Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
C85 [ Or 14.a4 Nf8 15.Kf1 Ne6 16.g3
Delayed Exchange Variation
A: 7 d3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.d3
Qd6 This is a very solid approach for
Black. In practice White has enjoyed
very little success searching for an
advantage.
8.Nbd2
[ 8.b3 Be6 9.Bb2 Nd7 10.d4 exd4
11.Qxd4 Bf6 12.Qxd6 cxd6 13.Bxf6
Nxf6 14.Nc3 0-0-0 15.Nd4
led to equality and a quick draw in G.
Sax-I.Sokolov, Reggio Emilia 1988. ]
8...Be6 9.b3 Nd7 10.Bb2 c5
[ 10...0-0-0 is an interesting
alternative. For example, 11.Qe2 g5
12.Nc4 Bxc4 13.bxc4 Rhg8 14.Rfb1
a5 15.Nd2 Qe6 16.Nf1 Nc5 17.Bc3
b6 with a roughly level position, V.
Gavrikov-A.Karpov, Mazatlan 1988. ]
11.Nc4
[ In a fairly recent game, G.Kamsky-K.
Georgiev, World Cup, Khanty
Mansiysk 2007, White chose 11.a4
a5 12.Re1 , aiming for a slow
manoeuvring game without placing
the knight on c4 so early. Play
continued in typical Delayed
Exchange fashion with 0-0 13.Nf1 f6
14.Ne3 g6 15.Nd2 Nb8 16.Qf3 Nc6
17.Qg3 Nd4 reaching an unclear
position in which both sides have
chances, although Kamsky eventually
won the game in fine style. ]
11...Bxc4! This is a key idea for Black.
By eliminating White's knight, doubling
White's pawns on the queenside and
exchanging queens, Black is able to
reach a level position (or to put it more
precisely, a drawn position).
12.dxc4 Qxd1 13.Rfxd1 f6 14.Nd2
Kf7 17.Ke2 Rad8 18.Rxd8 Rxd8
19.Rd1 Rxd1 20.Kxd1 a5 21.Ke2
c6 22.Ne1 Bd6 23.Nd3 Bc7 24.f3
Bd6 25.Bc3 b6 26.Bb2 Bc7 27.Bc3
Bd6 28.Bb2 Bc7 29.Bc3 Bd6
30.Ba1 Bc7 31.Bc3 Bb8 32.Bb2
Ke7 33.Ba1 g6 34.Bc3 Kf7 35.Bb2
Bd6 36.Ba1 Bc7 37.Bc3 Bb8
38.Bb2 Bd6 39.Ba1 Bc7 40.Bc3
Bb8 and a draw was agreed in A.
Stripunsky-G.Kamsky, New York
2004. Black was fine all the way
through this game. ]
14...0-0-0
[ Also possible is 14...Rd8 15.Nf1
with an equal position. ]
15.Nf1 Nb8 and the players agreed a
draw in A.Rodriguez Cespedes-S.Djuric,
Holguin 1989.
C85
Delayed Exchange Variation
B: 7 Qe1
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.Qe1
Be6 This bishop move was one of Paul
Keres's many interesting ideas in the
Ruy Lopez.
8.b3
[ Black can answer 8.Nxe5 with Qd4
regaining the pawn. ]
8...Nd7 9.Bb2 f6 10.d4 Bd6
We've reached one of the key positions
in this variation. Black firmly protects
the e5-pawn and will try at some
moment to activate his bishops.
11.Nbd2
[ Black obtained a solid position after
11.c4 c5 12.dxc5 Nxc5 13.Qe3 Be7
14.Ba3 Nd7 15.Nh4 Bxa3 16.Nxa3
Qe7 17.Nc2 0-0 18.Rad1 Rfd8
1
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic

in M.Damjanovic-L.Pachman, Exchange Variation (see Chapter

Kecskemet 1964. ] Fifteen), but it does remain an
11...0-0 extremely solid option for White. By
putting off the exchange on c6 until his
[ 11...c5 is a decent alternative, and
12.dxe5 fxe5 13.Qe3 Qe7 14.Qd3 sixth move, White is hoping to exploit
b5 15.a4 Rb8 16.axb5 axb5 17.Bc3 the fact that Black has already
0-0 18.Ra5 b4 19.Bb2 Bg4 20.Ne1 determined the placing of his king's
Nb6 21.Nc4 Nxc4 22.Qxc4+ Be6 knight and bishop, a point which is
especially significant when it comes to
left Black with a reasonable position
in N.Delgado Ramirez-I.Morovic the protection of the e5-pawn. To apply
Fernandez, Havana 2004. ] pressure to this pawn, White often
12.Qe2 Qe8 carries out typical plans such as b2-b3
and Bb2 and/or N(b1)-d2-c4. 7.--
[ Black has also been successful with
12...b5 . For example, 13.c4 Bg4 [ Although White normally plays the
14.h3 Bh5 15.c5 Be7 16.b4 exd4 game in a slow manner, at the
17.g4 Bf7 18.Nxd4 Ne5 19.f4 Nc4 moment the position is neither closed
20.N2b3 a5 21.a3 Qd7 22.Bc3 nor pre-determined in any way, so
Rfe8 with a fine position for Black, White can if he wishes steer the
which later led to a win in the game game into choppy waters. Take for
J.Plaskett-K.Sasikiran, Hastings 2000/ example the sharp position arising
01. ] after the moves 7.Qe2 Bg4 8.h3
13.dxe5 fxe5 14.Ng5 b5 15.h3 Bf7 Bh5 9.g4 Bg6 10.Nxe5 . White has
16.Nxf7 Rxf7 17.Nf3 Qe7 18.c4 Raf8 played the opening in a rather
19.Rad1 Nc5 20.Qe3 Rf4 21.Nd2 aggressive manner, but in this
Ne6 We have been following the game position Black can continue with
B.Rechel-P.Motwani, Groningen 1990. Bxe4! with good play, not fearing
Black has seized the initiative and went 11.g5 (see Line C of the theory
on to win with a direct attack. Here are section for details). ]
the remaining moves: 22.Qg3 R8f6 [ A Crossroads at Move Seven:
23.Kh1 Rg6 24.Qd3 Qg5 25.Qg3 In the position after 6...dxc6, White
Qh5 26.Qh2 Rxf2 27.Rxf2 Qxd1+ has no fewer than five main moves: 7
28.Nf1 Nf4 29.g3 Nd3 30.Rf5 Rf6 Re1, 7 Qe2, 7 Qe1, 7 Nc3 and 7 d3!.
and White resigned. With the first four choices White is
aiming to play a quick d2-d4. If Black
defends his e5-pawn with ...Nd7,
C85 White wants to open up the centre to
Delayed Exchange Variation exploit both his faster development
Introduction and the resulting 4 vs 3 kingside
[Milos Pavlovic] pawn structure which is so typical of
exchange variations. The problem for
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 White is that all of these moves
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Bxc6 dxc6 contain certain disadvantages, and
The Delayed Exchange Variation has consequently Black has never
never been very popular, and it's experienced any serious problems in
certainly less common than the these lines. For example, the slightly

