Professional Documents
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Vitiugov Nikita The French Defence A Complete Black Repertoire 2010
Vitiugov Nikita The French Defence A Complete Black Repertoire 2010
The publishers would like to thank Phil Adams for advice regarding
the English translation.
Chess Stars
Bibliography
French Defence: 3.tt:lc3 �b4 by Lev Psakhis, Batsford 2003
French Defence: 3.tt:ld2 by Lev Psakhis, Batsford 2003
Advance and other anti-french variations by L.Psakhis, Batsford 2003
French Defence: Steinitz, Classical by Lev Psakhis, Batsford 2004
Win against the French Defence by E.Sveshnikov, Moscow 2005
Opening for White Ace. to Anand (vol. VI-VII) by Khalifman, Chess Stars 2006
The Flexible French by Viktor Moskalenko, New in chess 2008
Repertoire books:
4
Contents
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
5 2 .'&e2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 6
6 2 .d3 d5 3.tt:ld2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 9
7 2 .d3 d5 3.'&e2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
8 6 .ie2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
. . . . . . .
9 6.id3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
10 6.a3 l2Jh6 7.b4 cxd4 8 . .b:h6 ; 8.cxd4 l2Jf5 9 .ie3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
11 6.a3 l2Jh6 7.b4 cxd4 8.cxd4 l2Jf5 9.ib2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
12 6.a3 id7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
13 5.g3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
14 5.l2Jf3 l2Jgf6 6.ig5 h6 7.l2Jxf6 l2Jxf6 8.id2 ; 8 . .b:f6 ; 8 .ie3 . . . . . . . 8 0
15 5.tt:lf3 l2Jgf6 6.ig5 h6 7.l2Jxf6 l2Jxf6 8 .ih4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
16 5 .l2Jf3 l2Jgf6 6.l2Jxf6 l2Jxf6 7.g3 ; 7.id3 ; 7.ie 2 ; 7.ie3 . . . . . . 9 9
17 5.l2Jf3 l2Jgf6 6 .l2Jxf6 l2Jxf6 7.c3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 0
18 5.l2Jf3 l2Jgf6 6.id3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 9
5
21 4.tt:lgf3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22 4.i.d3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6 4
Afterword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Index ofVariations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
6
PREFACE TO THE NEW EDITION
You are now holding in your hands a new book, in which the author
ventured to revaluate certain lines and enrich them with a new supply
of fresh, contemporary information.
Nikita Vitiugov
Saint-Petersburg, January 2012
7
PREFACE
The arguments for and against the correctness ofthe French defence
began long ago and continue even now. The main themes are Black's
lack of space and the consequence of that - the fate of his light-squared
bishop, which is severely restricted right from move one. However, all
"French" players are well aware of the rule that sometimes, at the de
cisive moment of the game, it is the same "bad" French bishop that
strikes the decisive blow and settles the issue.
8
Chess is a microcosm of life and the same principles are applicable -
there are many questions and no definitive answers. In the French de
fence we have already seen devastating novelties in variations which
previously had an unblemished reputation, as well as rehabilitation of
lines long thought to be dead and buried. So I have decided to present
to my readers the French defence - just as I see it and understand it.
I believe that chess players of all levels can find something new in
this book. It will enable some of you to include the French defence in
your opening repertoire and others of you to enrich your knowledge of
this opening and sharpen your understanding of its ideas.
The time has long passed when you could play the opening simply
according to common sense. Therefore there are many extensive analy
ses of concrete positions in the book, as well as new ideas discovered in
the process of preparation for games and tournaments.
This book has been written from Black's point of view, but this
should not preclude a study of it by players who prefer the white side of
the French. It is always useful to know something thoroughly. It might
happen that a player who loves the white side of the French might be
come an ardent fan of it as Black!
Nikita Vitiugov
Saint-Petersburg, April 20 10
9
Part l
In the first part of our book we shall deal with the different ways in
which White tries to avoid the main lines of the French defence. Objec
tively, he can hardly rely on gaining an opening advantage with these
variations. However, he is following a different philosophy in this case.
It is far from easy to prove an advantage for White in the main lines an
yway, so the idea is to obtain an original, non-standard position, which
the opponent has not studied deeply at home. This last factor is be
coming more and more important in contemporary competitive chess.
Accordingly, Black must be well prepared to counter this approach and
to obtain good positions against the less principled lines.
Among the chapters included in our first part, the exchange vari
ation is the most interesting. No doubt there are drawish tendencies
in it, but in practice it turns out that making a draw is not so easy for
either side. It should be enough to remember the famous game Gu
revich - Short in the last round of the Interzonal tournament in Manila
1990. White only needed to make a draw to qualify for the next round
of the competition, but even such a super-expert in the French defence
for Black as Mikhail Gurevich failed under pressure to achieve the
desired result and lost. Nigel Short qualified to play a match against
Garry Kasparov thanks to this same remarkable game ! So we can high
light the fact that modern chess history was greatly influenced by this
game. I can therefore advise White players to refrain from playing the
exchange variation of the French defence, at least to avoid the appear
ance of new schisms in the chess world.
10
Chapter 1 l.e4 e6
11
Chapter 1
12
Chapter 2 l.e4 e6 2 .lt� f3 d5
13
Chapter 2
1 2 . axb5 axb5 13.�b3 �b7 with a (White cannot achieve much with
complicated position. 13 .Lt'lxd4 �c5 14.�xd7+ rtixd7 15.
After 5.d3 there arise positions Lt'lf3 b6 16.�b2 Lt'lf6.) 13 . . .Lt'lxf3 +
with a King's Indian pawn struc 14.gxf3 �xa4 15. l"lxa4 and White
ture but with colours reversed. has a slight advantage in this
Black can usually only dream endgame, even if Black defends it
of this sort of outcome from the correctly.
opening. 5 . . . Lt'lc6 6.g3 e5 7.�g2 6.cxd4
�e7 8.0-0 g5 (8 . . . h5 ! ?) 9 .Lt'ld2 I think it is weaker for White
h5 ! ? and White already has prob to play 6.e5 Lt'lfd7 7.cxd4 cxd4
lems (9 . . . �e6 10.f4 f6 ll.Lt'lf3 h6 8.Lt'lexd4
12.c4oo Bachin - Korchnoi, Togli
atti 2003).
14
l.e4 e6 2 . li:Jj3 d5 3. li:Jc3 d4
achieve much - 8.�b5+ �d7 and �d2 lLld4 17.lLlxd4 hd4 18.
then what. . . ? �c3 l3d8= Vorobiov - Vitiugov,
8 •••.h:e6 9.1Mfa4+ lLl c 6 1 0 . Moscow 2 0 07.
15
Chapter 2
16
l.e4 e6 2. liJj3 d5 3.e5 c5
has a target to attack, which is the Black can counter ll.h5 with
knight on h6 (or f5) . 9 . .id3 li:Jf5 the preparatory move ll.. .Elc8 and
10.h4 ! ?and White's pawn-offen after 12.Elh3 - 1 2 .. .f6?
sive on the kingside would not be ll . . . f6 12 . .if4 f5
very pleasant for Black. However,
he could try the super-solid move
10 . . . h5oo
9 . .id3 a6
It would be interesting to play
the aggressive move 9 . b5 ! ? in
. .
17
Chapter 3 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.i.d3
18
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.i!.d3 de 4.he4 Ci:Jf6
e 5 9. Ci:Jg3 exd4 10.'� xd4 i!.c5 11. This move is simple and
1Mfc4 i!.d6, but the move 5 ... c5 seems strong.
more active and to the point. Black is attacking White's
6.Ci:Je2 Ci:Jc6 bishop and he can exchange it at
Black continues in the same any opportune moment.
fashion, exerting maximal pres 9. 0 - 0
sure against his opponent's centre. For example, if 9.1Mfe 2 , Black
7 .ie3 cxd4
• simply captures with 9 . . . Ci:Jxf3 +
The alternatives seem worse: and begins fighting for the advan
7 . . . e5? ! Black's attempt to play tage.
analogously to the variation 3. 9 . . . i!.e7 1 0 . liJc3 0 - 0 ll . .ie2
Ci:Jc3 i.b4 4.i.d3 is less appropriate
here - 8.i!.xc6+ bxc6 9.dxe5
1Mfxd1 + 10. 'it>xd1 Ci:Jg4 11. Ci:Jd2 i!.a6
12 .l"l:eU and White has a clear
advantage in this endgame,
thanks to his extra pawn and
Black's terrible queenside pawn
structure.
It would be bad to play 7 . . .
Ci:Jd5? ! 8 .hd5 1Mfxd5 9 .Ci:Jbc3 ! Rap
id development takes precedence
over everything else ! 9 .. .'�xg2 10.
l"l:g1 1Mfxh2 l l.i!.f4 1Mfh5 1 2 .Ci:Jb5 and 11 1Mfc7! ?
•••
19
Chapter 4 l.e4 e6
20
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.tt'lj3 .id6
with 5 . . . ib4.) 5 . . . ib4+ 6 .tt'lc3 0-0 the Queen's Gambit Accepted and
7.ie2 dxc4. Now, White has nu it is always useful to know about
merous alternatives, but they all such transpositions between dif
have certain drawbacks. If Black ferent openings. I am referring to
so wishes, he can ignore his addi the variation l.d4 d5 2 .c4 dxc4 3.e3
tional possibilities and stick to the e5 4.ic4 exd4 5.exd4 id6 6.tt'lf3 .
same plan. 8.0-0 (After 8.hc4
it is reasonable for Black to ex
change the light-squared bish
ops immediately with 8 . . . l"le8+
9.ie3 ie6 10.he6 l"lxe6 11.0-0
tt'lc6 1 2 .ig5 hc3 13.bxc3 �d5
14.ixf6 Elxf6, although White still
maintains some pressure with
15.�b3 .) 8 . . . ig4 (An alternative
for Black is - 8 . . . ie6 ! ?) 9.hc4
tt'lc6 10.ie3 . White is more or less Secondly, I think this same
forced to enter this position after move combines reliability and
4.c4. Considering that White has positional justification and avoids
recaptured on c4 in two moves, complete symmetry enabling
Black should not have any prob Black to think about winning the
lems after the opening. For ex game after all . . .
ample : 10 . . . �d7 11.h3 ih5 12 .i.e2 4 ... .td6
Elfe8= and both sides' prospects The move 4 . . . ig4 was popular
are approximately equal. during the nineties of the last cen
tury, but after Kasparov found the
idea 5.h3 ih5 6.�e2 + ! it became
clear that Black would have prob
lems in this variation.
21
Chapter 4
5.c4 8.tt:lc3
The famous principle of asym It is interesting for White to try
metry in the Exchange variation to seize the initiative immediately
can be illustrated here with the with 8.4Je5 ! ? Black must react
move - 5.�d3. very precisely: 8 . . . 4Jc6 ! This is
I should inform my readers the right move ! (It is weaker for
that according to this principle him to opt for 8 . . . 4Jbd7? ! 9.�f4
Black should be in no hurry to de 4Jb6 10 .�b3 4Jfd5 ll.�g3 �e6
velop his king's knight early, since 12 .4Jd2 l"1e8 13 .4Je4 1M/e7 14.l"1cH
if its counterpart goes to f3, then and White obtained an advantage
Black should deploy his knight in the game Tregubov - Vitiugov,
to e7, and vice versa . . . Of course, Sochi, 2009.) 9.4Jxc6 (Now he
you should not take all these par cannot play 9 .�f4 because of the
adoxical principles completely routine reply 9 . . . �xe5 10.dxe5
seriously, but still, it is always 4Jg4, and White cannot protect
useful to keep them in mind. For his pawn.) 9 . . . bxc6. Black's pawn
instance, in the following game structure has been weakened a lit
Black obeyed all these rules and tle, but he is not worse. For exam
managed to gradually outplay his ple : 10.4Jc3 l"1e8 11.1Mlf3 l"1b8 12 .h3
22
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.'Llf3 id6
1 0 .ge1
It is difficult to say which is
From this moment on, the White's most useful move here.
opening has many things in com He has tried many different ide
mon with the Chigorin defence. as, but Black has good counter
It is obvious that in this rather chances in all cases. In principle,
original and complicated open this is quite logical. Both sides are
ing, Black's position is considered playing solidly in the centre and
as acceptable, but things are not neither side should have prob
so simple here. lems.
9.h3 White cannot harm his oppo
The seemingly active move nent with 10 .a3 if5 11.b4 'Lle4 !
9.ig5, strangely enough, is not 12 .ib2 'Llxc3 13.ixc3 Wff6=
dangerous for Black at all. 9 .. . It would be too routine for
h6 (It is less precise to play 9 . . . him to opt for 10 .ie3 a6 11.a4 if5
ig4, since White can counter 12 .'Llh4 ih7 13 .id3 ixd3 14.Wfxd3
this with 10.'Lld5, obtaining the 'Llb4 15.Wfd1 Ele8 16.Wff3 if8 17.
advantage of the two bishops. Elad1 'Llbd5 18.'Llf5 illh 7 19.if4
10 . . . ie7 ll.'Llxe7 + Wfxe7 12 .h3 c6 2 0.ie5 Ele6? Balashov - Mo
ixf3 13.Wfxf3 Wfe4 14.Wfxe4 'Llxe4 rozevich, Samara 1998.
15.ie3 'Lld6 16.b3 with some ad White has an interesting pos
vantage to White, Lputian - Rom sibility here - 10 .Wfc2 , with the
anishin, Manila 1992.) 1 0 .ih4 idea of preventing the natural
ig4. It looks as if White's best development of his opponent's
here is the forced draw after ll.h3 light-squared bishop. Black can
ixf3 1 2 .Wfxf3 'Llxd4 13.Wfxb7 Elb8 react cleverly with 10 . . . a6 ! ? , or he
14.Wfxa7 Ela8 15.Wfb7 Elb8, Gure can play more simply - 10 . . . 'Llb4
vich - Azmaiparashvili, Saint 11.Wfb1 c6 ! ? (White obtains some
Vincent 2 0 03 . targets to attack after ll . . . ie6
23
Chapter 4
1 0 J'l:e8
•• Black can also begin with the
This is Black's most natural move ll . . . a6 ! ?
response. He has some alterna 12.a3 a6
tives though. The move 10 . . . �f5
was played in a game against a
computer by the famous French
defence expert Alexander Mo
rozevich: ll.d5 'Lle7 1 2 .�e3 a6 13.
�d4 'Llg6 14.a4 l'l:e8 15.1Wb3 b6
16.l'l:xe8 + 'Llxe8 17.l'l:e1 'Llf6oo Fritz
- Morozevich, Frankfurt 20 0 0 .
Two other acknowledged giants
in this opening tested out the ben
efits of including the moves 10 . . .
a 6 and ll.a3 : ll . . .l'l: e 8 12 .l'l:xe8+
1Wxe8 13.1Wd3 1Wf8 14.�e3 �d7 (It 13.lt:lh4 .ih7 14.1Wf3 �d7oo
was also interesting for Black to with a very complicated position,
continue with 14 . . . b5 15.�a2 �b7, Short - Bareev, Pula 1997.
24
Part 2
Chigorin Variation
l.e4 e6 2.�e2
King's Indian Attack
l.e4 e6 2.d3
25
ChapterS l.e4 e6 2 . �e2
Chigorin Variation
26
l.e4 e6 2. �e2 c5
27
ChapterS
28
Chapter 6 l.e4 e6 2.d3
29
Chapter 6
30
l.e4 e6 2.d3 d5 3. ttld2 ttlf6
31
Chapter 6
32
l.e4 e6 2.d3 d5 3.lt'ld2 lt'lf6
33
Chapter 6
8 .lZlc6
••
34
l.e4 e6 2.d3 d5 3.tt'l d2 tt'lf6
35
Chapter 6
13.c4 ! ?
This undermining move cre
ates great problems for Black.
1 0 .e5 13.dxc5 ! ? This is a flexible
White decides to make a solid move. White is ready to give up
preparatory move without forc his centre in order to gain some
ing the game. If nothing dramatic tempi for the development of his
happens, Black's plan is simple pieces. 13 . . . lt:Jxc5 14.lt:Jb3 lt:Je4 15.
- b6, ib7, �c7, Elad8 etc., typi if4 (White is unable to challenge
cal central strategy. Therefore we the position of Black's knight -
shall study attempts to sharpen 15.c4 Eld8 .) 15 . . . �d8 . Strangely
the game. enough, sometimes coming back
36
l.e4 e6 2.d3 d5 3. tLl d2 tLlf6
with the queen to its initial square The chronic weakness of the
can be an unexpected but very e5-square might hurt Black in the
strong decision. 16.tLlbd4 ! (pre future. It would therefore be in
venting e6-e5) 16 . . . 2:f8 . Black is teresting for him to try the pawn
eyeing the f2-pawn ! (It is bad for sacrifice 14 . . . e5 15.tLlxe5 tLldxe5
him to play 16 . . . ¥Mb6? ! 17.¥Mb3 16 . .bd5+ �h8 17.dxe5 ttJxe5
¥Mxb3 18.axb3 e5 19.tLlxc6 bxc6
20 . .be5 .be5 21.tLlxe5 Elxe5 22.f3
�f5 23.fxe4 .be4 24.b4±) . The
game might continue : 17.¥Mb3
ttJa5 18.¥Mc2 tLlc4 19.2:adl e5 20.
ttJxe5 .be5 21..be4 .bf4 22.tLlb3
ttJb6 23.gxf4 with an equal posi
tion.
Here it looks logical for White
to play 13.tLlb3, for example, and
now: 13 . . . c4 14.tLlbd2 (After 14. Black is a pawn down but has
�g5 ¥Mf7 15.tLlbd2 e5 16.dxe5 compensation. For example:
ttJdxe5 17.ttJxe5 ttJxe5 and Black It would be too risky for White
has an excellent position, Nepom to try 18.tLlxc4 �g4 19.¥Md2 tLlf3 +
niachtchi - Moiseenko, Kazan 20 . .bf3 �xf3 and despite the fact
2003. White cannot obtain any that Black is now two pawns
advantage with the forcing line - down, his light-squared bishop
18.f4 ! ? �g4 19.2:xe5 .bd1 20 . .bd5 more than compensates for them;
.be5 21..bf7+ �xf7 22.Elxdl �f6 White is unable to seize the
23.tLlxc4 Elad8 24.tLld6+ �e6 25. initiative with 18.tLle4 ¥Mf8 19.tLlg5
.bf6 Elxd6 26.�d4 �f5 = . He can (It is bad to play 19.�f4? �g4
win a pawn with 19.¥Ma4 tLld3 20. 20 .¥Ma4 tLlf3 + 21.�g2 ttJxel+ 22.
Elxe8+ Elxe8 21..bd5 but only Elxel Elad8 ! 23.¥Mxc4 ¥Mf5 24 . .bb7
temporarily, because after 21. . . �h3+ 25.�gl ¥Mh5+ with advan
�e6 2 2 . .be6 ¥Mxe6 23.¥Mxc4 ttJxb2 tage for Black.) 19 . . . �g4 20 .¥Md2
24.¥Mxe6+ Elxe6, Black's position (the line: 20 .¥Mc2 �f5 21.¥Md2
is perfectly comfortable.) Elad8 22.2:xe5 leads to almost the
same position, except that Black's
bishop is on f5, which is in his fa
vour.) 20 . . . 2:ad8 (20 . . . h6 21.Elxe5
.be5 22.lLlf7+ �h7 23.¥Mxh6+
�xh6 24.�xh6 �f6) 21.2:xe5 Elxe5
22.lLlf7+ ¥Mxf7 23 ..bf7 Elxd2 24 .
.bd2 Ele2� and Black's compen
sation for the pawn should be suf
ficient for a draw;
37
Chapter 6
38
l.e4 e6 2.d3 d5 3. 0, d2 0,f6
39
Chapter 7 l.e4 e6 2.d3 d5 3.W/e2
40
l.e4 e6 2.d3 d5 3.�e2 tt:J c6
41
Chapter 7
6 . . . .ib4
After the retreat 6 . . . �e6,
7.li:Jbd2 (7.a3 aS 8 .bS dxe4 9 . White's energetic move 7.d4 ! pro
bxc6 exf3 10 .gxf3 �e6 ll.cxb7 l'l:b8 vides him with a slight edge, no
12.f4 exf4 13.�g2 �d6 14.�c6+ matter what endgame arises,
tt:ld7 1S.d4 0-0 16.�bS �e7 17.
ci>d1 tt:lb6 18.li:Jd2 �h4 19 .f3 �h3
20./'l:e1 l'l:fd8 21./'l:e2 �f8+ Black is
obviously better in this position,
Skripchenko - Ulibin, Dubai
2003. White's chances would not
be improved by 12.�g2 �d6 13.
li:J d2 0-0 14. 0-0, Totsky - Ru
dolf, Cappelle la Grande 2006
42
l.e4 e6 2.d3 d5 3. �e2 tt::l c6
43
Chapter 7
15 J�b8
••
44
l.e4 e6 2.d3 d5 3. �e2 de 4.de e5
Ei:gd1 f5oo and he can improve his d3-d4 by playing 19 . . . lt:Jf5, but this
position by playing mh6-g5-f6-e5, impedes the evacuation of his
as well as lt:Je7-g6-f4, so his chanc king from f8: 20.fi:e1 with the idea
es would be at least equal.) 17 . . . of fi:e1-e4.) 2 0 .d4 cxd4 21.
mf7 18.fi:e4 c 5 (The endgame fol cxd4 ghd8 (Black would not
lowing the exchange of the rooks : change much with 2 l . . . fi:hc8+
18 . . . Ei:d4 19 .c3 fi:xe4 20.dxe4 me6 22.mb1) 22.ghdl gbc8+ 23.
21..ia6 lt:Jc8 22.Ei:d5 lt:Jd6 23.f3 c6 mbH and despite the considera
24.fi:a5 md7 25 . .ifl fi:a8 26.b4:t ble simplifications, White has a
will be in White's favour in any slight edge.
case; but it would be inferior for
him to play 23 . .id3 ? ! f5 24.f3 fxe4 So, in almost all the varia
25.fxe4 fi:f8 26.fi:c5 fi:f3+!) 19.f4 tions after 4 . . . e5 5.exd5! White
exf4 20.fi:xf4:t - The position aris has a slight advantage and Black
ing is rather unclear, but White needs to play accurately to fight
has a bishop against a knight and for the draw. These develop
the pawn structure is asymmetri ments are hardly to everyone's
cal on both flanks, so his pros liking, even though a draw is the
pects are preferable. most likely outcome. On the other
16 . .ic6+ �f8 hand, it is equally unclear wheth
After 16 . . . mf7 White has an er White players would consider
important intermediate check 17 . their achievements after the
.id5+ ! me7 18.Ei:xd2 md6 19 . .ib3 opening to be convincing.
lt:Je7 (after 19 . . . c5 20.f4 exf4 21.
fi:e1 t he retains a powerful initia
tive) 20 .d4 e4 21.fi:e1 f5 22.f3t b) 3 ... dxe4 4.dxe4 e5 5.c!Llf3
and his pieces are very active.
17.gxd2 lt:Je7 18 . .ig2 c5
19.c3
5 ••• c!Lld7
The move 5 . . . tt:Jc6 is more nat
ural but less flexible. 6.c3 (The
19 . .• mt7 (Black can prevent plan of developing of the bishop
45
Chapter 7
and now:
7 . . . a5 8.ib5 is not good for
Black;
7 . . . id6 8.l2Jbd2 0-0 9 . l2J c4 h6
10 .ie2 l'l:b8 ! ? This is a strange
move. Black provokes a2-a4. Lat 11 .ie2 (It is also good for
er he wants to undermine White's White to play ll.a4 and after 11 . . .
b4-pawn with a7-a5 and White b 6 12 .ie2 ib7 13.0-0 l2Je7 14.
cannot support it with a2-a3. This l2Jfd2± his position is slightly more
will give Black access to the im pleasant.) 1l.. .b5 12.LLlxd6 cxd6
portant c5-square. Is it possible 13.a4 ib7 14.0-0 Wc7 15.id3 LLle7
that Speelman anticipated these 16.l'l:e1 l'l:fc8 17.ib2 d5� and in the
development so early in the game Svetushkin - Kruppa, Kiev
game?! 11.a4 b6 1 2 . 0 - 0 ib7 13. 2 0 0 0 , Black obtained excellent
l'l:e1 l2Ja5 (It also looks very good prospects.
for Black to continue with 13 . . . Black should also consider the
l2J e 7 14.if1 l2Jg6.) 14.l2Jxd6 cxd6 less popular move 5 . . . c6, deploy
15.ifl± and White maintains a ing his pieces harmoniously with
slight edge thanks to his bishop out impeding the c8-bishop. The
pair, Zhang Zhong - Speelman, game could continue : 6.l2Jbd2
Bled 2 0 0 2 . Wc7 7.b3 ig4 8 .h3 ih5 9 .ib2
I t would b e interesting for l2Jd7 10 .g3 l2Jgf6 ll.ig2 ic5 1 2 .
46
l.e4 e6 2.d3 d5 3. \We2 de 4.de e5
0-0 0-0 13.a4 me8 14.\Wc4 aS 1S. 0-0, Morozevich - Nikolic, Wijk
tt:lh4 l'l:ab8 16.tt:ldf3 bS� with a aan Zee 2000 and here, Mo
complicated position, Leon Hoyos rozevich recommends 13.tt:leU
- Akobian, Merida 200S. when White exerts some pres
sure.
After 8 . . .f6 9 .g3 tt:lh6, the move
10.fih3 soon leads to exchanges
and simplification. lO . . . tt:l cS 11.
fixeS \Wxc8 12.tt:lh4 \We6 13.0-0-0
0-0-0 14.f4 exf4 1S.gxf4 fid6 16.
eS fxeS 17.fxeS fie7 18.tt:lhf3 tt:lfS
19.tt:lc4 l'l:xd1+ 20.l'l:xd1, draw,
Popovic - Kosic, Hungary 2008.
Here White can try the more
modest move 10 .!ig2 ! ? with pos
sible ideas of 0-0, tt:lf3-e1-(d3) or
6.ll::l b d2 tt:lf3-h4-(fS), f2-f4.
After 6.c3 tt:lgf6 7.\Wc2 fie7=
there arises a symmetrical, equal
position.
White's immediate fianchetto
runs into the above-mentioned
problems on the fl-a6 diagonal :
6.g3 tt:lgf6 7.!ig2 ficS 8.0-0 0-0
9.h3 l'l:e8 10.tt:le1 b6 11.tt:ld3 , Yuda
sin - Cifuentes Parada, Dos Her
manas 1998. According to Ci
fuentes, Black could have solved
all his opening problems with the
natural reaction ll . . . fia6 12.l'l:d1 7.ll::l c4
\We7 13 .tt:lc3 l'l:ad8 14.figS c6 1S. After 7.tt:lb3 it seems to me
\Wf3 fid6 16.l'l:d2 h6= that Black should reply with 7 . . .
6 . . . !ic5 ! ? fid6 (the move 7 . . . !ib6 allows 8.a4
Instead of the ambitious text aS 9.tt:lfd 2 ! :t with an edge for
move, a safe continuation would White) and the knight on b3
be 6 . . . c6 7.b3 \Wc7 8 .fib2 and now: would need to be redeployed.
Nikolic tried 8 . . . aS 9.g3 tt:lh6 In practice White has tried 7.
10 .!ih3 f6 11.a4 (Morozevich men g3 tt:lgf6 8 .fih3 0-0 9.0-0, Popo
tions that White does not need to vic - Bodiroga, Valjevo 2011.
prevent aS-a4 for the moment: Black can counter this with 9 ... b6
11.0-0 a4 12.a3:t with a slight or 9 ... aS and having saved a tem
edge for White) ll . . . fib4 12.0-0 po by omitting \Wd8-e7 he should
47
Chapter 7
are preferable.
13 0 - 0 14.h3 .!Llf6 15 . .!Lle3
.•.
.!Llh5 ! ?
Gurevich considers that Black
should not delay the threat to
transfer his knight to the f4-out
post: if 15 . . . fic7 16.0-0 liJh5 17.
:1'1d1 liJf4 18 ..if1 a4 19.liJc4±, with a
slight edge for White.
16.g3 .!Llf6
48
l.e4 e6 2.d3 d5 3. �e2 de 4.de e5
9... 0 - 0
An attempt by Black to ex
change all the pieces would not
grant him complete equality: 9 . . .
�b6 10 .hc8 Elxc8 ll.�g5 ct:lxc4
12.�xc4 0-0 13.0-0 �b6 14.i>g2
This position was reached in (14.a4 �e6 15.�xe6 fxe6) 14 . . .
the game Glek - Gurevich, Ger �e6 ! ? (14 . . . h6 15.hf6 �xf6 16.a4
many 1998. Black could have sim aS 17.EladU) 15.�xe6 fxe6 16.Elae1
ply captured the pawn with a clear ct:lg4 17.h3 Elxf3 18.i>xf3 (18.hxg4
advantage : Elcf8 19.Ele2 �d4) 18 . . . �h2 + 19.
27 �xg5 !+
. .• i>e2 ct:lxfl 2 0 . Elxfl h6 2 1.�d2± and
White retains an edge, thanks to
b2) 8.g3 his superior pawn structure, but
the most likely outcome would be
a draw.
It is worth considering the
risky move 9 . . . b5 ! ? 10.'Lle3 0-0
11.0-0 (after 1l .�xb5 ct:lxe4, the
double attack 1 2 .�c6 is not dan
gerous for him, because after 12 . . .
ct:ldf6 13.�xa8? hh3 White risks
being crushed.) ll.. .�b7oo with
chances for both sides.
1 0 . 0 - 0 a5
49
Chapter 7
50
Part 3
In the third part of our book, we shall analyze the Advance variation
of the French defence, which arises after 3.e5. This is in fact White's
most ambitious reply against the French set-up. White starts to exert
strong pressure over the whole board right from the start of the game,
trying as hard as he can to restrict his opponent's space. Black must
immediately play very actively; otherwise his pieces will be squashed
by the lack of operating space.
However, White's strategy also has a drawback. It might turn out
that he is not well enough prepared for a task of this magnitude. Black
is immediately presented with targets to attack, in particular his oppo
nent's d4-pawn. There are several variations in which White's king is
endangered and sometimes his pieces have to occupy rather awkward
squares in order to protect and preserve his d4-e5 pawn-chain.
I think it would be useful to restate here the famous axiomatic
rule, known since the time of Aaron Nimzowitsch, who was an keen
exponent of the Advance variation of the French, that the d4- and e5-
squares are absolutely crucial in this variation. Will White succeed in
securely protecting his centre pawns? How effective will Black's at
tempts to undermine them with c7-c5 and f7-f6 be? The outcome of
the opening battle, and possibly of the entire game, can depend on the
answers to these questions.
I should add that, in addition to Nimzowitsch's efforts, the
Advance variation has been played and actively popularized by Evgeny
Ellinovich Sveshnikov. There have also been many important games
played by Alexander Grischuk, Peter Svidler, Alexey Shirov, Alexander
Motylev and many other strong masters who from time to time use this
interesting variation, which leads complicated and fighting positions.
51
Chapter 8 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5
52
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 W1b6 5. liJ.f3 liJ c6 6. �e2 cd
53
Chapter S
54
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 '&b6 5.CiJj3 tt'l c6 6 . .ie2 cd
solution to the problem - he puts ble. White must play very precise
another piece en prise, defending ly in order not to end up quickly
his rook on a1 in the process. It in a very difficult position. For ex
may sound a bit ridiculous, but ample : 13.tt'la4? ! b5 14.tt'lb6 l":b8
Black has to make an important 15.tt'lxc8 l":xc8 with an easy game
choice in this position. He can for Black.) 10 . . . '&xa1+ 1l..id1 gxh6
head for a position with an extra 12.0-0 '&b2 13 . .ia4+ rnd8 (But
pawn, but with compensation for not 13 . . . .id7? 14.l":b1+-) 14.l":b1
his opponent, or . . . he can end the '&a3 15.tt'lxd5 exdS 16.'&xd5 + lt>c7.
game with perpetual check. 9 . . . All this was played in the game
tt'lxd4 ! ? This i s a paradoxical be Maslik - Turcan, Slovakia 2 0 0 1
ginning if playing for a draw. and the players agreed t o a draw.
(Fighting positions arise after 9 . . . We shall continue the variation a
'&xc3+ 1 0 . .id2 '&a3 11.0-0 .ie7 1 2 . bit further: 17.l":xb7+ .ixb7 18.
'&c2 , a s played i n the game Man '&d7+ lt>b6 19.'&b5+ lt>c7 2 0 .'&d7+
tovani - Yemelin, Kallithea 20 0 8 . rnb8 2 l .'&e8+ .ic8 2 2 .'&b5 =
Black should continue here with 8.tt'la3? ! This logical move is
12 . . . 0-0 ! ? and after 13.l":ab1 the good in principle in this pawn
position is very complicated.). structure, but not at this mo
This is the beginning of a long ment . . . 8 . . . .ixa3. This is the most
forcing variation ending in per radical solution for Black. 9 .bxa3
petual check. tt'lfS 10 . .ie3 '&aS+ ll.'&d2 '&xa3 (I
do not think Black should have
any problems after 1l.. .tt'lxe3 1 2 .
fxe3 .id7 ! ? = ) 1 2 . 0-0 tt'lxe3 13 .fxe3
0-0. White must play very ener
getically in this position in order
to obtain compensation. 14. l":fc1 ! ?
(It would b e too slow for him to
opt for 14.l":ab1 b6.) 14 . . . .id7 (14 . . .
'&e7 15.l":ab1) 15.l":ab1 and White's
pressure might be enough for a
10 .'&xd4 (White can bring draw, but no more . . . . For exam
about a tense struggle, but it ple: 15 . . . b6 (1S . . . l":ab8 16.l":c5 b6
would not be to his advantage. 17.l":c3 '&e7 18.l":bc1) 16.l":c3 '&e7
10.'&c1 '&xa1! ll.tt'lxd4 - He does 17.l":bc1 l":ac8 18 . .ia6 l":c7 19.-ibS
not change anything much with l":fc8 2 0 . .ia6=
ll.'&xa1 tt'lc2 + 12. rnd2 tt'lxa1 13. White cannot gain any advan
.ie3 a6 14.l":xa1 b5 with a good po tage with 8.b3 ? ! .ib4+ 9 . rnf1 tt'lfS
sition for Black - 1l.. .'&xc1+ 1 2 . 10 . .ib2 .ie7. Black is playing quite
ixc1 a 6 . Black's chances in this sensibly. He deprives the oppo
position even seem to be prefera- nent's king of castling rights and
55
Chapter 8
then retreats his bishop to its usu will regain his pawn, but without
al place. 11.lLlc3 (Or ll.h4 f6 ! ? ; gaining any advantage; 12 .hg5
1l.id3 0 - 0 12 .h4 f6 13.hf5 exf5 '&xb2 13.l2Jbd2 '&b5 14.a4 '&a6 15.
and Black has the initiative.) iWe2 iWxe2+ 16.<;t>xe2 Ei:g8 and the
1 1 . . . 0 - 0 12 .lLla4 iWd8 13 .g3 f6 14. endgame is quite acceptable for
exf6 ixf6 15. <;t>g2 '&d6 16.Ei:e1 b6 Black; 12.lLlc3 h6 13.0-0 ie6 ;
with an excellent position for Black i s still threatening g4; 13.
Black, Kupreichik - Piskov, Ger lLlxd5 iWa5+ 14.lLl c3 0-0-0 15.
many 1998. 0-0 ie6�) 12 ... g4 (12 ... h6 ! ?) 13.
8 .id3 ! ? Apart from 8 .lLlc3, hxg4 fxg4 14.l2Jc3 gxf3 (it is also
this is the only interesting move possible for Black to opt here for
which might cause trouble for 14 . . . ie6 15.lLla4 '&aS 16.lLlg5 if5)
Black. The first impression is that 15. lLlxd5 fxg2 16.Ei:e1 '&xd4 17.ig5
White has just touched his bishop ig7? This was a blitz game and
by accident, and decided to move playing precisely was obviously
it one square forward along the mission impossible . . . ! (17 . . . ie7!
same diagonal. In fact, things are 18.ixe7 ie6 ! 19.if6 ixd5 2 0.'&h5
far from being that simple . . . 8 . . . '&f4 2 1.hh8 l2Jd4 2 2 . Ei:e3 lLlf3 +
id7 9.ic2 (But not 9.l2Jc3 ? ! l2Jxd4 23.Ei:xf3 '&xf3 with a n overwhelm
10.0-0 ic5 1l.a4 iWb3 12 .iWd2 ing advantage for Black) 18.lLlc7+
lLlxf3 + 13.gxf3, Movsesian - Iva <;t>f8 19.lLlxa8 l2Jxe5 2 0.ie7+ <;t>g8
nov, Chalkidiki 2 0 0 2 , and here, 2l.Ei:xe5 ixe5 2 2 .iWxd4 ixd4 23.
after the simple move 13 . . . 0 - 0 ! ? , Ei:d1 + - Movsesian - Caruana,
Black obtains a n overwhelming Moscow 2 0 1 0 ;
advantage). Black can show more restraint
with 9 . . . lLlf5 10.hf5 exf5 ll.lLlc3
ie6. It turns out now that White
has lost a tempo with the ma
noeuvre id3-c2 , while Black has
done the same with id7-e6. 1 2 .
0-0 ie7 13.lLle2 (White cannot
hurt his opponent with 13.lLla4
'&d8 = ) 13 . . . h6 14.h4 Ei:c8 (Black
should avoid 14 . . . <;t>d7? ! , as in the
game Harikrishna - Meier, Meri
Black has tried several possi da 2 0 07.) 15.h5 0-0 16.lLlf4 Ei:c7
bilities in this position: with a very interesting position.
9 . . . g5 ! This dynamic resource Black has some interesting al
is both interesting and attractive. ternatives, but these fail to equalize:
10 .h3 lLlf5 ll.ixf5 exf5 12.0-0 9 . . . g6 ! ? 10.lLlc3 lLlf5 11.hf5
(12.lLlxg5 '&xd4 13.0-0 '&xd1 14. gxf5 1 2 . 0 - 0 Ei:g8 13.h3 ie7 14.Ei:b1
Ei:xd1 l2Jxe5 15.lLlc3 ic6 and White with an edge for White. Black can-
56
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Wb6 5. l'iJf.3 l'iJ c6 6. �e2 cd
not make good use of his control for his missing light-squared
of the g-file; bishop.
9 .. .f6? ! 10.exf6 (10.ixh6? ! gxh6 The awkward move 9 . lt>f1 ? !
1 1.exf6 Wxb2 1 2 .l'iJbd2 l'iJxd4 13. postpones the inevitable for just
l'iJxd4 Wxd4 and Black has a good one move : 9 . . . �d7 10.l'iJa4 (White
position) 10 . . . gxf6 11.l'iJ c3 l'iJf7 1 2 . loses a pawn after 10.g4? l'iJfxd4
0-0 �d6 13.a3. Black's unstable 11.l'iJa4 (11.�e3 Wxb2-+) 11 . . .
centre will be a telling factor in WaS ! ) 10 . . . Wd8 11 .g4 l'iJh4 12 .�g5
the future ; �e7 13.�xh4 �xh4 14.l'iJc5 �e7
It is possible to opt for 9 . . . �e7, and, to add to his problems, his
but even then White is better after king cannot castle.
10.0-0 f6 ll.l'iJc3 fxe5 1 2 .l'iJxe5 9 . . . 1Mfa5+ 1 0 .�d2
l'iJxe5 (unfortunately it does not This is a natural and reasona
work for Black to continue with ble move. It would be futile for
12 . . . Wxd4 13.Wh5+ lt>d8 14.l'iJxd7 White to play too enterprisingly
lt>xd7 15.l"ld1 Wg4 16.Wxg4 l'iJxg4 - 10.It>f1 b5 (It is also interesting
17.l'iJxd5 ! ) 13.dxe5 l'iJf7 14.�e3 for Black to play 10 . . . �d7! ? 11.�d2
Wxb2 15.�d4 Wa3 16.l"lb1 b6 17. Wd8 .) ll.l'iJc3? (ll.l'iJc5 hc5 1 2 .
l"le1 t with a very powerful initia dxc5 b 4 13.g4 l'iJfe7 14.�e3 h 5 and
tive for White. he seizes the initiative) ll . . . b4 1 2 .
8 . . . l'iJf5 l'iJ b 1 �a6 13 .�e3 �e7 14.l'iJbd2 0-0
15.l'iJb3 Wb6 16.ha6 Wxa6+ 17.
We2 Wb6 18.g4 l'iJxe3+ 19.Wxe3
f5 ! (In the game Black played the
weaker move 19 . . . a5 and after
2 0 .It>g2 l"lfc8 21.l"lac1 a4 2 2 .l'iJ c5
l"lc7 23 .h4 Wa7 24.l'iJd3 he came
under a crushing attack on the
kingside and lost, Movsesian -
Vitiugov, Novy Bor 2010.) 2 0 .exf6
l"lxf6 2 1.g5 l"lf7 2 2 . Wxe6 l"laf8 and
White will have problems with
standing his opponent's pressure
9.l'iJa4 on the f-file.
