Contents

Title Page
Symbols & Bibliography 4
Preface 5
Introduction – Structures and Strategy 7

7...Qe8
1 Move 8 Sidelines 28
2 8.Re1 63
3 8.b3 96

8.d5 Main Line

4 Introduction to 8...Na6 115
5 9.Rb1 148
6 11.dxc6 164
Other Lines
7 6.b3 200
8 6th Move Deviations 231
9 6.Nh3 259
10 4.c4 and 4.Nh3 291
11 Rare Fianchetto Lines 321

Variation Index 339

2
 Grandmaster Repertoire
Leningrad Dutch
By
Mihail Marin

To my late mother, who used to tell me: “Play beautifully, Bobiță!”

Quality Chess
http://www.qualitychess.co.uk

First edition 2021 by Quality Chess UK Ltd

Copyright © 2021 Mihail Marin
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, electrostatic, magnetic tape, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher.

Paperback ISBN 978-1-78483-101-1

Hardcover ISBN 978-1-78483-102-8

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3
 Typeset by Jacob Aagaard
Proofreading by Andrew Greet
Edited by John Shaw
Cover design by Adamsondesign.com
Cover photo by capture365.com
Author photo by Claus Qvist Jessen

4
 Key to symbols used
² White is slightly better
³ Black is slightly better
± White is better
µ Black is better
+– White has a decisive advantage
–+ Black has a decisive advantage
= equality
© with compensation
„ with counterplay
ƒ with an initiative
÷ unclear
? a weak move
?? a blunder
! a good move
!! an excellent move
!? a move worth considering
?! a move of doubtful value
™ only move
# mate

Bibliography
Avrukh: Grandmaster Repertoire 2B – Dynamic Systems, Quality Chess 2019
Burgess: A Cunning Opening Repertoire for White, Gambit 2013
Cox: Starting Out: 1 d4!, Everyman Chess 2006
Khalifman: Opening for White according to Kramnik: Volume 3, Chess Stars 2001
Malaniuk & Marusenko: The Leningrad Dutch, Chess Stars 2013
Sielecki: Keep it Simple: 1.d4, New in Chess 2019
Taimanov: Damengambit bis Hollandisch, Sportverlag Berlin 1978

Electronic Resources

ChessBase Mega & Correspondence databases

Marin: Leningrad Dutch, ChessBase 2013
Shankland: Lifetime Repertoires: Sam Shankland’s 1.d4 Part 1, Chessable 2020
The Week In Chess

5
 Preface

The magic of the Leningrad Dutch has accompanied my chess career for several decades.

For a relatively short time, about one or two years, this was my main opening against 1.d4 during my
teenage years, sometime around 1980. At that age I was not mature enough to understand its strategic
subtleties and I soon switched to more natural systems. But I kept following the theoretical
developments in the Leningrad Variation, in the 80s and early 90s, and also chose a few “personal
heroes”. Malaniuk’s rigorousness in standard positions was highly instructive, while Beliavsky’s
fighting spirit added colour to this strategic opening. But my absolute champion was Mikhail
Gurevich, whose games gave an impression of fluency, with harmonious connections between the
wings and a perfect balance between dynamic and static elements.

Later, as an experienced player, I started using the Leningrad system occasionally in the early 90s,
without bothering to study theory more than superficially. I had a feeling that I could find my own
way in positions with complex pawn play. The only reason why I did not play it more frequently was
the fear that, without thorough study, some of the lines examined in Volume 2 (such as 2.Nc3, 2.Bg5
or even 2.e4, for example) would be problematic. This is why for a long time most of my occasional
Dutch games started with 1.d4 d6 or 1.c4 f5.

The following episode helped me to understand my inner feelings about this opening. During an
important knockout tournament, I needed a draw with Black against a difficult opponent to qualify for
the final. Without hesitation, I chose the Leningrad Dutch and achieved my aim. My friend WIM
Angela Dragomirescu asked me why I decided to play such a risky opening. “I always play the
Leningrad when I need to win,” I replied and after a brief hesitation added, “or if I need to make a
draw.” We both instantly understood the paradox involved in my answer, and started to laugh.
Indeed, no one ever needed to lose!

But then I understood what all this was about. In order to be successful with the Dutch, one needs full
focus and determination. The first move is very committal and Black needs to play accurately in order
to prove it is useful for the global plan.

When Quality Chess suggested the project that resulted in these two companion volumes, I was
pleased by the idea that I would finally have the opportunity to examine this old favourite opening
thoroughly, something I had failed to do over the past decades.

My fears regarding the early deviations disappeared, and I became so deeply involved in the world of
the Leningrad that in five consecutive tournaments early in 2019 I played 1...f5 in all my games,
except those starting with 1.e4. I actually adopted a similar strategy with White, starting all my games

6
in those tournaments with 1.f4.

This first volume examines all the important systems involving g2-g3. Many decades of theoretical
investigation and over-the-board practice have established these as the main lines against the Dutch.

I am now better prepared to play the Leningrad on a regular basis in the future and I hope that these
two volumes will also encourage the reader to do so.

Mihail Marin
Bucharest, March 2021

7
 Structures and Strategy

The Leningrad Variation owes its name to the efforts of a series of players from Leningrad, such as
Vinogradov, Kopylov and Kuzminykh, who used to play and analyse it regularly after the Second
World War. A much more famous player from the same city, Korchnoi, seems to have been infected
with this “virus”, but he healed quickly after losing to Keres in 1952.
This is a mainly positional system. Since Black spends a tempo on advancing the f-pawn so early,
creating some short-term weakening of the king, it would be completely out of place to display
dynamism until development is complete. Only later, in the early middlegame, could one think of
switching to dynamic play.
From this point of view, it is very useful to understand the typical Leningrad structures. This
chapter aims to offer some general guidelines. Since this volume is dedicated to the variations
involving g2-g3, the examples are selected accordingly. There will be some similar structures in the
second volume’s Introduction, with the difference that the white king’s bishop will act along the f1-a6
diagonal.
The Leningrad Variation is a hybrid between the Dutch opening and the King’s Indian Defence.
The optimal scenario is reaching the typical King’s Indian blocked structure (...e7-e5, d4-d5). This
basically results in a gain of two tempos, as in the King’s Indian Black usually plays ...Nf6-d7, ...f7-
f5 and ...Nd7-f6, while in the Leningrad Dutch the pawn would already be on f5.
The following is a typical optimal example:

Luis Comas Fabrego – Vladimir Akopian

Rio Gallegos 1986

1.d4 d6 2.c4 f5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 g6 5.g3 Bg7 6.Bg2 0-0 7.0-0 Nc6 8.Rb1
The main move is 8.d5.

8...e5 9.d5 Ne7

8
 Black has reached a regrouping known as typical for the King’s Indian Mar del Plata attack. Due
to the extra tempos, Black is ready for a kingside expansion with ...h7-h6 and ...g6-g5, followed by
either ...f5-f4 and ...Nf5, or ...Ng6 and ...g5-g4. Apart from this long plan, ...e5-e4 is a permanent
possibility, aiming at leaving the bishop passive on g2.

10.e4
Establishing an early pawn contact is likely to speed up Black’s kingside attack, but otherwise the
standard plan based on c4-c5 would leave the pawn on d5 vulnerable. For instance: 10.b4 h6 11.c5?
e4µ wins the central pawn.

10...h6

9
11.Nd2?!
Moving the knight farther from the centre gives Black free hands on the kingside.

11.b4
This is more consistent, even though Black has a relatively wide choice.
11...g5!
The most consistent plan. Black prepares ...f5-f4 under optimal circumstances and practically
forces White to release the tension.
With the knight still on f3, 11...f4 is less clear-cut than in the game: 12.gxf4 exf4 13.Bb2 Black
has certain kingside chances, but the possibility of e4-e5 makes the position double-edged.
At this point 11...fxe4 is a small concession: 12.Nd2 Bg4 13.Qe1 In view of ...Nf5-d4, e1 is the
safest square for the queen. 13...Qd7 14.Ndxe4 Nxe4 15.Nxe4 Black is active and can prepare
the knight transfer to d4 or breaking with ...c7-c6. But due to the stable knight on e4, White
cannot be discontent, either.

10
12.exf5 Bxf5 13.Rb3 Qd7 14.Bb2 Bg6
Preparing the following knight manoeuvre.
Undermining the centre with 14...c6 15.dxc6 Nxc6 and preparing a kingside attack with 14...Bh3
are also viable plans.
15.Nd2 Nf5 16.Nce4 Nd4
Black is perfectly developed and can think of starting a slow positional attack with ...Rf7, ...Raf8
and ...g5-g4 for instance.

11...f4!
After White has lost control over e5, this works out perfectly.

12.c5?!
A desperate attempt to speed up White’s attack.

If 12.gxf4 exf4 Black threatens ...g6-g5 followed by ...Ng6-e5 with a strategic crush. The only way
White can fight back implies losing two tempos: 13.Nf3 g5 14.e5 dxe5 15.Nxe5 Nf5–+ Black is
better developed and his kingside threats are about to become concrete.

The more consistent 12.b4 is too slow: 12...g5 13.c5 g4 14.f3 Ng6µ with an optimal version of the
Mar del Plata attack.

12...dxc5!
The clear refutation of White’s plan.

Ignoring the queenside tension would offer White better chances to stay in the game: 12...g5 13.cxd6

11
cxd6 14.Nc4 a6 Preventing Nb5, which would force the unappealing ...Ne8. 15.Qb3 Threatening
Nb6 followed by Nxc8, which would reduce Black’s attacking potential. 15...b5 16.Nxe5 dxe5
17.d6† Kh7 18.dxe7 Qxe7³ Black is better developed and has pleasant kingside play, but White has
chances to simplify.

13.Nc4

13...Ne8
Without giving White any real chances, this is less principled than 13...g5!, preparing to defend
e5 with ...Ng6, as if 14.Nxe5 Nfxd5!µ Black keeps the extra pawn.

14.gxf4 exf4 15.e5 Bf5 16.Ra1 g5

12
 White’s central pawns do not compensate for the missing pawn and kingside weaknesses, as his
development is incomplete.

17.d6
This only offers Black space for his pieces, but neutral play would not be promising, either. For
example, 17.Re1 Ng6 18.a4 g4µ with a strong attack.

17...cxd6 18.exd6 Nc6 19.Qd5† Kh8 20.Qxc5 Rc8 21.d7 Qxd7

0–1

The Leningrad structure with a blocked centre also favours Black in positions with the knight on a5;
as is typical for the Yugoslav variation in the King’s Indian.

Rafael Vaganian – Mikhail Tal

Sochi 1970

1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 d6 4.Nf3 g6 5.g3 Bg7 6.Bg2 0-0 7.0-0 Nc6 8.d5 Na5 9.Nd2 c5

13
10.Qc2?!
The most accurate move order is 10.a3 threatening b2-b4. 10...Bd7 11.Qc2 Renewing the threat
(instead 11.b4?! allows 11...cxb4 12.axb4 Nxc4 13.Nxc4 Qc7). 11...Qc7 12.b3 After investing two
tempos on two moves on the queenside, Black cannot switch to the game plan, so is forced to stick to
the queenside attack starting with 12...a6.

10...e5!
A good moment to fight for space in the centre, as if 11.dxe6 Bxe6 12.b3 Nc6 13.Bb2 Qe7 Black
gets an active and harmonious position, while the white queen is somewhat exposed.

In the King’s Indian the black knight on a5 usually struggles a lot before reaching a decent square.
But here it has the natural and effective regrouping to f7, thus joining its colleagues with a view to a
kingside attack. We will soon see how the a5-to-f7 manoeuvre can be achieved.

11.a3 b6 12.b4 Nb7 13.Bb2 Qe7 14.Rae1

White has little chance to make inroads on the queenside, as bxc5 is conveniently met with
...Nxc5, immediately activating the problem knight. A similar regrouping with Rae1 would be
promising in the King’s Indian, as White could start active kingside operation with e2-e4 and f2-f4,
but in the Dutch structure the pawn on f5 makes things less clear for White.

14
14...Nd8
A younger Tal might have chosen the resolute (and equally good) 14...e4, clearing not only the
long diagonal but also the e5-square for either knight. If 15.f3?! e3 16.Nb3 f4 White would find it
hard to activate his bishop on g2.
The last move illustrates the “mature Tal’s” approach in this game: before undertaking anything
concrete he completes his global regrouping.

15.e3
If 15.e4 then Black can react with 15...f4 planning ...g6-g5. This involves a promising pawn
sacrifice: 16.gxf4 Nh5! 17.fxe5 Bxe5 18.Ne2 Nf4 with excellent control on the dark squares. The
reserve knight would reach e5 soon. We will see more about this kind of positional sacrifice later, in
the section dedicated to the structure arising after ...e7-e5, dxe5 ...dxe5 (see page 17).

15...Nf7 16.f4 Bd7

More ambitious than 16...e4, when due to the blocked position the most probable result would be
a draw.

15
17.e4
Black is well prepared against this pawn break, but Vaganian understood that neutral play was
likely to hand the initiative to Black. For example: 17.h3 Rae8 18.Qc1 g5³

17...Rae8
Black intends to complete his global regrouping with ...Qd8, when threats such as ...exf4 and/or
...Nh5 would become unpleasant.

18.exf5 Bxf5 19.Nce4 exf4 20.gxf4

16
20...Nh6
After White has taken control over e5, the knight moves closer to the newly-created weaknesses.
But 20...Qd8³ was also consistent.

21.Qc1
If 21.Nxf6† then Black avoids material losses while keeping the better structure with: 21...Qxf6!
³

21...Nxe4 22.Nxe4 Bxb2 23.Qxb2 Bxe4 24.Rxe4 Qg7

Once again a solid move.

More in Tal’s spirit was 24...Qh4!? threatening ...Ng4-e3 and if 25.Qf2 Qxf2† 26.Rxf2 Rxe4
27.Bxe4 Ng4 we would reach a more active version of the same ending as in the game.

25.Qxg7† Kxg7 26.Rxe8 Rxe8 27.bxc5 bxc5 28.Rb1 Kf6 29.Rb7

The endgame clearly favours Black. The knight has travelled from one edge of the board to the
other, and is clearly stronger than the bishop. Moreover, Black’s king is more active and safer than its
rival.

29...Re7?!
Too modest. Better was 29...Re1† 30.Kf2 Rc1 31.Rxh7 Rc2† followed by ...Nf5 with a strong
initiative.

30.Rb8?
Needlessly fearing the endgame that arises after 30.Rxe7 Kxe7. The f-pawn and the bishop create

17
a barrier in front of the black king and White has every chance of holding a draw.

30...Kf5 31.Rf8† Kg4

Black’s attack is decisive now.

32.Kf2 Nf5 33.Rd8 Rb7 34.Be4 Rb2† 35.Kg1 Kxf4 36.Bxf5 gxf5 37.Rxd6 Kf3 38.h3 Kg3 39.Kf1
f4
0–1

We cannot finish examining the blocked structure, which is generally favourable for Black, without a
warning signal. In both previous games Black had normal development, but if for some reason Black
falls behind, things could turn out badly, as in the next example.

Kiril Georgiev – Vladimir Malaniuk

Yerevan Olympiad 1996

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nf3 0-0 6.0-0 d6 7.Nc3 c6 8.b3 Qa5

18
 This plan was introduced by Dolmatov, with the idea of gaining time for ...e7-e5. But it will soon
turn out that the early queen manoeuvre is likely to leave Black behind in development.

9.Bb2 e5 10.Qd2!
Polugaevsky’s idea. White prevents Black’s main threat of ...e5-e4, in view of Nxe4, while
continuing to develop naturally.

10...Qc7 11.d5!
Due to White’s better development, now is a good moment for Black to block the centre. The
main threat is dxc6 followed by Rad1, with strong pressure in the centre.

11...c5
This only partly insures Black against problems along the d-file and it actually weakens the
control on the light squares. Black has spent two tempos placing the queen on an exposed square. In
this structure the queen belongs on e7 or even d8. If Black had the time to insert ...h7-h6 somewhere,
his position would have been entirely playable, but with his next move White takes over the initiative.

12.Ng5
After Ne6 the d-file will open, favouring White.

12...Na6 13.Ne6
This is strong enough, but even more principled was 13.e4!, weakening Black’s light squares to
the extreme before jumping with the knight to e6. The immediate threat is f2-f4 when the lead in
development would be crushing. For example: 13...f4 14.gxf4 Nh5 15.f5 gxf5 (Nothing is changed by
15...Bh6 16.h4 keeping control; or 15...Nf4 16.Ne2 Nxg2 17.Kxg2 gxf5 18.f4 with a devastating

19
initiative.) 16.Ne6 Bxe6 17.dxe6± Black has chronic weaknesses on the light squares and his
coordination is rather chaotic.

13...Bxe6 14.dxe6 Rae8 15.Nb5 Qb6

16.Qxd6?
This offers Black a free tempo to get coordinated.

Stronger was 16.Bc3! threatening to trap the queen with Ba5. 16...Nb4 (16...e4? leads to an amusing
queen-trapping pattern: 17.Ba5 Qc6 18.Nxa7+–) 17.Nxd6 Rxe6 (or 17...Re7 18.Bxb4 cxb4 19.Rac1
e4 20.c5 Qa5 21.f3+– with overwhelming activity) 18.Nxb7 e4 The last hope. Is the knight trapped?
19.Nxc5! No it is not. If 19...Rd6 20.Na4 and White keeps his extra pawns.

16...e4 17.Rfd1 Rxe6 18.Qxb6 axb6²

20
 White retains some superior activity, but Black has managed to achieve decent coordination and
is restricting the bishop on g2. Malaniuk even ended up winning, but we shall leave the game here.
...0–1

While Black’s pawns on f5 and e5 surely look great next to each other, it is essential to understand
that their main threat, should White keep the tension, is restricting the bishop on g2 with ...e5-e4,
which also offers chances for a positional kingside attack. After ...e5-e4 things are even more
favourable for Black if White has previously weakened the f3-square with e2-e3, as in the next game.

Elisabeth Paehtz – Alexander Beliavsky

Reykjavik 2016

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 d6 4.Nf3 g6 5.b3 Bg7 6.Bb2 0-0 7.0-0 Qe8 8.Nbd2 Nc6 9.c4 e5

21
 White has played the opening without a clear idea, allowing Black to carry out ...e7-e5 at his
leisure. The immediate threat is ...e5-e4-e3, weakening White’s structure. We know already that
Black would be doing fine after 10.d5, while 10.dxe5 dxe5 would transpose to a structure examined
later.

10.e3?!
This seemingly solid move will soon prove worse than the aforementioned alternatives.

10...Bd7
Objectively, immediately blocking with 10...e4 was better, not allowing White to deviate with
11.d5 at the last moment.

11.a3?! e4 12.Ne1
The pawn on e4 strongly restricts three of White’s minor pieces. Her only freeing idea is f2-f3,
but with e2-e3 already played, this will only weaken the central light squares.

12...g5
The most active plan, threatening ...f5-f4 and clearing the g6-square for the queen.

It makes sense to mention another typical plan, which may be more adequate under slightly different
circumstances: 12...Nd8 This knight seemed passive on c6 and Black transfers it closer to e4. For
example, 13.f3 Qe7 14.Qc2 exf3 15.Rxf3 Ng4 16.Nf1 Nf7 with unpleasant kingside pressure.
But I can only praise Beliavsky’s intuition when leaving the knight on c6. A few moves later, it
will turn into Black’s key piece, assuring him of a decisive advantage.

22
13.f3 exf3 14.Qxf3 Qg6 15.Nd3 Rae8 16.Rae1
16.Nf2 would prevent the small tactical idea behind Black’s next move, but after 16...Bh6 the
threats of ...g5-g4 and ...f5-f4 are decisive.

Both sides have completed their development, but the next move puts White in a critical situation.

16...f4! 17.e4
The point is that 17.exf4?! g4 wins the knight on d3.

17...Ng4
The c6-knight’s moment of glory has arrived. Due to the pressure on d4 and on the kingside,
White’s position is falling apart.

18.e5 Ne3 19.Rxe3 fxe3 20.Qxe3 Rxf1† 21.Bxf1 dxe5 22.d5 Nd4–+
Black has won the exchange and later the game, despite some inaccuracies on the way.
...0–1

White’s e2-e3 aggravated her problems in the above game. With the pawn on e2 in the similar
structure, White has the chance after f2-f3 ...exf3 to reply exf3. This offers more balanced play than
above, but usually not more than that. The following is a typical example:

Jury Baranov – Vladimir Malaniuk

Odessa 2005

23
1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.b3 Bg7 5.Bb2 d6 6.Nf3 0-0 7.0-0 Qe8 8.c4 Na6 9.Nc3 e5 10.Rb1 e4
11.Ne1

White’s lack of reaction to Black’s central plan was similar to the previous game, but the better
placement of White’s queen’s knight stops ...e4-e3 being a problem, sparing him the necessity of
weakening his structure with e2-e3.

11...g5
The same plan as above, but once again not the only one possible.

Black could prepare to consolidate his centre with:

11...c6
Then if:
12.f3 d5³
He would reach a favourable reversed version of the French, as the g2-bishop would be passive.
White’s attempts to exploit the relative weakness on d6 are fruitless:
12.Ba3
The other way to prevent ...d6-d5 is 12.d5 c5 13.f3 Bd7! when Black can ignore the tension and
prepare ...b7-b5, as if 14.fxe4 Ng4 Black has a dangerous initiative on the dark squares.
12...Qe7 13.Nc2
13.f3 is premature as after 13...exf3 White cannot play the positionally desirable 14.exf3 due to
14...Qe3† winning the knight on c3.

24
13...Rb8!
In connection with the next move, an excellent way to prove the bishop is misplaced on a3.
14.f3 b5³
With a space advantage across the whole board.

In view of White’s possible improvement mentioned below at move 14, 11...c6 might have been
objectively better than the equally principled game continuation.

12.f3
It is hard to do without this pawn break.

25
12...exf3
Keeping the tension would turn the central pawn into a weakness and would make the bishop on
g2 useful: 12...Qg6 13.fxe4 fxe4 14.Nc2 c6 15.Ne3± We can see another positive consequence of
leaving the pawn on e2. In this structure the knight has a perfect blocking square. Black cannot
consolidate with ...d6-d5 as ...Nc7 or ...Be6 could be met with d4-d5.

13.exf3 f4!
The logical way to justify ...g6-g5. Black once again restricts the bishop on g2, while preparing to
complete development with ...Bf5, ...Qg6 and ...Rae8. The knight on the rim will later return into play
with ...c7-c6 and ...Nc7.

If 13...Qg6? then 14.f4 h6 15.Nc2± and White has a harmonious position.

14.Ne4?
Just a waste of time.
White should have continued developing:
14.Qd2 Bf5 15.Rd1 Qg6

A critical moment, Black still has a few useful moves in reserve, such as ...Rae8 and ...c7-c6, but
White needs to take a concrete decision in order to keep his regrouping going.
16.g4!
The safest way to deal with the kingside tension.
Pawn-grabbing would leave the f4-square weak: 16.gxf4 gxf4 17.Qxf4 Nh5 18.Qh4 Rae8 Black
has a fantastic regrouping and his initiative is obvious. The following line shows that the knight
on a6 can sometimes emerge into play by tactical means: 19.Nd5 Nb4! 20.Nxb4 Bf6 21.Qf2 Nf4
Threatening ...Nh3†. 22.Kh1 Re2 23.Qg3 Nxg2 24.Nxg2 Rxb2³ The gorgeous bishops offer

26
 more than enough compensation for the pawn.
16...Bd7 17.Nd3 h5 18.h3 Rae8 19.Rfe1 c6 20.Nf2 Nc7=

Both sides have completed their regrouping and the position is about equal. 21.Ba3 can be parried
with 21...hxg4 22.hxg4 Rf7 as if 23.Bxd6?! then 23...Nxg4 24.Bxc7 Ne3 threatens ...g5-g4, and
offers Black a dangerous attack.

14...Bf5

15.Nxg5
A desperate exchange sacrifice which Black is not forced to accept at once.

27
But 15.Qe2 fails to consolidate White’s kingside: 15...Qg6 16.Nd3 Rae8 17.Rbe1 fxg3 18.hxg3
Nh5µ White is hanging in several sectors of the board.

15...fxg3 16.Ne4
16.hxg3 Qe3† wins the knight.

16...gxh2† 17.Kh1 Nh5 18.Kxh2 Nf4

With such a threatening knight on f4, Black is winning already.

19.Ng3 Bxb1 20.Qxb1 Qe7 21.Nf5 Qg5 22.Nxg7 Qh4† 23.Bh3 Qxh3† 24.Kg1 Qg3† 25.Kh1
Qh4† 26.Kg1 Ne2†
0–1

White’s usual reaction to ...e7-e5 is dxe5, which is typically answered with ...dxe5. Even though the
open d-file and long dark diagonal offer White better chances for activity, the threat of ...e5-e4
remains quite effective. As a draft rule, Black’s space advantage after advancing the e-pawn is likely
to compensate for being a few tempos behind in development. The point is that White needs some
time to organize f2-f3 and if they refrain from it, White will simply be a piece down (the bishop on
g2) at least in practical terms.

Next is an example in which White failed to take action against the central advance and went on to
suffer.

Lela Javakhishvili – Ivan Cheparinov

Gibraltar 2017

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3 d6 7.Bb2 c6 8.Nbd2 a5 9.a3 Na6 10.c4 Qc7
11.Qc2 Re8 12.Bc3 e5 13.dxe5 dxe5 14.Qb2

28
 White has taken only half measures against ...e7-e5. She managed only to delay it, hoping that the
natural queenside pawn attack and the pressure along the long diagonal would offer her active play.
14...Ng4!
Defending and unpinning the e5-pawn.

15.h3
If White does not wish to react to the threat of ...e5-e4, it is better to drive the knight back at
once. If, say, 15.b4 e4 16.Bxg7 Qxg7 17.Qxg7† Kxg7 18.Nd4 Black has the unpleasant: 18...e3µ
But even if White had the pawn on e3, h2-h3 would have been necessary, as otherwise Black could
play ...Ng4-e5 at the end of the respective similar line.

29
15...Nh6
This is consistent and good, as the knight can later reach e5 via f7. But Black could already reveal
the force of his e-pawn with:
15...Nxf2 16.Kxf2
At the end of this line it will become clear why this is superior to 16.Rxf2.
16...e4 17.Bxg7 Qxg7 18.Qxg7† Kxg7

19.Nxe4
Keeping the kingside structure compact with 19.Kg1 exf3 20.exf3 offers Black tremendous
activity: 20...Be6 21.f4 Rad8 22.Nf3 Nc5 Black is perfectly mobilized and White has weaknesses
on both wings.
19...Rxe4 20.Rad1 Re8
Black’s position is more pleasant on account of the better structure. Black will soon play ...Nc5
and ...Be6, completing development. Had White played 16.Rxf2, she would have found it hard to
coordinate her rooks in order to keep the control over the d-file.

16.b4 e4 17.Bxg7 Qxg7 18.Qxg7† Kxg7 19.Nd4 Rd8

A slightly unpleasant moment for White. The knights cannot defend each other from b3 due to
...a5-a4 winning a piece. Therefore, making the following familiar concession is forced.

20.e3 Nf7

30
 The knight is on its way to e5, which became clearly the best square after White has weakened d3
and f3.

21.Rfb1

White would not really enjoy the extra pawn after 21.bxa5 Nc5 22.N2b3 Nxb3 23.Nxb3 Ne5
followed by ...Be6 with serious structural problems for White.

21...Ne5
Judging by strict criteria, White is far better mobilized. It is not even clear how Black could
complete his development as ...Be6 is not possible yet, while the queen’s rook hardly has a better file
than where it is now. And yet, it can only be White who has problems, as her bishop is very passive.

22.g4?!
This only wastes a tempo without really weakening Black’s structure.

White is not ready yet for 22.f3 due to 22...exf3 23.N4xf3 Nxf3† 24.Nxf3 Rd3µ followed by ...Be6
and maybe ...Rad8 soon. White’s kingside is chronically weak.

Meulders recommends:
22.Bf1

31
 This may be the lesser evil, but it is not thrilling at all.
22...Nc7 23.N2b3
If White continues playing neutral moves, Black can make significant progress with his global
mobilization: 23.Be2 Kf6 24.Kg2 Ne6µ White is hanging in the centre already. The attempt to
consolidate with 25.N2b3? only makes things worse: 25...a4 26.Nxe6 White is forced to help
Black to develop. 26...Bxe6 27.Nc5 Otherwise Black would grab the pawn on c4. 27...Rd2 With
a decisive invasion.

23...a4 24.f4!?
Better late than never.
24...exf3 25.Nd2 Ne8!?

32
 Redirecting the reserve knight towards e4.
26.N2xf3 Nxf3† 27.Nxf3 Nf6³
White has inadequate compensation for her shattered structure but retains chances to defend.

22...Nc7
Continuing the familiar plan of fighting against the knight on d4 – White’s only good piece.

23.gxf5 gxf5 24.Bf1 Kf6

Everything is ready for ...Ne6.

25.f4
25.f3 is no better: 25...Ne6 26.f4 Nd3µ After setting up pressure on d4, Black can play this
without fearing it would lose a pawn on d3.

25...Ng6

33
 Suddenly, there is no adequate defence against ...Nxf4. It transpires that g3-g4 has mainly
weakened White’s position, not Black’s!

26.bxa5
What else? 26.N2b3 fails to consolidate the central knight due to the familiar 26...a4.

26...Nxf4! 27.N2b3 Nfe6 28.Nxe6 Nxe6µ

Black has the better structure and a threatening space advantage in the centre. Cheparinov went
on to win.
...0–1

In the next game White managed to avoid e2-e3 and to carry out f2-f3 in time, but Black had enough
dynamic resources to retain the more pleasant position.

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov – Peter Svidler

Khanty-Mansiysk 2014

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6 7.Nc3 Qe8 8.b4 e5 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.Ba3 e4
11.Nd4 Rf7 12.Qb3 Nc6 13.Nxc6 Qxc6 14.b5 Qe8

34
 White is better developed and his queenside attack seems quite advanced. But in the absence of
concrete threats, he did not find anything better than breaking in the centre:

15.f3 Be6!
Black continues developing while also taking the weak pawn on c4 under observation.

Instead 15...exf3 16.exf3 followed by Rfe1 and Rad1 would offer White the initiative.

16.Rad1
16.fxe4? is premature due to 16...Ng4µ threatening ...Bd4† or ...Ne3.

16...a6!
An effective way to develop the queen’s rook without actually moving it. Out of White’s
queenside attack there will soon be left only weaknesses.

17.bxa6 Rxa6 18.fxe4 fxe4

With the d4-square defended and his rook off the long diagonal, White could meet 18...Ng4 with
19.Nd5.

19.Nxe4 Nxe4 20.Bxe4 Rxf1† 21.Rxf1

35
 White has won a pawn but most of his pawns are weak and his bishops hanging. All these issues
allow a small tactical blow:

21...b5!³
Even a neutral move such as 21...Bf7 would offer Black excellent compensation for the pawn.

22.Qe3
22.Bd5 fails to solve White’s problems after 22...Bxd5 23.cxd5 Qxe2 when the white king is
insecure.

22...bxc4?!
It’s hard to say whether Black underestimated White’s answer or did not notice the strongest
continuation.

22...Bxc4? is obviously bad because of 23.Bd5†.

But Black could have played 22...Qd7!³ threatening ...Bd4 and thus gaining a tempo for ...Bxc4,
leaving him with the better structure.

23.Bc5!=
Things are not so clear now and White eventually won the game. Black might have overlooked
that 23...Rxa2? is impossible: 24.Bd5 Ra6 25.Bxc4 Rc6 26.Bb5+–
...1–0

One things is clear: after ...dxe5 White should not underestimate the threat of ...e5-e4, even when

36
Black has some delay in development. This makes e2-e4 the most logical plan.

Black’s most ambitious reaction is the positional pawn sacrifice ...f5-f4. The abstract evaluation is the
same as with ...e5-e4: it usually works if Black’s development is not more than “reasonably delayed”.

David Navara – Predrag Nikolic

Khanty-Mansiysk 2005

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3 d6 7.Bb2 a5 8.c4 Na6 9.Nc3 Qe8 10.e4
The thematic move order would be 10.Re1 e5 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.e4 transposing to the game.

10...e5 11.Re1 f4 12.dxe5 dxe5

Due to White’s superior development and pressure along the e-file, ...f5-f4 is not only
“interesting” but also necessary. If White does not react, Black could consolidate the kingside with,
say ...Nh5, or else increase the pressure with ...Bg4 and then complete his development, taking
advantage of the blocked centre.

13.gxf4
In view of all the above, this is the critical continuation.

13...Nh5!
An essential move in Black’s plan, as the square on f4 is needed, while the pawn is not important.

37
If 13...exf4? then 14.e5 Ng4 15.h3 Nh6 16.Nd5+– with an overwhelming advantage.

14.fxe5
Pawn-grabbing is not the most consistent continuation, as it offers Black a free tempo to
consolidate his pressure on the dark squares. Moreover, the pawn on e5 cannot survive for long,
meaning that Black will get an additional square for blockade there.

14.Ne2
This is an attempt to put more of White’s minor pieces to work.
14...Nb4!?
Black defends d5 in order to threaten ...Nxf4.
14...Nxf4?! is premature due to 15.Nxf4 Rxf4 16.Bxe5 Bxe5 17.Qd5†.
15.a3 Nc6
With e5 safely defended, ...Nxf4 is a threat again.
16.Nxe5 Nxf4 17.Nxf4 Nxe5 18.Nd5 Qd8

38
 White seems to have some activity, but the threats of ...Bg4 and ...c7-c6 are unpleasant.
19.f4 Nf3† 20.Qxf3 Bxb2 21.Rad1 c6
Another remarkable moment when White’s apparently crushing lead in development is not that
relevant. The weakness of the dark squares offers Black easy play.
22.Qf2 Bxa3 23.Nb6 Qe7 24.Nxa8 Bc5 25.Rd4 Bg4
Black will even the material balance with normal play.

14.f5
This is the most consistent move, requiring some accuracy from Black. White intends to keep the
f-file closed, or if Black opens it, there will be strong pressure on e5.
14...c6
Once again, defending the d5-square is essential before taking concrete decisions.
14...gxf5 is premature due to: 15.exf5 Bxf5 16.Nd5±
15.Na4
The knight intends to use the newly-created weakness, while also clearing the bishop’s diagonal.
White should also maintain the tension as if 15.fxg6? Qxg6 White’s king gets into trouble
suddenly.
15...Nf4
Removing the knight from the exposed square, as 15...gxf5? would run into 16.Nxe5!.

39
16.Re3
White anticipates the opening of the kingside and prepares to defend the king with Rg3 in certain
situations.
If 16.Nb6 then 16...gxf5 17.Nxa8 fxe4 followed by ...Qg6, and Black has a dangerous initiative.
For instance, 18.Rxe4 Nxg2 and the rook on e4 is hanging to ...Qg6.
16...Rb8!
We can notice that both sides have to prepare their action with “quiet moves”.
The point behind the last prophylactic move is that if 16...gxf5 17.exf5 Rxf5 (defending e5)
18.Nb6 Rb8 19.Nxe5 Bxe5 20.Nxc8 Rxc8 21.Bxe5 Rxe5 22.Qg4† White wins, as the rook on c8
is hanging.
17.Nb6
Hoping to keep the aforementioned mechanism going.
17...gxf5 18.exf5 Bxf5!

40
 This is possible because the knight stands worse on b6 than on a4, leaving the dark-squared
bishop and the c5-square undefended.
19.Nxe5 Rd8 20.Qf3
20.Qf1 Qh5 leaves White under threat.
20...Be6 21.Rae1

With the knight on a4 this would offer White a clear advantage, as ...Nh3† offers White more
than enough compensation for the queen. But here Black has more than one good answer. There is a
choice between 21...Nc5, consolidating the bishop on e6 and bringing the last piece into play, and
21...Rd2 22.Bc3 Rxa2 when White has potential problems on f2.

41
14...Bg4
A logical developing move, undermining White’s control on the dark squares.

But we know that in such situations, priorities can change. In this case, establishing control over d5
was once again an issue, so: 14...c6! 15.Re3 Bg4 (15...Nf4 is also good) 16.Ne2 Nb4 followed by
...Rd8 with excellent play.
For the truth’s sake, the game move is also playable, but leads only to approximate equality.

15.Nd5
Of course.

15...c6 16.Nf6† Nxf6 17.exf6 Bxf6 18.Bxf6

Fighting against the blockade on e5 with 18.e5 is more principled, but after 18...Bg5 Black is
doing fine anyway.

18...Rxf6 19.Qd3 Bxf3 20.Bxf3 Qe5

42
 Black has stabilized the position and White’s extra pawn does not count for anything.

21.Bg2 Nb4 22.Qe2 Raf8 23.f3 Rd8 24.Rad1 Rfd6 25.Rxd6 Rxd6 26.Rd1 Qc5† 27.Kf1 Rxd1†
28.Qxd1 Qe3
Black threatens ...Nd3 with an instant win, so White decides to force a draw by perpetual.

29.Qd8† Kg7 30.Qe7†

½–½

If we refer to the main variations, involving c2-c4, it is easy to understand that e2-e4 weakens the
squares on d4 and d3. For this reason, Black can also consider maintaining the tension, at least for a
while, until the pawn on e5 is not in danger. This is likely to lead to a structure I would call “The
Dutch Isolani”, as illustrated in the next game.

Serikbay Temirbayev – Alexander Beliavsky

Azov 1991

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6 7.Nc3 Qe8 8.b3 e5 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.Ba3
In the introduction to Chapter 3 (see page 97) I have explained why 10.e4 is stronger, which led
me to look for an alternative for Black on move 8.

10...Rf7 11.e4

43
11...Nc6!?
There does not seem to be anything wrong with 11...f4. But the last move is more flexible,
developing and taking d4 under control, while leaving the decision regarding ...f5-f4 for later.

12.exf5
This helps Black to develop, but it is not simple to make progress with White.
If 12.Re1 then the familiar 12...f4 works better than a move earlier, as White is likely to be
hanging along the f-file.

12...Bxf5

44
 This is an optimal version of the Dutch Isolani. In exchange for White’s possible blockade on e4,
Black has the d4-square for his knight, while all his minor pieces control a series of important
squares. Given the mutual piece distribution, the pawn on e5 is not weak. In fact, it has the tendency
to advance if White loses coordination.
As a general evaluation, Black’s position is more pleasant to play.

13.Re1
Playing straight for the blockade does not offer White an easy life: 13.Ng5 Rd7 14.Qc1 h6
15.Nge4 Nxe4 16.Nxe4 Nd4 17.Re1 Bg4³ White’s major pieces are exposed to Black’s minor
pieces, and the f3-square is weak.

13...Rd7 14.Qc1 Rad8³

Black has reached a mega-regrouping. All his pieces are optimally placed while White’s
coordination is rather chaotic. The white rooks are not connected and the bishop is passive on a3.
Unfortunately, retreating to b2, in order to plan an attack against e5, runs into ...Nb4.

15.Nh4?
White does not find anything better than attacking the bishop that controls e4. But this move
almost completely gives up the control in the centre.

True, 15.Ng5 Nd4³ looks good for Black. An important tactical aspect is that 16.f4 h6 17.Rxe5
allows 17...hxg5! 18.Rxe8† Rxe8–+ with tremendous compensation for the queen.

45
 All White’s pieces are passive and hanging, while Black’s are prepared for the decisive invasion.

A half-waiting move such as 15.h3, creating the possibility of g3-g4 followed by Ng5, would be
preferable, but after 15...h5 White will again be confronted with the problem of finding a move which
does not expose him even more.

15...e4!
The start of a global invasion.

16.Nxf5 gxf5 17.Qg5 Qg6 18.Qxg6 hxg6

A picturesque position. After two captures towards the centre, Black’s structure has become as

46
compact as a rock.

19.Rad1 Nd4 20.Bb2 c6 21.h3 Nh7

Heading for f3.

22.Kf1 Ng5 23.Na4 Ngf3 24.Bxf3 Nxf3 25.Rxd7 Rxd7 26.Ra1 Rd2
The rest is a formality.

27.Bxg7 Kxg7 28.Nc3 Kf6 29.h4 Ke5 30.Rd1 Rc2 31.Ne2 Rxa2 32.Rd7 Ra1† 33.Kg2 Re1 34.Nf4
Nxh4† 35.gxh4 Kxf4 36.Rxb7 Re2
0–1
It appears that if Black carries out ...e7-e5 without allowing White too much activity (or too big a lead
in development), Black can count on getting good counterplay. Therefore, an important plan for
White is to prevent that radically with d4-d5. In our repertoire lines, this most typically transposes to
a Hromadka Dutch hybrid. I have explained all the important details regarding this structure in
Chapter 4 (see page 116). In order to avoid repeating what I wrote there, I have included a game
fragment starting with the moment it ends in the theoretical section.

Dao Thien Hai – Marat Dzhumaev

Vishakapatnam 2008

This is an optimal scenario for Black, who has achieved active pawn play on both wings. But due
to the relative weaknesses on e7 and e6, further planning must be done with accuracy.

47
19.Ba1
This and the next move clearly show that White has problems coming up with a constructive
plan. But while Black’s position surely is pleasant, it is also not easy to fight for a concrete
advantage.

19...Rbe8
This is connected with the right plan. Having achieved progress on both wings, Black starts
displaying ambitions in the centre, too.

But since Black cannot achieve anything concrete along the b-file, now was the right moment to
highlight that the white knights lack mobility with 19...b4. For instance: 20.Nd1 Rbe8 21.Nb2 e5
22.dxe6 Rxe6 23.Rcd1 Ne4 24.Nxe4 fxe4 25.Rf1 Bc6³ Black has a considerable space advantage all
over the board.

20.Bb2
After the rook’s departure from b8, White could have tried 20.a3.

20...e5
Once again, it would have made sense to block the queenside with 20...b4! before opening the
centre.

21.dxe6 Rxe6?!
21...Bxe6 may be safer.

After the last move, White could have started a dangerous counterattack with 22.b4 cxb4 23.Ne2²
when Black’s pieces are hanging.

48
 Conclusion

What makes the Leningrad Dutch so special is Black’s ability to compensate for White’s lead in
development and dynamic ideas with the black structure’s flexibility and aggressiveness. If Black’s
pawns reach a favourable configuration, nothing will prevent Black from catching up in development
and taking over the initiative, in practically no time.

49
A) 8.b4 30
B) 8.e4 35
C) 8.Nd5 39
D) 8.Qb3 51

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6 7.Nc3
This is White’s absolute main system. White has developed in the most natural way, without
trying to refute Black’s set-up. As happens so many times in main variations, White relies on the fact
that an extra tempo and superior space would offer the better chances in the late middlegame.

7...Qe8

50
 This move is characterized by a mixture of straightforwardness and flexibility. It creates a
concrete threat of ...e7-e5 and allows Black to continue natural development with ...Na6 should
White react with d4-d5.
Comparing the alternatives, 7...c6 is flexible but not straightforward, as it will take some time
before Black could play ...e7-e5, while 7...Nc6 prepares the pawn break, but lacks flexibility in view
of 8.d5, forcing the knight to jump again.

The queen’s presence on e8 can be useful for plans on both wings. Black could consider expanding
with ...h7-h6 and ...g6-g5 followed by either ...Qg6 or ...Qh5. In the case of simplifications, the queen
sometimes emerges on b5 or a4, creating certain queenside threats.

Curiously, such a multipurpose move came into the limelight relatively late in the Leningrad Dutch’s
history, namely in the early 80s. The games of such outstanding experts as Gurevich, Malaniuk and
Bareev soon established it as the main line – a situation lasting for a few decades. Nowadays there
seems to be a backwards trend towards the classical 7...c6, but I feel more inspired by the queen
move, which is the line I saw developing during my teenage years.

In reply, the main line is 8.d5, as we shall see in Chapters 4-6. Other major moves are 8.Re1 (Chapter
2) and 8.b3 (Chapter 3). White has tried a wide range of other continuations, so in this chapter we will
consider: A) 8.b4, B) 8.e4, C) 8.Nd5 and D) 8.Qb3.

Other moves do not deserve detailed analysis:

8.Bg5
This just spends a tempo placing the bishop on an exposed square.
8...e5 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.Nd5 Nxd5 11.cxd5 e4 12.Nd4 Qf7

51
 Black has a worthy alternative in 12...c5 13.dxc6 Nxc6 14.Nxc6 Qxc6 with at least equal play, as
the g2-bishop is passive.
13.Nb5
So far this is Thibault – Santo Roman, Cannes 1988.
13...h6!N
It makes sense to push the bishop back before breaking with ...c7-c6.
13...c6 is premature due to 14.Nd6 Qxd5 15.Be7.
14.Bf4 c6 15.Nc7

This leads to interesting play, offering Black ample compensation for the exchange.
15...g5 16.Bd6 Rd8 17.dxc6 Nxc6 18.Nxa8 Bf8 19.Nc7 Bxd6 20.Nb5 Bxg3 21.Qb3 Be5 22.Qxf7†
Kxf7 23.Rfd1 Rxd1† 24.Rxd1 Ke7 25.e3 Be6=
Black has a pawn for the exchange, two active bishops, the better structure and queenside
pressure. Black’s chances are not a bit worse.

8.Bf4 prevents ...e7-e5 for the time being, but once again places the bishop on an unfortunate square.
8...h6 9.h4 Nh5 10.Nd5 Na6 11.Qd2 c6 12.Nc3 Kh7 13.Rfe1 e5µ Sharypov – Potapov, Salekhard
2006.

8.Qc2
This is not the best way to prepare e2-e4, as the queen is exposed on c2.
8...e5 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.e4 Na6

52
11.Re1 c6 12.Nh4
12.exf5 Bxf5³ leaves White with problems finding a safe square for the queen.
Or if 12.b3 Nb4 13.Qd2 Nxe4 14.Nxe4 fxe4 15.Ng5 Nd3 16.Rf1 Nxc1 17.Raxc1 Bh6 18.h4
Bf5= Black is fine.
12...f4 13.gxf4
In Zgadzaj – Kumala, Suwalki 2018, Black should have played the standard:
13...Nh5!N 14.f5 Qe7 15.Nf3 gxf5³

A) 8.b4

A double-edged but not very popular move. White immediately gains queenside space,

53
anticipating the typical ...Nc6 or ...Na6 (before or after the central break). On the other hand, the
pawns on c4 and b4 are temporarily vulnerable, allowing Black to carry out unusual counterattacking
ideas.
In view of these aspects, there is little wonder that play can become very sharp at an early stage.

8...e5
The most natural answer.

But 8...Nc6, as played only once, deserves serious attention.

The knight immediately attacks b4 and on the next move is ready to put pressure on c4. White
has a choice now: a) 9.Rb1 or b) 9.b5.

a) 9.Rb1
Defending the pawn offers Black a free tempo to start counterplay.
9...Ne4
This is possible because after the exchange on e4, the d4-pawn would be hanging.

54
10.Bb2
If White defended the knight differently, Black could play 10...Nxc3 followed by 11...e5, while
now this is more problematic due to the pressure along the long diagonal combined with the
threat of b4-b5.
10...Nxb4
Taking advantage of the last move’s only drawback.
11.Nxe4 fxe4 12.Ng5 e3 13.f4
The only way to keep fighting for an advantage. White intends to retrieve the pawn while
maintaining structural flexibility.
13...h6 14.Ne4 Qf7

55
 Suddenly White’s centre is hanging.
15.Qb3 Nc6 16.Qxe3 Qxc4
White surely has some compensation for the pawn, but Black does not have any reason to worry.

b) 9.b5
This is the most challenging move. In Vogel – Sawlin, Willingen 2015, the most principled reply
would have been:
9...Na5!N

Attacking c4 and planning to break on the queenside with ...a7-a6. We will examine two
continuations.

b1) 10.Qa4
This forces the reply:
10...b6
But White cannot take advantage of the queenside weaknesses:
11.Ne5?
This turns out badly but otherwise Black would play ...Bb7 followed by ...a7-a6, when the queen
would be misplaced on a4.
11...dxe5 12.Bxa8 exd4 13.Nd5 Ne4

56
 Black’s compensation consists not only of the space advantage but also of the vulnerability of
White’s minor pieces. For instance:
14.Ba3
14.Nxc7 Qf7 15.Nd5 Be6 16.Bc6 d3 17.Rb1 Nxc6 18.bxc6 Bxd5 19.cxd5 dxe2 20.Re1 Nc3µ
retrieves the exchange, keeping a material advantage after ...Qxd5.
14...c5 15.bxc6
White cannot allow Black to retain their massive structure intact.
15...Be6 16.Nxe7† Kh8 17.Nd5 Qxa8 18.Bxf8 Bxf8

The three minor pieces are stronger than two rooks, as they are very stable and the white king is
vulnerable.

57
b2) 10.Rb1
This is more solid, but Black has normal play anyway:

10...a6
The premature attack on c4 with 10...Be6? runs into 11.Ng5 Bxc4 12.Qa4 b6 13.Bxa8 Qxa8
when Black cannot keep the light-squared bishop after 14.Rb4. For instance, 14...h6 15.Rxc4
Nxc4 16.Ne6± with insufficient compensation for the exchange.
11.b6!?
Keeping the structure intact with 11.a4 would deprive the queen of the a4-square, allowing
11...Be6!= when White has to advance one of the pawns, thus offering squares for Black’s minor
pieces.
11...cxb6 12.Rxb6 Nxc4 13.Qb3 Be6 14.Ng5 Nxb6 15.Nxe6 Qf7=
Black has safely crossed the dangerous phase, when pieces were hanging, and now can count on
approximate equality.

9.dxe5 dxe5 10.e4 Nc6!

This provocative move is best. If 10...c6 then White can prevent ...Na6 with 11.b5 followed by
Ba3 with an initiative and a lead in development.

11.b5

58
11...fxe4!N
Black’s decision to initiate forcing play is justified by the fact that the advance of the b-pawn has
been time-consuming, leaving White slightly behind in development.

11...Nd4
This leads to interesting play, but is not entirely satisfactory.
12.Nxd4 exd4 13.Nd5

13...Nxe4!?N
Better than 13...Nxd5 14.exd5± with a huge space advantage and chances to grab the central
pawn, Pasztor – Krizsany, Budapest 1993.

59
14.Nxc7 Qf7 15.Nxa8 Be6 16.Re1 Bxc4 17.b6
White uses the doomed pawn to weaken the enemy queenside structure.
17...Rxa8 18.Bb2 axb6
18...Qd5 19.bxa7 Rxa7 20.Bxe4 fxe4 21.Qg4± leaves Black vulnerable in the centre and on the
back rank.
19.Bxe4 fxe4 20.Rxe4
Threatening Rxd4.
20...Qd5 21.Qg4²
Due to the not-entirely-secure black king, Black may not have enough compensation for the
exchange, but the position remains interesting.

12.Nxe4!?
This keeps White’s queenside attack going and retains the better structure. But Black has enough
resources due to White’s exposed queen and queen’s rook.

12.bxc6 is less ambitious. 12...exf3 13.Qxf3 Bg4 14.Qe3 bxc6= Black’s extra pawn and free
development compensate for the structural problems.

12...Nxe4 13.Qd5† Be6 14.Qxe4 Bf5

These were only the first few of a longer series of moves during which the knight will stand on
c6, waiting for a good moment to jump forward. In view of the threat of ...e5-e4, White has to take an
important decision regarding the queen’s location.

15.Qh4!?
Aiming at creating kingside threats.

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15.Qd5† Be6 would lead to a repetition at best, as retreats along the d-file would run into 16...Rd8
with a growing initiative for Black.

15.Qe2? is bad in view of: 15...e4 16.bxc6 Bg4µ

15.Qe3 is playable but not really ambitious. 15...e4 16.bxc6 exf3 17.Qxf3 Bxa1 18.cxb7 Rd8 19.Bf4
with just enough compensation for the huge material disadvantage in view of the strong pawn on b7.

15...e4 16.Ng5 h6

17.Nxe4
The more simplistic 17.bxc6 leads to equality in a calm position: 17...hxg5 18.Bxg5 Qxc6
19.Rac1 Rae8= Both sides have structural defects. Black’s king is somewhat exposed, but the white
queen does not feel too comfortable either. The natural attempt to bring it back into play is Qf4, but
this would run into ...Bh3, weakening the white king’s defence. And if 20.Bh6 then 20...Bf6 21.Qf4
Rf7 followed by ...Qe6, ...Bh3 and ...Rh7 offers Black attacking chances.

17...g5
With the king exposed on g8 and the knight hanging on c6, Black is well-advised to keep the
threat of ...Bxa1 in reserve. The queen is trapped now, forcing White to sacrifice a piece while the a1-
rook is still hanging.

18.Nxg5
Or if 18.Bxg5 hxg5 19.Nxg5 Bxa1 20.g4 Qg6 21.Rxa1 Nd4 22.gxf5 Rxf5 23.Qxd4 Rxg5
24.Kh1:

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 The bishop is taboo due to Qd5† but 24...c6= offers Black comfortable play. The chances to
convert the extra exchange are not too high as there will soon be too few pawns left on the board, but
it is only Black who could try to win.

18...hxg5 19.Bxg5 Nd4

After eight moves with the sword of Damocles over its head, the knight finally jumps onto this
dream square.

20.Rae1
20.Bxb7? c6µ leaves White’s kingside vulnerable.

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20...Qg6
White has three pawns for a piece, but Black’s minor pieces are very active. Therefore, White
needs to make use of what remains of the initiative to retain the balance.

21.Bd5† Rf7 22.f4

22.Bxf7†? is premature as it leaves the f3-square weak: 22...Qxf7 23.Re3 Be6µ

22...Be6
The most forcing continuation. If White wishes to avoid an immediate repetition, even more
material must be sacrificed.

But at this point Black has a choice: 22...Bd3 23.Rf2 Nf5 24.Qg4 Bd4 25.Qf3 Bxf2† 26.Qxf2 Qb6=
With equal chances in a complicated position.

23.Be4 Bf5 24.Bd5 Be6 25.Rxe6!? Nxe6 26.Qg4 Rf5 27.h4

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27...Rxd5!?
The simplest way of freeing Black from the pressure.

28.cxd5 Nxg5 29.fxg5 Re8=

Three pawns are a good match for the bishop, but not more.

B) 8.e4

This central break is one of White’s main ideas, but at this stage it looks rather premature. Even
though it is unpopular, this move requires some analysis, as in practice Black has not shown
convincing solutions to the early central aggression.

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8...fxe4 9.Ng5 Bg4!
Now is the best moment for this move. If allowed to play Be3, White could meet ...Bg4 with
Qd2, maintaining the overall harmony.

The most popular line is 9...Nc6 10.Be3 e5, but after 11.d5 White retains a small plus, due to the
control over the light squares: 11...Nd4 12.Bxd4 exd4 13.Ncxe4 Nxe4 In Micheel – Neumark,
Germany 1988, White should have played 14.Bxe4N² planning Qd3 and Rae1, with f2-f4 and/or Ne6
inbetween.

10.Qb3
White leaves d4 undefended, but creates some pressure on b7 and along the a2-g8 diagonal.

The unnatural 10.Qd2, keeping d4 defended, tends to leave White behind in development. For
example: 10...Nc6 11.h3 Bf5 12.d5 Ne5 13.Qe2

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13...h6!N (the over-optimistic 13...e3? ran into 14.f4 Bd3 15.Qxe3 Bxf1 16.Bxf1 Nf7 17.Ne6± in
Marchio – Euler, Germany 2010) 14.Ngxe4 Nxe4 15.Nxe4 e6=

10.Qc2
This places the queen on a safer square than b3, but fails to put any pressure on Black.
10...Nc6 11.Be3
Only not: 11.d5? Nd4 12.Qd2 Nf3†µ

11...Bf5!N
Before the thematic ...e7-e5 followed by ...Nd4, it is best to increase the control over e4.
If 11...e5 12.d5 Nd4 13.Bxd4 exd4 14.Ncxe4² we reach a familiar structure, Craps – Henris,

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 Belgium 1995.
12.Qd2
Before retrieving the pawn, White restores coordination.
12.Ngxe4? Nxe4 13.Nxe4 Nxd4 wins a pawn.
Or if 12.Rad1 the queen would be hanging on c2 after the thematic: 12...e5 13.d5?! Nd4
14.Bxd4? e3!µ

12...e5
Everything is prepared for this now.
13.d5 Nd4 14.Bxd4
Leaving the knight alive offers Black normal counterplay: 14.Ncxe4 Nxe4 15.Nxe4 Qd7
(planning ...c7-c6) 16.f4 Bxe4!? 17.Bxe4 Nf5 18.Bxf5 Qxf5=
14...exd4 15.Ncxe4 Nxe4 16.Nxe4
Unfortunately, White cannot keep the knight close to e6 as if 16.Bxe4 then 16...Bxe4 17.Rae1
Bh6! keeps the extra piece, for instance 18.h4 Bxg5 19.hxg5 Qe5–+ and Black will break free
from the pin soon.
After the text move Black does not experience any special problems and could actually start
active counterplay.

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16...b5!?
With at least equal chances. The point is that the generally desirable 17.c5? loses a pawn to
17...Bxe4 18.Rfe1 dxc5µ.

10...Nc6 11.Be3
The queen is in principle active on b3, so in order to achieve approximate equality, Black needs
to prove it is also a bit exposed.

11...a5!?N
A half-neutral move, keeping Black’s coordination but also creating the potential threat of ...a5-
a4, which would leave White hanging slightly. At the same time, the queen’s return into play would
be more complicated if White takes on b7.
Play now acquires some subtle nuances, as can be seen in the lines below.

In order to have some reference points for the following analysis, we should check what could happen
after the pawn-grabbing:
11...h6?! 12.Ngxe4 Nxe4 13.Bxe4 Nxd4? 14.Bxd4 Bxd4

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 In Alaev – Shkliar, Kharkov 2004, White could have won an exchange with 15.Nb5N± since
15...Bb6? loses the bishop to 16.c5†.

With the queen on b3, 11...e5?! is too provocative. Then 12.c5† Kh8 was Chaves – Rangel, Rio de
Janeiro 2012, when White should have continued his queenside initiative with: 13.d5N 13...Nd4
14.Qxb7²

Another, more sophisticated, way of taking advantage of the queen’s exposure is:
11...Na5!?N 12.Qb4 b6

Preparing ...c7-c5, after which the pawn on c4 would turn out to be vulnerable.
13.Ngxe4 Nxe4 14.Nxe4 Rc8

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 Still preparing ...c7-c5 because after the immediate 14...c5?! 15.dxc5 dxc5 16.Nxc5 Nc6 White
has: 17.Qb5 Rc8 18.Nd3² In this line the usefulness of ...Rc8 becomes obvious.
15.c5
The only way to cross Black’s intentions.
If 15.Rfe1 c5 16.dxc5 dxc5 Black has excellent play, as if 17.Nxc5 Nc6 18.Bxc6 Qxc6, followed
by ...Bh3, White is in trouble.
15...Nc6

16.Qc4†
16.Qb3† Kh8 17.d5 runs into another knight jump: 17...Nd4 18.Bxd4 Bxd4= The bishop pair
compensates for White’s space advantage.
16...Kh8 17.Ng5
White has no simple way of dealing with the pawn tension. Opening the c-file with an exchange
would just help Black to develop counterplay, while 17.d5? is ineffective due to 17...Ne5µ
followed by ...bxc5 or ...Nf3†.
Or 17.h3 Bd7 18.Rad1 bxc5 19.dxc5 Ne5 is similar to the main line.
17...bxc5 18.dxc5 Ne5=
With active counterplay.

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12.Rae1
The more natural 12.Rfe1?! has the drawback of weakening f2 and thus allowing: 12...h6
13.Ngxe4 Nxe4 14.Bxe4 Nxd4 15.Bxd4 Bxd4µ

12.h3 is met with 12...a4 when White has to retreat the queen to a more passive square, as 13.Nxa4
allows: 13...Be2 14.Rfe1 Na5³

12.c5† leads to unclear but probably balanced play after: 12...Kh8 13.d5 Ne5 14.Qxb7 Qd8=

12.Qxb7 allows Black to force a draw: 12...Rb8 13.Qxc7 Rc8 14.Qb7 Rb8 The point is that 15.Qa6?
Bc8 traps the queen. In this line we can notice the merits of ...a7-a5.

Another line revealing the merits of the recommended novelty is:

12.Ngxe4 Nxe4 13.Bxe4 Nxd4 14.Bxd4 Bxd4 15.Nb5

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15...a4!
This intermediate move forces the queen away from b3.
16.Qd3 Bb6 17.Bxb7
It is useful to compare 17.c5 dxc5 18.Bxb7 Rd8 19.Qc4† Kh8 20.Qxg4 Qxb5µ with the line after
12...h6? below.
17...Rb8 18.Bg2 Qf7³
Black has active pieces, the bishop pair and the more compact structure.

12...a4!
Despite the possibility of chasing the queen away from b3 at the critical moment, the thematic
line 12...h6? 13.Ngxe4 Nxe4 14.Bxe4 Nxd4 15.Bxd4 Bxd4 still does not work for Black. 16.Nb5 a4
17.Qd3 Bb6 18.c5! dxc5 19.Bxb7 Rd8 20.Qc4† Kh8 21.Qxg4 Qxb5 With the white rook on a1 and
the black pawn on h7, this would be safe for Black, but here 22.Rxe7 is curtains.

13.Nxa4
13.Qc2 Bf5 is likely to lead to a familiar, comfortable for Black, scenario, with the added
difference that the pawn on a4 could be useful in harassing White in view of ...a4-a3.

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13...h6
Due to White’s temporary lack of coordination, Black can afford to weaken the king.

But 13...Nxd4 14.Bxd4 Qxa4= is also good.

14.Nxe4 Nxe4 15.Bxe4 Nxd4 16.Bxd4 Bxd4=

With comfortable play for Black.

C) 8.Nd5 Nxd5 9.cxd5

A very straightforward line, aiming to establish control over e6 without conceding e5 and c5 to

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Black’s knight. Its drawback is that White’s structure has lost flexibility, which simplifies Black’s
task of defining a plan.

9...Nd7
While this is the most desirable developing move abstractly, it also has a concrete purpose. Black
plans to attack White’s weakness on d5 (usually with ...Nb6, but sometimes ...Nf6 is also possible).
Later Black can continue undermining the centre with ...c7-c6 or ...e7-e6.

10.Ng5
White immediately starts the fight for the e6-square, but there are other logical moves:

10.Qc2
This attacks c7 at a moment when Black can do little to defend it, as ...Qd8 would mean throwing
two tempos away. But the hanging pawn on d5 allows Black to hold the balance.

10...Nb6 11.Qxc7
The more consistent 11.Ng5 transposes to 11.Qc2 below.
11...Nxd5 12.Qc4 e6
The tempting 12...Qc6 is inaccurate as Black does not really gain a tempo. Rather soon, the
queen will be exposed on c6. It is better to maintain the possibility of gaining time with ...b7-b5,
speeding up the queenside development. After 13.Qb3 e6 14.Bf4 in Krivoshey – Onischuk,
Bastia 2000, Black should have removed the attack on d6 with 14...Nxf4N 15.gxf4 so as to
relocate the queen with 15...Qb6. But even so, White would maintain some light pressure with:
16.Qxb6 axb6 17.Rfc1²
After the last move, Black enjoys pleasant stability on d5, but still needs to over-defend the
knight with the bishop. Due to the exposed queen on c4, White cannot prevent this.

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13.Bf4
A logical developing move.
If 13.Ng5 b5 14.Qb3 Bb7 15.e4 fxe4 16.Nxe4 Qd7= Black has completed development
harmoniously and has comfortable play, Gurieli – Hoang, Batumi 2001.
13.Qb3 does not inhibit 13...b5 at all. After 14.a4 Van der Stricht – Claesen, Belgium 2003, went
14...b4 15.a5 when White could have developed the bishop on d2, leading to a slightly improved
version of the main line. Instead the simplest way to maintain stability would have been:
14...bxa4!N 15.Rxa4 Bd7 16.Ra5 a6 17.Qa3 Bb5 Black has consolidated on the light squares and
is prepared for the following forcing sequence: 18.Qxd6 Rd8 19.Qa3 Bxe2 20.Re1 Bb5 21.Ng5
Qc6= The pawn is taboo as the c1-bishop is hanging, while 22.Nxe6? Rfe8–+ wins the knight.

13...b5 14.Qb3 Qd7 15.a4 b4 16.a5!N

This is an essential move, preventing Black from connecting the queenside pawns.
After 16.Bd2?! a5 17.Rfe1 Bb7 18.e4 fxe4 19.Rxe4 Nb6 20.Rh4 Bd5 21.Qd3 Qb7µ Black
achieved full domination in Gustafsson – Hoang, Budapest 2001.

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16...Rb8 17.Rfc1 Ba6 18.Ng5 Rb5=
With absolutely normal play for Black.

10.e4
This has the drawbacks of provoking the exchange of the remaining knights and slightly
neglecting development, thus allowing Black to free themself effortlessly.

10...fxe4 11.Ng5 Nf6 12.Nxe4 Nxe4

Now and later Black has worthy alternatives, for instance: 12...Nxd5 13.Nxd6 exd6 14.Bxd5†
Kh8 15.Re1 Qb5= with free development.
13.Bxe4 Bh3
Before breaking in the centre, Black plays a few developing moves.

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 The immediate 13...e5 14.dxe6 Bxe6 was also possible, for instance: 15.Bxb7 Rb8 16.Bg2 Bc4
17.Re1 Qf7 18.Qd2 Rfe8 19.Re3 Bd5 Black will have no trouble retrieving the pawn on d4, with
at least equal play due to Black’s better development.
Another possible continuation is: 13...Qf7 14.Bf4 e6 15.dxe6 Bxe6 16.Bxb7 Rab8 17.Bg2 Rxb2=
14.Re1

14...Qb5
This seems to be one of Malaniuk’s favourite moves.
Once again, the simpler 14...Qf7 15.Bf4 e5 16.dxe6 Bxe6= was entirely satisfactory.
15.Rb1 Rae8 16.Be3 e6=
Black was fine in Noroozi – Malaniuk, Urmia 2008.

Delaying Ng5 for too long allows Black to break with ...e7-e6 under favourable circumstances:
10.Qb3 Defending the d5-pawn in advance. 10...Nb6 11.a4 e6 12.dxe6 Bxe6³ Black will soon
consolidate on the light squares while White is still behind in development, Wichmann – Heidrich,
Germany 2009.

10...Nb6
As pointed out by Malaniuk, this is the most active way of targeting d5, as it leaves the long dark
diagonal open. True, the black king’s defence is weaker than after 10...Nf6, but White does not have
enough development to create serious threats on that wing.

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11.a4
Forcing Black to take an important decision on the queenside. White has two main alternatives
that are worth a close look.

11.e4
This leads to a very interesting position where White’s apparent initiative is counterbalanced by
the fact that the d5-pawn becomes chronically weak, while d4 is also hanging in some lines.

11...fxe4 12.Bxe4
It is essential to maintain the kingside pressure.
12.Nxe4 e6= offers Black easy equality.

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12...Bf5N
In the only game with this line, Sadykova – Demidov, Kazan 2007, Black did not notice the
simple tactical threat and played: 12...c6? 13.Nxh7!± The point is that 13...Kxh7 14.Qh5† offers
White a decisive attack.
13.Qe2
The most logical move, trying to keep d5 defended.
13.Bxf5 only helps Black to start the siege against the central weakness: 13...Rxf5 14.Ne6 Rc8
15.Re1 Rxd5 16.Qb3 Qf7 White’s compensation is questionable as the blocking square on d5 is
worth gold.

13...Qc8!
This move, ending Malaniuk’s analysis, is the best. Black plans ...Bxe4 followed by ...Qf5 while
also leaving the d7-square free for emergencies.
From this point of view, 13...Qd7 is weaker as after 14.Bf3 Black faces the threat g3-g4.
14.Bg2
Trying to cross Black’s plans.
If 14.Rd1 Bxe4 15.Qxe4 Qf5 Black has excellent play.
14...Bxd4

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15.Be3
Aiming to obtain long-term compensation for the pawn by completing development.
If 15.Qxe7 Qd7, followed by ...Rae8, Black has very active play.
Or 15.a4 c6 16.Qxe7 Qd7 17.Qxd7 Bxd7 18.dxc6 bxc6 with a similar evaluation.
15...Bf6 16.Rac1
If 16.a4 Bg4 17.f3 Bd7 White has two hanging pawns on d5 and a4.
16...Bg4

17.Qd2
17.Qc2 allows Black to activate the queen with gain of time after 17...Qf5 18.Be4 Qe5.
17...Bxg5!?

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 In connection with the next move, this exchange dooms the pawn on d5 while also weakening the
enemy king’s defence. White will most likely not be able to set up the long-diagonal battery due
to Black’s strong control in the centre.
18.Bxg5 Bf3
With at least equal play.

11.Qc2
This is a familiar way of attacking c7.
11...h6
Forcing matters. In principle it would be good to induce the knight to jump to e6 without
weakening the kingside with ...h7-h6, but concretely this cannot be achieved.
For instance, 11...Bd7 12.Ne6?! Bxe6 would indeed lead to a favourable version of the line
below, but White can safely take the pawn with: 12.Qxc7²
Malaniuk recommends 11...Qa4 – once again a queen switch from one wing to the other. His line
goes 12.b3 Qxd4 13.Be3 Qb4 but now White has a promising exchange sacrifice: 14.Qxc7! Bxa1
15.Rxa1 Re8

It is obvious that at some point White will have dangerous threats along the long diagonal, but the
black queen’s exposure is another important element. White’s best regrouping is: 16.Rd1 Nd7
17.Qc1! Preparing among others Rd4. This not only harasses the black queen, but also enables a
massive attack based on Rh4, Bd4-a1/b2, setting up the battery along the long diagonal soon.

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12.Ne6
White has no reason to refrain from this committal move.
If 12.Nh3?! Black can attack d5 with 12...Qf7. Then 13.Qxc7 g5 leaves the knight isolated on the
edge of the board, while after 13.Nf4 g5 14.Ne6 Bxe6 15.dxe6 Qxe6 16.Bxb7 Rab8³ White’s
compensation for the pawn after ...Bxd4 is rather questionable.
12...Bxe6 13.dxe6 c6
Black plans to block the centre with ...d6-d5, leaving the g2-bishop offside and dooming the
pawn on e6. The next move is forced.
14.e4 d5 15.exf5

15...Rxf5!

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 Instead of weakening his kingside even more with 15...gxf5, as in Ashwin – Le Quang Liem,
Saint Louis 2016.
The position is double-edged strategically. For the time being the pawn on e6 restricts Black’s
possibilities, but in the long run it could turn into a weakness. Now is a moment when we
understand how good it would have been to provoke Ne6 without playing ...h7-h6, as the pawn
on g6 is hanging. On the other hand the pawn on d4 is chronically weak, while the light-squared
bishop is partly restricted by Black’s pawn chain and also by the far-advanced white pawn.
Black’s plan at this point is to transfer the knight to d6 and then to b5 or f5, increasing the
pressure on d4.
16.Bf4
The most accurate move, taking the d6-square under control in advance. At the same time, White
continues developing and prepares to defend the d4-pawn with Rad1.
16.b3N fails to prevent Black’s planned manoeuvre, as the knight can change the route with
16...Nc8.
Inserting 16.Bh3 Rf8 before 17.Bf4 allows 17...g5 as the rook is not hanging anymore.
16...Nc4N
16...Bxd4 has been played in a couple of correspondence games.
17.Bh3
Now is a better moment for this move, inviting Black to force matters.
17.b3 allows Black to speed up the knight manoeuvre with 17...Na3 18.Qd3 Nb5.
Or if 17.Rae1 Qf8 Black will soon sacrifice on f4, with similar play as in the main line.

17...Rxf4!
A thematic exchange sacrifice, completely ruining White’s structure and turning the bishop on g7
into a very strong piece. Black should not be put off by the fact that for a while the pawn count
will be equal, as the pawn on d4 is doomed anyway.
18.gxf4 Qf8

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 The following line is not forced, of course, but has a strong illustrative character.
19.Qxg6 Qxf4 20.Rad1 Rf8 21.Rd3 Qg5† 22.Qxg5 hxg5 23.Rg3 Rf4 24.Kg2
24.Rxg5 Nd2 retrieves the exchange in view of the threat of ...Nf3†.
24...Bf6

Black has consolidated on the dark squares and has entirely adequate compensation for the
exchange.

Other moves fail to impress, for example:

11.h4
This wastes an important tempo without creating dangerous threats.

11...h6!N

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 There is no better way to use the offered tempo.
12.Ne6
12.Nh3 c6 is also pleasant for Black.
12...Bxe6 13.dxe6 d5³
Black has reached the structure that could not be achieved in the line with 11.Qc2 above.

The same applies to 11.Ne6 Bxe6 12.dxe6 d5 13.a4 c6, which actually transposes to the inferior line
after 12.Ne6 below.

