The Rubinstein Attack

THE RUBINSTEIN
ATTACK!
A CHESS OPENING
STRATEGY FOR WHITE
Eric Schiller
The Rubinstein Attack: A Chess Opening Strategy for White
Copyright © 2005 Eric Schiller

All rights reserved.
Brown Walker Press

Boca Raton , Florida
USA • 2005
ISBN: 1-58112-454-6
Brown Walker.com
If you are looking for an effective chess opening strategy to use as White, this book wil
provide you with everything you need to use the Rubinstein Attack to set up aggressive
attacking formations. Building on ideas developed by the great Akiba Rubinstein, this
book offers an opening system for White against most Black defensive formations.
The Rubinstein Attack is essentially an opening of ideas rather than memorized

variations. Move order is rarely critical, the flow of the game will usually be the same
regardless of initial move order. As you play through the games in this book you will see
each of White's maj or strategies put to use against a variety of defensive formations.
As you play through the games in this book, pay close attention to the means White
uses to carry out the attack. You'll see the same patterns repeated over and over again, and
you can use these stragies to break down you opponent's defenses. The basic theme of ead
game is indicated in the title in the game header.
The Rubinstein is a highly effective opening against most defenses to l . d4, but it is not
particularly effective against the King's Indian or Gruenfeld formations . To handle those
openings, you'll need to play c4 and enter some of the main lines, though you can choose
solid formations with a pawn at d3. Against those openings, place your bishop at e2 and
castle quickly. These are not the sharpest variations of the King's Indian and Gruenfeld,
but they are reliable and your position will not suffer from any weaknesses which can be
exploited by your opponent.
Your main weapons in the Rubinstein Attack are a strong bishop at d3, aiming at
Black's vulnerable h7 -square, and strong knights, one of which usually finds its way to
eS. Your other bishop goes to b2, where it can later help in the kingside attack and until
then will provide support at d4 and e S . This bishop can become a direct participant in the
attack if the pawn at d4 can be gotten out of the way, usually by capturing a Black pawn
at cS. Play along the c-file can be organized by playing Rei and c4, later capturing Black's
pawn at dS, opening up the c-file.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to the following members of Chessgames.com, who

helped proofread the manuscript:
Galen Murray
Kyle Sillin
Craig Sadleer
Currt Sadfler
Rick Walsh
Produced in August, 2005 by Chessworks Unlimited using

Chess Assistant and Adobe InDesign.
Typeset using
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The author can be contracted at eric@ericschiller.com. His

website is www.ericschiller.com.
CONTE NTS
OVERVIEW 7
WHAT THE AUTHORITIES SAY 15
C LASSICAL VARIATION 22
BOGOUUBOW VARIATION 63
QUEEN CHECKVARIATION 149
DOU B LE FIANCHETTO VARIATION 156
QUEEN'S INDIAN FORMATION 16 2
QG D FORMATION 204
IRREGULAR DEFENSE 2 16
LENINGRAD DUTCH FORMATION 2 18
I NDEX OF GAMES 2 23
THE RUBINSTEIN ATTACK
OVERVIEW
The Rubinstein Attack is a basic formation for White, with kingside
castling, a bishop at d3, queenside fianchetto and usually knights at f3
and d2. It is known by many names, including: Colle with b3, Modern
Colle, Yusupov-Rubinstein Variation, Rubinstein Opening, Zukertort
Yusupov Opening, Zukertort- Rubinstein Opening, etc. Rubinstein was
clearly the most significant proponent of the opening, and we honor
his contributions by adopting the names Rubinstein Opening and
Rubinstein Attack.
White has several strategies from the basic formation. A stonewall

attack with NeS and f4 is the most common, but there are alternative
strategies involving c2-c4 or e 3 - e4, which can also be quite useful.
Black, on the other hand, has a big menu of defenses to choose

from. Black will, in almost all cases, place a knight at f6, a pawn at e6,
and castle on the kingside. It is the position of the other knight, the
bishops, and the c-pawn that define Black's formation.
A "Classical" position has the bishop at e7, while a " B ogolj ubow"
position has the bishop at d6. A queenside fianchetto by Black is a
" Tartakower" line. When the knight goes to d7, instead of c6 after
the advance of the pawn to cS, then we have a "Modern" line, if
Black fianchettoes at b7, or a "QGD" (Queen's Gambit Declined) line
otherwise. Black can mix and match these ideas.
Let's take a look at some of the most common defensive formations.

BOGOLJUBOW DEFENSE, CLOSED VARIATION
This is Black's most popular choice. The bishop at d6 can support a

fierce battle over control of eS. White usually manages to keep control,
and that is a good thing, because if Black ever advances the pawn safely
from e6 to eS, there is no chance for White to maintain any sort of
advantage.
White will target the kingside, as usual. The knight at f3 will go

to eS, and will be supported by a pawn at f4 or knight at f3 , or both .
Alternatively, White can choose to open a second front on the c-file,
advancing the pawn to c4, and place a rook at c l . Then play on either
or both wings is possible. Central play, aiming for e4, is yet another
option.
If Black does not capture at d4, eventually White can capture at cS

to open up the long diagonal for the bishop at b2.
OVERVIEW
80GOUUBOW DEFENSE, O PEN VARIATION
In the "open'' lines, Black exchanges the c-pawn for White's pawn
at d4 early in the game. After White recaptures with the pawn at e3,
it seems that the bishop at b2 will not be useful. However, there are a
variety of ways of "waking up" that bishop, as you'll see in the games
section. In fact, Black often plays . . . Qe7 and . . . Ba3 to get the bishops
off the board. More promising for Black is the potential attack along the
c- file, and tricks involving . . . Nb4. Overall, however, White's kingside
attack in these lines is promising.
The stonewall attack can be used after Ne5 and f4. Another plan is
a combination of NeS and Nd2 - f3-g5, aiming at both h7 and £7. It isn't
necessary to set up a stonewall to attack. A queen lift Qf3 -h 3 can be
used instead.
CLASSICAL DEFENSE, CLOSED VARIATION
In the Classical variations, Black's bishop takes up a more passive

position at e7. Nevertheless, it is a very solid defense, and Black has the
option of capturing White's knight when it gets to eS, because there will
not be a fork when White recaptures with the d-pawn .
If Black does employ that strategy, White will have a very strong
pawn at e S . This means that Black cannot leave the knight at f6. So, the
pawn at h7 will b e easier to get at. It also means that the bishop at c8
cannot emerge via the c8-h3 diagonal.
White has all the same options as in the Bogolj ubow Variation .
Black, o n t h e other hand, cannot adopt the line that i s considered
Black's best, exchanging the dark- square bishops at a3 with the support
of a queen at e7.
OVERVIEV\1
CLASSICAL DEFENSE, O PEN VARIATION
The open variations are a bit less promising in the Classical lines
than in the Bogolj ubow lines, because the plan of . . . Qe7 and . . . Bd6 is
not available, yet it is often played. It is popular because it eliminates
White's option of opening up the long diagonal with dxcS.
In this line, Black usually hurries to put a rook at c8, a queen at c7,
or both. Then White must be careful ab out allowing Black's knight to
get to b4, so a3 is often part of White's formula. It is also important to
make sure Black's pawn doesn't get to eS safely.
The usual attacking strategies are all available to White. Getting the
d-pawn out of the way is difficult, but it can be achieved in some cases
by a combination ofNeS and c4, sometimes with the knight going to c3
rather than d2. Pressure at dS can build to the point where capturing at
c4 is almsot forced.
CLASSICAL TARTAKOWER VARIATION
The Classical Tartakower is one of the Black's most solid and

respectable plans. Both sides attend to development, and neither
has any noticeable weaknesses. That doesn't mean the play is boring,
however! White usually employs a standard stonewall formation,
taking advantage of the fact that Black can't safely plant a knight at e4,
while the White knight can travel to eS.
B ecause it is difficult for Black to create any threats, White

sometimers plays Rc l , Bb l and Qc2, setting up a powerful battery to
fire at h7. The closed nature of the position allows White to consider
kingside pawn storms, such as marching the g-pawn up the board to
drive away the defending knight on f6.
OVERVIEV\
QGD VARIATION
If the knight goes to d7, instead of c6, we have a defense typical

of the Queen's Gambit Declined. There are significant differences
between the Classical and QGD lines. The bishop at b7 is not blocked
by a knight, so has more control over squares on the long diagonal,
especially e4.
White must constantly consider the potential impact of Black

establishing an outpost at e4. If Black can maintain a knight on that
square, it is almost impossible to attack. On the other hand, White
may be able to capture the knight with a minor piece, and then take
advantage of the superior pawn structure in an endgame.
Opening up the long diagonal by capturing at cS has to be carefully

timed. Black will often recapture with the knight from d7, attacking the
bishop at d3, and, importantly, moving into position to occupy e4.
The QGD Variation can trasnspose to Queen's Indian lines, but

Black is not committed to that plan.
QUEEN'S INDIAN FORMATION
This is an understandably popular variation for Black. The Queen's

Indian is an effective setup when there is no pawn blocking the bishop
at b7, and the pawn at d6 keeps White from making use of the eS
square.
Keep in mind that the Rubinstein Attack is a battle of formations.

Memorizing move sequences is not very important. As you play
through the games in this book, concentrate on the attacking
techniques rather than specific moves. Learn the ideas and apply them
appropriately in your games. Don't expect your opponent to fall for
opening traps, they are very rare. Instead, count on your attack to put
pressure on your opponent. As soon as the opportunity arises, use
one of the typical attacking plans and sacrifices you see in this game
collection. Be careful not to overplay your hand, and be aware of
various annoyances such as . . Nc6
. -b4 when your bishop at d3 can't
retreat. Keep a firm grip on the position, and don't let Black play . . . eS!
WHAT THE AUTHORITIES SA'I
WHAT THE AUTHORITIES SAY

In this chapter I survey some of the opinions of those who have
written on the Rubinstein Attack either from the perspective of a
Black repertoire, or as a neutral "authority': When preparing an
opening, I find it useful to examine literature extolling the merits of the
opponent's position, especially in "repertoire" books and authoritative
reference works. I haven't made any attempt to research all of the
hundreds of books offering advice on how to defend against l . d4,
but have chosen representative works, especially the "alphabet soup"
of BCO (Batsford Chess Openings), ECO (Encyclopedia of Chess
Openings), MCO (Modern Chess Openings), NCO (Nunn's Chess
Openings), SCO (Standard Chess Openings).
1 d4 d5
l ...Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 is often recommended, to avoid the Colle and
Rubinstein attacks. Indeed, although the basic Rubinstein formation
can be used against the Indian games, it is not very effective against the
King's Indian Defense or Gruenfeld Defense, and is not the best way to
confront the Queen's Indian Defense.
2 Nf3 Nf6
2 . . . e6 will have independent significance only if Black is aiming to
set up a Dutch Defense.
2 . . . g6 is a relatively rare move order, inviting transposition to the

Gruenfeld Defense or the Smyslov Variation of the Queen's Gambit
Accepted.
2 . . . cS will transpose below in most cases.
2 ... Nc6 invites a transposition to the Chigorin Defense, but White

can play 3.e3 and then BbS, later taking control of eS and planting a
knight there.
3.e3
White can play the first few moves in any order, but the "canonical"
order is most likely to lead to the desired positions.
3 e6
3 . . . c5 and now:
4.Bd3 Nc6 5 .0-0 is a move order not discussed by Kaufman.
4.b3 cxd4 S . exd4 Nc6 6 . Bb2 Bg4 7.Be2 Bxf3 8 . Bxf3 g6 9 .0-0 Bg7
1 0 . c4 0-0 Kaufman: " The pressure on d4, the extra center pawn, and
the problem of how to develop the White knight compensate for the
bishop pair:'
4.Nbd2 cxd4 S . exd4 Nc6 is given by Kaufman but he doesn't

consider 6 . Bb5! ?
3 . . . Bg4 4.c4 e6 S . Qb3! ? Bxf3 6.gxf3 Nbd7 7.Nc3 Not mentioned

by Drasko & Jovicic. {7. Qxb7 Rb8 8 . Qxa7 Bb4+ 9.Nc3 Nb6 Drasko &
Jovicic: with compensation) 7 . . . dxc4 8 . Qxb7 Nb6 9 . Bxc4 Nxc4 1 0. Qc6+
Qd7 l l . Qxa8+ Qd8 1 2. Qxd8+ Kxd8. Here I claimed that White is
clearly better (Hellmann vs. Volk) .
3 . . . g6 sets up a good anti-Colle, so White should switch gears with

4.c4 Bg7 S.Nc3, transposing to the Gruenfeld, Reversed Tarrasch [D94].
4 Bd3
4 c5
This is the consensus choice, far and away the most popular
approach.
4 . . . Bd6 5 .0-0 0-0 6.b3 c6 7.Bb2 Nbd7 The S emi- Slav Variation,
a rare visitor because White owns the e5- square. Therefore sooner or
later Black is bound to play . . . c5 to get counterplay, losing a valuable
tempo. I know of no authority recommending it for Black. White can
transpose to the Nbd2/b3 variation of the Semi-Slav, but I think that
the stonewall attack is the right way to play.
4 . . . b6 5 .0-0 Bb7 6.c4 transposes to the Spassky Variation of the

Queen's Indian Defense.
5 b3
Agaard & Lund: only discuss c3 .
5 Nc6
5 . . . Qa5+ 6.c3 is considered a little better for White. After castling,
the pawn can later advance to c4. Black sometimes places this knight at
d7, but that does not seem to have a strong following.
6 Bb2
6 Bd6
The Bogoljubow Defense. It is generally agreed that the bishop
should go to this square. DeFirmian (MCO 14) disagrees.
6 . . . Be7 is the Classical Defense 7.0-0 b6 (7 . . . 0-0 8.Nbd2 b6 9 . c4

(9.Ne5 Bb7 10 .f4 Rc8 is equal, according to MCO 14) 9 . . . Bb7 (Classical
Tartakower Variation) 10. Rc l Rc8 11.Qe2 Rc7 12 . Rfd1 dxc4 13.bxc4
Qa8 is considered equal in MCO 14 (Olesen vs. Ashley)) 8 . Nbd2 Bb7
9.Qe2 0-0 SCO 2 (Filatov vs, Mayer)
7 0-0 0-0
8 Nbd2
8 . a3 is preferred by Kasparov. 8 . . . b6 (8 . . . Qc7 9 . c4 (9 .Ne5 and
according to Kasparov, White retains some initiative.) 9 . . . cxd4 1 0 .exd4
e5 11.dxe5 Nxe5 1 2 .Nxe5 Bxe5 13 .Bxe5 QxeS 14.Nd2 Bg4 1 5. Re 1 Qc7
16 .Qc2 dxc4 is evaluated as even in NCO (Kurajica vs . Razuvayev))
9.Ne5 Bb7 1 0.Nd2 a6! l l . f4 bS 1 2 . dxc5 BxcS with an unclear position

according to BCO 1 (Dus Chotimirsky vs. Nimzowitsch) ,
8 Qe7
8 . . . b6 followed by . . . Bb7 is a Modern Tartakower variation.
9 Ne5 cxd4
9 . . . Rd8 1 0.a3 Nd7 l l .f4 is given in SCO 2: "with a promising attack
for White" (Fries Nielsen vs. Hellsten)
10 exd4
10 Ba3
11 Bxa3
l l . Q c l Bxb2 1 2 . Qxb2 Bd7 is evaluated by Kasparov as equal. 1 3 .a3
Qd6 1 4 . Rae l a6 1 5.f4 Ne7
BCO 2: unclear (Lobron vs. Georgiev) 1 6 .g4 BbS 1 7 .c4 dxc4

1 8 .bxc4 Bc6 1 9 . Re3 Rad8 20.Rh3 Ng6
ECO 3: unclear (citing same game) .
11 Qxa3
12 c3!?
Not mentioned by Kasparov. This is, however, the true main line of
the Rubinstein opening.
1 2 .Ndf3 Bd7 1 3 .Nxc6 Bxc6 1 4 . Qd2 ( 1 4.Qc l ! Qb4 1 5 . Qd2 Qb6

1 6.Ne5-Alekhine.) 14 . . . Rac8 is better for Black, according to NCO
(B ogoljubow vs. Capablanca) .
12 Nxe5
1 2 . . . Bd7 1 3 .f4 with attacking chances in MCO 1 4 (Hoi vs.
Danielsen) . See also Danner vs . B eim.
12 . . . Qd6 1 3 .f4 Bd7 See discussion in Danner vs. B eim.
13 dxe5 Nd7
14 Qh5 g6
15 Qg5 Qb2
NCO says the position is unclear (unattributed, but the game is
Fuentes vs. Rey Ardid)
Two other Black moves have been recommended:
1 5 . . . h6 (Jovanic vs. Podlesnik) 1 6. Qxh6 Chess Assistant: White has

a tiny advantage.
l S . . . QaS and other queen moves see notes to Danner vs. B eim.
This is just a sampling of the recommendations for Black, but as

you can see, Black rarely achieves full equality, and that is the most
Black can hope for in the opening.
Now we turn to the actual games of the Rubinstein Attack. In each

game you will see the themes we have discussed, with specific tactical
and strategic devices that you can use in your games.
CLASSICAL VARIATION
BLACKBURN£ VS . MINCKWITZ
I NTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT , BERLIN, 188 1
CLASSICAL TARTAKOWER (005]
THE FIRST GAME USING THE RUBINSTEIN FORMATION
1 e3 d5
2 Nf3 Nf6
3 b3 e6
4 Bb2 Be7
5 d4 c5
6 Bd3 Nc6
7 0-0 0-0
This i s the very first game I've located using the formation that
typically arises in Rubinstein's opening. This example maneuvered
through a number of different openings before reaching the Rubinstein
Attack position .
8 Rel
This move would now be considered a little inconsistent with
the general plan that has come to be associated with the opening.
Normally, the rook stays in place to emerge only after the knight has
moved to eS and the pawn has advanced to f4.
8 b6
9 Nbd2
9 .c4 would be a more modern approach.
9 Bb7
We have now reached a Tartakower Defense.
CLASSICAL VARIATION
10 Ne5 ReS
11 Ndf3
ll.a3 NxeS 1 2 . dxe5 Nd7 1 3 .c4 Qc7 1 4 . cxd5 BxdS 1 5 . f4 Rfd8 1 6.Qc2
gave White a small advantage over a century later, in Grabowski vs.
Kruszynski, 1 987.
11 Nd7
12 Nxd7 Qxd7
13 dxc5 bxc5
14 c4 Qc7
White could capture at dS right away and force Black to accept
hanging pawns. There is no need to do this right away, however, and
instead White chooses a move which puts a little more pressure on the
center and makes Black's queen a bit nervous.
15 Rc1 !? dxc4
Black avoids the hanging pawns, but the pawn at cS is crippled.
16 Rxc4 f5
17 Qa1
This maneuver later became associated with the Reti Opening, but
is quite rare in the Rubinstein.
17 Bd6
18 Rh4 Qe7
19 Rh5 Nb4
20 Bxg7?!
Flashy, but a bit optimistic.
20.Bb l Bxf3 2 l .gxf3 g6 should be solid enough, but White could

decide to dangle the rook. 2 2 . Kh l ! ? since 22 . . . gxh5? 2 3 . Rg l + K£7

24.Rg7+ Ke8 25.Rxe7+ Kxe7 26.a3 Nc6 2 7 . Bc2 should be a bit better for
White.
20 Qxg7
21 Rg5 Qxg5
22 Nxg5 Nxd3
Black has a rook and two bishops for the queen and pawn. White's
pieces are passive, and Black's king is not in any danger. Blackburne has
overplayed the position.
23 Rdl Be5
24 Qbl Nb4?
24 . . . Nb2! 25. Rd2 Rfd8! as the correct plan. White's back rank is
weak. 2 6 . Rxb2 ? {26. Q c l c4! 27 .bxc4 RdS! is an amazing resource for
Black. The pin on the pawn at c4 is excruciating. {27 . . . Rxd2 2 8 . Qxd2
Nxc4 29. Qd7 works out better for White.) 2 8 . f4 Rxc4! The point! This
plan wouldn't have worked with the rook still at d8, because then it
would be captured with check.) 26 . . . Bxb2 2 7 . Qxb2 ? Rd l #
25 Rd7 Rc7!
25 . . . Bc6 26.Qd l ! Bxd7 27.Qxd7 forces 27 . . . Bg7 2 8 . Qxe6+ Kh8
29.Nf7+ Rx£7 30. Qxc8+ Rf8 3 1 . Qxc5 Nxa2 3 2 . Qxa7 Nb4 3 3 . Qa5. White
is better, and will eventually get some pawns moving. Black will have to
defend the f-pawn and the king with the pieces.
26 Qdl Nd5!
Now the rooks come off. You'd think that White isn't going to be
able to get any sort of attack going with j ust a queen and a knight to
olav with. Not so!
CLASSICAL VARIATION
27 Rxc7 Bxc7
28 Nxe6 Rf7
29 Qh5!
29.Nxc7 Rxc7 30.Qh 5 Rf7 Black will transfer the knight to e4 via c3.
The queen will be no match for the rook, bishop and knight, despite the
extra pawns.
29 Bb6
30 e4!?
30 .Ng5 ? Rg7 3 1 .Ne6 Rxg2+! 3 2 . Kxg2 Nf4+ 3 3 . Kfl Nxh530.g4! ?
might have been stronger, but using the e-pawn doesn't expose White's
king to any later tricks on the g- file.
30 Nf6
30 . . . fxe4 3 1 . Qg5+ Kh8 3 2 . Qe5+ Nf6 3 3 . g4! h6 34.h4 is also a bit
awkward for Black.
30 . . . Nc3 3 1 . exf5 is likewise miserable.
31 Qg5+ Kh8
32 exf5
White's pieces are perfectly placed! Black chases the queen away.
32 Nd7
33 Qh5 Re7
34 Qh4 Rf7
35 Qg3! Bc6
36 Qd6 Bb5
37 g4!
Black's pieces are mostly on the queenside, so the pawns are
effective attackers on the kingside.
37 Kg8
38 a4
38 Ba6
This drops a piece, but Black was doomed anyway.
3 8 . . . B e2 39.Ng5 Rg7 40.Qe6+ Kh8 41.Nf7+.
39 a5 Bxa5
40 Qxa6 Bb6
CLASSICAL VARIATION
41 Qc8+ Nf8
42 Kg2
Black resigned.
JANOWSKI VS . JAFFE
MATCH , NEW YORK , 1917
CLASSICAL TARTAKOWER [0 05]
KNIGHTLESS MIDDLEGAME, QUEENSIDE STRATEGY
1 d4 d5
2 Nf3 Nf6
3 e3 c5
4 b3 e6
5 Bb2 Nc6
6 Bd3 Be7
7 0-0 0-0
8 Nbd2 b6
9 Ne5 Bb7
10 f4 Nb4
11 Be2 Ne4
Normally, getting the knight to e4 when there is a bishop at b7
and pawn at dS is a good strategy. But ti doesn't combine well with the
... Nb4 plan. With no bishop at d3, White can afford to capture and then
set up a queenside majority. In this game, that is all that is needed to
provide the groundwork for a victorious queenside strategy.
12 a3! Nc6
13 Nxe4 dxe4
14 Nxc6 Bxc6
As a result of the exchanges, Black is left with a bad p awn structure
and a bad light square bishop. White's strategy is now to establish a
queenside majority.
15 Qd2 Bf6
CLASSICAL VARIATION
16 c4!
White is not really threatening to play dS. The point of this move
is to defend the bishop at b2 so that the capture can be made at cS,
establishing the queen side pawn majority.
16 Qe7
17 dxc5 Bxb2
18 Qxb2 Qxc5
19 Qc3 Rfd8
20 b4
Now it is just a matter of exploiting the queen side of majority by
advancing until a pawn can be promoted to a queen.
20 Qe7
21 Rfd 1 Rxd1 +
22 Rxd 1 Rd8
Black does not really benefit from the exchange of rooks, but White
cannot be allowed complete control of the d-file.
23 Rd4!
23 f6
24 g3
This move really isn't necessary, but White wants to prepare
everything before launching a final assault on the queen side.
24 Kf8
25 b5 Bb7
26 c5!
White is simply winning now.
26 bxc5
27 Rxd8+ Qxd8
28 Qxc5+ Kg8
29 Qxa7 Qc8
30 a4 Qcl +
31 Kf2 Bd5
32 Qe7 h6
CLASSICAL VARIATION
33 Qe8+ Kh7
34 Bh5
White will arrange a checkmate on the kingside. Black tosses a few
spite checks before resigning.
34 Qd2+
35 Kgl Qxe3+
36 Kg2 Qe2+
37 Bxe2
Black resigned.
GUIMARD VS . LUNDIN
I NTERNATIO NAL TOURNA M ENT , GRONING E N , 1946
CLASSICAL TARTAKOWER [005]
BLACK PLAYS STRONG DEFENSE
1 d4 d5
2 Nf3 e6
3 e3 Nf6
4 Bd3 c5
5 0 - 0 Nbd7
6 Nbd2 Be7
6 . . . c4! ? 7.Be2 bS 8.Ne5 Qc7 9 . f4 is likely to give White a strong
kingside attack which makes any Black queenside progress irrelevant.
7 b3! 0-0
8 Bb2 b6
9 Ne5 Bb7
10 f4?!
The problem with the stonewall formation against this setup is that
Black can fully supp ort a knight at e4, and there is no f3 move to kick it
out. If the Black knight is at c6, blocking the bishop, this isn't such a big
deal.
1 0 . Qf3! ? is an interesting move, and I think it is superior to the f4-

