P.Svidler ( only for www.

chess24)

1. e4 e5 2. ♘f3 ♘c6 3. ♗b5 a6 4. ♗a4 ♘f6 5. O-O ♗e7 6. d3 This used to be a clear sideline when I
began playing the opening a long time ago, but now it has almost supplanted the main line. The idea
is to avoid the Marshall Attack. This eBook is approached from White's perspective, and I would
make two two observations at the outset: The first is that to me is a little harder to do a series on the
Spanish than on the Grünfeld as I feel somewhat less familiar with the opening even though I've
played it for around 20 years with both colors! The second is that these days it is much easier to
prove that Black is fine in most openings, than it is to find a clear White advantage. There will be
lines where there will not be a great advantage for White. Having said that, I will try to give you
some fresh ideas. So let's start!
6... d6 The other main move is 6...b5 which I will cover in the next chapter. Black creates a
significant positional threat: to play b5 followed by Na5 and exchange the knight for White's light-
squared bishop. White should not allow this; the bishop is one of the most important pieces in
White's camp.
7. c3 This is the move I recommend.
7. c4 Players like Arkadij Naiditsch have tried c4 but given the following lines I believe Black is
perfectly fine 7... O-O
a) 8. ♘c3 ♗g4 9. ♗e3 ( 9. ♗xc6 bxc6 10. h3 ♗h5 ) 9... ♘d4 10. ♗xd4 exd4 11. ♘d5
a1) 11... ♘xd5 12. exd5 ( 12. cxd5 f5 ) 12... ♗f6 13. h3 ♗h5 14. ♖e1 ♖b8 15. g4 ♗g6 16. ♕d2 h6
17. ♖ac1 b5 18. ♗b3 ♕d7
a2) 11... c6 12. ♘xf6+ ( 12. h3 cxd5 13. hxg4 dxe4 14. dxe4 ♘xg4 ) 12... ♗xf6 13. h3 ♗xf3 ( 13...
♗d7 14. ♖c1 b5 15. ♗b3 c5 16. ♘h2 ♕e8 17. f4 b4 18. ♘f3 a5 19. ♕d2 a4 20. ♗d1 a3 21. b3 g6 )
14. ♕xf3 g6 15. ♖ae1 ♗g7 16. ♕d1 ♕b6 17. ♕d2 a5 18. f4 ♕b4 19. ♕c2 ♕c5 20. ♕f2 ♖ae8 21.
♗d1 f5 Anand-Aronian, Stavanger 2013
b) 8. h3 8... ♘d4 ⁉
b1) 9. ♘c3 ♘xf3+ ( 9... c5 ) 10. ♕xf3 c6 11. ♗e3 ♗e6 12. ♗b3 ♘d7 13. d4 exd4 14. ♗xd4 c5 15.
♗e3 ♗f6 16. ♖ad1 b5 17. ♕e2 ♗xc3 18. bxc3 ♕e7 Guseinov-Beliavsky, Moscow 2005
b2) 9. ♘xd4 9... exd4 10. ♘d2 c6 ( 10... ♘d7 11. ♘f3 c5 12. b4 b5 13. cxb5 ♘b6 14. bxa6 ♘xa4 15.
♕xa4 ♗xa6 16. ♕b3 ) 11. ♘f3 b5 12. ♗c2 c5 13. b3 ♗b7
7... O-O 8. ♖e1 White can also play 8.Nbd2 but I think Re1 is more precise. The reason being that
in some positions White can try to play d4 and following exd4 exd4 the knight on b1 can be
developed to the superior c3 square. In this chapter we will focus on the least popular Black replies.
The next chapter is on the move 8...Re8 and a third on 8...b5 followed by 9...d5.
8... ♗g4 Is the second main move in the position.
8... h6 9. ♘bd2 ♘h7 To justify having played h6. If Black plays ...Re8 and h6 it wouldn't make
much sense. 10. d4 I think White is already clearly better. 10... b5 Almost forced, as White was
thereatening to win a pawn with Bxc6 and dxe5 ( 10... ♗f6 11. ♗xc6 bxc6 12. dxe5 dxe5 13. ♕a4
with a better structure; 10... ♘g5 11. ♗xc6 bxc6 12. dxe5 ♗g4 13. exd6 cxd6 14. ♕a4 ♗xf3 15.
♘xf3 ♘xf3+ 16. gxf3 ♕d7 17. ♗f4 g5 18. ♗g3 h5 19. ♖ad1 ) 11. ♗b3 Bd5 is a threat so Black must
play 11... ♗d7 ( 11... ♗f6 12. ♗d5 ♗d7 13. dxe5 dxe5 14. ♘b3 ) 12. ♘f1 ( 12. ♗d5 ♘f6 ; 12. h3 ⁉ )
12... ♘g5 13. ♗xg5 ♗xg5 Winning the pawn would give White another reason to attack on the
kingside. 14. ♗d5 ♗f6 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. ♘e3 ♖b8 17. ♖e2 This is a very strong move as it
prevents Ne7 as Rd2 would give Black serious problems. 17... ♕e7 18. ♖d2 ♘d8 19. ♗b3+/= It's
clear White is enjoying a pleasant advantage.
8... ♗d7 9. ♘bd2 ♖e8 It seems that this is the most logical move for Black. 10. ♘f1 ♗f8 Transposes
to 8...Re8 with the unnecessary Bd7 included. 11. ♘g3 g6 12. h3 ♗g7 13. d4 White has manoeuvred
well and managed to bring the knight to g3 and play d4 obtaining a small advantage. For example,
13... b5 14. ♗c2 ( 14. ♗b3 ♘a5 15. ♗c2 c5 16. b3 ♘b7 17. ♗e3 cxd4 18. cxd4 ♖c8 19. b4 exd4 20.
♗xd4 a5 21. a3 ♗e6 22. ♕d2 Geller-Kalinichev, Dagomys 2004) 14... ♕b8 15. ♗g5 h6 16. ♗e3 a5
17. ♕d2 ♔h7 18. d5! ♘e7 19. b3! c6 20. c4 ♘c8 21. ♗d3 cxd5 22. cxd5 ♘b6 23. ♖ac1± Ye
Jiangchuan-Nenashev, Kuala Lumpur 1993
8... ♘d7 Is another decent alternative. If White does nothing Black can play f5, so White should
play 9. d4 ♗f6
a) 10. ♗c2 Is normal but not critical. 10... ♘b6 11. h3 g6 and if Black manages to get his bishop to
g7 he will have a healthy position ( 11... ♗d7 12. b3 exd4 13. cxd4 ♘b4 14. ♘c3 ♘xc2 15. ♕xc2 c6
16. ♗a3 ♗e7 17. ♖ad1 ♖e8 18. d5 cxd5 19. exd5 ♖c8 20. ♕d3 h6 21. ♘e4 ♗f5 22. ♕d4 ♗f8
Shirov-Short, Dos Hermanas 1997) 12. ♗h6 ♗g7 13. ♗xg7 ♔xg7 14. ♘bd2 f6 15. ♖c1 ( 15. ♘f1
exd4 16. cxd4 d5 17. ♖c1 ) 15... ♗d7 16. ♘f1 exd4 17. cxd4 d5 18. ♘1d2 ( 18. ♘e3 ♘b4 19. ♗b1
dxe4 20. ♗xe4 ♘xa2 21. ♖a1 ♘b4 22. ♗xb7 ♖a7 23. ♗e4 ) 18... ♖e8 19. ♘b3
b) 10. ♗e3 is also possible. 10... ♘b6 ( 10... b5 11. ♗c2 ♗b7 12. ♘bd2 and White has developed in
a very natural way and as a result has obtained a slight advantage. This is a favourable version of
the mainline Spanish. 12... ♖e8 13. d5 ♘e7 14. b3 c6 15. c4 g6 16. b4 ♕b8 17. dxc6 ♗xc6 18. ♖b1
♗g7 19. ♗d3 h6 Svetushkin-Harikrishna, Moscow 2007) 11. ♗xc6 bxc6 12. ♘bd2 a5 13. ♕c2 a4 (
13... ♕e7 14. dxe5 dxe5 15. c4 ♗e6 16. h3 ♘d7 ) 14. dxe5 ♗xe5 15. c4 ♘d7 16. ♘d4 ♗b7 17. ♖ad1
♗xd4 18. ♗xd4 c5 19. ♗c3 ♖e8 20. ♘f1 f6 21. f3 ♕e7 22. ♘e3 Gashimov-Najer, BL 2011
c) 10. ♗b3 ⁉ is the move I am willing to recommend. The bishop goes to a more active square. The
idea is to play a4-a5 to gain space on the queenside and to take some squares away from the knight
on d7.
c1) 10... ♖e8 11. a4 exd4 ( 11... ♘f8 12. d5 ♘e7 13. a5 ♘fg6 14. g3 ♗h3 15. ♘a3 ) 12. cxd4 ♘a5
13. ♗a2 c5 14. ♘c3 ♘c6 15. ♗e3
c2) 10... ♘b6 11. h3 Preventing Bg4 with the idea of a4-a5 in mind.
c3) 10... g6 is the critical test. 11. a4 ♗g7
c31) 12. ♗g5 ♘f6
c32) 12. ♘a3 ♘f6 13. ♘c2
c33) 12. h3 is well answered by:
c331) 12... ♔h8 I tried to create some kind of counterplay for Black on the kingside but White
should be fine after the following sequence: 13. ♘a3 ♘b6 ( 13... h6 14. ♘c4 f5 15. exf5 gxf5 16. g3
A good move that makes the h4 square available for the knight, something that is very important in
this position.) 14. ♘c2 ( 14. ♘c4 ♘xc4 15. ♗xc4 ♕e7 16. ♕d3 f5 17. ♗g5 ♗f6 ) 14... exd4 15. cxd4
d5 16. e5 a5 17. ♗f4 ♗e6 18. ♕d2+/=
c332) 12... h6 13. ♗e3 ♔h8 ( 13... ♔h7 14. ♘bd2 f5 transposes) 14. ♕c1 ♔h7 15. ♘bd2 f5 16. exf5
gxf5 17. ♕c2 ♔h8 18. g3!
c333) 12... ♘f6! to prevent the natural development sequence of Be3 and Nbd2. I couldn't find
anything concrete here for White, so I recommend 12.Be3 directly. 13. a5 ( 13. ♘a3 exd4 14. cxd4
♖e8 ) 13... h6 14. ♗c2 ( 14. ♘bd2 exd4 15. cxd4 ♖e8 16. d5 ♘a7 ; 14. d5 ♘e7 15. c4 ♘d7 16. ♘c3
f5 17. ♗c2 ♘f6 18. b4 ) 14... ♗d7 15. d5 ♘e7 16. c4 ♘h7 17. ♘c3 f5 18. b4
c3331) 18... ♘f6 19. ♖a3 ( 19. exf5 gxf5 20. ♘h4 ) 19... f4 20. c5 g5
c3332) 18... f4 19. c5 g5 20. ♘d2
c34) 12. ♗e3 ⁉
is the move I recommend. 12... ♘f6 13. ♘bd2 ♘g4 14. ♗g5 ♗f6 15. ♗xf6 ♘xf6 16.
a5+/= And given that White has more space and control over the whole board I believe he has a
pleasant advantage.
8... b5 9. ♗c2 d5
9. ♘bd2 ♘d7 Black plays Nd7 with the bishop already on g4. In a lot of lines, if the knight reroutes
via f1, Black will take on f3 and play Bg5 to exchange bishops. Let's see:
9... b5 10. ♗c2 d5 11. h3 ♗h5 12. ♕e2 ( 12. ♗b3 dxe4 13. ♘xe4 ♘xe4 14. dxe4 ♕xd1 15. ♗xd1 )
12... d4 ( 12... ♖e8 13. ♘f1 ♗g6 14. ♘h4 ♗h5 15. g4 ♗g6 16. g5 ♘h5 17. ♘xg6 hxg6 18. exd5
♕xd5 19. ♗b3 ♕d7 20. ♕e4 ♘a5 21. ♗d1 ♕xh3 22. ♗xh5 gxh5 23. b4± ) 13. ♘f1 dxc3 14. bxc3 b4
15. g4 ♗g6 16. ♗a4
10. h3 ♗h5 11. ♗c2 ⁉
is the move I propose.
11. ♘f1 ♘c5 12. ♗c2 ( 12. ♗xc6 bxc6 13. ♘g3 ♗xf3 14. ♕xf3 ♘e6 15. ♘f5 ♗f6 16. ♕g4 ♔h8 17.
g3 ♕d7 18. ♗e3 c5 19. ♖ed1 g6 20. ♘h6 ♗g7 21. h4 ♖ae8 22. h5 ♗xh6 23. ♗xh6 f5 24. ♕h3 ♖f6
Alekseev-Kasimdzhanov, Skanderborg 2003) 12... d5 ( 12... ♘e6 13. ♘g3 ♗xf3 14. ♕xf3 ♗g5 15.
♗xg5 ♕xg5 16. ♕g4 ♕xg4 17. hxg4 g6 18. ♖ad1 ♔g7 Quesada Perez-Gareev, Las Vegas USA
2014 ) 13. ♕e2 ♗xf3 14. ♕xf3 d4 15. ♘g3 ♗g5 This is what I was talking about. Black is fine. 16.
♕g4 ♗xc1 17. ♖axc1 g6 18. ♗b1 ♔h8 19. ♖ed1 ♕e7 20. f4 exf4 21. ♕xf4 ♖ad8 22. ♕f2 ♘e6 23.
a3 ♘e5 24. b4 b6 25. ♘e2 c5 Adams-Kasimdzhanov, ESP-tch 2008
11. b4 a5 12. b5 ♘a7 With this move order the bishop on a4 remains a bit stuck on the queenside, so
I propose 11.Bc2. 13. d4 exd4 14. cxd4 d5 15. e5 ♘b6 16. ♗c2 ♘xb5 Sutovsky-Romanov, Sochi
RUS-tch 2012
11... h6
11... ♗g5 12. g4 ♗xd2 ( 12... ♗g6 13. ♘xg5 ♕xg5 14. ♘f1 ♕h4 15. ♔g2 d5 16. ♘g3 dxe4 17. dxe4
♘c5 18. ♕f3 ♘e6 19. ♘f5 Ter Sahakyan-Ovod, Plovdiv 2012) 13. ♗xd2 ( 13. ♘xd2 I think it makes
a lot of sense to take the knight. There are greater prospects on g3 or e3 than f3. 13... ♗g6 14. ♘f1
♕h4 15. ♕f3 ♘c5 16. ♘e3 h6 17. ♘f5 ♗xf5 18. exf5 ) 13... ♗g6 14. d4 ♘e7 15. ♗e3 ♖c8 16. dxe5
♘xe5 Shomoev-Kuderinov, Ulan Ude 2010 17. ♘xe5 dxe5 18. ♗c5 ♖e8 19. h4+/= ♕xd1 20.
