The Modernized Delayed Benoni - Ivanisevic PDF

Table of Contents
Title page
Key to Symbols
Preface
Chapter 1 – Rare 5th moves

Chapter 2 – The Fianchetto Variation
Chapter 3 – White avoids the Main Variation
Chapter 4 – The Main Variation
Chapter 5 – Allowing ...Bg4 in the Main Variation
Chapter 6 – The Classical 7.Be2
Chapter 7 – The Four Pawns Attack
Chapter 8 – The Sämisch
Appendix 1 – Transpositions and Move Orders

Appendix 2 – Classical Modern Benoni
2
The Modernized Delayed Benoni
by
Ivan Ivanisevic
Thinkers Publishing 2019
www.thinkerspublishing.com
First edition 2019 by Thinkers Publishing

Copyright © 2019 Ivan Ivanisevic
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without the prior written permission from the publisher.
All sales or enquiries should be directed to Thinkers Publishing, 9850 Landegem, Belgium.
Email: info@thinkerspublishing.com
Website: www.thinkerspublishing.com
Managing Editor: Romain Edouard

Assistant Editor: Daniël Vanheirzeele
Typesetting: Mark Haast
Proofreading: Bernard Carpinter
Software: Hub van de Laar
Cover Design: Iwan Kerkhof
Graphic Artist: Philippe Tonnard
Production: BESTinGraphics
ISBN: 9789492510655
D/2019/13730/18
3
Key to Symbols
! a good move
? a weak move
!! an excellent move
?? a blunder
!? an interesting move
?! a dubious move
™ only move
N novelty
‰ lead in development
ʘ zugzwang
= equality
∞ unclear position
© with compensation for the sacrificed material
² White stands slightly better
³ Black stands slightly better
± White has a serious advantage
µ Black has a serious advantage
+– White has a decisive advantage
–+ Black has a decisive advantage
‚ with an attack
ƒ with initiative
„ with counterplay
… with the idea of
¹ better is
≤ worse is
+ check
# mate
4
Preface
My aim in this book is to show that the Delayed Benoni is equally as attractive as its cousin, the
Modern Benoni. For some reason – perhaps because “Modern” sounds more exciting than “Delayed”?
– my favorite Benoni has been neglected for years, receiving scant coverage in chess publications.
The advantage of “our” Benoni is based on a waiting approach. Black would like to choose a perfect
moment to play ...e6xd5, waiting for White to adopt some piece setup that turns out to be inconvenient
for him after this exchange. At the same time, we would like to avoid some dangerous or deeply
explored variations like the Flick-Knife (a.k.a Taimanov) or systems where White can place his bishop
on the optimal f4-square.
A lot of variations in this book can also be useful for King’s Indian players, as a main or alternative
way to play. My own journey in the world of the Delayed Benoni started when I was a King’s Indian
kind of guy!
As every rose has its thorn, so White can annoy us by answering our ...e6xd5 not with the routine
c4xd5 but rather with e4xd5. This produces a completely different pawn formation, with an open e-file.
White enjoys a space advantage but Black has his chances. And just as White can depart from the well-
trodden path with e4xd5, so Black can dispense with the almost automatic ...e6xd5 and instead play
...e6-e5, producing a sort of King’s Indian formation. In the Main Line, covered in Chapter 4, White
has already played h2-h3 and this pawn can become a target when Black gets his kingside attack
moving.
Our opponent can force us into a Modern Benoni, by playing f3 (Sämisch) or f4 (Four Pawns). I think
that I have succeeded defending Black’s case, even finding some important nuances improving on the
existing theory.
From my personal experience, the only way for White to achieve some advantage is the h3 and Bd3
variation with e4xd5, the Main Line covered in Chapter 4. The problem for White, though, is that Black
can answer that line in many different ways. So White must be thoroughly prepared and acquainted
with all the nuances of our system. And even then, White’s advantage is just a “normal” one.
I give a different approach to this variation, three (!) different ways for Black to respond. The reader
can also, through the game commentaries, see the development of the variation in my practice.
In my opinion, the Delayed Benoni is a kind of mystery for White also, since it has not been covered
deeply enough in chess publications. So I think that this work could be useful for White players, too.
Before writing this book, I had the pleasant experience of working on an e-book about the Sämisch
King’s Indian together with my friend and colleague Ivan Sokolov. He made an enormous contribution
to Chapter 8 and the appendices of this Delayed Benoni book.
Personally, I really enjoyed this work. Not every day can a Grandmaster dedicate himself so much to a
subject and reveal so much.
I hope that this will be a pleasant ride for the readers, too.
5
Ivan Ivanisevic
Belgrade, August 2019
6
Chapter 1
Rare 5th moves
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7
Chapter Guide
Chapter 1 – Rare 5th moves
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7

a) 5.Bf4
b) 5.Bf4 (with 7.e4)
c) 5.Bg5
a) 5.Bf4
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.Bf4
7
Position after: 5.Bf4
Not the most accurate placement for the bishop.
5...0-0 6.Nf3
6.e3 d6 7.Bd3 [7.Nf3 would transpose to 6.Nf3. 7...Nh5] 7...e6 8.Nf3 exd5 9.cxd5
Position after: 9.cxd5
In front of us is a Bf4 variation from the Modern Benoni, but with the difference that White has played
8
Bd3 instead of h3.
In my opinion, the clearest way to use that to our advantage comes with 9...Bg4.
A) 10.0-0 After this inaccuracy, Black is slightly better in all variations, due to his powerful bishop on
g7. 10...Nh5 11.h3 [11.Bg3 Nxg3 12.hxg3 Nd7³] 11...Nxf4 12.exf4 [12.hxg4 Nxd3 13.Qxd3 Nd7³]
12...Bxf3 13.Qxf3 Nd7³
B) 10.h3 Bxf3 11.Qxf3 Qe7 12.0-0 Nh5 13.Bh2 Nd7=
6...d6
Position after: 6...d6
7.e3
7.h3 White is lagging in development, so he can hardly allow himself such a waste of time to save his
precious bishop. 7...b5!
9
Position after: 7...b5!
A) 8.Nxb5 Ne4 9.Nd2 [9.Qc2 a6³] 9...Qa5 10.Qc2 a6 [10...f5!?] 11.Nc3 [11.Na3 g5! 12.Qxe4
gxf4ƒ] 11...Nxc3 12.bxc3 Qxc3 13.Qxc3 Bxc3=
B) 8.cxb5 a6 9.a4 [9.e3 Qa5 10.Nd2 axb5 11.Bxb5 Nh5„] 9...Qa5 10.Bd2 axb5 11.Nxb5 Qb6
12.Nc3 Ba6„
7...Nh5
Position after: 7...Nh5
10
8.Bg5
8.Bd3 Nxf4 9.exf4 e5! 10.dxe6 [10.fxe5 dxe5 11.0-0 f5³] 10...Bxe6 11.0-0 Nc6 And Black has an easy
game.
8...h6 9.Bh4 g5 10.Nd2 Qb6!
Position after: 10...Qb6!
11.Rb1
11.Nb3 a5!ƒ This is a crucial move to memorize and play; otherwise White would take over the
initiative. 12.Bxg5 [12.Qxh5 a4 13.Bxg5 hxg5 14.Bd3 f5µ; 12.Na4? Qb4+ 13.Nd2 Bd7–+; 12.Nb5 a4
13.Nd2 Nf6 14.Bg3 Bd7µ] 12...hxg5 13.Na4 Qb4+ 14.Nd2 Bd7 15.Qxh5 Bxa4 16.Bd3 Re8 17.Rb1
Nd7³
11
Position after: 17...Nd7³
11...Bf5
Provoking e3-e4, and making Black more powerful on the dark squares.
12.e4 Bg6
Position after: 12...Bg6
13.Be2
12
13.g4 Nf4 14.Bg3 Nd7 15.Bxf4 [15.h4 Ne5„] 15...gxf4 16.Qf3 Be5
Position after: 16...Be5
17.Qh3 [17.h4 Rae8„] 17...Bg7 18.Qf3 [18.g5 Ne5 19.gxh6 Bf6³] 18...Be5=
13...Nf4 14.Bg3
Position after: 14.Bg3
13
14...Nxe2
There is no need to enter the complications after 14...Nxg2+ 15.Kf1 because White would keep some
initiative for a pawn: 15...Nh4 [15...Nf4 16.Bg4©] 16.Rg1©.
15.Qxe2 f5 16.exf5 Bxf5 17.Nde4
17.Nce4 Nd7 18.0-0 Rf7„
17...Nd7 18.0-0 Rf7„
Position after: 18...Rf7„
The position is unclear.
b) 5.Bf4 (with 7.e4)
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.Bf4 0-0 6.Nf3 d6 7.e4 e6
14
Position after: 7...e6
8.dxe6
8.Be2 You will find this variation in Chapter 6, Classical line.
8...Bxe6 9.Bxd6
A) 9.Qxd6 This looks too risky. 9...Qa5 10.Nd2 Na6 11.Qd3 Rad8
Position after: 11...Rad8
15
A1) 12.Qb1 Nh5 13.Bg5 [13.Be3 f5ƒ] 13...f6 14.Nb3 Qc7 15.Bd2 f5ƒ
A2) 12.Nd5 Nxe4! 13.Be2 [13.Qxe4 Bxd5 14.cxd5 Rfe8–+] 13...Bf5–+
A3) 12.Qc2 Nb4 13.Qc1 Rfe8 14.Be2 Nxe4! 15.Ncxe4 [15.Ndxe4 Bxc4! 16.Bxc4 Rxe4+ 17.Nxe4
Nd3+ 18.Ke2 Nxc1+ 19.Raxc1 b5–+] 15...Bf5
Position after: 15...Bf5
A3.1) 16.f3 Bxe4 17.fxe4 Rxe4! 18.Nxe4 Nd3+ 19.Kf1 Nxc1 20.Bxc1 Re8 21.Nf2 [21.Ng5 Qa4–
+] 21...Bd4 22.g3 Qa6–+ With all kinds of different threats.
A3.2) 16.0-0™ 16...Bxe4 17.Nxe4 Rxe4 18.Be3 Qa6³
B) Again, 9.Be2 you can find in Chapter 6.
9...Re8
16
Position after: 9...Re8
10.Bxc5
10.Be2 Qb6©
10...Qa5
Following the game Dlugy – Wojtkiewicz, New York 1989.
11.b4™ 11...Qa6 12.Rc1
17
Position after: 12.Rc1
12...Nbd7!N
12...Nxe4?! was played in the game.
13.Bd4
13.Be3 Rad8©
Position after: 13...Rad8©
18
Black has enough compensation. Some examples:
A) 14.Nd5 Nxe4 15.Nc7 Qxa2 16.Nxe8 Rxe8
Position after: 16...Rxe8
17.Bd3 [17.Qc2 Bc3+ 18.Kd1 Bxc4 19.Qxa2 Bxa2∞] 17...Bc3+ 18.Kf1 Bxc4∞
B) 14.Nd4 Ng4 15.Qb3 Nde5 16.Ncb5 Nxe3 17.fxe3 Bc8 18.Nc7 Qf6ƒ
C) 14.b5 Qa5 15.Qa4 [15.Bd2 Nc5ƒ] 15...Qxa4 16.Nxa4 Nxe4 17.Be2 Nb6 18.Nxb6 axb6©
19.Bxb6?! Nc3! 20.Bxd8 Bxc4³
D) 14.Be2 Bxc4 15.b5 Bxe2 16.Qxe2 Qa5 17.0-0 Nxe4 18.Nxe4 Rxe4 19.Rfd1 Nf8=
13...Bh6 14.Rc2 Bxc4
19
Position after: 14...Bxc4
15.b5
A) 15.Bxc4 Qxc4 16.Re2 Rad8 17.Qb3 Qxb3 18.axb3 Bf8=

B) 15.Be2 Nxe4 16.0-0 Nef6=
15...Nxe4 16.Bxc4 Nxc3+ 17.Kf1
17.Be2 Nxe2! 18.bxa6 Nc3+=
17...Qa4™
20
Position after: 17...Qa4™
18.Qd3
18.Bxf7+ Kxf7 19.Bxc3 Rad8 20.Qd5+ Kf8 21.Qd6+ Kf7 22.Qd5+=
18...Ne4∞
c) 5.Bg5
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.Bg5
21
5...b5!?
A very rare continuation with the idea of entering a favorable version of the Benko Gambit.
White’s dark-squared bishop is not “at home” and his queenside pawns are not protected.
6.Nxb5
6.cxb5 a6 7.e4 [7.bxa6 Qa5 8.Qd2 0-0 9.e4 e6„] 7...axb5 8.e5 [8.Bxf6 Bxf6 9.Bxb5 Qa5 10.Nge2 Ba6
11.Bxa6 Nxa6 12.0-0 0-0„; 8.Bxb5? Nxe4 9.Nxe4 Qa5+µ] 8...b4 9.exf6 exf6
22
Position after: 9...exf6
Konstantin Chernyshov had this strange position in two games.

A) 10.Qe2+ Kf8 11.Bd2 bxc3 12.Bxc3 d6 13.Qd2 Qe7+ 14.Be2
Position after: 14.Be2
And here Black simply needs to finish his development to achieve a clear advantage. 14...Qe4 ½-½
(60) Chernyshov, K (2548) – Boros, D (2443) Budapest 2005. [¹ 14...Nd7 15.Nh3 Ba6 16.Nf4 f5µ]
B) 10.Bf4 bxc3 11.Bd6 Bf8
23
12.Qe2+ [12.Bxf8? cxb2–+] 12...Be7 13.bxc3 Kf8 14.Bf4?! [14.Bxe7+ Qxe7 15.Qxe7+ Kxe7
16.Kd2=] 14...Kg7 15.Qd2 Re8 16.Be2 Bf8∞ ½-½ (34) Chernyshov, K (2558) – Fogarasi, T (2425)
Budapest 2006. [¹ 16...g5 17.Be3 f5ƒ]
6...Ne4
Position after: 6...Ne4
24
7.Bf4N
In this position I have encountered a lot of difficulties just to prove to the computer that Black has a
good game with a pawn less. I think that in the end I succeeded!
7.Bd2 Bxb2 8.Rb1 Bg7
Black is doing fine, and if White tries 9.d6?! it may turn against him: 9...0-0! 10.Qc2 Nxd6 [10...Nxd2
11.Qxd2 Nc6µ] 11.Nxd6 exd6 12.g3 Nc6 13.Bg2 Re8∞ 1-0 (39) Vaganian, R (2590) – Grigoryan, A
(2452) Yerevan 2007. [Instead 13...Ba6! gives Black a strong initiative, with threats as ...Nd4 and
...d5.]
7...d6
25
Position after: 7...d6
8.f3
8.Qc2 a6 9.Nc3 Nxc3 10.bxc3 Bf5 11.Qc1 [11.Qd2 Qa5 12.Rc1 Nd7 13.f3 Bb1!µ] 11...Qa5 12.Bd2
Position after: 12.Bd2
12...e5!³ [If we don’t play ...e5 on time White would consolidate his position, for example 12...0-0
13.f3 and next e4.]
26
8...Qa5+ 9.Bd2 Nxd2 10.Qxd2 Qb6
Position after: 10...Qb6
11.e3
A) 11.Rb1 0-0 12.e3 Nd7 13.b3 [13.Ne2 Ba6 transposes to 11.e3.] 13...Nf6
Position after: 13...Nf6
14.Bd3 [14.e4 e6 15.dxe6 fxe6 16.Qxd6 Qb7© White has serious problems in developing his pieces.]
27
14...e6 15.dxe6 Bxe6 [15...fxe6 with ...d5 to follow is also possible.] 16.e4 Rad8 17.Nc3
Position after: 17.Nc3
17...d5! 18.cxd5 Bxd5 19.Nxd5 Nxd5 20.exd5 Rxd5 21.Qc2 Rfd8 22.Bc4 Rd2 23.Qe4 [23.Qxd2
Rxd2 24.Kxd2 Qa5+ 25.b4™ 25...Qd8+ 26.Ke2 Qd4 27.Bd3 c4µ] 23...Qa5 24.Kf1 Rd1+ 25.Kf2
Bd4+ 26.Kg3 Rxb1 27.Qxb1 Qd2=
B) 11.e4 0-0 12.Ne2 a6 13.Nbc3 Qb4 14.Nc1 Nd7©
11...0-0 12.Ne2 Nd7
28
Position after: 12...Nd7
13.Rb1
13.Rc1 a6 14.Nbc3 Qb4 15.b3 a5
13...Ba6 14.Nec3 Bxb5 15.Nxb5
15.cxb5 Qa5„ Our next moves will be ...Nb6 and ...c4, and after that ...a6 or ...Na4 will give Black the
advantage.
15...a6
Position after: 15...a6
16.Na3
16.Nc3 Qb4„ Black’s Dragon bishop on g7 is so strong, cutting right through the position. White must
fight for equality.
16...Qb4 17.Qxb4 cxb4 18.Nc2 b3 19.axb3 a5©
At the end of the story, the b3-pawn will fall. Open files and the strong g7 bishop then give Black
enough compensation for the pawn.
29
Position after: 19...a5©
Conclusion
Both 5.Bg5 and 5.Bf4 are rare setups, used mostly by players who are used to playing like that
against the King’s Indian. Their idea is to play a solid game with Nf3 and e3, but the difference
compared to the King’s Indian is the predefined center after ...c5 and d5. Now our valuable g7-
bishop becomes a Dragon! It is clear that White cannot sleep peacefully.
30
Chapter 2
The Fianchetto Variation
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.g3 0-0 6.Bg2 e6 7.Nf3 exd5 8.cxd5 d6 9.0-0 Nbd7
Chapter Guide
Chapter 2 – The Fianchetto Variation
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.g3 0-0 6.Bg2 e6 7.Nf3 exd5 8.cxd5 d6 9. 0-0 Nbd7
a) 10.Nd2
b) 10.Bf4
c) 10.a4
d) 10.a4 Qe7 11.Re1
a) 10.Nd2
Even if the Delayed Benoni is our preferred choice, sometimes it is wiser to enter the complications of
the Modern Benoni. The typical case is the Fianchetto Variation, as recommended by Boris Avrukh in
his bestselling series of opening books.
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.g3 0-0 6.Bg2
31
6...e6
This is the tight moment for moving to a Modern cousin.

If 6...d6 7.Nf3 e6 White can play 8.dxe6 Bxe6 although after 9.Ng5 Bxc4 10.Bxb7 Nbd7 the position
is unclear.
7.Nf3
7.dxe6 dxe6 is harmless.
7...exd5 8.cxd5 d6 9.0-0 Nbd7
32
Position after: 9...Nbd7
This move became popular lately.
10.Nd2 Nh5!?
Black’s idea: to grab some space on the kingside if White lets him. According to that scenario, he will
achieve a strong outpost for the knight on e5 and all other pieces would aim at White’s king! An
important nuance is omitting ...a6, which White would meet with a4. In that case, White would achieve
a strong outpost on c4 for a knight, just as in Nikolic – De Firmian (see below).
10...a6 11.a4 Nh5 12.Nce4!
33
Position after: 12.Nce4!
12...Ndf6 [12...Ne5 13.f4 Ng4 14.Nc4±] 13.Nxf6+ Bxf6 14.Nc4± Nikolic – De Firmian, Wijk aan Zee
1986.
Back to 10...Nh5.
Position after: 10...Nh5!?
11.a4
34
A) 11.Nb5 Ne5 12.Ne4 f5 13.Ng5 [13.Nexd6? a6 14.Nxc8 axb5µ] 13...Qe7 14.Ne6 Bxe6 15.dxe6
Rad8
16.Qd5 [16.Qb3 d5! 17.Bxd5 a6 18.Nc3 b5©] 16...Nf6 17.Qxb7 Qxe6 18.Qxa7 Ne4© Black has a
strong initiative.
B) 11.Nde4 Ndf6
Position after: 11...Ndf6
35
B1) If 12.Nd2 Black can avoid repetition of moves by 12...Rb8 13.a4 Ng4!?
Position after: 13...Ng4!?
14.Nc4 [14.e4 f5! 15.exf5 Bxf5 16.h3 Ne5∞ And now 17.g4? is wrong because of 17...Nf4–+.]
14...Ne5 15.Nxe5 Bxe5 16.f4 Bg7 17.e4 a6∞
B2) 12.Bg5 h6 13.Nxf6+ Nxf6 14.Bd2 Re8 15.h3 Bf5= 1-0 (63) De Firmian, N (2520) – Djuric, S
(2435) New York 1986.
B3) 12.Nxf6+ Nxf6= [12...Qxf6=]
C) 11.Nce4 Without ...a6 and a4 there is not much sense in this now. 11...Ne5„
D) 11.e4 Ne5 12.Qe2 Re8 [12...f5!?³] 13.f4 Bg4 14.Nf3
36
Position after: 14.Nf3
14...Nd7∞ 0-1 (59) Ilincic, Z – Velimirovic, D Belgrade 1999. [¹ 14...Nxf3+ 15.Bxf3 Bh3ƒ]
E) 11.Nc4 Ne5 Most of the time we are happy to exchange this pair of knights. 12.Nxe5 Bxe5
13.Bh6 Re8 14.Qd2 Rb8 15.a4 a6= ½-½ (41) Akopian, V (2550) – De Firmian, N (2565) Moscow
1990.
11...f5
Position after: 11...f5
37
12.Nb5
A) 12.Nf3
A1) 12...h6 13.Nh4 Kh7 14.Qc2! White would like to open the position with f4 and e4. 14...Ne5
15.f4 Ng4 16.Bf3 Bxc3 17.bxc3 Ngf6 18.c4 Qe7²
A2) 12...Qe7 13.Ng5 Ndf6 14.Ra3
Position after: 14.Ra3
38
This plan for White includes a pawn sacrifice after Ne6, hoping that pressure along the h1-a8
diagonal and active pieces would give him enough compensation for the material. 14...Kh8 15.Qb3
Rb8 16.Ne6 Bxe6 17.dxe6 Rfe8 18.Rd1 Qxe6 19.Qxe6 Rxe6 20.Kf1©
A3) 12...Bf6!? 13.Bh6 Re8 14.Qd2 Ne5=
Position after: 14...Ne5=
B) The following stem game is not theoretically important, but it has historical significance and it is a
good example of conducting Black’s attack. The late GM Velimirovic was one of the leading experts
in this variation and also a famous attacker! 12.a5 f4 13.Nb5 Ne5 14.Ne4 fxg3 15.hxg3 Nf7 16.Qb3
Bf5 17.Bd2 Qe7 18.Ra4 a6 19.Nbc3 Bd4!?
39
Position after: 19...Bd4!?
20.e3 Bg7 21.Qb6 Rac8 22.Rc1 c4 23.b3 Bxc3! 24.Nxc3 Ne5 25.bxc4 Bd7 26.Ra2 Nf3+ 27.Bxf3
Rxf3 28.Ne2 Rcf8 29.Be1 Qf7 30.Nf4 g5 31.Nxh5 Qxh5 32.Bc3 Bg4
33.Qd4 R8f6 34.e4 Qh3 35.Rd2 R3f4 36.f3 Rxf3 37.Rg2 Kf7 38.Ba1 Rh6 39.Qg7+ Ke8 0-1 (39)
Ilincic, Z (2565) – Velimirovic, D (2535) Belgrade 1998.
12...Ne5 13.f4 Nf7 14.Nc4 Nf6∞
40
Position after: 14...Nf6∞
b) 10.Bf4
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.g3 0-0 6.Bg2 e6 7.Nf3 exd5 8.cxd5 d6 9.0-0 Nbd7 10.Bf4
Qe7
Position after: 10...Qe7
Now White has to make a choice.
41
11.a4
A) 11.h3 Nh5! 12.Bg5 [12.Bd2 f5 transposes] 12...f6 13.Bd2 f5
14.Re1 [14.Ng5 This idea from a game by Ponomariov works here. 14...f4 15.Ne6 fxg3 16.Nxf8
Nxf8©] 14...Ne5 15.e4 f4 16.g4 Nf6
42
17.Nxe5 Qxe5 [17...dxe5 is also possible, with the plan of ...Ne8 and ...Nd6. But I prefer the move
played in the game, feeling that it is more in the spirit of the Benoni!] 18.Ne2?! f3 [18...Nxg4!
19.hxg4 f3µ] 19.Bxf3 Nxg4∞ ½-½ (32) Yuffa, D (2534) – Sakaev, K (2594) Sochi (blitz) 2016.
B) 11.e4 Ng4=
C) 11.Re1
Position after: 11.Re1
White’s idea is quite direct: push e4 and e5. 11...h6!? [A valuable alternative is 11...Ng4 12.Bg5 f6
13.Bd2 Nge5 14.Qc2 a6 15.a4 Rb8∞ ½-½ (52) Ganguly, S (2653) – Adhiban, B (2672) Chengdu
2017.]
C1) 12.Qc1N 12...g5 13.Bd2 b5!?
43
Position after: 13...b5!?
An unusual approach, intending to leave White without air to breathe! 14.Nxb5 [14.a3 Rb8 15.h4 g4
16.Nh2 Kh7 17.Qc2+ Kg8=] 14...Ne4 15.Bc3 [15.Ba5 Ndf6 16.Nc3 Rb8] 15...Nxc3 16.bxc3
[16.Nxc3 f5 17.Qc2 Rb8© The monster on g7, the rook on the b-file and central control give Black
more than enough compensation for just one pawn.] 16...g4 17.Nh4 Ne5©
C2) 12.e4 Ng4 13.h3 Nge5=
Position after: 13...Nge5=
44
Black’s position is already more comfortable. Let’s check a little further to see how he continued.
14.Be3 Nxf3+ 15.Qxf3 Ne5 16.Qd1 Bd7 17.Bf1 b5! 18.Nxb5 Rab8„ 0-1 (32) Xiong, J (2652) –
Mareco, S (2648) Saint Louis 2017.
11...b6
Position after: 11...b6
12.Re1
A) 12.Nb5 Ne8 13.Ra3 Ndf6! [13...Bxb2? 14.Re3 Qf6 15.Bh6±; 13...a6 14.Re3 Qf6 15.Bg5 Qxb2
16.Rb3 Qa2 17.Nc3 Bxc3 18.Rxc3© 1-0 (68) Avrukh, B (2632) – Navara, D (2672) Dagomys 2008.]
45
Position after: 13...Ndf6!
14.e4!? [14.Re3 Qd8= And White’s rook on e3 looks a bit clumsy.; 14.Re1 a6 15.Nc3 Rb8 16.e4 Bg4
17.e5 Nh5 18.exd6 Qd7 19.Re7 Qd8= In the end, Black will collect the d6-pawn with a good
position.] 14...Bg4
15.h3 [15.Re1 Nd7 16.Qd2 a6 17.Nc3 Bxf3 18.Bxf3 Nc7=] 15...Bxf3 16.Qxf3 a6 17.Nc3 Nd7
18.Raa1 Nc7=
46
B) 12.h3 Nh5 13.Bg5 f6 14.Bd2 f5 15.Ng5 f4!
Position after: 15...f4!
B1) 16.Ne6?! fxg3 17.f4 [17.Nxf8 Nxf8©] 17...Ndf6 18.Nxf8 Bxf8 19.e4 Ng4!‚ 0-1 (30)
Korchmar, V (2437) – Ponomariov, R (2715) Gjakova 2016.
B2) 16.gxf4 Nxf4 17.Ne6 Nxg2 18.Nxf8
Position after: 18.Nxf8
18...Ne3! 19.Bxe3 [19.fxe3 Nxf8 20.Rf3 Nd7³] 19...Nxf8 20.Kg2 Bf5ƒ
47
12...Ng4 13.Bg5
13...f6
13...Bf6?! Not really a blunder, just a positional mistake. 14.Bxf6 Qxf6 15.h3 Nge5 16.Nd2± 1-0 (43)
Najer, E (2659) – Alekseenko, K (2588) Moscow 2017. Black is really missing his bishop now.
14.Bd2 a6
48
15.Rb1
15.h3 Nge5 16.Rb1 [16.Nxe5 Nxe5=] 16...Re8∞
15...Nge5 16.Qc1
16.b4 Nc4 17.bxc5 bxc5∞
16...f5 17.Ng5 Nf6∞
Position after: 17...Nf6∞
c) 10.a4
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.g3 0-0 6.Bg2 e6 7.Nf3 exd5 8.cxd5 d6 9.0-0 Nbd7 10.a4
49
Position after: 10.a4
A very interesting waiting move.
10...Qe7
10...Ng4 11.h3 Nge5 12.Ng5!?
Position after: 12.Ng5!?
Caruana was young at the time, but obviously well prepared! White’s aim is to push f4 and e4.
50
A) 12...h6 13.Nge4 Nf6 14.Nd2!
Position after: 14.Nd2!
And White is ready for f4 and e4. 14...Nh5 15.Kh2 [Even 15.f4 Nxg3 16.fxe5 Nxf1 17.Qxf1 dxe5
18.e4² works in White’s favor. 18...f5] 15...f5 16.f4 Nf7 17.e4²
B) 12...Qe7 13.f4 Nc4 14.e4ƒ
Position after: 14.e4ƒ
½-½ (72) Caruana, F (2652) – Alekseev, E (2715) Khanty-Mansiysk 2009.
51
C) 12...Nc4!? But such a position is not easy to handle. Every move must be precisely the right one.
13.Qc2∞ [13.Nge4∞]
Back to 10...Qe7.
11.Nd2
A) 11.Bf4 b6 Transposing to 10.Bf4.

B) 11.Re1 – See the next subchapter.
11...b6
A useful waiting move. If White can do it, why not Black?

11...Nh5 12.e4! Ne5 13.f4!
52
Position after: 13.f4!
A) 13...Nd3 14.Nc4 Nxc1 [14...Bd4+ 15.Kh1 Nf2+ 16.Rxf2 Bxf2 This is like 13...Ng4.] 15.Rxc1±
And e4-e5 is unstoppable.
B) 13...Ng4 14.Nc4 Bd4+ 15.Kh1 Nf2+ 16.Rxf2 Bxf2 17.Qf3 Bd4 18.Bd2ƒ With threats of e5 or
Nb5.
12.e4
12.Nc4 Ne5 13.Nxe5 [13.Na3 Nh5] 13...Qxe5=
53
Position after: 13...Qxe5=
“As every Russian schoolboy knows”, life is easier for the side that lacks space if he or she can
exchange some minor pieces. For example: 14.e4 Qe7 15.Re1 Re8 16.h3 a6∞.
12...Ne5
13.f4
13.Qe2 Nh5 14.f4 [14.Re1 Re8 15.f4 Ng4 16.Nf3 Qf8∞ With ...f5 to come.] 14...Bg4
54
15.Qa6 [15.Nf3 Nxf3+ 16.Bxf3 Bxf3 17.Qxf3 Rfe8³] 15...Bc8 16.Qb5 Bd7 17.Qe2 Bg4=
13...Nd3 14.Nc4 Nxc1
Position after: 14...Nxc1
Let’s go for some crazy computer variations!
15.e5!?
55
15.Rxc1 Ba6 16.b3 Rae8=
15...Ba6 16.Nb5
16.Nxd6 Nd3 17.Ndb5 Nb4 18.d6 Qd7 19.exf6 Bxf6∞
Position after: 19...Bxf6∞
20.Bxa8?! Rxa8 21.f5 Bb7 22.fxg6 Qc6ƒ
16...dxe5
56
Position after: 16...dxe5
17.d6
17.fxe5 Rae8! 18.exf6 [18.Rxc1 Nd7∞] 18...Ne2+ 19.Kh1 Bxf6∞
17...Qe6 18.fxe5 Bh6 19.b3
19.Rxc1 Bxc1 20.Qxc1 Nd7∞
19...Nxb3
19...Bxb5!?
Position after: 19...Bxb5!?
20.Rxf6 [20.axb5 Ng4 21.Bxa8 Rxa8∞] 20...Bxc4 21.Rxe6 Bxb3 22.Qe1 Bxe6 23.Bxa8 Rxa8 24.Rxc1
Bxc1 25.Qxc1 c4∞
20.Qxb3 Nd5∞
57
Position after: 20...Nd5∞
It’s not easy to understand and memorize all these complications, but it is very important to us that
engines do not give bad evaluations for Black!
d) 10.a4 Qe7 11.Re1
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.g3 0-0 6.Bg2 e6 7.Nf3 exd5 8.cxd5 d6 9.0-0 Nbd7 10.a4 Qe7
11.Re1
58
11...a6
11...Ne4 12.Nxe4 Qxe4 13.Bf4 Qe7 This is close to equality, but the position is too dry for my taste!
12.e4 Rb8
12...Ng4 13.Nh4!? Nge5 14.f4 Nc4 15.Nf3²
13.Bf1
A) 13.a5 b5 14.axb6 Rxb6 15.Qc2 Rb4∞

B) 13.h3 b5 14.axb5 axb5 15.Bf4 b4 16.e5 bxc3 17.exf6 Qxf6 18.bxc3= ½-½ (34) Berkes, F (2511) –
Efimenko, Z (2559) Balatonlelle 2002.
13...Re8 14.h3
White wants to put his bishop on f4.