plan. 1 0 . . . Rc8 1 1 . Qh3 Ne4 1 2 . f3! ? NgS ( 1 2 . . . Nxe5! ? 1 3 . dxe5 NgS 1 4 . Qg4
fS 1 5.Qg3 ( 1 5.exf6 Bxf6 1 6 .Bxf6 Qxf6 is murky.) 15 . . . b5! 1 6.Be2 Qb6
1 7. a4 a6 was about even in Antoshin vs. Johannsson, Reykjavik 1 976.)
1 3 .Qg3 f6 1 4.Nxd7 Qxd7 1 5. Rad 1 bS 1 6. dxc5 BxcS 1 7. f4 B d6 1 8 . Qg4
Ne4 1 9 .Nxe4 dxe4 20. Bxb5 QxbS 2 1 . Qxe6+ Kh8 22. Qxd6 Qe2 2 3 . Rf2
Black resigned, Kovacevic vs. Nickoloff, Toronto 1 990.
CLASSICAL VARIATION
10 Ne4!?
11 Qe2
l l . Rf3 Ndf6 1 2 . Rh3 g6 1 3 .Ndf3 Nd7 1 4.Ng4 hS l S .NgeS Bf6 1 6 .g4
NxeS 1 7. dxe5 hxg4 1 8 . exf6 gxh3 led to a winning position for Black
in Chrominski vs. B aran, Lodz 1 996, though the game was eventually
drawn.
11 ReS
12 Nxe4 dxe4
13 Bb5 Nxe5
14 dxe5 Qe7
15 f5!?
This seems the b est way of carrying out the attack.
15 exf5
16 Be4!
An important intermezzo. The pawn at fS can be recaptured later.
16 RxfS would have been countered by 1 6 . . . Bd5!
16 RedS
1 6 . . . g6 invites a fierce attack 1 7.g4! fxg4 1 8 . Qxg4 RedS 1 9 . Rad l !
Rxd l 20.Qxd l Qd8? (20 . . . Qc6! 2 1 .a4 t o stop . . . b S . White i s now ready
to advance the e-pawn and unleash the power of the bishop at b2.)
2 1 . Qxd8 Bxd8 22. e6!
17 Rxf5 Bd5!
Lundin gets rid of White's powerful bishop.
1S Bxd5 Rxd5
19 Qg4 g6
20 Rf2 Qc6
21 Rafl
White is doing his best to attack, but f7 simply isn't weak enough to
allow any breakthrough, as long as Black is careful.
21 Qe6!
The pawn at e4 falls, but without a light square bishop it is just a
weakness. White's pawn at eS will be captured in return.
22 Qxe4 f6
23 h3 fxe5
24 Rxf8+ Bxf8
25 c4!
This invites Black's rook to infiltrate the 7th rank, but it picks off the
e-pawn.
25 Rd2
26 Bc3!
26.Qxe5 QxeS 27.Bxe5 Rxa2 2 8 .Rf2 Ra3! is a bit better for Black.
26 Rd8
26 . . . Rxa2 ? falls into a trap. 27. Qa8! Qe7 2 8 . Q d5+! Kg7 29.Bxe5+
Kh6 30.Rf7!
Both rooks on the seventh, but White's is a juggernaut.
27 Qxe5 Qxe5
28 Bxe5 Bh6!
Black has correctly evaluated the coming rook endgame as drawn.
CLASSICAL VARIATION
29 Bf4 Bxf4
30 exf4 Rd2
31 Rf2 Rdl+
32 Kh2 Rd3
33 g3?
This throws away any hope of obtaining a winning position . 3 3 . Rf3
Rx:f3 ! 34.gxf3 is a drawn king and pawn endgame.
33 a5!
Black is going to advance the a-pawn and break up White's
queenside.
34 Rb2 Kf7!
34 . . . a4? 3 5 .bxa4 Ra3 3 6 . Kg2 Rx:a4 3 7 . Kf3 keeps some chances. 3 7 . . .
Rx:c4 3 8 . Rx:b6 Ra4 3 9 . Rb8+ K f7 40 .Rb7+ Kg8 4 l . Rc7 Rx:a2 42 . Rx:c5
Ra3+ 43. Kg4 and there are still some ways for Black to go wrong,
b ecause the king is on the back rank and White's is active.
35 Kg2 Kf6
36 Rf2 h5
36 . . . a4 ! ? 37.bxa4 Ra3 3 8 . g4 ! ? (3 8 . Rb2 KfS ! ) 38 . . . Rx:a4 3 9 . Rb2 Rx:c4
40 . Rx:b6+ should end in a draw.
37 f5 gxf5
38 g4 hxg4
39 hxg4
39 f4!
40 Rxf4+ Kg5
41 Rf3
Agreed drawn.
CLASSICAL VARIATION
GUIMARD V S. SANGUIN ETTI

INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT , MAR DEL PLATA , 1948
CLASSICAL: CLOSED � TARTAKOWER (005]
USING THE G-PAWN TO ATTACK
1 d4 Nf6
2 Nf3 e6
3 e3 d5
4 Bd3 Be7
5 Nbd2 0-0
6 b3 c5
7 Bb2 Nc6
8 0-0 Qc7
9 c4
Since the Black queen is on the c-file, it makes sense to open it up.
9 Nb4
10 Bb1 b6
11 a3 Nc6
12 Bd3 Bb7
13 cxd5 exd5
14 Rc1 Qd6
15 Ne5
White has an excellent attacking position. Black has no counterplay
at all. Black would be better off with the knight at d7 instead of c6.
15 cxd4
16 exd4 Rfd8
I don't understand why the rook went here, since the e- file seems
more relevant.
17 Re1
White uses a rook lift on the e- file.
1 7.Qe2 would have kept open the possibility of attack with f4.
17 Bf8
18 Re3 Ne7
19 Ndf3 h6
20 Nd2
White has provoked a small weakness. The loss of time does not
seem important, given the passive positions of Black's pieces.
20 Rac8
21 Rxc8 Bxc8
Black's position looks solid, but it is very passive.
2 1 . . . Rxc8 grabs the c- file but 22 .b4 is strong. The pawn threatens to
advance to bS, so Black probably has nothing b etter than 22 . . . a6 2 3 . Qe2
g6 24.Rh3 ! (24.Bxa6 Bxa6 2 5 . Qxa6 Rc2 ! 26.Bc3 Ne4 is better for Black.)
24 . . . Bg7 2 5 . f4 gives White a strong attack.
CLASSICAL VARIATION
22 g4!?
White takes control of fS, and also prepares to crack open Black's
king fortress. The queenside is irrelevant now. White can afford to
weaken the protection of his own king, as many of his pieces are in a
position to provide defense should it prove necessary.
22 Bb7
23 g5!
A strong pawn sacrifice.
23 hxg5
24 Ndf3
24.Rg3 g6 2 5 . Rxg5 Bh6 ! 26.Rg2 Ne4 27.Nfl was another way of
handling the position, more conservative but still with great potential.
24 Ne4!?
24 . . . Nd7 leaves f7 vulnerable. 2 5 . Nxf7 ! Kx£7 26.Nxg5+ Kg8 27.Bh7+
Kh8 2 8 . Nf7+ Kxh7 29.Nxd6
24 . . . Bc6 2 5 . Nxg5 Be8 2 6 . Rh3 ! g6 allows the elegant 2 7 . Rh8+!
25 Bxe4 dxe4
26 Nxg5 Bd5
Now f7 is safe, right? Not really!
27 Rh3 g6
Or 27 . . . f5 28 Rh8+! Kxh8 29 Qh5+! Qh6 30 Ngf7+ Kg8 3 1 Nxh6+
gxh6 32 B e l ! and the kingside weakensses prove fatal.
28 Rh8+! Kg7
28 . . . Kxh8 29.Ngxf7+ Bxf7 3 0 .Nxf7+ Kg8 3 l .Nxd6 Rxd6 3 2 . Qc2 Re6
3 3 . Qc4! Kf7 34.a4 and Black is helpless.
29 Qg4 Qf6
30 Nexf7! Bxf7
31 Rh7+ Kg8
32 Rxf7 Qxg5
33 Rxf8+!
Bl ack resigned.
CLASSICAL VARIATION
SCHILLER VS . TOMOSVARY
DOS HERMANAS QUALIFIER, I C C, 2002
CLASSICAL VARIATION: CLOSED (005)
EXPLOITING THE HOLE AT G7
1 d4 Nf6
2 Nf3 d5
3 e3 e6
4 Bd3 Be7
5 0-0 0-0
6 b3 c5
7 Bb2 Nbd7
8 Nbd2 a6
The plan with . . . a6 and . . . bS has not proven effective against the
Rubinstein .
9 Ne5 Nxe5
9 . . Qc7 makes more sense.
.
10 dxe5 Nd7
11 f4 b5
12 Qh5!?
12 .c3 could be played, but the attack can be launched immediately,
so why not?
12 g6
This creates dark square weaknesses that cause Black serious
problems later.
13 Qf3
13 . Qh3! ? is more straightforward. I just wanted to set a tactical trap.
13 Bb7
1 3 . . . c4 was what I was hoping for, but it turns out 14.bxc4 bxc4
15.Bxc4 dxc4 1 6. Qxa8 was a lousy idea in any case, b ecause of 1 6 . . . Qc7,
threatening to trap the queen or fork my minor pieces. After 1 7. Qe4 c3 .
Black is clearly better.
14 Rad1
A useful move, taking distant aim at the Black queen.
14 Qc7
15 Be2
Since Black is going to play . . . c4 anyway, this move increases
White's options.
15 c4
16 bxc4 dxc4
17 e4!
This central advance takes control of the important c3- square.
17 Nc5
1 7 . . . Bc5+ 1 8 . Kh l Rfd8 was more natural. Objectively, Black has
a better position but a kingside attack is still possible, even if it takes
some time.
18 Bd4 Rad8
1 8 . . . Rfd8 is more logical, since the other rook may be useful on one
of the queenside files.
19 Qe3 Na4
20 Kh1 Bc5
21 c3 Rfe8
CLASSICAL VARIATION
2 l . . .Bxd4 2 2 . cxd4 Qb6! 2 3 . Nb l fS! ? 24.exf6 Rxf6 would have given

Black an advantage. 2 5 . e 5 Rf7 26.Nc3 Nxc3 2 7 . Qxc3 Rfd7 2 8 .Bg4
might be the best White can do. Still, Black's passed pawns are
impressive.
22 Nf3 a5
23 f5!?
The best practical chances is to just keep attacking. When things go
wrong in the Rubinstein, attack, not defense, is usually the b est plan.
The assault may fail if the opponent defends precisely, but that is never
easy at the chessboard.
23 exf5
24 exf5 Bxd4
24 . . . Bf8! is the correct defense, though the White attack continues.
2 5 . e6! Bxf3 26.Bxf3 fxe6 27.fxg6! hxg6 2 8 . Qg5 Bg7 29.Bxg7 Rxd l
3 0 . Rxd l Kxg7 3 1 . Qxb5!
wins. I don't know if I would have spotted that in the game, but the
attack looks promising enough.
25 cxd4
25 Nb6?
25 . . .f6should have been played. After 26.Rb l Qc6 27.fxg6 hxg6
2 8 . Qh6! White is in any case much better. Black's knight at a4 is way
offside, and there is no time to get it to c3. 2 8 . . . Rd7 2 9 . d5! Qc8 30. exf6!
Rxe2 3 1 . Qxg6+ Kf8 3 2 . Nd4!
and Black can hang it up, since the rook at e2 must go.
26 Qh6! Bxf3
26 . . . gxf5 27 .Ng5 f6 2 8 . exf6 Bxg2+ 2 9 . Kgl! The threat of advancing

the pawn to f7 is decisive. Remember, at the moment White is only
down a pawn! 29 . . . Bd5 30. Bh5 Rf8 3 1 .£7+ Rxf7 3 2 .Bxf7+ Qxf7 3 3 . Nxf7
Bxf7 34.Qg5+!
27 f6
Black resigned
CLASSICAL VARIATION
ZUKERTORT VS . BLACKBURN E
I NTERNATIONAL TOURNAM ENT , LONDON , 1883
CLASSICAL VARIATION: O PEN (005]
THE FIRST FAMOUS GAME
1 d4 e6
2 Nf3 Nf6
3 e3 d5
4 Bd3 Be7
5 0-0 0-0
6 b3 c5
7 Bb2 Nc6
It is interesting that this game is sometimes cited as j ustifying
Zukertort as father of this opening. It is even said that the use of the
plan by White was a surprise for Blackburne. However, Blackburne
actually played the system as White years earlier! This exact position
was seen in Blackburne vs. Minckwitz !
8 Nbd2 cxd4
9 exd4 b6
10 c4!?
1 0 . a3 Bb7 1 1 .Qe2 is frequently seen.
1 O.NeS Bb7 1l.f4 The Stonewall attack doesn't quite work here.
1 l. . .Nb4! 1 2 . B e2 Ne4 1 3 .a3 Na6 1 4.f5 Nc7 1 5. fxe6 Nxe6 1 6.Nxe4 dxe4
worked out well for Black in Huj o vs. Marinic, 200 1 .
10 Ba6
Clearly the battle will take place at c4.
11 Re 1 ReS
12 Rc1 Na5
The knight seems safe enough on the edge of the board, and it helps
in the battle for c4. But the knight will eventually fall, without ever
moving again.
13 Ne5
The pawn is defended 5 ways, and attacked only 4. Black must also
consider a possible advance to cS, where an exchange of pawns might
unleash the power of the bishop at b2.
13 Bb4
1 3 . . . dxc4 14.bxc4 brings about a typical hanging pawn position
which is not easy to evaluate. However, as long as White controls both
bS and eS, there surely must be some advantage here.
14 c5!?
White bets that the queenside pawn maj ority will prevail. Black
lacks counterply while White controls eS. That's not likely to change!
14 Bxd3
15 Nxd3 Bxd2
16 Qxd2
It is useful to get rid of White's knight at d2, which might otherwise
get to f3 and add even more control of eS.
16 Ne4
17 Qe3 ReS
Black hopes to someday advance the pawn to eS .
CLASSICAL VARIATION
18 f3
White can afford to weaken the a7-gl diagonal because there is no
way for Black to take advantage of it now that the dark square bishop is
off the board.
18 Nf6
19 Rc2 Nd7
20 Reel
White has so much force lined up on the c-file that Black might as
well exchange.
20 bxc5
21 dxc5 NbS
Black wants to blockade the pawn at c6 and perhaps get the d
pawn moving. White has a 3 on 1 queenside adcantage, and that proves
overpowering.
22 Ne5 f6
23 c6!
23 Rc7
23 . . . fxe5 loses to 24.c7 Rxc7 25.Rxc7 Nac6 26. Bxe5! NxeS 27. Qxe5
24 Qd2!
The knight at aS has nowhere to run.
24 fxe5
25 Qxa5 Qc8
The e- pawn is doomed.
26 Bxe5 Rf7
27 Bxb8 Qxb8
28 c7 Qc8
29 Qxa7
Black could have resigned here, there is no hope at all.
29 e5
30 ReS e4
31 Rb5 Rff8
32 Rb8 Qd7
33 Rxe8 Rxe8
34 Qa4!
CLASSICAL VARIATION
34 Qxa4
Or 34 . . . Qc8 3 5 . Qxe8+ Qxe8 3 6 . c8=Q.
35 bxa4 ReS
36 fxe4 dxe4
37 Kf2 Kf7
38 Ke3 Ke6
39 Kxe4 g6
40 Rc6+ Kd7
41 Kd5
Black resigned.
A fine strategic game from Zukertort.
SCHLECHTER VS . BURN
INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT , 0STEND (BELGIU M) , 1907
CLASSICAL VARIATION: CLOSED -7 OPEN [005)
SACRIFICING A CENTRAL PAWN FOR A FLANK ATTACK
1 d4 d5
2 Nf3 c5
3 e3 e6
4 Bd3 Nc6
5 b3 Nf6
6 0-0 Be7
7 Nbd2 0-0
8 Bb2 Bd7
This is not a particularly useful post for the bishop.
9 c4 ReS
10 Rc 1 cxd4
11 exd4 Bd6
12 g3 Ne7
1 2 . . . dxc4 1 3 .bxc4 Nb4 1 4. Bb l bS ! provides more counterplay for
Black.
13 c5!
Schlechter intends to take advantage of the queenside pawn
maj ority.
13 Bb8
14 b4 Qe8
15 Re 1 a6
16 Bc2 Bc6
CLASSICAL VARIATION
The poor bishop resembles an oversized pawn . Black's play is very

passive.
17 Ne5 Bxe5
18 dxe5 Nd7
19 Nf3
1 9 .f4 might have been played first, but the key idea is to get the
knight to the strong post at d4.
19 Ng6
20 a4 b6
21 Nd4!
A pawn sacrifice that has been well calculated. Black is going to
have problems on both sides of the board.
21 bxc5
22 bxc5 Ndxe5
23 f4
2 3 . Nxe6 Qxe6 24. Bxg6 Qxg6 2 5 . Bxe5 would have been rather
drawish.
23 Nc4
24 Ba1 Qd8
25 Qh5 Qa5
26 f5!
This opens up the f-file, which will pave the way to Black's
destruction.
26 exf5
27 Nxf5 Rfe8
28 Rfl f6
29 Bd4!
This puts an end to any ideas Black might have had of opening up
the firing line of the bishop at c6 by advancing the d-pawn.
29 Re5?
There was no need for such a desp erate act.
29 . . . Qd2 was correct, with the idea of sliding the queen to e2 in an

attempt to get the ladies off the board. 3 0 . Rfd l Qe2, but after 3 1 .Nh6+!
gxh6 3 2 . Bxg6 QxhS 3 3 . Bxh5 Black still has a miserable position.
30 Bxe5 fxe5
31 Ne7+
Bl ack resigned
CLASSICAL VARIATION
A possible conclusion was 3 1 . . .Nxe7 3 2 . Qxh7# or 3 1 . . . Kh8