11...c6
Black has to react at once.

11...a5 only apparently stabilizes the knight. In fact, it makes it more vulnerable: 12.Qc2 Black does
not have anything better than the unappealing 12...Qd8. (12...h6 runs into 13.Qxc7± when the knight
is hanging as a consequence of ...a7-a5. The same applies to 12...Bxd4 as played in Koehler – Rechel,
Germany 2006, when White should have answered 13.Qxc7N² which poses Black certain
difficulties.)

12.dxc6
This and the next move are the best way to keep the g2-bishop alive, by increasing the control on
the light squares.

12.Ne6 leads to a familiar situation: 12...Bxe6 13.dxe6 d5

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 White’s play in the next phase may not have been optimal, but there is little he can do with his
e6-pawn cut off from its colleagues, and the g2-bishop restricted by Black’s central pawns. 14.a5 Nc4
15.b3 Nd6 16.Bf4 Nb5 17.e3 Qc8 18.g4 Qxe6µ Knoll – Schroll, Hartberg 2003.

12...bxc6

13.d5
We should also consider:
13.a5 Nd5 14.Qb3
Before opening the centre it makes sense to provoke the weakening of the d6-square.
From this point of view, 14.e4 is premature: 14...fxe4 15.Nxe4 Rb8 16.Nc3? This hands the

86
 initiative to Black. 16...Ba6 17.Re1 Qf7 18.Qd2 Nb4µ Ashwath – Idani, Sharjah 2017. Instead
16.Re1 is better. Black then has several ways of parrying Nxd6, but I would choose 16...Be6,
planning ...Qd7, as the most coherent plan. If Ng5 then simply ...Bf5.

14...e6
We shall see an alternative for Black to this move below.
15.e4!N
White should not waste the opportunity to open the centre.
If 15.Qa3 as in Meiser – Fritsche, Kiel 2013, Black could have taken over the initiative with:
15...h6!N

If 16.Nf3 then White can forget about e2-e4 for a while, thus leaving Black dominant in the

87
 centre. Black could defend the pawn with 16...Qd7 followed by ...Ba6, ...Rb8 and maybe ...f5-f4.
16.Nh3 is not really an improvement, as after 16...g5 the knight would not have an easy return
into play. For instance: 17.Qxd6 Ba6 18.Re1 Rd8 19.Qc5 f4!³ Planning ...Bb5 followed by either
...e6-e5 or ...Qh5 with a strong initiative. And, of course, 20.gxf4? just loses the sidelined knight
after 20...g4µ.
15...fxe4 16.Nxe4

16...Ba6!
Black can afford to make a few developing moves before defending the hanging pawn.
17.Rd1
17.Nxd6? yields Black a decisive initiative: 17...Qd7 18.Nc4 The only way to save the exchange,
but only temporarily... 18...Rab8 19.Qc2 Nb4 20.Qb3 Qxd4–+
17...Rb8 18.Qa3 Nb4
Threatening ...Nc2.
19.Qa4 Nd3 20.Nxd6 Qd7 21.Ne4 Qxd4
Black’s hyperactivity entirely compensates for the shattered structure.

Instead of 14...e6, I would subjectively prefer 14...Kh8!?, sacrificing a pawn for the sake of keeping
the central structure intact.

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 For instance: 15.Bxd5 cxd5 16.Qxd5 Rb8 17.Ne6 Qf7 18.Nf4 Qxd5 19.Nxd5 Ba6 Black has
excellent compensation for the pawn. Black is better developed and the light-squared bishop has no
rival, while e2, b2 and d4 are hanging.

13...c5
We have reached a Benoni/Dutch hybrid. The queenside structure favours Black, who can hope
to set up pressure along the b-file, but Black has to always be ready to deal with Ne6, more or less
forcing the opening of the long light diagonal. True, White should choose the moment of the invasion
carefully, as this would make the position static, playing into the hands of the black knight. Speaking
of the knight, Black should find the optimal way to clear the b-file, with either ...Na8-c7 or ...Nc4.

14.Qc2
White prevents ...Nc4 and prepares to develop the queenside, most probably with Bd2-c3.

14.a5
This mainly helps Black to activate the knight.
14...Nc4

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15.Qb3
The queen will be exposed on this square, but after 15.Qc2 Black has 15...Qb5³ with strong
queenside pressure.
15...Ne5 16.a6!
The usefulness of this move will be revealed slightly later.
16...h6 17.Ne6 Bxe6 18.dxe6 Rb8 19.Bb7!
This is the point! White neutralizes Black’s pressure along the b-file.
19...g5=
Black is safe in the centre and on the queenside, and can start building up the positional kingside
attack at Black’s own pace.

14.Ra2
This is a rather contorted and slow way of preparing the queenside development.

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14...Rb8
If 14...Nc4 White could consider 15.b4 cxb4 16.Qb3 with some initiative.
15.b3 Na8 16.e4
We shall return to this position below, to see what White should play instead.
In Ortega Hermida – Palencia Morales, Mislata 2008, Black should have completed his
regrouping with:
16...Nc7N 17.exf5
White has to release the tension, forcing Black to commit one piece to recapture on f5.
If 17.Re1?! h6 18.Nf3 fxe4, followed by ...Bb7, the d5-pawn is doomed while after 18.Nh3 fxe4
19.Rxe4 Bf5 20.Re1 Qf7 21.Nf4 g5µ Black has a strong initiative. 22.Nh5? Bd4–+, followed by
...Bg6 soon, is simply bad for White.

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17...Rxf5!
The most ambitious continuation, turning d5 into a clear target in view of ...Bb7.
17...Bxf5 is only good enough for equality. 18.Re1 h6 19.Nf3 g5 20.Rae2 Bf6= Both sides are
well regrouped and the chances are about equal.
18.Re1
18.Be4, hoping for 18...Rf8? 19.Nxh7!, allows the promising exchange sacrifice: 18...h6 19.Bxf5
Bxf5 20.Nf3 Qf7µ Black will soon grab the central pawn, retaining the better structure and
chances for an attack on the light squares.

18...h6 19.Nh3
19.Ne6 leads to the kind of static position Black is usually dreaming of: 19...Nxe6 20.dxe6 Bb7³

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19...Qf7 20.Nf4
The lesser evil. White should be aware of the danger looming on d5.
The natural 20.Bb2?! runs into 20...Bf8!! leaving the a2-rook out of play.

White cannot keep the d5-pawn. For instance, if 21.Nf4 Black has a choice between 21...Rxf4
22.gxf4 Bb7 and the even stronger 21...g5 22.Nd3 Bb7 23.g4 when choosing between 23...Rxd5µ
and 23...Bxd5 24.gxf5 Bxb3µ is just a matter of taste.
Or if 20.Rae2 Rxd5 21.Bxd5 Nxd5–+ threatening both ...Bxh3 and ...Nc3.

20...Re5 21.Rxe5 Bxe5³

Black has neutralized the pressure along the e-file and can enjoy playing against the weaknesses
on d5 and b3.

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Instead of the resolute 16.e4, a neutral move such as 16.Bb2 is preferable, leading to approximate
equality after: 16...Nc7 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.Re1 h6 19.Nh3 Qf7=

14...Rb8 15.Bd2 h6
I have already expressed my reservations about provoking Ne6 with this slightly weakening
move. But once again it seems that Black cannot delay concrete action, as White will soon threaten
b2-b4.

For instance:
15...Bd7 16.a5
Of course, 16.Ne6?! Bxe6 17.dxe6 would be an improved version of the main line from Black’s
point of view.
16...Na8

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17.Rab1!N
White cannot afford to waste time.
If 17.Bc3 Nc7 Black manages to over-defend e6, thus making ...h7-h6 a real threat. 18.Rfe1 h6
19.Nh3 Qf7³ With promising play on both wings in Thomassen – Potapov, Sibenik 2007.
17...Nc7 18.b4!²
White has made progress with the queenside play, while ...h7-h6 is a bit problematic for the time
being.

16.Ne6
Forced, as if 16.Nh3 g5µ the knight is passive, while 16.Nf3 loses the pawn to 16...Nxd5–+.

16...Bxe6 17.dxe6 Qc8

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 The pawn is lost, but White will have compensation due to Black’s weaknesses on the light
squares and the knight’s currently unfavourable placement.

18.a5!?N
Forcing the knight to the corner, in order to gain time to break with b2-b4.

Another reasonable continuation is:

18.e4!? Qxe6 19.exf5 Qxf5 20.Be4
In Siikaluoma – Turicnik, email 2007, Black could have maintained approximate equality by
putting his centre into motion:

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20...Qd7!N 21.Bxg6 d5 22.Rad1
22.Qxc5? is bad in view of 22...Nc4–+ attacking the bishop and threatening both ...Rfc8, trapping
the queen, and ...Ne5.
22...Qg4 23.Bc1 Bd4=

With double-edged play and approximately equal chances. White does best to refrain from pawn-
grabbing:
24.Bxh6?! Rf6 25.Bh7† Kh8 26.Bc1 e5
Black has a dangerous initiative.

Another game to reach this position continued:

18.Rfd1?!

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 In Houska – Addison, Liverpool 2008, Black should have played:
18...Qxe6N
Without fearing ghosts on d5.
19.a5
The other possible move order that Black probably feared is: 19.Bxh6 Bxh6 20.a5 Qc4³ Black
will return the extra piece, maintaining the more compact structure.
19...Nd7³

This is an important difference with respect to the main line. The knight has much quicker access
to the central squares. If:
20.Bxh6? Rxb2 21.Qa4

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 21.Qc1 allows 21...Qxe2–+.
21...Nf6µ
Black has consolidated in time and kept the extra pawn.

18...Na8 19.Rab1 Nc7

20.b4 cxb4 21.Bxb4 Nxe6 22.Qa2 Kh7 23.Rfc1 Nc5=

The knight completely neutralizes White’s initiative. Now or later White does not have anything
better than retrieving the pawn, starting with Bxc5, but this would lead to a drawn ending.

D) 8.Qb3

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 A slightly extravagant move, placing the queen far from the centre and exposing it to a later
...Na6-c5. Moreover, White deprives themself of the possibility of continuing natural development
with b2-b3 and Bb2. As far as I understand, White’s idea is to inhibit ...e7-e5 in view of c4-c5†, and
put some pressure on b7.

This variation first came into the limelight after Karpov used it in 1989 and 1991 against Mikhail
Gurevich. True, the experiment failed to impress, as Karpov won the second game only as a result of
Gurevich’s over-optimism in a very good position. In 1999 Korchnoi used this plan during his KO
World Championship match against Dolmatov. He used two different move orders: 7.Qb3 and 7.Nc3
c6 8.Qb3 and his results were a bit more convincing than Karpov’s.

But in view of the move order suggested below, none of these games are relevant for our repertoire,
as in all of them Black played an early ...c7-c6. Now is the moment to add that we should meet 7.Qb3
with 7...Qe8, when White does not have anything better than transposing with 8.Nc3.

8...Na6!

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 To my understanding, the most logical move. Abstractly, it continues the natural developing
process. Concretely, it inhibits both c4-c5, as White would face problems controlling the conquered
territory, and d4-d5, leading to a waste of time after ...Nc5. Besides, Black should not be in a hurry to
weaken d6 with ...c7-c6.

9.Re1
The most active plan. White prepares to open the centre, keeping c4-c5† as a potential threat.

The only neutral move White could think of is 9.Rd1. This not only fails to create concrete threats,
but also leaves the kingside a bit “lowly populated”. 9...h6 Not being under immediate pressure,
Black can afford to play in slow mode. 10.h3 Obviously a sign that White has run out of constructive
ideas. In Esbensen – Haugli, Norway 1992, Black had no reason to refrain from continuing his plan
with: 10...Qf7N= Planning ...Ne4 among others.

A few games continued with:

9.Bg5 c6 10.Rad1
This looks like a natural developing process, but it does not have a concrete idea behind it.
10.c5† is more active, but not really threatening either: 10...Qf7!N 11.Qxf7† Rxf7 12.cxd6 exd6
13.Bf4 Rd7 Black seems to have lost coordination, but plans to consolidate with ...Nc7-d5.
14.d5!? The only active try. 14...cxd5!? 15.Rfd1 Nc7 16.Nd4 b6 17.Rac1 Bb7 Black has restored
coordination and White has to make some concession on the way to retrieving the pawn. 18.Ndb5
Nxb5 19.Nxb5 Ne4 Apart from ...Bxb2, Black plans to consolidate with ...Be5. 20.f3 Making the
g2-bishop very unhappy, but there is nothing better. 20...Nc5 21.Nxd6 Ne6 22.Nxb7 Nxf4
23.gxf4 Rxb7 24.Rxd5 Bxb2= With a probable draw.

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10...e5!N
The fact that the complications created by this move work out well for Black illustrates the
relatively limited power of the 8.Qb3 system.
11.c5† d5!
Black can leave the e5-pawn undefended as c5 is also hanging.
12.Nxe5
Or if 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.dxe5 Bg7 White will have to lose coordination in order to keep the c5-
pawn. 14.Na4 Qe7 15.Qc2 f4 16.Qd2 g5 White’s extra pawn does not really count, while
Black’s kingside play develops naturally.
12...Nxc5 13.Qc2 Nce4 14.Bc1 Nd7 15.f4 Ndf6=
Black has little to worry about in this static position. Black could start a slow kingside attack
based on ...h7-h6 and ...g6-g5.

Black is well prepared against:

9.c5† Qf7

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10.Qa3
White tries to keep the space advantage at the cost of misplacing the queen.
If 10.Qxf7† Kxf7 11.cxd6 cxd6 12.Ng5† Kg8 13.Nd5 Re8= followed by ...h7-h6 and then either
...g6-g5 or ...e7-e5, Black is doing fine.
In Priesner – Posch, Linz 2000, Black should have picked up the gauntlet with:
10...dxc5!N

11.dxc5
I would meet the positional pawn sacrifice 11.d5 with 11...Ne8. The knight on d6 will ensure
Black a stable position even if White retrieves the pawn. For instance: 12.Be3 Nd6 13.Bxc5
Nxc5 14.Qxc5

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 14...b6 15.Qxc7 Other moves would spare Black queenside worries, allowing the start of a
kingside attack with ...f5-f4. 15...Bb7 Apart from ...Bxc3 followed by ...Qxd5, Black threatens
the deadly ...Qe8! followed by ...Rc8, trapping the queen. 16.Nb5 Nxb5 17.Qxb7 Nd6 18.Qa6
Bxb2=
11...c6
Due to the queen’s unnatural placement and the hanging pawn on c5, White cannot enjoy the
control over e5.
12.Ne5
12.Bf4 Nd7³ allows Black to carry out ...e7-e5 with gain of time.

12...Qe6 13.Nd3 Ne4=

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 Black has solved the opening problems. White needs to display some caution as the impulsive
14.Nf4 lead to problems after: 14...Qc4³
A paradoxical try is:
9.d5
This invites Black to gain a tempo with ...Nc5, but it deserves to be mentioned as it was twice
used by Karpov against the supreme Leningrad expert of those times.

9...c6!
This was Gurevich’s reaction in both of the aforementioned games. Black does better to keep the
tempo gain in reserve.
The natural 9...e5 10.dxe6 Nc5 allows White to complete regrouping harmoniously while taking
Black out of their intended structures: 11.Qc2 Bxe6 12.b3 Qe7 Black does not have anything
better than returning the tempo. 13.Bb2 c6 14.Rad1 We have reached a typical position for the
7...c6 8.d5 e5 system. Black does not have immediate problems, but in principle White’s play is
easier.

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10.Be3
White continues developing while taking measures against ...Nc5.
10.Rd1 wastes too much developing time and weakens the kingside’s defences slightly. 10...Nc5
11.Qc2 cxd5!N With the queen on c2, opening the c-file is the best way to achieve active play.
12.cxd5 Bd7 13.Be3 Rc8= With pleasant and natural play for Black. The queen does not stand
much better after: 11.Qa3 Nce4!N Taking advantage of the weakened kingside defence. 12.Nxe4
fxe4 13.Ng5 cxd5 14.cxd5 Qb5 With strong counterplay due to the attack on d5 and e2.
10.dxc6 does not make much sense as the queen blocks the advance of the b-pawn, while c4-c5†
runs into ...d6-d5, leaving the pawn on c5 weak. For instance: 10...bxc6 11.Nd4 Bd7= 12.c5†?
d5µ as played in two not-very-important games. The pawn on c5 is hanging and Black’s centre is
ready to advance.

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10...Ng4
The natural reaction, fighting for the c5-square.
11.Bf4
Deviating from the previous theoretical duel between the same players, which continued 11.Bd4
e5 12.dxe6 Ne5. We have reached a similar structure as after 9...e5 above, but White’s
regrouping is far less harmonious due to the bishop on d4 and queen on b3. 13.Rad1 Qxe6
14.Na4 Qxc4 15.Qxc4† Nxc4 16.Bxg7 Kxg7 17.b3 Nb6 18.Rxd6 Nxa4 19.bxa4 Nc5 20.a5 Ne4
21.Rd3 Be6= In Karpov – Gurevich, Reggio Emilia 1989, Black did not face any problems.
11...Nc5 12.Qc2

12...Bd7!N

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 Black prepares the same kind of counterplay along the c-file as in a line we saw above.
After 12...h6 13.h3 e5 14.dxe6 Ne5 15.Rad1 Nxe6 as in Karpov – Gurevich, Amsterdam 1991,
White could have retained a preferable position with: 16.Bc1!N Planning b2-b3 and Bb2.
16...Nxc4 17.b3 Ne5 18.Rxd6² Black still has problems completing development.
13.Rad1 cxd5 14.Nxd5 Rc8=
Black is quite active while White’s queen and queen’s bishop could dream of better locations.

9.Bf4
This mechanical developing move is likely to leave the bishop passive and exposed.

9...h6
Preparing both ...g6-g5 and ...Qf7.
10.Rad1
10.c5† is best answered with 10...Qf7!N, for instance: 11.Qa3 Qc4 12.cxd6 cxd6 13.Rfc1 Qb4=

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10...Qf7!N
After having neutralized the pressure along the a2-g8 diagonal, Black is ready to continue the
intended pawn plan with ...c7-c6 and ...g6-g5.
11.d5
What else?
11...Nc5 12.Qc2 Nce4 13.Nxe4 fxe4!

This is possible mainly because of the bishop’s exposure on f4 (or later e3).
14.Nd2
14.Nd4 runs into 14...c5 as if 15.dxc6 e5 wins a piece. And if 15.Nb5 Bf5 16.Be3 g5 Black has
an obvious kingside initiative, not leaving White the time to attack e4: 17.Nc3? Qh5µ The threat

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 of ...Ng4 is hard to meet.
14...g5 15.Be3 Qh5

Once again this queen incursion causes White problems.

16.f3
White has to prevent ...Ng4 at any cost.
16.Bd4? is simply bad due to 16...Ng4.
And if 16.Nxe4 Ng4 17.h3 Nxe3 18.fxe3 Bxh3 Black’s position is quite appealing.
16...exf3 17.exf3 e5=
In view of ...g5-g4, Black has adequate counterplay in this King’s Indian structure.

9...e5!

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 The same idea as in the 9.Bg5 line above; Black carries out the thematic break without fearing the
discovered check.

The other natural move works out less well:

9...Ne4

10.c5†!N
The pointless 10.Bf4?! just wastes time in view of 10...e5³ as in Smirnova – Jurkiewicz, Mureck
1998.
10...Qf7
Or if 10...Kh8 11.cxd6 exd6 12.Nxe4 fxe4 13.Ng5 Bxd4 14.Nxe4 Bf5 15.Qc4² White retains
active play, while neutralizing Black’s initiative.
11.Qxf7† Rxf7 12.cxd6 cxd6 13.Nxe4 fxe4 14.Ng5 Rf8 15.Nxe4

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 Black will retrieve the pawn on d4, but their structure is worse. If:
15...Nb4
The initiative based on this move is only temporary:
16.Rd1 Nc2 17.Rb1 Nxd4 18.Be3 Nf5 19.Bf4 Be6 20.Nc3²
So we should certainly prefer 9...e5.

10.e4!N
The only challenging move.

10.dxe5 is completely pointless as it makes the c5-square available for the knight, thus casting doubt
over the queen’s development to b3. For example: 10...dxe5 11.c5† Kh8 12.c6 b6!?³

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10.c5† Kh8 11.cxd6
This was played in Reisloh – Proettel, Rheinhausen 1999.

Black should have reacted with:

11...e4!N 12.Ne5
The only way to fight for the initiative.
Other knight moves allow Black to consolidate the space advantage with ...cxd6, while 12.d7?
Nxd7µ defends the e5-square and leaves the pawn on d4 hanging.
12...cxd6 13.Nc4 Be6 14.Nxd6
Once again forced, as otherwise Black would simply be better.
14...Qe7 15.Qa3 Ne8

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16.Ndb5
16.Nxe8 Qxa3 17.bxa3 Bxd4³ leaves White hanging.
16...Qxa3 17.bxa3 Nb8=
In view of the threat of ...a7-a6, trapping the knight, Black will collect the d4-pawn, with a
comfortable position.

10...fxe4 11.Nxe4
The alternative is:
11.Ng5
But this weakens White’s control in the centre, allowing Black to activate the queen’s knight.
11...exd4 12.Ncxe4 Kh8 13.Qd1
The best way to defend the rook.
Instead after, say, 13.Bf4 Qd8 retrieving the pawn on d4 is anything but trivial. 14.c5!? Nxe4
15.Nf7† Rxf7 16.Qxf7 Naxc5 Threatening to trap the queen with ...Be6. 17.Bg5!? Qd7 18.Qxd7
Bxd7 19.Bxe4 d3³ With more than enough compensation for the exchange.
13...Qd8 14.Qxd4 Nb4=
White’s incomplete development and hanging pieces offer Black enough counterplay.

11...Nxe4 12.Rxe4

White seems to retain some pressure, but White’s development is incomplete and coordination
imperfect due to the queen’s awkward placement.

12...c6!
A difficult but very accurate move. Since White does not yet threaten dxe5 due to ...Nc5, Black
can afford to spend a tempo on increasing control in the centre. Instead committal moves offer White

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ideas for developing the initiative:

12...Qf7?! exposes the queen to Ng5. After 13.Be3² the desirable 13...Bf5? runs into 14.Ng5 Qe7
15.Rh4 leaving Black hanging on both wings.

12...Bf5?! prematurely drives the rook away from the exposed square on e4. After 13.Re2 the b7-
pawn is hanging and e5 is vulnerable in view of Bf4.

13.c5†
The start of a very sharp line. But it is White’s turn to feel that most of the available natural
moves imply some commitment.

13.Be3
This cuts off the rook’s retreat along the e-file, allowing Black to break the pin with:
13...Bf5 14.Rh4 exd4 15.Bxd4 Nc5 16.Qc3
16.Bxc5 dxc5 17.Qxb7 offers Black a strong initiative due to the bishop pair: 17...Rf7 18.Qa6 h6
19.Re1 Qd7³ Black will soon win material with ...g6-g5.
16...Qd7 17.Bxg7 Qxg7 18.Qxg7† Kxg7
Black has a comfortable regrouping and the following line shows that White cannot take
advantage of the relative weakness on d6.

19.Rd1 Rae8 20.Rhd4 Be4=

If the knight moves away, Black’s rook will invade on e2.

13.Re1 removes the possibility of Rh4, thus allowing 13...Qf7 followed by ...exd4 under favourable
circumstances.

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13.Bf4 can be met in several ways. My favourite is the paradoxical 13...Qd7!? unpinning the pawn
while keeping the queen out of range of the enemy minor pieces. 14.Bg5 (14.Be3 exd4 is similar)
14...Qf7 15.Be3 exd4 16.Bxd4 Nc5 17.Bxc5 dxc5= The bishop pair offers Black excellent play.

13...Be6!
Inviting the queen to embark on a dangerous adventure.

13...d5? does not attack the rook, thus allowing: 14.Nxe5+–

14.Qxb7 Bc4!
Threatening to trap the queen with ...Rf7. White can take advantage of Black’s hanging centre to
maintain approximate equality but not more. For instance:

15.Ng5!?N
The most challenging move, leading to huge complications.

15.Bf1
This somewhat releases the global tension.
15...Bxf1 16.Kxf1 Rxf3 17.cxd6 Qf8

18.Re2!N
White cannot afford to leave the f2-pawn undefended.
After 18.Qxa6? Rxf2† 19.Ke1 Rxh2–+ Black had a decisive attack with equal material in Janssen
– Pruijssers, Maastricht 2017.
18...exd4 19.Bf4

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 The rook on f3 is in danger due to the threats of Qxc6 or Kg2, while the d6-pawn is threatening,
so Black must react actively.
19...d3! 20.Re7!
White should keep this rook active, as if instead 20.Rd2 then 20...Qc8 maintains Black’s material
advantage. Note that Black’s idea of offering the queen exchange only works after the white rook
has been driven off the e-file. If Black had played 19...Qc8 (instead of 19...d3), this would lose to
20.Qxc8† Rxc8 21.d7 followed by Re8†.
20...Bd4
Keeping the counterplay alive.
21.Qxa6 Rxf2† 22.Ke1 Rxf4 23.gxf4 Qxf4 24.Qxd3 Qf2† 25.Kd1 Bf6
Black has enough compensation for the exchange in view of the exposed white king.

15...h6 16.cxd6 hxg5 17.Bxg5 Rf7 18.Be7

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 White has three pawns for a knight and an optically impressive outpost on e7. But Black can use
the unfavourable position of the white queen to launch a dangerous attack.

18...Rb8 19.Qxa7 Rxb2 20.Bf1 Bd5 21.Re2 Rxe2 22.Bxe2

White has removed the pressure on f2 and the knight is in danger. But Black can keep the
initiative alive:

22...exd4!
The only move, turning the central pawn into an attacking unit. The immediate threat is ...d4-d3.

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Instead 22...Nb4? 23.a3 Nc2 24.Rb1+–, followed by Rb8, is curtains.

22...Nb8? is not much better: 23.Rb1 Nd7 24.Rb7+–

23.Rb1!
It was White’s turn to find the only move to maintain equality.

23.Bxa6? allows an unexpected combination.

23...Rxf2! 24.Kxf2 Qf7† 25.Ke1 Qe6† 26.Kd1 Qe3 Leaving the king helpless against the combined
attack of the queen and bishops.

23.Qxa6?! runs into: 23...d3 24.Qxd3 Bxa1 25.Qxg6† Bg7 26.Bd3 Rxe7 27.dxe7 Qxe7³ The
material is balanced, but only Black can play for a win.

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 There are several good moves now, but the simplest to calculate is:

23...Rxf2!?
Leading to a draw if White defends correctly.

24.Kxf2 Qf7† 25.Ke1 d3 26.Bxd3 Qf3

The king is in danger and the bishop on d3 is hanging. If White moves it away from the b1-h7
diagonal, the rook would also be hanging.

27.Bf6!
Not an easy move to find, but the safest way to a draw by perpetual (by either side!). Its main
idea is to clear the seventh rank with gain of time.

27.Be2!?
Objectively, this is just as good, but it requires accurate play for a bit longer. Besides, White will
need a far-from-obvious bishop sacrifice at a later stage anyway.
27...Qh1† 28.Kf2 Qxh2†
28...Qxb1? allows 29.d7±.
29.Ke1 Qxg3† 30.Kd1 Bc3

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31.Bh4!
With the same idea as that behind 27.Bf6 in the main line.
31...Qxh4 32.Qa8† Kg7 33.Rb7† Bf7 34.Rxf7†!
It is essential to eliminate this bishop which, even when pinned, denies the king’s escape to b3.
34.Bxa6? leads to mate: 34...Qe1† 35.Kc2 Qd2† 36.Kb1 Qd1#
34.Qxa6?! is not satisfactory either: 34...Qe1† 35.Kc2 Qd2† 36.Kb1 Black could deliver a
perpetual already, but can do better with 36...Kh6!µ unpinning the bishop in order to include it in
the attack. The bishop is taboo due to mate on b2, of course.
34...Kxf7 35.Bxa6=
With a probable draw.

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27...Qh1†!?
From a practical point of view, it is safer to start delivering the perpetual rather than allowing the
opponent to do so. In the latter case, there is a risk that White may find more than just a perpetual
during the series of checks.

But objectively 27...Bxf6 is just as good. 28.Qa8† Kf7 29.Rb7† Ke6 30.Qe8† Kxd6 31.Qf8† with a
draw by perpetual.

27...Qxf6? is wrong, as it allows the regrouping 28.Qe3±.

28.Ke2 Qf3† 29.Ke1 Qh1†

White should accept the draw as if:

30.Kd2? Qxh2†
The difference is that now White does not have the saving Qf2 anymore.

31.Be2 Bh6†!–+
Black wins either the bishop or the rook, while retaining the attack.

Conclusion

This chapter introduced us to the world of the Leningrad Dutch, starting with the classical reply 1.d4
f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6 7.Nc3 when I recommend the multipurpose
7...Qe8.

We will consider the critical replies in later chapters, so we started with the less troubling A) 8.b4, B)
8.e4, C) 8.Nd5 and D) 8.Qb3.

I recommend meeting 8.b4 with the direct 8...e5, which is of course one of the ideas of 7...Qe8. After
9.dxe5 dxe5 10.e4 my choice is 10...Nc6! with the point that after 11.b5 the knight can safely stay a
surprisingly long time on c6, despite being under threat.

In reply to 8.e4 I recommend 8...fxe4 9.Ng5 Bg4! though of course much more knowledge is also
required.

8.Nd5 is well met by 8...Nxd5 9.cxd5 Nd7 when the knight is usually heading for b6 rather than f6.

The tricky 8.Qb3 is best answered by 8...Na6! as this knight fights against both of White’s pawn
advances, c4-c5 and d4-d5.

The lines examined in this chapter embrace a large variety of styles, proving the richness of the

122
Leningrad Dutch universe. Overall Black can be happy in this chapter, though the complexity of
many of the positions means that the reader should pay close attention to the details.

123
A) 9.Qb3 67
B) 9.Qd3 69
C) 9.b3 73
D) 9.Ng5 81
E) 9.e4 fxe4 10.Nxe4 Nc6 87
E1) 11.d5 89
E2) 11.Neg5 91

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6 7.Nc3 Qe8 8.Re1
This move will be the focus of the current chapter.

124
In the next chapter we shall cover 8.b3, followed by the main line 8.d5 in Chapters 4-6.

This rook move is as dangerous as it looks. White prepares to open the centre, at the same time
inhibiting Black’s planned 8...e5 in view of 9.e4, when Black’s incomplete development causes
problems when dealing with the opposition of the rook and queen. In some lines below, clearing the
f1-square for the bishop will also prove useful.
But the move also has a hidden drawback: it weakens the defence of f2. This provokes Black’s
answer:

8...Qf7!

Black attacks the pawn on c4 and prepares ...Ne4, as a knight exchange would leave f2 hanging.
But this is only the start of the story, as White has a wide range of answers. They can be divided into
two categories: those defending the pawn, inviting Black to justify the queen’s presence on f7, and
those sacrificing the pawn in order to gain time for the initiative in the centre.
A) 9.Qb3, B) 9.Qd3 and C) 9.b3 correspond to the former category, while D) 9.Ng5 and E) 9.e4
yield play with a gambit character.
Two other moves deserve to be mentioned:

9.d5
At first this looks like a noncommittal way of defending c4, but the main line below is closer to
the gambit spirit.
9...Ne4 10.Ng5
The most challenging move, preparing to open the centre under the most favourable
circumstances.
After 10.Qc2 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Qf6!? Black attacks c3, while taking the queen out of the knight’s

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 range. White may continue:

a) 12.Bd2 Too passive to be troubling. 12...Nd7 13.Nd4 Nc5 14.Nb5 Bd7³ Black obtained
excellent play in Liang – Ali Marandi, Saint Louis 2017. After the only consistent move
15.Nxc7N White’s weaknesses along the c-file offer Black a strong initiative. 15...Rac8 16.Nb5
a6 17.Nd4 Ne4 White has to return the pawn on c4, as if 18.Bxe4 fxe4 19.Be3 Rxc4 20.Qxe4
b5!?µ, followed by ...Rfc8, Black has pressure all over the board despite the missing pawn.
b) In this line 12.Nd4 is more active. 12...Na6 13.e4!?N White should open the centre before the
enemy knight reaches c5, as otherwise Black would not face any problems. 13...Nc5 Black
completes development in time to neutralize White’s initiative. 14.exf5 Bxf5 15.Nxf5 Qxf5
16.Qxf5 Rxf5 17.Bd2 Re8= Black’s better structure compensates for White’s space advantage
and two bishops.
10...Nxc3 11.bxc3

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11...Qf6
Malaniuk recommends the ‘undeveloping’ 11...Qe8, but White obtains a strong initiative with a
pawn and exchange sacrifice: 12.e4 Bxc3 13.Bd2 Bxa1 14.Qxa1 With the queenside completely
undeveloped, the kingside weakness puts Black in a dangerous situation.
12.e4
The critical move, but played only once.
After 12.Bd2 Na6 Black gains an important tempo for development.

12...Na6!N
Development should remain the highest priority, no matter what.
The game went 12...h6, which unnecessarily weakened the kingside. 13.Nf3 fxe4 14.Rxe4 Na6

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 15.Be3 Bf5 In L’Ami – Pruijssers, Dieren 2016, White’s most convincing continuation of his
attack was 16.Nh4!N± as if 16...Bxe4 17.Bxe4 g5 18.Bd4 Qf7 19.Bg6 and White wins.
12...Qxc3 means playing with fire, as after 13.Rb1 Black does not have the time to develop with
13...Na6? due to 14.Bb2 with a decisive attack.

13.Rb1
A useful neutral move, putting some pressure on b7 and preparing Rb2-e2.
13.exf5 Bxf5 14.Bd2 Nc5 is safe for Black.
13.Be3 wastes a tempo on obstructing the e-file, entitling Black to display greediness with
13...Qxc3.
13...Nc5 14.Be3
With a target on c5, this move makes more sense.
14...Nxe4 15.Nxe4 fxe4 16.Bd4 Qf7

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 Due to Black’s better structure, it is not difficult to neutralize White’s slight initiative.
17.Rb2 b6 18.Bxe4 Bd7 19.Re3 Rae8 20.Rbe2 Bf6
Planning ...g6-g5 followed by ...Qg7.
21.h4 Bg4 22.f3 Bd7 23.Qd2 Kh8=
Black will continue to evacuate the a2-g8 diagonal with ...Qg7 followed by ...e7-e6.

9.Bd2
A rare and interesting pawn sacrifice, which fortunately Black does not have to accept.

9...Ne4!
After this simple move the bishop is obviously misplaced on d2.

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 9...h6?! was played in Kumsiashvili – Nilsson, Malmo 2018, but it allows 10.e4!N with an
obvious initiative.
As I found out on my own skin in a correspondence game, 9...Qxc4 10.Rc1 offers White a huge
initiative.
10.Ng5 Nxg5 11.Bxg5

11...Nc6!N
The most active move. With the bishop on g5, White faces some problems defending d4.
11...c6 12.d5² yielded White an initiative on the light squares in D. Fischer – Voetter, corr. 2016.
12.Be3
If 12.d5 Ne5 13.Qc1, hoping for 13...Nxc4 14.Nb5, Black can start queenside counterplay with
13...a6 followed by ...Rb8 and ...b7-b5, as f2-f4 would cut off the bishop’s retreat.
Or if 12.Nb5 e6 13.d5 Nd8 (preparing to meet dxe6 with ...Nxe6) 14.e4 e5 15.exf5 gxf5 Black
reaches a comfortable King’s Indian structure. For instance, 16.f4 a6 17.Nc3 e4 followed by
...Qg6 and ...Nf7. It is worth mentioning that it is useful to push the knight far from d4 before
blocking the centre. True, White has the interesting piece sacrifice 17.fxe5 axb5 18.e6, but Black
should not have any reason for worries after: 18...Qg6 19.Qd2 Re8 20.cxb5 Bxb2=

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12...Nd8
Preparing ...e7-e5 followed by ...Ne6.
12...e5? loses material to: 13.Bd5 Be6 14.Bxe6 Qxe6 15.d5+–
13.d5 e5 14.dxe6 Nxe6=
With the e3-bishop exposed to ...f5-f4, White cannot enjoy the space advantage.

A) 9.Qb3

Although relatively popular, this manoeuvre looks less logical than one move earlier, as the black
queen defends the a2-g8 diagonal. True, Black now needs to spend a tempo to stabilize the queen, but
in certain cases the next move could be useful for starting the positional kingside attack with ...g6-g5.

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9...h6
Black’s most popular choice is the tempting 9...Ne4?! but White has the strong answer: 10.Be3!

Defending f2 in advance, in order to threaten Nxe4. If 10...Nxc3 then the strong intermediate
move 11.Ng5! gives meaning to the queen’s development to b3 by attacking b7. 11...Nxe2† (or
11...Qf6 12.Bxb7± as in Shidlovskij – Grodotzki, Muelheim 2004) 12.Rxe2 Qe8 13.Bxb7 Bxb7
14.Qxb7 Qc6 15.Qxc6 Nxc6 16.Ne6± Sysala – Kula, Frydek Mistek 2017.

10.e4
The main drawback of 9.Qb3 is its lack of flexibility. White does not achieve anything with
natural developing moves, so White needs to start concrete action at an early stage.

If 10.Be3 Na6 11.Rad1 g5 Black has pleasant play while White’s pieces are a bit stuck.

The other way of starting active operations in the centre is the familiar:
10.Nd5 Nxd5 11.cxd5 Nd7

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 Paradoxically, the modest pawn move ...h7-h6 is more useful than Re1 if we compare this line
with the 8.Nd5 line we saw in the previous chapter (see page 39). With the queen safe on f7,
Black can attack d5 more effectively.
12.e3N
This is more consistent than 12.Bd2 which just loses a pawn: 12...Nf6 13.Rec1 Nxd5 14.Ng5
hxg5 15.Qxd5 c6 16.Qxf7† Rxf7 17.Bxg5 Bxd4µ Roeschlau – Grafl, Kaufungen 2003.
12...Nf6 13.Nd2 Rb8!?
Black intends to increase the pressure on d5 by developing the bishop to b7, but if 13...b6
14.Nb1, followed by Nc3, White consolidates. The last move prepares ...b7-b5, in anticipation of
the knight regrouping.
14.a4
If 14.Nb1 b5 15.Bd2 Bb7 16.Nc3 Ba8³ Black would soon exchange one of the wing pawns for
the d5-pawn, with pleasant play on the light squares. But the last move weakens the queenside,
allowing Black to change plans.

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14...b6! 15.Nb1 e6!
This is the switching moment. Black will soon take the enemy queenside weaknesses under
observation.
16.dxe6 Bxe6 17.Qc2 c5³
Black has regrouped perfectly, while White is still struggling to complete development.

10...fxe4 11.Nxe4

11...Nc6!N
In all of the few games that reached this position, Black played 11...Nxe4. But this lets White
activate the rook with 12.Rxe4 when 12...Nc6 allows 13.Rf4² which neutralizes Black’s pressure

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along the f-file and gains time for developing and consolidating the space advantage, as in Loukili –
Troffiguer, France 2002.

12.d5
There is no way back for White.

A neutral move such as 12.Bd2? leaves the centre vulnerable to: 12...Nxe4 13.Rxe4 Bf5 14.Rf4
(otherwise White simply loses the pawn on d4) 14...g5 15.Rxf5 Qxf5³ White does not have enough
compensation for the exchange as 16.Qxb7? Nxd4 wins.

Or if 12.Nxf6† Qxf6 13.Be3 Bg4 with an initiative.

12...Nxe4 13.Rxe4 Nd4 14.Nxd4 Qxf2† 15.Kh1 Bxd4 16.Bxh6

Unlike in some other lines above, White has made some progress with development. The position
remains interesting and chances are about equal. For instance:

16...Qxb2 17.Rb1 Qxb3 18.Rxb3 Bg7 19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.Rxe7† Rf7=

White cannot cause development problems to Black, as the following line is flawed tactically:

21.Re8 b6 22.c5? dxc5 23.d6? Bb7 24.Rxa8 Rf1#

B) 9.Qd3

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 This move maintains better coordination than 9.Qb3 and also more or less forces the next relative
waste of time. But on the other hand, the queen is exposed in the centre, after both e2-e4 and ...e7-e5.

9...h6 10.b3
Unlike in line A, White can continue developing harmoniously.

The immediate central break prematurely exposes the queen:

10.e4

10...fxe4 11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.Qxe4 Nc6

White now faces a combination of threats including ...Nxd4, ...Bf5 and ...g6-g5.

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13.d5
13.g4 prevents ...Bf5, but exposes the g-pawn in the following line: 13...Nxd4 14.Nxd4 Qxf2†
15.Kh1 Qxd4³ Siekanski – Petrienko, Katowice 1991.
If 13.Be3 Bf5?! 14.Qh4 g5 15.Bxg5 hxg5 16.Nxg5 Qxc4 as in Beck – Rechel, Germany 1993,
White could have retained a dangerous attack with either 17.g4 or 17.Be4. But Black can change
the move order with 13...g5, threatening ...Bf5 with at least equal play.

13...Ne5!?N
For some reason, in all the games that reached this position, Black did not play this natural move.
14.Re3 Bf5 15.Nxe5 Bxe5 16.Qh4
16.Qf3 g5³ leaves White poorly coordinated, with the pieces standing in each other’s way.
16...Qg7 17.Re2 g5 18.Qh5 Bd4!?³

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 Black is better developed and their bishops exert an unpleasant domination. We could well stop
here, but the following lines are too entertaining to leave out:
19.h4
19.Be3 simply loses a pawn to: 19...Bxb2 20.Rd1 Bf6³
19...Bd3 20.Rd2

20...Bxf2†!
Due to White’s incomplete development, the king will be very unsafe in the centre.
21.Rxf2 Rxf2 22.Kxf2 Qd4† 23.Ke1 Rf8 24.Bf3

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 One might think that White is not far from a draw, as Black’s attack has slowed a little, and the
black king also seems exposed to perpetual checks.
24...Rf7!!
A fantastic prophylactic move, preparing to continue the attack with ...Qg1†, as White cannot do
much with the offered tempo.
If 24...Qg1† 25.Kd2 Qf2† 26.Be2 Bxe2 White saves the game with 27.Qg6†.
25.hxg5
What else?
25...Qg1† 26.Kd2 Qf2† 27.Be2 Bxe2–+
There is no perpetual now and 28.Qxe2 Qd4† wins the queen soon.

10...Nc6!

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 Black uses the relative weakness of the long diagonal to develop the knight on the most active
square.

11.Ba3
Preventing ...e7-e5.

The tactical justification of the previous move is that 11.d5? Nb4–+ followed by ...Ne4 wins
material.

11.Bb2
This is too mild to trouble Black, who can carry out the central break under favourable
circumstances:
11...e5 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.e4 Rd8
13...f4 is also possible, but the last move underlines the queen’s exposure on d3.
14.Qe2
14.Qf1 is a bit passive, inviting 14...f4 and if 15.Nd5 Nh5 when White has no clue about how to
escape from the kingside pressure.
14...fxe4 15.Nxe4 Nxe4 16.Qxe4 Bf5

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 The queen has been moving a lot lately and still faces trouble finding a good square, while Black
keeps developing with gain of time.
17.Qe2N
This is a better try than 17.Qh4? e4 18.Bxg7 Qxg7–+ trapping the knight, as in Haag – Rechel,
Germany 2000.
17...Bd3 18.Qe3 e4 19.Bxg7 Qxg7
Simpler and stronger than 19...exf3 20.Bxf3 Kxg7 21.Bd5 when the black bishop would be in
some trouble. Then 21...Qf5 22.Rad1 Re8 23.Qxe8 Rxe8 24.Rxe8 with excellent chances to reach
a draw due to the black king’s exposure.
20.Nd2 Nb4³
Black wins the exchange for the e4-pawn.

11...Ne4
Black has more than one good plan. 11...a5 is a worthy alternative to the last move, for instance
12.Rad1 g5 13.Nb5 Nb4 14.Bxb4 axb4 with excellent counterplay in Farago – Malaniuk, Ljubljana
1992.

12.Rad1
White completes development, inhibiting ...e7-e5 for a long while. But Black has other ways to
get counterplay.
The forcing alternative is:
12.Nxe4 fxe4 13.Qxe4 Nxd4
Threatening ...Bf5 followed by ...Nc2.

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14.Nxd4
If 14.Rac1 14...Bf5 15.Qxb7 Nc2 16.Rxc2 Bxc2 17.Qxc7 White has at least enough
compensation for the exchange, but simpler and stronger is 14...Nc6, when Black has
comfortable play.
14...Qxf2† 15.Kh1 Qxd4 16.Qxe7
16.Qxg6? leaves the kingside vulnerable and the bishop terribly misplaced on a3 after: 16...Bf5
17.Qh5 Be4µ
16...Bf5 17.Rad1
Forcing the queen to abandon its dominant position, as instead if 17.Qxc7? Be4 Black’s attack is
decisive.
17...Qb6

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 Black has the better structure and threatens to neutralize White’s slight pressure with ...Rae8.
White has to try to use dynamic resources to fight for equality.
18.c5!? Qa5 19.Bd5† Kh8 20.Bc1 Bc2
20...Rae8 21.Qh4 h5 may be a better try to retain some advantage.
21.Bxh6!
A simple but elegant drawing combination.
21...Bxh6 22.Qh4 Kh7 23.Qe7† Kh8 24.Qh4 Kh7 ½–½
Lazarev – Gagarin, Gyor 1990.

12.Nb5
This was played in several games, but it is inoffensive.
12...e6 13.Rad1
The slightly less popular 13.Rac1 should be answered in the same way: 13...g5!N With similar
play as in the main line.
13...g5!N

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 The simplest way of taking advantage of the fact that White has released the pressure on e4. In
view of the threat of ...g5-g4 followed by ...a7-a6, the d4-pawn is in danger.

We can consider a) 14.e3 and b) 14.d5.

a) 14.e3
This not only weakens f3 but also deprives the queen of a later retreat to the e3-square.
14...a6 15.Nc3 e5= 16.Nxe4
16.dxe5? allows Black to take advantage of the weakness on f3. 16...g4 17.Nd4 Nxe5 18.Qc2 c5!
White is in trouble as 19.Nde2 Nf3† yields Black a decisive attack.
16...fxe4 17.Qxe4 Bf5
This is the point. The queen cannot escape perpetual attack:
18.Qd5 Be6=

b) 14.d5 Nd8 15.dxe6 Nxe6

With the c3-square poorly defended, White does not gain much by changing the structure in this
way.

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16.Nbd4
Anticipating Black’s counterplay based on ...a7-a6 and ...b7-b5.
16.e3 a6 17.Nbd4 b5= is comfortable for Black.
16...c5!?
Aiming for immediate counterplay.
Black can also settle for a stable position with 16...a5= since White’s knights are far from the d5-
square.
17.Nxe6 Bxe6
Due to the suboptimal placement of White’s pieces, the weaknesses on d5 and d6 are not
relevant.
18.Qc2
18.Nd2?! allows Black to start a dangerous attack: 18...Nc3 19.Ra1 (defending a2) 19...f4³
18...Rad8=
Black is well regrouped and will have little trouble playing ...d6-d5 at the right moment.

12...Nxc3 13.Qxc3

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13...f4!
This move reveals that White’s apparently harmonious centralizing is rather sterile, as Black is
planning to expand on the wing.

14.e3
Immediately questioning the viability of Black’s plan.

Another try to have been tested in practice is:

14.Qd2 g5

15.d5

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 15.Bb2 allows 15...e5 with comfortable play. White could try 16.Nxe5!? dxe5 17.Bd5 Be6
18.Bxe6 Qxe6 19.d5 but this does not bother Black: 19...Qf6 20.dxc6 Rad8 21.Qc2 fxg3 22.fxg3
Qxc6= With the white king exposed, White does not have chances of reaching an ending with a
bad black bishop.
15...Ne5 16.Nxe5 Bxe5 17.Rf1
In Jouhki – Lindstedt, Kuopio 1989, Black should have completed his regrouping with
17...Qg7N= preventing Bb2 and preparing a further kingside expansion.

In Magem – Lopez Pereyra, Las Palmas 1989, the best way to maintain harmonious coordination
was:

14...fxg3N 15.fxg3
This slight strategic concession is forced, as 15.hxg3?? Bg4 is winning.

15...g5 16.Rf1 Qh5 17.Rd2 Bf5 18.Rdf2 Be4=

Black is perfectly developed and does not face any positional danger at all.

C) 9.b3

Among the solid continuations, this is the most flexible. White avoids early commitments and
prepares to develop harmoniously, counting on the fact that the space advantage would offer a small
but lasting plus. Once again, Black faces the threat of Ng5, but the relative weakness of the long
diagonal and of the f2-square offers Black easier play than in the 8.b3 line (see the next chapter) due
to the following thematic move:

9...Ne4!

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 Not only parrying the threat but also clearing the g7-bishop’s path with gain of time, and thus
preparing ...e7-e5.

10.Bb2
The most consistent move, continuing development. During the 80s this was one of the main
themes of Leningrad Dutch theoretical debates and over-the-board practice. White’s play certainly is
consistent but Black does not have much to fear either.

Defending the knight with the queen is a bit committal. For instance:
10.Qc2 Nc6!

Black should keep the e4-square blocked for as long as possible, in order to prevent the opening
of the centre with e2-e4.
11.Be3
Not a natural move, as it blocks the e2-pawn’s path, but White has to defend d4.
11.Nxe4? leaves White hanging after 11...fxe4 12.Qxe4 Nxd4. Since 13.Rb1 runs into 13...Bf5,
White loses material without real compensation after for example: 13.Be3 Nxf3† 14.Bxf3 Bxa1
15.Rxa1 c6µ
11...Nxc3 12.Qxc3 e5 13.d5 Nb8

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 We have reached one of the improved King’s Indian structures that Black is generally aiming for
when playing the Leningrad Dutch.
14.Rac1 h6 15.c5
Black’s kingside plan is slow but systematic, so White should hurry up with the queenside attack.
15...Na6
By increasing the pressure on c5, Black creates the threat of ...e5-e4.
If 15...e4 16.Nd4 Qxd5 17.cxd6 cxd6 18.Red1 White has excellent compensation for the pawn.
16.cxd6
White cannot maintain the tension, as if 16.b4?! then 16...e4 17.Nd4 dxc5 18.bxc5 Qxd5 just
wins a pawn.
16...cxd6 17.h4 Bd7=
With excellent play for Black, who eventually won on move 75 in Baramidze – Caruana,
Dortmund 2014.

The more consistent way of defending the knight with the queen is:
10.Qd3
This has several concrete ideas. For the time being, White keeps d4 defended, while the queen is
ready to go to e3 or d5 after ...e7-e5 dxe5.
10...Nc6 11.Bb2 Nxc3 12.Bxc3 e5 13.dxe5 dxe5 14.Ng5

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 White has to play actively in order to avoid being pushed back by the black pawns.
14...Qe7!
In view of the likely opening of the long dark diagonal, Black has to maintain the queen’s contact
with the g7-bishop. Besides, with the queen on e7, ...Nb4 could be an important resource in
certain lines. And not least, the g5-knight is hanging now.
From this point of view, 14...Qe8?! is inaccurate. Apart from being equivalent to a loss of two
tempos, it offers White a few ways of grabbing the initiative, one of them being: 15.Bd5† Kh8
16.f4 e4 17.Bxg7† Kxg7 18.Qc3† Kh6 19.Bxc6 Qxc6 20.Qe5± Black’s king is in a delicate
situation and it is not easy to complete development.
15.Bd5† Kh8

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16.Bxc6!?
The only way to try to give meaning to White’s previous play. It aims to spoil Black’s queenside
structure and weaken their control on the dark squares.
16...bxc6
This is the main favourite of Leningrad Dutch experts. Black gladly picks up the gauntlet for a
heavy strategic fight with mutual chances.
But there does not seem to be anything wrong with 16...Qxg5. Without knights on the board,
there should not be any special problems in maintaining approximate equality. In Hebden –
Malaniuk, Hastings 1995, a draw was agreed at once, but let’s see an illustration about what
Black should not do: 17.Bg2

17...e4?! With his coordination imperfect, Black should not hurry to expose his king. 18.Bxg7†
Kxg7 19.Qd4† Qf6 20.Qc5 Qb6?! This obstinate attempt to simplify will leave Black struggling.
21.Qe5† Kg8 22.c5 Qc6 23.f3² White opens the position before Black has managed to complete
his development properly, Lukacs – Santo Roman, Montpellier 1991.
In this line 20...Rf7 followed by ...b7-b6 is preferable, but the most principled regrouping is:
17...Qe7 18.Rad1 a5=
17.f4
The key to White’s plan, stabilizing the position on the dark squares, heading for an ending with
a good knight versus a bad bishop. But practice has shown that the path to a favourable ending is
anything but simple. The “good” knight can easily be worse than the bishop.
17...e4
Black denies the knight access to f3, forcing it to embark on a tortuously long route back into
play.
The dynamic approach with 17...Re8 is also worth mentioning. Black intends to take advantage of
the weaknesses along the e-file created by White’s last move. The following game illustrates
White’s potential problems, even if it is slightly marred by mutual inaccuracies: 18.Qe3 exf4

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19.Bxg7† Kxg7 20.Qxe7† Rxe7 21.gxf4 Black now has a choice:
a) 21...c5?! This looks a bit premature. 22.Nf3 Bb7 23.Ne5?! Exposing the knight too early.
(White should have completed development with 23.Rad1, since 23...Bxf3 24.exf3 would leave
Black’s queenside more vulnerable than White’s kingside. And if 23...a5 24.Ne5 g5 White
retains some chances for an advantage with 25.Kf2!?.) 23...g5 24.e3 Rd8 25.Kf2 g4 Black has a
wonderful square for the bishop on e4, while the kingside majority is a permanent source of
danger. 26.Rad1 Rd6 27.Rxd6 cxd6 28.Nd3 a5 29.Kg3 a4µ

Black is better on all sectors of the board and his bishop is clearly stronger than the knight, A.
Shneider – Bareev, Leningrad 1990.
b) Black can improve on this game with 21...a5N, aiming to put pressure on the queenside as
soon as possible. Later, Black could switch to Bareev’s regrouping.

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18.Qe3 Bxc3
18...Re8 is also possible, but after 19.Red1 Black should display a minimum of carefulness. There
are many good moves (such as 19...h6, 19...Kg8 or 19...Bxc3) but 19...a5?! unexpectedly allowed
20.Nf3² in Hulak – Malaniuk, Moscow 1990, ensuring the knight’s transfer to e5, as 20...exf3?
21.Qxe7 Rxe7 22.Rd8† mates next. However, Black’s position remained solid after this incident
and Malaniuk eventually won anyway.
19.Qxc3†

19...Kg8!
An accurate move, showing deep positional understanding. As we shall see, the queen exchange
is part of Black’s plans, but for the time being it is better to keep the black queen on its perfect

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 square on e7.
If 19...Qg7?! 20.Qa5² White retains some pressure. The same plan as in the line below does not
work out well for Black: 20...h6 21.Nh3 g5?! 22.Qc5± Black does not have ...e4-e3 yet and the
queenside is hanging.

20.Red1
It is White’s turn to refrain from moving their queen away from a square that ensures control over
several sectors of the board.
If 20.Qa5 then 20...h6 21.Nh3 e3 22.Rad1 g5 threatens to win the knight with ...g5-g4. Half-
measures do not work as if 23.Kh1 g4 24.Ng1 White will be playing without this knight for the
rest of the game. Therefore, 23.fxg5 hxg5 is forced, offering Black dangerous counterplay.

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20...a5!
Taking the a5-square under control before offering the queen exchange.
21.Rd2 Qg7 22.Qxg7† Kxg7
Without queens on the board, the black king is absolutely safe and so Black can proceed with the
queenside plan.
23.Kf2 h6 24.Nh3 Be6 25.Ke3 c5 26.Nf2 a4³

Black has the initiative. The bishop not only prevents the invasions on d5 and d7 but also creates
the potential threat of ...Bxc4 should White meet ...Rfb8 with Rb2 or Rb1. In addition, the knight still
needs a few tempos to get to a decent square. In Bukal – Malaniuk, Dortmund 1993, White eventually
managed to hold a draw.

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10...Nc6!

As mentioned above, Black should keep the knight on e4 as long as Nxe4 is not a threat. We shall
see more about this in the comments to Black’s next move.

11.Rc1
Since after the centre is blocked, White’s main plan will be based on c4-c5, this is the most
logical move. It is also the line recommended by IM John Cox in Starting Out – 1.d4!.

11...e5
If 11...Nxc3?! 12.Bxc3 e5?! 13.dxe5 dxe5 White retains central pressure with 14.Qd5. In the
absence of the knight on e4, 14...Be6 runs into: 15.Ng5 Bxd5 16.Bxd5±

12.d5
Among several possible plans, this is the most ambitious.

Too simplistic is: 12.dxe5 dxe5

13.Nxe4 (13.Qd5 is completely inoffensive now due to 13...Be6) 13...fxe4 14.Ng5 Qxf2† 15.Kh1
Rd8 16.Qc2 Qe3! (16...Qf5 is the only move mentioned by Cox) 17.Nxe4 Bf5 18.Qc3 Bh6 19.Qxe3
Bxe3 20.Rcd1 Kg7 21.Rd3 Bd4 22.Ba3 a5= With comfortable play, Demina – N. Kosintseva, Elista
2002.

12.e3
This is solid yet modest.
12...Nxc3 13.Bxc3

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13...e4
This leads to a model game for Black, but to avoid the possible complications examined in the
comments to 15.a3, Black could play a few regrouping and developing moves before blocking the
centre with ...e5-e4, for instance: 13...Qe7N 14.Nd2 a5 15.a3 Bd7=
14.Nd2 a5
At this point, this move is clearly fighting for the dark squares. The immediate threat is ...Nb4.
15.a3
This is the last remaining element Black needed to start the global fight for the light squares.
15.f3 was more principled, but Black seems to hold their own in the complicated fight after:
15...Nb4 16.Ra1 Nd3 17.Rf1 exf3 18.Rxf3 Qe7 19.Qb1 Nc5!?

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15...Bd7
Planning ...Ne7 followed by a combination of ...a5-a4 and ...b7-b5 or ...d6-d5.
16.b4 axb4 17.axb4 b5!
The key move in Black’s plan, involving a positional exchange sacrifice soon.
18.f3
It is a bit late for this pawn break, but 18.cxb5 Ne7 would retrieve the pawn soon, leaving Black
with a dominant knight on d5.
18...exf3 19.Bxf3 bxc4 20.b5 Ne7 21.Bxa8 Rxa8

White’s structure and king position are weak, ensuring Black has fine compensation for the
exchange.
22.d5
White is fighting against the blockade but this does not save him from problems.
22...Bxc3 23.Rxc3 Nxd5 24.Rxc4 Bxb5 25.Rc1 Ra3
With fantastic compensation for the exchange in Hulak – Bareev, Marseille 1990.

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12...Nxc3
Now is a good moment to carry out this exchange.

Both Gurevich and Malaniuk preferred 12...Nb4, but I am not entirely happy with Black’s position
after 13.a3 Nxc3 14.Rxc3 Na6 15.b4 as the knight is clearly suffering on a6.

If Black wishes to keep the knight on e4, a better way to do so is 12...Nb8!?N. The plan is ...Nd7 and
if 13.Nxe4 fxe4 14.Ng5 Qxf2† 15.Kh1 Na6 16.Nxe4 Qe3 17.Rc3 Qd4 18.Qc1 Bf5 19.Rd3 Qb6
with interesting play and chances for both sides. The bishop on b2 is more passive than the one on g7,
which could eventually emerge into play via h6, while Black’s position is very safe statically.

13.Bxc3 Nd8!?
A clever regrouping. In the long run the knight will go to f7 to support Black’s kingside attack.
13...Nb8 14.c5 Na6 15.b4² once again had the knight struggling in Pigusov – Zhang Zhong,
Beijing 1997.

14.c5 Qe7
Preparing the planned regrouping.

But in view of the line examined in the next comment, it would also make sense to keep the battery
along the f-file while forcing White to make a commitment on the queenside:
14...b6!?N

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15.cxd6
15.b4 removes the danger of cxd6 followed by Bb4, allowing Black to start a slow attack with
15...f4.
15.c6 a5 secures Black against any queenside problems, with chances to gain the upper hand on
the opposite wing.
15...cxd6 16.Bb4
16.e4 does not work quite so well, as after 16...fxe4 17.Rxe4 Black has: 17...Bb7³
16...Qe7 17.Rc6 Nb7
The knight has the possibility of embarking on a different route than initially planned.
18.Nd2 b5

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 The start of an effective queenside expansion. For example:
19.Qc1 a5 20.Rc7 Qd8 21.Ba3 Nc5 22.Rc6 b4 23.Bb2 Bb7
White has to sacrifice the exchange for unclear compensation.

15.cxd6
After Black’s last move, 15.e4 comes into consideration. Black has a choice of replies:

a) One important point is that with the knight on d8 (far from the f4-square) White can meet 15...f4
with 16.gxf4!? Rxf4 17.Bd2. For instance, 17...Rf8 18.cxd6 cxd6 19.Re3 Bg4 20.Rec3 Bxf3 21.Bxf3
Qh4 22.R1c2 Bh6 23.Bxh6 Qxh6 24.Bg2 when Black has the better structure but White has pressure
along the c-file and the knight’s placement is a bit worrying. Frankly, I would not mind having this
over the board, despite the engines’ slight scepticism.

b) Instead Black has a simpler way to equality: 15...Bh6

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16.Rc2 f4 Now that the bishop controls f4, this advance is safer than in the previous line. (16...fxe4 is
also possible, as 17.Rxe4 loses an exchange to 17...Bf5. And 17.cxd6 cxd6 18.Nd2 e3 19.fxe3 Bf5
20.e4 Bd7= is also okay for Black.) 17.b4 Nf7 With promising kingside counterplay.

15...cxd6 16.Bb4 Nf7

Black has harmonious development and possibilities for later kingside expansion. The following
game illustrates both sides’ plans, though I find Black’s plan more convincing.

17.Nd2 a5 18.Bc3 b5 19.Rc2 Bd7 20.Qb1 Rfc8 21.Rec1 Qd8 22.b4 a4 23.Bb2 Qb6 24.e4 Rxc2
25.Rxc2 Bh6

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 Black had at least equality in S. Ernst – W. Koch, Germany 2004.

D) 9.Ng5

This is the first of White’s dynamic continuations. Black is forced to expose their queen by
grabbing the c4-pawn.

9...Qxc4 10.e4
10.Bf1 Qb4 11.a3 Qb6 12.e4 transposes to 11.Bf1 below.

10...fxe4 11.Ngxe4
This is the best way to maintain an adequate initiative for the pawn. If we compare with
11.Ncxe4 (as examined below) we can understand that it is essential to keep control of d5.

As we shall see below, the queen will normally have to retreat to f7 in order to consolidate the
kingside. Thus it is not constructive to chase the queen with:
11.Bf1
Because the queen will soon find a good square, while the bishop’s absence from the long
diagonal will restrict White’s initiative.
11...Qb4

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12.a3
12.Ncxe4 is inconsistent with the bishop retreat. 12...Nxe4 13.Rxe4 d5 14.a3 Qb6 The point is
that if 15.Rxe7 Nc6µ the pawn on d5 is not hanging. And the desperate attack 15.Rh4 h6 16.Nf3
g5 17.Bxg5 hxg5 18.Nxg5 as in Heinert – Khudovekov, Goch 2015, would have failed after:
18...Qg6N–+
12...Qb6 13.Bc4†
This is the only possible justification of 11.Bf1. White wins the exchange, but this will not
compensate for the structural problems.
Malaniuk gives 13.Ngxe4 Nxe4 14.Rxe4 e6 15.Rh4 d5 16.Be3 Qd6 17.Qd2 Nc6 as complicated,
but I believe that Black is slightly better already, due to the misplaced rook on h4.
13...Kh8

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14.Nf7†
Or 14.Be6 Nc6 15.Bxc8 Raxc8 16.Ne6 d5!?³ with wonderful play for the exchange should White
take on f8.
14...Rxf7 15.Bxf7 Nc6
Another possibility is 15...Bg4 16.Qa4 Bd7 17.Qc4 Nc6 18.Be3. In Petursson – Valkesalmi,
Torshavn 1987, Black’s clearest way to an advantage was 18...Nd8!N planning ...c7-c6 followed
by ...d6-d5, trapping the bishop, but also the simple ...Nxf7 with fantastic play. If 19.d5 c5
20.dxc6 Qxc6µ then two pawns, a compact structure and queenside pressure offer Black more
than enough compensation for the exchange.

16.Nd5

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 The start of an interesting line with forcing play, during which both sides’ pieces will be hanging.
16...Qxd4 17.Nxc7 Rb8 18.Qxd4 Nxd4 19.Be3 Nf3† 20.Kh1 Nxe1 21.Bxa7
The rook is trapped, but Black’s minor pieces can create powerful counterplay.
21...Nc2 22.Rc1

22...Ng4
Adding spice to the battle.
But the simpler 22...Nd4 23.Bxb8 Nc6 24.Nd5 Bd7 25.Bc7 Ng4 26.Kg2 Nce5³ is quite
promising too.
23.Bxb8N
Or 23.Rxc2 e3³ threatens to free the rook with ...Bf5, and yielded Black an advantage in Kasimov
– Schellmann, Lyon 2015.
23...Nxf2† 24.Kg1
White has to be careful, as 24.Kg2? Nd3! defends the c2-knight indirectly, and then 25.Rb1 e3 is
winning.
24...Nh3† 25.Kh1
Black can obviously force a draw by perpetual, but is entitled to play for more with:
25...Nd4 26.Ba7 e3³

11.Ncxe4N
This is a less effective way to capture on e4, as Black can continue developing with:
11...Nc6

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 For instance:
12.Nxf6† exf6 13.b3 Qxd4 14.Bd5† Kh8 15.Nf7†
White has to allow the e1-rook to be displaced from the open e-file, as if 15.Qxd4 Nxd4 16.Nf7†
Rxf7 17.Bxf7 Black regains the exchange while keeping the extra pawns with 17...Nf3†.
15...Rxf7 16.Bxf7 Qxd1 17.Rxd1 Bg4 18.Rd2 f5 19.Bb2 Bxb2 20.Rxb2 Bf3
Followed by ...Ne5 and ...Kg7-f6, when two pawns and a compact structure will at least match
White’s extra exchange.

11...Nxe4
With this configuration, 11...Nc6? loses the queen to 12.Nxf6† Bxf6 13.Bd5†.

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12.Rxe4 Qf7
After investing a tempo in winning the pawn, the queen spends one more to consolidate the
kingside and achieve relative safety.

13.Rf4
White has to keep the initiative going to compensate for the sacrificed pawn.

13...Bf6 14.Nd5 Na6

15.Qb3
This is almost always played, ensuring the pawn is regained, but allowing Black to complete
development in the process.

An untested move is:

15.b3N
This move attempts to put pressure along the long dark diagonal by planning Bb2 followed by
Nxf6† and d4-d5. This is best answered with:
15...g5
Forcing White to carry out the exchange before being ready to start the attack.
16.Nxf6†
16.Rf3, hoping for 16...Qxd5 17.Rxf6, instead runs into 16...Bg4 when White does not have
enough compensation for the exchange after: 17.Rxf6 Bxd1 18.Rxf7 Rxf7 19.Bxg5 Bf3³
16...exf6 17.Re4 Bf5
Black can also play 17...Nb4, planning ...Nd5 with a safe blockade. White’s best chance is
18.d5!? sacrificing a second pawn in order to open the long diagonal, with very unclear play.
18.Re3 d5

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 Black has stabilized both wings and has no special reason to worry.

There has been only one game deviating from the main line:
15.h4
Before preparing the occupation of the long diagonal, White takes measures against ...g6-g5.
15...c6 16.Nxf6† exf6 17.d5
Now or never.
17...c5

18.a3
White intends to put pressure on both wings with b2-b4 and Bb2, but this plan is a bit slow.
The main alternative is 18.b3 when the same regrouping as in the game is more effective with the

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 queenside stable. 18...Nb8 19.Re4 Nd7 20.Re6 The only way to prevent Black from
consolidating. 20...Ne5 21.Bh6 Rd8 22.f4 Nc6! The start of a forcing line that leads to mass
simplifications. 23.Rxf6 Qxf6 24.dxc6 bxc6 25.Bg5 Qc3!? In connection with the next move, this
is Black’s most convincing way to equality. 26.Bxd8 Bg4! 27.Qe1 Qxe1† 28.Rxe1 Rxd8
29.Bxc6 Kf7=

18...h6!?N
Black should use the given tempo to improve the kingside position.
The game went 18...Nb8 19.b4 when Black returned the tempo with 19...b6, running into some
problems along the light diagonal after 20.Re4 Bf5 21.Re6² in Parligras – Wang Hao, Abu Dhabi
2014.
19.b4
Instead preparing the rook retreat to f3 does not bring the desired effect: 19.Qd3 g5 20.Rf3 Bg4
21.Re3 Rae8 With similar play as in the main line, but with the difference that b2-b4 is more
useful than Qd3.
19...g5 20.hxg5 hxg5 21.Re4 Bf5 22.Re3 Rae8
Black remains solid on both wings and has a harmonious regrouping. The bishop pair should
allow White to maintain approximate equality but hardly more than that.

15...c6

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16.Nxe7†
A simple but elegant trick based on the double pin.
The other way to regain the pawn leads to more static play: 16.Nxf6† exf6 17.Rxf6 Qxb3
18.Rxf8† Kxf8 19.axb3

In Buhmann – Kopylov, Germany 2013, Black’s best option was 19...Nc7N 20.Bf4 Ke7.
Planning to consolidate with ...Be6, with excellent play due to Black’s better structure. Now is a good
moment for White to admit that he does not have any advantage, and force a draw by repetition in
order to avoid becoming worse: 21.Bg5† Kf7 22.Bf4 Ke7=

16...Kg7 17.Nxc8!

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 White’s only chance to speed up development is to induce the exchange on b3, opening the a-file.

From this point of view, a worse try for White is:

17.Qxf7† Rxf7 18.Nxc8 Rxc8
Planning ...d6-d5, which would not only turn the d4-pawn into a weakness, but would also cause
the rook on f4 problems returning into play.
19.d5 c5

20.Re4
Or if 20.Bh3 Re8 21.Be6 Rfe7 22.Ra4 Nc7³ with an initiative.
20...Nb4 21.Bh3 Rd8 22.Be6 Re7 23.Rb1 Nc2 24.Be3 b5
The text is more ambitious than: 24...Nd4 25.Bxd4 Bxd4=
25.b3 a5 26.h4 a4 27.bxa4 b4³
With great queenside play.

17...Qxb3!
Black is best advised to exchange queens, as after 17...Raxc8 18.d5 c5 19.Bh3 Rce8 20.Be6 Qc7
21.h4² White’s space advantage is far more relevant than in the lines above.

18.axb3

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18...Raxc8!N
This is the right rook. One of them should defend the queenside (at this point, in particular the c6-
square) while the other is fated to generate counterplay along the e- or f-files.

We can see the problem with taking with the wrong rook:
18...Rfxc8 19.d5 Nc5
The point is that after 19...c5, White can continue with 20.Rfa4 followed by Bf4 and Bf1, as there
is no pressure on f2.
20.dxc6 bxc6
In Erwich – Georg, Germany 2014, White could have retained some pressure with:
21.Be3!N 21...Bxb2 22.Ra2 Bf6 23.Rc4²

19.d5
With the black rooks correctly placed, Black has two possible ways to react.

19...Rfe8
This intermediate move is a bit more logical but not necessarily better than:
19...c5 20.Bf1
With the rook on f8, Black can meet the familiar 20.Rfa4 with 20...Bd4.
20...Nb4!
This pawn sacrifice is only temporary, as b2 and d5 are weak.
21.Rxa7 Rb8 22.Bc4
If 22.Bg2 Nd3 23.Rc4 Nxc1 24.Rxc1 Black can do even better than just collecting the
chronically-weak b2-pawn with: 24...Bd4 25.Rc2 Rxf2 26.Rxf2 Rf8 27.Rxb7† Kh6 With a
dangerous initiative due to the opposite-coloured bishops.

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22...Rf7=
Black is ready to retrieve the pawn with ...b7-b5, as 23.Ra5?! b6 24.Rb5? Na6 traps the rook after
...Nc7.

20.Bd2 c5 21.Bc3 Bxc3 22.bxc3

White has improved the queenside structure and completed development. But the exchange of
dark-squared bishops favours Black strategically.

22...Re7!?
Defending the b7-pawn in advance in order to threaten ...Nc7, and if Rxa7 then ...Nb5 will regain
the pawn under favourable circumstances.

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23.Re4
Neutralizing Black’s chances along the e-file.

If 23.Bf1 Nc7 24.Rxa7 Nxd5=.