♖axd1 f6 21. ♖d7 ( 21. ♗a4 ♘c6 22. h5 ♗f7 23. ♗xc6 bxc6 24. b3 ♗e6 25. f3 a5 ) 21... ♔f8 22.
♗b3 b6 23. h5 ♗f7 24. ♗xf7 ♔xf7 25. ♗a3 c5 26. ♖ed1 ♖c6 27. f3+/=
11... ♘c5 12. g4 ♗g6 13. d4
a) 13... ♘d7 The knight can't get to e6.
a1) 14. ♘f1 exd4 15. cxd4 ( 15. ♘xd4 ♘xd4 16. cxd4 d5 17. e5 ♗xc2 18. ♕xc2 c5 19. ♘e3 cxd4 20.
♘xd5 ♘c5 21. ♘xe7+ ♕xe7 Hracek-Stocek, Karlovy Vary 2005)
a2) 14. d5 ⁉
14... ♘cb8 15. ♘f1 ♘f6 16. ♘g3 c6 17. c4 ♘bd7 18. ♗e3 and I think White is
somewhat better as he has a space advantage and play on both flanks.
b) 13... exd4 14. cxd4 ♘d7
b1) 15. ♘f1
b11) 15... d5 16. e5 ♗xc2 17. ♕xc2 ♘b4 ( 17... ♖e8 18. ♘g3 ) 18. ♕c3! c5 19. dxc5 ♗xc5 20. ♗e3
♗e7 21. ♖ed1 ♖c8 22. ♕b3
b12) 15... ♘b4! 16. ♗b3 ( 16. ♗b1 d5! and if e5 Black wins a pawn with Bb1 and Na2) 16... d5 (
16... c5 17. ♘g3 ♖c8 18. a3 ♘c6 19. ♗e3 b5 20. ♘f5 ♗xf5 21. exf5 c4 22. ♗c2 d5 23. g5 ♗d6 24.
♘h4 ) 17. exd5 ( 17. ♘g3 dxe4 18. ♘xe4 ♘f6 19. ♘g3 c5 )
b121) 17... ♘b6 18. ♘e5 ♗d6 19. f4 ♕h4 20. ♗e3 ♕xh3 ( 20... f6 21. ♘xg6 hxg6 22. ♕f3 ; 20... a5
21. ♗f2 ) 21. f5 f6 22. ♖e2!±
b122) 17... ♗d6 and Black's compenation is clear. The hole on d3 is important and the pawn on d5
is easily recoverable in some lines. So this is why it is important to include a3. 18. ♗g5 ( 18. ♘e5
♗xe5 19. dxe5 ♘c5 ) 18... f6 19. ♗c1 ♗f7 20. ♘h4 ♘xd5 ( 20... g6 21. ♗h6 ♖e8 22. ♖xe8+ ♕xe8
23. ♕f3 ) 21. ♘f5 ♘7b6 22. ♗d2 a5 23. ♘xd6 ♕xd6 24. ♘g3 a4∞
b2) 15. a3 ⁉ I think this is the best move, preventing a knight jump to b4 and cutting out any Black
counterplay. 15... ♘b6 16. d5 ♘e5 17. ♘xe5 dxe5 18. ♘f3 ♗d6 19. ♗d2 ♖c8 20. ♗b3
12. b4 ⁉ This is the move I recommend, which is a relatively fresh idea. It sets back the Nf1
maneuver since, as we previously saw, Black has ideas with Bg5. Moreover, it makes the b3 square
available for the bishop, which is the ideal square for it, and on top of this White can begin to think
about queenside expansion with a4.
12. ♘f1 ♗g5 A good move. The same idea once again for Black. 13. ♘e3 ♘c5 14. g4 ♗g6 15. ♘xg5
hxg5 16. ♕f3 ♘e6 17. ♘g2 ♕e7 18. ♗b3 ♘cd8 19. ♕g3 f6 20. ♘e3 ♗f7 Fedoseev-Ivanchuk,
Jurmala 2013
12. a3 ♖e8 13. g4 ♗g6 14. d4 exd4 15. cxd4 d5 16. e5 ♗xc2 17. ♕xc2 ♘f8 18. ♘f1 ♘e6 19. ♗e3
♗g5 20. ♖ad1 f6 21. ♕b3 ♘a5 22. ♕c3 ♘c4 23. h4 ♗xe3 24. ♘xe3 ♘xe3 25. ♕xe3 c6 Topalov-
Ivanchuk, Bucharest 6th Kings 2012
12... a5
12... ♗g5 13. g4 ♗g6 ( 13... ♗xd2 14. ♘xd2 Again the same regrouping of the knight. 14... ♗g6 15.
♘f1 ♕h4 16. ♕f3 ) 14. ♘xg5 ♕xg5 15. ♘f1 ♕h4 16. ♕f3 ( 16. ♔g2 a5 17. b5 ♘d8 18. ♘g3 ♘e6 )
16... a5 17. b5 ♘d8 18. ♘e3 ♘e6 19. ♘f5 with pressure.
12... ♗f6 13. a4 a5 14. b5 ♘e7 15. ♗a3 Again with a good position.
13. b5 ♘a7 14. a4
14. ♖b1 ♘c8 15. ♘f1 a4 ( 15... ♗g5 16. ♗xg5 ♗xf3 17. ♕xf3 ♕xg5 18. a4 ♘cb6 19. ♘e3 ♖fe8 20.
d4 )
a) 16. ♘g3 ♗xf3 17. ♕xf3 ♗g5 18. d4 ( 18. ♗a3 ) 18... ♗xc1 19. ♖bxc1 ♘cb6 20. ♘f5
b) 16. d4 16... ♘cb6 17. ♘g3 ♗xf3 18. ♕xf3 ♗g5
14... c6 15. bxc6
15. ♖b1 cxb5 16. axb5 ♘c8 17. ♖a1 ♘cb6 18. c4 ♘c5 19. ♘f1 ♘e6 20. ♘g3 ♗xf3 21. ♕xf3 ♘d4
22. ♕d1 ♗g5 23. ♗b2 ♘xc2 24. ♕xc2 ♘d7
15... bxc6 16. ♘c4 ♘c8 17. ♖b1
17. d4 ♘cb6 18. ♘e3 ♗g6
17... ♘cb6 18. ♘e3+/= with some advantage. The knight can aim for f5 with ideas of b4 and Be3 in
the pipeline.

_______________________________________________________________________________
1. e4 e5 2. ♘f3 ♘c6 3. ♗b5 a6 4. ♗a4 ♘f6 5. O-O ♗e7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. ♖e1 ♖e8 In this
second chapter we will analyse in detail the position that arises after 8...Re8. It's not such a
fashionable line, but even still it is a very decent move. We will once again look at a number of
lines in which achieving a serious advantage isn't realistic, although I found a number of interesting
ideas that I'd like to show you.
9. ♘bd2 I was almost ready to record my series when I discovered a number of things. I nearly
assumed that Nbd2 was the only move for White, but I realised that actually 9.d4 is quite attractive
as well. Let's take a look.
9. d4 ⁉
a) 9... ♗d7 10. d5 ♘b8 11. ♗xd7 ♘bxd7 12. c4 Is fine for Black but it is clear that White has
achieved a favourable version of some KID positions with the light-squared bishops exchanged.
12... g6 13. ♘c3 ♘h5 14. ♖b1 ♘g7 15. b4 b6 16. a4 ( 16. ♘d2 ⁉ ) 16... a5! 17. bxa5 ♖xa5 18. ♘d2
♘c5 19. ♗a3 ♘b7 20. ♗b4 ♖a7 21. ♖a1 ♕d7 22. ♘b3 ♖ea8 Jakovenko-Inarkiev, Moscow 2006
b) 9... b5 is the main move. 10. ♗c2 Now there are a number of good moves for Black.( 10. ♗b3
♗g4 is fine for Black.)
b1) 10... ♗g4 11. d5 ♘a5 Transposing to the main line of the Spanish, but Black has played Re8
instead of the usual 11...c6 or Qc8, something which clearly favours White.
b2) 10... h6 11. ♘bd2 is rather good. ( 11. a4 ♗d7 12. ♘bd2 exd4 13. cxd4 ♗g4 14. h3 ♗h5 ) 11...
♗f8 ( 11... exd4 is the critical test. 12. cxd4 ♗g4 but in this position White should play 13. ♘f1
♗xf3 14. gxf3 We will see another position identical to this one with the bishop on f8 and the pawn
on h7. This version is clearly favourable for White and in addition there are various ideas such e4-
e5 in order to open the b1-h7 diagonal with great attacking possibilities.) 12. ♘f1 and once more
White has managed to transpose to a main line having saved a tempo with h3.
b3) 10... exd4 11. cxd4 ♘b4 is better. ( 11... ♗g4 12. ♘c3 As we have already mentioned, when
White manages to get his knight to c3 and maintain the d4/e4 pawn center, something has gone
wrong for Black. White has the advantage. 12... ♗f8 13. ♗g5 h6 14. ♗h4 g5 15. ♗g3 ♗g7 16. e5
dxe5 17. dxe5 ♘d7 18. h3 ♗h5 19. e6 ♖xe6 20. ♖xe6 fxe6 21. ♗e4 ♘d4 22. ♗xc7 Sutovsky-
Stefansson, Saint Vincent 2005)
b31) 12. ♘c3 ♘xc2 13. ♕xc2 ♗b7 14. a3
b311) 14... ♖c8 15. ♗f4 d5 ( 15... c5 16. d5 b4 17. ♘b1 ) 16. e5 ♘e4 17. b4 c5 18. dxc5 ♗xc5 19.
bxc5 ♖xc5 20. ♗d2 d4 ( 20... ♘xc3 21. ♗xc3 d4 22. ♘xd4 ♕xd4 23. ♕xh7+ ♔xh7 24. ♗xd4 ♖c4 )
21. ♕xe4 ( 21. ♖xe4 ♗xe4 22. ♕xe4 dxc3 23. ♗e3 ♖c4 ) 21... ♗xe4 22. ♘xe4 ♖cxe5 23. ♘xe5
♖xe5
b312) 14... c5 15. d5 ♘d7
b32) 12. ♗b3 12... c5 13. a3 ( 13. ♘c3 c4 14. ♗c2 ♘xc2 15. ♕xc2 ♗g4 ) 13... ♘c6 14. h3 ♘xd4 15.
♘xd4 cxd4 16. ♕xd4 ♗e6 17. ♗xe6 fxe6 18. ♘c3 Objectively the position is balanced but White
maintains some pressure. 18... ♖c8 19. ♗e3 ( 19. e5 dxe5 20. ♕xe5 ♗c5 21. ♗e3 ♗d6 ) 19... d5 20.
exd5 ♘xd5
b4) 10... ♗f8 is the best move for black. Let's first analyse the other options:
b41) 11. h3
b411) 11... exd4 12. cxd4 ♘b4 13. ♗b3 c5 14. a3 ♘c6 15. ♘c3 ♗b7 ( 15... ♘xd4 16. ♘xd4 cxd4 17.
♕xd4 ♗e6 18. ♗xe6 fxe6 19. ♗g5+/= ) 16. ♗a2 ( 16. ♗f4 cxd4 17. ♘xd4 ♘a5 ) 16... ♖c8 17. ♗f4
b412) 11... h6 12. a4 ♗d7
b413) 11... ♗b7 12. ♘bd2 transposes once again to a pure Zaitsev which at some point I will try to
cover.
b42) 11. ♘bd2 would transpose to the main line, for that reason I tried to find a couple of other
moves to deviate and try to make them work.
b43) 11. a4 ⁉
This is the move I was very happy with for some time.
b431) 11... ♗g4 12. d5 again favours White. 12... ♘e7 13. ♘a3
b432) 11... ♗d7 12. ♗g5 ⁉ exd4 ( 12... h6 13. axb5 Good. 13... axb5 14. ♖xa8 ♕xa8 15. ♗xf6 gxf6
is not the end of the world for Black, but White has managed to weaken the Black kingside. 16.
♘bd2 ) 13. cxd4 ♘b4 ( 13... h6 14. ♗xf6 ♕xf6 15. ♘c3 ♘b4 16. e5 ♕d8 17. ♗e4 ♖b8 18. axb5
axb5 )
b433) 11... ♗b7 12. ♘bd2 exd4 13. cxd4 ♘b4 14. ♗b1 c5 15. d5 ♘d7 This is a typical Zaitsev
position without h3 and h6 inserted, something that clearly favours Black who can get his bishop to
g7. This is why I was no longer so in love with 9.d4.
9... ♗f8 10. d4 ⁉I think that this move must be played if we want to achieve more imbalanced
positions. The problem with:
10. ♘f1 is
a) 10... b5 11. ♗c2
b) 10... ♗d7 11. ♘g3 h6 12. h3 ( 12. d4 ⁉) 12... ♘e7 13. ♗c2 ♘g6 14. d4 c5 15. ♗e3 ♗c6 16. ♘d2 (
16. d5 ♗d7 17. b4+/= ) 16... cxd4 17. cxd4 d5= Dvoirys-Arbakov, Smolensk 1991
c) 10... h6!
c1) 11. h3 b5 12. ♗b3 ( 12. ♗c2 d5 and Black is fine. This is a well-known position.) 12... ♘a5 13.
♗c2 c5 14. ♘e3 ♘c6 15. a4 ♗e6 16. ♗b3 ♕d7 17. ♘h2 ♗xb3 18. ♕xb3 ♕e6 19. ♕d1 d5 Almasi-
Fressinet, Bundesliga
c2) 11. d4 exd4 12. ♘xd4 ♗d7 13. ♘xc6 ♗xc6 14. ♗xc6 bxc6 15. ♘g3 g6
c3) 11. ♘g3 11... b5 12. ♗c2 d5!