32.Nxg6+ Kg8 3 3 .Ne7+ Kh8 34.Qxh7#
R U B I N STEIN VS. FLAMB ERG

QUADRANGULAR TOURNAMENT , LODZ , 1906
CLASSICAL VARIATION: OPEN [005]
CREATING AND EX PLOITING A WEAKNESS AT C6
1 d4 d5
2 Nf3 Nf6
3 e3 e6
4 Bd3 c5
5 b3 Nc6
6 0-0 cxd4
7 exd4 Be7
8 Bb2 0-0
9 Nbd2 Qb6
The queen usually prefers to seat herself at c7 in this line, since eS is
a maj or focal point of the battle.
10 Re1 Bd7
11 c4 dxc4
12 Nxc4 Qc7
13 Rc1 Qf4?
This is much too ambitious. 1 3 . . . Rac8 1 4 .Nfe5 Nb4 1 5.Nxd7 Qxd7
1 6 .Bb l looks a smidgen better for White.
14 Nce5 Rfd8
15 g3
1 5. Rc4 might have been stronger. The move would take advantage
of the misplaced Black queen.
15 Qh6
CLASSICAL VARIATION
16 Nxd7 Rxd7
17 Bb5 Rc7
18 Bxc6 bxc6
19 Ne5
The knight takes up the strong post, and Black has no
compensation for the weakness at c6.
19 Rac8
1 9 . . . c5 20. Qf3 Rac8 was safer, but even so, White's position is
preferable.
20 Bc3 Bd6
21 Ba5 Bxe5
22 dxe5 Rd7
23 Qe2 Nd5
24 Qa6 Ne7
25 Bb4?
A rare positional error by Rubinstein. It was time to confront Black
on the d-file.
2 5 . Rcd l Rxd l 2 6 . Rxd l would have left Black in a miserable

position.
25 c5!
26 Rxc5?!
26. Qa4 ! would have secured a greater advantage.
26 Rxc5
27 Bxc5 Qd2!
Black has gotten some counterplay in return for the pawn.
28 Qe2 Qc3?
28 . Nf5 was the only move to keep Black in the game.
. .
29 Bxe7! Rxe7
30 Rd1
Black no longer has anything to show for the pawn.
30 g6
31 Qd2 Qc6
32 Qd8+ ReS
33 Qd7 Qa8
34 b4 Kg7
35 Rc1 Rd8
36 Qc6 Rd1+
37 Kg2 Qd8
38 Rxd 1 Qxd1
39 Qc4 Qe1
40 Qd4 Qe2
41 a4 a6
42 h3 h5
43 h4 Kh7
44 Kh2
44.Qc3 is perhaps more accurate, threatening Qf3 .
44 Kg7
45 Kg2 Kh7
46 Qc5 Kg7
47 Kh2 Qa2
48 aS
CLASSICAL VARIATION
48.b5 Qxa4 49.b6 Qe4 !
48 Qe2
49 Q a7
49.Qd4 ! would have kept the queen centralized and provided
greater winning chances.
49 Qc4
50 Qb7 Qfl
51 Qb6 Qe2
52 Qc5 Kh7
53 Qd4 Kg7
54 Kg2 Kh7
55 Qf4 Kg7
56 Qf6+ Kg8
57 Qf3 Qb5
58 Qe4 Kg7
59 Kgl Kh7
60 Qd4 Kg7
61 Qb6!
The best chance to play for a win.
61 Qxe5
62 Qb7 Qel+
63 Kg2 e5
64 b5 e4
65 bx a6 e3
66 Qb2+!
The check secures the pawn at f2 .
66 Kh7
67 fxe3
67. Qa2 ! threatens f7 and causes more problems. 67 . . . e2 68. Qxf7+
Kh8 69. Qf8+ Kh7 70.Qe7+ Kh8 7 1 . Qf6+ Kh7 72.Kf3 ! White threatens
Qe7+, picking off the e-pawn. Black would have had to try for
perpetual check . . 72 . . . Qhl+ 73 . Kxe2 Qe4+ 74. Kd2 QdS+ 75. Kc3 QxaS+
76.Kc4
67 Qxa5
68 Qb7 Qa2+
69 Kf3 Qc4
70 e4 Qd3+=
71 Kf4 Qd6+
72 e5 Qd4+
73 Qe4 Qf2+
74 Qf3 Qd4+
75 Qe4 Qf2+
Agreed drawn.
CLASSICAL VARIATION
JUSSUPOW VS . SPIRIDONOV
EUROPEAN TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP, PLOVDIV, 1983
CLASSICAL: CLOSED (005]
EXCHANGE SAC AT F6
1 d4 Nf6
2 Nf3 e6
3 e3 c5
4 Bd3 d5
5 b3 Nc6
6 Bb2 Be7
7 0-0 0-0
8 Nbd2 b6
9 Ne5 Nb4
10 Be2 Bb7
11 f4 Ne4
12 Nxe4 dxe4
13 a3 Nd5
A new move after 66 years ! 1 3 . . . Nc6 1 4. Nxc6 Bxc6 1 5 . Qd2 Bf6 1 6 . c4
Qe7 1 7. dxc5 Bxb2 1 8 . Qxb2 QxcS see Janowski vs. Jaffe.
14 Qd2 ReS
15 c4 Nf6
16 Rad1
The position is about even, but it is hard to find a good plan for
Black. Perhaps capturing on d4 makes sense, but that does give White a
free hand on the queenside.
16 Bd6
17 dxc5 Bxc5
18 Qc3 Qe7
Black is threatening White's weak pawn at a3 . However, White has
no particular interest in the queen side at this time. Even if Black does
gobble the pawn, White can j ust moved a rook to a l and pick off the
pawn at a7.
19 f5!
Time to start smashing things!
19 exf5
20 Rxf5 Bxa3
21 Bxa3 Qxa3
Perhaps Black expected White to recover the pawn by moving
the rook to the a file. White was not looking in that direction. The
kingside is very weak, as there is only one reliable defender. The knight
at f6 holds things together but it is quickly swept from the board by
sacrificial means.
22 Rxf6! gxf6
23 Ng4
Finally, the pressure White established on the long diagonal bears
fruit and the end is near.
CLASSICAL VARIATION
23 Rc6
24 Nxf6+ Rxf6
25 Qxf6 Qxb3
Black gave back the exchange and picked off a pawn, maintaining a
material advantage. However, Black's king is j ust too weak.
26 Kf2 Qa4
Trying to keep the rook from getting to d7.
27 Qg5+ Kh8
28 Qe7
Black resigned.
If the rook moves to b8, then the White rook gets to d7, The
infiltration of the seventh rank is fatal.
In the Classical lines, the dark square bishop hasn't found much
useful employment, which is why the Bogolj ubow Variation with . . . B d6
is a bit more popular, and a bit more ambitious.
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
80GOWUBOW VARIATION
DAPPET COMPUTER
KRABBE VS.
AEGON TOURNAMENT, T HE HAGUE, 1992
BOGOLJU B OW VAR I AT I O N : CLO S E D [0 05]
G R E EK G I FT SAC R I F I C E WITH ROOK L I FT
1 d4 d5
2 b3 e6
3 Nf3 c5
4 e3 Nc6
5 Bd3 Nf6
6 0-0 Bd6
7 Bb2 0-0
The Bogolj ubow Defense is characterized by Bl;ck's solid formation.
8 Ne5
This variation is a bit tricky, and Black can get blown away if not
prepared.
8 Qc7?!
8 . cxd4 9 .exd4 Qc7 is better because 1 0.f4 is countered by ( l O.Re l
. .
Nb4 l l .Ba3 Nxd3 1 2 . Bxd6 Qxd6 1 3 . Qxd3 is a touch b etter for White,
because control of eS keeps the Black bishop bottled up, Callens vs.
Groth, 1 999.) 1 0 . . . Nb4 !
9 f4 b6?
A computer actually fell for this !
10 Nxc6! Qxc6
11 dxc5! Bxc5
12 Bxf6! gxf6
And now for the finishing touch !
13 Bxh7+! Kxh7
14 Qh5+ Kg7
15 Qg4+ Kh7
16 Rf3
A simple rook lift wraps it up.
16 Bxe3+
17 Kh1
The computer operator resigned.
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
SUMMERSCALE VS . SADLER
TOURNAMENT, CREWE, 1991
80GOLJ U B OW VARIAT I O N : O P E N TARTAKOW E R (005]
BLACK D E F E N DS W IT H ... B F4- H6
1 Nf3 d5
2 d4 e6
3 e3 Nf6
4 Bd3 c5
5 b3 Nc6
6 0-0 Bd6
7 Bb2 0-0
8 Nbd2 cxd4
9 exd4 b6
10 a3 Bb7
11 Re1 Bf4!?
A new move. The bishop will eventually retreat to h6, to defend the
kingside. The gS square is not available to White's knight.
1 1 . . .Qc7 1 2 .Ne5 Rac8 was about equal in Janowski vs, Bernstein,

1 9 1 6.
12 Ne5 ReS
13 Ndf3 Ne7
14 Qe2 Rc7
15 g3 Bh6
16 h4 g6
The bishop will now have a possible home at g7, and threats at h7
are reduced. White does get the knight to gS.
17 Ng5 Qc8
18 a4
This forces Black to think about possible White action on the
queenside, as well as the kingside.
18 Nf5
19 Qf3
19 Ne4?
Summerscale wrote " Black falls into a devious trap:' It was hard
to spot, because planting the knight on e4 is generally a goo d idea for
Black. The point is that when White grabs a pawn at e4, the bishop
needs to be traded for the knight, so c2 will not have sufficient defense.
20 Nxe4 dxe4
21 Bxe4 Bxe4
22 Qxe4 Rxc2
Up to here, Black calculated correctly. The pawn is recovered and
there is a strong rook on the seventh rank. But the rook has no way
back if the c-file highway is blocked.
23 Nc4!
BOGOLJUBOW VARIATION
23 Rxb2
23 . . . Rxc4 24.bxc4 Qxc4 would have been better. In either case Black
will eventually grab a pawn. Probably Sadler wanted to get rid of the
bishop, rather than the knight.
24 Nxb2 Qc3
25 Nd3 Qxb3
Black hopes to target the weak d-pawn .
26 Ne5! Bd2
27 Rebl Qc3
28 Rdl?!
28 .Nc6 ! would have been very awkward for Black.
28 Nxd4
29 Ra2 f5!
30 Qd3 Qxd3
31 Nxd3 Bh6
A difficult endgame, played in mutual time-trouble.
32 Ne5 Rd8
33 Kg2 f4
3 3 . . . Bg7 34.Nf3 eS was the correct defense.
34 Nf3 e5
Now things get complicated.
35 Nxe5! fxg3
36 Nf3
3 6 . fxg3 Bg7 3 7 .Nf3 Nc6 3 8 . Rxd8+ Nxd8 3 9 .a5 bs 40 . Rc2 b4 4 1 . Rc8
Bf6 42.Ng5 b3 4 3 . Rb8 b2 44.Ne4 and the bishop at f6 is hopelessly
overworked.
36 Nc6
37 Rxd8+ Nxd8
38 fxg3 Nb7
38 . . . Bg7 returns to the previous note.
39 Nd4 Bf8
40 Nc6 a5
Forced, but the pawn at b6 is now weak. If all the queenside pawns
leave the board, Black has serious problems. The rook is much more
powerful than the bishop.
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
41 Ne5 Nd6
42 Rc2 b5
43 axb5 Nxb5
44 ReS Kg7
45 R a8 Bd6
46 Nc4 Bb4
47 Nx a5 Bc3
47 . . . Bxa5 4 8 . Rxa5 Black can't hold the position, b ecause eventually
White gets a pawn to gS, drives the king back with the rook, and
infiltrates with the king.
48 Nc4 Bf6
49 Rb8 Nd4
50 Rb7+ Kg8
51 Nd6 Be5
52 Nf7 Bf6
52 . . . Bg7 5 3 .g4 Ne6 54.g5 Kf8 leaves White with some work to do.
53 Nh6+ Kh8
Now the bishop can't retreat to g7 because of the check at b8.
54 Ng4 Bd8
55 Rd7!
The bishop must leave the kingside, dooming the king.
5 5 . Rb8 would have been met by 55 . . . Ne6.

55 Bb6
56 Nf6
Black resigned, trapped in a mating net.
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
OLESEN VS . SHIRAZ I
MID-AMERICA CLASS, CHICAGO, 1992
80GOLJU B OW VAR I AT I O N : CLO S E D (005]
O P E N I N G T H E D I AG O N AL
1 d4 e6
2 Nf3 c5
3 e3 Nf6
4 Bd3 d5
5 b3 Nc6
6 0-0 Bd6
7 Bb2 0-0
8 Nbd2 Bd7
9 a3
9 ReS
9 . . . cxd4 should probably be played now or soon. In the game,
White is allowed to open up the long diagonal and wreak havoc on the
kingside. 1 0 . exd4 Rc8 l l .NeS Qc7 is the normal continuation.
10 Ne5 Be8?
1 0 . . . cxd4 l l .exd4 Qc7 again reaches normal lines.
11 f4 Qb6?
Black embarks on a very risky, and greedy plan.
12 dxc5! Qxc5
13 Nxc6! Qxe3+
At this point, Black might as well grab the pawn . There is no
stopping the bishop at b2 from capturing Black's remaining knight.
14 Kh 1 Bxc6
15 Bxf6 Bxf4
1 5 . . . gxf6 1 6 . Qg4+ Kh8 1 7 .Qh4 fS 1 8 . Qf6+ Kg8 1 9 . Rf3 wraps things
up nicely.
16 Qg4 Bh6
1 6 . . . g6 1 7. Rxf4! Qxd2 1 8. Bxg6! fxg6 1 9 . Qxe6+ Rf7 20.Qxc8+ Rf8
2 1 .Qe6+ Rf7 2 2 . B e5 wins easily.
17 Rae 1!
White sacrifices another piece, but the outcome is already
inevitable.
17 Qxd2
18 Re2 Qa5
There is nowhere to go on the kingside.
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
19 Re3 Kh8
20 Qh5
White's enitre army is aimed at the enemy king, while Black's pieces
are, without exception, powerless.
Black resigned
fHE RUBINSTEIN ATTACK
SCHILLER VS. I BRAGIMOV
DOS H ERMANAS QUALIFI ER , I C C , 2002
80G O LJ U B OW VAR I ATI O N : C LO S E D [005]
C E NTRAL P LAY
1 d4 Nf6
2 Nf3 d5
3 e3 e6
4 Bd3 c5
5 b3 Nc6
6 0-0 Bd6
7 Bb2 Qe7
8 Ne5 0-0
9 f4 Ne4
Black tries to j am the attack route by planting the knight on e4. On
the next move, Black can advance a pawn to fS to offer further support.
[f White wants to capture the knight, it should be done right away.
9 Nd7!?
10 Nd2 f5
10 Bxe4 dxe4
11 Nd2 f5
Necessary, to protect the weakling at e4.
12 Ndc4 Bxe5
1 2 . . . Bc7? leads to a bad position. 1 3 .Nxc6 bxc6 1 4. dxc5 QxcS
1 5 .Ba3. The skewer wins the exchange.
13 fxe5
A difficult decision. There were two other captures to consider.
!he key here is to keep open the possibility of unleashing the bishop
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
by playing dS, and if the Black pawn captures, then the pawn can move
forward from eS .
1 3 .Nxe5 NxeS 1 4. fxe5 cxd4 1 5. Bxd4 b6 The position is a bit sterile.
1 3 . dxe5 b6 14.Nd6 B a6 Black isn't under any real pressure. There is

no way to
activate White's dark square bishop.
13 Qg5
14 dxc5
Why not? The extra pawns on the queenside are meaningful.
1 4. Qe2! ? Connecting the rooks should lead to a simple and clear

advantage for White. 14 . . . cxd4 1 5. exd4 b6 1 6.Nd6 Bd7 1 7. B cl! 1 4 . a4
There is no need for White to prevent the Black pawn from going to bS
when the knight has such a comfortable new home at d6.
14 Rd8
15 Bd4 Bd7
1 5 . . . Nxd4 1 6. exd4 White threatens to play Nd6, c4, and advance in
the center.
1 5 . . . Rd5? 1 6.c3! ( 1 6.Nd6 Nxd4 1 7 .exd4 Qe3+) 1 6 . . . Nxd4 1 7. cxd4

Bd7 1 8 . a4! White has a lock on the position.
16 Nd6 Be8
This is a standard method of activating the bishop in the stonewall
formations. However, even at hS it won't have much of a view.
1 6 . . . Nxd4 1 7. Qxd4 B c6 1 8 . c4 White's queenside pawns will march

forward quickly.
17 Qe2 Bh5
18 Qc4
The weakling at e6 is targeted.
18 Kh8
1 8 . . . Qg6 1 9 .Nxf5 ! 1 8 . . . Bf7? 1 9 .Nxf7 Kxf7 2 0 . Rxf5+! QxfS 2 l . Rfl is
crushing.
18 Qe7
19 Nxf5 Qe8
20 Ng3 Bg6
21 Rf4
19 Qxe6 Rf8
20 Rxf5
That's the third pawn !
20 Nxd4
21 exd4 Qe3+
22 Kh1 Bg6
Black had to do something about the hanging bishop.
23 Rxf8+
2 3 . Rffl Qxd4 24 Qe7 ! ?
23 Rxf8
24 Qc4
24. dS QxcS 2 5 . c4 was an interesting alternative.
24 Qf2!
Suddenly Black has some threats!
25 e6 e3
26 e7
26.Nf7+ Bxf7 27.exf7 e2!
26 Rf4!
27 Ne4?
This move was based on a tactic that simply isn't there. I figured
the knight was safe, because if the bishop takes it, I queen. If the rook
captures, I have Rfl . I was running out of time, didn't look deeply
enough.
The correct plan was 27 h3! e2 28 Qe6! for example 28 . . . B e8! 29

Kh2 (There was no time to discover 29.Nxe8 Rxd4! 30. Qg8+! ! Kxg8
3 l .Nf6+ gxf6 3 2 . e8=Q+ Kg7 3 3 . Rg l Rdl 34. Qe7+ Kg6 35.Qe8+ KgS
3 6 . Qg8+ Kh6 37. Qf8+. That was spotted by computer analysis.) 29
. . . Rf3 3 0 Qg4! Re3 3 1 Nxe8 Rxe7 3 2 Nd6 h6 3 3 . Qg3 Qxg3+ 34.Kxg3
e l =Q+ 35.Rxe l Rxe l 36.Nxb7.
27 Rxe4
28 Rfl Rxe7!
29 Qe2 Rf7
30 Rxf2 Rxf2
31 Qel
The Black forces overwhelm the White queen.
31 Be4
32 Qxe3
32.h3 comes too late. 32 . . . Rxg2 3 3 . Qfl Rf2+ 34.Kg l Rxfl + 3 5 . Kxfl
Bf5°
32 Rfl +
33 Qg 1 Rxg1 +
34 Kxg 1 Bxc2
The pawns can compete with the bishop, but White has to play
perfectly. I didn't.
35 d5 Be4
36 d6 Bc6
37 Kf2 Kg8
38 g3 Kf7
39 Ke3 Ke6
40 Kd4 a5
41 a3 Bb5
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
42 g4?
Wrong side of the board !
42.b4! was the only reasonable try. 42 . . . a4 (42 . . . ax:b4 4 3 . ax:b4 b6

44.h4 (44. cxb6? Kxd6) 44 . . . h5 4 5 . Ke4 bxcS 46 .bxc5 B d 7 !
47. Kf4 ! (47.Kd4? Bc6 48.Kc4 KfS 49.Kb4 Ke4 (49 . . . Kg4 SO.KaS
Kxg3 S l . Kb6) SO.KaS KdS S l . Kb6 Ba4! (S l . . .g6? would lose the game !
5 2 . Kc7 KxcS 5 3 . d7 Bxd7 54.Kxd7 KdS (54 . . . Kd4 5 5 . Ke6 Ke3 56. Kf6 Kf3
5 7 . Kxg6 Kxg3 5 8 . Kxh5 Kf4 5 9 . Kg6) 5 5 . Ke7 KeS 5 6 . Kf7 KfS 5 7 . Kg7)
52.Kc7 KxcS 5 3 . d7 Bxd7 54.Kxd7 KdS 5 5 . Ke7 Ke4 56.Kf7 Kf3 5 7 . Kxg7
Kxg3 5 8 . Kg6 Kxh4 59. Kf5 Kg3 Black wins!) 47 . . . Kd5 48.Kg5 Bg4 49.d7!
forces Black to give up the d-pawn . 49 ... Bxd7 SO.KxhS BfS (SO ... B e8+
S l . KgS KxcS 52.h5 KdS 5 3 .h6 gxh6+ 54.Kxh6 draws.) S l . KgS Bh7
52.h5 KxcS 5 3 .h6 draws. 53 . . . g6 (53 . . . gxh6+ 54. Kxh6 B d3) 54. Kf6 Kd6
5 5 . Kg7 Ke7 56.Kxh7 Kf7 57.g4 gS 5 8 . Kh8 Kf8) 4 3 . Ke4
43 . . . g5 44.h4 Bc6+ 45. Kd4 gxh4 46.gxh4 hS 47.Kc4 KeS 48 .b5 Be8
49 . Kb4 KdS SO.b6! ? (SO. Kxa4 KxcS S l . KaS b6+ 52 . Ka6 BxbS+ 53 . Kb7
Kxd6 54.Kxb6 Bc6 is a simple win.) 50 ... Bc6 S l . KaS sets up a nice trick.
S l . . . KeS (S l . . . KxcS ? ? 52 . d7! Bxd7 stalemate !) 52 . Kb4 Kf4 53 . Kc4 Kg4
54. Kd4 Kxh4 55. Ke5 KgS 56. Ke6 h4 57.d7 Bxd7+ 58. Kxd7 h3 59.c6
bxc6 60.b7 h2 6 l .b8=Q h l = Q 62. Qe5+ will end up drawn.
42 g5
Black is winning now, there is no way to deal with the weakness at
g4.
43 Ke4 Bc6+
44 Kd4 Bf3
45 h3 Bg2
46 Ke3 Bxh3
47 Kf3 Bfl
48 b4 a4
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
49 Ke4
49.Kg3 Bb5 50. Kf3 Kd5 5 1 . Ke3 Kc4 5 2 . Ke4 Kb3 5 3 . Ke5 Kxa3
54.Ke6 Kxb4 5 5 .d7 Bxd7+ 5 6 . Kxd7 a3 Black wins.
49 Be2
50 b5 Bxb5
51 Kd4 Be2
Whi te res igns
FUHRMA N N VS . P EDERS E N
G ERMAN JUNIORS, HAM BURG, 1993
80G O LJ U BOW VAR I ATI O N : C LO S E D [005]
P LAY O N T H E C-FILE PLUS K I N G S I D E ATTACK
1 d4 d5
2 Nf3 Nf6
3 e3 e6
4 Bd3 Bd6
5 0-0 c5
6 b3 Nc6
7 Bb2 Qc7
8 c4!
When Black places the queen at c7, pushing the pawn to c4 is a
go od idea. Eventually, the rook will come from a l to c l , then the c-file
might open up.
8 cxd4
8 . dxc4! 9 .bxc4 0-0 (9 . . . Qb6? ! l O.Qc l Nb4 l l . B e2 Bd7 1 2 .Nbd2
. .
Qc7 1 3 .dxc5 has the threat of Bxf6, so Black had to retreat the bishop
rather than recapture the pawn in Dizdar vs . Sax, 1 99 3 .) 1 0 .Nbd2 eS
l l . dS Ne7 1 2 .Qc2 Ng6 has been played a couple of times . 1 3 . a4 ! strikes
me as the best approach, playing the game on the queenside for a while.
9 exd4 0-0
10 Nbd2 b6
11 Rc 1 Bb7
12 Qe2 Rfd8
13 Ne5!
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
13 Bxe5
1 3 . . . Rac8 ! might have kept the balance. The exchange at eS works
out badly.
14 dxe5 Nd7
15 cxd5! exd5
16 b4
White's queenside play is too strong, and Black's d-pawn is too
weak. White has even more threats on the undefended kingside, which
is about to explode.
16 a6
17 e6! fxe6
18 Qxe6+ Kh8
19 Qf7! d4
19 . . . Rg8 loses to 20. Qh5.
20 Bxd4 Nce5
21 Qf5
The dual threats at h7 and cS forced Black's resignation.
Black resigned
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
HAWKI N S VS . MACLAUGHL I N
BRITISH CORRESPONDENCE CHAMPIONSHI P , 1993
80G O U U B OW VAR I AT I O N : CLO S E D (005]
WH E N T H E D E F E N D I N G K N I G HT G O ES O N ADVENT U R E S . . .
1 d4 d5
2 Nf3 Nf6
3 e3 e6
4 Bd3 c5
5 b3 Nc6
6 Bb2 Bd6
7 0-0 cxd4
8 exd4 0-0
9 a3 Qc7
10 Nbd2 Ng4?!
Attempts by Black to attack White's king usually fail.
11 h3!
l l . Bxh7+ Kxh7 1 2 .Ng5+ Kg6 1 3 . Qxg4 Bxh2+ 1 4 . Kh l Qf4 offers
to get the queens off the board, but White can keep them on. 1 5 . Qh3
QxgS 1 6.Nf3 Qf4 with unclear consequences. On any case, l l .h3 is
much stronger.
11 Nh2
l l . . . Nf6 1 2 . Rc l doesn't look pleasant for Black, who has a bad
bishop.
12 Re1 Nxf3+
13 Nxf3
All Black has accomplished is an exchange of an important

defensive knight for White's supporting knight. The Black kingside
lacks sufficient defense.
13 Na5
1 3 . . . Ne7 1 4 . c4 dxc4 l S . Rcl! Bd7 1 6.Ne5! Bc6 1 7. Rxc4 BxeS 1 8 . dxe5
was a bit b etter for White in Blomberg vs. Trippe, 1 98 9 . This is b etter
than exiling the knight to the queenside rim.
14 Qe2 b6
15 Ng5
1 5 . Bxh7+ Kxh7 1 6.Ng5+ Kg8! 1 7.Qh 5 fails, because Black can
defend h7. 17 . . . Qxc2!
15 h6
16 Nf3 Bb7
17 Ne5 Nc6
Black tries to get the pieces back to help deal with the kingside
pressure, but they are too far away.
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
18 f4 Rac8
19 Rfl !
Although this rook as moved from f1 to e l and back, White
nevertheless has a very strong attack. Black sorely misses the knight at
f6.
19 Rfd8
20 Rae1
This is not accurate, since the rook later shifts to d l .
20.g4 comes into consideration.
20 Qe7?!
20 . . . g6 was necessary.
21 Nxc6! Rxc6
22 f5!
A forceful attack that eventually turns Black's position to rubble.
22 Bg3
The attack on the rook is irrelevant.
23 f6! Qf8
24 Rdl Rc7
25 Qg4
This move exposes the futility of Black's invasion at g3 .
25 Bd6
26 Bel ! g6
Setting up a flashy, if obvious, denoument.
27 Bxg6!
Smash !
27 fxg6
28 Qxg6+
Crunch !
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
28 Kh8
29 Bxh6
Bam !
29 Qg8
30 Qh5
Black resigned.
FREIMAN VS . RU BIN STEIN