23...Rxe4 24.Bxe4

24...c4!
The most resolute and clearest way to equality.

25.bxc4
If 25.b4 then 25...Ra8 followed by ...Nc7-b5 would soon keep White permanently busy with
defending c3. 26.b5?! only makes things worse for White due to 26...Nc5 27.Bf3 a5µ with a
dangerous a-pawn. For instance, 28.Be2 Ne4 29.Ra3 Nd2, defending c4 and threatening ...Nb1.

25...Nc5 26.Bc2 Ra8 27.f4 a5

With excellent play for Black. The a-pawn is a permanent source of danger in the endgame, while
White’s extra pawn does not really count.

E) 9.e4

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 The most flexible way to ignore the threat on c4. But this is what Rudolf Spielmann used to call a
“passive sacrifice” as Black does not need to accept it.

9...fxe4 10.Nxe4
10.Ng5 Qxc4 transposes to line D above.

10...Nc6
A familiar reaction to the early opening of the centre. After the d4-square has been weakened,
Black immediately puts it under pressure. Moskalenko also mentions this move.

White’s main continuations are E1) 11.d5 and E2) 11.Neg5, but we will briefly consider a couple of
minor options first.

11.Nc3
This is a mysterious move, wasting a tempo for the sake of keeping all the minor pieces on the
board.

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11...Ng4
This offers Black effective counterplay.
12.Bf4
This attempt to defend the f-file exposes the bishop, speeding up Black’s counterplay in the
centre. But White cannot stabilize the position in any way.
12.Re2 allows 12...Nxd4 13.Nxd4 Nxf2 14.Qd2 Nh3† 15.Kh1 Nf2† 16.Kg1 Nh3† when White
should accept the draw by perpetual, as after 17.Bxh3? Bxh3–+ the hanging knight on d4
prevents White from parrying the mate on f1.
Or if 12.h3? Nxd4 13.Nxd4 Qxf2† 14.Kh1 Qxg3 15.hxg4 Bxg4–+ possibly followed by ...Rf2
with a decisive attack.
12...e5!
A well-timed break in the centre. For a few moves it will seem as if White has the initiative, but
when the initial fireworks end, he will find himself hanging.
13.dxe5 dxe5 14.Ng5
Or if 14.Be3 Nxe3 15.Rxe3 Nd4³ with active play.
14...Qf5 15.Be4 Qf6 16.Bd5† Kh8 17.Nce4 Qf5 18.f3

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 In Bogner – Piorun, Stroebeck 2015, Black missed:
18...Nxh2!N
Grabbing a pawn with the doomed knight before taking the bishop. If 19.Be3 Nxf3† 20.Qxf3
Qxf3 21.Nxf3 Rxf3 22.Kg2 Rf5³ White would have compensation for one pawn, but definitely not
for two.

11.b3
This is also too slow to keep the space advantage intact.

11...Nxe4 12.Rxe4 e5 13.Be3

13.d5? Nd4µ leaves White hanging.

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 13.dxe5 leads to simple equality after: 13...Nxe5 14.Rf4 Nxf3† 15.Bxf3 Qe7=
After the last move, White seems to have consolidated, but the rook’s awkward placement
prevents her from enjoying her space advantage.

13...h6!N
Due to White’s suboptimal coordination, Black can afford to spend a tempo on restricting the
enemy knight. The game Cmilyte – A. Muzychuk, Kazan 2012, went: 13...exd4?! 14.Nxd4 Bd7
15.Qd2²
The recommended move prepares ...Bf5, as instead the immediate 13...Bf5?! runs into 14.Ng5
Qe7 15.Rh4 with an initiative.
14.dxe5 dxe5 15.Qe2 Bf5

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16.Nh4
White is fighting hard to keep some stability.
16...Rad8
16...Bxe4? 17.Bxe4±, with the double threat on g6 and d5, is good for White.
17.Nxf5
If 17.Re1 then Black could consider taking on e4, as d5 is defended, but this would offer White
adequate compensation. I would prefer keeping the threat in reserve: 17...Qf6 18.Bc5 Rfe8
19.Re3 b6 20.Bxc6 Qxc6 21.Nxf5 gxf5 22.Ba3 e4=
17...gxf5 18.Rh4 e4 19.Re1 Nd4=

11.Nfg5 Qxc4 transposes to a sideline in line D (see page 83).

E1) 11.d5

White gains space in the centre, but clearing the long diagonal will create problems in completing
the queenside development.

11...Nxe4 12.Rxe4
The untested 12.dxc6N deserves to be mentioned. 12...Nc5 13.Be3 bxc6 14.Nd4 (Or if 14.Bxc5
dxc5 15.Qd2 Qxc4!? 16.Rxe7 Qb4 the queenside pressure compensates for the king’s slight
exposure. If White avoids the queen exchange then ...Qxb2 would insert the queen into the defence
with gain of time.) 14...Rb8 15.b3 Bd7 16.Rc1 Na6!? Forcing a series of exchanges that leads to a
safe position. 17.Nxc6 Bxc6 18.Bxc6 Nb4 19.Bg2 Nxa2 20.Bxa7 Rbe8 21.Rc2 Nb4 22.Rce2 c5=

12...Ne5 13.Rf4
The only way to keep White’s position stable.

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13...Nxf3† 14.Rxf3!
It is essential to open the c1-h6 diagonal. If instead 14.Bxf3 then Black can regroup with 14...Bf6
15.Qe2 Qg7 16.h4 Bf5= followed by ...Rae8 and ...e7-e5 when White would still need to find a plan
of development.

14...Qe8
The point behind White’s last move is that 14...Bf6? would allow 15.Bh6 with an initiative.

15.Qe2
15.Rxf8† Qxf8 16.a4 is a coherent but slow developing plan. One practical example concluded:
16...a5 17.Ra2 Bd7 18.b3 Re8 19.h3 b6 20.Re2 Qf6 21.Bb2 Qf7 22.Bxg7 Kxg7 23.Re3 Qf6 24.h4 e5
25.dxe6 ½–½ Yusupov – Pruijssers, Germany 2014. Black would not have the slightest problems
after 25...Rxe6= as in the endgame White’s queenside pawns could prove weak.

15...Rxf3 16.Bxf3 Qf7 17.Bf4

The only way of developing the bishop, as if instead 17.Be3?! then Black wins a pawn with
17...Bxb2.

In Rahul – Lim, Gibraltar 2019, now was a good moment to carry out the planned pawn break with:

17...e5!N

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18.Be3
Or if 18.dxe6 Bxe6 19.Rc1 Re8 20.Bxb7 Bd5 White has nothing better than sacrificing the queen
for just adequate compensation: 21.Qxe8† Qxe8 22.Bxd5† Kf8 23.Rc2 g5 24.Be3 (but not 24.Bxg5?
Qg6 with a double attack) 24...g4= After gaining kingside space, Black will do the same on the
opposite wing with ...c7-c6 and ...a7-a5. The pawn on a7 is taboo: 25.Bxa7? Qa4–+ with an echo
double attack against the same pieces as in the previous line.

18...b6!
Preventing c4-c5; the chances are about equal. In the absence of knights, White’s limited control
of e4 is not relevant.

19.h4
19.Be4 allows 19...Bh3, causing White some mobility problems. For example: 20.Re1 (20.b4 is
premature due to 20...a5) 20...a5 21.b3 Rf8=

19...Bf5
Even though basically static and equal, the position has some small dynamic nuances that are
worth mentioning.

20.Re1
Apart from the natural queenside pawn attack, one of White’s promising ideas would be g2-g4
followed by Be4, Kg1, Rh1, h4-h5 with one-sided play. But 20.g4? is premature due to: 20...Bd3!µ

20.Rd1
This move defends d3, but exposes the rook to a similar trick.

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20...a5
Black has time to prevent the queenside attack.
With the pawn still on g3, 20...Bc2 is premature due to: 21.Rd2 e4 22.Bg4 Bd3 23.Qd1²
21.Rd2
If 21.g4? Bc2 22.Rd2 e4µ followed by ...Bd3.
After the text move, Black has various options, with one safe choice being:
21...e4 22.Bg2 Qd7=
Followed by ...Re8 and ...Bg4.

20...e4
Cutting the Gordian knot. There will be no blockade on e4 now.

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21.Bg2 Qf6 22.b3 Re8!
Over-defending the e4-pawn, as instead 22...h5?! runs into 23.Bxe4 Bxe4 24.Bg5± winning a
pawn.

23.h5
The clumsy 23.g4?! Bd7 leaves White’s kingside weak.

23...a5=
With static equality and a probable draw.

E2) 11.Neg5

White starts chasing the queen, which demands that Black display accuracy when choosing Her
Majesty’s trajectory. In many cases White can force a draw by repeatedly attacking the queen.

11...Qxc4 12.Bf1
The other possible move order is:
12.b3 Qb5 13.a4
13.Bf1 Qb6 transposes below.
13...Qf5!N
This recommendation of Malaniuk seems to be the best option. The queenside is too dangerous
an area for a lady.
14.Ra2
If 14.Bh3 Ng4!? 15.Re4 then Black has the promising queen sacrifice: 15...h6 16.Bxg4 Qxe4
17.Nxe4 Bxg4= After ...Bxf3 Black would have enough material compensation for the queen and

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 some control on the light squares. 18.Ned2?! only makes things worse due to 18...Nxd4³
winning another pawn and leaving White hanging.

14...Nb4 15.Nh4
White has to continue harassing the queen.
15.Rae2 Nfd5 allows Black to consolidate while also clearing the f6-square for the queen.
15...Qd3 16.Rd2 Qb1 17.Rxe7 Bg4 18.f3 Bd7
Black intends to complete development with ...Rae8, more or less forcing White to repeat moves
with:
19.Rb2 Qd3 20.Rd2=

12...Qd5 13.b3 Kh8!

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 The safest reply.

If 13...Qa5? 14.Bd2? Qb6 15.Bf4? as played in Piorun – Pruijssers, Germany 2015, Black should
have played 15...Nd5!Nµ not fearing: 16.Bc4 e6 17.Nxe6 Bxe6 18.Rxe6 Nxf4 19.gxf4 Kh8

20.Rxg6!? True, 20...hxg6 21.Qf1 would offer White a dangerous initiative, but 20...Rxf4µ secures
Black a clear positional advantage.
Unfortunately, White has two major improvements. Instead of 15.Bf4?, 15.d5 would offer a
dangerous initiative.
But even more importantly, 14.b4! puts Black in a difficult position, as if 14...Qxb4? 15.Bd2+–
and the queen lands under the enemy pieces’ combined attack.

14.Bc4 Qa5

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15.d5
The most principled move.

15.Nf7†? Rxf7 16.Bxf7 Bg4µ leaves several white pieces hanging or just misplaced.

If 15.Bd2 as in Blondel – Bontems, email 2014, Black’s best is: 15...Qb6!N

The only line in which the insertion of Bd2 is useful is 16.Nf7† Rxf7 17.Bxf7 Bg4. The point is
that the rook on e1 is no longer hanging, and White can play 18.Be6 to remove the annoying pin.
However, Black has excellent compensation for the exchange after 18...Nxd4 19.Bxg4 Nxg4.

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15.Be6 is parried most simply with 15...Nd8.

With the bishop exposed on c4, 15.b4 is not dangerous, as after 15...Qxb4³ White has to lose a
tempo.

15...Ne5 16.Nxe5 dxe5

The position has calmed down slightly. The structure has lost its original contours and the extra
pawn on e5 is doomed, but retrieving it is not a trivial process for White. Black has chances of
counterplay against the f2-pawn, while the sixth rank has become available for the queen’s insertion
into the defence if needed.

17.Bb2
17.Rxe5 leads to interesting play and... a forced draw: 17...Ng4 18.Rxe7 Danger is looming on
g7, but Black is quick enough. 18...Qc5 19.Nf7† Kg8 20.Nh6† The safest now is 20...Kh8,
preventing the king from falling under the bishops’ attack after Rxg7. With the rooks hanging, White
does not have anything better than forcing a perpetual with 21.Nf7†.

17...Ng4
Defending and counter-attacking.

18.Re2 h6 19.Ne4 Bf5 20.Nc3

So far, both sides have played logically.

20...Rae8!N
Completing development, defending e7 in anticipation of the next moves, and preparing ...e7-e6.

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20...a6 is the kind of correspondence move that the player could not explain. 21.h3

Even less logical was the draw agreement in Mendl – Pirs, email 2012, just when play was about
to reach the most interesting point: 21...Nf6 22.Rxe5 Bxh3 23.Rxe7 Rae8 24.d6 The engines are
indeed preaching equality, but over-the-board players would hardly like to expose themselves to the
enemy bishops’ pressure, with Rxg7 in the air.

21.h3
If Black had feared 21.Bb5 when playing 20...a6, then there was no need for it, as 21...Rd8
planning ...c7-c6 leaves White hanging in the centre.

21...Nf6 22.g4

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 22.Rxe5? allows 22...Bxh3.

22...Bd7 23.Bd3
Once again the pawn is taboo: 23.Rxe5? Nxg4

The other way of attacking g6, 23.Qd3, runs into 23...e4 as if 24.Nxe4? then 24...b5 traps the bishop.

23...Qb4
Defending the g6-pawn indirectly and bringing the queen closer to the kingside.

24.Re3
24.Bxg6? runs into: 24...Bxg4!µ

24...e4 25.Bxe4
25.Nxe4? Nxd5µ is good for Black.

25...Nxe4 26.Rxe4 Qd6=

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 Black is perfectly regrouped and completely out of danger.

Conclusion

In this chapter we considered 8.Re1, which is a potentially dangerous move, as it prepares the central
break e2-e4. In reply I recommend 8...Qf7! when the attack on c4 is obvious, but Black also has the
idea of ...Ne4, exploiting the fact that an exchange on e4 would drop the f2-pawn. We saw five main
moves:

9.Qb3 should be met by the cautious 9...h6, when after the e2-e4 break, Black exchanges once on e4
then plays 11...Nc6 to gain play against d4.
Note that instead of 9...h6, the most popular choice is 9...Ne4?! but then 10.Be3! is a strong
reply.

9.Qd3 should also be met by 9...h6, when the e2-e4 break is no threat, and instead after 10.b3 the
active 10...Nc6! again gives Black promising play.

9.b3 is a harmonious way to prepare the e2-e4 break, so it is time for 9...Ne4!.

9.Ng5 forces us to take on c4, when of course White’s idea is the e2-e4 break. This is a dynamic try,
but with care Black will be okay.

The other dynamic try is 9.e4, when we decline the c4-pawn for now, and instead prefer 9...fxe4
10.Nxe4 Nc6. Then we looked at two main lines, 11.d5 and 11.Neg5. The latter requires special care.
Some memory effort is recommended in order to avoid getting the queen into trouble. But a well-
prepared player should be able to avoid the pitfalls.

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A) 9.Bb2 e5 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.e4 f4! 101
A1) 12.Nd5 102
A2) 12.gxf4 103
B) 9.Re1 104
C) 9.Ba3 108

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6 7.Nc3 Qe8 8.b3
This is the last move we need to cover before we reach the main line of 8.d5, which we shall see
in Chapters 4-6.
While working on this book, I eventually learned that this apparently inoffensive move, which

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does not take any direct measures against Black’s ...e7-e5, requires very accurate play from Black. If
White’s only intention was developing the bishop to b2, things would be simple for Black, but we
also have to be ready for Ba3, which, if played at the right moment, could be unpleasant.

8...Na6!?
Choosing this move came as a result of a long, and at times painful, process. Before we get to the
analysis of my recommended move, I will explain the main reasons for my disappointment about the
lines I had tried initially. Of course this is a repertoire book, but I believe that the following “rejected
lines” will enhance the reader’s understanding of the Leningrad.

The critical move is supposed to be:

8...e5 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.e4

10...Nc6
Black’s wish to bring this knight closer to d4 is natural, but now White’s knight also gets a stable
post on d5.
After going through the lines recommended below, one might ask whether this is a good moment
to try to transpose with 10...f4, having avoided the pinning 9.Ba3 as examined in line C. The
problem is that White no longer needs to spend a tempo on Re1, and can simply win an exchange
with 11.Nd5 Na6 12.Ba3 Rf7 13.Ng5 Rd7 14.Bh3± as 14...Rd8 runs into: 15.Ne7† Kh8
16.Qxd8! Qxd8 17.Nf7#
11.Nd5!
The only challenging move.
If 11.Ba3 Rf7 12.exf5 Bxf5, possibly followed by ...Rd8, Black’s position is preferable already,
as their pieces are very active.
11...Qd7
This is held to be Black’s most reliable move. While defending the pawn on c7, the queen also

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 establishes contact with the g7-bishop, in view of the probable opening of the long diagonal and a
bishop exchange; this move also keeps the d8-square clear for the rook. The obvious drawback of
this move is that it blocks the bishop on c8, but until recently White had not been able to question
the viability of this plan.

12.exf5 e4 13.Ng5 gxf5

Throughout the decades, White has tried several moves here, leading to entertaining play with
mutual chances. Only recently was the most troublesome move played in a couple of games.
14.Rb1!?
The rook evacuates the exposed diagonal, keeping flexibility with respect to the way White will
develop the queen’s bishop. In certain cases Rb2-d2 may also be an issue. Even though this move
looks very neutral, it has the merit of taking measures against Black’s attempts to break free
using forcing variations, and reveals the fact that Black’s queenside development is anything but
easy to complete.
14...Nxd5
14...h6 only helps White’s knight to reach a better square: 15.Nh3 Nxd5 16.cxd5 Nb4 17.Ba3 a5
18.Nf4² With perfect control for White.
14...Rd8 15.Rb2 Nxd5 16.cxd5 Qxd5 The intermediate capture on b2 would weaken the king and
increase the strength of Qd1-h5. 17.Qh5 h6 In the absence of the bishop, this move would not be
available. 18.Rd2 Nd4 19.Rfd1! White keeps increasing the pressure without caring about the
knight on g5, which has already contributed to the weakening of the kingside. 19...hxg5 20.Rxd4
Bxd4 21.Bf1

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 With Black’s king weak and the d4-bishop under an unpleasant pin, Black cannot satisfactorily
parry the combined attack of all White’s pieces. For instance: 21...b5 (preventing Bc4) 22.Be3 c5
23.Bxb5+–
15.cxd5 Nd4 16.Be3
Both games went this way, but 16.Bb2N is also worth mentioning: 16...Qxd5 17.Qh5 h6
18.Nxe4 Qf7 19.Qxf7† Kxf7 20.Nc5 c6 21.Rfe1² With the better development and structure.

16...Qxd5
The text move is somewhat better than 16...c5 17.Qh5 h6 when in Gupta – Bajarani, Al Ain
2015, White missed 18.Ne6!N 18...Nxe6 19.dxe6 Qe8 20.Qh4 Qxe6 21.Bxc5 Re8 22.Rfd1±
with a persistent initiative and a lead in development.

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17.Qh5
Another way of retaining the initiative is: 17.f3 h6 18.fxe4 Qe5 19.Nf3 Nxf3† 20.Qxf3 fxe4
21.Qxe4 Rxf1† 22.Rxf1 Qxe4 23.Bxe4 c6 24.Rf4² Black will most likely lose the h6-pawn, but
should be able to generate some counterplay with the rook.
17...h6

18.Nxe4 Qf7 19.Qxf7† Rxf7

19...Kxf7?! is rather pointless: 20.Nc5 c6 21.Rbd1± With a perfect regrouping and the better
structure for White in Peralta – Kholopov, Sitges 2018.
20.Nc3
With the black king’s rook active, 20.Nc5 is less effective: 20...Ne2† 21.Kh1 f4 22.gxf4 c6
23.Rbd1 Bf5 with reasonable compensation for the pawn.
20...Nc2 21.Bd2 c6 22.Ne2²
Followed by Nf4 with very pleasant play.
In this line I have mentioned a few alternatives for White to prove that finding a completely
satisfactory defence for Black is far from easy. If there had been just one critical position, it would
have made sense to try to fix it.

For quite a long time I was tempted to recommend the following move as our repertoire choice:
8...Nc6
I was close to believing that this was the best way to continue, but at the last moment I noticed an
untried idea which ruins the whole system.

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9.Bb2
In practice, 9.Ba3 is slightly more popular and achieves far better results, which explains why I
dedicated a lot of time to checking it. My main line went 9...Ne4 10.Rc1 Nxc3 11.Rxc3 and now,
instead of the usual 11...f4, I discovered that Black’s best is 11...a5!? preparing either ...Nb4 or
...a4, and keeping the kingside break in reserve.
9...e5

10.Nd5!N
This untested move offers White a clear advantage.
Most of the games continued 10.dxe5 dxe5, with adequate play for Black. The main difference is
made by the open d-file. Concretely, it is worth comparing 11.Nd5 Rf7 12.Ng5 Rd7 13.e4 h6

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 with the similar line below with the d-pawns still on the board.
10...Rf7 11.Ng5 Rd7 12.e4

As in the line starting with 8...e5, a black major piece blocks the c8-bishop’s development.
Things are in fact even worse now, as the rook on d7 has no prospects at all.
12...h6
There are several ways of releasing the tension, but none of them offers Black an easy life:
12...Nxd4 13.Bxd4 h6 14.Nxf6† Bxf6 15.Nh3 exd4 16.exf5 gxf5 17.Nf4 As in other lines above,
White is better developed and has attacking chances against the weakened black kingside.
Black’s extra pawn does not count for much.
12...Nxd5 13.cxd5 Nxd4 leads to similar play: 14.Bxd4 exd4 15.exf5± followed by Re1 and/or
Ne6 soon.
If 12...Nxe4 then the best reply is 13.Bxe4! fxe4 14.Nxe4, putting strong pressure on f6.
14...Qd8 15.Qd2 Rf7 16.dxe5 dxe5 17.f4 Bf5 18.Ng5± With a strong initiative.
13.Nxf6† Bxf6

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 Things would be fine for Black if White did not have:
14.Ne6! Rf7
Defending the bishop in order to avoid a later pin along the long diagonal, but exposing the rook.
If 14...Re7 then: 15.exf5 gxf5 16.dxe5 dxe5 17.Nf4 Bg7 18.Nd5±
The knight is not really edible: 14...Qxe6 15.d5± followed by dxc6, exf5 and Bxc6.
15.exf5 gxf5 16.dxe5 dxe5

Here and in the similar line above, Black could instead have taken on e5 with a piece, but this
would yield White a positional advantage without the need to prove any concrete ideas.
17.Bxc6!
With the rook on f7 this works out very well.

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17...bxc6
The point is that 17...Qxc6 runs into: 18.Nd8 Bxd8 19.Qxd8† Rf8 20.Qh4± With better
development and a strong attack with opposite-coloured bishops.
18.Nc5
Black’s whole structure is weak and the bishop on c8 is no guarantee of a successful
counterattack.
18...f4 19.Qh5 Bg7 20.Rae1 Bf5 21.g4 Bh7 22.f3±

There is a more flexible move that I considered, before choosing 8...Na6 as our main continuation,
namely:
8...c6

If 9.Ba3 Na6 then play would transpose to line C below, but my main worries are connected
with:
9.Re1 e5 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.e4
In line B below we have almost the same position, but with ...Na6 instead of ...c7-c6. I find the
former more useful, as it contributes to development while also ensuring the safety of the c7-
square. Continuing the line a few more moves, we can see that Black cannot do without the
knight move anyway.
11...f4 12.gxf4 Nh5
Or if 12...Bg4 13.Ba3 Rf7 14.h3 and White is clearly better.
13.f5 Na6 14.Ba3 Rf7 15.Ng5 Rd7 16.Qg4±
Black’s planned counterplay has lost its momentum.

After that explanation of why the alternatives were lacking, we will return to my recommended move
8...Na6:

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 We will examine A) 9.Bb2, B) 9.Re1 and C) 9.Ba3.

A) 9.Bb2

This neutral move allows Black to display some typical ideas under favourable circumstances.

9...e5 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.e4 f4!

The start of the thematic kingside attack, involving a pawn sacrifice. We will examine A1)
12.Nd5 and A2) 12.gxf4.

Maintaining a neutral policy would allow Black to consolidate the position. For instance: 12.Qe2 c6
13.Rad1 Qe7 14.Rfe1 Nh5 15.a3 Bg4 16.b4 Nc7µ White had no obvious way to free himself from
the pressure in Haessler – Ehlvest, Las Vegas 2009.

12.h3
This would waste a tempo and weaken the kingside.
12...c6 13.Qe2

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13...Nd7!N
Over-defending e5 in order to prepare ...Nac5-e6.
The kingside pawn assault is not too effective: 13...h6 14.Rad1 g5 15.gxf4 g4? 16.hxg4 Bxg4
17.f5 Nh5 18.Qe3± Black did not have enough compensation for the pawn in Batchuluun – Fier,
Abu Dhabi 2017. Instead of 15...g4?, 15...gxf4 is better, but White retains the better chances with
16.Nh4² due to Black’s lagging development and weaknesses on the light squares.
14.Ba3 Rf7 15.Na4 Nc7=
Black has comfortable play.

We will not examine 12.Ba3 as this would lead to similar play as in line B, but with a tempo less
(Re1) for White.

A1) 12.Nd5

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 With the knight defending c7, this is not so effective, as Black can immediately attack the
intruder.

12...c6 13.Nxf6† Bxf6 14.gxf4 exf4

Without a white rook on e1, this is an entirely satisfactory answer, as the white e-pawn does not
have its natural support.

But the following gambit line is also entirely viable:

14...Bg4!?

15.Qc2?!

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 White would do better to go all the way: 15.fxe5 Bxe5 16.Bxe5 Bxf3 17.Qd4 Rd8 18.Bd6 Qf7=
With a probable draw by perpetual after ...Bxg2 and ...Qf3†.
15...exf4
After the queen has developed on a passive square, this recapture is even stronger than in the
main line.
16.e5
The text move is somewhat better than 16.Bxf6 Rxf6 17.Qc3 Qe7 18.Ne5 when in Karavade –
Vovk, Al Ain 2013, Black’s strongest continuation was: 18...Bh5 19.f3 Rd8µ Black has the better
structure and superior coordination, while the g2-bishop is clearly suffering from claustrophobia.
16...Bg7 17.Rfe1 Qe7³
Followed by the knight’s transfer to e6.

15.Bxf6 Rxf6 16.Qd4

White tries hard to get some control in the centre.

16...Qe7 17.e5 Rf8 18.Qd6N

The best chance to keep troubles away.
The line to have been tested in practice is: 18.h3 Bf5 19.Rad1 Nc5 20.b4 Nd3 21.c5 (21.Rxd3
Rad8–+ wins material) 21...Rad8 22.Qc4† Qe6 23.Qc3 In Postny – Pruijssers, Belgium 2018, Black
could have retained better chances with 23...Rfe8N³, achieving perfect coordination.

18...Re8 19.Rfe1 Bg4 20.Rad1 Nc5 21.b4 Ne6=

With perfect stability for Black.

A2) 12.gxf4

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 This leads to entertaining play, but does not offer chances of an advantage either.

12...Bg4 13.h3
Continuing the pawn-grabbing is likely to cause White serious problems, as it offers Black the
time to invade the weak squares:
13.fxe5
In Moehring – Mainka, Senden 1999, Black should have played:
13...Rd8N 14.Qe2
Or if 14.Nd5 Nd7µ followed by ...Nxe5, with overwhelming play on the dark squares.
14...Nh5 15.Nd5

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15...Rxd5!
Eliminating the only defender of the f4-square.
16.exd5 Nf4 17.Qd2
The only square where the queen is not exposed.
17...Nxg2 18.Ng5 Nf4³
Due to the strong knight on f4, White’s compact centre does not offer entirely adequate
compensation for the piece.

13...Rd8 14.Nd5 Bh5 15.Bxe5!N

The only move to keep White in the game.

15.fxe5? Nd7µ led to a familiar picture in Zult – Riemersma, Amsterdam 2012.

The strategic plot after the last move is clear. White will try to prove that three pawns are stronger
than the piece about to be lost on d5, while Black will mainly rely on the weaknesses on f4 and on the
dark squares in general to challenge that evaluation.

15...c6 16.Bxf6
Analysis proves that the following optically-impressive move is less accurate:
16.Qd4 Bxf3!
This is the most precise move order.
If 16...cxd5 17.exd5 Bxf3 18.Bxf3 Qd7 19.Kg2 b6 20.Rad1 Qf5 21.Rfe1 Bh6 the chances are
roughly equal.
17.Bxf6!
A forced intermediate move, leading to a long mutual grabbing sequence.
The point is that if 17.Bxf3 then Black can deviate from the line above with: 17...Nxd5! 18.cxd5

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 Bxe5µ
17...Bxg2 18.Bxg7 Bxf1 19.Bxf8 Qxf8 20.Nf6† Kf7 21.Nd7 Qg7 22.Ne5† Ke8 23.Qe3 Rd3 24.Qe1
Rxh3 25.Qxf1 Rh4 26.Rd1 Nc5³
Black will retrieve either central pawn, while keeping the safer king position.

16...Bxf6 17.Nxf6† Rxf6

18.Qc1 Nc5 19.Ne5

The text move is slightly more ambitious than: 19.Qe3 Rd3 20.Qxc5 Bxf3 21.Rae1 Rxf4=
White’s king is weak and the least Black can expect is to regain the pawn on e4.

19...Ne6 20.f5 gxf5 21.Kh2 fxe4 22.Bxe4 Nf4

Black’s perfect coordination, and the strong knight on f4 in particular, offers at least enough
compensation for the pawn.

B) 9.Re1

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 This rare move leads to a similar structure as in line A, but with much sharper play. The threat of
e2-e4 forces Black to react in the centre at once.

9...e5
Curiously, this has been played only twice in not-very-relevant games.

10.dxe5 dxe5

11.Ba3!N
Only this untested move can cause Black practical problems.

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11.e4 should be met with the usual 11...f4!N (If 11...fxe4?! 12.Nxe4 Nxe4 13.Rxe4 Bf5 as in Bukal –
Rumpl, Austria 2006, then White has the promising exchange sacrifice: 14.Rxe5!N 14...Bxe5
15.Qd5† Qe6 16.Nxe5² With clear domination in the centre and, after Bb2, strong pressure along the
long diagonals.) 12.gxf4 Nh5 With the usual compensation.

11...Rf7 12.e4 f4 13.gxf4

With the rook slightly misplaced on f7, Black needs a bit of accuracy in order to gain adequate
compensation for the pawn.

13...Bg4

14.h3
This looks like the most principled move, aiming to prevent the typical ...Nh5.

The alternative is to release the tension with:

14.f5
But this offers Black natural play on the dark squares.
14...Bf8 15.Bxf8
Or if 15.Bb2 c6 followed by ...Rd8, ...Rg7 and possibly ...Bc5, with excellent attacking chances.
15...Qxf8 16.Re3
16.fxg6 hxg6 only clears the f- and h-files for Black’s pieces.
16...Nb4
Bringing the knight closer to the important squares.
17.fxg6
17.a3 just helps the knight to approach d4 with 17...Nc6.
Against neutral moves such as 17.Kh1, Black could simply complete development with 17...Re8.

209
 Or if 17.Qd2 then 17...gxf5 18.exf5 Rd8 19.Qb2 Rg7 20.Nxe5 Bxf5 with obvious compensation
for the pawn.
17...hxg6 18.Qc1

18...Bxf3
Heading for a position where the knight’s superiority over the bishop at least compensates for the
missing pawn.
19.Rxf3
Or if 19.Bxf3 Qh6!? possibly followed by ...Kg7 and ...Rh8.
19...Nh5 20.Rxf7 Qxf7 21.Nd5 Nd3 22.Qe3 Ndf4 23.Rd1 c6 24.Nxf4 Nxf4 25.Rd6 Qe7

26.c5

210
 Avoiding 26.Qd2 c5!? when the bishop really would be “bad”.
26...Qg5 27.Qf3 Rd8!?
Black prepares counterplay along the d-file. But all in all, with the present structure one can
hardly imagine that White could ever be better.

14...Bxf3

15.Bxf3
The logical choice, taking h5 under control.

15.Qxf3
This may seem more indicated from the point of view of development, but the possibility of
...Nh5 offers Black simpler play than in the main line:
15...Bf8 16.Bxf8 Qxf8 17.fxe5 Nh5 18.Qe3 Re8 19.Rad1 Nc5

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 The black pieces flow naturally to the key squares.
20.e6!?
Returning a pawn in order to fight against the blockade.
20...Nxe6 21.e5 Rf5 22.Bxb7
Or if 22.Bd5 c6 23.Bxe6† Rxe6= followed by ...Nf4.
22...Ng5
It almost goes without saying that such a strong concentration of kingside forces at least
compensates for the missing pawns.

15...Bh6
Since ...Nh5 is not available, this is the best way to fight for the f4-square.

16.Nd5
The only reasonable alternative is: 16.f5 Rd8 17.Qe2 (17.Nd5 c6 transposes to the main line)
17...Bd2 18.Nd5 Bxe1 19.Rxe1 c6 20.Nxf6† Rxf6³ Optically, White has good compensation for the
exchange. But the weaknesses remain, so the knight will soon have an important part to play.

16...c6 17.Nxf6† Rxf6

212
18.f5
Since the f-file opening up is unavoidable, White intends to activate the light-squared bishop and
clear the e-file.
18.fxe5 offers Black perfect stability on the dark squares at the cost of just one pawn. 18...Qxe5
19.Qe2 Rf7 20.Bg4

There are many reasonable moves now, but it would be a pity not to play the thematic:
20...Raf8!? 21.Bxf8 Bxf8 22.Rad1 h5 23.Bf3 Nc5 Leaving White’s pieces as mere spectators to
Black’s play on the dark squares.

213
18...Rd8 19.Qe2 Rd2
Black clearly has the initiative, but has to be ready to sacrifice an exchange after a later Bc1.

20.Qf1 gxf5 21.exf5 Rxf5 22.Qg2† Qg6

This offers Black enough play to reach a draw.
Adventurous players may like to try 22...Kh8 23.Bc1 Qf8 24.Bxd2 Bxd2, which also offers
reasonable compensation.

23.Qxg6† hxg6 24.Be4 Rfxf2 25.Bc1 Kf7

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26.b4
Before taking the exchange, White does best to ensure some counterplay along the b-file.

26...Nxb4 27.Bxd2 Rxd2 28.Rab1 Nxa2 29.Rxb7† Kf6 30.Bxc6 Nc3

Threatening ...Ne2.

31.Bf3 Rd4 32.Rxa7 Bd2 33.Rea1 Kg5

The combined attack of all Black’s pieces (including the e-pawn) should ensure at least a draw by
perpetual.

C) 9.Ba3

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 This is the most radical way of preventing Black’s programmed ...e7-e5 break. Removing the pin
with ...h7-h6 and ...Rf7 would be too time-consuming, and would allow White to open the centre
themself.
The last move’s only drawback is that it places the bishop on a slightly awkward and exposed
square, justifying Black’s switch of plans. Incidentally, this move is the anti-Leningrad choice of the
Chessable course Lifetime Repertoires: Sam Shankland’s 1.d4 Part 1”.

9...c6!
Preparing ...b7-b5-b4.

10.Qd3
The most active move, gaining the needed time to break in the centre before Black’s pawn
reaches b5. But the queen is exposed on d3 and White will soon have to spend a tempo on retreating
with it. This is where Shankland’s repertoire stops, claiming it is “an excellent position” for White; I
do not think the position is so clear, as we will see in the analysis that follows.

10.Re1
This allows Black’s planned advance:
10...b5
When after:
11.cxb5 cxb5
White cannot play e2-e4, nor take advantage of the hanging rook on a8.

216
12.Ne5
The most resolute knight jump, more or less forcing Black to sacrifice an exchange.
The milder 12.Ng5 allows Black to obtain good play with normal moves: 12...Rb8 13.Nd5 b4
14.Bb2 Nxd5 15.Bxd5† e6 16.Bg2 In Mielke – Paris, Mittelrhein 1994, 16...d5 was an
unnecessary positional concession. Instead, 16...Qe7N would have led to comfortable equality,
for instance: 17.Qd2 h6 18.Nf3 g5 19.Rac1 Bb7= With good control of d5 and chances for a
positional kingside attack.
12...b4
The move order 12...dxe5 13.dxe5 b4 is inaccurate; it would transpose if White now took on a8,
but there is also the extra option of 14.exf6.
13.Bxa8 dxe5 14.dxe5 Ng4 15.f4

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 Material will soon be approximately equal and the only open question is whether Black can
successfully reroute the king’s knight.
15...g5
This is a principled move, but not the only good one.
15...bxa3 16.h3 Nxe5 17.fxe5 Nc7 18.Bf3 Bxe5 offers excellent compensation for the exchange,
due to the strong dark-squared bishop and White’s kingside weaknesses.
16.h3 gxf4!
It’s not the kind of position where one should take a backwards step.
17.gxf4
If 17.hxg4 fxg3 18.Qd3 bxa3 19.Qxg3 Kh8!? followed by ...Rg8 and ...Nb4, with interesting
play and normal compensation for the exchange.

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 In Lukey – Reilly, Auckland 2009, Black should have continued his plan with the familiar:
17...Nxe5!N 18.fxe5 bxa3=

10.Qc2 does not have much independent value, as after 10...Rb8 White does not have anything better
than transposing to the main line with 11.e4 fxe4 12.Nxe4 Bf5 13.Nxf6† Bxf6 14.Qd2.

10.Rc1 prepares to prevent ...b7-b5 with d4-d5. But after 10...Rb8 11.d5 Bd7 we reach a structure that
is typical of Chapters 4-6 (the 8.d5 main lines) with the difference that the rook on c1 and the bishop
on a3 are not especially well placed.

10...Rb8
Renewing the threat while also removing the rook from the long diagonal and placing it on the
file which is likely to open soon.

11.e4
Another move to have been tested is:
11.Nd2
This aims to take advantage of the relative weaknesses on the light squares created by Black’s
planned queenside advance:
11...b5 12.cxb5 cxb5 13.Nd5 Nxd5 14.Bxd5† e6 15.Bg2

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15...Qd8!N
The unanimously played 15...b4 prematurely releases control of c4, allowing 16.Bb2 Nc7 17.Nc4
with a slight initiative. Since Black will have to spend a tempo on defending the d6-pawn, it is
better to do so before making a commitment on the queenside.
16.Rac1
Since White cannot play Nc4 yet, it is not easy to find a constructive way to make use of the
available tempo.
If 16.e4 b4 17.Bb2 Nc7 then the threat of ...Ba6 gains time for Black’s regrouping, which aims to
control the light squares.

16...b4

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 Now is a good moment for this advance.
17.Bb2 Nc7 18.Nc4 Bb7=
Black has achieved the desired stability.

11...fxe4!
The capture is better than 11...b5, as played in a few games. Practice has shown that after 12.e5
b4 13.exf6 Bxf6 14.Bb2 bxc3 15.Bxc3± Black lacks any counterplay, while the pressure along the e-
file is likely to become worrisome.

12.Nxe4 Bf5
Before continuing with the main plan, Black has to clear things up on the kingside.

13.Nxf6†
This apparently unambitious move is in fact the best chance of retaining some advantage. Other
moves cause White to lose some coordination:

13.Nh4 is too awkward to be good. 13...Nxe4 14.Bxe4 Bxe4 15.Qxe4 b5 16.cxb5 Rxb5 With
excellent play on the light squares.

13.Nfd2 looks more coherent, but weakens d4, thus inviting: 13...c5 14.dxc5 Nxe4 15.Nxe4 Nxc5
16.Bxc5 dxc5 17.Rad1 Bd4= With comfortable play due to the strong outpost on d4.

13...Bxf6

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14.Qd2
Once again the apparently more modest move is the most consistent. For reasons revealed in the
next comment, it is important to leave the e-file clear.

14.Qe3
This move allows Black to achieve concrete queenside progress more easily.
14...b5 15.Rac1
The most consistent move, preventing the opening of the b-file by preparing to recapture with the
rook.
15.cxb5 should be answered by 15...Rxb5N 16.Rac1 Nc7 with excellent control of d5 and the
possibility of weakening the enemy queenside with ...a7-a5-a4.
Or if 15.Rfe1 bxc4 16.bxc4 Nb4 17.Bxb4 Rxb4= with pleasant play.

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15...bxc4!
Even though White seems to be prepared for this exchange, Black does not achieve anything by
postponing it.
The point is that afte15...Nc7 White could answer a later ...bxc4 with bxc4, since Black no longer
has ...Nb4. For instance, after 16.Rfe1 Qd7, as played in Miles – Kramnik, Moscow 1989, White
could retain some pressure with: 17.Ng5N²
16.Rxc4N
Instead 16.bxc4 is inconsistent and allows 16...Nb4, when Black was fine in Cruz Estrada –
Bonafede, Sitges 2015.
16...Nc7 17.Rfc1 Bd7

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 Black has no strategic worries, but needs to display some accuracy to neutralize White’s
initiative.
18.Ra4
The most active continuation.
18.Ng5 fails to create dangerous threats: 18...Rb5 19.Ne4 Bg7=
Or if 18.Qd2 Rb5 19.Bb2 Nd5 20.h4 Nb6 21.R4c2 then Black could consider starting a kingside
attack with the rook switch: 21...Rh5 22.Nh2 Nd5!? Preparing a promising exchange sacrifice.
23.Bf3 Bg7 24.Bxh5 gxh5 Black has unchallenged control on the light squares and White’s
kingside is weak. For instance, 25.Nf1 Qg6 26.Qg5 Qe4 threatening ...Bh3.

18...Rb5!
The hanging a-pawn should not distract Black from the planned regrouping.
19.Rxa7
This wastes time and opens the a-file for Black’s counterplay, but otherwise Black would
continue with ...Qb8 and/or ...a7-a5.
19...Qb8 20.Ra4 Nd5 21.Qd2 Nb6 22.Ra5 Rxa5 23.Qxa5 Qc7 24.Qd2 Ra8 25.Bb4 Nd5 26.Bc3 Qa7
27.a4 Qb6
Black’s better coordination and pressure against the weakened queenside offer excellent play,
despite the missing pawn. Note that 28.Ne5 is not dangerous due to 28...Be6.

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14...Nc7!
With the white queen on d2, 14...b5?! is premature due to 15.Rfe1! gaining a tempo in view of
the threat of Bxd6. This idea was not available with the queen on e3. 15...Qd7 16.cxb5! Preparing to
make use of the just-cleared square on f1. 16...Rxb5 17.Bf1 Rb6 18.Bc4† White has some initiative.

15.Rae1 Qd7 16.h4 b5 17.Re3

17.Ng5 prematurely weakens White’s control of d4. One important detail is that Ba3-b2 is not
without drawbacks, as it places the bishop on a vulnerable square. 17...Bg7 18.Re3 bxc4 19.bxc4 h6
20.Ne4 Ne6 With excellent counterplay, for instance: 21.d5 cxd5 22.Qxd5 Kh8 23.c5 Qb5=

17...bxc4
This is good enough, but Black could try to clear even more queenside space with 17...a5!?
planning ...a5-a4 followed by exchanges on b3 and c4. If 18.Qxa5 Ra8 19.Qb4 Rfb8 20.Rfe1 bxc4
21.Qxc4† e6 22.b4 Ra7 Black has regrouped perfectly and the pressure along the a-file fully
compensates for the pawn.

18.bxc4

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18...Rb7!N
Once again improving over an old Kramnik game. Black plans to exchange rooks on b1, thus
neutralizing the pressure along the e-file.
Even though Kramnik’s middlegame play was not entirely convincing, the fact that a player with
such positional and dynamic talent twice chose this system of development speaks in favour of
8...Na6.
Be that as it may, his game continued: 18...Bh3 19.Rfe1 Bxg2 20.Kxg2 Qf5 21.Re4 Rbe8 22.Rf4
Qc8 In Ibragimov – Kramnik, Kherson 1991, White could have maintained some pressure with, say,
23.Qd3N² when Black’s chances for counterplay are not at all obvious.

19.Ng5 Rfb8 20.Kh2

By anticipating Black’s ...Rb1, this king move prepares White’s 22nd move.

20...Rb1 21.Rxb1 Rxb1 22.Rb3

White cannot tolerate the intruder and this is the best way to exchange it, as it improves White’s
structure slightly.

22...Rxb3 23.axb3 Kg7

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 Optically it may seem that White retains some chances, due to their more compact structure. But
Black can use the slight weakness of d4 to achieve complete equality.

24.Ne4
Another try is:
24.Bb4
Planning to undermine Black’s control of d5 with Ba5 after a hurried ...d6-d5.
24...Ne6 25.Bc3 d5 26.Nxe6† Qxe6 27.c5

The only chance to maintain some strategic content. Black now needs to prevent b4-b5.

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27...Qc8 28.Bf1
If 28.b4 then 28...Qa6 29.Bf3 Bd3 with perfect stability.
28...Qb8
Or else Black can counterattack with: 28...h6 29.b4 g5=
29.b4 Bxh4=
Black’s extra pawn compensates for the slight queenside problems.

24...Bxe4 25.Bxe4 Qg4 26.Bxc6

26.f3 just weakens the kingside. 26...Qd7 27.f4 Ne6 28.Bb2 d5= In this static position the knight
is not weaker than the light-squared bishop.

26...Ne6

27.Bd5
White has to return the pawn, as if 27.d5? Nd4µ and the bishop on c6 cannot contribute to the
defence: 28.Qf4 Nf3† 29.Kg2 Nxh4† 30.Kh2 Black could of course repeat moves, but also has the
stronger 30...Qe2! as the knight is taboo in view of ...Be5.

27...Nxd4 28.Qd3 a5=

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 Black’s central stability ensures that there are no problems.

Conclusion

In reply to our usual 7...Qe8 the simple-looking move 8.b3 is tricky, as shown by the various failing
replies I tried before settling on 8...Na6!? as our repertoire choice. We looked at three main options
for White on move 9.

9.Bb2 allows the standard 9...e5 10.dxe5 dxe5 when 11.e4 should be met with 11...f4!.

9.Re1 should also be answered with 9...e5 10.dxe5 dxe5 with the same idea of meeting e2-e4 with
...f5-f4!.

The main secret to Black’s play in the first two main lines of this chapter is overruling the engines’
initial scepticism after the typical pawn sacrifice ...f5-f4.

The third option, 9.Ba3, leads to very different play, as it cuts out ...e7-e5 ideas. Instead Black should
look for the ...b7-b5 break with 9...c6! and if 10.Qd3 then Black should renew the threat with
10...Rb8.

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A) 9.Be3 Bd7 120
A1) 10.Qd2 120
A2) 10.Rc1 126
B) 9.Nd4 Bd7 131
B1) 10.e4 132
B2) 10.Rb1 137

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6 7.Nc3 Qe8 8.d5
This is the most principled way of crossing Black’s plan of creating two connected pawns in the
centre. White gains space, increases the control on the light squares and clears the d4-square for the

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minor pieces. On the other hand, White concedes control over c5 and e5, offering Black a clear plan
of development.

8...Na6
The knight has no choice after the previous pawn advance, but the last move is richer in content
than it may at first seem. In some cases, the knight could indeed jump to c5, but usually it gets
involved in a long plan based on ...Bd7, ...c7-c6, ...Nc7 and, only after having defended e6 properly,
...c6-c5 and ...b7-b5, leading to some sort of Benoni Dutch hybrid. With a few exceptions, Black
automatically plays 9...Bd7 on the next move.
In turn, White has two main plans: opening the centre with e2-e4 or gaining queenside space with
b2-b4. More restrained plans are also available, but they offer Black time to complete regrouping and
achieve normal play with chances to fight for the initiative.

White has three main continuations: the slightly original A) 9.Be3 and the more consistent B)
9.Nd4 while we will see the absolute main line 9.Rb1 in the next two chapters.

It is, however, useful to mention a rather long list of rare lines, in order to understand the
circumstances under which Black could or should deviate slightly from the initial plans.

9.Qc2
This prepares e2-e4 but exposes the queen to ...Nb4 too early.
9...e5! 10.dxe6 Bxe6
White’s slight lag in development, caused by moving the queen so early, causes some problems
with defending c4. In most other lines, opening the centre so soon leaves the b7-pawn vulnerable,
but the available tempo-gain ...Nb4 allows Black to fight for space in the centre and avoid the
fork with Bxb7.
11.Ng5

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 The other typical reaction is 11.Nd4N when, just as in the main line, Black has no problems with
grabbing the pawn: 11...Bxc4 12.b3 Bf7 13.Bxb7 Nb4 14.Qd2 Rb8 15.Bg2 Black has made
considerable progress with development and the pawn exchange also favours Black, who now has
the upper hand in the centre. This allows Black to force matters already: 15...c5 16.Nc2 Ne4
17.Nxe4 fxe4 18.Rb1 Nxa2 19.Qxd6 Nc3µ
11.Nd2 is too passive a way of defending c4. 11...c6 12.a3 Qf7 13.b3 In Rosenberger – Hammes,
Neuwied 1993, could have played: 13...d5N³

In Nacelle – J. Perez, Montevideo 2013, Black should have played:

11...Bxc4N 12.b3
Or if 12.Bxb7 Rb8 13.Bg2 Nb4 14.Qd2 h6µ followed by ...Ne4 with a strong initiative.
12...Nb4 13.Qd2 Ba6³
The somewhat unusual bishop placement on a6 does not offer White enough compensation for
the pawn.

In this line, the safest choice for White on move 11 is:

11.b3N

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11...Nb4 12.Qd2
When Black can stir up unclear complications with 12...d5 or else equalize with:
12...Ne4 13.Nxe4 fxe4 14.Nd4 Nd3!
A glorious career for this knight!
15.Qe3 Nxc1 16.Raxc1 Bf5 17.Nxf5 gxf5=
Some might argue that White’s structure is better. But Black has good control on the dark squares
while White would need to weaken the kingside with f2-f3 in order to activate the bishop.

Another way of preparing a quick e2-e4 is:

9.Re1
But if White carries out this plan, including all recaptures, then the rook’s exposure will offer
Black counterplay.
9...Bd7 10.e4
10.Nd4 transposes to a secondary variation in line B on page 132.
10...fxe4 11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.Rxe4 Nc5

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13.Rh4!?N
Only this exotic move, putting some pressure on the enemy kingside, offers White chances to
prove the viability of their plan.
If 13.Re3 Qf7 14.Qe2 Rae8 15.Ng5 Qf5 16.h4 Qg4= Black is better developed and will have
little trouble in carrying out ...e7-e6.
13.Re1 makes no big difference: 13...Qf7 14.h3 Aiming to avoid the pin with ...Bg4. 14...Bxh3
15.Bxh3 Qxf3 16.Qxf3 Rxf3 White should now think of a way to continue development, as the
bishop pair and the backward pawn on e7 would offer White compensation for the pawn. Instead,
17.Rxe7?! led to immediate trouble: 17...Bd4 18.Be3 Bxe3 19.Rxe3 Rxe3 20.fxe3 a5µ With a
typical good knight versus bad bishop ending in Tannhaeuser – Pfeifer, Wuerttemberg 1996.

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13...a5 14.Qe2 e5
Black is better developed, so is entitled to react in the centre.
But 14...a4 15.Bh6 e5= is also possible.
15.Ng5 h5
In certain cases this structure would favour White, due to the control over e4, but the unusual
placement of the rook causes some problems.
16.Be3
Hoping for Bxc5, with perfect play on the light squares.
16...Qe7!

17.Qd2
If 17.Bxc5 Qxg5 18.Be3 Qe7 19.Rc1 Bf6 20.Re4 and Black should probably refrain from
winning the exchange with 20...Bf5, as 21.c5 would offer White the initiative along the c-file and
the b1-h7 diagonal. Instead, 20...b6 followed by ...Bf5 or ...Bg5 leads to simple equality.
17...Bh6 18.Re1 Rf5 19.Ne4 Bxe3 20.Rxe3 Nxe4 21.Bxe4 Rf6=
Followed by ...Raf8, ...b7-b6, ...Bf5 with comfortable play.

The immediate pawn break is possible:

9.e4
But it leads to the exchange of all the knights, when White has little chance to use the relative
weakness on e6.
9...Nxe4 10.Nxe4 fxe4 11.Ng5 Nc5 12.Nxe4 Nxe4 13.Bxe4

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13...b5!?
Without knights on the board, Black can also weaken the c6-square in order to fight for the
initiative.
But the standard plan starting with 13...Qf7N is also sufficient for equality: 14.Qc2 Bf5 15.Re1
Rae8 16.Bxf5 Qxf5 17.Qxf5 Rxf5 18.Rb1 e6 19.b3 Kf7=
14.Be3
Trying to catch up in development.
14...bxc4 15.Bd4 Qf7 16.Rc1 Rb8

17.Rc2N
The text move is more solid than the premature 17.f4. In Casadei – Govoni, Bologna 1991, Black

236
 could have retained the initiative until deep in the endgame with 17...e5N 18.fxe5 Qxf1† 19.Qxf1
Rxf1† 20.Kxf1 Bxe5 21.Bxe5 dxe5 22.b3 Kf8 23.bxc4 Ke7. It seems that Black’s king has better
prospects for centralizing, while the white one would be mainly exposed on the second rank.
24.c5 Rb4 25.Bd3 Bf5³ White’s far-advanced pawns are more of a weakness than a strength.
17...e5 18.Be3 Bh3 19.Re1 Bf5 20.f3 Rb4 21.Qc1
Weakening the b3-square with 21.a3 leaves Black with the initiative after 21...Rb3 22.Qd2 c5
23.dxc6 Rd3 24.Qc1 d5 25.Bxd3 Bxd3, with great compensation for the exchange.
21...a5 22.Rxc4

22...c5!=
Black uses the pin along the a2-g8 diagonal to improve the structure. Without knights on the
board, there is not much play left, but if anything Black’s position looks slightly more pleasant, due to
the pressure along the f- and b-files.

White can also prepare e2-e4 by moving the f3-knight, but once again this goes against the rules of
development: 9.Nd2

237
 This is the less consistent of the two knight-move alternatives. 9...Bd7 10.Rb1 (10.e4 is
conveniently answered with 10...f4) 10...Nc5 11.b4 Na4 12.Nxa4 Bxa4 13.Nb3 e5 14.dxe6 Ne4=
Black has active play.

9.Ne1

This is more consistent, as it leaves the c1-h6 diagonal clear, and can be followed by Nd3.
9...Bd7 10.Nd3 c5 11.a4
Preventing ...b7-b5.
Giving up the centre does not cause Black major problems: 11.dxc6 bxc6 12.Qa4 Nc7 13.c5 Ne6
14.cxd6 exd6 15.Rd1 d5= Black was perfectly regrouped to support his central pawns in

238
 Petursson – Danielsen, Akureyri 1994.
11...Nb4 12.Nb5 Qc8 13.Bd2 Ne4!?N
This leads to more original play than 13...a6 14.Nc3 as in Kasimdzhanov – Khamroev, Tashkent
2009. But here, too, Black could achieve equal play with the consistent 14...Rb8 15.Qc1 b5
16.axb5 axb5. For instance: 17.Nxb5 Bxb5 18.cxb5 Nbxd5=
14.Be1 Ng5!?
Preparing ...Nxd3 followed by ...f5-f4.
15.Bc3
Forcing Black to obstruct the f-file with 15.h4 does not prevent ...f5-f4 at all: 15...Nf7 16.Bc3
Nxd3 17.exd3 f4 With the pawn on h4, White cannot really think of taking on f4.
Or 15.f4 Ne4 leaves White with a chronic weakness on e4.
15...Nxd3 16.exd3 f4=
With adequate counterplay.

9.Bg5

This exposes the bishop to a knight jump to e4.

9...Nc5
9...h6 offers White a few free tempos to complete development: 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.Qd2 Bg7
12.Nd4² After the exchange on f6 the weaknesses on g6 and e6 are more relevant than in most
main lines, where ...h7-h6 frequently is useful.
10.Rc1
Changing plans with 10.Be3, after Black has committed the knight, leads to similar play as in line
A: 10...Nce4 11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.Bd4 Bh6 13.Qd3 c5 14.Be3 Bxe3 15.Qxe3 b5=
10...Nfe4 11.Bd2
Otherwise White would either lose the b2-pawn or get doubled pawns on the c-file.
11...e5 12.dxe6 Nxd2 13.Qxd2 Nxe6 14.e3 Bd7=

239
 Followed by ...Qf7, ...Rad8 and later ...c7-c6, with a strong dark-squared bishop and a
harmonious regrouping.

A) 9.Be3

This is undoubtedly the fastest way of developing, but the plan is not flexible enough to pose
Black complex problems. White mainly intends to exchange the bishops with either Qd2 and Bh6 or
Bd4. But this does not contribute to the fight for either the e6-square or space in the centre and on the
queenside.
I must confess that I have “sinned” with White a few times by choosing this system. But I believe
that my good results with it are mainly due to the surprise effect, rather than objective merits.
Black has no reason to refrain from the main plan, but can also insert ...Ng4 on the way.

9...Bd7
White’s main continuations are A1) 10.Qd2 and A2) 10.Rc1.

A1) 10.Qd2

This straightforward continuation, immediately threatening Bh6, exposes the queen and bishop to the
counterplay initiated by the following obvious move.

10...Ng4 11.Bf4
The main point of Black’s previous move is that if:
11.Bd4
Then Black has the option of:
11...Bh6

240
 Clearing the long diagonal with gain of time and leaving the bishop exposed in the centre.
12.e3
After 12.Ng5 White is hanging to an even greater extent: 12...c5 13.dxc6 bxc6 14.Nd1 e5 15.Bc3
In Vogel – Van Mil, Amsterdam 1984, 15...Qe7N³ would have consolidated Black’s territorial
gains.
12...c5
The same reaction as in the line above. White has to give up the space advantage.
13.dxc6 bxc6

The position in the centre is critical, so White needs to react accurately in order to avoid trouble.
There are two options:

a) 14.Ne2?!
This neutral move fails to solve the problems, as White’s minor pieces have no future after:
14...e5 15.Bc3 Nc5!³
The d6-pawn is not important for keeping control in the centre:
16.Qxd6 Ne4 17.Qc7 Nexf2!
A pseudo-sacrifice, demolishing White’s apparently solid structure.
18.Nxe5
18.Rxf2? Bxe3 19.Be1 f4µ offered Black an overwhelming attack in Jayachandra – Pruijssers,
Bhubaneswar 2018.
18...Bxe3 19.Qxd7

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 In Pujari – Pruijssers, Mumbai 2018, Black soon lost the thread and the game. He can, of course,
force a draw by perpetual, but better is:
19...Nd3†N 20.Kh1 Ngxe5 21.Qxe8 Rfxe8 22.Bd4 Bxd4 23.Nxd4 Rac8³
With active play.

b) Instead White is best advised to force events at once with:

14.h3 Nxf2
Actually the neutral 14...Nf6 also offers Black comfortable play after 15.Bxf6, which is the only
convenient way of avoiding the loss of a piece after ...e7-e5. 15...Rxf6 16.Rab1 e5 17.b4 e4
18.Nd4 Rd8=
15.Qxf2 e5 16.Rfe1 exd4 17.exd4

242
 In Stickler – Schmahl, Bavaria 2004, instead of choosing the f7-square, Black should have placed
the queen out of the enemy knight’s range with:
17...Qd8N=
For instance:
18.c5 d5 19.Ne5 Nc7
Followed by ...Ne6, targeting d4 and preparing ...f5-f4.

11...Nc5
After the bishop’s departure from e3, the knight can jump forward without fearing Bxc5. White
prepares not only ...e7-e5 followed by ...Nxe6, but also the invasion on e4 after the other knight
retreats.

243
12.h3
It is safer to drive the knight back at once.

If White tries to fight against the central break with:

12.Nd4
Then this allows Black to obtain counterplay by using the king’s knight’s activity.

12...h6!
Not really a pawn sacrifice, as we will see.
13.h3!?N
The critical test of Black’s last move.
13.h4? is worse than playing with fire: 13...g5! 14.hxg5 In Zhao Yihan – Liu, Qinhuangdao 2017,
the best way of continuing the attack would have been: 14...Bxd4N 15.Qxd4 Qh5 16.Rfd1 hxg5
17.Bd2 Qh2† 18.Kf1 e5 19.dxe6 Nxe6 20.Qd3 Rae8–+ Completing mobilization and getting
ready for ...Ne5 followed by ...f5-f4, when White’s position would not resist for long.
13.b4 runs into the typical exchanging operation: 13...Bxd4 14.Qxd4 e5 15.dxe6 Nxe6 16.Qd3
g5 17.h3! Better late than never! Retreating with the bishop would allow ...Ne5 followed by ...f5-
f4, when c4 would also be hanging. 17...gxf4 18.hxg4 fxg4 19.Bxb7 Rd8 With interesting play
and at least equal chances for Black.
13...Ne5

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14.Bxh6
Half measures do not work: 14.b3 g5 15.Be3 f4 16.gxf4 gxf4 17.Bxf4 Qh5 18.Qe3 Ng6 19.Bg3
(otherwise ...Nh4) 19...Bxd4 20.Qxd4 Bxh3 With a strong kingside initiative. We should note
that the g3-bishop is a mere defender, without any chances of creating threats along the long
diagonal.
14...Nxc4 15.Qf4 Be5 16.Qh4

16...Nxb2!
A promising exchange sacrifice, leaving Black unchallenged master of the dark squares.
17.Bxf8 Qxf8
White has to act with care in order to avoid losing the precarious stability.

245
18.Ncb5 Bf6 19.Qf4 g5 20.Qc1 Nba4 21.Qd2 Rc8
I prefer this to regaining the exchange, as it offers more chances to unbalance the position in
Black’s favour.
The alternative is: 21...Bxb5 22.Nxb5 Bxa1 23.Rxa1 Qf6 24.Rc1 f4 25.Nxc7 Rf8=
22.Rac1
22.Nxa7 Bxd4 23.Qxd4 Ra8µ traps the knight.
22...Qg7 23.e3 a6 24.Nc3 Nxc3 25.Rxc3 f4

Black is rock solid on the queenside and has strong pressure on the opposite wing. So it is at least
enough compensation for the exchange.

12...Nf6

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13.Rad1
The most consistent move, completing development and preparing Qc1 as an answer to ...Ne4,
without obstructing the rooks’ connection.

The immediate bishop sortie is also possible:

13.Bh6
But it seems to make Black’s task easier:
13...Nce4 14.Nxe4 Nxe4 15.Qc1

15...Qf7
Black intends to keep control of the dark diagonal.

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 They could also play for a lead in development with: 15...e5 16.dxe6 Qxe6 17.Bxg7 Kxg7
18.Nd4 Qe5 19.e3 Rae8=
16.Bxg7 Qxg7 17.Nd2 Nxd2 18.Qxd2

This position was reached in two games. Black has a choice between plans on either wing:

a) 18...c5
This eventually led to interesting play, but without knights on the board, displaying such
territorial ambitions may be double-edged.
19.f4
White would retain some symbolic advantage in a basically drawn position after 19.dxc6 Bxc6.
19...b5

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20.cxb5N
In the game, White played more hesitantly with 20.b3, which offers Black a clear target.
20...Rfb8 21.Rab1 a5 22.cxb5 If White intended to release the pressure, he should have done so
without weakening his queenside with b2-b3. 22...Rxb5 23.Rfe1 Rab8 24.Qd3 a4 25.Kh2 ½–½
Gorovykh – Konenkin, St Petersburg 2008. Black is well ahead with his plan, so the draw
agreement is hard to understand. After 25...axb3 White is doomed to passive defence: 26.Rxb3
Rxb3 27.axb3 Qb2 28.Rb1 Qa2 Black wins a pawn in view of the threat of ...c5-c4. Or if 26.axb3
Rb4 and Black is practically attacking with an extra piece, as the white bishop is a mere spectator.
20...Bxb5 21.Rf2 Qd4

Trying to restrict White’s activity in the centre.

22.Qe1
Grabbing the pawn with 22.Qxd4 cxd4 23.Rd1 offers Black dangerous counterplay: 23...Rfc8
24.Rxd4 Rc1† 25.Bf1 Rac8³ Once again, White’s bishop is very passive. 26.Rb4 R8c5 soon
retrieves the d5-pawn while 26.e4 Rb1, threatening ...Bxf1 followed by ...Rxb2, is not an
adequate solution. 27.Rb4 Bd3 and the double threat ...R8c1 and ...Bxe4 is decisive.
22...a5 23.Rd1 Qf6 24.e4 fxe4 25.Qxe4 a4 26.Re1 Bd7=
The pressure on b2 compensates for the relative weakness of the backward e7-pawn. If necessary,
Black will play ...Rfe8, but for the time being the pawn is taboo, as 27.Qxe7? Rae8!–+ wins material.

b) A simpler way to get comfortable play is 18...f4, when a draw was agreed in Gyimesi – Krizsany,
Pecs 1998.

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 Black makes use of the weaknesses created by h2-h3. The exchange on g3 would increase
Black’s control on the dark squares and 19.g4?! h5 20.g5 h4³ would expose White’s kingside even
more. Finally 19.gxf4 Qh6 retrieves one of the attacked pawns with comfortable play.

13...Nfe4
As explained below, this is not the most precise move order, even though objectively Black is
doing fine.

14.Nxe4 Nxe4 15.Qc1 c6

A viable alternative is:
15...c5

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 Intending the standard Benoni queenside plan. Actually White’s best would be:
16.dxc6 bxc6 17.Bh6 Qf7 18.Bxg7 Qxg7

19.Ng5!
With knights on the board, Black has good play on the dark squares; therefore White should
exchange them.
19.Nd2 is less precise, as Black has the regrouping 19...Ng5 20.f4 Ne6 21.Nf3 a5 followed by
...Nc5 soon.
19...Nxg5 20.Qxg5 Qf6 21.Qe3 a5=
Objectively, Black has no problems. But without knights, we have to be careful about keeping
control across the whole board.

16.Bh6
In Marin – Petrisor, Calimanesti 2014, Black completely lost the thread and lost only five moves
later. The right path was:

16...Bxh6!N 17.Qxh6

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17...cxd5!
This is the best way to take advantage of some hidden defects in White’s regrouping. The white
queen is far from the queenside and fighting for the c-file implies losing a tempo with Rd1-c1.

If 17...Qf7 then White can try 18.dxc6 Bxc6 (the point is that 18...bxc6 runs into 19.Ne5!) 19.Qe3
with chances for at least a symbolic advantage.

18.cxd5 Rc8=
Followed by ...Qf7-f6, when d5 and b2 are some source of worries, preventing White from
consolidating the space advantage.

Returning to Black’s 13th move, the most restrictive move order would have been:
13...c6!

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14.dxc6
With knights on the board, this does not bother Black, but 14.Bh6 Nce4 15.Nxe4 Nxe4 would
soon transpose to the final position above.
14...bxc6 15.Bh6 Qf7 16.Bxg7 Qxg7 17.b4
Otherwise ...a7-a5 would consolidate the c5-knight.
17...Nfe4 18.Nxe4 Nxe4 19.Qd3 Qc3 20.a3 a5 21.Rc1 Qf6=
Black has strong counterplay.

A2) 10.Rc1

A flexible move, clearing the long diagonal, over-defending the c3-knight and inviting Black to

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display their cards.

10...h6!
Black is best advised to use this chance for kingside expansion, depriving White of the plan based
on exchanging the bishops. It is worth mentioning that the last move was Kasparov’s choice a long
time ago. Modern theory does not seem to have caught up with Garry’s understanding yet, as this
plan remained unpopular.

10...c5 deprives the knight of the c5-square, allowing White to switch to the standard plan: 11.Qd2
Nc7 12.Bh6 Qf7 13.Bxg7 Qxg7 14.e4 Events in the centre are developing more quickly than Black
would have liked. 14...Nxe4 15.Nxe4 fxe4 16.Ng5 b5 In Ramnathan – Dzhumaev, Chennai 2013,
White could have obtained an advantage across practically all the board with: 17.b4!N²

Or if 10...Nc5 then White has a choice between the favourable yet double-edged 11.Bxc5 and 11.b4
Nce4 12.Nxe4 Nxe4 13.Ng5² when White’s queenside play based on c4-c5 would develop quicker
than Black’s kingside counterplay.
Finally, the familiar 10...Ng4, as played in Erdos – Duda, Linares 2017, is best met with 11.Bd4N
and then 11...Bh6 12.h3! is a promising exchange sacrifice. 12...Bxc1 13.Qxc1 Nf6 14.Re1 With a
dangerous attack due to the missing bishop on g7.

11.a3
The threat of b2-b4 forces Black to make a commitment on the queenside.

11.b4
This is premature, as it concedes control over c5.
11...Nxb4 12.Qb3 a5 13.c5
This does not offer White enough compensation for the pawn.
But Black has easy play after 13.a3 Na6 14.Qxb7 Ng4 and the queen’s knight will soon land on
c5. For instance, 15.Ba7 Qc8 16.Qxc8 Rfxc8 17.Bd4 Bxd4 18.Nxd4 Nc5 with excellent play.
13...Qf7 14.Rfd1

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 So far we have followed Kochyev – Van Mil, Budapest 1991. White’s compensation is
questionable after:
14...Na6N 15.cxd6 cxd6³
As 16.Qxb7? Rfb8 wins the queen.

11.Qd2N
This untested move can be answered with:
11...g5 12.h4
This looks like the critical test of the daring kingside plan, but the last move is likely to backfire.

12...f4!
Leningrad Dutch players should always look for such pawn breaks, even when they imply

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 sacrificing.
13.gxf4 gxf4!
13...g4 runs into 14.Ne5! when accepting the sacrifice would yield White an overwhelming
initiative in the centre, while 14...Bf5 15.Nd3 Qh5 16.Bd4 Qxh4 17.b4!?² also offers White the
better chances due to the good coordination and space advantage.
14.Bxf4 Qg6
Black is attacking with simple moves, as with the pawn on h4 the white king cannot easily find
peace.
15.Kh1 Nc5 16.b4 Nce4 17.Nxe4 Nxe4 18.Qe3 Qg4 19.Bh2
19.Bxh6 Rxf3! followed by ...Qxh4† leads to trouble.
19...Rf7 20.Ne5!?
Trying to change the dangerous trend of the game.
20...Bxe5

21.Bxe4
White has nothing better.
If 21.Bxe5 Qxh4† 22.Kg1 Ng5 23.Bh2 Nh3† 24.Bxh3 Bxh3 25.Bg3 Qh5 26.Rfd1 Rg7³ and
Black’s attack develops naturally.
21.Qxe4 is no less dangerous: 21...Rf4! 22.Bxf4 Qxh4† 23.Kg1 Bxf4 24.Rfd1 Rf8 25.Kf1 Bf5
26.Qd4 Qh2 (threatening ...Bh3) 27.Rc3 Be5 28.Qe3 Bxc3 29.Qxc3 Be4 30.f3 Rf7³ Once again
the play is rather one-sided.
21...Qxh4 22.f4 Bf6=
With such a bishop on h2, White can never be better, but at least is out of danger.

11...c5

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12.dxc6
Without this move, the e3-bishop would remain passive.
It is, however, worth investigating:
12.Qd2 g5 13.h4
We can compare the differences with the similar line above:
13...f4 14.gxf4

14...g4!
This time, the pawn advance is the correct reaction.
If 14...gxf4 15.Bxf4± and the a6-knight cannot join the attack anymore.
15.Ne5

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 A familiar picture, but we will see that with the pawn on c5 the evaluation changes.
15.Nh2 is too mild to bother Black: 15...Qh5 16.Rfd1 Qxh4 17.Nf1 Nh5=
15...Bf5 16.Nd3 Qh5 17.b4 b6=
The point is that White cannot restore harmony with Bd4, thus leaving Black a free hand on the
kingside.

12...bxc6

13.b4
The most consistent follow-up to a2-a3. White restricts the knight and creates the potential threats
of c4-c5 and b4-b5. It is useful to compare with the same plan in the 9.Rb1 line, which we will see in
the next two chapters.

Setting up piece pressure against Black’s massive centre leads to interesting play, but is not too
promising objectively:
13.Qa4!?N 13...Nc7

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14.Nd4
14.Qa5 Ne6 only helps Black to regroup, and we could next play ...g6-g5 and ...f5-f4.
The thematic 14.c5 is less effective than after b2-b4 (instead of Qa4) as the c5-pawn will be
hanging soon. 14...Ng4 15.Bd2 d5 16.h3 Nf6 17.Bf4 Ne6 and White has no time to establish
global control on the dark squares.
14...e5 15.Nxc6
White seems to be doing fine after winning the pawn, as this has increased the control on the light
squares and 15...e4 16.Qa5 would free White from the pin. But the next subtle move, defending
the c7-knight in X-ray mode, keeps things complicated:
15...Rf7!! 16.Rfd1
Or if 16.b4 e4 17.b5 Ng4 18.Bf4 a6 19.Qb3 Bxc6 20.bxc6 Qxc6 21.Rfd1 Ne5 22.Nd5 Ne6= and
the strong knight on d5 only compensates for the passive bishop on g2. At the same time, Black
has regrouped perfectly in the centre.
16...e4 17.Rxd6 Ng4

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 Black threatens not only to, more or less, restore material equality with ...Be5 or ...Ne5, but also
to forever exclude the g2-bishop from play with ...Nxe3. The play remains complicated with chances
for both sides.