14.Bf4 Ng4=
14...h6!?∞
Position after: 14...h6!?∞
Making space for a knight on h7, and preparing ...g5. The game could continue:
15.Be3
59
15.a5 b5 16.axb6 Rxb6 17.Nd2 Rb4
Position after: 17...Rb4
18.Nc4 [18.Bxa6 Bxa6 19.Rxa6 Ne5©] 18...Ne5 19.Na5 [19.Nxe5 Qxe5 20.Bf4 Qe7 21.e5 dxe5
22.Rxe5 Qd8=] 19...Bd7 20.Re3 [20.f4? Rd4 21.Qe2 Nd3 22.Rd1 Nxc1 23.Raxc1 Nxe4–+] 20...g5∞
15...g5 16.Nd2 Nf8 17.f4 gxf4 18.gxf4 b5 19.axb5 axb5∞
Position after: 19...axb5∞
60
Conclusion
After 9...Nbd7 Black’s plan is clear. He wants to gain space on the kingside, playing ...Nh5 and
...f5. If Black succeeds in implementing this plan, after ...f4 and ...Ne5 an attack is possible! As in
the game between Ilincic and Velimirovic, when this type of attack occurred for the first time.
It is important to remember that the omission of ...a6 (for Black) and a4 (for White) is a necessity!
We should consider ...a6 only when the situation in the center of the board is defined and we want
to seek counterplay based on ...b5, as in the 10.Nd2 variation.
Things are much more complicated after 10.Bf4, because of White’s knight on f3. After ...f5, there
is always Ng5 in the air. So, Black should wait and reply according to White’s moves. The reaction
on h3 is ...Nh5 and after e4 ...Ng4. Trading one pair of knights is usually in Black’s favor. The
waiting move 10.a4 is a clever try, but after ...Qe7 Black answers in true Benoni style.
Fianchetto players with White prefer clear-cut positions with a logical thread of play, so we lure
them into real Benoni complications. Ironically, in most cases Black is the one with the clear plan
of play!
61
Chapter 3
White avoids the Main Variation
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6
Chapter Guide
Chapter 3 – White avoids the Main Variation
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6

a) 6.Bd3 e6 7.Nge2 0-0 8.--
b) 6.Bd3 e6 7.Nge2 0-0 8.0-0
c) 6.Nge2
d) 6.h3 0-0 7.Bg5
a) 6.Bd3 e6 7.Nge2 0-0 8.--
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Bd3 e6 7.Nge2 0-0
62
Position after: 7...0-0
8.Bg5
This was very popular some five years ago. In the end, Black found his way to create counterplay.
White’s main intention is, after ...e6xd5, to recapture with his e-pawn and grab more space after f4. We
will see this plan often in this book.
8.h3 Nfd7!?
Position after: 8...Nfd7!?
63
Avoiding regular Benonis instead of ...exd5 and cxd5.
A) 9.f4 exd5 10.exd5 f5 11.0-0 Nf6 would transpose into the main line with 8...Ng4 (next
subchapter).
B) 9.Bc2 Ne5 10.b3 exd5 11.exd5 Na6
Position after: 11...Na6
12.a3 [12.0-0 b5 13.cxb5 Nb4 14.Bb1 a6 15.b6 Nd7 16.a3 Bb7=] 12...b5 13.cxb5 Nc7 14.a4 Rb8
15.0-0 a6©
C) 9.b3 Ne5 10.Bc2 And we are back in the 9.Bc2 variation.
D) 9.Nf4 exd5 10.Nfxd5 [10.cxd5 Ne5 11.Be2 c4 12.0-0 Bd7³] 10...Nc6 11.0-0 Nb6=
E) 9.Ng3!? Ne5 10.Be2 exd5 11.cxd5 [11.Nxd5 Nbc6=] 11...h5 12.0-0 h4 13.Nh1 f5 14.f4 Nf7
15.Nf2 Na6∞
64
Position after: 15...Na6∞
Now there is a kind of Samisch King’s Indian structure in front of us, but White has a potential
weakness on d5.
8...h6 9.Bh4 exd5
Position after: 9...exd5
10.exd5
65
10.cxd5 a6 11.a4 Nbd7 12.0-0 Ne5 13.f4 [13.h3 g5 14.Bg3 Nh5„; 13.Bc2 g5 14.Bg3 Nh5³]
13...Nxd3 14.Qxd3 Qc7„
10...Nbd7 11.f4
11.0-0 Ne5³
11...g5!
Position after: 11...g5!
12.fxg5 Ng4 13.Qd2 Nde5 14.Ne4
14.Bh7+?! Now Black missed the promising 14...Kxh7! [14...Kh8 15.Bc2 hxg5? 16.Bxg5 f6 17.Bf4±
1-0 (45) Moiseenko, A (2711) – Baryshpolets, A (2547) Kiev 2013] 15.g6+ fxg6 16.Bxd8 Nxc4‚.
14...Qe7N
14...hxg5 More direct, but not the best. 15.Bxg5 f6 16.Bf4 f5 17.N4g3
66
Position after: 17.N4g3
17...b5! 18.cxb5 [18.0-0∞ 1-0 (39) Mastrovasilis, A (2555) – Naiditsch, A (2696) Baku 2016] 18...a6
19.0-0 Nxd3 20.Qxd3 axb5 21.Nh5ƒ White has seized the initiative.
15.0-0 Nxc4
16.Qf4
67
16.Bxc4 Qxe4 17.Bd3 [17.gxh6 Bxh6 18.Bg5 Ne3 19.Ng3!? Nxf1 20.Rxf1 Bxg5 21.Qxg5+ Qg6]
17...Qe3+ 18.Qxe3 Nxe3 19.gxh6 Bxh6„
16...Nxb2 17.Bc2
17.Nf6+ Bxf6 18.gxf6 Qe3+ 19.Qxe3 Nxe3 20.Rf3 Nxd3 21.Rxe3 Bf5³
17...Be5
18.Qf3
18.Nf6+? Bxf6 19.gxf6 Qxe2–+
18...hxg5 19.Bxg5 f6 20.Bf4 f5∞
b) 6.Bd3 e6 7.Nge2 0-0 8.0-0
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Bd3 e6 7.Nge2 0-0 8.0-0 Ng4
68
Position after: 8...Ng4
9.Bc2
A) 9.h3 Ne5 10.f4 Nxd3 11.Qxd3 exd5 12.Nxd5 f5 13.Ng3 fxe4 14.Nxe4 Nc6=
B) 9.Nf4 Nf6! [9...Ne5 10.Be2 exd5 11.Nfxd5 f5 12.Be3 Nbc6 13.Qd2²] 10.Bd2 exd5
11.exd5 [11.Nfxd5 Nxd5 12.exd5 Nd7=] 11...Nbd7 12.Bc2 Ne5 13.b3 a6 14.a4 b6 15.h3 Re8=
69
C) 9.f4 exd5
C1) 10.Nxd5 Nc6 11.h3 Nf6 12.f5 [12.Ndc3 b6] 12...Nxd5 13.cxd5 [13.exd5 Ne5³] 13...Ne5=
C2) 10.cxd5 c4 11.Bxc4 Qb6+ 12.Kh1 Nf2+ 13.Rxf2 Qxf2³
C3) 10.exd5 f5
Black is holding his own on the kingside, with a positional struggle ahead. We can see his optimal
70
setup in the next two games. 11.h3 Nf6 12.Bd2 [12.Be3 Na6 13.Qd2 Bd7 14.a3 Qe7 15.Rae1 Rae8
16.Bf2 Qd8= ½-½ (67) Davidovic, A (2420) – Damljanovic, B (2555) Zlatibor 1989] 12...Na6 13.a3
Nh5 14.Qc2 Nc7 15.b4 b6 16.Rae1 Ne8 17.g3 Bd7 18.Kg2 a6 19.Ng1
Position after: 19.Ng1
19...b5! 20.cxb5 cxb4 21.axb4 Bxc3!? [21...axb5] 22.Bxc3 Bxb5 23.Nf3 Nef6= ½-½ (51) Atalik, S
(2568) – Ivanisevic, I (2569) Jahorina 2003.
9...Ne5 10.b3
71
Position after: 10.b3
10...exd5 11.cxd5
11.exd5 Re8 12.Bf4 [12.h3 Na6=] 12...Na6 13.a3 f5 14.Qd2 Bd7„ ½-½ (76) Sokolov, I (2685) –
Topalov, V (2757) Wijk aan Zee 2005.
11...b5 12.f4
12.Rb1 b4 13.Na4 Nbd7=
12...b4!
13.fxe5 Bxe5 14.Bf4 Bxf4 15.Nxf4
15.Rxf4 bxc3 16.Nxc3 Nd7=
15...bxc3 16.Qe1 Nd7 17.Qxc3 Qf6=
72
Position after: 17...Qf6=
Conclusion
Our way of facing this variation with 6.Bd3 and 7.Nge2 leads to a positional battle, where it is
much more important to memorize an optimal setup than specific move orders. The exception is the
Bg5 before castling line where, after a sequence of forced moves, Black stands well.
c) 6.Nge2
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Nge2
73
Position after: 6.Nge2
A very complicated variation. I used it several times with White! The position can also arise from the
King’s Indian, when Black goes ...c5 instead of ...e5. White is very ambitious, trying to enter the
Samisch variation with 7.Nge2 (Chapter 8), with a tempo more!
6...e6 7.Ng3 exd5 8.cxd5 h5!? 9.Be2
74
9...a6
Possible is 9...Nh7!?N
Position after: 9...Nh7!?N
A) 10.0-0 a6 11.a4 [11.Re1 h4 12.Nf1 h3 13.g3 b5 14.a4 b4 15.Nb1 0-0 16.Nbd2 Nd7 17.Nc4 Ne5
18.Nfe3 Nxc4 19.Nxc4 a5 20.Bf4 Ba6=] 11...h4 12.Nh1
Position after: 12.Nh1
75
12...Bd4! The exclamation mark is for the originality. White’s position is not yet weak, but he must
find a precise and unique way to return his knight back into the game. 13.a5 Qf6 14.Ra4 0-0 15.Rxd4!
Qxd4 16.Qxd4 [16.Qc2©] 16...cxd4 17.Na4©
B) 10.Bf4 0-0 11.0-0 h4 12.Nh1 f5 13.exf5 Bxf5 14.Qd2 g5 15.Be3 Nd7„
C) 10.h4
Position after: 10.h4
That can hardly be a good idea. The pawn on h4 would remain undefended if White castled short so
his king cannot find shelter on that side of the board. 10...Nd7³
D) 10.Nf1!? Probably the best for White, but to play this way, one needs to possess a lot of
knowledge and experience! 10...0-0 11.Ne3 Qe7 12.0-0 Nd7 13.a4
76
D1) 13...Bxc3 14.bxc3 Qxe4 It is always risky to give such a bishop for just one lousy pawn...
15.Bd3 Qe7 16.Nc4!?² [16.f4 f5 17.Re1 Qg7 18.Nc4ƒ]
D2) 13...Rb8 14.a5 a6
15.Nc4 Ne5 16.Nb6 Nd7 17.Nxc8 [17.Nc4 Ne5=] 17...Rbxc8∞
77
10.a4 Qe7
Following an idea of Mihail Marin from his book that covered the Benoni.
11.Bg5
A) 11.0-0?! loses a pawn without compensation. 11...h4 12.Nh1 Nxe4µ

B) 11.f3 Nh7
78
B1) 12.0-0? Bd4+ 13.Rf2µ [13.Kh1 h4–+]

B2) 12.Nf1 0-0 13.Ne3 Nd7 14.0-0 f5 15.exf5 [15.Nc4 Bd4+ 16.Kh1 Ne5 17.Nb6 Rb8„] 15...Bd4
16.Qd2 gxf5 17.Kh1 f4 18.Nc4 Ne5=
B3) 12.Be3 h4 13.Nf1 Nd7 14.Nd2 f5 15.Nc4 0-0
16.exf5 [16.Qd2 Ne5 17.Nb6 Rb8 18.0-0 Nd7=] 16...Ne5 17.Nxe5 [17.Nb6 Bxf5! 18.Nxa8 Nxf3+
19.gxf3 Qxe3 20.Qd2 Qxd2+ 21.Kxd2 Bh6+ 22.Kd1 Rxa8©] 17...Qxe5 18.fxg6 Qxe3 19.gxh7+
79
Position after: 19.gxh7+
19...Kh8 [19...Kxh7 20.Qd3+ Qxd3 21.Bxd3+ Bf5©] 20.Qd2 Qe5©

C) 11.Qc2
Position after: 11.Qc2
Defending the e4-pawn, but the queen is in an unusual place here. 11...Nh7
C1) In case of 12.0-0 then after 12...0-0 White lacks useful moves, e.g. 13.Be3 [13.f3? Bd4+
14.Kh1? h4–+] 13...h4 14.Nh1 f5ƒ
80
C2) 12.Nf1 Nd7 13.Be3 0-0 14.Nd2 Ne5 15.0-0 f5=
11...Qe5
12.Qd2
12.f4 Qd4 13.Qc2 [13.Bf3 Qxd1+ 14.Rxd1 Nbd7 15.0-0 h4 16.Nge2 Rb8„] 13...Ng4 14.Bxg4 Bxg4∞
12...h4 13.f4
13.Bf4?! Qe7 14.Nf1 h3 15.Bf3 hxg2 16.Bxg2 Bh3³ 0-1 (46) Dreev, A (2688) – Minasian, A (2557)
Moscow 2009.
13...Qd4 14.Nf1 h3 15.g3 Ng4
81
16.Bf3
16.Qxd4 Bxd4 17.Nd1 f6 18.Bh4 Rg8 19.Nd2™ 19...g5 20.Nc4 gxh4 21.Nb6 Nd7 22.Nxa8 Kd8„
16...f6 17.Bh4 0-0
The hidden threat is ...g5!, with the idea of opening up the f-file.
82
18.Qe2
18.Qxd4 cxd4 19.Ne2 d3 20.Nd4 f5ƒ
18...Qb4 19.Ra2
19.0-0-0 Nh6 20.Ne3 Nd7„
19...f5 20.Nd2
Position after: 20.Nd2
20...Re8!
20...Bd4? 21.Be7! Re8 22.Bxd6 Nf2 23.e5 Nxh1 24.Bxh1±
21.0-0 Ne3 22.Rc1 Qd4 23.Kh1
23.Nb3 Qc4 24.Qxc4 Nxc4=
23...c4∞
83
Position after: 23...c4∞
A colorful position! Black just needs to finish his development.
Conclusion
The variation with 6.Nge2 certainly deserves more attention than one subchapter, and it is just a
matter of time before it will be revitalized. Because of all that, I gave here two suggestions. The first
one, 9...Nh7 is more positionally grounded. The second alternative, Marin’s idea, lies more on the
wild side of the Benoni. In both cases, we reach very complicated positions, when every single
move is important!
d) 6.h3 0-0 7.Bg5
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.h3 0-0
84
7.Bg5
7.Nf3 e6 8.Bd3 – See Chapter 5.
7...e6 8.Bd3 exd5 9.cxd5
9.exd5 Nbd7
85
A) 10.f4 White’s plan to take space while neglecting his development may prove too expensive for
him! 10...b5! 11.Nxb5 Ba6 12.a4 Qe8+ 13.Ne2 [13.Qe2 Nh5‚] 13...Bxb5 14.axb5 Ne4ƒ
B) 10.Nf3 Re8+ 11.Kf1 [if 11.Be3 White plays the position with a tempo less compared to the Tal
Variation, Chapter 5] 11...Ne5 12.Nxe5 Rxe5
B1) 13.Bf4 Re8 14.g4 [14.g3 Nh5 15.Bd2 f5 16.Kg2 a6=] 14...a6
86
15.Kg2 [15.a4 Nd7 16.Kg2 – if 16.Bxd6? then 16...Qb6 wins, attacking the bishop and the b2-pawn
– 16...Ne5„] 15...h5 16.f3 Nd7 17.Qd2 [17.Bxd6? Qb6µ] 17...Ne5„
B2) 13.Qd2 b5!? 14.Nxb5 [14.cxb5 a6 15.a4 axb5 16.Bxb5 Bd7©] 14...Ne4 15.Bxe4 Rxg5 16.g3
Re5 17.Re1
17...Ba6 [Here I would give priority to 17...f5 18.Bd3 Rxe1+ 19.Kxe1 Bd7 20.Kf1 Qf6 21.Nc3
Rb8= and Black has more than enough compensation for the sacrificed pawn.] 18.Kg2 Qd7 19.f4
Re7 20.Bd3 Bxb5 21.cxb5 Rae8 22.b3 Qb7 23.Bc4 Qc8 24.Rxe7 Rxe7 25.Re1 Rxe1 26.Qxe1 ½-½
Norman, N (2139) – Bucsa, I (2237) ICCF 2016.
9...Re8
87
10.Nf3
White managed to enter a regular Benoni having avoided the variation with ...b5 which leads to a
forced draw (check Appendix 2). On the other hand, his bishop on g5 isn’t optimal.
10.Nge2 Nbd7 11.0-0 h6
Position after: 11...h6
88
12.Bh4 [12.Be3 Ne5 13.a4 Nxd3 14.Qxd3 b6 15.Ng3 Nh7 16.f4 h5 17.f5 h4 18.fxg6 fxg6 19.Nge2
g5„ 0-1 (58) Ponomariov, R (2723) – Topalov, V (2783) Wijk aan Zee 2007] 12...Ne5 [maybe now is
the time for 12...a6!? 13.a4 g5 14.Bg3 Ne5 with very good prospects for Black] 13.Bb5 Bd7 14.f4
Bxb5 15.Nxb5 Nc4 16.Qc1 a6 17.Nbc3 b5
18.Ng3 And now I would suggest 18...Nb6!? as a novelty, at the same time preventing e5 and
preparing a typical pawn storm on the queenside. [18...Qd7 19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.e5 dxe5 21.Nce4 Bg7
22.f5∞ ½-½ (35) Georgiev, V (2511) – Cheparinov, I (2682) Albena 2014]
10...h6
10...c4
89
Position after: 10...c4
11.Bc2 [11.Bxc4?! Nxe4! 12.Nxe4 Rxe4+ 13.Be2 Qa5+³] 11...b5 is considered to be a main variation
here, leading to an unclear game with long theoretical discussions.
11.Be3
11.Bf4 Nxe4 12.Bxe4 Bxc3+ 13.bxc3 Rxe4+ 14.Be3 Qf6 15.0-0 g5 16.Nd2 Re8 17.Qh5 Bf5 18.h4
gxh4³
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11...Nbd7
11...a6?! 12.Qd2 g5 13.h4! g4 14.Bxh6! gxf3 15.gxf3±
12.0-0
12.Qd2
Position after: 12.Qd2
12...b5! A beautiful move! 13.Nxb5 [13.Bxh6 c4 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.Bc2 b4 16.Ne2 Nxe4 17.Bxe4
Rxe4 18.0-0 Qf6³] 13...Nxe4 14.Bxe4 Rxe4 15.Nxd6 Rb4
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16.0-0 [16.Qd3 Bxb2 17.Rd1 c4ƒ] 16...Ba6 17.Rfb1 [17.Rfe1 Rxb2 18.Qc1 Rb6 19.Ne4 g5³]
17...Qb6ƒ
12...a6
12...g5
Position after: 12...g5
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It is possible to play this move without including ...a6 and a4. Here is an example. 13.Nd2 Ne5 [13...g4
14.hxg4 Ne5 15.Bb5 Bxg4 16.f3 Bd7 may also be playable] 14.Bb5 [14.Be2 Ng6∞] 14...Re7
Keeping the c8-bishop alive; it is an important weapon in the attack. 15.a4 [15.f4 gxf4 16.Bxf4 Ng6
17.Bg3 a6 18.Be2 b5∞ 0-1 (32) Abdulla, A (2524) – Gopal, G (2480) Dhaka 2007] 15...Ng6∞
13.a4 g5!?
Position after: 13...g5!?
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14.Nd2
14.Qd2 g4 15.Bxh6 gxf3 16.Qg5 Nh5 17.Qxh5 Ne5 18.Rfd1 Bxh6 19.Qxh6 f6©
Position after: 19...f6©
Look at this knight on e5!
14...Ne5 15.Be2
A game between engines shows that 15.Bc2 Rb8 [15...Ng6 is not so good here because White’s pawn
on e4 is defended, so White can play 16.Nc4²; 15...Bd7!?∞] 16.f4 gxf4 17.Bxf4 b5 18.axb5 axb5∞ ½-
½ (82) Protector 1.4.0 – Hannibal 1.3 Internet 2013.
15...g4
Black forces events! This is one of two possibilities.

15...Ng6∞
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Position after: 15...Ng6∞
Preventing White’s counterplay with f4, temporarily giving up on the ...g4 push but retaining that as a
threat in the future. There’s not much White can do, while Black has ...Rb8, ...Bd7, etc on the agenda.
16.f4!
16.hxg4 Nfxg4³ The open g-file and the better setup of Black’s pieces give potential to the his attack.
He could transfer his queen to g6, apply the plan with ...Kh8 and ...Rg8, or simply play ...f5. Black’s
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position is very easy to play. 17.Bf4 h5³
16...gxf3 17.Bxf3
17.Nxf3 Nxf3+ 18.Bxf3 Bf5!
Position after: 18...Bf5!
19.Bxc5 [19.Qd2 Nxe4 20.Bxe4 Bxe4 21.Bxh6 Bg6∞] 19...dxc5 20.exf5 Qd6= Here we have
opposite-colored bishops, but Black’s bishop has much more scope and that’s enough to compensate
for the slight material deficit. [20...Rb8=]
17...Bd7∞
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Position after: 17...Bd7∞
Conclusion
Rarely in the Benoni does Black have the opportunity to launch an attack on a White’s king with his
pawns in the vanguard. Here, compared to the Classic variation, the difference is that White has
already played Bg5. That gives us the chance to gain time by attacking the bishop with ...h6 and
continuing with ...g5. Black is constantly threatening to open the position in his favor with ...g4, at
the same time preventing White’s plan connected with the f4 push.
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Chapter 4
The Main Variation
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Nf3 0-0 7.h3 e6 8.Bd3
Chapter Guide
Chapter 4 – The Main Variation
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Nf3 0-0 7.h3 e6 8.Bd3
Option 1: Vaske’s idea (8...Na6)
a) Alternatives to 9.0-0
b) The plan with 9.0-0 e5
c) The plan with 9.0-0 Nc7
Option 2: Improving on Vaske’s idea (8...Nbd7)
d) Playing ...e5 with the knight on d7
Option 3: Tal’s line (8...exd5 9.exd5 Re8+ 10.Be3 Nbd7 11.0-0 a6)
e) White stops ...b7-b5

f) White allows ...b7-b5
In Chapter Four, a variation that I consider to be one of the most important in the Delayed Benoni, my
98
approach is different. I wanted to show the readers the development of my understanding of this
variation as it changed while I played it as Black.
At first, against Fridman and Harikrishna, I toyed with 8...Na6 followed by ...e5. That was fun until
White players found the right recipe. You can check that together with the next alternative, after
8...Na6 playing ...Nc7 and ...b5, trying to undermine White’s center. If our opponent prevents that with
a4, we should close the center with ...e5 and start an offensive on the kingside. More about this you can
find in the comments to the game Parligras – Ivanisevic. Also, I tried a hybrid in a game against
Dautov.
After I lost with 8...Na6 and 9...e5, I learned that the best antidote for White is being aggressive with
f4. So, after some time, I came up with another solution. Against Aronian the adventure started with
8...Nbd7, as a new possibility. If White allows Black to block the center after 9. 0-0 e5, the position
resembles a King’s Indian, with the important nuance that our opponent has already played h3. That
can fit in with our evil plans of mating our opponent. Aronian himself repeated the idea with the black
pieces, in blitz and rapid games.
Another option is, in the footsteps of Mikhail Tal who played it twice, 8...exd5 followed (in case of
9.exd5) by ...Re8+, ...Nbd7 and ...a6. Earlier I was always suspicious of premature taking on d5, until a
new idea popped up: to reach an advantageous version of the Benko. If White refuses to cooperate with
a4, let’s activate the rook after 12...Ne5. As usual, exchanging minor piece is cool for the side that has
less space.
Finally, some conclusions. White can count on some advantage here. But he must be well prepared, as
Black has different ways to handle this variation. I have shown three possibilities here and a fourth one
can be found in Appendix 1, about move orders.
a) Alternatives to 9.0-0
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nc3
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Position after: 5.Nc3
5...g6
5...exd5 6.cxd5 g6 is a Modern Benoni.
6.e4 Bg7 7.h3 0-0 8.Bd3
This is regarded as a main position of the Delayed Benoni and the best option for White. White’s idea
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is to meet ...exd5 with exd5. In that case he would achieve a solid position with a space advantage.
Almost any endgame that would arise from this position is slightly better for White. This is by far the
most popular setup for White against the Delayed Benoni. It was favored by the “Patriarch” of the
Soviet school of chess, Mikhail Botvinnik. When you check this position with engines, the evaluation is
a small but constant edge for White. On the other hand, Black can meet this setup in several ways, so
White needs to know lots of the nuances. Because of the importance of this variation I want to do it
differently than the rest of the book. First, I want to show you how the variation has developed, going
through some of my games. I think that, during this process, I found what is really best for Black.
8...Na6
The move that I like the most. Black’s idea is, after he puts his knight on c7, to take on d5 and,
irrespective of whether White responds with exd5 or cxd5, follow with ...b7-b5. And if White decides
not to allow this and plays a2-a4, then we would close the position with ...e6-e5, reaching a favorable
version of the King’s Indian. In that case, yes, we would lose a tempo, but also prevent White’s typical
play on the queenside with a3 and b4. Obviously, in such positions a2-a4 is not optimal as only Black
can use the b4-square later.
Before looking into 9.0-0, mostly analysing my own games, let’s see what happens against other ninth
moves.
9.Bg5
A couple of years ago this was considered dangerous for Black. Not anymore, because of the pawn
sacrifice typical for many Benoni positions: ...b7-b5!. Here, the sacrifice is surely justified, as White
has not castled yet. This line requires some memorizing. On the positive side, this is the only such line;
all the others can be handled just by intuition and understanding.
9.dxe6 is rarely played in this position. Black has a weakness on d6 but the d4 square is also weak.
Typical ways of exploiting that are the knight maneuvers ...Nb4-c6 and ...Nd7-e5. 9...Bxe6 10.0-0
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Position after: 10.0-0
A) 10...Nd7!? 11.Bg5 Bf6 [11...Qb6!?] 12.Bh6 Re8 13.Qd2 Nb4 14.Ng5? [14.Be2 Ne5 15.Nxe5
Bxe5∞] 14...Nxd3 15.Nxe6 Rxe6 16.Qxd3 g5!µ 0-1 (52) Odendahl, S (2400) – Quinteros, M (2515)
Lone Pine 1980.
B) 10...Nb4 11.Be2 Nc6 12.Bf4
12...Nd4∞ [or 12...Qb6 with ...Nd4 to follow].
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9...h6 10.Be3
10...exd5!
10...Nc7 11.Qd2 Kh7 12.dxe6 [12.e5 dxe5 13.Bxc5∞; 12.0-0 is very dangerous for Black because
White gained a tempo attacking the pawn on h6, and his queen will remain very useful on d2]
12...Nxe6 13.Rd1²
11.exd5
11.cxd5 b5!
103
A) 12.Nxb5 The safest. 12...Nb4 13.0-0 Ba6 14.Bc4 [14.Be2 Nxe4 15.a3 Qb6 16.axb4 Bxb5 17.bxc5
Nxc5 18.Nd4 Bxe2 19.Qxe2 Rfe8= Blagojevic – Ivanisevic, Serbian league 2007] 14...Nxe4 15.a3
Qb6 16.axb4 Bxb5 17.bxc5 Nxc5 18.Bxb5 Qxb5= ½-½ Borovikov, V (2585) – Chatalbashev, B
(2561) Bad Liebenzell 2010.
B) 12.Bxb5 Nxe4 13.Nxe4 [13.Bxa6? Nxc3–+] 13...Qa5+
Position after: 13...Qa5+
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14.Nc3 [14.Nfd2 Qxb5 15.Nxd6 Qxb2„] 14...Bxc3+ 15.bxc3 Qxb5„ 16.Bxh6? Bf5‚
C) 12.0-0 c4 13.Bc2 b4 14.Nb5 Re8 15.Nd2 Nc5 16.Nxc4 Nfxe4 17.Bxe4 Nxe4∞
Position after: 17...Nxe4∞
18.Nxa7!? This is possible but Black will have huge compensation.

C1) 18...Rxa7 This exchange sacrifice might be the best move here. 19.Bxa7 Qc7 20.Qc2 [20.Qa4
Re7 21.Nb6 Bf5∞] 20...Qxa7 21.Rae1
Position after: 21.Rae1
105
21...Bf5 [21...Qe7 22.Qxe4 Qxe4 23.Rxe4 Rxe4 24.Nxd6 Re2=] 22.g4 Qe7 23.gxf5 Qg5+ 24.Kh2
Qf4+=
C2) 18...Ba6 19.Nc6 Qh4 [¹ 19...Qf6] 20.Rc1? [20.Nb6!²] 20...Nc3! 21.bxc3 Bxc4 22.cxb4 Rxa2
Position after: 22...Rxa2
23.Rc2 [23.Re1? Rxe3!–+ Watch out for ...Qxf2!] 23...Ra1 24.Rc1 Rxc1 25.Qxc1 Bxf1 26.Qxf1 Qe4
0-1 (27) Blagojevic, D (2528) – Chatalbashev, B (2561) Zagreb 2010.
11...Nb4
106
Position after: 11...Nb4
12.Bb1
12.Be2!? Bf5 13.Rc1 At first I thought that all the tactics should work for Black here, but things aren’t
that simple.
Position after: 13.Rc1
13...Re8! Preparing ...Ne4. [13...Qa5 14.Qd2 Ne4 15.Nxe4 Bxe4 16.a3 Bxb2™ 17.axb4 this position is
simply worse for Black; 13...Ne4 14.g4! White is winning material and stands better] 14.a3 Na6 15.0-0
[15.Bd3 Ne4 wouldn’t change much] 15...Ne4 16.Nxe4 Bxe4 17.Bd3 Qd7 The position is close to
equal.
12...b5!
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13.a3
A) 13.Nxb5?! Ba6 14.a4 [14.0-0 Nfxd5³]
Now Black has two good options. 14...Qa5 [14...Nfxd5!? 15.cxd5 Bxb2 16.Ra3 Bxa3 now White
should find 17.Qb3! to get unclear play; Black then has many moves: 17...Qf6, 17...Bb7, 17...c4!?]
15.0-0 Bxb5 16.cxb5 a6! Black has very good play as the bishop on b1 is out of the action.
108
B) 13.cxb5?! Bb7³
13...Qa5
Even 13...bxc4 14.axb4 cxb4 15.Ne2 a5 can be tried.
This is a lot of fun. Engines don’t support such an idea, but if we are playing against humans...
Position after: 13...Qa5
109
14.0-0
14.axb4 Qxa1 15.Nxb5 Qxb2 16.0-0 Qxb4 17.Nxd6 Ba6µ
14...bxc4 15.Qd2 Nd3 16.Bxh6 Rb8 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.Bxd3 cxd3 19.b4!
Position after: 19.b4!
19...Qc7!?
An improvement over my game with Kiril Georgiev, which continued with 19...Qa6 20.b5 Qa5
21.Qxd3 Bf5 22.Qd2 Rfe8 23.Rfc1²
110
Position after: 23.Rfc1²
0-1 (124) Georgiev, K (2671) – Ivanisevic, I (2664) Subotica 2008. White is slightly better, but the
maximum he can achieve is some ending with a three vs two pawn ratio on the kingside. Trying for
more might turn the tables in Black’s favor.
20.Qxd3
20.Rfc1 Ba6 21.Rab1 Rfe8 22.b5 Bc8„
Position after: 22...Bc8„
111
Black intends ...Bf5.
20...cxb4 21.axb4 Rxb4 22.Rfc1 Qb6=
Position after: 22...Qb6=
The position is unclear, with slightly easier play for Black (...Bd7, ...Rc8, ...a5, etc).
b) The plan with 9.0-0 e5
Fridman , Daniel
Ivanisevic, Ivan
Cirih 2007
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nc3 g6 6.e4 Bg7 7.h3 0-0 8.Bd3 Na6 9.0-0
112
The most natural move and, as so often in chess, probably the best one.
9...e5
I borrowed this idea from Vaske (the nickname of IM Dragan Vasiljevic from Belgrade). He analysed it
a long time ago, without the help of any engines... Black’s idea is pretty obvious – to move the f6-
knight and launch an attack on the kingside, rolling his pawns forward as in a King’s Indian. And this
would be possible if White castled kingside.
10.Bg5
This was considered White’s best at the time, with the idea of Qd2. I prepared here a novelty, a pawn
sacrifice. Other possibilities, 10.a3 or 10.Rb1, are covered in the next game.
Another possibility is 10.Re1 with the idea of Bf1 and g3. Black can proceed with his plan in two ways:
10...Ne8 and ...f5, or 10...Kh8, ...Ng8, and ...f5.
10...h6 11.Be3
11.Bd2 Nh7 12.Qc1 The same idea as the Be3, Qd2 battery. In 2009 I played 12...f5 13.exf5 gxf5
14.Bxh6
113
Position after: 14.Bxh6
A) 14...e4?! Grabbing a piece is mistaken here, but I was enticed by the fact that White’s queen is on
c1 here and I hoped that snatching material would be justified. That judgement was wrong as even
with his queen on c1, White still gets excellent compensation for the piece. 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Bxe4
[16.Nxe4 fxe4 17.Bxe4 Qf6 18.Re1 is also dangerous] 16...fxe4 17.Nxe4ƒ
Position after: 17.Nxe4ƒ
Black’s life is difficult here and I hoped to change the balance with an exchange sacrifice, taking into
account White’s damaged pawn structure on the kingside. White wants to play Qc3+ followed by
114
Rae1. 17...Rxf3 18.gxf3 Bxh3 19.Qf4 Bxf1 20.Kxf1 Qf8 21.Qg3+ Kh8 22.Nxd6
Position after: 22.Nxd6
The a6-knight is a problem here, being too far from the action. 22...Qf6 23.Re1 Rg8 24.Qe5± 1-0 (41)
Perunovic, M (2439) – Ivanisevic, I (2625) Sombor 2009.
B) 14...Qf6!N
Position after: 14...Qf6!N
Black’s best! 15.Bxg7 [15.Bg5 Qg6 16.Be7 Re8 17.Nh4 Qf7 18.Bxd6 Qf6∞] 15...Qxg7© Black will
115
regroup his pieces (...Bd7, ...Rf7, etc) and then decide to push either ...e4 or ...f4. For a human it’s
clear that Black has compensation for the pawn; for engines, however, it’s 0.8 for White!
11...Nh7!? 12.Qd2 f5!
This is the idea of ...h6 and ...Nh7. At the cost of one pawn, Black develops a very dangerous attack
and that was Vaske’s original idea!
13.Bxh6
13.exf5 gxf5 14.Bxh6 Qf6!©
116
Position after: 14...Qf6!©
Again, this is how Black should proceed.
13...f4
The point of Black’s sacrifice. Black gets the King’s Indian type of attack and White faces a difficult
defense.
14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.Be2 Ng5!
117
Position after: 15...Ng5!
After 15...g5 16.Nh2 White is holding.
16.Rfb1
The tactics are simply working for Black here. The sacrifice on h3 – removing the pawn defenses in
front of the white king – is often decisive. I will give a number of lines to illustrate Black’s attacking
power in these positions.
A) 16.Qd1 Nxh3+!
Position after: 16...Nxh3+!
17.gxh3 Bxh3 18.Re1 Rh8 19.Bf1 Qd7 20.Ng5 Kf6! 21.Nxh3 Rxh3‚
B) 16.Nh2 Bxh3! 17.gxh3
118
Position after: 17.gxh3
B1) 17...Nxh3+!? 18.Kh1 [18.Kg2 Qh4 19.f3 Qg3+ 20.Kh1 Rh8–+] 18...Qh4 19.f3 Rh8 20.Qe1
Qg3!µ
Position after: 20...Qg3!µ
And White is in big trouble, as 21.Qxg3 fxg3 22.Ng4 loses to 22...Nf4+ 23.Kg1 Rh3–+.
B2) 17...f3 18.Nxf3
119
Position after: 18.Nxf3
18...Nxh3+ [18...Nxf3+ 19.Bxf3 Rxf3 20.Kg2 Qf6 21.Ne2 Nb4! 22.Ng1 Rf8µ] 19.Kg2 Nf4+
20.Kg3 Qf6 21.Rg1 Rf7!–+
16...Rh8
Position after: 16...Rh8
Underlining the target: a sac on h3!
120
17.Kf1 Bxh3! 18.gxh3 Rxh3 19.Ng1
19...Qd7!
Black aims for ...f3 followed by ...Rh1. 19...Rh1 probably works too, as after 20.Bg4 f3! White’s king
remains in “the box”.
20.Qd1
Threatening Bg4.
20.Nxh3 Qxh3+ 21.Ke1 Qh1+ 22.Bf1 Nf3+–+
20...f3!
121
21.Bxf3
A) 21.Nxh3 Qxh3+ 22.Ke1 fxe2 23.Qxe2 [23.Kxe2 Qg4+ 24.Kd2 Nf3+ 25.Kc2 Nb4+ 26.Kb3
Nd4+–+] 23...Nf3+ 24.Kd1 Nb4 25.Kc1 Rf8–+
Position after: 25...Rf8–+
…...Nd4, ...Nd3+
122
B) 21.Nxf3 Rh1+ 22.Ng1 Qh3+–+
21...Rxf3!
Position after: 21...Rxf3!
22.Nxf3 Qh3+ 23.Ke2 Qxf3+ 24.Kd2 Qxf2+–+ 25.Qe2 Qf4+ 26.Kc2
26.Qe3 Nf3+ 27.Ke2 Qh2+! 28.Qf2 Nd4+ 29.Ke1 Qh6–+ Next comes ...Rf8.
26...Nf3
123
All the black pieces are on the attack, which virtually plays itself!
27.Nb5 Nb4+ 28.Kb3 a6 29.Rf1
29.Nxd6 Nd4+–+
29...Nd2+ 30.Kc3 Nxe4+ 31.Kb3 Nd2+ 32.Kc3
Position after: 32.Kc3
124
32...Nxa2+! 33.Rxa2
33.Kc2 Nb4+ 34.Kc3 Nxf1 35.Rxf1 Nxd5+ 36.cxd5 Qb4+–+
33...Nxf1 34.Nc7 Qc1+ 35.Kd3 Rh8 36.Ne6+ Kg8 37.Qg2
Position after: 37.Qg2
37...Rh3+! 38.Ke2
38.Qxh3 Qd2+ 39.Ke4 Qe2+ 40.Qe3 Qxe3#
38...Re3+ 39.Kf2 Qe1+ 40.Kg1 Nd2+
0-1
Harikrishna, Penteala (2668)