10... b5 Black has to react with some energy if he doesn't want to end up worse.
11. ♗c2
11. ♗b3 h6 makes no sense — White would have an extra tempo compared to some main lines of
the Spanish.
11... exd4
11... ♗g4 ⁈ 12. h3 ♗h5 13. d5 again favours White. Jan Gustafsson played: 13... ♘e7 14. ♘f1 h6
15. a4 c6 16. dxc6 ♘xc6 17. ♘g3 ♗xf3 18. ♕xf3 b4 19. ♘f5 Leko-Gustafsson, Dortmund 40th GM
2012
11... ♗b7 is again a Zaitsev, but Black has already played Bc2 and saved a move with h3, which
should be favourable for him. 12. d5 ⁉
a) 12... ♘e7 13. b3 c6 14. c4 ♖c8 ( 14... ♘c8 15. ♘f1 ♘b6 16. ♘e3 ♖c8 17. ♗d2 cxd5 18. cxd5
♘bd7 19. a4 ♘c5 20. axb5 axb5 21. ♗a5 ♕d7 22. ♘d2 g6 23. b4 ♘a6 24. ♗d3 ♖b8 25. ♘b1 ♖ec8
26. ♘a3 Balogh-Boguslavsky, Germany 2013) 15. ♘f1 ♕c7 16. ♘e3 cxd5 17. cxd5 ♘g4 18. ♘xg4
♕xc2 19. ♕xc2 ♖xc2 20. ♘e3 ♖c7 21. ♗a3 ♖d7 Baklan-Amin, Saint-Quentin 2014
b) 12... ♘b8 13. b3 ♘bd7 14. ♘f1 c6 15. c4 ♕c7 16. ♗e3 ♖ac8 17. ♖c1 Balogh-Gyimesi, Hungary
2011
12. cxd4 ♗g4 This is the interesting position that we are going to analyse in some detail and where I
suggest the new idea 13.Nf1. Black has to be very precise if you think you will surprise him with
this move.
13. ♘f1 ⁉
Let's take a look at the other possibilities:
13. d5 was played by Judit Polgar, but after 13... ♘d4 I think it is clear that Black has a very decent
position. 14. ♖e3 ♗h5 15. ♗d3 ♘g4 16. ♖e1 ♘e5 17. ♗e2 ♘xe2+ 18. ♕xe2 c6 19. dxc6 d5 Polgar-
Grigoriants, Yerevan 2014
13. h3 is the main line. 13... ♗h5
a) 14. ♘f1 d5 ( 14... ♗xf3 15. gxf3 is the mainline with h3 included, something which should
favour Black.) 15. e5 ♘e4 16. ♘g3 ♘xg3 17. fxg3 ♘b4 18. ♗b1 c5 Vallejo ⇆ Pons-Cabrera, Albox
2005
b) 14. ♘b3 ⁉ ♘b4! ( 14... d5 15. e5 ♘e4 16. ♖xe4 dxe4 17. ♗xe4 ; 14... a5 15. ♗d3 ♕b8 16. d5 ♘e5
17. ♗g5 and the machine loves White's position.) 15. ♗b1 c5
b1) 16. ♗d2 ♘c6 17. d5 ( 17. g4 ♘xg4 18. hxg4 ♗xg4 ) 17... ♗xf3 18. ♕xf3 ♘e5 19. ♕d1 g6 ⇆
b2) 16. d5 ♗xf3 17. gxf3 a5∞ Once again, if White wants to play like this, it is better to do so
without h3.
b3) 16. g4 16... ♗g6 17. ♗g5 ( 17. a3 ♘c6 18. d5 ♘a5 19. ♘bd2 c4 20. ♘h4 ♘d7 and I like black.)
17... h6 18. ♗h4 c4 19. ♘bd2 ♗e7 20. ♗g3 ♖c8 21. ♘h4 ♗h7 22. a3 ( 22. ♘f5 ♗xf5 23. gxf5
♘h7 ⇆) 22... ♘c6
c) 14. g4
c1) 14... ♗g6 15. a3 ⁉ A useful waiting move. ( 15. d5 ♘e5 16. ♘xe5 dxe5 ) 15... ♕d7 ⁉ is good
here, but all of this is not necessary as Black has 14...Nxg4!? ( 15... h5 16. g5 ♘h7 17. ♘f1 ♕d7 18.
♔g2 d5 19. e5 ♗xc2 20. ♕xc2 g6 21. ♗e3 ♘d8 22. ♖ac1 ♖c8 23. ♘g3 c6 24. ♘h4 Grischuk-
Mamedyarov, London 1st FIDE GP 2012; 15... h6 16. b3 )
⁉ move is good and gives Black excellent play for the sacrificed piece. Let's
c2) 14... ♘xg4 This
see: 15. hxg4 ♗xg4
c21) 16. ♘b3
c211) 16... ♕f6 ⁉
17. ♔g2 a5 18. ♗e3 ( 18. a4 bxa4 19. ♖xa4 ♘b4 ) 18... ♕g6
c212) 16... ♖e6
c2121) 17. ♖e3 ♖g6 18. ♔f1 ♖h6 ( 18... ♕f6 ) 19. ♕d2 a5
c2122) 17. ♔g2 17... ♖f6 ( 17... ♖g6 18. ♗f4 ♖f6 19. ♕d2 ♗xf3+ 20. ♔xf3 g5 21. ♖g1 ) 18. ♖e3
c21221) 18... ♕c8 19. ♔h1 ( 19. ♕h1 ♗xf3+ 20. ♖xf3 ♕g4+ 21. ♖g3 ♕e2 22. ♗d1 ♕xf2+ 23. ♔h3
♘xd4 )
c21222) 18... a5
c212221) 19. a4 bxa4 20. ♖xa4 ♕d7! ( 20... ♘b4 21. d5 ♖g6 22. ♘bd4 ♕f6 23. ♔f1 ♖h6 )
c212222) 19. e5 19... dxe5 20. ♗xh7+ ♔xh7 21. ♘g5+ ♔g8 22. ♕xg4 ♖g6 23. ♖g3 ♕d5+ 24. ♕f3
♕xf3+ 25. ♘xf3 ♖xg3+ 26. ♔xg3 a4 27. ♘c5 ♘xd4=
c22) 16. ♘f1 16... ♗xf3 17. ♕xf3 ♘xd4 18. ♕d1 ( 18. ♕c3 c5 19. ♗d1 ♕h4 ; 18. ♕d3 c5 19. ♗d2
g6 20. ♗d1 ♗g7 21. ♕g3 ♗e5 22. ♕g2 ♘e6 23. ♖b1 c4 ) 18... ♕f6 with excellent play. 19. ♔g2 (
19. ♖e3 c5 ) 19... d5
c221) 20. ♘g3 ♘xc2 ( 20... c5 21. ♗b1 ) 21. ♕xc2 c5 22. a4 d4
c222) 20. exd5 ♖xe1
c223) 20. ♗b1 20... dxe4 21. ♘g3 ( 21. ♗xe4 ♗b4 22. ♖e3 ♖ad8 23. ♕g4 g6 24. ♘g3 ♕g7 )
13. ♘b3 ⁉♘b4 14. ♗b1 c5 15. d5 ♗xf3 16. gxf3 and you cannot capture the queen on account of
Nxd5 and Black wins a pawn. 16... a5 17. a3 ♘a6 18. a4
a) 18... bxa4 19. ♘d2 ♘b4 20. ♘c4 ♘d7 21. ♖xa4 ♘b6 ( 21... ♘e5 22. ♘xe5 dxe5 ) 22. ♘xb6 ♕xb6
23. f4 g6 24. h4 ♗g7 25. h5 c4 26. ♖a3
b) 18... ♘b4 19. axb5 ♕b6 and certainly Black's position is the easier of the two to play. ( 19... g6 )
20. ♗e3 ♕xb5 21. ♕e2 ♕xe2 22. ♖xe2 a4 23. ♘d2 ♘d7 24. ♘c4 ♘e5
13... ♗xf3
13... g6 14. ♘g3 ♗g7 ( 14... ♗xf3 15. gxf3 ♘d7 16. f4 ♕h4 17. ♗e3 ♘f6 18. f3 ♘b4 19. ♗b1 c5 20.
d5 a5 ) 15. ♗g5 h6 16. ♗e3 ♘d7 17. ♖c1 White achieves a good position and as soon as we see a
knight on c6 it will be a lot more difficult for Black to challenge the White center. 17... ♗xf3 18.
gxf3 ♕f6 19. ♗b3 ♘xd4 20. ♗xd4 ♕xd4 21. ♖xc7 ♖a7 22. ♖xa7 ♕xa7 23. ♕xd6 ♘e5 24. ♔g2
14. gxf3 Given that h3 and g4 no longer worked as a result of the sacrificed piece, I had the idea of
not playing h3, as in these types of structures the pown on h2 makes the structure more robust than
it on h3.
14... ♘d7 is the best move in the position. In some positions the knight will get to b6 in order to
jump to c4.
14... ♘b4 15. ♗b1 c5 16. d5 a5 17. a3 ♘a6 18. a4 Now the knight on f1 makes a lot more sense
compared to the other line when it was on b3. It can go to c4 via e3 or g3 to help a possible f4-e5
pawn launch.
14... g6 15. ♗g5 ( 15. d5 ♘e5 16. f4 ♘ed7 17. ♘g3 ♖c8 18. ♗d2 c6 19. dxc6 ♖xc6 ) 15... ♗g7 16.
♖c1 with a good position for White.
15. f4 is the most precise.
15. ♗e3 is not as accurate as 15.f4. E.g.: 15... g6 16. ♖c1 ♘a5 ( 16... ♗g7 17. ♗b1 ) 17. b3 c5 18. f4
♘c6 ⇆and Black is comfortable.
15... g6
15... ♘b4 16. ♗b3 ( 16. ♗b1 c5 17. d5 ) 16... c5 17. a3 ♘c6 18. dxc5
16. ♗e3
16. ♘g3 ♕h4 17. ♗e3 ♘f6
16. a3 ♗g7 ( 16... ♕h4 17. ♗e3 ♘f6 18. ♕f3 ) 17. ♗e3 ( 17. e5 ♘b6 18. ♗e4 ♕d7 19. ♗e3 ♖ad8 20.
♖c1 ♘e7 21. ♘g3 ♘ed5∞ ) 17... ♘a5 ( 17... ♕h4 18. ♖c1 ; 17... ♘b6 18. b3 ♕f6 19. e5 dxe5 20.
dxe5 ♕e6 21. ♕f3 ♖ad8 22. ♖ad1 )
a) 18. ♘g3 ♘c4! ( 18... c5 19. dxc5 ♗xb2 20. cxd6! ♗xa1 21. ♕xa1 ) 19. b3 ( 19. ♗b3 d5 ) 19...
♘xe3 20. fxe3 c5 21. e5 cxd4 22. exd4 ♕b6 23. ♔h1 ♖ad8
b) 18. ♘d2 ♕h4 19. ♕f3 ♖ac8! 20. b4 c5 21. dxc5 ♗xa1 22. ♖xa1 ♘c6 23. cxd6 ♘ce5!
c) 18. e5 18... ♘c4 19. ♗e4 ♖b8
c1) 20. ♘d2 ♘xe3 ( 20... ♘xb2 21. ♕c2 ♘a4 22. ♗c6=/∞ ♘ab6 23. ♖ac1 ♖e7 24. ♔g2 ) 21. fxe3 c5
22. ♘f3 dxe5 23. dxe5 ♕c7 24. a4 c4 25. axb5 ♘c5 26. ♕c2 axb5 27. ♖ed1
c2) 20. b3 ♘xe3 21. ♘xe3 c5
c3) 20. ♕c2 20... c5 21. dxc5 dxe5 22. f5 Houdini 3a Pro x64 22... ♕h4 23. ♗c6 ( 23. ♖ad1 ♘f6 24.
♗g2 e4 25. fxg6 hxg6 26. ♗d4 ♘e5 ) 23... ♖e7 24. ♖ad1 ♘f6 25. ♗g2 ♖c8 26. b3 ♘xe3 27. ♖xe3
e4 28. fxg6 hxg6 29. b4
16. d5 ♘b4 ( 16... ♘a5 ) 17. ♗b1 a5 18. ♘g3 ♖b8 19. a3 ♘a6 20. ♘e2 ♘ac5 21. ♘d4 ♕h4
16... ♘b6! Accurate.
16... ♗g7 17. ♖c1 ♘b6 18. b3 stopping a jump to c4.
16... d5 17. e5 ♘b4 18. ♗b3 ♘b6 19. a3 ♘c6 20. ♕g4 f5 21. ♕g2 ♘c4 22. h4 ♖e6 23. h5 with an
attack.
16... ♘b4 17. ♗b1 c5 18. a3 ♘c6 19. dxc5 ♘xc5 20. b4! Black cannot capture on e4 since after Qd5
Black would lose. Too many undefended knights! 20... ♘e6 21. ♗a2 ♕f6 22. ♕g4 and the pair of
bishops as well as attacking options mean that White is a bit better.
17. ♖c1
17. d5 ♘b4 ( 17... ♘e7 ) 18. ♗b1 ♗g7 19. ♕b3 c5! 20. a3 ♘4xd5 21. exd5 c4 22. ♕d1 ♗xb2 23.
♖a2 ♘a4=/∞
17. b3 ♘b4 18. ♗b1 c5 with comfortable play for Black.
17... ♘c4 18. b3 ♘xe3 19. ♘xe3 and Black has managed to eliminate the White bishop.
19... ♘b4
19... ♗g7 20. e5
20. ♗b1 c5 21. dxc5 dxc5 22. ♕f3 ♘c6 23. e5 ♘d4 24. ♕g3 ♖c8 25. ♗e4 ♗g7∞ This position is
playable, but Black isn't worse. However, he must be very precise in order to reach this point.
Therefore I recommend this new idea with Nf1 although Black should not be worse in some of the
variations.

1. e4 e5 2. ♘f3 ♘c6 3. ♗b5 a6 4. ♗a4 ♘f6 5. O-O ♗e7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. ♖e1 b5 9. ♗c2 d5
Welcome to the third part of my series on the Spanish with d3. We now arrive at perhaps the most
modern and widely played line at elite level. I myself played this line with Black in a very
important game against Grischuk in the Russian Superfinal. This line has been played many times
by Aronian and this was the inspiration I needed to start to analyse it. The structure is very solid.
