A) 23.fxg6?! 4xf4+ 24.%xf4 5xd1+ 25..

xd1 %g7w Black was actually better in Gaponenko –

Bodnaruk, Mamaia 2016.
B) 23.4xg4
B1) A draw would result from 23...gxf5 24.5xd5 4xd5 25.4h5 .d7! 26.4xh8

Position after: 26.Qxh8

26...4g2!N [But not 26...4f3? as in Gharamian – Carlier, France 2006: 27.4h3! and Black can
neither regain the piece nor give perpetual.] 27.4e5 4f1+ 28..d2 4xb5 29.4xf5+=.
B2) 23...5xd1+!? Black keeps some play in the position. 24.4xd1 %d4=


Position after: 24...Bd4=

A variety of endgames can result with Black having one or more passed pawns in the centre or on
the kingside and White having to derive compensation from the badly placed knight on a6.
C) 23.5xd5 By now it is White who should be playing the safest move. 23...4xd5 24.fxg6 4h1+
25..d2 4g2+ 26..e3 So far as in Palac – Skoberne, Rijeka 2007. 26....d8!N

Position after: 26...Kd8!N

Now White can choose who forces the draw. 27.4f8+ [27.4xg4 4xc2 28.g7 4c1+= is perpetual


 check: if White tries to escape, the g7-pawn is lost.] 27....d7 28.4f5+ .d8=

21...Qxf4+!

21...4xg6 22.5xh8 5xh8

Position after: 22...Rxh8

A) Oddly enough, the useful-looking 23..b1 is actually counter-productive. 23...5f8 24.4c4 %xc3
25.bxc3 5d8!N [25...5f3? 26.d6+– gave White a crushing attack in Tomczak – Panocki, Wroclaw
2007.] 26.5e1 5d7 27.5f1


Position after: 27.Rf1

Black’s main drawing idea revolves around playing ...1c7, and in those lines it will often be useful
that Black has ...4b6+ available. 27...5d8 [I could not resist giving the following line: 27...1c7?
28.%xc7 5xc7 29.5f8+ .d7 30.4b5+ .d6 31.5d8+ .e5 32.4e2+ 4e4 33.4h2+ 4f4 34.d6!!+–]
28.a4 As after 23.4c4, this is White’s main constructive idea. However: 28...1c7! 29.4xc5 4b6+
30.4xb6 axb6 31.c4 e6= and the endgame is trivially drawn.
B) 23.4c4! %xc3 [If Black plays something else like 23...5d8?!, then the right reply is clearly
24.1b5!u] 24.bxc3 5d8 25.a4

Position after: 25.a4

The problem now is that Black can’t arrange ...1c7 in a way that allows ...4b6+ as a follow-up.
25...1c7 [25...5d7 26.a5u; 25...4h6+ 26..b2 4b6+ 27..a3 4g6 28.5d2u] 26.%xc7 .xc7
27.4xc5+ .b8 28.4xe7 4h6+ 29..b2 4b6+ 30..a2v White can continue to press here for a while
longer.

22.Bxf4 Rxh1 23.Rxh1


Position after: 23.Rxh1

23...Rg8!

Exploiting some less-than-immediately-obvious deficiencies in how White is defending his pawns,

but this is not the last hard move.
23...1c7!? draws after a similarly non-obvious resource: 24.5h5 5g8 25.1e4 e5!=.

24.Ne4 Nb4 25.Rh5 Nxa2+ 26.Kb1 Nb4 27.d6!


Position after: 27.d6!

27...Nc6!

27...exd6?! 28.1xd6+ .d7 29.1xb7 %f8 30.c3! White gets to keep his extra pawn and press using
the very last inch of the winning margin. 30...5xg6 [30...1d3?! 31.5d5+ .c6 32.5xd3 .xb7 33.5d8
g3 34.%e3 g2 35.%g1 .c7 36.5a8u] 31.cxb4 g3 32.bxc5 g2 33.%h2 g1=4+ 34.%xg1 5xg1+ 35..a2v
Amazingly, the position is still not a clean draw.

28.Rxc5

Both sides press in the sharp position after 28.5d5 b6 29.d7+ .b7=.

28...Bf8

Position after: 28...Bf8

29.Rg5

If White tries to play on with 29.5h5 exd6 30.g7 %xg7 31.1xd6+ .d7 32.1xb7 %d4= then Black can
also win.

29...Bh6 30.Rxg4 Bxf4 31.Rxf4 Rxg6=

3.4) 7.Bxd7+ (...Nbxd7)

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 c5 6.Bb5+ Bd7 7.Bxd7+


Position after: 7.Bxd7+

7...Nbxd7

The only reason for taking backwards is to avoid e5. But the knight will be needed on f6 in time to
come. 7...1fxd7?! 8.d5 b5 9.4e2! This loses a tempo later, but it is worthwhile to get the knight to
d1. [9.1xb5?! 4a5+ 10.1c3 %xc3+DZ] 9...b4 10.1d1 0-0 11.0-0 1b6 12.f5 18d7 13.fxg6 hxg6
14.4e1v White is ready to play 4h4 and %g5/h6, while Black’s queenside counterplay is still
nebulous.


Position after: 7...Nbxd7

8.d5

A) 8.e5?! This intuitive move is actually wrong. 8...1h5!

Position after: 8...Nh5!

A1) 9.g4?! 1xf4! A piece sacrifice that must be accepted and then returned. 10.%xf4 cxd4 11.1e4
[11.4xd4?! dxe5 12.1xe5 1xe5Ů; 11.e6 fxe6 12.1xd4 %xd4 13.4xd4 e5 14.%xe5 1xe5w This is
a better version for Black than the one with White’s pawn on g2.] 11...dxe5 Black scores 100%
from this position and can continue with ...4b6, ...5c8 and perhaps ...f5.
A2) 9.exd6 0-0! The principled way, but not the only one. [9...cxd4 10.1xd4 1b6=] 10.0-0
[10.dxe7?! 4xe7+ 11..f2 cxd4Ů] 10...exd6=


Position after: 10...exd6=

Much analysis has been done on this position, which I will omit here. Black has a playable game
and there are no ways to make him work especially hard to demonstrate it.
A3) 9.e6 fxe6 10.1g5 %xd4 11.1xe6 %xc3+ 12.bxc3 4c8= White only just has compensation.
A4) 9.%e3 1xf4! 10.%xf4 cxd4

Position after: 10...cxd4

11.e6! White has to give back the piece. [11.1e4 dxe5 12.%g5 4b6 13.0-0 f5Ů] 11...fxe6 12.1xd4


 %xd4 13.4xd4 e5 14.%xe5 1xe5 15.0-0-0 0-0=
B) 8.0-0 cxd4 It is also possible to castle first as 8...0-0 9.e5 can be met by ...1h5 as before. 9.4xd4

Position after: 9.Qxd4

9...1b6 [The sac 9...0-0 10.e5 1g4 11.h3 dxe5 12.4b4 e4!? 13.1xe4 1gf6 14.4xb7 4a5m gives
Black full compensation.] 10.a4 [10.%e3 0-0 11.4b4 1g4 12.%xb6 4xb6+ 13.4xb6 axb6ĩ] 10...0-0
11.a5 1fd5! 12.4d3 1xc3 13.axb6 4xb6+ 14..h1 1b5 15.f5 5ac8m

8...0-0


Position after: 8...0-0

White has three moves here. The most direct is 0-0, but there are two others (9.4e2 and 9.a4) which
both have the idea of preventing ...b5. Those moves make Black’s play a lot less automatic and are
therefore more critical.

9.0-0 b5! 10.Qe2

Preparing the standard regrouping with 1d1-f2.

A) 10.e5 dxe5 11.fxe5 1g4 Now this doesn’t bother Black too much. Best play seems to be 12.e6
fxe6 13.dxe6 1de5 14.4xd8 5axd8 15.1xb5 a6 16.1c3 5d6! with decent counterplay for the bad
structure.
B) 10.4e1!? fails to force Black to play ...b4, so he can continue with 10...4b6 leaving White short
of real plans.

10...b4

10...4b6?! 11.e5v

11.Nd1 Re8!

