.xc5 xc5 12.b4 d6 13.0-0 , and White has the slightly better chances, Tereick, BKarpatchev, A/Senden 2006 ] 7...d6 8.g3 [ This is the main line. The alternatives, haven't proved particularly good: A) 8.d4 exd4 9.cxd4 0-0 10.e4 g4 11.b2 f4 12.d1 e7 with a pleasant game for Black, Tartakower, S-Kostic, B/Budapest 1921 ] [ B) 8.e4 is the most interesting of White's alternatives: 0-0 9.e2 e7!? ( 9...h8 10.d3 f5 11.exf5 xf5 12.0-0 e7 13.b3 e4 14.dxe4 xe4 15.g5 d5 16.c4 g8 17.xb7 Beim, V-Lenz, A/ Aschach 2000) 10.0-0 b6 11.d4 g4 12.g5 f6 13.e3 h8 14.h3 ( 14.d5 a5 15.h4 d7 16.c4 b7= ) 14...d7 15.fe1 xa3 16.h4 d6 , and it is dubious whether White has enough for the pawn, Bauer, C-Karpov, A/Ajaccio FRA 2007 ] [ C) 8.e3 0-0 9.d4= ] 8...e7 [ Black has several alternatives at this juncture: A) 8...g4 9.g2 d7 10.h3 ( 10.b1 b8 11.g5 h6 12.h3 h5 13.e4 0-0 14.xd6 cxd6 15.a4 bc8 is comfortable for Black, Kovacs, GGolubovic, B/Oberwart AUT 2003) 10...f5 11.d3 f6 12.d2 b8 13.b1 d8 14.c4 c6 15.e4 e7 16.e3 0-0 17.g4 g6 18.xa7 a8 19.e3 Razuvaev, Y-Pieper
Emden, C/Germany 1990/GER-chT ] [ B) 8...0-0 9.g2 A) 9...h6 10.0-0 b8 11.d4 e7 12.e4 A1) 12...b6 13.e3 a5 14.dxe5 xe5 15.xe5 xe5 16.d4 ( 16.f4!? ) 16...e7 17.c4 e6 18.c3 f6 19.e5 f5 20.d5 bd8 , and Black has taken over the control of the game, Gurevich, M-Sanikidze, T/Izmir TUR 2006; A2) 12...d7 13.e3 b6 14.d2 a5 15.f4 f6 16.f3 c4 17.c1 b5 18.h4 e8 19.d1 c5 20.dxe5 fxe5 21.f5 Gurevich, M-Karpov, A/Cap d'Agde 2000; B) 9...e8 10.d3 d7 ( 10...a5 11.0-0 c5 12.c4 c6 13.b2 g4 14.h3 h5 15.e3 c7 16.fd1 f5 17.c3 e7 18.b2 b6 19.d2 ad8 20.h4 g6 21.d5+ Schlosser, P-Babula, V/ Werder Bremen GER 2007) 11.0-0 c8 12.e1 b8 13.d4 g4 14.b2 h6 15.e4 a5 16.d2 c5 17.dxe5 xe5 18.f4 d6 19.c4 c6 20.b3 Lalic, B-Zufic, Z/ Zadar 2000; C) 9...h8!? 10.0-0 f5 11.d3 ( 11.d4!? e4 12.g5 e7 13.h3 e6 14.f4 ) 11...e8 ( 11...d7 12.b1 b6 13.d2 e8 14.c4 c5 15.e3 c8 16.a4 a5 17.xa5 bxa5 18.a1 Gurevich, M-Han, H/Izmir TUR 2006) 12.b2 ( 12.c4!? f4 ) 12...h5 13.c4 f4 14.d4 fxg3 15.hxg3 f5 16.c3 exd4 17.xd4 e5 18.e3 ad8 , and White is in trouble, Ilic, ZDancevski, O/ Skopje 2002; D) 9...f5!? 10.d3 ( 10.d4 e4 11.g5 h8 is fine for Black) 10...f6 11.0-0 h8 12.b2 d7 13.d2 ae8 14.b3 d8 15.a4 c6 , and Black has taken over the initiative, Naumann, A-Krupkova, P/Montecatini Terme 1997 ] [ C) 8...b6 9.g2 b7 10.0-0 0-0 11.d4 e7 12.g5 g6 13.d1 a5 14.xb7 xb7 15.e4 fe8 16.e1 f6 17.f3 f7 1/2-1/2 Stohl, I-Mikhalchishin, A/ Istanbul 2000 ] 9.d3 b6 [ This makes perfect sense, counterbalancing White fianchetto bishop on g2 with one of his own on b7. Nevertheless, t h e a l t e r n a t i v e 9...0-0 has proven fully 1014
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 acceptable for Black too: 10.g2 d7 11.0-0 a5 ( 11...b6 12.d2 f5 13.c4 ae8 14.a4 f4 15.a5 c5 16.axb6 axb6 17.d2 f7 18.e4 with approximately even chances, Wahls, M-Werle, J/ Germany 2003 ) 12.d2 c5 ( 12...c6 13.e4 d7 14.a2 h8 15.a4 b6 16.xd6 cxd6 17.d5 xd5 18.xd5 c6 19.xc6 xc6 20.c4 ad8 , and a draw was agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, in Kovacs, G-Ruck, R/ Oberwart 2001) 13.e4 f5 14.xd6 xd6 15.f4 ae8 16.fxe5 xe5 17.f2 c6 with chances for both sides, Vaganian, RChernin, A/Nabereznye Chelny 1988 ] 10.g2 b7 11.0-0 a5 [ This is a novelty. Previously Black had tried the perfectly good 11...0-0 12.e4 ( 12.d2 f5= ) 12...c5! 13.d1 ( 13.d2 a5 ) 13...ad8 14.b2 f6?! ( 14...a5!? 15.xe5 xe5 16.d4 h5 17.dxc5 xc5 with a comfortable game for Black ) A) Here Ribli suggests 15.d4! A1) Or 15...exd4 16.cxd4 xd4 ( 16...xd4 17.e5+-; 16...xd4 17.xd4 xd4 18.xd4 xd4 19.e5+- ) 17.xd4 xd4 18.d3 f3+ ( 18...d8 19.e5+- ) 19.xf3 xb2 , and Black doesn't have full compensation for the exchange; A2) 15...d6; B) 15.ac1 c8 16.d4 g4! Poluljahov, A-Sutovsky, E/Moscow 2003 ] 12.c4 0-0 13.d2 e4 14.h4 exd3 [ Black can also consider 14...e5!? 15.d4 xd4 16.f5 e5 17.xd4 xd4 18.xa5 bxa5 with approximately even chances ] 15.exd3 xg2 16.xg2 c6 17.c3 e5 [ 17...f5 18.ae1 f7 19.a4 leaves White with a slight initiative. ] 18.fe1 f6 [ Black was clearly angling for the game continuation, but had definitely underestimated White's initiative. 18...c5!? instead is definitely worth a thought. ] 19.xe5 xe5 20.d4! c6+ 21.g1 xc4?! [ When I first saw this game, I thought Black could fairly easily ward off White's kingside initiative. Now, however, I feel that Black should probably try to bail out with 21...f3+
22.xf3 xf3 , and although White has the in it iat ive , t his is d ef init ely com f ort ab le compared to what he encounters in the game. ] 22.e4 g6 [ My computer prefers 22...d3 though 23.e3 c1 24.f5 can only be better for White ] 23.f5 Although Black's position seems fairly solid on the kingside and overall pleasant on account of the extra pawn, he is actually on his heels. The knight on g6 can easily be removed by advancing the h-pawn h2-h4-h5 and in combination with a Qg4, Black has issues to deal with. I have looked for a while, b u t I d o n 't se e a n y e n t i re l y s a t i sf a c t o r y continuations for Black in this position, though B la ck so o n m a k e s t h in gs m u c h wo r s e . . . e6?! [ Black tries to consolidate his position with this "clever" offer for an exchange of queens. A better choice is 23...a4 , though White has an excellent game after 24.h4 ae8 25.g4 xe1+ ( 25...h5 26.xh5 a5 27.ec1 is clearly better for White) 26.xe1 xa3 27.h5 , and White wins a piece for three pawns ] [ 23...ad8 24.h4 h5 25.ac1 a4 26.f3 ] 24.f3 f6? [ This turns out to be a rather unfortunate square for the queen. Black probably wanted to avoid 24...d7 25.h4 , which is quite annoying for Black, e.g. ae8 26.g4 xe1+ 27.xe1 a4 28.h5 xa3 29.hxg6 fxg6 30.e7+ h8 31.e4 , and Black is in serious trouble ] 25.ac1 Black is a pawn up, but he is actually in serious trouble though on the surface it doesn't appear so. c5 [ Black gives up his extra pawn, hoping to find a defendable position after some exchanges. However, his troubles are far from over. A better alternative is possibly 25...fe8!? 26.xe8+ xe8 27.h6+ f8 28.xf6 gxf6 29.xc7 e7 , although White still has every chance of winning the game after the retreat 30.c1 ] 26.h6+ h8 27.xf6 gxf6 28.dxc5 bxc5 [ 28...fc8 29.c6 ( 29.xf7+ g7 30.d6 xc5 31.xc5 bxc5 32.c1 d8 33.f5+ 1015
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 f7 34.xc5 is also much better for White) 29...e5 30.xe5!? fxe5 31.xf7+ g7 32.xe5 , and White enjoys a significant advantage. ] 29.xc5 e5 30.d1 ad8?! [ Black is in a difficult spot, but this definitely isn't the best. However, also after 30...fc8 31.xc8+ xc8 32.f4 c4 33.xf7+ g8 34.h6+ h8 35.c1 b6 36.xc8+ xc8 37.f5 White has excellent winning chances ] [ Nor does 30...g7 look particularly promising for Black, e.g. 31.f5+ g6 32.e7+ g7 33.f4 g4 34.f5+ g6 35.h3 h6 36.e7+ g7 37.c6 with an uncomfortable defence ahead ] 31.xd8 xd8 32.f4 d1+ 33.g2 d3? [ This looks perfectly normal, but Black actually ends up in a mating net. Instead B l a c k s h o u l d h a v e t r i e d 33...d2+ , though White still seems to have excellent winning chances after 34.h3 f3 35.c8+ g7 36.f5+ g6 37.g4 ( 37.e7+ h6 38.g4 d4 39.d8 e2 ) 37...h5 ( 37...g1+ 38.h4 xh2+ 39.g3 h3+ 40.g2 of course wins for White) 38.g8+ h7 39.g7+ h8 40.xf7 g1+ ( 40...xh2+ 41.g3 hxg4 42.xa7 c2 43.xg4 d2 44.h5 , and Black will have a hard time defending the f-pawn while at the same time avoid getting mated) 41.h4 xh2+ 42.g3 a2 43.gxh5 xa3+ 44.g4 e2 45.xf6 , and White should win ] 34.c8+ g7 35.f5+ g6 36.e7+ h5 37.f3?? [ This throws the win away. Most likely White was in time trouble, otherwise he wouldn't h a v e m i s s e d 37.h8! h6 38.g8 , and Black will have to give up the knight to prevent g3-g4+ followed by Nf5 mate ] 37...f1+ 38.e2 e1+ 39.xd3 xe7 40.h3 e1! Active defence is often the best approach in rook endings 41.c5+ [ 41.c7 g6 42.xa7 g1 43.g4 g3+ is similar to the game, and without any real winning chances for White ] 41...g6 42.a5 [ Or 42.d4 h1 43.h4 g1 , and White will not be able to make any progress ] 42...g1 43.g4 g3+ 44.e4 xh3
45.xa7 c3 Of course White could play on, because he is the only one with chances to win, but Black normally should make a draw rather effortlessly, so the handshake at this point is perfectly understandable. ½-½
1031 Kortschnoj,Viktor Rublevsky,Sergei ECC Rethymnon GRE (4) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2628 2672 01.10.2003
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.a3 d5 In the same tournament Ivan Sokolov played the rare [ 4...d6 against Korchnoi, the game continuing 5.d4 exd4 6.xd4 g6 7.g5 g7 8.e3 0-0 9.e2 h6 10.h4 e8 11.xc6 bxc6 12.0-0 with a very slight edge to White in another mammoth (135move) draw. ] 5.cxd5 xd5 6.c2 e7 7.e3 0-0 8.b5 g4 9.d3!? A really surprising novelty from the great man, pressurising the d5-knight. We have already examined the mainline [ 9.xc6 , and the rare ] [ 9.e2 ] 9...xc3 [ 9...xf3 10.gxf3 b6 doubles the pawns, but concedes the bishop pair. ] 10.xd8 White elects to play the endgame with a bigger centre. xd8 11.bxc3 e4! Black plays this to handicap the white st ru ct ure, m a king t he d -p a wn b ac kward , bef o re W hite has th e ch ance t o p lay d4 . 12.e5 e6 13.e2 Better this than grabbing the light-squared bishop by [ 13.d7?! e8 14.c5 c6 15.xe6 xe6 as after 16.e2 c5 Black is better, the c1-bishop has little perspective. ] 13...f5 This allows White to free his game, [ 13...f6! is more accurate, 14.c4 c6 15.d4 exd3 16.xd3 ad8 17.e2 and Black has an improved version of the game, as the white knight is far from the fine square on f4. ] 14.d4! exd3 15.xd3 This way the knight reaches a fine square on f4. c6 16.b1 a5 Aiming for the tender queenside light 1016
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 squares. If Black can exchange light-squared bishops, c4 will provide a great square for his knight. 17.f4 a2 18.b2 f7 [ 18...c4!? loses a pawn, although it achieves its positional objectives: 19.xc4+ xc4 20.xb7 d6 with reasonable play for the pawn. ] 19.b5 The fork of knight and f-pawn deflects t h e a 5 - k n i g h t f r o m t h e c 4 - s q u a r e . b3 20.0-0?! [ 20.b2 c5 21.d3 is more accurate, contesting the strong black knight. ] 20...c5 21.c4 ad8 Black has a clear edge, because of the superior pawn structure. 22.h3 c6 23.b2 f6 24.c2 The rook returns here to help exchange the c1-bishop. e4 25.b2 The bishop was useless on c1, and so this exchange is a small victory. xb2 26.xb2 d7 [ 26...g5!? is interesting, and much in R u b l e v s k y ' s t a c t i c a l s t y l e , 27.h5 ( 27.d3? xc4 ) 27...b6 and the white knight is awkwardly placed on the edge. ] 27.c1 fd8 28.h4! White shows his great exp erien c e, an d co n so lid a te s h is stro n g knight's position. b6 29.g4!? fxg4 30.xg4 d2 31.xd2 xd2 32.f3! White has equalised. xf2 33.c5 The point, White will liquidate the queenside pawns. d3 34.cxb6! e5 [ 34...xc1? 35.bxa7 d8 36.xc6 wins. ] 35.xc6 axb6 36.e4 With only three pawns each still left on the board, one might expect a draw, but both players are fighters. c4! 37.d3 b5 The knight cannot move because of Rc8+. 38.a4 bxa4! A neat try, the pawn is as strong as the knight . 39.xc4 xc4 40.xc4 a3 Black threatens a2, Rd1+ and the a-pawn makes a queen, but White has lots of resources. 41.c8+ f7 42.c7+ [ 42.c1? fails to a2 43.f1 g8 44.e6 (threatens mate) h6 45.d4 b2 46.h5 g6!! 47.hxg6 h5! and amazingly White can do nothing about the threat of h5-4-3-2+, and then Rb1, i.e. 48.e4 h4 49.e5 h3 50.e6 h2+ 51.h1 b1 ] 42...e8 [ 42...f6 allows the simple draw 43.a7 a2 44.d5+ xd5 45.xa2 ] 43.e6 White aims for a drawish ending of knight and 2 pawns versus rook and one. a2
44.xg7+ f8 45.e6+ g8 46.c8+ f7 47.g5+ g6 48.c6+ h5 49.a6 h6 50.h3 b2 51.a4 b1+ 52.g2 a1 53.xa1 xa1 54.g3 White actually menaces mate in one! g6 55.g4 a5 56.f4+ This posit ion is not fun to play, but is probably drawn as the white knight and king can defend the two pawns and keep the black king away. f6 57.h5+ e5 58.f3 a4 59.f4 f5 60.g2 a1 61.f4 h1 62.g3 g1+ 63.f3 a1 64.e2 e5 65.f4 g1 66.f2 g8 67.f3 f5 68.e2 e5 69.g3 g7 70.h5 g6 71.f4 f6 72.g4 f5 73.h5 f7 74.f4 f6 75.h5 White has become active - if he can capture the h-pawn the draw is assured. g7 76.g4 e7 77.f3 e5 78.d3 a5 79.f4 h5 This just makes the pawn weaker, as it will be attacked by the knight. 80.f2 f6 81.f3 e5 82.d3 f5+ 83.e4 a5 84.f4 g7 85.d4 h6 86.e4! With the black king out of the way it i s t i m e f o r t h e p a wn t o a d va n c e . a4+ 87.d5 b4 88.e5 b2 89.f5 h2 90.e5 xh4 91.e6 g7 92.g5 g4+ 93.f5 xf4+ A great fight! ½-½
1032 Kortschnoj,Viktor Salov,Valery St . Petersburg [Tony Kosten]
A28 2635 2665 1997
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.a3 Compared with the Najdorf Sicilian, this move makes a lot of sense, guarding the b4-square, and preparing queenside expansion. The problem is that Black will probably not fall in with White's plans, and play 4...d5, of course. g6 The most sensible reply, preparing the kingside fianchetto. 5.d4!? Quite a logical move that only surfaced just recently, under the aegis of Korchnoi, White profits from the fact that Black can no longer play a later ... Bb4. But will a3 prove a useful move later-on? [ Transposition to slower lines with 5.g3 is the normal preference. ] 5...exd4 6.xd4 g7 7.g5!? The most aggressive, White limits Black's possibilities 1017
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 with this pin. h6 8.h4 0-0 9.e3 White is ready to complete his development, once successfully achieved, W hite's central preponderance will assure him a plus. e8 The alternative is [ 9...xd4 10.xd4 d6 11.e2 g5 12.g3 f5 13.d2 e4 14.xe4 xe4 15.0-0 a5 to fix the b2-pawn. 16.d3 e7 17.ad1 with a small plus to White because of the weakness of the black kingside, Korchnoi,VHuebner,R/Switzerland 1997. ] 10.e2 xd4 11.exd4 This time White is obliged to recapture with the pawn, as [ 11.xd4? allows g5 12.g3 e4 with an initiative. ] 11...g5 If Black hopes to get any active play, he must break this pin. The down side, as ever, is the weakness of the black kingside. [ 11...d6 12.0-0 g5 will transpose. ] 12.g3 e4 13.0-0 d6 14.d3! A pawn sacrif ice to exploit the weakened b1-h7 diagonal, [ 14.f3? seems worse, xg3 15.fxg3 f5?! ( 15...c6 16.d2 b6 17.ad1 e6 is stronger.) 16.h5 f8 17.d2 d7 18.ad1 unclear, Atalik-Epishin, Philadelphia 1998. ] 14...f5 Black prefers to support the knight, rather than play [ 14...xg3!? 15.fxg3 xd4+ 16.h1 g7 17.f3 with a white attack. ] 15.xe4! fxe4 16.e1 e6!? 17.b3! W hite keeps-up the pressure against the black weaknesses. f7 18.xe4! xd4 19.ad1 From being behind in development, W hite has built up an impressive piece arrangement. The black bishop pair provide insufficient compensation for White's activity. g7 20.xb7 b8 The mark of an experienced player who knows that his best chance resides in an endgame, where the bishops' power can be felt. 21.c6 b6 22.d7! White wriggles away, knowing that he needs to keep queens on to exploit his attacking chances. ad8 23.f5 xb2 Re-establishing material equality, and defending against the menaced Nf6+. 24.h4 e6 25.a5! White would prefer to play [ 25.g6 of course, but f7 26.f5 e6 repeats. ] 25...b6 Back again! 26.a4 d7 27.c2
a5 28.hxg5 hxg5 [ 28...a4!? 29.f6+!? f7 30.b1 xd1 31.g6+ leads to White's advantage. ] 29.c1! c6 30.xg5 Further denuding the b l a c k k i n g . f5 31.c5!? xc5?! A time-trouble error, [ first 31...xe1+ 32.xe1 had to be played. ] 32.xc5? White fails to gain from his previous, powerful play due to zeitnot, simply [ 32.e6! xc1 33.xc1 d7 34.xc6 de7 35.d1 xe6 36.xc7 should win. ] 32...dxc5 33.xd8 xd8 34.c1 d5 35.e6 b2 36.b1 xa3 37.b8+ h7 38.c8 d7 39.xc7 White's active pieces more than counter-balances the two black bishops, for once. g8 40.xa7 b4 41.f4 d1+ 42.h2 c4 43.c7 c3 Black is unlikely to lose with his superior minor pieces. 44.e2 d3 45.c4 [ 45.e5 a5 46.c5 b6 is a draw. ] 45...a5 46.f3! Having removed his f-pawn from danger, White threatens to win the c3pawn. e6 47.c6 d5 48.c8+ f7 49.f4 d2 White is getting close to achieving definite winning chances. 50.xd5 xd5 51.c4 e6! 52.h3 b5 53.f2 d5 The king comes to help the c-pawn, and White decides to force a draw. 54.d4+ c6 55.c4+ d5 ½-½
1033 Kortschnoj,Viktor Spassky,Boris V Match Kalmykia RUS (5) [Nigel Davies]
A28 2567 2548 23.12.2009
T h is ga m e is qu it e f u n a s K o r ch n o i a n d Spassky rolled back the years to play in very frisky style. Korchnoi evidently didn't know about 8.Nxd5 Qxd5 9.Bd3 and found himself in trouble after 10...f5. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.f3 f6 4.a3 d5 A simple and straightforward reply, arguing that even with an extra tempo the Sicilian is still essentially a defensive formation. 5.cxd5 xd5 6.c2 e7 7.e3 a6 [ A conservative but sensible approach from Spassky, preventing White's Bf1-b5 which 1018
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 is interesting after 7...0-0 . 7...a6 can also come in useful when White plays b2-b4 as it inhibits the further advance of White's bpawn. ] 8.c4 [ If Victor Korchnoi were a subscriber to Chesspublishing.com he might well have played 8.xd5 xd5 9.d3! which has been covered previously by both Carsten Hansen and Tony Kosten. ] 8...b6 9.d3 d7!? Very creative play by the old guy, preparing ...f7-f5 and having the idea of ...Qd7-g4 should White capture on h7. 10.b3 [ There might well have been a case for 10.e2 when f5 can be answered by 11.d3 and Black will nee d to move the quee n again to let his c8 bishop out. Instead we see Korchnoi attempt to justify the positioning of his pieces after which he runs into trouble. ] 10...f5 11.e4? [ As White ends up sacrificing a piece on his next move anyway, there was a case for offering one here instead. After the cool 11.b2!? B l a c k c a n p l a y e4 but then 12.xe4 fxe4 13.xe4 f6 14.xf6 gxf6 15.0-0 gives him a certain amount of compensation. ] 11...g5! 12.exf5!? [ White has suddenly found himself in the most awful position which explains why he now sacrifices a piece. After 12.0-0 g4 13.e1 f4 his position would be horribly passive. ] 12...g4 13.xe5 xe5 14.e4 c6 15.e2 f6 16.b1 d6 White now has scant little real compensation for the piece, though he does succeed in getting Black's king to go for a walk. 17.h3 gxh3 18.xh3 d7 19.d3 f8 20.xc6 xc6 21.e3+ d7 22.b2 d5 23.d3 xb2 24.xb2 [ Or 24.f4 d6 etc. ] 24...xa3 25.c2 ae8 26.d4 c8 0-1
1034 Kosten,Anthony C Ahmed,Esam Aly 1st Misr Closed (7) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2514 2403 07.09.2003
I am not really that interested in the Dragon, as such, but I couldn't help but notice the recent coverage of the exchange sacrifice on Ch r is W a r d 's Dr a go n s s e ct i o n , a n d t h i s greatly influenced my play in this game ... 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.a3 I have recently experimented with this move, w i t h s o m e s u c c e s s . h6!? A surprise, presumably the idea is to threaten ...e4 by stopping the reply Ng5. My experience of Egyptian players suggests that they are good practically, and strong tactically, but their theory knowledge is not too good(Englishlanguage opening books are too expensive). 5.d3 I am not sure that this is the most accurate here, alternatives: [ 5.d4 exd4 ( 5...e4!? worried me, as 6.d2 e3!? looked a bit messy) 6.xd4 c5 7.b3 e7 8.e4 d6 9.e2 0-0 10.0-0 with a nice space advantage, Goldstern,FMiralles, G/SWZ 1995. ] [ 5.e4 might be strongest, as Black can no longer play ...Bb4 as in Nimzovitch's line, and c5 is met by 6.b4 d4 7.b5 e7 8.xd4!? exd4 9.e5 which seems quite favourable. ] 5...d5! The best move, I think, although White will effectively have a Sicilian position with two extra tempi (as ...h6 isn't particularly helpful). That said, [ 5...a5 is alright, 6.g3 ( 6.e4!? ) 6...d4!? 7.g2 xf3+ 8.xf3 c5 with a position akin to the 4 g3 Nd4 line, Downey,KSummers,C/Cardiff 1998. ] 6.cxd5 xd5 Leaving White with the choice of which Sicilian-style plan to choose. 7.g3 I decided to go for a Reversed Dragon, where a 3 m i gh t p ro ve a h e l p ( a s W h it e a lm o s t always plays this in the mainline) but ...h6 almost certainly wouldn't. [ 7.e4 aims for Najdorf-style play, but after xc3!? ( 7...f6 is also OK) 8.bxc3 c5 the a3-move wouldn't help White at all. ] 7...e6 [ 7...e7 8.g2 b6 9.0-0 0-0 10.b4 1019
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 is exactly what I was hoping for. ] 8.g2 d7!? Black decides to play in Yugoslav Attack style, but then what is his hpawn doing on h6? [ 8...e7 is safer, 9.0-0 0-0 10.d4 which is probably only equal. ] 9.0-0 d6 10.d4 The standard Dragon liberating move, except that White has extra tempi here. 0-0-0 [ 10...xc3 11.bxc3 e4 is well met by 12.d5! exf3 13.dxe6 fxe6 14.xf3 with two bishops and the better structure. ] 11.e4! Flank Opening players always enjoy the moment when they construct their own centre! xc3 12.bxc3 exd4?! I don't like this move much, and had expected [ 12...c4 when I was toying with the idea of 13.e3!? anyway. ] 13.cxd4 c4 14.e3!? An exchange sacrif ice played in the style of the 9...d5 Dragon, although [ 14.e1 is good and without risk, as the pseudo-active e5 15.xe5 xe5 16.e3 d3 leads nowhere after 17.e2 ] 14...xf1 15.xf1 Threatening to win on the spot with Bh3. b8 16.e5!? I wasn't entirely sure about this move, as although it opens the h1-a8 diagonal for my unopposed bishop, it also makes it more difficult to use my other minor pieces. [ 16.b1 keeps the powerful centre mobile, but after b6 ( 16...xa3?! 17.d5 b4 18.d1 and Qb3, winning material) 17.a6 rather than f6?! ( 17...c8 seems tenable) 18.e5! fxe5? ( 18...e7 ) 19.dxe5 e7 and now 20.d4 wins. ] 16...f8 17.b1 White targets the b7-pawn. The attack is very dangerous, but what I thought made it decisive was that this game was played first thing in the morning! e8? A mistake. I had thought that [ 17...e6! was forced, so that Black can block the d5-square with the rook and nullify th e wh ite b ish op o n g2, a n d no w I h a d intended 18.b5!? a6 19.d5! xd5 20.xd5 xd5 21.d4 regaining material: xe5 22.xc6+!? ( if 22.xc6 then c5 23.b1 b6 defends, although White is better ) 22...bxc6 23.xa6 a1+ (forced) 24.f1 c5 25.b5+ a7 26.c6 d6 27.xc5+ xc5 28.xc7+ a8 29.xc5
when the black king is wide open, but as long as Black can keep the white bishop out of the game he has some chances to defend. ] [ 17...b6?! l o s e s i n s t r u c t i v e l y : 18.d5! the pawns advance to free the white bishops' diagonals, e7 19.d6! f5 ( 19...cxd6? loses immediately to 20.xb6! axb6 21.xb6+ c7 22.a6 ) 20.d4! xd4 21.xd4 a4 (e lse Qa 6 ) 22.d3 and Qf3 or Qe4 is decisive - the 'Dragon' bishop! ] 18.e6! Freeing the e5-square for the knight. xe6 Relatively best. [ 18...xe6 19.d5! xd5 20.d4 win n in g, e . g . e4 when the most elegant win is 21.xb7+ ( 21.xc6+ xc6 22.d3 is also decisive) 21...xb7 22.b1+ c8 23.xe4 d6 24.xc6 ] [ 18...fxe6 19.xb7+! xb7 20.e5 is completely crushing. ] 19.d5! xd5 20.d4 d7 [ 20...xd4 is little help, 21.xd4 xd4 22.xb7+ ] 21.b5 [ After 21.b5 b6 22.xc6+ xc6 23.xc6 d6 24.f3 there is no way to stop disaster on b7. ] 1-0
1035 Kosten,Anthony C Farago,Ivan Amantea [Tony Kosten]
A28 2515 2510 1992
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.e4 Nimzovich's move, White takes a firm grip on the centre, and stops Black from liberating his play with ...d5, but at the cost of weakening the d4-square. b4 Black probably doesn't want to capture on c3, but instead play ...Bc5 without allowing the Nxe5 trick, but it is timewasting. 5.d3 d6 6.g3 c5 Now that the e5pawn is firmly supported by the d6-pawn, Black can safely play this move. 7.g2 d4 8.xd4 xd4 So, Black has achieved his goal, his bishop is firmly established on d4. The problem is that this has taken several moves to achieve, and that the 'victory' might 1020
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 be a temporary one- White can still fight for, and win, control of d4 when he will have a s p a c e a d v a n t a g e . 9.h3 e6 10.f4!? This is an aggressive move, but [ 10.0-0 is risky, Black might be tempted to play h5!? ] 10...c6 Another advantage of Black's seventh is that he can play this move, controlling d5. [ Karpov preferred 10...a6 against Gulko. ] 11.e2 c5 Black cannot afford to concede the bishop pair. 12.f3! A good move, White (that is, I) intend to 'castle' slowly, by Kf1-g2. b6 13.f1 e3?! I suppose that this is 'positionally correct' in the sense that the black dark-squared bishop is on the same colour squares as his central pawns, but, on the other hand, it is much more active than its white counterpart. [ 13...d8 would have been a more useful move, but not ] [ 13...0-0? when Black would risk being wiped off the board by 14.f5 and g4-5. ] 14.g2 exf4 15.gxf4 xc1 16.xc1 d5 Presumably, this central strike is the point of Black's play, and it certainly appears reasonable at first sight. 17.f5 Unfortunately for Black, the white central pawns now sweep forward, overturning everything in their path. dxe4 18.dxe4 d7 19.e5 g8 20.c5 c7 21.e6! Will they never stop? fxe6 22.fxe6 xe6 23.d4 Black is allowed no respite. d7 24.g5 f6 25.ae1+ f8 Virtually forced, the move [ 25...f7? would lose, on the spot to 26.e7+! xe7 27.xg7+ which decimates the black position. ] 26.hf1 [ carefully avoiding, 26.e7? which is not c h e c k , a n d is m e t b y xh3+ and 27... Qxe7. ] 26...h5 Hoping to bring the h1-rook to the defence. 27.d5! h6 The only move, [ both 27...cxd5? 28.xf6+ and ] [ 27...d8 28.e8+!! win beautifully. ] 28.xh6!! So you thought that the English Opening was dull? gxh6 29.xf6+ g7 30.f7+ White has swapped his queen for a rook and minor piece, but more importantly he has eliminated the black king's only defenders. g6 [ If 30...h8 then 31.ee7 threatens Rh7
mate, and wins quickly. ] 31.b3! A good move, although the alternative [ 31.e6! also won, xe6 32.xe6+ xf7 33.xc6+ with a piece to the good. ] 31...a5 Or [ 31...c8 32.ee7 xh3+ 33.h2 when the threat of 34 Bc2+ is terminal. ] 32.f3! The immediate threat is Ne5+, forcing mate. e8 33.xe8 xe8 I was now very short of time, but I had planned the mate a few moves ago, so: 34.e5+ g5 35.h4+ xh4 36.f3+ [ 36.f3+ g4 37.e6# ] 1-0
1036 Kovacevic,Blazimir Zelcic,Robert Bizovac Metalis op 08th (7) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2457 2500 25.02.2001
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.d4 e4 5.g5 h6 6.gxe4 xe4 7.xe4 h4 8.d3 d5 9.cxd5 b4 10.b1 f5 11.d6+ [ 11.g4 xg4 12.f3 h4+ 13.d1 xd5 Obviously favours Black. ] 11...xd6! This improvement was brought to my intention by Topnotch on the Forum. I had previously looked at [ 11...cxd6 12.xf5 g6 13.f4 in Smirin, I (2677)-Johannessen, L (2422)/Istanbul 2000 - see the Archive. ] 12.xf5 g6 13.b1 [ 13.f3!? c2+ ( 13...xd4 14.b3 xd5 15.d2 might be playable) 14.d1 xa1 15.e3 ( 15.e3 f5 16.c1 f4 17.g3 f6 18.h3 0-0 19.gxf4 xf4 and the position is opening up on the kingside much too soon for White's liking.) 15...0-0-0 16.b3 b4 17.g3 ( 17.b2 d6 ) 17...h5 18.xh5 gxh5 19.g2 is not too clear, White is a rook down in an endgame, but will win the trapped knight, d6 ( 19...c3 20.e2 c2 21.h3+ b8 22.d3 b4+ 23.xc3 xa2+ 24.c4 xc1 25.xc1 ) 20.b2 a6 21.c1 ] 13...xd4 14.a3 [ 14.e4 mentioned by Markovich, 1021
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A) 14...f5 15.b5+ e7 16.e3 xe4 17.xe4+ fxe4 18.0-0-0 White can be happy with his two bishops, e.g. xa2+ 19.b1 a6 ( 19...b4 20.d4 ) 20.e2 b4 21.d4 f6 22.xe4 he8 23.d4+ f5 24.e3!; B) 14...c5 15.e2 (what else?) ( 15.d1 xf2 16.a3 d4+ 17.e2 ( M a r k o v i c h )) 15...c2 16.b4! xb4 17.b2 0-0-0 18.e3 b5+ 19.f3 d7 I don't think many humans would feel too comfortable here!; C) 14...xd5! 15.exd5 ( 15.d3 ) 15...b4+ 16.e2 0-0-0 (Markovich) is dangerous, 17.d3 e5+ 18.f3 xd5 ] [ 14.d2 0-0-0 15.c3 xd5 16.e3 ( 16.xh8? f4 with winning threats) 16...he8 17.a3 c6 White has the bishop pair, but a woeful lack of development. ] 14...0-0-0! 15.d2 [ 15.g3! xd5 16.h3+ f5 17.0-0 gets the king to safety, but he8 18.g2 c6 ( 18...xe2 19.f3 e5 (else Rd1 wins material) 20.d1 c4 21.xh6 and White is OK ) 19.f3 Black is nicely centralised, but White has got over the worst. ( 19.xh6 xe2 hits b2 )] 15...xd5 16.e3 f6 17.c2 he8 Black simply develops. 18.e2 [ 18.c4! e5 19.0-0 is playable. ] 18...b8 19.0-0 f4! 20.f3 [ 20.c4 xg2 21.xg2 g5+ 22.h1 xh2 wit h a p o we rf u l a t t a ck , 23.fd1 ( 23.xh2? h4+ 24.g1 g4+ 25.h1 e5 ) 23...h4 24.e1 d6+ 25.g1 h2+ 26.f1 xe3 27.d5 g3! 28.e4 h3+ 29.e2 g5 with 3 pawns and a strong initiative for the piece. ] [ 20.d1!? d3 ( 20...xg2 21.xg2 g5+ 22.h3 ) 21.e2 xf2!? 22.xf2 xh2+ 23.f1 h4 24.f3 g3 forces 25.xg3 xg3 which is not too clear. ] 20...h3+ 21.h1 g5 22.c3 e7 23.e2 e4 24.g1 f5 The knight is powerfully placed and is more than a match for a white bishop. 25.ae1 h5 26.d3? A simple blunder. [ 26.f3 g5 27.e2 ] 26...xh2+! 27.xh2 d6+ White not only loses a pawn, but also finds himself with the
inferior minor piece. 0-1
1037 Kovalyov,Anton Cubas,Jose Fernando IV Magistral (10) [John Watson]
A28 2381 2426 28.11.2006
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.a3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.c2 e7 7.e3 xc3 8.bxc3 0-0 9.d4 This is a basic position that arises time and again in the English Opening and the Sicilian Def ence (with colours reversed). After all these years I'm not sure if anyone knows who stands better. It's probably dynamically equal, but one feels that with accurate play Black has to be careful not to cede a positional advantage based upon White's extra central pawn. d6 10.b2 [ An approach that doesn't solve the basic issue of Black's central threats (in particular ...e4) is 10.e2 e7 ( 10...e6!? 11.e4 exd4 12.cxd4 g4 13.e3; 10...f5 is another good move, however) 11.0-0 e4 12.d2 f5 13.c4 ad8 14.xd6 xd6 ] [ The key to these positions is probably to get c4 and/or e4 in, e.g., 10.b1 b8 11.d3 f5 12.e4 f6 13.d5 e7 14.c4 c5 15.g5 g6 16.xe7 xe7 17.0-0 f6 18.c5 ( or 18.a4 c5 19.exf5 xf5 20.fe1 )] 10...e7 11.e2 d7 [ 11...e4 12.d2 f5 is still a problem for W h i t e . A g a i n , 13.c4 looks right, with the idea g5 14.g3 fe8 15.g4 d7 16.h4 h6 17.0-0-0 ] 12.0-0 ae8 13.fe1 f5 [ 13...e4! 14.d2 h4 15.g3 e7 16.c4 b6 17.b3 is double-edged. ] 14.c4 b6 15.c5! bxc5 16.dxc5? [ 16.dxe5! xe5 17.xe5 xe5 18.xe5 xe5 19.ac1 destroys Black's pawn structure, and his disadvantage may be fatal after f4 20.xc5 fxe3 21.fxe3 xc5 22.xc5 ] 16...xc5 17.b5 b8! 18.xc6 xc6 19.xe5 e4 20.c4+ h8 21.d4 d6! Rather than grab the a-pawn Black keeps his initiative growing. Now W hite finds himself 1022
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 defending and soon finds Black's passed cpawn a might force. 22.f4 c5 23.c3 b7 24.e2 e7! 25.ad1 f6 26.a1 b3!? [ There's no reason to cede material. Much better is 26...fd8 wit h the ide a 27.c4 xd1 28.xd1 b3! ] 27.d7 xa1 28.xa1 c4 29.ec1?! [ 29.xf8 xf8 30.d1! ] 29...c3 Now it's very difficult to both stop the pawn and defend elsewhere. 30.xf8 xf8 31.d1 c2 32.e1 d8 33.ac1 h6 34.f1 c3 35.f2 xa3 36.xc2 xc2 37.xc2 xe3 38.h3 a5 The rest is self-explanatory: 39.h2 a4 40.f3 e4 41.c7 e8 42.a3 h7 43.d6 e6 44.d2 b6 45.a1 b4 46.g3 b3+ 47.h2 a3 48.e1 a4 49.d6 a2 50.e5 b5 51.e6 d3 52.d1 g3+ 53.h1 b1 0-1
1038 Mailbox Question Chris N,Archana from Hannover [John Watson]
A28
2005
Chris from Germany writes" "Two days ago, we had a team-competition taking place in Hannover. Against my 2300-rated opponent, I tried out the following idea I found on ChessPublishing in one of Beliavsky's games [ j w H e r e f e r s t o B e l y a vs k y - T u r o v , 2 4 t h Politiken Cup 2002] we arrived at the following position: 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.a3 e4 5.g5 e7 6.d3 exd3 7.e4 After making this move, my opponent looked rather surprised and spent a lot of time on his n e x t m o ve . W h il e h e wa s c o n si d e ri n g , I wondered if White had any advantage at all after 7. ...Ne5 and guess what he played? 7. ...Ne5, of course." e5 "I do not know if this is a novelty or not, the game continued 8. Bd3: d6, 9. O-O c6, 10. f4!? (perhaps 10. Be2 is stronger?) Nd3:, 11. Qd3: Qc7, 12. e5?! (I guess 12. Be3 followed by Bd4 is better) Ng4! and in the end, I lost due to a blunder which of course had nothing to do with the opening anymore. What is your opinion on 7. ...Ne5? Is it preferable to the usual 7. .. .h6? 7. ...h6 se em s to wo rk o u t nice f o r W h it e , bu t is
played by strong GMs so it cannot be bad. I am looking forward to hearing from you! " Reply from John: I'm going to answer this by commenting on various options along the way. First, let's take a brief look at [ 7...h6 8.f3 d5 ( 8...xe4 9.d5 d8 10.xd3 c5 11.0-0 offers White a powerf ul initiative f or the pawn, with Re1(+) coming.; 8...e5 (too late!) 9.xe5 xe5 10.f4 e6 11.xd3 gives White everything he wants.) 9.cxd5 xe4 10.e3 xc3 11.bxc3 e5 12.xd3 g4 . This was Turov's choice versus Belyavsky. Another game went ( 12...xd3+ 13.xd3 d8 14.0-0 e7 15.c4 (White has space and is better) c5 16.f4 0-0 17.d2!? b6 18.ae1 d6 19.xd6 xd6 20.e3 with the better game, Delchev-Papa, Zuerich 2002 ) 13.0-0 xe3 14.fxe3 d7 ( 14...xe3+!? 15.h1 e7 16.e1 c5 17.e2 ) 15.e4 ( 15.h1 ) 15...c5+ 16.h1 0-0-0 17.b3 and Belyavsky stood better. ] 8.xd3 You also had a promising pawn sacrifice here: [ 8.f4! xc4 9.xd3 b6 ( 9...d5? 10.xd5 xd5 11.xc4 ) 10.0-0 ( or 10.e3 h6 11.f3 , for example, d5 12.e5 g4 13.g1 c6 14.c2 ) 10...h6 ( 10...c5+ 11.h1 h6 12.f3 transposes ) 11.f3 A) A sample line might go 11...d6 12.e1 d8 13.a4! e7 ( 13...a5 14.e3 e7 15.xb6 cxb6 16.b5+ d7 17.xd7+ xd7 18.d4 d8 ) 14.a5 bd7 15.e5 dxe5 16.fxe5 g4 17.e6!; B) 11...c5+ 12.h1 B1) 12...e7 13.e5! ( or 13.e2 0-0 14.e3 h5 15.xb6! axb6 16.e5 e8 17.e4 ) 13...fd5 14.e4 c6 15.e6!! f6! ( 15...dxe6 16.e5; 15...fxe6 16.e5; 15...xe6 16.d4 g6 17.f5 h7 18.f6+- ) 16.d4 a4 17.h5+ d8 18.b4 c6 19.f7 dxe6 20.xg7 e8 21.d2; B2) 12...d5 13.e5 g4 14.e1 h5 15.f5! ( or one of: 15.h3 d7 16.e6!; and 15.e6 fxe6 16.g6+ )] 8...d6?! JW: This is so natural but from now on Black's queen on e7 hurts his cause badly. HiA rc s su gg e st s a m o ve t h a t I p ro b a b l y 1023
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 wouldn't have thought of: [ 8...d6! 9.e2 ( 9.b5 xd3+ 10.f1 c6 11.xd3 d6 and White is only slightly better if at all.) 9...xd1+ 10.xd1 h6 11.f4 ( 11.f3 d6 , about equal) 11...eg4 12.h3 d6 ] 9.0-0 c6 [ 9...h6 10.f3 g4 ( 10...xd3 11.xd3 d7 12.d5! ) 11.e2 leaves White much better. Black's position after 9.0-0 is worse than it appears because he never has time to play ..Qd8 and ...Be7 and unravel. ] 10.f4 [ "Perhaps 10.e2 is stronger?" JW: That would be a good move, but 10.f4 is also strong. ] 10...xd3 11.xd3 c7 12.e5 "?!" [ "I guess 12.e3 followed by Bd4 is better". JW: Actually, 12.e5! looks great! And you're right that 12.Be3 shows that W hite has a clear positional advantage. Something like ] [ 12.b4!? also looks strong. ] 12...g4! "and in the end, I lost due to a blunder which of course had nothing to do with the opening anymore." JW: On the other hand isn't your attack strong? W hite should play 13.exd6! xd6! [ 13...b6+? 14.h1 f2+?? 15.xf2 xf2 16.e3 xb2 17.e1 wins. This is no t ju st a n a tt a ck b ut B la ck's qu e en is trapped, for example, e6 18.c5 0-0-0 19.xe6 fxe6 20.b1 xd6 21.xb2 xc5 22.e4 ] [ 13...xd6 is also inferior after 14.e1+ e6 15.xe6 fxe6 ( 15...xd3 16.c5+ ) 16.e4 ( good but not great is 16.xd6 xd6 17.h3 c5+ 18.f1 f6 19.xe6+ f7 20.f5 ) 16...0-0-0 17.e3 xe3 18.xe3 c7 19.b4 ] 14.e1+ e7 15.e3! xe3 16.xe3 h6 17.f3 e6 [ 17...f8 18.ad1 g4 19.d2 xf3 20.xf3 ] 18.ad1! 0-0?? [ 18...f8 19.e5 ] 19.f5 winning a piece.
1039 A28 Matamoros Franco,Carlos S 2460 Korneev,Oleg 2613 XXVIII Sevilla ESP (5) 14.01.2003 [Tony Kosten] 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.a3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.c2 e7 7.e3 0-0 8.b5 White can also play the more conservative [ 8.e2 when g4!? would transpose to the game, except that Black has an extra tempo! 9.0-0! but why not ( 9.g5! xg5 10.xg4 anyway? ) 9...d7 ( 9...a5 10.d3 h8 Horvath,G-Parkanyi,A/Balatonbereny 1994) 10.d3 ad8 11.d1 fe8 with typical Sicilian play, Paehtz,T-Goldberg,A/Eilenburg 1984. ] [ 8.b4 ] 8...g4!? [ 8...xc3 9.bxc3 d7 is safer, Poluljahov, A-Popov,R/Krasnodar 1997. ] 9.e2!? White loses a whole tempo over the note to move 8, does he consider that provoking ...Bg4 justifies this? [ 9.a4!? is a possible alternative, hoping to provoke Black into capturing on f3 whilst retaining both white bishops, xc3 10.bxc3 d7 11.e4 d6 12.h4!? f5 13.d5+ h8 14.g5 with double-edged play, McNab,C-Mendoza,R/Moscow 1994. ] [ We have already considered the mainline 9.xc6 xf3 a couple of times, e.g. in Beim, V-Rublevsky,S. ] 9...h8?! Played to continue with ...f5, when the king is off the a2-g8 diagonal, but [ 9...d7! seems like a good idea, as at move eight, Black defends the bishop. ] 10.g5! Simply gaining the bishop pair with the double threat of mate on h7, and the a t t a c k o n g 4 . xg5 11.xg4 f5? Black, obviously annoyed at the turn of events, tries to justify his play with sharp tactics. 12.xf5 d4? 13.exd4 This is forced, but good. exd4 14.xd5 xd5 Forking f5 and g2, but there is a flaw. 15.e4 d3 [ 15...ae8 16.d3 leads nowhere. ] 16.xd5 ae8+ 17.f1 [ 17.d1 dxc2+ 18.xc2 xf2 is also winning. ] 17...dxc2 18.d3 f6 19.a2 d4 20.f3 After this it is clear that Black has no 1024
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 compensation for his piece, and can resign - centre by a flanking blow. f7 just what had he missed? e3 21.a1 d4 [ 21...fxg4 22.dxe4 dxe4 23.c4+ e6 22.e4 f6 23.e2 e5 24.a2 24.xe4 leaves White well on top. ] 1-0 22.dh1 f8 23.d1! ac8 24.g5 g6 25.gxf5 xf5 26.dxe4 dxe4? [ This loses, but even after the better 26...xe4 White has a powerful attack: 27.f3 1040 A28 f5 28.g4 e7! ( 28...d7 29.d3! xe3 Miles,Anthony J 30.xh7! xd3 31.xg7+! xg7 32.xd3 Kindermann,Stefan wi n n i n g b a c k t h e p i e c e wi t h i n t e r e s t .) Biel 1983 29.gxf5!! xg5 30.fxg6 xe3+ 31.b1 [Tony Kosten] and the bishop is untouchable, for xe2? 32.gxh7+ h8 33.xg7+! xg7 34.h8+ 1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.e3 f6 4.f3 b4 xh8 35.g1+ and Qxe2. ] 5.d5!? This move is less popular nowadays, in fact White hopes to lure the e-pawn to its 27.xf5! xf5 28.c4+ h8 The simplest, d o o m , b u t a c c e p t s a d i s a d v a n t a g e i n winning the queen 29.h5! [ although 29.xh7+ was also winning: xh7 d e v e l o p m e n t . e4 The critical reply, and 30.h1+ h4 31.xh4+ g6 32.g3+ almost universally tried. 6.g1 The knight is g5 33.f7+ f5 34.h3+ g4 35.h7+ forced to return home. 0-0 7.a3 d6 8.e2 g6 36.xe8 etc. ] Mile s' n o ve lt y a t t he t im e , a lt h ou gh n o w [ After 29.h5 xf2? 30.xh7+ xh7 considered the main line. e5 9.g3 e8 31.h5# ] 10.c2 The point of White's opening is revealed, he menaces to capture on f6, then 1-0 e4. xg3!? [ 10...d6 is possible, and possibly superior, A28 tempting White to take the pawn: 11.xf6+ 1041 xf6 12.xe4 g6 with some initiative, Milov,Vadim 2676 although the white position is super solid. ] Lopez Martinez,Josep Manuel 2563 11.hxg3 d6 12.h4! Spanish Team Ch Gp1 (2) 21.06.2007 [ A lovely idea, attacking the e-pawn again, [Carsten Hansen] although 12.b3 and Bb2 is also good. ] 12...xd5 13.cxd5 e5 14.d3! 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.e3 c6 4.a3 [ The e-pawn cannot be captured: 14.xe4? (Milov likes to play these Sicilians with an g6 and ] extra tempo with the White pieces. Essentially [ 14.xe4? f5 loses an exchange in both these lines should be fairly harmless the ECO cases. ] claims equality for Black in any number of 14...f5 ways, yet White scores much better than with [ 14...exd3 15.xd3 xd3+ 16.xd3 the colours reversed. Is the tempo really all is actually very favourable to White, despite that important? The answer is both yes and no. the opposite-coloured bishops, as Bd2-c3 Of course the extra tempo offers something and 0-0-0 follows with a strong kingside better than with the colours reversed, but not attack. ] much. However, the psychological aspect is 15.d2 g6 16.h5 d7 17.c3 always an interesting one in lines such as this White has an edge because of his powerful c3- one. When Black loses he makes one of two bishop. c5 18.dxc6 bxc6 19.0-0-0 mistakes: 1) He plays too aggressively, as he W hite is catching-up on his development, would in a normal Sicilian, and here the extra whilst retaining his positional plusses. d5 tempo comes to benefit the first player, or 2) [ T h e t a c t i c 19...f4? 20.dxe4 g4 he plays too slowly, in a way he would never f a l l s t o t h e r e j o i n d e r 21.c4+ h8 have done with the colours reversed and 22.xh7+! ] White therefore easily gains the upper hand. 20.e2 e7 21.g4! Breaking-up the black The problem for Black in this line is to find a 1025
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 good balance, yet in the present game you will see that even a strong player don't find it particularly easy to do so.) g6 5.f3 g7 6.d3 0-0 7.e2 a5 [ This way of restraining White's queenside expansion is a common ploy for Black, but it also weakens Black's queenside and makes it easier for White's pawns to make contact with their black counterparts and therefore speeding up the interaction on the queenside. Alternatively, Black has tried 7...d6 A) 8.c2!? has been used by another specialist in this set-up for White, and to great effect: a5 ( 8...e8 9.d2 f5 10.e4 d7 11.b4 h6 12.h3 , and the players prematurely agreed upon a draw, 1/2-1/2 W.Schmidt-K.Typek, Lubniewice) 9.b1 h6 10.b4 axb4 11.axb4 e6 12.0-0 h7 13.b5 e7 14.d4 g5?! 15.dxe5!? ( 15.xg5 hxg5 16.d5 d7 17.e4 c8 18.e3 b6 19.d2 f6 20.f3 ) 15...xf3+ 16.xf3 xe5 17.xb7 xc4 18.xa8 xa8 19.d1 b8 20.b2 f5 21.e4 ( 21.a1!? b7 22.a4 xb5 23.xb5 xb5 24.xe5 dxe5 25.c4+- ) 21...xe4 22.xe4+M.Gurevich-E.Sobjerg, Korinthos 1998; B) 8.0-0 B1) 8...e6 9.b1 h6 10.b4 d7 11.b5 e7 12.c2 h7 13.d4 f5 14.d3 xd3 15.xd3 e6 16.e4 S.Barbeau-S.Dupuis, Quebec 1986; B2) 8...h6 9.c2 e6 B2a) Or 10.b1 e8 11.b4 a6 12.d5 f5 13.a4 ( 13.d4 e4 14.d2 xd5 15.cxd5 e7 16.f3 exf3 17.xf3 ) 13...e7 14.xe7+ xe7 15.d4 g5 16.dxe5 dxe5 17.b2 Z.Franco Ocampos-H. Fioramonti, Biel 1989; B2b) 10.b4 h7 11.b5 e7 12.d4 f5 13.d1 c6 14.a4 exd4 15.xd4 d7 16.b2 g5 17.d2 , Black's pieces are not particularly well-placed or well-coordinated, so White has an easy game and a solid advantage, P.Harikrishna-M.Sebag, Cap d'Agde 2006; B3) 8...g4 9.d2 f5 10.c1 f4
11.exf4 exf4 12.d4 h6 13.d5 e5 14.xe5 xe5 15.f3 g5 (this is being called 'unclear' by ECO, but I nonetheless prefer W hite after) 16.g4 f7 17.b4 M.Taimanov-S.Ionov, St Petersburg 1998; B4) 8...f5 9.c2 ( Or 9.e4 g4 10.e1 e6 11.f4 d4 12.f3 1/2-1/2, V.Milov-R.Dautov, Dresden 1998 ) 9...e8 B4a) 10.g5 h6 ( 10...g4!? ) 11.ge4 xe4 12.dxe4 d7 13.b4; B4b) 10.d2 g4 11.de4 xe2 12.xf6+ xf6 13.xe2 g7 14.b4 f5 15.b2 d4 16.exd4 exd4 17.d2 dxc3 , and a draw was agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, in K. Robatsch-K.Hulak, Lublin 1976, which seems entirely reasonable after for example 18.xc3 d7= ] [ Black's best option probably lies in 7...d5 which takes the ga me over in the ope n Sicilian terrain: 8.cxd5 xd5 A) 9.d2 is less convincing: A1) 9...a5 10.a4 h6 11.b3 b6 12.c1 ( 12.0-0 e6 13.c2 d7 14.ac1 de7= ) 12...d6 ( 12...ce7!? ) 13.0-0 d7 14.fd1 ac8 15.c3 xc3 16.xc3 C. Goritsas-V.Kotrotsos, Salonica 2006; A2) 9...xc3!? 10.xc3 a5 11.0-0 a4 12.d2 ( 12.d4 exd4 13.xd4 xd4 14.xd4 xd4 15.exd4 e6 16.c1 c6 ) 12...e6 A2a) 13.f4!? looks rather bizarre, but is n o t e wo rt h y n o n e t h e le ss , e . g. f5 ( 13...exf4 14.xg7 xg7 15.xf4 f5 16.xa4 ) 14.fxe5 xe5 15.f3 d6 16.c1 fe8=; A2b) 13.b4?! axb3 14.xb3 e7 15.b2 a5 16.xa5 xa5 17.c2 fa8 18.fc1 c5 M.Cebalo-J. Smejkal, Vrsac 1981; B) 9.c2 B1) 9...b6 10.0-0 b7 11.d2 ce7 12.b4 d7 13.ac1 ac8 14.b1 ( 14.e4!? xc3 15.xc3 c6 16.b3 ) 14...c5!= 15.bxc5 xc5 16.xd5 xd5 17.xc5 bxc5 18.c1 c8 19.e1 a6 20.d2 b6 21.e4 1/2-1/2, V.Savon-I.Farago, Yerevan 1026
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 similar to the game, and also quite 1982 c4 22.dxc4 xc4 23.xc4 comfortable for White ] xc4=; B2) 9...a5 10.d2 b6 11.c1 h8 15.d1 h6 16.h3 e6 17.f1 [ 17.b5!? e7 18.e4 is also very good for 12.b5 f5 13.e4 ( 13.0-0!? e6 ) W hite Black has a passive position with 13...e6 ( 13...f4!? ) 14.b3 c8 15.0-0 hardly any counterplay ] d6 16.a4 g8 17.c3 d7 17...h7 18.d5 e7 19.e4 d8 20.e3 E.Lobron-L.Oll, New York 1997 ] [ 20.b5!? ] 8.0-0 [ Other moves include 8.b3?! which should 20...xd5?! [ I really don't like this move since Black is be met by the untried e4!? 9.d4 xd4 stuck with defending the backward c-pawn 10.exd4 exd3 11.xd3 e8+ 12.e2 d5 ] the rest of the game with no real prospects [ Or 8.c2 e8 9.0-0 d5 10.cxd5 xd5 of ever becoming active. Possibly better is 11.b1 ( 11.e4!? ) 11...b6 12.xd5 20...c5 although White can obtain a rather ( 12.e4!? ) 12...xd5 13.b3 b7 14.b2 clear advantage in any number of way, e.g. ad8 15.fd1 d7= C.Horvath-P.Acs, 21.bxc5 ( 21.b2!? ) 21...bxc5 22.b2 ] Balatonlelle 2002 ] 21.cxd5 d7 22.dc1 c8 23.d4! 8...d6 9.b1 e8 10.c2 [ Or 10.e4!? g4 ( 10...d4 11.xd4 exd4 (White puts even more pressure on Black's 12.b5 c5 13.f4 a6 14.b4 ) 11.b5 position, as Black now also have to consider xf3 12.xf3 d7 13.g4 c5 14.f4 the o ption o f W hite pe ne trating t he ligh t 24.xd4 This idea is the brain child of my chess squares with Bf1-a6-b7-c6) exd4 engine, but looks like something that can h4 25.f3 g5 (Black tries to stage some counterplay as a last resort before W hite be considered as a decent alternative. ] crushes Black positionally, but unfortunately 10...f5 [ Opening the centre with 10...d5 11.cxd5 for Black, White can ward it off rather easily) xd5 looks like an attractive option as it will 26.f2! h5 27.e2!? (Now a ... Bxh3 is take the game into a Scheveningen Sicilian met Nf4) h7 (necessary as the queen was with the colours reversed in which Black otherwise trapped after Nf4) 28.c2! [ 28.g3 h4 29.a6 looks like an should not be worse, but White still appears attractive option, but it actually just lets to have a s light pull af te r 12.e4 f5 Black back into the game a8 30.b7 a3 13.d1!? ] 31.xc7 xe3 32.xe3 xg3 33.xd7 11.d2 g5 with counterplay ] [ My computer loves 11.e4!? g4 12.b5!? 29.bc1 d8 30.d4 e5 , and claims an edge for White. While it is 28...f6 interesting and a noteworthy idea, I doubt it 31.b5! xb5 32.xb5 f6 33.d4 g5 34.h4 h5 35.xd6 is White's best... ] 1-0 11...d7 12.b4 axb4 13.axb4 g4 14.f3 [ An alternative is 14.b5 e7 15.xg4 xg4 16.e4!? with a better game for White. A28 However, White's idea is to only exchange 1042 pieces when it suits him in his plan, and Morozevich,Alexander 2749 right now the plan is to only allow Black to Adams,Michael 2744 exchange his bishops for White's knights, Sparkassen Cat XXI (5) 16.07.2001 thus creating a favourable imbalance for [Tony Kosten] White, or to retreat. Over the next several moves we will see how White consistently 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.e4 pushes Black towards the latter until White I was amazed to see Morozevich choose this has taken complete control over the board move I had a great deal of success with it and Black is left with no counterplay at all. ] some years ago, but only because my 14...b6 opponents chose inferior defences. b4 [ 14...e7 15.h3 e6 16.d1 is somewhat [ It is a pity that Mickey didn't play 4...c5 1027
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 , in my opinion the critical line, to see what Morozevich intended here. ] 5.d3 d6 6.e2!? [ Another surprise, White disdains the ' a u t o m a t i c ' 6.g3 and Bg2, as in my game against Farago. ] 6...h6 7.0-0 c5 [ Taking immediate control of d4 preserves more options than 7...0-0 although this is perfectly reasonable, too, e.g. 8.d5 c5 9.b1 a5 10.a3 xd5 11.cxd5 d4 12.xd4 xd4 with equality, Nei,I-Gipslis,A/ Tallinn 1975. ] 8.d2!? A new idea in this rare positionWhite intends to play Nb3, Kh1, and f4, with a k in g s id e a d va n ce . d4 9.b3 xb3 10.axb3 0-0 11.h1 c6 12.f4 d4 [ Perhaps it was time to consider conceding control of d4: 12...exf4!? 13.d4!? ( 13.xf4 d4 ) 13...b4 14.xf4 ( 14.a2 a5 15.b4 c7 16.c3 e8 is unclear) 14...c5 ( 14...xc3!? 15.bxc3 g5 16.f1 xe4 i s r i s k y , b u t p l a y a b l e) 15.b5!? with complications. ] 13.f3 Clamping-do wn on d5, and preparing to contest d4 with Ne2. White has managed to 'fianchetto' his light-squared bishop, anyway, without allowing any light-squared weaknesses, or losing control of g4. a6 14.h3 e7 15.e2 a7 16.d2?! [ T h i s lo o k s c a re le ss , 16.g3 first, is indicated. ] 16...b5?! [ Missing the opportunity to play 16...g4! 17.xg4 ( 17.hxg4?? h4# ) 17...xg4 with good play. ] 17.g3 Quickly rectifying his previous omission. b8 18.f5 xf5 19.exf5 Freeing the f3-bishop. bxc4 20.bxc4 d4 [ B l a c k h a d p o s s i b l y i n t e n d e d 20...xb2 but then 21.c3! ( if 21.xa6 b7 is OK, as 22.xc6? loses material to e4 ) 21...b6 22.e1 d7 23.d4 leaves Black in serious trouble. ] [ On the other hand, 20...e4!? 21.e1 d5 looks playable. ] 21.xa6 b7 22.a2 [ Once again 22.xc6? fails to e4 and now 23.xd6 exf3 menaces to capture on g2, so White has no time to take the bishop. ] 22...b3?
[ The ending is not good for Black, at all. I can see nothing wrong with the obvious 22...xb2 23.fxe5 dxe5 as 24.a4?! a8 25.a5 e4! leaves White fighting to draw- ... Bc3 is threatened. ] 23.xb3 xb3 24.fxe5 dxe5 25.xc6 c8! [ White is simply a pawn up after 25...xb2 26.xb2 xb2 27.b1 d4 28.b7 ] 26.f3 xd3 27.b4! A simple tactical point that guards d2, whilst the c4-pawn is untouchable because of Be2, winning the exchange. c3 28.xc3 xc3 29.e2 b3 [ The immediate 29...e4 doesn't seem to help, 30.h2 b3 ( 30...g3 31.b1 xe2 32.xe2 3xc4 33.xe5 should win) 31.b5 c3 32.f3 e4 33.g3 xa2 34.xb3 c1 35.b2 xe2 36.xe2 xc4 37.b2! 'rook behind the pawn', and wins. ] 30.b5 e4 31.f3 b1+ [ 31...xf3 32.xf3 ( rather than 32.gxf3? c3 33.b2 xe2 34.xe2 xc4 35.xe5 c2 drawing ) 32...d6 ( 32...xc4 33.b6 ) 33.b6 xc4 ( 33...e4 34.xe4! ) 34.b7 wins at a canter. ] 32.h2 d6 33.fa3! h7 [ 33...xc4? 34.a8 wins the knight: b6 35.xc8+ xc8 36.a8 c1 37.b6 ] 34.a8 xa8 35.xa8 The two passed pawns have survived, and therefore Black is lost. b2 36.f1?! [ This obvious move brings unexpected problems, 36.c5! xb5 37.d3 (menace: Rb8) d4 38.f6+ g6 39.f8 b7 40.c4 seems like the quickest kill. ] 36...e4 37.c5 xb5! [ 37...xf5 38.c6 e3 39.c7 xf1+ 40.g1 c2 41.b6 will crown a white queen. ] 38.b8 e3 Black's last desperate fling. 39.c4! [ 39.xb5 e2 40.xe2 xe2 41.c6 c2 may draw. ] 39...e2 40.xf7 With a threat of Bg6 mate. g5? [ The win is still not obvious after the superior 40...g6!! 41.xg6+ g7 42.e8 ( 42.b7+? f6 43.f7+ can now be met by g5 44.e7 d4 and Black's e-pawn will win a rook!! ) 42...d4 43.h5 f6 ] 41.g6+ g7 42.b7+ f6 43.f7+ e5 1028
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 44.e7+ d5 45.f6 d4 46.h5 b1 [ This loses to a cute tactical point, but 46...b8 47.f7 f8 48.e8 e6 49.f3+ e5 50.g4 is also hopeless. ] 47.f7 f1 48.xe2! [ 48.xe2! xe2 49.f3+ blocks the f-file, and queens the f-pawn. ] 1-0
also concerned about getting this in before White regrouped with 16.Nd2 or even 16. Qb2 Q b 3 1 7 . Q a 1 . 16.xb3 xb3 17.e4 g6 18.fe1 fe8 19.d2 a4!? An original and double-edged decision, putting the bishop on an offside looking square but stops W hite' f r o m p u t t i n g h i s r o o k s o n d 1 . 20.g3 It's not quite clear to me why White felt this was necessary. [ The imme diat e 20.exf5 gxf5 21.c4 1043 A28 loo ks b et te r to m e, t ho ugh I do ub t it is enough to particularly trouble Black. ] Morozevich,Alexander 2750 Gelfand,Boris 2758 20...g8 21.exf5 gxf5 22.h5 f8 23.c4 Tal Memorial (4) 08.11.2009 g5 24.a1 xd3 25.b2 xc3 26.xa4 c2 [Nigel Davies] [ Perhaps 26...d2 was a better try, for example 27.ed1 c2 leaves White unable He re we ge t a kno wn lin e o f t h e S icilia n to regroup his bishop on h5 with Bh5-d1. ] Scheveningen but with colours reversed. It's easy to overestimate the value of an extra 27.c5 e4 28.d1 b2 [ And here it might have been better to play tempo in these colours reversed defences and 28...c3 . ] it never looked like very much for White. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.d3 d5 5.cxd5 29.b3+ h8 30.ab1 xb1 31.xb1 d4 xd5 6.e3 e7 7.e2 0-0 8.0-0 e6 32.xb7 f4 33.c5 e3 34.gxf4 This leads 9.d2 f5 What we have here is a to a general liquidation and equality. xf4 Scheveningen Sicilian with colours reversed 35.fxe3 xe3+ 36.h1 xb3 37.xb3 and an extra tempo for W hite. W ill this be xc5 38.bxc5 f1+ 39.g2 c1 40.b8+ enough to give him an advantage? Certainly g7 41.a8 xc5 he won't be worse off than in the analogous ½-½ line, and it presents the players with a new playground. 10.xd5 xd5 A28 [ Usually Black has taken with the Bishop 1044 Morozevich,Alexander 2758 here, and that in fact is how Gelfand played it in a previous game: 10...xd5 11.c3 Grischuk,Alexander 2726 27.09.2007 f6 12.c2 h8 13.b4 e4 14.dxe4 fxe4 WCh Mexico City MEX (12) 15.d2 xc3 16.xc3 d6 17.b5 e5 [Carsten Hansen] was Alekseev, E (2616) - Gelfand, B (2714), Sochi 2004. Had this been repeated I think 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.d3 d5 that Morozevich might have played 18.ad1 5.cxd5 xd5 6.e4 This is an unusual move with what looks to me like an edge for White in this position, but nonetheless a playable after ( Rather than 18.d4 as played in the one that several grandmasters have used over the years. It looks like a Boleslavsky Variation game ) 18...e6 19.b3 . ] with the colours reversed, but as we will see 11.c3 ad8 [ The only earlier example of this line (10... White plays somewhat differently than Black Qxd5) I could find went 11...f6 12.c2 a5 normally does in that variation. For starters, it 13.a3 1/2-1/2 which was Schmidt, W (2469)- appears White doesn't have a problem with Grabczewski, R (2344), Wroclaw 1972. This Black playing ...Bg4 here, whereas in the Boleslavsky, Black immediately prevents doesn't tell us too much! ] 12.c2 h8 13.a3 f6 14.b4 a6 15.ac1 White from playing Bg5. I doubt this variation b3 White would not normally do such a thing will become very popular, but it can certainly against the Sicilian, but with Black we are be wheeled out on occasion to surprise an usually satisfied with less. He was probably opponent who likely never studied it, and as 1029
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 we will see in the game, Morozevich uses it to beat a fellow member of the 2700+ club, so it can't be bad. f6 [ 6...b6 A) 7.e2 A1) 7...g4 A1a) There is no tactical justification for 8.xe5?! xe5 ( 8...xe2? 9.xc6 xd3 10.xe2 xe2+ 11.xe2 bxc6 12.f4 0-0-0 13.hd1 d6 14.g3 Ermenkov, E-Russell, M/ T u r i n I T A 2 0 0 6) 9.xg4 xd3+ 10.e2 xc1+ 11.xc1 g5 12.f3 d8 13.c2 d6 14.g3 ( 14.hd1!? ) 14...0-0 15.h4 f6 wi t h a c l e a r a d va n t a g e f o r B l a c k , Csom, I-Garcia P alerm o, C/ Szira k 1986; A1b) 8.0-0 d7 9.e3 d8 10.c1 e7 11.h3 xf3 12.xf3 A1b1) This is too impatient, almost as if Black overlooked the consequences of White's 14th move. A b e t t e r c o n t i n u a t i o n i s 12...0-0 13.b5!? ( 13.a3 d4 14.g4 d6= ) 13...h6 ( 13...a6? 14.g4 ) 14.g4 xd3 15.xa7 xa7 16.xc7 xe3! ( 16...xd1? 17.xd1+- ) 17.fxe3 xd1 18.xd1 g5 19.xb7 xe3+ 20.f1 c4 21.b4 , and White's queenside pawns provide him with a clear advantage; A1b2) 12...xd3? 13.xd3 xd3 14.d5 d4 15.xd4 xd4 16.xc7+ f8 17.b5+Harikrishna, P-Saptarshi, R/Calcutta 2000; A2) 7...e7 A2a) 8.a4 g4 9.0-0 0-0 10.e3 xf3 11.xf3 d7 12.d5 f6 13.b3 ( White has two interesting a l t e r n a t i v e s i n 13.xe7+ xe7 14.b3 ab8 15.ac1 fd8 16.c5 d7 17.fd1; and 13.xf6+ xf6 14.c1 g5 15.d2 xe3 16.fxe3 also with an edge for White) 13...xd5 14.exd5 d4 15.xd4 exd4 16.xb7 d6 17.a5 a6 18.c6 Jobava, BRukhaia, K/ Batumi GEO 2003; A2b) 8.e3 0-0 9.0-0 f5!? 10.exf5
xf5 11.e4 d5 12.c2 ac8 13.a3 a5 , and Black has solved his opening problems successfully, Spraggett, K-Lautier, J/Correze 1989; A2c) 8.0-0 0-0 ( 8...h5?! 9.e3 g4 10.a4 a5 11.b5 0-0 12.h3 xf3 13.xf3 h4 14.c1 d7 15.d2 e8 16.d1 f8 17.b3 e6 18.f4 Cox, J-Heiberg, T/Hamar 1982) 9.a4 a5 A2c1) Or 10.e3 f5 11.c1 ( 11.b5!? f4 12.xb6 cxb6 13.d4 looks pleasant for W hite) 11...f4 12.d2 b4 13.b5 xd2 14.xd2 h8 15.h3 e6 16.f3 g8 , thus far, Agdestein, SIvanchuk, V/Tilburg 1993, and now: 17.d4 exd4 18.fxd4 f6; A2c2) 10.b5 e6 11.c2 f5 12.d1 f6?! ( 12...c8 13.e3 f4 14.c5 xc5 15.xc5 ) 13.e3 f7 14.d4! b4 15.c1 fxe4 16.dxe5 d5 was played in Cramling, D-Astrom, R/Sweden 2000, and now 17.g5!? xg5 18.xg5 c8 19.e6! xe6 20.d8+ xd8 21.xd8 xd8 22.xc7 would leave W hite with a solid, if not winning, advantage; B) 7.e3 g4 8.e2 xf3 9.xf3 d4 10.g4 e7 11.0-0 0-0 12.e2 xe2+ 13.xe2 e8 ( 13...c6 14.ad1 f6 15.h1 e8 16.c2 c8 17.b3 d6 18.a4 Labuckas, A-Gomez Esteban, J/ Istanbul 2000) 14.fd1 g5 15.ac1 c6 16.g3 xe3 17.xe3 e7 18.d4 with a better game for White, but Black's position is solid and fully playable, Franco Ocampos, Z-San Segundo Carrillo, P/Cala Mendia, Mallorca 2001 ] [ 6...xc3 7.bxc3 A) or 7...d6 8.e2 0-0 9.0-0 h6 10.e1 h8 11.e3 f5 12.exf5 xf5 13.d2 ( 13.b3!? ) 13...e7 14.b3 b6 15.f1 ( 15.f3!? c6 16.ad1 d7 17.d4 ) 15...d7 16.e4 e6 17.c4 f5 with an edge for Black, Ermenkov, EBotsari, A/Chania 1999; B) 7...c5 8.e2 0-0 9.0-0 h8 ( 9...b6 10.a4 e8 11.b1 h6 12.c2 a6 13.e3 xe3 14.fxe3 e7 15.fe1 1030
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 with at best a tiny edge for White, Svenn, G-Astrom, R/Sweden 2000; 9...e7 10.d4 d6 11.d5 a5 12.c4 b6 13.b2 b7 with chances for both sides, Ginsburg, MKraai, J/San Francisco 1999) 10.b1 b8 11.xe5 xe5 12.d4 d6 13.dxe5 xe5 14.a4 d7 15.xa7 b6 16.a3 c6 17.b4 e8 18.b5 xb5 19.xb5 xc3 20.c4 , and in this position the players agreed upon a draw, 1/2-1/2 Tal, M-Chernin, A/Sochi 1986 ] 7.e2!? [ White has never really achieved much by preventing Black from playing ... Bg4 with h2h3: 7.h3 c5 8.e2 0-0 ( 8...h6 9.0-0 a6 10.e3 xe3 11.fxe3 0-0 12.e1 e7 13.g3 e8 14.h4 , and Black is facing an uncomfortable kingside initiative by White, Duer, A-Dueckstein, A/Austria 1990) 9.0-0 e8 ( 9...a6 10.a3 h6 11.c2 e7 12.b4 a7 13.e3 d8 14.ac1 d4 15.xd4 exd4 16.a4 e8 17.c5 an White has a nice little edge and pressure against Black's queenside, Shatskes, B-Volovich, A/ M o s c o w 1 9 6 1) 10.a3 ( 10.e3 d4 11.c1 b6 12.xd4 xd4 13.xd4 exd4 14.b1 a5 15.f4 a4 16.c4 d7 with a complicated position, where I think I prefer Black's queenside play to W hite's kingside/centre playAkesson, R-Schinzel, W/Polanica Zdroj 1981) 10...d4 ( 10...a5 11.b1?! h6 12.a4 f8 13.e3 d4 14.xd4 exd4 15.b4? (premature) axb4 16.axb4 h5 17.c5 f4 18.d2 xe2+ 19.xe2 b6 20.b3 xb4 21.bxd4 c5 and Black has the upper hand, Masculo, JCastro, A/Sao Paulo 1991) 11.g5 c6 12.xd4 xd4 13.c2 h6 14.h4 d6 15.ad1 h7 16.h5 g6 17.e2 h5 18.d2 e6 with a complicated battle and approximately even chances, Jobava, BIvanchuk, V/Rethymnon 2003 ] 7...g4 last book move [ 7...e7 8.h3 0-0 9.0-0 b6 ( 9...e6 10.e3 c8 11.d4 exd4 12.xd4 xd4 13.xd4 h6 14.a4 , and White has a pull, Cvek, R-Revuckij, V/Rymarov 1999) 10.e3 b7 11.c1 d7 12.d5 d6 13.a3 e7 14.c3 c5 15.b5 b8 16.b4 cxb4 17.axb4 c6 18.b3 e7 19.b1 a6 20.c3 d6 and Black has more orless
equalized, Dzindzichashvili, R-Timman, J/ Amsterdam 1978, ] 8.0-0 xf3 9.xf3 d4 This looks like the type of position you will see in the instructional books, demonstrating a strong knight vs a bad bishop. So why did Morozevich play e2-e4 and on top of that allow Black to exchange his bishop on f3? W ell, Morozevich isn't exactly bending to convention and here he soon demonstrates that there is absolutely nothing wrong with his position. 10.g3 c5 11.g2 0-0 12.a4 b6 13.e3 d6 14.f4 [ 14.xb6 axb6 15.f4 d7 , with chances to both sides ] 14...d7 [ Black can also consider 14...exf4!? , e.g. 15.xf4 e2+ 16.h1 xf4 17.gxf4 d4 18.c1 g4 19.xg4 xa4 , and Black has a pleasant game ] 15.h1 ad8 [ 15...fd8 16.c1 ( 16.xb6 axb6 17.a3 e6 18.e2 ) 16...e6 ( 16...c6 17.h5!? ) 17.xb6 axb6 18.a3 dc5 19.f5 d4 ] 16.c1 c6 17.xb6 axb6 [ Or 17...cxb6 18.b3 h6 19.c3 d4 20.d1 c5 21.e1 with the better chances for White ] 18.c3 [ 18.fxe5 dxe5 19.d4 xd4 20.xd4 xd4 21.xd4 xd4 22.xc7 d2= ] 18...c5 19.a3 [ At this juncture, 19.fxe5!? may be even stronger, e.g. xe5 20.f5 e6 21.d5 b4 ( alternatively 21...xd5?! 22.exd5 xe3 23.dxc6 bxc6 24.d4 e4 25.xe3 f2+ 26.g1 xd1 27.e2; 21...f6 and 22.xc5 bxc5 23.cxc5 are both very pleasant for White) 22.xc5 bxc5 23.dxc5 xa2 24.b3 ] 19...xd3 20.c2 c5 21.xc5 bxc5 22.xc5 fe8 [ Black is trying to establish a blockade on e5, which will help him claim on knight on c6 to be a better piece than White's light-squared bishop, but matters are rarely this simple. As White after Black's 22nd move grabs the initiative, Black could instead also consider: 22...exf4 23.gxf4 d4 24.c3 b6 25.b4 ( 25.c4!? ) 25...c6 26.g5 fe8 27.g3 1031
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 e6 28.g4 c7 29.e5 ] [ 22...d4 23.c3 exf4 24.gxf4 c6 ( 24...b6 leads to the same position as af ter 22...gxf 4) 25.c4 e2 26.c2 ( 26.f3 d2 27.f2 e1+ 28.f1 d2= ) 26...d4 27.c3 e2 with a possible draw by repetition ] 23.d5 e7 24.b3 exf4 [ If 24...xd5 then 25.exd5 ( 25.xd5 b8 doesn't appear to lead anywhere) 25...d8 26.e1 d6 27.f3 e7 28.g2 ] 25.xb7! xd5 26.exd5 d4 [ An attempt to play active. Black also had 26...d8 available, but after 27.b3 fxg3 28.xg3 b7 29.c3 d6 30.a4 Black's prospects aren't exactly filled with hope. ] 27.xf4 c5 28.f1 g6 29.a6 e2 30.d6! [ Or 30.b4 c2 31.d6 cxd6 32.xd6 and we have transposed to the position that is reached in the game ] 30...cxd6 [ H e r e B l a c k c o u l d h a ve t r i e d 30...xd6 as well, but after 31.xd6 cxd6 32.b1 d2 White has possibly all the winning chances he needs, so in time trouble Grischuk decides to keep the queens on in the hope for something to emerge... ] 31.b4 c2 32.xd6 f5 33.d8+ [ Complications arise rather quickly after what appears to be the simplest continuation 33.c6 b3 A) 34.b5? e3 35.f3 f2!! ( 35...xh2+ 36.xh2 xf1+ 37.g2 e3+ 38.h3 f1 39.b6 xa3 ) 36.e1 c2 37.e8+ ( 37.c1?? e3! w i n s f o r B l a c k) 37...g7 38.e5+ with a draw by perpetual; B) 34.f3 c2 35.e8+ g7 36.e5+ f6 37.e4 b2 38.g1 xh2 39.g2 xg2+ 40.xg2 xa3 41.b7+ h6 42.b8 and White still has winning chances, but with the open king and Black having the dynamic duo of queen and knight to attack with on the kingside, it may be a bit problematic. ] 33...g7 34.d5 b2? [ A better opportunity to save the game is 34...f6!? 35.b7+ ( or 35.g1 e3 36.b7+ h6 37.h3 b2 38.f3 xg2 39.xg2 xg2 40.xg2 xa3 41.d2+
g7 42.h2 a4 , and White's king position is too open to make winning attempts realistic) 35...h6 36.f3 b2 although 37.g1 ( 37.f4+ g7 38.c7+ h6 39.c1+ e3 40.xb2 xb2 41.g1 c2 42.a4 xb4 and I don't think W hite will win) 37...e3 38.f2 c1+ 39.f1 xf2 40.xf2 xa3 41.d2 g7 , and W hite has a long and complicated road ahead if he is to win this endgame ] 35.g4! d2 36.f3 d6 37.h3 [ W hite can also consider 37.b5!? d4 38.g5 f5 39.b1 b2 40.xb2 xb2 41.f1 h6 42.gxh6+ xh6 43.f4+ g7 44.a4 with a won endgame ] 37...f5?! [ This probably speeds up the end of the game, but it is the typically chancy move that you play in time trouble in the hope that something will fall out of the sky and save y o u . N e v e r t h e l e s s 37...g8!? would probably have been better, trying to avoid what happened in the game continuation, e.g. 38.g3 ( 38.f4 h6 39.f3 g5 40.e1 g7 , and Black is still playing ) 38...g5 39.e1 h6 40.f1 c2 41.g1 , and White is consolidating his advantage ] 38.g3 c2? [ In heavy time trouble, as per usual for Grischuk in this event, Black doesn't play the best move. Not that Black necessarily would have saved the game after 38...f6 b u t i t wo u ld h a ve g ive n B l a c k a b e t t e r chance to offer resistance, e.g. 39.a4!? A) 39...e5 40.xe5+ xe5 41.e1+ d4 42.gxf5 xf5 ( Or 42...gxf5 43.a1 b2 44.a5 xb4 45.a6 c8 46.a7 xa7 47.xa7+- ) 43.a5 e3 44.b7 a2 45.a6 wins for White; B) 39...xb4 40.h4+ f7 41.xh7+ f6 42.h8+ f7 43.e1 e4 44.xe4 fxe4 45.f1+ e6 46.g8+ e5 47.xg6+- ] 39.gxf5! [ My computer tried to convince me that 39.e5+ is better than the game move, but after f8 40.d5 xd5 41.xd5 e4 42.g1 e2 Black can still play for a tricks a little while longer, whereas in the game continuation, there is no doubt. ] 1032
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xc5 15.xc5 0-0-0! 16.h3 f5 17.e4 e6 and, having forced the concession e4, Black had complete equality, Xu,JHjartarson,J/Lucerne 1993. ] 12...0-0 13.e2 d8 Black has a simple plan, he will pressurise the d3-pawn, and try to force the move e4, when d4 will provide a square for one of his knights. 14.0-0 f5 15.ac1 White seems to have a normal Sicilian type of formation, and was probably 1045 A28 feeling quite happy with his opening. d6 Morris,Charles F 2240 Intending to double rooks. 16.e4 Possibly a Komarov,Dimitri 2570 concession, [ 16.fd1 ad8 17.c3 allowed White to ECC (qual) gp 6 (3) 18.10.1998 maintain a flexible structure, albeit, [Tony Kosten] somewhat passively. ] If Black can protect his c-pawn, he 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e3 b4 16...g4 5.c2 xc3 Black's safest choice, he would threaten to capture on f3, and then play concedes the bishop pair, but gains important Nd4. 17.e3 Fighting for the critical square. Putting paid to any ideas White had time to get on with his development. 6.xc3 d7 e7 7.a3 d5 Here is the pay-back for Black, about playing Bc5, and preparing a later he gets to free his position, and obtains a knight manoeuvre to f8, and then e6. 18.e1 A good idea, White doesn't want to be left with reasonable Sicilian-style position. 19.xe2 d8 [ 7...a5 is also popular, but suffers from the a b a d b i s h o p . xe2 disadvantage that it doesn't actually do what Having removed his queen from the a3-f8 it is intended to do, that is, stop b4: 8.b4! d ia go n a l, N f 8 -e 6 - d 4 b e co m e s a s e ri o u s anyway! axb4 9.axb4 xa1 10.xa1 e4 possibility. 20.f4?! White didn't want to wait if Black captures on b4, he loses his e-pawn. for Black to occupy d4, but this creates further 11.b5 exf3 12.bxc6 fxg2 13.cxd7+ xd7?! weaknesses. f6 21.f2 exf4 22.xf4 de5 14.xg2 0-0 15.0-0 and White has a big One senses that W hite's position is on the advantage, because of his two bishops and brink. 23.xe5 fxe5!? An interesting choice, I extra central pawns, Agdestein, S-Adams,M/ would have preferred [ 23...xe5 myself, with a sure plus. ] Hastings 1991. ] 8.cxd5 The most ambitious reply, and the 24.c5 [ 24.f7+ h8 25.c5 was more most common, after enterprising. ] [ 8.d4 exd4 ( 8...xd4 9.xd4 exd4 amounts to the same.) 9.xd4 xd4 24...h8?! There was nothing wrong with the 10.xd4 c5 11.h4 dxc4 12.xc4 0-0 immediate [ 24...d4 menacing a knight fork on e2. ] 13.d2 e6 14.c3 xc4 15.xc4 e4 Blundering a rook, White should 16.0-0 fd8 Pomes,J-Epishin,V/ Terrassa 25.b5?? 1991, Black has complete equality, in fact, have grasped the chance to play [ 25.f3! while it was there. ] his queenside pawn majority might even 25...d4 It is always nice when you achieve prove to be the decisive factor. ] 8...xd5 9.b3 b6 10.d3 a5 your positional threat, and it wins tactically! An interesting attempt at embarrassing the White cannot even get by with 'just' losing a white queen, and fixing the white queenside, rook, as 26 Qc4 is met by 26...Rc6. 0-1 although [ 10...0-0 is OK, too. ] 11.d2 a4 12.c2?! Obvious, but not best, [ 12.b5! is more active, keeping pressure on the e5-pawn, d7 13.c1 f6 14.c5 39...xf5 [ Or 39...d1 40.e5+ f8 41.h8+ e7 42.f6+ e6 43.g8+ e5 44.f7 xf1+ 45.xf1 c6+ 46.h2 xf7 47.xf7+- ] 40.xf5! Game over! Black gets mated or loses more material after 40...Qxf5 41 Qc3+ xg2 41.e5+ h6 42.e3+ 1-0
1033
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 15.e4 b8 16.a6 b6 17.c1 regains the A28 pawn. ] 2268 Played without any complex! This 2552 14.xc6! 30.04.2006 move concedes the powerf ul bishop, but completely ruins the black queenside. bxc6 15.c1 xc1 [ 15...b6 keeps the queens on the board, 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.a3 g6 but 16.b1 a6 17.c2 allows White easy 5.g3 d5 Black plays this now, as play against the doubled c-pawns. ] [ 5...g7 6.d3!? of Gurevich, M-Plischki, S 16.axc1 d5 can be met by 7.g5 perhaps? ] [ 16.fxc1?! i s m o r e n a t u r a l , b u t e4 6.cxd5 xd5 7.d3!? hits the other rook. ] [ 7.g2 is quite possible, of course, and 17.e4 f5 18.c5 d8 simpler as W hite doesn't have to worry 16...h6 Time to evaluate the position: Black still has about tactics on c3. ] his extra pawn and bishops, but the light7...g7 8.xd5 The simplest, although [ 8.g5 xc3 9.bxc3 d6 10.d2 f5 s q u a r e d o n e i s l o o k i n g v e r y s a d a t t h e 11.g2 0-0 12.g5 is possible, Chuchelov, moment, completely dominated by the white V-Zhu Chen/Deizisau 1999, W hen W hite knight o n c5. Me anwhile , the a5 -pawn is another weakness that White can win when he can use his centre and the e4-square. ] [ 8.d2 is a bit passive, a5 9.g2 de7 wants, so despite the pawn less the structure 10.0-0 0-0 11.c1 with a Dragon reversed means that White has all the chances. 19.c2 position, Svetushkin, D-Hasangatin, R/Abu To cover the bishop. f8 20.f3 d5 [ 20...xc5+? is absolutely no help, as after Dhabi 2003. ] 21.xc5 Black has no less than 4 pawns [ Eric naturally avoided 8.g2? because of hanging! ] xc3 9.bxc3 e4 10.dxe4 xc3+ ] 21.fc1 f7 22.f2 h5 23.c4 e7 8...xd5 9.g2 0-0 [ 9...a5!? 10.0-0 a4 11.e3 b5 12.g5!? 24.1c2 d8 25.f4! exf4 26.xf4 d6 White is dreaming of a good knight with similar ideas to the main game, De la 27.h4! Rocha, R-Garcia Palermo, C/ Zaragoza v e r s u s b a d b i s h o p e n d g a m e ! xf4? A bad misjudgement, in his eagerness to win, 1992. ] 10.0-0 b5! This is known to be the best and free his rook from the defence of the a5pawn, Romanishin plays an awful positional here. [ 10...d6 11.c2 g4 12.e3 d7 move. [ 27...b8 was better, and if 28.d2 then 13.ac1 1/2-1/2 Shchekachev, A-Avrukh, B/ a8 to see if White can continue to improve Biel 2003, but I would prefer White. ] his position. 29.f4 repeats, but ( 29.b2 11.a4!? A surprising novelty. could be tried without any risk. )] [ 11.c2 is the most common here, e6 12.e3 b3 13.c5 xc5 14.xc5 fd8 28.gxf4 b8 29.e3 e7 Black has no 15.ac1 a5 is fairly level, Horvath, G-Ruck, activity, and a terrible minor piece - somehow he h a s t o try t o ge t t h is o u t to a n a c t ive T/Szombathely 2003. ] [ 11.b1 a5 12.e3 e6 13.b3 square. 30.e2?! White takes his time, but [ 30.4c3! is better, planning Nb3 to attack is Gurevich's attempt to improve this, d4 the a-pawn or d4 and Nd3-e5 to win the c614.b4 a2! 15.xd4 exd4 16.b2 d5 pawn. White has a clear advantage. ] Black has an edge, with his bishops and space, Gurevich, M-Balogh, C/Kusadasi 30...d6 31.d2 b6 By defending c6 twice Black prepares ...Be6 or ...Bd7. 32.d4 d7 TUR 2006. ] 11...b4 12.d2! White offers a pawn for the 33.4c3 b4? Objectively speaking [ 33...b1 is best, intending ...Rh1 to win the initiative and two open queenside files. xb2 h4-pawn. I imagine Eric would have replied 13.g5 a5 The natural reply, Black is worried 34.c1 b2+ 35.3c2 b4 36.c4 about the advance of the white a-pawn. with a draw. ] [ 13...d4 14.a5 keeps the initiative, h6
1046 Moskow,Eric Romanishin,Oleg M Classics GMA (8) [Tony Kosten]
1034
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 34.b3! xb3 35.xb3 Now the a-pawn is attacked, and there is no way to defend it. e6?! [ 35...c5! 36.xc5 ( 36.xc5 e8 ) 36...xa4 37.xa5 c6 is unpleasant to play, but with his enormous experience Romanishin might have been able to draw. ] [ 35...d5 is no help: 36.c5 e8 37.b2 followed by Rb7 and if necessary Ra7 and Rxa5. ] 36.xa5 d5 37.b7 f6 38.c5 Coming back to base camp having gained a strong passed pawn. f8 39.c3 d6 40.b2 e8 41.d2 a8 42.c3 e8 Only now does Black show any willingness to draw! 43.e2 No thanks! b8 44.e1 e7 45.g1 f7 46.a1 Rook behind pawn! e6 47.a5 c8 48.a6 a8 49.a7 e7 50.b4 W hite can win pretty much as he pleases here. d6 51.c4 e7 52.a5 [ 52.d3 to e5 will win a pawn, but there is no rush. ] 52...d6 53.a3 e7 54.c3 d6 55.a5 e7 56.d3 b7 57.c5 c8 58.a1 d6 59.d3 b7 60.c4 c8 61.e5 At last! e6+ 62.c3 [ 62.b4 was possibly even more accurate. ] 62...c5 63.a6+ d5 64.dxc5 c8 65.a5 e4 Black is only playing with his king! 66.d2 g5 67.hxg5 h4 Some counterplay! 68.a4+? [ 68.c6! h3 69.e2 weaves a mating net: h2 70.d3 and both Re5 mate and Nf2 mate are threatened. ] 68...d5 69.c6?! h3 70.f3 White is really wavering hereabouts. xc6 71.e2 b7 72.a1 d6 Black can win the a-pawn by [ 72...b6 but then 73.f2! (other moves probably only draw) xa7 74.xa7 xa7 75.g3 c5 76.h4 c4 ( 76...e4 77.g6 c4 78.g7 d5 79.xf5 c3 80.d4 ) 77.xf5 and wins, the knight can stop the cpawn, and meanwhile the 3 white passers march home. ] 73.f2 c5 74.g3 c4 I imagine Eric must have been a little bit nervous around here! 75.d4 e4 76.xh3 c5 77.g3 c3 78.f2 b4 79.g6 c2 80.g3 c3 81.h4 b2 The black king has really worked hard in this game! 82.xc2 Forced. xc2 83.g5 d2 84.a3 d3 85.f6
xe3 86.g7 e4 87.a4+! [ 87.g8? xg8 88.a8+ xa8 89.xa8 xf4 is a draw. ] 87...e3 88.f7? Nearly jeopardising the win. [ 88.b4! and Rb8 will make a whole queen! ] 88...b5?? [ 88...c2! would have forced White to find a few accurate moves: 89.a5 xf4 90.f6! ( 90.a3 d3! 91.xd3? xa7+ 92.g6 xg7+ 93.xg7 e4 is a theoretical draw. ) 90...b3 91.a3 g8 92.a4+ f3 93.xf5 and I imagine White wins this by bringing the king to b6 and then playing Rf8, but I am not sure, perhaps Black can play ... Bd5 and ...Rg8 at the right time and hang on. It is important to note that White cannot give up his rook for the bishop at any moment the two pawns against rook is a draw when the pawns are so far apart. ] 89.g8 Of course! xa7+ [ 89...xg8 90.xg8 xa4 91.a8 ] 90.xa7 c4+ 91.f6 The quickest win, although all the other king moves also win. [ 91.f8 xg8 92.xg8 xf4 93.h7 e3 94.g6 f4 95.e7+ d3 96.f7 e3 97.g5 f3 98.g4 f2 99.g3 for instance. ] [ 91.f6 xg8 92.xf5 d4 93.d7+ c4 94.e5 and the pawn will cost Black his bishop. ] 1-0
1047 Naiditsch,Arkadij Savchenko,Stanislav 2nd President's Cup (4) [Carsten Hansen]
A28 2654 2545 06.05.2007
1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.f3 f6 4.d4 exd4 [ The main alternative is 4...e4 which has supposedly been under a cloud since the game Smirin-Johannessen, Istanbul OL 2000. However, matters aren't that clear and Black has in fact been doing rather well since that game: 5.g5 h6 6.gxe4 xe4 7.xe4 h4 8.d3 ( 8.c3 was the old main line, which is considered to be leading to equal play. The text move was brought 1035
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 18.g2 f5 and Black is by no means to attention by Smirin's win in the worse.; aforementioned game.) 8...d5 9.cxd5 b4 B2) 13...xd4 14.a3 ( or 14.e4 c5 10.b1 f5 11.d6+ 15.d1 xf2 16.a3 d4+ 17.e2 A) 11...cxd6 12.xf5 g6 13.f4! a6 18.e3 e5 with chances to both ( 13.b1? c8! 14.g3?! xd4-+ sides ) 14...0-0-0 ( 14...xd5!? ) 15.d2 15.h3 c2+ 16.f1 xd5 17.g1 xd5 16.e3 f6 ( 16...he8!? ) 17.c2 c7 0-1 R.Mathy-W.Pelzer, corr 1985) he8 ( 17...e5!? ) 18.e2 b8 13...c2+ 14.d1 xf4 15.xf4 xa1 ( 18...e5!? 19.b1 d6 and Black A1) 16.e4!? 0-0-0 17.d2 g7 continues to control the initiative) 19.0-0 18.e3 f5 19.f3 fxe4 20.fxe4 f6 f4 20.f3?! ( 20.c4!? stops Black's 21.c4 de8 22.c1 d8 23.d3? plans in their tracks, and leaves White ( 23.d3 b3+ 24.axb3 g5 25.b4 ) with a very decent game. Now, on the 23...xe4! 24.xe4 e8+ 25.d3 other hand, Black again takes ove r) xe3+ 26.d2 g5 , and Black 20...h3+ 21.h1 g5 22.c3 e7 eventually converted his advantage to a 23.e2 e4 24.g1 f5 25.ae1 h5 win, H.Spjelke-Iweborg, corr 1969; 26.d3? ( 26.d1 f4 ) 26...xh2+ A2) 16.e3 a6 ( 16...g5 17.g3 h5 27.xh2 d6+ and here White, 18.b5+ e7 19.h4 is fine for White; somewhat prematurely decided to resign, 16...c8 17.d3 (Smirin) is given 0-1, B. Kovacevic-R.Zelcic, Bizovac without evaluation, but looks better for 2001 ] White ) 17.d3 d7 18.d2 g7 ( S m i r i n h a s s u g g e s t e d 18...b3+!? 5.xd4 b4 6.g5 0-0 7.e3 h6 8.h4 and; 18...h5 intending . ..Bh6, in both e8 9.xc6 [ This is a rare line. The alternatives have cases without evaluations, but in both been tested examined in far greater detail: cases White appears to have the better 9.e2 chances. ) 19.xa1 h5 20.h4 ae8 A) 9...e4!? 10.g3!? ( 10.xf6 xc3+ ( 20...h6!? 21.h2 he8 is suggested 11.bxc3 xf6 12.0-0 e8= by Smirin in ECO, but again W hite M.Zacurdajev-A.Demianjuk, St. Petersburg seems to hold the upper hand, e. g. 2006 ) 10...xd4 11.exd4 e7 12.f1 22.a4 ac8 23.b4 followed by a5 and xc3 13.bxc3 with a complicated game, b5 with a better game for White) 21.a4 where I prefer White with the bishop pair C. h6 22.h2 f5 23.a3 hf8 24.b3 Grant-A.Kapstan, Manitoba 1990; c7 25.e2 f6 26.f3 g5?!+B) 9...g5 10.g3 e4 11.c1 xd4 27.hxg5 xg5 28.c3+ d7 29.b4 ( 11...xc3+!? 12.bxc3 d6 13.0-0 d7 ) g8 30.b5 axb5 31.xb5+ d8 32.a5 12.xd4 c5 13.d3 d5 14.xd5 g7 33.d3 h4 34.b3 c7 35.b6 , and now instead of 1/2-1/2 E.Agrest-P. e7 36.g3 hxg3 37.xg3 d7 38.f4 Cramling, Orebro 2000, W hite should h4 39.b1 1-0 I.Smirin-L.Johannessen, probably have played on, e.g. f6 15.0-0 Istanbul OL 2000. A beautiful xc3 16.bxc3 xc3 17.d2 xe2+ performance by Smirin.; 18.xe2 b6 19.f3 with a slight pull for B) 11...xd6!? 12.xf5 g6!? White; ( This is new, and a clear improvement C) 9...xc3+ 10.bxc3 e5 11.f3 g6 ove r S m irin 's 12...xd4 13.e3 xd5 12.f2 d6 ( 12...c5!? 13.b3 b6 14.0-0 14.xd5 xd5 , wh i c h a f t e r 15.d2 d5 is identical to Simutowe-Sokolov leaves White a small but clear below ) 13.0-0 d7 , and the players advantage. ) 13.b1 prematurely agreed upon a draw, 1/2-1/2 B1) Also 13...xd5!? can be considered, E.Ghaem Maghami-F.Vallejo Pons, e.g. 14.e4 b4+ 15.e2 f6 16.g3 Oropesa del Mar 2000; ( 16.a3? xe4! 17.axb4 xf2+ D) 9...e5 18.d3 0-0-0 19.e3 xd4+! 20.xd4 D1) 10.f3 g6 11.f2 d5 12.0-0 c5 d8-+ ) 16...xe4+ 17.xe4+ xe4 1036
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 13.b3 xc3 14.bxc3 b6 15.e1?! ( 15.cxd5 xd5 16.d2 c7= ) 15...e6 16.cxd5 xd5 A.Simutowe-I. Sokolov, Tripoli 2004; D2) 10.b3! a5 11.0-0 g6 12.xf6 xf6 13.d5 d8 14.a3 ( 14.a4!? c6 15.b4 cxd5 16.bxa5 dxc4 17.xc4 e5 U.Calgaro-A.Benassi, Email 1998 18.a6 bxa6 19.ab1 ) 14...c6 15.b4 c7 16.xc7 xc7 17.b5!? c5 18.b6! xb6 19.ab1 d8 ( 19...c7 20.b5 e5 21.fd1 ) 20.xc5 b6 21.d6 ( 21.d5 a6 22.fd1 ) 21...b7 22.c5 e4 23.b5 bxc5 24.xc5 L.Szabo-V.Smyslov, Budapest Candidates 1950 ] [ The new main move is 9.c1! and after xd4 10.xd4 c5 11.d1 g5 12.g3 d5 13.cxd5 xd5 14.xd5 xd5 White should opt for 15.h4!? ( 15.a3 xc3+ 16.bxc3 d7 17.e2 c6= A.Shariyazdanov-V.Kuporosov, Tula 2001) 15...g4 16.b5 d8 17.e2 xc3+ 18.bxc3 a3 19.c7 f8 20.b1 a6 ( 20...e6 21.d3 d5 22.f3 fe8 23.c4 c6 24.f5 gxf3+ 25.gxf3 ) 21.c4 ( 21.d3!? ) 21...b5 22.d5 a7 23.f4 g7 24.b3 d8 25.e4 B.Kohlweyer-E. Van den Doel, Vlissingen 2002 ] 9...bxc6 [ Or 9...xc3+ 10.bxc3 dxc6 11.xd8 xd8 12.e2 e6 13.b1 b6 14.b2 c5 15.xf6 gxf6= Y.El Ghazali-T.Najdoski, Internet Chess Club 2002 ] 10.d3 xc3+ 11.bxc3 c5!? 12.b1 [ Worthy of consideration is 12.f3!? a6 ( 12...b8 13.xf6 xf6 14.xf6 gxf6 15.0-0 ) 13.0-0 b8 14.fb1 b6 15.f5 d6 16.xf6 xf6 17.xf6 gxf6= ] 12...d6 13.0-0 d7 14.f3 g5 15.g3 g4 16.b7 b8 17.a6 c8! 18.a4?! [ 18.xc8?! exc8 19.f3 d7 20.b3 b6 21.fb1 cb8 ] [ White's best is possibly 18.xa7!? a8 19.b7 xa2 20.f3 d7 21.fe1= ] 18...d7! 19.c2 [ Or 19.xa7 a8 20.b7 xa2 21.f3 g7 22.fc1 d2 ] 19...xb1 20.xb1 c6 21.e1 e4 22.f3 xg3 23.hxg3 e6 24.f2 g7 25.c1 a5! White doesn't have much of chance to
develop any counterplay, so Black takes the opportunity to tie W hite up a bit more 26.e4 a4! 27.e3 f6 28.c2 e6 29.e2 e5 30.d3 f8 [ 30...b8!? ] 31.a3 g7 32.h1 e7 [ Black can also consider 32...b8!? 33.b1 xb1 ( 33...h8!? intending ...h5-h4) 34.xb1 h5 ] 33.g4 e8 34.g3 b8 35.b1 h8! 36.e3 h5 37.gxh5 xh5 38.g2 f5?! [ Black is in too much in a hurry. The solid 38...f6!? leaves White suffering a while longer. Now on the other hand, White finds an elegant and surprising solution to his problems ] 39.h1! h6 [ 39...xh1 is obviously met by 40.xg5+ f7 41.xh1 xc3 42.xf5+= ] 40.xg5+!!= Very nice! Now White steers the game into a drawn endgame xg5 41.f4+ xf4 [ Black can also try 41...g6!? but after 42.fxe5 xh1 43.xh1 A) 43...xe4+?? 44.xe4 fxe4 45.exd6 cxd6 46.g2 f5 47.f2 g4 48.e3 f5 ( 48...xg3 49.xe4 f2 50.d5+- ) 49.g4++-; B) 43...fxe4 44.exd6 cxd6 45.g2 g5 46.f2 g4 47.e3 xg3 48.xe4 d7= it's a draw after all ] 42.gxf4+ g6 43.xh5 xh5 44.f3 xe4+ 45.xe4 fxe4+ 46.xe4 g4 47.f5?? [ White blunders the game away in this relatively simple pawn endgame. The draw can be reached after 47.e3! f5 48.f3 c6 49.e3 d5 50.f3 d4 51.cxd4 cxd4 52.c5 d3 53.e3 d2 54.xd2 xf4 55.c3 e3 56.b4 d4 57.xa4 c4 58.a5 xc5 59.a4 d4 60.b6 c5 61.a5 ] 47...g5-+ 48.d5 xf5 49.c6 e4 50.xc7 d3 51.xd6 xc4 52.c6 b3 53.xc5 xa3 54.c4 b3 0-1
1037
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A28 33.h6 g7 34.h7 g8 35.c7 [ 35.f5! is right, when c4 36.e3 b3 2521 37.c1 which is not too clear. ] 2602 25.10.2003 35...c4 36.c2 d4! Black is searching for activity at any price. 37.xd6 [ 37.xf7!? g2 38.a5 xf2 39.c7+ is more combative, keeping the rook in the 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e3 b4 game: xb5 40.d2! e1 41.d1! xd2 5.c2 0-0 6.d5 e8 7.f5 d6 8.xf6+ 42.c2 regaining the bishop. ] xf6 9.xf6 gxf6 10.a3 c5 11.b4 b6 12.b2 a5 13.b5 d8 The knight aims for 37...g2 Now White is in big trouble, his extra e6. 14.d4! a4!? A novelty as we previously pawns count for nothing. 38.d2 [ 38.xf7 xf2 39.b4 e1+ 40.b1 xb4 saw, 41.axb4 b3 42.c1 a3 also loses. ] [ 14...g4!? 15.c5! proved good for White in 39.e5 The bishop must be Karpov,A-Bacrot,E/Match g/5, Cannes FRA 38...xf2 protected against the discovered check. c5+ 2000. ] 15.0-0-0 g4 This is the point of Black's play, 40.c1? The wrong square! [ 40.d1 d3 41.g7 h2 42.c1 by delaying this move until White castles he keeps some chances. ] tries to side-step the c5 trick. 16.h3 [ 16.c5?! is ineffective now, dxc5 17.dxe5 40...e3+! This move forces mate. 41.b1 [ 41.d1 d3 42.g7 c2 mates by ... fxe5 and the f3-knight is pinned so that the Rc1. ] e5-pawn is safe from capture. ] The triumph of Black's king march! 16...xf3 17.gxf3 e6 18.g1+ f8 19.c5! 41...b3 Anyway! a5 Black's 14th move provided a 42.g7 d2 Mate is unavoidable. 0-1 useful square for the black bishop. [ 19...dxc5 20.dxe5 fxe5 21.xe5 opens the position for the powerful white 1049 A28 bishops. ] 20.g4 Navara,David 2656 [ 20.c4 is a good alternative, White must Rublevsky,Sergei 2676 have an edge here. ] World Cup Khanty Mansiysk RUS (2.4) 20...exd4 21.cxd6 cxd6 22.xd4 [Carsten Hansen] W hite is not worried about a possible opposite-colour bishop position, as rooks are 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.a3 d5 on the board, and the black structure is a 5.cxd5 xd5 6.c2 e7 7.e3 0-0 mess. ec8+ 23.b1 c3 24.b6 f5 [ The main alternative is 7...a6 8.xd5 25.c4 xc4 26.xc4 White has played very xd5 accurately and has a clear plus due to the A) 9.c4 can also be considered, e.g. bishop pair and better pawn structure. e7 d6 10.b4 0-0 ( 10...g4!? ) 11.b2 27.d5!? I don't like this move so much, and e6 12.0-0 xc4 13.xc4 ad8 14.fd1 would prefer either , and W hite's position is easier to play, [ 27.d5 to target the b7-pawn, or the Gurevich, M-Atakisi, U/Izmir 2002; positional ] B) 9.d3 , and in this position, Black has [ 27.f4! fixing the f5-pawn on a light square. ] tried several things 27...f4 28.h5 c8 29.xe6? Why swap this B1) 9...e6 10.0-0 ( 10.e4!? d6 powerful bishop for the knight? 11.0-0 d5 ) 10...h6 11.b4 b3 [ 29.d5 keeps White in the driving seat. ] 12.xb3 xb3 13.b2 f6 14.e4 29...xe6 30.xh7 e5 Black is a pawn 0-0-0 15.fc1 d5= McNab, Cdown but his pieces are nicely centralised. Rodriguez Uria, J/Oviedo 1993; 31.h4 d5! The king is coming! 32.exf4 B2) 9...d7 10.b4 e6 ( 10...xb4?! f6!? 11.e4 a5 12.b1 d6 Prabhakar, [ 32...c4! looks better, pinning the f-pawn. ] K-Gutsche, D/ICCF Email 2000 13.b2 1048 Narciso Dublan,Marc Illescas Cordoba,Miguel LXVIII ch-Gp A (2) [Tony Kosten]
1038