2
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
artificial 7.Qe1 – which looks odd and
certainly not typical of the Lopez – is
the only move which doesn't allow
Black to pin the knight with 7...Bg4
(although after 7 Re1 I do prefer 7...
Nd7 instead of 7...Bg4). ]
[ The Most Challenging Move: 7 d3
7.d3 is considered to be the most
dangerous move for Black to face.
White develops in a harmonious
manner and he hopes the closed
nature of the position will benefit his
knight pair.
With 7 d3 White prepares the typical
b2-b3 followed by Bb2 and/or N(b1)-
d2-c4. He will try to establish outposts
for his knights and then gear play
towards pawn breaks, with either f2-f4
or d3-d4. On the other hand, Black
has a solid position that is very
difficult to break down, and because
of his bishop pair he can look forward
to good long-term prospects.
Against 7 d3 I have recommended
Qd6 , a move favoured by Karpov and
Kamsky amongst others. Although
you could argue that it's a bit of a
'dry' option when compared to the
more complex 7...Nd7, I do feel that
7...Qd6 is a safer and more reliable
choice.
In general Black is aiming for a
piece placement with ...c5, ...Be6 and
...Nd7.
Black should not be in a hurry to
castle kingside, as there are some
lines in which Black does in fact
castle on the opposite wing. The
most important rule of thumb,
however, is that as soon as White
puts a knight on c4 Black should
eliminate it! ]
C85
Delayed Exchange Variation
Theory
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Bxc6 dxc6
Now the material is divided as follows:
A: 7 d3
B: 7 Qe1
C: 7 Qe2
D: 7 Re1
E: 7 Nc3
7.Nxe5 Nxe4 promises White nothing.
Black is very happy to exchange e-
pawns and open the position for his two
bishops, and White is in no position to
exploit the open e-file.
C85
Delayed Exchange Variation
C: 7 Qe2
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.Qe2
Bg4 8.h3 Bh5 9.g4
[ 9.d3 Nd7 10.b3 0-0 11.Bb2 Bd6
12.Nbd2 b5 13.Qe1 f6 14.Nh4 Nc5
15.Nf5 Ne6 16.Kh2 Bg6 17.Nxd6
cxd6 18.g3 f5 saw Black opening the
f-file with some advantage in D.
Belotelov-P.Muehlbach, Budapest
2000. ]
9...Bg6 10.Nxe5 Bxe4
[ 10...Qd4 is equally as good.
11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.c3 ( Black is better
after 12.Kg2 Qxe4+ 13.Qxe4 Nxe4
14.d4 Kd7 ) 12...Qxe4 13.Qxe4
Nxe4 14.Kg2 0-0-0 15.f3 Ng5 16.f4
Nxh3 17.Rf3 Rd3! and Black
reached a winning position in S.Perez-
I.Zaitsev, Cappelle la Grande 1995. ]
11.g5 Rg8! This nudge of the rook,
3
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
anticipating the g-file opening, is such a
strange-looking move. However, it really
is very strong!
12.Nc3 Alternatives offers White nothing,
or more precisely less than nothing:
[ a) 12.gxf6 gxf6+ 13.Ng4 f5 14.Kh2
Bd6+ 15.f4 Qh4 16.d3 Rxg4
is winning for Black. ]
[ b) 12.d3 Bf5 13.Re1 Bxh3! 14.Kh2
( or 14.gxf6 gxf6+ 15.Kh2 fxe5
16.Kxh3 Qd4 17.f4 0-0-0 18.Be3
Rd6! 19.Bxd4 Rh6+ 20.Qh5 Rxh5# )
14...Be6! 15.gxf6 gxf6 16.Nf3
( 16.Nxf7 Bxf7 17.Bf4 Qd7
is very good for Black,; while 16.Nc4
Qd5 17.Rg1 0-0-0 18.Rg3 Qd4
19.Kg2 Qh4 is winning for him )
16...Qd5 17.Kh1 Bd6 and White
resigned in N.McDonald-P.Wells,
London 1998. ]
12...Bf5 13.Re1 Nd7! 14.Nc4 Nf8
15.Qf3 Be6 16.Na5 Bd5 17.Nxd5
Qxd5 18.Qxd5 cxd5 19.d4
[ If 19.Nxb7 Kd7 and Black has a
clear plus after either 20.Na5 ( or
20.d4 Ne6 ) 20...Bxg5 . ]
19...Rb8 20.c3 Ne6 Black has an edge
in this endgame, which was converted
into a win in S.B.Hansen-J.Hector,
Reykjavik 1995.
C85
Delayed Exchange Variation
E: 7 Nc3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.Nc3
Bg4 8.h3 Bh5 9.Qe2 Nd7 10.d3
This is the solid approach.
[ A sharper line which was briefly
popular in the 1970s runs 10.g4 Bg6
11.d4 exd4 12.Nxd4 h5
. Here White has tried two moves:
13.-- ( 13.Bf4 hxg4 14.hxg4 Bd6
15.e5 Bc5 16.e6 Bxd4 17.exd7+
Kf8 18.Kg2 Qxd7 19.f3 c5
and Black is better, M.Adams-N.Short,
English Championship, London
1991.; 13.Nf5 hxg4 14.hxg4 Bd6
15.f4 Bxf5 16.exf5+ Kf8 17.g5 Nc5
18.b4 Qd7 with an unclear position,
G.Sax-B.Ivkov, Rio de Janeiro 1979. )]
[ 10.Nd1 isn't a worry for Black, and
Nc5 11.d3 Ne6 12.g4 Bg6 13.Be3
Bd6 14.Qd2 h5 15.g5 h4 16.Nc3
Rh5 17.Kh2 Qd7 18.Rg1 0-0-0
was very good for him in A.
Kremenietsky-Y.Balashov, Moscow
1982. ]
10...f6 11.Be3 Nf8 12.Rad1
[ 12.g4 Bf7 13.Nh4 Ne6 14.Nf5 c5
leaves Black solidly placed. ]
12...c5 13.Nd5
[ Black has an edge after 13.g4 Bf7
14.Nh4 Ne6 15.Nf5 Nd4 . ]
13...Bd6 14.b4 cxb4 15.d4 --
[ Now 15...Nd7 16.g4 Bf7 17.dxe5
Nxe5 18.Nh4 0-0 resulted in a sharp
position in R.Kholmov-S.Gligoric,
Leningrad 1957. ]
[ Black can also play 15...Ne6!
16.dxe5 fxe5 17.Qc4 Bxf3 18.gxf3
Qd7 19.f4 exf4 20.e5 Qc6 21.Qe4
Bf8 22.Bxf4 0-0-0 when nearly all of
his problems have disappeared. ]
C85
Delayed Exchange Variation
D: 7 Re1
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.Re1
Nd7 8.d4 exd4 9.Qxd4 0-0 10.Bf4
[ 10.Nc3 Nc5 11.Qxd8 Rxd8 12.Bf4
Ne6 13.Bg3 Bb4 14.Red1 Re8
15.Ne2 Ba5 16.Nd2 Bb6 17.Nc4
4
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
Ba7 18.Kf1 b5 19.Ne5 c5 20.f3 f6
21.Nd3 Bb6 22.Bf2 a5 23.Nef4 c4
24.Nxe6 cxd3 25.Nf4 dxc2 26.Rd2
f5 resulted in a very good endgame
for Black in J.Gdanski-Z.Almasi,
Moscow Olympiad 1994. ]
10...Nc5 11.Qe3
[ After 11.Qxd8 Bxd8 12.Nc3
Black has two options: -- ( 12...a5
13.Nd4 Bf6 14.e5 Be7 15.Be3 Re8
16.f4 Bf8 17.h3 f6 18.exf6 gxf6
19.f5 Bd6 20.g4 Bd7
with an interesting endgame ahead, J.
Gdanski-O.Romanishin, Polanica
Zdroj 1993.; 12...h6 13.Nd4 Ne6
14.Nxe6 Bxe6 15.Ne2 Re8 16.Nd4
Bc8 17.Rad1 was agreed drawn in E.
Ermenkov-O.Romanishin, European
Team Ch., Plovdiv 1983. )]
11...Ne6 12.Be5
[ 12.Bg3 Bc5 13.Qd2 b6 14.Qxd8
Rxd8 15.Nbd2 a5 16.Rad1 a4
17.Nc4 Bb7 18.Bh4 Rxd1 19.Rxd1
f6 is again promising for Black in the
endgame, A.Fishbein-A.Ivanov, New
York 1994. ]
12...Bc5 13.Qc3 Qe7 14.a3 Rd8
15.Nbd2 Bd7 16.Nf1 Bb6 17.b4 a5
18.Ng3 f6 Black has a good position, R.
Nicevski-J.Smejkal, Trnava 1980.
C84 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Early d4 or Nc3 Variations
White Plays 6 Nc3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Nc3 This is a very old
line which was played frequently at the
beginning of 20th century. The idea of
defending the e4-pawn with a knight on
c3 is something normally associated
with the Spanish Four Knights, i.e. 1 e4
e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Bb5.
This 6 Nc3 variation in some ways
resembles the 8 h3 anti-Marshall, and
White will often try for an improved
version of this by delaying or omitting
Re1. I've recommended lines which
allow Black to exchange his c6-knight
for White's Lopez bishop. Giving up the
bishop in this manner has never really
caught on, because it goes against
some of the basic principles of the Ruy
Lopez. In general Lopez players never
allow this minor piece exchange unless
something very tangible can be gained
from it.
The most challenging lines for Black to
face are those where White avoids the
minor piece exchange by playing an
early a2-a4. For example, 6...b5 7.Bb3
0-0 8.d3 d6 9.a4 b4 10.Nd5
. This is an idea which has been tried
by Morozevich. In general I strongly
believe White should play the Ruy Lopez
with a rook on e1, but nevertheless
such attempts do look interesting and
White's set-up is very flexible.
C84
Early d4 or Nc3 Variations
White Plays 6 d4
[Milos Pavlovic]
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 In this chapter we look
at two lines for White which have never
really caught on at the highest level: 6
d4 and 6 Nc3. White can also play both
of these ideas on move five, although a
transposition to the main lines is very
likely.
White Plays 6 d4:
With 6.d4 White is trying to gain an
advantage with quick play in the centre.
In particular he is attempting to exploit
the position of Black's uncastled king.
5
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
Play usually continues:
6...exd4 7.Re1
[ 7.e5 is White's chief alternative, and
this move is also covered within this
chapter. ]
7...b5 In this position White has a choice
of two moves, and in the past what has
been considered the main line has
fluctuated between 8 Bb3 and 8 e5. 8.--
[ 8.Bb3 d6 9.Bd5 was popular in the
1980s. However, a clear antidote has
been found for Black, and this is
covered in detail in the theory section
(see Line B1). Model games for Black,
such as Donaldson-Gligoric, Lugano
1983, are worth paying particular
attention to. ]
[ Instead of retreating the bishop
White can play 8.e5 , but Black has
also found effective ways to deal with
this (see Line B2). ]
C89 advantage.
J.Capablanca
F.Marshall
New York 1918
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5
[ There has also been some interest
in 9...e4 , another idea of Marshall's
which was later developed by the
1948 US Champion Herman Steiner.
White keeps an advantage after
10.dxc6 exf3 11.d4! . ]
10.Nxe5 Capablanca accepts the
gambit.
10...Nxe5 11.Rxe5 Nf6
[ This was Marshall's idea: Black
transfers the knight to the kingside
and plans to launch a strong attack
with ...Bd6. Our repertoire choice is
the main line, 11...c6 , and I will also
mention two other moves here: ]
[ a) 11...Bb7 is the strongest of
Black's alternatives.
A) If White plays 12.Qf3 Bd6
13.Bxd5 c6 14.Re1 cxd5
a typical pawn position has arisen
in which Black has a bishop pair
and the possibility of a minority
attack on queenside.;
B) It's probably wiser for White to
play 12.d4 Qd7 , and now either
the safe 13.Bxd5 ( or the sharper
13.Nd2 . In the latter case, Nf4
14.Ne4! is probably better for
White. );
C) 12.-- ]
[ b) 11...Nb6 , trying to play in a
positional way, is not really a good try.
White should continue with 12.d4 . ]
These sidelines appear from time to time
in tournament practice but the general
assessment is that White keeps an
Returning to Marshall's 11...Nf6:
12.Re1
[ It's important to note that we are
following the original move order of
the game. White has more options if
he plays 12.d4 . For example, Bd6
13.Re2! looks good, and Nh5 14.Be3!
followed by Nd2 seriously challenges
Blacks compensation. ]
12...Bd6 13.h3
[ I will just mention here that 13.d4
Ng4 14.h3 transposes to the main
text after Qh4 15.Qf3 . ]
13...Ng4 14.Qf3 Qh4 15.d4
[ Taking the knight loses: 15.hxg4
Bh2+! 16.Kf1 Bxg4 17.Qe4 Bf4!
18.g3 Qh2 19.Re3 ( or 19.Bxf7+
Kxf7 20.Qd5+ Kg6 21.Re6+ Bxe6
22.Qxe6+ Kh5 23.Qd5+ Bg5
24.Qg2 Rxf2+ 25.Qxf2 Qh1+
26.Ke2 Re8+ and Black wins – Tal )
6
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
19...Rae8 20.Qd5 Bxg3! 21.Rxg3
( 21.Qxf7+ Kh8! ) 21...Be2+ 22.Ke1
Bf3+ etc. ]
15...Nxf2 And this was all part of
Marshall's home analysis, but over the
board Capablanca finds good defensive
moves.
[ 15...h5 was found later as possible
improvement, but after 16.Re2 Rb8
17.Bf4 Bb7 18.Qg3 Qxg3 19.Bxg3
Bxg3 20.fxg3 Nf6 21.Nd2
White is a good pawn up. ]
[ White is also better after 15...Bh2+
16.Kf1 Bd6 17.Bf4 Bb7 18.d5 Nf6
19.Be3 Rae8 20.Nd2 Bc8 21.Bd4
, according to some old analysis by
Vukcevic. ]
16.Re2
[ We have reached a controversial
position. Originally it was thought that
Black could gain counterplay after 16
Re2. Later 16.Bd2 (see below) was
discovered and everybody thought
that Black was lost. Now it seems
that Capa's choice is also not bad,
and perhaps even stronger than 16
Bd2. The fact remains, though, that
Black cannot fully justify his attack
with Marshall's original idea.
16 Bd2!? probably also leads to an
advantage for White. For example:
A) 16...Be6?! 17.Qxf2 Bg3
18.Qe3 Bxe1 19.Bxe1 .;
B) 16...Bxh3 17.gxh3 Nxh3+
18.Kf1 and White should be able to
keep the advantage after either Bf4
( or 18...Ng5 19.Bxg5 Qxg5
20.Na3 c5 21.Re4 c4 22.Bc2
Rae8 23.Rae1 ) 19.Bxf4 Nxf4
20.Re4 g5 21.Nd2 .;
C) 16...Bb7 17.Qxb7 Nd3 18.Re2
with a further split:
C1) 18...Qg3 19.Kf1!
C1a) or 19...Nf4 20.Rf2!
( 20.Bxf4 Qxf4+ 21.Qf3 Qc1+
22.Kf2 Bh2! gives Black
strong attack ) 20...Qd3+
21.Kg1 Ne2+ 22.Rxe2 Qxe2
23.Qf3 Qxf3 24.gxf3
and White is better;
C1b) 19...Qh2 20.g4! Qxh3+
21.Qg2 Qh4 22.Be3 Rae8
23.Nd2 Bf4 24.Nf3 Qh6
25.Bc2 and White won,
Rostov on Don-Pensa,
correspondence 1958.;
C2) 18...Rae8 19.Qf3 Rxe2
20.Qxe2 Qg3 21.Qf3! Qh2+
22.Kf1 Qh1+ 23.Ke2 Nxb2
( 23...Nf4+ 24.Bxf4 Bxf4
25.Nd2 Qxa1 26.Qxf4 c6
is a better try, but is still good for
White ) 24.Be3 wins for White
(Euwe).;
C3) 18...--;
D) 16...-- ]
[ However, White needs to avoid
unclear lines like 16.Qxf2 Bh2+
17.Kf1 Bg3 18.Qd2! Bxh3 19.gxh3
Qxh3+ 20.Qg2 Qf5+ 21.Kg1 Bxe1
22.Nd2 Rae8 , even if a refutation of
such a move is not obvious. ]
16...Bg4
[ 16...Ng4 provoked some interest
until US Master Grefe found a
refutation: 17.g3! Qxh3 18.Qxa8
Bxg3 19.Qg2 and White should win. ]
17.hxg4
[ The only move: Black wins after
17.Qxf2 Bg3 18.Qf1 Bxe2 19.Qxe2
Rae8 . ]
17...Bh2+ 18.Kf1 Bg3 Alternatives,
although interesting, do not provide
enough compensation:
[ a) 18...Nxg4 19.Qh3 Qf6+ 20.Ke1
and White is able to defend without
too many problems. ]
[ b) 18...Nh1!? 19.Be3 Ng3+ 20.Ke1
Rae8 21.Nd2 Bg1 22.Nf1 Nxe2+
23.Kxe2 and again White defends
7
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
and keeps an advantage. ]
19.Rxf2 Qh1+ 20.Ke2 Bxf2 21.Bd2
Bh4 22.Qh3
[ Perhaps 22.Kd3 is stronger. White
remains on top after Rae8 23.Kc2
Qg1 24.a4 c5 25.axb5 axb5
26.dxc5 Qxc5 27.Ra6 . ]
22...Rae8+ 23.Kd3 Qf1+ 24.Kc2 Bf2
25.Qf3 Qg1 26.Bd5! This is an
important defensive move, underlining
White's advantage.
26...c5 27.dxc5 Bxc5 28.b4 Bd6
29.a4 a5 30.axb5 axb4 31.Ra6 bxc3
32.Nxc3 Bb4 33.b6 Bxc3 34.Bxc3
h6 35.b7 Re3 36.Bxf7+ Although
unsuccessful in its first outing,
Marshall's idea left a strong impression
on chess players, and now it has
become one of the best ways of
confronting 1 e4.
1-0
C88
The 8 a4 Anti-Marshall
B2: 10...Rb8
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.a4 b4 9.d3 d6 10.Nbd2 Rb8!
This is most likely Black's strongest
move. The b8-square is the best place
for the rook, so Black decides to put it
there immediately.
11.c3 Alternatively:
[ a) 11.a5 Be6 12.Bc4 ( 12.Nc4 Qc8
transposes to Line A1 ) 12...Qc8
is very similar to (and could transpose
to) Line A2. ]
[ b) 11.h3 Na5 12.Ba2 c5
is good for Black. ]
[ c) 11.Nc4 tries to use the extra
tempo gained by avoiding a4-a5, but
Bg4 12.Be3 Nd7! exploits the fact
that White doesn't have Ba4 at his
disposal. Black was fine after both
13.h3 ( and 13.Ncd2 Na5 14.Ba2 c5
15.Nc4 Be6 , B.Ivkov-S.Reshevsky,
Santa Monica 1966 ) 13...Bxf3
14.Qxf3 Bg5 , M.Tal-I.Zaitsev, Riga
1968. ]
11...Na5 12.Ba2 As I mentioned in the
introduction to this chapter, these
positions more often arise via 7...d6 8
c3 0-0 9 a4 Bg4, which is considered to
be fine for Black. Then 10 d3 Na5 11
Ba2 b4 12 Nbd2 Rb8 would reach our
position after 12 Ba2.
[ 12.Bc2 Bg4 13.h3 Bxf3 14.Nxf3
c5 15.d4 b3 16.Bb1 was J.Klinger-J.
Nunn Vienna 1986. Nunn played Nd7
which wasn't bad, ( but later he
recommended the alternative
16...Qc7! . Indeed, after 17.Bd3 exd4
18.cxd4 c4 19.Bf1 d5 20.e5 Ne4
Black is more than fine. )]
12...Bg4 13.Nc4 Alternatively:
[ a) 13.h3 Bxf3 14.Nxf3 c5 15.d4 b3
16.Bb1 would be another way to
reach Klinger-Nunn, above. ]
[ b) 13.cxb4 Nc6 is good for Black. ]
[ c) 13.d4 c5 14.Qe2 was played in V.
Kupreichik-J.Piket, German League
1997. Here b3 15.Bb1 Bxf3 16.Nxf3
Qc7 , just like Nunn's
recommendation in the previous note,
is fine for Black. ]
13...Nxc4 14.Bxc4 bxc3 15.bxc3 c6
[ This is more precise than 15...a5
16.h3 Bh5 17.Ba3 c6 18.d4 exd4
, as played in P.Ostojic-I.Zaitsev,
Polanica Zdroj 1970, when
A) in the game White chose
19.cxd4 , and here Black could
have swapped the safe Re8 ( for
19...d5! , intending 20.Bxe7 Qxe7
21.exd5 Qb4 22.Rc1 cxd5
with a comfortable position );
B) 19.g4! Bg6 20.Nxd4 Qc7
8
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
21.e5 dxe5 22.Bxe7 Qxe7
23.Nxc6 Qc5 24.Nxb8 would have
given White an edge. ]
16.Bxa6
[ After 16.h3 Bxf3 17.Qxf3
Black can achieve good counterplay
with either Qa5 ( or 17...d5 18.exd5
cxd5 19.Ba2 d4 . )]
16...Qa5 17.Bc4 d5 Black will regain
the pawn by capturing on c3, with a fine
position.
C88
The 8 a4 Anti-Marshall
The Critical 10 a5
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.a4 b4 9.d3 d6 10.a5 This is a multi-
functional move: it restricts Black's
activity, since both ...a6-a5 and ...Na5
are no longer possible; and it also
isolates the a6- and b4-pawns, making
them both potential targets.
Black must challenge the b3-bishop
immediately with 10...Be6 , as this is
one of White's most powerful pieces.
White virtually always replies with
11.Nbd2 , and now 11...Qc8
is another multi-functional move.
It prepares ...Rd8 which is played in
some lines, covers the bishop on e6,
and sometimes the queen can occupy
the important b7-square. Furthermore,
the knight on c6 can be redeployed to
the e6-square via d8.
Once White has played 10 a5 he has in
fact committed himself to placing a piece
on the c4-square, in order to
disentangle the b3-bishop and the d2-
knight. White can choose to place either
the knight or the bishop on the c4-
square, so this brings us to a further
junction. Basically, though, Black's plan
remains the same regardless of which
piece goes to c4. His objective in both
cases is to play for the pawn break ...d5;
only the method changes. It should also
be pointed out that the white pawn on a5
may become a potential target.
Let's look at each move in turn: 12.--
[ a) 12.Nc4 can be met by Rb8!
. This prophylactic move is a key idea.
On b8 the rook over-protects the b4-
pawn and also keeps an eye on the b-
file opening in the event of c2-c3 –
White's most fundamental idea in this
position. 13.-- ( 13.c3 can be met by
Qb7 , which promises Black a good
position. For instance, if 14.Ba2
Black has the very strong reply b3! .;
12...Rb8! also guards against any
B(b3)-a4 possibilities. This is why
when Leko reached this position he
played 13.Bg5 with the idea of Ne3
controlling the f5- and d5-squares.
However, Kh8! intending ...Ng8!?, a
typical manoeuvre we've seen before,
has been played by both Anand and
Aronian. They have shown that White
achieves nothing here, and this is
demonstrated in Line A1 of the theory
section. )]
[ b) 12.Bc4 . In the long run White's
plan is to stabilize the c4-bishop by
playing b2-b3 and to use his extra
queenside space to control and
occupy the key d5-square.
As soon as the knight moves from d2
to f1, Black should exchange bishops
in order to double the white pawns.
Once this happens Black has two
methods of development: he can
either re-route his c6-knight to e6 via
d8 or his f6-knight to c5 via d7. For
example, Re8 13.b3
( or alternatively 13.Nf1 Qb7 14.b3
Bf8 15.Bb2 Nd8 16.Ng3 Bxc4
9
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
17.dxc4 Ne6 ) 13...Bf8 14.Bb2 h6
15.h3 Rb8 16.Nf1 Bxc4 17.dxc4
Nd7 18.Ng3 Nc5 . The positions
remain static and not everything is
solved by Black's manoeuvres, but
the knights do reach their ideal
squares and Black's prospects are
certainly enhanced by this (see Line
A2). ]
C88
The 8 a4 Anti-Marshall
The Transpositional 10 Nbd2
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.a4 b4 9.d3 d6 White can also delay
or forgo the a4-a5 advance and instead
choose 10.Nbd2 . This move can be
still be met by 10...Be6 ,
[ but as well as that I've also covered
10...Rb8 . If White plays 11.c3
we transpose to a line which is more
often reached via 7...d6 (rather than
the recommended 7...0-0!) in which
White plays 8 c3 followed by 9 a4
instead of the more usual 9 h3.
White's idea in this line is to get in c2- B: 10 Nbd2
c3 and only later play a4-a5. The
problem from White's point of view is
that Black can obtain speedy
development by playing a quick ...Na5
and ...Bg4. The ideal set-up arises
after Na5 12.Ba2 Bg4 (see Line
B2). ]
C88
The 8 a4 Anti-Marshall
Theory
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.a4 b4 9.d3 It's worth mentioning two
alternatives for White here:
[ a) 9.a5 is possible, but after d6
White's best option is probably to
transpose to Line A with 10.d3 .
( Alternatives such as 10.c3
and 10 h3 can also be met by Be6 .;
For example, 10.h3 Be6 11.d4 Nxd4
12.Nxd4 exd4 13.Qxd4 c5 14.Qd3
d5 15.exd5 Nxd5 16.Nd2 Nc7
with good play for Black, J.Hjartarson-
V.Smyslov, Copenhagen 1985. )]
[ b) 9.d4 d6 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.Qxd8
Rxd8 12.Bg5 Rb8 13.Nbd2 h6
14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Bd5 Na5 16.Rad1
c6 17.Nb3 Nxb3 18.Bxb3 Bg4
reached an equal position in the
game D.Baramidze-P.Harikrishna,
German League 2007. ]
9...d6 Here I will consider White's main
two options:
A: 10 a5
C88
The 8 a4 Anti-Marshall
A: 10 a5
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.a4 b4 9.d3 d6 10.a5 Be6 11.Nbd2
Qc8 Here White faces a further choice,
deciding which piece should occupy the
c4-square:
A1: 12 Nc4
A2: 12 Bc4
10
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
C88
The 8 a4 Anti-Marshall
B1: 10...Be6
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.a4 b4 9.d3 d6 10.Nbd2 Be6
11.Bxe6
[ Or 11.Nc4 a5 12.c3 bxc3 13.bxc3
and now:
A) 13...Nd7 14.Ba3 Bf6 15.Rb1
Rb8 16.Ne3 Bxb3 17.Rxb3 Rxb3
18.Qxb3 Qa8 19.Nd5 Rb8
20.Qc4 Bd8 21.d4 Qb7 22.h3
exd4 23.Nxd4 ( Black also
equalizes after 23.cxd4 Ne7
24.Nxe7+ Bxe7 25.Qc2 c5
26.dxc5 dxc5 27.Rd1 Nf8 28.Ne5
Ne6 ) 23...Nxd4 24.cxd4 Qb3
25.Qc6 Nf8 26.Bc1 Qb7 27.Qxb7
Rxb7 28.Bd2 Ne6 29.Bxa5
was agreed drawn in A.Grischuk-Z.
Hracek, European Team Ch., Crete
2007, with Black having solved all
his problems.;
B) 13...Rb8 is also possible, and
14.Ba2 Qc8 15.Qe2 h6 16.Ne3
Bxa2 17.Qxa2 Qa6 was equal in L.
Guidarelli-A.Shchekachev, French
League 2004.;
C) 13...-- ]
11...fxe6 12.Nf1
[ Black managed to equalize without
too many difficulties in M.Carlsen-E.
Bacrot, European Team Ch., Crete
2007, after 12.c3 Rb8 13.Nf1 bxc3
14.bxc3
A) even so, I would recommend
14...Qe8 , intending 15.d4 ( or
15.Ng3 Nh5! ) 15...Qg6 16.Ng3
exd4 17.cxd4 d5 18.exd5 ( or
18.e5 Ng4 with good play )
18...Nxd5 19.Bd2 Bb4! ; if now
20.Rc1 , there follows Rxf3!
21.gxf3 Nxd4 with compensation
for Black;
B) 14...Na5 15.Ra2 c5 16.d4
exd4 17.cxd4 Nb3 18.dxc5 Nxc5
19.Ng3 Rb1 20.Qc2 Qb8 21.Rb2
Rxb2 22.Bxb2 Qb4 23.Bd4 Nfd7
24.Ra1 Rxf3 25.Bxc5 Rc3
26.Bxb4 Rxc2 27.Kf1 Kf7 28.f3
Ne5 29.Ne2 Nc4 30.Rc1 Rxc1+
when the players agreed a draw. ]
12...Qe8
[ A key game in this line was P.Leko-
A.Grischuk, World Ch., Mexico City
2007, where White obtained a lasting
initiative after 12...Qd7 13.Ng3 Na5
14.d4 exd4 15.Qxd4 c5 16.Qd3
Nc6 17.c3 bxc3 18.bxc3 Kh8
( 18...Ng4 is interesting ) 19.h3 Qc7
20.Ng5 Ne5 21.Qe2 Qc8 22.f4 Nf7
23.Nf3 Rb8 24.c4 . I prefer moving
the queen to g6. ]
13.Ng3 Qg6 14.c3 bxc3 15.bxc3
Rab8 16.Be3
[ 16.h3 Nh5 17.Nxh5 Qxh5 18.Be3
Qg6 doesn't look dangerous for
Black. ]
16...Ng4 17.Bd2 h5! This looks quite
promising, especially since 18.h3?
loses to 18...Nxf2! 19.Kxf2 Bh4 .
Overall this line is little explored and is
open to new developments, and
probably we will see more of it in the
future.
C88
The 8 a4 Anti-Marshall
Introduction
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.a4 Along with 8 h3, this move is
considered to be one of the best ways
of avoiding the Marshall. 8 a4 disturbs
11
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
the balance of the position by forcing
Black to resolve the issue of the b5-
pawn.
For a long time 8...Bb7 was considered
Black's best response, but in recent
years its popularity has started to
decline. The reason for this probably
lies with 9 d3 d6 and now 10 Nbd2!
rather than the previously played 10 Nc3.
Black hasn't achieved good results in
this line so players began looking for
earlier alternatives, and it was
discovered that 8...b4 – a move that
had previously not been very popular –
was in fact fully playable for Black.
Today 8....b4 is more or less exclusively
played at the top level. Grischuk takes
some credit for reviving 8...b4, while
Anand, Leko and Aronian are also
among its adherents. Of course chess
is susceptible to fashion, and in the
future things may change again, but
significantly White has not been able to
demonstrate any advantage whatsoever
against 8...b4.
A major difference between 8 a4 and 8
h3 is that after 8...b4 Black shows a
clear intention to neutralize White's light-
squared bishop by playing ...Be6. What
results is a position which may have
some drawish tendencies, but also
where Black is usually satisfactorily
placed.
8 a4 is often played by White against
the Marshall move order, and so it's
important that those playing Black
should know how to deal with it. 8 a4
contains some strong positional ideas:
not only does White challenge Black on
the a-file, but he also creates a space
on a2 for the bishop to retreat in the
event of ...Na5 so that it can stay on the
active a2-g8 diagonal. All in all, this line
is full of ideas for both sides. Just as
with 8 h3, the outcome of the game will
usually depend on who understands the
resulting positions better.
Let's play a few more moves:
8...b4 Black grabs space, but in return
White gains the c4-square.
9.d3 d6 We've arrived at the main
starting position for this variation. White
has a choice of two moves here: 10 a5
and 10 Nd2.
C88
The 8 a4 Anti-Marshall
B: 10 Nbd2
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.a4 b4 9.d3 d6 10.Nbd2 This is a
new idea, or perhaps more accurately
an old idea with a new twist. White
delays or sometimes even omits the a4-
a5 advance, hoping to use the extra
tempo to successfully carry out other
plans. However, it should be
remembered that the pawn on a5 can
become a weakness as well as a
strength.
We shall look at two possibilities for
Black here:
B1: 10...Be6
B2: 10...Rb8
C88
The 8 a4 Anti-Marshall
A1: 12 Nc4
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.a4 b4 9.d3 d6 10.a5 Be6 11.Nbd2
Qc8 12.Nc4 Rb8! Normally I'm
reluctant to give exclamation marks (or
indeed any other symbols) to moves in
12
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
the opening, but here I believe that
Black's move order is especially
important.
[ 12...h6 has been played quite a few
times, and after 13 h3 Rb8 we
transpose. However, 13.c3
(instead of 13 h3) has revealed
certain problems for Black in a few
games:
A) 13...Rb8 14.d4! Bg4 15.Ba4
Qb7 16.d5 Na7 17.Ne3 Bc8
18.Qd3 and White was better in P.
Leko-P.Svidler, FIDE World Ch.,
San Luis 2005.;
B) 13...bxc3 14.bxc3 Rb8 15.Ba3
Qd8 ( or 15...Rd8 16.Qc2 Bf8
17.Nfd2 with an edge for White, A.
Grischuk-Zhao Xue, World Team
Ch., Beersheva 2005 ) 16.Nfd2
Na7 17.d4 Nb5 18.Bb2 c6
19.Nb6 exd4 20.cxd4 d5 21.e5
Nd7 22.Bc2 with an interesting
position but it does look more
dangerous for Black, E.Sutovsky-V.
Akopian, World Team Ch.,
Beersheva 2005.;
C) 13...-- ]
13.h3 Alternatively:
[ a) 13.Ng5 Bg4 14.f3 Bd7 15.f4
exf4 16.Bxf4 ( or 16.Nf3 d5 17.exd5
Nxd5 ) 16...Nd4 with counterplay; for
example, 17.Ba2 Bg4 18.Qd2 h6
19.Be3 Ne2+ 20.Rxe2 Bxe2
21.Qxe2 hxg5 22.Bxg5 Rb5
and Black has an edge –
Ponomariov. ]
[ b) 13.c3 aims for play similar to 12...
h6 13 c3, but Qb7! reveals a major
difference. Black thwarts White's plan
and obtains good play after 14.Nfd2
Nd7 15.Bc2 Nc5 . ]
[ c) 13.Bg5 is the move Black players
were avoiding with 12...h6, until
Aronian found an important antidote:
Kh8! . Black plans to regroup and did
so successfully in two high-level
games:
A) 14.h3 Ng8 15.c3 ( it's true
Leko could have played better (for
example, 15.Bxe7 Ngxe7 16.d4
with an equal game,; 15.Bxe7
Ngxe7 16.Ng5 Nd4 17.Ba2 b3
18.Bxb3 Nxb3 19.cxb3 Nc6
with good compensation for
Black,; or finally 15.Bd2!?
intending 16 Ne3), but these
alternatives don't alter the overall
assessment that Black is okay )
15...bxc3 16.bxc3 f5! 17.Ba4 fxe4
18.Bxc6 exf3 19.Bxe7 Nxe7
20.Bxf3 Ng6 with a very promising
position for Black, P.Leko-L.
Aronian, Morelia/Linares 2006. He
has well-placed pieces and an
open f-file for his rook, and Aronian
won very comfortably after 21.Bg4
Nf4 22.Ra2 Qb7 23.Bf3 Qb3
24.Rc2 Nxd3 25.Qxd3 Qxc4
26.Qxc4 Bxc4 27.Bc6 Rb3 28.g3
g5 29.Re3 Ra3 30.Be4 Rxa5
31.g4 Bd5 32.f3 Bxe4 33.fxe4
Ra1+ 34.Kg2 Rff1 35.Ree2 Rg1+
36.Kh2 Rh1+ 37.Kg3 Rag1+
38.Rg2 Re1 39.Rgf2 Re3+
40.Kg2 Rexh3 0-1.;
B) 14.d4 exd4 15.Nxd4 Nxd4
16.Qxd4 Ng8 17.Bf4 f5
was unclear in P.Leko-V.Anand,
Monte Carlo (rapid) 2006, and
Black also went on to win this
game.;
C) 14.-- ]
13...h6 14.Be3 Black's position is solid
and there is still scope to improve some
of his pieces.
14...Rd8
[ This has been played in the vast
majority of games, but 14...Re8
is also interesting. For example,
15.Nfd2 Bf8 16.Qf3 Kh7 17.Rad1
13
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
Qb7 18.Qg3 Nh5 19.Qh4 g6 20.f3
Bg7 21.Ba4 Rf8 when Black had
successfully regrouped his pieces and
stood well in D.Stellwagen-A.
Khalifman, Amsterdam 2007. ]
15.Qe2
[ 15.Ba4 Qb7 16.Nfd2 Bf8 17.Qf3
Nd7 18.c3 Ne7 19.Qg3 Ng6 20.d4
Nf6 reached an unclear position in M.
Oleksienko-A.Onischuk, Alushta
2007. ]
15...Bf8 16.Nfd2
[ It's certainly worth mentioning
another approach for White in
16.Ncd2 , and how Grischuk
impressively dealt with this move in
two games: Bxb3 17.Nxb3 Re8
18.Nfd2 d5 19.exd5 Nxd5 20.Qf3
Rb5 21.Nc4 Qd7 and now 22.Bd2
( while 22.Rad1 f5 23.Bc1 g6
24.Re2 Kh7 25.Rde1 Bg7 26.Qg3
Qf7 27.Qf3 Qd7 28.Qg3 Qf7
29.Qf3 was I.Smirin-A.Grischuk,
Moscow 2002 ) 22...g6 23.Re2 Bg7
24.Rae1 f5 25.Qg3 g5 26.f3 Qf7
was A.Kovacevic-A.Grischuk,
Chalkidiki 2002. In both games
Grischuk was able to reach an ideal
set-up and obtain more than
adequate play. ]
16...Qb7
[ Black was also very comfortable in
the game S.Karjakin-L.Aronian, Wijk
aan Zee 2006: 16...Ne7 17.d4 Ng6
18.d5 Bd7 19.Rec1 Re8 20.c3 Nf4
21.Qd1 Qd8 22.Ba4 Qe7 23.b3 g6
24.Nb2 Rec8 25.Bxd7 Qxd7 26.c4
Qe8 27.Qf1 , at which point the
players agreed a draw. ]
17.Ba4 Ne7 18.Qf3 Ng6 19.Bb3
[ Black is better after 19.Bxh6 d5! . ]
19...Be7 20.Qg3 Kh8 21.Nf3 Nh5
22.Qh2 c5 23.Ncd2 Qc8 24.Bxe6
Qxe6 25.Nf1 f5 26.exf5 Qxf5
We have been following C.Lutz-P.
Svidler, German League 2006. Black
controls the whole board and Svidler
eventually won the game.
C88
The 8 a4 Anti-Marshall
A2: 12 Bc4
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.a4 b4 9.d3 d6 10.a5 Be6 11.Nbd2
Qc8 12.Bc4 Re8
[ I think that this is Black's strongest
move, but 12...Rd8 aiming for ...d6-
d5 as soon as possible is also not
bad. For example:
A) 13.b3 d5! 14.exd5 Nxd5
15.Bb2 f6 16.Qe2 Kh8 17.d4
Nc3 18.Bxc3 bxc3 19.Bxe6 Qxe6
20.Nc4 Nxd4 21.Nxd4 Rxd4
22.Qe3 Bc5 23.Qxc3 Qc6
with good play for Black, as
indicated by Ponomariov.;
B) 13.Nf1 h6 14.Ne3 Bf8 15.Bd2
Rb8 16.h3 and now Bxc4
( but Black could also consider
16...Re8!? ; if then 17.c3
there follows Bxc4 18.Nxc4 Qe6
19.cxb4 d5! 20.exd5 Qxd5
21.Rc1 Bxb4 with promising
counterplay for Black ) 17.Nxc4
Qe6 18.c3 was okay for Black in T.
Tolnai-I.Sokolov, Hilversum 1993.;
C) 13.-- ]
13.Nf1 White begins his usual
manoeuvre with this knight.
[ 13.b3 is a worthy alternative. Play
continues Bf8 14.Bb2 and now:
A) 14...Rb8!?
A1) or 15.h3 Bxc4 16.Nxc4
Rb5 17.d4 ( 17.Bc1 is met by
h6 ) 17...exd4 18.Nxd4 Nxd4
19.Qxd4 Qe6 20.e5 dxe5
14
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
21.Rxe5 Rxe5 22.Nxe5 Qf5
23.Nd3 Re2 24.Qc4 Ne4
and Black has strong
counterplay;
A2) 15.d4 exd4 16.Nxd4 Nxd4
17.Bxd4 Bxc4 18.Bxf6 Bb5
left Black with a slight advantage
due to his bishop pair in F.Klein-
J.Cobb, South Wales 2006.;
B) 14...h6 15.h3 Rb8 (I think it's
wise not to rush into exchanges
just yet) 16.Nf1 and now:
B1) 16...g6 17.Ne3 Bg7
18.Nd2 Bxc4 19.dxc4 Nd4
( 19...Nd8 20.Nd5 Ne6
also deserves serious
consideration – it looks like
Black has good counterplay )
20.Nd5 Nxd5 21.exd5 c5
22.dxc6 Qxc6 23.Bxd4 exd4
24.Rxe8+ Rxe8
was R.Kasimdzhanov-A.
Grischuk, FIDE World Ch.,
Tripoli 2004. Although White
eventually won this game, at this
stage Black's position looks
reasonable.;
B2) 16...Bxc4 17.dxc4 Nd7
18.Ne3 Nc5 also looks
promising, intending to meet
19.Nd5 by playing Ne7
with decent play for Black.;
B3) 16...--;
C) 14...-- ]
13...h6
[ Black also succeeded in reaching a
nice position after 13...Qb7 14.b3
Bf8 15.Bb2 Nd8 16.Ng3 Bxc4
17.dxc4 Ne6 in K.Asrian-G.
Sargissian, Stepanakert 2004. ]
14.Ne3 Bf8 15.b3 g6 16.Bb2 Bg7
17.Qd2 Rb8 18.h3 Nd8 19.Nh2 Bxc4
20.bxc4 Ne6 We have been following
the game Z.Hracek-E.Bacrot, German
League 2003. Black's pieces have
found effective squares and he can look
to the future with some confidence.
C91
The 8 d4 Anti-Marshall
Theory
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.d4 d6 9.c3
[ The Latvian IM Alvis Vitolinsh
introduced some fascinating new
opening ideas, for example his
creative 4...c5 in the Bogo-Indian after
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Bb4+ 4 Bd2.
In this variation of the Ruy Lopez he
played 9.d5!? Na5 10.c4
a few times, but I don't think it's a very
strong alternative to 9 c3. In fact after
Nxc4 11.Bxc4 bxc4 12.Qa4 , Nd7!
looks good. Black plans moves such
as ...f7-f5 and ...Nc5, with promising
play. ]
9...Bg4 Now White's two most popular
choices are:
A: 10 d5
B: 10 Be3
10.a4 or 10 h3 can be met by 10...Bxf3
, when White must either give up a pawn
or compromise his kingside pawn
structure.
C91
The 8 d4 Anti-Marshall
B: 10 Be3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6
8.c3 0-0 9.d4 Bg4 10.Be3 exd4
11.cxd4 d5 12.e5 Ne4 Here White's
two main options are:
15
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
B1: 13 h3
B2: 13 Nc3
13 h3 is an old line which was popular
in the 1980s. The position becomes
sharp, but Black has more than one way
to find activity. Nowadays 13 Nc3 is the
main move, and it's by far the best
choice for White.
C91
The 8 d4 Anti-Marshall
A: 10 d5
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.d4 d6 9.c3 Bg4 10.d5 Na5 11.Bc2
c6
[ I consider 11...Qc8 followed by ...c7- 16...Re8 This is a key move for Black. At
c6 to be a good alternative line for
Black... ]
12.h3 Bc8
[ ...but I think 12...Bxf3 13.Qxf3
gives White some advantage. ]
[ It's also worth remembering that
12...Bd7 allows the trick 13.Nxe5!
dxe5 14.d6 with an edge for White. ]
13.dxc6 Qc7 14.Nbd2 Qxc6 15.Nf1
Nc4 Black activates his knight, and
we've reached the main starting point
for the 10 d5 line.
16.a4
[ 16.Ng3 Re8
A) 17.Nh4 g6 18.Qf3 Kg7 19.b3
Nb6 20.Qe3 Ng8 21.Nf3 Be6
with a level position, O.Romanishin- 19...Na5
Z.Almasi, Altensteig 1993.;
B) 17.Bd3 Nb6 18.Qe2 Be6
19.Ng5 Bc4 20.Nf5 h6 21.Nf3
Bf8 22.Bxc4 Qxc4 23.Qxc4 bxc4
is also equal, Y.Kosashvili-K.Mokry,
European Club Cup, Tyniste
1995.;
C) 17.Qe2 Be6 18.Bd3 h6
19.Nh2 Nb6!? ( 19...Rad8 20.a4
d5 21.axb5 axb5 22.Ng4
gave White some advantage in S.
Movsesian-J.Nunn, Hastings 1996/
97,; but after 19...d5 20.Ng4 Nxg4
21.hxg4 Nd6 22.Bd2 dxe4
23.Nxe4 Bd5 24.Nxd6 Bxd6
25.Be4 Rad8 Black had equalized,
S.Movsesian-P.Svidler, Bermuda
2003 ) 20.Ng4 Nxg4 21.hxg4 Na4
22.Nf5 Nc5 offers good
counterplay after either 23.Nxe7+
( or 23.Bc2 a5 24.Nxe7+ Rxe7
25.g5 hxg5 26.Bxg5 f6 27.Bd2
a4 ) 23...Rxe7 24.Bc2 f6 .;
D) 17.a4 transposes to the main
text, but after 16...Re8 White can
also delay or omit the a2-a4
advance. For example: ]
the moment e8 is the best square for
the king's rook.
17.Ng3 Be6 18.Ng5
[ 18.b3 is an important alternative.
After Nb6 19.a5 Nbd7 20.Bd2 h6
White has two possible tries: 21.--
( Against 21.Rc1 , , Black should
play Rad8 preparing ...d6-d5.; 21.Nh4
is met by d5 , and here 22.Nhf5 Bf8
23.Qf3 d4 is good for Black. )]
18...Bd7 19.b3
[ 19.Qe2 h6 20.Nf3 Bf8 21.Nh2 g6
22.Qf3 Bg7 23.b3 Na5 24.Bd2 Be6
reaches a complex position with
roughly level chances, A.Khalifman-
G.Sargissian, Internet (blitz) 2004. ]
[ After 19...Nb6 20.a5 Nc8
White has slight edge according to
Adams. ]
20.Bd2 Bd8
[ I will give this move as the 'main line',
but I do think that the multi-functional
20...Qc7 is just as strong. 21.axb5
axb5 22.Qe2 h6 ( a more recent
16
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
game went 22...Rec8 23.Ra2 Nb7
24.Rxa8 Rxa8 25.b4 h6 26.Nf3
Nd8 27.Bd3 Qb7 with a promising
position for Black, C.Balogh-V.
Tkachiev, World Cup, Khanty
Mansiysk 2007 ) 23.Nf3 Bf8 24.Ra2
Nb7 25.Rxa8 Rxa8 26.b4
was played in P.Svidler-H.Stefansson,
Torshavn 1997, and here instead of
Stefansson's Re8 , ( Black can play
26...Nd8 intending 27.Bb3 Ra3
28.Rb1 Ne6 with good play. )]
[ 20...Nb7 is weaker, though. After
21.b4 White is slightly better
according to Adams and I agree with
his assessment. The knight on b7 is
somewhat misplaced, and this in itself
is enough to give White the
advantage. ]
21.Nh5 This is not the only choice:
[ a) 21.Nf5 h6 22.Nf3 Bxf5 23.exf5
Bb6 24.axb5 axb5 25.Nh2 d5
26.Ng4 e4 leads to an unclear
position. ]
[ b) 21.Nf3!? Be6 22.Nf5 h6 23.Nh2
Bxf5 24.exf5 d5 25.Ng4 Nxg4
26.Qxg4 e4 27.axb5 axb5 28.b4
( after 28.Ra2 Bf6 29.c4 bxc4!
30.Rxa5 Rxa5 31.Bxa5 cxb3 32.Bb1
Ra8 33.Bd2 Ra1 , despite having
only two pawns for the piece, Black
has good compensation ) 28...Nc4
29.Rxa8 h5! 30.Qxh5 Qxa8
, and Black is fine after either 31.Bf4
( or 31.Qe2 Qa2 32.Bc1 Bf6
33.Rd1 Rd8 34.Kf1 Nd6 35.g4
Bxc3 ) 31...Bf6 . ]
[ c) After 21.axb5 axb5 22.Qe2 h6
23.Nf3 Be6 24.Reb1 , I initially liked
Bb6 . ( However, during a recent
game of mine against the Romanian
GM Parligras (Aeroflot Open, Moscow
2008), I came to the conclusion that
going back with 24...Be7! is a far
better move – a good demonstration
of why practice is equally as important
or perhaps even more so than theory!
After 25.Be1 Qb6 26.Nh4 Bf8
27.Nhf5 g6 28.Ne3 Bg7 29.Bd2 b4!
30.cxb4 Nc6 31.Nc4 Qc7
, with ...d6-d5 coming I managed to
reach a very active position and
converted this into a win. )]
Returning to 21 Nh5:
21...h6
[ 21...Nxh5!? 22.Qxh5 Bxg5 23.Qxg5
Be6 is unclear according to Adams.
Let's take this a bit further: 24.axb5
axb5 25.Qg3 ( 25.c4 Nb7
is also okay ) 25...Kh8 26.Reb1 Ra6
27.Qe3 Rea8 28.Qe1 Nb7 29.b4
Ba2! 30.Rc1 Nd8 31.Bd3 Ne6
and Black is fine. ]
22.Nxf6+ Bxf6 23.Nf3 Qc7
[ 23...Rec8!? 24.Nh2 Be6 25.Ng4
Bg5 is a reasonable alternative, ]
[ but Black should avoid 23...Nb7?!
24.b4 when once again he suffers
with a poor knight on b7. ]
24.axb5 axb5 25.Bd3 Be6 26.Ra3
Qb7
[ 26...Rec8 deserves attention, since
27.Bxb5? runs into Qc5 . ]
27.Nh2 Nc6
[ White was better after 27...Bg5
28.Bxg5 hxg5 29.b4 Nc4?!
( Black can improve with 29...Nc6
, although even here White keeps a
slight edge with 30.Rxa8 Rxa8
31.Be2 Qb8 32.Ng4 Ra2 33.Ne3 )
30.Rxa8 Qxa8 31.Bxc4 Bxc4
32.Qxd6 in M.Adams-L.Aronian,
Dortmund 2006. ]
28.Rxa8 Rxa8 29.Ng4 Bh4! 30.--
[ Black doesn't have any real problems
here. He obtains activity after 30.Ne3
Ra2 , ]
[ while 30.g3 Bd8 31.b4 Ra2
is even more favourable. ]
17
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
C91
The 8 d4 Anti-Marshall
Introduction
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.d4 In the past White has enjoyed
some success with 8 d4, and even
though Black has effectively found
various ways of dealing with White's
ideas, it remains a popular and reliable
Anti-Marshall system. Against 8 d4 I'm
recommending 8...d6 , which after 9 c3
transposes to a position more often
reached via the move order 7...d6 8 c3
0-0 9 d4 (instead of the main line with 9
h3).
[ Black can also play 8...Nxd4
, and indeed 9.Nxd4 exd4 10.e5
Ne8 is a decent line for Black.
Nevertheless, I consider 8...d6 to be
the best reply to 8 d4, and also a
move which has the advantage that it
is likely to further your understanding
of the Ruy Lopez. ]
Black's best move against 9.c3
is to apply pressure to the white centre
with 9...Bg4 .
White has two moves here that warrant
serious consideration: 10 Be3 and 10
d5. 10.--
[ Closing the Position with 10 d5!?:
The general rule in these closed
positions is that Black must
undermine the centre as quickly as
possible with ...c7-c6. After 10.d5
Na5 11.Bc2 c6! , the only way for
White to continue to fight for the
centre is with 12.h3! . Even so, after
Bc8! White is forced to give up his
centre with 13.dxc6 , otherwise Black
simply exchanges pawns leaving the
d5-pawn indefensible in the long run.
The correct response for Black is the
flexible move Qc7!? .
The point is that Black shouldn't
capture too early on c6 (with ...Nxc6),
as he wants to keep the option open
of playing the knight to c4.
After 14.Nbd2 Qxc6 15.Nf1 Nc4
we reach the critical position for the
whole 10 d5 variation. Changes have
occurred to the pawn structure, but
the position is still quite tense. Black
has succeeded in exchanging his c-
pawn for White's d-pawn, so he
possesses a pawn majority in the
centre. His main task is to play the
freeing move ...d6-d5, but it's not
that easy to carry out. Meanwhile
White will attempt to exploit both the
d5-square and the backward d6-pawn.
He intends to put Black's queenside
structure under pressure with moves
such as a2-a4 followed by Ng3/Qe2/
Bd3, trying to play on both sides of
the board.
In preparation for ...d6-d5 Black
normally plays moves such as ...Re8
and ...Be6. It is important to choose
e6 over the natural-looking b7-square,
because on e6 the bishop not only
guards f5 but also appreciates the
fact that by playing a2-a4 White has
weakened the b3-square a little.
These are all things that Black can
and should keep in mind. ]
[ Keeping the Tension with 10 Be3:
In the past 10 Be3 seemed to drift in
and out of fashion, but some years
ago it received a welcome boost. Due
to the efforts of players like GM
Alexander Grischuk, it was
discovered that after 10.Be3 exd4
11.cxd4 Na5 12.Bc2 c5 , which was
previously considered strong for Black,
the move 13.h3!? gave Black fresh
problems to solve. ]
[ In this book I'm recommending
18
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
Black's other main option: 10.Be3
exd4 11.cxd4 d5 12.e5 Ne4
. It's worth mentioning here that this
position is very similar to one seen
in Chapter Seven, after 8 c3 d5 9 d4
exd4 10 e5 Ne4 11 cxd4. If Black
plays 11...Bg4 (I recommend 11...Bf5)
there is only one difference: the
bishop is on c1 rather than e3.
Once again the battleground is the
centre. White will aim to use his
kingside pawn majority, and try to
arrange f2-f4-f5. Black will aim to
put pressure on the d4-pawn through
...c7-c5, or on the e5-pawn with ...f7-
f6. There are even occasions when
Black will play ...a6-a5 and use the
sixth rank for the a8-rook to perform
defensive tasks. ]
C91
The 8 d4 Anti-Marshall
B21: 16 g4
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6
8.c3 0-0 9.d4 Bg4 10.Be3 exd4
11.cxd4 d5 12.e5 Ne4 13.Nc3 Nxc3
14.bxc3 Qd7 15.h3 Bh5 16.g4 Bg6
17.Nd2 White tries to push his kingside
majority as quickly as possible.
[ 17.Bg5 Bxg5 ( I think this is
preferable to 17...Rad8 18.Bc2 Bxc2
19.Qxc2 h6 20.Bxe7 Qxe7 21.Qf5
Rb8 22.Qh5 Nd8 23.Nh4 Qg5
24.Nf5 Re8 25.Qxg5 hxg5 26.a4
Ne6 27.axb5 axb5 28.Reb1 g6
29.Ne3 c6 30.Ra6 Rec8 31.Nc2
, which was better for White in T.Ravi-
N.Babu, Indian Championship, Atul
2006 ) 18.Nxg5 f5 19.e6
( Black gains the initiative after 19.Qf3 18...a4 19.Bc2 Bxc2 20.Qxc2 f5
Ne7 20.Qg2 Qc6 21.Rac1 a5
22.Bc2 h6 23.Nf3 fxg4 24.hxg4
Bxc2 25.Rxc2 Ng6 ) 19...Qd6
20.Bc2 Ne7 21.gxf5 Nxf5 22.Re5
Rf6 23.Qg4 Ne7 is fine for Black. ]
17...a5
[ Another important idea is 17...f5
. In fact I like this move, since instead
of waiting Black is looking for quick
counterplay. For example, 18.Qf3
( 18.exf6 Bxf6 19.f4 is worth
considering for White – it's probably
a better option than the text )
18...Rad8 and now:
A) 19.g5 was played in the game
R.Polzin-E.Postny, German
League 2007. In this position I like
the pawn sacrifice f4! , intending
20.Bxf4 Qe6 ( 20...Bxg5?
21.Qxd5+ ) 21.Qg3 a5
with compensation.;
B) 19.Qg3
B1) however, I think Black can
do even better with 19...Qe6!
intending 20.Bf4 ( 20.g5 f4!
transposes to the previous note )
20...fxg4 21.hxg4 b4
, with some advantage;
B2) 19...Na5 20.Bf4 Qe6 21.g5
c5 gave Black counterplay in W.
Arencibia Rodriguez-R.Servat,
Matanzas 1995.;
C) 19.-- ]
18.f4 Alternatively:
[ a) 18.a4 can be answered by b4
, and if 19.c4 there follows dxc4
20.Nxc4 Rfd8 21.d5 Qxd5 22.Qxd5
Rxd5 23.Nb6 Rd3 24.Nxa8 Rxb3
with compensation for Black. ]
[ b) After 18.a3 a4 19.Ba2 Bxa3
20.f4 Bd3 Black is a pawn up, but the
position remains complex. ]
[ c) 18.Qf3 Rfd8 19.h4!? a4 20.Bd1
is also unclear. ]
21.exf6 Bxf6 22.Nf3 Rae8 23.Bf2
19
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
[ If 23.Ne5 Bxe5 24.dxe5 Black can
try g5!? . The position is sharp but
looks okay for Black. ]
23...h5!? 24.Qg6 Re4 25.Rxe4 dxe4
With good play for Black, A.Shirov-V.
Ivanchuk, Foros 2007. The game
concluded quickly after 26.Nh2?
[ 26.Ng5 is best ]
26...Nxd4 27.cxd4 Bxd4 28.Rb1 e3
29.Bg3 h4 30.Bxh4 Rxf4 31.Qd3
Qd5 32.Nf1 Rf2 33.Nxe3 Rg2+
34.Kh1 Qf3 0-1.
C91
The 8 d4 Anti-Marshall
B22: 16 Bf4
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6
8.c3 0-0 9.d4 Bg4 10.Be3 exd4
11.cxd4 d5 12.e5 Ne4 13.Nc3 Nxc3
14.bxc3 Qd7 15.h3 Bh5 16.Bf4
With 16 Bf4 White intends to put his
bishop on g3 after playing g2-g4, and
only then aim for f2-f4 ideas. This is a
sensible approach by White and it must
be taken seriously.
16...Nd8
[ Black's plan is to relocate his knight 11.cxd4 d5 12.e5 Ne4 13.Nc3 Nxc3
to a better square on e6. This is not
the only move here, and I think
16...Na5 17.Bc2 Nc4 is a promising
alternative. For example, 18.Qe2
Rab8 (with the idea of ...Rb6) 19.e6
Qxe6 20.Qd3 Bg6 21.Rxe6 Bxd3
22.Rxe7 Bxc2 23.Rxc7 Rbc8
with an equal endgame. ]
17.g4 Ne6 18.Bg3 Bg6 19.Nh4
[ White played 19.Nh2
in O.Chebotarev-A.Gutov, Sochi 2007,
and here c6!? 20.f4 f5 21.exf6 Bd6!
gives Black good chances. ]
[ 19.Bc2 should be met by Bxc2
20.Qxc2 c5 when Black gains
counterplay against White's centre.
For example, 21.Qd3 Rfc8 22.Nd2
cxd4 23.cxd4 Bb4 24.Rec1 Rxc1+
25.Rxc1 Rc8 26.Nb3 Rc4
with an advantage for Black, I.
Leventic-D.Blagojevic, Kladovo
1991. ]
19...--
[ Returning to the position after 19 Nh4,
19...c5 20.Nf5 reached a very
complex position with chances for
both sides in A.Timofeev-A.Lastin,
Sochi 2005. ]
[ Also possible for Black is 19...a5
20.a4 b4 21.cxb4 ( 21.c4
is answered by dxc4 ) 21...axb4
22.Nf5 c6 23.h4 h5 24.Nxe7+ Qxe7
25.gxh5 Bf5 26.Rc1 Rfc8
, again with sharp play. ]
C91
The 8 d4 Anti-Marshall
B2: 13 Nc3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6
8.c3 0-0 9.d4 Bg4 10.Be3 exd4
14.bxc3 Qd7 15.h3
[ 15.Bc2 , aiming to control the b1-h7
diagonal without playing h2-h3, is a
key alternative. The game O.Korneev-
D.Blagojevic, Arco 2003, continued
Bh5 16.Qb1 Bg6 17.a4 Rab8
18.axb5 axb5 19.Bg5 Bxc2 20.Qxc2
Nd8 21.Bxe7 Qxe7 22.Qb3 Qd7
23.Nh4 Ne6 24.Nf5 ( 24.Ra7
is met by b4 , with counterplay for
Black ) 24...Nf4 25.Ne3 c6 26.Qb1
A) however, I think that 26...g6
is a better choice than 26...f6, and
Black gains activity after either
20
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
27.h4 ( or 27.g3 Nh3+ 28.Kg2
Ng5 ) 27...Ra8 28.g3 Nh5 29.Kg2
Ng7 30.Qb4 h5 31.Rf1 Rfc8;
B) 26...f6 27.Qf5 Qxf5 28.Nxf5
and White had some initiative in
the endgame. ]
15...Bh5 I'm giving 16 Bc2 as the 'main
line', but White has other possibilities
here which are also interesting, even
sharper, and demand accurate play by
Black. White's kingside majority is a
potentially dangerous weapon here, and
Black must handle it in the best possible
way.
Here White has the following options:
B21: 16 g4
B22: 16 Bf4
B23: 16 Bc2
C91
The 8 d4 Anti-Marshall
B23: 16 Bc2
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6
8.c3 0-0 9.d4 Bg4 10.Be3 exd4
11.cxd4 d5 12.e5 Ne4 13.Nc3 Nxc3
14.bxc3 Qd7 15.h3 Bh5 16.Bc2 Nd8
Once more the knight is heading for the
e6-square.
[ 16...Rab8!? is also worthy of
consideration. The idea behind this
move is twofold: Black is aiming to
gain activity with ...b5-b4, and there
is also the possibility of a rook lift via
the b6-square. Here's a possible
continuation: 17.Qe2 Na5 18.Bf4
( or 18.a4 Nc4 19.axb5 axb5
20.Ra6 c6 21.Rea1 Qe6 22.Ra7
Rfe8 with a complicated position )
18...Rb6 19.g4 Bg6 20.Bg3 Nc4
21.Bxg6 ( Black is better after both
21.Nh4 Bxc2 22.Qxc2 Bxh4
23.Bxh4 Rh6 24.Bg3 Rxh3; and
21.Nh2 Bxc2 22.Qxc2 f5 23.exf6
Rbxf6 24.f4 Bd6 ) 21...Rxg6 22.Nh2
a5 23.f4 f5 24.exf6 Bd6 25.fxg7
Rxg7 and Black has good
compensation here: for example,
26.Qf2 c6 27.Kh1 Bxf4 28.Bxf4
Rgf7 29.Rf1 Rxf4 30.Qxf4 Rxf4
31.Rxf4 Qe7 with some advantage
for Black. ]
17.Qb1 Not only trying to maintain a firm
grip on the b1-h7 diagonal, but also
preparing to strike on the queenside with
a2-a4 in some cases, when White can
fight for the initiative on both sides of
the board.
[ 17.a4 Rb8 ( 17...Ne6 18.Bf5 Qc6
is also possible ) 18.axb5 axb5
19.Ra7 Bg6 20.Bxg6 fxg6
( Black can also play 20...hxg6 )
21.Nd2 Ne6 22.Qg4 Rb6 23.Nb3
Rc6 24.Bd2 Rc4 left Black with a
good position in P.Charbonneau-R.
Costigan, US League 2006. ]
17...Bg6 18.Nd2
[ Black reached a solid position after
18.Bg5 Ne6 19.Bxe7 Qxe7 20.a4
c6 in L.Milman-A.Onischuk, US
Championship, San Diego 2004. ]
18...Bxc2!
[ I think this is stronger than 18...Ne6
19.f4 Bxc2 20.Qxc2 f5 21.exf6 gxf6
22.f5 , which left White slightly better
in N.Sedlak-D.Blagojevic, Bosnjaci
2005. ]
19.Qxc2 f5 20.exf6 Bxf6 21.f4
[ 21.Nf3 is met by Ne6 . ]
21...Nb7 22.Nf3 Nd6 23.Ne5 Qe6
Black is fine in this position, as the
strong outpost on e4 gives him good
counterplay.
21
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
C91
The 8 d4 Anti-Marshall
B1: 13 h3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6
8.c3 0-0 9.d4 Bg4 10.Be3 exd4
11.cxd4 d5 12.e5 Ne4 13.h3 Bh5
14.g4 Bg6 15.Nh2 a5
We are following the game A.Khalifman-
K.Aseev, USSR 1983. My comments are
based on those by Aseev in 'Chess
Informant', with a few additions. Overall
I agree with his general assessment
that Black is okay in this line.
16.a4!? Alternatives don't provide any
real challenge to Black:
[ a) 16.f3?! a4 17.Bc2 ( Black is
better after 17.Bxd5 Qxd5 18.fxe4
Qxe4 19.Nc3 Qd3 ) 17...Ng5 18.f4
Nxh3+ 19.Kg2 Bxc2 20.Qxc2 Nxd4
21.Qd3! ( 21.Qd2 is met by Nxf4+
22.Bxf4 Ne6 ) 21...Nxf4+ 22.Bxf4
Ne6 23.Bg3 d4! 24.Nf3?!
( White should play 24.Nd2 c5 25.b3
, which is unclear; for example, Ra6
26.Nhf3 Qa8 ) 24...c5 25.Qxb5
( Black is more than fine after
25.Nbd2 c4 26.Qf5 a3 ) 25...Rb8
26.Qe2 d3 27.Qd2 ( or 27.Qf2 Rb4
28.Nc3 Rxg4 29.Re4 Rg6
intending ...f7-f5 ) 27...Rb4 28.Nc3
Bg5!? 29.Qf2 Rxg4 with a very good
position for Black, V.Tseshkovsky-K.
Aseev, USSR Championship 1985. ]
[ b) 16.a3?! a4 17.Bc2 ( or 17.Ba2
b4! ) 17...f5 and Black is simply
better. ]
[ c) 16.Nd2?! a4 17.Bc2 Nb4 18.Bb1
a3 19.Qb3 Nxd2 20.Bxd2 axb2
21.Qxb2 Nd3 and once again Black
is doing well. ]
16...bxa4 17.Bxa4 Nb4 18.Nc3?!
[ White should have preferred 18.f3
Ng5 19.f4 Nxh3+ 20.Kg2 Nxf4+
21.Bxf4 Nd3 22.Rf1 Nxb2
, with unclear play. ]
18...f5 19.f4 c5 20.Nxe4 cxd4!
An important zwischenzug.
21.Nf6+
[ Black is also better after either
21.Qxd4 dxe4 ]
[ or 21.Bxd4 dxe4 . ]
21...Bxf6 22.Qxd4
[ Alternatives are even worse:
22.exf6? dxe3 23.fxg7 Kxg7
24.Qd4+ Qf6 25.Qxf6+ Rxf6
26.Rxe3 fxg4 , ]
[ or 22.Bxd4? Bh4 23.Rf1 fxg4
24.hxg4 Bg3 25.f5 Qh4 26.Rf2 Bxf5
27.gxf5 Rxf5 28.Rg2 Bxh2+
29.Rxh2 Rg5+ 30.Rg2 Rxg2+
31.Kxg2 Ra6 ; both lines win for
Black. ]
22...Bh4 23.Red1 fxg4 24.hxg4 Be4!
Black has a clear advantage. The
remaining moves were 25.Bb3 Kh8
26.f5 Qb8 27.Nf1 Nc6 28.Qc3 Nxe5
29.Bxd5 Nf3+ 30.Kg2 Bf6 31.Qxf6
gxf6 32.Bxe4 Ne5 33.Bf4 Qb4
34.Ng3 Nxg4 0-1.
C88
The 8 h3 Anti-Marshall
Introduction
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
Over the years, the Marshall has
accumulated a fearsome reputation.
Many players with White are either
afraid of facing Black's initiative or are
simply unwilling to learn long variations,
and so they have turned to lines which
steer the game into calmer (but still
dangerous!) waters.
In contrast to the Marshall accepted,
22
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
play in the Anti-Marshalls is of a slower
character and both sides are usually in
for a long game! What really matters
here is to understand the nature of the
positions rather than to simply
memorize lines.
There are four moves which are
collectively known as the Anti-Marshalls:
A) 8 h3
B) 8 a4 (covered in Chapter Nine)
C) 8 d3 (covered in Chapter Ten)
D) 8 d4 (covered in chapter Eleven)
In this chapter we begin our coverage
by studying 8.h3 .
8 h3 is one of the best ways of avoiding
the Marshall. It is used by the strongest