13...Nc7 14.c5
The most consistent continuation.

14...Ng4 15.Bd2
Another possible line is:
15.Bf4 e5 16.cxd6 Ne6 17.Bd2 e4 18.Ne1

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 White’s extra pawn is temporary and coordination far from perfect. White will also face problems
activating the g2-bishop. A possible continuation is:
18...Qb8
18...Rd8 planning ...Bc8 is also interesting, for instance 19.f3 e3 20.fxg4 Nd4 with very active
play.
19.f3
Otherwise White would be doomed to passivity.
19...Qb6† 20.Kh1 Nf2† 21.Rxf2 Qxf2 22.fxe4 Qd4
White has some compensation for the exchange, but Black is not worse.

15...Rd8!N
As is so often the case, the move that completes development is best, even if the concrete
consequences are not easy to work out over the board.

In Andersson – Kasparov, Madrid (rapid) 1988, after having obtained some dynamic chances,
Kasparov suddenly switched to solid mode with: 15...d5?! 16.h3 Nf6 17.Bf4 Ne6 18.Be5² The
Leningrad Dutch was an occasional guest in Kasparov’s games, but his 15th move was too “typically
Dutch”. The recommended move is more in the spirit of the Grünfeld, an opening that Garry
mastered.

16.h3 Ne5 17.cxd6

If 17.Nxe5 then 17...dxe5 18.Qa4 e4, shutting off the bishop, offers Black comfortable play. The
a7-pawn does not seem tasty: 19.Qxa7 Ne6³ The threats of ...Ra8 or simply ...Nd4 offer Black a
strong initiative.

17...exd6 18.Be3 Ne6

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 Black has achieved a harmonious regrouping and the only open question is what happens if
White grabs one of the hanging pawns.

19.Nxe5
19.Qxd6 Bc8³ forces White to give up the queen for two minor pieces.

Or if 19.Bxa7 Ra8 20.Be3 Nc4 21.a4 Nxe3 22.fxe3 d5³ and White’s extra pawn is feeble consolation
for the shattered kingside structure.

19...dxe5 20.Bxa7 Ra8 21.Nb5!?

The only way to stir up complications, as otherwise Black would take on a3 with comfortable
play.

21...e4 22.Nd6 Qe7 23.Be3 Rxa3 24.Qd2

White seems to retain some pressure, but once again White is unable to enjoy the active knight
due to the passivity of the g2-bishop.

24...Rxe3!?
A promising exchange sacrifice, but the quiet 24...Rd8= also looks viable.

25.fxe3
With this structure the g2-bishop is likely to never get back into play.

25...Nc7
Planning ...Nd5.

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26.b5 Be5 27.bxc6 Be6 28.Nb7
White has made some progress on the now-empty queenside. In the meantime Black has
regrouped perfectly in the centre and is ready to start the kingside attack.

28...Qg5 29.g4 h5

With excellent attacking chances.

B) 9.Nd4

An active move, increasing White’s control in the centre and preparing, among other things, the

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e2-e4 break. On the other hand, White moves an already-developed piece for the second time, making
concrete action in the next phase look slightly premature.

9...Bd7
This familiar move now has a concrete purpose: Black needs to prepare ...c7-c6 (or c5).

White has a choice between B1) 10.e4 and B2) 10.Rb1, preparing the queenside expansion.

The usefulness of preparing the advance of the b-pawn with Rb1 is revealed after the following
slightly premature move:
10.b3

Due to the weakness of the long dark diagonal, Black can speed up the queenside play with:
10...c5 11.dxc6
Other moves leave the diagonal vulnerable, even though analysis shows that White has enough
resources to maintain approximate equality.
For example: 11.Ndb5 Ne4 12.Bb2 Bxb5 13.Bxe4 fxe4 14.cxb5 Nc7 15.Qc2 Nxb5 16.Nxb5
Bxb2 17.Nc7 Qd7 18.Nxa8 Bxa1 19.Rxa1 e3!? Weakening the enemy kingside with the help of
the already-doomed extra pawn cannot harm Black. 20.f3 Rxa8 21.Qe4 The complications have
come to an end and the game is likely to peter out to a draw: 21...Re8 22.Qxe3 e6 23.Qd3 exd5
24.Qxd5† Qf7 25.Qxd6 Rxe2=
Or if: 11.Ne6 Bxe6 12.dxe6 Ne4 13.Nxe4 Bxa1 14.Nxd6! The only chance to keep the game
alive. 14...exd6 15.Bxb7 Rb8 16.Bxa6 Qxe6= White’s extra pawn and better structure ensure
there is compensation for the exchange. But with the light-squared bishop out of play, I cannot
think of Black being worse in any way.
11...bxc6 12.Bb2 Rb8
Taking measures against b2-b4 before jumping with the knight to c5.

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13.Qd2
13.Rb1 makes no big difference: 13...Nc5 14.e3 So far we have followed Agree – E. Berg,
Southampton 2003. Black could consolidate his knight with 14...a5, but could also go for the
resolute: 14...e5N 15.Nc2 Qe7 16.Qd2 Rfd8 17.Rbd1 Be8= Holding the space advantage firmly
in hand. True, White’s position remains solid.
13...Nc5 14.Rad1
In Tosic – Pancevski, Nis 2012, the simplest would have been:
14...a5N=

The attempt to reinforce the threat of e2-e4 with 10.Re1 continues to neglect development. Black is
therefore entitled to deviate from the standard plan with 10...Nc5. For instance: 11.b4 Nce4 12.Bb2
c6 13.Rc1 Qf7= In this line we can notice that Rf1-e1 not only wasted a tempo, but also weakened the
f2-square.

B1) 10.e4

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 This is the most logical follow-up of the knight’s previous centralization, but it also offers Black
a clear plan for counterplay, based on ...c7-c6, ...Nc7, ...c6-c5 and ...b7-b5. White will need to spend
a few tempos on evacuating the long diagonal and the b-file, in order to get ready to consolidate with
b2-b3. Or else, if White decides to allow the black knight’s activation with ...N(x)b5, White has to
make sure the kingside initiative will be strong enough to compensate for Black’s simple plan.

10...fxe4 11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.Bxe4 c6

This is the approved continuation, but since White has severely neglected development, I believe
that the following more straightforward move deserves to be mentioned:

12...Rb8!?N

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 This flexible move has several ideas behind it. Black defends b7 and clears the long light
diagonal in order to make ...c7-c5 a realistic idea, despite Ne6. Or else Black can speed up ...b7-
b5 while keeping the c5-square clear for the knight.
13.Rb1
13.Be3 weakens b2, thus inviting 13...c5 14.Ne6 Bxe6 15.dxe6 b5 16.b3 Nb4. It is better to
prepare the knight’s return into play before winning the exchange. White cannot avoid the latter
as a2 is hanging. 17.a3 Bxa1 18.Qxa1 Nc6³ White’s compensation is questionable.
Or if 13.h4 Nc5 14.Bg2 b5 15.cxb5 Bxb5 16.Nxb5 Qxb5 17.Rb1 Qd3 and Black’s lead in
development compensates for the backward e- and c-pawns. 18.Qxd3 Nxd3 Now White should
give up the b2-pawn with 19.Be3, in the search of compensation based on the two bishops, as
instead 19.b3?! allows: 19...Rxf2 20.Rxf2 Bd4³
13...c5 14.Ne6
The only principled continuation. After other moves, Black would practically be a tempo up
compared with the lines below, as we did not have to waste a tempo with the c-pawn.
For instance: 14.Ne2 b5 15.b3 Bg4 16.f3 Bh3 17.Re1 Bf5 18.Bxf5 Rxf5 19.Bf4 Qf7 with active
play on both wings, compensating for the backward e7-pawn.
Or if 14.Nf3 Bg4 15.Re1 b5 with a similar evaluation.
14...Bxe6 15.dxe6 b5

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16.b3
Trying to keep the queenside structure compact.
If 16.cxb5 Rxb5 17.Be3 Nc7 18.b3 Kh8 then the e6-pawn is doomed, and the best White can do
is to search for adequate compensation based on the active bishops, with for example: 19.b4
Nxe6 20.bxc5 Rxb1 21.Qxb1 Nxc5=
16...Nc7 17.Be3 Kh8 18.Bd5 Nxd5 19.cxd5 a5=
With an interesting Benoni hybrid structure, with chances for both sides.

13.Be3

A logical developing move, preparing to consolidate the queenside and, indirectly, the centre.

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13.h4 Nc7 14.h5
This aggressive line looks premature.
14...e5!?
Due to White’s poor development, Black’s reaction in the centre is justified.
15.dxe6
White is best advised to think of equality.
The over-optimistic 15.h6 offers Black excellent play. For example: 15...Bf6 16.Nc2 cxd5
17.cxd5 Qe7 18.Qd2 Rac8³ Pedersen – Malaniuk, Cappelle-la-Grande 1995.
15...Nxe6 16.Nxe6 Qxe6 17.Re1 Qxc4 18.Qxd6 Rae8=
Black has solved all the problems. White has no time for 19.hxg6? as 19...Rxe4 20.gxh7† Kh8
21.Rxe4 Qxe4 22.Qxd7 Qe1† mates soon.

13...Nc7

14.Rc1
The most consistent move, preparing b2-b3.

14.Qd2 fails to keep White’s structural integrity, thus allowing Black to successively activate the
pieces via b5:

14...c5 15.Ne2 b5 16.cxb5 Bf5 17.Bg2 Qxb5 18.Nc3 Qd3 19.Rfd1 Qxd2 20.Rxd2 h6 21.Rc1 Rab8
22.Bf1

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 In Hernandez Onna – Chernin, Cienfuegos 1981, the strongest would have been 22...g5N with
active play on both wings.

For unknown reasons, in most games White willingly retreats the king’s bishop, either now or on the
previous move (which usually leads to a transposition).
14.Bg2 c5

There are two reasonable knight retreats now: 15.Ne2 or 15.Nf3. Let’s check out both:

15.Ne2 b5 16.cxb5
White did not get enough compensation for the exchange after 16.b3 Bxa1 17.Qxa1 bxc4 18.bxc4
Bf5 19.Bh6 Rf7 20.Nf4 Rb8 21.Qc3 Qa4 22.g4 Bxg4 23.Be4 Qd7 24.Qg3 Bf5–+ and Black

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 soon won in Grivas – Psakhis, Bela Crkva 1987.
16...Bxb5
This is logical with the white knight on e2.
But the simpler 16...Nxb5 17.Qd2 a5 is also good.
17.Qd2

17...Bxe2
This exchange increases Black’s control on the dark squares, but we could have gained an even
clearer effect by delaying it a bit: 17...Rb8!N 18.Rab1 Qf7 Threatening ...Bc4 with a double
attack. 19.Rfd1 This is a clear achievement for Black, as the rook basically belongs on e1 or f1.
19...Bc4 Forcing the weakening of the c3-square. 20.b3 Bxe2 Now everything is ready for this
exchange. 21.Qxe2 Nb5 22.Bd2 Obviously forced. 22...Nd4 23.Qe3 Qf5 24.Be4 Qh5 Black has
active play. But the game continuation is also playable.
18.Qxe2 Qb5

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19.Qxb5?!
This plays into Black’s hands, as without queens the position will be easier to handle.
White should have searched for chances with 19.Qg4 Qxb2 20.Qd7 Ne8 21.Rab1 Qe5 22.Bf4
Nf6! 23.Qb7 Qf5 when White has adequate compensation for the pawn, but not more, as d5 is a
permanent source of worries.
19...Nxb5 20.Rae1 a5 21.Re2 Ra7 22.Rc1 Rb8 23.Rc4 a4³
Black had great queenside play in Radulov – Atalik, Chalkida 1998.

15.Nf3
With this move, White can avoid the pin along the f1-a6 diagonal, but will soon land under
another one after ...Bg4. But precisely from this point of view, the last move justifies the earlier
bishop retreat to g2, as with the bishop on e4 the pin would be even more unpleasant.

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15...b5 16.b3 Bg4
Grabbing the exchange is always a possibility, but I would prefer to keep it in reserve.
If 16...Bxa1 17.Qxa1 Qf7 18.Bh6 Rfb8 19.Re1 White has normal compensation.
17.Rc1 Qd7
Stabilizing the bishop on g4.
18.Re1

18...Rae8!?N
Development, development... I never tire of preaching it!
18...Qf5 runs into 19.Nh4².
18...h6 is too slow. In Rogozenco – Beim, Budapest 1995, White could have regrouped with

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 19.Bd2!?N² clearing the e-file and planning either Ba5 or Bc3. Then 19...Qf5 runs into 20.Rxe7
Rac8 21.Bc3! indirectly defending f3. Or if 19...b4 then 20.h3 leaves Black short of ideas on both
wings. For instance, 20...Bxh3 21.Bxh3 Qxh3 22.Rxe7 with a strong initiative.
19.Bf4
White has to be careful about the way the pieces are placed.
The apparently natural regrouping with 19.Rc2? loses material to: 19...Qf5 20.Nh4 Bxd1
21.Nxf5 Bxc2–+
With the e7-pawn safely defended, Black can also meet the familiar 19.Bd2 with: 19...Qf5
20.Re3 Qh5³
19...h6
Now it makes sense to prepare the kingside expansion.
20.h4 Qf5 21.Qd2
Both sides have completed their mobilization, so the game has reached a crucial moment.
21...e5!
Black could also insert the exchange 21...bxc4 before breaking in the centre, but generally such a
way of releasing the tension is a bit of a concession.
22.dxe6 Nxe6 23.Qxd6
23.cxb5 Nxf4 24.Rxe8 Rxe8 25.gxf4 Bh3 or 25.Qxf4 Qxf4 26.gxf4 Rf8 also offer Black ample
compensation for the pawn.
23...Nxf4 24.Qxf4

24...b4!?
It is a matter of taste whether to exchange first on f4 or not. But all in all, Black’s queenside
space advantage, backed up by the bishops, offers excellent compensation, making the ending rather
double-edged.

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14...c5 15.Ne2
As mentioned above, 15.Nf3 Bg4 leaves White in a slightly uncomfortable position, as there is
no way to unpin with h2-h3 soon.

15...a5!

An accurate move, as the standard 15...b5 could be met with 16.b4 cxb4 17.c5² with a strong
initiative for the pawn. In this line we can clearly see the importance of completing development with
Be3 and Rc1 as soon as possible.

16.b3 b5
At this point of the game, this was unnecessary, as it does not lead to the activation of Black’s
pieces. In principle the plan is based on activating the rook along the a-file and playing ...Qf7
followed by ...Bf5.

I would recommend 16...a4!N 17.Nf4 axb3 18.axb3 Qf7 19.h4 Bf5= or 19...Ra2 followed by ...Bf5.

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17.Nf4
So far we have followed Alekseev – Dzhumaev, Tashkent 2011, in which Black prematurely
exchanged on c4, thus delaying his counterplay.

17...a4!N 18.b4
This must have been the move that Black feared in the game.

If 18.h4 axb3 19.axb3 Ra2= and Black has enough counterplay.

18...cxb4 19.c5 Rc8=

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 Defending the knight. Black is two tempos ahead on the queenside (...a7-a5-a4) with respect to
the similar line from the comments to Black’s 15th move. This means that there is no longer a
hanging pawn on a7 and the far-advanced pawns could become dangerous in the event of
simplifications. One important aspect is that 20.Qd2? Bc3 21.Rxc3 bxc3 22.Qxc3 does not yield
White enough compensation: 22...Bf5 23.Bg2 g5 24.Ne2 Qg6µ
So Black is fine, but recall that deviating on move 16 is even easier.

B2) 10.Rb1

After having gained space in the centre, White switches back to developing mode. The last move
prepares to develop the bishop to b2 in order to neutralize its rival on g7 in the resulting Benoni
Dutch structure. This is a slow approach that fails to put pressure on Black, since White will have to
waste another tempo with the knight after ...c6-c5.

10...c6 11.b3
With the knight on d4, White should avoid the aggressive:
11.b4?!
This move is typical for the line with 9.Rb1 and 10.b4 (see the next two chapters) but here it runs
into:
11...c5!
Ensuring that the queen’s knight has a wonderful square on c5.
12.bxc5 Nxc5 13.Nb3 Rc8 14.Be3
White is fighting hard against the blockade on c5, but after White has committed some minor
pieces, Black can switch to other squares:
14...Nfe4 15.Nxe4 Nxe4

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16.Bxe4
White does not have enough time to attack e4 in total comfort as after 16.Qd3 b5! Black takes
over the initiative: 17.Rfc1 bxc4 18.Rxc4 Rxc4 19.Qxc4 Nc3 20.Re1 Bb5³
16...fxe4 17.Bxa7
Black is doing fine after 17.Qc2 b6 18.Rbc1 Bf5 19.Nd2 e6 with mutual weaknesses and some
kingside attacking chances for Black.

17...Rxc4!N
It is better to refrain from the natural 17...Bh3 as the bishop can be useful on the other diagonal.
But after 18.Re1 Rxc4 19.Nd2 Ra4 20.Be3 as in Wang Yue – Lu Shanglei, China 2015, Black
would be doing great with 20...b5N³ anyway.

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18.Nd2
Or if 18.Na5 Ba4 19.Qd2 Bc3 20.Qc1 Rc8 and White’s minor pieces are hanging. The only way
to parry the threats of ...Bxa5 and ...Bd4 is 21.Nc6!? but this does not totally solve the problems:
21...bxc6 22.Qxc3 cxd5 23.Qd4 Bc6µ Followed by ...e7-e5 with a crushing space advantage.
18...Ba4

19.Qe1
Or if 19.Nb3 Qb5 with the double threat of ...Rf5 winning the central pawn and ...b7-b6 trapping
the bishop.
19...Rc2µ
Black has a powerful initiative.

11.dxc6 bxc6
This is not dangerous either.

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12.b4
This is similar to Chapter 6 with the difference that the knight is vulnerable on d4, allowing Black
to gain adequate play more easily.
12.b3 transposes to the main line.
12.Qa4 Nc5 13.Qa5 as in Ajrapetjan – Goreskul, Alushta 2007, simply misplaces the queen.
13...Ng4!N With the white queen far from the centre, this is the start of very strong counterplay.
14.Nb3 (otherwise ...Ne5 would cause problems on c4) 14...Ne6 15.f4

Trying to slow down the kingside initiative. 15...g5! Nevertheless! Black has dangerous threats as
pawn-grabbing is likely to make things worse for White: 16.h3 Nf6 17.fxg5 Nh5 18.Bf4 Qg6
19.h4 h6 20.gxh6 Nexf4 Due to the threat of ...Qxg3, White does not have time to take the

280
 bishop. 21.gxf4 Bf6–+ With a decisive attack.

12...Rc8
The simplest. Black removes the rook from the long diagonal, reinforcing the threats of ...c6-c5
or ...Nxb4 while also anticipating b4-b5.
The exchange sacrifice implied by 12...Nxb4 13.Rxb4 c5 offers Black just reasonable
compensation. For instance: 14.Rb1 cxd4 15.Bxa8 dxc3 16.Bg2 Bc6 17.Qd3 Bxg2 18.Kxg2
Qc6† 19.f3 Nd7 In Eljanov – Ivanchuk, Odessa (rapid) 2008, Black was doing fine.

13.Nf3
Even though this implies the loss of two tempos, it looks like the most consistent answer.
13.Nc2 Ng4³ followed by ...Ne5 puts the c4-pawn in trouble.

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 13.b5 justifies the rook’s presence on c8: 13...cxb5 14.cxb5 Rxc3 15.bxa6 e5 16.Nb3 Bc6
17.Qxd6 Bxg2 18.Kxg2 Regaining the pawn on a6 is a matter of time. Let’s see an example:
18...Rc6 19.Qd3 Qa8 20.Kg1 Rd8 21.Qb5 Rd5 22.Qb7 Qxb7 23.axb7 Rb6= Belakovskaia –
Burtman, Parsippany 1996.
13...Qf7 14.Qd3
Due to White’s insufficient development, 14.c5 is inoffensive: 14...dxc5 15.bxc5 Rfd8= Jahn –
Csiba, email 2014.
14...Ne4!
The tactical justification of this active knight jump is revealed below.
15.Ng5
15.Nxe4? fxe4 16.Qxe4 Bf5 wins material as after 17.Qh4 Bxb1 18.Ng5 Black has: 18...Bf6!–+
15...Nxg5 16.Bxg5

16...Nc7!N
This move is better than 16...Be6 which allows 17.Nd5! due to the hanging knight on a6.
17.Rfc1
Preparing to consolidate the vulnerable queenside pawns.
17...Ne6 18.Bd2 f4=
With excellent play.

11...Nc7

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12.Bb2
It is curious that in several games White switched to a plan typical for the 9.Rb1 line (see the next
two chapters) even though this implies wasting a tempo:
12.dxc6 bxc6

13.b4
If 13.Bb2 Rd8 14.Qd2 as in Petran – Kovacocy, Slovakia 2010, Black could put the centre into
motion: 14...e5 15.Nc2 d5= For instance, 16.cxd5 cxd5 17.Nxd5 Ncxd5 18.Bxd5† Nxd5
19.Qxd5† Be6 20.Qa5 f4 with excellent attacking chances, as White’s minor pieces are passive.
By the way, the e5-pawn is taboo: 21.Bxe5? Rd5–+
13...e5 14.Nb3

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 In Cvetkovic – Strbac, Belgrade 2005, Black could have reacted in a similar way as in the line
above:
14...d5N= 15.cxd5 cxd5 16.Nxd5 Ncxd5 17.Bxd5† Nxd5 18.Qxd5† Be6 19.Qa5 f4 20.Bb2 Bc4
21.Rfe1 Qf7 22.Bxe5 fxg3 23.Bxg3 Rae8

Black is perfectly coordinated and has obvious compensation for the missing pawns. It is White
who should think about equality:
24.Qc7
Defending the e-pawn with 24.e3 leads to trouble: 24...Be5! 25.f4 Bc3 26.Rec1 Rxe3µ
24...Qxc7 25.Bxc7 Bxe2=
Due to the active bishops and better structure, Black cannot be worse despite the missing pawn.

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Or if 12.b4 a typical reaction would be 12...cxd5 13.cxd5 Qf7 14.Qb3 Rac8!?= planning to jump
around with both knights via a8-b6 and g4-e5 or, after Bb2, start the kingside expansion with ...g6-g5.

12...c5 13.Nc2
This is the only consistent move, but curiously the following move has sometimes been tried at
grandmaster level:
13.Nf3
Basically, this is accepting the loss of two tempos.

13...h6!
Restricting the f3-knight and preparing the kingside expansion. In this structure it is important to
alternate pawn moves on both wings accurately.
The premature 13...b5 justifies the knight’s presence on f3: 14.cxb5 Nxb5 15.Nxb5 Bxb5 16.Ng5
Bd7 17.Qd2 Rb8 18.Rfc1 Rb6 19.Rc4² White had active play in Ljubojevic – Reinderman,
Amsterdam 1999.
14.Nd2
With the g5-square defended, 14.e4 is unconvincing: 14...fxe4 15.Nd2 e3 16.fxe3 Ng4 17.Re1 g5
18.Nce4 Qg6= Black had a harmonious position in Shapiro – Pixton, Kerhonkson 2003.
14...g5
Once again it is necessary to anticipate the central break.
After 14...b5 15.e4 White had the initiative in Wilson – Raisa, London 1989.

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15.e4!?N
This untested move is critical.
After 15.e3 Qg6 16.Qc2 Rab8 17.Rfe1 a6!? Black is preparing ...b7-b5, without conceding the
c4-square to the d2-knight. 18.Rbc1 b5 Black achieved active play on both wings in Dao –
Dzhumaev, Vishakapatnam 2008.
15...Rd8!?
A somewhat “abstract” move, completing development. The main idea is to defend d6 in advance
in order to break with ...e7-e6 at the right moment. It is also a hint about the fact that with the
current location of the knights, White does not have a clear way to improve the position.
Other typical moves are premature: 15...f4? 16.gxf4 gxf4 17.e5 dxe5 18.Nce4 Bf5 19.Kh1!?±
With more than enough compensation for the pawn. With the rook on d8, Black would now have
...Nc7-e6.
Or if 15...Ng4 16.h3 Ne5 17.exf5 Bxf5 18.Nce4² when Black again misses the rook on d8 to
react with ...e7-e6.
There are also some problems with 15...Qg6 as if 16.Qe2 e6?! then White has 17.e5! dxe5
18.Nf3 e4 19.Ne5 Qe8 20.d6 Na6 21.f3± with huge compensation for the pawn.
But 15...Qh5!?, preparing ...Rae8, may be a worthy alternative.
16.Qe2
This exposes the queen to ...Ne6-d4, but it is hard to find a noncommittal move for White.
16.Re1 weakens f2, making 16...Ng4 quite effective.
16.Qc2 Qg6 puts the white queen under some pressure along the b1-h7 diagonal.
Or if 16.h3 Qg6 17.Qe2 Black can take f3 under control with gain of time with 17...g4 18.h4,
before breaking with 18...e6= thus avoiding the dangerous pawn sacrifice mentioned above.
16...e6 17.dxe6
Otherwise 17...exd5 would absolve Black of any structural problems.
17...Nxe6 18.exf5 Nd4 19.Qxe8 Rdxe8

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 The central knight fully compensates for the weakness on d5. For instance:
20.Nde4
Or if 20.Bxb7 Bxf5 21.Rbe1 Bd3 22.Rxe8 Rxe8 23.Rc1 Ng4 with a very strong initiative for the
pawn.
20...Nxe4 21.Nxe4 Nxf5 22.Bxg7 Kxg7 23.Rbd1 b6

Parrying Nxc5 and planning to defend d6 with ...Re6.

24.Nxd6 Re2=
The active rook fully compensates for the pawn.

A rare move is:

13.Ne6
But it needs to be examined as it requires an accurate response.

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13...Bxe6!
The pawn exchange resulting after 13...Nxe6 14.dxe6 Bxe6 15.Bxb7 Rb8 16.Bg2² slightly
favours White. With the c-pawn on the sixth rank, Black would be doing great, but the way it is,
the permanent threat of Nd5 offers White an edge.
14.dxe6 Rb8
The e6-pawn is not easy to get, but it will stay as a permanent weakness, while Black will start
counterplay along the b-file.
15.e4
15.Bd5 b5 leaves White hanging in the centre.
15.Nd5 loses a pawn without clear compensation: 15...Nxe6 16.Nxf6† Bxf6 17.Bd5 Qd7 18.Qd2
Kg7³
15...fxe4 16.Nxe4 Nxe4 17.Bxe4 b5 18.Qd2 Bxb2 19.Rxb2 Rf6 20.Bd5

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 The position has turned static and the bishop is not stronger than the knight. It actually has to stay
immobile on d5 in order to defend e6, and Black can exchange it at any convenient moment.
20...Rb6
A solid move, defending the rook with a pawn in anticipation of the opening of the b-file.
But 20...a6!?N was a more effective way of preparing for ...bxc4. If White plays in the same way
as in the game with 21.f4 then Black has: 21...bxc4 22.bxc4 Rxb2 23.Qxb2 Nxd5 24.cxd5 Qb5!³
This is the point behind ...a7-a6. The d5-pawn is a target and the c-pawn might become
dangerous. The only thing Black needed was to control the b-file. Keeping the tension with
25.Rb1?! only makes things worse after the invasion: 25...Qd3µ
21.f4 Qf8=
Cvetkovic – Malaniuk, Vrnjacka Banja 1991, soon ended in a draw.

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13...g5!
It is natural to use the knight’s absence from f3 to start the kingside expansion without the need
of ...h7-h6.

With the enemy knight on c2, Black should choose the moment for ...b7-b5 with care, as it could run
into b3-b4.
It is true that after:
13...b5 14.b4?!
Black has an effective counterblow:

14...a5! 15.bxc5

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 If 15.a3 cxb4 and Black avoids both bxc5 and Nxb4.
15...b4 16.c6 bxc3 17.cxd7 Nxd7 18.Ba1 Nc5 19.Nd4 Qa4
Black has enough counterplay.

The right move order to punish 13...b5 is:

14.cxb5! Nxb5 15.Nxb5 Bxb5 16.b4
When Black faces queenside problems.

16...c4
Since Black cannot prevent the knight’s invasion of c6, it makes sense to retain some trumps on
that wing.
If 16...Rc8 17.bxc5 Rxc5 18.Nd4 Bd7 19.Nc6± and Black was very passive in Straka – Vrana,
Slovakia 2011.
17.Nd4 Rc8 18.Bc3 Bd7 19.Nc6²
Black should probably sacrifice an exchange on c6 to get some counter-chances connected with
the passed pawn.

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14.f4
The typical way of meeting Black’s kingside plan. White weakens the e4-square and allows the
opening of the g-file for the sake of preventing Black from gaining further space.

14.e3
This offers a good illustration about the way Black should alternate play on both wings. White’s
move takes measures against the planned ...f5-f4, but weakens the f1-a6 diagonal. Black’s next
move suggests itself:

14...b5!
14...f4?! is precisely what White is hoping for: 15.exf4 gxf4 16.Ne2 Nh5 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.Bf3

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 e5 19.dxe6 Nxe6 20.Nc3± In Schneider – Al. Karpov, Budapest 1993, White had totally repelled
the attack, leaving Black with just weaknesses.
15.cxb5 Nxb5 16.Nxb5 Bxb5 17.Re1

Black can use the available tempo with, for instance, 17...Rc8 when 18.b4 can be answered with
either 18...Ba4 or 18...c4 threatening ...c4-c3 before White gets the knight to c6.

14.e4 is conveniently answered with 14...f4.

It does not make much sense to open the queenside before Black plays ...b5-b4, as this would concede
the c5-square without getting access to c6 in exchange: 14.b4 cxb4 15.Nxb4 Qh5 16.e3 Qxd1
17.Rfxd1 Rfc8 18.Bf1 Kf7 19.h3 Rab8 20.Bd3 h5= Black is well prepared for the fight on either
wing.

14...Qg6
At this point Black’s play flows naturally, while White is mainly concerned about remaining
solid, in the hope in the long run of retaining the space advantage.

15.e3
The drawbacks of this move are familiar to us, but White intends to answer ...gxf4 with exf4,
keeping the g-file defended and turning e7 into a potential weakness.
Instead after a neutral move such as:
15.Ba1
Black can quickly open the kingside and the queenside.

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15...gxf4
There is also nothing wrong with the ultra-cautious 15...Rab8.
16.gxf4 b5 17.cxb5 Kf7!?
This unexpected way of combining play on two wings offers Black the initiative.
The more straightforward 17...Nxb5 18.Nxb5 Bxb5 is also playable, as if 19.b4 Ba4 20.bxc5
Ng4 we reach a global fight against the mutual weaknesses. It is hard to believe that the white
knight would ever reach c6. For example, 21.Rf3 Rf7 22.Rg3 Bxa1 23.Rxa1 h5 followed by ...h5-
h4 with messy play.

18.Kh1 Ng4 19.h3 Bxc3!?

This is why the black king did not go to h8 when clearing the g-file for the attack.

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20.Bxc3 Nxb5 21.Bb2 Nf6³
The black structure is more compact and Black’s attacking chances should also not be
underestimated.

15...a6
With the f1-a6 diagonal weak, 15...b5 is also entirely playable, of course.

16.Qe2 Rae8 17.Ba1

17...b5!N
After having placed all the pieces optimally, Black had no reason to refrain from the programmed
pawn break.

Instead 17...gxf4?! 18.exf4! h5 19.b4² mainly left Black with weaknesses in Magalashvili – M.
Gurevich, Istanbul 2006.

18.b4
Possibly this was the continuation feared by Gurevich.

If 18.Rbe1 then the least Black could do is 18...b4 19.Nd1 Ne4= but we could also keep ...b5-b4 in
reserve with 18...h5.

Or if 18.a3 h5, followed by ...Rf7, when Black’s attack makes slow but steady progress.

18...gxf4
With the queenside under tension, this capture is more justified than in the game. The centre will

295
soon explode.

19.exf4 e5! 20.fxe5

Due to the weakness on c4 White cannot play the generally desirable 20.dxe6 due to 20...Bxe6
and if 21.cxb5 Bxa2µ.

20...Rxe5
Black opened the position at a moment when the black pieces are better mobilized. Even the c7-
knight plays a part as d5 will not enjoy the support of the c-pawn for long. White is walking on a
tightrope.

21.Qd1
21.Qd3? allows 21...bxc4 22.Qxc4 f4µ when the c2-knight is hanging.

21...f4!?
Not the only good continuation, but the most principled.

22.Ne2
White has to reinforce the kingside defences as quickly as possible.

Taking on f4 just speeds up Black’s attack: 22.gxf4 Ree8 23.bxc5 Nh5µ or 22.Rxf4 Bh6 23.Rf1
Bf5µ.

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22...Rxe2!
The best way to maintain the rhythm of the attack.

23.Qxe2 Bf5 24.Rbc1 fxg3 25.hxg3 Bd3

Black regains the exchange while retaining pleasant play on the dark squares after the virtually
forced:

26.Qe7 Bxf1 27.Rxf1 Nfe8 28.Bxg7 Rxf1† 29.Kxf1 Qxg7=/³

Conclusion

This chapter introduced us to the main line 8.d5 in reply to our favourite 7...Qe8. Then after the
obvious 8...Na6 there is a major branching point. The main moves we considered in this chapter were
9.Be3 and 9.Nd4, saving the absolute main line 9.Rb1 for the next two chapters.

9.Be3 is too inflexible to be a serious threat to Black, who starts with 9...Bd7 saving the option of
...Ng4 for later. One point that Black should especially note is that 10.Rc1 is best met by 10...h6!
following Kasparov’s example. The more obvious 10...Ng4 looks tempting, but then 11.Bd4N
11...Bh6 12.h3! is a promising exchange sacrifice.

9.Nd4 looks logical at first, centralizing the knight and preparing e2-e4. However after 9...Bd7 we
saw that the immediate 10.e4 can be safely met by Black. Instead after 10.Rb1 Black often chooses a
plan with ...c7-c6, ...Na6-c7 and only then ...c6-c5. Then we can see that the knight on d4 is not as
ideally-placed as it may have seemed.

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A) 10.b3 149
B) 10.b4 c6 152
B1) 11.a3 152
B2) 11.e4 156
B3) 11.c5 158

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6 7.Nc3 Qe8 8.d5 Na6 9.Rb1
This is the most principled and the most dangerous continuation. White prepares queenside

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development without loss of time. We shall start our study of this move in the present chapter, and
complete it in the following chapter.
We saw 9.Be3 and 9.Nd4 in the previous chapter.

9...Bd7
After this standard reply, White’s main options are A) 10.b3 or B) 10.b4.

A) 10.b3

This move order, delaying the knight jump to d4, is trickier than it may seem. If Black plays
according to the standard plans examined earlier, we risk landing in an inferior position. But given the
slow character of White’s play, Black can switch to another typical plan.

10...c6 11.Bb2
Now, or on the next move, Nf3-d4 would transpose to variation B2 of the previous chapter (see
page 138).

11...Nc7

White can now play a neutral developing move, when 12...c5 would basically transpose to
13.Nf3 in line B2 of the previous chapter (see page 141), but now with two tempos less for Black! In
the present case, White has not played Nf3-d4-f3.

12.Re1
Planning e2-e4.

299
The immediate opening of the centre does not promise much:
12.e4 fxe4 13.Ng5 cxd5 14.cxd5

In Orr – M. Grunberg, Port Erin 2002, Black should have played the typical:
14...e3!N 15.fxe3
As so often in such situations, any attempt by White to pick up the e-pawn without spoiling the
structure wastes too much time, allowing Black to take over the initiative. For example: 15.f4 Rc8
16.Qe2 h6 17.Nge4 Nxe4 18.Bxe4 e5³ After 19.dxe6?! Nxe6µ the pawn is still taboo. A
stronger try is 19.Qxe3, but Black retains the better chances after 19...Bh3 followed by ...exf4.
15...h6 16.Nh3 g5=
Followed by ...Qg6 and/or ...Ng4.

Another neutral move is:

12.Qd2

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 Its drawback is that it exposes the queen too early.
12...cxd5!N
White’s idea would be justified after 12...h6?! 13.Nd4 when the insertion of the moves Qd2 and
...h7-h6 favours White with respect to variation B of the previous chapter. 13...c5 14.Ne6! Bxe6
(We know already that the structure resulting after 14...Nxe6 15.dxe6 Bxe6 16.Bxb7 slightly
favours White. For instance, 16...Rb8 17.Bg2 g5 18.e3² Ionescu – Mateuta, Bucharest 1997.)
15.dxe6 After the familiar 15...Rb8 White has 16.Nd5!² since 16...Nxe6? leads to disaster after:
17.Nxf6† Bxf6 18.Bd5 Qd7 19.Qxh6+–
Finally, 12...c5 allows: 13.e4 fxe4 14.Ng5±
13.cxd5
With the queen on d2, 13.Nxd5 allows Black to gain quick counterplay: 13...Ncxd5 14.cxd5 Ne4
15.Qe3 Bxb2 16.Rxb2 Qf7 (planning ...Rfc8 followed by ...Qf6 and an invasion via c3) 17.Rc2
Rfc8 18.Rxc8† Rxc8 19.Qxa7 Qxd5= With comfortable play.
13...b5!
This is one of the positions where we can sense that by delaying Nd4, White’s play has lost part
of its dynamism. With the knight still on f3, Black can afford to weaken the c6-square in order to
fight for counterplay. Suddenly, the d5-pawn is in danger.
14.a3 a5 15.b4 axb4 16.axb4 Rc8
Planning ...Na8-b6-c4.
17.Nd4 Qf7
17...Na8 18.Nc6 attacks the b5-pawn, forcing the knight to return to c7.

301
18.Ra1
18.Nc6 fails to keep control of the light squares due to 18...Bxc6 19.dxc6 d5 with mutual
chances.
18...Ncxd5 19.Nxd5 Nxd5 20.Nxf5 Bxf5 21.Bxg7 Kxg7 22.Bxd5 Be6 23.Bf3 Qf6=
Black’s perfect regrouping and control over the c-file (on c4 and c3 in particular) compensates for
the slightly inferior structure.

12...Rc8!?N
Black can afford to play neutral moves too!

Once again, covering g5 leads to an unfavourable version of variation B of the previous chapter:

302
12...h6 13.Nd4 c5 14.Ne6 Bxe6 15.dxe6

15...Nxe6 (If 15...Rb8 16.e4 fxe4 17.Nxe4 Nxe4 18.Bxe4 Bxb2 19.Rxb2 Rf6 20.Rbe2² then White is
more active than in the similar position arising after 13.Ne6 in line B2 of the previous chapter.)
16.Bxb7 Rb8 17.Bg2² Badea – Marin, Calimanesti 2017.

12...cxd5 is a bit premature due to 13.Nxd5!? Ncxd5 14.cxd5 when Black’s counterplay is less
obvious.

13.e4
If 13.Nd4 then Black can switch to familiar paths with: 13...c5 14.Ne6 Bxe6 15.dxe6 b5=

The queen lift to d2 is still unimpressive: 13.Qd2 cxd5 14.cxd5 (the capture with the knight is even
less recommendable after the insertion of Re1 and ...Rc8: 14.Nxd5 Ncxd5 15.cxd5 Ne4 16.Qe3 Bxb2
17.Rxb2 Qf7³) 14...b5

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 With an even more favourable version of the same plan examined in the comments to the
previous move.

13...fxe4 14.Ng5 cxd5 15.cxd5 Bf5

16.Ncxe4
Black is also safe after 16.Ngxe4 Nb5, defending d6. For example: 17.Nxf6† Bxf6 18.Nxb5
Qxb5 19.Bxf6 exf6=

16...Qd7
After parrying Nxd6, Black threatens to take on d5.

304
17.Nxf6† exf6 18.Ne4
18.Ne6 Bxb1 19.Nxf8 Rxf8 20.Qxb1 f5 is similar to the main line.

18...Bxe4 19.Rxe4 f5 20.Bxg7 Qxg7=

Due to Black’s excellent control on the dark squares, the knight can easily be stronger than the
bishop, thus compensating for White’s space advantage and Black’s slight kingside weaknesses.

B) 10.b4

After the efforts of players such as Mikhail Gurevich and Malaniuk established 7...Qe8 as a
reliable line, the last move became the main threat for Black. There were even times when Black’s
whole concept looked suspicious because of it.
White’s play is indeed logical. The last move restricts the a6-knight and prepares a massive
queenside pawn attack.

10...c6
After Black’s obvious reply, in this chapter we will examine: B1) 11.a3, B2) 11.e4 and B3) 11.c5.
All of them are relatively rare, but they require closer investigation than most sub-lines. We will
study the main continuation 11.dxc6 in the next chapter.
One minor line can be dealt with briefly:

11.Qb3
In similar style to 11.a3 (as examined below in variation B1) this move over-defends b4 in order
to prepare Bb2, but the queen does not stand so well on b3.
11...Nc7 12.Bb2

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 12.Rd1? runs straight into trouble due to the unfavourable alignment of the queen and rook along
the same diagonal. 12...cxd5 13.cxd5 Ne4 14.Nd4 Nxc3 15.Qxc3 In Egartner – Preiss, Germany
2002, Black hurried to win the exchange with 15...Nb5, allowing White to get compensation by
setting up the bishop and queen battery along the long diagonal. Stronger was 15...Ba4!N starting
a manoeuvre aimed at spoiling White’s coordination: 16.Rd2 Nb5 17.Qe3 Nxd4 18.Rxd4 Bc2
19.Ra1 Qf7 20.Bb2 Bxd4 21.Qxd4 Qf6–+ Due to the hanging b2-bishop, White cannot avoid the
exchange of queens.
The exposed position of the queen is obvious in the following line, too: 12.dxc6 bxc6 13.c5† Be6
14.Qc2 Nfd5=

12...e5!
Now that there is no pressure on d6 and White’s pieces have migrated to the queenside, Black
starts active play on the other half of the board.
13.dxe6 Nxe6 14.Rbd1 Qe7 15.e3 g5
Black had excellent kingside counterplay in Bayartsetseg – Goreskul, Cannes 1997.

B1) 11.a3

This apparently modest move, preparing Bb2, contains more venom than it may seem at first sight.
Since White can play dxc6 at any moment, Black has to choose the move order with care, so as to
transpose to line B of the next chapter with ...bxc6, or else deviate with ...Bxc6 or ...cxd5 under
favourable circumstances.

11...Nc7 12.Bb2
For the time being the exchange 12.dxc6 bxc6 does not bother Black, as it transposes straight to
the 12.a3 line that we will see in the next chapter (see page 176). But since in that variation we

306
answer 13.Bb2 with 13...Ne6 we have to be ready for deviations now.

12...Rd8!
Black prepares to meet dxc6 with ...Bxc6, by defending the d6-pawn in advance in order to be
ready to gain space with ...e7-e5.

12...cxd5?! would be justified after 13.cxd5 Rc8 followed by ...Na8-b6, taking advantage of the
weaknesses left behind by the b-pawn.
But White has the stronger 13.Nxd5! Ncxd5 14.cxd5 Rc8 15.Ng5² retaining the more pleasant
position as Black’s queen is stuck on e8.

12...Rc8?!
At first this looks like a smart way of waiting for White to develop the queen before exchanging
on d5.
The last move is justified after:
13.Qd2?!
Keeping an eye on d6.
If 13.Qb3 cxd5 14.Nxd5 then Black has 14...e5 15.Nxf6† Bxf6 with comfortable play, as c4 is
weak and the white knight is far from d5.
13...cxd5!N
13...Na8?! was pushing it too far: 14.dxc6! Bxc6 15.Nd5 Ne4 16.Qd3 Bxb2 17.Rxb2 e6 18.Ne3
b5 In Andersson – Beliavsky, Bazna 2008, White could have taken advantage of Black’s
numerous weaknesses with: 19.Nd4 bxc4 20.Nxc4²
14.cxd5
The point is that after 14.Nxd5 Ncxd5 15.cxd5 Ne4³ Black gains an important tempo to invade
through c3.

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14...Na8=
Followed by ...Nb6 when Black has coherent counterplay.

Unfortunately, White instead has 13.dxc6!N when, after 13...Bxc6, carrying out the desirable ...e7-e5
is not simple.

13.dxc6
The logic of Black’s plan is revealed after most neutral moves, when we can react in the centre
anyway, based on the fact that d6 is (at least indirectly) defended.

For instance:
13.Nd4N 13...e5 14.dxe6 Nxe6=

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15.Nb3
After the knight exchange, c4 could turn out to be weak.
15...f4!=
Black has promising kingside counterplay. And note that the d6-pawn is not tasty:
16.Qxd6? Bc8 17.Qb8 Ng5
Suddenly Black has a violent attack. In many lines ...Bh3 or ...Bg4 would gain an important
tempo. The threat of winning the exchange with ...Bf5 is probably of lesser importance, as that
would offer White the bishop pair.
18.Qxf4 Nh3† 19.Bxh3 Bxh3µ
Due to the threat of ...Ng4, White cannot save the king’s rook. Black wins the exchange after
having exchanged the g2-bishop and retains a clear advantage due to the pressure along the central
files and the long dark diagonal.

Or if:
13.Qb3N 13...e5 14.dxe6 Bxe6
Then the pin along the a2-g8 diagonal is annoying. For instance:
15.b5
This thematic move can be answered with:
15...cxb5 16.Nxb5 Nxb5 17.Qxb5 Qxb5
The simplest way to comfortable equality.
17...b6 may also be playable, as the white knight is still far from d5 and the weaknesses on c4 and
d6 more or less compensate for each other. But I cannot avoid the feeling that White’s structure is
more compact.
18.cxb5

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18...Bc4
White has optically pleasant control of d4, but the queenside weaknesses are no less relevant.
Black’s last move, activating the bishop before consolidating with ...d6-d5, is essential.
19.Nd4 Ne4 20.Rfd1 Rfe8 21.a4 d5=
Black is doing fine.

13...Bxc6!
13...bxc6 transposes to a position we wish to avoid, as explained in the comments to line B of the
next chapter (see page 176).

14.b5

310
 With the knight on c7, this does not force the exchange on f3. True, White gains some space and
time, but it also deprives White’s queenside structure of its desired mobility.
But other moves allow Black to gain space in the centre, for instance: 14.Qb3 e5 15.c5† Qe6=

Or if:
14.Qd2 e5 15.b5

This arrives too late now.

15...Bxf3!
With the pawn already on e5, Black does not have to worry about exposing b7 anymore.
16.exf3
16.Bxf3 offers Black a tempo to develop the initiative: 16...e4 17.Bg2 Qf7³ The c4-pawn is
hanging and ...d6-d5 is in the air, too.
16...Qf7=
Or even 16...f4 with comfortable play.

14...Bd7

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15.e4
The most dynamic continuation.

Attacking b7 fails to deliver the desired effect: 15.Nd2 b6 and if 16.e4 f4!? with promising kingside
play.

Or if 15.Nd4 e5 16.Nb3 d5 17.cxd5 e4 18.a4 Be6= and Black retrieves the pawn with active play in
the centre.

15.Qb3
This leads to more complicated play.

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15...e5 16.b6 axb6 17.c5† Be6 18.Qxb6 Nfd5
18...Na8 19.Qxb7 e4 20.Nd4 dxc5 is also worth a try. The cornered knight has better prospects
of returning into play than the bishop on g2.
19.Nxd5 Nxd5 20.Qxb7 Rf7
White has won a pawn, but the queen is in a tight net.
21.Qa6 Ra8 22.Qxd6 Bf8 23.Qxe5 Bg7 24.Qd6 Bf8

White can avoid an immediate draw by repetition with the spectacular:

25.Qxe6!?
But this does not change the evaluation of the position.
25...Qxe6 26.Ng5 Qc6 27.Nxf7 Kxf7 28.Rbd1 Rd8 29.Rd2 Qxc5 30.Rfd1 Ne3 31.Rxd8 Nxd1

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32.Rxd1 Qc2 33.Rd7† Ke6 34.Rb7 Qxe2=
With a probable draw.

15...fxe4 16.Ng5 e3!

Spoiling White’s structure.

17.fxe3
After the overambitious 17.f4?, aiming to keep structural integrity, the e3-pawn may not be easy
to collect: 17...Bf5 18.Rc1 e5µ

The resulting structure does not promise White much, and Black has also regrouped well. For
example:

17...h6 18.Nf3 Be6 19.Qe2 Qf7 20.Nd2 b6=

B2) 11.e4

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 This rare move (actually played only twice in older games) requires some detailed analysis, as
with the whole board under tension, Black needs to be accurate in order to keep coordination.

11...fxe4 12.Ng5 Bg4

An important intermediate move, as the queen is best placed on d1 for the sake of maintaining
White’s stability.

13.Qb3
This keeps an eye on d5 and, indirectly, f3. But in some lines it allows ...Be2-d3.

If 13.Qd2 Nc7 14.Ngxe4 (14.dxc6 Qxc6 leaves c4 hanging) 14...Nxe4 15.Nxe4 cxd5 16.cxd5 then
Black has 16...Bf3. This solves Black’s problems, as d5 is likely to become a target and the weakness
on c4 turns out to be a real factor after the exchange of bishops.

13...cxd5 14.cxd5
One important point is that the thematic capture with the knight, mentioned in line B1, 14.Nxd5
allows 14...Nxd5 15.cxd5 Be2 16.Re1 Bd3. Play now becomes very sharp. 17.Ne6 Rc8 18.Nxg7 Qf7
19.Be3 Bxb1 20.Ne6 Bc2 21.Qa3 Rc4= Black’s extra pawn, stability on the light squares and global
activity compensate for the inconvenience caused by the knight on e6.

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14...Rc8
A good developing move, but Black could also start rerouting the knight at once: 14...Nc7
15.Ncxe4 Nxe4 16.Nxe4 Nb5 17.Bb2 Nd4 18.Qe3 Nf3† With mutual chances.

15.Ncxe4 Nxe4 16.Nxe4

16...Nc7!
A few moves earlier, this manoeuvre was optional, but now it becomes a must, as Black has
finished all the neutral moves.
16...Be2? was the start of a sterile queenside invasion, while leaving the kingside without defence.

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17.Re1 Bc4 18.Qa3 Qb5 19.Bb2 Bxb2 20.Rxb2± Black’s pieces are stuck on the queenside, while
White’s kingside threats soon became real in Badea – Armas, Predeal 1988.

17.h3
Forcing the bishop back before Black ensures its transfer to c4 by means of ...b7-b5.

17.a4 allows 17...b5 18.a5 Be2 19.Re1 Bc4, endangering the d5-pawn in view of ...Qf7. Then
20.Nxd6 Bxb3 21.Nxe8 Bc2 offers White just reasonable compensation for the exchange.

Or if 17.Bb2 Bxb2 18.Rxb2 Qf7 19.Rd2 Qg7 (planning ...Nb5-c3) 20.a4 Na6 21.Re1 Bf5= and
White will soon lose control over some of the important dark squares (those along the long diagonal,
plus c5 and b4). Thus allowing Black adequate counterplay. And as usual in the Leningrad Dutch,
...g6-g5 remains a valid plan.

17...Bf5 18.a4

18...Qd7!N
Before defining the queenside plans, Black should force White to display their cards on the
kingside.
If 18...b5 19.a5 Na6 as in Maly – Krizsany, Austria 1995, White could stay in control with 20.Bd2N
20...Rc4 21.Rbe1. White defends e4 with gain of tempo by threatening Nxd6. 21...Qd7 22.g4±

19.g4
Instead 19.Kh2 b5 20.a5 Na6 21.Bd2 Rc4 22.Rbe1 offers Black a free tempo compared with the
line recommended for White above, as the queen has evacuated the e-file in time. 22...Rd4 23.Re2
Rc8 with strong counterplay.

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19...Bxe4 20.Bxe4

20...Na8!
After the previous exchange, Black’s chances to invade with ...b7-b5 and ...Rc4 are not realistic,
so it is time to change plans. The knight clears the c-file and heads for c4.

21.Bb2
If 21.a5 Rc3 22.Qd1 then Black could continue regrouping with 22...Nc7=, but there does not
seem to be anything wrong with 22...Rxh3 23.Kg2 Rc3 followed by ...Nc7.

21...Bxb2 22.Rxb2 Nb6 23.a5 Nc4 24.Re2 Rc7=

Black has regrouped well and White has weaknesses on both wings, which compensates Black
for White’s space advantage.

B3) 11.c5

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 This is a thematic break, aiming to weaken the e5-square, but at this developing stage White does
not achieve much with it.

11...dxc5 12.dxc6
An important intermediate exchange, as if 12.bxc5 Nxc5 13.Ba3 then Black has 13...b6 with
equality.

12...bxc6
Instead 12...Bxc6? allows 13.b5 Bxf3 14.Bxf3± retrieving the pawn on b7 with a clear advantage.

13.bxc5

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13...e5!
The simplest way to gain active counterplay. Black takes advantage of the fact that the hanging
pawn on d6 was exchanged to carry out the typical Dutch advance in the centre.

13...Nxc5 offers White a strong initiative after 14.Ne5 Rd8 15.Ba3, even though Black may be able
to stay in the game with 15...Be6 16.Qc2 Nfe4 17.Nxe4 Nxe4 18.Nxc6 Rd2.

After the game move the pawn on c5 remains a permanent target.

14.Qd3
The queen hurries to defend the pawn.

14...Bc8
A necessary retreat, as 14...Nc7? runs into 15.Nxe5 Qxe5 16.Bf4 Qxc5 17.Bxc7± with active
play and the better structure for White.

15.Qc4†

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15...Qe6!N
The black queen has been patiently waiting on e8, supporting ...e7-e5. Now is the time to
exchange the queen for her rival, who has invested two tempos to reach a dominating position.

15...Kh8 allows White to retain an edge with: 16.e4!?N (16.Rd1 e4 17.Nd4 Ng4= was very
comfortable for Black in Xiu Deshun – Lu Shanglei, Danzhou 2013) 16...Nc7 17.Rd1 Ba6 18.Qb4²
White controls both open files and the pressure on e5 causes Black problems in playing the desirable
...Ne6.

16.Nxe5
White has to accept the pawn sacrifice, as after 16.Qxe6† Bxe6 the simultaneous threats of ...e5-
e4 and ...Nxc5 more or less force 17.Nxe5 Ng4 transposing.

16...Ng4!
Forcing White to activate both black bishops.

17.Qxe6† Bxe6 18.Nxg4 fxg4

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 As a result of the exchanges, Black has gained space on the kingside and has a lead in
development. This offers entirely adequate compensation for the pawn. In fact, due to the hanging
pawns on a2 and c5, White has to make some concessions in order to keep the minimal material
advantage.

19.Bb2
Another option is:
19.Na4
This defends c5 and keeps c6 under attack, but with the knight on such a square White can hardly
hope for an advantage.
19...Bxa2 20.Rb7 Bd5 21.Bxd5† cxd5 22.Bf4 Rfe8 23.c6

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 This pawn looks dangerous, but Black gains time to regroup by attacking the sidelined knight.
23...Re4 24.Nb2 Rc8 25.Rc1 Nb4
With a double attack on c6 and b2.
26.Nd3 Nxc6 27.Nb4 Rc4=

19.Ne4
This looks more active, but it also removes the pressure on c6.
19...Bxa2 20.Rb7 Bd5
Threatening ...Bxe4 followed by ...Nxc5 with a double attack.
21.Be3
If 21.Bb2 Rf7= then the rook has no retreat squares, so White has to give up control of the b-file.
21...Rfb8 22.Rfb1 Ba2=
Once again White does not have enough space along the b-file.

19...Rab8

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20.Ba1
This looks like the most harmonious answer, but in the long run the queenside minor pieces will
be under a constant pin.

20.Na4
Once again this places the knight on an unfortunate square.

20...Bxa2!
Better than 20...Bxb2 21.Rxb2 Rxb2 22.Nxb2 Nxc5 23.Rc1 Rb8 24.Nc4² when White has the
better structure in the endgame.
21.Bxg7 Rxb1 22.Bxf8 Rxf1† 23.Kxf1 Kxf8 24.Bxc6 Bb3

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 Threatening to regain the pawn with ...Bxa4.
25.Bb7
This is the best way of keeping some sort of barrier around the c-pawn.
If 25.Bb5 Nc7 26.Nc3 Ke7 27.Ke1 Ne6 28.c6 Kd6= then retrieving the pawn would be a matter
of time.
25...Nc7 26.Nc3 Ke7 27.Ke1 a5 28.Kd2 a4 29.Kc1 a3 30.Kb1 Kd7=
Due to the more active king and easier access to the enemy passed pawn, Black can claim
equality despite being a pawn down.

20...Nxc5 21.Bxc6 Rxb1 22.Rxb1 Rd8

Black’s bishops keep the enemy queenside under strong pressure and Black’s kingside space
advantage makes the white king’s life uncomfortable. Black has enough compensation for the pawn
in a double-edged position. White is not really playing with “a draw in his pocket” as the hanging
pieces offer Black some tactical ideas.

23.Kf1
Taking measures against the invasion with ...Rd2.
If 23.Rb5 Na4 24.Nxa4 Bxa1 then the bishop pair guarantees Black equal chances.

23...Rd6!
Preparing the rook’s transfer to a6.

24.Bg2 Rb6 25.Rc1

If 25.Rxb6 axb6= and the a-pawn is doomed.

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25...Ra6

26.Ba8!?
Due to the subtle relations between the enemy pieces, the position features elements of
zugzwang. With the last neutral move, White invites the opponent to spoil their coordination.

Unfortunately for White, now or later, centralizing the king is impossible due to a small tactical blow:
26.Ke1? Nb3! 27.axb3 Rxa1 winning a piece.

The route passing through e2 is not safer at all: 26.e3 h5!? 27.Ke2? Bc4† with a winning attack:
28.Kd2 Rd6† 29.Kc2 Bd3† 30.Kb2 Rb6† 31.Ka3 Bf8–+

26.f4 mainly weakens the kingside. 26...gxf3 27.Bxf3 (27.exf3 unnecessarily exposes the king. After
27...Bd4!? the permanent possibility of ...Bc4† causes White some worries.) 27...Ra5=

326
 Black has consolidated the queenside and can proceed by gaining space on the kingside with the
pawns. White’s chances for making progress are not that clear.

26.Bd5 leads to an obvious draw: 26...Bxc3 27.Bxe6† Nxe6 28.Bxc3 Rxa2=

The same applies to 26.Nd5 Rxa2 27.Bxg7 Kxg7 when the knight is taboo due to back-rank mate –
this is one of the hidden ideas behind moving the bishop from g2 to a8. But to get the full picture,
note that 26...Bxa1 27.Rxa1 Nb3 also retrieves the pawn.

26...Kf8!
The best way of keeping the status quo.

327
The seemingly more active 26...Kf7? exposes the king to 27.Ne4 Bxa1 28.Ng5† Ke7 29.Nxe6 Kxe6
30.Rxa1± when White has good chances of converting the extra pawn.

26...Ra5?! allows 27.Bd5 under better circumstances than above, as after 27...Bxc3? 28.Bxc3 the rook
is hanging while a2 is still defended. 28...Ra4 29.Bxe6† Nxe6 30.Rc2± White keeps the extra pawn
and normal coordination.

True, Black could pass with 27...Ra6 or 27...h5, most likely maintaining equality, but it makes no
sense to allow the exchange of bishops so easily.

While generally constructive, 26...h5?! weakens g6, allowing 27.Nd5 Bxa1 28.Rxc5! Rxa2?!
29.Nf4± with a dangerous position for Black.

27.Bb2
The last possible try. White hopes to regroup with Rc2 and Bc1, in order to free the knight.

With the pawn on h7, the knight jump is not dangerous: 27.Nd5 Bxa1 and then 28.Rxa1 Nb3= or
28.Rxc5 Rxa2 29.Nf4 Bf5!? also with equality.

27...Bxa2!
The simplest. With the bishop on a1 this would not work due to 28.Nxa2 Bxa1 29.Bd5 with a
double attack on d4 and a1. But now the bishop is hanging on b2.

28.Nxa2 Bxb2 29.Rxc5 Rxa2 30.Rc8† Kg7 31.Rc7† Kh8 32.Rc4 h5=

328
 The position is completely drawn.

33.Rc2
This pin is ineffective due to:

33...Ra1†

Conclusion

This chapter is our first look at the absolute main line in reply to 7...Qe8, which is 8.d5 Na6 9.Rb1
when 9...Bd7 is standard. Then we saw two moves by the b-pawn.

10.b3 is not as innocent as it looks. If Black is careless, say by mistiming a ...c5 advance, then the fact
that White has left the knight on f3, instead of advancing it to d4, can save White a tempo or two.
And Black also has to be wary that a cleverly-timed Nd4-e6 might secure White a better version of
lines we saw in the previous chapter. The solution is flexible development with 10...c6 11.Bb2 Nc7
when if, for example, 12.Re1 then Black can be ready for all options with the precise 12...Rc8!?N.

The more direct 10.b4 c6 heads ever closer to the main line of the main line, which is 11.dxc6 – but
we will save that for the next chapter. In this chapter we considered 11.a3, 11.e4 and 11.c5.

11.a3 is another tricky move, as White can play dxc6 at any moment, with various possible
transpositions elsewhere. Thus after 11...Nc7 12.Bb2 I suggest 12...Rd8! preparing to meet dxc6 with
...Bxc6 – by defending the d6-pawn in advance, the rook move prepares to play the space-gaining
...e7-e5.

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11.e4 is very rare but requires considerable precision in reply. This should start with choosing
11...fxe4 12.Ng5 Bg4, but Black players’ knowledge should extend much further down the line.

In contrast, 11.c5, despite being a thematic break, is rather straightforward to meet. After 11...dxc5
12.dxc6 bxc6 13.bxc5 Black can play 13...e5! aided by the fact that there is no longer a backward
pawn on d6 to worry about.

330
A) 12.b5 Nc5! 165
A1) 13.Bb2 166
A2) 13.Nd4 Nfe4 14.Nxe4 Nxe4 170
A21) 15.bxc6 170
A22) 15.Bxe4 173
B) 12.a3 Nc7 13.Bb2 Ne6 176
B1) 14.c5 d5 15.Ne5 d4 177
B11) 16.Na2 181
B12) 16.Na4 183
B2) 14.e3 188
B21) 14...Rb8 188
B22) 14...a5 191
B221) 15.b5 191
B222) 15.Qc2!?N 194

331
1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6 7.Nc3 Qe8 8.d5 Na6 9.Rb1 Bd7 10.b4 c6
We saw rare options such as 11.a3, 11.e4 and 11.c5 in the previous chapter, but now it is time for
the absolute main line:

11.dxc6

White gives up the tension in order to create queenside targets.

11...bxc6
The most principled move, keeping the structure compact.

If 11...Bxc6 then Black is not in time to reach the regrouping recommended in the 11.a3 line in the
previous chapter, mainly because White has not had to spend a tempo playing a2-a3. White has two
promising continuations: 12.Qb3 (The more straightforward 12.b5 Bxf3 13.Bxf3 Nc5 14.Be3² also
offers White queenside pressure.) 12...Kh8 13.c5² With some initiative as if 13...dxc5?! 14.b5± and

332
Black’s queenside is in trouble.

By exchanging the central pawn, White intends to play in the spirit of the flank openings (for
instance, the closed English). Black has more space but White intends to build up pressure against the
compact pawn mass by using the pieces and queenside pawns.
White has a choice between the active A) 12.b5 and the solid B) 12.a3 preparing Bb2.

12.c5 does not have independent value as after 12...dxc5 13.bxc5 play transposes to the 11.c5 line of
the previous chapter.

A) 12.b5

White starts the fight for the light squares along the long diagonal without delay. True, this concedes
a great square on c5 to Black’s knight but, as we will see, Black needs to be accurate to achieve
equality.

12...Nc5!
Since this move order allows White to set up forcing play based on the relative weakness on e6,
for many years I thought the last move was mainly a whim of such experts as Malaniuk.
But recently I discovered a problem in what I earlier considered the safest move order: 12...cxb5
13.cxb5 Nc5 14.a4 Rc8

After the most popular continuation 15.Nd4 Black maintains fluent play with 15...Nfe4 16.Nxe4
Nxe4 17.Bb2 Qf7 transposing to line A1 below.
But 15.Bb2! is considerably stronger, as 15...Qf7 runs into 16.Ng5. Curiously, the engines
consider this to be Black’s best chance, on condition that Black now plays 16...Qe8, as instead
16...Qc4? loses to 17.Nd5+– with the double threat of Nxe7† and Nxf6† followed by Bd5†, winning

333
the queen.

You will understand my reluctance to recommend a line for our repertoire based on playing ...Qe8-f7-
e8. But fortunately I don’t need to, as I have found some improvements for Black in what were
considered critical positions after 12...Nc5. I would also add that, in general, the move I recommend
is more logical than 12...cxb5, which looks like a premature release of the tension.
We will examine A1) 13.Bb2 and the critical A2) 13.Nd4.

13.a4 does not have much independent value, as after 13...Rc8 14.Nd4 cxb5 15.cxb5 (15.axb5
exposes the c4-pawn after 15...Nce4 16.Nxe4 Nxe4) 15...Nce4 16.Nxe4 Nxe4 17.Bb2 Qf7 play once
again transposes to line A1.

A1) 13.Bb2

Actually this is a very rare move, as in most games White immediately tries to take advantage of
Black’s move order by creating the pin along the long diagonal with 13.Nd4, which will be examined
in line A2. But it is worth dedicating a separate section to 13.Bb2, as Black cannot avoid a
transposition to some of the lines resulting after 12...cxb5 (true, the ones where White plays an early
Nd4, which are not too problematic).

13...Rc8!
Black should not hurry to release the tension with 13...cxb5 as after 14.cxb5 Rc8 15.a4 play
would transpose to a line we wish to avoid, as explained earlier.

14.Nd4
There is nothing better than this committal move.

334
With the c-pawns still on the board, the half-waiting 14.a4 does not work out so well due to 14...Qf7
when 15.Ng5? simply loses a pawn to 15...Qxc4. The point is that White does not have the decisive
Nc3-d5 as in the similar line with the insertion of an exchange on b5.

14...Nfe4 15.Nxe4 Nxe4

16.a4
The most constructive move.

If 16.Bxe4 fxe4 17.bxc6 Bh3 18.Re1 then there is a significant difference with respect to line A22
below. Having developed the queen’s bishop already, White cannot answer 18...Qf7 with the
desirable Be3, thus forcing White to weaken the kingside with f2-f3.

It is also worth comparing:

16.bxc6
With line A21 below:
16...Bxc6 17.Ne6
With the bishop hanging on b2, this knight jump is not dangerous at all.
But Black also has little to worry about after: 17.Nxc6 Qxc6 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.Qd4† Kf7
20.Rfc1 Qc5=
17...Bxb2 18.Rxb2
18.Nxf8? fails to win the exchange and mainly wastes a lot of time with the knight: 18...Bf6
(threatening ...Nc3) 19.Bxe4 Bxe4 20.Ne6 Bxb1 21.Qxb1 Qc6µ With the better structure and
coordination.
18...Rf6

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 With excellent play due to Black’s normal development and more compact structure.

16...cxb5 17.cxb5 Qf7

We have finally transposed to the favourable (for Black) version of the lines starting with
12...cxb5.

18.e3
This solid but somewhat neutral move is played in the vast majority of the games.

18.Nc6
This forcing move has only been tried in one correspondence game.
18...Bxb2 19.Rxb2 Bxc6 20.bxc6 Rxc6

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21.Rb7N
The aforementioned game went 21.Bxe4 fxe4 22.Rb7 when in Herzog – Aalderink, corr. 2010,
one of the simplest ways to equality was: 22...e3N 23.f3 Rfc8 24.Rxa7 Rc2 25.Ra8 The time has
come to think of safety before Black’s activity becomes threatening. 25...Qa2 26.Rxc8† Rxc8
27.Qd3 Qxa4 28.Qxe3 Rc7= With a probable draw.
21...Rc5
Unpinning the knight and activating the rook.

22.Rxa7
If 22.Bxe4 fxe4 23.Rxa7 then Black can, for instance, start kingside counterplay with 23...Qe6
24.a5 Rh5 25.h4 and now the simplest is 25...Rxh4= leading to perpetual check.

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22...Qe6 23.Qd3 Nc3 24.Re1 Rfc8
Black’s control in the centre compensates for the menacing a-pawn. For example:
25.a5 d5 26.a6 Ra5 27.Rb7 Kf7 28.a7 Qc6 29.Rb8 Rxa7 30.Rxc8 Qxc8 31.Bxd5† Nxd5 32.Qxd5†
Qe6=
With an obvious draw.

The neutral move in the main line and the forcing continuation examined above can be explained by
the fact that, due to Black’s central activity, it is not simple to improve White’s development. For
instance:
18.Qd3

18...e5 19.Nc6
19.Nb3 d5 leaves Black with a strong centre. If 20.f4 Nc3! 21.Bxc3 e4 22.Qe3 Bxc3 23.Qxa7
Ra8 24.Qe3 Rfc8 and Black will be playing with an extra piece for quite a while, as the bishop on
g2 has no immediate prospects at all.
19...Bxc6 20.bxc6 Rxc6 21.Bxe4 fxe4 22.Qxe4 d5 23.Qe3 Rc4=
With comfortable play for Black in Ollier – Philippe, Belfort 2010.

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 An important tabiya, in which Black has tried several moves, and most of them are playable.
Black’s centralization is impressive, but White’s queenside majority and the relative weakness on c6
offer White dynamic ideas.

18...Rc4
Of the moves tried in practice this is my favourite, as it plans to increase the control over the c-
file.

I will briefly mention the alternatives:

After: 18...e5 19.Nb3

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19...a6?! 20.Nd2² Black lost stability in Rustemov – Galdunts, Moscow 1995.
A neutral move such as 19...Rc7 would have been better, as the double capture on e4 and d6
allows ...Bh3. But generally, 18...e5 seems a bit premature.
I would say the same about 18...Qa2, which happens to be the most popular continuation. White
retains an edge after the simplifications initiated by 19.Nc6. For instance: 19...Bxc6 20.Bxg7 Nc3
21.Bxc3 Bxg2 22.Kxg2 Rxc3 23.Qd4 Rc5 In Babula – Beim, Germany 2000, Black would have been
under slight pressure after 24.h4!?N.

Since White’s plan is not very clear yet, the following untested prophylactic move deserves attention:
18...Rfe8!?N
Black over-defends e7 in case White plays Nc6, and prepares ...e7-e5 followed by ...Bf8.
19.Nc6
It is hard to find constructive alternatives.
19.f4 Qd5= offers Black fine play on the light squares.
19.a5 weakens b5 and forces White to look for unclear compensation after 19...e5 20.Nc6 Bxc6
21.bxc6 Rxc6.
If 19.Ne2 Bxb2 20.Rxb2 Rc5 then the only way to prepare the queenside pawns’ advance is
21.Nd4, but after 21...Rec8 Black practically gets a tempo for free.
19...Bxc6 20.bxc6 Bxb2 21.Rxb2 Rxc6 22.Rb7 a6 23.Bxe4 fxe4

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 It is interesting to compare this position with the similar one which we avoid in the main line. In
that case the rook would be on f8, allowing White to deliver the winning blow Rxe7! and if
...Qxe7 then Qd5†. The way it is, White has to find a way to equalize, as for the time being
White is a pawn down.
24.Qg4 d5 25.Qd7 Rd6!?
Not the only good move.
26.Qxd6 exd6 27.Rxf7 Kxf7 28.Rb1 Ke6 29.Rb6 Rc8 30.Rxa6 Rc1† 31.Kg2 Ra1=
With an obvious draw.

19.Ne2
White exchanges the bishops in order to get some breathing space.

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Another option is: 19.Nc6 Bxc6 20.bxc6 Bxb2 21.Rxb2 Rc8! (We are already familiar with the trap:
21...Rxc6?! 22.Bxe4 fxe4 23.Rb7 a6? 24.Rxe7!) 22.Rb7 a6 23.Bxe4 fxe4 24.Qg4 R8xc6 25.Qd7

White’s counterplay offers just enough compensation for the pawn, but Black can force a draw if
we wish: 25...Rc1 26.Qd8† Qf8 27.Qxe7 Rxf1† 28.Kxf1 Rc1† 29.Kg2 Qf3† 30.Kh3 Qf5† With a
perpetual.

In Bator – E. Berg, Lidkoeping 1999, the simplest way of keeping White’s counterplay under control
would have been the familiar:

19...Bxb2N 20.Rxb2 Rc5

Followed by ...Rfc8, with a probable transposition to the lines after my suggested novelty
18...Rfe8.

A2) 13.Nd4

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 This move, leading to forcing play, used to be considered to pose Black problems.

13...Nfe4
Due to the pin along the h1-a8 diagonal, Black has to commit himself in the centre.