ALL-R USSIAN CHAMP IONSHI P #5, LODZ, 1907
BOGO U U BOW VAR I ATIO N : C LO S E D (005]
WH ITE AC C E PTS AN I S O LATE D D-PAWN
1 d4 d5
2 Nf3 e6
3 e3 c5
4 b3 Nf6
5 Bd3 Nc6
6 0-0 Bd6
7 Bb2 Qc7
8 c4
This invites White to play along the c-file.
8 dxc4
9 Bxc4
9.bxc4 is more promising and thematic.
9 cxd4
10 exd4
This isolated pawn position very much favors White.
10 0-0
11 Nc3 Nb4
1 1 . . . a6 was recommended by Schlechter, and almost a century later
it got a test. 1 2 . Qe2 bS 1 3 . B d3 Nb4 1 4 .Bb 1 Bb7 1 5 .Ne5 Rac8 1 6.f4 Qb6
1 7. Kh 1 Rc7 1 8 .a3 NbdS 1 9.Ne4 Nxe4 20. Bxe4 was played in Zaitseva
vs, Fatalibekova, 1 99 5 .
12 Nb5 Qe7
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
13 Ne5 a6
14 Nxd6 Qxd6
15 Qf3
White has a compelling advantage, and the lineup along the a3-f8
diagonal invites danger if a bishop gets to a3.
15 Rb8
16 Ba3!
A crunching double pin leavers Black helpless on the dark squares.
16 a5
17 Rad1 b5
18 Bd3
This is playable because the knight at b4 is pinned.
18 Bb7
19 Qh3 Rfd8
20 Rfe1 Qd5
21 Bb1
21 Rbc8?
Something is brewing on the kingside, but Rubinstein doesn't seem
to notice.
2 l . . . g6 was recommended by S chlechter, while 2 l . . . h6 was Hoffer's

idea.
22 Ng4! Nxg4
22 . . . Nc2 2 3 . Bxc2 Rxc2 24.Ne3 Qc6 2 5 .Nxc2 Qxc2 26.Be7 would
have been hopeless for Black.
23 Bxh7+ Kf8
24 Be4 Qd7
25 Bxb7 Qxb7
26 Qxg4
26 Rc2?
Black is busted anyway, but this makes it easy. 26 . . . Kg8 27 Bxb4
axb4 28 Re3 .
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
27 Qh4 Qa8
28 d5!
The little pawn rushes forward to j oining the attack!
28 Rcc8
29 dxe6 fxe6
30 Bb2 Kf7
31 Qg4
Blac k resigned .
R U B INSTE IN VS . TRE YBAL
I NTERNATIONAL TOURNA M E NT , BADEN-BA D E N , 192 5
80G O LJ U B OW VAR I ATI O N : C LO S E D (005]
B LACK P LAYS . . . N B4
1 Nf3 d5
2 d4 e6
3 e3 Nf6
4 Bd3 c5
5 b3 Nc6
6 Bb2 Bd6
7 Nbd2 Nb4
This maneuver usually turns out to be a waste of time. The bishop
simply retreats, and the knight will be evicted with a3 eventually, after
which the bishop can safely return to d3 .
7 Qe7
8 Be2 Qe7
9 a3 Nc6
10 Ne5 Bxe5?!
This bishop is too valuable to b e exchanged for the knight.
11 dxe5 Nd7
12 f4 f5
An attempt to keep things closed, but White can strike from
another direction.
12 .. . f6 1 3 .Nf3 fxeS 1 4 . fxe5 0-0 1 5 .c4! is a bit better for White, but
Black has targets at eS and e 3 .
13 c4! 0-0
14 0-0 Nb6
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
Black is clearly on the defensive, and White's bishop pair provides a

definite advantage.
15 Qc2
15 dxc4?!
l S . . . aS was a more promising plan. Opening up lines on the
queenside will expose the weakness of White's pawn at b 3 . It is well
defended, but White's queen and knight are tied down to its protection.
16 Nxc4 Nxc4
17 Bxc4 Nd8?
This is simply too passive.
18 e4 ! Kh8
19 Rad1 Bd7
20 exf5! exf5
20 . . . Rxf5 2 1 .Rd6 is also clearly b etter for White.
21 Rd6 ! Bc6
2 1 . . .Nf7 would allow White to win with 22 .Rxd7 ! Qxd7 2 3 .e6
22 Rfd1
Each of White's pieces in b etter placed than their enemy
counterparts.
22 Nf7
23 Bxf7!
Giving up the bishop pair, but the passed pawn and domination of
the d-file provide a decisive advantage.
23 Qxf7
24 e6 Qe7
25 Qxc5 Rad8
Hoping for an opposite color bishop ending after the rooks come
off.
26 Be5! a6
27 b4 Rde8
28 Rl d3!
The rook heads for g3 , and the pinned pawn at g7 is now a maj or
hassle for Black.
28 Kg8
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
29 Rg3 g6
30 Bd 4!
Making room for the queen to go to e S .
30 Rf6
There was nothing b etter, but this gives Rubinstein the opportunity
for a quick kill.
31 Rxc6!
Bl ac k resigned .
3 1 . . .bxc6 3 2 . Qxe7 Rxe7 3 3 .Bxf6 Rxe6 34.Be5 is an easy win.
EUWE VS . K ROON E
AMSTERDAM , 192 1
BOGOLJ U BOW VAR I ATI O N : C LO S E D � O P E N [005]
SWITC H I N G F R O M K I N G S I D E ATTACK TO Q U E E N S I D E
1 d4 d5
2 Nf3 c5
3 e3 e6
4 b3 Nc6
5 Bb2 Nf6
6 Bd3 Bd6
7 0-0 0-0
8 Nbd2 ReS
9 Ne5 Qc7
10 f4 cxd4
11 exd4 Nb4
12 Bb5 Re7
1 2 . . . Bd7 1 3 .Nxd7 Nxd7 1 4 . c3 Nc6 1 5 . Qf3 f6 1 6 . B d3 fS 1 7.g4 with a
nice attack, Lim Kok Ann vs. Tham Weng Fei, Singapore 1 998.
13 c3 Nc6
14 Qf3 Bd7
15 Bd3 Be8
Black overprotects £7, so Euwe needs to find an alternative target.
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
16 Qh3
Threatening Ng4.
16 g6
Now h7 is safe, but f6 and h6 are weak. if Black's bishop were at g7,
things wouldn't be so bad.
17 Qh4 Nd7
1 7 . . . Kg7 1 8 . Rae l Rc8 would lead to an advantage for White after
1 9 . c4.
18 c4! Nf8
19 Nxc6 Qxc6
1 9 . . . bxc6 20.c5 wins the bishop.
20 c5 Bxc5
Or 20 . . . Bc7? 2 1 Qxe7.
21 Rac1 Nd7
22 dxc5
Black resigned. He is down a bishop for a pawn.
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
R U B I NSTE I N VS. SALWE

MATCH, LODZ, 19 03
B O G O U U BOW VAR I ATI O N : O P E N (005]
ATTACK ALO N G T H E G-F I LE
1 d4 d5
2 e3 e6
3 Bd3 Nf6
4 Nf3 c5
5 b3 Nc6
6 Bb2 Bd6
7 Nbd2 0-0
8 0-0 cxd4
9 exd4 Nh5
10 g3
This line had already been shown to work well for White in
Capablanca vs. Corzo, 1 90 1 .
10 g6
Black creates a retreat for the knight at hS, but creates gaping holes
in the pawn structure.
11 Ne5 Bd7
12 f4
The stonewall formation is even more effective when Black's
kingside looks like a slice of Swiss cheese.
12 Ng7
13 a3 f5
Because of the pawn exchange at d4, White has no backward pawn
at e3, but Black's pawn at e6 is going to be very weak, in the long run.
14 Qe2 Be8
15 N df3 ReS
16 Kh 1
This move makes it possible for White to play on the queenside a
bit later on.
16 h6?
1 6 . . . Nxe5 1 7.Nxe5 Q c 7 was a reasonable alternative.
17 Qe3 Be7
18 Rg 1 g5
19 g4!
Rubinstein has executed his strategy perfectly, and the opening of
the kingside leads to Black's demise.
19 gxf4
1 9 . . . fxg4 20.fxg5 gxf3 2 l .gxh6 and Black is busted.
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
20 Qxf4 Bg5
21 Nxg5 hxg5
22 Qg3 f4
This keeps the f-file closed, but it turns the bishop at d3 into a
monster!
23 Qh3 Nxe5
24 Qh7+!
A useful intermezzo, driving the enemy king out into the open
battlefield.
24 Kf7
25 dxe5 Rg8
26 a4!
On the other side of the board, a small pawn move makes it
possible for the dark square bishop to j oin the attack from a3 .
26 b6
27 Ba3 Rc5
Salwe offers an exchange sacrifice, but there is no salvation there,
and the offer is declined.
28 Qg 6 + Kf8
29 Qf6 + !
This forces the queen off, and White has a winning position.
29 Qxf6
30 exf6 Bc6
31 Bxc5+ bxc5
32 fxg 7+
Black resig ned.
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
RUBI N ST E I N VS . C H I G OR I N
QUADRANGULAR TOURN AMENT, LODZ, 1906
80GOLJU BOW VARIATION: OPEN [005]
KNIGHTS AT E5 AND G5
1 d4 d5
2 Nf3 e6
3 e3 Nf6
4 Bd3 c5
5 b3 Nc6
6 0-0 a6
A bit slow.
7 B b2 cxd4
8 exd4 Bd6
9 N bd2 0-0
10 Re 1 Bd7
11 N e5 ReS
l l .. .Nb4 1 2. Bfl ReS 1 3.c3 Nc6 1 4.Ndf3 leads to a balanced game,
but White still has good attacking prospects.
12 a3 Ne7
13 N df3 Ng6
14 g3 Be8
15 N g 5!
Even without an immediate threat at f7 or h7, this is a useful move.
15 Be7
15 ... h6 would weaken g6. 1 6.Nxe6 ! fxe6 1 7.Nxg6 Bxg6 1 8. Bxg6
16 h4! N h8?!
16 ... Bd6 would have been wiser, waiting for the h-pawn to advance
before retreating the knight into the corner.
17 a4 h6
18 Nh3 Nd7
19 Nf4 B b4
20 c3 Bd6
20 . . . Bxc3? 2 1 .Qc2 ! Bxe l 22.Bh7#
21 Qc2 g6
Another weakness is created, this time at h6.
22 Qd2 g5
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
Black is in some difficulty, but opening up the kingside is not the
answer. Still, it is hard to find a better move.
23 N h3 Nxe5
24 dxe5 Be7
25 hxg5 hxg5
26 Qe2
The kingside light squares are just too weak.
26 Ng6
27 Qg4 Kg 7
28 Ra d l ! ?
A useful move, setting up threats on the d- file.
28 b5
29 c4!
A powerful break that opens up key lines.
29 bxc4
30 bxc4 Bc6
Both of Black's bishops are relegated to purely defensive duties.
31 Bel
Both of White's are attacking!
31 Rh8
32 Nxg5 Qe8
33 Bxg 6 fxg 6
34 N xe 6 +
Black could have resigned here.
34 Kg8
35 Bg5 Bxg5
36 cxd5 Bb7
37 Nxg5 Rc5
38 N e4
Black resig ned .
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
CAPABLANCA VS . CORZO
MATCH, HAVANA, 1901
BOGOUU BOW VARIATION: OPEN (005]
TH E ... N H 5 TRICK FOR B LACK
1 d4 d5
2 e3 e6
3 Bd3 Nf6
4 Nf3 c5
5 b3 Nc6
6 B b2 Bd6
7 N bd2 0-0
8 0-0 cxd4
9 exd4 N h5 ! ?
Sending the knight t o the edge o f the board is often a useful
strategy for Black when White has left the f4-square unguarded. The
idea is to bring the knight to f4 and attack the bishop at d3 while also
covering the e2 square so that there is no potential retreat.
10 g3
A significant concession because the light squares in the White
king's camp will be weak. However, because Black is saddled with a bad
bishop at c8, there is no danger unless Black is able to free the position
with an eS-break.
10 f5
1 0 . . Nb4 ! ? comes into consideration.
.
11 N e5 ! Nf6
12 f4
White has now established a strong stonewall formation.
12 Bxe5 ? !
The knight is strong, but giving up the dark square bishop t o get rid
of it is to high a price to pay.
13 fxe5 N g4
14 Qe2 Qb6
It will not be possible for Black to place enough pressure at d4 to
cause white any problems.
15 Nf3 Bd7
The bishop will sit uselessly o n this square until i t briefly emerges
and is swept off the board.
16 a3 Kh8
17 h3 Nh6
18 Qf2 Nf7
19 Kg2
Capablanca is in no rush and slowly prepare his his attack
19 g5
20 g4 Ne7
Black certainly can't afford t o open the diagonal leading t o h7.
21 Qe3 Rg8
22 Ra e 1 ? !
Generally, this i s a good idea, but here i t is flawed.
22.Rf2 would have been stronger, to double on the f-file.
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
22 Ng6
23 gxf5 Nf4 + !
Black can now eliminate White's powerful bishop.
24 Kh2 Nxd3
25 Qxd3 exf5
Black now has a defensible position, and even some attacking
chances on the kingside. However, there are a number of weaknesses,
and Capablanca mercilessly exploits them.
26 c4!
Opening a new front in the center.
26 Qe6
27 cxd5 Qxd5
28 e6!
A huge shot! The pawn cannot be captured.
28 B b5
28 . . . Bxe6 29.Rxe6 ! Qxe6 30.d5+ snares the queen and more.
29 Qxb5 ! !
Th e queen sacrifice i s fully justified. Th e power o f White's bishop at
b2 should not be underestimated!
29 Qxb5
30 d5+ Rg7
31 exf7
Capablanca has just two pieces for the queen, but Black's rooks are
useless and White's will quickly make their presence felt.
31 h6?
3 1 . . .Qd7 would have provided more defensive resources.
32 Nd4 Qxfl
Black is forced into a horrible endgame.
It is too late for 32 . . . Qd7
because of 33.Nxf5
33 Rxfl Rxf7
34 Rxf5 Rxf5
35 Nxf5 + Kh7
36 Ne7
The rook is no match for White's minor pieces and passed pawn.
36 Rf8
37 Kg2 h5
38 d6 g4
39 hxg4 hxg4
40 Be5 Kh6
BOGOWUBOW VARIATIO"
41 d7 Rd8
42 N g 8+!
A clean, efficient win, of the sort Capablanca would later become
famous for.
42 Rxg8
43 Bf6 Kg 6
44 d8=Q Rxd8
45 Bxd8
White has a bishop of the "wrong color': but Black cannot exchange
queenside pawns and reach a drawn bishop and rook pawn vs. king
endgame.
45 b5
46 Kf2 Kf5
47 Ke3 Ke5
48 Kd3 Kd5
49 Kc3 g3
50 Bh4 g2
51 Bf2 a5
S l . . . a6 52.Kb4 Kc6 53.Ka5 Kb7 54.Bg l Black must lose the a-pawn,
and then the b-pawn.
52 b4 Ke4
52 . . . a4 53.Kd3 Ke6 54.Kd4 Kd6 S S .Bg l Kc6 56.Ke5 Kb7 57.Kd6 Ka6
58.Kc5 ! ( 5 8 . Kc6 would be stalemate ! )
53 Bb6 Kd5
53 . . . a4 54.Bg l KdS S S . Kd3 reaches the 52 . . . a4 line.
54 Kd3 Kc 6
55 Bgl Kd5
56 Bh2 Kc6
57 Kd4 a4
58 Ke5 Kb6
59 Kd5 Ka6
60 Kc6
Black resig n e d .
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
DAN N ER VS . B E IM
I NTERNATIONAL OPEN, VIEN NA, 1996
BOGOUUBOW VARIATION: OPEN [005]
TH E MAIN LINE OF T H E 806 & Q E7 P LAN
1 d4 Nf6
2 Nf3 e6
3 e3 c5
4 Bd3 Nc6
5 0-0 d5
6 b3 Bd6
7 B b2 0-0
8 N bd2 Qe7
9 N e5 cxd4
10 exd4 Ba3
11 Bxa3 Qxa3
12 c3
This is the most important theoretical position for the Rubinstein
opening. It is important to understand how to handle several types
of positions. Black faces a critical decision here, whether or not to
capture the knight at eS. If the knight is not captured, then the question
perhaps is where to place Black's queen, which is rather offside. Black
often brings the bishop to d7 here, but as this game shows, that plan is
no better here than in most other cases. I don't think the bishop ever
sits well on that square in the main lines of the Rubinstein opening.
12 Bd7?!
1 2 . . . Qd6 1 3.f4 B d7 1 4.Qf3 Ne7 1 5 .Qh3 Ng6 1 6.Rf3 Bc6 1 7.Re l Rfe8
1 8.g4 Rac8 1 9.g5 Ne4 20.Nxe4 dxe4 2 l . Bxe4 Bxe4 22.Rxe4 was clearly
better for White in Summerscale vs. Thompson, 1 994.