players in the world and because of this
it has attracted many followers. White
tries to steer the game into a more
positional direction, which he hopes will
guarantee him a small but lasting edge.
On the other hand, Black's resources
are considerable. His firm grip on the
centre and the ability to play on both
sides of board offer him sufficient
chances. In this chapter we will come
across many interesting and
complicated positions, full of dynamic
possibilities for both sides.
What's the Point of 8 h3?
8 h3 prevents the Marshall gambit with
8...d5 because of two reasons: the
knight on b1 can still go to c3 in one
move and the black queen doesn't arrive
on h4 with tempo. But other than that,
what does this move do?
In general, playing h2-h3 in the Ruy
Lopez is never or almost never a waste
of time. On the contrary it's often very
useful – not only for providing the king
with an escape route, but also for
various manoeuvres including a knight
jump via h2 to g4. But of course its
most important function is that it
restricts Black's light-squared bishop by
preventing it from arriving on g4.
White's short-term plan is, via a series
of little moves, to keep the bishop on
the long a2-g8 diagonal, the significance
of which will become clearer later on. It
is important to note that White has a
slight initiative which Black must always
neutralize before commencing any
active operations.
Let's continue for a few more moves:
8...Bb7
[ The only reasonable move Black can
make to avoid transposing to a
Classical Spanish, which would arise
after 8...d6 9.c3 . ]
9.d3
[ White discourages Black from
playing ...d7-d5, which would certainly
be the answer to 9.c3 . In fact, it's
worth pointing out here that Black can
even play 9...d5!? after 9 d3. This
gambit is a very recent development –
too recent for me to give it a
definitive assessment – so I am
concentrating here on Black's main
move: ]
9...d6! Amongst other things, this
threatens 10...Na5!.
10.a3 A key point to White's play is
revealed. As mentioned previously,
White wishes to keep his light-bishop
on this powerful diagonal for as long as
possible, exploiting the fact that Black
has already committed his light-squared
bishop to b7 so there is no longer the
option of an immediate ...Be6.
Dealing with White's Idea
By choosing d2-d3 White is not yet fully
fighting for the centre, and this allows
Black a freer hand with manoeuvres.
Often Black can use the d4-square as
an outpost because White won't
necessarily play the typical c2-c3.
Black has a few interesting possibilities
after 10 a3, including 10...Qd7 or the
23
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
Breyer-style 10...Nb8. However, the line
I've chosen and will exclusively cover
here is:
10...Na5 11.Ba2 c5 This position can
be taken as the starting point. By
playing ...Na5 followed by ...c7-c5 Black
is adopting a typical set-up which is
most commonly seen in the Chigorin
Variation of the Classical Spanish. That
said, the Chigorin set-up actually arises
in quite a few lines, as Black can carry
out this idea against many White
systems. It is solid and reliable, and is
used by many of the world's top players.
This position is different to the standard
Chigorin Variation for two reasons.
Firstly, White has not yet played c2-c3,
and this gives him the added possibility
of playing Nb1-c3 and occupying the d5-
square. Secondly, the bishop is on a2
rather than c2, something which is often
seen in the Italian Game. Two
fundamental questions must be
answered: is the white bishop better
placed on a2, and should Black
challenge the bishop by playing ...Bc8-
e6?
White Fights for d5:
White can fight to control the d5-square
in more than one way: he can do so
directly with Nc3 or he can choose a
more sophisticated approach via the
manoeuvre Nbd2-f1-e3. White doesn't
usually occupy d5 too quickly, as this
would allow Black to liquidate. However,
once he has developed his pieces
White should do everything within his
powers to control this critical square.
Once this has been achieved, he will
break with one or more of c2-c3 with b2-
b4, c2-c3 with d3-d4, a3-a4 or even f2-
f4.
Black Fights for d5:
Black's plan must be to reinforce his
firm grip on the centre, so the first step
is to return the knight to c6. The second
step is to challenge the bishop on a2 by
playing ...B(b7)-c8-e6. This is a key
idea for Black's defence, and it's
important to remember that doubled
pawns on the e-file are not a frightening
prospect.
Should White have no clue how to
handle the position and give Black a
free hand, he can aim to break with
either ...d5 or ...f5, and exchange his
bad pieces for White's good ones (the
dark-squared bishops are a case in
point). If these ideas are not possible,
Black should manoeuvre his pieces to
better squares. For instance, depending
on the nature of the position Black
could reroute his bishop in the
traditional manner to g7 via f8, or b6 via
d8. These are not hard and fast rules,
but simply general ideas. The eventual
aim for Black should be to play around
the d5-square, regroup and then push
White back. Exchanging pieces (the
right ones of course!) helps to lessen
the d5 problem. However, do not enter
positions with opposite-coloured
bishops (White's light-squared versus
Black's dark-squared) or those in which
White's knight on d5 is facing Black's
dark-squared bishop. In these cases it's
likely that White has achieved his aim of
dominating the d5-square.
C88
The 8 h3 Anti-Marshall
White Plays 12 Nc3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 b5 6.Bb3 Bb7 7.d3 Be7
8.Re1 0-0 9.h3 d6 10.a3 Na5 11.Ba2
c5 If White chooses 12.Nc3 , there are
three main options after the obvious
24
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
reply 12...Nc6 . These are 13 Nh2, 13
Bg5 and 13 Nd5 occupying the d5-
square immediately. Let's look at each
in turn: 13.--
[ a) 13.Nh2 . The principal idea
behind this move is to play Ng4, and
then to either exchange knights or to
transfer this knight to the e3-square;
in either case White wants to
establish stronger control of the d5-
square.
Nd4 You go back, so I go forward!
14.Ng4 Nxg4 15.hxg4 Bg5
Black succeeds in exchanging his bad
bishop. Furthermore, by trading
pieces Black lessens the influence of
the d5-square and makes his position
more comfortable to play. In the future
he will continue to fight on the dark
squares and introduce ideas such as
...g7-g6, ...Kg7 and ...f7-f5 (see Line
A12 of the theory section for further
details). ]
[ b) 13.Bg5 . Again we see White
fighting for the d5-square, this time in
a way typically seen in openings such
as the Sicilian Sveshnikov, Sicilian
Najdorf and indeed the Spanish; in
fact all positions in which Black has a
so-called 'weakness' on d5. White's
eventual goal is to leave Black with
only his dark-squared bishop, which
would then be powerless against a
strong knight on d5.
Here my main recommendation is
Qd7 . ( However, Black can also
utilize the idea of exchanging bad
pieces for good ones with: 13...Kh8!?
. This is a clever move. Black intends
to follow up with 14...Ng8 offering to
trade his bad bishop on e7 and
preparing activity based on ...f7-f5
(see Line A3 in the theory section). )]
[ c) 13.Nd5 . Although there is nothing
wrong with the move in itself, 13 Nd5
does define the position a bit too early,
and it allows Black to simplify with
Nxd5 14.Bxd5 . With Qc7
Black gets ready to challenge the
bishop on d5, and White cannot hope
for any real advantage (see Line
A4). ]
C88
The 8 h3 Anti-Marshall
B: 12 Nbd2
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.h3 Bb7 9.d3 d6 10.a3 Na5 11.Ba2
c5 12.Nbd2 Nc6 13.Nf1 Bc8
As I mentioned in the introduction to
this chapter, ...B(b7)-c8-e6 neutralizing
the a2-bishop is a key defensive
resource for Black. The evaluation of
this position is crucial for the
assessment of 12 Nbd2, and perhaps
for the whole 8 h3 line. It's rich in
possibilities for both sides, with a
considerable number of positional ideas
to consider.
White's two most popular moves both
serve as preparation for activity in the
centre:
B1: 14 Ne3
B2: 14 c3
14.Bg5 Ne8 15.Bd2 Be6 16.Bxe6 fxe6
17.b4 a5! was equal in V.Anand-L.
Aronian, Morelia/Linares 2007.
C88
The 8 h3 Anti-Marshall
A4: 13 Nd5
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
25
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
8.h3 Bb7 9.d3 d6 10.a3 Na5 11.Ba2
c5 12.Nc3 Nc6 13.Nd5 Nxd5
14.Bxd5 This is an important line, if
nothing else because 13 Nd5 has been
White's most common choice overall.
Although one pair of minor pieces has
been exchanged, Black's position is not
as simple to defend as it might look. In
order to be successful, Black must
regroup effectively.
14...Qc7!
[ I consider 14...Qd7 to be slightly
inferior because the queen occupies a
square which the black knight may
want to use later on, as we shall see
in the main text. After 15.Be3 Nd8
White can play 16.c4! . This is a key
idea and is well worth remembering.
With c3-c4 White gains more space,
and at the same time he aims to
restrict the knight on d8 if Black
exchanges on d5. Because of this
Black can't really ease his position by
taking on d5, which in turn gives
White time to apply some pressure. A
model handling of White's position
was seen in the game V.Bologan-E.
Van den Doel, Bastia 1999: Bxd5
( perhaps 16...Ne6 was better )
17.cxd5 f5 18.b4 Nf7 19.Rc1 Rac8
20.Qb3 f4 21.Bd2 h5 22.Qd1 Bd8
23.Bc3 Qe8 24.Bb2 Bb6 25.Rc2
Qe7 26.bxc5 dxc5 27.Qa1
and White went on to convert his
advantage. Excellent play by Bologan,
and this is something Black should
strive to avoid. ]
[ White's advantage was also
indisputable after 14...Rb8 15.c3 Bf6
16.b4 Ne7 17.Bxb7 Rxb7 18.Be3
Qc8 19.Qb3 Rc7 20.bxc5 dxc5
21.c4 bxc4 22.Qxc4 Ng6 23.Rab1
Rc6 24.Rb3 Rd8 25.Reb1 Nf8
26.Bd2 Ne6 27.Rb7 in V.Bologan-
Peng Xiaomin, Shanghai 2000 –
another convincing example from
Bologan of how White should play. ]
15.c3
[ This is White's only serious attempt
for an advantage. 15.a4 Nd4 ( or
15...Nb4 ) 16.Nxd4 cxd4 17.Bxb7
Qxb7 , as played in both A.Sokolov-V.
Akopian, St Vincent 2005, and later
A.Sokolov-A.Beliavsky, Bazna 2008,
offers White nothing more than a
dead equal position and a probable
draw. ]
15...Nb8 This flexible move is the most
accurate, and alternatives have left
Black struggling. For example:
[ a) 15...Na5 16.b4 Bxd5 17.exd5
Nb7 18.Qb3 Rfc8 19.Be3 c4
20.dxc4 bxc4 21.Qc2 Qd7 22.Nd2
f5 23.Qa2 Qb5 24.Qc2 g6 25.f4 e4
26.Bd4 Qxd5 27.g4 Nd8 28.gxf5
gxf5 29.Nf1 Qf7 30.Qg2+ Qg6
31.Ng3 Kf7 32.Kh2 Ne6 33.Rxe4
Rg8 34.Re3 Bh4 35.Qb7+ Be7
36.Rae1 Rae8 37.Qd7 h5 38.Kh1
Rd8 39.Qb7 Rge8 40.Rxe6 Qxg3
41.Rxe7+ and 1-0, O.Korneev-M.
Brancaleoni, Porto San Giorgio 2007,
is a convincing demonstration of how
White can exploit Black's poorly
placed knight on b7 to gain an
initiative. ]
[ b) 15...Kh8 16.b4 Rac8 17.Be3
Nd8 18.a4 f5 19.axb5 axb5 20.bxc5
dxc5 21.Qb3 Bxd5 22.exd5 Nf7
23.Qxb5 and Black didn't have
enough compensation for pawn in D.
Navara-S.Berezjuk, Luhacovice
2003. ]
16.Bxb7
[ 16.d4 Bxd5 17.exd5 Nd7 18.dxe5
dxe5 19.b3 c4 20.bxc4 Qxc4
21.Nxe5 Nxe5 22.Rxe5 Qxc3
23.Bb2 Qxb2 24.Rxe7 Rad8 25.Re2
Qf6 reached an equal position in F.
Nijboer-R.Kasimdzhanov, French
26
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
League 2004, and the players agreed
a draw after the further moves 26.Rd2
Rd6 27.Rc1 Rfd8 28.Rc6 g6
29.Rxd6 Qxd6 30.Rd3 a5 . ]
16...Qxb7 17.d4 Again White has other
options:
[ a) 17.b4 Nd7 18.Qb3 Rfc8 19.Be3
c4 20.dxc4 Rxc4 21.Nd2 Rc7 22.a4
Nf6 23.axb5 axb5 24.Ra5 Rac8
25.Ra7 Qc6 26.Rea1 Nxe4 27.R1a6
Qxc3 and Black was better in J.
Zawadzka-N.Kosintseva, Women's
European Team Ch., Crete 2007. ]
[ b) 17.Nh2 initiates a typical
manoeuvre we've seen before. Here,
however, Black has already managed
to exchange two pairs of minor pieces,
and this makes the route to equality a
far simpler one:
A) 17...Nc6 18.Ng4 f5 19.Ne3 f4
20.Nd5 Bd8 21.a4 b4 22.Bd2 a5
23.d4 Ne7 24.Qb3 Kh8 25.dxe5
dxe5 26.Qc4 Bb6 27.Red1 Nxd5
28.exd5 Rad8 with an interesting
and roughly equal position, V.
Bologan-V.Zvjaginsev, Poikovsky
2004.;
B) 17...Nd7 is a promising
alternative and doesn't seem to be
weaker than 17...Nc6. For
example:
B1) 18.Ng4 Nf6 19.Ne3 g6
20.b3 Rab8 21.Bb2 Rfd8
22.Qf3 d5 23.exd5 Nxd5 24.d4
Nf4 25.Qg3 Nd3 26.Ng4 e4
( but 26...c4 27.Re2 Bg5
28.Nxe5 Bf4 29.Qg4 Bxe5
30.dxe5 cxb3 , with a clear
advantage, is even better ) 27.d5
Qxd5 28.c4 Qe6 29.Be5
was good for Black in A.Shirov-L.
Aronian, Wijk aan Zee 2007.;
B2) 18.Nf1 Rfe8 19.Ne3 Bf8
20.Rf1 Rac8 21.b3 g6 22.c4
( according to Antic, alternative
continuations such as 22.Nd5
Bg7 23.Qf3 Nb6 24.Nf6+ Bxf6
25.Qxf6 Nd7 26.Qh4 c4! ,; and
22.Bd2 Bg7 23.a4 Rf8
offer Black good play too )
22...Bg7 23.Ra2 Rb8
and Black has sufficient
counterplay, N.Djukic-D.Antic,
Kopaonik 2005.;
B3) 18.--;
C) 17...-- ]
17...Nc6 18.Be3 exd4
[ This is a reasonable move, but it's by
no means forced. 18...Rfd8
was played in V.Iordachescu-L.
Aronian, European Ch., Istanbul 2003,
and after 19.Qe2 Na5 20.Nd2 cxd4
21.cxd4 Rac8 22.Rac1 Rxc1
23.Rxc1 Rc8 24.Qd1 Nc4 25.Nxc4
Rxc4 26.Rxc4 bxc4 27.Qc2 exd4
28.Bxd4 d5 the position was level. ]
19.cxd4 Bf6! We are now following the
game C.Lutz-R.Kasimdzhanov, German
League 2003, including some of
Kasimdzhanov's analysis in 'Chess
Informant'.
20.Re2
[ Black is doing well after 20.e5? dxe5
21.dxe5 ( or 21.dxc5 e4 ) 21...Nxe5
22.Nxe5 Bxe5 23.Bxc5 Bxb2 , ]
[ or 20.dxc5?! Bxb2 21.Ra2 Bc3
22.Ree2 dxc5 23.Bxc5 Rfd8 24.Qb3
Bd4 . ]
[ White has a better option in 20.d5
, but even here Black experiences no
problems after either Ne5 ( or
20...Na5 21.Rb1 Nc4 22.Bc1 Rfe8
23.b3 Nb6!? ) 21.Nxe5 Bxe5 22.Qc2
Rfe8 . ]
20...Rad8 21.Rc1
[ Black is fine after 21.d5 Na5 22.Bg5
Bxg5 23.Nxg5 Qe7 . ]
21...cxd4 22.Nxd4
[ 22.Bxd4 should be met by Ne5!
( rather than 22...Nxd4 23.Nxd4
27
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
when White has a slight edge )
23.Bxe5 dxe5 with good play. ]
22...Ne5 23.Bf4 In this level position the
players agreed a draw. Overall the
evidence suggests that Black has no
problems equalizing in this line.
C88
The 8 h3 Anti-Marshall
A3: 13 Bg5
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.h3 Bb7 9.d3 d6 10.a3 Na5 11.Ba2
c5 12.Nc3 Nc6 13.Bg5 This move
requires a careful response by Black.
13...Qd7 An important move, and
probably the best one.
[ White's intention after 13 Bg5 was to
meet 13...Ne8 or 13...Nd7 with
14.Bd2! . After, for example, Nb6
15.Nd5! Nxd5 16.Bxd5 White is a
tempo up on Line A4, with Bd2 being
quite a useful extra move. ]
[ An alternative suggestion that Black
could explore is 13...Kh8!?
, intending ...Ng8. If White replies to
...Ng8 by taking on e7, Black
recaptures with ...Ngxe7 and is ready
to advance with ...f7-f5 securing good
counterplay. Probably White would
answer 13...Kh8 with 14.Bxf6 Bxf6
15.Bd5 , reaching a position which is
far from simple, and the game could
easily resemble what we see in the
main line after 13...Qd7. ]
14.Nh2
[ This has been White's most popular
choice, but 14.Bxf6 is a logical
alternative for White. Bxf6 15.Nd5
Bd8 is a typical continuation. By
eliminating the knight on f6, White
gains firm control of d5, and now tries
to expand on the queenside. For
example:
A) 16.b4 Rc8 ( here I think it's
better to play 16...cxb4 17.axb4
Ne7 with a promising position for
Black ) 17.bxc5 dxc5 18.a4 Qd6
19.axb5 axb5 20.Qb1 Nb4
21.Nxb4 cxb4 22.Bb3 Bb6
was eventually drawn in T.Luther-
N.Kosintseva, Moscow 2007.;
B) 16.c3 Ne7 17.Ne3 Ng6 18.b4
Rc8 19.Bd5 Bxd5 20.Nxd5 f5
21.a4 cxb4 22.cxb4 Kh8 23.Qb3
fxe4 24.dxe4 Rc4 25.axb5 Qxb5
26.Qd3 Qc6 27.Red1 Bf6 28.Qa3
Nf4 with sufficient counterplay for
Black, Y.Quezada-F.De la Paz,
Santa Clara 2005.;
C) 16.-- ]
14...Kh8 Again the idea is ...Ng8.
[ After 14...Ne8 , 15.Bd2 was unclear
in G.Kasparov-M.Adams, Linares
1999, ( 15.f4 exf4 16.Bxf4 Nc7
17.Ng4 Kh8 18.Ne3 Bf6 19.Qd2
Bd4 20.Kh1 Ne7 21.Rf1 f5
was eventually drawn in D.Navara-E.
Bacrot, German League 2007,;
and finally 15.Bxe7 Nxe7
offers equal chances. )]
15.f4 This move highlights the variety of
options for both White and Black in this
line. By exchanging pawns White is
aiming to utilize the f-file and also
improve his control of the centre.
[ The standard idea of eliminating the
knight with 15.Bxf6 gave White
nothing in V.Ivanchuk-P.Svidler,
Monte Carlo (rapid) 2007, after Bxf6
16.Bd5 Rae8 17.Rf1 Bd8 18.Qg4
Bc8 19.Qxd7 ½-½. Svidler
demonstrated in this game a model
way of dealing with the Bxf6 plan, and
had completely equalized when the
players agreed a draw. ]
15...exf4 16.Bxf4 Rae8 17.Rf1 Nd4
28
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
18.Nf3 d5 19.Nxd4 cxd4 20.Nxd5
Nxd5 21.exd5 Bxd5 22.Bxd5 Qxd5
23.Qf3 Qc5 Black has a good position
here, which was eventually converted
into a win in M.Al Modiahki- Z.Almasi,
FIDE World Ch., Tripoli 2004.
C88
The 8 h3 Anti-Marshall
B2: 14 c3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.h3 Bb7 9.d3 d6 10.a3 Na5 11.Ba2
c5 12.Nbd2 Nc6 13.Nf1 Bc8! 14.c3
Be6 15.Bxe6 fxe6 This is another key
position to remember. At the cost of
doubled pawns Black has obtained a
firm grip in the centre and eliminated
White's dangerous bishop on a2. The
following play is positionally complex
and requires careful handling.
16.b4 This is White's only reasonable try e4-pawn.
here.
16...Qd7
[ 16...Nh5 17.N1h2 Nf4 18.Bxf4
Rxf4 19.Qb3 Qd7 20.a4 bxa4
21.Rxa4 cxb4 22.cxb4 Rb8 23.Rea1 19...axb4!?
left White with a small but lasting
advantage in M.Adams-R.
Kasimdzhanov, Linares 2005. ]
[ 16...d5 17.Ng3 ( furthermore, I think
that 17.exd5 Qxd5 18.Ne3 Qd7
19.Qb3 leads to an edge for White )
17...dxe4 18.Nxe4 c4 19.dxc4 Qxd1
20.Nxf6+ Bxf6 21.Rxd1 e4
was played in A.Shirov-L.Aronian,
Elista 2007, and now White could
have kept an advantage with 22.Ng5
.]
17.Qb3
[ White has also played 17.Ng3
here. For example, Rfb8 18.d4
( 18.Be3 cxb4! 19.axb4 a5 20.bxa5
Rxa5 21.Rxa5 Nxa5 22.Qd2 Nc6
with equal play is given by some
sources, and I agree with this
assessment ) 18...exd4 19.cxd4 cxd4
( 19...c4 is an interesting alternative if
Black wants to sharpen the position )
20.Nxd4 Nxd4 21.Qxd4 Rc8 22.Bb2
Rc2! 23.Rad1 ( if 23.Rac1
there follows Rac8 24.Rxc2 Rxc2
25.Rc1 Qc6 26.Rxc2 Qxc2
with level chances ) 23...Qa7! 24.e5
dxe5 25.Qxa7 Rxa7 26.Bxe5 Rd7
27.Rxd7 ( or 27.Bxf6 Rxd1 28.Rxd1
gxf6 29.Rd7 Kf7 followed by ...Ra2
when Black is by no means worse in
this endgame ) 27...Nxd7 28.Bd4 Kf7
29.Rd1 Nf6 and Black was fine in P.
Leko-V.Kramnik, Miskolc (rapid)
2007. ]
17...Rfb8 18.N1h2 White intends to
play Ng4 to add pressure to the e5-
pawn. If Black exchanges knights on g4,
this releases some of the stress on the
18...a5 19.Bd2
[ After 19.bxc5 a4 20.Qc2 dxc5
Black's superior pawn structure gives
him some advantage. ]
[ I prefer this move to 19...h6
, which was Black's choice in V.
Topalov-R.Kasimdzhanov, FIDE
World Ch., San Luis 2005. After
20.Ng4 Nxg4 21.hxg4
Black's kingside weaknesses create
problems for him. Topalov was able
to generate some pressure which
he eventually converted into a win. ]
20.axb4 cxb4 21.cxb4 d5 With direct
play Black attacks the b4-pawn and
prepares to liquidate in the centre.
22.Ng4
[ Black has no problems at all after
22.exd5 Qxd5 . ]
29
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
[ After 22.Bc3 Black has two
interesting options:
A) 22...Rxa1 23.Rxa1 dxe4
24.Nxe5 Nxe5 25.Bxe5 Rc8
26.dxe4 Nxe4 27.Ng4 Qd5
looks playable.;
B) Furthermore, there's 22...d4
23.Bd2 Qd6 intending to meet
24.Ng4 with ( and 24.Ng5 with Nd8
25.Rec1 Nd7 ) 24...Nd7 .;
C) 22...-- ]
22...Nxg4 23.hxg4 Again Black is okay,
especially in view of the weak b4-pawn.
23...dxe4 24.dxe4
[ Black seizes the initiative after
24.Rxa8 Rxa8 25.Rxe4 Ra1+
26.Kh2 Ra4 27.Bc3 Qd5 . ]
24...Nd4 25.Nxd4 exd4
Black's position looks reasonable here.
For example if 26.Rad1 there follows
26...Rc8! intending ...Rc4.
C88
The 8 h3 Anti-Marshall
B1: 14 Ne3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.h3 Bb7 9.d3 d6 10.a3 Na5 11.Ba2
c5 12.Nbd2 Nc6 13.Nf1 Bc8 14.Ne3
Be6 Now we have a further split, with
White deciding with which piece he
should occupy d5:
B11: 15 Bd5
B12: 15 Nd5
Occupation with the knight has been
slightly the more popular, but both
moves are important.
C88
The 8 h3 Anti-Marshall
B11: 15 Bd5
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.h3 Bb7 9.d3 d6 10.a3 Na5 11.Ba2
c5 12.Nbd2 Nc6 13.Nf1 Bc8 14.Ne3
Be6 15.Bd5 Qd7
[ This is the best move. Alternatives do
exist but they don't equalize so easily.
For example, 15...Bd7 (planning ...
Nxd5) 16.Bb3! Be6 (now Black
wants to play ...Bxb3) 17.c3!
(White will only exchange bishops
under more favourable
circumstances) Bxb3 18.Qxb3 g6
19.Qa2! (intending b2-b4)
A) White preserves a slight edge
after 19...Qd7 20.b4 a5 ( or
20...cxb4 21.axb4 a5 22.Bd2 Qb7
23.bxa5 Rxa5 24.Qb3 ) 21.bxc5
dxc5 22.Nd5;
B) 19...a5!? 20.a4 b4 21.Bd2
Qc7 22.Nh2! with some initiative
for White, V.Anand-L.Aronian, Wijk
aan Zee 2006. This game provides
an excellent example of how White
and Black try to outsmart each
other with positionally subtle
chess. ]
16.c3 Bd8 As mentioned in the
introduction to the chapter, by vacating
the e7-square Black lines up the
possibility of ...Bxd5 followed by ...Ne7.
The dark-squared bishop also finds a
useful role on the d8-a5 diagonal. In
practice White has chosen two ways to
strike on the queenside: 17.--
[ a) 17.b4 cxb4 18.axb4 Bb6
( Black also equalized without any
problems in Z.Almasi-Z.Gyimesi,
Mainz (rapid) 2007, after 18...Bxd5
19.exd5 Ne7 20.c4 Bb6 21.Bb2 a5
30
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
22.bxa5 Bxa5 23.Rf1 bxc4 ) 19.Qb3
h6 20.Bd2 a5 21.Bxe6 Qxe6
22.Qxe6 fxe6 23.bxa5 Bxa5
24.Reb1 Rfb8 25.Ra2 Ra7
with a decent position for Black, A.
Shirov-A.Grischuk, Foros 2006. ]
[ b) 17.a4 was met by Ba5
( I would suggest 17...Bb6
as an improvement; after 18.Bxe6
fxe6 19.Bd2 Nh5 20.g3 Nf6 21.Kg2
d5 22.axb5 axb5 23.Rxa8 Rxa8
24.exd5 exd5 25.Qb3 c4 26.Qxb5
Bxe3 27.Bxe3 Rb8 Black has a
comfortable position, and in general
I prefer the bishop to be on b6 )
in E.Sutovsky-A.Grischuk, Turin
Olympiad 2006. This move doesn't
look logical to me, even if after
18.axb5 axb5 19.Qb3 Bxd5 20.Nxd5
Nxd5 21.Qxd5 Ne7 22.Qb3 h6
23.Be3 Bb6 Black was okay and
eventually drew the game. ]
C88
The 8 h3 Anti-Marshall
B12: 15 Nd5
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.h3 Bb7 9.d3 d6 10.a3 Na5 11.Ba2
c5 12.Nbd2 Nc6 13.Nf1 Bc8 14.Ne3
Be6 15.Nd5 Bxd5 16.exd5 Nd4
[ 16...Nb8 is less active and also not
as good as 16...Nd4. After 17.b4!
Black is struggling to equalize. For
example:
A) 17...Nfd7 (very passive) 18.Rb1 18...Nd7
f5 19.bxc5 Nxc5 20.Nxe5! Bf6
21.Nc6 Qc7 22.d4 Na4 23.Qf3
Kh8 24.c3 Nd7 25.Bf4 g5 26.Bd2
Ndb6 27.Qd3 Rac8 28.Qc2 Qf7
29.Re6 Qd7 30.Rbe1 Rf7
31.Rxf6 Rxf6 32.Re7
1-0, R.Pruijssers-A.Van Weersel,
Dieren 2006.;
B) 17...cxb4 18.axb4 Nbd7 ( or
18...a5 19.bxa5 Qxa5 20.Bd2
Qc7 21.d4 Nbd7 22.Bb3 Qb7
23.Rxa8 Rxa8 24.dxe5 dxe5
25.Nxe5 Nxe5 26.Rxe5 Bd6
27.Re1 Nxd5 28.Qf3
1-0, K.Kulaots-J.Kvisla, Gausdal
2006 ) 19.Bd2 Re8 20.Bb3 Bf8
21.c4 g6 22.Ng5 Bg7 23.Ra5
bxc4 24.dxc4 e4 25.Qc2 Qe7
26.c5 with a strong initiative for
White, M.Al Modiahki-S.Caplan,
Biel 2007.;
C) 17...-- ]
17.Nd2 Intending to put this knight on
the strong e4-square.
[ 17.Nh2!? is an important alternative.
After Nf5 18.c3 I think Black should
play g6!? , ( since a move like
18...Nd7 allows 19.d4! , as played in
R.Kasimdzhanov-V.Akopian, Russian
Team Ch., Sochi 2006. In this case
White's light-squared bishop can
suddenly become alive on the b1-h7
diagonal, combining dangerously with
the knight which is ready to jump to
g4. )]
[ In contrast, 17.c3 causes no
problems at all. After Nxf3+ 18.Qxf3
Nd7 19.Bb1 Bg5 , as played in J.
Alvarez Sabor-M.Henk,
correspondence 2004, Black's
knight outshines White's bishop. ]
17...Nf5 18.Ne4! Now the question is
whether this knight can be challenged
on e4.
[ Perhaps 18...g6 intending ...Nxe4
followed by ...Ng7 deserves attention.
In this way Black eliminates the
strong knight on e4, and he will aim
for activity with ...Bg5 and ...f7-f5. ]
19.b4
31
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
[ 19.g3!? preventing ...Nh4-g6 is a
serious alternative. V.Kramnik-P.Leko,
Miskolc (rapid) 2007, continued g6
20.h4 (making g5 available to the
knight in the event of ...f7-f5) Rc8
21.b4 Qb6 ( however, I think that
21...Ng7 is an improvement, and after
22.Bd2 c4 23.dxc4 bxc4 24.Qe2
Qc7 both sides have chances in this
complex position ) 22.h5 cxb4
23.axb4 Nf6 24.c3 Ng7 25.h6 Nge8
26.Bd2 Nxe4 27.dxe4 f5 28.exf5
Rxf5 29.Be3 Qb7 30.Rc1!
and White was somewhat better. ]
19...Rc8
[ Black could also consider 19...cxb4
20.axb4 a5 , as 21.bxa5 Qxa5
22.Bd2 Qc7 23.c3 Nh4! 24.g3 Ng6
25.h4 f5 26.Ng5 Bxg5 27.hxg5 Nc5
looked promising for him in G.Gopal-
R.Kasimdzhanov, World Cup, Khanty
Mansiysk 2007. ]
20.Bd2 g6!? 21.c3 Ng7 22.c4 Nf5
23.a4 cxb4 24.cxb5 a5 25.Rc1 Rxc1
26.Bxc1 Qb8 27.Bb2 Bd8
With an unclear position, V.Anand-P.
Svidler, Monte Carlo (rapid) 2006.
C88 In my opinion, challenging the powerful
The 8 h3 Anti-Marshall
A: 12 Nc3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 b5 6.Bb3 Bb7 7.d3 Be7
8.Re1 0-0 9.h3 d6 10.a3 Na5 11.Ba2
c5 12.Nc3 Nc6 In this position there's a
further split. White's options are:
A1: 13 Nh2
A2: 13 Ne2
A3: 13 Bg5
A4: 13 Nd5
C88
The 8 h3 Anti-Marshall
Theory
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.h3 Bb7 9.d3 d6 10.a3 Na5 11.Ba2
c5 Here White normally chooses one of
the following:
A: 12 Nc3
B: 12 Nbd2
C88
The 8 h3 Anti-Marshall
White Plays 12 Nbd2
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.h3 Bb7 9.d3 d6 10.a3 Na5 11.Ba2
c5 12.Nbd2 This is more complex than
12 Nc3. Black must utilize the time
White spends transferring the knight to
neutralize the bishop on a2, and he
does this by carrying out the manoeuvre
...B(b7)-c8-e6. Play continues 12...Nc6
13.Nf1 Bc8! intending 14...Be6.
bishop on a2 is the key to Black's
strategy. Not only does it lead to
simplification which lessens the
influence of the d5-square, but it also
helps in the fight for its control.
White has two main ways to react: 14.--
[ a) Play 14 Ne3 and occupy d5:
After 14.Ne3 Be6! White must make
a decision over which piece to occupy
the d5-square with. 15.--
( Black meets 15.Bd5 with Qd7
, very often followed by ...Bd8 with
the basic idea of ...Bxd5 followed by ...
Ne7.; 15.Nd5 can be answered by
Bxd5 16.exd5 Nd4
32
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
. The assessment of this position
depends upon the relative strengths
of Black's d4-knight and White's a2-
bishop (see Line B12). )]
[ b) Play 14 c3, exchange bishops on
e6, and continue with b2-b4:
14.c3 . With this approach White
makes contact with Black's structure
to provoke further weaknesses. Black
tries to distract White by exchanging
pieces in the hope of proving b2-b4 to
be a weakness. This position is quiet,
and some subtle manoeuvring is
needed. Black is looking to push at
the right time with either ...d6-d5 or ...to the efforts of Adams it has been
a6-a5. Because the position contains
a lot of unreleased tension, it is
important to remember to exchange
pieces or pawns only when it benefits
you (see Line B2). ]
C88 bishop.
The 8 h3 Anti-Marshall
A1: 13 Nh2
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 b5 6.Bb3 Bb7 7.d3 Be7
8.Re1 0-0 9.h3 d6 10.a3 Na5 11.Ba2 placed knight on f5.
c5 12.Nc3 Nc6 13.Nh2 An important
line: White regroups his pieces in order
to gain a strong grip on the d5-square.
On the other hand, Black gets firm
control of d4 and can seek counterplay
on either side of the board. Overall, a
very interesting battle arises.
13...Nd4! Now there is a final branching
of variations:
A11: 14 Nf1
A12: 14 Ng4
Black equalized comfortably after
14.Bg5 Nd7 15.Bxe7 Qxe7 16.Nd5
Qg5 17.c3 Ne6 18.Nf3 Qd8 19.a4
Nf6 20.Ne3 Qd7 21.Bxe6 Qxe6
in R.Ponomariov-L.Aronian, Sochi 2006.
C88
The 8 h3 Anti-Marshall
A2: 13 Ne2
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.h3 d6 9.a3 Bb7 10.d3 Na5 11.Ba2
c5 12.Nc3 Nc6 13.Ne2 This move is
not dangerous at all for Black, and due
largely dismissed by White. We are
following his game with Gelfand (Wijk
aan Zee 2002), which he won in
convincing style, and the following
includes some of his analysis.
13...Bc8! Again we see this typical
manoeuvre aimed at neutralizing the a2-
14.Ng3
[ Here 14.c3 Be6 15.Bxe6 fxe6
could transpose to Line B2 after
16.b4 Qd7 17.Ng3 . ]
14...Be6 15.Nf5 White is happy to allow
an exchange on a2 in return for a firmly
15...Bxf5!? An interesting decision by
Adams: he is not afraid of a potential
pawn-storm on the kingside, and further
developments prove that his evaluation
was correct.
16.exf5 Qd7 17.g4
[ 17.Nh4 Ne8 is better for Black. ]
17...h6 18.c3
[ 18.Bd2 Bd8 19.b4 Bc7 is unclear. ]
18...Rfe8 19.b4
[ If 19.d4 e4 20.Nh2 , then d5 ( or
20...cxd4 21.cxd4 d5 ; in both cases
Black has a promising position. )]
19...cxb4 20.cxb4
[ Black also enjoys an edge after
33
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
20.axb4 Bd8 21.d4 e4 22.Nd2 d5
23.Nb3 Bc7 24.Kg2 ( 24.Nc5?
loses to Qd6 ) 24...Qd6 25.Rh1 a5
.]
20...Bd8 21.Bb2
[ Better was 21.Be3!? d5 with a slight
advantage for Black. ]
21...a5 22.bxa5 Bxa5 23.Re2 Bb6
Black is better here, and in the game
this advantage increased when Gelfand
erred with 24.Qb3? . After 24...Qb7!
he was forced to retreat with 25.Qd1
due to the unpleasant pressure on the
a8-h1 diagonal, and here 25...Nb4
would have been the simplest route to
big advantage for Black.
C88 Warsaw 2005, concluded 18.Nd5 g6
The 8 h3 Anti-Marshall
A12: 14 Ng4
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 b5 6.Bb3 Bb7 7.d3 Be7
8.Re1 0-0 9.h3 d6 10.a3 Na5 11.Ba2 ½-½. Overall, Black didn't have any
c5 12.Nc3 Nc6 13.Nh2 Nd4 14.Ng4
Nxg4
[ In E.Inarkiev-A.Lastin, Krasnodar
2002, Black chose 14...Kh8
and went on to win after 15.Be3 Nd7
16.Bd5 Bxd5 17.Nxd5 f5 18.exf5
Rxf5 19.b4 Rc8 20.a4 Bh4 21.Rf1
cxb4 22.a5 Nc5 23.Nxb4 Qd7
24.Bd2 Rf7 25.Ne3 Rcf8 26.Nf5
Rxf5 27.Be3 Qf7 28.Qe2 Qb7
29.Qg4 Bd8 30.Rfb1 h5 31.Qg3
Nde6 32.c4 bxc4 33.dxc4 Qe4
34.Qg6 Nf4 35.Bxf4 Qxf4 36.Qxd6
Qxf2+ 37.Kh1 e4 38.Ra2 Qe3
39.Qd1 Qg3 40.Nd5 e3 41.Qe2
Rxd5 42.cxd5 Bc7 43.d6 Bxd6
44.Qxh5+ Kg8 45.Qd5+ Rf7
46.Qa8+ 0-1. Even so, I still prefer
14...Nxg4. ]
15.hxg4 Bg5 16.Bd5
[ P.Leko-A.Grischuk, Cap d'Agde
(rapid) 2003, varied with 16.Nd5 Bc8
( 16...Bxc1 17.Rxc1 a5 is unclear
according to Adams ) 17.c3 Nc6
18.g3 Bxc1 19.Rxc1 Be6 20.Kg2
Ne7 21.d4 Rc8 ( 21...Bxd5 22.exd5
exd4 23.cxd4 c4 24.b3 cxb3
25.Bxb3 Rc8 26.Rxc8 Nxc8 27.Qc2
Ne7 28.Rh1 f5 29.Qe2 Rf7 30.gxf5
Nxf5 31.Bc2 g6 looks okay for
Black ) 22.dxe5 dxe5 23.c4 Rb8
24.cxb5 Rxb5 25.Rc2 Bxd5 26.exd5
Qd6 27.Bc4 Rb6 with a complex
position which Grischuk eventually
won. ]
16...Rb8 17.Bxb7 Rxb7 H.Stefansson-
A.Beliavsky, European Championship,
19.c3 Bxc1 20.Rxc1 Ne6 21.g3 Qg5
22.Ne3 Kg7 23.Kg2 h5 24.Rh1 hxg4
25.Qxg4 Qxg4 26.Nxg4 f5 27.Ne3 f4
28.Nd5 c4 29.gxf4 Nxf4+ 30.Nxf4
Rxf4 31.f3 Rbf7 32.Rh3 Kf6 33.Rd1
Ke6 34.d4 d5 35.exd5+ Kxd5
serious problems equalizing here.
C88
The 8 h3 Anti-Marshall
A11: 14 Nf1
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 b5 6.Bb3 Bb7 7.d3 Be7
8.Re1 0-0 9.h3 d6 10.a3 Na5 11.Ba2
c5 12.Nc3 Nc6 13.Nh2 Nd4 14.Nf1
[ This is a very serious alternative to
14.Ng4 , which is considered to be
the main line. Unlike with 14 Ng4,
White avoids exchanging pieces.
Instead the aim is for full control of
the d5-square by manoeuvring the
knight via f1 to e3. In fact, I find this
34
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
typical Ruy Lopez idea even more
dangerous than 14 Ng4. ]
14...Nd7 Black has a few reasonable
alternatives here:
[ a) 14...a5!? is a logical response,
with Black trying to seize initiative on
the queenside:
A) 15.a4 b4 16.Nb1?! ( 16.Ne2
Re8 17.Nxd4 cxd4 18.Ng3
is unclear ) was V.Bologan-M.
Adams, French League 2003.
Adams played 16...d5 and later
won, although in his notes for
'Chess Informant' he suggests
16...Qc7! 17.Ne3 Rad8 18.c3
Ne6 19.Nf5 ( or 19.Nd5 Nxd5
20.Bxd5 Qc8 with the initiative )
19...Rfe8 when Black is slightly
better.;
B) 15.Ne3 b4 16.Ncd5 b3
( White gains the initiative after
16...Nxd5 17.Bxd5 Bxd5 18.Nxd5
and now, for example, b3 19.cxb3
Rb8 20.b4 axb4 21.axb4 cxb4
22.Be3 Ne6 23.Qg4 ;; White also
has the advantage after 16...Rb8
17.axb4 axb4 18.c3 ) 17.Bxb3
Nxb3 18.Nxf6+ Bxf6 19.cxb3 Rb8
has been assessed by some
sources as giving Black enough
compensation, but I'm not entirely
convinced of this if White plays
20.Bd2 with Nc4 and Bc3 to
follow.;
C) In view of this problem, I prefer
a new idea which crossed my mind
while analysing this line: 15.Ne3
a4 ( instead of 15...b4 ) 16.Ncd5
Nxd5 17.Bxd5 ( if 17.Nxd5 , then
Bg5 18.c3 Ne6 19.Bxg5 Qxg5
20.Re3 Bxd5 21.Bxd5 Ra7
22.Rg3 Qf6 with good play for
Black ) 17...Qd7 18.c3 Bxd5
19.Nxd5 Nb3 20.Rb1 Bd8
and Black is okay.;
D) 15.-- ]
[ b) 14...Rc8 is a mysterious move.
Black is just waiting to see how the
game will develop before committing
himself. However, I think he can
achieve the same thing with more
productive moves and White keeps
some pressure after 15.Ne3 b4
16.Ncd5 . ]
[ c) 14...Kh8 is a logical move. Black's
king vacates the a2-g8 diagonal and
thus prepares the ...f5 advance.
Perhaps White is slightly better after
15.Ne3 Nd7 ( 15...Ng8 also makes
sense ) 16.Ncd5 Bg5 17.c3 Ne6
18.Nf5 . However, assessments in
such positions only show that for the
moment White enjoys a slight
initiative and this can easily change. ]
[ d) 14...d5!? is an interesting gambit.
Theory assesses 15.Nxd5 ( 15.exd5
b4 16.axb4 cxb4 17.Ne2 is unclear )
15...Nxd5 16.exd5 Bxd5 17.Rxe5
Bxa2 18.Rxa2 Bd6 as unclear, but
again I don't fully agree – Black
doesn't have enough compensation
here. ]
[ e) 14...b4!? (my idea) 15.axb4 cxb4
and now:
A) 16.Nd5 Nxd5 17.Bxd5 Bxd5
18.exd5 Qc7 19.Ne3 a5 20.Nc4
a4 21.Be3 Nf5 22.Qf3 g6
with level chances.;
B) 16.Ne2 Ne6 ( 16...Nxe2+
17.Qxe2 d5 18.Ng3 dxe4 19.dxe4
looks like some advantage to
White ) 17.Neg3 Re8 18.Ne3 Bf8
19.Bd2 ( 19.Bd5 Nxd5 20.Nxd5
Bxd5 21.exd5 Nf4 22.Bxf4 exf4
23.Ne4 Qc8 is fine for Black )
19...a5 20.Nh5 Nxh5 21.Qxh5 g6
22.Qg4 h5 23.Qf3 Bh6 24.c3
bxc3 25.bxc3 a4 with complex
play.;
C) 16.-- ]
35
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
15.Nd5 Exploiting the fact that Black
has voluntarily given up some control of
the d5-square.
15...Bg5 Typically Black wants to
exchange his bad bishop.
16.Bxg5 Qxg5 17.c3 Ne6 18.Nfe3 g6
19.g3 Kh8 20.h4 Qd8 21.Qg4 Rb8!?
[ I think this is slightly more accurate
than 21...Nf6 , which was Black's
choice in L.Dominguez Perez-A.
Beliavsky, Barcelona 2007. After
22.Nxf6 Qxf6 23.a4 Nc7 24.Qd7
Qd8 25.Qxd8 Raxd8 26.axb5 axb5
27.Bb3 Kg7 28.Ra7 Rb8 29.Rea1
White's control of the a-file and
better placed pieces gave Dominguez
a clear advantage, which he
eventually converted into a win. ]
If White tries the same idea to open the
a-file after 21...Rb8, with 22.a4
, Black seizes the initiative using clever By giving back the extra pawn White
tactical resources with 22...b4! 23.cxb4
Nd4 24.bxc5 Bxd5 25.Nxd5 Nxc5 .
C89 in the endgame. However, Black has
The Dangerous 12 d3
A1: 16 Nd2
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5
14.Qf3 Qh4 15.g3 Qh3 16.Nd2 Rae8
17.Ne4 Bg4 18.Qg2 Qxg2+ 19.Kxg2
f5 20.h3 This in conjunction with
White's next move is an interesting idea, 26...Re6! 27.Re3 Rg6+ 28.Ng3 Rgf6
but it's still insufficient to really
challenge Black.
[ After 20.Bf4 Bxf4 21.gxf4 fxe4
22.dxe4 , Black has the important
resource Bf3+! . For example,
23.Kxf3 Rxf4+ 24.Kg3 Rfxe4
25.Rxe4 Rxe4 26.f3 ( 26.a4
is met by Re2 with good play for
Black ) 26...Re5 ( 26...Re2 27.c4!
bxc4 28.Bxc4 Rxb2 29.Bxa6
is probably equal, but it's slightly
more unpleasant for Black and the
text promises an easy draw ) 27.c4
( Black is also okay after 27.a4 Re2 )
27...bxc4 28.Bxc4 a5 29.Rc1 Kf8
30.Bxd5 Rg5+ 31.Kf4 Rxd5 32.Rxc6
Rd2 33.Ra6 Rxh2 34.Rxa5 Rxb2
35.a4 Kf7 36.Kf5 g6+ 37.Ke5 Re2+
38.Kf4 h5 39.Ra7+ ½-½, J.Polgar-P.
Svidler, World Championship, San
Luis 2005. ]
20...Bh5 21.g4
[ 21.Bf4 is very similar to the previous
note after Bxf4 22.gxf4 fxe4 23.dxe4
Bf3+! 24.Kxf3 Rxf4+ 25.Kg3 Rfxe4
26.Rxe4 Rxe4 . ]
21...fxg4 22.hxg4 Bxg4 23.a4
has managed to secure the knight's
position on e4. Now he plays a2-a4 to
try to exploit the weakness on c6,
something which could become crucial
found a clear way to gain active
counterplay.
23...Bb8
[ Black also equalized in V.Kotronias-K.
Asrian, European Club Cup, Kemer
2007, after 23...b4 24.c4 Nf4+
25.Bxf4 Bxf4 26.c5+ Kh8 . ]
24.axb5 axb5 25.Ra6 Bd7 26.Bd2
[ Black gains the upper hand after
26.Be3 Kh8 27.Bxd5 cxd5 28.Nc5
Bg4 . ]
In M.Agopov-J.Gustafsson, European
Team Championship, Crete 2007, White
could find nothing better than 29.Ne4
, whereupon Gustafsson decided to
repeat the position with 29...Rg6+
30.Ng3 Rgf6 31.Ne4 Rg6+
36
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
½-½. Overall, Black equalizes without
any difficulties.
C89
The Dangerous 12 d3
A2: 16 Bxd5
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5
14.Qf3 Qh4 15.g3 Qh3 16.Bxd5 cxd5
Now we reach a further division:
A21: 17 Bf4
A22: 17 Qxd5
A23: 17 Be3
17 Be3 is the main line, and it's
important to note the transpositional
possibilities between this and the
alternative 17 Qxd5.
C89
The Dangerous 12 d3
A21: 17 Bf4
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5
14.Qf3 Qh4 15.g3 Qh3 16.Bxd5
cxd5 17.Bf4 Bg4 18.Qg2 Bxf4
19.gxf4 d4! This excellent idea of ...d5- Qh4 30.Rae1 Qxf4 31.R5e2 d3
d4 was first played in 2002 by Tkachiev
against Grischuk (albeit after 19 Qxh3
Bxh3 20 gxf4 d4!). Grischuk then
successfully employed the same idea
against Kotronias at the 2004 FIDE
World Championship.
20.Qg3
[ 20.Qxh3 Bxh3 and now perhaps
21.Nd2 instead of 21 cxd4 is White's
best chance, but he can't expect to
achieve more than an equal endgame
( 21.cxd4 Rfd8 22.Re3 Bf5 23.a4
b4 24.Nd2 Rxd4 25.Ne4 g6 26.Rc1
Rad8 27.Rc4 Rxd3 28.Rxd3 Rxd3
29.Rxb4 Bh3 30.f3 Rxf3 31.Nf2
Be6 gave Black an edge in A.
Grischuk-V.Tkachiev, Prague 2002 )
. For instance, 21...Rfd8 22.c4 Bf5
and now:
A) 23.Ne4 bxc4 24.dxc4 d3 25.f3
d2 26.Red1 Bxe4 27.fxe4 Rd4
and Black is doing fine in this
endgame.;
B) 23.cxb5 axb5 ( even 23...Bxd3
24.bxa6 Rxa6 looks reasonable for
Black, with the poor position of
White's king and the passive white
knight providing good
compensation: for example, 25.a4
Kf8 26.b4 Bc2 27.a5 Rb8
28.Rac1 Rg6+ 29.Kh1 Rc6
and Black has seized the initiative )
24.Ne4 Ra6 25.f3 Rc8 26.Nc5
Rg6+ 27.Kh1 b4 and Black's
active play promises equality.;
C) 23.-- ]
20...Rad8 21.c4 Rd6 22.Re5 f5!
Black has a clear advantage. White is
facing a fierce attack, and 'Kotro' was
obliged to give up his queen.
V.Kotronias-A.Grischuk, FIDE World Ch.,
Tripoli 2004, concluded 23.Nd2 Rg6
24.Kh1 Qh5 25.f3 Bh3 26.Qf2 Bg2+
27.Qxg2 Rxg2 28.Kxg2 bxc4 29.dxc4
32.Rf2 Rf6 33.Re8+ Kf7 34.Rd8 Qe3
35.Rd5 h5 36.h4 Qe1 37.Nf1 Rg6+
0-1.
37
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
C89
The Dangerous 12 d3
Introduction
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Recently 12 d3 has
become incredibly popular. It looks
modest, but do not be fooled by its
appearance – this little move contains a
great deal of venom! In fact, I would go
as far as to say that 12 d3 is a critical
line for the overall assessment of the
Marshall Attack.
The main starting position for the
variation arises after 12...Bd6 13.Re1
. The d2-d3 move reinforces White's
control of the e4-square, one of the
most important defensive outposts for
White. In addition, White has no
intention of committing his dark-squared
bishop early on. He will instead develop
his knight to d2 en route to its optimal
square e4. It should be noted that
White always retreats the rook to the
e1-square in this line, not e2.
There are two ways of handling 12 d3,
and let's look at them in turn. 13...--
[ The Modern Approach: 13...Bf5
13...Bf5 targeting the d3-pawn is a
relatively new approach, and one
which highlights the drawback of 12
d3. Incidentally this is not the whole
justification behind 13...Bf5. Indeed,
Black plans to utilize the pressure on
d3 to play the move ...Nf4!.
White has only one logical reply in
14.Qf3 ( moves such as 14.Nd2
fail to Nf4! ) and now comes a series
of forced moves: 14...Qh4
(provoking the usual weakness on the
kingside) 15.g3 ( 15.Qxf5
is not possible because of Qxh2+
16.Kf1 Rae8 17.Rxe8 Rxe8 18.Qh3
and now Black has the stunning idea
Qg1+! followed by 19...Re1 mate )
15...Qh3 16.Bxd5 cxd5 17.Be3
Bxd3 18.Qxd5 Rad8 when we reach
a critical position and a rather pure
form of the Marshall.
This position has proved a bone of
contention in chess at the highest
level. Some grandmasters believe
that, although Black has some
compensation in the form of the
bishop pair, White is basically just a
pawn up. There is, however, a strong
'but' in this reasoning. White's
kingside has been slightly damaged,
and by forcing the weakening g2-g3
Black has definitely gained some
light-square play.
Black's aims are clear: to push for ...
f7-f5-f4, although it's noticeable how
often he relies merely on piece play;
to occupy the open lines; and, if
possible, to reroute his light-
squared bishop to the long diagonal,
which is by no means an easy task. It
is worthwhile here repeating
Steinitz's theory that the strongest
pawn defence around the king is h2,
g2 and f2. If White hadn't weakened
his kingside Black would have very
little compensation for the pawn.
Overall, Black's position is active and
his strong bishop pair, which we see
so often in the Marshall, gives him
solid compensation. See Line A of the
theory section for further details. ]
[ The Old Main Line: 13...Qh4
Although I believe that the traditional
attacking approach with 13...Qh4
is reasonable for Black, I do think it's
the more difficult line to play. A major
tactical point behind White's play with
12 d3 manifests itself in this line, so
let's follow things a little further:
38
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4! This is the whole
point! The 'normal' reaction 15...g5
(which is seen after 12 d4 Bd6 13
Re1 Qh4 14 g3 Qh3 15 Re4) is no
longer possible, as the rook is
protected on e4 so White can safely
play 16 Bxg5!. Black's key idea of ...f7-
f5 cannot be played immediately
either, since 16 Rh4 wins the queen.
So Black's queen is forced to sound
the retreat to make way for the f-
pawn.
Qf5 16.Nd2 Qg6 Paving the way for
...f7-f5, but White has an excellent
riposte:
17.Re1! intending to meet f5
with, in my opinion, one of the best
moves ever to be played in the
Marshall: 18.f4!! . White returns his
extra pawn, but after Bxf4 19.Qf3
he places immediate pressure on the
d5-knight. Black must decide whether
to retreat the bishop or to capture the
knight on d2. Best is Bb8! , reaching
the most critical position of the 13...
Qh4 variation. This is examined fully
in Line B of the theory section, but I
will not hide my preference for 13...
Bf5. ]
C89
The Dangerous 12 d3
Theory
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1
[ 13.Re2 Bf5 lands White in a much
inferior version of Line A, since Qf3 is
no longer possible. ]
13...-- After 13 Re1 Black's two main
options are:
A: 13...Bf5
B: 13...Qh4
C89
The Dangerous 12 d3
A: 13...Bf5
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5
At the present time this is considered to
be Black's best choice.
14.Qf3
[ 14.Nd2 leads to an easy draw for
Black with Nf4! . For example,
15.Ne4 Nxd3 16.Bg5 ( alternatively,
16.Qf3 Bg6 17.Re2 Bc7 18.Bg5
Bxe4 19.Rxe4 Qxg5 20.Qxd3 Rad8
21.Qf3 c5 22.h4 Qh6 23.Rd1 c4
24.Bc2 Rd2 25.Rxd2 Qxd2 26.Qe2
Qxe2 and ½-½, J.Polgar-M.Adams,
Enghien les Bains 2003 ) 16...Qd7
17.Nxd6 Qxd6 18.Bc2 Qg6 19.Bxd3
Bxd3 20.Be3 ½-½, V.Anand-P.Leko,
World Ch., Mexico City 2007.
Although he didn't win, this must rank
as one of Anand's most memorable
games – it secured him the World
title. ]
14...Qh4
[ An alternative for Black which I
played and analysed for a while is
14...Re8 . This leads to an almost
forced sequence of moves with
15.Rxe8+ Qxe8 16.Nd2 Qe1+
17.Nf1 Bg6 and now: 18.-- ( 18.g3
is okay for Black after b4!
, which was first played in a
consultation game I was involved in
(Ojjeh team-Nataf team, Paris 2003).;
In my opinion 18.h3 is best. After
Re8 19.Bd1 I don't think Black can
39
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
quite equalize. Nevertheless, the
German Grandmaster Jan
Gustafsson is still playing 14...Re8
with good results. Furthermore,
Grischuk played it against Shirov and
won (Moscow blitz 2007). In that
game Shirov avoided the critical 15
Rxe8 and instead chose 15 Be3, but
after 15...Bxd3 16 Nd2 Bg6 he didn't
achieve much. Perhaps this line
needs to be reinvestigated for Black. )]
15.g3 Qh3 Now we face a further split,
with White having a choice of two
moves:
A1: 16 Nd2
A2: 16 Bxd5
16 Bxd5 is currently considered to be
the best continuation for White, but 16
Nd2 is equally important and has been
preferred by the strong Greek
Grandmaster Vassilios Kotronias.
C89
The Dangerous 12 d3
A22: 17 Qxd5
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5
14.Qf3 Qh4 15.g3 Qh3 16.Bxd5
cxd5 17.Qxd5
[ This can transpose to 17.Be3
, but there are also some independent
lines to consider. ]
17...Rad8 18.Qg2 Qxg2+
[ 18...Qh5 19.Be3 Bxd3
simply transposes to Line A231 (17
Be3 Bxd3 18 Qxd5 Rad8 19 Qg2
Qh5). However, with the 17 Qxd5
move order Black enjoys extra
options. ( First of all, in this line he
can refuse the d3-pawn and instead
launch an attack with 19...Bh3
, an idea introduced by Etienne
Bacrot against Smeets (Wijk aan Zee
2008). After 20.Qh1 f5 21.Bb6 Rd7
22.Qd5+ Kh8 23.Nd2 Bxg3 24.Qxd7
Bf4 25.Qb7 Bxd2 Bacrot had
sufficient compensation, and this idea
has been repeated by Jakovenko. It
does require deeper analysis, though,
because Black is two pawns down. )]
19.Kxg2 Bxd3 20.Be3 We will also
come across this type of endgame later
on, albeit in slightly different forms.
Here I will give a few examples of how
play can develop: 20...--
[ a) 20...Rfe8 21.Nd2 b4!
(an important move: Black's
exchanges a pawn, and indeed his
objective here is to trade as many
pawns as possible) 22.Bb6
( in D.Stellwagen-P.Harikrishna, Wijk
aan Zee 2008, White chose 22.Bd4
and after bxc3 23.Bxc3 f6 24.Rad1
Rxe1 25.Rxe1 Kf7 26.f3 Be7 27.g4
h5 Black again managed to draw
without difficulty ) 22...Rxe1 23.Rxe1
Rb8 24.Ba5 bxc3 25.Bxc3
was seen in two games at the 2008
Morelia/Linares tournament (Shirov-
Aronian and Shirov-Leko), and in both
games Black managed to draw. ]
[ b) 20...Be4+! was introduced
recently by the Armenian GM Gabriel
Sargissian, and this might be even
more accurate. Here are two games
played at the 2008 Karen Asrian
Memorial tournament in Yerevan:
21.f3 Bc6 (preventing a2-a4 for a
while and preparing ...Rfe8;
exchanging one pair of rooks will help
Black here) 22.Nd2 Rfe8 , and now
23.Bd4 ( 23.Nb3 f6 24.Kf2 Bc7
25.Nd4 Bd7 26.Rad1 Kf7 27.Rd2
Bc8 28.Red1 h5 29.Ne2 Rxd2
30.Rxd2 Be6 31.b3 g5 was P.Leko-
40
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
G.Sargissian ) 23...h5 24.Kf2 f6
25.Rxe8+ Rxe8 26.Nf1 Kf7 27.Ne3
Rd8 28.a3 Bc7 29.Re1 Rd7 30.Nc2
Bd6 was P.Leko-L.Aronian. In neither
case did Black face any serious
difficulties getting a draw. ]
C89
The Dangerous 12 d3
B: 13...Qh4
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4
[ This was originally considered to be
the main line, and it's only recently
that 13...Bf5 has taken that mantle. ]
14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 Qf5 16.Nd2 Qg6
Reaching the first critical position for
the 13...Qh4 variation.
17.Re1 I consider this to be White's best
choice.
[ 17.a4 is an important alternative for
White, which was introduced by the
Columbian Grandmaster Alonso
Zapata against me, at a tournament
in Belgrade in 1988. In that game I
played the optimistic 17...f5 and lost,
but I fared much better later on: Nf6
18.Re1 Bg4 19.f3 Bh3 20.Nf1 Rae8 2000.
21.Be3 h5 22.d4 h4 23.Bc2 Qh5!
( a key idea which I found sometime
after my game against Zapata, and
which helped me to win an important
game on the way to obtaining the
Grandmaster title; in his notes for
'Chess Informant' Zapata only
mentioned 23...Bf5 , which also
offers reasonable compensation to
Black )
A) my main analysis ran 24.g4
Nxg4 25.fxg4 Bxg4 26.Qd3 ( or
26.Qd2 Bf3 ) and now either
26...f5 ( or 26...Re6 gives Black a
strong attack );
B) 24.Bf2? Rxe1 25.Bxe1 Bxf1
26.g4 Nxg4 27.fxg4 Qd5 28.Qd2
Bf4!! 29.Bh7+ Kxh7 30.Qc2+ Kg8
31.Kxf1 Qh1+ and White resigned,
A.Zontakh-M.Pavlovic Podgorica
1993. ]
17...f5 In this position White's two most
common moves have been:
B1: 18 a4
B2: 18 f4!
The third option is 18.c4 , intending to
meet knight moves with 19 c5+ and
cxd6. This is a very complicated line,
but Black's attacking possibilities after
18...f4! mustn't be underestimated. For
example, 19.Ne4
[ 19.cxd5 fxg3 20.fxg3 is met by
Bxg3 ]
19...fxg3 20.fxg3 Bg4 21.Qc2 bxc4
22.dxc4 Rae8 23.cxd5 Bf3 24.dxc6+
Kh8 25.Bd5 Bxg3! 26.hxg3 Rxe4
27.Bf4 Rxe1+ 28.Rxe1 Qxc2 29.Bxf3
Qxb2 30.c7 Qf6 31.Kh2 Qf5 32.Bg2
Qh5+ 33.Bh3 g5 34.Be5+ Kg8
35.Re4 Rf2+ 36.Kg1 Rc2 37.Be6+
Kf8 38.g4 Rc1+ 39.Kf2 Qh4+ 40.Bg3
Qh1 41.Bd6+ Kg7 42.Be5+ Kh6
43.Re2 Rd1 and White resigned, D.
Isaacson-J.Simmelink, correspondence
C89
The Dangerous 12 d3
B1: 18 a4
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4
14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 Qf5 16.Nd2 Qg6
41
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
17.Re1 f5 18.a4 This move was
introduced by Popovic in a game against
me (Belgrade 1991), and is considered
to be dangerous for a good reason. I
spent a considerable amount of time
trying to find something convincing
against it, and eventually arrived at:
18...Kh8!?
[ This was my important new idea. I
don't like theory's 18...Rb8
, although it's possible that move
gives Black counterplay as well. ]
19.axb5 This is the critical test of 18...
Kh8; alternatives are less challenging:
[ a) After 19.Bxd5 cxd5 20.axb5 f4
White no longer has Ne4 as a
defensive resource, and Black enjoys
good attacking chances. ]
[ b) 19.Nf3 f4
A) another nice sequence worth
remembering is 20.Bxd5 cxd5
21.Ne5 Bxe5 22.Rxe5 fxg3
23.hxg3 Bg4 24.Qf1 Rae8 25.Bf4
Rxe5 26.Bxe5 Bf3 27.Qh3 Qf5
28.Qxf5 Rxf5 29.g4 Rxe5
30.axb5 h5! 31.bxa6 hxg4
with a mating attack: 32.Kh2 ( or
32.a7 Rh5 33.a8Q+ Kh7 )
32...Rh5+ 33.Kg3 g5!;
B) 20.Ne5 Qf6! 21.Bxd5 fxg3!
is winning for Black, who exploits
the fact that Bxd5 doesn't come
with check. ]
19...Nf4! This was my idea.
20.Nc4 Nh3+ 21.Kg2 f4 22.Nxd6
Qxd6 23.f3
[ Black also obtains good play after
23.Qf3 Bd7 . For example, 24.Rxa6
Rxa6 25.bxa6 fxg3 26.Qxg3 Rxf2+
27.Kh1 Qf8 28.Be3 ( 28.a7 Rf1+
29.Kg2 Rf2+ ) 28...Rf3 29.Qg2 Rf2
30.a7 Rxg2 31.Kxg2 Qa8 32.Kg3
c5 . ]
23...cxb5 24.g4 Bxg4! 25.fxg4 Ng5
26.d4 f3+ 27.Kh1 Nh3 28.Be3 Rae8
29.Qd2 Qg6 30.Bc2 Qxg4 Black is
not worse in this position.
C89
The Dangerous 12 d3
B2: 18 f4!
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4
14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 Qf5 16.Nd2 Qg6
17.Re1 f5 18.f4! As I mentioned in the
introduction to this chapter, I consider
this to be one of best moves ever played
by White in the Marshall.
18...Bxf4 19.Qf3 Bb8!
[ I found this move a few days after a
game against Popovic (Belgrade
1991), in which I played 19...Kh8
but only managed to draw after some
mistakes by my opponent. The
following year in the Yugoslav League,
in my next encounter with Popovic, I
had a chance to try out my idea over
the board. After that game it became
widely used until a clear antidote was
found to it, as demonstrated by
players such as Leko and Kotronias. ]
20.Bxd5+ cxd5 21.Nb3!
While analysing the possible variations
after 19...Bb8, I underestimated the
strength of this move. I felt that the
knight was needed to defend the
kingside, but in fact this isn't the case
here and Black's task is not easy.
[ 21.Nf1 was Popovic's choice. Our
game continued Bb7 22.Re7 Bc6
23.Qe3 and here d4 is strong, with
promising play for Black. ]
21...Qf7 22.Bf4!
[ Leko played it safe with 22.Nd4
, but couldn't gain an advantage: Ba7
42
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic

23.Bf4 Bd7 24.Re5 b4! 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5

with counterplay, P.Leko-M.Adams, 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5
Linares 1999. ] 14.Qf3 Qh4 15.g3 Qh3 16.Bxd5
22...d4! An important move, which might cxd5 17.Be3 Bxd3
breathe some new life into this line. [ 17...Rad8 18.Nd2 Bxd3 19.Bb6
23.Nc5! is better for White. ]
[ Black certainly isn't worse after 18.Qxd5 Rad8 We've arrived at the
23.Qxa8 critical position discussed in the
A) furthermore, 23...Bxf4!? introduction to this chapter. White has a
also proves to be dangerous for choice of two queen retreats:
White: 24.Qf3 ( or 24.Nxd4 Bb7 A231: 19 Qg2
25.Qxf8+ Kxf8 26.Ne6+ Kg8 A232: 19 Qf3
27.Nxf4 g5 28.Ne6 Qh5 29.Nd4 Note that 19.Qxd3? is impossible due
f4 ) 24...Be3+ 25.Rxe3 Bb7 to 19...Bxg3 with a winning attack for
26.Qf4 dxe3 27.Nc5 Ba8 Black.
; in both cases Black has good
chances;
B) 23...Bb7 24.Qxb8 Rxb8 C89
25.Bxb8 Qd5 26.Re2 Qf3! The Dangerous 12 d3
27.Nxd4 ( 27.Rd2 Qh1+ 28.Kf2 A231: 19 Qg2
Qxh2+ 29.Ke1 Qh1+ 30.Kf2 [Milos Pavlovic]
is perpetual check ) 27...Qh1+
28.Kf2 Qxa1 . ] 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
23...Bxf4 24.gxf4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
[ Black's position isn't worse after
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
24.Qxf4 dxc3 25.bxc3 Bb7 26.Re5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5
Rae8 27.Rae1 Rxe5 28.Qxe5 Bc8 14.Qf3 Qh4 15.g3 Qh3 16.Bxd5
29.Re2 f4! 30.gxf4 Qxf4 31.Qxf4 cxd5 17.Be3 Bxd3 18.Qxd5 Rad8
Rxf4 . True, he seems to be skating
19.Qg2 Qh5
on thin ice, but nevertheless it looks
[ I should mention here that Black can
playable. ] also play 19...Qxg2+ 20.Kxg2
24...Rb8 25.cxd4 Bb7! This looks okay , transposing to the endgame
for Black. For example, 26.Nxb7 Rxb7 discussed in Line A22. ]
27.d5 Rd7 28.Re6 Rfd8 29.Rae1 20.Nd2 Bf5 Black repositions his
Rxd5 30.Re8+ Rxe8 31.Rxe8+ Qxe8 bishop; ideally he would like to transfer
32.Qxd5+ Qf7 . it to the a8-h1 diagonal.
21.Bd4 Before doing anything else,
White establishes his bishop on a firm
C89 and secure post.
The Dangerous 12 d3 [ 21.Qc6 is a serious alternative.
A23: 17 Be3 Black's best response is Bh3
[Milos Pavlovic] , when White has more than one
option:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 A) Black wins after 22.Qxa6 Bxg3!
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 23.hxg3 Rxd2! .;