Ivanisevic, Ivan (2664)
Kallithea 2008
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nc3 g6 6.h3 Bg7 7.e4 0-0 8.Bd3 Na6 9.0-0 e5
125
10.Rb1
The right move order goes 10.a3!, making the b4-square off-limits to Black’s knight. Black is in dire
straits here! 10...Ne8 [10...Kh8 11.Rb1 Ng8 transposes to the game] 11.Nh2 f5 12.f4 exf4 13.Bxf4±
Position after: 13.Bxf4±
White is clearly better. Black needs his knight on d7 to keep e5 under control, 1-0 (56) Popov, I (2594)
– Ivanisevic, I (2649) Plovdiv 2008.
126
10...Kh8
A) 10...Ne8 was a better move here, when Black gets acceptable play. 11.Nh2 [11.a3 f5 12.b4 f4∞]
11...f5 12.f4
Position after: 12.f4
12...Nb4 This jump gives Black good play, so White should have prevented it with 10.a3!. [12...exf4
13.Bxf4 g5 14.Bd2 f4 15.Nf3² Black has no time to put a knight on e5] 13.Be2 [13.fxe5 Nxd3
14.Qxd3 dxe5∞ with the idea of ... Nd6, ...f5, ...f4, ...g5, etc] 13...fxe4∞
B) 10...Bd7!? 11.a3 Qe7 should be playable.
C) 10...Nh5?!
127
Position after: 10...Nh5?!
This is not really comfortable for Black as the knight on h5 would often be more of a weakness than
an advantage for the attacking side. 11.Re1 Nf4 [11...f5? 12.exf5 gxf5 13.Nxe5±] 12.Bf1 f5?!
13.Bxf4 exf4 14.e5 dxe5 15.Nxe5±
Position after: 15.Nxe5±
11.a3 Ng8
128
12.Nh2 f5 13.f4 exf4 14.Bxf4 g5 15.Bd2 f4 16.Qh5! h6 17.h4 Nf6 18.Qg6 Bd7
18...Qe8 19.e5!
Position after: 19.e5!
19...dxe5 20.hxg5 Qxg6 [20...hxg5 21.Qxg5] 21.Bxg6 hxg5 22.Nf3 Nc7 23.Rbe1 Nce8 24.Rxe5 Nd6
25.b3±
129
19.hxg5! Be8
Now comes a rather spectacular queen sacrifice that I had completely underestimated!
20.Qxg7+!
20.Qf5 Nxd5! [20...Nh5 21.Qh3 Bd4+ 22.Rf2! Qxg5 23.Ne2!±; 20...Bd7?? 21.gxf6 Bxf5 22.fxg7+
Kxg7 23.exf5+–] 21.Qxd5 Nc7 22.Qxb7 Rb8 23.Qxa7 Ra8 And Black should make a draw or give his
queen back, when the position is not so simple.
20...Kxg7 21.gxf6+ Rxf6 22.Ne2
130
Position after: 22.Ne2
At the moment, White has only two pieces for the queen! Black’s king is, however, terribly weak.
White would collect the f4-pawn and then attack with all his pieces (a lot of them, one must admit).
This is already a winning position for White.
22...Nb8 23.Nxf4 Nd7 24.Ng4 Rxf4
24...Rf8 25.Bc3++–
25.Rxf4 Ne5 26.Nxe5 dxe5 27.Rf5 Bg6 28.Rxe5 Qh4 29.Bc3
131
Position after: 29.Bc3
White’s pair of bishops is too strong, especially the one on c3.
29...Kg8 30.Rf1 Rf8 31.d6 Qg3 32.Re6 Rxf1+ 33.Bxf1 Qe3+ 34.Kh2 Bxe4 35.Re8+ Kf7 36.Re7+
Kf8 37.Bg7+ Kg8 38.Be5 Bc6 39.b4 Qe1 40.b5 Bd7 41.Bg3 Qxf1 42.Rxd7 Qf5 43.Re7 Qh5+
44.Kg1 Qd1+ 45.Re1 Qd4+ 46.Kh2 Qg4 47.Re5 b6 48.Rd5 Qd7
Position after: 48...Qd7
132
49.Bf4 Qg4 50.Bg3 Qd7 51.Rd3 Qf5 52.Rf3 Qg4 53.Rf4 Qd1 54.Rh4 Kh7 55.Bf4 h5 56.Bg3 Kg6
57.Re4 Kf5 58.Rf4+ Kg5 59.a4 Kg6 60.Re4 Kf5 61.Rh4 Kg5 62.Rh3 Kf5 63.Rh4 Kg5 64.Rf4 Kg6
65.Re4 Kf5 66.Re5+ Kg4 67.Re7 Qd3 68.Be5
68...Kf5 69.d7 Qxc4 70.Bg3 Qd3 71.Bc7 Qc4 72.d8=Q
1-0
A great effort by Harikrishna.
Conclusion
The drawback of this variation is the knight placed on a6, which cannot participate in the fight if the
center opens.
On the other hand, White has to know the only plan that generates an advantage. He needs to wait
with some useful moves like a3, Rb1, and when Black moves his knight from f6 in order to play
...f5, then White in turn moves his knight (to h2 for example). And when Black plays ...f5, White is
ready to meet that with f4!.
All that jazz is possible thanks to the unfortunate position of Black’s knight on a6. So if we play
8...Na6 I recommend as the best follow-up 9...Nc7. The main idea of this setup is ...exd5 and then
...b5. We have seen games with 9...e5, but this is not the best and with precise play White will get
133
an advantage.
c) The plan with 9.0-0 Nc7
Parligras, Mircea (2613)

Baile Govora 2017
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nc3 g6 6.e4 Bg7 7.h3 0-0 8.Bd3 Na6 9.0-0 Nc7!?
Position after: 9...Nc7!?
Black’s idea is 10...exd5 with 11...b5 to follow. White has quite a few options as to how to deal with
that – he may take on e6, he may prevent the threat by playing a2-a4, or he may simply ignore it. In the
last case, after ...exd5 White faces the dilemma of deciding whether to recapture with exd5 or cxd5.
10.Re1
Protecting the e4-pawn. Now 10...exd5 11.cxd5 b5? does not work for Black at this point because after
12.Nxb5 Nxb5 13.Bxb5 he cannot take on e4.
A) 10.Bg5 White ignores our threats. 10...h6!
134
Position after: 10...h6!
A1) 11.Bh4 Now Black can choose between two possibilities. 11...e5!? Black can try this now
because White’s bishop is much worse placed on h4 than on e3. Now Black wants to move his queen
to d7 or e8, knight to h7, and start classical KID play with ...f5 [also 11...g5 12.Bg3 Nh5 13.Bh2
Nf4∞].
A2) 11.Be3 exd5 12.exd5 [12.cxd5 b5!„] 12...b5!
135
Our play becomes concrete. 13.Qd2 [¹ 13.b3 Nh5!? 14.Rc1 b4 15.Ne2 f5„ in this position we are
gaining space on both flanks, enough for some serious counterplay!; 13.cxb5 Nfxd5 14.Nxd5 Nxd5
15.Bxg6!? Nxe3 16.fxe3 d5© avoiding Qd5] 13...bxc4 14.Bxc4 Kh7 15.Rfe1
Position after: 15.Rfe1
15...Bb7 [15...Nd7!? to put immediate pressure on the d5-pawn] 16.Rab1?! [¹ 16.Bf4 Qd7= with
the idea of exchanging pieces along the e-file, after which White’s d5-pawn becomes weaker]
16...Nd7 17.Na4
Position after: 17.Na4
136
17...Nf6 [17...Nb6! 18.Nxb6 axb6 19.b4 Ra4³ …...Qd8, ...Ba6] 18.Nc3 Nd7 19.Na4 Nf6 20.Nc3
Nd7 ½-½ Ragger, M – Ivanisevic, I Kozloduy 2012.
B) Now, if White reacts with 10.a4
then we can close the center with 10...e5!? and now we have a favorable version of the King’s Indian.
Why? Because White can’t play on the queenside anymore – his main plan on the queenside should
be a3 and b4 [10...Na6!? with the idea of ...Nb4, ...b6, ...a6, etc].
C) 10.Bf4 b5!„ Black exploits the fact that after 11.dxe6 Nxe6 White’s bishop on f4 is under attack.
D) 10.Be3 exd5 is better for Black than 10.Bg5 h6 11.Be3, as White won’t be able to target the h6-
pawn.
E) 10.dxe6 Nxe6 11.Be3 Bd7= Black plans ...Nc6, ...Nd7 and ...Nde5.
137
10...Re8
Black’s main idea is clear – to put pressure on White’s e4-pawn. Generally speaking, this is all the
theoretical knowledge we need. From now on, both sides usually have a huge choice of moves, which
is normal – note that not a single pawn has been exchanged yet! And the most important things here are
the plans and ideas. Let’s see how this works in practice.
A) Once I played 10...a6 11.a4 b6
138
Preventing White’s a5. 12.Rb1 [12.a5 b5!„] 12...Nd7! [12...e5?! 13.b4²] 13.Bg5 f6 14.Be3 e5 15.b4
f5!?
Position after: 15...f5!?
16.bxc5 f4 17.cxb6 [17.cxd6 fxe3 18.dxc7 exf2+ 19.Kxf2 Qxc7© followed by ...Nc5, ...Bd7; 17.Bc1
Nxc5 18.Rxb6 Nb5] 17...fxe3 18.Rxe3 [18.bxc7 exf2+ 19.Kxf2 Qxc7³] 18...Bh6 19.Re1 [19.bxc7
Qxc7 20.Re1 Nc5© followed by ...Bd7, ...Rab8, ... Qa5, etc] 19...Nxb6 20.Rxb6 Nb5 21.Rxb5 axb5
22.Nxb5 Qb6© 23.Qc2 Qc5
139
Position after: 23...Qc5
To prevent White’s c4-c5 pawn push. I saw that my opponent could not attack my queen in the next
few moves. And in order to do that he needs first to protect his weakness on f2. Black owns all the
important diagonals here! 24.Nh2 Bd7 [24...Rxa4 25.Nxd6!] 25.Nf1?! [25.Re2 Qb4„; 25.Rf1 Bg5„
with the idea of ...Bd8 and ...Bb6, Sveshnikov style] 25...Rxa4µ 26.Nxd6
26...Ra3! Threatening ...Rxd3. [26...Qxd6 27.c5 Qf6 28.c6 Bc8µ] 27.Nb7 [27.Nb5 Rxd3 28.Qxd3
Qxf2+] 27...Qd4 28.c5 [28.Rd1 Ba4–+] 28...Rxd3 29.c6 Bc8 30.Rb1 Rd2 31.Nxd2 Qxf2+ 32.Kh1
Bxh3 0-1 (32) Dautov, R (2623) – Ivanisevic, I (2603) Switzerland 2007.
B) Another way of supporting ...b7-b5 is 10...Rb8!?.
140
Position after: 10...Rb8!?
Here the most common reaction is 11.a4. Then after 11...e5 Black’s other rook is better placed where
it is on f8, rather than on e8. Sooner or later the ...f7-f5 push would come, with the typical King’s
Indian double-edged kind of game. Black will probably play ...Na6-b4.
C) 10...exd5?! White can successfully play either pawn recapture. 11.cxd5 [11.exd5 b5 12.cxb5 with a
clear pawn up for the White] 11...b5? 12.Nxb5± Again White has an extra pawn.
Back to 10...Re8.
141
11.Bg5
The main recommendation of the engines.

A) 11.a4 Na6!? Now we don’t want to close the center anymore; our rook is on e8, let’s use it!
B) 11.Bf4 exd5 12.cxd5 [12.exd5 Rxe1+ 13.Qxe1 b5„] 12...b5 Black has “rolling pawns”.
11...h6
12.Bh4
12.Be3 exd5 13.exd5 b5∞
12...g5 13.Bg3 Nh5 14.Bh2 Nf4
142
15.Bxf4
White has two other main options, and in both cases Black is not worse (with very interesting Nimzo-
type positions).
A) 15.Bf1 Bxc3 16.bxc3 e5∞
B) 15.Bc2 Bxc3 16.bxc3 e5∞
Position after: 16...e5∞
143
Black plans ...Rf8, ...Ne8, ...Ng7 and later starting to push on the kingside.
15...gxf4
Position after: 15...gxf4
16.dxe6
A) 16.e5!?N 16...exd5 17.cxd5 Not human play at all!
144
A1) 17...dxe5?! 18.d6 Na6 [18...Ne6? 19.Bb5 Bd7 20.Bxd7 Qxd7 21.Nxe5+–] 19.Ne4ƒ Again
some strange computer moves...
A2) 17...b6! 18.Bc2! dxe5 19.Qd3 Qd6 [also possible is 19...Ba6 20.Qh7+ Kf8∞] 20.Qh7+ Kf8∞
B) 16.Ne2 Bxb2 [16...e5!?] 17.Rb1 Be5∞
16...Nxe6 17.Qd2 Be5!
Position after: 17...Be5!
Preventing e4-e5 once and for all.
18.Be2 Ng5
18...Kh7!?
19.Nxe5 dxe5 20.Qxd8 Rxd8=
White keeps control over d5, while Black possesses the d4-square.
21.Rad1 Be6 22.Nd5 Kg7 23.Bg4 Rab8
23...Bxg4 24.hxg4 h5 [24...Ne6!?] 25.gxh5 Rh8 26.Ne7 Rxh5 27.Nf5+ Kf6 28.f3 Rg8 29.Rd6+ Ne6
30.Rd7 Ng5=
24.f3 Nh7 25.Rd3 Nf6 26.Red1 Bxd5 27.cxd5 b6∞
145
Position after: 27...b6∞
The game continued for another 32 moves and ended in a logical draw.
28.a3 Rb7 29.Kf2 h5 30.Bf5 Ne8 31.d6 Kf6 32.g3 fxg3+ 33.Kxg3 Ng7 34.f4 Nxf5+ 35.exf5 Kxf5
36.Rd5 f6 37.fxe5 Rg7+ 38.Kh4 fxe5 39.Re1 Kf6 40.Rexe5 Rxd6 41.Rf5+ Ke6 42.Rfe5+ Kd7
43.Rxh5 Rg2 44.Rh7+ Kc6 45.Rxd6+ Kxd6 46.Rxa7 Rxb2 47.Kg4 c4 48.Kf4 Re2 49.Ra8 Kc5
50.Rc8+ Kd4 51.Rd8+ Kc3 52.Rd6 Re8 53.Rxb6 Kd4 54.Rd6+ Kc5 55.Rd1 c3 56.h4 Kc4 57.h5 c2
58.Rc1 Kb3 59.Kg5 Kb2 ½-½
Conclusion
After these examples I hope it is clear that 8...Na6 should be followed by 9...Nc7 and not 9...e5. It’s
an old plan, but White players have not yet shown a clear path to an advantage. Because of the
complexity of this line, which is in my opinion the best option for White, I will give you two more
proposals against it!
The good thing about 9...e5 is that this line inspired me to try something similar. Let us try closing
the center but with the knight on d7. Check the next game!
d) Playing ...e5 with the knight on d7
Aronian, Levon (2805)

146
Tromso 2014
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 0-0
This is one possible move order, see Appendix 1 for other orders!
6.Bd3
A) 6.Nf3 e6 7.h3 Black can try the following relatively fresh idea of Jobava’s. 7...exd5 [7...d6 leads to
our Delayed Benoni] 8.exd5 Re8+ 9.Be3 a6!?
147
Position after: 9...a6!?
Black aims for a quick ...b7-b5 pawn push. That is Jobava’s idea in this position.
B) 6.e5 isn’t dangerous at all, Black will play 6...Ne8 then 7...d6 and have no problems.
6...d6 7.h3 e6 8.Nf3
8...Nbd7!?
148
A new idea at the time. The point is that this knight (especially in the case of central closure) will be
controlling the e5-square. This variation is still new and unexplored . It looks like an improved version
of ...Na6 and ...e5 (Vaske variation). What is also good about this setup
is that engines constantly underestimate Black’s chances due to White’s space advantage. As we are,
however, well acquainted with Black’s ideas and plans, over the board we will have an advantage
against opponents who just believe in evaluations by computers. Aronian in a bullet game at chess.com
tried the same idea with...a6 and a4 inserted: 8...a6 9.a4 Nbd7 10.0-0 e5 11.Bg5 h6 12.Be3 Nh7
13.Qd2
13...f5! We’re going to see this idea a few times in this chapter. 14.Bxh6 f4 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Nh2
Ndf6 17.Be2 Rh8 18.f3 Ng5 19.Ng4
149
19...Nxh3+! 20.gxh3 Rxh3 21.Rf2 Nxg4 22.fxg4 Qh4 0-1 Giri, A (2782) – Aronian, L (2767) Internet
2018, a crushing bullet game!
9.0-0 e5
10.Bg5
150
A) Aronian surely liked my idea, as three years later he successfully repeated it as Black! 10.Rb1 h6
11.Re1 Nh7 12.Qc2 Kh8 13.Bd2 b6
14.b4?! cxb4 15.Nb5 Nc5 16.Bxb4 f5 17.Rbd1 f4 18.a4 a5 19.Bxc5 bxc5 20.Be2 h5 21.Rb1 Bf6
22.Rb3 Rg8 23.Nh2 Rg7 24.Reb1 Rb8 25.Nc3 Rb4! Now Black is better on both flanks. 26.Na2 Ra7!
27.Nc3 Bd7 28.Nb5 Ra6 29.R3b2 Qf8 30.Qd1 Ng5 31.Bd3 Bd8 32.f3 Qf6 33.Be2
151
33...Bxh3! 34.gxh3 Nxh3+ 35.Kg2 Qg5+ 36.Ng4 hxg4 37.fxg4 Qh4 38.Qd3 f3+ 39.Qxf3 Nf4+
40.Kg1 Kg7 41.Bf1 Bg5 42.Nc7 Ra7 43.Ne6+ Nxe6 44.dxe6 Bf4 The difference in value between
the two bishops is striking and Black went on to win in Le Quang Liem – Aronian, Saint Louis 2017.
B) One recent example is 10.Re1 Ne8 11.Qc2 Ndf6 12.a3 Nh5 13.b4 b6
14.Rb1 h6 15.Bd2 f5 16.bxc5 bxc5 17.Qd1 f4 18.Bc2 Ba6 19.Qe2 Nhf6 20.Ba4 g5 21.Bc6 Rb8
22.Rxb8 Qxb8 23.Rb1 Qc7 24.Qd1 Bc8 25.Qb3 The bishop on c6 looks nice but doesn’t do much.
Position after: 25.Qb3
152
25...g4! 26.hxg4 Qf7 27.Nh2 Qg6 28.f3 h5 29.Qb8 Black’s King’s Indian-type attack was too slow in
Parligras – Romanov, Djakova European Ch 2016.
C) Here is one fresh example. Black’s attack gets going when White plays just a little imprecisely!
10.a3 h6 Even with a tempo less, an interesting idea! For most Delayed Benoni players Black’s idea is
obvious, ...Nh7 and ...f5, but there are some non-believers! 11.Be3 Nh7
C1) 12.Qc2!? Preventing ...f5. 12...Ndf6 [12...Ng5 13.Nxg5 hxg5∞ with the idea to bring the g7-
bishop to e7, king to g7 and rook to h8] 13.Qd2 Now, when ...f5 is not possible. 13...Nh5!? 14.Bxh6
Qf6 15.Be3 Nf4©
C2) 12.Qd2 f5! 13.Bxh6 f4 14.Bxg7 Kxg7©
153
Position after: 14...Kxg7©
15.Be2 Ndf6 [15...Rh8 and 15...Ng5 are also possible ways to continue the attack] 16.b4 b6 17.Rfb1
Rh8 Engines are confused in such positions... 18.a4?! [18.bxc5 bxc5 19.Rb3 g5 20.g4 is probably the
only way to defend] 18...cxb4 19.Rxb4 g5‚ 20.Nh2? g4! Of course! The attack plays itself. 21.hxg4
Ng5–+ 22.f3 Qc7 23.Nd1 Qc5+ 24.Nf2 Bd7 [24...Nfxe4!? 25.fxe4 Nxe4 26.Qe1 Nxf2 27.Qxf2
Qxb4–+] 25.Bf1 Rh7 26.Kh1
Position after: 26.Kh1
154
26...Nfxe4! An awesome finish by one of France’s best female players. 27.fxe4 Nxe4 28.Nxe4
Rxh2+ 0-1 Trippold, D (2158) – Milliet, S (2394) Antalya 2019.
10...h6
11.Bd2
11.Be3 Nh7 12.Qd2 f5
11...Nh7 12.Qc1 f5 13.Bxh6 f4 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.Be2
155
15...Ndf6
Planning the ...g5-g4 advance.

In case of 15...Ng5 16.Nxg5 Qxg5 17.Bg4 Nf6 18.Bxc8 Raxc8 19.Rd1 White would have had the
advantage.
16.a3
If White tries 16.Nh2 then we are even faster with our plan. 16...Ng5 17.f3 Rh8
156
Position after: 17...Rh8
Black has multiple threats, of which the most dangerous is the typical bishop sacrifice on h3.
16...Bd7 17.Rd1 g5
18.g4
A) 18.Nh2 g4‚
157
B) 18.Kf1 g4‚
18...Rh8
18...fxg3 19.fxg3 Bxh3 20.Nxg5 had been White’s hope, much better for him than the game
continuation.
19.Rd3 Nf8!
Position after: 19...Nf8!
Heading to g6.
20.Qf1
20.Nxg5 Nxg4 21.Ne6+ [21.Bxg4 Bxg4 22.hxg4 Qxg5 23.Qd1 Rh4 with a winning attack] 21...Bxe6
22.dxe6 Nf6 23.Qd1 Nxe6 24.Rxd6 Qe7‚ Black has a strong attack.
20...Ng6 21.Nxg5
158
Position after: 21.Nxg5
21...Nh7!
I have a feeling that Aronian had either missed or underestimated this resource.
21...Nxg4? 22.Ne6+! Bxe6 23.dxe6 And the initiative passes over to White:
Position after: 23.dxe6
23...Nf6 24.Rad1 Qe7 25.Rxd6+–
159
22.Nxh7
22.Nf3 Nh4‚
22...Rxh7 23.Qg2
Position after: 23.Qg2
23...Qg5
23...f3 actually helps White to bail out, at the cost of an exchange. 24.Rxf3 Nh4 25.Qg3 Nxf3+
26.Bxf3 Qg5 27.Bg2
24.f3 Rah8 25.Bf1
160
25...Rh6
25...Rxh3 26.Qxh3 Rxh3 27.Bxh3 Qh4 28.Bg2 Nh8 [28...Qg3 29.Ne2=] 29.Rb1 To me this looks
approximately equal.
26.Rc1 R8h7 27.Rc2 Qd8 28.Qh2 Nh8
161
29.Qh1
At this moment, the famous game Petrosian – Gligoric, Rovinj 1970, (won in magnificent style by
Black!) briefly crossed my mind, as Petrosian was also defending with his queen on h1 (!).
29.Nd1 b5‚
29...Nf7 30.Rh2 Ng5
31.Rdd2³
½-½
Here Aronian looked happy that we had crossed move 30, so he could offer a draw. After some
consideration, I accepted. I understood that Black has more than just compensation. To open another
front on the queenside with ...a6 and ...b5 would be the logical way to proceed. However, after two
consecutive losses in the tournament, my self-confidence was not at the level needed to refuse a draw
with the famous Armenian player.
White would have committed a serious blunder if he had been tempted to play 31.h4?? Rxh4 32.Rxh4
Rxh4 33.Qxh4 on account of the basic tactic 33...Nxf3+ and the queen is lost.
Conclusion
8...Nbd7 is an improved version of 8...Na6 and 9...e5. Black has control over the e5-square, so
162
White cannot punish our idea with f4 as he did in the 8...Na6 and 9...e5 variation. This is my second
suggestion against the main line. It is quite rarely played, there is not so much theory, you just have
to be inspired in attack!
e) White stops ...b7-b5
Vladimirov, Yevgeny
Tal, Mikhail
Tallinn Rapid 1988
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Nf3 0-0 7.h3 e6 8.Bd3 exd5 9.exd5
One negative aspect of this move order for Black (8...exd5) is that White may also take 9.cxd5 and
transpose into a concrete drawish variation of the Benoni after 9...b5, which will be covered in
Appendix 2 at the end of the book.
9...Re8+ 10.Be3
I always wanted to avoid playing 8...exd5 as I thought it involved playing 10...Bh6, which I think it
dubious. But Tal came up with new ideas.
10...Nbd7!
The huge influence that Botvinnik had in his time is the reason that this was considered a main setup
for White. He (and some of his contemporaries) proved that 10...Bh6?! 11.0-0 favors White. 11...Bxe3
163
12.fxe3
Position after: 12.fxe3
12...Qe7 [12...Rxe3? 13.Qd2 Re7 if 13...Re8 then 14.Qh6 followed by 15.Ng5 (and 16.Nce4), since
Black would not have ...Qf8 to defend himself 14.Ng5 Nbd7 15.Qf4±] 13.e4 Nbd7 14.Qd2 Black’s
control of e5 does not fully compensate for the space advantage that White has, and Black never
manages a healthy blockade. 14...Kg7
Position after: 14...Kg7
164
The following two games show what Black should avoid doing.
A) 15.Rf2!? Rf8 16.Raf1 Ne8 17.Bc2 Ne5 18.Nxe5 dxe5 19.Ba4 Nd6 20.Rf6!
Position after: 20.Rf6!
20...h6 [20...Qxf6 21.Rxf6 Kxf6 22.Qf2+ Kg7 23.Qxc5+–; 20...Nxc4 21.Qg5 (threatening Rxg6+)
21...Kh8 22.d6 Nxd6 – or 22...Qd8 23.Bb3+ winning – 23.Nd5 Qd8 24.Qxe5+–] 21.Qf2 Nf5
22.Rxf5 gxf5 23.exf5 f6 24.Ne4 b6 25.Qh4+–
Position after: 25.Qh4+–
165
25...Kh7 26.Rf3 Rf7 27.d6 Qf8 28.Bc6 Rb8 29.Bd5 Rbb7 30.Be6 Rbd7 31.Rg3 Bb7 32.Bxd7 1-0 (32)
Shirov, A (2700) – Kovacevic, A (2525) Belgrade 1997.
B) 15.Nb5 might be even stronger: 15...Rf8 16.Qc3 Kg8 17.Nxd6 Qxd6 18.e5 Nxe5 19.Nxe5±
Position after: 19.Nxe5±
We will follow the technical part of the game, just so you understand what the problems are with this
pawn structure (once White can push e5) even with little material left. 19...Nh5 20.Rae1 Bd7 21.Be2
Ng7 22.Bg4 f5 23.Bf3 Rae8 24.Re2 Re7 25.Rfe1 Rfe8 26.Kf2 Bc8
Position after: 26...Bc8
166
27.Nd3 Rxe2+ 28.Rxe2 Rxe2+ 29.Kxe2 Ne8 30.Kd2 b6 31.b4 cxb4 32.Qxb4 Qxb4+ 33.Nxb4 Nd6
34.Kc3 a5 35.Nc6 Ba6 36.Ne5 Kg7 37.Kd4
Position after: 37.Kd4
37...g5 38.a4 f4 39.Bg4 Bc8 40.Bxc8 Nxc8 41.c5 bxc5+ 42.Kxc5 Kf6 43.Nc4 h5 44.Nxa5 g4
45.hxg4 hxg4 46.Nc4 Ne7 47.a5 f3 48.gxf3 gxf3 49.Nd2 f2 50.d6 1-0 Damljanovic, B (2534) –
Velimirovic, D (2558) Subotica 2000.
11.0-0 a6 12.a4 Nh5 13.Qd2 Ne5 14.Nxe5 Rxe5!
167
Position after: 14...Rxe5!
15.Bh6?!
For all the improvements for White between move 11 and now, see the next game!
15...Bxh6 16.Qxh6 Bxh3!
Pure Tal style!
17.gxh3 Qh4
Position after: 17...Qh4
18.Kh2
18.Ne4™ 18...Rxe4 19.Bxe4 Qxe4 20.Rfe1 Qxc4 21.Qe3³
18...Rg5
18...Rae8 is even better.
19.Ne2
168
19...Re8
Strange, but the white queen is in a cage on h6!
20.Rae1
20.Ra3 To prevent ...Rxe2. 20...f5! 21.Rb3 Re7
169
22.a5 White is paralyzed. He cannot move any piece without consequences. [22.f4 Rg3–+] 22...f4
23.Be4 [23.Ng1 f3–+] 23...Rg4! 24.Bf3 Ng3!
25.fxg3 [25.Qxh4 Nxf1+ 26.Kh1 Rxh4 27.Rd3 Rxh3+ 28.Kg2 Rxf3!–+] 25...fxg3+ 26.Kg2 Qxh6
27.Bxg4 Qd2–+
20...Rxe2!–+
Position after: 20...Rxe2!–+
170
21.Bxe2 Qf4+ 22.Kh1 Qe4+
Provoking f2-f3.
23.f3 Qh4! 24.Qxg5
24.Kh2? Qg3+–+
24...Qxg5
Position after: 24...Qxg5
White has two rooks for a queen but Black has an extra pawn and the black knight is a monster on the
dark squares.
25.Rg1 Qd2 26.Kg2 Nf4+ 27.Kf1 Nxh3 28.Rg4 h5 29.Re4 Qg5 30.Bd1 Qg1+ 31.Ke2 Qf2+ 32.Kd3
Qxb2
0-1
This game made a great impact on me, so I started to analyse 8...exd5. Before that, I had always
considered giving up space to be a small concession.
Kuzubov, Yuriy. (2644)

Germany 2019
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Nf3 0-0 7.h3 e6 8.Bd3 exd5 9.exd5 Re8+ 10.Be3
171
Nbd7 11.0-0 a6
What is going on? Black would like to play ...b5, with a kind of Benko Gambit compensation. If White
accepts that, Black would possess the a- and b-files, plus some pressure on the d5-pawn. If White
prevents all that with a4, the party moves to a kingside.
12.a4 Nh5
172
Black gains space on the kingside, and the long dark diagonal is now open for the powerful bishop on
g7. He can prepare the ...Ne5 jump, using the fact that g4 would just create a weakness.
13.Bg5!?
A) 13.Qd2 – See the next game.