14.Nxe4 Nxe4
White has a choice between A21) 15.bxc6 and A22) 15.Bxe4.

15.Bb2 does not have independent value. After 15...cxb5 16.cxb5 Rc8 17.a4 Qf7 play transposes to
the previous section.

A21) 15.bxc6 Bxc6 16.Ne6

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 This knight invasion looks unpleasant, as it forces the exchange of the bishop on g7. But Black
can also force the exchange of queens, when the weakness of the long diagonal loses relevance, while
the weakness on c4 stays.

16...Nc3
The text move is stronger than Malaniuk’s choice: 16...Qc8 17.Nxg7 Kxg7 18.Bxe4 Bxe4
19.Bb2† Kf7 20.Rc1² In Hracek – Malaniuk, Kecskemet 1991, Black experienced some problems
due to the unnatural placement of the king.

17.Nxg7

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17...Qf7!
Several games have continued with 17...Qc8 defending the bishop, but White retains the better
chances with 18.Qd3 Bxg2 19.Qxc3 Bxf1 20.Kxf1² as in Tella – E. Berg, Stockholm 2000. White’s
material advantage is not so relevant as the knight cannot escape to freedom, but Black’s main
problem is that his king is exposed to an attack on the dark squares.

18.Bxc6
This is not a proper queen sacrifice as White retrieves the material at once.

The similar line to the one above is unconvincing as Black’s queen is better placed: 18.Qd3 Bxg2
19.Qxc3? Bxf1µ Black wins an exchange due to the threat of ...Qxg7.

On move 19, better is: 19.Kxg2 Nxb1 20.Bh6

But Black can reduce White’s attacking potential by forcing an exchange of rooks, weakening the
first rank at the same time and thus obtaining possibilities for counterplay. 20...Rab8 21.Rxb1 Rxb1
22.Qxb1 Qxc4 White has no obvious way of organizing the attack. For instance: 23.Qb2 Qe4† 24.f3
Qe5=

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 The endgame resulting after 25.Qxe5?! dxe5 26.Ne6 Rc8³ can only be dangerous for White, as
the a-pawn is vulnerable and the knight still does not have a clear way of escaping to freedom.

18...Nxd1 19.Bd5 Nc3 20.Bxf7†

20.Nxf5 spoils Black’s structure slightly, but offers a tempo for counterplay. 20...gxf5 21.Bxf7†
Kxf7 22.Rb2 Rfc8= Black will retrieve the pawn soon, keeping a strong centre and an active knight.
But White can maintain equality by exchanging the knight for the bishop.

20...Kxf7!N
Black does better to keep the rook active. The only game where Black played 17...Qf7 went
20...Rxf7?! 21.Rb2 Kxg7 22.Be3² with some queenside initiative, Beaumont – M. Houska, England

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1994.

21.Rb2
The seemingly active 21.Rb7 leads to a clear draw by force: 21...Nxe2† 22.Kg2 Nxc1 23.Rxc1
Kxg7 24.Rxe7† Rf7=

21...Kxg7

Black’s better structure, kingside space advantage and better development fully compensate for
the theoretical superiority of the bishop over the knight. Unlike in the game quoted above, the king’s
rook is ready to fight for the important open files on the queenside.

22.Be3
White could get rid of the weakness on c4 with:
22.c5 dxc5 23.Rc2
But this would cost a few important tempos, allowing Black to activate the rooks.
23...Ne4 24.f3 Nf6 25.Rxc5 Rfc8

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26.Re5
26.Rxc8 Rxc8 followed by ...Rc2 is pleasant for Black.
The other way of keeping the developed rook active is also not very threatening: 26.Ra5 a6
27.Kf2 Rc6 28.Rd1 Rb8= Black has excellent control on the queenside.
26...Kf7=
Followed by ...Rab8 (or if Ba3 then ...Rc7) with complete equality.

22...Na4

Not the only move, but the most natural. The knight moves closer to c5 with gain of time.

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23.Rb4
Black also keeps it balanced after:
23.Rb7 Kf7
For instance:
24.Bg5
24.Rxa7 Rxa7 25.Bxa7 Nc3³ retrieves the pawn and even offers Black some chances to play for a
win, as White has many hanging pawns.
Or 24.Bxa7 Rfc8 25.Rc1 Nc5 26.Bxc5 Rxc5 27.Rb2 d5= with an obvious draw.
24...Rfe8=
Followed by ...Nc5 when Black does not have the slightest problem.

23...Nb6
23...Nc5 should also draw without any special problems, but from a practical point of view it
does not make sense to offer White a symbolic advantage after 24.Bxc5 dxc5 25.Rb5. In fact, Black is
not forced to defend the c5-pawn, but can instead start counterplay with 25...Rad8 followed by ...Rd2.

24.Rc1
24.c5 leads to another simplifying sequence: 24...Nd5 25.Rb7 Nxe3 26.Rxe7† Kf6 27.Rxe3 dxc5
28.Rc3 Rac8 29.Rfc1 Rfe8 30.e3 Re5=

24...Rfc8

25.a4
The only chance to put on some pressure before Black doubles rooks on the c-file.

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25...Kf6 26.a5 Nd7 27.a6 Nc5 28.Ra1 Rc6 29.Bxc5 Rxc5=
With complete equality.

A22) 15.Bxe4

Before taking on c6, White eliminates the annoying knight, slightly spoiling Black’s central structure
at the same time. But in doing so, White weakens their king position and clears the diagonal for the
d7-bishop.

15...fxe4 16.bxc6

It is curious that this crucial line has been played in only one game, and that was not even at
grandmaster level.

16...Bh3!N
Black keeps e6 defended and leaves the task of regaining the pawn for later.

It almost goes without saying that 16...Bxc6? 17.Ne6+– wins, due to the double threats of Nxf8 and
Nc7. True, in Gual Pascual – Aguirre Izaguirre, Terrassa 1996, White soon did something really
wrong and the game ended in a draw.

17.Re1

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17...Rb8!
One of the hardest moves to find in the whole book.

Black could regain the pawn with 17...Bxd4 18.Qxd4 Qxc6 and should probably be able to hold with
careful play. But from a practical point of view, White’s position remains more pleasant after 19.Be3.
The kingside is stable and a well-timed break with c4-c5 would seriously weaken the dark squares in
Black’s camp.

The recommended developing move takes advantage of the fact that White has not stabilized yet, in
order to activate Black’s play before taking the pawn.

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18.Be3
The most consistent move, stabilizing White’s position.

18.Rxb8 allows Black to activate the major pieces: 18...Qxb8 19.Be3 Qb4 20.Qc1 Rc8= Black will
retrieve the pawn under more favourable circumstances. The rook exchange has not only reduced
White’s attacking potential but also weakened the first rank.

Or if 18.Rb3 Qf7 19.Be3 Qxc4 20.Qd2 Rxb3 21.axb3 Qd5= when Black is well centralized and can
force a queen exchange with ...Bxd4 if needed, leading to a drawn ending.

Finally, 18.Bb2? is simply bad due to 18...Qf7µ when White will lose the c4-pawn after being forced
to weaken the kingside.

18...Rxb1 19.Qxb1

19...Bxd4
Now is a better moment for this exchange. Apart from the fact that, as mentioned above, the
exchange of one rook generally favours Black, White can no longer retake with the queen.

20.Bxd4 Qxc6 21.Qc1

The best way to defend the pawn.

No problem is: 21.Qc2 e5

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22.Be3 (22.Ba1 places the bishop on a passive square and forces White to weaken the kingside after:
22...Qc5 23.e3 Rc8³) 22...d5 Followed by ...d5-d4 when Black’s side is preferable.

The most principled answer to 21.c5 is: 21...e5 22.Be3 d5 23.Bh6 Rc8= Black’s position is safe
enough, with chances to show some central activity in the future.

21...e5!?
A resolute move, eliminating the virtual threats along the long diagonal.

22.Bxa7 Be6 23.c5

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23...d5!
For us humans, this is the safest choice.

The engines slightly prefer 23...Ra8, but after 24.Qb2 indirectly defending the bishop due to Qb8†,
White has practical chances to retain the initiative.

After the recommended move, White has to be careful as the a7-bishop is cut off from the king and
the black centre is threatening.

24.Qg5
Against virtually any other move, 24...d4 would yield Black an advantage already.

24...Bf5 25.g4
Another option is:
25.h3
This offers Black a choice.
25...d4!?
The solid 25...Re8 26.g4 Bd7, defending all the key squares, is also good. For instance, 27.Rb1
Qa8 28.Bb6 d4= with chances for both sides.
26.g4

26...e3! 27.fxe3
27.gxf5? loses the queen to 27...exf2† 28.Kxf2 Rxf5†.
27...h6 28.Qxh6 Be4
Suddenly it is Black who is attacking along the long diagonal! But White can still be saved:
29.exd4 exd4 30.Rf1!
30.Qh4 Qc7 (threatening ...Qf4) 31.Rf1! leads to the same thing.

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30...Rxf1† 31.Kxf1 Qc7

The threat of ...Qg3 forces White to give up the bishop and deliver perpetual check. One of the
ways to achieve that is:
32.Qh4 Qxa7 33.Qd8†
With a draw.

25...h6

26.Qe7
26.Qxh6 Bxg4 is stable for Black.

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26...Qe6!
The simplest. After the queen exchange, Black’s king is absolved of any worries.

27.Qxe6† Bxe6 28.h3 d4!?©

Black does not need to hurry to retrieve the a-pawn. The central pawns offer at least enough
compensation for the small material disadvantage.

B) 12.a3

This only apparently modest move prepares Bb2, delaying concrete action until White makes
some progress in development. Due to the tempo spent on a2-a3, the impact of b4-b5 would be
smaller, but the main plan will be c4-c5, fighting for the dark squares in the centre.

12...Nc7
After the last move the knight had no more prospects on a6.

13.Bb2 Ne6
Black has tried many other moves here, but I feel the recommended continuation is the most
harmonious. In order to get a comfortable middlegame, Black should improve the knight’s placement
as much as possible. In many cases, e6 is only a transition square. True, the knight now supports ...f5-
f4 and ...g6-g5, but we can talk about complete harmony only after the knight has reached f7, over-
defending d6 and preparing the desired central expansion with ...e7-e5.

There were times when I was tempted by:

13...Rd8
But the rook can still be useful on a8 while the opposition with the enemy queen does not really

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 inhibit the thematic break.

14.c5 dxc5
One important point is that after 14...d5 White can regroup with 15.Na2 followed by Nc1-d3,
increasing the control of e5. Black’s best reaction is ...a7-a5 followed by ...Bc8-a6, but for this
purpose the rook would be needed on the a-file.
15.bxc5 e5N
This is the only principled attempt at counterplay, but unfortunately it runs into a convincing
refutation.
If 15...Ng4 as in Ammann – Galdunts, Bad Wildbad 1991, White could take advantage of the
rook’s departure from a8 with: 16.Qb3† Kh8 17.Qb7±
16.Qd6 Na6 17.Qxe5 Ne4 18.Qxe8 Rfxe8 19.Nxe4 fxe4 20.Nd2 e3
Otherwise Black’s structure would be disastrous.
21.Bxg7 Kxg7 22.Ne4 exf2† 23.Rxf2±
Black does not have compensation for the pawn.

White’s main continuations are B1) 14.c5 and B2) 14.e3.

From the minor alternatives I would mention:

14.Qd3
While this looks like a natural developing move, connecting the rooks, it does little for the control
over e5.

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14...Nd8!?N
Planning the aforementioned regrouping.
15.c5 d5 16.Ne5 Nf7
Unlike in a similar position which could arise in the 14.e3 variation (line B2 below) the knight
does not have e2 available to clear the long diagonal.
17.Na2 Rc8!?
Before undertaking anything concrete, Black takes measures against the break b4-b5.
18.Nc1 Ng4=
Black will soon put the central pawns into motion.

B1) 14.c5

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 White starts the fight for the central dark squares at once.

14...d5
Black cannot avoid weakening e5, but keeps the structure compact. This move is not mentioned
by Khalifman in Opening for White according to Kramnik.

14...dxc5 15.Ne5 cxb4 16.axb4² offers White a strong initiative for the pawn. Not having reached the
desired regrouping (...Nd8-f7) in time, the knight on e6 is vulnerable and so is the c6-pawn.

15.Ne5
White immediately occupies the offered square, putting pressure on c6 and d5 and thus creating
the potential threat of b4-b5.

The regrouping mentioned in the note on 13...Rd8 (pages 176-177) is less effective with the rook on
a8:
15.Na2 a5 16.Nc1 axb4 17.axb4 Bc8

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18.Ne5!?N
This gains some time over 18.Nd3 Ba6= with comfortable play for Black in Maiorov – Schacher,
Amantea 2009.
18...Nc7
This is necessary prophylaxis, as 18...Ba6? allows: 19.Nxc6! Qxc6 20.Bxf6 Bxf6 21.Bxd5 Qd7
22.Qb3 Kf7 23.b5+–
19.Ncd3 Ba6=
The mutual pawn weaknesses compensate for each other, but in the long run it may count that
Black’s structure is more compact.
The following untested move deserves to be mentioned:
15.e3!?N

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 White clears the e2-square, aiming for a harmonious regrouping with Ne5 and Ne2.
15...Ne4!?
Black immediately takes the e5-square under control.
Instead 15...Nd8 16.Ne5 Nf7 17.Ne2 transposes to a position we avoid in line B2 with 14.e3.
16.Ne2
The intrusion 16.Nxe4 fxe4 17.Ne5 allows 17...Bxe5 18.Bxe5 Ng5³ with a dangerous attack
based on ...Nf3†, ...Nh3† or ...Bh3. White cannot set up the long diagonal battery with 19.Ba1?!
(planning Qd4) due to 19...e5µ.
16...Bxb2 17.Rxb2

17...Qb8!

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 An accurate move, maintaining the control over e5 and threatening ...Nxc5.
18.Qc2
Strategically the most consistent continuation.
The pawn sacrifice 18.Nf4 leads to interesting play with mutual chances. 18...N4xc5 19.Nxd5
cxd5 20.Qxd5 Qb7 21.Nd4 Rab8 22.Qa2 Qb6 23.Rc2 Ne4 24.Rc6 Bxc6 25.Qxe6† Kh8
26.Nxc6 Rf6 27.Qe5 Rb7= White has just reasonable compensation for the exchange.
18...Nd8
After having parried the first attempt at an invasion via e5, Black carries out the standard
manoeuvre.
19.Ne1 Nf7 20.Nd3 e5 21.f4 Qc7
Both sides have been regrouping logically. White’s best chance is to combine pressure on the
dark squares with the potential threat of b4-b5.
22.a4 a6

23.Nc3
Attacking d5 in order to threaten b4-b5.
Now and in other moments, exchanging on e4 ensures White has perfect control of the dark
squares in the centre, but leaves the kingside vulnerable. For instance: 23.Bxe4 fxe4 24.Nxe5
Nxe5 25.fxe5 Rxf1† 26.Kxf1 Qxe5 27.Kg2 Rf8 28.Nd4 Qh5 29.Rb1 Bh3† 30.Kg1 Qg5 31.Qd2
Qf6 32.Qe2 h5!?= Black cannot really make progress, but White can do little other than sit and
wait.
23...Nxc3
A forced exchange, as 23...Rfb8 24.b5 axb5 25.axb5 Nxc3 allows the intermediate move 26.b6±.
24.Qxc3 e4 25.Nc1

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 Both sides can be content about their achievements. White has finally gained control over d4, but
Black’s central structure has retained its compactness. A brief glance at the position reveals the
fact that Black’s bishop is not worse than White’s. In the next phase the fight revolves around the
d4-square.
25...Nd8 26.Nb3 Ne6 27.Nd4 Nxd4 28.Qxd4 Be6 29.Rfb1 Qg7 30.Qxg7† Kxg7

The general character of the position has remained the same as in the middlegame. White has
chances for a blockade on d4 and keeps the possibility of breaking with b4-b5. But Black’s space
advantage should not be underestimated when opening the queenside. Should Black’s rooks gain
open files, the e3-pawn could turn into a chronic weakness while the white king could also be
vulnerable. The ending would offer White some chances if the white king could be transferred to
d4 followed by preparing b4-b5. But as we will see, Black is in time to prevent this.

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31.Bf1 Kf6 32.Kf2 Rfc8!?
Putting indirect pressure on c5 in order to prepare ...a7-a5.
33.Ke1 Bd7 34.Kd2
It almost goes without saying that preventing Black’s break with 34.a5 would lead to a
completely drawn position.

34...a5
Black could also insert the prophylactic 34...Ra7, defending the bishop in advance, and only after
35.Kc3 play 35...a5, with equality.
35.Kc3
If 35.b5 cxb5 36.Bxb5 Ra7= and the hanging c5-pawn prevents White from making progress.
35...axb4† 36.Rxb4 Ra5 37.Kd4 Rca8 38.Ra1
In order to threaten to invade through the b-file, White has to defend the weak pawns properly.

38...Bc8 39.Be2 h5 40.h3 Ke7

Anticipating White’s plan by bringing the king closer to the c6-pawn.
41.Bd1 Kd8 42.Rc1 R8a7 43.Ke5
The only active try.
After 43.Rb6 Kc7 White cannot make progress as 44.Ke5 allows: 44...Rxc5!³
43...Rf7 44.Rb6 Kc7=

364
 The white king cannot break through and the b6-rook has to retreat. Black does not face the
danger of zugzwang, as there are the reserve tempos ...Rf8-f7. Additionally Black could activate the
bishop with ...Ba6.
As in most long analysis of untested positions, the above lines have more of an illustrative
character. Practice is needed to develop theory in this line.

15...d4
The start of a very complicated fight, where strategic and dynamic factors go hand in hand. The
two games that reached this position deviated now. Due to the complexity of the arising positions, it
is better to examine them separately. We have B11) 16.Na2 and B12) 16.Na4.

B11) 16.Na2

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 White plans a coherent regrouping with Nc1-d3 or Nc1-b3. But in the short term the knight could
be hanging on a2, as revealed by some lines below.

16...Ne4 17.Nf3
With the queen’s knight potentially hanging to ...Be6, White does better to refrain from winning
the d4-pawn:
17.Bxd4?! Nxd4 18.Qxd4 Be6 19.Nc1 Rd8 20.Qa1 Nd2 21.Ncd3
21.Bxc6? loses to 21...Bxe5.
21...Nxf1 22.Rxf1
Once again the pawn on c6 is not edible: 22.Bxc6 Qxc6 23.Nxc6 Bxa1 24.Nxd8 Rxd8µ With a
bishop for two pawns.
22...Bd5

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 White is entitled to hope that this fortress will resist despite being an exchange down, but it
would be mainly Black who could hope to get an advantage in the long run.

Eliminating the possibility of ...Nd2 with 17.Bxe4? leads straight into trouble: 17...fxe4 18.Bxd4
Nxd4 19.Qxd4 Be6 20.Nc1 Rf5–+

White could consider consolidating the knight in the centre with:

17.f4
But this would ensure the e4-knight’s stability and offer Black kingside counterplay:
17...Rd8

18.Nc1

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 Once again, White does better to ignore the central pawn: 18.Bxe4? fxe4 19.Bxd4 Nxd4 20.Qxd4
Be6 21.Qb2 Bxe5 22.fxe5 e3–+ The vulnerability of the second rank and of the king’s position is
decisive.
18...g5 19.Ncd3
19.Bxd4? just loses an exchange for no compensation: 19...Bc8 20.e3 gxf4 21.gxf4 Bxe5 22.fxe5
Nc3–+
19...gxf4 20.gxf4 Kh8
Followed by ...Rg8 with some initiative.

17...Rd8 18.Qb3
The c3-square must be defended against the ...Nc3 invasion, until White makes some progress
with development.
The main alternative is 18.Qc2, keeping the b3-square for the knight, in the hope of winning the d4-
pawn. 18...Bc8 19.Rbd1 Qf7 20.Nc1 Nc3 Black has to react before the pressure on d4 becomes too
strong. 21.Bxc3 dxc3 22.Nd3 Rd5 23.Qa4 Rfd8

The position is highly unclear. Black’s centralization and the far-advanced c-pawn compensate
for the queenside weaknesses. If 24.Qxc6 Nd4 25.Nxd4 Rxd4 and the threats of ...e7-e5 and ...Qb3
offer Black at least enough compensation for the pawn.

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18...Qf7!N
Black eliminates the pin and over-defends the knight in order to allow ...Bc8-a6 in certain lines.
Besides, the X-ray pressure along the a2-g8 diagonal poses White some tactical dangers.
The previously-played 18...Kh8? not only wastes a tempo, but also unexpectedly exposes the king,
allowing White to favourably open the centre: 19.Rbd1 Bc8 20.e3! (20.Nc1!? would also be good,
when Black would not have the desirable ...Ba6 yet. For instance, 20...Nc3 21.Bxc3 dxc3 22.e3 Qf7
23.Qa4± and Black is not in time to organize counterplay.) 20...dxe3 21.Bxg7† Nxg7 22.Qxe3±
Lammers – Markgraf, Germany 2018.

19.Rbd1 Bc8

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20.Nc1
20.e3?! does not work so well now, because after 20...dxe3 the intermediate 21.Bxg7? is not a
check, allowing 21...exf2† when Black wins. Therefore White has to weaken the structure with:
21.fxe3

Black is doing well with any reasonable move, such as 21...Ba6, but I would mention the tricky
21...Nf4 22.Qxf7† Kxf7 when White has to part with the bishop pair with 23.gxf4, as 23.Bxg7? leads
to 23...Ne2† 24.Kh1 Rxd1 25.Rxd1 Nf2 mate.

20...Ba6 21.Rfe1
Black has regrouped properly, being ready to meet Qa4 with ...Bb5, and is ready for concrete
action:

21...Nc3 22.Bxc3 dxc3 23.e3 g5

With promising counterplay.

B12) 16.Na4

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 This looks rather absurd, as the knight will be immobile for quite a while. But in the previous line
we saw that the knight’s exposure on a2 prevented White from gaining anything concrete by an early
attack against the d4-pawn. After the last move White’s chances to win the pawn are higher, and
Black’s task is to find counterplay based precisely on the unfortunate knight’s placement. Abstractly
this is quite logical, but in concrete analysis it is not at all trivial.

16...Rd8!

16...Ng4?! as played in Bodo – Liu, Kecskemet 2012, wastes precious time. White could
continue 17.Nxd7N 17...Qxd7 18.Qb3 Kh8 19.h3 Nf6 20.e3± when the c6-pawn is hanging, the a4-
knight will soon return into play, and Black is far from creating counterplay.

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17.Qb3
Immediately grabbing the pawn leads to double-edged play: 17.Bxd4 Nxd4 18.Qxd4 Be6 19.Qe3
Ne4 20.Bxe4 fxe4 21.Qxe4 Bf5 22.Qc4† Kh8

23.Nd3 (If 23.Nf3 Bxb1 24.Rxb1 Qd7= followed by ...Qd5, and White has just reasonable
compensation for the exchange, as Black is active and controls the only open file.) 23...g5 Black’s
bishops are obviously stronger than the knights and the white king is vulnerable. Black can increase
the pressure slowly with, say, ...Qg6, ...Bh3, ...Rd4 or ...Bd4 and in some cases with ...e7-e5-e4. It is
mainly White who should be worried, despite the extra pawns.

17...Nd5!N

372
 The most principled move, preparing to give up the central pawn.

17...Kh8 unnecessarily wastes a tempo. Later in the main line, Black will neutralize the enemy
queen’s pressure with ...Qf7. Epinoux – Cordel, email 2016, continued 18.Rbd1 Nd5 19.Nf3 and
Black lost the central pawn without real compensation.

18.Nf3
If 18.Bxd5 cxd5 19.Nxd7 Qxd7 20.b5 (20.f4 g5 also offers Black the initiative) 20...f4 21.c6 Qc7
and with the white minor pieces far from the king, White has to be careful not to fall under an attack.

18...f4
Black cannot defend the d4-pawn, so is best advised to build up the kingside counterplay
gradually.

19.Rbd1 Qf7 20.Nxd4 Nxd4 21.Bxd4 e5 22.Bb2 Be6

373
 Black has regrouped well (actually perfectly) and exerts some kingside pressure. But if White
succeeds in returning the knight into play with Nc3, the control over e4 would allow White to repel
the attack.
But all in all, common sense suggests that Black should have enough compensation and detailed
analysis confirms it.

23.Qd3
Another try is:
23.Qc2
But this allows:
23...Nxb4 24.axb4 Bb3
With the following illustrative variation:
25.Qc1 Bxd1 26.Rxd1 fxg3 27.fxg3 Qb3

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28.Rxd8
A necessary concession, as 28.Nc3 allows 28...Bh6! 29.Qa1 Rxd1† 30.Nxd1 Rd8 with a
dangerous initiative.
28...Rxd8 29.Nc3
White has won two pieces for a rook, but White’s imperfect coordination allows Black to retain
the initiative:
29...e4!
A thematic move, clearing the long dark diagonal and placing White in an unpleasant pin.
30.b5
A somewhat better try than 30.Bxe4 Qxb4.
30...Qc4 31.bxc6 Qxc5† 32.Kh1 Qxc6 33.Bxe4 Qc4 34.Bd3 Qb4=

375
 White is relatively solid but very passive. Due to Black’s potential threat of advancing the a-
pawn, White should look for a way to simplify to a draw.
For instance:
35.Nd1 Rxd3 36.exd3
36.Qc8† Kf7 37.Qc7† Ke6= is also drawn.
36...Qe1† 37.Kg2 Qe2†

The only way to parry the perpetual check is 38.Nf2 Qxb2 when it is time for White to start
checking, as the threat of ...Bd4 is very unpleasant.

23...g5

376
 Planning ...g5-g4 followed by ...f4-f3 with serious threats. White has to react quickly.

24.e4
A resolute reaction in the centre.

A natural try is 24.Nc3, but this runs into 24...e4! when White has to sacrifice a bishop for just
reasonable compensation:

25.Nxe4 Bxb2 26.Nxg5 Qe7 27.Nxe6 Qxe6 28.b5 Bf6!? Defending the d8-rook in order to unpin the
knight and threaten, say, ...Ne3. 29.Qb3 Nc7 30.Qxe6† Nxe6 31.bxc6 fxg3 32.hxg3 Bd4!?= With
mutual chances.

24.Ba1
This move, preparing Nc3 without having to worry about the hanging bishop, may also lead to
play with an unusual material balance:
24...g4 25.Be4 Nf6

377
26.Qxd8 Nxe4! 27.Nc3
27.Qd3 Ng5 offers Black too much play.
27...Nxc3 28.Bxc3 Rxd8 29.Rxd8† Bf8 30.Bxe5 Qe7 31.Rb8
Black seems to have serious back-rank problems, but after the accurate:
31...Bc8! 32.Bxf4 Qd7
Black removes the danger. Material is about equal arithmetically, but I would prefer to play with
Black, as White’s king has little space and is likely to face a piece attack.

White’s kingside is not solid enough to allow queenside adventures: 24.Qa6 g4 25.Qxc6 Ne7 26.Qb7
Rxd1 27.Rxd1 Bb3 28.Rd7 fxg3 29.f3

378
 The fact that this is the only move not to lose on the spot speaks volumes about the merits of
White’s experiment. 29...gxh2† 30.Kh1 Bd5 31.Rxd5 Nxd5 32.Qxf7† Kxf7 33.fxg4 Ne3³ Black has
an exchange for two pawns but also the initiative.

24...f3!
Obviously, there is no way back for Black.

25.Qxf3 Qxf3 26.Bxf3 Rxf3

After eliminating the light-squared bishop and with the white knight still on a4, Black can count
on having fully adequate compensation for one or two pawns, depending on the way the game
continues.

27.exd5
The most straightforward continuation. White can also delay the capture of the pinned knight, but
this does not change the evaluation:

27.Nc3 This implies an exchange sacrifice. 27...Bh3

379
28.exd5 (The point is that 28.Rfe1? runs into 28...Rdf8 29.exd5 Rxf2 winning.) 28...Bxf1 29.Kxf1
cxd5 30.Rxd5 Rxd5 31.Nxd5 Kf7 32.Ne3 Ke6= With a probable draw.

Or if: 27.Rfe1 Rb3 28.Re3!? Bg4 29.Rd2 Rxe3 30.fxe3 Bf3 31.exd5 cxd5

With obvious compensation due to the strong centre and bishops. Let’s see an illustrative line:
32.c6 g4 33.Nc5 Bh6 34.Rd3 d4 35.exd4 Bxc6 36.dxe5 Rxd3 37.Nxd3 Be3† 38.Kf1 Bb5 39.Ke2
Bg1= Black retrieves a pawn, while maintaining active play.

27...cxd5

380
28.c6
The text move is the best way to prepare the knight’s return into play, as 28.Nc3? e4 places
White in an unpleasant pin.

28...Rdf8 29.Nc5 Bh3 30.Nd7

Finally the knight is very much alive, but so are Black’s pieces.

30...Bxf1 31.Nxf8 Bh3

Caging the white king again, which will be an essential element in the general evaluation. In the
next phase the bishop will also be effective in stopping the c-pawn.

381
32.Nd7 e4 33.Bxg7
Black can never be worse after 33.Bc1 d4 34.Bxg5 Rxa3.

33.Ne5 Bxe5 34.Bxe5 Rxa3 leads to an obvious draw due to the opposite-coloured bishops and
White’s permanent need to defend the back rank.

33...Kxg7 34.a4
The best attempt to generate active play.

Once again White has to keep the rook passive as 34.Rxd5? loses to 34...e3.

34...Rc3 35.a5
White has to be careful. If 35.b5? d4µ and White does not have the saving Nc5.

35...Rb3
White will lose the b4-pawn and it is time to think of a way to maintain equality.

B2) 14.e3

I have explained why clearing the e2-square is useful in the comments to line B1 (page 178). By
doing so before breaking with c4-c5, White hopes that Black will not be able to maintain flexibility.
In over-the-board games Black’s main hopes so far were connected with B21) 14...Rb8 planning
...a7-a5, an idea also advocated by Mikhail Gurevich. Even though I eventually reached the
conclusion that it leaves Black struggling, I have examined it in a separate section, in order to explain
some of the general ideas in this whole variation. But my repertoire choice falls on B22) 14...a5.

382
Another option is to stick to the main plan with:
14...Nd8
But it fails to keep control of the centre:
15.c5

15...d5
The most solid continuation.
If 15...Nf7 16.cxd6 exd6 then White regroups harmoniously with: 17.Ne2 a5 18.h4 axb4 19.axb4
Rb8 20.Bc3 Qe7 21.Nf4² With lasting pressure against the pawns on c6 and d6.
After the knight retreat to d8 weakened the control over c5, 15...dxc5 as played in Anderton –
Rechel, West Bromwich 2003, allows 16.Na4N 16...cxb4 17.Nc5² with a dangerous initiative.
16.Ne5 Nf7 17.Ne2
Revealing the main idea behind 14.e3. Unlike in the lines examined in the previous sections, the
knight moves closer to the crucial squares without stepping onto the edge of the board.
17...Nxe5 18.Bxe5²
Erdos – Koepke, Plovdiv 2008.

B21) 14...Rb8

Black uses the available tempo to switch to an intermediate plan before transferring the knight to f7.
The last move prepares to weaken White’s queenside structure with ...a7-a5, while also taking
measures against an early c4-c5.

15.Qc2
A natural developing move, delaying c4-c5 until White gets fully mobilized or else Black
commits themself in one way or another.

383
15.Qe2
This is less accurate than the main continuation.
15...a5!? 16.Ba1
16.bxa5 gives up control of c5 while the extra pawn is only temporary in view of 16...Ra8=.
16...axb4 17.axb4

17...Nd8N
Black does not have good neutral moves available, so the time has come to switch back to the
main plan.
17...Qf7 as played in Van der Sterren – Gurevich, Antwerp 1996, exposes the queen to Ne5
should Black move the d-pawn, thus inviting 18.c5!N when Gurevich recommends 18...Rfd8
19.cxd6 exd6, probably bearing in mind that 20.Rfd1 Qe7 keeps Black’s position together. But
things are more difficult for Black after 19.Rfd1².
18.c5
Otherwise Black succeeds in achieving the perfect regrouping with ...Nf7 and ...e7-e5.
18...dxc5 19.bxc5 Rxb1 20.Rxb1 e5 21.Na4 Nf7
The point is that White will have to move the queen again in order to clear the bishop’s path to
c4. This tempo is likely to offer Black more chances to equalize than in the main line.

It is interesting to note that with the current central structure, 15.Ne2 is an important commitment.

384
15...a5 16.Bc3 axb4 17.axb4 Nd8!N (Gurevich seems to have been very keen on the manoeuvre
17...Qf7, when once again 18.c5² is unpleasant, Illescas – Gurevich, France 1998.) 18.c5 Nf7
19.cxd6

One may ask whether this is simply going to transpose to a position we avoided slightly earlier.
The difference is that instead of the automatic recapture on d6, Black can do much better with:
19...e5!= The knight is suddenly passive on e2 and Black will have little trouble retrieving the far-
advanced pawn, thus reaching an optimal position.

15.c5
This is precisely what Black had prepared for with the previous move:
15...dxc5

385
16.Ne2
White prepares Be5 in order to clear the rook’s path with gain of time.
If 16.bxc5 Nxc5 17.Ne5 Ng4 18.Nxg4 fxg4 and Black’s pieces exert pressure on White’s
queenside.
16.Na4? has the same idea as the main move, with some secret hopes of jumping to c5, but Black
has a convincing refutation: 16...cxb4 17.Be5 c5!µ The knight has to retreat, leaving Black with a
material advantage at no compensation.
16...cxb4 17.Be5 Rc8 18.axb4 c5
Due to White’s slightly better coordination, White can count on retrieving the pawn on a7, but
with pawns only on one wing the most probable result would be a draw.

386
15...a5 16.Ba1 axb4 17.axb4 Nd8N
Just as in the similar line with 15.Qe2 above, the time has come to start the knight manoeuvre.

17...g5?
If answered correctly, this move only causes Black structural problems on both wings.

18.c5!N
18.Qxf5? Nd5 19.Qc2 Nxb4 20.Qd2 Qg6 offered Black active play for the pawn in Unzicker –
Zhang Zhong, Beijing 1996.
18...g4 19.Nh4 Ng5 20.cxd6!
An important exchange, as 20.Rfd1 d5 would leave Black with a strong centre.
20...exd6

387
21.b5!±
An important intermediate move, preparing the capture on f5.
If 21.Nxf5 Bxf5 22.Qxf5 Qh5 and Black has reasonable counterplay for the pawn, as White has
to waste a tempo on retreating the queen due to the threats of ...Nfe4 and ...Nf3† or ...Nh3†.
21...cxb5?!
This makes things worse, but otherwise Black’s whole structure would be weak.
22.Nxf5! Bxf5 23.Qxf5 Qh5 24.Rxb5!+–
This is the difference. Suddenly Black’s attacking pieces are pinned while the white king is
defended.

18.c5 dxc5
The same trick as after 15.Ne2 does not work here as the knight is closer to c5: 18...Nf7 19.cxd6
e5 20.Na4 e4 21.Nd4 Nxd6 22.Nc5± The c6-pawn is in danger.

19.bxc5 Rxb1 20.Rxb1 e5 21.Na4 Nf7 22.Nb6²

Even though Black’s plan has been carried out, White retains a very active position, and will soon
play Bf1-c4 while Black’s pieces remain congested on a narrow area.
So we should note some of the ideas we have seen above, but the correct repertoire choice is the
next variation.

B22) 14...a5

This has never been tried in an over-the-board game and the two correspondence games that
continued this way are not relevant. But after having found the plan of 14...Rb8 followed by ...a7-a5
to be too slow, I have decided that Black should break on the queenside at once.

388
We will examine B221) 15.b5 and B222) 15.Qc2!?N.

As in the previous section, the early break 15.c5 leads to simplifications and a probable draw:
15...axb4 16.axb4 dxc5 17.bxc5 Nxc5 18.Ne5 Ng4 19.Nxd7 Qxd7 20.Qxd7 Nxd7 21.Bxc6 Rad8=

B221) 15.b5

This is probably the move that has led over-the-board players to prefer 14...Rb8 over 14...a5.

15...a4!N
Both correspondence games went 15...Rb8?! allowing White to consolidate the queenside space
advantage with 16.a4±.
After the recommended novelty, the fight around the b5-square remains open.

16.Nd4
White hurries to exchange the e6-knight before it jumps to c5. Let’s see a few alternatives:

16.Ba1
For concrete reasons this move fails to consolidate b5.
16...cxb5 17.cxb5 Ne4 18.Nxe4 fxe4

389
19.Nd4
Or if 19.Nd2 Bxa1 20.Rxa1 Bxb5 and the hanging rook on f1 prevents White from retrieving the
pawn on e4: 21.Re1 d5µ
Due to the unfavourable alignment of White’s kingside pieces, 19.Bxg7? loses material: 19...exf3
20.Bxf8 fxg2µ
19...Bxd4 20.Bxd4
Keeping the bishop active.
If 20.exd4 Bxb5 and then 21.Qg4!? is the best practical chance, preventing a later ...Ng5.
21...Ng7 22.Bxe4 Bxf1 23.Bxa8 Qxa8 24.Rxf1 Qd5³ The blockade on d5, the white king’s
vulnerability and the obvious superiority of the knight over the bishop leave Black on top.
20...Bxb5 21.Bxe4 Bxf1 22.Qxf1 Ng5
White will still have to prove there is compensation for the exchange, as the knight could create
unpleasant kingside threats. And of course 23.Bxa8? is simply bad: 23...Qxa8–+ with a decisive
attack.

16.Re1!? is a subtle try to improve over the previous line. The rook moves out of range not only of
the d7-bishop, but also of the f5-pawn!

390
16...Nc5 Black switches to a static strategy. (White’s point is that after 16...cxb5 17.cxb5 Ne4
18.Nxe4 fxe4 there is: 19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.Nd2 Bxb5 21.Nxe4²) 17.Nd4 Nfe4 18.Nxe4 fxe4= Black
has achieved the desired stability.

Finally, 16.bxc6 Bxc6 17.Nd5 Rc8=, followed by ...Nc5, is safe for Black.

16...Nxd4 17.Qxd4 Rb8 18.Qd3

Defending b5.

18...cxb5 19.Nxb5!?

391
 The best try to maintain some initiative.
19.cxb5
This leads to simpler play.

Black completes the regrouping with:

19...Qf7!
This not only connects rooks and keeps an eye on the enemy queenside, but also defends d5 in
order to prepare to undermine the b5-pawn with ...Ne4.
The premature 19...Ne4? 20.Nxe4 Bxb5 runs into: 21.Qd5† e6 22.Nxd6±
20.Rfc1
Removing the rook from the bishop’s range but weakening f2.
20...Ne4 21.Nxe4 fxe4 22.Qd2 Rxb5 23.Bxg7 Rxb1 24.Rxb1 Kxg7 25.Bxe4 Qf6=
White’s structure is more compact, but White’s a-pawn will be slightly more vulnerable than
Black’s after ...Rc8. Besides, Black has regrouped well and is keeping the slight weaknesses safely
defended.

392
19...Bc6
Black is heading for simplifications.

Instead 19...Bxb5?! 20.Bxf6 Bxf6 21.cxb5±, followed by Bc6, leaves White with unpleasant
queenside domination.

19...Rxb5?! 20.cxb5 Bxb5 does not work on account of: 21.Bd5†! Nxd5 (otherwise Bc4 would keep
the extra exchange) 22.Qxd5† e6 23.Qxd6 Bxf1 24.Bxg7 Kxg7 25.Kxf1± With the black king
vulnerable, Black will most likely lose the a4-pawn.

19...Qf7
This is the best of the alternatives to the main move, but Black is still struggling a bit:
20.Bxf6 Qxf6 21.c5! Rxb5 22.Rxb5 Bxb5 23.Qxb5 dxc5 24.Qxc5

393
 Black has to make a concession in order to save the a-pawn.
24...Qd6!? 25.Bd5†
25.Qc4† Kh8 26.Qxa4 Bb2= retrieves the pawn with an obvious draw.
25...Kh8 26.Qxd6 exd6 27.Rb1²
Despite the opposite-coloured bishops, Black cannot be sure of reaching a draw yet. White will
eventually win the a4-pawn with the bishop, but then ...d5-d4 would offer Black counterplay against
the f2-pawn. But White would still maintain some practical chances.

20.Nc7
The sequence initiated by this move is the only one to promise chances of a slight advantage.

394
20...Qd7 21.Bxc6 Qxc6 22.Bxf6
Due to Black’s excellent mobilization, 22.Ne6 is not dangerous. 22...Rfc8 23.Nxg7 Kxg7
24.Rfc1 Kf7 Black threatens to take over the initiative with ...Ne4, forcing: 25.Bxf6 Kxf6=

22...Qxc7!
Eliminating the knight which was ready to jump to d5.

23.Qd5† Kh8 24.Bxg7† Kxg7 25.Rb5!?

The last attempt at keeping the game alive.

25...Rxb5
Not the only move, but the most straightforward.

26.cxb5 Qc2!?=
Preventing Rb1 and preparing to attack b5 with ...Rb8.
The other way of activating the queen is also viable: 26...Qc3 27.Qe6 Qxa3 28.Qxe7† Rf7=
Black’s a-pawn is no less dangerous than its rival on b5.

White has no realistic chances of playing for a win. For instance:

27.Qe6 Rf7
Followed by ...Qb3, leaving the white king offside.

B222) 15.Qc2!?N

395
 Since this developing move was the only problematic one after 14...Rb8, it is worth investigating
it in the current situation.

15...axb4 16.axb4 Qf7!

This is an improved version of Gurevich’s favourite manoeuvre in this structure. Black prepares
...Rfb8 when the rooks’ combined pressure will restrict White’s active possibilities.

17.c5 Rfb8 18.Rfd1 Ne8!

Instead 18...Rxb4?! 19.cxd6 exd6 20.Rxd6² leaves White with the better structure. In the long run
White could count on winning the c6-pawn.

396
 The last move not only defends the d6-pawn safely, but also completes Black’s regrouping. The
rooks and the g7-bishop exert serious pressure against the white queenside, causing White some
problems in manoeuvring with the queen’s knight due to the weakness on b4. In some lines, Black’s
queen could also contribute to the queenside play along the a2-g8 diagonal.

19.Bc1!?
A paradoxical counter-developing move. With the bishop on the long diagonal, White would be
under constant pressure, but now is ready to transfer the knight to b6. In some lines the bishop could
become active on its new diagonal after a knight exchange on d4 and a recapture with the e3-pawn.

19.Na4 leads to mass simplifications: 19...Rxb4 20.Nb6 Ra7 21.Bxg7 Rxb1 22.Rxb1 Kxg7 23.Nxd7
Rxd7 24.cxd6 exd6 25.Qxc6 Nf6

White retains the better structure, but Black’s knights have regrouped perfectly. One of them is
ready to jump to e4 in order to create latent threats on f2, while the other controls the d4-square.
Another important aspect is that the central pawn stands better on d6 than on d5 (as usually isolanis
do), as it controls e5 and c5, staying out of the bishop’s range at the same time. 26.Qc3 Rc7 27.Qb2
Qe7 28.Nd4 Nxd4 29.Qxd4 Qe5= Black has little to fear. The stable knight is actually stronger than
the “beautiful” bishop, which cannot contribute to creating threats in any way.

19.Ba1 Ra7

397
 Black not only defends the bishop in order to create the possibility of ...dxc5, but also prepares to
double rooks on one of the queenside files.
20.Bf1!?
Preparing to transfer the bishop to c4. There is little else that White could do as most of the white
pieces lack mobility.
Now and in other moments, the insertion of 20.h4 h6 does not improve White’s situation in any
way.
20...Rba8 21.Bb2
Preparing the later tactical blow.
If 21.Bc4 d5 and the hanging bishop on a1 deprives White of Nxd5, while after 22.Bb3 N8c7
Black manages to consolidate the queenside and can think of a slow kingside attack starting with
...g6-g5.
21...Rb8 22.Bc4 d5

398
23.Nxd5!?
This leads to interesting play, without disturbing the balance, though.
23...cxd5 24.Bxd5
The threat of Ng5 is very unpleasant, forcing Black to take radical measures.
24...Ba4 25.Qc4 Bb5 26.Qc1 Bxb2 27.Qxb2 N8c7
Black has almost consolidated... with one exception:
28.Ng5 Nxg5! 29.Bxf7† Kxf7
A very interesting position, where Black’s minor pieces are not weaker than a queen and two
pawns. The pawns are safely blocked and White’s kingside is vulnerable. The obvious plan is ...Bc6
followed by ...Nf3(†) which should yield at least a draw by perpetual.

399
19...Ra7
Defending the bishop and preparing to double rooks.

20.Na4
This is the main idea behind 19.Bc1. None of White’s pawns is hanging now. White threatens to
paralyse the enemy queenside with Nb6 followed by either Bb2 or Nd4. Black’s main problem would
be that the knight on e8 would be too far from the important squares in case of ...d6-d5. The situation
offers Black no room for second thoughts: activating the knight even at the cost of a pawn is
absolutely forced!

20...Nf6! 21.cxd6
White has to pick up the gauntlet as if 21.Nb6 Ne4 22.Bb2 Bxb2 23.Rxb2 Be8 and Black is
doing fine. The knight on b6 is hanging and ...dxc5 is likely to happen soon.

21...exd6 22.Rxd6 Ne4

At the cost of a pawn, Black has activated every piece, including the bishop on d7 after the
planned ...c6-c5.

23.Rd3
White keeps the d1-square clear for the queen, and over-defends c3, but leaves the first rank
vulnerable.

23.Rd1
This move avoids the latter issue, but leaves the queen exposed after:
23...c5 24.Nxc5 Rc8

400
 Black’s initiative is based on the harmonious cooperation between all the black pieces, which
ensures approximate equality despite the missing pawn (of course one pawn of the current two-
pawn deficit will be collected soon). The immediate threat is ...N6xc5 followed by ...Ba4. The
overall feeling is that it is White who needs to act with care.
25.Qd3 N6xc5 26.bxc5 Ba4 27.Re1 Nxc5 28.Qe2 Bb3!
An elegant and effective way of continuing the queenside invasion. We can now understand why
the rook stands better on e1 than on f1.
29.Bb2 Ra2
Threatening the double capture on b2 followed by the fork ...Nd3.
30.Rec1 Bxb2 31.Rxb2

401
31...Bc4!
A spectacular way of unpinning the knight in order to renew the aforementioned threat.
32.Rxa2
32.Rxc4 Rxb2 and 32.Qc2 Rxb2 33.Qxb2 Nd3 34.Rxc4 Rxc4 both offer White no more than just
reasonable compensation for the exchange, due to White’s compact structure.
32...Bxe2 33.Rxe2 Rc7 34.Rec2 Ne6=
With a probable draw.

23...c5 24.Nxc5 N6xc5

Black adapts the play according to the concrete circumstances. With the white rook on d3, the
best plan is an invasion on the first rank.

25.bxc5 Rxb1 26.Qxb1 Ra1 27.Qc2

If 27.Qb8†? Qe8 28.Qxe8† Bxe8 29.Rd1 then one of the ways of winning material is: 29...Nc3
30.Re1 Rxc1!–+

27...Ra2 28.Qd1
The only way to avoid a repetition. Play now becomes really interesting.

28...Nxf2

It looks as if White is just losing an exchange, but the resources are not exhausted yet.

29.Ng5
The main alternative is 29.c6 Nxd1 30.cxd7 Bf6 31.d8=Q† Bxd8 32.Rxd8† Kg7 33.Rxd1 Qb3.
With pawns on the same wing, two bishops and a knight could be stronger than a queen, but here

402
White’s king is vulnerable, offering Black the more active side of a probably drawn position.

29...Nxd1 30.Nxf7 Ba4!

Defending both Black’s hanging pieces and threatening the unpleasant ...Ra1, when the f7-knight
would be hanging.

31.Ng5
Or if 31.Nh6† Kf8 32.c6 Ra1 33.Ba3† Ke8 34.c7 Nc3† when 35.Bf1 is the only way to avoid a
perpetual check with ...Ra2-a1. If the king goes all the way to d2, ...Rd1 mate would be embarrassing.
35...Bd7 Now that White does not have Bc6, this is a safe way to stop the pawn. Being better
coordinated, Black has no problem in eliminating the pawn soon. For instance: 36.Bb2 Ne2† 37.Kf2
Bxb2 38.Bxe2 Rc1=

31...Ra1 32.Rd8† Bf8 33.Bd5† Kg7 34.Ne6† Kf6 35.Rxf8† Ke5

403
 White has won a bishop (with check!) but due to the hanging pieces and vulnerable king, White
cannot keep the material advantage.

36.Nf4 Bb5!
Defending d3 in order to renew the threat of ...Rxc1.

37.Rb8 Rxc1 38.Bf3

38.Rxb5? fails to: 38...Nc3† 39.Kf2 Rc2†! Removing the rook from the knight’s range. 40.Kf3
Nxb5–+

38...Nb2† 39.Kg2 Rxc5=

404
 With a probable draw.

The huge complications in this line are a logical consequence of Black’s perfect regrouping, which
offers plenty of hidden dynamic potential.

Conclusion

In this chapter, after 1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6 7.Nc3 Qe8 8.d5 Na6
9.Rb1 Bd7 10.b4 c6, we covered 11.dxc6 when 11...bxc6 is our response, keeping our structure
compact. Since this is the absolute main line in the book, we should not be surprised that Black is
under some pressure in many of the lines. But the Leningrad Dutch is full of resources, and
understanding the positions in depth should allow Black to find the best move orders to keep the
balance and retain chances for counterplay.

One of Black’s key manoeuvres involves moving the queen’s knight from a6-c7-e6-d8 and then to f7.
On this final square the knight over-protects d6 and supports the ...e7-e5 advance. The correct timing
of this knight manoeuvre (and when not to use it) are vital parts of understanding this chapter.

The last variation of this chapter is one of the most instructive examples about the part played by
tactics in a basically static and strategic opening. After 12.a3 Nc7 13.Bb2 Ne6 14.e3 I explained the
ideas behind the more usual move 14...Rb8, but my recommendation is 14...a5.

405
A) 8.Nbd2 Nc6 202
A1) 9.Nc4 202
A2) 9.Re1 e5 205
A21) 10.dxe5 206
A22) 10.e4 210
B) 8.c4 Na6 212
B1) 9.Nc3 213
B2) 9.d5 218
B3) 9.Qc2 220
B4) 9.Nbd2 225

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1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0
Via a very different move order (with 1.d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7 3.Nf3 f5 4.g3 Nf6 5.b3 d6 6.Bb2 0-0
7.Bg2) GM Boris Avrukh, in Grandmaster Repertoire 1.d4 – Volume 2B, mentioned a double
fianchetto line where White delays castling against the Leningrad set-up. But as Avrukh says of that
position, if Black plays 7...Qe8 then White has nothing better than 8.0-0. This would transpose to
8.c4 in line B below.
So, instead of 5.0-0 here, if White tried 5.b3 then after 5...0-0 6.Bb2 d6 7.c4 Qe8 we reach that
same Avrukh position, where White has nothing better than castling, transposing back to our normal
lines.

5...0-0 6.b3
After decades of experience with king’s fianchetto systems as White (Catalan, English, Reti, and
so on), I am familiar with the temptation to also develop the other bishop on the longest diagonal.
There is such a feeling of harmony and safety – I am sure many of the readers will understand that.
In the Leningrad Dutch, the early bishop development to b2 (more specifically, before Nc3) is
mainly aimed at causing the opponent problems with carrying out the thematic ...e7-e5. But Black has
a few useful half-waiting moves at their disposal, so this is likely to become a game of nerves, but
also of accuracy when choosing between move orders.

6...d6 7.Bb2
An inaccurate option is:
7.c4?!
This leads to a position which can be reached via the 6.c4 d6 7.b3 move order, and it allows
Black to break in the centre at once:
7...e5!
Due to the long diagonal’s weakness, the pawn is not entirely edible.
8.dxe5 dxe5

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9.Nxe5
Neutral play would offer Black an easy life. Here is just one example: 9.Ba3 Qxd1 10.Rxd1 Re8
11.Nc3 e4 12.Nd4 c6 After obstructing the g2-bishop, Black intends to complete development at
their leisure. 13.f3 This was played only once but it looks like the only challenging move. (The
weakening 13.e3 is, for some reason, the most frequent option, but after 13...Nbd7 followed by
...Bf8 soon, there are two reasons why White’s apparently superior activity does not offer any
chances for an advantage. The bishop is not playing and Black’s king can actively take part in the
fight for the open file.) 13...Nbd7 14.Rac1 White delays fxe4 as this would make g4 available to
the black knight. In Nosenko – Golod Kharkov 1988, the most active continuation would have
been: 14...Ne5 Planning 15...Nh5 and if 16.fxe4 f4! with an initiative on the dark squares for the
pawn. 15.fxe4?! is risky due to 15...Bh6, mainly threatening ...Be3† followed by ...Neg4, even
though the c1-rook might also be tasty.
9...Ng4 10.Qxd8
The text move is better than 10.Bd5†? Kh8 11.Nf7† Rxf7 12.Bxf7 Qf8 13.Bd5 Bxa1 14.Ba3
Qh6 15.h4 Bf6–+ when White did not have compensation for the piece in Steinmacher – Koepke,
Schwaebisch Gmuend 2008.
10...Rxd8 11.Nxg4
The best chance.
After 11.f4 Nxe5 12.fxe5 Bxe5 13.Bg5 Re8 14.Na3 Bxa1 15.Rxa1 c6µ then in the absence of
queens, the relative weakness of the dark squares does not offer White attacking chances to
compensate for the exchange.
11...Bxa1 12.Bg5 Rf8 13.Na3 Bg7 14.Nh6† Kh8 15.Nb5
15.Bd5 is easy parried with 15...Bf6.
15...Na6 16.h4 Bf6
White has some compensation for the exchange, but Black cannot be worse at any rate.

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7...Qe8
Even though this does not ensure Black can play ...e7-e5 yet, it is a useful half-waiting move,
getting ready to act in the centre at the right moment.
White has a choice between A) 8.Nbd2 and B) 8.c4.

8.d5 does not have much independent value, as after 8...Na6 White does not have anything better than
9.c4 Bd7 10.Nc3 c6 transposing to line B2 below.

A) 8.Nbd2

This is the traditional move. White keeps developing with the obvious intention of inhibiting
...e7-e5. The clear drawback of the last move is that it obstructs the white queen, as if inviting Black’s
next move:

8...Nc6
In the absence of the threat of d4-d5, the knight stands well here. The immediate threat is 9...e5.

8...e5? simply loses a pawn: 9.dxe5 Ng4 10.Nc4 Unpinning and over-defending the pawn. 10...dxe5
11.Nfxe5 Bxe5 12.Nxe5 Nxe5 13.Qd5† In Alterman – Djurkovic, Hartberg 1991, White won a pawn
as 13...Nf7 14.Qd4 forces 14...Ne5 or 14...Qe5.

White can play A1) 9.Nc4 or A2) 9.Re1.

A1) 9.Nc4

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 White prevents Black’s pawn break directly, while also threatening d4-d5. The only problem is
that now e2-e4 ceases to be an issue, allowing Black to switch to playing on the light squares.

9...e6 10.a4
Preventing ...b7-b5 which would follow against practically all White’s reasonable alternatives.
10.e3
This clears the e2-square for the queen, aiming for harmonious development, but slightly
weakens the light squares.
10...b5 11.Ncd2 Rb8
Indirectly pinning the b3-pawn in anticipation of White’s next move.
12.c4
White tries to fight against Black’s queenside expansion.
If 12.Ne1 a5 13.Nd3 Ba6 with comfortable development and possibilities of advancing pawns on
either wing (with ...b5-b4 or ...g6-g5, mainly).
12...bxc4 13.Nxc4

410
 In Quinteros – Rodriguez Vila, Pinamar 2006, the most consistent plan would have been 13...a5
14.Ne1 Ba6 15.Nd3 Nb4= with harmonious play.

Several games went:

10.Ne1

Curiously, nobody ever tried the obvious and strong:

10...b5N 11.Ne3
Possibly, most players feared 11.Na5 but this only leads to the exchange of the light-squared
bishops: 11...Bd7 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Bxc6 Qxc6= With excellent control on the light squares.
11...Rb8 12.Nd3 Bb7 13.c4 Bh6

411
 Showing that the knight is not optimally placed on e3.
14.cxb5
14.d5 Nd8 15.Qd2 e5 followed by ...Nf7 offers Black a harmonious regrouping and chances for a
kingside attack.
14...Nd8 15.Bxb7 Rxb7

16.Bc1
Defending the extra pawn with 16.a4 leaves White with lots of weaknesses after 16...Bxe3
17.fxe3 c6 18.bxc6 Nxc6 followed by ...Qd7, ...Rfb8 and ...Ne4.
16...Qxb5 17.Nd5!?
A radical attempt at getting rid of the problem knight.
17.Nc4 Bg7 18.Bb2 Nc6 followed by ...a7-a5 and ...Nd5 also offers Black comfortable play.
17...Bg7 18.Nxf6† Bxf6 19.Bb2 Nc6
Planning ...a7-a5 with adequate kingside stability and chances for queenside counterplay.

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10...a5
Black should not allow the further advance of the a-pawn, of course.

11.Ne1
The same regrouping as above, but with the other knight stable on c4.

11...b6 12.Nd3 Bb7 13.e3

Continuing the knight manoeuvres is possible with:
13.Na3
But it wastes too much time.

413
13...Qc8!?
Preparing to recapture on b7 with the queen after the c6-knight jumps away.
But the simpler 13...Nd8= was also good. If White avoids the exchange in the same way as in the
game, the queen is better placed on e8: 14.f3?! Nf7 15.Nb5 Qe7 16.c4 c6 17.Nc3 e5³ With great
play.
14.c4

14...Nb4!N
For unknown reasons, I did not even consider this active move, which is the logical consequence
of defending b7.
The game went: 14...Nd8 15.f3! Nf7 16.Qc2 Re8 17.Rae1 e5 18.d5² With better development for
White in Lopez Martinez – Marin, Lorca 2019.
15.f3 Qd7=
Black has harmonious development and little to fear.

13...Rd8
Black has completed development and faces no problems at all.

14.Qe2 Ba6
Creating a potential pin and the possibility of ...d6-d5.

15.Rfe1 Ne4
A natural move but far from the only good one. There are at least two ways of starting pawn play:

15...d5 16.Na3 Nb4 17.c4 Nxd3 18.Qxd3 g5 with an original and reasonably comfortable version of
the Stonewall structure.

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Or else Black could play in the pure spirit of the Leningrad system:
15...e5 16.dxe5 Nxe5 17.Ndxe5 dxe5

18.e4
This is probably slightly unsound, but otherwise ...e5-e4 would offer Black a space advantage.
18...Nxe4 19.Bxe4 fxe4 20.Qxe4 Qf7 21.Re2 Rd5³
Even though White’s structure looks better, there are stability problems because of the absence of
the g2-bishop.
22.Rae1 Rc5 23.Ba3?! Bxc4!
Simply winning a pawn because the e2-rook, the f2-pawn and the queen are hanging, not giving
White the time to “win” the exchange.

415
16.Na3
Admitting that the knight has no future on c4 and planning c2-c4 followed by Nb5.

16...Nb4 17.c4 d5
This leads to interesting play, but if Black is interested in maintaining safe equality then 17...Bb7
18.Nb5 Qe7= keeps all the thematic pawn moves (...d6-d5, ...c7-c5, ...e6-e5) in reserve.

18.Nb5
Black has enough counterplay against 18.Nxb4!?N 18...axb4 19.Nc2, aiming to question Black’s
stability: 19...c5 20.a5 dxc4 21.axb6 c3 22.Rxa6 cxb2 with very unclear play.

18...Qd7 19.f3 Nd6 20.Ne5 Bxe5 21.dxe5

In Csom – Danielsen, Germany 2002, the most adequate knight retreat would have been:

21...Nb7N
Heading for c5 and ensuring Black has enough counterplay in a complicated position.

A2) 9.Re1

A more ambitious approach than 9.Nc4. Instead of preventing ...e7-e5, White prepares their own
central break, hoping to prove it is more effective than Black’s.

9...e5

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 Many players fear the central tension, preferring 9...h6 10.e4 fxe4 11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.Rxe4 g5.
This offers reasonable counterplay but I consider it a slight concession, yielding White some space
advantage and pressure along the e-file.

White can prepare e2-e4 with A21) 10.dxe5 or play it at once: A22) 10.e4.

A21) 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.e4

The previous exchange is in fact a slight concession, depriving White of the initial space advantage
and allowing Black’s typical answer under safe circumstances:

11...f4

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12.Qe2
A natural developing move, preparing Rad1.

12.Nc4
This move immediately starts play against the e5-pawn but leaves the queen exposed, allowing
Black to gain an important tempo for centralization:
12...Bg4 13.h3 Rd8 14.Qe2 Bxf3 15.Bxf3

The kingside space advantage and control over d4 offers Black good play despite White’s bishop
pair.
15...b5!

418
 Immediately pointing at the knight’s instability.
16.Na3
The passive 16.Nd2 offers Black a strong initiative on the dark squares: 16...fxg3 17.fxg3 Bh6
18.Nf1 Nd4 19.Bxd4 exd4µ
16...fxg3 17.fxg3

In all the games that reached this position, Black defended the b5-pawn with 17...a6, but this
allows 18.c3, controlling d4 and preparing the knight regrouping with Nc2-e3. Black can do
better with:
17...Nd4!?N 18.Bxd4 exd4 19.Qxb5
Ignoring the hanging pawn would allow ...a7-a6 with domination, while 19.Nxb5? d3 wins a
knight.
19...d3 20.cxd3
20.Qxe8? Nxe8 also leaves the a1-rook and the bishop hanging.
20...Nd7
Black wins an exchange.

12.gxf4?!
This is typically met with:
12...Nh5
Aiming to invade through f4.

419
13.fxe5
13.Nxe5 is even worse as it leaves the kingside poorly defended. 13...Nxf4 14.Nec4 Bxb2
15.Nxb2 The knight has landed quite far from the kingside while the exchange of bishops has
increased Black’s control on the dark squares. In Glaeser – Postma, Groningen 1999, the best
way to continue the attack would have been: 15...Bh3N 16.Bf1 Qe5–+
13...Nf4 14.Re3 Bg4 15.Bf1 Nxe5³
Black has perfect control on the dark squares and dangerous attacking ideas based on, for
instance, ...Nh3†.
12.h3
Preventing ...Bg4 with this move prematurely weakens the kingside dark squares. One of my
favourite games of mine with the Dutch went:
12...fxg3 13.fxg3 Nh5 14.Kh2 Be6 15.Qe2 Rd8 16.Rad1
Both sides have completed their development. Black has comfortable play, but now I felt I had to
take an important decision.

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16...a6!?
Not the only good move, but on principle I like it. It prevents Qb5 and prepares to meet:
17.Nc4
With:
17...b5
Without having to waste a tempo on defending the pawn after:
18.Ne3 Nd4 19.Nxd4 exd4 20.Ng4

I had been looking for a favourable moment to sacrifice on g3 ever since White had played h2-h3
right after the opening. But for several minutes I could find no reasons for optimism after
20...Nxg3 21.Kxg3 h5 22.e5, preventing the deadly check on e5.

421
 But after finding the second move of the combination I was caught by over-excitement.
20...Nxg3!
I rushed out to smoke, trying to calm my emotions, but one minute later I saw through the glass
doors that my opponent had moved. I left my unfinished but still burning cigarette on the edge of
the ashtray, as I knew my next move already, and did not intend to spend more than a few
seconds at the board.
21.Kxg3
Actually I was afraid Alexander would not take the knight. True, after losing such a pawn White
would have no hope, but it would have ruined both my combination and the cigarette!

21...Bc4!!
Clearing the e-file with gain of time in order to threaten a deadly check on e5.
22.Qd2
22.bxc4 leads to mate: 22...Be5† 23.Nxe5 Qxe5† 24.Kh4 Qf6†! The shortest mate, which I
managed to foresee. 25.Kg3 Qf4 mate.
22...Be5† 23.Kh4
23.Nxe5 Qxe5† 24.Kh4 Rf4† 25.Kg3 Rdf8, followed by a discovered check, is hopeless.
23...Qe7† 24.Qg5

422
24...Bg3†?!
In my previous calculations of 22.bxc4, I had parted with my light-squared bishop already.
Otherwise I might have found the forced mate: 24...Qxg5† 25.Kxg5 Bf4† 26.Kh4 g5† 27.Kh5
Bf7†! 28.Kh6 Rd6† But the game continuation is winning, too.
25.Kxg3 Qxg5 26.Bc1
White needs to get three minor pieces for the queen in order to stay in the game, but has to
prevent ...Qf4† first.
26...Qc5

27.Nh6†?!
This loses quickly.

423
 My main line went 27.bxc4 h5 28.Nh6† Kg7 29.e5 Rde8. The pawn cannot advance due to
...Qd6† and after its elimination, Black will have a material advantage and a continuing attack.
27...Kg7 28.bxc4 Qe5† 29.Kh4 Qh5†
Even though I had some time left, I decided to gain a minute by repeating the moves. Plus I was
enjoying playing this position.
30.Kg3 Qe5† 31.Kh4 Rf4† 32.Ng4 h5
Threatening 33...g5† 34.Kxh5 Rh8† with mate. The king’s retreat to g3 would be answered with
...Rxg4† double check. Therefore, in Donchenko – Marin, Medias 2015, Black resigned.

12...Nh5
Since White does not have active plans yet, it makes sense to over-defend f4 and e5, even though
there is a risk that in some cases the knight would be offside. But ...Bg4 is an important part of
Black’s plan, which turns the knight into a useful piece by inhibiting h2-h3.

12...fxg3
This simplistic move is also entirely playable.
13.fxg3
After 13.hxg3 the game Andres Gonzales – Spraggett, San Sebastian 2008, abruptly ended in a
draw. Black could have played 13...Ng4=. The knight is stable, over-defending e5 and putting
pressure on f2. The position remains complicated, with approximately equal chances.
13...Bh6
The start of a global regrouping plan.
14.Nc4 Bg4 15.h3 Bxf3 16.Bxf3 b5 17.Na3 a6 18.c3 Qe6 19.Kh2 Nd8 20.Nc2 Nf7=
Black has nothing to complain about.

13.b4

424
 As far as I understand, the only active plan. Neutral moves would allow Black to carry out the
plan unhindered. For instance:

13.Rad1 Bg4 14.c3 Bh6 15.Rf1 Qe7 16.Nc4 Qe6 17.Bc1 Rae8 18.Rd3 b5 19.Nb2 Nf6 20.Qe1 g5³
After a thorough regrouping, everything was ready for a pawn attack in Riazantsev – Annakov,
Moscow 1997.

13.Qf1
This is a bit more subtle, by preparing the exchange of bishops with Bh3. Abstractly this
exchange is supposed to favour White, but it also weakens the king’s defence, allowing Black to
start the pawn attack earlier.

13...Bf6 14.Bh3 g5 15.Bxc8 Qxc8 16.Qb5

White’s only source of counterplay is on the light squares.
16...Re8
16...Rf7!? is more flexible, as it leaves the e8-square available for the queen. If 17.Nc4 Qe8
18.Qxb7? then 18...a6, followed by ...Ra7, trapping the queen.
17.Nf1
Too passive.
17.Nc4 Qe6 18.Qd5= would have spared White lots of problems.
17...g4 18.N3d2 Re6 19.Rad1 a6 20.Qd5 Qe8µ
With active play and looming kingside threats, Welin – Van Mil, Copenhagen 1985.

425
13...Bf6
Black prepares to meet b4-b5 followed by Ba3 with ...Be7 while also defending g5.

Black could also have continued carrying out the main plan:
13...Bg4 14.b5 Nd8 15.Qc4†
15.a4 c6 secures the queenside, keeping the kingside ideas.
15...Nf7 16.Ba3
16.Qxc7 Qxb5³ offers Black an initiative on both wings.
16...Be6 17.Qxc7
Otherwise ...Nd6 would solve Black’s problems.
17...Qc8 18.Qxc8 Rfxc8 19.c4 g5
Black is perfectly regrouped for their main plan and White’s queenside majority is rather
vulnerable. This offers Black adequate compensation for the pawn.

14.b5 Nd8 15.Nc4 Nf7 16.a4 b6 17.Ba3 Be7 18.Qd3 Bxa3 19.Qxa3 Qe6 20.Qc3 Re8
Black has consolidated on the dark squares and, due to the usual plan based on ...g5-g4, can look
forward to the middlegame battle optimistically, Vogel – Van Mil, Enschede 1994.

A22) 10.e4

426
 Abstractly it makes more sense to refrain from the exchange on e5, as this leaves White with the
additional possibility of d4-d5. But the feeling that White could also play dxe5 at any later time if
needed is partly false.

10...f4
Black should keep the e-file closed, as otherwise the queen would be exposed. For instance:

10...Nxe4 11.dxe5 d5 (Or if 11...Nxd2 12.Qxd2 dxe5 13.Nxe5 Nxe5 14.Bxe5 Bxe5 15.Qd5†± Black
is behind in development and has serious kingside weaknesses.) 12.c4 Black is likely to lose stability
in the centre, Genov – Topalov, Sofia 1992.

Or 10...fxe4 11.dxe5 will most likely leave Black with a weak pawn on e5.

11.d5
This move is the only way to try to take advantage of this specific move order. Before taking on
f4, White drives the knight away from the e5-square. But Black has at least two good plans.

A way to consolidate the centre is 11.c3, which looks consistent from the perspective of White’s slow
queenside play, but it facilitates Black’s own attack by lowering the pressure on e5.

427
11...Nh5 12.b4 Bg4 13.b5 Nd8 14.Qb3† Kh8 15.dxe5 dxe5 16.c4 A familiar plan with a tempo less
for White. 16...Nf7 (Black could also stabilize on the dark squares with: 16...c5 17.bxc6 Nxc6=)
17.Ba3 Rg8 18.c5 Rd8 19.b6 Be6 20.Qb2 axb6 21.cxb6 cxb6 22.Rac1 g5³ Black’s threats looked
more concrete in Epishin – Vasiukov, Elista 1996.

This is not a good moment for 11.gxf4 due to 11...exd4!N 12.Nxd4 Nh5µ with a fantastic initiative
on the dark squares with equal pawns.

11.dxe5 does not quite transpose to line A21 as Black has 11...Ng4!³ gaining control over the e5-
square.

428
11...Nd8
When preparing for the game with Donchenko (as examined in line A21) I discovered the
following knight sacrifice:
11...fxg3!? 12.hxg3
The point is that 12.dxc6 gxf2† 13.Kxf2 Qxc6 allows the queen to join the attack quickly, while
several white pieces (most notably the b2-bishop) cannot help in the defence.

For instance: 14.Bf1 Clearing the only relatively safe square for the king, as otherwise ...Qc5†
and ...Ng4 would be very strong. 14...Bg4 15.Kg2 Nxe4!µ
12...Nd8 13.c4 Nf7 14.b4 a5 15.a3 Bh6 16.c5 Bg4=
Black has enough kingside space for the well-regrouped minor pieces, making Black’s
counterplay as effective as White’s queenside pawn attack.

12.gxf4 Nh5 13.fxe5 Nf4

429
 Black has a very strong initiative for the pawn. The d8-knight is ready to join the battle with
...Nf7, while the pin along the long diagonal is an important issue. At least from a practical point of
view, Black’s position is preferable.

14.Nc4N
Unpinning the pawn and increasing White’s control over e5, which actually is their only trump.

14.Bh1? should have led to immediate trouble in Matjushin – Sivuk, Odessa 2011.

14...Nh3†!N 15.Kf1 Nf7 16.Nc4 Nxe5 17.Ncxe5 Bxe5–+ The f3-knight cannot contribute to the
fight for the e5-square nor to the defence of the h2-pawn due to ...Rxf2 mate. Black has a decisive

430
attack.

14...Bg4 15.Re3 Nf7 16.e6 Ng5 17.Qd2 Bxb2 18.Nxb2 Qe7³

White’s space advantage does not lower the intensity of Black’s massive piece attack.

B) 8.c4

We know already that the apparently subtle 8.Nbd2 does not promise White an advantage, after a
bit of accuracy from Black. Therefore, despite older tradition, the natural last move, gaining space
and keeping some mystery about how White is going to develop the knight, deserves being promoted
as the main line.

431
8...Na6
A typical flexible Leningrad Dutch move.

8...e5?
This break is premature:
9.dxe5 Ng4 10.Nc3 dxe5
10...Nxe5 11.Qd2± leads to a typical structure, with the difference that White has a considerable
lead in development.
11.h3 Nh6 12.e4

Unfortunately, Black is not well prepared for the typical attacking move:
12...f4 13.Nd5 Na6 14.Ba3 Rf7 15.gxf4
Sadly there is no ...Nh5 available.
15...c6
In vain hoping to play ...Rxf4 after the knight retreat.
15...exf4 16.e5± also offers White a large advantage.