Position after: 11...Re8!

Now White has to decide which pawn to push, because ...e6 is almost ready to be played.

12.f5?!


 A) After the optically quite attractive 12.e5 1xd5 13.e6 1f8 14.exf7+ .xf7 15.1g5+ .g8m

Position after: 15...Kg8©

White has nothing in particular.

B) White can continue to build with 12.1f2 but in the meantime Black can play simply 12...e6!ĩ
C) On positional grounds the move 12.c4 deserves consideration. Black gains more than adequate
Benoni-type play after 12...bxc3 13.1xc3 e6!= making the queen feel quite out of place on e2.

12...gxf5!

As recommended by Marin, who showed that White’s attack is not especially dangerous.
Play can continue:

13.Nh4 fxe4 14.Nf5 Kh8 15.Nxg7

15.1f2 5g8 16.1xe4 1xe4 17.4xe4 %f6w

15...Kxg7 16.Nf2 Kh8 17.Nxe4 Nxe4 18.Qxe4 f6³


Position after: 18...f6³

3.5) 7.Bxd7+ Nbxd7 8.d5 0-0 9.Qe2 and 9.a4

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 c5 6.Bb5+ Bd7 7.Bxd7+ Nbxd7 8.d5 0-0

Position after: 8...0-0

9.Qe2!?


This move is quite tricky to face.
9.a4!? In my view, an underrated and very principled response. In the Benoni structures it often
makes sense to play a pre-emptive a4 provided there is no risk of ...1a6-b4. 9...4a5

Position after: 9...Qa5

Black creates the double threat of ...1xe4 and ...b5.

A) 10.1d2 Now Black can play various ideas, including ...c4 as a pawn sacrifice. 10...c4!? 11.1xc4
4a6 12.1b5 5fc8 13.4e2 5c5m
B) Also not threatening is 10.%d2 4a6 when in order to disrupt the queen’s line White must either
play 1b5 (upon which Black can sacrifice the exchange) or trade queens (thus limiting his own
future attacking chances. 11.4e2 4xe2+ 12..xe2 1e8! 13.5he1 1c7 14..f2 a6 15.a5 b5 16.axb6
1xb6DZ
C) 10.0-0 b5 11.e5!? Otherwise Black can draw upon the ideas already mentioned, with the bonus
that ...4a5 is more useful than a4. 11...dxe5 12.fxe5 1g4 13.d6! exd6 [13...e6?! 14.1xb5 1gxe5
15.1xe5 1xe5 16.%g5v causes some issues.] 14.exd6 c4!


Position after: 14...c4!

15..h1! In connection with White’s 20th, this is a deep idea and probably White’s only way of
playing for an edge. I found it only after quite deep thought. I recommend ‘falling for the trap’.
[15.1d4 b4 16.1cb5 1de5=; After 15.1xb5 a6 16.1c7 4b6+ 17..h1 5ad8! Black takes back the
pawn or else gains an exchange under better circumstances.] 15...b4 16.1d5 4c5 17.h3 1f2+
18.5xf2 4xf2 19.%e3 4g3 20.1f4! 5ae8! 21.1e2 4xf3 22.gxf3 5xe3v

Position after: 22...Rxe3²


 White has some advantage in this position, but with this material balance anything can happen and
computers don’t handle it well either.

9...Re8!

Position after: 9...Re8!

Black tries to make use of the fact that White’s queen and king are lined up along the e-file. The
rationale for 9.a4 is exactly this: sometimes a queen on e2 will turn out to be a liability.

10.f5

The most natural is 10.0-0 e6 11.dxe6 5xe6 when White has some attacking tries but the knight on f6
is good enough to see most of them off. 12.f5!? gxf5 13.1g5 So far as in Dudyev – Lohmann, email
2007, but now the improvement 13...5e7!N was noted on ChessPublishing. 14.5xf5 4b6DZ

10...gxf5!

If White does not take back immediately, then his 10th move had no point as Black will be able to
simply play ...e6.

11.exf5


Position after: 11.exf5

11...a6!?

Black goes after the d5-pawn in what seems like the most natural way.
A) 11...1b6?! 12.1g5v Black cannot take on d5 due to a later 4h5 when his kingside will be totally
undefended.
B) This is possible, but on principle I would prefer not to detach the c-pawn from its ‘friends’ in the
center, especially when it isn’t clear exactly when the d5-pawn can be regained. 11...c4 12.0-0 b5
13.1xb5 4b6+ 14.1bd4


Position after: 14.Nbd4

14...4c5 [14...5ab8?! Since White most likely wants to play b3 anyway, this move could be a waste
of time. 15..h1 4c5 16.%e3 4xd5 17.b3 5ec8 18.5ae1ǭ] 15.5d1 [15.a4!? 4xd5 16.5a3 is
possible, but a bit experimental.] 15...1xd5 16..h1∞

Position after: 16.Kh1∞

This is the position that I think should be compared with the main line. There is more going on here,
which can only be a negative when the file leading to Black’s king is open.


12.0-0

12.a4 b5! Anyway. This is why Black played ... a6!

Position after: 12...b5!

A) 13.0-0 b4 14.1e4 4c8= followed by ...a5 and either ...4a6 or ...c4.

B) 13.axb5 axb5 14.5xa8 4xa8

Position after: 14...Qxa8


 15.4xb5 [15.1xb5 1xd5 16.c4 1c7 17.1xc7 4a5+=] 15...5b8 16.4c6 1b6=

12...b5

Position after: 12...b5

13.g4!?

13.5d1 1b6 only makes sense if White has the following contrived idea in mind: 14.a4!? b4 15.a5
bxc3 16.axb6. However, Black is fine here after 16...4xb6 17.bxc3 a5∞ since if White starts pushing
pawns on the kingside there is always ...e6.

13...e6 14.fxe6 fxe6 15.dxe6 b4 16.Ne4

16.1a4 4e7 17.5e1 [17.1g5 h6=] 17...1e5 18.1xe5 4xe6= Black regains his material and stands
well.


Position after: 18...Qxe6=

16...Rxe6 17.Nfg5 Re8

Position after: 17...Re8

18.Qd3

A) White can choose not to go for a draw, but even if he wants a draw Black can opt to play on. One
of the unclear lines is: 18.4d1 h6 19.1f7! .xf7 20.4d5+ .f8 21.g5∞.


 B) Another one: 18.4g2!? 1xe4 19.1xe4 4e7 20.1g3 4e6 21.h3∞ Neither king is really weaker
than the other.

Position after: 21.h3∞

C) 18.4d2 h6 [18...c4!? 19.4xb4 d5m] 19.1xd6 hxg5m Black should not be worse here, since the
position favours the rook but his two knights are very well developed already.
D) 18.4c4+? d5 19.1xf6+ 1xf6 20.4xc5 4d7Ů White is in big trouble.

18...d5

18...c4!? would be the way to get a game, if Black is averse to an immediate repetition of moves.

19.Nxf6+

19.1d6?? 1e5!–+

19...Nxf6 20.Rxf6 Qxf6 21.Qxd5+ Kh8 22.Nf7+ Kg8=


Position after: 22...Kg8=

Conclusion to Chapter 3
This chapter is a mix of sneaky attempts to win based on minor points in obscure endgames, and lines
which can be neutralised quickly by accurate yet essentially unique continuations. Clearly, the former
are far more dangerous, and the third subchapter contains a huge number of them. One of the
important things is to develop a sense for which pieces to exchange in the third subchapter; that is if
you’re not mad enough to try and memorise the whole thing.