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 him ) 12.b2 g6 ( 12...h6?! 13.c1 b8 14.0-0 ) 11.b2 d6 0-0 14.0-0 fe8 15.d3 g6 16.d2! ( 11...0-0-0!? is a suggestion by Ribli, but g7 17.b3 Mchedlishvili, M-Wang W h it e lo oks mo re com f o rt ab le a f t e r Yu A/Beer Sheva 2005) 13.0-0 0-0 12.0-0 b8 13.ac1; 11...f5 12.c4 14.d4 exd4 Vrbica, L-Cacko, J/corr f6 13.0-0 d6 14.fc1 f8 15.d3 2000 15.xd4!? xd4 16.xd4 e7 16.d5 0-0-0 17.ab1 xd4 17.ad1 c5 18.bxc5 xc5 Chernin, A-Hertneck, G/Austria 1994) 19.xd4 xc2 20.xc2 with the 12.g5! g4?! 13.h4! xg2 14.0-0-0 tiniest of edges for White ] g4 ( 14...d5 15.c4+- ) 15.dg1 [ 7...xc3 is the third move in this position h5 16.c4! 0-0 ( 16...d8 17.f4 ) for details see Kovalyov-Cubas, Pinamar 17.f4 ( White may also consider 17.e2 2006 in the PGN archives ] h6 18.d3 f5 19.c4+ h8 20.f7+ , an d W h ite p icks up t he exch an ge) 8.xd5 [ 8.b5!? has been discussed several times 17...h8?! 18.d5 ae8? ( 18...f6!? ) on this website - look in the PDF e-books 19.xf7+! xf7 20.g5 , and White and the PGN archives for the many games won shortly, Chernin, A-Polgar, Z/Brno discussing this option. ] 1993; B3) 9...a5?! 10.0-0 d7 11.b1 g6 8...xd5 9.d3!? [ Initially the bishop may look a little clumsy 12.b4 d5 13.b2 f5 14.c4 d6 on this square, but it is only a temporary 15.d4 , and it is already more or less station. Usually W hite will follow up with game over for Black, Badea, B-Haas, R/ either Bc4 or Be4, once Black has Wattens 1994; we a k e n e d h i s k i n g s i d e . T h i s t h e m e i s B4) 9...e6 10.b4 f5 11.b2 f6 obviously also known from the Sicilian. An 12.c4 d6 13.d3 e6 14.0-0 alternative is the direct 9.c4 which has Grimm, S-Oswald, H/Germany 1996/ been tested in several high-level encounters, GER-chT2; though it has proven less effective, e.g. d6 B5) 9...d6!? A) 10.h4 g4 11.b4 f6 12.g5 h6 B5a) This move is critical, the 13.e4 h5 14.b2 h8 ( 14...g6 a l t e r n a t i ve 10.b4 is less challenging 15.g4 h5 16.e4 g6= ) 15.f5 for Black: e6 11.b2 f6 12.c1 1/2-1/2 Nogueiras, J-Zambrana, O/Havana d8 13.e4 d5 14.0-0 xe4 2004; 15.xe4 0-0 16.c4 fe8 17.fc1 B) 10.b4 d3 ( 17...e6 18.a4 Delchev, AB1) 10...e6 is an important alternative, Bilobrk, F/Zadar CRO 2002) 18.c3 e.g. 11.b2 a6 12.0-0 ( 18.g4? was played in Dolgopolov, AB1a) 12...f6 13.d3 h6 ( 13...g6!? Rjabenko/Roslavl 1989, but Black now 14.e4 d5 15.d3 fd8 16.d2 ) m i s s e d t h e a m a z i n g b l o w d4!! 14.h7+ h8 15.e4 d5 19.xd4 xd4 20.xd3 xd3 B1a1) 16.d3!? 21.xc7 b5 22.xe5 xe5 23.xe5 B1a11) 16...xe4 17.dxe4 e6 xd2 ) 18...e6 19.xd3 xd3 18.e1! ( 18.d2!? fd8 19.b3 20.e4 e7= Mastrovasilis, A-Skembris, e7 20.ad1 ); S/Athens 1999; B1a12) 16...ad8 17.ad1 e6 B5b) 10.e4!? d7 11.b4 f6?! 18.d2 e7 19.c4 f5 20.xd5 ( Ribli suggests 11...e6!? 12.b2 f5 xd5 21.d4 e4 22.e5; 13.xc6 xc6 14.xe5 xg2 B1a2) 16.c3 fe8 17.xd5 xd5 15.g1 e4 16.d3 d5 , which is 18.d3 ad8 19.fd1 d7 20.e4 offered without evaluation, but White e6 21.ab1 ed8 22.h3 e7 seems to be doing pretty good after 23.h2 g6 24.g3 h5 25.a1 17.e4 fxe4 18.dxe4 b3 19.xc7 (1/2-1/2 Kuchtova, R-Kuchta, J/corr f6 20.c1 , and Black has a very CZE 2003) c6 , and in this unpleasant defensive task ahead of 1039
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 c4 18.d3!? Agrest, E-Young, R/ New interesting position with chances to York 1998 ] both sides, the players agreed upon [ B) 10.c4 d6 11.b4 f6 12.b1 e7 a draw, in Gurevich, M-Khalifman, A/ 13.d3 f5 ( 13...g4!? ) 14.d2 ( 14.0-0 Wijk aan Zee 2002; c6= ) 14...b5!? 15.xb5 d5 16.e4 xb5 B1b) 12...ad8 13.ac1 d5 17.exf5 xf5 18.f3 ad8 19.b3 ( 13...xc4 14.xc4 f6 15.fd1 Kovalyov, A-Korneev, O/Alcala de Henares d3 16.a4! e4 17.xf6 gxf6 18.e1 ESP 2007 ] xc4 19.xc4 Ibragimov, I-Joachim, S/Fuerth 2000) 14.xd5 ( 14.fd1!? ) 10...d6 11.c3!? [ A new move, but also a reasonably strong 14...xd5 15.c4 ( 15.d4!? exd4 one, Black wants to play ...f7-f5 to chase 16.xd4 xd4 17.xd4 d6 18.c3 the bishop on e4 away and again space for with a slight initiative for White) 15...f6 his pieces, but the text move attempts to 16.fd1 , and here a draw was prevent that, because Black needs to keep prematurely agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, in his e-pawn protected. Earlier tries include Dizdarevic, E-Georgiev, K/Skopje 2002, the following moves: A) 11.b4 f5! 12.xc6 despite the fact that xc4 17.xc4 bxc6 13.b2 f6?! ( 13...e4!? 14.d4 d3 18.e1 b3!? looks worth a try d7 15.c3 f6 ) 14.0-0 a5 15.c3 for Black; ( 15.d4!? e4 16.e5 axb4 17.axb4 xa1 B2) 10...h8 11.b2 f5 12.h4 e4 18.xa1 xe5 19.dxe5 xb4 20.d4; 13.g5 e5 14.c1 Vehre jr, J15.c5!? ) 15...a6 16.fc1 d3 17.b2 Lindholm, N/corr ICCF 1989; ae8 18.e1 a6 19.c2!? e4 20.bxa5 B3) 10...f6!? 11.b1 e7 ( 11...g6 xc3 21.xc3 Malakhatko, V-Vernay, C/ 12.d3 f5 13.d2 g7 14.e4 e7 Geneve 2007 ] 15.0-0 Smyslov, V-Kapengut, A/ [ B) 11.b3 f5 12.xc6 bxc6 13.b2 e4 Moscow 1979) 12.d3 f5 13.h3 ad8 14.e5 a6 ( 14...e6!? 15.0-0 d5 ( 13...a5 14.g4 g6 15.g5 b5 16.xb5 16.b4 ad8 17.ac1 f6 18.f4 exf3 xg5 17.bxa5 f6 ) 14.e4 e6 19.xf3= Turati, P-Van der Houwen, P/ICCF 15.xe6 ( 15.e3!? ) 15...xe6 16.0-0 Email 2003) 15.xc6 ac8 16.c2 f6 d7 17.d1 fd8 18.e3 a6 19.a4 h6 17.c4 xc4 18.bxc4 xb2 19.xb2 fd8 20.b3 xb3 21.xb3 g6 22.f1 20.0-0 b8 21.c3 xd2 22.e5 d7 , a n d wi t h t h e c h a n c e s r e a s o n a b l y , and the chances are objectively speaking balanced, the players agreed upon a even, although W hite went on to win the draw, 1/2-1/2, Piket, J-Ivanchuk, V/Wijk game showing excellent technique, giving up aan Zee 2001 ] t wo r o o k s f o r a q u e e n , o n l y t o e x p l o i t 9...h8 Black's weak pawns, Degerhammar, R[ Or 9...h6 10.0-0 e6 11.h7+ h8 Yepez Gutierrez, J/ ICCF Email 2002 ] 12.e4 d6 13.b4 d5 14.d3 f5 15.xd5 xd5 16.b2 a5 17.e4 d6 , and even a 11...f6?! [ After this solid move, Black drifts into a draw was agreed upon in this position, 1/2-1/ pa ssive p osit io n with o ut m uch h o pe o f 2, in Peralta, E-Cubas, J/ Asuncion PAR counterplay. Black should instead fight for 2006, I clearly prefer White after 18.b5 fxe4 the initiative with 11...f5!? anyway! the play 19.dxe4 d4 20.xd4 exd4 21.ad1 f6 could continue as follows 12.xc6 e4 13.d4 22.f4 ] ( 13.d4 bxc6 14.xc6 xc6 15.xc6 10.e4 f6 ) 13...bxc6 14.e5 c5 15.xc5 xc5 [ This seems better than the alternatives: A) 16.dxc5 e8 17.c6 xc5 18.d2 e6 10.b4 f5 11.b5?! ( 11.b2!? ) 11...e4 19.d4 b6 20.b4 d6= ] 12.c4 c5?! ( 12...d6! 13.bxc6 exf3 14.gxf3 xc6 15.b2 f6 16.xf6 xf6 12.b4 a6 [ 12...a5 13.b5 d8 14.a4 b4 15.c2 f5 17.d3 d6 ) 13.d4 exd3 ( 13...b6 16.d5 d6 17.a3 ] 14.d2 a5!? ) 14.xd3 xc2 15.xc2 [ 12...g4 13.0-0 f5!? 14.xc6 xf3 f6 16.b1 e5 ( 16...a5!? ) 17.d4 1040
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 15.xf3 e4 16.xe4 fxe4 17.b2 ] 13.b2 White's set-up is so simple that it is amazing to see how Black gets wasted in this game. The problem for Black is that W hite obtains a solid yet very dynamic position that allows for easy development and fast coordination of the pieces. Very shortly, White will have his king safely tucked aside and rooks on the c- and d-files, ready to break with d2-d4, which Black due to his much more passive set-up will be ill-equipped to face. e6 14.c2 ad8 15.0-0 d7 [ 15...g4 is met by 16.ac1! ( 16.d4 xf3 17.xf3 exd4 18.exd4 xd4 19.xd4 xd4 20.fe1 d6 21.xb7 b6 22.c6 ) 16...xf3 17.xf3 xd2 18.b3 d7 19.fd1 e8 20.xd8 xd8 21.c2 , and White wins the pawn back with interest in form of a destroyed queenside structure for Black ] 16.ac1!? [ Navara plays patiently a promising alternative is constituted in 16.d4 , e.g. exd4 17.xd4 xd4 18.xd4 c8 19.c5 e6 20.f5 f7 ( 20...e5 21.f4+- ) 21.xh7 xc5 22.g6 e7 23.bxc5+- ] 16...e6 17.fd1! [ Again taking his time, but Black's passive position is running nowhere. The alternative is 17.d4!? exd4 18.xd4 xd4 19.exd4!? ] 17...d6?! [ Either Black has underestimated the strength of White's next move, overlooked something or was trying to bluff White into believing that Black has everything under control. In any case the punishment falls swiftly from here onwards. Black should h a v e o p t e d f o r 17...f5 18.xc6 xc6 19.xe5 d6 20.xc6 xc6 21.d3 th o u gh t h is is h a rd ly a n y f u n f o r B la ck either. ] 18.xh7!! A gutsy, but great move. Even if the bishop is trapped after Black's next move, it is left lingering and untouchable, while W hite systematically blows Black's position to bits. f5 19.e4! e7 20.d4! exd4 21.xd4 c6?! [ 21...c6 22.d5 e7 23.a5 h6 24.e5! ( 24.xf5 b6 25.xd7 bxa5 26.e5 xd7 27.exd6 xd6 )] 22.e5! xf3 23.h4! d5 24.exd6 xd6
25.gxf3 c6 26.e2 xc1+ , and Black has finally had enough 1-0
27.xc1
1050 A28 Nevednichy,Vladislav 2582 Labib,Ibrahim Hasan 2426 FIDE WCh KO New Delhi IND (1.1) 27.11.2000 [Tony Kosten] 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.d4 This move was once considered the main line, bu t is n o w t h o u gh t qu it e h a rm le s s . T h a t doesn't stop the line f rom claiming many victims, though! exd4 5.xd4 b4 6.g5 h6 7.h4 xc3+ 8.bxc3 e5 9.f4 [ This is the main line 9.e3 is considered in the archives. ] 9...g6 [ 9...xc4? 10.e4 e3 11.e2 xf1 12.e5 0-0 13.f5 wins. ] 10.xf6 xf6 11.g3 h5!? [ An interesting alternative to the standard 11...0-0 12.d2 d6 13.g2 e7?! 14.b5! c6 15.xd6 with some advantage, Smirin, I-Adams,M/Cap d`Agde 1996. ] 12.h4!? [ This new move aims to fix the h5-pawn, but c o n c e d e s t h e g 4 - s q u a r e . 12.g2 allows Black to open the h-file, h4 13.0-0!? hxg3 14.hxg3 d5?! ( better 14...a6 15.e4 d6 16.a4+ d7 17.b4 which is unclear ) 15.cxd5 g4 16.a4+ d7 17.b4 e7 18.e4 should be winning for White, Yanin,P-Kotov,V/Nizhnij Novgorod 1998. ] 12...0-0 13.g2 d6 14.0-0 g4!? 15.d2 [ 15.xb7 ab8 16.g2 b2 offers Black good prospects. ] 15...ae8 16.e4 e7 17.c2! c6 18.e3 C o n t r o l l i n g d 5 , a n d g 4 . fe8 19.d4 This leaves Black an awkward problem to face. f8! [ Probably the best, Black allows White to d o u b l e h i s k i n g s i d e p a w n s . 19...xd4?! 20.cxd4 would be too kind to White. ] 20.c5!? [ 20.xg4 hxg4 21.xf6 gxf6 22.ab1 can be answered by f5!? 23.exf5 g7 -f6. ] 1041
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 20...xd4 21.cxd4 dxc5 22.dxc5 e6 The knight returns to the game. 23.fc1 d8 24.c3 ed7 25.f1 d4 26.c4 [ 26.xg4 hxg4 27.f2 is better, although Black should be OK. ] 26...f3+ 27.f2 d2 28.e3?! [ 28.xd2 xd2+ 29.e3 8d7 might offer White a slight edge. ] 28...xe4! An advantageous simplification. 29.xe4 e8+ 30.e5 Obviously forced. f6 31.d3?! fxe5 32.xd7 [ 32.fxe5? de7 is worse. ] 32...exf4+ 33.xf4 xd7 And Black has won a pawn. 34.c4+ e6?! [ This allows White to draw easily, but even after 34...h7 35.b1 c8 White' s active king will give him reasonable chances. ] 35.xe6+ xe6 36.b1 e7 37.g5 Simply winning the h-pawn. h7 38.xh5 e5+ 39.g4 xc5 40.xb7 a5 41.c7 xa2 42.xc6 a4+ 43.h5 a5+ ½-½
1051 Nogueiras Santiago,Jesus Harikrishna,Penteala 37th Olympiad (10) [John Watson]
A28 2556 2680 31.05.2006
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.e3 b4 5.c2 e7 We're more used to seeing [ 5...xc3 6.xc3 e7 here. ] 6.d5 Otherwise White's setup doesn't make much sense. xd5 7.cxd5 e4 8.g1!? [ 8.dxc6 exf3 9.cxd7+ xd7 10.xc7 looks promising at first, but c8! ( 10...c6 11.xe7+ xe7 12.g3 h5!? 13.h3 ac8 is unclear White has an extra pawn but it's dif f icu lt to d evelop .) 11.xb7 d6! This has several points. One is that Rg1 within the next few moves allows ...Qxh2. There's also the direct threat ...Rxc1+ and ... Qxd2 mate. Finally, by forcing White's queen back, Black can bring his rooks into play. 12.e4+ d8 13.c4 ( 13.d3?? fxg2 14.xd6 gxf1+ 15.xf1 xd6 ) 13...e8 14.d5 fxg2 15.g1 c6 ] 8...b8 9.xc7 0-0 Again Black has development for a pawn and White's pawn on d5 is weak. Still, this gives W hite time to
u n d e r m i n e t h e e 4 p a w n . 10.c2 b6 11.h3?! [ 11.a3 d6 12.d3! is the way to go, when f5 13.dxe4 fxe4 14.e2 intends Nc3 or Nd4. ] 11...b7 12.b3 d6 13.b2 xd5 Black recovers the pawn with no problems, whereas W hite still needs to do something with his knight on h3. 14.c4 xc4 15.xc4 c6 16.0-0 b4 17.c3 ac8 18.d4 f6 19.f4 [ Simplification by 19.xb4 xb4 20.f4 gives White close to equality. ] 19...c6 [ 19...e5 20.xe5 fxe5 21.xb4 xb4 22.d5 a3 23.c3 should be satisfactory, since c6 24.ad1 b4 25.xe4 d5 26.c3 d8 is about equal. Black will generally win a pawn as W hite frees his game. ] 20.d5+ h8 21.f3! xf4 22.exf4 exf3 23.xf3 f7!? 24.d3! xd5 25.xd5 fd8 26.e1 White has a little edge with bishopversus-knight and active rooks, but it's not much. The game continues normally for a while: g8 27.e3 f7 28.ed3 c7 29.f2 e7 30.b5 d5 31.a4 e6? [ 31...c5!= ] 32.a5 c6 33.g4 g6 34.b4?! [ 34.d4! attacks the b-pawn and every defence has a drawback: dd6 ( 34...bxa5 35.e3+ f7 36.b7; 34...b8 35.axb6 axb6 36.e3+ f7 37.h3 g8 38.c3; 34...c8 35.e3+ f7 36.axb6 xb6 37.c3 xc3 38.dxc3 and the bishop is much better than the knight, while Black's apawn will probably fall soon. )] 34...c8 35.f5+!? gxf5 36.gxf5+ xf5 37.bxd5+ xd5 38.xd5+ e6 39.h5 c7 40.axb6 axb6 41.e3 e7 42.xe7 xe7 43.d4 ½-½
1042
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 B2) 15.a4? c4 16.c2 f5 Kwatschewsky, L-Brandner, S/ Oberpullendorf 2002; C) 8...e7 9.0-0 c5 10.f3 xf3+ 11.exf3 xc3 12.xc3 d5 13.g5 d4 14.d2 d7 15.b4 xc4 16.ac1 d5 17.e7 e8 18.f4 b5 19.fe1 1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.f3 f6 4.d4 exd4 with a large advantage for White, Varga, Z5.xd4 b4 6.g3 Aagaard, J/Budapest 1996 ] [ This is Reti's move, but it is quite rare [ There is also 8.a4 , but Black is doing these days. The normal move is 6.g5 ] very well after e7 ( 8...c5!? 9.c2 xc3+ 6...0-0 10.bxc3 d6 11.e3 d7 12.b3 a5 ) [ Other moves include 6...e4 ] 9.0-0 xc4 ( 9...xc3 10.bxc3 d6!? ) [ and 6...e5 ] 10.cb5 c6 11.a3 c5 12.xc4 d5= 7.g2 e5 13.d3 cxb5 14.xb5 g4 15.e3 d7 [ Here Black has also tried 7...d5 ] 16.b4 b6 17.b2 f5 18.e2 g4 19.f3 [ 7...xc3+ ] fe8 20.d4 xd4 21.xd4 h3 [ , a n d f i n a l l y 7...e8 , which is the most Bui Vinh-Pham Chuong/Hue VIE 2005 ] popular move. ] 8...xc3 9.bxc3 xc4 10.e4 d5 11.exd5 8.0-0!? [ This is a new move. White sacrifices a xd5 12.b3 db6 13.f4 c5 [ 13...g5!? looks like a move Aronian would pawn for the initiative and a lead in play without much hesitation, considering development. Previously White has played his almost addiction to pushing the g-pawn 8.b3 which has provided White with an forward. In this case it leads to a doubleadvantage in most of the previous games: edged position one line runs 14.c1 e8 A) 8...c5 15.d1 g4 16.e1 c5 17.xe8+ xe8 A1) 9.f3 xf3+ 10.xf3 d6 11.0-0 18.b3 e7 19.xc5 xc5 20.d8+ f8 A1a) 11...h3 12.g2 ( 12.d1!? 21.g5+ h8 22.f6+= ] b8 13.a4 ) 12...xg2 13.xg2 b8 14.g5 h6 15.f4 e8 16.ae1 14.b5 d2 [ H e r e B l a c k s h o u l d o p t f o r 14...g4! d7 , and Black has solved his 15.fe1 , and now ( 15.xb7?? a5-+ ) opening problems, Plazas Oliveros, A15...g5!? (Shredder) 16.c7 d7 17.xb6 Martinez, R/ Cali 1998; d2 18.c2 axb6 19.e5 f3+ 20.xf3 A1b) 11...e8 12.a4 b6 13.xb6 xf3 21.xg5+ h8 22.f5 c6 23.c4 ] axb6 14.e3 g4 15.d4 e5 16.g2 c6 17.e3 f6 18.fd1 15.xd2 xd2 16.xa7 xa7 17.xb6 f5 with a pleasant game for Black, a3?! [ Black should keep White's plus under Krasenkow, M-Van der Sterren, P/ co n t ro l wit h 17...xa2!? 18.xa2 xa2 Germany 1998; 19.xc5 b2 ] A2) 9.c2 d6 10.a4 b6 11.xb6 axb6 12.e3 e6 13.c3 c8 14.h3 18.ad1 g5 [ 18...xc3? 19.d8+- ] e8 15.b3 c5 16.d2 c7 17.b2 ad8 18.f4 c6 19.xf6 gxf6 20.0-0 19.d5 f6!? [ 19...g6 20.xg6 hxg6 21.xc5 d8 Claesen, P-Van der Sterren, P/Escaldes 22.e1 ] 1998; B) 8...c5 9.f3 xf3+ 10.xf3 d5 20.xf6 gxf6 21.xc5 xa2 22.b1 [ White can claim a clear advantage with 11.cxd5 h3 12.g5 h6 13.xf6 xf6 22.d5 d2 23.b1 d8 ( 23...f5 14.0-0-0 a5 24.xf7+ xf7 25.xf5 g6 26.f4 f7 B1) 15.a3 c4 16.e4 d8 ( 16...cxb3 27.b6 ) 24.c4 , though of course it is by 17.xf6+ gxf6 18.axb4 fc8+ 19.b1 no means an easy win, but the defence may axb4 20.c1+- ) 17.e3 d6 18.xd6 well be long and unpleasant. ] xd6 19.f4; 1052 A28 Onischuk,Alexander 2674 Andriasian,Zaven 2546 World Cup Khanty Mansiysk RUS (1.2)25.11.07 [Carsten Hansen]
1043
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 22...b6!? 23.d5 [ White can maintain a slight edge with 23.c6 f5 24.d1 g7 25.h4 ( 25.xb6 d8! 26.bb1 xd1+ 27.xd1 c2= )] 23...bxc5 24.xa2 d8 25.h4 [ 25.b8 f8 26.b3 e8 27.c2 g7 28.d3 e1+ 29.g2 e6= ] 25...g4 26.c4 [ 26.b5 f3 27.g4 c8 28.g5 fxg5 29.hxg5 g7= ] 26...d2?! [ 26...f3! is a more accurate move order, preventing White's option on the next move ] 27.e1?!= [ If White were to play for a win, then 27.b5!? would be the order or the day, but in all fairness, it is still quite drawn after f3 28.g4 xg4 29.xc5 , though it is only White who has chances in this endgame. ] 27...f3 28.f1 c2 29.e3 d5 30.g2 c1+ 31.h2 e6 32.f3 f5 33.c6 g7 34.f4 f6 35.g2 c4 36.f2 f1+ 37.g2 c1 38.f2 ½-½
1053 Onischuk,Alexander Baklan,Vladimir Bundesliga 98/99 (6) [Tony Kosten]
advantage. ] 10.a3 Cutting the black position in two. g5! Hitting the e5-pawn, the problem with 8 Qd3 is now revealed. [ 10...d6 11.exd6 0-0 12.0-0-0 cxd6 13.xd6 is marginally better for White. ] 11.d4?! Too time-wasting, [ 11.g3!? i s b e t t e r , d6 ( 11...xe5+? is unplayable, 12.d2 d8 13.e1 g5+ 14.f4 and Black loses.) 12.f4 g6 13.0-0-0 with unclear play. ] 11...d6! Now Black can open the position to try to exploit his slight lead in development. 12.exd6 0-0 13.e2 e8 Black holds-on to the initiative, and stops White from castling. 14.f1 cxd6 15.xd6 g6 16.d1 c2 17.d2 White is happy to escape into an endgame. xd2 ½-½
1054 Onischuk,Alexander Benjamin,Joel 29th World Open (9) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2658 2581 08.07.2001
A28 2630 2585 13.12.1998
1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.f3 f6 4.e3 b4 5.c2 xc3 6.xc3 e7 7.a3 d5 8.d4 exd4 9.xd4 xd4 [ I am looking forward to seeing Georgiev's 9...e5!? given further trials. ] 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e4 c5 10.xd4 c5 If this move is playable, and I think it is, then [ 10...0-0 a l l o w s B e l o z e r o v ' s 11.c5 it must be Black's best. 5.xe5 xe5 - examined in two earlier games. ] [ The pawn sacrifice, 5...0-0?! is doubtful, 11.h4 d4!? my game against Bareev, at Oviedo 1992, [ Completely new in such positions, Black continued : 6.f3 e8 7.d3 d5 8.cxd5 aims for a closed pawn structure. 11...e6 xd5 9.e2 when Black's compensation was OK for Black in a previous game of was non-existent. ] Onischuk. ] 6.d4 b4 7.dxe5 xe4 8.d3 A new idea, 12.d3 e6 13.0-0 d8 Just in time to the normal move is protect the d-pawn, and threaten damage [ 8.d4 wh e n , a f t e r xc3 9.bxc3 e7 a lo n g t h e d -f ile . 14.e4 White's potentially 10.g4 Black has f8! 11.g3 d6 12.e3 mobile kingside pawn majority, allied to his h4! 13.f4 dxe5 14.xe5 f6 bishops, could quickly prove deadly, can with good play for Black, Tarasenko, A- B l a c k d i f f u s e t h e p o s i t i o n q u i c k l y ? d7 Pankratov,A/corr 1995. ] 15.g3 0-0 16.f4 8...xc3 9.bxc3 a5! The point of White's [ 16.f4?! seems strong, but then Black fixes play is that after the f-pawn by f5! ] [ 9...e7 10.g3 White gains a key tempo 16...b6 17.b3 h8 18.e5 de8 19.g5 on the old line, with good chances of an d7 White was planning f4-5, so Black has to 1044
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 be ready to play ...Bf5, stopping the f-pawn on a dark square. 20.f4 [ Controlling f5. 20.f6?! is fun, but not quite correct: gxf6 21.xh7?! ( 21.h4 f5 22.f6+ g8 23.g5+ draws ) A) 21...xh7!? seems risky, but might be playable, 22.h4+ g6 ( 22...g8?? 23.exf6 and mate ) 23.f4 d8 24.f3 fxe5 25.g3+ g4 26.xg4+ f6 unclear; B) 21...fxe5 22.h4 f5 23.xf5+ g8 and the queen can guard the seventh rank. ] 20...c8 The knight is needed to help on the o t h e r w i n g . 21.h4 e7 22.h5 h6! A good practical approach, the pawn cannot be allowed to continue its march all the way to h6- Black's dark squares would take a fatal hit. 23.xh6! f5 [ The point, Black certainly didn't intend 23...gxh6?? 24.xh6+ g8 25.h7# ] 24.xf5 xf5 25.g5 f6 26.exf6 gxf6 27.h4 h7 The critical position- that Black clearly planned some time ago. White has an extra pawn, but Black has freed his position and has pressure on the g and h files. 28.g4 f7 29.fe1 g8 30.h3 xh4! [ The h-pawn is untouchable: 30...xh5?? 31.xf6+ ] 31.xh4 f5 By defending f6 Black prepares to double rooks on the g-file. 32.h6 h7 33.g3 g6 34.g2 xh6 Black finally regains his pawn- his earlier judgement was irreproachable! 35.xh6 xh6 36.e6 h7 37.b4! White retains a slight initiative, anyway, and Black must take care. g6!? 38.bxc5 c8 39.b1 [ 39.d1! xc5 40.xd4 a5 41.dd6 might offer better prospects. ] 39...h7 40.b5 d7 41.d6 cd8 42.xb7 xd6 43.cxd6 xd6 44.c5 [ If 44.xa7?? d3 queens the d-pawn. ] 44...a6 45.f3! [ 45.d7 xa3 46.xd4 c3 draws comfortably. ] 45...f5! The king can't be allowed into e4. 46.g4+ e5 47.e7+ d5 48.d7+ e5 49.e7+ d5 50.d7+ ½-½
1055 Onischuk,Alexander Gurevich,Mikhail Rubinstein Mem (6) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2657 2643 22.08.1999
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e3 b4 5.c2 xc3 6.xc3 e7 7.a3 d5 8.d4 W hite's safest move, as mentioned in the archives. exd4 9.xd4 xd4 10.xd4 c5 11.h4 e6!? Another weapon in Black's arsen a l. p revio usly, B la ck h a d a ch ie ve d satisfactory positions with both [ 11...dxc4 12.xc4 0-0!? 13.d2 e6 Pomes,J-Epishin,V/Terrassa 1991, and ] [ 11...0-0 12.cxd5 xd5 13.xe7 xe7 Makarichev-Dvoirys, Sochi 1983. ] 12.cxd5 xd5 13.f3 White aims for central expansion, to free his c1-bishop. [ 13.b5+ d7 14.xe7+ xe7 15.d2 might offer White a tiny advantage. ] 13...0-0 14.e2 e6 Played to remove the black queen from the pin, and answer 15.e4 with 15...Bc4 15.0-0 fd8 16.e4 d7!? The e-pawn is pinned, of course. 17.e3 c4 18.xc4 xc4 19.ad1 f6 20.f4 Black has no problems, indeed he has two good plans here: firstly he can play 20...Nb6, intending ...Qb3, and ...Nc4. Alternatively, there is 20. ..Nf8, planning ...Ng6, or ...Ne6d4. ½-½
1056 A28 Onischuk,Alexander 2627 Shirov,Alexei 2746 FIDE WCh KO New Delhi IND (2.4) 02.12.2000 [Tony Kosten] 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e3 b4 5.c2 xc3 6.xc3 e7 7.a3 d5 8.d4 exd4 9.xd4 xd4 10.xd4 0-0 11.c5 This move of Belozerov was first seen in last month. b6 [ 11...e4 was tried in the afore-mentioned game. ] 12.b4 bxc5 13.bxc5 e6 Played in or der to exchange light-squared bishops. The swap of one pair of bishops is the standard method of fighting against the bishop pair. 14.d3 a6 1045
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 15.c2 White retains his bishops, of course, but now will be unable to castle. c6!? [ Shirov's novelty, Black will have the possibility of playing ...Qb5 at some point, wi t h a m a t e t h r e a t o n e 2 . P r e v i o u s l y , 15...g4 16.f3 e5 17.b2 f6 had been played in Belozerov, A-Korchnoi,V/Smolensk RUS 2000. ] 16.b2 ab8 [ Threatening ...Qb5, the immediate 16...b5 achieves nothing on 17.d1 ] 17.c3 fe8 18.g4!? A sharp move, trying to blast the a1-h8 diagonal open. b5!? [ Typical Shirov! Black complicates, as if at first glance 18...b5 looks like a good move, if 19.d1? ( but the surprising 19.0-0-0! is strong ) 19...e4 wins a pawn. ] 19.g5 xc5! 20.a4 [ 20.gxf6? fails to c4! 21.d2 d4! and the entire white position seems to be en prise! ] 20...b6 21.xe8 [ And now, 21.gxf6?! e4 22.d2 xa4 23.g1 g6! 24.d4 is hit by xa3! with a back-rank attack. ] 21...xe8 Black has gained a pawn and good play for the exchange, especially as the white king is awkwardly placed. 22.f3 c6 23.d2 b5 24.f2 e2+?! [ 24...c2 25.he1 d7 keeps the flame of Black's initiative lit. ] 25.g3 c2?? A dreadful blunder. 26.e5?? [ W h i t e r e t u r n s t h e f a v o u r , 26.a4 threatens mate and wins the c2-rook, thus ending the game. It should be noted that this was a rapid play-off game. ] 26...d6?! [ 26...b5! would avoid the coming backrank tactic, and win the d2-bishop. ] 27.ab1 b5 [ 27...c8 28.b8 f8 29.xc8+ xc8 30.b4+ c5 31.xd5 is not clear, either. ] 28.xb5 xb5 29.c3 At the cost of the exchange White lines-up a very nasty threat of mate. d4! [ W h at e ls e ? 29...e8? loses to 30.b1 d7 31.b8 ] 30.xd4 f5+ 31.f4 xd4 32.exd4 xe5+ 33.xe5 After the wild complications have petered-out W hite finds himself in a pleasant rook endgame. f8 34.b1 e7
35.b7 d7 36.xa7 xh2 37.a8 h6 38.g8 hxg5 39.xg7 e7 Black plays accu rat ely and the draw b eco mes lik ely. 40.g8 e2+ 41.d5 e3 42.a4?! [ 42.xg5 should be played, but White tries to win. ] 42...xf3 43.c6 c3+ 44.b5 b3+ 45.c4 a3 46.b4 d3 47.a5 xd4+ 48.c5 a4 49.b5 a1 50.a6 White tries desperately to queen the a-pawn. f6 51.d8 b1+ 52.c5 a1 53.b5 b1+ 54.c5 e5 ½-½
1057 Rowson,Jonathan Ansell,Simon 4ncl Dresden GER [Jonathan Rowson]
A28 2585 2405 19.01.2009
1.c4 Played in the knowledge that I was probably goin g to be writing about Flan k openings fairly soon. I hoped to generate some content to get myself thinking about the English more generally (but also because the brief time you get before the game at the 4ncl is not enough time to refute the Slav...) f6 2.c3 [ 2.d4 c6 3.f4 is actually quite a good antiSlav weapon, mainly because b6 4.d2 e4 5.c2 xd4 6.e3 wins a piece but it occurred to me that Simon might want to play the Benko, which also didn't appeal to me at the time, so I carried on in Flank opening style and soon ended up with...a reversed Sicilian... ] 2...e5 3.f3 c6 4.a3!? To the uninitiated this move looks really harmless, and a little bit pointless, but I have gradually developed some affection for it. I first realised that it might be a serious weapon after getting a lost position as a resu lt of seemingly n atura l moves against Tiger Hillarp Persson in York back in 2000. The idea is simply to stop ...Bb4, prepare b4, and play a Sicilian a tempo up. It is not theoretically challenging for Black, but it is a good way to force your opponent to think for themselves. d5 [ 4...g6 5.g3 g7 6.g2 0-0 7.0-0 d6 ( 7...d5!? ) 8.d3 h6 ( 8...d4!? ) 9.b1 1046
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ( 9.b4 e4 ) 9...e6 10.b4 d7?! 11.b5 e7 12.d4 f5?! 13.dxe5 dxe5 14.xd7 xd7 15.e4 g4 16.h3 xf3 17.xf3 c5 18.e3 e6 19.d5 c8 20.c5 c6 21.bxc6 bxc6 22.b4 e7 23.a6 fd8 24.b7 And White was much better, though I eventually won in Hillarp-Persson-Rowson, York 2000. ] 5.cxd5 xd5 6.d3 This is of course playable, and I was glad to have a familiar position with an extra move, even though I didn't really expect to be better. [ 6.c2 is critical, and numerous games by Mikhail Gurevich have shown that White has some chances to be better here. e7 7.e3 0-0 8.b5 ( 8.d3!? ) 8...g4 9.xc6 xf3 10.gxf3 bxc6 is considered fine for Black. ] [ 6.e4 seems to make sense, but the trouble is that Black can play an equalising line where the pawn being on a3 gives W hite nothing extra(if anything the opposite due to the weakness on b3). f4! 7.d4 exd4 8.xf4 dxc3 ] 6...g4 [ 6...xc3 7.bxc3 d6 is playable, but there is no need to make further strategic concessions. ] [ 6...e7 It is also possible just to play classically because white's extra tempo merely makes his position comfortable and safer, but not necessarily better. ] 7.e3 d7 8.h3 I have played the equivalent li n e a s B la c k ( wh e re W h it e h a s a lr e a d y castled queenside) and I noticed that this allowed me to pose some tricky questions s t r a ig h t a wa y . e6 Simplest and probably best. [ 8...h5 9.xe5 ] [ 8...f5 9.xd5 xd5 10.e4 Doesn't work when there is already a rook on the d-file due to Bxe4. ] [ 8...xc3 9.bxc3 f5 10.d4 and now Bb5 becomes an idea. ] 9.d2 [ 9.g5 was plan A. In the comparable position White has Nxc6 and Bc5 due to the pin on the d-file, so I hoped that might be important, but on closer inspection I saw nothing wrong with Black's position after xc3 10.bxc3 f5 For instance 11.b3 a5 followed by Be7 and castling and White
is probably a bit worse. ] [ 9.e2 and castles is probably best, when the extra tempo may yet prove useful. ] 9...f6 10.c2 0-0-0 11.a4?! This odd idea(in conjunction with Qc2) was based on a half remembered idea from Yermolinsky's book on the Classical Sicilian. I remembered there was some value in delaying the development of the king's bishop because it can sometimes be fianchettoed, but it turns out that the idea I had in mind- Na4(or Na5) was recommended in a position with the pawn on f5(or f4) rather than f6(f3). The general idea is to avoid an exchange of knights, but even with an extra tempo this turns out to be too ambitious here. b6! 12.c5 Consistent, but probably making things even worse- I am losing too much time. [ 12.xb6+ axb6 13.e2 is more solid ] 12...xc5 13.xc5 f7 Not bad, but I have no idea how I would have held my position together if Black had played more directly with [ 13...g5! followed by h5 and g4. ] 14.e4 a4 [ 14...g5 ] 15.c1 b3 16.e3 d6 17.e2 g5 18.0-0 [ 18.h4!? ] 18...h5 19.d2 d4 20.xd4 xd4 21.e1 [ 21.b1!? c5 22.c1 b6 23.c3 ] 21...hd8 22.f1 b6 23.g3 c5 24.xh5 f8 25.e2 e6 26.b1 [ 26.b4 b3 27.c6 4d6 28.a8+ d7 29.xa7 a8 30.b7 xa1 31.xa1 c8 32.xc8+ xc8 I felt I was more likely to be worse than better here, but I could be wrong. ] 26...d6 27.b4 xd3 28.xd3 xd3 29.e3 d1+? A bad misjudgement, going from slightly better to clearly worse. [ 29...b7 ] 30.xd1 xd1+ 31.xd1 xd1+ 32.h2 d7 33.h5 From here to the end I am quite pleased with my technique, but the earlier part of the game was terrible. e7 34.c3! This is what Simon had missed, in particular he overlooked that after d6 [ 34...d7 35.c6 he can hardly move. ] 35.xf6 c5 36.g3! b1 [ 36...c4 But no Kc5-d4 because I didn't take on c5 ] [ 36...cxb4 37.axb4 b1 38.a3! ] 1047
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 37.bxc5+ bxc5 38.d3+! I didn't like the look of my rook on c3 being stuck behind the c4 pawn so I thought I should get active. [ 38.h7 c4 39.xg5 b3 40.xb3 cxb3 41.f3 b2 42.d2 a2 43.f3 c5 44.e3 b1 45.xb1 xb1 46.h4 also felt winning but I saw no reason to risk this. ] 38...e7 39.d5+ f7 40.f3+! g7 41.c3 c4 42.xc4 b3+ 43.f3 xa3 44.c5 a5 [ 44...xd5 45.xd5 f6 46.d6+ f7 47.g4 a2 48.g3 a3 49.xg5 xf3 50.g4 e3 51.a6 xe4+ 52.f5 ] 45.c7 d7 46.d5 c8 47.d8 b7 48.b5 My first win with 1c4 for a long time, but not a particularly auspicious new beginning. 1-0
a bit loose, and the black pieces are active. h3 [ 13...e6 14.b1 1/2-1/2 Rechlis,GGelfand,B/Ramat Aviv ISR 2000 is not too revealing! ] 14.e1 [ 14.g2?! xg2 15.xg2 b3 16.d1 d5+ 17.e4 d8 regains the pawn immediately. ] 14...b6!? A new move, [ 14...d6 also seems good, but 15.c2 fd8 16.e4 d7 17.b1 f5 18.c4+ h8 19.g2 xg2 20.xg2 d5+ ( 20...xd3?? 21.e8+! ) 21.xd5 xd5 22.f4 White was better, Chernin, A-Kolev,A/ Villarrobledo 1998, for xb2?? loses in several ways, most notably 23.e2 db5 24.bxb2 xb2 25.e5+ ] 15.c2 e6! This move contains a nasty threat. 16.e4 Not [ 16.b1? when White loses a piece to b3 1058 A28 17.c5 d4 ] [ but 16.g2 may be best, although Black Ruck,Robert 2550 has plenty of play for the pawn. ] Romanishin,Oleg M 2561 11th GM Lippstadt GER (3) 09.08.2003 16...d7 17.c5 It is difficult to find a useful move for White here, [Tony Kosten] [ 17.b1 a2 18.a1 e6 repeats. ] 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.a3 g6 17...d4 18.a5 b5 Black is happy with a 5.g3 g7 6.g2 0-0 7.0-0 d5!? Black takes draw, but [ 18...f5!? was possible, 19.g2 f4 20.gxf4 play into a Reversed Dragon type of position, c5 and Black can play against the weakened [ 7...d6 8.d3 would be more normal, with a white kingside. ] transposition into a Closed English, [A26]. ] [ 7...e8!? attempts to delay ...d6, 8.d3 h6 19.a6 [ 19.d2 avoids the repetition, but is an ugly 9.e4!? again with a Closed English move. ] structure. ] 8.cxd5 xd5 9.xe5! This is obviously the 19...b6 20.a5 b5 21.a6 b6 22.a5 ½-½ critical reply, [ 9.xd5 xd5 10.d3 d4 11.xd4 xd4 12.c2 c6 13.e3 d8 is fairly level, 1059 A28 Agrest,E-Sjoegren,B/Sweden 1998. ] Seirawan,Yasser 2630 9...xc3 Van Wely,Loek 2635 [ 9...xe5?! 10.xd5 wins a pawn for ol Elista RUS (5) 03.10.1998 nothing. ] 10.xc6 xe2+ Again best, damaging the [Tony Kosten] white pawn formation, for [ 10...xd1?! 11.xd8 xb2 12.xb7! 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.d4 b8 13.xb2 xb2 14.a2 leaves White a The old main line, but it fell into disuse when good pawn ahead, Petrov,V-Milesi,L/Open, Black started exploiting the doubled pawn Cannes FRA 2000. ] complex. Still, it has come back into favour 11.xe2 bxc6 12.xc6 b8 13.d3 recently, and its surprise value has gained a White has grabbed a pawn, but his pawns are number of victims. exd4 5.xd4 b4 6.g3 1048
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A recent idea, [ 6.g5 is the traditional choice, but instead White wishes to take the play along different lines. ] 6...0-0 7.g2 xc3+ Black 'jumps before he is pushed', and decides that he would prefer the better pawn structure to the bishop pair. 8.bxc3 e5 9.c5 e7 10.b3?! Passive, Seirawan prefers [ 10.b1 which gains a powerful initiative for W hite af ter xc5 11.b5 c4 12.d4 xd4 13.cxd4 ] 10...b8! Black needs to play ...b6 to co m p le t e h is d e ve lo p m e n t . 11.0-0 b6 12.e1? White plays for activity, at the cost of a pawn, rather than submit to a slight positional disadvantage. bxc5 13.f4 c4 This is the ideal square for a black knight in s u c h N i m z o p o s i t i o n s . 14.e4 d6 Black's position is very solid. 15.e2 a6! 16.a5 e6 Black is not prepared to concede his outpost so easily. 17.f5 e5 18.c6 White takes the exchange, [ 18.xc4? loses even more material after xc3 ] 18...xc3 19.xb8 xb8 So, White has won back some material, but the black pieces have become even more active. 20.f4 d7 Heading for the powerful e5-square. 21.f1? Trying to pin the c4-knight, but just s u c c e e d i n g in e xc h a n gi n g b i sh o p s, a n d weakening his light squares. b2 22.d3 a5 23.d5 cb6 24.d1 xf1 25.xf1 The passed black c-pawn is ready to roll. c4 26.d4 c3 27.f3 a4 28.e1 b6 29.xb6 axb6 Things are looking bleak for W hite who has zero influence on the q u e e n s i d e . 30.e5 xe5 31.xe5 dxe5 32.xe5 h5 Giving the king a bolt-hole. 33.e4 xa2 Not bad, but [ 33...c2 34.c4 b5 35.xc7 b4 threatens ...Nc3, and then ...c1(Q), and wins immediately. ] 34.f2 a1+ 35.g2 c5? Black blunders his c-pawn, [ 35...c5 and the further advance of the queenside pawns will conclude quickly. ] 36.c4 c1 [ 36...a4! was worth a try, 37.xc3 e4 38.xc7 xf2 39.xf2 a5 and wins. ] 37.f3 c2+ 38.h3 e2 39.fxc3 e4?
From bad to worse, Black could still keep an edge by [ 39...e5 ] 40.c2 Now Black is obliged to change a pair of rooks. xc2 41.xc2 c5 42.b2 d6 43.f6! Playing for the win, [ 43.xb6 xf5 leads to a theoretical draw. ] 43...b5 44.d2 e4 45.d8+ h7 46.fxg7 xg7 47.e8! Clever play by White who forces weaknesses in the black position. f5 48.b8 b4 49.h4 f6 50.xh5 d2 51.h3 e4 52.g4 fxg4 53.xg4 White has created a dangerous passed pawn. f2+? There goes Black's last chance, [ 53...e5 54.h4 d4 still held the position, as 55.h5?! is met by f6+ 56.g5 xh5 57.xh5 and it is now White who will have to fight to draw against the two black pawns. ] 54.g3 xh3 55.xh3 e5 56.g2 d4 57.f2 This time the white king is too close to the pawns. c3 58.e1 b3 59.d1 b2 60.c8 a1 61.xc5 b2 62.a5+ b1 63.b5 1-0
1060 Seirawan,Yasser Winants,Luc TCh-NED 2005-6 (7) [John Watson]
A28 2635 2535 04.03.2006
1.c4 Yassar Seirawan isn't playing much these days, which is a shame for English Opening aficionados. Here he demonstrates the power of the bishop pair, albeit in unclear complications. e5 2.c3 c6 3.f3 f6 4.e3 b4 5.c2 xc3 6.xc3 e7 7.a3 d5 8.d4 exd4 9.xd4 xd4 10.xd4 0-0 [ I like 10...c5 best, and 11.h4 g5!? then deserves attention, as explained in my previous columns. ] 11.c5! The most radical move: Seirawan will hold the position closed so that he can slowly bring his bishops into play. Allowing ... c5 and ...dxc4 or even ...d4 would make it easy for Black. [ 11.cxd5 d8 can only favour the second player. ] 11...b6 12.b4 bxc5 13.bxc5 b8 14.b2 1049
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 e6 15.d3 a6 16.c2! c4 17.c3 c5 , e.g. 11.h4 e6 12.cxd5 xd5 fe8 18.h3! Now that the bishops are on safe 13.xe7+ xe7 14.b5+ d7 15.e2 squares and his king is protected. White tries , and White later won, V.Ivanchuk-S.Karjakin, to drive Black's pieces away from protection Wijk aan Zee 2006 - this game can be found of the kingside. h6 in the pgn archives a very instructive effort [ 18...a6 19.g4 e2!? 20.g5 f3 by Ivanchuk. ] threatens mate. Then 21.d3 c8 22.g1 7...d5 8.0-0 h5 23.g3! e4 24.e2! wins big [ A both rare and surprising move. White has material. ] several move popular alternatives at this 19.g4 a6 20.h4 b3 21.f5 c4 22.g5! juncture: A) 8.d4 exd4 ( 8...e4?! 9.c2 Our theme fo r the day: with or without queens f5 10.cxd5 b4 11.a4+ d7 12.b3 on the board the bishops will give W hite a exd4 13.xd4 F.Dreke-Goldberg, corr winning advantage. xd4 23.xd4 e4 1989 ) 9.xd4 xd4 10.xd4 24.gxh6 g6 25.d7 e7 26.c6 White is A) 10...dxc4 clearly better here, and Seirawan uses the A1) Or 11.xc4 0-0 12.0-0 d8 bishops to great effect, although there are 13.c3 f5 ( Here Black should have technical inaccuracies along the way, tried 13...e4!? 14.a5 c5 15.f3 b6 especially just before move 40. Then Black 16.e1 d6 17.d3 f6 18.d2 e6 has a shot at an easy draw. Missing it is fatal. 19.c3 h6 ) 14.f3 c6 15.e4 c4 27.g1 b3 28.f3? A.Mihalik-I.Kubis, Slovakia 1998; [ 28.h5 h7 29.g2! seems more accurate A2) 11.xc4 0-0 12.0-0 e6 compare the game: ] ( 12...d8!? 13.c2 e5 14.f3 b6 28...c3 29.g2 b5! 30.c5 e5? 15.e4 ) 13.c2 d5 14.f3 c6 15.e4 [ 30...exe3+! 31.xe3 xe3+ 32.f2 fe8 16.e1 a5 17.e3 a4 18.ad1 ( 32.d2 d3+ 33.c1 d4! ) 32...e2+ I.Stohl-K.Mokry, Trnava 1984; 33.g3 xg2+ 34.xg2 h7= ] B) 10...c5 31.f2 d4 32.exd4 ee3 33.h5 xf3+ B1) 11.d1 dxc4 12.xc4 e4 34.g1 d5 35.hxg6 fxg6 36.e1 h7 13.b5+ d7 14.xd7+ xd7 15.0-0 37.e8?! d8 16.b3 ( 16.f3 b4 17.c2 e5 [ 37.e6! ] 18.b3 0-0 ) 16...0-0 17.b2 e5 37...f6 38.g5? c3= 39.e7 e2+! was H.Teske-A.Baburin, German 40.xe2 b1+ 41.h2 h1+ 42.g3 Bundesliga 2000; g1+?? Pure blindness. B2) 11.f4 dxc4 12.xc4 0-0 13.b3 [ 42...f3+ draws. ] e6 14.b2 xc4 15.xf6 xf6 43.h3 h1+ 44.h2 f3+ 45.g3 ff1 , and although a draw was agreed upon 46.xh1 xh1+ 47.g4 e1 48.g5 xe7 in this position in the game C. Cobb-S. 49.xg6+ h8 50.c3 e6 51.f5 d6 Bryn ell, 20 0 4 , W h it e h a s t h e be t t e r 52.e3 xc6 53.e6 chances in the endgame after 16.xf6 1-0 gxf6 17.bxc4 thanks to his better pawn structure; B3) 11.h4 dxc4 1061 A28 B3a) Another interesting move is 12.xc4 0-0 13.0-0 e5 14.d1 Short,Nigel D 2691 e6 15.c2 ad8 16.d2 b6 Morozevich,Alexander 2762 17.c3 g5 18.a4 ( or 18.f4!? h4 XXXVII Bosnia GM (1) 19.05.2007 19.xd8 xd8 20.e1 h6 [Carsten Hansen] 21.d1 ) 18...a5 19.xd8 xd8 20.d1 ( 20.h4 f5 21.d1 xd1+ 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e3 b4 22.xd1 d5 23.xf6 gxf6 24.a3 5.c2 xc3 6.xc3 e7 7.e2 xd1+ 25.xd1 ) 20...xd1+ [ This line is a bit passive the critical line is 21.xd1 d5 22.f1 I.Stohl-L. 7.a3 d5 8.d4 exd4 9.xd4 xd4 10.xd4 1050
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 K e it li n gh a u s , G e rm a n B u n d e slig a 1994; B3b) 12.xc4 0-0 13.0-0 e6 ( 13...d8 14.b3 e5 15.b1 e4 16.xe4 xe4 17.b2 e6 18.xe6 fxe6 19.f3 f6 20.e4 Cu.Hansen-M. Petursson, Espoo 1989) 14.d3!? d7 15.c2 b5 16.f3 e2 17.d1 d3 18.f2 fd8 19.c2 b5 20.b3 a5 was E.Jeske-D. Neukirch, Rostock 1979, and now W hite could have obtained the better chances with 21.b2 , e.g. d2 ( 21...d2 22.e1 b6 23.c1 f8 24.a1 ad8 25.b1 ) 22.ad1 xf2+ 23.xf2 c4 24.d4 ] [ B) 8.cxd5 xd5 9.b3 b6 A) 10.0-0?! (calling this move dubious is maybe a bit strong, but it certainly isn't White's best move) A1) 10...0-0 11.d3 a5 ( 11...e6 12.c2 fd8 13.a3 f5 14.d2 a5 15.b3 d7 16.e4 f6 17.b2 , and the players agreed upon a draw, 1/ 2-1/2, A.Hauchard-E.Bacrot, Vichy 2000 a possible continuation is xe4 18.dxe4 e6 19.ad1 ) 12.d2 a4 13.c2 d8 , so far C.McNab-N.Pert, Oakham 2000, and now 14.b4 axb3 15.axb3 f5 16.b4=; A2) 10...g4 11.d3 0-0-0 12.a3 f5 13.c2 b8 14.e1 e4 15.dxe4 fxe4 16.d2 f5 17.b4 e5= R.Cifuentes Parada-H.Hoeksema, Dutch Team Ch 1993; A3) 10...e6?! 11.c2 0-0 12.a3 d5 13.b4 e4 14.e1 a6 15.f4 exf3 16.xf3 e4 17.d3 g6 18.e4 I . Ro s s ik h in -J. T a t a rcza k, B e n a squ e 2000; A4) 10...e4 11.e1 0-0 ( 11...e6 12.c2 d5 13.b3 0-0 14.b2 f5 15.c3 f4 16.exf4 xf4 17.c2 V. B.Quist-H.Rittner, corr 1991) 12.d3 ( 12.c2 f5 13.b3 b4 14.d1 ad8 15.c2 xc2 16.xc2 d5 17.b2 g5 S.Conquest-J.Shaw, Groningen 1997) 12...e6 13.c2 b4 14.b1 exd3 ( 14...f5 15.d2 xd3 16.xd3 d7 17.f4 xd2 18.d1 a5= P.Cerisier-Y.Yakovich, Cappelle la
G r a n d e 1 9 9 3) 15.xd3 f5 16.f3 xd3 17.xd3 xd3 18.xd3 ad8 19.b3 c5 Z.Nikolic-B. Damljanovic, Vrnjacka Banja 1985; B) 10.b5?! 0-0 11.xc6 bxc6 12.d4 exd4 13.xd4 c5 14.e2 a6 M.Walach-P.Hudziak, Koszalin 1998; C) 10.d3 C1) 10...0-0 C1a) Or 11.d2 d8 12.0-0 d6 13.h3 f5 14.e4 e6 15.a3 f5 ( 15...f6!? ) 16.ac1 G.Michelakis-J. Hector, Copenhagen 2003; C1b) 11.a3 a5 12.d2 ( 12.0-0 e6 13.c2 fd8 14.d2 f5 15.fd1= ) 12...a4 13.c2 f5 14.c1 fd8 15.e4 g4 16.c5 d6 ( 16...d7! 17.0-0 xf3 18.xf3 xd3 19.e3 b3 ) 17.0-0 xf3 18.xf3 e6 19.e2 d4 20.d1 c6 21.b4 d8 22.xc6 xc6 23.e3 E.Ubilava-Y.Yakovich, Oviedo 1991; C2) 10...e6 11.c2 b4 12.b1 f5 13.a3 c6 14.d2 a5 15.0-0 0-0 16.e4 e6 17.c2 d7= Z . A zm a i p a r a s h vi l i - B . D a m l j a n o v i c , Groningen 1979 ] [ C) 8.d3 has been used several times by Swedish Grandmaster Agrest A) 8...g4!? 9.h3 ( 9.0-0 d4 10.b3 0-0-0 11.e1 ) 9...xf3 10.xf3 e4 11.e2 exd3 12.xd3 0-0-0 13.0-0 e4 14.b3 c5 15.a3 xd3 16.xd3 e4 17.xe4 dxe4 D. Bronstein-F. Cuijpers, Antwerp 1996; B) 8...0-0 B1) 9.0-0 d4 ( 9...d8 10.b3 e4 11.d4 e5 12.dxe4 dxe4 13.b2 g4 14.xg4 exg4 15.h3 h6 16.ad1 e8 17.e2 E.Maurer-M. Voss, corr 1998) 10.exd4 exd4 11.c2 e8 12.d2 g4 13.ae1 d6 14.g5 h6 15.h4 h5 16.d1 g6 17.d2 a5 L.B.Hansen-L.Psakhis, Ostende 1991, and now 18.g3 xg3 19.fxg3 d6=; B2) 9.a3?! dxc4 ( 9...e4!? 10.dxe4 dxe4 11.d4 e5 ) 10.xc4 e6 11.a4 d7 ( 11...d7!? 12.c2 a5 ) 12.c4 e6 13.a4 d7 14.c4 e6 15.a4 1/2-1/2 L.Psakhis-V. Gavrikov, 1051
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Sverdlovsk 1984; B3) 9.cxd5 xd5 10.c2 g4 ( 10...f5 11.e4 db4 12.c3 g4 13.e3 a6 14.g1 , and a draw was agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, in E. Agrest-B. Damljanovic, Batumi 1999; 10...db4 11.c3 g4 12.a3 xd3+ 13.xd3 e4 14.e2 exf3 15.gxf3 h5 16.g1 f6 so f ar E.Agrest-Xu Jun, Istanbul OL 2000, and now W hite should try 17.e4 a5 18.h6 g6 19.e3 ) 11.a3 a5 12.b3 ad8 13.b2 d6 14.h3 c8 15.d2 g6 16.f3 d8 17.c1 e6 18.c5 h4 19.g3 h6 20.h4 E.Agrest-I.Sokolov, Stockholm 1998 ] 8...d4 9.exd4 exd4 10.b3 0-0 11.e1?! [ The text move is perfectly logical and for all means and purposes, it appears to challenge Black by placing the rook opposite Black's queen. However, it appears t h a t W h i t e c a n d o b e t t e r w i t h 11.d3 , and now: A) An interesting, but untried option is 11...g4!? 12.f4!? xe2!? ( Or 12...fe8 13.h3!? xh3 14.ae1 c8 15.d1 d7 16.g5 e6 17.a3 ) 13.fe1 xf3 14.xe2 xe2 15.xb7 e7 16.e5 xd3 17.xd4 g6 18.b3; B) 11...e8 12.d2 b6 13.ae1 b7 14.g5 ( White has a cute, but quite good idea in 14.b5!? , e.g. d7 15.g5 ) 14...d7 15.f3 h6 16.e4 xe4 17.xe4 a6?! ( Now Black gets himself into trouble. Instead 17...a5! , equalizes: 18.xa5 xe4 19.dxe4 bxa5 20.d3 c5= ) 18.a4 e7 19.f4 E.Maurer-H. Doderer, corr 1998 ] 11...g4 12.d1 d6 13.d3 d7 14.d2 a5 15.h4?! [ 15.b5 c5 16.f4 xf4 17.xc5 fe8 ] 15...c5 16.a3 d7 17.e2 b6 18.ad1 h6 19.b3?! [ 19.g3 g5 20.g2 h3-+ ] 19...f6 20.f3 ae8 21.b2 g4-+ White has yet to lose material, but it is really only a matter of time, as White has no way of releasing himself of Black's complete domination. The rest of the game is pure execution, and by the way quite instructive
22.c2 xe2! 23.xe2 xf3 24.gxf3 xf3 (White has no defence against Black's simple plan of ...f5, ...Rf6-g6) 25.c1 f5 26.h3 f6 27.h2 g6 28.g1 xg1 29.xg1 xd3 30.e3 ce5 31.xd4 f4 0-1
1062 Simutowe,Amon Sokolov,Ivan FIDE WCh KO Tripoli LBA (1.2) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2442 2690 20.06.2004
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.d4 exd4 5.xd4 b4 6.g5 0-0 7.e3!? White rejects the normal [ 7.c1 which prevents Black from doubling the c-pawns at the cost of an important tempo. ] 7...h6 8.h4 e8 Black is hopin g that White wil l p la y Rc 1 a n ywa y, so t h e re wi ll b e a transposition to the sharper of the two mainlines (see Gurevich,M-Bareev,E/Wijk aan Zee NED 2002 for instance). Watson thought that this was doubtful way back in 1979, but since then Black has discovered lots of active antidotes to White's system. [ 8...xc3+ 9.bxc3 e5 would transpose to the other main line, we have analysed this in Zvjaginsev-Van Wely, for instance. ] 9.e2 e5 The knight ady to evict the h4bishop, but Black has several more interesting alternatives: [ 9...xc3+ is still possible, but slightly less effective now, as it is not 100% clear that ... Re8 is a useful move, 10.bxc3 e5 11.0-0 ( 11.f3!? g6 12.f2 keeps the bishops, and must be better) 11...g6 Black regains the bishops, 12.xf6 xf6 13.b3 d6 14.ad1 e5 Black is doing well, Hasenbank,D-Hawranke,D/Pinneberg 1995 ] [ 9...e4!? has its points: 10.g3 ( 10.xc6 bxc6 11.g3 might be simpler) 10...xd4 11.exd4 e7 with pressure, Grant,CKapstan,A/Manitoba 1990. ] [ 9...g5!? is another radical solution, 10.g3 e4 11.c1 xd4 12.xd4 c5 13.d3 d5 14.xd5 1/2-1/2 Agrest,E-Cramling,P/ Orebro SWE 2000 ] 10.f3!? New in this position, although perfectly 1052
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 normal in this line, White prepares a 'luft' for his bishop on f2, and controls e4. [ 10.b3! may be best, the b4-bishop is no l o n g e r p r o t e c t e d , a5 ( 10...xc3+ 11.xc3 d6 12.f3 g6 13.f2 looks good for White ) 11.0-0 g6 12.xf6 xf6 13.d5 d8 14.a3! c6 15.b4 c7 16.xc7 xc7 17.b5 c5 18.b6! with a plus, Szabo,L-Smyslov,V/Budapest 1950/ Candidates. ] 10...g6 11.f2 d5 12.0-0 c5 Black counters in the centre - one problem for White in this line is that he is often behind in development. 13.b3 xc3 14.bxc3 b6 15.e1?! White should take care to defend his c3-pawn. This position has already been reached by transposition in the game Vakhidov,T-Neelotpal,D/Dhaka BAN 2003, and there play continued [ 15.c2 e7 16.fd1 b7 17.ac1 e5 18.cxd5 xd5 and a draw was soon agreed. ] 15...e6! 16.cxd5 [ 16.d2 is passive but avoids losing a pawn. ] 16...xd5 17.c2? Did White miss Black's next? [ 17.c1 f6 18.c4 c3 19.f1 allows Black a fair initiative, but White has every reason to hope to use his centre and bishops. ] 17...xe3! Ivan is a fine tactician, of course, a n d is h a rd ly go in g t o m iss t h is . 18.xe3 xb3 19.axb3 xe3 Black has won a pawn, and exchanged White's dark-squared bishop. 20.c4 g5 21.xe3 xe3+ 22.f1 e5 Black is not ready to relinquish the initiative just yet. It is often in positions like this that weaker players think that the win will come by itself, play some inferior moves, and mess it up! 23.d5 [ 23.e1? is met by xc4! ] 23...e8 24.e1?? The final mistake. [ 24.xa7?? is also impossible, White will find himself mated after g4! ] [ 24.d1 kept some chances, White's bishop may yet prove to be the better of the two minor pieces. ] 24...g4! Now lightning strikes from the other side, both ...Nxh2 mate and ... Qxe1 mate are threatened. 25.xf7+
[ 25.xe3 xe3+ 26.f2 xc2 leaves Black a rook up. ] 25...f8?! Good enough, although I see nothing wrong with [ 25...xf7! for if 26.f5+ g8 the fork on e3 still works! ] 0-1
1063 Slobodjan,Roman Georgiev,Kiril 2nd IECC Ohrid MKD (1) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2529 2676 01.06.2001
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.e3 b4 5.c2 xc3 6.xc3 e7 7.a3 d5 [ Similar play is seen this month after 7...a5!? ] 8.d4 exd4 [ 8...xd4 9.xd4 exd4 could transpose, but cuts down on Black's options. ] 9.xd4 e5!? [ An innovation, although the same idea is quite common after 7...a5, see the archives. Black wants more than the approximate equality of the standard 9...xd4 10.xd4 considered in 3 games from the archives. ] 10.cxd5 [ White heads for a Sicilian-style position. 10.f3?! does not have the same effect here, as with the pawn on b3, instead of c a p t u r i n g o n f 3 , B l a c k w i l l p l a y xc4 11.xc4 dxc4 with advantage. ] 10...xd5 11.c2 0-0 12.e2 c5 Driving the well-placed knight away from the cent re. Bla ck's extra spa ce, and sm oot h developmen t, a re mo re th an a matc h f o r White's bishops. 13.f3 g4 14.h3!? [ 14.e4 xf3 15.gxf3 might be a better try. ] 14...xf3 15.gxf3 fe8 16.f1 [ Now 16.e4?! meets the rejoinder c6! ] 16...ac8 17.d2 c4 18.g1 d3!? Black sacs a pawn to open some central files. 19.d1? [ How can White allow the knight to take up residence on d3? 19.xd3 cxd3 20.xd3 had to be played, when Black has some compensation, but no more, after ed8 ] 19...h4 20.g3 Necessary, to defend f2 and h3. xe3! 21.b3? 1053
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ If 21.xe3?! xg3! wins! ] [ 21.c3 is the only chance. ] 21...xf2! It never rains, but it pours! 22.e1 [ 22.xf2 xe2+ 23.xe2 xg3 is no help. ] 22...xg3 23.xd5 xh3+ 24.xf2 ce8 A massacre! 9...Ne5 will undoubtedly catchon after this! 0-1
1064 Smirin,Ilia Johannessen,Leif Erlend 34th Olympiad (1) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2677 2422 28.10.2000
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.d4 e4 [ Considered a good equalising move, 4...exd4 5.xd4 b4 is more ambitious. ] 5.g5 h6 [ The theoretical favourite, 5...b4 6.d5 xc3+ 7.bxc3 a5 8.d4 e7 9.c5! is good for W hite, Zagema,W -Larsen,P/ Hinnerup 1979. ] 6.gxe4 xe4 7.xe4 h4 The point, it seems that Black will recuperate his pawn. 8.d3!! Watson mentions that this move loses to [ Long considered a losing blunder, but obviously this is White preparation. 8.d2 xd4 9.e3 e5 10.e2 doesn't offer White much, Cygielman,M-Horn,P/Germany 1988, and ] [ 8.c3 xd4 9.e3 is equal. ] 8...d5 [ 8...b4+ 9.d2 ( or 9.d1 ) 9...xd2+ 10.xd2 displaces the white king, but doesn't recover the pawn. ] 9.cxd5 b4 10.b1 f5 11.d6+ cxd6 [ All part of the plan, Black needs to use the c-file, 11...xd6 12.xf5 xd4 13.e3 xd5 regains the two pawns, but Black will suffer in this endgame against the white bishop pair. ] 12.xf5 g6 [ T h e c o m b i n a t i o n c o n t i n u e s , 12...xd4 13.e3 xd5 14.b5+ is even worse than before. ] 13.f4! [ The clever point, forcing the exchange of
queens. After the obvious 13.b1 then c8 is the point of Black's play, when ...Nc2+ is unstoppable. ] 13...c2+ 14.d1 xf4 15.xf4 xa1 So, Black has won a whole rook for two pawns, but as the knight can't escape then White will enjoy the two bishops and strong centre for t h e e xch a n ge . 16.e3 a6 17.d3 d7 18.d2 Regaining the piece. g7?! [ 18...b3+ 19.axb3 would, at least, damage the white queenside. ] 19.xa1 h5 20.h4 After all th e excitement White has a clear edge, especially as there are few open files for the black rooks. ae8 21.a4 h6 22.h2 f5 23.a3! hf8 24.b3 c7 25.e2 f6 26.f3 g5 This does little to help the black position. 27.hxg5 xg5 28.c3+ d7 29.b4 g8 [ Ideally, Black would wish to exchange a pair of rooks, but 29...c8? only aggravates the s i t u a t i o n : 30.xc8 xc8 31.f4! xf4 32.xf4 and the black kingside falls prey to the white king. ] 30.b5 axb5 31.xb5+ d8 32.a5 g7 33.d3 h4 34.b3 c7 35.b6 e7 [ 35...c3 36.e2 c7 offered better chances. ] 36.g3 hxg3 37.xg3 d7 38.f4 h4 [ 38...xf4 39.xf4 wins the f-pawn. ] 39.b1! [ 39.b1 White quickly brings his rook over, f7 40.h1 e7 41.h5 and the f-pawn goes, when the white pawn mass will advance. ] 1-0
1065 Solleveld,Maarten Sutovsky,Emil Lost Boys Open (8) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2451 2658 02.08.2002
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.d4 exd4 5.xd4 b4 6.g5 h6 7.h4 0-0 8.c1 xd4!? A relatively recent idea, first played by Svidler, I think, Black tries to improve on the line [ 8...e8 9.e3 xd4! 10.xd4 c5 see Gurevich,M-Bareev,E/W ijk aan Zee NED 2002. ] 1054
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 9.xd4 g5 10.g3 c5 11.d6!? W hite attempts to keep the d-pawn back, whilst pinning the knight against the h6-pawn. [ 11.d1 d5 ( or 11...e4 12.e3 f6 ) 12.cxd5 xd5 13.xd5 xd5 14.e4 e8 15.f3 is another possibility, similar to the Gurevich-Bareev game. ] 11...e4! [ 11...e8 is also playable: 12.e3 ( 12.f3!? e6 13.d2 b5!? 14.e4 bxc4 15.xc4 xe4! 16.fxe4 xe4+ Williams,S-Gormally, D/ Scarborough 2001, and now 17.xe4 looks like fun) 12...e4!? 13.xh6 d5! 14.cxd5 xd5 15.d1 e6 and Black has more than enough play for the pawn, Smirin, I-Svidler,P/Istanbul TUR 2000. ] 12.d3?! White refuses the 'gift': [ 12.xh6 b6! (otherwise White might follow-up with Be5) 13.xb6 axb6 14.a3 xc3+ 15.bxc3 xa3 16.c7 f5!? 17.f3 xc3 18.xb6 a4 and Black's active pieces just about compensated the two bishops, Lukacs,P-Varga,Z/ Budapest HUN 2001. ] 12...d5! Black plays out-and-out for the initiative as W hite is still a long way from castling. 13.xd5 [ 13.cxd5 f5 is also unpleasant. ] 13...e7 14.e5? [ 14.e3 is superior: d8 15.e5 xc3+ 16.bxc3 xe5 17.xe5 although Black has excellent play after f6 18.g3 d2 ] 14...xe5! The ending is going to be very unpleasant for White. 15.xe5 e8 16.g3 f5 17.f3 xc3 18.bxc3 a3 19.b1 f4 20.f2 b6 White is a pawn up, and the black bishop on a3 has no squares, but White will ha ve e n o rm o u s d if f icu lt y d e ve lo p in g h is kingside. 21.g3 f5 22.b3 c1 23.gxf4 ad8! Now White can resign! 24.e4?! [ 24.g2 d2+ 25.f1 gxf4 is a minimal improvement. ] 24...d2+ 25.e2?! [ 25.d1 xf4+ avoids immediate mate, at least. ] 25...xe4+! 26.fxe4 g4# Very pretty! 0-1
1066 Stuart,Peter Li Oceania zt Auckland NZL (8) [John Watson]
A28 2146 03.02.2005
The 4.e3 variation of the Four Knights main line is still a regular visitor to tournament play even though its flame has dimmed at the top levels. But there are still issues to resolve. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e3 b4 5.c2 xc3 6.xc3 e7 7.a3 d5 8.d4 exd4 9.xd4 xd4 10.xd4 c5 [ Tony has given a number of games and ideas in this line, particularly after 10...0-0 , which he calls "the current preference". The archetypical game is Onischuk-Shirov, New Delhi 2000. See the downloadable PDF E-Books for an overview of and references for this variation. ] 11.h4 0-0 [ I seem to remember an idea from the m i d - 1 9 7 0 s o r s o t h a t g o e s 11...g5!? (o r m a ybe it wa s in a sim ila r po s it io n ? Anyway, the move deserves attention as a way to quash any W hite hopes for a d v a n t a g e ) 12.xg5 ( 12.g3 e4 13.f3 h5!? ) 12...g8 13.f4 ( 13.h6 g6 14.h4 g4= ) 13...g4 14.f3 dxc4 with double-edged play, for example, A) 15.d2 e4 16.c3? g4! 17.xf6 ( 17.xf6 xe3+! ) 17...e6! 18.g3 xf6 with a clear advantage; B) 15.h3 e4 16.d2 d7 17.c1 c6 18.c3 d5= ] [ Tony indicates two alternative paths from le ad in g G M ga me s: 11...e6!? 12.cxd5 xd5 13.f3!? Onischuk-Gurevich, Polanica Zdroj 1999 and ] [ 11...d4!? 12.d3 e6 13.0-0 d8 14.e4 Onischuk-Benjamin, Philadelphia 2001. ] 12.cxd5 xd5 [ 12...e5! is very old theory. ] 13.xe7 xe7 14.d2 e6 This looks equal. White has two bishops but is behind in development and lacks good squares for the bishop on d2. 15.c3 f6 [ Or 15...d5! 16.e5 ad8 and ...f6 next. ] 16.e2 d5 17.0-0-0?! [ An exotic move. White may have thought 17.d2 too passive, but fd8 18.c1 ac8 1055
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 19.e4 is more interesting. ] 17...xc3 18.bxc3 fd8 [ W r o n g r o o k ? 18...ad8! 19.f3 b5! with a small advantage. ] 19.f3 ab8 20.xd8+ xd8 21.d1 [ 21.xb7! b8 22.e4 b3 23.c4! xa3 ( 23...xc4 24.d1 ) 24.b2 a4 25.d5 is comfortably equal. ] 21...xd1+ 22.xd1 b6 23.d2 f7 24.b7 e7 [ 24...c4! still poses White difficulties. The game ends up in disaster for Black: ] 25.f4 d6 26.e4 c4 27.c8 b5 28.g4 a5 29.e3 b3 [ 29...e6! ] 30.e2! c6 31.g3 c4?? [ 31...e6 ] 32.d4 d6 33.g4 [ 33.e5+ should also win. ] 33...a4 34.h4 c2?! 35.f5! a4 36.xh7 e7 37.f5 f7 38.c5 e7 39.c8 g6 40.a6 1-0
1067 Sulskis,Sarunas Socko,Bartosz 18th European Teams (1.14) [John Bartholomew]
A28 2577 2635 03.11.2011
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.d4 This was the main line in decades past, but 4. g3 and 4.e3 (amongst others) have largely stolen the spotlight. Frankly, I think these moves are more promising than 4.d4, but it's still quite useful for the practical player to mix things up once in awhile. exd4 5.xd4 b4 The established antidote to 4.d4. [ 5...c5 is quite reasonable too. ] 6.g5 Counter pinning and fighting for the initiative. [ See the archives for 6.g3 0-0 7.g2 e5 8.0-0!? xc3 9.bxc3 xc4 10.e4 Onischuk, A (2674) -Andriasian, Z (2546)/ Khanty Mansiysk 2007/[Hansen, Carsten]. ] [ T h e w e l l - i n t e n t i o n e d 6.xc6 bxc6 actually scores miserably for W hite. He hopes to exploit his marginal structural advantage but allows Black too much control of the strategically crucial d5 square. The
game Timman - Karpov, Montreal 1979 (with a bishop on e7 instead of b4) is a vivid illustration of the dangers White faces. With both sides castled short, the W orld Champion played . ..d7-d5 and confidently launched a kingside attack via ...Be7-d6 and ... Nf6-g4. White had no chance for active counterplay, and Karpov even made the "anti-positional" move ...d5xc4! The result wa s m o r e o p e n l i n e s i n B l a c k ' s f a v o r . Timman's kin g was chased all over th e board, and he resigned on move 31. ] 6...h6 7.h4 xc3+ Positionally correct. [ However, 7...0-0!? is a critical test. It enables White to avoid doubled pawns after 8.c1 , but matters are not clear: ( W h i t e s h o u l d p r o b a b l y p r e f e r 8.e3 , see the archives: Naiditsch, A (2654)Savchenko, S (2545)/Baku 2007/[Carsten Hansen]. ) 8...e8 9.e3 xd4! 10.xd4 c5! 11.d1 Gurevich, M (2641)-Bareev, E (2707)/Wijk aan Zee 2002/[TonyK]. ] 8.bxc3 e5 9.f3!? A fresh approach - White plays for a bind with f2-f3 and e2-e4. Sulskis had success with this on one occasion in 2010. [ Check the archives for the popular 9.f4 g6 ( 9...xc4? 10.e4! ) 10.xf6 xf6 11.g3 , i.e. h5 12.h4!? , Nevednichy, V (2582)-Labib, I (2426)/New Delhi/Teheran 2000/[TonyK]. ] [ 9.e3 is probably too restrained. Black's position is completely sound, so he has many ways to proceed. One instructive example: d6 10.e2 g6 11.g3 e4 12.c2 e7 13.f3 xg3 14.hxg3 e5 15.b1 c6 16.e2 g6 17.d2 h5! Degerman, L (2485) -Chernin, A (2640)/ Stockholm 199899. W hite has difficulties finding any targets or organizing any pawn break. ] 9...g6 [ Socko must have been reluctant to venture it, but 9...xc4 must be critical. I found one o l d g a m e t h a t c o n t i n u e d 10.f5!? ( Compared to 9.f4 Nxc4? 10.e4 above, here 10.e4 is simply met by e5 . White had scarce compensation after 11.d3 d6 12.0-0 g6 13.f2 0-0 in Sassi, P (2141)Luukkonen, T (2171)/Jyvaskyla 2002/ EXT 2004. ) 1056
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A) 10...0-0 results in approximate equality: 11.xh6+ ( 11.d4 d5! ) 11...gxh6 12.d4 e3! ( 12...a3? 13.0-0-0 ) 13.xf6 c2+ 14.d1 xd4 15.xd8 xf3 ( or 15...xd8 16.cxd4 with maybe the tiniest of edges to White.) 16.xc7 g5; B) 10...g5! 11.d4 d5?! ( 11...gxh4 is better, i.e. 12.xc4 d5 13.f4 xf5 14.xf5 e7 ) 12.g7+ e7 13.g3 wit h a ve ry m essy p osit io n. K ah n, MPietzsch, W/Grossroehrsdorf 1949. It will b e in t e re s t in g t o se e if / wh e n S u lski s ve nt ures t his line a ga in , be ca use I'm skeptical that W hite can prove full compensation after 9...Nxc4. ] 10.f2 Improving on his previous game. [ 10.g3 0-0 11.e4 d6 12.d2 e8 13.0-0-0!? led to an unbalanced struggle. Sulskis, S (2544)-Andersen, M (2385)/Borup DEN 2010. ] 10...d6 11.e4 d7 Black angles for the c5 square. [ Simply awaiting developments with 11...0-0 was possible. ] 12.h4!? Playing for an extended bind! Maximizing space is smart: W hite has an inferior pawn structure but possesses the bishop pair. Thus, he will look to open the position at some point and would like to do so under optimal spatial conditions. c5 13.h5 e7?! Socko launches this knight on a faulty trajectory. [ 13...e5 This seems like the best square for the knight, so why not go there at once? ] 14.g4 In the spirit of W hite's 12th. e6 15.f5 g8?! [ Black avoids 15...0-0?! 16.xc5 xf5 ( 16...dxc5? 17.xd8 axd8 18.xe7++- ) 17.e3! e6 18.g5 , but the text also compromises his position. ] [ Best is 15...xf5 16.gxf5 c6 ] 16.xc5!? An interesting decision. White trades his good bishop, but favorably alters the pawn structure. dxc5 17.b3 xf5? Questionable. [ Black should stand firm with 17...b6 18.d1 d7 . Now one idea is to try to swing the other rook to d2 with 19.h2!? , but the nonstandard xf5! 20.exf5 ( 20.gxf5 f6 and ...0-0-0 to follow.) 20...f6 (the point
behind 18...Bd7 - keeping the queen active). 21.e2+ d8 is a good answer. Note that 22.ed2? h4+ 23.e2 e8+ 24.d3 c8 definitely isn't what White has in mind. ] 18.gxf5 [ It's a tough call between this and 18.exf5!? , e.g. d6 19.xb7! g3+ 20.e2 d8 21.e4 and White's extra pawn will be significant. ] 18...d6 19.d1?! Controlling the pace of the game, but passing up a good opportunity. [ Black has some pseudo-play after 19.xb7 d8 , but following 20.f2 e5 21.e2 White is effectively getting his pieces out. B la ck c a n 't r e a lly wh ip u p a n in i t ia t iv e without the participation of his e7 knight and g8 rook. Here xc3? would be simply bad due to ( 21...f6! planning 22...Kf7 is best.) 22.ad1 with devastating threats of 23.Qxc7 and 23.Qb5+ ] 19...g3+ 20.e2 b6 A unique position. Both sides have somewhat clumsy pieces, and neither king is totally safe. It's roughly level. 21.a4+ White forces a small concession. c6 This pawn may become weak, and it's significant that the knight can't occupy this square in the future. [ 21...f8? 22.xa7 ] 22.d3 f6 23.d1 f7 24.d2 b8 Black aims to contest the d-file with ...Rg8-d8. 25.f4 d8 26.hh3 c7 27.f2 xd3 Not strictly necessary, but things don't stray far from equality. [ Black could wait, e.g. 27...e8 ] 28.xd3 e8 29.g3 d8 30.d3 f8 31.e3 c8 [ White's queen is momentarily overloaded ( d e f e n d i n g f 4 a n d d 3 ) , s o 31...b5!? is possible. If White tries to fight fire-withf i r e , h e m u s t b e c a r e f u l : 32.e5?! ( Some thing like 32.g1= i s p r u d e n t .; G r a b b i n g a p a w n w i t h 32.cxb5 cxb5 33.xb5 i s d a n g e r o u s d u e t o c4! when White's bishop risks being cut off. ) A) Black should have few issues in the en d ga m e a f t e r 32...b4 33.cxb4 cxb4 34.c5 b6! 35.xb6 axb6 i.e. 36.e3 c5 ( or 36...a8 37.g2 a3= ) 37.e6 d4 38.g4 ( 38.g1? b5! 39.cxb5 d5+ ) 38...c6 39.g1 a5 40.c1 1057
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 e7= It's hard for either side to make progress.; B) 32...bxc4!? 33.xc4 d7! ( 33...xf5?! 34.xc5+ ) 34.d3 d5 ] 32.e2 c7 33.e5! g8 34.e4 fxe5! 35.fxe5 e8 36.e6 f6 37.f3 d8 38.e2 f4+ 39.g2 e8 40.h3 e7 B o t h s i d e s a r e p l a y i n g w e l l . 41.e3!? At first I thought this was a move-after-timecontrol blunder, but in fact it's an interesting ploy. W hite doesn't have a real convenient w a y t o d e f e n d h 5 , s o w h y n o t ? d6? Black takes White at his word! [ I guess Socko didn't like the look of 41...xe3 42.xe3 xh5 43.g4 f6+ 44.f4 , when it appears White might walk his king to d6. This isn't really achievable, t h o u g h . F o r i n s t a n c e : c7 45.e1 ( 45.e5?? g4+ ) 45...e7 46.g1 d6 47.d1 e7 48.g1= ] [ 41...xh5 42.xf4 xf4+ 43.g4 would force Black to find g5! ( Despite the p a wn d e f i c i t , o n ly W h i t e ca n win a f t e r 43...xd3 44.xd3 )] 42.e2! Defending h5. Now the plan is to put the bishop on f3 and target c6. Despite the shaky looking White position, Black can't do much active. e8 [ 42...h7 43.g1 g5+ 44.g2 isn't much of a problem. 45. Rd1 is coming. ] 43.g1 c7 44.a4 a5 45.f3 e7 46.g6 d6 47.g2 c7 48.g1 e8 49.e1! A f t e r m a r k i n g t i m e , W h it e g e t s d o wn t o business. g8?? A totally nonsensical decision. [ 49...d6 is more tenacious. ] 50.e5! That's it! Black's c6 weakness will be his downfall. e7 [ 50...xe5 51.xe5 c8 52.e1+and 53.Rb1 is hopeless for Black. ] 51.d1 c8 52.d6 Insisting on a queen trade. xd6 53.xd6 f8 54.d1! e7 Black is hurrying to correct the error of his 49th, but the three weaknesses (b6, c6, and g7) keep him tied down. 55.b1 b8 56.g1 [ It's too early for 56.xc6?! : xh5 ] 56...g8 57.g3!+- Getting the king involved. B la ck is h e lp le ss. h7 58.xc6 d8 59.d5! f6 60.f4 xh5+ 61.e5 g8 62.b1 b8 63.g1 g8 64.b7! f6 [ 64...b8? 65.f3+- ]
65.b1 b8 66.xb6 e8 67.d5+- d6 [ Slightly better practical chances are offered by 67...h5 68.xc5 h4 , though 69.g2+is pretty convincing. ] 68.xd6 xb7 69.xc5 The rook ending is a total win. h5 70.c6 b2 [ 70...h4 allows a familiar mate: 71.d7+ xd7 72.exd7 d8 ( 72...h3 73.c7 ) 73.d6 h3 74.c5 h2 75.c6 h1 76.c7# ] 71.d7+ f8 72.c5 h4 73.d6 d2+ 74.e5 xd7 75.exd7 e7 76.f4 In the square! xd7 77.g4 c6 78.xh4 xc5 79.g5 1-0
1068 Van Wely,Loek Rublevsky,Sergei Masters Frankfurt GER (12) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2646 2662 25.06.2000
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e3 b4 5.c2 xc3 6.xc3 e7 7.a3 d5 8.cxd5 xd5 9.b3 b6 10.d3 a5 [ Probably the most accurate, for if 10...0-0 then White can play 11.c2! and answer a5 with 12.b3 , protecting his queenside light squares. ] 11.c2!? [ 11.d2 a4 12.c2 would transpose, but ( 12.b5 had been considered, stronger, although d7 13.c1 f6 14.c5 xc5 15.xc5 0-0-0! is only equal, Xu,JHjartarson,J/Lucerne 1993. )] 11...a4 12.d2 e6!? [ Black aims for control of b3, but practice indicates that the bishop is more effective on f5, i.e. 12...0-0 which was successful in a previously analysed game, and another game was Lerner,K-Makarichev,S/Frunze 1979, which continued: 13.c1?! d8! 14.e2 ( now 14.c5?! can be met by e8 15.e2 f5 with an edge) 14...f5 15.0-0?! e4 16.dxe4 xe4 and Black is better. ] 13.c1 b3 [ A new move in this position, although the reasoning behind the previous effort, 13...g6 o f W in t ze r, J-P isko v, Y/ B o n n 1 9 9 5 , is a mystery to me! ] 14.c5 xc5 Now, of course, the exchange 1058
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 of queens cannot be avoided. 15.xc5 f6 16.g4! White shows a good understanding of this ending, he can undermine the e5-pawn from the side. 0-0-0 17.g1 d6 [ 17...d5 18.h4 g5 19.f5 h5 is a more aggressive treatment, although the f5-knight is very strong. ] 18.h4 hd8 19.h5?! [ White continues his plan, the threat is now g 5 , wh e n t h e b l a c k k i n g s i d e wi l l s t a r t creaking, and also the g7-pawn is fixed on a dark square, but Black has prepared a little surprise of his own. Had White seen what was coming he would have preferred 19.g5 as now e4 20.dxe4 e5 21.xe5 xd2 22.gxf6 gxf6 23.f3 is fine for him, d1+?! 24.e2 b1?? n o w l o s i n g t o 25.h3+ , thus we see the importance of opening the h3-c8 diagonal! ] 19...e4! 20.dxe4 d7!? [ Perhaps he should have given preference to 20...e5 , forcing 21.xe5 ( 21.xe5? xd2 22.f3 d1+ 23.e2 b1 is rather awkward) 21...fxe5 22.e2 d7 23.c3 when White doesn't have enough compensation for the exchange. ] 21.xc6 [ Forced, 21.c1? de5 22.xe5 xe5 is devastating. ] 21...bxc6?! [ Better to have allowed the knight fork by 21...xc6 22.d4 a s h e ca n p la y e5 23.e2 cd6 although White has a good position after 24.b4 , anyway. ] 22.d4 e5 23.e2 c5 24.xb3 axb3 25.c3 h6 26.f4 d3+ 27.xd3 xd3 28.e2 c4 29.c1 The complications have finished and, taking into account the white kingside pawn mass, and the weakness of c4, W hite is better. e8 30.e5 c5 31.d4! Even the tactics favour White. fxe5 [ 31...cxd4? 32.xc4+ d7 33.xd3 regains the exchange. ] 32.xe5 ed8 33.xc4 d2+ 34.f3 c2 35.c3 dd2 Black desperately tries to activate his position, as passive defence is doomed- his kingside is too weak. 36.xc5+ d7 37.b5 f2+ 38.e4 xb2 39.xb2 xb2 40.f5 b1 41.e4 The rook ending is quite hopeless. c6 42.a4 b2 43.e5 c7 44.e6 d6 45.b6+ e7 46.b7+ e8
47.a5 a1 48.xb2 xa5+ 49.g6 a4 50.f2 a7 Although tactically dodgy, it is clear that White's nineteenth move was very strong positionally, as the fixing of the g7pawn continues to bear its fruits. 51.f5 a4 52.xg7 xg4+ 53.f6 1-0
1069 Vladimirov,Evgeny Harikrishna,Penteala 12th Goodricke Open (5) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2612 2514 10.02.2001
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.e3 b4 5.c2 0-0 6.d5 e8 7.f5 d6 8.xf6+ xf6 9.xf6 gxf6 10.b3 [ A more restrained approach, we have seen the standard 10.a3 c5 11.b4 in several other games. ] 10...a5 11.a3 c5 12.b2 f5!? [ A n e w i d e a , 12...e6 is normal in this position, 13.c1 e4 14.d4 exd3 15.xd3 e5 16.e2 f5 White has a positional advantage, Baumgartner,U-Cebalo,M/San Bernardino 1989. ] 13.d3 a4 14.b4 xb4!? A positional piece, sac that creates a dangerous passed pawn. 15.axb4 xb4+ 16.d1 a3 17.c1 c5 18.d2 d7 19.e2 b5 20.xb4?! [ White has problems bringing his pieces over to the action on the queenside, 20.cxb5 xb5 might be preferable, though. ] 20...cxb4 21.c2 bxc4 22.dxc4 a4+ 23.b1 d5!? [ Black keeps hold of the initiative, 23...eb8 24.d2 c6?! 25.b3 allows White to blockade the pawns. ] 24.cxd5 ec8 25.a2 c3 26.d2 d8? [ 26...ac8 is more to the point. ] 27.c4? [ 27.e4 cc8 ( 27...b3+?! 28.a1 c8 29.a6 c7 30.d6 and the d-pawn wins) 28.xf6+ g7 29.h5+ must have been difficult to resist. ] 27...c8 B a c k o n t r a c k . 28.a1 8xc4 29.xc4 xc4 30.b1 b3 31.d2 f8 Black is at least equal. 32.d6 e8 33.d7+ d8 34.a1 c2 35.a2 f5? [ 35...c3 first leaves Black well on top. ] 1059
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 36.b3! W h it e g r a b s h is ch a n c e . e6 37.a4 The black pawns will not be able to advance properly. Ideally, Black will play ...b3b2, keeping the pawns on dark squares. f5 38.a1 g4 39.f3 c4 40.b5 f4 41.e4 [ 41.d6 c2 42.xb4 wins the b-pawn, but the a-pawn should assure the draw. a2 ] 41...h5 42.h4 c7 43.xb4 a2 44.dd1 b7+ 45.c5 xd7 46.b4 xd1 47.xd1+ e7 48.a3 f6 49.b2 g6 50.d6 g7 Black has an impregnable fortress, as the a2-pawn ties one of the white pieces down. 51.c6 b3 52.c5 f6 53.a5 e6 54.c3 g6 55.d2 f7 56.a7+ e8 57.d3 f7 58.a8+ e7 59.c3 e6 60.b2 f7 ½-½
1070 Williams,Simon Kim Rowson,Jonathan Open London ENG (2) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2288 2512 15.12.2001
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e4 c5! 5.xe5 xe5 6.d4 b4 7.dxe5 xe4 8.d3!? White tries this interesting idea of Onischuk's. [ 8.c2 was also tested by the system's founder: xc3 9.bxc3 c5 10.d3 h4 11.0-0 0-0 but White's free play barely compensates his weakened pawns, Nimzowitsch,A-Colle,E/ Bled 1931. ] [ 8.d4 is the main line. ] 8...xc3 9.bxc3 a5! 10.f4? An unfortunate innovation, which is ruthlessly exploited by Black. [ We have considered the superior 10.a3 in Onischuk,A-Baklan,V/Germany 1998. ] 10...d6! 11.a3 f5!? [ F l a s h y , a l t h o u g h t h e s i m p l e 11...dxe5 12.xd8+ xd8 13.0-0-0+ e8 is also good, Black wins a pawn for zero compensation. ] 12.xf5? [ After the better 12.g3 0-0 Black is better, but White is still on the board. ] 12...xc3+ 13.f2 xa1 14.d3 [ There is nothing to be gained from 14.exd6 0-0! 15.d7 ( 15.dxc7 d2+ ) 15...d4+
16.g3 c5 Black has a solid extra exchange. ] 14...dxe5! 15.f3?! [ Played to threaten the a1-bishop, as 15.xa1? allows d4+ , but the king proves misplaced here. ] 15...g6 16.e4 f5 17.e2 d4 [ Not falling for 17...e4+? 18.xe4 fxe4+ 19.xe4+ f7 20.xa1 with some chances, but ] [ 17...xd3+ 18.xd3 e4+ is also crushing. ] 18.fxe5 0-0-0 Black has extra material, a lead in development, and a strong attack! 19.d1 g4+ 20.f2 d4+ 21.f1 f4+ 0-1
1071 Ye Rongguang Al Modiahki,Mohamad Xiapu Xiapu CHN (14) [John Watson]
A28 2472 2569 21.06.2005
1.c4 Nimzowitsch's favourite 4.e4 in the following game has always attracted some experimenters and is considered soundly equal. The question is whether W hite can gain anything from using 4.e4. Ye Rongguang succeeds in raising our interest level about this. e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.e4 c5 5.xe5 A variation from days long past - does White have something up his sleeve? 0-0!? This leads to unclear but probably insufficient compensation for the pawn: [ (a) 5...xf2+? 6.xf2 xe5 7.d4 leaves Black uncoordinated, e.g., eg4+ 8.g1 d6 9.h3 h6 10.g5 ] [ (b) But 5...xe5 6.d4 b4 is logical and previously held to be equal: 7.dxe5 xe4 8.d4 xc3 9.bxc3 A) 9...a5 10.a3 ( Maybe White could try 10.c5!? and bring the bishop to f4 ?) 10...d6 11.exd6 0-0 is another theoretical line, considered dynamically equal after 12.0-0-0 cxd6 13.xd6 xd6 14.xd6 e8 15.b2 d7; B) 9...e7 10.g4 ( Ye Rongguang probably had something new hereabouts. Maybe 10.c5!? intending 0-0 11.d3 ) 10...f8 11.g3 d6= ] 1060
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 6.f3 e8 [ 6...xe4?! 7.xe4 e8 8.e2!? ( 8.d3 f5 9.e2 fxe4 10.dxe4 ) 8...f5 9.xc5 xe2+ 10.xe2 e7 11.b3 gives White too much material for his queen, even after b4 12.f1 ] 7.d3?! [ Instead, the natural move looks considerably better: 7.d3! d5 ( 7...g4 8.d4; 7...d6 8.e2 ) 8.cxd5 xd5 9.e2 ] 7...d5!? [ 7...d6! 8.0-0 g4! makes it surprisingly difficult for W hite to get organized, e.g., , 9.h3! h5 10.b3 ( 10.e2 xe4 ) 10...d4 11.e2 xe2+ 12.xe2 d4 ] 8.cxd5 g4? This is way too ambitious. Better was [ 8...xd5 or ] [ 8...b4 9.c4 xe4 ] 9.0-0 ce5 10.b5 Reasonable, but safer is [ 10.e2 ] 10...d6 11.g3!? f6 [ 11...h6 12.h4! ] 12.xe5 xf2 13.f3? This must have been a complete miscalculation. [ 13.e2! w i n s a f t e r xe5 ( 13...xe4+ 14.d4! xd4+ 15.h1 hits the queen) 14.xf2 g4 15.e1 ] 13...xe5 14.xf6 xe4+ 15.g2 [ About the same thing results from 15.f2 xf2 16.xf2 h3! 17.e2! xf2+ 18.xf2 xd5 ] 15...xf6 16.d3 xd5 17.xd5 xd5 The situation is completely altered: Black has even material and pressure on the weak dpawn. To make things worse White's king is exposed. 18.c4 f5 19.f4? d6? [ 19...b5! 20.xb5 b7+ 21.h3 h5+ 22.g4 xh2 is winning. A typical line would be 23.xc7 h5+ 24.f4 b4! 25.ad1 e2 ( or 25...d2+ 26.xd2 xd2 )] 20.ae1 f8 21.d4 xf4 22.gxf4 d7 23.e5 f6! 24.e3 [ 24.xf5 xf5 leaves Black a pawn ahead with control over the key squares. ] 24...e8 25.xe8+ xe8 26.g3 f7 27.c1 xc4 28.xc4 c6 29.a4 a6 30.b3 e7 31.h4 h5 [ Or 31...d5 ] 32.c4 d6 33.c2 a5 34.e2 d5 35.f3
xd4 36.g2 The result is marked "1-0", but that is either a typo or Black's flag fell. 1-0
1072 Zvjaginsev,Vadim Van Wely,Loek Fontys Tilburg NED (4) [Tony Kosten]
A28 2650 2635 26.10.1998
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.d4 exd4 5.xd4 b4 6.g5 The most logical move, by pinning the f6-knight, W hite exploits the absence of Black's dark-squared bishop from e7. h6 7.h4 xc3+ 8.bxc3 e5 9.e3 A modest move, but possibly better than the 'standard' [ 9.f4 g6 ( and not 9...xc4? 10.e4 e3 11.e2 xf1 12.e5 and wins. ) 10.xf6 xf6 11.g3 which only leads to equality. ] 9...0-0 10.f3 A perfectly normal move in such positions, White controls e4, and prepares an escape route for his queen's bishop, should B l a c k t h r e a t e n i t . d6 11.e2 White's development might seem unimposing, but his two bishops and mobile e and f-pawns are ready for action. e7 12.0-0 a6 13.a4! C l a m p i n g d o w n o n t h e q u e e n s i d e . e6? A careless move, Black should first break the annoying pin by [ 13...g6 14.f2 and then bring a knight to c5, by d7 after all, the weak white queenside is Black's compensation for the bishop pair, he might as well exploit it. ] 14.f4! After this blow Black's pieces find themselves unfortunately placed. xc4 [ 14...c6 15.e4 is also unpleasant. ] 15.f3 d5 16.xc4 dxc4 17.e4 The threat of e5 appears crushing. g5 What else? The pin on the f6-knight is too strong, [ 17...g4 18.e5 xf3 19.xf3 wins material, and continues the attack. ] 18.fxg5 xe4 19.e1! xg5 20.xg5 hxg5 21.e5! The key move, cutting out defences based around ... Qc5+, and threatening various mating manoeuvres. fe8 22.e1? [ 22.f6 f8 23.xe6 xe6 24.xe6 fxe6 25.f1 should win quickly, the black king is completely isolated. ] 1061
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 22...ad8! Black is not ready to give-up yet, [ Black often stops b2-b4 entirely with 8...a5 and finds a clever resource. 23.g3 g4 , as in Aronian, L (2744)-Topalov, V (2783)/ Forced, obviously. 24.f4? White concedes Wijk aan Zee 2007/[Hansen, Carsten] . ] control of the fifth rank, and allows Black to 9.d3 Restraint in response. White prepares a find a defence, retreat square on d2. [ 24.e4 w a s s i m p l e s t , f o r c i n g xd4 [ Gulko introduced the pawn sac 9.b4!? g4 25.xd4 and White has every chance to 10.e1 xb4 , see Khalifman, A (2667)win. ] Lutz, C (2595)/New Delhi/Teheran 2000/ 24...c5! 25.e5 b6 26.h6 b1+ [TonyK]. ] 27.f2 f5!! The brilliant point behind Black's [ Khalifman recently had success with 9.b3!? stubborn defence, just when it seemed that , reminding Black that the g-pawn rush has R g 5 + w a s u n s t o p p a b l e . 28.ge3 come at a price: the a1-h8 diagonal is now Shell-shocked, White decides to take a draw, weak. Now h5 ( Black should probably try but 9...g4 10.e1 h5 ) 10.d4!? exd4 11.b5 [ 28.xg4+ g6 29.h4 f6 30.e6 d2+! f5 12.b2! was an energetic follow up. 31.xd2 fxe5 32.h8+ f7 33.xe8 b6+ xb1 13.xb1 d7 14.bxd4 xd4 34.g3 xe8 was not very clear, anyway. ] 15.xd4 0-0-0?! ( 15...g8 16.e3 ) 28...xe5 29.g5+ h7 30.h5+ 16.xh8 xh8 17.d1 e6 18.e3 f6 [ 30.xe5 xd4 31.cxd4 g6 is playable, if 19.c2 h4 20.d4 xd4 21.xd4 hxg3 risky, the c-pawn is very strong. ] 22.hxg3 c6?! 23.c5 g6?? 24.h3+ 30...g7 31.g5+ h7 32.h5+ g7 1 -0 K h a li f m a n , A (2 6 3 8 ) -B u k a v s h in , I 33.g5+ (2458)/Moscow RUS 2011. ] ½-½ [ 9.a3?! as in Wu Wenjin (2560) -Ganguly, S (2464)/Calcutta 2001 is inconsistent with 8. Rb1. g4 10.e1 h5 ] 1073 A29 9...g4 [ Check the archives for 9...h5 10.e3 g4 Almasi,Zoltan 2707 11.d2 ( I want to note that 11.h4!?N Wang Hao 2736 is possible here. If Black gets greedy with Sportaccord WMG Rapid rapid (1) 09.12.2011 xh4 12.gxh4 xh4 , then 13.c1! [John Bartholomew] is a cute retort, when the threat of 14.Bg5 forces Black on the defensive: e7 14.b5 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 d7 15.g5! . Black's position is on the 5.g2 b6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 8.b1 verge of collapse, e.g. a6 16.xc6 bxc6 Flirting with b2-b4 in spite of the absence of 17.e3+. 12. ..Nd4 is better, with unique a2-a3. A major benefit of this omission is that play. ) 11...d4 Miezis, N (2505)-Smirin, I White avoids the typical weakening of the b3 (2590)/New York 1998/[TonyK]. ] square. The idea can also be employed on the previous move: 7.Rb1!?, as in Hodgson, J 10.d2 [ 10.e1 looks less logical to me, but it has (2605)-Gormally, D (2476)/Scarborough 1999/ attracted the attention of a couple strong [TonyK], and Korchnoi, V (2601) -Stefanova, players. The maneuver Nf3-e1-c2 actually A (2523)/Drammen 2005/[John Watson]. g5!? isn't uncommon in this line, as it facilitates An uncomprimising jab we've come across b2-b4. h5 11.c2 h4 many times on Chesspublishing.com. Of the A) 12.b4 hxg3 13.fxg3 xb4?! elite Chinese players, Wang Hao seems to be ( 13...a5!? ) 14.xb4 d4+ 15.e3 xc3 the most willing to mix things up, and no 16.d5 xd5 17.xd5 e6 18.xe6 doubt the short time control emboldened him fxe6 19.xb7 Hodgson, J (2625)-Bareev, further. E (2660)/Belgrade 1993.; [ Most common is 8...0-0 , when White can B) The unprejudiced engine suggests follow through with 9.b4 Kasparov, G (2849)giving up the light-square bishop with Tim ma n, J (26 29 )/ W ijk aa n Ze e 20 01 / 12.xc6+!? bxc6 13.d4 , but a human [TonyK]. ] 1062
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 eye can see that Black will have serious c h a n c e s in t h e o p e n b o a r d , e . g . exd4 14.xd4 d7 15.f4 a6 with counterplay.; C) 12.e3 d4 13.d2 c6 14.b4 a5!? 15.a3 f5 Sorokin, M (2559)Nepomniachtchi, I (2520)/Tomsk 2006. ] 10...d4?! A standard sortie, but Black causes more harm than good by inducing e2e3. [ 10...e6 is rote, but White has better chances here too: 11.b4 ( The computer is a g a i n k e e n o n 11.xc6+!? ) 11...d5 12.xd5 ( 12.b2!?; or even 12.a4!? are interesting.) 12...xd5 13.xd5 xd5 14.b5 d4 15.b2 ( 15.e3 ) 15...h5 16.xd4 exd4 17.b3 0-0-0 was at least equal for Black in Degerman, L (2490)Hector, J (2540)/Reykjavik 1995. ] [ Maybe 10...h5 is best. Now the queen trade after 11.c4 xc4 12.dxc4 xd1 13.xd1 comes in a better form for Black: d4! when 14.e3 is met by f3+ 15.xf3 gxf3 with excellent counterplay on the light squares. ] 11.e3 e6 12.c4 White aims for a pleasant queenless middlegame. [ 12.e2! is more ambitious, intending to blast the center open with Rf1-d1 and d3-d4. Black has problems completing queenside development and his kingside diversion is l o o k i n g i n a d e q u a t e . F o r i n s t a n c e , h5 13.d1 c6 14.d4 exd4 15.b3 d3! 16.xd3 c7 17.d1!? with e3-e4, Bc1-e3, and Rb1-c1 to come ( the immediate 17.e4!? m a y b e e v e n s t r o n g e r s i n c e c4 (trying to control e5) is hammered by 18.d5! cxd5 19.exd5 with a very dangerous initiative. )] 12...xc4 Removing the threat to e5 and c l a r if yi n g t h e p o s it io n . 13.dxc4 xd1 14.xd1 0-0 15.b4 g5 16.d5 d8 17.e4! c6 18.e3 White remains a bit better, b u t W a n g H a o d e f e n d s a c c u r a t e l y . e6 19.f5 [ 19.b5!? ] 19...f6 20.d6 b6 21.a4 fd8 22.e3 f3+! Securing the bishop pair and inching closer to full equality. 23.xf3 gxf3 24.c5 e7! 25.f5 xf5 26.exf5 bxc5 27.bxc5 ab8= Now Black is totally fine. 28.h3 xb1
29.xb1 d5 30.h6 This shouldn't change the result, but it's a step in the wrong direction. [ White ought to simplify the position, e.g. 30.f6 xf6 31.b7 when e4! results in a draw, e.g. 32.xa7 ( or even 32.b4 g5 33.xg5 xg5 34.xe4 xc5 35.f4 c3 36.g4 with Kh2-g3 and Rxf3 to come.) 32...d4 33.e7 xe3 34.fxe3 d1+ 35.f2 d2+ 36.f1 d1+ 37.f2 d2+= ] [ The straightforward 30.b7 should also end in a draw provided White doesn't lose his head: xc5 31.xc5 xc5 32.xa7 and now c1+ ( Black can also try 32...h5 but it's not enough.) 33.h2 f1 34.g4 saves the day, e.g. xf2+ 35.g3 f1 36.e7 f6 37.e6 f7 38.a5 a1 39.xc6 xa5 40.xf3= ] 30...f6 31.b7? The wheels begin to come off. [ 31.e3 is still drawn, i.e. xc5 32.b8+ f7 33.xc5 xc5 34.b7+ f8 35.g4!= ] 31...xc5 32.g7+ f8! White may have underestimated this in time pressure. 33.g4?! [ Guarding the first rank with 33.b7+ e8 34.b1 was the last chance. ] 33...e8!-+ 34.g5 [ White is helpless against the threats of ... Rd1+ and ...Bxf2 or ...e4, ...Rd1+, and ...Bd6, for instance 34.e3 d1+ 35.h2 xe3 36.fxe3 f2-+ ] 34...e4 [ or just 34...fxg5-+ ] 35.g8+ d7 36.g7+ c8 37.g8+ b7 38.g7+ a6 39.gxf6 d1+ 40.h2 d6+ 41.g3 d5! Declining to win the exchange and transitioning to a completely won rook and pawn ending. 42.f7 xf5 43.f8 xf8 44.xf8 xf8 45.g1 d8 0-1
1074 Anand,Viswanathan Topalov,Veselin WCHM 2010 Sofia [Nigel Davies]
A29 2787 2805 09.05.2010
1.c4 I must admit that I find Anand's switch a wa y f r o m 1 . e 4 t o 1 . d 4 a n d e ve n F l a n k Openings to be very interesting. Probably he 1063
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 reasons, as I do, that older players on the tourn amen t circuit have mu ch t o ga in b y switching the emphasis of the struggle to the middle game. e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 9.b4 e6 10.d3 f6 11.e4!? [ Quite a rare move in this position, White's most popular choices having been 11.e3 ] [ and 11.b2 . Anand's move makes a lot of sense because Black will lose time driving the knight away with a second move of his fpawn. And meanwhile he stays flexible with the development of his queen's bishop. ] 11...e8!? Topalov was probably making it up at the board given the rarity of both 11.Ne4 and Anand's adoption of the English Opening. [ 11...d7 is another possibility and features in the game Berkes, F (2593)-Munoz, L (2342)/ Turin 2006. ] [ 11...a5 seems critical, after which 12.c5 xc5 13.bxc5 d5 14.b2 ( 14.c2 is Miezis, N (2579)-Danin, A (2498)/Utrecht 2009 ) 14...a4 is Uhlmann, W (2417)Jackova, J (2360)/Marianske Lazne 2008. ] 12.c5 I hate to criticise the World Champion, but this does not seem to be that much in the spirit of the flexible English Opening. Could it be that in this tense situation Anand was inclined towards forcing moves? [ A couple of more flexible options come to mind in 12.b1!? ] [ and 12.c2!? . ] 12...xc5 13.bxc5 d5 14.b2 Looking to break open the centre with d3-d4 at some point. [ 14.d2 was another possibility, leaving the b-file open so as to possibly occupy it with a rook. ] 14...d8 15.c2 de7 A solid regrouping manoeuvre, making the bishop on e6 more active and inhibiting W hite's idea of d3-d4. 16.ab1 a2 17.bc1 f7 18.c3 d7 19.b2 b8 20.fd1 e6 21.d2 h6?! [ A leisurely looking waiting move, though as White has the plan of doubling on the b-file it might have been better to play 21...d5!? to exchange off the potentially dangerous dark squared bishop. I don't see much for him after that. ] 22.b1 d5 After this it starts to look quite nice for White.