12 . . . Nxe5 1 3 .dxe5 Nd7 1 4. Qh5 g6 1 5. Qg5 has been tried a few
times, with some success. 1 5 . . . Qb2 ( 1 5 . . . h6 1 6. Qxh6 NxeS 1 7.Bc2 looks
a little bit better for White. If Black's queen slips into b2, White brings
the rook from fl to c l . White may later be able to attack by advancing
the age pawn.; 1 5 . . . Qa5 1 6.Nf3 Kg7 1 7. Rfe l ! ? is an interesting pawn
sacrifice. 1 7 . . . Qxc3 1 8.Bb5 ! f6 1 9.exf6+ Qxf6 20.Rac l ! The invasion of
the seventh rank is often worth a pawn. 20 . . . Rf7 2 1 .Qe3 Nf8 22.Ne5
gave White an excellent attack in Fuentes vs. Rey Ardid, also played in
Madrid, 1 942 . Another game in this line was played at that event by the
same players. Perhaps it was some sort of match. ) 1 6.Nf3 Qxc3 1 7. Qh6
Rd8 1 8 .Rae 1 fS 1 9.Re3 Qc7 20.h4 Nf8 2 l .h5 Qg7 where White should
have traded queens and grabbed the c-file, with equal chances. In
Fuentes vs. Rey Ardid, 1 942, White retreated and eventually lost.
1 2 . . . Qa5 1 3 .Rc l Bd7 ( 1 3 . . . Qxa2 see 1 2 . . . Qb2 .) 1 4.f4 Rac8 1 5 .Rf3
Qc7 1 6.Rc2 Ne7 is too passive. 1 7.Rh3 g6 1 8.g4 Kg7 1 9 .g5 Nfg8 20.Qe 1
NfS 2 l .Bxf5 ! exfS 22.Qh4 h5 23.gxh6+ Kh7 24.Ndf3 Be8 25 .Ng5+ Kh8
26.h7 Nf6 27.Ngxf7+ Black resigned, Hoffmeyer vs. Krause, 1 993.
12 . . . Qb2? ! The queen will eat a pawn but will be too far from the
action. The kingside does not have a lot of defense! 1 3 .Rc l Qxa2 1 4.f4
QaS 1 5 .Rf3 A rook lift, to start. 1 5 . . . g6 1 6. Rh3 Nxe 5 ? ! ( 1 6 . . . Qc7 would
have been wiser. ) 1 7.fxe5 Ne8 ( 1 7 . . . Nh5 1 8. Rxh5 gxhS 1 9. Qxh5 fS
20.exf6 Qc7 2 l .Rfl ! eS 22.dxe5 Be6 23.Nf3 is simply overpowering.)
1 8.Nf3 f6 1 9.Qe 1 Qc7 20.Qh4 Qg7 2 l .exf6 Nxf6 22.Ne5 NhS 2 3 . Rfl
Rxf1 + 24.Bxf1 Bd7 25.Rf3 Rf8 26.Rxf8+ Kxf8 27.g4 Nf4 28.Qg5 Black
resigned, Sailer vs. Gnegel, 1 995.
13 f4
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
13 Rfc8
1 3 . . . Rac8 1 4.Rf3 ( 1 4.g4 ! ? ) 1 4 . . . g6 IS.Qe l Kg7 1 6.Rh3 Be8 1 7.Ndf3
Rh8 1 8. Qd2 Ne7 1 9.g4 QaS 20.Rcl BbS 2 1 . Bb l hS 22.Ng5 RefS 23.f5
Qa6 24.Re l exfS 25.gxf5 Qd6 26.Ree3 Nfg8 27.fxg6 Qf6 Black resigned
before the rook slid to f3 . Hoi vs.Danielsen, 1 995.
13 . . . Qd6 1 4.Qf3 reaches Summsercale vs. Thompson, above.
1 3 . . . g6 1 4.Ndf3 Rac8 IS . Q e l Kg7 1 6.g4 Qe7 1 7.Rc l Ne8 1 8 .Rc2
Nd6 1 9.g5 Qd8 20.Qh4 gave White a strong attack in Gomez vs.
Biedma, 2000.
14 g4!
When Black has a bishop at d7, the advance of the g-pawn is
especially strong. Black does not have the usual retreat available for the
knight at f6.
14 Be8
This is pretty much forced to make room for the knight.
15 g5 Nd7
White now uses the rook lift to continue the attack.
16 Rf3 N cxe5
16 ... Nf8 is very passive, but seems much safer. Black's only weak
square is at g7, and that isn' t easy to get to. On the other hand, Black
has absolutely no counterplay.
17 fxe5 g6
18 Rc 1 Qa5
1 8 ... Qxa2 1 9.Rf2 ! QaS 20.c4! dxc4 2 l .bxc4 Qd8 22.Ne4 is well
worth the pawn. White has a complete grip on most of the board,
except for the irrelevant queenside.
19 Bb1 b5
20 Nfl b4
21 c4! dxc4
22 bxc4 Rd8
Black sets up the little threat of capture at eS, exploiting the pin on
the pawn at d4.
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
23 Qel Nf8
24 Qf2 Bc6??
A blunder. 24 . . . Rd7 was necessary. The weakling at f7 needs all the
defense it can get. 25. Rf4 Qd8 26.h4 is still much better for White.
25 Rxf7
25 Rxd4
26 Qf6 Rg4+
27 Ng3 Resig n e d .
BOG OWUBOW VS . CAPABLANCA
I NTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT, NEW YORK , 19 2 4
BOGOUU BOW VARIATION: OPEN [005]
A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW B LACK SHOU LD P LAY
This famous the game, a masterpiece by Capablanca as Black, has
had a great deal of influence on the reputation of Rubinstein's opening.
It is useful to keep in mind Gary Kasparov's comment on move 1 5
that "Bogoljubow's subsequent play reminds us of how much more
professional present -day chess has become. Today one cannot imagine
a grandmaster from the world's top ten (or perhaps even with the top
hundred) losing such a position with White, even against the World
Champion:' As you'll see, there are many opportunities for White
to improve on this game. Nevertheless, it is worthy of special study
because it shows pitfalls that White can easily fall into.
1 d4 Nf6
2 Nf3 d5
3 e3 e6
4 Bd3 c5
5 b3 Nc6
6 0-0 Bd6
7 B b2 0-0
8 N bd2
Kasparov prefers the plan with a3 here.
8 Qe7!
This line of play has become established as Black's strongest.
9 N e5 cxd4
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
10 exd4 Ba3
Black eliminates the bishop. Although the bishop does not have
much scope at the moment, it often plays an important role later in
the game. It seems as though Black is exchanging his good bishop for
White's secondary bishop. One would think that after the exchange,
the superiority of White's bishop at d3 to Black's bishop is evident.
Nevertheless, Black seems to equalize.
11 Bxa3
l l .Qc l Bxb2 1 2.Qxb2 doesn't offer particularly good prospects. The
queen is usually needed on the kingside to operate on light squares as
part of an attack against h7.
11 Qxa3
12 N df3
1 2 .c3 ! ? has been suggested. Kasparov does not remark on this plan
but it makes a lot of sense. White's queen can go to c2, and it is difficult
to see Black getting a lot of counter play going on the queenside. 1 2 . . .
NxeS 1 3 . dxe5 Nd7 1 4. Qh5 ! Black must now weaken the position o n the
kingside. 14 . . . g6 1 5.Qg5.
White has scored well from this position in the few games on
record. Black's weak dark squares can become a serious problem.
Although computer programs consider White's advantage to be
minimal, I think that as a practical matter White's prospects are
considerably brighter than Black's. In any case, White will attack and
Black will have to defend. In amateur games, this is usually a strong

advantage for the attacker.
12 Bd7
1 2 . . . Nb4 should equalize instantly.
13 Nxc6 Bxc 6
14 Qd2?
1 4. Qc l ! Qb4 1 5 . Qd2 Qb6 1 6.Ne5 was suggested by Alekhine in his
comments to this game.
14 Rac8
15 c3
1 5 .Ne5 Kasparov marks 1 5 .c3 as dubious" Alekhine has suggesting
that the night move to eS immediately.
15 a6?!
The idea i s t o move the bishop t o bS and exchange i t for White's
bishop at d3. Alekhine commented that after this exchange Black's
knight will be able to participate in an attack. The e4 square is going
to be available as a useful post. White's pawn on c3 is weak. He was
impressed by Capablanca's move, but it isn't clear that it is best.
15 ... Qa5 is another way to set up the bishop swap. 1 6.a4 prevents
it, but 1 6 . . . Ne4 1 7.Bxe4 dxe4 1 8 .Ne5 BdS 1 9 .b4 Qd8 20.a5 f6 2 l .Ng4 is
very complicated. Kasparov comments that Black's position is perhaps
very slightly better. 2 l . . .Rf7 22.Rfc l Rfc7 23 .a6 b6 It is hard to find a
good plan for White. The knight cannot retreat to e3 because Black
then just pushes the f-pawn forward. If Black plays fS right away,
then the knight can leap to eS. White's backward pawn at c3 is a real
problem.
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
16 N e5 B b5
17 f3?
1 7.c4! dxc4 1 8.bxc4 should have been played. Kasparov considers
the position double-edged, because of the hanging pawns. These can
be an asset or a liability. In this position, given White's strong control
of e5, I don't see any problems for White. If the position is about equal,
then it is critical to step back and look at blacks alternative at move
1 5 . Because Black and White each have superior options before this
point, it's unlikely that this hanging pawn position will be tested. I ' m
confident that White has significantly better chances here.
17 Bxd3
18 Nxd3 Rc7
Black prepares to double on the c-file and start putting real pressure
on White's weak pawn .
19 Ra c 1 Rfc8
20 Rc2 N e8!
The knight pivots to d6.
21 Rfc 1 Nd6
22 N e5?
22.Nc5 ! would have put up stiffer resistance. Th e knight would keep
the c-file closed, unless Black looses the queenside pawn structure with
. . . b6. 22 ... Nb5
is how Kasparov would have played. 23 .Na4
might then hold things together.
22 Qa5
23 a4?
23.Nd3 was relatively best. 2 3 ... NbS ! 24.NcS Na3 ! 2 S. Rb2 b6 26.Na4
NbS 27.Rbc2
is still a bit awkward for White.
23 Qb6!
Th e most precise move. Threats may arise along the a7- g l diagonal.
perhaps White was so concerned about possible ramifications of plans
involving a leader knight sacrifice at d4 that he simply overlooked that
the pawn at b3 was hanging.
24 Nd3?
24.Rb2 NfS ! sets up a trick at d4. 2S.Nd3 (2S.Rbb l f6 26.Ng4 eS
nicely exploits the pin on the d-pawn.) 2S . . . Nxd4! 26.cxd4 Qxd4+
27.Kfl Rxc l + 28.Nxc l Qxd2 29.Rxd2 Rxc l + 30.Ke2 Kf8 with two extra
pawns.
24.b4 aS ! 2S.bS Nc4 seals the queenside and Black will be able to
break in the center by advancing the pawns after kicking out the knight
by playing f6. 26.Nxc4 Rxc4 wins a pawn. Black threatens to push the
e-pawn as well as capture at a4.
24 Qxb3
25 Nc5 Qb6
26 R b2 Qa7
27 Qel b6
28 Nd3 Rc4
29 a5 bxa5
30 Nc5 N bS
31 Re2?
Perhaps Bogoljubow anticipated what was coming but decided to
allow a pretty finish.
31 Nxd4!
32 cxd4 R8xc5 !
White resig n e d .
I f the rook a t cS is captured, Black recaptures with the queen, giving

check, and then the rook at c l falls, pinning White' s queen. Otherwise,
White is just three pawns down.
JANA B E LLI N VS . M O E N
TROLL MASTERS, GAUSDAL, 1992
BOGOUU BOW VARIATION: OPEN [005]
U SING T H E C-FILE
1 d4 e6
2 Nf3 Nf6
3 e3 d5
4 Bd3 c5
5 b3 cxd4
6 exd4 Nc6
7 0-0 Bd6
8 a3 0-0
9 Re 1
9 h6?
The best move i s 9 . .b 6 . For 9 . . . a6, s e e Schiller v s Bascon.
.
10 B b2 a5?
Such ambitious queenside plans almost never work out. Not
because White has a free hand on the kingside, but rather because
White can use the c-file and expose Black's pawns as weaknesses.
11 c4! ReS
12 N bd2 Bf8
Black is defending against a kingside attack which is not really in
the works.
13 Rcl ! Bd7
14 B bl !
Th i s clever move allows White t o continue play o n the queenside,
':Vbile setting up some nasty threats when the queen steps to c2. Black is
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
completely oblivious to the danger.
14 Qb8
15 N e5 Rd8
16 Qc2! Be8?
A final decisive error. The bishop had to emerge from f8 so that the
king can flee via the dark squares if necessary.
1 6 . . . Bd6 would have been best because now the trick does not
work. 1 7.Ng4? ( 1 7.Ndf3 ! ) 1 7 . . .Nxg4 1 8.Qh7+ Kf8
17 Ng4
Black resig n e d .
The knight cannot remain on guard to protect h7.
RUBI N ST E I N VS . M ORTI M ER
I NTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT, OSTEN D, 1907
80GOUU BOW VARIATION: OPEN [005]
B LACK TRIES A KINGSIDE ATTACK
1 d4 d5
2 Nf3 Nf6
3 e3 e6
4 Bd3 e5
5 b3 Ne6
6 B b2 exd4
7 exd4 Bd6
8 0-0 0-0
9 Rel Bd7
10 a3 ReS
11 N bd2 N e8
12 N e5 f5
13 Qe2 Bxe5
14 dxe5 g5
Utterly reckless. Even though Black has some pieces nearby, the
defense of the king is severely compromised.
15 e4 Ne7?
This knight should remain on the kingside.
16 Radl Ne7
17 Nf3 Ng6
18 Bel g4
19 Nd4 Qh4
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
There is no serious pressure against White' s king. The queen is

simply misplaced.
20 f4 Rce8
21 Qf2 Qh6
2 1 . . . Qxf2 + 22.Kxf2 gives White a free hand o n the queenside in the
endgame.
22 g3 a6
23 a4
23 Rf7?
23 . . . dxc4 24.Bxc4 bS allows the thematic sacrifice 25.Nxf5 RxfS
26.Rxd7 since 26 . . . bxc4 27.Rxc7 cxb3 28.Qb6 is clearly better for White.
Still, this fate was better than what happened in the game.
24 cxd5 Nxd5
25 Nxf5 !
This little tactic places Black in serious trouble.
25 exf5
26 Bc4 N g e7
27 Bxd5 Nxd5
28 Rxd 5
White is a clear pawn up with an easily winning position, despite
the bishops of opposite color. In fact, White' s bishop will return to b2
and play the decisive role in the attack.
28 Bc6
29 Rd6 Re6
30 Ba3 Rxd 6
31 exd 6 Be4
32 Qd4 Rd 7
33 Qc4+ Kg 7
34 B b2+
Black resig ned .
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
JAN OWS KI VS . RUBI N STE I N
I NTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT, PRAGUE, 1908
BOGOUU BOW VARIATION: TARTAKOWER [005]
STRATEGIC GEM!
1 d4 d5
2 Nf3 c5
3 e3 e6
4 Bd3 Nc6
5 0-0 Nf6
6 b3 Bd6
7 B b2 0-0
8 N bd2 b6
8 . . . Qe7 was later introduced by Lasker, in his 1 9 1 0 match with
Janowski.
9 N e5
9 Bb7
9 ... Bxe5 l O.dxeS Nd7 1 l .f4 f6 1 2.exf6 Nxf6 1 3.Nf3 Nb4 1 4.Ne5
Nxd3 1 5. cxd3 Nd7 1 6.Qg4 NxeS 1 7. Bxe5 Qe7 1 8. Rf3 g6 1 9. e4 Bb7
20.Re 1 dxe4 2 l .dxe4 Rad8 22.h4 was seen in Janowski vs. Esser, Paris
1 9 1 0. White has a very strong attack.
10 f4
The stone wall is erected!
10 N b4
1 0 ... Qe7 1 l .a3 Rfd8 1 2.Rf3 Ne4 1 3.Rh3 fS 1 4.Bxe4 dxe4 1 5.Qh5
BxeS 1 6.Qxh7+ Kf7 1 7.fxe5 Rh8 1 8. Qxh8 Rxh8 1 9.Rxh8 gave White a
strong game in Euwe vs. Rubinstein, Ostrava (Czech Republic) 1 923.
11 Be2 N e4
l l . . .cxd4 1 2.exd4 Rc8 1 3 .c3 Nc6 1 4.Bd3 demonstrates that the
incursion of the knight at b4 can be repulsed without difficulty.
12 a3 Nc6
13 Nxe4 dxe4
14 Qe 1 Qc7
1 4 ... cxd4 1 5.exd4 NxeS 1 6.fxe5 Be7 1 7.Bh5 White maintains some
pressure.
15 Nxc6 Qxc 6
1 5 . . . Bxc6 might have been wiser, but it is a tough call.
16 c4 f5?
This seriously weakens the pawn at e6 and doesn't keep White from
attacking on the kingide. Now the advance of White's pawn to g4 is just
a matter of timing. 16 . . . Qc7 would have been safer.
17 Rd 1 Qc7
18 Qg 3
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
18 Rfd8!
Rubinstein appreciates the importance of the f-file. 18 ... Qf7?
1 9. dxc5 BxcS 20.b4 Be7 allows a strong attack. 2 1 . Bh5 ! g6 22.Rd7 Bc6
23.Rxe7 Qxe7 24.Bxg6 hxg6 25.Qxg6+ wins.
19 h4!
It takes a while, but this pawn will advance to h6!
19 a5
20 a4!
Correctly shutting down any counterplay. When attacking on the
kingside, it is useful to shut the door on the opposite flank.
20 Qf7
21 h5 Be7
22 Rd2
White will double on the d-file and prepare the advance of the
pawn to dS.
22 Rd7
23 Rfd 1 Rad8
24 Qh3 Qf8
25 g4!
Janowski prepares to rip open the g-file by acpturing at fS, and if
Black retakes with the pawn, the the d-pawn will step forward securely.
25 cxd4
26 Rxd4 Rxd4
27 exd4!
As usual, the pawn capture is correct. The new d-pawn can always
be advanced to open up the line for the bishop.
27 fxg4
28 Qxg4 Bc8
The weakness created by the advance of Black's f-pawn to fS is now
a serious problem.
29 Qg3!
The queen steps back so that Black has no tricks involving the
advance or other elimination of the pawn at e6, opening up a line to
the bishop at c8.
29 Bf6
Rubinstein does everything possible to prevent the d-pawn from
advancing. But in the end, it will have its say!
30 Qe3 Bb7
31 Bg4 Qd6
32 Bh3
The bishop can now circle back t o g 2 t o attack the pawn a t d4.
32 e5!
Black's best hope, exploiting the pin on the pawn at d4. There is a
pQ.se, of course, The f- file will be open.
33 fxe5 Bxe5
34 Rfl !
34 Bf6
Forced. The capture at d4 would have fatal consequences.
34 . . . Bxd4? 3 5 .Bxd4 Qxd4 36.Qxd4 Rxd4 37.Be6+ Kh8 3 8 .Rf8#
35 Bc3
35 Bc8
35 . . . h6 allows the devastating 36.d5 ! when 36 . . . Bxc3 37.Be6+ Kh8
3 8 . Qxc3 Rf8 39.Rxf8 + Qxf8 40.Qe3. The pawn at e4 will fall, and Black's
position is hopeless.
36 Bxc8 Rxc8
37 Kg2!
A superb move! The king steps up to guard g3, so that the queen
can do work elsewhere.
37 ReS
38 h6!
Th e little pawn puts huge pressure on the kingside.
38 Re7?
3 8 ... Qe6! Black might have survived after this move. The point is
that 39.hxg7 Bxg7 40.Qg5 e3 ! ? 4 1 .Qxg7+ Kxg7 42.d5+ QeS 43.Bxe5+
RxeS 44.Kf3 Kg6 is a bad endgame, but not entirely hopeless thanks to
the outside passed pawns. Black would have to avoid trading rooks.
39 Qh3!
The occupation of the h-file is not important, but the c8-h3
diagonal is!
39 gxh 6
39 . . . Rf7 would have been a better defense. 40. Qc8+ could then be
met by 40 . . . Rf8 !
40 Qc8+ Kg 7
41 Qg4+
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
41 Kh8
Black cannot survive.
4 1 . . . Kf8 42. c5 Qc6 43.d5 The bishop at f6 is lost.
4 1 . . . Bg5 42.d5+ Kg8 43.Qc8 + ! Black will be checkmated after
sacrificing the queen and rook.
42 d5!
Finally, the decisive breakthrough takes place.
42 Rf7
42 . . . Rg7 43.Bxf6 Qxf6 44.Rxf6 Rxg4+ 45.Kf2 The Black pawns will
be gobbled and White will soon have a new queen.
42 . . . Bxc3 43 Rf8#
43 Rxf6 ! Rxf6
44 Qe6!
A fantastic exploitation of the pin on the long diagonal.
44 Qxe6
45 dxe6 Kg7
46 e7!
The only way to win, but it is elegant and efficient.
46 Kf7
47 Bxf6
B l a c k resig ned
Rubinstein resigned, since capturing the bishop allows White to get
a new queen. Janowski only took tenth place in the event, but this was
one of two brilliant games he played.
RUBI N ST E I N VS . KOSTIC
INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT, GOTEBORG, 19 2 0
BOGOUU BOW VARIATION: TARTAKOW ER (005]
ROOK LIFT WITHOUT STONEWALL ATTACK
1 d4 e6
2 Nf3 Nf6
3 e3 c5
4 Bd3 d5
5 0-0 Nc6
6 b3 Bd6
7 B b2 0-0
8 N bd2 Qe7
9 c4 b6
10 Re 1 Bb7
White can u s e the central strategy here, advancing the e-pawn .
11 e4 dxe4
12 Nxe4 cxd4
13 Nxd4 N xd4
14 N xd 6 ! Qxd 6
15 Bxd4 Rfd8
16 Bxf6 !
Eliminate the defender.
16 gxf6
17 Qg4+ Kh8
18 Bxh7! f5
1 8 . . . Kxh7 1 9.Re3 and mates.
19 Qh5 Kg 7
20 Re3 Qf4
21 Rg 3+
21 Kf8?
Black should have played 2 1 . . . Kf6 ! with the likely continuation 22
Rfl Rh8 2 3 Rg6+ fxg6 24 Qxg6+ Ke7 25 Qg7 + Kd6 26 Olcb 7.
22 Rg 8+ Ke7
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
23 Rg 7 Rf8
24 Bg8! Qe4
25 Rdl
Black resig n e d .
S I E G VS . B ECKH U I S
BUNDESLIGA, GERMANY, 1989
80GOLJU BOW : HANGING PAWN LINE [005]
HANGIGNG PAWNS AND ROOK LIFT
1 d4 Nf6
2 Nf3 c5
3 e3 d5
4 b3 e6
5 B b2 Nc6
6 Bd3 Bd6
7 0-0 Qe7
8 c4
8 .Ne5 0-0 9.Nd2 transposes to familiar lines.
8 cxd4
9 exd4 dxc4
10 bxc4
This is a classic hanging pawn position. White's bishops are well
placed to support the pawns so there is no disadvantage here. There is
particular danger for Black on the e-file. If White places a rook there,
then the dramatic advance from d4 to d5 can be accomplished easily.
That advance will also unleashed the power of the bishop at b2.
10 N b4
Black forces the bishop back to e2, where it will temporarily block
the file. However, once the knight is chased out, and the bishop can
return to its post.
11 Be2 Bd7?
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
1 1 . . . 0 - 0 followed by . . . b6 sems more useful. The king needs to get

off the file.
12 Rel ! ReS
13 a3 Nc6
14 Bd3 0-0
Black has castled but the bishops look forward t o a kingside attack.
15 Qd2 Qd8
16 N e5
This move is particularly strong, because the Black bishop sitting at
d7 takes away the natural retreat for the knight at f6 should a capture
take place at eS.
16 Na5
17 Qe3 a6
18 Nd2
I t has taken a n unusually long time for White t o develop the knight.
Still, White's pieces are more usefully positioned.
18 b5
Black desperately tries to get something going on the queenside.
18 . . . b6 1 9.Nxd7 Qxd7 20.d5 ! is very strong. 20 . . . Bxh2+ sets up a
fork trick at g4, but White can sidestep it. 2 1 . Kh l ! Bb8 22.Qh3 White
threatens to capture at f6 and eliminate the only significant defender of
the kingside.
19 Nxd 7 Qxd 7
1 9 . . . Nxd7 20 .Ne4 Bb8 2 l .Ng5 h6 22 .Nxe6! fxe6 2 3 . Qxe6+ Kh8
24.Qg6 {24.d5 Nf6) 24 . . . Nf6 25.d5 Kg8 seems to hold things together
for Black, but especially considering the wall full position of the exiled
knight on the queenside, White has more than enough compensation
with two pawns and a bishop for a pair of knights. 26.Bxf6 Rxf6
27.Qh7+ Kf8 28.Bf5 forces 28 . . . Rxf5 29. Qxf5+ Kg8
White has a rook and two pawns for the bishop and knight, neither
of which seem to be doing anything at the moment.
20 d5 Nxc4
21 Nxc4 bxc4
Now the decisive assault begins.
22 Bxf6 !
22 gxf6
23 Bxh 7+! Kxh 7
24 Qh3+ Kg7
25 Qg4+ Kh7
26 Re3
BOGOWUBOW VARIATION
The rook lift effectively ends the game.