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16.fxe5!
A strong positional sacrifice, yielding White three pawns for the piece and a crushing centre.
16...cxd5 17.exd5±

We will investigate B1) 9.Nc3, B2) 9.d5, B3) 9.Qc2 and B4) 9.Nbd2.

B1) 9.Nc3

This most natural developing move is not very popular, as it allows Black to react in the centre
immediately. But experience has taught me that such moves can hardly be worse than, for instance,
some of the more sophisticated ones below. The only practical problem for White is that the position

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soon turns double-edged, which people who like the double fianchetto usually prefer to avoid.

9...e5
There are situations when controlling d5 and b5 could be useful, but unfortunately 9...c6 10.Re1
e5 runs into 11.e4 f4 12.Ba3 with serious problems along the weakened diagonal, for instance 12...c5
13.Nb5!?± as in Filippov – Potapov, Perm 1997.

The less committal 9...Bd7 allows 10.e4 fxe4 11.Ng5² with some advantage to White in the centre.

10.dxe5 dxe5 11.e4 f4

Both sides have carried out their plans optimally so far, but the whole strategic struggle lies
ahead.

12.gxf4
Bravely picking up the gauntlet.

12.h3
This prevents ...Bg4, but offers Black a tempo for regrouping.
12...c6 13.Qe2
Or if 13.Ba3 Rf7 followed by ...Nd7 and ...Na6-c5/c7-e6 with firm control on the dark squares.
In Batchuluun – Fier, Abu Dhabi 2017, Black’s best would have been:
13...Qe7N 14.Rad1 Nc7
Followed by ...Nd7 and ...Ne6 with a harmonious regrouping.

12.Ne2

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 This move has more poison than it looks at first sight. True, in principle e2 is not that good a
square for the knight, but the double attack on e5 and f4 requires some accuracy from Black.
We will return to this position below to see another option for Black. But the only game where
White played this way went:
12...Bg4 13.Nxe5 Rd8 14.Qe1 Nh5

But now White missed the strongest continuation:

15.f3!?N
Instead, 15.Nxg4 Bxb2 16.Rb1 Bg7 17.f3 Nc5³ offered Black more than enough compensation
for the pawn, due to the unchallenged control on the dark squares, in Stefansson – Pruijssers,
Rogaska Slatina 2011.
15...Bxf3
The best option.
During the game it would be easy to overlook that after 15...Bc8 White can indirectly defend the
pinned knight with: 16.Rd1!²
16.Bxf3 Bxe5 17.Bxe5 Qxe5 18.Bxh5

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18...Qc5†!
Better than the immediate capture on h5, as it forces White’s coordination to be somewhat
spoiled.
19.Qf2
The king should stay away from the long diagonal, as after 19.Kg2 Qxh5 20.Nxf4 Qe5 21.Qe3
Nc5 22.Rae1 Rd4 the e4-pawn would be hanging with check.
19...Qxh5 20.Nxf4 Qe5 21.Qe3 Nc5 22.Rae1
Black seems to be close to winning the pawn, but White has resources to keep it together with
some slight winning chances.
22...Rde8
With the king safe on g1, 22...Rd4 23.Nd5 yields White a decisive attack.
23.Nd5 Ne6 24.Kg2 c6 25.Qc3 Nd4 26.Nf4 c5²
It is far from clear whether White can win with such a vulnerable extra pawn, but Black is at least
slightly struggling.

Black’s simplest and probably best answer is:

12...fxg3N 13.hxg3
13.fxg3 Ng4 may even cause White some problems on e3.
13...Ng4

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 The knight is stable on this square, providing the e5-pawn with entirely adequate defence.
Besides, Black has the idea of ...g6-g5 followed by ...Qh5.
14.Qd5†
14.Qd2 Be6 causes Black no worries at all.
14...Be6
More active than the also viable 14...Kh8 15.Rad1 c6 16.Qd6 Rf7 17.Qd8 Rf8 leaving White
with nothing more than symbolic pressure after 18.Qd2.
15.Qxb7 Nc5 16.Qxc7 Rc8 17.Qxa7

17...g5!
With the white queen far away from the kingside, now is a good moment to start the attack.

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18.Nxg5 Qh5 19.Nh3 Rf7 20.Qa5 Nh6
Both knights are hanging and so the positional (forced) sacrifice is:
21.Bxe5 Bxe5 22.Nhf4
But this does not slow the rhythm of Black’s attack:
22...Bxf4 23.Nxf4 Rxf4 24.gxf4 Ng4 25.Rfd1 Qh2† 26.Kf1 Qxf4 27.Qd2 Qf6
Threatening ...Rf8.
28.Qd4 Ne5

Followed by ...Bg4 and ...Nc5-e6-f4 with dangerous threats.

12.Ba3
Despite Black’s slight piece congestion, this move does not achieve much:
12...Rf7

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13.Qc2
13.c5?! as played in Litvinov – Malaniuk, Minsk 1988, is hard to understand. Black could play
13...c6N followed by ...Nc7 and possibly ...Ne6 later, after for instance ...Bg4 or ...Nh5.
13...Bf8 14.Bb2
The exchange would only increase Black’s control over the dark squares.
14...Nb4 15.Qb1 fxg3 16.hxg3 Ng4 17.a3 Nc6=
Black is absolutely stable and controls all the important squares.

12...Nh5
The typical reaction, playing for the f4-square.

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13.fxe5
A familiar regrouping is:
13.Ne2
Once again it deserves attention, even though this time it does not prevent Black from attacking.
13...Bg4 14.Qd5† Kh8 15.Qxb7

In Breukelman – Dessing, Twente 2007, Black should have brought the reserve knight into the
attack:
15...Nc5!N 16.Qd5
16.Qb5 leaves d3 undefended, allowing 16...Nd3 17.Qxe8 Raxe8 18.Ba3 Rf6 19.h3 Bxf3
20.Bxf3 Nhxf4 21.Nxf4 Nxf4 22.Bg4 Bf8. The weaknesses on the dark squares prevent White
from taking advantage of the extra pawn. For instance, after 23.Bc1 Bc5 24.Be3 Bd4 25.Rad1 c5
it looks like only Black could try playing for a win.

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16...Ne6 17.Bxe5 Nhxf4 18.Bxg7† Kxg7 19.Qe5† Kg8 20.Nxf4 Nxf4 21.Qxe8 Raxe8 22.Nd4 c5
23.Nb5 Nxg2 24.Kxg2 Bf3† 25.Kg3 Rxe4
Black’s kingside initiative at least compensates for the missing pawn as the knight is of little use,
at least temporarily.

13.f5 is answered most simply with 13...gxf5 followed by ...Nf4 soon.

13...Bg4
A typical developing move, undermining White’s ever-so-feeble control of the dark squares, but
13...Nf4, planning ...Nxg2, with pure attacking ideas may also be worth a try.

14.Nd5
The only way to defend f4, hoping for a positional knight sacrifice after ...c7-c6 at the same time.

Unpinning the knight with 14.Qd5† leaves White poorly coordinated: 14...Kh8 15.Ne1 Nf4 16.Qd2
(Or if 16.Qxb7 then 16...Qe6 inserts the queen into the attack.) 16...Rd8 17.Qe3 Qxe5³ Apart from
the pleasant blockade, which should compensate for the pawn by itself, Black has attacking chances.

14...Rd8

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15.Ba3!?N
White needs to force matters somehow, as otherwise White would be crushed strategically.

15.h3?
This only plays into Black’s hands:
15...Bxf3 16.Bxf3

16...Nf4!N
Keeping this knight is essential.
After 16...c6? 17.Bxh5 gxh5 18.Kh1 cxd5 19.exd5± Black suddenly found himself in a desperate
position in Fodor – Wiwe, Budapest 2005.

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17.Bg2
17.Qc2 Nxh3† 18.Kg2 Bxe5µ retrieves the material and keeps all the strategic pluses.
17...c6
With such a strong knight on f4, Black can already play for material gains.
18.Qg4 cxd5 19.exd5 h5 20.Qd1
If 20.Qh4 Ne2† 21.Kh1 Bxe5 there is no pin with ...Re1.
20...Nc5µ
Followed by ...Ncd3.

15...Bxe5 16.Bxf8 Qxf8 17.h3 Bxf3 18.Qxf3 Bxa1 19.Rxa1

White keeps the extra pawn, but Black’s blockading ideas make the position safe enough. Here is
a sample line leading to a positional draw:

19...c6 20.Ne3 Nc5 21.Qxf8† Kxf8 22.Rd1 Rxd1† 23.Nxd1 Ke7 24.f3 Kd6 25.Kf2 Ke5 26.Ke3
Nf4 27.Bf1 g5 28.Nf2 h5 29.b4 Nce6 30.c5 Nd4 31.Nd3† Nxd3 32.Bxd3
White has managed to exchange one knight, but the other is hurrying to f4.

32...Ne6=
Despite the missing pawn, Black cannot be worse, of course.

B2) 9.d5

This leads to similar positions as in the main line with 7...Qe8 8.d5 (line A in Chapter 5) to which
it can actually transpose. The only difference is that White has managed to develop the bishop on b2
without the help of Rb1, but since the bishop is often hanging while e2-e4 is prepared, White does not
gain any advantage from this saved tempo.

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9...Bd7 10.Nc3 c6 11.Nd4
11.Rb1 simply transposes to the aforementioned system (see page 149).

White can also defend the bishop with 11.Qd2 but this exposes the queen to: 11...Nc5 12.Rad1 Nce4
13.Nxe4 Nxe4 14.Qc2

In Gausel – Onischuk, Jakarta 1997, the simplest way to achieve adequate counterplay would
have been: 14...cxd5N 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.cxd5 Rc8 17.Qb2† Kg8 18.Rc1 Preventing the invasion of
the c3-square. 18...Qf7 Black not only attacks d5, but also prepares an exchange of queens with
...Qg7, when the c3-square will belong to Black.

11...Nc7

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 Black overprotects the e6- and b5-squares, preparing ...c6-c5.

12.Qd2
Defending the bishop and indirectly delaying Black’s programmed ...c6-c5 (see below).

The radical attempt at preventing Black’s plan with 12.b4 weakens the c4-square while also wasting a
tempo, and is typically answered with 12...e5 13.dxe6 Nxe6:

The exchange on e6 would leave the c4-pawn hanging, while after 14.Nb3 Black can use the b2-
bishop’s lack of defence with 14...d5!N 15.cxd5 Nxd5 with excellent counterplay. The greedy
16.Bxd5 cxd5 17.Qxd5 weakens the king, thus offering Black a strong initiative after: 17...Bc6

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18.Qd3 Rd8 19.Qc2 b6!? Preparing to meet b4-b5 with ...Bb7 and planning to launch the kingside
attack with ...f5-f4.

12.Rc1
This does not improve White’s position in any way.

12...c5 13.Nc2
Taking measures against ...b6-b5.
13.Nf3 looks like a mere waste of time: 13...h6 14.a4 g5 15.e3 Skliba – B. Houska, Czech
Republic 2015. 15...Qg6!?N Black retains a harmonious position with a fair balance between the
wings.
13.Ne6 does not work with the bishop undefended: 13...Nxe6 14.dxe6 Bxe6 15.Bxb7 Rb8 16.Bf3
Bxc4!

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13...g5
With the knight on c2, 13...b5?! 14.Nxb5 Nxb5 15.cxb5 Bxb5 as played in Wockenfuss – Gupta,
Nuremberg 1990, could have run into 16.b4 with the danger of a knight invasion to c6.
14.f4
The other way of reacting on the kingside, 14.e4, loses the pawn without very clear
compensation: 14...Nxe4 15.Nxe4 Bxb2 16.Rb1 Bf6
14...gxf4 15.gxf4 Qg6 16.Qd3 Rf7 17.Kh1 Qh6 18.Qh3 a6=
½–½ In Heinzel – G. Wall, Germany 2012, Black had absolutely nothing to fear.

Since White does not have a concrete plan to continue, giving up the centre only frees Black’s play.
12.dxc6 bxc6 13.Qd2 Rd8 14.Rad1 In Podzielny – Henrichs, Essen 2003, Black could have started
active operations with: 14...c5 15.Nc2 Ne4=

12.Rb1 again transposes.

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12...Rb8
Defending the b7-pawn as 12...c5 allows: 13.Ne6 Nxe6 14.dxe6 Bc6 (14...Bxe6 15.Bxb7 Rb8
16.Bg2² offers pressure along the central files as White would prepare e2-e4 soon.) 15.Nd5 Bxd5
16.cxd5² With a considerable space advantage, literally cutting Black’s position into two parts,
Paikidze – Andersen, Oslo 2011.
The last move prepares ...c6-c5 under safe circumstances.

13.e4
The most constructive active plan.

13.b4 is answered in a familiar way: 13...e5 14.dxe6 Nxe6 15.Nb3 Rd8 Black has regrouped well and
is ready to start the kingside attack (probably after ...Bc8) since 16.Qxd6 Ng4, planning both ...Ne5
and ...f5-f4, offers Black a very strong initiative. 17.Na4 f4 18.Bxg7 Nxg7 19.Rad1 fxg3 20.hxg3
The least Black could do now is forcing a perpetual with: 20...Ne3!?

13...fxe4 14.Nxe4 Nxe4 15.Bxe4

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 In Mira – Boric, Austria 2016, Black should have continued the initial queenside plan with:

15...c5!N 16.Nf3 Bxb2 17.Qxb2 b5 18.Qd2 Qf7

Planning ...Qg7 in order to combine the threat of an invasion to b2 with the pressure along the f-
file. If:

19.Qa5 Rfc8 20.Qxa7 b4

The game would soon end in a draw by perpetual attack against the white queen.

B3) 9.Qc2

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 A somewhat tricky, half-waiting move, defending the bishop and delaying the natural Nc3 in
order to prevent ...e6-e5.

9...c5
By the method of elimination, this not-very-typical move is Black’s best reaction.

I have successfully tried 9...Nb4 against an expert of the variation, but when analysing again I found
an important problem: 10.Qc1 a5 11.Nc3 Bd7

My pleasant memories connected with Romanishin – Marin, Sovata 2001, are spoiled by: 12.a3
Na6 13.e4 Nxe4 14.Nxe4 fxe4 15.Ng5² The position remains playable for Black, but as the reader
already knows, I prefer to avoid this structure.

The apparently flexible 9...Bd7 allows 10.Ne1!N gaining time for regrouping by attacking b7.
(10.Nbd2 c5 would more or less transpose to the main line.) 10...c6 (Unfortunately Black has no time
for ...e7-e5 while 10...Bc6 11.d5 Bd7 12.Nd3 basically wastes two tempos to reach a familiar
structure. The knight stands better on d3 than on f3, as it can jump to f4 or support b2-b4.) 11.Nd3²
Black has no obvious way to achieve counterplay.

Or if 9...c6 then 10.Nbd2 preparing e2-e4.

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10.Nbd2
The most flexible move.

10.d5 b5= as in Mariano – Schacher, Arvier 2012, offers Black normal counterplay, in the spirit of
the lines covered under B2 above.

10.Nc3
This looks more active but allows:
10...e5 11.dxe5 dxe5
Once the pawns have got into motion, the weakness of the d5-square is not relevant. Besides, the
black queen’s knight will gain a tempo for regrouping to c6 with ...Nb4.
12.Rad1
12.e4 Nb4 13.Qe2 fxe4 14.Nxe4 Nxe4 15.Qxe4 Bf5 offers Black strong counterplay.
12...e4 13.Ne1 Nb4 14.Qc1

451
 Black achieved a comfortable position in Prohaszka – Argandona Riveiro, Riga 2014. Among the
numerous good moves, I would choose 14...b6N consolidating c5 and preparing to increase the
control over d5 and e4 with ...Bb7.

10.dxc5
This only helps to activate Black’s pieces:
10...Nxc5 11.Nc3

11...Bd7!?N=
Planning ...Rc8. A sample continuation is:
12.b4 Na4 13.Nxa4 Bxa4 14.Qd3 Bc6 15.Ng5

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 The best active try.
15...Bxg2 16.Kxg2 Qc6† 17.Kg1 Bh6 18.Ne6
If 18.h4 then 18...Bxg5 19.hxg5 Ne4 attacking g5 and keeping the possibility of defending the
long diagonal with ...e7-e5 if necessary.
18...Rfc8 19.Bxf6 exf6
White only apparently stands better, as they cannot keep the better structure with Rac1.
20.c5 dxc5 21.Nxc5 b6=

One of the engines’ favourites is 10.e3 Bd7 11.Rd1 but it is not clear how to proceed after the flexible
11...Rb8.

Another of the engines’ favourite moves is:

10.Rd1
This is also the line Avrukh recommends in Grandmaster Repertoire 1.d4: Volume 2B.
10...Bd7 11.e3

White continues making neutral moves, without committing the queen’s knight, in order to keep
preventing ...e7-e5. Black can invest some time into rethinking their strategy, as Rd1 is not
always useful and e2-e3 is a small waste of time, too.
11...Nb4
Using the queen’s exposure in order to relocate the knight with gain of time.
Avrukh mentions: 11...Rb8 12.Na3 Developing the knight and keeping the pressure on e5 at the
same time. 12...Ne4 13.Qe2² Avrukh: “when White is happy enough.”
The way I understand happiness, White intends to play Nb5, attacking a7. After ...Ra8, White
could release the tension with dxc5, as the desirable ...Naxc5 loses an exchange to Nc7 and
...dxc5 weakens e5. In fact, 12...Ne4 is pointless, so let’s see an alternative...
A more logical-looking idea is 12...Nb4 13.Qe2 b6 consolidating c5 in order to meet dxc5 with

453
 ...bxc5, but it fails to equalize for concrete reasons. 14.Nb5 a6 15.Nc7 Qc8 16.a3 Qxc7 17.axb4
cxb4 18.Rxa6² White has the more compact structure and controls the a-file.

In the position after 14.Nb5, the rook would have been better placed on c8, but 11...Rc8 allows
White to develop the knight naturally: 12.Nc3 The point is that after 12...e5 13.Nb5 e4 14.Nxd6
the rook is hanging. 14...Qe6 15.Nxc8 exf3 16.Bxf3 Bxc8 17.a3± White has a small material
advantage and a compact structure.
Since there is no perfect way to improve the rook’s placement, Black should just forget about it.
That’s why I suggest the knight hop to b4. Let’s see how that continues:
12.Qe2 Nc6
The knight has landed on an unusual square in this line, threatening ...e7-e5 and forcing White’s
hand at a moment when their development is incomplete.
13.d5
White does not get much by playing for the e5-square: 13.dxc5 dxc5 14.Ne5 Nxe5 15.Bxe5 Bc6
16.Bxc6 Qxc6 17.Nc3 Rad8= Black does not have any problems.
14.Ne1 is a bit more consistent, but not troubling either. White plans Nd3, attacking c5 and
controlling e5. 14...b6 15.Nd3 Rd8 16.Na3 e5 17.Bxc6 Bxc6 18.Nxe5 Ba8 Black’s attacking
chances along the long light diagonal compensate for the pawn. Besides, the knight on a3 is not
happy at all, for instance: 19.Rxd8 Qxd8 20.Rd1 Qe7 21.Nb5?! a6 22.Nd6? Ne8µ White loses
material.

13...Nd8!
Another unusual regrouping. The knight is heading for f7, preparing a positional attack with ...g6-
g5-g4, ...Ng5, ...Qg6/h5 and so on. In the meantime, the queenside plan remains valid. The
knight has lost two tempos on its way from b8 to d8, but White did not use the time too
effectively, either. The king’s rook does not belong on d1 in this structure, and the queen did not
reach e2 in one move.

454
14.Nc3 Nf7 15.Nd2
Preparing to meet ...g6-g5 with f2-f4.
The knight on f7 proves useful if White prematurely opens the centre: 15.e4 Nxe4 16.Nxe4 fxe4
17.Ne1 The only way of avoiding the loss of a piece. (17.Bxg7 runs into 17...exf3. And
unfortunately for White, 17.Ng5 is not possible.) 17...Bxb2 18.Qxb2 Ng5µ Black has an extra
pawn and attacking chances.

15...a6
Black improves their position on both wings.
16.a4 b6 17.Rab1
Defending the bishop in anticipation of a later ...Ng4.
17.e4? runs into 17...f4!µ with excellent control on the dark squares, partly thanks to the knight
on f7. 18.gxf4? only makes things worse: 18...Nh5 19.f5 Ne5–+ Black will soon be attacking the
poorly-defended king with all the minor pieces supported by the queen.
17.f4 defines the structure a bit too early. 17...Rb8 18.Bf1 Ng4! Black threatens ...Nxe3 and, due
to the pin along the long diagonal, ...b6-b5. With the white bishop away from the long light
diagonal, ...e7-e5 is also an issue.

455
17...Rb8 18.Bf1 g5 19.f4 h5
With reasonable counterplay for Black.

10...Bd7
Black continues the flexible policy.

11.Rad1
Since the d-file is likely to open up, this is the most logical move.

There is also a small detail making the text move preferable compared to 11.Rac1, as in Gerstner –
Malaniuk, Bad Woerishofen 2010.

456
11...Nb4!N 12.Qb1 Since the a2-pawn was hanging, and taking it would gain time for Black by
attacking the rook, this defence is forced. 12...cxd4 13.Nxd4 e5 14.Nc2 Nc6 15.Ne3 Rc8= Due to the
unfortunate placement of the queen’s knight, White cannot enjoy the relative weakness of the d5-
square. Black is well developed and can consider fighting for space with ...e5-e4 and ...Ne5.

11.a3
This prevents ...Nb4, and was played in Haessel – Malaniuk, Toronto 2010, but it offers Black a
tempo for development and slightly weakens the queenside.

11...cxd4!N
Once again this is a good moment to release the tension.
12.Nxd4 Nc5 13.Rac1

457
 Forcing matters with 13.b4 finds Black well prepared: 13...Na4 14.Bxb7 Rb8 15.Bg2 e5 16.N4b3
Nxb2 17.Qxb2 e4 18.e3 Ng4 19.Nd4 Ne5 Black has two strong bishops and an excellent knight,
while White has numerous weaknesses. All these facts ensure that Black has at least reasonable
compensation for the pawn.
13...e5 14.Nb5
Forced, as 14.N4f3? e4 15.Nd4 e3µ is simply bad for White.
14...Bxb5 15.cxb5 Qxb5

It would be unfair if White had no compensation for the pawn, but it appears that it is enough just
for equality:
16.b4 Nce4 17.Nxe4 Nxe4 18.Bxe4 fxe4 19.Qxe4 d5 20.Qe3 d4 21.Qe4 Qd7 22.Rc5 Rac8 23.Rfc1
Rxc5 24.Rxc5 Rc8=
Black’s space advantage and the passivity of the supposedly “good” b2-bishop compensate for
the weakness of the e4-square.

458
 In Seeman – Tella, Finland 2010, Black should have kept developing with:

11...Rc8!N
Without a white rook on c1, 11...Nb4 runs into 12.Qc3² as if 12...Nxa2?! then: 13.Qa5 Nb4
14.dxc5±

12.Qb1 cxd4
12...b5 also offers reasonable counterplay.

13.Nxd4 Nc5 14.b4 Nce4=

Black is well developed and has little to fear.

B4) 9.Nbd2

459
 More flexible than 9.Qc2 as examined above. White follows the natural course of development,
keeping the b2-bishop’s diagonal open and the possibility of developing the queen elsewhere than on
the slightly exposed c2-square. This is the line recommended by Sielecki in Keep it Simple: 1.d4.

9...c5
Once again, this slightly exotic plan, combining the ideas of the Maroczy and Leningrad systems,
is the best chance for counterplay.

The popular 9...e5 10.dxe5 Ng4 fails to equalize after the accurate 11.Ba3! and Black cannot play the
desirable ...dxe5. After 11...Nxe5 12.Nxe5 Qxe5 13.Rb1², as played in several games, White gets an
active version of a typical Dutch structure.

460
10.e3
The most dangerous plan. White plans Qe2 followed by Rad1 and e3-e4.

10.a3!?
This was recommended by Sielecki in his book and played only once; it prepares an interesting
pawn sacrifice.
10...Bd7 11.b4
So far this is Ruck – Dionisi, Pontevedra 2018.
11...cxb4!N
Black does not have any reason to reject the pawn, especially as White has wasted a tempo in the
process.
12.axb4 Nxb4 13.Bc3
White has reasonable compensation for the pawn, due to the possibility of building up pressure
along the a- and b-files, in the spirit of the Benko Gambit. However, Black does not have reasons
for worries, either.

461
13...Nc6!
The most principled answer. By threatening ...e7-e5, Black forces the opponent to make a
commital pawn move.
Sielecki analyses only 13...Na6?! 14.Qb1 Rb8 15.Ra5 when Black’s queenside position is
uncomfortable.
14.d5 Nd8 15.Nd4
White should hurry to take control over the e6- and c6-squares.
15.Qb3 exposes the queen, allowing the desirable: 15...b6 16.Nd4 Nb7 17.Ne6 Bxe6 18.dxe6
Nc5 19.Qc2 Nfe4 Black was just in time to neutralize the pressure along the long diagonal.
20.Bxg7 Kxg7 21.Nxe4 fxe4 22.Bxe4 Nxe4 23.Qxe4 Qc8= White’s position looks active but the
e6-pawn is weak.
15.Qb1 avoids this problem, but is less active. 15...e5 16.dxe6 Bc6 17.Nd4 Bxg2 18.Kxg2 b6
19.Ra6 Nxe6 20.Nxe6 Qxe6 White may have compensation for the pawn, but still needs to prove
it concretely.

462
15...a6
Freeing the rook.
The familiar 15...b6 does not work out so well now: 16.Qb1 Nb7 17.Ne6 Bxe6 18.dxe6 With
obvious queenside problems.
16.Qb3 Rc8 17.Ra2 g5
Black’s queenside is safe enough and there is the usual kingside counterplay.

10.d5
This leads to a familiar Benoni/Dutch structure, with adequate counterplay for Black:
10...b5 11.Ne1!?
I consider this the only constructive plan for White, as the knight is slowly heading for f4. Other
moves do not create any threats.
For instance: 11.a3 Rb8 12.Bc3 h6 13.Qc2 In Li Shilong – Zhang Zhong, Wuxi 2006, Black
allowed Nh4 with some pressure for White. Instead, 13...g5N would have offered Black
comfortable play on both wings.
Or if 11.Rb1 as in Z. Amanov – P.X. Wang, Los Angeles 2011, Black should proceed in the same
way: 11...Rb8 12.Bc3 h6 13.Ne1 g5 14.Nd3 Bd7=
11...Rb8 12.Nd3

463
 In Vorobiov – Georgiadis, Zurich 2015, the exchange on c4 was slightly premature. Black should
have maintained the tension with:
12...Bd7N 13.Rb1 Qf7!
Preparing to meet the threatened e2-e4 with effective counterplay along the long diagonal and the
half-open f-file.
If 13...g5?! 14.e4 bxc4 15.bxc4 Nb4 16.Nxb4 Rxb4 17.Qe2² and White retains some initiative.
14.e4
Otherwise ...g6-g5 may become an issue.
14...bxc4 15.bxc4 fxe4 16.Nxe4 Nxe4 17.Bxe4 Bxb2 18.Rxb2 Rxb2 19.Nxb2 Bh3 20.Bg2 Bxg2
21.Kxg2 Qf5
White’s structure is preferable, but Black is active and the white knight is awkwardly placed.
22.Qe2
Preventing ...Nb4 with 22.a3 offers Black a tempo to regroup with 22...Nc7 followed by either
...e7-e6 or ...Ne8-f6.
22...Nb4 23.f4 Nc2 24.Qxe7 Nd4
Due to Black’s superior knight and the vulnerable white king, Black should count on reaching at
least a perpetual check.

If White wishes to avoid a transposition to the familiar schemes, one alternative to the main
continuation is:
10.Rc1 Bd7 11.Ne1 Rb8 12.Nd3

464
 In Zhao Jun – Zhang Zhong, Singapore 2006, Black could have started his counterplay with:
12...cxd4N 13.Bxd4 b6
For the daring ones, 13...e5 14.Bxa7 Ra8 15.Be3 Bc6 offers ample compensation for the pawn, as
White’s pieces are massed ineffectively. 16.Nb1 In vain hoping to stop ...d6-d5 with Nc3. 16...d5
17.cxd5 Bxd5 18.Bxd5† Nxd5 With an obvious initiative, as ...e5-e4 is in the air, a2 could be
hanging and c3 needs permanent protection.
14.e4 e5 15.Bc3 Bc6=
Followed by ...Nc5 and possibly ...Bh6, when the pressure on e4 compensates for the backward
d6-pawn.

10...b6!?N

465
 Another move found by the method of elimination. The idea is to increase the pressure on e4 in
order to cross White’s main plan. Black has several other plans, but none of them seems to work out
well.

If 10...Bd7 11.Qe2 Rb8 as in Ruck – Zhang Zhong, Beijing 2008, White could proceed with his
central plan: 12.Rad1N 12...b5 13.e4 fxe4 14.Ng5± With a strong initiative.

10...Nh5
This is preparing ...e7-e5, but White has an accurate solution.
11.Nb1!N
Not only redirecting the knight towards c3-d5 but also clearing the d-file for the queen, thus
parrying ...e7-e5.
11.Qe2 e5 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.Nb1 e4 14.Ne1 Bd7 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Nc3 Nf6 17.Rd1 Bc6 18.Nc2
Nc7³ offered Black great play in De Ruiter – Beukema, Wijk aan Zee 2016.
Or if 11.h3 e5 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.e4, hoping for 13...f4? 14.g4 winning the e5-pawn, Black has
13...Nb4 followed by either ...Nd3 or ...Nc6.

Unfortunately, Black cannot play:

11...e5?
Due to:
12.dxe5 dxe5 13.Nxe5+–

I have tried making the following half-waiting move work: 10...Rb8 11.Qe2 Nh5 The rook stands
better on b8 as after the regrouping Nb1-c3-d5 there will be no fork threatened on c7. Besides, with
the queen away from the d-file, the trick mentioned above does not work anymore. But White is
better developed now and can play 12.h3! planning to meet 12...e5 with 13.dxe5 dxe5 14.e4 Nb4
15.Rae1 with a strong initiative in the centre.

466
11.Ne5
The critical test.

11.Qe2 Bb7 12.d5 fails to restrict the bishop, as after 12...e6 followed by ...Nc7 the d2-knight is too
far from the d5-square.

Black is also well prepared against the more consistent 11.Ne1 Rb8 12.Nd3. For example: 12...e6
13.Qe2 Bb7 14.Bxb7 Rxb7 15.e4 cxd4 16.Bxd4 e5 17.Bc3 Rbf7

Black is well coordinated and is ready to start an attack with ...f5-f4 at any time. Black should
probably transfer the knight to e6 first. The bishop is not “bad” at all, as it could go to h6,
undermining White’s defence of e4, while otherwise it is not likely that a white knight would land on
d5 soon.

If 11.d5 b5 then, compared to similar lines, White’s extra tempo (e2-e3) is of little use, as the main
plan is based on e3-e4 anyway.

467
11...dxe5!?
An entirely sound exchange sacrifice which White does best to reject.
But the more modest 11...Rb8 12.Nc6 Rb7 13.d5 Nb8 is playable, too.

12.dxe5
If 12.Bxa8?! cxd4 13.exd4 e4 (threatening ...Nc7) 14.d5 Bd7 15.Bc6 Bxc6 16.dxc6 Qxc6 then
Black’s space advantage compensates for the small material disadvantage. For instance: 17.Qe2 Re8
(17...Nc5 18.f3 Nd3 19.Bc3 leads to more adventurous play) 18.f3 exf3 19.Nxf3 e5 With a strong
kingside majority.

12...Rb8 13.exf6 Bxf6 14.Bxf6 Rxf6

468
 The material count is balanced and optically it may seem that White is slightly better. But with
...e7-e5 in the air, Black has little trouble keeping approximate equality.

15.e4
15.f4 leads to almost perfect symmetry: 15...Rd6 16.Qe2 Nb4 17.a3 Nc6 18.Rad1 Bb7=

The regrouping initiated with 15.Nb1 is too slow, allowing Black to carry out their main plan. 15...e5
16.Nc3 e4 17.Nd5 Rf7 As so many other times, in the given structure the weakness on d5 is not too
relevant as White can activate the bishop only by spoiling the structure: 18.f3 exf3 19.Qxf3 Bb7=

15...Nb4 16.exf5

469
 Otherwise White would have to be ready to deal with ...f5-f4.

16...Bxf5 17.Ne4 Re6=

Black’s piece pressure and the weakness on d4 compensate for the inferior structure.

Conclusion

The double fianchetto is a challenging system, requiring that Black adapt to the concrete
circumstances of each individual plan or move order. After 1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7
5.0-0 0-0 6.b3 d6 7.Bb2 Qe8 we looked at the two main options of A) 8.Nbd2 Nc6 and B) 8.c4 Na6.

I find variation A relatively inoffensive, but practically all the lines examined under B (possibly with
the exception of 9.d5) lead to interesting strategic struggles. On a practical note, line B3 on 9.Qc2 is
worthy of special attention, as it leads to the anti-Leningrad line that GM Boris Avrukh recommended
in his 1.d4 repertoire.

470
A) 6.b4 c6 232
A1) 7.Bb2 234
A2) 7.c4 236
B) 6.Nbd2 Nc6 240
B1) 7.Re1 241
B2) 7.c3 d6 245
B21) 8.Re1 245
B22) 8.Qb3† 248
B23) 8.b4 250
C) 6.Re1 d6 7.Nbd2 Nc6 8.e4 e5 9.dxe5 dxe5 252
C1) 10.exf5 254
C2) 10.c3 256

471
1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0
In this chapter we will examine deviations from the main continuations 6.c4 d6 7.Nc3 and 6.b3,
as examined in the previous sections. In the lines below, White either tries to carry out e2-e4 without
spending a tempo on c2-c4 or else tries to build up a massive queenside space advantage. Each of
these plans has the drawback of lacking overall harmony, offering Black the possibility of finding
effective antidotes.

We will mainly examine: A) 6.b4, B) 6.Nbd2 and C) 6.Re1. Other moves tend to have little
independent value.

After 6.c4 d6 the sidelines 7.b3 and 7.b4 are briefly mentioned in the introduction to Chapter 7 and
line A below, respectively.
Or if 7.Qb3 Qe8 and there is nothing better now than 8.Nc3, again transposing to a main line.
Or if 7.d5 Qe8 White does not have anything better than transposing to the main lines examined
in Chapters 4-6.

6.c3
This also has little independent value.
6...d6 7.Qb3†
7.Nbd2 Nc6 transposes to line B2.
7...e6 8.Ng5 d5 9.Nf3
9.Nd2 is similar to line B22, but with more options for Black, as there is no need to play ...Nc6.
For example, 9...c5!? is an extra option.
9.Bf4 is premature due to 9...h6 10.Nf3 g5 11.Be5 Nc6 12.Nbd2 g4³ causing White to lose the
piece control over e5.
9...Nc6
9...c5!? 10.dxc5 Nc6 is also worth a try.

472
10.Bf4?!
The only sensible way of avoiding another transposition, but once again the bishop is exposed on
this square.
10...Ne4 11.h4 h6
The threat of ...g6-g5 was unpleasant in Zinani – De la Riva, Saint Vincent 1999.

6.Nc3 d5 leads to a position similar to the one mentioned in the comments to White’s 7th move in
line C on page 253, with the difference that here the rook is on f1 instead of e1. This does not change
much, and if anything Black is simply a tempo up.

A) 6.b4

473
 A radical way of gaining queenside space. Advancing the b-pawn is part of White’s global plan
in many systems but at such an early stage, with incomplete development, it allows Black to deviate
from the standard set-ups to take advantage of the weakening of the c4-square.
The best antidote is to react with ...d7-d5, controlling c4 and yielding the position certain
Stonewall Dutch and, even more typically, Grünfeld Defence threads. But it is better to advance the
d-pawn only after White plays Bb2, otherwise White could use the weakness on e5 with Bf4. This is
also an issue if White plays b2-b4 earlier, for instance: 5.b4 0-0 6.Bb2 d5 or 5.c4 0-0 6.b4 c6
Transposing below in both cases.

We should mention one more possible move order based on b2-b4:

6.c4 d6 7.b4

474
 It may seem that White has tricked the opponent, as the plan based on ...d5 implies losing a
tempo. But under the given circumstances Black can react in the same way as in the similar
position with the pawn on b3, as examined in the previous chapter:
7...e5! 8.dxe5 dxe5 9.Qb3
What else? Due to the weakness of the long diagonal, the e5-pawn is not tasty: 9.Qxd8 Rxd8
10.Nxe5 Nfd7µ or else 9.Nxe5 Nfd7 10.Qd5† Kh8 11.f4 c6µ followed by ...Nxe5.
9...e4 10.Rd1
This has been played in a few games. The best continuation is:
10...Qe8 11.Nd4 Nc6N 12.Nxc6 Qxc6³
With a pleasant space advantage and normal development.

Returning to the position in the main diagram on the previous page, Black’s most flexible move is:

6...c6
Waiting for a good moment to play ...d7-d5, but also slowing down the b-pawn and thus creating
the threat of ...a7-a5.

We have the main options of A1) 7.Bb2 and A2) 7.c4.

7.a4
This rare move also deserves a brief mention.
7...Ne4N
Once again it is better to delay ...d7-d5.
If 7...d5 8.a5 Ne4 9.Bf4 Nd7 as in Ikonnikov – Berelowitsch, Netherlands 2009, White should
continue his development with 10.Nbd2N², bringing the knight closer to the central dark squares
in anticipation of ...Qe8 and ...e7-e5. White might have wished to avoid 10...Nc3 but this does
not bring anything positive for Black after the calm 11.Qe1.

475
8.a5
If 8.Bb2 then Black can switch to the main plan already: 8...d5 9.a5 Qd6 10.c3 Nd7 Followed by
..e7-e5 and/or ...f5-f4 with an initiative in the centre.
8...d6
After White has invested a lot of time in the queenside expansion, Black can afford to switch
back to the usual Leningrad plans.
9.Bb2 Na6 10.c3 e5 11.Qb3† Rf7 12.c4 Qe7 13.b5 Nc7=
With a complex strategic struggle in which Black is not worse.

A1) 7.Bb2

476
 A logical developing move, which, however, has the drawback of failing to support the early
advance of the b-pawn.

7...a5!
Fully taking advantage of White’s move order. Since b4-b5 is not available, White will soon have
queenside weaknesses. Only after achieving this first aim will Black switch to play on the light
squares with ...d7-d5.

The slower 7...d5 allows White to transpose to line A2 with 8.Nbd2 Ne4 9.c4.

8.a3
An alternative is:
8.bxa5
This gives up any queenside territorial ambitions.
8...Qxa5 9.Nbd2 Qa4 10.Qb1

10...Na6
Black could immediately seize control over the light squares with 10...d5N 11.Rc1 b5 12.Ne5
Ne4 13.Nb3 Bxe5 14.dxe5 f4³, with domination all over the board.
11.a3 Kh8 12.Qa2 Nb4 13.Qc4 Nbd5 14.Qd3
In Guramishvili – Beliavsky, Reykjavik 2017, Black could have stabilized on the light squares
with:
14...b5N³

8...axb4 9.axb4 Rxa1 10.Bxa1 Na6 11.c3

477
 White’s queenside structure is anything but appealing, and the time has come for Black to start
playing on the light squares.

11...d5

One year later, Malaniuk deviated from his game below with: 11...Kh8 12.Qb3 d6 13.Nbd2 Nc7
14.Bb2 Be6 15.Qc2 b5 16.Ra1 Bd5 With pleasant play in Bodiroga – Malaniuk, Dresden 2010.
But I find the main line simpler and more convincing.

12.Bb2
White hurries to reactivate the bishop.

The main alternative is continuing development with:

12.Nbd2 Ne4 13.e3
13.Qb3 Nc7 14.c4? weakens the light squares and the pawn on b4. 14...Be6 15.cxd5 In
Stachowiak – Neiksans, Teplice 2013, the best way to take over the initiative was 15...Bxd5µ
followed by ...Qd6 and ...Ra8.

478
13...Nc7!?N
I slightly prefer this over 13...Be6, which eventually causes Black to lose two tempos. 14.Bb2
Nc7 The start of a mutual manoeuvring phase, with the knights heading for the best squares.
15.Nb3 Nb5 16.Qc2 Nbd6 17.Nc5 Bc8 18.Nd3 Nc4 19.Ra1 g5 20.Nfe5 In Demidov – Anton
Guijarro, St Petersburg 2018, Black should have kept control over c4 with: 20...Ned6=
14.Bb2 Nb5
If White carries out the same plan as in the game above, then Black will have two extra tempos.
And if:
15.c4 dxc4 16.Nxc4 Be6 17.Nfe5 Bd5=
Black has excellent control on the light squares.

12...Ne4 13.Bc1 Nc7 14.Bf4 Nb5 15.Qc2 Be6

As a result of the early strategic struggle, White is tied up to the defence of the weakened
queenside. The black minor pieces are stable and Black can think of either a kingside expansion or an
invasion along the a-file.

16.h4
16.Be5 fails to exchange the bishops due to 16...Bh6!.

16.Ne5 does not cross Black’s plans in any way: 16...Qb6 17.h4 Ra8³

16...h6 17.Qc1 Kh7 18.Ne5

479
 In Sieciechowicz – Malaniuk, Koszalin 2009, Black could have exploited White’s passivity with:

18...Qa8!?N³
Followed by ...Qa2/a1/a4, ...Ra8 and so on.

A2) 7.c4

The most consistent and restrictive move order. White takes measures against ...a7-a5 and keeps
the possibility of answering ...d7-d5 with Bf4.

7...Ne4

480
 Instead, an idea we have seen before is:
7...a5?!
But this plan is less appropriate here than in the previous section as White has:
8.b5 d5
The only way to keep fighting for the light squares.

9.Nc3
A flexible move. Unlike in some lines below, White has not committed the dark-squared bishop
yet, so can later choose between Bf4 and Ba3.
9...Kh8
9...dxc4 runs into: 10.Qa4 Be6 11.Ng5±
10.cxd5 Nxd5 11.Nxd5 Qxd5 12.Ba3²
With excellent play for White in Butnorius – Antal, Budapest 2002.

481
8.Bb2
Instead, deviating from the natural course of development is likely to offer Black early
counterplay:

8.Qb3
This exposes the queen, thus justifying:
8...a5 9.b5 a4 10.Qd3 d5
10...d6 is also worth trying.
11.cxd5
Or if 11.bxc6 Nxc6 12.Ba3 Be6 with good play on the light squares.
11...Qxd5

482
12.Nc3
Defending the pawn with 12.Na3 leaves Black stable in the centre, and after 12...Nd7 13.bxc6
bxc6= Black has with good chances of breaking with ...c6-c5 or ...e7-e5.
Releasing the tension with 12.bxc6 speeds up Black’s development with 12...Nxc6, attacking d4
and planning either ...e7-e5 or else queenside action with ...Nb4 and ...b7-b5.
12...Nxc3 13.Qxc3 Qxb5 14.Ba3
Dobrowolski – Malaniuk, Koszalin 2013, was agreed drawn. White enjoys some activity for the
pawn, but Black keeps a normal position after:
14...Re8!?

As usual, playing exclusively with the pawns would neglect development:

8.a4 d5 9.cxd5
A necessary concession, clearing the c6-square for Black’s knight.
If 9.Qb3 Be6 and White cannot keep control in the centre. 10.cxd5 Bxd5 causes White new
losses of time and consolidates Black’s control on the light squares, while 10.c5 runs into 10...a5
with the tactical point of 11.b5 Nxc5!.
9...cxd5 10.Qb3 Nc6 11.Rd1 Be6

483
12.Na3
White has to resort to such contorted moves in order to avoid problems.
If 12.Nc3 Rc8 (threatening ...Nxd4) 13.Bb2 Qd6³ and White has serious queenside problems.
12...Qb6 13.Nc2 Na5 14.Qd3 Nc4
Black had excellent play in Aleksandrov – Ringoir, Dubai 2014.

8...d5
The normal reaction after the danger of Bf4 has disappeared.

9.Nbd2 a5!
The most effective way of speeding up queenside development. White has to either allow the
opening of the a-file or the clearance of the c6-square for the b8-knight.

10.a3
If instead: 10.b5 dxc4 (10...a4 as in Fridman – Reinderman, Germany 2002, is slower and likely
to offer White chances of consolidating.) 11.bxc6 Nxc6 12.Nxc4 a4 Followed by ...Be6 with
excellent queenside counterplay (as indicated by Malaniuk and Marusenko).

10...axb4 11.axb4

484
 Black has weakened the b4-pawn, a process that will continue after ...dxc4.

11...Rxa1 12.Qxa1
We can also consider the other recapture:
12.Bxa1
But this does not change the character of the position.

12...dxc4N
Just as in the main line, it is best to give up the centre, transposing to some sort of Grünfeld
structure.
Playing for the blockade seems less effective: 12...Qb6 13.Qb3 Be6 14.c5 Qb5 15.e3 Preparing

485
 to fight against the blockade with Rb1 and Bf1. 15...Na6 16.Rb1 Qe2 In Balje – Schoorl,
Netherlands 2015, White should have continued harassing the queen with: 17.Rb2!N²
13.Nxe4
The most ambitious move, as 13.Nxc4 Be6 14.Nfe5 Nd7 offers Black good play in the centre
and, soon, against the b4-pawn.
13...fxe4 14.Ng5 e5

15.Qc1
With the knight hanging, White already has to look for safety.
15...exd4 16.Qxc4† Qd5 17.Qxd5† cxd5 18.Rd1 h6 19.Nh3 d3!?
Avoiding the blockade on d4 and preparing to cut off the h3-knight from the action.
20.exd3 g5 21.Bxg7 Kxg7 22.dxe4 dxe4
The passive white knight at least compensates for the weak e4-pawn.

486
12...dxc4 13.Nxc4
Once again, exchanging the centralized knight is double-edged: 13.Nxe4 fxe4 14.Ne5 Qd5
15.Qb1 Bf5 Provoking the next move, after which one more white pawn will be hanging. 16.g4 Be6
17.Bxe4 Qd6 18.Bc3 Nd7 White will soon lose stability in the centre: 19.f4 Nf6 20.Bf3 Nd5 White
has nothing better than 21.Bxd5 cxd5³ with chronic weaknesses on the light squares.

13...Na6
A provocative move, leading to concrete play.

The natural 13...Be6 14.Nfe5 Nd7= is also good.

487
14.b5!?
Picking up the gauntlet, as otherwise Black would get strong counterplay against the weak b4-
pawn:
14.Qa3 Be6 15.Rc1 Bxc4 16.Rxc4

16...Qb6
Malaniuk and Marusenko give 16...Qd5 17.Nd2 e5 with counterplay, but the main continuation
looks stronger.
17.e3
17.Qa5 runs into 17...Qb5!³ winning the b-pawn.
17...Nc7
Threatening to increase the control with ...Ra8.
18.Qa5 Qxa5
18...Qb5 is parried with 19.Bf1.
19.bxa5 Ra8

488
20.Rb4
A necessary intermediate move, as 20.Ra4 allows 20...b5 21.Ra1 Ra7 22.Ne1 c5³ with a
dangerous queenside initiative.
20...Nb5 21.Ra4 Nc5
Another promising line is 21...c5 planning 22.Ne5 Bxe5 23.dxe5 Rd8. True, White’s bishops are
potentially dangerous but all Black’s pieces are more active than their rivals and the b2-bishop is
in danger.
22.Ra2 Nd3 23.Ba1 Nc1 24.Ra4 Nb3
Black wins the a-pawn with just some compensation for White due to the bishop pair and more
compact structure.

14...cxb5 15.Ncd2 Nxd2 16.Nxd2

489
 So far we have followed Nyvlt – Pirs, email 2009. White has some compensation for the pawn, as
Black needs some effort to achieve harmony. As an over-the-board player, I would probably choose:

16...e5N 17.d5
Or if 17.Qa2† Kh8 18.d5 e4 19.Bxg7† Kxg7 20.Qb2† Qf6 21.Qxb5 Qd4 22.Rc1 Qb4 with
equality.

17...Re8!?
Consolidating the e-pawn before playing ...Qd6.

18.Rc1
The point is to meet 18.f4 with 18...Qe7, forcing White to take a decision at once.

18...Qd6=
Black has stabilized the position and the extra pawn is still alive. White’s compensation should
just be enough to maintain equal chances.

B) 6.Nbd2

490
 The intention of this move is clear: White prepares to open the centre with e2-e4. This move has
the drawback of restricting not only the c1-bishop, which will need some time to develop, but also the
queen, allowing Black’s answer:

6...Nc6
In the absence of the threat of d4-d5, the knight stands best on this square. Black mainly intends
to play ...d7-d6 and ...e7-e5, but also keeps the possibility of preventing e2-e4 with ...d7-d5 (without
loss of time).

White can choose between B1) 7.Re1 and B2) 7.c3.

Switching back to the plan of occupying the centre with pawns is not effective due to the non-optimal
knight placement on d2:
7.c4

491
7...e6!?N
The best move order, preventing d4-d5.
8.b3
8.Re1 d5 transposes to line B1 below.
8...d6
Black keeps preparing the central break. Apparently, White has got a tempo for free compared to
line A2 in Chapter 7, but has spent it on c2-c4, which not only deprives the knight of the c4-
square but will also cause the weakening of the d3-square after the desirable e2-e4.
9.Bb2 Qe7 10.Re1 e5

11.e4
11.dxe5 dxe5 12.e4 is best answered with the familiar 12...f4.

492
 White fails to isolate the queen’s knight with 11.d5 Nb4 12.a3 Na6 13.b4? as Black has 13...e4
14.Nd4 e3 with a strong attack.
11...f4 12.d5 Nb4!
This resource is not available with the white pawn on c2.
13.Qb1 a5 14.a3 Na6 15.b4 Nh5³
Black is better prepared for starting the attack than White.

B1) 7.Re1

The fastest way of threatening e2-e4.

7...d5!?
Since White has spent two tempos preparing the central break, it makes sense to cross this plan,
leaving the queen’s knight and king’s rook misplaced. We can notice some structural similarity with
line A above. With the white knight far from c3, and the c1-bishop obstructed and incompletely
developed, White cannot take full advantage of the e5-square.

Black also has a worthy alternative in 7...d6, transposing to line C on page 254.

8.c4
White needs to set up some pawn pressure in the centre, as playing only with the minor pieces
does not achieve much: 8.Nb3 Ne4 9.Bf4 a5 10.a4 b6 Followed by ...Ba6/b7, and possibly ...Re8 and
...e7-e5.

8...e6

493
9.b3
The only reasonable way of omitting or delaying this natural move is:
9.e3 Ne4
Both games played from this position are instructive for this specific structure:

a) 10.Qc2 a5
With knights on c6 and d2, this is just natural.
11.Nb1!?
Redirecting the knight closer to the newly-weakened b5-square.
11...g5
Black could use White’s delayed development at once: 11...Nb4 12.Qe2 dxc4 13.Qxc4 Ra6
14.Qb3 c5 with an initiative.
12.Nc3 g4 13.Nd2 Nb4 14.Qb1 Nxd2 15.Bxd2 dxc4³
Black has a firm blockade on the light squares and the c4-pawn is not easy to retrieve, Tevtyuev –
Lunev, Orel 1998.

b) 10.a3 a5 11.b3 g5 12.Bb2 g4

494
13.Ne5
13.Nh4 turns the knight into an appealing target. 13...Bf6 14.Rc1 Bxh4 15.Nxe4 dxe4 16.gxh4
Qf6 Before taking the h4-pawn, Black needs to secure the position against an attack along the
long diagonal starting with d4-d5. 17.Qd2 Nd8 18.d5 e5 19.c5 Nf7 20.h5 Qh4 Followed by
...Ra6 with excellent attacking chances.
13...Nxe5 14.dxe5
Black is very stable and in M. Richter – Vallejo, Berlin 2015, the most logical continuation
would have been:
14...b6N=
Followed by completing development soon.

495
9...b6
I prefer this over the usual move order 9...Ne4. The point is that at least Black completes
development; Black also needs to stay prepared to meet the thematic Ne5 in the best way (see below).
After Black’s early knight jump, play usually continues with: 10.Bb2 b6

Then the untested 11.Ne5!?N is slightly worrying. True, Black remains solid after: 11...Nxe5
12.dxe5 c5 13.cxd5 exd5 14.e3 (14.f3 may be premature due to 14...Nxd2 15.Qxd2 f4) 14...Qe7
15.f3 Nxd2 16.Qxd2 Be6 But White’s position is a touch more pleasant due to the permanent
pressure on d5 after f3-f4.

10.Bb2
The only game with this move order went:
10.Ba3 Re8 11.e3 a5 12.Bb2 a4
The following sequence is typical for correspondence chess.
Instead I would play 12...Bb7, more or less transposing to the main line. In certain cases the rook
stands better on e8 than on f8.
13.bxa4 Bd7 14.cxd5 exd5 15.Bf1 Ne4 16.Bb5 Na5
The position remains balanced, but the next sequence of moves in Galje – Van Donk, email 2016,
is too hard to annotate.

10...Bb7

496
11.a3
Preparing the queenside pawn attack.

One important point is that if:

11.Ne5
Then it runs into:
11...Nxe5 12.dxe5 Ng4!

This is why it is best to keep the knight on f6 for a while.

13.Nf3
Unfortunately, White cannot consolidate e5 with f2-f4 and the defence provided by the knight is

497
 not 100% reliable due to the possible ...Bxf3.
13...dxc4
Spoiling White’s queenside structure and clearing the diagonal for the bishop.
14.bxc4
14.Qxd8 reduces the danger of an attack based on ...f5-f4, but offers Black a tempo for
developing. 14...Raxd8 15.bxc4 f4 16.h3 Bxf3 17.exf3 The only way to keep the pawn, but a
clear strategic concession. 17...Nh6 18.g4 Nf7 19.Bf1 g5 20.Bc3 Rd7 21.a4 Rfd8 22.a5 Bf8³
With the better structure and a harmonious regrouping for Black.

14...Qe7 15.Qa4
15.h3 only helps the knight to return to a natural path with 15...Nh6 followed by ...Nf7.
15...Rfd8 16.Rac1 Qc5 17.e3 Bc6 18.Qb3 Rab8³
After removing the rook from a8, the threat of ...Bxf3 winning a pawn is hard to meet.

11.Rc1
This neutral move can be answered in a similar way as the main continuation.

498
11...Ne4
After developing the bishop on the long light diagonal, Black is better prepared to support the
active plan initiated by this knight jump.
12.Ne5
If White exchanges on d5 immediately, in order to prevent Black from recapturing with the
bishop, the e-file opens in Black’s favour: 12.cxd5 exd5 13.Ne5 Nxe5 14.dxe5 Qe7 This is the
point. With the e5-pawn hanging and the d5-pawn safely defended, White is not in time for f2-f3
as in the similar situation examined in the comments to Black’s ninth move. 15.f4 c5 By keeping
the knight on e4, Black ensures against any problems on d5.
12...Nxe5 13.dxe5 c5 14.cxd5 Bxd5

499
 With the given move order, this is the best way of capturing, absolving Black from any potential
problems. If:
15.Nxe4 fxe4 16.Qc2
Black keeps the balance with:
16...Qg5 17.Bxe4 Bxe5=

11...Ne4
This finally transposes to a game quoted below, featuring the 9...Ne4 move order. But Black
could also delay the transposition by one move with 11...a5 12.Rc1 Ne4.

12.Rc1
Once again Black is well prepared against the knight invasion: 12.Ne5 Nxe5 13.dxe5 dxc4
14.Nxc4 Qxd1 15.Raxd1 Rad8 With a harmonious development and the better structure.

Or if 12.b4 Nxd2 and White cannot keep both central pawns defended.

12...a5 13.e3
Both sides have more or less completed their development, and in the next phase they will slowly
build up their attacks on opposite wings.

13...Qe7 14.Rc2 Rac8 15.Qc1 Nd8 16.Rd1 g5 17.b4 axb4 18.axb4 g4!?N
The text move is more straightforward than 18...Nf7 19.b5 Rfd8 20.c5. In Wirig – Nijboer,
Belgium 2014, White’s threats may have looked dangerous, but Black could still maintain
approximate equality with: 20...c6 21.Ba3 Bf8=

500
19.Ne5 Bxe5 20.dxe5 Nf7
Black is very stable on the light squares, with plans including ...Nfg5 and ...h5-h4.

21.c5
This does not change the previous verdict.

21...bxc5 22.bxc5 Bc6=

Black maintains good stability and can think of continuing the plans mentioned above.

B2) 7.c3

501
 A half-waiting move which could be the introduction to several plans.

7...d6
Since e2-e4 is not yet a threat, Black can continue the standard Leningrad Dutch plan.

7...d5 is less popular here than against 7.Re1. We saw above that 7.Re1 d5 is logical, since White has
spent two tempos preparing e2-e4, so that is one part of the explanation. Another possible explanation
is given by the following variation: 8.Nb3 Ne4 9.Be3 White prepares Nc1-d3, increasing the control
over e5. The dark-squared bishop does not need to expose itself to ...g6-g5 with Bf4 as after 9...e5?!
(which would equalize at once in the similar line with Re1 instead of c2-c3) 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.dxe5
Bxe5 12.f3 Nf6 13.f4 Black does not have ...Bxb2. 13...Bd6 14.Bxd5† Nxd5 15.Qxd5† Black’s
compensation for the pawn is uncertain.

We will examine B21) 8.Re1, B22) 8.Qb3† and B23) 8.b4.

B21) 8.Re1 e5

502
 Due to the slight loss of time implied by c2-c3, Black is the first to break in the centre.

9.dxe5
Also possible is:
9.e4
But this is a far less popular choice for White. In my understanding, the reason for this lack of
popularity is:
9...fxe4 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Rxe4 d5
This is probably entirely sound, but I would instinctively be worried about:
12.Bg5 Qe8

503
13.Rxe5!? Nxe5 14.Nxe5
With pleasant compensation for the exchange, due to the strong central knight. For instance:
14...c6 15.Qd2 Bf5 16.Re1 Qc8 17.h4
The play looks a bit one-sided. This evaluation may be slightly subjective, as I enjoy sacrificing
the exchange and am unhappy when facing such an operation.

Let’s return to the position after:

9.e4

I would instead prefer:

9...f4!?N
For instance:
10.d5
10.b4 fxg3 11.hxg3 Ng4 offers Black the desired stability and attacking chances with ...Qe8,
...g6-g5, ...Qh5.
Or if 10.gxf4 exd4 11.Nxd4 Nh5 with a familiar attacking scenario.
10...Ne7 11.gxf4 exf4 12.Nc4
White’s control over e5 looks impressive, but Black has good counterplay:
12...Bg4
Fighting back for the e5-square by pinning the knight and planning ...Nd7.
13.e5
13.Bxf4 allows 13...Nfxd5 14.Bxd6 cxd6 15.exd5 Bxf3 16.Bxf3 Nf5 with great compensation
for the pawn due to the weaknesses on the dark squares and the opposite-coloured bishops.
13...Nfxd5 14.exd6 cxd6 15.h3 Bh5
White’s compensation for the pawn is not obvious.

504
9...Nxe5
With this move order, this is the best recapture. By exchanging the queen’s knight, Black reduces
the impact of the thematic b2-b4-b5.
But 9...dxe5 is also good enough, transposing to line C2 after 10.e4.

10.Nxe5
White also does not achieve much by refraining from this exchange:
10.c4 c6 11.Qc2 Qe7 12.b3

12...Nfg4
Another possible continuation of the attack is 12...f4 since 13.gxf4?! runs into 13...Nxf3†

505
 14.Nxf3 Nh5³ followed by ...Nxf4.
13.Bb2 f4 14.Nf1 g5 15.Nxe5 Bxe5 16.Bxe5 Qxe5³
With a strong kingside initiative in L. Spassov – Marin, Manresa 1995.

10...dxe5 11.e4 f4

12.Nc4
We should also consider the capture on f4:
12.gxf4
As usual, this offers Black excellent compensation after:
12...Nh5
Let’s see some illustrative lines:
13.fxe5 Nf4

506
14.Nf3
Safer than 14.Nb3, which allows 14...Qg5 15.Bxf4 Qxf4 16.Qd2 Qh4 with a dangerous
initiative.
14...Qxd1 15.Rxd1 Bg4 16.Bxf4 Rxf4 17.Rd3 Raf8 18.e6
Trying to reduce Black’s pressure by returning an unimportant pawn.
18...Bxe6 19.Nd4
19.Ng5 Bc8 does not change much.

19...Bxd4
This leads to forcing play, but Black would also be doing fine after a neutral move such as
19...Bc8.

507
20.cxd4 Rxf2 21.d5 Bc8 22.Rc1
White seems to have the initiative in the centre, but the weakness of the king prevents White from
proving an advantage.
22...c6 23.dxc6 bxc6 24.Rxc6 Bb7 25.Rcd6 Rxb2
White has nothing better than:
26.Rd2 Rxd2 27.Rxd2 Rf7
With some symbolic advantage for Black due to the better structure.

12...fxg3
Releasing the tension to weaken White’s kingside before the threat of g3xf4 becomes real.

13.hxg3 Qe7 14.b3 Re8 15.Ba3 Qf7

After having exchanged the f3-knight, Black had no problems parrying the enemy bishop’s
attack. In the long run b2-b3 is likely to count as a weakness. At this point, Black’s play is at least
subjectively slightly more pleasant, as illustrated by the two games quoted below:

16.Qc2
After 16.Qe2 h5 17.Rad1 a5 Black starts the attack against both weakened wings. 18.Bc1 a4
19.Bg5 Nh7 20.Qe3?! Giving up the bishop is a positional concession. 20...axb3 21.axb3 Be6 22.Bf1
Rf8 Suddenly it is impossible to defend f2 without losing material. 23.Rd2 b5–+ Ninov – Vasiukov,
Athens 1987.

508
16...a5 17.Ne3 Be6 18.Red1 Bf8 19.Bxf8 Rxf8 20.Rd2 h5 21.c4 Ng4 22.Nxg4 Bxg4
With active play for Black, who eventually won in Kaplun – M. Gurevich, Soviet Union 1983.

B22) 8.Qb3†

This early check, in combination with a possible Ng5, aims to provoke ...d6-d5. But we already
know that Black should not fear adopting this structure against White’s somewhat passive initial set-
up.

8...e6 9.Re1
Since the rook will not be doing much on e1 after ...d6-d5, an alternative is:

509
9.Ng5
This certainly deserves to be considered.
9...d5 10.Nh3

Planning to regroup with Nf3 and Nf4-d3.

10...e5!
Black does not need to wait passively until White takes the e5-square under control.
11.dxe5 Nxe5 12.Nf4 c6 13.c4
So far we have followed Paunovic – De la Riva, Mondariz 1996. I suggest:
13...g5!?
Using Black’s better development to clarify things in the centre.
14.Nd3 Nxd3 15.exd3
Consolidating the centre, as instead 15.Qxd3 Be6 16.cxd5 Nxd5 17.Nf3 f4 offers Black the
initiative.
15...f4³
Black has regrouped harmoniously and has chances for a kingside attack, while White is still
struggling to complete development.

9...d5 10.a4
With the current piece placement, setting up tension in the centre would be likely to delay
White’s queenside development indefinitely, as b2-b3 is not available and the knight is stuck on d2
over-defending c4. For example:
10.c4 Ne4 11.Rd1 In Studnicka – Anaskin, Prague 2015, Black’s best way to develop his initiative
would have been: 11...a5!?N Preparing to harass the queen. And if: 12.a4 Ra6³ With a continuing
initiative.
10.Ne5 is best answered with the familiar: 10...Nxe5 11.dxe5 Ng4 12.f4 Ne3 13.Bf3

510
 In Fahrner – Beim, Graz 1996, Black should have continued the plan with: 13...g5N³

10...a5 11.Qc2 Ne4 12.Nb3

Planning the global regrouping with Nc1/c5-d3 and Bf4.

12...g5
After the game I thought 12...b6 would have been better, in order to restrict the queen’s knight
and prepare my own bishop’s development. But the game move is also good, fighting against White’s
dark-squared bishop and king’s knight – two other pieces with ambitions around the e5-square.

511
13.Nfd2 e5 14.Nxe4 fxe4 15.Be3 exd4 16.cxd4 h6 17.Rac1 Rf7 18.Qd2 Qd6³
Black had more space and perfect stability in Dumitrache – Marin, Herculane 1996.

B23) 8.b4

This is more consistent with the previous move order. White understands that the race to open the
centre has been lost, and instead prepares to gain queenside space.

8...Qe8 9.Qb3†
The main alternative is:
9.b5 Nd8 10.a4
Instead 10.Qb3† mainly helps Black to clear the g8-square for the f8-rook, in anticipation of Ba3.
For example: 10...Kh8 11.a4 e5 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.Ba3 Rg8 14.e4 f4 15.Qc4 In Kishnev –
Berkvens, Utrecht 1999, Black should have defended his c-pawn with: 15...c6N 16.bxc6 bxc6
17.Bd6 Nf7=
In this line, preparing the central break with 11...Nf7 might have been even sounder.
10...Nf7!?N
Just one of the ways to combine play in the centre with a queenside counter-action.
The alternative is: 10...a6!?N 11.b6 As in the main line, this is the only way to try to question
Black’s plan. 11...cxb6 12.Qb3† Be6 13.Qxb6 Rc8 The structure is unusual, but Black’s
weaknesses are all defended and the black pieces have regrouped well. White’s weaknesses on c3
and a4 will be a problem.
11.Re1 a6 12.b6 cxb6 13.Qb3 e5
Implying a promising exchange sacrifice.
14.dxe5 dxe5 15.Ba3

512
15...e4 16.Bxf8 Bxf8 17.Ng5 e3
After weakening the enemy kingside, Black’s compensation is beyond doubt. Black’s structure
will be better and the dark-squared bishop is very strong. For example:
18.Ndf3 exf2† 19.Kxf2 Ng4† 20.Kf1 Ne3† 21.Kg1 Bc5 22.Nd4 Qe7 23.Qxf7† Qxf7 24.Nxf7 Kxf7
25.Rab1 Rb8 26.Nb3 Bf8=
With dynamic equality.

9...Kh8

10.d5

513
 The logical continuation after the last move.
Instead 10.b5 gives Black a choice between transposing above with 10...Nd8 or taking advantage of
the exposed queen position with: 10...Na5 11.Qb4 b6 12.Ng5 Rb8 13.Nb3 c5 14.dxc5 Nxb3
15.Qxb3 bxc5 16.Bc6 Bd7 17.Bxd7 Qxd7 18.a4 ½–½ Khenkin – Onischuk, Germany 1999. Black
could have played 18...d5, preventing Ne6 and threatening to put the centre into motion. For instance:
19.Bf4 Rbc8 20.Be5 Ng4 21.Bxg7† Kxg7 22.a5 f4 with mutual chances.
But let’s return to the position after 13.Nb3:

Black could have played more strongly and resolutely:

13...h6!N 14.Nh3
14.Nf3 is no better due to 14...Nd5.
14...g5
Due to the passive knight on h3 and incomplete development, White already has some problems.
Pawn-grabbing would only make things worse:
15.Nxa5 bxa5 16.Qxa5 Qxb5 17.Qxc7 Bb7 18.c4 Qa6
The queen suddenly is in danger of being trapped with ...Bxg2 and ...Rb7. The only way of saving
her also loses material:
19.Rb1 Bxg2 20.Rxb8 Bxh3µ

10...Nd8 11.Bb2
Preparing to neutralize the Leningrad bishop.
11.Nd4 fails to keep the blockade in the centre and only exposes a developed piece. 11...a5 12.e3 e5
13.dxe6 axb4 (The text move is more ambitious than 13...Nxe6= when the position is similar to the
13.e3 line noted below.) 14.cxb4 c5 15.bxc5 dxc5 16.Ne2 Bxe6 17.Qc2 Qa4 18.Qxa4 Rxa4 19.Nc3
Ra6 20.Rb1 Nd7 21.Bb2 Ne5 22.Ba1 Rf7= With complex play and approximately equal chances,
Dragomarezkij – Malaniuk, Kuopio 1992.

514
11...e5 12.dxe6 Nxe6

13.c4
Instead parrying ...f5-f4 would offer Black a tempo for development:
13.e3 a5 14.a3 Bd7 15.Nd4 Nxd4 16.cxd4

In Tregubov – Nikac, Cetinje 1996, Black should have stabilized the queenside with:
16...a4N 17.Qc2 d5
Planning ...Rc8, ...b7-b5, ...c7-c6 followed by a slow kingside attack.
18.Qxc7?!
Principled, but leading to trouble.

515
18...Rc8 19.Qxb7 Rc2 20.Bc1 Ne4

21.Rd1
Or if 21.Nxe4 fxe4 followed by ...Bb5, possibly after the intermediate ...Bc6.
21...Nc3 22.Re1 Bb5µ
With an almost complete invasion.

13...a5 14.a3 f4
Black cannot create threats against the enemy king yet, but this attack has a positional character.

15.e3 fxg3 16.hxg3 axb4 17.axb4 Rxa1 18.Bxa1 Qe7 19.Re1 b6 20.e4
In Kharitonov – Reinderman, Leeuwarden 1997, the best and most logical continuation was:

516
20...Ng4N=
Taking advantage of the recent structural modifications, with a stable position for Black.

C) 6.Re1

If White wants to open the centre quickly, this is the most effective move order.

6...d6
Black does not have anything better, as 6...Nc6 runs into 7.d5, forcing the knight to waste time at
an early stage as in Harikrishna – Tu, Jodhpur 2003. And after 6...d5 White has 7.c4 followed by
Nc3, with a more active version of the similar lines with the knight on d2.

7.Nbd2
An alternative is:
7.c3
This keeps the d-file clear but nevertheless allows:
7...Nc6 8.d5
8.Nbd2 leads back to line B21 on page 245.
8...Ne5 9.Nd4
9.Nxe5 is not effective as after 9...dxe5 White cannot play e2-e4 without exchanging the g2-
bishop. If 10.c4 e6 11.Nc3 e4 Black reaches a comfortable version of the main line system
7...Nc6 8.d5 Ne5, as White has lost a tempo with the c-pawn, while Re1 is not very useful either.

517
 In Neckar – Streitberg, Prague 1982, Black should have prepared ...c7-c5 with:
9...Bd7N
White cannot take advantage of the weakening of the b7-pawn with:
10.Qb3
As Black can start counterplay with:
10...a5 11.Qxb7
This leads, at best, to a draw but White hardly has anything better.
11.a4 Ne4 followed by ...Nc5 offers Black queenside stability.
Or if 11.f4 a4 12.Qc2 Nc4 with very pleasant play.
11...Rb8=
With a perpetual attack against the queen, if Black wants it. If Black is unhappy with “just a
draw”, then it is possible to play on, as the huge lead in development is worthy compensation. For
example:
12.Qa6 Ne4!?

7.Nc3
This fails to open the centre due to:
7...d5!

518
 With the c3-knight blocking the c2-c4 advance, Black can switch to the Stonewall, even with the
loss of a tempo.
8.Bf4
If 8.Ne5 then Black can start undermining the centre: 8...c5 9.dxc5 Ne4 10.f4 Be6 11.Be3 Bxe5
12.fxe5 Nc6= With the given structure, the absence of the g7-bishop does not endanger the black
king. Black has a space advantage and will retrieve the pawn soon.
8...c6 9.e3

Preparing to improve the knight’s placement with Ne2, preparing c2-c4 and possibly Nc1-d3. In
Bai – Lu, Sanya City 2017, the best way of completing development would have been:
9...Nbd7N

519
 Immediately starting the fight against the f4-bishop.
10.Ne2 h6 11.h4 Ne4 12.c4 e6
Threatening ...g7-g5-g4.
13.Be5 Nxe5 14.Nxe5 g5 15.hxg5 hxg5 16.f3 Nd6 17.c5 Nf7 18.f4 Nxe5 19.dxe5 b6=
With an interesting strategic struggle and balanced chances. Black needs a few tempos to transfer
the king’s bishop to e7, but after that is achieved, it will exert pressure on both wings.

7...Nc6
The typical move in the absence of the threat of d4-d5.

8.e4
The most principled move. Instead 8.c3 transposes to line B21 above.

8...e5 9.dxe5 dxe5

The familiar capture with the knight is less effective with e2-e4 already played: 9...Nxe5 10.exf5
gxf5 (10...Bxf5 loses a pawn to 11.Nxe5 dxe5 12.Bxb7±; 10...Nxf3† only helps White’s
development: 11.Nxf3 Bxf5 12.Nd4²) 11.Nb3² The kingside weakness is annoying for Black.

White has a choice between C1) 10.exf5 and C2) 10.c3.

C1) 10.exf5

With the obvious intention of grabbing the e5-pawn.