B) 13.Be2 Ng3 14.Re1 Nxe2+=
C) 13.g4?!
Position after: 13.g4?!
Always risky when you have already castled short. 13...Nhf6 [13...Ne5!?] 14.Qd2 h5 15.g5 Nh7
16.Kg2 Ne5 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 18.Ne2
173
18...Rb8 [18...Bd7!? …...Qc8 and/or ...b5; 18...Bxh3+ 19.Kxh3 Qd7+ 20.Kg2 Qg4+ 21.Ng3 h4
22.Qe2+–] 19.a5 b5 20.axb6 Rxb6 21.Ra2 Rb3ƒ 22.Bc2
22...Rxe3! 23.Qxe3 Nxg5 24.Ng1 Bh2 25.Qxe8+ Qxe8 26.Kxh2 Qe5+ 27.f4 Qd4 28.fxg5 Qxc4 0-1
(29) Loeffler, S – Gheorghiu, F (2555) Berlin 1986.
13...f6
174
14.Bh4!N
At first sight, this seems not optimal, but... The main idea is to prevent Black’s ...Rxe5, when the rook
is suddenly very active. When this book was almost finished, I had an unpleasant surprise in this game
against Kuzubov.
The most frequently played move, 9.exd5, turns out to be in White’s favor.
14.Bd2 is not as good. 14...f5
175
A) 15.Ng5 Ne5 16.Be2 Nf6 17.f4 Nf7=

B) 15.Bg5 Qc7 16.Qd2 Ne5 17.Nxe5 Rxe5∞
C) 15.a5!? This try has a lot of venom. 15...Ne5 16.Be2
C1) If we check 16...Nf7!? with engines they really need a lot of time to realize that White is better.
17.Na4 Rb8 [17...Nf6 18.Nb6 Rb8 19.Ng5!? Nxg5 20.Bxg5 Qc7 21.Bd3 Bd7 22.Bc2²] 18.Rb1!?
Nf6 19.b4 Ne4!
176
Position after: 19...Ne4!
20.bxc5 Bd7 [20...dxc5 21.Bf4 Bd7 22.Bd3 Bxa4 23.Qxa4 Nc3 24.Qa3 Nxb1 25.Rxb1²] 21.Nb6
Nxc5 22.Bb4 Qc7 23.Bd3 Re7 24.Bc2 Bf6 25.Qd2 Rf8 Black’s position is solid, but passive.
C2) 16...Nf6 My recommendation. 17.Nxe5 Rxe5 18.Na4 [18.Bf4 Re8 19.Bf3 b6 20.axb6 Qxb6=]
18...Ne4 19.Bf4 Re8 20.Bd3 [20.Bf3 Qxa5 will transpose.] 20...Qxa5 21.Bxe4 fxe4 22.Bxd6 b5
23.cxb5 [23.Nc3 Qb6 24.Bf4 bxc4∞] 23...axb5 24.Nxc5 Qxa1 25.Qxa1 Rxa1 26.Rxa1 And here
177
both 26...Bxb2 and 26...Rd8 are likely to lead to a draw.
Position after: 14.Bh4!N
14...Bh6!?
14...Qc7 15.Qd2 Ne5 16.Nxe5 fxe5²
15.Re1 Rxe1+ 16.Qxe1 Qf8 17.a5 Rb8 18.Ne4²
Position after: 18.Ne4²
178
18...Bf4?!
¹ 18...b6 19.axb6 [19.b4!? cxb4 20.Qxb4 f5 21.Neg5 bxa5 22.Qxa5 Nc5 23.Bc2 Bg7∞] 19...Rxb6
20.Rb1²
19.g4 g5 20.Bg3
20...Nxg3
¹ 20...Ne5 21.Qe2! f5 22.gxh5 fxe4 23.Nxe5 exd3 24.Nxd3 Bxh3 25.Re1±
21.fxg3 Ne5 22.Qe2 Nxf3+ 23.Qxf3 Be5 24.Rf1+–
179
Position after: 24.Rf1+–
1-0
White definitely has some advantage in this line. Still, I would like to leave this as a third option. To
play this accurately, one needs a lot of knowledge and some precision is required, too.
Krizsany, Laszlo Jr (2416)

Hungary 2018
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 0-0 6.Bd3 d6 7.h3 e6 8.Nf3 exd5 9.exd5 Re8+ 10.Be3
Nbd7 11.0-0 a6 12.a4 Nh5 13.Qd2
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This used to be the main move, and it’s also the most obvious move.
13...Ne5 14.Nxe5
14.Be2 Bd7!?
A) 15.Nxe5 Rxe5 16.Bxh5 [16.Rfe1 Qh4„] 16...Rxh5 17.Bf4 Qh4‚ …...Bxg3
181
B) 15.Bg5 Bf6„
C) 15.Rfe1 Nxf3+ 16.Bxf3 Nf6
17.Bf4 [17.a5 b5 18.axb6 Qxb6=; 17.Bg5 Qc7 if 18.Qf4 Rxe1+ 19.Rxe1 Re8 20.Rf1 Re5!„]
17...Rxe1+ 18.Rxe1 Qf8 Black is close to equality.
14...Rxe5 15.Rfe1 Bd7 16.g4 Qh4
182
17.Bf1
17.gxh5 Rae8!?ƒ [17...Rxh5 18.Bf4 Bd4 19.Re3 Rf8 20.Rg3 Bxh3 21.Be4∞]
17...Rae8!
17...Bxg4 18.hxg4 Qxg4+ 19.Bg2 f5 This line was also possible, and indeed it was my original
intention. 20.Qe2 Qh4© But I couldn’t evaluate this position over the board. During the thinking
process, I just concluded that bringing another piece into the action cannot hurt, on the contrary!
18.Bg2
18.gxh5 Bxh3 19.Bxh3™ 19...Qxh3 20.Bf4™ 20...Bh6! 21.Rxe5 Rxe5 22.f3™ 22...Rxh5 [22...Rf5!?
23.Bxh6 Rxf3 24.Ne4 Qg4+ 25.Qg2 Qxe4∞] 23.Bxh6™ 23...Qh1+ 24.Kf2 Qxa1 25.Bf4 Rh1∞
18...f5!
Switching to Tal mode!
19.gxh5™
19.Bg5? Rxe1+ 20.Rxe1 Rxe1+ 21.Kh2 [21.Qxe1 Qxg5] 21...Be5+
19...f4 20.Bxf4 Rxe1+ 21.Rxe1 Rxe1+ 22.Qxe1 Qxf4 23.b3
183
23.hxg6 hxg6= Black’s bishop pair and White’s ruined pawn structure should leave a Black at least
equal.
23...Be5³
Position after: 23...Be5³
24.Kf1 Qd4
24...Qf5!
25.Ne4 Bf5 26.Kg1 Qb2 27.Qd1 gxh5 28.Ng3 Bg6 29.h4 Bf6 30.Bh3 Bxh4 31.Be6+ Kh8 32.Qf3!
White manages to hold on to a draw.
32...Bf6 33.Nxh5 Qc1+ 34.Kg2 Qg5+ 35.Ng3 Kg7 36.Bf5 Be5 37.Bxg6 hxg6 38.Kh3 Qh6+ 39.Kg2
Qg5 40.Kh3 Qh6+ 41.Kg2 Qg5 42.Kh3
½-½
Conclusion
This is my third suggestion against the main line. We are following Tal’s footsteps, so let’s set off
some fireworks like he did! As we made a small concession with 9...exd5, later it is very important
that some “action” is on the board.
184
f) White allows ...b7-b5
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Nf3 0-0 7.h3 e6 8.Bd3 exd5 9.exd5 Re8+ 10.Be3
Nbd7 11.0-0 a6 12.Qd2 b5! 13.cxb5 Nb6
14.bxa6!?
A) 14.Bg5 c4 15.Be2 [15.Bc2 axb5 16.Nxb5 Bb7 17.a4 Nbxd5 18.Rfe1 Qb6=] 15...axb5
185
Position after: 15...axb5
16.Nd4?! [16.Nxb5 Bb7 and 16...Nxe4!? are both fine for Black] 16...b4 17.Ncb5 Ba6ƒ 18.Bf3 c3
19.bxc3 bxc3 [19...Qd7!? was probably stronger] 20.Qxc3? [20.Nxc3! Bxf1 21.Rxf1 Na4=] 20...Ne4
21.Bxd8 Nxc3 22.Bxb6 Nxb5µ
Position after: 22...Nxb5µ
Look at those black bishops! 23.Nc6 Na3 24.Rac1 Bxf1 25.Kxf1 Bb2 26.Re1 Nc4 27.Rxe8+ Rxe8
28.Bc7 Nd2+ 29.Kg1 Ba3 0-1 Georgiadis, N (2526) – Ivanisevic, I (2583) Porto Carras 2018.
B) 14.a4 Nbxd5 15.Nxd5 Nxd5 16.Bg5 Nf6 17.Rfe1 Rxe1+ 18.Rxe1 Bb7=
C) 14.Rfe1!? axb5! 15.Bxb5 Bd7 16.a4 Bxb5 17.axb5 Nc4
186
Position after: 17...Nc4
18.Qd3 [18.Qc1 Nxe3 19.Rxe3 Rxe3 20.fxe3 Nd7©] 18...Nxe3 19.fxe3 Nd7©
14...Bxa6
Position after: 14...Bxa6
15.Bxa6
187
15.Bg5 Bxd3 16.Qxd3 h6 17.Bf4 [17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.a3 Na4©] 17...Na4©
15...Rxa6 16.b3!N
Improving on the previous games. White gets some advantage, but we have many computer lines not
likely to be found by humans. The game becomes rather tactical and complicated. I will now, for
readers interested in such things, give a number of possible ways play may develop.
A) 16.Bg5 Qa8 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Rfd1 Na4! [18...Kg7 19.Qd3 Na4 0-1 (54) Huss, A (2332) – Nemet,
I (2427) Biel 2001]
B) 16.Bf4 Qa8 17.Rad1 Ne4 18.Qc1 Nxc3 19.bxc3 Nxd5 0-1 (24) Tufa, M (2108) – Dumitrache, D
(2477) Eforie Nord 2009.
Position after: 16.b3!N
16...Qa8!?
16...Ne4?! 17.Nxe4 Bxa1 18.Rxa1 Rxe4 19.Qd3 Rxe3 20.Qxa6 [20.fxe3 Qa8 21.e4 Rxa2=] 20...Rxf3!?
[20...Rc3 21.Rd1±] 21.gxf3 Nxd5 22.Rd1 Nf4 23.Qxd6 Qg5+ 24.Kf1 Qf5
188
Position after: 24...Qf5
25.Qd7 [25.a4 h5 26.a5 Qxh3+ 27.Ke1 Qxf3©; 25.h4! h5 26.Qd7 Ne6 27.Kg2 Nf4+ 28.Kg1+–]
25...Ne6 26.a4! [26.h4 Qxf3„] 26...Qxh3+ [26...Qxf3 27.Qd3±] 27.Ke2 Qf5 28.a5 Nf4+ 29.Kf1 Qh5
30.Qe8+ Kg7
Position after: 30...Kg7
31.Ke1™ 31...c4 32.Qe4 Qxa5+ 33.Kf1 Qg5 34.Qd4+ Kh6 35.bxc4 And White retains some
advantage, with winning chances.
189
17.Rad1 Ne4 18.Nxe4 Rxe4 19.Qd3
19...Re8
19...Rb4 20.Bd2 c4 21.Qe4 Rb5 22.bxc4 Rc5 23.Rc1 Ra4 24.Rfe1 Nxc4 25.Qe8+ Bf8 26.Qxa8 Rxa8
27.Bb4 Rcc8 28.a3²
20.a4
20.Qb5 Rb8 21.Qc6 Bf8 22.Qxa8 Nxa8 23.Rd2 Nc7©
20...Rc8
20...Nd7!? 21.Rfe1 Rb8
190
This is close to working, but probably doesn’t really.

A) 22.Bg5 Rab6 23.Rb1 Bf8 24.Red1 [24.Nd2 Ne5 25.Qe2 Qxd5=] 24...h6 25.Bh4 Rb4 26.Bg3 Nf6©
B) 22.Bf4 Nf6 23.Bg5 Rab6 24.Nd2 Rb4
25.Bxf6 [25.Qg3 Nxd5 26.Qxd6 Bf8 27.Qe5 Bg7 28.Qg3 h6 29.Be3 Nxe3 30.Qxe3 c4 31.bxc4
Qxa4=] 25...Bxf6 26.Re4! [26.Ne4 Bd4 27.Qg3 Be5=] 26...Bd4 27.Qf3 Qb7 28.Rde1 Be5 29.g3 h5
191
30.h4 Rxe4 31.Rxe4 Kg7 32.Re2±
Position after: 20...Rc8
21.Qd2!
21.Bf4 c4 22.bxc4 Nxc4=
21...c4
A) 21...Rb8 22.Bh6²
B) 21...Nd7 22.Bh6 Ne5 [22...Bf6 23.Rfe1 c4 24.bxc4 Rxc4 25.a5²] 23.Nxe5 Bxe5 24.Rfe1²
22.a5! c3 23.Qd3 c2
192
24.axb6
A) 24.Bxb6 cxd1=Q 25.Rxd1 Rxa5 26.Bxa5 Qxa5 27.Nd2 Rc3 28.Qe2 Bf8=
B) 24.Rc1 Nxd5 25.Bd2 Nc3 26.Rxc2 Rac6 27.Bxc3 [27.b4 Ne2+ 28.Qxe2 Rxc2 29.Qd3 Rb2 30.Rd1
d5 31.Be1 d4=] 27...Rxc3 28.Rxc3 Rxc3 29.Qxd6 Qxa5 30.Re1 h6 31.b4 Qf5=
24...cxd1=Q 25.Rxd1 Ra5
193
Position after: 25...Ra5
26.Qe4
A) 26.b4 Ra3 27.Qb5 Qa4 28.Qxa4 Rxa4 29.Rb1 Rb8=

B) 26.Ng5!? would have been an interesting try.
26...h6
26...Qb7!?
Position after: 26...Qb7!?
A) 27.Kh2 Rb8 [27...h6? 28.Qb4!±; 27...Ra6 28.Qb4²] 28.Rc1! [28.b4 Rb5 29.Rc1 Rxb6 30.Bxb6
Qxb6 31.Rc6 Qxf2=] 28...Qxd5 29.Qxd5 Rxd5 30.b7 Rc5 31.Bxc5 dxc5 32.b4! Rxb7 33.bxc5 Kf8²
B) Similar is 27.Nd2 Qxd5 28.Qxd5 Rxd5 29.b7 Rb8 30.Rc1 Rc5 31.Bxc5 dxc5 32.b4 Rxb7 33.bxc5
Kf8².
194
27.Kh2
A) 27.h4 Re8 28.Qb4 Rxd5 29.Rc1 Qa5 30.Qf4 Rf8 31.Rc7 Rd3=
B) 27.g4 Rb5 28.Kg2 Rxb3=
27...Rb5
195
28.Qe7
28.Rd3!?, with the idea of Nd2 and Nc4, was a possibility.
28...Rxb3
28...Qb8 29.Qa7!²
29.Qxd6 Qa4 30.Rd2 Bf8 31.Qe5 Bg7∞
Position after: 31...Bg7∞
Conclusion
This setup is more complex, and not without reason is considered a main attempt against the
Delayed Benoni. Only here is White completely justified in recapturing with exd5 and hoping for an
advantage due to his extra space and harmoniously arranged pieces. Personally, I have used
different setups for Black, and have also played this line with the white pieces.
After all that experience, I can claim that White should be slightly better in all lines, but the
drawback is that there are a lot of lines he needs to know by heart.
That is the reason why I showed you different ways here. Now, dear reader, you are armed with two
lines, both deeply analysed, (...Na6 with ...Nc7 next and ...exd5 followed by ...Re8, ...Nbd7 and
...a6).
196
The bonus is a third suggestion, offered without going into great detail (...Nbd7 followed by ...e5),
which is for sure an improved version of ...Na6 and ...e5.
Now you can check my recent adventures, and you will also be reminded of what it is best to avoid.
197
Chapter 5
Allowing ...Bg4 in the Main Variation
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Nf3 0-0 7.Bd3 e6 8.0-0 exd5 9.exd5 Bg4
Chapter Guide
Chapter 5 – Allowing ...Bg4 in the Main Variation
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Nf3 0-0 7.Bd3 e6 8.0-0 exd5 9.exd5 Bg4 10.h3 Bxf3
11.Qxf3 Nbd7 12.Qd1 Nh5
a) 13.--, 13.Ne4 Be5
b) 13.Ne4 Qe7
a) 13.--, 13.Ne4 Be5
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Nf3 0-0 7.Bd3 e6 8.0-0
198
8...exd5 9.exd5
9.cxd5 a6 Reminder: timing of the move ...a6 is very important! 10.a4 Bg4 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Qxf3 Nbd7
13.Bf4 Qc7„
Position after: 13...Qc7„
0-1 (28) Donner, J – Tal, M Zurich 1959. It is clear that White’s queen is feeling uncomfortable on f3,
and Black will gain a tempo pushing White’s bishop from d3. On the other side, all Black’s pieces are
199
developed at their natural positions.
9...Bg4 10.h3 Bxf3 11.Qxf3
Position after: 11.Qxf3
This setup deserves a whole chapter.

White’s intentions are clear – squeezing Black on the kingside, even pushing pawns in front of his king.
If he can do it without allowing Black’s counterplay on the queenside, almost every endgame would be
much better for him. So, Black must act quickly!
11...Nbd7
My initial idea was 11...Nfd7!? 12.Qd1 Bxc3!?
200
Position after: 12...Bxc3!?
and trying to play with a pair of knights against White’s bishop pair, in the hope that White would not
be able to open the position. Every reduction of material will favor Black. Unfortunately, it doesn’t
seem to be objectively correct (e.g. see 19.g4!).
13.bxc3 Ne5 14.Be2 f5 15.Rb1 b6 16.f4 Nf7 17.Bd3 Nd7 18.Rb2 Nf6
19.Re1 [19.g4!±] 19...Ne8 ½-½ (46) Seirawan, Y (2629) – Marin, M (2556) Bled 2002. [19...Qd7= So,
201
this idea works if our knights are a little bit closer to the kingside.]
12.Qd1 Nh5
A typical maneuver in this kind of position. We want to grab some space on the kingside, and at the
same time to open the long diagonal for our powerful dark-squared bishop.
12...Ne8 is too passive. 13.Bd2 Ne5 14.Be2 f5 15.f4 Nf7 16.g4 Nh6 17.Kg2 Nc7 18.g5 Nf7 19.Rb1
Re8 20.Bd3 Rb8 21.h4 a6 22.Qc2 b5 23.b3± 1-0 (58) Spassky, B (2560) – Fischer, R (2785) Belgrade
1992. That was a rare case where the 10th World Champion has achieved everything that can be
achieved in a position and completely outplayed the 11th World Champion!
13.Ne4
The only attempt to fight for an advantage. Here, Black is at the crossroads.
A) 13.g4 Qh4!
202
Position after: 13...Qh4!
A1) 14.Kg2 Bxc3 15.bxc3 [15.gxh5 Bd4 16.Qg4 Qxg4+ 17.hxg4 Ne5 18.Be2 f5!?„] 15...Ng7
16.Bf4 Ne5 17.Bg3 Qe7 18.Re1 Qc7∞
Position after: 18...Qc7∞
With ...f5 coming next.

A2) 14.gxh5 Qxh3 15.Bf4 [15.Re1 Be5 16.Rxe5™ 16...Nxe5 17.Be2 gxh5 18.Qf1™ 18...Qf5∞;
15.Ne2 Ne5 16.Be4 Qh4! 17.f3 f5 18.Bc2 Rae8‚ All the black pieces are joining the attack, there is
203
no defense!; 15.Be2 Be5 16.f4 Bd4+ 17.Rf2 Qg3+–+; 15.Ne4 Be5 16.Ng3 f5 17.Qf3 f4 18.Qh1 –
18.Qg2 Qh4 19.Qh1 Qg4 would transpose – 18...Qg4 19.hxg6 hxg6 20.Qe4 Bd4! 21.Qe6+ Qxe6
22.dxe6 Ne5µ] 15...Be5
16.Qd2 [16.Bxe5 Nxe5 17.Be2 Preventing ...Ng4. 17...gxh5 18.Ne4 Kh8–+; 16.Ne2 f5! 17.f3 g5µ]
16...Qg4+ [16...Bxf4 17.Qxf4 Qxd3 18.Nb5∞] 17.Bg3 Bxg3 18.fxg3 Qxg3+
Position after: 18...Qxg3+
204
19.Kh1 Qh3+ 20.Kg1 Qg3+=
B) 13.Be2 Bxc3 14.bxc3 [14.Bxh5 Bd4 15.Be2 Qh4³] 14...Ng7∞ ½-½ (60) Rychagov, A (2534) –
Morozevich, A (2676) Moscow 2017.
13...Be5
14.f4
14.Bg5 Qb6 15.Qd2 [15.Rb1 f5 16.Nc3 Bf4„] 15...f5 16.Nc3 Rae8 is about equal.
14...Bd4+
14...f5 is inferior: 15.fxe5 fxe4 16.Rxf8+ Qxf8.
205
Position after: 16...Qxf8
17.e6! exd3 18.exd7 Nf6 [18...Qf5 19.g4 Qxd7 20.Qxd3² 1-0 (35) Topalov, V (2784) – Morozevich, A
(2731) Bilbao 2014.] 19.Qxd3 Nxd7 20.Bd2 [20.Bg5!?] 20...Ne5 [20...Re8 21.Rf1 Qe7 22.b3²]
21.Qe2 Qf5 [21...Re8 22.Rf1 Qe7 23.b3²] 22.Bc3 Qd3 23.Qxd3 Nxd3 24.Rd1²
15.Kh2 Qe7
15...f5 16.Ng5²
206
16.g4
A) In case of 16.Re1 Rfe8 17.Bd2 Qf8
Black will achieve his ideal setup. 18.Qf3 [18.Rb1 Ndf6=] 18...Bxb2 19.Rab1 Bd4 20.Rxb7 Ndf6=
B) 16.Ng5 Ne5!?
Position after: 16...Ne5!?
207
B1) 17.fxe5 Qxe5+ 18.g3™ 18...Qxg3+ [18...Nxg3 19.Rf4!] 19.Kh1 h6 20.Rf3 Qh4 21.Ne4 Rfe8
22.Bxh6 Rxe4 23.Bxe4 Qxe4 24.Qd3™ 24...Qh4³
B2) 17.g4 Nxd3 18.Qxd3 Nf6 19.Nf3 [19.Bd2 is surely the least damage, but after 19...b5„ Black
is absolutely fine.] 19...Rfe8! 20.Nxd4 cxd4
Position after: 20...cxd4
21.Kg2 [21.Qxd4? Nxg4+–+; 21.f5 Qe2+ 22.Qxe2 Rxe2+ 23.Kg3 d3µ] 21...Qe2+ 22.Qxe2 Rxe2+
23.Rf2 Re1µ
B3) 17.Be2 h6 18.Ne4 [18.Bxh5 hxg5 19.fxe5 Bxe5+ 20.Kh1 gxh5 21.Qxh5 f6=] 18...Nxc4 19.Nc3
[19.Bxc4 Qxe4 20.Re1 Bg1+ 21.Kxg1 Qxc4 22.f5] 19...Nb6 20.Bxh5 gxh5 21.Qxh5
208
Position after: 21.Qxh5
21...f5! 22.Qxh6 Rf6 23.Qg5+ [23.Qh5 Qf7=] 23...Qg7= Active pieces and the weakness of the d5-
pawn compensate for the minimal material loss.
Back to 16.g4.
Position after: 16.g4
16...f5
16...Ng7 17.Ng3!? [17.Bd2 f5∞] 17...Rae8 18.Qf3 f5 19.g5 Qf7 20.Rb1²
209
17.Ng5
17.gxf5 Rxf5
Position after: 17...Rxf5
18.Nxc5!? Rxf4! 19.Bxf4 Nxc5 20.Bxg6 Nxf4∞ Engines evaluate this position as 0.00, but for me it is
hard to say that this is equal... I like Black’s prospects.
17...Ng7
17...fxg4
210
Position after: 17...fxg4
A) 18.hxg4? Nxf4 19.Rxf4 [19.Bxf4 Rxf4 20.Rxf4 Qxg5 21.Rf1 Nf6–+] 19...Be5–+
B) 18.Qxg4 b5 19.Bd2 bxc4 20.Bxc4 [20.Rae1 Ne5!µ] 20...Ndf6 [20...Nb6 21.Bd3ƒ] 21.Qg2
[21.Qe6+ Qxe6 22.Nxe6 – 22.dxe6 d5=/+ – 22...Rfb8„] 21...Qb7
22.Rab1 [22.Ne6 Qxb2 23.Rab1 Qc2 24.Bb3 Qf5 25.Nxf8 Rxf8©] 22...Ng7 23.b4 Rab8 24.Bd3
[24.bxc5 Qxb1 25.Rxb1 Rxb1∞] 24...Qd7∞
211
18.gxf5
18.Re1 Qf6 19.gxf5 gxf5∞ [19...Nxf5 20.Re6 Qg7 21.Qe2 Bf6 22.Nf3²]
Position after: 18.gxf5
18...Nxf5
Now 18...gxf5 gives White the upper hand after 19.Qc2² with Bd2 and Rae1 coming. [Or 19.a3 which
looks strange, but there is a hidden idea. White wants to bring the rook via a2 to the kingside! 19...Rae8
20.Ra2²]
19.Re1
A) 19.Bd2 Rae8„
B) 19.Ne6 Rf7
212
Position after: 19...Rf7
20.a4!? Trying to activate the rook via a3. [20.Ng5=] 20...Ng7 21.Ng5 Rff8 22.Qg4 Nf6 23.Qg2
Rae8 24.Bd2 Qd7∞
19...Ne3 20.Bxe3 Bxe3 21.Kh1 Rae8=
Position after: 21...Rae8=
With a dynamic balance, for example:
213
22.Qe2
A) 22.Ne6 Bxf4 23.Re4 [23.Nxf8 Qh4 24.Bf1™ 24...Qg3 25.Re2 Nxf8ƒ] 23...Be5 24.Nxf8 Rxf8³
B) 22.Qg4 Ne5 23.fxe5 Bxg5 24.e6 Rf4=
22...Rxf4 23.Ne6 Ne5 24.Nxf4 Bxf4©
Position after: 24...Bxf4©
b) 13.Ne4 Qe7
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Nf3 0-0 7.Bd3 e6 8.0-0 exd5 9.exd5 Bg4 10.h3 Bxf3
11.Qxf3 Nbd7 12.Qd1 Nh5 13.Ne4 Qe7N
214
Position after: 13...Qe7N
A reasonable alternative.
14.Bg5!?
14.Re1 This allows Black’s setup with ...Qf8, where the queen is good in both defense and attack at the
same time! 14...Rfe8 15.Bg5 [15.Bd2 Bd4=] 15...Qf8
215
16.Bd2 [16.Qb3 f5 17.Nc3 Ne5 18.Be2 f4‚] 16...Bd4 17.Qc2 [17.Qb3 Ne5 18.Be2 f5 19.Ng5 Ng7=]
17...Ne5 18.Be2 f5 19.Ng5
19...Ng3!? [19...Ng7 20.g3 Re7 21.Kg2 Rae8=] 20.Ne6 Rxe6! 21.dxe6 Ne4 22.Rf1 [22.Be3 Bxe3
23.fxe3 Re8©] 22...Nxd2 23.Qxd2 Qf6©
14...f6
216
15.Bd2!
If 15.Bh4 Black gets good counterplay with tempo gains. 15...Nf4 16.Re1 [16.Bc2 g5 17.Bg3 f5
18.Bxf4 gxf4 19.Nd2 Ne5„] 16...Ne5
17.Bc2 [17.Bf1 g5 18.Bg3 f5 19.Bxf4 gxf4 20.Nd2 Rae8=] 17...g5 18.Bg3 f5„
15...Ne5 16.Qc2
217
16...Rfe8
With 16...f5 Black wins a pawn, but White is too active for my taste. 17.Ng5 Nxd3 [17...Bf6 18.Ne6
Rfe8 19.Rae1 Ng7 20.Nf4 a6 21.a4 Qf7 22.Be2² White can improve his position with g3, h4 and Kg2,
while Black’s position is solid but rather unpleasant.] 18.Qxd3 Bxb2 19.Rae1 Qd7 20.Ne6 Rf7
Position after: 20...Rf7
21.Re2! Bf6 22.Rfe1 a6 23.Bh6 Rb8 [23...b5? 24.Nc7! Bg7™ 25.Nxa8 Bxh6 26.cxb5 Qxb5 27.Re8+
Bf8 28.Qxb5 axb5 29.Rc8+–] 24.g4 fxg4 25.hxg4 Ng7 26.Qg3©
17.Rae1
17.Rfe1 f5 18.Ng5 Bh6
218
Position after: 18...Bh6
19.h4 [19.Ne6 Bxd2 20.Qxd2 Ng7 21.f4 Nxd3 22.Qxd3 Qf6=] 19...Bxg5 20.Bxg5 Qf8 21.Be2 f4
22.Bxh5 gxh5 23.Re4 f3=
17...f5
18.Ng5
219
18.Nc3 f4„
18...Bh6!
This move leads to an almost forced draw.

18...Bf6 19.Ne6 Ng7 20.Nf4²
19.h4
19.Ne6 Bxd2 20.Qxd2 Ng7 21.f4 Nxd3 22.Qxd3 Qf6=
19...Bxg5
Position after: 19...Bxg5
20.Bxg5
20.hxg5 f4„ Black has wonderful blockading knights and the g5-pawn is hanging. It’s not easy for
White to stop Black’s kingside offensive!
20...Qg7 21.Be2 f4! 22.Bxh5 gxh5 23.f3
23.Qf5 h6 24.Bf6 Qf7 25.Rxe5™ 25...dxe5 26.g4™ 26...hxg4 27.h5 Kf8 [27...Rf8 28.Qxg4+ Kh7
29.Qf5+ Kg8=] 28.Re1∞
23...Nxf3+ 24.gxf3 h6 25.Qf5 hxg5 26.Kh1
220
26...Re3
26...Kh8 27.Rg1 Rxe1 28.Rxe1 Rf8 29.Qxg5 Qxg5 30.hxg5 Rf5 31.Re6 b5!=
27.Rxe3 fxe3 28.Rg1
Position after: 28.Rg1
221
28...Rf8
28...g4!? 29.fxg4 Rf8 30.Qe6+ Kh7 31.Qxe3 Qf6 The position is close to equality.
29.Qe6+ Qf7 30.Rxg5+ Kh7 31.Kg1 Qxe6 32.dxe6 Kh6
Position after: 32...Kh6
33.Rd5
A) 33.Kf1 Rxf3+ 34.Ke2 Rf6=

B) 33.e7 Re8 34.Kf1 Rxe7 35.Ke2 Re6=
33...Kg6 34.e7 Re8 35.Kf1 Rxe7 36.Ke2 b6 37.Rxd6+ Kf5=
Conclusion
The variation with Bd3 but without h3 is full of venom. White counts on a spatial advantage with a
safe position. Black has a very good bishop, and he should fight for space on the kingside. Black is
doing well if he exchanges one of his light pieces. It would be ideal if he remains with knight plus
bishop against White’s bishop pair, because the position is semi-closed.
There are also interesting positions where Black exchanges his bishop for the c3-knight, doubling
White’s pawns. Black then remains with two knights against two bishops. If White does not manage
222
to open the position then any endgame is better for Black.
When Black starts some kingside action with ...f5 he always needs to be cautious about the e6-
square.
223
Chapter 6
The Classical 7.Be2
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Nf3 0-0 7.Be2
Chapter Guide
Chapter 6 – The Classical 7.Be2
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Nf3 0-0 7.Be2 e6 8.0-0 Re8
a) 9.Bf4, 9.Bg5
b) 9.dxe6
c) 9.h3
d) 9.Nd2 Na6 10.--, 10.f4
e) 9.Nd2 Na6 10.f4 (with 12.Re1 & 12.Rb1)
f) 9.Nd2 Na6 10.dxe6 Bxe6
g) 9.Nd2 Na6 10.dxe6 Rxe6!?
h) 9.Nd2 Na6 10.dxe6 Rxe6!? 11.h3 Nh5!?
a) 9.Bf4, 9.Bg5
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Nf3 0-0 7.Be2 e6 8.0-0
224
Here I would again recommend the “waiting” approach.
8...Re8
Delayed Benoni, Classical line. Black is not playing ...exd5 yet, believing that White doesn’t have
enough useful waiting moves. We are keeping the tension! We don’t want to make life easier for White
by defining the center.
After 8...exd5 9.cxd5 it’s a Modern Benoni [9.exd5 is also possible].
9.Bf4
Kramnik used this move once.