White has only just managed 1 0 . . . �b4 ll . .ic3
to develop this knight and now he White can sacrifice a pawn
is forced to place it on the edge of here, but why? 11.l'iJ c3 l'iJfxd4 1 2 .
the board. l'iJxd4 l'iJxd4 13.a3 l'iJxe2 14.axb4
It is easy to be convinced that l'iJxc3 15.hc3 Wb5.
the alternatives are even worse ll . . . b5
for him. 9 .�b5 �d7 10.hc6 hc6 This is Black's simplest re
and White has no compensation sponse. He should not be too
57
Chapter S
greedy 11 . . . hc3+ 12.'t:Jxc3 1M/b6 16.1M/a4 1M/xb2 17. l"la3 0-0 (17 . . .
13.ib5 0-0 14.ixc6 1M/xb2 15. 1M/c1 + ? 18.lLldl±) 1 8 . 0-0 a6 19.l"lb1
lt:J a4 1Mib4+ 16.1M/d2 1M/xd2+ 17. 1M/xa3 20.1M/xa3 axbS 2 1.1Mlb2 l"lfb8.
�xd2 bxc6 18.li:J c5 with an inferi Black has excellent compensation
or position for Black. for the queen.
12.a3 .ixc3 + 13.ll:lxc3 b4 It is possible for White to play
14.axb4 1M/xb4 15.0-0 here, but even then Black
has a pleasant choice. For exam
ple : 15 . . . lt:Jfxd4 (15 . . . 0 - 0 ! ?) 16.
lt:Jxd4 1M/xd4 (Or 16 ... lt:Jxd4 17. id3
and White has some initiative.)
17.ib5 ! 1M/b6. Now it looks as
though White must force a draw
in tactical fashion : 18.lt:Jxd5 exdS
19 .1M/xd5 ib7 2 0 . l"la6 ixa6 2 1 .
hc6+ �f8 2 2 .1M/d6+ � g 8 23.e6
(The evaluation is the same after
23.l"ld1 l"lc8 24.e6 h6 25.1M/e7 1M/xc6
26.1M/xf7 + �h7 27.1M/f5 = ) 23 . . . hf1
15.\Wa4 24.exf7+ �xf7 25 .id5+ �e8 26.
This seems to me to be White's ic6+ �f7=
most solid move. 15 ••. .id7 16.1Mfxb4 c!Llxb4 = .
The ambitious attempt 15.ib5 The prospects are equal i n this
might boomerang after 15 . . . id7 endgame.
58
Chapter 9 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 �b6
5)£)£3 ltlc6 6 ..id3
59
Chapter 9
12.<j;lhl
This prophylactic move is
forced. The endgame is inferior
Strangely enough, the best for White after 1 2 .Eld1 l2lc6 13.
60
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Wff b 6 5.CiJf3 ti:l c6 6. �d3 cd
61
Chapter 1 0 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 �b6
5)L)f3 �c6 6.a3
62
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Wb6 5Jijf3 ltJ c6 6.a3 ltJ h6
velop his pieces to their optimal sition at the end.) 15.We 2 = Ro
positions. 13.Wd3 0-0 14.lt:lbd2 f6 manishin - Lputian, Yerevan
with a complicated position.) 13. 1988.
a4 (It is inferior for White to play 10 .�d3 - This is a very inter
13.Wd3 here, because of the pos esting move, which creates com
sibility of 13 . . . Wc7 14.We3 Wc2 15. plex problems for Black. 10 . . .
�d3 lt:lc4 ! ) 13 . . . 0-0 14.lt:lbd2 f6 lt:lxe3 11.fxe3 fxe5 12 .b5 lt:lxd4 !
and the future developments will This is a key counter-strike and
be quite interesting. Black's whole defence is based on
8 .•. lt:lf5 9.�e3 it. 13.exd4 e4 14.he4 dxe4 15.
White is ready to give up his lt:le5 �d7. The best thing to do in a
dark-squared bishop. However, position like this is to calmly con
Black must play cleverly to exploit tinue your development. (Black
this possibility . . . can also head for an approximate
9 . . . f6 ly equal endgame with 15 . . . Wa5+
I remember here an old cliche 16 .Wd2 - 16.lt:ld2 ? ! Wc3 17J'k1
- "You must strike a blow against We3+ 18 .We2 Wxe2 + 19.Wxe2
your opponent's centre from the �xa3 and Black will retain an ex
flank ! " tra pawn - 16 . . . Wxd 2 + 17.lt:lxd2
�d7 18.lt:lxd7 Wxd7 19.lt:lxe4 = ; 18.
a4 a6 19.b6 �d6 20. lt:lxe4 �xeS 21.
dxe5 0-0 2 2 .lt:ld6 �c6, but Black
might have some problems at the
end of this line. It seems rather
artificial for him to play 15 . . . g6?
16.0-0 �g7 17.Wh1 he5 18.dxe5
Wxb5 19.lt:ld2 ---+ ) 16.0-0 (White
cannot create any difficulties for
his opponent with the simple line:
16.lt:lxd7 Wxd7 17.0-0 - 17.lt:ld2?
Wxd4 18.lt:lxe4 Wxd1+ 19.l"lxd1+
1 0 .exf6 WeB - 17 ... l"ld8 18.lt:lc3 Wc8 and
There arises a well-known although Black has spent three
draw after 10.b5 lt:lxe5 11.dxe5 moves on castling, instead of one,
lt:lxe3 1 2 .fxe3 Wxe3+ 13.We2 Wc1+ he is still better.) 16 . . . 0-0-0
14.Wd1 We3 + (It does not appear 17.lt:lc3 �e8 ! ? (The brave move
that Black has any serious 17 . . . �c5 was tested in the game
grounds for continuing the fight Potkin Filippov, Togliatti
here. He can still try, though . . . 2003.). White must find new tar
1 4 . . . Wb2 15.lt:lbd2 fxe5 16J�b1 gets for attack; otherwise, Black's
Wxa3 17.lt:lxe5 We3+ 18 .We2 Wc3, bishop pair and extra pawn might
but I should prefer White's po- quickly become the decisive fac-
63
Chapter 10
tors. 18.'Lle2 'it>b8 19 J''!b 1 l"!d5 with the rather unpleasant re
2 0 .'Llc4 'fff c 7. In Sveshnikov's book sponse 15.'Llfd2.) 15.b5 'Lla5 ! ?� .
"Win against the French Defence" This i s the point - now Black's
(Moscow, 2 0 05) this position was knight is not forced to retreat to
evaluated as + / = . I disagree cate the a7-square.
gorically with this opinion! 2 l.l"!c1 14 .. .c!l:\e7 15. 0 - 0
i.xb5 2 2 . 'Lle3 Wd7 23. 'Llxd5 exd5 This is again quite logical.
and in this position, with a mate White mobilizes his forces in the
rial imbalance, I should even pre most natural fashion. The tricky
fer Black. move 15.'Lld2 is harmless for
10 ..• gxf6 11.i.d3 'Llxe3 12. Black. For example : 15 . . . 0-0-0
fxe3 16.0-0 e5 17.'Llb3 l"!hg8 18.i>h1 e4
19.i.b5 i.g4�
If White insists on preventing
his opponent from castling queen
side, Black can go kingside. 15.l"!c1
0-0 16.0-0 e5 ! This is an impor
tant moment. This pawn-break is
even stronger now that White's
rook is on cl. 17.i.bl e4 18.'Lld2
(18.'Llh4 l"!ac8) 18 ... 'fff a 6 19.l"!fe1
Wxe2 2 0 .l"!xe2 l"!fc8 with a very
complicated and double-edged
endgame.
Black's pawn-structure is a bit
loose, but this is compensated for
by his two powerful bishops. His
dark-squared bishop has no op
ponent and might become a mon
ster.
12 .•. i.h6 13.'fffe 2
White should avoid coming
under "x-ray" pressure - 13. 'fffd 2
a5 14.b5 'Lle7 15.'Llc3 e5 and his
centre is about to crumble alto
gether.
13 . . . i.d7 14.c!tJC3 15 •.• 0 - 0 - 0 !?
If White has already read this Black does not wish to solve
book and tries to cleverly change the problem of the safety of his
the move-order - you should not king on its usual flank and he
panic. 14.0-0 0-0-0 (The rou evacuates his monarch to the
tine 14 . . . 'Lle7 can be countered queenside.
64
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 '&b6 5. ti:Jj3 ti:J c6 6.a3 ti:J h6
65
Chapter 1 1 l.e4 e6 2 . d4 d 5 3 . e5 c 5 4.c3 VHb6 5 . lbf3
lbc6 6.a3 lbh6 7.b4 cxd4 8 . cxd4 lbf5
9 . .ib2
66
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 V!ib6 5Jijf3 lU c6 6.a3 lUh6
67
Chapter 11
68
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 cS 4.c3 V!ff b 6 5. CiJf3 CiJ c6 6.a3 CiJ h6
69
Chapter 12 l . e4 e6 2 . d4 d5 3 .e5 c5 4.c3 �b6
5 )2� £3 lLlc6 6 . a3
70
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Wff b 6 5. tiJj3 tiJ c6 6.a3 1J.d7
71
Chapter 12
72
l.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.e5 cS 4.c3 Wff b 6 S. t:iJfJ t:iJ c6 6.a3 �d7
73
Chapter 12
ll .!Llxc4
•
74
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 cS 4.c3 Wff b 6 5Ji'Jf3 lt'J c6 6.a3 fld7
counterplay for Black on the light E1xc4 fle7 2 l .b5±. The game con
squares, Atutobo - Fishbein, New tinued instead with 18.E1fe1? ! lt'Jf5
York 1995. 19. Wfff4? ! (19.g3 ! ?) 19 . . . 1J.e7 2 0 .
ll . . . dxc4 12J'kl �a6 13.d5 fJ.d1 lt'J h 4 and White was even
This is the correct reaction. worse at the end, Sepp - Yemelin,
White must open the position in Tallinn 2009. It is amazing, but
order to exploit the lag in devel after the more active move 15.E1d1,
opment of Black's pieces. White cannot obtain any advan
It is too risky for White to play tage if Black defends accurately:
13.4'ld2? ! b5 14.4'le4 SJ.c6 15.Wffg4 15 . . . 1J.c6 (He can also try 15 . . . 1J.e6
lt'Jh6 16.4'ld6+ li>d7 17.Wffh 5 hd6 with the following sample contin
18.exd6 fJ.d5 and he ended up a uation : 16.Wffe4 lt'Je7 17.1J.e2 Wffc 6
pawn down, Sveshnikov - Szy 18.Wffx c6+ lt'Jxc6 19. 4'lg5 and Black
manski, Warsaw 2005. should have only minimal diffi
13 . . . exd5 14.�xd5 culties in this endgame. ) 16.Wffd 4
(It is inferior for White to contin
ue with 16.Wffd 2 SJ.e7 17.e6 hf3 ! )
1 6 . . . 4'lh6 17.1J.e2 fle7 18.e6 f6 19.
0-0 0-0 and the position is very
difficult to evaluate.
15.�e4
This is the most popular reply.
Black's position is quite ac-
ceptable after 15.Wffd4 SJ.e6 16.1J.e2
g6 17.Wfff4 SJ.g7 18.0-0 0-0.
White's initiative gradually
ebbs away in case of 15.Wffd 2 SJ.e6
14 . . .c!l:\e7 16.1J.e2 E1d8 17.Wffg5 b5 18.0-0 h6
I believe Black should respond and the knight will make way for
in this fashion. It is a sin not to the f8-bishop with tempo.
use this tempo to develop his It would be too fanciful for
knight. White to play 15.Wffd 6 lt'Jc6 16.Wff d 2
It seems too routine for Black b5 17.4'lg5 flf5 and Black ends up
to opt for 14 . . . b5 15.1J.e2 lt'Je7 with a very solid position.
16.Wff d 2 Wffg 6?! - he is playing too 15 . . . b5 16 ..ie2
optimistically. (He should try Or 16.4'ld4 c3 ! ? 17.E1xc3 E1xc3
here 16 . . Jl:d8 ! ?) 17. 0-0 flc6 and 18.hc3 Wffx a3 19.1i>d2 Wff a 2 + 2 0 .
after the simple move 18J'Ud1 ! ? li> c 1 g 6 2 1 .4'lxb5 SJ.h6+ 2 2 .f4 0 - 0
Black has great problems. For ex and Black has good compensation.
ample, after 18 . . . 4'lf5, White has 16 . . . �g6 17.'�e3 .ic6� with
the resource 19.hc4 ! bxc4 2 0 . counterplay.
75
Part 4
76
Chapter 13 l . e4 e6 2 . d4 d5 3 )tj d2 dxe4 4 .ti:J xe4
i.g2
4 . tl:ld7
. .
77
Chapter 13
�d7 1 2 .tt:lc3 ih3 13.igS ixg2 14. This is the most principled and
Wxg2 �fS 1S.ixf6 �xf6 16.a3 aS precise move for Black.
17.tt:lbS e4= with approximately He has also played 10 . . . id6
equal chances, Naiditsch - Milov,
Bastia 2 0 0S) 9.tt:le2
and now:
1Ule1 ig4 12 .c4 (Black equal
9 ... e4 (9 ... �d7 ! ?) 10 .c4 c6 11. izes easily after 12 .h3 ? ! hf3 13.
�a4 �d7 12.dxc6 �xc6 13.�xc6+ ixf3 e4= ) 12 ... �c6 13.�d3 e4 14.
bxc6 14.tt:lc3 ib4 1S.id2 0-0-0 tt:lgS 0-0-0 1S.�b3 ie6 16.tt:lxe4
16.a3 icS 17.igS id4 18.0-0 h6, (White cannot obtain any advan
with a very good position for tage in case of 16.tt:lxe6 fxe6 17.
Black, Jones - Mamedyarov, Bas igS icS.) 16 . . . hc4 17.tt:lxf6 hb3
tia 201 1. 18.hc6 ie6 19.tt:lhS bxc6 2 0 .
8 . .'�xd4 9.tt:lf3 �d5
. tt:lxg7 id7, Black's bishop-pair
In reply to the rather artificial fully compensates for his disrupt
move 9 . . . �e4, White has the re ed pawn-structure.
source 10.�xe4 tt:lxe4 ll.tt:lxeS tt:lcS It would be interesting for
1 2 . 0 - 0 f6 13.tt:lc6 ! and Black must White to opt for ll.tt:lxeS ! ? �xeS
still prove that he has equalized. 12 .�xeS+ !xeS 13.Ele1 tt:lg4 (It is
10.0-0 weaker for Black to continue with
13 . . . ie6 14.hb7? ! Elb8 1S.ic6+
We7 16.ElxeS Wd6 ! 17.Elxe6+
fxe6= ; 14.ElxeS ! 0-0-0 1S.if4
and White has obtained the ad
vantage of the bishop pair for
nothing.) 14.f4 ie6 1S.fxeS 0-0-
0 16.h3 tt:lh6 17.igS Eld7 18 .g4.
This position looks very difficult
for Black, but things are not as
bad as they seem. 18 . . . tt:lg8 19.
Elad1 hS with some pressure for
White.
1 0 . . e4!
. ll.l:�dl
78
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3Jijd2 de 4Jijxe4 liJ d7 5.g3 liJ gf6
12.h3 ! ?
This i s quiet move i s sensible.
White's attempt to smash his
opponent's position right away 15 �f5! 16.�e3 he4 17.
..•
79
Chapter 14 l.e4 e6 2 . d4 d5 3)ijd2 dxe4 4)ijxe4
llJd7 5 . llJf3 llJgf6 6 . .ig5 h6
80
2.d4 d5 3 . Ci'J d2 de 4Ji'Jxe4 Ci:J d7 5. Ci:Jj3 Ci:J gf6 6. i.g5 h6 7. Ci:Jxf6 Ci:Jxf6
a) 8.i.d2
White plans to attack the tar
get on h6. This is not so danger
ous for Black, though . . .
8 . . . c5
ll . . . e5!
This is a standard resource for
Black. This pawn advances as a
spearhead in order to free the way
for the rest of his forces.
It is not advisable for him to
play 11 ... '\WdS 12.c4 '!Wc6 13 .ic3 eS
9.dxc5 14.Ci:Jxe5 Wxg2 15.0-0-0 l"le8 16.
81
Chapter 14
82
2.d4 dS 3JiJd2 de 4JiJxe4 t:iJ d7 5. t:iJf3 t:iJgf6 6. �g5 h6 7. t:iJxf6 t:iJxf6
Pons - lvanchuk, Monte Carlo with the black pawn on h7. There
2 0 07. many transpositions between the
ll . . . �d6 12.'!We2 0-0-0 variations are possible, but there
13. 0 - 0 c5 14.c3 are also some ideas which become
possible only under specific cir
cumstances.
8 . . . �d5
Here Black has an alternative
which has been gathering popu
larity lately - 8 . . . �d6. For exam
ple : 9 .g3 (9 .�d3 b6 10.0-0 �b7
1l.c4 0-0 12 .h3 c5 13.dxc5 bxc5
14.t:iJd2 W/c7 15.�e2 �h2 + 16.cj;>h1
�f4 17.hf4 W/xf4 and Black was
better in the game Pikula - Meier,
Zuerich 2010) 9 . . . b6 1 0.�g2 �b7
14 . . . 'i!?b8. Black should be in 11.0-0 0-0 12 .c4 c5 13.\We2 cxd4
no hurry to exchange the c-pawns. 14.�xd4 \We7 15.gfd1 E1fd8= Yu
15.Wfe3 .ic8 16.lUd1 .ic7 17. Yangyi - Ding Liren, Hefei 2011.
.ie2 gds 18.li'lg4 W/g5 19.dxc5
gxc5 2 0 .g3 h5 21.h4 W/e7 22.
b4 gf5 23 . .id3 gds 24.�h2 g5t
and Black had the initiative in the
game Hracek - Lobron, Bad
Wiessee 1999.
c) 8 . .ie3
9 . .id3
White is relying on rapid de
velopment. This strategic re
source is quite popular and you
can encounter it in many open
ings. One side is willing to sacri
fice some so-called static factors
in the opening for the sake of
quick development. This can be
The variation which shall ana- critical in the opening phase of
lyze below can also be reached the game. He would surely be re-
83
Chapter 14
luctant to operate like this in the the most principled move. (11 . . .
middle game or the endgame. �c7 12 .c3 id6 13.�e2 b6 14.0-0
Black achieves quickly the de ib7 15.Elfe1 0-0 16.�g4 f5 17.�e2
sired result after 9.�d2 ib4 ! This cxd4 18.cxd4 ixe5 19.dxe5 �c6
is an exquisite manoeuvre and its 20.f3 �c5+ 2l.�f2 �xf2 + 2 2 .<it> xf2
idea will become clear a bit later. and Black managed to hold this
10 .c3 id6 1I.id3 (11.0-0-0 �e7 inferior endgame, Ganguly -
1 2.l2le5 ixe5 ! ? 13.dxe5 id7 14. Gomez, Guangzhou 2010) 1 2 .
�d4 tt:lxe3 15.�xe3 ic6 16.id3 b6 �h5 �c7 1 3 . 0 - 0 - 0 (13.tt:lxf7 tt:lf6
17.ic2 Eld8 18.Elxd8+ �xd8 19.f4 14.tt:ld6+ <it>d8=) 13 . . . tt:lf6 14.ia5
�d5 = Najer - A. Rychagov, Mos (White cannot hurt his opponent
cow 2 008.) 11 . . . �e7 1 2 . 0-0-0 at all with 14.�e2 id6 15.f4 b5
id7 13.tt:le5 ia4 ! This is the point 16.Elhe1 ib7 17.<it>b1 idS 18.g4
of Black's move nine. White's Elc8 and White has only slight
rook on d1 is very uncomfortable. compensation for the pawn, Man
14.ic2, draw, Amonatov - Vitiu ca - Kosic, Budapest 2 0 11) 14 . . .
gov, Krasnoyarsk 2 007. tt:lxh5 (It looks very risky for
9 .id2 c5 Black, but it might be best to play
14 . . . �e7! ? 15.�f3 �c5 16.tt:lc4 tt:ld5
17.Elhe1 ie7 18.Ele5 �c6oo with a
rather unclear position.) 15.ixc7
ic5 16.tt:lc4 (16.ie4 ! ? tt:lf6 17.if3
<it>e7 18.Elhe1 g5oo) 16 . . . b5 17.ie4
Ela7 18 .id6 ixd6 19.tt:lxd6+ <it>e7
2 0 . Elxd4 tt:lf6=
10 .ib5+ id7 11.ixd7+ �xd7
12.c4 tt:lb6 13.Elc1 ie7 14.dxc5
ixc5 15.b4 ie7 16.c5 tt:ld5 17.tt:le5
Now: �c7 18.�a4+ <it>f8
10 .c4 tt:lf6 1I.id3 cxd4 12.0-0
id6 13.h3 0-0 14.tt:lxd4 e5 15.l2lb5
ic5 16.�e2 e4 (16 . . . a6 ! ? 17.tt:lc3
id4 18.Elad1 id7=) 17.ic2 �e7
18.ie3 id7 19.tt:l c3 ic6 2 0 . Elad1
Elfe8 2 l .Elfe1 a6 2 2 .a3 a5 23.id4
and Black had to struggle to
equalize for most of the game,
Amonatov - Potkin , Belgorod
2010;
10.l2le5 a6 11.id3 White has 19.tt:l c4 (Or 19. f4 g6 2 0 . 0-0
this possibility only when Black's <it>g7 2 l .�b 3 Elhd8 2 2 J''ke 1 if6 23.
pawn is on h6. 1 1 . . .cxd4. This is tt:lg4 id4 + 24.<it>h1 h5 25.tt:le5 b6
84
2.d4 dS 3 J i:J d2 de 4J uxe4 lLJ d7 5. li:Jf3 li:J gf6 6. 1lg5 h6 7. li:Jxf6 li:Jxf6
ll.e4
The cautious move 11. �e2
does not combine well with the
loss of the dark-squared bishop
on the previous move. ll . . . �e7
12.0-0-0 eS 13.1lc4 0-0 14.�f2
!lg4 (Or 14 . . . e4 ! ? 1S.li:Jd2 c6, with
an excellent game for Black.)
1S.�hf1 �ae8 16.h3 h£3 17.�xf3
exd4 18.exd4 �e3+ 19.�xe3 16.c3 (Or 16.a4 !le6 17.he6
�xe3 = Jenni - Pelletier, Zurich i>xe6 18.�d1 �hd8 19.i>e2 !lb6
2006. 2 0.�d3 �xd3 21.cxd3 �d8 2 2 .�cl
8S
Chapter 14
12.e5
Black should not be afraid of
12 .dS exdS 13 .�bS+ 1 3 �d7 (Here Black could
•.•
86
Chapter 15 l . e4 e6 2 . d4 d5 3 .ti� d2 dxe4 4 . �xe4
� d7 5 . �£3 �gf6 6 . .ig5 h6 7. �xf6 +
�xf6 8 . .ih4
a ) 9.dxc5 ! ?
White solves the problem in
one move.
87
Chapter 15
and then :
after 13.0-0-0, Black has the
possibility of placing his light
squared bishop in an active posi
tion. 13 . . . �d7 14.l2Je5 �a4 ! (It is
possible, but I believe more pas
sive, to play 14 . . . �c6.) 15.l"i:d2,
Morozevich - Zvjaginsev, Mos
cow 2 0 05 (do not think that Black
88
3Jijd2 de 4. 0,xe4 0, d7 5. 0,]3 0,gf6 6. ii.g5 h6 7. 0,xf6 0,xf6 8. ii.h4 c5
16.l3adl b) 9 . .ic4
Tactical strikes such as 16.0,xf7
do not work, because of 16 . . . 'it>xf7
17.�xe6+ 'it>f8 and White can do
nothing more to harm his oppo
nent.
16 . . . l3d6 17.b4
The alternative is 17 . .ig3 !"1ad8
18.b4? �xc3 19.1"1c1 �xb4 2 0 .!"1c7
.ie4 2 1 .he4 0,xe4 2 2 . 1"1fl 0,c3 23.
�c2 0,d5 24.0,c6 1"1xc6 25.1"1xc6
.ic5, but Black gains a serious ad
vantage.
17 . . . �c7 18 . .ig3 !"1dd8 It seems to me that the bishop
does not belong to this square.
White is unlikely to be willing to
sacrifice his bishop on e6. How
ever, many strong players have
played this move.
9 .•• cxd4
It seems sensible for Black to
play 9 . . . a6, but after 10.0-0 (But
not 10 .�e2 ? ! b5 ll . .id3 g5 12 . .ig3
c4 13 . .ie4 0,xe4 14.�xe4 �d5 and
Black's idea will be perfectly j usti
fied : 15.�xd5 exd5 16.h4 1"1g8 17.
Now the key-move for the cor hxg5 hxg5 18.0-0-0 f6 19.1"1h7
rect evaluation of the position is .ig7 2 0 .1"1e1 + 'it>f7 2 l..id6 .if5 2 2 .
19. 0,xt7!? 1"1hh1 !"1ae8, with a n excellent posi
In the game White played tion for Black, Svidler - Bareev,
19.1"1c1 ? ! and he was even worse, Haifa 2 0 0 0 . ) 10 . . . b5 ll . .ie2 .ib7
although his opponent failed to and White has the destructive re
punish him. 19 . . . .id6 2 0.a3 a5 2 1 . source - 1 2 .c4! and Black is in
1"1ed1 1"1ac8, Fressinet - Degraeve, trouble: 12 . . . �b6 13.�b3 cxd4 14.
Val d'Isere 2 004. cxb5 .id6 15.bxa6 �xb3 16.axb3
19 ... �c6 2 0 .<tJxh6+ gxh6 21. hf3 17.hf3 !"1a7 18.b4 hb4 19.
fJ <.!?fl. White has sacrificed a knight 1"1a4 .id6 2 0 .b4 'it>e7 2 l.b5 1"1b8
and he has two pawns for it, while 22 . .ic6+ - Leko - Vallejo Pons,
Black's king is exposed. However, Monte Carlo 2 004.
it is difficult to say whether 1 0 . 0 - 0 .ie7 11.�e2
White's initiative will be sufficient It is obvious that the move 11.
to compensate for the piece. 0,xd4 does not combine well with
89
Chapter 15
16.he6
After 16.Ei:b1, I recommend
that Black try the novelty - 16 . . .
90
3. l2J d2 de 4. l2Jxe4 l2J d7 5. l2Jj3 l2Jgf6 6. i.g5 h6 7. l2Jxf6 l2Jxf6 B. i.h4 c5
10 •• . '%Ya5 +
91
Chapter 15
Black should try the line: 10 . . . only White who might have prob
�c7 ! ? 11.t2Jc4 (After 11.�g3 hc5 lems after 15.�d6 �c6 16.�d3 e5
12 .�d3 �d6 13.�e2 �b4+ ! ? 14. 17. 0-0-0 �e6 and his bishop on
<i>f1 �d6, the manoeuvres of d6 is in trouble.) 15 .id7 16.•..
92
3Jijd2 de 4. liJxe4 liJ d7 5. liJ.f.3 liJgf6 6. §J.g5 h6 7. liJxf6 liJxf6 8. §J.h4 c5
1 0 . . . §J.c5!
Black is trying to equalize im
16 .•• hb2 + mediately with this move. This is
This i s a contemporary practi an ambitious approach !
cal approach in action - Black is ll . .ib5+ .id7 12 .hf6
willing to draw. (Incidentally, he It is also interesting for White
would not have any serious prob to try the new move here 1 2 . �e2 ! ?
lems after 16 . . . �g5+ ! ? 17.Wb1 a 6 (The idea i s to counter 1 2 . . .
E:fd8 either.) 17.mxb2 �b4+ 18. hd4 with 13.0-0- 0 ! hbS 14.
�cl �a3 + . White cannot be hap �xbS+ �d7 15.�xd7+ liJxd7 16.
py with the position he gets if he l'l:xd4 f6 17.l'l:c4 Wd8 18.§J.g3 l'l:c8
avoids the repetition of moves. 19.l'l:a4 a6 2 0 . l'l:b4 b6 2 1 . l'l:d 1 and
For example: 19.�d2 l'!fd8 2 0 . Black had a hard task to equalize
mel �a4 ! and White's knight is in the game Sutovsky - Meier,
in trouble. (Things are less clear Porto Carras 2 011) 13.hd7+ (It
after 20 . . . l'l:ac8 2l.l'l:d3 �xa2 2 2 .c4 would not be good for White to
�b1 + 2 3.�d1 �b4+ 24.�d2 play 13.liJxe6 hbS 14.liJxd8+
�b1= ; 21.f3 �e7 2 2 . liJeS l'l:xd1+ he2 1S.liJxb7 l'l:b8 16.liJxc5 l'l:xb2
93
Chapter 15
17.<bf6 gxf6 18.f3 r!!l e 7 since Black White would not achieve any
has tremendous compensation thing with 14.\Wh5 hd4 15.0-0-0
for the pawn. Of course, it would \Wg5=
have been a disaster for him to 14 .•• r!!l e7
opt for 13 . . . fxe6? 14 . .bd7+ \Wxd7 I do not think that there will be
15 ..bf6 .bf2 + 16.\Wxf2 Ei:f8 - many players willing to defend
16 . . . 0-0?? 17.\Wd4+ - - 17. 0-0 Black's position after 14 . . . Ei:hd8?
Ei:xf6 18.\Wh4±; 15 . . . 0-0 16.�h4± 15.tt:lxe6 + ! r!!l x e6 16.Ei:e1+ r!!lf5 17.
and White retains the extra \Wh5+ g5 18.b4 �b6 19.c4! Ei:d4
pawn.) 13 . . . \Wxd7 14. 0-0-0 tt:ld5 2 0 .c5 �c7 2 l.g3 and White's pow
(It looks as if White cannot ex erful initiative will prey upon the
ploit the temporary stranding of nerves of the opponent, despite
Black's king in the centre.) 15.f4 the absence of direct threats.
(Or 15.tt:lf5 0-0 16.tt:lxg7 r!!l xg7 17. 15.\Wb3 gab8 16.gadl ghd8
c4 \Wa4 ! 18. Ei:xd5 exd5 19.\Wg4+
r!!l h 7 20.\Wf5+ r!!l g 8 2 1.\Wg4=)
15 ... 0-0 16.f5 Ei:ae8, and Black's
powerful centralized knight on d5
keeps him out of trouble.
12 ••• 1Wxf6
Or 12 . . . gxf6? 13.tt:lxe6 ! .bf2 +
14. r!!l xf2 fxe6 15.\Wh5+ r!!l f8 16 .
.bd7 \Wxd7 17.Ei:hd1 \We7 18.r!!l g 1
Ei:h7 19.Ei:d3± K.Szabo - Galyas,
Budapest 2 0 04.
13.hd7+ r!!lxd7
17.\Wb5
White has tried 17.Ei:d3 several
times, but without any success.
17 . . . �xd4 18.\Wa3+ r!!l e 8 19.cxd4
\We7 and in the game Almasi - Er
dos, Kazincbarcika 2 0 05, the op
ponents agreed to a draw. We can
continue this variation a bit fur
ther, but the evaluation remains
the same: 2 0 .\Wxa7 Ei:a8 21.\Wb6
Ei:xa2 2 2 .d5 ga6 23 .\Wb5+ r!!l f8=
17 hd4 18.1Wb4+ lt>e8 19.
•••
94
3. 4J d2 de 4.Ci'Jxe4 4J d7 5. 4Jj3 4Jgf6 6. �g5 h6 7. 4Jxf6 4Jxf6 8 . � h4 c5
b6 26.E:cl �xd4=
f) 9.�e2 ! ?
95
Chapter 15
11.�b3
White is fighting for a tempo. 17 . . . bxc6 !
It is more natural, but too This is a very smart move. Af-
96
3Ji'Jd2 de 4 . CiJxe4 11J d7 5. 11Jf.3 11Jgf6 6. iJ.g5 h6 7. 11Jxf6 11Jxf6 8. iJ.h4 cS
ter White has castled long, this 1M'b6 14.1Mixd4 1Mixd4 15.11Jxd4 with
pawn-structure is in Black's fa a slight edge for White. It would
vour, because he has the open b be inferior for White to choose
file and an excellently centralized 14.11Jxd4, because of 14 . . . 11J d7 ! ?
knight on d5. 18.c3 gfd8 19 . .ic2 15.1Mie4 (15.1M'e3 ig5 ! ) 1 5 . . . 11Jf6 =
tlJd5 2 0 .he7 Wfxe7 and Black Black can also transpose t o the
has a wonderful position, Jako variation with 11Jxd4 ie7 - 10 . . .
venko - M.Gurevich, Batumi ie7 ! ? 11.11Jxd4 0 - 0 12.c3 1Mib6 13.
2002. 1Mie2 id7 14J:'!adl E1fd8 15.ibl ia4
16.:1'1d3 :1'1d5 17.:1'1e3 .ib5 18.11Jxb5
E1xb5 19.b3 :1'1d5= Amonatov - Na
g2) 1 0 . 0 - 0 ! ? jer, Zvenigorod 2008.
97
Chapter 15
98
Chapter 16 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.liJd2 dxe4 4.liJxe4
liJd7 5.liJf3 liJgf6 6.liJxf6+ liJxf6
99
Chapter 16
ing fashion : 8 . . . i.b7 9.0-0 i.e7 l2Jxd7 14.i.d3 fi:d8 1S. O - O l2Jf6 16.
10 .c4 0-0 11.b3 aS ! 12 .i.b2 a4 13. i.f4± with a clear advantage to
�e2 fi:a6 14.fi:fd1 fi:e8 1S.i.c3 l2Je4 White, Sjugirov - Timofeev, Ir
16 .i.e1 axb3 17.axb3 fi:xa1 18.fi:xa1 kutsk 2 0 1 0 .
i.f6 19.fi:d1 �a8 = Shirov - Anand, 1 0 . 0 - 0 .id6
Mainz 2 004. After 10 . . . i.b7? ! 11.lLleS a6 12.
8 ..• i.d7 9 . .ie2 c4 i.d6 13.i.f3 (13.�a4 + ! ?) 13 ... �c8
9. a4 a6 10 .i.e2 i.c6 11.0-0 14.i.c6+ i.xc6 1S.l2Jxc6 0-0 16.
i.d6 (Here Black could have tried �f3 fi:e8 17.i.gS l2Jd7 18 .fi:fe1 f6 19.
11. . .i.e7 12.tLleS i.b7, making use i.e3, Black failed to obtain an ac
of the presence of the pawns on a4 ceptable position in the game Timo
and a6; otherwise in this position feev - Riazantsev, Ulan Ude 2009.
White would have a check from ll.tLle5 i.xe5 12.dxe5
the bS-square.) 12 .tLleS heS 13.
dxeS �dS 14.�xdS tLlxdS 1S.aS bS
16.i.d2 0-0-0 17.fi:fd1 fi:d7 18.f3
Ei:hd8 19.1t>f2 l2Je7 2 0.i.gS fi:xd1
21.fi:xd1 fi:xd1 2 2 .hd1 tLlg6 23.f4
h6 24.i.h4 l2Jxh4 (Black could
have postponed the exchange of
his knight.) 2S.gxh4 fS and it be
came clear that there was a for
tress on the board, Morozevich -
Pelletier, Biel 2 011.
100
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4'Jd2 de 4.4'Jxe4 4'Jd7 5.4'Jj3 4'Jgf6 6.4'Jxf6 4'Jxf6
101
Chapter 16
102
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.liJd2 de 4.11Jxe4 11J d7 5.11Jf.3 11Jgf6 6.11Jxf6 11Jxf6
103
Chapter 16
9.'!�'xd4
Strangely enough, the whole
idea of White's set-up is based on
this particular capture. White
hopes to prevail in the endgame.
He should refrain from 9.
Lt:lxd4 fie7 10.fif3 0-0 11.1'1:e1 V!ffc 7
and Black has a good game.
9...'11b d4 1 0.Lt:lxd4 .id7
12....ia4!
This standard manoeuvre is
very strong here and was recom
mended in the annotations of
F.Bindrich.
It would be too passive for
Black to opt for 12 . . . Lt:le8 13.c4
fid6 14.fie3 Lt:lc7 15.1'1:ac1 fie5 16.
b4 mb8 17.b5 fic8 18 .'Llb3 Lt:le8
19.1'1:fe1 f6 2 0 . a4 and White main
The same position but with tained the advantage in the game
White's bishop on c4 can arise Vescovi - Seirawan, Istanbul
from the Tarrasch variation with 2000.
3 . . . c5 (see page 195, 10.V!ffxd4 13.�adl
V!ffxd4 ll.'Llxd4 fid7). We should In response to 13.'Llb3, Black
analyze this possibility thorough should react simply with 13 . . . fie7.
ly, because the bishop on e2 has It is inferior for him to play 13 . . .
more prospects now. fid6 ? ! 14.fixd6 1'1:xd6 15.fixb7+
Black might encounter some <±>xb7 16.'Llc5+ <±>c6 17.Lt:lxa4 and
problems in this seemingly he can hardly prove that his com
harmless variation and these can pensation for the pawn is suffi
be best illustrated by the follow cient. He cannot equalize after the
ing game : 10 . . . fic5 1L'Llb3 fid6 rather strange knight manoeuvre
12.fif3 0-0 13.'Lla5 1'1:b8 14.fie3 - 13 . . . Lt:ld5 14.fig3 Lt:lb4 15.c3 'Llc6
Lt:ld7 15.Lt:lc4 fic5 16.fif4 1'1:a8 17. 16.1'1:fe1 - Black's bishop on a4
1'1:fd1 Lt:lb6 18.'Lla5 Lt:ld5 19.fig3 does not beautify his position.
fib4 2 0 . 'Llb3 a5 2l.c4t with a pow 13....ic5 14.lbb3 .ib6 15..ie5
erful queenside initiative for .ic6! ?
White, Volokitin - Lysyj , Sochi Black solves his problems in
2 007. radical fashion, reducing White's
ll. .i£3 0 - 0 - 0 12. .if4 queenside pressure by slightly
104
l.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.lbd2 de 4.lbxe4 4:Jd7 S.ltJfJ l2Jgf6 6.4:Jxj6 l2Jxf6
d) 7. .ie3 ttld5
9..ib5+
9.4:Je5 ! ? - This aggressive
move is playable. 9 . . . a6 (Black
should avoid 9 . . . .id6 10 . .ib5+ c;f;>f8
8 .id2
• 11.�f3 f6 12 .c3 cxd4 13.cxd4 and
Or 8.�d2 .ib4 ! and events will he is clearly worse.) 10.c3
105
Chapter 16
106
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3Jfjd2 de 4.tiJxe4 CiJd7 5. CiJj3 CiJgf6 6.CiJxf6 CiJxf6
and now:
18.CiJf3 hS ! This move is an im
portant part of Black's plan - he
1 0 . .ixd7+ wants to activate his king's rook.
If 10 .�e 2, White more or less 19.0-0 (White can halt the march
gives up the idea of obtaining the of his opponent's rook-pawn, but
advantage - 10 . . . cxd4 ll.CiJeS CiJf6 obviously he should not do so:
12.0-0-0 a6 13 . .b:d7+ CiJxd7 14. 19.h4 g6 2 0 . 0 - 0 @g7 and Black's
Ei:he1 (14.i.f4 CiJf6 15.CiJf3 �dS 16. position is acceptable.) 19 . . . h4 2 0 .
@b1 �e4 = ) 14 . . . CiJxe5 15.�xe5 h 3 Ei:hS 21.Ei:fe1 a 6 2 2 .Ei:e4 Ei:c8 2 3 .
�d6 16.i.f4 Ei:d8 17.�xd6 .b:d6 18. �d1 �d8 24.�e2 @g8 25.Ei:cc4 g6
Ei:xd4 .b:f4+ 19.Ei:xf4= Adams - 26.i.c1 aS 2 7.a3 axb4 28.axb4 Ei:a8
Mamedyarov, Baku 2 0 0 8 . 2 9.i.b2 Ei:a2 3 0.Ei:c2 Ei:xb2 ! = Jako-
107
Chapter 16
108
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.{jj d2 de 4.{jjxe4 {jj d7 S.{jjj3 l:jj gf6 6.[jjxj6 l:jjxf6
109
Chapter 17 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.ltJd2 dxe4 4.ttJxe4
ttJd7 5.ttJf3 ttJgf6 6.ltJxf6+ ttJxf6 7.c3
110
2.d4 d5 3JiJd2 de 4JiJxe4 liJ d7 5. liJ.f3 liJgf6 6. liJxf6 liJxf6 7.c3 c5
8 . . . liJd7? ! 9.�b5 �d6 10.\Wg4 lt>f8 nieres sur Seine 2 0 06.) 12 .\Wxd7+
11.0-0 liJxe5 12.dxe5 he5 13 .�g5 liJxd7 13. 0-0-0 cxd4 14.hd4
�f6 14.:1'1ad1 \Wc7 15.\Wh4 hg5 16. 0-0-0 15.\t>c2 liJb8 16.�e2 liJc6
\Wxg5 f6 17.\WhS g6 18.\Wh6+ lt>f7 17.�b6 :1'1d6 18 .:1'1xd6 hd6 19.h4
19 .:1'1d3 a6 20.:1'1h3 \We7 2 l.�d3 f5 h5 2 0 .b4 �c7 2 l.�c5 g6 2 2 .a4 aS
2 2 .g4 ! and White prevailed in the 23.b5 liJe5 24.�d4 :1'1d8 25.b6 �d6
ensuing struggle, Kasparov - 26.:1'1b1 liJc6 2 7.�e3 lt>d7 2 8.�b5
Ponomariov, Linares 2 0 0 2 . E1c8 29.:1'1d1 lt>e7 3 0 .�g5± A.