 Chapter 4
Austrian Pirc with 8.e6

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.f4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c5 6.Bb5+ Bd7 7.e5 Ng4 8.e6

Chapter Guide

Chapter 4 – Austrian Pirc with 8.e6

1.e4 g6 2.d4 %g7 3.1c3 d6 4.f4 1f6 5.1f3 c5 6.%b5+ %d7 7.e5 1g4 8.e6
4.1) Intro, 8...%xb5?! and 8...fxe6 9.1g5 %xb5 10.4xg4?!
4.2) 8...fxe6 9.1g5 %xb5 10.1xb5 4a5+
4.3) 8...fxe6 9.1g5 %xb5 10.1xe6 %xd4 11.1xb5 4a5+ 12.4d2
8...fxe6 9.1g5 %xb5 10.1xe6 %xd4 11.1xb5 4a5+ 12.c3 %f2+ 13..d2 %e3+ 14..c2 4a4+
4.4) 15.b3?!
4.5) 15..b1

Introduction to Chapter 4
It would hardly be valid to write about the 5...c5 Austrian Pirc without giving these critical variations,
starting with 8.e6. Initially (4.1) I give two ideas – one for each side – of how to avoid heavy-duty
theory. That said, there is some kind of quantum-mechanical effect with these things, whereby
through my having published the analysis, these lines join the canon of heavy-duty theory...


It might seem that the next two subchapters deal with similar variations, but this is not true: the first
one (4.2) is a middlegame where both sides make some rather counter-intuitive moves (especially
leaving a bishop available to be taken with check: 13...cxd4!) but most likely Black has quite good
winning chances in the long run because he has a better structure, while the second is a deep
endgame. This arises from the trivial point that after 8...fxe6 9.1g5 %xb5 10.1xe6 %xd4 11.1xb5
4a5+ 12.4d2 the knight on b5 cannot be taken; it seems to me that due to some very concrete
elements in 4.5) that version of the endgame is slightly more promising for White. Essentially, you
may skip 4.1) and 4.4) if you like because the crux of this chapter are these endgames where Black
has one or more pawns for an exchange.
The most original part of the chapter is the final line: I was able to uncover some very dangerous tries
for White starting with the unconventional 18.5hxc1 and continuing with the deep 23.5b1!? setting
up a mating net several moves down the line! Unfortunately, in chess if your opponent knows that
much analysis on any line it is impossible to win as Black (and usually also as White.) However, I
think I have succeeded in neutralising the tricks.

4.1) Intro, 8...Bxb5?! and 8...fxe6 9.Ng5 Bxb5 10.Qxg4?!

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 c5 6.Bb5+ Bd7 7.e5 Ng4 8.e6

Position after: 8.e6

This is not considered theoretically challenging, though it was for a long time the ‘yellow brick road’
of the Pirc.

8...fxe6!


8...%xb5!? 9.exf7+ .f8

Position after: 9...Kf8

An interesting sideline that avoids the forced draw. White gets a small advantage with good play as
the price of Black’s winning chances. 10.1xb5 4a5+ 11.1c3 cxd4 12.1xd4
A) 12...1c6! 13.1e6+ .xf7

Position after: 13...Kxf7


 14.1xg7! [After 14.0-0 Black has options like 14....xe6 15.4xg4+ 4f5 16.4e2+ .d7= gaining
time using the ‘threat’ of ...%xc3.] 14...1f6 15.4e2 .xg7 16.%e3v With queens on, White does not
need to do anything special to prove an edge. As Black I would be tempted to play ...4h5 offering
an endgame.
B) 12....xf7 I don’t like this move, but it makes the game interesting.

Position after: 12...Kxf7

B1) 13.4xg4 %xd4 14.%d2 4f5 Black was basically OK in Nakamura, H – Carlsen, M Stavanger
2018.
B2) 13.0-0 4c5! 14.4xg4 [14.1ce2 %xd4+ 15.1xd4 1c6 16.c3 1xd4 17.cxd4 4f5 18.4b3+ d5
19.5e1 4d7 The position was balanced in Cornel – Launhardt, email 2013.] 14...%xd4+ 15..h1


Position after: 15.Kh1

15...%xc3!= Black is just in time: Since f5 now would be met by ...%f6, Black gets time to
consolidate with ...4f5, ...1d7 and ...h5 as necessary.
B3) 13.1f3! White cannot avoid damage to his queenside structure, so he may as well keep pieces
on and try and maximise the dynamic chances he gets in return. 13...%xc3+! This at least leads to
some unclear positions where White needs to be accurate. [13...1c6?! 14.%d2 4f5 15.4e2u]
14.bxc3 1f6 15.1g5+ .g8 16.0-0 Black is not able to control this position: if he plays ...h6 White
will always have the tactical option of 4e2. Luckily he seems to just hold with accurate play.
16...4c5+


Position after: 16...Qc5+

B3.1) 17..h1 h6 18.4e2 4f5! 19.1f3 [19.4xe7 hxg5= now simply doesn’t work.] 19...1c6
20.1h4 4h5 21.4xh5 gxh5DZ
B3.2) 17.5f2! Ensuring that White can always recapture on g5, counterintuitive though the move
may be. 17...4c4! [17...h6?! 18.4e2+–]

Position after: 17...Qc4!

18.5b1 [18.4d3!? White is content with a small edge. 18...4xd3 19.cxd3 1bd7v] 18...h6 19.5b4


 4d5 20.4e2 hxg5 21.5d4 4xa2 22.fxg5 [Black can likely draw the messy position after 22.4xe7
1bd7 23.fxg5 5e8 24.4xd6 5e1+ 25.5f1 5xf1+ 26..xf1 5h7 27.gxf6 5f7DZ.] 22...1c6!
[22...1fd7 23.5xd6!+–] 23.gxf6 1xd4 24.cxd4 5h7 25.fxe7 5e8 26.4g4 5g7 27.%g5 5f7v Here
too White retains the initiative and can force a draw at will.

9.Ng5 Bxb5

Position after: 9...Bxb5

10.Qxg4?!

The main moves are 10.1xe6 and 10.1xb5, seen later.

10.1xe6 %xd4!!


Position after: 10...Bxd4!!

11.1xd8 The main interesting move, 11.1xb5, will be seen later as well. [11.4xg4?! %d7 12.f5 %xe6
13.fxe6 1c6 14.5f1 %xc3+! 15.bxc3 4a5Ů Black has much better coordination; likewise 11.1xd4?!
%d7! fails to impress.] 11...%f2+ This is the famous draw, known since Sax – Seirawan, Brussels
1988, and used for pre-arranged or ‘understood’ draws since. 12..d2 %e3+ 13..e1 %f2+

10...Bc4! 11.b3

White should avoid pawn-grabbing. 11.1xh7? .d7 [11...%xd4!?w] 12.1g5?! cxd4 13.1f7 4a5–+
Black was already completely winning in Kosanovic – Popchev, Stara Pazova 1988.

11...Bxd4! 12.Bd2 Bd5


Position after: 12...Bd5

13.Nxd5

13.0-0-0 Arguably a better order for White, but it doesn’t change much; the extra options are few if
Black puts his queen on d7 anyway. 13...4d7 14.5he1 1c6 15..b1 %f6!w

13...exd5 14.0-0-0 Qd7 15.Ne6

Position after: 15.Ne6


So far as in Nunn – Benjamin, Thessaloniki 1988.

15...Na6!N 16.Rhf1 Nc7 17.f5 Nxe6 18.fxe6 Qc7 19.Rf7 0-0-0 20.Bg5 Rde8 21.Qh4

Position after: 21.Qh4

A critical position, but thankfully for us the only question is whether Black is obligated to take a draw
at this point.

21...Qa5

21...h6!? 22.%xe7 g5 23.%xg5 4a5 This line avoids ideas of 5xd4. Now White has to consent to
perpetual check with 24.%f6 4a3+ 25..d2 4b4+=.

22.Rxd4! cxd4 23.Bxe7


Position after: 23.Bxe7

This was the focus of previous analysis, and indeed there are some very tricky lines where Black does
play on.

23...Kb8!? 24.Bf6!

24.%xd6+ .a8Ů and Black’s king is safe, while the push ...d3 will soon seriously undermine White’s
king safety.

24...g5!


Position after: 24...g5!

25.Qf2!

25.4h3 4e1+ 26..b2 g4 27.4d3 4c3+ 28.4xc3 dxc3+ 29..xc3 5hg8 30.e7 .c7w and Black
presses with no risk.

25...Rhg8 26.Bxd4 Qa3+ 27.Kb1 Rxe6 28.Rxb7+ Kxb7 29.Qf7+ Kc6 30.Qxe6 Rf8 31.Qe2³

Position after: 31.Qe2³


Black has some vague winning chances here (for an ambitious player) but I would be somewhat
scared of losing control of this position.