9.Bg5 h6 10.Bh4 g5 11.Bg3 exd5 12.exd5 Nh5
225
13.Nd2 [13.Bd3 Nxg3 14.fxg3 Nd7 15.g4 Ne5 16.Nxe5 Rxe5=] 13...Nxg3 14.fxg3 [14.hxg3 Nd7³]
14...Nd7 15.Nde4 Ne5 16.Nb5 [16.g4∞] 16...Nxc4 17.Bxc4 Rxe4 18.Qh5 f5∞
9...exd5 10.exd5 Ne4
As we already mentioned, it is always good to exchange a minor piece when we don’t have enough
226
space.
11.Nxe4 Rxe4 12.Bg5 Qf8!
Position after: 12...Qf8!
My improvement (at that moment)! We keep following the game Dvirnyy – Ivanisevic (2014).
12...Bf6 13.Bd3 Re8 14.Qd2²
13.Bd3 Re8
227
14.Qd2
A) 14.Qb3!? Keeping Black’s bishop on c8 and preparing to develop the a1-rook. 14...Nd7 [14...Bg4
15.Rae1] 15.Rae1 Rxe1 16.Rxe1
Position after: 16.Rxe1
16...f6 [16...Ne5 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 18.Qb5!?ƒ] 17.Bd2 Ne5 18.Nxe5 [18.Be2 b6= Black has finished his
development and now he seeks to exchange the dark-squared bishops] 18...fxe5= Black’s plan goes:
first ...b6, releasing the c8-bishop, then ...Bf5 and, finally, ...Bh6.
B) 14.Re1
B1) 14...Bxb2?! 15.Rxe8 Qxe8 16.Qe1 Qd7 17.a3!!
228
Position after: 17.a3!!
The hidden idea is Ra2!. 17...Bxa1 [17...Bg7 18.Ra2 Qa4 somehow holding the eighth rank and at
the same time trying to finish development 19.Re2 Bd7 20.Re7 Na6 21.h3 Rf8 22.Bf4+–] 18.Qxa1
f5 19.Qf6± Complete domination.
B2) 14...Bg4!
Position after: 14...Bg4!
Not being greedy. 15.Qa4 [15.Rxe8 Qxe8 16.Qd2 Bxf3 17.Re1 Qc8 18.gxf3 Nd7∞] 15...Rxe1+
229
16.Rxe1 Nd7 17.h3 Nb6 18.Qd1 [18.Qb5 Bxf3 19.gxf3 Qc8 20.Kg2 Nd7∞] 18...Bxf3 19.Qxf3
Re8= Again we have the combo Dragon bishop plus knight against the bishop pair, where the bishop
pair is not an advantage.
14...Bg4 15.Qf4 Bxf3 16.Qxf3 Nd7=
Position after: 16...Nd7=
Not really an important theoretical position, but very meaningful to the practical player. White has a
bishop pair against the Dragon bishop on g7 and a knight. My experience tells me that White needs to
seek equality. His light-squared bishop is without a future, so Black can exchange his dark-squared one.
The rest of the game shows a typical approach to such positions.
17.Qd1
Imprecise, allowing the exchange of the dark-squared bishops or the activation of Black’s one.
Better was 17.Bc2 or 17.Rab1, to keep the option after 17...Bh6 of playing 18.Qh3 with opposite-
colored bishops.
17...Bh6³ 18.Bh4
230
Position after: 18.Bh4
18...f5
18...Ne5!?
19.f3
¹ 19.f4 Nf6 20.Kh1 Bg7³
19...Be3+ 20.Kh1 Qh6 21.Be1
231
21...f4
Maybe even better was 21...Re7 and doubling rooks on the open e-file.
22.g4?!
White was afraid of the ...Re5-h5 maneuver. Better was 22.Bc3³.
22...fxg3 23.Bxg3 Bf4µ
232
Position after: 23...Bf4µ
24.Kg2 Re5 25.Bxf4 Qxf4 26.Qc1 Rg5+ 27.Kh1 Rf8 28.Qxf4 Rxf4 29.b3 Re5 30.Kg2 Rd4 31.Rad1
Re3 32.Bb1 Re2+ 33.Kg3 Rxd1 34.Rxd1 Nf6 35.f4 Nh5+ 36.Kf3 Rxh2 37.f5
37...gxf5
37...Rh3+!–+ was an immediate win.
233
38.Bxf5 Rxa2 39.Re1 Rb2 40.Re7 Rxb3+ 41.Kg4 Kf8 42.Re6 Ng7! 43.Rxd6 Nxf5 44.Kxf5 Ke7
45.Rh6 Rf3+ 46.Ke5 Rf7
And the rook endgame is an easy win.
47.Rh1 Kd7 48.Rh2 Re7+ 49.Kf5 b5 50.d6 Kxd6 51.Rh6+ Kc7 52.cxb5 Kb7 53.Kf6 Rc7
0-1 (53) Dvirnyy, D (2529) – Ivanisevic, I (2608) Bergamo 2014.
b) 9.dxe6
9.dxe6 Bxe6 10.Bf4
10.h3 Nc6 11.Bf4 Nd4=
234
12.Nxd4 cxd4 13.Qxd4 Nd5 14.Qd2 Nxf4 15.Qxf4 Rc8 16.Rad1 Bxc4 17.Rxd6 Qe7 Black will get his
pawn back, with a draw the most probable outcome.
10...Bg4
11.Bxd6
235
A) 11.h3 Nxe4!
A1) 12.hxg4 Bxc3 13.Qb3 Ba5!? [13...Bg7!? 14.Qxb7 Nd7∞] 14.Qxb7 Nd7„
Position after: 14...Nd7„
Somehow the black pieces are more harmonious in this strange position.
A2) 12.Nxe4 Rxe4 13.Bg5 [13.Qd2 Bd7 14.Bxd6 Na6 15.Rad1 Bc6³ Black’s pieces are much better
coordinated] 13...Qe8
236
14.hxg4 [14.Re1 Bd7 15.Qd2 Nc6³; 14.Bd3 Bxf3 15.Qxf3 Re6 16.Qxb7 Nc6 17.Bc2 Rb8 18.Qc7
Rxb2 19.Ba4 Rb6µ Again we have Dragon bishop plus knight against the bishop pair, where the
bishop pair is not superior] 14...Rxe2 15.Qxd6 Qd7
16.Qf4! [16.Qxc5 Nc6³] 16...Nc6 17.Rad1 Nd4 18.Bf6! Bxf6 19.Qxf6=

B) 11.Qd3 Nc6 12.h3 [12.Rad1 Nd4„] 12...Bxf3 13.Bxf3 Nd4=
11...Nxe4 12.Nxe4 Rxe4 13.Bxc5 Nc6
237
14.Qc2
A) 14.Qxd8+ Rxd8 15.Be3 Bh6 [15...Re7!? 16.h3 Bc8=] 16.Rfd1 Rxd1+ 17.Rxd1 Bxe3 18.fxe3
Rxe3= ½-½ (49) Chylewski, P (2322) – Ivanisevic, I (2562) Budapest 2018.
B) 14.Be3 Qe8© [14...Qc7!?]
C) 14.h3 Qxd1 15.Bxd1 Bf5 16.Ba3 Rxc4 17.Bb3 Rf4=
14...Qe8 15.Be3
15...Bf5
Here 15...Rxe3 16.fxe3 Qxe3+ was interesting.
238
Position after: 16...Qxe3+
A) 17.Rf2? Bd4 18.Raf1 Bxf3 19.gxf3 [19.Bxf3 Nb4 20.Qe2 Nd3–+] 19...Qg5+ 20.Kh1 Bxf2
21.Rxf2 Nd4µ
B) 17.Kh1 Bf5 18.Qd2 Qxd2 19.Nxd2 Bxb2=
16.Qb3
239
½-½ Drasko, M – Martinovic, S Budva 1986. We can come to the conclusion that White can’t count on
an opening advantage if he plays 9.dxe6, but Black must be prepared.
c) 9.h3
9.h3!? exd5 10.exd5 Bf5 11.Nh4
11.g4 Ne4!? [11...Bd7 12.Bg5²] 12.gxf5 Bxc3 13.Bd3 Bg7∞
11...Bd7 12.Bd3
240
White would like to gain more space, with a setup resembling the Main Variation. But Black has plans
of his own!
12...Nxd5!?
Just a pawn for the exchange, but with a lot of activity for Black!
13.Nxd5 Qxh4 14.Nc7 Nc6
241
15.Nxe8
15.Nxa8 Rxa8© [15...Bxh3!?=] 16.Be3 [16.Re1 Bd4 17.Be3 Bxb2 18.Rb1 Bc3 19.Rxb7 Ne5ƒ]
16...Re8 17.Qd2 Bxh3 18.gxh3 Qxh3 19.Rfe1 Qg4+ 20.Kf1 Qh3+ 21.Kg1 Qg4+ 22.Kf1 [22.Kh1??
Re5–+] 22...Qh3+=
Position after: 22...Qh3+=
And now White would be well advised to make a draw: 23.Ke2? Qh5+.
A) It’s too late for 24.Kf1 due to 24...Bd4! (…...Ne5) 25.Kg2 [25.Qd1 Qh1+ 26.Ke2 Rxe3+ 27.Kd2
Rxe1 28.Qxe1 Qh6+–+] 25...Qg4+ 26.Kf1 Ne5!
242
27.Bxd4 [27.Be2 Qh3+ 28.Kg1 Ng4! 29.Bxg4 Qxg4+ 30.Kf1 Re4!–+] 27...Qh3+ 28.Ke2 Nxc4+
29.Kd1 Rxe1+ 30.Qxe1 Qxd3+ 31.Kc1 Qxd4–+
B) 24.f3 Bd4 25.Kd1 [25.Be4 Rxe4–+; 25.Rh1 Qg5–+] 25...Qxf3+–+
15...Rxe8 16.Re1
And now Black should deviate from the game.
243
He has two more options.
16...Ne5!?
A) 16...Be5 17.Bd2 b6©

B) 16...Re6 17.Rxe6 Bxe6 18.Be3² 0-1 (49) Swayams, M (2457) – Pantsulaia, L (2577) Mumbai
2014.
17.Re4
17.Bf1 Re6 18.Rb1 Bc6ƒ
17...Qf6 18.Bf1 Bc6 19.Re3 d5 20.cxd5 Rd8©
Position after: 20...Rd8©
d) 9.Nd2 Na6 10.--, 10.f4
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6
Another possible move order; more about that in Appendix 1.
5.Nc3 g6 6.e4 Bg7 7.Be2 0-0 8.0-0 Re8 9.Nd2
White wants to meet ...exd5 with cxd5.
244
9...Na6
Position after: 9...Na6
Again a useful waiting move! Now White must choose between a “normal” game or a pawn storm.
10.f4
A) 10.f3 Nc7 11.a4 b6 12.Kh1 Rb8 – see 10.Kh1 (line C below).

B) 10.Re1 Nc7
245
B1) In the case of 11.a4 Na6= Black’s knight goes to b4.

B2) 11.Rb1 exd5 12.cxd5 a6 13.a4 b5 14.axb5 axb5
Position after: 14...axb5
15.b4 [15.Bxb5 Nxb5 16.Nxb5 Ba6 17.Na3 Bd3µ; 15.Nxb5 Nxe4³] 15...Ng4 16.Bxg4 Bxg4
17.Qxg4 Bxc3 18.bxc5 dxc5³ Black’s pawns are obviously more dangerous at the moment.
B3) 11.h3 Rb8= [11...exd5 12.cxd5 a6 13.a4 Rb8 14.a5 Bd7= Black’s ideas are simple ones, ...Nb5
or ...Bb5.]
C) 10.Kh1
246
This is an interesting waiting move. White wants to wait for Black to move the knight from a6, and
then to play a4. But Black can also wait...
C1) Not bad is 10...Nc7 11.a4 b6 12.f3 Rb8
Still not playing ...exd5. One of the pioneers and a great master of the Delayed Benoni showed us the
way. 13.Nb3 [13.dxe6 Nxe6 14.Nb3 Nh5 15.f4 Nf6 16.Bf3 Nd4³ 0-1 (22) Nickoloff, B (2415) –
247
Gheorghiu, F (2530) New York 1985] 13...exd5 14.cxd5 a6 15.Bg5 h6 16.Bh4 g5 17.Bf2 Nh5
18.Re1 Nf4 19.Bf1 f5³ 0-1 (30) Taimanov, M (2530) – Gheorghiu, F (2545) Leningrad 1977.
C2) 10...Bd7!? Keeping the possibility of ...Nb4 in case of a2-a4. 11.f3 [11.f4 exd5 12.cxd5 b5„]
11...Nh5! 12.f4 Qh4 13.Bxh5 Qxh5 14.Qxh5 gxh5
Position after: 14...gxh5
Black is minimally better, on account of his bishop pair and White’s clumsy pieces. 15.dxe6 fxe6
16.Nb5 Bxb5 17.cxb5 Nb4³ ½-½ (26) Beliavsky, A (2547) – Ivanisevic, I (2611) Mali Losinj 2017.
10...exd5
248
Now is the moment. White has reduced his control of the central squares.
11.cxd5 Rb8!
Position after: 11...Rb8!
This move is very important, bringing all our pieces into the game (the a6-knight can make a useful
jump to b4 if White plays a4).
249
12.Kh1
Let’s look at some other options. For 12.Re1 and 12.a4, see the next subchapter.
A) 12.Qc2?!
Position after: 12.Qc2?!
12...Nc7 With a double threat: ...b5 and ...Nfxd5!. [12...Nb4 13.Qd1 Bd7 14.a3 Na6³] 13.a4?! [13.e5
Nfxd5–+; 13.Bf3 b5µ] 13...Nfxd5! 14.exd5 [14.Nxd5 Nxd5µ] 14...Bxc3 15.Qxc3 Rxe2µ
B) 12.h3 Nc7 13.a4 a6 14.a5 Bd7 15.Re1 Bb5³
C) 12.Bf3 Nb4
250
C1) 13.e5 dxe5 14.fxe5 Nfxd5 15.Nxd5 Nxd5 16.Nc4 Be6µ

C2) 13.a3 Nd3 14.Nc4 Nxc1 15.Rxc1 [15.e5 dxe5 16.fxe5 b5–+] 15...b5ƒ
C3) 13.a4 would transpose to 12.a4.
C4) 13.Be2 c4!
Position after: 13...c4!
14.Qa4 [14.Bxc4 Ng4‚ with some nasty threats 15.Qa4 Bd4+ 16.Kh1 Nxh2 and so on.] 14...b5!!
251
[14...a5 15.Bxc4 Ng4‚] 15.Qxb4 [15.Qxa7 Rb7 16.Qf2 Nc2 17.Rb1 Nxe4!–+; 15.Nxb5? Qb6+–+]
15...a5 16.Qa3 b4 17.Qa4 bxc3 18.bxc3 Nxd5–+
D) 12.a4 Nb4
13.Bf3 [13.Ra3 b6 14.Bf3 Ba6 15.Nb5 Rb7! a clever move; after 16.g4 Black has 16...Rbe7!µ
preparing a sac on e4.] 13...b6 [We are not in a hurry to take the bishop with 13...Nd3 because after
14.Nc4 Nxc1 15.Rxc1 White has a powerful pawn center.]
252
D1) 14.Qb3 Ng4 15.Ne2 f5!‚ [15...h5!? 16.h3 f5!‚]
D2) 14.Be2 a6 [14...Rb7!?] 15.Kh1 Qe7 [15...Rb7!?] 16.Re1 h5³
D3) 14.Nc4 Ba6 15.Qb3
15...Rb7 [15...Bxc4 16.Qxc4 Nc2 17.Rb1 Nd4³] 16.g3 [16.e5 dxe5 17.fxe5 Bxc4 18.Qxc4 Nd7!³]
16...Rbe7 17.Bd2 Nxe4! 18.Nxe4 Rxe4 19.Bxe4 Rxe4 20.Rac1 Bd4+ 21.Kh1 Bb7–+ Rubinetti, J –
Garcia, R, 0-1 (23) Buenos Aires 1964. White’s king is really in trouble.
12...Nc7 13.a4 a6
253
14.a5
14.e5? Nfxd5µ
14...Bd7!? 15.e5
A) 15.h3 Nb5³ [15...Bb5³]

B) 15.Bf3
254
There are two ways here, both good. 15...Nb5 [15...Bb5 16.Nxb5 axb5 17.Rb1 c4 18.Re1 Nd7 19.b4
Na6 20.Nf1 b6 21.axb6 Nxb6µ 0-1 (33) Nemet, I (2390) – Gheorghiu, F (2530) Biel 1985] 16.e5
[16.Nxb5 Bxb5 17.Re1 c4 18.Ra3 Rc8³ Toth – De Firmian, Biel 1986] 16...dxe5 17.fxe5 Rxe5
18.Nc4 Rf5!
Position after: 18...Rf5!
19.Ne3 Rf4! 20.Ne2 Rh4 21.g3 Re4! Well, typical Tal... [21...Rb4µ was also good] 22.Bxe4 Nxe4–+
0-1 (28) Ufimtsev, A – Tal, M Moscow 1967. White’s king position is miserable.
15...dxe5 16.Nc4
16.fxe5 Nfxd5µ
16...Bb5 17.d6 Ne6 18.Nxb5
18.fxe5 Nd7
255
19.Be3 [19.Bf4 Nxf4 20.Rxf4 Bxc4 21.Bxc4 Nxe5µ] 19...Bc6 20.Nd5 Nxe5 21.Ne7+ Rxe7 22.dxe7
Qxe7³
18...axb5 19.Nxe5 Nd4„
Position after: 19...Nd4„
White has good chances – for equality!
256
e) 9.Nd2 Na6 10.f4 (with 12.Re1 & 12.Rb1)
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nc3 g6 6.e4 Bg7 7.Be2 0-0 8.0-0 Re8 9.Nd2 Na6 10.f4 exd5
11.cxd5 Rb8!
12.Re1
12.Rb1 c4!?
257
Position after: 12...c4!?
A) 13.Bxc4 b5! 14.Bd3 [14.Be2 b4 15.Na4 Nxe4µ; 14.Bxb5 Rxb5 15.Nxb5 Qb6+–+] 14...Ng4
15.Nf3 Nb4! 16.a3 Nxd3 17.Qxd3 f5µ
B) 13.a4 Nc5
B1) 14.e5 dxe5 15.Nxc4 [15.fxe5 Nxd5³] 15...Bf5 16.Ra1 Nce4!
Position after: 16...Nce4!
17.Nxe4 Nxe4 [17...Bxe4 18.fxe5 Nxd5 19.Nd6 Qb6+ 20.Kh1 Rxe5 21.Nxf7 Re7 22.Ng5∞]
18.fxe5 [18.g4 Bd7 19.f5 b5ƒ] 18...Bxe5³
B2) 14.Bf3
258
14...b6 [14...Qb6!? 15.Nxc4 Qa6 16.Nxd6 Qxd6 17.e5 Qf8∞ 18.Be3!?] 15.Qc2 [15.e5N 15...dxe5
16.fxe5 Nfd7 17.e6 fxe6 18.Nxc4 Ne5 19.Nxe5 Bxe5 20.Re1 Qf6 21.d6 Bb7„] 15...a6 [15...Ng4!?]
16.Nxc4
Position after: 16.Nxc4
16...Nfxe4 [16...b5!?] 17.Nxe4 Nxe4 18.Bxe4 Rxe4 19.Qxe4 Bf5³
12...Nc7
259
A) 12...b5!? This leads to great complications. If White plays accurately, he will end with some
advantage. 13.Bxb5 [13.Bf3 Nb4‚] 13...Bg4
A1) 14.Qa4 Rxb5! 15.Nxb5 Nb4ƒ
Position after: 15...Nb4ƒ
Black has sacrificed an exchange and a pawn. All his pieces are coordinated. Even if a machine
judges this position as equal (!), over the board it would be very difficult to play as White.
A2) 14.Be2 Bxe2 15.Rxe2 [15.Qxe2 Nb4³] 15...Nd7©
A3) 14.Nf3!
260
Position after: 14.Nf3!
14...Rxb5 15.Nxb5 Nxe4 16.h3 Bxf3 17.Qxf3 f5 18.Nc3 [18.Nxa7 c4 19.Nc6 Qb6+ 20.Kh2 Nc7
21.Qd1 Qc5 22.Be3 Qxd5 23.Qxd5+ Nxd5 24.Bd4²] 18...Nb4 19.Re2 Qe7 20.Kh2²
B) 12...Bd7!?∞
We have already (I hope) learned that the knight can wait for a while, hoping that after a4 it will land
on b4.
13.a4 a6 14.a5 Bd7 15.Bf3 Bb5
Position after: 15...Bb5
16.Ndb1
A) 16.Nxb5 axb5 17.Nf1 c4 18.Rb1 Nd7 19.b4 cxb3 [19...b6!?³] 20.Rxb3 Nc5 21.Rbe3 b4 22.e5
Nb5³ 0-1 (37) Paramos Dominguez, R (2365) – Marin, M (2530) Zaragoza 1994.
B) 16.Qc2? Nfxd5µ
C) 16.Nb3 Bc4 17.Ra4
261
Here Black can get very nice play with 17...Bxb3 18.Qxb3 Nd7„ and ...b5.
16...Nd7 17.Na3
17.Be3 b6 18.Qd2 bxa5 19.Rxa5 Bc4 20.Ra1 Nb5³
17...b6
262
18.e5
A) 18.axb6 Nxb6 19.e5 dxe5 20.d6 Ne6 21.fxe5 Nd4
22.Naxb5 axb5 23.Bf4 Nc4 24.Bd5 Nxe5 25.Ne4 Qd7∞

B) 18.Naxb5 Nxb5 19.Nxb5 axb5 20.a6 c4!
Position after: 20...c4!
263
21.Ra2 [21.e5 Nc5 22.e6 Ra8∞] 21...Nc5=
18...bxa5!
18...dxe5 19.d6±
19.exd6 Rxe1+ 20.Qxe1 Ne8∞
Position after: 20...Ne8∞
Conclusion
After 9.Nd2 and 10.f4, we will play 10...exd5 and 11...Rb8. In my opinion, this setup is very risky
for White, as all Black’s pieces are working together. More rigid play after 9.Nd2 and 10.f3 is no
problem for Black, who has more useful waiting moves than his opponent.
f) 9.Nd2 Na6 10.dxe6 Bxe6
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nc3 g6 6.e4 Bg7 7.Be2 0-0 8.0-0 Re8 9.Nd2
264
Preparing to meet ...exd5 with cxd5.
9...Na6
Again this useful waiting move!
10.dxe6
This is an interesting option now, because the a6-knight is so far from the center.
10...Bxe6
The most frequently played move here, at least according to my database. The final outcome is a
repetition.
10...Rxe6!? – See the next subchapter.
11.Nb3
11.f4 Bd7 12.Bf3 Bc6 13.Re1 Qb6 14.Nb3 Rad8 15.Bd2 Nb4³
11...Qb6
265
Now, we are entering my analyses! These moves are not forced, just possible ways to continue with the
game.
12.Bg5
A) 12.Bf4 Rad8
266
A1) 13.a3 Nb8 14.Qc2 Nc6 15.Nd5 Bxd5 16.exd5 Qxb3! 17.Qxb3 Nd4 18.Qf3 [18.Qxb7 Nxe2+
19.Kh1 Nxf4ƒ] 18...Nxf3+ 19.Bxf3 Nd7 [19...Nh5!?] 20.Bxd6 Bxb2 21.Rab1 Be5=
A2) 13.Qd2 Qb4 14.Qd3 [14.Nc1 Nb8 15.a3 Qb6∞ with ...Nc6 next] 14...d5!? 15.exd5 Nxd5
16.Nxd5 [16.cxd5 Qxf4 17.Qc4 Qxc4 18.Bxc4 Bf5„] 16...Bxd5
Position after: 16...Bxd5
A2.1) 17.Rad1 Bf6 18.Bd2?! [18.Qc2 Be6³] 18...Bxg2! Made possible by the bishop move.
19.Bxb4 [19.Qxd8 Rxd8 20.Bxb4 Bxf1 21.Rxd8+ Bxd8 22.Kxf1 cxb4µ] 19...Rxd3 20.Bxd3 Bxf1
21.Bxf1 cxb4 22.c5 Nb8µ
A2.2) 17.Rfd1 Bxb2 [17...Bf6? 18.Bd2+–] 18.Bd2 Qxc4 19.Qxc4 Bxc4 20.Bxc4 Bxa1 21.Rxa1
Nb4
267
22.Bg5 And after this sequence of forced moves White’s best is probably to go for a move
repetition. [22.f3 b6=] 22...Rd6 23.Bf4 Rdd8 24.Bg5=
B) 12.Be3 Nd7
B1) 13.Nd5 Bxd5 14.exd5 Re7= And doubling the rooks [or if someone would like to try to play like
Petrosian: 14...Rxe3 15.fxe3 Re8∞].
268
B2) 13.Rb1 Ne5 14.Nd2 [14.Nd5 Qd8 15.Qd2 Nc7=] 14...Nc6∞ With ...Nd4 next.
B3) 13.Qd2 Ne5 14.Nd5 Bxd5 15.cxd5 [15.exd5 Qb4 16.Qc2 Qa4=] 15...Qb4 16.Qc2 [16.Bxa6
Qxd2 17.Nxd2 bxa6 18.b3 a5 with the idea of ...a4] 16...Qa4 17.Nd4 Qxc2 18.Nxc2 Nd7 19.f3 Nc7
20.Rab1 [20.Rad1 b5] 20...f5 [20...b5!?] 21.b4 c4 22.Bxc4 fxe4 23.f4 Nb6 24.Bb3 Nb5∞
12...Nb4
269
12...h6 13.Bh4 Bd7!? [13...Nb4?! 14.f4²; 13...Qc6?! 14.Nd2 Qd7 15.h3 Nb4 16.f4 Nc6 17.f5 gxf5
18.exf5 Bxf5 19.g4±] 14.f3 Nb4∞
13.f4
13...Bc8!
A) 13...Qa6 14.Nd2±
B) 13...d5?! Today, engines tell you that this move is dubious. Almost 30 years ago, it was a real
shock for a GM playing White. He lost quickly.
270
Position after: 13...d5?!
B1) 14.f5 gxf5 15.exd5 Bd7 16.Qd2 [¹ 16.Kh1] 16...Ne4 17.Nxe4 Rxe4∞ 0-1 (24) Bukic, E (2445)
– Damljanovic, B (2535) Pula 1990.
B2) 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.cxd5 c4+ 16.Kh1 Bxd5 17.Nxd5 Nxd5 18.Qxd5 cxb3 19.Bc4±
C) 13...a5?! 14.f5 gxf5 15.exf5 Bd7 16.a3 a4 17.Nd2! [17.axb4? axb3 18.b5 Rxa1 19.Qxa1 d5!„]
17...Nc6 18.Rb1±
D) 13...Nxe4?! 14.Nxe4
271
Position after: 14.Nxe4
14...Bxc4 [14...Bf5 15.Nf6+ Bxf6 16.Bxf6 Nc2 17.Bc3±; 14...d5 15.Nf6+ Bxf6 16.Bxf6 Bf5 17.Bh4
Nc2 18.Rc1 Ne3 19.Qd2 Nxf1 20.Rxf1 dxc4 21.Bxc4±] 15.Bxc4 Rxe4 16.Nd2 Rd4
Position after: 16...Rd4
17.Bxf7+! Kxf7 18.f5!+–

E) 13...h6?! 14.Bh4 Nxe4 15.Nxe4 Bxc4 16.Bxc4 Rxe4 17.Nd2 Rd4 18.Bf2! [18.a3 d5 19.axb4
dxc4∞] 18...d5 19.Bb3±
Back to 13...Bc8.
272
Position after: 13...Bc8!
14.Bf3
14.Nd2 h6 15.Bh4 Nc6 16.Rb1 Nd4∞
14...Be6 15.Be2 Bc8
Position after: 15...Bc8
That is the repetition I mentioned.
273
16.a3!?
White tries to play on.

16.Nd2 Nc6=
16...Nc6
The b3-knight and the e4-pawn are potential headaches for White.
17.e5!?
A) 17.Bd3 Bg4 18.Qc2 Nd4 19.Nxd4 cxd4 20.Nd5 [20.Na4 Qc6 again, I repeat, White’s knight on
the rim and central pawn weaknesses generate compensation for Black] 20...Nxd5 21.cxd5 [21.exd5
Be2ƒ] 21...Rxe4µ
B) 17.f5 Nd4 [17...gxf5!? 18.Bd3! Ne5 19.exf5 Bd7 20.Bxf6 Bxf6 21.Nd5 Qd8∞] 18.Nxd4 cxd4
19.Na4 Qd8 20.fxg6 hxg6 21.Qxd4 Nxe4 22.Qxg7+ Kxg7 23.Bxd8 Rxd8 24.Rae1 Be6=
C) 17.Rb1 h6 18.Bh4 Nd4„
D) 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Nd5 Qd8³ Black’s position is preferable. Whenever the passive b3-knight
moves, Black will enjoy an excellent outpost on d4.
17...dxe5 18.fxe5
274
18...Rd8™
The only move, but good enough to turn the position in Black’s favor.
18...Nxe5?? 19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.Nd5+–
19.Qc1
A) 19.Nd5 Nxd5! [19...Rxd5 20.cxd5 c4+ 21.Kh1 Nxe5∞] 20.Bxd8 Nxd8 21.Qxd5 Be6 22.Qd1 Nc6
23.Kh1 Nxe5µ
B) 19.Nd2 Nxe5 20.Bxf6 Bxf6 21.Nd5 Rxd5 22.cxd5 Bf5© Black has excellent play [22...Bg7!?].
C) 19.Qc2 Nxe5³
19...Nxe5 20.Qf4
275
Position after: 20.Qf4
20...Bf5! 21.Qxe5 Qxb3 22.Bxf6 Re8 23.Bxg7 Rxe5 24.Bxe5 Re8µ
g) 9.Nd2 Na6 10.dxe6 Rxe6!?
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nc3 g6 6.e4 Bg7 7.Be2 0-0 8.0-0 Re8 9.Nd2 Na6 10.dxe6
Rxe6!?
Position after: 10...Rxe6!?
276
Entering non-standard positions, full of tactical possibilities. Sounds attractive?
11.f3
White is trying to stabilize the situation in the center of the board. His problem is that his knight on d2
blocks his dark-squared bishop. The only suitable place for the knight is on b3 – hardly optimal.
11.f4 Bd7
Position after: 11...Bd7
A) 12.g4 Bc6 13.Bd3 [13.f5!? gxf5 14.gxf5 Re8 15.Kh1 Kh8∞] 13...h6 14.h4?! h5 15.g5 Ng4µ 0-1
(43) Grabarczyk, M (2275) – Gdanski, J (2430) Bielsko Biala 1990.
B) 12.Bf3 Bc6 13.Re1 Qe8 … 14.a3 Nxe4!µ
C) 12.f5 Re8 13.Nb3!?
277
Position after: 13.Nb3!?
The tactics work for Black here, a sign that our position is inherently sound. 13...Nxe4 14.Nxe4 Rxe4
15.fxg6 hxg6 16.Bf3 Re6 [16...Bc6 17.Bxe4 Bxe4©] 17.Bxb7 Rb8 18.Bxa6 [18.Bd5 Rf6=] 18...Qb6
19.Bb5 Bxb5 20.cxb5 c4+ 21.Kh1 cxb3=
11...Nb4
11...Nh5!?N – See next subchapter.
12.Nb3 a5
278
This looks like an anti-positional move, but it is tactically justified. Black would like to chase White’s
knight away from b3 and take control of the d4-square. If White prevents that with a4, the knight is
suddenly looking great on b4.
13.a3
13.Be3 a4
279
A) 14.a3 axb3 15.axb4 Rxa1 16.Qxa1 Ng4!
17.fxg4 Bxc3 18.bxc3 Rxe4 19.Qc1 b2 20.Qd2 Qe7 21.bxc5 dxc5 22.Kf2 Qh4+ 23.Kg1 [23.g3?
Qxh2+ 24.Kf3 Re8–+ with ...Bg4+ coming next] 23...Qe7 24.Kf2 Qh4+=
B) 14.Nd2 a3 15.bxa3 [15.b3? Ng4 16.fxg4 Bxc3–+] 15...Rxa3 16.Ndb1™ [16.Qc1 Rxc3 17.Qxc3
Nxe4–+; 16.Rc1 Nxa2µ] 16...Nxe4!? [16...Ra8∞; 16...Ra5∞] 17.fxe4™ 17...Rxc3 18.Nxc3 Bxc3©
Position after: 18...Bxc3©
280
Maybe it’s too much to evaluate this position as better for Black, who is an exchange down. But just
look at White’s pawns!
C) 14.Nxc5 Qb6 15.N3xa4 Rxa4 16.Nxe6 [16.Qxa4 dxc5 17.Rad1 Bf8³] 16...Qxe3+ 17.Rf2
Position after: 17.Rf2
C1) 17...Nxe4 18.fxe4 Bxe6 19.Qxa4 Bd4 20.Raf1™ 20...Qxe2 21.Qxb4™ 21...Bxc4 22.Qe1™
Position after: 22.Qe1™
Nothing works for Black here! 22...Qxb2 [22...Bxf2+ 23.Qxf2 Qxf1+ 24.Qxf1 Bxf1 25.Kxf1+– and
281
White is winning as he will be able to create a passed pawn on the queenside] 23.Kh1 Bxf2
24.Qxf2±
C2) 17...Rxa2 18.Rxa2 Nxa2 19.Nxg7 Kxg7 20.Qxd6 Nc1 [20...Be6!? 21.Bf1 Nd7 22.Qa3 Qxa3
23.bxa3 Nc1 24.Rd2²] 21.Bf1 Nb3 22.Qd3² 1-0 (84) Protector 1.3.5 – Spark 0.5 Internet 2010.
C3) 17...Bxe6! 18.Qxa4 Nc6∞
13...Nc6
14.Bg5
A) 14.a4 Nh5!?
282
A1) 15.g4 Nf6 [Also interesting is 15...Bxc3 16.bxc3 Ng7∞. White’s bishop pair is not working
properly in this semi-open position. Black’s intentions are clear: ...Bd7, ...Qe7 and (depending on
the situation) ...f5 or ...h5.] 16.Bf4 h5 17.g5 Nh7 18.Qd2 Bxc3 19.bxc3 b6∞
A non-standard position with mutual chances.

White’s pawns on the queenside are a total mess and it is not easy for him to exploit the absence of
283
Black’s dark-squared bishop. Black would like to play ...f6, after ...Ba6 or ...Bd7.
A2) 15.Be3 g5 16.Qd2 [16.g3 Rg6 17.Kh1 Bd7∞] 16...Nf4!? [16...Rg6 17.Rf2 Bd7∞] 17.Bxf4
[17.Rad1 Bxc3 18.bxc3 Nxe2+ 19.Qxe2 Qe7„; 17.Nd5 Nxe2+ 18.Qxe2 Bd7 19.Qd2 h6∞ or
19...Rg6!?] 17...gxf4
18.Qxf4 [18.Nd5 Rh6 19.Qxf4 Nb4ƒ] 18...Bh6 [18...Rg6 19.Qd2 Qh4©] 19.Qg3+ Rg6©
A3) 15.f4 Not really a mistake, though it leaves the e4-pawn weak if the attack does not work.
15...Nf6 16.Bf3 [16.f5 Re8 17.fxg6 fxg6 otherwise Bg5 will be unpleasant 18.Bg5 h6 19.Bh4 Be6=]
16...Re8
284
17.Be3 [17.Bd2 Be6 18.Nd5 Bxd5 19.cxd5 if White takes with the e-pawn instead, Black goes
...Nb4, ...b6, and although the position is relatively symmetrical, it is Black who is more active and
he has the upper hand 19...Nb4 20.Bxb4 cxb4³ comparing the opposite-colored bishops, which one
is better?] 17...Bf5 [17...Be6 18.Qe2 Bd7 19.Rfd1 Qb6 20.Ra3 Nb4∞] 18.exf5 Rxe3 19.Qd2 Re8=
Position after: 19...Re8=
Black is fine, for example: 20.fxg6 hxg6 21.Rad1 Qb6 22.Nb5 Rad8 23.f5 [23.Kh1 d5 24.cxd5 c4„]
285
23...gxf5 24.Qf4 Ne5„
B) 14.Be3 Nd7!? 15.Nc1 [15.Qd2 a4 16.Nc1 Nb6„] 15...Nb6 16.Rb1 Bd7 17.Nd5 Nd4„
14...h6
15.Be3
15.Bh4 g5 16.Bf2 a4
286
A) 17.Nc1 Nh5 18.Nd3 [18.Nxa4 Nf4 19.Nc3 Bxc3 20.bxc3 Qf6 21.Be1 Bd7 22.Nd3 Nxe2+
23.Qxe2 Qe7©] 18...Nd4„
B) 17.Nd2 Bd7∞ Taking the pawn with 18.Nxa4 Nd4 19.Nc3 Nh5 20.Re1 Nxe2+ 21.Qxe2 Nf4
22.Qf1 Bxc3 23.bxc3 Qf6„ would give Black a lot of play.
15...g5
The activity of Black’s pieces compensates for his weakness on d6.
16.Qd2
16.Nc1 Nh5 17.Nd3 Nd4∞
16...a4 17.Nc1 Nd7∞
287
h) 9.Nd2 Na6 10.dxe6 Rxe6!? 11.h3 Nh5!?
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nc3 g6 6.e4 Bg7 7.Be2 0-0 8.0-0 Re8 9.Nd2 Na6 10.dxe6
Rxe6!? 11.f3 Nh5N
This is a multi-purpose move, so it must be a good one! It opens the long diagonal for the g7-bishop
and a route for the queen (d8-h4), and also makes possible ...f5 in many variations.
288
Position after: 11...Nh5N
12.Nb3
A) 12.g3 Bd4+
A1) 13.Kh1?! g5!‚
Position after: 13...g5!‚
Creating mating threats (!). Now we have very direct play; Black’s rook can even go to h6. White’s
best may now be Rf1-g1, as after 14.f4 Nxg3+! 15.hxg3 Rh6+ 16.Bh5 Bh3
289
White is in trouble: 17.f5 [17.Re1 gxf4 18.Nb3 Be5! 19.Nd5 Qg5 20.Bxf4 Qxh5 21.Qxh5 Rxh5³]
17...Nb4!‚ White is somewhat paralyzed, while all Black’s pieces are active.
A2) 13.Kg2
Position after: 13.Kg2
13...Bd7∞ [there is no time for 13...g5 14.Nb3±; also interesting is 13...Nb4!? 14.Nb3 Bxc3 15.bxc3
Nc6∞ when the game becomes more positionally grounded and Black is waiting for the right
moment for ...f5]
B) 12.Nd5
290
B1) 12...Nb4!? 13.g4 [if 13.Nxb4 Bd4+ 14.Kh1 Qh4 15.Qe1 Ng3+ 16.Qxg3 Qxg3 17.hxg3 g5–+
and ...Rh6 is unstoppable.] 13...Nf6∞ After 13.g4 we have a clear target – White’s king!
B2) 12...Bd4+ Entering a big mess! 13.Kh1 Ng3+!? [13...Qh4 14.Qe1 Ng3+! 15.Qxg3 Qxg3
16.hxg3 g5
17.Ne7+™ 17...Rxe7 18.Nb3 Bf6 19.Rd1 Re6 20.Rb1 Nb4 21.a3 Nc6 22.Be3 b6∞] 14.hxg3 g5
291
15.f4 Rh6+ 16.Bh5 g4 17.Nf3™ 17...Rxh5+ 18.Nh2 f5 [18...Rxd5!? 19.cxd5 h5©; 18...Qf8?! 19.f5±]
19.Be3 Bxb2 20.Rb1 Bg7 21.exf5 Nc7 22.Nxc7 Qxc7 23.Qxg4 Rxf5 24.Qe2 [24.Qh4 h5∞]
24...Bd7∞
C) 12.f4 Nf6
C1) 13.Bf3 Nb4 14.Nb3 Re8 [14...Bd7 allows 15.f5 Re8 16.Bg5ƒ] 15.Be3 [15.a3 Nc6=] 15...Bf5
16.exf5 Rxe3 17.fxg6 hxg6 18.Bxb7 Rb8 19.Bf3 Qb6=
292
Black plans ...Nxa2 or ...d5.
C2) 13.f5 Re8 14.Bd3 [14.fxg6 hxg6= the pawn structure now favors Black] 14...Nb4 15.Bb1 b6 [or
15...a6 with the idea of ...b7-b5: 16.Nf3 b5 17.a3 Nc6 18.fxg6 hxg6 19.Bg5∞] 16.Nf3 Bb7∞
Back to 12.Nb3.
Position after: 12.Nb3
12...Qh4!
12...Nb4? 13.g4 Nf6 14.Nxc5±
13.Nd5
A) 13.Qd2 Bd7 14.Qg5 Qxg5 15.Bxg5 f6 16.Bd2 f5„

B) 13.Qe1 Qxe1 14.Rxe1
293
14...Nb4 [14...f5!?∞] 15.Rd1 Nc2 16.Rb1 Na3 17.bxa3 [17.Ra1 Nc2=] 17...Bxc3 18.Bb2 Bxb2
19.Rxb2 Kf8=
13...Nb4!? 14.Nxb4
14.Rf2 Nxd5 15.cxd5 Re8 16.g4 If White plays some “slow” move, Black’s position will be very good.
This is White’s only attempt for an advantage. 16...Nf6 17.Bf4 Bxg4!
Position after: 17...Bxg4!
294
A) 18.Bxd6 Bh3∞ …...Nh5, ...f5
B) 18.fxg4? Nxe4 19.Qe1 [19.Rg2 Bxb2µ] 19...Nxf2 20.Qxf2 Qxf2+ 21.Kxf2 c4µ
C) 18.Bg3 Qg5 [18...Qh6!?] 19.e5 [19.Qc1 Qxc1+ 20.Rxc1 Bd7 21.Bxd6 b6∞] 19...Nh5 20.fxg4
Nxg3 21.hxg3 Rxe5©
Position after: 21...Rxe5©
Black has compensation, for example: 22.Qd2 Re3 23.Rf3 Rae8 24.Raf1 Bh6 25.Rxe3 Rxe3 26.Bf3 c4
27.Na5 Rxf3! 28.Qxg5 Rxf1+ 29.Kxf1 Bxg5 30.Nxb7 Bc1 31.Nxd6 Bxb2 32.Nxc4 Bd4=.
14...cxb4
295
Position after: 14...cxb4
With the idea of ...Be5.
15.Qe1!
A) 15.Nd4?! Be5µ
B) 15.g4?! Ng3 16.Rf2 [16.hxg3?? Qxg3+ 17.Kh1 Be5 18.f4 g5–+] 16...Nxe2+ 17.Rxe2 Be5³
15...Qxe1
A) 15...Qf6
296
A1) 16.Qxb4 a5! 17.Qe1 [17.Nxa5 Qh4 18.Nb3 Be5–+] 17...a4 18.Nd2 Nf4ƒ
A2) 16.Qd2! Qh4 17.Rf2!²
B) 15...Qe7 16.Qxb4 White is a pawn up.
16.Rxe1
297
16...Be5
A) 16...a5 17.a3²
B) 16...f5 17.c5±
17.g3 Re8 18.Rd1
Position after: 18.Rd1
In this position White should be slightly better, but with precise play Black can probably keep the
balance.
18.a3 bxa3 19.Rxa3 Be6=
18...a5 19.Nd4
19.a3 Bd7 20.Nd4 transposes to the main line.
19...Bd7 20.a3
20.Kf2 f5∞
20...bxa3
20...Ng7!? 21.Kf2 bxa3 22.Rxa3 f5„
21.Rxa3
298
Position after: 21.Rxa3
21...f5
21...Ng7 22.b3 a4 23.b4 [23.bxa4 Rxa4=] 23...f5∞
22.Nb5
22.Nxf5!? gxf5 23.f4 Bg7 24.Bxh5 Rxe4 25.Bf3 Rd4 26.Rad3 Rxd3 27.Rxd3 Bc6 28.Bxc6 bxc6
29.Rxd6 c5 The game is roughly equal.
22...Bxb5 23.cxb5
299
Position after: 23.cxb5
23...Rac8
With a more or less balanced position.