9. .ie3 Sokolov - Vaisser, Pau 2 0 0 8 .
9.�g5 - This move transposes
to another variation. 9 . . . cxd4 10.
\Wa4+ �d7 11 .\Wxd4 �b5 ! This idea
belongs to Victor Lvovich Kor
chnoi, who used it with the inclu
sion of the moves h6 and �h4. It
works perfectly here as well !
9...\Wc7 1 0.\Wa4+
This is just one of the ideas be
hind White's seventh move.
lO ••• ttJd7
Black continues in principled
fashion.
He would be clearly worse af
ter 10 . . . �d7 1l.liJxd7 \Wxd7 (Or
1 1 . . .liJxd7 12 .g3 0-0-0 13.�g2
liJb6 14.\Wb3 liJd5 15.�g5 �e7
16.he7 liJxe7 17. 0-0 cxd4 18.
cxd4 :1'1xd4 19.:1'1ac1 liJc6 2 0 .hc6 13 . .• �b5 ! ?
bxc6 2 1.:1'1c3 E1hd8 2 2 .\Wc2 :1'18d6 Black solves his problems i n a
23.\Wxh7± Svidler - Vaisser, As- concrete fashion.
111
Chapter 17
112
2.d4 dS 3J'ijd2 de 4.CiJxe4 liJd7 S. liJ.f3 liJgf6 6. liJxf6 liJxf6 7.c3 c5
113
Chapter 17
than a draw in the game Vachier Wf3 l'l:d6 23.h4 ! Wb8 24.ixc6
Lagrave - Grachev, Dagomys l'l:xc6 25.l'l:xc6 bxc6 26.h5 ! and the
2 009 . queen and pawn endgame was
clearly better for White, who won
it convincingly, Adams - Anand,
a2) 11. 0 - 0 - 0 Linares 2 0 0 2 .
This is the White's most ag 13.Wfxd4 ic6
gressive option. The ending is worse for Black
ll . .• cxd4 after 13 . . . e5 14.Wb6 Wxb6 15.ixb6
l'l:c8 16.ie2 ic5 17.ixc5 l'l:xc5 18.
if3 l'l:c7 19.l'l:d6 We7 2 0 .l'l:b6 l'l:b8
2l.l'l:e1 f6 2 2 .l'l:e4 l'l:c6 23 .l'l:eb4
l'l:xb6 24.l'l:xb6 ic8 25.a4± Gashi
mov - Sumets, Cappelle Ia Grande
2 007.
12.lt:lxd7
White loses his advantage af
ter 12 ..bd4? ! id6 13.lt'lxd7 ixd7
14.Wc4 Wxc4 15.ixc4 l'l:c8 16.ib3
ic6 17.f3 0-0= Nepomniachtchi
- Vitiugov, Serpukhov 2 0 0 8 .
12... hd7 14.ic4
If White plays precisely, he If Black succeeds in develop
will be able to prove an advantage ing his kingside he will not be
after 12 . . . Wxd7 13.Wc2 icS 14. worse at all, but at the moment he
ixd4 ixd4 15.l'l:xd4 Wc7 (Black has obvious problems in accom
has also tried 15 . . . Wc6 16.f4 - plishing this.
White would maintain a powerful 14... l'l:d8
initiative after 16 .id3 ! - 16 . . . b5 Black is almost lost after 14 . . .
17.id3 ib7 18 .ie4 Wc7 19.Wb1 b5? ! 15.ib3 ixg2? 16.l'l:he1 if3
l'l:d8 2 0 .l'l:xd8+ Wxd8 2 l.ixb7. 17.ig5 ! ixd1 18 .ixe6 fxe6 19.
Wxb7 2 2 .l'l:d1+ We7 23.Wd3 Wc6 l'l:xe6+ ie7 2 0 .l'l:xe7+ Wxe7 21.
24.Wg3 h6 ! = L.Dominguez - Dre ixe7 Wxe7 2 2 .Wxg7+ We6 23.
ev, Tripoli 2 004.) 16.id3 id7 17. Wxd1+- Baklan - Tratar, Trieste
g3 h6 18 .l'l:d1 0-0-0 19.l'l:c4 ic6 2 0 07.
2 0 .ie4 l'l:xd1+ 2 l.Wxd1 l'l:d8 2 2 . 15.Wfg4 h5
114
2.d4 dS 3. Ci:Jd2 de 4. Ci:Jxe4 Ci:Jd7 5. Ci:Jj3 Ci:Jgf6 6. Ci:Jxf6 Ci:Jxf6 7. c3 c5
20 •••.tf3
16.\Wg5 ! Black's play provokes admira
White continues to exert pres tion. It is evident that Georg Mei
sure against his opponent's posi er has deeply studied and ana
tion. lyzed this variation.
Black's defence is much easier But not 2 0 ... h4 2 Lif4 WaS
after 16.l"lxd8+ \Wxd8 17.\Wg3 iWd6 2 2 ."\Wa7 @f8 23 .g4 with an initia
18.f4 h4 19.\Wg4 ie4 2 0 . l"ldl \Wc6 tive for White.
2 Lib3 ifS 2 2 .1Wf3 ie4 23.\Wf2 21 .if4
•
26."\WeS \Wc8 27."\We4 \Wc6, draw, \Wc7 @f7 27.\Wxc6 hc6 and
Kasimdzhanov - Meier, Sestao Black was even better in this end
2010. game, Navara - Meier, Budva
17.l::1xdl g6 18JU6 2009.
llS
Chapter 17
8.i.d3
The rather bizarre move 8 .
�a4+ implies that chess has 12 .h4 i.b7 13.!'1h3 c5. White's
evolved considerably. risky play has led to a situation in
which he must attack, ignoring
possible loss of material. 14.
i.xh 6 ! ? This is the beginning of a
series af forcing moves. 14 . . . c4 ! (It
is bad for Black to respond with
14 . . . hf3? 15.!'1xf3 ? ! gxh6 16.!'1g3 +
�h8 17.�d2 ltJg8 18.!'1xg8 + �xg8
19.�xh6 f5 2 0.i.c4 !!f6 2 1.he6+
!!xe6+ 2 2 .�xe6+ with advantage
to White, Degraeve - Vaisser,
However, I believe that White Gonfreville 2006. It is even better
merely reduces his own possibili for him to play 15.gxf3 ! gxh6 16.
ties with this move: 8 . . . c6 (Alex !!g3 + �h8 17.�d2 ltJg8 18.!'1xg8 +
ander Grischuk tried to resurrect �xg8 19 .�xh6 f5 2 0 .�g6+ �h8
this half-forgotten line at the re 2 1.�e2 + - and the game is over,
cent World Cup, but his opponent thanks to the open g-file.) 15.
reacted to it quite creatively. That hg7 (White cannot be content
was hardly a surprise, though . . . with the line : 15.hc4 gxh6 16.
8 . . . i.d7 9.�b3 �c8 10.ltJe5 0-0 !!g3+ �h8 17.�d2 ltJg8 18 .i.d3 f5
11.i.e2 !!d8 12.i.f3 !!b8 13.0-0 19.ltJe5 i.d6 ! and his pressure has
i.e8 14.i.f4 ttJd7 15.ltJd3 i.d6 16. been neutralized, while Black has
i.g5 f6 17.i.e3 i.t7 18.!'1ad1 e5. It retained the extra material. ) 15 . . .
might seem paradoxical, but cxd3 16.�d2 �xg7 (Black's only
Black has almost equalized. 19. alternative here is 16 . . . �d5 ! ? 17.
i.d5 hd5 2 0.�xd5+ �h8 21. i.x£8 �xf8 18 .�xd3 ltJh5 with
116
2.d4 d5 3. liJ d2 de 4.l!Jxe4 l!Jd7 5.l!Jj3 l!Jgf6 6. liJxf6 l!Jxf6 7.c3 ie7
good piece play. However, Black White would not change much
must keep in mind that his oppo with 9.ig5 h6 (9 . . . b6 ! ? ) 10.hf6
nent has a material advantage (10.h4 ! ?) 10 . . . ixf6 1l.�e2 �d5 !
and a quite serious one at that.) Even Vladimir Kramnik failed to
17.�g3+ liJg4 18.�xg4+ Wh7 19. obtain any advantage with White
liJg5+ (It is scarcely better for from this position : 12 .h4 id7 13.
White to opt for 19.�xd3 + f5 ie4 �h5 14.0-0-0 ic6 15.Wb1
2 0 .liJg5+ hg5 2l.�xg5 �g8 2 2 . he4+ 16.�xe4 �d5 17.�he1
�h5+ Wg6 23 .g4 �d5 with a very �xe4+ 18.�xe4= Kramnik - Ba
sharp game. ) 19 . . . ixg5 2 0 . �xg5 reev, Cap d'Agde 2003.
ie4 ! This is Black's only possible Maybe White can try to devel
reply, but it is satisfactory. (Not op his queen to a more ambitious
20 . . . �h8? 2l.�xd3 + f5 2 2 .�g3 square, but that is not going to
'it>h6 23.�g6+ 'it>h5 24.�g5+ wh6 radically change the evaluation of
25.�g7 and Black resigned, Moty the position. 9.�e2 b6 10.ig5 (It
lev - Roiz, Khanty-Mansiysk is interesting to deploy this bish
2005.) 21 .�h5+ (2l.�f4 ig6 2 2 .h5 op to f4 : 10.if4 ib7 11.0-0-0
if5+) 2 l . . .Wg8 2 2 .�h6 f6 23.f3 �c8 -here I should like to recom
if5 24.g4 �d6 ! This is the last dif mend the advance of Black's
ficult move. 25.gxf5 �g3 + 26. Wd2 rook's pawn. 11 . . . a5 ! ? - 1 2 .h4 c5
�f2 + 27.Wxd3 �xf3 = 13.h5 cxd4 14.liJxd4 �d8 15.Wb1
8 ... 0-0 �d5 16.�h3 id6 17.hd6 �xd6 18.
g4 �d5 19.f4 h6 2 0 .�g1 �c5 2 1 .
�e3 with a comfortable position
for White, Timoscenko - Khol
mov, Stary Smokovec 1996.) 10 . . .
ib7 11.0-0-0 �d5 ! This i s a
standard manoeuvre of Black's
queen in this variation. 1 2 . Wb1 c5
13.ic2 (Or 13.c4 �d6 14.h4 cxd4
15.liJe5 ? ! liJd7 16.if4 if6 17.liJxd7
�xd7 18.ig5 �e7 19.f4 �fe8 2 0 .
ie4 he4+ 2l.�xe4 �ad8 2 2 .�he1
h6 23.hf6 �xf6 and Black ended
9.�c2 up with an extra pawn, Ibrayev -
The overly routine move 9 . Rychagov, St Petersburg 2 0 06.)
0-0 would not give White any ad 13 ... mds 14.h4 h6 15.c4 �d6 16.
vantage : 9 . . . b6 1 0.�e2 ib7 1Lif4 ie3 cxd4 17.�xd4 �c7 18.�hd1 e5
c5 1 2 . dxc5 bxc5 13.�fd1 �b6 14. 19 .�xd8+ �xd8 2 0.�xd8+ hd8
liJe5 �adS 15.ig3 ia8 16.liJg4 �c6 2 l.ic1 e4 2 2 .liJd2 e3 23 .fxe3 �g3
17.f3 liJd5 18.liJe5= A.Sokolov - 24.liJf3 �g4 25.id2 liJe4 26.ie1
Dorfman, France 2 0 0 2 . if6� with excellent compensation
117
Chapter 17
118
Chapter 18 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3)!jd2 dxe4 4)!jxe4
tt:Jd7 5.tt:Jf3 tt:Jgf6 6.i.d3
b) 6 . .• c5.
We shall now analyze : al)
9. .id3 and a2) 9.�6.
a) 6. .t!L1xe4
.
119
Chapter 18
120
l.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3Ji:Jd2 de 4Jijxe4 11Jd7 5.11Jj3 11Jgf6 6 . .id3 11Jxe4
121
Chapter 18
'l'@'xc5 18.a4 l"ld6 19.\Wh5 1'@'c7 2 0 .a5 cupy a passive position. This is
a6 2l.�e2 <;t>bS 2 2 .l"la4 and only temporary, though . . .
White's initiative gives him prac 13 ••• �e8
tical chances, A.Timofeev - A. Ry
chagov, Krasnoyarsk 2 007.
ll... �d7
It is essential for Black to play
his moves in the correct order: if
ll . . . �g7? 12.\We 2 ! and he is in
trouble. 12 ...�d7 (After 12 . . . 0-0 13.
0-0-0, White's attack against the
enemy king will be decisive.) 13.
h£5± 0-0-0 14.�c2 h5 15.0-0-0
�c6 16.�e4 \Wf4+ 17.4:ld2 �d5 18.
<;t>b1 e5 19.1'@'e3 1'@'f6 2 0 . dxe5 1'@'xe5
21.1'@'f3 �e6? 2 2 .�xb7+ <;t>bs 23. 14.�b3
�a6+- Alekseev - lsmagambe It is very important that Black
tov, Khanty-Mansiysk 2 007. can counter 14. 0-0-0 with the
double-attack 14 . . . \Wd5 ! , winning
a pawn.
14 ••. �g7 15. 0 - 0 - 0
White would not achieve much
with 15.f4 he5 16.fxe5 1'@'e7 17. 0-
0-0 �c6= Gaponenko - Alexan
drova, Germany 2 0 0 9 .
15 .ixe5 16.dxe5 'l'@'c5 17.
•••
12.1'@'e2
1 2 .4:le5 �g7 13.f4. White's wish
to avoid entering a position with
bishops of opposite colours is un
derstandable, but now Black equal
izes easily. 13 . . . �xe5 14.fxe5 'l'@'d5
15.1'@'f3 �c6 16.\Wxd5 hd5 17. 0-0
<;t>e7 18 .�b3 �e4= Macieja - Ana
stasian, Stepanakert 2 0 04.
12 ••• 0 - 0 - 0 13.�e5 White's pieces seem to be very
White exploits the possibility active, but the position is in fact
of forcing the enemy bishop to oc- equal.
122
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. CiJd2 de 4. CiJxe4 CiJ d7 5. CiJf3 CiJgf6 6. JJ.d3 c5
123
Chapter 18
12 .c3. Black already has some 2001. Black should have defended
serious problems. 12 . . . a6 13.Eie1 with ll . . . tt:lxe4 12.1�{ixe4 f6 ! 13.i.f4
Eia7 14.a4 i.d7 1S.Wfb3 Wc8 16.a5 i.e7 14.tt:lxd4 eS 15.he5 fxeS
i.cS 17.Eiad1 i.xd4 18.Eixd4 i.c6 16.Wxe5 i.d7 and White's attack
19.Wfb6 ! ± with a great advantage would have been over before it
for White, Alekseev - Mamedya had even started.) ll . . . gxf6
rov, Moscow 2 0 0 8 .
8. .ixe4 lt:!f6 9.i.g5
This is once again the right
move. If he retreats the bishop,
his hopes of obtaining an advan
tage will evaporate.
9... cxd4
124
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. CiJ d2 de 4.ti'lxe4 CiJd7 5.tiJj3 CiJgf6 6. JJ.d3 c5
:§fd8, with counterplay for Black. h6 23 . .ih4 :§b4 24 . .ig3 and the
1 0 . . . .ie7 opponents agreed to a draw, hav
It looks rather dubious to play ing exhausted all the resources of
10 . . . h6?! ll . bf6 Wlxf6 12.'W!d3 a6
. the position, Morozevich - Pelle
13 .:§ad1 .ie7 14.CiJc6 ! e5 15.CiJxe7 tier, Biel 2 0 04.
W!xe7 16.f4 exf4?? 17.hb7 and White sometimes tries 12 .c3
White won, Svidler - Bareev, and it seems to me that Black
Wijk aan Zee 2 004. should reply with the active and
ll ..i£3 0- 0 so far untested move - 12 . . . e5 !
(Or 12 . . . �c7!? 13 .:§e1 :§d8 14.Wle2
CiJd5 15.he7 CiJxe7 16.:§ad1 .id7
17.�e4 :§ab8 18 .g3 h6 19.h4 CiJd5
2 0 .�c2 CiJf6 2 1..ig2 .ie8 2 2 .'W!e2
Wlb6 2 3.:§d2 :§d6 24.:§ed1 :§bd8=
Womacka - Drozdovskij, play
chess.com 2 0 06.)
125
Chapter 18
Kramnik tested here the inter the resources of the position after
esting line: 12.a4 ! ? a6 13.l"1e1 Wffc 7 13 . . . exf5 14.l"1xe7 tt:le4 ! = 15.�xe4
14.c3 l"1e8 15.Wffb 3 l"1b8 16.g3 �d7 fxe4 16.Wffd5 Wffx b2 17.l"1cl �e6 18.
17.a5 �c5 18.l"1ad1 Wffxa5 19.�f4 Wffx e4 Wffx a2 19.Wffx b7 l"1ac8 2 0 .
hd4 2 0 .hb8 �xf2 + 2l.cJixf2 Wffx a7 l"1xc2 and the opponents
l"1xb8 2 2 .l"1d4 and White prevailed agreed to a draw, Cheparinov -
in the game Kramnik - Bareev, Perez Garcia, Seville 2 0 04.
Monte Carlo 2005. It looks better 13 . . . l"1d8 14.�e2
for Black to play actively with 14 . . .
l"1d8 ! ? 15.Wffd 2 ! (15.g3 tt:ld5 16.he7
tt:lxe7 17.Wffe 2 �d7=) 15 . . . �d7 16.
�f4 (White can capture his oppo
nent's bishop with 16.l2lf5, but
this will not gain him any advan
tage : 16 . . . �c6 17.tt:lxe7+ Wffx e7 18.
Wfff4 hf3 19.Wffxf3 h6! Black repels
his opponent's bishop from its
wonderful square. 2 0.�h4 l"1d2 ! ;
2 0.�e3 l"1d5 = ) 1 6 . . . �d6 17.hd6
Wffx d6 with an approximately
equal position. 14 . . . �d7
Black plays this with the al
most stereotyped idea of exchang
bl) 12.l"1el �b6 ing the light-squared bishops.
It would be too risky to play
14 . . . a5 15.l"1adl! (It is less precise
for White to play 15.�e3 Wffc 7 16.c4
�d7 17.�d4 a4 18 .�e5 �d6 19.
hd6 Wffx d6 2 0 . l"1adl Wffb 6 21.tt:ld4
�e8 with an excellent game for
Black, Shomoev - Bareev, play
chess.com 2 0 04.) 15 . . . �d7 (After
15 . . . a4 16.�e3 Wffc 7 17.l"1xd8+ hd8
18.tt:ld4 �d7 19.a3 - Black's
queenside has slightly weakened
by the advance of his a-pawn.)
13)L\b3 16.�e3 (It is stronger for White to
White is understandably re play 16.Wffe3 ! Wffx e3 17.he3 �c6
luctant to retreat from the centre, 18.�xc6 bxc6 19.l"1xd8 + �xd8 and
but in this case it is forced. he obtains a long-term advantage
The ultra-aggressive move 13. thanks to Black's devastated
tt:lf5 led to a quick exhaustion of queenside.) 16 . . . Wff c 7 17.tt:ld4 �c5
126
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3Jijd2 de 4Jijxe4 CiJ d7 5.C!Jj3 C!Jgf6 6 . .id3 c5
18 .g3 .ie8 19.c3 h6 2 0 .CiJb5 .ixb5 - 24.c6 'Wxd4 25.c7 'Wh4+ ! 2 6.@gl
21.�xd8 + �xd8 2 2 .'Wxb5 .ixe3 C!Jg4-+) 2 1 . . . .ib5 ! 2 2 . 'Wxb5 �xd2
23.�xe3 b6= Robson - Meier, ICC 23.C!Jc4 �xf2 24.'Wxb7. Here Black
2008. should place his rook in a defen
15 . .id2 sive position : 24 . . . �a7 ! ? (In the
That is the right way for White game after 24 .. J''1b 8 25.'Wxc7 .ixc7
to create problems for his oppo 26.@gl .ig3 2 7.c6 C!Je8 2 8.�edl? !
nent. a3 29.bxa3 �xa2, he freed his rook
15 . . . .ib4 and had a clear advantage, Ju.
It is premature for Black to Polgar - van Wely, Hoogeveen
play 15 . . . a5, because of 16.'We5 ! 2 0 0 1 . However, the Dutch GM
and Black has have problems. might have encountered difficul
16.c3 ties after 2 8 .�e3 ! ) 25.'Wxc7 hc7
16 . .ie3 ? ! 'Wc7 17.c3 .id6= 2 6 . @gl .ig3 with a very interest
16 ....id6 17.c4 a5 ing struggle ahead.
It looks very attractive for
White to play 18.c5 ! ? , but fortu
nately for Black he can just man
age to neutralize White's assault.
18 . . ..ixc5 19.C!Jxc5 'Wxc5 2 0 .�acl
(Naturally, the move 20 . .ixb7? !
was not why White sacrificed a
pawn: 2 0 . . . �ab8 21.�ecl 'Wa7 2 2 .
.if3 �xb2 2 3.'\Wel a4 and Black will
manage to draw.)
18.l'�edl ! ?
This has the idea o f placing the
rooks on cl and dl, rather than dl
and el.
White can create wild compli
cations with 18.�acl, but he might
end up on the wrong side of them.
18 . . . a4 19 .c5 hh2 + 2 0 . @hl
(Black obtains an excellent posi 2 0 . . . '\WfS (It would be tremen
tion in the event of 2 0 . @xh2 'Wc7+ dously risky for Black to play 20 . . .
2 1.g3 axb3 22 . .if4 'WeB 23. axb3 'We7? ! 2 1 .'We5 ! - 2 1.�c7? ! 'Wd6
.ic6.) 2 0 . . . 'Wc7 21.CiJa5 (It would 2 2 . �xb7 .ic6= - 2 1 . . . .ic6 22 . .ixa5
be disastrous for White to play �deS 23 .hc6 bxc6. Black's posi
21.CiJd4? .if4 2 2 . hf4 'Wxf4 23. tion is strategically hopeless. Of
.ixb7 �ab8 - 23 . . . 'Wxd4? 24.�c4 ! course, he can still play for tricks,
127
Chapter 18
21.�xd6! ?
After 21.ctJd2 ib4= White will
merely reach a weaker version of
the variation which we analyzed
in our notes to White's eighteenth
move
21. �xd6 2 2.c5 1oWd8 23.
••
hf3 2 2 .Wxf3 e5 23.tLlf5 e4 24.Wg3 ful knight on d5, together with the
ll>Jt'xg3 25.tLlxg3 :1l:d3 26.cj;lf1 :1l:c8 missing white pawn on a2, in
27.cj;>e2 :1l:xd1 28.:1l:xd1 h5 29.b3± sures Black against any trouble.
128
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3Jjj d2 de 4Jijxe4 tiJd7 5.tiJj3 tiJgf6 6. �d3 c5
129
Chapter 18
White's position looks preferable, the evils for Black is 1S ... '\Wxd8
but his pawns are not likely to 16.:axd8 + .ixd8 17.:ad1 .ib6, al
promote any time soon. Black's though this ending must be also
counter-chances seem to be suffi lost for him.) 14 . . . a6 1S .Wc2 .id7
cient for equality. 16.g3 :aac8 17.:aac1 Wb8 (17 . . . h6 ! ?
18 . .ie3 .icS = ) 18.1We2 e S 19.Ci:Jc2
.ie6 2 0 .Ci:Je3 l"i:xd1 + 21.l"i:xd1 bS
2 2 . hf6 hf6 23 . .idS and White
had the advantage, Najer - Lysyj ,
Ulan Ude 2009.
13.We3 ! ? WcS 14.c3 h6 1S . .ih4
Wb6 16.1We2 .id7 17.a4 a6 18.aS
1Wa7 19 . .ig3 l"i:fe8 2 0 .Wc4 l"i:ec8 2 1 .
Wb3 .ic6 2 2 .Ci:Jxc6 bxc6 23.l"i:fe1
and White exerts strong pressure,
Leko - Morozevich, Saratov 2 011.
13 :ads 14.:a adl a6 15.W e3
• • •
130
l.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3. ti:J d2 de 4. ti:Jxe4 ti:J d7 5. ti:Jf3 ti:Jgf6 6. ild3 c5
131
Parts 5 and 6
When you think about the Tarrasch variation the words that first
come to mind are reliable, flexible and elastic. The positions arising
from 3.lLld2 do not depend so much on pawn-structure and manoeu
vres, like after 3.e5, but on the other hand they are not so irrational and
sharp as those arising after 3.tt:Jc3. If your opponent prefers to play
quiet positions, then most probably he will be willing to include this
variation in his armoury. White does not risk much and the possible
set-ups after the opening are less varied and can be easily studied. You
very rarely find weak squares or pawn-weaknesses in White's position.
On the other hand, the more straightforward the game-plan your
opponent adopts, the easier it will be for you to prepare against it. If
White wishes to avoid any sharp theoretical debates, then it should be
simple enough for Black to implement his own plans in the absence of
any pressure from the opponent.
It is considered that after 3.tt:Jd2, Black has two main possibilities at
his disposal - 3 . . . c5 and 3 . . . tt:Jf6 . Recently, however, a variation which
used to be regarded as a sideline - 3 . . . �e7 - has become very popular.
I recommend to readers who are willing to take risks, both strategically
and tactically, to consider this particular variation. Later, for the play
ers who prefer a "classical" approach, we shall also analyze 3 . . . c5. The
system with 3 . . . tt:Jf6 was undoubtedly a fairly trustworthy weapon for
Black for many years and also deserves attention. However, I do not
like it very much, because in that line Black can find it difficult to reach
really complicated positions. And there are so many weak squares in
Black's camp that he is likely to fail to equalize.
132
Parts 5
133
Chapter 19 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3)Lid2 i.e7
134
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. tt:ld2 �e7 4.c3 c5
135
Chapter 19
9 .ie2
•
136
Chapter 2 0 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.ti� d 2 i.e7 4.e5
137
Chapter 2 0
138
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. lLld2 ie7 4.e5 c5
139
Chapter 2 0
and White will lose his e5-pawn; 8.�g3 (In response to 8 .i.f4 ?!
8 . . . g5 ! ? 9.g4 �c7. ) 7 . . . h4 8.�h3 Black h a s a n interesting manoeu
tLJc6. vre - 8 . . . �a5 + ! 9.c3 �a4. This
6 ••• tDc6 placement of the queen justifies
the check on the previous move.
10.�g3 �c2 and White has great
problems coping with the enemy
queen on c2. However, Black has
also tried 8 . . . hc5 9 .i.d3 �a5+
10.c3 �b6 ll.tDh3 �xb2 12.0-0
�xc3 13.:Bfd1 fxe5 14.:Bac1 �b4
15.CDfg5 tDf6 16.tLJxe6+ he6 17.
�xe6 :Be8 18.�f5 tDd4 19.�g5
exf4 and the game is over, Feher
- Farago, Hungary 2006. In the
following game White tried to
Now White is faced with a radically solve all his problems
choice. The position is very sharp but he did not fare at all well. 9.
and it requires very precise treat 0-0-0? ! ixf2 10 .h4 f5 11.�h3
ment from both sides. The next �aS 12 .a3 id7 13.i.d3 b5 14.g4 b4
few moves can involve complex 15.a4 b3 16.cxb3 tDb4 17.gxf5
tactical decisions. :Bc8 + 18.�b1 ha4 19.CDg5 i.d7
7.tilgf3 2 0.ic4 �a2 + 2 1.�c1 �a1+ and
This is the most natural move White resigned in view of the
for White and probably the mate on the next move, Balogh -
strongest. Cvek, Germany 2 007.) 8 . . . hc5
It seems rather artificial for 9 .i.d3 (White should avoid 9.tDh3
him to opt for 7.tDdf3 . Although fxe5 10.tDxe5 tLJxe5 11.�xe5 i.d6
this move is quite sensible (it and Black has an excellent posi
looks attractive to develop the tion.) 9 . . .fxe5 10.CDxe5 tLJxe5 11.
bishop on c1 as soon as possible), �xeS tDf6
White's other knight looks a sorry
sight. 7 . . .f6
140
l.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3. ltl d2 i.e7 4.e5 c5
should like to tell you that this po prematurely with 8 . . . fxe5?! 9.
sition is known to theory, except ltlxeS ltlxeS 10.\WxeS ix:cS 11.i.d3
that normally a white knight is - 11.ltle4 ! ? - 11...ltlf6 1 2 . 0 - 0 i.d6
on d2 instead of gl. Naturally, 13.\We2 \Wc7 14.f4 ix:f4 15.ltlf3 i.d6
this is considered to be preferable 16.c4 i.d7 17.i.g5 Ele8 18.E\ac1 \Wb8
for White. 12.ltlf3 ix:f2 + ! This is 19.\Wf2 Ele7 2 0 .\Wh4 and White
an important detail ; otherwise, had a powerful initiative in the
White would obtain an advan game Lastin - Kacheishvili, Ohrid
tage. 13.<i> d 1 i.cS 14.Eifl . White 2001.)
has undoubtedly some compen
sation, but Black has an extra
pawn and nothing to worry about.
14 . . . <i>g8 ! ?? (Black has an alter
native in 14 . . . i.d6, which was tried
in the game Akopian - Pelletier,
Aubervilliers 2 0 0 2 ) .
O n e more possibility for White
in this position is 7.\Wg3 f6 ! ? (I
think this is stronger than 7 ... ltlh6
8 .i.d3 i.h4 9.\Wf4 i.gS 10.\Wg3 i.h4 9.i.d3 (It seems inferior to
11.\Wf4 i.gS 12 .\Wa4 ltlxeS 13.ltlgf3 play 9 .exf6 ix:f6 10.ltlb3. Black's
ltlxd3 + 14.cxd3 i.e7 15.b4 f6 16. position might be less fearsome
0-0 ltlfS 17.i.b2 hS 18.Eiac1 i.d7 than it looks, but still it is quite
19.\Wb3 Elc8 20 .ltld4 ltlxd4 2 1 . satisfactory, at least. 10 . . . ltlf5 11.
i.xd4 h 4 2 2 .h3 \We8 23.f4 \Wg6 \Wh3 eS 12 .g4 ltlfe7 with a sharp
24.<i>h1 ElhS 25.ltlf3 and White game. It is very bad for White to
outplayed his young adversary continue with 9.ltlb3? ltlfS 1 0 .\Wf4
in the subsequent complicated gS 11.\Wa4 ltlxeS 12.ltlxe5 fxeS and
struggle, Svidler - Nepomnia Black ends up with a very power
chtchi, Moscow 2006.) ful centre and an extra pawn.) 9 . . .
ltlf7 1 0 .exf6 gxf6 1 1 . 0 - 0 (White
fails to destroy Black's excellent
pawn-formation with 11.c4 Elg8
12 .\Wh4 Elxg2 13.ltlb3 fS 14.\Wxh7
i.f6, with a double edged game.)
11 . . . e5 1 2 . ltlh4 (White should pos
sibly start thinking about main
taining equality, but Black would
not mind that. 12.ltle1 e4 13 .i.e2
ltld4 14.i.d1 ix:cS and White's
8.ltlgf3 ltlh6 (Of course Black pieces have ended up on the first
should not reduce the tension two ranks. ) 12 . . . e4 13.ltlxe4. This
141
Chapter 2 0
142
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. lt:J d2 ie7 4.e5 c5
143
Chapter 2 0
144
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. tLl d2 �e7 4.e5 c5
145
Chapter 2 0
146
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. lt:J d2 i.e7 4.e5 c5
147
Chapter 21 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3)ijd2 .ie7 4.�gf3
148
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. lLl d2 �e7 4. lLl gj3 lLlf6
tt:lbdS 16.�d2 �d6 17J''le l tt:Jb4 18. position.) 13 . . . �xb3 14.tt:lxb3 �f6
�xb4 hb4 19 .c3 �d6 = Gufeld 1S.tt:lfd4 Ela4 16.a3 tt:JxcS ! 17.tt:JxcS
Lputian, Las Vegas 2 0 0 1 . (After 17.bxcS hd4 18.tt:lxd4
White's attempt t o hold o n to Elxd4 Black is even slightly bet
the extra pawn fails after 8 .b4 aS ter.) 17 . . .�xd4 18.tt:lxa4 hal 19.
9 .�c4 �hS 10.c3 tt:Jds 11 .hdS. tt:lb6 �d7 2 0 . tt:lxd7 @xd7, with
Naturally, he is reluctant to give comfortable equality for Black.
up this bishop, but he has to. 12 .a4. This is an interesting
(Black can counter ll.�b3 with idea. White creates a protected
the strong move l l . . . tt:lxc3 ! ; nor passed pawn and fixes two poten
would White achieve anything tial weaknesses in his opponent's
with 11. tt:le4 axb4 12.cxb4 tt:Jxb4 camp on cS and aS. However,
13.tt:ld6+ hd6 14.cxd6 �cs lS. Black's position is by no means
�b3 �bS ! and Black has the initi inferior, since his powerful light
ative.) 11 . . . �xdS squared bishop provides compen
sation. 12 . . . b6 13.0-0 bxcS 14.bS
(14.c4 �fS lS.bS eS - 1S . . . �b7! ? -
16.�e2 �b7 17.�b2 f6 18.tt:lh4 �e6
19 .f4 fS 2 0 .tt:lhf3 e4 21.tt:lb3 0-0
2 2 .tt:leS tt:JxeS 23 .heS gS 24J''l a cl
gxf4 2S.hf4 Elf7 26.�e3± Solak
Markidis, Kavala 2 0 11) 14 . . . �b7
1S.c4 �fS 16.�b2 0-0 17.�bl
�xbl 18.Elfxbl Elfd8 19.@fl tt:lb6
2 0 . @e2 f6 2 1.�c3 eS 2 2 .Eldl �c8
12 .�b2 axb4 13.cxb4 Elxa2 14. 23.tt:lb3 tt:Jxc4 24.Elxd8 + hd8 2S.
Elxa2 �xa2 lS.�al �xal+ 16.hal tt:JxcS �b6 26.tt:lb3 �e6 and Black's
tt:lf6 17. o-o tt:Jds 18 .hg7 Elg8 19. position is perfectly acceptable,
�d4 tt:lxb4 and Black is better, Tu Naiditsch - Edouard, Mulhouse
rov - Shulman, St.Petersburg 1998. 2 0 11.
12 .�b3 axb4 (It is also possi 5 .li:lfd7
••
149
Chapter 21
6 . .id3
White sometimes plays 6.c4,
against which I recommend
6 . . . 0-0. (It is also possible for
Black to opt for 6 . . . dxc4 7.lLlxc4
lLlb6 8.a3 lLlxc4 9 . .ixc4 lLld7 10.
0-0 lLlb6 ll . .id3 .id7 12 . .ie4 lLld5
13 . .ixd5 exd5 14.�b3 .ic6 15 . .id2
a5 16J:Uc1 0-0 17.l"lc3 l"le8 18.l"lac1
l"la6 19 .�c2 .id7 2 0 .�b3 .ic6 2 1 .
�c2 .id7 and the opponents re
peated moves in the game An 7.c3
toniewski - Bosiocic, Austria Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu has
2008.) played several times the appar
ently unambitious move 7.0- 0 ! ?
This fact should make u s pay seri
ous attention to this plan. 7 . . . lLlc6
8.l"le1
150
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. 'Lld2 i.e7 4. 'Ll gj3 'Llf6
151
Chapter 21
152
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. lLl d2 ie7 4. lLl gj3 lLlf6
9.E1el
It is weaker for White to play
9.b3? ! , because then Black's pre
vious move is perfectly justified : 10 . . . g5
9 . . . a4 ! 10.bxa4 c4 11.ic2 IMfaS 12. It looks logical but slightly
tt:Jb1 h 6 ! 13.ia3 tt:Jb6 14.h4 id7 risky for Black to play 10 . . . 1Mfb6
15.h5 tt:Jxa4 16.he7 tt:Jxe7 17.ha4 11.lLlb 1 ! tt:Jxd4 12.lLlxd4 1Mfxd4 13.
153
Chapter 21
154
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. l/J d2 ie7 4 . l/J gf3 l/Jf6
b) 8 h5 ! ?
. . •
155
Chapter 21
does not weaken his kingside as too ambitious for Black to opt for
much. Of course, you can confuse 10 . . . g4 11.lLld4 lLldxe5 12.lLlxc6
your opponent by playing like lLlxc6 13.lLlb3 e5 and his lag in de
this, but that's all . . . velopment would be a telling fac
tor in the future.) 11.�b5 (ll.�c2
lLld7!) 11.. .a6 12 .hc6+ bxc6 13.b4
lLld7 14.lLld4 �c7 15.:1:lel. Black's
position would be quite accepta
ble if we could ignore his king
side pawns, since the purpose of
their advance now remains a mys
tery.
9 . . . g5
It is weaker for Black to play
9 . . . cxd4?! 10.cxd4 g5 11.lLlb3 g4
1 2 .lLlfd2 a5 (or 12 . . . �b6 13.lLlb1 a5
9.:1:le1 14.a4 lLld4 15.lLld4 �d4 16.lLlc3
Black's idea is perfectly justi with excellent compensation for
fied after 9 . dxc5 ? ! lLldxe5 10.t2Jxe5 White) 13.a4 lLlb6 (it comes to
lLlxe5 11.lLlb3 lLlxd3 12.�xd3 h4 more or less the same after 13 . . .
13. :i:le1 h3 14.g3 a5 15.�f4 0-0 16. �b6 14.lLlb1 ! ) 14.lLlb1 lLlc4 15.lLlc3
lLld4 hc5 17.l"le5 f6 18.:1:lxe6 he6 �b6 16.hc4 dxc4 17.lLld2 lLlb4
19.lLlxe6 �b6 2 0 .lLlxf8 hf2 + 21. 18.lLlxc4 �c6 19.b3± Smirin -
<i>f1 <i>xf8 and Black was fighting Cheparinov, Mallorca 2 004.
for the advantage in the game 10 .dxc5 g4 11.c!L!d4 c!Lldxe5
Hracek - Morozevich, Rethym
non 2 0 03.
After 9.b3 g5 10.�b2 cxd4 11.
cxd4 �b6 White has great prob
lems with the protection of his
d4-pawn.
9 .�e2 ! ? g5 (It is a matter of
tempi, but his idea would not
work after 9 . . . cxd4 10.cxd4 g5 11.
lLlb3 a5 12 .�e3 a4 13.lLlbd2 g4 14.
lLle1 - White has parried his op
ponent's initial pressure and is
now ready to launch a counterat White has an additional
tack. Black can win a pawn, but resource in this position. 12.
this would be insufficient com c!Ll 2b3 ! (He could have trans
pensation after 14 . . . �b6 15.lLlc2 posed to the main line here with
�xb2. ) 10.dxc5 lLlxc5 (It would be 12 .�b5. )
156
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. li.Jd2 �e7 4. li.Jgj3 li.Jf6
157
Chapter 21
19.\WxgS \WcS 20.\Wg3 and his posi It is weaker for Black to opt for
tion is difficult, Rublevsky - Mo l O . . . tt:JcxeS? ! 1l.�bS a6 12 .hd7+
rozevich, Togliatti 2 0 03.) �xd7 13.f4 and White proceeds
with his standard attack.
1S8
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. 'Ll d2 �e7 4.e5 c5
ter 11.'Ll 2b3? ! tt:lxd3 12.�xd3 eS moves have been tried here.
13.tt:lxc6 bxc6 14.�h6 f6. White's 12 .f4 ? ! This enables Black to sim
set-up looks positionally dubious, plify the position favourably. 12 . . .
so he is forced to rely on tactics. tt:lxd4 13.hd7+ �xd7 14.cxd4 tt:lc6
So far this has not been working. 1S.�xg4 �f6 16.tt:lf3 tt:lxd4 17.tt:leS
1S.f4 gxf3 16.�xf3 :!'1g8 17.�hS+ �c7 18.�d2 hS 19 .�d1 heS 2 0 .
:!'1g6 18.�e3 (18.�f4 �d7 19 .�g3 fxeS tt:lfS 2 1 . :!'1c1 �c6 2 2 .b4 d 4 2 3 .
�a6 2 0 . :!'1f2 0-0-0 2 1.�xh7 E1dg8 �f3 a6 24.a4 :!'1g8, with a n excel
2 2 . 'tt> h 1 �d3 23.�hS :!'18g7 24.�d1 lent position for Black, Smirin -
�e4+ Korbut - Matveeva, Samara Radj abov, Sarajevo 2 0 0 2 .