4.2) 8...fxe6 9.Ng5 Bxb5 10.Nxb5 Qa5+

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 c5 6.Bb5+ Bd7 7.e5 Ng4 8.e6 fxe6! 9.Ng5 Bxb5
10.Nxb5

Position after: 10.Nxb5

10...Qa5+ 11.c3 Qxb5 12.Nxe6

12.4xg4 cxd4 13.1xe6 4c4 14.1xg7+ .f7 leads to the next note.

12...Qc4


Position after: 12...Qc4

13.Qxg4

13.1xg7+ It is seldom bad to take a bishop with check, but this isn’t White’s most testing
continuation. 13....f7 14.4xg4 cxd4 15.1f5 4e6+ [15...h5!? is an interesting attempt to get a further
improved version of some of the endings.] 16.1e3 dxe3

Position after: 16...dxe3


17.4f3 [17.4xe6+ .xe6 18.%xe3 1c6 Black is completely fine here. It is easy to develop queenside
counterplay in the time it takes White to make a passed pawn on the other side. 19.0-0 5hf8 20.c4
.d7=] 17...1c6 Black just needs to keep it simple. A good model of how to do so was offered in the
following game: 18.0-0 5hf8 19.%xe3 .g8 20.b3 a5 21.5ae1 a4 22.%c1 4f7

Position after: 22...Qf7

Dolmatov – Chernin, Moscow 1990.

13...cxd4!


Position after: 13...cxd4!

14.cxd4!?

14.f5?! This is actually a slight mistake. 14...%f6 15.fxg6 5g8 16.g7 1c6 17.1c7+ .d8 The game
Shirov – Khalifman, Groningen 1990 ended in a draw here by perpetual check. Later Shirov also took
the black side of this position! 18.1e6+ [After 18.1xa8? 1e5–+ Black’s attack is decisive.]
18....d7!!

Position after: 18...Kd7!!

Remarkable. Black walks into double check and emerges with an advantage. 19.1xd4+ [19.1f4+ e6
20.1h5 %xg7! 21.1xg7 5af8w White cannot save his piece, and in the meantime Black has a
ferocious attack; 19.1f8+?! .e8 20.4h5+ 4f7 21.4xf7+ .xf7 22.1xh7 %xg7Ů; 19.1c5+?! .e8
20.4d7+ .f7Ů] 19...e6


Position after: 19...e6

20.5f1 [20.4e2 4xe2+ 21.1xe2 %xg7 is similar.] 20...5xg7 21.4e2 4xe2+ 22.1xe2 %e7w Black’s
pieces are better placed for the endgame.

Position after: 14.cxd4!?

14...Bf6

I have a strong feeling that this is the best move.


Engines like the ‘heroic’ 14...1c6 but I would worry about continuing to leave the bishop en prise.
15.d5!? [15.1xg7+ .f7 16.1f5 gxf5 17.4xf5+ .e8 18.4h5+ .d7= Black recovers the piece with a
safe king position; 15.%d2 1xd4 16.1xg7+ .f7 17.5c1 4d3 18.5c3!?ĩ might also be awkward to
meet.] 15...4e4+ 16..f2∞ White can probably obtain a reasonable version of the endgame with
same-coloured bishops.

Position after: 16.Kf2∞

15.Be3

15.d5 1a6!Ů

15...Kf7 16.Ng5+ Bxg5 17.fxg5 Nc6=


Position after: 17...Nc6=

As usual, Black’s pieces are more harmoniously arranged. He is ready to play ...4d5, or ...5hf8
followed by ....g8. White lacks immediate threats with which to cross those plans.

4.3) 8...fxe6 9.Ng5 Bxb5 10.Nxe6 Bxd4 11.Nxb5 Qa5+ 12.Qd2

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 c5 6.Bb5+ Bd7 7.e5 Ng4 8.e6 fxe6! 9.Ng5 Bxb5
10.Nxe6 Bxd4!! 11.Nxb5 Qa5+! 12.Qd2!?

This is a somewhat critical line, since Black will be playing with just one pawn for the exchange in a
not-especially-forcing endgame.
In the last two subchapters I will look at 12.c3.

12...Qxd2+


Position after: 12...Qxd2+

13.Bxd2

The other recapture is possible, albeit counterintuitive: 13..xd2 .d7 14.1ec7 a6 15.1xa8 axb5
16.a4 bxa4 17.1b6+ .c6 18.1xa4 e5!

Position after: 18...e5!

19.fxe5 [19.h3?! 1f2 20.5e1 exf4 21.c3 %e3+ 22..e2 %xc1 23.5axc1 1e4 Black already has very


good winning chances.] 19...%xe5 20.h3 1f2 [It is also possible to allow c4 and then play ...d5
anyway, e.g. 20...1f6 21.c4 1bd7 22..c2 d5=, but Black should be careful as he only has one pawn
for the exchange.] 21.5f1 1e4+

Position after: 21...Ne4+

22..d3 [22..e3 5e8!–+ Due to the unfortunate position of White’s rooks, Black is already winning.]
22...1g3 23.5f7 c4+ 24..xc4 b5+ 25..d3 bxa4 26.5xa4 .d5!DZ Black has undiminished activity but
the material stakes have been equalised.

13...Kd7


Position after: 13...Kd7

14.Nec7

An annotated game starting with 14.1bxd4 is offered in Part I (Karjakin – Grischuk, Moscow 2001).

14...a6 15.Nxa8 axb5 16.a4

16.c3 seems to gain a tempo, but will most likely lose one in the end. 16...%e3 17.a4 bxa4 18.5xa4
.c6w

16...bxa4 17.Nb6+ Kc6 18.Nxa4 Nd7


Position after: 18...Nd7

19.h3!?

White’s best try for an advantage.

A) In this version 19.c4?! e5 is very bad for White. The c4-pawn is a weakness more than anything
else.
B) I am not especially convinced by the move Marin thinks is most dangerous, which is 19.1c3.
Now there follows 19...e5! opening the centre and, in some lines, arranging for the d2-bishop to be
overloaded. 20.h3 [20.fxe5?! 1dxe5 21.1d1 5e8w Black has a massive attack.] 20...%xc3!


Position after: 20...Bxc3!

B1) 21.%xc3 loses a pawn: 21...1e3 22..d2 1xg2 and although White gets to open lines, nothing
too major happens. 23.fxe5 dxe5 24.5hf1 1h4!= All is under control.
B2) 21.hxg4?! also loses a pawn, but without the benefit of the last line: 21...%xd2+ 22..xd2 exf4
and with two pawns for the exchange and the beautiful e5-square available to him, Black is
thinking about winning this game as well.
B3) 21.bxc3 1gf6 22.fxe5 1xe5 23.0-0 1d5m The machines obviously like White’s position
somewhat, but with the two central knights and structural targets I can’t imagine having difficulties
playing Black here.

19...Nf2

After 19...1e3 20.%xe3 %xe3 21.5f1 5f8 22.g3 e6 23..e2 %d4 24.1c3= the position is still playable
for Black, but White is unravelling.

20.Rf1 Ne4 21.Nc3 Bxc3 22.Bxc3 Re8©


Position after: 22...Re8©

4.4) 15.b3?!

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 c5 6.Bb5+ Bd7 7.e5 Ng4 8.e6 fxe6! 9.Ng5 Bxb5
10.Nxe6 Bxd4!! 11.Nxb5 Qa5+! 12.c3 Bf2+ 13.Kd2 Be3+ 14.Kc2 Qa4+

Position after: 14...Qa4+

15.b3?!


We will examine the critical 15..b1 in the final subchapter, but for now let us look at a line where
queens stay on the board.

15...Qe4+ 16.Kb2

16.4d3? 4xg2+ 17.%d2 .d7! 18.1ec7 a6 19.1xa8 axb5

Position after: 19...axb5

In this version White is unable to save the knight and the bishop. There is nothing better than:
20.4xb5+ 1c6! 21.1b6+ [21.4xb7+? .e6 22.1c7+ .f7 Black threatens ...4xd2 as well as ...1d4,
with decisive effect.] 21....c7 22.5hd1 1f2 23.1d5+ 4xd5 24.%xe3 4e4+ 25.5d3 5a8!–+

16...Qxg2+ 17.Ka3 Nf2!N


Position after: 17...Nf2!N

18.Nxd6+!