Another interesting option is 23...fxe4!? 24.f4 [24.fxe4 Nf6=; 24.Bc4+ Kh8 25.Bd5 Re7 26.Bxe4 Nf6
27.Bg5 Bxb2 28.Ra2 Be5 29.f4 h6=] 24...Bg7 25.Ra4!
Position after: 25.Ra4!
300
25...Rac8 26.Bc4+ [26.Rc4 Bf8 27.g4 Ng7 28.Be3©] 26...Kh8 27.Rxd6 e3 28.Rd1 [28.Kf1 Bf8∞]
28...Nf6 29.Be2 Ne4„
Conclusion
It seems that this is a main attempt for White in the Classical. He waits until we play ...Na6 and
then takes on e6. A weak point for White is the knight on d2, lacking greener pastures.
Black can react with ...Bxe6 or ...Rxe6. The first option is used more in practice, but the second one
is more to my taste, leading to unclear and unexplored positions.
301
Chapter 7
The Four Pawns Attack
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.f4
Chapter Guide
Chapter 7 – The Four Pawns Attack
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.f4 0-0 7.Nf3 e6
a) 8.dxe6
b) 8.Be2 exd5 9.exd5
c) 8.Be2 exd5 9.cxd5 Nbd7 10.0-0 Re8 11.Nd2
d) 8.Be2 exd5 9.cxd5 Nbd7 10.0-0 Re8 11.Qc2
a) 8.dxe6
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.f4 0-0 7.Nf3 e6
302
8.dxe6 fxe6
It is better to control central squares with pawns, than with pieces!

8...Bxe6 9.Bd3 Nc6 10.f5 Bd7 11.0-0ƒ
9.Bd3
9.e5 dxe5 10.Qxd8 Rxd8 11.fxe5 Ng4 12.Bg5
303
12...Rf8N [12...Rd7∞] 13.Be7 [13.Ne4 Nc6³; 13.h3 Nxe5 14.Nxe5 Bxe5 15.0-0-0 Nc6³] 13...Rf7
14.Bxc5 Nd7=
9...Nc6 10.0-0
White’s idea is to open the position with f5, or Ng5 and e5.
10...Nd4 11.Nxd4
A) 11.Ng5 e5 12.f5 h6
304
13.Nh3 [13.fxg6 hxg5 14.Bxg5 Bg4µ] 13...gxf5 14.exf5 White would like to have control over the
e4- and d5-squares, which is why we play 14...b5!.
Typical for the young Kasparov! If Black sleeps, White will establish light-square domination.
A1) 15.b3 b4 16.Ne4 Bxf5µ
A2) 15.Be3 bxc4 16.Bxc4+
305
Position after: 16.Bxc4+
16...Kh8! [16...d5?! 17.Nxd5! Nxd5 18.Bxd4 cxd4 19.Qb3²] 17.Bxd4 cxd4 18.Nd5 Ba6 19.Nxf6
Bxc4 20.Nh5 Bxf1 21.Qg4 Qd7µ 0-1 (40) Christiansen, L (2575) – Kasparov, G (2675) Moscow
1982.
A3) 15.Nxb5 e4 [15...Nxb5 16.cxb5 d5 17.a4! When Black starts pushing his central pawns, White
is now prepared to meet that with Ra3 and Be2 or Bb1. Engines prefer White’s position.] 16.Bc2
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Here a lot of moves will give Black a good position. White’s pieces are not well coordinated in the
open position that arises after the ...b5 sacrifice. We are following one interesting correspondence
game, which ended in a draw after huge complications. [16.Be2 Nxf5„] 16...Qb6 [16...Nxb5
17.cxb5 d5© This is good enough if we don’t want to follow the correspondence game; 16...d5!?.]
17.a4 a6 18.a5
18...axb5! 19.axb6 Rxa1 20.Nf4 Bxf5 21.cxb5 Bg4 22.Qd2 Nh5 23.Nd5 ½-½ Csernus, R (1747) –
Pott, B (1818) Lechenicher SchachServer 2016, and here the game finished just before the obvious
perpetual check. 23...Ne2+ 24.Qxe2 Bxe2 25.Ne7+ Kh8 26.Ng6+ Kg8 27.Ne7+=
B) 11.Bd2 a6 12.Ng5 e5 13.f5 h6
307
14.Nf3 [14.Nh3 gxf5 15.exf5 b5 Here Kasparov’s idea works even better, as we have ...a6 included to
support ...b5.] 14...gxf5 15.exf5 b5!? 16.Nxd4 cxd4 17.Ne4 bxc4 18.Bxc4+ d5 19.Qf3
A complete mess, but one that turns in Black’s favor. 19...Bb7 20.Nxf6+ Rxf6 21.Bb3 a5µ 0-1 (35)
Jodorcovsky, P (2275) – Sasikiran, K (2672) Batumi 2018.
11...cxd4 12.Nb5 e5 13.fxe5
308
13...Ng4!N
This leads to a forced draw if White plays the best moves!

I was afraid of 13...dxe5 14.c5∞. The position is unclear, but it seems to me that it is easier to play this
with White.
14.exd6 Qh4
309
15.Rxf8+
15.h3? Nf2! 16.Qe1 Nxh3+ 17.gxh3 Rxf1+ 18.Qxf1 Bxh3 19.Qf4 [19.Qf2 Qg4+ 20.Kh1 Rf8–+]
19...Qe1+ 20.Kh2 Rf8 21.Qxf8+ Kxf8 22.Kxh3 Qd1–+
15...Bxf8 16.h3 Qf2+ 17.Kh1 Bg7 18.hxg4 Be5
19.Be2™
19.Bg5 Qg3 20.Qg1 [20.Kg1 Bxg4–+] 20...Qxg4–+
19...Qh4+ 20.Kg1 Qh2+ 21.Kf1 Qh1+ 22.Kf2 Qh4+=
310
Position after: 22...Qh4+=
This aggressive variation enjoyed brief popularity in the eighties, until Kasparov showed the way for
Black. There is no reason to expect a revival.
b) 8.Be2 exd5 9.exd5
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.f4 0-0 7.Nf3 e6 8.Be2
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8...exd5 9.exd5
This old variation is underestimated. White’s intention is to have a safe situation in the center and to try
an attack with f5 or along the e-file.
9.e5
A romantic try from before the computer era! 9...Ne4 10.cxd5 [10.Nxd5 Nc6 11.Qc2 f5³ 0-1 (17)
Wesseln, K (2330) – Vogt, L (2515) Bad Woerishofen 1992.] 10...Nxc3 11.bxc3 Nd7
12.e6 [12.0-0 dxe5 13.fxe5 Nxe5 And Black is a clear pawn up without any visible compensation for
White.] 12...fxe6 13.dxe6 Nb6µ 0-1 (51) Barsov, A (2525) – Ye, J (2681) Moscow 2001.
312
Position after: 9.exd5
9...Bf5
9...Nh5 10.0-0 Bxc3 11.bxc3 f5 is also possible, though it looks a bit extravagant. The position reminds
of a Nimzo-Indian.
10.0-0 Ne4
10...Re8 11.Nh4!?
313
Position after: 11.Nh4!?
11...Be4 [11...Bd7?! 12.f5ƒ] 12.g3!?∞ White has more space and Black’s bishop is somehow
“hanging” in the center of the board. [12.f5 Ng4 13.Bxg4 Bd4+ 14.Kh1 Qxh4∞]
11.Nxe4 Bxe4
Position after: 11...Bxe4
12.Ng5
12.Bd3 Bxf3 13.Qxf3 Nd7= This looks similar to the game.
12...Re8
But not 12...Bf5 13.g4 Bc8 [13...Bd7 14.f5ƒ] 14.f5ƒ
13.Nxe4 Rxe4 14.Bd3 Re8
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15.f5
A) 15.Rb1 Nd7 16.a3?! [16.Kh1=] 16...Bd4+ 17.Kh1 Be3= 0-1 (55) Wade, R – Petrosian, T Belgrade
1954. [17... f5!³]
B) 15.Bd2 Nd7=
15...Nd7=
315
The bishop on g7 is very strong. White cannot attack as Black has control over the dark squares. Even
though the position is equal, it is much easier to play with Black.
Conclusion
After 9.exd5 Black quickly exchanges one pair of knights plus his light-squared bishop for White’s
remaining knight. In the position that arises after those exchanges, White’s bishop pair is not so
useful. Petrosian demonstrated a strong positional idea.
9. e5 is not a serious try anymore.
c) 8.Be2 exd5 9.cxd5 Nbd7 10.0-0 Re8 11.Nd2
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.f4 0-0 7.Nf3 e6 8.Be2 exd5 9.cxd5 Nbd7
10.0-0
10.e5 is premature in view of 10...dxe5 11.fxe5 Ng4
316
A) 12.Bg5 Qb6 13.0-0 Ndxe5 14.Nxe5 Nxe5 15.Be7 [15.Qd2 Bf5³] 15...c4+ 16.Kh1 Qxb2 17.Bxf8
[17.Na4 Qb5 18.Bxf8 Kxf8µ The bishop and two pawns are stronger than a rook in this position.]
17...Kxf8 18.Ne4 Kg8µ
B) 12.e6 Nde5
Position after: 12...Nde5
B1) 13.exf7+? Rxf7 14.0-0 Nxf3+ 15.gxf3 [15.Bxf3 Bd4+ 16.Kh1 Nxh2–+] 15...Nxh2!
317
Position after: 15...Nxh2!
16.Rf2 [16.Kxh2 Qh4+ 17.Kg1 Bd4+–+] 16...Bd4 17.Ne4 Bxf2+ 18.Nxf2 Qh4–+
B2) 13.Nxe5 Nxe5 14.0-0 fxe6 15.Rxf8+ Qxf8³
B3) 13.Ng5 fxe6! 14.Bxg4 [14.dxe6 Qxd1+ 15.Nxd1 h6µ] 14...Nxg4 15.Qxg4 exd5‚
Position after: 15...exd5‚
16.Qh4 h6 17.Nf3 g5 18.Qg3 d4 19.Nb1 Qe8+ 20.Kd1 c4–+ 0-1 (37) Pljasunov, A – Khismatullin,
D St Petersburg 1998.
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10...Re8
We are at the crossroads here. White can play 11.Nd2 (many more games in the database) or 11.Qc2
(next subchapter).
11.Nd2 c4
12.Kh1
A) 12.Bxc4 Nc5³
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Position after: 12...Nc5³
Black will collect the e4-pawn, and the safety of his king gives him a stable advantage in this semi-
open position.
B) We should also mention 12.a4 Nc5 13.Bf3 [13.e5 dxe5 14.Nxc4 exf4 15.Bxf4 Nce4=] 13...Bd7
14.e5 dxe5 15.fxe5 Rxe5 16.Nxc4 Re8
Black is well prepared for happenings in the center of the board, e.g. 17.Bf4 [17.Be3 Nxa4!? 18.Rxa4
320
b5 19.Rxa7 Rxa7 20.Bxa7 bxc4=; 17.Bg5 Bf5³ 0-1 (57) Komljenovic, D (2451) – Shanava, K (2576)
Navalmoral 2011.] 17...Nfe4 18.Nxe4 Nxe4 19.d6 Rc8 20.Rc1 Re6=
C) 12.e5 dxe5 13.Nxc4 Nb6 14.fxe5 Nfxd5 15.Nd6 Nxc3 16.bxc3 Rf8=
Position after: 16...Rf8=
It appears that White may apply some pressure, but his pawns are shaky. For example:
C1) 17.Bf4 Be6 18.c4 [18.Bf3 Qc7³; 18.Qd4 Nd5 19.Bg3 Nxc3 20.Qxc3 Qxd6 21.exd6 Bxc3
22.Rab1 Bd4+ 23.Kh1 Bb6³] 18...Nd7³
C2) 17.Qd4 Be6 18.Bf3 [18.Rb1 f6=] 18...Qc7=
12...b5!?
12...Nc5 13.e5 dxe5 14.fxe5 Rxe5 15.Nxc4 Re8
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This is the start of a long variation, where at the end Black is also OK. The text line is much easier to
remember.
Position after: 12...b5!?
13.Nxb5 Nxe4 14.Nxe4 Rxe4 15.Nxd6N
It is better to take the pawn with a tempo, but 15.Bf3 is also possible.
322
The database shows two games that reached this position. In both, Black sacrificed an exchange for no
obvious reason. 15...Re7N [15...Nc5?! 16.Bxe4 Nxe4²] 16.Nxd6 Ba6ƒ Black is fine, for example:
17.Ne4 c3 18.d6 [18.Nxc3 Bxf1 19.Qxf1 Rb8µ] 18...Rxe4 19.Bxe4 cxb2 20.Bxb2 Bxb2 21.Rb1 Rb8³.
15...Rd4 16.Qc2 Nb6
323
17.Nxc8 Nxd5!
17...Rxc8 18.Be3 Rxd5 is also possible, but less effective than 17...Nxd5.
18.Nxa7
18.Bg4 f5³
18...Rxa7 19.Bd2
19.Bf3 Nb4ƒ
19...c3 20.bxc3
20.Bxc3 Ne3 21.Qc1 Nxf1 22.Bxd4 Qxd4 23.Bxf1 Qxb2=
20...Rxd2 21.Qxd2 Bxc3
22.Qc1
22.Qd3 Bxa1 23.Rxa1 [23.Bf3 Rd7! 24.Rxa1 Nxf4 25.Qe3 Qf6=] 23...Qf6=
22...Bxa1 23.Qxa1 Qc7=
324
Position after: 23...Qc7=
Conclusion
The position after 11.Nd2 can arise also from the Classical variation with an early Nd2, so it is
important to remember the exact move orders. Considering 12...b5, that makes our lives easier
compared to 12...Nc5, where theory is just beginning!
d) 8.Be2 exd5 9.cxd5 Nbd7 10.0-0 Re8 11.Qc2
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.f4 0-0 7.Nf3 e6 8.Be2 exd5 9.cxd5 Nbd7 10.0-0 Re8
11.Qc2
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11...a6
As you will see many times in this book, the timing of ...a6 is very important!
12.a4 Qc7
Playing in the true Benoni spirit, going for the typical ...c4 and ...b5!
326
13.Kh1
13.Nd2 Rb8 14.Kh1 c4 15.e5
Position after: 15.e5
15...b5!N Completely changing the nature and evaluation of the position! [15...dxe5 16.Nxc4²] 16.exf6
Nxf6 17.axb5 axb5 18.Nde4 [18.f5 Bxf5 19.Rxf5 gxf5 20.Qxf5 – or 20.Nf3 Qc5µ – 20...Qe7µ]
18...Bf5
327
A) 19.Nxf6+ Bxf6 20.Qd1 Qe7 [Also is possible 20...b4 21.Na4 c3³.] 21.Bf3 Bd3ƒ
B) 19.Bf3 b4 20.Nxf6+ Bxf6 21.Ne4 Bxe4 22.Bxe4 b3 23.Qe2 Qe7 24.Re1 Rb4
Black’s plan of...c4-c3 is unstoppable. If 25.Bf3 then 25...Qxe2 26.Rxe2 Rxe2 27.Bxe2 c3 28.bxc3
Re4–+
C) 19.Nxb5
Position after: 19.Nxb5
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19...Qb6 [19...Rxb5 20.Qxc4 Rb7³] 20.Nbxd6 [20.Nxf6+ Bxf6 21.Qxc4 Rbc8 22.Nxd6 Qxd6
23.Qa6 Qxd5 24.Bf3 Qd4ƒ] 20...Nxe4 21.Nxe4 [21.Nxf5 gxf5µ] 21...Rxe4 22.Bxc4 Rd4 23.Qe2
Qb4 24.Ba6 Rxd5ƒ
13...c4
Here the best try for White is a computer move.
14.Ra3!?
A) 14.Nd2?! Nc5 15.Bxc4 Ncxe4! 16.Ncxe4 Nxe4 17.Nxe4 Bf5
329
18.Re1 Rac8 19.Bd3 Bxe4 20.Qxc7 Rxc7 21.Rxe4 Rxe4 22.Bxe4 Re7µ Black has a better bishop and
more active rook, while White’s weak pawns are easy targets, 0-1 (59) Semkov, S (2470) – Perenyi, B
(2370) Saint John 1988.
B) 14.a5 Nc5 15.e5 Bf5 16.Qd1 Nfe4 17.Nxe4 [17.Bxc4 Nxc3 18.bxc3 Ne4„] 17...Nxe4 18.Qd4
Qc5 19.Bxc4 Rac8 20.b3 Qxd4 21.Nxd4
330
21...dxe5 [21...Bg4!?∞] 22.Nxf5 gxf5 23.fxe5 Bxe5 24.Ra2 Nd6= Black controls the open lines and
he has a powerful knight.
14...Nc5 15.e5 Bf5 16.Qd1 Nfe4 17.Bxc4 Rad8∞
Position after: 17...Rad8∞
Conclusion
In my opinion 11.Qc2 has much more potential than the more popular 11.Nd2.
I think that I found the proper way for Black if he wants a vivid game!
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Chapter 8
The Sämisch
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.f3 e6
Chapter Guide
Chapter 8 – The Sämisch
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.f3 e6

Option 1: White plays 7.Nge2 (7...exd5 8.cxd5 Nbd7 9.Ng3 h5 10.Be2 Nh7)
a) 11.--
b) 11.Be3
c) 11.Be3 (with 13.Qd2)
Option 2: White plays 7.Be3 (7...0-0 8.Qd2 exd5 9.cxd5 Re8 10.Nge2 Nbd7)
d) 11.Nc1
e) 11.Ng3
f) 11.Ng3 (with 13...b5!N)
g) 11.Ng3 (with 13...b5!N & 15.Nxd6)
Option 3: White plays 7.Bg5 (7...h6 8.Be3 exd5 9.cxd5 0-0 10.Qd2 Re8)
h) 11.Nge2 (with 13...Nxe4!N)
a) 11.--
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.f3 e6 7.Nge2 exd5 8.cxd5
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This is one of the main starting positions in the Sämisch Benoni. The 7.Nge2 development arguably
offers White the most flexibility. Our idea for Black in this line (and also most other lines) is NOT to
include the moves 8...a6 and 9.a4. We keep Black’s pawn on a7 (and hence White’s pawn stays on a2)
in order to have the tactical ...b5 pawn push idea!
8...Nbd7!? 9.Ng3
9.Bg5 h6 10.Be3 0-0 transposes to 7.Bg5.
9...h5
333
Black wants to play 10...h4. shoving White’s knight back to e2. That makes White’s next move pretty
much forced.
10.Be2
White’s knight can now retreat to the f1-square, and there is no point to forcing it back immediately.
Black will hit White’s knight (playing ...h4) at the moment that suits him. So far Black has delayed
castling, keeping his options open, and we would like to delay it a bit further.
10...Nh7!?
This knight move is very much “in the system” for Black as it enables the ...f5 pawn push and also
prevents the Bg5 pin. White’s move is more or less forced. White needs to develop his c1-bishop and
arguably the most logical – and indeed the most played – move is to develop it to e3, so we take that as
our main line.
10...0-0 can be played, but the following line seems unpleasant for Black.
334
11.Bg5! Qb6 12.Qd2 [12.Qb3 has been tested in a top-level game and led to unclear play. 12...Qc7
13.0-0 Nh7 14.Be3 a6 15.a4 h4 16.Nh1 f5∞ ½-½ (47) Tomashevsky, E (2738) – Grischuk, A (2761)
Moscow 2012.] 12...Nh7
A) 13.Bf4 can be played, but the position after 13...Ne5 [13...g5?? is a horrible positional blunder, as
after the simple 14.Be3 Black’s light-square weaknesses (f5 and h5) are a disaster.] 14.0-0 Bd7 looks
335
unclear, with mutual chances.
B) 13.Bh4!
B1) 13...c4 is a risky pawn sacrifice. 14.Bxc4 Ne5 15.Be2 Bd7
Here White’s play can be improved. 16.f4 Now Black gets good play. [16.Nf1! with Bf2, Ne3, 0-0
to follow casts doubts on Black’s compensation for his sacrificed pawn.] 16...Ng4 [16...Bh6© also
looks OK for Black] 17.Bxg4 hxg4 18.Nge2 Nf6 19.Bf2 Qb4 20.Ng3 Qc4 21.Qe2 Qxe2+ 22.Kxe2
b5©
336
Position after: 22...b5©
Black has full compensation and White needs to be careful here. 23.a3 a5 24.e5 dxe5 25.fxe5 Rfe8
26.Bd4 Nh5 27.Nxh5 Bxe5 28.Bxe5 Rxe5+ 29.Kf2 Rxh5 30.Rhe1 Kf8= Gupta, A (2580) –
Atabayev, M (2355) Dubai 2011.
B2) 13...g5
This looks critical, but here White has a promising piece sacrifice! 14.Bxg5 Nxg5 15.Nxh5!
[15.Qxg5 Qxb2 16.Rc1 Nf6 is at least fine for Black] 15...Nh7 16.Nxg7 Kxg7
337
Position after: 16...Kxg7
White got two pawns for his sacrificed piece, but Black’s weak king position offers ample
compensation. 17.0-0-0© [Also good for White is 17.g4 as in Sandipan, C (2585) – Caspi, I (2417)
Zurich 2009.]
11.Bf4
This is Aronian’s recent idea, played against Grischuk in the 2018 Candidates. This slightly strange-
looking move is a very interesting try. In the above-mentioned game Aronian got the advantage, so we
have two improvement ideas for Black here.
A) 11.0-0? is a terrible blunder, as it drops a piece after 11...Bd4+ 12.Kh1? h4–+
B) 11.Be3 – See the next subchapters.
The main proposal to improve Black’s play in the Candidates game mentioned above is
11...Ne5
A) 11...Qe7!? led to a marvelous, rollercoaster game in the Aronian – Grischuk clash. 12.Qd2 h4
13.Nf1 g5 14.Be3 Ne5 15.g3!
338
Position after: 15.g3!
White will start rolling his central pawns and take the initiative! Black’s king will become a target,
while White’s king will safely castle queenside. Black is already in trouble!
A1) 15...f5 is the usual way for Black to solve similar types of problems, but here it does not quite
work as White continues to roll his pawn center. 16.f4 Nf7 17.e5! dxe5 18.d6! Qxd6 19.Qxd6 Nxd6
20.0-0-0
Position after: 20.0-0-0
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Even with the queens traded, Black’s king is a target here. 20...gxf4 21.gxf4 exf4 22.Bxc5 [or
22.Bxf4ƒ] Black now has to find the only way to stay in the game.] 22...f3! 23.Bxf3 Ng5! Still
Black’s problems are very far from being solved. 24.Rg1! Bh6 25.Bh5+ Ndf7 26.Kb1‚
A2) 15...g4!? 16.f4 Nf3+ 17.Bxf3 gxf3 18.0-0-0² looks better for White.
A3) 15...Bd7 16.gxh4! gxh4 17.Rg1 f5 Again, White advances his pawns. 18.f4 Ng4
Now a typical Benoni pawn break brings White a winning advantage. 19.e5! dxe5 20.d6 Qe6
21.Nb5 Rc8 22.Nc7+ Rxc7 23.dxc7 exf4
340
Position after: 23...exf4
White is winning, but precision is needed! In such sharp positions even great players can blunder.
A3.1) 24.0-0-0! fxe3 [24...Ng5 now does not save Black as there is no ...Nf3+. 25.Bxf4! Ne4
26.Qxd7+ Qxd7 27.Rxd7 Kxd7 28.Rxg4 fxg4 29.Bxg4++– And White promotes on c8, remaining
a piece up.] 25.Nxe3! Bh6 [25...Qxe3 26.Qxe3+ Nxe3 27.Bh5++–] 26.Bb5 0-0 27.Bxd7 Qxe3
28.Qxe3 Bxe3+ 29.Kb1 And again White promotes on c8, remaining with a decisive material
advantage.
A3.2) 24.Rd1? Throwing the advantage away! 24...Ng5!= ½-½ (42) Aronian, L (2794) – Grischuk,
A (2767) Berlin 2018. Now suddenly the position is equal!
B) Our second improvement proposal is 11...Qf6!?
Position after: 11...Qf6!?
Black wants to develop more or less the same way as Grischuk did, but White does not have the 15.g3
move (as the f3-pawn would hang) and according to our analysis Black should have an equal game.
12.Qd2 a6 [Black can also omit, at least for the time being, 12...a6 13.a4. Then 12...h4 13.Nf1 g5
14.Be3 Ne5∞ and compared to the Aronian – Grischuk game, White does not have the 15.g3 move
here.] 13.a4 h4 14.Nf1 g5 15.Be3 Ne5∞
341
Position after: 15...Ne5∞
12.Qd2 h4 13.Nf1 g5 14.Be3
14...0-0!
14...Qf6 transposes to 11...Qf6.

Black wants to play, among other things, 15...f5. Now if White wants to adopt Aronian’s idea he can
342
play...
15.g3
Or 15.h3 f5∞. [Also possible is 15...Ng6∞ with dark-square control.]

In playing 15.g3 White is aiming to open the kingside. Now Black can take advantage of the fact that
neither a-pawn has been moved, and play...
15...b5!
Most likely the best for White is to ignore Black’s queenside action and continue “his business” on the
kingside.
16.gxh4
16.Nxb5 is, to say the least, risky for White. 16...Rb8 17.a4 [17.Nc3 Ba6ƒ White is in trouble here]
17...g4 18.f4 Nf3+ 19.Bxf3 gxf3
343
White’s position is over-extended and his king is weak. He has problems. 20.gxh4 Nf6 21.Ng3 Re8‚
16...b4 17.Nd1
17...g4
17...Qf6!?∞ is also possible.
344
18.f4 Nf3+ 19.Bxf3 gxf3 20.Rg1 Re8 21.Nf2 Qxh4∞
Position after: 21...Qxh4∞
The position is razor-sharp, but it would be rather strange if Black were worse here.
b) 11.Be3
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.f3 e6 7.Nge2 exd5 8.cxd5 Nbd7!? 9.Ng3 h5 10.Be2
Nh7!? 11.Be3
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White is now ready to castle (as there is no ...Bd4+), so now the time is right to kick White’s g3-knight
to f1.
11...h4!
11...0-0 12.0-0 h4 [or 12...a6 13.a4 h4 14.Nh1] 13.Nh1
Position after: 13.Nh1
has also been played, but we prefer the text.
12.Nf1 0-0
346
White is now in a hurry to prepare castling and complete his development.
13.Nd2
The importance of the a-pawns still being on a7 and a2 will soon be revealed. Without the ...a6 and a4
moves Black has extra tactical possibilities here.
A) 13.Qd2 – See the next subchapter.
B) In case of 13.g4!?, which has not yet been played in practice, probably it is clever for Black to play
13...a6 14.a4 f5!„ and transpose to I. Sokolov – Kir. Georgiev, Elenite 1993.
13...f5! 14.exf5 Qe7
White has to be very careful here!
15.Bf2
15.fxg6?! Qxe3 16.gxh7+ Kh8³
347
Position after: 16...Kh8³
This line reveals one of the reasons why the moves 8...a6 9.a4 were NOT included! If a4 had been
played White here would have had 17.Ra3!. The way it is Black is better. Black won a nice game in
Sanikidze, T – Rodshtein, M French Teams 2017.
15...Ne5
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In this complicated position Black is not worse at all.
16.0-0
In case of 16.fxg6 Nxg6 Black has strong compensation for his sacrificed pawn. 17.Nde4 Nf4 18.0-0
Here Black can go for an interesting direct assault. 18...Bxc3!? [18...Ng5© with good compensation is
also possible] 19.bxc3 Bh3! 20.gxh3 Qg7+ 21.Bg3 [21.Ng3 Ng5 looks good for Black] 21...Rae8
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Position after: 21...Rae8
A) 22.Kh1?! hxg3 23.hxg3 [23.Nxg3 Rxe2! 24.Rg1 Re5 25.Nh5 Rxh5 26.Rxg7+ Kxg7–+ Black
collected too many pieces for White’s queen.] 23...Nxh3–+ Black has a winning attack here, with
threats of ...Re5-Rh5 and ...N7g5.
B) White’s only way to stay in the game is 22.Bb5! hxg3
Position after: 22...hxg3
23.Nxg3 Black has a good attacking position – the knight on f4 is a monster – and several good
options. [23.hxg3?? Rxe4–+] 23...Re5³ [Or he can collect some material first with 23...Qxc3³.]
16...g5
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White has a choice here, between placing his knight on e4 or trading Black’s e5-knight. Black has a
great game and White can easily end up in terrible trouble here.
17.Nce4
This move has been played in a correspondence game.

In a high-level over-the-board game we saw 17.Nc4 Bxf5 18.Qd2 Nxc4 19.Bxc4 Be5 20.Rae1 Qg7.
Position after: 20...Qg7
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Most likely Black is the one with the better chances here. 21.Re2 Rae8 22.Rfe1 Bf4!³ [The actual game
went 22...h3 23.Nb5 Bf4 24.Qc3 Qxc3 25.Nxc3 Rxe2 26.Nxe2 Be5= Cheparinov, I (2710) – Bai, J
(2556) China 2017.] 23.Qd1 Rxe2
24.Qxe2 [24.Nxe2 Be5³; 24.Rxe2? gives Black a winning attack after 24...g4–+.] 24...g4‚ Now White
is just in time to get a queen swap and escape the mating attack. [24...Nf6 25.Bd3 Bd7³ 26.Qe7 Re8
27.Qxg7+ Kxg7 leads to a better endgame for Black.] 25.Qe7! Bxh2+ 26.Kxh2 g3+ 27.Kh1 Qxe7
28.Rxe7 gxf2 29.Nd1³ Black is somewhat better, but a draw is the most likely outcome.
17...Bxf5 18.Re1
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Here Black can try to improve on the existing theory.
18...h3
White does not have an easy choice here.