[ Black would probably do better to play either 22...h5 ] [ or 22...b6 . ] 23.b2! b6 24.cxb6 White could probably have waited with this exchange. cxb6 25.d2 d6 26.bc2 White now seems to be slightly better because of his c-file pressure and bishop pair, though there's no doubting the solidity of Black's formation. It's also very hard to f in d a p la n b y wh ich W h it e ca n b re a k through. d7 27.h4 d8 28.b5 de7 29.b2 d5 30.b4 xb4 31.axb4 c6! 32.b5 xc2 33.xc2 e6 34.d4!? Trying to stir something up. e4 [ After 34...exd4 35.d2 f5 White can play 36.e4!? . ] 35.d2 xd4 36.xe4?! This looks natural but the White doesn't actually do much here. [ It might have been better to play just 36.xd4 xd4 37.xe4 with what looks like an equal position. ] 36...xb2 37.xb2 f7 38.e3 g5 39.hxg5 hxg5 40.f4 White doesn't want Black to play . . . g 5 -g 4 , f i xin g h is ki n gs id e p a wn s . gxf4 41.exf4 d4 42.f2 f5 43.f3 d5 44.d2 xf3 45.xf3 a4 46.g4?! I think a lot of tension started to creep into the game at this point. [ 46.d2! would have been the solid move, with a likely draw. ] 46...d6?! [ 46...e7! is better when White should fight f or a dra w wit h 47.d2 ( 47.g3 d5 48.f5 e3! 49.h2 c4 looks very dangerous ) 47...xf4 48.g3 b4 49.d7 xb5 50.xa7 etc. ] 47.g3 e4+ 48.h4! d6 49.d2? A very risky move, sacrificing a pawn to go active. [ 49.g3 was much safer, with a draw in prospect. ] 49...xb5 50.f5 e4 [ 50...c3!? might have been a better winning attempt. ] 51.h5! e3 52.h4 c3 53.d7+ e7 54.d3! e4 55.g6 c5 56.a3 d7 57.e3 g7 58.g5 b5 59.f4 b4 60.g6! b3 61.c3 d4! [ 61...b2?? would get Black mated after 62.xc5! b1 63.e6+ g8 64.c8+ etc. ] 1064
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 62.xc5 xf4 63.c7+ g8 64.b7 f3 65.b8+ g7 ½-½
1075 Anastasian,Ashot Sadvakasov,Darmen Aeroflot Open (2) [John Watson]
A29 2568 2635 16.02.2005
4 . g 3 a l wa y s t o p s t h e c h a r t s i n t h e F o u r Knights English. In an important main line we see how easily Black's activity can express itself when White opens the position. As so o f t e n t h e e a rl y o p e n in g o f l in e s f a vo u r s Black's two knights. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 b4 5.g2 0-0 6.0-0 e4 7.e1 e8 8.c2 xc3 9.dxc3 h6 10.e3!? This is a better square for the knight in most varia tions, but W h ite spe eds his development and stops ...e3. b6 [ 10...d5 11.cxd5 xd5 12.d2 xe3 13.xe3 e7 14.ad1 ] 11.c5?! I think that this is a conceptual mistake. A major point of this variation is to control d5. By eliminating his doubled pawns, W hite gives Black's central majority a free hand. b7 [ 11...g4 is also possible but then ...Nxe3 is hardly a threat since a knight on e3 is well-placed. There is no need to worry about the bishop pair. ] 12.h3 e7 13.cxb6 axb6 14.c4 e5 Black's setup is fairly typical for this variation but W hite's knight is misplaced and ...d5 cannot be prevented. 15.b3 d5!? [ 15...ad8 might have been even more irritating: the threat is stronger than the execution. In any case Black has a solid advantage. ] 16.cxd5 xd5!? This allows White to activate his bish op . S ad va ka sov h as a pa rt icula r dynamic solution in mind. [ Instead 16...ad8!? is more flexible and forces White to find a useful move in view of 17.d4 xd5 ] 17.d4! c5! 18.b2 ad8 19.c1 e3! This is Black's point: he gets a wedge in White's position. The only drawback is that the bishop on g2 is finally activated.
[ 19...f6 or ] [ 19...a6 were also worth considering, both with advantage. ] 20.f4! [ A n a s t a s i a n a v o i d s 20.xe3 xe3 21.xe3? ( but 21.fxe3 xg2 22.xg2 d7! is pretty awful) 21...xg2 22.xg2 b7+ 23.f3 ( 23.g1 d3 24.d2 xf2 tears W hite apart) 23...xf3! 24.xf3 xe2+ 25.g1 xf3 26.xf3 xb2 and Black will win easily ] 20...c6! [ The bishops exert their influence after 20...d7 21.d1 7f6 22.e5! ] 21.d1?! Abandoning the kingside defences. However, [ 21.h2 a6! 22.e1 f5 intending ...Qe6g6 wasn't very attractive. ] 21...e6 22.h2 [ W i s e l y a vo i d i n g t h e a p p e a l i n g 22.d3 because of g6! 23.h2 xf4! 24.gxf4 d4! 25.xb7 xe2 26.e1 xd3 and wins ] 22...ce7! Black is play ing perfectly timed moves. Now White must attend to ...Nf5 and ... Qg6. 23.xe3?? After the burden of def en din g f rom a po or op ening situ at io n White collapses. Instead, [ 23.f3 was probably necessary, with a large disadvantage after f5 ] 23...xe3?? [ Black miscalculates horribly just as he was to cash in on a well-played game. Winning outrightwas 23...xe3 24.xd8 ( 24.c3 d4 25.xb7 xd1 ) 24...xd8 25.xb7 ( 25.c3 3f5 26.xb7 xe2+ a n d . . . R d 2) 25...d1 26.c3 f1+! (probably what Sadvakasov missed) 27.g1 ( 27.g2 xe2+ 28.g1 h2# ) 27...xg3+! 28.xd1 xe2+ 29.f2 xc3 30.xc3 xh3 ] 24.xe3 A forced series of moves follows that leaves Black o nly nom inally better. xe3 25.xd8 xd8 26.xb7 d2 27.c3!? [ 27.e5 is probably better because it isn't subject to attack on c3. xe2+ 28.g1 7d5 29.xd5 xd5 30.d1! . Now things get iffy: ] 27...xe2+ 28.g1 7d5! 29.e1!? [ 29.xd5 xd5 30.e1 is an instructive example of active-versus-passive pieces. 1065
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 The pawn on the same colour as the bishop restrain its scope. h5! 31.d1 ( 31.h4 e3; 31.f2 h4 ) 31...f6 and the a-pawn needs defence. 32.a4 e3! ( or 32...e4 ) 33.b1 e4! 34.g2 f5 and White has trouble finding a useful move. ] 29...c2 30.d1 xf4! 31.gxf4 xe1 32.a4 e7 33.d8+! h7 34.a6 Heading for c4. f3+!? [ 34...g6! 35.c4 c2 heads for the rooka n d - p a w n e n d i n g a f t e r 36.b8 e3 37.xb6 xc4 38.bxc4 e4 , which seems to give decent winning chances. ] [ 34...c2?? 35.d3+ ] 35.f2 d4 36.c4 g6 37.d6+ f5 38.xb6 xf4 39.a5 d7 40.a6 f5 41.b4 [ 41.b4 cxb4 42.xb4 e4 could still be tried, but the a-pawn will suffice to draw, and Black may have been disgusted with the easy win that he missed. ] ½-½
1076 Anastasian,Ashot Simonenko,Sergei Masters Abu Dhabi UAE (2) [John Watson]
A29 2595 2431 15.08.2005
exd4 18.xb7 That was easy! b8 19.f3? [ 19.c6! xb2 20.f3 puts White a clear pawn up since xa2? 21.xd4 paralyses the bishop and forces d6 22.c2! xc2 23.xc2 e6 24.xa7 etc. ] 19...xb2 20.b3 [ 20.c4 b8 21.ab1 xb1 22.xb1 g5 23.b7 c5= ] 20...d7 21.h4!? xb3? Now the opposite coloured bishops definitely favour W hite. Better was just [ 21...f7 ] 22.axb3 c5 23.a6! g5 A little desperate. 24.hxg5 fxg5 25.ca1 xb3?? [ 25...f7 26.xa7 xa7 27.xa7+ e7 28.b7 isn't at all easy. Black's bishop is awful, however. ] 26.g4 e7 27.e6+ xe6 28.xe6 b7 29.ea6 c4 30.dxc4 c7 31.xa7 xc4 32.d7 c8 33.a5 h6 34.xd4 f7 35.a6 c7 36.g2 g7 37.d5 e7 38.e3 b7 39.g4 e7 40.da5 e8 41.a7+ g6 42.5a6+ f6 43.a8 1-0
1077 A29 Aronian,Levon Gelfand,Boris White comes up with a truly unique plan. He 21st ECC Saint Vincent ITA 2005 perhaps rightly feels that knights are stronger [John Watson] t h a n b i s h o p s in so m e o f t h e se r e ve rse d Dragon positions. 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 The combination of 7.Qb3 and g4 has given d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.c3 b6 6.f3 c6 White small edges for the most part. In this 7.0-0 e7 8.d3 0-0 9.e3 e6 10.d2!? high-level game Gelfand tries to develop An odd move that looks silly but shouldn't be simply and avoid weaknesses. 1.c4 e5 dismissed from a near 2600 player! f6 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 5.g2 [ The natural 10...d5 doesn't solve all of xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.b3 c5 8.d3 c6 Black's problems: 11.fc1! xe3 12.xe3 [ 8...h6 prevents Bg5 and has been the main move, but it's weakening and White can play f6 13.d4! xd4 14.xd4 xd4 15.xd4 the same idea, e.g., 9.g4 c6 10.h4! exd4 16.d5 xd5 17.xd5+ h8 18.xc7 and the opposite-coloured bishops with a complex battle : e7 ( 10...b6 11.xb6 xb6 12.g5 hxg5 13.hxg5 won't save Black. ] xh1+ 14.xh1 h7 15.f4 11.fc1 e8 12.d1!? The point?! White takes 2 extra moves to get Rfc1 in. Oh well... Van der Sterren-Balcerak, Germany 2000) f7 13.d2 f8 11.g5! hxg5 12.xg5 d6 13.0-0-0 c7 14.dg1! e6 15.e3? ( better is 15.h5! [ 13...f5!? 14.b5?! d7 ] 14.a4 xa4 0-0-0 16.b1; or 15.b1 ) 15...f8 [ 14...f5! at least puts some pressure on ( 15...d5! ) 16.h5 d5 17.g5 dxc4 18.dxc4 d7 about equal, Mikhailuk-Sagalchik, White ] 15.xa4 d4?! 16.xe8 xe8 17.xd4 Seattle 2002 ] 1066
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 9.g4 This remarkable flank thrust has a winning record of about 80%! Needless to say, Black is developing defences after the initial shock has worn off. d6 [ 9...h6 transposes to 8... h6 ] 10.g5 d7 [ 10...g8 11.e4 b6 12.c2!? ( 12.h5! g6 13.f3; 12.d2 ) 12...c7 ( 12...e7 ) 13.c5!? dxc5 ( 13...d5 14.d6+ xd6 15.cxd6 xd6 16.e3 d4 17.d2 with some compensation) 14.xc5 e7 15.d2 e6 16.a3 b6 17.c1 d5 Zvjaginsev-Svidler, Moscow 2001 W hite went on to win. ] 11.e4!? [ 11.h4!? is more thematic but allows 11... Qb6. In the resulting queenless middlegame White can still try to make something of his space advantage yet it must be equal with careful play. ] 11...0-0 12.g1 b6 13.e3!? xe3 14.fxe3 f5 15.gxf6 xf6 16.0-0-0 The position contains chances for both sides. It's probably about equal. h8 17.d4!? [ Better seems 17.b4 d5 18.xf6 xf6 19.b1 ] [ 17.g3!? is also reasonable. ] 17...e7 [ 17...xe4! 18.xe4 h4 looks safe and potentially advantageous. ] 18.c3 [ 18.d5 xe4 19.xe4 f5 ] 18...xe4 19.xe4 f5 20.d3 xe4 21.xe4 ae8 [ 21...f7! 22.dxe5 xe5! 23.xe5 dxe5 must f avour Black somewhat in view of White's weak pawns. ] 22.dxe5 dxe5 23.g4 d8 24.d3 h6 ½-½
[ 10.d1 but it doesn't give White much hope of an edge. ] 10...exd4 [ 10...d6 11.d1 e8 12.c3 c6 13.dxe5! ( 13.e3 d7 14.e4 f6 15.xf6+ xf6 16.dxe5 xe5 17.d4 e7 18.a3 d8! saw Black hold a draw in Nielsen, PCaruan a, F/ Amsterdam 20 10. Black is holding tight and his problems seem quite m a n a g e a b l e .) 13...dxe5 14.g5 g4 ( 14...h6 15.xf6 xf6 16.e4 e7 17.c5 ) 15.xe7 xe7 16.e4 ] 11.d1 c5 This attempt to hold into the pawn must be critical but it doesn't seem to have been played before. [ Other players have just allowed White to recapture with 11...d6 after which 12.xd4 d7 13.f4 f6 14.d2 e5 ( 14...e5 15.e3 e7 16.c3 f6 17.d5 xd5 18.cxd5 gave White some pressure down the c-file in Wang Hao-Eljanov, P/Moscow 2010 ) 15.g2 g5 16.e3 xf4 17.exf4 d7 18.f3 f6 19.e1 and White was clearly better in Malakhov, V-Rodshtein, M/ Plovdiv 2010. ] 12.e3 dxe3 13.xe3 c7 [ 13...a5?! is less good, for example 14.e1 e8 15.g5 d6 ( 15...f8 16.xf6 xf6 17.xe8+ xe8 18.e3+ f8 19.e1 g6 20.xc5 is very strong) 16.xf6 gxf6 17.c3 gives White more than enough for the pawn. ] 14.c3 [ 14.d2 is also worth considering, for example d6 15.c3 e6 16.e1 gives White strong pressure for the pawn. ] 14...a6 15.g4!? The creative way of trying to get his knight on d5. [ 15.g5 h6 16.xf6 xf6 17.d5 d8 would also leave Black with a square on d4. ] 1078 A29 15...h6 16.h4 d6 17.g5 hxg5 18.hxg5 h7 Aronian,Levon 2808 19.d5 d8 20.b6 [ 20.xc5 xg5 21.b6 b8 Giri,Anish 2690 would transpose back into the game. ] 20th Amber Blindfold (1) 12.03.2011 20...b8 21.xc5 xg5 22.g2 g4 [Nigel Davies] 23.d2 e6 24.a3 f4 25.c5 We have to 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 give the players a certain latitude because of 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.b3 c5 8.0-0 this game having been played blindfold. [ But Fritz says that 25.e1 was better. ] 0-0 9.a4 e7 10.d4!? An enterprising 25...h4 26.d5 e6 27.e3 xd5 choice by White. 1067
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ This leads to the win of White's queen but it's not the best way. 27...xg2 28.xg2 e8 would have been easily winning for Black. ] 28.xf4 g5 29.xg5 xg5 30.xd5 g4 31.cxd6 Despite the fact that White has just two bishops for the queen this position is far from easy. The main problem is the massive White d-pawn which will keep Black's rooks tied down. fd8 32.e1 bc8 33.e4 c1+ 34.h2 g6 35.d7 h6+ 36.g3 g1 [ With pieces to look at I suspect Giri would have found 36...f5 37.e8+ h7 38.xd8 g5+ 39.f3 g4+ 40.e3 e1+ 41.d2 e2+ 42.c3 c1+ 43.b4 c4+ 44.a5 c7+ , winning back his rook whilst leaving White's king very bad. ] 37.e8+ h7 38.xd8 g6+ 39.f4 f6+ 40.e3 [ 40.g3 was better with a draw by r e p e t i t i o n . B l a c k d a r e n o t p l a y xd8 because of 41.e7! . ] 40...xd8? [ 40...e1+ was good for Black, for example 41.d3 d1+ 42.c4 h4+ 43.c5 xf2+ 44.c4 h4+ 45.b3 xd5 46.xd5 xd8 etc. ] 41.e4+ g6 42.f3 g5?! 43.e7 b6+ [ 43...xd5 was necessary, but Black probably couldn't bring himself to struggle for a draw in an endgame af ter being a queen up. ] 44.d4 a5 45.xg5 [ 45.d8! was quicker as Black's checks will co me to no t hing. B u t I can un d ersta n d Aronian's decision to simplify. ] 45...xg5+ 46.f2 d8 47.xb7 a5 48.a3 g7 49.b4 axb4 50.axb4 f5 51.b5 f4 52.e4 g5 53.e2 f6 54.d5 e6 55.b6 g4 56.fxg4 f6 57.b7 1-0
new subscribers or those interested in more details, I refer you to the PDF e-book, the PGN archives and in particular the August and September updates from 2007, which covered this line in detail. 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.b3 c5 8.d3 c6 9.0-0 [ This line is considered quite harmless. Instead 9.g4!? is a good way to kick some energy into the game. ] 9...0-0 10.g2 h6 [ 10...e8 11.d2 b6 12.c2 h6 13.a4 c7 14.ac1 d6 15.b4 d7 16.c3 c8 17.fe1 ( Or 17.b5 h3 18.bxc6 xg2 19.xg2 bxc6 20.b1 e6 21.a4 , and here a draw was agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, in Ludgate, A-Davies, G/corr ICCF 1992, though Black seems to be doing rather well after for example d5!? ) 17...h3 18.h1 a6 19.a4 a5 20.b1 ( 20.b5 b6 21.b1 g4 22.e3 b8 23.e4 Belchev, BErofeev, S/corr ICCF 1989) 20...axb4 21.xb4 a5 with chances to both sides, Portisch, L -Huebner, R/Abano Therme 1980/Candidates ] 11.d2 [ 11.e3 is Lautier, J-Sebag, M/Montpellier FRA 2007, which can be found in the PGN archives ] 11...e8 12.ac1 [ Both 12.h3 , Stefansson, H-Vallejo Pons, F/ Havana 2001 ] [ and 12.ad1 Popov, V-Sargissian, G/ Moscow RUS 2007 are discussed in the notes to Lautier-Sebag, mentioned in the note to White's 11th move. ] 12...f8 13.h3 d6 14.h2 a6 15.e3 e7 16.cd1 [ 16.g4 e6 is okay for Black ] 16...b8 [ 16...e6 is possibly better, for instance 17.d4 exd4 18.xd4 ab8 19.d2 ec8= ] 17.a7 a8 18.b6 d7 19.e3 f5 [ Black can also give consideration to 1079 A29 19...c5 20.c2 e6 , though White's chances are probably slightly preferable ] Aronian,Levon 2737 Svidler,Peter 2738 20.c5+ h8 [ The alternatives lead to a better game for 2nd FIDE GP Sochi RUS (9) 09.08.2008 White: A) 20...d5 21.xd5+ cxd5 22.xd5 [Carsten Hansen] f7 23.c7 xb3 24.axb3 f4 25.d2 xc5 26.xe8 f5 27.c7 , and White is 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 an exchange up. ] We haven't looked at this line for a while. For 1068
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 20...f7 21.xf7+ xf7 22.cxd6 xd6 23.f4 , and White is minimally better. ( 23.a4 b8 )] 21.cxd6 f6 22.d4 [ With his affinity to weird g-pawn moves, I'm a little surprised that Aronian passed on the s h a r p a n d i n t e r e s t i n g 22.g4!? , which appears to promise W hite decent chances for an advantage after for example xd6 23.gxf5 xf5 ( 23...e4+ 24.g1 exd3 25.xd3 ) 24.e4 ] 22...e4 23.f3 exf3 24.xf3 xd6 25.f4 xf4 26.xf4 e3 27.d5 [ Here White should have opted for 27.df1 f8 28.b6 g5 29.4f3 with a pleasant advantage. The complications that arises in the game are not necessarily to W hite's advantage. ] 27...c5 [ 27...xg3 28.xg3 g5+ 29.h2 xf4+ 30.h1 c5 31.d6 c4 transposes to the game continuation ] 28.d6 xg3 29.xg3 [ Or 29.d5 g6! ( 29...g5 30.xf5 xg2+ 31.h1 g6 32.df1 f6 33.xf6 gxf6 34.xg2 h5 35.h2 ) 30.f3 f6 with a messy position and chances to both sides. ] 29...g5+ 30.h2 xf4+ 31.h1 c4 32.b4 a5 33.b5 f6 34.b6 d7 35.e3?! [ Now White starts getting himself into serious trouble. With 35.d5 h4 36.xb7 d8 37.xf6 xf6 38.c7 a4 White is the one who has the better chances, but Black should be able to hold on. ] 35...g3 36.xb7 e8 37.f3 xf3 38.xf3 xe3 39.g2 g5 40.d5 xd5 41.xd5 g4?! [ 41...d3 If Black is still playing for a win, and I assume he is because otherwise there is no point in continuing the way he did in the game, then Black should have played 42.xa5 g7 which maintains good winning chances. In the game continuation, Black forces a rook ending on the board where he is two pawns up, but which unfortunately is a well-known draw. ] 42.hxg4 fxg4 43.xg4 xg4 44.d7 xd7 45.xd7 e2+ 46.f3 xb2 47.c7 c2?! [ 47...xa2 48.xc4 is also a draw, but may
be a little more difficult for White than the game continuation. ] 48.a4 c3 49.e4 c1 50.c5 c2 51.d3 a1 52.xc2 xa4 53.b3 b4+ 54.c3 a4 55.b3 a1 56.b2 e1 57.xa5 g7 58.c2 g6 59.d2 e8 60.a3 g5 61.e3 f8 62.e2 g4 63.e7 h5 ½-½
1080 Aronian,Levon Svidler,Peter WCh Mexico City MEX (13) [Carsten Hansen]
A29 2750 2735 28.09.2007
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 c5 5.xe5 An interesting choice. The normal move is 5 Bg2, but the text move aims to e x p l o i t B l a c k ' s m o v e o r d e r . xf2+ Black hands the bishop pair to White in return for weakening the position of W hite's king. This weakness has yet to prove fatal, but it sets some limits to how White can proceed in his attempts to exploit the advantage of the pair of bishops. Usually W hite, in order to stabilize the position seeks a rather static pawn structure and will then try to build up a threatening position from this foundation. [ The much less played alternative is 5...xe5 which I dismissed in my book on the English Opening: 1...e5, but Ribli gives it a '!?' in ChessBase Magazine 97. 6.d4 A) or 6...e7 7.dxe5 g4 ( 7...xe5 8.g2 Ribli ) 8.e3 xe5 9.f4 ( 9.g2!? xc4? 10.d5 Ribli ) 9...c6 10.g2 b4 11.d3 Gulko, B-Pedro, F/Buenos Aires 2003; B) 6...d6!? 7.dxe5 xe5 8.g2 I called this position clearly better for White in my book, whereas Ribli assesses it as equal the truth is probably somewhere in the middle, I will definitely prefer White's side. Black's bishop is bit clumsily placed in the center, and White has a strong bishop on g2 and has the ability to generate pressure along the semiopen d-file. ] 6.xf2 xe5 7.e4 In accordance with the plan outlined in the comment after Black's fifth move. White would like to play d2-d4, but 1069
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 du e t o th e e xp o se d kin g, a mo re ca ref u l approach is prudent. [ 7.b3?! is ambitious, but too slow and not very good, Black soon has a signif icant a d v a n t a g e : d5! 8.d4 ( 8.cxd5 xd5 is also very good for Black) 8...c6 9.h3 0-0 10.g2 dxc4 11.d5 e5 , and Black has the better chances, although W hite managed to hold the draw in Topalov, VKarpov, A/Monte Carlo1997 ] 7...c5 This is more or less necessary as White otherwise at some point will throw d2-d4 in the mix with a great centre and dominant bishop pair. [ 7...d6 8.h3 ( 8.d4!? is a little played, but very interesting alternative, e.g. c6 9.h3 0-0 Kilgus, G-Mikac, M/Aschach 1993, and now 10.g2! e8 11.f1 and White w ill soon have finished castling-by-hand an excellent position in hand.) 8...0-0 9.d4 ( 9.d3 c6 10.d4 g6 Abdul Ghafour, ZPantebre Martinez, J/Buenos Aires 1978, and now W hite does best to play 11.g1 b6 12.h2 , and White's king is out of immediate danger, and can start worrying about consolidating; 9.g2 e7 10.d4 g6 11.d3 c5 12.dxc5 dxc5 13.g5 e5 , and Black has at least equal chances, Mukhin, A-Kavalenia, L/St Petersburg 1999) 9...g6 10.g2 e6 ( 10...b8 11.f1 e6 12.b3 c8 13.g4 h6 14.g1 h7 15.e2 g5 16.g3 h4 17.b2 xg2 18.xg2 Poldauf, D-Timman, J/Forchheim 2000 ) 11.b3 c6 12.e3 ( 12.d5?! With this impatient move White grabs more space, but should have focused on completing his development and tucking his k in g a wa y b e f o re p ro c e e d i n g wi t h t h i s undertaking. IN return for W hite's aggressive space grabbing, Black gains control over the e5-square. cxd5 13.exd5 d7 14.d4 e8 15.b2 e5 16.hf1 c8 , and now instead of 17 Kg1 which lead to unclear complications in Johannessen, LSebag, M/ Malmo 2003, W hite should instead try 17.g4!? with a position in which I favour White's chances.) 12...a5 13.d2 h6 14.ad1 ad8 15.f3 c8 16.g2 fe8 17.f2 Timman, J-Beliavsky, A/ Sombor 1972 ] 8.h3
[ White has tried several other things at this juncture: A) 8.e2 A) 8...d6 9.g2 e6 10.d3 d7 11.h3 h6 12.f4 a6 13.d4 cxd4 14.xd4 Vernales, G-Daguer, J/Tucuman 1977; B) 8...c6 9.d3 0-0 ( 9...d6 10.g2 h6 11.f1 0-0 12.e3 e5 13.d4 cxd4 14.xd4 1-0 Johnsrud, J-Schreber, D/ Email 2000) 10.f1 d6 11.g2 e8 12.e3 c7 Pham Minh Hoang-Galyas, M/Budapest 1998, 13.d2 e6 14.d5 d7 15.f4; C) 8...0-0 9.d3 d6 C1) 10.g2 e8 ( 10...d7 11.h3 h6 12.e3 e8 13.d2 e6 14.b3 b6 15.af1 d7 16.f2 ac8 17.d5 xd5 18.cxd5 is also slightly better for W hite, Schwartzman, G-Comp Lyon/ Dortmund 1991 ) 11.e3 c7 C1a) 12.g4?! e6 13.h4? ( 13.f1!? ) 13...c6 14.d2 ed4 15.d5 , thus far Paehtz, T-Malich, B/ Halle 1974, but now Black for some r e a s o n d e c i d e d a g a i n s t xe2 16.xe2 e5 17.g5 g4 which looks awfully appealing for Black.; C1b) 12.d2 e6 13.d5 b6 14.hf1 b7 15.f5 d4 16.xd4 cxd4 17.af1 xd5 18.exd5 , and W hite has the better chances, Moehring, G-Packroff, H/Erfurt 1973; C2) 10.h3 e8 ( 10...e6 11.g2 fd7 12.d4 cxd4 13.xd4 c7 14.b3 ad8 15.b5 Chernin, A-Groszpeter, A/AUT 1998; 10...a6 11.g2 b5 12.b3 b4 13.d5 xd5 14.exd5 e8 15.d4 cxd4 16.xd4 Volodin, A-Savchenko, A / V o r o n e zh 1 9 9 9) 11.g2 c7 12.e3 ( 12.d4!? cxd4 13.xd4 b6 14.e3 e6 15.d2 b7 16.hd1 ) 12...e6 13.d5 c6 14.d2 ed4 Garcia Gonzales, G-Uhlmann, W/Leipzig 1973, and now 15.hf1 e6 16.f4 ] [ B) 8.d4 cxd4 9.xd4 0-0 A) 10.g2 e8 11.g5 h6 12.xf6 xf6 13.e2 b6 14.hf1 ( 14.b5!? ) 14...c6 15.ad1 b7 16.g1 Joachim, S-Epishin, V/Bad Zwesten 2002; B) 10.f4 d6 11.h3 e6 12.e2 c8 ( 12...c8 13.b3 c6 14.d2 b6+ 15.g2 looks better for White) 13.ac1 1070
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xh3!? ( This is a rather risky move, but in the game it pays off 13...c6!? 14.xd6 xh3 looks like a good alternative for Black ) 14.d5 e6 ( 14...xd5? 15.cxd5 d7 16.xe5 dxe5 17.xe5+- ) 15.c7 e7 16.xa8 c6 17.e3 I va n c h u k , V -A n a n d , V / W ij k a a n Ze e 1999 ] [ C) 8.d3 d6 ( 8...d5 9.xd5 xd5 10.exd5 0-0 11.h3 f6+ 12.g2 f5 Pham Minh Hoang-Khechumyan, G/ Budapest 1999, 13.e2 g6 14.f1 xd3 15.xd3 xd3 16.g4 a6 17.b3 ) A) 9.g2 0-0 10.e2 e6 ( 10...e8 11.e3 f5 12.d2 f6 13.af1 fxe4 14.dxe4 Zapletal, J-Chachalev, J/Karvina 1992, and now e6 15.b3 d7 ) 11.h3 fd7 12.g4 b8 13.e3 bc6 14.d2 a6 15.hf1 d4 16.d5 xd5 17.exd5 b5 18.b3 b6 19.ae1 with a complicated struggle with chances to bot h sid es, K no tt, S-Fried go od, D/ London 1979; B) 9.h3 0-0 ( 9...h5?! 10.e2 h7 11.g2 h4 12.g4 g5 13.e3 d7 14.d2 e6 15.b4! with a clear advantage for White, Botvinnik, M-Keres, P/Moscow 1966; 9...e6 10.e2 fd7 11.g2 c6 12.e3 de5 13.d5 0-0 14.f4 e7 15.f1 , and the players agreed upon an all too premature draw, 1/ 2-1/2 W elin, T-Svenn, M/Lulea 1980. I think W hite's chances are preferable at this point. ) B1) 10.g2 fd7 11.f1 c6 12.e3 de5 B1a) Black was threatening ...Nb4. Also 13.g1 can be considered, e.g. e6 ( 13...b4?! 14.e2 bxd3 15.ad1 e6 16.b3 b4 17.xc5 dxc5 18.xd8 axd8 19.d5 ) 14.b3; B1b) 13.a3 a6 14.d2 b5 15.cxb5 axb5 16.xb5 ( 16.g1 b4 17.d5!? ) 16...a6 17.a4 Wirthensohn, H-Friedgood, D/Caorle 1972, and now b6 18.g1 xb5 19.axb5 xa1 20.xa1 xb5 with a better game for Black; B2) 10.g1 e8 11.h2 c7 12.f2 This is an unusual way of castling by
hand, but it appears to work quite well, White already has the upper hand at this stage. e6 13.e3 d4 14.b5 ( 14.h2!? e6 15.g2 d7 16.d2 ) 14...ec6?! ( 14...xb5 15.cxb5 e6 looks fully playable for Black now, on the other hand, W hite advantage becomes significantly bigger) 15.h5 a6 16.xd4 xd4 17.g2 e6 18.b4! Contin, D-Fiore, M/Formia 1995; B3) 10.g2 d7 11.f4 c6 12.e2 e8 13.d2 c7 14.b4?! ( 14.hf1 f5 15.d5 d7 16.h2 e6 17.e3 with chances to both sides) 14...cxb4 15.d5 a5 16.a3? bxa3 17.xa3 b5 Contin, D-Godena, M/Montecatini Terme 1997; B4) 10.e2 e8 11.g2 c7 12.e3 ( 12.g4 e6 13.e3 a6 14.d2 b8 15.d5 b5 16.b3 d4 17.d1 e6 18.c1 b7 with pleasant game for B l a ck , G a rc i a M a rt i n e z, S - B o e y, J / Skop je 19 7 2) 12...e6 13.d2 a6 14.a4 c6 15.d5 ed4 16.ab1 e6 17.d1 a5 18.f4 with chances to both sides, Jakobsen, O-Jansson, B/ Copenhagen 1974 ] 8...0-0 9.d3 [ 9.d4 is unnecessary: cxd4 10.xd4 d6 11.c5 c6 12.xd6 a5 , and Black has sufficient compensation for the pawn ] 9...a6 [ Black's alternatives are: A) 9...d6!? 10.g2 d7 11.f4 c6 12.e2 ( 12.h2!? intending Bf1-g2 is probably better) 12...e8 13.d2 c7 14.b4 cxb4 15.d5 a5 , and White has some compensation for the pawn, Contin, D-Godena, M/ Montecatini Terme 1997 ] [ B) 9...d5?! 10.cxd5 b5 11.f4 e8 12.g2 c4 13.xe5 xe5 14.d4 , and W hite is much better, Pham Minh Hoang-Khechumyan, G/Budapest 1998 ] 10.g2 b5 11.f1 d6 12.g1 h6 13.b3 e6 14.e3 b8 [ Only here Black steps off the path of what has been played before: 14...h7 15.h2 d7 16.d2 f6 17.e2 g5 18.f4 fe8 19.ad1 f7 20.f2 , and White has the better chances, Garcia Palermo, C1071
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Dzindzichashvili, R/Buenos Aires 1978 ] 15.e2 [ 15.d2!? ] 15...e8 16.c1 d7 17.c2!? [ White plans to play Ne2-c3 and then t ra n s f e r t h e c -ro o k t o f 2 . A ls o 17.d2!? deserve consideration: e7 18.h2 b4 19.f4 g5 20.e2 c6 21.cd1 a5 22.f2 with a better game for White ] 17...bxc4 [ I don't like this move at all, leaving the dpawn very vulnerable on an open file, but the alternative isn't entirely pleasant either, e. g. 17...e7 18.c3 e6 19.cf2 threatening Nc3-d5 h7 20.d5 g6 21.h2 ] 18.dxc4 c6 19.c3 b7 20.cf2 h7 Otherwise W hite can play Rxf6 with a very u n c o m f o r t a b l e p o s i t i o n f o r B l a c k 21.h4 Preventing ...Ng5 be7 22.d2 a5 23.c2 [ I think that White may have either overlooked or underestimated Black's 25th move in the continuation. Instead of the text move, White could also consider 23.d5!? d7 24.df2 xd5 25.xd5 f6 26.d2! xd2 ( 26...d8?! 27.xf6 gxf6 28.xh6 ) 27.xd2 eg4 28.f4 xe4 29.xe4 xe4 30.xd6 xd6 31.xd6 with a better endgame for White ] 23...g4 24.f4 hf6 25.e1 d5! [ If 25...e6 then White obtains the better c h a n c e s a f t e r 26.xd6 xe4 27.xe4 xe4 28.xe4 xe4 29.xe4 xe4 30.xe4 xd2 31.xc5 ] 26.e5?! [ After this move everything very quickly gets terminated down to a drawn endgame. The a l t e r n a t i v e i s 26.cxd5!? after which the complications take on a different shape, but Black may well be okay after xd5 27.xd5 xd5 28.ee2! c6 ( Or 28...b7 29.d6 xe4 30.xc5 xc5+ 31.xc5 e6 32.xe4 xe4 33.xe4 xe4 34.g2 with a clear advantage for White) 29.d6 e6 30.xc5 xc5+ 31.xc5 f5 32.e5 xe5 ( 32...xg2 33.xg2 xe5 34.d5 f7 35.a4 with a clear advantage for White in the endgame: bishop vs knight with pawns on both wings and W hite has a pawn majority on the queenside) 33.xe5 xe5 34.xc6 xc5 35.d5+ f8 36.f3 c1+
37.g2 e7 , and Black has excellent chances of holding the draw. ] 26...xe5 27.de2 d4 28.xe5 xg2 29.xf6 xe2 30.xe2 xe2 31.xe2 [ If 31.xe2 then b7 32.f2 ( of course not 32.e5?? e1+ 33.h2 h1# ) 32...gxf6 33.f4 d8 and Black has the clearly better chances thanks to his protected passed pawn and the soft light squares around White's king ] 31...gxf6 32.g4+ f8 33.c8+ e7 34.xg2 dxc3 35.b7+ d8 36.d5+ c8 37.c6+ b8 38.e8+ b7 39.e4+ c8 40.c6+ b8 41.e8+ b7 42.e4+ c8 43.c2 a3 44.xc3 xa2+ 45.f3 b1 46.e3 And a draw was agreed upon as evidenced by the last several moves neither side can make any progress. ½-½
1081 A29 Aronian,Levon 2739 Topalov,Veselin 2780 XXV SuperGM Morella Linares MEX/ESP (8) [Carsten Hansen] 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 9.b4 e6 10.b1 f6 11.d3 d4 [ 11...a5 is the other main line - see the PDF eBooks ] 12.d2 [ W e l o o k e d a t 12.e3 in the game Van Wely-Tiviakov, Wijk aan Zee 2007 - see the PGN archives ] 12...c6 [ 12...d5 was discussed in Bauer-Sokolov, Chartres 2005 - see PGN archives ] 13.de4 [ This move has seen a lot more action than our PDF eBook on the King's English appears to tell us thus far we have only covered this sub-variation with one game, so t h e b e l o w s h o u l d g i ve yo u a t h o r o u g h update on the current status of the this line. Alternatively 13.b2 was played in BareevTopalov, Dortmund 2002 and can be found in the PGN archives ] 13...d5 [ Black has several alternatives available: A) 1072
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 13...f7 A) 14.d2 A1) 14...b8 15.a4 d5 16.e3 f5 17.c5 xc5 18.bxc5 xc3 19.xc3 d7 20.c2 e7 21.a1 ( 21.xc6 c7 22.e4 xc5 23.d2 ) 21...bd8 with chan ce s to both side s, though W hite's position is probably easier to play, Ljubojevic, L-Ivanchuk, V/ Monaco 2002; A2) 14...d5 15.e3 xc3 16.xc3 b5 17.b2 f8 18.c2 a5 19.a4 c7 , and Black has solved his opening problems successfully, Hjartarson, JBareev, E/Novi Sad 1990; B) 14.e3 b5 15.xb5 ( 15.b2 xc3 16.xc3 d7 17.d4 exd4 18.xd4 c4 19.c1 d5 20.d1 e6 21.d2 xg2 1/2-1/2 Zueger, B-Cvitan, O/ Turin ITA 2006 ) 15...cxb5 16.b2 B1) 16...d5 17.h3 a4 18.a1!? ( 18.c3 xc3 19.xc3 b6 20.e4 e6 21.xe6 xe6 22.b3 xb3 23.xb3 d8 with an insignificant plus for White, Pheby, J-Shikalov, A/RCCA 2004 ) 18...f8 19.c1 b6 20.c2 e8 21.fd1 e6 22.xe6 ( 22.g2!? also looks better for White his pieces are b e t t e r p l a c e d a n d c o o r d i n a t e d) 22...xe6 23.d4 exd4 24.xd4 Rotstein, A-Psakhis, L/Groningen 1990; B2) 16...c8!? 17.d4 c4 18.d5 d7 19.g4 b6 20.g3 d6 21.c1 a5 with a complicated position and chances to both sides, Alavkin, A-Demianjuk, A/ Kazan RUS 2007; B3) 16...a4 17.a1 B3a) 17...f5 was played in Yakovich, Y-Demianjuk, A/Salekhard RUS 2006, which can be found in the PGN archives; B3b) In his annotations to the Yakovich game, Watson indicated that 17...a5 leads to better game for Black, but I have to disagree on that point, e. g. 18.d4! ( Watson only offered 18.bxa5 xa5 after which I agree that Black has a comfortable game, but 18 d4 is considerably better) 18...exd4 19.xd4 xd4 20.xd4 axb4 21.axb4 , and White can claim a small
plus on account of his better placed minor pieces; B3c) 17...c8 18.d4 f5 19.c5 xc5 20.bxc5 c4 21.xb7 b8 22.g2 xf1 23.xf1 , and White has amble compensation for the exchange, Bareev, E-Ponomariov, R/ Moscow 2002 ] [ B) 13...f7 14.e3 ( 14.c5?! b8 15.h3 xc5 16.bxc5 d5 17.d2 h5 18.f3 f5 , and Black is in control of the game, Winants, L-Vyzmanavin, A/ Ostende 1991) 14...e6 15.g4 d5 16.e2 d7 17.d1 fd8 18.h3 f8 19.b2 e7 20.e2 g6 wi t h c h a n ce s t o b o t h si d e s , B a u e r , C Motylev, A/Katernberg GER 2007 ] [ C) 13...g4!? A) 14.e3 d7 ( 14...a5!? ) 15.d2 h8 16.h3 h5 17.f4 f5 18.g5 h6 ( 18...f6!? ) 19.f3 xf3+ 20.xf3 e8 with a complicated game, though White White's position appears more dynamic, Georgiev, K-Kharlov, A/ Niksic 1996; B) 14.h3 h5 15.g4 f7 16.e3 e6 17.c2 d7 18.d1 h5 ( 18...d5 ) 19.e2 hxg4 20.hxg4 g6 21.b2 f5 with a complicated game and chances to bo t h side s, S t oh l, I -Bio lek, R/ P ra gu e 1992; C) 14.f3!? c8 ( 14...h5 15.c5 c8 16.e3 e6 17.3e4 ) 15.e3 e6 16.f4 White re-opens the diagonal for the bishop on g2 and attempts to grab some space. Ideally, White would like to play f4-f5 and follow up with a kingside attack while have a go o d gra b o n th e imp o rt an t c en t ra l squares as well as a space advantage on the queenside. f5 ( 16...exf4 17.gxf4 f5 18.g3 Ribli ) 17.f2 exf4 18.gxf4 with a double-edged position, Lapshun, YGoldin, A/Seattle 2003 ] [ D) 13...d7 14.e1 ( 14.e3?! f7 15.xd4 exd4 16.a4 d5 17.ac5 c7 18.c2 f5 19.d2 e8 20.f3 f6 , and Black is clearly better, W hite has ended in the type of position he should strive t o a vo id , Z u e ge r , B -A n a s, N/ T u r in I T A 2006 ) 14...ad8 15.d2 d5 16.c5 xc5 17.bxc5 xc3 18.xc3 f7 19.xd4 xd4 20.c2 fd8 21.b2 h5 22.eb1 c8 , and while I prefer White's chances, the 1073
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ga m e is m o r e o r le s s b a l a n c e d a t t h i s juncture, Georgiev, K-Goldin, A/Niksic 1996 ] 14.e3 [ The young flank opening connoisseur, T o m a s h e v s k y i n s t e a d t r i e d 14.b2 in another recent game: f7 ( 14...xc3 15.xc3 d5!? ) 15.xd5 xd5 16.xd4 exd4 17.c2 e8 18.d2 f8 19.fe1 h8 20.xd5 xd5 21.c4 d7 22.f3 , a nd W h ite 's po sit io n is easier t o p la y thanks to Black's passive bishop and the re l a t i ve l y we a k d -p a wn , wh ic h m a ke i t difficult for Black to come up with an active plan, whereas W hite can advance on the queenside at will while warding of f an y potential counterplay from Black without too many headaches, Tomashevsky, EKhismatullin, D/Tomsk RUS 2006 ] 14...xc3 15.xc3 f5 16.c2!? [ This is the first new move. White aims to grab space in the centre and play actively by advancing his d-pawn quickly. Black doesn't appear to have any major problems in the continuation. In an earlier game, which may have been unknown to Aronian W hite tried 16.b5!? cxb5 17.xb5 c8 18.d5 xd5 19.xd5 h8 20.f3 d6 21.b1 , and White's chances seem slightly preferable on account on his well-placed central knight and more active position, Heitmann, M-Bradtke, K/ corr 1998 ] 16...c8 17.d1 d7 18.d4!? [ Aronian plays the sharpest continuation, taking on an isolated d-pawn. The a l t e r n a t i v e s i s 18.e4 , b u t a f t e r b6 Black has no reason to complain ] 18...exd4 19.exd4 d6 [ The actual merit of this move doesn't strike as immediately obvious, but Topalov probably wanted to get his queen away from the d-file and instead play for the control over the weak light squares on W hite's q u e e n s i d e . H o w e v e r , I t h i n k 19...fe8 20.e4 h8 is a more solid and sensible continuation. Now White grabs the initiative ] 20.e4! cd8 21.b2!? [ White may also consider 21.b5!? cxb5 ( 21...d5 22.bxc6 bxc6 23.b2 fe8 24.e1 is complicated but probably more pleasant for White) 22.d5 f7 23.h3 g6 24.b3 with a complicated game and
chances to both sides ] 21...f7 22.d2?! [ This solid move looks normal, but White can do better with 22.b5! cxb5 ( 22...b3 23.xf6+! gxf6 24.xf5 xd1 25.xd1 with a pleasant game for White) 23.d5 c8 24.d3 a6 25.bc1 , and White has good compensation for the pawn ] 22...d5 , and the chances are fairly even White's pawn on d4 is of course not ideal, but it guarantees W hite space and an active position 23.e1 b8 24.de2 b6 25.d2 xg2 26.xg2 d5+ 27.g1 b5 28.b3 d6 29.a5 c8 30.c1 c7 31.d3 fc8 32.ec2 g6 33.f1 f7 34.g2 e7 35.e1 h5 At this point the game is still fairly balanced, but up towards the time control on move 40, Topalov sharpens the game 36.h4 [ 36.e4 f5!? ] 36...f5!? Very aggressive and typical of Topalov White now has to be careful not to end up in trouble. 37.c1?! [ White undoubtedly expected Black's next move and counted on his planned 38th move to deal sufficiently with it, but I feel White should most likely have settled for the ugly and uninspiring 37.f4 which will likely f o rce t h e gam e t o e nd pe a ce f ully a f t e r s o m e t h i n g l i k e g8 38.ec1 e7 ( 38...f6 39.xc6 xg2+ 40.xg2 e8 41.c3 e4 42.3c2 f6 is another r e p e t i t i o n) 39.e1 with an invitation to a draw by repetition ] 37...f4 38.xe7+?! [ A dynamic response from Aronian, though quite possibly not best (see the note after Black's 39th move), but clearly he wanted to avoid 38.xf4 xf4 39.gxf4 f5 which is pleasant and without much risk for Black ] [ By the way, 38.e4 fxg3 39.fxg3 f5 doesn't inspire confidence for White either ] 38...xe7 39.xf4 xg2+? [ With his penultimate move before the time control, Black throws his advantage away and ends up in a worse position. Instead 39...d6! would have left Black with a comfortable game, e.g. 40.xd6 xd6 41.f3+ f6 , and Black has the upper hand. ] 40.xg2 d7 41.xc6 g7 42.d5!? 1074
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 42.e5+!? f7 43.f3 followed by Ke4 Romanishin, Polanica Zdroj 1993. ] also looks attractive for W hite. However, 11...cxb6 12.e3 This is a new move. The the advance of the d-pawn puts f urther alternatives are: pressure on Black who is already suffering [ 12.a4!? has been played by Kasparov, badly at this juncture ] which should indicate that this is W hite's 42...a6 43.f3 f6 44.e4 e7+ 45.d3 best. d7 46.d6 After this move, the writing on the A) 12...f6 13.fd1 e8 14.e3 f7 15.d4 wall has become obvious, W hite is winning exd4 ( 15...b4 16.d5! , e.g. xd5? rather easily. e8 47.d4 f7 48.f3 a5 17.xd5 xd5 18.xe5+- ) 16.exd4 b4 49.c5 axb4 50.axb4 b7 51.d2 a8 17.d5 f5 18.d6! xd6 19.xd6 xb1 52.e4 d8 53.d5 a3+ 54.d4 b3 20.xb1 xa2 21.xa2+ xa2 22.fd2 55.c5 e6 56.d2 b1 57.e2 d7 , a n d W h it e e ve n t u a lly co n ve rt e d h is 58.d5 d1+ 59.d2 xd2+ 60.xd2 e8 advantage, Kasparov-Faulks, London 61.e6 b6 62.g5 c6 63.xd8 xd8 (simul) 2003; 64.g5 e8 65.f7 B) 12...f5 13.fd1 f6 14.e3 e7 15.d4 1-0 e4 16.d2 b4 ( 16...ad8 17.b5 c7 18.bc1 a7 19.e2 d7 20.a4 ) 17.f1 ac8 18.a3 d5 1082 A29 19.dc1 fd8 20.c4 f7 21.xd5 xd5 22.b5 c6 23.c3 f4? Aronian,Levon 2744 ( 23...xc4 is better, although 24.xc4 Topalov,Veselin 2783 d5 25.xd5+ xd5 26.bc1 Corus A Wijk aan Zee NED (9) 21.02.2007 is quite pleasant for White) 24.xd5 xd5 [Carsten Hansen] 25.xc6 bxc6 26.xc6+- H. Stefansson-T. Bjornsson, Iceland 1993 ] 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 [ 12.d2?! b5! (according to Ribli, Black is 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.0-0 e7 alre a dy a t le a st e qu a l a f t e r t h is m o ve ) 8.b1!? This move has in recent years 13.c1 ( 13.xb5 xa2 14.a1 e6 become a popular alternative to 8 a3 and 8 15.c4 c5 with chances to both sides d3. a5 The evaluation of this move has also (Ribli) ) 13...b4 14.a4 c8 ( Ribli has been rocked a bit. At the time when I wrote given 14...xa2 as bad on account of my book on the 1 c4 e5 English (1999), it was 15.xc6 bxc6 16.b3 g5 17.e3 xd3 considered dubious. However, the Hungarian 18.a1 but White may well play better with grandmaster Zoltan Ribli, who is an expert on 15 b3!? immediately.) 15.b3? ( 15.xc6!? th e E n glis h O pe n in g, give s it a n '! '. T h e bxc6 16.c4 - Ribli ) 15...d4! 16.xc8 alternatives are numerous: 8...f6?!, 8... Be6, ( 16.xb7 xc1 17.xc1 d7-+ ) 16...xc8 8...f5, 8...0-0 and finally the fun 8...g5!?. The 17.ac5 a4! 18.xd4 ( 18.xa4 xb3 latter two have previously been discussed in 19.xb3 b5-+ ) 18...xd4 19.e4 this column. 9.d3 ( 19.xa4 b5 20.e3 a7-+ ) 19...xb2-+ [ Here 9.b3!? was previously considered , and Black is winning Gabriel-Kir. Georgiev, best, although it has since been established Altensteig 1995. ] that Black is okay, e.g. 0-0 10.b2 e6 [ 12.c1 c8 13.a4 f6 14.fd1 d4 ( or 10...f5 11.d3 h8!? 12.d2 e6 15.xd4 xd4 16.d5 xd5 17.xd4 13.c4 f6 with chances to both sides, exd4 18.xd5 is pleasant for White, Levin-Romanishin, Bad Endbach 199 5) Hodgson-Gormally, Scarborough 1999. ] 11.d3 f6 12.d2 d7 13.c4 d5 14.e1 fd8 15.c1 h8 , and Black is 12...b5!? 13.xb5 xa2 14.c1 a4 15.c3 a l r e a d y d o i n g f i n e , T u r o v - Y a k o v i c h , b3 16.e2 e6 17.a1 a3 This is a prelude to further exchanges down to an even Krasnodar 2002 ] endgame. If White is allowed time to organize 9...e6 10.e3 0-0 11.xb6 [ Or 11.c1 e8 12.a3 h6 13.d2 b8 his pieces properly, Black may encounter 14.b3 d5 15.d2 d7= L.B. Hansen- problems hanging on to his queenside pawns. 1075
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 18.bxa3 xa3 19.xa3 xa3 20.b5 e7 21.d4 g4!= [ 21...exd4 22.fxd4 leaves White with the initiative ] 22.h3 xf3 23.xf3 exd4 24.exd4 f6 25.d1 b6 26.c4 [ 26.d5 d4 27.xd4 xd4 is nothing substantial for White ] 26...d8 27.g2 xd4 28.xd4 xd4 ½-½
firm hold of the initiative. a6 15.a3 c5 16.a5 d7 Once again forced. 17.c7! d8 18.xd8 xd8 19.b2 b6 20.c6 White plans to win the b-pawn. f6? 21.fb1 [ Good, but 21.xc5! is very strong, as after d7 there is 22.xb6! xb6 23.xb6 b8 24.a7 and now Black's attempt at activity, b2 allows 25.xf6 ] 21...d6 [ Perhaps 21...g4!? 22.f2 e4 offered better possibilities. ] 22.xb6 xb6 23.xb6 e6 24.xc5 d7 1083 A29 This is Black's idea, forcing an oppositeAzmaiparashvili,Zurab 2675 colour bishops' ending, but the two pawns are xb6 Simonenko,Sergei 2440 to o m u ch e ve n f o r t h is. 25.xd7 1st ch-Europe (8) 11.07.2000 26.xb6 xd7 27.f2 e6 28.e4 f8 29.a3 e8 30.e3 g6 31.c5 h3 32.d4 [Tony Kosten] White creates two connected passed pawns. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 d7 33.d5 f1 34.c6+ d6 35.a5 f5 36.b4+ c7 37.f8 h5 38.g7 g2 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.0-0 0-0 8.d3 [ 38...d6? loses on the spot, 39.xe5+ [ White ignores the possible threat to capture xe5 40.c7 ] on c3, to double the white pawns, the more 39.xe5+ b6 40.exf5 xd5 41.c7 prudent 8.c2 was seen in the archives. ] 1-0 8...h6 [ Played to avoid a pin by Bg5, which would inhibit the plan ...c6, and ...d5. The A29 immediate 8...c6 might be more accurate, 1084 Bacrot,Etienne 2664 although 9.g2 e8 10.b3 c5 11.d2 Sutovsky,Emil 2646 b6?! ( 11...d6 ) 12.a4! xb3 13.axb3 and Black is almost losing, Uhlmann,W - ch-Europe Internet Blitz blitz (5.1) 09.11.2003 [Carsten Hansen] Ungureanu,E/Bucharest 1978. ] 9.g2!? [ An obvious new move, White doesn't fear 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 xf3+ 6.xf3 c5 7.d3 h6 t h e d o u b l e d p a w n s , p r e v i o u s l y 9.d2 5.g2 was preferred, c6 10.c1 e8 11.a3 xc3 Black makes the practical decision to prevent 12.xc3 d5 which seems fine for Black, White from playing Bg5 as he may well do if P e t u r s s o n , M- K r i s t e n s e n , L / G r o n i n g e n allowed. 8.h4?! [ This idea is less convincing here compared 1977. ] to after 6...Bb4 7 Qb3 Bc5 8 d3 h6 9 h4 as 9...xc3!? discussed in the August update. If W hite [ Black decides to call White's bluff, but wa n t s t o a vo i d t h e m a i n l i n e s , h e c a n perhaps 9...e8 is more prudent. ] instea d conside r 8.a3 0-0 9.e3 c6 10.bxc3 d6 11.b1 The rook goes to the Black prepared ...d7-d5 while reducing the open file, and increases the pressure exerted scope of the bishop on f 3 10.b4 e7 by the g2 bishop. b8 12.f4!? White attacks ( 10...b6!? ) 11.d4 exd4 ( 11...d6!? ) the solid black pawn structure, and tries to 12.xd4 d5!? open the position for the bishop pair. e7?! A) Ribli, while liking the combative and [ Missing the interesting, and thematic, directness of Sutovsky's idea, doubts its p o s s i b i l i t y 12...e4! 13.dxe4 e7 100% correctness, and offers the following and Black will recapture the pawn, whilst analysis: 13.cxd5! xd5 14.xd5 simultaneously ruining the white structure. ] ( 14.xd5? f6 - Ribli - 15.xf7+ xf7 13.fxe5 dxe5 14.a4! Now White takes a 1076
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 16.xd8 xd8 17.b2 a5 18.e2 g4+ 19.f3 e6 20.hd1 axb4 21.axb4 xa1 22.xa1 c4+ 23.e1 xd1+ 24.xd1 e7 ) 14...cxd5 15.xd5 f6 A1) 16.b1?! c3+ 17.d2 xd5 18.xd5 xd2+ 19.xd2 d8 20.e4 e6= - analysis by Ribli; A2) 16.xd8 xd8 17.a2 a5 ( 17...e6 18.c2 16 transposes to line with Ra2 ) 18.b5 f5 19.b2 xb2 20.xb2 ac8 21.0-0; A3) 16.a2 e6 ( 16...c7 17.c5 ) 17.xd8 fxd8 18.c2 ac8 19.xc8 xc8 20.0-0 , and White has won a pawn for insufficient compensation for Black. However, Black's active bishops and rook will nonetheless making the conversion of the extra pawn be a little difficult; B) 13.0-0? dxc4 14.xc4 d7! In ChessBase Magazine, W ells in his excellent column on chess strategy makes the following insightful comment: "I rather suspect that this is what Lautier underestimated. Far more purposeful than the routine 14...Be6, the text presages a promising future for all of Black's minor pieces", and Ribli adds "the knight comes to e5 with tempo and aims for c4 or d3". Indeed White all of a sudden has problems to face. 15.g2 e5 B1) 16.e4!? f6 17.b2 ( Ribli also gives 17.d1 c7 18.b2 e6 , and a knight will soon land on c4 with a better game for Black) 17...e6 18.a4 ( 18.ad1 e7 looks good for Black) 18...d5 19.f5 xg2 20.xg2 d5+ 21.h3!? , and despite the last move looking quite ridiculous, W hite has a pretty decent position; B2) 16.e2?! g4! 17.f3 e6 18.d1 b6 , and here I will quote Ribli: "Black has excellent play for his pieces and the c4-square is an eternal positional hole in th e wh it e po sition ". I nd ee d, B la ck' s pieces are well-placed and due to the weak c4-square, and W hite not being ready to counter Black's control of this square, W hite will a difficult time getting counterplay started, Lautier, JSutovsky, E/Gothenburg 2005 ]
8...d6 [ 8...c6!? This is Sutovsky's attempt at an improvement over 8...d6 as played in our main game. Here Bacrot promptly went astray with A) 9.e3 d6 10.d4 ( 10.b1 b6 11.b4 e6 12.a4 d5 also looks pleasant for Black ) 10...b4 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.xd8+ xd8 13.d2 e6 14.b3 e7 , and Black has already equalised; B) 9.g4 d5! All of a sudden all of Black's minor pieces spring to life with this text book central counter punch to W hite's premature flank attack. White is already in t r o u b l e . . . 10.g5 ( 10.cxd5 xg4 ) 10...hxg5 11.xg5 b6 12.0-0 h3 13.a4 a5 14.xc5 xc5 15.cxd5 xf1 ( 15...xd5!? ) 16.dxc6 h3 17.cxb7 b8 18.c1 a5 with a rat her messy position, wh ere W h ite with his passed pawn on b7 and bishop pair has some compensation for the exchange and wrecked kingside structure, Bacrot, ESutovsky, E/ playchess.com INT 2003 ] 9.b4 d4!? [ 9...b6 10.e3 c6 11.b2 e6 ] 10.d2 0-0 11.e3 xc3 12.xc3 d7!? 13.0-0 [ 13.g1!? h3 14.e2 c6 15.f1!? e6 ( 15...f5 16.g4 xf3 17.g3 xg3 18.fxg3 xg4 19.d2 ) 16.g4 h7 17.g5 hxg5 18.hxg5 g6 19.0-0-0 a5 20.b5 ] 13...e8 14.g2 d5 [ 14...f5!? ] 15.b3 dxc4 [ 15...c6!? ] 16.xc4 [ 16.dxc4 c6 17.ad1 c7 18.b2 f5 19.c5 e4 20.xe4 xe4 21.d6 f6 22.f3 d5 23.e4 e6 24.fd1 ] 16...c6 17.a4 f5 18.e4 g6 19.b5 [ 19.b3!? b6 20.b2 g4 21.fe1 ] 19...d7 20.fe1 ac8 21.b3 [ 21.bxc6 xc6 22.ac1 g4 23.b4 cd8 24.b2 d7 25.d4 ] 21...cxb5 22.axb5 xb5?! [ 22...g4! is a typical computer move that most human chess players will miss, but is one which is very strong 23.b2 b6! the idea behind the previous move now White's queen is burdened with the defence 1077
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 of t he f 2- a nd b5-p awns along with th e h6 bishop on c3. White's best now is 24.ec1 [ In my opinion this is the most logical c5 25.d4 xb5 26.d2 , when White continuation for Black, not allowing White to better coordinated pieces compensate for pin the knight on f6. However, a number of the sacrificed pawn. ] other tries have been made for Black in this 23.xb5 xc3 24.xa7 c2 position: A) 8...d6 9.a3 h6 10.b4 d4 [ 24...b6 25.f1 cc8 26.h3 c3 27.a6 11.d2 xc3 ( 11...c6!? ) 12.xc3 b8 h5 28.xb6 d8 29.d4! exd4 13.d4 e4 14.g2 d5 15.cxd5 xd5 ( 29...xd4? 30.b8+ h7 31.f5+ g6 16.d2 e7= Rosmej, S-Auge, A/Germany 32.xe5 xe4 33.xg6+ xg6 34.xe4 2003 ] xe4 35.xc3+- ) 30.f5! g6 31.xf6+- ] [ B) 8...a6 9.g5 h6 10.xf6 xf6 11.e4 [ 24...d8!? 25.xe5 cxd3 26.xb7 d1 e7 12.xc5 xc5 13.d2 a5 14.c3 27.b1 xb1 28.xb1 g4 ] d6 15.fd1 b8 16.b3 a3 As Ribli points 25.xb7 h5?! out, with this elegant little move, Black [ 25...d2!? 26.f3 ] prevents White from executing his traditional 26.b3! d2 27.f3! g6 28.d1!+plan of a2-a3 and b3-b4, which would be This position is evaluated as just slightly uncomf ortable f or Black in the long run better for White by Ribli, but I will contend that 17.d4 exd4 18.xd4 e6 19.c1 xc1+ White is winning. However, White throws the 20.xc1 fd8 21.e3 c5 ( 21...b6 better part of his advantage away on the very doe sn 't we aken th e d6 -pa wn , but d oe s next move. xd1+ 29.xd1? expose the light squares to further [ 29.xd1!! threatening Qc4 and Bb3, which weaknesses. W ith the text move, Black will force Black to a passive set-up with his defends more actively, and counts on the rook, queen and king tied up in the defence fact that with the king on e7, Black will be of the f7-pawn. meanwhile White can pick able to defend the backward d-pawn and at up the e5-pawn and obtain an easily won t h e sa m e t im e r e t a in t h e p o ssi b il it y o f position. ] possibly breaking with ...b7-b5 if 29...d8 30.b3 e8 31.h5! f6 32.g2 necessary.) 22.d2 f8 23.a4 Stopping d6 33.c7 e8 a n y co u n t e r p la y o n t h e qu e e n s id e e7 [ 33...c8!? 34.b5 ] 24.d5 a8 25.c3 d7 26.f4 34.a7 d6 35.g4 , and although White has more space and [ 35.d5! threatens 36 d3-d4, and e8 more active pieces, the black position is is met by 36.xf7 xd5 37.xf6 xf6 solid and perfectly defensible, Timman, J38.exd5 , and White should win ] Portisch, L/Nice 1974. ] 35...g5 36.f3 h7 37.d4 [ C) 8...c6 [ 37.a2!? leaves Black with a very A) 9.c2 h6 10.a4 e7 ( 10...d6!? ) uncomfortable position to defend ] 11.c5 d5 12.cxd6 xd6 13.e1 c7 37...exd4 and here the players settled for a ( 13...e7!? ) 14.d2 h3 15.a3 d7 draw, although it appears White may still have ( 15...e7!? ) 16.b4 f5?! ( 16...ad8!?= ) the upper hand after 38 Qd5!? 17.b5 ( 17.c4+! h7 18.h4 g4 ½-½ 19.xg4 fxg4 20.xg4 ) 17...cxb5 18.b3+ h8 19.xb5 e4 , so far Cummings, D-Treppner, G/ Manchester 1085 A29 1980, and now W hite should have proceeded with 20.ac1! d8 21.dxe4 Bacrot,Etienne 2653 xa3 22.cd1 fxe4 23.xe4 with a clear Sutovsky,Emil 2664 advantage; Match Albert FRA (4) 12.10.2001 B) 9.a3 a5 10.g2 h6 11.a4 a7 [Carsten Hansen] 12.c5 d5 13.d2 g4 1/2-1/2 Apel, STyrtania, M/German 2. Bundesliga 1996; 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 C) 9.g5 h6 10.xf6 xf6 11.e4 e7 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 c5 7.0-0 0-0 8.d3 1078
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 12.xc5 xc5 13.d2! a5 14.a3 a4 15.ac1 f5 ( 15...d6 ) 16.fd1 e7 17.c5 1-0 Smejkal, J-Campora, D/Vrsac 1981 ] [ D) 8...e8 A) This is not exactly the critical way to approach Black's set-up. Instead W hite sh o uld co n sid e r 9.g5!? , and now for instance h6 ( or 9...c6 10.e3 e7 11.d4 d6!? ) 10.xf6 xf6 11.e3 d6 12.b4; B) 9.c2 h6 10.b1 c6 11.b4 d4 12.c5 d5 13.cxd6 ( 13.e3 xc3 14.xc3 f5 is quite pleasant for Black) 13...xd6 14.d2 g4 , and here the players prematurely agreed upon a draw, 1/2-1/2, in Tal, M-Browne, W/Wijk aan Zee 1976, b u t B l a c k a lr e a d y h a s a c o m f o r t a b l e position ] 9.a3 [ A) 9.g2 c6 10.d2 ( Or 10.b3 b6 11.d2 d6 12.h3 d7 13.h2 c5 14.d1 a5 15.f4 f5!= Najdorf, M-Camara, H/Sao Paulo 1978) 10...d6 11.a4 d4 ( 11...b6 ) 12.e3 b6 13.xb6 axb6 14.c3 e8 15.d4 e4 16.d5! e7 17.a4 c5 18.b4 f5 19.bxc5 bxc5 20.b3 ad8 21.fb1 ( 21.a5!? ) 21...d7 22.b2 ( 22.h3!? ) 22...g4 23.a3 e5 24.xe5 xe5 25.xe5 xe5 26.ab3 Smejkal, JPortisch, L/Milan 1975 ] [ B) 9.b1 A) 9...e8?! 10.b4 f8 11.b3 d6 ( 11...c6 12.b5 ) 12.b5 h3?! 13.xb7! xf1 14.xf1 ( Of course not 14.xa8?? xa8 15.xf1 h1# ) 14...b8 15.c6 , and with a pawn for exchange along with complete dominance on the light squares, White has a clear advantage, Cummings, D-Wells, I/Brighton 1979; B) 9...a5 10.a3 e8 11.b4 B1) 11...axb4 12.axb4 f8 13.d2 d6 14.b5 h3 B1a) 15.xb7! xf1 16.xf1! ( Ribli, who also offers the following line 16.xa8 xe2 17.xe2 xa8 18.e4 ) 16...a5 17.c6; B1b) 15.e1 c8 16.e3 ( 16.a1!? ) 16...f5 17.c1?! ( 17.e2!? ) 17...e4 B1b1) 18.g2 c6 19.b2 ( 19.bxc6 bxc6 20.dxe4 xe4 21.xe4
xe4 ) 19...exd3 20.e4 e6 21.xd3 g4; B1b2) 18.e2 exd3 19.xd3 xd3 20.xd3 h3 21.f1 h5 Urpilainen, E-Pietarinen, P/Finland 2001; B2) 11...f8 12.b3 d6 13.g2 ( 13.b5!? ) 13...g6 14.d2 g7 15.c2 axb4 16.axb4 c6 17.a1 e6= Vovsha, E-Tseitlin, M/Biel 2000; C) 9...a6!? 10.d2 d6 11.c1 c6 12.e3 d4= 1/2-1/2 Andersson, UTimman, J/Bad Lauterberg 1977 ] [ C) 9.e3 d6 ( 9...c6?! 10.d4 exd4 11.exd4 b6 12.d5 cxd5 13.xd5 xd5 14.xd5 Turko, S-Seraphim, L/ IECC Email 2002) 10.d4 b6 11.b3 ( 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.c2 e7 13.d1 c6= ) 11...e7 ( 11...h3!?= ) 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.b2 ( 13.c2 c6= ) 13...c6 14.e4 h3 15.xf6+ xf6 16.g2 xg2 17.xg2 g6 , and Black has a pleasant position, Balatoni, GGombkoto, O/HUN-ch corr 1999 ] 9...a6 [ A) 9...a5 10.a4?! ( with 10.b1!? e8 11.b4 White can trans pose to Urpilainen, EPietarinen, P as in the note after White's 9th move ) 10...e7 ( 10...a7!? ) 11.d2 d5 ( 11...c6!?; 11...d6!? ) 12.g2?! ( 12.cxd5!? xd5 13.b3 f6 14.ac1 ) 12...e6 13.b3 c6 14.c2 b5 15.b2 b6 16.e4 ab8 with a clearly more comfortable game for Black as in Kuusava, E-Valkama/corr 1989 ] [ B) 9...c6 10.e3 ( 10.a4 e7 11.c5 d5 12.cxd6 xd6 13.e3 h3 14.e1 e7= S c h m o l l , W - L i n h a r t , W / A u s t r i a 2 0 0 0) 10...e8?! ( 10...b6!? 11.d4 d6 ) 11.d4 f8 12.dxe5 xe5 , and here the players very prematurely agreed upon a draw, 1/2-1/ 2 in Hanel, R-Linhart, W/Salzburg 2001, but White's position looks preferable after 13.b4 d6 14.b2 ] 10.e3 a7 11.b4 c6 12.d4 exd4 13.exd4 d5 14.cxd5 [ 14.c5!? f5 ( 14...e8 15.f4 h3 16.e1 d7 17.d3 f5 18.xf5 xf5 19.g2 ) 15.e1 d7 16.f4 fe8 17.d2 ( 17.e5 e4= ) 17...e4 18.xe4! dxe4 19.d5 cxd5 20.ad1 ] 14...xd5 15.xd5 cxd5 16.e3 h3= 1079
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 This position is given as equal by Ribli, but White nonetheless still holds a light initiative thanks to this slightly better coordinated pieces and ability to break on the queenside. These are very miniscule factors, but they allow White to keep pushing for a while. As we will see in the game, Black is able to fend o f f W h i t e ' s a d va n c e s wi t h o u t t o o m a n y headaches. 17.e1 c8 18.c1 xc1 [ 18...d7!? ] 19.xc1 d7 20.b1 c8 21.c1 xc1+ 22.xc1 f5 23.d1 g5!? 24.e2 e4 25.f3 f5 26.e2 g7 White offers a repetition and Black declines 27.f3 c8 28.b3 e6 29.f2 f6 30.d3 f5 31.e2 e6 32.b5 axb5 33.xb5 f7 34.b3 h5 35.g2 h4 36.d3 e6 [ 36...hxg3 37.hxg3 b8 ] 37.f2 hxg3 38.hxg3 e7 39.a4 e6 40.a5 f5 41.a6 bxa6 42.xa6 ½-½
Rahman,Z-Guseinov,A/Doha op (4) 1992.) 14...a5 (the point, the rook swings into action) 15.e3 xb5 16.c2 with chances t o b o t h s id e s, G u r e vi c h , M -J a n s s e n , R / Haarlem 1999. ] 14.bxc6 xc6 15.b5?! Etienne is famed for his serious home preparation, but this is one move that he will want to f orget in a hurry! The weak b5-square is occupied, but after Black's next few logical moves the knight is forced to return home. Others: [ 15.c1 seems sensible, d7 16.ce4 a4 17.c5 xc5 18.xc5 fairly level, Stryjecki, M-Kuemin,S/Tallinn 1997. ] [ 15.a4 b8 16.c1 xa4 17.xa4 b5 with good play, Romano,T-Marinelli,T/Caorle 1988. ] [ 15.b1?! a4 16.c1 seems artificial, Kunte,A-Koneru,H/Guntur, AP IND 2000. ] 15...a4! Fixing the a3-pawn, and stopping White from playing a4 to defend the knight on b5. 16.c1 a5! Black wins the fight for control of b5, and White has to admit that his 1086 A29 fifteenth move was a mistake. 17.c3 f7 Bacrot,Etienne 2649 A typical move in such positions, Black intends Topalov,Veselin 2739 ...Bf8 and ...Rd7 with central pressure. 18.f4?! FIDE GP Dubai UAE (5.1) 08.04.2002 White should prefer keeping his position solid, he has no justification for such 'activity'. exf4 [Tony Kosten] 19.xf4 f5! Pointing-out the weak c1-h6 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 diagonal. 20.h1? White is already clearly 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.0-0 e7 8.d3 worse, but this move does not help matters, [ 20.b1 g5 21.f1 avoids material loss, 0-0 9.a3 e6 10.b4 f6 as xd2 22.xd2 c4 23.f4 [ The immediate 10...a5 was examined in and the bishop is defended by the rook. ] Nimzo 7.32 - Fritz 6a. ] 20...g5 21.f1 xd2! A 'petite 11.b2 [ I prefer 11.b1 which gives the advance of combinaison'. 22.xd2 c4 The d-pawn is the white b-pawn more power, and we have pinned. 23.c2 Other moves are no better. e3 Black wins the exchange, and with it the seen this idea in several games. ] 11...a5 12.b5 d4 13.d2 c6 A standard game. 24.d2 xf1 25.xf1 h6 26.f4 move in th ese lines, exchanging W hite's b3 27.e1 e7 28.f2 d5 Black aims annoying b5-pawn, and allowing the black for piece exchanges, of course. 29.d4 d7 30.xd5 xd5 31.e4 c6 32.c3 b5! knight to return to c6 before White plays e3. [ 13...d7 14.xb7 ab8 15.g2 xb5 White has no compensation for his material. 16.xb5 xb5 17.c2 leaves White the 0-1 superior structure, Beliavsky,A-Cvitan,O/ Bled 1998. ] [ 13...a4!? is an interesting alternative, Black no t o n ly f ixe s t h e wh it e a -p a wn o n t h e exposed a3-square, but gains control of b3, 14.xb7!? ( 14.e3 b3 15.xb3 xb3 16.e2 b8 gives Black good counterplay, 1080
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ( 20.a5!? b6 21.b2 is worth trying, though ) 20...f6 ( 20...e5?! 21.xe5 dxe5 22.d3 b8 is worse: 23.e3 ) 21.d3 e8 ] 19...b5! Forced, but good, when the knight retreats Black can activate his bishop on b6. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 b4 20.a5!? xa5 21.bxa5 xa5 22.a4 bxa4 23.xa4 b5 24.xa7 xa7 25.xa7 5.d5 [ I am surprised that this move is not more White has regained his pawn, but his bishop popular, it avoids the doubled pawns of the pair has less importance when there are no pawns on the queenside. b7 26.d1 e7 sharp main line with 5.g2 ] 27.b6 5...c5 6.g2 d6 7.d3!? [ The 'interesting' symbol is not for the move ½-½ itself, but for the concept: W hite retards kingside castling the maximum possible. A29 7.0-0 was considered in the game Van Wely, 1088 L-Salov,V. ] Bareev,Evgeny 2698 7...h6 Obviously, Bg5 was the immediate Shirov,Alexei 2709 t h r e a t , a n d s o B l a c k s t o p s t h i s . 8.d2 7th Karpov Poikovsky RUS (1) 18.03.2006 White continues his plan. [John Watson] [ 8.0-0 would return to normal lines, e.g. 0-0 9.e3 xd5 10.cxd5 e7 11.d4 exd4 T h e sa m e o ld C lo se d S ic il ia n Re ve rs e d 12.xd4 with a plus to White, Valdes, L- variation, and again with Bareev as W hite. Martinez,C/MEX 1997. ] Shirov finds an early way to wrest the 8...xd5 9.cxd5 d4 A new move in this advantage but for some reason misses a e xa c t p o s it io n , a lt h o u gh qu it e n o rm a l in fairly straightforward continuation, letting his similar ones. opponent off the hook. Soon Bareev has a [ 9...e7 was played in Aleksandrov,A-Acs, large advantage but returns the favour. The P/Ohrid MKD 2001: 10.b4 b6 11.0-0 0-0 game features an interesting ending. 1.c4 e5 12.c4 d4 13.b1 White is harassing the 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.c3 black bishop. ] b6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 9.b4 10.e3 f5 11.d4! Black seems to have a e6 powerful hold on d4, and yet ... this positional/ [ As explained in previous columns, White's tactical device is worth remembering. move order prevents 9...g4? due to 10.b5 [ W i t h t h e b l a c k k n i g h t o n f 5 11.b4? d4 ( 10...xf3 11.xf3 d4 12.xb7 is a blunder, xe3 12.fxe3 xe3 winning. ] b8 13.g2 ) 11.xe5 ] 11...exd4 12.e4 e7 13.b4 b6 10.b1 [ Black must retreat, 13...xb4?? 14.a4+ ] [ We've discussed the virtues of this exact 14.c4 c6 15.f4 c7 16.xd4 move order before. The less precise 10.d3 The end of the 'petite combinaison', W hite allows a5 ( or 10...f5 11.b5 d4 etc. ) has regained his d4-pawn has a space 11.b5 d4 12.xe5 f6 13.f4 b3 ] a d va n t a ge , a n d a ggre ssive p ie ce s . cxd5 10...f6 11.d3 a5 17.exd5 0-0 18.0-0 White would have a clear [ For 11...d4 , see earlier games in the advantage if he could play a4, say, to archives. ] maintain his knight on the strong square c4, 12.b5 d4 13.d2 c8 but It is Black to move, he must react [ I guess Shirov isn't the one to fall for immediately. 13...d5?? 14.xd5 xd5 15.e3 e6 [ 18.a4 allows f5 19.d3 e8+ 20.e4 16.e4 ] xg3!? 21.hxg3 f5 which is very messy. ] 14.e3 f5 15.e2 Bareev has played this 18...g6 19.e3 before and obviously has some faith in [ 19.d2!? b5 20.c3 leads nowhere after White's position. d6 This stops Nc4 a move 1087 Bareev,Evgeny Gelfand,Boris NAO Masters Cannes FRA (2) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2707 2703 23.02.2002
1081
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 earlier than [ 15...a4 , which was seen in our annotated game Bareev-Yakovich, Kazan 2005: 16.b2!? ( 16.c4! ) 16...d6! 17.f4!? ( 17.de4 was a simpler idea.) 17...exf4! 18.xf4 c6? ( 18...d7! ) 19.bxc6 bxc6 20.f3 c5 21.d2 a7 22.a1! ] 16.a4 So White stops ...a4. g4 17.f3 e6 18.f4 This looks like a slightly improved version of Bareev's game in the last note, but Black does have the b4 square to play with, so perhaps it's a wash. f7 19.b3?! [ 19.b2 is probably the only chance for a lasting advantage. The text has tactical problems. ] 19...b4 Now the a-pawn is under attack and only defended tactically. 20.c2 h3 21.e4 xg2 22.xg2 f5 [ 22...xa4!? 23.xa5 xa5 24.xa4 is similar to the game, but without e4 in. ] 23.f2 e6 24.e4?! Beginning a petit combination that doesn't improve his position. xa4 [ Or 24...fxe4 25.dxe4 xa4 ] 25.xa5 xa5 26.xa4 b6 Black could also wait with this and play [ 26...fe8 , but then 27.exf5 xf5 28.c4 threatens g4. ] 27.b3 [ 27.exf5 ] 27...xb3 28.xb3 exf4! 29.xf4 [ 29.gxf4 d8! intends ...Ne6. ] 29...fxe4 30.xe4! [ 30.dxe4 a2 Things have gone wrong for Bareev, who perhaps simply underestimated the . ..Bb4 answer to Nb3. ] 30...a2+ 31.h3 d8? It's unlike Shirov to miss the direct [ 31...g5! 32.d2 ( 32.c1? g4+ ) 32...g4+ 33.h4 ( 33.xg4? e5+ ) 33...e5! 34.xf8+ xf8 with multiple threats. Then W hite 's be st is 35.f4 xh2+ 36.g5 f3+ ( 36...g6!? ) 37.xg4 d4 ] 32.c1 d5!? Bluff? 33.xc7 e3 34.h1 h5+ 35.g4 hxh2 36.xh2 xh2 37.f5!? The game begins to get tactical in spite of reduced material. c2 38.c3 b2? 39.e5! Well calculated. Now White has a c l e a r a d v a n t a g e . xe5 40.c8+ f7 41.d6+ e7 42.xe5 b6 43.e8+ d7 44.g8 d4+ 45.d5 b3 46.xd4 xd6
47.c4 a3 48.b4 a1 49.xg7 b6 50.xh7 [ 50.b7 may be better. The b-pawn is the more important one. ] 50...b1+ 51.c4 c1+ 52.d4 b1 53.h6+ c7 54.h5 b4+ 55.e3 g4 56.f3 d4 57.g4!? d6 58.g3 xd3+ 59.h4 d1 60.g5 d4 61.f5 b4 62.h6+ c5 63.g5 xb5 64.g6 b1 65.h5 f1+ 66.e6+ c4 67.h4+ c3 68.g4 f8 69.g7 g8 70.f7 Acceding to the draw, but [ 70.d5! A) 70...d3!? 71.g3+ ( 71.c6 e3 72.xb6 f3= ) 71...d2 ( 71...e2 72.e6 f2 73.f7 ) 72.d4 e2; B) 70...d2! also holds B1) 71.d4 e2 72.e5 d2 73.d6 ( 73.f6 c3 74.e6 b5 75.d5 b4 76.g3+ d2 77.c4 e2= ) 73...b5 74.c5 e3 75.xb5 f3=; B2) 71.g3 b5 ] 70...xg7+ 71.xg7 b5 72.e6 b4 73.d5 b3 74.g3+ c2 75.c4 b2 76.g2+ c1 77.c3 b1+ 78.d3 a3 79.d2 b1 80.c2+ d1 81.b2 c1 82.c2+ d1 83.c8 a3 84.c7 b1 85.c2 a3 86.b2 c1 87.b4 b1 88.b3 d2 89.c3+ d1 90.c8 b1 91.e4 ½-½
1089 Bareev,Evgeny Topalov,Veselin Sparkassen sf Playoff (1) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2726 2745 17.07.2002
1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.c3 b6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 9.b4 e6 10.b1 f6 11.d3 d4 12.d2 c6 [ 12...d5 13.b2 c6 14.xd5 xd5 15.xd5+ xd5 16.xd4 xd4 17.a4 f5 18.b5 c5 didn't give Black any particular problems in Kramnik,V-Tiviakov,S/Singapore 1990. ] 13.b2 This natural move is new. Previously Black had preferred to aim for the c5-square by 1082
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 13.de4 e.g. g4 14.e3 d7 15.d2 h8 16.h3 h5 17.f4 with unclear play, Georgiev,K-Kharlov,A/Niksic 1996. ] 13...f7 A common idea, Black can move the e7-bishop and then swing the rook over to the open d-file. 14.e3 f5 15.c2 f8 16.fd1 d5 17.c4 Both sides follow their game plan. b5!? A really surprising move, which c a u s e s a c a t a st ro p h ic we a ke n in g o f t h e queenside but is based on a tactical operation. 18.a5 I would be tempted to play [ 18.e4!? myself, so that if bxc4?! 19.dxc4 wins the pinned knight on d5. ] 18...dxe3! This is the point of Black's previous move, of course. 19.fxe3 xe3 20.f2 xg2!? Black prefers to take the important white bishop. [ 20...xd1 21.xd1 c8 22.xc6 is the other possibility, but the two white pieces should prove stronger then the black rook here. ] 21.xg2 c8 22.d4! [ 22.xc6? b6+ ] 22...b6 23.e2 [ 23.e4!? d5 24.c2 and Nc5 is another try. ] 23...d7 24.bc1?! Did Bareev miss Black's next move? [ 24.f2 would unpin the d-pawn and maintain an advantage. ] 24...c5!! Cleverly ridding himself of his backward c-pawn. 25.dxc5 xc5+ 26.bxc5 [ 26.h1 may be superior, but it is easy to understan d that W h ite wante d to avoid having both his king and queen on the same colour squares as the black light-squared bishop. ] 26...xc5 Black is now two pieces ahead, but the threatened discovered check, and the loose a5-knight mean that Black will regain one of them. 27.d4!? Played to weaken the black pawn structure. exd4 28.xc5 xc5 29.c6 e5 30.c1 [ 30.xd4 allows Black to force an i m m e d i a t e d r a w : e2 31.c1 xd4 32.xd4 h3 33.d2 e3+ 34.h1 f3+ 35.g1 etc. ] 30...e4 31.e1 Black now has three pawns for the piece, plus some attacking chances on the light squares, so White is happy to draw. ½-½
1090 Bareev,Evgeny Volkov,Sergey ch-RUS Superfinal (4) [Carsten Hansen]
A29 2675 2614 22.12.2005
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 c5 7.0-0 0-0 8.e3 d6 [ A) 8...b4 9.g2 xc3 10.bxc3 A) 10...e4! is a recommendation of Ribli's, and now he analyses 11.f3 exf3 12.xf3 d6 13.d3 d7! , and here Ribli only mentions A1) However, White has at least two interesting alternatives: 14.d4!? c5 A1a) 15.b1 b6 16.dxc5 dxc5 17.a3 a4 18.f2 a5 19.b5 xc3 20.d5 h3 ( 20...xa3?? 21.b3+- ) 21.b3 e5 22.f4 h5; A1b) 15.a4 a5 16.e4 b6 17.d3 a6 18.f4 xc4 19.fc1 e8 20.f1 a5 21.xa6 bxa6 22.cb1; A2) 14.b1!? e5 15.e2 e7 ( 15...g4 16.c2 ) A2a) 16.d4 g4 17.c2 xc4 18.xb7 e6 ( 18...xe3? 19.e1 xc2 20.xe7+- ) 19.a4 ( 19.e4 b6 is fine for Black) 19...fb8 20.b5 xb5 21.axb5 d5 22.e4; A2b) 16.c5!? dxc5 17.d4 d7 18.a3 e6 19.xb7 xb7 20.xb7 fb8 21.xc7 d6 22.xc5 xc5 23.xc5; A3) 14.e4 e5 15.e2 g4=; B) 10...c6 11.e4 e8 12.a4 d6 13.d3 g4 14.f3 h5 15.b1 b6 16.a5?! ( 16.g4! g6 17.f4 Ribli ) 16...d7 17.axb6 axb6 18.f2 f6 19.fb2 f7 20.e3 a6 21.f4 c7 22.g4 ea8 23.g5 exf4 24.xf4 fxg5 25.xg5 a2 26.e3 xb2 27.xb2 a3 28.b3 a2 29.f1 d5 , and here the players agreed upon a draw, 1/2-1/2, Ivanchuk, VSeirawan, Y/ Groningen 1997, but at this stage Black is at least clearly better, e.g. 30.g2 dxe4 31.dxe4 g6! ( 31...xc4 32.b1 c5 ) 32.c1 xe4 33.b2 xb2 34.xb2 xg2 35.xg2 c5 , and Black 1083
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 should win ] [ B) 8...e8 9.d4 b4 10.d5!? ( 10.dxe5?! xc3! 11.bxc3 xe5 12.d4 a5 13.e4 d6 14.b1 d7 15.b2 e7 16.e2 b6 17.f4 b7 18.f3 e8 with a fairly clear advantage for Black in Obodchuk, A-Gwaze, R/Bled 2002, White has more space, but his deficiencies in his pawn structure along with Black's wellcoordinated pieces give Black the upper hand. ) 10...xd5 11.cxd5 ( 11.xd5 c6 12.g2 d6 13.a3 a5 14.b4 b6 15.b2 ) 11...e4 12.g2 A) 12...b6 13.f3 a6 14.f2 d3 15.fxe4 xe4 16.xe4 xe4 17.c2 ( 17.xf7?! looks attractive on account of xf7 18.f3+ g8 19.xe4 , but after f6 followed by either ...Rf8 or ...Re8, Black has more or less sufficient compensation for the pawn) 17...e8 18.e4; B) 12...c6 13.b3 e7 ( 13...b6 14.f3 exf3 15.xf3 e7 16.c2 ) 14.f3 exf3 15.xf3 a5 16.a3 d6 17.e4 a4 B1) White can possibly improve with 18.c2!? f6 , and here Ribli stops his analysis, but a possible continuation is ( 18...cxd5? 19.e5+- ) 19.e3! cxd5?! 20.e5 fxe5? 21.xd5+ h8 22.f7 d8 23.af1+-; B2) 18.c4 cxd5 19.xd5 e6 20.e5 , Oskooei, M-Rezaei, R/Iran 1994 ] 9.d4 [ 9.a3 b6 10.d4 c6 11.d5 h3 12.e1 c8 13.d3 d7 14.a4 c7 15.c3 g4 16.dxc6 bxc6 17.c5 d5 , and Black is already comfortably better with his broad centre and pieces well-placed for a kingside assault, Olafsson, H-Aronian, L/ Reykjavik ISL 2004 ] 9...b4 [ 9...b6 A) 10.b3 has also been tried, and now: A1) 10...h3!? looks like an equalizer, e. g. 11.g2 ( or 11.e1 a5 12.d2 xc3 13.xc3 e4 14.e2 d7 ) 11...xg2 12.xg2 exd4 13.exd4 d7=; A2) 10...c6 11.d5 ( 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.a3 e8 13.xd8 xd8 14.fd1 )
11...c5 12.g2 a5 13.e2?! ( 13.b2 f5 14.e2 ) 13...f5 14.b2 e7 15.f3 ae8 16.e4 g6 17.g4 h5 18.g3 d8 , Sasseville, J-Gilman, A/ Beloeil 2000, and now White has a clear plus wit h a m ove like 19.f5 xf5 20.gxf5; B) 10.b4!? c6 11.a4 exd4 12.exd4 d5 13.a5 c7 14.g5 dxc4 15.a6?! ( 15.e4!? is more challenging, e.g. d6 16.xf6+ gxf6 17.h6 e8 18.a6! b6 19.d5 c5 20.a4! e7 21.axb7 xb7 22.b5! e5 23.xc4 d4 24.a3 , and White has clear plus on account of Black's weakened kingside) 15...b6 ( 15...h6 16.xf6 xf6 17.axb7 xb7 18.e4 g6 19.c5 c8 20.a4 ) 16.d5 bxa6 17.dxc6 e6 , and a draw was very prematurely agreed upon, 1/2-1/ 2, in Marin, M-Olafsson, H/Turin OL ITA 2006. W hite can continue with 18.xa6 xd1 19.xd1 , and claim a clear advantage ] 10.d5!? [ 10.b3 xc3 11.xc3 e4 12.g2 g4 13.d5 d7 14.b3 f5 15.b2 fe8 16.fe1 h5 is approximately equal, Stean, M-Nunn, J/London 1980 ] [ 10.e2?! allows Black a comfortable game in more ways than one, e.g. e4 ( Both 10...h3 11.g2 xg2 12.xg2 c5!?; and 10...c5 11.a3 a5 12.g2 e6 lead to comf ortable positions f or Black) 11.g2 c6 12.a3 a5 13.b4 b6 14.d5 cxd5 15.cxd5 e8 16.b2 g4 , and Black has without any headaches obtained a pleasant position where he can play for a win at very little risk, Damljanovic, B-Bacrot, E/Gothenburg 2005. ] 10...xd5 11.cxd5 h3? [ Here Black has to play 11...exd4 12.xd4 ( 12.exd4? h3! 13.a4 xf1 14.xf1 f6-+ ) 12...c5 13.c3 h3 14.e1 a5 15.a3 d7 ( note that 15...b4?? doesn't work 16.axb4 axb4 17.xa8 bxc3 18.xd8+- ) 16.d2 g4 with chances to both sides ] 12.a4! Oops! The bishop is trapped! xf1 13.xf1 a5 14.a3 e8 [ 14...exd4 15.exd4 f6 16.d1 ] 15.d1 e4 1084
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 15...exd4 16.axb4 dxe3 17.xe3 axb4 18.c1 also leaves White with a solid advantage ] 16.e2 c6 17.axb4 axb4 18.d2 b6 [ Or 18...xa1 19.xa1 c5 20.b5 f8 ( 20...e7? 21.dxc5 dxc5 22.d6 e6 23.d7+- ) 21.a7 b6 22.b7 , and White will win sooner or later ] 19.c1 c5 20.b3 a5 21.g2 g6 22.h4 h5 23.d1 d8 24.c2! f5 25.dxc5 dxc5 Finally White has his pieces perfectly aligned and opens the position up with two decisive pawn breaks. 26.f3! exf3+ 27.xf3 f6 28.e4! fxe4 29.xe4 And the game is essentially over. a2 30.c1 f8 31.d6 h7 32.xc5 a5 33.xa5 f2+ 34.h3 e2 35.xg6+ 1-0
11.d3 a5 Black's most popular move. [ For 11...d4 , see Bauer-Sokolov and the notes to Bareev-Topalov in the archives. ] 12.b5 d4 13.d2 c8 [ As Tony keeps pointing out, 13...d5?? (as is played without the insertion of ...a5 and b5) now runs into 14.xd5 xd5 15.e3 e6 16.e4 ] 14.e3 f5 15.e2 We have seen both 15.a4 and 15.Qc2 here (featured last month in Marin - Komljenovic). Bareev has found a promising move, since it keeps an eye on the kingside and avoids key losses of tempo that ca n otherwise arise . a4! The most challenging move (in both of the last games on ChessPublishing White felt it was necessary to stop this move by playing a4). [ 15...b8 would protect the b-pawn in order to move the queen away and perhaps play ... c6, e.g., 16.b2 d7 ( 16...c6 17.bxc6 1091 A29 bxc6 18.fc1 ) 17.c4! (not possible with the queen on c2 or d1) xc4 18.dxc4 c6 Bareev,Evgeny 2688 19.fd1 e8 20.e4 . This isn't much but Yakovich,Yuri 2560 Black's queenside is rather vulnerable. ] 58th ch-RUS Semi-Final (1) 03.09.2005 16.b2!? [John Watson] [ 16.c4! looks better because Black's next move prevents it. I pref er W hite in that 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 case. ] 5.c3 b6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 17.f4!? An interesting although Very common these days. By skipping d3 for a 16...d6! w h i l e , W h i t e i s a b l e t o b y p a s s c e r t a i n unclear way to begin play on both flanks. Black can allow fxe5 but it would create a defences. 0-0 9.b4 e6 [ For example, the common move (with d3 in) wonderful outpost for White's pieces on e4. [ 17.de4 was a simpler idea. ] 9...g4 now fails to simply 10.b5 d4 ( 10...xf3 11.xf3 d4 12.xb7 b8 17...exf4! 18.xf4 c6? [ 18...d7! ] 13.g2 ) 11.xe5 ] [ and 9...f6 10.b3+ (preventing ...Be6) 19.bxc6 bxc6 20.f3 c5 21.d2 a7 h8 11.d3 cuts out certain lines, for 22.a1! a6 23.e4 d8? Now White breaks example, g4 12.e3 xf3 13.xf3 d4 through. Better [ 23...f7 24.d5 xd5 25.exd5 14.xd4 exd4 15.a4 ] ,when White still has a substantial edge. ] 10.b1 Still waiting on d3. This Rb1 and b5 strategy/move order is the method that has 24.e5 The end. e8 25.exf6 d7 26.xa4 the most success in reversed position where 1-0 Black in the Dragon is fighting against White's Classical setup with Nb3, Be2 etc. [ Instead, 10.d3 allows a5 ( or 10...f5 11.b5 d4 etc. ) 11.b5 d4 12.xe5 f6 13.f4 b3 ] 10...f6 A solid and good response. [ The popular f ormation begun by 10...f5 is n o lo n ge r p o ssib le h e re d u e t o 11.b5 etc. ] 1085
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 transpose if Black decides to play ...Qd7 and A29 ...Bh3. ] 2440 2306 11.c1 [ I didn't appreciate it during the game, but 17.10.2011 a n g l i n g f o r 1 2 . N d 5 w i t h 11.d2!? makes a lot of sense. Black will likely have to forfeit the bishop pair, e.g. d7 12.d5 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 c6 4.c3 c5 xd5 ( 12...a7?! 13.xf6+ gxf6 14.e3 5.f3 d6 6.d3 h6 7.a3 a6 8.0-0 0-0 9.b4 is hardly ideal for Black.) 13.cxd5 e7 b6!? Marin doesn't consider this retreat in 14.b3 with a slight edge to White. "GM Repertoire 3 - The English Opening vol. ( 14.e4!? )] 1", and understandably so! It appears nonsensical to p ut the bishop o n a more 11...d7 12.e3 e7 Rerouting the knight to exposed square, and 9...Bb6 has yet to be g6 is a typical plan. Black has other choices: [ L o g i c a l i s 12...h3 , and if 13.d4 played by any strong players. Still, the move ( White should delay this central push, i.e. has merit. For example, one of White's major 13.e1; 13.c2; or 13.b3 ) 13...exd4 plans in this line is to play Bc1-b2, Ra1-c1, e2A) 14.exd4 fe8 ( 14...g4!? ); e3, and Nc3-d5, encouraging Black to capture B) 14.d5 (a resource approved by Marin on d5 and open the c-file. With the bishop on with the bishop on a7), then Black can a7, the c7 pawn becomes a bit tender, but play ala my note to 11...Bg4 12.Rc1: xd5 now it is solidly defended. The major 15.xh3 xh3 16.cxd5 and now e5! downside to 9.. .Bb6 is that c4-c5 - a common 17.xe5 dxe5 18.exd4 e4! and once idea to idea to restrict the bishop - will come again it pays to have c7 defended. ] with tempo. Finally, I want to note that in the [ On 12...fe8 White again has an variation with 7...a5 (instead of 7...a6) it's o p p o r t u n i t y f o r 13.d2 , e.g. h3 actually quite common for Black to retreat the 14.de4!? ( 14.d5 xd5 15.xh3 xh3 bishop to b6 in anticipation of e2-e3 and d4-d5. 16.cxd5 e7 17.e4 f5 ) 14...xe4 Taking all this into account, let's see how 15.dxe4 xg2 16.xg2 ] things unfold. [ T h e m a i n - l i n e i s 9...a7 i.e. Perez 13.c5!? A critical test of Black's idea. [ Another option is 13.d2 ab8 ( 13...c6?! Fungueiro, M (2255) -Hamdouchi, H (2559)/ runs into 14.c5! wit h t h e id e a o f dxc5 Sanxenxo ESP 2006/[John Watson] ] 15.a4 a7 16.xc5 xc5 17.bxc5 10.b2 e6 Standard. However, in view of when White stands quite well.) 14.de4 the option I had on the next move, I think g4 ( 14.e1; 14.ce4!? ) 14...xe4 15.xe4 ] or f5 is a better square. [ 13.e1!? is quite useful. Marin approves of [ 10...g4 11.e3 ( I would prefer 11.h3; t h i s l i t t l e m o ve t o f a c i l i t a t e t h e d 3 - d 4 11.c1 with an eye toward Nc3-d5 is the advance (c4 won't be captured with tempo). move Marin likes in the analogous 9...Ba7 A) 13...g6?! 14.d4! vindicates White's line, but Black will just take on d5 here, e.g. idea, i.e. exd4 ( 14...xc4 15.dxe5 dxe5 d7 12.e3 h3 13.d5 xd5! 16.xd7 xd7 17.d2 e6 18.xb7 ) The point - Black can play this without fear. 15.xd4 g4 ( 15...xc4 16.xb7 ) Normally he would be losing c7 after 14. 16.b3 c6 17.c5!; Bxh3! Qxh3 15.cxd5 Ne7 16.Rxc7. 14.xh3 B) 13...c6?! 14.c5! is a problem once xh3 15.cxd5 e7 16.b3 a5! more.; Black has excellent counterplay.) 11...d7 C) 13...fe8 14.d4 exd4 15.xd4 xc4 12.c2 f5?! ( 12...h3 is much more 16.xb7 with 13...Rae8 this last move logical. ) 13.h4! d7 14.fe1 h7?! wouldn't come with tempo.; 15.d5 a7 16.b5 Ostenstad, B (2439)D) 13...ae8 The placement of the rooks Harestad, H (2196)/Bergen 2001. ] is a little odd, but Black needs to take [ 10...f5N is a fine square for the bishop in m e a s u r e s a g a i n s t d 3 - d 4 . 14.d2 the 9...Ba7 line and is also playable here. ( W h i t e s h o u l d a v o i d 14.d4 exd4 Note that all of these bishop moves may 1092 Bartholomew,John Troff,Kayden 5th SPICE Cup GpC (5) [John Bartholomew]
1086
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 15.xd4 xc4 16.xb7 c5!; 14.a4!? could be interesting. ) 14...c6 15.c5!; E) Finally, 13...a5!? fits well with the bishop on b6. Still, Black doesn't seem totally prepared for action on the q u e e n s i d e . 14.a4! ( 14.d2 axb4 15.axb4 c6 16.a1 h3=; 14.c5 axb4! 15.axb4 a7 16.d4 e4 ) 14...a7 ( 14...axb4 15.xb6 cxb6 16.axb4 ) 15.bxa5 c6 16.c3; F) 13...ad8 I think this is the most reliable move. Let's see why: 14.d2 c6 and now Black is well-prepared for 15.c5?! i.e. dxc5 16.a4 xd3 so White ought to prefer 15.Nde4 with typical play. ] [ Also useful is 13.c2 ] 13...a7 [ Blac k m ust lo se a te mpo , a s 13...dxc5? 14.xe5 is ugly, for instance d6 15.c4 xc4 16.dxc4 cxb4 17.xd6 cxd6 18.axb4 ] 14.c2 I wasn't quite sure how to proceed, so I decided to connect the rooks and prepare d3d4. [ The immediate 14.d4 e4 15.d2 d5 favors Black. He will shift his forces to the kingside, whereupon the bishop may reemerge with ...c7-c6 and ...Ba7-b8. ] 14...g6 15.e4?! [ The text provokes Black into a dubious retreat, but I can't explain why I refrained from 15.d4! , completing White's magnificent pawn chain and totally confining Black's dark-square bishop. ] 15...e8? This knight will give Black nothing but headaches. [ My opponent didn't like 15...xe4 16.dxe4 when White controls a lot of key squares. Still, it will not be easy to overcome Black's resilient position, i.e. ac8!? 17.fd1 e7 ] 16.c6 Aiming for a pleasant queenless middlegame. [ White's pieces are better placed, so it also ma k e s s e n s e t o ke e p th e t en sio n, e . g. 16.fd1 ] 16...bxc6 17.xc6 xc6 18.xc6 Black's pieces are a little awkward and I have some nice targets on a6 and c7. W hite is slightly better. b6 19.fd2 b8 20.c2 e7 21.c3 The long diagonal has been opened for White's g2 bishop. f5 22.e4
d7 23.d5 xd5 24.xd5 I was happy with this exchange, as I felt my knights had been competing for the same squares. f6 25.c6 f5 26.e4 h7?! Black is again reluctant to exchange on e4. [ Passive defense awaits him after 26...xe4 27.dxe4 e6 28.fc1 a5 29.b5 , though this is the best choice. ] 27.fc1 g6 28.g4 [ P l a y e d t o p r e v e n t . . . f 7 - f 5 , b u t 28.a4! i s b e t t e r . f5 29.c3 f4 30.exf4 exf4 31.d5! works out great for White. ] 28...h5? [ 28...a5! makes it harder for White to create a passed pawn. ] 29.gxh5 xh5 30.a4 g6 31.d5! a5 Otherwise White plays a4-a5 and wins the c7 pawn. 32.bxa5 xa5 33.c3 b6 34.b2 [ I didn't want to allow 34.a5 xa5 35.xa5 b5 when Black has more chances of resisting. ] 34...h8? [ Black really needed to try 34...f6 ] 35.a5+This pawn is too much for Black to cope with. a7 36.xb8 xb8 [ 36...xb8 37.e1 ( or even 37.xe5 dxe5 38.xc7 ) 37...c8 38.xd6+- ] 37.a6 f5 38.g3 f4 39.e4 a7 40.d2 b6 41.b1 xe4 42.xe4 f6 43.c6 e8 44.exf4 exf4 45.h4 Black is virtually in zugzwang, so I didn't see any harm in picking up the f4-pawn. [ 45.a5 is a more surgical way of ending things. ] 45...g8 46.b4 g6 47.xf4 g7 48.d5+ 1-0
1093 Bauer,Christian Dorfman,Josif D 81st ch-FRA Besancon BRA (8) [Carsten Hansen]
A29 2599 2586 22.08.2006
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 5.xe5 e7 6.f4 d6 7.d3 f5 This position is usually evaluated as clearly better for Black in most sources, but things a re n o t t h a t sim p le , wh ic h Jo h n W a t s o n pointed out back in 1979. 8.f2! [ Wisnewski gives preference to 8.e3 e4 1087
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ( This is given an '!' by Wisnewski, but Black c a n p r o b a b l y d o b e t t e r w i t h 8...g4! , and I haven't found a good reply for White, e.g. 9.e2 xe2 10.xe2 e4 11.f2 g2 12.b3 e4 13.f1 xf2 14.xf2 h1+ ) 9.xe4 xe4 10.f2 c2+ 11.e2 g6 ( Wisnewski doesn't offer any alternatives, but they are 11...d4+ 12.e1 c2+ 13.e2= with a draw or; 11...xc4+ 12.d3 c5 13.b1 a5 14.a3 ) A) Wisnewski doesn't make any mention o f t h e m a s s i v e l y s t r o n g e r 12.g2! which seems to offer W hite the clearly better chances, for example A1) or 12...d5 13.b1 d4+ ( the alternatives don't offer Black much re lie f e ith e r 13...xe3 14.a4+ c6 15.dxe3 xb1 16.cxd5 b5 17.b3+-; 13...a3 14.a4+ d8 15.d3 xc4 16.b3 b6 17.a5 ) 14.exd4 xb1 15.b3; A2) 12...c6 13.b1 xe3 14.dxe3 xb1 15.b3+-; B) 12.b1 B1) Also the only move given by Wisnewski, but Black should probably opt for 12...h5+ instead, e. g. 13.d3 b4+ 14.c3 B1a) 14...e4+?! 15.xb4 c5+ 16.b3 xf2 17.f3 xh1 18.xb7 d8 19.g2 ( 19.xh1?! d5 20.c2 e7 21.b4 c6 ) 19...d5 20.xd5 xd5 21.xd5 f2 22.xc5 xc5 with a complicated endgame ahead; B1b) 14...xa2+ 15.b3 a5 16.a1 xc1+ 17.xc1 b6+; B2) 12...xe3 13.a4+ c6 14.d3 xf1 15.xf1 d5 is clearly better for Black according to Wisnewski, but after t h e o b v i o u s 16.g2! White is already b e t t e r , e . g . d6 17.e1+ f8 18.b3 ] 8...0-0-0 [ This move isn't covered by Wisnewski, who instead gives preference to 8...c6 A) After this move, White lands in serious tro u b le a s illu st rat e d b y W isn e wski's analysis, but if W hite instead tries the m o r e s o l i d 9.e1! , he stands a good cha nc e o f kee ping Black a t b ay: 0-0-0 10.e3 e6 11.d3
A1) 11...h5 12.f3 b8 13.e4 g4 14.e2 d5 15.exd5 cxd5 16.cxd5 xd5 ( 16...c7 17.e1 ) 17.xd5 xd5 18.e3 d8!; A2) 11...g5 12.fxg5 xg5 13.e4 g4 14.e2 xe2 15.xe2 e6 16.e3; A3) 11...d5 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.e2 b8 14.f3 d4 15.exd4 xd4 16.xd4 xd4 17.h3 d7; B) 9.e3? g4 10.a4 e4+ 11.xe4 xe4 12.g1 f3+ 13.e1 h5 14.f2 ( 14.exd4 e4+ 15.f2 xd4+ 16.g2 e4+ 17.f2 f3+ 18.e1 h6 j u s t w i n s - W i s n e w s k i) 14...h6 wit h a d an gerou s a tt ack a cco rd ing t o Wisnewski, I agree! ] 9.e1! h5 10.e3 e6 11.d4 g5 12.d5 e4+ [ 12...xd5 13.cxd5 h4 14.dxe6 ( 14.g2 hxg3+ 15.hxg3 xh1 16.xh1 gxf4 17.dxe6 fxg3+ 18.xg3 g5+ 19.f2 h4+ 20.g1 fxe6 21.g2 h3 22.f4 ) 14...hxg3+ 15.g1 gxh2+ 16.xh2 xh2 17.xh2 fxe6 ] 13.g1 d7 14.d3 gxf4 [ 14...g7!? 15.c2 e6 16.f3 f6 ] 15.xe4 xe4 16.f6 c6 17.d5 xc4 18.xe4 xe4 19.dxe6 fxg3 [ 19...xe6 20.d4 h6 21.xa7 fxg3 22.hxg3 hg8 23.f2 de8 24.a8+ d7 25.a4+ c6 26.b3 f5+ 27.f3 c7 28.d2 e6 29.af1 ] 20.hxg3 [ 20.d4 f5 21.e4 g6 22.hxg3 g7 23.xa7 xg3+ 24.g2 fxe6 ] [ 20.exf7 g6 21.hxg3 xg3+ 22.g2 h7 ( 22...h4 23.e1 g6 24.xh4 g7 25.xh8 xh8 26.f1 ) 23.d5 d7 24.xh5 dxf7 25.f5 ] 20...fxe6! [ 20...g8?! 21.f3 xe6 22.xh5 b8 23.g2 c6 24.f4 ] [ 20...g6!? 21.exf7 xg3+ 22.g2 h7 23.d5 d7 24.xh5 dxf7 25.f5 ] 21.d4 h7 22.xa7 g8 [ 22...g6 23.a8+ d7 24.xb7 xg3+ 25.g2 g8 26.b5+ c8 27.e2 h4 28.f1 e7 29.f4 e5 30.a6+ d7 31.b5+= ] 23.a8+ d7 24.xb7 xg3+ [ 24...d5 25.b5+ c8 26.f2 d6 1088
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 27.a6+ d7 28.a4+ c8 29.d2 df8+ 30.e2 xg3 31.c1 f5 32.d1+- ] 25.f2! h4 26.b5+ c8 27.a6+ b8 28.b5+ c8 29.d2 [ 29.c4!? ] 29...d5 30.a6+ [ 30.f3 e4 31.xh4 e7 32.xg3? ( 32.a6+ d7 33.b5+= ) 32...xh4+ 33.xh4 g8+ 34.f2 g2+ 35.e1 xh4+ 36.d1 g1+-+ ] 30...b8 31.b5+ [ 31.a4!? d4! 32.b5+ c8 33.a6+= ] 31...c8 32.a6+ b8 33.b5+ ½-½
1094 Bauer,Christian Sokolov,Andrei ch-FRA Chartres FRA (8) [John Watson]
A29 2641 2603 23.08.2005
26.fb1 xc4!? 27.dxc4 d6 28.d5?! [ 28.5b3! t h r e a t e n s c 5 , a n d xc4?? loses to 29.d5+ ] 28...xc4 29.d7 e4 [ Black should hang onto his pawn by 29...a3 30.c1 h8 31.cc7 b5 32.b7 a1+ 33.f1 g8 ] 30.xe4 e5 31.c7 d8 32.h4 d7?! Black concedes. Better was [ 32...d2 ] 33.c8+! [ 33.b7 xb7 34.xb7 a7 35.d5+ f8 36.xb6 isn't easy. ] 33...f7 34.xh7 Now Black is doomed. g6 35.g8+ g7 36.e6 d6 37.c7+ h6 38.g8 d7 39.b4 a1+ 40.g2 ad1 41.e4 g5 42.e6 b5 43.hxg5+ fxg5 44.f5 1d5 45.g4 1-0
1095 A29 Berkes,Ferenc 2593 A nice demolition job by White in a top-class Munoz,Lisandro 2342 match up. 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 Turin ol (Men) 37th (1) 21.05.2006 4.cxd5 xd5 5.c3 b6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 [Nigel Davies] e7 8.a3 0-0 9.b4 e6 10.b1 f6 11.d3 d4 12.d2 d5 13.b2 a5!? This seems 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.g2 b6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 fine, but one also wonders about f6 10.d3 e6 11.e4 d7 [ 13...c6 of Kramnik-Tiviakov, Singapore 9.b4 1990, which went 14.xd5 ( 14.e3? xc3 Looks sensible, connecting the rooks and 15.xc3 b5 ) 14...xd5 15.xd5+ xd5 preparing a possible exchange of the bishop 16.xd4 xd4 ( 16...exd4!? ) 17.a4 f5 on g2 with ...Bh3. But my impression is that (I don't like this move ( 17...a6 ) 18.b5 c5?! Black is somehow agreeing to a long and and now 19.b3+ h8 20.e6 d i f f i c u l t d e f e n c e u n l e s s h e s e e k s s o m e counterplay. 12.b1 ab8 13.c2 fc8 is awkward for Black. ] 14.bxa5 14.d2 h8 15.fc1 g4 16.e3 d8 [ 14.xd5 xd5 15.xd5 xd5 16.xd4 17.e1 c6 18.fd2 Artfully transferring the exd4 ( 16...xd4 17.bxa5 ) 17.b3! xb3 knight to b3 from where it eyes c5 and a5. 18.xb3 with a very small edge. ] White's space advantage on the queenside gives him long term pressure, but will he be 14...xa5 15.c4 a7 16.a4 b6 able to turn it into something more concrete? [ 16...xc3 17.xc3 d5 ] 17.e3 xc3 18.xc3 f5 19.a5! c5 e6 [ 19...xc4 20.axb6! ] [ A t t a c k i n g t h e d 3 p a w n w i t h 18...e2 20.b4!? e7 bears little fruit after 19.b3 intending 20. Nc5 or 20.Nc4. ] [ 20...xb4 21.axb6 cxb6 22.xb4 d7 23.c2! The tactics are all starting to turn 19.b3 f8 20.ec5 f7 21.h3 h5 out right for White. ] 22.a5 c7 23.b3 d8 24.xf7 xf7 25.c2 d7 26.f4 e6? Under serious 21.xc5 xc5 22.axb6 cxb6 23.b3 [ 23.xb6! was safe enough. ] pressure Black allows a breakthrough. [ 26...xc5 27.bxc5 g6 was better when 23...b8 24.b5 xb5 25.xb5 a6 1089
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 W h i t e s h o u l d p r o b a b l y p l a y 28.e4 (intending 29.Bf2). Play might continue b5 29.cxb6 xb6 30.a1 , when White's pressure against e5 may be enough encouragement for Black to give up the centre with exf4 31.gxf4 . This looks a bit better for White but it's far from winning. ] 27.cxb7! bxb7 28.xb7 xb7 29.xc6 A rook and two pawns for two minor pieces is not always a good trade. But in this position White also has ongoing pressure. b6 30.f5 d8 31.c8 e7 32.b5 b8 33.bc1 g8 34.xb8 xb8 35.c8 d7 36.b4 b6 37.b8 d7 38.a8 b6 39.xe7 1-0
1096 Bischoff,Klaus Ruck,Robert TCh-AUT 2009-10 (3) [Nigel Davies]
A29 2569 2556 08.11.2009
Ruck plays 11...Nd4 a move earlier than usual, the standard line being 11... a5 12.b5 and then 12...Nd4. Bischoff shows the dark side of this plan with his 13.Nb3! and goes on to win a model game. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 d5 3.cxd5 xd5 4.g3 e5 5.g2 b6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 9.b4 e8 10.d3 f8 11.d2 d4 [ Black usually plays this after 11...a5 12.b5 an d o n ly t h e n d4 , f o r e xa m p le 13.e3 e6 14.f3 c5 15.d4 exd4 16.exd4 cd7 17.g5 f6 18.e5 with some initiative for White in Sargissian, G (2642)Wen, Y (2508), Al Ain 2008. Ruck evidently thinks his position will be better without the moves . ..a7-a5 and b4-b5, but this presents White with an additional possibility which Bischoff promptly takes advantage of. ] 12.e3 e6 13.b3! Putting his finger on the difference with the Sargissian - W en encounter - White's knight is extremely well placed on b3 and cannot be harassed by ... a5a4. White is better now, and what follows is a beautiful model of how to play the English Opening. c6 14.b2 f6 15.c2 c7 16.ac1 f7 17.e4 d5 18.a5! I often advise students about the strength of knights on this square. The b7 pawn is under