26 Bf4
27 R h3+
Black resig n e d .
S U M M ERSCALE VS . G I M E N E Z
INTERNATIONAL OPEN, ANDORRA, 1991
CLASSICAL TARTAKOWER [005)
ADVENTURES AT F5
1 Nf3 c5
2 e3 e6
3 d4 Nf6
4 Bd3 d5
5 b3 Be7
6 B b2 0-0
7 0-0 N bd 7
8 N bd2 b6
9 N e5 Nxe5
The capture at eS gives Black a pawn maj ority, but it forces the main
defender of the kingside, the knight at f6, to go away and gives control
of that important square to White.
10 dxe5 Nd7
11 f4 Bb7
12 Qh5!
White provokes a small weakness o n the kingside. It will become
important later.
12 g6
13 Qh3 b5?!
Black is a bit nervous about the kingside and offers up a pawn on
the queenside. The alternative was very passive defense.
1 3 . . . Rc8 1 4.Rad l Re8 1 5 .c4! Black must not be allowed to push the
c-pawn to c4! 1 5 . . . Bf8 1 6.cxd5 exdS

is only a little better for White, but Black has to just sit around.
14 Bxb5 Qa5
15 Bxd 7 Qxd2
16 Rf2
The queen is chased away. Black's position only has one problem.
The dark squares on the kingside are weak. White will find a way to
exploit them !
16 Qb4
17 a3 Qb6
18 f5 !
The pawn barrier is ripped open.
18 gxf5
1 8 . . . exf5 1 9. Rxf5 gxfS 20.Bxf5 transposes.
19 Rxf5 ! exf5
20 Bxf5 h6
Th e pawn is defended by the queen . . . for the moment!
21 e6! Bg5
22 Bf6 !
22 fxe6
Or 22 . Bxf6 23 Qxh6
. . Rfd8 24 Qh7+ Kf8 25 Qxf7#
23 Bxe 6 + Rf7
24 Bxg5 hxg5
25 Rfl Raf8
26 Rf6 !
B l a c k resig n e d .
QUEEN CHECK VARIATION
SUSAN PO LGAR VS . COSTA
I NTERN ATIONAL OPEN , BROCCO, 1987
Q U E EN CHECK LINE [005]
THE OTHER KNIGHT GOES TO E 5
1 d4 d5
2 Nf3 e6
3 e3 Nf6
4 Bd3 c5
5 b3 Qa 5+
The check can be a bit inconvenient. There are four ways to block it.
Unless you are playing for a draw, you don't want to exchange queens.
The other three moves are all playable. Pushing the pawn is most
popular, and has scored very well. Computers prefer blocking with the
bishop, but that doesn't fit with our formation. Putting the knight in the
way doesn't lead to any immediate advantage, but Black must know the
correct plan.
6 c3 cxd4
The exchange has been criticized, but it was also played, later, by
Nigel Short. Since White isn't really threatening to advance to b4, Black
might as well develop.
6 . . . Nc6 7.0-0 Be7 8.Bb2 0 - 0 9.Nbd2 followed by c4 leads to
a normal sort of position. White will eventually play c4, Black will
eventually retreat to c7, and a typical position will arise.
7 exd4 Be7
8 0-0 Nc6
8 . . . 0-0 9.Ne5 Nc6 1 0.Nxc6 ( l O . Bb2 NxeS l l .dxeS Nd7 1 2 .Qh5 g6

1 3 . Qe2 looks comfortably better for White, who has good attacking
chances . ) 1 0 . . . bxc6 l l .Bf4
is about equal.
9 B b2
9.Ne5 NxeS l O . dxeS Nd7 l l . Qg4 g6 1 2 .Re l hS 1 3 . Qe2 Kf8 was
played in Yusupov vs. Short, 1 997. According to Yusupov, White has a
clear advantage after 1 4. Bb2 Qc7 1 5.Nd2 b6 1 6.c4 dxc4 1 7.Nxc4
9 0-0
10 N bd2 Rd8
11 Re 1 Qc7
12 c4!
The bishop wakes up, and the important eS square is once again
under White's control. A knight will find its way there eventually. But
not the one you think!
12 b6
13 Rc 1
It is useful to line up the rook against the queen.
13 dxc4
14 Nxc4 Qb7
15 Nce5!
White is aiming for the double knight attack, with the other knight
headed to gS to attack f7 and h7.
15 N b4
16 Bb1 Bd7
17 Ng5 Be8
18 Rc3!
A rook lift on the c-file!
18 g6
19 Rg3 Bf8
The bishop wants to keep an eye on the dark squares on the
kingside.
20 Ba3!
The bishop is now a bit overworked.
20 Qa6
If the bishop had to retreat, then Black would grab the a-pawn. But
retreat is not necessary! Most players would consider defending the
bishop, but there is a better option. You don't have to retreat or defend
if you can make a threat instead!
21 Qf3! Qxa3
22 Qxf6 Bg7
23 Qf3 f6
This saves the f-pawn, but weakens g6. That gives White a great
opporunity!
24 Nxh7! Kxh 7
25 Qh5+ Kg8
26 Bxg 6 ! fxe5
Or 26 . . . Bxg6 27 Qxg6.
27 Bxe8 Rxe8
28 Qg5
Black resig ned .
Notice that Black's queen and knight are exiled on the other side of
the board. This is a constant theme in the Rubinstein. Let Black go after
the a-pawn with queen and knight, you'll almost always have enough
attacking chances in return !
SCH I LLER VS . "JACKKNIFE"
CASUAL GAME, I CC, 1999
Q U EEN CHECK LINE (005]
SUFFERING WITH A BAD BISHOP
1 d4 d5
2 Nf3 Nf6
3 e3 e6
4 Bd3 c5
5 b3 Nc6
6 B b2 Qa5 +
7 N bd2
A new move at the time. 7.c3 Qc7 8 . 0 - 0 doesn't give White much.
7 Bd6
8 0-0 0-0
9 Re 1
To make room for the bishop.
9 N b4
10 Bfl N e4
11 dxc5!
The path is open for the bishop, and Black's king doesn't have much
in the way of defense. The queen and knight at b4 are too far away.
11 Bxc5
12 Nxe4 dxe4
13 N e5 Rd8
14 Qg4
Threatening to win a pawn by sacrificing the queen at g7 and then

using a discovered check, moving the knight at eS to c4. It will capture
the queen after Black deals with the discovered check.
14 Bf8
1 4 . . .f5 1 5 . Qxg7+ ( l S . QgS ! ? Bf8 1 6.Red l Rxd l 1 7. Rxd l Qc7 1 8 . Qd8 !
Black is paralyzed. White's threats include Ba3 and Nd7.} 1 5 . . . Kxg7
1 6.Nc4+ Kg6 1 7.Nxa5 Rd2 1 8.Nc4! Rxc2 1 9.Rec l Rxc l 20.Rxc l Black
has no time to grab the a-pawn because of the discovered attack, using
a knight check at eS. 20 . . . Nxa2 2 l .Ne5+ Kf6 22.Rxc5
15 Qxe4 f5
16 Qh4
16 Nxc2?
16 . . . Rd5 1 7.Nc4 Qc7 White has an extra pawn, but at least Black
doesn't face any danger on the kingside.
17 Redl !
The open file must be contested!

17 ReS
17 ... Nxa l 1 8 .Rx:d8 17 . . . Rxd l 1 8 .Rx:d l Nb4 1 9. Qh5± 1 7 ... Rd5 ! ? was
still best. 1 8. Rxd5 exdS 1 9 .Rc l Nb4 20.a32
18 Ra c 1 Be7?
18 ... Nb4 1 9. Qh5 White has a strong attack. Black still has problems
completing queenside development. The bishop at c8 is classically bad.
19 Qg 3 N b4
20 N c4!
Black resig n e d .
The discovered attack o n g7 combined with the direct attack o n the
queen forced Black to capitulate.
DOUBLE FIANCHElTO VARIATION

SCHILLER VS . MAPP
STAMER MEMORIAL, SAN FRANCISCO, 1 999
DOU BLE FIANCHETTO [D05]
DON'T WASTE TIME!
1 d4 Nf6
2 Nf3 e6
3 e3 c5
4 Bd3 d5
5 c3 N bd 7
6 0-0 b6
7 N e5 Bb7
8 f4 g6
Th e double fianchetto approach i s not effective, at least most o f the
time. Once a pawn is committed to e6, the kingside fianchetto has too
many holes.
9 Nd2 Bg7
10 N df3 0-0
11 Qe 1
I n this game, the queen travels to the h-file via e l and h4, instead of
h3 and h3.
11 N e4
12 a4!?
This move was played mostly for psychological reasons, to keep
Black's attention on the queenside.
DOUBLE FIANCHETTO VARIATION
12 f6
13 Nxd 7 Qxd 7
14 Qh4 c4
15 Bc2 a6
16 g4 Bc6
17 Kh1 ?
Black is pre-occupied with the queenside, so I took my time.
1 7.Nd2 was clearly correct. The position would then hold equal
chances.
17 b5
17 ... e5! 1 8.fxe5 { 1 8 .dxe5 fxeS 1 9. Bxe4 dxe4 20.Ng5 h6 2 1 .Nh3
exf4 leaves White without a good reply. The bishop at c1 is pathetic. )
1 8 . . . fxe5 would have been better for Black, because the knight at f3 is
subject to a nasty pin.
18 a5 b4!
19 Bxe4
1 9.cxb4 eS ! 20.dxe5 fxeS 2 l . fxe5 Bxe S ! deftly exploits the pin on the
knight.
19 dxe4
20 Nd2 Bd5
21 f5 ! ?
2 l . cxb4 e S 22.dxe5 fxeS 23.fxe5 BxeS would definitely have been a
problem for White.
21 exf5
22 gxf5 g5?!
22 . . . gxf5 2 3 . Qf4 Be6 24.cxb4 Rab8 25.Rg l is unclear, but in the long
run, I like Black's chances.
23 Qg4 Rfe8
24 Rg 1 b3
I can forget about endgames now, the weakness at aS will be critical.
I have to find a way to get the attack rolling.
25 Nfl !
Headed to hS!
25 R a b8
26 Ng3 Rb5
27 h4 h6
28 Rg2 Kf7
29 Bd2 Qc7
30 N h5 !
It almost seems silly to threaten the useless bishop at g7, but in fact
that is not a key part of the strategy. The idea is to move the knight to
f4 at just exactly the right time. My a-pawn was never going to survive
this game anyway.
30 Rxa5?
The computers like this greedy move, but the whole idea behind the
advance of the pawn to aS was to lure the enemy pieces into wasting
time going after it. Black should have waited, as the pawn was not going
anywhere.
31 Ragl Rh8
32 Bel Ral ?
Black should be thinking about defense! 32 . . Kf8 would have greatly
.
increased the breathing room for Black. The rook has to stay at h8 or g8
in any case, to help defend. If the king had retreated, the bishop at g7
would have more defense, which it will need soon enough !
33 Nf4!
33 Qd7
34 Ng6 ReS
35 hxg5 fxg5?!
Wrong pawn, though Black, in time trouble, could hardly have
worked out all the details.
3 5 ... hxg5 36.Qh5 Kg8 37.Rh2 doesn't actually threaten anything.
37 . . . Rd8 3 8 . Qh7+ Kf7 39 .Ne5+ (39.Qh5 Kg8 draws. ) 39 . . . fxe5 40.f6
Rg8 4 l .fxg7 Ke8 42.Qh5+ Qf7 43.Qxg5 Qf3 + 44. Rhg2 (44.Qg2 ? ? Rxg7 !
would have given Black a clear advantage.) 44 . . . Qh3+ 45.Rh2 draws.
36 Rh2 Kg8
37 Bg3! Rxgl +
38 Kxgl Bf7
39 N e5 !
39 Qa4?!
39 . . Qe7 was correct. Her maj esty should have remained close to
.
her king.
40 Rf2 Qal +
Black's queen is locked out of the game here.
41 Kg2 Qa5
42 f6 Bf8
43 Nxf7! h5
43 . . . Kxf7 44.Qh5+ ! Kg8 45.Qg6 + ! Kh8 46. f7 ! is the most efficient
win.
44 Qxh5
B l a ck resig ned
It is mate in 4.

TARTAKOWER VS . MU LLER
INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT, VIENNA, 1928
QUEEN'S INDIAN [A47]
DEATH IN THE MIDDLE: BLACK DOESN'T CASTLE
1 d4 Nf6
2 Nf3 e6
3 e3 b6
4 Bd3 Bb7
5 N bd2 c5
6 0-0 d6
7 b3 N bd 7
8 B b2 cxd4
9 exd4 Nd5?!
10 c4!
10 Nf4
1 0 ... Nb4 l l . Bb l Be7 1 2.a3 Nc6 1 3.Ne4 0 - 0 1 4. Qd3 Black is going
to have problems defending the kingside. it may be necesssary to
advance the f-pawn to fS, creating a big weakness at e6.
11 Bc2 Be7
12 N e4 Nf6
Black cannot afford to leave the powerful White knight at e4.
13 Ng3 h5?!
Utterly reckless. Black's king obviously has to go to the kingside,
so the weakening of the kingside position is unwise. Black does not
have enough attacking force to cause any trouble for the well defended
Wwte king. The most serious drawback to Black's move is that the
knight at f4 has no retreat.

1 3 . . . d5 1 4.Ne5 White is clearly better, but Black had try to defend,
for example by retreating the knight to g6.
14 Bel !
A great example of a powerful retreating move! It would be fair to
say that the game is about over at this point.
14 g5
The only way to defend the knight, but the pawn itself is not
defended.
15 Nxg5 Nxg2
1 5 . . . Ng6 1 6.Nxe6 Qd7 1 7.Re 1 ! fxe6 1 8. Bxg6+ Kd8 1 9.d5 White has
two pawns and an overwhelming attack.
16 d5!
The enemy king in the center invites this breakthrough. In addition
to attacking e6, the pawn blocks the diagonal, so that the knight at g2 is
no longer defended.
16 h4
16 ... exd5 17 .Kxg2 dxc4+ 1 8 .f3 h4 19 .N3e4 Black has a hopeless
position.
16 . . . Nh4 1 7.Qd4! The knight at h4 is attacked, but if it retreats, it
will be captured by the bishop and then the pawns in front of the king
will be swept away.
17 dxe6
17 hxg3?
This loses quickly, the king's pawn barrier is more important than
the knight. Black hopes that the pawn will capture at h2 with check,
but as the game shows, by the time that happens the White king will be
safe.
1 7 . . . f:xe6 1 8 .Nxe6! Qb8 1 9.Nf5 White has an overpowering attack.
18 exf7+
The king hunt begins!
18 Kd7
19 Bf5 + Kc7
20 Ne6+ Kb8
21 Nxd8
White has won the enemy queen, and not it is just a matter of
surviving a small attack on his own king.
21 gxh2+
22 Khl N e3+
Black gets the queen back, but at too high a price.
23 Nxb7 Nxd l
24 Nxd 6 !
A n excellent example o f a desperado move. Th e knight is going to
be lost in any case, but grabs a pawn along the way.
24 Nxf2+
24 . . . Bxd6 25.Rxd l The bishop would still be under attack. 25 . . . Be7
26.Bf4+ Kb7 27.Re l
25 Rxf2 Bxd 6
26 B b2
Black is only a pawn down, and each side has a pawn on the
seventh rank. Nevertheless, Black is lost.
26 Rh6
27 Be6
Black resig n e d .
On 27 . . . Nh7 28.Bd5 Black's rook is trapped in the corner.

SANTAS I ERE VS . BLUM I N

USA QUALIFIER CHAMPIONSHIP, NEW YORK, 1939
Q U E EN'S INDIAN [A47]
CENTRAL EXCHANGES, FOLLOWED BY SACRIFIC ES.
1 d4 Nf6
2 Nf3 e6
3 e3 b6
4 Bd3 Bb7
5 N bd2 d6
6 b3 N bd 7
7 B b2 Be7
8 0-0 0-0
9 c4 d5
10 Qe2
White has achieved three of the four maj or goals of the opening.
A pawn is in the center, castling has been achieved and the rooks are
connected. Eventually one of the rooks will move to the center, but it
is too early to determine the best position for the rooks. So White can
move on to middlegame strategy. Black, on the other hand, has yet to
connect the rooks.
10 h6
l O . . . cS i s perhaps best. White really should move a rook t o d l ,
but which one? I n practice, each move i s seen with equal frequency.
l l .Rad l is my preference. However, this allows Black to safely plant the
queen on the c-file. l l . . . Qc7 1 2 .Ne5 leads to typical Modern Colle play.
Chances are about even.
11 e4!?
Trying to decide which rook to move to d l might well have been

so difficult that the central break, also a good plan, seemed appealingly
simple. Indeed, this is a common theme, leading to a balanced position
which can turn ugly for Black if any weaknesses are provoked on the
kingside. The pawn at g6 is actully a bit weak, as you'll see.
11 dxe4
12 Nxe4 Nxe4
13 Bxe4 Bxe4
14 Qxe4 Nf6
15 Qe2
After the liquidation of two sets of minor pieces White enj oys a
small but lasting advantage beccause Black has slight weaknesses on
both blanks. White, on the other hand, has a firm grip on d4, so the
pawn there is not weak.
15 Nd7?!
This is a difficult position t o play for Black. Probably the right plan
involves . . . c6 and . . . Qc7. Black didn't want to concede a strong knight at
eS, but the queen should stay and defend.
16 Rad 1 ReS
17 Rd3
The beginning of the "rook lift': which will get the rook to g3 and
into the kingside attack.
17 c6
18 N e5 !
Well timed! Black certainly doesnh't want t o exchange knights,
because White's kingside attack is going to develop quickly. At the same

time, Black can't let the knight sit there forever.
18 Qc 7
19 Rg 3
White is organizing a strong attack. All three guardians of the king
are feeling a bit nervous.
19 Nxe5
There isn't anything better. White threatened to move the queen to
f3 and force the exchange.
20 dxe5 Rad8
Black's position is worse than it looks, but it takes an ingenious
maneuver to exploit it.
21 Bel ! ?
Moving the queen t o h S immediately might have been more
precise, but the participation of the bishop is needed in the assault on
h6.
21 Kh7
22 Qh5 Bf8
Black is defending as best he can, but the position is about to be
ripped open anyway.
23 Bxh 6 ! g6
23 . . . gxh6? 24. Qg4 The queen gets to g8 or g7.
23 . . . Kg8 loses by force: 24.Bxg7 ! Bxg7 25 .Qg5 fS 26.exf6 Rd7
27.fxg7 Rxg7 28.Qxg7+ Qxg7 29.Rxg7+ Kxg7 30.Rd l
i s a hopeless endgame for Black.
24 Qg5 Qe7
24 Bxh6
25 Rh3 f5
26 Qxh 6 + Kg8
27 Qh8+ Kf7
28 R h 7#
25 Rh3!
White sets up a nasty discovered check.
25 Kg8?
25 . . . Qxg5 26.Bxg5+ Kg8 27.Bf6 ! Bg7 28.Bxd8 Rxd8 29.f4 would
have lasted longer, but Black is down too much material to have any
hope of survival.
26 Qf4!
With the dark squares so weak, the queens will stay on the board so
that checkmate cannot be avoided.
26 Qc5
27 Bg5 Rd4
28 Bf6 ! Bg 7
28 . . . Rxf4? 29.Rh8#
29 Qh6!
Black resig n e d .
Checkmate is inevitable. If Black captures the queen, the rook
recaptures and gives checkmate at h8. If the bishops are traded, White
gets a pawn at f6 to support a queen at g7. And of course if Black does
nothing, there is the threat of checkmate at g7 anyway. Retreating the
queen to f8 allows a pretty finish. 29 . . . Qf8 30.Qh8+ Bxh8 3 1 .Rxh8#
JUSSU POW VS . HULAK

INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT, JAKARTA, 1 983
Q U EEN'S INDIAN [A47]
TARGET: F7!
1 d4 Nf6
2 Nf3 e6
3 e3 c5
4 Bd3 b6
5 0-0 Bb7
6 b3 Be7
7 B b2 0-0
S N bd2 Nc6
9 a3 ReS
10 Qe2 ReS
11 Rfd 1 Qc7
12 Rac 1 QbS
Black aims for a hedgehog formation. White immediately takes
action on the queenside, and opens up the d-file.
13 dxc5 bxc5
14 c4 a5
It isn't clear that Black has to stop White from advancing the pawn
to be for about it's a reasonable idea.
15 Bb1 d6
16 N g5 g6
1 6 . . . Ne5 1 7.f4 Ng6 is just asking for trouble. 1 8.f5 exfS 1 9 .Bxf5
leaves Black searching for counterplay while White has a free hand
on the kingside.
17 f4 d5
Black's central counter play is appropriate in this position, though
you have to wonder why Black bothered putting the pawn on d6 if his
intention was to push it forward.
18 Qf3 d4
19 Qh3 h5
There doesn't seem to be anything better, but it certainly looks like
a weakening move.
20 Qg 3 N g4
It looks like Black is taking over the initiative. White may soon feel
the pressure at e3 and g2. However, White has a surprise in store.
21 Nxf7!
This is a standard sacrifice, especially when Black has insufficient
protection at g6 because the h-pawn has already advanced. Although
White can't get to g6 on this move, after the Black knight back to its g4,
the lines will be opened.
21 Kxf7
22 h3 Bf6
22 . . . dxe3 23.hxg4 exd2 24.Bxg6+ Kf8 ! (24 . . . Kxg6? gets blown up.
25.gxh5+ KxhS 26. Qf3+ Kg6 27.Qg4+ Kh6 28.Rc3 !
Checkmate follows shortly. ) 25 .Rxd2
brings about a position that is not particularly easy to evaluate.
Although White only has two pawns for the piece, the exposed
Black king and active bishops should provide more than sufficient
compensation. If the f-file or g-file is completely open, then Black's
monarch will find it very difficult to survive.
23 N e4
2 3 . hxg4 h4 limits the attack, though White is still clearly better.
23 Nxe3
23 ... Ne7 ! 24.hxg4 Bxe4 25 .Bxe4 Qxb3 is preferred by computer
programs, but White still has a lot of play. 26.Rb l h4! 27.Qe l Qxe3+
28.Qxe3 dxe3 29.Bxf6 Kxf6
Black has an extra pawn but the pawns at e3 and h4 are very weak.
The queen side pawns are not too healthy either. An interesting plan
here is to sacrifice the pawn at g2 and activates the king. 30.g3 hxg3
3 l .Kg2 RedS 32.Kxg3
I think that White has a small advantage in this endgame thanks to
the weakness of Black's pawns and the superior position of the bishop
in the center. Computers prefer Black very slightly, but I think Black's
position is quite difficult to play.
24 Nxf6 !
This capture blows open the position and from here on Black is in
serious trouble.
24 Ne7
24 . . . Kxf6 loses t o 2 5 . Qg5 + !
This i s tronger than taking the pawn at g6, because now the king
cannot run away via e7. 25 . . . Kg7 (25 . . . Kf7 26.Bxg6+
with checkmate in 6 . ) 26.Qxg6+ Kf8 27.Qf6+ Kg8 28.Qg5+ Kf8
Now comes a very big surprise, as White can offer up one rook to
get its companion into the game. 29.Rc3 ! Qc7 {29 . . . dxc3 30.Qh6+ Kg8
3 l .Bh7 + and mate in a few.) 30.Rxe3 , and if 30 . . . dxe3, then 3 1 .Qh6+
wins.
25 Nd7 Qc 7
26 Ne5+ Kg8
27 Rel
Black has too many weaknesses, though matrial is equal.
27 h4
27 . . . N7f5 28.Bxf5 exfS 29.Rxe3 ! dxe3 30.Qxg6+ and the house caves
in. 30 . . . Qg7 3 1 . Qxg7+ Kxg7 32.Re l
White will collect the pawn and have two pawns and the knight
for the rook. Although once again that's simply material equality,
the weakness of Black's four pawns makes a White victory all but
inevitable.
28 Qg 5 !
28.Qxh4 Nxg2 gives Black some counterplay.
28 N 7f5?
28 . . .Nxg2 29.Re2 is also very dangerous for Black, but might offer a
few more chances to survive.
29 N g4 Nxg2
Too late !
30 Qxg 6 + Kf8
31 Rxe6 Rxe6
32 Qxe6 Ng7
33 Qh6 Q e7
34 Bg 6
B l a c k resig ned
He was faced with the threat of Qh8#.
BAU M VS . BAR
BUNDESL I GA , GERMANY, 1 992
Q U EEN'S INDIAN [A47]
KNIGHT INFILTRATION AT H7
1 d4 Nf6
2 Nf3 e6
3 e3 c5
4 Bd3 b6
5 0-0 Bb7
6 N bd2 Be7
7 b3 0-0
S B b2 d6
9 Qe2 cxd4
10 exd4 Nc6
11 c4 d5
12 Rac 1 ReS
13 Bb1
This i s a very flexible and appealing move.
13 ReS
14 Rfd 1 Na5
Offside !
15 N e5 Ba6
The whole plan of pressure at c4 is misguided.
16 N df3 dxc4
17 bxc4 Bd6?
Black wants t o eliminate t h e defender o f the pawn a t c4, but
capturing at eS isn't liklely to happen.
18 N g5 Rc7
19 Qd3
The power of the queen and bishop battery, combined with the
advanced posting of the knights would be trouble enough for Black
even without the badly placed pieces on the a-file.
19 h6
20 N h 7! Bxe5
21 Nxf6 + ! gxf6
22 Qh7+ Kf8
23 dxe5
Black resig n e d .
NAJDORF VS . ROSS ElTO