Recently White has been doing well. In any case I will not show you the refutation of this line but
rather some reasonably new and fresh ideas.
10. ♘bd2 White starts with this move. Allowing the queen exchange would be a clear error. In this
position Black has two main options: 10...dxe4 and 10...d4. 10...dxe4 was considered the norm, but
recently playing 10...d4 has returned to fashion, so let's start by taking a look at this move.
(10...dxe4 is considered later in this chapter.)
10... d4 ⁉
11. a4 is the move I recommend, after which Black has a few options.
11. cxd4 ♘xd4 ⁉ 12. ♘xe5 ( 12. ♘xd4 exd4 13. ♘f3 c5 14. ♗b3 ) 12... ♗c5 o ( 12... ♘g4 and the
compensation is sufficient. 13. ♘ef3 ♗c5 14. ♖f1 ♕d6 15. h3 ♗b4 16. hxg4 ♗xg4 17. e5 ♕g6 18.
♘xd4 ♗xd1 19. ♖xd1 ) 13. ♘ef3 ( 13. h3 ♗xh3 14. gxh3 ♕d6 15. ♘dc4 bxc4 16. ♘xc4 ♕e6 ) 13...
♗g4 14. h3 ♗h5
11. h3 ♘d7 12. ♘b3 ( 12. a4 ♗b7 13. ♘b3 ♘b6 14. axb5 axb5 15. ♖xa8 ♗xa8 16. ♗d2 Roiz-
Berczes, Santa Clara USA 2014; 12. ♗b3 ♘b6 13. cxd4 exd4 14. a3 ♘a5 15. ♗a2 c5 16. ♘e5 ) 12...
a5 13. a4 bxa4 14. ♘bd2 ♘c5 15. ♘c4 f6 16. ♗xa4 ♘xa4 17. ♖xa4 dxc3 18. bxc3 ♗a6 Adams-
Aronian, Bilbao 2013
11... ♗g4 is stronger.
11... ♖b8 12. axb5 axb5
a) 13. cxd4 again allows the pawn sacrifice, 13... ♘xd4 14. ♘xe5 ♘g4 ( 14... ♗c5 15. ♘ef3 ♗g4 16.
h3 ♗h5 17. ♘b3 ♗xf3 18. gxf3 )
b) 13. h3 is my recommendation. 13... ♘d7 ( 13... dxc3 14. bxc3 b4 again 15. ♗b2 ) 14. ♘b3 dxc3
15. bxc3 b4 16. ♗b2 ( 16. c4 is the move that Sergey Karjakin played and although White is not
worse, I think 16.Bb2 is more accurate. 16... ♘c5 17. ♗e3 ♘e6 18. ♕c1 ♗b7 Karjakin-Najer,
Moscow 2013) 16... bxc3 17. ♗xc3 ♗b4 18. ♕d2 and even if a few pieces are exchanged I think
White retains some pressure after 18... ♕f6 19. ♘a5+/=
11... dxc3 12. bxc3 b4 13. ♗b2+/= White is fine as Black is not in a position to occupy d4 with a
knight.
12. h3 ♗h5 13. g4 to get out of the pin.
13... ♗g6 14. cxd4 Another line that is also playable, but I wanted to try something more concrete.
14. ♘f1 and the position becomes very complex. 14... ♘d7 ( 14... ♗c5 can also be played with an
interesting position. 15. ♘g3 ) 15. ♘g3 dxc3 16. bxc3 b4 17. ♗b2 ♖b8 Karjakin-Aronian,
14... exd4 15. ♗b3 is my recommendation. Let's talk a little about this position: Black's idea is to
play Nb4 followed by c5 in these types of positions. If he manages it, he'll be fine. Another idea is
to play Nd7 to jump to c5 or e5. Bb3 at the very least fights against Nd7, as Bd5 would win
material. Moreover Bb3 improves the position of the bishop. Now White wants to play Nf1-g3.
Black should react precisely.
15. ♘f1 ♘d7 16. ♘g3 ♘c5
15. axb5 axb5 16. ♖xa8 ♕xa8 17. ♘b3 ♕a7
15... ♖b8 ⁉ probably the best move. Let's look at the other options.
is
15... ♗b4 aiming to pin, but after: 16. ♖f1 the position is not clear and very playable. Moreover the
bishop on b4 is misplaced. Let's take a look: ( 16. axb5 axb5 17. ♖xa8 ♕xa8 18. e5 ♘d7 19. e6 ♘c5
) 16... ♖c8 ( 16... h6 17. axb5 axb5 18. ♖xa8 ♕xa8 19. ♘h4 ♗h7 20. ♘df3 ♘a5 21. ♗c2 c5 22. g5
hxg5 23. ♘xg5 ) 17. axb5 axb5 18. ♘h4 ♘e5 19. ♘df3 ( 19. ♘xg6 hxg6 20. ♕e2 c5 21. f4 ♘xd3 22.
♕xd3 c4 ) 19... ♘xf3+ 20. ♕xf3 ♘d7 21. ♘f5 maybe Black can hold, but it is very playable for
White and I actually prefer White here.
15... ♖c8 16. ♘b1! A strange case of computer prophylaxis that would be difficult to imagine
occuring to a human over the board. The idea is that, ( 16. axb5 axb5 17. ♘f1 ♘b4 and the c-pawn
is very fast. White could be even worse.)
a) 16... ♘b4 17. ♘a3 attacks the pawn on b5 and not allowing c5. ( 17. axb5 axb5 18. ♘a3 ♖a8 )
17... c6 and so 18. ♘e5 is thematic, with the idea of freeing the f-pawn. Ideas of Nc2 to force the
exchange of knights also exist in the position. I think White is fine. 18... ♘d7 19. ♘xd7 ♕xd7 20. f4
b) 16... ♗b4 is best here. 17. axb5 axb5 18. ♗d2 and White can apply some pressure. 18... ♘d7 19.
♘a3 ♗xd2 20. ♕xd2 h5 21. g5 ♘c5 22. ♗d1 b4 23. ♘c4 ♕d7 24. ♔g2 ♖fe8 25. ♘h4+/=
16. axb5 axb5 17. ♘f1 Black has some options. Let's see them:
17... ♘b4
17... ♘d7 18. ♗d2 ♘b4 is very complicated. ( 18... ♘ce5 19. ♘xe5 ♘xe5 20. ♗f4 ♗d6 21. ♗g3!±
again with the idea of playing f4!) 19. ♕e2 ♗d6 trying to prevent Ng3, but White plays it anyway.
20. ♘g3 ♘c5 21. ♗xf7+ ( 21. ♗xb4 ♘xb3 22. ♗xd6 ♕xd6 23. ♖a3 ♘c5 24. ♖ea1 ♘e6 25. h4 h6
26. h5 ♗h7 ) 21... ♖xf7 22. ♗xb4 ♘xd3 23. ♕xd3 ♗xb4 24. ♖ed1 I don't think this is forced so
we'll stop here. It is a very complicated yet playable position. 24... ♕f6 ( 24... c5 25. ♘e5 ♖c7 26.
♕b3+ ♗f7 27. ♘xf7 ♖xf7 28. ♘f5 ♕f8 29. ♖a7 c4 30. ♖xf7 ♔xf7 31. ♕f3 ♔g8 32. ♘xd4+/= ) 25.
♘f5 ♗xf5 26. exf5 c5 27. ♕b3
18. ♗f4 ♖c8 19. ♘g3
19. ♖a5 c6 20. ♖a7 c5 21. ♘e5 ♗d6 22. ♖xf7 ( 22. ♘xg6 hxg6 23. ♗xd6 ♕xd6 24. e5 ♕b6 25.
♖xf7 ♖xf7 26. ♗xf7+ ♔xf7 27. exf6 gxf6 ) 22... ♗xf7 23. ♘xf7 ♖xf7 24. ♗xf7+ ♔xf7 25. ♗xd6
♕xd6 26. e5 ♕d5 27. exf6 gxf6 28. ♘g3 ♖e8 29. ♖xe8 ♔xe8 30. ♘e4 ♔e7 31. ♕f3 ♕e5 32. b3 h6
33. ♘g3 ♕d5 34. ♕d1 ♔d7 35. ♘e4 ♕c6
19... c5 20. ♖c1 ♘d7 This position is probably equal.
21. ♕d2 is the best.
21. ♘f5 ♗xf5 22. exf5 ♘b6 is fine for Black. 23. ♖e4 ♘6d5 24. ♗e5 ♘f6 25. ♖e2 ♗d6
21... ♘b6 22. ♘e5 to stop c4.
22... ♘d7 23. ♘f3 We reach a strange repetition. This tends to happen when one analyses with the
machine. I think these positions are very much alive and rather complicated. If Black does not play
precisely he could face some serious problems. With the bishop on g6 Black should play very
actively as he is playing "a piece down". The bishop controls f5 but not much more than that.
23. ♘xg6 hxg6 24. e5 ♘b6
23... ♘b6=
*
Now let's consider 10...dxe4:
10... dxe4 The move that was considered the main line.
11. dxe4 ♗e6 This is the main line. The general consensus is that Black is fine, but there are ways to
pose problems to Black players who don't take care. I just wanted to focus on a4 here but I realised
that I am not sure if it is stronger than h3, so I will show you both ways to play (neither will win the
game immediately but both are very playable).
12. h3 ⁉ There have already been a number of good games at GM level in this line. Black has a lot
of options.
⁈ been played by a number of top players, but after Qd7 or Bb3 I think Black has no
12. ♗b3 has
problems (I don't think it is a good idea to exchange the bishop so quickly).
12. a4 is the most analysed. Here there are a fair few options:
a) 12... b4 has been played but after: 13. ♕e2 ♕c8 14. ♘c4 ♘d7
a1) 15. a5 f6 ( 15... ♕b7 16. ♘e3 b3 ) 16. ♘e3 b3 17. ♗b1 ♗d6 18. ♘d5 ♗xd5 19. exd5 ♘e7 20.
♗d3 ♕b7 21. ♗c4 ♘xd5 22. ♘d4 exd4 23. ♕e6+ ♔h8 24. ♗xd5 c6 25. ♕xd6 cxd5 26. cxd4 ♖fe8
27. ♗f4+/= Movsesian-Almasi, Istanbul 40th Olympiad 2012
a2) 15. ♘e3 b3 ( 15... h6 16. ♘d5 ♕b7 17. ♘xe7+ ♘xe7 18. cxb4 ♕xb4 19. ♖b1 c5 20. ♗d2 ♕b6
21. b4 ) 16. ♗d3 ( 16. ♗b1 h6 17. ♘d5 ♕b7 18. ♖d1 ♖fd8 19. ♗e3 ♗f8 20. ♗d3 ♘e7 ) 16... ♘c5
17. ♗c4 ( 17. ♘d5 ♘xd3 18. ♕xd3 ♗d6 19. ♗e3 ♖d8 ; 17. ♗b1 f6 18. ♘d5 ♗d6 19. ♗e3 ♕b7 20.
♖d1 ♘a5 ) 17... ♗xc4 18. ♕xc4 ♕e6 19. ♕xe6 ( 19. ♘d5 ♘a5 20. ♕e2 ♗d6 ) 19... fxe6 20. ♘c4
♗f6 21. ♗e3 ♘xe4 22. ♖a3 ♖ab8 ( 22... ♘d6 23. ♘cd2 ♖fd8 24. ♖xb3 e4 )
a3) 15. ♘g5 is the easiest way to play. 15... ♗xg5 16. ♗xg5 ♘b6 17. ♘e3 going to a more active
square. ( 17. ♘d2 I suspect this is an error. The e3 square is much more active. 17... bxc3 18. bxc3
♘a5 19. ♗e3 ♕d7 20. f4 f6 21. f5 ♗f7 22. g4 ♕c6 23. g5 ♔h8 24. ♗d3 ♖fd8 25. ♗xa6 ♖xa6 26.
♕xa6 ♘ac4 Kamsky-Ivanchuk, Ningbo 2011) 17... f6 18. ♗h4 bxc3 19. bxc3 ♘a5 Black normally
tends to blockade the queenside. 20. ♖ed1 ♕b7 21. f3 the White bishop returns to f2 with the idea
of playing the strong move Nd5. 21... ♖ad8 22. ♗f2 ♖xd1+ ( 22... ♘ac4 23. ♖xd8 ♖xd8 24. ♗b3
causing black a lot of problems. 24... ♕c6 25. ♘d5 ) 23. ♖xd1 ♖e8 24. ♘d5+/=
b) 12... ♕c8 is the main move. 13. ♕e2 ♕b7 There are a lot of possible move orders. I will try to
show you the best for both sides:
b1) 14. b4 ♖fd8 ( 14... ♗d6 ⁉
15. h3 h6 16. ♘b3 ♗c4 17. ♕e3 a5 18. ♘xa5 ♘xa5 19. bxa5 ♖xa5 20.
♘d2 ♗e6 21. ♖b1 c6 22. c4 ♕c7 23. c5 ♗e7 24. axb5 ♖xb5 25. ♗a3 ♘d7 Popov-Predke, Voronezh
2014) 15. axb5 axb5 16. ♖xa8 ♖xa8 17. ♗d3 ♖b8 18. ♘b1 ♗d6 19. ♘a3 ♘a7 20. ♗e3 c6 21. ♘g5
♗g4 22. f3 ♗d7 23. ♕a2 Movsesian-Matlakov, St Petersburg Rapid Cup 2012 23... ♗e8! 24. ♘e6
♕d7!
b2) 14. ♗d3 14... ♖ab8 15. ♘f1! ( 15. b4 ♗d6 16. ♖a3 ♖fd8 17. ♘b3 ♘xb4 but after this knight
sacrifice Black is not worse and actually ended up winning the game. 18. cxb4 ♗xb4 19. ♘bd2 c5
20. axb5 axb5 21. ♖a1 c4 22. ♗c2 ♕c7 23. ♖d1 ♗c5 24. ♖a6 ♕c8 25. ♖a5 ♘g4 26. ♖f1 c3 27.