43
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
B) 22.a4 and now I think Black can
improve with bxa4!? ( 22...Bb8
23.axb5 axb5 24.Ra5 Bd7
25.Qc5 Qg6 26.Qg5 Qd3 27.Bd4
f6 28.Qd5+ Kh8 29.Nb3
was good for White in the game D.
Stellwagen-A.Pashikian, Yerevan
2007 ) . For example, 23.Qxa4
( Black is fine after 23.Rxa4 Bd7
24.Qxd6 Bxa4 ) 23...Bc5! 24.Bxc5
( on 24.Qd1 Qxd1 25.Raxd1 Bxe3
26.Rxe3 there follows Bf5!
with the unstoppable threat of ...
Bc2 ) 24...Rxd2 25.Qc4
(the only move, protecting the
bishop and preventing the
threatened ...Qd5) Rxb2
. Black is okay in this position:
White can't take on f8 due to
26.Bxf8?? Qf3 , with a fatal double
threat of 27...Qg2 mate and 27...
Qxf2+.;
C) 22.Bd4 (centralizing the bishop
before doing anything else) Bb8
23.Re3 ( Black is fine in the
endgame arising after 23.Ne4
Rxd4! 24.cxd4 Qf3 25.Nf6+ Qxf6
26.Qxf6 gxf6 ) 23...Rd6 24.Qb7
Bd7 25.Qf3 Bg4 26.Qg2 Bh3
27.Qf3 Bg4 28.Qg2 and ½-½, J.
Smeets-A.Khalifman, Amsterdam
2007.;
D) 22.-- ]
[ Looking at other options for Black
after 21.Qc6 , Bc8 was played in
Segarra-Li Ruofan, Manila 2007, and
following 22.Bd4 f5 23.f4 Qf7
24.Qg2 Bb7 he enjoyed obvious
compensation due to the strong
pressure of the bishop on the a8-h1
diagonal. ]
[ 21.Qc6 Be6 was less successful in
A.Shirov-D.Jakovenko, World Cup,
Khanty Mansiysk 2007. Black's idea
is straightforward: to put the bishop
on d5. However, after 22.Qxa6 Qd5
( if 22...Bd5 White can safely capture
on b5 ) 23.Qb6 Bh3 24.f3 f5 25.Qd4
Black didn't have enough
compensation for the two-pawn deficit
and Shirov went on to win. ]
Now let's get back to 21 Bd4:
21...Be6!?
[ 21...Bh3 is also possible, as after
22.Qf3 Qxf3 23.Nxf3 Rfe8
Black has enough compensation to
hold the balance (compare the
endgame reached in Line A22). ]
Returning to 21...Be6, if Black can
manoeuvre his light-squared bishop to
the a8-h1 diagonal, White won't be able
to do much with his extra pawn. In the
game Wang Hao-D.Jakovenko, Nizhniy
Novgorod 2007, White gave up trying
and the game was drawn after 22.Qf3
Qg6 23.Qe4
[ If White plays more ambitiously with
23.Qc6 , then one idea for Black is
Bf4 24.Ne4 Qh5! . For instance,
25.gxf4 Qg4+ 26.Ng3 Bd5 27.Qc5
Qf3 28.Kf1 Bc4+ 29.Re2 Rc8
, intending ...Rc6-g6 and ...h7-h5 with
a strong attack. ]
23...Qh5 24.Qf3 Qg6 25.Qe4 Qh5
26.Qf3 .
C89
The Dangerous 12 d3
A232: 19 Qf3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5
14.Qf3 Qh4 15.g3 Qh3 16.Bxd5
cxd5 17.Be3 Bxd3 18.Qxd5 Rad8
19.Qf3 Bc4
[ 19...Bf5 20.Nd2 Be6 transposes to
44
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
the main text, below. ]
[ 19...Qf5 is possible. It's hardly a
necessary move, but even so it's
important to cover it here in order to
help our understanding of the position
in general. Black exchanges queens
and defends a pawn-down endgame,
counting on his bishop pair to provide
sufficient compensation. It has been
played in high-level games and so far
Black hasn't encountered any
problems. For example, 20.Qxf5 Bxf5
21.Nd2 Rfe8 22.Bd4 f6 23.Nb3
( 23.f3 b4 24.Ne4 Bc7 25.Kf2 bxc3
26.bxc3 Rb8 27.Re2 Kf7 28.Rd1 h5
29.Bc5 Kg6 30.Bd4 was agreed
drawn here in M.Carlsen-V.Anand,
Leon 2005 ) 23...Kf7 24.Bb6 Rc8
25.Rxe8 Rxe8 26.Rd1 Bf8 27.Nd4
Be4 28.f3 Bd5 29.a3 Rb8 30.Bc7
Rb7 31.Bf4 Bc5 32.Kf2 Rd7 33.Be3
Bc4 34.g4 a5 35.h4 a4 36.h5 Bxd4
37.Bxd4 Rd5 38.Kg3 g6 39.hxg6+
Kxg6 40.Re1 h5 41.Re8 hxg4
42.fxg4 Rd6 43.Kf4 Re6 and ½-½,
R.Kasimdzhanov-A.Onischuk, Calvia
Olympiad 2004.
This type of this endgame has been
contested a few times in elite
tournaments such as Linares and
Wijk aan Zee, and generally Black
has shown sufficient resources to
hold the position. The main reasons
for his comfort are the bishop pair
and White's lack of a passed pawn. ]
20.Nd2 Be6 21.Bd4 Bb8 This move
prepares ...Bd5. If Black can achieve
this and keep the queens on the board,
he is no danger of losing the game.
21...Bb8 is probably the strongest
choice, although even with the
alternatives Black doesn't experience
any major problems. For example:
[ a) 21...h6 22.a3 Bb8 23.Qg2 Qf5
24.f3 Rfe8 25.Ne4 Bd5 26.Re2 Re6
27.Rae1 ½-½, R.Kasimdzhanov-M.
Adams, Linares 2005. ]
[ b) 21...Be7 22.Qg2 Qh5 23.Re5
Qg6 24.Ne4 Rd7 25.Nc5 Bxc5
26.Rxc5 Rfd8 27.Qf3 h6
( I'm not sure how White can improve
his position after 27...Bd5 28.Qf4
Re8 29.b3 f6 30.h4 Qc2 31.Kh2
Qe2 , so this looks like an
improvement for Black ) 28.h4 Bxa2
29.Rc6 Qc2 30.Rxa6 Bd5 31.Qg4
f5 32.Qf4 and due to White's strong
bishop and pressure on the d4-h8
diagonal, Black has problems which
he couldn't deal with in A.Naiditsch-V.
Ivanchuk, European Club Cup, Izmir
2004. The game concluded Re8
33.Kh2 Qd3 34.Rg6 Re4 35.Qb8+
Kh7 36.Raa6 Qd2 37.Rxh6+ Qxh6
38.Rxh6+ Kxh6 39.Qh8+ Kg6
40.h5+ Kg5 41.Bxg7 Kg4 42.Qh6
f4 43.Qg6+ Kf3 44.h6 Kxf2 45.h7
Re3 46.Bd4 Rxh7+ 47.Qxh7 fxg3+
48.Kh3 and 1-0. This was a rare win
for either colour in this line. ]
22.Ne4
[ 22.Qg2 also gives White next to
nothing, and V.Anand-P.Leko, Monte
Carlo (blindfold) 2007, was agreed
drawn after the further moves Qh5
23.f3 . In a more recent game Anand
continued for a few more moves, but
once more he gained nothing: Qg6
24.a3 h5 25.Re2 Rd5 26.Rae1
Rfd8 27.Ne4 Bd6 28.Qf2 Rf5
29.Nxd6 and a draw was agreed, V.
Anand-L.Aronian, Nice (rapid) 2008. ]
22...Bd5! Threatening to win a piece
with 23...f5. In the game E.Bacrot-L.
Aronian, World Cup, Khanty Mansiysk
2005, the French Grandmaster could
find nothing better than to force a draw
with 23.Bxg7 Kxg7 24.Qf6+ Kg8
25.Qg5+ Kh8 26.Qf6+ Kg8 ½-½.
In summary, it seems that the top
45
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
players firmly believe that the bishop
pair provides sufficient compensation
for the pawn deficit in the endgame.
Even though Black has to display some
accuracy, this line is fine for Black from
a theoretical point of view. The only
problem is that it's nearly impossible to
play for a win, unless White avoids the
endgame and makes some mistakes in
the more complicated positions.
C68 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6
The Exchange Variation
D1: 10 Qc3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6
dxc6 5.0-0 Bd6 6.d4 exd4 7.Qxd4 f6 D1: 10 Qc3
8.Be3 Ne7 9.Nbd2 Be6 10.Qc3
This move not only prepares Nc4, but
also Nd4.
10...Qd7
[ The alternative 10...Ng6 may lead – Many players have fallen into this trap.
and often does lead – to an
interesting and double-edged
endgame after 11.Nd4 Qd7 12.Nxe6
Qxe6 13.Qb3 Qxb3 14.axb3 0-0-0
. Here are a couple of examples,
both involving the same two
opponents: 15.-- ( 15.Nc4 Rhe8
16.f3 Bb4 17.c3 Bf8 18.Rfe1 b5
19.Nd2 Kb7 20.b4 c5 21.Nb3 cxb4
22.Na5+ Kc8 23.Nc6 Rd3 24.cxb4
Ne5 25.Nxe5 Rxe5 26.Rxa6 Bxb4
and Black eventually converted his
advantage in D.Howell-M.Hebden,
Port Erin 2001.; 15.Rfd1 Rhe8 16.f3
h5 17.g3 Ne5 18.Kf2 g5 19.Nc4 g4
20.Nxe5 Rxe5 21.Bf4 Rb5 22.Bxd6
cxd6 23.Rd3 Kc7 and once more
Black has a good endgame, D.Howell-
M.Hebden, Gibraltar 2005. )]
11.Nd4 0-0-0 12.Nxe6 Qxe6 13.Qb3
Qxb3 14.axb3 f5! We have been
following the game T.Radjabov-L.
Aronian, Russian Team Ch, Sochi 2006.
This was quickly drawn after 15.Rad1
b5 16.exf5 , with Black having easily
equalized.
C68
The Exchange Variation
D: 8 Be3
[Milos Pavlovic]
dxc6 5.0-0 Bd6 6.d4 exd4 7.Qxd4 f6
8.Be3 Finally we reach the main line.
8...Ne7 9.Nbd2 Be6 Here White must
decide how he should prepare Nc4. The
main choices are:
D2: 10 Rad1
D3: 10 Rfd1
The immediate 10.Nc4? is premature,
because of 10...Bxh2+! winning a pawn.
C68
The Exchange Variation
D2: 10 Rad1
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6
dxc6 5.0-0 Bd6 6.d4 exd4 7.Qxd4 f6
8.Be3 Ne7 9.Nbd2 Be6 10.Rad1 Ng6
11.Nc4 Bxc4 12.Qxc4 Qe7 13.Rfe1
Alternatively:
[ a) 13.Nd2 0-0-0 14.f4 Rhe8
15.Kh1 Nf8 16.Rfe1 Qe6 17.Qe2
with a sharp but roughly balanced
position, C.Duncan-M.Hebden, British
League 2006. ]
[ b) 13.b4 0-0-0 14.Bc5 Rhe8
15.Bxd6 Rxd6 16.Rxd6 cxd6
17.Nd2 Nf4 18.a3 Qe5 19.g3 Ne6
20.c3 Nc7 21.Qd3 d5 and Black is
46
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
fine, M.Heidenfeld-M.Hebden,
Kilkenny 2006. This is another good
example of Hebden's strong play in
this line. ]
13...0-0-0 14.Bd4 Again White has
more than one option. For example:
[ a) 14.c3 Rhe8 15.Bc1 Bc5
( 15...h5! is stronger ) 16.Rxd8+ Rxd8
17.g3 Bb6 18.Kg2 gave equal
chances in V.Laznicka-L.Fressinet,
German League 2006. ]
[ b) 14.a4 Rhe8 15.Bd4 Qe6
( 15...Bb4 16.c3 Bd6 transposes to
the main text if White plays 17.b4 )
16.Qxe6+ Rxe6 17.Bc3 Rde8
18.Nd2 Nf4 19.Kf1 g5 20.f3 Ng6
21.g3 with an interesting and fairly
balanced endgame, E.Rozentalis-M.
Hebden, Hastings 1996/97. ]
14...Bb4
[ There's also nothing wrong with
14...Rhe8 . For example, 15.Bc3 Kb8
16.a4 Rd7 17.b3 Red8 18.g3 h5
19.h4 Qe8 with a complicated
position which again offers equal
chances, K.Larsen-M.Carlsen, Arctic
Chess Challenge, Tromsّ 2007. ]
15.c3 Bd6 16.b4 Rhe8 Black has
managed to provoke some queenside
weaknesses. He can exploit these later
on in an endgame, so for this reason he
prepares to offer an exchange of queens
with ...Qe6.
[ In a previous game, D.Marciano-M.
Hebden, Toulouse 1990, the English
GM chose his other rook, and
16...Rde8 17.a4 Qe6 18.Qxe6+
Rxe6 19.Nd2 Ne5 20.Nb3 Nc4
21.Re2 h5 22.g3 h4 23.f4 hxg3
24.hxg3 Rh5 25.Kg2 a5 also led to
a good position for Black. ]
17.a4
[ Grandmaster Aleksandar Kovacevic
played the careless 17.g3?!
against me (Serbian League 2008)
and here Qd7! highlighted the newly
formed light-squared weaknesses in
White's camp. I won quickly after my
opponent blundered a piece: 18.e5?
fxe5 19.Bxe5 Qf5 20.Bf4 Nxf4 0-1. ]
17...Qe6 18.Qxe6+ Rxe6 19.g3 a5
20.Bc5 axb4 21.cxb4 Rde8 22.Bxd6
cxd6 We have been following the game
S.Brynell-M.Hebden, Oslo 2004. Black's
pressure on e4 gives him some
advantage, and Hebden went on to win
the game. The remaining moves were
23.Rd4 d5 24.Nd2 f5 25.f3 Kc7
26.Kg2 R6e7 27.Re3 Nf8 28.h4 Nd7
29.Red3 fxe4 30.fxe4 Nf6 31.exd5
Nxd5 32.Rf3 Re2+ 33.Kh3 Nf6 34.g4
R8e3 35.Kg3 h5 36.Rxe3 Rxe3+
37.Kf4 Nxg4 38.Ne4 Re1 39.a5 Rf1+
40.Kg5 Ne5 41.Kxh5? Rf5+ 42.Ng5
Rf6! and White resigned.
C68
The Exchange Variation
White Plays 5 d4
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6
dxc6 5.d4 This is a pure form of the
Exchange Variation, with White going
into an endgame and trying to utilize his
kingside pawn majority. On the other
hand, Black has the advantage of the
bishop pair and can develop quickly.
[ 5.Nc3 is not as flexible as 5 0-0 or 5
d4 because White no longer has the
option of Nd2, which is often played
in these lines. Black can still play Bd6
, and after 6.d4 exd4 White must
make a choice:
A) 7.Nxd4 was recently played
against me (by IM Govedarica at
the 2008 Serbian Cup in Zlatibor).
After Nf6 8.f3 Qe7 9.Nde2
( 9.Be3 is met by the strong reply
47
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
Nd5! ) 9...Be6 10.Be3 0-0-0
11.Qc1 h5! I had already seized
the initiative.;
B) After 7.Qxd4 f6 8.Be3 Ne7
9.0-0-0 Ng6 10.Qc4 Qe7 11.Nd4
Black can continue with Qf7
, aiming to reach similar endgame
positions to those seen in the 5 0-0
Bd6 main lines. Black has nothing
to fear after 12.Qxf7+ Kxf7 13.f3
h5 .;
C) 7.-- ]
5...exd4 6.Qxd4 Qxd4 7.Nxd4 Bd7
8.Nc3 0-0-0 Black quickly castles and
he can now focus on two key ideas: ...f7-
f5 undermining White pawn chain, and ...
c6-c5 pushing away White's centralized
knight. Let's follow a few examples to
see how play might develop.
9.Be3 g6
[ 9...c5 10.Nde2 Bc6 is a good
alternative. For example: 11.--
( 11.0-0 b6 12.Rad1 Re8 13.f3 f5
14.Ng3 g6 15.Bf4 fxe4 16.Ncxe4
Bg7 17.b3 Ne7 18.Rfe1 Nd5
19.Bd2 Nb4 20.c3 Nd3 saw Black
reaching an ideal position in T.
Bjornsson-O.Korneev, Reykjavik 2002.
His bishops and rooks enjoy the open
spaces, while d3 is a tremendous
square for the knight.; 11.f3 b6
12.Kf2 g6 13.Rad1 Re8 14.Nd5
Bg7 15.b3 f5 16.exf5 Bxd5 17.Rxd5
Ne7 18.Rd3 Nxf5 19.c3 Rhf8
20.Re1 Rf7 with a comfortable
position for Black, J.Fridjonsson-J.
Hjartarson, Reykjavik 1995. )]
10.0-0-0 Bg7 11.Nde2
[ White can try to minimize the
strength of Black's dark-squared
bishop by playing 11.Bg5 f6 12.Bf4
, but this didn't help him in T.Reznicek-
C.Gross, Czech League 2002. After
Ne7 13.Rd2 c5 14.Nb3 b6 15.f3
Be6 16.Re1 Rhe8 17.Rxd8+ Rxd8
18.Nd2 Nc6 19.Nf1 Nd4 20.Ne3
Kb7 21.a3 Rd7 22.Nb1 b5 23.Nd2
c4 Black enjoyed a big space
advantage, the long-term potential of
his bishop pair and also a strong
outpost for his knight. ]
11...Ne7 12.f3
[ By playing 12.Bd4 White can force
Black to either exchange the dark-
squared bishops or temporarily block
his own, and Black should choose the
second option: f6 13.Kb1 b6 14.f3
c5 15.Bf2 Be6 16.Rxd8+ Rxd8
17.Rd1 Rxd1+ 18.Nxd1 Kd7 19.Ne3
f5! 20.exf5 Nxf5 21.Nxf5 Bxf5
22.Be1 Be6 23.Ng3 h5 24.h4 Be5
25.Nf1 b5 26.Ne3 Kd6 27.c3 c4
28.Kc2 c5 29.a3 Kc6 saw Black
gradually assuming the advantage in
the game R.Slobodjan-A.Yusupov,
German Ch., Altenkirchen 2001.
Yusupov demonstrated his great
knowledge of the endgame while
showing how to play this position, and
he won after the further moves 30.Bf2
a5 31.Be1 Bf4 32.Nf1 Bf5+ 33.Kd1
Bd3 34.Nd2 Kd5 35.Bf2 b4 36.Ke1
Be5 37.Ne4 Bxe4 38.fxe4+ Kxe4
39.Kd2 bxa3 40.bxa3 a4 41.Be1
Kf4 42.Ke2 Kg4 43.Ke3 Bg3
44.Bxg3 Kxg3 45.Ke4 Kxg2 0-1. ]
12...Rhe8 13.Bf2 b6 14.Rhe1 c5
15.Nd5 Nxd5 16.Rxd5 Be6 17.Rxd8+
Rxd8 18.a3 Bh6+ 19.f4 Bg4 20.g3
Bg7 21.Nc3 Bxc3! 22.bxc3 Kb7
Beginning a march with his king.
23.Be3 Kc6 24.Bd2 Kb5 25.Re3 c4
26.Re1 Ka4 We have been following
the game W.Bienstock-J.Capablanca,
Paris 1919. José Raْl has demonstrated
his exceptional technique, and the ease
with which he reached this clearly
advantageous position is impressive. Do
I have to reveal the final result of this
48
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
game? I don't think that's really
necessary!
C68
The Exchange Variation
D3: 10 Rfd1
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6
dxc6 5.0-0 Bd6 6.d4 exd4 7.Qxd4 f6
8.Be3 Ne7 9.Nbd2 Be6 10.Rfd1
White keeps his other rook on a1 in
anticipation of queenside action with a2-
a4 and b2-b4.
10...Ng6 11.Nc4 Bxc4 12.Qxc4 Qe7
13.b4
[ 13.Re1 0-0-0 14.Rad1 Rhe8
15.Bc1 c5 16.b3 Qe6 17.Qxe6+
Rxe6 18.Rd2 b5 19.Kf1 Rde8
20.Rde2 Kb7 21.g3 h5 was model
play by Black in S.Ganguly-N.Short,
Commonwealth Ch., Mumbai 2006.
Black has the advantage here, and
Short won quickly after some
mistakes by his opponent: 22.Nd2
Ne5 23.f4 Nc6 24.c3 b4 25.c4 Nd4
26.Rf2 g5 27.Bb2 h4 28.Bxd4 cxd4
29.Ke2 hxg3 30.hxg3 Rh8 31.Rg1
d3+! 32.Kxd3 Bc5 33.Rff1 Rd6+
and White resigned. ]
13...0-0-0 14.a4
[ Or 14.c3 Rhe8 15.Rd4 Qe6
16.Qe2 Bf4 17.Re1 Bxe3 18.Qxe3
Qxa2 19.Red1 Qe6 and Black is a
safe pawn ahead, I.Argandona Rivero- dxc6 5.0-0 Bd6 6.d4 If White delays
G.Flear, San Sebastian 2005. ]
14...Ne5
[ Black certainly accepts some risk
with 14...Bxb4 , but it's just as good
as the text. For example, 15.Nd4
( after 15.Rdb1 a5 16.c3 Bd6
17.Qb3 Qxe4 18.Qxb7+ Kd7
Black's king is relatively safe )
15...Qxe4! 16.Qxb4 Nh4 17.Kf1
Qxg2+ 18.Ke1 Qg4 ( 18...Rhe8!
would have given Black a fierce
attack ) 19.Rab1 b6 20.Qc4 Nf3+
21.Kf1 Nxh2+ 22.Ke1 Nf3+ 23.Kf1
Nh2+ and a draw was agreed in G.
Guseinov-A.Motylev, European Ch.,
Warsaw 2005; in the final position
White's can't escape from perpetual
check. ]
15.Nxe5 Bxe5 16.Rab1
[ White can also try 16.Rxd8+ Rxd8
17.Rb1 , but Black's position isn't
worse after g5 18.b5 ( or 18.g3 h5
19.Rb3 h4 with a similar type of
position ) 18...cxb5 19.axb5 a5
20.b6 c6 21.g3 h5 . ]
16...Rxd1+ 17.Rxd1 Bd6 18.b5
[ 18.f3 Re8 and only now 19.b5
is met by cxb5 20.axb5 axb5
21.Qxb5 Qe5 . ]
18...cxb5 19.axb5 axb5 20.--
[ Now 20.Qxb5 Qxe4 is fine for
Black, ]
[ while if 20.Qa2 Re8 21.Qa8+ Kd7
22.Qxb7 Qxe4 23.Qxb5+ Ke7
Black's king escapes to the kingside
and the position is equal. ]
C68
The Exchange Variation
Theory
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6
this desirable advance, he runs the risk
of Black preventing it by playing ...c6-c5.
6...exd4 7.Qxd4 f6 Here White's main
options are the following:
A: 8 Re1
B: 8 c4
C: 8 b3
D: 8 Be3 8.--
[ 8.e5 fxe5 9.Nxe5 isn't convincing
49
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
due to Qf6 , ]
[ while it's also worth mentioning the
trap 8.Nbd2 Be6 9.Nc4?
, which loses a pawn after Bxh2+!
. This trap also arises in Line D. ]
C68 same time, and this move does look
The Exchange Variation
Introduction
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6
dxc6 The Exchange Variation was first
brought to prominence when Emmanuel
Lasker beat the legendary José Raْl
Capablanca (St Petersburg 1914) in one
of his best ever games. Despite
Lasker's success the line was largely
forgotten until the mid 1960s, when
chess genius Robert James Fischer
used it at the 1966 Havana Olympiad to
beat two notable grandmasters, Lajos
Portisch and Svetozar Gligoric, as well
as the International Master Eleazar
Jimenez; Fischer's opponents tried
different lines but none of them were
successful. After this tremendous result
the Exchange Variation became an
established weapon used by players of
all levels, particularly those wishing for
an endgame and not so much theory!
My proposal for Black is 5.0-0 Bd6
, a line recommended to me by Gligoric
himself as Black's best approach. One
of the leading experts in this line is the
English Grandmaster Mark Hebden,
who regularly employs it as Black.
I should also mention that White has
the option of playing 5 d4, and in this
event Black should simply exchange all
the pieces and play ...Bd7 with an
interesting endgame (this is covered at
the end of the chapter). That said, 5 0-0
is by far White's most popular choice.
It's much more subtle than 5 d4
because White can play for the better
chances in the endgame, but also for
central pressure in the middlegame.
What are the objectives?
By playing 5...Bd6 Black defends the e5-
pawn whilst developing a piece at the
very logical. Alternatives such as the
controversial 5...Ne7 or the more
challenging 5...Qd6 are interesting as
well. 5...f6 is considered to be Black's
most solid choice, after which an
endgame is likely to be reached very
quickly.
Regardless of the option Black chooses,
it's essential to possess some
knowledge and positional understanding
of the resulting endgames. In the 5...
Bd6 variation Black is counting on the
advantage of the bishop pair and the
solidity of his position. However, he
faces one significant problem: because
he is a bit under-developed he will be
forced to defend the e5-square with ...f6
at some stage, usually quite early on.
White's objectives are very clear from
the beginning. He wishes to play an
early d2-d4 to obtain the superior pawn
structure, and to exchange off as many
pieces as possible into an endgame.
This is the basic plan underpinning the
Exchange Variation. However, White
should avoid being too single-minded
and instead utilize a variety of ideas to
complement his main aim. Overall what
usually arises is an interesting battle
between the two opposing sides.
Reactions to ...Bd6:
The standard starting position arises
after the moves 6.d4 exd4 7.Qxd4 f6
.
White has a number of ways to react to
...Bd6, although it's true some of these
can overlap. He can:
50
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
i. Aim for a quick e4-e5 (this idea has
been neutralized);
ii. Play c2-c4 intending c4-c5, putting
pressure on Black's bishop;
iii. Swap off the dark-squared bishops
and then play with the two knights;
iv. Attack the bishop on d6 by playing
N(b1)-d2-c4.
Let's briefly run through how White can
carry out these ideas:
8.--
[ White Plays e4-e5:
With 8.Re1 Ne7 9.e5 White is
aiming to utilize his better
development in order to mount strong
pressure on Black's position. This line
was very popular in the 1970s, but it
has since been shown that White
cannot claim an advantage. After fxe5
10.Nxe5 0-0 11.Bg5 Be6 12.Nc3 ,
Nf5! appears to be strong resource
which gives Black sufficient
counterplay. This is covered in Line A
of the theory section. ]
[ White Plays c2-c4:
8.c4 with this idea of c4-c5 more or
less forces c5 , and this gives White
the opportunity of trying to use the
d5-square for his queen's knight.
White's usual formation will be b2-b3,
Nc3 and Bb2; Black reacts with the
typical set-up ...Ne7, ...0-0 and ...Qe8-
h5, trying to use his two bishops. See
Line B of the theory section for
further details. ]
[ Exchanging Bishops:
With 8.b3 White intends Ba3 and to
exchange the dark-squared bishops.
On one hand this is a wise decision,
but then again an exchange on d6
will improve Black's pawn structure
after ...cxd6. This recapture allows
Black to cover more squares and
also straightens out his pawns so he
no longer needs to worry about
entering a potentially bad endgame
(this is covered in Line C). ]
[ The Main Line: Be3 and Nbd2:
The starting point for the main line is
reached after the moves 8.Be3 Ne7
9.Nbd2 Be6 . The key idea for White
is to play Nc4, eliminate one of
Black's bishops and then exploit the 4
vs 3 pawn advantage on the kingside.
Black can react by utilizing the strong
position of his pieces, castling
queenside and confronting White's
plan with active play. He will
sometimes attack on the kingside with
...g7-g5 and ...h7-h5, or undermine
White's queenside structure with ...c6-
c5 (if White plays b2-b4).
Here's an example of a typical
position Black is aiming for, which is
reached after the further moves
10.Rad1 Ng6 11.Nc4 Bxc4 12.Qxc4
Qe7 13.Rfe1 0-0-0 14.a4 Rhe8
. Black has given up one of his
bishops, but his active pieces and
the pressure on the e4-pawn provide
him with sufficient counterplay. See
Line D for further coverage. ]
C68
The Exchange Variation
A: 8 Re1
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6
dxc6 5.0-0 Bd6 6.d4 exd4 7.Qxd4 f6
8.Re1 Ne7 9.e5 This central break is
no longer considered to be dangerous.
9...fxe5 10.Nxe5 0-0 11.Bg5
Alternatively:
[ a) 11.Qc4+ Nd5 12.Nc3 Qf6
13.Nd3 Qf7 14.Ne4 Bf5 15.Nxd6
cxd6 16.f3 c5 17.Rd1 b5
was fine for Black in C.Daehr-H.
Zieher, German League 1984. ]
51
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
[ b) 11.Nc3 Be6 12.Qh4 Nf5
13.Qxd8 Raxd8 14.Bg5 Rde8
15.Rad1 Bc5 16.Nf3 Nd6
with a favourable endgame for Black,
D.Poliakov-T.Wedberg, New York
1997. ]
11...Be6 12.Nc3 Nf5! This is a key
resource for Black, so it's well worth
remembering.
13.Qg4
[ Or 13.Qd2 Qe8 14.Rad1 and now:
-- ( 14...h6 15.Bf4 Rd8 16.Qe2 Kh8
17.h3 c5 18.Qe4 Bc8 19.Bh2 b5
was L.Barczay-K.Honfi, Kecskemet
1979, and in this complicated position
the players prematurely agreed a
draw.; 14...c5 15.Nd5 h6 16.Bf4
Rd8 17.Nd3 Qf7 18.Bxd6 Rxd6
19.N5f4 Rfd8 20.Nxe6 Rxe6 21.Qf4
Red6 22.Re5 Rf6 23.Rde1 Nd4
and Black is actively placed, A.De
Souza-H.Van Riemsdijk, Brazilian Ch.,
Americana 1995. )]
13...Qe8 14.Qe4 Qh5 15.Bf4 Nh4!
[ 15...Nh6 is inferior, although after
16.Ng6 Qxg6 17.Qxg6 hxg6
18.Bxd6 cxd6 19.Rxe6 d5 20.Rxg6
Rae8 21.f3 Nf5 Black did obtain
some compensation for the pawn in M.
Stean-A.Planinec, Hastings 1974/75. ]
16.Ng6 Qxg6 17.Qxg6 Nxg6 18.Bxd6
cxd6 19.Rxe6 d5 Black is fine in this
endgame.
C68 dxc6 5.0-0 Bd6 6.d4 exd4 7.Qxd4 f6
The Exchange Variation
C: 8 b3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6
dxc6 5.0-0 Bd6 6.d4 exd4 7.Qxd4 f6
8.b3 This is a modest but solid approach
by White.
8...Be6 9.Ba3 Nh6 10.Bxd6
[ Black obtained promising play after
10.c4 0-0 11.Bxd6 cxd6 12.Rd1
Qe7 13.Nc3 Rad8 14.a4 Bg4
15.Rd3 f5 16.Re1 fxe4 17.Rxe4
Qd7 18.Ree3 Qf7 in B.Filipovic-P.
Lukacs, Budapest 1990. ]
10...cxd6 11.c4
[ Or 11.Nbd2 Nf7 12.Nc4 Qe7 13.a4
0-0 14.a5 Rad8 15.Rfe1 Rfe8
16.Qa7 Bxc4 17.bxc4 Rd7 18.Rab1
c5 19.h3 Nd8! 20.Re3 Nc6 21.Qb6
Qf7 22.Nd2 f5 and Black gained a
dangerous initiative in the game X.
Palleja-G.Flear, Montpellier 2005. ]
11...Qe7 12.Nc3 0-0 13.Rfe1 Bg4
[ 13...Rad8 is also possible, and in
the game A.Malachi-E.Grinshpun,
Israeli League 1996, Black retained a
solid position after 14.Nd5 Qf7
15.Nf4 Bg4 16.Re3 Rfe8 17.Rae1
Qe7 18.h3 Bxf3 19.Rxf3 Nf7
20.Nd3 , at which point the players
agreed a draw. ]
14.Qd3 Rad8 15.Nd4 Qf7 16.h3 Bc8
17.Re2 Qg6 18.Rae1 Kh8
With a good position for Black, F.Gobet-
G.Flear, Zug 1983.
C68
The Exchange Variation
B: 8 c4
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6
8.c4 c5 9.Qe3
[ 9.Qd5 Ne7 10.Qh5+ g6 11.Qh4
0-0 12.Nc3 Qe8 13.Re1 g5
was better for Black in M.Illescas
Cordoba-I.Sokolov, Linares 1995.
After 14.Qh6 Kh8 Black threatened
15...Ng8 and Illescas felt obliged to
give up a piece for insufficient
compensation with 15.Nxg5 . ]
52
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic

9...Ne7 10.Nc3 0-0 11.b3 Qe8 13...Bd6 14.Re3 In this position I offer
12.Ba3 b6 Black two options:
[ 12...Qh5 is a solid alternative, and A: 14...Qh4
after 13.Rad1 Bg4 14.h3 Bxf3 B: 14...Qc7
15.Qxf3 (C.Piquemal-C.Flear, French 14...f5 has never really gained any
League 1993) Black would be fine popularity, mainly because Black
with an exchange of queens on f3. ] cannot prevent White's knight from
13.Rad1 Bb7 reaching the e5-square. After 15.Nd2 f4
[ 13...Qh5 14.Nd5 Ng6 15.Bb2 Be6 16.Re1 , 16...f3
16.Rd3 Rae8 17.g3 Bh3 18.Re1 [ 16...g5 17.Qh5 followed by Nf3 also
reached a sharp position with gives White the better position ]
chances for both sides in H.Friberg- 17.Nxf3 Bg4 18.Re3 is good for White.
L.Schneider, Swedish Ch., Motala
1976. ]
14.Rfe1 Qh5 15.Ne2 Rae8 16.Ng3 C89
Qg4 17.h3 Qe6 18.Nh4 Both White The Kevitz Variation
and Black are trying to coordinate their Introduction
pieces in a harmonious way. Black is [Milos Pavlovic]
using his bishop pair to gain active play
in the centre. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
18...g5! Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
[ Black must continue to play 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.Bxd5 cxd5 13.d4 --
energetically: White can claim a slight
edge after 18...Nc6 19.Nhf5 Nd4 [ 12 Bxd5 cxd5 13 d4 is named after
20.Nxd6 cxd6 21.Qd2 , as played in the American player, Alexander Kevitz.
E.Rozentalis-M.Hebden, Hastings The idea is very simple: White
1997/98. ] immediately gives up the bishop pair
19.-- in order to be able to retreat the rook
to e3 when attacked, where it guards
[ Returning to 18...g5, Wedberg thinks
Black is fine after 19.Nf3 Bxg3 the third rank. The fundamental
20.fxg3 Nf5 21.Qf2 Nd6 , ] defensive idea reveals itself after
13...Bd6 14.Re3 Qh4 , when White
[ and has a clear advantage if 19.Nhf5
Nxf5 20.Nxf5 Bf4 21.Qe2 Qxe4 no longer needs to weaken the light
squares on the kingside and can
; I fully agree with his assessments. ]
instead play 15.h3! . ]
[ Even so, nowadays this line is not so
C89 popular. It's seen as a safe line
The Kevitz Variation where White tries to avoid dangerous
Theory attacking possibilities for Black, but
[Milos Pavlovic] as usual an early exchange on d5
doesn't promise White much.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Black has two good moves after
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 13...Bd6 14.Re3 , and both of them
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 will be examined in this chapter.
11.Rxe5 c6 12.Bxd5 cxd5 13.d4 # -- ( One option is 14...Qh4 15.h3 Qf4

53
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
, which is very reliable but can lead to
an early draw.
; A more interesting idea should Black
not be satisfied with a draw is
14...Qc7!? .
Black should meet Kevitz's idea by
exploiting his traditional bishop pair
advantage in conjunction with a
minority attack on the queenside.
Although the Kevitz Variation is not a
bad choice for White, I believe that
Black has good chances to fight for
the advantage as White's position is
rather static. )]
C89 22.gxh3 Qxh3+ 23.Kg1 Qg4+ 24.Ng3
The Kevitz Variation
B: 14...Qc7
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.Bxd5 cxd5 13.d4 Bd6 in P.Mithrakanth-L.Yurtaev, Calcutta
14.Re3 Qc7!?
[ I'm giving this move as the 'main line' In conclusion, the Kevitz Variation isn't
even though 14...Qh4 is equally as
good. 14...Qc7 has only appeared in
one grandmaster encounter, but it's a
very convincing game as it
demonstrates many possibilities for
Black. ]
15.h3 This is the most sensible reply to
14...Qc7, and it's consistent with
White's plan of avoiding light-square
weaknesses.
15...Bf5 16.Nd2 Bh2+! This is an
important check because it drives the
white king to a less secure square.
Black can line up a sacrifice on the h3-
pawn knowing that this will come with
check, something which actually
occurred in the game.
17.Kh1 Bf4 18.Re1 Rae8 Typically
Black's bishop pair and strong pieces
promise him more than adequate
compensation for a pawn.
19.Nf1
[ 19.Nf3 Bd6 20.Be3 Qd7 21.Ng1
Re6 gives Black a good position.
Nevertheless overprotecting h3 like
this would have been a wiser choice
for White. ]
19...Bd6! 20.Bg5 Qd7! This is a key
move, hitting the h3-pawn and planning
a sacrifice. Black needs to be quick in
this position because White's plan is
Qd2 followed by Bf4 contesting the h2-
b8 diagonal.
21.Qd2 Bxh3! Just in time!
h6 25.Be3 Bxg3 26.fxg3 Qxg3+
27.Kh1
[ 27.Kf1 is met by Re6 when Black
has a very strong if not decisive
attack. ]
27...Qh3+ 28.Qh2 Rxe3 Black has a
decisive advantage and went on to win
2000.
dangerous for Black, and nowadays it's
mainly used by White players who are
content to draw.
C89
The Kevitz Variation
A: 14...Qh4
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.Bxd5 cxd5 13.d4 Bd6
14.Re3 Qh4 This move has been the
main line for many decades, and will
probably remain so for a good reason:
from a theoretical viewpoint Black has
54
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
no problems whatsoever.
15.h3 Qf4
[ I don't particularly like the line 15...g5
16.Qf3 Be6 17.Qf6 for Black,
particularly when he has much better
options available. ]
16.Re5
[ After 16.Rg3 Qf5 17.Rf3 Qh5
18.Qd3 Bg4! Black gains the initiative,
as indicated by Keres. ]
16...Qf6 17.Re1
[ Quite a few games have ended in a
repetition here with 17.Re3 Qf4
18.Re5 etc. ]
17...Qg6 Here White has two
possibilities but neither is dangerous for
Black.
18.Qf3
[ 18.Kh1 Bf5 19.Be3 Bc2 20.Qg4
( 20.Qf3 f5! ) 20...Qxg4 21.hxg4 f5
22.gxf5 Rxf5 23.Kg1 Rh5 24.Nd2
Bh2+ with perpetual check is a
sequence which has occurred in a
number of games. ]
18...Bd7!?
[ 18...Be6 became the most popular
move after Spassky used it against
Tal (Candidates, Tbilisi 1965). Tal
returned the pawn to try and reach a
better endgame with knight versus
bishop, but without success: 19.Bf4
Bxf4 20.Qxf4 Bxh3 21.Qg3 Qxg3
22.fxg3 Bf5 23.Nd2 Rfe8 24.Nb3
Kf8 25.Nc5 a5 26.Rxe8+ Rxe8
27.a4 bxa4 28.Rxa4 Re2
and Black had equalized. I will just
add here that after this match, in
which Spassky successfully adopted
the Marshall, players started
recognizing it as a good opening. ]
[ All is okay with 18...Be6, but 18...Bd7
is more enterprising and perhaps
gives Black a greater chance to play
for a win. White has several options
here but none of them are convincing
and Black can reach a good position:
A) 19.Qxd5 Rae8 20.Rf1
( 20.Be3 Bc6! wins ) 20...Bf5
21.Nd2 ( 21.Be3 loses to Rxe3
22.fxe3 Be4 ) 21...Bd3 22.g3 Bxf1
23.Nxf1 Re1 24.Qg2 Qc2
wins for Black.;
B) 19.Be3 Rae8 20.Nd2 Re6
21.Kh1 ( 21.Nb3 Rf6 22.Qxd5
Bc6 23.Qg5 Qxg5 24.Bxg5 Rg6
25.Na5 Bd5 26.Be7 Bh2+!
27.Kxh2 Rxg2+ is a draw by
perpetual check ) 21...Bb8 22.Nb3
Rf6 23.Qe2 Bxh3 24.f4 Bxg2+
25.Qxg2 Qh5+ 26.Qh2 Qf3+
27.Qg2 Rh6+ 28.Kg1 Rg6
and White resigned in A.Graf-J.
Gustafsson, German
Championship, Altenkirchen 2005.;
C) 19.Bf4 Rae8 20.Nd2 ( or
20.Be5 Re7 21.Nd2 Rfe8 22.Nb3
Bc6 ) 20...Bxf4 21.Qxf4 Bxh3
22.Qg3 Rxe1+ 23.Rxe1 Qc2
24.Nb3 Be6 looks fine for Black.;
D) 19.-- ]
C89
The Main Line
B: 18...Qh5
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4
14.g3 Qh3 15.Be3 Bg4 16.Qd3 Rae8
17.Nd2 Re6 18.a4 Qh5 This move is
played more frequently by the elite and
is considered the best; it's certainly the
safest option. Black is even ready to
reach a pawn-down endgame in which
his positional compensation is sufficient.
This is typical for the Marshall and it's
why it has enjoyed such a long life at
55
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
high-level tournaments.
It's important to note here that if White
takes the knight on d5, Black can and
indeed should recapture with the queen,
keeping his structure solid and relying
upon the bishop-pair for compensation.
19.axb5 axb5 20.Qf1 This is our main
line but other moves are possible as well
in this complicated position:
[ a) 20.Ne4 was introduced by Anand:
Bf5 21.Bd2 Rxe4 22.Rxe4 Qg6
23.f3 Nf6 24.Qf1 ( 24.Rae1 Bxg3!
25.hxg3 Qxg3+ is a draw by
perpetual check ) 24...Nxe4 25.fxe4
Bxe4 and Black isn't worse, as was
shown in P.Svidler-G.Kamsky,
Groningen 1995, and numerous
games since. ]
[ b) 20.Nf1 is an important move.
White intends to play Bd2 in order to
release the tension down the e-file.
After Bf5 21.Qd2 Black has a choice
of two options:
A) 21...Rfe8 is probably the safer
choice. 22.Bxd5 cxd5 23.Qe2
( alternatively, 23.Bf4 Rxe1
24.Rxe1 Rxe1 25.Qxe1 Be4
26.Nd2 Bxf4 27.Nxe4 dxe4
28.gxf4 Qg4+ was agreed drawn in
the old game V.Ivanchuk-I.Sokolov,
Biel 1989: Black has perpetual
check in the final position )
was played in S.Del Rio Angelis-M.
Hebden, Port Erin 2003, and here
23...Qh3 24.f3 b4 provides
compensation for Black.;
B) 21...Be4 is sharper, and in the
following sequence of moves Black
sacrifices a piece: 22.Bc2 f5
23.Bd1 Qh3 24.f3 f4 25.fxe4
fxg3! and now the following are
possible:
B1) 26.e5 is met by Rxf1+
27.Rxf1 gxh2+ 28.Kf2 Qxf1+
29.Kxf1 h1Q+ 30.Bg1 Rg6
31.Qf2 Bf8 . Here White must
avoid 32.Ra8? which loses to
Rxg1+ 33.Qxg1 Ne3+ 34.Kf2
Nxd1+ .;
B2) 26.Qg2 gxh2+ 27.Kh1
( 27.Nxh2 Bxh2+ 28.Qxh2
Rg6+ 29.Kh1 Rf1+ 30.Rxf1
Qxf1+ 31.Bg1 Rxg1+ 32.Qxg1
Qh3+ 33.Qh2 Qf1+ is a draw by
perpetual check ) 27...Qxg2+
28.Kxg2 Rxe4 29.Bb3 h1Q+
30.Kxh1 Rh4+ 31.Kg2 Rg4+
B2a) if White tries to play for
win with 32.Kh3 , the game
could continue h5 33.Bd1
Rg6! ( 33...Rxf1 , as given by
some sources, is unwise:
34.Bxg4! hxg4+ 35.Kh4!
Rxe1 36.Rxe1 g3 37.Kh3
and White wins )
B2a1) otherwise White
must be careful: for
example, 34.Bd2 Rg1
35.Nh2 Rxe1 36.Bxe1
Nf4+ 37.Kh4? ( 37.Kg3!
Nd3+ 38.Kh4 Nxe1
39.Bb3+ Kh7 40.Rxe1
Bxh2 41.Re6 is equal )
37...g5+ 38.Kxg5??
and now Black forces
checkmate with Be7+
39.Kh6 Rf6+ 40.Kg5 Rf7+
41.Kh6 Rh7#;
B2a2) ; here 34.Bxh5 Nxe3
35.Rxe3 Rh6 36.Kh4 Rf5
37.Ng3 Bxg3+ 38.Kxg3
Rhxh5 reaches a level rook
endgame;
B2b) 32.Kh1 Rh4+ 33.Kg2
and ½-½ was the course of
the game L.Rubinchik-J.
Vitomskis, correspondence
1989.;
B3) 26.--;
C) 21...-- ]
56
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
This is very complicated analysis, and
I'm presenting it here purely for
theoretical interest. Black really doesn't
need to play like this when there is a
perfectly good alternative in the form of
21...Rfe8, but the positions that arise
are entertaining to study, that's for sure!
Now let's return to the main line, and 20
Qf1.
20...Rfe8
[ 20...Bh3 is an important alternative,
not least because it has been played
twice by Kramnik, against Leko and
Svidler. Play continues 21.Bd1 Qf5
22.Qe2 c5 23.Nf3 Bf4 and now:
A) 24.Qd2 Nxe3 25.fxe3 Bh6
26.Qf2 Rfe8 27.Ne5 Qxf2+
28.Kxf2 f6 29.Bg4 Rxe5 30.Bxh3
Bxe3+ 31.Kf3 cxd4 and Black
eventually won the endgame, P.
Leko-V.Kramnik, Monte Carlo
(blindfold) 2007.;
B) A few rounds later in the same
event, Svidler played 24.Bc2
. P.Svidler-V.Kramnik, Monte Carlo
(rapid) 2007, continued Qg4
25.Qd3 g6 26.Ne5 Bxe5 27.dxe5
( however, White can cause more
problems with 27.Bd1
; for instance, Qf5 28.Qxf5 Bxf5
29.dxe5 Rxe5 30.Bd2 Rxe1+
31.Bxe1 and due to his bishop pair
White's position is the easier to
play ) 27...Qf3! 28.Qe4 Qxe4
29.Bxe4 Nxe3 30.Rxe3 Rxe5
and Black had equalized
comfortably.;
C) 24.-- ]
21.Bxd5 Qxd5 22.h3 Bh5 23.Qg2
This idea has been played in a few high-
level games: most notably J.Polgar-M.
Adams, FIDE World Championship, San
Luis 2005; I.Gurevich-J.Benjamin, New
York 1992; and more recently, L.D.
Nisipeanu-P.Leko, Dresden Olympiad
2008.
23...Qxg2+
[ I prefer this move, which was also
Adams's choice, to 23...f5 . ]
24.Kxg2 f5 25.Nf3
[ 25.Rg1 is suggested by computers,
and contains some logic as it breaks
the pin on the e-file. Nevertheless,
Black can secure good counterplay
with Rf6! , a multi-functional move
intending ...f5-f4 and also ...Bf7-d5
with strong pressure. After 26.Nb3
Bf7 27.Nc5 Bd5+ 28.Kh2 f4 29.gxf4
Bxf4+ 30.Bxf4 Rxf4 31.Nd3 Rff8
32.Ra7 g6 Black's well-placed pieces
provide enough compensation for the
pawn, with a draw in a few moves the
most likely outcome. ]
25...f4 26.Bd2
[ After 26.Ng5 fxe3 27.Nxe6 Rxe6
28.Rxe3 Rf6 29.f3 Bf7 30.Ra8+ Bf8
Black's powerful bishop pair
guarantees him good chances. ]
26...fxg3 27.Rxe6 Rxe6 28.Ra8+ Bf8
29.Ne5 gxf2 This position was reached
in Polgar-Adams and Nisipeanu-Leko.
Black is by no means worse here, and
both games finished in draws.
C89
The Main Line
A2: 21 f4
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4
14.g3 Qh3 15.Be3 Bg4 16.Qd3 Rae8
17.Nd2 Re6 18.a4 bxa4 19.Rxa4 f5
20.Qf1 Qh5 21.f4 Rfe8! This is the
best line for Black.
22.Rxa6
[ An important alternative to the main
57
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
line is 22.Qf2 g5 23.fxg5
( Nunn gives 23.Rxa6 gxf4 24.gxf4
Kh8 25.Bxd5 cxd5 26.Nf1 Rg8
27.Ng3 Bf3 28.Ra8 Reg6 29.Rxg8+
Rxg8 30.Rf1 Be4 with a strong
attack, and I fully agree with his
assessment ) 23...f4 24.gxf4 Bh3
, when we have reached another
crossroads:
A) 25.Rxa6 Bxf4 26.Bxd5 Qxg5+!
27.Qg3 (the only move) cxd5
28.Rxe6 ( or 28.Qxg5+ Bxg5
29.Rxe6 Rxe6 30.Bxg5 Rxe1+
31.Kf2 Rc1 32.Kg3 Be6
with a similar position ) 28...Rxe6
29.Bxf4 Rxe1+ 30.Kf2 Qxg3+
31.Kxg3 Be6 and Black isn't worse
in this endgame.;
B) Against 25.Kh1 , Bxf4!
is overlooked in numerous
theoretical sources, but is clearly
best. For example, after 26.Bxd5
cxd5 27.Qxf4 Rxe3 28.Rg1 Re2
29.g6 hxg6 30.Rxa6 Bg2+
31.Rxg2 Rxg2 32.Kxg2 Qe2+
33.Kg3 Qxa6 34.Nf3 Qe6 35.Ne5
Kg7 I prefer Black, although White
does have good chances to draw.;
C) 25.-- ]
Now let's return to the main line, with 22
Rxa6.
22...Rxe3 23.Rxe3 Rxe3 24.Rxc6
Qe8! 25.Rxd6
[ It's important to note that in reply to
25.Bxd5+ Black should play Kf8 ,
( rather than 25...Kh8
as recommended by some sources. )
After 26.Ne4 fxe4 27.Rxd6 Rd3!
28.Ra6 Qb5 29.Ra8+ Ke7 30.c4
Qxb2 31.Ra7+ it's a draw by
repetition. ]
25...Re1 26.Rxd5 Kf8 27.Re5 Rxf1+
28.Nxf1 Qb8 29.Nd2 Qa8
Black's position look okay. White pawn
on b2 is falling, and the c- and d-pawns
won't be winners. After 30.Nc4 Bh3
31.Ne3 Qa1+ 32.Kf2 Qxb2+ 33.Bc2
g6 34.Rc5 Bg4 35.Rc8+ Kg7
36.Rc7+ Kf8 a draw is the most likely
result.
C89
The Main Line
Dealing with 18 a4
[Milos Pavlovic]
Dealing with 18 a4:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4
14.g3 Qh3 15.Be3 Bg4 16.Qd3 Rae8
17.Nd2 Re6 18.a4 Several of the
traditional attacking ideas remain for
Black in the position. He can attack on
the kingside through a combination of
plans: the ...R(e8)-e6-h6 rook lift; the ...
f7-f5-f4 pawn push; and finally the idea
of doubling rooks to exert unpleasant
pressure down the open e-file.
I will analyse two valid ways of dealing
with the counter-strike 18 a4: 18...--
[ A) 18...bxa4 . To be honest, at first
sight this move looks ridiculous;
Black voluntarily destroys his own
pawn structure and furthermore
weakens the a6-pawn. However, as a
payback Black obtains something
very important: time. After the main
reply 19.Rxa4 there is an important
tactical point that the rook on e1 is
undefended, so when Black plays ....
f7-f5 he gains an extra tempo
because of the nasty threat ...f5-f4!
Play continues:
f5! 20.Qf1 (this is forced because
otherwise the aforementioned ...f5-f4
is very strong) Qh5 ( 20...f4
allows White to reach a favourable
58
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
endgame ) . In this critical position the
basic decision for White is whether or
not he should allow Black to play ...f5-
f4. Four moves have been played:
21.f4 , ( 21.Rxa6 ,; 21.Bxd5?!; and
21.c4?! ; these are all analysed in the
theory section, below. )]
[ B) 18...Qh5 . This is a gentler
reaction to 18 a4. The point behind
18...Qh5 is that when White does try
to ruin the queenside pawn structure
with axb5 followed by Bxd5, Black is
able to capture the bishop with the
queen. Although White has driven the
black queen from its menacing post
on h3, it will be equally active on d5 or
h5, exerting its influence all over the
board. Another point to note is that
White doesn't actually have so many
moves at his disposal, so 19.axb5
axb5 is a very natural and logical
continuation. 20.-- ( There are some
hidden tricks in this position. For
instance, should White be careless
enough to leave the rook on e1
unguarded, he can fall foul of moves
such as ...Nf4, e.g. 20.Ra6 Nf4!
. White has three main choices:; (a)
20.Qf1 has the intention of
exchanging into an endgame a pawn
up. However, after Rfe8 21.Bxd5
cxd5 22.Qg2 the classic Marshall
factors (for example, the unpleasant
pin on the e-file, and the bishop
pair) should guarantee Black
enough compensation.; (b) 20.Ne4
is an idea introduced by the current
World Champion Vishy Anand. The
aim is to play Bd2, repulse the
pressure on the e-file and then
exchange pieces.; (c) 20.Nf1
reinforces the defence of e3. White
will continue with Bd1 and then Bd2
followed by eliminating the pressure
on the e-file.
All of these options, and how Black
should deal with them, are analysed
in detail below. )]
C89
The Main Line
Introduction
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 This first chapter
covers 12 d4 followed by the classical
deployment of White's pieces. This is
the most traditional and most
extensively analysed method of dealing
with the Marshall.
The standard procedure for White – in a
loose manner – goes something like
this:
i. Play g2-g3 once the h2-pawn is
threatened;
ii. Retreat the rook back to e1;
iii. Follow up with Be3 and Nd2;
iv. Gain activity with a2-a4.
Play develops logically and even though
there may be some concealed tactical
possibilities, the next few moves are
relatively straightforward:
12...Bd6 13.Re1
[ 13.Re2 is dealt with in Chapter
Three. ]
13...Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Be3 Bg4
16.Qd3 Rae8 17.Nd2 and here I
believe that 17...Re6! is far better than
the pawn push 17...f5, which I have
also played many times as Black.
The preceding play leading up to this
position was considered to be the main
line of the Marshall for many decades.
More recently other options have gained
in popularity, and these are covered
later on in the book, but I still think that
59
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
this line is very important. Firstly,
because it illustrates many attacking
and defensive ideas for both sides and,
secondly, because both White and
Black develop in the quickest way
possible so the game rapidly reaches a
critical position.
White hopes to repel the black attack
by guarding the light squares on the
kingside. He also strikes on the
queenside with the timely counterattack
18.a4! , challenging Black's pawn
structure and providing some purpose
for the rook on a1. White's primary aim
is to distract the black forces from their
task of attacking on the kingside.
Black must be ready to deal with this
plan energetically, as there is simply not
enough time for any 'soft' moves.
Take this example. If Black responds
with the dubious 18...Kh8?! (removing
the king from the long diagonal is a
typical idea, but now is not the correct
time – as chess legend Bobby Fischer
used to say, chess is all about timing!),
White can simply play 19.axb5 axb5
20.Bxd5 cxd5 21.Qxb5 f5 22.Qf1!
Qh5 23.f4 g5 24.Qf2 when Black has
insufficient compensation for the two
pawns.
This brings us to the major issue of how
Black should handle 18 a4!.
C89
The Main Line
Theory
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4
14.g3 Qh3 15.Be3 Bg4 16.Qd3 Rae8
17.Nd2 Re6 As I finished writing this
book, some new ideas cropped up for
both sides. Because they are so fresh it
will take time for the theory to settle,
and I do expect many further
developments. However, they are at
least worthy of a mention here, even if a
full examination is impossible because
of the freshness and scarcity of the
available material.
[ The first of these is the emergence
of 17...Qh5 as a serious alternative
to 17...Re6. If White plays
A) 18.Qf1 Re7!? ( 18...Re6
transposes to the note on 18 Qf1,
below ) 19.a4 Rfe8 20.Bxd5 Qxd5
21.axb5 axb5 22.Qg2 Qxg2+
23.Kxg2 f6 24.b3 h5 25.c4 Bb4
26.Ra2 Bf5 with sufficient
compensation for Black, E.Inarkiev-
P.Leko, Elista 2008.;
B) 18.Bc2 f5 19.f3 Bh3 20.Bf2
Nf4!? (this is not forced, but it is
enticing!) 21.gxf4 Bxf4 22.Bg3
Qg5 23.Bb3+ ( or 23.Nf1 h5
24.Kf2 h4 , Z.Efimenko-G.
Sargissian, Dresden Olympiad
2008 ) 23...Kh8 24.Nf1 h5
25.Rxe8 Rxe8 26.Bf7 Re7
27.Bxh5 Bxf1 28.Qxf1 Be3+
29.Kh1 Qxh5 and again Black has
good compensation for the pawn,
Ni Hua-G.Sargissian, Dresden
Olympiad 2008.;
C) 18.a4 , and indeed this has
been the most common choice,
Black can if he wishes transpose to
the main lines with 18...Re6.
However, White has also tried
other moves here. For example: ]
18.a4
[ The second new idea was introduced
at the highest level by Kramnik
against Aronian: 18.Qf1 Qh5 19.f3!?
.
A) V.Kramnik-L.Aronian, Yerevan
60
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
(rapid) 2007, continued 19...Nxe3
20.Qf2 Nd5 21.fxg4 Qxg4 22.Qf3
Qg5 ( however, 22...Qg6
intending to recapture on e6 with
the queen may well be an
improvement for Black ) 23.Rxe6
fxe6 24.Ne4 with an edge for
White.;
B) Furthermore, 19...Bf5
is a decent alternative to 19...Nxe3.
E.Perelshteyn-A.Onischuk, US
Championship, Stillwater 2007,
continued 20.Ne4 Bxe4 21.fxe4
Rxe4
B1) in a later game, E.Bacrot-D.
Jakovenko, Kallithea 2008,
White played 22.Bd1 Qg6
23.Bc2 but after f5! he decided
that it was too risky to take the
exchange, and it's true that 24
Bxe4 fxe4 gives Black
dangerous attacking chances;
instead Bacrot chose 24.Bd2
and after Rg4!? ( 24...Rxe1
is safer ) 25.Re2 Black should
have played either Qf7 ( or
25...Qh5 );
B2) 22.Bf2 Rfe8 23.Rxe4 Rxe4
24.Re1 Qg6 25.Rxe4 Qxe4
26.Qe1 Qxe1+ 27.Bxe1
, and here Ne3! followed by ...
Nc4 secured a draw for Black.;
C) Finally, 19...Rf6 has also been
played, although Black needs to
find an improvement in the line
20.Qg2 Bh3 21.Qf2 Bf5 22.a4
Bd3 23.axb5 axb5 24.Qg2
, which gave White an edge in A.
Naiditsch-G.Sargissian, Kallithea
2008.;
D) 19...-- ]
[ It will be very interesting to see how
the theory develops with both 17...
Qh5 and 18 Qf1 Qh5 19 f3.
Returning to 18.a4 , I will focus on
the following two moves:
A: 18...bxa4
B: 18...Qh5 ]
C89
The Main Line
A1: 21 Rxa6
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4
14.g3 Qh3 15.Be3 Bg4 16.Qd3 Rae8
17.Nd2 Re6 18.a4 bxa4 19.Rxa4 f5
20.Qf1 Qh5 21.Rxa6 f4 22.Bxf4
This is considered to be a refutation of
this particular line, and has been since
an Ivanchuk-Short game in 1995.
However, even before I considered
writing a book on the Marshall Attack, I
decided to test some of the old
assessments; this is one of them.
[ 22.Rxc6? led to a quick win for Black
in S.Lilienthal-K.Hallier,
correspondence 1965, after fxe3
23.Rxe3 Nxe3 24.Bxe6+ Bxe6
25.Qe1 Bd5 and White resigned. ]
[ 22.gxf4? loses to Rg6 . ]
22...Rxe1! I really don't see any danger
for Black here. Simply taking on e1
practically secures a draw, and perhaps
more if White plays imprecisely.
[ I think this is better than 22...Bh3
, which was played in V.Ivanchuk-N.
Short, Tal Memorial, Riga 1995, and
is considered better for White after
23.Rxe6 Bxf1 24.Rxc6 Bxf4 25.Nxf1
Qf3 26.Bxd5 Qxd5 27.gxf4
. Having said that, even here I'm not
convinced that White has any
advantage. ]
23.Qxe1 Bxf4 24.Rxc6
[ After 24.gxf4 Re8 25.Qa1 Bh3
61
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic

26.Bxd5+ cxd5 27.f3 h6! [ Another point behind 18...bxa4 is

Black's many threats give him the that 19.Bxa4 can be met by the
advantage. ( On the other hand, strong Bf4! threatening ...Rh6. Black
27...Re2? allows White to draw after is fine here. ]
28.Ra8+ Kf7 29.Ra7+ Kg8 30.Ra8+ 19...f5 20.Qf1
. )] [ 20.f4 runs into Bxf4! (again we see
24...Bxd2 25.Qxd2 Re8! 26.Rc5 Bf3 this idea!). 21.gxf4 is met by Rg6
I think that White's king is very weak, , so Black is doing well here. ]
and his pawns on the queenside are not 20...Qh5
dangerous because of the constant [ After 20...f4 21.Qxh3 Bxh3 22.Rxa6
threats down the e-file as well as on the fxe3 23.fxe3 Be7 24.Rxc6 Rxc6
a8-h1 diagonal. 25.Bxd5+ Re6 26.e4 Kh8 27.Bxe6
27.Bc4 Bxe6 28.Kg2 White has the better
[ Black is okay after 27.Bxd5+ Bxd5 ending. ]
28.c4 Qh6! 29.Qc3 Bc6 30.d5 Bd7 21.-- 20...Qh5 reaches a critical position.
31.Ra5 Qg6 32.Ra1 Qe4 White has two important moves and two
, although given the assessment of less critical ones:
the main line, this might be White'sA1: 21 Rxa6
wisest choice. ] A2: 21 f4
27...Qf5 [ White should avoid 21.Bxd5?! cxd5
[ 27...Kh8 is also good move. If 28.b4 because he wants to keep pressure
, then Qh6 29.Qxh6 Re1+ 30.Bf1 on the a2-g8 diagonal as long as
gxh6 31.h3 h5 32.Rc8+ Kg7 33.b5 possible. In this position 22.f4?
Be2 and White is just losing. ] allows a trick which has even been
28.Bf1 Qb1 Black is certainly better seen at grandmaster level: Qe8!
here, and maybe even winning. and Black wins (O.Renet-J.Nunn,
European Team Championship, Haifa
1989, and numerous other games). ]
C89 [ 21.c4!? is interesting but offers no
The Main Line more than a draw for White: f4
A: 18...bxa4 22.cxd5 fxg3 23.hxg3 Bxg3 24.Qg2
[Milos Pavlovic] Rxe3 25.Rxe3 Bxf2+ 26.Qxf2 Rxf2
27.dxc6+ Kf8 28.Kxf2 Qh2+ 29.Ke1
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Qh4+ 30.Kf1 Qh1+ 31.Kf2 Qh2+
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 with perpetual check. ]
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4
14.g3 Qh3 15.Be3 Bg4 16.Qd3 Rae8 C89
17.Nd2 Re6 18.a4 bxa4 The Marshall Declined
Black releases the tension and also A: 9 d4
induces a weakness on White's back [Milos Pavlovic]
rank. On the other hand, White can
attack Black's split pawns on the 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
queenside. Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
19.Rxa4 8.c3 d5 9.d4 exd4 10.e5 Ne4