This is the only interesting move.

18.5g1 1xd1 19.5xg2 .d7 20.1bc7 1a6 21.1xa8 .xe6 22.%xe3 1xc3Ů Black will be playing with
three pawns for the exchange.

18...Kd7! 19.Qe2 Bxc1+! 20.Raxc1 exd6 21.f5


Position after: 21.f5

White is scrambling for compensation here due to the idea of ...4e4 retaining the whole piece.

21...gxf5 22.Rhe1

22.5hf1 4e4Ů still works.

22...Nc6 23.Nf4 Qg8 24.Qxf2 Re8³

Position after: 24...Re8³

White’s compensation for the two pawns is not completely adequate.

4.5) 15.Kb1

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 c5 6.Bb5+ Bd7 7.e5 Ng4 8.e6 fxe6! 9.Ng5 Bxb5
10.Nxe6 Bxd4!! 11.Nxb5 Qa5+! 12.c3 Bf2+ 13.Kd2 Be3+ 14.Kc2 Qa4+


Position after: 14...Qa4+

15.Kb1 Qe4+!

The text looks less intuitive than 15...4xd1, but the problem now is that after 16.5xd1 %xc1 17..xc1
Black lacks knight checks and the d1-rook is better placed than on h1.

16.Qc2 Qxc2+ 17.Kxc2 Bxc1

Position after: 17...Bxc1


18.Rhxc1!?

This is ‘interesting’, which is preferable to the existing well-analysed paths where White definitely
has no advantage.
A) 18.5axc1?! .d7 19.1ec7? [19.5he1 White should bail out with this but the compensation is
tenuous after 19...1c6w.] 19...a6 20.1xa8 axb5 21.a4 bxa4 22.1b6+ .c6 23.1xa4 b5 Now the
knight is trapped.
B) 18..xc1 The safe recapture. 18....d7 19.1ec7 a6 20.1xa8 axb5

Position after: 20...axb5

White has two possible ways to save his knight, of which only one works. 21.c4! [21.a4? Now
White will definitely be worse. 21...bxa4 22.5xa4 .c6 23.5a7 The only way to stop ...1a6 now.
23...c4! 24.5e1 e5Ů Black was significantly better in Bauer – Chabanon, Nantes 1993.] 21...bxc4
22.1b6+ .c6 23.1xc4 5f8! 24.g3 1d7m There is no particular need to commit to either ...b5 or
...d5 yet. White is struggling despite the nominal material advantage.

18...Kd7 19.Nec7 a6 20.Nxa8 axb5


Position after: 20...axb5

The final version out of many analogous possibilities we’ve looked at.

21.a4 bxa4 22.Rxa4 Kc6 23.Rb1!?

A very testing continuation.

A) 23.b4!? 1e3+ 24..d3 1xg2

Position after: 24...Nxg2


 Black is doing well here, and gains tempo on the f4-pawn even by comparison to the text move. The
only forcing line is probably 25.b5+!? .xb5 26.5a7 .c6 27.5b1 1xf4+ 28..d2 .d5 29.1b6+ .e6

Position after: 29...Ke6

30.5e1+ .f5 31.5xb7 1c6w, but Black finds the kingside to be every bit as safe as the queenside
was.
B) 23.5a7 is unlikely to be any better than the same move in other positions.

23...Ne3+ 24.Kd2!


Position after: 24.Kd2!

24...Nxg2 25.b4 c4!

25...d5?! This is the most natural move, but it fails. I’ll give White’s approach with minimal notes
because it is quite spectacular: 26.b5+! Why give the f4-pawn up if you don’t have to? 26....d6

Position after: 26...Kd6

27.5g1! A very odd move with an equally odd idea. [27.5a7 1d7!Ů] 27...1h4 28.5ga1 1d7
29.5a6+!! bxa6 30.5xa6+ 1b6 31.1xb6 5b8! [31...c4 32.1c8+! .c5 33.1a7v]


Position after: 31...Rb8!

32.c4! A final strong move to fragment Black’s pawns in the endgame. Now it’s quite important that
Black isn’t pressuring the f4-pawn. [32.1a4+ .c7 33.5c6+ .d8 34.5xc5v is obvious and also okay.]
32...dxc4 33..c3 1f5 34..xc4 1e3+ 35..d3 .c7! 36.1a4 1g2 37..c4v

26.b5+ Kc5 27.Nc7 Nd7

Position after: 27...Nd7

28.b6

An immediate draw with 28.1e6+ .d5 29.1c7+= is also on the cards.

28...d5 29.Ra5+! Kc6 30.Rxd5

30.1xd5 1c5!w

30...Nxb6 31.Rdb5 Kxc7 32.Rxb6 Rd8+ 33.Kc1 Rd3 34.Rxb7+ Kd6=


Position after: 34...Kd6=

The game will most likely end with a 5+h vs 1+g+h position.
Conclusion to Chapter 4
Based on what we have seen in the last two chapters, both 8.%xd7 and 8.e6 can be interesting
attempts for White to get an advantage. To my mind, despite the extent to which both have been
explored, there are still things to be learned about the endgames where Black sacrifices an exchange
after 8.e6 and so that move might well be the one I chose if I were playing White. Broken down in
this way, though, I think the theory on 5...c5 has been manageable; once again, if you don’t agree or
don’t consider the winning chances good enough there is 4...a6. Most likely, the right analogy to draw
is penalty shootouts in football: even if your personal favoured approach is to shoot to the right,
sometimes you should also shoot to the left so that the goalkeeper doesn’t know what to expect!


 Chapter 5
Classical Pirc with 7.Bf4 and 7.Bg5

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nf3 d6 4.Be2 Nf6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.0-0 c6

Chapter Guide

Chapter 5 – Classical Pirc with 7.Bf4 and 7.Bg5

1.e4 g6 2.d4 %g7 3.1f3 d6 4.%e2 1f6 5.1c3 0-0 6.0-0 c6

5.1) Motivation and 6...e6!?
5.2) 7.%f4 1bd7 8.e5 and 7.e5
5.3) 7.%f4 1bd7 8.4d2 4c7 9.e5
5.4) 7.%f4 1bd7 8.4d2 4c7 9.a4
5.5) 7.%g5 intro and 7...4c7 8.e5
5.6) 7.%g5 4c7 8.4d2 b5 9.a3
5.7) 7.%g5 4c7 8.a4 e5
5.8) 7.%g5 4c7 8.a4 e5 9.a5!?N

Introduction to Chapter 5
Finally it’s time to move away from the Austrian Pirc to something a bit less razor-sharp. To


compensate for that, though, this time I don’t have a backup, and White can force the diagram
position by using the 4.%e2 order (once again, the order that begins with 3.1f3 is the more flexible
one.) I tried to analyse 6...e6!? in order to address this deficiency, but at the end concluded that White
is pressing with the bishop-pair in a rather unpleasant way. Hence, this chapter and the next. The
material divides fairly evenly into cases where White develops the bishop on move 7 (this chapter)
and cases where he doesn’t (next chapter) although I’ve tried to take care of transpositions in a
flexible way. I would say that within this chapter, the cases where White plays a preventative a4 are
the most worrying, because then there is some risk of Black actually ending up without counterplay.
As an illustration of what kind of counterplay ...b5 leads to (even just by itself) you can look at line
5.6).
In the final subchapter I develop some completely original material based on taking this prophylactic
strategy to its logical limit. The point is that at unexpected moments White can sometimes push the a-
pawn onwards to a6, which (in conjunction with a d5 break) has the potential to prise apart Black’s
queenside, whereas if Black halts it with ...a6 there will be huge issues surrounding the b6-square.
Black does have a choice of how to play: I have given both a line where Black offers a repetition (a
relatively boring approach which may additionally not meet your needs) and a ‘fun’ line where Black
sacrifices his queen but may stand worse.

5.1) Motivation and 6...e6!?