I NTERN ATIONAL TOURNAMENT, MAR DEL PLATA, 1 942
Q U E EN'S INDIAN -> CLASSICAL TARTAKOW ER (030]
BISHO P SACRIFIC E AT H7
1 d4 Nf6
2 Nf3 e6
3 e3 b6
4 Bd3 Bb7
5 0-0 d5
6 b3 Be7
7 B b2 0-0
8 N bd2 c5
9 N e5 Nc6
10 f4 ReS
11 a3
11 cxd4
l l . . . a6 has had better results. The central exchange is usually part of
Black's strategy at some point. In this case, Black hopes to control play
along the c-file.
12 exd4 Qc 7
13 c3?!
B etter is Qe2 right away.
13 N e8?
Black winds up retreating both knights to the back rank, occupying
e8 and d8. Hardly a promising position !
1 3 . . . Ne4 ! would have equalized. White can't win a pawn. 1 4.Nxe4
QUEEN ' S INDIAN FORMATION
NxeS ! l S .fxeS dxe4 1 6.Be2 fS 1 7. exf6 Rxf6 1 8. Rxf6 Bxf6 ! leaves Black
with a pair of weak pawns, but they are easily supported and the passed
pawn might be useful in the endgame, while the straggler can advance
to challenge White's d-pawn.
14 Qe2 Bd6
15 Ra e 1 Qe7
Targeting the a-pawn, abandoned by the White rook.
16 b4 a5
Black has good queenside play, but White has a target at h7! White
uses a rook lift to support the assault on h7, and the knight will later
leap into action from gS, having j ourneyed theyre from d2. This is a
typical attacking maneuver, so keep it in mind.
17 Rf3 N d8
18 Bxh 7 + !
A classic bishop sac, one that must be declined.
18 Kh8
18 ... Kxh7 1 9 .Rh3+ Kg8 20.Qh5 and Black has no defense!
19 Rh3 Nf6
20 N df3
The knight heads to gS.
20.Bd3+ Kg8 2 1 .Qf2 would also have worked.
20 Nxh7
20 . . . g6 2 l . Bxg6+ Kg7 22.Bd3 is also winning.
21 N g5
Black resig ned
The pin wins.

BAU M HACKEL VS . FRIESE

DORTMUN D, 2003
GREEK GIFT PLU S ROOK LIFT
1 d4 Nf6
2 Nf3 e6
3 e3 b6
4 Bd3 Bb7
5 N bd2 c5
6 0-0 Be7
7 b3 0-0
8 B b2 d5
9 Qe2 Nc6
10 a3 ReS
11 N e5 Nxe5?
12 dxe5 Nd7
13 f4 Qc 7
This is a typical Rubinstein stonewall position, but it holds great
danger for Black because f7 is unguarded.
14 Rf3 c4
This looks like an effective strategy but it meets with a surprising
refutation !
15 Bxh 7 + !
A Greek Gift sacrifice with a twist. Th e rook gets t o j oin the fun !
15 Kxh 7
16 Rh3+ Kg8
17 Qh5 f6
18 f5!
Black is given no time to catch his breath !
18 Nc5?
18 . . . Bc5 ! 1 9.fxe6 Bxe3 + ! gets the rook out of the attack. 20.Rxe3 (20.
Kh l Bh6 ! 2 1 .exd7 Qxd7 22.exf6 !
gives White a strong game, too, but the capture is better. ) 20 . . . Qc5
2 1 .Rae l NxeS 22.Bxe5 fxeS 2 3 . Qxe5
is clearly better for White.
19 Qh7+ Kf7
20 Qg 6 + Kg8
21 Rh7 Bd8
22 Qh5
B l a c k resig ned
ARAIZA M U N OZ VS . B U STO
TOURNAMENT , MEXICO, 1995
BB 1 & QC2 BAlTERY
1 d4 e6
2 Nf3 c5
3 e3 Nf6
4 b3 b6
5 N bd2 Bb7
6 Bd3 d 6
7 B b2 Be7
8 0-0 0-0
9 c4 N bd 7
10 Rc 1 ReS
11 B b 1 Bf8
12 Re 1 Qc7
13 Qc2 g6
Transforming the position t o a fianchetto defense. This seems
reasonable, but for the fact that the bishop is overworked, having also
to defend d6 in some cases.
1 3 . . . Rac8 looks better.
14 N g5 Bg 7
1 4 . . . Bh6 is well met by 1 5 .h4.
15 Rcd 1 Rad8
lS . . . dS ! would have maintained the balance.
16 f4 N g4
1 6 . . . d5 1 7.dxc5 bxcS 1 8. cxd5 exdS leads to a balanced position.

17 Qd3
17 h6?
Critically weakening g6 !
1 7 . . . Qc6 ! ? 1 8.Re2 dS was a more promising plan.
18 Nxf7!
Black resigned. If the knight is captured White grabs the pawn at g6
with check and then can in any case regain the piece at g4.
B l a c k resig ned
SCHILLER VS . BASCO N
DOS HERMANAS QUALI F IER, I C C , 2002
Q U EEN'S INDIAN A46
DEMOLITION AT F7
1 d4 Nf6
2 Nf3 c5
3 e3 cxd4
4 exd4 e6
5 Bd3 d5
6 0-0 Bd6
7 Re 1 0-0
8 b3 Nc6
9 a3
White takes a little time t o prevent Black from using the b4-square.
9 a6
9 . . h 6 s e e J . Bellin vs. Moen.
.
9 . . b6 is probably best.
.
10 B b2 b5
11 N bd2 Bd7
12 N e5 Qb6
13 N df3 Bxe5
14 dxe5 N g4
15 Qe2 Rac8
16 h3 Nh6
17 N g5 !
17 Nf5
1 7 . . . g6 1 8 .c4 gives Black serious problems.
18 Rad 1 h6
19 Bxf5 ! exf5
1 9 . . . hxg5 20.Bd3 g6 2 1 .Qg4 Qd8 22.Bc l ! fS ! 23.exf6 Qxf6 24.Qg3 is
very unpleasant for Black.
20 Rxd5 Rfd8
The weakness at f7 is an open invitation.
21 Nxf7!! Be6
2 1 . . . Kxf7 loses to 22.e6+ Bxe6 2 3 . Qxe6+ Kf8 24.Rxf5#
22 Rxd8+ Nxd8
23 Nd6 Rc6
24 Qd3 Nf7
25 Nxf5 Qc 7
26 Nd4 Nxe5
27 Qg3
SCHILLER VS . KARKLI N S
I LLINOIS CLASS, CHICAGO , 1 988
Q U E EN'S INDIAN -> M ODERN TARTAKOW ER [030]
PAWN SACRIFIC E , TRIPLED PAWNS
1 d4 Nf6
2 Nf3 e6
3 e3 b6
4 Bd3 Bb7
5 0-0 d5
6 b3 Bd6
7 B b2 N e4
8 N bd2 Nd7
9 Qe2
A new move.
9.Ne5 0-0 1 0. f3 Nxd2 l l .Qxd2 This is a more common variation,
but White has not done well from the position and the kingside attack
doesn't seem to be an effective strategy.
9 Qf6
9 .. .f5 is best handled by 1 0.c4
10 a4 Qh6
11 g3 Qh3
12 N e5 Bxe5
12 . . . Nxd2 1 3 .Qxd2 BxeS 1 4.dxe5 d4 1 5 .f3 NxeS is clearly better for
Black.
13 Bxe4!?
This introduces a pawn sacrifice. An alternative was 13 dxeS ! ?
Nxd2 1 4 Qxd2 .
13 dxe4
An alernative plan is 1 3 . . . Bxg3 ! ? 14.fxg3 dxe4 with interesting play.
14 dxe5
White gets strong play along the open d-file
14 0-0
15 Rfd 1
1 5 .a5 is a more natural plan. I wanted to keep the pawn at a4, so
that my knight can rest safely at c4.
15 f6
16 N c4!
I give up the pawn at eS and open up the f-file. But I was confident
that both f2 and, if necessary, h2, could be defended.
16 Nxe5
Or 16 . . . Rad8 1 7 exf6 Nxf6 1 8 .Ne5 !
17 Nxe5 fxe5
Tripled pawns!
18 Rd7
Infiltrating the sevent thank is more important than the pawn at eS,
which I never bother recovering.
Or 1 8 BxeS RfS 19 Bxc7 RhS 20 g4! with a strong position for
White.
18 Rf5
Black preserves the pawn, and threatens to move the rook to hS,
aiming at h2.
19 Qf l
1 9. Rxc7 RhS forces 20.Qxh5 QxhS 2 l .Rxb7
looks dangerous. Black can give up the a-pawn, restoring material
equality, and then invade with the rook. 2 1 . . . Rc8 ! 22.c4 Rd8 ! 2 3 . Rxa7
Rd2 24.Bc3 Rc2 25.Bb4 Qe2 26.Rfl Qd3
The queenside pawns will fall.
19 Qh6
1 9 . . . Qxfl + 20.Rxfl R f7 2 l .Rxf7 Kxf7 22.Rd l Th e game would
almost certainly be drawn.
20 Rad 1
20.Rxc7 Raf8 2 l .Rxb7 Rxf2 22.Qxf2 Rxf2 23. Kxf2 Qxh2+ 24.Kfl
Qh3 + 2 5 . Ke2 Qg2+ 26.Kd l Qfl + 27.Kd2 Qf2+ draws.
20 Raf8
21 R 1 d2 Qf6
Increases the pressure on the backward pawn
White would also enj oy a good game after 2 1 . . . BdS 22.Qg2 R8f7
2 3 . Rd8+ Rf8 24.Rxf8+ Kxf8.
22 Ba3!
The bishop comes to life! The pawn at e5 is no longer a target.

22.Rxc7 is also good.
22 ReS
There are serious problems on the seventh rank. Black is stuck with
pure defense. he can't let the pawn at e5 or pawn at c7 disappear.
23 Qe4!
White intends Rxc7
23 Bd5
Forced, but now the queen infiltrates.
24 Qa 6
Another weakness is exploited! The rook must abandon c8.
24 R7xd5 ? ! exd5 25 Qxd5+ Qf7 26 Qd8+ Qe8 27 Qd5+ Qf7 28
Qd8+ Qe8 29 Qd5+ Qf7
24 ReS
24 . . . Ra8 25 c4 (25 Rxc7?! Qd8 26 Re7 Qf8 isn't as easy) 25 . . . c6
26 Qb7 with a crush.
25 Rxe7
White threatens . . . . what?
25 Rh5
26 ReS
26.c4 also wins.
26 Qf7
27 RxeS+ QxeS
2S Qxa 7 QeS
Or 28 . . . Rf5 29 Qxb6 Rf7 30 Bb2.

29 c4!
29 h6
29 . . . B b 7 30.Qxb6 Q c 6 3 l .Rd8+ K f7 32.Qxc6 Bxc6 3 3 . Rc8 Be8 34.a5
The pawn cannot be stopped.
30 Qxb6
30.cxd5 exdS 3 l . Rxd5 ( 3 l .Bb2 Qh3 ) 3 1 . .. Qh3 32.Rd8+ wins, but I
was a bit nervous about the kingside, and my move is equally effective.
30 Kh7
31 Qc5
3 l .cxd5 ! ? exdS 32.h4 Rxh4
31 Bc6
Black could not save the queenless endgame, even with bishops of
opposite colors. Three connected passed pawns are much stronger than
tripled pawns!
3l . . . Qxc5 32.Bxc5 Bb7 3 3 . Rd7 and White wins.
32 Rd6 Qf8
32 . . . Bb7 3 3 . Qxc8 Bxc8 34.Rd8 Bb7 3 5 . Rb8 Ba6 36.Rb6 Bc8 37.a5
RfS 38.a6 Rf7 39.Rc6 Bd7 40.Rc7 wins.
33 Rd2?!
Inefficient. 3 3 . Qxc6 QfS 34.Rd8 wins, but I may have been spooked
by 34 . . . Rxh2, not seeing 3 5 . Rf8 !
33 . . . Qe8
There is still no defense.33 . . . Qc8 34.Qe7 Qe8 {34 . . . Qb7 3 5 . Qxe6)
3 5 . Qxe8 Bxe8 36.a5 Bc6 37.a6 wins.
34 a5 BaS
35 Qe7 Qg6
36 Rd6 Qg4
37 Qxe6 Qf3
38 Qg 6 +
Black resigned, a s the rook will go t o d 8 next move.
B l a c k resig ned
SUSAN POLGA R VS . M A l T H I THAN H H O U N G
OLYMPIAD, NOVI SAD, 1 990
Q G D VARIATION -> Q UEEN'S INDIAN (005]
USING C ENTRAL EXCHANGES
1 d4 Nf6
2 Nf3 d5
3 e3 e6
4 Bd3 c5
5 b3 N bd 7
6 0-0 Be7
7 B b2 0-0
8 N bd2 b6
9 N e5 Bb7
10 Qf3
Against this formation, the stonewall formation is not appropriate.
Instead, the queen moves into attacking formation while the f-pawn
remains in place.
10 ReS
11 Rad 1 Qc7
12 Qh3 h6
13 f4 N e4
Central exchanges blast open the position.
14 Nxd 7! Qxd 7
15 Bxe4 dxe4
16 dxc5
Opening d-file, liberating the bishop who can now see all the way
to g7.
16 Qb5
Or 16 . Rxc5 17 Nxe4 RdS 18 Qg4! f6 19 c4!
. .
17 Nc4 Bxc5
18 Qg4 f6
The diagonal is blocked, but now the e-pawn falls.
19 Qxe 6 + Kh8
20 Rd7!
The invasion of the seventh rank brings the game to a rapid
conclusion.
20 Rc6
21 Qg4
SCHI LLER VS . LOPEZ ROCA

DOS H E RMANAS QUALIFIE R, I CC, 2002
Q U EEN'S I NDIAN: S PASSKY VARIATION [E 1 4]
T H E Q U EEN'S I NDIAN ALTERNATIVE
1 d4 d5
2 Nf3 Nf6
3 e3 e6
4 Bd3 Be7
5 0-0 b6
6 c4 Bb7
7 Nc3
The plan with the queenside fianchetto is not a s appropriate against
Black's Queen's Indian setup, so I recommend switching to this line, a
favorite of B oris Spassky.
7 N bd 7
8 cxd5 exd5
9 N e5 Nxe5
Until this game, Black had refrained from capturing at eS. It is
usually a bad idea, but in this case computers seem to like it.
9 . . . 0-0 is the obvious, and usual move. 1 0.f4 Ne4 1 1 .Qf3 fS 1 2 . Qh3
carries out the typical attacking scheme, even though the queenside
configuration is quite different from the Rubinstein Attack. 12 . . . Ndf6
1 3 .Nxe4 Nxe4 1 4.Be2 cS 1 5 .g4 fxg4 1 6 . Bxg4 Rf6 1 7. B e6+ Kh8 1 8 .Nf7+
forced Black to give up the exchange in Eff vs. Voelker, Zell 1 99 3 . The
powerful knight at e4 provides some compensation, but not enough.
QUEEN ' S INDIAN FORMATION
10 dxe5 N e4
11 Qg4 0-0
This drops a pawn but there really wasn't anything better.
12 Nxe4 dxe4
13 Bxe4 Bxe4
14 Qxe4 Qd7
15 b3 Rad8
16 B b2 c5
White's extra pawn is important, because it controls important
squares. Much later on, it will march forward to win the game. Black's
queenside pawn maj ority never really gets going, and there isn't any
serious counter play.
17 Qf3 Qe6
18 Rad 1 c4
19 Rxd8 Rxd8
20 bxc4 Qxc4
21 Qb7!
The invasion of the seventh rank is the beginning of the end.
21 Bc5
22 Qxa 7 Qe2
23 Bd4 h6?
23 . . Qc4 would have put up more resistance.
.
24 e6! Bxd4
25 Qxf7+ ! Kh8
26 e7 B l a c k Resig ned
GRIVAS VS . PAN DAVOS

ZONAL TOURNAMENT, NEA MAKRI, 1 990
Q U E EN'S INDIAN (E 1 4)
DARK SQUARE WEAKNESSES WITHOUT THE BISHOPS
1 d4 Nf6
2 Nf3 e6
3 e3 c5
4 Bd3 Nc6
5 0-0 Be7
6 b3 0-0
7 B b2 b6
8 N bd2 Bb7
9 c4 ReS
10 Rc 1 cxd4
11 exd4 d5
12 Re 1
1 2.Bb l is probably the most precise move, giving White more
options later. However, there is nothing wrong with getting the rook to
the e-file.
12 Rc7
13 N e5 Qa8
14 Nxc6 Rxc 6
15 c5! bxc 5
16 dxc5
16 Bxc5?
1 6 ... a5 ! prevents b4 without allow the kingside to get blown apart as
in the game. 1 7. Qf3 Rfc8 1 8 . Qh3 h6 1 9.Nf3 RxcS
17 Bxf6 gxf6
18 Qg4+ Kh8
19 Qh4 f5
Forced, to stop mate at h7.
20 Rxc5!
The weakness of the dark squares comes back to haunt Black.
20 Rxc5
21 Qd4 + e5
22 Qxc5 e4
23 Bb5 f4
24 Qd4 + f6
25 b4 a6
26 Bfl a5
27 b5
Black resig ned
QG D VARIATION
QG D VARIATION
SCHILLER VS. I O NESCU
ZEMITIS I NTERNAT IONAL FUT URITY, SAN FRANCISCO, 2000
CLASSICAL VARIATION [005]
BLACK P LAYS ON THE A-FILE
1 d4 d5
2 Nf3 Nf6
3 e3 e6
4 Bd3 Be7
5 0-0 0-0
6 N bd2 N bd 7
7 b3 ReS
8 B b2 aS
This is not a very common plan. It isn't clear what Black achieves
by advancing the pawn. If it is exchanged from a4 to b3, then the a-file
remains contested. If it advances all the way to a3, then it will be very
weak, and White can play c4 followed by maneuvering a knight to c2.
9 N e5
This position was new to me at the time and so I followed the
standard attacking plan.
9.a3 c6 l O.NeS Qc7 l l . f4 is similar, as seen in the initial game in
this line, the only other one I could find. l l . . . cS 1 2 . Rf3 a4 1 3.Nxd7
Bxd7 1 4.dxc5 QxcS 1 5 .Rh3 g6 1 6 .b4 Qc7 1 7.Be5 Qd8 1 8.g4 Rf8 1 9.g5
Ne8 20.Rxh7 Kxh7
Black resigned before White could play Qh5+, Reh vs. Franke,
Kassel 1 999.
9 a4
10 f4 Nf8
11 N df3 N e4
Black has a solid position but the f7 -square is a potential target.
12 Ng5!?
Speculative, but I couldn't find any appealing alternative.
12 . . . BxgS
I was pleased to see Black except the offer.
1 2 . . . Nxg5 1 3 .fxg5 BxgS 1 4.Nxf7 Bxe3+ l S .Khl Qe7 1 6 .Qe2 BgS
1 7.Nxg5 QxgS 1 8. Qf3 White has a very clear advantage, dominating
the f-file, possessing the bishop pair, and soon to on the e-file.
12 . . . Nd6 ! was of greater concern to me. Then I'd probably have to
move my Bishop to a3 in order to get rid of the knight, which defends
£7. 1 3 .Ba3 ! ? axb3 ( 1 3 .. .f6 1 4.Qh5 ! g6 1 5 .Nxg6 hxg6 1 6.Bxg6 fxgS
1 7. Bxd6 cxd6 1 8 .Bf7+ Kg7 1 9.fxg5 ! and Black's king is doomed.; 1 3 . . .
BxgS 1 4.fxg5 QxgS 1 5 . Bxd6 cxd6 1 6.Nxf7 Qxe3+ 1 7. Kh l e S 1 8. Qh5
gives White a strong attack, for example: 18 ... g6 { 1 8 ... Re7 1 9.dxe5 ( 1 9.
NxeS ! ? dxeS 20.Rxf8+ Kxf8 2 l .Rfl + Qf4 22.Qxh7 Qxfl + 23.Bxfl axb3
24. cxb3 exd4 25 . Qh8+ K£7 26.Qh5+ Kg8 27.Qxd5+ Be6 2 8 . Qxd4 Rxa2
29.Bc4 Bxc4 30.Qxc4+ R£7 3 1 . Qc8+ Kh7 32.Qh3 + ) 1 9 . . . dxe5 20.Rae l
is undesirable for Black. ) ) 1 4.Bxd6 b2 1 5.Ngxf7 bxa l =Q 1 6 . Qxa l cxd6
1 7.Nxd8 dxeS 1 8.Nxe6 Bxe6 1 9.fxe5 with some advantage for White.
13 fxg5 Qxg5
14 Bxe4
QG D VARIATION
I'm prepared to sacrifice the pawn at e3, even with check, because
all of the open lines on the kingside guarantee goo d attacking chances.
14 Qxe3+
1 4 . . .f6 1 5 . B d3 Qxe3+ 1 6.Kh l fxeS 1 7. dxe5 would have provided
sufficient compensation.
15 Kh 1 Qxe4
16 Rxf7 Nd7
17 Qh5
1 7.Rxd7 Bxd7 1 8.Nxd7 b 6 i s not so clear. Still, I'm sure that White
has the better chances here.
17 Nxe5
18 dxe5 axb3
19 Rafl
1 9 .Rxc7 was tempting but I was concerned about the variation 19 . . .
Rf8 20.Qg5 Qg6 2 1 .Qxg6 hxg6 22.cxb3 Rxa2 !
19 Qg6
20 Qf3
20.Qxg6 hxg6 2 1 .ax:b3 is not good enough: 2 1 . . . Ra2 22.Bc3 Rxc2
2 3 . Rxc7 b6 24.h3 Rd8 25.Rff7 Rd7 !
with a messy position but one which is likely to end in a draw.
20 Bd7!
21 Ba3!
The weakness of Blacks back rank allows this bishop t o be
mobilized and now Black is under a lo t of pressure.
21 h6
21 Rxa3?
22 Rf8+ Rxf8
23 Qxf8#
22 Bf8 Rxf8
22 . . . bxa2 23.Rxg7+ Qxg7 24. Bxg7 Kxg7 25.Qf7+ Kh8 26.Ra l BbS
27.Qg6 would likely have resulted in a draw because White's rook must
stay to prevent Black's pawn from promoting.
23 Rxf8+ Rxf8
24 Qxf8+ Kh7
25 cxb3
Given in the weakness of White's pawn at eS, chances are about
even.
QG D VARIATION
25 B b5
26 Rg l c6
26 . . . Bd3 ! 27. Qe7 Be4 28.Qb4 (28.Qxc7? Bxg2+ 29.Rxg2 Qb l +
30.Rg l Qe4+) 28 . . . b6 29.Qd4 cS would certainly have been no worse
for Black.
27 Qb4 Qe4?
Badly misjudging the endgame.
27 . . . Bd3 28.Qxb7 Be4 29.Qb6 ! Qe8 30.a4 is hopeless for Black.
27 . . . Qf5 28.a4 Ba6 29.Qd6 Bfl 30.Qb4 Qf2 3 1 .h3 ( 3 1 . Qxb7 Bxg2+
3 2 . Rxg2 Qfl + 3 3 . Rg l Qf3 + ) 3 1 . . . Ba6 32.Qg4 remains awkward for
Black but the position is not indefensible.
28 Qxe4+ dxe4
29 Re l Bd3
30 g4! h5
30 . . . cS 3 1 Kg2 Kg6 32 Kg3 bS 3 3 Rc l c4 34 Kf4 cxb3 3 5 axb3 Kf7
36 Rc7+ Kg6 37 Re7
31 Kg2!
This is the move that Black overlooks when calculating the
variation leading to this position.
31 h4
3 1 . . . hxg4 3 2 . Kg3 Kg6 3 3 . Kxg4 Kh6 34. Kf4 g5+ 3 5 . Ke3 Kg6 36.Rg l
KfS 37 . Rg2 Bb l 3 8 . Kd4 Kf4 39.Rf2+ Kg4 40.b4 Kh3 4 1 .a4 g4 42.a5 g3
43 .hxg3 Kxg3 44.Rf7 etc .
32 Kh3! g5
Forced. Now the kingside is closed.
33 Kg2 c5
34 Rc l b6
35 Kf2 Kg 7
36 a4 c4
37 bxc4
Black resig ned
QG D VARIATION
SCH ILLE R VS . NAYLO R