♘b3 ♗c4 28. ♕e1 ♗b6 29. h3 ♗xf1 30. ♔xf1 ♗xa5 31. hxg4 ♕c4+ 32. ♔g1 ♗c7 AIG-PBS,
Moscow RUS-ch 2012)
b21) 15... ♗d6 16. ♘g3 ( 16. ♘e3 ♘e7 17. c4 ) 16... h6 ( 16... ♘e7 17. axb5 axb5 18. ♗g5 ) 17. ♘f5
b22) 15... ♖fd8 16. ♘e3 h6 ( 16... ♗d6 17. ♘g5! ♗b3 18. axb5 axb5 19. ♘d5+/= ; 16... g6 17. ♗c2 )
17. h3
b23) 15... ♘e8 16. axb5 axb5 17. ♘e3 ♘d6 18. ♘d5 f6 19. ♗e3+/=
b24) 15... h6 is the main line.
b241) 16. ♘g3 ♖fe8 ( 16... ♗d6 17. ♘f5 ♖fe8 Transposes)
b2411) 17. h3 ♗d6 18. axb5 axb5 19. ♗e3 ♘e7
b24111) 20. ♖a7 ♕c6 21. ♖ea1 ♘g6 22. ♖1a5 ( 22. ♖1a6 ♕d7 23. b4 ) 22... ♘f4 23. ♗xf4 exf4 24.
♘d4 ( 24. ♘f1 ♗c5 )
b24112) 20. ♖a5 20... ♗d7 21. ♖ea1 ♖a8
b2412) 17. axb5 axb5 18. h3 ♗d6 Transposes
b2413) 17. b4 17... ♗d6 18. axb5 axb5 19. ♗e3 ♘e7 20. ♖a5 ♗d7 21. h3 ♘g6
b242) 16. ♘e3 16... ♖fe8 ( 16... ♗c5 17. b4 ♗a7 18. h3 ♖fe8 19. axb5 axb5 20. ♘h4+/= ; 16... ♗d6
17. ♘f5 tr) 17. b4 fixing the structure on the queenside. ( 17. h3 ♗d6 ) 17... ♗d6 is more or less the
only way Black can regroup his pieces. 18. ♗d2 ♘e7 19. c4 ♘g6 it seems that Black holds,
although once again there are a lot of alternatives for both sides and the position is very playable.
12. ♕e2 Normally transposes to lines with 12.a4. 12... ♕c8 ( 12... ♗c5N 13. b4 ♗a7 14. a4 ) 13. a4
♕b7
12... ♘d7 I want to suggest a possible improvement on Magnus Carlsen's play.
12... ♗c5 was played in a game from the Tal Memorial. 13. a4 ( 13. ♕e2 ♘h5 ) 13... ♗a7 14. ♘g5 is
the move I prefer, as more ambitious than Nf1. ( 14. ♘f1 h6 15. ♘e3 ♕d6 16. ♕e2 ♗xe3 17. ♗xe3
♗c4 18. ♕d2 ♖fd8 Karjakin-Aronian 2011) 14... ♗c8 15. ♕e2 h6 16. ♘gf3 I think that losing two
tempi to transfer the bishop to a7 wasn't a great idea.
12... ♘e8 13. ♕e2 ♘d6 14. ♘f1
12... g6 13. ♘g5 ♗d7 14. a4+/=
12... h6 13. ♘h2
a) 13... ♗c5 14. ♕f3
b) 13... ♘d7 14. ♘g4! ♗g5 ( 14... ♘c5 15. ♕e2 ♕d7 16. ♖d1 ) 15. ♘e3 ♘b6 ( 15... ♘e7 16. ♘f3
♗f4 17. ♕e2 ) 16. ♕e2 ♕d7 17. ♘b3 ♘a4 18. ♖d1 ♕c8 19. ♘d2 ♘b6 20. ♘f3+/=
c) 13... ♘e8 14. ♘g4 ♗g5 ( 14... h5 15. ♘e3 g6 16. ♕e2 ; 14... ♘d6 15. ♘f3 ) 15. ♘b3 ( 15. ♕e2
♘d6 16. ♘e3 ♗xe3 17. ♕xe3 a5 ; 15. ♗b3 ) 15... ♗xc1 ( 15... ♕e7 16. ♘e3+/= ; 15... ♗xg4 16.
♕xg4 ♗xc1 17. ♖exc1 ♘f6 18. ♕e2 ♕e7 19. a4→ ) 16. ♕xd8 ♖xd8 17. ♖exc1
d) 13... ♘h7 White wants to bring his queen to f3, knight to g4 and the other via f1-e3. If he
manages to do this without Black doing much, he'll have a clear advantage. 14. ♘g4 ( 14. ♕e2 ♗g5
15. ♘g4 ♘f6 16. ♘e3 ♘e7 17. ♘f3 ♗f4 ) 14... ♗g5 15. ♕e2 with the idea to play Nf3 and obtain the
bishop pair, and a small advantage. 15... ♘f6 ( 15... ♕d6 16. ♘e3 ♖fd8 17. ♘f3 ♗xe3 18. ♕xe3 ♕e7
Smyslov-Botvinnik, Leningrad/Moscow 1941) 16. ♘e3 ♘e7 17. ♘f3
d1) 17... ♗f4 18. c4 c6 19. b3! ♘g6 ( 19... ♕c7 20. ♗b2 ) 20. ♗a3 ♖e8 21. ♖ed1 ♕a5 ( 21... ♕c8
22. ♘f5 ♗xf5 23. exf5 ♘e7 24. ♗xe7 ♖xe7 25. g3 ) 22. ♗d6
d2) 17... ♘g6 18. ♖d1 ( 18. b3 ♖e8 ) 18... ♕c8 19. ♘xg5 ♘f4 20. ♕f3 hxg5 21. b3 ( 21. ♘d5 ♘6xd5
22. exd5 ♗f5 ; 21. ♘f5 ♖e8 ) 21... ♖d8 22. ♗b2 c6 23. c4 ♕c7
13. ♘f1 ♘c5
13... ♘b6 14. ♕e2 ♕c8 15. ♘e3 ♖d8 16. ♘h2 ♗f8 17. ♘f5
14. ♕e2 ⁉
is the other possibility I suggest.
14. ♘e3 ♕xd1 15. ♖xd1 f6 16. ♘d5 ♗d6 17. ♗e3 and the pressure is tangible even if it leads to
nothing concrete. On the other hand it is true Black does not have any weaknesses and does have a
lot of defensive resourses. Carlsen-Aronian, Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2011
14... ♗c4 15. ♕e3 The queen seems a bit misplaced here but Black cannot take advantage of this.
What is more, White can think about kicking out the bishop from c4 with b3 and occupying the d-
file.
15... f6 16. ♘h4 g6
16... ♗d3 17. ♖d1 ♗xc2 18. ♖xd8 ♖fxd8 19. ♘f5 ♗f8 20. f3
17. ♕g3 And Black already has to take care about possible sacrifices from White. Moreover White
is prepared for Rd1, Ne3, b3 etc. I like this position for White and will conclude this chapter with
this simple optimistic assessment.

d3 Spanish according to Svidler

6...b5 Sidelines

6...b5 Sidelines
1. e4 e5 2. ♘f3 ♘c6 3. ♗b5 a6 4. ♗a4 ♘f6 5. O-O ♗e7 6. d3 Continuing with the series on the
Spanish with 6.d3. Now we will take a look at the most modern move:
6... b5 Although this series was originally designed to offer a repertoire for White, I will also talk
about various ideas that Black has at his disposal. It seems that the latter is absolutely fine in the
lines that follow, although there are a lot of ideas for White and positions with a lot of life still in
them.
7. ♗b3 d6 is the main move. Black threatens Na5 and to win the bishop pair. One must deal with
this. The question is whether to play a3 or a4 since c3 does not really pose Black any problems.
7... O-O was a try to avoid the kinds of positions we will shortly discuss.
a) 8. a4 b4 9. ♘bd2 ♗c5! a very good idea for Black. 10. ♘c4 d6 and Black is generally very
comfortable here.
b) 8. ♖e1 d6 9. a3 ( 9. a4 b4 and one supposes Black is totally fine here. 10. ♘bd2 ♘a5 11. ♗a2 c5
12. c3 ♘c6 was seen in a recent game between Dominguez and Adams) 9... ♘a5 10. ♗a2 c5 11.
♘c3 ♘c6
c) 8. ♘c3 is the move I recommend and almost forces a transposition to some of the positions we
will be discussing after: 8... d6 ( 8... ♗b7 9. a3 when there is no more useful move than 9... d6
transposing) 9. a3 Back to the main line.
8. a3 is what I recommend and the move we will focus on. Here Black has a variety of options. In
this chapter we will look at the sidelines and the least played lines after 8....0-0, 9.Nc3.
8. a4 was the move played for a while but after 8... ♗d7 (which I have played with both colours) (
8... b4 the current state of theory confirms that Black has no problem.)
8... O-O is the main move.
8... ♗g4 ⁈ has also been played. 9. ♗e3 ( 9. ♘bd2 ⁉ is decent but Be3 is more ambitious.) 9... d5 (
9... O-O 10. h3 ♗h5 11. ♘bd2 ♘a5 12. ♗a2 c5 13. g4 ♗g6 14. ♘h4+/= In these positions White can
allow h3 and g4 as he has a very stable center. The black bishop will be forced to g6 where it will
be out of the game on many occasions.) 10. h3 ♗h5 11. ♘bd2 ⁉ O-O 12. ♖e1 Alexander Motylev
won a very cute game.( 12. a4 ⁉ reminding Black that he has to take care of his queenside.) 12... d4
13. ♗g5 h6 14. ♗xf6 ♗xf6 15. ♗d5 ♕e8 16. ♗xc6 ♕xc6 17. ♘xe5 ♗xe5 18. ♕xh5 ♕xc2 19. ♘f3 f6
20. ♘h4!→ with the idea of f4 and a direct attack. Motylev-Eljanov, Poikovsky 2013
8... ♘a5 is an alternative that hasn't been played often, and yet is very interesting. After 9. ♗a2 c5
10. ♘c3 Black doesn't play 0-0, but Be6, before the knight comes back to c6. ( 10. b4 cxb4 11. axb4
♘c6 12. ♗d2 O-O ) 10... ♗e6 Allowing Black to capture on a2 doesn't seem like a great idea, but if
White plays Nd5, i.e. ( 10... ♘c6 11. ♘d5 O-O )
a) 11. ♗g5 ♘c6 12. ♗xf6 ♗xf6 13. ♘d5 ( 13. a4 b4 14. ♘d5 O-O ) 13... O-O
b) 11. ♘d5 then Black can capture, 11... ♘xd5 12. exd5 ♗d7 13. b4 ( 13. ♖e1 O-O 14. c3 c4 ) 13...
♘b7 and this looks strange as the knight on b7 doesn't have much play. However the bishop on a2 is
also blocked in by the pawn on d5. If Black could play 0-0, Qc7, and maybe Rae8, Kh8 and f5, he
would have a lot of play in the center. There is a forced continuation with 14. bxc5 ( 14. ♗e3 ♕c7 )
14... ♘xc5 15. d4 exd4 16. ♘xd4 O-O 17. ♘c6 ♗xc6 18. dxc6 and Black equalises with the precise
move 18... ♘e4 ( 18... ♗f6 is not so accurate 19. ♖b1 ♘e4 20. ♗d2 and the pawn on c6 means that
White has a slight advantage. This line with 8...Na5 must be mentioned, since although this is a
series focussed on producing a repertoire for White, I will be as flexible as possible in my videos.)
19. ♗d2 ( 19. ♕d3 ♗f6 20. ♕xe4 ♗xa1 ) 19... d5
8... ♗e6 ⁈ This move is always possible. Of all the things you could face in this line as White, the
structure following 9. ♗xe6 fxe6 is the most pleasant there is. It isn't much, but it's something.
Black will be forced to defend a more passive position which is always a bit worse. For example:
a) 10. ♗e3 O-O ( 10... d5 11. ♘bd2 O-O 12. ♕e2 ) 11. ♘bd2 ♕d7 ( 11... ♘g4 12. c4 ♘xe3 13. fxe3
♕d7 14. b4 ♖fb8 15. ♕c2 ♘d8 16. ♖fc1 c6 17. ♘b3 ♖c8 18. c5 Leko-Eljanov, Kiev 2013) 12. h3
This ensures a long term advantage for White. One plan could be to play c3, b4, and a4, opening the
a-file under favourable circumstances. This position underlines the lack of opportunities for Black.
So 8...Be6 should be welcomed with open arms with the pawn still on c7. With the pawn on c5 it
would be a different story as Black's structure would be more harmonious. 12... ♘d8 13. ♖e1 ♘f7
14. c3
b) 10. c3
b1) 10... O-O 11. ♘bd2 d5 ( 11... ♕d7 12. ♖e1 ♘d8 13. d4 ♘f7 14. dxe5 dxe5 15. ♕e2 c5 16. c4
♖fd8 17. b3 ♕d3 18. ♗b2 ♕xe2 19. ♖xe2 ♗d6 20. ♖c1 Karjakin-Aronian, Beijing SportAccord
Basque Men 2013) 12. ♕e2 ♕d6 13. b4 ♖fd8 14. ♖d1 dxe4 15. ♘xe4 ♘xe4 16. ♕xe4 ♕d5 17. ♗b2
a5 18. ♖ac1 ♕xe4 19. dxe4 ♗d6 20. h4 Anand-Aronian, Mainz 2007
b2) 10... d5 11. ♘bd2 ♕d7 12. ♕e2 O-O 13. ♖e1
9. ♘c3 is the idea of this whole setup. You can play Nbd2 but this doesn't achieve much. Black
should avoid playing Bb7 in these types of positions since when the pawn is on d3 the bishop is
often lacking work on the long diagonal. If you play Nbd2 what will probably end up happening is a
transposition to some kind of anti-Marshall where Black has played Na5, c5, Be6 and in general
Black has no problems.
9. ♗a2 ⁉ is a curious move that Grischuk played against Karjakin in a blitz match (Moscow, 2012).
This move should give some indication of how favourable the structure is in the hands of good
players.
9... ♗b7 a move that I popularized at the Candidates. But I don't think it is that good.
9... ♘d4 ⁈Not very precise in my opinion. 10. ♘xd4 exd4 11. ♘e2 ( 11. ♘d5 ♗e6 tr) 11... c5 and
for example: 12. ♗g5 I can't say Black has ruined his position but I don't think it's the best he has.
White is better.
9... h6 has also been played. White normally responds with 10. h3 and here Black has two principal
options: 10... ♗e6 ( 10... ♖b8 is a curious move. Black believes that White is lacking any active
plans and from b8 the rook is well prepared versus a bishop landing on d5. The game continued: 11.