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nf3 d6 4.Be2!?

Position after: 4.Be2!?

In this initial subchapter I’ll motivate why we’re talking about the Classical Pirc in this book.


4...Nf6

The problem with 4...a6 is not even 5.c4, but 5.0-0:

Position after: 4...a6

5.0-0! [5.c4 %g4 6.1c3 1c6 7.%e3 e5 8.d5 %xf3 9.%xf3 1d4DZ Maybe White has something here, but
lots of people have already published inconclusive analysis on the position.] 5...1d7 [5...1f6 6.1c3 I
would rather not do this if White isn’t going to play a4. See chapter III.4.] 6.c4 e5 7.1c3v

Position after: 7.Nc3²


This is some kind of KID or Philidor position where Black’s ...a6 looks odd.

5.Nc3 0-0 6.0-0

If White jumps the gun with 6.a4 then Black can present a choice between Sicilian and Benoni
structures. 6...c5! 7.0-0 [7.d5 e6 8.0-0 exd5 9.exd5 1a6=] 7...cxd4 8.1xd4 1c6 9.%e3 d5!? 10.exd5
1b4 11.%f3 1fxd5= Kryvoruchko – Bauer Switzerland 2017.

Position after: 6.0-0

6...e6!?

Tiger’s suggestion, and not actually mentioned at all by Hammer despite Hammer having consulted
the work of his older Nordic colleague.
6...1c6?! 7.d5 1b8 This line has been played by Carlsen a few times in faster games, but the overall
impression created by it is not a good one. 8.a4 e6


Position after: 8...e6

9.%g5 h6 10.%e3 exd5 11.exd5 5e8 12.4d2 1g4 13.%d4 1d7 14.%xg7 .xg7 15.1d4 1gf6 16.a5v
Yu, Y – Svidler, P Shenzhen 2018

7.a4

Position after: 7.a4

7...a5


This is the move that you want to play. My impression is that allowing White the bind with a5 is a
bad idea and that Black wants to play moves like ...h6, ...b6, ...%b7, but it seems that White can move
fast to nevertheless create a bind on the queenside. Saying that, I like the idea of this system (which
has much in common with the Hippo, of course.)
A) 7...1c6 8.a5! This bind will become annoying very quickly. 8...a6 9.h3 5e8 10.%e3 h6 11.4d2
g5 [Neither can the c8-bishop move: 11....h7 12.5fd1 %d7 13.b4v] 12.1h2 Preparing h4. 12...e5
[12....h7 13.f4ǭ] 13.d5 1d4 14.1g4! 1xe2+ 15.4xe2 1h7 16.f3v

Position after: 16.f3²

Playing in this way White would demonstrate extremely good understanding of structures. The
position now resembles a King’s Indian where Black lacks any way to bring pieces to bear on
White’s king.
B) 7...b6 8.a5 %b7 is at least different, but now danger takes a different form: 9.e5 dxe5 10.1xe5v

8.e5 dxe5 9.dxe5 Qxd1 10.Rxd1


Position after: 10.Rxd1

10...Nfd7

10...1g4?! Here the knight is vulnerable, so Black should avoid this unless he is actually going to
take the pawn. 11.1b5 c6 [11...1a6 12.%f4v] 12.1d6 1xe5 13.1xe5 %xe5 14.%h6 %g7 15.%g5!

Position after: 15.Bg5!

15...f6 [15...%xb2 16.5ab1 %e5 17.1xc8 5xc8 18.5xb7v] 16.%e3 1a6v Now White can play in


various ways, like 5a3-b3.

11.Bf4

This seems like the best order for White, and I wasn’t able to find a suitable answer for Black.

Position after: 11.Bf4

11...b6

A) 11...1c6 12.1b5v
B) 11...1a6 12.%b5 c6 13.%xa6 5xa6 14.1e4ĩ
C) 11...1c5 12.%g5!v with annoying pressure.
D) 11...h6!? Trying to get a better version of the lines with ...b6 below. 12.h4 b6 13.1b5 1a6
14.c3v


Position after: 14.c3²

12.Bd3!

Position after: 12.Bd3!

12...Nc5

12...%b7 13.%e4 %xe4 14.1xe4 and now the computer wants to sign up for the dismal endgame after
14...1c5 15.1xc5 bxc5v.


13.Ne4

13.%e4 1xe4 14.1xe4 %b7 [14...1d7 15.5d4v] 15.1f6+ .h8 Maybe White has some path to an
advantage here, most likely starting with 16.5d3. So it is logical to ask if White can save a tempo on
this process.

13...Nbd7!

13...1xd3 14.5xd3 %b7 15.1f6+v

Position after: 13...Nbd7!

14.Bb5 Bb7

14...1xe4 15.%c6 5a7 16.%xe4 1c5 17.%c6v

15.Nxc5 Nxc5 16.Nd4 Rad8 17.Nc6 Bxc6 18.Bxc6²


Position after: 18.Bxc6²

White can press here with the bishop-pair, even if the engines do give it as equal (0.2).

5.2) 7.Bf4 Nbd7 8.e5 and 7.e5

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 c6

Position after: 6...c6


In this subchapter we’ll examine the various bishop moves.

7.Bf4

7.e5 Not a critical continuation, but something which it is important to see first, so that we can
compare future lines with it. 7...dxe5 8.1xe5 [8.dxe5 4xd1 9.5xd1 1g4 10.%f4 1d7= Black wins a
pawn and without queens on the board, White’s compensation is not going to add up.] 8...%f5

Position after: 8...Bf5

A) 9.%f4 1bd7 10.5e1 1xe5 11.%xe5= Thus far as in Alvarez Ibarra – Azmaiparashvili, Euskadi
1991. Marin mentions a plan with ...h5 and ...%h6, which I find adequate here.
B) 9.%f3 1fd7!? In my opinion the best move. Black is not afraid to give up the bishop-pair and can
now also play for an advantage. [Black can also play 9...1bd7 10.%f4 1xe5 11.%xe5 as against
9.%f3, while Marin gives some convoluted plan based on 10...1b6 and only then ...1fd7. I am not
sure how well it works if White continues with 11.5e1.] 10.1g4 %xg4 11.%xg4 1b6 12.1e2 18d7
13.a4 e5ĩ
C) 9.g4!? %e6 10.f4 1bd7 11.f5 [11.%f3 1xe5 12.fxe5 1d5= and Black is fine.] 11...%d5 12.1xd7!


Position after: 12.Nxd7!

C1) 12...1xd7 is really erring on the side of caution and Black might well regret it after 13.1xd5
cxd5 14.c3v: he has no pawn on e6 and so the centre lacks the stability it might usually have in a
minority-attack position.
C2) 12...4xd7 13.4d3 5ad8 14.g5 1e8DZ

7...Nbd7 8.e5!? dxe5! 9.dxe5 Ng4 10.e6 fxe6


Position after: 10...fxe6

This position is similar to one we could get from 7.e5, but queens are still on the board. This means
that White gets sufficient play.

11.Ng5! Nde5 12.Qxd8

12.%g3 1h6 13.1ce4 1f5 gives Black counterplay.

There is no need for White to lose this tempo right now.

12...Rxd8 13.Rad1 Rf8! 14.Bg3 Nh6!

Position after: 14...Nh6!

15.Nce4

Marin only considers 15.%xe5 %xe5 16.%c4 b5!= when Black is escaping from the positional pressure
easily.

15...Nhf7 16.c3

Black lacks freeing ideas, so White can improve his position slowly.

16...Nxg5 17.Nxg5 Nf7 18.Ne4 e5! 19.Bc4 Bf6=


Position after: 19...Bf6=

White can still bail out, but he is running out of time somewhat.

5.3) 7.Bf4 Nbd7 8.Qd2 Qc7 9.e5

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 c6 7.Bf4 Nbd7 8.Qd2 Qc7 9.e5

Position after: 9.e5


This is the last (and probably best) moment at which White can break in the centre.

9...Nh5 10.Bg5!