pressure and also rooted to the spot because of the need to defend c6. d8 19.a1 h5 20.b1 f7 21.d2 b8 22.f3 a8 23.fd1 dc7 24.b3 b5 25.a4 bc7 26.b5 c5 [ After 26...cxb5!? 27.axb5 d5 there might follow 28.xe5!? xe5 29.xe5 fxe5 30.xb7 with a rook, two pawns and the initiative for two minor pieces. Though this might have been a better chance for Black than the game. ] 27.d2 b8 28.dc4 Intending b5-b6. e8? [ Perhaps Black should have tried 28...g5 . After the move played his position becomes deeply unpleasant. ] 29.b6 a6 30.c2 h8 31.f4! With Black tied up White opens up a second front on the kingside and brings his bishop on a1 to life. Classic stuff. exf4 32.gxf4 e7 33.f5 f8 34.e4 Defending both f5 and d3 whilst clearing the g-file for occupation by his major pieces. d6 35.xd6 xd6 36.c4 e7 37.g2 d7 38.f1 f8 39.f4 e5 Desperation. 40.xe5 fxe5 41.xe5 f6 42.g6+! The killer blow. White transmutes his advantages into a mating attack. hxg6 [ There's no declining White's offer as after 42...g8 there is 43.d5+ xd5 44.xd5+ f7 45.xf7+ xf7 46.xf8 with an easily winning endgame. ] 43.fxg6 e5 44.g3 e7 45.h4+! xh4 46.xh4+ 1-0
1097 Botvinnik,Mikhail Portisch,Lajos Monte Carlo (7) [Jonathan Rowson]
A29
1968
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.g2 e6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 b6 8.d3 e7 9.a3 a5 10.e3 0-0 It is noteworthy that the great strategist chose not to take on b6 here, which is not to say he was correct... 11.a4 [ 11.c1 d5 12.xd5 xd5 13.a4 d6 14.c5 e7 15.e4 c6 16.c2 b6 B l a c k' s p o si t i o n i s wo r se t h a n it l o o k s 1090
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ( 16...f5 17.g5 causes problems) 17.d4! bxc5 18.dxc5 b8 19.fd1 d8 20.d2 b5 21.f1 h6 22.cxd6 cxd6 23.c7 d7 24.xb8+ xb8 25.xb5 xb5 26.c4 f6 27.xd6 c7 28.d8+ h7 29.d2 a n d W h it e c o n ve rt e d t h e a d va n t a ge i n Polugaevsky, L -Huebner, R Bugojno 1982 ] 11...xa4 [ 11...d5 12.c5 is probably somewhat better for White too. Black should probably play d6! and try to take back with the cpawn to keep the knight out of c5. ] 12.xa4 d5 13.fc1 e8 14.c2! [ A modern version of the same idea featured is 14.c3 Possibly just as good as Rc2, and with the added idea of Rb3 in some positions. A) 14...f5!? 15.b3!? ( 15.b5 a4 16.d2 xg2 17.xg2 c8 and it is not clear Whether White has any advantage. 18.c4?? a5 is certainly not the way forward. ) 15...f6 ( 15...xb3 16.xb3+ h8 17.xb7 gives White the advantage in every line.) 16.b5 and Black appears to be under pressure.; B) 14...f6?! I am always uneasy about this move- blocking the f-pawn and putting the bishop on a strange square. 15.c5 d4 Black's tactics look a bit contrived, and sure enough W hite emerges with a winning position. 16.xd5 xe2+ 17.f1 xd5 18.e1 e4 19.dxe4 h5 20.f3 e5 21.d3 b5 22.d1 c3 23.c2 e6 24.bxc3 ad8 White should be winning, but somehow lost control 25.c1 c4 26.e2 xe4 27.g1 e7 28.a1 c5 29.xc5 xe2 30.xe2 xe2 31.d4 d2 32.c5 b4 33.axb4 axb4 34.a7 bxc3 35.xc3 c2 36.d4 h5 1/2-1/2 Cvitan, O -Jobava, B Sibenik 2007 But White should certainly play on in the final position- there is a long slog ahead. ] 14...f8 15.ac1 b8? Trying to relieve the pressure on the c-file by playing ...c6 but thereby walking into one of the most famous combinations in chess history. [ 15...e4 16.dxe4 xe4 17.d2 keeps the pressure on. f6 18.c4! ] [ 15...d6 16.b5! ] 16.xc7 c6 17.1xc6! bxc6 18.xf7!! h6 [ 18...xf7 19.c4+ wins in all lines. ]
19.b7 c8 20.c4+ h8 21.h4 xb7 22.g6+ h7 23.e4 d6 24.xe5+ g6 25.xg6+ g7 26.xh6+ Powerful stuff. 1-0
1098 Carlsen,Magnus Cheparinov,Ivan FIDE GP Baku AZE (8) [Carsten Hansen]
A29 2765 2696 29.04.2008
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 9.b4 e6 10.d3 f6 11.b1 d4 12.d2 c6 13.e3!? [ This line is seen rather infrequently. The normal move is 13.de4 as seen in several recent updates. For a complete reference guide, see the eBooks ] 13...b5 [ In another recent game, Black tried 13...f5 14.b3 d5 A) This looks a little artificial, but that has hardly ever been a problem for the original Rumanian grandmaster. The idea is that Black's knights are placed somewhat awkward and W hite can gain time through the advance of his e- and fpawns while Black shuffles his knights around. A promising alternative is 15.xd5!? cxd5 16.c5 xc5 17.bxc5 d7 ( 17...c7 18.d2 ) 18.b3 f7 19.d2 , and I prefer White.; B) 15.e2!? d6 16.e4 c7 17.f4 b6 ( 17...g4 18.h3 h5 19.g4 f7 20.b2 ) 18.b2 f7 19.c2 c5 20.bxc5 bxc5 21.a5 ( 21.f5!? xb3 22.xb3 b8 23.c4 ) 21...b5 22.c6 c7 23.a4?! ( 23.xe7+!? xe7 24.f5 d7 25.c4 d4 26.c3 fc8 27.a4 ) 23...xc6 24.axb5 b6 25.h1 a6! 26.bxa6 xa6 27.c3 c4 28.dxc4 , and any hint of advantage for either side has disappeared, 1/2-1/2, Suba, MSokolov, A/Bazna ROM 2007 ] 14.c2 [ White has an important alternative in 14.xb5 cxb5 which promises White decent chances f or an ad vantage af te r 15.b3 ( White accomplishes nothing with 1091
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 15.e4 a4! 16.b2 a5! 17.a1 , and the players agreed upon a draw, 1/2-1/ 2, which it is hard to fault White for agreeing to Black almost seems to have the better c h a n c e s , V a u l i n , A -S t o h l , I / Z l i n 1 9 9 5) 15...a4 16.b2 d5 ( 16...d7 17.a1 ac8 18.c1 xc1 19.xc1 c8 20.e2 a5 21.f4 axb4 22.axb4 xb4 23.fxe5 fxe5 24.xe5 Kharlov, A-Brenninkmeijer, J/ Leeuwarden 1995) 17.e4 ( 17.a5 xb2 18.xb2 xg2 19.xg2 d5+ 20.f3 xf3+ 21.xf3 , and White has a light initiative in the endgame, Kharlov, A-Palac, M/Halkidiki 2002) 17...f7 18.d4 c8 19.d5 d7 20.e2 d8 21.a1 b6 22.bc1 a6 23.h4 , and White has the better chances, though Black's position is quite solid, Vallejo Pons, F-Ponomariov, R/ Linares 2002 ] 14...xc3 15.xc3 d7!? [ This is a new move, and a clear improvement over the previously played 15...d5?! which hands White the initiative and an easily pursuable plan, e.g. 16.e4 a2 17.a1 e6 18.b3 c8 19.a4 h8 20.c5 g4 21.f3 h5 22.e3 d7 23.h3 , and Black's position is very un c o mf o rta b le, Con t in, D-Ze lcic, R/ S t Vincent ITA 2004 ] 16.b3 ad8 17.d1 g4 18.d2 h8 [ Black has a couple of decent alternatives in 18...c8 19.c5 d5 ] [ and 18...d5 19.c4 e6 ] 19.c5 c8 20.b2 d5 [ 20...d7!? ] 21.c2 c7 22.c1 [ W hite can also consider 22.d4!? xc5 23.bxc5 exd4 24.xd4 xd4 25.xd4 ] 22...e6?! [ Here Black should likely opt for 22...xc5 , e.g. 23.xc5 a6 24.a5 ( 24.d4 e6 25.c2 exd4= ) 24...f7 25.d4 fd7 26.a4 ] 23.h4? [ Carlsen possibly overlooked a petite combination starting with 23.xb7!? xb7 24.c4 , winning back the piece with a better game, e.g. e4 25.h3 f5 ( 25...xh3 26.xh3 g5 27.g2 ) 26.g4 g6 27.xe6 d6 28.c4 exd3 29.d4 , and White is clearly better ]
23...xc5 24.bxc5 e6 25.d4!? While White can line up pressure on the b-file, it will in itself hardly present a problem for Black. Opening up the centre unbalances the position a bit and offers White better chances for exploiting his advantage. exd4 26.xd4 d7 27.e4! xe4 28.xe4 White has more space, the more active pieces, a backward pawn to target and the initiative, but Black's position is very solid and therefore taking his advantage all the way will demand a H e r c u l e a n e f f o r t o n W h i t e ' s p a r t . e8 29.g2 f8 30.b2 g8 31.cb1 ee7 32.b4 h5! This is a good practical decision, if Black doesn't grab some space he will face W hite playing f2-f3, g3-g4 and h4-h5, and suffer for a long time to come. 33.1b2 f7 34.f3 e6 35.f2 g6 36.f1 g7 37.a4 a6 38.ab4 f5 39.xg7 xg7 40.e4 fxe4 41.xe4 f5 42.xe7+ xe7 White has the initiative on account of all of Black's pawns being on light squares and the b-pawn needing constant protection. However, Cheparinov demonstrates Black's inconvenience is minimal. 43.c4 f6 44.e2 c8!? This is a good practical decision, by using the bishop to guard the b7pawn, the rook on e7 is released from protective duty and can be used actively to t a rg e t W h i t e 's p a wn o n c5 , t h u s f o r c i n g White's rook to guard it, making the draw the obvious result. 45.d2 e5 46.c2 a5 47.c3 d5 48.e3 e5+ 49.f2 d5 50.e3 e5+ 51.f2 ½-½
1099 Carlsen,Magnus Kramnik,Vladimir Chess Classic (1) [Nigel Davies]
A29 2801 2772 08.12.2009
This was Magnus Carlsen's key victory in the London Chess Classic. Kramnik plays the interesting 16...a4!? but his passive follow-up lets White gradually assume the initiative. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 9.b4 e6 [ This move order by White prevents 1092
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 9...g4? because of 10.b5 d4 11.xe5 etc. ] 10.b1 [ After 10.d3 Black has the option of playing or f5 11.b5 d4 when 12.xe5 f6 13.f4 b3 threatens both the rook on a1 and ... Qd4+. ] 10...f6 [ The popular f ormation begun by 10...f5 is n o lo n ge r p o ssib le h e re d u e t o 11.b5 etc. ] 11.d3 a5 [ Black can also play the immediate 11...d4 when 12.e4 may be bet met by d5 . ] 12.b5 d4 13.d2 [ 13.xd4 exd4 14.a4 d5 is nothing for W hite, so he keeps the tension in the position. ] 13...c8 Defending b7 and preparing a possible ...Be6-h3. 14.e3 f5 15.c2 [ 15.a4 is a reasonable alternative, and in view of Kramnik's 16th move novelty it might well become the preferred option. ] 15...d8 16.b2 a4 [ B l a c k h a s a l s o p l a y e d 16...h6!? t o t ra n s f e r h is kn igh t t o f 7 , t h o u g h it ' s possible he can implement the same idea more efficiently with ] [ 16...d6 , which simultaneously prevents a White knight coming to c4. ] 17.fc1 d6 [ 17...a5!? is interesting here, starting to gang up on the b5 pawn. ] 18.de4 e8 19.e2 A new move from Carlsen in a known position, so presumably we're seeing some high level preparation. f8?! [ And here Black might have played 19...d7 . After the passive text W hite takes the initiative. ] 20.f4 exf4 21.gxf4 d7 22.d4 c6 [ After 22...f5 W hite plays 23.c5 when xc5 24.dxc5 makes the bishop on b2 very strong. ] 23.c5 xc5 24.dxc5 c4 [ 24...d5 might have been better. White's extra space and bishop pair adds up to an a d v a n t a g e b u t i t ' s n o t e a s y, n o t l e a s t because of his potentially vulnerable king. ] 25.d1 c7 26.c1 a5 27.bxc6 bxc6 28.xa4 xd1+
[ 28...c4 29.c2 is also better for White. ] 29.xd1 d8 30.c2 f7 31.c3 h5 32.e2 f5 [ 32...f8 might have been more tenacious, in t e n d i n g t o m e e t 33.e4? with b3! 34.xb3 xb3 35.xb3 xe2 etc. ] 33.e4 g4 34.g3 f7 35.f1 e6 36.c3 a8 37.b4 d7 38.f5 f7 39.f4 d1 40.f2 b3 A desperate attempt to counterattack which is coolly rebuff ed by Carlsen. 41.e2 b1 42.c4 xa3 43.e2 [ After 43.e2 xc4 44.xc4+ f8 45.b7 it will be mate in a few moves. ] 1-0
1100 Conquest,Stuart Butnorius,Algimantas ch-IRL Dublin IRL (4) [Carsten Hansen]
A29 2536 2442 08.07.2008
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 b4 5.g2 0-0 6.0-0 e4 7.g5 xc3 8.bxc3 e8 9.f3 e3!? The Karpov-Zaitsev Gambit. A few new developments have taken place in this line. 10.dxe3 [ 10.d3 d5 11.b3 a5 12.a3 c6 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.f4 d7 ( 14...g4!? has been discussed at length on several previous occasions - see the PDF e-books for references.) 15.f3 c6 16.b2 g4 17.d6 e7 18.e5 xe5 19.xe5 g4 20.fe1 b6 21.a3 f6 22.d6 xd6 23.xd6 ad8 24.c5 b6 ( 24...c6!? 25.ab1 b6 26.a3 e7= ) 25.xe3 f5 26.f2 xe2 27.a4 f8 ( 27...xd3 28.xd5+ f8 29.xe8+ xe8 30.c6+ f7 31.a5 ) 28.a5 xd3 29.axb6 xe1+ 30.xe1 axb6 31.xb6 d7 32.d1 c4 33.h3 g6 34.b1 f7 35.d4 e7 1/2-1/2 Cvitan, O-Gonda, L/Sibenik CRO 2008 ] 10...h6 [ 10...b6 11.e4 h6 12.h3!? transposes to Cu. Hansen-Brynell, Malmoe 1998, which can be found in the PGN archives. ( 12.xf7?! was played in Topalov, VGelfand, B/Novgorod 1997, but considered inadequate for White. )] [ In another recent Conquest game in this 1093
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 va ri a t i o n , B l a c k t ri e d 10...e7 11.e4 ( 11.h3 as in Kasparov-Sadvakasov, Astana 2001 is possibly better - see the PG N a rc h ive s f o r t h e co m p le t e ga m e .) 11...c5+ 12.h1 h6 13.h3 xc4 14.f4 d6 15.d2 b6 16.d1 a6 17.b1 ad8 18.b2 a4 19.e1 c4 20.d5 xd5 21.exd5 e5 , and Black is completely sitting on top of White, who at the moment is without any counterplay, Conquest, S-David, A/ Liverpool ENG 2008 ] 11.h3 d5 [ Black has two important alternatives at this juncture: A) 11...e5 12.e4 xc4 13.d4 d5!? ( 13...e5 14.c4 d6 15.f4 b6 16.d5 c5 with chances to both sides, Gulko, B-Illescas Cordoba, M/Oropesa del Mar 1996 ) 14.f4 c6 15.exd5 cxd5 16.e4 b6 17.xd5 xd5 18.exd5 xd4+ 19.cxd4 b6 A) 20.f4 b7 21.d6 ed8! ( 21...ad8 22.fe1= ); B) 20.d6 b7 21.d7?! ( 21.f4 ed8 ) 21...e7 22.h3 c6 23.f4 ( 23.f5 xd7 24.d3 c8 25.f4 ) 23...xd7 with a clear advantage for Black, Kopilov, N-Raetsky, A/Voronezh 1990 ] [ B) 11...b6 12.f4 is Hansen, Cu-Brynell, S/ Malmo 1998, which can be found in the PGN archives. ] 12.f4 [ 12.f2 dxc4 13.a4 e5 14.d1 e7 15.e4 d7 16.a3 xa3 17.xa3 ad8= Rothkugel, W-Van der Straat, G/corr 1998 ] 12...dxc4 [ 12...a5? 13.cxd5 g5 14.d3 xd5 15.e4 b6 16.f4 bc4 17.e5 with a very large advantage for White, Chatalbashev, BMansson, J/Hastings ENG 2007 ] 13.e4 b6 14.a3 [ 14.xd8 xd8 15.a3 is an excellent alternative, leaving White somewhat better in the qu een less m idd legame af te r b7 16.ad1 ] 14...b7 15.c2 e7?! [ Black can maintain fairly even chances with 15...e5 16.fd1 e8 ] 16.ad1 b8 17.a4 g5 18.h3 c5 19.xc4 g6 20.a4 [ Or 20.b3 ] 20...e5 21.b2 e7 22.f2 a6 23.b3
[ White can also obtain a large advantage with 23.c4 e5 24.f4 gxf4 25.gxf4 eg4 26.xg4 xg4 27.h3 f6 28.e5+- ] 23...b5 24.c4 e5 25.c3! fd7?! 26.g4? [ White wins convincingly with 26.f4 b4 27.b3 gxf4 28.gxf4+- , and Black will lose material to avoid getting mated. ] 26...b4 27.d2?! [ With this move White throws the last chunk of his advantage away. Instead he should have opted for 27.e3 xg4 28.fxg4 e5 29.xe5 xe5 30.f5 , and White is still in control of the game ] 27...xg4 28.fxg4 e5 29.c1 ad8 30.d5? [ White is also clearly worse after 30.xe5 xe5 31.f5 c3 ] [ but 30.xd8 xd8 31.h3 f6 ke e p s W h it e's d isa d van t a ge a t a m o re manageable level. ] 30...f6 31.xe5 fxe5 32.xd8 xd8 33.h4?! f8 [ Or 33...c8 34.hxg5 hxg5 35.f3 e6 ] 34.f5 c8 35.xf8+ xf8 36.hxg5 xg5 37.xg5 hxg5 , and White resigned. Quite a tragedy after a well-played opening and early middlegame. 0-1
1101 Cvitan,Ognjen Sermek,Drazen Rapid 1hr Solin-Spilt CRO rapid (12) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2562 2590 17.12.02
1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.c3 b6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 9.b4 e8 10.d3 f8 11.b2 g4 B l a c k d e ve l o p s a n o t h e r p i e c e , we h a v e considered [ 11...a5 several times before, e.g. 12.b5 d4 13.e3 xf3+ 14.xf3 Sturua,Z-Xu Jun/Istanbul TUR 2000. ] 12.h3 h5 13.c1 f5!? An aggressive treatment, played to stop g4, e.g. [ 13...d7 14.g4 g6 15.h4 a6 16.e4 White has control of important light squares, ad8 17.c2! ( 17.c5 xc5 18.xc5 is met by e4 as in Rausis,I-Alterman,B/ 1094
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Corfu/1993.) 17...d5 18.e3 a5 19.bxa5 xa5 20.fd1 White's position is preferable, Gulko, B-Waitzkin,J/San Francisco 1995. ] [ 13...a5 is the most thematic, 14.b5 d4 15.g4 ( Alterman suggests 15.xd4!? exd4 16.e4 ) 15...g6 16.xd4 exd4 17.e4 f5!? 18.c5 ( 18.gxf5!? xf5 19.c2 ) 18...fxg4 19.xb7 h4 20.hxg4 xg4 which is a bit unclear, Rezan,S-Fercec,N/ Pula CRO 2002. ] 14.e4!? f4 15.e2! This move defends d4, attacks f4 and puts pressure on the e5-pawn. fxg3 Opening the f-file is to White's advantage, as the black rook cannot contest its control, but [ 15...d6 i s n o b e t t e r , 16.b5 d4 ( 16...b8!? ) 17.xd4 ( 17.exd4!? exd4 18.b3+ f7 19.c2 fxg3 20.fxg3 xg3 21.xd4 is also p ro m isin g) 17...exd4 18.gxf4 White has won a pawn, but Black will obtain counterplay against the weak white queenside after, say, h8 ( 18...a6 19.e5 e7 20.fxd4! ) 19.b3 a6 although it is not enough. ] 16.fxg3 a6?! [ 16...d6 17.b5 b8 is unpleasant, but Black is still fighting. ] 17.g4 g6 18.xc6! The thematic Sicilian exchange sac, which destroys the queenside and wins the e-pawn. bxc6 19.xe5 d6 20.b3+ h8 21.xg6+ hxg6?! Although [ 21...xg6 22.f4 d6 23.f7 is awful for Black, the threat is Nh5 while the simple improvement of the position by d4 and/or e5 is also possible. ] 22.f4 d7 23.h4 [ 23.f7! h7 24.d4 e7 25.b3 is also a killer, e5 is coming. ] 23...e5 24.d4 [ 24.d4 xg4 25.e5 d8 26.xg6+ h7 27.xc6 is too horrible for words, xg6 28.c2+ h6 29.c1+ etc. ] 1-0
1102 David,Alberto Svetushkin,Dmitry TOP 16 Poule Basse (8) [Jonathan Rowson]
A29 2587 2615 28.05.2009
1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 c5 Generally speaking, the lines with Nf6, Nc6 and Bc5 are a very reliable defence to most versions of the English, because the position is solid and flexible, but Black has to be patient to generate an initiative of his own. 4.c3 0-0 5.f3 c6?! [ 5...d6 looks more accurate. ] 6.0-0 [ Several games have shown that 6.xe5! xf2+ 7.xf2 xe5 8.b3! intending a quick Rf1 and Kg1 is probably somewhat better for W hite, though Black has plenty of counterchances against White's weakened king. ] [ 6.e3 d6 7.d4 b4! was McNab-Rowson, analysed in Chess for Zebras. ] 6...d6 7.e3 a6 8.d4 a7 9.h3 e8 10.b3 h6 11.b2 e4?! A strategic error that must have been played without the consent of the bishop on a7. The pawn on e4 is quite an easy target for White and when White plays f3 the bishop on a7 will be missed f rom the defence of the kingside. [ 11...f5 looks better, probably followed by Bh7 and only then e4 if the time seems ripe. Black can also take on d4, play Qd7 and double on the e-file. Needless to say, White also has ideas, so you should never get too attached to any particular idea. ] 12.d2 f5 13.a3 b8!? A creative attempt t o re ga in co n t ro l o ve r e 4 . 14.f3! exf3 15.xf3 c8 16.ce4 bd7 17.g4 W hite has a clear advantage in space and time, but Black has no real weaknesses so White should be wary of over-pressing. e7 18.g3 b8 19.a4 xe4 20.xe4 f8 21.f2 f6 22.h4 h7 23.af1 e6 24.d5 The position looks ripe for changing. [ 24.a5!? ] 24...d7 25.d4 a8 [ 25...xd4 26.exd4 looks like a slightly better version of the game for Black. ] 26.a5 xd4 27.exd4 ad8 It is not clear to me that Black gained anything by waiting for 1095
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 W hite to play a5. 28.e2 f8 29.ff2?! Either there has been an input error, or White over-estimated his position. The time was now ripe to win some material and enter a more technical phase. [ 29.xf6+ xf6 30.xf6 xf6 31.f3 or something similar, should eventually be winning for W hite. In fact it doesn't look particularly difficult, because W hite also has trumps on the queenside. ] 29...de8 30.h2 d8 31.e1 f7 [ 31...f5!? ] 32.c5 g6 33.h5? [ 33.cxd6 is still much better for White. I imagine Alberto David must have been very short of time. ] 33...xg4 34.xg4 xg4 35.cxd6 cxd6 Had white fought back to this position he could have put up some resistance, but after the commanding position he had, I can understand why White couldn't find the will to continue. 0-1
Ba7 is not bad ( 9...a6 is the main line 10.b3 a7 11.b2 Anand, V (2786)-Gelfand, B (2755)/Moscow Tal Memorial 8th Blitz 2013 )] 7.bxc3 e8 [ 7...d6 8.d3 e4 9.d4 exd3 10.exd3 xd4 11.cxd4 enters into a similar position but with ...d6 played instead of ...Re8, which is less useful since sometimes Black strikes with ...d5 at once ] 8.e1!? I like this move and lately it's scoring well, the idea is to avoid 8...e4 and leave the road free for the center pawns. [ 8.d3 is the main line e4 9.d4 exd3 10.exd3 xd4 11.cxd4 was analyzed in Seirawan, Y (2653)-Gulko, B (2618)/ch-USA Semi-Finals playoff g/25 1999 ] 8...h6 This is a typical move in these kind of positions, avoiding Bg5 and waiting for White to choose his setup. [ 8...d5 was tried on two occasions in the last 12 months by top level players 9.cxd5 xd5 10.c2!? a mysterious move that is actually working, I imagine the idea is to keep the option of going with the knight to d 3 i n s o m e l i n e s g4 11.f3 e6 1103 A29 a n d h e r e w e h a v e a d i v i s i o n ( 11...h5 12.d3!? where it has good prospects of Dubov,Daniil 2624 going to c5 or holding things together on d3) Fedorchuk,Sergey A 2669 12.e4 ( 12.f4 exf4 13.gxf4 f5 14.e3 b6 FIDE World Cup 2013 (1.1) 11.08.2013 15.d3 also gives White a nice center, [Fier, Alexandr] Khismatullin, D (2658)-Tomashevsky, E (2709)/RUS-ch Higher League 66th 2013) Against the solid 6...Bxc3 White goes for the 12...b6 13.d3 d7 14.f4 with a good 8.Ne1!? idea. I like this variation and it's position f or W hite in Svidler, P (2747)making a lot of points lately. Dubov created a Ponomariov, R (2735)/EU-Cup 28th Eilat strong attack on the kingside and won without 2012 (5.1) ] any problems. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 [ 8...e4 9.f3 e3 10.d3 ] c6 4.g3 b4 5.g2 0-0 6.0-0 xc3 Now things are clear. White goes for a [ 6...e4 is the old main line, famous because 9.e4 o f t h e K a s p a r o v - K a r p o v m a t c h 7.g5 kingside pawn expansion and Black needs to ( 7.e1 xc3 8.dxc3 h6 is a slower setup) quickly find some counterplay on the other 7...xc3 8.bxc3 e8 9.f3 was discussed a side, by hitting c4. d6 10.d3 a6 11.a4 a5 [ 11...b8 as a Panno player against the lot about 25 years ago ] King's Indian, I would think about this move, [ 6...d6 looks like the latest fashion in 12.f4 ( 12.b1 d7 13.f4 a5 14.f5 b5 important games, and then 7.d3 h6 8.d5 arrives in time) 12...b5 13.cxb5 axb5 c5 9.e3 b6 Eljanov, P (2702)-Sutovsky, 14.axb5 xb5 15.f5 ( 15.c4 b8 16.f5 E (2660)/ Poikovsky Karpov 14th 2013, was d4 with the idea of 17...c6 and 18...d5) a new idea introduced by Sutovsky in the 15...a5!? 16.b1 ( 16.xa5 xa5 17.c4 Poikovsky against Eljanov. Soon he c6 ) 16...d5 with counterplay ] sa c rif ic e d a n e xch an ge b ut af t er so m e c6 This is also logical, but in a less small imprecisions lost the game. Still, the 12.f4 idea of not losing much time with ...a6 and ... h a r m o n i o u s w a y . W h i t e n o w h a s s o m e 1096
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 chances to close the queenside. 13.b1 b5 14.axb5 axb5 15.cxb5 b6+ 16.h1 cxb5 17.c4! A strong move, trying to force things on the queenside and afterwards get free play against his opponent's king. Also it's important to stop ...d5 ideas b4 [ 17...d7 18.c2 eb8 ( 18...ec8 19.e3 is just better for White) 19.e3 d8 20.c5 exf4 21.xf4 dxc5 22.b2 with a huge initiative ] [ 17...g4!? trying to disrupt White's coordination before going to d7, but it's not enough 18.d2 ( 18.f3 d7 and the f3bishop is in the way) 18...d7 19.c2 eb8 20.a3 ( 20.e3 d8 21.c5 dxc5 22.fxe5 g4! this is the point! With the queen on d2 this move is possible 23.c3 xe3 24.xe3 c8 ) 20...c7 21.fxe5 dxe5 22.xf6! gxf6 23.f1 and Black comes under heavy attack anyway ] 18.c2 [ 18.fxe5 wins a pawn, but loses attacking chances, dxe5 19.a4 this is the idea, threatening the b4-pawn and 20.Rxf6 g4 20.xb4 e6 21.e3 but the hole on d4 can give Black some chances to hold ] 18...b3 [ 18...c6!? makes sense, trying to keep one eye on d4, White can win a pawn but Black activates, 19.e3 b8 A) 20.fxe5 dxe5 21.xb4 xb4 22.d2 A1) 22...a3! 23.xb4 d6 24.d4 ( 24.d1? xd3 ) 24...xe4! ( 24...xe3? 25.c5! wins ) 25.xe4 xe3 26.xe3 ( 26.c5 a6 and here the f 1 - ro o k i s h a n g in g 27.xe3 xf1+ 28.g1 e2 and finally White is under pressure ) 26...xb4 27.d5 b7 28.f3 xd5 29.xd5 e7 30.dxe5 e6 31.e1 c8 with good drawing chances; A2) 22...a4 23.c5 the point of 20. fxe5; B) 20.xb4 xb4 21.d2 ( 21.d2 now this doesn't work because there is no 22.Bc5 a4 ) 21...g4 22.f3 a2 23.xb4 a7 with counterplay ] 19.e3 d7 20.g4?! [ 20.fxe5! was more direct dxe5 21.f3 threatening 22.Nd5 e6 22.d5 xd5 23.exd5 with idea of 24.Bxh6 ]
20...ab8? Too slow. [ 20...exf4! 21.f5 A) 21...g5 is original, but such moves are usually not good 22.xh6+ g7 23.f5+ xf5 24.gxf5 d7 25.f6+! xf6 ( 25...xf6 26.g4 e5 27.f5++- ) 26.b2 with attack; B) 21...xf5 and now things are not so clear 22.gxf5 d7 23.xf4 d4 and Black can try to hold the Black squares ] 21.g5 hxg5 22.fxg5 h7 23.d5 d8 24.h5 Now all the pieces are ready for the attack, Black is already lost. e6 25.f6+! gxf6 26.gxf6 h8 27.h6 g8 28.h3 Trying to eliminate the defender of the f7pawn. d7 [ 28...xh3 29.g7+ xg7 30.fxg7+ xg7 31.xf7+ g8 32.xh7# ] 29.g1 xg1+ 30.xg1 b2 31.g7+ g8 32.f8+ [ 32.f8+ xf8 33.xh7 1 with mate in ] 1-0
1104 Eljanov,Pavel Salgado Lopez,I 11th Aeroflot Open A (5) [John Bartholomew]
A29 2690 2618 11.02.2012
1.c4 f6 2.c3 d5 3.cxd5 xd5 4.g3 e5 5.g2 b6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 9.b4 e6 10.b1 f6 11.d3 d4 Topalov used this principled continuation to a ch ie ve n e a r-e f f o rt le ss e qu a lit y a ga in s t Navara at this year's Wijk aan Zee event. The promising Spanish Grandmaster Ivan Salgado Lopez has worked as a second for the former World Champ, so it is not surprising that he would prefer the same line. [ For 11...a5 12.b5 d4 13.d2 see Carlsen, M (2801)-Kramnik, V (2772)/ London ENG 2009/[Nigel Davies]. ( I examined alternatives such as 13.e3; 13.xd4; and 13.e1 in the notes to Navara-Topalov, quoted below )] 12.h4!? It's likely that Eljanov executed this novelty with few pretensions that it was any better than the standard choices. In fact, he would probably admit that 12.Nh4 is a rather 1097
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 awkward and unpromising looking move! Still, he knows that successful tournament chess has at least as much to do with forcing your opponent to solve unique practical problems as it does with the relative strength of any given move. In that respect, 12.Nh4!? certainly has a right to exist. [ That alternatives have been found wanting only adds credibility to Eljanov's unorthodox a p p r o a c h . F o r i n s t a n c e , 12.xd4 is too simplistic to arouse concern. Black was comfortable after exd4 13.e4 d5! followed by a favorable exchange of light square bishops with ...f6-f5 in Navara, D (2712)-Topalov, V (2770)/Wijk aan Zee NED 2012/[John Bartholomew]. ] [ T h e m o s t p o p u l a r a p p r o a c h i s 12.d2 , though Black has not experienced serious theoretical problems here either after c6 or 12...Nd5. See the "Four Knights 4 g3 - 4... d5 Reversed Dragon" guide. ] 12...c8?! An unnecessarily mild reaction. [ It's unclear what Black feared, as 12...g5 is definitely the critical response. Eljanov probably intended A) 13.f3 a5 14.b5 d7 leaves White down a couple tempi compared to normal 11...a5 lines ...g7-g5 is an i n c o n s e q u e n t i a l we a k e n i n g ( 14...a4!? looks even more challenging ); B) 13.e3 , but af te r gxh4 ( Black could also just play solidly with 13...c6 14.f3 d7 intending 15...Rad8) 14.exd4 xd4 ( 14...exd4?! 15.e2 and White's play in the center and on the kingside promises excellent compensation) 15.b2 d7 16.xb7 ad8 I don't see much of anything for White, i.e. 17.a6 ( 17.h5 c5 ) 17...g4!? with fully acceptable play. The computer thinks this is close to equal, but in a practical game I suspect must players would prefer Black with W hite's king looking the draughtier of the two. ] 13.e3 f5 14.xf5 xf5 15.e4 Highly typical for this line - White aims for the c 5 s q u a r e . d8 16.c5! This is possible thanks to W hite's superb coordination. c6 Black decides to hunker down. [ The alternative was 16...xc5 17.bxc5 xd3 ( 17...xd3? 18.e2 leaves Black hanging everywhere in view of 19.cxb6, 19.
Bxb7, or 19.e4.) 18.cxb6 axb6!? , i.e. 19.b3+ h8 20.e1 xb1 21.xb1 . While it won't be easy to breach Black's defenses, the bishop pair is a huge asset and leaves Black lacking in the counterplay department. ] 17.e4 g6 18.c2 a5 19.e3 axb4 20.axb4 Eljanov's novelty has achieved the desired effect: White has a pleasant edge to work with. f7 21.a1 f8 [ Black parts with this bishop soon anyways, s o m a y b e t h e i m m e d i a t e 21...xc5 wa s b e t t e r. T h e n a f t e r 22.bxc5 xa1 23.xa1 he could try a8! with the idea of ... Na8-c7-b5-d4. ] 22.h4 d7 Essentially surrendering the bishop pair, but it's already difficult to see how Black can create meaningful play. 23.h3 xc5 24.bxc5 c7 25.f4!? Gaining space. f8 26.f5 h5?! [ 26...d7! was better, reminding White about his d-pawn. ] 27.fb1 d7 28.b2 xa1 29.xa1 b8 30.a7 d7 31.f1 a6 32.a8+ h7 33.f2 e7 34.e2 d7 35.b2 e8 Perhaps Black can delay a queen trade, but he's running short on constructive moves. 36.xe8 xe8 37.g4 hxg4 38.xg4 d7 39.e2 f7 40.h5 e8 41.e1 W hite's eventual winning plan involves the dual pawn breaks d3-d4 and h5-h6. Black can do little but sit tight and look for an opportunity for counterplay. f7 42.d2 g8 43.b1 f7 44.c2 e8 45.c1 f7 46.d2 g8 47.g1 h7 48.h1?! b4?! [ This was the first chance to transfer the kn i g h t t o a b e t t e r s q u a r e wi t h 48...c7! . If White waits, then Black will continue with 4 9 . . . N b 5 , s o 49.h6 would be expected. However, following g5 50.fxg6+ xg6 51.f1 xe4 52.xf6 it seems Black can draw with accurate play: d5!? 53.d6 f5! 54.h5 xd6 55.cxd6 xe3 56.xe3 d7! 57.f3!? (the trickiest, intending 58. Bg4) ( 57.e4 xh6 58.f3 g7 59.xe5 b6 is completely drawn) 57...c5! 58.g4 c6+ 59.e3 b5! and the draw is ensured, i.e. 60.f3 d7 61.e4 xh6 62.xe5 g7 and the coming ...c5-c4 will remove any doubt. ] 49.c3 a2+ 50.d2 b4 51.a1 a6 1098
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 52.c3 d8?! [ The second opportunity for 52...c7! ] 53.b1 b8? Perhaps Black only now had hopes for ...Na6-c7, but the timing is extremely poor. [ He should have continued waiting with 53...d7 . ] 54.d4! exd4+?! [ This was the f inal chance f or 54...c7 , making it much tougher for W hite to destroy the e5-f6-g7 pawn chain. ] 55.xd4 c7 Too late! 56.h6! e8 There are several possible lines here, but all of them appear inadequate: [ 56...xh6 is mate in two: 57.h1+ g5 58.e3# ] [ 56...gxh6 57.xf6+- is terminal ] [ Two to ugh er tries are 56...e8 , i.e. 57.f2! gxh6 58.a6! a8 ( 58...c7 59.xb7+- ) 59.xb7 a3+ 60.b4 f3 61.g1 h5 62.xc6+- ] [ and 56...g6 57.xf6 b5+ when 58.d2! o u g h t t o w i n . ( Black has more chances to draw the opposite color bishop ending after 58.xb5 cxb5 59.xb5 gxf5 60.exf5 d5 )] 57.xb7 e7 58.hxg7 b5+? Understand able, but now Black is truly lost. [ He may have considered his position h o p e l e s s a f t e r 58...xg7 59.d3 , though White will have to prove the win. ] 59.xb5 cxb5 60.xf6 xe4 [ or 60...b4+ 61.d4 d7+ 62.e3 b3 63.c6 c7 64.b5+- ] 61.xb5 e1 62.d4 d5 63.d7 c1+ 64.d2 c4 65.d3 c1 66.c3 d1+ 67.e2 f3+ 68.xf3 d3+ 69.e4 xc3 70.f6 [ 70.f6 xc5 71.f5+ is decisive. While innovative, we can conclude that Eljanov's 12.Nh4!? does not hold up under the theoretical microscope. The critical 12...g5 appears to provide Black fully adequate play. ] 1-0
1105 Elwert,Hans Marcus Tiemann,Hagen 18th WChCorr (3) [John Watson]
A29 2693 2513 01.06.2004
W hen such a highly theoretical and critical line is tested in a correspondence game by world-class players, it's worth taking note! 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 b4 5.g2 0-0 6.0-0 e4 7.g5 xc3 8.bxc3 e8 9.f3 e3 10.d3 d5 11.b3 [ 11.cxd5 xd5 12.b3 a5 13.a3 xg5 14.xa5 e5 is considered equal. It might be fun to test this! ] 11...a5 12.a3 c6 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.f4 g4 [ 14...c6 was Karpov's move versus Kasparov in what was probably the stem game. People haven't been too thrilled with this after 15. Rb1, which is not to say that we won't see a lot more of it. ] 15.f3 In my opinion this is the critical move. [ Tony has looked at 15.e1 at some length, for example, A) 15...h6 16.f3 c6 17.b1 d7 18.b2 ( 18.d4 h3 Lautier,J-Illescas,M/ Dos Hermanas 1995, and Tony analyses 19.e5!? xe5 20.dxe5 xg2 21.xg2 g4 wi t h u n c l e a r p l a y .) 18...h3 ( 18...h5!? 19.c4 d4 ) 19.c4 xg2 20.xg2 d4 21.c5 ad8 unclear, Schacher-Maki Uuro, Izmir 2004; B) 15...c8!? 16.h3 d7 17.b2 b6 18.ad1 h6 19.f3 h5 20.h2 f6 with a large advantage, Nimzo 7.32-Junior 6.0, Cadaques 2000 ] 15...c6 [ 15...xf3 16.xf3 ( 16.xf3 looks stronger, e.g., d4 17.b2 c6 18.ff1 and I like the bishops ) 16...h5!? 17.b1 c8 18.b4 b6 19.f5 d6 with a messy position in Quinn,MAllen,K, Port Erin 2000. ] 16.h3 d7 [ 16...xf3 17.xf3 d4 18.b2 is the last note ] 17.h2 c7 [ 17...b6!? might divert White's pieces after 18.b2 c7 or 18.Qb2 Qc7. ] 18.b1 b6 Given White's dynamic reply, I'm not so sure about the loss of time here. 1099
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 18...ac8 is natural,, e.g., 19.b2 b5!? 8.dxe5 with the idea 20.c5 a5 ] [ 8.0-0 [ and HiArcs suggests 18...e6!? to double A) This is the move White is trying to rooks and maybe swing kingward later. ] prevent by playing 8 Bg2 himself in the 19.b2 ad8 20.c4! dxc4 21.bc1! e6 main lines. Another independent line was [ A big moment. I'm sure that both sides reached after 8...e7 9.b3 0-0 10.b2 l o o k e d a t l i n e s l i k e 21...cxd3 22.xf6 c7 11.e3 ( with 11.g2 White can ( 22.e5! ) 22...d2! 23.xc6 xc6 24.xd8 belatedly reach the variation discussed xd8 ] u n d e r lin e A) 11...h3 12.e1 d7 [ and 21...a5 , which at least tempts White 13.g2 xg2 14.xg2 f5 , and Black to play Bc3 and Bxa5 at some point and give had equalised in Krupenski, I-Leito, P/ up his monster bishop. ] Tallinn 1999; 22.g5 d5 Again, B) 8...h3!? 9.e1 e7 10.b3 c7 [ 22...a5 should be considered. After the 11.b2 h5!? ( 11...0-0 is solid and good, text, things get double-edged. ] and should leave Black with more or less 23.xd5!? even chances) 12.d3 h4 13.e4 d7 [ 23.xf6!? gxf6 24.xd5 ] ( 13...hxg3!? 14.fxg3 xe4 15.xe4 23...xd5 24.xc4 d7 25.fc1 f6 26.f3 0-0-0 looks pretty good for Black) 14.e3 e6 27.e4 de8 Somewhere around here ( 14.g4!? ) 14...0-0-0 15.dxe5 ( 15.g4!? things go downhill for Black. Maybe he should looks like a fun alternative) 15...dxe5 simply let the rook stay on e4 by 16.c5 hxg3 17.fxg3 h6 ( 17...f5 [ 27...d6 ] 18.d6+ b8 ) 18.b4 f5 19.d6+ 28.xe6 xe6 29.a4 d6!? It's a bad sign xd6?! ( This is overly optimistic even if if this is necessary. 30.a3 cb4 31.b3 does look rather attractive. Instead Black a5 32.d4! h8 33.b2 h6 34.c4 e7 can obtain the better chances with 35.f7 bd5 36.f5 White controls the whole 19...xd6 20.cxd6 xd6 21.xa7 e4 board. c7 37.a4 ed5 38.xd7 xd7 , and Black is control.) 20.cxd6 xd6 39.g2 g8 40.f3 f7 41.c6 h5 21.a3 b8 22.ad1 e4 23.g2 xg2 42.e6 e8 43.a3 ec7 44.xc7 24.xg2 , and Black no longer has [ 44.xc7 xc7 45.xc7+ xc7 46.xe3 sufficient compensation for the exchange, b5 47.d4! bxa4 48.c5 etc. A fascinating Kraehenbuehl, G-Laird, C/Copenhagen positional struggle. ] 1981 ] 1-0 8...dxe5 9.xd8+ xd8 10.b3 [ 10.0-0 e6 11.b3 1/2-1/2 Danner, L-Sehrt, J/Germany 1999 doesn't tell us anything ] 1106 A29 10...f5 11.b2 e4 [ I don't like this move at all as it provides a Fahnenschmidt,Gerhard 2350 target for W hite and blunts Black's lightTreppner,Gerd s q u a r e d b i s h o p . I n s t e a d 11...c5 GER-chT fin Bad Kissingen (3) 1978 seems perfectly playable ] [Carsten Hansen] 12.g2 c5 [ I don't know if this is Black's best move, 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 because White achieves the better position 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 c6 7.d4 d6 through a series of simple, yet good moves. [ 7...e4? has rather surprisingly been played A n o t h e r t r y i s 12...c7 but whether it by an ELO-rated player, and although he represents an actual improvement is a hard eventually held a draw, the result doesn't call, as I still pref er W hite after 13.0-0-0 speak for the objective value of the text ( both 13.0-0 h5 14.h3 d8 15.ad1 move, which essentially drops a pawn for e7; and 13.h3 e3!? 14.fxe3 e8 nothing 8.xe4 xe4 9.xe4 d5 10.cxd5 seem okay for Black) 13...b4 14.h3 h5 cxd5 11.f3 b6 12.0-0 h3 13.e1 15.e3 followed by Nc3-e2 ] 1/2-1/2 Meyer, A-Heisel, G/Germany 1996 ] 1100
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 13.h3!? h5 14.0-0 e7 15.a4!? d6 16.d4!? hd8 17.c3 [ This wins a pawn, but whether it's White's best move is up for debate. Another try is 17.c5 xc5 18.xc5+ e6 19.e3 followed by f2-f3 and g3-g4 with an initiative and excellent chances for White ] 17...a5 [ 17...b4!? 18.xf6+ xf6 19.xe4+ g6 20.a3 e7 21.a2 a5 offers Black some counterplay on account of his ability to double his rooks on the d-file along with the pair of bishops. ] [ 17...a3!? 18.ad1 xd4! 19.xd4 b2 20.xe4+ xe4 21.xe4 d8 22.c5 b6 23.d3 xd3 24.exd3 xd3 25.xc6 d4 with an endgame which will be exceedingly difficult for White to win ] 18.ad1 b4 19.xf6+ xf6 20.xe4+ xe4 21.xe4 e5 White has won a pawn, but the limited material, Black's activity and the opposite-coloured bishops mean that Black has decent drawing chances, although, there is plenty of play left in this position. 22.c2 g5 23.g2 d2 24.xd2 xd2 25.d1 d8 26.e3 d6! Intending ...Bb4, s e e k i n g s o la c e in a n o p p o s it e c o l o u r e d endgame. 27.f4+ f6 28.f3 b4 29.xd6+ White doesn't achieve anything by avoiding the exchange of rooks, so rather go for the win in a still complicated oppositecoloured bishop endgame, which despite its drawish tendencies still offer plenty of play and winning chances if conducted well. xd6 30.e4 [ Which is the best continuation at this point is difficult to determine. The move chosen by W hite in the game gives him decent chances to squeeze out more than a half, but naturally W hite can try a number of other things, such as 30.a4 c5 31.h7 gxf4 32.exf4 d4 33.g4 hxg4+ 34.xg4 but whether it wins, is a topic that isn't particularly relevant to our discussion of t h e o p e n i n g va r i a t i o n i n q u e s t io n . F o r further comments, please look at the closing comment at the end of this game. ] 30...gxf4 31.gxf4 e6 32.e5 b4 33.h7 f5 34.exf6 xf6 35.a4 e6 36.e4 e7 37.g6 h4 38.f5+ d6 39.c8 b6 40.f5 c5 41.g6 d8 42.f7 e7 43.g4 d8
44.f5 e5 45.e8 g5 46.d7 f6 47.c6 d2 48.xb6 b4 49.c6 a3 50.d5 b4 51.e4 e1 [ And a draw was agreed upon. While it looks like a rather obvious draw on account of W hite's three queenside pawn being blocked by Black's two pawns and bishop, and W hite's extra kingside pawn b ein g stopped in its tracks by Black's king, there are still things White can try. The main idea for W hite is tie Black's king to f6 and the black bishop to the defence of the h-pawn, while keeping his own bishop on c2, and then break with the b-pawn, which will create a second passed pawn for White. This plan may still not guarantee the win, but nevertheless it is worth a try, because with two extra pawns, White has some freedom to continue before getting himself in trouble. The following variations are examples of what can happen. They may not represent optimal play from either side, but may give you an idea about what White can try and the dangers involved in Black's defence. Opposite coloured bishops are no guarantee for a draw even if it looks drawn... 51...c3 52.e2 e7 ( 52...e1 53.f4 c3 54.g4 e1 55.d3 f2 56.b1 e1 57.c2 f2 58.b4 cxb4 59.f4 c5 60.e4 g5 61.d5 g1 62.c5 b3 63.xb3 xf5 64.d6 h2+ 65.d7 , and White wins) 53.f4 f6 54.g4 d6 55.h5 d8 56.g6 e5 57.d1 f6 58.b4 cxb4 59.c5 e7 60.c6 d6 61.f6 f8 62.f3 b3 63.e4 e6 64.f7 e7 65.h7 b2 66.g8 h6 67.c7 d7 68.f8 xf8 69.xf8 xc7 70.e7 , and White wins ] ½-½
1107 Flores,Di Vallejo Pons,F FIDE World Cup 2013 (1.1) [Gormally/Kosten]
A29 2578 2706 11.08.2013
1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.g2 f6 4.f3 c5 5.0-0 d6 6.c3 0-0 7.d3 This introduces the strategic idea of Bg5, while retaining other options. h6 This is the most common 1101
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 response for Black in this line, a useful move that prevents the irritating Bg5 W hite now goes for queenside expansion. [ 7...a6 8.a3 d4 Black chooses a different mode of play, but it's less successful 9.e1! c6 10.e3 f5 11.f3 a7 12.b4 e8 13.b2 b8 ( 13...d5! is better, as seen in another Gulko game, against Cramling in the Archive.) 14.c1 A very typical way of playing the English. Rather than committing his forces too early, White simply goes for slow expansion.. perhaps Black will lose patience and try to lash out, creating a weakness that can be exploited? A) The pseudo-active central push 14...d5 is not very effective either- 15.cxd5 cxd5 16.a4! d4 ( 16...e4 ) 17.e4 d6 18.c5 where Black is somewhat cramped.; B) 14...b5 15.c5! The whole strategic idea of the English is put into action- you exchange your wing pawn for a central one! B1) 15...d5 16.e4! ( or 16.e2! are both good ); B2) 15...dxc5 16.e4 cxb4 17.xe5 ( White would surely regain the pawn after 17.axb4 as both c6 and e5 are hanging, but he is punting f or more) 17...bxa3 18.a1 xe4 19.xe4 g5 20.xc6 b7 21.xa7 xa7 22.c5! f6 23.c2 e6 24.xf5 xf5 25.e4 After creative middlegame play, White has made decisive material gains g6 26.xf5 f7 27.c3 a2 28.d5 b7 29.a3 b4 30.xa2 b5 31.xa6 1-0 Gulko, B (2580)-Sadler, M (2665)/ Luzern 1997. ] 8.a3 a6 9.b4 a7 10.b2 [ 10.e3 e6 11.h3 d7 12.h2 e7 13.e2 g6 Everything is now set fair for Black to expand in the center with ..c6 and .. d5, or even the immediate ..d5. Realising this, White elects to lash out in the center himself.. 14.d4 exd4 15.xd4 ( 15.exd4 d5! 16.c5 c6 followed in short order by Ra e 8 , a n d B b 8 , give s B la ck ve ry go o d counterplay. The idea of re-routing th e bishop from the a7-g1 diagonal, to the b8-h2 one, is a typical idea in this line.) 15...xd4 16.exd4 ae8 17.e3 d5 18.c5 e4!
gave Black very good counterplay, and he went on to win in Valiente, C (2275)-Hellsten, J (2534) Santiago de Chile 2007 ] 10...e6 [ 10...b8 is Perez Fungueiro-Hamdouchi, by John Watson in the Archive. ] 11.c1 d7 Black unpretentiously develops all his pieces on natural squares. That's what I like about this line, it's very easy to play. 12.e3 g4!? A really novel idea in a position where Black has already tried a lot of alternatives. [ 12...h3 is the most common, 13.d4 xg2 14.xg2 exd4 15.exd4 ( 15.d5!? e4 16.exd4 fe8 17.d3 looks better, Eckert, D (2247)-Kavutskiy, K (2301)/Saint Louis 2012. ) 15...ae8 16.d3 White doesn't have much, Marin, M (2601) -Jerez Perez, A (2405)/Andorra 2001. ] [ 12...e7 13.e1 g6 14.d4 ad8 15.dxe5 dxe5 16.xd7 xd7 17.c5 wi t h a s l i g h t e d g e , N a va r a , D ( 2 7 3 1 ) Movsesian, S (2723)/Pardubice 2010. ] 13.d5 Simply defending e3. [ 13.h3!? i s o b v i o u s l y m e t b y xe3 ( 13...f6 14.h2 ) 14.fxe3 xe3+ 15.h2 xc1 16.xc1 with unclear play, although I don't think I would be too unhappy with White here, the rooks have no open files. ] 13...xd5!? [ 13...e7 is more solid, 14.xe7+ xe7 15.e1 ] 14.cxd5 e7 15.d4 I'm not so sure about th is, W h it e sh u t s o ut t h e a 7 -b ish o p , b u t doesn't do much for his own one on b2. [ 15.d2 would definitely be my choice, heading f or c4 while defending d5. The question is whether Black can play xe3 16.fxe3 xe3 garnering rook and two p a w n s f o r t w o p i e c e s , 17.b3 xf1 18.xf1 g6 ( 18...ae8 19.c4 ) 19.d4 not too clear. ] [ 15.e4 f5 16.e2 is another possibility, although I don't like o pening t he g1-a 7 diagonal. ] 15...e4 16.d2 f5 17.b3 f6 18.f3 exf3 19.xf3!? Tempting Black into some interesting complications. [ 19.xf3 would defend d5 directly. ] 19...fxd5 20.g4! h8 The knight must be unpinned. 1102
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 20...fxg4?? 21.xf8+ xf8 22.xd5+ ] 21.gxf5 xf5 22.g3 [ 22.h3! first is also possible, and may be stronger, g5+ 23.h1 e8 24.e4 f6 25.xc7 regaining the pawn, although after g6 it's a bit of a mess, e.g. 26.f1 xe4 27.xe4 xe4+ 28.f3 xf3+ 29.xf3 c6 30.c8! xd4 31.xd4 xd4 32.f8+ h7 33.f5+ xf5 34.xa8 d4 with fair drawing chances. ] 22...af8! Offering the exchange, [ 22...f6 23.xb7 ( 23.h3 d5 ) 23...f8 24.xa6 h5 25.d3 f5 26.xf5 xf5 27.c2 c5! was also reasonable. ] 23.h3 e8 24.e4 [ 24.xf5 xf5 25.f3 ( 25.xd5? xg3 26.hxg3 xe3+ winning. ) 25...fxe3 26.xf8+ xf8 27.d3 c6 with more than enough for the exchange. ] 24...f2 25.f3 xb2 26.xb2 f6 After a fairly forced series of moves Black might be slightly better - both d4 and e4 are under pressure. 27.g2? A mistake, in time trouble no doubt. [ 27.xc7 xe4 28.e2 g6 ( 28...xg3 29.hxg3 c6 30.xe8 xe8 31.xb7 xd4+ 32.xd4 xd4 33.b6 regains the pawn with a plus.) 29.xb7 c6! 30.xg6 ( 30.xa7? f4 31.d1 xg3 32.hxg3 xh3+ with advantage.) 30...xb7 31.e3! and the game goes on! ] 27...xe4 28.g4 f6 29.g3?! f5 Now White is quite lost. 30.h3 g4 [ 30...e3+ 31.h1 e4 32.f1 xd4 was more precise. ] 31.d2 g6 32.xc7? [ 32.h4 xh4 33.xh4 ] 32...xd4! 33.h1 [ 33.xd4 xd4+ 34.xd4 b1+ leads to mate. ] 33...xf3 34.xf3 xf3 [ 34...xf3 35.xf3 f2+ is horrible. ] 0-1
1108 Gelfand,Boris Svidler,Peter Cat. 19 Dos Hermanas ESP (8) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2691 2713 16.04.1999
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.b3 The most popular move, with a number of objectives: attacking the b4-bishop whilst avoiding the doubling of the white pawns, and c o n t r o l l i n g d 5 . c5 8.0-0 0-0 9.d3 Gelfand recently revived the old idea [ 9.a4!? with e7 10.d1 d6 11.c3 d7!? Black prefer to keep d6 solidly defended, the previous move was ( 11...c6 12.d4 c7 but White has an edge.) 12.d4 f6 'Strongpoint philosophy'. 13.dxe5 xe5 14.e3 f6 15.c5 with a plus, Gelfand,BTimman, J/Wijk 1998. ] 9...h6 10.d2!? Perhaps not overly useful, [ 10.g2 e8 11.h3 c6 12.h2 is the other, better, possibility. ] 10...e8 11.g2 c6 Black always plays for an eventual ...d5 in this line. 12.ac1 b6 13.a4!? White has to move his queen again if he wants to play on the queenside with b4. d6 White was still controlling d5, indirectly, as [ 13...d5? loses a pawn to 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.xd5 xd5 16.xd5 and the bishop cannot be captured because of the hanging e8-rook. ] 14.b4 e6 15.b5 A structure typical of the English, Black is ready to play ...d5, just as W hite is trying to undermine Black's light squares. d5! Just in time, [ 15...cxb5?! 16.xb5 would concede d5 to White. ] 16.bxc6 bxc6 17.cxd5 White has to allow Black to set-up his centre, for he is worse after [ 17.xc6 c8 18.a4 dxc4 ] 17...cxd5 Black's opening has been a complete success. 18.a3 Planning Na4-c5. b8 19.a4 a5! 20.c3 d4! 21.xa5 xa5 22.c5 a6 Keeping the a4-knight pinned, it will never reach its destination. 23.c6 b6! Keeping up the pressure on the o f f s i d e k n i g h t . 24.xb6 axb6 25.b4 E ls e B l a ck wo u ld wi n t h e a 4 - kn ig h t . c8 26.a3 c2 Black has infiltrated the c-file, and his advantage is beginning to look 1103
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 consequent. 27.e1 d7 28.f4 White tries to break-up the black centre. b5 29.b2 It is clear that things have gone very wrong for White if he has to put his knight on such a square. c3! Black has decided that the simplest plan is to take the a-pawn, and then queen his passed b-pawn. 30.fxe5 b3 31.xd4 xa3 32.d1 The black centre has completely disintegrated, but the important factor is the b-pawn. b1 33.f1 a4 The point of Black's clever play, to save his knight White has to exchange queens and this p u t s t h e b l a c k p a wn e ve n f u r t h e r o u t o f W hite's reach. 34.xa4 bxa4 The a-pawn will cost a piece. 35.c3 xf1+ 36.xf1 a3 37.d4 b6 Black is i n no rush, he can win the knight when he wants, but wants to assure that he will be winning the ensuing position, with piece against two pawns. 38.e1 a2 39.xa2 xa2 40.d2 f8 If the white epawns were not doubled, he might have some drawing chances, but this position is very difficult. 41.e4 c4+ 42.d3 e7 43.f3 d7 44.c3 b6 45.d5 e7 46.d4 d7 47.g4 b3 White seems to have made the most progress. 48.h3 f8 49.g4 a4 Black doesn't want to touch his pawns because every pawn exchanged will favour White, but how to make progress otherwise? 50.e2 d7 51.h4 h3 52.b5 g4 53.c4 g6 54.b3 Black has placed his pieces on their ideal squares. f6 55.e6 Difficult to resist such a passed pawn, but [ 55.exf6+ must offer some prospects, although if Black can force his king to e5, and knight to d6, he will inevitably win. xf6 ] 55...d6 56.c2 e5 57.e3 c5 58.a4 Threatening d7, winning. g6 59.b3 d6 60.d4 f5 Exchanging the support of the d5pawn. 61.e7 xe7 62.e5 Creating two connected passed pawns, but at a cost. f4 63.gxf4 xf4 64.c5?! g6 Winning another pawn. 65.e6 xh4 66.d6+ The pawns progress, but the extra black piece i s n o t f a r a w a y . d8 67.e7+ e8 It is still possible to lose, by [ 67...d7?? 68.f7 and Black gets mated! ] 68.c2 d7 69.d1 g6 Careful defence. 70.d5 f5 71.e5 h5 72.f6 xd6
73.xg6 g4 Killing White's last hope- of taking the last black pawn. 74.c2 xe7 75.g5 f7+ 76.h4 f6 77.a4 d6 0-1
1109 Gelfand,Boris Vachier Lagrave,Maxime World Cup Khanty Mansiysk RUS (4.3) [Nigel Davies]
A29 2758 2718
Gelfand and Vachier Lagrave had something of a theoretical duel in this 4... Nd4 line. Given that Gelfand switched to 4.a3 I'd score this duel as having been won by Black. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 This is a tough move to break down. The best winning chance may be to take that pawn on e5. 5.g2 [ 5.xe5 e7 6.f4 d6 7.d3 f5 8.f2! was Bauer, C (2599)-Dorfman, J (2586), Besancon BRA 2006, which was covered by Carsten Hansen when he was running this section. Of course not every English Opening player is up for this kind of mayhem... ] 5...xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.b3 c5 8.d3 c6 [ The nonchalant 8...0-0 is also possible as in Vitiugov - Grischuk. ] 9.0-0 0-0 10.d2 h6 11.a4 [ In the previous game in which he had White Gelf and played 11.g2 a f t e r wh i c h b6 12.a4 c7 13.c5 d5 14.cxd6 xd6 15.b4 e6 16.a3 xb4 17.xb4 b8 18.c5 e8 19.xe6 xe6 left him with little advantage to speak of and the game was soon agreed drawn (Gelfand, B (2758) Vachier Lagrave, M (2718)/Khanty-Mansiysk RUS 2009). And after coming close to losing this game he switched to the anti-theoretical 4.a3, winning that one rather easily! ] 11...e7 12.g2 d6 13.c3 c7 14.ac1 e8 15.f4 White is getting some space with this but at the same time it leaves him a bit loose. exf4 16.gxf4 a5 17.e3 h5 18.d1 [ 18.f3!? was interesting. ] 18...g4 19.e1 d5 20.cxd5 cxd5 21.b5 e2 [ 21...ac8 22.xc8 xc8 23.d4 1104
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 would allow White to get well entrenched, so Black sacrifices the exchange for a pawn and the initiative. ] 22.c7 xd3 23.xe8 xe8 24.f3 e4 25.b4 f6 26.d1 b5 27.h3 This allows Black to recover the sacrificed exchange, but Gelfand then bails out into a tenable endgame. xd1+ 28.xd1 d7 29.h5 g4 30.hxd5 xd1 31.xd1 xb2 32.f1 b6 33.e2 a5 34.e1 a3 35.d4 d6 36.d3 c5 37.c3 h7 38.c6 e7 39.f3 f5 40.h4 g6 41.d5 e4 42.e5 f6 43.xf6 So White gets opposite colour bishops and with 44.a4 blocks Black's queenside pawns. A draw is very much on the cards. xf6 44.a4 g5 45.hxg5+ hxg5 46.fxg5+ xg5 47.e4 fxe4+ 48.xe4 f7+ 49.g3 f2+ 50.g2 f4 51.c6 c5 ½-½
1110 Georgiev,Kiril Akopian,Vladimir FIDE WCh KO Las Vegas USA (4.1) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2650 2646 09.08.99
1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.f3 f6 4.g3 g6 5.d4 exd4 6.xd4 g7 7.g2 0-0 8.0-0 e8 9.xc6 Not thought to offer White too much, [ 9.c2 is commonly preferred. ] 9...dxc6 10.f4 e7 11.c1!? In Tukmakov, V-Romanishin,O/ Erevan 1980, White played the more obvious [ 11.e4 although after the further g4 12.c2 c5?! 13.h3 e5 14.b3 e7 15.e3 f6 16.ac1 f3+ 17.h1 g5 the position was unclear. ] 11...c5 12.b3 h5 13.e4 [ 13.xc7?! i s d a n g e r o u s , a f t e r h3 14.xh3 xh3 15.f3 h5 White is in trouble. ] 13...h3 14.f3 ad8!? Provoking wild complications, [ 14...xg2 15.xg2 a5 was quite reasonable. ] 15.e5! xg2?! After this Black has great difficulty avoiding the loss of his queen, which is short of squares. [ A l t h o u g h a f t e r 15...d7!? 16.g4
forces Black to sacrifice his bishop by xg4 17.fxg4 xg4 , the outcome is far from clear. ] 16.xg2 g5!? If [ 16...d7?? then 17.g4 h4 18.g5 would be embarrassing. ] 17.exf6 xf6 18.g4? [ 18.xc7! is better, why drive the black queen to a better square? d3 19.e4 xa1 20.xa1 and the threat of Nf6+ will oblige Black to play xe4 which certainly looks winning for White. ] 18...g6 19.g3 [ 19.xc7 is no longer so effective: d3 20.e4? xe4! 21.fxe4 xe4+ is winning for Black. Such a slight difference in the p o s i t i o n , c a n , i n r e a l i t y, b e a wo r l d o f difference! ] 19...d3 Now, after [ 19...d3 White has the resource 20.e1! xe1 21.xe1 ] 20.d1?! [ 20.xc7 merited consideration. ] 20...xa1 21.f2 e2 22.xa1 The dust has settled, and White has two pieces for rook a n d p a wn , a r e a s o n a b l e e xc h a n g e . e6 23.b1 h6 24.xc7 d2 Black has lost his c7-pawn, but is very active. 25.a4 b2 26.f5 xb3 27.d1 b2 28.d8+ e8 29.xe8+ xe8 30.e5 White has eased his position by exchanging a pair of rooks. Now, if he had time to bring his knight to e4, Black would soon be mated. e2 31.d4 e6 32.xe6 [ 32.a5 appears more aggressive. ] 32...fxe6 33.xa7 a2 34.c5 xa4 35.b6 f7 36.e4 White may seem to have gained the upper hand, but rooks are very useful pieces in the endgame. e5 37.d6+ e6 38.f5?! Inaccurate, although after the better [ 38.xb7 e4!? gains useful activity. ] 38...a2+ 39.g3 a3 Threatening ...e4. 40.g2 a2+ 41.g3 a3 42.d6 d5 Black is now fine. 43.e4 d4 44.c7 Attempting to return the bishop to the fray. a1 45.f2 a2+ 46.g3 a1 47.h3 e3! Conceding the e5-pawn, but gaining the f3pawn, and even more activity. 48.xe5 f1 49.g2 xf3 50.d6 f2+ 51.g3 f3+ 52.g2 f2+ 53.g3 f3+ 54.g2 ½-½ 1105
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 1111 Georgiev,Kiril Gurevich,Mikhail TCh Mulhouse FRA (7) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2676 2694 01.04.2001
1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.c3 b6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 The main line. 8.a3 0-0 9.b4 e6 10.b1 [ An interesting finesse, White delays 10.d3 when a5 follows, but play will transpose anyway. ] 10...f6 11.d3 a5 12.b5 d4 13.d2 c8!? [ Defending b7, whilst avoiding any w e a k e n i n g o f t h e q u e e n s i d e . 13...c6 and other possibilities here, are discussed in the archives. ] 14.e3 f5 15.a4!? [ Georgiev's improvement over 15.c2 d8 16.d1 a4 17.ce4 d7 18.c5 xc5 19.xc5 d6 in a previous game against Gurevich,M, at Niksic 1996, when Black is at least equal. By playing a4 before Black does, White concedes the b4-square, but does not have to worry about having Black target his a3-pawn. ] 15...d8 16.c2 b8 17.d1 c6!? So, Black f eels he h as to play this move anyway, in order to gain some space. 18.bxc6 bxc6 19.ce4 d5 20.b3!? [ White refuses the pawn sac, 20.xb8 xb8 21.xc6 f7 gives Black free play. ] 20...b4 21.e2 c5 Black uses his isolated c-pawn to stop the d3-pawn from advancing. 22.d2!? White provokes complications, r e l y i n g o n h i s s o u n d e r s t r u c t u r e . xd3 23.xa5 d7 24.dc1 a3 25.xc5 xa4 [ Obviously not 25...xc5? 26.xc5 e7 27.xb4 winning. ] 26.e1! Forced, but good. xc5? [ B l a c k s l i p s - u p , 26...a6 held the equilibrium. ] 27.xc5 xa5 28.xe6 Black has temporarily won the exchange, but the double pin on the b4-knight will cost material. a4 29.c6 a2 30.xb4 b6 31.d5 The white pieces dominate. a5 32.c5+ h8 33.d7 a7 34.xa5 A rout! 1-0
1112 Georgiev,Vladimir Dzagnidze,Nana 5th Open Istanbul TUR (9) [John Watson]
A29 2518 2437 07.09.2006
Another Reversed Dragon, but this time with b 3 i n st e a d o f a 3 a n d b 4 . W h it e t ri e s a n enterprising sacrifice of the Exchange, and although the result is some sort of equality, Black wins in the complications. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.g2 b6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 8.d3 e6 9.b3 A plausible alternative to the lines with a3 and b4. d7 [ The surprising move 9...g5!? has been played, with the idea ...g4 and ...h5-h4. White should probably strike back by 10.d4! , when it's not clear who stands better. ] 10.b2 0-0 11.c1 [ A better try is 11.e4! ( h i t t i n g e 5 ) f5 ( 11...f6 12.d4!? ) 12.eg5 ] 11...f5!? [ 11...f6 is safe and sound. This is where White benefits from a3 and b4, in that he can disturb Black's queenside. ] 12.d2 h6 13.b1 White is considering the direct Rxc6! Another approach is [ 13.e3 f4! ( 13...d6 14.h4!? ) 14.gxf4 exf4 15.e4 f5= ] [ And unimpressive is 13.e3 ad8 14.fd1 f4! ] 13...f6 14.xc6!? xc6 15.xe5 d6 16.g6 f7 17.xb7 e8 18.f3 The material is about equal. Except for his awkwardly-placed kingside pieces W hit e would stand better. But they make a difference: xb2 19.xb2 d7 20.h5 f6 21.f4 g6 22.f3 g5 23.h5 f7 24.c1 c5 25.c3 [ 25.c2 c6 26.xc6 xc6 and ..Qg6 will be a problem for White. Taken as a whole, one can say that this opening resulted in complex, dynamic play, and the chances appear more-or-less nearly equal. ] 25...c6 26.xc6 xc6 27.h3 [ 27.e4! is much better. ] 27...d7 28.g4? f6! 29.g3 [ The f-file is too much of a problem following 29.xf6+ xf6 30.e3 ( 30.f1? fxg4 31.hxg4 d4 ) 30...fxg4 31.hxg4 ef8 ] 1106
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 29...fxg4 30.hxg4 xg4 31.ce4 e6 32.f3 f6 [ 32...e3! ] 33.xc5 xe4 34.dxe4?? [ 34.xe4 g4 keeps the initiative, but at least Black's king is airy as well. ] 34...d6 Ending the game with a double attack. 35.c3 xg3+ 36.f1 ef8 37.c4 h7 38.f5 xf5 39.exf5 h3+ 0-1
1113 Gormally,D Gretarsson,H Scottish championships (5) [Daniel Gormally]
A29 2496 2511 10.07.2013
Having got to 3.5/4 in the Scottish with a nice wi n a g a i n s t M a r k H e b d e n , I wa s p a i r e d against the rising Icelandic superstar, Gretarsson. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 This seems like a very good way to play for Black. 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 [ While 6..Bb4 is by far the more preferred c h o i c e f o r B l a c k p l a y e r s , 6...c5 I s ve ry p la ya b le a s we ll . 7.e3 ( 7.d3 Of course is also possible, Black usually re s p o n d s wi t h h6 like in the ..Bb4 line) 7...0-0 8.0-0 d6 9.a3 c6 10.d4 b6 11.b4 e6 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.e2 e7 14.b2 ad8 15.fe1!? Some may question the validity of this move. W hat the hell is the Rook going to do on e1?? But Loek is not a supergrandmaster for nothing- such players tend to have incredibly deep insights into the position. By putting the rook here he avoids exchanges down the d-file, and he also over-protects the queen on e2- a point which will only become apparent later. c7 16.ac1 f5 17.e4 e6 18.d1 d7 19.e3 d3 20.c5 xe2 21.xe2!! W e can see with this Re1 move Loek is really Nostradamus! If he had to take back with the bishop, he would have dropped the e-pawn. Now everything is ok in W hite's world, but still he doesn't have much- Black has control over the d-file. d3 22.c3 h5 23.ee1 fd8 24.g2 g6 25.h4 3d7 26.f3 e8 27.f1 a6 28.a4 a8 29.c4 xc4 30.xc4 f8 31.b1 White has a
nice edge, but Black later defended well and the game ended in a draw in the game Van Wely, L (2652)-Sargissian, G (2676) Linares 2009 ] 7.0-0 [ I t i s m y b e l i e f t h a t t h e m o v e 7.d4! is most testing for Black here. W hite immediately puts the question to Black in the center. After all he has lost some time wit h t h is Nd 4 xf 3 m a n o e u vre , so W h it e should play as dynamically as possible to take advantage of this. xc3+ 8.bxc3 e4 9.g2 h6 10.c2 ( 10.c5!? 0-0 11.c4 b6 12.0-0 e8 13.a4 bxc5 14.dxc5 is more pleasant for W hite, Romanov, E (2625)-Caruana, F (2767)/Sochi 2012.) 10...0-0 11.0-0! In my view, is a serious try t o p r o v e a W h i t e e d g e . ( 11.xe4 White is still very slightly better after this, and you may ask why not take a pawn, but the problem is that the absence of the lightsquared bishop makes the White king more vulnerable, which gives Black sufficient counterplay. xe4 12.xe4 e8 13.f3 e7 see Jobava, B-Aronian, L in the PGN Archive. ) 11...b6 ( 11...e8 12.f3 e7 13.fxe4 xe4 14.f4 f6 15.d2 d6 16.e1 And White is ready to motor with e4 ) 12.f3! exf3 13.xf3 b8 14.e4 d6 15.f4 Looks quite nice for White ] [ 7.b3 Is by far the main-line, but in my (admittedly controversial view) this line is a bit insipid. Black generally tends to e q u a l i s e wi t h o u t m u c h e f f o r t , b u t s e e Williams-Van Kampen in this update. ] 7...0-0 8.d4 I was unfamiliar with the theory of this line at the time (what's new!) and played what I thought was the most natural move in the position! [ 8.b3 Would transpose back into the main line after c5 9.d3 h6 ] 8...xc3 9.bxc3 e7?! [ 9...e4 10.g2 h6 11.c2 Was this line we already discussed, where I believe that White's chances are preferable. However I still feel this was a better choice than the one played in the game, as I had a chance to get a opening advantage. ] 10.dxe5 xe5 11.d4! d6 12.b1? I spent some time here trying to find the right path, as my gut told me W hite should be 1107
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 better here, but still failed to find the correct solution. Later on I discussed this position with Mark Hebden, and even blindfold he was able to point out the right idea[ 12.f4! I saw this but could see no way f orward af ter a5 but now the star move, found by Mark, 13.fb1! A move that didn't even occur to me! Not only does White not have to worry anymore about the a2 pawn hanging, he also handily prevents any Bh3 moves coming with tempo. The old master still has it! b8 14.b5 a4 15.g5 ( or 15.h6! ) 15...e8 16.c5 xd4 17.cxd4 h6 18.h5 with an endgame edge. ] 12...e8 13.b5 xd4 14.cxd4 e4! I started to get worried here, as I could see he had visions of playing ..b6 followed by Ba6, where the game would have 0-1 written all over it, so I decided I better get on with things.. 15.c5 c6 [ 15...c3 16.b2 d5 17.c2 e4 18.c6! b6 19.f4 looks good for White. ] 16.a5 dxc5 17.dxc5 f5?! [ I was surprised he didn't avail himself of the chance to play 17...h3! which would have "punished" White for moving the wrong rook earlier. I would then have a difficult choice between playing Bg2, or leaving the bishop on h3, giving Black some useful backrank tricks. 18.e1 a6 followed by Rad8, and I don't see any problems for Black. ] 18.e3 h6 19.c1 f6?! 20.d4 d7 21.a3 e4 22.xe4 xe4 23.e3! I now felt very happy, as it was clear I could push for a win without any risk. It is clear that Black is going to be on the defensive over the next few moves, as I can tie him down to the defense of the weakling b-pawn. e7 24.b1 f8 25.ab3 b6 [ I think it now started to dawn on Hjorvar t h a t p a s s i v e d e f e n c e w i t h 25...b8 was not holding on- 26.a4! f6 ( 26...e6 27.e5+- ) 27.a5! a6 28.b6! And a pawn inevitably drops. ] 26.cxb6 axb6 27.xb6 e6 [ Other tries do not really help either 27...xa2 28.b8! f6 29.c5 f7 30.d8 c2 31.d6 And Black will drop a piece. ] [ during the game I thought his best try was 27...ee8 covering the back rank and getting ready to take the a2 pawn. However as
"Horvie", as he is affectionately known, pointed out, White can then just win with the simple 28.a1! e6 29.a4 xd4 30.exd4 e4 31.a5 xd4 32.a6 d7 33.xc6 And the extra a-pawn should ultimately be decisive, even if there are some technical problems to solve. ] 28.b8+ e8 29.a7! Forcing transition into a w i n n i n g B i s h o p v K n i g h t e n d i n g . f8 30.xa8 xa8 31.b8+ xb8 32.xb8 e7 33.f1 d7 34.e2 c5 [ Black has very little hope of saving this ending, as the outside passed pawn greatly favours White as well as the extra pawn: for example 34...c5 35.f3 a4 36.d3 c5 37.e4+- ] 35.d3 c6 36.a4 b6 37.c4 g5 38.d5 a5 39.h4 h3 40.xc5 I saw a chance to remove his passed pawn, and march my king into his pawns, wiping out his kingside, rather like packman in the video game, where he eats all the ghosts. [ 40.f4 f2 41.d6 c4 42.xc4 e4 43.c7+ xa4 44.f5 was also sufficient. ] 40...xf2 41.d6 g4 He simply cannot remove enough pawns on the kingside to make a draw. [ for example, 41...g5 42.h5 xa4 43.e7 f5 44.e6 g4 45.xf5 xe3+ 46.g6 g4 47.d6! and the bishop comes around to f8, where it's curtains. ] 42.a7?! [ 42.e4! f6 43.e5 e4+ 44.e7 xg3 45.xf7 was simplest. ] 42...h5 [ 42...xa4 43.e7 f6 44.f7 g5 45.h5 b3 46.g6 c2 47.f5 f2 48.xf6 and the h-pawn is dropping. ] 43.e7 h6 44.e4! f6 45.f8 g5 Now I calculated it to a finish. 46.hxg5 [ 46.g7 g4 47.g6 xa4 48.xh5 was easily winning of course, but I wanted to force immediate resignation. ] 46...fxg5 47.e5 h4 48.e6 g4 [ 48...f5 49.g4! h3 50.g1 was my idea, and the e-pawn romps through ] [ 48...h3 49.e7 h2 50.e8 h1 51.b5# was a nice variation. ] 49.d4 his knight is controlled, so finally he resigned. 1-0 1108
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 36.h3 f5 37.d8+ f7 38.g4 e6 [ And not 38...xe3+?! because of 39.f3 .] 39.f2 e7 40.a8 b6 41.a7+ d7 42.g3 d5 43.h4 f7 44.g5 h5 45.a8 d1 46.a7 h6 47.g6 Marking out the g7 Knowing Grand a's distaste f or extensive pawn as a target. h5 48.e4 c2 49.f3 opening preparation I guess his 14th move d1+ 50.e3 exf4+ 51.xf4 g4 52.e3 was more a case of inspiration rather than d6 53.f2 c5?! [ 53...f5 54.exf5 xf5 was a better try. Now perspiration. But he should probably have the g7 pawn becomes a real problem. ] settled for 16.bxc6 rather than his overly inventive 16.Nc4. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 54.e3 b6 55.a8 e5 56.g8 xg6 c6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 57.xg7 xh4 58.f7 f5 59.exf5 xf5+ 7.d3 e7 8.a3 e6 9.b4 a5 10.b5 d4 60.f4 This endgame is drawn. d4 61.h7 e6+ 62.g3 d4 63.f4 c5 64.g5 11.0-0 0-0 12.b2 f6 13.d2 d7 14.a4 [ Declining the offered pawn, though this f3+ 65.g6 e5+ 66.g5 f3+ 67.g6 leaves White with less than nothing. After h4 68.xh4 xh4+ 69.g5 f3+ 70.xg4 14.xb7 ab8 15.g2 ( 15.a6 ½-½ would leave White's bishop out of play and t h e l ig h t s qu a r e s a ro u n d h i s ki n g ve r y A29 vu lne rab le .) 15...xb5 16.xb5 xb5 1115 17.c2 c5 recovered the pawn with a Gretarsson,Helgi Ass 2516 comfortable game in Smetankin, S (2486) Bacrot,Etienne 2671 Mikhalevski, V (2566), Schaumburg USA Hrokurinn Reykjavik ISL (7) 25.02.2003 2006. ] [Tony Kosten] 14...c6 15.e3 f5 16.c4 [ 16.bxc6 bxc6 17.e2 was probably best, Taking Etienne Bacrot on in a theoretical though after ab8 the position is hardly very battle involving his pet line against the English promising for White. But Granda's attempt to is always a risky affair! 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 s h o w h e h a s s o m e t h i n g l e a v e s h i m 3.f3 c6 4.g3 g6 5.g2 g7 6.0-0 0-0 struggling to draw. ] 7.d4 exd4 8.xd4 e8 9.c2 16...xc4 17.dxc4 d6 18.c5 c4 We have already looked at 19.xd7 xd7 20.d5!? xc5 [ 9.xc6 dxc6 in Georgiev,K-Akopian,V/Las [ And not 20...cxd5 21.xd5+ h8 22.xc4 Vegas USA 1999. ] when W hite gets his piece back with the 9...d6 10.e4 e5!? 11.b3 c6 12.a3 d5! better endgame. ] The young French champion is known for the 21.fc1 xb2 high level of his preparation, and is the first to [ Here too Black could have gone wrong with spring a novelty. As we saw a little while ago, 21...cxb5 a f t e r w h i c h 22.axb5 xb5 he was horribly crushed following ( 22...xb2 23.xc5 would leave White with [ 12...fd7 13.e2 c5 14.ad1 more than enough for the pawn) 23.c7 in Ma la kh o v, V -B a cr o t , E / Ha lk id ik i G R E ac8 24.xb5 xb2 25.xb7 would win 2002. ] material. ] 13.f4!? Black's pawn sac attempts to exploit 22.bxc6 bxc6 23.xc5 cxd5 24.xd5+ the temporary looseness of the white pieces, h8 25.xa8 xa8 26.b1 xa4 27.xa5 and weakness of the long a1-h8 diagonal, So White eliminates the last queenside pawn patrolled by the 'King's Indian bishop', and which certainly increases his drawing chances. White's reply risks further weakening his dark But make no mistake, the best he can hope squares. Nevertheless, there was nothing for is survival. c8 28.a7 f5 29.a1 c3 better: 30.a8 g8 31.f4 g4 32.1a3 e4 [ 13.exd5 seems the simplest, although after 33.g2 d2 34.xg8+ xg8 35.d3 c4 g4! 14.f3 f5 15.d4 d3 16.f2 cxd5 1114 Granda Zuniga,Julio E Georgiev,Kiril XIX Magistral (9) [Nigel Davies]
A29 2640 2672 29.12.2009
1109
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Black is doing very well, so instead ] [ 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.xd5 might be safest, when g4 15.f3 xd5 16.xd5 b6+ 17.c5 c7 18.d6 xc2 is unclear ( and 18...b6+ draws )] 13...g4 14.d2 f3+! 15.xf3 xf3 16.e5 The point of Black's play is that [ 16.xf3!? xe4 17.xe4 dxe4 hits d2, a1 and f3 simultaneously, 18.xd8 axd8 19.ff1 xa1 20.xa1 d2 21.e3 ed8 gains control of the open d-file and infiltrates the second rank. ] 16...e4 17.e3 g4 18.xe4 dxe4 19.xe4 f6 20.e3?! As we often note on ChessPublishing.com, the surprise effect of a new move often unbalances even the best of players, and after having reacted well, White cracks. [ 20.b2 f5 21.g2 fxe5 22.fxe5 xe5 23.xe5 xe5 seems fairly level. ] 20...e2! 21.f2 fxe5! Now White is in trouble. 22.c1 [ 22.xe2? exf4 23.xf4 xa1 wins. ] 22...d3 The bishop has made a very unusual manoeuvre in the heart of the white camp. 23.f3 a5 24.d6 e4 25.d1 ad8 W hit e h as m ana ged to just h ang-on, bu t Black's bishop pair, and greater activity are hard to contain. 26.c5 d4 27.e1 xe1+ 28.xe1 b6 Undermining the white bishop. 29.c7 c8 30.cxb6 axb6 31.d6 c5 32.f5 b5 Black gets ready to add a passed cpawn to his other advantages. 33.fxg6 hxg6 34.f4 c4 35.bxc4 bxc4 36.a4 c3 37.g2 f8 38.a2 xf4 The simplest. 39.gxf4 xe3 40.xe3 c2 The c-pawn will cost White a rook, this game was powerfully played by Black. 0-1
1116 Gulko,Boris F Charbonneau,Pascal Montreal Empresa-A (2) [Carsten Hansen]
A29 2570 2501 09.08.2006
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 c5 7.0-0 0-0 8.a4 e7 9.d4 d6 10.g2 [ 10.c3 e8 11.b3 c6 12.d5 c5 13.e4
h3 14.g2 d7 15.f3 a6 ( 15...d8!? ) 16.a4 d8 17.a5 b8 ( 17...h5!? ) 18.f2 xg2 19.xg2 g6 20.e3 h5 21.a4 Kimmelfeld, R-Shabanov, Y/Briansk 1975 ] [ 10.e1 b8 ( 10...c6!? ) 11.c3 e6 12.b3 c6 13.b2 g4 14.d5 d7 15.e4 f6 16.d2 c5 17.a4 Moreland, HRodger, P/corr 1986 ] 10...c6 11.c3 a5 [ 11...g4!? 12.d3 d7 deserves attention, although 13.d5 c5 14.c2 still seems preferable for White to me ] [ 11...b6 12.d5 f5 13.b3 xb3 14.axb3 ] 12.d5!? cxd5 13.xd5 xd5 14.xd5! c7 15.b3 b8 16.e3 [ 16.d3 e6 17.a4 is also worth a thought ] 16...e6 17.d2 b5!? [ Black pursues the counterplay very actively and sacrifices a pawn to activate his pieces. After the more solid 17...b6?! , White will play 18.a4 d7 19.fd1 , and Black has a pretty depressing position to look at and not much counterchances to go for ] 18.cxb5 d5 [ 18...xb5?! 19.fc1 is worse ] 19.fc1 d7 20.a5 xb5 [ 20...d4!? is also worth a look, e.g. 21.c6 d8 22.xd8 fxd8 23.d2 a3 24.d1 g4!? ( 24...d6 25.e3 bd8 26.a5 c8 27.d2 ) 25.f3 f5 26.f2 b2 27.b4 ( it appears that 27.a5 is less accurate, for instance dc8 28.e4 xa1 29.xa1 e6 30.b1 , and while White's position looks pretty good at the moment, it is less convincing, when Black gradually starts improving on his position, and W hite is unable to do the same: f6 31.e2 g5 32.a3 f7 33.b4 e8 34.c1 xc6 35.bxc6 b6 , and the seams are coming apart in White's position) 27...xa1 28.xa1 d3 29.e4 d7 30.a5 xc6 31.bxc6 dc8 32.c7 b5 33.b4 xa5 34.bxa5 xc7 35.e3 , and Black shouldn't lose. ] 21.xa7 xa7 22.xa7 a3 [ I t h in k t h a t 22...a8!? first is probably a better defence for Black, e.g. 23.e3 a6 , and Black keeps all the pieces on the board and doesn't allow W hite's rook on the seventh rank. ] 1110
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 23.c7 a8 24.e3 [ A n o t h e r i d e a i s 24.e4!? d4 25.f1 , W h i t e a p p e a rs t o h a ve g o o d win n in g chances after a5 26.b6 b2 27.xa5 xa1 28.c5 f6 29.d3 b2 30.b4 , and White should win by exchanging the light-squared bishops, transferring the king to d3, and then starting the advance of the queenside pawns. This may prove an easier way to win than the one chosen by White in the game. c3 31.c4 xc4 32.xc4 f7 33.f1 g6 34.e2 f5 35.d3 ] 24...f8 25.a7 The exchange of a pair of rooks should be to White's advantage xa7 26.xa7 a5 Black's more active pieces and nice central pawns provide him with a bit of co m pe n sa t io n , b ut on ly e no u gh to ma ke White's winning progress slow down. 27.b6 [ My computer gives preference to 27.b8 , but after d4 28.c7 a3 29.xe5 xb3 30.xd4 xa2 31.xa2 xa2 winning this endgame will prove very difficult ] 27...a3 28.e3 d4 29.c1 a7 30.b2 While the conversion of his pawn advantage by no means is easy, W hite is close to a winning advantage at this stage. The rest of the game will be left without annotations. c5 31.c6 c7 32.b5 b4 33.c1 a7 34.a4 h5 35.c2 f6 36.f4 f5 37.c4 d2 38.c1 c3 39.f2 e7 40.a3 b7 41.c5 b1 42.fxe5 fxe5 43.xe5 xa2 44.e7 b6 45.c5 f6+ 46.g2 f5 47.d6 d2 48.d7 a5 49.e6+ h7 50.c4 b1 51.e5 a1 52.xh5+ g6 53.e5 e3 54.h3 f5+ 55.g4 c8 56.e8 b7 57.e6+ 1-0
1117 Gulko,Boris F Cramling,Pia Sigeman & Co, Malmoe (4) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2605 2495 2001
9.e1!? [ Unusual, and ambitious. 9.xd4 xd4 10.c2 c6 is fine for Black, Lippmann,HSchmid,A/ Wuerttemberg 1997, but ] [ 9.d2 is a major alternative: c6 10.b4 a7 11.b2 f5 12.e3 e6 13.f3 h6 offered chances to both sides in Gelfand, BKarpov,A/Sanghi Nagar 1995. ] 9...c6 10.e3 f5 11.f3 Preparing to play d4, and grab the centre. This could also have arisen after 9 Nd2 c6 10 e3, of course. a7 12.b4 [ 12.d4 is conceivable. ] 12...e8 13.b2 d5! [ An innovation, Black plays the most obvious move. In Gulko,B-Sadler,M/4th World Team Ch, Lucerne SUI 1997, Black was crushed after 13...b8 14.c1 b5 15.c5!? dxc5 16.e4 the point e5, c5, and c6 are all exposed, cxb4 17.xe5 bxa3 18.a1 xe4 19.xe4 and now Black should have tried an exchange sac: c5!? ] 14.e4 [ White decides to clarify the central situation immediately, 14.c5!? kept more tension. ] 14...dxe4 [ I would be tempted to hop back into d4 immediately, with 14...d4 myself. ] 15.xe4 d4! Well-judged, Black allows the doubling of her kingside pawns, but it turnsout not to be significant. 16.xd4?! [ This leads nowhere, 16.c5 g4 17.d6 had to be tried. ] 16...xd4 17.xd4 xd4! 18.xf6+ gxf6 19.e1 g4 Black is ready to play ...Rad8 and attack the weak d3-pawn. 20.f3 f5 21.xg4 xg4 [ Not 21...fxg4? 22.e4 ] 22.e3 Black has nothing to fear in the endgame. ½-½
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 c5 5.d3 d6 6.g2 0-0 7.0-0 a6 8.a3 d4!? [ Black seeks immediate exchanges, we have seen 8...h6 9.b4 a7 10.b2 in T imm an , J-K arpo v,A n/ A rn h em (m /5 )/ 1993. ] 1111
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 1118 Gulko,Boris F Hansen,Curt North Sea Cup (1) [Tony Kosten]
A29 e4+ 23.d2 b4+ 24.e2 e4+ 25.d2 2643 xh4 26.f3 b4+ [ 26...b4+ 27.d1 b2+ 28.e2 e8+ 2613 and the king has no place to go. ] 07.07.2000 0-1
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 5.h4!? [ Tryin g to o bt ain mo re t ha n af te r 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 , but the move is not very natural. ] 5...c6 [ Black's typical plan in this line, he wishes to set-up a full centre. 5...g5?! is unnecessarily w e a k e n i n g : 6.f3 xf3+ 7.exf3 c5 8.e2 e7 9.d3 g8 10.h4 h6?! 11.hxg5 hxg5 12.xg5! xg5 13.d5 and Black was in some trouble because of his weak back rank, Botterill,G-Botto/England 1977. ] 6.e3 e6 7.d4?! [ A novelty, but it seems worse than 7.g2 g6 ( 7...b4 8.0-0 0-0 9.d4 exd4 10.exd4 d5 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.b3 a5 13.d1 d8 14.f5 allowed White to bring his offside knight to a strong post, Liberzon,VTatai, S/ Beersheba 1976.) 8.d4 exd4 9.exd4 d5 10.cxd5 cxd5 11.0-0 g7 12.e3 0-0 13.b3 with a slight edge, Huzman,A-Svidler,P/Haifa ISR 2000. ] 7...exd4 8.exd4 d5 9.c5!? [ Ambitious, but if 9.cxd5 Black can now recapture with a piece, xd5 ] 9...b6 10.b4 a5 Thematic, Black must break the white attempt at gaining a queenside space advantage. 11.a4 d7 12.b5 b7! White is unable to consolidate his c5-pawn satisfactorily. 13.a3 [ 13.cxb6 xb6 14.a3 c4 is also favourable to Black. ] 13...bxc5 14.dxc5 dxc5 15.c1 xa4 16.xf8 xf8 17.bxc6?! [ Loses, but 17.xa4 c5 18.g2 d4 is hardly any better, as W hite cannot castle without dropping an exchange. ] 17...xc6 18.xc6 e8 The unfortunate point, the rook is attacked, and a deadly discovered check is also threatened. 19.c1 f4+ 20.d2 [ 20.e2? b2 21.d2 bd3+ wins everything. ] 20...e4 21.gxf4 What else? xf4+ 22.e1
1119 Gulko,Boris F Hector,Jonny Politiken Cup (5) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2643 2509 21.07.2000
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.b3 c5 8.d3 h6 [ As I have mentioned before, this move is more common than the 8...c6 tried there. ] 9.h4!? [ The first novelty! White prepares a kingside pawn advance, thinking that he has good con tro l o ver th e cent re, an d t hat Blac k cannot break-out with ...d5 for a while. 9.0-0 is the common move, 0-0 10.g2 e8 11.h3 c6 12.h2 with fairly equal play, Hansen,C-Westerinen,H/ Reykjavik 1998. ] [ To be exact, 9.g4 was actually played in the Timman game, below, and then h4, although this amounts to the same. ] 9...c6 10.g4 d5!? [ The second novelty in this game! Black offers material for free play. 10...d6 11.g5 hxg5 12.xg5 Azmaiparashvili,Z-Timman,J/ Oviedo 1993, was mentioned in the archives. ] 11.g5!? [ Very risky although taking the pawns by 11.cxd5 xg4 12.xb7 also entails a certain amount of danger, as after ( 12.xg4 xg4 hits f2 ) 12...xf3 13.xc6+ d7 14.exf3 c8 the white pawn structure is a mess. ] 11...hxg5 12.hxg5 xh1+ 13.xh1 g4 14.cxd5 [ The best practical move, as 14.e3? xg5 leaves White on the verge of defeat. ] 14...xf2+ 15.d1 b6 16.c2 The white k i n g i s n o t t h a t b a d l y p l a c e d h e r e . d7 17.dxc6 bxc6 18.d2 e3?! [ Planning to win the g5-pawn, but protecting the c-pawn by 18...c8 is better. ] 1112
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 19.f1 Of course, White hits the f7-pawn. e7 [ Because of Black's previous move, the natural 19...e6?? is not feasible, 20.xc6+ wins. ] 20.e4 e6 21.a4 f8 Both kings have had to 'castle' on their own! 22.f3 xd2 23.h1! The idea behind White's previous move, he turns to the h-file- thus justifying his early opening of it. h6?! [ 23...g8 24.xd2 leaves the t out-on-alimb, and various combinations in the air, but the text is quite passive. ] 24.xd2 g8 25.xc6 b4+ 26.c3 W hite can afford to offer the exchange of queens, he is now a pawn up with the better position. a5 27.c5 f4+ 28.d1 e8 29.xe6+ xe6 30.c5+ e7 31.h8 [ 31.h8 xg5 32.c8+ e8 33.xg8+ xg8 34.xe8+ wins a piece. ] 1-0
plans by e6 20.cxd4 d5 21.xe3 xe3 22.xe3 xg3 with completely unclear play. ] 17.xf3 [ Once again you might want to consult the archives for the move 17.xf3 , played in Jensen-Soza, Zonal Latinoamericano G1 2002. The theory of this line is broad and complex, with every offshoot for both sides producing new problems, few of them resolved! ] 17...d4 18.b2 c8 19.b1 a5!? A strange move that has some interesting ideas behind it. Normal moves are [ 19...dxc3 20.xc3 d5 ] [ and 19...b6 ] 20.cxd4 b4!? The point, with the ideas of ... Nc2 and ...Nd5, strengthening protection over e3. 21.c1? [ 21.ff1 looks right, to challenge the g-file. White's kingside appears to hold together after bd5 ( 21...c2 22.a4; 21...c2 1120 A29 22.f3; 21...fd5 22.fc1 ) 22.fc1 xc1+ ( 22...b6 23.a4 h5! 24.xc8 xc8 Gulko,Boris F 2570 25.c1 f5 may be the best sequence, Korneev,Oleg 2638 although White still stands better) 23.xc1 Empresa A Montreal CAN (9) 16.08.2006 b6 24.a4 h5 25.h4! d6 26.h3 ] [John Watson] 21...xc1+? [ Both sides probably overlooked the tactic An interesting theoretical game in an 21...c2! 22.a4 xd4! , winning material. extremely theoretical variation. Black tries a Play goes 23.xc8 xf3+ 24.xf3 xc8 funny-looking idea that needs a closer look. . Then White can fight back by 25.xf6 gxf6 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 b4 26.xb7! c1+ 27.h2 but Black 5.g2 0-0 6.0-0 e4 7.g5 xc3 8.bxc3 maintains an edge after d8! ( 27...b8 e8 9.f3 e3 10.d3 d5 11.b3 a5 12.a3 28.xa5! g7 still seems to favour Black, c6 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.f4 g4 15.f3 although his king is exposed) 28.xa5 [ T h e o t h e r m a i n a l t e r n a t i v e i s 15.e1 xd3! with the idea 29.h5 d1 ( 29...d2 . The best example of this line in the 30.d5 c7 31.a4 d1 ) 30.e4 d2 ] archives is Schacher-Maki Uuro, Izmir 2004, annotated and researched by Webmaster 22.xc1 h5 23.b2 b6 Obviously there's a lot to play for. My uninformed impression is Tony. ] that White will probably trade off some minor 15...c6 16.h3 xf3!? [ 16...d7 was analysed at some length in pieces and equality will result. ½-½ Elwert-Tiemann, 18th WChCorr 2004. ] [ 16...c8!? might be an interesting option, now that W hite's kingside is slightly vulnerable. Ideas such as ...h6, ...g5, and ... Nh5 might follow, with Black's queen and rook potentially participating. White would try to attack e3 and d4 quickly, probably by 17.e1 h5!? 18.f3 ( 18.g4? g3 ) 18...d4 19.c2 when Black might switch 1113
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 c1 -b i sh o p . d6 15.f4 b6 16.d5 c5 A29 17.c3 xd5 18.cxd5 with unclear play, 2595 Gulko,B-Illescas Cordoba,M/Spain 1996. ] 2475 a5 13.c5 The pawn sells itself 1998 12.f4 dearly. e7!? 14.cxb6 axb6 Black prefers activity to pawn hunting, in particular the a-file 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 b4 Just one of may prove useful. 15.e4 c5+ 16.h1 b7 Daring Black to take the c-pawn, the possible move orders that reach the same 17.d3 position. 4.g2 0-0 5.f3 c6 6.0-0 e4 which would liberate the a1-h8 diagonal for The critical line, Black displaces the f3-knight the white dark-squared bishop. c4 18.f4 a n d g a i n s s p a c e i n t h e c e n t r e . 7.g5 d6 19.c2 d7 In return for the pawn Black has lots of little positional plusses, the White's most aggressive line, [ 7.e1 is the alternative, intending Nc2-e3- squares e5, c5, and c4, not to mention the afile. 20.fd1 e6 Vacating c4 for the knight. d5, and appeals to more positional players. ] c4 22.d4 Nice square for a 7...xc3 Forced, to defend e4. 8.bxc3 e8 21.e3 9.f3 White wants to open the f-file, and gain a bishop, but Black will always be able to drive central preponderance, which will advance, it away by ...c5, but at a cost: the ensuing 23.f4 supported by the bishop pair. e3 Zaitsev's we a k n e s s o f d 6 , a n d b 6 . a5 famous innovation, first played by Karpov White plays to undermine c4. e7 24.b3 against Kasparov, which led to him winning b5 25.a4! ea8 Keeping the knight on c4 by xa4 27.xb5 the second match game at Seville, 1987. tactical means. 26.ac1 10.dxe3 Originally considered an error, in the White has skilfully managed to rid himself of 28.h5 8a5 continual search for new ideas this move has his we a k a -pa wn . db6 29.h4 g5 recently been rehabilitated. [ 29...xh4 30.gxh4 weakens the white [ 10.d3 is the main line, d5 11.b3 a5 structure, but opens the g-file. ] 12.a3 c6 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.f4 c6 with chances for both sides, Kasparov,G- 30.b1 a2 31.g1 c6 The black pieces seem active, but need a target, and e2 is Karpov,A/Seville 1987. ] sufficiently defended. 32.f1? 10...h6! The most accurate, [ 32.xg5 hxg5 33.h5 keeps an edge. ] [ delaying this move can have serious consequences: 10...b6 11.e4 Advancing 32...a4! Embarrassing the rooks. 33.e1 c5 the mass of pawns. h6 ( 11...a6?! 12.f4 34.f2 xh4 35.gxh4 c2 36.bc1 b2? [ 36...d2 wins the exchange, 37...Nb3 can't h6 13.xf7 xf7 14.e5 is even more be stopped. ] dangerous for Black.) 12.xf7!? Topalov's big idea, sacrificing a piece to open the 37.h5?! Time-trouble, perhaps [ 37.a1 had to be played, contesting the ablack king position, and advance the file. ] n u m e r o u s k i n g s i d e p a w n s . ( 12.h3 was the previous move, and will transpose 37...aa2?! [ 37...a3 ] to the game.) 12...xf7 13.f4 g8 14.e5 38.a1 At last White finds the right idea. a4 h7 and now, instead of A) 15.f5 should be played, e7 ( or 39.d5 b3 40.g3 The white pieces are 15...b7 16.f6 xe5?! 17.d5+ starting to find squares. c2 41.xa2 xa2 with a strong attack.) 16.f6 gxf6 17.d5+ 42.h3 c2 43.f5 Cutting-off the king's escape square, and introducing back-rank g7 18.d2 with attack.; B) 15.a3? handing Black an important mate possibilities. e5 [ 43...xc3 44.xc3 xc3 45.a1 tempo, Topalov,V-Gelfand,B/ Novgorod is White's idea. ] 1997, ] 11.h3 b6 The other possibility to pick-off the 44.b1 b2 45.xb2 xb2 46.e7+ f8 47.c8 White has a clear advantage in this c4-pawn is [ 11...e5 with 12.e4 xc4 13.d4 e5 ending. bc4 48.h3 f6 49.e6 a4 14.c4 opening the a1-h8 diagonal for the 50.f2 a3 51.xd6! A little tactic that wins 1121 Hansen,Curt Brynell,Stellan Sigeman, Malmoe (1) [Tony Kosten]
1114
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 a second pawn. e7 52.b7 e8 [ 52...xe6 53.xc5+ and 54 Nxa4. ] 53.d5 c4 54.a5 b5 55.xe5 fxe5 56.xc4 f6 57.e3 xc3 58.g4+ e7 59.xe5 xh5 After all the weak pawns have been captured, White remains with two pawns t o t h e go o d . 60.b3 e8 61.e3 f6 Many players would resign this position, but yo u n e v e r k n o w! 62.c4 b5 63.d3 Trapping the knight to force further exchanges. xc4+ 64.xc4 a4 65.d4 b6 66.e5+ e7 67.b5 The rest is quite trivial. c8 68.e4 b6 69.h4 e6 70.h5 e7 71.f4 e6 72.e3 e7 73.d4 e6 74.c5 c8 75.f1 The bishop finds an ef f ective diagonal. e7 76.h3+ f7 77.d6 f8 78.d7 g6 79.hxg6 xg6 80.f5 h4 81.f6 f7 82.e6+ e7-8 cannot be stopped. 1-0
1122 Hodgson,Julian M Gormally,Daniel 86th ch-British (5) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2605 2476 05.08.1999
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.b1!? This move has been something of a speciality of the Latvian GM Miezis here, it is more commonly seen after White has castled. a5 The mo st ac curate , in my opinion, Black clamps-down on White's queenside play, at the cost of weakening b5. [ 7...e7 falls in with W hite's plans, 8.b4 attacking on the queenside, as in Miezis,NTukmakov,V/Biel 1995, and relying on the standard tactic: xb4?! 9.xe5! ] 8.0-0 e7 9.d3 Curiously, this most obvious of moves is relatively unusual here, preference normally being given to [ 9.b3 as in one of my personal favourite games, Kosten,A-Sarno,S/ Anzio 1994, which continued: 0-0 10.b2 e8 11.d3 f8 12.d2 d4 13.e3 f5 14.c4 c6 15.e4!? f6 16.h5!? d5 17.bd1! b5!? when I hit my opponent with the surprising reply 18.a4! and went on to win in brilliant style. ]