STAMER MEMORIAL, SAN FRANCISCO, 2 000
QGD VARIATION (005]
TWO KNIGHTS AGAINST F7
1 d4 d5
2 Nf3 Nf6
3 e3 e6
4 Bd3 N bd 7
5 0-0 Bd6
6 b3 0-0
7 B b2 ReS
8 N e5
8 Nf8
8 . . . c5 9.Nd2 Qe7 was seen in Deuster vs. Schneider, Giessen 1 99 1 .
1 0 .Ndf3
is now more thematic than 1 0.a4, played in that game.
9 f4
A new move.
9.c4 c6 1 0.Nd2 has been seen a few times.
9 Bd7
10 Nd2
I n this game, t h e knight is headed t o g S , a typical strategy.
10 Ng6
11 N df3
11 c6?!
Th e bishop i s buried alive!
l l . . .cS 1 2.Ng5 Re7 1 3 .c4 leads to an interesting battle. White will
have the initiative for a long time, and can work on either flank.
12 N g5 Rf8
1 2 . . . Re7 ! ? comes into consideration.
13 Qf3 Qe7
14 Qh 3 Rae8?!
Everything is protected ... not!
15 N gxf7! N e4
Both of White's knights are taboo.
15 ... Rxf7 1 6.Bxg6 hxg6 1 7.Nxg6 Qd8 1 8. Qh8# 1 5 ... Bxe5 1 6.Nxe5
White will demolish g6 and h7.
16 Bxe4 dxe4
17 N g5
Black cannot defend both g6 and h7.
QG D VARIATION
17 h6
18 Nxg 6
SCHILLER VS . TROTTER
B LACK KNIG HT MEM O RIAL DAY, SAN JOSE, 2004
QGO VARIATION [005]
EXCITING LAST ROUND GAME!
1 d4 d5
2 Nf3 e6
3 e3 Nf6
4 Bd3 Bd6
5 0-0 0-0
6 b3 N bd 7
Placing the knight at d 7 distinguishes this defense from the
standard Bogoljubow plan, where it goes to the more natural c6-square.
7 B b2 Qe7
8 N e5 c5
9 Nd2 cxd4
10 exd4 Ba3
11 Bxa3 Qxa3
12 Qe2
A new move. I thought I might get away with Rae 1 followed by
Nxf7 at some point.
1 2 .Re 1 b6 1 3 .Re3 Ba6 1 4. c4 Rfd8 1 5 .b4 Qb2 1 6.Nc6 Bb7 1 7.Rb 1
Qxb 1 1 8 .Ne7+ Kf8 1 9. Bxb 1 Kxe7 20.c5 and White went on to win in
Naj dorf vs. Corte , Mar del Plata 1 942 .
1 2.c4 b6 1 3 .f4 Bb7 1 4.Rf3 h6 1 5. Rg3 Rfd8 1 6. Qb 1 Qd6 1 7.Bg6 !
NxeS 1 8.fxe5 Qe7 1 9 .exf6 Qxf6 20. Bh7+ led t o a White win i n Buckley
vs. Hanson, Saint John 1 996.
QG D VARIATION
12 b6
13 N df3 Bb7
14 N g5 ? !
1 4.g4 was the correct attacking idea, to chase the knight from f6.
14 h6
15 Nxd 7
1 5 .Nxe6 NxeS ( 1 5 . . . fxe6 1 6.Nxd7 Nxd7 1 7.Qxe6+ Rf7 1 8 .Bg6 Raf8
1 9.Bxf7+ Rxf7) 1 6.dxe5 fxe6 1 7 .exf6 Rxf6 would have been about even.
1 5 .Ngf3 NxeS 1 6.Nxe5 Ne4 transposes to the game.
15 Nxd 7
16 Nf3 Nf6
17 N e5 N e4
18 f3 Nc3
19 Qe3
Or 1 9.Qd2 Rac8 20.f4 Rc7 2 l .f5 f6 ! ? 22.Ng6 Re8 2 3 . Rae l Rac8.
20 Ra e 1 ! ?
I offer the a-pawn just t o keep the Black pieces tied up o n the
queenside. Later it turns out the queen does manage to get back into
the game, just in time. Though I only needed a draw to clinch first
place, I know that the best way to play is with aggression, so that if
necessary, a draw offer can be made from a strong position. It was clear,
however, that my lower, and vastly under-rated, opponent, was in no
mood for a draw. He trailed me by half a point, and winning this game
would give him first place, an amazing result for the lowest-rated player
in the section !
20 Rfe8
21 g4
2 l .Ng4 ! ? might have been good here. 2 l . . .Ba6 22.Bxa6 Qxa6 23.a4 ! ?
21 Ba6!
22 Rf2 Bxd3
23 Nxd3 Qxa2
24 g5 hxg5
25 Qxg5 N b5 !
I had overlooked this resource.
25 . . . Qa3 is what I expected, setting up the return of the queen to
e7 or f8. 26.b4 Qa4 27.Rg2 g6 28.Qf6 (28.Ne5 Qxb4 29.Nxf7 Qxd4+
30.Kh l Qg7 3 l .Nd6 RedS 32.Nxe8 Rxe8 3 3 . Ra l
Black has two pawns for the exchange, but White i s better. )
26 c4!?
I could have, and perhaps should have, played for one of the
drawing lines at this point. A rook sacrifice on the kingside will lead to
a perpetual check. But I wanted to win the tournament with a perfect
score, and went all out for a win.
26.Rg2 g6 27.Qf6 Rxc2 28.Rxg6+ fxg6 29.Qxg6+ Kf8 30.Qf6+
draws.
26 Qxb3
27 Rg2 g6
28 N e5 Nxd4
28 . . . Qc3 ! 29.Kfl Nxd4 30.Qf6 Rc7 3 l . Rxg6+ fxg6 32.Qxg6+ Kf8
33.Qf6+ draws.
29 Qf6 Nxf3+
QG D VARIATION
30 Nxf3 Qd3
30 ... Qxc4 sets up a win by sacrificial means. 3 1 .Rxg6+ destroys the
barrier. 3 l . . .f:xg6 3 2 . Qxg6+ Kf8 3 3 . Qh6+ Kg8 34.Kh l ! and there is no
stopping Rg l + .
31 N e5 Qf5
32 N g4 Kf8
33 cxd5
33 Qxd5?
A blunder, though Black was in trouble anyway.
33 . . . Qxf6 ! 34.Nxf6 Re7 (34 . . . Red8 35 .dxe6 fxe6 36.Nh7+ ! Kg8
3 7.Ng5 The knight is much stronger than the weak pawns, and there is
no way for Black to trade off White's remaining pawn. ) 3 5 . dxe6 ( 3 5 .d6
Rb7 36.d7 Rd8 37.Rc2 Ke7 and there is no way for White to win. ) 35 . . .
Rxe6 36.Rxe6 fxe6 37.Rxg6 K f7 38.Rh6 a S 39.Ne4 should wind up a s a
draw, though there are penty of ways for both sides to go wrong.
34 N e5
B l a c k resig ned
IRREGULAR DEFENSE
PHAM BICH N G OC VS . LE N G OC CHAU
VIETNAM T EAMS, VUNG TAU, 2000
IRREGU LAR [005]
KNIGHT SACRIFICE AT G6
1 d4 Nf6
2 Nf3 d5
3 e3 e6
4 Bd3 g6?!
This makes absolutely n o sense with a pawn already at e 6 . However,
sometimes such moves are played in accordance with advice that "a
kingside fianchetto is useful against the Colle".
5 b3
5 Be7?
This is too passive, and totally inconsistent with Black's last move ..
5 ... Bg7 6. Ba3 ! Nbd7 7.Nbd2 b6 8 . Bb5 ! ? Ng4? ( 8 ... Bb7 9.Ne5 cS !
l O.dxcS a6 l l .Bxd7+ Nxd7 1 2 .Nxd7 Qxd7 1 3 . cxb6 Bxa 1 1 4 . Qxa l gives
White a tremendous position, ad the knight and pawns are worth
more than the rook. ; 8 . . . c5 9 . dxc5 bxcS l O.BxcS Ba6 ! l l .Bxa6 NxcS was
Black's best plan . ) 9.h3 Nh6 1 0.c4 Bb7 l l . cxdS exdS 1 2.Rc l ReS 1 3 . Qe2
c6 1 4.e4! cxbS 1 5. exd5 + NeS 1 6. Rxc8 Qxc8 1 7.Nxe5 Kd8 1 8.Nc6+
bought White a swift victory in O.Fischer vs. Kuehlwein, Germany
2003.
5 ... Nbd7 6.Nbd2 (6.0-0 Bg7 7.c4 is a more promising strategy. )
6 . . . Bg7 i s the safest move order. After 7 . 0 - 0 (7.Bb2 0 - 0 8.Ne5 NxeS
9.dxe5 Nd7 1 0 . f4 NcS ! Black equalized in Wei vs. Grcic, Canberra
IRREGULAR VARIATION
2002. ) 7 . . . e5 ! ? 8.Nxe5 NxeS 9 . dxe5 Ng4 1 0. Nf3 NxeS l l .NxeS BxeS

1 2 .Rb l 0 - 0 the chances are equal.
6 B b2 0-0
7 N bd2 ReS
8 0-0 c6
9 N e5 Bd6?
Black i s playing recklessly, repositioning pieces before completing
development.
10 c4 Nfd7
11 f4 c5?
Black has wasted time ( . . . c6 then . . . cS) and White takes advantage
by using a rook lift.
12 Rf3 f6
13 Nxg 6 ! ! cxd4
Capturing the knight would have been hopeless for Black after
1 4.Bxg6, Rh3 and QhS.
14 Rg3 Kf7
15 Qh5 e5
16 Nxe5 +
B l a c k resig ned
LENINGRAD DUTCH FORMATION

AR IAS VS . CANON LO PEZ
SPANISH JUNIOR T EAMS), SPAIN, 1 994
LENINGRAD D UTCH [ASO]
USE OF A3-F8 DIAGONAL
1 d4 f5
2 Nf3 Nf6
3 e3 g6
4 Bd3 Bg 7
5 b3 0-0
6 B b2 d6
7 N bd2 N bd 7
8 0-0 c6
Unlike most D utch Defence lines, here Black lacks sufficient
pressure at e4. A Stonewall D utch is much more reliable. In that case,
White should develop normally, but aim for Ba3 rather than Bb2, to
swap off the dark-square bishops.
9 e4!
The central strategy is the obvious choice.
9 Nxe4
10 Nxe4 fxe4
11 Bxe4 Qe8
l l . . .NcS ! ? 1 2. dxc5 Bxb2 1 3 . Rb l Bg7 1 4.cxd6 exd6 1 5 .c4 leaves
Black with a problem child at d6, and the bishop pair doesn't fully
compensate for that.
12 Bd3 N b6
LEN IN GRAD DUTCH FORMATION
13 N g5 Qd8
1 3 . . . e5 1 4.dxe5 h6 1 5 .Ne4 BxeS 1 6 . Bxe5 QxeS 1 7.Ng3 Back has
weak pawns.
14 Re 1 e5
Black carries out the central advance, expecting an exchange at eS,
but White has other plans!
15 Nxh7! Kxh 7
16 Qh5+ Kg8
17 Bxg 6 Rf4
Checkmate is avoided, but Black's defense is porous. The queenside
pieces are just too far away.
18 g3 Rg4
19 h4?
An over-reaction. The gS square could have been ignored.
1 9.dxe5 ! RgS 20.Qh7+ Kf8 2 1 .e6! when Black has nothing better
than 2 1 . . . Rxg6 22.Qxg6 Qe7 23.Bxg7+ Qxg7 24.e7+ !
19 Qf6
20 Qh7+ Kf8
21 Bh5
21 Re4??
This is likely a notation error, and I suspect that ... Rxd4 was actually
played.
2 1 . . .Rxd4 ! 22.Bg6 (22.Bxd4? BfS ! would have trapped the queen ! )
2 2 . . . Rg4 23 .h5 Be6 24.Rxe5 dxe5? (24 . . . Rxg6! would have turned the
tables, if the game actually did see . . . Rxd4. 25.Rae l dxeS 26.hxg6 (26.
Ba3+ Kf7 27.hxg6+ Qxg6) 26 ... Nd7 ! and White has run out of attack. )
25.Ba3+ might have been the actual moves. 2 1 . . .Bf5 22.dxe5 Qf7 23.e6!
Qxe6 24.Rxe6 Bxh7 2 5 . Bxg4 Bxb2 26.Rae l Be5 27.f4 gives White and
advantage, and the three connected passed pawns are worth a lot, but
the game isn't over.
22 Bg6?
22.Qxe4 is just too obvious.
22.Rxe4 BfS 2 3 . dxe5 ! Bxh7 24.exf6 Bxe4 25 .fxg7+ Kg8 26.Re l BdS
27.Re7 White wins.
22 Rg4
23 h5 Be6?
23 . . . e4 24.Bxe4 with three pawns for the piece and a good attack.
24 Rxe5! dxe5
25 Ba3+
Black Resig ned
I hope you have enj oyed our excursions through the territory of the
Rubinstein Attack. Having seen all of the major themes in action you
should now be able to go out and play the opening with confidence.
You should never wind up with an inferior position out of the opening
and in most cases will have excellent attacking prospects.
INDEX OF GAMES
Araiza Munoz vs . Busto 1 85

Arias vs . C anon Lopez 218
B aum vs . B ar 178
Baumhackel vs . Friese 1 83
Blackburne vs . Minckwitz 22
Bogoljubow vs . C apablanca 120
C apablanca vs . Corzo 109
Danner vs . B eim 1 15
Euwe vs . Kroone 98
Freiman vs . Rubinstein 90
Fuhrmann vs . Pedersen 82
Grivas vs . Pandavos 200
Guimard vs . Lundin 32
Guimard vs . S anguinetti 37
Hawkins vs . MacLaughlin 85
Jana B ellin vs . Moen 126
Janowski vs . Jaffe 28
Janowski vs . Rubinstein 131
Jussupow vs . Hulak 1 72
Jussupow vs . Spiridonov 59
Krabbe vs . DAPPET Computer 63
Naj dorf vs . Rossetto 1 80
Olesen vs . S hirazi 71
Pham B ich Ngoc vs . Le Ngoc Chau 216
Susan Polgar vs . Costa 149
Susan Polgar vs . Mai Thi Thanh Houng 1 96
Rubinstein vs . Chigorin 1 05
Rubinstein vs . Flamberg 54
Rubinstein vs . Kostic 139
Rubinstein vs . Mortimer 128
Rubinstein vs . S alwe 101
Rubinstein vs . Treybal 94
S antasiere vs . Blumin 167
Schiller vs . B ascon 1 87
S chiller vs . lbragimov 74
S chiller vs . lonescu 203
S chiller vs . j ackknife 153
S chiller vs . Karklins 1 90
S chiller vs . Lopez Roca 198
S chiller vs . Mapp 156

S chiller vs . Naylor 209
S chiller vs . Tomosvary 41
S chiller vs . Trotter 212
S chlechter vs . Burn 50
Sieg vs . Beckhuis 1 42
Summerscale vs . Gimenez 146
Summerscale vs . S adler 65
Tartakower vs . Muller 1 62
Zukertort vs . Blackburne 45

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The Rubinstein Attack

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THE RUBINSTEIN

Copyright © 2005 Eric Schiller

Brown Walker Press

The Rubinstein Attack is essentially an opening of ideas rather than memorized

Thanks to the following members of Chessgames.com, who

Produced in August, 2005 by Chessworks Unlimited using

The author can be contracted at eric@ericschiller.com. His

White has several strategies from the basic formation. A stonewall

Black, on the other hand, has a big menu of defenses to choose

Let's take a look at some of the most common defensive formations.

BOGOLJUBOW DEFENSE, CLOSED VARIATION

This is Black's most popular choice. The bishop at d6 can support a

White will target the kingside, as usual. The knight at f3 will go

If Black does not capture at d4, eventually White can capture at cS

80GOUUBOW DEFENSE, O PEN VARIATION

CLASSICAL DEFENSE, CLOSED VARIATION

In the Classical variations, Black's bishop takes up a more passive

CLASSICAL DEFENSE, O PEN VARIATION

CLASSICAL TARTAKOWER VARIATION

The Classical Tartakower is one of the Black's most solid and

B ecause it is difficult for Black to create any threats, White

If the knight goes to d7, instead of c6, we have a defense typical

White must constantly consider the potential impact of Black

Opening up the long diagonal by capturing at cS has to be carefully

The QGD Variation can trasnspose to Queen's Indian lines, but

QUEEN'S INDIAN FORMATION

This is an understandably popular variation for Black. The Queen's

Keep in mind that the Rubinstein Attack is a battle of formations.

WHAT THE AUTHORITIES SAY

2 . . . g6 is a relatively rare move order, inviting transposition to the

2 . . . cS will transpose below in most cases.

2 ... Nc6 invites a transposition to the Chigorin Defense, but White

4.Bd3 Nc6 5 .0-0 is a move order not discussed by Kaufman.

4.Nbd2 cxd4 S . exd4 Nc6 is given by Kaufman but he doesn't

3 . . . Bg4 4.c4 e6 S . Qb3! ? Bxf3 6.gxf3 Nbd7 7.Nc3 Not mentioned

3 . . . g6 sets up a good anti-Colle, so White should switch gears with

4 . . . b6 5 .0-0 Bb7 6.c4 transposes to the Spassky Variation of the

6 . . . Be7 is the Classical Defense 7.0-0 b6 (7 . . . 0-0 8.Nbd2 b6 9 . c4

9.Ne5 Bb7 1 0.Nd2 a6! l l . f4 bS 1 2 . dxc5 BxcS with an unclear position

BCO 2: unclear (Lobron vs. Georgiev) 1 6 .g4 BbS 1 7 .c4 dxc4

ECO 3: unclear (citing same game) .

1 2 .Ndf3 Bd7 1 3 .Nxc6 Bxc6 1 4 . Qd2 ( 1 4.Qc l ! Qb4 1 5 . Qd2 Qb6

12 . . . Qd6 1 3 .f4 Bd7 See discussion in Danner vs. B eim.

Two other Black moves have been recommended:

1 5 . . . h6 (Jovanic vs. Podlesnik) 1 6. Qxh6 Chess Assistant: White has

This is just a sampling of the recommendations for Black, but as

Now we turn to the actual games of the Rubinstein Attack. In each

20.Bb l Bxf3 2 l .gxf3 g6 should be solid enough, but White could

decide to dangle the rook. 2 2 . Kh l ! ? since 22 . . . gxh5? 2 3 . Rg l + K£7

30 . . . Nc3 3 1 . exf5 is likewise miserable.

3 8 . . . B e2 39.Ng5 Rg7 40.Qe6+ Kh8 41.Nf7+.

1 0 . Qf3! ? is an interesting move, and I think it is superior to the f4-

16 RxfS would have been countered by 1 6 . . . Bd5!

Both rooks on the seventh, but White's is a juggernaut.

GUIMARD V S. SANGUIN ETTI

24 . . . Bc6 2 5 . Nxg5 Be8 2 6 . Rh3 ! g6 allows the elegant 2 7 . Rh8+!

2 l . . .Bxd4 2 2 . cxd4 Qb6! 2 3 . Nb l fS! ? 24.exf6 Rxf6 would have given

26 . . . gxf5 27 .Ng5 f6 2 8 . exf6 Bxg2+ 2 9 . Kgl! The threat of advancing