10.exd6 exd6

Position after: 10...exd6

11.1e4 The only challenging move. Other continuations offer Black comfortable play: [11.%g5 b5!?
DZ; 11.%h6 d5 12.%xg7 is very similar to the line after 10.%g5. 12...1xg7 13.5fe1 1f6=] 11...1df6!
12.%xd6 [12.1xd6? drops a piece to 12...1xf4 13.4xf4 1h5–+] 12...1xe4 13.%xc7 1xd2 14.1xd2
%xd4


Position after: 14...Bxd4

White’s only chance to maintain the tension is to exchange on h5: 15.%xh5N [15.c3 %b6 16.%xb6
axb6 is a worse order as now White doesn’t get the choice of keeping dark-squared bishops. Black
was okay in Solak – Petrosian, Golden Sands 2014.] 15...gxh5 16.c3 %b6 17.%f4 5e8 18.5fe1 5xe1+
19.5xe1 %e6=

Position after: 19...Be6=

The bishop-pair gives Black good counterchances here.


Position after: 10.Bg5!

10...f6!

10...dxe5 11.%xe7 5e8 12.d5! Now none of Black’s moves really convince me. 12...1b6!? Maybe
relatively best, trying to give the queen some prospects. [12...4b8 13.d6 1f4 14.5fe1v] 13.d6 4d7

Position after: 13...Qd7

14.5fe1! [14.g3 %f6 15.%xf6 1xf6DZ Black is bringing a knight to d5 next and White needs to hurry


to simplify.] 14...1f4 15.%f1 f6 Now if Black can consolidate and play ...1bd5 at some point soon,
then he will be for choice. So White’s selection is limited, but there do seem to be two good ideas.
16.a4! 4f5 [16....h8 17.1e4 1bd5 18.1xf6 %xf6 19.1xe5!v] 17.5ad1 %d7 Black has a lot of
alternatives, but I find problems with all of them as well as my overarching suspicion of the whole
line.

Position after: 17...Bd7

18.1e4 Not the only move, but it seems strong, for instance: 18...1bd5 19.c4 1xe7 20.dxe7 5xe7
21.4b4 5ae8 22.4xb7 4g4 23..h1v.

11.exf6 exf6


Position after: 11...exf6

12.Be3!

12.%h6 is the wrong way: after 12...d5! Black has managed to consolidate the centre. There’s no need
for him to worry about the knight on h5 because that can’t be trapped.

12...f5 13.d5! c5 14.Bh6

14.1g5 f4 15.%xh5 fxe3 16.4xe3 gxh5m

14...Ndf6„

Black’s construction is far from faultless but the kingside space compensates.


Position after: 14...Ndf6„

5.4) 7.Bf4 Nbd7 8.Qd2 Qc7 9.a4

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 c6 7.Bf4 Nbd7 8.Qd2 Qc7

Position after: 8...Qc7

9.a4


We have already discussed the case of White playing e5 in various positions, and this is the only
other move that really fits his ambitions.
A common sense but harmless approach is the following: 9.%h6 e5 10.%xg7 .xg7 11.5ad1 5e8 12.a4
1f8 13.dxe5 dxe5 14.4d6?! 4xd6 15.5xd6 %g4w Black soon agreed a draw in Kamenev, J –
Konovalov, E Krasnodar 2002 but he could arguably have played on.

9...e5

Position after: 9...e5

10.Bh6

10.dxe5 As elsewhere, this is not very critical. In fact, this might even be a better version for Black
because he can go to e6 via c5 instead of f8. 10...dxe5 11.%h6 1c5 12.%xg7 .xg7=

10...Re8 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.a5

White prevents the stabilizing ...a5 and avoids ...1c5 ideas.

12...Nf8!


Position after: 12...Nf8!

This move is given by Marin and it is Black’s main constructive idea in such positions.

13.h3!

The reply prevents ...%g4, forcing Black to take play in a different direction.
A) 13.5fd1 %g4 14.h3 %xf3 15.%xf3 1e6= This line has been played a few times. It suffices for my
purposes to say that Black is definitely not worse, and move on...
B) 13.d5!? %g4


Position after: 13...Bg4

Again this move works well. 14.h3 [14.a6 cxd5 15.1xd5 1xd5 16.exd5 %xf3 17.%xf3 b5= is at
least fine for Black, and possibly better because of the robustness of the d6/e5 pawn formation.]
14...%xf3 15.%xf3 cxd5 16.1xd5 [16.exd5 18d7 will be similar to 14.a6 but with an extra pair of
knights on the board. Experienced players will know that a similar structure occurs in the 6.%e3
Najdorf.] 16...1xd5 17.4xd5 1d7!?=

Position after: 13.h3!


13...exd4

I really wanted to play the more dynamic-looking 13...1e6 but it doesn’t work out well: 14.5fd1!
Good prophylaxis. Now Black doesn’t have a way to break free, given that 14...exd4 15.1xd4 1c5
16.%f3 1cxe4? 17.%xe4 1xe4 18.1xe4 5xe4 19.4c3!v is bad for him.

14.Nxd4

14.4xd4 1e6 15.4e3 d5= might be objectively equal; Black does not really need to worry about
playing with the isolated pawn here.

14...Nxe4 15.Nxe4 Rxe4

Position after: 15...Rxe4

16.Bf3!?

This move makes Black do some work to neutralise the initiative. It gains a tempo compared to 16.a6.
16.a6 1e6!=

16...Re5 17.a6


Position after: 17.a6

17...Ne6!

17...1d7?! 18.4c3v is tricky because Black’s queenside is immobile and White has the idea of 1b5.

18.Nxe6+ Rxe6

18...%xe6 19.axb7v

19.Rfe1 Kg8 20.Qc3 Rb8=


Position after: 20...Rb8=

Black is getting free so White should quickly seek a way to enter an equal rook ending.

5.5) 7.Bg5 intro and 7...Qc7 8.e5

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 c6 7.Bg5 Qc7!

Position after: 7...Qc7!


As so often, it is better to start with this move so that ...b5 cannot be met by ‘the d5 tactic’.

8.Qd2

8.e5 dxe5 9.1xe5 [9.dxe5? 1g4w]

Position after: 9.Nxe5

A) 9...1bd7?! Now White’s best is to go back to f4 with the bishop, but note that if Black takes on
e5 he will have a worse version of the 7.e5 lines. 10.%f4 1xe5 [10...4b6 11.1c4 4d8 12.a4v]
11.%xe5 4a5 Whether or not White has any particularly worrying idea here (an initial candidate
seems to be 5b1, b4-b5) I would prefer to avoid this.
B) 9...1d5! 10.1xd5 cxd5 11.1g4 1c6 12.c3= Now Black can play a minority attack position after
...%xg4, or else try something a bit more ambitious.

8...b5!


Position after: 8...b5!

9.e5

I will look at 9.a3 in the next subchapter.

9...dxe5 10.dxe5

10.1xe5? b4 11.1a4 1e4 12.4e3 1xg5 13.4xg5 f6–+

10...Ng4 11.Bf4 Nxe5 12.Nxe5 Bxe5 13.Bxe5 Qxe5


Position after: 13...Qxe5

14.Bf3!?

A) 14.1xb5 cxb5 15.%f3 1c6 16.%xc6 5b8= is just fine for Black
B) 14.5fe1N is equivalent.

14...Bf5 15.Rfe1 Qf6 16.Nxb5 Na6=

Position after: 16...Na6=


 5.6) 7.Bg5 Qc7 8.Qd2 b5 9.a3

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 c6 7.Bg5 Qc7! 8.Qd2 b5! 9.a3 Nbd7

Position after: 9...Nbd7

Now White’s main attacking idea is the queen lift 4f4-h4, but the number of possible
implementations is practically beyond counting.

10.Rfe1

A) Unpinning the future a5-pawn will not be to White’s benefit since Black can now always meet
d5 with ...b4. 10.5ad1 a5 11.4f4 e5 12.4h4 1h5=
B) 10.5fd1 avoids the issue of ...b4 but doesn’t advance White’s cause in any other way, e.g.
10...%b7 11.4f4 e5 12.4h4 a5= when Black is ready to play ...b4 anyway and White’s main
attacking idea of %h6 is harmless.
C) White can also play the immediate 10.4f4 without swinging his rooks around on the back rank.
10...e5


Position after: 10...e5

11.4h4 [11.dxe5 dxe5 12.4h4 1h5 is the same idea as after 10.5ad1.] 11...5e8 12.d5 [12.5fd1 exd4
13.1xd4 %b7= After a future ...a5 or ...a6/...c5, White’s move a3 looks like a waste of time.]
12...cxd5 13.exd5 a6=

10...e5

Position after: 10...e5


11.d5!?