[ Previously Julian Hodgson had preferred 9.a3 i.e. 0-0 10.b4 axb4 11.axb4 f5 12.b5 as in his game against Romanishin, at Groningen 1993. ] 9...0-0 10.e3 e6 11.xb6!? A somewhat surprising idea, W hite concedes the bishop p a i r t o we a k e n B l a ck ' s qu e e n s i d e . T h i s particular positional exchange doesn't tend to do all that well in general. Actually, Julian had already tried this scheme as Black, in his game against Smirin, W innipeg 1997, and thought that it must be even better with a t e m p o m o r e ! cxb6 As Julian s aid to me, concerning the frailty of Black's queenside structure, "if the black a-pawn were on a7, in st e a d o f a 5 , h e wo u l d h a rd ly c o n s id e r playing the move ...a5, would he?" 12.c1!? This is Hodgson's simple novelty, bringing his rook to the open file. [ In the original game in this line White played 12.d2?! but this allowed Black to so rt -ou t h is qu ee nside p rob le m s b y b5! 13.c1 Too late! ( 13.xb5 meets xa2 which is only possible because the rook is s t i l l o n b 1 .) 13...b4 14.a4 c8 with good play f or Black, Gabriel, CGeorgiev,K/Altensteig 1995. After the game, Georgiev suggested ] [ 12.a4 as an improvement, with play similar to the game. ] 12...c8 [ 12...b5!? might still be possible, as 13.xb5 xa2 14.b3 can be met by b6 which is unclear. 15.c3 xb3 16.b1 a4 17.xa4 xd1 18.xb6 xe2 ] 13.a4 f6 14.fd1 White's play seems unpretentious, but he soon gains the advantage. d4!? Very committal, but White was menacing Pd4. 15.xd4 xd4 16.d5! A surprising in-between move, forcing-off the light-squared bishops. Black's remaining bishop will be far easier to handle on its own. xd5 17.xd4 exd4 18.xd5 c5 The smoke has cleared, White has the better pawn structure, and potentially superior minor piece. 19.f4 Else Black would trap this piece with ...g5. f7 20.g2 Starting a long manoe uvre to bring the knight to a more u s e f u l s q u a r e . g5?! Anti-positional, Black should put his pawns on light squares. 21.e1 g4?! This stops the knight from going to f3, 1115
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 but weakens Black's kingside pawn chain. 22.g2 fd8 23.c2 b5 24.dc1 b6 25.f4 b4 26.g2 With a strong positional threat. a4?! Which Black overlooks! [ 26...a8 was more circumspect. ] 27.e4! White rids himself of his backward epawn. b3 Because of the pin along the c-file, [ 27...dxe3?! i s d a n g e r o u s : 28.fxe3 (threatening d4) b8 29.d4 d6 30.c6 infiltrating the c-file, with a considerable advantage. ] 28.axb3 axb3 29.c4 a8 30.h3! Punishing Black f or his hasty 21st move, W h it e o p e n s a n o t h e r a ve n u e f o r a t t a ck . gxh3+ 31.xh3 a2 32.b1 c8 33.g4 b5 34.cc1 aa8 35.h1 g8+ 36.f3 h8 37.h5 Black's position is in tatters. 1-0
1123 Howell,David Gordon,Stephen J 98th ch Sheffield ENG (4.1) [Nigel Davies]
A29 2625 2533 28.07.2011
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.b3 c5 8.d3 0-0 9.g4!? A quite startling and creative novelty f rom the you ng English GM, f irst suggested on ChessPublishing.com however, breathing life into what has been known as a rather dull variation. Previously W hite has chosen between a couple of rather quie t moves: [ a) 9.0-0 h6 10.a4 e7 11.e3 d6 12.c3 c6 13.ad1 c7 14.d4 h3 15.fe1 h8 16.c5 d5 17.dxe5 d7 18.g2 xg2 19.xg2 xc5 20.c2 1/2-1/2 was Aronian, L (2739)-Eljanov, P (2692)/Wijk aan Zee 2008. ] [ b) 9.g5 h6 10.xf6 xf6 11.e4 b6 12.xc5 xc5 13.c3 a5 14.0-0 d6 15.fd1 b4 16.ac1 xc3 17.xc3 c6 18.d4 e8 19.e3 f8 20.f1 e6 wasn't much f or W hite in Vitiugov, N (2694)-Grischuk, A (2736)/Moscow 2009. ] 9...d6 10.g5 d7 11.h4 c6 This is OK but it might wait whilst Black brings his knight round to c5 and e6. [ 11...b6 12.h5 c5 13.d1 c6
looks very comfortable for Black. ] 12.a4 a5 13.xc5 xc5 14.c3 e6 15.e3 f5 16.gxf6 xf6 17.0-0-0 d4 18.xd4 exd4 19.d2 e6 [ 19...a4 was another possibility. ] 20.g5 d5?! I'm not sure what Black missed when he played this move but something must have happened with his calculations. [ Black has a number of decent moves here w i t h m y f a v o u r i t e b e i n g 20...e5 intending 21. ..Rf5. ] 21.cxd5 xg5+ 22.hxg5 xf3? Making matters worse by throwing in the exchange. [ 22...xd5 23.xd5+ cxd5 24.f3 a6 se e m s b e t t e r , b a n k i n g o n t h e d ra wi s h properties of rook endgames. ] 23.exf3 xd5 24.de1 f8 25.e7 This invasion of the 7th rank is going to win for W hite. b5 26.he1 xa2 27.a7 xf3 28.ee7 xf2 29.xg7+ f8 30.xh7 g8 31.g6 a4 32.hg7+ h8 33.gc7 f1+ 34.d2 g8 35.xc6 1-0
1124 Huebner,Robert Ruck,Robert Mitropa Cup Leipzig GER (3) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2628 2569 05.05.2002
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.g2 b6 6.d3 e7 7.f3 c6 8.0-0 0-0 9.a3 e8 The main alternative to [ 9...e6 which prepares to give the e-pawn extra support. ] 10.b4 f8 11.b2 a5 The standard response in such positions, Black lures the bpawn forward to weaken it. 12.b5 d4 White can hardly capture this as it would open t h e e - f i l e f o r t h e b l a c k r o o k . 13.d2 Keeping the pieces on the board, although [ 13.e3 led to a terrific attacking win for W hite in Sturua,Z-Xu Jun/Istanbul TUR 2000, one of our analysed games. ] 13...c6 Attacking the b-pawn, and preparing the d4-knight's retreat, although this is not entirely necessary, [ 13...a4!? is possible, 14.e3 e6 15.c4 c5 but now, instead of there is ( 15...c5 1116
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 U h l m a n n - K o z u l , N o v i S a d ( o l ) 1 9 9 0) 16.xb6! cxb6 17.d4 b3 18.dxe5 xa1 19.xa1 White has good play for the exc h an ge , E rme n ko v, E -Ko zu l, Z/ Osije k 1992. ] 14.bxc6 xc6 15.b5 a4 This is highly reminiscent of the Bacrot - Topalov game that we considered last month. 16.b1 The rook moves to the open b-f ile. Of course, this would have little point in the Bacrot game just mentioned as the black light-squared bishop was more active there, and could go to b3 or a2. g4 A novelty, and a sensible one, hitting e2. [ 16...e6 was played n Petursson,MFernandez Garcia,J/Novi Sad 1990, when the game continued 17.e3!? ready to play d4, a2 ( 17...xd3 drops the exchange to 18.c7; but 17...d7 is sensible) 18.c1 d5 19.f3 fairly level, Petursson,MFernandez Garcia,J/Novi Sad 1990. ] 17.e1 d7 Black has stopped White from playing e3 and prepares to kick the knight fromb5. 18.a1 The bishop drops back to a l l o w t h e r o o k t o u s e t h e b - f i l e . e6 Planning ...Ba2 to dislodge the rook, and then ...Bd5. 19.c2 ec8 20.b2 The queen moves f rom the exposed c-f ile, and both controls d4 and possibly menaces the b6knight. f6 21.d4 In general, if this move can be played in Sicilian-style positions then it is o f t e n g o o d . b4?! Obviously prepared by Black, this trappy and unusual move leads to wild complications, but [ 21...exd4! was better, and was certainly safer, 22.xd4 xd4 23.xd4 xd4 24.xd4 c4 25.xc4 xc4 26.xb7?! ( 26.e3 xa3 27.b6 f7 28.a1 f8 29.xb7 is better ) 26...d8 27.b2 b8 28.f3 b3 and Black is on top, the pin on the bishop is awkward, and the a3-pawn is lost. It is important to note that the a3-pawn is a persistent problem for W hite in these lines. ] 22.dxe5! [ There was a nice trick: 22.axb4? a3! 23.xa3 a4 and the white queen is amazingly trapped on b2! ] 22...c2 23.d4 The only square, but one is enough! xd2 [ 23...xb5 defends the b6-knight, but after:
24.exf6! c4 25.fxg7 c5 26.f6 White wins. ] 24.xb6 c2 25.f1 [ W h i t e p r o b a b l y r e j e c t e d 25.c7! because of xe1 26.xe1 xe2! but then 27.f1 w i n s a n e x c h a n g e ( and not 27.xe2?? d1+ 28.f1 h3 )] 25...xa1 26.c7! The strongest, [ 26.xa1 c4 is equal. ] 26...a2 27.xa1 c8 Black thereby seems to avoid losing an exchange, but there is a sting at the end: 28.xa2! xa2 29.d5+ h8 30.xa2 xc7 31.e6 Mate on g8 is the important threat. xa3 32.exf6 gxf6 33.xf6+ So White has won a pawn, but with the opposite-colour bishops it is Black's open king that is the most important factor. g7 34.e6 f8 35.c4 b2 36.b1 f6 37.f3 White's king is well-protected by the pawns and so he can concentrate on trying to win the queenside pawns, while the black pieces are more or less tied to the defence of the king. e5 38.xb7 c5+ [ 38...c5+ 39.g2 xc4 40.xc4 a8 avoid s ma te, but af te r 41.d3 his last kingside pawn drops and the writing is on the wall. ] 39.g2 e3?! 40.b1 g1+ 41.h3 Black can no longer avoid mate. 1-0
1125 Huzman,Alexander Svidler,Peter 22nd ECU Club Cup (4) [Carsten Hansen]
A29 2585 2750 11.10.2006
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.d3 0-0 8.0-0 c6 [ Black has two alternatives: A) 8...h6 A) 9.d2 c6 10.a4 e7! ( or 10...a5?! 11.a3 xc3 12.xc3 e8 13.fd1 M . G u r e v i c h - E . V a n d e n D o e l 1 9 9 9; 10...c5?! 11.b4 ) A1) 11.ac1!? d5 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.b3 ( 13.b5 a6 ) 13...e6 14.xb7 b8 15.xa7 xb2 (M.Gurevich) 16.b1 d4 17.a4; A2) 11.fd1 1117
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 A2a) Here Gurevich analyses 11...d5? 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.b3 d4 ( Now 13...e6 doesn't work because in variation 14.xb7 b8 15.xa7 xb2 bishop on d2 is protected to c o m p a r e w i t h 1 1 R a c 1 16.ab1 ) 14.d5 xd5 15.xd5; A2b) 11...d6 12.b4 A2b1) 12...d5 13.b5 ( 13.e1 a6!? ) 13...d4 14.bxc6!? dxc3 15.xc3 bxc6 ( 15...c7 16.cxb7 xb7 17.xb7 xb7 18.xe5 ) 16.xc6 ( 16.xc6 b8 17.xe5 b7 ) 16...d7 17.xe5 c8 18.xd7 xd7 Analysis by Gurevich; A2b2) 12...g4 13.xg4 xg4 14.b5 c8 15.bxc6 bxc6 16.f3 f6 17.ab1 d5!= 1/2-1/2 Gurevich, MAvrukh, B/Antwerp 199900/ [Avrukh, B] (40); B) 9.g2 xc3 10.bxc3 d6 was played in Z.Azmaiparashvili-S. Simonenko, Saint Vincent 2000 - see the PGN archives; C) 9.c2 c6 10.a3 e7 11.e4 d6 12.g2 a6 13.h3 b5 14.e3 e6 15.cxb5 axb5 16.d4 b8 ( 16...c8 17.h2 c4 ) 17.d5 cxd5 18.exd5 d7 19.a2 c8 with a complicated struggle, E.Bacrot-L.Van Wely, Leon 2001; D) 9.d5 xd5 10.xd5 c6 11.g2 c5 12.e4 d6 13.e3 b6 14.e2 f5 , and Black already has a pleasant position, H. Hoffmann-M.Zaitsev, Boeblinger 2003; E) 9.a4!? a5 ( 9...xc3 10.bxc3 c6 11.a3 ) 10.d2 d6 11.a3 xc3 ( 11...c5!? 12.b4 b6 13.g2 ) 12.xc3 g4?! E1) G u r e v i c h o f f e r s 13.xb7!? a s a p o s s i b l e i m p r o v e m e n t : xe2 ( 13...a7 14.f3 ) 14.fe1 xd3 15.xa8 xa8 16.e3; E2) 13.xg4?! xg4 14.c5 g5 15.cxd6 cxd6 16.e4 ( on 16.d7 G u r e v i c h g i v e s h5 17.h4 fd8 18.xb7 d5 intending 19...g5 with c o u n t e r p l a y) 16...h5 with a complicated position, M.GurevichE.Van den Doel, Haarlem 1999 ] [ B) 8...e8 9.g5 ( 9.b3 f8 10.d1 c6
11.d4 was played in V, Ivanchuk-L.Aronian, Turin OL 2006 - see the PGN archives) 9...xc3 10.bxc3 h6 11.xf6 xf6 12.a4 d6 13.a5 b8 wit approximately even chances, A.Belozerov-Y.Balashov, Omsk 2001 ] 9.b3 [ 9.g2 e8 10.b3 ( 10.e4 c5 11.h1 d6 12.h3 a6 13.f4 b5 14.f5 b4 15.e2 d5 , and Black is already in control after this perfectly timed counterpunch in the centre, B.Gulko-J.Hector, Malmo 2001) 10...c5 11.d2 ( 11.g5 h6 12.xf6 xf6 13.e4 e7= ) 11...b6?? ( 11...d6!? ) 12.a4 xb3 13.axb3 b6 14.b4 f8 15.xb6+W.Uhlmann-E. Ungureanu, Bucharest 1978 ] [ 9.g5 h6 10.xf6 xf6 11.a3 e7 12.b4 a6 13.b3 d6 14.g2 e6 15.a4 fc8 16.a2 f8 17.e3 d8 18.a5 c7 , and W hite a slight initiative, though Black's position is perfectly playable, S. Jo achim-J. He ct or, Ge rm an B un de sliga 2001 ] [ 9.d2 e8 10.g2 h6 11.c1 xc3 12.xc3 d5 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.b3 d4 15.d2 g4 16.fe1 , and White's pieces are ideally placed to nag at the many weaknesses in Black's position, E.VasiukovA.Kochyev, Beltsy 1981 ] 9...e7 [ 9...a5 10.c5 d5 11.cxd6 xd6 12.e3 e8 13.fc1 e7 14.a4 c7 15.g5 f5 16.h4 h6 17.xf6 xf6 18.xf6 gxf6 19.e4 g7 20.c5 c8 21.b4 a6 22.a4 , and White has everything under the co n t ro l, S . B e lt ra n Ru e d a -D. Ca m p o ra , Oviedo 1993 ] 10.d1 d6 11.d4 c7 12.g2 h6 13.c2 h7 14.b4 [ 14.d5 c5 15.f1 g5 16.e3 followed by f2-f4 looks better for White ] 14...exd4 15.xd4 g5= 16.e3 f6 17.dd1 e8 18.d3 a5 19.b5 xc3 20.b6 e7 21.xc3 g4 22.d3 ½-½
1118
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 25.f4 hg8 26.f3 ] A29 2622 24...b6! 25.a4 White is cutting it close. [ 25.f3 h5 ( 25...hg8 26.a2! 2596 -2nd rank defence is the way to neutralise 30.10.2005 any number of attacks!) 26.h4!? xg4+ 27.xg4 g8 28.a2 xg4 29.g2 xh4?? 30.f6 wins for White. ] 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 b4 5.g2 0-0 6.0-0 d6 7.d3 h6 8.d2 e6 25...h5! 26.a5 g7 [ After 26...hxg4 , 27.h4! xh4 28.axb6 9.a3 xc3 10.xc3 d7 11.e4!? cxb6 29.a8 xa8 30.xa8+ g7 31.b8 [ 11.d4 xc4! 12.dxe5 e4 achieves looks to win. ] nothing for White. ] 27.axb6 cxb6 28.b7 hxg4 29.h4 gh5 11...h7 [ 11...g4! is a little hard to answer because 30.a7 e8 31.e7 xh4 32.e1 h3 isn't possible. Probably 12.d2 a5! 1-0 13.b3! h3= leads to equal chances. ] 12.h4 g5!? A29 [ 12...g5! 13.f4 g4 14.d2 h3+ 1127 15.h1= ] Istratescu,Andrei 2595 13.f5 xf5 14.exf5 f6?! Mullon,Jean Baptiste 2325 [ 14...xf5 15.e4 d7 was a more critical 2nd Open Nantes FRA (4) 28.12.2003 option because given the time Black will play [Tony Kosten] ...f5. ] 15.g4 g7 16.b4 Now White has space and 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 two bishops. Although Black's outpost on d4 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 is nice, White's threats of pawn breakthrough e6 9.d3 0-0 10.b4 f6 11.b2 d7 a r e s e r i o u s . h8? Black is going to lose Straightforward development, material. [ 11...a5 12.b5 d4 is more aggressive, [ 16...d5 is the only move that really makes see Bacrot,E-Topalov,V/Dubai UAE 2002. ] sense. Otherwise White just advances the 12.e4 ad8 Again Black continues his pawns and Black can only sit there. ] sensible policy, 17.b5 d4 [ 12...a6 13.c2 h3?! 14.c5! [ 17...d8 (t o p r o t e c t b 7 ) 18.d4! e7 le d t o a n ic e wi n f o r W h i t e in M il e s , A 19.dxe5 dxe5 20.e1 ] Timman,J/Tilburg 1984. ] 18.f4!? A great-looking move even if it's not 13.c1 strictly best. [ 13.c2 h8 14.c5 xc5 15.bxc5 c8 [ The obvious 18.xd4 exd4 19.xb7 ab8 16.ab1 8e7 and Black was fairly solid, 20.c6 wins a pawn for nothing. Perhaps Johannsson,I-Limbos,P/Moscow 1956. ] White thought that he could simply break 13...h8!? A new move, but possibly not the t h r o u g h t o t h e k i n g a n d f o r g e t a b o u t most useful. Others: everything else. ] [ 13...d5 was agreed drawn in Relange, E18...gxf4? Bacrot,E/ch-FRA Gp B 2001. ] [ 18...c5 19.fxg5 hxg5 20.d2 h7 21.f6+ [ 13...a5 14.b5 d4 15.xd4 exd4 16.a4 f8 22.xd4 cxd4 23.f5 isn't immediately c8 17.c5 with an edge to White in Janz, decisive, of course, but at some point h4 is F-Korsus,B/Neumuenster 1999, while ] going to be strong. ] [ 13...d5 14.c2 e6 15.ed2 d7? 19.xd4 exd4 20.f3 This is winning. ag8 16.e4 a2 17.b5 b8 18.d4 left Black in 21.xf4 f8 22.h3 g5 trouble in Plachetka,J-Nun,J/Trinec 1988. ] [ 22...c5 23.bxc6 bxc6 24.xd4 g7 14.c2 a6 15.fd1 With the menace of 25.f4 ] advancing the d-pawn to embarrass the black 23.xd4 d8 24.xa7?! queen. g4 Apparently stopping d4. White's [ Much more clear would be 24.xb7! h5 pieces are all well-placed, how to continue? 1126 Istratescu,Andrei Berkes,Ferenc TCh-HUN 2005-6 (2) [John Watson]
1119
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 16.d4! S u r p r i s i n g , a n d d e e p . xf3 Black captures the knight to control d4, this is obviously better than [ 16...exd4? 17.xd4 with a clear advantage. ] 17.xf3 exd4 Forced, [ 17...xd4? 18.xd4 exd4 19.c5 xc5 20.bxc5 c8 21.xb7 and Black's queenside disintegrates. ] 18.c5 xc5 19.xc5 So, this is the p o s i t i o n W h i t e w a s a i m i n g f o r wh e n h e sacrificed his d-pawn: he threatens to capture on c6, and the knight cannot move as it would leave the c7-pawn hanging. a4 [ 19...e6!? 20.xc6 xe2 21.xb7 xb2 22.xc7 was an alternative, but this is also good for White. ] 20.c2 xb2 21.xb2 White has been forced back, but the threat to c6 remains - the knight is unable to drop back to d8 to defend b7. f5 22.xc6 bxc6 23.c4 White has analysed this far and sees that he has a clear advantage because of the weakness of the black queenside. e6?! [ 23...c5 may be the best chance: 24.bxc5 ( 24.xc5 f4 with some counterplay.) 24...e7 25.d2 with a clear advantage. ] 24.cxd4 xd4 25.xd4 The smoke clear s an d W h ite h a s re ga in e d h is p a wn wh ilst retaining his superior structure. f4 26.d2 fxg3 27.hxg3 h6 28.d7 e5 29.d4 g5 30.g2 e8 31.xc7 The black pawns drop 'like ripe plums', as the saying goes. 1-0
( 13...ac8! 14.b3 a6 15.a3 fd7 was Packroff, H (2206)-Diebl, L (2213)/ Germany 2005, 0-1 (30).) 14.hd1 ac8 15.b3 ( 15.b4! c7 16.b5 forces d7 17.xd6 xh3+ 18.g1 when the elimination of the d6-pawn makes White's f4bishop more effective.) 15...a6 16.ac1 h6 level, Salgado Lopez, I (2627) -Fedorchuk, S (2638)/Saint-Quentin FRA 2014, 1/2-1/2 (25). ] 5...d6 6.0-0 0-0 7.d3 h6 Stopping Bg5. A couple of days later Navara tried to make do without this precaution: [ 7...a6 8.a3 d7!? very rare, but quite sensible as the bishop can find itself exposed on the squares e6 and f 5. 9.b4 a7 10.g5 this is a new move, but critical, as if White doesn't play this then Black can gain a tempo by simply avoiding ...h6. h6 11.h4!? d4! exchanging the f3-knight, ( 11...g5? 12.xg5 hxg5 13.xg5 wins, as there is no defence against Ne4 and Nd5. ) 12.xd4 xd4 13.xf6 obviously forced now, as c3 was hanging and ...g5 threatened, xf6 14.c1 xc3 15.xc3 c6 16.a4 e7 17.a5 g4 18.d2 d7 19.b1 h3 20.h1 ( 20.d4 ) 20...e7 21.cb3 e6 which is fairly equal, Ipatov, A (2613)-Navara, D (2708)/Saint Quentin 2014, though 0-1 (38). ] 8.a3 a6 Best, in my opinion. [ 8...a5 is actually more common, and we have a couple of examples in the Archive, see Marin, M- Karpov, A, for example. ] 9.b4 a7 [ 9...b6!? is Bartholomew, J-Troff, K, in the 1128 A29 Archive. ] This is the mainline, and the start of Istratescu,Andrei 2667 10.b2 Navara,David 2708 Marin's examination. d4 This is only the fifth FRA-chT Top 12 (6.1) 29.05.2014 most popular move for Black, but scores well. The idea is to exchange the knight (or if this is [Kosten, Tony] not possible retreat to e6) and then play ...c6 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 c5 and ...d5. [ 10...f5 is t h e 6 t h ! 11.c1 ( Marin likes This Karpov Variation was very popular at the 11.h4!? d7 12.c1 ) 11...d7 12.d5 recent French Team Championships. 5.g2 ( 12.e3 keeps more tension.) 12...xd5 [ 5.xe5 xf2+ 6.xf2 xe5 7.e4 c5 13.cxd5 e7 14.d4 f6!? ( 14...e4! 15.d2 8.d4 was also given an outing: cxd4 9.xd4 h3 16.xe4 xg2 17.xg2 xd5 0-0 10.f4 d6 11.h3 e6 12.g2 new! 18.d2 f5 Black is doing well, Torrecillas ( 12.e2 was analysed by me in Ivanchuk, VMartinez, A (2372)-Jerez Perez, A (2460)/ Anand, V. ) 12...a5 13.e2 returning to Martinenc 2001, 1/2-1/2 (41).) 15.d2 ac8 k n o wn lin e s , ( 13.b5 ad8 ) 13...fd8 1120
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 16.c4 h3 17.e4 g6 18.e3 xg2 19.xg2 ce8 20.f5?! e7 21.xe7+ xe7 22.dxe5 fxe5 23.e2 ef7 24.f3 b6 and if anything I prefer Black, Koch, J (2455)-Velten, P (2429)/Saint-Quentin FRA 2014, 1/2-1/2 (71). ] [ 10...e6 is the most common here, see Flores, D-Vallejo Pons, F, annotated by Danny and I. ] [ 10...b8 is Perez Fungueiro, M-Hamdouchi, H, see John Watson's notes in the Archive. ] 11.xd4 [ 11.d2 c6 12.e3 g4!? 13.b1 ( 13.f3 is met by f5 14.fxg4 xe3 15.e2 fxg4 16.h1 xf1 17.xf1 e3 w h e n B l a c k h a s t h e b e t t e r c h a n c e s .) 13...e6 Movsesian, S (2702)-Najer, E (2640)/Plovdiv 2012, 0-1 (42). ] [ 11.e3 xf3+ 12.xf3 ( 12.xf3 c6 followed by ...Bh3.) 12...c6 doesn't present Black with any problems. 13.e2 e8 Medvegy, Z (2561)-Burg, T (2502)/Germany 2013, 1/2-1/2 (41). ] 11...exd4!? Blocking in the a7-bishop, but opening the e-file and gaining some space in the centre. [ 11...xd4 scores well, 12.e3 a7 13.d4 ( 13.h3 c6 14.h2 seems a bit too slow here, e8 15.d2 d5 Nielsen, P (2530)Elbilia, J (2350)/Yerevan 1996, 1/2-1/2 (51). ) 13...exd4 14.exd4 e8 15.d3 W hite has more space, but Black is solid and can exchange rooks on the only open file, Mulyar, M (2408)-Iwu, O (2161)/ Wheeling 2012, 1-0 (33). ] 12.d5 The first new move. [ 12.b1 e8 13.d2 c5 Black will expand on the queenside with ...c5 and ...b5, 14.e1 b8 15.b3 A) 15...d7 16.a4 led to exciting play after g4!? 17.h3 e3!? this must have b e e n a s h o c k ! 18.fxe3 xe3 19.f1 ( 19.f3 ) 19...xg3 20.f3 g6 with a dangerous attack, Ghosh, D (2425)Laxman, R (2456)/Kolkata 2012, but 1-0 (40).; B) 15...b5 16.a5 d7 17.cxb5 axb5 18.c6 xc6 19.xc6 e6 Ghosh, D (2477)-Solak, D (2598)/Golden Sands 2013, 0-1 (58), 20.a4!? bxa4 21.b5 ] 12...xd5 13.cxd5 The position looks a bit
sterile, but due to the mutual doubled dpawns Black will have pressure on the e-file and W hite on the c-file. e8 14.e1 a5 15.c2 d7 16.ac1 axb4 17.axb4 b6 18.c4 The only real attempt at getting any ad va nt age . f6 Defending the d4-pawn, but the tactical [ 18...g5!? was also possible, 19.xd4?! xd4 20.xd4 xe2 is the point, with equality. ] 19.e4 dxe3! En pa ssa n t ! 20.xf6 exf2+ 21.f1 fxe1+ 22.xe1 xe1+ 23.xe1 gxf6 The position is completely equal as Black can easily defend his pawns, W hite has no useful pawn breaks and the white bishop is not at all useful. 24.f3 a1+ 25.e2 f5 26.g4 d7 27.h3 g1 The rook goes to a defended dark square, that way Black doesn't h a v e t o w o r r y a b o u t a n y t a c t i c s . 28.e4 White sees no way to break the fortress, and so went off for a drink. [ 28.a2?! could win the b7-pawn, but it is irrelevant, and g3 29.a8+ g7 30.xb7 xh3 favours Black. ] ½-½
1129 Ivanchuk,Vassily Anand,Viswanathan Hoogovens Wijk aan Zee NED (6) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2714 2784 23.01.1999
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 c5 5.xe5 Considered doubtful for many decades. xf2+ 6.xf2 xe5 7.e4 c5 Else W hite would play d4, and his mobile centre would push the two knights off the board. 8.d4! Why did nobody think of this before? [ The solid 8.d3 had been the almost invariable choice, d6 9.h3 Botvinnik,MK e r e s , P / M o s c o w 1 9 6 6 , a n d n o w 0-0 followed by manoeuvring the f6-knight to e6, via e8, and c7, gives Black a good game, as his knights have excellent squares. ] 8...cxd4 9.xd4 0-0 The knight is safe, of course, because of the fork on g4. 10.f4 d6 11.h3 Although the e4-pawn is isolated, the d6-pawn is at least as weak, and so White's bishop pair give him an edge. e6 12.e2 1121
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 c8 Black plays for complications, he attacks h3, and c4. 13.ac1! xh3 14.d5 e6 Black is obliged to play an exchange sacrifice, as [ 14...xd5? loses, 15.cxd5 d7 16.xe5 dxe5 17.xe5 and White wins because the black bishop has no squares, Qh5 will pick it up. ] 15.c7 e7 16.xa8 c6 Attacking the white queen, and e4. 17.e3 [ Anand prefers 17.xd6 xe4+ 18.e1 xd6 19.h4 although Black is not without compensation for the exchange. ] 17...xe4+ 18.f3?! This doesn't look right to me, [ 18.g1 must be good f or W hite, f5 19.c5! xa8 ( 19...dxc5? 20.g4 g6 21.c7 and the knight escapes!) 20.cxd6 should be better for White, with care. ] 18...f5! 19.d3 e8 Amazingly, Black defers capturing the a8-knight. 20.he1 d8 Following this little switch, Black manages to maintain his advanced knight on e4. 21.g2 xa8 22.f3 Removing the queen from the exposed e-file, but now a draw is forced. d4 23.e3 c6 [ 23...b5?! 24.xd4 c5+ 25.d5 xd3 26.xe8+ xe8 27.xf5 xc1 28.xc1 favours White. ] 24.f3 ½-½
will win a pawn. ] 13.d5!? To cut off support for the e-pawn via ... d5. [ White could preface a central move by 13.f4 , since d5 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.e5 is good. ] 13...d6 14.dxc6 bxc6 15.f4 f5 16.ac1 b8 17.c2 a5 18.d2 b6 19.c5! xb2 20.xb2 [ 20.cxd6 xd2 21.xd2 ] 20...xb2 21.cxd6 b4 22.h3 g5?! 23.e3 a6 24.g4 g6 From now on this bishop is stuck out of play. White stands much better and I'd guess that with perfect play he should be winning. 25.d4 [ HiArcs suggests the nice retreat 25.b1! , which is particularly odd since the knight had more plenty of influence where it was! But it's just the kind of dumb, unprincipled move that probably wins. After all, there's nowhere else for the knight to go if White is to attack the c-pawn, and how (concretely) will Black defend? c8 26.c5 b5 27.a4! bb8 ( 27...a5 28.b6 xa4 29.d7 ) 28.d2 d8 29.c4 with an obvious advantage. The bishop on g6 is particularly bad. ] 25...a5 26.a4 c8 27.xb4!? [ 27.a3 xd4 28.xd4 continues to give B l a c k p r o b l e m s w i t h t h e d - p a w n : d5 ( 28...d7 29.c5 xc5 30.xc5 ) 29.e5 f6! 30.g3 f4 31.xf4 gxf4 32.d7 d8 33.b6 ( 33.xc6 xd7 34.c3! e3 1130 A29 35.fxe3 fxe3 36.d5 g7 isn't so easy) 33...xa3 34.xc6 is quite a bit better for Ivanchuk,Vassily 2731 White because Rc4 follows and frees the g2 Aronian,Levon 2756 bishop. ] 37th Olympiad (9) 30.05.2006 27...axb4 28.b6 d8 29.d7 e7 30.xc6 [John Watson] xd7 31.d5 f8 32.c2 a8 Black has White was better most of the way, and had a escaped but his pawns are weak so White still few good chances, but those were difficult to gets activity. 33.d2 a6! 34.xb4 xb4 find and Aronian defended well to hold the 35.xd7 xa2 36.d8+ g7 37.d4+ f6 draw. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 38.d7+ f8 39.e3?! [ 39.xf6! xe2 40.f1 e1 41.g2 d4 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.d3 0-0 , but this may not be enough to win. ] 8.0-0 40.d6 xf2+! 41.f1 e7 [ 8.b3 c5 9.g4! is the fun line. After 39...e1 White has castled, g4 won't be in the cards 42.xf6?! [ 42.b6! ] for a while. ] 8...e8 9.b3 f8 10.d1 c6 11.d4 e4 42...xe3! 43.xg6 xd4 44.xe4 f2+ 45.e1 f6 12.g2 h6 [ 12...d5? 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.g5 ½-½ 1122
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 1131 Ivanchuk,Vassily Kramnik,Vladimir 18th Amber Rapid (9) [Jonathan Rowson]
A29 2779 2759 24.03.2009
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.0-0 e7 8.d3 [ 8.a4 a5 9.b5 0-0 10.d4 exd4 11.f4 d5 12.fxd4 cb4! was comfortable for Black in McNab-Rowson, Scottish Championship, Abderdeen 2001. ] 8...0-0 9.e3 e6 [ 9...f5 10.c1 f6 is a different way to playm o re a c t ive b u t a l so we a ke n in g e 5 . I n almost all cases White has to try to play a3 and b4 to make anything happen on the queenside. ] 10.c1 f6 11.a3 d4! This move is almost always an important part of Black's strategy. If White takes, Black has more space and can redirect his attention to the e2 pawn, and the move also allows him to play ...c6, securing the queenside. [ 11...a5 12.xb6! cxb6 13.a4 ( 13.e3!? )] 12.e4 b3 13.d2 xf3+ 14.xf3 d5 15.c2 c6 Note the standard recipe. Black doesn't weaken the queenside at all, but secures his position in the centre. In this particular case W hite whipped up a slight initiative and had some advantage, but in a rapid game we shouldn't take the moves too seriously. 16.d2 h8 17.fd1 f5 18.b4 g5?! [ 18...f6 19.a4 xf3 20.xf3 d5 ] 19.xg5 xg5 20.a4! Exploiting the temporary disharmony to force some sort of concession. e7 21.a5 xf3 22.xf3 e4 23.dxe4 fxe4 24.d2 e3 25.axb6 exd2 26.xd2 axb6 27.d4 ae8 28.e3 White has some advantage- hard to say how much- but the rapid time control no doubt made it difficult to convert. f7 29.d3 b5 30.d1 h6 31.d2 ef8 32.f4 b6 33.d6 f6 34.f2 e8 35.xf6 xf6 36.d7 g6 37.f5 h5 38.h4 e5 39.e4 xe4 40.f6 gxf6 41.xc6 f5+ 42.g2 e7 43.xb6 g7 44.f2 e5 45.h2 e6 46.b7+ e7 47.c6 e6 48.d7+ e7 49.g4+ h7 50.h3 h5 51.f3 g7 52.h2 d4 53.f5 e1 54.f3 e7 55.h3 e5
56.c6 e6+ 57.xe6 xe6 58.f5 g6 59.xb5 e2 60.b8 b2 61.b5 g7 62.b6 f5 63.b7 h7 64.f8 xb7 65.xf5 ½-½
1132 Jakovenko,Dmitrij Shirov,Alexei World Cup Khanty Mansiysk RUS (5.2) [Carsten Hansen]
A29 2710 2739
1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.c3 b6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 8.b3!? This isn't exactly the most obvious choice in a must win situation, but maybe Jakovenko had made so me conside rations in regard s t o Shirov's style of playing and general attitude towards chess, that made Jakovenko think that this move could be the way to play for a win against Shirov. 0-0 9.b2 g4 10.h3 [ This is the best move. White has yet to prove anything after the alternatives: A) 10.c1 f5 11.a4 e4 12.e5 xe5 13.xe5 c6 14.xb6 axb6 ( 14...xb6 15.d4 ad8 16.c2 f6 17.c4+ h8 18.fd1 de8 19.d6 Simagin, VBebchuk, E/Moscow 1967) 15.c2 a5 16.c3 d5 17.e1 e8 , Black is completely in control, From, S-Hyldkrog, L/ corr 1979 ] [ B) 10.d3 A) 10...d7 11.c1 ad8 ( 11...fd8 is less accurate, because the f-rook will be needed on either f8 or e8 to support the advance of these pawns. Now White obtains a pleasant game: 12.e4 f5 13.c5 xc5 14.xc5 e4 15.e5 xe5 16.xe5 c6 17.h3 h5 18.xe4 fxe4 19.xh5 exd3 20.exd3 Dudas, JHudecek, J/Prague 1992) 12.e4 f6 13.c2 h8 14.a3 a5 15.fd1 e6 16.e1 f7 17.fd2 d7= , and Black has solved his opening problems, Bareev, E-Topalov, V/Monaco 2002; B) 10...e8 11.d2 f5 12.e4 d7 13.d5 d6 14.e3 b4 15.c2 ad8 16.a3 f8 17.fd1 g6 18.b4 , and I prefer W hite, Pekar, K-Lisko, F/ SVK 1998; C) 10...f5 11.c1 ( 11.d2 b8 12.c4 1123
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xc4 13.bxc4 d4 14.f3 h5 15.e3 e6 16.d2 c6 17.e2 f6 Tataev, M-Yakovich, Y/Belgorod 1989) 11...a6 ( 11...f6 12.b4 d4 13.d2 c6 14.f3 h5 15.e3 e6 16.g4 g6 17.gxf5 xf5 18.de4 Grivas, EGoldberg, A/Germany 2002) 12.h3 h5 13.b1 f6 14.bd2 d7 15.a3 f7 16.c2 e8 17.e4 d8 18.exf5 xf3 19.xf3 xf5 Seidemann, U-Wagner Michel, A/Frankfurt/Oder 1977 ] [ C) 10.a4 a5 ( 10...a6 11.a5 d7 12.d5 d6 13.e3 e6 14.d4 exd4 15.xd4 xd4 16.xd4 b8 17.a7 a8 18.d4 b8 19.f4 c5 20.b4 xd4 21.xd4 f6 22.d2 Kaidanov, G-Janjgava, L/Belgrade 1988 ) 11.b5 ( 11.c1 f5 12.b5 f6 13.d4 e4 Schmuggerow, K-Kraai, J/ Lincolnwood 1990, 14.e5! h5 15.xc6 bxc6 16.xc6 ) 11...f6 12.d3 d7 13.d2 ac8 14.c1 h3 15.xh3 xh3 16.a3 fe8 17.e4 e7 18.xe7 xe7 19.c5 with chances to both sides, Arkhipov, S-Zaichik, G/Moscow 1988 ] [ D) 10.e1?! d7 11.c1 ad8 12.d3 h3 13.e4 xg2 14.xg2 d5 15.c3 e6 16.c2 f5 17.a3 d4 18.xd4 exd4 Wagenbach, J-McLaughlin, K/corr 2001 ] 10...h5 [ 10...e6 11.h2 f6 12.d3 d7 13.c1 a5 ( 13...ad8 14.a3 fe8 15.e4 d4 16.xd4 exd4 17.c5 xc5 18.xc5 c6 with a position that is easier to play for Black, but probably is about even, Gray jr., W Green, W/corr 1996) 14.a3 fd8 15.b5 a4 16.b4 b3 17.d2 ac8 18.c3 c4 19.dxc4 xd2 20.xd2 xd2 21.a1 d8 22.f4 exf4 23.xf4 c6 , and Black is in control of the game, Hickl, J-Ekstroem, R/ Biel 1998 ] 11.d3 [ There are a number of move orders after t h e i m m e d i a t e 11.c1 Black has had a good record, but it is hardly any proof that it is weaker than the text move. f5 ( 11...d7 12.h2 ad8 13.d3 f5 14.a3 e6 with a pleasant game for Black in Gheorghiu, F-Miralles, G/Switzerland 1997 ) 12.d3 A) 12...f6 is also playable, though things quickly got quite messy: 13.e4 g6 14.e2
d7 15.h2 ad8 16.exf5 gxf5 17.g4 g6 A1) 18.xc6 bxc6 19.f4 d5 20.d2 exf4 ( 20...e4 21.dxe4 xf4 22.xf4 xb2 23.gxf5 xc1 24.xc1 d3 25.f4 d4+ 26.f2 f7 27.g4 ) 21.xf6 xf6 22.xf4 xd3 23.gxf5 h5 24.g4 xf5 25.xf5 xf5 26.f3 d3 27.c4+; A2) 18.g3 g5 ( 18...g7!? ) 19.c5 e7?! ( 19...e7 20.xc6 bxc6 21.xe5 f6 22.e2 ) 20.a3 fxg4 21.xg4 g7 , Bistric, F-Rogic, D/Pula 1999, and now 22.xc6! bxc6 23.xe5 xd3 24.a1+-; B) 12...h8!? 13.h2 ( 13.c2 xf3 14.exf3 g5 15.cd1 d4 16.b1 f4 17.g4 d5 18.fe1 e8 19.e4 e7 G o u w, C - B e r t h o l e e , R / W i j k a a n Z e e 2000 ) 13...f6 14.d2 b8 15.c4 d4 16.e1 c6 17.a3 e8 18.h1 d5 Nadera, B-Torre, E/Makati 2002 ] 11...e8 12.c1 f8 13.e4 d7 14.g4 g6 15.g3 a5 16.d4 e4 17.e5 [ 17.d2 f6 18.e3 d5 19.e2 ad8 20.a3 d6 ] 17...dxe5 18.dxe5 h4 19.e3 [ Now Black takes over the initiative. It a p p e a r s t h a t W h i t e c a n d o b e t t e r wit h 19.c2!? , and now e3 looks critical, but White has the better chances after 20.f5 exf2+ 21.xf2 g5 22.xc6 bxc6 23.e4 h5 24.g2 h4 25.d4 ( 25.xc6!? )] 19...ad8 20.c2 b4! [ This is much to be preferred over 20...xe5 , which allows W hite to keep the balance after 21.xe5 xe5 22.xc7 d6 23.b6 ee8 24.cd1 e7 ] 21.e2?! [ This is the beginning of a series of dubious and outright bad moves. Possibly the nerves started to fail the young Russian 21.xc7!? d3 22.d4 xc1 23.xc1 ] 21...c6 22.xe4?! d3 23.c4?! [ 23.cd1 xe4 24.xe4 xb2 25.xd8 xd8 26.xb2 xh3 27.e2 e8 ] 23...xe5 24.xe5 xe5 25.d1?-+ [ 25.f4 xe4 26.fxe5 d3 27.f3 xc4 28.bxc4 e7 ] 25...xd1+ 26.xd1 b5 27.d4 c5 28.d5 xe4 29.xe4 xe4 30.d8 e7 31.b8 1124
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 72.xe7 f6+ 1-0
b4 32.e2 d6 0-1
1133 Janous,Petr Soza,Jose Champions League Q14-2 [Soza, JW]
A29 2333 2307 02.06.2002
Another Dragon Reversed line in which I think t h a t W h i t e i s s l ig h t ly b e t t e r t h ro u g h o u t . Probably not enough to win against perfect def en ce, but what othe r op enin g is? 1.c4 Soza: In this game I choose a line that Salov uses, now I'm not sure if this is good alternative line for Black. e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.0-0 e7 8.d3 0-0 9.a3 e6 10.b4 d4 11.b2 xf3+ 12.xf3 c6 13.e4 d7 14.c2 d5 15.d2 xf3 16.xf3 d6 17.d2 e7 18.e4 ae8 19.xd6 xd6 20.a4 f5 21.b5 c5 with complications, Salov-Kasparov USSR 1988. 22.e3 h8 23.d4 exd4 24.exd4 c8 25.c3 f7 [ 25...f6 could be better to protect g7. JW: But then W hite wins at least a pawn after 26.dxc5 xc5 ( 26...c7 27.ac1 ) 27.d4! xd4 ( 27...c7 28.a3 d5 29.xa7 ) 28.xd4 c2 29.xa7 ] 26.dxc5 xc5 27.ac1 f4 [ 27...b6 28.fd1 f8 29.d4 ( JW 29.a5 )] 28.e5 f8 [ 28...xe5 29.xe5 fxg3 30.fxg3! ] 29.fe1 b6 30.d4 fxg3 31.hxg3 with some advantage - JW . The rest of the game ref lects this: g8 32.d5 h8 33.e5 d7 34.c4 dc7 35.e2 d8 36.c3 h6 37.f3 g8 38.e3 cd7? 39.xc5 bxc5 40.xc5 c8 41.e3 . JW: White is winning. d1+ 42.g2 c4 43.e2 xe2 44.xe2 c7 45.f8+ h7 46.e6 d2 47.a6 e7 48.h3 d1 49.g4 d5 50.f5 d2 51.f4 d4 52.h5 d3 53.e5 b7 54.h4 d1 55.e3 f7 56.g4 d4 57.f3 b7 58.g4 f7 59.e4 d3+ 60.e2 g3 61.f5 h5 62.gxh5 g5 63.e5 xh5 64.d3 c7 65.ae6 h3+ 66.e3 d7+ 67.c4 h4+ 68.3e4 c7+ 69.d5 h5 70.e7 xf5+ 71.d6 xe7
1134 Jensen,James Soza,Jose Zonal Latinoamericano G1 [John Watson]
A29 2303 2351 04.2002
This game is a contribution from Jose Soza. It is a long and close-to-forced theoretical line. I think that Black has enough play and I've supplemented Jose's analysis with a note that indicates the same. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 b4 5.g2 0-0 6.0-0 e4 7.g5 xc3 8.bxc3 e8 9.f3 e3 10.d3 d5 11.b3 a5 12.a3 c6 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.f4 g4 15.f3 c6 16.h3 xf3 17.xf3 h5 [ JW: 17...d7 18.h2 h5 seems to me a better order, following a 1990-1991 correspondence game Garriga, Rufenacht cited by Hansen: 19.b2 h4 ( 19...f5 20.g2 ac8 ) 20.g4 c7 21.g2 ad8= 22.ac1 h7!? ] 18.c5 c8 19.b1 b6 20.b5 d6 21.g2 h4 22.gxh4 e7 23.b4 d7 24.h2 f5 25.h5 c5 [ 25...h4 ] 26.a3 ec8 27.b2 b5 28.a4 h4 29.d4 f5 30.a4 h4 31.d4 ½-½
1135 Jobava,Baadur Almasi,Zoltan 2nd IECC Ohrid (13) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2540 2640 2001
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 b4 5.g2 0-0 6.0-0 e4 7.e1 [ A solid variation, and a good alternative to the sharp main line with 7.g5 , the knight aims for d5. ] 7...xc3 8.dxc3 h6 Black doesn't want to a l lo w B g 5 wh e n h is e - p a wn wo u l d b e i n trouble. 9.c2 d6 10.b3 [ 10.e3 should amount to the same, e5 ( 10...e8 ) 11.b3 a5 12.d5 e8 13.e3 1125
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 eg4 limiting White's advantage, Damljanovic,B-Illescas Cordoba,M/Elista 1998. ] 10...e8 11.e3 d7!? [ As far as I can see, this is a new move. 11...a5 12.a4 b6 13.c2 b7 is normal, Polugaevsky,L-Kholmov,R/Moscow 1969. ] 12.c2 [ Aiming at e4, but 12.d5 might be better. ] 12...e7! Black rearranges his minor pieces, and dares White to take his e-pawn. 13.d1 c8! [ White's previous move was designed to stop 13...f5?! when 14.c5 is strong, using the pin along the d-file. ] 14.xe4? [ Very risky, White wanted to prove he had some advantage, and other moves allow B l a c k e q u a l i t y , e . g . 14.d5 exd5 15.cxd5 h3 ] 14...xe4 15.xe4 f5 16.d3 xe3 17.xe3 c6 Black will have a powerful attack on the light squares, that more than compensates for the pawn. 18.e1 h3 19.f3 White is relying on this pawn move to close the long diagonal. e6 [ 19...e5 20.f4 h5 21.g4 h4 is also dangerous- ...Rxg4+ is threatened. ] 20.f2?! e5! 21.g4 Else ... Rh5 and the h2pawn is lost. g5 22.g3 xg4 23.f2 e8 24.g1 g6 Black has regained his pawn, and his attack persists. 25.d4 f5 26.f4 f6 27.g4 g5! [ 27...e4? seems strong, but after 28.fxe4 xg4 White saves his bacon by 29.xf6! gxf6 30.g1 ] 28.ag1 f8 29.xg5 [ W h a t e l s e ? I f 29.e3 fe6 wins immediately. ] [ and 29.d2 l i k e w i s e , a f t e r xe2+! 30.xe2 xf3+ 31.e1 e6+ ] 29...hxg5 30.xg5 e6 [ Sufficient, but 30...xf3+!! would be the ideal way to finish the game: 31.exf3 xf3+ 32.g2 e2+ 33.h1 ff2+ 34.5g2 xg2 35.xg2 xg2 and a discovered check will win the queen. ] 31.g8+ e7 32.xe8+ xe8 33.xa7 d7 34.d4 h6 White has insufficient compensation for the piece. 35.f4 h5 36.g5 xg5 37.xg5 e5 38.xe5 dxe5
39.e4 e6 40.e3 b6 41.a4 f6 42.f4 To keep the black king out of g5, but now e4 needs constant defence. e6 43.c5 bxc5 44.a5 b7 45.b4 cxb4 46.cxb4 f6 47.b5 f7 48.a6 a8 49.a7 g6 50.fxe5 fxe5 0-1
1136 Jobava,Baadur Aronian,Levon Sparkassen Chess Meeting (3) [Carsten Hansen]
A29 2651 2761 01.08.2006
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.d4!? [ 7.a4 is harmless c6 8.0-0 0-0 9.d4 e4 10.g2 d5 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.b3 e7 13.f4 b6 14.fc1 ( 14.f3 a6 15.c3 c4 16.c2 exf3 17.xf3 d7= ) 14...a6 15.d1 h5 16.d2 , and the players prematurely agreed upon a draw, 1/2-1/2, V.Ivanchuk-P.Svidler, Wijk aan Zee 1999 ] [ 7.d5?! allows Black a comfortable game, and shouldn't be repeated A) 7...c5 8.0-0 0-0 9.d3 c6 10.xf6+ xf6 11.d2 a5 12.c3 d6 13.e3 b4 14.c1 e7 15.g2 f5 16.e1?! ( 16.d4 f4 17.dxe5 dxe5 18.exf4 exf4 19.e1 g5 ) 16...e6 17.d4 e4 is already comfortable for Black, I.Snape-B.Lalic, Scarborough 2001; B) 7...xd5 8.cxd5 B1) 8...0-0!? 9.0-0 e7 10.d4 exd4 11.xd4 c5! 12.dxc6 ( 12.f4 d6 is also pleasant for Black) 12...dxc6 13.e3 xd4 14.xd4 d8 is fairly even, but easier to play for Black with his que e n side m a jorit y, J. B on in -A . Stripunsky, New York 2003; B2) 8...c5 9.e3 0-0 10.0-0 d6 11.g2 ( 11.d4?! is p re m a t u re exd4 12.exd4 b6 13.g2 f5 14.a4 a5 15.g4 d7 is better for Black, D.ContinA.Kizov, Gothenburg 2005) 11...f5 12.d3 d7 13.e4 g4 14.f3 f5 15.e3 h3 is already very problematic for White, M. Krasenkow-L. Van Wely, German Bundesliga 1998 ] 7...xc3+ [ 7...e4 8.g2 0-0 ( Here 8...xc3+ 9.bxc3 1126
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 h6 10.c2 0-0 11.xe4 transposes to Korchnoi-Bareev below) 9.0-0 xc3 10.bxc3 e8?! ( 10...h6!? (Ribli) 11.f3 exf3 12.xf3 e8 13.f1 d5 14.cxd5 xd5 15.d2 ) 11.g5! h6 12.xf6 xf6 13.f3! exf3 ( 13...e3 14.f4 d6 15.b1 ) 14.xf3 g5 15.d5 e7 16.d3 c6 ( 16...d6? 17.xf7 xf7 18.f1+- ) 17.f5! g4 ( 17...g6? 18.xf7+- ) 18.f3 g6 19.h5 h7 20.e5! xd3 21.exd3 e6 22.b1 g6 23.xe6! dxe6 24.f3 f8 25.c5 a5 26.c4 a7 27.f2 e7 28.e3 d7 29.a3 e8 30.b6 d8 31.d5! c7 32.d6+ 1-0 Kamsky, G-Campora, D/Buenos Aires 1993/CBM 35/[Ribli] ] 8.bxc3 e4 9.g2 h6 10.c2 [ 10.b1 0-0 11.0-0 b6 12.c2 b7 13.d5 e7 14.d1 d6 15.d4 ae8 16.h3 c8 is comfortable for Black, Kerndl-Dunne, IECG Email 1999 ] 10...0-0 [ This move was given a '?' by Ribli in ChessBase Magazine and was ignored by W isnewski, who instead focused on 10...e7 , and now White has tried a couple of different things: A) 11.a4 d6 12.a3 0-0 is a line given by Ribli in ChessBase Magazine and has yet to be tested; B) 11.g4 looks wonderfully hip and in a c c o rd a n c e wit h t h e c u rre n t t re n d o f throwing the g-pawn forward to g4 whenever feasible. In this case though, it doesn't offer W hite anything special: d6 12.g5 ( 12.h3!? ) 12...hxg5 13.xg5 f5 14.b1 b6 15.e3 f8 16.xf6 ( If White postpones the exchange of the bishop on g5 f or the knight on f 6, the bishop can end up stranded as a target, e. g. 16.h4 e6 17.a4 h5 ) 16...gxf6 17.d2 c5 18.h4 c8 is fine for Black as in S.Makarichev-A.Vyzmanavin, Moscow 1987, and now White started floundering and soon had a terrible position. Instead 19.d5 h5 20.h3 d7 21.xf5 xf5 22.bf1 h7 23.f3 e8 24.fxe4 xe4 25.xf6 hxh4 26.hf1 h2+ 27.1f2 xf2+ 28.xf2 allows White to continue fighting; C) 11.f3 b6 C1) In lack of any real game material,
W isnewski offers some unconvincing analysis to support his opening concept: 12.fxe4 ('?!' by Wisnewski, but his analysis doesn't support that criticism) b7 13.d5 c5?! ( '!' by Wisnewski, but t h a t ' s w a y o f f . I n s t e a d 13...g4!? offers Black a decent game and good compensation for the pawn 14.d1 0-0 15.0-0 e5 16.f4 ) 14.d3 ( 14.e5 g4 is correctly given as better for Black by Wisnewski, e.g. 15.f5 xc4 16.0-0 0-0-0 17.d3 c5+ ) 14...a6 15.e3 xc4 C1a) Also 16.e5 goes unmentioned by W isnewski, which is strange since White seems to be doing rather well, e. g. g4 17.d4 0-0-0 ( or 17...xd3 18.exd3 0-0-0 19.0-0 ) 18.xc4 xc4 C1a1) or 19.f3!? h5 20.h3 h6 21.e4 ( 21.g1 ) 21...c5 22.e3; C1a2) 19.0-0 f6 20.exf6 xf6 21.xf6 gxf6 22.xf6 xe2; C1b) 16.xc4 xc4 , and this position is evaluated as clearly better for Black by W isnewski, even if 17.d4 leaves White with the better chances; C2) 12.0-0 and 1/2-1/2 was the tame outcome of B.Gulko-A. Chernin, New Delhi 2000, and a possible continuation b7 13.fxe4 xe4 14.xe4 xe4 15.d3 d6= ] 11.xe4 This position is evaluated as clearly better for W hite by Ribli based on the Korchnoi-Bareev below, but Aronian's 13th m o ve m a y c h a n ge t h a t e va l u a t io n . xe4 12.xe4 e8 13.f3 e7!? [ This is an intended improvement over 13...b8 , but Black may actually be okay in this line as well 14.0-0 b6 15.e1 ( 15.d1 e7 16.e3 a3 17.f4 d6 18.c5 a6= ) 15...a6 ( 15...d6!? ) 16.g4 h8 17.d5 d6 18.d4 c5!? (This is a strong answer to W hite's otherwise dominating position, and though White is still better, it allows Black to create some confusion, in which W hite soon throws away his advantage) 19.dxc6? ( 19.d3 d7 20.a4 f5 21.f3 according to Bareev) 19...e6 20.f4? ( 20.a4 (Bareev) c8 21.a5 bxa5 1127
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 22.xa7 xc6 23.xf7 xc4 24.f3 d5 25.e3 Marin ) 20...c8 21.c5 bxc5 22.a4 xe2 ( Black can also the consider the simpler 22...b6 23.e4 g5 24.e3 xc6 25.xc6 xc6 , and Black has equalised ) 23.xa7 e7 24.a4 e8! 25.xd6 e4 26.c2 f3 27.xe4 xe4 28.e2 xc6 29.xc5 f3 30.d3 e4 31.e2 1/2-1/2 V.Korchnoi-E.Bareev, Tilburg 1991 ] 14.e3 b8 15.a4 b6 16.a5 a6 [ 16...e6!? 17.d5 g6 ] 17.axb6 xb6 18.0-0 xc4 19.xa7 f6 20.g4 g6 21.f3 f6 , and a draw was agreed upon White is still up a pawn, but it is hardly convertible. ½-½
approximately equal, J. Lautier-V.Salov, Madrid 1993; B) 10.g5 h6 11.xf6 xf6 12.e4 d8 13.c5 d5 14.cxd6 xd6 15.c1 e6 16.a4 d5 17.xd6 xd6 18.xd5 xd5= Z. Azmaiparashvili-V. Epishin, Tallinn 1988 ] [ C) 8...c6 A) 9.d4 d6 1/2-1/2 was E.TomashevskyP.Eljanov, Dresden 2007, which of course doesn't tell us anything. White can try a number of things here, e.g. 10.b3 ( or 10.g5!? ) 10...a5 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.d1 e7 13.g5 , and White has some initiative; B) 9.b3 c5 10.d3 ( 10.e3 b6 11.f4 d6 12.c2 exf4 13.xf4 d5 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.b3 d4 16.a4 dxe3 17.xb6 xb6 18.dxe3 e6 is given as equal by 1137 A29 Ribli based on the game M.Gurevich-A. Vyzmanavin, Jurmala 1983, which seems Jobava,Baadur 2650 a b o u t r i g h t a f t e r a l i n e l i k e 19.b2!? Mchedlishvili,Mikheil 2583 xe3+ 20.f2 xf2+ 21.xf2 d5 66th ch-GEO Tbilisi GEO (9) 23.03.2007 22.xf6 xg2 23.xg2 gxf6 24.xf6 ) [Carsten Hansen] 10...h6 ( 10...e8 ) 11.d2 e8 12.c2 b6 13.a4 c7 14.ac1 d6 15.b4 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 d7 16.c3 c8 17.fe1 ( 17.b5 h3 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.0-0 0-0 8.g2 18.bxc6 xg2 19.xg2 bxc6 20.b1 [ RR8.d3 c6 9.d2 e8 10.g2 h6 e6 21.a4 1/2-1/2, A.Ludgate-G.Davies, 11.c1 xc3 12.xc3 d5 13.cxd5 cxd5 corr ICCF 1992) 17...h3 18.h1 a6 14.b3 d4 15.d2 e6!= Vasjukov ] 19.a4 a5 20.b1 axb4 21.xb4 a5= 8...h6 L. Po rtisch-R.Huebn er, A bano Term e [ The alternatives are: A) 8...d6?! 9.b3 1980 ] ( 9.c2 a6 10.d3 h6 11.h3 c6 12.e4 h7 13.h2 f5 1/2-1/2, Y.Averbakh-V.Korchnoi, 9.d3 e8 10.e4 d6 11.f4 c6 12.h1 c5 Palma de Mallorca 1972 14.f4!? ) 9...a5 My computer calls this position equal, but it ( 9...a5!? Ribli ) 10.a3 c6 11.d3 h6 12.b4 isn't a particularly easy position for Black to b6 13.c5 c7 14.cxd6 xd6 15.b2 play: White has a solid grip of the d5-square Z.Azmaiparashvili-S.Kindermann, Dortmund thus preventing Black from breaking with ...d6d5, and W hite already a kingside attack on 1990 ] [ B) 8...e8 9.d3 ( 9.c2 c6 10.a3 xc3 the move after f4-f5 and g3-g4-g5 Black will 11.bxc3 d6 12.b1 h6 13.d3 c7 14.e4 be facing a very problematic defence. 13.b1 b6 15.f4 , and White has some initiative, but a6 14.f5 b5 15.g4 b4 16.a4 d4 17.g5!? objectively speaking, Black is probably okay, hxg5 18.xg5 c5 [ Black's headaches have already become Zhang Zhong-S.Volkov, playchess. evident, and some simple analysis shows com2004 ) 9...c6 the severity of Black's situation: 18...d7 A) 10.b3 c5 11.h3 ( 11.g5 h6 19.e1 a5 ( 19...d5 20.h4 dxe4 12.xf6 xf6 13.e4 e7 14.xc5 21.xe4+- ) 20.xf6 gxf6 21.h4 xa4 xc5= Ribli ) 11...h6 12.h2 b6 22.xf6+- ] 13.a4 ( 13.f4! Salov ) 13...c7 14.e4 [ 18...d5 19.e1 dxc4 20.dxc4 b8 21.f3 b8 15.c3 a6 16.a4 d6 17.e3 b5= f8 22.h4 e7 23.d1+- ] with a position Ribli assesses as 1128
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 19.e1! d7 [ 19...a5 20.xf6 gxf6 21.h4+the black king isn't running anywhere - the game is over ] 20.h4! xa4 21.f3 d7 22.h3 Oh oh! f8 23.h8+ g8 24.xd8 exd8 25.h7 1-0
1138 Jones,G Gormally,D Scottish championships (2) [Daniel Gormally]
A29 2643 2496 07.07.2013
My E n gli s h s u m m e r. O ve r t h e su m m e r I played some games in the English, with both colours, I'd like to share with the readers. The first game was against England's rising star Gawain Jones in the Scottish chess championships, held in the beautiful town of Helensburgh, located only a few miles away from the historical Loch Lomond. 1.c4 e5 2.g3 [ Incidentally, 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 c5 And now Black has to be aware that 5.xe5!? is a serious try for White here. However xf2+! 6.xf2 xe5 7.e4 c5 8.d4 cxd4 9.xd4 0-0! Allows Black to maintain equal chances. ] 2...f6 3.g2 c6 4.c3 c5 5.f3 d6 In my view, this line is very solid for Black and a very good way of fighting against the English. T h e p o s it i o n s t h a t a rise a re ve ry r ich i n possibilities, and there are any number of different strategical plans each player can adopt. 6.0-0 [ White also has the important option of playing quietly here, with 6.d3 a6 7.0-0 h6 8.a3 0-0 see Flores, D (2578)-Vallejo Pons, F (2706)/Tromso NOR 2013 in this update. ] 6...a6 7.e3 0-0 8.d4 a7 9.h3 Understand ably, White wishes to discourage ..Bg4. [ White also has the option of resolving the c e n t r a l i s s u e i m m e d i a t e l y , w i t h 9.dxe5 but this didn't work out too well f or him either- dxe5! I think this is the correct way to recapture, as we shall see later in my Jones game. It is tempting to take on e5 with the knight and exchange pieces, but this makes the bishop on g2 much more of a potent
force 10.e2 e7 11.d5 xd5 12.cxd5 b4 13.e4 d7 14.a3 ( White cannot get an easy life by avoiding the coming complications with something like 14.a4 e i t h e r , a s a f t e r c6! Black is very nicely placed and the knight on b4 becomes a serious irritant, impossible f or W hite to eject from proceedings.) 14...b5 15.d2 f5! Black calculates the consequences of this phase of play very finely 16.g5 f4 17.f3 fxg3 18.hxg3 xf1 19.xf1 xf3! 20.xf3 f8 21.xb4 ( 21.e2 c2! ) 21...xb4 22.axb4 xf3 23.b5 xf2+ 24.e1 f6 The upshot of this tactical exchange is that Black is now technically winning, and went on to convert in Bacrot, E (2470)-Hellsten, J (2490) Yerevan 1996 ] 9...h6 I'm not sure what I wanted to achieve with this move, as Bg5 is no longer a threat. Although sometimes ..h6 can be useful in any case, it creates luft for the King, and f a cilita te s th e ide a of . .Nh 7-g5 , a us ef u l manoeuvre in many positions. In fact I was playing quickly at this point, and for most of the game, as it was the final of W imbledon and I had a bet on Andy Murray. My philosophy was, if I lost quickly, no big deal I can go and watch the tennis! Better to get it out of the way rather than be ground down slowly in some endgame and don't get to watch the final either. Admittedly this is not a very professional attitude adhered to by the World's elite. The previous year in the same eve n t I ha d do n e t h e sa m e t h ing o nly t o watch painfully as Murray was beaten in the final by Federer.. that was even worse as I offered a quick draw (playing with the White pieces) to my 2200 rated opponent, who was quite clearly shocked, so everything went badly that day! Also that year I fell short of the prize winners, getting 6.5/9, this year he won and I came first equal, so clearly my fortunes are quite closely intertwined with those of Murray. Check the date also, 7/7/13. I'm sure Kasparov would have been salivating over the significance of such numbers! Actually It's not always a bad idea to play quickly against stronger opposition. They like to dominate both on the clock and on the board. What you don't want to do is play slowly and hesitantlystrong players can smell weakness. I once 1129
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 played a game against Sasikiran where I played very quickly, I had noticed that he generally played fast and liked to be ahead on the clock. He was taken out of his comfort zone, being behind on the clock for once, and I won easily. [ 9...b8 Probably makes more sense as it contains a concrete plan- to play ..b5. 10.b3 b5! 11.dxe5 xe5 12.xe5 dxe5 13.e2 b4 14.d5 xd5 15.cxd5 c5 16.b2 e7 17.ac1 d6 18.f4 f6 Black has comfortably equalised, and the game ended in a draw in Damljanovic, B (2625)Miladinovic, I (2584) Zlatibor 2006 ] 10.b3 e8 Solid, but perhaps not the best. [ 10...f5! was the choice of the "professor" Evgeny Tomashevsky, and who would argue with this renowned openings expert? 11.b2 exd4 12.exd4 e8 13.h2 d7 14.a3 h7 15.b4 ad8 16.d2 d5! 17.c5 e4 18.d1 b8 19.b3 xc3 20.xc3 e7! putting into motion the strategic plan indicated earlier- where Black frees the dormant bishop by means of ..c6. 21.e5 e6 22.b5 axb5 23.xb5 f6 24.g4 h5 25.e3 c6 26.xb7 h4! Black has excellent compensation for the pawn, and we n t o n t o win in Ma la kh o v, V (2 6 9 2 ) Tomashevsky, E (2664) Budva 2009 ] 11.dxe5 [ 11.b2 e4?! was David-Svetushkin, in the Archive. ] 11...xe5?! [ I underestimated the strength of 11...dxe5! during the game. 12.b2 e4! ( 12...f5 13.d5 e4 14.h4 xg2 15.xg2 xd5 16.cxd5 e7 17.e4 d6 about level in Vachier Lagrave, M (2705)B a l o g h , C ( 2 6 6 4 ) / S a i n t L o u i s 2 0 1 2 .) 13.xd8 xd8 14.h2 f5 15.g4 xg4 16.hxg4 xg4 17.xe4 d2 seems to at least equalise for Black. ] 12.xe5 dxe5 [ Originally I had intended to recapture with the rook, 12...xe5 but then I started to realise that after 13.b2! life would be far from a bed of roses. Black has real problems generating counterplay in this structure. White is threatening Nd5, and any attempt to develop the bishop on c8 simply hangs the b7 pawn, while if Black plays ..c6
first, then the d6 pawn can become terminally weak. e8 14.c2 ] 13.a3 c6 14.xd8 I was surprised he went for this queen exchange. This didn't seem to play to his strengths, as Gawain is a tactical genius who scores many brutal victories in the middlegame. Still, Black has problems to solve in the endgame as well. [ 14.c2 a5 15.b2 e6 16.ad1 ad8 17.h2 gives White a nagging edge. Later, he will move his knight to e4. ] 14...xd8 15.e7! d3! [ While the position after 15...e8 16.xf6 gxf6 17.e4 g7 18.g4! was probably just about holdable, I didn't fancy struggling to defend with this bad pawn structure against a 2650 player. Already White has a plan of Ng3, followed by Be4 and light squareddomination. ] 16.ac1 [ 16.xf6 gxf6 17.ac1 is now not a problem, as Black has f5! And there will be no bind on the light squares. If anything, I prefer Black then. ] 16...e6 17.fd1 xd1+ 18.xd1 d7 [ 18...h5!? was an idea, to prevent White's next. 19.d6 d7 20.e4 f6 21.a3 ] 19.g4 e8 20.d6 g6 21.d5! Here it comes. I seem to allow this idea a lot, as Yang-fan Zhou had the chance to play this against me in the final round of the British Championships, with a big advantage, but declined and the game ended in a draw. It's not anything like so dangerous as it was in that game, but W hite does bag the two bishops. Fortunately I'm compact enough to not experience any serious problems... or am I? b8 22.c7 xc7 23.xc7 f5 24.gxf5?! [ There was certainly an argument for 24.f3! with more of a slow-build up, of Kf2-Kg3. These endings where you are defending against the two bishops can be torturous. I had a similar game in a recent tournament in Ghent, where I was crushed easily by my 2500 rated opponent in such an endgame. You ne ed to ge t some ou tp ost f o r you r knight, to gain some counterplay somehow, or it's going to be a long day. ] 24...gxf5 25.f3 [ 25.f4 e4! With the point of playing against the white light-squared bishop, allows Black 1130
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 to maintain the balance. ] 25...c8 26.d6 f7 27.h5+ f6 I felt comfortable at this stage, as while he may have the two bishops, my position seemed very compact, I have very few weaknesses and all my pieces are well placed. Over the next few moves he even started over-pressing to the point where he risked losing. 28.f4 b5! Fighting for space. 29.e2 bxc4 30.bxc4 c5 31.fxe5+ Gawain had a big think before playing this, as it suddenly started to dawn on him that his bishop on d6 was in danger of getting trapped. [ If White plays a neutral move like 31.f2 then he needs to find something quickly against e4! With the threat of .. Rc6, ..Bf7 and ..Ke6, winning the bishop. 32.d2 c6 And White must jettison a pawn with 33.h5 xc4 to prevent the aforementioned plan. ] 31...xe5 32.f2 c6 33.f8?! xc4?! [ 33...xc4! and Black is starting to get serious chances. During the game I feared t h e s e q u e n c e 34.xc4 xc4 35.xh6 with the idea of running the h-pawn, but in fact Black's c-pawn is the more dangerous. d6! 36.h4 e4+ 37.f3 c4 38.f4? b6 Illustrates the dangers facing W hite, as suddenly the threat of Rb2-f2 mating, rears it's ugly head... ] 34.xh6 d6 35.f3 And with this move he offered a draw, so we were off down the pub to watch the final set and half of the tennis. In fact after the game I asked Gawain why he played the English, as I was expecting more of a main-line d4 opening. He told me it was because he had read my article on chess publishing where I explained that I did badly against openings like the English where it's a slow-build up. Perha ps I shouldn't be so honest in future! ½-½
1139 Jones,Gawain C Swiercz,Dariusz Bundesliga 1213 (12.3) [Danny Gormally]
A29 2641 2609 17.03.2013
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.g3 g6 4.f3 c6 5.d4 exd4 6.xd4 g7 7.xc6 bxc6
8.g2 0-0 9.0-0 e8 10.a4 Played with two intentions in mind: firstly to concretely discourage the central break ...d5, and also to prepare Rd1, a very natural square for the rook. However it could be argued that this m o ve i s m o s t e f f e c t i ve wh e n B l a c k h a s already committed the rook to the b-file with .. Rb8, as then White would also create a threat against the a-pawn. [ The major alternative is to immediately activate the bishop with 10.f4 In that case W hite can also lay claim to a slight a d va n t a g e . b8 11.b1 g4 12.a4! xc3 13.bxc3 xb1 14.xb1 g5!? A very direct approach that is typical of Ernst, who takes few prisoners. Recently in the 13 round W ijk Aan Zee B group, I believe he only drew one game! Don't expect any dull draws when he's near a chessboard. 15.d2 xe2 16.d1 A) And now best would have been 16...e7! 17.xg5! ( The greedy 17.b8?! d o e s n ' t wo r k o u t ve r y we l l a f t e r xf2 18.xc8+ g7 19.c2 h3+! 20.xh3 c5+ 21.h1 f2-+ ) 17...xf2 18.xe7 xd1 19.f6 e1+ 20.f1 e6 21.d4 c5 22.xc5 xc3 23.b8 e8 24.a3 a6 25.d3 Is certainly better for White, but Black has certain holding chances.; B) 16...xf2? Was played in the game. Black doesn't really get enough for the e x c h a n g e a f t e r t h i s . 17.h3 xd2 18.xd2 e5 19.e2 f6 20.b8 Timman, J (2635)-Ernst, S (2300)/ Rotterdam 1998. ] 10...a5!? [ 10...b7 Was the choice of the Mercurial Ukrainian genius Ivanchuk, who in my eyes at least is one of the f oremost opening experts in the world. He seems to have unique and original ideas in every opening under the sun! 11.f4 c8 12.ad1 a5 13.d2 h6 14.fd1 c5! ( 14...g5 15.e3 xe3!? 16.fxe3 e8 Would have been similar to our main game, Black has plenty of action for the exchange, but there is no need for radical measures 17.e4 e5 ) 15.xb7 xb7 16.b5 d6 Already Black's position looks far more harmonious and Miles feels forced into the following dubious combination. 17.xd6 cxd6 18.xd6 c7 1131
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 19.xe8 xe8 20.e3 f8 21.d3 h5 22.a3 a8 23.h4 d6 24.c2 c6 25.a4 c7 26.c2 f8 27.e4 e8 28.e3 g7 29.d3 e6 30.d7 d8! Miles, A (2580)-Ivanchuk, V (2660)/Biel 1989. ] 11.d1 b7 [ 11...e7 12.f4 g4 13.xc7? A rather greedy pawn grab which is quickly p o u n c e d u p o n b y B la c k , c5! 14.e3 ( 14.f1 xc3 15.bxc3 xe2 16.d1 xf2 17.d4 xd4 18.cxd4 xg2+ 19.xg2 e3+ ) 14...xf2! 15.xf2 xe3+ 16.f1 a6 Black has more than enough action for the piece 17.f4 c5 18.f3 g5! Vaganian, R (2625) -Akopian, V (2605)/ Yerevan 1994. ] 12.f4 h5!? [ 12...c8 Would transpose into the aforementioned Ivanchuk game. ] 13.e3? From a practical point of view this is a poor decision, and rather akin to putting your head into the opponent's jaws. However Jones, who has made fantastic strides over the last few years, is not averse to taking risks in order to unbalance the situation on the bo a rd . I t b a c kf ire d o n h im t h is t im e , b u t overall this highly-aggressive approach works in his favour. [ 13.d2 e7 would have kept things fairly balanced. ] 13...xe3! Petrosian would have played this without batting an eyelid. 14.fxe3 e7 Objectively speaking after the exchange sac the game remains fairly balanced, but Black's position is much easier to handle- his moves are fairly obvious, while White has a difficult task trying to defuse the initiative. And in this go ld e n a ge f o r p ra g m a t i c c h e ss p la ye rs , practical chances mean everything. 15.d3 f6 16.ad1 g4 17.e4 e5 18.c3 h5! Intending to "soften up" the kingside. It is not clear what W hite should do- his rooks lack meaningful targets. 19.f2 h4 20.gxh4 xh4 21.d4 g5 22.e4 h4 23.f2 h5! 24.d1 f8 25.h3 d6 26.c5 a6 27.f3 xf3+ 28.exf3 xd4 29.xd4 xf3 Black has got the exchange back and White now faces an uphill struggle trying to save the game, something he was not able to do. 30.e4 [ 30.e4 f5 31.f6+ f7 Leads nowhere. ]
30...f4 31.cxd6 cxd6 32.g4 c5 33.e3 xe3+ 34.xe3 b8 35.e5 dxe5 36.xc5 xb2 37.xa5 b7 38.xe5 xa2 39.c5 e2 40.c3 g7 41.g4 d5 42.f1 b2 43.g1 e6 Despite the limited material White is really suffering- the Black position is far more compact. Perhaps only an endgame genius like Carlsen could save the white position. (or failing that, Houdini 3.) 44.c5 f8 45.a5 e7 46.a7+ f8 47.a5 c2 48.a8+ g7 49.a5 d2 50.c5 a2 51.b5 a4 52.f2 h6 53.e5 a2 54.c5 e2 55.a5 e3 56.h2 f5! 57.h4 h5 58.a4 d5 59.f4 e4 60.h3 e2+ 61.g1 g2+ 62.h1 g4+ 63.h2 xh4 64.f2 g5 65.g1 g3 66.a2 g4 67.b2 a3 68.e2 g3+ 0-1
1140 Kamsky,G Svidler,P Makedonia Palace GP (6.5) [Daniel Gormally]
A29 2741 2769 28.05.2013
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.g2 b6 6.f3 c6 7.d3 e7 8.0-0 0-0 9.e3 e6 10.c1 f5 11.a3 f6 [ In another game, Black chose to force mat ters.. . 11...f4!? Although this concedes control of the e4 square. 12.xb6 axb6 13.e4 h8 14.c3 d5 15.fd2 d7 16.e3 e6 17.c2 ac8 And Black had good chances, the game later ended in a draw in Granda Zuniga, J (2648)-Mecking, H (2602) Sao Paolo 2012 ] 12.d2 h8 13.b4 I must confess that I had a dif f icult time when tryin g this cla ssica l English from the Black side. The reason for this is quite simple- I'm good at what I call reaction chess, tactics and so on, positions where the pieces collide in open combat and you have to react to your opponents threats, but at slow, strategic chess, where you have to think up plans and think about where your pieces belong, I'm absolutely hopeless, a complete beginner. This is because I belong to the Facebook generation, the twitterati, that seeks instant gratification and has the sort of patience that would shame a goldfish. Kamsky 1132
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 on the other hand, is a master of positional play, honed by hours of deep study of the finer points of strategy as a youngster, and t h e s o r t o f s l o w- b u i l d u p we s e e i n t h i s opening plays right into his wheelhouse. b8 Simply played to protect the b-pawn, so that the knight on c6 can move. 14.c5 e7 15.b5 bc8 16.a4 b6 17.a3 d6 18.c2 c8 19.c1 d7 20.e1 fd8 21.e4! J u s t a t t h e ri gh t m o m e n t . T h e se kin d o f central breaks often cause a headache for Black in this variation. Because of the slow build-up, it's often difficult to switch from m a n o e u ve r in g p la y t o t h e c a lcu la t i o n o f concrete variations. g5 22.a1 c5 23.f3 f6 24.b2 g6 25.h4 h5 Understandably, Black desires to prevent any dislodging of the knight with h5, but by doing so he creates another potential weakness, which Kamsky expertly demonstrates. [ Given how the game pans out after this, Kamsky almost makes ..h5 look like a forced loss! 25...c4 May have made White's task som ewh at to ugh er. Af te r 26.d2 f7 27.exf5 xf5 28.h5 cxd3 29.hxg6 xg6 Black gains some serious compensation for the piece. At least this would sharpen things up a bit- in the game Black loses with a fight. ] 26.d5 f7 27.d1! f4 Practically forced. 28.h2! g4 29.xg4 hxg4 30.gxf4 xh4 31.f5 h6 32.f3! gxf3 33.xf3 f7 34.h5 g8 35.e3 b3 36.d2 c4 37.dxc4 b4 38.d5 xd5 39.cxd5 g5 40.f2 c3 41.xc3 xc3 42.h2 f4 43.e2 An extremely accurate game by Kamsky, who was ruthless in the prosecution of his advantage. 1-0
1141 Kanep,Meelis Sammalvuo,Tapani TCh-FIN 2006-7 (5) [Carsten Hansen]
A29 2510 2458 19.11.2006
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.g3 b4 4.g2 0-0 5.f3 e8 6.0-0 e4 7.d4 c6 8.c2 xc3 9.bxc3 This is generally considered to be less accurate than 9 dxc3, but can still be
considered as an alternative, but it has to be said that Black has scored remarkably well after the text move. [ A couple of lines concerning 9.dxc3 h6 10.e3 d6 11.c2 ( 11.f4 exf3 12.exf3 d7 13.h3 e7 14.c2 d5= Lautier, JKarpov, An Biel-A 1990 CBM/19) 11...e5 (also 11. ..Bd7, 11...b6, and 11...a5 have been tried here) 12.d2 d7 13.f4 exf3 14.exf3 c8 15.fe1 e8 16.d5 xd5 17.xe8+ xe8 18.cxd5 e5 19.c4 f8 20.h3 e8 21.f4 g6 22.c3 c5 23.h2 e7 with, according to the ECO, equal chances, Polugaevsky-Savon, Petropolis IZT 1 9 7 3, b ut it h a s t o b e sa id I wo u ld rather play W hite than Black here due to White spatial advantage and bishop pair. ] 9...d5 [ 9...d6!? has also been tried a this point, but 9...d5 is the main line ] 10.cxd5 xd5 11.d4 [ This is considered as best by Ribli. But if Sammalvuo's new idea holds up, then White will have to look for alternatives at this juncture. The alternatives are: 11.d3 h5 12.e3 h3 13.d4 ( 13.dxe4?! xg2 14.xg2 xe4 15.b1 b6 J.Sajtar-R. Fuchs, Leipzig 1965) 13...ad8 14.c2 e7 15.f3 xg2 16.xg2 g6 17.b1 b6 18.g4 a5 19.d2 A.Sznapik-J.Pribyl, Stockholm 1975 exf3 20.exf3 d5 21.e3 d7 ] [ 11.e3 h5 and here several things have been tried: A) 12.b1 A1) 12...e5 13.d4 ( 13.f3?! exf3 14.exf3 d3 15.c2 d8 16.c4 c5 17.b3 b4 18.b1 c6 D.Juswanto-V.Sadvakasov, Bali 2000) 13...eg4 14.xg4 xg4 15.h3 f6 R.Flacco-L. Christianse n, Lone Pin e 1972 16.g4 d5 17.b3 c6 18.e3; A2) 12...b6!? 13.f3 e5! 14.fxe4 eg4 15.xg4 xg4 16.c2 xe2 17.e1 f3 18.d3 xg2 19.xg2 c5 B.Larsen-M.Adams, Buenos Aires 1991 20.c4!? (Korchnoi) with chances for both sides; B) 12.f3 exf3 ( 12...e5! (Korchnoi) 13.fxe4 eg4 14.xg4 xg4 Ribli ) 13.exf3 1133
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 B1) 13...e6!? 14.d4 ad8 15.d2 d5 16.e1 ( 16.f4!? xd1 17.xd1 f5 18.e1 f6 19.e3= ) 16...xe3 17.xe3 d5 18.e2 ( 18.xe8+ xe8 19.f1 f6 20.b1 b6= ) 18...f6 19.b1 f7 20.f1 P.Byway-D.King, Morecambe 1981 a5!?; B2) 13...d5 14.f4 xd1 15.xd1 b6 B2a) 16.f5 a5 17.e3 ac4 18.xc4 xc4 19.b1 ( 19.f6!? g6 20.d3 d6 21.f4 ) 19...d6 20.g4 d7 21.d3 A. Gamundi Salamanca-J. Campos Moreno, Olot 1996; B2b) 16.e3 B2b1) 16...f6 17.d4 ( 17.f5 d7 18.d4 ) 17...d7 18.d2 ad8 19.fe1 e6 20.f5 f7 21.xc6 bxc6 22.g2 c4 1/2-1/2 A. Perkins-A.Williams, Brighton 1972; B2b2) 16...a5 17.d3 E. Geller-J. Dorfman, URS-ch (Yerevan) 1975; C) 12.d4 g4 13.xg4 xg4 14.f3 exf3 15.exf3 h3 ( 15...e6 16.f4 a5 17.d3 ad8 18.fe1= B.Heggheim, BD. King, Hamar 1982) 16.xh3 xh3 17.f4 d7 ( 17...e7!? 18.e1 d5 19.d2 xe1+ 20.xe1 d7 and Black has the initiative) 18.d2 a5 19.ae1= R.Stoutenborough-A.Bisguier, Ventura 1971 ] [ 11.f3?! c5+ 12.h1 exf3 13.xf3 g4 14.xf6 gxf6 15.e3 xe3 16.dxe3 d8 E, Ubilava-N.Rashkovsky, Kujbyshev 1986 ] 11...c4!? [ This is a brand new idea, and it appears a rather effective one. 11...h5 A) 12.f4 h3 ( here 12...d5!? 13.d2 h3 14.b1 xg2 15.xg2 a5 looks rather pleasant for Black) 13.e3 ( 13.e3!? ) 13...f5 ( 13...g4 looks very tempting, but after 14.f3 xg2 15.fxg4 h3 16.f2 f3 17.f1 xg4 18.e1 e7 19.xf3 exf3 20.xf3 the chances are about even) 14.f3?! ( 14.b1!? ) 14...xg2 15.xg2 exf3+ 16.xf3 J.Perez Martin-V.Gomez Polo, Malaga 1984 e4 17.c4 d7; B) 12.c4 a6 13.f4 b5 B1) 14.cxb5!? axb5 15.f3 e7 ( 15...a7 16.a3 exf3 17.xf3 g4
18.h4 g6 19.e4 ) 16.d2 d5 17.g5 e3 18.xe3 f5 19.f4 e4 20.xe4 xe4 21.d3 f5 with some compensation for the pawn, but this may be worth a try for White.; B2) 14.f3 bxc4 15.xc7 h3 ( 15...d5! 16.d6 h3 is very unpleasant for White and a clear improvement over the game) 16.g4 h6 17.c1 xc1 18.fxc1 xg2 19.xg2 d5 and Black has the slightly better chances, Bobotsov-Fuchs, Sochi 1966; C) 12.f3 h3 ( 12...exf3!? 13.exf3 d5 14.d2 a5 15.a3 b6 is equal according to I.Sokolov) 13.g4 h4 14.e3 g6 ( Black has to be a little careful h e r e , e . g . 14...xg2 15.xg2 h3 16.g5 d5 17.b3 is far from desirable; whereas 14...exf3 15.exf3 e7 16.d2 fd5 17.e1 xe1 18.axe1 xg2 19.xg2 b6 is fine for Black ) C1) 15.b3!? a5 ( 15...ab8 16.xh3 xh3 17.g5 h5 18.fxe4 d8 19.e5 wins for White) 16.a4 c6 17.c4 is clearly better for White; C2) 15.d2 exf3 16.xh3! f2+ ( 16...xh3 17.xf3 h4 18.g2 xg4 19.xf6 xe2 20.f2+- Ribli ) 17.xf2 ( 17.g2!? keeps the extra piece ) 17...xe3 18.xe3 xh3 19.f3 xg4+ 20.h1 and White was clearly better, but nonetheless still failed to convert the advantage, Ljubojevic-I. Sokolov, Groningen 1993 ] [ 11...a5 12.e3 c6 13.d5 xc3 14.d2 a3 15.c1! Ribli ] 12.b2 b5 13.b1 e6 14.a1 [ This is not exactly where White ideally want to put his bishop, but better alternatives are not easy to find, e.g. 14.a3 a6 15.a1 a5 ] 14...a6! This is a beautiful, yet remarkably simple move by forcing White to push his apawn to a3, the bishop on a1 becomes even worse, and at the same time, by maintaining control over the c4-square, Black contains White's game, and his ability to free himself. 15.a3 c4 16.e1 d5 This is textbook stuff, maintaining a light-squared strategy while controlling the opponent's active counterplay. 17.d2 1134
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 17.b4 cxb4 18.axb4 e3 ( 18...f5!? ) 19.f4 g6 ( 19...ad8 20.c2= )] 17...b6 18.b4 cxb4 19.cxb4?! [ This simply loses a pawn for no co m p en s a tio n . W h ite u nd o u bt e d ly h a d hoped to bring some life to his pieces, but not much of this is gained in the game. Somewhat better, and not losing a pawn is 19.axb4 c8 20.c2 e6 ] 19...xa3 20.c2 a2 21.b2 xb4 22.xc7 a4 White has so me more activity than before and a passed d-pawn, whereas Black's pieces are lined up on the a-file with two passed pawns barely out of their starting blocks. Yet it is important to notice that White h a s n 't a c c o m p li sh e d m u ch co m p a re d t o bef ore, since Black's pieces have easier access to the important squares and files, while W hite's are still in each other's way. 23.c1 b3 [ 23...d5!? ] 24.f4 [ On 24.bb1 d5 Black is also clearly better ] 24...d5 25.f5 g6! 26.g4 f5! This weakening of the dark squares could be a serious issue, if White's dormant bishop on a1 is let out of its cage. On the other hand if Black can maintain the blockade on d5 and keep up his light-squared strategy, then he will b e we ll o n h is wa y t o victo ry. 27.h3 ac8 28.f1 d1 29.d2 xa1 30.dxd1 b2 31.e3 Black's strategy has triumphed, he is in complete control of the board with more space, better placed and coordinated pieces and a couple of passed pawns that can make life truly miserable for W hite. If Black m a i n t a i n s h i s g r i p h e s h o u l d w i n . c3 32.de1 e2+ 33.h1 c1 Black is pretty much doing what he pleases at this point. 34.g4 A desperate lunge for activity and counterplay. f4! [ 34...d3!? is also very good. ] 35.xe4 When White has to play something like this, the end is near. xe4 36.f3 e7 37.exf4 f7 38.e3 a2 39.e6 c3! 40.xa2 f3+ 41.g1 xg4+ 42.h1 f3+ 43.g1 g4+ 44.h1 xf4 45.e7 c1! 0-1
1142 Karpov,Anatoly Bacrot,Etienne Gp A Cap d'Agde FRA (1) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2699 2613 29.10.2000
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 g6 5.d4 exd4 [ Black must concede the centre, 5...d6?! 6.dxe5 xe5 7.xe5 dxe5 8.xd8+ xd8 9.g5 e7 10.0-0-0+ d7 11.h4 f6 12.e3 c6 13.h5 is difficult for Black, Petrosian, T-Bannik,A/URSS. ] 6.xd4 g7 7.xc6 [ 7.g2 keeps more tension, and is considered in the archives. ] 7...dxc6! [ At first sight this recapture (away from the centre) seems wrong, but actually after this Black has two pawn islands, as opposed to the three after 7...bxc6 8.g2 0-0 9.0-0 a5 10.e3 with an edge, Gheorghiu,F-Hebert,R/ Buenos Aires/1978. ] 8.xd8+ xd8 Black's active pieces give him real compensation for the doubled c-pawns, and displaced king. 9.g5!? [ A new try from Karpov, previously White had not been particularly successful with: 9.d2 e6 10.e4 e7 11.e2 hd8 12.f3 d7 13.0-0-0 e5 equal, Uhlmann,W-Lau, D/Dortmund 1990, ] [ 9.e4 g4 ( and not 9...xe4? 10.xe4 e8 11.g5+ f6 12.0-0-0+ winning ) 10.e2 xe2 11.xe2 e8 12.f3 d7 13.g5+ c8 14.ac1 a5! with good co u n t e r c h a n c e s , G u l k o , B - K r a m n i k , V / Novgorod 1995. Actually, the structure is reminiscent of the Berlin Defences employed by Kramnik in his match against Kasparov. ] [ 9.f3 e6 10.e4 d7 11.e3 c8 12.0-0-0?! e8 13.e2 b6! 14.c5 d7 15.c2 f8! 16.b4 a5 17.a3 f5 with good play for Black once again, Janssen,R-Bacrot, E/Wijk aan Zee 1997. ] [ and 9.g2?! is worse, e6 10.c5 ( 10.b3? e4 ) 10...d7 and the c-pawn is a problem. ] 9...h6 10.d1+ e7 [ So, White obliges the black king to go to e7, instead of c8, its favourite square in this line, 1135
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 as 10...d7?! 11.xf6+! xf6 12.e4 xb2 13.h3 f5 14.c5 and Black has problems. ] 11.e3 e6 12.c5+ e8 13.e3 d8 14.xd8+ xd8 15.d4 e8 16.d2 b6 17.b4 e7 18.d3 f8 19.a3 d7 Black is having some problems bringing his pieces to their ideal squares, and meanwhile White increases his space advantage. 20.a4 f5 21.e4 f7 22.e1 d8 23.exf5 gxf5 24.c2 a5 25.bxa5?! [ A l l o w i n g B l a c k l o t s o f p l a y , 25.c3 might be better. ] 25...a8! 26.c3 xa3 27.d2 d6 [ 27...bxa5!? ] 28.e2 f6 29.f3? [ 29.c5! bxc5 30.b2 creates a useful passed a-pawn. ] 29...bxa5 30.c5 f8 31.b1 a7 32.d3 d5 33.b8 f6 34.e3 d7! 35.b1 e5 Taking aim at the f-pawn, now Black is clearly on top. 36.f4 [ 36.e2 d5 37.f1 is too passive. ] 36...xd3 37.xd3 a8 [ 37...c8! 38.d4 a6+ 39.c2 b5 would free the a-pawns path. ] 38.b7 d8+ 39.d4?! Self-pinning moves like this are always dangerous. d7? [ Missing 39...b3! 40.xb3 g7 regaining the piece with a big plus. ] 40.e3 c4 41.a7 Now White is fine. e7+ 42.e5 g7 43.c3 b3 [ 43...xe5 44.fxe5 xe5+?? 45.d4 ] 44.xa5 xe5 45.fxe5 xe5+ 46.d4 e7 Black is now a pawn up, but his structure is poor. 47.a3 e6 48.e5 d7+ 49.f4 e1 50.a5 f1+ 51.e3 h1 52.h4 e1+ 53.e2 e6 54.d2 b1 55.a7 d5 56.xc7+ f6 57.h7 b2+ 58.d3 e4+ 59.e3 b3+ 60.d4 d3+ 61.c4 e3 Black has jettisoned a pawn for some activity. 62.f4 xg3 63.xh6+ [ 63.h5+ g6 64.xh6+ xh6 65.xg3 is also equal, and transposes to the game. ] 63...g7!? [ 63...e5 64.g6+ f6 65.f4+ draws immediately. ] 64.h5+ [ 64.xc6! g4 65.c7+ f6 66.d5+ offered better chances. ] 64...xh6 65.xg3 d5+
[ 65...b1 ] 66.d3 f4 67.e2 f3 68.f4 e4+ 69.e3 h7 70.h5 c2 71.g3 d1 72.f5 g6 73.d4 h5 74.xf3 g4 75.e5+ xh4 76.f4 a4 77.f5 g3 78.e6 f4 79.d6 e4 80.xc6 White has won the c-pawn under favourable circumstances, but it is still a theoretical draw. d3 81.c7 c4 82.b6 d5 83.a7 d7 84.b5 c4 ½-½
1143 Karpov,Anatoly Vyzmanavin,Alexey Tilburg (3) [Carsten Hansen]
A29 2760 2605 1993
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.c2 0-0 [ 7...c6 8.0-0 0-0 9.d3 h6 10.d1 ( 10.a3 is Kasimdzhanov-Timman, W ijk aan Zee 1999 - see the PGN archives) 10...d6 11.g2 e7 12.d2 a5 13.a3 c5 14.e1!? g4 15.ab1 d4 16.h3 e6 17.e3 a7 18.h2 h5 19.e2 d7 ( 19...d5!? 20.cxd5 cxd5; 19...h4!? ) 20.e4!? xe4 21.dxe4 f6 ( 21...h4!? 22.g4 e7 ) 22.bc1 f7? ( 22...h4!? ) 23.xa5 xe3 24.xe3 xa5 25.xd6 xc4 26.d2 b5 27.b4+1-0 Tomashevsky, E-Pert, R/Dresden GER 2007 ] 8.0-0 [ 8.d3 c6 9.a3 e7 10.0-0 d5 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.g5 e6 13.fc1 d7 ( 13...h6!? 14.xf6 xf6 ) 14.a4 xa4 15.xa4 ac8 16.xf6 gxf6 17.e3 , and thanks to his superior pawn structure, W hite has a slight, but enduring initiative, which allowed him t o to rt ure Black f or a con sice ra ble amount of time, before agreeing to a draw, E.Bareev-B.Gelfand, Monte Carlo (blindfold) 2005 ] [ 8.a3 xc3 9.xc3 ( 9.dxc3!? ) 9...d6 10.0-0 h3 11.e1 c6 12.e4 d7 ( 12...g4!? 13.d4 f6 is quite pleasant for Black ) 13.d4 f6 14.dxe5 dxe5 15.b4 fe8 16.b2 b6 17.d1! V.Ivanchuk-A. Khalifman, USSR Ch (Moscow) 1988 ] 1136
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 8...e8 9.d3 [ 9.d1 c6 10.d4 ( 10.a3!? ) 10...xc3 11.bxc3 ( 11.xc3 e4 12.g2 d5 13.g5 dxc4 14.xc4 h6= ) 11...e4 12.g2 d6 13.g5 f5 14.c5 ( 14.d2!? ) 14...h6 15.f4 d5 ( 15...dxc5!? 16.dxc5 a5 looks like a decent option for Black, who can't be worse) 16.ab1 c8 17.e3 h3 18.b3 xg2 19.xg2 d7 20.c4 dxc4 21.xc4 with pressure along the b-file, R. Vaganian-A.Yusupov, Rostov 1980 ] 9...h6 [ 9...c6 A) 10.g2 h6 11.b1 d5 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.b3 xc3 14.bxc3 b6 15.a4 g4 16.e1 d7 17.d2 ac8 18.a5 bxa5 19.a3 b8 is comfortable for Black, A. Karpov-J. Smejkal, Milan 1975; B) 10.a3 xc3 11.xc3 d5 12.cxd5 xd5 13.c2 c7 ( 13...e6 14.d2 d7 15.fe1 c7 16.c5 g4 17.xg4 xg4 18.b4 d7= P. David-S.Berezjuk, Czech Rep 2004) 14.b4 h3 15.d1 e6 16.b2 f6 17.ab1 ad8 and Black has least equalised, J.SmejkalV.Korchnoi, Palma de Mallorca 1972; C) 10.g5!? C1) or 10...h6 11.xf6 xf6 12.e4 g6 13.a3 ( 13.c5!? ) 13...f8 14.c5 f5 15.d2 d5 16.cxd6 xd6 17.c4 c7 with fairly even chances, J.TimmanM.Tal, Tilburg 1980; C2) 10...e7 11.fd1 d6 12.b4 a6 13.d4 exd4 14.xd4 , and White has t h e u p p e r h a n d , B l a c k' s p o si t i o n i s uncomfortably passive, M.Tal-A.Kochyev, Moscow 1981 ] 10.d2 [ White should probably give preference to 10.a3 xc3 11.xc3 d5 12.cxd5 xd5 13.c5 ( 13.b3!? c6 14.d1 a5 15.e4 f6 16.e3 ) A) or 13...c6 14.d2 b6 15.xb6 axb6 16.a4 c7 17.e3 b5?! 18.axb5 xa1 19.xa1 xb5 20.b6 ( 20.a8!? ) 20...d4 21.xd4 exd4 22.a4 d8 23.a8 e8 24.a4 d8 25.a7 h3 26.g2! ( 26.xb7?? a8-+ ) 26...xg2 27.xg2 d7 28.a8+ h7 29.a7 g6 30.f4 e7 31.f3 e3+ 32.f2 e7 33.b4 f6 34.a8 h5? ( 34...d7 )
35.d8 1-0 Cvetkovic, S-Skalkotas, N/ Kavala 1990/CBM 21/[Ribli]; B) 13...f6 14.c2 c6 15.b4 g4 16.h1 d7 17.b2 ad8 18.fe1 a6 19.ad1 e6 20.f3 h3 21.e4 d7 ( 21...a2 22.f4!? ) 22.d4! exd4 23.xd4 ed8 24.ed1 a2 , and here a draw was agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, I.FaragoM.Tseitlin, Polanica Zdroj 1978, but I think that White still has the better chances after 25.xd7 xd7 26.e1! , and White will start rolling with his e- and f-pawns ] 10...c6 11.ac1 d6 12.g2 e6 13.h3 a5 14.a3 d5 15.b4 b6 16.a4 d7 17.h2 ac8= 18.cd1 f5 19.e4 g6 20.xb6 axb6 21.c1 b5 22.c5 cd8 23.b2 c7 24.fe1 h7 25.e2 dxe4 26.dxe4 f6 27.h4 f8 28.xd8 xd8 29.d1 e6 30.d3 f7 31.d1 xd3 32.xd3 b6 33.cxb6 xb6 34.d2 d4 35.c3 c5 36.bxc5 xc5 37.b4 c6 38.c3 c4 39.e3 c2 40.d2 xb4 41.axb4 c7 42.h3 f7 ½-½
1144 Kasimdzhanov,Rustam Timman,Jan H Hoogovens Wijk aan Zee NED (5) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2595 2649 21.01.1999
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 Black breaks the first rule of the opening, m o v i n g a d e v e l o p e d p i e c e t w i c e . 5.g2 No-one ever takes the pawn by [ 5.xe5?! as after e7 6.f4 ( 6.d3?? f3# is the point.) 6...d6 7.d3 f5 Black has a virulent initiative. ] 5...xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 What is the idea? The c6-knight is often awkwardly placed in 4...Bb4 lines, but here not only is e5 no longer attacked, but Black might also be able to play ...c6, and ...d5. 7.0-0 [ 7.a4!? was tried by Ivanchuk, against Svidler, at Wijk aan Zee 1999, but following c6 8.0-0 0-0 9.d4 e4 10.g2 d5 Black had no problems whatsoever. ] 7...0-0 8.c2!? White controls e4, and dissuades Black from capturing on c3, but [ 8.g2 is simpler. e8 9.d3 c6 10.b3! 1137
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 otherwise Black would play 10...d5, and may even have the advantage. c5 11.h3! h6 12.h2 b6 Lautier,J-Salov,V/Madrid 1993, and now 13.f4! would give White a plus. ] 8...c6 9.d3 h6 Black prevents the pin Bg5 in orde r t o p la y . . .d 5 . 10.a3 e7 11.e4 A standard idea in the English, by preventing the freeing move ...d5 White keeps control of t h e c e n t re . d6 12.b4 h7 13.g2 f5 Black looks for his counterplay elsewhere, and while the centre is static can afford to expand on the wing. 14.f4! exf4 15.xf4 g5 16.h1 fxe4 17.dxe4!? A doubleedged decision, [ 17.xe4 xe4 18.xe4 h3 leads to immediate equality, aiming for more, White isolates his own e-pawn, but hopes for play against the d6-pawn along the dfile. ] 17...e6 18.e3 xf1+ 19.xf1 g5 Of course, with this pawn formation Black would like to exchange his lesser bishop. 20.xg5 Personally, I would play [ 20.g1 in such a position. ] 20...xg5 21.d3 e5 The fruit of his 19th move, the queen settles happily on the central e5-square. 22.a4 g5 23.c5 f7 24.cxd6 xd6 25.c5 g4 26.b3+ h8 27.d3 White manages to break the blockade of e4. d4 28.f4?! A misjudgement, White had to play the natural [ 28.e5 freeing his g2-bishop, even though c4 29.f4 a1+ 30.f1 only leads to a draw by repetition. ] 28...c4! 29.g6+ h7 30.f8+ g8 Black is not happy with a draw by 30...Kh8 now. 31.g6 e8 32.b5 e6 33.a4 f7 Trying to shift the annoying white knight. 34.h4 cxb5 35.xb5 e3 36.f5! White takes the opportunity to even-out his pawn structure. xf5 37.exf5 b6 38.c6 The extra black queenside pawn may prove useful in an endgame, so W hite decides to use his trump- the f5-pawn. e2 39.f6 gxf6 Black has no more than a draw after [ 39...xg2 40.c8+ h7 41.xg2 ] 40.a8+? In zeitnot White sends his queen offside, [ 40.xf6 xf6 41.xf6 is better for Black, because of the queenside majority, but should be defensible . ]
40...g7 41.xa7 g6! Black unpins the bishop so that it can take part in the decisive attack. 42.a6 xg2! 43.xg2 d5+ [ 43...d5+ 44.h3 e4 threatens mate with ...Be6+, and wins the house. ] 0-1
1145 Kasparov,Garry Sadvakasov,Darmen It Astana KAZ (5) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2827 2585 25.05.2001
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 b4 5.g2 0-0 6.0-0 e4 7.g5 xc3 8.bxc3 e8 9.f3 This move led to many famous World Championship battles with Karpov, it is interesting to see what tricks Kasparov has ' u p h i s s l e e v e ' ! e3 This was Karpov's immediate reaction. The e-pawn is sacrificed to further weaken the white c-pawns. 10.dxe3!? [ Interesting, Kasparov had first played 10.d3 (see the archives for this move) and then had switched to ] [ 10.d4 with success. Now he tries the third possibility. ] 10...e7!? [ An unusual alternative to 10...h6 and ] [ 10...b6 , both considered in the archives. ] 11.h3!? [ One of the ex-World Champion's many innovations, the knight is misplaced, and so returns to the fray via h3, and f4. 11.e4!? c5+ 12.h1 h6 13.h3 xc4 leads to similar play, Zagorskis,DSammalvuo,T/Copenhagen 1998. ] 11...c5 As in the previous note, Black heads f o r t h e c 4 - p a wn . 12.f4 xc4 13.e4 What is the advantage of White's move-order, as he seems to have an almost identica l position to the Zagorskis game? Well, he has avoided having to move his king, and thus Black hasn't played the useful move ...h6. d6 [ 13...xc3!? 14.b1 b6 15.b2 is very risky, the b2-bishop could become very strong. ] 14.d3 e5 [ Not 14...xd3? 15.exd3 evening-out the white formation, when his bishops would 1138
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 give him a plus. ] 15.xc4 xc4 16.g4 White mobilises his mass of kingside pawns. b8 17.d1 b6 18.g5 d7 19.d5 b7 20.f4 Controlling the e5-square, and threatening to displace Black's powerful c4-knight. f8 21.d4 a5 [ 21...b5!? was also possible, but Black had to evaluate the line 22.a4!? c6 23.e3 e6 24.xc4 xd4 25.xd6 ] 22.f5 d7 23.b1 c5 24.d3 a4 Black's solid structure offsets the disadvantage of W hite's bishops. 25.f4!? The World no.1 sacs the exchange to correct his pawn structure. c2 26.b2 xd3 27.exd3 d8 28.h4 c6 29.h5 e7 30.e3 bd7 At the moment the black rooks have no open files, and the black knights no go o d squ a res , b ut W h ite h a s t o ach ie ve something concrete before Black can correct this situation. 31.g4 c6 32.h6 e5! The k nigh t arrive s just in t im e to red uce W h i t e ' s d a r k - s q u a r e d p r e s s u r e . 33.xe5 dxe5 34.hxg7 xg7 35.f1 d6 The pawn couldn't be defended, but at least Black has opened the d-line. 36.xe5 [ 36.f6+ h8 37.xe5 g8 is worse, as it allo ws th e f 8-kn igh t t o co m e to a go o d square, e6 or g6. ] 36...f6 37.g4?! [ 37.c4 c6 38.gxf6+ xf6 39.f2 appears stronger, e5 is a strong threat, and if d7 40.h2 is very awkward. ] 37...fxg5 38.h2 e8 39.e5 d5 40.f6+ h8 41.h6 White has allowed Black to blockade the pawns, and so decides to force a perpetual check. dxe5 42.f7+ g8 43.h6+ ½-½
1146 Kasparov,Garry Timman,Jan H Corus Wijk aan Zee NED (11) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2849 2629 26.01.2001
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.0-0 e7 8.b1 W hite wants to play b4 without a3, so that there is no later weakness on b3. 0-0 [ Stopping b4 by 8...a5 is likely to transpose
into games in the archives. ] 9.b4 The tactical point. xb4!? [ A v e r y u n u s u a l c a p t u r e , 9...a6 is more usual, when W hite continues virulently on the queenside, by 10.a4 f5 11.b5! Serper,G-Kamsky,G/Dortmund 1993. ] [ 9...xb4?! 10.xe5 xe5 11.xb4 simply hands W hite the bishop pair, and both central pawns. ] 10.xe5 c6!? [ Timman's innovation. 10...a5 11.d4 4d5 12.xd5 xd5 13.b3 b6 14.d1 certainly looks good for White, Kobalija,MSolomon,K/Elista 1998, as he can attack along the queenside files, or use his centre, as he wishes. ] 11.a3 4d5 12.xd5 cxd5 This is clearly the point of Black's idea, he recaptures with the c-pawn to restrain the white centre. 13.a4 f6 14.d4 f5 15.b5 a6 16.b2 c8 17.f4 xe5!? Black thereby gains the c4square for his knight. 18.xe5 e8 19.e3 e7 Freeing the knight by defending the b7pawn. 20.g4!? The start of an aggressive plan on the kingside, White clearly feels that he cannot win on the queenside alone. e4 21.f3 c4 22.e2 g6 23.h4 f6 [ 23...xe5!? 24.dxe5 ec7 seems strong, as the c2-square is prepared for the bishop's u s e , b u t t h e n c o m e s , 25.e4 xh4 ( 25...dxe4 26.xd8+ xd8 27.f4 h5 28.f5 ) 26.exd5 and the white d-pawn is very strong. ] 24.f4 d7 25.fe1 c6 26.h5 f7 27.e4 dxe4 28.xe4 xe4 29.xe4 d5 W hite has two bishops, but Black has nice squares for his minor pieces, and can push his b-pawn. 30.e2 c8 31.h6 g5 32.g3 e8 33.e1 xe2 34.xe2 f8 35.d3 b6? [ Allowing White to fix the queenside, 35...b5 would have left Black with at least equality. ] 36.a5 c4 37.f1 The previously moribund bishop finally does something useful. e7 [ The a5-pawn is indirectly defended: 37...xa5? 38.a3+ ] 38.c3 e3+ 39.xe3 xe3 40.d3 c4 41.e1 g8 42.f2 b5 43.b4! [ 43.axb6 xb6 44.xa6 is much worse, as the Black hold on d5 may defend. As played W hite will attack, and win, the a6-pawn 1139
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 when his own a-pawn will be decisive. ] 43...b2 44.f5 c4 45.e3 d5 46.c8 c4+ 47.e2 1-0
1147 A29 Khalifman,Alexander 2667 Lutz,Christopher 2595 FIDE WCh KO New Delhi IND (2.3) 02.12.2000 [Tony Kosten] 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.0-0 e7 8.b1 g5!? 9.b4!? [ Gulko's move- a wing thrust is countered by ...another wing thrust! White decides to rip open the queenside before Black's kingside a t t a c k g e t s g o i n g . 9.d4!? is the more traditional counter, but after exd4 10.b5 f5 Black exploits the rook's position on the b-file, 11.a1 ( is 11.e4?! possible? xe4 12.e1 xb1 13.xg5 xa2 14.fxd4 0-0! su gge st s n o t) 11...e4 12.bxd4 xd4 13.xd4 xd4 14.xd4 xg2 15.xg2 0-0-0 and Black has some advantage, Claesen,P-Gurevich,M/Antwerp 1994. ] [ The alternative 9.d3 h5!? was seen in the archives. ] 9...g4 [ 9...xb4? 10.xe5 ] 10.e1 xb4 11.c2 [ 11.f4!? exf4 12.xf4 4d5 13.xd5 xd5 14.f1 is unclear, Rothermel,TGelfenboim,J/W uertemberg 1999, as c3 15.b3 xe2+ 16.h1 0-0 17.b2 gives White some play. ] 11...c6 [ Played to leave the c2-knight misplaced, 11...xc2 12.xc2 c6 13.a4 promises White plenty of compensation for the pawn, the black kingside is draughty. ] 12.xc6+ bxc6 13.d4 f6!? [ 13...exd4 14.xd4 f6 looks strong, but 15.xc6 d7 16.e4! is possible, e.g. g7 17.h6!! xd1? 18.xg7! winning material, because of the threat of Nf6 mate. ] 14.dxe5 [ G u l k o p r e f e r s 14.d3!? when e6 ( 14...exd4 15.xd4 c5 ) 15.e4 d7