♗a2 ♖e8 12. ♘h2 to open the position with f4. 12... ♘d4 13. f4 exf4 14. ♗xf4 ♗e6 15. ♘f3 ♘xf3+
16. ♕xf3 ♗xa2 17. ♖xa2 ♕d7 18. ♖aa1 ♕e6 Leko-Tomashevsky, Kiev 2013 19. ♖ae1+/= Once
again I'd say that White isn't much better but he certainly has a nibble. White's structure is superior
and there are ideas on the kingside with Ne2-g3-f5. Black has to be careful.) 11. ♘d5 ♘a5 I think
here White should try and arrive at a structure that we already analysed after Nxf6: ( 11... ♘d4? is
very bad now after 12. ♘xf6+ ♗xf6 13. ♘xd4 exd4 14. ♗xe6 fxe6 15. ♕g4 with a double threat on
e6 and h6. White wins a pawn.) 12. ♘xf6+ ( 12. ♗a2 c5 13. b4 ♘b7 14. ♗e3 ♖c8 15. ♘d2 ♘xd5 16.
exd5 ♗d7 Fedorchuk-Nyback, Legnica 2013) 12... ♗xf6 13. ♗xe6 fxe6 14. ♗e3 ♘c6 15. c3+/= I
would consider avoiding this position a serious error.
10. ♖e1 is my recommendation.
10. ♗d2 a move that Magnus played. 10... ♕d7 11. a4 ♘d8 12. axb5 axb5 13. ♖xa8 ♗xa8 14. ♘e2
♘e6 and I think that Black is fine, despite later facing problems. 15. ♘g3 Carlsen-Svidler, London
2013
10. ♘e2 d5
10... ♕d7 was what I planned to play in London.
10... ♘a5 ⁉ 11. ♗a2 c5 12. b4 ( 12. ♘d5 ♘xd5 13. exd5 c4 ) 12... ♘c6 13. ♘d5 ♘xd5 14. ♗xd5 ♕c7
15. c3 with some tangible pressure. Not everyone likes defending the Black position as it is so
passive. 15... cxb4 16. axb4 a5 17. ♗d2 axb4 18. cxb4 ♖xa1 19. ♕xa1 ♖a8 20. ♕c3 ♕d7 21. ♖c1
♖c8 22. ♕b3 ♘d8 23. ♖xc8 ♕xc8 24. d4 Balogh-Socko, Budapest 2014
10... ♘b8 11. ♘e2 ♘bd7 12. ♘g3 White has saved a tempo with h3 and a half tempo compared to
normal positions. Nf5 is coming with some pressure.
11. ♘e2 ♘d8 is the best move for Black to date.
11... ♖ae8 is not very good. 12. ♘g3 ♗d8 13. a4 Here I began to panic versus Mickey Adams and
played d5. My plan was to play 13... ♘e7 followed by Ng6, c5 and Bc7 but unfortunately after (
13... d5 14. axb5 axb5 15. c3 Black's position is very problematic. His pieces are badly coordinated
and c5 is very weak. 15... h6 16. ♗e3 ♖e6 17. h3 Adams-Svidler, Paris/St Petersburg Alekhine
Mem 2013) 14. axb5 axb5 15. ♗g5 and you begin to realise that after c5, Ra7 is very unpleasant.
15... ♘c8 Curiously I already had this position with White against Italian GM Sabino Brunello. 16.
♕d2 ♔h8 17. ♗a2 is a move I found over the board and one I am very proud of. Veselin Topalov
had played h3. My idea is that normally in these kinds of positions Black plays c5, so I was
prepared to reply to b4 and create a stream of problems for Black. In many cases the b5 pawn would
be weak. I won that game rather quickly.( 17. h3 Topalov-Tomashevsky, Kiev 2013) 17... c5 18. b4
Svidler-Brunello, Warsaw 2013
12. ♘g3 ♘e6 is the position that one normally arrives at in the anti-Marshall without the inclusion
of h3 and Re8, something that clearly favours White.
13. c3 c5 14. d4 exd4
14... c4 15. ♗c2 ♖fd8 16. ♘f5 ♗f8 17. d5 ( 17. h3 ♘f4 18. ♘xd6 ♘xh3+ 19. gxh3 ♗xd6 20. dxe5
♗xe5 21. ♘xe5 ♕e6 22. ♕f3 ♕xe5 23. ♗f4 ♕e6 Leko-Boruchovsky, Rhodes 2013) 17... ♘c5 18.
♗g5 ♗e7 19. ♘d2! is very strong. 19... ♔h8 ( 19... ♘xd5 doesn't work due to the effective 20. ♗h6!
g6 21. exd5 gxf5 22. ♕h5 ♘d3 23. ♖e3 ) 20. f4! is very strong once again. 20... h6 21. fxe5 dxe5 (
21... hxg5 22. exf6 ♗xf6 23. ♕h5+ ♔g8 24. ♘f3 ) 22. ♗h4 ♘xd5 23. exd5 ♗xh4 24. ♘xh4 ♕xd5
25. ♘df3+/=
15. cxd4 c4 16. ♗c2 d5 17. e5 ♘e4 sacrificing a pawn.
18. ♘xe4
18. ♘f5 f6 19. ♗e3 ♗d8 is good for Black. 20. exf6 ♗xf6 21. ♘d2 ♖ad8 22. f3 ♘d6 Jakovenko-
Tomashevsky, Dagomys 2008
18... dxe4 19. ♗xe4 ♗xe4 20. ♖xe4 ♕d5
20... ♘c5 ⁉
is stronger in my opinion.
21. ♕c2 ♖fd8 22. h4 f5 23. exf6 ♗xf6 24. ♗e3 is not easy, but it is clear that White is better as he is
a pawn up. Black managed to hold in this game, however. Here I conclude this chapter, in the
following chapters we will see other possible moves against 9.Nc3.
24... ♕f5 25. ♖e1+/= Shirov-Tomashevsky, Dagomys 2008

1. e4 e5 2. ♘f3 ♘c6 3. ♗b5 a6 4. ♗a4 ♘f6 5. O-O ♗e7 6. d3 b5 7. ♗b3 d6 8. a3 O-O 9. ♘c3 Let's
continue with the move you can see on the board. In this chapter I will talk about the following
moves:
9... ♘a5 10. ♗a2 and the options for Black. Basically he has to choose between c5 and Be6 here.
10... ♗e6 is the most modern and has been played in St. Louis by Fabiano Caruana, where he won a
nice game. In the second part of the chapter we will take a look at that. Many elite players have
played it including Levon Aronian and Rustam Kasimdzhanov.
10... c5 Let's start by analysing c5.
a) 11. ♗g5 ♗e6 12. ♗xf6 ( 12. b4 ♘c6 13. ♘d5 ♗xd5 14. exd5 ♘d4 15. bxc5 ♘xf3+ 16. ♕xf3 dxc5
17. ♖fe1 ♘d7 and the position is very complicated. White wastes two tempi trying to activate his
bishop on a2. It's the kind of thing that happens in these structures where sometimes there isn't a
clear plan of action for the bishop. As a big bishop pair fan, I would always choose to have them,
but in this particular case I wouldn't know what to do with the guy on a2. 18. ♗d2 ♗d6 19. a4 ⁈ f5
20. ♗b3 e4! 21. dxe4 c4 and Black suddenly took control in Dominguez Perez-Aronian, Wijk aan
Zee 2014) 12... ♗xf6 13. ♘d5 ♘c6 and Black is fine. It's true that the knight on d5 looks great, but
it isn't clear what should be done with it, while Black's plan is a lot easier: g6-Bg7-Kh8, f5 and at
some moment Bg5 and Bh6. ( 13... c4 14. ♘xf6+ ♕xf6 15. ♕d2 ♕d8 )
b) 11. ♘d5
b1) 11... ♘c6 isn't the best. 12. b4 ⁉
( 12. c3 a5 13. a4 b4 14. ♖e1 ♖b8 15. ♗c4 ♗d7 16. h3 ♘xd5
17. ♗xd5 ♗f6 18. ♗e3 ♘e7 19. ♗a2 ♗e6 Onischuk-Saric, Yerevan 2014)
b2) 11... ♘xd5 is best played by Adams amongst others. 12. ♗xd5 ♗b7 13. b4 ( 13. ♗d2 ♗xd5 14.
exd5 f5 ) 13... ♗xd5 14. exd5 ♘b7 Black is fine even when the bishop isn't shut out on a2. The plan
is clear: to give the knight a square on f7. If this happens Black could even end up better. 15. c3 f5 (
15... ♕c7 16. ♖e1 f5 17. ♗g5 ♖ae8 18. a4 cxb4 19. cxb4 ♗xg5 20. ♘xg5 ♘d8 21. axb5 axb5
Anand-Adams, Baden-Baden 2013)
c) 11. b4 is what I am going to recommend. There are other options: 11... ♘c6 12. ♘d5 here Black
has various tries:
c1) 12... ♘xd5 13. ♗xd5 ♕c7 and White can simply play:
c11) 14. ♗e3 ♗e6 15. c4 ( 15. ♗xc6 ♕xc6 16. bxc5 f6 17. cxd6 ♗xd6=/∞ )
c12) 14. bxc5 14... dxc5 15. ♗b2+/= with a small advantage.
c2) 12... ♗g4 13. h3 ♗h5 14. c3 cxb4 15. axb4 a5 16. g4 White should be better. 16... ♗g6 17. bxa5
The best. ( 17. ♗d2 axb4 18. cxb4 ♘xd5 19. ♗xd5 ♕d7 20. ♖xa8 ♖xa8 Hansen-Nyback, Warsaw
2013) 17... ♖xa5 18. ♗e3+/= with an advantage. The pawn on b5 is weak and I don't see how Black
can equalise.
c3) 12... cxb4 13. axb4 ♗e6 14. ♗d2+/=
c4) 12... ♘d4 13. ♘xd4 is my recommendation, and I think White can apply some pressure here.
For example( 13. bxc5 White accepts the challenge in the game. 13... ♘xd5 14. ♗xd5 ♗g4! 15.
♗xa8 ♕xa8 there were better options for White so I won't analyse this position too deeply. Even so,
it should be sufficient; the pin gives Black excellent compensation. 16. cxd6 ♗xd6 17. ♗b2 ♘xf3+
18. gxf3 ♗h5 19. d4 ♕c8 20. ♔g2 f5 Motylev-Najer, Loo 2014) 13... cxd4 14. f4 ( 14. ♘xe7+ ♕xe7
15. f4 h6 16. ♕f3 ♔h7 ) 14... ♘xd5 15. ♗xd5 ♖b8
c41) 16. fxe5 dxe5 17. ♕h5 ♗f6 and Black seems to hold.
c42) 16. ♕h5 exf4 ( 16... ♗f6 17. f5 ♗b7 18. ♗b3 ) 17. ♗xf4 ♗e6 18. ♖f3 ♕d7 19. ♗xe6 fxe6 and
Black maintains the balance. His inferior pawn structure is always compensated by the week c2
pawn and counterplay on the c-file. 20. ♖af1 ( 20. ♖h3 ♖xf4 21. ♕xh7+ ♔f7 22. ♕h5+ g6 23.
♕h7+ ♔e8 ) 20... e5 21. ♖h3 exf4 22. ♕xh7+ ♔f7 23. ♕h5+ ♔g8=
c43) 16. f5 is the move I recommend. Let's check out the other options. 16... ♗b7
c431) 17. ♕g4 ♔h8 18. ♖f3 ♗xd5
c4311) 19. exd5 ♕c7 20. c4 ( 20. ♖h3 ♕c3 ) 20... ♖fc8 21. ♖h3 ♕d8
c4312) 19. ♖h3 19... ♗xe4 20. dxe4 g6 all of these are only moves. 21. fxg6 fxg6 22. ♕xg6 ♗h4
23. ♕h5 ♕f6 24. ♖f3 ♕e7 and Black is fine, although there was no need to allow the exchange of
bishops on d5. 25. ♖xf8+ ♖xf8 26. ♗h6 ♗f2+ 27. ♔h1 ♕f7 28. ♕xf7 ♖xf7 29. ♖f1 d5
c432) 17. ♗b3 exchanging the bishop is not necessary. 17... d5 the machine is happy with Black's
position at first, e.g. 18. ♕g4 ♕d6 19. ♖f3 dxe4 20. dxe4 ♖bc8 21. ♗d2 to not allow Rc3. White's
attack is very dangerous, and Black has to tread very carefully in order to avoid being mated.
11. ♗xe6 fxe6 12. b4 you don't have to allow c5.
12... ♘c6 13. ♗d2 d5 is the most modern nowadays.
13... ♘d4 is another move. Kasimdzhanov played like this. You end up reaching less double-edged
positions with fewer tactics. 14. ♘xd4 exd4 15. ♘e2 c5
a) 16. h3 ⁉ Always useful, and what's more it dissuades Black from playing d5, e5 Ng4 in the near
future. 16... ♕d7 17. ♕b1 is the conventional way of playing on the queenside. White wants to play
a4 and open up the a-file. Black can reply with:
a1) 17... e5 18. bxc5 dxc5 19. a4 ( 19. ♕a2+ c4 20. a4 ♖ac8 21. ♖fb1 bxa4 22. ♘g3 ) 19... ♕c6 20.
f4 ( 20. ♘g3 ⁈ c4 21. ♘f5 ♗c5 22. f4 ♘xe4 23. dxe4 ♕xe4 24. ♘g3 ♕xc2 Topalov-Kasimdzhanov,
FIDE GP Thessaloniki 2013)
a2) 17... a5 ⁉
y si 18. ♕b2 a4 closing the position completely on the queenside.
b) 16. a4 I think it is more critical to begin with this move. White can definitely exert pressure here
and Black must be very precise to hold the balance. 16... ♕d7 ⁉ 17. ♕b1 If Black plays passively he
will be worse. White wants to play Qb3 or Qa2 and threaten axb5. ( 17. axb5 axb5 18. ♕b1 e5 19.
f4 c4 20. ♖a5 Mista-Halkias, Palic 2014 20... ♘g4 ⇆) 17... d5! is what Black should play. ( 17...
bxa4 18. bxc5 dxc5 19. ♕a2+/= ; 17... ♖fb8 18. ♕a2+/= ; 17... ♕c6 18. ♗g5+/= ; 17... e5 18. bxc5
dxc5 19. ♕a2++/= ) 18. e5 ♘g4 19. axb5 ( 19. bxc5 ♘xe5 20. axb5 axb5 21. ♖xa8 ♖xa8 ) 19...
axb5 ( 19... ♕xb5 20. bxc5 ♕xc5 21. ♖a4 ♘xe5 22. ♘xd4+/= ) 20. ♖xa8 ♖xa8 21. ♗f4 and it
seems Black holds after 21... g5 ( 21... ♕c7 22. h3 ♘xe5 23. bxc5 ♗xc5 24. ♖e1+/= Black's
weaknesses start to become clear and White has a clear advantage.)
b1) 22. h3 gxf4 23. hxg4 ♖f8 24. ♖e1 h5 ( 24... f3 25. gxf3 ♖xf3 26. ♔g2+/= )
b2) 22. f3 22... ♘e3 ( 22... ♘h6 23. ♗d2+/= ) 23. ♗xe3 dxe3 24. bxc5 ♗xc5 25. f4 ♗e7 White still
has a pull, but objectively Black should be able to hold. Still after 16...Qd7 the position is very open
and I am sure there are improvements to be found along the way. 26. fxg5 ♗xg5 27. ♕e1
14. ♖e1 ♕d6 15. ♘a2! The knight on c3 does little in this kind of structure. It needs three moves to
get to b3 but from there it will do a lot to stabalize the queenside. The question is whether White
really has the time to carry out his plan.