200S.) 18 . . . �d7 19.h3 �d8 2 0 . I t would b e illogical for White
:!'1ae1 � f7 2 1 .'tt> h 1 �e6 2 2 .�f4 :!'1g7 to strengthen his opponent's cen
23.�e2 �g6 24.tt:ld4 �d7 2S .�h2 tre. However, it might be an inter
�e7 26.tt:lb3 aS 27.�g1 �fS 2 8 .�d2 esting idea to try 12 .�xc6 bxc6
�e4 29 . :!'1f2 a4 30 .tt:lcl hcS-+ 13.f4 tt:ld3 (13 . . . gxf3 14.tt:l 2xf3 tt:lg6
Gasanov - Izoria, Baku 2 0 0 2 . 1S.�e2 �c7 16.tt:lgS �eS 17.�f2
ll . . . �d7 0-0 18.tt:lxf7 �g7 19.tt:lh6+ lt>h8
Black should not be too greedy: 2 0 .'Llf7= ; 17.�hS �xeS 18.�d2 h6
ll . . . �xcS? ! 12 .f4 gxf3 13.tt:l2xf3 19.:!'1xf7 hxgS 2 0 .�xg6 �xh 2 + 2 1 .
�d7 14.�xc6 tt:lxc6 1S.tt:lgS :!'1f8 16. lt>f2 0 - 0 - 0 - + Oratovsky - Vitiu
tt:lxh7 �h4 17.tt:lf6+ lt>e7 18 .�e3 gov, Jerusalem 2010) 14.b4 aS
tt:lxd4 19.�xd4 :!'1ac8 2 0 .�d2 :!'1h8 1S.tt:l 2b3 tt:lxc1 16.�xc1 axb4 17.
2 1.h3± Carlsson - Berg, Gothen cxb4 :!'1a4 ! 18.fS 0-0 19.�f4 eS
burg 2 0 0S . (19 . . . exfS ! ?) 2 0.�xeS �f6 2 1 .�e1
:!'1e8 2 2 .�c3 :!'1e4 and Black has
good compensation for the pawn,
Smirin - Akobian, Philadelphia
2 0 04.
The following line is a bit simi
lar to the Botvinnik variation of
the Semi-Slav defence : 12 .b4 aS ! ?
( 1 2 . . .h S 13.:!'1e1 tt:lxd4 14.�xd7+
�xd7 1S.E1xeS tt:lc6 16.:!'1e1 �f6 17.
bS tt:leS 18.tt:lb3 �xbS 19.tt:ld4
�xeS 2 0 . :!'1b1 b6 21.�f4 tt:lg6 2 2 .
�a4+ lt>e7 2 3 .tt:lfS+ 'it>d8 24.�e3
12)L! 2b3 �c7 2S.hb6± Timofeev - Bartel,
This is White's most sensible playchess.com 2 0 04.) 13.f4 tt:lxd4
move. He develops his knight, 14.�xd7+ �xd7 1S.fxeS tt:lfS ! 16.
protects his pawn and opens the �xg4 tt:le3 17.�g7 0-0-0 and
diagonal for his dark-squared Black's initiative is very powerful.
bishop. Nevertheless, some other 12 . . . h5
1S9
Chapter 21
160
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. ct:l d2 �e7 4. ct:lgf3 ct:lf6
and now:
Black has tried 14 . . . a6 15.hc6
(15.cxd5 ? ! axb5 16.dxc6 hc6 17.
ct:lxc6 �xd1 18.l"ixd1 bxc6 19 .�d2
h4 2 0 . ct:l a5 l"ic8 2 1 .ct:lb7 l"ih5 2 2 .
�e3 l"ia8 23.a4 l"ixa4 24.l"ixa4 bxa4
25.l"ia1 h3 26.l"ixa4 l"id5 with a su
perior endgame for Black, Naray
anan - Shimanov, Chennai 2 0 11)
15 ... bxc6 (It is stronger to contin
ue with 15 . . . hc6 ! ? 16. ct:lxc6 bxc6
13 )/jxd4
. . and Black has managed to ex
This move forces the issue to change his queen's bishop, which
the greatest extent. is usually very passive in this
I can recommend to players pawn-structure.) 16.�d2 e5 17.
who are after more complicated �a5 �b8 18.cxd5 cxd5 19.c6 �c8
positions the line : 13 . . . ct:lg6 ! ? 2 0.c7 �b7 21.l"ic1 �d7 2 2 .ct:lc5
14.c4 (Black should counter the �xc5 23.l"ixc5 0-0 24.�b3 �xb3
simplifying move 14.ct:lxc6 with 25.ct:lxb3 �e6 26.l"ic6 l"lfe8 27.
14 . . . hc6 15.�d3 l"ig8 and he ob ct:l c5± Timofeev - Arencibia Rod
tains good counterplay, for exam riguez, Cappelle Ia Grande 2 004.
ple, 16.�xg6 l"ixg6 17.�f4 �d7 18. It looks attractive for Black to
�e2 h4 19.l"iad1 \tlf8 2 0 .�e5 �f6 play 14 . . . dxc4 15.hc4 ct:lxd4, but
2 1.�h5 \tlg7 2 2 .�e5 �d8 23.ct:ld4 unfortunately White has a very
�xeS 24.�xe5 + �f6 25.�c7 �d8 powerful riposte : 16.ct:lxd4 (If 16.
2 6.�e5+ �f6= Korneev - Stopa, �xd4 �f6, and the white queen
Forni di Sopra 2011. It is worse does not have a comfortable
for him to continue with 14 . . . square to retreat to: 17.�d3 ct:le5;
bxc6 15.�d3 l"lg8 16.c4t, because 17.�d1 �c7 with an excellent po
his centre is rather unstable and sition for Black.) 16 . . . hc5 (It
his pieces are obviously very pas would be inconsistent to play
sive.) 16 . . . 0 - 0 ? ! 17.�c2 ! ; while the
move 16 . . . �c7 is simply very risky
in view of 17.b4 0-0-0 18.�b2 .)
17.he6 fxe6 (White gains an ad
vantage in problem-like fashion
after 17 . . . he6 18 .�a4+ ! �d7
19.ct:lxe6 fxe6 2 0.�c2 ! ) 18.�c2
�e7 (Black loses after 18 . . .hd4
19.�xg6+ \tlf8 2 0.l"ie4 e5 2 1 .
l"lxd4 ! ! exd4 2 2 .�f4+-) 19.�xg6+
�fl 2 0.�e4 0-0 2 1 .�e3, and
161
Chapter 21
15.lilxb5 ! ?
This i s a novelty which has not
been tried in practice yet.
The move 1S.l'l:xeS has been
14. lilxd4 played in two games, but it does
Activating the white queen not create any serious problems
with 14.'&xd4 is harmless for for Black. 1S . . . '&c7 (Black can also
Black after 14 . . . .b:bS 1S.l'l:xeS (IS. try 1S . . . .id7 16.b4 .if6 17.l'l:e1 '&c7
'&xeS .if6 16.'&f4 '&e7) 1S ... '&d7 (It and the players agreed to a draw
is essential not to overlook the in this complicated position, Emms
trick 1S . . . .if6 16 . .igS ! ) 16.l'l:xdS - Lalic, Southend 2 001 .) 16 . .if4
'&xdS 17.'&xh8 + md7 18.'&d4 .ic6 (Here the computer recommends
19 . .if4 l'l:d8 and Black will have 16.l'l:e1 '&xeS - 16 . . . .id7! ? - 17 . .ie3
excellent compensation in the en '&c4 18 .b3 '&d3 19.l/JxbS '&xbS and
suing endgame. now the really cheeky move -
14 . .ixd7+ '&xd7 1S.cxd4 l/Jg6? ! 2 0 . .b:a7 ! ) 16 . . .'�xcS 17 . .ie3 '&c4
(I believe that this is not the right 18 .b3 '&d3 19. l/JxbS '&xbS 2 0 . .id4
square for this knight. It seems '&d7 2 l.'&d3 h4 2 2 .f4 gxf3 23.
much more natural for Black to '&xf3 f6 24.l'l:hS 0-0-0, with ad
continue with 1S . . . l/Jc6 16 . .if4 vantage to Black, Kolar - Boukal,
.idS, reaching a very complicated Czech Republic 2 0 04.
162
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. tt'l d2 i.e7 4 . tt'l gj3 tt'lf6
19 .'�b6
• .
163
Chapter 22 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3)i)d2 .ie7 4 ..id3
5.dxc5
This move does not appear to
be very principled, but this im
pression is not correct.
Instead, it would make no
sense to play 5.exd5 ? ! because af
ter 5 . . . 1Mfxd5 6.tt:Jgf3 cxd4 7.0-0
tt:Jf6 8 .�c4 1Mfd6 9.tLlb3 tt:Jc6, we
reach a familiar position from the
3.tLld2 c5 variation, except that
here Black has an extra tempo.
I consider this to be White's It is only slightly better for
most flexible move. He counters White to play 5.tt:Jgf3 , after which
the rather "abstract" move 3 . . . �e7 Black can choose between 5 . . .
with a non-forcing developing cxd4 and 5 . . . tt:Jf6.
move - 4.�d3 . This is a perfectly If 5.c3 cxd4 6.cxd4 dxe4 7.
reasonable approach, because in tt:Jxe4 tt:Jf6 8.tt:Jf3 tt:Jc6 the game
the other lines the game becomes transposes to positions analyzed
very tense and involves White in in the section of the book dealing
some risky lines. Of course, it is with 3.tt:Jd2 c5.
not easy for White to gain a big 5 . . . .!Llf6
opening advantage by playing like It is too passive for Black to
this, but he can definitely create play 5 . . . tt:Jd7, after which White
problems for a less than well-pre can maintain a slight advantage
pared opponent and he has good by simple means : 6.exd5 exd5 7.
chances of gaining a small edge. tt:Jb3 tt:Jxc5 8.tt:Jxc5 hc5 9.tt:Jf3 tt:Jf6
4 . . . c5 10.1Mfe2 + V!ffe 7 ll.V!ffx e7+ <±>xe7 1 2 .
Without this move Black has 0-0 l"i: e 8 13.�g5 h6 14.l"i:fe1+ �e6
no chance of organizing any 15.�e3 �xe3 16.l"i:xe3 <±>d6 17.
meaningful counterplay, not only tt:Jd4;t Meier - Bartel, Germany
in this variation, but in the entire 2008.
French defence in general. 6.1Mfe2
164
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. 4J d2 �e7 4. �d3 c5 5.dc lt:Jf6 6. Vf1e2 lt:J c6
165
Chapter 22
Libiszewski, Pula 2003, while the tive, if rather risky, for Black to
move 12 . .ie3 does not achieve continue with 13 . . . a3? ! 14.lt:le4
anything after 12 . . . �a5 13.0-0 �xd5 15.lt:lxf6+ gxf6 16.b4 .id7
.ixc5 14 . .ixc5 �xc5 15J'1fc1 �b6 17.�e4 .ic6 18 .�xd5 hd5 19.lt:ld4
16.e5 lt:lg8 17.�e3 �xe3 18.fxe3 E1a4 2 0 .'Llc2 E\g8 2 1 . E\g1 b6 2 2 .cxb6
lt:le7 19.lt:ld4 .id7 2 0 .E\c7 E\b8 2 1 . lt>d7 23.1t>d2 lt>c6 24.g3 lt>xb6
b 4 f6 2 2 . 'Ll 2f3 lt:l g 6 23.exf6 gxf6 25.lt:le3 E\d8 26. lt:lxd5+ E\xd5 27.
24.E\ac1 1t>d8 25.1t>f2 lt:le7 26.E\7c5 E\abl± Vachier Lagrave - Marzo
b6 27.E15c3 E1c8 28.E\xc8 + lt:lxc8 la, Chartres 2005.) 14.lt:le4 .id7
2 9 .lt:lh4 lt:le7 30.lt:lhf3 e5 31.'Lle2 15.0-0 .ic6 16.E\ac1 E\d8 17.lt:ld6+
.ib5 and Black has a good posi lt>f8 18.b4 axb3 19.axb3 �xb3
tion, Navara - Duppel, Pardubice 2 0 .lt:le5 .ixe5 2l.�xe5 �xd3 2 2 .
2 0 0 0 . ) 12 . . .hf6 13.exd5 (If 13.e5, f4?? �d2 and White was s o de
Black obtains enduring compen pressed that he resigned, Kotro
sation for the pawn with his bish nias - Nepomniachtchi, Moscow
op-pair and the possibility of un 2 007.
dermining his opponent's pawn s .. .tl:lxd3 9.cxd3 hc5 1 0 .
centre. 13 . . . .ie7 14.E\c1 �a5 15.�e3 ltlb3 .ie7 11 .ig5
•
166
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3JiJd2 �e7 4. �d3 c5 S.dc CiJf6 6. Vlie2 0 - 0
7••• a5
I am not a fan of such a volun
tary chronic weakening of the po
sition, but if Black wants to cap
ture on cS with his b8-knight this
is the only way for him to arrange
it.
It is bad for him to play 7 . . .
167
Chapter 22
168
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. lbd2 �e7 4. �d3 c5 5.dc ljjf6 6. Vfie2 0 - 0
169
Chapter 22
170
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3Ji'Jd2 JJ.e7 4. JJ.d3 c5 5.dc CiJf6 6. �e2 0 - 0
171
Chapter 22
24.�f2 d2 25.i.a4 l"i:e2 2 6.�g1 �e7 i.b7 27.�d4 ! and Black's bishop
27.c4 i.b7 28 .l"i:fl l"i:e1 29 .i.d1 l"i:xf3 will remain out of play.) 25.cxd4
30.gxf3 1'lxd1 0-1 Kristjansson - i.b7 with some compensation for
Caruana, Reykjavik 2 0 0 8 . Black.
18.®hl 18 . . .'�e7
Once again, White should re White can counter 18 . . . �h4
frain from gobbling pawns. 18. with the same manoeuvre: 19.i.d1!
�xe6+? Wh8 (The computer rec 19.i.dl �af8 2 0 .i.f3
ommends here the paradoxical It appears that in this varia
move 18 . . . Wf8 ! ?, with the follow tion Black's pawn on e6 is taboo:
ing sample variation 19.®h1 �g5 2 0 .i.g4 l"i:8f6 2 1.he6 + ? Wh8-+
2 0.�h3 l"i:e8 2 1.l"i:g1 - 21.l"i:xe8 + ! ? 2 0 . . . �f6 21. �b8 + �f8 22.
®xeS 2 2 .i.a4+ b 5 23 .i.b3 - 2 1 . . . '\Wg3 a4 23.c4!±
i.c8 2 2 . lLlb3 �xc1 23.l"i:gxc1 hh3
24.lLlxc5 bxc5 25.gxh3 l"i:ee2 26.
i.a4 l"i:xh 2+ 27.Wg1=) 19.®h1 �h4
2 0 .lLlf3 (White loses after 2 0 .
�xd5? l"i:af8 2 1.�e4 i.f1 ! ! - + , as
well as after 2 0 .i.b2 ? l"i:af8 2 1 .
�xd5 i.b7 2 2 .�xb7 i.d6-+) 2 0 . . .
l"i:xf3 21.gxf3 �f2 a n d here White
must find two very important
moves : 2 2 .�e8+ ! (White lost in a
really childish fashion after 2 2 .
i.e3?? �xf3 + 23.®g1 i.f1 ! - + Du
rarbeyli - Yemelin, Budva 2009.) White has freed his pieces and
2 2 ... i.f8 23.�e3 �xc2 24.i.a3 ! d4 obtained an overwhelming ad
(24 . . . �f5 25.i.xf8 l"i:xf8 26.l"i:ab1 vantage.
Concluding out survey of the move 4. i.d3, we must say that Black
should be prepared to play some quiet and solid lines and he has a
wide choice. Attempts by Black to sharpen and complicate the game
can be countered by White quite venomously. However, none of this
means anything conclusive from the practical point of view. The ele
ment of surprise. or finding White unprepared, can dramatically
change the outcome of the opening battle.
172
Part 6
173
Chapter 23 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3)i)d2 c5
174
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 . tiJ d2 c5 4.ed V!Jxd5 S.dc hc5
175
Chapter 23
treats of his queen, but it has be �xb7 19.fi.e4 with a complicated
come clear that the last move is game, Svidler - Grischuk, Almaty
his best option. 2008.
He can also play 7 . . .'�d6 8. After 8 . . . lt'lbd7! ? 9.lt'lb3 a 6 10.
0-0 �c7 9.�e2 lt'lc6 10.lt'le4 fi.e7 a4 fi.d6 11.0-0 �c7 12.a5 0-0 13.
ll.c3 ? ! White's last defensive l'l:e1 e5 14.lt'lbd2 h6 15.b3 l'l:e8 16.
move is absolutely senseless. (He lt'le4 lt'lxe4 17.�xe4 lt'lc5 18.�h4
could have maintained his open fi.e6 19.lt'ld2 l'l:ad8, Black is not
ing initiative with 11.fi.g5 ! ?). 1 1 . . . worse, Adams - Bareev, Chalkidi
b6 12 .fi.g5 fi.b7 13J'!ad1 0-0 14. ki 2 0 0 2 . The readers should have
lt'lxf6+ hf6 15.fi.xf6 gxf6 16.fi.d3 noticed by now that as long as he
�h8 17.fi.xh7 �xh7 18.�e4+ �h6 plays accurately Black has no
19 .�h4+ �g7 2 0 .�g4+ �h6 2 1 . problems and he simply needs to
�h4+ and the game Pogonina - select one of the possible lines.
Xu Yuhua, Krasnoturinsk 2008, 9. 0 - 0 l!Jbd7
ended in a draw by perpetual It is interesting to opt for the
check. prophylactic line : 9 . . . fi.d6 10 .fi.d3
It is rather dubious for Black fi.c7 ll.l!Jc4 l!Jbd7 12.l'l:d1 b5 13.
to play 7 . . . �h5?! 8.�e2 a6 9.lt'lf1 lt'lce5 lt'lxe5 14.lt'lxe5 �c5 15.lt'lg4
fi.d6 10.fi.g5 h6 11.0-0-0 hxg5 lt'lxg4 16.�xg4 fi.b7 17.�h4 g6 18.
12.l'l:xd6 g4 13.�d2 lt'lc6 14.lt'lg5 fi.g5 fi.d8 19 .fi.xd8 l'l:fxd8= Adams
fi.d7 15.lt'lg3 �h6 16.�e3 lt'le7 17. - Speelman, London/Crowthorne
h3± Carlsson - Braun, Wijk aan 2006.
Zee 2008 . 1 0 .l!Jb3 b6
8.�e2
11.l!Jxc5
8 .. 0 - 0
. White obtains the advantage
Or 8 . . . a6 ! ? 9.b3 b5 10 .fi.d3 fi.b7 of the bishop pair. This does not
ll.a4 b4 12.lt'l c4 �c7 13 .fi.b2 lt'lbd7 provides him with anything tangi
14.0-0-0 0-0 15.lt'lfe5 lt'ld5 16. ble though . . .
lt'lxd7 �xd7 17.lt'la5 l'l:fe8 18.lt'lxb7 In a recent game White tried a
176
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3JiJd2 c5 4.ed Wfxd5 5.dc l'iJf6
177
Chapter 23
178
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. Cb d2 c5 4.ed 'i/!Jxd5 S.dc Cbf6
and here Black was reluctant to However, the king of the silicon
sacrifice the exchange with 20 . . . brains - "Houdini" approves of it.
ib2 , which would have led t o a 16 . . . g6 17.a3 a5 18.'i/!Je3 'it>g7
very sharp position. As a result, 19 . .ig5
he ended up worse after 20 . . . 'i/!Jc6.
I should mention that the posi
tion was reached by transposi
tion. In fact, that game began with
the move-order 3.Cbd2 ie7.
14 .•. 'i/!Jxc5 15.lbe5 gadS
19 .lL!g8 !
.•
179
Chapter 24 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3)t)d2 c5 4.ttlgf3
180
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3Jt'Jd2 c5 4Jijgf3 cd 5Jijxd4 CiJf6
181
Chapter 24
182
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 . li'l d2 c5 4Ji'lgf3 cd 5 . liJxd4 11Jf6
183
Chapter 24
id6 14.ig5 0-0 15J'l:ac1 iWb6 16. amazing, but the opponents in
.b:f6 gxf6 17.iWe4 ie7 18.iWh4 both these games were the same !
E1ad8 and the position was very
complicated, Svidler - Grischuk,
Moscow 2008.) 9 . . . 1Wxg2 10.if3
iWh3 1l ..b:b7
184
l.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3Jij d2 c5 4Jijgf3 cd S . tiJxd4 l:iJf6
18S
Chapter 24
2 l .bxc3 'LldS 2 2 . Wlf3 Wlc6 23.ixf8 aS 14.ct:ld4 '<Mid7 1S.bS '<Mid6 16.ie2
Elxf8 and later, showing tremen 'Llbd7 17.ct:l4b3 a4 18.'Lle4 Wlf4 19.
dous tenacity, Black somehow ct:lbd2 ct:lcS 20.f3 b6 2 l .g3 Wlh6
managed to save the game, Svidler 2 2 .'Llf2 ib7 23.8:d1 Eld7 24.'Llfl
- Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, Elad8 Black had an overwhelming
Khanty-Mansiysk 2 0 1 1 . advantage, Grekh - Vysochin, Li
8 ••• Wlc6 petsk 2 0 0 8 . After 12 .'<Mic2 'Llb8 13.
It looks quite sensible for ct:ld4 Wlc7 14.ie2 aS 1S .bS a4 !
Black to try 8 . . . W!fS 9.ie2 ie7 10. 16.0-0 'Llbd7 17.8:ad1 ct:lcS 18.
0-0 (10.'Llf3 0-0 11.'Lld6 WlaS+ 'Ll4f3 'Llfd7 19.'Lle4 f6 20.8:fe1
12 .id2 Wlb6 13.'Llxc8 8:axc8 14. ct:lxe4 21.Wlxe4 'LlcS 2 2 .8:xd8+
Wlc2 'Llb4 1S.Wlb1 icS 16.0-0 'Llc6 Wlxd8 23.'<Mic2 id7 Black scored a
17.ic3 8:fd8 18 .Wlc2 'Llb4 19 .Wlb1 very nice victory - White's posi
'Llc6 2 0 .'<Mic2 'Lld4 and Black tried tion is even worse than it seems at
to seize the initiative but failed to first sight, Rublevsky - Riazant
win the game, Godena - Ni Hua, sev, Poikovsky 2 0 1 0 . ) 11.. .'Llb8
Reggio Emilia 2 0 0 8 . ) 10 . . . 0-0 1 2 . 8:b1 aS 13 .bxaS Wxf3 14.ct:lxf3
11.'Lld4 '<MicS 1 2 . 'Ll 2b3 '<MieS 13.if3 ElxaS. I think Black should have a
'<Mic7 14.'<Mie2 id7 1S.ie3 8:ac8 perfectly acceptable position in
16.8:ac1 'Ll cS 17.8:fdl. If Black this ending. In the game he failed
manages to exchange queens he to equalize, but even won it at the
will surely be able to equalize, end . . . 1S.ie2 'Llbd7 16.0-0 b6
Howell - Ni Hua, Dresden 2 0 0 8 . 17.id2 8:a4 18 .ib4 ct:lcS 19.8:fd1
9.lLlf3 ib7 2 0 .'LleS ia8 2 l.f3 Elb8 2 2 . 8:d2
Over-complex solutions to the 'Lle8 23.'Lld7 8:b7 24.8:bd1 gS 2S.
position, such as the move 9.a3, ct:lxcS bxcS 26.ic3 Elb8 27.ieS Elc8
do not accord with the style of 2 8 .8:d7 with positional pressure
competitive grandmasters. I do for White, McShane - Ni Hua,
not quite understand the idea of London 2009.
this move in any case. 9 . . . ie7 10. 9 ... b6 10 . .ie2 .ib7 11. 0 - 0
b4 (White tried something very ie7
strange in this game : 10.'Llf3 0-0
1l.ie2 8:d8 12 .Wlc2 'LlcS 13 .b4 Wle4
14.'<Mixe4 'Llcxe4 1S.ib2 id7 16.
0-0 aS 17.bxaS ElxaS+ and Black's
position is much the more pleas
ant, Kogan - Grischuk, Rogaska
Slatina 2 0 11.) 10 . . . 0-0 11.Wlf3.
This is another strange-looking
move. (It looks positionally more
sensible for White to play ll.ib2
Eld8 1 2 .'<Mif3 'Llb8 but after 13.'<Mic3?
186
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. CiJ d2 c5 4. CiJgj3 cd 5. CiJxd4 CiJf6
20 •.• cxd4!
Of course, Black must answer
a blow with a counter-blow!
2U!xc8 ghxc8 2 2.�a6
gc3 ! ? I believe that this move is
much more interesting than the
continuation of a previous game :
2 2 . . . l"1ab8 23 .b5+ CiJd6 24.hb7
l"1xb7 25.l"1d1 l"1c3 2 6.'&a6 l"1xb5 27.
�xa7+ l"1b7 28.'&a6 E1bc7 29.h3
l"17c6 30 .�a7+ l"1c7 31.'&a6 l"17c6
16.b4 3 2 .'&a7+ and the players agreed
White tried to obtain an ad to draw, Vachier Lagrave - Ivan
vantage with much quieter meth chuk, Biel 2 009. 23.�a5 .id5
ods in the following game, but he 24.gd1 't!?f8 25 . .!Llxd4 �d8 26.
did not achieve much : 16.l"1ad1 �a4 �b6 with a very complicated
0-0 17.CiJe5 l"1e8 18.�e3 CiJce4 19. position in which Black's pros
�f4 l"1d8 20.f3 CiJd6 2 1.�g3 CiJd7 pects are by no means worse.
187
Chapter 25 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3)i)d2 c5 4.lLlgf3 cxd4
5.exd5 VMxd5
188
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. Cb d2 c5 4. tb gj3 cd 5.ed Wffxd5 6. �c4 Wff d6
189
Chapter 25
190
l.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3. t2J d2 cS 4. t2Jgj3 cd S.ed V!ixdS 6. iJ.c4 V!id6
191
Chapter 25
192
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3Jijd2 c5 4Ji:Jgj3 cd S.ed Vfffxd5 6. i.c4 Vfff d6
his opponent, but he does retain 19.Vffff2 C2Jb4 2 0.i.e4 i.xe4 21.fxe4
some compensation ; !:'1ac8 2 2 .a3 ctJc6 with an extra
1S.C2Jfd4 ltJd4 16.C2Jd4 g6 17. pawn and a superior position for
C2Jf3 C2Jd5 18 .i.e7 Vfffe 7 19.lLle5 Vfffc S= Black, Shyam - Shimanov, Chen
13.i.h4 nai 2 0 1 1 .
After 13 .hf6 ? ! hf6 14.i.e4 14 .tt/d5 15.'i!?b1 i.b7 16.
• •
The plan with 7. Vfff e2 is becoming less and less popular lately.
White must try to find an improvement in this variation!
193
Chapter 26 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.lL'ld2 c5 4.lL'lgf3 cxd4
5.exd5 �xd5 6.i.c4 �d6 7. 0 - 0
194
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. liJ d2 c5 4. liJgf3 cd S.ed Wffxd5 6. 1lc4 Wff d6 7. 0 - 0 liJf6
19S
Chapter 26
196
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 . lil d2 c5 4 . tilgf3 cd 5.ed Wixd5 6. il.c4 Wid6 7. 0 - 0 ltJf6
197
Chapter 26
198
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.0,d2 c5 4.0,gj3 cd S.ed Vffxd5 6. ilc4 Vff d6 7. 0 - 0 0,f6
199
Chapter 26
200
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. ttJ d2 c5 4 . ttJ gj3 cd 5.edVfixd5 6. JJ.c4Vfid6 7. 0 - 0 ttJ j6
12 ... .id7!?
Some ten years ago, it was very
popular for Black to continue with
12 . . . id6 and although White
failed to prove any advantage in
the gambit which arises in the
main line, Black stopped playing
that line, for reasons I do not
quite understand. This is quite
15.id3 . The only chance for typical of the trend of fashion in
White to create any real difficul chess. It is changing and com
ties for Black is to play with maxi pletely unpredictable. 13.ttJf5
mum aggression. 15 . . . ixh2 + (15 . . . ixh 2 + 14.'it>h1 0-0 15.ttJxg7. I be
f5 ! ? 16.Vfih5 'it>h8 17.l'!e3 l'!g8 lieve it is not necessary to put ex
18.l'!ae1 §J..d 7 19.Vfixf7? This move clamation marks to well-known
is obviously based on an incorrect moves, so I shall simply show you
evaluation of the position arising. here what theory has approved
19 . . . l'!xg2 + 2 0 . c;�;>f1 l'!f8 21.Vfixf8 + and time has tested. 15 . . . l'!d8 16.
hf8 2 2 . '\t>xg2 ic5 23.c3 hd4 24. Vfif3 'it>xg7 17.ih6+ (17.g3 ? ! b5
cxd4 ic6+ 25.'1t>f1 idS and Black 18.'it>xh2 ib7 19.Vfif4 Vfic6 2 0 . l'!g1
exploited his advantage, So - l'!d1 2 1.ie3 l'!xa1 2 2 .Vfig5+ 'it>f8
Meier, Lubbock 2010.) 16.'1t>f1 if4 23 .Vfic5+ 'it>e8 24.Vfixc6+ ixc6 25.
17.g3 l'!d8 ! 18 .Vfie4 ! (18.c3 ? ! ih6 l'!xa1 ttJg4+ with an advantage for
19.Vfih5 §J..g 7 2 0.hh7+ 'it>f8 2 1 . Black, Wolff - Gulko, Durango
l'!ad1 §J..d 7 2 2 .'1t>g1 l'!ac8 , Black's 1992.) 17 . . . '\t>g6 18 .c3 (18.l'!ad1?
position is acceptable but rather l'!xd1 19.l'!xd1 e5 ! This was a very
passive, Giri - Wiedenkeller, important novelty at the time.
Ohrid 2009.) 18 .. .f5 19.ttJxf5 exf5 2 0 . 'it>xh2 ttJg4+ 21.'it>g1 'it>xh6 and
2 0 . 1Jfixf4 Vfixf4 21.gxf4 'it>g7 and White had to resign, Zaw - Kha
the endgame is worse for Black, lifman, Bali 2000.) 18 . . . ttJh5 (18 . . .
but still defensible. ttJd5? 19.l'!ad1 'it>xh6 20.l'!xd5 ! +-)
201
Chapter 26
202
l.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.CiJ d2 c5 4.Ci:Jgf3 cd S.ed WlxdS 6. 1J.c4 Wld6 7. 0 - 0 [iJj6
14.h3 15 . .ig5
It is unsound for White to con Black easily solves his prob
tinue with 14.[iJf5? hh2 + 15. <i>h1 lems after the more modest line :
0-0-0 16.[iJe7+ (Or 16.[iJxg7 ie5 15.ie3 <i>b8 16.c4 e5 17.c5 ixc5
and his knight on g7 does not 18.l"l:acl (18.l"l:ec1 Wffb6 19.l"l:xc5 Wlxc5
seem to be doing anything.) 16 . . . 2 0 . [iJe6 Wlc6 2 1 .Wffx c6 ixc6 2 2 .
<i>b8 17.g3 Wffc5 ! and Black ends up [iJxd8 l"l:xd8 23 .ixf7 [iJdS =) 18 . . .
with an extra pawn and a superior Wffb 6 19.{iJf5 he3 2 0 . l"l:xe3 hf5
position. 21.¥flxf5 e4 22 .ixf7 l"lhf8 23 .ib3
A well-known draw arises af l"l:d2 24.Wfff4+ Wffd 6 25.Wffx d6+ l"l:xd6
ter 14.he6 fxe6 15.[iJxe6 he6 with an equal endgame, Pavaso
16J''l:x e6+ <i>f7 17.Wffb 3 hh2 + ! This vic - Sakalauskas, Plovdiv 2003.
is an important intermediate 15 . . . �c5
move; otherwise Black would The other plan for Black does
simply lose the bishop on d6. 18. not work: 15 . . . ih2 + 16. <i>h1 ie5
<i>h1 <i>g6 19.Wffd 3+ <i>f7 2 0 .Wffb 3 17.l"l:ad1 h6 18 .ie3 g5 19.l"l:d3. It is
<i>g6= 2 1.g3 ? ! This is a very risky quite obvious that if White can
decision for White and it cannot manoeuvre his rook along the
end well for him. 2 1 . . .hg3 2 2 . third rank in this variation, this
fxg3 l"l:ac8 23.if4 Wffx c2 24.Wffxb7 causes plenty of problems for the
l"l:he8 25.Wffx a6 l"l:xe6 2 6 .Wffx e6 l"l:e8 opponent. 19 . . . <i>b8 2 0 .l"l:c3 Wffd 6
27.Wffh 3 l"l:e2 28.l"l:c1 Wle4+ 29.<i>g1 21.l"l:d1 Wffe 7 2 2 .ic4 with a power
h5 3 0.Wfffl [iJg4 31.l"l:d1 l"l:h2 3 2 . ful initiative for White.
l"l: d6+ <i>h7 and White resigned in
view of the unavoidable mate, Be
likov - Danielian, Jurmala 1991.
14 . . . 0 - 0 - 0
Black cannot change his mind
now: 14 . . . 0-0?! 15.ig5 ie5 16.
Wle3 and White obtains an advan
tage.
16 . .ie3
It is too risky for White to gob
ble up the gambit pawn : 16.ixf6
gxf6 17.Wffxf6 l"l:hg8 18 .l"l:ad1 l"l:g6 !
19.Wffxf7? ! (The line 19.Wfff3 l"l:dg8
2 0.g4 h5 can hardly be consid
ered satisfactory for White. For
2 03
Chapter 26
2 0 . .ig5
White might create more
problems for his opponent with
the line : 2 0.f3 .tg6 2 1 .'Lle2 h6 2 2 . Even such an expert in posi
Wg2 (White did not achieve any tions of this type as Sergey Ti
thing much after 2 2 . Wf2 .th7 viakov understood that he had no
23.a3 .teS 24.c3 l"1xdl 25.!'1xdl winning chances here and so of
!'1d8 26.!'1xd8 + Wxd8 27.g4 hS fered a draw, Tiviakov - Kramnik,
28.'Llf4 hxg4 29.hxg4 'Lld7 3 0 . Moscow 1991.
204
Parts 7-9
The last three parts of our book will be devoted to the analysis of the
most popular and, I believe, also the most dangerous move for Black
- 3.tt:lc3 . White maintains the tension in the centre and develops his
knight to a more active position, in comparison with the variation with
3.tt:ld2. Now, unless Black opts for Rubinstein's 3 . . . dxe4, which we cov
ered in Part 4, the game continues according to one of two basic sce
narios - 3 . . . tt:lf6 or 3 . . . .ib4. The positions arising from each of these
moves are completely different; but what they have in common is the
importance of handling the different pawn structures correctly, plus
the tremendous importance of concrete variations in the implementa
tion of the various plans. Thus the play involves great risks for both
sides.
205
Part 7
mention here all the strategic ideas which are typical of this variation,
since there are so many that systematizing them is practically impos
sible. Sometimes Black castles queenside and sometimes kingside.
There can be attacks against White's monarch and very often Black
comes under attack himself. There can be games featuring a slow and
patient fight for squares and outposts, as well as games with wild tacti
cal complications, in which the value of every tempo is tremendously
important. It is quite clear that whenever you play a game in the
Winawer variation, you will most probably enjoy the sheer process of
playing, particularly if you are well-prepared and have a deep under
standing of the resulting positions.
2 06
Chapter 27 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3)ijc3 i.b4
a) 4.�d3
This move looks a bit awk
ward.
4 . . • tt::le 7
White would love the game
to continue with 4 . . . dxe4 5.'�xe4
C/Jf6 6.�h4 c5 7.dxc5 C/Jd5 8.
�xd8+ mxd8 9.C/Jge2 C/Jd7 1 0 .id2
207
Chapter 27
2 08
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. ttJ c3 �b4
s . . . gxg2 ! ? ll.tlJge2
which leads to a more o r less Black equalizes in the most
forced line. simple fashion after 1 l.�d2 .bc3
In an encounter between two 12 .�xc3 �d5 =
World Champions, the future ll . . . ttJd7 12.�d2
President of FIDE played too rou Black has an excellent position
tinely and was punished for it: after 12.�f4 tLlf6 13 .�d3 �d7 14.
8 .. .f5 9.tLlge2 c5 10 . .be4 fxe4 11. 0-0-0 �c6.
�h3 ttJc6 12 .�xh7 �f6 13.tLlf4 12 . . . tlJf6 13.�h4 b6 14.
cxd4 14.tLlxg6 dxc3 15.b3 ttJe7 16. 0 - 0 - 0 �b7 15.ghgl .ie7 -
ttJxe7 �xe7 17.h4± and later with an acceptable game, since he
White prevailed, Alekhine - can counter the immediate attack
Euwe, Netherlands 1935. - 16.d5 - with the perfectly ade
A very unclear position arises quate resource : 16 . . . tLlxd5 17.
after 8 . . . ttJc6 9.tLlge2 gxg2 10 . .be4 �xh7 gxg1 18 J'1xg1 �d6 !
dxe4 1l.�xe4 �d5 12 .�xh7! ? �f3
13 .�e3 gxf2 14.�xf2 �xh1+ 15. d ) 4.exd5 exd5
�gl . It looks as though the most
reasonable course for Black is to
sacrifice a pawn for the sake of the
fastest possible development -
15 . . . �d7 16.0-0-0 0-0-0 17.
�xt7 with a slight edge for White.
9 . .ixe4
This is White's only move.
9 . . . dxe4 1 0 .Wxe4
5 . .id3
This is a popular move. White
avoids any theoretical debates
and at the same time leaves Black
with some problems . .
5.�f3 ? ! This looks a s i f White
is trying to set up Scholar's Mate ;
Black's previous cunning moves
did not allow White to develop his
1 0 . . . gg6 queen earlier to such an active po
Black must play accurately: sition. 5 . . . �e7+ 6.tLlge2 (The line
after 10 . . . �d5? 1l.�xd5 exd5 1 2 . 6 .�e3 tLlf6 7.h3 would j ust lead to
l!?f1 ! he loses a pawn. a transposition. Bearing in mind
209
Chapter 27
what happens later, White should and White must fight for equality)
think about equalizing with the 11...ltJb5 12 .�xd5 ttJxa3 13.�b3
move 6.�e3 .) 6 . . . ttJc6 �b4+ 14. <;1;>d1 �xb3 15.cxb3 ttJbS
with an interesting struggle in the
endgame ;
7.�d3. White is trying to con
solidate his position at the cost of
a tempo. This loss of time (a sec
ond move with the same piece in
the opening, and moreover the
strongest one) is unlikely to hand
the advantage to Black in view of
the symmetrical pawn structure.
Now: However, Black's game is com
after 7.�xd5? ttJf6 8.�c4 i.e6 fortable, beyond any doubt. 7 . . .
9.�d3 0-0-0 White will not sur ttJf6 (It i s slightly premature to
vive for long; play 7 . . . g6 8.a3 i.fS 9.�e3 i.c3
7.i.e3 ttJf6 8 .h3 ttJe4 (It seems 10.�c3 �e4 11.i.f4 and Black fails
quite sensible for Black to play to win a pawn.) Now any bishop
here 8 . . . i.xc3 + ! ? , for example : 9. development offers Black attrac
ttJxc3 ttJxd4 ! or 9.bxc3 ttJe4 and tive possibilities. For example, af
White has problems.) 9.a3 (Black's ter 8.i.e3 , 8 . . . g6 ! ? is already worth
play is quite easy after 9 . 0-0-0 consideration, and in the event of
i.xc3 10.ttJxc3 ttJxc3 11.bxc3 i.e6 8.i.g5 Black can ask the opponent
12 .i.d3 0-0-0 13.2"1he1 ttJaS 14. to define his intentions by 8 . . . h6.
<;1;>d2 �a3 and he is in no danger, The most sensible move is 8.i.f4.
Onoprienko - Riazantsev, Biel It could be met by either 8 . . . 0-0,
2 0 1 0 ; 12 .�g3 0-0-0 - 12 . . . 0- 0!? or 8 . . . i.e6, intending to castle
- 13.�xg7 E1dg8 14.�h6 i.fS 15. queenside. In both cases Black is
<;1;>d2 �a3 16.�h5 i.e4 17.f3 i.xc2 probably fine, although the fight
18.<;1;>xc2 �xa2+ 19.<;1;>d3 E1e8 - The is still ahead.
complications have ended in
Black's favour, Lehmann - Fara
go, Kiev 1978) 9 . . . i.a5 (It would
be less ambitious to opt for 9 . . .
i.xc3 + 10.Ci:lxc3 Ci:lxd4 11.i.xd4
Ci:lxc3+ 12 .�e3 �xe3+ 13.fxe3 Ci:le4
14.i.xg7 E1g8 15.i.e5 i.e6 16.g4=
with an approximately equal posi
tion.) 10.b4 ttJxc3 11 .bxa5 (11.