Again this is the critical test. With the lines given in these pages, I think the reader should already
have a decent idea what to do against 11.5ad1, 11.h3 or whatever.

11...cxd5

Sacrificing a pawn for the bishop-pair.

12.Nxb5

And once again the structure after 12.exd5 a6w is to Black’s advantage.

12...Qb8 13.exd5

13.%xf6 1xf6 14.exd5 1e4! 15.4e3 f5m

13...Ne4

Position after: 13...Ne4

14.Qb4

A logical place to put the queen. Similarly, 14.4a5 1xg5 15.1xg5 a6 16.1c3 1c5m gives Black
good compensation.

14...f5!?


Trying to weave a net around the g5-bishop. In many lines Black will be able to play ...f4 and ...h6.
14...1xg5 15.1xg5 1c5m is another way of getting a similar game. White has the extra option of
1e4 here.

Position after: 14...f5!?

15.Nc3

White has to bail out.

A) 15.%e7 should be checked (of course) but Black is doing well after 15...a5 16.4b3 5f7w when the
bishop has to go back.
B) 15.%h4 h6w leads to the bishop being trapped in most lines.

15...Nxc3 16.bxc3 Nf6=


Position after: 16...Nf6=

Now the weakness of the c-pawns compounds White’s other issues, and he will most likely have to
give up the bishop-pair as well.

5.7) 7.Bg5 Qc7 8.a4 e5

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 c6 7.Bg5 Qc7! 8.a4 e5 9.Qd2

Position after: 9.Qd2


In theory, this move prepares %h6 in some lines and prevents ...h6 from Black, but it may not be
needed.

9...Nbd7 10.Rfe1

White prepares to defend the e4-pawn in anticipation of ...5e8 and ...exd4.

A) 10.5ad1 5e8

Position after: 10...Re8

Now nothing really works for White.

A1) 11.d5 is not effective, because White has neither the pawn at a5 nor bishop at e3. So the tactics
don’t work. 11...cxd5 12.1xd5 1xd5 13.4xd5 h6 14.%e3 1f6 15.4xd6 4xd6 16.5xd6 1xe4= I
would have a preference for Black in this ending.
A2) 11.dxe5 dxe5 Now Black is all set for ...1c5-e6, his usual manoeuvre.


Position after: 11...dxe5

A2.1) 12.4e3 h6! 13.%h4 1h5 14.%c4 1f4= is given by Marin, although I find his ‘w’ a bit
optimistic.
A2.2) 12.%e3!? a6! [12...1g4 13.1g5 1xe3 14.fxe3 1f6 15.%c4 %e6 16.%xe6 fxe6 17.4d6ĩ I
would rather be playing with the knights in this somewhat exotic structure.] 13.1e1 b5DZ
A2.3) 12.4d6 4xd6 13.5xd6 %f8! This is based on the trick 14.5xf6 %e7! 14.5dd1 .g7= Black
has finished unravelling and achieved a fully level game.
B) 10.a5!? is interesting but does not really have much to do with the centre. 10...5e8! 11.d5 cxd5
12.exd5 a6DZ

10...Re8


Position after: 10...Re8

11.Bc4

After 11.%f1 Black can play, inter alia, the following plan: 11...exd4 12.1xd4 1c5 13.f3 1e6 14.%e3
1xd4 15.%xd4 %e6 16.5ad1 5ad8= Black was fine in Winants – Atabayev, Baku 2016. The plan here
is to either play ...d5, or offer a trade of dark-squared bishops with ...1h5.

Position after: 11.Bc4


11...a5!?

This is a logical and thematic move which Black often plays in these ‘Indian’ structures. The point is
that White needs to waste time thinking about ...%g4, or retreating the c4-bishop, before he can
continue with the desired 5ad1.
A) The tactical continuation 11...exd4 12.1xd4 1c5 13.f3 4b6, intending in several lines to take on
b2, is also possible. The reason I wouldn’t recommend it is that after 14.5ad1 it is not so easy to
actually bring yourself to take the pawn!

Position after: 14.Rad1

However, feel free to reach your own conclusions. 14...1fd7 [Following the forced line 14...4xb2!?
15.5b1 4a3 16.5e3 1cd7! 17.1cb5 4c5 18.%xf7+ .xf7 19.5c3 4e5 20.%f4 4e7 White can force
a draw by taking with the bishop, or potentially also play for more by taking with the knight.]
15.%e3 1e5 16.%b3 4b4 17.4f2DZ I can’t help feeling that Black is subsisting on tricks and that his
next moves need to be very precise in order to avoid tragedy.
B) 11...1b6 12.%b3 %g4 is natural, but White can afford the time needed to defend the knight.
13.dxe5 dxe5 14.4e3 a5 15.h3v


Position after: 11...a5!?

12.Rad1

A) 12.d5 1b6 13.%a2 %g4! 14.4e3 %d7DZ

B) 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.4e3 h6 14.%h4 g5 15.%g3 1h5DZ
C) 12.h3 exd4 13.1xd4 1c5ĩ is now definitely a better version of 11...exd4.
D) 12.%a2!? exd4 13.1xd4 4b6 14.%e3 [14.5ad1 4xb2m White lacks the same forced draws as in
other lines with ...4xb2.] 14...1g4 15.1f5 1xe3 16.1xg7 .xg7 17.5xe3 4b4


Position after: 17...Qb4

This should be fine for Black ‘in the long run’, but right now it is important that his d6-pawn is
defended by the rather convoluted resource 18.5d1 1e5! 19.4xd6 %g4 20.f3 5ad8 21.4xb4 axb4
22.fxg4 bxc3 23.5xd8 5xd8 24.5xc3 5d4!=.

12...Nb6 13.Bb3 Bg4 14.dxe5 dxe5 15.Qe3

Position after: 15.Qe3

Black eventually won in Lacina, R – Blodig, R Ceske Budejovice 1994 but probably best here was to
find a new job for the g7-bishop without delay:

15...Be6! 16.Bxe6 Rxe6 17.h3 Bf8=

5.8) 7.Bg5 Qc7 8.a4 e5 9.a5!?N

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 c6 7.Bg5 Qc7! 8.a4 e5 9.a5!?N


Position after: 9.a5!?N

9...Nbd7!

Instead 9...h6 10.%e3 1g4 11.%d2! exd4 12.1xd4 %xd4 13.%xg4 %xg4 14.4xg4v seems to hand
White a ready-made initiative.

10.d5

Position after: 10.d5


10...h6!?

Black has to know what he is signing up for by playing this, but in the present book I’m trying to give
‘fun’ recommendations rather than equalise as fast as mathematically possible.
10...a6!? is the theoretical move.
A) 11.%c4!? h6 12.%e3! This is the only retreat square from which the bishop can continue
influencing the battle for d5. [12.%xf6 1xf6=] 12...1g4 13.%c1 1gf6 Challenging White to find a
constructive move. My investigations indicate that there probably isn’t one. If allowed, Black will
play ...b5 next.
B) 11.1d2 cxd5 12.exd5 b5 13.axb6 1xb6 14.1b3 %d7!

Position after: 14...Bd7!

This doesn’t give White anything now because the knight lacks a way to jump in. The keys to
Black’s queenside defence are as follows: 15.1a5 [15.5xa6 5xa6 16.%xa6 5a8 17.%e2 1a4
18.1xa4 5xa4m; 15.%xa6 1a4 16.1xa4 5xa6 17.1c3 5xa1 18.4xa1 %f5m] 15...1a4! 16.1xa4
4xa5 17.c4 4c7 18.1c3 5fb8DZ.

11.Be3 cxd5 12.exd5 a6 13.Nd2! b5!? 14.axb6 Nxb6 15.Nb3 Nc4!