10...gxf5

520
11.Nxe5
This is risky, but otherwise freeing the central pawns with the previous exchange would not make
much sense. For instance:
11.c3 e4 12.Ng5 Ne5
Black has gained plenty of space, but White can fight back. One important point is that the c-
pawn did not go to the fourth rank, thus keeping the long diagonal, and the d4-square in
particular, defended.
13.f3 Qe7 14.Nb3 h6 15.Nh3

15...Rd8!N
15...exf3?! is an inaccurate move order: 16.Bf4 Ne4 17.Bxe5 fxg2 18.Bxg7 Qxg7 19.Nf4² With

521
 pleasant play due to the stable blockade on f4. True, the e4-knight partly compensates for it, but
all in all White’s position is preferable, Heinbuch – Simon, Germany 2010.
16.Qe2 exf3
This is an improved version of the pawn exchange, as White cannot exchange the dark-squared
bishops anymore.
17.Qxe5 Qxe5 18.Rxe5 fxg2 19.Bf4 Ne4 20.Re7 c6=

Black’s bishop pair and the stable central knight fully compensate for the minor structural defect.
White’s problem is that two pieces (the bishop and the h3-knight) are competing for a single square
(on f4).

11...Nxe5 12.Rxe5 Ne4

522
 White has won a pawn, but is badly underdeveloped and with a vulnerable rook.

13.Rxe4
White has to sacrifice the exchange, as after 13.Rb5 Black has: 13...Nxf2!µ

Accepting the sacrifice would offer Black a winning attack: 14.Kxf2? Qd4† 15.Kf1 f4 White
cannot keep the f-file closed. 16.g4 f3! 17.Bxf3 Bxg4–+ With decisive threats.

13...fxe4 14.Qe2
White plans Nxe4, which would offer good compensation for the exchange and soon a normal
development. If instead 14.Bxe4 Bf5 then White’s prospects of achieving the latter are slim.

523
14...e3!N
The only way to cross White’s plans.
After 14...Bf5 15.Nxe4 Qe7 16.Be3 White was doing fine in Hoffmann – Wiersma, Netherlands
2006, which ended in a draw on move 20.

15.Qxe3
White cannot count on full compensation with such a spoiled kingside structure after: 15.fxe3
Qe7³

15...Re8 16.Be4
16.Ne4? Qd1† 17.Bf1 Bh3–+ wins the knight.

16...Bh3³
White is far from completing development and, with the current piece placement, the ‘fortress’ is
also quite shaky.

C2) 10.c3

524
 White keeps the tension and prepares a slow queenside attack based on b2-b4. Black has not so
many neutral moves available, and the threat of winning the e5-pawn may become real soon.
Therefore, Black needs to start the usual positional kingside attack.

10...f4 11.b4
The most consistent.

11.gxf4 Nh5 12.fxe5 Nf4 leads, as in other similar cases, to an overwhelming initiative on the dark
squares.

An attempt to increase the pressure on e5 is:

11.Nc4
But this is premature, as White weakens the defence on e4 and f3.
11...Qxd1 12.Rxd1

525
12...Nh5
If Black wants simple equality, then 12...Bg4 13.Rd3 Nxe4 leads to mass simplifications:
14.Nfxe5 Nxe5 15.Nxe5 Nxf2 16.Bd5† Kh8 17.Nxg6† hxg6 18.Kxf2 c6 19.Bf3 Bf5=
13.gxf4
If 13.b4 then Black can delay b4-b5 with 13...a6, when after 14.a4 Black has gained a tempo to
develop the initiative with: 14...Bg4³
Or if 13.Rd3 Be6³ and White’s lack of stability and lagging development are obvious.
13...Nxf4 14.Bxf4 exf4 15.Na3 a6 16.Nc2 Bg4³
The bishop pair and the control over e5 offered Black a dream position in Weber – Kindermann,
Bad Wiessee 2000.

11...a6 12.a4 fxg3

We are familiar with the fact that, far from being a concession, this pawn exchange weakens the
enemy’s kingside.

13.hxg3
Capturing away from the centre with 13.fxg3 frees Black from any strategic worries. Black can
play 13...Bh6 14.Qe2 Bg4= or even the more adventurous 13...Qd3. The queen is best placed on e7
and it will go back there in the near future, but on the way it can cause White some coordination
problems.

13...Ng4

526
14.Ba3!?N
The most consistent plan.

Jumping forward with the knight is once again inoffensive: 14.Nc4 Qf6 (14...Qxd1 15.Rxd1 Be6
16.Nb2 h6=, controlling g5, is also good.) 15.Qe2 In Rog. Fischer – F. Mayer, Germany 2003,
Black’s best way to stabilize the position would have been: 15...h6N= Preventing both Bg5 and Ng5,
and preparing to complete development with ...Be6.

14.Qe2 is another neutral move that fails to pose Black serious problems: 14...Be6 15.Nf1 h6 16.Ne3
Nxe3 17.Bxe3 Qe8 18.Nd2 Qf7= Black had excellent development in Velten – Nihal, Brest 2019.

14...Rf7 15.b5 Na5 16.Bb4 b6 17.Bxa5 bxa5 18.Nc4

527
 White seems to have achieved a lot on the queenside, but Black has enough counterplay.

18...Qf6!
An indirect way of defending the a5-pawn.

19.Rf1
This eventually wins the pawn but offers Black excellent play on the dark squares.

19.Nxa5? is bad in view of the double attack 19...Qb6.

19...Be6 20.Nxa5 axb5 21.axb5 Bf8

528
 Followed by ...h7-h5 and ...Bc5 with a promising initiative for the pawn.

Conclusion

Objectively, none of the lines considered in this chapter should pose Black serious problems, as they
deviate from the most natural (and, as almost always, implicitly the strongest) way of developing. But
since all these plans are concrete, they require some accuracy from Black in the early phase. For
example, it would be wise to note when ...d7-d5 is a good idea, and when it is not. So please pay
attention to the details of this chapter – White’s lines may not be objectively dangerous, but they
could be tricky for an unprepared player.

529
A) 7.Nf4 261
B) 7.0-0 d6 263
B1) 8.b4 264
B2) 8.Qb3 265
B3) 8.Nf4 269
B4) 8.b3 c6 273
B41) 9.Bb2 273
B42) 9.Ba3 Re8 279
B421) 10.Qc2 279
B422) 10.Rc1 281
B43) 9.Qc2 282
C) 7.d5 286

530
1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Nh3
This slightly exotic way of developing the king’s knight is frequent in different Dutch systems.
For instance, in the Stonewall structure the knight is heading for d3, leaving the f3-square available to
the other knight (Nb1-d2-f3), in order to increase the control over e5. Since Black’s main plan in the
Leningrad Dutch is based on ...d7-d6 and ...e7-e5, the last move prepares d4-d5 followed by Nf4,
targeting the relatively weak e6-square.
Decades ago I played this system as White and gave it up only for practical reasons when I
started opening the game with 1.Nf3. From the wide range of defensive plans available to Black, I
have ever since considered that the most flexible is:

6...e6!?
Black prevents the blocking plan with d4-d5, in order to ensure the success of the central
expansion with ...d7-d6, ...c7-c6 and ...e6-e5. True, this will cost a tempo, but Black will most likely
not have to waste one on controlling e5 with pieces (...Qe8 for instance), as the king’s knight is
elsewhere than on f3. If the plan succeeds, White may well have problems reactivating the king’s
knight.
Here is a brief enumeration of Black’s traditional plans.

At first sight, the most natural and flexible is:

6...d6 7.d5 c6 8.0-0 e5 9.dxe6 Bxe6

531
 The similar position with the knight on f3 instead of h3 is a mainline Dutch tabiya, but with the
long diagonal open, White can play the active:
10.Qb3!
The point is that 10...b5? allows 11.Nxb5. The main line goes:
10...Qe7
Generally speaking, the most natural development of the queen. Unfortunately, Black is not in
time to complete development comfortably.
11.Ng5
White plans Bf4 followed by Rad1 while Black is still struggling to develop the queen’s knight.
For instance after:
11...Bc8
Preparing ...Nbd7.
12.Bf4!
White threatens Bxd6! already.

Let’s step back a move earlier – there were times when theory considered that Black should use the
similar plan without the insertion of castling: 5...d6 6.Nh3 c6 7.d5 e5 8.dxe6 Bxe6 9.Qb3 Qe7

532
 The differences are that the black king is not exposed to the discovered check c4-c5†, while the
bishop could retreat to g8 in some cases. But the king is vulnerable in the centre too, as illustrated by
the following game: 10.Bf4 Na6

The only way to try to justify the chosen move order. Otherwise Rd1 or even 0-0-0 would be very
unpleasant. 11.Bxd6! Qxd6 12.Qxb7 Nc7 13.Rd1 White will soon take on c6, getting the third pawn
for the piece and retaining a strong initiative, Ovsejevitsch – Grivas, Chania 2000.

Returning to move 6 options, adopting a Benoni hybrid structure is not flexible enough: 6...d6 7.d5
Nbd7 8.0-0 Ne5 9.b3 c5 10.Bb2 (or 10.Bd2) 10...a6 11.a4

533
 One important problem is that preparing ...b7-b5 with ...Bd7 does not make sense, as the bishop
is needed for defending e6.

White has a choice between A) 7.Nf4, B) 7.0-0 and C) 7.d5.

A) 7.Nf4

This could transpose to line B3 below if White plays 8.0-0 next. In this section we will examine
only active continuations with independent value – however, they will prove premature.

7...d6 8.h4

534
 This is the natural complement of the early knight jump to f4, but of course there are alternatives.

8.e4
The plan based on this move would only make sense if development was already completed, as
otherwise d4 becomes vulnerable. The white king’s presence in the centre only makes things
worse:
8...fxe4 9.Nxe4 Nxe4 10.Bxe4

10...d5!?
The logical reaction, opening the e-file with a temporary pawn sacrifice.
But 10...Qf6 11.Be3 Nc6 12.d5 Ne5, with strong counterplay, also deserves a mention.
11.cxd5 exd5 12.Bxd5† Kh8 13.Qb3 c6 14.Bg2 Qxd4 15.0-0 Na6=
With comfortable play, Breutigam – Kopylov, Hamburg 2006.

The thematic 8.d5 e5 9.Ne6 Bxe6 10.dxe6 loses a pawn with no obvious compensation, for instance:
10...c6 11.Qb3 Qe7 12.0-0 Na6 13.Na4 Rfb8µ Anticipating Be3 and preparing ...Nc7xe6.

535
8...c6!
White needs to prepare the central break by defending d5, as 8...e5 allows: 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.Qxd8
Rxd8 11.Nfd5 Nxd5 12.cxd5²

9.e4
This change of plan makes h2-h4 look like a mere waste of time.

In principle, the critical continuation should be:

9.h5
But this also does not bring about the desired effect:
9...e5
Only not 9...g5? 10.h6! preventing the consolidating ...h7-h6 and leaving Black’s kingside dark
squares vulnerable.

536
10.h6
The thematic sacrifice 10.hxg6!? exf4 11.gxh7† has never been met in practice. Black seems to
be doing fine after 11...Kh8 12.Bxf4 Na6³ as White has no immediate threats and the h7-pawn is
doomed in the long run.
10...Bh8 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Qxd8 Rxd8 13.Nd3 e4 14.Nf4 Ng4µ
With normal development and a dream Leningrad Dutch structure, Balaskas – Rychagov,
Paleochora 2010.

9...e5!
Since Black was well prepared for the central break, releasing the tension with 9...fxe4 is
unnecessary.

537
10.dxe5 dxe5 11.Qxd8
Or if: 11.Nd3 Nxe4 (Subjectively, I would prefer to maintain the tension with 11...Na6!? keeping
the h5-square under control and the threat of ...f5xe4 in reserve.) 12.Nxe4 fxe4 13.Bxe4 Qd4 14.Qe2

In Boruchovsky – Werle, Groningen 2015, Black should have ignored the c4-pawn for now, and
taken measures against h4-h5 with: 14...Bf5!N³ Black is better developed, causing White to lose
stability in the centre, while the c4-pawn remains a problem.

11...Rxd8 12.Nfe2 Na6 13.0-0 Nc5³

We have reached a typical position in which h2-h4 is mainly a loss of time and a weakening,

538
Borne – De la Riva, France 2000.

B) 7.0-0

The most popular and logical move, continuing development without committing White in any
way.

7...d6
Since in some lines below I recommend ...d6-d5, it makes sense to explain why Black should
refrain from switching to the Stonewall yet. The abstract explanation is similar to that from the
systems with b2-b4, as examined in the previous chapter. Before adopting a different structure than
usual in the Leningrad Variation, Black should wait until the opponent makes a commitment
(including the bishop’s departure from the c1-h6 diagonal). Concretely, after 7...d5 8.Bg5 c6 9.Nf4²
followed by h2-h4, White gets a pleasant blockade on the dark squares.

We will examine B1) 8.b4, B2) 8.Qb3, B3) 8.Nf4 and the main move B4) 8.b3.

B1) 8.b4

539
 Over the past decades, this ambitious advance of the b-pawn has become increasingly popular in
several variations of the Leningrad Dutch. However, with the knight on h3 it is less effective.
But in the only game with this move, both players seem to have missed an interesting tactical
detail after:

8...Nc6!N
Attacking not only b4 but also d4.

White’s main idea is revealed after 8...e5?! 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.Ba3!± when Black’s pieces have
problems finding good squares.

In the game Black decided to prepare the central break in slow mode with 8...Qe7 9.b5 Nbd7 10.a4,
but this made White’s queenside achievements obvious in Stefansson – Kindermann, Altensteig 1992.

9.d5
This is the most consistent continuation, as it opens files and diagonals, offering reasonable
compensation for the (at least temporarily) sacrificed pawn.

9.b5
This allows a simple tactical trick.

540
9...Nxd4!
Here we see the drawback of combining Nh3 with b2-b4. With the knight on f3, this pawn would
be safely defended.
10.e3
10.Qxd4 Ne4 loses material, but after the last move the knight is apparently trapped.
10...Nf3†!
This move forces one of White’s pieces to occupy the unfavourable f3-square.
11.Bxf3 Ne4!

Remarkably, White will be unable to retain a material advantage.

12.Bxe4

541
 Or if 12.Bb2 Bxc3 13.Bxc3 Nxc3 14.Qc2 Qf6 15.Rac1 Ne4 16.Bxe4 fxe4 17.Qxe4 e5µ the
sidelined and immobile knight is clearly weaker than the bishop.
The tactical idea behind 10...Nf3!† is revealed after 12.Nxe4 fxe4!µ when the bishop is hanging
on f3.
12...Bxc3 13.Bxb7
The only way to keep material equality.
13...Bxb7 14.Rb1 Qe7 15.Bb2 Bxb2 16.Rxb2 e5³
Black’s structure is more compact and the black bishop is obviously stronger than the knight.

9...Nxb4 10.dxe6 c6 11.Rb1 Na6

12.Ng5
Not only prolonging the e6-pawn’s life but also threatening Nf7.

12...Ng4!?
The knight is heading for e5 with gain of time, in anticipation of White’s aforementioned threat.

13.Nf7
Or if 13.Na4 Qe7 14.e4 Ne5 and after safely defending f7, Black can think of ways to take the
e6-pawn. For instance with ...h7-h6 or ...Nc7. The a4-knight does not make White’s position more
appealing.

13...Qe7 14.h3 Ne5 15.Qxd6 Qxe6 16.Nh6† Kh8 17.Qxe6 Bxe6 18.Rxb7

542
 White has managed to secure both material equality and a more compact structure after the
inevitable loss of the c4-pawn. But Black’s minor pieces are very active and the h6-knight is
temporarily out of play. The position may be about equal, but in principle it is Black who can fight
for some initiative. For instance:

18...Nc5 19.Rc7 Rfc8 20.Rxc8† Rxc8 21.Be3 Na6 22.Rc1 Nxc4 23.Bg5 Nb4=/³
With very active play.

B2) 8.Qb3

With the king’s bishop and knight targeting the light squares, this rare move can lead to

543
interesting play. In fact, Black needs a bit of accuracy in order to avoid early problems. White’s main
target is e6, but the immediate threat is Bxb7.

8...Nbd7!?N
Strictly speaking a novelty, but play can soon transpose to known paths after having avoided one
of White’s main ideas.

The careless 8...Na6?! as played in Poldauf – Nikolaev, Podolsk 1991, allows a promising queen
sacrifice.

9.Bxb7!N 9...Rb8 10.Bxc8 Rxb3 11.Bxe6† Kh8 12.axb3²

The usual move order is 8...c6, but this allows 9.d5!? cxd5? 10.cxd5 e5 11.Ng5 Qe7 12.Ne6± as in
Paikidze – M. Muzychuk, Gaziantep 2008.
After this cooperative move 9...cxd5?, White’s plan was crowned by success. Instead, Black
needs to embark on the not-entirely-clear pawn sacrifice 9...Nbd7 10.dxc6 bxc6 11.Bxc6 Rb8. Black
may have enough compensation, but there is no clear conclusion. The move order suggested in the
main line avoids this.

9.Rd1
9.Bxb7?! does not work now as the d7-knight obstructs the e6-c8 diagonal: 9...Rb8 10.Bxc8 Rxb3
11.Bxd7 Nxd7 12.axb3 Bxd4³

Without a pawn hanging on c6, 9.d5 makes no sense in view of 9...e5 followed by ...Nc5 and ...a7-a5
soon.
White does not get much by starting play against e6 at once:
9.Nf4 Re8 10.c5

544
 10.d5 Nc5 followed by ...a6-a5 offers Black excellent play.
10...d5

This is similar to the Stonewall structure, but the premature c4-c5 offers Black additional ideas.
The plans include ...c7-c6 followed by ...e6-e5 or ...b7-b6.
11.Nd3 c6 12.Bf4 b6
With excellent counterplay. The g2-bishop and c3-knight are strongly restricted by Black’s
central pawns.

9.c5 is similar: 9...d5 10.Ng5 Re8 11.Bf4 c6 12.Nf3 b6 13.Qa4 Bb7 14.b4 Ne4 followed by ...a7-a5.

9...c6!

545
 Black cannot delay this any longer as 9...Qe7 runs into 10.Nb5 c6 11.Nc7 Rb8 12.Ng5 with an
initiative.

After the last move, play is likely to transpose back to known lines.

10.Qa3
Another interesting way of forcing matters is:
10.Bf4 Qe7

11.c5!?N
11.Qa3 transposes to the main line.
11...dxc5 12.dxc5 Nxc5 13.Qa3 Nd5 14.Bg5 Qd6 15.Rac1
Due to White’s better development, Black needs to find a few accurate moves to keep the
balance.
15...b6 16.Na4 Nb7 17.Qxd6 Nxd6 18.Bxd5 exd5

546
19.Be7
White has nothing better than winning the exchange, as 19.Rxc6? loses material to 19...Nf7!
threatening not only ...Bd7 but also ...f5-f4, when White’s pieces are hanging on both wings.
19...Nf7 20.Bxf8 Bxf8 21.b3 Bb7 22.Nf4 Re8=
Two bishops, a mobile centre and perfect coordination offer Black excellent compensation for the
exchange.

10...Qe7

11.Bf4
As in the note on 8...c6 above, we should consider the central advance:

547
11.d5 cxd5 12.cxd5 e5
This is not dangerous for Black.
13.Nb5
Or if 13.Ng5 Nb6 and Black is better developed than in the line with d4-d5 from the comments
to 8...Nbd7, and White’s queen does not support the knight’s invasion anymore. 14.Ne6 Bxe6
15.dxe6 e4 16.Qxd6 Qxd6 17.Rxd6 Rfe8 18.f3 White needs to free the bishop in order to try to
prove an advantage. 18...Bf8 19.Rd1 Rxe6 Black keeps stability as 20.fxe4 allows 20...Bc5†
21.Kh1 Ng4.

13...Nc5 14.Be3 b6 15.b4 Nce4 16.f3

This looks like playing into Black’s hands by weakening the white king, but the neutral 16.Rac1
also offers Black attacking prospects after 16...f4 17.gxf4 Nh5. For instance, 18.Ng5 exf4
19.Nxe4 fxe3 20.Qxe3 Nf4 with very unclear play.

548
16...f4 17.gxf4
Safer is 17.fxe4 fxe3= on the condition that White does not take the pawn: 18.Qxe3? Ng4
19.Qd3 Bh6 Black can combine the invasion on e3 with ...a7-a5, with an initiative all over the
board.
17...Bxh3 18.Bxh3 exf4 19.Be6†N
Better than 19.fxe4 fxe3 20.Be6† Kh8 21.Qxe3 Nh5µ as in Datu – Bui, Hue 2009.
19...Kh8 20.Bd4 a6 21.Nc3 Ng5
With at least equal play for Black.

11...Ne8

549
 After over-defending d6, Black is ready for ...e6-e5, leaving the queen awkwardly placed on a3.
White needs to undertake something concrete.

12.e4
The other possible break is the familiar:
12.d5 cxd5 13.Nb5!? e5 14.Bxd5† Kh8 15.Bg5 Ndf6

White has managed to occupy the d5-square with a piece, but with the h3-knight passive, White
cannot claim an advantage.
16.Rac1 h6 17.Bxf6 Qxf6 18.Bg2
Preparing to win the d6-pawn.
If 18.f3 a6 19.Nf2 Rb8 20.Nc3 Qe7 followed by ...Nf6, Black is ready for pawn breaks on both
wings.
18...g5 19.f3 Be6 20.Nf2 Rf7 21.Nxd6 Nxd6 22.Qxd6 Bf8 23.Qd2 Rd7

550
 Due to the active bishops and kingside space advantage, Black can prove adequate compensation
for the pawn in several ways.
24.Qc3 Rxd1† 25.Rxd1 Rc8 26.b3 b5=

12...e5
After this well-timed counter-break, White’s regrouping, based on a migration towards the
queenside (Qb3-a3, Rfd1) will soon prove imperfect.

13.Bg5 Qf7 14.Bd8 Nef6 15.Bxf6 Qxf6 16.exf5 gxf5 17.d5 c5

The g7-bishop is likely to become very strong and the h3-knight is still not playing.

551
18.Nb5 Nb6 19.Nc7 Nxc4 20.Qb3 Nb6 21.Nxa8 Nxa8 22.f3 Nc7 23.a4 b6
Black had fantastic compensation for the exchange in Sande – Marwitz, email 2014.

B3) 8.Nf4

This straightforward attempt to put pressure on the central light squares is easily parried by the
next move, which is part of Black’s general plan anyway.

8...c6
Black defends the d5-square, preparing ...e6-e5.

8...e5?!
This is premature due to:
9.dxe5 dxe5 10.Qxd8 Rxd8 11.Nfd5

552
11...Nxd5
A forced concession, as after 11...Na6 12.Ne7† Kf8 13.Nxc8 the b7-pawn would be hanging,
implying Black would need to play either 13...e4 or 13...c6, meaning the least White could do is
win a pawn with 14.Nxa7, even though 14.f3 or 14.e4, respectively, would be promising
alternatives.
12.cxd5²
Rogozenco – Gabriel, Germany 1997.

9.d5
On the only occasion when I faced this position as White, this principled move, involving a
tactical idea, was my choice. During the post-mortem analysis, my opponent called it “incredible”. I

553
did not understand immediately whether he meant incredibly good or incredibly bad, but it soon
became clear that he had in mind the latter. Leaving aside my pride, I must admit that to a certain
extent he was right, only that the comment should mainly apply to the previous move, as the
alternatives do not offer White reasons for optimism:

9.e4 e5!
This is the most principled continuation, maintaining the integrity of the pawn structure and
winning a tempo for development.
But clearing up matters in the centre with 9...fxe4 is also playable: 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Bxe4 e5!
Increasing Black’s control on the dark squares. 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.Ne2 Be6 14.Qc2 Nd7 15.Be3
Qe7 16.b3 ½–½ In Siegmund – W. Meier, Dresden 2006, Black could have continued with:
16...Nc5!?=
10.dxe5 dxe5

11.Qxd8
If 11.Nd3 then Black can ignore the pressure on e5 with the developing move 11...Na6= as
12.Nxe5 Nxe4 or 12.exf5 Bxf5 13.Nxe5 Re8 14.Nf3 Nc5 both offer Black a strong initiative in
the centre.
11...Rxd8 12.Nfe2
This knight has spent two tempos in order to change one passive square for another.
12...Na6

554
13.Be3
13.exf5 Bxf5³ offers Black too much activity.
13...Ng4 14.Bg5 Bf6 15.Bxf6 Nxf6 16.Rad1 Be6 17.b3 Nc5
Black is well developed and has chances to take control of the dark squares in the centre and on
the queenside. Black’s chances were at least equal in Bick – Minasian, Linares 2000.

9.Nd3

This move delays ...e6-e5 for a while, but in the long run the knight will be badly placed on d3.
9...Nbd7 10.d5
This central break is not justified by the knight’s placement on d3. It would rather be on g5, in
order to threaten to invade the e6-square.

555
 It should be said that normal development would also offer Black an easy game: 10.b3 e5
11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Ba3 Re8 13.e4 fxe4 14.Bxe4 Nf8 15.Nc5 Qa5 16.Qc1 As in Hartoch – Eising,
Amsterdam 1976. Now 16...Ne6N 17.Nxe6 Bxe6 gives comfortable play.
10...cxd5 11.cxd5 e5=
The structural modifications have not contributed to the activation of the d3-knight, and Black
has no problems at all. One of the strongest players of his time got the worst of it when trying to
unbalance the position:

12.Bg5 h6 13.Bxf6 Nxf6 14.e4 g5

The less committal 14...Qb6N 15.Rc1 Bd7³, keeping the central structure compact, is just as
good.
15.exf5 Bxf5 16.Qe2 Qb6 17.Kh1 Rae8 18.Rae1 e4 19.Nc1 Re5³
Black had very active play in Salov – De la Riva, Corsica (rapid) 1997.

9.Qb3 aims to put pressure on the a2-g8 diagonal, but it is easily neutralized.

556
9...e5 10.c5† In Banikas – Tsilidis, Athens 2001, Black should have cleared the f8-square for the
queen with: 10...Rf7N 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Ne6 Bxe6 13.Qxe6 Nbd7 14.Rd1 Qf8 Black has completed
development harmoniously and White needs to look for a way to defend the c5-pawn.

9...e5!
Black needs to block the centre without a prior exchange on d5, as if 9...cxd5 10.cxd5 e5
11.Ne6± or 9...exd5 10.cxd5 c5 11.Ne6± the vulnerability of the b7- and d5-squares would be telling.

10.dxc6
With the long diagonal safely defended, the invasion with 10.Ne6 simply loses a pawn to
10...Bxe6 11.dxe6 Qe7.

10...bxc6
Only not: 10...exf4? 11.cxb7+–

557
11.Nfd5
Another spectacular move on the same square. White’s only point is that 11...cxd5? 12.Bxd5†
wins material, but Black can avoid this, of course.

The neutral 11.Nd3 offers Black easy development and chances of grabbing the initiative: 11...e4
12.Nb4 Be6 13.Bf4 Ne8 14.Qa4 g5 15.Bd2 Bd7 16.Qa3 a5 17.Nc2 Be6 18.c5 d5µ The control over
the d4-square may offer White compensation for the passive king’s bishop, but I prefer Black, Sarosi
– Jakubiec, Kecskemet 1997.

11...Ne8!
Since Black is playing for a space advantage, it is best to keep all the pieces on the board.

In my game, my opponent chose:

11...Nxd5 12.Bxd5†!?N
It is obvious that no matter which of the white minor pieces retakes on d5, it would have to retreat
soon.
But the recommended move is better than my 12.Nxd5 (as it forces the generally not very useful
12...Kh8) while in the game Black could continue developing: 12...Be6 13.Nb4 White could
have kept the knight en prise for just one more tempo, but this would not have changed the
situation. 13...e4³

558
 Black has two active bishops and threatens to complete development with ...a7-a5 and ...Nb8-a6.
The g2-bishop is not easy to get into play. In Marin – Mellado, Sitges 1993, I had to struggle to
reach a draw.
12...Kh8 13.Bg2
Black’s structure is impressive but due to the lagging development, Black will have to balance a
bit on the edge after White’s natural plan of b2-b3, Qd2, Ba3, Rad1.

12.Nb4 Bb7 13.Qb3 Rf7 14.Rd1 a5 15.Nd3 Qc8 16.Be3 Nd7=

White’s harmonious regrouping suffices to keep Black’s centre under control, with approximate
equality, Sjodell – Bykhovsky, Gausdal 1991.

559
 B4) 8.b3

The most consistent continuation. White keeps developing normally, hoping that the time loss
implied by Black’s planned ...e6-e5 will tell.

8...c6
Just as in previous cases, Black needs to defend d5 before displaying central activity.

White has B41) 9.Bb2, B42) 9.Ba3, and B43) 9.Qc2.

Instead 9.e4 runs into 9...fxe4 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Bxe4 e5! attacking d4 and h3.

B41) 9.Bb2

560
 A natural and entirely sound developing move, with the only drawback that it fails to demand any
early accuracy from Black.

9...e5 10.dxe5
This is almost automatically played, but the alternatives need to be investigated.

In the Leningrad, White usually refrains from blocking the centre, as this would look like offering the
opponent a King’s Indian with two extra tempos:
10.d5!?N
Indeed, this is not too dangerous, but it requires some accuracy from Black.

561
10...h6
Preparing to completely stabilize the centre, as instead the hurried 10...c5?! allows 11.Ng5
followed by Ne6, causing Black chronic weaknesses on the light squares.
11.Qd2
With White’s king’s knight placed on a more reasonable square, 11.dxc6 Nxc6 12.Qd2 would
offer White a positional advantage, but the way it is Black has nothing to fear: 12...g5
Threatening to trap the knight with ...g5-g4. 13.f3 Be6 14.Rad1 Qb6† 15.Nf2 Rad8= The
weakness on d5 is not too relevant, as the long light diagonal is closed and the f2-knight is still
far from it.
11...c5 12.f3 a6
Avoiding 12...Nbd7 13.Nb5 with at least some micro-problems.
13.Nf2 Nbd7 14.a4
Preparing Rae1 without leaving the a2-pawn hanging after ...b7-b5.
14...Qe7=

Neither player has concrete threats and a long and balanced strategic struggle lies ahead.

Things are far more complicated if White keeps the central tension with the developing:
10.Qd2!?

562
 During the next phase, Black always has to be ready for both dxe5 and d4-d5.
10...Na6
The most flexible developing move.
Black’s initiative is temporary after 10...exd4 11.Qxd4 Ne4 12.Qd3 Na6 13.Qc2 Qe7. True,
there are some hidden dangers for White, such as after 14.Rad1?? Nb4 15.Qc1 Nxc3 16.Bxc3
Nxa2 winning a piece and a pawn. But both 14.a3 and 14.Rfd1 maintain White’s space
advantage, while the probable minor piece exchanges will leave Black’s king and the d6-pawn
vulnerable.
11.Rad1 Qe7
11...exd4 allows a different regrouping than in the similar line above: 12.Qxd4 Ne4 13.Qe3 Re8
14.Qc1!² After Rad1 the queen does not spoil White’s overall coordination on this square.

563
12.d5!N
The most challenging move.
If 12.e3 Nc7 13.dxe5 dxe5 14.f4 e4= then Black has excellent play, as the g2-bishop and h3-
knight are passive. White should look for a way of activating them gradually, as after 15.Qe1?! as
played in V. David – Firman, France 2008, Black could have immediately seized the initiative
with: 15...b5N³
12...c5

13.Ng5
White has to hurry to activate the knight before Black plays ...h7-h6.
If 13.e4 then White would not succeed in keeping control of e4 under favourable circumstances:

564
 13...Nxe4 14.Nxe4 fxe4 15.Ng5 Bh6 16.Bc1 Nb4 17.h4 Bg4³
With the text move, White threatens Ne6, opening the d-file with some initiative.
13...e4!?
Obstructing the g2-bishop and planning ...Bh6.
Changing the move order does not work out too well: 13...Bh6 14.h4 e4 15.f3 The opening of the
position would favour White, due to White’s superior development, and if 15...e3 16.Qc1 Nh5
White gets an overwhelming initiative with: 17.f4! Nxg3 18.Rf3±
13...Nc7 is playable but leaves White with some lasting plus after: 14.Ne6 Bxe6 15.dxe6 Nxe6
16.Qxd6 Rae8 17.Qxe7 Rxe7 18.Nd5 Nxd5 19.Bxd5 e4 20.Bc1!² Keeping the bishop pair and
the e6-knight pinned.

14.f3
With the bishop passive on g2, the invasion with 14.Ne6 is not so effective: 14...Bxe6 15.dxe6
Qxe6 16.Qxd6 Qxd6 17.Rxd6 Rfd8 18.Rfd1 Rxd6 19.Rxd6 Nb4!= Black recycles the knight,
creating the potential threat of ...Nxa2 after the other knight moves away, and heading for d4 if
White reacts with a2-a3.
A neutral move such as 14.Nb5 can be met with the familiar plan of 14...Bh6 15.h4 Nh5= when
the weakness on g3 prevents White from opening the centre with f2-f3.

565
14...e3!
Black needs to keep the position closed, even though the consequences of the last move are hard
to foresee.
15.Qc1 f4
Another essential move, preventing f2-f4.
16.gxf4
Or if 16.Nge4 Nxe4 17.Nxe4 Bxb2 18.Qxb2 when Black should refrain from the overambitious
18...g5, as after 19.Kh1 followed by Rg1 White would get a decisive attack.
Instead, 18...fxg3 19.hxg3 Bf5 promises excellent positional compensation for the pawn: 20.Rd3
Qg7 21.Qxg7† Kxg7 22.Rxe3 Rae8 23.a3 Bxe4 24.fxe4

566
 With such a structure, White can never hope to win. 24...Rxf1† 25.Kxf1 Re5 26.Kf2 h5 27.Bh3
Nc7 Followed by ...Ne8-f6 with at least equal play.
16...Nh5 17.Nge4 Nxf4 18.Qxe3

Black’s attacking chances are obvious, but we should not underestimate the strength of White’s
centralization.
18...b5!
The usual purpose of such pawn sacrifices is to open files and weaken the d5-pawn. The latter is
valid here, too, but the essential thing is that after taking the pawn White will not have the b5-
square available for the knight.
The difference can be seen in the following line, where Black does not insert the pawn sacrifice:
18...Nb4 19.Qd2 Qh4 20.Nb5! Bxb2 21.Qxb2 Nxg2 22.Kxg2 Bh3† 23.Kg1±

567
 Followed by Nbxd6 soon, with way more than enough compensation for the exchange.
Or if 18...Qh4 19.Qf2 Qh5 20.Bc1 Nxg2 21.Qxg2 Bh3 22.Qg5! with a similar evaluation as
above.
19.cxb5
Otherwise Black would have a choice between ...bxc4 followed by ...Rb8 with counterplay on
both wings, and ...b5-b4 forcing the knight into passivity.
19...Nb4

20.Qd2
Avoiding the trap 20.Rd2? Nc2!–+ followed by ...Bd4.
20...Qh4

568
 Black has pressure on practically every sector of the board.
21.Na4
Or if 21.Rf2 Bh6 22.e3 Nxg2 23.Kxg2 Qh3† 24.Kh1 Rxf3 25.Rdf1 Bg4 with great counterplay
for the pawn.
21...Bxb2

22.Nxb2
The difference compared to the similar line without ...b7-b5 is revealed after: 22.Qxb2 Nxg2
23.Kxg2 Bh3† 24.Kg1 Rae8µ Planning ...Re5 with or without the intermediate capture on f1.
With the queen’s knight out of play, the only way of undermining e5 is 25.Nxd6? but 25...Qg5†
leads to mate.
22...Nxg2 23.a3!? Nc2!? 24.Kxg2 Bh3† 25.Kg1 Nd4
Black has perfect coordination and excellent attacking chances.

10...dxe5

569
11.Ba3
Even though this implies the loss of a tempo, it is the only continuation that requires some
accuracy from Black.

If 11.e4 Qc7 12.exf5 Bxf5 13.Qe2 Na6 14.Ng5 Nc5 15.Nge4 Nfxe4 16.Nxe4 Ne6= followed by
...Nd4 soon, Sosnicki – Hnydiuk, Nadole 1994.

Or if:
11.Qxd8 Rxd8 12.Rad1 Re8
Being slightly underdeveloped, Black avoids exchanging the active rook, which could result in
back-rank problems.
13.e4
White fights for space in the centre, but weakens the d4-square.
13...Na6
A typical way of developing this knight. It could jump to c5, in order to increase the pressure
against the e4-square and then further to e6-d4, but unlike after ...Nbd7, it also has ...Nb4 in
reserve.

570
14.exf5
This move allows Black to complete development, but White cannot maintain the tension in the
centre for too long.
For instance, 14.Rfe1 Nb4 15.Rd2 fxe4 16.Ng5 Nd3 followed by ...Nxb2 with good control on
the dark squares.
14...Bxf5 15.Ng5 Nc5 16.Ba3 Bf8
In order to occupy the e4-square, White has to give up the dark-squared bishop.
17.Bxc5 Bxc5 18.Nge4
This was agreed drawn in Drozdovskij – Jakubiec, Warsaw 2007.

Play could continue:

571
18...Nxe4 19.Nxe4 Bxe4 20.Bxe4 Rad8=
Followed by ...Rd4. In the absence of queens, the slight weakness of Black’s kingside is not too
relevant. White’s control over the light squares is compensated by Black’s stability on the dark
squares.

11...Qxd1
Another way of reaching the main line position after 13 moves is 11...Re8 12.Qxd8 Rxd8
13.Rad1 Re8 14.e4, when we have transposed.

12.Raxd1 Re8 13.e4

Several games have reached this position.

572
13...Bh6!?N
Since with c5 and b4 controlled by the enemy bishop, ...Na6 does not ensure the knight’s
immediate activation, it is better to prevent Ng5 first. The last move threatens ...fxe4, leaving the h3-
knight hanging.

14.f4
The best chance to activate the knight.

14...Na6 15.Rfe1
Or if 15.Ng5 exf4 16.gxf4 Nh5 17.Bd6 fxe4 18.Ncxe4 Bg4 19.Rd2 Rad8 20.b4 Bf8= and the
weakness on f4 compensates for White’s superior activity.

15...exf4 16.e5 Nh5 17.Bf3

The only way of keeping the game alive, as instead 17.Bc1 Bf8 18.gxf4 Bb4 19.Bb2 Nc5 offers
Black perfect stability.

17...fxg3 18.Bxh5 gxh2† 19.Kxh2 gxh5 20.Rg1† Bg7 21.Bd6

White has some compensation for the pawn, but Black’s position can be activated with:

21...f4! 22.Nxf4 Bg4 23.Rde1 Kh8=

Black is stable and plans to regroup with ...Rad8 and ...Nb8-d7.

B42) 9.Ba3

573
 This is more ambitious than 9.Bb2. White attacks and pins the d6-pawn, hoping to delay Black’s
intended plan. But the last move also implies an early commitment.

9...Re8
The natural reaction. Black unpins the pawn, renewing the threat of ...e6-e5.

We will examine the natural B421) 10.Qc2 and the subtle B422) 10.Rc1.

10.Re1 may seem logical, but Black can solve all the opening problems with 10...Qa5 11.Qc1 e5=
since d4 is hanging.

10.e4
This is also premature, for similar reasons.
10...Qa5
Another possible continuation is: 10...Nxe4 11.Bxe4!? Otherwise, after general exchanges Black
would play ...e6-e5 attacking h3 and d4. 11...fxe4 12.Nxe4 The d6-pawn is hanging now, but
Black can deviate from the usual paths with 12...d5 13.Nd6 Bf8 14.c5 Bxd6 15.cxd6 e5 16.Kg2
Bxh3† 17.Kxh3 Nd7 with interesting and sharp play.
11.Bb2 e5 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.exf5 Bxf5 14.Ng5 e4=
Black only needs a tempo to complete development, while White’s minor pieces are hanging,
Drozdovskij – Popov, Internet (blitz) 2006.

B421) 10.Qc2

574
 A natural move, clearing the d1-square for the rooks in anticipation of ...e6-e5.

10...a5!?N
The best way of taking advantage of White’s early queenside commitments. Black plans to
neutralize the pressure along the a3-f8 diagonal with ...Na6-b4.

Less appealing for Black is:

10...e5 11.dxe5 dxe5

12.Rad1
Better than 12.e4 f4 13.gxf4 Bxh3 14.Bxh3 Nh5 with the usual kingside counterplay,

575
 Drozdovskij – R. Popov, Internet (blitz) 2006.
12...Nbd7 13.e4!N
The neutral 13.Bd6 as played in Lautier – Gurevich, Munich 1993, allows Black to equalize
comfortably with 13...e4N.
13...Qa5 14.Qb2²
Black has no obvious ways of developing counterplay, as the queen is exposed on a5 (making,
among others, ...Nc5 impossible).

In anticipation of the line where switching to the Stonewall will be the best practical solution, it is
also worth mentioning the following game:
10...d5!?

Apart from the fact that White’s dark-squared bishop has left its initial diagonal, this is justified
by the knight’s presence on c3. As mentioned in the introduction, Nh3 works out well in
combination with Nb1-d2-f3.
11.Rad1 Nbd7 12.f3?!
This allows Black to start coherent tactical counterplay, but the neutral 12.Nf4 also creates no
problems after 12...b6 13.e3 Bb7 14.Nd3 Rc8= preparing ...c6-c5.
12...Qa5 13.Bb2 e5 14.cxd5 exd4 15.Rxd4 Qc5 16.Qd2 Nxd5 17.Nxd5 Bxd4† 18.Qxd4 cxd5³
White did not have sufficient compensation for the exchange in Torres Rosas – L’Ami, Merida
2015.

576
11.Rad1
11.e4 fxe4 12.Nxe4 Nxe4 13.Qxe4 a4 causes White problems with queenside stability.

11...Na6 12.Rfe1
White continues developing.

Once again, the central break fails to bother Black: 12.e4 Nb4 13.Qe2 fxe4 14.Nxe4 Nxe4 15.Qxe4
e5 with excellent counterplay.

12...Nb4
Another way of starting effective counterplay is 12...Rb8 planning ...b7-b5, which is not

577
prevented by 13.Bb2 b5 since 14.Bxc6? Nb4 wins the bishop.

13.Qd2 d5
Finally the long-awaited structural switch.

14.Bb2

14...b5!?
The best way of sustaining Black’s earlier activity.

15.a3
Or 15.cxb5 cxb5 16.Nxb5 Nxa2 retrieves the pawn with comfortable equality.

15.c5 Ne4 16.Nxe4 dxe4 17.a3 Nd5= offers Black excellent stability in the centre.

15...Na6 16.cxb5
Instead 16.c5 makes ...e6-e5 an issue, but Black can first put some pressure on the enemy
queenside with 16...Rb8 followed by ...b5-b4.

Or if 16.Nf4 Rb8 with a similar idea, while ...bxc4 followed by ...Nc7 and ...Ba6 is also an issue.

16...cxb5 17.Nxb5 Qb6 18.a4 Bd7 19.Bc3 Nb4 20.Bxb4 axb4 21.Qxb4 Ra5=
Black will soon regain the pawn.

B422) 10.Rc1

578
 This is a far from natural move, but it contains some ideas. By defending the c3-knight, White
prevents the sometimes annoying ...Qd8-a5, which would leave the d6-pawn en prise, but the rook
move does not make any progress in the fight for the central squares. Another idea is to keep the
queen on the d-file, in order to answer ...e6-e5 with a queen exchange, thus eliminating the danger of
a kingside attack.

10...a5!?N
Even though the white queen is not exposed on c2, this familiar move is the most effective. True,
this time the plan will be different.

Less effective is: 10...e5 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Qxd8 Rxd8 13.e4 Na6 14.Rfe1 Re8

579
15.Rcd1N (Stronger than 15.Bd6 Bf8 16.Rcd1 as in Yusupov – Swiercz, Warsaw 2008, when Black
could have equalized with: 16...Nc5N=) 15...Bf8 16.Bxf8 Kxf8 17.exf5 Bxf5 18.Rd6 Kg7 19.f3
Followed by Nf2 with slight pressure.

11.Re1
Preparing e2-e4.

11...e5
After taking the important b4-square under control, Black can safely switch back to the main
plan.

12.dxe5 dxe5 13.Qxd8 Rxd8 14.e4 Na6 15.exf5

The difference compared to the game quoted above is obvious after 15.Rcd1 Re8 16.Bd6 when
Black has 16...Nb4 with adequate counterplay. For instance, 17.Rd2 Bh6.

15...Bxf5

580
 Black has very active play and the e5-pawn is not entirely edible:

16.Rxe5 Nb4 17.Re2 Bh6 18.Rd1

18.f4 Bf8³ and 18.Nf4 Nd3³ are not satisfactory for White.

18...Rxd1† 19.Nxd1 Rd8 20.Bxb4 axb4 21.Ne3 Bxe3 22.fxe3 Bxh3 23.Bxh3 Ne4

Black has excellent compensation for the pawn due to the control over the dark squares.

B43) 9.Qc2

581
 White maintains flexibility with respect to the c1-bishop’s development, while also keeping the
possibility of transposing to a favourable sub-line in variation B421 above.

9...Re8!?N
The most flexible move, preparing ...e6-e5 and avoiding the undesired transposition that occurs
after: 9...e5 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.Ba3 Re8 12.Rad1²

10.Rd1
The only independent way of preventing ...e6-e5. But from the perspective of the possible ...d6-
d5, it also implies a commitment, leaving the kingside slightly vulnerable.

10.e4 offers Black active counterplay: 10...e5 11.dxe5 Nxe4 12.Nxe4 fxe4 13.Bg5 Qa5 14.Rad1
Since the e5-pawn is pinned due to the possible ...Bxh3, Black can keep developing with 14...Na6!?=
leaving for later the decision of how to capture on e5.

10.Ba3 transposes straight to the main B421 line.

10...Nbd7
Since White has not played Ba3 yet, it makes less sense to use the plan based on ...a7-a5 and
...Na6-b4.

582
11.Ba3
The final commitment, inducing Black’s switch to the Stonewall.

11.e4 plays into Black’s hands after 11...e5: 12.exf5 (12.dxe5 Nxe5 also offers Black active play)
12...exd4 13.Rxd4?! Re1† 14.Bf1 Ne5! With a strong initiative.

Or: 11.Ng5 e5 (11...h6 12.Nf3 e5 is also playable) 12.d5 cxd5 13.cxd5 Nf8

Black safely defends e6. White needs to display activity to avoid landing in a worse position after
Black’s kingside expansion. 14.Nb5 Re7 15.Ba3 Ne8 16.Ne6 Bxe6 17.dxe6 e4 18.Nxd6 Nxd6
19.Rxd6 Qa5 20.Bb2 Rc7 21.Qb1 Re8= Black retrieves the e-pawn with comfortable play.

583
11...d5 12.Ng5!?
The only way of preventing Black’s natural queenside development.

If 12.Rac1 b6 13.Nf4 Bb7 14.Bd6 Rc8, planning ...c6-c5, and Black has no problems.

12...a5!?
A useful and flexible move, based on the fact that White does not have clear active plans
available.

The point behind White’s last move is that 12...b6? allows a winning combination: 13.cxd5 exd5

14.Nxd5! cxd5 15.Qc6+– Attacking the rook and threatening the deadly Bxd5†.

12...Nb6 fails to force White to make a decision as after 13.Rac1 dxc4 14.e4 the centre opens in
White’s favour.

584
13.Rab1!?
If the queen’s rook had gone to d1, White could have generated a kingside plan. But the way it is,
White is restricted to prophylactic moves.

13.e3 Ne4 makes the exchange on e4 unappealing due to the weakness of the kingside light squares.

13.Rac1
This may look more logical than the main move, but it exposes the knight to an unpleasant pin.
13...Bh6
13...a4 works out less well than in the main line: 14.Bb4 axb3 15.axb3 Ng4 16.Nxe6! Rxe6
17.cxd5 With great compensation for the piece. Compare this to the line given in the comments to
White’s 14th move.
14.h4 Ne4 15.Ncxe4 dxe4
Due to the relative weakness of White’s kingside and the hanging g5-knight, Black has good
counterplay. For example:
16.Bd6 Bxg5 17.hxg5 Qxg5 18.Bf4 Qe7

585
 White fails to create dangerous threats along the long diagonal with 19.d5 due to 19...e5 keeping
the long dark diagonal closed.

Finally, 13.Bd6 allows Black to continue normal development with 13...b6! as the familiar
combination 14.cxd5 exd5 15.Nxd5 cxd5 16.Qc6 does not work anymore.

After 16...Nf8 the bishop is hanging. 17.Bxf8 Bd7! An important zwischenzug, avoiding material
losses. 18.Bxd5† Kxf8 19.Qxa8 Qxa8 20.Bxa8 Rxa8= White’s pawns are not too threatening and the
bishops could prove strong.

13...a4 14.Bd6

586
 If instead:
14.Bb4 axb3 15.axb3
Black can start counterplay on the dark squares based on the bishop’s vulnerability.
15...Ng4 16.Nf3
Unlike after 13.Rac1 the combination based on 16.Nxe6?! does not work: 16...Rxe6 17.cxd5 cxd5
18.Nxd5 Rc6! This is the difference: the white queen is not defended, making 19.Ne7†
ineffective due to 19...Qxe7 20.Qxc6 Qxb4.

16...e5!
White loses stability in the centre.
17.h3
17.dxe5? allows the decisive double attack: 17...Qb6–+
17.cxd5 e4 18.dxc6 bxc6 19.Ne1 Qb6³ retrieves the d4-pawn with a space advantage for Black.

587
17...Nxf2!?
Not the only good move, but surely the most spectacular.
18.Kxf2 e4 19.Ne1 Qb6
With overwhelming compensation for the piece, since the knight on e1 and bishop on g2 are mere
spectators.
Or if 14.bxa4 Nb6 15.cxd5 exd5 and Black stabilizes the position with comfortable equality.

14...axb3 15.axb3 Ne4

The most principled move. After having developed the a8-rook without moving it, Black
switches to the centre.

588
Another possible plan is 15...Ng4 16.Bf4 h6 17.Nf3 g5 with some counterplay.

16.Ngxe4 fxe4=

Black’s position is very solid, with a possible regrouping plan of ...Nf8, ...g6-g5 and ...Ng6.

C) 7.d5

This rare move is one of the critical tests of the variation introduced by 6...e6. Although the e6-
square has not been weakened, White hurries to discourage ...d7-d6, which would restore the
flexibility of Black’s structure.

589
7...e5!?
After long hesitation I have chosen this move for our repertoire, despite theory’s scepticism with
respect to it. Black immediately starts restricting the sidelined knight.

The official main line goes:

7...Qe7 8.0-0 Na6
This is the most flexible continuation. Since the early advance of the d-pawn has left the c5-
square vulnerable, Black consolidates control over it, while keeping developing at the same time.
Black will play ...d7-d6 at some point, when after d5xe6 the position will become typical for the
7...c6 8.d5 e5 9.dxe6 Bxe6 variation of the main system.
8...e5 runs into 9.d6! when both 9...cxd6 10.Bg5 and 9...Qxd6 10.Qxd6 cxd6 11.Nb5 as in
Taimanov – Liebert, Rostov-on-Don 1961, offer White better versions of the main line structure.

I abandoned this line due to:

9.e4!
This offers White the initiative:
9...Nxe4 10.Nxe4 fxe4 11.Bxe4 Nc5
This prematurely exposes the knight, but 11...d6 is not entirely satisfactory either: 12.Bg5 Qf7
13.Be3 For instance: 13...Nc5 14.Ng5 Qe7 15.Bg2 Bxb2 16.Rb1 Bf6 17.Nxe6 Nxe6 18.dxe6 c6
19.Bh3 Bxe6 20.Bxe6† Qxe6 21.Rxb7² The black king’s exposure and the enemy rook’s activity
leave Black struggling with no chances for counterplay.
12.Bg2 d6
In Alarcon Bahamondes – Belmonte, Antofagasta 2015, White could have developed his
initiative with 13.Bg5N followed by b2-b4, with a promising exchange sacrifice.

590
8.d6
This is supposed to cast doubt over Black’s last move.

The engines display unjustified initial optimism after:

8.e4
But this allows Black to transpose to a comfortable King’s Indian:
8...d6

9.exf5
If 9.0-0 then Black can start typical Leningrad counterplay with: 9...f4 10.gxf4 Bxh3 11.Bxh3
exf4 12.Bxf4 Nxe4 13.Nxe4 Rxf4 With pleasant play on the dark squares.

591
9...gxf5 10.0-0 a5
Just one of the possible King’s Indian plans available in this position. For example:
11.Re1 Na6=

8...cxd6!
This move was a novelty when I first analysed it, but then I had the chance to play it myself.
Even though this move weakens Black’s structure, it is the best way to keep prospects of completing
development and cutting the h3-knight completely out of play.

8...c6 9.e4± offered White a strong initiative in Kincs – Vegh, Hungary 1994.

After the text move, White has several ways of retrieving the pawn. In the absence of practical
material (other than my own game!) I have tried to work out some illustrative lines. Black’s main idea
is based on ...h7-h6 followed by ...g6-g5, forcing White into some major concession to save the h3-
knight.

9.Qxd6
White retrieves the pawn without delay, but the queen is known to be a bad blockader.

9.e4
This allows the counter-break:
9...d5!
Thus speeding up Black’s development.

10.cxd5
10.Nxd5 Nxe4 11.Bxe4 fxe4 12.Bg5 Qa5† 13.b4 Qa3 leads to an irrational position with
adequate counterplay for Black.

592
10...d6 11.Ng5 Na6 12.exf5
Trying to get the best out of the weakness on e6, as after 12.0-0 Nc7 Black manages to
consolidate.
12...gxf5 13.Ne6 Bxe6 14.dxe6 Nc5 15.0-0 Nxe6 16.Qb3 Qd7=
Black is perfectly regrouped and even though White can retrieve the pawn, the central mass could
be telling in the long run.

9.b3
This move is planning Ba3xd6, which is logical but a little too slow.
9...h6

10.Ba3
The neutral 10.Bb2 fails to create any pressure, as the doubled pawns do not prevent Black
completing development. 10...Nc6 11.0-0 g5 12.Kh1 Ne8 13.Qd2 b6 14.f4 g4 15.Nf2 e4
16.Nfd1 Bb7 17.Ne3 Ne7= White’s regrouping is perfect with one exception: the g2-bishop is a
mere spectator. If Black finds a good moment for breaking with ...d6-d5, Black might even be
better.
10...Nc6 11.Bxd6 Rf7 12.0-0 g5 13.Kh1 e4 14.Rc1 Ne8
As we can see, under the given circumstances the bishop is not too well suited for blockading
jobs either.
15.Ba3 Qa5 16.Bb2

593
16...d5!? 17.Qxd5 Qxd5 18.cxd5 Nb4
Black has opened the centre at a moment when White’s kingside minor pieces are completely out
of play. This offers Black at least equal chances, despite the temporarily missing pawn.
19.Ba3
Parrying the threats of ...Nxa2 and ...Nxd5.
19...Bxc3
19...a5 also offers Black excellent play.
20.Rxc3 Nxd5 21.Rc5 Be6 22.Rd1 Nef6

White has a hard time activating the kingside pieces. For instance, 23.e3 planning Ng1-e2 runs
into 23...Rd7 24.Ng1 b6 25.Rcc1 Ng4 with an annoying initiative.

594
9...Nc6 10.0-0 h6 11.b3N
Another option is:
11.Rd1
This increases the pressure along the d-file, but neglects queenside development. It is also the
way my game continued.
11...Kh7
Defending the pawn on g5 in order to prepare the next move.
12.Rb1 Ne8 13.Qd2 d6=

Black is ready to complete queenside development while the h3-knight is still passive.
14.c5

595
 Ambitious but risky, as White does not have enough resources to maintain the initiative.
14...Be6 15.cxd6 Rf7 16.b3 Rd7 17.Ba3

17...Rc8!N
Completing development and putting pressure on the hanging knight on c3.
The careless 17...Bf8? 18.Qe3± suddenly left Black hanging in the centre in Lodes – Marin,
Tegernsee 2019.
Or 17...Nxd6 18.Bxd6 Nd4? is premature due to 19.e3±.
18.Rbc1
Or 18.e3 Bf8 retrieves the pawn in total comfort, as the white queen no longer has the option of
the e3-square.

596
18...Nxd6!
This tactical operation is well-timed now.
19.Bxd6 Nd4
Black retrieves the piece with an overwhelming initiative in the centre. The point is that if 20.e3
Rxd6 21.exd4 Rxd4 22.Qe2 Black has 22...Rxc3!–+.

11...g5 12.Kh1 Ne8 13.Qd5† Kh8 14.Ba3 d6

Black plans to complete development with ...Qf6 and ...Be6. White can win the d6-pawn, but this
does not improve the kingside situation.

15.Rad1
Or if: 15.Nb5 Qf6 16.Nxd6 Be6 17.Nxe8 Rfxe8 18.Qb5 Rab8 19.Ng1 f4 20.Bb2 (20.e3 runs into
20...g4! threatening ...f4-f3 and thus more or less forcing the double exchange on f4 and offering
Black a dangerous initiative.)

20...Nd4 21.Bxd4 exd4 Black threatens to consolidate the domination with ...g5-g4 and 22.Nf3? only
makes things worse after 22...d3!µ as White cannot take on d3 due to ...g5-g4 followed by ...f4-f3.

597
15...Qf6
15...Nd4 is also worth mentioning: 16.e3 Be6 17.Qxb7 Rb8 18.Qxa7 Rf7 19.Qa6 Black can force
a draw by repetition or else try 19...f4!? threatening ...f4-f3.

16.Bxd6
Or if 16.Ng1 Be6 17.Qb5 Rf7 18.Bxc6 bxc6 19.Qxc6 Rd8 20.Nd5 Qg6 and Black has regrouped
well for the kingside attack.

16...Be6 17.Qc5 Rf7 18.Nd5 Qg6 19.Ne7 Nxe7 20.Bxe7 Rc8 21.Qa3 f4

Black has excellent compensation for the pawn.

598
 Conclusion

In this chapter we examined 1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Nh3 when I
recommend the reply 6...e6!? which leads to fascinating play. In fact, the 6.Nh3 system is one of the
most interesting we will face, with the exception of the absolute main lines. White’s global plan is
very appealing optically, but precisely this is the main trap. There are certain situations (for example
frequently in line C) when everything looks great for White strategically, but the offside h3-knight
prevents White from proving an advantage (or in some cases even equality).

The lines in which Black plays ...e6-e5 under normal circumstances need no further explanation, but
in line C and after the switch to the Stonewall examined in lines B421 and B422, more practical
material is needed to give a final evaluation. So far Black should be well satisfied.

599
A) 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 0-0 292
A1) 6.e4 293
A2) 6.e3 295
B) 4.Nh3 Bg7 5.Nf4 d6 299
B1) 6.h4 300
B2) 6.d5 c6 302
B21) 7.Nc3 303
B22) 7.c4 e5 8.dxe6 Na6 308
B221) 9.h4 309
B222) 9.Nc3 Nc5 10.0-0 0-0 311
B2221) 11.h4 312
B2222) 11.Be3 313
B2223) 11.Rb1 315
B2224) 11.Qc2 317

600
1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6
In the final two chapters of this volume we will examine a series of plans based on White’s usual
kingside fianchetto, but not covered earlier. In this chapter we have: A) 4.c4 and B) 4.Nh3. In the
next chapter we will consider 4.Nd2, 4.c3 and 4.Nc3.
But first there is a minor option to consider:

4.h4
This deserves to be mentioned only briefly.
4...Bg7 5.Nh3
5.Nc3 transposes to line C in the next chapter.
5...d6
Since a tempo was spent on h2-h4, White has less chances of maintaining control in the centre
than in line B below.
6.d5 c6 7.c4 e5 8.dxe6 Bxe6
Black has an active version of this structure, as h2-h4 is not useful and White cannot reach the
optimal set-up with Nc3.
9.Qb3 Qe7 10.Nf4 Bf7
With the bishop on this square, Black’s kingside is secure.
11.h5

601
11...0-0!N
The text move is better than 11...gxh5 12.Nd2 Na6 with approximate equality, Parkhov – Kula,
Gyor 2014.
12.hxg6 hxg6 13.Nc3 Na6

Black is better developed and White’s king cannot find a safe place. Black will continue with
...Rae8, ...Nc5 and, if allowed, ...g6-g5.

A) 4.c4

This usually transposes to the main systems as examined in previous chapters. Here we will

602
examine a couple of continuations with an independent character, which are not supposed to put any
pressure on Black.

4...Bg7 5.Nc3 0-0

We have: A1) 6.e4 and A2) 6.e3.

A minor alternative is:

6.f4
This is a slightly extravagant attempt at slowing down Black’s central break. The weakness on e4
and the wasted tempo prevent White from obtaining anything concrete.
6...Nc6
Without the moves f2-f4 and ...f7-f5, this would introduce the Yugoslav system of the King’s
Indian. It turns out that the insertion of these moves favours Black, who controls the weak square
on e4.
7.d5
Or if 7.Nf3 Ne4=.
7...Na5

8.Qd3
Unfortunately, White does not have Nf3-d2 as in the aforementioned system.
8...c5 9.Nf3 a6 10.b3 b5 11.Bb2 Rb8 12.Rb1 d6 13.Nd2 e5 14.dxe6 Bxe6
The mutual weaknesses along the e- and d-files tend to compensate for each other, while Black
has more natural development.
6.Nf3 and 6.Nh3 both transpose to main systems.

A1) 6.e4

603
 This premature attack in the centre exposes the bishop and weakens the pawn on d4.

6...fxe4 7.Nxe4
If 7.Nge2 then 7...c6, threatening to defend the extra pawn with ...d7-d5, and White does not have
anything better than transposing to the main line with 8.Nxe4.

7...Nxe4 8.Bxe4 c6 9.Ne2

White is best advised to hurry with development.

With just one developed (and exposed) piece, White is not prepared for displaying territorial
ambitions with:
9.d5? e6!?
Not the only promising move, but the most original.
9...cxd5 and 9...Na6 are also strong.

604
10.d6
The principled move, trying to slow down Black’s development. But with most of White’s pieces
on their initial squares, this does not work out well.
If 10.dxe6 d6 11.Ne2 Bxe6 12.Qc2 Qa5† 13.Bd2 Qc5 and White has problems defending the
pawn weaknesses.
10.dxc6 bxc6, followed by ...d7-d5 and ...Ba6, leaves White helpless against Black’s strong pawn
mass and active bishops.
10...Qa5†!
This move causes White to lose coordination.
11.Qd2
Or 11.Bd2 Qe5 wins the daring pawn on d6.
If 11.Kf1 then Black has a choice between 11...Qc5, winning a pawn for just some
compensation, and 11...b5!? aiming at activating the black minor pieces, for instance: 12.c5
Na6µ
11...Qe5 12.Qd3 Na6 13.f4
Fighting hard to keep d6 defended.
13...Qf6

605
14.Nf3
Trying to stabilize the centre, as if 14.Qe2 e5µ and the intruder is doomed anyway.
14...Nc5 15.Qe2 Nxe4 16.Qxe4 Qf5 17.Qxf5 Rxf5 18.0-0 b5µ
The black bishops will soon dominate the board.

9.h4?
This attacking try is also not justified:
9...d5

10.cxd5
Or if 10.Bg2 dxc4 11.Be3 c5µ with an initiative in the centre, Kladiva – Karacsony, Eger 1994.
10...cxd5 11.Bg2

606
 Keeping the bishop on the “attacking” diagonal with 11.Bc2 weakens the pressure on d5, making
things even worse for White after: 11...Nc6 12.Be3 e5–+
11...Nc6 12.Be3 e5 13.dxe5 d4µ

Black plans ...Nxe5 with an overwhelming initiative in the centre.

14.Bxc6
This only makes things worse:
14...dxe3 15.Bd5† Kh8 16.f4 Qa5† 17.Kf1 Rd8–+

9...d5 10.cxd5 cxd5

White’s premature activity has left a chronic weakness on d4.

607
11.Qb3
It makes sense to force Black to obstruct the h3-c8 diagonal.

If 11.Bg2 Nc6 12.0-0 Bg4 13.f3 (or 13.Be3 Qd7 followed by ...Bh3 with excellent play on the light
squares) 13...Bf5 14.g4 Be6 15.Be3 Qb6= with a level game in Matnadze – Bartel, Warsaw 2013.

11...e6 12.Bg2 Nc6 13.Be3 Qa5†

Forcing White’s coordination to be slightly spoiled.

14.Qc3
The text move is better than 14.Bd2 Qa6 15.Bc3 Bd7³ when White still needs some effort to get
castled, while Black is fully developed, Bravo – Rodriguez Vila, Villa Tehuelches 2018.

14...Bd7 15.0-0 Rac8

With excellent queenside counterplay.

A2) 6.e3

This apparently solid move, preparing Nge2, has the important drawback of weakening the
squares on d3 and f3, without taking any measures against Black’s programmed central break.

6...d6 7.Nge2
Apart from the aforementioned drawback of White’s set-up, the wasted tempo is also relevant to
the tries to prevent Black’s central expansion with:
7.d5 e5 8.dxe6

608
8...Bxe6!
White’s weaknesses on the light squares and lagging development justify this pawn (and virtual
exchange) sacrifice.
9.Bxb7
There is no easy way back.
9.b3 loses material to 9...Ne4.
9.Qb3 exposes the queen after 9...Nbd7µ followed by ...Nc5.
9.Qe2 is not very consistent either: 9...Nbd7 10.Nf3 Nb6 11.Nd2 c6 12.0-0 Nfd7 (threatening
...Ne5) 13.f4 Nc5µ White has serious problems completing development while the weaknesses
along the e-file will soon count.
9...Nbd7

609
10.Nge2
White needs to continue developing.
10.Bd5 leaves a chronic weakness on d5: 10...Nxd5 11.cxd5 Bf7 12.Nge2 Qb8 13.0-0 Qb7³
10.Bxa8 Qxa8 offers Black a decisive attack on the light squares, for instance 11.f3 Bxc4
followed by ...Ne5 or/and ...g6-g5. Or if 11.Qf3 Ne4.
10...Bxc4 11.0-0
Accepting the exchange sacrifice is once again bad: 11.Bxa8? Qxa8 12.0-0 Ne5–+
11...Rb8 12.Bg2 Ne5³
Black has better development and control in the centre.

7...e5

610
 White has three different approaches now.

8.0-0
On principle, this is the most consistent continuation, maintaining the tension.

8.dxe5
This releases the tension and gives Black a strong centre, without any obvious benefit for White.
8...dxe5 9.Qxd8
9.0-0 e4 does not change the character of the position compared to an ...e5-e4 line below.
9...Rxd8

611
10.e4
After the early exchange in the centre, Black has the simple plan of ...e5-e4 followed by ...Nd7-
e5, controlling White’s weaknesses. This makes the last move the most principled, even though it
implies the loss of a tempo.
10.Nd5 is comfortably met with 10...Na6³ defending c7 while continuing to develop.
If 10.b3 the simplest is 10...e4, but the following game is also worth mentioning: 10...c6 11.Ba3
Be6 12.0-0 Na6 13.Rfd1 Bf8! Clearing the knight’s path to c5 and d3. 14.Bxf8 ½–½ Hellmayr –
Heimberger, Linz 1995. Black’s position remains more pleasant after 14...Kxf8³ as all Black’s
minor pieces enjoy higher activity.
10...c6 11.0-0 Na6

Black develops with typical moves and already threatens ...Nc5, attacking e4 and threatening an
invasion to d3.
12.Be3
Instead 12.exf5 Bxf5³ only helps Black to develop.
12...Ng4 13.Bg5 Bf6 14.Bxf6 Nxf6

612
 A familiar picture, with all White’s minor pieces passive.
15.Rad1
15.f4 is no improvement: 15...Ng4 16.Rfd1 Re8³
15...Be6 16.b3 Nc5 17.Rxd8† Rxd8 18.exf5 gxf5³
With active play in the endgame. White’s queenside pawns are likely to become a target after
further simplifications, Bick – Minasian, Linares 2000.

8.d5?!
This is an obvious concession, once again handing Black control over e5.

8...e4 9.0-0 Nbd7 10.Nd4 Ne5 11.b3 Qe7 12.Ba3 g5 13.Qc2 a6 14.Rad1 Bd7 15.Bc1 Rae8
15...g4 followed by ...Nf3 is also strong.

613
16.Nce2 c5!N
The hurried 16...Nd3? as played in Schuldt – Joecks, Hamburg 1990, allows 17.Rxd3!N 17...exd3
18.Qxd3= neutralizing all Black’s pluses and leaving White with a considerable space advantage,
which more or less compensates for the sacrificed exchange.
17.dxc6 bxc6µ
White’s minor pieces are suffering from a marked lack of space.

8...e4!
Black does not gain anything by delaying this thematic move.

If 8...c6?! 9.d5 and Black gets unnecessary worries in the centre as after 9...c5?! 10.e4, followed by
f2-f4, White’s lead in development would tell.

But 8...Na6 9.b3 c6 would most likely transpose.

9.f3
This is also a programmed move, as otherwise the bishop would be a mere spectator on g2.

For instance:
9.b3 c6

10.d5
A neutral plan would allow Black to consolidate the space advantage, for example: 10.Bb2 Na6
11.Qd2 d5³
10...c5 11.Bb2 Qe7 12.Nf4 Na6
Just developing and bringing the knight closer to e6.
Instead 12...g5 is slightly premature. 13.Ne6 Bxe6 14.dxe6 In Spraggett – Barbeau, Montreal

614
 1989, White had some compensation for the doomed pawn on e6, but Black could keep the
position complicated with: 14...Qxe6N 15.f3 Na6 16.fxe4 Ng4=
13.f3 exf3 14.Rxf3 Bd7 15.Qd2 Nc7=
Black has pressure along the e-file and can think of a queenside expansion with ...b7-b5 after
removing the danger on e6 with ...g6-g5.

9...exf3 10.Bxf3

White has somewhat activated the light-squared bishop but weakened e4 in the process. One of
Black’s tasks is to transfer the b8-knight closer to e4 while restricting the f3-bishop as much as
possible.

10...c6 11.Nf4
Taking measures against ...d6-d5.

11.b4 weakens the c4-square without offering real chances for a queenside attack: 11...Be6 12.d5 Bf7
13.Rb1

615
 In Strizhnev – Eslon, Alicante 1992, Black should have continued developing without caring
about the pawn on c6: 13...Nbd7!N 14.dxc6 (otherwise Black gets excellent play for free: 14.Nd4
cxd5 15.Nxd5 Ne5µ) 14...bxc6 15.Qxd6 Ng4 16.Bxc6 Nde5 17.Qxd8 Raxd8 18.Bd5 Nxc4³ With
more than enough compensation for the pawn due to Black’s minor-piece activity and White’s
numerous weaknesses.

11.b3 does not prevent White’s main plan: 11...Na6 12.Nf4 Nc7³

Black intends ...d6-d5, with firm control in the centre. 13.e4 crosses Black’s intentions, but due to
White’s incomplete development and the newly-created weakness on d4, it should turn out badly for
White. 13...fxe4 14.Nxe4 In Zwicker – Kaunas, Strasbourg 1991, Black’s best way to take over the
initiative was: 14...Nxe4!N 15.Bxe4 g5 16.Nh5 Rxf1† 17.Kxf1 Qe7 18.Bg2 Bh8 19.Kg1 Bd7µ

616
White has problems dealing with threats such as ...Rf8, ...c6-c5 and ...Ne6, as the white knight is out
of play.

11...Qe7
With White’s king’s knight far from e4, Black can already plan the invasion of the central square.

The untested 11...Na6N is also good.

12.Qd3
Or if: 12.Re1 Ne4 13.Qc2 (or 13.Nxe4 fxe4 14.Bg2 Nd7 15.b3 Nf6³ yields Black a space
advantage and comfortable development) In Lorson – McGowan, Moscow 1956, the most consistent
continuation was 13...Ng5N 14.Bg2 Nd7³ followed by ...Nf6.

12...Re8
Once again, the manoeuvre initiated by 12...Na6 is worth considering. For example: 13.a3 Nc7
14.Bd2 Ne6 15.Nxe6 Bxe6³

13.Bd2
In Stoliar – Marschall, Bad Wildbad 1993, Black could have consolidated his control over e4
with:

13...Ne4N 14.Rae1 Nd7³

B) 4.Nh3

617
 Of all the plans examined in the current chapter, this is the most consistent continuation. The plan
is similar to 6.Nh3 as examined in Chapter 9, but by speeding up the manoeuvre Nh3-f4 followed by
h4-h5, White intends to restrict Black’s choice.

4...Bg7 5.Nf4 d6
Black is best advised to threaten ...e7-e5 as soon as possible.
Under the given circumstances, the plan recommended in the previous chapter is too slow: 5...e6
6.h4 d6 7.h5 e5 (or if 7...g5 8.h6) 8.dxe5 dxe5 9.Qxd8† Kxd8 10.Nd5

White’s extra tempo compared to a similar line seen below (in line B1) offers White a strong
initiative. For instance, if 10...Nxh5 11.Bg5† Kd7 12.Nbc3 c6 and White gets an overwhelming

618
attack with: 13.0-0-0! cxd5 14.Rxd5† Ke6 15.Nb5±

White mainly has a choice between B1) 6.h4 and B2) 6.d5.