Ci:lxc3?! ttJxd4 12 .�d1 ttJfS 13.ttJxd5
Ci:lxe3 14.ttJxe7 ttJxd1 15.ttJxc8 Ci:lc3
210
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. lt:J c3 �b4
5 . . . c6 7.�xf6
This is a rarely played move, White cannot gain any ad
but one which seems to me to be vantage from 7.�f4 lt:Je7 8.�g3
perfectly reasonable in the cir lt:Jd7 9 .lt:Jge2 0-0 10.0-0-0 lt:Jg6
cumstances. Black should not be 11.�g5 �d6 12 .�xd6 �xd6 13.h4
disappointed that he has failed to h6 14.�d2 lt:Jf6 15.h5 lt:Je7 16.f3
reach the complicated positions �f5= Moreno Camero - lvan
arising after 4.e5. Instead, he chuk, Mallorca 2 004.
should simply try to equalize with 7 .. .ti:lxf6 8)l:\ge2 lilbd7 9.a3
accurate play. .ie7 1 0 .f3 h5 11.h4 lilf8 12.lilf4
Fans of sharp positions play .id7 13.�f2 0 - 0 - 0 14.lilce2
here 5 . . . lt:Jc6 ! ? 6.a3 .bc3+ 7.bxc3 tileS 15 . .id2 �f6 16 . .ib4 g6 17.
ct:Jge7 and later the development 1::1a el lilg7 18.c3 .if5= with some
of the game becomes totally un chances for Black to seize the ini
predictable. It seems to me that tiative, Alekseev - lvanchuk, Biel
Black is just asking for trouble 2009.
playing like that. For example: 8 .
�h5 �e6 9J�b1 b6 10.lt:Jf3 �d7 1 1 . e) 4 . .id3
lt:Jg5 0 - 0 - 0 12 .lt:Jxe6 �xe6+ 13. White wants to maintain the
�e3 g6 14.�f3 lt:Jf5 15.0-0 ct:Jxe3 tension in the centre. The idea is
16J'!fe1 �d6 17.fxe3 f5 18.c4 dxc4 excellent, but this way of imple
19.�xc4 and Black's king can nev menting it is questionable.
er feel safe, Glek - Chenaux, Saint
Vincent 1999.
6.�f3
Black equalizes easily after 6 .
lt:Jge2 ct:Je7 7 .0-0 �f5 8.lt:Jg3 hd3
9.�xd3 0-0 10.lt:Jce2 lt:Ja6 ll.c3
�d6 12.�f4 lt:Jc7 13J�ae1 lt:Je6= on
- Short, Parnu 1996.
6 . . . �f6
211
Chapter 27
212
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.ltJc3 .ib4
2 13
Chapter 27
214
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. lt:l c3 i.b4
2 1S
Chapter 27
216
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.ttlc3 �b4
2 17
Chapter 27
218
Chapter 28 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.tiJc3 .ib4 4.e5
Now:
Although it looks a bit exotic,
This is White's most ambitious it is quite reasonable for Black to
move. Now Black's knight will play S . . . .if8 6.Li:lf3 (Or 6 . .ibS + c6
have no access to the f6-square 7 ..ia4 .ia6 8.Li:lce2 .ibS 9 ..ib3 cS
and White will have excellent 10 .c3 Li:lc6 ll.Li:lf3 Li:lge7 12 ..ic2
chances of developing a kingside Li:lfS 13.hfS exfS 14.0-0 cxd4 1S.
initiative. However, chess is not a cxd4 .ie7 16J"1e1 .ixe2 17.l"lxe2 h6
simple game, and even the most 18.iWd3 iWd7 19.l"lc2 l"lc8 and the
principled decisions can have game is equal, Dinesh Kumar -
drawbacks. Hamdouchi, Sort 2 0 07.) 6 . . . Li:le7
4... c5 7.h4 (Or 7.b4 c6 8.a4 Li:lfS 9.l"lb1
After this move both sides Li:ld7 10 ..id3 aS 1l.bxaS l"lxaS
must play very precisely. 12 .iWe2 g6 13 .h4 h6 14.hS gS 1S.g4
The play is completely differ Li:le7 16 . .ia3 .ib7 17. 0-0 Li:lc8 18.
ent after 4 . . . b6. Black is trying to hf8 l"lxf8 19.Li:ld2 cS 2 0 . Li:lb3 l"la8
encircle White's centre and his 2l.Li:lxcS bxcS 2 2 . l"lxb7 and White
strategy is based on the exchange went on to win, Najer - Hort,
of the light-squared bishops. I ad Fuegen 2006.) 7 . . . h6 8 .hS aS
vise you to play 4 . . . cS here, but I 9 . .ibS + c6 10 . .ia4 Li:ld7 1l .Li:le2 bS
shall supply you with some basic 12 . .ib3 cS 13 .c3 Li:lc6 14. 0-0 iWc7
theoretical variations after 4 . . . b6. 1S.l"le1 c4 16 . .ic2 Li:lb6 17 . .if4 .ie7
S.a3 18 . .ig3 l"lb8 and Black has his typ-
2 19
Chapter 28
220
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. tt:lc3 �b4 4.e5 c5
The move 5.t2Jf3 does not lead 10 .tt:lb5, and the position is dou
to original positions, since after ble-edged.) 9.axb4 Wc7 10.tt:lf3
5 . . . tt:le7 the game transposes ei cxb2 11 .�xb2 Wxc2 12 .�d4 tt:l bc6
ther to 6 .dxc5 or to 6.a3 �xc3 + 13.�b5 '&e4+ 14.<i>f1 tt:lf5 15.hc6+
7.bxc3. bxc6 16 .Wd2 a5 17.b5 c5 18 .�e3
�d7 19. l"1xa5 '&b1+ 2 0 . tt:le1 l"1xa5
a) 5.�g4? ! 2 1.'&xa5 '&xb5- + Pogosian - Vy
This move cannot be recom sochin, St Petersburg 2 0 09.
mended to White. 6 .. • Wa5 ! 7.axb4
5 . . .tbe7 7.�d2 cxd4 8.axb4 '&xa1 + 9.
tt:ld1 0-0 10.tt:lf3 f5 11 .exf6 l"1xf6
12 .�g5 e5 13.'&h5 g6 14.Wh4 l"1xf3
15.�xe7 l"1f4 16.Wg3 tt:lc6 with an
absolutely hopeless position for
White, Grischuk - Shipov, ches
sassistantclub.com 2 0 04.
7 ... Wxa1 S.�dl cxd4 9.lbb5
0 - 0 1 0 .tb c7
It is absolutely senseless for
White to continue with 10.tt:lf3
tt:lbc6 1 1.�d3 tt:lg6 12.l"1e1 tt:l xb4
13.tt:la3 tt:lxd3 14.cxd3 �d7 15.
6.a3 tt:lxd4 l"1ac8- + Jansa - Korchnoi,
For 6.dxc5, see 5.dxc5. Luhacovice 1969.
After 6 .�d2? cxd4 7.'&xd4 10 ... �d7 11.�xa8
tt:lbc6, Black is better.
6.tt:lf3 ? ! cxd4 7.tt:lxd4 �c7! ? 8 .
�b5+ �d7 9 . 0 - 0 hc3 10.hd7+
tt:lxd7 11.tt:lb5 '&b6 12.tt:lxc3 0-0
13.l"1e1 l"1fc8 14.a4 l"1c4 15.'&h3
l"1ac8 16.tt:lb5 tt:lf5 17.g4 l"1xc2 18.
l"1fl tt:ld4 19.�e3 tt:le2+ 2 0 .<i>h1 d4
0-1 Friedel - Mamedyarov,
Chalkidiki 2003.
6 .'&xg7l"1g8 7.'&h6 (It would be
a disaster for White to opt for 7.
'&xh7? cxd4 8.a3 '&a5 9.tt:lf3 dxc3
10.b3 tt:lbc6 ll.tt:lg5 tt:lxe5 1 2 .f4 ll . . . �a6!
l"1xg5 13.fxg5 �d6-+ Manik - Yu This accurate move was rec
supov, Warsaw 2005.) 7 . . . cxd4 ommended by Korchnoi in the
8.a3 dxc3 (The game is rather un notes to his game. Black can also
clear after 8 . . . '&a5 9.axb4 Wxa1 play here 1 1 . . .tt:lbc6 12 .b5 tt:lb4 13.
221
Chapter 28
�xd4, which was played in the avoid 7 . . . d 4 8.a3 �a5 9.b4 tt:Jxb4
game Cuijpers - Yusupov, Nether 10.axb4 hb4 11.0-0 hc3 12.Elb1
lands 2009 and now his simplest tt:Jc6 13.tt:Jg5 tt:Jxe5 14.�h5 g6
response would be 13 . . . tt:Ja2 15.�h6 tt:Jg4 16.�b5+ �d7 17.
14.�d2 Elxa8 with an overwhelm hd7+ �xd7 18.�g7 0-0-0 19.
ing advantage. tt:Jxf7 �c7 2 0 .�f4 �xf4 2 1.tt:ld6+
12.�xd4 tt:Jc6 13.�c3 tt:Jcxb4 Elxd6 2 2 .�xb7+ - Zelcic - Barsov,
-White's position is hopeless. France 2003.) 8 . 0 - 0 (8.hg6 ! ?
fxg6 9 .�e3 0-0 10.0- 0 b6 11.cxb6
axb6 1 2 . tt:Jb5 �e7 13.tt:Jbd4 tt:Ja5
b) 5.dxc5 14.Ele1 �d7 15.b3 g5 16.h3± Yur
taev - Dolmatov, Frunze 1983)
8 . . . tt:Jgxe5 9.tt:Jxe5 tt:lxe5 10.�f4
�xc3 (10 . . . tt:Jd7 ll. tt:Jxd5 ! exd5 1 2 .
�d6 and White has a n over
whelming initiative.) 11.bxc3
tt:Jxd3 12 .cxd3 0-0 13.Ele1 �a5
14.�d6 Ele8 15.d4 Eld8 16.Ele3±
Damaso - Bartel, Evora 2006.
7 . .td3
222
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. '2l c3 �b4 4.e5 c5
with an equal endgame, Zelcic - �f4 �b6 14. 0-0-0?! �xf2 1S.<i>b1
Berg, Kusadasi 2006. �d7 16.c3 .ie8 17.Eld2 �b6 and he
8.0- 0 hc3 9.bxc3 i.d7 has no compensation for the sac
1 0 . .ie3 �c8 ll.�bl b6 12.�b4 rificed pawn, Meister - Ionov,
ll:lg6 13.a4 0 - 0 14.a5 �c7 15. Sochi 2 004.) 9 . . . �b6 10.0-0-0
axb6 axb6 16.hg6 fxg6 17.c4 '2le7 11.'2lf3
dxc4 18.�xc4 i.c6, and the
players agreed to a draw, Zelcic -
Drasko, Bosnjaci 2 00S.
c) 5 . .id2
223
Chapter 28
224
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.tLlc3 .ib4 4.e5 c5
2 2 .f3 l'!xe1+ 23 ..b:e1 '&b5 24.b3 '&g4 .b:f2 17.h5 tt::lf4 18 .g3 e5 19.
'&c5 25.b4 '&c4 26 ..ig3 b5 and '&h4 tt::lx h5 2 0 .tt::lxd5 l'!xf3 with an
Black's position is better, Okkes - overwhelming advantage for
Berelovich, Netherlands 2 0 07.) Black, Movsesian - Bukal, Medu
2 1 . . .h5 2 2 .f3 '&c5 23 . .if2 '&c4 lin 1997.) 8 .. .f5 (The author has
24.b3 '&c5 25.h4 '&e7 26.<;t>f1 a6 reached this position several
27.'&g5 '&xg5 28.hxg5 \ilh7 29. times: 8 . . . tt::lg 6 9 . .id3 - 9.0-0- 0 ! ?
.b:d4 l'!d6 30 .c3 \ilg6= Hector - - 9 . . . f5 10.exf6 '&xf6 11.0-0 tt::lf4
Rowson, York 1999. 12 ..b:h7+ \ilxh7 13.tt::lg5+ \ilg8 14.
It is sharper for White to play .ixf4 .b:c3 15 .bxc3 '&xf4 16.'&h5
6.dxc5 tt::lb c6 7.'&g4 0-0 l'!f5 17.'&e8+ l'!f8 18.'&h5 l'!f5 19.
'&e8 + and the game ended in a
draw, Savchenko - Vitiugov,
Sochi 2006.) 9 .exf6 (It is weaker
for White to play 9.'&g3 ? ! tt::lg 6 10 .
.id3 d4 11.tt::lb 5 .ixd2+ 12 .\ilxd2 a6
13. tt::l d 6 '&a5+ 14.\ild1 '&xc5, with
an excellent position for Black,
Polzin - Timman, Germany
1997.) 9 . . . l'!xf6 10.0-0-0 e5 11.
'&h5 l'!f5 (Black often plays the
8 .tt::lf3 (White sometimes plays more popular line : 1l.. . .if5 12 .a3
8.0-0-0 f5 9.exf6 l'!xf6 10 . .id3 h6 .ixc3 13 ..ixc3 d4 14 . .ic4+ mh8
ll.'&h5 .id7 1 2 .tt::lf3 '&f8 13.tt::le 2 15.tt::lg5 .ig6 16.'&e2 '&f8 17 . .ie1
.ie8 14.'&h4 tt::lg 6 15.'&g3 '&xc5 16 . tt::lg8 18.h4 h6 19 . .id3 l'!d8 2 0.f3±
.b:h6? gxh6 17.tt::lf4 '&d6 18.tt::lh 5 Borgo - Huebner, Baden 1999 ;
l'!f8 19.'&g4 tt:Jce7 and Black won 12 . . . '&a5 ! ? 13.axb4 tt:Jxb4 14 . .ig5
easily, Bengtsson - Renman, '&a1+ 15.\ild2 '&xb2 16.l'!cl .ixc2
Linkoping 1984. It looks very at 17.tt::ld 1.b:d1+ 18.\ilxd1 l'!f7 19 . .id2
tractive to play 8 . . . d4 ! ? 9 .tt::le 4 l'!f5 20.'&h4 tt:Jec6 with a powerful
.b:d2 + 10.l'!xd2 tt:Jxe5 ll.'&g3 attack. ) 1 2 .'&h4 '&f8 . This is an in
tt::l7g6 - 1 1 . . .tt::l5 g6 ! ? - 12.f4 tt::lc 6 teresting idea - Black makes sev
13 ..ic4 tt::la 5 14 ..id3 '&d5 15.\ilb1 f5 eral preparatory moves before ad
16. tt::lg5 '&xc5 17.tt::l1f3 l'!f6 18 .h4 h6 vancing his centre. 13 .'&g3 (Or
19.tt::lh 3 tt::lc 6 20.l'!hd1 .id7 and al 13.tt::lx d5? tt::lxd5 14 ..ic4 .ie6 15.
though White won the game, the tt::lg5 .ixd 2 + 16.l'!xd2 l'!xg5 17.'&xg5
position is rather unclear, Robson '&xc5 18 . .ib3 l'!e8 with advantage
- Sevillano, Saint Louis 2009. to Black, 13.\ilb1 .ixc3 14 ..b:c3
Black can also try 8 ....b:c5 9 .tt::lf3 l'!f4 ! - +; 14.bxc3 b6 15.c4 l'!xf3
tt::lg 6 1 0.'�h5 .id7 n.<;t>b1 '&e8 ! ? 16.gxf3 .if5 with acceptable com
12 .h4 - 1 2 . .id3 ! ? - 12 . . . l'!c8 13. pensation for the exchange.) 13 . . .
tt::lg5 h6 14.tt::lf3 f5 15.exf6 l'!xf6 16. \ilh8 ! I t becomes evident that
225
Chapter 28
White is nearly helpless against t o have any problems a t all, for in
Black's powerful central pawns. stance in this logical variation :
14.�g5 e4 15.tt'ld4 tt'lxd4 16J�xd4. 13.0-0-0 Vfia5 14.tt'l c7 <iJc6 15.
Here Black can make a choice be �d6 Vfixa2 16.�xd7 E1xf2 17.�xe6+
tween two excellent possibilities : Wh8 18.�e2 Vfia1+ 19.Wd2 Vfia5+
16 . . . �xc3 ! ? 17.�xe7 Vfixe7 18.Vfixc3 2 0 . Wc1 �a1=) 9 . . . <iJxc5 10.<iJd4
E1xf2 19.E1xd5 �e6, with a very Vfib6 11.0-0-0 �d7. If we count
good game, or 16 . . . �xc5 17.�xe7 the tempi, it is clear that Black has
�xe7 18.E1xd5 E1f4 and in this open a good position. The following
position Black's bishop pair fully game shows how play might con
compensates for the sacrificed tinue : 12.<iJgf3 E1fc8 13.�e3 E1c7
pawn. 14. Wb1 E1ac8 15.E1c1 a6 16.g4 <iJc6
6 . . . .b:d2 + 7.�xd2 0 - 0 17.h4 tt'le4 18.E1h2 tt'la5 19.�d3
Black should not neglect the <iJc5 2 0 .c3 C2Ja4 21.Wa1 �b5 2 2 .
possibility of castling. �b1 C2Jc4 23.�e1 C2Jcxb2 ! and Black
was better in the game Karpov -
Nogueiras, Rotterdam 1989.
The move 8 .c3, reinforcing
White's pawn chain, has an obvi
ous drawback: White's knight on
b5 is left isolated. 8 . . . <iJbc6 9.f4 a6
10.<iJd6 f6 ll.<iJf3 cxd4 12.cxd4
<iJg6 13 .�d3 (13.<iJxc8 fxe5 14.
dxe5 E1xc8 15.g3 Vfib6 16 .�h3 Wh8
17.a3 <iJa5? ! 18.Vfid4 �b5 19 .a4
�d7 2 0 . �b6± Timman - Agde
stein, Taxco 1985; 17 . . . <iJcxe5 !
8.f4 This is an important improve
This is a routine move. ment for Black. 18.<iJxe5 <iJxe5 19.
Black has no problems in the fxe5 E1c4. This attack with his ma
greedy line 8.dxc5 <iJd7 9.f4 (9. jor pieces leads to victory, for ex
Vfic3 f6 10.exf6 tt'lxf6 11 .�d3 �d7 ample after 2 0 .�g2 E1f5 21.E1cl
12.<iJd4 e5 13.<iJb3 Wic7 14.f3 a5 E1xe5+ 2 2 . Wfl E1f5+ 23.We1 Vfif2 + !
15.a4 �e6 16.�b5 Wh8 17.�d3 d4 24.Vfixf2 E1xc1+ 25.Wd2 E1xf2 + 26.
18.�c4 �f5 19.Vfie2 <iJed5 with an Wxc1 E1xg2 and the rook ending is
excellent position for Black, Jur winning for Black.) 13 . . . fxe5 14.
cik - Chytilek, Olomouc 2005; fxe5 (It is no better for White to
10.<iJf3 <iJxe5 ll.tt'lxe5 fxe5 12. opt for 14.hg6 �xd6 15.dxe5?
Vfixe5 �d7. This is an ambitious �b4 ! and he ends up a pawn
approach. Black is trying to derive down . 15.fxe5 Vfib4. Black can ex
maximum benefit from his lead in ploit the open file and his oppo
development. He does not appear nent's d4-pawn is weak, so the
226
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.tLlc3 �b4 4.e5 c5
endgame is at least equal for him. After 9.tLld6 cxd4 10.tLlf3 ttJbc6
16.�b1 aS 17.\Wxb4 axb4 18 .b3 Black has a good game. For exam
�d7 19.'it>e2 E1a3 2 0 . !'1d1 tLl a7 2 1 . ple, he can counter 1l .b4 with the
�d3 E1a8 2 2 . 'it>e3 ttJ c 6 23.!'1d2 E1xb3 interesting idea: 11...iWc7 12.bS tLlxeS!
24.axb3 fua1, Royset - Haug, Kau 13 .fxeS f6 14.b6 axb6 1S.exf6 E1xf6
tokeino 1997.) 14 . . . 2"1xf3 ! This is a 16.tLlbS �xbS 17.hbS eS 18.0-0
typical resource in the French de tLlfS and Black's powerful central
fence. After the exchange sacri pawn-mass more than compen
fice, White will lose both his d4- sates for the sacrificed piece.
and eS- pawns. 1S.gxf3 ttJxd4 16. 9 ••• .ixb5 1 0 . .ixb5
�e4 ttJxeS 17.\Wxd4 \Wxd6 18.0-0-0
tLlc6 19.iWd2 �d7 and Black has
excellent compensation for the
exchange.
8 . . . .id7! ?
This is a rarely played move,
but it sets White some rather unu
sual (for this variation) problems.
Black should avoid 8 . . . a6 9.
tLld6 cxd4 10.tLlf3 ttJbc6 11.�d3 f6
12. 0-0 fxeS 13.fxeS E1xf3 14.2"1xf3
ttJxeS 1S. iWf4 ttJxf3 + 16.gxf3 ttJc6
17.iWf7+ 'it>h8 18.'it>h1 g6 19 .hg6 10 . . . a6
\We7 2 0 .\Wf4+ - Perelshteyn - This is a new plan for Black in
Berg, Southampton 2003. this position.
Black fails to solve his prob Or 10 ... b6 ! ? 11.iWf2 bxcS 1 2 .
lems with 8 . . . ttJbc6 9.tLlf3 a6 10. iWxcS tLld7 13.\Wa3 E1b8 14.hd7
tLld6 ttJxd4 11.tLlxd4 cxd4 1 2 .�d3 \Wxd7 1S.tLlf3 E1fc8 16.0-0-0 aS
\Wb6 13.0-0-0 �d7 14.g4 (White's and he has good play along the
game is much easier.) 14 . . . ttJc8 open files, Westermeier - Z.Med
1S.tLlxc8 E1axc8 16.fS �bS 17.hbS vegy, Austria 2 00S.
iWxbS 18 .f6 d3 19.c3 \Wa4 2 0.'it>b1 ll . .id3 .!Lld7
iWc2 + 2 1.\Wxc2 dxc2+ 22. 'it>xc2 It is obvious that if Black re
and White has the edge in this gains his pawn he will have an ex
endgame, thanks to his advanced cellent position.
kingside pawns, Landa - Marzo 12.b4 a5 13.c3 axb4 14.
la, Paris 2006. cxb4 b6 15.cxb6 iWxb6 16 .!LlfJ •
227
Chapter 29 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3)t)c3 J.b4 4.e5 c5
5.a3
228
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. lt'J c3 1lb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 hc3 6.bc lt'Je7
10 J:'!b1 a6 1l.§ie2 \Wxc3+ 12 .§id2 \WbS 14.ic1 \WaS 1S.id2 \WbS (lS . . .
\Wxc2 13.Elc1 \We4 14.\Wg3 lt'Jd7 1S. \Wb6 ! ? and Black can prolong the
exf6 gxf6 16.\Wd6+ lt'Je7 17. 0-0 struggle) 16.ic1 \WaS 17.id2 and
Elg8 18.Elfe1 \Wg6 19.lt'Jh4 \Wf7 20. the players agreed to a draw,
tih6+ \ile8 2 1 .tihS+ - Vitiugov - Short - Shulman, Dhaka 1999.
Dyachkov, Dagomys 2 0 0 8 . 8 'tYa5
.•.
229
Chapter 29
E1xh6 15.1xh6 ltJf5 16.ig5 exd4 E1g4 cxd4 12.cxd4 b6 13 .1d3 ia6
17.f3 hh5 18.g4 ltJe5co, wild 14.hf5 exf5 15.E1xg7 'W'xd4 16.E1g3
and unpredictable complications f4 (Here, with 16 . . . 'W'e4+ ! , Black
arise, Shukh - Shimanov, Irkutsk could have obtained a considera-
2 010. ble advantage.) 17.E1f3 'W'xe5+ ? !
7 . . . ttJbc6 8.h5 h6 ! ? 9.'W'g4 ltJf5 (17 . . . 'W'e4+ ! ?) 18.ltJe2 'W'xh5 19.
10.id3 0-0 11.l2le2 cxd4 12.cxd4 ic3. White seized the initiative
'WaS+ 13 .id2 'W'a4 14.E1b1? ltJxe5 ! and went on to win, Vitiugov -
and Black realized his advantage, Lysyj , Serpukhov 2 008.
Nepomniachtchi - Savchenko, The game takes a completely
Olginka 2011. different course after 9.'W'b1 c4
8.i.d2 'W'a4 10 .h5 h6 11.l2le2 ltJbc6 12 .g4 id7
Or 8 . . . ttJbc6 ! ? 9.ltJf3 id7 10. 13 .ig2 0-0-0 14.ie3 f6 15.f4 f5
h5 0-0-0 1l.id3 f6 1 2 . 0-0 c4 16.g5 g6 and the players agreed to
13 .1e2 fxe5 14.ltJxe5 ttJxe5 15.dxe5 a draw, Motylev - Rustemov,
E1df8 16.1g4 E1f7 17.'W'e2 @b8 18. Tomsk 2001.
@h2 @aS 19.f4 g6 2 0.ih3 ltJf5 9 . . .lbbc6 1 0 .h5 cxd4
2 l .g4 ltJe7 2 2 .h6 with a compli- This move leads to rather forc-
cated position, Alekseev - ing play.
Grischuk, Moscow 2008 . I t is also possible for Black to
opt for 10 . . . h6 11.E1h4 ltJf5 12.E1g4
cxd4?! (12 . . . b6! ?) 13.cxd4 b6 14.
c4 ! and White obtains an edge.
9)bf3
It is not very advisable for
White to try the risky line: 9 .h5 h6
(9 . . . b 6 ! ? 10.ltJf3 ia6 ll.E1h4 hf1 ll.cxd4
1 2 .@xfl ltJf5 13.E1f4 ltJc6 14.@g1 1l.id3 dxc3 1 2 .hc3 ltJf5 13.
cxd4 15.g4 ltJfe7 16.cxd4 h6 17. h6. After this, the play is forced
ltJh4 E1c8 18.c3 'W'xd1 + 19 .E1xd1 for many moves. 13 ... gxh6 14 . .ixf5
ltJa5 and the endgame is excellent exf5 15.e6 'W'e4+ 16.@f1 'W'c4+ 17.
for Black, Sasikiran - Sutovsky, 'W'd3 'W'xd3+ 18.cxd3 0-0 19.exf7+
Antwerp 2009.) 10.E1h4 ltJf5 11. E1xf7 2 0 . E1xh6 d4 ! 2 1 .hd4 ltJxd4
230
l.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3JiJc3 ilb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 hc3 6.bc liJ e7
231
Chapter 29
232
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. liJ c3 1J.b4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 hc3 6.bc liJ e7
233
Chapter 29
234
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. lbc3 i.b4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 hc3 6.bc {jj e7
18.�e3 lt>c8 19.i.g3 {jj c 6 2 0 .{jj f3 later, for example via b5.
�hg8 2 l . lt>d2 lt>b7 2 2 .'Wh1 {jj b 5 16.13h3 tl:lc7 17.\t>fl 13af8
23.{jj e 1 {jj c 7 24.{jj g 2 �e8 25.f4 f6 18.�gl g5
26.exf6 gxf6 27.{jj h 4 f5 28.{jj g 6 Nothing new under the sun.
fxg4 29 .hg4 'Wf7 30 .'Wh3 lt>a6 Black's set-up has withstood the
31.�a1 {jj e 7 32.{jj xe7 �xe7 Black test of time.
has gained an advantage, Bologan 19.tl:lf3 tl:lc6 2 0 .ttlh2 f5 21.
- Vitiugov, Dagomys 2 0 1 0 . exf6 13xf6 22.13e3 13hf8 23.£3
13 •.. 'Wg8 14.i.g4 �h7 15J�a2
It is difficult to tell where this
rook belongs - on a2, or cl.
235
Chapter 3 0 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.lt:Jc3 .ib4 4.e5 c5
5.a3 hc3+ 6.bxc3 �e7 7.'?Ng4
236
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. t:iJ c3 i2.b4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 hc3 6.bc t:iJ e7 7. Wg4 cd
237
Chapter 3 0
any case. 12.lt:le2 0 - 0 13 .g4 .id7 tt:Jg6 10 ..id2 dxc3 11.tt:lxc3 Wc7
14 . .ig2 .ic6 15 . .ie3 tt:Jd7 16.tt:lc3 f5 12.f4 a6 13 .h4 h5 14.Wg3 tt:Jc6
17.exf6 tt:Jxf6 18.g5 tt:Jfd5 19.he4 15.0-0 tt:Jce7 16.tt:le2 tt:Jf5 17 . .ixf5
tt:Jxc3 2 0 .hc6 tt:Jxc6 21.Ei:xc3 exf5 18.tt:Jd4 Wc5 19 . .ie3 We7 2 0 .
Ei:ad8. I failed to win this position, .if2 .ie6 2 1.Ei:ab1 b 5 2 2 .a4, with a
but still Black should be quite ea rather unpleasant position for
ger to go in for it again, Kobalia - Black, Al Modiahki - Grischuk,
Vitiugov, Tomsk 2006. Sochi 2008.)
White can also try the clever
move order 8 . .id3 WaS 9.tt:le2
(9.Ei:bl. This is Bojan Vuckovic's
excellent idea. 9 . . . Wxc3 + 10.�d1
�f8 11.tt:lf3 b6 12 .Wh5 h6 13.tt:lg5
g6 14.Wh4 Wc7 15.tt:Jxf7 �xf7 16.
Wf6+ �g8 17.Ei:b3 g5 18 .hg5 hxg5
19.Wxg5+ �f8 2 0.Wf6+ �e8 2 1 .
Wxh8+ �d7 2 2 . .ib5 + tt:Jbc6 2 3 .
Wf6 a 6 24 . .ixc6+ Wxc6 25.h4 a5
26.Wf4 Wc5 27.�d2 .ia6. Black's 10 . .ig5 (10 . .id2 . This is an in
pieces have great scope and are teresting pawn-sacrifice, but it is
tremendously active, Vuckovic - not quite correct. After 10 . . . dxc3
Grischuk, Khanty-Mansiysk 2010. 11.hc3 Wc7 12.0-0 tt:Jbc6 13.Wh5
It would be interesting to know tt:Jg6 14.f4 d4 15 . .id2 f5 16.exf6
what White had in mind against Ei:xf6 17.tt:lg3 tt:Jce7 18.tt:Je4 Ei:f5 19.
the solid move 9 . . . tt:Jg6 ! ? For tt:lg5 h6 2 0.hf5 exf5 2 1 .tt:lf3 White
example: 10.tt:lf3 Wxc3 + 11..id2 was the exchange up, Maciej a -
Wc7 12.0-0 tt:Jc6 13.h4 0-0 14. Vysochin, Warsaw 2010. It is
Wg3 f6 and Black's extra material worth considering ll . . . Wd8 ! ? 1 2 .
might become the decisive fac 0-0 tt:Jd7, with the idea o f elimi
tor. ) nating White's light-squared
bishop with his knight, from cS.)
10 ... tt:Jg6 ll.f4 tt:Jd7 12 .hg6 (It
would be extremely risky for
White to continue with 12 .h4? ! f5
13 .Wg3 Ei:f7 14.h5 tt:Jgf8 15.Wh4
tt:JcS 16 . .ie7 dxc3 17.Ei:h3 .id7 18.
tt:Jd4 Ei:c8 since he obtains no com
pensation for the two missing
pawns, Short - Shulman, Ohrid
2001.) 12 . . . fxg6 13.Wxe6+ Ei:f7 14.
9 . . . 0-0 (I t is obviously too WeB+ Ei:f8 15.We6+ Ei:f7 16.0-0
dangerous for Black to play 9 . . . tt:Jb6 17.We8+ Ei:f8 18.We7 dxc3 19.
238
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. liJc3 ilb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 hc3 6.bc liJ e7 7. Wfg4 cd
if6 l"lf7 20 .Wie8+ l"lf8 2 1.Wie7 l"lf7 l"lxa1 l"laf8 23 .f3± M atulovic -
and the players did not avoid the Camilleri, Halle 1967.
triple repetition of the position, 10.l"lb 1 ! ? Wfxe5+ ll.liJe2 dxc3
Svidler - Grischuk, Nalchik 2009.
8 J�g8 9.'\�!fxh7 Wfc7
• •
239
Chapter 3 0
240
l.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3. ttJ c3 ii.b4 4.e5 cS 5.a3 hc3 6.bc ttJ e7 7. Wffg 4 cd
241
Chapter 3 0
21.Wg3 E1xd3 2 2 .Wxd3 �f8 23.�f2 game : 2 1 . l"1b3 Wa5+ 2 2 .�d2 Wa4
�g7 24.Wg3 lt:Jf3 25.�d3 E1d8 26. 23 .�b4 a5 24.�c5 E1d5 25.E1c3
�e3 E1xd3 ! 27.cxd3 Wb5- + Ortiz E1gd8 26.g4 lt:Jd4 27.E1c4 E1xc5 2 8.
Suarez - Nogueiras Santiago, Ha E1xa4 �xa4 29.c4 b 5 30 .�e4 bxc4
vana 2010) 16.Wf2 Wc6 17.�d3 31.Wb2 + lt:Jb5 32.Wf2 E1d1+ 33.
(17.g4 We4+ 18 .We2 Wa4 19.E1b1 �e2 lt:Jc3+ 34.�e3 lt:Jxe4 35.�xe4
�c6 2 0 .�f2 Wd4+ 2 1.�e3 lt:Jxe3 - �c6-+ Pijpers - Shirov, Rogaska
2 1 . . .Wd8 ! ? - 2 2 .Wxe3 Wxe3+ 23. Slatina 2 0 11.) 2 1 . . . 2 1 . . .b6 ! ? ( 2 1 . . .
�xe3 E1h8 24.h3 and White won, E1 h 8 2 2 . l"1c5 a n d the players
Volokitin - Cornette, Aix-les agreed to a draw, David - Wirig,
Bains 2011. It seems to me that it Fourmies 2 010) 2 2 .g4 �b5 23.E1c3
would be more precise for Black lt:Jd4 24.hb5 Wxb5 25.Wfl WaS
to continue with 18 . . . Wd5 19 .�g2 26.�d2 Wa4 2 7.�e3?? lt:Jxc2 - +
Wc5 20.Wf2 lt:Jd4 2 1.�e4 0-0-0 Kuipers - Stellwagen, Nether
2 2 .�e3 �c6 ! �) 17 ... Wd5 lands 2011.
12.'1Wd3 dxc3
242
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 . tiJ c3 il.b4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 hc3 6.bc tiJ e7 7. Wig4 cd
14.l"lb1
Or 14.l"lg1 Wib6 ! It is because of
this powerful manoeuvre that
White usually begins with 14.l"lb1
15 • . . il.e8 (Black did not solve his opening
It might be interesting for after 14 . . . l"lc8 15.l"lb1 d4 16.Wid3
Black to play 15 . . . Wib6 ! ? with the �ce7 17.g4 Wixc2 18.Wixc2 l"lxc2 19.
idea of preventing the activation il.d2 tiJh4 20.tiJxd4± Karjakin -
of White's rook on a1 to a more Harikrishna, Bilbao 2 0 07.) 15.
active position on bl. g4? ! (I am scared to recommend
16.h5 f6 17.exf6 �d5 18. 15.Wib2 Wic5 16.c3, but the com
il.h3 �b8 19 .g5 hh5 2 0 .he6 puter programmes like this very
he2 21.�xe2 l"lge8 22.£5 much.) 15 . . . tiJfd4 16.l"lg3 l"lc8 17.
Wie5 + Wffd 3 �b4 18.axb4 tiJxc2 + 19.�d2
Black could have won here tiJxa1 20.tiJd4 il.a4 2 l . 'it>e2 l"lxcl.
with the surprising line : 22 . . . White resigned. This was a very
Wih2 + 23.�fl tiJ e 3 + 24.i!.xe3 impressive blitzkrieg! A.Vlasov -
Wih3-+ Ponkratov, Samara 2 004.
23. �f3 Wih2 24.Wifl �e3 25. White has at his disposal a
he3 dxe3 26.l"ld1 e2 27.Wffx e2 paradoxical exchanging manoeu
�e5+ 28.�e3 Wih3+ 29.�f4 vre : 14.tiJg3 tiJxg3 (14 . . . 0-0- 0 ! ?
�c6 3 0 .Wffg4 Wffh 2+ 31.Wig3+ 15.tiJxf5 exf5 16.h4 d 4 17.Wffd 3 f6
and White's king is now quite 18.exf6 Wid6 and Black has com
comfortable behind its pawn bar pensation.) 15.hxg3 l"lc8 16.l"lb1 (16.
rier, Shirov - Shulman, Khanty a4 Wib6 17.a5 Wid4 18 .il.d2 tiJb4 19.
Mansiysk 20 07. Wixd4 tiJxc2 + 2 0 . <i>f2 tiJxd4 21.
243
Chapter 3 0
l"la2 a 6 22 .g4 j,b5 23.g5 with ap fort 2 0 05) 17.j,d2 �b7 18 .�d3
proximate equality, Frolov - Bak lLlce7 with good compensation for
lanova, St Petersburg 1994; 16 . . . Black.
a5!?) 1 6. . .lLle7!? 17.�xc7 l"lxc7 18. j,d2 15.�c4 �a5+ (Black failed to
j,a4 19.j,d3 lLlf5 and Black should prove any compensation after
be able to hold this endgame. 15 . . . 0-0-0 16.j,d2 lLlce7 17.
White sacrifices a pawn some �xc7+ <i>xc7 18.l"lg1 j,c6 19.l"lb3
times in order to simplify the po l"lh8 2 0 .g4 lLle3 2 1.he3 dxe3
sition a little. Naturally, he does 2 2 .h3 l"ld2 23.l"lg3 tt:ld5 24.c4 l"la2
not obtain any advantage by do 25.l"lb1 lLlb6 26.lLlc3 l"lxa3 27.
ing so. 14.g4 l"lxg4 15 .j,h3 l"lh4 ! ? l"lxe3 l"la5 2 8.lLlb5+ hb5 29.
16.hf5 exf5 17.j,e3 0-0-0 18. l"lxb5± Lukulus - Tatar, play
0-0-0 with a double-edged game. chess.com 2 0 07.) 16.j,d2 �xa3
14.g3 d4 15.�d3 0-0-0 16.j,g2 17.l"lxb7 lLle3 18.j,xe3 dxe3 19.�c3
lLlce7 17.0-0 j,c6 18.hc6 �xc6 19. (After 19.�b3 Black can easily
j,d2 <i>b8 2 0 . l"lf2 . Black had some transpose to the line with 19.�c3
compensation for the pawn, but he �a5+ 2 0 .�c3 �xc3 + 2 1.lLlxc3.)
continued sacrificing needlessly 19 ... �xc3 + 20.lLlxc3 lLld4 2 1 .lLle4
with 2 0 . . . lLld5? (20 . . . �b6 ! ? ; 2 0 . . . j,c6 2 2 .lLld6+ <i>d8 2 3 .lLlxf7+ and
l"ld7!?). 2 1 .lLlxd4 �b6 2 2 .c3 lLlxc3 the players agreed to draw, Adoc
23 .hc3 lLlxd4 24.�e3± Fogarasi chio - Krueger, Germany 1988.
- Degraeve, Arnhem 1989. We can continue the variation -
14 . . . d4 23 . . . <i>e8 24.lLld6+ <i>d8 25.c3 e2
26.cxd4 exf1�+ 27.l"lxf1 hb7
2 8 .lLlxb7+ <i>e7 29.l"lf2 l"lab8 30.
lLlc5 l"lb1+ 3 1 . <i>e2 l"lb2 + 3 2 .<i>f3
l"lxf2 + 33.<i>xf2 a5, with an ap
proximately equal endgame.
White's extra material is balanced
by Black's outside passed pawn.
15 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 16.:ggl
15.�d3
White just helps his opponent
if he plays 15.�c5 b6 16.�c4 l"lc8 ! ?
(16 . . . �b7 17.l"lg1 l"ld8 18.�d3 lLlce7
19.g4 lLlh4 2 0 .lLlxd4 j,c6 2 l . l"lg3
l"lxg4 2 2 . l"lxg4 l"lxd4 23.�h3 lLlhf5
24.j,d3+ - Brkic - Sengupta, Bel-
244
l.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3 . ti:J c3 �b4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 hc3 6.bc li'J e7 7. V!ig4 cd
16 . ll:la5
• • 18 .•• .ic2 !
I think this is the best move for This is the resource that
Black, but sometimes 16 . . .f6 or Black's strategy is based on. Now
16 . . . �e8 are also played. the rest of his pieces become tre
17.g4 mendously active at the cost of
After 17.:1'1b4 Black should play this bishop.
17 . . . a6 and if 18 .g4 then 18 . . . li'Je3 ! An alternative is 18 . . . li'Jb3 19.
19.�xe3 �b5 2 0 .Vfid2 dxe3 2 1 . gxf5 2"1g1 2 0 . cxd4 ( 2 0 .li'Jg1 dxc3
V!ixe3 V!ixc2 22 .li'Jd4, Sharma - 2 l.Vfie3 :1'1d1 ! + 2 2 . Wf2 c2 23.:1'1xb3
Riedel, Bad Wiessee 2009, 22 . . . hb3 with a great advantage for
Vfih2 ! 23.�b5 a b 24.:1'1b5 V!ih4 25. Black) 2 0 . . . V!ia5+ 2 l . Wf2 E1f1 + 2 2 .
mfl E1g4= Wf1 V!id5�
17 • • • .ia4 18.c3 19.V!ixc2 d3 2 0 .Vfia2 W'c5 21.