The actual game soon ended peacefully. 18...Bg6 19.Be3
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A) 19...h3!? 20.gxh3 [20.g3? Ng4µ] Black has a good game after 20...Rf7∞ [or 20...Qd7∞].
B) 19...Nf7 With the idea of ...g4. Note that the b2-pawn is hanging. 20.Bd3 Ne5 21.Be2 Nf7 And a
draw by move repetition, ½-½ O’Hare, C (2450) – LePage, C (2436) ICCF 2016.
19.g3
19.gxh3! is not an easy decision, but it’s probably White’s best here. After 19...Bxh3 20.Kh1∞ we have
a sharp, unclear position – which should suit “Benoni fighters”.
19...Ng4!
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20.Nxd6 Nxf2
In the end, the arising complications favor Black.
21.Nxf5 Rxf5 22.Qc2 Ng4! 23.fxg4 Qe3+ 24.Kh1 Re5–+
Position after: 24...Re5–+
The e-file pin in combination with White’s weak king proves decisive here.
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25.d6
25.Bf1 Qxe1 26.Rxe1 Rxe1–+
25...Qf2 26.Qb3+ Kh8 27.Qf3
It looks as if White will survive ... well, not quite!
27...Rf8 28.Qxf2 Rxf2 29.d7 Bf6–+
Position after: 29...Bf6!–+
Black wins a piece, and the game.
c) 11.Be3 (with 13.Qd2)
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.f3 e6 7.Nge2 exd5 8.cxd5 Nbd7!? 9.Ng3 h5 10.Be2
Nh7!? 11.Be3 h4! 12.Nf1 0-0 13.Qd2
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This has been played by Aronian against Li Chao, but it does not promise White an advantage.
13...Re8 14.Bh6 Bd4 15.Ne3
A novel attempt could be 15.Nb5N 15...Be5 16.f4.
This leads to complications Black should not complain about. 16...a6! 17.fxe5 axb5 18.e6 fxe6 19.Ne3
357
[19.Bxb5 Qa5] 19...Qa5! 20.b4 Qxb4 21.Qxb4 cxb4 22.0-0= White will get some of his sacrificed
pawns back and has compensation to keep the balance, but not more.
15...a6
Li Chao will get a good game and the way he played can definitely be followed. However, Black here
also had another interesting possibility which we would like to point out. If there is an improvement for
White, it should be in the next couple of moves, since later Black got the upper hand.
Black’s alternative is 15...h3!? 16.g3 g5ƒ
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Position after: 16...g5ƒ
White’s bishop on h6 is locked up and White is in desperate need of a tactical solution here. We now
do get messy tactical positions, but the complications seem to favor Black! We will now give a number
of possible lines.
A) 17.Nb5 Ne5 18.f4 gxf4 19.Bxf4
Position after: 19.Bxf4
White has solved his bishop problem, but the e4-pawn is now weak. 19...Nf6 20.0-0 Nxe4 21.Qc2 f5³
B) Evacuating the king with long castling leaves White with his locked-up bishop problem. 17.0-0-0
Bxe3 18.Qxe3 Qf6
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Now White needs to pretend that he had planned a piece sacrifice! 19.Nb5 Rd8 20.Bxg5 Qxg5
21.Qxg5+ Nxg5 22.Nxd6 Nb6³
C) 17.Nf5 does not achieve much since after 17...Ne5
White needs to go for a rather speculative pawn sacrifice. 18.Ng7 Nxf3+ 19.Bxf3 Bxg7 20.Bxg7
Kxg7 21.0-0 Re5³
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D) From a human perspective the most logical looks to be 17.f4. White wants to save his bishop and
possibly open routes to Black’s king. 17...Ndf6 18.e5
Now we resort to our usual tactical resource for Black. 18...b5! 19.e6 [19.Nxb5 dxe5 20.fxg5 Ne4µ;
19.Bxb5 Bxe3 20.Qxe3 Ng4 21.Qf3 Nxh6 22.Bxe8 Qxe8³; 19.a3 Qa5³] 19...Bxe6! 20.dxe6 Rxe6
21.Nf5 [21.Ned5 b4–+] 21...b4 22.Nb5 [22.Nd1 prevents a check on f2, but White’s king remains
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stuck in the center. 22...Ne4 23.Qd3 Qf6 24.Nxd4 cxd4 25.Bxg5 Nhxg5 26.fxg5 Nxg5 27.Rf1
Qe7‚] 22...Ne4 23.Qc2 Bf2+ 24.Kd1 a6 25.Bf3 b3! 26.axb3 [26.Qxb3 axb5–+; 26.Qd3 c4–+]
26...axb5µ
16.Nc2 Be5 17.Bf4 b5 18.0-0 Bxf4 19.Qxf4 Ne5 20.Qh6 g5!
Position after: 20...g5!
Cutting off White’s queen. As we are to see (pay attention to the comments below on the 21st move!)
White’s queen can easily get trapped.
21.g3
Aronian senses the danger and wants to free his queen.

A) 21.f4 looks logical for White, but after 21...gxf4 22.Rxf4 [22.Qxf4 Qg5] 22...Qg5! [22...Ng6??
blunders terribly into 23.Rxf7+–] 23.Rxh4 Qxh6 24.Rxh6 Ng6 With 25...Ng5 to follow, Black has
excellent compensation.
B) In case of 21.Ne3 we see the problems White’s queen may face being locked up on h6. 21...Ng6!
22.a4 b4 23.Ncd1
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Position after: 23.Ncd1
White seems to be doing well. The.e3-knight will go to c4, then the d1-knight to e3 ... but there is a
small problem. 23...Nhf8!! This beautiful idea wins for Black! 24.Nc4 f6!–+ With ...Ra7 and ...Rh7 to
follow. White loses his queen or suffers other decisive material losses.
C) 21.a4 b4 22.Nd1 again faces 22...Ng6!µ with the same queen-trapping plan.
21...hxg3
21...Qf6!? 22.Qxf6 Nxf6=
22.hxg3 Qf6
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23.Qh2
Given the later developments, a queen trade might make sense for White here: 23.Qxf6 Nxf6=.
23...Ng6!
Li Chao will carry out a dark-square strategy and gain a large advantage.
A) 23...Bd7 can lead to interesting tactical play:
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24.Ne3 g4 25.f4 Nf3+ 26.Bxf3 gxf3 27.Qh5 Qg7 28.Qxf3 Nf6 29.e5 dxe5 30.f5 b4 [30...e4!?]
31.Ne4 Nxe4 32.Qxe4 Qxg3+ 33.Kh1 Qh3+ 34.Kg1 Qg3+=
B) 23...g4 looks a bit premature. 24.f4 Nf3+ 25.Bxf3 gxf3 26.Rae1²
24.Ne3 Bd7 25.Kg2 Kg7!
Position after: 25...Kg7!
Clearing h8 for the rook.
26.Rh1 Rh8 27.Qg1 Qe5 28.Qf2 Nf6 29.Raf1 Nh5!³
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Position after: 29...Nh5!³
½-½ (45) Aronian, L (2809) – Li Chao (2735) Geneva 2017.

Black has played a model game! White is boxed in, while Black has numerous ways to improve his
position.
d) 11.Nc1
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.f3 e6 7.Be3
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7...0-0 8.Qd2
8.Nge2 transposes to our 7.Nge2 line in the previous subchapter: 8...exd5 9.cxd5 Nbd7 10.Ng3 h5
11.Be2 h4 12.Nf1 Nh7.
8...exd5 9.cxd5
Now it’s an important moment! Again we keep our pawn on a7.
9...Re8!
A) In case of 9...a6 10.a4 Re8 White can be clever and wait with the development of his g1-knight.
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White waits for Black’s ...Nbd7, and the moment ...Nbd7 comes White develops his knight to h3 and
goes to the perfect square f2! For example, 11.Be2 [11.a5!? can also be tried with the same purpose]
11...h5 Delaying ...Nbd7 still does not equalize as White does have useful waiting moves.
[11...Nbd7? 12.Nh3 Nf8 13.Nf2± White was already clearly better and went on to win in Kuzubov, Y
(2636) – Mamedov, R (2626) Lubbock 2009.] 12.a5
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12...Nh7 [12...b5 13.axb6 Qxb6 14.Ra3²] 13.Ra3 [13.Na4 is also possible: 13...Nd7 14.Nh3 b5
15.axb6 Nxb6 16.Nf2².] And now if 13...f5 14.Nh3! fxe4 15.Nxe4 Bxh3 16.gxh3± White will be the
one on the attack!
B) 9...Nbd7 is imprecise due to 10.Nh3 and the knight goes to f2.
Back to 9...Re8.
Position after: 9...Re8!
Now by far the most played move for White is to develop his g1-knight to e2.
10.Nge2
A) There have, however, been efforts to find good waiting moves and we need to understand them.
One is 10.a4. Now Black should adjust to the situation and play 10...Na6!. [10...Nbd7?! is again
wrong: after 11.Nh3! with Nf2 to follow White gets what he wants.]
A1) 11.Nge2 Nb4
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12.Ng3 [12.Nd1?? Planning to regroup the knights, but this runs into a nice tactical refutation:
12...Rxe4! 13.fxe4 Nxe4–+ and White loses his queen.] 12...h5! 13.Bb5 [13.Be2 h4 14.Nf1 Nh7³
With ...f5 to follow. Black is better as White is way behind with his development.] 13...Bd7 14.0-0
Bxb5 15.axb5 Nd7=
A2) 11.Bb5 Bd7!?
370
12.Nh3 should arguably be the main line for White here. White then manages to develop his g1
knight to the desired f2-square. [12.Nge2 Bxb5 13.axb5 Trying to unbalance the position. 13...Nb4
14.0-0 Nd7 Black is absolutely fine, since 15.f4?!, to prevent ...Ne5, allows 15...Nf6! winning a
pawn.] 12...Nb4 13.Nf2
A2.1) 13...a6 14.Be2! [14.Bc4 b5 15.axb5 axb5 16.Rxa8 Qxa8 17.Nxb5? Nfxd5µ Raicevic, V
(2403) – Zakic, S (2349) Belgrade 2010.] 14...b5 15.0-0²
A2.2) 13...Bxb5! 14.axb5 Nd7 15.0-0 Nb6 16.Bh6?! [16.Bg5 Nc4³; 16.b3?? Bxc3 17.Qxc3
N6xd5–+] 16...Nc4 17.Qc1 Bxh6 18.Qxh6
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Position after: 18.Qxh6
Here it is clever for Black is to bring his b4-knight to the central d4-square. 18...Nc2 [The greedy
18...Nxb2 is asking for trouble and White gets good attacking chances after 19.Ng4©.] 19.Ra4 Nb6
20.Ra2 Nd4∞
With his excellent knight Black has nothing to fear.

B) 10.Be2!? was an interesting attempt by GM Istratescu. Black’s play, however, can be improved.
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10...h5 Black is correctly delaying the development of his b8-knight. 11.Bd1 Now White is no longer
covering the c4-square, so the time is right to develop Black’s b8-knight. 11...Nbd7 12.Nge2
[12.Nh3? Ne5µ] 12...Ne5 13.b3
Position after: 13.b3
Now it’s the right moment to use our tactical ...b5! pawn push idea and improve on Black’s play.
13...b5!N [The actual game went 13...Bd7 14.a4 Nh7 15.0-0 h4 16.h3 f5 17.Bc2 when White was
better and went on to win in Istratescu, A (2619) – David, A (2528) La Roche sur Yon 2007.]
14.Nxb5 Now we have White off balance and we continue with our tactical shots. 14...Neg4! 15.Bg5
Qb6
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16.Nec3 [16.Nbc3 c4‚] 16...Nxe4! [16...a6 17.Na3 Nxe4 is wrong, as White becomes the attacker
after 18.Nxe4! Bxa1 19.Nc4 Qb8 20.Be2±] 17.fxe4 a6!
Position after: 17...a6!
Black now regains his material and has an equal game.

B1) 18.Na3 Qb4 19.Rc1 Qxa3 [Greedily snatching a pawn with 19...Bxc3 20.Rxc3 Rxe4+ 21.Be2
Qxa3 is wrong because after 22.0-0© White gets excellent attacking chances.] 20.0-0 Qb4=
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Black has a good game and play could continue 21.Bxg4 Qd4+ 22.Qf2 Qxf2+ 23.Rxf2 hxg4∞.
B2) 18.Bxg4 Bxg4 19.Nxd6 [19.Na3? lands White in trouble after 19...Qb4 20.Rc1 Bxc3 21.Rxc3
Rxe4+ 22.Re3 Rd4! 23.Qxb4 cxb4 24.0-0 bxa3µ.] 19...Qxd6 20.0-0
Most probably the easiest for Black here is to get his pawn back and have an approximately equal
game. 20...Bxc3 [20...c4!?© is also possible. 21.bxc4 Rac8] 21.Qxc3 Rxe4=
With White’s g1-knight being developed to e2, it is time for us to develop our b8-knight to d7.
10...Nbd7
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White now needs to move his e2-knight to g3, c1 or f4 and try to complete his development. By far the
most played, and most likely the best, is 11.Ng3 (see the next subchapters).
11.Nc1
A) 11.Nf4?! is not played here and with good reason! White can quickly get into trouble. 11...Ne5
12.Be2 a6 13.a4 g5! 14.Nh3 Bxh3 15.gxh3 h6³
Position after: 15...h6³
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Black is aiming for either 16...Ng6 and dark-square play, or 16...b5. White has a difficult position
here. For example, 16.h4 [16.a5 Ng6ƒ; 16.0-0-0 b5‚; 16.0-0 Ng6³ Black has achieved a dark-square
blockade, and his position is clearly better.] 16...g4µ
B) 11.Nd1 b5„
11...a6
11...Nxe4!?N
Position after: 11...Nxe4!?N
This novelty is spectacular, but just a speculative piece sacrifice.

A) 12.Nxe4 f5 13.Nxd6 f4 14.Nxe8 Qxe8
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Position after: 14...Qxe8
Black will be an exchange down, but White needs to coordinate his pieces. Black has more
compensation than your computer engine will initially tell you. 15.Be2 [15.Bd3 Bd4 16.Ne2 Bxe3
17.Qc3 Ne5 18.Be4 Bf5©; 15.Bb5 fxe3 16.Qe2 a6] 15...fxe3 16.Qc2 Nb6 [16...Qe5!?] 17.0-0 Nxd5©
B) 12.fxe4! Bxc3 13.bxc3 Qh4+ 14.Bf2!
Position after: 14.Bf2!
This forces an endgame for that is favorable White. 14...Qxe4+ 15.Qe2 Nf6 16.Qxe4 Nxe4 17.Bb5!
378
Re7 18.0-0 Nxc3
19.Bc4² [19.Bd3 Nxd5 20.Bg3 b6 21.Bxd6 Re6 22.Bf4 Bb7„] Black got three pawns for his piece,
but White’s pieces are well coordinated and Black’s camp has dark-square weaknesses. White has the
advantage, since 19...b5? runs into 20.Re1!±.
12.a4
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12...Nh5!
This is the way for Black to go. Very few games have been played in this line, and no grandmaster
games at all.
The piece sacrifice 12...Nxe4!?N
Position after: 12...Nxe4!?N
is a novelty here as well, but it does not achieve equality for Black.
A) 13.fxe4?! now plays into Black’s hands. 13...Bxc3 14.bxc3 Qh4+ 15.Bf2 [15.Kd1 Nf6µ]
15...Qxe4+ 16.Qe2 Nf6 17.Qxe4 Nxe4
380
Position after: 17...Nxe4
Now we see the difference with 11...a6 12.a4 included – White does not have the Bb5 move! 18.Be2
Nxc3 Black is the one pressing here. 19.Ra3 Nxe2 20.Nxe2 b5! 21.axb5 Bg4 22.Be3 axb5³
B) 13.Nxe4!
Position after: 13.Nxe4!
That’s the problem for Black here. 13...f5 [13...Qe7?, trying to copy our idea from the 7.Bg5 line,
does not work for Black here, as Black’s h-pawn is still on h7. 14.Be2 f5 15.Bg5+–] 14.Nxd6 f4
381
15.Nxe8 Qxe8 16.Ra3! Bd4 17.Kf2 fxe3+ 18.Rxe3² It is quite possible that Black can hold this, but
White is definitely better.
13.g4?
The most direct way for White to challenge Black’s idea, but it runs into a tactical refutation – not
surprising, given that White’s king still on e1. Black is at least OK against other moves as well.
A) 13.Be2 Ne5 14.0-0 f5
15.exf5 [15.f4 Ng4 16.Bxg4 fxg4 17.N1e2 b6³] 15...Bxf5! 16.Kh1 [16.g4? Nxg4 17.fxg4 Rxe3
18.gxf5 Qg5+ 19.Kh1 Ng3+ 20.hxg3 Qxg3 21.Rf3 Rxf3 22.Bxf3 Re8–+] 16...Nf6³ White’s knight
on c1 is useless.
B) Or 13.Nd3 f5 14.Be2 Ne5=
13...Ne5
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14.Be2
14.Qg2 Qh4+! 15.Bf2 Nxf3+! 16.Qxf3 Bxc3+ 17.bxc3 Bxg4
Position after: 17...Bxg4
18.Qxf7+ Kxf7 19.Bxh4 Rxe4+ 20.Kf2 Rf8 21.Bg2 Kg8+ 22.Kg1 Re3³ Black has two pawns for his
sacrificed piece at the moment, but White’s pieces lack any coordination and Black will collect more
material.
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14...Qh4+
Position after: 14...Qh4+
15.Kd1
Here Black has different ways – your computer engine will be very enthusiastic for Black – to sacrifice
a piece removing White’s pawn center and gaining a big advantage.
15.Bf2 Qf6–+
15...Nxf3µ
A) 15...Qh3µ
B) 15...Nxg4!?
16.Bxf3 Bxc3
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17.Qf2
17.bxc3 Bxg4–+
17...Qxf2 18.Bxf2 Bxb2 19.Rb1 Bxc1 20.Kxc1 Nf6µ
The smoke has cleared and Black goes into the ending two pawns up.
e) 11.Ng3
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.f3 e6 7.Be3 0-0 8.Qd2 exd5 9.cxd5 Re8! 10.Nge2
Nbd7 11.Ng3 h5
385
12.Be2
Here again our idea is NOT to include the ...a6 and a4 moves, in order to have the tactical ...b5! idea in
our armoury. 12.Bg5?! h4 13.Bxh4?! runs into the familiar tactical motif 13...Nxe4µ.
12...h4! 13.Nf1
386
Before analysing our awesome novelty on the next move, let’s see what generally happened in the
existing games.
13...Ne5
13...b5!!N – See the next subchapter.

Now White’s best is
14.Bh6!
White wants to free the e3-square for his f1-knight, and also trade the dark-squared bishops. Here we
have an interesting novelty!
A) 14.h3 plays into Black’s hands. 14...Nh5
15.f4 [15.0-0-0?! b5!ƒ 16.Bxb5 Rb8µ 17.Bxe8? Nc4 18.Qe2 Nxb2–+] 15...Nd7³ White has over-
extended his center and is already worse, Douven, R – Plaskett, J, Charlton 1983.
B) 14.Bg5
387
This is not something to worry Black, whose plan now is to first weaken White’s kingside and then go
for a queenside pawn push with ...b5 or ...c4 or both. 14...h3 15.g4 [15.g3 b5 16.Nxb5 Rb8©; 15.gxh3
Bxh3 16.Rg1 c4!ƒ With ...b5 next.] 15...b5!
16.Ng3 Black has many ways here. 16...b4 [or 16...c4!?] 17.Nd1 Ba6 18.0-0 Bxe2 [18...Qa5!?]
19.Qxe2 [19.Nxe2?? Nxf3+! 20.Rxf3 Nxe4 21.Bxd8 Nxd2–+] 19...c4∞
388
Let us return to 14.Bh6.
Position after: 14.Bh6!
14...b5!?N
We are again using the fact that we have NOT included 12...a6 13.a4, so we have this tactical
possibility. Our 14...b5!?N idea is not one of the top computer moves so it is a good way to surprise a
theoretically “booked up” opponent! Our conclusion is that with best play, where both sides avoid
tactical landmines, the position is dynamically balanced.
A) 14...Bh8?! allows White to get what he wants, for example 15.Ne3 Nh7 16.f4 [16.0-0² is also
better for White] 16...Nd7 [16...h3 17.g3²]
389
And now White has the typical Benoni pawn break 17.e5! dxe5 18.f5‚.
B) 14...h3!? leads to interesting complications. 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 [15...hxg2? 16.Qh6 Nh7 17.Rg1
gxf1=Q+ 18.Kxf1 Qd7 19.f4+–] 16.g4 b5 17.Ng3
17...b4 [17...Bd7 18.g5 Nh5 19.0-0²] 18.Nd1 Nexg4 19.fxg4 Nxe4 20.Nxe4 Rxe4 21.Nf2 Rd4
[21...Qh4 22.0-0 Rd4 23.Qc2 Qg5©] 22.Qe3 Rxd5 [22...Bb7 23.Rd1 isn’t as simple] 23.0-0 Re5
390
24.Qf3?! [24.Qd2 Bb7©] 24...Qe7!
Position after: 24...Qe7!
25.Bb5? [25.Qxa8™ 25...Bb7 26.Qxa7 Rxe2‚] 25...Rb8 26.Bc6 Ba6 27.Rfc1 Re3 28.Qd5 Rc8–+ 0-1
(42) Li Shilong (2520) – Zhao, J (2580) Xinghua Jiangsu 2011.
C) 14...Nh5?! 15.g4±
15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Bxb5 Rb8
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For the price of only one pawn Black has gained the initiative and plenty of tactical possibilities.
Arguably the most logical for White is to develop his knight to e3 so that he can castle kingside.
17.Ne3!
Now it is important that Black does not give White a break. White should not get the time for his
kingside castling. Taking on e8 (17.Bxe8) would lose to 17...Rxb2 and if 18.Qe3 then just 18...Nxe8.
17.0-0-0 does not lose, but is very risky for White. 17...Qa5!!
Position after: 17...Qa5!!
A) 18.Bxe8? Nc4 19.Qe2 Nxb2 20.Qxb2 Rxb2 21.Kxb2 Nxe8µ

B) 18.f4 Ned7 19.Ne3 Nxe4 20.Nxe4 Qxd2+ 21.Nxd2 Rxe3 22.Nc4 Re2 23.Nxd6 Rxg2=
392
Position after: 23...Rxg2=
White should be careful. For example, 24.Rhe1?! Rb6! 25.Bf1 Rxh2 26.Nxc8 Rbxb2 27.Bd3 c4
28.Bb1 Nc5! [28...c3? 29.Rd3!²] 29.d6 c3 30.d7 c2–+.
C) 18.Qe2 Re7 19.Nd2
Black has sufficient compensation and different ways to continue. We will give two logical ways.
C1) 19...Nh5 20.Nc4 Nxc4 21.Bxc4 Reb7 22.Rd2™
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Position after: 22.Rd2™
22...Qxc3+ [22...Rb4!?] 23.bxc3 Rb1+ [23...Nf4!?=] 24.Kc2 R1b2+ [24...R8b2+ 25.Kd3 Nf4+
26.Ke3 Nxe2 27.Rxb1 Rxb1 28.Bxe2±] 25.Kd3 Nf4+ 26.Ke3 Nxe2 27.Rxe2 Rxe2+ 28.Bxe2 Rb2=
A draw is likely.
C2) 19...Reb7 This puts White to the test to find a number of only moves. 20.f4! Bg4 21.Qf1
21...Nfd7! Such a cute move. All Black wants is to keep a knight on e5! 22.fxe5 Nxe5 23.Nb3! Qb4
394
24.Be2 Bxe2 25.Qxe2 c4 26.Rd4! a5 Black has excellent compensation for his sacrificed piece.
27.Na1
Position after: 27.Na1
27...Qxc3+ Again a spectacular-looking sacrifice. [There is also the calm 27...a4 28.Nc2 Qa5©.]
28.bxc3 Rb1+ 29.Kd2 Rxh1 30.Nc2 Rxh2 31.Ke3 h3©
17...h3! 18.0-0-0!∞
Position after: 18.0-0-0!∞
395
This razor-sharp position is probably in dynamic balance. There are endless possibilities here. It is very
easy for a human to lose this position – with either color – in a few moves. We give here a possible run
of play.
18...Bd7
A) 18...Rh8!? 19.f4 [19.Nc4 Nxc4 20.Bxc4 Rb4©] 19...Neg4„

B) 18...Re7!? 19.f4 Neg4 20.Bd3 Nxe3 21.Qxe3 Rb4©
19.Bxd7
19.Be2 hxg2 20.Rhg1 Rb4 21.Nc2 Qb6! 22.b3 a5!© With ...c4 next.
19...Qxd7 20.Kb1 Rb4 21.Ka1 Reb8 22.Rb1
Position after: 22.Rb1
Black needs to improve his queen.
22...Qd8© 23.f4 Ned7 24.Qd3 c4! 25.Nxc4 Nc5 26.Qd4 hxg2 27.Rhg1 Qc8
396
28.e5!
28.Rxg2?? Qa6–+
28...dxe5
28...Nfd7!?
29.fxe5 Nfe4 30.e6+ f6 31.b3
31.Nxe4?? Nb3+ 32.axb3 Qa6+–+
31...Nxc3 32.Qxc3
397
Position after: 32.Qxc3
32...Nxb3+! 33.Rxb3
33.axb3 Qa6+ 34.Kb2 Rxc4 35.Qd3
Now we get a queen versus two rooks position. 35...Rxb3+! 36.Qxb3 Rc7 37.Rxg2 Rb7 38.Rg3 Rxb3+
39.Rxb3=
398
Due to White’s weak king, this is likely a drawn position. Computer engines are also in a 0.00 mood.
33...Rxc4 34.Rxb8 Qc5
35.Rb7+
Or 35.Qe1 Qd4+ 36.Kb1 [36.Rb2?? Rc2–+] 36...Qd3+=.
35...Kg8 36.Rb8+ Kg7=
And the end of this rollercoaster ride turns out to be peaceful.
f) 11.Ng3 (with 13...b5!N)
Nbd7 11.Ng3 h5 12.Be2 h4! 13.Nf1 b5!!N
399
Position after: 13...b5!!N
Repeating myself, but this is a main reason for omitting the ...a6 move!
14.Nxb5
A) 14.Bg5 c4! 15.Nxb5 [15.Ne3 h3 16.gxh3 Nc5‚] 15...Nc5 16.Bxc4 [16.Nc3 Rb8ƒ] 16...Nfxe4
[16...Qb6!?µ Threatening ...Nfxe4.]
Position after: 16...Nfxe4
400
A1) 17.fxe4 Rxe4+ 18.Be2
18...Rxe2+! 19.Qxe2 [19.Kxe2 Qe8+ 20.Ne3 Qxb5+ 21.Kf3 Qe8–+] 19...Qxg5–+

A2) 17.Bxd8 Nxd2+ 18.Kxd2 Bh6+ 19.Kd1 Rxd8³
B) 14.Bxb5 Rb8 15.Be2 transposes to 14.Nb5 Rb8 15.Nc3.
C) 14.Bh6 Maybe the only move that gives White a decent position. 14...b4 15.Nd1 [15.Bxg7 Kxg7
16.Nd1 Ne5 is more or less the same.] 15...Ne5 16.Nf2 [16.Bxg7 Kxg7 is very similar. 17.Nf2 a5
18.Ne3 Nh5³] 16...Bxh6!? [16...Rb8³] 17.Qxh6 Qa5ƒ
401
Position after: 17...Qa5ƒ
For example, 18.b3 [18.Nd2 Ba6 19.f4 Ned7 20.Bxa6 Qxa6 21.f5 Ne5³ or 21...Re7!?³; 18.Qxh4 b3+
19.Nd2 Kg7 20.Qg5 Ba6 21.Bxa6 Qxa6‚] 18...Qa3 19.Qc1 [19.Qd2 c4 20.bxc4 h3‚] 19...Qxc1+
20.Rxc1 a5³
14...Rb8!
15.Nc3
A) 15.Nxd6 – See next subchapter.

B) 15.a4 Ne5 16.Bg5 [16.h3 a6 17.Nc3 Nh5ƒ] 16...h3 17.g3 c4ƒ
C) 15.h3 Ba6 16.a4 Nxe4 17.fxe4 Rxe4‚
15...Qa5!?
White’s position is already extremely difficult to play; he could lose it within a few moves.
15...Ne5 16.Bg5 h3∞
402
Position after: 15...Qa5!?
16.Nd1
A) 16.Rc1 Ne5 17.b3 [17.Kf2 Ba6 18.b3 Avoiding ...Bxe2 and ...c4. 18...Rb4„] 17...Rb4 18.Rc2 Nh5
The idea is ...f5. [18...Rd4 19.Bxd4 cxd4 20.Nb5+–; 18...h3 19.gxh3 Bxh3 20.Rg1 Rd4 21.Bxd4 cxd4
22.Nd1 Qxd2+ Black may also keep the queens; then White would play Rg3 next and the position
would be unclear. 23.Rxd2 d3 24.Rxd3 Nxd3+ 25.Bxd3 Nxd5=] 19.g4 Nf6
403
20.Kf2 [20.h3 Ba6³ with ...c4 following] 20...Rd4! Nice pattern! 21.Bxd4 cxd4 22.Nd1 Qb6 23.Kg2
h3+! 24.Kxh3 [24.Kg3 Bxg4!–+] 24...d3 25.Rxc8™ 25...Rxc8 26.Bxd3 Nxf3µ
B) 16.Rb1 Ne5 17.Qc2?
Position after: 17.Qc2?
Intending Nd2. 17...Nxd5! 18.exd5 Bf5–+

C) 16.Kf2 Ne5 17.h3 Ba6 18.Nd1 Rb4! 19.a3 Bxe2 20.Qxe2 Rb7µ
D) 16.Bg5? Rxb2! 17.Qxb2 Nxe4–+
E) 16.Rd1 Ba6ƒ
404
16...Qb6
16...Qa4 17.Nc3 Qb4 18.Nd1 [18.a4 Qxb2 Simple moves like ...a6 and ...Ne5 would also give Black
reasonable compensation. 19.Qxb2 Rxb2 20.Ra3∞] 18...Nxe4!?
Position after: 18...Nxe4!?
19.Qxb4 Rxb4 20.fxe4 [20.a3 Rxb2 21.Nxb2 Bxb2 22.Ra2 Bc3+ 23.Kd1 Nef6µ] 20...Rbxe4©
405
17.Rb1 Nxe4!?
17...Ne5!? With the ...Ba6 idea.
18.fxe4 Nf6 19.Nc3 Nxe4 20.Nxe4 Rxe4‚
Position after: 20...Rxe4‚
White needs a few moves to finish his development, while all Black’s pieces are in attack mode.
g) 11.Ng3 (with 13...b5!N & 15.Nxd6)
Nbd7 11.Ng3 h5 12.Be2 h4! 13.Nf1 b5!!N 14.Nxb5 Rb8! 15.Nxd6
406
A logical, but probably dubious, move.
15...Nxe4! 16.fxe4
16.Nxe4 Rxb2 17.Qd1 f5
18.Ned2 [18.Nd6 Ba6!–+] 18...Ba6 [18...f4!? 19.Bxf4 Ba6 20.Be3™ 20...h3! 21.g3 Qa5–+] 19.Rb1 h3
407
[19...f4!?] 20.g3 f4
21.Rxb2 [21.gxf4 Qh4+ 22.Ng3 Rxe3–+] 21...fxe3 22.Ne4 Qa5+ 23.Rd2 exd2+ 24.Nfxd2 Bxe2
25.Qxe2 Bd4 26.d6 Kg7 Black’s next move is ...Ne5, and White can only try to move his king. 27.Kd1
Qa4+ 28.Kc1 Ne5 29.Nb3 Nc4–+
16...Rxb2
Position after: 16...Rxb2
408
17.Qd1
17.Qc1 Rxe2+! 18.Kxe2 Ne5!
19.Nxc8 [19.Nxe8 Bg4+ 20.Kf2 Nd3+ 21.Kg1 Nxc1 22.Rxc1 Qxe8 23.h3 Bh5–+] 19...Qxc8
20.Qc2™ 20...Qa6+ 21.Kd1 Nd3 22.Rb1 Rxe4 23.d6 Qxd6 24.Ke2 c4‚
Position after: 24...c4‚
409
White cannot bring his h1-rook into the game.
17...h3! 18.g3 Nf6 19.Nxe8
19.Nc4 Rxe2+ 20.Qxe2 Nxe4 21.Rc1 Nc3–+
19...Qxe8
With Black a clear rook down, and White to move, engines in this position give -1. That says a lot
about the potential of Black’s position.
20.Rb1
20.Rc1 Nxe4 21.Qd3 Rxa2 22.d6 [22.Qb5 Bd7 23.Qd3 a6!–+ …...Bb5] 22...Ba6 23.d7 Qd8 24.Qxa6
Rxa6 25.Bxa6 Qxd7–+
20...Rxa2 21.Ra1 Rxa1 22.Qxa1 Qxe4 23.Qxa7 Qb1+ 24.Bd1 Ne4
410
From this moment Black is simply winning. It becomes like solving puzzles!
25.Qa8 Bc3+ 26.Ke2 Qb5+
26...Qb2+!? 27.Kd3 Nd6! 28.Bxc5
Position after: 28.Bxc5
28...Ba5!!–+
411
27.Kf3 Qd7! 28.Bf4 Qe8
29.Qb8
Black is also winning after 29.Qc6 Bd7 30.Qc7 Nf6–+
29...Ng5+! 30.Bxg5 Bg4+ 31.Kxg4 Qxb8–+
h) 11.Nge2 (with 13...Nxe4!N)
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.f3 e6 7.Bg5
412
7...h6 8.Be3 exd5 9.cxd5 0-0 10.Qd2
10...Re8
A) It is good to remind the readers that 10...Nbd7?! is a mistake here due to 11.Nh3! with Nf2 to
follow and White has solved the problem of developing his g1-knight in a very satisfactory way.
413
B) In the 7.Bg5 line, the difference compared to the 7.Be3 variation is that Black’s pawn is on h6
instead of h7 and that gives Black an extra option here in 10...Nh7!? This has been played with
success by Shakhriyar Mamedyarov – check the game Najer, E – Mamedyarov, S Tch RUS 2017.
C) Including 10...a6 11.a4 we prefer to postpone again!
11.Nge2
Stuff like 11.Bxh6?! should not worry Black here – and in general in these positions – as after
11...Nxe4!
Position after: 11...Nxe4!
this combination can work as Black never pushed his h-pawn to h5. 12.Nxe4 Qh4+ 13.g3 Qxh6
14.Qxh6 Bxh6 15.Ne2 Rd8 Black has excellent play, thanks to his strong dark-squared bishop.
11...Nbd7
414
12.Nc1
A) 12.Ng3 h5 13.Be2 h4 14.Nf1 transposes to 7.Be3.