16.dxe5 f5 17.e6 is unclear ] 14...xd1 15.xd1 fxe5 16.a3! [ This move, swapping one of Black's bishops, is the FIDE W orld Champion's improvement on 16.b4 when f5! 17.e4 xb4 18.xb4 e6 19.g5 f8 20.b2 f3 was better for Black in Gulko,BBenjamin,J/US Ch 1997. ] 16...a5?! [ Probably 16...xa3 17.xa3 e6 would be a better try, although the black structure is still very ragged. ] 17.xe7 xe7 18.e1! The knight is coming to d3, to attack e5, and c5. a6 19.d3 xd3 20.exd3! hd8 21.e4 d5 22.bc1 a6 23.a3 h5 24.e1 b6 Black has managed to defend his weaknesses, and must n o w t r y t o a c t i v a t e h i s p i e c e s . 25.d2! This wins the e5-pawn. f6 26.c4 b3 27.xe5 xd3 28.xh5 Re-establishing material equality, whilst maintaining the better pawn formation. c3? [ After this Black loses further material, 28...c5 kept him in the game, although White is certainly on top. ] 29.xc3 xc3 30.e3 d4 31.c5 [ 31.xa5 is also strong. ] 31...b5 32.xc6+ f7 33.c5 c6 34.c4 e6 35.g2 a4 36.h3 gxh3+ 37.xh3 d6?! 38.b6 b5 39.xc6+ f7 40.c4 d2 41.f4+ g7 42.xa4 An object lesson in the exploitation of weak and isolated pawns, every single one of Black's pawns has disappeared! The rest is simplicity itself for White. xa3 43.c5 c2 44.e4 d5 45.g4+ f7 46.g5 d4 47.c5 e1 48.g5+ f6 49.g4 d3 50.f5+ g6 51.f3 f4+ 52.g3 h5+ 53.h4 d1 54.h3 g7 55.f4+ h7 56.d5 f1 Hard as Black tries, he cannot a void th e inevitable. 57.d3 a1 58.d7 g8 59.d5 e6 60.e7 d4 61.f4 f8 62.e4 f3+ 63.g3 d2 64.e2 a3+ 65.e3 e4+ 66.f3 d6 67.c2 f7 68.c7+ e8 69.f5 f7 70.f4 d6 71.d5 a4+ 72.g5 f7+ 73.f6 d6 74.g5 a5 75.e6 a6 76.f6+ [ 76.b4 b6 77.c6 was even easier. ] 76...f8 77.d7+ g8 78.b8 b6 79.c6 1-0
1140
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 has the more attractive position, but it will be hard to make progress. 20.e4 h8 21.a2 d4 22.e3 d5?! [ Rather than exchange queens, Black could play ...f5 or even 22...g4!? 23.f3 h3 ] 23.b2 f5 24.xd5 xd5 25.xc5 bxc5 Now the a- and c-pawns are targets. The old man tackles a reversed Dragon one 26.b6! more time. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 e6 27.f3 c8 28.c1 d6 29.b5 S u d d e n l y B l a c k i s t i e d d o wn a n d W h i t e 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.b1!? [ If nothing else this sidesteps 7.0-0 e7 controls the play. dc6 30.c4 g8 31.f2 8.b1 g5!? White tries to get the queenside f7 32.f4! exf4 33.gxf4 g6 34.xa5! xb6 pawns rolling as early as possible, but this 35.d4 d8 36.dxc5 b1 37.b5 dd1 has an artificial feel and the results haven't 38.cb4 xb4 39.xb4 d8 40.d4 e6 41.b6+ c6 42.e3 The ending is not easy been particularly good. ] b u t K o r c h n o i e v e n t u a l l y c o n v e r t s . h1 7...f6 [ Recently 7...g6 has been looking like a 43.g3 e1 44.f3 h1 45.g3 e1 complete solution: 8.0-0 g7 9.b4 ( 9.d3 46.b2 h6 47.h4 h5 48.f2 a1 49.xb7 h6 10.b4 0-0 11.b5 d4 12.d2 a6 xa4 50.b6 d5 51.b1 d4 52.c1 13.a4 axb5 14.axb5 f5= --Ribli ) 9...0-0 c6 53.g1 xc5 54.xg6 a2 55.xd4+ 10.d3 d4 11.xd4 ( 11.a4 g4 12.xd4 xd4 56.e6 a1 57.e5 h1 58.e3+ exd4 13.e4 d5 14.c2 c6= d3 59.d5+ c4 60.xf5 xh4 61.e5 Miezis-Bromann, Gausdal 2003) 11...exd4 d3 62.f5 h2+ 63.f3 12.e4 d5 13.g5 f6 14.d2 b6 1-0 15.c1 ( 15.c2 ) 15...e6 16.c6 e8= Mulyar-Baburin, San Francisco 2001. ] A29 [ 7...g4 8.0-0 f6 9.d4 xd4 10.xd4 1149 exd4 11.b5 d7 12.xd4 xd4 Kortschnoj,Viktor 2643 13.xd4 0-0-0 14.h3 h5 15.e3 f7 Svidler,Peter 2695 16.b3 c5 17.b5 a6 18.c3 d5= Korchnoi Birthday Gp B (4) 28.04.2001 Serper-Oratovsky, North Bay 1998 ] [Tony Kosten] 8.d3 e6 9.a3 e7 10.0-0 0-0 11.b4 a5 The most aggressive. Alternatively, a nice 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 example (by no means forced) went 5.h4 d5!? [ 11...d4 12.e4 a2!? 13.xd4! exd4 [ A new idea, previously 5...c6 had been 14.c5! xb1 15.b3+ f7 16.xb7 e8 preferred, as in the archives. ] 17.a5 xd3 18.exd3 d8 19.c6 d6 6.e3 c6 7.cxd5 xd5 8.d3 This doesn't fit 20.b5 f8 21.a4 a6 22.a5 axb5 23.xb5 too well with the pawn on g3, as the lightwith a solid advantage in Miezis-Agopov, squared bishop cannot easily defend both the Oslo 2003. ] kingside and d3. e7 9.f3 0-0 10.g2? 12.b5 d4 13.d2 [ 10.a3 covers b4. ] [ White achieves nothing by 13.xd4 exd4 10...db4! Of course! 11.e2 14.a4 d5 ( Or 14...d5 )] [ Ugly, but how else can White defend d3? 13...d5 11.d4 losing a pawn t o exd4 12.xd4 [ Or 13...c6 . Black's strategy has been a xd4 13.exd4 xd4 14.xd4 c2+ ] success. ] 11...e6 12.e1 14.h3 e6!? [ Unfortunately, White cannot chase the [ 14...a4 or ] knight away immediately, as 12.a3 b3! [ 14...f7 preparing ...Nd5 were more 13.xb3?? loses to xd3+ 14.e1 c2+ ] challenging. ] 12...d7 13.a3 d5 14.c2 ad8 15.xe6+ xe6 16.b3 d7 17.c4 c5 A 'normal' Sicilian-style position has been 18.xb6 cxb6 19.a4 ad8 Stefanova still reached, but the presence of the white king on 1148 Kortschnoj,Viktor Stefanova,Antoaneta Smartfish Masters (9) [John Watson]
A29 2601 2523 05.01.2005
1141
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 e 2 i s a s e rio u s p ro b le m . 15.d2 h8 16.xd5 xd5 17.xd5 xd5 18.f3 f5 19.c4 d7! [ 19...xc4 20.dxc4 e4 is favourable to Black, but keeping queens on the board is clearly best. ] 20.hd1 b5! 21.c2 [ Not 21.xb5?? e4 when any knight move wo uld allo w . .. Nd 4+, winn ing t he whit e queen. ] 21...f4 Opening a route to the weakened kingside for the black queen. 22.ac1? [ The threat to c6 is illusory, better 22.f1 to defend the f3-knight. ] 22...fxg3 23.fxg3 [ 23.xc6?? xd3+ 24.e1 g2 forces mate. ] 23...e4! Freeing the e5-square for the knight. 24.dxe4 g4 [ 24...h3 is also a killer. ] 25.f1 xf3 26.xf3 e5 27.cf1 xf3 [ 27...xf3 28.xf3 f8 wins the rook. ] 0-1
1150 Kosten,Anthony C Jean,Olivier Open Marseille FRA (1) [John Watson]
A29 2504 2193 30.06.2006
Another triumph by Tony. Not a very compelling game, but illustrating many ideas related to good squares, centralization, and opportunism. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 9.b4 e6 10.b1 f6 11.d3 e8 This older move is perfectly reasonable, intending . ..Rd8 and perhaps ... Qf7 at some point. But it's slow by comparison with [ 11...a5 12.b5 d4 , as in this month's game Van Wely-Tiviakov, Bareev-Shirov, Poikovsky 2006 in our April Update the earlier Bareev-Yakovich, Kazan 2005. As we've seen that variation has been holding up well for Black. ] 12.e4 [ 12.b2 limits White's coordination after f7!? ( or 12...a5 13.b5 d4 14.xd4 exd4 15.e4 d7 ) 13.d2 fd8
and Black has no problems. ] 12...d8?! [ Black does better to adjust to the new rea lity b y 12...a5 13.b5 ( 13.c5? a2 14.b2 axb4 15.axb4 xb4! ) 13...d4 ] 13.c5 c8 14.c2 White's pieces are wellplaced and now he can work towards a central bre a k wit h d 4 . d6 15.b2!? Again the bishop may not be ideally placed here. [ 15.e3 is another possibility, since White can recapture with a piece if Black tries ... Bxc5. Then d5 16.c4 is a bit awkward f o r B la ck. A ll t h e se d e cisio n s a re ve ry technical and unclear. ] 15...e7 Black would like to dislodge the powerful knight on c5, but he could also play the immediate [ 15...xc5!? 16.bxc5 ( 16.xc5 a4 17.c2 xb2= ) 16...d5 with a nicely centralized position. I prefer W hite's two bishops, yet the game is almost in balance. ] 16.e3 [ Or 16.fc1 , to discourage ...a5. ] 16...de8 [ 16...a5! th re at e ns . .. a xb 4, a n d 17.b5 ( 17.bxa5 xc5 18.axb6 xb6; 17.a1? axb4 18.axb4 xb4; 17.d4!? ) 17...xc5 18.bxc6 bxc6 19.d4 d6 20.xc6 ( 20.dxe5 fxe5 21.xc6 isn't bad, but d7 leaves the queen short of good squares in view of ...Na4 or ..Bf5) 20...d7 21.c2 e4!? 22.d2 f5 is muddy. ] 17.d2 d8 18.d4! exd4 19.xd4 c6 20.bd1 f7 21.ce4 White has a definite positional advantage. All of his pieces except the rook on f1 are active. e7? [ 21...g6! 22.c1 e7 is the way to avoid the following tactic. ] 22.c5 White can cash in by [ 22.xb6! axb6 23.c4 , winning a pawn with no real consequences. ] 22...g6 23.f3 e6?! Probably missing White's next. 24.h4! h5 [ Or 24...f7 25.xe7! xe7 26.d6 h5 27.f3 e5 28.e4! ] 25.f3 g4 26.xg4 xg4 27.xe7 xe7 28.d6 g6 Black tries to cover the monster square f5, but W hite's pieces are still more active and this weakens the kingside. 29.d4 e6 30.fd1 d7? A typical blunder under pressure. Probably the only worthwhile try was 1142
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 30...d5! 31.b5! a6 ] 31.e4 h3 32.xg6! hxg6 33.h4 e6 34.xg6+ g7 35.h5 1-0
1151 Kosten,Anthony C Pert,Richard G 4NCL 2006-07 (10) [Carsten Hansen]
A29 2517 2455 06.05.2007
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.b3 c5 8.0-0 0-0 9.a4 [ White has an interesting alternative in 9.d1!? A) 9...a6 10.e3 d6 11.d4 exd4 12.exd4 a7 13.f4 h6 14.c5 dxc5 15.dxc5 e7 16.a4 b8 17.e1 e6 18.c3 ( 18.c2!? ) 18...d7 19.c6 bxc6 20.xc6 M.Marin-L.Christiansen, World Chess Network 2000; B) 9...d6 10.e3 e8 11.d4 exd4 12.exd4 xd4 13.xd4 e1+ 14.g2 d7 C h r i s t i a n s e n 15.g4 h5 16.h3 intending Rd1 with a won position - Marin; C) 9...e7 10.d3 c6 ( 10...h6 11.a4 d6 12.xc5 dxc5 13.e3 Marin ) 11.g5 h6 12.xf6 xf6 13.e4 e7 14.xc5 xc5 15.c3 ( 15.e3 e7 ) 15...e7 16.c5 ( 16.d4 e4 ) 16...d8 17.d2 d5 18.cxd6 xd6 ( 18...xd6 19.b4 ) 19.ad1 e6 20.d4 exd4 21.xd4 e7 22.a3 f6 M. Marin-F. C u i j p e r s , S i t g e s 1 9 9 9 23.h4! xd4 24.xd4 d8 25.xd8+ xd8 26.e5 Marin ] 9...e7 10.d1 c6 [ This appears to be Black's best choice at this juncture. Other tries are: A) 10...e8 11.d4 e4 (this move leaves the e4-pawn a target that White will have a relatively easy time attacking) 12.g2 h6 13.c3 f8 14.e3 b6 15.c2 b7 16.d5 ( 16.f4!? ) 16...g4 17.d4 f5 18.f3 e5 19.fxe4 xc4 W.Uhlmann-Z.Jasnikowski, Polanica Zdroj 1981 20.b3 e5 21.exf5+- ] [ B) 10...c5!? may in fact also be perfectly playable, if a bit passive: 11.d3 d6 12.c3 e8 13.a3 b8 14.a2 d7 15.d5 h3
16.xf6+ xf6 17.b1 g4 18.xg4 xg4 with approximately even chances, though Miles eventually managed to win a drawn endgame against a young Sadler, who had his mom sitting next to the table throughout the entire game (I also played in this tournament and saw most of this game live) A.Miles-M.Sadler, Ostende 1991 ] [ C) 10...d6 A) 11.d4 exd4 ( 11...d7 12.g2 c6 13.e4 c7 14.e3 b6 15.ac1 b7 16.c2 ad8 17.h3 b8 18.c3 S.Makarichev-V.Epishin, Tashkent 1987) 12.xd4 b8 13.c3 e6 14.a4 e8 15.e3 c6 16.e4 xe4 17.xe4 , a nd W hit e ha s the som ewhat b et te r chances, A.Ludgate-G.Kubach, corr 1999; B) 11.c3 d7 12.d4 f6 ( 12...exd4!? 13.xd4 e5 offers Black a better chance for equalising) 13.dxe5 xe5 14.e3 f6 15.c5 e6 16.xb7 b8 17.xa7 xb2 18.d4 xd4 19.xd4 with a solid advantage for White, B.Gelfand-J.Timman, Wijk aan Zee (blitz) 1998 ] 11.c3 [ 11.d4 e4 12.g2 d5 13.cxd5 ( 13.c3 b6 14.f4 e6 15.a4 e8 16.cxd5 cxd5 17.xe8 xe8 18.f3 f5 19.ac1 , and W hite's chances are preferable, P. K o e n i g - H . D o d e r e r , I C C F E m a i l 2 0 0 0) 13...cxd5 14.f4 b6 15.c3 e6 16.ac1 d7 17.b5 ac8 18.c7 h6 19.f3 d6 (the beginning of a series of exchanges that will inevitably lead to an equal endgame) 20.xd6 xd6 21.fxe4 xe4 22.xe4 xc7 23.xc7 xc7 24.xd5 xd5 25.xd5 c2 , and Black is fine, G.SerperK.Aseev, St Petersburg 1994 ] 11...d6 12.d4 c7 13.c2 [ 13.g2 A) 13...exd4 14.xd4 e6 15.c2 ad8 16.b3 d5 17.cxd5 e5 18.e3 cxd5 19.ad1 d7 20.4d2 ( White can consider 20.f4!? h5 21.f3 h3 22.e5 , which looks pretty good for White, but what concerned Erik Bang, who is one of the best correspondence chess players in the world, I'm not sure, but he must have had something in mind.) 20...c8 21.d4 h5 22.b2 b6 23.c2 dc7 with chances for both csides, E.Bang-F. 1143
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Berry, corr 1989; B) 13...f5 14.h3 exd4 15.xd4 d7 16.d1 c5 17.e3 a5 18.d2 fe8 19.b3 ad8 20.c1 h6 21.h4 f8 , and Black has neutralised W hite's pressure, in addition White has to consider it a possibility that Black may sacrifice the exchange on e3. 22.d4 e6 23.e3 c5 24.d4 e6 25.e3 c5 , with a draw by repetition, 1/2-1/2, Cu. Hansen-J.Gustafsson, German Bundesliga 2000 ] 13...h3 [ 13...a5 Black has also done well with 14.dxe5 ( 14.b3 h3 15.a3 g4 16.e4 fd8 17.dxe5 xe5 18.h1 a4 19.b2 f5 20.d2 f6 21.g2 axb3 22.axb3 g4 23.f1 xa1 1/2-1/2 Baiocchi, G-Morgado, J/ corr 1995/MegaCorr3) 14...dxe5 15.a4 e6 16.e4 b6 17.c5 ( 17.e3!?= ) 17...b5 18.b6 ad8 19.d2 a4 (although the material balance is still intact, Black is more o r l e s s wi n n i n g a t t h i s p o i n t i f h e c a n manage to exchange all pieces and isolate the white knight on b6, he will be a piece up in the endgame. I will not give any more comments to the rest of this game, bu t despite this game being exceedingly long, take your time to play through and enjoy the technique of the then young grandmaster from Minsk, Gelfand, who had his international breakthrough that year) 20.e3 g4 21.xd8 xd8 22.xg4 xg4 23.g2 g5 24.c3 f6 25.xg5 xg5 26.b3 axb3 27.axb3 d8 28.h3 e6 29.b4 h5 30.a8 xa8 31.xa8 d8 32.b6 d1 33.h4 h3+ 34.h2 g4 35.g2 e2 36.e3 xe3 37.fxe3 f8 38.f2 f6 39.a8 e7 40.c7 d8 41.a8 d1 42.b6 c2 43.f3 d1+ 44.f2 c2 45.f3 g5 46.a8 b1 47.b6 d3 48.a8 c2 49.b6 b1 50.a8 g4+ 51.f2 d3 52.b6 c2 53.e2 c7 54.a8+ d7 55.b6+ d8 56.f2 xe4 57.e2 b1 58.f2 c2 59.e2 b1 60.f2 f5 61.a8 c2 62.b6 d3 63.a8 c4 64.b6 e6 65.a8 e7 66.c7 c8 67.a8 f6 68.c7 d7 69.g2 f4 70.gxf4 exf4 71.exf4 f5 72.g3 e4 73.a6 d4 74.b8 e8 75.a6 g6 76.b8 e4
77.f5 e5 78.f6 xf6 79.f4 d5 80.d7+ e7 81.b6 e6 82.a8 h1 83.c7+ d7 84.a8 f3 85.b6+ e6 86.c8 d5 87.d6 e2 88.f5 c4 89.g3 d3 90.xh5 xb4 91.e3 c3 92.f4 h7 93.d5+ c4 94.f6 f5 95.f4 g3 96.xg3 b4 97.f4 b3 98.xf5 b2 99.h5 b1+ 100.g5 c1+ 101.g6 g1+ 102.h6 xc5 103.e4+ d5 104.g5 e3 105.g6 e8+ 0-1 Miles, A-Gelfand, B/Moscow 1989/TD ] 14.b4 [ 14.b3 h6 ( 14...g4 15.g2 xg2 16.xg2 exd4 17.xd4 f5 18.h3 e5 19.a3 f4 20.xf4 xf4 21.gxf4 g6 22.e3 W.Taylor-B.Dabulawicus, corr 1995 h4+ 23.h2 f3+ 24.g2 h4+ with a draw by perpetual) 15.b2 h7 16.c5 g5 17.cxd6 xf3+ 18.exf3 55 1/2-1/2 Gulko, B-Nikolic, P/Polanica Zdroj 1996/CBM ] 14...g4 15.g2 xg2 16.xg2 b6 [ 16...f5!? 17.dxe5 xe5 18.b3 c8 19.f4 e6 , and Black has a pleasant game ] 17.b1 exd4 18.a4 d3 19.exd3 c7 20.h3 f6 21.e3 d5 22.d4 fd8 23.c3 h6 24.e2 h7 25.cxd5 cxd5 26.g4 f6 27.xf6 xf6 28.d4 b6 , and Black's activity will compensate for the inferior pawn structure after the exchange of queens, e.g. 29.xb6 axb6 30.d2 d4 31.e2 b5 ½-½
1152 Kovacevic,Blazimir Potkin,Vladimir Czech Open Pardubice CZE (4) [Carsten Hansen]
A29 2457 2591 23.07.2007
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.b3 c5 8.d3 c6 [ 8...0-0 A) 9.a4!? e7 10.0-0 e8 ( 10...c6 11.c3 d6 12.d1 c7!? ) 11.d1 d6 12.c3 f8 13.c2 c6 is given as equal b y W i sn e ws k i b a s e d o n t h e ga m e V . Tukmakov-M.Hebden, Hastings 1982, but I quite like W hite's chances after 14.d4 1144
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 exd4 15.xd4; B) 9.g5 c6 10.0-0 h6 11.xf6 xf6 12.e4 was played in J.Timman-J.Hector, Copenhagen/Malmoe 2005 - see the PGN archives; C) 9.g4!? C1) 9...d6!? 10.g5 ( 10.g5 d7 ) 10...h6 11.xf6 xf6 12.e4 h4 13.xc5 dxc5 14.h3; C2) 9...d5 10.g5 ( 10.xd5 xg4 is fine for Black) 10...dxc4 ( 10...g4!? 11.xg4 xg4 12.cxd5 b6 13.c4 ) 11.xc4 d7 12.e4 e7 13.e3 h8 14.0-0-0 with the idea d3-d4 or h4h5 (Watson) ] 9.g5 [ 9.g4 in ChessBase Magazine, Ribli calls this move interesting, but he doubts Black needs to fear White's threat of g4-g5 so far the games in this line have supported his o p i n i o n . . . d6 ( 9...d5!? 10.g5 dxc4 11.xc4 d7 12.e4 e7 is wonderfully c o m p l i c a t e d) 10.g5 g8 ( 10...d7!? was tested in L.Aronian-B.Gelfand, Saint V i n c e n t 2 0 0 5 - s e e t h e P G N a rc h ive s) 11.e4 ( 11.a4 is F, Vallejo Pons-B. Gelfand, Pamplona 1999- see the PGN archives ) 11...b6 ( 11...e7 ) 12.a3 c7 13.c5 ( 13.d2 e7 14.b4 f5 ) 13...dxc5 ( 13...d5 14.d6+ ) 14.xc5 e7 15.d2 e6 16.a3 b6 17.c1 d5 , so far V.Zvjaginsev-P.Svidler, Moscow 2001, and now 18.h4!? offers White a good game ] 9...e7 10.d1 h6 11.c1 [ 11.xf6 xf6 12.e4 d6 13.0-0 0-0 14.g2 e7 15.d4 c7= ] 11...d6 12.d4 c7 13.g2 0-0 [ 13...f5 14.e4 d7 15.0-0 0-0 16.c2 ] 14.0-0 exd4 [ 14...g4!? ] 15.xd4 White has the slightly better ch a nc e s t h an ks t o his a b ilit y t o b u ild u p pressure along the d-file and Black's relatively passive set-up e6 16.c2 c5 17.b5 b6 18.dd1 a6 19.a3 fd8 20.b3 d5 21.cxd5 xd5 22.c4 c7 23.d2 a5 24.a4 f6 25.f4 b4 26.b1 ab8 27.f5 xc4 28.bxc4 e7 29.e4 xe4 30.xe4 d4 31.f4 e8 32.xb7 xe2 33.de1 xe1 34.xe1 xc4 35.e8+ h7 36.a8
c2 37.xa5 c4 38.a8 c3 39.c8 a2 40.e4 c2 41.d2 g5 42.xb4 c1+ 43.xc1 xc1 44.c6 e3+ 45.h1 h5 46.e7 f6 47.e8 h6 48.h4 d4 49.d6 e5 50.xe5 fxe5 51.g6 xa4 52.g2 a6 53.e8 f6 54.d7 g6 55.fxg6 e4 56.b5 xg6 57.e8+ h6 58.b5 e3 59.g1 f2 60.e8 f3 61.b5 xg3+ 62.f1 g4 63.e2 e4 64.d3 xh4 65.xe3 h3+ 66.e2 g5 67.c4 f4 0-1
1153 Lautier,Joel Bu Xiangzhi Sanjin Hotel Cup (9) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2666 2620 26.07.2004
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 b4 5.d5 c5 Normal, but what had Lautier planned against [ 5...e4!? as in his game against Kasparov? ] 6.d3 White threatens Bg5, although this should transpose. We had previously looked at [ 6.g2 ] 6...h6 7.a3 a5 8.g2 0-0 9.e3 d6 10.0-0 xd5 The knight on d5 is annoying, so Black decides to exchange it, he could also keep the tension by [ 10...f5 11.d4 a7 as in Uhlmann,WKraut,R/Germany 1999. ] 11.cxd5 e7 12.d4 White immediately evens-out his structure. exd4 13.xd4 g6 A n e w m o ve , t h e kn igh t a im s f o r e 5 . I n Barczay,L-Petran,P/Budapest 1978 Black preferred to exchange a piece by [ 13...f5 14.xf5 ( 14.b3!? ) 14...xf5 15.e4 d7 16.d2 c6 17.dxc6 xc6 18.c3 a4 White has a nominal edge. ] 14.b3 d7 15.h3 e8 16.b2 This is a typical position for this line, White has more space, and possible play on the c-line, but Black's pieces are active. a4!? 17.b4 b6 18.c1 e7 19.h2 Safety-first play, GMs of ten pref er to put their pieces on better squares before undertaking anything committal. ac8 20.e1 f8!? 21.c4 [ 21.b5 l o o k s g o o d , a8 22.c4 f6 23.c2 and to avoid losing the a-pawn Black 1145
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 has to try g6 but White is clearly better. ] 21...f5!? To control e4, but Black gives himself more weaknesses. 22.d3 f7 23.ec1 [ 23.b5 a g a i n l o o k s e f f e c t i v e , a8 ( 23...xd4 24.xd4 is horrible for Black, t h e c 7 p a w n i s t o o w e a k .) 24.c2 and the a-pawn's future looks bleak. ] 23...g6 24.e6! e5 [ 24...b5 25.xg7 e5 26.xe5 xe5 27.e6 gives plenty of compensation for the exchange, the black kingside is weak and the e6-knight very strong. ] [ 24...xe6? 25.dxe6 xe6 26.xb7 d8 27.d5 is hopeless for Black. ] 25.xe5 dxe5 26.xc7 Just winning a pawn. e4 27.d1 ed8 28.b5 e8 29.d6 h7 30.f1 White brings his one inactive piece back into the fray. d7?! [ 30...xc7 31.xc7 xc7 32.xc7 a2 33.g1 xa3 wins a pawn, but after 34.d7 f7 35.xb7 White has every chance of winning. ] 31.xa4 h5 This is a bit desperate. 32.d1 h4 33.d5 hxg3+ 34.fxg3 a7 35.c7 W h it e h a s t wo e xt r a p a wn s, a n d a go o d position. f4 36.exf4 f2 37.g2 g6 38.e7! The most accurate, Black only gets one check. xg3+ 39.h1 h4 (Qh5 mate was threatened.) 40.xd7! [ 40.xd7 xc1 41.xe4+ g6 42.xg6+ xd7 43.xh4+ wins everything. ] 1-0
11.b3 d5 Black wins. ] 6...0-0 7.g2 e8 8.0-0 c5 [ Black decides it is time to preserve his darksquared bishop, 8...d6 9.d3 exd3 10.xd3 xd5 11.cxd5 e5 12.c2 c5 13.b3 e7 14.b2 was slightly better for White in Lautier,J-Karpov,A/Dortmund 1993. ] 9.d3 Black's advanced e-pawn must be eliminated, else the knight on h4 might find itself short of squares. exd3 10.xd3 e5 11.c2 c6 12.e3 [ A little trick, 12.c3?! is worse, xc4! 13.a4 f8 14.xc4 b5 regaining the piece with advantage, Smyslov, V-Mecking, H/Petropolis 1973/IZT. ] 12...cxd5 13.xc5 d6 14.d4 dxc4 Black has grabbed a pawn, but White should be able to win it ba ck when he likes, bu t would like to do this whilst maintaining an advantage. 15.ad1!? [ A novelty, normally White prefers to place the other rook here, reserving the queen's r o o k f o r u s e o n c 1 : 15.fd1 e7 ( 15...d5!? ) 16.d2 c6!? 17.xf6 xf6 18.xc4 with an edge, Smejkal, J-Mecking, H/Rio de Janeiro 1979/IZT, but Black's play could probably be improved. ] 15...d5 This seems critical, and the idea was probably prepared by Kasparov for use against 15 Rfd1. 16.e4 [ Rather than 16.xe5?! xe5 17.xc4 g4 winning the e-pawn. ] 16...g4 17.f3 d7 18.exd5 b5 The dust h a s s e t t l e d a n d W h it e h a s r e g a in e d h i s 1154 A29 sacrificed pawn, without having to concede Lautier,Joel 2675 one of his two bishops. However, Black can Kasparov,Garry 2838 be happy with his queenside pawn majority FIDE GP Moscow RUS (2.1) 02.06.2002 and possible use of the d3-square. 19.xe5?! [ Why return the powerful dark-squared [Tony Kosten] bishop? 19.fe1 d3 20.xe8+ xe8 21.f1 is better, and appears fairly level. ] 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 b4 19...xe5 20.f4 b6+ Black hastens to 5.d5 Lautier's favourite. e4!? [ A s h a r p r e p l y , 5...c5 is standard, exploit the weak white dark squares. 21.h1 ee8 22.h3 Obviously directed against ...Ng4preserving the bishop. ] e3. e3 23.f3 ae8 24.xe3 xe3 6.h4 [ 6.xb4?! is worse, xb4 7.d4 g4! 25.h2 g6 Black provides a square for his crude, but very effective: ...Qf6 is the nasty king, whilst controlling the f5-square. 26.f3 threat, and if 8.h3? ( 8.f4 0-0 9.c2 The knight was doing little on h4. f5 27.f2 xc2+ 10.xc2 d5 with an edge to Black, e4 28.g1 d6 The black knight reaches Skembris,S-Kumaran,D/Kopavogur 1994) the fine blockading square on d6, the passed 8...xf2! 9.xf2 f6+ 10.e3? c5 d-pawn needs top be kept 'under lock and key', 1146
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 as a moment's lack of concentration is all it A1b) 17.c6?! bxc6 18.xc6 f5; needs to allow this pawn to advance to the A2) 16...dxc5 17.e4 e7 18.xc5 queening square. 29.d4 d3! Black wants xc5! 19.bxc5 fd8 S.Skembris-M. a passed pawn. 30.xd3 cxd3 31.e3 c4! Drasko, Belgrade 1994; 32.e8+ g7 33.f3 B) 9...d6 10.a4 d7 11.g2 a5 [ 33.xf5+? gxf5 34.b3 d4! and the d12.xc5 xc5 13.c3 e7 14.e3 e4 pawn cannot be stopped. ] 15.dxe4 xe4 16.d4 e8 17.b3 e5 33...e3 34.xe3 xe3 Black has correctly 18.b2 W.Uhlmann-V. Korchnoi, judged that this endgame is very promising for Amsterdam 1972; him, the d3-pawn is strong and the black C) 9...e8!? 10.d2 ( 10.g5 h6 knight very active. 35.d2 c4 36.xc4 11.xf6 xf6 12.e4 e7 13.xc5 bxc4 37.f3 d2 38.d1 White has done all xc5 14.c3 a5= Ribli ) 10...c6 11.ac1 he can to stop the d-pawn, but he also has a h6 12.a4 ( 12.a4 f8 13.c5!? Ribli ) problem with the h-pawn which needs 12...f8 13.fd1 ( 13.b4 d5! 14.cxd5 def ending. f6 39.g2 h5 40.g4 e4+ cxd5= 15.xd5?? xd5 16.xd5 41.f2 h4! Fixing the h-pawn on a light xd5 17.xe8 h3 18.e4 xd3-+ square. 42.e3 xd5 43.g5+?! Hjartarson ) [ 43.xd2 w a s t h e o n l y c h a n c e , g2 C1) 13...d5?! 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.b3! 44.e2 xh3 45.e3 with some drawing ( 15.b5 d7 16.b3 c6=; 15.xd5 possibilities. ] xd5 16.xd5 xd5 17.xe8 h3-+ ) 43...e7 44.xd2 e6 45.g4?? 15...d4 16.d5 e6 17.xf6+ xf6 [ A blunder, but even after 45.e2 xh3 18.xb7 xa2 19.b4 Hjartarson; 46.xc4 e6! Black wins the a-pawn, White C2) 13...d6 14.b4 g4= Cu.Hansen-J. cannot play the king-and-pawn endgame Hjartarson, Reykjavik 1997 ] because of the outside h-pawn. ] 9.0-0 0-0 10.g2 45...xg4 [ 10.a4 e7 11.c5 d5 12.cxd6 xd6 0-1 13.e3 e7 14.ac1 e6 15.c2 d5 16.g2 fc8= S.Silseth-P.Leito, Ringsted 1992 ] 1155 A29 [ 10.a3 h6 11.c2 e7 12.d1 d6 13.d4 c7 14.b3 h3 15.b2 h7 16.c5 Lautier,Joel 2661 R.Janssen-J.Van der Veen, Dieren 1997 ] Sebag,Marie 2479 [ 10.g5 e7 ( 10...h6 11.xf6 xf6 TCh-FRA Top 16 (5) 29.04.2007 12.e4 e7 13.xc5 xc5 14.c3 a5= [Carsten Hansen] Hjartarsson 15.fd1!? e7 16.c5 d8 17.e4! d5 18.exd5 cxd5 19.e1 d4 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 20.c4 ) 11.fd1 d6 12.ac1 h6 13.d2 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.b3 c5 8.d3 c7 14.g2 f5 15.a4 d7 16.b4 a6 c6 17.b3 b5= E. Tomashevsky-P.Svidler, [ 8...0-0 9.0-0 ( 9.g5 h6 10.xf6 xf6 Russian Ch (Moscow) 2005 ] 11.e4 e7 12.xc5 xc5 13.0-0 d6 14.c3 a5 15.fd1 1/2-1/2, F.Gheorghiu-J. 10...h6 11.e3 [ 11.d2 e8 Smejkal, EU-chT 1977 ) A) 12.ad1 f8 13.h3 a6 14.h2 d6 A) 9...a6 10.a3 d6 11.g2 b8 12.c2 15.f4 e7 16.f5 c7 17.e3 d7 e6 ( 12...h6!? ) 13.b4?! ( 13.g5! h6 18.c1 ( 18.b6 c8 19.e4 c5! 20.d5 14.xf6 xf6 15.e4 e7 16.xc5 xd5 21.cxd5 a5! 22.a4 a6; 18.a4!? dxc5 17.b4! Damljanovic, B) 13...a7 c8 19.g4 looks promising for White) 14.g5 ( 14.b2 c6 ) 14...h6 15.xf6 18...d8 19.g4 b8 20.a7 c8 21.f2 xf6 16.c5 b8 22.e4 b5 23.c2 d5 A1) 16...e7 with a complicated struggle ahead, V. A1a) 17.cxd6 cxd6?! ( 17...xd6!? ) Popov-G. Sargissian, Moscow 2007; 18.d5; 1147
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 B) 12.h3 b6 13.a4 a5 14.b3 b8 d6 21.c2 ac8 (this looks terribly 15.a4 d6 16.c5 bxc5 17.c2 b5 comfortable for Black) 22.fe1 c5 23.bxc6 18.e3 d5 19.xc5 xc5 20.xc5 d6 bxc6 24.b3 c5 25.b5 d5 26.c4 21.e4 c5 22.c3 b4 23.d2 b8 b6 27.cc1 d5 28.c4 b6 29.c2 1/2-1/2, H. Stefansson-F.Vallejo Pons, d5 30.c4 , and a draw was agreed upon, Havana 2001 ] 1/2-1/2, Van Wely, L-Karjakin, S/Nice FRA 11...b6 2008, e7 31.a3 c3 32.xa5 d5 [ 11...e8 12.h3 f8 13.d2 d6 14.d4 looks better for Black ] c7 15.d5 d7 16.a3 b6 17.b3 12...c6 13.de4 f7!? W.Uhlmann-H.Pohla, Tallinn 1977 ] [ The alternatives are: A) 13...f7 14.d2 12.a4 c7 13.e4 a6!? 14.c5 d6! 15.cxd6 d5 15.e3 xc3 16.xc3 ( A new move xd6 16.e3 b8 17.h3 e6! 18.c3 d7 16.xc3 was played in Hjartarson-Bareev, 19.d4 If not for this move, it is difficult to which can be found discussed in the notes prescribe a good way for W hite to proceed. Aronian-Topalov, Morelia/Linares 2008.) However, after the text move, Black is allowed 16...f5 17.c2 f8 ( 17...d7 18.fd1 to e qu alize t hro ugh a se rie s of accu ra t e d8!? looks like a possible improvement. moves. b5! 20.c5 exd4 21.xd4 xc5 The chances are probably about equal, but I, 22.xc5 b4! 23.d4 xc5 24.xc5 c8! as someone who enjoys playing the Dragon 25.g4 b5 26.e3 c5 27.f4 c4!? 28.f5 as Black, prefer White's chances. White can d7 29.ac1 , and a draw was agreed upon. expand on the queenside and route the Black can play 29...Qc5 after which Black's knight to c5, whereas Black's plans are not ac t ivit y a n d a d va n ce d qu e e n sid e p a wn s that obvious.) 18.fd1 a5 19.a4 axb4 balance out White's advanced pawns in the 20.xb4 h8 21.xf8 xf8 22.c5 c8 centre and on the kingside. An excellent effort 23.a4 d6 24.b4 (White has a clear by Black against her much higher opponent. advantage, the exploitation of which Aronian [ 29.f6 g5 is better for Black ] makes look easy.) f5 25.b2 h6 26.h3 ½-½ c8 27.g4 e6 28.d4 e4 29.xe6 xe6 30.d5 cxd5 31.d2 a5 32.d4 b6 33.xd5 b7 34.xa5 bxa5 35.c2 f5 1156 A29 36.gxf5 xf5 37.xe4 g5+ 38.g2 d8 39.d5 f6 40.xa5 f8 41.a8 a1+ Leko,Peter 2753 42.f1 a3 43.d2 c6 44.xf8+ xf8 Kramnik,Vladimir 2799 45.d5 f6 46.g2 a1+ 47.h2 e5 Amber Rapid Nice FRA rapid (2) 16.03.2008 48.d4 xd4 49.exd4 c4 50.g3 g5 [Carsten Hansen] 51.g4 1-0 Aronian, L-Karjakin, S/Nice FRA 2008 ] 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 [ B) 13...d5 was the move played in 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 Aronian-Topalov from last month's update. ] 0-0 9.b4 e6 10.b1 f6 11.d3 d4 [ The other moves discussed in last month's 12.d2 update are (C) 13...g4 ] [ V a n W e l y t r i e d 12.xd4 , but this is [ and (D) 13...d7 ] generally not considered particularly critical this game follows the same pattern: exd4 14.e3?! [ A new move in this exact position, but one 13.e4 d5 14.b2 f5 15.d2 xg2 fairly typical of the Dragon and the ( 15...f6 was discussed in Soza-Muzyka, Reversed Dragon. The alternatives 14.c5 ] ICCF 2004, which can be found in the PGN [ and 14.e3 were both discussed in the archives. ) 16.xg2 e8 ( 16...d5+ notes to Aronian-Topalov, Morelia/Linares 17.f3 c5 18.bxc5 xc5 19.a4 d7 2008, which can be found in the March 08 20.c1 b6 21.c2 ae8 22.c4 xc4 update and of course in the PGN archives. 23.xc4 xe2 24.xd4= , DeMauro, JThe text move, however, is unlikely to start a Heilemann, P/corr CAPA 1994; 16...f6 ) new trend, because Black obtains an easy 17.f3 f6 18.c1 h8 19.a4 a5 20.b5 1148
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 game rather effortlessly. ] 14...a5! 15.c5 axb4 16.axb4 a3!? [ 16...c7!? is also perfectly acceptable, but the text move is far more aggressive. ] 17.3e4 c7 18.xd4?! This is just an ugly move, which seems to confirm the fact that Leko is ill at ease in this type of position. After this peculiar decision, Black is clearly better and White has very little counterplay. exd4 19.h3?! Huh? I guess he wanted to threaten to possibly jump a knight onto the e6square and also prevent Black from playing . .. f6-f5, but neither represent a major problem for Black. fa8! 20.c1 d5 21.b2 c3 22.xc3 dxc3 23.c2 e5 24.fc1 b5 25.e4 a2 26.a1 xb4 27.xa2 xa2 28.b3+ h8 29.xb4 c2 30.f1 b2 31.xb2 xb2 32.d2 c5 33.f4 [ 33.g2 d8 34.f4 c4 35.f2 f5 36.c6 cxd3-+ ] 33...c4! 34.f3 [ 34.f2 c3 35.f3 aa2 36.d4 b4-+ ] 34...b4! 35.dxc4 d8 36.e1 b3 37.f2 d1 38.d3 xd3! 0-1
1157 Lesiege,Alexandre Zugic,Igor It Montreal CAN (2) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2564 2440 03.08.2001
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 b4 5.g2 0-0 6.0-0 e4 7.g5 xc3 8.bxc3 e8 9.f3 exf3 10.xf3 d5 11.d4 e4 12.c2 dxc4 13.b1 f5 [ One of several alternatives we examined in this position, in the notes to the game Lewis, J - Garcia,H, where the interesting 13...f6!? was tried. ] 14.g4! All part of Kasparov's preparation, W h ite at t em p t s t o e xp lod e Bla ck's ligh t squared control, and undermine e4. fxg4!? [ Well, I suppose the analysis of Kasparov had to be tested sometime! In the inaugural game in this line, Kasparov,G-Ivanchuk,V/ Moscow 1988, Black preferred 14...e7?! 15.gxf5 d6 16.g5 xe2 17.d5+ h8 18.xe2 xe2 19.f4 Black was quickly massacred. ]
[ Black didn't last much longer after 14...g6?! 15.f4 e6?! 16.xb7 d5 17.gxf5! xd4 18.cxd4 xb7 19.fxg6 hxg6 20.e5 eit he r, in S mirin , I-A vru kh , B/ G ro n in ge n 1996. ] [ However, 14...d6!? is worth examination, 15.g5 d7 16.h4 f7! 17.xf5!? xd4 18.cxd4 xd4+ 19.e3 xg4 20.xf7 xf7 21.f3 is very messy, David,P-Polak,T/ Olomouc 1995. ] 15.e5 This is the point of White's play, cutting the legs from under the e4-knight.. xe5?! [ This seems obvious, yet Kasparov suggests 15...d6!? 16.xc6 bxc6 17.e4 w i t h c o m p e n s a t i o n . ( 17.xc6 d7 of f ers t h e e xch an ge in ret u rn f o r ligh t squared control. W oe is he who doesn't follow mighty Kasparov's analysis! )] 16.xe4 g6 17.xg6 hxg6 18.xg6 e7 [ The World number one only considered 18...d7 when his analysis continued: 19.d5! b6 20.a3 (controlling f8 allows White time to set-up a mating attack with his queen and rooks) b7 21.e4 c5 22.f5! xe4 23.bf1 xd5 24.h5 with mate to follow on h7. ] 19.b5! Now that b5 is not guarded by the queen. e6? [ 19...f8 appears to be Black's only chance. ] 20.h5 The immediate threat is Re5, and Black has no good defence. g6 21.h6 [ 21.h6 d7 22.g5 wins immediately. ] 1-0
1158 Lewis,J Gracia,H ICC [Tony Kosten]
A29 2127 1999
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 b4 5.g2 0-0 6.0-0 e4 7.g5 xc3 8.bxc3 e8 9.f3 exf3 [ This older alternative to 9...e3 is still perfectly valid. ] 10.xf3 d5 11.d4 Kasparov's strong move. e4 12.c2 dxc4 13.b1 f6!? [ Considered a blunder by Kasparov, but is 1149
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 it? The alternatives are: 13...f5 14.g4! e7?! ( 14...fxg4 15.e5 d6!? is less clear) 15.gxf5 d6 16.g5 xe2 17.d5+ which is crushing for White, Kasparov,G-Ivanchuk,V/ USSR (ch) 1988, ] [ 13...e7 14.d2 g5 15.e4 h3 16.xh3 xh3+ 17.g2 g5 18.h4 xe4 19.xe4 xe4+ 20.xe4 xe4 21.xb7 with an edge in the endgame, Hodgson,JNaumkin,I/Amantea 1995, and ] [ 13...h6 14.h4 ( 14.e5! ) 14...e7 15.f5 xf5 16.xf5 ab8 17.f4 s e e m s l e ve l , V i vo , M - S a x, G / P o r t o S a n Giorgio 1995. ] 14.e5 fxe5 15.xe4 This is the position given as +- by Kasparov, the black kingside is a t t a c k e d , h o w c a n B l a c k d e f e n d ? h3 He doesn't! The king is left to look after itself. 16.xh7+ h8 17.g6? [ Tempting, White goes straight for the throat, but 17.g6 is stronger, d5 ( 17...xf1? loses, 18.f5 xe2 19.h3+ with a swift mate ) 18.f3 exd4!? ( better to give the exchange, 18...f8 19.e4 xe4 20.xe4 exd4 21.xb7 is very difficult for Black) 19.xe8 xe8 20.g6 e6 21.xe6 xe6 and Black is not bereft of chances in this endgame. ] 17...xf1 18.g5 e6! [ A fine resource, 18...d7!? 19.xf1 h3 20.h4 f8 21.b1 forces f4! although this may be sufficient, however, not ] [ 18...e7? when 19.h5 xe2 20.h3 is winning g4 21.h4 ] 19.xd8 [ There is some choice, as 19.f5!? d6 20.xf1 exd4 21.h3 h6 22.xh6 xh6 is only slightly better for Black, but ] [ 19.h5? xe2! 20.h4 h6 favours Black. ] 19...xg6 20.xg6 xe2 21.xc7 exd4 Black is slightly better. 22.cxd4 [ Best, 22.xb7?! d3 23.xd3 cxd3 allows Black a dangerous passed d-pawn. ] 22...xd4 23.xb7 d3 24.xd3? [ A mistake, 24.h5 keeps the black passed pawn under control. ] 24...cxd3 25.f4?? [ This loses, 25.b4 e6 26.f4 is forced. ] 25...d2! 26.b1 [ 26.xd2 f3+ ]
26...e2+ 27.f2 c3 0-1
1159 A29 Ljubojevic,Ljubomir 2570 Van Wely,Loek 2668 Amber Rapid Monte Carlo MNC rapid (3) [Carsten Hansen] 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.b3 c5 8.0-0 0-0 9.d3 h6 10.d2 [ 10.c2 is pretty harmless: c6 11.b1 ( 11.e4 xe4 12.dxe4 d6 13.b1 a5 14.b3 f5 15.e3 f6 16.b2 fxe4 17.xe4 h3 18.fe1 ad8 , and Black has equalised comfortably, H.Saldano-J.Campos Mo re n o , Ma n ch a R e a l 2 0 0 0) 11...d5 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.xd5 xf2+ 14.xf2 xd5 15.d2 e6 16.b3 c8 17.b2 d6 with a complicated position and chances to both sides, R.Tomaszewski-P. Botto, Graz 1978 ] [ 10.e3 is much more interesting, e. g. A) 10...a6 11.d1 a7 12.d4 e7 13.dxe5 xe5 14.d5! ( 14.c2 d6 15.b3 f5= Ribli ) 14...xd5 15.cxd5 d6 16.d2 c5 ( 16...b8 17.ac1; 16...f5 17.c3 e7 18.xb7; 16...h3 17.ac1 - analysis by Ribli) 17.c3 f5 18.g2 a5 19.d4 , and with his space advantage and potential to put Black's queenside under pressure, White has the b e t t e r c h a n ce s , L . V a n W e l y- J . P i k e t , Merrillville1997'; B) 10...d6 11.a4 gives White the pair of bishops and a small plus; C) 10...c6 11.d1 e8 12.d4 d6 13.c2 exd4 14.exd4 b6 15.c5 bxc5 16.b5 b8 17.dxc5 b7 18.b3 , and Black is being pushed backwards off the board, P.Kleindl-W .De Cort, Email 2000; D) 10...e8 11.c2 ( 11.d1 f8 12.c2!? d6 13.d4 g4 14.xg4 xg4 15.f3 exd4 16.exd4 f6 17.d5 , and W hite has the easier position to play ) 11...f8 12.g2 c6 13.e4 d6 14.f4 b5 15.cxb5 cxb5 16.h1 a6 17.e3 b7 18.d4 c8 R.Zysk-M.Grynszpan, 1150
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 17.g2 xg2 18.xg2 f5 . and Black is Sharjah 1985 ] already in the driver's seat, since his attack [ 10.g2 e8 ( 10...c6 11.d2 b6 is bound to touch down sooner than 12.ac1 d6 13.fd1 e8 14.e1 b8 W hite's queenside action, R.Dieks-L. 15.e4 c7 , and a draw was very Christiansen, Teeside 1973 ] prematurely agreed upon, C.Duncan-A. [ 10...a6 11.c2 d6 12.g2 c6 13.ab1 Collinson, England 2000; 10...d6 11.a4 c7 ( 13...g4 14.h3 e6 15.b4 a7 b6 12.d2 g4 13.xb6 axb6 14.fe1 16.h2 ) 14.b4 d4?! ( 14...a7!? ) 15.e3 L.Ljubojevic-L.Van Wely, Villarrobledo rpd xc3 16.xc3 e6 17.b2 d7 18.f4 1998 ) H.Pecorelli Garcia-R.Castellanos, La Paz A) 11.h3!? c6 12.h2 b6 13.a4! 2002 ] A1) 13...xb3 14.axb3 d6 ( 14...f8 [ 10...c6 11.fd1 ( 11.a4 e7 12.c5 d5 15.b6 b8 16.xa7 c5 17.e3 ) 13.cxd6 xd6 is perfectly comfortable for 15.d2 Ribli; Black ) 11...a5 12.a4 a7 13.ac1 d6 A2) 13...a5 14.xc5 xc5 15.e4 14.c5 dxc5 15.xc5 e7 16.a3 d5= e7 ( 15...d6 16.e3 a5 17.f4; H.Froberg-T.Klausen, corr ICCF 1999 ] 15...d5 16.cxd5 cxd5 17.exd5 ) 16.e3 d6 17.f4 Cu.Hansen-H. 11.ad1 [ 11.ac1 b8 12.a4! a6 13.b4 f8 Westerinen, Reykjavik 1998; 14.b5 Cu.Hansen-L.Christiansen, Munich B) 11.c2 c6 12.b1 f8 13.e4 a6 1992 ] 14.b4 , and with a good grip on the centre, [ 11.g2 c6 12.ac1 f8 ( 12...b6 and excellent prospects of a successful 13.a4 d6 14.b4 e6= B.Gelfand-P. wing attack on the queenside, White has Svidler, Dos Hermanas 1999 - see the PGN the better chances, H.Liebert-S. archives ) 13.a4 a6 14.b3 d6 15.e3 Kalinitschew, Halle1987 ] e7 16.a4 g4 17.fe1 ad8 18.h3 [ 10.a4 e7 11.e3 ( 18.b6 c8 19.e4 may be a possible A) 11...d6 12.c3 c6 13.d4 c7 14.d5 improvement for White, though Black should ( 14.dxe5 dxe5 15.ad1 e6=; 14.ad1 be okay ) 18...e6 19.h2 b5 20.b6 g4!? 15.c1 exd4 16.xd4 e5 1/2-1/2 Z.Izoria-N.Pert, Hoogeveen 2003 ] 17.g2 - Khalifman) 14...h3 15.fc1?! ( 15.g2 xg2 16.xg2= ) 15...c5! 11...c6 12.g2 f8 [ 12...b6 16.d2 h7 17.g2 xg2 18.xg2 f5 A) White has an noteworthy idea at this , and Black has a definite initiative. M. point, 13.e3!? b7 and now... 14.c1! Petursson-A. Khalifman, Narva 1998; ( 14.e4!? xe4 15.dxe4 a5 ) 14...f8 B) 11...c6! (preparing the counteraction in 15.d4 exd4 ( 15...e4 16.f3 exf3 17.xf3 the centre, if W hite gets to frisky on the d5 18.cxd5 cxd5 19.f5 ) 16.exd4; q u e e n s i d e ) 12.c5 d5 13.cxd6 xd6 B) 13.a4 b7 14.b4 f8 15.b5 ( 15.e4 14.fc1 e7 wit approximately even d5 16.exd5 cxd5 17.cxd5 xd5 18.e4 chances (although I once again like White d6 19.fe1; 15.b3 d5 16.b5 cxb5 slightly better) A.Minasian-Pr.Nikolic, 17.xd5 bxc4 18.dxc4 ) 15...c8 Yerevan 1996 ] 16.b3 c7 ( 16...cxb5 17.cxb5 xg2 10...e8 18.xg2 a6= ) 17.a4 ad8 18.b1 a8 [ 10...d6 11.g2 a6 12.ab1 d7!? 19.fe1 c5 20.a5!? ( 20.e4 xe4 13.c2 ( 13.xb7?? looks tempting 21.dxe4 d6 22.e3= ) 20...bxa5 21.a4 because b8 can be answered with b4! 22.xb4 axb4 23.xb4 cxb5 14.xc8 , but af te r fxc8 15.a4 h3 24.xb5 xg2 25.xg2 b8 ( 25...d5 Bla ck all of a sud den ha s a mu rde rou s 26.c5; 25...e4!?= ) 26.c5 xc5 attack that will cost White at least a piece to 27.xc5 d5 28.xb8 xb8 29.cxd5 parry: 16.c6 e4! 17.xe4 g4-+ ) xd5 30.a1 c3 31.f3 b5 13...g4 14.d5?! ( 14.b4!? a7 15.b5 32.a4?? ( 32.d7! a5 33.c1 a4 axb5 16.xb5 b8 17.c3 a7 18.e3 ) 34.c8+ h7 35.e4 ) 32...a5-+ 14...xd5 15.f3 g6 16.cxd5 h3 1151
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 0-1, Y.Yakovich-A.Zatonskih, Port Erin 2005 ] 13.fe1 d6 14.c1 [ 14.e4 c7 15.e2 c5 16.c3 is probably about balanced, but I nonetheless still prefer White's chances. ] 14...c7 15.d4 e4 16.d5 c5 17.h3 g6 18.g4!? g7 19.f4 a6 20.c2 e7 21.f3 h5 22.g5 h7 23.xe4 f5 24.h4 xe4 25.xe4 xe4 26.fxe4 e5 27.e3 b5 28.e2 b4 29.f1 a5 30.ef2 a7 31.h3 g7 32.g2 a4 and despite his extra mat erial, W h ite will no t b e a ble to brea k through Black's fortress. ½-½
1160 Malakhov,Vladimir Bacrot,Etienne ECC Halkidiki GRE (7) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2668 2653 28.09.2002
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 g6 This is something of a pet system of Etienne's, [ 4...b4 or ] [ 4...d5 are more common. ] 5.g2 We analysed [ 5.d4 exd4 6.xd4 g7 7.xc6 dxc6 8.xd8+ xd8 in Karpov,A-Bacrot,E. ] 5...g7 6.0-0 0-0 7.d4 [ 7.d3 is quite possible, of course, and very common, but the text is the most ambitious. ] 7...exd4 8.xd4 e8 9.c2 In principle this is correct, with more space W hite wants to retain as many pieces as possible on the board. [ 9.xc6 would allow dxc6 see Georgiev, KAkopian,V, and this is similar to the Karpov-Bacrot game, except that the black king is less exposed. ] 9...d6 10.e4 This is best, as otherwise, [ 10.b3 f5 controls e4, 11.b2 e4!? 12.xe4 xe4 13.xg7 xg7 14.e3 a5 Black has few problems, Psakhis,L-Akopian, V/Elista 1998. ] 10...e5!? Bacrot's improvement over his previous effort: [ 10...d7!? (possibly planning to capture on c3) 11.d2 a6 12.b3 b8 13.b2 b5
14.e3 Kortschnoj,V-Bacrot,E/Linz 1997, when Korchnoj suggests Black should play c5! 15.cxb5 axb5 16.cd5 b4 17.xg7 xg7 18.fd1 d7 with unclear play. ] [ 10...e6 is also possible, 11.b3 d7 12.b2 h3 13.f3 xg2 14.xg2 e5 15.d5 with more space, Poldauf,D-Zaitsev, I/Podolsk 1991. ] 11.b3 c6 12.a3 fd7 Black plays in similar style to the Classical line against the Fianchetto King's Indian. 13.e2 White gains nothing by capturing on d6: [ 13.xd6?! xc4 14.bxc4 xc3 ] [ 13.xd6?! xc4 14.bxc4 xc3 ] 13...c5 14.ad1 c7 15.d2 White returns to pester the d-pawn, although it is still not really 'en prise'. f5!? Black plays dynamically, moves like [ 15...f8 are too passive, but ] [ 15...b6 is reasonable, 16.xd6?! xd6 17.xd6 b7 18.dd1 xc4 19.bxc4 xc3 ] 16.f4 f7 This doesn't work too well, [ 16...ed3!? is more active, but allows 17.e5! dxe5 18.b4 which wins the knight, and altho ugh Black certainly has som e compensation after e4 19.bxc5 it may not b e e n o u g h , e . g . e6 ( still, 19...e7! is worth trying, Black's powerful knight is worth a lot.) 20.xe4! fxe4 21.xe4 ed8 22.d6 b2 23.xb2 xb2 24.d4 with advantage. ] 17.e5 d8? This leads to an inferior position by force, [ 17...f8 18.exd6 xd6 is superior although the black pieces are awkwardly placed, and White has some advantage. ] 18.exd6 xd6 19.e3 xd1 20.e8+ f8 21.xd1 e7?! 22.e1! xe8 23.xe8 The rook on the eighth wins for White, Black is unable to complete his development. d7 24.d4 h6 25.e6 f7 26.xf8+ xe6?? A blunder in a bad position, [ 26...xf8 27.xf8 g7 is quite awful, as the black bishop still can't move, but can be played. ] 27.e8+? White misses the pretty [ 27.d5+! cxd5 28.cxd5# ] 27...f7 28.e7+ Of course, White is still winning. g8 29.d5 A nice tactic, but [ 29.b5! has the same idea, but is even 1152
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 stronger: g4 30.e8+ g7 31.d6 wins the bishop. ] 29...g4 [ 29...cxd5?! 30.xd5+ f8 31.xh7+ e8 32.h8+ f8 33.xf8+ etc. ] 30.c7 b8 31.e6 df6?! [ 31...a5 ] 32.d6 a8 33.c7 b8 34.h3 h6 35.e8 xe8 36.xe8+ f7 37.e7+ [ 37.e7+ f6 38.xh7 attacks the rook and the knight. ] 1-0
1161 Malakhov,Vladimir Nepomniachtchi,Ian 8th ch-Euro Dresden GER (8) [Carsten Hansen]
A29 2679 2602 11.04.2007
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.0-0 e7 8.d3 In the February update some of the lines after 8 Rb1 and 8 a3 were discussed 0-0 9.a4 This line is relatively rare, more common are 9 Be3 and 9 a3. a5 10.e3 e6 [ ECO's main line runs 10...g4 11.c1 e8 12.d2 b8 13.b5 b4 ( or 13...d7 Eingorn-Yakovich, USSR ch 1986, and now Kortchnoi gives 14.c4 xc4 15.xc4 as leading to an equal position) 14.xc6 bxc6 15.a7 h3 16.xc6 d5 17.f3 a8 18.xb4 axb4 19.e1 xa4 20.xc7 b3 with compensation for the pawn as seen in the game Kortchnoi-Petursson, Lugano 1986. ] 11.d2 [ This isn't even mentioned in ECO. Maybe for a good reason, because Black is doing rather well in the continuation. However, the alternatives are worth a look. W hite has several options available to him: A) 11.c1 is the most popular move A) 11...d5 12.xd5 xd5 13.d2 xg2 14.xg2 d4 15.xd4 exd4 16.b3 b6 17.f3 c5 18.e4= Evans, L-Donovan, J/ Omaha 1949; B) 11...f6 12.b5 B1) 12...d7 B1a) 13.xb6!? cxb6 14.d4 fd8 ( 14...e4 15.d2 f5 16.e3 ) 15.dxe5
fxe5 16.xd7 xd7 17.fd1 with chances to both sides.; B1b) 13.c5 ac8 14.d2 xc5 15.xc5 e7 16.c1 b4 ( 16...d8!? ) 17.b3 ( here 17.xc6 bxc6 18.a7 a8 19.xc6 xb2 20.a1 g4 offers about even chances. ) 17...d5 18.c4?! ( 18.e4!? d4 19.c5 f7 20.xb7 xb5 21.axb5 xb5 22.c5= ) 18...e7 19.b1 cb4 20.cc1 c6 21.c3 xc3 22.xc3 d5 , and Black has already obtained a pleasant position, Soto, G-Gamboa, N/Bogota 1992; B2) 12...f7 13.xb6 cxb6 14.d2 c8 15.c4 c5 16.c3 d7 17.e4 b4 18.f4 exf4 19.xf4 d4 20.b3 b5 21.axb5 a4 22.f1 axb3 23.b1 f5 24.ed2 xd2 25.xd2 c2 26.d1 a5 27.xb3 xb3 28.xd4 b6 29.xb3 xd4+ 30.f1 dc7 31.b1 7c3 32.f3 b6 33.h4 e3 34.g2 g6 35.g1 xd3 36.xe3 xe3 37.a1 exe2+ 38.xe2 xe2+ 39.f3 b2 40.f4 g7 41.a7+ h6 42.e5 xb5+ 43.f6 b3 44.h5 xg3 45.hxg6 hxg6 46.a8 h5 47.h8+ g4 48.xg6 f4 49.b8 f3 50.xb6 f2 0-1 Waltemathe, A-Sandor, B/Beverwijk 196601; C) 11...f5 C1) here 12.d2 f4 ( not 12...d5?! 13.b3! cb4 14.xd5 xd5 15.xb7 xe3 16.fxe3 b8 17.c6 d6 18.c4 ) 13.xb6 cxb6 transposes to our main game, Malakhov, V-Nepomniachtchi, I; C2) 12.b5 f6 C2a) 13.c5 f7 14.d2 d7 15.xb6 cxb6 16.xc6 bxc6 17.xc6 e4 ( 17...c8!? 18.xd7 xd7 leaves Black with adequate compensation for the pawn) 18.xa8 xa8 19.c2 exd3 20.exd3 d8 21.e1 d5 ( 21...f7!? ) 22.c4 b7 Bordoni, N-Villarreal, H/Mar del Plata 1993, and now 23.e6!? d5 24.xb6; C2b) 13.xb6 cxb6 14.d2 C2b1) 14...d7 15.c4 ad8 1153
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 16.xb6 f7 17.e1 ( Obviously 17.xc6 need to be examined as it picks up a second pawn for W hite: bxc6 18.xc6 e4 19.d6 e7 20.bc4 xb2 21.xb2 xd6 22.xd6 xd6 23.dxe4 xd1 24.xd1 fxe4 25.c3 ) 17...f4 18.c3 h5 19.e4 d4 Johnson, R-Bagherabadi, M/Lansing 1985; C2b2) 14...f7 15.xc6 bxc6 16.xc6 d5 17.d6 d7 18.c4 xd6 19.bxd6 f4 Gilles, RP a p a c e k , S / C l i c h y 1 9 9 0 20.e4 c8 21.b3; C2b3) 14...c8 15.c4 e7 C2b31) 16.e3!? c5 17.e2 e8 18.xe5 ( 18.fd1 f7= ) 18...xe5 19.d4 xd4 20.xc8 xc8 21.d6 d7 22.exd4 xd6 23.xe5; C2b32) 16.f4?! exf4 17.gxf4 c5+ 18.h1 f6 19.c3 h6 Littman, G-Reshevsky, S/New York 1940 ] [ B) 11.e4 d5 12.c5 h6 ( or 12...f5!? 13.xe7 xe7 14.eg5 db4 15.xe6 xe6 16.c1 h8 17.c3 ad8 18.ad1 d7 19.fe1 fd8= Ost Hansen, J-Schoch, H/Winterthur 1974) 13.c1 d6 14.fd2 f5 15.xd6 cxd6 16.a3 de7 17.c4 c8 ( 17...d5 18.d6 b8 19.b5 ) 18.e3 ( 18.xc6! bxc6 19.xd6 xd6 20.xc6 ) 18...f7 19.d4 exd4 20.exd4 Piro, V-Lipiniks, L/Buenos Aires 1946 ] [ C) 11.d4 exd4 ( 11...xd4 12.xd4 exd4 13.xd4 c8 14.d3 c6 15.fd1 f6 16.e4 e7 so far Nuesken, FKirchhammer, R/Schwerin 1951, and here 17.xf6+ xf6 18.b3 c5 19.b5 le a v e s W h i t e wit h a c o m f o r t a b l e p l u s) 12.xd4 xd4 13.xd4 ( 13.xd4 c6 14.e4 d5 15.c1 e8 16.e3 f8 Iglesias, A-Van Riemsdijk, H/ Mar del Plata 1994 17.g4 e6 18.h5 ) 13...c4 14.xb7 b8 15.d5 xe3 16.xe3 xd5 17.xd5 xd5 18.xe7 xb2= Savon, V-Timoscenko, G/ Kischniev 1975 ] [ C) 11.xb6 is the only move covered in ECO now cxb6 12.c1 ( Two alternatives
are 12.b5 f6 13.d2 c8 14.c3 e7 15.fc1 b4 16.d1 f6 17.e3 e7 18.e2 fd8 , and a premature draw was agreed upon, despite Black having solved his opening problems successfully and can be quite pleased with his position, 1/2-1/2 Petran, P-Liebert, H/Stary Smokovec 1975; and 12.d2 h5 13.c4 h4 14.c1 c5 15.e3 hxg3 16.hxg3 f5 which is given as unclear in the ECO based on the game Kraidman-Lederman, Netanya 1975. White can pick up a pawn with 17.xc6 bxc6 18.xe5 e8 but the weaknesses on the light squares in W hite's position, particularly around the king provide Black with some compensation. Whether or not it is sufficient is difficult to say.) 12...d7 13.d2 f6 14.c4 c5 15.e4 c7 16.e3 ad8 17.e2 d7 18.fd1 g4 19.f3 xf3 20.xf3 f5 , and Black has the better chances as in Levitina, I-Yakovich, Y/Helsinki 1992, although Black in the end of the game managed to throw all of his advantage away and finally lose on time on move 39. ] [ D) 11.c1?! f6 12.b5 d5 13.c5 cb4 14.d1 c6 15.xe7 xe7 16.c3 b6 is already very pleasant for Black, Tassi, O-Roos, J/Luxembourg 1981 ] [ E) 11.b5!? A) 11...h6 12.c1 d5 13.d2 xg2 14.xg2 f5 15.xc7 xc7 16.b3+ h8 17.xb6 d7 18.b5 g5 19.cd1 ( 19.e3!? d8 20.c4 is probably better for White ) 19...xd2 20.xd2 f4 21.f3 fxg3 22.hxg3 e4 23.d4 f5 24.d5 h5 and here the players chickened out and agreed upon a draw (1/2-1/2) in Robledo, N-Casoy, G/Buenos Aires 1994, but there is obviously still plenty of play left in this position, though Black is the one who has to pro ve tha t h is kin gside initia tive is sufficient to compensate f or the pawn 25.g4 g5 26.g3 d6+ 27.f4 e7 28.e3 f5+ 29.f2 xg4 is a fun and messy, but definitely not bad for Black; B) 11...d5 12.d2 B1) 12...f6 13.c1 d7 14.e1?! ( White can do much better with 14.e4! b6 15.d4! exd4 16.f4 fc8 17.fxd4 ) 14...ac8 15.f4 d4 16.f5 1154
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 f7 Cohen, L-Denker, A/ Chicago 1994; B2) 12...d7 13.c1 ac8 ( or 13...f6 14.e4 b6 15.d4 exd4 16.f4 fc8 17.fxd4 ) 14.xc6! bxc6 15.xe5 d8 ( 15...e8 16.a7 b8 17.axc6 xb2 18.xa5 ) 16.d4?! ( 16.a7 a8 17.axc6 d6 18.xe7+ xe7 19.c6 d6 20.c2 ) 16...c5 17.xe6 fxe6 18.xa5 f6 19.c4 b8 20.a1 1/2-1/2 Vehreschild, AJung, T/Goch 1993 ] 11...f5!? [ An improvement over a game played 43 years ago 11...d5 12.xd5 xd5 13.xd5 xd5 14.c1 d6 15.b3 xb3 16.xb3 fe8 17.c5 xc5 18.xc5 1Averbakh, Y-Bebchuk, E/ Moscow 1964 ] 12.c1 f4 13.xb6 cxb6 14.c4 c5 [ 14...g5!? ] 15.e4 b4 16.ed2 [ 16.e3!? ] 16...c5 17.e4 b4 18.h1?! [ This just hands Black the initiative and better position. Instead 18.e3!? should be co n sid ere d, e. g. f7 19.h5!? xd3 20.xe5 xe5 21.xe5 b3 22.gxf4 with chances for both sides ] 18...d4 19.c3 g5! Black's initiative is worth more than the pawn on b 6 20.xb6 ad8 21.c4 [ 21.d5 h6 22.xe6+ xe6 23.c4 f3 24.exf3 h3 doesn't work for White ] 21...h5 22.d2 xc3 [ 22...g4!? 23.f3 fxg3 24.fxg3 f7 is quite unpleasant for White ] 23.bxc3 fxg3 24.fxg3 xe2? Now Black enter s a forced sequence of moves that ends up being better for White. [ Black, however, has a much better alternative available: 24...xf1+ 25.xf1 f5 A) 26.e4?! d5! ( 26...e3? 27.d2 ) 27.e1 xe4+ 28.dxe4 e3; B) 26.e1 e3 27.g1 d7 28.b1 c6 is rather uncomfortable for White ] 25.f3 e4 26.xe2 exf3 27.xe6+ h8 28.f1 de8 [ Also 28...b5!? 29.axb5 xb5 30.b1 h5 can be considered ] 29.d6 d8?!
[ At this juncture 29...b5!? may be Black's b e s t , e . g . 30.axb5 xb5 31.e1 c8 and while W hite is b ett er, B la ck is st ill playing ] 30.b6 f2 31.e3 b5 32.a1?! [ Here 32.axb5! xb5 33.b1 a4 34.e4 looks like an easier solution W hite is winning. ] 32...de8 [ A more difficult move to face is possibly 32...bxa4 e.g. A) not 33.xa4?! because things immediately gets complicated, e.g. de8 ( 33...d1? 34.xa5 e1 35.e5 xd3!? 36.xd3 xe5 37.f3 , and W hite is winning) 34.f4! xf4 35.xf4 c5 36.e4 f8 37.e3 ( 37.xf8+? xf8 38.c4 a4 39.c3 a3= ) 37...a4 38.g2 a3 39.d2 b8 and Black's passed a-pawn provides an uncomfortable level of counterplay.; B) 33.g2! b5 34.e4 b3 ( 34...d7?! 35.c5!+- ) 35.c5 g8 36.c4! and White should win ] 33.e4 bxa4 34.c4 b8 [ A practical move that intends to follow up with ...a4-a3-a2 and ...Rb1, which can be difficult to deal with in time trouble, but under normal circumstances, W hite shouldn't have any problems facing this line. Th e alt e rna t ive 34...e5 allows White to co n s o l i d a t e 35.g2 e8 36.c5 ef5 37.a2 and White should win ] 35.h3 a3 36.c5! f3+!? [ Exchanging the queens allows White to c o n s o l i d a t e : 36...xc5 37.xc5 fe8 38.e4 b3 39.g2 followed by Ra2 and c5. ] 37.h2 [ 37.g2?? loses on the spot f1+! 38.xf1 xf1+ 39.xf1 a2 40.g2 a1+-+ ] 37...a2?! A typical time trouble move that can only serve to confuse White due to threats like ...Rb1 or ...Rb2, but its objective value doesn't account for much as White can win in several ways. [ 37...h5 38.xa3 h4 39.e7 hxg3+ 40.xg3 f4 41.xa5 f6 42.e5+- ] 38.a3 [ W h i t e c a n a l s o g o f o r 38.xa2!? but in time trouble, the concern of a passed 1155
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 a-pawn supported by rook and queen may have caused White to go for the text move. Nonetheless after d1 39.xf2 xf2+ 40.xf2 a4 41.a7 f8 42.g2 White should win without any further ado ] 38...b1? Black may have been in time trouble at this point, because this move just loses. Obviously the alternatives aren't too pretty either, but most other moves are better than the text move, e.g. [ 38...h5 39.xa2 h4 40.c1 hxg3+ 41.xg3+- ] [ 38...f5 39.xa2 d1 40.a1 e1 41.g4! ff8 42.xa5 b1 43.c5!+- ] 39.d2 f5 40.xb1 axb1 41.xb1 h5 42.b5 1-0
1162 Malakhov,Vladimir Roiz,Michael 8th ch-Euro Dresden GER (10) [Carsten Hansen]
A29 2679 2605 13.04.2007
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 b4 5.g2 0-0 6.0-0 e8 7.e1 [ 7.d5 is the main line move ] 7...h6 [ 7...f8 A) An interesting alternative is 8.c2!? d6 9.d4 h6 ( 9...f5 10.d5 e7 11.g5 ) 10.e4 d7 ( 10...exd4 11.xd4 d7 is solid for Black, but gives W hite more space and an easier position to play, as Black in this of position often runs out of go o d m o ve s to p la y, wh ile W h it e ca n peddle his pieces around forever before deciding to break open the position.) 11.h3 h7 12.f4 exd4 13.xd4 xd4 14.xd4 Kurz, E-Herbrechtsmeier, C/ 2. Bundesliga1990; B) 8.d3 d6 9.c2 ( 9.d5 xd5 10.cxd5 e7 11.d4 f5 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.d3 e4 14.f4 d6 15.e3 Bergstrom, C-Kinnmark, O/Boras 1979 d7 with a comfortable position for Black) 9...d4 10.b4 ( 10.g5 h6 11.xf6 xf6 12.e3 xc2 13.xc2 c6 14.b4 d8 15.b5 d7= Sieglen, J-Hoffmann, H/ Wuerttemberg 1979) 10...c6 11.b5 e6
12.bxc6 bxc6 13.g5 e7 14.e3 g4 15.f3 xc2 16.xc2 Gurevich, MF e d o r o w i c z , J / N e w Y o r k 1 9 8 9 , d7 with an equal position according to Fedorowicz ] [ 7...d6 8.c2 xc3 A) 9.bxc3?! looks like a decent move but is in fact rather passive, e.g. e4 10.d3 h6 11.f3 exd3 12.exd3 d5 13.cxd5 xd5 14.b2 f5 15.d2 b6 16.ad1 e5 17.e1 Jorgensen, J-Kolbak, J/Vejle 1974, and now: xd3! ( 17...a4!? can also be considered) 18.xd3 c4 19.c2 e3 20.e5 xc2 21.xd8+ xd8 22.xc4 e2 and Black is clearly better thanks to his exce lle n t co ord ina t ion a nd a ct ive pieces, and White's lack of both; B) 9.dxc3 e6 10.e3 a5 ( 10...g4!? ) 11.b3 g4 12.d5 c6 13.b4 f5 with chances to both sides accord ing to ECO, quoting the game , Averbakh, Y-Passerotti, P/Reggio Emilia 1977. However, I think this is partly based on the continuation chosen by White in the game, 14 e4, which does lead to a rather unclear position, but instead 14.h3 f6 15.g5 f8 16.d3 gives White the more pleasant position ] [ 7...xc3 8.dxc3 e4?! ( 8...h6!= (as quoted by Kortchnoi in the ECO and his ECO monograph 'A29' the point is that it doesn't allow White to play Bc1-g5) 9.c2 e4 10.e3 , and now with d6 the play would have entered the main lines that arise after 6... e4 7 Ne1 Bxc3 8 dxc3 h6 9 Nc2 Re8 10 Ne3 d6) 9.g5! h6 ( or 9...d6 10.c2 e5 11.d2 e6 12.b3 h6 13.xf6 xf6 14.f4 Averbakh, YBronstein, D/USSR 1976) 10.xf6 xf6 11.c2 A) 11...b6?! 12.e3 e5 13.c1! a6 ( Relatively better is 13...b7!? 14.xd7 ad8 15.g4 d2 16.c2 with 'only' a clear advantage according to Averbakh) 14.d5 b5 15.fd1 b8 16.b4 bxc4 17.xc4 b5 18.xb5 axb5 19.a3 b7 20.c4 , and while this is evaluated as 'clearly better f or W hite' by Averbakh based on the game Averbakh, Y-Suetin, A/ USS R 1 97 8, th e t ru th is th at Black is probably even worse of f than that his 1156
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 position is a hopeless mess, pieces are totally uncoordinated and he will likely lose th e e-pa wn , while W hite 's pieces a re ideally placed; B) 11...d6 12.e3 B1) 12...e5 13.b3! ( or 13.d2 g5 14.fe1 e8 15.ad1 f5 16.f4 exf3 17.exf3 e6 18.f4 Petrosian, TKorchnoi, V/Tbilisi 197 6) 13...b8 14.ad1 b6 15.c2 f5 16.d5! be8 17.fd1 Uhlmann, W-Reshevsky, S/ Skopje 1976; B2) 12...d8!? 13.c2 f5 14.ad1 f6 15.d5 f7 16.f3; B3) 12...f5?! 13.f4! e7 14.g4 d7 15.e1! c6 16.h4 ad8 17.g3 Averba kh , Y-Ro drigue z, R/P olan ica Zdroj 1975 ] 8.c2 c5 9.d3 d4 10.b1 a6 11.b4 a7 12.a4 c6 13.xd4 xd4 14.b3 [ 14.e4 d6 15.e3 xe4 16.dxe4 a7 17.a5 ( 17.a3 b5!= ) 17...e6 18.d3 c5 19.a3 c7 ] 14...d6 15.b5 axb5 16.axb5 d7 17.d2 c8 [ 17...e7 18.e3 c5 19.a1 is about level, but I pref er W hite's position due to the re l a t i v e ly e a s y a c c e ss t o a qu e e n s i d e breakthrough. ] 18.bxc6 bxc6 19.a4 [ 19.e3 c5 20.a4 a7 gains a tempo for W h ite o ve r t h e ga m e con t inu a tio n , b u t wh e t h e r W h i t e c a n u s e t h e t e m p o f o r anything is questionable ] 19...d5 20.e3 a7 21.b7 c7 [ Also 21...a8 22.cxd5 cxd5 23.c3 e6 can be considered. The text move invites a draw by repetition ] 22.b3 c8 23.b7 c7 24.a6!? 24 Black being clearly satisfied with a draw, White tries something other than continuing the repetition of moves with Qb3 c8 25.a5 f5 26.b3 d7 [ 26...dxc4 27.dxc4 e6 28.b2 followed by Bc3 and Rd1 is pleasant for White ] 27.xd8 dxd8 28.cxd5 and the players agreed upon a draw, despite Black having solved his opening problems successfully. ½-½
1163 Malakhov,Vladimir Sargissian,Gabriel 25th ECC Ohrid MKD (6) [Nigel Davies]
A29 2715 2678 09.10.2009
An interesting game in which Black came up with a new move in 12...Nd4. He goes a pawn down but has plenty of compensation because of W hite's pawn weaknesses. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 9.d3 e6 10.e3 d5 11.xd5 xd5 12.c1 [ In view of Black's reply maybe White should prefer 12.a4 , for example Hansen, C (2616) -Sadvakasov, D (2595), Skanderborg 2003, continued d6?! (perhaps not best) 13.ac1 e6?! ( 13...fd8 looks better) 14.b5 a6 15.xb7 fb8 16.xc7 xb2 17.g5 xg5 18.xd5 xd5 19.xg5 h6 20.xc6 hxg5 21.d6 and White went on to win. ] 12...d4 A new move in an old position, and one which seems to neutralise this line. [ Black had previously played 12...d6 when 13.d2 ( 13.c5 e7 14.xd6 cxd6 15.b4 1/2-1/2 was fine for Black in Uhlmann, W (2505)-Seirawan, Y (2510), Thessaloniki 1988 ) 13...xg2 14.xg2 d7 15.e4 fe8 16.f3 ad8 17.b3 b6 18.c4 and White had a pull in Uhlmann, W (2510)Pfrommer, C (2325), Baden-Baden 1993. ] 13.xe5 Winning a pawn, but Black now gets to inflict permanent structural damage. Frankly I think that this position is unwinnable for W hite, though this doesn't stop him trying. xg2 14.xg2 d5+ 15.f3 xf3 16.exf3 W hite's extra pawn on the kingside cannot produce a passed pawn in any endgame, so its value is very limited. And meanwhile he has some liabilities because of the isolated dpawn. c6 17.c2 fd8 18.fd1 d7 19.c4 f6 20.xd5 xd5 21.c2 b5 22.dd2 a6 23.f1 d8 24.e2 b3 If you ask Fritz it seems to think that all these positions are good for White. But that's only because the extra pawn throws out all its evaluations. 25.d4 b5 26.b4 bd5 27.c5 5d7 28.c4 g6 29.a4 g7 30.b5 cxb5 31.axb5 axb5 32.b4 d5 33.db2 xd4 34.xd4 xd4 35.xb5 4d7 36.xb7 1157
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xb7 37.xb7 d5 38.f4 h5 39.h4 a5 40.d7 h5 41.f3 f5 42.e3 a3+ 43.d3 ½-½
1164 Marin,Mihail Fluvia Poyatos,Jordi VII Sants Open (8) [John Watson]
A29 2537 2458 02.09.2005
The ..Bc5/...Bf5 setup so popular for Black is probably still okay but White plays wonderfully in this game to break it down. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.g3 f6 4.g2 c5 5.d3 d6 6.f3 This opening usually arises from 3.Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 Bc5 5.Bg2 d6 6.0-0 0-0 etc. 0-0 7.0-0 h6 8.a3 a5 9.e3 b6 10.b3! f5 This kind of position used to be considered good for White, but Black has held his own for some years now. Marin does a brilliant job of crawling forward and squeezing Black, not the least based upon the restricted position of the bishop on b6. I'll supply few notes and let you watch this artistic achievement unfold: 11.h3! d7 12.h2 h7 [ 12...ae8!? ] 13.b2 fe8 14.g1! e4 [ 14...d8 15.ge2 b8 16.d5 xd5 17.cxd5 ] 15.d5 xd5 16.cxd5 d8 17.dxe4 xe4 18.xe4 xe4 19.f3! f5?! [ 19...e7 20.e2 c6 21.f4 ] 20.g4! f7 21.gxf5 [ Also good and probably even better than the text are 21.xf5 xf5 22.gxf5 ] [ or 21.e2! , both giving huge advantages to White. ] 21...g5 22.g2 ae8 23.f6! h4 24.ae1?! Now things start to slip. White should play [ 24.fxg7! ] 24...f7 25.g3? [ 25.fxg7! ] 25...h5! 26.g4 g6 [ 26...e4!? ] 27.e4 h7 28.f4 f8 29.e2 g5 30.g1 h7 31.e2 g5 A sad end f or White, who did everything right except play the obvious moves while cleaning up. ½-½
1165 Marin,Mihail Karpov,Anatoly TCh Lanzarote ESP (6) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2568 2686 11.05.2003
W hite plays a sharp exchange sacrifice to weaken Black's kingside defences, but then misses two crucial opportunities to gain the advantage. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 c5 The former World Champion still likes this system, although he wouldn't dream of playing like this with a tempo more as White! 5.g2 d6 6.0-0! 0-0! 7.d3 h6 8.a3 a5 9.e3 e8 this, and Black's next few moves, are fairly interchangeable. 10.b3 f5 11.b2 a7 This retreat seems to be a novelty in this particular position, as [ 11...b6 had been preferred: 12.h3 d7 13.h2 e7 14.d4 ( 14.e1 c6 15.e4 h7 16.d4 is another way of treating the position, Delchev,A-Savchenko,S/ 2nd IECC Playoff g/15, Ohrid MKD (3.1) 2001) 14...e4 15.d2 d5 16.a4 which occurred in another game of Delchev,A-Savchenko,S/ 2nd IECC, Ohrid MKD 2001. ] 12.h3 The exact position of the black darksquared bishop doesn't change the contours of the game too much, and W hite simply continues with the normal improving plan. d7 13.h2 White's last two moves stop the e xc h a n ge o f l ig h t - s qu a r e d b i s h o p s . h7 14.g1! The knight aims for e2. This plan was seen in an almost identical position (with the bla ck b ish o p o n b 6 , n o t a 7 ) in t h e ga m e Gurevich, M-Sokolov, I/Belgrade 1991. It is easy to know what to do when you have seen how the super-GMs handle a given position, but it seems to me that if the knight is better placed on e2 why not play 2 g3, and put it t h e r e d i r e c t l y ? ! d8 15.ge2 c6 Black menaces ...d5, so White stops it. 16.e4 e6 17.f4 White has the more dynamic position with distinct kingside possibilities. b5 Black aims for quick queenside counterplay he doesn't want to be mown-down by f5, g4 etc. 18.cxb5 cxb5 19.fxe5!? An unusual move, but part of a sharp tactical operation. dxe5 20.xf6! This shatters the black kingside, but is a genuine sacrifice as the co m pe n sat ion is e nt irely p o sit ion a l. gxf6 1158
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 21.d5 d8 22.d2 c7! The best practical decision as the d5-knight is too strong, and so Black hastens to exchange it. 23.ef4!? White will not give-up his outpost so easily! [ 23.xc7!? xc7 24.c3 is an alternative, d8 25.f1 e6 and now White might try 26.xb5!? ] 23...xd5 [ 23...exf4?? is impossible: 24.xf6+ f8 25.xh7+ destroys Black. ] 24.xd5 e6 25.g4?! Time is of the essence! White goes for complete control of f5, but this is quite unnecessary as Black can hardly contemplate an immediate ...f5 - see the next note: [ 25.f1! is simple and good, c8 ( 25...f5? just loses to 26.exf5 d6 27.f6 xd5 28.xh6 f8 29.g5+ h8 30.xd5 ) 26.xh6 f5 27.d2 and White has a pawn and attack for the exchange - I would judge that he is better. ] 25...c8 26.f1 c5 The bishop returns to help defend the kingside. 27.c3! [ 27.xh6 f5 28.d2 fxg4 shows the folly of White's 25th move. ] 27...a8 [ 27...a4!? ] 28.b2?! White must have been short of time to lay this passive move, as he has a nice trick here: [ 28.xh6! f5 29.c1! (the point - the c5bishop is loose) fxg4 ( 29...xa3 30.xa3 b4 is completely unclear, as White can play the wild 31.exf5!? bxa3 32.fxe6 fxe6 33.f6+ g7 34.xe5 with at least a draw by perpetual.) 30.xe5! xe5 31.xc5 and if anyone is better, it is White. ] 28...aa6 29.e1 f8 30.b4 axb4 31.axb4 d4 32.e2 ed6 33.c7 ab6 34.d5 bc6 Naturally Black plays on here. [ 34...a6 35.c7 could lead to a draw by repetition. ] 35.h4 d8 36.a2 g7 Black plays useful prophylaxis moves. 37.e2 a6 38.f3 Trying to keep Black pinned-down to the def ence of f 6. xd5!? The radical solution. 39.exd5 d6 With a nasty threat of ...e4. 40.h1 g6 41.c1?! By taking the pressure off f6 White allows Black to capture his b-pawn. xb4 42.c6? The point, but it
s h o u l d l o s e ! xc6? Returning the compliment, [ 42...a1+ 43.f1 b1 and White can resign, e.g. 44.xf6+ h7 45.g2 a2+ 46.h1 e4+! 47.dxe4 xe4+ and mate. ] 43.dxc6 e4 To def end f 6. 44.dxe4 e5 45.c7 c5 46.f1 b4 47.d3 xc7 The black light-squared bishop is stuck out of play, but the b-pawn is a monster. 48.g2 b3 49.f2 c1 50.e3 b2 51.e1 h5 W hilst W hite is tied-down to stopping the pawn, Black switches his attention to the kingside. 52.b1 hxg4 53.hxg4 f4 54.e2 h2+ 55.f1 h3+ 56.g1 h2+ 57.h1 g3+ 58.g1 xf2+ 59.xf2 h2+ 60.e1 g1+ [ 60...h1+ 61.f1 xe4+! 62.xe4 xe4 would be an amusing way to win! ] 61.f1 xg4 62.d3 g1+ 63.d2 c1+ 64.e2 h5+ The bishop returns to the game! 65.f2 h6 66.g2 e1 67.c2 g5 68.b1 e2+ 69.xe2 xe2 70.f2 g4 71.e3 f5 0-1
1166 Marin,Mihail Komljenovic,Davor 25th Ann Champions (7) [John Watson]
A29 2537 2473 12.07.2005
W e haven't seen many Dragon Reversed games. Here's a look at a battle which follows main-line theory well into some murky positions. White eventually emerges with the better game but strangely agrees to a draw in much the better position. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 9.b4 e6 10.b1 [ 10.d3 f6 11.b2 a5 12.b5 d4 is Bacrot-Topalov in ChessPub. ] 10...f6 11.d3 a5 [ Black can also forego this move by 11...d4 12.d2 c6 , as in Bareev-Topalov, to be found in ChessPub. ] 12.b5 d4 13.d2 All theory thus far. c8 Avoiding the trap that Ton y has so of te n pointed out and has been played a remarkable number of times: [ 13...d5?? 14.xd5 xd5 15.e3 1159
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 with the idea e6 16.e4 ] [ 13...d5!? --Kosten ] 14.e3 f5 15.c2!? [ A natural move that has been played several times. But W hite succeeded with 15.a4 in K Georgiev-M Gurevich, Mulhouse 2001. It seems a good idea to stop . ..a4. The game, with some of Tony Kosten's notes, went d8 16.c2 b8 17.d1 c6!? ( 17...b4!? ) 18.bxc6 bxc6 19.ce4 d5 ( 19...d7 20.b3!? xa4 21.xa5 xb1 22.xb1 d5 would be extremely unclear) 20.b3!? ( 20.xb8 xb8 21.xc6 f7 gives Black free play -- Kosten) 20...b4 21.e2 c5 with dynamically balanced play. ] 15...d8 16.d1 h8 [ An earlier game went 16...a4 17.ce4?! ( 17.c4!? xc4 18.dxc4 xc4 19.xd8+ xd8 20.xa4 unclear ) 17...d7 18.c5 xc5 19.xc5 d6 with double-edged play. ] 17.a4! Finally stopping ...a4, something White sh ou ld p rob ab ly h a ve d on e o n mo ve 1 5 . d5?! [ 17...b8 and . ..Qd7 is solid. ] 18.xd5 xd5 19.xd5 xd5 20.b2 b4 21.f3 White has taken over the centre and should have good chances. d7 22.e4 c5 23.e2 d4 24.xd4 exd4 25.bc1 xc1 26.xc1 c6 27.h5 [ Or 27.bxc6 bxc6 28.c2 c5 ( 28...c8 29.c4 ) 29.g2 , when Black's bishop on b4 is cut off. ] 27...c5?! 28.c4 e8 29.g2 e5 30.h3 xh3+ 31.xh3 g5 32.c1 g7 33.f4 gxf4 34.xf4 e6 35.g4 g6 36.f3 1/2-1/2. A strange draw. With the bishop stuck on b4 it's hard to believe that W hite can't make progress on the kingside, for example, [ 36.f3 f5! ( 36...b6 37.c2 (or 37.Bc7, tying Black to the defense of the b-pawn) Among several plans he has g4, h4-h5, and a well-timed Re2 and e5.) 37.e5 e8 38.c2 b6 39.h3 h5 40.g2 c8!? 41.g4 hxg4+ 42.hxg4 c4 ( 42...fxg4+ 43.xg4+ f7 44.e4 ) 43.gxf5+ xf5 44.g5+ e6 45.e4! with Rg6+ to come. The c-pawn can be held off until it's meaningless, e.g., c3 46.g6+ e7 47.xb6 a3 48.a6 c2 49.xa5 c1 ( 49...f8 50.g5+ d7
51.a7+ ) 50.xc1 etc. ] ½-½
1167 Marin,Mihail Lemos,Damian Porto Mannu Open (6) [Jonathan Rowson]
A29 2564 2511 20.05.2009
1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.c3 b6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 e6 9.b4 0-0 10.b1 [ 10.b5 d4 11.xe5 b3 12.e1 c2 ] 10...f6 11.d3 d4 as indicated elsewhere, [ 11...a5 12.b5 d4 13.d2 c8 ] [ and 11...a6 are both viable alternatives. ] 12.d2 [ 12.xd4 exd4 13.e4 d5 followed by f5. ] 12...d5 13.b2 c6 14.xd5 xd5 15.xd5+ xd5 16.xd4! xd4 [ 16...exd4 17.b3 is better for White, mainly because d4 proves to be harder to defend than e2. ] 17.b3+ h8 18.fc1 ad8 19.c4 d5 20.b5 c5 White has achieved a small but clear strategic advantage and could probably have made more of it. Marin's play looks a bit lacklustre in what follows, perhaps caused by too many repeat visits to the bountiful buffet in Porto Mannu where this game was played. 21.a4 [ 21.a4!? ] 21...xb3 22.xb3 [ 22.xb3 a8 23.a5 fb8 24.f1 ] 22...a8 White should have quite a com f o rt able ad van ta ge he re , but p ro ve d unable to show it. 23.g2 [ 23.g4 ] 23...g8 24.c4 fd8 25.f3 f7 26.c2 e6 27.c4 d7 28.e4 [ 28.e3!? ] 28...ad8 29.e2 d4 30.d2 g6 31.c4 f8 32.bc3 d6 33.a4 e7 34.b3 xc4 35.xc4 c8 36.c2 c7 37.a5 d7 38.c4 d4 39.c1 d6 40.g1 c7 41.a1 [ 41.g4 intending Rg3-h3, obliging the rook to return to d7, and then trying ne3 to d5, looked like the best chance to increase the 1160
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 pressure. ] 41...d8 42.a5 [ 42.g4 ] 42...d7 43.a4 a6 44.b6 ½-½
1168 Marin,Mihail Varga,Zoltan Rumania [Tony Kosten]
A29 2530 2565 1998
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 Black plays an open Sicilian reversed, and forces White to play a 'Dragon' with an extra tempo. 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 Not only is White threatening a discovered attack against the d5-knight, but also the freeing move d4 which, once played, will allow him a central predominance. b6 This is not forced, but is easily Black's best move, he keeps a firm hold on d4. 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 White starts an attack on the e5-pawn, he plans b4-5, dislodging the e-pawn's defender. [ 8.d3 is the more usual move-order, and can transpose. ] 8...0-0 9.b4 e6 Black defends actively against the threat to his e-pawn. 10.d3 a5 Active play, Black can play 10...Nd4 immediately, but prefers to weaken the white queenside first. 11.b5 d4 The point of Black's play, he threatens to bring a piece to b3. 12.b1 Controlling b3, and further supporting the b5-pawn, the one big advantage of this move is that W hite maintains his attack on e5 for a further move. [ 12.xe5? is punished by f6 as there are lots of juicy targets along the a1-h8 diagonal, and if 13.f4 then g5 with complications favourable to Black. ] [ but 12.d2 is more common, planning e3, and hides a terrible trap, for if Black plays th e 'e vide n t ' d5? White wins a piece by 13.xd5 xd5 14.e3 e6 (or 14...Nf5) 15.e4 ] 12...f6 Black takes time out to defend his epawn, but [ 12...d5 might be the most accurate, 13.a4 e8 ( 13...xf3+ 14.xf3 d6 15.d2 fd8 16.b2 c6 17.c3
is not bad either, Georgadze,G-Yakovich,Y/ Barnaul 1988.) 14.xd4 exd4 15.b2 d8 16.xd4 xa3 17.c5 f4 unclear, Azmayparashvili,Z-Romanishin,O/Yerevan 1989. ] 13.d2 c6 One of a number of possibilities for defending the b7-pawn, [ 13...b8?! is the most obvious, 14.e3 f5 15.c2 d6 16.b3 but this shows the disadvantage of 13...Rb8, the a5-pawn is undefended, Azmayparashvili, Z-Olafsson,H/ Moscow 1989. ] [ 13...d5?? is the move all English players dream of, White wins a piece, again, with the standard combination: 14.xd5 xd5 15.e3 and on knight moves, 16 e4. ] [ but 13...d5!? is possible, 14.xd5 xd5 15.e4 f5! 16.e3 fxe4 17.exd4 exd4 and now, instead of 18.xe4 which led to equality in Georgiev,K-Rublevsky,S/ Elista RUS 1998, ( 18.b2 could be tried. )] 14.e3!? xb5 15.xb5 cxb5 16.xb5 d5?! White quickly gains the advantage after this, perhaps [ 16...a7 is safer, 17.c2 h8 18.b1?! a4 19.xb7 c3 20.b6 Dumpor,ALengyel, B/Budapest HUN 1998, and now xb7 21.xb7 e2+ is good for Black, he will take the c1-bishop, and then the a3pawn. ] 17.b2 Better than [ 17.xb7 ] 17...b8 18.c4 b6 19.b3 With his extra centre pawn, and pressure on the b6-pawn, W h i t e h a s a c l e a r a d v a n t a g e . c5!? Black provo kes wild co mplica tions . 20.d4 W hite is obliged to call Black's bluff . c7 21.dxc5 xb5 22.xb5 bxc5 [ 22...d3 is interesting. ] 23.xc5 c8 This is stronger than [ 23...d3 when W hite can play 24.xe5 fxe5 25.xe5 when he has two pawns, and a strong position, for the exchange. ] 24.c6 Forced. a6 25.c1? A silly mistake, allowing the c6-bishop to be pinned, [ 25.d5 was forced, h8 ( the point is that 25...fc8? loses to 26.xa5 ) 26.xe6 xe6 27.xe5 fxe5 28.xe5 with an edge. ] 25...fc8 26.xe5? This further error seriously compromises White's chances, 1161
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 26.d6 xc6 27.xc6 xc6 28.xc6 xb2 would have been OK ] 26...xb2 27.d6 fxe5 28.xe6+ h8 White has only managed to get one pawn for his exchange, and the c6-bishop remains pinned. 29.d1 bb8 30.d7 xe6 31.xe6 So, the queens have been exchanged, and Black has a serious advantage. Fortunately, as is often the case in the English, W hite's kingside pawns still represent one solid mass without weakness, if the a-pawns were not on the board W hite would draw easily. c3 32.a4 a3 33.d7 a2 Black wants to attack f2 and force White into passive defence. 34.d5 White decides to play actively, and tries to eliminate the black pawns. f8 35.xa5 g6 To give the king a square. 36.f4 Now that White has been forced to play this move, his king is cut-off on the second rank and Black can try to mate him. d2 37.e6 e4 38.e5 a8! 39.d5 White must be very careful, [ 39.xe4?? loses to b8 and 40...Rb1+. ] 39...e2 40.d4 b8 Black has achieved his objective with skilf ul play, W hite's sof t u n d e rb e lly is e xp o se d . 41.d1 xe3?! Tempting, but [ 41...bb2 could be played as the e3-pawn is not running away. ] 42.d2! Giving the white king a safe spot on the second rank. a3 43.e2 b4 44.d5 e3 45.g2? White should certainly have defended his a-pawn first, by [ 45.c6 ] 45...bxa4 46.f3 d4 47.e4 d2?! Black could have hung-on to his e3-pawn by [ 47...d1 as 48.xe3? loses to f1+ 49.e2 e1+! 50.xe1 xe3+ so White would have been a whole exchange down for nothing. ] 48.xe3 xe3+ 49.xe3 xh2 50.g4 W h it e th re at en s to p la y g5 , an d th en f 5 , swapping-off a further pair of pawns when the reduced material will allow him to draw. h5 51.xg6 h4 Black creates a passed pawn, but provided White can keep the black king away, he should draw. 52.g5 g2 53.e4 The white pawns and bishop are complimentary- the rule about not putting your pawns on the same colour-complex as your bishop applies equally to all phases of
the game. g3+ 54.f2 g7 55.f3 f7 56.d5+ e7 57.f3 e6 58.e4 a3 59.g2 a4 60.f3 h3 61.g6 If the black king is allowed in to f5, Black will win. h2 62.g2 a2+ 63.h1 f2 64.h7 xf4 65.g8+ f5 66.xh2 g4 67.g6 xg6 White has managed to win the black pawn, in exchange for his two, but now finds himself in the wrong corner. 68.e6 g5 69.h3 White heads for the right corner (the opposite colour to his bishop), no strong player would have to think for more than a second about this decision. f6 70.h4 g7 71.c8 e5 72.h5 He co n t in u e s o n h i s wa y . f4 73.h6 c7 74.h3 c3 75.d7 d3 76.e8 d6+ 77.g6 Now he cannot be stopped. g4 78.g7 g5 79.h7 Black can make no progress, [ 79.h7 d7+ 80.h8 h6 81.g8 d8 is stalemate. ] ½-½
1169 McNab,Colin Anderson Stark,Lars It Hereford ENG (1) [Carsten Hansen]
A29 2433 2419 29.08.2006
1.c4 f6 2.f3 c6 3.g3 e5 4.c3 d4 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 c5 7.e3 [ White has two other continuations that we will consider here: A) 7.a3!? d6 ( 7...a6 8.e3 0-0 9.d4 exd4 10.exd4 e8+ 11.e3 is an, for White, improved version over the continuation in the McNab-Stark game as Black no longer has .. .Bb4 available; 7...d5 8.cxd5 0-0 9.0-0 h3 10.e1 g4 11.xg4 xg4 12.e3 ) 8.d3 h6 9.a4 A) 9...0-0 10.xc5 dxc5 11.b4 c6 ( 11...d6 12.b3 h3 13.e3 e4 14.dxe4 e6 15.xc5 fd8 16.c3 xe4 17.xe4 xe4 18.f3 g6 19.f2; 11...e7 12.0-0 cxb4 13.axb4 h3 14.e1 c6 15.b2 ) 12.g2 ( 12.g2 d6 13.d2; 12.bxc5 h3 ) 12...cxb4 13.axb4 d4 14.b1; B) 9...b6 10.c2 e7 ( 10...0-0!? ) 11.0-0 0-0 12.g2 e8 ( 12...c5 13.b4 ) 13.d2 b8 14.b4 d7 15.xb6 axb6 16.a4 e4 17.c3 c6 1162
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 18.fe1 ( 18.b2!? ) 18...e3 19.f3 h7 ( 19...a8 20.b5 d7 21.f4 a7 22.b2; 19...e6 20.b2 ) 20.b2 g5 21.a5 bxa5 22.xa5 ( 22.f4!? g4 23.xc6 bxc6 24.bxa5 ) 22...g6 23.c3 b6 24.a7 b7 25.b5 h5 26.d4 h6 27.h4 f8 28.f4 xg2 29.xg2 e7 30.f1?? ( 30.ea1 ) 30...e6?? ( 30...c5-+ ) 31.xe3 ee8 1-0 Aleksandrov, A-Lugovoi, A/Moscow RUS 2002 ] [ B) 7.b1?! a5 8.a3 ( 8.e3!?= ) 8...c6 9.b4 axb4 10.axb4 d4 11.b3 d5 ( 11...0-0!? 12.d3 d5 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.g5 e6 ) 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.e3 e4 14.g2 e5 15.0-0 e6 A) Here White can consider 16.d4 e.g. exd3 17.a4 e4 18.c5 c3 19.xd3 xb1 ( 19...f6!? 20.b2 d4 21.c2 dxe3 22.xe3 f5 23.c5 a6 24.e1+ e6 25.xe6+ fxe6 26.f1 b6 27.e3 0-0 28.b3 d5 ) 20.xe5 c7 21.xb1 xe5 22.b2 g5 23.f4; B) 16.e2? d4 17.d1 d3 ( 17...a2! is more problematic for White) 18.f4 a2 19.b2 xf4 20.gxf4 xb1 21.xb1 0-0 ( 21...e7!? ) 22.xf6 xf6 23.xe4 B1) 23...fd8!? 24.xb7 ( 24.xd3 h4 25.e4 g4+ 26.h1 xd2 27.xh7+ h8 28.e4 ad8 ) 24...ab8 25.e4 h4 26.f3 b5 27.b3 db8 28.xd3 xb4; B2) 23...e6 24.xd3 g4+ 25.h1 f3+ ( 25...fd8!? 26.xh7+ f8 27.e4 xd2 ) 26.g1 g4+ 1/2-1/2 Mamedyarov, S-Najer, E/Khanty Mansyisk RUS 2005/The Week in Chess 578 ] 7...0-0 8.d4 exd4 9.exd4 e8+ 10.e3 [ 10.f1?! makes less sense: b4 11.g5 xc3 12.bxc3 h6 13.xf6 xf6 14.g2 d6 15.b1 b8 16.h4 b6 17.c6 b7 18.xb7 1/2-1/2 Lisenko, A-Vainerman, I/ Lvov 1986 xb7 19.f3 xf3+ 20.xf3= ] 10...b4 11.b3 [ 11.0-0!? is also of interest: c6 12.d5 ] 11...xc3+ 12.bxc3 d6 [ Here I think Black should seriously give 12...e4!? some consideration, for instance:
13.0-0 b6 14.c2 b7 15.fe1 d6!? ( 15...d6 16.g2 d7 17.f3 f6 18.g5 ) 16.xb7 xb7 17.f4 d6 18.e4 d7 19.ae1 a5 20.e2 xe4 21.xe4 c8 , and Black has almost equalised ] 13.0-0 b8 14.fe1 h6 15.a3 g4 16.g2 a6 17.c5 d5 18.c6 [ White can possibly improve with 18.f4!? xe1+ 19.xe1 h5 20.d2 f6 21.a5 with uncomfortable pressure ] 18...bxc6 19.xa6 d7 20.f3 a8 21.e2 f5 22.d2 [ 22.g4 g6 23.a4 a5 24.d1 ea8 25.f1 ] 22...a7 23.g4 g6 24.f4 [ 24.f2!? ea8 25.h4 d6 26.g3 ( 26.e2 a3 27.g3 d7 28.e7 xc3 29.a4 c4 30.a5 xd4 31.a6 ) 26...d7 27.e3 ] 24...ea8 25.e2 e8 26.e1 [ 26.ae1!? d6 27.e7 d8 28.xd6 cxd6 29.xa7 xa7 30.f4 ] 26...d6 27.e7 d8 28.xd6 ½-½
1170 Miezis,Normunds Danin,Alexandre Utrecht OKU op (4) [Nigel Davies]
A29 2579 2498 06.06.2009
1.c4 f6 2.c3 d5 3.cxd5 xd5 4.g3 e5 5.g2 b6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 9.b4 e6 10.d3 f6 11.e4 a5 12.c5 xc5 13.bxc5 d5 14.c2 This natural lo o kin g m o ve h a s b e e n qu it e a co m m o n ch oice f o r W h ite b ut it d oe sn't lo o k ve ry dangerous. [ P e r s o n a l l y I p r e f e r t h e m o v e 14.b2 as in Uhlmann, W (2417)-Jackova, J (2360)/Marianske Lazne 2008. ] 14...a4 [ The game Askarian, K (2274)-Khodotov, J (2364)/Kharkov 2000 varied with 14...d7 15.b1 ab8 16.b2 b5 17.cxb6 cxb6 and produced a structure very similar to that which eventually arose in Anand - Topalov, except that W hite was now able to play 18.d4 , opening the game. Black now blundered with e4? , probably missing the 1163
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 fact that after 19.xe4! he could not play f5? because of 20.e5 xe4 21.xd7 etc. ] 15.b1 This makes more sense than in Uhlmann - Jackova because White is at least attacking b7. a7 [ Improving on the 15...a5 of Fridman, D (2515)-Hanley, C (2010)/Port Erin 1998, a f t e r w h i c h 16.d4! e4? ( 16...b3 is relatively best) 17.xe4 f7 18.c2 b3 19.e4 e7 20.b2 gave White a winning position. ] 16.b2 de7 17.e3 a2 18.bc1 d5 19.e2 d7 20.fd1 g4 21.h3 h5 22.e4 b3 23.d2 d8 Black has achieved a very co m f o rt ab le p o sit io n he re . 24.e3 aa8 The rook's job on a7 has been done so he sets about bringing it back into play. 25.d4 exd4 26.xd4 xd4 27.xd4 c6 28.xd8+ xd8 29.g4 f7 30.f4? White logically advances his kingside pawns but Black's reply is immensely strong. [ 30.e5 was objectively better after which xe5 31.xe5 fxe5 32.xe5 would have been about equal. ] 30...a5! 31.c3 c4 32.e2 xa3 That's not just a pawn that guy on a4 is a monster and White's king is weak. 33.e5 fxe5 34.fxe5 c6 35.e4 f4 36.e1 b5 37.g2 xc3 38.xc3 xc1+ 39.xc1 d1+ 40.xd1 xd1 0-1
1171 Miezis,Normunds Smirin,Ilia NY Open New York (7) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2505 2590 1998
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.g2 b6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 A perfectly normal reversed Dragon position. 8.b1 Whereas, with the colours reversed, Black would play 8 d3, W hite often tries to achieve something more with the extra tempo. Here he plans a quick queenside advance. g5!? An extremely provocative line, Black will charge his kingside pawns up the board, to open the white king position. 9.d3 [ 9.d4!? is possible, but Black will be able to
gain an important development move by a later ...Bf5. ] 9...h5 10.e3 White wants to play d4, with the standard central counter to a wing attack, b u t B l a c k i s a l e r t . g4 11.d2 d4 Else White may have been tempted to wreck t h e b l a c k q u e e n s id e p a wn st ru c t u re , b y Bxc6+. 12.c1 It may have been better to continue with the queenside action, by b4, etc. h4 Despite his lack of development, Black ge t s-o n wit h h is a t t a ck . 13.c4 xc4 14.dxc4 c6 15.d3 f5 16.fd1 f6 Black secures his post on d4, and thereby limits White's potential central counterplay. 17.f4 gxf3 18.exf3 f7! Black finds an original manner of bringing his queen to the hf i l e , t h e k i n g s e e m s s a f e o n f 7 . 19.f1? This seems rather passive, [ the immediate 19.f4 is more aggressive. ] 19...hxg3 20.hxg3 g8! Black side-steps out of the d-file pin, and prepares to bring his queen to the h-file. 21.e1 h7 22.f4 Finally undermining the d4-outpost, but it is too late as Black's attack is too advanced. e6 23.d5!? A reasonable practical try, sacrificing a piece to embarrass the black king, [ 23.fxe5 would lose to h2+ 24.f2 xe5 with a decisive attack. ] 23...cxd5 24.fxe5 f4! The success of the attack depends on the participation of the e6bishop. 25.xd4 [ 25.xf4? allows mate by f3+ 26.xf3 h2+ 27.f1 h3+ -the point of Black's 24th move. ] 25...f3 The f-pawn continues its journey, this time the displacement of the g2-bishop is the aim. 26.exf6 fxg2 A weird position. 27.xg2?! This loses, perhaps [ 27.f2 is better, trying to use the g2-pawn as protection for the white king. ] 27...ae8 The threat of a discovered attack on the white queen is winning. 28.e5 g4 29.e3 h2+ Forcing mate. 30.f1 h1+ 0-1
1164
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 19...f2+ 20.d2 h6+ 21.f4 xh1 A29 22.fxe5 ] 2447 2531 12...d6 13.0-0-0 c7 14.dg1 e6 15.e3 [ 15.xf6!? xf6 16.e4 0-0-0 17.xf6 10.01.2002 gxf6 18.h5 should be very pleasant for White ] 1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.f3 f6 4.g3 d4 15...f8 16.h5 d5 17.g5 dxc4 18.dxc4 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.b3 c5 8.d3 d7 19.e3 [ 19.d1!? f6 20.e3 ] h6 9.g4 [ 9.h4 h7? ( 9...c6 10.g4 transposes to 19...f5 [ 19...b6! ] the main game and should be given p r e f e r e n c e) 10.e4 e7 11.b5! 20.h6 gxh6 21.h5+ d8 22.f3 c5 is better for White - see J.Piket-B.Avrukh, 23.xc5 xc5 24.d1+ c8 25.a3 b6 26.b4 d7 27.a6+ b7 28.xb7+ Amsterdam 2001 in the PGN archives ] [ 9.a4 e7 10.b5 d6 11.0-0 c6 xb7 29.f7 f8 30.xe6 xe6 31.d7+ 12.b3 e7 13.d1 0-0 14.c3 c5?! c7 32.h5 af8 33.e7 e8 34.f7 f4 ( 14...d6 15.d4 c7 ) 15.e3 e7 16.d4 35.e4 e6 36.c5 b8 37.c2 d8 38.h7 a6 39.c3 bxc5 40.bxc5 d5 W.Uhlmann-E.Degtiarev, Dresden 2002 ] 41.f5 e8 42.ff7 xc5 43.f6 c8 9...c6 10.h4 e7 [ Black has tried several other things at this 44.xd5 cxd5 45.b4 e4 46.fxe4 dxe4 47.xf4 e6 48.ff7 c7 49.c5 e3 stage: A) 10...d6!? 11.g5 hxg5 A) This allows Black to equalize without 50.d4 e6+ 51.xe3 d8 52.xa7 c6 t o o m u c h e f f o r t . I n s t e a d W h i t e c a n 53.ag7 e6+ 54.f2 c8 55.g8 f6+ c o n s id e r t h e n a t u ra l 12.hxg5 xh1+ 56.g3 d6 57.hh8 c7 58.xd8 xd8 13.xh1 d7 ( 13...g4 14.e4 b6 59.xd8 xd8 60.a4 d7 61.e4 15.a3! must be better for White) 14.e4 1-0 e7 15.d2; B) 12.xg5?! b6 13.xb6 xb6 A29 14.a4 a5+ 15.f1 e6 16.b1 d8 1173 , and Black has already a very comfortable Miles,Anthony J g a m e , Z . A z m a i p a r a s h vi l i - J . T i m m a n , Timman,Jan H Oviedo 1993 ] Tilburg 1984 [ B) 10...d5 11.g5 is very risky - see B.Gulko- [Tony Kosten] J.Hector, Copenhagen 2000 in the PGN archives ] After ten moves, when there was a solid block [ C) 10...b6 11.xb6 xb6 12.g5 hxg5 of black pawns on the a1-h8 diagonal, who 13.hxg5 xh1+ 14.xh1 h7 15.f4 could imagine that the end of the game would ( 15.e4!? lo oks eve n be tt e r) 15...d6 revolve around Black's exposed g7-pawn. 1.c4 16.e4 c7 17.fxe5 dxe5 18.b4 a6 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 19.e3 , and White is clearly in control, P. xd5 6.g2 b6 The Reversed Dragon Van der Sterren-J. Balcerak, Bundesliga promises chances to both sides. Miles played 2000 ] the Dragon superbly as Black so would clearly 11.g5 hxg5 12.xg5 be very happy to have an extra move! 7.0-0 [ 12.hxg5!? looks very good, e.g. xh1+ e7 8.a3 0-0 9.d3 e6 10.b4 f6 13.xh1 g4 14.f3 h2 and now 15.g6! [ Solidly defending the e-pawn, although is ve r y p r o b l e m a t i c f o r B l a c k , e . g . c5 n o w a d a y s t h e a c t i v e 10...a5 is often ( 15...fxg6 16.c5! f8 17.e4 is very ugly preferred, see Nimzo 7.32-Fritz 6a/ for Black ) 16.gxf7+ xf7 17.e4 h4+ Cadaques 2000. ] 18.d1 g4 19.xc5 ( 19.fxg4 xh1+ 11.e4 The c5 square beckons. d7 12.b2 20.c2 b6 21.b1 g2 22.d2 a6 13.c2 h3 This allows White a very is also better for White, but less convincing) interesting, and quite surprising, combinative 1172 Mikhailuk,Slava Sagalchik,Gennadij USA-ch Seattle (6) [Carsten Hansen]
1165
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 p o s s i b i l i t y . 14.c5 xc5 15.xh3! To weaken the light squares for White's next move. xh3 16.b3+ h8 17.bxc5 d7 18.d4! White had no intention of grabbing the b-pawn, but instead starts working on the a1-h8 diagonal. ab8!? [ 18...exd4? 19.xb7 e6 20.xd4 xd4 21.xd4 loses a pawn without compensation. ] 19.dxe5 dxe5 20.xe5 fxe5!? 21.ad1 f6 T h r e a t e n i n g t o g o t o h 6 . 22.f4! White single-mindedly prepares the bishop's future. xf4 [ Black's tactical idea. If instead 22...bf8?! then W hite can capture the b-pawn, as 23.xb7 b8?? allows a back-rank mate: 24.xb8+! xb8 25.d8+ ] 23.xf4 The g-pawn is pinned, of course. exf4 24.f7 The goal of White's previous play, the a1-h8 diagonal is laid bare, and the g7-pawn is exposed. g8 25.f1! g4 [ T h e g - p a w n i s t o o h o t : 25...fxg3?? 26.xg7+ xg7 27.f8# ] 26.xf4 g5 27.g2?! [ Immediately 27.e4! is more accurate. ] 27...xc5? [ 27...d8 was the only chance. ] 28.e4! Threaten ing Qxg7 + again . f8 Forced. 29.h5! [ White can also win more mundanely, as the black queen and rook cannot move, e. g. 29.d7 a5 30.xc7 ] 29...e7 The only defence against Rh4. 30.g5! g6? [ Loses on the spot, but 30...c8 31.h4 e8 32.f5 c6+ 33.h3 h6 34.f7 is also crushing, and ] [ 30...c6?! 31.h4 f7 32.h6! f5 33.e4 is even worse. ] 31.xg6 [ 31.xg6 hxg6 32.h4# ] 1-0
1174 Morozevich,Alexander Motylev,Alexander ch-RUS Superfinal (11) [John Watson]
A29 2707 2632 30.12.2005
In the last round Morozevich (who forfeited a point by oversleeping!) needed a win to secure a respectable finish. What opening to select? The English, of course! 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.d3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g3 b6 7.g2 e7 8.0-0 0-0 9.a3 We are in the main line of the Reversed Dragon, discussed at perhaps too much length in this column. Black's next has always been considered somewhat inferior. Perhaps that verdict should be reconsidered, although this g a m e d o e s n o t h i n g t o d i s p r o v e i t . a5!? 10.e3 e8 A solid move, as opposed to [ 10...f5!? 11.a4 ( 11.b3+ h8 12.fc1 a4 13.d1 e6 ) 11...h8 12.c1 f6 ( 12...e4!? ) 13.d2 xa4 14.xa4 d7 15.c2 a4 16.b4! axb3 17.xb3 e7 18.c5 c8 19.b2 Makarov-Semeniuk, Kuibyshev 1990. ] 11.c1 h6 [ 11...g4 could be tried, although 12.d4! looks +=, e.g., c4 13.d5 xe3 14.fxe3 xf3 ( 14...b8 15.xe5 ) 15.exf3 ( or 15.xf3 b8 16.b3 ) 15...b8 16.b3 ] 12.xb6 [ 12.a4 xa4 13.xa4 ] 12...cxb6 13.d2 f8?! Awfully slow maybe just [ 13...e6 Now comes a clever manoeuvre to attack the a-pawn ] 14.c4! a4 15.d2! This forces Black into a tactical solution: d4 [ 15...b5 16.xb5 b6 17.c3 xb2 18.c4 b3 19.d2! ] [ 15...d4 16.d5 ] 16.e3 e6 17.xa4 b5 18.c3 xd3 19.d5 Threa te ning B e4 . g6 20.e2 W hite wins a pawn and the game is pretty mu ch o ve r. d8 21.xb5 d7 22.xb7 ab8 23.a7 g5 24.h4! Temporarily sacrificing a pawn. This begins a long forcing sequence. h3+ 25.h2 xb2 26.c7 bb8 27.c4 bc8 [ 27...f5 28.xe5! leaves the knight hanging on h3. ] 1166