18.gxf5 E1xg1 19.li'Jxg1 �xc2 2 0 . l'!g2 ll:le3 22.ll:lg3
V!ib5 . Now White obtains two
bishops for Black's rook. White
will have a material advantage,
but the dynamic factors should
enable Black to keep the game ap
proximately balanced. 20 . . . :1'1d5
(20 . . . a6 ! ? 2 l.Vfib6 hb1 2 2 .Vfixb1
li'Jb3 23 .Wd1 V!ic3 24.fxe6 fxe6
25.Vfic2 li'Ja1 2 6.Vfid3 li'Jb3 27.Vfic2
li'Ja1 2 8.Vfib2 Wc7 - 28 . . . 2"1d7! -
29.�e2 b5 30.li'Jf3 V!ic6 3l .�d2 d3
32 .�a5 + - Smirnov - Arslanov,
Dagomys 2 0 09) 2 l.Vfib4 �xb1 2 2 . 22 • • • l'!xg4
V!ixb1 li'Jb3 23.Wd1 li'Jxcl 24.V!ixc1 2 2 . . . li'J ac4? This mistake em
E1c5 25.Vfib2 Vfic6 26.�d3 :1'1c3 27. phasizes once again that it is not
Wd2 Vfig2 + 28.li'Je2 Vfif2co Markin enough to know long forcing
- Kanovsky, Pardubice 2009. lines, you also need to be able to
remember them at the right mo
ment. 23. li'Je4 V!ic6 24.li'Jd6+ E1xd6
25.exd6 V!ie4 26 . .ixe3 li'Jxe3 27.
mf2 li'Jxg4+ 2 8 . Wg1 1-0 Ivekovic
- Martinovic, Sv Filip i Jakov
2010.
23.l'!f2 ll:lac4 24.V!ib3 b6 25.
V!ia4 ll:lc2+ 26.l'!xc2 dxc2 27.
\!ffx c2 ll:le3 28.W'e4 l'!dl+ 29.
'it>e2 ll:ld5! 30 .id2 l'!xbl (Or
•
245
Chapter 3 0
<±>d1 <±>b8 33 .'&d3 '&xd3+ 34.hd3 ttJaS 16.0-0 .ic6 17.hc6 ttJaxc6
tt:lc3+ 3S.<±>d2 tt:lxb1+ 36.hb1 1 8.'&e4 WaS 19.:§:d1 '&cS 2 0 .:1'ld3
:§:xf4 and the endgame is worse ttJdS and Black dominates, Do
for White.) 31.�xbl gxf4 32. minguez Perez - Grischuk, Al
�d3 g£2 + 33.<±>dl �xa3 and maty 2008.
Black triumphed in the ensuing White plays 14.tt:lg3 0-0-0
complicated struggle, Volokitin - 1S . .ie2 (Black can counter 1S.tt:le4
Ganguly, Moscow 2 0 07. Natural with the powerful positional sac
ly, the sharpest variation with 13. rifice - 1S . . . ttJxeS ! 16 .fxeS 16 . . .
Qc3 requires a very precise play, '&xeS 17.'&e2 .ic6 18. tt:lg3 '&h8 -
but I think that in the pages of this 18 . . . WdS ! ? - 19.Wf2 :§:g6 2 0 . .id3
book it should be sufficient for me :§:f6 2 1.'&e2 :§:dS 2 2 .tt:le4 :§:ffS 23.
to give you an idea of the outlines <±>d1 tt:lg6 24.g3 :§:feS 2S.Wg4 fS
of the arising positions and 2 6.Wxg6 fxe4-+ Smirin - Short,
schemes. Tilburg 1992 ; White cannot be
successful if he avoids the forcing
lines : 16.Wxd4 .ic6 17.'&b4 aS 18.
c) 13.gbl '&xc3 he4 19.Wxc7+ <±>xc7 20.
fxeS .ixc2 2 1.:§:a1 :§:d1 + 22. <±>f2 ttJfS
23 .g3 .ie4 24.:§:g1 tt:ld4 2S . .ib2
:§:d2 - + Hou - Nepeina Leconte,
Paris 2006.) 1S . . . ttJfS 16.<±>f2 ttJce7
17.tt:le4 .ic6 18.g4 tt:lh4 19.:§:d1
<±>b8 (19 ... .ixe4 ! ? 20.Wxe4 tt:lc6
2 1.a4 tt:lg6 with chances for both
sides.) 20.:§:b4 he4 21.Wxe4 tt:lc6
2 2 .:§:b1 <±>a8 23.a4 a6 24 ..ia3 :§:dS
2S.'&h7! - Black overlooked this
simple tactical shot and the game
was soon over, Ju. Polgar -
After this useful inclusion of Schmidt, Warsaw 2 0 0 2 .
White's rook, Black has an inter White also plays here 14.:§:g1
esting possibility: 0-0-0 1S.g4 (It is less consistent,
13 . . . d4 but still playable, to opt for 1S.
Now after 13 . . . 0-0-0 14.tt:lxc3 tt:lxd4 tt:lxd4 16.'&xd4 .ibS 17.'&xa7
Black cannot play 14 . . . a6??, be .ixf1 18. <±>xf1 Wc6 19 . .ie3 ttJfS 2 0 .
cause of 1S.'&xa6 ! <±>f2 '&e4 21.'&cS+ <±> b 8 22 .Wa7+
14.ll:lxd4 <±>c8 23.'&a8+ Aseev - Eingorn,
This is no doubt White's most Odessa 1989; 18 . . . Wc4 + ! ? 19.<±>f2
logical reaction. We4 2 0 .WcS+ <±>b8 21.Wxc3 :§:c8
He cannot obtain an advan 2 2 .:§:b4 '&h7 23.:§:c4 :§:xc4 24.'&xc4
tage with 14.g3 0-0-0 1S ..ig2 :§:c8 2S.Wd4 :§:xc 2 + 26 . .id2 Wh4+
246
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. 4J c3 :ilb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 hc3 6.bc 4J e7 7. Wig4 cd
27.g3 Wixh2+ 28J�g2 Wih1 29. 4Jxc3 dxc3 2 2 . fi:xc3 fi:xg4 23.Wih3
Wid8 + <i>a7 30 .WiaS = ) 1S ... fJ.e8 (I Wig7 24.<i>f2 <i>b8 2S.fJ.e3 1J.d7
do not think that Black can equal 26.Wif3 fi:g8 2 7.1J.h1 fi:h4 28.<i>fl
ize with 1S . . . liJdS 16. 4Jxd4 4Jxd4 fi:xh2 0-1 Schachinger - Marti
17.Wixd4 <i>b8 18J'lg3 ? ! 1J.c6 19. novic, Rogaska Slatina 2009.)
'!lieS f6 2 0 .exf6 4Jxf6 2 1.WieS liJxg4 17 ... a6 (Black is planning 18 ...
and his position is acceptable, :iJ.bS.) 18.4Jxd4?! 4Jac6 19.1J.e3
Dominguez Perez - Grischuk, 4Jxd4 2 0 .hd4 4Jc6 2 l . fi:b4 4Jxb4
Linares 2009; it is stronger for 2 2 . axb4 fJ.bS 23.Wixc3 fi:xd4 ! with
White to play 18.h4 ! ? 1J.c6 19.hS the better game for Black.
4Jf6 2 0.Wixc3 4Jxg4 2 1 .1J.e2 4Jh6 14 . . . 4Jxd4 15.Wixd4 ll:lf5 16.
2 2 .fi:xg8 fi:xg8 23.1J.e3 with an ex Wi£2
tra pawn. I can recommend for
Black the multi-purpose move -
1S . . . <i>b8 ! ?) 16.fi:g3
16 . . . Wic6
16 .. .f6 17.exf6 liJ dS 18.Wic4 At the price of a pawn Black
(The best move for White is 18. has gained several tempi for the
4Jxd4 ! 4Jxf6 19.4JbS fi:xd3 20. development of his initiative.
4Jxc7 fi:xg3 2 1.4Jxe8 fi:xe8 2 2 .hxg3 It would be too risky for him to
and Black has great problems.) play what used to be considered
18 ... eS 19.gS 1J.f7 2 0 .Wid3 1J.g6 2 1 . the main line here - 16 . . . 1J.c6 17.
fS fJ.hS 2 2 . Wie4 fi:ge8 23.<i>f2 1J.f7 fi:g1 0-0-0 18.Wixa7 4Jd4 19.1J.d3
24.1J.g2 4Jb6 2S.g6 fJ.dS 26.Wig4 e4 (Or 19. <i>f2 f6 20.1J.e3? ! fxeS 2 1 .
27.f7± Svidler - Berg, Heraklio 1J.c4 Wih7 with a n overwhelming
2 007. initiative for Black, Nijboer -
Instead of 16 . . .f6, it looks very Stellwagen, Hilversum 2 007.)
good to me for Black to continue 19 ... hg2 and here White should
with 16 . . . 4JaS ! ? 17. <i>f2 (After 17. continue with the brave move
1J.g2 '!lieS 18.fl:b4 4Jec6 19.fi:bS Wie7 2 0 .<i>f2 (It is only a draw after
2 0 .Wih7 Wif8, White suddenly sac 20 .Wia8 + <i>d7 21.Wia4+ <i>c8 2 2 .
rificed a piece, but his position Wia8 + <i> d 7 23.Wia4= Ri ff - Cor
was rather suspect in any case : 2 1 . nette, Le Port Marly 2 009.) 20 . . .
247
Chapter 3 0
V1/c6 21.:E!b4 V1/f3+ 2 2 . 1!?e1 V1/d5 playing for a win, he should opt
( 2 2 . . . V1/h5 23 .:E!c4+ �c6 24.:E!xg8 for: 24 . . . :E!xa3 25. 1!?f2 Ela2 26.h5
lt:Jf3 + 25.1!?f2 V1/h4+ 26.:E!g3 V1/xh2+ �a4 with rather unclear conse
27.\!?e3 lt:Jxe5 2 8 .V1/a8+ l!?c7 29. quences.) 25.he4 Elxe4 26.1!?e2
V1/a5+ l!?c8 30.:E!xc6+ lt:Jxc6 31. Ela4 27.�c1 Eld4 28 .h5 b5 29 .g5 a5
V1/g5+-) 23.:E!c4+ (It is even sim 30 .�e3 Eld5 3l. l!?f3± Mitkov -
pler for White to play 23 .V1/xd4 ! Lamoureux, Paris 1993.
V1/xd4 24.:E!xd4 :E!xd4 25.1!?f2 +-) 19.Elc4 0-0-0. The game con
23 ... Wxc4 24.�xc4 lt:Jf3 + 25.1!?f2 tinued logically and ended in a
lt:Jxg1 26.\!?xg1 �c6 + 27.1!?f1+- Be draw, so it is clear that White
rescu - Vargic, Djakovo 2005. needs to look for an improvement
17J'!b4 �d5 18.:E!gl �c6 somewhere. 2 0.�d3 l!?b8 21.Elxc3
V1/a2 2 2 .�e3 ( 2 2 . :E!xc6 bxc6 23.Wfc5
:E!xd3 24.cxd3 Elxg2 =) 22 . . . lt:Jxe3
23.Wfxe3 Elxg2 24.Elxg2 hg2 25.
l!?f2 �c6 2 6.�e4 �xe4 27.Wfxe4
Wfb1 28.:E!e3 Elc8 29.Ele2 Elh8 3 0.
Wfg2 Wf c 1 31.Wfg3 Wfh1 32 .1!?e3 a 6
33.:E!d2 V1/c1 34.\!?e2 V1/h1 35. \!?e3
Wfc1 36.1!?e2 Wfh1 and the players
agreed to a draw, Mamedyarov -
Alekseev, Ohrid 2009.
248
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. liJ c3 ilb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 hc3 6.bc liJ e7 7. '?1ig4 cd
The move 14.h4 merely pre E\xc7 2 0 . 1!/xe2 exf5 2 l.'i!ld3 'i!ld7
sents Black with some additional 2 2 .:id2 liJc4 23.:ic3 E\gc8 24.h4±
interesting possibilities : 14 . . . liJf5 Spassky - Doroshkievich, Sochi
15J�h3 0-0-0 (Or 15 . . J'k8 16.:id2 1964.
liJxe5 ! ? 17.fxe5 :ib5 18.'?1ff3 Wxe5+
19.'i!ld1 hf1 20.'?1ixfl d4 2l.liJe2
d3 2 2 .liJc3 E\xc3 23 .hc3 Wxc3 dl) 14.c!L!e2
24.E\c1 E\g4 with excellent com White's knight retreats . . .
pensation ; 18.liJxb5 Wxe5+ 19. 14 . .l''k8
.
'i!lf2 '?1ixa1 2 0 .liJc3 E\g4 2 1.h5 Wxa3 The magician from Lviv tried
leading to a complicated position here 14 . . . 0-0-0 15.g3 d4 16.Wc4
with a material imbalance. ) 16.h5 liJf5 17.:ig2 liJa5 18.'?1ixc7+ l!lxc7
'?1ia5 ! ? 19.E\b1 :ic6 20 .hc6 l!lxc6 2 l .'i!lf2
White sometimes plays 14. d3 2 2 . cxd3 E\xd3 23.E\g1 E\h8 24.
:id2 , but I think this move will h4 liJc4 25.a4 b6 26.Eia1 \!Ids and
lead to original positions only if in this endgame Black had good
White starts looking for trouble; compensation on the light
otherwise, after 14.E\b1 or 14.liJe2 squares, Anand - lvanchuk, Nice
there will be a transpositions to 2009.
another variation : 14 . . . liJf5 (If
14 ... liJa5 15.h4 liJf5 16.E\h3 liJ c4 17.
E\a2 0-0-0 18.h5 :ic6 19.liJe2
l!lb8 20.liJd4 Wb6 2 l.liJb3 :ib5,
Black was better in the game Mor
zywolek - Grzesik, Wroclaw
2005.) 15 .g4 E\xg4 16.:ih3 liJxe5 !
17.fxe5 Wxe5+ 18.'i!ld1 (Or 18.'i!lf2
E\d4 19.We2 Wf6 2 0 .hf5 E\xd2
2 1.'?1ixd2 Wxf5+ 2 2 .'i!le1 We5= 23.
'i!ld1 ? ! E\c8 with the better pros
pects for Black.) 18 . . . E\d4 19.'?1ie2
Ele4 2 0 .Wf2 liJe3 + ! (20 . . . E\c8 2 1 . 15.�d2
hf5 exf5 2 2 .'?1if3 E\cc4 23.E\b1 :ia4 If 15.Eib1 Black must play
24.E\b4 + - Frackowiak - Her inventively: 15 . . . liJa7 (15 . . . liJf5 ? !
rmann, Germany 2002 ) 2 l.'i!lc1 16.h3 liJce7 17.g4 liJ h 4 18.liJd4
E\c8 and Black's attack is decisive. liJc6 19.liJxc6 Wxc6 2 0.E\h2 E\h8
14.g3 liJa5 15.liJe2 (After 15. 2 l .'i!ld1 '?1ic7 2 2 .'?1ib3 '?11c 5 2 3.'?1ib6
:ig2 E\c8 16.:id2 liJc4 Black's posi Wxb6 24.E\xb6± Chandler - Tim
tion is quite acceptable.) 15 . . . liJf5 man, Linares 1988; Black should
(Or 15 . . . :ib5 ! ? 16.Wd2 Elc8 with a also consider 15 . . . liJa5 ! ? with the
complicated game.) 16.§lh3 E\c8 idea of countering 16.liJd4 with
17.hf5 :ib5 18.Wc3 :ixe2 19.Wxc7 16 . . . liJac6.) 16.:ie3 (Or 16.liJd4
249
Chapter 3 0
250
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. CiJ c3 ilb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 hc3 6.bc CiJ e7 7. !!lff g 4 cd
17.h5
d2) 14.l':lbl Black's has a decent position
after 17.:1'i:b4 d4 (Or 17 . . . CiJ c4 18.h5
!!lffc5? ! 19.CiJe4 !!lffg 1 2 0 . CiJg5 ib5
2 1 .!!lff e 2 !!lff c5 2 2 .!!lfff2 !!lff c7 2 3 .h6
:Bxg5 24.h7!± Alekseev - Vitiugov,
Kallithea 2 0 0 8 ; he should have
transposed to a theoretical posi
tion by 18 . . . ic6.) 18.CiJe4 ib5 19.
:Bxb5 (19 .c4 dxc3 2 0 .!!lffc 2 CiJc6
2 1.:1'i:xc3 'it>b8co) 19 ... axb5 2 0 .CiJf6
:Bh8 2 1.h5 CiJ c4 2 2 .g4 CiJfe3 23 .ie2
and White has compensation for
the exchange, but nothing more.
14 • •. c!Lla5 It would be premature for
It would be a blunder for him White to continue with 17.id2
to opt for 14 . . . 0-0-0 15.�xa6 ! CiJ c4 18.CiJe2 d4 ! , preventing
15.h4 White's knight from coming to
It is too slow for White to con- the d4-outpost (After 18 . . . ib5?!
2 51
Chapter 3 0
19.a4 .ba4 20.tLld4 ttJxd4 2 1 . �c3 Ei:g4 23.h6 Ei:h8 24.h7 Ei:g7
�xd4 .bc2 2 2 .l"kl ia4 23.h5 ic6 25.Ei:b3 �a7 2 6.icl .ba4 27.�b4
24.h6, White obtained good com b5 2 8 .Ei:h5 a5 29.�c3 Ei:gxh7,
pensation, Klimov - Ivanov, St White's position was hopeless in
Petersburg 2 005.) 19 .h5 (If 19. the game Becerra Rivero - Shul
ttJxd4 ib5 2 0 .tLlxb5 axb5- + ; or man, Tulsa 2008.) 2 l . . .d4 2 2 .�b3
2 0 . tLlxf5 Ei:xd3 21.cxd3 tLlxd2 22. tLl a5 23.Ei:xb5 tLlxb3 24.Ei:xc5+
tLld6+ �b8 23.�xd2 �c5 and tLlxc5 25.tLlgl Ei:g3 26.ia3 d3 27.
White is clearly worse.) 19 . . . ib5 Ei:xg3 tLlxg3 28.cxd3 ttJxa4 29.tLle2
with an excellent game for Black. tLlxh5 30 .g4 Ei:xd3 31 .gxh5 Ei:xa3-+
17 • • • tLlc4 Cheparinov - Grischuk, Baku
2008.
18.h6
White has a reasonable alter 18 ... Ei:g6
native here - 18.Ei:b4 ic6 19.tLle2 This is one of the most impor
(Or 19.h6 Ei:g6 2 0 .h7 Ei:h8 2 1.�dl tant ideas for Black in this varia
Ei:g7 2 2 .g4 tLle7 23 .id3 tLlg6 24. tion. He keeps this active rook on
.bc4 dxc4 25.ie3 Ei:gxh7 26.Ei:h5 the g-file and blocks the passed
f6 ! and Black has the initiative, pawn with his other rook.
Chigvintsev - Pokrasenko, Novo 19.h7 ghs
sibirsk 2 0 0 2 . ) 19 . . . ib5 2 0.a4 (It is
more logical for White to contin
ue with 20.tLld4 ! ttJxe5 2 1.�c3
tLlc4 2 2 .h6 ttJxd4 23.�xd4 f5 24.
Ei:bb3 and he maintains the
advantage; 2 1 . . . tLlxd4 2 2 .�xc7+
�xc7 23.Ei:xd4 .bfl 24.�xfl tLlc4
with a complicated endgame; 2 1 . . .
tLlc6 ! ? 2 2 . tLlxb5 axb5 23.Ei:xb5 tLld6
with some initiative for Black.)
2 0 ... �c5 2 1.�c3 ( 2 1.ia3 ic6 2 2 .
252
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3Ji:Jc3 ib4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 hc3 6.bc ltJ e7 7. 1Jf1g4 cd
2 0 .Y;'/f3
White fared terribly after
20.ltJe2 ibS 2 1 .ltJd4 ltJxeS 2 2 .Y;'/dl
ixfl 23.'it> xfl 1Jf1c4+ 24.ltJe2 1Jf1e4
25J'!bb3 iWxg2+ 26.mel ltJc4- +
Karjakin - Grischuk, Moscow
2 008.
The game ends in a forced
draw after 2 0 .ltJe4 dxe4 2 1.'1Wxc4
iWxc4 2 2 .ixc4 :1'1xg2 23.ha6 bxa6
24.:1'1c3+ ic6 25.:1'1xc6+ md7 26.
:1'1xa6 :1'1xh7 27.:1'1a7+ mc8 2 8 . :1'1a8+ iWxf3 23.:1'1xf3
mc7 29.:1'1a7+ mc8 30 .:1'1a8+ Becer After 23.gxf3 :1'1g7 the endgame
ra Rivero - Bhat, ICC 20 0 8 . is better for Black.
(diagram) 23 :1'1xh7 and Black has a
•••
2 0 )tJce3 !
•• promising position, because if
Or 20 . . . :1'1g7 2l.g4 ltJe7 2 2 .id3 24.i.xa6? he has the hidden tac
ltJg6 23.'\Whl ltJcxeS 24.fxe5 iWxc3 + tical resource 24 bxa6 25.
•••
25.mdl iWd4co Kulaots - Ivanov, :1'1c3+ .ic6! (but not 25 ... md8??
Sweden 2 006. 2 6.:1'1b8+ me7 27.l'k7 +-) 26.
21.i.xe3 Y;'/xc3 + 2 2 .id2
• :1'1xc6+ 'i!?d7-+
253
Chapter 31 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3)!jc3 i.b4 4.e5 c5
5.a3 i.xc3+ 6.bxc3 liJc6
254
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. l!Jc3 flb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 hc3 6.bc l!J c6
l!Je7 7.l!Jf3, because now Black pawn with : 9 . . . cxd4 10.cxd4 '&a4
cannot easily use the plan of b7- 1l.E!b1!? l!Jxd4 12.1ld3t, but the sta
b6 and flc8-a6. tistics of this variation are terrible
He has other methods of fight for Black, because White's initia
ing, though . . . tive is very dangerous.) 10.0-0
255
Chapter 31
256
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. CiJ c3 1lb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 hc3 6.bc CiJ c6
Elh4 C/Jf7 15.C/Jxf7= with equality. C/Jge7 and transpose t o the favour
The opponents agreed to a draw. able variation 6 . . . C/Je7 7.h4. In
stead, Black could consider the
sharper 9 . . . cxd4 10.cxd4 C/Jxd4,
but White has a very powerful ri
poste : l l.§J.b4 C/Jf3 (ll . . . C/Jc6 12.
C/Jd4 ! ) 1 2 .�f3 C/Je7 13 .1J.d3 C/Jc6
14.Elb1 and his initiative at least
compensates for the sacrificed
pawn.
Or 9 .�b1 c4 10 .g3 §J.d7 1 1.Slg2
0-0-0 1 2 . C/Jg5 Elf8 13 . 0 - 0 h6 14.
C/Jh3 g5 15.f3 f6 16.exf6 C/Jxf6 with
chances for both sides, Timman -
9.gbl Vaganian, Bazna 2 007.
White should also consider It would be too provocative for
9.dxc5 f6 10.C/Jd4 C/Jxd4 11.cxd4 White to choose 9 .§J.d3, when
�xd4 12 .1lb5+ �f7 13.0-0 �xe5 Black's simplest reaction would
be 9 . . . c4 10 .1J.e2 §J.d7. In the game
which we mentioned above, the
ex-world champion equalized by
closing the centre even without
gaining a tempo. So I believe that
here Black should not have any
problems at all.
9 . . . c4 1 0 .�cl b6
257
Chapter 31
b) 7.a4
258
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 . lij c3 ii.b4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 hc3 6.bc Lt:l c6
Lt:ld4 20.f4 Lt:lxc2 = Felgaer - Ro variation with 7.Lt:lf3, except that
jas, Santiago 2 006) 10 .. .f6 11.0-0 instead of the move a3-a4, White
fxe5 1 2 . Lt:lxe5 Lt:lxe5 13.dxe5 0-0 had played 0-0;
14.c4 Wlc7 15J''1 e 1 ii.c6 16.Wle2 dxc4 10 .ii.e2 f6 1l.c4 Wlc7 12.cxd5
17.hc4 ii.d5oo with good pros Lt:lxd5 13.c4 (White can also try
pects for Black, Tringov - Korch supporting his centre pawn, but
noi, Skopje 1972. this does not really benefit him:
9 • • . ii.d7 13.exf6 gxf6 14.c3 0-0-0 15.0-0
Elhg8 16.Ele1 e5 - 16 ... Lt:lf4= -
17.c4 ii.h3 18.ii.f1 Lt:lb6 19.d5 Lt:lxc4
20.dxc6 Wlxc6 2l .g3 hfl 2 2 .Elxf1
e4 23.Wlb3 Wld5+ with an edge for
Black, Spassky - Korchnoi, Bel
grade 1977.) 13 . . . Lt:lde7 14.exf6
gxf6 15.dxc5 0-0-0 16.ii.c3 e5
17.Wld6 Lt:lf5 18 .Wlxc7+ c;t>xc7 with
an excellent position for Black.
After 19.0-0 Lt:lfd4 2 0 . Lt:lxd4 Lt:lxd4
2 l .ii.d1 c;t>c6 22 ..bd4 exd4 23.
ii.f3 + c;t>xc5 24.hb7 ii.f5, White
l O .iJ.b5 was in trouble in the game Tim
This position has been reached man - Korchnoi, Leeuwarden
in more than two thousand 1976.
games, but it has still not been
analyzed thoroughly. Black has
succeeded in obtaining a good
game is several different ways.
White has tried some other
moves instead, but not very suc
cessfully:
10 .h4 f6 ll .h5 fxe5 1 2 .Lt:lxe5
Lt:lxe5 13.dxe5 Wlc7 14.f4 0-0-0oo
with a complicated position, Pirt
timaki - Farago, Helsinki 1983 ;
White did not achieve much
with 10 .g3 0-0-0 1l.ii.h3 f5 1 2 . 10 . . . a6
ii.g2 h6 1 3 . 0 - 0 ii.e8 14.Lt:le1 c4, Black can also close the centre
Van der Wiel - Nikolic, Wijk aan before exchanging White's bish
Zee 1984; op, which has remained isolated
Black obtains a good position from the rest of his forces: 10 . . . c4
after 10.ii.d3 c4 1l.ii.e2 f6. We 11.0-0 h6 1 2 . Ele1 a6 13.hc6 hc6
have seen the same position in the and the players agreed to a draw,
259
Chapter 31
Now:
the variation 9.V/if4 h6 10.h4
Black's dark-squared bishop is V/ib6 ll.dxc5 V/ixc5 leads to a posi
already absent from the board, so tion we have discussed in our
it would be logical to expect this notes to Black's eighth move in
standard queen-sortie to create the main line ;
the greatest problems for Black. the pawn-sacrifice 9.Wig3 is
7 g6
••• not very dangerous: 9 . . . cxd4 10.
This is the key position of the ltlf3 (10.h4 dxc3 ll.Wixc3 d4 1 2 .
variation. I believe that the most Wic5 �e7oo) 10 . . . dxc3 11 . .bc3 ltlh6
unpleasant plan for Black is the and Black's position is quite reli
one chosen by Anand and his sec- able;
260
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. '2Jc3 Jlb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 hc3 6.bc '2J c6
261
Chapter 31
tial, but White should test the ation and are quite difficult to
consequences of the aggressive evaluate. It seems to me that
move 11.c4 ! ? It looks as though Black's defence should be easier
Black's position is O.K. after 11 . . . after he has advanced f7-f5 and
V!ffc 7 1 2. cxd5 exd5 and White will White must work hard to prove
be unable to hold his centre, for any advantage. For example: 10 . . .
example: 13 .c3 cxd4 14.li:lf3 li:lxe5 ! V!ffe 7 ( 1 0 . . . h6? ! 1 l.ib5t) 1l.Vlfff4
15.Vlffe 2 0-0-0 16.li:lxe5 dxc3 17. id7 12.li:lf3 h6 13 .h4 c4 14.ie2
l"lc1 cxd 2 + 18.V!ffx d2 ic6ro. All this 0-0-0ro and we reach a standard
seems rather risky, but Black has position. The deployment of
two extra pawns as meaningful Black's queen on e7, in compari
compensation for his difficulties. son to the aS-square, has its plus
The position is unclear.) 9 .id2 es and drawbacks as well. White
is not forced to protect his queen
side and can acquire additional
space there by advancing a4-a5,
but castling kingside seems risky
in view of Black's possible offen
sive there, based on V!ff e 7-h7 and
g6-g5 .
The somewhat forgotten move
8.li:lf3 was rehabilitated by a fresh
idea discovered by Andrey Volo
9 .. .f5 (Black has also tried 9 . . . kitin. 8 . . . V!ffa5 (In an earlier game,
f6 10.li:lf3 fxe5 1 1 .V!ffg3 cxd4 1 2 . Ruslan chose 8 . . . id7 9 .V!fff4 f5 10.
cxd4 li:lf6 13.ib5 0-0 14.hc6 h4 h6 11.id2 c4 12 .a4 V!ffa5 13 .ie2
li:le4 15.V!ffxe5 V!ffx c6 16.ih6 V!ffc 3+ li:lge7 14.0-0 0-0-0 15.l"lfb1 l"ldg8
17.Wf1 l"lf7 18.l"lc1 V!ffc 7, Della Mar and Black had a comfortable posi
te - Lemos, Villa Ballester 2006 tion, Cheparinov - Ponomariov,
and now the line 19.Wg1 V!ffx e5 Cuernavaca 2006. However,
2 0 .li:lxe5 l"lxf2 2 1 .h4 b6 2 2 .c4ro White's play could possibly be im
would have led to a sharp and un proved earlier.) 9.id2 V!ffa4 10.
clear endgame position. After 11. ie2 (It only amount to a transpo
li:lxe5 li:lxe5 1 2 .V!fff4 cxd4 13.cxd4, sition of moves after 10.:l'la2 c4 ;
Black should try V!ffx c2 and his ex 10.V!fff4 c4 1l .ie2 h6 12 .h4 id7
tra pawn, together with the possi 13.0-0 l"lh7 14.li:lh2 0-0-0 15.:l'la2
bility of exchanging queens on the l"lf8 16.li:lg4 draw, Muzychuk -
e4-square, might well be suffi Rajlich, Ohrid 2009. Instead,
cient for equality. Nevertheless, Black should have opted for 12 . . .
the move 9 . . .f5 seems to be more V!ffx c2 with very problematic com
accurate.) 10.V!ffh 4. Similar posi pensation for White.) 10 . . . c4 11.
tions are very typical for this vari- :l'la2 id7 12.V!ffh 4
262
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3Ji:Jc3 �b4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 hc3 6.bc 'Ll c6
2 63
Chapter 31
not solve his all problems with the �d7 17.l"lh4 Wg7 18.l"lah1 l"lc8,
move 8 . . .fS because of 9.�g3 ! (It White has full compensation for
would less convincing for him to the pawn, because Black cannot
opt for 9.�f4 h6, for example: untangle his kingside. Still, it is
10.dxcS �aS 1 1.�d2 �xeS 12.li:Jf3 far from clear how White can in
li:Jge7 13 .�d3 �d7 14.0-0 0-0-0. crease his pressure and maintain
Black has sufficient counterplay an advantage.) 14 . . . �d7 1S.l"lc1
on the kingside, for instance 1S. 0-0-0 16.�e2 (16.�h4 ! ?) 16 . . .
l"lfb1 gS 16.hxgS - 16.�h2 �aS - Wb8 17.l"lc3 �b1 + 18 .�d1 li:Jge7oo
after 16 . . . li:Jg6 17.�g3 hxgS 18.�e3 Black obtained an excellent posi
�e7 19 .�xgS �h7 2 0 . Wfl l"ldg8i tion in the game Solozhenkin -
Black has the initiative on the Kashtanov, St Petersburg 2000.
kingside.) 9 . . . cxd4 lO .hS gS 11. 9.�d2
�xgS �aS 12.li:Je2 (Black obtains a White has tried 9.hS gS 10.f4
good position in the endgame af �aS 11.�d2 fS 12.�g3 g4 13.dxcS
ter 12 .�d2 dxc3 13.�xc3 �xc3 �xeS 14.�d3 li:Jge7. In the game
14.hc3 li:Jh6.) 12 . . . dxc3 13.li:Jf4 ! ? Motylev - Kruppa, Predeal 2007,
with advantage t o White. I t i s also Black succeeded in closing the po
very good for White to continue sition on the kingside and his
with 13.�xc3 �xc3+ 14.li:Jxc3 prospects were by no means
liJxeS 1S.liJbS� with a powerful worse.
initiative for the sacrificed pawn.
Black's position in the main
line is not very reliable, so he
should consider much more care
fully the line: 8 . . . �aS 9 .�d2 �a4
(or 9 . . . cxd4 10.cxd4 �a4) lO .hS
�xc2 (10 . . . liJxeS? 11.�g3 li:Jd7
12.hxg6 fxg6 13.l"lxh7±) 11.li:Jf3
cxd4 1 2. cxd4 h6 13.hxg6 �xg6
9 . . . .id7
It is worth considering the
greedy line : 9 . . . �b6 lO.dxcS (or
10.li:Jf3 �b2 11.l"lc1 c4 and Black
closes the position, winning the
enemy a-pawn, while White has
difficulties in developing any ini
14.�h3 (in the endgame after tiative. After 12 .�e2 �xa3 13.0-0
14.�xg6 fxg6 1S.�d3 Wf7 16.We2 Black, having played until now in
264
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3Ji:Jc3 il.b4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 hc3 6.bc 'Ll c6
1 0 . . �e7
.
2 65
Chapter 31
266
l.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3. CiJc3 1J.b4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 hc3 6.bc CiJ c6
2 67
Part S
268
Chapter 32 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3)[jc3 �f6 4 ..ig5 .ib4
2 69
Chapter 32
a) 6 . . . hc3+
b) 6 gxf6
• • •
a) 6 . . . hc3+
This zwischenzug is consid
ered to be a good alternative to
the immediate 6 . . . gxf6. However,
giving up bishop for knight with
out any clear necessity, or imme
5 �xd5
.•. diate benefits, and especially un
Black can also play the simpler provoked, as a zwischenzug, is a
5 . . . exd5 6.'Wf3 (White has also positional concession for Black.
tried 6.id3 0-0 7.ti:lge2 c6 8.0-0 7.bxc3 gxf6
1"1e8 9.t2lg3 h6 10.id2 ti:lbd7 11. (diagram)
ti:l ce2 ixd2 12.'Wxd2 ti:lf8 13.ti:lf4 s:�d2
'Wd6 14.f3 id7 and his advantage This is White's most precise
is merely symbolic, Shirov - lvan move. He cannot obtain much in
chuk, Morelia/Linares 2008.) 6 . . . this pawn-structure however.
ti:lbd7 7.0-0-0 (7.id3 0 - 0 8 . It is harmless for Black for
ti:lge2 c6 9 . 0 - 0 - 0 1"1 e 8 10 .h4 ie7 White to continue with 8.ti:lf3 b6
270
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.liJc3 li'Jf6 4. �g5 �b4 5.ed Wffxd5 6. hf6 hc3
271
Chapter 32
b) 6 . . . gxf6
12 • • • b6
It is a bit less precise to play
12 . . . We7 13.4JxcS eS. In the game
Safarli - Nepomniachtchi, Kirishi
2007, there followed 14.c3 lt:Je6 1S.
tt:Je4 fS 16.4Jd6 4JcS 17.!J.c4 !J.e6 18.
l'l:he1 Wf6. Now it seems danger
ous for Black if White plays 19.
7.4Jge2 he6 fxe6 20 .b4 4Ja4 2 1.Wc2 l'l:ag8
After 7.'&d2 '&aS 8.4Jge2 it is 22 .g3 l'l:g7 23.c4, but Black can hold
good for Black to play 8 . . . 4Jd7, the balance, for example with
planning to transfer the knight via 23 . . . 4Jb6 24.2'l:e3 tt:Jc8 2S.lt:JbS hS
the attractive route lt:Jd7-b6-dS. 26.:8:de1 a6 27.4Jc3 e4 2 8.f3 tt:Jb6=
9 .'&f4 (the position is simplified 13.c3 llJb3+ 14.Wc2 llJa5 15.
and balanced after 9.0-0-0 tt:Jb6 b4 llJb7 16.llJxf6 + 'i!?e7 17.llJe4
10.'i!?b1 4JdS = ; if 9.a3 tt:Jb6 10J'1d1 .id7 18.b5 f5
!J.e7 ll.lt:Jc1 fi.d7 12.4Jb3 '&gS, Black Black has obtained an excel
has nothing to complain about) lent position and it is high time
9 . . . bS ! ? 10.0-0-0 !J.e7 ll.'i!?b1 for White to think about fighting
b4� for equality.
7 • • • 4Jc6 8.a3 19.llJg5
8.'&d2 '&gS 9.f4 '&g6 10.a3 !laS It is more accurate to continue
11.g3 fi.d7 12 .fi.g2 0-0-0 13.b4 fi.b6 with 19.4Jf6 !J.c8 2 0 .4JhS lt:Jd6, but
14.lt:Ja4 tt:Je7 1S.lt:Jxb6+ axb6 16. Black has a good position in any
0-0-0 §J.c6= and again, after the case.
numerous exchanges, Black has 19 ghg8 2 0 .llJf3 llJd6 21.
•••
272
Chapter 33 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3)2Jc3 �f6 4.i.g5 i.b4
5.e5
273
Chapter 33
and here :
Black plays 9 . . . ie7 only rarely.
This might be owing to fear of
some old but spectacular analysis 24.Elh6 ! and . . . White is better.
by Alekhine. Many inaccuracies 9 . . . Wf6 10.Elxh4 (Black can
and mistakes have been discov counter 10.Wxh4 with 10 . . . Wxg7.)
ered in it, but still it is not every 10 . . . Wxg7 (White cannot refute
day that you see a position where, 10 . . . Elxg7 11.Elh8+ cj;Je7 12 .Wh3
in a quite natural and logical way, tt:lc6 13.0-0-0 ixc3 14.Wxc3
five (yes five ! ! ) queens appear on Elxg2, Barczay - Hoang Thanh
the board. 10 .g3 (It would be Trang, Budapest 2001. Here he
much more unpleasant for Black should continue with 15.ixg2
for White to play simply 10.tt:lf3 Wxh8 16.We3� with sufficient
if6 1l.Wf4 a6 1 2 . 0-0-0t with a compensation for the pawn.) 11.
powerful initiative.) 10 . . . c5 11. Wxg7 Elxg7 12 .Elh8 +
gxh4 (It is better for White to play
here 1l .dxc5, but after ll . . . if6
Black has an excellent position,
for example: 1 2 . 0-0-0 Elxg7 13.
We2 We7 14.tt:lb5 cj;lfS 15.tt:ld6 tt:ld7
16.Wb5 Elb8 ! planning b6; or 1 2 .
tt:lf3 Elxg7 13.Wf4 tt:l d 7 14.0-0-0
tt:lxc5? ; 12 .ib5+ id7 13.0-0-0
hg7 14.cj;Jb1 cj;lfS?) 11. . . cxd4 12.
h5? ! dxc3 13.h6 cxb2 14.Elb1 Wa5+
15.cj;Je2. Unfortunately, here Black 12 . . .if8 (The move 12 . . . cj;Jd7
can obtain a clear advantage, neu does not solve all of Black's prob
tralizing his opponent's attack lems: 13.tt:lf3 tt:lc6 14.0-0-0 b6
with the move 15 . . . if8 ! The fa 15.ib5 and here it is important
mous position with five queens on that the attempt to fortify his po
the board arises after 15 ... Wxa2 sition with 15 .. .f6 16.Elh6 ie7?
16.h7 Wxb1 17.hxg8W+ cj;Jd7 18. fails to 17.tt:lxd5 ! exd5 18.tt:le5 + ,
Wxf7 Wxc2+ 19.cj;lf3 tt:lc6 20. while i f 15 . . . j,d6 16.tt:le5+ -
274
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.liJc3 [/Jj6 4. §ig5 §ib4 5.e5 h6 6.efhg
16. [/Je4 §ib7 - 16 . . . 1ixe5 17.dxe5 Elxd4 2 0 . [/Jf3 Elg4 21.[/Jxd5 'it>b8
§ib7 18.Elh6 Eld8 19.[/Jxd5 exd5 2 2 .Ele1 id6 ; 19.[/Jf3 ig7 2 0 . Elh5
2 0. c4 'it>c8 2 1.hc6 iixc6 22.Elxc6 [/Jf6, Belavenets - Bondarevsky,
dxc4, the forcing line has led to a Tbilisi 1937; his compensation is
complicated rook and pawn end sufficient for a draw, but still, af
ing with the better prospects for ter for example: 2 1.Elh2, he must
White. ) 13.0-0-0 §id7 (Black take care.) 19.Elxd8+ 'it>xd8, Heu
should consider the seemingly er - Dvoretsky, Tallinn 1976.
unattractive line 13 . . . [/Jd7 14.[/Jf3
c6. It appears that he can do what
he likes behind his solid pawn
chain, since White's dark-squared
bishop is absent from the board,
for example: 15.g3 Elg6 16.§ig2 Elh6
17.Elh1 Elxh1+ 18 .1ixh1 f6 - plan
ning @f7 - 19.Elh7 §id6, evicting
White's rook by [/Jf8.) 14.Ele1 1ic6
15.f4 [/Jd7. Black frees his position
with this pawn-sacrifice. (An at White has an extra pawn but
tempt to exchange White's active he will not be able to exploit it if
bishop does not lead to quick Black defends accurately. White
equality for Black: 15 . . . Elg6 16.[/Jf3 cannot protect his pawns on d4
Elh6 17.Elg8 [/Jd7 18.§ib5?! hb5 19. and g2 and prevent the appear
[/Jxb5 0-0-0 20.[/Jxa7+ 'it>b8 21.[/JbS ance of his opponent's knight on
[/Jf6 2 2 . Elg3 [/Je4 23.Elg8 [/Jf6 = ; 18. e4, all at the same time. We shall
g4 Elh1 19.g5 0-0-0 2 0 . '\t>dU) 16. continue this variation a bit fur
f5 0-0-0 17.f:xe6 fxe6 18.Elxe6 ther: 2 0 .[/Jf3 [/Jf6 2 1.Ele1 (White
does not achieve much with 2 1 .