15. h3 ♘d7 16. ♘e2 a5 17. ♖b1 axb4 18. axb4 ♖fb8 19. ♘g3 d4 The pawn on b4 is quite weak and
Black should have a lot of counterplay. He even went on to win the game. 20. c3 dxc3 21. ♗xc3
♖a4 22. ♕b3 ♔h8 Dominguez-Karjakin, Beijing SportAccord Rapid 2013
15... ♘d7 Levon Aronian considered that he didn't have to carry out any drastic action.
15... a5 ⁉
definitely merits attention. I don't think Black should allow White to install the knight on
b3 without any fight. However in this position after:
a) 16. exd5 exd5 17. ♘c3 ♘g4 ⁉ ( 17... axb4 18. ♘xb5 ♕d7 19. axb4 e4 20. ♖xa8 ♖xa8 21. ♘bd4
♘xb4 seems to be OK as well, but Ng4 is much more fun) 18. ♘xb5 ( 18. h3 ♘xf2! 19. ♔xf2 axb4
20. axb4 ♖xa1 21. ♕xa1 ♘d4!→ ) 18... ♕g6 19. ♕e2 ( 19. ♘xc7 e4 ) 19... axb4 20. ♗xb4 ( 20.
♘xc7 ♗c5 ) 20... ♘xb4 21. axb4 ♖xa1 22. ♖xa1 e4 and Black is fine.
b) 16. ♘c3 ♖fb8 ( 16... axb4 17. ♘xb5 ♕d7 18. axb4 ♘xb4 19. ♖xa8 ♖xa8 20. ♘c3+/= ) 17. exd5
exd5 18. bxa5 ♖xa5 19. ♘xe5! ♘xe5 20. ♗f4 ♘fd7 ( 20... ♕d7 21. ♗xe5 ♖ba8 22. ♘e2 ♖xa3 23.
♖xa3 ♖xa3+/= ) 21. d4 c6 22. dxe5 ♕e6 23. ♘e2 ♗c5! 24. ♗d2 ♖a4 25. ♗b4 ♖f8! 26. ♗xc5 ♘xc5
27. ♘d4 ♕g6=/∞
c) 16. ♕e2 ⁉ I couldn't find any move that immediately equalises for Black. The pawn on e5 is en
prise in many lines.
c1) 16... d4 17. bxa5! ♘xa5 18. ♖eb1 ♘d7 ( 18... c6 19. a4! bxa4 20. ♕e1± is extremely strong.
That's why Black must play Nd7; 18... ♖fb8? 19. a4 works as the knight on a5 is unprotected.) 19.
♖xb5 ♕xa3 20. ♕d1+/= and White is already somewhat better.
c2) 16... axb4 17. ♘xb4! Black has a dificult job maintaining the material balance, as after ( 17.
axb4 d4 18. ♖eb1 ♘d7∞ ) 17... ♘d7 18. exd5 exd5 19. d4! winning a pawn, ( 19. ♗c3 ♘xb4 20.
axb4 ♗f6= ) 19... e4 20. ♕xb5 ♘xb4 21. ♗xb4 c5 22. dxc5 ♘xc5 23. ♘d4+/= and although after
Rac8 Black has some compensation, a pawn is a pawn and White has the advantage.
16. ♕e2 d4 17. ♖eb1! is the other surprising move that Fabiano Caruana made. It isn't easy to make
such moves (overprotecting the queenside when you have yet to actually do anything there).
17. ♘c1? would be a serious error on account of 17... a5
17... ♘b6
17... ♖fb8 I think this was better. 18. ♘c1 ( 18. c4 dxc3 19. ♗xc3 ♘d4 is unclear.) 18... a5 19. bxa5
♘xa5 20. a4 b4 I think White has some advantage here and Black must take care. 21. ♘b3 ♕c6 (
21... h6 22. ♗e1 c5 23. ♘fd2 ♘b6 ) 22. ♗g5 ( 22. ♗e1 ♘b7 23. ♘fd2 ♖xa4 24. ♖xa4 ♕xa4 25. ♖a1
♕c6 26. ♘c4 ♘d6 27. ♘ba5 ♕a6 ) 22... ♗xg5 23. ♘xg5 h6 24. ♘f3 ♘b7 25. a5 ♖a6 Black's
position is dangerous as he is rather clogged up. Levon said that he thought he came out of the
opening well but it seems not. 26. ♘fd2 ♘d6 27. ♕g4 ♖e8 28. ♖c1 ♖e7
18. ♘c1 ♘a4 19. ♘b3 ♘c3 was the last try for Black to activate his position, something he should
have tried.
19... ♖f7+/= was seen in Caruana-Aronian, Saint Louis 2014.
20. ♗xc3 dxc3 21. ♖d1
21. ♕e1 ♘d4 reaches a similar position.
21... ♘d4 22. ♘fxd4 exd4 23. e5 ♕d5 24. ♕e4 ♖ad8 25. ♕xd5 ♖xd5 26. ♖e1 c5 27. ♖e4 In
conclusion, one could claim that White can generate pressure against whichever line Black chooses.
I hope you've enjoyed this chapter!

1. e4 e5 2. ♘f3 ♘c6 3. ♗b5 a6 4. ♗a4 ♘f6 5. O-O ♗e7 6. d3 b5 7. ♗b3 d6 8. a3 O-O 9. ♘c3 This is
the final chapter for my series on the Spanish with 6.d3. Let's check out the two remaining main
moves: 9...Be6 and 9...Bg4.
9... ♗g4 is the most problematic for White in this whole series. It doesn't suit everyone, however. I
showed the resulting position to my colleague Jan Gustafsson and he said with Black he always
thought he was lost after this, something which, unfortunately, is untrue. It seems as though if Black
doesn't defend well he will simply get mated, but actually despite the backward moves Black seems
to be holding his own. Hence the growth in popularity of this line.
9... ♗e6 is a move that I have played on various occasions. It is a decent move but White has a few
options to obtain an advantage. At the very least Black needs to show some precision in some lines.
10. ♘d5 is the main idea in this line. White doesn't want to allow the bishop exchange so easily.
Already here Black has a number of options:
a) 10... ♘a5 is critical as Black forces White to change the structure. 11. ♘xf6+ is good. ( 11. ♗a2
c5 should not be allowed, as I noted earlier.) 11... ♗xf6 12. ♗xe6 fxe6
a1) 13. b4 is also possible but it is less flexible. 13... ♘c6 14. c3 a5 ( 14... ♕d7 15. a4 ♘e7 16. ♗e3
♘g6 17. g3 ♗e7 18. h4 h6 19. ♔g2 ♖ae8 20. ♘h2 Leko-Kasimdzhanov, Zug 2013) 15. ♗d2 axb4
16. axb4 ♕d7
a2) 13. ♗e3 is the most flexible. 13... ♕d7 ( 13... ♘c6 14. c3 and White can continue with a4,
reserving the option to play Qb3 at some moment pressurizing b5; 13... ♕e8 14. b4 ♘c6 15. c3 a5
16. a4! axb4 17. axb5 ♘e7 18. ♖xa8 ♕xa8 19. ♕b3 Yemelin-Solozhenki emelin-Solozhenkin,
Helsinki 2014) 14. b4 ( 14. a4 c5 ) 14... ♘c6 15. c3 a5 16. a4 axb4 17. axb5 ♘e7 18. c4 c5 19. bxc6
♘xc6 20. ♕b3 ♗e7
b) 10... h6 White has the better pieces. For example:
b1) 11. ♘xf6+ ♗xf6 12. ♗xe6 fxe6 13. c3 transposing to a structure we have already discussed.
13... ♘e7 14. a4 ♕d7 15. ♗e3 to win these positions is difficult, but it is only White who will enjoy
playing here. 15... c5
b2) 11. ♗e3 ♕d7
b21) 12. c3 ♘a5 ( 12... ♗d8 13. a4 ) 13. ♘xf6+ ( 13. ♗a2 ♘xd5 14. ♗xd5 ♗xd5 15. exd5 f5 ) 13...
♗xf6 14. ♗xe6 ♕xe6 15. b4 ♘c6 16. a4 ♘e7 17. ♕c2
b22) 12. ♖e1 12... ♗d8
b221) 13. a4 b4 ( 13... ♖b8 14. axb5 axb5 ) 14. a5 ♗xd5 15. exd5 ♘e7 16. d4 e4 17. ♘d2 ♘exd5
18. ♘xe4 ♘xe3 19. ♘xf6+ ♗xf6 20. ♖xe3 d5=
b222) 13. h3 13... ♗xd5 14. exd5 ♘e7 15. c4 ♖b8
b3) 11. ♖e1
b4) 11. ♗d2 11... ♕d7 ( 11... ♘d4? 12. ♘xf6+ ♗xf6 13. ♘xd4 exd4 14. ♗xe6 fxe6 15. ♕g4± ; 11...
♖e8 12. a4 ♕d7 ; 11... ♘b8 ⁈ 12. a4 ♘bd7 13. ♘xf6+ ♗xf6 14. ♗xe6 fxe6 15. b4+/= )
b41) 12. a4 ♘d4 ( 12... ♗g4 13. ♗e3 ) 13. ♘xd4 exd4 14. ♘xe7+ ( 14. ♘xf6+ ♗xf6 15. ♗xe6 fxe6 )
14... ♕xe7 15. c3 ( 15. ♗xe6 fxe6= ) 15... dxc3 16. ♗xc3 c5=
b42) 12. h3 ♘d4 13. ♘xd4 exd4 14. ♘xe7+ ♕xe7 15. c3 ♗xb3 16. ♕xb3 dxc3 17. ♗xc3 ♘h5 18. f4
♘g3 19. ♖f2
b43) 12. ♖e1
b431) 12... ♗d8
b4311) 13. a4 ♖b8 14. axb5 axb5 15. h3 ( 15. c4? ♗g4=/+ ) 15... ♗xd5 16. exd5 ♘e7 17. c4 ♘g6
b4312) 13. h3 13... ♗xd5 14. exd5 ♘e7 15. c4 ♖b8 16. ♖c1→
b432) 12... ♘d4 13. ♘xe7+ ♕xe7 14. ♘xd4 exd4 15. c3 ♗xb3 16. ♕xb3 dxc3 17. ♗xc3+/=
b433) 12... ♖fe8
b4331) 13. a4 ♖eb8 ( 13... ♗g4 14. c3 ♘a5 15. ♗c2 ♘xd5 16. exd5 ; 13... ♘d4 14. ♘xe7+ ♕xe7 15.
♘xd4 exd4 16. e5 dxe5 17. ♖xe5 ♖ab8 18. ♗xe6 fxe6 19. axb5 ♖xb5 20. ♖xb5 axb5+/= ) 14. h3
♗d8
b4332) 13. h3 13... ♘d4 ( 13... ♗d8 14. a4 ♖b8 15. axb5 axb5 16. c4+/= ) 14. ♘xd4 exd4 15.
♘xe7+ ♕xe7 ( 15... ♖xe7 16. c3 dxc3 17. ♗xc3 ♗xb3 18. ♕xb3 ♖e6 19. f4 ) 16. c3 ( 16. e5 dxe5
17. ♖xe5 ♕d7 18. ♗xe6 ♖xe6 19. ♖xe6 ♕xe6 20. ♕f3= ) 16... dxc3 17. ♗xc3 ♗xb3 18. ♕xb3 c5
19. ♖e3 ♕e6 20. ♕d1 a5 21. ♖f3 ♘d7 22. ♖g3 ♘e5 ( 22... f6 23. ♕d2+/= ) 23. b3
c) 10... ♕d7 I don't think this is any good due to 11. ♗g5 and Black must capture the bishop on d5.
11... ♗xd5 12. exd5 ♘a5 13. ♗a2 and I figure White is slightly better. 13... c5 ( 13... h6 14. ♗d2
♘b7 15. ♖e1 ♖fe8 16. b4 a5 17. c4 ) 14. dxc6 ( 14. b4 ♘b7 ) 14... ♘xc6 15. ♖e1 h6 16. ♗h4 ♖ae8
17. h3 and White's structure is healthier so given he has the two bishops, he should have a small
advantage.
d) 10... ♘d4 is the move I played every time I reached this position with Black, and I think it holds,
but I also think White has various options to play without any risk. Still, if Black defends precisely I
don't think there is a way to win. 11. ♘xd4 exd4 Here White has two options:
d1) 12. ♘xf6+ ♗xf6 13. ♗xe6 fxe6
d11) 14. a4
d111) 14... c5 15. ♕g4 ♕d7 16. b3 transposes to Dominguez-Svidler (2013) ( 16. axb5 axb5 17.