6.0-0
This leaves Black with free hands to carry out the main plan.

6...e5!N
Curiously, never tried in practice.
7.dxe5 dxe5 8.Qxd8† Kxd8 9.Nd3
The move order 9.Rd1† Ke7 10.Nd3 is less restrictive as it allows the pinning 10...Rd8!.
9...e4 10.Nf4 g5 11.Nh3 h6 12.f3
Due to Black’s free development and the passive knight on h3, the king is not in danger in the

619
 centre.
12...Nc6 13.Rd1† Ke7 14.Nc3 exf3 15.exf3 Be6 16.f4 g4 17.Nf2 Rad8
Black has little to complain about.

B1) 6.h4

White goes straight for the main plan, without taking measures against Black’s counterblow.

6...e5
Even though this deprives Black of the right to castle, Black’s excellent control in the centre
offers fine play in the ensuing queenless middlegame.

7.dxe5 dxe5 8.Qxd8† Kxd8 9.Nd5

This exchange aims to maintain the rhythm of White’s initiative, while also freeing the bishop in
view of the permanent threat of ...e5-e4.
The main alternative is:
9.Nd3 e4

620
10.Nf4
10.Ne5 only leads to a waste of time: 10...Re8 11.Nf7† Ke7 12.Ng5 Nc6³
The position after the text move has been reached in a few games. Black’s best idea is to prepare
to defend g6 with the king, while also transferring His Majesty to a safer place:
10...Ke7!N 11.h5 Kf7 12.Nc3 Na6

Due to the passive bishop on g2, White does not have effective ways to develop the initiative.
13.h6
The other possible plan is to secure the g5-square by means of an exchange on g6: 13.Bd2 Re8
14.0-0-0 c6 15.hxg6† hxg6 16.Nh3 Nc5 Followed by ...Ne6 with normal play for Black.
13...Bf8 14.Bd2 Bd6

621
 Not a bad square for the bishop. In certain cases it could return on the long diagonal with ...Be5.
15.0-0-0
15.f3 is premature due to 15...exf3 16.exf3 Re8† with an attack.
15...Re8 16.Nh3
The central break 16.f3 is once again premature: 16...e3 17.Be1 Bxf4 18.gxf4 Nc5 19.Bh4 c6µ
The bishop on g2 will most likely remain a spectator until the end of the game.
16...c6

17.Bf4
Otherwise it would be hard to prepare f2-f3.
17...Bxf4† 18.gxf4

622
 If 18.Nxf4 Ng4 and Black even takes over the initiative.
18...Nc5 19.Ng5† Ke7 20.e3
A necessary preparation for f2-f3 as if 20.f3? e3.
20...Ne6 21.f3 exf3 22.Bxf3 Nxg5 23.fxg5 Nd7
Heading for e5.
24.Rh4 Ne5 25.Rf4 Nf7 26.Rg1 Kd6 27.e4 Re5=
Black maintains excellent control in the centre while the pawn on g5 is vulnerable. These facts
compensate for White’s massive kingside space advantage.

9...Nxd5 10.Bxd5 c6 11.Bb3

Trying to keep the bishop alive.

If 11.Bg2 then Black can consider ...e5-e4 at any time, but I would prefer keeping it in reserve by
making developing moves instead: 11...Be6 12.Nc3 Nd7 13.e4 Kc7=

11...Nd7 12.h5

In Mollov – Barua, Balaguer 1997, Black should have ignored the kingside tension with:

12...Kc7!N=
Continuing the natural regrouping. I assume that Barua was worried by:

13.Bf7
But this is parried by a promising pawn sacrifice:

13...Nc5!

623
 White should ignore g6 and develop with, say, 14.Na3, even though Black would have excellent
play after 14...Be6. Taking the pawn is an open invitation to trouble, due to White’s poor
development.

14.hxg6? Be6!
Connecting rooks.

15.Bxe6

15...hxg6!!
The key move, offering Black a strong attack.

16.Rxh8 Rxh8 17.Bxf5

White does not have the time to save the bishop: 17.Bf7? Rh1† 18.Kd2 Ne4† Retrieving the
piece with a decisive advantage.

17...Rh1† 18.Kd2 gxf5µ

Black’s overwhelming lead in development outweighs the missing pawn.

B2) 6.d5

624
 This is the most consistent plan. White prevents Black from establishing a mobile central pawn
duo, while keeping the plan based on h2-h4-h5 in reserve.
If we compare with the set-up from the previous chapter, one may think that this is a small success for
White, as in that earlier case we do not allow this kind of blockade. But the early knight jump to f4 is
a small commitment, allowing Black to get adequate counterplay.

For a better understanding of these subtleties, it is useful to compare with a line we avoid: 4.c4 Bg7
5.Nc3 0-0 6.Nh3 d6 7.d5 c6 8.0-0 e5 9.dxe6 Bxe6 10.Qb3 Qe7 11.Ng5

With an initiative for White.

625
6...c6
Black immediately starts undermining White’s centre.

White has two main continuations: B21) 7.Nc3 and B22) 7.c4.

With the centre unstable, 7.h4 is not too effective. 7...Nxd5 8.Nxd5 cxd5 9.Qxd5 Nc6

After the knight exchange, h4-h5 is not a serious threat anymore. There will be no pressure on g6
while h5-h6 can be answered with ...Bf6. Play is similar to that in line B21 below, with h2-h4 not
especially useful. 10.c3 e6 11.Qd3 In Burmakin – Niedermayr, Seefeld 1996, Black’s simplest way to
consolidate his control in the centre was: 11...d5N=

B21) 7.Nc3

626
 By developing the knight in front of the pawn, White intends to maintain control in the centre
with pieces.

7...cxd5
Black has no reason to delay this exchange, clearing the path for the central pawns. In all the lines
below, the main strategic plot has White trying to use piece dynamism to prevent Black from building
up a massive centre with ...e7-e6 and ...d6-d5.

The following classical game is a good illustration of the dangers implied by underestimating the
white knights’ dynamic potential: 7...e5 8.dxe6 d5 9.h4 Qe7 10.h5 g5 11.h6 Bf8 12.Nh5 Rg8
13.Nxf6† Qxf6 14.Bxd5! With a strong attack in Korchnoi – Gurevich, Rotterdam 1990.

627
8.Nfxd5
A slightly paradoxical recapture, moving again with the knight which had consumed two tempos
already, and giving up control over e6.

But if instead:
8.Ncxd5
Then Black has:
8...Ne4
Leaving the enemy knights unstable.
8...Nxd5? makes no sense in view of 9.Bxd5 followed by the invasion to e6.
9.0-0
Now and later, driving the knight away would leave the g2-bishop passive: 9.f3 Nc5 10.h4 Nc6
11.h5 e6 12.hxg6 hxg6 13.Rxh8† Bxh8 14.Nc3 Black has several good continuations, but the
most resolute is 14...Bxc3† 15.bxc3 e5 achieving a stable position and the better structure after
16.Nd5 Be6.
The greedy 16.Nxg6? puts the knight into a delicate situation after 16...Qf6 17.Nh4 f4µ followed
by ...Bd7 and ...0-0-0.
The game went:
9...e6
When White missed:
10.Nc3!N
Questioning Black’s stability in the centre.
If 10.Ne3 d5 11.c4 d4 12.Nc2 Nc6 13.e3 as in Kalinitschew – Renner, Internet (blitz) 2004,
Black retains normal play with: 13...e5N 14.Nd5 Be6=
10...Nxc3 11.bxc3

628
 The pressure on d6 and b7 is likely to offer White a strong initiative, for instance:
11...Bxc3 12.Rb1 Nc6 13.Ba3 Be5 14.Qd3
Followed by Rfd1.

But Black can improve with: 9...0-0!N 10.c4 Nc6 11.Rb1 e5 12.Nd3 Be6 13.Be3 Rc8= Black’s
overall activity compensates for White’s outpost on d5.

8...Nxd5 9.Nxd5
The other recapture is worth a look:
9.Qxd5
But this is likely to cause more time to be wasted:
9...Nc6 10.Qd1
Anticipating Black’s central expansion and preparing e2-e4.
The neutral 10.0-0 allows 10...e6 11.Qd2 d5 with a solid space advantage, for instance 12.b3 Qa5
13.Bb2 Bd7.
10.Bg5 is harmless: 10...h6 11.Bf4 Qa5=
10.e4 may transpose to the game, but Black can do better with: 10...Nd4 11.0-0 e6 12.Qc4 fxe4
13.Bxe4 0-0 Leaving White’s pieces exposed.

10...0-0!N
10...e6 is less adequate now, as White can break in the centre: 11.e4 0-0 12.0-0 fxe4 13.Nxe4 d5
14.Ng5 With some chances for an advantage, as Black cannot put the centre into motion easily,
Stepan – Khaetsky, Pardubice 2018.
11.0-0 Be6
Using the available space to develop at Black’s leisure.
12.e4 Qd7 13.exf5 Bxf5 14.Nd5 Rae8

629
 With excellent development and control in the centre.

9...e6!
Black should not delay this, as after 9...Nc6 10.h4 e6 White has: 11.Bg5 Qa5† 12.Bd2 Qd8
13.Bc3²

10.Nf4
10.Nc3 is less logical as it once again blocks the c-pawn. 10...d5 11.0-0 In Liesmann – Kasubke,
Germany 2008, Black should have consolidated with: 11...Nc6N=

10...Nc6
Another accurate move, as after the premature 10...d5 as played in Dobos – Bossert, Rieden
1996, White could have attacked the centre with: 11.c4 d4N Otherwise White would get a pleasant
Catalan structure. 12.Qb3 Qb6 13.h4²

11.0-0!?N
The most flexible move, keeping the possibility of breaking with e2-e4 or, after ...d6-d5, with c2-
c4.

11.h4
This fails to challenge Black, as g6 can be defended comfortably with:
11...d5 12.h5

630
 In Dobos – Bossert, Rieden 1996, Black defended the pawn with the king, but better was:
12...Ne5!N
Keeping the right to castle.
13.c3
The attempt to challenge Black’s stability by attacking the knight fails painfully: 13.Bd2 Nc4
14.hxg6 hxg6 15.Rxh8† Bxh8 16.Nxg6 Bxb2 17.Rb1 Qf6–+
13...Bd7 14.Qb3 Qc7=
Followed by ...0-0-0 soon.

11.c4
This is premature as White will face problems defending this pawn.
11...0-0 12.Rb1
Preparing b2-b3 as if: 12.0-0 Ne5 13.Qb3 Qc7 14.c5 d5=
12...Qa5† 13.Bd2 Qxa2 14.b3
Due to the time wasted by Black, White has adequate compensation for the pawn but not more.
Black’s best idea is to develop the rook starting with:
14...a5 15.0-0 a4=

11...0-0

631
12.e4
The most constructive plan.

12.Rb1
This move, preparing queenside development with c2-c4 followed by b2-b3, is too slow.
12...d5 13.c4
The only way to question Black’s set-up.
13...dxc4 14.Qa4
Black has more than one good continuation, but the most ambitious is:
14...g5 15.Nh5
15.Nh3 h6µ leaves the knight even more passive than on h5.
15...Bh8 16.Bxc6 bxc6 17.Qxc4

632
17...a5!
Black prepares to activate the c8-bishop.
If 17...Qe8 then White retains adequate counterplay with 18.g4 Qg6 19.Ng3 since 19...f4 runs
into 20.Nf5 Re8 21.Bd2 with active play.
18.Qxc6 Ra6 19.Qc5 Qe8 20.g4 Rc6!?
The most active among many reasonable continuations.
21.Qxa5 Rc4
Clearing the long diagonal with gain of time.
22.h3 Bb7 23.Be3 Qc6 24.f3 Ra8 25.Qd2 f4 26.Bf2 Rc2 27.Qd1 Ba6 28.Re1 Rc8

Preventing the freeing Rc1 and planning ...Qc7 followed by ...Rd8, trapping the queen.

633
29.b4
The only move, aiming to obstruct the f1-a6 diagonal in order to enable Qd3.
Black is not in time to continue with the aforementioned plan as if:
29...Qc7? 30.b5 Rd8 31.bxa6! Rxd1 32.Rexd1+–
The pawn would be unstoppable.
But after 29...Rxa2 Black’s compensation for the pawn is beyond any doubt.

12...fxe4 13.Bxe4 Qc7

A typical position where White tries to set up piece pressure on the mobile central pawns.

14.Re1
Threatening Nxe6.
14.c4 Ne5 causes the usual problems with the pawn on c4.
The prophylactic 14.Rb1 is once again slow.

14...d5 15.Bg2 Bd7 16.Re1 Rae8 17.c3 d4 18.cxd4 (18.c4 Ne5 19.b3 Bc6µ causes White trouble on
f3) 18...Nxd4 19.Be3 e5= The relative weaknesses induced by the presence of the isolani are fully
compensated by the strong central knight.

With incomplete development, 14.h4 may backfire easily.

634
14...Bd7 15.h5 d5 16.Bg2 g5 17.Nd3 h6 18.f4 Nd4 19.c3 Nf5 Suddenly, White’s kingside is more
vulnerable than Black’s. 20.fxg5 (20.Qg4? e5µ leaves the queen hanging) 20...hxg5 21.Bxg5 Qxg3³

14...e5!?
Activating Black’s pieces at the cost of weakening d5 and e4. As we will see, White’s incomplete
development prevents the first player from maintaining a firm blockade.

15.Nd5
An important point is that the desirable 15.Bd5† Kh8 16.Ne6? loses material to 16...Bxe6
17.Bxe6 Nd4µ as the bishop cannot defend f3 and c2 simultaneously.

635
15...Qf7 16.Be3 Bf5 17.f3 Nd4 18.Kg2 Rae8

Black has completed development and exerts latent kingside pressure.

19.c4
Or if 19.c3 Be6 20.cxd4 (20.c4 runs into 20...b5) 20...Bxd5 21.Bxd5 Qxd5 22.dxe5 Rxe5= and
Black’s centralization compensates for the imperfect structure.

19...g5!?
Clearing more space for the attack.

20.Bxg5

636
 The critical test of the previous move.

Another way of taking the pawn is 20.Bxf5 Nxf5 21.Bxg5 Qg6 22.Be3 Nh4† 23.Kh1 Nxf3 when
Black has at least equal chances.

20.Bxd4 is met with 20...Bxe4 21.Rxe4 exd4. The strong central pawn and the weakness on f3
compensate for the centralized knight.

Finally, a neutral move such as 20.Rc1?! allows Black to reveal the main idea: 20...Bxe4 21.fxe4 Qg6
Planning ...Nf3 followed by ...g5-g4.

20...Bxe4
Another possibility is 20...b5, as White cannot maintain stability with a pawn on c4: 21.b3 bxc4
22.bxc4? Bxe4 23.fxe4 Rb8 With a dangerous attack arriving from both sides.

21.fxe4 Qf2† 22.Kh1 Qxb2

The position remains sharp and balanced at the same time. White can force a draw by perpetual
but not more:

23.Ne7† Kh8 24.Qh5 Nc2 25.Rf1

25.Ng6† Kg8 26.Nxf8 Rxf8 27.Be7 is also likely to lead to a draw: 27...Nxe1 28.Rxe1 Rf2
29.Bxd6 Qd2 30.Qe8† Rf8 31.Qe6† Kh8 32.Rg1 Qe2= This time it will be Black’s turn to deliver a
perpetual.

25...Nxa1 26.Rxf8† Rxf8 27.Ng6† Kg8 28.Ne7† Kh8=

637
 B22) 7.c4

White consolidates the centre by classical means. As the threat of h4-h5 remains valid, Black has
to delay castling and react in the centre at once.

7...e5
A temporary pawn sacrifice, offering Black some flexibility about the way of retrieving it.

8.dxe6 Na6
Black’s regrouping is based on ...Qe7 and ...Nc5, after which there will be a choice between
...Bxe6, ...Nxe6 and ...g6-g5 followed by ...Nxe6.
We will analyse B221) 9.h4 and B222) 9.Nc3.

B221) 9.h4

638
 Due to White’s incomplete development, this is not too dangerous.

9...Qe7 10.h5
Having said “A...?”

If 10.Nc3 Bxe6 and White experiences the usual problems with defending c4.

10...Nxh5!
It is worth spoiling the kingside structure in order to speed up Black’s development. After the
exchanges on h5, White will have bigger problems than Black to bring the king to safety.
11.Nxh5 gxh5

639
12.Bf3
An important alternative is:
12.Rxh5 Bxe6 13.Bg5
This is the logical sequel of the previous move.
13...Qd7 14.Qc2 h6 15.Bf4
15.Bh4 0-0µ leaves White with a clumsy regrouping.
15...0-0-0 16.Nd2 Qf7 17.Bf3 Be5 18.0-0-0 Bxf4 19.gxf4 Kb8

Neither side’s structure is perfect and the weakness on h6 is compensated by Black’s advantage
in the centre. For instance:
20.Rdh1 d5 21.cxd5 cxd5 22.Kb1 d4 23.Qa4 Nc5 24.Qa5 b6 25.Qa3 Qf6

640
 With active play. If:
26.b4 Nb7
Followed by ...Nd6 when White cannot create threats along the long diagonal.

12...Bxe6 13.Bxh5† Kd7!

The simplest way to evacuate the king.

14.Qc2 Raf8 15.Na3!?N

The best way to continue developing.

15.Nd2? f4–+ offers Black a decisive attack due to the huge lead in development.

An unnecessary regrouping is:

15.Bf3?!
This offers Black immediate counterplay.

641
15...h5! 16.Rxh5
Otherwise Black gets a simple attack with ...h5-h4, for instance: 16.Be3 Kc7 17.Bxa7 h4 18.gxh4
Rxh4 19.Rxh4 Qxh4 20.Na3 Qg5 21.Rd1 Nc5–+ Campbell – Millstone, corr. 2008.
16...Rxh5 17.Bxh5 Bd4

Clearing the seventh rank for the queen.

18.Bf4
Blocking the f-pawn is necessary, as if 18.e3 f4! and the bishop is taboo due to 19...fxg3 followed
by 20...Bg4†; while 19.gxf4 Bb6 s followed by an invasion along the open files on the kingside.
18...Qh7 19.Bf3 Qh2
White is in big trouble already, as if 20.e3 Qg1† 21.Ke2 Bf6–+ and it is hard to see how White

642
can complete development.

15...Be5 16.Bh6 Rd8 17.0-0-0 Nc5 18.Bf3 Kc8 19.Qd2 Rd7=

Black’s superior activity compensates for White’s more compact structure.

B222) 9.Nc3

The most consistent continuation. White switches back to normal development after having forced
Black to reach a structure otherwise rarely seen in our repertoire. On the other hand, White has
invested two tempos into bringing the knight to f4, where it does not enjoy the desired stability.

9...Nc5 10.0-0 0-0

643
 We now go on to examine the following moves in some detail: B2221) 11.h4, B2222) 11.Be3,
B2223) 11.Rb1 and B2224) 11.Qc2. But we will start with a couple of minor options:

11.b3
This was played in Lewis – Zeidler, West Bromwich 2005, and allows Black to expand on the
kingside under optimal circumstances, as White has to be circumspect due to the weakness of the
long dark diagonal.
11...g5N 12.Nh3
Or if 12.Nd3 Nfe4 13.Nxe4 Nxe4 14.Bb2 Bxb2 15.Nxb2 Bxe6 16.Qd4 d5 17.cxd5 Bxd5= with
active play in the centre.
12...h6 13.Bb2
The standard 13.f4?! weakens the dark squares too much. Among Black’s favourable replies,
13...Nfe4 seems the simplest.

644
13...Bxe6 14.f4 Qb6 15.Kh1 g4 16.Nf2 Rad8
With perfect coordination.

11.b4
As usual at this stage, this advance weakens the pawn on c4.
11...Nce4 12.Bb2 g5

13.Nxe4
13.Nd3 Bxe6 causes problems on c4.
13.Nh3 h6 makes f2-f4 improbable due to ...Qb6†.
13...fxe4 14.Nd5!?

645
 The only way to keep the position together.
14...cxd5 15.cxd5
Black’s queen’s bishop is passive, but it can be activated with:
15...b5
Planning to put d5 under siege.
16.f3 Bb7 17.fxe4 Ng4

Due to the firm blockade on e5 and White’s global weaknesses on the dark squares, White does
not have more than just reasonable compensation for the piece. The game may well end in a
positional draw.

B2221) 11.h4

646
 For once, this is not connected with an attacking idea. Instead, White stabilizes the knight on f4,
but in the long run the kingside weaknesses offer Black attacking chances.

11...Qe7
The most ambitious move. Black plans ...Bxe6 eventually followed by ...Qxe6, but there is a fine
alternative:

11...Nxe6
There is nothing wrong with this move.
12.Nxe6
Or if 12.Qd3 as in Krzesaj – Swiercz, Marianske Lazne 2007, Black can gain time with
12...Ng4N.
12...Bxe6 13.Bf4
Trying to keep the blockade on f4.
If 13.b3 Nh5 14.Bg5 Qd7 15.Qd2 f4 and Black has a promising attack.
13...Bxc4 14.Bxd6 Re8

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15.Qa4!N
The only way to maintain the dynamic balance.
Instead 15.Qd2 Nd5µ was P. Balogh – Hnydiuk, Tallinn 1997.
15...Bxe2 16.Qb3† Kh8 17.Nxe2 Qxd6 18.Qxb7 Rab8 19.Qa6 Rxb2 20.Rad1
Followed by Nf4 with approximate equality.

12.Qc2!?N
The most consistent continuation, preparing the natural queenside development.

If 12.b4 Nxe6 and the weakness on c4 forces White to refrain from the exchange on e6. 13.Rb1 Ng4
14.Na4

648
 In Gross – Lutz, Dudweiler 1996, Black could have taken over the initiative with: 14...Be5N
15.e3 g5µ

12.Re1 does not make too much sense, as e2-e4 is not very probable in the near future. 12...Bxe6
13.Nxe6 Qxe6 14.Bf4 Rad8 15.Rc1 In Chetverik – Miton, Frydek Mistek 1997, Black should have
started the attack with: 15...Nh5Nµ

12...Bxe6 13.b3
Or if 13.Nxe6 Nxe6 14.e3 Ng4 followed by ...g6-g5.

13...Rae8 14.Bb2 Bf7 15.Rad1 h6

Black has regrouped perfectly and after ...g6-g5 will have realistic attacking chances.

B2222) 11.Be3

This is the fastest way of developing the queenside, but the bishop’s exposure on e3 is likely to force
White to waste some time soon.

11...Nxe6 12.Nxe6
In view of the potential threat of ...Ng4, when Nxe6, ...Bxe6 would leave the c4-pawn hanging,
this is the safest.

12.Rc1 Ng4

649
13.Bd2
If 13.Nxe6 then Black has a choice between two simplifying lines: 13...Bxe6 14.Bf4 Bxc4= and
13...Nxe3 14.Nxd8 Nxd1 15.Rfxd1 Rxd8= with comfortable play due to the strong bishop on g7.
There have been five games that reached this position. Black’s most active plan is:
13...g5N 14.Nxe6
14.Nh5 leaves the knight passive: 14...Bh8 15.h3 Ne5 16.b3 Qe8 17.e3 Nc5µ
14...Bxe6 15.b3 f4 16.Ne4 Qe7 17.Bb4
The only way to provoke some weaknesses in the enemy camp.
17...c5 18.Bc3 Rad8 19.Bxg7 Qxg7=
Black’s kingside pressure compensates for the weaknesses along the d-file.

12.h3
This is frequently played, with the idea of stabilizing the bishop.
There is nothing really wrong with the unanimously played 12...Qe7, but I prefer:
12...Nc7!?N
Threatening ...g6-g5 followed by the knight’s return to e6. With the pawn on h3, this is more
dangerous than usual. And if:
13.h4 Ng4 14.Bd2
14.Bd4 Bh6 causes kingside trouble.
14...Ne6
The active knight on g4 offers Black excellent play.

12.Qd2
This is a consistent way of continuing development, but in the end c4 will be vulnerable.

650
12...Ng4 13.Nxe6 Bxe6 14.Bg5 Qa5 15.Qxd6 Bxc4 16.Qf4 Bf7 17.h3 Nf6 18.Rad1
It is easy to see that Black does not have any special problems, but due to White’s temporary
piece pressure, a bit of accuracy is needed still.
18...Rae8!N
18...Rfe8 as played in Schlosser – Markgraf, Germany 2015, could cause problems after
19.Rd6N² when if 19...Ne4 as in a line below, the rook’s absence from f8 allows: 20.Nxe4 fxe4
21.Rd7±

19.Qc1
Removing the queen from its vulnerable position in order to inhibit the black knight jump to e4.
Instead 19.Rd6 Ne4 works well for Black, as after 20.Nxe4 fxe4 21.Rd7 there is, for instance,

651
 21...Bd5 planning ...Rf7. 22.Rxg7† leads only to simplifications: 22...Kxg7 23.Bh6† Kg8
24.Bxf8 Rxf8 25.Qe5 Qb4!?=
19.Qh4 Nd5 even yields Black the initiative.
19.Bh6 releases the virtual pin, allowing Black to change plans with: 19...Rd8!?=
19...Rd8!?=
After the queen retreat, threats such as e2-e4 or Qh4, which might have caused some slight
problems, are excluded, so the rook can return under the pin.

12...Bxe6

13.b3
13.Qd3 gives up the bishop pair to: 13...Ng4 14.b3 (14.Bd4? is a worse way to do it: 14...Ne5
15.Bxe5 dxe5µ) 14...Nxe3 15.Qxe3 Re8 16.Qd2 Three games reached this position where the most
natural move is 16...Qf6!N keeping pressure on both wings. For example: 17.Rac1 g5³

13...Ne4!
Black has to use the favourable moment; the usual moves tried in practice allow White to
consolidate with Rc1, Qd2 and Rfd1. The text move has been tried in just one correspondence game.

14.Bxe4
14.Nxe4 leads to a static position in which neither side can do much to unbalance things.
14...fxe4 15.Bd4 d5 16.cxd5 Bxd5 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 So far this is Brzoza – Fabig, corr. 2017, where
White now put the queen on c2 and a quick draw was the result. Another possible line is: 18.Qd4†N
18...Qf6 19.Qe3 Rfe8 20.Rad1 Re7 21.a3 a5=

652
14...Bxc3 15.Rc1 Be5 16.Bg2
If 16.f4 fxe4 17.fxe5 dxe5 then Black’s extra pawn does not have too much meaning, but Black
cannot be worse either.

16...f4!
Everything is ready for this thematic break, which leads to interesting play.

17.gxf4 Bxf4 18.Bxf4 Rxf4 19.Qd2

Or if 19.Rc3 Qf6 20.Qxd6 Rd8 21.Qc7 Rc8 22.Qd6 Rd8= and White has to agree to a draw by
repetition, as if 23.Qb4? c5 24.Qa5 b6 and Black wins the rook.

19...Qg5 20.Rc3
Only not: 20.Qxd6? Bh3–+

20...Rg4 21.Qxg5 Rxg5 22.f4 Ra5=

The rook’s activity compensates for White’s space advantage.

B2223) 11.Rb1

653
 As flexible as this may seem, we are used to the fact that this way of preparing b2-b3 is a bit
slow.

11...g5
Under the given circumstances, this is the most active plan.

The same scenario as in line B2222 is playable, but likely to offer White some slight pressure on d6
after: 11...Nxe6 12.Nxe6 Bxe6 13.b3 Qe7 In this case, there is no ...Ne4 trick. 14.Ba3 Rad8 15.Qd2²

12.Nh3
The thematic answer, as instead after 12.Nd3 Nxe6 Black has good attacking chances based on
...f5-f4. 13.e3 Black would be doing fine after 13...a5 followed by ...Qe7 and ...Bd7, but the resolute
13...g4!? is also good. 14.Nf4 Ng5 Due to the firm control on the light squares, Black has a good
game. White’s premature panicking on the next move should have led to trouble. 15.h4 gxh3
16.Nxh3 Nxh3† 17.Bxh3 In Doroshkievich – Vasiukov, St Petersburg 1994, Black would have
obtained a strong attack with 17...h5!N.

12...h6

654
13.f4
The only way to recycle the h3-knight.

13...g4 14.Nf2 Bxe6

Since the rook is not doing much on b1, Black is basically a tempo up with respect to a similar
position in line B2224 below.

15.b3
Following the model of the aforementioned line with 15.Qc2 allows 15...d5 16.Rd1 Qe7 17.cxd5
cxd5 18.Nxd5 Nxd5 19.Bxd5 Rac8 with great compensation for the pawn due to Black’s lead in
development.

15.b4 is a hit into the air, as after 15...Ncd7 the c4-pawn is hard to defend.

15...Re8 16.Qc2 Qe7

655
17.Ba3
Black’s extra tempo compared to line B2224 in the fight in the centre and on the kingside can be
felt after 17.Be3 h5 18.Rbd1 h4 19.Bd4 Nh5 and White is not in time to defend g3.

In Meyner – Petiko, Staufenberg 2011, Black should have hurried to weaken the enemy kingside
with:

17...h5N
White’s attack in the centre is far from one-sided:

18.Bxc5 dxc5 19.e4 fxe4 20.Ncxe4 Bf5 21.Rbe1 h4

The white king is vulnerable along the h-file and the g1-a7 diagonal, preventing White from
enjoying the positive effects of the central break.

B2224) 11.Qc2

656
 The main merit of this move is getting ready to meet ...g6-g5. But releasing the pressure along the
d-file will soon induce new wastes of time.

11...Nxe6
The point is that after:
11...g5 12.Nh3 h6 13.f4 g4 14.Nf2 Bxe6
White can achieve an optimal regrouping.

15.Be3!N
With the pawn on f5 hanging, there is no need to spend a tempo on 15.b3, allowing Black to fight
for the initiative: 15...d5 16.Ba3 Qa5 17.Qc1 d4 18.Ncd1 Qb6 19.Nd3 Nfd7 20.N1f2 Rfe8

657
 21.Qc2 a5³ Kozul – Gazik, Sarajevo 2015.
15...Qe7
15...Bxc4 16.Bxc5 dxc5 17.Qxf5 is promising for White.
16.Rad1 Rad8 17.Bd4 Rfe8 18.Rfe1 a5 19.e3 h5 20.Ne2²
White has consolidated g3 in advance, while also preparing the regrouping Bc3 and Nd4.

12.Rd1
White needs to renew the pressure on d6, as if 12.b3 Nxf4 13.Bxf4 and the pawn on d6 is not
hanging, allowing 13...Nh5 14.Bc1 f4 with adequate counterplay.

12.Nxe6 Bxe6
This just helps Black to develop.
13.b3

13...d5!
The simplest way to make use of the slight lead in development.
14.cxd5
Or if 14.Ba3 Rf7 15.Rad1 Qa5 16.cxd5 cxd5 17.Bb2 Rc8 and Black gets a very active isolani
position. Instead of blocking the pawn on d5, the white knight is pinned and under pressure.
18.Qd2 The only move. 18...Ne4!? Not the only good possibility. 19.Nxe4 Qxd2 20.Nxd2 Bxb2
21.Nf3 Bf6= The control over the c-file and the strong dark-squared bishop compensate for the
relative weakness of the central pawn.
14...Nxd5 15.Bb2 Nxc3 16.Bxc3

658
 In Krush – Harika, Hengshui 2019, the most active way of completing development was:
16...Bxc3N 17.Qxc3 Qf6 18.Qb4 Rf7= Black can later choose between several good plans, such as
...a5-a4, ...f5-f4 or doubling rooks on the d-file.

12...Qe7

13.b3
White continues developing while maintaining the blockade on f4.

13.Nxe6 Bxe6 14.b3 Rad8 15.Bb2

Now Black can start the attack without loss of time.

659
15...f4!?N
In fact, 15...Nd7 is also good, but after 16.e3 as played in Sieciechowicz – Swiercz, Chotowa
2009, Black should have remained consistent with 16...g5!N 17.Ne2 Bxb2 18.Qxb2 Bf7 19.Nd4
Qf6 20.Rd2 Bh5 with good counterplay.
16.gxf4 Ng4 17.e3
17.h3? offers Black a devastating attack: 17...Nxf2! 18.Kxf2 Rxf4† 19.Kg1 Bxh3 20.Bxh3 Qe3†
21.Kh2 Be5–+
17...Qh4 18.h3 Nh6=
Black retrieves the pawn, retaining a normal position. If:
19.Kh2?

660
 Black can do a lot better than forcing a draw with 19...Ng4†.
One of the promising moves is:
19...g5µ

This will be the last moment in this chapter when we mention the prophylactic:
13.Rb1
As usual, Black gets a free tempo for building up the attack.
13...Ng4 14.b3 g5 15.Nxe6 Bxe6 16.h3 Ne5 17.e3 Bf7 18.Ba3 Rad8

Black has a wonderful regrouping and the threats of ...f5-f4 and ...g5-g4 induce White to provoke
mass simplifications.
19.f4
19.Qxf5? Bg6 traps the queen.
19...Nxc4
Good enough for a draw, but if Black is more ambitious then 19...Nd7 is also possible.
20.bxc4 Qxe3† 21.Kh1 Qxc3 22.Qxc3 Bxc3 23.Bxd6 Rfe8 24.Rxb7 Bxc4 25.Bxc6 Re2 26.Rxa7
A draw was agreed here in W. Fischer – Voetter, corr. 2016.

13...Ne4 14.Bb2N
This allows Black to spoil White’s structure, but one way or another White has to make a
concession.

14.Bxe4?
This is the worst answer, weakening the king’s defence without offering White chances for a
reliable blockade on the dark squares.
14...fxe4 15.Be3
Or if 15.Nxe6 Bxe6 16.Be3 Bg4³ and White remains under pressure. The only active plan,

661
 doubling rooks on the d-file, is not effective: 17.Rd2 Rae8 18.Rad1 Qe5 White is awfully passive
as if: 19.Bd4? Qf5 20.Be3 Bh6!–+ The point is that 21.Bxh6 Qxf2† 22.Kh1 Bh3 23.Rg1 Qxg1†!
mates next.

15...Nxf4!N
Black starts destroying White’s kingside defences.
This move is much stronger than 15...Ng5 16.Rac1 Be5 with just pleasant play in Ricardi –
Rodriguez Vila, San Martin 1995.
16.Bxf4 Rxf4! 17.gxf4 Qh4 18.Rac1 Bf5

Threatening ...Qxf4 followed by ...Be5.

19.Nxe4

662
 Or 19.e3 Qg4† 20.Kf1 Qh3† 21.Ke1 Rd8 defending the pawn in order to have free hands for the
attack, which will soon become decisive.
19...Qxf4 20.f3 Be5–+
14.Nxe4 is a better way to capture on e4, but it offers just reasonable compensation for the exchange.
14...Bxa1 15.Nxe6 Bxe6 16.Bg5 Qg7 17.Nxd6 Bf6 18.Bxf6 Rxf6 19.f4 Preventing ...f5-f4. White
may seem to be dominating, but in fact Black can open a new front with 19...g5 20.e3 h5.

14...Nxf4 15.gxf4 Be6 16.e3 Bf7

Both sides are solid and the position is rather balanced. For instance:

17.Rd3
Simplifying does not offer White an advantage either: 17.Nxe4 Bxb2 18.Qxb2 fxe4 19.Qa3 The
only way to provoke some slight weakening. 19...c5 20.Qb2 Rad8 21.Qc2 Rfe8 22.Rd2 b6 23.Rad1
Both sides have regrouped well, but Black can take advantage of White’s kingside weaknesses:
23...g5 24.fxg5 Bh5 25.Rf1 d5 26.cxd5 Qxg5=

17...Rad8 18.Rad1 g5
A familiar idea, which is especially effective with a white rook on d1.

19.Ne2 Bxb2 20.Qxb2 Bh5=

Preventing the blockade on f4.

Conclusion

In this chapter after 1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 we covered the independent lines that can result after

663
A) 4.c4 and B) 4.Nh3, although of course many transpositions to earlier in the book are possible.
Other independent options on move 4 will be examined in the next chapter.

The independent systems examined in variation A are likely to cause problems only to White.

In variation B, the critical lines are B21 and B222, which both lead to complex play. My general
feeling, supported by concrete variations, is that Black can achieve equality and even fight for the
initiative more easily than in the main lines we saw earlier in the book.

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A) 4.Nd2 Bg7 5.e4 fxe4 6.Nxe4 Nxe4 7.Bxe4 d5 8.Bg2 0-0 322
A1) 9.Nf3 323
A2) 9.c3 324
B) 4.c3 Bg7 327
B1) 5.Qb3 Nc6 327
B11) 6.d5 328
B12) 6.Nd2 328
B13) 6.Nh3 330
B2) 5.Nd2 332
C) 4.Nc3 336

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1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6
In this final chapter we will examine a series of 4th move options for White after the usual
kingside fianchetto. We have: A) 4.Nd2, B) 4.c3 and C) 4.Nc3.

A) 4.Nd2

White prepares a quick opening of the centre. Over the decades, I could only dream of facing this
line, since I found White’s territorial ambitions premature. Modern theory is deaf to such abstract
thoughts and, as pointed out by Firouzja: “This move is trendy these days.” Of the top players, he and
Dubov have played it several times, but none of the games is relevant from Black’s point of view.

4...Bg7 5.e4
5.Ngf3 0-0 6.0-0 transposes to line B in Chapter 8. 5.c3 transposes to line B2 below.

5...fxe4 6.Nxe4 Nxe4 7.Bxe4 d5

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 Black blocks the d4-pawn and hopes to open the centre with ...e7-e5, helped by White’s delayed
development.

8.Bg2 0-0
The text move is more flexible than 8...Nc6, when Black fails to equalize after 9.Nf3 Bg4 10.c3
e5 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Qxf3. White retains somewhat better chances, due to the two bishops and, in the
case of ...e5-e4, the unfortunate knight placement on c6. 12...exd4? is completely wrong because of
13.0-0 with a decisive attack.

In the old days, Black would end the opening preparation here, but modern theory is more
concrete. We will look at two main options: A1) 9.Nf3 and A2) 9.c3.
First, we will briefly consider the minor options of 9.Ne2 and 9.f4:

9.Ne2 c6 10.0-0
10.f4 leaves the knight passive, allowing Black to set up firm control on the light squares.
10...Bf5N 11.h3 h5 12.0-0 Nd7 With comfortable play.

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10...Re8!
Preparing ...Nd7 without fearing Nf4.
11.Nf4
11.f4 Bf5 12.h3 h5 transposes to the previous line.
11...e5 12.dxe5 Nd7 13.e6 Nc5 14.Re1 Nxe6=
Due to his solid centre, Black had nothing to fear in Limontas – Schuster, email 2014.

One of the possible ideas behind 9.c3 is preparing f2-f4 (as we shall see below). But the immediate
9.f4 is premature, since Black can break in the centre with: 9...c5!

10.dxc5 (10.c3 cxd4 11.cxd4 Nc6 dooms the pawn on d4) 10...d4 11.Bd2 Nc6 12.Ne2 Bg4 Inducing

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White to weaken the kingside even more. 13.h3 Be6 14.0-0 Bd5 With excellent compensation for the
pawn.

A1) 9.Nf3

This is a more active development than going to e2, but after the reply:

9...Bg4
This pin is more effective than in a similar line above (after 8...Nc6).

10.h3
White should not delay this.

If 10.0-0 Nc6, as played in Lenz – Slepuschkin, Berlin 2010, White should have defended his central
pawn with 11.c3, but even then 11...e5 would have assured Black of active play.

10...Bxf3 11.Bxf3 c6
This is the difference compared to the line starting with 8...Nc6 above. Black consolidates the
central pawn, neutralizing the enemy bishop. Soon, Black will break in the centre with all comfort.

12.Bg2
An alternative is:
12.0-0
But this allows:
12...Bxd4 13.Qxd4 Rxf3

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 When Black plans to defend the long diagonal with ...Nd7 and ...e7-e5. Even if that would return
the extra pawn, Black would retain some kingside pressure.
14.Bf4 Nd7 15.Qd1
The only attempt to avoid the aforementioned course of events, since 15.Kg2 would run into
15...e5 anyway.
15...Rxf4 16.gxf4 Nf6
Black’s better structure ensures excellent compensation for the exchange, even if White manages
to exchange the queens after, say:
17.Re1 Qd6 18.Qe2 Re8 19.Qe5 Qxe5 20.fxe5 Nh5=
The knight has a lot of good squares to work on.

12...e5 13.dxe5

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13...Nd7!
Much better than 13...Bxe5, which would soon lead to a waste of time, as the bishop would not
be stable in the centre.

14.f4
The critical move, of course.

In the event of 14.e6 Qf6 15.0-0 Ne5, Black retrieves the pawn with an active position.

14...Qb6
Black intends to sacrifice on e5, possibly after ...Rae8, putting the white king in great danger.

15.Rf1
White has to be careful. In the event of 15.Bf3 Bxe5 16.fxe5 Rae8 Black has an overwhelming
attack.

15...Rae8 16.Qd3 Nxe5 17.fxe5 Rxe5† 18.Kd1 Rf2

18...Rxf1† 19.Bxf1 Qf2 20.Bd2 Bh6 is a worthy alternative, yielding Black enough compensation
for the piece.

19.Rxf2 Qxf2 20.Qf1 Qd4†

White has to be content with a draw by perpetual, since 21.Bd2? Bh6 22.Qd3 Qf2 wins.

A2) 9.c3

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 Consolidating d4 and inviting Black to display their cards. On the other hand, this move does not
contribute to kingside development. But it is worth mentioning that developing moves are not without
drawbacks.

9...c6
Black is ready to break in the centre.

10.f4
White is better prepared now for this structure than in earlier similar positions. The plan is to
develop with Nh3-f2, safely defending the squares on e4 and g4. If Black fails to create counterplay,
this may yield White a small but lasting advantage.

10.Nf3 Bg4 transposes above.

10.Bf4 Nd7 11.Nf3

This runs into the thematic exchange sacrifice:
11...Rxf4! 12.gxf4 Nf6 13.Ne5 Nh5 14.Qf3 Qd6 15.0-0 Bf5 16.c4 e6

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 Even though the number pawns are equal, the weaknesses on f4 and d4 yield Black adequate
compensation for the exchange.
17.Qb3
In Kaufeld – Van Dongen, Eilat 2012, Black defended the pawn with the somewhat passive
17...Rb8. A better move is:
17...Nxf4!N
This would have yielded a strong initiative.
18.Qxb7 Qd8
Threatening ...Qg5.
19.Qf7†
19.Nf7 is best answered with 19...Qb8 20.Qxb8† Rxb8 21.Ne5 Rxb2 when Black controls the b-
file and in view of ...Ne2†, the pawn on d4 is doomed.
19...Kh8 20.Qxf5 gxf5 21.Nf7† Kg8 22.Nxd8 Rxd8 23.Rfd1 Bxd4
Black has very active play.

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10...a5!N
Before defining any plans, Black intends to reach a favourable queenside configuration.

Normal development is likely to allow White to carry out the desired plan, for instance 10...Nd7
11.Nh3 Nf6 12.Nf2. Without being in immediate danger, Black does not have counterplay.

11.a4
White should not ignore the queenside advance:
11.Nh3 a4
This leaves White with some queenside problems.
12.0-0 Nd7 13.Nf2 Nb6 14.Qe2 Nc4
White cannot develop the queenside without making a concession.
15.Re1 Qc7 16.Bf3
16.Qxe7? Bd7 yields Black a strong initiative.
16.Nd3 Bf5 does not solve White’s problems.
16.g4, preparing Rb1, weakens the pawn on f4 and loses a tempo. 16...e6 17.Rb1 c5 18.b3 Nd6
With good counterplay.
16...Rf6 17.Nd3 Bf5 18.Ne5 Nd6
The control over the e4-square yields Black pleasant play.

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11...Bf5 12.Nh3 Qd7 13.Nf2
Preventing the next move with 13.Ng5 somewhat misplaces the knight. For example, 13...Na6
14.0-0 Nc7, possibly followed by ...Ne8-d6.

13...Qe6† 14.Kf1
Exchanging queens is no better:
14.Qe2 Qxe2† 15.Kxe2
This exposes White’s king, while increasing the mobility of the bishop on f5.
15...Nd7 16.Be3
A first consequence of the queenside pawn moves is revealed after 16.g4 Bc2, when the bishop
has the b3-square at its disposal. 17.Ra3 does not threaten anything, as after 17...e6 (preparing
...g6-g5) 18.Kd2 is impossible due to 18...Rxf4.
16...g5 17.fxg5 e5
With a strong initiative in the centre.

14...c5
With the pawns on a4 and a5, this break is likely to weaken the square on b4.

Black could also prepare it with 14...Qf7, clearing the diagonal for the bishop’s retreat. 15.Bf3 c5
16.dxc5 Be6 17.Kg2 Nc6 Followed by ...Rad8 and ...d5-d4, with excellent compensation for the
pawn.

15.g4
15.dxc5 d4 also offers Black a strong initiative: 16.cxd4 Qc4† 17.Qe2 Qxe2† 18.Kxe2 Nc6
19.d5 Nd4† 20.Kd1 Rac8 White’s king is exposed and Black is very active.

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15...Qa6† 16.Qe2 Be6 17.dxc5 Nd7 18.Be3

18...d4!
Black has to maintain the rhythm of the initiative.

19.Qxa6
Forced, in view of the threat of ...Bc4.

19...Rxa6 20.Bxd4
Or 20.cxd4 Bc4† 21.Kg1 Re6 leaves White hanging badly. 22.Nd1 Rxe3 23.Nxe3 Bxd4 24.Re1
Rxf4µ With overwhelming pressure.

20...Bxd4 21.cxd4 Rxf4 22.Bxb7

The only way of displaying some activity.

22...Bc4† 23.Kg1 Raf6

An elegant way of connecting rooks.

24.Rc1 Be6 25.Rc2 Rxd4 26.Kg2

It appears that the c-pawn is not too dangerous, for instance: 26.c6 Bd5, followed by ...Ne5, and
White is in trouble.

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26...Rb4!
Even the long diagonal is too short for the bishop.

27.Be4
In the event of 27.Ba8 Rf8 28.Be4, Black can do better than transposing to the main line:
28...Rxe4! 29.Nxe4 Bd5 30.Re1 Nf6 This is the difference! The knight has this square at its disposal.
31.Rce2 Nxe4 32.Rxe4 Rf4 is winning.

27...Rxf2† 28.Kxf2 Rxe4 29.c6 Nb6

The position remains complicated, but Black is doing fine.

B) 4.c3

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 By opening the queen’s access to b3, White intends to cause Black some problems with getting
castled.

4...Bg7
White’s main continuations are B1) 5.Qb3 and B2) 5.Nd2.

B1) 5.Qb3

White attacks b7 and prevents Black from castling.

5...Nc6
The most constructive move. Black is in no hurry to evacuate the king from the centre.

Instead 5...d5 is premature due to 6.c4, reaching a reasonably active version of the Leningrad
Stonewall.

We will consider three main options: B11) 6.d5, B12) 6.Nd2 and most importantly B13) 6.Nh3.

6.Nf3 is less flexible than the main move. For example, 6...e6 7.0-0 0-0 8.Nbd2.

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8...a5!? (slightly improving over a transposition to line B22 in Chapter 8 after 8...d6 9.Re1 d5) 9.a4
d5 The rook is even less useful on f1 than on e1.

B11) 6.d5

White is not prepared for this advance.

6...Na5 7.Qa4
7.Qc2 also fails to keep the knight out of play. 7...c6 8.c4 d6 It is interesting to compare this
position with the one arising in the Dutch main line after 7...Nc6 (instead of our 7...Qe8) 8.d5 Na5.
The main difference is that here White has lost two tempos. 9.Nh3 cxd5 10.cxd5 Bd7³ Followed by

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...Rc8.

7...c6 8.c4
After 8.dxc6 Nxc6 9.c4 d6 Black reaches a theoretical position with two extra tempos. Compare
with 9.Qa4 c5 10.dxc6 Nxc6 in the main line mentioned above. Taking on c6 is too dangerous, of
course.

8...b5!
Being better developed, Black is entitled to blow up White’s centre.

9.cxb5 cxd5 10.Bd2 Nc4 11.Bc3 a6³

With excellent control in the centre and a strong initiative.

B12) 6.Nd2

This move is too slow, allowing Black to carry out the main Leningrad plan.

6...d6 7.e4 e5 8.Ne2

The most consistent try.

8.dxe5? Nxe5 yields Black a decisive initiative.

8.exf5
This runs into:
8...exd4 9.Nh3 dxc3 10.bxc3 Qe7† 11.Kd1 Ne5 12.Re1 Bxf5

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 With an initiative. White has to accept the piece sacrifice, but cannot claim an advantage.
13.f4 Bg4† 14.Kc2 Bf5† 15.Kd1 Bg4†
White should take the draw by perpetual, since if instead:
16.Nf3
This is risky, with equality the very best White is likely to get. For example, one bad line is:
16...0-0-0

17.fxe5?!
Instead 17.Rb1 b6 first, then taking on e5, might keep it level, but for White it is lots of risk for
little reward. 18.fxe5 dxe5† 19.Kc2 Qd7!?© White might cling on to keep it balanced.
17...dxe5† 18.Kc2 Be6!

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 Before delivering the check, it is useful to drive the queen away from the optimal b3-square.
19.Qa3 Bf5† 20.Kb2 Qxa3† 21.Kxa3 Rd3
Black has a very dangerous initiative, for instance:
22.Kb2 Nd5 23.Nf2 e4 24.Nxd3 Bxc3† 25.Kb3 exf3 26.Bxf3 Bxa1
With a decisive material advantage.

8...exd4
The most principled move, but 8...a5 is also worth mentioning. Black intends to drive the queen
away from the a2-g8 diagonal. 9.a4 Qe7 10.0-0 Qf7 After having induced the slight weakening of
White’s queenside, Black has normal play.

9.0-0 fxe4 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Bxe4

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 Black’s king is still in the centre, but White cannot create threats along the e-file soon.

11...dxc3!N
Black has no reasons for refraining from this capture.

11...Qe7? as played in Orzech – Koziak, Chorzow 2007, just exposes Black along the e-file after:
12.Bd5!N±

12.Re1 Na5 13.Qa4† c6 14.b4

The best try.

14...Nc4 15.Bxc6† bxc6 16.Qxc6† Kf7 17.Qxa8 Qd7 18.Qd5† Qe6

Black has excellent compensation for the exchange, even though pawns are equal.

19.Nxc3
19.Qxe6† Bxe6 20.Be3 is also comfortable for Black, after, say, 20...Rc8!?.

19...Qxd5 20.Nxd5 Bxa1 21.Re7† Kg8 22.Bh6 Nb6

White has to force a draw by perpetual.

23.Re8† Kf7 24.Re7† Kg8=

B13) 6.Nh3

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 Since Black is likely to play ...d7-d5, White should develop the knights to f3 and d3. The last
move is the best way of achieving that set-up.

6...d5
Since c3-c4 is impossible now, Black can safely switch to this structure.

6...e6 7.Nd2 d5 may just transpose.

7.Nf4
The most restrictive move order.

In the event of 7.Nd2, Black could consider 7...e5. This explains why I slightly prefer 6...d5 over
6...e6.

7...e6 8.Nd2 0-0 9.Nf3 Ne4

Black is somewhat better developed, but White has hopes of exploiting the relative weakness on
e5.

10.h4
The most consistent plan, aiming to cause Black some discomfort on the kingside. While h4-h5 is
a constant threat, White also makes sure that Bf4 will be possible after the knight’s retreat.

10.Nd3 puts on far less pressure. 10...b6 11.0-0 (11.h4 transposes to the main line) 11...g5 12.Qc2
(12.Nfe5?! Nxe5 13.Nxe5 f4³ yields Black a promising initiative) 12...a5 13.a4 In Rej – Lane,
Canberra 2007, the most active way of completing development was: 13...Ba6N=

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10...b6

11.Nd3
The following option leads to interesting play, but does not achieve much objectively:
11.h5 g5 12.h6 Bh8 13.Nd3
13.Nh5 Qe7 leaves the knight misplaced.
13...Bd7
Other possibilities are 13...Na5 14.Qd1 c5 or 13...a5 14.a4 Ba6 with balanced play in both cases.
14.Qc2 Rc8 15.Be3 Bf6 16.Qc1 Kh8 17.Nfe5

17...Nxe5!N

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 The actual move order in the game quoted below was less precise: 17...Be8?! 18.Nxc6 Bxc6
Now instead of 19.Ne5, White could have played 19.f4!N when both 19...gxf4 20.Bxf4 and
19...g4 20.Bxe4 followed by 21.Ne5 are promising for White. But White probably thought the
last move was impossible due to 19...Nxg3, but in fact White obtains a decisive attack after:
20.fxg5 Nxh1 21.gxf6 Ng3 22.Bg5+– With overwhelming control of the dark squares.
18.Nxe5 Be8

We are back in the game now.

19.Bxe4
With the knight on e5, 19.f4? is impossible due to: 19...Nxg3 20.fxg5 Bxe5 21.dxe5 Nxh1–+
19...dxe4 20.Qd2 c5
Black had active play in L.B. Hansen – Danielsen, Denmark 1997.

11...Na5 12.Qd1 c5 13.Bf4

Increasing the control over e5.

13.h5 g5 deprives the white bishop of the f4-square. 14.h6 Bf6 15.Nfe5 Bb7³ With a considerable
space advantage.

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13...Bd7!?N
Black needs to keep developing. The last move prepares to neutralize the effects of h4-h5 with
...Be8.

Instead 13...Nc6 14.Nde5 Qe8 15.h5 yields White some initiative. After 15...Nxe5 in Sandipan –
Ringoir, Dubai 2014, White could have obtained a considerable advantage with 16.Bxe5N.

But 13...Ba6N is also reasonable.

14.Qc1
Preparing to exchange the bishop with Be5, while instead the immediate 14.Be5 fails to achieve
that in view of 14...Bh6.

14...Rc8!
Forcing White to give up the centre.

15.dxc5 bxc5 16.h5

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16...gxh5
Since Black has the upper hand in the centre, we can afford to make this kingside concession.

17.Rxh5 Be8 18.Rh1

18.Rh4 can be met with 18...Bf6.

18...c4 19.Nde5 Nc6 20.Qe3 Qe7

Black has a compact central structure and the possibility of setting up pressure along the b-file.
These factors compensate for White’s control on the dark squares.

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21.Rh4
21.Nxc6 only helps Black to regroup: 21...Rxc6 22.Be5 Rb6 23.Rb1 Qb7 24.Kf1 Bg6³ After
Black has secured the h7-pawn, the pressure on b2 is annoying.

21...Qb7 22.Rb1 Bg6 23.Kf1 Qb6=

Black has regrouped well and does not face any problems.

B2) 5.Nd2

This is intended to be more flexible than 5.Qb3. 5.Nd2 is the line recommended by FM Burgess
in A Cunning Opening Repertoire for White.

5...0-0 6.Nh3
6.Qb3† forces 6...d5, which could later transpose to B13, if Black wishes, after 7.Nh3.
Other moves are less consistent: 7.Ngf3 c5 8.dxc5 Nc6 9.Nd4 e5 10.Nxc6 bxc6 Black’s massive
centre and better development yield excellent compensation for the pawn.
7.c4 runs into 7...Nc6 8.Ngf3 a5 9.0-0 a4 10.Qc2 Be6 with an active Leningrad/Grünfeld hybrid.

6.e4 fxe4 7.Nxe4 Nxe4 8.Bxe4 d5 9.Bg2 c6 transposes to line A.

6...Nc6
Black starts preparing the standard central break ...e7-e5.

7.0-0
With the knight on d2, White does not achieve much with 7.d5 Ne5 8.0-0 c6, when 9.c4 is a
necessary waste of time. 9...d6 10.Rb1 a5 11.b3 h6 Followed by ...Qe8, with the usual kingside

689
counterplay.

7.Nf4
Black should continue to prepare the usual plan with:
7...Qe8!

The queen clears the d8-square for the knight before weakening the e6-square with ...d7-d6.
8.h4
8.d5 Nd8 9.h4 e5 yields Black normal counterplay. 10.dxe6 dxe6 11.h5 g5 12.h6 Bh8 13.Nh3
Nf7 14.Nc4 g4 15.Ng5 Nxg5 16.Bxg5 e5= Black has little to fear.
In the event of 8.Nf3 as played in Peric – De la Riva Aguado, Castellar 1996, the most
constructive continuation is: 8...d6N 9.d5 Nd8 10.h4 e5 11.dxe6 Nxe6=
8...d6 9.Qb3† e6
9...Kh8? runs into 10.h5, for instance: 10...g5 11.Ng6†!
10.h5 g5 11.h6 Bh8 12.Nh3 g4 13.Ng5 d5
Followed by ...Qg6 with good play for Black.

7.Nf3 Qe8 leads to similar play (Burgess mentions only 7...d5 and 7...d6). For example: 8.0-0 d6 9.d5
Nd8 10.Nf4 e5 (10...h6 11.h4 e5 is also possible) 11.dxe6 Nxe6 12.Qc2 a5 13.Nd4 Nxf4 14.Bxf4
Rf7 15.a4 Ne4 16.Rfd1 b6 17.Nf3 h6 With comfortable play for Black in Biltz – Mirkowski, email
2016.

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7...d6!
With the current move order, the familiar 7...Qe8 runs into 8.e4 with some advantage in the
centre.

8.Qb3†
The check is slightly more consistent than:
8.d5 Ne5 9.Nf4

9...Qe8!N
Preparing the usual counterplay without weakening the queenside with ...c7-c6, as was played in
a few games.

691
10.Qb3
10.h4 h6 11.Nf3 takes measures against Black’s kingside expansion, but weakens the king’s
residence and releases the latent pressure on the queenside. After 11...c5 Black has little to fear,
since 12.Nxe5 dxe5 may cause problems only for White. 13.Nd3 e4 14.Nxc5 Qb5 15.Ne6 Bxe6
16.dxe6 Rfd8 17.Qc2 a5 Black can retrieve the pawn at any moment, and the g2-bishop is
passive.
10...g5 11.Ne6 Bxe6 12.dxe6 Rb8
Followed by the usual kingside plan.

8...Kh8 9.Ng5 Qe8

10.Ne6
The critical continuation, gaining the advantage of the bishop pair.

10.e4 e5!N is comfortable for Black.

10.d5 runs as usual into: 10...Nd8 11.e4 h6 (11...f4!? is also worth mentioning) 12.Ne6 Nxe6
13.dxe6 fxe4 14.Nxe4 Nxe4 15.Bxe4 Rf6 16.Be3 In McKenna – Sheikh, England 2018, Black could
have won the far-advanced pawn with 16...c6N, when White would still need to find a way to prove
compensation.

10...Bxe6 11.Qxe6
Due to White’s lagging development, the first player cannot maintain control over the light
squares.

11...d5

692
 The most convincing answer. Before driving the queen away, Black restricts the enemy bishop.

11...Nd8
This is also playable, though.
12.Qc4
White needs to gain some time for development.
In the event of 12.Qb3 e5 the play tends to flow in Black’s favour. 13.dxe5 dxe5 14.Nc4 Rb8
15.Bg5 Ne6 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.Rad1 e4³ With a fantastic position for Black in Ivkov – Nikolic,
Valjevo 2012.
12...c6 13.a4
Preventing ...b7-b5.
13...Qd7 14.a5
In Gutman – Vanheste, Ostend 1987, Black should have continued regrouping with:
14...Nf7N
Since 15.a6 is not dangerous in view of 15...d5 16.Qb3 b5 when Black has a solid structure and is
better developed.

12.Nb3
12.Bxd5? Nd8! wins the bishop. Or to be precise, after 13.Qe5 c6 if White saves the bishop with
14.Bg2? then 14...Nd5! neatly traps the queen.

12...Rd8
This leads to huge complications.

If Black wishes to keep things simple, we can play: 12...Nd8 13.Qe3 Nc6=

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13.Bf4
The most active move, preventing ...Rd6.

13.Nc5N
This is less ambitious.
13...b6 14.Na6 Rd6 15.Qe3 Qc8 16.Nb4 Nxb4 17.cxb4

Black is doing fine and can even start fighting for the initiative with:
17...Ne4 18.f3 c5!
The introduction to a promising piece sacrifice.
19.Qa3
19.bxc5 bxc5 20.dxc5 d4 21.Qa3 Nxc5 yields Black a considerable space advantage.
19...Bxd4† 20.e3 cxb4 21.Qxb4

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21...Bf6!
Black has to sacrifice the knight, since 21...Bc5 22.Qe1! also leads to the loss of a piece but
under worse circumstances, in view of the threat of b2-b4.
22.fxe4 dxe4 23.g4 Rfd8 24.Qe1 Be5
With the light-squared passive and the queenside undeveloped, White cannot enjoy the extra
piece. Black is not worse.

13...Ng4!N
The only move. Black threatens to win the queen with ...Rf6.
The passive 13...Rc8? led to a quick disaster after 14.Nc5 b6 15.Na6 Ng4 16.Nxc7 1–0 in
Podgaets – Bjelajac, Internet (blitz) 2004.

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14.Bxd5!
The only way of saving the queen.

14...g5!
Trying to make the d6-square available for the rook.
14...Rf6? runs into 15.Bxc6 bxc6 16.Qc4+– with a material and positional advantage.

15.f3
15.Bxg5? Rd6 16.Bxc6 Qh5–+ wins the queen.

15.Bxc6 Qh5 16.h4 gxf4 is also bad for White.

15...Nxh2!
The series of intermediate captures continues.

16.Bxc6 bxc6 17.Bxg5 Nxf1

White would have more than enough static compensation for the exchange, if Black did not have
dynamic resources.

18.Kxf1
Defending e2, since after 18.Rxf1 Rd6 19.Qxe7 Qg6 the threat of ...Re6 is unpleasant.

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18...Qh5 19.Bf4 Rf6 20.Qe3 e5!
Clearing space for the reserve rook.

21.Bxe5 Re8=
The white king’s vulnerability and the passive knight yield Black adequate counterplay.

C) 4.Nc3

Placing the knight in front of the c-pawn looks awkward at this stage, but the pressure on d5 will
be important in a line below.

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4...Bg7
There is no need to commit with 4...d5 yet.

5.h4
The critical continuation.

5.Bg5 c6 6.Qd2
This is too slow to be threatening.
6...d5 7.Bh6 0-0 8.Bxg7 Kxg7 9.f3
Too ambitious.
Safer is 9.Nf3, even though Black gets a good game after 9...Nbd7 10.0-0 Qc7 planning ...e7-e5.
9...Nbd7 10.e4 fxe4 11.fxe4 Nxe4 12.Nxe4 dxe4 13.Ne2
13.Bxe4 e5 leaves White exposed.
13...Nf6 14.0-0 Bg4–+
A draw was agreed in Romanishin – Afifi, Manila (ol) 1992. Black must have been intimidated
by his opponent’s name. The threats of ...e7-e5, or ...Qb6 followed by ...Rad8, together with the extra
pawn, yield Black a decisive advantage.

5.e4 fxe4 6.Nxe4 Nxe4 7.Bxe4 transposes to line A.

5...c6!
It appears that parrying both e2-e4 and h4-h5 is not so simple.

5...d5 secures the centre but allows 6.h5. Now is when the knight is well placed on c3, since 6...Nxh5
allows: 7.Bxd5²

5...d6 weakens Black’s counterplay after 6.e4 fxe4 7.Nxe4 Nxe4 8.Bxe4. For instance, 8...Nc6 9.h5!
with the initiative.

6.e4 fxe4 7.Nxe4 d5!

Under the given circumstances, the best reaction.

In the event of 7...Nxe4 8.Bxe4 d5 White can use the fact that Black has spent a tempo on ...c7-c6 by
playing: 9.Bd3! (9.Bg2 0-0 would be a favourable version of line A) 9...0-0 10.h5 Bxd4 11.f4 Qd6
12.hxg6 hxg6 13.Qe2 With some danger for the black king.

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8.Nxf6†
The alternative is:
8.Nc5
This offers Black a free tempo for developing, while also giving up the idea of h4-h5.
8...0-0 9.c3
Instead 9.Bh3, hoping to gain control over e6, allows 9...Ne4 when Black’s lead in development
compensates for White’s better structure.

9...Qb6
It appears that the knight is effectively hanging; Black threatens ...e7-e5.
10.Nf3

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 10.b4? weakens White’s position too much. 10...a5 11.a3 axb4 12.cxb4 e5 13.dxe5 Ng4 14.f4
Na6 With an overwhelming initiative, for instance: 15.Qd4 Nxb4!
10.Nd3 is too passive. 10...Bg4 11.f3 Bf5 12.Ne2 Nbd7 13.Bh3 Bxh3 14.Rxh3 Rae8 15.Bf4 Nh5
With fantastic play for Black.
10...Bg4 11.0-0 Ne4 12.Nd3 Nd7 13.Bf4 c5=
With excellent counterplay.

8...exf6
The structure is almost symmetrical, but White retains some hopes on the kingside.

9.h5 Na6 10.Ne2 Bg4 11.hxg6 hxg6 12.Rxh8† Bxh8 13.c4

The only way to fight for the initiative.

13...dxc4
13...Nc7 also looks playable. 14.Qc2 Kf7 15.Qb3 Rb8 Black has a solid position, for instance:
16.cxd5 Nxd5 17.Nf4 g5 18.Nxd5 Be6!=

14.Qc2 Bf5 15.Qxc4 Qd6

16.Bd2
Trying to restrict Black’s mobility, since 16.Bf4 Qb4† 17.Qc3 0-0-0 is comfortable for Black.

16...Be6 17.Qa4
Inhibiting Black from castling long.

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17...f5 18.0-0-0 Kf7
The king is safe enough on the kingside, while the pawn on d4 may well become weak.

19.Kb1
19.Nf4 allows 19...Qxd4!.

19.g4 is interesting, though. 19...fxg4 20.Be4 Rf8 21.Nf4 Qxd4 22.Bxg6† Ke7 23.Qa3† Qc5† Black
has defended against the main threats, but White retains enough dynamism to compensate for the
pawn. 24.Qxc5† Nxc5 25.Re1 Rf6 26.Bc2 Kd6 27.Bb4 b6 White does not have anything better than
simplifying to a drawn opposite-coloured-bishop ending.

19...Rd8 20.Ba5
20.Bf3, preparing to defend the rook, in order to avoid the trick below, is comfortably met with:
20...Bd5 21.Bxd5† Qxd5 22.Nf4 Qb5 23.Qxb5 cxb5 24.d5 Nc7=

20...Rd7 21.Nf4
Apparently, White has some pressure, but Black has an elegant resource.

21...Nc5! 22.Qc2 Ne4 23.Bxe4 fxe4 24.f3 g5 25.Nxe6 Qxe6 26.fxe4 Bxd4=
With the reduced material, the seemingly exposed black king is not a problem.

Conclusion

In this final chapter, after 1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 we considered A) 4.Nd2, B) 4.c3 and C) 4.Nc3.
Transpositions are possible between A and B, or C to A, depending on whether White combines Nd2
with c2-c3, or if White chooses a plan with e2-e4 and Nxe4 when the knight could recapture from
either d2 or c3.

After A) 4.Nd2 a key position is reached after 4...Bg7 5.e4 fxe4 6.Nxe4 Nxe4 7.Bxe4 d5 8.Bg2 0-0
when we looked at A1) 9.Nf3 and A2) 9.c3, with the latter allowing a bold set-up with f2-f4. The
latter is especially worthy of close attention.

B) 4.c3 allows White to consider delaying Black from castling with a quick queen lift to b3. After
4...Bg7 5.Qb3 I recommend 5...Nc6 when we saw various tries for White. A key skill for Black is
timing ...d7-d5 correctly, as my notes make clear.

Finally the position after C) 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.h4 could be tricky for Black if unprepared, as White has
ideas of both e2-e4 and h4-h5, but my recommended 5...c6! is a good solution.

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 Variation Index

Chapter 1
1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6 7.Nc3 Qe8
A) 8.b4 30
B) 8.e4 35
C) 8.Nd5 39
D) 8.Qb3 51

Chapter 2
1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6 7.Nc3 Qe8 8.Re1 Qf7!
A) 9.Qb3 67
B) 9.Qd3 69
C) 9.b3 73
D) 9.Ng5 81
E) 9.e4 fxe4 10.Nxe4 Nc6 87
E1) 11.d5 89
E2) 11.Neg5 91

Chapter 3
1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6 7.Nc3 Qe8 8.b3 Na6!?
A) 9.Bb2 e5 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.e4 f4! 101
A1) 12.Nd5 102
A2) 12.gxf4 103
B) 9.Re1 104
C) 9.Ba3 108

Chapter 4

702
1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6 7.Nc3 Qe8 8.d5 Na6
A) 9.Be3 Bd7 120
A1) 10.Qd2 120
A2) 10.Rc1 126
B) 9.Nd4 Bd7 131
B1) 10.e4 132
B2) 10.Rb1 137

Chapter 5
1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6 7.Nc3 Qe8 8.d5 Na6 9.Rb1 Bd7
A) 10.b3 149
B) 10.b4 c6 152
B1) 11.a3 152
B2) 11.e4 156
B3) 11.c5 158

Chapter 6
1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6 7.Nc3 Qe8 8.d5 Na6 9.Rb1 Bd7 10.b4 c6
11.dxc6 bxc6
A) 12.b5 Nc5! 165
A1) 13.Bb2 166
A2) 13.Nd4 Nfe4 14.Nxe4 Nxe4 170
A21) 15.bxc6 170
A22) 15.Bxe4 173
B) 12.a3 Nc7 13.Bb2 Ne6 176
B1) 14.c5 d5 15.Ne5 d4 177
B11) 16.Na2 181
B12) 16.Na4 183
B2) 14.e3 188
B21) 14...Rb8 188

703
 B22) 14...a5 191
B221) 15.b5 191
B222) 15.Qc2!?N 194

Chapter 7
1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3 d6 7.Bb2 Qe8
A) 8.Nbd2 Nc6 202
A1) 9.Nc4 202
A2) 9.Re1 e5 205
A21) 10.dxe5 206
A22) 10.e4 210
B) 8.c4 Na6 212
B1) 9.Nc3 213
B2) 9.d5 218
B3) 9.Qc2 220
B4) 9.Nbd2 225

Chapter 8
1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0
A) 6.b4 c6 232
A1) 7.Bb2 234
A2) 7.c4 236
B) 6.Nbd2 Nc6 240
B1) 7.Re1 241
B2) 7.c3 d6 245
B21) 8.Re1 245
B22) 8.Qb3† 248
B23) 8.b4 250
C) 6.Re1 d6 7.Nbd2 Nc6 8.e4 e5 9.dxe5 dxe5 252

704
 C1) 10.exf5 254
C2) 10.c3 256

Chapter 9
1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Nh3 e6!?
A) 7.Nf4 261
B) 7.0-0 d6 263
B1) 8.b4 264
B2) 8.Qb3 265
B3) 8.Nf4 269
B4) 8.b3 c6 273
B41) 9.Bb2 273
B42) 9.Ba3 Re8 279
B421) 10.Qc2 279
B422) 10.Rc1 281
B43) 9.Qc2 282
C) 7.d5 286

Chapter 10
1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6
A) 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 0-0 292
A1) 6.e4 293
A2) 6.e3 295
B) 4.Nh3 Bg7 5.Nf4 d6 299
B1) 6.h4 300
B2) 6.d5 c6 302
B21) 7.Nc3 303
B22) 7.c4 e5 8.dxe6 Na6 308
B221) 9.h4 309

705
 B222) 9.Nc3 Nc5 10.0-0 0-0 311
B2221) 11.h4 312
B2222) 11.Be3 313
B2223) 11.Rb1 315
B2224) 11.Qc2 317

Chapter 11
1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6
A) 4.Nd2 Bg7 5.e4 fxe4 6.Nxe4 Nxe4 7.Bxe4 d5 8.Bg2 0-0 322
A1) 9.Nf3 323
A2) 9.c3 324
B) 4.c3 Bg7 327
B1) 5.Qb3 Nc6 327
B11) 6.d5 328
B12) 6.Nd2 328
B13) 6.Nh3 330
B2) 5.Nd2 332
C) 4.Nc3 336

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Table of Contents
Title Page 3
Symbols & Bibliography 4 5
Preface 5 6
Introduction – Structures and Strategy 7 8
1 Move 8 Sidelines 28 50
2 8.Re1 63 124
3 8.b3 96 192
4 Introduction to 8...Na6 115 230
5 9.Rb1 148 298
6 11.dxc6 164 331
7 6.b3 200 406
8 6th Move Deviations 231 471
9 6.Nh3 259 530
10 4.c4 and 4.Nh3 291 600
11 Rare Fianchetto Lines 321 665
Variation Index 339 702

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