[/Jh4 [/Jg4 2 2 .[/JfS ig5+ 23.'it>b1
Elg8 ; or 2 1 .[/JeS ie8.) 2 l . . .id6
( 2 l . . .id7 ! ?) 2 2 .[/JeS he5 23.dxe5
(23.Elxe5 [/Jg4 24.Elh5 [/Je3 25.id3
Elxg2) 23 . . . [/Je4 24.[/Je2 Elg5 and
Black regains his pawn.
However, if the prospect of
having to defend a drawish end
game a pawn down does not ap
This position has been known peal to Black, he should pay more
for a long time and is considered attention to the slightly risky
equal. However, it must be admit move 8 . . . [/Jc6.
ted that Black still has to play pre I should mention that after the
cisely: 18 . . . §ie7 (18 . . . Elg4 19.Elh5 move 8 . . . Elxg7 White is not forced
2 75
Chapter 33
to advance his h-pawn, transpos .ixc6 bxc6 15. 0-0-0 'We7 16.!"1xh4
ing to the main line. He can reach 0-0-0, Black's pawn-structure
original positions by playing 9 .hxg5 has been disrupted but this is
'Wxg5 10.lt:lf3 1Wg6 11.'Wd2, or 9.lt:lf3. practically irrelevant, whereas his
extra pawn might become a deci
sive factor.
9 ••• 1';xg7
9.h5
It is also good for White to
play 9.'Wd3 ! ? l"\xg7 (the line 9 . . .
'Wf6 10.hxg5 'Wxg5 also deserves 1 0 .h6?!
attention) 10.hxg5 'Wxg5 11.lt:lf3 The advance of White's passed
'Wf4 12 .a3 'We4+ 13.'Wxe4 .ixc3+ pawn, in combination with an at
14.bxc3 dxe4 15.lt:ld2 f5 16.f3 exf3 tack on the advanced g5-pawn,
17.lt:lxf3 lt:ld8 ! ? 18.0-0-0 lt:lf7 looks quite natural, but it is prob
White's position appears to be ably stronger for him to opt for
more attractive, at least optically, 10 . .ib5 .id7 1l.'Wd3 (or 11.lt:lf3 f6 ! ?
but there is just too little material 12 .'We2 'We7 13.h6 l"\h7 14 . .id3 l"\h8
left on the board for him to be 15.a3 .ixc3+ 16.bxc3 o-o-m= and
able to achieve anything. Black's position is preferable) 11 . . .
Black should not fear the im 'Wf6 ( l l . . . 'We7 1 2 .h6 l"\g8 13.lt:lf3 f6
mediate 9 ..ib5 l"\xg7 10.lt:lf3, be and Black's game is rather pas
cause of 10 . . .gxh4 11.lt:le5 'Wg5 ! It sive). However, Black's position
is also possible for play simply 9 . . . would be acceptable after 12 ..ixc6
gxh4 10.'Wh5 (White's attempt to (or 1 2 .lt:lf3 .ixc3 + 13 .bxc3 g4) 12 . . .
exploit his rapid development .ixc6 13.lt:lf3 @e7!?+
fails after 10.lt:lf3 l"\xg7 ll.l"\xh4 10 . . 1';h7
.
276
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. l1J c3 l1Jf6 4. �g5 iJ.b4 5.e5 h6 6.efhg
12.'Wh5 ! ?
1 2 .a3 iJ.f8 13.h7 l1Jxd4 14.'Wh5 15.l1Jxf7 iJ.e8 16.iJ.g6 iJ.xf7 17.
(the line 14.iJ.g6 iJ.g7 is in Black's iJ.xf7 l"ldf8+
favour) 14 . . .'Wf6 15.0-0-0 iJ.d7+ 15.'Wh4 l1Jxd4 16.0-0-0 (16.
with a clear advantage for Black. l1Jxf7 l1Jxc2 !+) 16 . . . iJ.d6 ! +
12 . . . 'Wf6! 15.0-0-0 Ei:dg8 16.l1Jxf7 iJ.e8 ;
It is less accurate for Black to 16.l1Jf3 l"\xg2 and again h e has an
opt for 12 . . . l1Jxd4 13 .l1Jh3 'Wf6 (af excellent position.
ter 13 . . . iJ.e7 ! ? 14. 0-0-0i White 15.1!/f1 ! ? l"ldg8 ! ? 16.l1Jf3 l1Jxd4
has initiative for the sacrificed 17.'We5 'Wxe5 18.l1Jxe5 iJ.e8. Black's
pawn) 14.l1Jxg5 and there is a position is slightly better, thanks
transposition to the game, but to his powerful centre and the
Black loses the possibility of im bishop pair. Now 19.l1Jxd5? exd5
proving his play on move 13. 2 0 .c3 fails to 20 .. .f6-+
13. ll::l f3 We should like to show you the
analysis of the less precise move
played in the game and Mo
rozevich's recommendations for
White, in order to clarify what is
playable in this rather non-stand
ard position.
14.ll::l xg5 ll::l £5
It is too risky for Black to play
14 ... l1Jxc2+ 15.1!/d1 l1Jxa1 (15 ... iJ.xc3
16.l1Jxf7! 'Wxf2 17.l1Jxh8 + l!ld8 18.
bxc3+-) 16.l1Jxf7.
277
Chapter 33
15.hf5 !
This is the correct move for
White, as pointed out by Mo
rozevich in his annotations to the
game, from where we have bor
rowed his analysis.
White went wrong in the game
and Black maintained an advan
tage: 15.h7?! hc3+ 16.bxc3 �xc3+ 16 . . . .ie7
17.We2 �e5+ (but not 17 . . . lt:Jd4 + ? It is bad for him to continue
18.Wd1 18 . . . �xa1+ 19.W d 2 lt:Jb3+ with 16 . . . c5? 17.l"lxb4 ! cxb4 18.
2 0 . axb3 �f6 21.lt:Jxf7+ - ; 19 . . . lt:Jb5 me7 19.�h4 !
�xh1 2 0.�xf7+ Wd8 21.�f6+ Wd7 White is also better in the
2 2 .�xh8 ; 18 . . . lt:Jxc2 19 . .ib5+ c6 event of 16 . . . .if8 ? ! 17.h7 .ie7 18.
2 0. �xf7+ md8 2 Uk1±) 18.Wd2 f4.
�f4+ 19.We2 lt:Jd6! 2 0 . l"lae1 .id7 17.f4 .id7 18. 0 - 0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0
2 l .Wfl 0-o-m: Landa - Mo 19.ll:le2 .ie8 2 0 .g4 �f6 21.lt:Jf3t;
rozevich, Samara 1998. with somewhat better chances for
15 . . . �xf5 White.
278
Chapter 34 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.ll::J c3 <!bf6 4 ..ig5 .ib4
5.e5 h6 6 ..icl
2 79
Chapter 34
28 0
l.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3 . Ci:J c3 C2Jf6 4. �g5 �b4 5.e5 h6 6. �cl C2J e4
sition but with a bishop on e3 also cause after 14.a6± White has a
arises in the 6.�e3 variation, but clear advantage.) 11.b4 C2Jxe5 1 2 .
there White can create problems 'Wh5 (White has also tried the oth
for his opponent with the move er possible retreat 12 .'Wh3 �c7
13.'Wh5, Goloshchapov - Volkov, and after 13.C2Jd4 C2Jc6 14.C2Jxc6
Silivri 2003. With the bishop on 'Wf6 15.'Wf3 bxc6 16.'Wxf6 C2Jxf6 17.
c1, White has another powerful �d3 e5co Black obtained an excel
resource: 13.exf6 'Wxf6 14.�b 2 ! e5 lent position in the game Savchen
15.'Wh4 ! This accurate move is ko - Volkov, Serpuhov 2 0 0 8 ; or
important. 15 . . . g5 16.'Wg3t and 13.C2Jxe4 dxe4 14.�b2 b6 15.cxb6
White is better since, owing to the axb6 16.C2Jc3 �b7 17.C2Jb5 �b8 18.
move g7-g5 which White has pro 'Wc3 Wg8 19J'l:d1 'We7 2 0 .�d4 Wh7
voked, Black cannot now play 16 . . . 2 1.'Wxb6 �d5 2 2 .�d4 f6 23.c4 �c6
e4? ! 17.he4 C2Jxe4 18.�xf6. 24.�e2 C2Jg6 25.C2Jd6 i"ld8 26.c5
2) 8 .C2Jge2 c5 9.a3 C2Jf4f! Stocek - Tibensky, Slovakia
2008.) 12 . . . �c7 13.C2Jxe4 dxe4 14.
�b2 �g5 15.�xg5 hxg5
and now:
9 . . . �a5 10.dxc5 (the line: 1 0 .b4
C2Jxc3 11.bxa5 C2Jxe2 12 .�xe2 C2Jc6 16.C2Jc3 (Now it seems to be
is not very promising for White. very unpleasant for Black if White
He has compensation for the chooses 16./"ld1 ! , hindering the
pawn, but nothing more) 10 . . . C2Jc6 development of the c8-bishop
(for 10 ... C2Jd7 - see 10 ... C2Jc6 ll .b4 and planning C2Je2-c3-b5-d6.
C2Jxe5 ; after 10 . . . 'Wc7 ll.'Wf4 a However, the position remains
somewhat better endgame for rather unclear, for example: 16 . . .
White arises by force : l l . . . C2Jxc3 C2Jd7 17.C2Jc3 �e5 18.C2Ja4 �xb2 19.
12.C2Jxc3 hc3 + 13.bxc3 C2Jc6 14.c4 C2Jxb2 aS 2 0 .C2Jc4 axb4 2 1 . axb4
'Wxe5+ 15.'Wxe5 C2Jxe5 16.cxd5 We7 2 2 .C2Jd6 f5f! ; 18 .�b5 We7 19.
exd5 17J'l:bU; GM Suetin's recom c6 C2Jb8?! 2 0 . C2J d5+ exd5 2 1.cxb7
mendation from his book "The hb7 2 2 .he5 f6 23 .�d4t; 19 . . .
French Defence" 10 . . . C2Jxc3 11. bxc6 2 0 . .bc6 !"lb8 and suddenly,
C2Jxc3 d4 12 .b4 dxc3 13.bxa5 C2Jc6 Black has nothing to complain
does not stand up to scrutiny, be- about. I should like to mention
281
Chapter 34
that Black should refrain from the 'Llxd4 'Lld7 14.i!.d2 '\Wc7 15.f4 'Lle4
natural move 16 . . . �e7 17.'Llc3 e3 16.i!.b4+ �g8 17.i!.d3 a5 18.i!.d2
18.'Llb5 exf2 + 19.�e2 i!.b8 2 0 . 'Lldc5 19.'\We3 i!.d7 with a good
'Lld6± and White i s clearly better.) game for Black, Ehlvest - Bhat,
16 . . . e3 17.fxe3? ! (Here White San Francisco 2 000.) 11 . . . 'Llc6
should not have ignored the open 12 .c3 WaS 13 .i!.e3 'Lle7 14.'\Wh3 f6
d-file: 17. 0-0-0 ! , for example : (It might be worth testing the line
17 . . . a6 18.'Lle4. Black's position 14 . . . b5 ! ? 15.gc1 �g8 16.f3 'Llg5 17.
looks rather worrying. He cannot '\Wg4 Wxa3 - Black's pieces seem
play 17 . . . 'Llg4?, because of 18 .i!.e2 ! to be totally misplaced, but he has
'Llxf2 19.'Llb5) 17 . . . 'Llg4 18 .i!.e2 an extra pawn and is threatening
i!.g3+ 19.�d2 'Llf2f7 with chances b5-b4, while White's king is stuck
for both sides, Bruzon Batista - in the centre.) 15.exf6 ? ! (It is pos
Short, Havana 2 0 1 0 . sible that the variation 15.f3 ! ?
I t would b e interesting for 'Llg5 16.'\Wh5 creates rather serious
Black to try 9 . . . hc3 + ! ? 10 .bxc3 problems for Black.) 15 . . . 'Llxf6
(after 10.'Llxc3 f5 11.exf6 'Llxf6 1 2 . 16.g4 �g8 17.f3 i!.d7 18 .i!.d2 'Llg6
W d 1 cxd4 13.'\Wxd4 'Ll c 6 14.'\Wc5+ 19.'\Wg3 gf8 2 0 .h4 h5 2 l.gxh5
'\We7 15.i!.e3 i!.d7 16.0-0-0 �f7± 'Lle7+ Vallejo Pons - Kindermann,
White obtains a minimal edge, but Bahia Feliz 2011.
Black made a relatively easy draw
in the endgame after 17.i!.d3 Wxc5
18.i!.xc5 'Lle5 19.i!.d4 'Llxd3+ 20.
cxd3 ghc8 2 l . �d2 'Llg8 2 2 .f4 'Lle7
23.'Lle2 i!.a4= with equality, Bu
kavshin - Volkov, Samara 2011)
8.ll:l ge2
In this position White hardly
ever plays 8.a3 hc3 + 9.bxc3,
when Black has a choice between
10 ... cxd4 (after 10 ... '\WaS 1l.f3 9 . . . 'Llxc3 10 .i!.d3 b6, analogously
'Llxc3 12 .i!.d2 cxd4 13.'Llxd4 '\Wc7 to the variation 6.i!.e3 , or 9 . . . c5
14.'\Wf4 i!.d7 15.i!.d3 �g8 , White 10 .i!.d3 cxd4 ! (it is inferior to play
has excellent compensation) 11. 10 . . . 'Llxc3 1l.dxc5 '\Wc7 12.'Llf3 'Lld7
cxd4 (It would unconvincing to 13.0-0 'Llxc5 14.'\Wh4t and White
opt for 11.f3 h5 12 .'\Wh3 'Llxc3 13. exerts powerful pressure on the
282
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. t/J c3 t/Jf6 4. �g5 �b4 5.e5 h6 6. �cl t/J e4
9 ..• hc3 +
It is bad for Black to play 9 . . .
WaS 10.axb4 Wxa1 11.lLlxdS ! ± with
an obvious advantage for White.
It looks as though the move
9 . . . �aS would not solve Black's
problems either. 10.dxcS (It is less
8 . . . c5 effective for White to opt for 10. b4
It would be interesting for l2Jxc3 11.t/Jxc3 cxb4 1 2 . lLlbS b3+
Black to test the rare move 8 . . . 13.c3oo. Or ll ... cxd4 1 2 .tiJbS �c7
t/Jxc3 9.bxc3 (If 9.t/Jxc3 c S 10.a3 13.f4 l2Jc6 14.�d3 a6 1S. l2Jxc7+
�xc3 + ll.bxc3 WaS 12 .�d2 Wa4 a Wxc7 16.0-0 �d7 17.Wh4 Wd8
position arises which resembles 18 .Wf2 , Borriss - Huebner, Ger
some of the lines of the Winawer many 2 0 0 1 and after 18 . . . 0-0,
variation, but with the exchange Black's position is not at all worse ;
of a pair of knights. Naturally, 13.Wxd4 l2Jc6 14.l2Jxc7+ Wxc7 1S.
Black must also consider the pos �bS �d7 16.�xc6 Wxc6 17.�e3
sibilities of 10.dxcS or 10 .�d2 .) Wa6 18.a4 l"1c8 19 .bS WaS+ 2 0 .�d2
9 ... �e7 10.l2Jf4 cS ll.�bS+ l2Jc6 12. Wb6 2 1.Wd3oo Berg - Nepomni
a4 cxd4?! This reduction of the achtchi, Wijk aan Zee 2 0 07.) 10 . . .
tension in the centre is the main l2J c 6 ( 1 0 . . . Wc7 11.Wf4 l2Jxc3 1 2 .
cause of Black's difficulties. (after l2Jxc3 �xc3+ 13.bxc3 WxcS 14.�d2
12 . . . Wa5 13 .�d2 c4 14.0-0 �d7 l2Jd7 1S.l"1b1 a6 16.�d3 Wc7 17. 0-0
Black maintains a good and safe WxeS 18.Wb4� with excellent
position) 13.cxd4 �d7 14.0-0 Wc7 compensation for White ; 13 . . . t/Jd7
1S.�a3 0-0-0 16.�xe7 l2Jxe7 17. 14.�bS WxcS 1S.�xd7+ �xd7 16.
l2Jd3± White has an edge, thanks 0-0i - The vulnerability of the
to his queenside pressure, Najer dark squares in Black's camp
- Glek, Silivri 2 003. more than compensates for
283
Chapter 34
12 .•• §J.d7
Complications arise after
Black's other attractive move -
12 . . . l2Jc6 ! ?, but it looks as though
White retains an edge at the end
of the variation. 13.1J.e3 hS (the
line 13 . . . l2Je7 14.1lfih3 f6 might turn 13 §J.b5 14.fxe4 he2 15.
•••
out to be better for Black than it �h3 .hf1 16.:gxfl dxe4 17.mf2
looks at first sight) 14.1lfih3 bS 1S. lLld7oo A very complicated posi
-
fi:c1 (1S.f3 tt:Jxc3 16.1J.d2 b4oo) 1S . . . tion has arisen, in which Black
'Wxa3 16.f3 l2Jb4 (the only move) has weak dark squares but can or
17.cxb4 ! (after 17.fxe4 tt:Jd3+ 18. ganize an offensive on the light
md2 dxe4� the threat of bS-b4 squares, Rytshagov - Anderton,
provides Black with reasonable Gausdal 2000.
284
Chapter 35 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3)2jc3 tLlf6 4.i.g5 i.b4
5.e5 h6 6.i.e3
285
Chapter 35
286
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. 4Jc3 4Jj6 4. ilg5 ilb4 5.e5 h6 6 . ile3 4J e4 7. Wff g 4 r;f;JB
9 . . . 4Jxc3
This move, followed by 10 . . .
4Jc6, i s based o n the idea o f pre
serving a closed pawn-structure.
Black's attempt to retain the
possibility of organizing more ef
fective counterplay with 9 . . . c5 is
in crisis at the present moment. 18.iJ.xf5 ! ! A brilliant combina
10.iJ.d3 4Jxc3 (10 . . . Wffa 5 ll.CiJe2 tion ! 18 . . . exf5 19.l"1d6 ! iJ.e6 (This is
cxd4 12 .hd4 4Jc6 13.0-0) ll.dxc5 Black's only move.) 2 0 . l"1xe6±
4Jc6 (White should counter 11 . . . White gained a clear advantage in
Wffa5 with the standard resource the game Goloshchapov - Volkov,
287
Chapter 35
Istanbul 2 003. After losing this this prophylactic move and Black
game, one of the main experts in successfully solved his opening
the MacCutcheon variation for problems : 1 2 .li'lh3 li'lf5 13.li'lf4
Black - GM Volkov - switched to li'le4 14.'&f3 c5 15 . .ixe4 dxe4 16.
the defensive system with 9 . . . '&xe4 '&a5+ 17.id2 '&a4 18.c3 Ei:b8
li'lxc3 and 10 . . . li'lc6. 19.g4 li'le7 2 0.f3 li'lc6 2 1.ie3 b6
lO . .id3 lDc6 2 2 . 0 - 0 .ia6 23.Ei:f2 Ei:c8 - 23 . . .
�g8 - 24.li'lxe6+ fxe6 25.d5 '&xe4
26.fxe4+ �e7 27.dxc6 id3+ with
the better position for Black.)
ll.lDf3
White has also tried some oth 12 . . . li'la4 (It is possibly more
er plans in this position. precise to play 12 . . . li'lf5 13 .id2
11.li'lh3 f5 12.'&g3 '&e8 (This is li'la4) 13.Ei:b1 li'lb6 14.li'le2 li'lc4 15.
Volkov's improvement on his icl li'lf5 16.'&f4 h5 17.li'lg3 g6? !
game against Areshchenko, in Now White manages to develop a
which Black's position was very powerful initiative. (After the
suspect: 12 . . . g5 13.f4 g4 14.li'lf2 simple exchange 17 . . . li'lxg3 18.
li'le4 15 . .ixe4 dxe4 16.h3 gxh3 17. '&xg3, Black's position is very sol
Ei:xh3 '&e7 18.c4 b6 19.d5t with a id, but he has no active prospects
dangerous initiative for White, in sight. He should have support
Areshchenko - Volkov, Gibraltar ed his knight with the move 17 . . .
2006.) 13 .'&h4 '&e7 14 . .ig5 '&f7 15. '&d7 ! ?) 18.c3 b 6 19.li'le4 ! ± and
f3 �g8 16 . .id2 li'la4 17.Ei:b1 li'lb6 White's prospects are slightly bet
18.c3 li'lc4 19.icl '&e7 2 0.'&g3 ter, Popov - Andreikin, St Peters
li'lxa3 2 1.Ei:a1 li'lc4 2 2 .li'lf4 '&fl 23. burg 2 0 07.
h4 h5 and Black gradually con ll . . . lDe7
solidated his position and real White has also tried ll . . . li'la4
ized his extra material, Zenklusen 12.0-0 (12.Ei:b1 ! ?) 12 . . . li'lb2 13.ie2
- Volkov, Fuegen 2006. li'l c4 14.li'ld2 li'lxd2 15 . .ixd2 f5 (It
11.h4 li'le7 1 2 .f3 ! ? (In the game is worth trying 15 . . . b6, with the
Amonatov - Volkov, Khanty idea of a7-a5, ic8-a6.) 16.exf6
Mansiysk 2009, White neglected '&xf6 17.c3 e5 18.'&g3� with pow-
288
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.tiJc3 Ci'Jf6 4. 11.g5 ffl.b4 5.e5 h6 6. 11.e3 Ci'J e4 7. � g4 g6
ttJc4 15.ffl.c1
(diagram) We shall analyze now bl) 9 •••
289
Chapter 35
290
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. CiJ c3 CiJf6 4 . ilg5 ilb4 5.e5 h6 6. ile3 CiJ e4 7. 111i g 4 g6
lt:ldS 2 0 .ilxd4 j"lxg2 with advan 15.�f6 (Here White has also
tage to Black, Sutovsky - Wang tried 15.�g3 111id 5 16.111ixg5 -
Hao, Poikovsky 2 008) 17 . . . lt:lxd3+ 16 .hg5 lt:le4 - 16 . . . 111ix e5+ 17.
18.cxd3 fi:g8 19.hd4 lt:ldS (but 'LJe2 = with equality, Nemcova -
not 19 . . . lt:lb5 2 0.ile5 with an edge Guo Qi, Gaziantep 2 0 08.) 15 • • .
for White) 2 0.g3 ild7. In the re �xf6 16.exf6 ci)a4 (It i s inferior
sulting endgame Black has suffi for Black to continue with 16 . . . g4
cient compensation for the pawn, 17.ilxc3 dxc3 18.ctJe2 'LJeS 19.ile4
for example: 21.ctJe2 (It is not ad j"lb8 2 0 .h3 @d8 21. CiJxc3 §ld7 with
visable for White to play here 2 1 . a very complicated endgame in
lt:lf3 ilc6 2 2 . ctJe5? ! 'LJb4 23.'LJxc6 which Black has to fight for equal
lt:lc2 + 24.@d2 'LJxa1 25.lt:la5 b6 26. ity, Jakovenko - Vitiugov, Mos
fi:xa1 bxaS and Black's prospects cow 2 0 07.) 17.hg5 ci)xc5 18.
are even slightly preferable, Kos ci)f3 ci)xd3+ 19.cxd3 b6 2 0 .l'k1
teniuk - Zhukova, Caleta 2 010.) ilb7 21.@d2 �d8 22.�c2 �d5 23.
2 1 . . .f6 2 2 .f4 (22.j"lb1 eS�) 2 2 ... ilc6 �hc1 @d7 24 .if4 �c8 = with ap
•
d4 14.ild2 ci)c6
291
Chapter 35
10 ..• b6 ! ?
I n several games Nepomnia
chtchi preferred the move 10 . . .
t2l c 6 , but tournament practice
confirmed this to be too risky:
ll .h4 t2le7 12 .h5 gS 13.t2le2 t2lxe2
14 .11tixe2 and White had more
than sufficient initiative for the
pawn, for example : 14 . . . c5 15.dxc5
d4 16.0-0-0 .id7 17.hd4 .ic6 18 .
.ic3 11tid5 19.!:'1hg1 11tixc5 20 . .ib4
11tib6 21.c4 .ia4 2 2 . 11tif3± with a weakness of Black's pawn on h6 is
clear advantage for him, Popov - a important trump for White.
Nepomniachtchi, Dagomys 2008, Here Naiditsch recommends 2 0 .
or 14 . . . t2lf5 15.g4 Lt:lxe3 16.fxe3 cS .id2 (In the game he played 2 0 .
17.c3 c4 18 . .ic2 11tia5 19. �d2± with � d 2 Lt:l b S 2 1 . �e3 l:!af8?, but
an edge for White, Vuckovic - Black had sufficient counterplay,
Nepomniachtchi, Plovdiv 2008. Naiditsch - Stellwagen, Wijk aan
ll.h4 .ia6 12.h5 g5 13.f4 Zee 2 006) 2 0 ltlb5 21 . .ie3,
•..
The evaluation of Black's de ture games in this ending will in
fensive approach depends almost dicate its correct evaluation and
entirely on the proper assessment determine whether it will become
of the resulting endgame. The fashionable.
292
Chapter 36 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.ltJC3 tt:lf6 4.i.g5 i.b4
5.e5 h6 6.i.d2 hc3
293
Chapter 36
�a6 and Black has no problems at 9 ... c5 10 .�d3 tt'lxd2 1l.�xd2 'Llc6
all and can even think about fight 12.'Llf3 c4 13 .�e2 We7! Black im
ing for the advantage, Guseinov - proves the position of his king. He
Nepomniachtchi, Porto-Karras has a very good plan at his dispos
2011. al, which is quite typical for the
7 • • • ll:le4 8.'�g4 lt>f8 system with 8 . . . Wf8, in response
to 6.�d2. 14.a4 Wd7 15.0-0 Wc7
16.�c1 �d7= with approximate
equality, Kargin - Volkov, Mos
cow 2008. In this position, which
is very reminiscent of the Winaw
er variation 3 . . . �b4, White's dark
squared bishop is absent from the
board, while Black has a knight,
which works in Black's favour.
With the intricate move 9.
�c1 ! ? White reaches a position
from the variation with 6.�c1,
9.�d3 having deprived his opponent of
9.lLlf3 c5 10 .�d3 t2Jxd2 1l.Wxd2 the possibility of 6.�c1 tt'le4 7.�g4
(it is not convincing for White to Wf8 8.a3 �a5, and with the slight
opt for 1l.t2Jxd2 t2Jc6, with the idea difference that his pawn is on a2
of �a5) - see 9.�d3. instead of a3 .
We should take a look at
White's alternatives.
If in the main line White wants
to use the plan with 11.h4 and
l"lh1-h3, then it would be good for
him to play the immediate 9.h4,
depriving Black, after 9 .�d3 t2Jxd2
10.Wxd2 , of the possible transi
tion into an endgame with 10 . . .
�g5, although, a s w e will see lat
er, this is not good for him in any Strangely enough, this detail is
case. 9 . . . c5 10.l"lh3 t2Jc6 1l.�d3 very important: 9 . . . c5 10.�d3 (A
t2Jxd2 12.Wxd2 c4 and on the continuation which was a possi
board we have a position from the bility in the 6.�c1 variation, 10.
main line. 'Lle2? ! , is not good here : 10 ... cxd4
The move 9.�f4 enables White ll.cxd4 �a5+ 12 .c3 tt'lc6 13.�f3
to avoid the necessity of placing b5i and Black has the initiative.
his king on d2, but his queen is re The absence of the pawn on a3 is
moved from its active position. important in the variation 13.
294
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. 4:J c3 l1Jf6 4. iJ.g5 iJ.b4 5.e5 h6 6. iJ.d2 hc3
a) ll . .!lJ:£3
Now, depending on circum
It is important here that White stances, White can either prevent
does not have the standard re Black's counterplay on the queen
source 1Wg4-b4, which is possible side, or develop his initiative by
with a pawn on a3. 12 .iJ.d2 1Wa4 advancing his kingside pawns:
13.h3 1Wxg4 (13 . . . !1Je4 14.4:Je2 4:Jd7 h2-h4, g2-g4, g4-g5 . . .
15.iJ.xe4 1Wxe4 16.1Wxe4 dxe4, Klo
vans - Dvoretsky, USSR 1974.)
14.hxg4 !1Je4 (14 ... 4:J a4 ! ?) 15.iJ.xe4
dxe4 16.f4 iJ.d7 17.4:Je2 'LJa6 18 .iJ.e3
Elc8 19 .Elb1 'LJxcS 2 0 .iJ.xc5+ ElxcS
2 l . Elxb7 \ile7= Black can hold the
balance in this endgame, Hebden
- Lautier, London 1988.
9 ... .!lJxd2 1 0 .\ilxd2 c5
After 10 . . . '\WgS+ 11.\WxgS hxgS
12 .g4 ! f6 13.h4 ! ? fxe5 14.dxe5 4:Jc6
15.4:Jf3 gxh4 16.Elae1 h3 17.Elh2
iJ.d7 18.Eleh1 \ile7 19.Elxh3 Elxh3 Black i s faced with a n impor
2 0 . Elxh3± Black is slightly worse tant choice (it is more or less a
in this ending, Gdanski - Ditt matter of style . . . ) whether to close
mar, Saint Vincent 2 0 0 0 . the centre immediately (11.. .c4),
295
Chapter 36
which might lead to some difficul 1 2 ... li'lc6 13.a4 a6 14.Elhb1 Elb8
ties in advancing his queenside 15.h4 b5 16.axb5 axb5 17.'Wf4 We7
pawns, or to allow the typical cap 18 .'We3 r:J1e8 ! 19.h5 r:J1d8 2 0 .li'lg1
ture on c5 after 11.. .li'lc6 12.dxc5 ! ? b4. White's attempts to impede
ll . . . c4 Black's counterplay on the queen
11. .. li'lc6 12.dxc5 ! ? (The line : side soon led to simplification and
12 .h4 c4 13 .ie2 b5 has been ana a draw: 2 l.f4 id7 2 2 . cxb4 Elxb4
lyzed below after the move order: 23.Elxb4 Wxb4+ 24.'Wc3 Wxc3 +
1l. .. c4 12 .ie2 b5 13.h4 li'lc6; simi 25.r:J1xc3 r:J1c7= Black easily equal
lar positions arise after 12.1l*'f4 c4 izes in this endgame and the op
13 .ie2 b5.). Here, the natural ponents soon agreed to a draw,
moves 12 . . . 'Wa5 13.'Wf4 Wxc5 14. Khalifman - Short, Merida 2001.
li'ld4 id7 (It is too passive for
Black to continue with 14 . . . li'lxd4
15.Wxd4 Wxd4 16.cxd4 id7 17.
Elhb1 Elb8 18.a4 r:J1e7 19.a5t with a
small but stable advantage for
White, Brynell - Bagirov, Lenin
grad 1989.) 15.Elhb1 b6 (This is a
recommendation in the annota
tions to the game Leko - Hueb
ner, instead, 15 . . . li'ld8?! 16.a4 Elc8
was tried in the game Morozevich
- Vallejo Pons, Pamplona 1999,
but of course with tragic conse 13.h4
quences for the Spanish grand White is trying to consistently
master: 17.Elb3 a6 18 .h4 Elc7 19 .g4 implement his plan of g2-g4-g5.
li'lc6 2 0 . li'lxc6 ixc6 2 l.'Wb4 - here He has tested some other ideas
Morozevich recommends 2 l.h5t too.
- 2 1 . . . 'Wxb4 2 2 . cxb4t and White After 13.Elhb1 id7 14.'Wf4,
went on to convert his minimal Black can try 14 . . . li'l c6 ! ?, exploit
advantage into the full point.) 16. ing the fact that after 15.Elxb5, he
a4 li'la5 17.ia6 leads to a position has the tactical shot 15 . . . g5 ! +
in which White succeeds in tem The move 13.a4 breaks up
porarily blocking his opponent's Black's pawn-structure and pre
queenside, but Black's position is vents the threat of b5-b4, but pre
quite safe, Leko - Huebner, Dort sents Black with other possibili
mund 2000. Black can consider ties: 13 . . . bxa4 14.Elxa4 id7 15.
Leko's suggestions - 17 . . . Eld8 or Elaa1 li'lc6 16.h4 aS 17.'Wf4 a4 18.
17 . . . 'We7. g4, Ganguly - Volkov, Moscow
12 . .ie2 b5 2 0 07. After the immediate reac-
296
l.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3. liJ c3 liJf6 4. §J.g5 JJ.b4 5.e5 h6 6. JJ.d2 hc3
ll ••• tl:lc6
The move 11 . . . c4 leads more or
less to similar positions.
12.l"i:h3 c4
Now White can retreat his
bishop to two different squares
16.g4 (An equal endgame is with the same effect.
reached after 16.l"i:hbl l"i:b8 17.hS
%'fe7 1 8.g4 ..t>e8 19.\We3 @d8 2 0 .
l"i:gl b 4 2 1 . axb4 axb4 2 2 . cxb4
\Wxb4+ 23.\Wc3 \Wxc3+ 24 . ..t>xc3
f6= Madl - Huebner, Loeberitz
2 001 . ) 16 b4 17.axb4 (17.gS
•••
297
Chapter 36
298
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.luc3 CiJf6 4. JJ.g5 JJ.b4 5.e5 h6 6. JJ.d2 hc3
299
Part 9
The move 4.e5 introduces the Steinitz variation and the game usu
ally develops into the sort of complex positional struggle of which the
first World Champion was so fond! Nowadays, the tabia of the varia
tion arises after 4 . . . tt'lfd7 5.f4 c5 6.tt'lf3 tt'lc6 7.�e3 . All the typical fea
tures of the French defence are displayed here - the passive bishop on
c8 and the undermining pawn-breaks against White's centre, ranging
from the routine f7-f6 and c7-c5 to the more classical b5-b4 and the
ultra-modern g7-g5. White's plan is often based on his control of the
d4-outpost; posted there, his knight is usually very powerful. His active
play is usually connected with a pawn-storm on the kingside (particu
larly in positions with opposite sides castling), or with a combination of
piece-pressure and the pawn-break f4-f5. Players of the black pieces
are attracted to this line because it is reliable but they can also play it
actively and sharply. I believe that at present this is a very important
variation of the French defence.
300
Chapter 37 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.lDc3 lDf6
5.exd5
I think it is a bit artificial for
White to play 5.'Llf3 cxd4 6.'Llxd4
eS (White can counter 6 . . . 'Llc6
with 7.i.b5 ! ?) 7.'Llf3 d4 (It is worse
for Black to choose 7 . . . dxe4 8 .
i.b5+ i.d7 9.'Llxe5 i.b4 10.'Llxd7
'Llbxd7 11.0-0 i.xc3 12 .bxc3 0-0
13 .i.a3 l"le8 14.l"lb1 and White has
the initiative.) 8.'Lle2
301
Chapter 37
6)L\b5
Here White often plays 6.ib5+ 7)L\f3
id7, for example : 7.�xd4 ixb5 7.4Jxd4 e5 ! This sharp move
8 .4Jxb5 4Jxd5 9.4Je2 4Jc6 10 .�a4 enables Black to obtain a fine po
a6 (After 10 . . . ic5 ! ? Black has sition. (If 7 . . . ib4+ 8.id2 �g5 9.
chances of seizing the initiative.) ixb4 4Jxb4 10.4Jgf3 4Jxd3 + 11.
11.4Jbd4 4Jb6 12 .4Jxc6 4Jxa4 13. �xd3 �a5+ 12 .c3 4Jc6 13.4Jxc6
4Jxd8 Elxd8 14.0-0 ie7 15.b3 if6 bxc6 14.'Wd6 ib7 15.0-0-0 Eld8
16.Elbl lLlc3 17.4Jxc3 ixc3 = Stein 16.'Wxd8 + 'Wxd8 17.Elxd8 + lt>xd8,
itz - Blackburne, Vienna 1873, or Black might have problems in this
7.ixd7+ 7 . . . �xd7 8.'Wxd4 4Jc6 ! endgame, Ljubojevic - Padevsky,
9 .�dl exd5 10.4Jf3 d4 (It would Amsterdam 1972 .) 8.'We2 (8.4Jdf3
be too risky for Black to opt for 4Jb4 9.ic4 'Wxdl + 10.\t>xdl f6 and
10 . . . 0-0-0?! 11.0-0 4Je4 12 .ie3 only Black can think about an ad
f5 13.4Jb5 a6 14.4Jbd4 id6 15. vantage.) 8 . . . ib4+ 9.c3 0-0 10.
4Jxc6 bxc6 16.�d3 �b7 17.c4 d4 4Jb3 4Jxc3 (10 ... e4 ! ?) ll.bxc3
18.ig5 Eld7 19.Elabl h6 2 0 .id2 ixc3+ 12 .id2 ixa1 13.4Jxal lLlc6,
ib8 2 1.b4 g5 2 2 .a4 Elg8 23.c5 and Black has some initiative in a po-
302
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. lD c3 lDf6 4.e5 lDfd7 5. LD.f3 c5
303
Chapter 37
8 . . . f6
6 •.. 'Llc6 This is Black's most concrete
The move order is important. response.
It is less precise for Black to The play is much more com
play 6 . . . i.xc5, since White then plex after 8 . . . a6 9.�d2 b5 10 .h4
has the possibility of leaving his �b6 11.Wfl f6 1 2 .exf6 'Llxf6 13.l"le1
queen's bishop on c1 for the time 0-0 14.h5 l"la7 15.l"lh4 l"le7 16.h6
being: 7.i.d3 'Llc6 8 .�e2 . It is g6 17.a3 'Llh5 18.l"lxh5 gxh5, but
highly probable that he will have even though White won that
to deploy his bishop on f4 in any game, his compensation for the
case, but Black should force him exchange was insufficient, Nepo
to do so. mniachtchi - Volkov, Novo
7.i.f4 .ixc5 kuznetsk 2008.
Black can also continue with Not 8 . . . 0-0?? 9.i.xh7+ Wxh7
7 . . . 'Llxc5. For example, Ian Nepo 10.'Llg5+ wg6 11.�d3+ f5 12.�g3
mniachtchi is an keen fan of the 'Lldxe5 13.'Llxe6+ 'Llg4 14.'Llxd8
following line for White : 8 .h4 a6 ix£2 + 15.�xf2 'Llxf2 16.'Llxc6
9.a3 b5 10 .h5 h6 1U''lh 4 i.b7 1 2 . 'Llxh1 17.'Lle5+-
ig3 �b6 13.b4 'Ll d 7 14.�d2. One 9.exf6 �xf6
cannot expect to gain an advan This is an interesting idea for
tage with such wild play, but you Black and it less well-analyzed
can certainly confuse your oppo- than 9 . . . 'Llf6.
304
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. 4:J c3 4:Jj6 4.e5 4:Jfd7 5. 4:Jj3 c5
.th4
ll.�e2
White occasionally plays 11 .
.th4 ttJ deS (It was quite unclear
what Black was trying to achieve
with 11 . . . h6 12.0-0 0-0 13 . .tg3
4:Jf6 14.4:Je5 ttJxeS 15.he5 .td7 16.
'i!ih1 .tc6 17.f4 4:Je4 18 .�e2 4:Jd6 13 . . . a6
19.4:Jb5 hbS 2 0 .hb5 ltJfS 2 1.c3 Black has a reasonable alter
4:Je3 2 2 . E1f3 4:Jg4 23 .h3 ttJxeS 24. native here in 13 . . . .tb4 ! ? , since it
�xeS= Tsigelnitskiy - Leniart, is ineffective for White to contin
Moscow 2006.) 1 2 .4:Jxe5 ttJxeS ue with 14.4:Jb5 (Or 14.�e3 hc3
305
Chapter 37
5 • • • c5 6.f4
It is amazing but if White plays
6.c3, Black has more possibilities.
For example, he can opt for 6 . . .
2 1.he5. This move is over cxd4 ! ? (Or 6 . . . b5 ! ? This i s a n orig
optimistic. 2l.j:\xe5 ! ? 21. gxf2
•• inal and attractive move. 7.a3 ?!
22.1MI'd1 "MM'e 7 23,gxf2 ixf2 24. This is a rather feeble reaction by
gfl .ic5 25.1Mfh5 gf8 26.ge1 White. Now Black's concept is
"MM'g5 27.1Mfxg5 hxg5 and Black re justified. White does not need to
alized his extra pawn, Morozevich provide his opponent with a tar
- Bareev, Sarajevo 1999. get for attack and could play 7.f4
instead. 7 . . . cxd4 8.cxd4 b4 9.a4
.ia6 10.f4 l2Jc6 11. b3 ie7 12 .l2Jf3
b2) 5.c!Llce2 j:\c8 13.l2Jg3 ixf1 14.l2Jxf1 f6 ! 15.