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 28.xe5 e8 29.b2 h5 30.cb6 A pretty finish. xc1 31.xd7! xd5 [ 31...xf1 32.7f6+ ] [ 31...c6 32.b5! threatens N5f6+ and Qxh5 ] 32.xd5 xf1 33.xh3 1-0
1175 Nakamura,Hikaru Bauer,Christian TCh-FRA Top 16 Gp A (4) [Carsten Hansen]
A29 2670 2614 10.04.2008
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.0-0 e7 8.d3 0-0 9.a3 e6 10.b4 a5 11.b5 d4 12.b1 f6 13.e3 The main line is 13 Nd2 which has been discussed on several previous occasions - see the PDF eBooks xf3+ 14.xf3 b8 [ B l a c k ' s m a i n a l t e r n a t i v e i s 14...d5 , a n d n o w W h i t e h a s t r i e d 15.c2 ( Two other ideas are 15.a4 c8 16.e4? (W hat was he thinking? Black is now just better) b6 17.xb6 cxb6 18.b2 c5 19.c1 d6 20.c3 cd8 , and Black is clearly better, Pinjagin, D-Arkhangelsky, B/ Ozery 1997; 15.b3 looks very provocative, but it doesn't achieve anything, other than Black easily securing equality f4 16.c2 xd3 17.xd3 xd3 18.xb7 ad8 19.e4 h3 20.d5+ h8 21.d1 xc1 22.dxc1 xa3 23.c2 c5 24.a4 b6 1/2-1/2 Thiede, L-Gustafsson, J/Germany 1998/GER-chT) 15...xc3 16.xc3 d5 17.xd5+ xd5 18.e4 d7 19.a4 fd8 20.d1 b4 21.c4+ f7 22.e3 xc4 23.dxc4 , and White has a space advantage, b u t e ve n t u a lly B la c k's p o sit io n p ro ve d s u f f i c i e n t l y s o l i d t o wi t h s t a n d W h i t e ' s pres su re , Pa nn o, O -B ro nste in , L/ A RG 1991 ] 15.c2 [ The first new move. In the only previous game with this line, White instead opted for 15.e2 f7 16.g2 f8 17.f4!? d7 18.d1 exf4 19.gxf4 a4 20.d4 b3 21.xb3 axb3 22.b2 h8 23.xb3 with a complicated game and chances for both players, Oussama, O-Lalic, B/ Balaguer
2005 ] 15...f7 16.d1 f8 17.d4 exd4 18.e2 This was Hikaru's idea now W hite has the somewhat better chances on account of his pieces having access to more active squares, as well the ability to contain Black's majority on the queenside, while being able to provoke weaknesses elsewhere. d3 19.xd3 d7 20.e4 g6 21.b2 xd3 22.xd3 a4 23.c1 Matters are getting a little uncomfortable for Black, and therefore he opts to get some counterplay by sacrificing a pawn. b3 [ G u a r d i n g t h e c - p a w n w i t h 23...d6 is hardly advisable, e.g. 24.xg6! hxg6 25.xg6+ f8 26.xf6 d7 27.d4 , and Black is in severe trouble ] [ Or 23...c8 24.e4 b3 25.c3 c4 26.d4! xb2 27.xb3 , and White is clearly on top ] 24.xc7 xd3 25.xb6 d6 26.xd6 xd6 27.d4 d5 28.f3 f5! White got his pawn, Black his pair of bishops. W hite of course has the better chances, but it's a hard call if White has enough to win. 29.f2 f7 30.b6 d8 31.h3 h5 32.f4 This is a rather provocative approach, aiming to claim that Black's pawns on the kingside are weak when fixed on light squares. [ 32.g4!? fxg4 33.hxg4 h4 34.g5 g3+ 35.g2 e6 36.c2 , and White has the better chances ] 32...e7 33.f3 [ My computer recommends 33.b5 c6 34.xd6 xd6 35.d4 , but I don't see how White is going to win this ] 33...a8 34.h4 a6 35.xg6+ e6 36.d4 xa3 37.c8 d6 [ 37...b4!? is similarly complicated, e.g. 38.e5 e7 39.c7+ e6 40.f7 e7 41.g5+ xg5 42.fxg5 a3 43.c1 ( 43.c5 b3 44.e7+ d5 45.d4 a2 46.g6 a1 47.xa1 xa1 48.xb7 a2+ 49.f3 e5 50.d7 c2 , and Black secures a draw) 43...f7 44.c5 e6 45.g6 a8 46.c1 a2 47.g7 d6 , and W hite has winning chances, but it isn't going to be easy ] 38.e5 e4? [ Now Black starts drifting towards serious trouble. An important alternative is 38...e7 1167
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 39.g6+ e6 40.e8+ d7 41.h8 a3 42.xh5 a2 43.g4 e4 44.gxf5 a1 45.xa1 xa1 White has four pawns for the piece, but it isn't clear if White can win, e.g. 46.e5+ e7 47.h7+ e8 48.h6 a2+ 49.g3 g2+ 50.h4 e7+ 51.f6 f8 , and there is still a long way to go. ] 39.g4 fxg4 [ 39...hxg4 40.hxg4 fxg4 41.e8+ transposes to the game ] 40.hxg4 hxg4 41.e8+ d5 42.xg4 f5 43.h6 d7? [ This looks like a perfectly good, but in fact it allows Nakamura to finish Black off with a series of accurate moves. White would be f a c in g a m uc h m o re d if f icu lt t im e a f t e r 43...g6!? 44.g8 e4 45.f5 a3 46.d8 a2 47.f7 xb6 48.f6 a6 49.xd6 xd6 50.a8 e6 51.xa2 , and though White still has excellent winning chances, and can prove rather complicated. ] 44.d8 c6 45.f7 a3 46.h8! a4 47.d8+! d5 [ 47...b5 48.xb7 e7 49.d8 ( 49.h5+ a6 50.h7 xd4 51.exd4 a2 52.xe7 a1 53.c5+ xb6 54.xd7 doesn't leave W hite many chances of winning ) 49...xd8 50.xd8 c6 51.d7 a8 52.a7 xa7 53.bxa7 a6 54.f5 b7 55.f6 d5 56.g3 a2 57.f4 a1 58.xa1 xa7 59.e5 c4 60.d6 , and Black's king will not make it back to help the bishop ] 48.xb7 xf4 49.h5+ c4 50.c5 a5 51.exf4 a2 52.b7 b5 [ Or 52...xd4 53.b3+ d3 54.xa5 , and White of course wins easily ] 53.xd7 xb7 54.a5 and while Black can win both of White's pieces at the cost of just the a-pawn, White also gets to exchange the rooks, leaving him with an easily won pawn endgame. 1-0
1176 Nakamura,Hikaru Howell,David 3rd Chess Classic (5) [John Bartholomew]
A29 2758 2633 08.12.2011
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 b4 4.f3 This move order is a little unusual but might be the most accurate. White forces Black to te n d t o h is e-p a wn , t h e re by d e n yin g t h e second player some flexibility. Mihail Marin attributes this finesse to Portisch. [ 4.g2 is the automatic move. Nakamura m a y h a v e wa n t e d t o a vo i d t h e l i n e 0-0 5.f3 e8 6.0-0 , in which Black scores well with e4 ( or 6...c6 , refusing to commit h i s k n i g h t t o c 6 .; Black could also play 6...c6 , reaching a tabiya of the Four Knights.; or 6...xc3 7.bxc3 c6 transposing to the game. )] 4...xc3 Howell responds in kind. Certainly there is nothing wrong with this standard trade, but if Black intends to commit his knight to c6 as he does in the game (instead of the critical 5...e4 - see below), then there isn't a pressing need to trade on c3 so early. [ 4...c6 5.g2 ( or 5.d5 ) 5...0-0 6.0-0 reaches the big main line. See Carsten Hansen's guide "Four Knights 4 g3 - 4...Bb4 The Main Line" for an excellent roadmap. ] [ 4...e4 5.d4 0-0 ( or 5...c6 6.c2 xc3 7.dxc3 ) 6.g2 e8 7.0-0 c6 8.c2 xc3 9.dxc3 transposes to a line t h a t wa s p o p u l a r in t h e 7 0 ' s a n d 8 0 ' s . W hite retains slightly better changes see Anastasian, A (2568)-Sadvakasov, D (2635)/ Moscow 2005/[John Watson] for a recent example. ] 5.bxc3 [ For 5.dxc3 , see Taimanov, M (2454)Rublevsky, S (2657)/St Petersburg 2001/ [TonyK]. ] 5...c6 Now the game merges with a more well-trodden path. [ Critical is 5...e4 6.d4 0-0 7.g2 d5 . I refer you to Kamsky, G (2714)-Gelfand, B (2736)/Moscow 2007/[Carsten Hansen], as well as to Marin's outstanding notes to th e sa m e ga m e in Ch e ssB a se . ( 7...c5!? is another important move that both commentators examine in-depth. )] 1168
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xd4 16.b3 d8 was totally fine for 6.g2 0-0 7.0-0 e8 Black in Shaikh, N (2071)-Troff, K (2216)/ [ 7...d6 is a solid alternative. ] Porto Carras GRE 2010. ) 14...xd4 8.d3 e4 9.d4 Best. A) 15.c2 Kallio, H (2493)-Fressinet, L [ White has not done particularly well with ( 2 6 5 4 ) / P l o v d i v 2 0 0 3 . N o w f5!N 9.g5 exd3 10.exd3 . Now h6 is the most i s s t r o n g b e c a u s e 16.xc7 xd3 direct, e.g. 11.e4 ( 11.f3 b6 12.d4 17.ad1 (if the other rook moves, then 17... b7 13.a4 a5 14.f4 xg2 15.xg2 Re2 comes, attacking f2). c4! 18.xc4 b7 16.fe1 c5 17.c2 d6 18.e2 xc4 19.fe1 xe1+ 20.xe1 d7 19.ae1 xe2 20.xe2 e8 and Black can even play for the win with 21.b3?! e6! 22.c1 d5! was model h i s q u e e n s i d e m a j o r i t y , i . e . b5!? play for Black in Schiffler, G-Unzicker, W ( 20...xa2 21.a1 c4 22.d6 d8 (2450)/Bad Liebenzell 1995.; 11.h3 23.xb7 xd6 24.xa7 is an immediate can be met by d5 12.cxd5 xd5 ) draw. ); A) 11...b6 12.f4 b7 13.e1 a5 B) 15.c1 San Segundo Carrillo, P (2511)14.f3 d5 15.xf6+ xf6 16.d2 c5 Perez Felipe, M (2305)/El Sauzal ESP Taimanov, M (2580)-Bronstein, D (2590)/ 2010. Now I propose g4!? , e.g. 16.b3 Tallinn 1975.; ( 16.d2!? ) 16...e2 17.fe1 xd3 B) 11...xe4 12.xe4 d6 13.b1 e5! 18.xb7 ab8 19.xe8+ ( 19.xc7 14.f4 Cordara, M (2185)-Naumkin, I xe1+ 20.xe1 b2 21.f4 xf4 ( 2 5 0 0 ) / C e l l e L i g u r e 1 9 9 5 . H e r e h3 22.gxf4 xa2= ) 19...xe8 20.f1 p r o v i d e s e xc e l l e n t c o u n t e r p l a y , e . g . ( 20.xc7 e2 21.f4 is the same as 19. 15.e1?! ( 15.xe5 xf1 16.xg7 xd3 Qxc7. ) 20...e4 ( or 20...xf1 21.xf1 17.xd3 xg7 ) 15...g4! and 16... e5= ) 21.g2= ] Nf3+.; [ 12.f4 A logical square for the bishop. c6 C) 11...d6 Alternatives are also decent: ( Black could try to dispense with ...c7-c6 by 12.e1 ( 12.b1 xe4 13.xe4 e5! 12...f5 ) 13.e1 ( This allows Black to is 11... Nxe4 above.) 12...g4!? 13.f3? s i m p l i f y , s o 13.e5!? was worth ( 13.c2 e5 ) 13...xe4 14.dxe4 considering.) 13...xe1+ 14.xe1 f5 e6 Hanauer, M-Reshevsky, S/New York 15.c3 h6 16.h3 dxc4 17.dxc4 e4 1938. Black was already much better due 18.e1 xg2 19.xg2 d7 20.e5 h7 to his White's obvious pawn weaknesses. ] 21.h4 e8 22.f4 xe1 9...exd3 Here and over the next few moves 1/2-1/2 Mamedyarov, S (2646)-Kobalia, M Black sometimes plays ...h6. It's not clear to (2614)/Abu Dhabi 2005. ] me that preventing Bc1-g5 is necessary, [ Aronian played 12.b1 against Gelfand in since W hite's bishop often goes elsewhere 2008. Although he lost (a rarity with White!), anyways. 10.exd3 xd4 11.cxd4 d5 this useful move looks good enough for a Howell plays directly through the center, fixing slight plus. h6 ( 12...g4 13.c2 dxc4 White's doubled d-pawns. 14.dxc4 xd4 15.e3 e5 16.xb7 f5 [ An example of the 11...h6 strategy: 12.d5!? Friedel, J (2527) -Gupta, A (2587)/Chalkis d6 13.b2 . Despite Black's efforts, White GRE 2010. 17.b2 xb2 18.xb2 e4 f ound a b ette r diagona l f o r th e bishop . 19.d1 The endgame is more comfortable Seirawan, Y (2653)-Gulko, B (2618)/Salt for W hite.) 13.f4 b6 14.e5 Aronian, L Lake City 1999/[TonyK]. ] (2757)-Gelfand, B (2719)/Dresden GER 12.e3 Nakamura mentioned in the post2008. This last move is a standard idea game comments that he was on his own at that Nakamura also implemented in the this point. White has tried several moves here. game W hite exerts some slight pressure [ First, what happens if White makes good on with the bishop pair. Strangely, the play his 'threat' with 12.g5 ? Now in fact h6! re m i n d s m e o f so m e m a i n - li n e s o f t h e i s a s m a r t r e p l y . 13.xf6 ( 13.f4 Petroff. ] is possible, but admits to a loss of time.) A novelty. Again, I'm not convinced 13...xf6 14.cxd5 ( 14.xd5 c6 15.g2 12...h6 1169
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 this move is necessary. [ 12...e6 was seen in an old Botvinnik game. The Patriarch played 13.c1 ( 13.c5 Botvinnik soon played this move anyways, so maybe he could have saved the Ra1-c1 tempo.; 13.b3 is also logical.) 13...h6 14.h3 c6 15.d2 , but didn't get much of anything after d7= Botvinnik, M-Basman, M/Hastings 1966. ] [ Another clash of young super-talents saw 12...f5 This is the most desirable move provided Black doesn't run into problems with b7 or d5. Following 13.b3 d7 ( or 13...c6 since White isn't planning on taking on b7 wh en d3 is h an gin g wit h tem po .) 14.fe1 ( White has an extra pawn after 14.cxd5 h3 15.xb7 xg2 16.xg2 ab8 17.c6 xd5+ 18.xd5 xd5 , but it's difficult to believe he'll win.) 14...c6 15.g5 A) A normal-looking alternative is 15...dxc4 16.dxc4 e4 ( 16...xd4 17.xf6 xf6 18.xb7 ) 17.e3 ad8 ( 17...f6!? ) 18.ad1 with a customary small advantage for White, though Black's position is reliable.; B) 15...xe1+! Forcing the tempo. 16.xe1 e8 17.xe8+ xe8 18.h3 e1+ 19.h2 Giri, A (2672)-So, W (2674)/ Biel SUI 2010. Now dxc4 20.dxc4 xh3! leads to total equality, though it's im p o s s i b l e t o m a k e t h i s a ss e s sm e n t without a strong engine:) For example, 21.xf6 ( 21.xh3 xf2+ 22.g2 g4+ 23.h3 h5!; 21.xh3 e6+ 22.h2 g4+ 23.h3 xf2+ 24.h2 g4+ 25.h3 when Black can even try to play on with h6 ) 21...xg2 22.xg2 gxf6 23.xb7 e4+= . So played the immediate 19...Bxh3, which turned out to be slightly inaccurate. It's possible he had analyzed this temporary bishop sacrifice before and simply forgot to insert the capture on c4. ] 13.h3 [ 13.e1 might be a bit better. If Black chooses the plan with ...Be6 and ...Qd7 below, then White must lose time to defend h3. ] 13...b6 Nakamura questioned this plan. [ Instead, he gave the sample line 13...e6
14.b3 b6 15.ac1 c6 16.a4 d7 17.h2 , in which Black is very solid. ] 14.c1 d7 15.f4! Heading for e5 to harass the knight on f6. Black also experiences problems with the c-pawn. b7 16.e5 h7 17.c5 Hikaru burned a ton of time before playing this move. [ The players examined the cute variation 17.cxd5 ac8 18.g4 xg4 ( 18...f5!? ) 19.hxg4 f6 20.xf6 gxf6 21.d6 xg2 22.d7 xf1 23.xc7 cd8 24.dxe8+ xe8 25.xf1 d8 26.xa7 xd4 , concluding that Black draws. ] [ They also examined 17.g4!? which may in fact be most promising. ] 17...ac8 Not bad, but Howell admitted that he underestimated White's next few moves. [ Instead 17...c6!? is interesting. ] 18.h4 f8 19.h2 bxc5 20.h3 e6 21.xc5 f6 22.f4 d8 [ 22...f7!? ] 23.a5 [ Attacking a7, but maybe the restrained 23.c1 was preferable. ] 23...c5!? Bold! Howell was drifting into bad time trouble around here. [ 23...a6 24.e1 ] 24.xa7 b6 25.a4 xd4 26.h5 [ Black has excellent compensation for the exchange after 26.xc8 xc8 . Knowing Nakamura's style and (taking into account Ho we l l 's t i m e p re s su r e ) , yo u c o u l d b e almost certain that White would counterattack rather than bank material. ] 26...c6?? A blunder with his flag about to fall. [ 26...f5! is necessary. White has full compensation after 27.xd4 cxd4 28.xf5 a8 , but Black has all his bases covered. ] 27.b1?! [ 27.xd4 was immediately winning, e.g. cxd4 28.f5 e7 29.g6 f8 30.h7 . Black can barely move and will soon be crushed: a8 31.g6 e6 32.d6+- ( or 32.e1+- )] 27...a8? [ 27...f5 was again necessary. 28.a7 e7 29.a4 ] 28.xa8 xa8 29.g2 [ 29.e1+- ] 29...e6? The final mistake. 30.xb7! xb7 1170
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 31.xd5 c8 32.xh6! Removing any doubts about the result. a6 [ 32...gxh6 33.g6+ f8 ( 33...h8 34.xh6+ g8 35.g6+ h8 36.xf6+ g7 37.h6# ) 34.xf6+ e8 35.xe6 c6 36.e5+- ] 33.e3 d6 34.xc5 xd5 35.xd5 f7 36.e3 a6 37.c4 a8 38.d4 1-0
1177 Navara,David Topalov,Veselin 74th Tata Steel GMA (1) [John Bartholomew]
A29 2712 2770 14.01.2012
1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.c3 b6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 [ L a s t m o n t h w e e x a m i n e d 8...a5!? , a line whose stock is on the rise. ] 9.b4 e6 10.b1 f6 11.d3 d4 Strategic a lly p r in c ip l e d . W h it e ca n 't t o l e ra t e t h i s centralized knight for long, so Black typically extracts some minor concession for its removal. He also gains the ability to play ... c7c6, blunting the long diagonal. [ It's interesting that Topalov has always preferred this direct and positionally sound move, as inserting 11...a5 12.b5 before d4 is a bit more unbalanced. Now the big main line A) Nakamura showed an intuitive approach with 13.e3 xf3+ 14.xf3 b8 15.c2 in Nakamura, H (2670)-Bauer, C (2614)/France 2008/ [Hansen, Carsten]. Ch a n c e s a re rou gh ly equ a l h ere (t h e combative f5!? might be best), though White went on to outplay his opponent.; B) 13.xd4 exd4 14.e4?! makes less s e n s e h e r e d u e t o ( Relatively better is 14.a4 , though Black has zero problems after d5 . ) 14...f5 15.d2 d5 , when W hite has to part with his lightsquare bishop in order to avoid 16...Nc3. Compared to 13.Ne4 f5?! below, W hite doesn't have the luxury of 15.Nc5, nor does his a-pawn enjoy adequate protection.; C) In 1993 Korchnoi defeated Tukmakov with 13.e1!? , a move to which the victor
(Viktor!) attached an '!'. Tukmakov later improved with c8 ( 13...c6?! 14.bxc6 xc6 15.e3 was Korchnoi, V (2605)Tukmakov, V (2605)/Wijk aan Zee 1993, when White already had good cause for optimism. ) 14.e3 f5 , scoring wins over Gulko and Van der Sterren. Comparing this to the main-line variation 13.Nd2 Qc8 14.e3 Nf5, it's diff icult to say that the position of the knight on e1 offers any benefit over its normal place on d2. In fact, I would much prefer the latter scenario.; D) 13.d2 has received plenty of coverage on ChessPublishing, with Carlsen, M (2801) -Kramnik, V (2772)/ London ENG 2009/[Nigel Davies] being a recent high-level example. Alternatives: ] 12.xd4 Navara played this against Karjakin in 2008. [ As in 11...a5 12. b5 Nd4 above, avoiding t h e k n i g h t e x c h a n g e w i t h 12.d2 is the most popular approach. Nevertheless, in recent practice Black has not experienced major problems with either c6 or 12...Nd5. For more details consult the archives for the "Four Knights 4 g3 - 4...d5 Reversed Dragon" guide. ] [ For 12.e3 xf3+ 13.xf3 c6 , see Van Wely, L (2683)-Tiviakov, S (2667)/Wijk aan Zee 2007/[Hansen, Carsten]. ] 12...exd4 13.e4 [ Harmless is 13.a4 d5 , for instance 14.xd5+ xd5 15.c2 Cvetkovic, S (2420)-Skembris, S (2470)/ Kavala 1997. Now xa4 16.xa4 a5! 17.b5 fe8 is a bit more comfortable for Black. ] 13...d5! Ensuring a favorable exchange of bishops. I don't think Black has anything to fear once he executes this idea. [ M o t y l e v r e c e n t l y p l a y e d 13...a2? and lived to tell about it, but the exchange sacrifice 14.c5! is really quite strong, for example ( Too accommodating is 14.a1 d5 , with obvious similarities to the game.) 14...xb1 15.b3+ h8 ( 15...f7 makes it a "true" exchange sacrifice, to Black's detriment: 16.xb7! e8 17.a5 xd3 18.exd3 d8 19.c6 d6 20.b5+Miezis, N (2516)-Agopov, M (2376)/Oslo 2003. Here an evaluation of "with compensation" would be selling W hite's 1171
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 achieve: 19.b3+ ( 19.c1 d6 20.b3+ position far too short! His minor pieces f7 21.e3! dxe3 22.fxe3 d5 23.xd5 completely dominate the board, and Black xd5 24.e4 b6 25.xf5 xf5 26.exf5 didn't last much longer in the face of c6= ) 19...f7 20.fc1 d6 21.a4 c5 threats like Rf 1-e1, a4-a5, Bc1-f4, etc.) ( 21...a5 22.a3 d7 23.c5= ) 22.a5 16.e6 ( 16.xb7!? is possibly superior.) d7! Black is playing for more. ( 22...d5 16...d7 17.xf8 xf8 18.xb7 23.a3 c8 24.xd4 b6 25.axb6 axb6= ) A) Black has better chances to draw with 23.xb7 e8 ( 23...af8!? ) 24.a3 f4 18...xd3 19.exd3 c5 , i.e. ( or 19...c6 25.xa7 Fedoseev, V (2428)-Khairullin, I 20.a6 c5 ) 20.f3 cxb4 21.axb4 a4 (2617)/St Petersburg RUS 2010. Now 22.xa4 xa4 23.b5 ( 23.d2 c3 A) 25...xe2? 26.xc5 xc5 27.b8+ 24.a1 xb4 25.xa7 e2+ 26.xe2 f8 28.xf8+ xf8 29.xc5; xd2 ); B) 25...f6 was the game. After 26.xc5 B) 18...a4?! 19.xb1 c6 20.a2! B1) 26...f3? 27.exf3 e5 fails in xb4 21.e6 xa3 22.xc6 b4 s p e c t a c u l a r f a s h i o n : 28.b8!! 23.e4 f5?! 24.xf5 a4 Thorfinnsson, (this is not possible with Black's queen B (2 4 1 2 )-M o t yle v, A (2 6 9 0 )/ Ro ga sk a on e6) xf3+ 29.h1 e5 ( 29...xa7 Slatina SLO 2011. Here 25.xa3 ( 25.f4 30.xe8+ f7 31.f8++- is the point.) c3 26.e5 e7 27.xe7 xe7 30.xe8+ xe8 31.a6! and suddenly 28.g4 was the game, when Black Black has no decent way to parry the m a n a g e d t o e s c a p e w i t h a d r a w .) threat of 32.Bxd4, threatening 33.Rc8. 25...xa3 26.b1+- is cleanest. Black is White is winning.; objectively lost. ] B2) 26...fxg3 27.xd4 gxf2+ 28.xf2 [ Unlike 11...a5 12.b5 Nd4 13.Nxd4 exd4 14. xe2 29.f1 White held on for a draw.; Ne4, here 13...f5? makes no sense due to C) 25...e6! is the most threatening. The 14.c5 ] main idea is 26.xc5? f3! 27.exf3 e5-+ 14.b2 .] [ In Hracek, Z (2628)-Karjakin, S (2763)/ Porto Carras GRE 2011, White obtained a 15...xg2 [ Th e f a ct th a t 15...f6 is a fully playable s m a l l a d v a n t a g e a f t e r 14.e3 a5 alternative only enhances this line's ( the forcing line 14...f5 15.c5 xg2 credibility: 16.xd5+ xd5 17.c1 f7 16.xg2 xc5 17.bxc5 d5+ 18.f3 ( 17...c6 is very logical too) 18.c5 e6 xc5 is a cleaner way to equalize, i.e. ( 18...d7 19.b3 e8 20.e1 a6 19.xb7 c2! ) 15.bxa5 xa5 16.exd4 Krause, U (2340)-Sher, M (2505)/Hamburg f5 17.e1! , but Black was never in serious 1992. Now 21.b5! a5 22.f3 looks a little danger: a8 18.c5 xg2 19.xg2 d5+ better for W hite he may try to double or 20.g1 fe8 21.e6+ xe6 22.xe6 triple on the c-file while Black is somewhat d6 23.c5 a7 24.b5 g6 25.e3 tied to the d-pawn.) 19.e1 ( Maybe White ( 25.g5!? ) 25...d5 26.xb7 xe3 s h o u l d p r e f e r 19.f3 d8 20.c2= ) 27.xd6 cxd6 28.e1 xa3 29.xe3 xe3 19...c6 20.f3 d7! (a common idea ) 30.fxe3 xd3 31.d5 and a draw was 21.c2 d5 22.a1?! a5! Timman, J agreed. ] (2630)-Bareev, E (2680)/Tilburg 1991. ] [ Neither does 14.c2 impress much, e.g. f5 15.c5 xg2 16.xg2 d5+ 17.g1 a5!? 16.xg2 h8 Again, Black has more than 18.e4?! ( 18.b2= ) 18...dxe3 19.xe3 one reliable line here. [ The first move to consider is 16...d5+ . axb4 20.axb4 a2 21.b3 xb3 22.xb3 17.f3 ( Better than 17.g1 a5 , Seret, J d5 Tsapin, I (2295) -Veliev, S/Sevastopol (2 4 0 5 ) -M ir a l l e s , G (2 4 6 0 )/ L yo n 1 9 9 0 .) 2000. ] 17...f6 ( 17...c5?! 18.a1 cxb4 19.axb4 14...f5 15.d2 f6 20.b3 xb3 21.xb3 ad8 22.c1 [ White can offer a pawn with 15.c5 xg2 Vidarte Morales, A (2394)-Ayas Fernandez, 16.xg2 d5+ 17.g1 xc5 18.bxc5 A (2256)/Barcelona 2002.) 18.c1 d7 xc5 , but equality is the maximum he can 1172
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 19.b3+ h8 Danailov, S (2445)-Yakovich, Y (2525)/Seville 1992. At this point 20.b5!? looks best White discourages ...c7-c6 and p la n s t o d o u b le o n t h e c -f il e (a 4 - a 5 i s another idea). White's play seems a touch easier to me, though Black has nothing major to complain about, i.e. f4!? ] [ Similar is 16...f6 , i.e. A) 17.c1 d7 18.b3 ae8 19.c5 f7 20.g1 ( 20.xb7?? d5+-+ ) 20...c6 21.a4?! d5 and Black enjoyed a very coherent position in Baumegger, S (2433)-Ragger, M (2527)/Leoben 2008.; B) 17.b3+ h8 18.bc1 a5 ( 18...d7 t r a n s p o s e s t o 1 6 . . . Q d 5 +; 18...c6 is a ls o f in e .) 19.c5 axb4 20.axb4 Sunye Neto, J (2465)-Huebner, R (2585)/ Manila 1990. ( 20.xf5!? ) 20...d7= ] [ Karjakin had played 16...e8 prior to his game with Navara, but maybe he ditched it due to 17.b3+ ( 17.f3 f6 18.c1 h8 19.a4 a5 20.b5 d6 21.c2 ac8= Van Wely, L (2681)-Karjakin, S (2732)/Nice 2008. ) 17...h8 18.e4!? dxe3 19.fxe3 , when White has some slight pressure. ] 17.f3 f6 18.c2 This is new. White aims to complete development with Rf1-c1 before undertaking activity on the queenside. [ The players had been following Navara, D (2646)-Karjakin, S (2727)/Sochi 2008. That game went 18.a4 a5 ( 18...d7; and 18...f4!? also look good .) 19.b5 e8 ( 19...d5 ) 20.e1 c5?! (unnecessarily creating a weakness) 21.bxc6 bxc6 . Now 22.c2 or 22.Qb3 look normal. White's weaknesses on a4 and e2 are less burdensome than Black's on a5, c6, and d4. ( or 22.b3 )] 18...d7! 19.fc1 c6 20.a4 [ 20.b5!? is a funny engine suggestion. I really doubt Black has any problems after cxb5 21.c7 , i.e. f7 ( 21...d5!? ) 22.xd7 xd7 23.c5 a6! 24.xf5 a4 , though he's also entitled to decline the bpawn with 20.. .Rac8. ] 20...f4!? Creating counterplay on the kingside without delay. [ I 'd p ro b a b ly p la y 20...ae8= first, but Topalov's sense of the initiative is much more refined than mine! ] 21.b5 cxb5 22.axb5 d5! 23.xd4 ae8
[ 23...g4! was more testing. The main threats are ...Bxd4 and ... f3+, plus ...fxg3 and Nd5-f4+. White has to tread carefully, i. e. 24.b3 ( 24.c4 fd8! ) 24...ad8 25.f3! xb2 ( White doesn't stand too poorly after 25...fxg3 26.c4 f4+ 27.xf4 xf4 28.hxg3 . ) 26.xb2 fxg3 27.fxg3 ( 27.c4 f4+ 28.xf4 xf4 29.hxg3 ) 27...f4+ 28.g1 xd3 ( 28...de8 29.c4!; 28...fe8!? ) 29.e5!? xe5 30.xe5 fe8 31.d1! g6 32.c5 with an un deniably shaky (bu t possibly savable) heavy-piece endgame. ] 24.f3 xb2?! [ Black should have settled for a perpetual: 24...fxg3 25.hxg3 f4+ 26.gxf4 g4+ A) or 27.h1 h5+ 28.g2 ( 28.h2? xe2 ) 28...g4+ etc.; B) 27.f1 h3+ 28.g1 ( 28.e1? xf3 ) 28...g4+= ( 28...xb2 29.xb2 xf4 30.c4 also forces Black to take the draw with g4+ . )] 25.xb2 e6 [ Now 25...fxg3 26.hxg3 f4+?? just doesn't work because of 27.gxf4 g4+ 28.h1 h5+ 29.h2 xe2 30.d4 . ] 26.d4 Leading directly to a peaceful conclusion. [ White could play on with 26.c5!? ] 26...fxg3 27.hxg3 xe2! 28.xd5 e3 W h i t e m u s t g i v e t h e p i e c e b a c k . 29.e1 xf3+ 30.xf3 exf3 31.b2 xd3 Here the p layers agreed a draw. A likely conclusion is 32.Re7 Rdf3 33.Rxb7 R3f7=. Thus, it appears White cannot rely on even a hint of an advantage with the straightforward 12.Nxd4. ½-½
1178 Nepomniachtchi,Ian Bocharov,Dmitry Final Russian Rapid GP rapid (2.1) [John Bartholomew]
A29 2730 2609 02.12.11
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 a5 Weakening the queenside to prevent b2-b4. Dra go n players gen erally p rof it f ro m th e inclusion of ...a6 and a4 in lines of the 1173
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Classical, so surely this should hold true in the Reversed Dragon? Ironclad logic, but Black has a specific idea in mind. [ The main line with 8...0-0 9.b4 is still incredibly popular. See Nigel Davies's guide "Four Knights 4 g3 - 4...d5". ] 9.d3 0-0 10.e3 e6 The usual bishop configuration. [ With the flexible 10...e8 , Black very often drops the dark-square bishop back to f8 or develops the other one to g4. See Morozevich, A (2707)-Motylev, A (2632)/ Moscow 2005/[John Watson]. ] 11.c1 [ 11.a4 is a typical procedure. See Botvinnik, M-Portisch, L/Monte Carlo 1968/ [Jonathan Rowson]. d5 is likely the best reply. ] 11...a4!? What's this? Isn't Black blundering a pawn? [ The most prominent move here has been 11...f5 , i.e. 12.a4 ( 12.b5!?; 12.d2!? ) 12...e4!? 13.e1 ( The analogous 13.d2 d5 14.c5 is more promising.) 13...d5 ( 13...xa4 14.xa4 exd3?! 15.xd3 d5 16.f4 xg2 17.xg2 c8 18.fd1 Davies, N (2500)-Hartman, C (2370)/ W r e x h a m 1 9 9 6 .) 14.c5 e3!? ( T h e m u n d a n e 14...f6 is also acceptable.) 15.fxe3 g5 16.c2 Shilov, S (2255)-Korobov, A (2590)/ P a r d u b i c e 2 0 0 8 . ( 16.xd5 xd5 Cebalo, M (2480)-Sertic, R (2401)/Djakovo CRO 2011. ) 16...f6! ] [ 11...d5 12.xd5 xd5 13.a4 is a bit better for White. For instance, d6 14.d2 xg2 15.xg2 h8 16.b5 b8 17.c4 Mamedov, R (2586)-L'Ami, E (2577)/Heraklio 2007. ] [ 11...f6 is familiar from the 8...0-0 9.b4 main line , bu t with t he b isho p alre ad y on e 3 Marin's 12.d4! is a convincing retort. exd4 13.xd4 xd4 14.xd4 xd4 15.xd4 fd8?! 16.b5! c5 17.xc5 xc5 18.c7 ( 18.xc5 ) 18...c4 19.xa8 xa8 20.xc4 xc4 21.d5+ f8 22.xc4 Marin, M (2549)-Strambu, M (2206)/Amara 2007. ] 12.xb6 Swallowing the bait. [ 12.e4 Playing for the c5 square is normal, but non-critical. d7!? , with ideas of ...
Be6-b3 and ...f7-f5. ] 12...cxb6 [ I think the text is best, though 12...b3!? is also testing. 13.xc7 xc7 14.d2 ( 14.e1!? is less aesthetic, but does prepare Nf3-d2. Volosin, V (2286) Karacsony, A (2333)/Budapest HUN 2010.) 14...b6 Now ( 14...ad8 Iglesias Valle, JEstevez Jacome, J/Asturias 199202. Now 15.e3!? with the idea of 16.Nd2 should d e n y B l a c k a d e q u a t e c o m p e n s a t i o n .) 15.e4?! ( 15.e3 fd8 16.e2 is a better way to unwind. After e6 17.fd1 b3 18.d2 ac8 White is for choice, though Black has undeniable practical compensation with the bishop pair and open c / d - f i l e s .) 15...f5! 16.c3 ad8 was ideal compensation for Black in Hofirek, B (1980)-Papan, C (2119)/Ostrava CZE 2011. ] 13.xa4 e4! This disruptive pawn push is the key. By now I ought to tell you that 11...a4!? is Houdini's top move. It's probably not coincidental that Bocharov (and Karacsony/ Papan above) took a sudden interest in a move that hasn't been seen since 1992 (and only once prior to that!). I don't say this to belittle the achievement of such a find (Karacsony may get the credit for 11...a4's resurrection since he played it in 2010) - it's more an illustration of how opening fashion develops these days. 14.e1 [ The second pawn is immune: 14.dxe4?? xd1 15.fxd1 xa4-+ ] [ On 14.d2 , g5 is good, i.e. 15.e3 ( 15.xc6 bxc6 16.xe4 e7; 15.c3 e3! 16.fxe3 xe3+ 17.h1 g5! ) 15...exd3 ] 14...d4? A clear imprecision. [ The source game for 11...a4 is Cekro, E (2365)-Komljenovic, D (2380)/Medulin 1983. T h a t c o n t e s t c o n t i n u e d 14...g5! , which Houdini also approves. Black has excellent piece play, and appears to have full compensation with chances for more. For example: A) 15.a1 , i.e. exd3 16.xd3 d4 (17...Bb3 was threatened) 17.c3 b3 ( Black can also take an immediate perpetual 17...b3 18.b1 c2 19.a2 b3 20.b1 c2= ) 18.xb7 ( 18.a2 1174
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 d2 19.e1 b3 20.a1 looks terrible for W hite to me, though the computer thinks its close to equal) 18...a7 19.g2 xa1 20.xa1 resulting in an interesting middlegame. Material is balanced, and so are the chances. Either side can realistically push for a win.; B) 15.c3 f6 and now we have a r e p e t i t i o n a f t e r ( 15...d4!? 16.b4; 15...f5!? ) 16.c1 g5; C) 15.c3 xc1 16.xc1 exd3 17.xd3 c8; D) 15.e3 exd3 16.xd3 f5 ( 16...xa4! is probably stronger, i.e. 17.xa4 xd3 18.fd1 e2 ) 17.c3 f6 18.e4! g6 19.e5 . N o w t h e f o r c i n g l i n e xe5 20.xe5 xe5 21.xd8 fxd8 22.xb6 xc3 23.xa8 xb2 24.xb7 xa3 25.f3 should of course be drawn, though only Black can push with the bishop pair. An amazing conception from Komljenovic. One wonders whether it was the result (Komljenovic chose 19... Be7?! and went on to lose) or the lack of game proliferation that caused 11... a4 to go unnoticed for so long. Regardless, if this analysis holds the system with ...a5 should receive a much-needed shot in the arm. ] 15.c3! Coordination. Now Black has little compensation. g5?! The same idea, but a move too late. [ 15...b3 16.b1 exd3 17.xd3 ] [ 15...b3 16.d2 e6!? ] 16.e3 b3 17.xe4!? Giving the exchange under favorable circumstances. [ There was also nothing wrong with 17.c2 exd3 18.xd3 ] 17...xc1 18.xc1 d7 19.d4 xd4?? Clearly overlooking W hite's next. W hite is comfortably better anyways, as Black has very little to attack. 20.f4+- Decisive. xf4 21.xf4 d7 22.c2 fe8 23.d4 ad8 24.f1 e7 25.b5 d6 26.xh7+! White has a million ways to win but chooses a forcing continuation. xh7 27.h5+ g8 28.e4 c7 29.h4 f6 [ 29...c1+ 30.g2 xb2+ 31.f3 changes nothing. ] 30.xf6+! Superb calculation for a rapid game. f8 [ or 30...gxf6 31.h8+ f7 32.h7+ g6
33.h6+ g5 34.xf6+ g4 35.h4# ] 31.f4 c1+ 32.g2 gxf6 33.xf6+ g8 34.g6+ f8 35.h8+ f7 36.f6# 1-0
1179 Nimzo 7.32 Fritz 6a Cadaques Tournament (8) [Tony Kosten]
A29
04.01.2000
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.g2 b6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 9.b4 e6 10.d3 a5 This move is commonly preferred in these positions, Black challenges W hite's queenside build-up, and can often make use of the b3-square after a further ... a4. 11.b5 d4 12.d2 c6 [ One of the s of this line for White is that Black sometimes falls for the trap 12...d5? 13.xd5 xd5 14.e3 winning a piece, as e6 allows 15.e4 when the bishop has nowhere to go. ] 13.bxc6 xc6 14.b1 The open b-file will be put to good use. c8 [ P r o b a b l y b e s t , t h e n a t u r a l 14...a4 a l lo ws t h e su rp ri si n g 15.xc6!? bxc6 16.c2 c5?! ( 16...f5 ) 17.d1! a6 18.c4 with a positional plus, Vladimirov,ESavchenko,S/Helsinki 1992. ] 15.de4 [ 15.b2 e8 16.e1 f8 17.a4 d5 wa s s a t i s f a c t o r y f o r B l a c k , Z u e g e r , B Romanishin,O/ Cannes 1998. ] 15...a4 16.e3 d4 17.xd4 xd4 18.xa4!? [ An optically surprising move, seen by computers, but not so easily by humans, and a possible improvement on 18.e3 d8 19.xa4 xa4 1/2-1/2 Karlsson, LRo m a n is h i n , O / T a l li n n 1 9 8 7 , a s a l l t h e queenside pawns will come off the board after 20.xa4 f5 21.d2 xd3 22.xb7 xa3 ] 18...xa4 19.xb7 The point is that White will regain the piece when he plays e3, as the black queen can no longer support the knight from d7. xa3 20.e3 b2 21.exd4 xd1 22.xd1 exd4 23.a1 c1?! [ 23...c1+ 24.xc1 xc1 might favour 1175
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 W h it e , b e c a u se o f h is a ct ive ro o k, b u t should be a draw. ] 24.h4 fd8 25.aa7 Now White has two rooks on the seventh. c2 26.f3 f8 27.h5 f5? [ Any human would play 27...g6 28.d1 a2 wh e n W h i t e ' s c h a n c e s o f w i n n i n g a r e slight. ] 28.xg7! This move is a good winning attempt without risk, as W hite will always have a perpetual check to fall back on. fxe4 29.xh7 g8 30.dxe4 dc8 [ Black is in serious trouble, as his attempt at counterplay by 30...d3 is met by 31.ag7+ f8 32.g6 a2 33.e5 and e6 will threaten mate, and win a piece. ] 31.ag7+ f8 32.f7 xf7 33.xf7+ g8 34.fg7+ f8 35.d7 g8 36.hg7+ W hite plays like a human, and checks his opponent around a bit to gain time on the clock! f8 37.df7+ e8 38.a7 f8 39.e5 e2 40.h5 xe5 41.h6! Of course, computers rarely miss such tactical operations, winning back his piece. xh6 Otherwise h7, a n d R g 8 m a t e w o u l d f o l l o w . 42.h7 Menacing mate on h8. g8 43.xh6 d5 44.hh7 d3? [ This allows transposition into a trivial rook endgame, 44...cd8 was the only chance, aiming to push the d-pawn. ] 45.ag7+ f8 46.d7 xd7 47.xd7 c1+ 48.g2 c3 49.f3 e8 50.d4 f7 51.e3 d2+ 52.xd2 Now Black can resign, but it seems that this is too much for his pride! c6 53.g4 g6 54.f3 e6 55.a4 g5 56.e3 f7 57.f4 d5 58.g5 g6 59.a6+ g7 60.g4 d1 61.f4 d4 62.g6 d5 63.f5 h6 64.f4 d1 65.a7 d4+ 66.e5 d8 1-0
1180 Nimzo 7.32 Junior 6.0 Cadaques Tournament (2) [Tony Kosten]
A29
09.01.2000
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 b4 4.g2 0-0 5.f3 c6 6.0-0 e4 7.g5 xc3 8.bxc3 e8 9.f3 e3 Zaitsev's move is still considered
to be strongest. 10.d3 d5 11.b3 a5 12.a3 c6 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.f4 g4 [ Generally considered stronger than Karpov's 14...c6 from his Seville match against Kasparov. ] 15.e1 c8!? [ The interesting thing about computer chess is that they can trot-out the f irst twenty moves of theory or so, directly from their hard disc 'memory', and when they get to the end of this, and have to 'think' for themselves, they might be able to find a new move of value. This appears to be a novelty, although bringing a rook to an open file is obvious, to say the least. Before this 15...h6 16.f3 c6 17.b1 d7 18.d4 h3! ga ve B la ck go od ch an ce s in La u t ie r, J Illescas Cordoba,M/Dos Hermanas 1995, and ] [ 15...c6 16.b1 d7 17.f3 b6 18.b2 is also reasonable, Soffer,R-Kindermann,S/ Bern 1990. ] 16.h3 d7 17.b2 b6 18.ad1 h6 19.f3 h5 An important move, the e3-pawn cuts the white position in two, and makes it difficult to defend the g3-pawn. 20.h2 f6 21.g1 White had to do something about the threat of ...Qg6. c6 22.h4? g5! Ouch! 23.c4 d4 24.xc6? [ An attempt to avoid 24.fxg5 that comes u n s t u c k , a l t h o u g h , i t i s t r u e t h a t hxg5 25.f3 xg3! is rather awkward, as 26.xg3?? is impossible, f4# ] 24...xc6 25.xa7 c8 26.g2 [ T h i s l o s e s , b u t 26.fxg5? is no longer possible, e6! 27.g4 d6+ 28.h1 g3+ and wins. ] 26...xg3!! Ripping out the heart of the white king's defence. 27.b8 [ Hopeless, but 27.xg3 f5 28.h1 gxf4+ 29.h2 f3! 30.exf3 g6 leaves White without defence to the threats. ] 27...f5 28.xc8 The only mov e to avoid immediate mate, the rest of the game is a mere formality. cxc8 29.xg3 ed8 30.a4 a8 31.a1 h5 32.af1 xa4 33.fxg5 e5+ 34.f4 a2 35.b1 f5 36.f3 b5 37.cxb5 xb5 38.a1 c6+ 39.g3 c8 40.bc1 f5 41.f3 h4 42.g6 d6 43.gxf7+ xf7 44.c7+ d7 45.c4 e5 46.c8 b5 47.cc1 b7+ 48.g4 d8 1176
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 49.c5 g8+ 0-1
1181 Ostenstad,Berge Agdestein,Simen ch-NOR Mons NOR (4) [John Watson]
A29 2480 2575 10.07.2006
In this game we look at the early push of the g-pawn in the Dragon Variation, both as Black (where it is an established idea) and by White (where it is virtually untried), a tempo ahead! As so often, the extra tempo in a Reversed opening can be useless, or even an impediment. 1.c4 [ Black's idea of 8...g5 has held up fairly well. What if White tries the same system but a tempo up? For example, 1.e4 c5 2.f3 c6 3.d4 cxd4 4.xd4 g6 5.c3 g7 6.b3 f6 7.e2 0-0 and now: A) 8.0-0 d6 and now the g4 idea has lost the point of h4-h5, but still resembles the main game after 9.f4 a6 10.g4 b5 11.g5 e8 12.f3 ( or 12.h1 h3 13.g1 ) 12...h3!?; B) 8.g4 d5! 9.exd5 b4 10.g5 - see the note to 9.b4 about 9.d4 - this is a direct transposition, because Black has played ...d5 in one move whereas there White plays d4 in two moves.; C) 8.e3 d6 9.g4 d5 10.exd5 b4 11.f3 ( 11.d6!? looks like a try for a d v a n t a g e b u t xd6 12.c5 f4! takes advantage of the weakness created by g4 ) 11...xg4! 12.xg4 xg4 13.xg4 xc2+ 14.e2 xa1 15.xa1 xc3 16.bxc3 xd5 17.d1 e5 and White has the two minor pieces for a rook and two pawns but his king is loose and another pawn my fall; D) 8.h4 d6 9.g4 d5! 10.exd5 b4 D1) 11.g5 fxd5 ( 11...xg4 12.xg4 xg4 13.xg4 xc2+ 14.e2 xa1 15.xa1 xc3 16.bxc3 xd5 is very messy, but White's exposed king is a problem. ); D2) 11.f3 xg4! 12.xg4 xg4 13.xg4 xc2+ 14.e2 xa1 15.xa1 xc3 16.bxc3 xd5 17.d1
xa2+ etc.]; D3) 11.h5 bxd5 12.hxg6 ( 12.xd5 xd5 13.xd5 xd5 ) 12...xc3 13.gxf7+ xf7 14.c4+ e8 15.xd8+ xd8 16.bxc3 xg4; D4) 11.0-0 fxd5 12.xd5 xd5 13.c3 ( 13.f3 b4 ) 13...d6 14.f3 d8= . No matter what extra tempo tries to use in the 'reverse g4' system, he gains little or nothing from it. ] 1...e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.c3 b6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 g5 9.b4 [ 9.d4! leads to positions with exciting possibilities: exd4 10.b5 g4 11.fxd4 ( 11.xg5 xg5 12.xg5 0-0 13.f3 ) 11...xd4 12.xd4 xd4 13.xd4 0-0-0 ] 9...g4 10.e1 f5 [ Or 10...h5 , which has been played before, with the simple plan ...h4 and playing for mate! ] 11.d3 0-0 12.b2 [ 12.h6 may well be better, e.g., f7 ( 12...f6 13.g5 g6 14.xe7 xe7 15.f3 ) 13.c2!? with the idea f4 14.e4 This all needs more investigation. ] 12...f6 13.c1 h8 14.xc6!? A very good positional move but a little risky b e c a u se o f t h e we a k e n e d l ig h t s q u a r e s around White's king. bxc6 15.a4 [ 15.f3!? ] 15...d6 16.c5!? [ 16.c2 ] 16...a5! 17.e4?! [ 17.d2! ] 17...axb4 18.axb4 f4 19.g2 f3 20.e3 g7 21.e1!? It's time to challenge the a-file. W hite's idea is that after a move like Nf5, capture on f5 will open a key file for White's rook. h5 22.d4!? I'm not sure what Ostenstad is doing. Perhaps he underestimated Black's ability to retain the dpawn. exd4 23.c2 c4? [ 23...d8 forces White to consider his material deficit. ] 24.xd4 d8 25.e5!? [ 25.a1! xa1 26.xg7+ xg7 27.xa1+ g6 28.c3 ] 25...xe5 26.d2 f7 27.cd1 g8 28.c3 g6 29.xg7 xd1 30.xd1 xg7 31.d4 f5 Black's extra pawn isn't worth 1177
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 much, but the restrictive pawn on f3 is very s t r o n g a n d n o w h e 's g o t g o o d p i e c e s t o s u p p o r t i t . 32.c1 f6 33.h4 d8 34.cb3?! [ 34.xf5 xd1+ 35.xd1 xf5 36.d3!? would be interesting. ] 34...e4 35.c5 d5! 36.a7? c2! 37.e1 xb3 38.xb3 c3 39.e3 [ 39.b1 xb4 40.xc7 c3 and Black has the extra pawn and a hugely superior position. ] 39...xe3 40.fxe3 b5 41.d4 [ White hangs it up because 41.d4 xb4 42.xc6 b2 threatens ...f2+, but then 43.d1 d6 followed by ...Ne4 or .. .Nf5 will lead to an irresistible attack. ] 0-1
1182 Pelletier,Yannick Chernin,Alexander XLVIII TCh-ESP (4) [John Watson]
A29 2589 2584 21.11.2004
This game illustrates a sideline of the main 1... e5 English 4 Knights. W hite has never achieved much here, and Pelletier commits the error so many have made: he pursues positional goals and neglects his kingside. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 b4 5.g2 0-0 6.0-0 d6 [ The main line with 6...e4 7.g5 ( 7.e1 xc3 8.dxc3 e8 9.c2 isn't played that much any more) 7...xc3 8.bxc3 e8 9.f3 e3 has been discussed by Tony in this column. Black seems to be doing okay. ] 7.d5 [ 7.d3 is the most common alternative, when White must be ready for xc3 8.bxc3 e4!? ] 7...c5 8.d3 xd5 9.cxd5 d4 This idea has been played for many years in this and similar positions. W hite has had difficulty finding anything promising, and this time it's no different. 10.d2?! [ 10.xd4 exd4 gives White problems down the e-file unless he tries 11.e4 , when f5 12.d2 a5 isn't bad for White but it's not what he wants. ] 10...g4! 11.e1 f5 12.b4!? b6 [ 12...xb4 13.f3 h5 14.e3 b5 15.b3
results in too many problems. ] 13.c4 f4! 14.xb6 axb6 What now? White has removed the bishop but can hardly defend his kingside. 15.h3?! [ But 15.f3 d7 (with the idea ...Ba4) 16.a4 e8 17.a5 bxa5 18.bxa5 fxg3 19.hxg3 g6 20.g4 f7 wins the d-pawn. ] 15...xe2! 16.xe2 f3 17.e4 fxg2 18.b2? [ White should play 18.xg2 , although d7 19.b2 f3 transposes. ] 18...f3+ 19.xg2 d7 20.e3 g5 21.h4 h3+ 22.g1 f7? [ 22...f5! threatens both ...Qxf2+ and ... Nh3+. White has to try the desperate 23.f4 ( 23.e2? h3+ 24.g2 xf2 ) 23...exf4 24.e7 f7! 25.xf7 xf7 26.f3 e5 27.xe5 xe5 28.f1 d4+ 29.h1 xa2 and wins. ] 23.e2 [ 23.d4 ] 23...h6 24.e4 f7 [ 24...c6 is also strong, e.g., 25.dxc6 bxc6 (in te n din g . .. d 5 ) 26.h5! a7! 27.h4 ( 27.d4 af7 28.f1 f3! ) 27...e6 28.a4 af7 29.f1 f5! 30.g4 e3! ] 25.c1 [ This is probably better than 25.d4 af8 26.f1 f5 27.ae1 g4 28.dxe5 ( 28.xg4 xg4 29.dxe5 f3! 30.e2 xg3+ 31.fxg3 xf1+ 32.xf1 f3+ ) 28...xf2 29.e6 h3+ 30.g2 xf1+ 31.xf1 xf1 32.xh3 h5! ] 25...f5 26.e3 e7 27.d4 xd5 28.dxe5 c3 29.g4 xg4 30.xg4 dxe5 31.d2 b5?! [ 31...e2+! 32.f1 d4 followed by ... Raf8 . Black has a pawn and the attack. 33.e4 c2 34.c1 xa2 ] 32.e4 e7?! [ 32...d7! 33.e3 d4 ] 33.f4 ae8 34.ae1 Now it's about equal, as the game demonstrates. d4 35.g2 c6 36.g5 e6 37.c1 h6 38.e3 b5 39.c5 b6 40.xb5 a8 41.d5 xa2 42.b5 e7 43.dxe5 xe5 44.xe5 f7 45.f4 g6 46.e4 c2 47.h5 xf4+ ½-½
1178
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 1183 A29 1184 Perez Fungueiro,Manuel Antonio 2255 Petrosian,Tigran V Hamdouchi,Hicham 2559 Ree,Hans III Open Sanxenxo ESP (2) 27.06.2006 1971 Wijk aan Zee [John Watson] [Paul Motwani] 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 h6!? All the rage following Anand's use of it (with a few other GMs preceding him). The idea is that ...h6 will come in handy in every line, so Black doesn't show his cards yet. White is still looking for the right system with which to counter this. 4.d3 White doesn't want to commit. [ Maybe a move like 4.b3!? would irritate Black. ] [ O n e o f B la c k's id e a s is 4.c3 c5 ( even after 4...c6 5.d4 exd4 6.xd4 a6 , ...h6 is a handy moves, although W hite should stand better) 5.f3!? e4 and g5 isn't available for the knight, but 6.g1 e7 7.c2 d5! 8.xd5 ( 8.cxd5 f5 ) 8...xd5 9.cxd5 f5 isn't very convincing for White. ] 4...c5 5.c3 0-0 6.f3 d6 7.0-0 a6 8.a3 a7 9.b4 c6 10.b2 b8 11.d2 e7 12.d5?! This move almost always helps Black if he can capture without creating some awful weakness (or of course, if White can't recapture with a piece). Black gains time and clears the way for an attack. The bishop on a7 cooperates nicely with attack by ...f5-f4. Better was [ 12.a4 or ] [ 12.c2 or ] [ 12.b3 with the idea d4. ] 12...fxd5 13.cxd5 f5 14.c1 d7 15.c2 c8 16.c4 f4 17.h1 e8 Black pursues a more-or-less mindless and stock attack, but what to do about it? 18.gxf4 [ 18.d2 h5 doesn't help, since 19.d4? fxg3 20.fxg3 f5 is already close to winning. ] 18...xf4 19.e3 h4 20.e2 b5! 21.d2 g4! 22.f3 f5 23.e4 Versus ...Ng3+ h5 Now Black threatens both the e3 pawn and ... Rxe4! and there's little to be done. 24.c6!? xe3 25.c1 b6 26.e1 e7 27.f4 f8 28.b2 exf4 29.f3 g3+ 30.g2 [ 30.xg3 xe1 31.xe1 xf3# ] 30...xe4 0-1
A29
1971
W 37: "Black nightmare in the English Four Knights!" 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 [ Reader's Challenge W37P1: Consider the line 2...c6 3.f3 f5 4.d4 e4 5.g5 f6 6.d5?! exf3 7.dxc6 fxg2 Why is it fatal for White to move his c6-pawn left or right now? An answer appears at the end of the game W37. ] 3.f3 c6 4.g3 b4 5.d5 xd5 [ I would prefer 5...e4 ] 6.cxd5 e4?? [ B l a c k s h o u l d h a v e p l a y e d 6...d4 and he can always at least hope for 7.xe5?! e7 8.d3?? f3#! ] 7.dxc6 exf3 8.b3! This move caused GM Hans Ree to resign! Black loses a piece after 8...Qe7 9 a3, because when the b4-bishop retreats White simply plays the capture & fatal fork cxb7. Solution to W37P1 8 cxb7?? Bxb7 clearly leaves W hite in double trouble at f1 and h1. A more hidden pitfall is 8 cxd7+? Nxd7!!, intending 9 Bxg2 Qxg5 or 9 Bxd8 gxh1=Q with a winning material advantage for Black. 1-0
1185 Piket,Jeroen Avrukh,Boris Lost Boys Open (9) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2630 2598 19.08.2001
Brilliant and inventive opening play from Piket gains a big advantage. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.b3 This is White's best move here. c5 [ 7...a5 is rarer, but possible: 8.0-0 0-0 9.d1! d6 10.d4 gives White a small plus, Uhlmann,W-Gelfand,B/Debrecen 1989. ] 8.d3 h6 9.h4!? [ Again this interesting move of Gulko's, preparing g4-g5, but it is less weakening than the immediate 9.g4 ] 1179
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 9...h7? [ A new defensive plan, Black wishes to preempt g4-g5, but misses W hite's counter. 9...c6 10.g4 d5 11.g5 1-0 Gulko,B-Hector, J/Copenhagen DEN 2000 ] 10.e4! e7 11.b5! Moving the queen again in the opening looks wrong, but this move is very strong! The e5-pawn is attacked and the d-pawn can't defend it because it is itself pinned. c5 [ Positionally ugly, Black concedes control of d5, but following 11...f6 White can play 12.xf6+ ( and 12.g4 is also effective) 12...xf6 13.d4! exd4 14.f4 with great play on the dark squares, and on ] [ 11...f6?! 12.h5+ is horrible. ] 12.e3 [ Rather than 12.xc5? a6 13.xb7 axb5 14.xd8 b8 and the knight is trapped. ] 12...a6 13.a4 c7 14.c3 Of course! Black has avoided immediate disaster, but ju s t lo o k a t t h a t ga p in g h o l e o n d 5 ! d8 15.b4! White hammers the nail further in. His pieces are all aiming at Black's queenside, so he wastes no time opening the b-file, and g1-a7 diagonal. f8 [ W hat else? 15...cxb4 16.d5 (menace: Bb6) b5 17.cxb5 b7 18.b6 axb5 and now W hite can win the exchange by 19.xa8 xa8 20.xd8 ] 16.bxc5 e6 17.b4 White holds-on to his extra pawn. 0-0 18.d5 f5 19.xe7+ xe7 20.d5 h8 Black is trying his utmost to generate some counterplay, ...f4 is coming. 21.xe6! The simplest, the opposite-colour bishops will not save Black. a5 22.b2 xe6 23.f4! The point, White opens the long diagonal to Black's king. e4 [ 23...exf4? is worse, 24.d4 e7 25.gxf4 and a white rook will soon appear on the gfile. ] 24.d4 The contrast between the two bishops is striking. f7 25.d2!? a6 26.e5?! [ Stopping ...d6, but Black has another pawn break. 26.ab1 d6 27.cxd6 xd6 28.e5 is simpler. ] 26...b6 27.cxb6 xb6 28.d4 c6?! [ Missing a good chance: 28...exd3 29.exd3 c6! planning both to embarrass the bishop with ...d6, and to check on g2. 30.he1 d6! 31.xd6 xd6 32.xd6 xd6 33.e8+
h7 34.xc8 White momentarily has two extra pawns, but... fd7 Black has excellent drawing chances. ] 29.c5 Consolidating the e5-square, and now the game resumes its normal course. exd3 30.exd3 a6 31.h5 c8 32.hb1 c6 33.b6 g2+ 34.c3 c6 35.ab1 White is coming down the b-file. f3? [ 35...h7 is Black's only hope. ] 36.xc6 dxc6 37.d6 Threatening both R b 8 + , a n d Q x h 6 + . xh5 38.xc6 Not to mention this, winning the bishop! a7 39.b6 [ Not bad, but 39.h1 is a real killer. ] 1-0
1186 Pogorelov,Ruslan Tiviakov,Sergei III Open Calvia ESP (5) [John Watson]
A29 2462 2680 24.10.2006
Any time that Tiviakov plays a Dragon or Dragon Reversed, players take notice. Here we follow down a familiar path in the main line (isn't it time that we move on to something else?), with a somewhat different structure arising. Pogorelov slowly outplays his opponent, but on the verge of winning he lets Tiviakov escape into a drawn position. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 9.b4 e6 10.b1 f6 11.d3 a5 12.b5 d4 13.d2 c8 14.e3 f5 15.e2 [ 15.c2 d8 16.b2 h6!? was successful in L Van Wely-S Tiviakov, Hilversum NED 2006. Black is transferring his knight to f7. ] 15...d6 [ 15...a4 16.b2 d6 17.f4!? was unclear in Bareev-Yakovich, Kazan 2005. ] 16.f4 [ 16.a4 (stopping ...a4) g4 17.f3 e6 18.f4 was seen in Bareev-Shirov, Poikovsky RUS 2006, with similar intent. After f7 , W hite should simply have played 19.b2 , with perhaps a very small edge, because Black has no effective plan. ] 16...exf4 [ 16...a4?! 17.fxe5 fxe5 18.xf8+ xf8 1180
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 19.de4 gives White a nice outpost in front of the isolated pawn. ] [ 16...g4 17.f2 d7 wouldn't concede anything in the centre. ] 17.xf4! f5! 18.b3 xb3 Lest Nc5 follow. 19.xb3 e6 20.b1 g5 21.f3 The opening is pretty much over and looks equal. Black's central pressure makes up for W hite's two bishops. ae8 22.c2 d7 23.h3 h8 24.e2! e5 25.f2 d7 26.a4 c5?! [ 26...g6 was an easier way to hold down White's play. Now things turn favourable for White. ] 27.bxc6 xc6 28.f4 b4 29.b3 f7 30.d4!? White needn't be in a hurry to make this move, although it works out well. As it happens, ceding e4 gives Black some counterplay, but not enough to equalise. d6 31.a3 e4 32.xe4 fxe4 33.xb4! axb4 34.g2 xf4?! [ 34...e7 ] 35.xf4 xf4 36.gxf4 g5! 37.f5! White keeps the g-file closed and the pressure on. g4!? An odd pawn sacrifice for activity, but after [ 37...xf5 38.f1 e6 39.xb4 and White stands clearly better. ] 38.hxg4 g7 39.d1 g5 40.e2? On the treacherous 40th move, White gives back most of his advantage. [ 40.xb4 xe3 41.d5! keeps the extra pawn while threatening Qd4+ and Rxb7. After this Black manages to equalise and the game ends with a raft of checks. ] 40...g8 41.f1 h4 42.f4 h5 43.d5 [ 43.b5! xg4+ 44.xg4 xg4+ 45.h2= ] 43...xg4+ 44.xg4 hxg4 45.b2+ g8 46.e5 h3+ 47.g1 xe3+ 48.h1 c1+ 49.g2 c2+ 50.h1 d1+ 51.h2 d2+ 52.h1 e1+ 53.g2 d2+ 54.h1 h6+ 55.g2 h3+ 56.g1 e3+ 57.h1 f3+ 58.g1 g3 59.e8+ g7 60.g6+ f8 61.f6+ e8 62.e6+ d8 63.d6+ c8 64.e6+ c7 65.e7+ c8 66.e8+ c7 67.e7+ ½-½
1187 Poldauf,Dirk Timman,Jan H German Team Cup (1) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2459 2655 18.03.2000
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 c5 5.xe5 xf2+ 6.xf2 xe5 7.e4 d6!? [ B l a c k a v o i d s t h e n o r m a l 7...c5 w h e n I v a n c h u k ' s 8.d4 gives White the edge. ] 8.d4 g6 9.h3 0-0 10.g2 b8!? [ This is Timman's new idea, a subtle waiting m o ve . P r e vi o u s l y h e h a d e xp e r i e n c e d 10...e6 although from the white side, Timman,J-Beliavsky,A/Sombor 1972, continuing: 11.b3 c6 12.e3 a5 13.d2 with an edge. ] 11.f1?! [ Black's move gains an immediate recompense, better 11.e3 when Black will continue a6 intending a later .. .b5. ] 11...e6! 12.b3 c8 The point, White has moved his king's rook too fast, and his hpawn needs defending. 13.g4!? [ Obvious, but this weakens the kingside dark squares. 13.g5 e8 14.g4 is better. ] 13...h6 Consolidates g5, and prepares to bring the f6-knight to this square, via h7. 14.g1 h7 15.e2 g5 16.g3 h4 17.b2 xg2 18.xg2 f6 19.f4 d7 20.d3 b5 Black needs to obtain some queenside counterplay. 21.cxb5 xb5 22.c2 e8 23.h4 e6 24.f2 d7 25.f5 d5! 26.e5 Otherwise, White would be left with an IQP on d4. fxe5 27.dxe5 d4 Black is better, he has a dangerous passed pawn, and can control the h1-a8 diagonal. 28.e1 b6!? [ 28...bd8 is more logical. ] 29.d2 d4 becomes the focus of attention c5!? [ A combination that serves to expose the white king, 29...c5 permits 30.d6 ] 30.xd4 d5+ 31.h3 [ 31.f3 c6 ] 31...e4 32.xe4 xe4 33.xb6 axb6 34.f4 xf4 [ Better than 34...xe5? when 35.xh6+ demolishes the pawn shield, h7 36.xe4+ xe4 37.f5 with a good extra pawn. ] 35.xf4 xe5 36.f2 h5! 37.gxh5?? 1181
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ W alking into a nasty pin. 37.d2 f7 d6 ( 10...b6 ) 11.b3 ( 11.c2 and there are 38.g3 kept the balance. ] several moves here, but analogous to the 37...d7 38.g4 c5 Threatening ...Kf7-f6, game is e5!? 12.d1 with some picking-up the unfortunate knight. 39.a4 e6 difficulties for Black.) 11...a5 12.c2 a4 40.f3 h8 41.g5 White tries to keep the 13.b1 axb3 14.axb3 e7 15.d1 d7 opposing king away, but goes from one pin to 16.c5!? dxc5 17.c4 a6 18.b2 c8 another. h7 Leaving White in zugzwang. 19.a1 xa1 20.xa1 f5 21.d2 d4 42.f2 22.xd4 cxd4 23.xd4 c6 24.b6 e6 [ 42.g4 g6 43.hxg6+ xg6 44.h5+ f6 25.h4 h5 26.d4 d7 27.a5 f5 28.h3 wins the knight. ] g6 29.c3 f8 30.g2 d8 31.f4 f7? 42...xb3 43.f4 d5 44.b2 c4 45.e4 32.xe4 L Portisch-Izoria, Warsaw POL [ 45.e4 The powerful black c-pawn will win 2005. ] the game. ] 9.g5! e5!? 10.f4! e6 45...c5 'Rook behind the pawn', Black [ 10...exf3 11.xf3 e6 (else the move intends .. .c3. 46.d4 xa4 47.xb6 c3 Bxf6 will soon decimate Black's kingside) 48.e2? 12.d4 xd4 13.xd4 d6 14.d5 e5 [ 48.b1 was a better try. ] 15.xf6 gxf6 16.ad1 with a clear 48...c2 49.c1 xh5 advantage. ] [ 49...xh5 50.d3 xh4 and Black creates 11.c2 e7? Now Black is lost. But things a passed g-pawn, too. ] were bad anyway after 0-1 [ 11...h6 12.xf6 xf6 13.e3 e8 14.c2 e7 15.fd1 ] 12.f5 d6 13.c1! e5 14.e3 h6 1188 A29 15.xf6 xf6 [ 15...xf6 16.d5 d8 17.b3! c6 Portisch,Lajos 2525 18.a3 ] Warakomski,Tomasz 2384 6th EICC Warsaw POL (2) 19.06.2005 16.d5 c5+ 17.h1 d6 18.f6 g5 [ Or 18...xc4 19.e7+ h8 20.fxg7+ [John Watson] xg7 21.f5+ ] Portisch knows the Classical main-line Four 19.f5! xd5 [ 19...e6 20.xg5+ hxg5 21.xg5+ g6 Knights English and coasts to victory in this 22.e7+ , winning Black's queen. ] game, while grinding out another win in the same variation (in the notes). 1.c4 e5 2.c3 20.cxd5 d6 21.xg5+ A win in the old style f6 3.g3 c6 4.g2 b4 5.f3 of English Opening play. Here were at the starting point of thousands 1-0 of games. 0-0 6.0-0 e4 7.e1 The older move this knight heads for e3 via c2 in order 1189 A29 to strengthen White's control over d5. Savchenko,Boris 2583 [ 7.g5 xc3 8.bxc3 e8 has been the Carlsen,Magnus 2714 critical variation for many years. ] World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (3) 21.11.2007 7...xc3 The classic example of [ 7...e8?! 8.d5! is ... Portisch-Huebner, [Carsten Hansen] Tilburg 1983: h6 9.d3 xe1 10.xe1 e5 11.dxe4! xc4 12.xf6+ xf6 13.c2 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 c6 14.f4 e5 15.ac1 xc2 16.xc2 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.b3 c5 So far so good. White's next move takes us off c6 17.d1 with a large advantage. ] the path from our theoretical survey a few 8.dxc3 e8!? [ Traditionally the move 8...h6 has been months ago 8.b5!? I'm at loss for the exact played in order to prevent W hite's next. reasoning that lead to this move. It seems to T h e n a n o t h e r P o r t i s c h g a m e f r o m t h e me that Black is interested in playing ...Qe7, . sametournamentwent 9.c2 e8 10.e3 ..c6 anyway so why f orce and encourage 1182
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 Black to get these moves for free? Maybe White wanted to clear the path for b2-b4, but this is surely not the best way. Nevertheless, I give it '!?' because it is bizarre enough to merit attention. e7 9.d3 c6 10.a4 0-0 11.0-0 [ An important alternative for White is 11.g5 , e.g. d4 ( 11...h6 12.xf6 xf6 13.e4 e7 14.xc5 xc5 15.a3! xa3 16.bxa3 with pressure on Black's queenside; 11...d8 12.0-0 d6 13.e4 h3 14.fd1 a5 15.c2 a7 16.xf6+ gxf6 is actually rather nice for Black) 12.e4 d5 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.xf6+ gxf6 15.d2 d8 with chances to both sides. After White's 11th move in the game, Black takes over the initiative. ] 11...h6 12.a3 a6 13.b4 a7 14.e3 d8 15.b3 d6 16.b2 e6 17.c2 d5 18.c5 b8 [ 18...h3 19.fe1 h7!? ] 19.g2 c7 20.e4 dxe4 [ While this approach looks normal and pretty good, I'm not sure it is actually Black's best as it allows W hite an opportunity to exchange some piece at no particular for Black. Instead Black can consider 20...a5!? 21.fe1 ( 21.e2 h5!? ) 21...d7 22.ad1 d4 23.e2 with a sort of Ruy Lopez Chigorin, but with the colours reversed, and one where Black in this position is doing quite well. ] 21.dxe4 c4 22.fd1 e6 23.xd8+ xd8 24.d1 d4 25.e2? [ White must have miscalculated or overlooked something in the continuation, possibly Black's 26th move. Instead White should have tried 25.c1 b3 ( 25...d7?! 26.xd4 exd4 27.b1 ) 26.xd4 exd4 27.e2 d3 28.d4 c4 29.e5 d7 30.f4 , and both sides still have chances, though I a c t u a l ly wo u l d n 't m in d p la yi n g W h it e here... ] 25...xe4! 26.xe4 b3 27.b1 xd1 28.f5 b3 29.c3 f3 30.c2 e6 31.d1 xd1 32.xd1 f8 33.h4 c4 34.d2 e7 35.e3 d5 36.xd5+ xd5 37.e2 g6 38.h5 g5 39.g4 e6 40.e2 f5 41.g4 e4 42.gxf5 xf5 43.g7 f4 44.f1 h4 45.e1 h1+ 46.d2 f4+ 47.c2 c1+ 48.b3 b1+ 49.c4 g4
50.c3 f7 51.b2? [ After this White loses rapidly. White can continue the game with 51.a4 , but is of course still losing in the long run, being a pawn down and more exposed king. ] 51...a2+ 52.d4 d5+ 53.c3 e5+ 54.c2 d3+ 55.xd3 exd3+ 56.b3 d2 0-1
1190 A29 Savchenko,Boris 2583 Rublevsky,Sergei 2676 World Blitz Moscow RUS blitz (14) 21.11.2007 [Carsten Hansen] 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.0-0 e7 8.d3 [ This line isn't played as frequently as 8.a3 ] [ and 8.b1 at the top level anymore. Examples of those lines can for example be found in the February 2007 update. The text move is considered more harmless because it is m o re in a cco rd a n ce wit h t h e lin e s Black would play in a Classical Dragon Variation in the Sicilian. Nevertheless, White can still play for a win in this fashion. ] 8...0-0 9.e3 e6 10.a3 [ 10.d2 was the topic of AnastasianSimonenko, Abu Dhabi 2005, which can be found in the PGN archives. ] 10...f5 11.c1 h8 12.b4 [ White has tried a couple of other things in this position: A) 12.a4 f4 ( While 12...e4 13.e1 exd3 14.xd3 is better for White as indicated by Ribli; Black should definitely consider 12...xa4!? 13.xa4 d5 14.fe1 a6 15.c5 e4 16.xe7 xe7 , and with lack having solved his opening problems successfully, the players agreed upon a draw, 1/2-1/2 Vaganian, R-Portisch, L/Moscow 1994.; 12...d7 13.d2 d5 14.c3 g8 15.b4 a6 16.a4 b3 17.c5 xc5 18.xc5 d6 was Andrade Ocana, J-Rasgadinho, J/Aveiro 2000, and now White could grab on to the initiative with 19.g5!? d7 20.h4 ) 13.c5 ( 13.c5!? xa4 14.xa4 d5 15.b5 Ribli ) 13...d5 14.d2 xc5 ( 14...b8 15.b4 Ribli ) 15.xc5 e7 16.b4!? ( 16.c1 f7 17.b4 xf3 18.xf3 d4 19.d1 c6 1183
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 with chances to both sides, Cebalo, MRomanishin, O, Taxco IZT 1985) 16...f7 ( 16...ad8!? intending ...e5-e4 as suggested by Romanishin in the notes to the Cebalo game, is perf ectly adequate f or Black to equalise the game.) 17.e4! fxe3 18.xe3 A) 18...h6 19.g5! ( 19.h4 e6 20.e4 is given as clearly better for White by Ribli, but Black appears to be okay after g5 21.g6+ g8 22.b5 d4 23.xd5 xd5 24.xd4 exd4 25.e1 xg6 26.xd5= ) 19...hxg5 20.h5+ g8 21.xd5 xd5 22.xd5 , and White has an enduring advantage.; B) 18...af8? 19.g5+- Ribli; C) 18...d6 19.g5 C1) 19...e7 20.h5 ( 20.xd5 xd5 21.h5 f6 22.f7+ g8 23.xd6 xh5 24.xb7+Ribli ) 20...g8 21.e4; C2) 19...d7 20.h3 e7 21.h5 with a large advantage f or W hite, Ibragimov, I-Schwartzman, G/ Odorheiu Secuiesc 1993 ] [ B) 12.d2 f4 13.xb6 cxb6 14.e4 g5 15.xc6 bxc6 16.ce4 d5 17.c3 , and here a draw was much too prematurely agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, Gavrikov, VTukmakov, V/Barcelona 1993 ] 12...f6 [ In his analysis to the above-mentioned game with Cebalo, Romanishin here recommends 12...a5 13.b5 d4 14.xe5 xa3 15.xb7 xc1 , and now rather than Romanishin's continuation, which is covered in the line with 16 Bxc1, White should opt for 16.xc1! ( 16.xc1 d5! 17.xd5 xd5 18.xa8 xa8 Roma nishin /) 16...b3 17.b2 f6 18.xa8 xa8 19.xb6! cxb6 20.a4 ] 13.c5 f7 14.e4 d7 15.e2 xd3 16.b5?! [ White has an interesting alternative in 16.exf5!? , e.g. xf5 ( 16...c4 17.e4 d7 18.fe1 d3 19.g4 c4 20.b5 6a5 21.e4 ) 17.b5 d4 18.xd4 exd4 19.e4 b3 20.d1 xb5 21.xf6 xf6 22.xd4 d6 23.xb7 ] 16...c4 17.bxc6 xc3 18.d2 xf1?! [ Black starts down the wrong track, and
apparently must have calculated something t e r r i b l y w r o n g . I n s t e a d 18...d3!? looks good, e.g. 19.c2 a6 20.fe1 fxe4 21.xe4 d5 , and Black has perhaps the slightly better chances in this complicated position. ] 19.xc3 xg2?? [ After this blunder White has a very simple win. With 19...a4 , Black could have keep W h it e 's ad va n ta ge at mo re acc ep t ab le levels, e.g. 20.b3 b6 21.xa4 xg2 22.xg2 bxc5 23.xc5 ] 20.cxb7 b8?! [ 20...fxe4 21.xb6 axb6 22.xe5 b8 23.f7+ g8 24.b3 e7 25.d8+ h8 26.c6+- ] 21.xg2?? [ Here White missed a very simple win with 21.xb6! A) 21...axb6 22.xc7 ( 22.xg2? c5 ) 22...xb7 ( 22...xf3 23.xb8 xb8 24.c8+ ) 23.xb7 xf3 24.c8; B) 21...xb7 22.xc7 xc7 ( 22...f8 23.xg2 fxe4 24.xe5+- ) 23.xc7 xf3 24.xd8+ xd8 25.c8+- ] 21...fxe4 22.xe5 d5 23.xb6 xe5?! [ 23...e3+ 24.f3 xe5 25.d4 f8 ( 25...xd4 is fascinating, though the exact consequences are difficult to make out in their entirety, e.g. 26.xc7 e5 27.c8+ g8 28.f5 e8 29.c8 b8 30.xe8 xe8 31.c8 g8 32.f4 h5 , but Black shouldn't lose) 26.xe5 xf3+ 27.g1 f2+ with a draw by perpetual/ repetition ] 24.c5 xb7 25.xe5 e3+ 26.h3 xb6 27.fxe3 h6+?! [ After this move, Black consigns himself to defend a difficult rook ending. Instead he should try 27...c8! 28.f1 c5 29.f7 g8 30.c7 h6+ 31.g2 a6 , and Black is not worse ] 28.g2 d6 29.xd6 cxd6 30.c7 a5 31.a7 g8 32.xa5 f7 33.h4 b3 34.f3 e6 35.a4 g6 36.g4 b4 37.e4 h5 38.gxh5 gxh5 39.f4 b3? [ This loses without too much resistance, whereas Black can fight on with 39...e7!? ] 40.xh5 h3 41.a5 a3 42.b5 h3 43.h5 a3 44.h6 h3 45.a6 h4+ 46.e3 xh6 47.a5 h8 48.a7 a8 49.d4 d7 50.d5 c7 51.a3 b7 52.xd6 d8+ 1184
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 27.cxb6 axb6 28.eb1 xa2 29.5b2 e6 30.xb6 d5 31.e5 [ 31.h4 is more circumspect. ] 31...xe5! Exciting, and sound. 32.fxe5 g6 1191 A29 33.xc6!? The alternative is [ 33.f3! when h3+ 34.g1 xe5 Schacher,Gerd 2246 is awkward, 35.f6! (to play Qh4) ( 35.g2 Maki Uuro,Miika 2390 g4 36.6b2 h3+ 37.h1 f2+ 20th ECC Izmir TUR (2) 04.10.2004 draws. ) 35...d7 36.b8 h7 37.xe8 [Tony Kosten] xe8 is not too clear, as 38.xd4?? a8 forces mate! ] 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 b4 34.f3 c2 35.b7 5.g2 0-0 6.0-0 e4 7.g5 xc3 8.bxc3 33...xc6+ e8 9.f3 e3 This is the sharp mainline since White counters the threats with an attack of the time of the Kasparov-Karpov matches. his own. f8 36.xd4 xd3 Menacing a deadly fork! 37.h3? I expect the quick FIDE 10.d3 d5 11.b3 a5 [ 11...d4!? is interesting: 12.c5?! e7 13.f4 time control must have been rearing its ugly h6 14.f3 xc5 and Black is doing well, head at this point! [ 37.g1 is forced. ] Bra une , S -Gymno pou lou s,K /Ma nnh eim 37...e1! Suddenly, Black wins. 38.f6 e4 1994. ] [ 38...xe2! is even stronger as 39.e6 h5+ 12.a3 c6 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.f4 g4 40.h4 f5+ 41.g4 f1+ 42.h4 g2+ 15.e1 h6 43.h3 f4+ 44.h4 g5+ captures the [ 15...c8!? was examined in Nimzo 7.32poor white king. ] Junior 6.0/Cadaques 2000. ] 16.f3 c6 17.b1 d7 18.b2 39.e6 g2+ 40.g4 xe2+ 41.f4 f3+ T h e t w o p l a y e r s t r o t o u t t h e t h e o r y i n 42.e5 xb7 0-1 impressive style, [ 18.d4 is t h e a l t e rn a t i ve , wh e n h3 Lautier,J-Illescas,M/Dos Hermanas 1995, A29 could be met by 19.e5!? xe5 20.dxe5 1192 xg2 21.xg2 g4 with unclear play. ] Schlosser,Philipp 2562 18...h3 19.c4 This is the point of White's Naumann,Alexander 2549 play, the threat of capturing on f6 allows him TCh-AUT 2006-7 (7) 21.01.2007 this flanking blow. xg2 A strong, if obvious, [Carsten Hansen] innovation. [ 19...h5!? is interesting: 20.cxd5 xg2 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 21.xg2 ( 21.dxc6? h3 22.cxb7 ab8 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 c6 is probably winning for Black, the threat is ... [ Note that 6...c5 7.0-0 0-0 8.a4 e7 Nxg3 ) 21...xd5 22.bc1 with chances to 9.d4 d6 10.g2 c6 11.c3 reaches the both sides, Biegler,M-Simons,J/St Ingbert same position as after Black's 9th move in 1998. ] our main game, but with the exception that 20.xg2 d4 Black retains his strong centre. Black is to move(!)... a5 12.d5 cxd5 21.c5 ad8 An interesting position, 13.xd5 xd5 14.xd5 c7 15.b3 b8 featuring an unusual central constellation. 16.e3 e6 17.d2 Gulko, BWhich will count for more, Black's extra space, Charbonneau, P/Montreal CAN 2006 ] or White's pressure on d4? 22.a1 g4!? [ 6...e7 7.g4!? A fun idea that is very much 23.b3 f2 A curious spot for a knight, but it in line with how W hite kicks some energy does hamper the white king to some extent. into otherwise solid systems in the English 24.h5 Played to stop ...Qh3+, although I am (and for that matter other openings too). d6 not too sure this was a big threat. b6 25.b5 8.g1 ( 8.e3 0-0 9.d4 is also fully The white pieces are creeping around the playable ) 8...h6 9.d4!? c6 10.e3 ( 10.d5 edges! b7 Rd5 was the threat. 26.c5 a6 cxd5 11.xd5 xd5 12.xd5 b8 53.e7 a8 54.d7 1-0
1185
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 because it represents very instructive play 13.d2 e6 14.d3 0-0 is fine for Black) by the Polish International Master, showing 10...d7 11.d5 c5 12.d2 ( Here White how to penetrate on the queenside, and can consider 12.d3!? , e.g. a6 13.a4 exploit such an advantage. g6 19.bxc5 g5 14.e4 with a better game for White, bxc5 20.f4 g7 21.b5 xb5 22.xb5 who has restrained most of Black's b8 23.a4 c7 24.f5 e7 25.fxg6 fxg6 potential counterplay and has according to 26.b3 xb5 27.cxb5 c7 28.c4 d8 plan good grip on the light squares.) 12...a6 29.xf8+ xf8 30.d2 d7 31.f1+ f7 13.c2 b5!? Before White gains too much 32.e2 e8 33.h3 f6 34.e6 c7 control over the position, Black decides a 35.c4 g7 36.a5 b8 37.g2 b7 Benko-style pawn sacrifice to gain some 38.f3 b8 39.g4 h6 40.h4 c7 41.g2 counterplay. 14.cxb5 axb5 15.xb5 a6 e8 42.d3 h5 43.g5 h7 44.f1 e7 16.c3 h4 17.e4 f6 18.g3 ( 18.b4! 45.b6 axb6 46.a6 b8 47.b5 a7 l o o k s l i k e t h e c r i t i c a l m o v e , e . g . xe4 48.c6 f8 49.h3 g8 50.e3 g7 19.xe4 f6 20.g2 0-0 21.bxc5 dxc5 51.f2 g8 52.e2 f7 53.d3 b5 22.a4!? c4 23.a3 and I doubt Black has 54.xb5 c4+ 55.xc4 xe3 56.xe3 enough compensation for his pawn, one a7+ 57.f3 g1 58.f1 d4 59.g3+ possible continuation being b7 24.g5 e7 60.f3 a1 61.f1 d7 62.b5 hxg5 25.f3 a6 26.xg5 xg5 27.xg5 d8 63.xd7 xd7 64.f7+ d8 xa4 28.h7+ h8 29.xa4 xa4 65.f6+ c7 66.e7+ b6 67.xd6+ 30.h5 ) 18...g6 19.b4 cxb4 20.c6+ e7 a7 68.f6 e1+ 69.f3 f1+ 70.e3 21.xb4 b8! 22.c3 f8 23.a5 e7! e1+ 71.d3 b1+ 72.c4 xe4+ 24.b4 f8 25.a3 g7 Now Black has full 73.c5 e3+ 74.d6 e4 75.e7 c5+ compensation for the pawn 26.d2 b6 76.d6 e3 77.e6 xa6 78.e8 c6+ 27.e3 hc8 28.d1 , and while the players 79.f7 b5 80.b3+ a5 81.a3+ b5 agreed upon a draw at this stage, 1/2-1/2 82.b2+ c4 83.c2+ b5 84.b3+ Romero Holmes, A-Nikolaidis, I, Mallorca a5 85.e6 f3+ 86.xg6 e2 87.d7 2004, but at this stage I actually prefer Black. d3+ 88.xh5 h7+ 89.g4 xd7 White's pieces are rather clumsily 90.xd7 e1 91.d5+ b6 92.g6 e2+ arranged whereas Black's are well93.g5 e7+ 94.h5 f6 95.g5 g7 coordinated and his position can rather 96.f5 d4 97.g5 e3+ 98.f4 g1+ easily be improved upon. ] 99.h6 1-0 Sznapik, A-Bernard, R/ 7.d4 d6 8.g2 e7 9.0-0 0-0 10.b3 Augustow 1975 ] [ 10.e4 b6 ( 10...c7!?; 10...exd4 [ 10...d7 11.b2 f5 12.d2 f6 13.ad1 11.xd4 g4 12.b3 e8 13.b2 f6 e8 14.b4 ( 14.dxe5!? dxe5 15.a4 e4 14.d2 ) 11.d5 d7 12.e2 ae8 16.c3 h5 17.f3 ) 14...h5 ( 14...f7!? ( 12...g4 13.e3 d4!? 14.h3 ) 13.e3 15.d5 d7 16.c5 fd8 ) 15.d5 d7 16.c5 c5 14.h3 h8 , so far Perkins, A-Bennett, ( 16.dxc6 bxc6 17.b5 e4 18.a3 g4 G / E a s t b o u r n e 1 9 7 3 , a n d n o w 15.ab1 19.h4 ) 16...dxc5 17.d6 d8 18.bxc5 ( 15.g4!? can also be considered) 15...a5 Poldauf, D-Beckemeier, W/Dortmund 1998 ] 16.a3 offers White the clearly better 11.e4 d7 chances ] [ 11...g4 12.f3 d7 13.e3 b8 14.c1 [ 10.d5 d7 11.dxc6 bxc6 12.g5 c7 d8 15.h3 b5 16.cxb5 cxb5 17.f4 c6 13.e4 xe4 14.xe7 fe8 15.xe4 18.d5 e8 19.fxe5 dxe5 20.g4 h6 xe7 16.d3 Herman-Vist/www.playchess. 21.e2 h7 22.g3 g5 23.xg5 hxg5 de 2002 ] 24.f5 b6+ , and a draw was prematurely 10...f5 agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, in Gheorghiu, F[ 10...b6 11.d5 c5 12.e4 e8 13.e3 Portisch, L/ Skopje 1972. White is clearly d8 14.d2 d7 15.a3 c8 16.d3 f6 better after 25.h2 ] 17.b4 b6 18.ab1 , and White is clearly [ 11...e6 12.b2 a5 13.d3 b6 14.a4 better, but I will nonetheless leave you with c7 15.dxe5 dxe5 16.c5 d7 17.c3 the rest of the game score of this game, 1186
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 g4 18.f3 e6 19.fd1 Eckert, D-Schafer, N/ICCF Email 1999 ( 19.f4!?; 19.ad1!? )] 12.b2 c8 13.e2 c7 14.d2 fe8 15.h1 [ 15.ad1 ] 15...g4 16.f3 h5 The bishop doesn't look too pretty on h5 and can't do much for quite a while to come, but at least it isn't in the way of the other pieces... 17.ad1 a5 18.c3 ad8 19.c1 d7 20.a4 f6 21.d5 c5 [ This is a really ugly move, but the alternatives are pretty grim too. Therefore B la c k d e c id e s t a ke o n t h is u n p le a sa n t position, hoping to fend White off thanks to the closed nature of the pawn structure 21...c5 22.c3 is comfortably better for White, who has a space advantage, and has control over both wings and therefore can de c id e wh e re a n d whe n t h e a ct io n will commence. ] 22.xc5 dxc5 23.c3 [ White may also consider 23.g4 g6 24.f4 h6 25.cd1 although it is strikingly similar to the game if White at some point proceeds with f4-f5, sending the black bishop back to h7. ] 23...b6 24.f4 d6 25.ce1 h6 26.b2 g6 27.f3?! [ This allows Black to effectively seal off the queenside by advancing his b-pawn and possibly grab control over the a-file. Therefore it makes sense to examine the a l t e r n a t i ve s : 27.dxc6 xc6 ( 27...c7 28.f5 h7 29.d1 xc6 30.d5 c7 31.fd1 g6 32.g4 is clearly better for White, but Black's position is still solid, and may prove difficult to crack) 28.fxe5 g5 29.h4 e7 30.e6 xe6 31.xg7 ] [ 27.e2 d7 28.a4 h7 29.f5 will also lead to rather one-sided play where Black will be suffering, while W hite figures out wh e t h e r h e c a n b r e a k t h r o u g h o n t h e kingside or not. ] 27...b5! 28.e2 b4 29.b2 a4 30.f5 h7 31.h4 a8 32.c1 a5 33.e3 ea8 34.c1 axb3 35.axb3 a3 White still has the somewhat better chances, but Black is back in the game and can expect to have decent chances of a successful defence. 36.d3 e7 37.g2 f8! 38.f2 g8! Getting the bishop activated 39.b2 f6
40.h5 This may look a bit odd, why is White inviting the exchange of Black's tall pawn for a bishop which has more space to roam on? Evidently feeling that White will benefit more from the exchange on account of Black's weakened light squares than Black will from getting rid of this terrible piece, White decides it is the right way to go. Personally, I'm not entirely sure W hite is making the right decision as Black's bishop is unlikely to ever grab an active role in the game, whereas White's can be used to protect the b3-pawn, releasing the rook on b2 from its defensive duties thus allowing it to switch to the kingside where it can help g3-g4-g5 pawn break along. Which approach is more effective is an open question, but as it turns out in the game, W hite doesn't achieve much and from all appearances, he doesn't try much either, so maybe he had already internally settled for a draw, unless Black made a dumb, unprovoked blunder. f7 41.e2 xh5 42.xh5 a2 43.e2 xb2 44.xb2 a3 45.f3 [ Trying to get the queen out of the way first with 45.h3 doesn't necessarily produce b e t t e r p o s i t i o n s , e . g . cxd5 46.cxd5 ( 46.exd5 d7 is probably okay for Black) 46...a6 47.c4 a2 48.c1 a1 49.c2 a2 50.d1 a1 51.c1 xc1 52.xc1 h5! ( White has the upper hand if Black h e s i t a t e s i n h i s d e f e n c e , e . g . 52...d6 53.g4 followed by Kh5 and g3-g4-g5 when convenient) 53.e3 d6 54.g4 hxg4+ 55.g3 f7 56.h5 f8 57.h6 gxh6 58.xh6+ e7 59.e3 d7! , and Black is fine ] 45...cxd5 46.cxd5 [ The only truly interesting option, whereas, 46.exd5 e4+! 47.g2 d7 48.f1 d6 49.c2 e7 appears perfectly fine for Black ] 46...a6! 47.c2 [ This is the logical move, to put a cork in the weak diagonal a6-f1, where the Black queen along with a rook penetrating on a1 or a2 can cause a substantial amount of headaches. If White instead opts for 47.c4 then h5 followed by Ra2 can become annoying ] 47...a2 48.c4 [ This just terminates the game in a drawn 1187
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 endgame, although there is still some play left, though not the way the players continue. A n i n t e r e s t i n g a l t e r n a t i v e i s 48.d1!? but again after h5 49.g4 h2 50.a1 hxg4+ 51.xg4 e2+ 52.xe2 xe2 53.a8+ f7 54.f3 b2 55.a7 e8 , the game fizzles out in a draw ] 48...xc4 49.xc4 b2 50.xc5 xc5 51.xc5 xb3+ 52.f2 [ This leads to an immediate draw a little more play would be the result af ter the more enterprising 52.g4!? e3 53.d6 ( 53.b5? xe4+ 54.h5 e7 55.b7+ d6 56.xg7 b3 57.b7 e3 58.g4 e4 looks like White will lose) 53...e8 ( Or 53...xe4+ 54.h5 d4 55.c8+ f7 56.c7+ f8= with a draw by perpetual) 54.c7 xe4+ 55.h5 b3 56.b7 d4 57.xb3 xd6 58.g6 d7 59.g4 ( 59.b8+ d8 60.b7 d7 61.b8+ i s a d r a w b y r e p e t i t i o n) 59...d8 ( 59...e7?? 60.b8+ d7 61.b7+ d6 62.xe7 xe7 63.xg7 e4 64.g5 hxg5 65.hxg5 d7 66.gxf6 e3 67.f7 e2 68.f8 e1 69.g8 , and White wins due to Black's king being too close to White's pawn, and therefore Black will not be able to check his way to a draw, as his king will usually be the subject of a counter-check.) 60.e3 e7 61.a3 e4 62.a8+ d7 63.a7+ d6 64.xe7 xe7 65.xg7 e3 66.g5 hxg5 67.hxg5 fxg5 68.f6+ d7 69.f7 e2 70.f8 e1 71.f5+ e6 72.xg5= ] 52...b2+ 53.e3 b3+ 54.f2 b2+ 55.e3 ½-½
to use the d4-square. Oddly, the greatest specialist with this line as White is Gulko, who has the black pieces in this game. [ 9.g5 is still possible, of course, but offers White little after exd3 10.exd3 h6 11.e4 b6 ] 9...exd3 10.exd3 xd4 11.cxd4 White's bpawn has made its way to d4, where it could become very useful, despite being doubled. h6 Stopping White from playing an annoying Bg5. Black has to be careful, as for instance should he play [ 11...d6?! he will have problems, viz. 12.b1! b8 13.a4! Uhlmann,WKrasenkov,M/Germany 1992, as now, if a6 then 14.g5 ] [ 11...d5 is better, i.e. 12.g5 c6! 13.cxd5?! cxd5 14.b3 b6 15.xf6 xf6 16.xd5 a6 and black is close to equalizing, Gulko, B-Huebner,R/San Francisco 1995. ] 12.d5 A new idea, on the plus side White gains more space in the centre, and opens th e a 1 -h 8 d ia go n a l f o r h is d a rk-s qu a re d bish op. Howeve r, h e a lso clo ses the g2 bishop's diagonal. [ 12.f4 had been tried previously, d5 13.b3 ( 13.b1 c6 14.e5 d7 is level, Uhlmann,W -Georgadze,T/Decin 1977. ) 13...c6 14.fe1 with a slight edge to White, Azmayparashvili,Z-Martin,B/ Sydney 1990. ] 12...d6 13.b2 d7 14.e1 h7 15.d2 b6 Black is a little cramped, but has a very solid structure, which makes it difficult for White to envisage a breakthrough. 16.e3!? This doesn't seem to achieve much, perhaps [ 16.xe8+ xe8 17.e1 would be better. ] 16...xe3 17.fxe3 White has another central 1193 A29 pawn, but it is not especially helpful. g5 Seirawan,Yasser 2653 18.f2 f5 Both gaining some space on the Gulko,Boris F 2618 kingside, and restricting the e3-pawn. 19.f1 20.h3?! This leads nowhere. h5 ch-Semi-Finals playoff g/25 (1) 06.09.1999 f8 21.g2 White is obliged to repeat position, [Tony Kosten] [ 21.g2?? would be a horrible mistake: g5 ] 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 b4 21...f6 An interesting decision, rather than 5.g2 0-0 6.0-0 xc3 A solid alternative to [ 6...e4 , which has the merit of avoiding the repeat moves, hoping for a draw by repetition, Black prefers to improve his position. 22.h3 sharper lines based on White playing f3. ] 7.bxc3 e8 8.d3 e4 Black plays this only g6 23.h2 h5 24.f3 g6 25.d4 f7 after White has played d3. 9.d4 As Black 26.a3 Neither side can profitably improve their has already captured on c3, this allows White 1188
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 position. ½-½
1194 Seirawan,Yasser Werle,Jan TCh-NED Netherlands NED (7.3) [Nigel Davies]
A29 2638 2574 12.03.2011
1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.f3 f6 4.g3 g6 5.d4 exd4 6.xd4 g7 7.xc6 bxc6 8.g2 0-0 9.0-0 e7 10.f4 Simple chess, just latching onto the pawn on c7 and inviting Black to get in the way of his own pieces (i.e. the ...Qe7-b4 possibility) with 10...d6. Werle goes for counterplay instead, and rightly so. [ 10.c2 b4 11.b3 d5 12.cxd5 f5 13.d2 cxd5 14.b2 e4 ( 14...c6! would have been better when it's not that easy for White to neutralise Black's active pieces ) 15.xe4 dxe4 16.fd1 e6 17.a4 xd2 18.xd2 xb2 19.xb2 and White had a comfortable endgame edge in King, D-Duncan, C/London 1994. ] 10...b4 [ This looks like the most natural but there were some other interesting possibilities here such as 10...e8 ] [ and 10...e6 . ] 11.b3! Attempting to snuff out Black's counterplay with a queen exchange. [ An earlier game between lower rated players had gone 11.d2 a6 ( 11...xc4 12.xc7 d5 13.ac1 g4 would have left Black very active.) 12.xc7 fe8 13.fd1 xc4 14.ac1 d5? 15.xd5! winning a pawn in Donnenfeld, P-Thiriet, B/Montpellier 1991. ] 11...a5 12.xc7 a6 13.fd1 xc4 14.c2 d5 15.e5 fe8 16.d4 a4 [ And not 16...c5 because of 17.xf6 xf6 18.xd5 xd5 19.xd5 xb2 20.c4 . The text makes it difficult for W hite because his queenside is so cramped. ] 17.e3 eb8 18.xa4 Freeing himself but allowing Black to liquidate his pawn weaknesses. [ A n i n t r igu in g a l t e r n a t ive wa s 18.b1!? , protecting the b2 pawn and preparing to bring the knight to a3 from where it can
harass the bishop on c4. It actually looks a b i t b e t t e r f o r W h i t e , f o r e x a m p l e e4 ( 18...c5 19.c3 b6 20.a3 is just good for White ) 19.xg7 xg7 20.a3 xb2? l o s e s a p i e c e a f t e r 21.xb2+ xb2 22.xc4 . I guess that Seirawan would have considered 18.Nb1 but decided that the text was even stronger. ] 18...xa4 19.b3 xa2! 20.xa2 xb3 21.d2! Sacrificing a pawn to transpose into an endgame in which Black is quite precariously placed. [ 21.a6 would have led to a draw after xd1 22.xd1 b7 23.xb7 xb7 24.c1 e4 25.xg7 xg7 26.xe4 dxe4 27.xc6 etc. ] 21...xd1 22.xb4 xb4 23.a8+! f8 24.xf6 b1 Perhaps not sensing the danger. [ Black should have tried to eject White's rook from the 8th rank with all haste, for e x a m p l e v i a 24...b7 intending ...Bg4, ... Rc7-Rc8. ] 25.h3 f3+ 26.h2 xg2 27.xg2 With the light square bishops off the board Black is unable to drive White's rook away so his kingside remains hamstrung. b7 28.d8 c5 29.g4 c7 30.h4 h6 31.g5 hxg5 32.hxg5 b7 [ Black's c-pawn isn't going to get very far, for example 32...c4 33.c3 b7 34.f3 b3 35.f6 b7 36.c8 etc. ] 33.f3 c4 34.e2 c7 35.d2 b7 36.c2 a7 37.c1 b7 38.c8 a7 39.b2 b7+ 40.c3 a7 41.d4 d7 42.f4 It's zugzwang, and Black will still be helpless after shedding all his pawns. 1-0
1195 Socko,Bartosz Mamedyarov,Shakhriyar ETCC (Open) Warsaw POL (3.17) [Fier, Alexandr]
A29 2661 2757 10.11.2013
In this game Mamedyarov shows the danger of this kind of Reversed Sicilian for W hite. Af te r on e or t wo imp re cise m oves W hit e already needs to be caref ul, since ...Nf 4 themes are always in the air. Probably 17.a4 was not so good 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 1189
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.g2 b6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 9.b4 e6 10.d3 d4 This move is basically new on Chess Publishing. Black has two main alternatives here: [ 10...a5 11.b5 d4 was analyzed for Chess Pub in Granda Zun iga, J (2 640)Georgiev, K (2672)/XIX Magistral 2009. ] [ 10...f6 is the most played move and analyzed in several games, such as Anand, V (2787)-Topalov, V (2805)/W CHM 2010 Sofia 2010. ] 11.xd4 [ 11.xe5 is almost never played, and for a good reason: f6 12.f4 b3 and 13... Qd4+ is a deadly threat, 13.b2 xa1 14.xa1 xe5 15.fxe5 c6 with advantage to Black. ] [ 11.b1 xf3+ ( 11...f6 is often played and tra ns po ses t o 10. .. f 6 .) 12.xf3 c6 was Movsesian, S (2698)-Zilka, S (2513)/ Hustopece op rapid 2012. ] [ 11.b2 is the main line, xf3+ 12.xf3 c6 13.e4 and this position has been played by dozens of 2700+ players for both sides, one of the most important games in this variation is Kasparov, G (2760)-Salov, V (2595)/ URSch55 Moscow 1988. ] 11...exd4 This exchange of the knights is thematic in different variations of the English a n d a f t e r it t h e st ru ct u re is m o re st a t ic , compared with the lines with Nd2, or Bb2 for example. W hite has some goals on the queenside, c-file and light squares. Black needs to create enough counterplay in the center and on the kingside. In this game, the counterplay proved to be too dangerous. 12.e4 d5 Neutralizing White's bishop and preparing to exchange it. 13.b2 f5 14.d2 xg2 15.xg2 f6 [ 15...d5+ i s a l s o p l a y e d , 16.g1 is suggested by Krasenkow and after a5 17.b3 transposes to Popov, V (2592)Matlakov, M (2604)/St Petersburg-ch 83rd 2010. f6 18.fc1 c6 without the queens White has more chances to be successful with his queenside play. 15...Bf6 is more to the point. ] 16.f3 A novelty, but not necessarily a good one. [ 16.b3+ was played before and reaches
the same kind of position as in the game, h8 17.ac1 a5 18.c5 enters Sunye Neto, J (2465)-Huebner, R (2585)/Manila Interzonal 1990 by transposition. ] 16...d7 17.a4 This move is not good in my opinion. White has no time to bring his pieces to the queenside and expand with a4 b5. Right now it doesn't look like Black has a dangerous attack, but after 3 more moves the position is already scary. [ I think 17.b3+ is a better way to play the position: h8 18.ac1 f4 again this plan is supposed to be the most dangerous, 19.c5 th is ma no e uvre is im p orta n t, ma kin g it difficult to bring Black's knight into the game, ae8 20.e1 c6 and now White can create some counterplay on the queenside with 21.b5 and a complicated position. ] 17...f4! Starting to open the files. 18.b3+ h8 19.d2?! Mixing plans, after this move the position is already better for Black. [ 19.b5 is more consistent but Black will probably have draw at his disposal in most of the lines, d5 A) 20.ac1 is another line that shows the danger of White's position ae8 21.c2 fxg3 22.hxg3 f4+! 23.gxf4 g4+ 24.h1 e5! and the attack is lethal, 25.d5 ( 25.g1 h3+ 26.h2 xf4 27.g2 xh2 28.xh2 f1#; 25.fxe5 xf3 26.exf3 h3+ 27.g1 xe5 28.f4 g4+ wi t h m a t e .) 25...xf4 26.xe5 ( 26.h2 h5 27.g2 g4 ) 26...h5+ 27.g1 xe5 28.d8+ e8 and White needs to give the queen.; B) 20.c4 ae8 21.fe1 ( 21.ae1 fxg3 22.hxg3 f4+ 23.gxf4 g4+ 24.h1 e5 25.fxe5 xf3 26.exf3 h5+ with a perpetual.) 21...fxg3 22.hxg3 f4+ 23.gxf4 g4+ 24.h1 e5!? 25.fxe5 ( 25.h2 h5 26.d5 e5 27.xe5 xh2+ 28.xh2 h4+ is also drawn.) 25...h5+ 26.g2 g4+ with a perpetual. ] 19...d5 20.e4 e5 21.c5 c6 With almost all of his pieces on the queenside, it's hard for White to resist the attack. 22.g1 [ 22.e4 going back with the knight doesn't help much, fxg3 23.hxg3 e6 passing the queen to the kingside and threatening a d i s c o v e r e d c h e c k 24.a2 ( 24.c4 1190
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xg3-+; 24.c2 xg3-+ ) 24...xg3 25.fxg3 e3+ 26.g1 xf1+ 27.xf1 xa2 ] 22...fxg3 23.hxg3 f4! And the position is already lost. 24.e4 [ 24.gxf4 g6+ 25.h1 xf4 with mate. ] 24...xe2+ 25.g2 g6 Black is attacking and even has a pawn plus. 26.ae1 h5 27.f4 xf4+! 28.gxf4 xf4 29.g3 g5 [ 29...xg3 30.xg3 g5+ 31.h3 f5 32.xf5 xf5+ 33.g2 g4+ 34.h2 h4+ also wins. ] 30.xf4 xf4 31.e2 f3+ 32.h2 f4 33.g2 h4+ 34.g1 e3+ 0-1
1196 Soza,Jose Divanbaigyzand,Mehran Friendship 2003 [Soza, JW]
A29 2505 2419 28.06.2003
Jose Soza writes: "I'm a new subscriber, just today. I would like to ask some questions in English opening, especially A29 which I like to play with White and Black." 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.0-0 e7 8.d3 0-0 9.a3 e8 10.b4 f8 11.b2 [ 11.b1!? "may have been better, preparing Nd2 if Black plays ...Nd4, and planning Ne4 with Be3 aiming at c5." JW: As featured in this column. Refer to ChessPub and the archives. ] 11...a5 12.b5 d4 13.d2 c6 14.bxc6 xc6 15.b1 [ JW: 15.c1 e6 16.ce4 looks a little better and about equal. ] 15...a4 16.b5 e6 17.e3 d7 18.e2 [ J Soza: 18.d4 a5 19.c3 b3 20.xb3 [JW:] axb3! ] [ 18.c4 xc4 ( 18...xc4 19.dxc4 xd1 20.fxd1 xc4 ) 19.dxc4 ed8 20.xd7 ( 20.d5 ) 20...xd7 21.d5 a5 ] 18...ed8 [ J Soza: 18...g4 19.f3 f5 20.e4 [JW: a5 ] [ 18...ad8 19.d4 ( 19.c4 xc4 20.dxc4 a5 21.fd1 xc4 22.xd7 xe2 23.xd8 xd8-+ ) 19...a2 ( 19...f5 20.be1 c8 21.d5 xd5 22.e4 g4
23.f3 c7 24.fxg4 xb5 25.xb5 xd2 26.xb7 e7 27.c1 c2 28.h1 ) 20.a1 d5 21.e4 xd4 22.xd4 exd4 ] 19.d4 a2 [ JW: 19...a5 ] 20.a1 e6 21.fd1 a5 22.d5 g4!? [ JW: 22...xd5 seems to work despite the pin. ] 23.f3 h5 24.xe5 xd5 25.ab1 [ JW: 25.c3 might keep White alive, although seriously worse. ] 25...e6 26.d4 c6 27.e1 h6 [ jw: 27...xd4! 28.exd4 xe2 29.xe2 ac8 ] 28.c4 xd4 29.exd4 a6 in a 20 moves more game finish in favour of black. 0-1
1197 Soza,Jose Muzyka ICCF Champions League [Soza, JW]
A29 2463 2487 01.12.2004
Another Reversed Dragon from Mr. Soza. Again I'll make only cursory comments and let his notes speak for themselves. I don't think that White's 12th move gives any chances for advantage. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.g2 b6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 9.b4 e6 10.b1 f6 11.d3 d4 12.xd4 [ J Soza: 12.e4 ] [ JW: The move analysed in this column has consistently been 12.d2 . This gam e and qu i t e a f e w o t h e r s s u gg e s t t h a t W h i t e should probably go that route. ] 12...exd4 13.e4 d5 14.b2 f5 15.d2 f6 16.xd5+ xd5 17.c1 c6! Here for me is not clear how white must play [ 17...f7 18.c5 e6 19.f3 Tim m a n. JW : Ma yb e , b u t W h it e h a s t o b r e a k d o w n a s i m p l e d e f e n c e l i k e d8 and ...c6, perhaps with ...f4 to follow. ] 18.b3 [ JW: How about 18.c5 e6 19.f3 ad8 20.e1 ? After Qc2, White can seriously contemplate e3 or e4. ] 18...a5 19.a1 xb3 20.xb3 axb4 21.axb4 fd8 22.e3 1191
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ J Soza: 22.c5 a7 23.e3 ( 23.e4 fxe4 24.xe4 a3 25.fe1 d5 ) 23...f7 ( 23...d5 24.b5 c3 25.xc3 dxc3 26.b6 a2 27.d4 c2 28.xb7 b8 29.d6 xb6 30.xf5 bb2 31.g2 f7 32.d6+ e6 33.e4 e7 34.f4 b3 35.f3 a3 36.c5+ )] 22...dxe3 [ J Soza: 22...d5 23.xd4 xd4 24.xd4 xb4 25.b1 a4 26.e6 d5 27.d4 b6 28.a1 xa1 29.xa1 f7 30.g5+ g6 31.b1= ( 31.f3= )] 23.xf6 gxf6 [ 23...exf2+ 24.xf2 gxf6 25.c5 a7 26.xf5 d5 27.b5 cxb5 28.e6 d6 29.d4 e7 ( 29...a5 30.h5 e3 31.h4 ) 30.xb5 ( 30.f4 d5 31.c7 g6 32.c8+ f7 33.c7+ e8 34.e4+ e5 35.e6 ) 30...xf5 31.xa7 xd3 32.c8+ g7 33.c7+ g6 34.xb7 d2 35.c6 h5 36.e7+ xe7 37.xe7 f5 38.h3= ] 24.fxe3 xd3 [ 24...d5 25.xf5 xb4 26.d4 a3 27.c5 xe3 28.xb7 xd4 29.xf6 d2 30.f2 xf2 31.xf2 b3 32.c4 d3+ 33.e2= ] 25.c5 d2 jw: It certainly looked as though Black was a bit better throughout. It seems that the pawn on d4 has a lot of cramping influence and is never weak.