♗d2 c4 18. ♗b4 ♖a4 Anand-Svidler, St P Alekhine 2013)
d112) 14... ♕d7 15. b3 ( 15. ♕g4 bxa4 ) 15... e5! is good as the queen controls g4 and White has a
lot to do to get anything out of the position. ( 15... c5 is what I played against Lenier Dominguez,
who replied with 16. ♕g4 This type of position is complicated for Black as White enjoys options to
attack on the kingside and it is difficult for Black to create counterplay. Although I managed to
draw, 15...e5 is better. 16... ♕f7 17. ♗d2 c4 18. ♗b4 ♗e7 19. axb5 axb5 20. ♖xa8 ♖xa8 21. f4 ♖a2
22. e5 Dominguez-Svidler, FIDE GP Thessaloniki 2013) 16. ♕e2 ( 16. f4 exf4 ; 16. h3 c5 17. ♕g4
♕xg4 18. hxg4 c4 ) 16... c5
d1121) 17. h3 ♕e6 ( 17... ♖fc8 ) 18. f4
d1122) 17. g3 17... ♕e6
d12) 14. ♕g4 is the most precise. 14... ♕c8 was the move that Gabriel Sargissian played and it
shows the necessity that Black has to play e5 and control the light squares. ( 14... ♕d7 15. b3 c5 16.
a4 )
d121) 15. a4 e5
d1211) 16. h3 c5 17. ♗d2 c4 ( 17... ♕xg4 18. hxg4 h6 19. g3 b4 20. ♔g2 ♖ab8 21. b3 g5 22. f4
There is some pressure here but Black should hold. After he closes everything, and despite White
having a passed f-pawn, it seems White cannot penetrate... 22... ♔g7 1/2 Bruzon Batista,L (2699)-
Sargissian,G ( 2671)/Linares 2013/ CBM 156 Extra (35)) 18. ♗b4 a5!
d1212) 16. ♕xc8 16... ♖fxc8
d122) 15. f4 15... e5 16. f5 c5 17. h4 ♔h8
d2) 12. ♘xe7+ This option is much more exciting. 12... ♕xe7 13. ♗g5 This is what Ivanchuk played
against me in Thessaloniki. I ended up winning this game although I didn't deserve it somehow. I
think Black holds.
d21) 13... ♗xb3 14. cxb3
d211) 14... ♕e6 ⁈is dubious due to 15. f4 c5 16. f5 ( 16. b4 ♖fe8 17. ♖c1 ♖ac8 18. f5 ♕e5 19. ♗f4
♕e7 20. ♖e1 ) 16... ♕e5 17. ♕e1→ and White has a lot of threats.
d212) 14... c5! is best. 15. f4 ♖fe8 16. b4 c4 Black's structure is totally ruined, but the position will
open up and Black should be able to hold after some simplifications.
d22) 13... h6 ⁉
is what I played. 14. ♗h4 ♗xb3 ( 14... c5 15. f4 ) 15. cxb3
d221) 15... c5 16. f4 ♖fe8 17. b4 ( 17. ♖c1 ♖ac8 ) 17... ♕e6
d222) 15... ♕e6 16. f4 c5 17. b4 ♖fe8 What happened in the game is very dangerous for Black.
d2221) 18. ♖c1 ⁉ ♘d7 ( 18... c4 ⁈
19. dxc4 ♕xe4 20. ♗xf6 gxf6 21. cxb5 axb5 22. h3+/= ; 18...
♖ac8 ) 19. bxc5 dxc5 20. b4 ♖ac8 21. ♗f2 is close to equal but certainly playable for White. 21...
♕d6
d2222) 18. ♗f2 ⁉
d2223) 18. f5 is the move Ivanchuk played. 18... ♕e5 19. ♗g3 ♕e7 20. bxc5 dxc5 21. e5 ♘d5 22. f6
♕e6 23. fxg7 ♘e3 24. ♕d2 ♘xf1 25. ♖xf1 ♕g6 is the best course of action for both sides. 26. ♖f6
♕xg7 27. ♖xh6 was the move. Instead, ( 27. ♗f4 ⁈ is the move he played but it is bad. I ended up
being better.) 27... ♖e6∞ 28. ♖h5 ♖ae8 The position is objectively drawn, but White can play
without risk thanks to having the better king. Although Black can return the exchange sacrificing on
e5 and simplifying in a lot of positions, being able to hold thereafter is not a given.
10. ♗e3 is a must as Nd4 was a threat.
10... ♘d4
10... ♘a5 11. ♗a2 c5 12. ♘d5 ♘c6 13. c3+/=
10... ♕d7 ⁉ is interesting. 11. h3 ♗e6 ( 11... ♗h5 makes no sense. 12. ♘d5 ) 12. ♘d5 ♗d8 with the
idea of capturing on d5 with the bishop and then playing Ne7.
a) 13. ♗g5 ♘e8 ( 13... ♗xd5 14. exd5 ♘e7 15. ♗xf6 gxf6 16. a4 ♖b8 17. axb5 axb5 ) 14. a4 ♗xg5
15. ♘xg5 ♘d4
b) 13. c4 ♘a5 14. ♗a2 bxc4
c) 13. ♖e1 13... ♖b8 There is no rush to capture. Black improves his rook position first. Moreover it
isn't clear how White can improve his position. ( 13... ♗xd5 14. exd5 ♘e7 15. c4 ♘f5 ) 14. ♖c1
perhaps makes some sense, as at some moment Black will capture on d5. Until now there has only
been one game with this idea. ( 14. c3 ♗xd5 15. exd5 ♘e7 16. c4 ♘f5 ) 14... ♔h8 15. ♖e2 ♘g8 16.
d4 f5 17. exf5 ♖xf5 18. dxe5 ♖xf3 19. gxf3 ♘xe5 20. ♗f4 ♘xf3+ 21. ♔g2 ♘h4+ 22. ♔h2 ♗xh3 0-1
Kulaots,K (2586)-Zhigalko,S (2660)/Legnica 2013/CBM 155 (73)
11. ♗xd4 exd4 12. ♘d5 and here Black has various options.
12... ♘d7 threatens Ne5 so that is why h3 is played.
12... c6 13. h3 ♗xf3 14. ♘xf6+ ♗xf6 15. ♕xf3+/= Objectively Black should hold but this isn't
everyone's cup of tea because after the knight has come off, Black has almost no counterplay. Any
try with a5 will be answered by a4. Without the possibility of a knight coming to c5, Black cannot
displace White's light-squared bishop on b3 and therefore White's queenside is very solid, leaving
him with a free hand on the kingside.
12... c5 13. h3 is theoretically best. ( 13. ♖e1 ♖c8 14. h3 ♗xf3 15. ♘xe7+ ♕xe7 16. ♕xf3 c4 17.
♗a2 1/2 Paragua,M ( 2533) -Narayanan,S (2373)/Kolkata 5th op 2012; 13. a4 is also possible. 13...
♗e6 14. ♘xf6+ ♗xf6 15. ♗xe6 fxe6 16. ♕e2 ♕d7 17. b3 and now White can think about a plan like
g3-Rh2-h3-Nh2-Ng4 and f4. Also Ra2-Rfa1 can be considered. The reality is that I don't think
White will win many games if he plays against someone of a similar level. 17... ♕c7 18. ♖fe1 ♗e5
19. g3 h6 20. ♘h4 ♕f7 21. ♘g2 ♗f6 22. ♖a2 Motylev-Eljanov, Poikovsky 2014) 13... ♗e6 14. ♘f4
keeping the two knights on the board. The position is complicated but this is to be welcomed. 14...
♗xb3 15. cxb3 ♘e8 ( 15... ♖e8 16. ♘h2 d5 17. e5 ♘d7 18. e6 fxe6 19. ♘xe6 ♕c8 20. b4 c4
Edouard-Baron, Saint-Quentin 2014 21. ♖e1 ) 16. b4 Black holds theoretically after 16... ♘c7 17.
♖c1 a5 18. ♕c2 axb4 19. axb4 ♖a4 20. bxc5 dxc5 21. ♖a1+/= although White has a small
advantage due to his control over the file and better pawn structure. ½-½ Dominguez Perez,L
(2723)-Inarkiev, E (2688)/48th Capablanca Mem Elite 2013
13. h3
13. ♘xd4 was an interesting attempt but it doesn't work. 13... ♗xd1 14. ♘c6 ♕e8 15. ♘xc7 ♗g4 16.
♘xe8 ♖fxe8
13... ♗xf3 14. ♕xf3 c6 15. ♘f4 The way to play for Black should be along the lines of Rb8-a5-a4
and try to initiate counterplay immediately. Nf4 was the most interesting move that kept pieces on
the board. Jan Gustafsson thought this position was horrible for Black. Unfortunately this is not the
case.
15. ♘xe7+ not precise. 15... ♕xe7 It's a lot easier for Black to organize counterplay without the
white knight. 16. ♗a2 ( 16. ♕g3 )
15... ♖b8 Black ultimately is trying to create rapid counterplay with this move. There have been a
good number of games here, and White has not managed to get much of an advantage in any of
them.
15... g6 played by Evgeny Tomashevsky. 16. g3 ( 16. ♕g4 ♔h8 17. ♘e2 ♗f6 18. f4 ♗g7 19. ♕f3
♖b8 20. e5 dxe5 21. ♕xc6 f5 22. a4 ♖b6 23. ♕d5 ♕c7 Ramirez-Tomashevsky, Tromso 2013)
a) 16... ♗f6 17. h4 ♘e5 18. ♕e2 ♔g7 19. a4 ♕d7 20. ♔g2 h5 21. f3 ♕b7 22. ♕f2 ♕b6 23. ♘e2 ( 23.
♖h1 ♖h8 24. ♖a2 ♖ac8 25. axb5 axb5 26. ♕d2 ♖a8 27. ♖ha1 ♖xa2 28. ♖xa2 ♖b8 29. ♘h3 ♖b7
30. ♕a5 ♕xa5 31. ♖xa5 ♘d7 Fressinet-Tomashevsky, Elancourt 2013) 23... ♘d7 24. axb5 axb5 25.
♖xa8 ♖xa8 26. g4
b) 16... ♖b8 17. h4 a5 18. ♘e2 a4 19. ♗a2 ♗f6 20. ♕f4 ♕e7 21. ♕d2 to stop b4. 21... ♘e5 22. ♔g2
♘g4 is unclear. 23. c3 It makes sense to get rid of the d4 pawn and kick the knight from g4. 23...
dxc3 24. bxc3 ♗g7 Sjugirov-Tomashevsky, Loo 2014
15... a5 16. a4 b4 17. ♘e2 ( 17. ♕g4 ♘c5 ) 17... ♗f6 18. ♕g3 ♘c5 19. ♗c4 ♖b8
15... ♖c8 was a drastic attempt from Gata Kamsky. 16. g3 ♗g5 17. ♘e2 d5 18. exd5 c5 Alexander
Grischuk's reaction wasn't the best and he had to fight to make a draw, e.g. after 19. ♖fe1 Black has
to be very careful. ( 19. d6 ♘b6 20. c3 c4 21. ♗c2 dxc3 22. ♘xc3 ♕xd6 Grischuk-Kamsky, Antalya
2013) 19... ♗d2 ( 19... ♕c7 ; 19... ♘e5 is perhaps the best option. 20. ♕e4 ♖e8 21. ♘xd4 cxd4 22.
f4 ♗f6 23. fxe5 ♖xe5 24. ♕f3 ♕d6 and although winning this position may be difficult for White,
he does have an extra pawn and can play forever. 25. ♔g2 g6 ) 20. ♖ed1 ♗g5 21. c3 ♘e5 22. ♕g2
c4 23. ♗c2
15... ♘c5 16. ♗a2 a5 17. ♘e2 ♗f6 18. ♕g4 ( 18. e5 dxe5 19. ♕xc6 ♕e7 ) 18... ♔h8 19. f4 ♖b8
Black plays very quickly. 20. ♕f3 b4 21. axb4 axb4 22. e5 dxe5 23. ♕xc6 ♕e7
16. ♕g4 My idea is to start with this move, threatening to win a pawn with Ne6.
16. ♘e2 ♗f6 17. ♕g4 a5
a) 18. ♗a2 a4 ( 18... b4 19. a4 ♘c5 20. ♘c1 ♖a8 21. ♗c4 d5 22. exd5 cxd5 23. ♗b5 ♖c8 )
b) 18. f4 18... g6 19. ♗a2 a4 20. ♔h1 b4
16. ♕d1 a5 ( 16... ♘c5 17. ♗a2 a5 18. g3 a4 19. h4 b4 20. ♗c4 Bruzon Batista-Almasi, Havana
2014 20... bxa3 21. bxa3 ♘d7 ) 17. ♘e2 ♗f6 18. a4 ♘c5 19. ♘c1 For some reason this was more or
less the mainline, but it is clear that it isn't very attractive for White. 19... ♕c7 20. axb5 ♖xb5 21.
♖a3 ♖fb8 22. ♗a2 a4 Motylev-Morozevich, Poikovsky 2014
16... ♘e5
16... ♘c5 17. ♗a2 White has a number of ideas on the kingside. 17... ♕c8 18. b4 forcing the
exchange of queens. 18... ♕xg4 ( 18... ♘a4 19. ♘e6 winning) 19. hxg4 ♘a4 20. ♘e2 ♗f6 21. f4
♘c3 22. ♘xc3 dxc3 23. ♔f2 You could say White is a bit better because he has attacking options on
the kingside, but Black should be able to hold. 23... ♗d4+ 24. ♔f3 a5 25. g5
17. ♕d1 ♘d7 I don't see how to make use of the half tempo I managed to "cheat Black out of", so to
speak.
18. a4 ♘c5 19. axb5 axb5 If White is not organizing any sort of attack on the kingside, Black will
not mind being slightly slower with his counterplay on the queenside, because it will still be fast
enough.
*
Summary
In conclusion...
To be honest, I'm quite badly stuck in the final position of this line as a White player myself, even if
as a Black player I nevertheless feel rather uncomfortable. Perhaps something will be found for
White, but as I said this position doesn't inspire confidence in the minds of Black players. It's
definitely a playable position, but Black seems to be fine. And this slightly pessimistic conclusion
will be the last note in this series of chapters on 6.d3. I've covered one approach by White to this
whole set of positions, and as you can see White does not get a lot in many of the more solid lines
Black can choose, which makes me wonder if I should do an additional series on White's other
options. But for now I hope this will serve as a useful overview of a certain set of ideas White can
implement, and I think it can serve as a reliable guide to what you should aim for and what you can
expect from your position out of the opening.