B) If 12.Nd1 Black now has the pawn sacrifice 12...b5!. After 13.Ng3 White has a double threat,
14.Bxh6 or 14.Bxb5. 13...h5 14.Bxb5 Rb8 Black has fantastic compensation for his sacrificed pawn.
15.Be2 h4 16.Nf1 Ne5 White has terrible development problems. [16...h3!?ƒ] 17.Rb1 [In case of
17.h3 Nh5 it is not clear how White can get out of “the box”.]
415
Here the existing theory can be improved on with 17...h3!N. [17...Nh7 18.h3 f5 is also very fine for
Black, but with the 17...h3! novelty Black is going for the kill! 19.Nh2 Nf6 20.Nf2 fxe4 21.fxe4 Rb4
22.Bg5 Rd4 23.Qc2 Nf7 24.Bxf6 Bxf6 25.0-0 Ne5 Solozhenkin, E (2515) – Marin, M (2515) Sitges
1993.] 18.gxh3 Bxh3 19.Rg1
Position after: 19.Rg1
Now Black sacrifices a piece in order to remove the pawn defenses in front of White’s king. 19...Bg4!
20.Rg3 Bxf3! 21.Bxf3 Nxf3+ 22.Rxf3 Nxe4
416
White’s king is stuck in the middle of the board. Black has a winning attack here. The following few
lines are just to show the possible run of play. The bottom line is that White’s king cannot get out of
the multiple pins! 23.Qc2 Qh4+ 24.Nf2 [24.Ng3 Be5 25.Qg2 Ng5 26.Rf2 Bd4 27.Re2 Bxe3 28.Nxe3
Nh3!–+] 24...Nf6 25.Rh3 Qb4+ 26.Qd2 Qb7 27.Rd1 Re5–+
C) 12.Bxh6 leads to an equal ending likely to be drawn. The tactics are rather typical of these
positions. 12...Nxe4!
13.Nxe4 Qh4+ 14.g3 Qxh6 15.Qxh6 Bxh6 16.Nxd6 Rd8 [16...Re3!?] 17.Bh3 Nb6 18.Nxc8 Nxc8
19.Bxc8 Raxc8 20.Rd1 Rd7
417
Position after: 20...Rd7
Black gets his pawn back and it peters out into a drawn ending. 21.Nc3 Rcd8 22.a4 b6 [22...Bg7!?]
23.f4 Bg7 24.Kd2 Bxc3+ 25.Kxc3 Rxd5=
12...a6
13.a4
418
Here we have an important novelty!
13...Nxe4!
A strong novelty, guaranteeing Black excellent play and putting an end to White’s hopes of being better
in that variation.
A) 13...Nh5!? is possible, but not needed because 13...Nxe4! works.
B) 13...Nh7 14.Be2 f5 was played in a top-level game, and led to White’s advantage. 15.0-0 Ng5
16.Nd3 Ne5 17.Nf2 Nef7 18.Rae1 Bd7
19.exf5! gxf5 These pawn structures in the Benoni are in general better for White, as Black’s king
often proves weak. This game is no exception. 20.Kh1 Rb8 21.Nd3! White’s knight will be
excellently placed on f4. 21...Re7 22.Nf4 Qe8 23.Bf2 Ne5 24.a5
419
White will get an attack on Black’s king, so Black is hoping to get counterplay on the b-file. 24...b5
25.axb6 Rxb6 26.h4 Nh7 27.Ne6!± White is still better, but Black ultimately managed to win this
game, 0-1 (35) Sasikiran, K (2694) – Radjabov, T (2751) Kallithea 2008. The pawn structure created
after 19.exf5! gxf5 leaves Black’s king is weak and this should prove decisive.
C) 13...Ne5
420
This has been played but is not really relevant, as we think our novelty is convincing. 14.Be2 Nh5
15.Bxh6 Qh4+ 16.Kd1
Position after: 16.Kd1
16...Bxh6 [16...Ng3 17.Qe1 Qxh6 18.hxg3 Qe3©] 17.Qxh6 Qf2 [17...Qf6!©] 18.g4! Nf6 19.Rf1±
Dreev, A (2670) – Lobron, E (2590) Nussloch 1996.
14.Nxe4!
421
Here Black has a quiet move, thanks to the fact that his pawn is on h6.
14.fxe4?! leads to positions better for Black. 14...Bxc3 15.bxc3 Qh4+
Position after: 15...Qh4+
A) 16.Kd1?! Nf6 17.Be2 Here the most straightforward for Black is 17...Nxe4 [Your engine will tell
you that 17...Qxe4; or 17...Bg4 are also good for Black.] 18.Qe1 [18.Qd3 Bf5µ] 18...Qf6
We have many different possible lines here. The bottom line is that White cannot coordinate his
422
pieces and Black has way more than enough for his sacrificed material. Human feeling tells us this
and the engines’ evaluations confirm our assessment, rating this position as clearly better or won for
Black. 19.Ra3 [19.Kc2 Bf5–+] 19...Qe5 20.Bxh6 [20.c4 Qb2–+] 20...b5 21.axb5 Rb8! White’s
position will soon collapse. 22.bxa6? runs into a mating attack after 22...Qxd5+ 23.Kc2 Bf5–+.
B) 16.Bf2! The best move for White, but it doesn’t solve all the problems. 16...Qxe4+ 17.Qe2
[17.Kd1? Nb6–+ or 17...Ne5–+] 17...Nf6 18.Qxe4 Nxe4 19.Be2 Nxc3
Black has three pawns for the piece and very good chances of collecting a fourth pawn. White is
fighting for a draw here. Play may continue 20.Ra3 Nxe2 21.Nxe2 b5!
423
22.Kd2 [22.axb5 Bg4 23.Be3 axb5 24.Rxa8 Rxa8³] 22...b4 23.Re3 Bb7 24.Nf4 g5 25.Nh5 Rxe3
26.Bxe3 f5µ
14...Qe7!
This works for Black because with the pawn on h6 there is no Bg5 for White.
Position after: 14...Qe7!
424
Black’s next move is 15...f5. Black gets his piece back and has a good game.
15.Bd3!
A) 15.Ne2 leads to a better game for Black. 15...f5 16.Nxd6 Qxd6 17.Bxh6
Position after: 17.Bxh6
White is technically a pawn up, but Black has more than just compensation here. 17...Be5! 18.Kf2
[18.0-0-0?! b5 19.a5 c4 20.Bf4 Bb7 21.Kb1 Rac8µ] 18...Nf6 [18...b5 19.axb5 Rb8ƒ] 19.Bf4 Bd7³
B) It is perhaps useful to mention that White cannot be clever and try to keep his extra piece with
15.Kf2? f5 16.Nc3? due to the simple 16...f4!.
425
17.Bxf4 Bd4+ 18.Kg3 g5–+
15...f5 16.0-0
Black has a comfortable game here and different ways to proceed.
16...fxe4
426
16...Kh7 first protecting the g6-pawn and then collecting White’s knight on e4 is also possible.
17.Bxe4 Nf6
17...Kh7 can also be played, when Black is not worse.
18.Bxh6 Nxe4 19.fxe4 Qxe4
Here White can use a small tactical trick to develop his knight to e2.
20.Ne2
20.Bxg7 Kxg7 21.Nb3 Bf5
427
is at least OK for Black.
20...Qxe2=
This leads to a more or less forced draw.

If Black has ambitions, he can play 20...Be5!?.
21.Rae1 Qxe1 22.Rxe1 Rxe1+ 23.Qxe1 Bxh6 24.Qe8+ Kh7
428
Position after: 24...Kh7
White has to force a draw here because his queen is fighting alone.
25.Qe7+ Bg7 26.Qh4+=
Conclusion
Before writing this book, I worked with my friend and colleague Ivan Sokolov on an e-book about
the Sämisch King’s Indian. In the variation with 7.Be3 we found counterplay for Black with
13...Ne5 and 14...b5 (as a reminder, in that variation White’s knight goes on the route e2-g3).
Checking that material again, it suddenly occurred to me: why not 13...b5!!. In the end, it seems that
that move casts a shadow on White’s plan.
Anyway, I have left it for the reader to compare both variations.
About 7.Bg5, a close relative of 7.Be3, our novelty 13...Nxe4 gives Black equal chances. All in all,
both moves are not dangerous for Black at the moment.
That explains the popularity of 7.Nge2, but also there we found that Black has a nice initiative.
429
Appendix 1
Transpositions and Move Orders
Transpositions and move orders are an important part of contemporary tournament chess. Outwitting
your opponent in the opening, especially avoiding his favorite schemes, can be crucial for success.
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4
Position after: 2.c4
2...c5
A) 2...e6 My usual way of reaching the Delayed Benoni.
430
A1) But in case of 3.Nc3 we must be ready to enter the Nimzo-Indian! 3...c5 Now this won’t
transpose into the positions we want. [3...Bb4 – Nimzo-Indian] 4.d5 d6 [4...exd5 is a Modern
Benoni. White can play 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.Bb5+: the so-called Taimanov or Flick-Knife
Attack. Most of us would like to avoid that mess.] 5.e4 g6
Maybe we can play like this? If White avoids f4, we are back in our system. Well... 6.f4 Bg7 Must
admit, I’ve never tried this way. We are out of the Flick-Knife, and the only independent try is the
431
direct 7.dxe6. [7.e5 dxe5 8.fxe5 Nfd7³] 7...fxe6
Position after: 7...fxe6
8.e5 [8.Nf3 0-0 transposes to the Four Pawns chapter.] 8...dxe5 9.Qxd8+ Kxd8
Position after: 9...Kxd8
10.fxe5 [10.Nf3!?]
A1.1) 10...Ng4 11.Bg5+ Kc7 [11...Ke8 12.Nb5ƒ] 12.Nb5+ Kb6 13.b4 Na6 14.a4!? Nxb4 15.a5+
Kc6 16.0-0-0ƒ
432
A1.2) 10...Nfd7 The position is unexplored, but it seems that White can get some initiative. 11.Nf3
Nxe5
12.Nxe5 [12.Be2!?; 12.Bg5+ Kc7 13.Be2©] 12...Bxe5 13.Be3 White will castle long, with huge
compensation.
A2) 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nc3 g6
433
This is my preferred move-order. White’s knight is already on f3, so his options are limited. I was
ready for the Nimzo-Indian in case my opponent played 3.Nc3.
B) 2...g6 This book can be useful even for Grunfeld players! If White enters the modern 3.f3 line then
after 3...c5 4.d5 d6 5.e4 Bg7 we are back in the chapters about Sämisch structures!
3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4
5...0-0
The move order of the game Aronian – Ivanisevic.

5...d6 This is the move order covered in this book. Now, considering that we have become experts in
this system, why not experiment a little?
6.Nf3 e6
434
I borrowed this idea from Georgian GM Jobava. I have used it a couple of times, trying to avoid the
Main Variation.
7.h3
A) 7.Be2 d6 Back to the Classical line.

B) 7.Bd3 exd5
435
8.cxd5 There is an extra possibility that you give White when taking so early on d5, as explained in
the comments on the game Aronian – Ivanisevic (Chapter 4). [8.exd5 Re8+ And now, bad is 9.Be3?
because of 9...Ng4.] 8...d6 9.h3
A position that was topical a decade ago. We can reach it from the Modern Benoni, and also from our
opening. It is not considered dangerous to Black anymore as it leads to an almost forced draw. But
some knowledge about is a must, so we’ll investigate it in Appendix 2.
C) 7.e5!? Ng4 8.Ng5! Nxe5 9.f4 h6 10.fxe5 hxg5 11.h4
436
11...gxh4?! [11...exd5! 12.Bxg5 Qe8∞] 12.Qg4ƒ 1-0 (31) Matlakov, M (2714) – Ponkratov, P (2590)
Minsk 2017.
7...exd5 8.exd5 a6!?
Position after: 8...a6!?
If White insists on playing this way, like in a Main Variation, I suggest something original (or not
played yet; it’s hard to be original these days). These are only short lines, so the reader should analyse
further on his or her own!
9.a4
9.Be2 allows 9...b5!
9...Re8+
437
Position after: 9...Re8+
10.Be3
10.Be2 d6 11.0-0 a5!? And the knight will find its place on b4.
10...Nh5!?
438
11.Qd2
A) 11.Be2? Ng3³
B) 11.Bd3 Ng3 12.Rg1 d6 And White is now deprived of short castling.
11...Bh6
12.0-0-0
12.g4 Ng3 13.Rg1 Ne4 14.Nxe4 Rxe4 15.Bd3 Re8 16.0-0-0 Bxe3 17.fxe3 b5∞
12...Bxe3 13.fxe3 Ng3 14.Rg1 b5∞
439
Such attacks on the queenside can be very unpleasant to handle for White.
440
Appendix 2
Classical Modern Benoni
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 0-0 6.Nf3 e6 7.Bd3 exd5 8.cxd5 d6 9.h3 b5!?
Appendix Guide
Appendix 2 – Classical Modern Benoni
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 0-0 6.Nf3 e6 7.Bd3 exd5 8.cxd5 d6 9.h3 b5!?
a) 10.Bxb5
b) 10.Nxb5 Re8 11.--
c) 10.Nxb5 Re8 11.0-0
d) 10.Nxb5 Re8 11.0-0 (with 13.Na3 or 13.Rxe4)
a) 10.Bxb5
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 0-0 6.Nf3 e6 7.Bd3 exd5 8.cxd5 d6 9.h3
441
A variation that has almost disappeared from modern practice. The current state of theory is that Black
can achieve a satisfactory position in many ways. It is important to us because we can end up there
from many positions in the Delayed Benoni.
9...b5! 10.Bxb5
Taking with the bishop leads to an almost forced draw. Check out the following lines.
A) 10.Nxb5 – See the next subchapter.
B) 10.0-0 This is possible, but Black has already got ...b5 in. To achieve the same advance in other
lines, Black needs more preparation.
442
The young Hungarian star Richard Rapport gave us a good example of how to proceed. 10...a6 11.a3
Re8 12.Re1 Nbd7 13.Bf4 Qe7 14.Qd2 Qf8!? 15.b4 Bb7 16.Rab1 Rac8 17.Rbc1 Ne5„ 0-1 (40)
Vaibhav, S (2552) – Rapport, R (2671) Abu Dhabi 2015.
10...Nxe4 11.Nxe4 Qa5+
443
12.Nfd2
12.Nc3? Bxc3+ 13.bxc3 Qxb5³
12...Qxb5 13.Nxd6 Qa6 14.N2c4 Nd7 15.0-0 Ne5!
16.Nxc8
16.Nxe5 A weaker alternative. 16...Qxd6!
444
Position after: 16...Qxd6!
A) 17.Nc6 Bd7 18.Bg5 [18.Be3 Bxc6 19.dxc6 Qxc6 20.Rc1 Qa6=; 18.Qf3 Bxc6 19.dxc6 Rac8=]
18...Bxc6 19.dxc6 Qxc6 20.Qc2 Rab8 21.Rab1 c4= Popilski, G (2451) – Flumbort, A (2540) Haarlem
2010.
B) 17.Nc4 Qa6
B1) 18.Ne3 Bb7 19.Qc2 Bd4 [19...f5!?∞] 20.Rd1 Rfd8=
B2) 18.Qe2?! Bb7 19.Rd1 Bd4
20.Be3 [20.Qc2? Bxd5 21.Ne3 Bxa2 22.Rd3 This was played in the game Lenderman, A (2434) –
Fernandez, D (2369) Mesa 2009, which was drawn one move later. I would now improve on Black’s
play with 22...Rfb8!!N 23.Ra3
445
23...Qxa3 24.bxa3 Bb3 And Black is better, since if White tries to protect his a1-rook with 25.Qb1
then 25...Be6!–+ wins.] 20...Bxd5 21.Rac1 Bxe3 22.fxe3 Rad8 23.b3 Bxc4 24.Rxc4 Rxd1+ 25.Qxd1
Qxa2 26.Rxc5=
B3) 18.Qb3 Bb7 19.Nd6 [19.Rd1 Bd4 20.Ne3 ½-½ (20) Wang, Y (2736) – Gashimov, V (2704)
Kallithea 2008. 20...Rfd8!? 21.Bd2 Rab8 22.Qc2 Bxd5 23.Nxd5 Otherwise ...Be6. 23...Rxd5
24.Bc3=] 19...Qxd6 20.Qxb7
Position after: 20.Qxb7
446
20...c4!?N [20...Rfd8 21.Rb1 Bd4 22.b3 Qxd5 23.Qxd5 Rxd5 24.Bb2= ½-½ (24) Varga, P (2432) –
Kanovsky, D (2471) Slovakia 2010.] 21.a4 [21.Be3? Rfb8 22.Qc6 Qxc6 23.dxc6 Bxb2 24.Rab1 c3
25.Bc1 Rb6 26.Bxb2 c2 27.Rbe1 Rxb2³] 21...Rfb8 22.Qc6 Qxc6 23.dxc6 Rc8 24.Rd1 Rxc6
Position after: 24...Rxc6
And only Black can play for a win.
16...Raxc8 17.Nxe5 Bxe5
Position after: 17...Bxe5
447
18.Qf3
A) 18.Re1 Rfe8 19.Bg5 Qd6 20.Qa4 Qxd5 21.Rad1 Qc6 22.Qxc6 Rxc6 23.Bf4 Rce6 24.Bxe5 Rxe5
25.Rxe5 Rxe5= Blagojevic, D (2514) – Indjic, A (2411) Obrenovac 2011.
B) 18.Bh6 Rfd8 [18...Rfe8 19.Qd2 Qb7 20.Rfe1 Qxb2 21.Qxb2 Bxb2 22.Rxe8+ Rxe8 23.Rb1 Be5
24.Kf1 Rd8= Leko – Alekseev, Astrakhan 2010.] 19.Qf3 [19.Rb1 Qxa2 20.b3 Qa6 21.Qf3 Qf6=;
19.Bg5 Rd7=] 19...Bxb2 20.Rad1=
18...Rfd8 19.Bg5 Rd7!
Position after: 19...Rd7!
20.Rad1
20.Rfe1 Qd6! [20...Bxb2!?] 21.Rad1 Bd4
448
22.Rd2 [22.b4 Qxd5 23.Qg4 h5 24.Qf4 Rc6 25.bxc5 Qxc5=] 22...Qxd5 23.Qf4 Qd6 24.Qh4 h5
25.Rde2 Kg7=
20...Bxb2 21.Rfe1 c4 22.Re7 Rxe7 23.Bxe7 c3 24.d6 c2 25.d7 cxd1=Q+ 26.Qxd1
Position after: 26.Qxd1
26...h5!
449
Coolly played. And White has zero advantage.
27.Qd2 Ba1=
b) 10.Nxb5 Re8 11.--
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 0-0 6.Nf3 e6 7.Bd3 exd5 8.cxd5 d6 9.h3 b5! 10.Nxb5 Re8
11.Nd2
A) 11.Bg5 c4 [11...Qb6!?©] 12.Bxc4 Rxe4+ 13.Be2 Qa5+
450
A1) 14.Nc3 Nxd5 15.0-0 Nxc3 16.bxc3 Nd7=

A2) 14.Kf1 Ba6 15.a4 Nbd7 16.Nd2 Rxe2 [16...Re7 17.Nc4 Qb4 18.Bd2 Qc5 19.Be3 Qb4=]
17.Qxe2 Re8©
A3) 14.Nd2 Ba6
Position after: 14...Ba6
15.Nc3 [15.a4 Bxb5 16.axb5 Rxe2+! 17.Kxe2 Qxb5+ 18.Ke1 Qxb2³] 15...Bxe2 16.Nxe2 Nbd7
451
17.0-0 Ree8= Black will collect the d5-pawn and his pieces are very active, but this is enough just
for equality.
B) 11.Nc3?! Nxe4 12.Nxe4 f5
13.Bg5 [13.Nfg5? fxe4 14.Bxe4 Bxb2!µ] 13...Qd7 14.Nfd2 [14.Be2 fxe4 15.Nd2 Na6³] 14...fxe4
[14...Ba6∞] 15.Nxe4 Qf5 16.Qe2 Nd7
452
17.g4™ [17.0-0 Rxe4 18.Qxe4 Qxg5 19.Qe6+ Kh8 20.Qxd6 Nb6µ] 17...Qf8 18.0-0 Ne5©
C) 11.0-0 – See the next subchapter.
11...Nxd5
Position after: 11...Nxd5
12.Nc4
12.0-0 Now we have two good possibilities at our disposal. 12...Nb4
453
[12...Nc7 13.Nxc7 Qxc7 14.Nc4 Nc6 15.Bf4 Re6∞ or 15...Ne5=]

A) 13.Be2 Ba6„
B) 13.Nc4 Re6! 14.Be2 [14.Bf4?! Ba6 15.a4 N8c6³] 14...Ba6 15.Nc3 [15.a4 N8c6³; 15.Nbxd6 Rxd6
16.Nxd6 Bxe2 17.Qxe2 Qxd6µ] 15...Nd7 16.Be3 Nb6 17.Nxb6 Qxb6 18.Re1 Rae8 19.Qd2 Bxe2
20.Rxe2 Nc6=
C) 13.Bc4 Be6 14.Bxe6 Rxe6 15.Nf3
C1) 15...Nd7!? 16.Ng5 [16.Nxd6 Ne5 17.Nb5 c4∞] 16...Rf6 17.Nc3 [17.f4 h6 18.Nf3 c4=] 17...h6
18.Nf3 Re6 19.Bf4 Nf6=
C2) 15...Qd7 16.Nc3 Qb7 17.Ng5 [17.Bf4 N8c6 18.a3 Na6=
454
Position after: 18...Na6=
This strange position is roughly equal. White controls the d5-square and can target the d6-pawn.
Black can take aim at the e4- and b2-pawns, and with ...Nc7 he can always exchange a knight on
d5.] 17...Re8 18.Qxd6 N8c6 19.Be3 [19.Qxc5 Nd4 20.Be3 Rac8 21.Qa5 Nbc2ƒ] 19...c4© Black
will play ...Nd3 and ...Rad8.
12...Re6!
Position after: 12...Re6!
455
13.Be2
A) 13.Nbxd6?! Ba6! 14.0-0 Nb4
Black has multiple threats like ...Rxd6, ...Bxc4 or ...Nxd3. 15.Bb1 [15.Be2 Rxd6 16.Nxd6 Bxe2
17.Qxe2 Qxd6µ] 15...N4c6³
B) 13.0-0 Nb4„
C) 13.Ncxd6 a6µ
13...Nc7
13...Nb6!?N 14.0-0 Nc6 15.Nxb6 axb6 16.Bc4
456
16...Ba6! 17.Bxe6 fxe6 18.a4 [18.Qb3?! Qd7!³] 18...Bxb5 19.axb5 Rxa1 20.bxc6 Qc7 21.Qb3 Kf7
22.Qf3+ Kg8 23.Qb3 Kf7=
14.Nbxd6
A) 14.Ncxd6 Ba6
457
A1) 15.a4 Nc6 The threat is ...Nd4. 16.Nxf7 Kxf7 [16...Qxd1+ 17.Bxd1 Rxe4+ 18.Be3 Bxb5
19.axb5 Bxb2 20.Bf3 Rxe3+ 21.fxe3 Bxa1 22.0-0 Bg7 23.Bxc6 Rb8=] 17.Qxd8 Rxd8 18.Nxc7
Rxe4 19.Nxa6 Nd4 20.0-0 Nxe2+ 21.Kh2 c4ƒ Black can equalize here with relative ease; the
question is whether he can aim for more.
A2) 15.Bg5
458
15...Qd7 [Accepting the challenge is also possible. 15...Qxg5 16.Nxc7 Rxd6 17.Qxd6 Qxg2=] 16.a4
Nc6∞
Position after: 16...Nc6∞
For example:
A2.1) 17.Bg4?! Bxb5 18.Nxb5 [18.Bxe6? Nxe6 19.axb5 Ncd4–+] 18...Rxe4+ 19.Kf1 Qxd1+
20.Rxd1 Nxb5 21.axb5 Nd4³
A2.2) 17.Nb7 Qxd1+ 18.Rxd1 Nxb5 19.Nxc5 Nbd4 20.Nxe6 Nxe6 21.Bxa6 Nb4 22.Be3 Nxa6∞
The position is about equal.
B) 14.Nxc7 Qxc7 15.0-0 Ba6 16.f3 Nc6³
14...Ba6
459
15.Bf4
15.Bg4 Bxc4 16.Nxc4 Qxd1+ 17.Bxd1 Rxe4+ 18.Be2 Nc6 19.Be3 Nd4=
15...Nc6 16.0-0 Qe7 17.Bg4 Rd8 18.Bxe6 Nxe6
460
19.Qa4
19.Qg4 h5 20.Qg3 h4 21.Qg4 Nxf4 22.Qxf4 Ne5 23.b3 Nd3 24.Qe3 Rxd6 25.Nxd6 Bd4µ
19...Nxf4 20.Qxa6
20.Qxc6 Qg5 21.g3 Nxh3+ 22.Kh2 Qh5= With perpetual check.
20...Qg5
20...Ne5!?
Position after: 20...Ne5!?
We can play for more than equality!
21.g3 Nxh3+ 22.Kh2 Qh5 23.Qxc6 Ng5+
461
Position after: 23...Ng5+
Perpetual check will follow:
24.Kg1 Nh3+ 25.Kg2 Nf4+! 26.gxf4 Qg4+=
c) 10.Nxb5 Re8 11.0-0
11.0-0 Nxe4
462
White has tried many moves, but none of them is a serious threat to Black.
12.Re1
A) 12.Qa4 Bd7
13.Re1 [13.Bxe4 Bxb5 14.Qxb5 Rxe4 15.Bg5 Qb6 16.Qd3 Re8=] 13...f5 [13...Nxf2!? 14.Rxe8+
Qxe8 15.Kxf2 a6 16.Nxd6 Bxa4 17.Nxe8 Bxe8=] 14.Qb3
463
14...Bxb5 15.Qxb5 [15.Bxb5 Nd7=] 15...Nd7=

B) 12.Qb3 a6 13.Na3 [13.Nc3 Bf5 14.Nxe4 Bxe4 15.Bxe4 Rxe4=] 13...Nd7 14.Nc4 Rb8 15.Qc2 f5
16.Re1 Nb6!?N
Position after: 16...Nb6!?N
17.Bxe4 [17.Nxb6 Rxb6„] 17...Nxc4

B1) 18.Qxc4? Rb4 19.Qc2 fxe4 20.Ng5 Bf5 21.Ne6 [21.g4?? e3!–+] 21...Bxe6 22.dxe6 Rxe6µ
464
B2) 18.Bg5 Bf6 19.Bxf6 Qxf6
Position after: 19...Qxf6
20.Bxf5 Bxf5! 21.Qxc4 Bxh3=

C) 12.Bxe4 Rxe4 13.Bg5 [13.Ng5 Re7³] 13...Qd7∞
12...a6
465
13.Nc3
A) 13.Bxe4? axb5µ
B) 13.Qa4 Nd7! 14.Rxe4 [14.Bxe4? Nb6 15.Qb3 axb5 16.Qxb5 Ba6µ] 14...Rxe4
15.Qxe4 [15.Bxe4? Nb6 16.Qb3 axb5 17.Qxb5 Ba6µ Idea is ...Bc4.] 15...Nf6 16.Qh4 axb5 17.Bxb5
Qb6 18.a4 Bb7 19.Bh6 Bxd5 20.Bxg7 [20.Nd2 Qb7= E Lobron – V Topalov, Dortmund 1996]
20...Kxg7 21.Qf4 Ra7!?= Next on the agenda are ...Be6 and ...d5 [21...Bxf3 22.Qxf3 d5= is also good
for Black].
13...Nxc3 14.bxc3
14.Rxe8+ Qxe8 15.bxc3 Bxc3 is just a transposition.
14...Bxc3 15.Rxe8+ Qxe8 16.Rb1
466
16...Nd7
16...Bg7N deserves attention. 17.Bf4 [17.Nd2 Nd7 18.Nc4 Qe7=] 17...Qd8∞ And now it is up to
White to prove his compensation for the sacrificed pawn.
17.Qa4! Qd8
467
18.Bf4
A) 18.Qc6 A harmless move. 18...Rb8! 19.Bf4 [19.Qxd6 Rxb1 20.Bxb1 Qb6 21.Qxb6 Nxb6³]
19...Rxb1+ 20.Bxb1 Nb8 21.Qxd6 Qxd6 22.Bxd6 Nd7=
B) 18.Rb3!? Bf6
19.Qc6 [19.Bf4? c4!µ] 19...Rb8 20.Bf4 Rxb3 21.axb3 Nb8 22.Qxd6 Qxd6 23.Bxd6 Nd7 24.Bc4
Bb7=
18...Ne5
468
19.Bxe5
19.Nxe5 dxe5 [19...Bxe5 20.Bxe5 dxe5 transposes to the main line] 20.Bh6 [20.Bg5 Qxg5 21.Qc6
Bb7 22.Rxb7 Bd4³] 20...Bd7 21.Qb3 Bd4∞
Position after: 21...Bd4∞
Look at that unusual bishop on d4!
469
19...Bxe5 20.Nxe5 dxe5 21.Qc6 Bd7 22.Qxc5 Qg5!∞
Position after: 22...Qg5!∞
The position is equal, but not a dead draw. Some precise moves are obligatory for both sides!
23.Qe3
23.Rb7 Bxh3 24.Bf1 Rd8 25.Qa7 Bxg2 26.Bxg2 Qc1+= With perpetual check.
23...Qxe3 24.fxe3 Bb5 25.Bxb5 axb5=
470
Position after: 25...axb5=
d) 10.Nxb5 Re8 11.0-0 (with 13.Na3 or 13.Rxe4)
11.0-0 Nxe4 12.Re1 a6
13.Na3
471
13.Rxe4 Rxe4 14.Nxd6 Rb4
A) 15.Nxf7!? Kxf7 16.a3 Rd4∞ White needs to prove his compensation, but that is not easy.
B) 15.a3 leads to a more or less forced draw: 15...Qxd6 16.axb4 cxb4 17.Qe1 Nd7 18.Qe8+ Qf8
19.Qxf8+ Bxf8
Position after: 19...Bxf8
20.Bb5!? Nc5 21.Bc6 Bb7 22.Be3 Bxc6 23.dxc6 Nb3 24.Ra4 a5 25.Nd4 Nxd4 26.Bxd4 Rc8 27.Rxa5
472
Rxc6 28.Ra8 f6 29.Kf1 Kf7 30.Ke2 Bc5 31.Bxc5 ½-½ Fressinet, L (2676) – Gashimov, V (2703)
Dresden 2008.
C) 15.Nxc8 Qxc8 16.a3 Rb6 17.Nd2 Bd4
18.Nc4 [18.Nf3 Bg7 Black can repeat moves if the draw is his objective. 19.Rb1 Nd7 20.b3 Ne5
21.Nxe5 Bxe5³] 18...Rf6 19.Be3 Bxe3 20.fxe3 Nd7 21.e4 [21.Qc2 Qb8 22.d6 Rxd6=] 21...Qc7 22.d6
Rxd6 23.Nxd6 Qxd6∞ Black has a queen-knight combo, usually very effective!
13...Nf6
473
14.Rxe8+
A) Another harmless move is 14.Nc4 Rxe1+
Position after: 14...Rxe1+
A1) 15.Qxe1 Bb7 16.Bf4 Bxd5!? [16...Bf8∞ Rechlis – Psakhis, Israel 1996] 17.Nxd6 Bxf3 18.gxf3
Ra7!³ The b8-knight is going to d4, and Black is better.
474
A2) 15.Nxe1 Bb7 16.Bf4 Bf8 17.Ne3 Nbd7 18.Be2∞
Position after: 18.Be2∞
If White has to retreat his pieces like that, he can’t be better! Nepomniachtchi, I (2703) – Ponkratov,
P (2584) Moscow 2013.
B) 14.Bg5 Rxe1+ 15.Qxe1 Bb7³
14...Nxe8
475
15.Bg5
15.Nc4 Nd7 [15...Bb7!? 16.Bf4 Qc7 17.Nfd2 Bxd5 18.Be4 Bxe4 19.Nxe4 Nc6=] 16.Bg5 [16.Bf4
Ndf6∞; 16.Bd2 Bb7 17.Ba5 Qe7∞] 16...Qc7=
15...Qc7! 16.Qa4!?
16.Qd2?! Bb7
Position after: 16...Bb7
17.Re1 [17.Bc4 Nd7 18.Re1 Nef6³ Clavijo – G.Fernandez, San Salvador 1998] 17...Nd7 18.Bc2
Nef6³ Gelfand – Topalov, Moscow 1994.
16...Nf6=
476
Position after: 16...Nf6=
White has developed his pieces and has some activity, but his position also holds a potential weakness
on d5. Black needs only two moves (...Bb7 and ...Nbd7) to finish his own development. So, if White
cannot achieve something very quickly, the initiative would be transferred to his opponent.
477
Table of Contents
Title page 3
Key to Symbols 4
Preface 5
Chapter 1 – Rare 5th moves 7
Chapter 2 – The Fianchetto Variation 31
Chapter 3 – White avoids the Main Variation 62
Chapter 4 – The Main Variation 98
Chapter 5 – Allowing ...Bg4 in the Main Variation 198
Chapter 6 – The Classical 7.Be2 224
Chapter 7 – The Four Pawns Attack 302
Chapter 8 – The Sämisch 332
Appendix 1 – Transpositions and Move Orders 430
Appendix 2 – Classical Modern Benoni 441
478

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – Rare 5th moves

Appendix 1 – Transpositions and Move Orders

Thinkers Publishing 2019

First edition 2019 by Thinkers Publishing

Managing Editor: Romain Edouard

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7

Chapter 1 – Rare 5th moves

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.Bf4

Not the most accurate placement for the bishop.

Position after: 9.cxd5

Position after: 6...d6

Position after: 7...Nh5

8...h6 9.Bh4 g5 10.Nd2 Qb6!

Position after: 10...Qb6!

Position after: 12...Bg6

Position after: 16...Be5

Position after: 14.Bg3

15.Qxe2 f5 16.exf5 Bxf5 17.Nde4

17.Nce4 Nd7 18.0-0 Rf7„

17...Nd7 18.0-0 Rf7„

Position after: 18...Rf7„

The position is unclear.

b) 5.Bf4 (with 7.e4)

8.Be2 You will find this variation in Chapter 6, Classical line.

Position after: 11...Rad8

Position after: 15...Bf5

Following the game Dlugy – Wojtkiewicz, New York 1989.

11.b4™ 11...Qa6 12.Rc1

12...Nxe4?! was played in the game.

Position after: 13...Rad8©

Position after: 16...Rxe8

13...Bh6 14.Rc2 Bxc4

A) 15.Bxc4 Qxc4 16.Re2 Rad8 17.Qb3 Qxb3 18.axb3 Bf8=

15...Nxe4 16.Bxc4 Nxc3+ 17.Kf1

17.Be2 Nxe2! 18.bxa6 Nc3+=

18.Bxf7+ Kxf7 19.Bxc3 Rad8 20.Qd5+ Kf8 21.Qd6+ Kf7 22.Qd5+=

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.Bg5

Konstantin Chernyshov had this strange position in two games.

Position after: 14.Be2

Position after: 6...Ne4

Position after: 8...Bg7

Position after: 12.Bd2

Position after: 10...Qb6

Position after: 13...Nf6

Position after: 17.Nc3

11...0-0 12.Ne2 Nd7

13.Rc1 a6 14.Nbc3 Qb4 15.b3 a5

13...Ba6 14.Nec3 Bxb5 15.Nxb5

Position after: 15...a6

16...Qb4 17.Qxb4 cxb4 18.Nc2 b3 19.axb3 a5©

Chapter 2 – The Fianchetto Variation

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.g3 0-0 6.Bg2

This is the tight moment for moving to a Modern cousin.

7.dxe6 dxe6 is harmless.

7...exd5 8.cxd5 d6 9.0-0 Nbd7

This move became popular lately.

Position after: 10...Nh5!?

Position after: 15...Rad8

Position after: 11...Ndf6

Position after: 13...Ng4!?

Position after: 11...f5