offers reasonable chances to Black. ] 13...xf3+ 14.xf3 a4 Played to weaken White's control over b3, and before he has time to defend his b5-pawn with a4 himself. 15.c2 With the white bishop pointing at the b7-pawn, Black must find a way to develop his queen's bishop. f5 [ A novelty, Black attacks d3, otherwise 15...h3 i s p o s s i b l e , w h e n 16.fc1 ( the positional exchange sac 16.xb7!? xf1 17.xf1 a7 18.c6 is worthy of consideratio n) 16...a7 17.e4 a5! restricted White's advantage, Spraggett,KHartman,B/Canada 1992. ] 16.fd1 a7 Ugly, but b7 and a4 needed defence. 17.e4 e6?! [ Black is relying on the menace of ...Bb3, but 17...d7 is safer. ] 18.d4!! b3 [ Black is obliged to play the complications, as 18...g6 19.dxe5 wins a good pawn. ] 19.xh7+ h8 20.f5 g6 [ 20...xd1 21.xd1 f6 22.h5 leaves Black in all sorts of trouble, e.g. d6 23.e4 h6 24.xf7! f8 25.xd6 and Black suffers from not being able to use his queen's rook. ] 21.h3 c8 [ Now 21...xd1?? is completely impossible, 22.xg6+ g7 23.h7+ f6 24.e4+ e7 25.xf7# ] 22.g4 g7 Trapping the white bishop, but now the weakness of the a1-h8 diagonal tells. 1198 A29 23.e4 c4 [ 23...xd1 24.xd1 c4 fails to 25.dxe5! Sturua,Zurab 2594 and if xb2? there is the surprising shot: Xu Jun 2668 26.g8! xg8 27.f6+ g7 28.h7# ] 34th Olympiad (9) 06.11.2000 24.c3 d6? [Tony Kosten] [ L o s i n g o n t h e s p o t , b e t t e r 24...xd1 although 25.xd1 d8 26.h4 maintains 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 the threats. ] 5.c3 b6 6.d3 e7 7.f3 c6 8.0-0 0-0 25.f6?! 9.a3 e8 [ M i s s i n g t h e p r e t t y 25.g8!! xe4 [ A good plan, Black intends to support his ( 25...xg8 26.f6+ g7 27.dxe5 e5-pawn by playing ...Bf8, when ...Nd4 will is immediately decisive) 26.h7+ f6 become feasible. The main alternative plan 27.dxe5+ e7 28.b4+ d6 29.exd6+ involves 9...e6 and was seen in the winning. ] archives. ] 25...xb5 10.b4 f8 11.b2 a5 12.b5 d4 13.e3 [ 25...xd1?! 26.dxe5 wins. ] [ Quite common nowadays before White o f t e n p l a y e d 13.d2 so as to chase the 26.b2 xf6? [ 26...xd1 appears less clear, e.g. 27.dxe5 knight with e3, but then c6 14.bxc6 xc6 1192
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ( 27.xd1 d8 ) 27...xa3 provides the f8square for the king's escape. ] 27.dxe5+ e6 [ 27...g7 28.e6+ f6 29.xg6! leads to mate. ] 28.g5+ e7 29.e6! Freeing the a1-h8 diagonal, Bf6+ is unstoppable. fxe6 30.f6+ [ 30.f6+ f7 31.g8+! xg8 32.h8+ f7 33.h7+ g7 34.xg7# ] 1-0
1200 Sunye Neto,Jaime Morovic Fernandez,Ivan Buenos Aires (13) [Carsten Hansen]
A29 2470 2535 1990
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.b3 a5 8.0-0 [ 8.a3 c5 9.d3 0-0 ( 9...c6 10.0-0 0-0 11.d2 e8 12.ab1 d6 13.g2 c7 14.g5 d7 15.c2 f8 16.b4 d4 17.d2 is fairly even, although I slightly 1199 A29 prefer W hite's chances, W .Uhlmann-R. Greger, Valby 1991) 10.0-0 e8 11.g2 Suba,Mihai M.Illescas Cordoba-A.Chernin, Groningen Garcia,S 1993, and here Illescas gives d6 12.g5 h6 2001 Malaga 2001 13.xf6 xf6 14.e4 e7 15.xc5 [Paul Motwani] dxc5= , which I might add looks quite comfortable for Black ] W39: "Unlucky 13!" The curious thing about Black's blunder at move 13 in the following 8...0-0 [ 8...c6!? 9.d3 0-0 10.a3 xc3 11.xc3 very recent game is that it has all happened e8 12.b3 d5 13.cxd5 xd5 14.c2 c7 before...to numerous other players! Would you 15.b2 b5 is quite comfortable for Black, bet on this being the final time?! 1.c4 e5 2.g3 D.Poldauf-L.B.Hansen, Budapest 1989 ] f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.c3 b6 [ 5...xc3 6.bxc3 gives White a nice cluster 9.d3 [ 9.d4!? exd4 10.b5 d6!? ( 10...d5 of pawns near the centre, and possibilities 11.f4 c6 12.xd4 dxc4 13.xc4 g4 to increase the pressure towards b7 by 14.xg4 xg4 15.a3 e7 16.e6 fxe6 playing Rb1 soon. ] 17.xe6+ h8 18.ad1 e8 19.xg4 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 9.b4 e6 A. Adorjan-B.Toth, Biel 1983) 11.xd4 e8 10.b1 12.d1 e4 13.e3 e7 14.d3 d7= [ 10.b5 d4 11.xe5?? would be a horrific 15.c2 c6 16.xb4 axb4 17.a3 bxa3 blunder because of b3 ] 18.xa3 xa3 19.xa3 h6 20.b4 b5 10...f6 11.d3 a5 12.b5 d4 13.d2 21.d3 d7 22.c5 d5 , and here a draw d5?? Diagram W39D1 was agreed upon, 1/2-1/2, in B. Zueger-D. [ 13...d5!? merits attention, although it Campora, Swiss Team Ch 1995, but at this m i g h t l o o k s t r a n g e t o a l l o w 14.xd5 point White has the better chances ] , because after xd5 Black threatens ...Nc3. [ 9.d1 d6 10.d4 exd4 11.xd4 A possible further continuation is 15.b2 W.Uhlmann-B.Gelfand, Debrecen 1989 c5 a4 ( but not 15...xb5?? because of 12.d1 a7 13.g5 h6 14.xf6 xf6 16.b3 c6 17.e4 a4 18.a2 which would is given as equal by Gelf an d, but I still cost Black his pinned d5-knight )] prefer White after 15.d5 d8 16.c3 ] 14.xd5! xd5 15.e3! Black resigned, realising too late here that when his knight 9...d6 [ 9...h6 10.a4 ( 10.e3 xc3 11.xc3 retreats, White wins material after 16 e4. d6 12.c5 e8 13.cxd6 xd6 14.fd1 c6 1-0 15.c5 c7 16.b3 g4 17.xg4 xg4 18.e4 f6 19.f3 h7 20.d4 D.BronsteinL . P o l u g a e v s k y , P e t r o p o l i s I Z T 1 9 7 3) 10...e8 11.e3 f8 12.c5 d5 13.cxd6 xd6 14.fc1 e4 15.dxe4 xe4 16.d1 J.Smejkal-L.Bronstein, Rio de Janeiro IZT 1193
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 1979 ] [ 9...e8 10.a4 ( 10.g5 xc3 11.bxc3 h6 12.xf6 xf6 13.c5 B. Lalic-Ristic, Metz 1995 ) 10...f8 11.g5 h6 12.xf6 xf6 13.c5 b8 14.fc1 c6 15.c3 ( 15.b6 d5 16.cxd6 xd6 17.xc8 exc8 18.a3 ) 15...d8 ( 15...d5!? ) 16.a3 d5 17.e4 h3 18.b6 f6 19.g2 xg2 20.xg2 bd8 21.e1 dxe4 22.xe4 e7 23.b4 R.Vaganian-M.Tseitlin, Telavi 1982 ] 10.g5!? [ 10.a4 d7 11.d1 c5 12.xc5 xc5 13.d4 e6 14.e3 f6 15.dxe5 dxe5 16.a4 d4 17.xd4 exd4= S.MakarichevV.Eingorn, Moscow 1989 ] 10...xc3 11.xc3 h6 12.d2 e8 13.g2 e4 14.e3 c5 15.d4 e7 16.ad1 f5 17.d2 b6 18.fd1 [ 18.h3 (intending g4 and Bf4 with a slightly better game for White - Sunye Neto) ad8 19.fd1 ] 18...g4 19.dxc5 dxc5 20.f4 g5 21.d6 e6 22.e3 ad8 23.b3 f6 24.c7 d3 25.xd3 exd3 26.xb6 xb6 27.xb6 d7 28.xa5 e5 29.c3 xc4 30.e4 xe4 31.xe4 xe4 32.xd3 e2 33.b3 a3 34.d2 e8 35.b2 b5 36.c2 c8 37.e5 a3 38.c1 b5 39.a4 a7 1-0
1201 Svidler,Peter Carlsen,Magnus Tal Memorial Blitz blitz (26) [Carsten Hansen]
A29 2738 2775 30.08.2008
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.b3 c5 8.0-0 0-0 9.d3 h6 10.g2 c6 11.d2 e8 12.h3 [ 12.ac1 was discussed in last month's update in the main game Aronian, L-Svidler, P /Sochi 2008 ] [ Another move is 12.ad1 as in Popov, VS a r g i s s i a n , G / M o s c o w 2 0 0 7 , wh i c h i s c o v e re d i n t h e n o t e s t o L a u t ie r-S e b a g (details below) ] 12...b8 [ Here the game deviates from existing t h e o r y , w h i c h p r o c e e d e d w i t h 12...b6 as in Stefansson, H-Vallejo Pons, F/Havana
2001, which is discussed in the notes to Lautier-Sebag, Montpellier 2007 (see the PGN archives). For further references on the 4...Nd4 line, please see the August and September 2007 updates. 13.ad1 ] 13.ac1 a6 14.a4 a7 15.c5 d6 16.cxd6 xd6 Thus far Black has every reason to be satisfied with the outcome of the opening Black's p ie ces a re we ll place d an d wellcoordinated, only the bishop on c8 remains to be developed. 17.b4 c7 18.a3 d8 [ 18...a8 19.d6 d8 leads to the game continuation. ] 19.d6 a8 20.c5 xc5!? [ 20...e6!? 21.b4 d7 is another option, also leading to approximately equal chances. ] 21.xc5 a5 22.b4 a7 [ The alternative is 22...d5 , and now the sharp 23.b5!? leads to unclear complications after b6 24.a4 cxb5 25.xd5 xh3 26.c6 xf1 27.xe8 bxa4 28.xf7+ xf7 29.xf1 d7 , and the situation isn't entirely resolved, but I imagine the chances are about even, although Black's king seems more exposed than his white counterpart. ] 23.b3 a4 24.a5 e6 25.fd1 d5?! [ I'm not too sure about this move as it appears to hand White a couple of tempo and with that the initiative. A good alternative is 25...d7 26.h2 e7 27.c4 aa8 28.e4 ( 28.xe5?! xa2 ) 28...c7 with a position not unlike that in the game, but without the initiative to White. ] 26.e4 e6 27.c4 d4!? 28.d2 d6 [ 28...d7 29.h2 aa8 30.f3 d6 ( 30...c7 31.b5 ) 31.d4 xe4 32.dxe5 c7 33.e3 f5 34.a3 ] 29.f3 c7?! [ Black has to play accurately at this juncture and the text move isn't the most accurate. T h e c o r r e c t c o n t i n u a t i o n i s 29...aa8! , a n d a f t e r 30.d4 xe4 31.dxe5 , B l a c k h a s t o p l a y b8! 32.d4! ( White gains less from 32.e3 d5 33.b5 f6 34.bxc6 bxc6= ) 32...xe5?! ( This is inaccurate, instead Black should play 32...d5! 33.f4 f6 34.e6 f5 35.xf5 xe6 36.e1 d8 37.e3 ) 33.f4 d5 34.e3 ( 34.xc6? xa2 ) 34...xh3 1194
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 35.xh3 g5 36.g2 xe3 37.xd5 cxd5 38.fxg5 xg3+ 39.f2 xg5 40.c7 b6 41.a3 , and White has excellent winning chances. This line is obviously too long, and there are undoubtedly flaws in several spots along the way. ] 30.d4 exd4 [ 30...xe4 31.e3 d5 32.dxe5 ] 31.xd4 b6 [ 31...e7 32.xe6 xe6 33.d4 aa8 34.cd1 e7 35.f4 ] 32.e5 d5 33.xe6 [ W hite has a strong alternative in 33.b5! with the idea of cxb5 34.c5! , and all of a sudden, Black's position is rather loose, e.g. xc5 35.xc5 b4 36.xe6 fxe6 37.d2 c6 38.xb5 with an endgame that is much better for W hite both thanks to W hite's superior pieces and Black's miserable pawn of which several are placed on the colour of White's bishop. ] 33...fxe6 34.c4 [ 34.d3 f8 35.d4 xd4 36.xd4 d8 37.f4 aa8 38.cd1 ] 34...f8 35.d2 [ 35.dd4 aa8 36.d3 leaves White with a solid edge ] 35...aa8 [ Or 35...f5 36.e4! g5 ( 36...xe5 37.e2 c7 38.f4 ) 37.h4 xe5 38.b2 c7 39.f4 b6 40.xc6 bxc6 41.xe5 xe5 42.fxe5 d7 43.d6 ] 36.d3 [ White doesn't gain anything from 36.b2 a3 37.c2 f5 38.e4 af8 39.cd4 c3 40.e3 d5= ] [ But 36.e4!? on the other hand leaves W hite with the better chances, e.g. c7 37.f4 ] 36...ad8?? [ A terrible move that hands White the win. Black can still defend with 36...f5! 37.e4 ( 37.g4? xe5 38.e4 xe4 39.xe4 xb4 40.xe6+ h8 41.d1 a3 ) 37...af8 38.cd4 c3 39.e3 d5 40.e4= with a repetition of moves. ] 37.g6 f4 [ A rather desperate move, but other moves allow White to continue the penetration of the weak light squares on the kingside. 37...de8 38.e4+- ]
[ 37...fe8 38.e4 c7 39.h7+ f8 40.g6 xe5 41.e4+- ] 38.xf4 xf4 39.xd8+ [ Strictly speaking, 39.gxf4 is more accurate, e.g. xd2 40.e8+ h7 41.e4+ and mate follows shortly, but the text move gets the job done. ] 39...xd8 40.gxf4 d1+ 41.h2 d4 42.xe6+ f8 43.d6+ 1-0
1202 Timman,Jan H Bareev,Evgeny Corus Wijk aan Zee NED (6) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2605 2707 19.01.2002
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 c5 5.g2 [ T h e i m m e d i a t e 5.xe5 was seen in Ivanchuk,V-Anand,V and Poldauf,D-Timman, J. ] 5...0-0 6.xe5!? [ The normal 6.d3 was Gulko,B-Cramling,P, but W hite wishes to punish Black for his 'omission' of ...d6. ] 6...xf2+ 7.xf2 xe5 8.b3 By defending the c-pawn like this White prepares to drive the knight from the centre by d4. [ The 8.d3 of Vidarte Morales,A-Ater,G/Vila de Salou 1995, is also possible, but less incisive. ] 8...e8 Black continues his development. [ 8...fg4+?! 9.g1 f6 10.f1 b6+ 11.e3 leads nowhere, Vettel,M-Schneider,B/ Germany 1989/GER-chT2. ] 9.f1 White brings his king to safety, when he can hope to exploit his centre, and bishop pair. d5!? Bareev's sharp innovation, [ 9...c6 10.g1 h6 11.d4 g6 12.e4 wa s cl e a rl y ve ry p le a s a n t f o r W h it e i n Conquest,S-Loginov,V/Budapest 1996. ] 10.d4!? White declines the pawn, which is possibly the wisest choice. [ W h a t d i d B a r e e v i n t e n d a f t e r 10.cxd5 , perhaps c6 11.dxc6 b6+ 12.e3 d3+ 13.g1 bxc6 with good light-squared control for the pawn sacrificed. ] 10...eg4+ 11.g1 dxc4 12.bxc4 e3 B l a c k re g a i n s t h e d a rk - sq u a re d b is h o p . 1195
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 13.xe3 xe3 14.d2 e8 15.ad1 White suddenly finds himself with the better development, if he can get his centre going he will be well on top. c6 16.f4!? [ The direct 16.e4! looks best, g4 17.de1 c5 18.d5 and Black is under real pressure, e.g. cxd4?! 19.xf6! ( 19.xd4 i s a l s o p r o m i s i n g) 19...gxf6 20.f4 with a winning attack. ] 16...g4 17.f2 h5 Intending ...Bg6, to control e4, but also defending the f7-pawn. 18.d5 cxd5 19.xd5 At the cost of his pawn structure White has obtained a very dynamic position. g4! If Black hadn't had the foresight to defend f7, this manoeuvre would be impossible. 20.ff1!? [ Perhaps White should take the offered queen: 20.e3 xe3! ( 20...c8?! 21.xg4 xg4 22.xg4 xg4 23.xb7 wins a pawn for nothing) 21.xd8 axd8 22.h3 Black has a compact position, and is unlikely to lose. ] 20...e5 21.c1?! Menacing the black queen, again. xe2! [ A strong queen sac, although the a l t e r n a t i v e 21...a5 22.f4 g4 is also pleasant for Black. ] 22.f6+ gxf6 23.xd8 axd8 24.xb7 g7 25.d5 [ 25.c5!? is a good alternative: 'passed pawns must be pushed'! ] 25...xf1 26.xf1 b8 White's first and second ranks are both weak which means that Black will always enjoy plenty of tactica l possibilities. 27.f2? [ 27.f5 b2 28.e4 keeps the game alive, although after g6 Black is better. ] 27...d3! 28.xa7 e1+ 29.g2 b2+ 30.h3 e5 Winning, there is no defence to the threat of ... Ree2. 31.g4 ee2 32.g3 xa2 33.c5 ad2 ...Rd3+ leads to mate. 0-1
1203 Timman,Jan H Hector,Jonny 13th Sigeman & Co (3) [John Watson]
A29 2607 2513 17.04.2005
1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 [ 4.e3 is discussed briefly in TimmanHermanson. ] 4...d4 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.b3 c5 The starting point of many top-level battles. I prefer White, but not because of the way this game proceeded. 8.d3 [ A blindfold game between Bareev (White) and Svidler from Amber-Melody 2005 went 8.0-0 c6 ( 8...0-0 9.d3 h6 was played in Gelfand-Svidler, Dos Hermanas 1999, with approximate equality) 9.e3!? 0-0 10.d1 d5!? 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.xd5 ( 12.d4! ) 12...e6 13.xf6+?! ( 13.d4 ) 13...xf6 14.d5 ad8 15.xe6 fxe6 16.f1 e4 17.xb7 f3 18.d4 h5!? 19.b3 ( 19.dxc5?? d1 ) 19...d5! 20.d2 ( 20.d1!?; 20.dxc5?? h4 ) 20...d6 21.d1 f5 22.e2 h4 23.ac1 h3 24.c6 f3 25.xd6! xd6 26.c1 d5 27.f1 f5 28.e1 g6 29.c6 f6 30.e2 hxg3 31.hxg3?! ( 31.fxg3 ) 31...h5 32.c8+ h7 33.f1?? g4 Bareev-Svidler, Monte Carlo MNC 2005. ] 8...0-0 [ Timman was on the Black side of 8...h6 9.g4!? c6 10.h4 d6 11.g5 hxg5 12.xg5 in Azmaiparashvili,Z-Timman,J/Oviedo 1993. Perhaps he was going to skip h4 and try g5 immediately. ] [ The game Vallejo Pons-Gelfand, Pamplona 1999 went 8...c6 9.g4 . It was anno tated by Tony in a much earlier instalment - see the ChessPub files. ] 9.g5 [ This shouldn't lead to anything I quite like the looks of 9.g4 , for example, d5 10.g5 ( 10.xd5 xg4 ) 10...dxc4 11.xc4 d7 12.e4 e7 13.e3 h8 14.0-0-0 with the idea d4 or even h4-h5. ] 9...c6 [ 9...h6 10.xf6 ( 10.d2 ) 10...xf6 11.e4 e7 12.xc5 xc5 13.0-0 is perhaps a shade better for W hite, but Black should be able to unravel easily. ] 1196
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 10.0-0 h6 11.xf6 xf6 12.e4 e7 13.xc5 xc5 14.c3 a5 To prevent b4, although [ 14...e7 15.d4!? ( 15.b4 d6 ) 15...d6 is equal. ] 15.a3 a4 The standard method of holding up W hite's queenside. W e see this 3 times in this month's update! I'm not sure if Timman was better off preventing this he doesn't seem to generate much in return. 16.fc1 e7 17.c5 d5 18.cxd6 xd6 19.b4 c7 [ 19...d8 is another natural move. It's hard to believe that either player has anything at this point. ] 20.c5 e6 21.ac1 fd8 22.b5 d7 23.h4 b3 24.b6 f8 25.c5 f5? Right idea, wrong timing. This is an ambitious move and changes the tenor of the game, but it has a tactical problem. 26.b4?! [ White apparently overlooks 26.xb3! axb3 27.d5+ , when the presence of the rook on f8 means that Black will have to give back an exchange and leave the b3 pawn out to dry: xd5 ( 27...ff7 28.xb3; 27...cxd5 28.xc7 xc7 29.xc7 f7 30.c3 ) 28.xd5+ f7 ( 28...f7 29.xf7+ xf7 30.c3 ) 29.xb3 etc. ] 26...f6 27.g2 e7 28.b6 d7 29.a7 ff7 [ Or 29...f4 . Black has some pressure on W hite's slightly weakened kingside and allowing .. .a4 has eliminated any queenside chances for White. ] 30.c5 e6 31.e3 f6 32.f3? White is having a hard time holding off threats on the kingside but this fails miserably. He should probably just sit by means of a move like [ 32.c5 ] 32...e4! 33.dxe4 xb2 34.d1 xa3 35.d8+ h7 36.bd4 a1+ 37.h2 d5? [ This isn't awful, but throws away the win and even allows W hite to get good attacking chances during what was p r e s u m a b l y t i m e p r e s s u r e . 37...c5! and ..Qe5 would have consolidated Black's game with a winning advantage due to the passed a-pawn, and b-pawn if needed. ] 38.d3 fxe4 39.xe4 xe4 40.xe4+ xe4 41.xe4+ g6 42.f4! f6 43.h5 e7!? [ Black might also just defend by 43...g7
but there's still no obvious plan after ] 44.hxg6+ g7 45.d3 xe2+?! The point, but Black's king is exposed and White gains a key tempo. Perhaps Black can hold down thefortwith [ 45...b5 ] [ But 45...a3! 46.f5 e5! ( 46...a2 47.c4 ) 47.e4 a2 48.b3 a1 49.g8+ ( 49.g8+?? f6 -- ...Qe5 has vacated f6-50.h8+ g5 ) 49...f6 50.f8+ g5 51.e3+ g4 52.e2+ g5 53.e3+ is a draw ] 46.h3! [ 46.xe2? xd8 47.f5 f6 48.d3! threatens a perpetual check beginning with Qd7+ ] 46...e7?! [ 46...e3! 47.d7+ e7 48.f5 a3 49.d6 a2 50.xf6 a1 51.e6! xe6 52.d7+ f6 53.xe6+ g5 54.g2 will probably lead to perpetual check by one side. ] 47.f5 a3 48.a8 e5 49.f3!? [ Threatening f6+. Or 49.xa3 ] 49...f6 50.d3 e5 51.f3 f6 52.xa3 e5 53.g4 h5 W hat else? 54.e3 hxg4+ 55.xg4 d5 56.f4 d8 [ 56...d4 57.e7+ ] 57.e4 c5 58.g5 [ 58.h2! will mate soon, but it doesn't matter much. ] 58...xg5+ 59.xg5 b5 60.e7+ f8 61.g7+ An error-filled game but there were so many ways for both sides to go wrong that it's hard to fault the players. 1-0
1204 Tomashevsky,Evgeny Rublevsky,Sergei ch-RUS Superfinal (6) [John Watson]
A29 2564 2652 24.12.2005
Pure theory. Rublevsky the super-prepared plays a new move in an old variation and equalises. It looks like Black is okay again in this line, which would simplify his task against the irritating 5.Nd5. 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 b4 5.d5 e4 6.h4 0-0 7.g2 e8 8.0-0 c5 9.d3 exd3 10.xd3 e5 11.c2 c6 12.e3 cxd5 13.xc5 d6 1197
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 14.d4 dxc4 15.fd1 d5! A novelty, e5 19.dxe4 xe4 20.xe5 xe5 replacing 21.xe4 xe4 22.xc7 with some, but not [ 15...e7 16.d2 c6 17.xf6 xf6 quite full compensation for the pawn, Zueger, 18.ad1 Smejkal-Meking, Rio de Janeiro B-Godena, M/Cattolica 1994 ] 1979. ] 11.cxd5 e7 12.b3 c6 13.dxc6 xc6 16.c3 c6 17.f5 [ 13...bxc6 14.c2 f5 15.b4 d7 16.fc1 [ Now 17.xf6 xf6 is too slow because fc8 17.a3 h6 18.e4 e6 19.c3 g4 Black has 18.xd5 d4! ] 20.d2 e6 with chances to both sides, 17...e6 though I slightly prefer W hite's chances, [ An unbalancing try was 17...xf5 18.xf5 Rensen, M-Borst, J/IECG Email 2000 ] xe2 19.xd5 xd5 20.xd5 , but White's 14.c3 b8 bishop is quite strong. ] [ In an earlier Tomashevsky game, Black 18.e3 e7 19.xd5 xd5 20.xd5 xd5 went for 14...b6!? 15.a3 d8 16.a4 21.xd5 xe2 22.xe2 xe2 23.c5 d8 f6 17.d4 e4 18.d2 d5 , and Black seems [ 23...ae8 24.xc4 c2 doesn't really give to be doing okay, Tomashevsky, E-Turov, anything either: 25.d1 ( 25.f4 f6 ) 25...f6 M/Krasnoyarsk 2007. However, given that 26.d2 xd2 27.xd2 e2 28.c3 c2 W hite repeatedly this line by playing it in 29.f1= ] our main game, we should expect that he ½-½ either thinks he has an edge in this example o r t h a t h e h a s a n i m p ro ve m e n t re a d y . Svidler must also have thought about this 1205 A29 given he doesn't repeat Black's choice of 14th move. ] Tomashevsky,Evgeny 2646 Svidler,Peter 2732 15.d4 [ This improves over 15.a4 e6 16.c2 60th ch-Superfinal (7) 26.12.2007 c8 17.d2 a5 18.fe1 g4 19.h3 xf3 [Carsten Hansen] 20.xf3 d5 as in Uhlmann, W-Lein, A/Bad Wildbad 1997, where Black obviously has 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 b4 a comfortable game ] 5.d5 c5 6.g2 0-0 7.0-0 d6 8.e3 a6 15...e4 16.d2 d5 17.f3 exf3 18.xf3 e6 9.d3 a7 10.d2 [ Incredibly, only now does the game exit [ W h i t e ' s m a i n a l t e r n a t i v e i s 10.c3 what has been played before. In a , and now: correspondence game, Black tried 18...e8 A) Or 10...f5!? 11.h3 ( 11.d5 xd5 19.d2 e6 20.e1 ( Intending Ne1-d3-f4, 12.cxd5 e7 13.h4 d7 14.d2 ) hitting the d5-pawn. 20.ac1!? ) 20...g5 11...h6 12.e4 e6 13.e3 xe3 14.fxe3 21.f2 , Hefka, V-Wegman, W/ICCF Email b5 15.d5 h7 16.c1 e7 17.d4 2002 f6 22.d3 f7 23.f4 ed8 exd4 ( 17...c6!? ) 18.exd4 bxc4 19.f4 24.h3 ] Hansen, Cu-Miles, A/Esbjerg 1984; B) 10...h6 11.a3 e6 12.b4 d7 19.h1 e8 20.f2 [ 20.d2!? b5 21.ac1 ] ( 12...e4 13.dxe4 xc4 14.e1 ) 13.b2 ae8 14.c1 e7 15.e1 g6 16.d2 20...b5 [ 20...f6!? ] c6 17.ce4 xe4 18.dxe4 f5 19.exf5 xf5 20.e4 b8 21.e2 h3 22.ed1 21.d2 f5 22.af1 [ 22.e5!? xe5 23.xf5 c4 24.d3 xg2 23.xg2 e6 , and I prefer White, xb2 25.c2 c4 26.xd5 xe3 though objectively speaking the chances 27.xe3 xe3 28.xf7+ h8 29.d5 ] are about even, Bischof f , K-Short, N/ 22...e4 23.e1 b7 Garmisch 1994 ] [ 23...f6!? ] 10...xd5 [ 10...h6 11.c1 f5 12.e1 e8 13.f3 24.xe4 xe4 25.d3 d7 26.a4 bxa4 xd5 14.xf5 f6 15.f3 ( 15.c2!? ) 27.xa4 e6 28.c1 c7? [ 28...b8 ] 15...e4 16.e2 d5 17.cxd5 xd5 18.c3 1198
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 29.f4 d6 30.a5+- xa5 31.xc7 b6 17.c5 J.Smejkal-C.Garcia Palermo, 32.c3 h6 33.c2 e8 34.f5 g6 35.d3 German Bundesliga 1989) 10.d1 e7 g7 36.g2 11.xe7+ xe7 12.d4 d6 13.b3 exd4 [ 36.xa6 e4+ ( 36...e7 37.d3 14.xd4 b6 15.d2 a5 16.d3 d8 gains a pawn without further ado.) 37.g1 17.a3 e6 18.ad1 xc3 19.xc3 b1+ 38.f1 is an easy win. ] E.Dizdarevic-C. Garcia Palermo, Zenica 36...c6 37.e2! 1987 ] [ 37.xa6 is liked by my computer, but it 8.0-0 quickly becomes messy, which is not [ 8.a3 a5 9.c2 c6 10.b4 b6!? 11.c5 something you need when you are having a c7 12.d3 a5 13.b1 0-0 14.0-0 d5 winning position against a grandmaster of 15.cxd6 xd6 (Black is already okay) Svidler's calibre: e4+ 38.f3 g5 39.xb6 16.b2 axb4 17.axb4 h3 18.d1 g4 40.f2 xf3+ 41.e1 h1+ 42.d2 with approximately even chances, V. xh2+ 43.e2 , and White wins, but try to Ivanchuk-J.Ehlvest, New Delhi/Teheran work it out when you are in time trouble, 2000 ] not easy! The game continuation is by far to 8...0-0 9.d3 be preferred. ] [ 9.e3 c6 10.g2 e8 11.d3 xc3 37...a5 38.f3 e7 39.g4 h7 40.f3 12.xc3 d5 13.b3 f5 14.b2 ad8 a4 Having reached the time control, White can 15.ad1 e6 ( 15...d4 16.exd4 exd4 now concentrate on converting the material 17.a5 d7 18.xa7 ) 16.a5 a6 and positional advantage 41.g4 f6 42.h3 17.b6 T.Kotanjian-M.Tseitlin, St g7 43.g3 a5 44.c1 b6 45.d3 Petersburg 2000 ] 1-0 9...c6 10.g5 xc3 11.xc3 d6 [ 11...h6 12.xf6 xf6 13.fd1 d6 14.d4 f5 15.dxe5 dxe5 16.d2 fd8 17.ad1 1206 A29 xd2 18.xd2 e7 19.e4 h3 20.e2 e8 21.c5 , and thanks to White's Topalov,Veselin 2735 dominance over the d-file (in particular the Karjakin,Sergey 2556 d6-square), W hite's better placed pieces Leon 16th rapid (1.4) 06.06.2003 and Black's limited counterplay, White has [Carsten Hansen] the clearly better chances, A.Kosten-D. Prasad, Metz 2007 ] 1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.f3 f6 4.g3 d4 12.b4 h6 13.xf6 xf6 14.b5 c5 15.g2 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.b3 e7 [ 7...e7 8.0-0 c6 ( 8...0-0 9.d1 d6 e7 16.e3 g4 17.f4 f5 [ 17...ad8 18.ae1 ] 10.d4 d7 11.d5 c6 12.xe7+ xe7 13.c2 f5 14.b4 e4 15.g2 f6 16.a4 18.ae1 g5 [ 18...ae8 19.e4 fxe4 20.xe4 d7 e6 17.a3 h6 18.b5 g5 19.c3 21.fxe5 xf1+ 22.xf1 f5 23.e2 ] M. Sorokin-P.Nakhapetiane, Moscow 2007) 9.d1 d6 10.d4 c7 11.g2 0-0 12.c2 19.e4 gxf4 20.gxf4 exf4!? [ 20...fxe4 21.xe4 h8 22.fxe5 dxe5 e6 13.b3 F.Gheorghiu-W.Hartston, 23.d2 ] European Team Ch (Bath) 1973 ] [ 20...g7 21.h1 h8 22.d2 ] [ 7...a5 A) 8.0-0 0-0 9.d3 d6 10.a3 c6 11.b4 21.xf4 [ At first glance it may look like both sides b6 12.g5 h3 13.fc1 a6 14.c5 c7 kings are wide open, but Black's king is in 15.cxd6 ( 15.e4 e8 16.h4 ) severe draf t and W hite's pieces are f ar 15...xd6 16.b2 h6 17.xf6 xf6 better placed. Here White can also consider 18.e4 e7 19.xd6 xd6= 21.exf5!? g5 22.h1! (to prep the g-file J.Timman-D.Campora, Amsterdam 1984; for a rook) xf5 23.e4 ( 23.xb7 af8 B) 8.a3! c6 9.0-0 c7 ( 9...b6 10.d3 24.e4 e5 25.g1 looks dangerous for e7 11.b4 d6 12.g5 h3 13.fc1 0-0 Black, but af ter f3! , and now 26.xg4 14.b5 ac8 15.bxc6 bxc6 16.e4 fd8 1199
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 xg4 27.g1 xg1+ 28.xg1 f2+ 29.f1 g5 30.d5+ h7 31.e4+ g8 32.d5+ with a draw by repetition) 23...e5 24.d4 ( 24.xb7 xe1 25.xe1 f8 26.d5+ h7 is probably okay for Black; 24.g1 h8 25.d4 cxd4 26.xd4 f8 is fine for Black) 24...cxd4 25.xd4 ae8 26.d5+ , and White has the better chances ] 21...g5 22.d2!? ae8 23.ef1= [ 23.h1!? fxe4 ( 23...b6 24.g1! h7 25.f2 is even more unpleasant for Black) 24.xf8+ xf8 25.xg5+ hxg5 26.xe4 o f f e rs W h it e t h e b e t t e r ch a n ce s in t h e endgame ] 23...fxe4 24.xf8+ xf8 25.xg5+ hxg5 26.xe4 xf1+ 27.xf1 b6 This endgame should be drawn, but only Black has chances thanks to W hite's queenside pawns on the bishop's colour. Karjakin does his best to produce something out of very little and does get an 'A' for effort. 28.f2 g7 29.e3 e6 30.f3 f6 31.e4 f5+ 32.e3 e5 33.d5 d7 34.f7 c8 35.d5 h3 36.a3 d7 37.f7 c8 38.d5 h3 39.f3 e6 40.e2 d5 41.f1 g4 42.g2 e6 43.f1 f7 44.e2 e6 45.f1 g4 46.g2 d4+ 47.f2 f5 48.f1 f4 49.e2 g6 50.f1 h7 51.e2 f5 52.f1 c8 53.g2 a6 54.bxa6 xa6 55.c6 c8 56.e4 g4 57.h7 h5 58.e4 d1 59.h7 g4 60.e4 b3 61.c6 f4 62.f3 a4 63.e4 d7 64.d5 f5 65.e2 g4 66.g2 h4 67.d2 g4 68.e2 f4 69.c6 e5 70.f3 d6 71.d2 c7 72.g2 b8 73.c6 a7 74.e8 a6 75.e2 a5 76.c6 g6 77.d7 h7 78.e8 f5 79.c6 a6 80.e8 b7 81.b5 c7 82.e8 d6 83.h5 e5 84.f3 f4 85.c6 g4 86.g2 h4 87.d2 g4 88.e1 f5 89.d2 h3 90.e4 g4 91.e2 g3 92.hxg3+ xg3 93.d2 f4 94.c6 e5 95.e8 d6 96.b5 c7 97.e2 g4+ 98.d2 d7 99.c2 xb5 100.cxb5 d6 101.a4 d5 102.d2 c4 103.dxc4+ xc4 104.a5 xb5 105.axb6 xb6 106.d3 c5 107.d2 c4 108.c2 d3+ 109.d2 d4 110.d1 e3 111.e1 d2+ 112.d1 d3 ½-½
1207 Uhlmann,Wolfgang Jackova,Jana Snowdrops vs Old Hands (2) [Nigel Davies]
A29 2417 2360 30.11.2008
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.g2 b6 6.a3 e7 7.f3 c6 8.b4 e6 9.d3 0-0 10.0-0 f6 11.e4 It's interesting that a connoisseur of the the English like W olfgang Uhlmann would choose this variation. Black's reply looks critical. a5!? 12.c5 [ After 12.b5 B l a c k c a n p l a y d4 af t er wh ich 13.xd4 exd4 gives Black a typical and annoying space advantage. ] 12...xc5 13.bxc5 d5 14.b2 Looking to open the game with d3-d4 at some poin t whilst preparing to defend his advanced cpawn along the c-file. [ 14.c2 is featured in the game Miezis, N (2579)-Danin, A (2498)/Utrecht 2009. ] [ Another sensible move is 14.d2 when a4 15.b1 leaves White able to lop off any knight that lands on a5. I couldn't find any practical examples of this move so we wait with baited breath for a trial... ] 14...a4 15.b1?! Given White's evident aim of a central expansion (14.Bb2) then I find this unconvincing. Surely it would be better if the rook could go directly to d1!? [ With this in mind I suggest 15.d2 a5 16.ad1 , intending to advance with e2-e4, d3-d4 and/or maybe f2-f4 at some point. ] 15...d7 16.a1 [ With White's piece disposition as it is, 16.e4 makes less sense after de7 17.d4 b3 etc. ] 16...a5 17.d2 ab8 18.c2 b5 19.c3 xc3 20.xc3 b3 21.xb3 xb3 [ 21...axb3 looks very nice for Black, for example after 22.e3 there is b4! 23.axb4 a4 , lending big time support to the pawn on b3. ] 22.fc1 fd8 23.e4 f5 24.g2 d4 25.a5 b4 26.axb4 xb4? [ 26...d7 is better when there's still everything to play for. ] 27.xc7 e4?! 28.dxe4 a3 29.exf5 d4 30.a5 a2 31.xb3 a1 32.xa1 xa1 33.xa1 xb3 34.c1 White is winning 1200
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 easily here but perhaps Black's prolonged B2) 10.cxd5!? xd5 11.b3 xc3 resistance was a deliberate tactic by the 12.dxc3 ( Now White wins a pawn, as 'Snowdrops' to wear the 'Old Hands' out. a3 Black can't protect both his b-pawn and 35.b7 d7 36.c8 c7 37.e6+ f8 e-pawn (the threat is Qb5+) 12.bxc3!? ) 38.c6 a6 39.d7 a2 40.e4 e2 41.c4 12...d6 13.xb7 0-0 14.e4 e7 42.f1 d2 43.a4 d6 44.h4 e5 Black has absolutely no compensation 45.f4+ d6 46.a5 e7 47.h5 h6 48.e5 for the pawn. ] c2 49.a8 h2 50.g1 e2 51.h1 f2 8.g2 0-0 9.d3 52.g1 e2 53.a4 f8 54.g4 f7 [ With 9.d4 we would have entered the lines 55.e6+ e7 56.d5 d2 57.g2 c8 covered under line 'A'. ] 58.g5 b8 59.a7+ f8 60.gxh6 gxh6 9...c6 10.e4 g4?! 61.f6 b1+ 62.h2 bb2 63.g7 e2 [ This move is given a '?' by the fantastic 64.h3 b3+ 65.g3 bb2 66.d5 h2+ bulletin, and while it may be asking f or 67.g4 b8 68.e6 trouble, it is by no means a big mistake. 1-0 T h e i r s u g g e s t e d a l t e r n a t i v e 10...e8!? intending ...g6 and ...Ng7 is nevertheless an interesting option that is likely better 1208 A29 than the game continuation ] b6+ 12.h1 e6 13.f4 Uhlmann,Wolfgang 2530 11.f3 Rossetto,Hector 2465 Black's problem is that he thanks to his ...Bc8Skopje ol (Men) fin-A (1.1) 27.09.1972 g4-e6 manoeuvre has lost the time he needed to counter White's advance on the kingside. [Carsten Hansen] De sp it e my co mp ut er st ill co m plaining a 1.c4 c6 2.c3 f6 3.f3 e5 4.g3 d4 comfortable game for Black, White clearly has the upper hand at this stage. e8 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 d6 7.0-0 e7 [ The alternatives aren't that rosy either: [ Instead of this perfectly good continuation, 13...g4 14.e1 fe8 15.f5 ] the "Bulletin" (acc. to MegaBase) offers [ or 13...exf4 14.gxf4 g4 15.e1 d7 7...h3!? as a possible alternative, e.g. 16.e3 d8 17.f5 ] A) 8.xb7! isn't mentioned by the same bulletin, even if White wins at least a pawn, 14.e2 a5 15.e3 d8 16.d4 [ I like 16.f5 better, but in either case White e.g. xf1 9.a4+ d7 ( 9...e7 is clearly holding the upper hand ] 10.xf1+- is even worse) 10.xa8 xa8 11.d5 b7 12.xf1 , and Black has 16...exd4 17.xd4 a4?! [ This looks a bit like an attempt at no compensation for the lost pawn.; generating counterplay on the queenside, B) 8.g2 xg2 9.xg2 d5 is evaluated but ending up just wasting tempos he can ill as equal by the same bulletin, but White afford to waste. Instead Black should has several roads to an advantage at this attempt 17...f6 18.ad1 xd4 19.xd4 juncture. Instead Black could consider the f6 with a passive but at least somewhat solid 9...Be7, and he is probably about playable position ] even. B1) 10.d4!? is also an attractive option 18.ad1 a5 [ 18...f6 is probably, once again, better than for White thanks to his lead in Black's 'active' plan for counterplay. ] d e v e l o p m e n t exd4 11.xd4 dxc4 12.xc4 c6 13.g5 ( 13.d1 c8 19.f5 c8 20.a3 f6?! [ Black takes a very passive approach, and 14.e4 e6 15.xe6+ fxe6 16.f3 wil l q u i ckl y b e ru n o ve r, a n d wh i le t h e is also very pleasant for White, though alternatives aren't exactly bringing a lot of n o t a s c o n vin ci n g a s t h e m a in lin e) h o p e t o t h e t a b l e , i t i s c e r t a i n l y wo r t h 13...e7 14.fd1 ( 14.xf6?! xf6 considering a more active continuation, e.g. 15.ad1 e7= ) 14...a5 15.xf6 xf6 20...g5 although W hite after 21.f2 f6 16.e4 e7 17.d6+ xd6 18.xd6 22.c5 dxc5 23.xc5 f7 24.f3 e5 19.ad1; 1201
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 again is smacking Black around ] 21.e3 g5?! This isn't exactly the move Black wa n t s t o p la y, b u t h e will f o rce d t o d o it sooner or later as W hite otherwise will play Rf 4 - h 4 f o ll o we d b y Q h 5 . 22.h4 e5?! I don't know what Black had in mind when he played this move, but he must have overlooked White's next move, which is just one of several really good moves for White. 23.d4 [ 23.g4!? f7 24.hxg5 fxg5 25.d5 f6 26.xg5+ g7 27.xe7+ xe7 28.h6 xg3 29.f4 xe4 30.f6 ] 23...a5 24.hxg5 fxg5 25.h5 d7 26.h3! 27 White prepares the move he plays on move d8 [ 26...f7 was relatively better, but obviously still losing. ] 27.f6! xf6 28.xf6 xf6 29.xf6!+[ Now it is completely curtains for Black. In the bulletin, which is quoted on Ch e s s B a s e's Me ga Ba se , t h ey m e n t io n 29.e5 g7! without an evaluation, as if it may save Black or at least improve his chances. However, with a f ew accurate moves, White still wins rather easily. 30.f3! xh3 31.exf6 a5 32.d5! xf1 33.xf1 cxd5 34.fxg7 xg7 35.f7+ h8 36.e1 , and game over ] 29...xf6 [ 29...xf6 30.xd7+- ] 30.xg5+ f7 31.xd6 h6 32.f4 xh3 [ 32...g7 33.e5+- ] 33.xd8 xd8 34.e5 1-0
Moscow RUS/[John Bartholomew] 2012 saw 12...c8?! (an unnecessarily mild reaction) 13.e3 f5 14.xf5 xf5 15.e4 d8 16.c5! and White obtained a nice advantage. ] [ 12...g5 still looks critical to me. See the notes to the above game. ] 13.e3 f5 Cooperatively allowing the knight exchange - again very much along the lines of Eljanov-Salgado Lopez. [ Houdini advocates the enterprising pawn sac 13...b5!? 14.xb5 cxb5 15.xb7 b8 16.g2 ( 16.c6?! a4 ) 16...d7 followed by putting a rook on d8. If W hite pu sh e s d 3 -d 4 t h e n B la ck' s kn igh t ge t s access t o t h e c4 squ a re wit h e xc e lle n t c o m p e n s a t i o n , i . e . 17.b2 bd8 ( a p p a r e n t l y a b i t b e t t e r t h a n 17...fd8 which can be met by 18.e4 , when f5 19.g2 xd3 20.xd3 xd3 21.xe5 h i t s t h e r o o k o n b 8) 18.d4 c4 . This is further evidence in support of the idea that Black may be better served in taking a more adventurous stance against the slightly artificial-looking 12.Nh4!? ] 14.xf5 xf5 15.b3+ h8 16.e4 g6 17.d1 f7 [ 17...h5!? ] 18.c2 c7 19.b2 Natural moves all around. W hite has a miniscule edge, and I think this is about the maximum he can expect out of 12.Nh4!? a5!? 20.d4 [ 20.b5!? looks more promising. ] 20...axb4 [ Black should seriously consider blocking out his opponent's light-square bishop with 20...f5 21.c5 e4 . ] 1209 A29 21.axb4 c4 22.dxe5 fxe5 23.c5 fd8 Vachier Lagrave,Maxime 2715 24.f1 xb2 25.xb2 d5 26.a1 xa1 Fedorchuk,Sergey 2635 27.xa1 f8 [ 27...b5= ] Schachbundesliga 2011-12 (15) 15.04.2012 28.g2 xc5 29.bxc5 f7 30.d2 xg2 [John Bartholomew] 31.xg2 Black has some minor problems to 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 s o l v e d u e t o h i s s l i g h t l y i n f e r i o r p a w n 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 s t r u c t u r e . e4 32.h4 h6 33.b2 f3+ 0-0 9.b4 e6 10.b1 f6 11.d3 d4 34.g1 f5!? [ 34...f7 is close to equality. ] 12.h4!? Eljanov's novel treatment of the xc5 36.g2 c3?? position. c6 As in the source game, Black 35.xb7 prefers a solid reply over a more forceful An unfortunate slip. [ 36...f5 holds the balance because refutation attempt. 37.xc6?? unexpectedly loses to c8! ] [ Eljanov, P (2690)-Salgado Lopez, I (2618)/ 1202
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 37.e7! g8 [ White is technically winning after 37...xd2 38.xf8+ h7 39.f5+ g8 40.e6+ f8 41.xc6+- . ] 38.e6+ h8 39.a2! c5 40.xe4 f6 41.d5 c8 42.c2 e7 43.c4 c7 44.g4 b6 45.g5 h5 46.f7 c6+ 47.f3 g6 48.e4 a6 49.g3 a1 50.f4 b2 [ The rook ending with 50...g7 51.xg7+ xg7 52.c4 was the last chance, though it's pretty bleak. ] 51.e8+ xe8 52.xe8+ h7 53.f7+ h8 54.f8+ h7 55.h6+ g8 56.xg6+ White easily forces the queens off. 12.Nh4!? isn't too dangerous, but the fact that another 2600+ Grandmaster succumbed to this 'artificial' move should put Black players on notice! 1-0
1210 Vallejo Pons,Francisco Gelfand,Boris It Pamplona ESP (1) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2519 2713 27.12.1999
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 A f t e r l o s i n g s o c o n vi n c i n g l y wi t h W h i t e against this move (se the archives) it is not surprising that Gelfand wants to try it himself! 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.b3 c5 8.d3 [ A sensible alternative to the more normal 8.0-0 although a transposition would normally be likely. ] 8...c6!? [ A new move is, fairly common, position. Normally Black precludes the possibility of Bg5 by 8...h6 although, even here White can play as in the game: 9.g4!? ( 9.0-0 0-0 would bring us to the Gelfand-Svidler game) 9...c6 10.h4 d6 11.g5 hxg5 12.xg5 b6 13.xb6 xb6 which seems fairly level, Azmaiparashvili,Z-Timman,J/ Oviedo 1993. ] 9.g4!? [ Well, these g4-moves are certainly all the rage in the English Opening these days! White will advance on the kingside while the centre is closed. A more positional approach would be 9.g5 , e.g. h6 10.xf6 xf6 11.e4 e7 12.xc5 xc5 when White
should be shade better after castling, and preparing d4. ] 9...d6 10.g5 g8! The knight is going to e7, a square with far more perspective than d7. 11.a4?! e7!? [ An interesting decision, Black is clearly happy with the following structural change, as instead he enjoyed the possibility of playing 11...a5+ when the grovelling 12.c3 seems wise, in view of ( 12.d2? xf2+ )] 12.xc5 dxc5 13.e4 Necessary, to control the f5-square. 0-0 14.c3 f5!? [ A r i s k y p a wn s a c , t h e s i m p l e 14...d6 seems fine. ] 15.h4!? [ I am not sure that Black has too much compensation after 15.xe5 d4 16.d1 ] 15...d4!? Black has decided to burn his bridges, and stakes everything on a sacrificial attack. 16.e3 f5! 17.g2! [ If instead 17.gxf6 then, xf6 18.f4 f5 19.xe5 xe5 20.fxe5 g3 21.g1 xe4 22.dxe4 with another 'IPC' and a likely draw. ] 17...e8 18.d2 [ 18.f1 is also possible, but f4! ( or 18...e6 19.xe5 ) 19.exd4 f3 20.h3 exd4 21.c2 xh3+ 22.xh3 e6 with real play for the piece. ] 18...f4?! [ I don't think that this is sound, simply 18...e6 must be strongest, and if 19.c3 d4 with a draw, but obviously Black wanted more. ] 19.exd4 f3 20.f1! [ 20.h3 weakens the light squares on the kingside. ] 20...exd4+ 21.d1 g4 22.b3 g6 23.a3 b6 24.c2 a5 25.g1 h5 26.e1 It seems that W hite has successfully consolidated his position, where is Black's c o m p e n s a t i o n n o w ? a4 27.b4 cxb4 28.xb4 xh4 29.g3 c5!? Black realises he is lost, and so aims to expose the white king, even at the cost of some more material. 30.d2 [ Keeping the queen close to the king, and the b-file closed, if 30.xb6? then Black can draw, and White may well have to suffer a little after h2! 31.xg4 xf2+ 32.d1 1203
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 ab8 ] 30...ae8 31.c1 h5 32.xe8 xe8 33.f4? [ White must still be ultra-careful. Instead 33.h3 g4 34.h1 should be better for him ] 33...h1 34.h3?? [ The decisive error, the only move was 34.h3! with t he point tha t af te r xf1 35.xh5 e1 say, 36.d2 a1 37.f5! should be a draw, for if g6 then 38.d5+ is awkward. ] 34...e2+ Now Black is winning! 35.d2 a1 36.b8+ e8 37.e6+ Desperation. xe6 38.xf3 xa2+ 39.d1 b1+ 40.c1 b3+ 41.d2 a2+ [ Forcing mate in a few moves, although 41...c3+ 42.d1 e1# was a quicker mate- time trouble, no doubt. ] 0-1
[ 13...xe4 doesn't solve anything, rather the contrary. 14.dxe4 xd1 15.xd1 fd8 16.e1 d4 17.xd4 xd4 18.e3 d6 19.ec1 c6 20.a4 ad8 21.h3 is very unpleasant for Black, Sunye NetoVan Riemsdijk, Brasilia 1982 ] 14.b5! xe4 15.dxe4 d4 16.xd4 exd4 17.e5! White opens up for his bishop and as a result, shatters Black's pawn structure further. xe5 18.xb7 b8 19.e4 White is clearly better at this stage, an evidence that Black's o p e n i n g e x p e r i m e n t f a i l e d g r i m l y . d5 20.d3 g6 21.h6 e8 22.fe1?! [ 22.c4!? c3 23.c6 g8 24.d2 is also decidedly unpleasant for Black. ] 22...d6 23.c4 c3 24.c6 ed8 25.g2 [ 25.f4 g7 26.e6 f8 27.g5 looks crushing, but d3! 28.xd8 xd8 affords Black some counterplay ] [ However, 25.d2!? g7 26.f4 f6 27.g4!? is a fascinating line and worth 1211 A29 consideration. ] Van Wely,Loek 2683 25...d3 26.f4 [ Here both 26.f4 f6 27.g5 ] Motylev,Alexander 2647 [ and 26.d2 can be considered. ] Corus A Wijk aan Zee NED (3) 21.02.2007 26...e2 27.e3 [Carsten Hansen] [ 27.xe5+ xe5 28.ad1 is another possibility, leaving W hite with the better 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 chances. ] 5.c3 b6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 e6 9.d3 f5?! This set-up is relatively rare at 27...d4 28.xd3 xa1 29.xd6 xd6 grandmaster level it was last seen back in the 30.xe2 a6 31.f4 axb5 32.xd6 cxd6 1980s. 10.b4 f6 11.e4!? If you flip the 33.d2 b6 34.xd6 b2 35.a4 bxa4 b o a r d a r o u n d , t h i s m o ve i s r a r e l y e ve n 36.d8+ g7 37.d7+ h8 38.xa4 considered in the regular Classical Dragon Despite W hite's best efforts, this endgame 39.c6 d4 V a r i a t i o n , b u t i n t h e E n g l i s h , t h i s should end in a draw. b4 counterpunch is much more common. 0-0 40.h4 c5 41.f7 d4 42.h3 g8 43.c7 d6 44.b5 xf2 45.c4+ h8 12.exf5 xf5 13.e4 [ 13.b3+!? h8 14.e4 g4 46.c8+ g7 47.c7+ h8 48.c8+ g7 ( Eliminating the strong knight on e4 with 49.g8+ h6 50.g4 e3 51.g5+ xg5 14...xe4 also leaves White with a better 52.hxg5+ xg5 53.g7 c6 game 15.dxe4 d6 16.b2; 14...a5!? ½-½ 15.b5 a4 16.c2 a7 17.c5 xe4 18.dxe4 e7 19.e3 d6 20.b1 e8 may be playable for Black) 15.b2 xf3 ( 15...a5 16.b5 ) 16.xf3 e7 17.g2 d4 18.xd4 xd4 19.ac1 c6 20.c5 fb8 21.e4 , and White is completely in control, Adorjan-Fedorowicz, New York 1981. ] 13...h8 1204
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 1212 A29 Van Wely,Loek 2622 Nyback,Tomi 2655 TOP 16 GpB Chalons en Champagne FRA (7) [Jonathan Rowson] 1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 Important not to forget this one. [ 6...e7 7.xe5! ] 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 [ 8...a5 prevents b4 but weakens the queenside. White typically continues with d3, Be3 and Bxb6 in that case. ] 9.b4 e6 10.b1 f6 11.d3 d4 [ 11...a5 12.b5 d4 13.d2 There is nothing wrong with this way of playing with Black, but personally I do not feel comfortable with the resulting structural changes. ( 13.xd4 exd4 14.e4 a4 and b5, a3 and e2 are at least as weak as d 4 , c 7 a n d b 7 .) 13...c8 ( 13...d5? i s a w e l l k n o w n o p e n i n g t r a p . 14.xd5! xd5 15.e3 and White wins a piece with e4 after ne6 or nf5.; 13...d5!? playable but I always felt this was somewhat artificial. 14.xd5 xd5 15.b2 a4 and the position is unclear- too much so for my liking, and I would feel a bit insecure as Black without my light squared bishop- although that has more to do with my needs than those of the position. ) 14.e3 f5 and now the game continues, with a pertinent example being 15.c2 ( 15.a4 ) 15...d8 16.b2 h6!?N ( 16...d6!? /\Nf7 ) 17.fd1 ( 17.bc1 h3!? remains approximately equal.) 17...f7 18.bc1 f8 19.h4? ( 19.e2!? ) 19...h3 and Black was already a bit better in Van Wely, L-Tiviakov, S Hilversum 2006 ] [ 11...a6!? is plausible, but somewhat passive. 12.e4! a2 13.b2 d5 14.c5 b8 15.e4 f7 16.e3 d7 17.c2 ( 17.b3!? ) 17...xc5 18.bxc5 d7 19.fb1 and White had the initiative in Gulko, B-Seirawan, Y USA 1989 ] 12.d2 c6 13.e3 b5?! This has been played before, and has a respectable re p u t a t i o n , b u t I wo n d e r if i t m i gh t b e a mistake after all. It is certainly strategically risky because it gives White a central pawn majority.
[ 13...f5 keeps more tension in the position, but White has the more flexible position after 14.e2 which is not to say he is really better, but as a little thought experiment, imagine colours were reversed and it would look like a very successful Sicilian. ( 14.b3 )] 14.xb5 cxb5 15.b3 a4 16.b2 d5 [ 16...xb2 Simplest. 17.xb2 b6 A) 18.a5 ab8 temporarily passive given time Black will play Rfd8-d7 and Rbd8 19.d4 fd8 20.e2 exd4 21.exd4 f8 22.xb7 xd4 and Black is at least ok. ( 22...c4 23.xd8 xe2 24.d5+ h8 25.f7+ g8 26.xe2!? ); B) 18.d4 ad8 ( 18...c4 19.dxe5!? fd8! ) 19.c5 c4 20.e1 xc5 21.bxc5 a5 and Black appears to be fine. ] [ 16...d7!? Perhaps getting a rook to the cfile is more important than challenging the bishop on g2. 17.a1 fc8 18.c1 xc1 19.xc1 a5 gives counterplay. ] 17.a1 A novelty, and possibly quite an important one. [ 17.e4!? f7 18.d4 c8 19.d5 ( 19.a1 c3 20.xc3 xc3 ) 19...d7 20.e2 d8 21.a1 b6 22.bc1 a6 was a strategically risky approach f rom Black, but seemed to work out in Vallejo Pons, F-Ponomariov, R Linares 2002 ] 17...xg2 18.xg2 c8 [ 18...b6!? helps to generate counterplay with a5, but is a little scary because it takes away the main retreat square of the knight on a4. 19.e4!? a5 20.bxa5 bxa5 21.d4 looks a bit better for White. ] [ 18...f5!? 19.f3 ( 19.xe5 d5+ )] 19.f3 d7 20.d4! White has won the strategic battle. c3 [ 20...d6 was probably better. ] 21.xc3 xc3 22.fd1 exd4 [ 22...e6!? ] 23.xd4 f5 24.e2 d3 25.f4 xd1 [ 25...d6 looks slightly more tenacious, but White is still much better. 26.xd6 xd6 27.d5+ h8 28.c1 ] 26.xd1 c6 27.xc6 bxc6 28.d7 S u p e r s m o o t h p l a y f r o m V a n W e l y . e8 29.xa7 c5 30.b7 c4 31.xb5 a8 32.d5 f8 33.a5 c8 34.c3 g6 35.b5
1205
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 g7 36.a2 b8 37.a4 c3 38.a6 1-0
1213 Van Wely,Loek Salov,Valery Hoogovens Wijk (1) [Tony Kosten]
A29 2605 2680 1998
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 b4 5.d5 A favourite of Lautier's, White avoids any lines with doubled c-pawn complexes. c5 The position is similar to 4...Bc5 lines, except that the white knight is on d5, not c3. 6.g2 d6 7.0-0 0-0 8.d3 h6 To stop Bg5. 9.e3 White aims for a flexible development, and avoids committing his central pawns too soon. a6 The black dark-squared bishop will need an escape square on a7 pretty soon, to avoid W hite playing a3, and b4, but it is a matter of taste whether to play this move, [ 9...a5 which restrains White's queenside expansion, but weakens b5. 10.b3 a7 11.c3 Otherwise, Black might play 11... Nxd 5 1 2 c xd 5 Ne 7 wit h go o d p la y. e6 12.b2 keeping e5 under surveillance, thereby stopping ...d5. c8 13.a3 e8 14.c1 g4 Black's disadvantage is minimal, Hansen, C-Gabriel,C/Porz GER 1999. ] 10.a3 a7 11.b4 In view of what follows, p e rh a p s h e re is a g o o d p la ce t o f in d a n alternative for W hite. xd5 A typical ploy, Black rids himself of the annoying d5-knight. 12.cxd5 e7 13.d2 f5 And, having exchanged his f 6-knight, Black is f ree to ad va n ce on th e kingsid e . 14.c4 f4!? A s t r o n g p o s i t i o n a l e xc h a n g e s a c r i f i c e , levering o pen the wh ite king's def ences. 15.exf4 exf4 16.xf4 xf4! 17.gxf4 g6 the point, ...Nxf4, and ...Qg5 is the threat. 18.f3 f6 19.ae1 White's dark squares are sensitive, but he does have extra material, and a lead in development. d7 20.e6!? A n in t e re s t i n g p ra ct i ca l d e cis io n , W h it e returns material to free his position. xe6 21.dxe6 b8 b7 had to be defended. 22.e3 xf4 Black finally gets to capture the pawn on f4. 23.g4 d4 24.e1 White is banking on his p asse d e-pawn . d5 Firmly closing the h1-a8 diagonal. 25.e3 c6 26.f5 xf2+!?
A tempting combination, but [ 26...c3 hitting the rook, is strong. ] 27.xf2 xf2+ 28.xf2 xd3+ 29.e2 xe1 30.xe1 The dust has cleared, and Black has gained a rook and two pawns for his two pieces, but the e6-pawn may prove a problem. e8 31.d4 g6 32.h3 g7 33.b3 Coming to the strong square c5 to menace the black queenside. e7 34.c5 g5 35.d7 An important move, keeping the black king away from the e-pawn. h5 36.f5 g4 37.f2 h6 Threatening ...Kg5, winning t h e e - p a w n . 38.h4 The o nly mo ve . d4?? A time-trouble blunder, I suppose, [ 38...gxh3 kept some chances. ] 39.c5?? White returns the compliment, [ 39.f6 won easily, the threat is Ng8, and if g7 then 40.xh5+ f8 41.xg4 ] 39...g7 40.e4 Trapping the king from a different square. e8 41.e2 f8 42.g3 f6 43.d3 e5 Black has managed to escape from the cage. 44.e7! White sensibly forces a draw. e8 45.xh5 xe7 And not [ 45...xf5?? 46.g7+ f6 47.xe8+ winning. ] 46.xg4 c7 47.d2 White's knight is awkwardly placed, but there is no fear of it being lost. c5 48.bxc5 xc5 49.a4 c3 50.d7 b6 51.g4 a3 52.d7 White does some problems to solve, but once he gets his pieces co-ordinated he should have no real trouble. d6 53.e8 h3 Picking-up the hpawn, but allowing the knight back into the game. 54.f4 xh4 55.d3 h2+ 56.c1 d5 57.f7+ e4 58.g6+ e3 Black's pieces are as well-paced as possible, but it is not enough. 59.b4 h6 60.c2+ f4 61.d3 a5 62.xd4 [ 62.xd4 as e3 63.f5+ xd3 64.xh6 is drawn. ] ½-½
1214 Van Wely,Loek Tiviakov,Sergei Corus A Wijk aan Zee NED (6) [Carsten Hansen]
A29 2683 2667 21.02.2007
1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.c3 b6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 1206
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 9.b4 e6 10.b1 f6 11.d3 d4 12.e3 [ 12.e1!? d5 13.b2 xc3 14.xc3 c6?! ( 14...b5 15.b2 c6 16.a4 c7 has been suggested as an improvement by Stohl ) 15.a4 Kortschnoi-Stohl, Tilburg 1993 ] 12...xf3+ [ White seems to get an edge after 12...c5 13.e4 xf3+ 14.xf3 cxb4 15.c5! xc5 ( or 15...d5 16.xd5+ xd5 17.axb4 ) 16.xc5 f7 17.xb6!? axb6 ( 17...xb6 18.xb4 a6 19.a4 ) 18.axb4 Seirawan, Y-Gurevich,M, Biel izt 1993 ] 13.xf3 c6 14.c2 This is van Wely's new move, but as Tiviakov quickly demonstrates, it doesn't offer W hite any hopes of a lasting advantage. Previous tries have included: a) [ 14.e4 A) or 14...d5 15.a4 f5?! ( 15...d7 is probably a better choice - Curt Hansen) 16.d2 d7?! ( 16...f6!? 17.a5 c8 ) 17.xd5+! cxd5 18.b3 Serper-Tiviakov, Kherson 1991; B) 14...d5 15.d2 b6 ( 15...f5 16.c5 ) 16.a4 ( 16.c2 Ribli d7 17.fc1 fc8 ) 16...d7 17.fc1 fc8 18.c3 b5= Schwartzman-Tiviakov, Wijk aan Zee 1995 ] [ b) 14.c5 d5 15.xd5 cxd5 16.b3 e8 17.fc1 d7 18.b5 xc5 19.xc5 ac8 20.bc1 e4 21.dxe4 xc5 22.xc5 dxe4 23.g4 xb3 24.xd7 e7 25.g4 b6 with an even endgame, Timman-Bareev, Ubeda 1997. ] 14...f7!? 15.c5 d5 16.e4 b6! 17.xe7 xe7 18.fd1 c8 19.e3 f5 20.bc1 d7 21.e2 e7 22.c3 and a draw was agreed upon. White never got close to obtaining any kind of advantage. ½-½
1215 Van Wely,Loek Tiviakov,Sergei ch-NED Hilversum NED (9) [John Watson]
b e gin n i n g t o lo o k li ke B la ck h a s n o re a l problems here, especially with White's queen on c2. 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f6 3.g2 d5 4.cxd5 xd5 5.c3 b6 6.f3 c6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 9.b4 e6 10.b1 f6 11.d3 a5 W e sa w 1 1 . . . Q e 8 i n K o st e n - J e a n i n t h e August Update (in which this game was meant to be included). 11...a5 is more critical and arguably the most important move for the assessment of the overall variation. 12.b5 d4 13.d2 c8 14.e3 f5 15.c2 [ B a r e e v p l a y e d 15.e2 twice here, as described in earlier columns. ] 15...d8 16.b2 h6!? A strange idea. Black is transferring his knight to f7, but you'd think that [ 16...d6 (preventing Nc4) would be a more efficient way to implement the manoeuvre. ] 17.fd1!? [ Black is also okay after 17.fc1 f7 ( 17...h3 ) 18.e2 d6!? ( 18...f5 19.e4 d7! ) 19.e4 f8! , with the idea 20.xc7 a4! ] 17...f7 18.bc1 f8 19.h4? With the point of stopping ...Ng5 (apparently), but this is too slow. Better was [ 19.e2! , intending the key move d4. ] 19...h3!? 20.h1 g4 21.e1 [ 21.f3 f5 22.de4 ] 21...f5! 22.ce4? [ 22.de4 d7 23.ed1 g4 24.f3 e6 ] 22...d7 Hitting d3 and b5 Black has a substantial advantage at this point. 23.xc7 a4! [ Or 23...xb5 24.b1 a4 25.c1 xd3 with a clear advantage. ] 24.a1 xa3 25.c4 [ 25.xd7 xd7 26.cd1 xd3 ] 25...xb5 Black is simply winning. 26.b1 b4 27.bc3 d7 28.b1 xc3 29.xc3 xd3 30.bxb4 axb4 31.xb4 ac8 32.e7 d7 The queen is trapped. 0-1
A29 2655 2669 27.06.2006
Once again, two top players test the new 'm a in li n e ' o f t h e R e ve r se d D r a g o n . I t ' s 1207
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 1216 Vitiugov,Nikita Grischuk,Alexander 62nd ch-RUS Moscow RUS (2) [Nigel Davies]
A29 1217 2694 Williams,Simon Kim 2736 Van Kampen,Robin 21.12.2009 London Classic op 4th (9) [Gormally/Kosten]
A b o ri n g lin e ge t s e ve n d u ll e r h e r e wit h Grischuk's 15...Qb4 leaving White with very little. It's not easy to break this 4...Nd4 move down. 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d4 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.b3 c5 8.d3 0-0 [ M o r e n o n c h a l a n t t h a n t h e 8...c6 of Gelfand-Vachier Lagrave. But in either case it's difficult for White to get much. ] 9.g5 h6 10.xf6 xf6 11.e4 b6 12.xc5 xc5 13.c3 [ 13.0-0 d6 14.e3 a5 15.fd1 was Maslak, K (2548) -Vysochin, S (2518), Peterhof 2007 and now b4 would have been a super solid way to play it. ] 13...a5 14.0-0 d6 15.fd1 b4 A new move after which the position just looks equal. [ Black had to struggle harder for the half point in 1/2-1/2 Timman, J (2540)-Portisch, L (2645), Nice 1974, the game going 15...b8 16.b3 a3 17.d4 exd4 18.xd4 e6 19.c1 xc1+ 20.xc1 fd8 21.e3 c5 22.d2 f8 23.a4 e7 24.d5 a8 25.c3 d7 26.f4 d8 27.f2 c7 28.f3 e8 29.g4 with White still pressing. ] 16.ac1 xc3 17.xc3 c6 18.d4 e8 19.e3 f8 20.f1 e6 21.d5 h3+ 22.g2 xg2+ 23.xg2 c5 24.b3 eb8 25.a4 [ After 25.b6 Black plays a6 . ] 25...e4 26.h4 g6 27.b6 a6 28.b5 b6 29.g4 g5 30.hxg5 hxg5 31.h1 g7 32.b3 a7 33.h5 f6 34.c3 g6 35.c1 h7 36.xh7 xh7 37.f3 exf3+ 38.xf3 g6 39.e4 h8 40.g3 e8 41.f3 h8 ½-½
A29 2515 2570 09.12.2012
1.c4 e5 2.c3 c6 3.f3 f6 4.g3 d4 5.g2 xf3+ 6.xf3 b4 7.b3 c5 8.d3 In a critical game played in the last round of the London Classic open, the Dutch player Robin Van Kampen played the sedate 0-0 No doubt expecting some kind of sedate reply in return. However he was facing the Ginger Gm himself, Simon Williams. Simon took this as a red rag would to a bull and responded with the ultra-aggressive [ 8...h6 A typical idea as we have already seen, Black prevents any ideas of Bg5. 9.0-0 0-0 10.d2 e8 11.ac1 b8 ( 11...c6 12.a4 f8 13.c5!? Is a trifle annoying for Black- he must exchange a central pawn for a wing pawn if he wants to complete his development. Nevertheless after d5 14.cxd6 xd6 15.e3 e7 Black shouldn't have any real problems.) 12.a4 d6 13.b4 d4 14.e3 xc3 15.xc3 h3 16.g2 xg2 17.xg2 d7 18.xd7 xd7 19.e4 Simple chess as ever by Aronian, and although this ending is surely holdable for Black, he was able to grind out a win by displaying impeccable technique in the game Aronian, L (2773)Istratescu, A (2624) Novi Sad 2009 ] 9.g4!? First played by David Howell. However I'm not convinced this approach will really catch on, as judging by the course of the ga m e , it lo o ks a s if B l a ck h a s s u f f i c ie n t defensive resources. c6 This may be best, Black will play his knight to c7 and then ...d5 in one go. [ 9...d6 10.g5 d7 11.h4 is Howell, DGordon, S, in the PGN Archive. ] 10.g5 e8 11.d2 [ 11.h4 White might as well play this i m m e d i a t e l y , c7 12.e3!? ( 12.d2 transposes to the mainline.) 12...d4 13.d2 ( 13.0-0-0!? ) 13...d5! 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.xd5 e6 16.e4 f5 and Black had good prospects in the game Fridman, D (2648)-Gordon, S (2527)/Legnica 2013. ] 11...c7 12.h4 e6 1208
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 12...d5! might be possible here, too, 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.xd5 ( 14.xd5 xd5 15.xd5 b6 ) 14...e6 15.c1 b6 16.e4 c8 with great compensation - castling kingside will always be a risky enterprise for White. ] 13.e3 f5! An excellent move, grabbing some important central squares. 14.0-0-0 [ Sadly for White he cannot countenance taking this pawn, as after 14.gxf6 xf6 15.h3 f5 Black wins material 16.g3 xd3 17.e4 d6 ] 14...d6 15.a4 b6 16.c5?! This pawn sac does not work out very well. [ 16.b1 c7 17.g2 with everything to play for. ] 16...xc5 17.xc5 dxc5 18.c3 c7 19.h5 b5! 20.h6 g6 White's kingside attack had ground to a halt. Later on Black took over the initiative with moves like ..b5 and ...a5, resulting in a painful loss for Si. 21.h4 a5 22.a4 c4 23.dxc4 b4 24.e1 xg5 25.e2 e6 26.f4 e4 27.fxe5 xe5 W hite's bishops look rather sad. 28.d3?! But W hite was lost anyway. c5 29.d6 xe3+ 30.d2 b3+ 31.b1 xe2 32.g5 a7 [ 32...f4! threatens a nasty mate, e.g. 33.hh1 f5+ 34.a2 xc4 and ...Nc1+. ] 33.d3 d7 34.xd7 xd7 35.xd7 e1+ 36.a2 c1+ 37.xc1 xc1 Incidentally, despite being very well placed going into the last round, by losing this game W hite went home with zero prize money. Rather harsh don't you think? But this is the reality of chess these days. Unless you are ranked in the top twenty in the world, or have a good run in a big money tournament like the world cup, the reality is you are going to struggle to make money by being a chess pro. This is why so many struggling and desperate grandmasters like myself are turning to writing to try to scrape together a living, or even worse, chess coaching... 0-1
1218 Yakovich,Yuri Demianjuk,Alexander Polyarniy Krug (5) [John Watson]
A29 2576 2345 03.12.2006
1.c4 e5 2.c3 f6 3.f3 c6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 xd5 6.g2 b6 7.0-0 e7 8.a3 0-0 9.b4 e6 10.b1 f6 11.d3 d4 [ The main line has been 11...a5 12.b5 d4 , but the immediate ....Nd4 avoids potential weaknesses that arise from ...a5. The move is o k a y, b u t I t h in k t h a t 1 1 . . . a 5 f o r c e s White into a narrower set of options. ] 12.d2 [ 12.xd4 exd4 13.e4 d5 14.b2 f5 15.d2 f6 16.xd5+ xd5 17.c1 c6! was featured in Soza, J-Muzyka, Y/ICCF Champions League 2004 on ChessPub and seemed fine for black. ] 12...c6 [ 12...d5 13.b2 A) 13...a5!? 14.bxa5 xa5 15.c4 a7 16.a4 b6 ( 16...xc3 17.xc3 d5 ) 17.e3 xc3 18.xc3 f5 19.a5! was slightly better for White in Bauer, CSokolov, A/Chartres FRA 2005; B) 13...c6 14.xd5 xd5 15.xd5+ xd5 16.xd4 xd4 17.a4 f5?! ( 17...a6 ) 18.b5 c5 Kramnik, V-Tiviakov, S/Singapore 1990, and here I suggested 19.b3+ h8 20.e6 , which is awkward for Black. ] 13.de4 [ Bareev, E-Topalov, V/Dortmund GER 2002/ went 13.b2 f7 14.e3 f5 15.c2 f8 16.fd1 d5 17.c4 b5!? with complications that ended in equality. ] 13...f7 The standard idea, swinging the rook to the centre. [ 13...g4 14.e3 d7 15.d2 h8 16.h3 h5 17.f4 with unclear play, Georgiev, K-Kharlov, A/Niksic 1996. ] 14.e3 b5 15.xb5 cxb5 16.b2 a4 17.a1 f5!? [ 17...a5! is simple and advantageous, in view of 18.bxa5 xa5 ] 18.c5! xc5?! This all looks reasonable for Black, who has seized the initiative, but now he plays inaccurately. [ 18...xc5! 19.bxc5 xc5 20.xb5 xd3 1209
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 21.xb7 d7! 22.xa8 xb5 with a small advantage due to the well placed knight. ] 19.bxc5 d7? A tactical error. Better is [ 19...a6 with the idea 20.xb7?! ( 20.xe5 xc5 21.a4 ) 20...a7 21.g2 xc5= ] 20.xe5 d5 [ 20...xc5? 21.d4 and d5 wins material after d6 22.d5 xe5 23.dxe6 xe6 24.d5 ] 21.d4 xg2 22.xg2 a6 23.f3 It's not just White's pawn, it's his centre. d8 24.a4 d5 25.xd5 xd5 26.f4! Black resigns: The finish could be [ 26.axb5 xc5 27.bxa6 bxa6 28.fc1 is also good. ] 26...bxa4 27.xb7 d8 28.a1 and pawns fall, whereas c6-c7 is also threatened. 1-0
1219 Zhigalko,Andrey Ipatov,Alexander ETCC (Open) Warsaw POL (4.22) [Fier, Alexandr]
A29 2619 2630 11.11.2013
Ipatov tries an unusual move order, playing 6...0-0 instead of the normal 6...h6. Maybe the way to try to punish it is to play 7.Bg5, but is this really a problem? It will be similar to the ...g6 lines where using 3 moves to bring the bishop to f6 is not ideal, of course, but it is not the end of the world. Af terwards it transposed to a more common line. I don't like 11...Ne7, as it looks like Black is spending a lot of time travelling with the knight, and for W hite I would propose 16.a5!? 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.g3 b4 5.d5 c5 6.d3 0-0!? [ 6...xd5 is also playable, and used by the ex-world champion 7.cxd5 d4 Hansen, C (2610)-Anand, V (2753)/Middelfart SIS-MH Masters rapid 2003. ] [ 6...h6 is more common 7.g2 d6 8.0-0 0-0 9.e3 was analysed in Van Wely, L (2605)-Salov, V (2680)/Hoogovens, W ijk aan Zee NED 1998. ] 7.g2 [ 7.g5 e7 8.xf6 xf6 9.g2 is not so problematic for Black, but still it looks like a King's Indian setup with some
wasted moves ] 7...xd5 8.cxd5 d4 9.d2 d6 10.e3 f5 11.c4 e7 For me this idea is a bit slow, and the knight is not so good on e7. Black can try a queenside expansion instead. [ 11...a5 would be my personal preference and it was played twice before: 12.d2 a4 13.b4 ( 13.0-0 b5 14.a5 e7 and Black is fine.) 13...axb3 ( 13...a7 14.a5 e8 15.0-0 e7 Makarichev, S (2500)-Meduna, E (2405)/Frunze 1979.) 14.axb3 xa1 15.xa1 b5 16.a5 e7 17.0-0 Ivanchuk, V (2751)-Anand, V (2799)/ Amber rapid 17th 2008. ] 12.0-0 [ 12.a3 is less to the point, b5 ( 12...a5 13.d2 a4 is also possible, with equal chances ) 13.d4 exd4 14.exd4 b6 15.xb6 axb6 16.0-0 b4 exchanging the bpawn, Black's position is quite acceptable, Levin, E (2488)-Pacher, M (2361)/EU-ch U18 18th 2008. ] 12...f5 [ 12...b5 makes less sense now: 13.d4 exd4 14.exd4 b6 15.xb6 axb6 16.e1 and White is better. ] 13.d4 exd4 14.exd4 b6 15.a4 W hite already has some advantage, Black needs to move the queenside to save the bishop and White can take advantage of this. c6 16.dxc6 [ 16.a5!? was more precise, and now Black is under pressure A) 16...c7 17.e3 ( 17.a6 looks good, but Black can hold the position in a strange way cxd5 18.axb7 b8 19.e3 e4 20.f3 f5 ) 17...d7 18.b4 with pressure on the queenside.; B) 16...cxd5 17.axb6 dxc4 18.xb7 wins material. Still the position is not so clear, but White has good chances to get some advantage ( 18.bxa7 its not clear that the pawn on a7 is weak or strong d5 19.e1 c6 20.b3 c3 21.f3 e4 22.xc3 xg2 23.xg2 ) 18...xb6 ( 18...b8 does not gives enough for the queen 19.bxa7 xb7 20.a8 xa8 21.xa8 xa8 22.e1 ) 19.xa8 xa8 20.f3 d5 21.a3 c6 22.c5 with a slight advantage for White. ] 16...xc6 17.f4 1210
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 17.a5 makes less sense, just exchanging pieces xa5 18.xa5 xa5 19.xb7 b8= ] 17...d5 18.d6 With several pawns hanging it's hard to evaluate quite what is happening. It's still hard f or Black to take on d4 in a proper way, so it seems W hite is slightly better here, too. e6?! [ 18...d7 is better, since it's not such a bad deal to exchange the strong knight on d6 for t h e b i s h o p o n f 5 , 19.xf5 ( 19.a5 just exchanges one pawn xa5 20.xd5 c6= ) 19...xf5 20.b4!? defending the pawn indirectly f6 ( 20...xd4 21.b5 xa1 22.bxc6 bxc6 23.xa1 should be good for White.; 20...xb4 doesn't work at all 21.a5 d8 22.d6+- ) 21.e3! ( 21.xd5 will hardly bring any advantage for White, fd8 22.xc6 xc6 23.c1 d5 and the block is enough for equality) 21...a5 22.b5 b4 ( 22...xd4 23.a2 is annoying ad8 24.d2 f5 25.xb6 xb6 26.xd5 with a good advantage.) 23.c1 with some advantage, but Black does not have many problems either. ] 19.xb7 Now White has a stable edge and the initiative. e7 20.c5 xd4 21.b4! c6 Giving material, but the position is already not so easy. [ 21...f5 22.xe6 fxe6 23.e1 ad8 24.a2 and Black has problems with the e6pawn. ] [ 21...xc5 22.bxc5 f5 ( 22...xc5? 23.e3+- ) 23.c1 is almost winning. ] 22.xe6 fxe6 23.a5 c7 24.c1! And W hite wins material, Black's center is shaking because of the king on the a2-g8 diagonal. xf4 The best chance, but White is just an exchange up. [ 24...xf4 loses to 25.xc6 d6 ( 25...h6 26.xe6+-; 25...d7 26.xe6 ad8 27.h3 b8 28.h6 e7 29.e6+ h8 30.xh7+ xh7 31.h5# ) 26.xd5! ad8 27.e1 f6 28.b5 with a healthy pawn up and the better pieces. ] 25.gxf4 xb4 26.f5 xa5 27.e1 b6 [ 27...f8 was another try but it's refuted in a beautiful way: 28.a4 b6 29.xe6 g5 30.c8! xf2+ 31.h1 and it's just over. ] 28.xe6 g5 29.b1 c8 [ 29...xf2+ 30.h1! ( 30.xf2 xf5+
31.g1 xe6 32.xb4 d8 is not so clear. ) 30...c8 31.e2 c5 32.xd5++- ] 30.e1 h5 31.e8+ h7 32.xc8 d3 33.e6 1-0
1220 Anand,Viswanathan Gomez Esteban,Juan Mario Country vs. World Rapid rapid (2) [Tony Kosten]
A30 2764 2463 01.05.2003
Life is simpler when your opponent falls into a known trap! 1.f3 f6 2.c4 c5 3.g3 b6 4.g2 b7 5.0-0 g6 Is the DoubleFian ch et t o go in g t o ma ke a co me -b ac k ? 6.c3 g7 7.d4 cxd4 8.xd4 d6 9.d1 bd7 10.e3 c8 11.b3 0-0 12.h4 a6 13.ac1 White has brought all his pieces to good squares. c7 A nice move which frees the eighth rank so that the black queen can come to a8 to augment the pressure along the h1-a8 diagonal. W e have previously considered [ 13...e8 14.g4!? ( although here 14.h3!? could be similar to the game, Fancsy,ID u d a s , J / B u d a p e s t / 1 9 9 4) 14...b5! Filippov,V-Nikolic,P/Neum BIH 2000. ] 14.h3! This looks odd, but is well-founded, White moves his bishop off the same diagonal as the black queen's bishop, thus avoiding a possible exchange. [ 14.g4 h6! 15.h3 g5 16.g3 b5 was nice for Black in Kramnik,V-Karpov,A/ Dos Hermanas/1999. ] 14...a8? Black continues his plan, but misses the disguised threat. [ 14...b8?! i s s l i g h t l y b e t t e r , 15.h6! ( 15.xd7? xd7 16.xb6? xf3 wins ) 15...xf3 16.xg7 xg7 17.exf3 e5 18.g2 b5 19.cxb5 axb5 20.b4! gave Black later problems with his b-pawn, Topalov,V-Psakhis,L/Las Vegas 1999. ] [ 14...e8 m a y b e b e s t , 15.h6 c5!? 16.g5 b5 17.d5 xd5 18.cxd5 xc1 19.xc1 xh6 20.xh6 f8 defending against the threats to h7, Arsovic,Z-Almasi, Z/Budapest/1991. ] 15.xd7! The point, White had previously missed this tactic: 1211
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 [ 15.d2?! e8 16.g4 b5 17.g5 with some advantage, anyway, Yeke,SHarmon,C/Budapest HUN 2003. ] 15...xd7 [ 15...xd7 16.xe7 is even worse, and ] [ 15...xf3 16.h3 b7 17.xb6 just wins a pawn for nothing. ] 16.a4 This is the unpleasant reason for White's previous moves, he wins the important b-pawn. xf3?! I think that Black should at least hang-on to this piece, [ 16...b8 17.xb6 c7 18.d4 is obviously good for White, who has a solid extra pawn, but Black might have some practical chances. ] 17.xb6 b7 18.exf3!? The pragmatic move, Anand wants to avoid any counterplay after [ 18.xd7 xd7 ( 18...h1 19.f3 wins ) 19.exf3 e5 20.h3 xf3+ 21.f1 although this should be winning - White has an exchange more. ] 18...c7 19.d5 xd5 20.xd5 So, White is a pawn up, and Black has no real compensation, now Anand's technique takes over. d8 21.g2 f6 22.f4 cd7 23.cd1 g7 24.h4! f8 25.h5 White still has a space advantage, so he can attack on either wing, but before advancing his queenside pawns he decides to soften-up the b l a c k k in g s i d e . e6 This weakens the dark s qu a re s , b u t h e h a d t o f in d co u n t e rp la y somewhere. 26.5d3 d5 27.hxg6 [ 27.d4! dxc4 28.f6 is also sufficient, xd4 29.xd4 xd4 30.xd4 wins easily. ] 27...hxg6? [ 27...fxg6 may be ugly, but is the only way to stop a disaster on the h-file. ] 28.h1 g7 29.h4 It is as easy as ABC! d4? [ 29...f6 held-on a little longer. ] 30.g5 There is no sensible defence to Bf6 and Qh8+! so Black resigned. 1-0
1221 Anand,Viswanathan Vallejo Pons,Francisco XXII SuperGM (12) [John Watson]
A30 2786 2686 08.03.2005
This game occurred at an important time in this Super-tournament. Anand was trying to finish his comeback after a poor start. White has a hard time cracking this form of Hedgehog but with correct play Black has to sit around hoping that White won't be able to b r e a k t h r o u g h in a n e n d in g . No t f o r t h e average player. 1.f3 c5 2.c4 f6 3.g3 b6 4.g2 b7 5.0-0 e6 6.c3 e7 7.d4 cxd4 8.xd4 c6 9.f4 b8 At one time this was considered weaker than the Hedgehog with ...d6 and ...Nbd7 because W hite now gains a bind on d6. Black tries to prove that this doesn't mean much. 10.xb8+ [ 10.b5 d6 is useless, but ] [ 10.d1 ] [ and 10.e4 have been played. The latter probably exposes to e-pawn too early and allows Black quick counterplay. ] 10...xb8 11.f4 c8 12.b5 e4 13.fd1 a6 14.d6+ [ 14.c7+?! d8 15.d4 xd4 16.xd4 f6! intending 17.xe4 xe4 18.xe4 e5 ] 14...xd6 15.xd6 xd6 16.xd6 e7 17.ad1 c7 The key position. Anand demonstrates that W hite can keep a small ad va nt a ge , a lt ho u gh it isn 't mu ch . A b ig question is why Black wants to suffer without counterchances. 18.b3 f6 19.e1 b8 20.c2 c8 21.f4 d8 Preparing ...Nf7, although that may not be of much use. [ Black can also play the consistent move 21...b5 , f or example, 22.c5!? ( 22.cxb5 axb5 and ...b4 equalises; 22.e3 bxc4 23.xc6 b6 24.xc4 bxc6 25.e4 b7 26.6d2 ) 22...b4 23.xc6 xc6 24.xc6 dxc6 25.d6 d7 26.d4 c8 27.e4 ] 22.e4 f7 23.6d2 b7 24.a4!? [ 24.e3 g6 ( 24...d6 25.a4 prepares f5.) 25.h4 ] 24...a5!? Tantamount to a draw offer, since now Black has no positive plan. The challenge f o r A n a n d i s t o m a k e p r o g r e s s . 25.h4 Grabbing space is always useful. d8 26.f2 c5 27.d4 a8 28.e3 b7 29.f3 a8 1212
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 30.f5? A very strange move that concedes the e5 square and further locks in W hite's bad bishop. Obviously Anand's idea was tactical but perhaps he underestimated Black's next move. I think White can still progress slowly by [ 30.g4 A) 30...g6 31.g5!? ( or 31.b5 c6 32.c3 d6 33.g5 ); B) 30...c6 31.g5 with hopes of making progress while maintaining the pressure. ] 30...e5! [ 30...e5?? 31.xe6 ] 31.g4 d6 Now Black has all the keys squares and W hite can't defend e4. 32.fxe6 dxe6?! [ 32...xe4! keeps the initiative: 33.f5+! xf5 34.xd7+ xd7 35.xd7+ xe6 36.a7 may be best, but it allows xf3+! 37.xf3 c6 ] 33.b5! f7 34.xd8 xd8 35.a7?! [ 35.d6 ] 35...b7 36.b1 d7 37.b4? This seem to be a case trying too hard to win. Anand may not have wanted to defend against e-pawn threats, but this exposes everything. Instead, [ 37.b5 was the safest move. ] 37...axb4 38.xb4 a5! 39.b5 c6 Black has a very large advantage in view of White's weak pawns and bad bishop. Anand m a n a g e s t o e s ca p e b u t sh o u ld n 't h a ve . Nevertheless, one can see that the whole plan with ...Qb8 doesn't free one from a lengthy defence. 40.b1 e5 41.e2 xa4 42.c3 a3 [ Or 42...xc4+! , since Black is winning after 43.xc4 ( 43.f2 a3! ) 43...xc4 44.d3 c6 ] 43.d2 c6 44.g5! At least this generates some counterplay. a6! Not near enough if Black plays accurately. 45.gxf6 gxf6 46.f1 xc4+ 47.xc4 xc4 48.xf6 b5 49.d5!? xd5 [ or 49...d6 ] 50.exd5+ xd5 51.f7 h5 52.h7 e5 53.xh5 d4 54.h8 a2+ 55.d1 h2 [ 55...e4 56.h5 h2 ] 56.h5 b4 57.h6 d3 58.c1 c3 59.c8+ b3 60.h8 c3 61.c8+ b3 62.h8 e4 63.d1 b2 64.e1 b3 65.h7 e3 66.d1 b1?? After near-perfect play, Vallejo Pons falls asleep and blunders. Black had a
relatively easy win by [ 66...d2+ 67.e1 d7 , for example, 68.e2 ( 68.e8 xh7 69.xe3 a2 ) 68...e7 69.e1 e2 and wins, White is in zugzwang. ] 67.b8 xh7 68.xb3+ ½-½
1222 Aronian,Levon Kramnik,Vladimir 21st ECC Saint Vincent ITA [John Watson]
A30
2005
The big boys like to play with the Double Fianchetto version of the Symmetrical English, in which Black plays a Hedgehog with ...g6 instead of ... e6. Names like Kasparov, Karpov, Kramnik, Anand, and Topalov are associated with this line, partly because both sides think tha t it is re la tive ly sa f e . It t urns o ut t ha t there are plenty of opportunities for both sides. When Aronian and Kramnik recently fought it out in this variation, the game was pretty interesting, but mainly I've tried to give an overview of the most important moves. 1.f3 f6 2.c4 b6 3.g3 c5 4.g2 b7 5.0-0 g6 6.d4 cxd4 7.xd4 g7 8.c3 d6 9.d1 bd7 10.e3 [ Tony has reported before on Kramnik's play with White is this line. A relevant example goes 10.b3 0-0 11.b2 c8 12.ac1 ( 12.e3 e8 13.ac1 a6 14.a1 c5! Karpov-Kasparov,WCh London Leningrad 1986 ) 12...a6 ( 12...c5 ) 13.d2 c7!? This resembles the idea in our main game but with a queen on d2. The difference may be slightly in White's favor because of his direct central con trol, especially of d5 : 14.e1 xg2 ( 14...a8 15.d5 ) 15.xg2 a8 16.e3 e8 17.cd5 c6 18.a4 with White having a nice bind in Kramnik-J Polgar, Dos Hermanas 1999 ] 10...c8 [ 10...0-0 11.h4 c8 12.h3? xf3 13.exf3 e5 14.g2 xc4-+ Topalov-Kasparov, Wijk aan Zee 1999. ] 11.ac1 0-0 12.h4 a6 13.b3 c7 This is an extremely popular idea . Blac k intends ...Qa8 and ...Rfc8. The older method 1213
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 is [ 13...e8 A) 14.h6 h8 15.h3 xf3 16.exf3 c5 17.g2!? ( 17.g4 e5 18.g3 of Arsovic-G Timoshenko, Belgrade 1995 also promises White an edge. He played f 4 a n d Q f 3 .) 17...h5 18.f4 g7 19.xg7 xg7 20.d4 g8 21.d5 Piven-Ikonnikov, Werfen 1991; B) 14.h3 c7 15.h6 c5! ( 15...xf3 16.exf3 c5 17.xg7 xg7 18.d4 Wojtkiewicz-Palkovi, Stara Zagora 1990) 16.g5!? b5! 17.d5 xd5 18.cxd5 xc1 19.xc1 xh6 20.xh6 f8= Arsovic-Almasi, Budapest 1991 ] 14.h3 There's an interesting choice here: [ 14.e1 a8!? 15.h3!? intends Bxd7 and Na4 ] [ 14.g4 h6 15.h3 g5 16.g3 b5! 17.h4 bxc4 18.hxg5 hxg5 19.b4 a8 20.xg5 e8= Kramnik-Karpov, Dos Hermanas 1999 ] 14...b8 [ One-sided but instructive was 14...a8? 15.xd7! (a standard trick) xd7 16.a4 xf3 17.xb6 b7 18.exf3 ( or 18.xd7 ) 18...c7 19.d5 xd5 20.xd5 d8 21.g2 f6 22.f4 cd7 23.cd1 g7 24.h4! f8 25.h5 e6 26.5d3 d5 27.hxg6 hxg6 28.h1 g7 29.h4 d4 30.g5 1-0 Anand-Gomez Esteban, Santurtzi 2003. ] 15.g4 [ 15.h6 b5! drawn, Gelfand-Topalov, Batumi 1999 ] 15...e6! A novelty. The move may not equalise but is solid and challenges W hite to make progress. [ 15...a8 16.g5! e4 17.xe4 ( 17.a4! t h r e a t e n s b o t h B xd 7 a n d N xb 6 , b u t b5 18.b6 xb6 19.xb6 c6 20.xe4 xb6 21.e3 c6 22.xe7 ) 17...xe4 18.d2 c6 19.xd7 xd7 20.xb6 Pogorelov-Colovic, Balaguer 2003 ] 16.g5 e8 17.g2 [ 17.d4! a8 18.a4 d8 19.xe6! fxe6 20.xe6+ h8 21.xb6 ] 17...b5! 18.e4! bxc4 19.bxc4 d5 20.cxd5 xd5 21.c5 xc5 22.xc5 d6!? Just as White seems to be winning, Kramnik uncorks a surprising and clever idea. He
would concede material following [ 22...b2 23.e4 xa2 24.f4 e5 25.e3 ] 23.b1! [ 23.xd6?! xc1 24.xb8? xd1+ 25.f1 xb8 ] 23...xb1 [ 23...d8 24.b6 ] 24.xb1 xc5 White may stand better, yet Black has rook and piece for the queen with two active bishops. 25.a4 e4! 26.xa6 c2 27.d3?! [ 27.a4 c3 28.e1 ] 27...xa2 28.c1 fa8 ½-½
1223 Banikas,Hristos Aroshidze,Levan 14th Open Kavala GRE (5) [John Watson]
A30 2548 2463 15.08.2005
The Main Line of the Hedgehog, with a little twist. 1.f3 c5 2.c4 f6 3.g3 b6 4.g2 b7 5.0-0 e6 6.c3 d6 7.e1 a6 8.e4 e7 9.d4 cxd4 10.xd4 c7 11.e3 0-0 12.c1 bd7 13.f4 h5!? With the simple idea of holding up White's expansion via g4. Black also has the immediate idea of ...Ng4. 14.h3 [ 14.h1 is a careful response, giving a have at g1 for the bishop. Play might go c5 ( or 14...fe8 defending e6 against f5 and intending ...e5 at some point) 15.g1 h4 16.g4 h3 17.f3 ] [ C r a z y p l a y r e s u l t s f r o m 14.f5!? , f or example, g4 ( 14...e5? 15.d5 ) 15.e2!? ( 15.fxe6 xe3 16.xe3 g5! 17.d2 e5 18.d5 xd5 19.cxd5 a7 20.exf7+ xf7 21.e6 xe3+ 22.xe3 and Black is probably holding just enough squares to complement the exchange, so this is also unclear.) 15...xe3 16.xe3 c5 ( 16...e5 17.fxe6 g4 18.d5! ) 17.b4! ( 17.fxe6?? g5 ) 17...e5 18.h3 , utterly unclear ] 14...fe8 15.f2 [ White can try g4 anyway, but it may be too risky: 15.g4 hxg4 16.hxg4 c5 17.f2 d5 ( 17...e5? 18.f5 exf4 19.b4 cd7 20.g5 1214
Scorpionchess Prinout, 06/10/2014 h7 21.g6! ) 18.e5 fe4 19.cxd5?! ( 19.e3 dxc4 20.xe4 xe4 21.c2 c5 22.xc4= ) 19...xf2 20.xf2 h4+ 21.f1 xe1 22.xe1 d8? ( 22...exd5! 23.b4 e6 is strong ) 23.b4 h4+ 24.f1 d7 25.dxe6 xg2+ 26.xg2 fxe6 27.e4 with advantage. ] 15...f8 16.d5!? [ 16.e2 is "normal" here, when Black has to deal with e5. ] 16...exd5 17.cxd5 d8 18.c6 xc6 19.dxc6 c5 20.c7 xc7 21.b4 ab8 [ 21...ad8!? ] 22.bxc5 bxc5 23.d4 d7!? 24.xh5 Now the material is even and White has two bishops - very unclear. a5 25.d5 [ 25.c3 xa2 26.g4!? intending g5-g6. ] 25...b6 26.g5 xa2 27.a1 e6 28.cd1 [ 28.f5 h6 29.xh6 gxh6 30.f1 is complex. ] 28...e7 29.xe7 xe7 30.e5 dxe5 31.xe5 bd8 32.c7 xd1 33.xd1 c4 34.c6 c8 35.d7 d6 36.d8+ [ 36.d5! xc7 37.xf7+ f8 38.xc7 xc7 39.xc4 is a draw. ] 36...xd8 37.xd8 a3 38.b7 c4 39.a5 I think I'd rather be Black with his c-pawn. There can't be much, however. ½-½
1224 Bareev,Evgeny Leko,Peter Amber Rapidplay rapid (6) [Tony Kosten]
A30 2707 2713 22.03.2002
After his resounding success with a quick d4 in the Symmetric Variation last month, Bareev tries it again against the same opponent. 1.c4 g6 2.g3 g7 3.g2 c5 4.e3 e6 [ 4...c6 5.e2 e6 6.d4!? was the Bareev Leko game from Cannes. ] 5.d4 This was first tried by Gurevich,M also against Leko. [ In the Austrian league, a few weeks ago, I essayed 5.e2 e7 6.d4 cxd4 7.xd4 bc6 8.