This move is practically exf6?! ixf6 16.j:1b1 0-0 17.l2Je3
White's only real alternative to "MM'b 6 18 ..ib2 l2Je7 and Black can be
the Classical system with 5.f4. He quite happy with the outcome of
wants to play the Advance varia- the opening battle, Nepomnia-
306
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. l2Jc3 l2Jf6 4.e5 C2Jfd7 5. l2J ce2 c5
307
Chapter 37
tt:Jxf3 + 2 0 .gxf3 �e5 2 1 .j!,l{d2 hb2 In answer to 6 ... b5, the most
2 2 . Elc7 Elf7 23. 'tt> g 2 �xa3 24.Elfl precise line for White seems to be
and White won from this complex 7.c3 b4 (If 7 . . . tt:Jc6 then White
position, Morozevich - Gurevich, plays 8.a3 ! , impeding Black's
Moscow 2001.) 10. 'tt> f2 0-0+ 11. pawn-advance b5-b4. 8 . . . cxd4 9.
LLlf3 tt:Jc6 12.a3 (If 12 .�e3, Black tt:Jxd4 LLlxd4 10.cxd4 b4 ll.a4 j!,l{a5
can try 12 . . . tt:Jb6 ! ?) 12 . . . LLldxe5 (It 12 .�d2 �e7 13.tt:Jf3 0-0 14.�b5
looks very strong for Black to play LLlb6 15. b3 �a6 16.ha6 j!,l{xa6 17.
the novelty 12 . . . �a5 ! with the idea a5 LLld7 18 .j!,l{e2 LLlb8 19.'tt> f2 j!,l{xe2 +
of transferring the bishop to the 2 0 . \t>xe2 tt:J c 6 2 1.Elhc1 Elfc8 2 2 .Ela2
b6-square, attacking White's cen Elc7 23.Elac2 Elac8 24.a6 and
tre and his king. 13 .�e3 �b6 14.h4 White won this endgame, Anand
LLldxe5 15.dxe5 d4 and Black seiz - Shirov, Leon 2000.) 8.cxb4
es the initiative.) 13.axb4 (13.dxe5 cxb4 9 . LLlf3 �e7 10.f5 exf5 ll.LLlf4
�c5+ 14. 'tt> e 1 tt:Jxe5 15.tt:Jxe5 �f2 + 0-0 12.tt:Jxd5 tt:Jb6 13.tt:Jxe7+ j!,l{xe7
16. 'tt> d 2 j!,l[g5 + 17.'tt> c 2 j!,l{xe5 18. 14.�d3 �e6 15.0-0 tt:Jc6 16.�e3
'tt> b 1 �d7 19.LLlg3 Elac8 2 0 .�d3 LLld5 17.j!,l{d2 LLlxe3 18.j!,l{xe3 Elad8
�e8 2 l.�d2 �g6 2 2 .hg6 hxg6 19.Elac1 j!,l{b7 2 0 . Elc5. White has
23 .�c3 d4 24.�b4 Elf4 25.\t>a2. gained some pressure, but it is ob
White realized his extra piece, vious that Black should be able to
Popov - Danin, Smolensk 2005.) find an improvement, Sax -
13 ... "*'h4+ 14. 'tt> g 1 LLlxf3 + 15.gxf3 Gulko, Aruba 199 2 .
Elxf3 16. LLlg3 LLlxd4 17.�g2 Elf7 7.c3
18 .�e3 tt:Jf5 19.LLlxf5 Elxf5 2 0 .b5 After 7.tt:Jf3 it would be quite
�d7 21.b6 a6 2 2 .j!,l{d4 j!,l{h5 23.h3 logical for Black to play 7 . . . b5, fol
�c6 24.'tt> h 2 and Black's compen lowed by the standard pawn-of
sation was insufficient in the fensive on the queenside and the
game Polgar - Hernandez, Meri development of the bishop to a6.
da 2 0 0 0 . (Of course, the natural move 7 . . .
�e7 i s quite playable too.). 8.a3
Elb8 9 .g3 j!,l{b6 10 .c3 a5 11.�g2 b4
1 2 . axb4 axb4 13. 0 - 0 �a6 14.Elf2
cxd4 15.tt:Jexd4 �c5 16.'tt> h 1 0-0
17.�e3 bxc3 18.bxc3 �c4 and
Black's position is slightly better,
Tiviakov - Navara, Sibenik 2009.
In this pawn structure, Black
has several typical ideas and
plans. He can also prepare a clas
sic knight-sacrifice on e5 after
preparation with f6, �e7, j!,l{b6 and
6 . . .c!i)c6 0-0.
308
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.lbc3 CiJf6 4.e5 CiJfd7 5. 4J ce2 c5 6f4 4J c6
309
Chapter 37
310
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. {/j c3 {/jj6 4.e5 [jjjd7 5. {/jce2 c5 6j4 {/j c6
1U�h3
The situations clarifies consid
erably after 1l.b4 cxd4 12.cxd4 aS
13.bS ! This is an important and
quite natural stratagem. 13 . . .
'WxbS 14.{/jc3 'Wb6 1S.Ei:b1 'WdS
16 ..id3
(diagram)
Black's extra pawn is com
pletely irrelevant in this position.
9 • • • .ie7 However, he has other pluses . . .
After 9 . . . aS? 10 .g3, Black can 16 . . . fxeS (Or 1 6 . . . h 6 17 . .ic2 b6
not base his counterplay on any 18.'Wd3 fS 19.g4 .ia6 20. {/jbS {/ja7
checks. 10 . . . .ie7 ll . .ih3 {/jf8 1 2 . 2 l.a4 {/jc6 2 2 . .id2 {jj b4 23 . .ixb4
311
Chapter 37
312
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. Ci'J c3 l:i'Jf6 4.e5 l:i'Jfd7 5. Ci'J ce2 c5 6j4 l:i'J c6
313
Chapter 38 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.tiJc3 ttJf6 4.e5 ttJfd7
5.f4 c5
314
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. liJc3 liJf6 4.e5 liJfd7 5f4 c5 6. liJ.f3 liJc6 7. ie3 Vf1 b6
a) 7 Vf1b6
. . .
315
Chapter 38
316
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. lb c3 CiJf6 4.e5 11Jfd7 5/4 c5 6. 11Jj3 CiJ c6 7. �e3 Vfff b 6
317
Chapter 38
first to sharpen the game and af move - 23 ... l'J:ab8 ! ? and then he
ter 19 . . . bS? ! 2 0 .a4 aS? 2 l.axbS could just sit tight and wait. 24.
LL'l a7 2 2 .b6! Wxb6 23 J''1 x aS, he �c2 h6 2S.h4 l'J:ab8 26.g4 E1f8 27.
ended up a pawn down in an infe l'o:h1 fxeS 2 8 .fxeS E1bb8 29.gS. The
rior position, Almasi - Volkov, position has been opened up in
Nakhchivan 2011.) 13.LL'lb2 �d7 White's favour, Karjakin - Ernst,
14.a4. It seems that White has se Wijk aan Zee 2 00S.) 12 .a3 �e7 13.
cured his queenside and will soon g3 fS 14.exf6. The aggressive
begin his kingside offensive. The Finnish player obviously disliked
position on the board however, a closed pawn structure. 14 . . . gxf6
changes with dramatically speed. 1S.fS eS 16.�h3 �b7 17. 0-0
14 . . . LL'lg6 1S.We1 fS 16.LL'lgS 0-0 17. 0-0-0. Black's queen is a sorry
Wg3 a6 18J'U3 bS 19.aS LL'lxb4 ! sight, but things were not as trag
White's attack never even started ic as they seem . . . 18.l"1b1 bS 19.
and Black's pawn-mass settled LL'lcS LL'lxcS 2 0.bxcS l'J:he8 2 l .l'o:e1
the issue, Shomoev - Volkov, �f8 2 2 .Wc1 LL'laS 23.Wb2 LL'lb3 24.
Tomsk 2006. �e3 hcS ! 2S.dxcS d4 and Black
Black can also try a very clever seized the initiative, Nyback -
move order here - 9 . . . b6 10.�d2 Volkov, Plovdiv 2 008.
c4 1 1.b4 1 0 .b4 .!Llxb4 11.cxb4 .ixb4+
12.�d2 hd2 + 13 . .!Llxd2
318
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. Ci'J c3 Ci'Jf6 4.e5 Ci'Jfd7 5f4 c5 6. Ci'Jf3 Ci'J c6 7. �e3 Wfb6
319
Chapter 38
lt'lh4 d3 23.E1f3 E1e8 24.lt'lxg6 fxg6 his position; 16 . . . 'Wc3 17.We2 0-0
25.E1g3 'Wh7 26.E1xg6+ Wh8 27. 18.'Wb 1 ! - Black is in a big trouble.
'Wg5 E1f8 28.E1h6 E1b8 29.E1xh7+ 16.i.xa6 'Wxa6 17.'1We2
<±>xh7 30 .'Wh5+ <±>g7 31.'Wg5+ <±>h7
32.f5 E1xf5 33 .'We7+ Wg6 34.'Wc7
E1a8 35.E1b1 E1f7 36.'Wc6 d2 37.'Wa4
�d7 38.'Wc2 + Wg7 39 .'Wxd2 and
White realized his advantage in
the game Edouard - Hovhani
sian, Antwerp 2011) 22 .. .f6 (22 . . .
exfS 23.E1ae1 f6 24.exf6 'Wh7 25.
'Wf4 'Wf7 26.E1e7 'Wxf6 27.E1fe1 E1f7
2 8 . E1xf7 Wxf7 29.lt'lg5+ Wg7 30.
'Wc7+ <±>h6 31.'Wh7+ <±>xg5 32 .g3
1-0 Zherebukh - Jaiswal, New
Delhi 2011.) 23 .fxg6 'Wg7 24.'Wh5 17 'Wa3
• • •
�d7 25.exf6 E1xf6 26.lt'le5 E1af8 Black does not achieve much
27.E1xf6 E1xf6 28.E1b1 �e8 29.E1b8 with 17 . . . d3 18 .'We3 'Wa3 19.'Wd4
E1f8 30.'Wh3 hg6 31.'Wxe6+ �f7 0-0 20.0-0 E1ac8 21.lt'ld1 E1fd8
3 2 . E1xf8+ 'Wxf8 33.'Wg4+ 'Wg7 34. 2 2 .lt'lf2 lt'le4 ! ? This is an interest
'Wxd4, Black's position is accepta ing decision. He gives up a pawn
ble in this endgame, Frolyanov - with the idea of creating a power
Danin, Belgorod 2010 . ful passed pawn, supported by his
rooks. 23.lt'lfxe4 dxe4 24.'We3 E1c2
25.lt'lxe4 'Wb2 26.'Wf3 d2 27.E1ad1
E1d5 28.h3 h6 29.Wh2 E1c1 30.'We3
E1xd1 31.E1xd1 'Wxa2 32 .E1xd2.
Black saved the game, but he was
on the verge of losing throughout,
Psakhis - Dizdar, Portoroz 1987.
18.'Wb5+ �e7 19. 0 - 0
White's knights are rather
misplaced, but Black cannot ex
ploit this.
19 'We3+
• • • 2 0 .E1f2 1'!hc8
14.�d3 �a6 21.1'!afl
Black plays quietly, relying on 2 1.E1d1 g6 22.lt'lf1 'Wa3 23.E1xd4
his three pawns and White's un 'Wxa2 24.lt'lg3 'Wb3 25.'We2 -
coordinated pieces. White has the better prospects in
15.liJb2 ttlc5 the ensuing struggle, Chandler -
After 15 . . . hd3 16.lt'ld2 lt'lc5 M .Gurevich, Leningrad 1987.
17.lt'lf2 , White easily consolidates 21. .. g6 22.ttlb3 ttlxb3 23.
320
l.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3. ltJ c3 ltJf6 4.e5 ltJfd7 5j4 c5 6. 4Jj3 4Jc6 7. 1l.e3 a6
321
Chapter 38
16.Lt:l xc6 bxc6 17.�xcS ®'xeS - He has also tried several alter
Black's centre should compensate natives, since there are many rea
for the vulnerability of his king. sonable moves in this position.
Instead it would be interesting for It would not be advisable for
Black to play: 13 . . . h6 ! ? 14.gxh6 White to opt for 9.fS?! cxd4 10.
�xh6 1S.�xh6 'Wxd4 16.'Wf4 'Wxf4 fxe6 (10 .'Lld4 'LldxeS 1l.fxe6 he6 !
17.�xf4 'Llc6 with a very compli - this is the move which makes
cated endgame.) 10 . . . cxd4 11.cxd4 the difference - 1 2 . 0-0-0 E1c8
�b4+ 1 2 . �f2 f6 13 .g3 g4 ! Mo and it now seems a mystery why
rozevich improves on his own White sacrificed the pawn in the
previous game. (Or 13 . . . E1f8? 14. first place.) 10 . . . fxe6 11.'Llxd4
�g2 g4 1S.l2:lh4 E1g8 16.h3 hS 17. (White also played the move
hxg4 hxg4 18.'Llc3 fxeS 19 .fxeS 11.�xd4 and it can be evaluated
'LlcxeS 20.dxeS d4 2 1 .'Lla4 'WaS thus: he obtained a good game in
2 2 .'Wc4 'LlxeS 23.'Wxd4 'Llf3 24. the end, but not without effort.)
'Llxf3 gxf3 + 2S.�f2 'Wxa4 26.�d3± 1 1 . . . 'Llxd4 (It is too risky for Black
Topalov - Morozevich, Morelia/ to play ll . . . 'LldxeS 1 2 .�e2 , fol
Linares 20 07.) 14.'Llh4 fxeS 1S. lowed by 0-0 and White has com
fxeS 'LldxeS 16.dxeS d4 17.�f4 E1f8 pensation, since Black's king is
18.�g2 �d7 19 .h3 d3 20.hxg4 stranded in the centre.) 12 .�xd4
dxe2 2 1.�xe2 'Lld4, White's king is �cS, with an excellent game for
in a more perilous situation than Black. Having exchanged the f
its black counterpart, Predojevic pawn, White has merely created a
- Morozevich, Sarajevo 2008. weakness for himself on eS.
8 . . . b5 9.g3 b4 10.'Lle2
322
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. tt'J c3 tt'Jf6 4.e5 tt'Jfd7 5.f4 c5 6. tt'Jf3 tt'J c6 7. .ie3 a6
.ixc4 ! dxc4 17.'1We2 and Black's 21.cxd3 .id7 2 2 .tt'Je2 l"l:cf8 23.l"l:g1
position was practically hopeless d4 24.h4 .ic6 25.l"l:df1 b4 and
- 16 . . . '1Wf6 17 . .ig2 .ie7? (17 . . . .ic5 ! ) Black was better, lnarkiev - Lysyj ,
18 J':1he1 g 5 19 .fxe6 .ixe6 2 0.b3 Rijeka 2010.) 10 . . . tt'Jxc5 11.'1Wf2
gxf4 21.bxc4+- lnarkiev - Vitiu (The ultra-modern move 11.b4 is
gov, Dagomys 2008.) 11 ..ig2 a5 interesting only because it is very
1 2 . 0-0 .ia6 13J':1f2 h5 14.h3 '&b6 provocative : 11 . . . tt'Jxb4 1 2 .tt'Jxb5
15.l"l:d1 l"l:c8 16.g4 hxg4 17.hxg4 0-0 13.'1Wxb4 '&b6 14.a4 axb5 15.
.ixe2 18.l"l:xe2 cxd4 19.tt'Jxd4 tt'Jxd4 a5 '&a7 16.'1Wd4 .id7 17 ..id3 tt'Ja4
20 . .ixd4 '&xd4+ 21.'1Wxd4 .ic5 and 18.0-0 l"l:tb8 19.'1Wxa7 l"l:xa7 2 0 .
Black has good prospects in the l"l: fb 1 l"l:xa5co Safarli - Lintchevski,
approaching endgame, Richards Kirishi 2 006) 11 . . . '1Wb6
- Kiriakov, West Bromwich 2 005.
For a long time White used to
play here 9 .dxc5 .ixc5
323
Chapter 38
13.4Je2 aS 14. 0 - 0 .ia6 1S.c;t>h1 his hands free to carry out all his
4Je7 own ideas. 9 . . . b4 10.4Jd1 (10.4Ja4
c4 1l..ie2 c3 12 .Wd1 cxb2 13.4Jxb2
4Jb6 14.0-0 .ie7 1S . .id3 .id7 16.
tt:JgS g6 17.l:l:f3 tt:J aS 18.l:l:h3 4Jbc4
19.4Jxc4 4Jxc4 20 . .ic1 .ia4 2 1.We1
Wb6 = Black has equalized com
fortably, Nakamura - Wang Hao,
Moscow 2010.) 10 . . . Wb6 11.Wf2
aS 12.0-0 .ia6 13 . .ba6 l:l:xa6 14.c3
.ie7. Black has accomplished what
he wanted and the only thing
We can formulate a very spe White can and should do is try to
cific rule for Black in this position. sharpen the position. 1S.fS exfS
If White places his f-rook on d1 16 . .if4 cxd4 17.cxd4 0-0 18.c;t>h1
then, after a transition into an .id8 19.4Je3 4Je7 2 0 .l:l:ad1 h6 2 l.g4
endgame after 4Ja4, he can open fxg4 2 2 .4Jxg4 tt:JfS 23.l:l:g1 c;t>h8 24.
the queenside in his favour with l:l:g2 l:l:g8 2S. l:l:dg1 4Jf8 2 6.Wd2 We6
a3. So, in that case, Black should and White has no compensation
play h6 and castle. But if White for the pawn, Shaposhnikov -
places his a-rook on d1 then the Volkov, Samara 2 0 0 0 .
endgame is harmless for Black. White sometimes plays more
16 J'l:ad1 (Or 16.l:l:fd1 h6 17.4Jed4 cautiously: 9 . .ie2 Wb6 10.4Jd1 b4
0-0 18.�h4 l:l:a7 19.g4 4Jg6 2 0 . (10 . . . cxd4 11.4Jxd4 4Jxd4 12 . .ixd4
.bg6 fxg6 2 l.fS l:l:af7 2 2 .gS l:l:xfS ! .icS 13.c3 0-0 14.0-0 aS 1S.a3
with a good game for Black, Main .ib7 16.4Jf2 b4 17.4Jg4 hS 18.4Je3
ka - Glek, Recklinghausen 199S; g6 19.l:l:f3 .ia6 2 0 . .ba6 bxc3 2 1 .
16.b3 h6 17.l:l:ad1 l:l:b8 18 . .ixa6 bxc3 l:l:xa6 2 2 .g4 hxg4 23.4Jxg4
4Jxa6 19.4Jfd4 tt:JcS 20.fS 4Je4 2 1 . l:l:b8 24.l:l:h3 Wb2 and later White
�f3 0-0 2 2 .4Jf4 4J c 6 23.4Jxc6 ended the game with perpetual
�xc6 24.fxe6 fxe6 2S.�g4 Wxc2 check in order to avoid the worst,
2 6.Wxe6+ c;t>h7 27.Wg6+ c;t>h8 28. Karj akin - Potkin , Moscow 2010.)
Wg4 4Jf2+ Berndt - Glek, Germa 11.0-0 aS 12.c3 .ia6 13 . .ba6 Wxa6,
ny 2003.) 16 . . . 4Ja4 17.Wxb6 4Jxb6 but the character of the position
18 .g3 4Jd7 19 . .ba6 l:l:xa6 20.a3 remains more or less the same.
bxa3 2 l . l:l:a1 4Jb8 2 2 . l:l:xa3 4Jbc6 14.fS bxc3 1S.bxc3 exfS 16.4JgS
23.4Jc1 0-0 24.4Jd3 l:l:b6 and the 4Je7 17.dxcS h6 18.4Jf3 gS 19 ..id4
players agreed to a draw, Do l:l:g8 2 0.4Je3 We6 2 l.a4 f4 2 2 .4Jc2
minguez Perez - Nogueiras San tt:JfS 23.4Ja3 l:l:c8, and after some
tiago, Merida 2 0 0 2 . non-standard operations, Black
It i s also quite solid for White obtained a good position, Riazan
to play 9 . .id3, but then Black has tsev - Michna, Hamburg 2 00S.
324
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. ltJ c3 ltJf6 4.e5 ltJfd7 5j4 c5 6. ltJj3 ltJ c 6 7. .ie3 a6
325
Chapter 38
326
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3)1jc3 ti:Jj6 4.e5 ti:Jfd7 5f4 c5 6. ti:Jf3 ti:Jc6 7. .ie3 a6
line for Black, it attracted some :Sb8 16.:Sa2 tlJb4 17.:Sal ti:Jc6
popularity and several very inter 18.:Sa2 and a draw was agreed,
esting games have been played Karjakin - Vitiugov, Khanty
from the diagram position during Mansiysk 2009.
327
Chapter 39 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.ltk3 �f6 4.e5 �fd7
5.f4 c5 6.�f3 �c6 7..ie3 cxd4
328
5f4 c5 6. 11Jj3 11J c6 7. ile3 cd 8. 11Jxd4 ilcS 9. Wff d2 0 - 0 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 a6
329
Chapter 39
330
5j4 cS 6 JiJj3 CiJ c6 7. �e3 cd 8.CiJxd4 �cS 9. V!ff d2 0 - 0 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 a6
has at his disposal a very promis After 10 ... a6 we shall deal with
ing variation: 12.�xc5 CiJxc5 13. the moves a) ll.�f2 and b)
l?!ffd 4, Nijboer - Gurevich, Amster ll.h4.
dam 2 0 0 2 . The game continued : Positions of a quite different
13 . . . b6 14.�b1 �b7 15.�d3 l"lc8 character arise after 1l. CiJb3 which
16.l"lhe1 l?!ff c7 17.g4 f6 18.f5 CiJxd3 we shall consider later.
19.cxd3 and White had the edge, White cannot hurt his oppo
so Black had to fight for the draw.) nent much with 1l.CiJce2 l?!ffe 7 1 2 .
12 . . . l?!ffc 7 (12 . . . l?!ffe7 13 .�d3 �xd4 CiJb3 �xe3 13.l?!ffx e3 f6 14.exf6
(13 . . . b5 14.l?!ffh 3 ! This possibility CiJxf6 15.h3 a5, and Black has a
became possible thanks to the de good game, Svidler - Morozevich,
ployment of the queen on e3. 14 . . . Moscow 2 005.
g 6 15.CiJe2t) 14.l?!ffxd4 l?!ffc5 15.CiJe2 The move 1l.�b1 seems to be
b5) 13 .�d3 b5. White is better af more precise, but is less aggres
ter this move. (However, even af sive.
ter 13 . . . �xd4 14.l?!ffxd4 b5t the po
sition arising is slightly inferior
for Black, and we shall cover it in
the move order ll.l?!fff2 CiJxd4 1 2 .
�xd4 l?!ff c 7 etc.) 14.l?!ffh 3 g6 ( 1 4 . . . h 6
15.CiJe2) 15.CiJe2 (It i s also good,
but less dangerous for Black, for
White to play 15.l?!ffe3 b4 16.CiJe2
a5 17.h4t, or 15 ... �xd4 16.l?!ffxd4
V!ff c5 17.CiJe2t with a slight edge.
The subsequent pawn-advance We shall show you some of the
h2 -h4-h5 would be rather un possible continuations for Black:
pleasant for Black, even in the One of the fine points of 1 l . �b1
endgame.) 15 . . . b4 16.l?!ffe 3t (it also is that the plan for Black begin
looks attractive for White to opt ning with 11.. .hd4?! seems rath
for 16.l?!ffh 6). er dubious: 12 .hd4 b5 13.�f2 b4
14.CiJa4 a5 15.�b5 l?!ffc 7 16.c4 ! bxc3
17.l?!ffxc3 �b7, Adla - Gomez Bail
lo, Buenos Aires 1990, 18.l"lc1 mc8
19.l?!ff d 3 l?!ffd 8 2 0.a3± and White
has a clear advantage;
it is possible for Black to opt
for 11. . .l?!ffc 7 12.l?!fff2 (12. CiJb3 �e7)
12 . . . CiJxd4 13.hd4 b5 14.�d3
�xd4 15.l?!ffxd4 l"lb8, transposing
to a game quoted in the variation
with 1l.l?!fff2 , - Smeets - Stellwa-
331
Chapter 39
332
6JiJ.f3 tt:Jc6 7. �e3 cd 8. tt:Jxd4 �c5 9. V'ff d2 0 - 0 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 a6 11. V'if2
333
Chapter 39
334
6. li'Jf3 li'J c6 7. �e3 cd 8. li'Jxd4 �c5 9. Wld2 0 - 0 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 a6 11. Wlf2
335
Chapter 39
tried 1S . . . ib7 16J''l h e1 but now he 18.f5 ! ? This move leads to sim
should avoid 16 . . . b4, which led to plification, but if White allows f7-
an inferior position for Black after f6 then the future of his active
17.'Lle2 aS 18.1lffe 3 'LlcS 19.'Lld4 knight on the d6-square might
'Lle4 2 0.ixe4 dxe4, Dolmatov - become highly questionable. It is
Korchnoi, Las Vegas 1999 and difficult to see how White can im
now, according to Korchnoi's rec prove his position in any other
ommendation, 2 l . 'LlbS idS 2 2 . way. 1 8 . . . .ixd3 19.l:�xd3 f6
'Ll d 6 fS 23 .g4±. White's dominant 2 0 .fxe6 exe6 2 1.exd5 exd5
knight provides him with an over 22.l'�xd5 lt:lxe5. White's advan
whelming advantage. Instead, af tage is only minimal but Black
ter 16 . . . 1lficS 17.'Lle2 b4 18.fS 1l!ixd4 must play very accurately, Zhang
19.'Llxd4 E\ae8 2 0 .g4 E\e7 2 1.E\e2 Pengxiang - Lou Yiping, Hefei
exfS 2 2 .e6 'LlcS 23.gxfS fxe6 24. 2010.
fxe6 g6 2S.E1e3 E1f4 2 6.ie2 Wg7= Having examined the finer
Black equalizes, Hillarp Persson points of this line, which in any
- Brynell, Lund 2 0 1 0 . case sometimes leads to an infe
16.tl:le4 a5 rior endgame for Black, the ques
tion arises as to whether it is re
ally worthwhile for him to com
plicate matters so much ?! The
rather "primitive " line 12 . . . hd4
13. 1lffxd4 bS 14. id3 Vff b 6 15. 'Ll e2
E1b8, Edouard - Berend, Differ
dange 20 0 8, does not seem infe
rior for Black to the main varia
tion of the 'Ll c6xd4 plan. This all
requires further practical tests,
though.
336
6.CiJj3 t2J c6 7. ie3 cd 8. t2Jxd4 ic5 9. V!Jd2 0 - 0 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 a6 11. V!1j2
337
Chapter 39
338
6. li'Jj3 li'J c6 7. fle3 cd 8. li'Jxd4 flc5 9. Wd2 0 - 0 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 a6 11.h4
339
Chapter 39
13J:1h3
13J'l:h3 - This move seem less The alternatives for White
convincing against Black's chosen would not achieve much :
plan. 13 . . . b4 14.ct:Ja4 (14.ct'le2 aS) The move 13 .hS is not so effec
14 . . . aS etc. tive and only loses time: 13 . . . b4
After 13.hS, the simplest road 14.ct:Ja4 (14.ct:Je2 aS 1S.�e3 �c7
for Black to equality is transpose 16.�b1 i.a6 17.hcS ct:JxcS 18.ct'lg3
favourably to the ll.h4 ct:Jxd4 vari l"1fc8 19.l"1c1 a4 2 0 .ha6 l"1xa6 2 1 .
ation, by playing 13 . . . b4 14.ct:Ja4 l"1hd1 a 3 2 2 .b3 l"1c6 and Black ob
�aS 1S.b3 ct:Jxd4 16.�xd4 i.b7. tained the better position in the
Black should react similarly to game Topalov - Morozevich, Sa
13.�b1 b4 14.ct:la4 �as 1S.b3 rajevo 1999. He should not fear
ct:lxd4 16.�xd4 i.b7. 1S.hcS ct:JxcS 16.�e3 �b6 17.fS a4
White has also tried the moves 18.�b1 b3 19.cxb3 axb3 2 0 .a3
13.i.g1 and 13 .i.f2 , while the na exfS 2 l . l"1xdS, Smirin - Lputian,
tural move 13 .i.e3, strangely Rostov-on-Don 1993, because af
enough, has not been sufficiently ter 2 1 . . .ct'la4 Black has a good
tested. Nevertheless, it would be game. The surprising move 18 . . .
quite interesting to see whether �c7 ! ? may even help him seize
White can continue with 13.i.e3 the initiative ; if 19.f6 ct:Je4.) 14 . . .
b4 (13 . . . �aS 14.�b1 b4 1S.ct'le2 hd4 1S.�xd4
ct:JcS 16.�eU with an edge for
White. ) 14.ct:Ja4 aS 1S.�f2 , trans
posing to the variation with 11.
�f2 i.xd4, in which Black must
still play very precisely to fight for
equality. We shall not examine
this in detail and instead we shall
try to equalize for Black using the
tried and tested classical recipes.
12.hd4 b5
340
6JiJ.f3 lLl c6 7. .ie3 cd 8. lLlxd4 .icS 9. Wf d2 0 - 0 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 a6 11.h4
341
Chapter 39
342
6.tiJ.f3 li'J c6 7. j,e3 cd 8 . tiJxd4 j,c5 9. Wff d2 0 - 0 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 a6 11.h4
343
Chapter 39
344
Chapter 4 0 l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.lbc3 �f6 4.e5 �fd7
5.f4 c5 6.�£3 �c6 7..ie3 cxd4 8.�xd4
.ic5 9.V«d2 0 - 0 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 a6 11.�b3
a) l l . . . b6
Black is striving to complete
This is a very fashionable re his development as quickly as
sponse by White. possible.
He avoids the exchange of 12 .h4 i.b7 13.h5 gcs 14.gh3
knights and his own knights often i.b4
prevent the advance of Black's a After 14 .. .'&e7 15.@bl gfd8 16.
and b-pawns. The positions aris lt:Je2 f6 17.lt:Jed4, White obtained a
ing are difficult to evaluate and slight edge in the game Nijboer -
the correct choice of a line for Glek, Apeldoorn 2001, analyzed
Black is not at all easy. The Dutch in the book "Opening for White
GM Friso Nijboer has contributed According to Anand".
greatly to the development of this
variation, winning several spec
tacular games in this fashion. The
move ll.lt:Jb3 has also been rec
ommended and analyzed as the
main line for White in the book
"Opening for White According to
Anand".
I should like to point out here
Black's possible ways of creating
counterplay, as well as the com-
345
Chapter 4 0
15 . .if2
15J'l:g3 <j;Jh8 (it is bad for Black
to opt for 15 . . . lLle7 16 . .id3 lLlc5
17 . .ixc5 bxc5 18 .f5 ! ---+ Lorand -
Werner, Budapest 2008) 16.a3
.ixc3 (it seems to me that after the
simple move 16 . . . .ie7 Black has a
very good position) 17.�xc3 lLla5
18.�b4 �c7 19.lLld4 lLlc5 20 . .id3
lLlc4 2 1 . <j;Jb1 lLle4 2 2 . Elh3t with the
slightly better game for White, Di
ermair - Luther, Austria 2009. It prospects, and future tournament
is far from clear, however, how he practice will determine whether
can improve his position. this position has been evaluated
15.h6 g6 16.a3 .ie7 17.lLle4 correctly and will become fash
ttJ dxe5 (Black could have avoided ionable.
this exchange of blows with the 17.t!�xc5 hb2 +
simple reply 17 . . . �c7 ! ? , obtaining I t would b e interesting for
excellent prospects.) 18 .fxe5 dxe4 Black to try 17 . . . .ixe5 ! ? 18 .fxe5
19 .�f2 �c7 (after 19 . . . �e8 the po (Black regains his piece after 18.
sition seems to be in Black's fa lLlxb7 .ixf4+ 19.<j;Jb1 �c7 20 .�xa6
vour) 2 0 . .ixb6 �xe5 2 l . Eld7, lLlb8 2 l.�a4 .ie5 and the position
Baramidze - Buhmann, Bad Wo remains unclear) 18 . . . bxc5 19.
erishofen 2008 and after the pos h6!?, but it is all very risky for
sible continuation 2 1 . . . .if6 2 2 .c3 him.
.ia8 23 ..ixa6 Elb8, Black's chances 18. @xb2 bxc5
look very good in this sharp posi
tion.
15 . . . ttJc5 16.�e2
Black should not be afraid of
16 ..ih4 lLlxb3 + 17.axb3 .ie7 18 .
.ixe7 �xe7 19 . .id3 f6 2 0 .exf6
�xf6 2 1.f5 lLla5 2 2 .<j;Jb1 exf5 23 .
.ie2 d4, because the resulting
endgame is very good for him,
Saw - Smerdon, Canberra 2009.
(diagram)
16 . . . hc3?!
The forcing lines conclude in 19 .hc5 (it is possibly prefer
White's favour. able for White to choose 19.h6 g6
Black should prefer the quiet 2 0 . .ixc5) 19 .ll:lxe5 2 0 .ixf8
.• •
346
6.tiJj3 CiJ c6 7. :ie3 cd 8JiJxd4 :ic5 9. Wi d2 0 - 0 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 a6 1l. CiJ b3
347
Chapter 4 0
348
6. tiJf3 tiJ c6 7. 1i.e3 cd 8. tiJxd4 1i.cS 9. Wi d2 0 - 0 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 a6 11. tiJ b3
be very unpleasant for White. Lat 17.1i.d4 tiJ c4 18 .Wie2 l"1b8 19.
er Black has ideas of b7-b5, tiJc6- fi.xh7+ ! ? Wxh7 20 .Wih5+ Wg8 2 1 .
a5, fi.b7, l"1c8, tiJd7-b6 and even l"1 d 3 f5 2 2 .l"1h3 fi.c5 23.l"1ff3 fi.xd4
a6-a5. After a2-a3 , the pawn on 24.l"1fg3 l"1b7 25.Wih7+ wt7 26.
a3 might become a target for Wixg7+ We8 27.Wixf8 + , draw,
Black's pawn-advance b5-b4. Anand - Morozevich, San Luis
12.1i.d3 b5 2 005.
The line 12 . . . tiJa5 13.g4 Wic7 is 13 .lt:'la5
• •
349
Chapter 4 0
l"lg3 g6 ! ? (It i s too late for 15 . . . 19 .fxe6 'Llf6 2 0 ..ig5 l"lc7 2 1.1We1
'Lla5 ? ! 16.1:'\h3 g 6 1 7. .id4 and \Wd6 2 2 .1Wh4 \Wxe6 2 3 .l"lf1 and
White is threatening f4-f5, Nijbo White's position is winning. He
er - Sielecki, Breda 20 0 1 . Black also maintains an advantage
can postpone any decisive action after 18 . . . e4 19 . .ixe4 'Ll ce5 2 0.fxe6
a few more moves: 15 . . . 1:'\eS 16. 'Llf6 2 1..ig2 .ixc3 2 2 .bxc3 .) 19.
l"lh3 g6 17.1Wf2 , and here, not the .ih6 (Things would be rather un
passive line 17 . . ..if8 18.g5 'Llb4 clear after 19.1:'\h6 e4 20 . .ixe4
19.�b1 'Llxd3 20.cxd3 .ic6 2 1 . 'Ll ce5) 19 . . . .ixc3 2 0 .bxc3 e4 2 1 .
'Lle2t - even though i n the result .ixf8 'Llxf8 2 2 . .ie2 'Ll e 5 23.1:'\flt
ing position White's edge is just and White is the exchange up
minimal, Nijboer - Glek, France for a pawn and has some advan
2003, while 17 . . . 'Ll a5, or 17 . . . .ixc3 tage.
18 .bxc3 \We7 19.g5 d4 ! ?oo lead to
rather unclear consequences.)
16.1:'\h3 f6. This was the idea be
hind Black's previous move.
17.�b 1 ! This position was
reached in the computer game
Rajlich - Rentner2 , Playchess.
com 2 0 07.
14.i.d4
After 14.'Llxa5 \Wxa5 15 . .id4
.ic5 16 . .ixc5 'Llxc5, Black's posi
tion is quite acceptable, for exam
ple : 17.�b1 .ib7 18.'Lle2 \Wxd2
19.1:'\xd2 and here, he can liven up
White ignores the threat the game with 19 . . . d4 ! ? 2 0 .l"le1
against his e5-pawn and prepares !:'ladS? with sufficient counter
f4-f5 (The immediate pawn-ad play, or else choose the standard
vance would not work: 17.f5 move 19 . . .f6.
'Llcxe5 18 .fxe6 'Llxd3 + . ) . The con 14 .ti:Jc4
•.
350
6. 4Jj3 4J c6 7. 1J.e3 cd 8. 4Jxd4 fJ.c5 9. Vf1d2 0 - 0 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 a6 11. 4J b3
351
Chapter 4 0
21.axb3
We must examine what hap
pens after the other possible cap
ture : 21.cxb3 ! ? '&xd2 2 2 . l"lxd2 .ic6
17 .ic6!
•.• (The move 2 1.cxb3 is aimed at
Now Black should not lose preventing 22 . . . .ib5 since here
more time: 17 .. J'lfd8 18.tt:lxa5 White can continue with 2 3.hb5
'&xa5 19 . .id4 ! ! '&xa4 20.f5 and axb5 24.fxe6. If he captures on b3
White's attack became decisive in with his a-pawn, Black can play
the game Nijboer - Stellwagen , 24 . . . fxe6, while here he would
Leeuwarden 2 0 0 2 . have no other choice but to play
18.c!Llxa5 24 . . . tt:lxe5 25.l"lxg7+ lt>h8 26.l"lxd5
The move 18.tt:lbc5 presents fxe6 27J''l xe5 .if6 2 8.l"lgg5 .ixe5
Black with the extra possibility of 29.hf8 .if6 30.l"lxb5 l"lxf8, and
18 . . . d4 ! ? and, compared with only White is in any danger; or
18.tt:lac5 tt:lxc5 19.tt:lxc5 tt:lc4 (19 . . . 25.hg7 .ih4 2 6.e7 l"lfe8 27 . .ixe5+
.ib5 i s also good) 2 0 . .ixc4 dxc4 hg3 2 8.hg3 l"lxe7 29J''lx d5, with
2 1.'&e2 l"lfd8, he has an excellent a very sharp endgame) 23 .f6 (the
position. line : 23.hg7 .ih4 24.l"ldd3 h6! is
18 . . Jba5 in Black's favour) 23 . . . tt:lxf6 24.
This looks risky, but the forc exf6 (24.l"lxg7+ lt>h8 25.exf6 hf6
ing line is very interesting. 26.l"lg4 l"lg8 and Black's position is
It would be acceptable for perfectly acceptable in this com
Black to choose the quieter varia plicated endgame.) 24 . . .hf6 25.
tion: 18 . . . ha4 19.tt:lb3 l"lfc8 2 0 . .ixg7 hg7 (it is weaker for Black
.id3 .ib5 = with equality. to opt for 25 . . . .ih4 26.l"ldd3) 26 .
352
6.li:JfJ '2l c6 7. i.e3 cd 8. '2lxd4 i.cS 9. V!ff d2 0 - 0 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 a6 11. '2l b3
25.gxd7!
White cannot achieve more
than a draw with 25.Ei:d4 i.c6
2 6.hg7 Ei:fb8 and he unable to in All these complications were
crease the pressure. quite interesting, but a draw
25 . .• .ixd7 26.gxg7+ Wh8 seems to be the most likely out
27.f6 come.
353
AFTERWORD
Finally, I should like to tell you that the dynamic progress of the devel
opment of contemporary chess theory obliges us to regard almost every
book with a degree of scepticism. Everything in this world undergoes
evolution and chess is no exception. The assessment of certain posi
tions changes dramatically and sometimes even entire openings are
refuted. New variations and theoretical novelties appear and fade into
oblivion every day. I have therefore tried in my book to show you some
of the general principles, typical manoeuvres, exchanges, plans and
tactical resources which are intrinsic to the French defence, all based
on concrete analysis. I believe that a book of this type will be always
useful.
354
Index of Variations
Part 1. l.e4 e6
White avoids the mail lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0
Chapter 1 l.e4 e6
2 .b3 d5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2 .f4 d5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2
4.he4 tt'lf6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
355
Index of Variations
356
Index of Variations
b) 9.i.c4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
c) 9.CUe5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
d) 9 .i.b5 + . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
e) 9.c3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
f) 9.i.e2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
g) 9.i.d3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
357
Index of Variations
358
Index of Variations
a) 4 . . . c5 5.'\Wg4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 1
b) 4 . . . c5 5.dxc5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 2
c) 4 . . . c5 5.i.d2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 3
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Index of Variations
7.Wg4 g5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
a) 7.Wg4 c;t>£8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
b) 7.Wg4 g6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
a) 4 . .id3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
b1) 4.e5 l2lfd7 5.l2lf3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
b2) 5.l2lce2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
a) 11. .. b6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
b) 11. .. he3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
c) 11. .. .ib4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
d) 11. .. .ie7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
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