62
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
11.cxd4
[ An important alternative for White is
11.Nxd4 Nxe5 12.Bf4 ( 12.f3 c5! )
12...Bf6 and now:
A) 13.Bxe5? Bxe5 14.Nf3 Bg4
15.Qxd5 Bxf3 16.Qxe5 Qh4!
led to a quick win for Black in the
game V.Belov-V.Akopian, Moscow
2007: 17.Rxe4 Qxe4 18.Qxe4
Bxe4 19.Nd2 Bb7 and White
resigned.;
B) 13.f3 c5 14.fxe4 ( after
14.Bxe5 Bxe5 15.Nc6 Bxh2+
16.Kxh2 Qh4+ 17.Kg1 Black has
at least a draw ) 14...cxd4 15.Bxd5
Bg4 16.Qd2 dxc3 17.Nxc3 Rc8
18.h3 Bh5 19.a3 Nc4 20.Bxc4
Qxd2 21.Bxd2 Rxc4
with an excellent endgame for
Black, V.Belov-A.Grischuk, Internet
(blitz) 2004.;
C) 13.-- ]
11...Bf5 12.Nc3 Nxc3 13.bxc3 Qd7
[ 13...Na5 is also possible. For
example, 14.Bc2 Qd7 15.Bg5 Ba3!
16.Bc1 Be7 17.Bg5 Ba3 18.Bc1
Be7 with a draw by repetition, J.
Arizmendi Martinez-L.Fressinet,
Sanxenxo 2004. Notice how Black
avoided the exchange of dark-
squared bishops here. ]
14.Bg5
[ 14.h3 Na5 15.Bc2 Nc4 16.Bg5
Ba3 17.Nh4 Bxc2 18.Qxc2 a5
19.Re2 Ra6 20.Rf1 Re8 21.Bc1
Bf8 22.f4 b4 23.f5 c5 24.f6 bxc3
25.Qxc3 cxd4 produced a sharp
position with chances for both sides in
D.Stellwagen-J.Gustafsson,
Enschede 2005. ]
14...Ba3! This is a key idea which we've
already seen in the Arizmendi Martinez-
Fressinet game (in the note to Black's
13th move). Black avoids exchanging
the dark-squared bishops, which is a
wise decision here.
15.Qe2 h6 16.Bf4 Na5 17.Bc2 Nc4
18.Rad1 Be7 19.h3 a5 20.Nh2 Ra6
21.Ng4 b4 Black has emerged from the
opening with good counterplay, E.Bacrot-
V.Anand, Bastia (rapid) 2004.
C89
The Marshall Declined
Theory
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 Now we will consider:
A: 9 d4
B: 9 d3
C: 9 exd5 Nxd5 10 d3
D: 9 exd5 Nxd5 10 a4
C89
The Marshall Declined
Introduction
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 White has a choice of four main
ways to decline the Marshall once Black
has played 8....d5, and of these only 9
d4 is considered dangerous for Black.
Nevertheless, all of these ideas must be
taken seriously even if they are not
theoretically the best lines. White still
has a solid d3/c3 pawn formation, a
'mini centre', and functional pieces
which of course can become dangerous
should Black play carelessly. 9.--
[ 9.d4 has risen in importance over
the last few years. With this move
White strikes back in the centre
immediately. However, 9 d4 does
flaunt one a basic rule, which is never
63
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
to allow Black to play a quick ...d5
without concessions, and as such it is
not really in the spirit of the Ruy
Lopez.
The basic position is reached after
exd4 10.e5 Ne4 11.cxd4 ( 11.Nxd4
is also possible ) . This position is
highly interesting and double-edged,
with both sides having rather clear
plans. White will challenge Black's
central knight on e4 with Nc3, try to
swap off the dark-squared bishops,
and finally arrange a pawn storm
against the black king. Black on the
other hand will aim to re-route the c6-
knight to e6 (via d8) or to c4 (via a5)
and challenge the d4-pawn with the
break ...c7-c5. The most important
thing for Black to remember is that
he should not swap off dark-squared
bishops unless there is a good reason
to do so. In many positions he should
be ready to meet White's Bg5 with ...
Ba3!. See Line A of the theory section
for the specifics. Interestingly, the
positions here are very similar to
those reached in my recommended
line against the 8 d4 Anti-Marshall: 8
d4 d6 9 c3 Bg4 10 Be3 exd4 11 cxd4
d5 (compare Chapter Ten, Line B).
11...-- ]
[ 9.d3 is harmless for Black, who can
just exchange queens with dxe4
10.dxe4 Qxd1 . White cannot claim
any form of advantage whatsoever, as
he has not managed to extract one
concession from Black. This is
covered in Line B of the theory
section. ]
[ 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.d3 should be met
by the solid Bf6! defending the e-
pawn. White intends to play with a
mini-centre, and in a slow manner,
but the fundamental problem for him
is that he is not fully developed. In
comparison to some lines where
White has the mini-centre, here the
knight is not on f1 but still stuck at
home on b1. Furthermore, White's
problems are magnified by the fact
that it's not so easy for him to play
Nbd2 in view of the very strong
response ...Nf4!. Due to these factors,
Black has good play (see Line C). ]
[ Finally, there's the very similar line
9.exd5 Nxd5 10.a4 Bb7 11.axb5
axb5 12.Rxa8 Bxa8 13.d3 Bf6
, although I believe that the exchange
of rooks on the a-file only helps Black
(see Line D). ]
C89
The Marshall Declined
D: 9 exd5 Nxd5 10 a4
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.a4 Bb7
11.axb5 axb5 12.Rxa8 Bxa8
It should be noted that this position also
arises via the move order 8 a4 Bb7 9 c3
(9 d3 is more common) 9...d5 10 axb5
axb5 11 Rxa8 Bxa8 12 exd5 Nxd5,
although my recommended move
against 8 a4 is actually 8...b4 (see
Chapter Nine).
13.d3 Bf6 This position is very similar
to the one which arises in Line C, but
the exchange of rooks does harm
White's attacking potential and this
must surely help Black.
[ Black can also play 13...b4
. For example, 14.Nxe5 ( or 14.Bc2
bxc3 15.bxc3 Bf6 16.Bb3 h6
17.Qc2 Nce7! 18.Nxe5 Bxe5
19.Rxe5 Ng6 20.Re4 Qd6 21.Rg4
h5 22.Rg3 Re8 23.Be3 h4 24.Rg4
Rxe3 25.fxe3 Nxe3 26.Qe2 Nxg4
64
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
27.Nd2 Qf4 28.Nf1 h3 29.gxh3
N4e5 and wins, A.Ermeni-M.Pavlovic,
Lausanne 2004 ) 14...Nxe5 15.Rxe5
Bf6 16.Re4 bxc3 17.bxc3 Nxc3
18.Nxc3 Bxc3 19.Rf4 Be5
with equality, Kr.Georgiev-G.Kaidanov,
Kaidanov, Torcy 1991. ]
14.Nbd2!? Just as in Line C, this knight
move is critical and alternatives provide
no real challenge to Black:
[ a) 14.Bc2 b4 15.c4 Nde7 16.Nbd2
Nf5 17.Ne4 Kh8 18.Be3 Ncd4
19.Nxd4 Nxd4 20.Bb1 Be7 21.Qh5
f6 with good play for Black, H.
Hoffmann-M.Heidenfeld, Bad Urach
1986. ]
[ b) 14.Na3 b4 15.Nb5 ( after 15.Nc4
bxc3 16.Ncxe5 Nxe5 17.Nxe5 Qd6
18.d4 cxb2 19.Bxb2 Rb8 20.Bc1
Black has no problems whatsoever,
and here the players agreed a draw in
Kr.Georgiev-Ki.Georgiev, Saint John
1988 ) 15...Bb7 16.c4 Nde7 17.Be3
Nf5 18.Bc5 Re8 19.Ba4 Re6!
and Black is fine. ]
14...Nf4 15.Ne4 Nxd3
[ Not 15...Qxd3 16.Bxf4 Qxd1
17.Rxd1 , when White will follow up
with Nxf6+ with a slight advantage. ]
16.Nfg5?
[ 16.Nxf6+!? might be better: gxf6
17.Re4 ( or 17.Bh6 Nxe1 18.Qxe1
Ne7 19.Nxe5 Nf5 20.Bxf8 fxe5
21.Bc5 Qg5 22.g3 Nh4 with enough
counterplay for Black ) 17...Ne7!
18.Rg4+ Ng6 19.Bh6 ( Black is fine
after 19.Nh4 Nxc1 20.Qxc1 Bd5 )
19...f5 is unclear. ]
16...Nxe1! 17.Qh5 Bxg5 18.Nxg5
[ 18.Bxg5? loses to Qd3 . ]
18...Qd3! The only move.
19.Nxf7 Qb1!?
[ In J.Piket-P.Blatny, European Team
Championship, Debrecen 1992, Black
chose 19...Nd4 . After 20.Nxe5+
Nxb3 21.Nxd3 Nxd3 22.Be3
the material imbalance certainly
favours Black, although the position
is still quite unclear as White's queen
is very active. ]
20.h4!
[ This move allows White to hang on
for a draw, whereas after 20.Nxe5+?
Kh8 21.Nf7+ Rxf7 22.Qxf7
Black can play Nf3+! intending
23.gxf3 Qxc1+ 24.Kg2 Qg5+ 25.Kf1
Qd8! . ]
20...Nxg2 21.Kh2 Nxh4 22.Nxe5+
Kh8 23.Nf7+ Kg8 Neither side can
deviate from the perpetual check, so it's
a draw.
C89
The Marshall Declined
C: 9 exd5 Nxd5 10 d3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.d3 Bf6
11.Nbd2 The sharpest move, inviting
Black's knight to jump to the f4-square.
[ Alternatives do not test Black. For
example, 11.Bc2 Bf5 12.Nbd2 Re8
13.Ne4 Qd7 , ]
[ or 11.Be3 Bf5 12.Bc2 Qd7
13.Nbd2 Nxe3 14.Rxe3 Bg6 15.Ne4
Be7 16.a3 h6 17.b4 Rfe8
, W.Rubertus-W.Reyher, Frankfurt
2000; in both cases Black's position is
fine. ]
11...Nf4! Accepting the challenge. Now
the position spirals into complications,
but they are not unfavourable for Black.
12.Ne4 Nxd3 13.Nxf6+ gxf6 14.Bh6
Nxe1 15.Qxe1 Ne7 16.Rd1 Qe8
17.Nh4
[ 17.Qe4 Bf5 18.Qh4 Qc6 19.Bxf8
Kxf8 20.Qh6+ Kg8 21.Nh4 Bg6
65
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
22.Nxg6 hxg6
A) or 23.h4 Qe8 24.h5 Qf8
, when Black is fine after either
25.Qe3 ( or 25.Qd2 gxh5 )
25...Rd8;
B) 23.Qd2 Kg7 24.Qd7 Qc5
was better for Black in G.
Lunkmoss-U.Reyer, German
League 2003. ]
With 17 Nh4, we are following the game
R.Ponomariov-V.Anand, Leon (rapid)
2007:
17...Be6 18.Qe3 Ng6 19.Bxf8 Qxf8
20.Nxg6 hxg6 21.Bxe6 fxe6 22.Qe4
Qe8 23.g3 Rb8! A precise move: Black
will place his rook on b6 where it
protects all his weak points.
24.h4 Rb6 25.Kh2 Rd6 Black has no
problems here, and he is still a pawn
ahead. Anand went on to win after
26.Rxd6 cxd6 27.Qb7 d5 28.Qxa6
Qd7 29.Qa3 d4 30.cxd4 exd4
31.Qd3 Kg7 32.g4 e5 33.f3 f5 34.h5
gxh5 35.gxf5 Kf6 36.Kg3 Qxf5
37.Qxb5 Qf4+ 38.Kg2 h4 39.Qb6+
Kf5 40.Qb7 Qg3+ 41.Kf1 h3 42.Qf7+
Kg5 43.Ke2 Qg2+ 44.Kd3 Kh4
45.Qh7+ Kg3 46.Qg7+ Kf2 47.Qxe5
h2 48.Kxd4 Qg1 49.Kd3 Qd1+
50.Kc4 0-1.
C89 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
The Marshall Declined
B: 9 d3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.d3 This is harmless, but it's
also quite solid.
9...dxe4 10.dxe4 Qxd1 11.Bxd1 Bb7
12.Nbd2 Nd7 13.Nb3 Trying to control
the c5-square.
[ 13.Bc2 Rfd8 14.Nf1 Nc5 15.Ne3
Nd3 16.Rd1 Nxc1 17.Raxc1 Kf8
18.a4 f6 19.Nh4 Rxd1+ 20.Rxd1
Nd8 21.Nhf5 g6 22.Nxe7 Kxe7
23.f3 c5 24.Kf2 Bc6 25.Ra1 Ne6
26.axb5 was equal and agreed drawn
in L.Yudasin-V.Tseshkovsky,
Simferopol 1989. ]
13...a5
[ 13...Nb6 14.Be3 Na4 15.Rb1 Rfe8
16.Bc2 Rad8 17.Red1 Rxd1+
18.Bxd1 Bc8 19.Bc2 h6 20.Nc1
Be6 21.Bb3 Rd8 22.Kf1 Bc4+
23.Ke1 f6 , as played in D.Troltenier-
J.Luetke, German League 1992, is
also reasonable for Black, but I think
his play in the main text is more
accurate. ]
14.Be3 a4 15.Nbd2 Rfb8 16.a3 Bc8
17.Bc2 Nc5 18.Rad1 f6 19.Nf1 Be6
We have been following the game B.
Damljanovic-J.Franzen, Trnava 1982.
Black has successfully regrouped his
pieces and enjoys more space on the
queenside. Overall he can be very
happy with his position.
C89
The Modern 15 Re4
B1: 17 Bxd5
[Milos Pavlovic]
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4
14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 g5 16.Qf3 Bf5
17.Bxd5 cxd5 18.Re3 Rad8!
[ 18...Be4 19.Rxe4 dxe4 20.Qf6
isn't bad, but I consider the
positional line played by Adams to
be stronger. ]
19.Nd2 Rfe8 20.b3 White has some
problems regrouping his pieces. He
wants his bishop on b2 and to play Rae1,
66
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
but...
20...Kg7! 21.Bb2 Bg4 22.Qg2 Qxg2+
23.Kxg2 Rxe3 24.fxe3 Re8 25.Re1
Bf5 26.Kf2 Bd3 27.Rd1 ...and White
had no advantage in P.Leko-M.Adams,
Wijk aan Zee 2001 – in fact the players
agreed a draw in this position.
This is an important game, which
demonstrates that Black's positional
compensation with the bishop pair is
sufficient to keep the balance and hold
the draw. This is a key defensive idea
for Black which is seen throughout the
Marshall, and similar situations will
arise in other chapters.
C89 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
The Modern 15 Re4
B: 16 Qf3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4
14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 g5 16.Qf3
This move was analysed greatly in the
1970s and 1980s, and was for a long
time considered to be critical for the
assessment of the 15 Re4 line. Today,
however, it is widely regarded as a
harmless continuation. Just like in
nearly all the Re4 lines, White intends
to sacrifice an exchange, but here he is
doing so without the support of the f-
pawn and this considerably weakens his
case for an advantage. Indeed, Black
has shown clear paths to equality or
even more in some cases.
16...Bf5 Now we have reached an
important crossroads. White normally
chooses between the following moves:
B1: 17 Bxd5
B2: 17 Bc2
In the game D.Lima-A.Grischuk, World
Cup, Khanty-Mansiysk 2007, White
played 17.Nd2 . The game continued
17...Rae8 18.Bxd5 cxd5 19.Re3 Rxe3
20.Qxe3 f6 21.Nf1 Bg6 22.f3 Re8
23.Qf2 Bd3 24.Be3 Bxf1 25.Rxf1
Bxg3 26.hxg3 Rxe3 27.Qxe3
at which point the players agreed a draw
due to the forced perpetual check.
C89
The Modern 15 Re4
A32: 17...f5!
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4
14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 g5 16.Qf1 Qh6
17.f3 f5!
[ This is my own idea, and in my
opinion it's stronger than 17...Kh8 . ]
18.Re2
[ 18.Re1 is weaker than 18 Re2, since
after f4 19.g4 Bxg4! 20.fxg4 f3
White can already consider resigning,
such is the force of Black's attack. ]
18...f4 19.g4 Bxg4! This is an
important idea which is only possible
because the queen is on h6 rather than
h5, so that fxg4 doesn't attack the
queen.
20.fxg4 f3 21.Rf2 Rae8 Black has
fierce attack, which should result in at
least a draw and possibly even more.
For example: 22.--
[ a) 22.Bxd5+ cxd5 23.Kh1 Re2
24.Rxe2 fxe2 25.Qxe2 Rf1+ 26.Kg2
Rxc1 27.Qe8+ Qf8 28.Qxf8+ Kxf8
and White is in a terrible bind. ]
[ b) 22.Na3 Qh4 23.Bd2 Re6
24.Kh1 Rfe8 ( or 24...Kg7!?
intending ...Re2 ) 25.Qg1 Re2
67
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
26.Raf1 R8e4 27.Be1 Qh3
. Here there are many perpetual
check possibilities, for instance
28.Rxe2 Rxe2 29.Rf2 Bxh2 30.Qf1
Rxe1 31.Qxe1 Bf4+ , and quite
possibly there are better options for
Black earlier on.
My conclusion is that 16...Qh6
deserves a closer look, because it
opens up a few promising tactical
ideas such as ...Nf4 or, as we've just
seen, the ...Bxg4 sacrifice. The only
possible drawback is that the queen
could become vulnerable to attack by
White's bishop on the c1-h6 diagonal.
Nevertheless, an interesting struggle
is in front of us. It's important to
stress that 16 Qf1 is in my opinion
White's best continuation and the
most challenging for Black, and
therefore I think we will be seeing
much more of it in the future. ]
C89
The Modern 15 Re4
D: 16 Qe1!?
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4
14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 g5 16.Qe1!?
White is looking for a favourable version
of the previous line.
16...f5!?
[ 16...f5 is exactly what White was
waiting for when playing 16 Qe1,
because in comparison to the 16 Qe2
line Black can no longer play ...Bg4
with a gain of tempo. Then again,
White's queen is on an inferior square,
something I will try to prove in the
following analysis.
Black's normal moves here are 16...
Bf5 or 16...Nf6. A promising example
of 16...Bf5 was seen in V.Anand-E.
Bacrot, Sofia 2006: 17.Nd2 h6 18.f3
Kg7 19.a4 Bxe4 20.fxe4 Rae8
21.axb5 axb5 22.Nf1 Qg4 23.Bc2
Re7 with good play for Black. ]
[ On the other hand, 16...Nf6
allowed White to reach his dream
position in A.Motylev-V.Tkachiev,
Russian Championship, Kazan 2005,
after 17.Nd2 Qh5 18.Qd1 Qxd1+
19.Bxd1 Nxe4 20.Nxe4 Be7
21.Bxg5 Bxg5 22.Nxg5 , with two
good pawns and a nice structure in
return for the exchange. ]
Returning to 16...f5:
17.Bxd5+
[ 17.Re6? Bxe6 18.Qxe6+ Kh8
transposes to 16 Qe2, and Smirin-
Grischuk (see Line C). ]
17...cxd5 18.Re6 Bc7
[ 18...Bxe6 19.Qxe6+ , which can
also arise via 16 Qe2, is considered
bad for Black, but I'm not entirely
convinced by this assessment. After
Kg7 White has a choice of two
moves:
A) 20.Bxg5 is considered to be the
refutation, but after Qh5!
things are far from clear. In fact I
wasn't able to find more than a
draw for White. Following 21.Qd7+
Rf7 22.Qxd6 Qxg5 , White's
knight can't use the d2-square.
Furthermore, after 23.Na3 Qd2
White has nothing better but to try
for perpetual check with 24.Qe5+
.;
B) On the other hand, if White tries
20.Qxd6 , Black obtains good play
after Rae8 21.Qd7+ Kh8 22.Bd2
Qh5 ( or 22...f4 , with a strong
attack. );
C) 20.-- ]
68
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
If this analysis is correct, then it makes
no difference whether White plays 16
Qe2 or 16 Qe1, as Black could reply in
the same way against both of them.
Let's return to 18...Bc7:
19.Bxg5
[ White can also play 19.Rc6
, although after Ra7 the game is
likely to transpose to the main text. ]
[ Black is fine after 19.Nd2 f4 20.Re8
Bg4 21.Rxa8 Rxa8 22.Qf1 Re8 . ]
19...Qh5! A crucial move which
underlines the disadvantage of 16 Qe1
and a key difference between the 16
Qe2 and 16 Qe1 lines. Black seizes the
h5-e8 diagonal and prepares future ...
Re8 ideas.
[ 19...f4 allows White to claim some
advantage after 20.Rf6 Bg4
21.Rxf8+ Rxf8 22.Nd2 Qh5 23.Bh4
Re8 24.Qf1 Re2 25.Nb3 . ]
20.Rc6
[ If 20.Be7 , then Bxe6 21.Qxe6+
Qf7 22.Qxf7+ Rxf7 23.Bc5 Re8
24.Kf1 f4 25.g4 f3 26.h3 Re2
with some advantage to Black. ]
20...Ra7 21.Bf4 Alternatively:
[ a) 21.Qc1 f4 22.Bh6 Re8
is better for Black. ]
[ b) 21.Bh6 Re8 22.Qc1 f4 23.Rf6
Bd8 24.Rd6 fxg3 25.hxg3 Rf7
26.Rxd8 Rxd8 27.Qg5+ Qxg5
28.Bxg5 Re8 29.Be3 with an equal
position. ]
21...Bxf4 22.Rxc8 Rxc8 23.Qe6+ Kg7
24.Qxc8 Bc1 . After 25.Na3 Bxb2
26.Qc5 Rf7 27.Re1 f4 28.Qb4 Bxa3
29.Qxa3 Qh3 Black is fine, since
30.gxf4 Qg4+ leads to perpetual check.
C89
The Modern 15 Re4
C: 16 Qe2
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4
14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 g5 16.Qe2
The intention behind this move is to
sacrifice the exchange in return for a
pawn and a strong centre. Surprisingly
this was played way back in 1947 by
Tigran Petrosian. White followed up
incorrectly in that game, but later on the
crucial idea of 18 f3 was found (see
below).
16...f5 This is Black's best move, even
though White has a tactical resource
with Re6.
[ The alternative line runs 16...Nf6
17.Nd2 Bf5 and now:
A) 18.Re5 was played by
Petrosian in the stem game, but
after Bxe5 19.dxe5 Ng4 20.Nf3
Rae8 21.Qf1 Qxf1+ 22.Kxf1 h6
23.h4 Be4 24.Ne1 Rxe5 25.f4
gxh4 26.gxh4 Re7 Black was
simply winning in T.Petrosian-Y.
Averbakh, USSR Ch., Moscow
1947.;
B) 18.f3! was a key discovery, and
this is the move which is played
today. For example:
B1) G.Sax-S.Atalik, Bled 2000,
demonstrated the full potential of
White's position after 18...Nxe4
19.Nxe4 Bxe4 20.fxe4 Be7
21.Be3 Kh8 22.Rf1 f5 23.Be6
Qg4 24.Qxg4 fxg4 25.Bd7
, when White enjoyed a big
advantage which he later
converted. This is a model game
from White's point of view.;
69
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
B2) 18...c5 19.Qf2 c4 20.Bc2
h6 21.b3! cxb3 ( White is much
better after 21...Nd5 22.bxc4
Nxc3 23.Re3 Bxc2 24.Rxc3
Bg6 25.c5 ) 22.axb3 Rfc8
23.Bb2 was played in R.
Ponomariov-M.Adams, Linares
2002. White has some
advantage here: he is fully
coordinated and remains a pawn
ahead.;
B3) 18...--;
C) 18.-- ]
Now let's return to 16...f5:
17.Bxd5+
[ White must exchange on d5 first,
since 17.Re6? is a blunder which
allows Black to win: Bxe6 18.Qxe6+
Kh8 19.Qxd6 ( or 19.Bxg5 Rae8 )
19...Rae8 20.Bd2 f4 21.Bxd5
( 21.Bd1 is met by Rf6! followed by ...
Rh6, winning ) 21...cxd5 22.f3 g4
and White, facing mate in a few
moves, resigned in I.Smirin-A.
Grischuk, Panormo 2001. ]
17...cxd5 18.Re6 f4
[ This is a good move with the queen
on e2, but in my opinion it's not the
only one. Black can also play
18...Bxe6 19.Qxe6+ Kg7 here, and
this option is covered in Line D under
the move order 16 Qe1 f5 17 Bxd5+
cxd5 18 Re6 Bxe6 19 Qxe6+ Kg7. ]
19.Rxd6 Bg4! A key move, which from
a theoretical viewpoint refutes 16 Qe2.
Play from here becomes virtually forced
and Black has an easy draw.
20.Qf1 Qxf1+ 21.Kxf1 Rae8 22.Bd2
Bh3+ 23.Kg1 fxg3 24.hxg3 Re2
25.Be3 Rxe3 26.fxe3 Rf1+ 27.Kh2
g4 28.Rxd5 Black has perpetual check,
and a draw was agreed here in R.
Ponomariov-V.Anand, Linares 2002.
C89
The Modern 15 Re4
B2: 17 Bc2
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4
14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 g5 16.Qf3 Bf5
17.Bc2 Bxe4 18.Bxe4 Qe6 19.Bxg5
f5 In this critical position White has two
possibilities.
20.Bd3 This move was the main line for
a long time. Then John Nunn found
some new ideas for Black, and after that
it declined in popularity.
[ 20.Bxd5 , trying to speed up White's
development, was played in V.
Topalov M.Adams, Sarajevo 2000,
but after cxd5 21.Nd2 f4 22.Bxf4
Bxf4 23.gxf4 Ra7 24.Kh1 Re7!
Black was simply better, since White
wasn't able to regroup with Rg1 and
Nf1-e3. The game continued 25.Rg1+
Kh8 26.Nf1 Qe4! and Adams
eventually converted his advantage. ]
20...h6! This is Nunn's strong
recommendation.
[ Previous theory had focussed on
20...f4 21.Qe4 , although even here I
think Black is fine as long as he
chooses Qf7 22.Nd2 fxg3!
( rather than 22...Rae8 ) . If then
23.fxg3 Rae8 24.Qg2 Ne3
Black has no problems, especially
after 25.Bxe3 Rxe3 26.Rf1 Qe6
27.Be4 Rxf1+ 28.Kxf1 Be7!
when he seizes the initiative. ]
21.Bh4
[ 21.Bd2 can be met by Ra7
intending ...Rg7 and ...f5-f4, ( or even
21...f4 . )]
21...Ra7 22.Nd2 Rg7 Black is fine here,
70
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
with attacking ideas including both ...
Nf4 and ...f5-f4.
C89 players.
The Modern 15 Re4
A31: 17...Kh8
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4
14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 g5 16.Qf1 Qh6
17.f3 Kh8 18.Nd2 Bh3
[ 18...Nf4!? is also interesting. For
example, 19.gxf4 gxf4 20.Kf2 Rg8
21.Ke2 Qxh2+ 22.Kd3 Bf5
and Black is not worse. ]
19.Qe1
[ 19.Qf2 f5 20.Re1 Rae8 21.a4
Qg6 22.Rxe8 Rxe8 23.axb5 Nf4
24.bxa6 Nd3 25.a7 Nxf2 26.a8Q
Nd3 is good for Black. ]
19...Nf4 20.Nf1
[ 20.gxf4 gxf4 21.Kh1 Rg8 22.Re2
Qg7 23.Qf2 Be7 threatens the
decisive ...Bh4, and 24.Rxe7 Bg2+
leads to perpetual check. ]
20...Qg7 21.Qf2 Nd3 22.Qd2 Nxc1
23.Rxc1 f5 24.Re6 White has taken
the initiative and later went on to win in
Kr.Georgiev-V.Tseshkovsky, Moscow
1985.
C89
The Modern 15 Re4
A: 16 Qf1
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4
14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 g5 16.Qf1
Although known for long time, this move
only recently became popular due to
the efforts of Anand and other leading
16...Qh6!? This move is very rare. In
fact previous sources mention just one
grandmaster game where this move was
played, Kr.Georgiev-V.Tseshkovsky,
Moscow 1985.
16...Qh5 and 16...Qxf1+ are played
almost without exception. However, I
don't see a good reason for this trend,
and I will offer a few examples here
which don't impress from Black's point
of view:
[ a) 16...Qxf1+ 17.Kxf1 Bf5 18.Nd2!
is a typically annoying positional
sacrifice by White, with 18...Bxe4 19
Nxe4 hitting both d6 and g5. In E.
Bacrot-V.Anand, Mainz (rapid) 2007,
the current World Champion instead
chose h6 , and the game continued
down the critical line 19.Re1
(now White retreats, but only after
having gained a tempo) Rae8 20.Nf3
g4 21.Bxh6 gxf3 22.Bxf8 Rxf8
23.Bd1 Bg4 . The game ended in
draw, but I prefer White after, for
example, 24.Kg1 Kg7 25.h3 Bxh3
26.Bxf3 ; Black looks to be under
some pressure here, and in this line
in general. ]
[ b) 16...Qh5 is also is facing a crisis
in recent games, and I must admit I
haven't been able to improve Black's
play. After 17.Nd2 f5 18.Bd1!
(a key move, first played by the
Russian Grandmaster Alexander
Motylev) Qh6 19.Re1 f4 20.Ne4
Bc7 21.Bd2 Black hasn't been able to
equalize in any high-level encounters.
For example, A.Shirov-V.Akopian,
Carlsbad 2007, continued Bf5
( neither was Black successful in F.
71
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
Vallejo Pons-G.Sargissian, Spanish
Team Championship, Calvia 2007,
after 21...Kh8 22.Qe2 Bf5 23.Qh5
Qxh5 24.Bxh5 ) 22.Nc5 Rf7 23.Qe2
Raf8 24.Qh5 Qf6 25.g4 Bg6
26.Qh3 Re7 27.Rxe7 Qxe7 28.Bf3
with some advantage to White. ]
Discouraged by developments in these
lines, I began investigating 16...Qh6
and managed to apply some new ideas
to this rare move. This is the move we
return to now.
17.f3 was played in the above-
mentioned Georgiev-Tseshkovsky game,
and I will keep this as the 'main line'. the Marshall.
However, there are some equally
important alternatives. White can
choose between the following moves:
A1: 17 Re1!?
A2: 17 Nd2
A3: 17 f3
C89 counts on the fact that he will obtain
The Modern 15 Re4
Theory
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4
14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 g5 Now White can
play:
A: 16 Qf1
B: 16 Qf3
C: 16 Qe2
D: 16 Qe1!?
As noted previously, 16.Bxg5? fails to
16...Qf5! winning a piece due to the
double attack.
C89
The Modern 15 Re4
Introduction
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4
14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 It is due mainly to
Anand's efforts that this somewhat
artificial move has become popular, and
nowadays at the highest level it's
played more than any other line against
At first sight it looks clumsy, but White
employs the strange-looking manoeuvre
R(e5)-e1-e4 to achieve two things. First
of all, he covers the important g4-
square and, secondly, he threatens to
force the black queen back with Rh4.
White's strategy is often based on
sacrificing the e4-rook for a bishop. He
more than enough material
compensation for the rook; usually it's a
bishop and two pawns.
Black can play 15...Nf6 or 15...Qd7 here,
but I prefer a more radical solution
which is favoured by all the top
grandmasters: 15...g5! , reaching the
first tabiya for this variation. 16.--
[ Black prevents Rh4 and prepares a
kingside pawn storm. Of course, 15...
g5 is possible only because 16.Bxg5?
loses to Qf5 with a double attack.
White has tried four main moves: ]
[ A) 16.Qf1!? has recently been
reinvigorated, but in this chapter I
have used an old defence and
discovered a completely new idea
within this line. ]
[ B) 16.Qf3 is the traditional move, but
it promises White nothing. ]
[ C) 16.Qe2 and ]
72
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
[ D) 16.Qe1 are both modern attempts
to gain an advantage. ]
[ The Critical 16 Qf1:
16.Qf1 forces the black queen back.
Here I believe it is crucial for Black to
retreat with Qh6! . This move is
incredibly important because, in
comparison to 16...Qh5, White no
longer gains a vital tempo bringing
the light-squared bishop back to the
kingside via the d1-square. Black's
idea is to meet White's developing
moves with ...f7-f5-f4, and there are
also some tactical tricks based on ...
Nf4. In the theory section I
investigate 17.f3 , ( 17.Nd2; and
17.Re1 .; Of course, against 17.h4
Black can simply reply with Qg6!
and White is the one in trouble. )]
[ The Old 16 Qf3:
16.Qf3 prepares the idea of
sacrificing the rook on e4 for Black's
light-squared bishop and two pawns.
However, it has been shown that
White has no prospects for the
advantage after Bf5! 17.Bc2 Bxe4
18.Bxe4 Qe6! . ]
[ Modern Tries for White:
16 Qe1 and 16 Qe2 were introduced
a few years ago. The intention behind
both moves is obvious: White tries to
hold back the ...f7-f5 advance, which
can be met by the tactical idea Re6!,
attacking the d6-bishop and the pawn
on g5.
Of the two, 16.Qe1 is the more
dangerous attempt, but Black has
sufficient resources to repulse this
move, either by 16...Bf5 or the main
recommendation in this chapter, f5
. The latter move doesn't enjoy a
great reputation, but I have managed
to discover some new ideas in this
line. It is very important to note that
Black has the option of dealing with
these two moves using the same
technique. ]
C89
The Modern 15 Re4
A3: 17 f3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4
14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 g5 16.Qf1 Qh6
17.f3 As played in Georgiev-
Tseshkovsky. Black can now choose
between the original game continuation
and my new idea:
A31: 17...Kh8
A32: 17...f5!
C89
The Modern 15 Re4
A2: 17 Nd2
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4
14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 g5 16.Qf1 Qh6
17.Nd2 f5! 18.Re1 f4 19.Ne4
[ Or 19.Qg2 Bh3 20.Bxd5+ Kh8
21.Qh1 cxd5 22.Qxd5 Bg4 23.a4
( after 23.Ne4 Bf3 24.Qxd6 Qh3
White is forced to give perpetual
check ) 23...Rad8 ( 23...Rae8!?
is also interesting ) 24.Qc6 ( 24.Qh1
Rde8 25.Rxe8 Rxe8 26.Nf1 Re1
27.Qa8+ Qf8 28.Qxf8+ Bxf8 29.b3
bxa4 30.bxa4 Bh3 31.Bb2 Re2
32.Bc1 Re1 is a draw by repetition )
24...fxg3 25.fxg3 Rf2 26.Re8+ Kg7
27.h4 Rxe8 28.Qxe8 Bxg3
73
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
and Black is doing fine here. ]
19...Bg4 This is an important position for
the variation and White faces a difficult
choice of moves.
20.Qg2
[ The alternative is 20.Bd1 , but after
Bxd1 21.Rxd1 Bc7 22.Bd2 Rae8
23.Qd3 Re6! Black intends ...Qh5
followed by ...Rh6. If White plays
24.f3 Black has the powerful reply
fxg3 25.hxg3 Bxg3 26.Nxg3 Qh3
with some advantage. ]
20...Bh3 21.Qh1 Bc7 22.Bd2 Qg6
White's queen is passively placed on h1,
and Black certainly has compensation
for the pawn.
C89
The Modern 15 Re4
A1: 17 Re1!?
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4
14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 g5 16.Qf1 Qh6
17.Re1!? Kh8 This is a multi-purpose
move, which not only puts the king in a
safer place but also prepares the
forthcoming piece sacrifice.
[ In contrast, 17...f5 offers Black no
prospects: 18.Qg2! (giving White
enough time to regroup) Ra7
( 18...Kh8 19.Bxd5 cxd5 20.Qxd5 f4
21.Qxa8 wins ) 19.Bxd5+ cxd5
20.Qxd5+ Raf7 21.Bxg5 Qxg5
22.Qxd6 f4 23.Re5 and White is
better. ]
18.Nd2
[ The defensive resource h2-h4 must
always be considered, since Black's
queen is exposed on the c1-h6
diagonal. However, here 18.h4
can be answered by Nf4 , intending
19.hxg5 Nh3+ 20.Kg2 Qg6 21.f4 h6
22.gxh6 Rg8 with a strong attack. ]
[ White can also play 18.Bxd5 cxd5
and only now 19.h4 . This does rule
out the ...Nf4 idea, but Black still
obtains a strong attack, this time with
Qh5! 20.Bxg5 f6 21.Be3 Ra7!
22.Nd2 Rg7 . ]
18...Bh3 19.Qe2 Nf4!? This is an
important idea to remember.
20.Qd1
[ Black is fine in the event of 20.Qe4
Bd7 21.Qf3 Rae8 22.Rxe8 Rxe8
23.Ne4 f5 24.Bxf4 fxe4 25.Be5+
Bxe5 26.Qf7 Qg7 . ]
20...Bf5 21.Nf3 Nh3+ 22.Kg2 Rae8
Black has good attacking chances.
C89
The Mysterious 13 Re2
A: 14...Bh5
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re2 Bg4
14.f3 Bh5 Forcing White to exchange
on d5, since 15 Nd2 Nf4 is good for
Black.
15.Bxd5 cxd5 16.Nd2 f5!?
This is a strong move. Black wants to
clamp White's pieces with ...f5-f4 and
then to try to open the queenside, which
would give him ideal play in this line.
[ I played less precisely in my second
Marshall encounter with my
compatriot, GM Todorovic: 16...Qc7
17.h3!? f5 allowed White to reveal his
idea with 18.Nb3! (G.Todorovic-M.
Pavlovic, Becici 1993). ]
17.Nf1
[ 17.Qb3 Bf7 18.Nf1 f4 19.Bd2 Qd7
74
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
20.Rae1 a5 21.Qd1 a4 22.a3 Bg6!
was fine for Black in G.Kamsky-V.
Ivanchuk, Linares 1991, a game
Black went on to win. ]
17...f4 18.a4 Be8 19.b3 Rc8 20.axb5
Bxb5 21.Rc2 Qb6 22.Bb2 Rfe8
23.Rf2 Be7! Again Black is doing very
well, B.Perenyi-P.Blatny, Hajduszoszlo
1987.
C89
The Mysterious 13 Re2
Theory
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re2 Bg4
I think that 13...Bg4 gives Black good
play without having to learn much theory,
and it also avoids some forced draws. I
had played 13...Qh4 many times – with
good results – but when it was
discovered how effective 13...Bg4 was,
13...Qh4 took a back seat, even if it was
just for practical reasons.
[ 13...Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Nd2 Bf5
was for many years the main line.
A) In Lugano 1987, Morovic played
16.Bxd5 cxd5 17.f3 against me.
After Rae8 18.Nf1 h5! 19.Be3 h4 White wants to avoid taking on d5 and
20.Bf2 Bg6 ( some months later
Pinter played the even stronger
20...Bd7 against Grünfeld, at the
Zagreb Interzonal, and won as
well ) 21.a4 Re6! I reached a good
position which I managed to
convert into a win.;
B) A few months later I got a
chance to introduce the tactical
point mentioned above with
16.Ne4? Bg4! 17.Nxd6 Qh5!
(Zuckerman-Pavlovic, New York
1987), and further on John Nunn
also adopted this line, with good
results.;
C) 16.-- ]
[ I switched to 13...Bg4 as my main
move after my game against Lanc
(Copenhagen 1987). In that game my
opponent met 13...Qh4 14.g3 Qh3
with the interesting 15.Qf1!?
. Following Qh5 16.f3 Bf5
, Lanc should have played 17.Qf2!
Qg6 18.Bxd5 cxd5 . Black has
typical compensation in this position,
but even so I started to prefer 13...
Bg4. ]
14.f3 Now we will look at:
A: 14...Bh5
B: 14...Bf5
C89
The Mysterious 13 Re2
B: 14...Bf5
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re2 Bg4
14.f3 Bf5 15.g3 This is an interesting
idea which was first played by the Czech
GM Mokry, and more recently by Anand.
intends to put his knight on e4.
[ An important alternative is the
standard 15.Bxd5 cxd5 16.Nd2
. In comparison to Line A, above,
Black no longer has the ...f5-f4 idea.
On the other hand, his light-squared
bishop is much better placed. After b4
White has a decision to make:
A) 17.cxb4 Bd3 18.Rf2 ( 18.Re1
Bxh2+ 19.Kxh2 Qh4+ 20.Kg1
Qxd4+ 21.Kh2 Qh4+ is a draw by
perpetual check ) 18...Qc7 19.g3
75
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
( 19.Nf1 Bxf1 20.Kxf1 Bxh2
21.Rc2 Qb6 22.Qd3 Qf6 23.Be3
Bg3! 24.Ke2 Rfe8 25.Rh1 h6
26.Kd1 Re6 27.Bd2 Rae8
left Black with promising
compensation in the game V.
Kotronias-I.Sokolov, Elenite 1992 )
19...Bc2 20.Qf1 Rfe8 21.Nc4
Bxg3 22.hxg3 Bd3 23.Qxd3
Qxg3+ , with a draw by perpetual
check, is just one of many
interesting possibilities here.;
B) 17.Nf1 is also important: bxc3
18.bxc3 Qc7 19.Re3 ( in the event
of 19.Bd2 Bd3 20.Re3 Bxf1
Black regains his pawn with some
advantage ) 19...Rfc8 20.Bd2 Bg6!
(preparing ...f5-f4) 21.Be1 f5
(just in time to prevent White's
intended Bg3) 22.Re2 f4
and Black was better in G.
Todorovic-M.Pavlovic, Vrnjacka
Banja 1990.;
C) 17.-- ]
Returning to 15 g3:
15...Qc7 16.Kf2 Qd7! Preventing
White's knight from coming to d2 and
e4.
[ 16...Qd7 is an improvement over the
game K.Mokry-K.Panczyk,
Breitenbrunn 1984. After 16...h5
17.Nd2 Nf6 18.Nf1 Bh3 19.Bg5
Nd5 20.Qd3 White had solved all of
his problems and stood better. ]
17.Bxd5
[ 17.Nd2 is met by Bd3 18.Re1 Qh3
when Black is fine. ]
17...cxd5 18.Nd2 Bd3 19.Re3 Bg6
20.Nf1 a5 21.a3 V.Anand-L.Aronian,
World Championship, Mexico City 2007,
ended in a draw here. We've reached a
typical position in which Black's bishops
once again fully compensate for the
pawn deficit.
C89
The Mysterious 13 Re2
Introduction
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re2
What's the point behind 13 Re2?
Why does White play this 'mysterious'
rook move? Well, it's actually a rather
sophisticated plan. His intention is not
to play Be3 and Nd2, but rather Nd2
directly, and then to establish the knight
on the central e4-square. In doing this
he blocks the e-file, attacks the bishop
on d6 and can then develop accordingly.
13...--
[ Can Black play the usual ...Qh4?
Yes, but the situation is not so simple.
There is a hidden point to 13 Re2
which means that Black must be
vigilant and follow through in the
correct manner. Let's take a look at
what could happen:
13...Qh4 14.g3 Qh3
...and here White is able to develop
the knight first: 15.Nd2 Bg4?!
( the correct move is 15...Bf5!
, which contains a tactical idea; in one
of my games, B.Zuckerman-M.
Pavlovic, New York 1987, White
played 16.Ne4 and after Bg4
17.Nxd6 Black has the excellent
resource Qh5! , when the position is
virtually winning for him ) . Now White
has an excellent defensive resource:
16.f3! . The rook guards the second
rank so that Black cannot play 16...
Bxg3. This means that after 15...
Bg4?! 16 f3! White can develop in
his desired manner. ]
[ Returning to the tabiya after the
sophisticated 13 Re2, in my opinion
76
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
the best way for Black is with
13...Bg4! provoking a weakness on
g3 before moving the bishop back to
f5 or h5. Both retreats are good, and
they are analysed in depth in the
theory section.
14.f3 Bf5 reaches a position in the
Marshall Attack in which we can
clearly see the advantage of Black's
bishop pair.
Sooner or later, White will be forced
to exchange the bishop on b3 for the
strong knight on d5. When this
exchange of minor pieces occurs,
Black will gain the possibility of a
minority attack on the queenside, to
add to positional factors such as the
weakened h2-b8 diagonal. A perfect
example of Black's play (with the
similar 14...Bh5) can be found in the
game Kamsky-Ivanchuk, Linares
1991. ]
C89
The New 15 Qe2
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4
14.g3 Qh3 15.Qe2 15 Qe2 is a new
move and it deserves some coverage
here. In fact, it was just becoming
popular in 2008 when I had already
nearly finished this book. White's idea is
to develop his knight on e4 via d2, in
front of bishop on e3, although the
concept itself has been seen in other
lines against the Marshall.
15...Bd7
[ This move, preparing ...Rae8, is
probably Black's best, and I won't use
up much space on alternatives
because I believe 15...Bd7 is quite
sufficient to give Black reasonable
play. I will mention only that 15...Bg4
, as played in P.Svidler-P.Leko,
World Championship, Mexico City
2007 (amongst other games), is not
bad either. ]
16.Qf1 Rae8 We've already seen this
typical idea in the Marshall: Black
speeds up his development and isn't
afraid of a queen exchange.
17.Rxe8 Qxf1+ 18.Kxf1 Rxe8
Threatening 19...Bh3+ followed by mate!
19.Bd2
[ Alternatives also fail to give White
the advantage. For example, 19.Kg2
Bf5 20.Nd2 Re1 21.a4 b4 22.Nf3
( 22.Bc4 a5 23.Nb3 attacks a pawn
on a5, but bxc3 24.bxc3 Nxc3
25.Nxa5 Nxa4 gives Black promising
play in the endgame ) 22...Be4
23.Bc2 Ne3+ 24.Bxe3 Bxf3+
25.Kxf3 Rxa1 26.c4 Ra2 27.c5 Bb8
28.Bc1 Ra1 29.Be3 and the players
agreed to a draw in A.Volokitin-P.
Svidler, Foros 2008. ]
19...Nb6 When I saw the Svidler-Leko
game in 2007, where Svidler opted for
15 Qe2, I came up with this idea. Since
then other players have also clearly
realized the strength of Black's position
in this endgame. By controlling the a4-
and c4-squares, Black more or less
blocks White's natural development.
[ 19...Bf5 is also possible, and has
been played a few times. For example,
20.Na3 Bd3+ 21.Kg2 Re2 22.Rd1
Bxa3 23.bxa3 Be4+ 24.Kf1 Bd3
25.Kg1 Nb6 26.Bf4 Bc4 27.Bxc4
Nxc4 28.d5 cxd5 29.Rxd5 Re8
30.Kg2 h6 31.a4 Nb6 32.Rd6 Nxa4
33.Rxa6 Nxc3 and Black drew
comfortably in C.Balogh-Z.Almasi,
Hungarian Championship 2008. ]
20.Be3 Nd5 21.Bd2 Nb6 22.Be3 Nd5
77
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
By repeating moves Black shows he is
satisfied with a draw. Indeed, the game
C.Balogh-A.Beliavsky, Austrian League
2008, finished exactly this way after 23
Bd2. Here we are following F.Caruana-
G.Sargissian, Ruy Lopez Masters,
Merida 2008, where White tries for
more:
23.Bxd5 This is the only way to continue,
but now we see the usefulness of the
bishop on d7, controlling a4 and
preparing a characteristic minority
attack with ...a7-a5 and ...b5-b4.
23...cxd5 24.Nd2 a5 25.Nb3 a4
26.Nc5 Bf5 27.Ke2 f6 28.Kd2 g5
It's a typical Marshall endgame. Black
clearly has enough play for the pawn
and Sargissian slowly outplays his
opponent from here.
Black restricts White's queenside play,
making it impossible for White to utilize
his extra pawn on that side.
29.b3 a3! 30.b4 Kf7 31.Nd3 Kg6
32.Rb1 h5 33.Rb3 Ra8
Black's position is continuing to improve.
If he gained the opportunity to open the
h-file, this would land White in trouble,
and this is exactly what happened in the
game. The remaining moves were
34.Ne1 h4 35.Nc2 Bxc2 36.Kxc2 Kf5
37.Rb1 Kg4 38.gxh4 Kxh4 39.Re1
Bxh2 40.Bd2 Kg4 41.Re6 f5 42.f3+
Kxf3 43.Bxg5 Rg8 44.Bh6 f4 45.Rb6
Rg2+ 46.Kb3 Ke4 47.Re6+ Kd3
48.Rf6 Rf2 49.Rf5 f3 50.Kxa3 Ke4
51.Rf8 Re2 52.Kb3 f2 53.Bg5 Bg3
and White resigned.
C90
The Steinitz Variation
Theory
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.d3 d6 9.c3 Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.Nbd2
Nc6 12.Nf1 Re8 Here we shall
consider:
A: 13 h3
B: 13 Bg5
C: 13 a3
There are quite a few transpositional
possibilities too. For example, 13.Ng3
Bf8 14.h3 h6 would transpose to Line
A1, below.
C90
The Steinitz Variation
A1: 14 Ng3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.d3 b5 7.Bb3 d6
8.c3 0-0 9.Nbd2 Na5 10.Bc2 c5
11.Re1 Nc6 12.Nf1 Re8 13.h3 h6
14.Ng3 Be6 This set-up with ...h7-h6
and ...Be6 is relatively new, but in my
opinion it looks quite good. Black
develops his pieces harmoniously and
is aiming for the ...d6-d5 break. The
bishop on e6 controls both the
queenside and the kingside, while its
partner will eventually settle on the
flexible f8-square.
15.d4 Otherwise Black will slowly
prepare ...d6-d5, with good play.
15...cxd4 16.cxd4 exd4 17.Nxd4
[ An important alternative here is
17.Ne2 Nb4 18.Bb1 d3 19.Ned4
and now:
A) 19...Bc8 20.Bd2 Nc2 21.Nxc2
dxc2 22.Bxc2 Bb7 23.Bc3
78
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
( 23.Re3 would be a transposition
to Psakhis-Khalifman, below )
23...Bf8 24.Nd2 d5 25.exd5 Nxd5
26.Rxe8 Qxe8 27.Qf3 Nxc3
28.Qxb7 Ne2+ 29.Kf1 Nd4
with a level position, Wang Zili-
Peng Xiaomin, Beijing 2000.;
B) 19...Bf8 20.a3 ( or 20.Bd2 Nc2
21.Nxc2 dxc2 22.Bxc2 Bc8
23.Re3 and ½-½, L.Psakhis-A.
Khalifman, European Club Cup,
Eupen 1997 ) 20...Nc2 21.Nxc2
dxc2 22.Bxc2 Bc8
(a key manoeuvre for Black)
23.Nd4 Bb7 24.Nf5 ( if 24.f3
, then g6 gives Black a good
position ) 24...Rc8 25.Ng3 d5
26.e5 Ne4 27.Bxe4 dxe4 28.Qg4
Rc6! 29.Qxe4 Qa8 and Black has
strong play for just a pawn, P.
Svidler-P.Leko, Monte Carlo (rapid)
2007.;
C) 19...-- ]
17...Nxd4 18.Qxd4 Rc8 19.Bb3 d5
20.e5 Nd7 In my opinion Black surely
can't be worse here. The bishop is well
placed on e6, the knight on d7 is flexible,
the queen can go to b6 and Black
controls the open c-file. This all adds up
to give Black sufficient activity.
21.Nh5 Alternatively:
[ a) 21.Qd1 Nc5 22.Be3 Nxb3
23.axb3 d4! 24.Bxd4 Qd5! 25.Ne4!?
Red8 26.Nd6 Bxd6 and Black is fine,
C.Lutz-V.Kramnik, Brissago (simul)
2004. ]
[ b) 21.Be3!? Nc5 ( 21...Nb8 22.Nh5
Bc5 23.Qf4 left White with a
dangerous initiative in S.Zagrebelny-
A.Grischuk, Moscow 2003 ) 22.Bc2
( 22.Nh5 would transpose to Svidler-
Aronian in the main text ) 22...Nd7
with a possible repetition of moves
because of Black's ...Rc4 idea. ]
21...Nc5
[ 21...Bc5 22.Qf4 Qg5 23.Qxg5
hxg5 24.Bxg5 Bd4 was equal in I.
Smirin-A.Grischuk, FIDE World Ch.,
New Delhi/Teheran 2000. ]
22.Bc2 Nd7 23.Bb3 Nc5 24.Be3
Nxb3 25.axb3 Bc5 26.Qd2 Bxe3
27.Rxe3 Qh4 28.Ng3 d4 29.Rd3 Rc5
30.Rxd4 Qg5 31.Qxg5 hxg5 32.b4
Rxe5 33.Rxa6 f5 34.Ra7 Kf8
We have been following the game P.
Svidler-L.Aronian, Monte Carlo (rapid)
2007. Despite being a pawn down,
Black is not worse here.
C90
The Steinitz Variation
A: 13 h3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.d3 d6 9.c3 Na5 10.Bc2 c5
11.Nbd2 Nc6 12.Nf1 Re8 13.h3 h6
Now White has a further choice:
A1: 14 Ng3
A2: 14 a4
14.N3h2 prepares the Ng4 plan, and
should be met by 14...d5 . If 15.exd5
Qxd5 16.Ne3 , Black should avoid
16...Qd7
[ and instead choose 16...Qd6
reaching an unclear position ]
17.Neg4 , which gave White the
initiative in M.Pavlovic-S.Mannion, Port
Erin 2007.
C90
The Steinitz Variation
Introduction
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
79
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
8.d3 This chapter has a wider
significance because Ruy Lopez
systems with an early d2-d3 can arise
from a variety of move orders, and even
from the Italian Game.
The pawn structure with c2-c3 and d2-
d3 has always been very popular with
all types of players.
It's not only a practical and reliable
choice, but the positions which arise are
rich in possibilities, containing many old
and new ideas. One attraction of
holding back the d-pawn is that White
can preserve all his options in the
centre whilst still searching for his usual
activity all over the board. Typical ways
to take the initiative include the pawn
breaks a2-a4 or d3-d4, or manoeuvring
the knights on the kingside to begin an
attack there, for example with h2-h3
followed by N(f3)-h2-g4 and N(d2)-f1-g3
(or e3).
The universal knight manoeuvre N(b1)-
d2-f1 and then later on Ng3 or Ne3 is
often attributed to Steinitz, the first
official World Champion, after he
employed it against one of the strongest
players never to become World
Champion – Mikhail Chigorin. I have
thus named this c3, d3 system the
Steinitz Variation in honour of him.
Even though the actual move orders we
are studying in this chapter are different
from the original Steinitz-Chigorin game,
the basic strategies and tactics are the
same. In his 1892 World Championship
match with Chigorin, Steinitz
experimented with 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3
Bb5 Nf6 4 d3 and then N(b1)-d2-f1-e3
(or g3) before castling. Today, such
ideas are often seen in the Italian Game,
for instance after 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3
Bc4 Nf6 4 d3, when White is trying to
reach similar positions but without
allowing Black time to expand on the
queenside with ...a7-a6, ...b7-b5 and so
on.
C90
The Steinitz Variation
Looking at Move Orders
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.--
[ In principle the position we are
discussing in this chapter arises from
the following move order: 1.e4 e5
2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6
5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.d3 d6 9.c3 and now Na5 10.Bc2
c5 . ]
[ However, this position can be
reached via a number of move orders.
For example, White sometimes
commits his pawn to d3 as early as
move five or six: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6
3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d3 , ]
[ or 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6
4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.d3 and now
b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.Re1 . ]
[ Furthermore, the position can also
arise from the Italian Game after 1.e4
e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Be7
5.0-0 0-0 6.Re1 d6 7.c3 Na5
8.Bb5 a6 9.Ba4 b5 10.Bc2 c5
and so on. ]
[ It is important to note that if White
plays d2-d3 only after Black has
played ...Be7, this limits some of
Black's options: for example, 1.e4 e5
2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6
5.d3 d6 6.c3 g6 , which is a
reasonable continuation for Black. ]
[ Placing a rook on e1 to vacate the
f1-square for the knight is in my
opinion the optimal set-up for White.
Having said that, there is one idea in
which White tries to profit from
delaying Re1, and this involves a
80
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
quick a2-a4: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6
3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7
6.d3 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.a4!? b4
9.Nbd2 0-0 . Here 10.Re1
would transpose to Chapter Nine.
( In S.Dvoirys-J.Pinter, Ljubljana 1995,
White continued to play without Re1,
but 10.h3 Na5 11.Ba2 c5 12.Nc4
Nc6 13.c3 Rb8 14.Bd2 h6 15.Ne3
Be6 didn't look at all bad for Black.
This example shows typical play, and
also how positions are very similar
and indeed can transpose to lines
previously covered (e.g. 8 a4 b4). )]
[ Although they are not given as part of
the repertoire for this book, it's worth
mentioning two further possibilities
for Black if White chooses to play an
early d2-d3. After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6
3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d3
Black doesn't need to rush with ...b7-
b5. He can avoid early a2-a4
possibilities for White by playing d6
6.c3 Be7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Re1
, and only now b5 . It's true that
White gains the extra option of 9.Bc2
(instead of 9 Bb3) but the drawback of
this move is the lack of pressure on
the a2-g8 diagonal, which allows
Black to carry out a quick Re8
and ...Bf8 without fearing Ng5.
Finally, Black can also postpone the
idea of ...b7-b5 even further, for
example with 8...Re8 directly followed
by ...Bf8, and later on Black can
decide whether to play ...b5 or not.
All these options have been seen in
tournament practice and are regarded
as reliable choices for Black. ]
C90
The Steinitz Variation
The 8 d3 Variation
[Milos Pavlovic]
The main starting position arises after
the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5
7.Bb3 0-0 8.d3 , with White only
committing his d-pawn once the shape
of Black's set-up has been established.
There are numerous ways for Black to
handle 8 d3, but I have chosen the
Chigorin set-up with ...Na5 and ....c7-c5
– a classical response from Black which,
as we've previously seen, can be
adopted against many White formations.
Black's strategy is very similar to those
from the 8 h3 or 8 a4 variations with a
Chigorin set-up. His central space and
the various methods of dealing with
White's flexibility ensure rich play. Both
White and Black must show some skill
in dealing with non-forcing but
nevertheless potentially dangerous
lines.
Let's play a few more moves:
8...d6 Once the e5-pawn is protected
Black threatens 9...Na5.
9.c3 Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.Nbd2 Nc6
12.Nf1 Re8! This is a flexible move,
anticipating the pressure on the e-file in
preparation for an eventual ...d6-d5. It's
worth noting here that Black usually
keeps options open regarding his light-
squared bishop, as it may be needed
later on e6.
This position becomes a battle between
the dynamic potential of White's pieces
and Black's extra space in the centre
(after all, the c5- and e5-pawns both
exert an influence here). Although White
has less space in the centre, the
flexibility of his pieces and the many
plans available make this system
81
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
appealing to those playing White.
Typical White Ideas:
White's play is actually very
sophisticated; all his manoeuvres are
designed to 'catch Black on the wrong
foot'. He hopes to control his pawn
breaks and wait until Black's pieces are
not in the best place to deal with them,
so that they arrive with added force.
h2-h3, Nh2-Ng4 and Qf3:
This is a typical plan if White is looking
to build up an attack on the kingside.
The knight on f1 will join the action via
either e3 or g3 and often head off
further to f5 or in some cases d5.
h2-h3, Ng3 and d3-d4:
This is the ideal set-up should White
want to break in the centre with d3-d4,
aiming for full control.
The a2-a4 Pawn Break:
As we already know, this is a standard
idea in the Ruy Lopez. White stakes a
claim for more space on the queenside,
applies pressure down the a-file and at
the same time remains flexible over
other ideas.
Advancing with a2-a3 and b2-b4:
This plan doesn't just seize space on
the queenside; it also fights for the
centre. By undermining Black's pawn on
c5, White makes it more difficult for
Black to carry out his desired plan of ...
d6-d5. An exchange of pawns on c5
would totally eliminate ...d5 ideas and
also possibly leave the e5-pawn
vulnerable.
White Plays Bg5:
This is another idea we've come across
in previous chapters, with White looking
to exchange on f6 and gain control of d5.
The best way for Black to meet this plan
is with ...Be6!, planning to answer Ne3
with ...Ng4!. Exchanging two pairs of
minor pieces eases Black's position.
Typical Black Ideas:
Of course the ideal move for Black is ...
d6-d5, so in preparation for this he will
need to play ...Re8, ...Bf8 and possibly
...g7-g6 followed by ...Bg7, defending
the e5-pawn in anticipation of the e-file
opening.
A Matter of Timing: Dealing with d3-d4:
Let's return to the main line:
13.--
[ Should White play 13.h3
here, covering the g4-square and
adopting a wait-and-see policy, the
correct reply for Black is h6! , ( as
13...Bf8 is inaccurate due to 14.Bg5!
. ) Then with 14.Ng3 White finally
makes his intention to play d3-d4
clear. This is a key moment for Black.
Any move he makes next must deal
with White's idea of d3-d4, and the
correct reply is Be6! . The main point
behind this move is that Black gets
ready to answer 15 d4 by multiple
exchanges on the d4-square followed
by ...Rc8 and ...d6-d5!. See Line A1
of the theory section for further
details. ]
[ Dealing with a2-a4:
13.h3 h6 14.a4 . Black can meet a2-
a4 with ...Bd7 or even ...b5-b4 but
here I'm recommending ...Rb8, which
is Black's most flexible move. It's
important to realize that it's not a big
deal if Black concedes the a-file, as
White cannot make any use of it.
Black's plans to meet Ne3 with ...Bf8,
playing for ...d6-d5. Alternatively,
should White aim to play d3-d4 first,
then Black still responds with ...Bf8
placing pressure on e4, possibly
followed by ...Ne7-g6 and ...Bd7 with
...Ra8 to contest the a-file (see Line
A2). ]
[ Dealing with Nh2-Ng4:
White's N(f3)-h2-g4 idea is part of a
not-so-obvious plan to control the d5-
82
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
square. Furthermore, he also has the
possibility of building up a slow attack
against the black king, especially
since the pawn on h6 can become a
target.
It's important to note that White gives
up central play in this line; well at
least he does for the foreseeable
future! In my opinion Black should
play for ...d6-d5, which becomes
easier to achieve: with the knight
away from f3 the pawn on e5 is no
longer under so much pressure (see
Line A). 13.-- ]
C90 Be7 5.0-0 0-0 6.Re1 d6 7.c3 Na5
The Steinitz Variation
B: 13 Bg5
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.d3 d6 9.c3 Na5 10.Bc2 c5
11.Nbd2 Nc6 12.Nf1 Re8 13.Bg5
As I mentioned in the introduction to
this chapter, with 13 Bg5 White is
fighting to gain control of the d5-square.
He will play Ne3, exchange on f6 and
follow up with Bb3 to establish a firm
grip.
13...Be6 14.Ne3 Ng4! Exchanges ease
Black's position.
15.Bxe7 Nxe3 16.Bxd8
[ 16.Rxe3 Qxe7 is equal. ]
16...Nxd1 17.Bc7
[ Black's position looks reasonable
after 17.Rexd1!? Rexd8 18.Ng5 Bd7
19.a4 h6 20.Nf3 Be6 . ]
17...Nxb2 18.Reb1 Ra7
[ This is better than 18...Rec8
19.Bxd6 Nxd3 ( or 19...Rd8 20.Bxc5
Nxd3 21.Bb6 Rd7 22.a4 with some
advantage for White ) 20.Bxd3 Rd8
21.a4 , which left White on top in L.
Ljubojevic-M.Tal, Reykjavik 1987. ]
19.Bxd6 Rd7 20.Bxc5
[ Black is fine after 20.Nxe5 Nxe5
21.Bxe5 Nxd3 22.Bg3 Bc4 23.f3 f6
.]
20...Nxd3 21.Be3 Nf4 22.Bxf4 exf4
23.a4 Bc4 24.axb5 axb5 25.Ra6 Rc8
This endgame is equal.
C90
The Steinitz Variation
C: 13 a3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3
8.Bb5 a6 9.Ba4 b5 10.Bc2 c5
11.Nbd2 Nc6 12.Nf1 Re8 13.a3
This unpretentious move, preparing b2-
b4, is more dangerous than it looks and
Black must be careful.
13...h6 Black continues in the same
manner that we've seen in previous
lines.
14.b4
[ An important alternative is 14.Ne3
Be6 15.h3 Bf8 16.Bd2 ( if 16.d4
, then exd4 17.cxd4 d5! 18.e5 Ne4
is slightly better for Black – Lalic )
16...g6 ( the most flexible move; I
agree with Lalic that White has an
edge after both 16...d5?! 17.exd5
Nxd5 18.Ng4 f6 when the b1-h7
diagonal is weak,; and 16...Qd7?!
17.c4! intending Nd5 ) 17.b4 Bg7
18.Bb3 c4! , as played in V.Bologan-
B.Lalic, Linz 1995. Lalic assesses
this position as unclear in 'Chess
Informant' and I will add that Black
has good counterplay. The game
continued 19.dxc4 Nxe4 20.cxb5
axb5 21.a4! bxa4 22.Rxa4?
( 22.Bxe6 Rxe6 23.Rxa4 Rxa4
24.Qxa4 d5 is equal – Lalic )
83
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
22...Rxa4 23.Bxa4 Qb6! and Black
was fine. ]
14...Be6 This seems to be Black's
trademark set-up in this chapter.
15.Ng3 d5 This shows good timing:
Black plays the ...d6-d5 advance only
now, when White can no longer gain a
tempo attacking the queen with Ne3.
16.exd5 Qxd5 17.Be3 Rac8 18.Nd2
Nb8!? Black has successfully defended
all the important squares, and this
guarantees him good play.
19.Nge4 Nbd7 20.Bb3 Qxd3 21.Bxe6
fxe6 22.Qf3 cxb4 23.axb4 Nxe4
24.Nxe4 Nf6 25.Nxf6+ Bxf6 26.Rxa6
Qxc3 27.Rb1 We have been following
the game A.Shirov-L.Aronian, World
Championship Candidates, Elista 2007.
Black is slightly better in this position,
but Aronian agreed a draw to ensure
that he won the match.
C90 18.exd5 Nxd5 19.Nxd5 Qxd5 20.Ng4
The Steinitz Variation
A2: 14 a4
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.d3 d6 9.c3 Na5 10.Bc2 c5
11.Nbd2 Nc6 12.Nf1 Re8 13.h3
[ White can also introduce a2-a4
elsewhere, for example with 13.Ne3
Bf8 14.a4 . Just like here, I think that [Milos Pavlovic]
Rb8 is the best way to respond. ]
13...h6 14.a4 Rb8
[ 14...Be6 is certainly not bad either.
For example, 15.Ne3 Bf8 16.d4
exd4 17.cxd4 d5! 18.axb5 axb5
19.Rxa8 Qxa8 20.exd5 Nxd5
21.dxc5 Ndb4 22.Be4 Bxc5 23.Bd2
Qa7 with a good position for Black, L.
Fressinet-V.Tkachiev, French Ch.,
Besancon 2007. ]
15.Ne3
[ An important alternative is 15.axb5
axb5 16.d4 Bf8 (Black refrains from
opening the position, although that
would have also been a reasonable
idea) 17.d5 Ne7 18.b4 Ng6 19.Ng3
Qc7 20.Be3 reaching a typical Ruy
Lopez position in which both sides
have chances. Nf4 ( a better try for
Black would have been 20...Bd7
with the idea of contesting the a-file,
and here 21.bxc5 dxc5 22.Qd2 Ra8
reaches a complicated position;
however, White must be careful to
avoid 23.Nf5 Rxa1 24.Rxa1 Bxf5
25.exf5 Nf4 26.Bxf4 exf4
, which is rather better for Black )
21.Qd2 Nd7 22.bxc5 dxc5 23.Nf5
left White with the initiative in M.
Leon Hoyos-A.Onischuk, Buenos
Aires 2005, although Black eventually
won the game. ]
15...Bf8 16.Nh2 d5 17.axb5 axb5
Qd6 21.Qf3 f5 22.Ne3 Ne7 23.Ra7
g6 24.Bd2 Be6 25.Rea1 Rb6
Black position looks very solid, A.
Kovalev-L.Psakhis, Moscow Olympiad
1994.
C89
The Tricky 12 g3
Introduction
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.g3 --
[ What's the Idea behind 12 g3?
The first and rather obvious point to
mention is that 12 g3 prevents Black's
queen sortie to h4. However, there's
more to 12 g3 than this. Its trickery
84
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
reveals itself should Black wish to
reach previously covered lines with ...
Qd7 intending ...Qh3. Since White
has not yet committed his d-pawn, he
can hope to transpose to a favourable
d2-d3 line. For example after the
usual 12...Bd6 13.Re1 , if play
continues Qd7 14.d3 Qh3 15.Re4
we have transposed to Line B of the
previous chapter, and significantly
Black has been denied the
opportunity to reach the variation 12
d3 Bd6 13 Re1 Bf5. ]
[ In view of this move order subtlety, I
believe Black's most accurate
responses after 12...Bd6 13.Re1
to be 13...Re8 and 13...Bf5.
A) With 13...Re8 Black intends to
exchange a pair of rooks and then
transfer his remaining rook from a8
to e7 via the a7-square. Again we
should note the use of the seventh
rank!;
B) With 13...Bf5 Black's idea is to
play ...Qd7 followed by ...Rae8,
and then to continue in the normal
manner. After 14.d4 Qd7 15.Be3
Rae8 16.Nd2 Bg4 White has a
major decision to make over where
to put his queen. 17.--
( There are two options: 17 Qc2
and 17 Qb1. They can transpose to
each other if Black plays 17...Bf5
and White replies with 18 Qc1.
However, after 17.Qb1 White has
the additional option of meeting Bf5
with 18.Bc2 (see Line B),; while on
17.Qc2 I have investigated a new
idea: Nxe3 followed by the central
advance ...c6-c5 (this is covered in
Line A). );
C) 13...-- ]
C89
The Tricky 12 g3
B: 17 Qb1
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.g3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5
14.d4 Qd7 15.Be3 Rae8 16.Nd2 Bg4
17.Qb1 We've reached another
important crossroads, with Black having
more than one option here.
17...Bf5 This has been Black's most
common choice, but the position of
White's queen on b1 rather than c2
opens up further possibilities:
[ a) 17...f5!? and now:
A) 18.f4 Rf7 19.Bxd5 cxd5
20.Qd3 Rfe7 21.Nb3 Bf3 22.Nc5
Qc6 23.Bf2 Be4 with good play for
Black.;
B) 18.Qd3 f4 19.Bxd5+ cxd5
20.Bxf4 Bxf4 21.gxf4 Rxf4
22.Rxe8+ Qxe8 23.Qe3 Qf8
24.Re1 h6 25.h3 Bh5 26.Qe6+
( or 26.Nf1 Bg6 27.Ng3 Kh7
with compensation ) 26...Kh7
27.Qxd5 Rxf2 28.Rf1 Rxf1+
29.Nxf1 Bg6 30.Qg2 b4
reaches a highly interesting
position. I don't think that Black is
worse here despite being a pawn
down.;
C) 18.f3 f4 19.fxg4 fxe3 20.Ne4
Kh8 21.Nxd6 Qxd6 22.Bxd5 cxd5
and Black is fine.;
D) 18.-- ]
[ b) 17...Re7 is another promising try
for Black. J.Friedel-L.Milman, US
League 2007, continued 18.Ne4 Rfe8
19.Nxd6 Qxd6 20.Qd3 Qf6 21.Bc2
g6 22.Qd2 Bh3 23.Bd3 Qf3 24.Bf1
Bxf1 25.Rxf1 h5 and Black had a
healthy position. ]
85
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
Returning to the position after 17...Bf5:
18.Bc2? This is used to be considered
the main line until the following mating
idea was discovered.
[ White should play 18.Qc1
here, transposing to a position
covered in Line A under the move
order 17 Qc2 Bf5 18 Qc1. ]
18...Bxc2 19.Qxc2 f5 20.c4 bxc4
21.Nxc4 f4 22.Bd2 f3! This move was
underestimated until Gustafson
launched a successful checkmating
attack against Naiditsch at the 2007
European Championship in Dresden.
This is the game we are now following:
23.Qd3 Planning to answer 23...Qh3
with 24 Qf1, but...
23...Re2!! 24.Rxe2 Qh3 25.Ne3
[ 25.Qxf3 Rxf3 26.Nxd6 would have
been more resilient, but after Nf6!
threatening ...Ng4 Black would still
have a clear advantage. ]
25...Rf4!! A really nice move: White
cannot prevent ...Rh4 followed by mate,
and so in this position Naiditsch
resigned. Black has two pieces hanging,
but neither capture saves White.
C89
The Tricky 12 g3
A: 17 Qc2
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.g3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5
14.d4 Qd7 15.Be3 Rae8 16.Nd2 Bg4
17.Qc2 Nxe3 This immediate capture is
a new idea, and it's probably just as
good as the usual moves played in this
position.
[ 17...Re7 looks like a reasonable
alternative. This is similar to the 17
Qb1 Re7 variation discussed in Line
B (see the Friedel-Milman game).
With the queen being on c2 rather
than d1, it's a slightly more
favourable version for White, but
probably this difference isn't
significant. Black has enough play for
the pawn after either 18.Ne4
( or instead 18.Bg5!? Rxe1+
19.Rxe1 h6 20.Be3 Re8 ) 18...Rfe8
19.Nxd6 Qxd6 20.Bd2 Qf6 21.Rxe7
Rxe7 22.Qd3 Be2 23.Qb1 Qf3 . ]
[ 17...Bf5 18.Qc1 is the main line
after 17 Qc2, and in this position
Black has quite a few possibilities
that need to be considered:
A) 18...Re6 19.Nf3 Bg4 20.Ng5
( surely 20.Nh4!? , along the same
lines as Leko-Anand and Anand-
Svidler below, is stronger, and
here Rfe8 21.Qd2 leads to
interesting play ) 20...Rg6
was A.Shabalov-L.Aronian, Calvia
Olympiad 2004.
A1) In the game Shabalov
played 21.f3 , but he was soon
facing a strong attack after Bxf3!
22.Nxf3 Bxg3 23.hxg3 Rxg3+
24.Kf2 Qh3 .;
A2) White can play more
carefully, but Black is still very
active. For example: 21.Bd2 f5
22.Bf4 ( 22.f3 f4 23.fxg4
Rxg5 ) 22...h6 23.Bxd6 Qxd6 ;;
A3) or 21.Ne4 Bf3 22.Nd2 Bh5
23.a4 ( 23.c4 Qh3! ) 23...f5
24.axb5 axb5 25.c4 bxc4
26.Nxc4 f4 27.Nxd6 Qxd6
28.Bxf4 Qxf4 29.Qxf4 Rxf4
30.Re5 Bf3 31.Bc2 Rxd4
32.Bxg6 hxg6 . In both cases
Black is doing well.;
A4) 21.--;
B) 18...h5 19.Nf3 Bg4 20.Nh4
Re6 21.Bd1 ( but I think 21.Qd2!
86
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
would give White an edge ) 21...f5
was good for Black in P.Leko-V.
Anand, Cap d'Agde 2003.;
C) 18...Re7 (probably best) 19.Nf3
Bg4 20.Nh4 Rfe8 21.Qd2 h6
22.Qd3 g6 23.Bd1 Bh3 24.Bf3
g5 25.Ng2 Bf5 26.Qd1 Nf6 27.a4
Ne4 and Black has enough play for
the pawn, V.Anand-P.Svidler,
World Championship, Mexico City
2007.;
D) 18...-- ]
18.fxe3
[ 18.Rxe3 Rxe3 19.fxe3 c5
gives Black similar compensation. ]
18...c5 Black threatens to play 19...c4
trapping the bishop, and also puts
pressure on White's centre.
19.a4
[ 19.Qc1 h5 20.Bd1 cxd4 21.Bxg4
Qxg4 22.exd4 h4 23.Rxe8 Rxe8
24.Qd1 Qg6 is winning for Black. ]
19...Bf5! 20.e4 Bg6 21.axb5 axb5
22.dxc5 Bxc5+ 23.Kg2 Re7
Black is fine here, with his bishop pair
flourishing happily in an open position.
C89 14.d4 Qd7 15.Be3 Rae8 16.Nd2 Bg4
The Tricky 12 g3
Theory
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6 12.g3
[ Note that 12.Re1 is a common move
order, and after Bd6
White transposes to one of the main
lines: 13.d4 (Chapters 1-2), ( 13.d3
(Chapter Five); or 13.g3
(this chapter). )]
12...Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5!
[ 13...Re8!? is an interesting
alternative which has been played
recently by Aronian. Here are two
examples, both of which are
encouraging from Black's point of
view. 14.-- ( 14.d4 Rxe1+ 15.Qxe1
Ra7 16.Be3 Re7 17.Nd2 Qe8
18.Nf1 h5 19.a4 Be6 20.Bd1 h4
gave Black good compensation in V.
Anand-L.Aronian, Morelia/Linares
2008, and Aronian went on to win in
some style: 21.axb5 axb5 22.Bf3
Bh3 23.Bxd5 cxd5 24.Qd1 f5
25.Bg5 Re4 26.Bxh4 Qg6 27.Bd8
f4 28.Qd3 Qh5 29.Nd2 Re2 30.Nf3
Re3 31.fxe3 Qxf3 32.Qc2 fxg3
33.hxg3 Qxg3+ 34.Kh1 Bf5
and, facing a forced checkmate,
Anand resigned.; 14.Rxe8+ Qxe8
15.d4 Ra7 16.Nd2 Re7 17.Nf3 f6
18.Kg2 Bg4 19.h3 Bh5 20.Bd2 Re2
21.g4 Bxg4 22.hxg4 Qe4 23.Qh1
Rxd2 24.Re1 Qxg4+ 25.Kf1 Rxb2
26.Bxd5+ cxd5 27.Ne5 Bxe5
28.Qxd5+ Kf8 29.dxe5 Qh3+
30.Kg1 Qg4+ 31.Kf1 Qh3+
and ½-½, Z.Almasi-D.Jakovenko,
FIDE World Cup, Khanty Mansiysk
2007. )]
We've reached a critical position, where
White has a choice of two queen moves:
A: 17 Qc2
B: 17 Qb1
C86
The Worrall Attack
Introduction
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Qe2 It's worth
pointing out one thing straight away. By
playing an early Qe2 it is already clear
that White will try to keep the centre
87
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
closed, primarily because opening the
position could prove to be risky as the
queen may become a little exposed on
the e-file.
White can also play Qe2 on move five: 1
e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5
Qe2, which prevents the Open Variation
(5 0-0 Nxe4) but gives Black options
with ...Bc5. For our purposes it makes
no difference whether White commits
his queen on move five or six, because
I consider ...Be7 to be a completely
acceptable way to play against Qe2
systems.
Returning to 6 Qe2, after the typical
sequence 6...b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d6
White has three main options: 9 h3, 9
Rd1 and 9 d4. 9.--
[ The immediate 9.d4 offers Black the
chance to play Bg4 , an opportunity
he should take. 9 h3 and 9 Rd1 both
prepare d2-d4 followed by d4-d5
closing the centre. ]
[ White Attacks with 9 h3:
9.h3 Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 Qc7
12.d5 . In this line White hasn't spent
time supporting the d2-d4 advance
with Rd1, as his rook is required
elsewhere. His main idea is to expand
on the kingside with moves such as
g2-g4 and Rf1-g1, followed by shifting
the b1-knight to g3 via d2 and f1.
It's worth pointing out that this plan
closely resembles one White uses in
a Czech Benoni variation: 1 d4 Nf6 2
c4 c5 3 d5 e5 4 Nc3 d6 5 e4 Be7 6 h3
0-0 7 Nf3 Nbd7 8 g4. Although of
course there are some differences
between the positions, the actual
plans for White are very similar.
This is a very interesting set-up for
White, and Black must handle the
position carefully. There are various
ways that Black can deal with it, and
these will be considered in Line A of
the theory section. ]
[ White Plays 9 Rd1:
Another idea which has become very
popular is to play 9.Rd1 , putting
pressure down the d-file, followed by
closing the position with d2-d4-d5.
There are some similarities to 9 h3,
but White doesn't play so obviously
for g2-g4. White's plan here is more
fluid, as he aims to play on both sides
of the board. He will often play b2-b3,
restricting Black's knight on a5 and
perhaps intending some expansion on
the queenside. One of the most
important differences between these
two Worrall lines is that by playing an
early Rf1-d1 White vacates the
f1-square for the queen's knight.
Let's continue with the story:
Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 Qc7 12.d5
( White cannot maintain the central
tension any longer: 12.Nbd2?
drops a pawn to cxd4! , as the bishop
on c2 would be left undefended if
White recaptures. ) In this position I'm
recommending 12...Bd7 . If White
restricts the a5-knight with b2-b3,
Black must decide whether to play on
the kingside or the queenside.
Essentially his task is to slowly
manoeuvre his pieces in a
constructive manner. In some lines he
can redeploy his knights to more
effective posts, Akiba Rubinstein-style,
even to something like ...g6, ...Nf6-e8-
g7, ...f6 and ...Na5-b7-d8-f7. Here
Black has reorganized his pieces
effectively and is ready to begin
kingside action with ...f6-f5. Of
course this regrouping is only one of
several possibilities, and other ideas
are covered in Line B of the theory
section.
The Worrall Attack has never really
caught on at the highest level, but it
88
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
is played occasionally by
grandmasters such as Nigel Short,
Sergei Tiviakov and Slavoljub
Marjanovic. Overall White's plans are
a bit too obvious, and it is not
necessarily apparent that placing the
queen on e2 and the rook on d1 is
better than what White normally does
in the main lines. Nevertheless it's
an interesting line and one in which
White employs typical Lopez ideas. ]
C86
The Worrall Attack
B: 9 Rd1
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Qe2 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d6 9.Rd1 Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4
Qc7 12.d5 Bd7 13.Nbd2
[ The main alternative is 13.b3 g6
14.Bh6 Rfe8 ( 14...Rfb8 15.Nbd2
Ng4 16.Bg5 f6 17.Bh4 Nb7 18.h3
Nh6 19.Nf1 Nd8 20.Ne3 Ndf7
reaches a position rich in possibilities,
with both White and Black able to play
on either side of the board ) 15.Nbd2
Nh5 ( 15...Ng4 is also possible )
16.Nf1 Bf6 and now:
A) 17.Qd2 Bg4 18.Qe3 Bg7
19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.h3 Bd7 21.Ng3
Nf4 22.Ne2 Nxe2+ 23.Qxe2 Nb7
24.Nd2 b4 ( however, in my
opinion 24...Nd8 is a stronger
move, and Black would be fine
after 25.Bd3 f6 26.Qf1 Nf7 27.a4 to occupy the f4-square:
Qb6 28.a5 Qd8 ) 25.Bd3 bxc3
26.Nc4 Bb5 27.Na3 gave White a
slight edge due to his better knight
in H.Stevic-D.Blagojevic, Zadar
2003.;
B) 17.g3 Bg7 18.Bxg7 Kxg7
19.Ne3 Nf6 20.Nh4 Nb7 21.Rf1
c4! 22.bxc4 ( or 22.b4 a5 23.a3
Ra7 24.f4 axb4 25.fxe5 dxe5
26.Qf2 Ra6 27.axb4 Rea8
28.Rxa6 Rxa6 with promising play
for Black ) 22...Nc5 23.f3 Rab8
24.Rfb1 bxc4 and if White takes
on c4 Black will have compensation
for the pawn.;
C) 17.-- ]
13...Nh5 Black has some more options
here:
[ a) After 13...Ne8 14.Nf1 g6 15.h3
Ng7 16.N3h2 Nb7 17.g4 Nd8 18.f4
exf4 19.Bxf4 f6 20.h4 Nf7 21.h5
White enjoys a long-term initiative
but Black is not without chances, S.
Del Rio Angelis-J.Fernandez Garcia,
Spanish Ch., Ayamonte 2002. ]
[ b) 13...g6 14.Nf1 Nc4 15.b3 Nb6
16.Bh6 Rfb8 ( also possible is
16...Rfc8 17.a4 a5 , but I prefer the
text )
A) 17.Ne3 Ng4 18.Nxg4 Bxg4
19.h3 Bxf3 20.Qxf3 Qd8 21.Qg3
Nd7 and Black is at least equal.;
B) 17.a4 a5! 18.c4 ( or 18.axb5
c4 19.bxc4 Nxc4 20.Bd3 Bxb5
21.Rdb1 Ba6 22.h3 Rxb1
23.Rxb1 Na3! 24.Rb3 Bxd3
25.Qxd3 Nc4 with good
prospects ) 18...bxa4 19.bxa4 Qd8
and Black has a healthy position, ...
Qe8 coming next.;
C) 17.-- and now: ]
14.Nf1 g6 15.Bh6 This is an important
moment. Instead of playing 15...Ng7 or
15...Re8, Black exploits the opportunity
15...Nf4 16.Qe1
[ Black is better after 16.Bxf4 exf4
17.e5 dxe5 18.Nxe5 Bc8 19.Nd2
Bb7 20.Ndf3 Rae8 21.Ng4 Kg7
22.Qe5+ Qxe5 23.Ngxe5 Rd8 24.a4
b4 25.cxb4 cxb4 26.Be4 f5 27.Bd3
Nb3 28.Rab1 Rxd5 . ]
89
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
16...Rfe8 17.b3 Bg4 18.Qe3 Bf8
19.Bxf4 Bxf3 20.Qxf3 exf4 21.Qxf4
Bg7 Black has a good position, and a
very strong dark-squared bishop.
C86
The Worrall Attack
C: 9 d4
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Qe2 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d6 9.d4 Bg4 10.Rd1 Qc8
[ This is a decent alternative to the
more common 10...exd4 11.cxd4 d5
.]
11.h3
[ After 11.Be3 Na5 12.Bc2 Nc4
13.Bc1 Black can strike in the centre
with d5! . For example:
A) 14.Nbd2 Nxd2 15.Bxd2 dxe4
16.Bxe4 Nxe4 17.Qxe4 Bxf3
18.gxf3 f6 19.Be3 Bd6
with promising play.;
B) 14.exd5 e4! 15.Bxe4 Bd6
16.Bd3 Re8 17.Qf1 ( 17.Qc2
allows Bxf3 18.gxf3 Qh3
winning on the spot ) 17...Bxf3
18.gxf3 Nxd5 19.b3 ( if 19.Nd2
there follows Nce3! 20.fxe3 Nxe3
21.Qe2 Nxd1 22.Qxd1 Qh3
23.Nf1 Bxh2+ 24.Nxh2 Qg3+
25.Kf1 Qxh2 and Black has at
least a draw ) 19...Na5 20.c4
( 20.Be4 Rxe4 21.fxe4 Qg4+
22.Kh1 Qf3+ is perpetual check )
20...Nb4 21.c5 Nxd3 22.Rxd3 Bf8 25.Nbd2 Nf4 26.Qe3 Rab8 27.Ra1
23.Nc3 Qf5 24.Ne4 Nc6 25.Bd2
Rad8 26.Bc3 Re6 with continuing
compensation for Black.;
C) 14.-- ]
11...Bh5 12.d5
[ A popular alternative for White is
12.a4 . Black replies with b4
leaving White with a choice of moves:
A) 13.d5 Na5 14.Bc2 c6 15.cxb4
cxd5 16.bxa5 dxe4 17.Bxe4 d5
18.Nc3 ( Black gains a strong
initiative in the event of 18.Bd3 e4
19.Nc3 exf3 20.Qxe7 fxg2
21.Kxg2 Re8 22.Qb4 d4 )
18...dxe4 19.Nxe4 Nxe4 20.Qxe4
f6 21.Bd2 Rb8 22.Bc3 Qe6
23.Qe3 Rfc8 when Black's
powerful centre and bishop pair
provide excellent compensation for
the pawn.;
B) 13.a5 bxc3 14.bxc3 Rb8
15.Bc4 ( 15.Bc2 exd4 16.cxd4
Nb4 17.Ba4 d5 18.Nc3 dxe4
19.Nxe4 Nxe4 20.Qxe4 Bd6
21.Bd2 Qe6 22.Qxe6 fxe6
23.Bd7 Rf6 24.Rab1 Bxf3 25.gxf3
Kf7 26.Kg2 Rg6+ 27.Kf1 Rf6
reaches a level endgame )
15...exd4 16.cxd4 Rb4 17.Kh2
Nxe4 18.Bxa6 Qa8 19.Bc4 Rxb1
20.Rxb1 Nc3 21.Qc2 Nxb1
22.Qxb1 Bxf3 23.gxf3 Nxa5
and Black had an advantage in L.
Guliev-I.Zaitsev, Moscow 1996.;
C) 13.-- ]
12...Na5 13.Bc2 c6 14.dxc6 Qxc6
15.Bg5 Nc4 16.b3 Nb6 17.Bd3 Nbd7
We have been following the game A.
Kunte-R.Kasimdzhanov, Macau 1996.
Black has no problems here, and
Kasimdzhanov proceeded to take the
initiative after 18.a4 bxa4 19.Rxa4
Nc5 20.Rc4 Qb7 21.Rb4 Qc7
22.Bxf6 Bxf6 23.Bc4 a5 24.Rb5 Ne6
Rxb5 28.Bxb5 d5 , eventually winning
the game.
90
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
C86
The Worrall Attack
Theory
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0
[ 5.Qe2 b5 6.Bb3 Be7 7.c3 0-0
8.0-0 would transpose to the main
text. ]
5...Be7 6.Qe2 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d6
[ I'm focusing on positions after 8....d6,
which is my recommendation for this
book, but I will mention here that
Black can also choose 8...d5
, which resembles the Marshall.
Usually White declines by playing
9.d3 , leading to complex positions,
( with good reason since after 9.exd5
the move e4! is promising. )]
9.-- Returning to 8...d6, White has three
main options:
A: 9 h3
B: 9 Rd1
C: 9 d4
C86
The Worrall Attack
A: 9 h3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Qe2 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d6 9.h3 Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4
Qc7 12.d5 Bd7 13.Kh1 White has no
immediate N(b1)-d2-f1 manoeuvre at
his disposal yet, so with this king move
he tries to regroup with Rg1 and g2-g4,
possibly followed by the knight journey
to g3.
Here are two alternative lines:
[ a) 13.Nh2 c4 14.g4 Nb7 15.f4
exf4 16.Bxf4 Nc5 17.Nd2 Kh8
18.Rae1 Rae8 19.Qg2 Qb6 20.Kh1
Bc8 21.Nhf3 Nfd7 22.Qg3 f6
with interesting play, A.Ostrauskas-M.
Tal, Vilnius 1955. I like this example
as it illustrates so many ideas for
both sides. ]
[ b) 13.Nbd2 c4 14.Rd1 ( here
14.Kh1 can transpose to the 13 Kh1
Nb7 line discussed below ) 14...Nb7
15.Nf1 Nc5 16.b4 cxb3 17.axb3 a5
18.Bd2 a4! 19.b4 Nb3 20.Ra3 Rfc8
21.Bd3 Rab8 22.Ng3 Nxd2
(Black should have taken this bishop
even earlier) 23.Nxd2 g6 24.Nb1
Qb6 25.Ra2 was B.Predojevic-B.
Lengyel, Budapest 2002. In this
position Black is fine after h5!
intending ...h5-h4 followed by ...Nh5
and possibly ...Bg5. ]
Returning to 13 Kh1:
13...b4!? This is a completely new idea.
Black exploits a tactical possibility that
prevents White from closing the position
with 14 c4, which fails due to 14...Nxc4
followed by ...Bb5 skewering the queen
and rook.
There are several other reasonable
moves for Black in this position:
[ a) 13...Nc4 14.Rg1 Nb6 15.g4 Ne8
16.Nbd2 g6 17.Nf1 f6 18.Bh6 Rf7
19.N3d2 Bf8 20.Qe3 Ra7 21.Rg2
Bc8 22.Bxf8 Rxf8 23.Qh6 Rf7
24.Ne3 Qe7 25.Rag1 Qf8 26.Qh4
Ng7 27.Bd1 Kh8 28.Qg3
½-½, S.Marjanovic-S.Gligoric,
Yugoslav Championship 1984. ]
[ b) 13...c4 14.b4 cxb3 15.axb3 Nb7
16.b4 a5 17.Bd3 with some
advantage to White because of the
weak b5-pawn and the poorly placed
knight on b7. ]
[ c) 13...Kh8!? 14.Rg1 Ng8 15.g4
Nc4 16.b3 Nb6 17.Nbd2 Bd8
18.Nf1 Ne7 19.Ng3 Ng6 20.Nf5 c4
21.b4 ( 21.Be3 Nf4 ) 21...a5 22.a3
axb4 23.cxb4 Nf4 24.Bxf4 exf4
91
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
25.N5d4 Bf6 with a complicated
position. ]
[ d) 13...Nb7 planning ...c5-c4
followed by ...Nc5 is a logical way to
gain counterplay:
A) 14.Rg1 c4 15.g4 Nc5
16.Nbd2 Rfb8 17.Nf1 b4 and now
18.Bd2 ( or 18.Ng3 bxc3 19.bxc3
Qa5 20.g5 Ne8 21.Bd2 Rb2 )
18...b3 19.axb3 cxb3 20.Bb1 Na4
, with active play for Black in both
cases.;
B) 14.b3 c4 15.b4 ( 15.bxc4 Nc5
16.Nbd2 bxc4 17.Ba3 Rfc8
18.Rfc1 g6 is unclear ) 15...a5
16.a4 bxa4 17.Na3 Rfc8 18.Be3
Nh5 19.Nd2 ( Black gains the
advantage after 19.Nxe5 dxe5
20.Qxh5 axb4 21.cxb4 Bxb4 )
19...Nf4 20.Qf3 axb4 21.cxb4 c3
22.Ndc4 Bb5 23.Nxb5 Qxc4
24.Na3 Qe2 .;
C) 14.-- ]
14.b3
[ There are several other moves that
White can play here, but it looks like
Black can achieve a favourable
position against anything White tries.
For example: 14.Nbd2 bxc3 15.bxc3
Nh5 16.c4 Nf4 17.Qe3 Rab8 18.a3
Rb7 19.Re1 Rfb8 20.Qc3 Bd8
21.Ra2 Qc8 22.Ng1 h5 23.Ne2
Nxe2 24.Rxe2 Qc7 ; ]
[ or 14.cxb4 cxb4 15.Bd3 Rfc8
16.Bg5 Nb7 17.Nbd2 Nc5 18.Rfc1
Qb7 19.Nc4 Bb5 20.Bxf6 Nxd3
21.Qxd3 Bxf6 22.Nxd6 Rxc1+
23.Rxc1 Bxd3 24.Nxb7 Bxe4 ; ]
[ or finally 14.Rg1 Bb5 15.Qe1 Rab8
16.b3 c4 17.cxb4 cxb3 18.Bxb3
Nxb3 19.axb3 Bd3 20.Nbd2 Rxb4
21.Ba3 Rxe4 22.Nxe4 Bxe4
. In all of these lines Black is doing
well. ]
14...bxc3 15.Nxc3 c4 16.Bd2
[ 16.b4 is met by Nb3! (a nice tactical
idea) 17.axb3 cxb3 18.Bd3 Qxc3
19.Bd2 Qc8 20.Rfb1 Bb5
and Black has enough counterplay. ]
16...Rab8 . After 17.Rab1 cxb3
18.axb3 Rb7 19.Rfc1 Qb8 20.Qd1
Rc8 21.Ne2 Bd8 22.Ng3 g6
it's fairly balanced. In fact, it's
difficult for either side to improve his
position.
C84
White Plays 6 Nc3
A: 9 h3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Nc3 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.d3 d6 9.h3 Ruling out any ...Bg4/...
Nd4 ideas.
9...Na5! Of course! Black always gets rid
of White's light-squared bishop
whenever possible.
10.Ne2 c5 Here I'm recommending a
plan for Black which was used by two
special players from the past, both of
whom showed deep understanding of
how to manoeuvre Black's pieces.
11.c3
[ Or 11.Bd2 Nxb3 12.axb3 Qc7
13.c4 Rb8 14.Bc3 Ne8! 15.Ng3 g6
16.Kh1 Ng7 17.Qe2 Ne6
and with ....f7-f5 on the horizon this is
a very good position for Black, V.
Kulomzin-M.Chigorin, Kiev 1903. ]
11...Nxb3 12.axb3 Qc7 13.c4 Rb8
14.Ng3 Ne8 15.Qe2 g6 16.Bh6 Ng7
17.Nh2 bxc4 18.bxc4 Qb7 19.Rfb1
Bh4 20.Nhf1 f5 21.Nh1 Rf7 22.Bxg7
Kxg7 23.f3 f4 24.Nf2 Bd8 25.Nd1 g5
Excellent play by Black. This looks like
a typical Kings Indian-style attack,
played in a modern way but a long time
ago! Black is already doing very well
92
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
here, and after the further moves
26.Nc3 h5 27.Nd5 a5 28.Nd2 Qd7
29.b3 Qe6 30.Kh2 Kf8 31.Rg1 g4
White was facing a fierce attack in A.
Tietjen-R.Teichmann, London 1900.
C84
White Plays 6 Nc3
Theory
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0
[ 5.Nc3 b5 6.Bb3 Be7 will more or
less certainly transpose to the main
lines. White will have to castle at
some stage, for example here or
after 7.d3 0-0 . ]
5...Be7 6.Nc3 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.d3 d6
Here we will look at White's three main
options:
A: 9 h3
B: 9 Nd5
C: 9 a4
C84 Vienna 1922. This is a sharp position,
White Plays 6 Nc3
B: 9 Nd5
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Nc3 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.d3 d6 9.Nd5 Na5! Again this is the
move to play.
10.Nxe7+
[ After 10.h3 Nxb3 11.Nxe7+ Qxe7
12.axb3 Bb7 13.Re1 Nd7 14.d4 f5
Black had a promising position in D.
Janosevic-H.Messing, Cateske
Toplice 1968. Once White's light-
squared bishop is off the board, ...f7-
f5 becomes an attractive pawn
break. ]
10...Qxe7 11.Bg5
[ Or 11.Qe2 Nxb3 12.axb3 Ne8
( 12...c5 13.Bd2 Nd7 14.b4
was agreed drawn in N.Short-Peng
Xiaomin, Beijing 2000, although of
course there is still plenty of play left
in the final position ) 13.Ne1 f5
14.exf5 Rxf5 15.f4 Bb7 16.fxe5
Rxe5 17.Qf2 Nf6 with an excellent
position for Black, G.Thomas-M.
Sultan Khan, London 1932. Once
again we see the ...f7-f5 break in
action. ]
11...Nxb3
[ Black equalized easily in B.Spassky-
A.Beliavsky, Tilburg 1981, after
11...h6 12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.Nd2 Bd7
14.f3 Nxb3 15.axb3 a5 16.Qe2 a4
17.bxa4 bxa4 18.b3 axb3 19.Nxb3
Ba4 . ]
12.axb3 c5 13.c4 Rb8 14.Qc1 Qe6
15.Ne1 h6 16.Bxf6 Qxf6 17.Nc2 Qg6
18.Ne3 f5 19.Nd5 Rf7 20.f3 Kh7
21.Rf2 f4 22.b4 cxb4 23.Nxb4 bxc4
24.Qxc4 Be6 25.Qc3 Rc8 26.Qd2
Bb3 27.Rxa6 Rfc7 We have been
following the game E.Bogoljubow-I.Kِnig,
with Black's piece activity
counterbalancing his pawn deficit.
C84
White Plays 6 Nc3
C: 9 a4
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Nc3 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
8.d3 d6 9.a4 This move ensures that
White retains his light-squared bishop,
as the a2-square is available in the
event of ...Na5.
9...b4 10.Nd5 Rb8
[ 10...Na5!? is an interesting
93
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic

alternative. In S.Kalygin-A.Potapov, C84

Alushta 2005, White grabbed the b-
pawn, but after 11.Nxb4 Rb8 12.Bd2
c5 13.Nd5 Nxb3 14.Nxf6+ Bxf6
15.cxb3 Be6 16.Ra3 Qb6
Black regained the pawn and reached
a favourable position. ]
11.Ba2 Alternatively:
[ a) 11.c3 bxc3 12.bxc3 Na5
13.Nxe7+ Qxe7 14.Bc2 Be6
( Black can equalize with 14...Bg4!
15.h3 Bxf3 16.Qxf3 Nb3 ) 15.Ba3
Nd7 16.Nd2 led to an unclear
position in E.Vasiukov-G.Ravinsky,
Moscow 1955. ]
[ b) 11.h3 Na5 12.Ba2 Nxd5
13.Bxd5 c6 14.Ba2 c5 15.Nh2 b3!
16.Bxb3 Nxb3 17.cxb3 Be6
and once again Black has a very
good position, P.Heu‫ن‬cker-I. Kِnig,
Vienna 1930. ]
11...Na5 12.d4 Nxd5 13.Bxd5 c6
14.Ba2 exd4 15.Nxd4 Bf6
Black's bishop is actively placed on f6,
and his position is okay. A.Morozevich-
G.Kaidanov, World Team Ch.,
Beersheva 2005, continued 16.Bf4 Be5
17.Qd2 c5 18.Nf3 Bxf4 19.Qxf4 Be6
20.Bd5 Bxd5 21.exd5 b3 22.c3 Qf6
23.Qe4 Rfe8 24.Qd3 c4 25.Qd1 Re4
26.Re1 Rbe8 27.Rxe4 Rxe4 28.Nd2
Re8 and Black was doing well.
C84 5...Be7 6.d4 exd4 Here we look at
White Plays 6 d4
B: 7 Re1
[Milos Pavlovic]
White Plays 6 d4
B1: 8 Bb3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.d4 exd4 7.Re1 b5
8.Bb3 d6 9.Bd5
[ Of course White must avoid
9.Nxd4?? Nxd4 10.Qxd4 c5!
followed by ...c5-c4 trapping the
bishop. ]
9...Nxd5 10.exd5 Ne5 11.Nxd4 0-0
In this position there's a final split:
B11: 12 Nc3
B12: 12 a4
White certainly should avoid 12.f4 Bg4!
13.Qd2 Nc4 : for example, 14.Qd3
Bh4 15.g3 Bf6 16.Nc3 Re8
and Black is very active, H.Georg-T.
Halasz, Dortmund 1991.
C84
White Plays 6 d4
Theory
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0
[ 5.d4 exd4 almost certainly
transposes to the main lines after
6.0-0 ( 6.e5 or Ne4 7.0-0 Be7 )
6...Be7 . ]
White's two main moves in turn:
A: 7 e5
B: 7 Re1

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4

Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.d4 exd4 7.Re1 b5
Here White has a choice of two moves:
B1: 8 Bb3
B2: 8 e5

94
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
C84
White Plays 6 d4
A: 7 e5
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.d4 exd4 7.e5 Ne4
8.Nxd4
[ I would also like to draw the reader's
attention to 8.b4?! , a move I
remember seeing a long time ago.
Probably the best way for Black to
respond is with 0-0 , intending to
meet 9 Qd3 or 9 Qe2 with 9...d5.
White can also protect the b4-pawn
by playing 9.a3 , but after b5 10.Bb3
d5 11.Nxd4 Nxd4 12.Qxd4 Bb7
Black will follow up with ...c7-c5 with
an excellent position. Indeed, two
convincing wins were scored by Black
from here: in I.Hausner-J.Plachetka,
Rimavska Sobota 1975, and more
recently, O.Van Veen-S.Atalik,
Hoogeveen 2005. ]
8...0-0 9.Nf5 d5 10.Bxc6
[ Black has no problems at all after
10.exd6 Bxf5 11.dxe7 Nxe7 . ]
10...bxc6 11.Nxe7+ Qxe7 12.Re1 Re8
13.f3 Nc5 14.b3 Alternatively:
[ a) 14.Be3 Bb7 ( I think that 14...Bf5
is even stronger; it prepares ...Ne6
and a later ...Rad8 followed by a
pawn push in the centre, and Black
can also consider ...h7-h5 ideas )
15.Nd2 Ne6 16.Nb3 Rad8 17.Na5
Ba8 18.Qe2 d4 19.Bd2 Qc5
20.Qc4 Qxc4 21.Nxc4 c5 22.b3
Bd5 was good for Black in S.
Beshukov-V.Tsarev, Moscow 1990. ]
[ b) 14.Bf4 f5 15.Nc3 Ne6 16.Bg3
Bb7 17.Qd3 Qf8 18.Rad1
and ½-½, D.Nygren-O.Kinnmark,
Swedish League 1998; Black is at
least equal in this final position. ]
14...Ne6 15.Qd2
[ 15.Bb2 a5 16.Nc3 Qg5 17.Bc1
Qg6 18.Qd3 Qh5 19.Na4 Ba6
20.Qd2 Qf5 21.Ba3 h5 22.Nc5 Nf4
23.Bb2 h4 gave Black strong
counterplay in S.Bibby-J.Hawksworth,
British Ch., Eastbourne 1990. ]
15...Qc5+ 16.Qf2
[ Or 16.Kh1 Qd4 17.c3 Qxd2
18.Nxd2 a5 19.Ba3 Ba6 20.g3 c5
21.f4 Bd3 22.Re3 c4 , again with a
good position for Black, I.Nataf-P.
Collange, Paris 1993. ]
16...Qd4 17.Qxd4
[ After 17.c3 Qxf2+ 18.Kxf2 Nc5
19.Re3 Rxe5! 20.Rxe5 Nd3+
21.Ke3 Nxe5 22.Kd4 Ng6 23.Nd2
Nf4 24.g3 Ne6+ Black was a clear
pawn up in S.Marjanovic-R.Fontaine,
Vrnjacka Banja 2005. ]
17...Nxd4 18.Na3 Bf5 19.Be3 Ne6
20.Rad1 h5! 21.Rd2 a5 22.Nb1 Rad8
23.Bf2 d4 24.Na3 c5 This is excellent
endgame play by Black. After 25.Nc4
a4 26.Bg3 Ra8 27.Rc1 Ra6!
he was more than fine in the game V.
Gashimov-V.Ivanchuk, European Ch.,
Antalya 2004, and following 28.c3?
Ivanchuk soon converted his advantage.
The remaining moves were 28...Rb8
29.cxd4 axb3 30.axb3 cxd4 31.Bf2
Rxb3 32.Bxd4 Rc6 33.Bb2 Bd3
34.Rxd3 Rxd3 35.Kf1 Rb3
and White resigned.
C84
White Plays 6 d4
B11: 12 Nc3
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.d4 exd4 7.Re1 b5
8.Bb3 d6 9.Bd5 Nxd5 10.exd5 Ne5
11.Nxd4 0-0 12.Nc3 Re8 13.a4
White has a few other options here:
95
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
[ a) 13.b3 Bd7 ( I like the idea of
13...Bf6! 14.Bb2 Bb7 ; I can't find
any games with this sequence, but I
do think in general that Black should
be looking to hit the d5-pawn when
possible – with the bishop, the queen
or even the knight – and this is why
I prefer 13...Bf6 to 13...Bd7 ) 14.Bb2
Bg5 15.Ne4 Bh6 16.Bc1 Bxc1
17.Rxc1 Qh4 18.Qd2 Ng6
was okay for Black in the game D.
Rodin-I.Ibragimov, Minsk 1997. ]
[ b) 13.Bf4 Bg4 14.Qc1 Bf8 15.b3
Qc8! 16.Qd2 Qb7 17.a3 Bd7
18.Nde2 a5 19.f3 b4 20.axb4 axb4
21.Ne4 Ng6 with good play for Black,
B.Thipsay-G.Flear, British Ch.,
Torquay 2002. ]
[ c) 13.Ne4 Bb7 14.Nf5 Qd7
15.Nxe7+ Rxe7 16.Bg5 Ree8 17.f4
Ng6 18.a4 f5 19.Ng3 Rxe1+
20.Qxe1 h6 and 0-1, A.Konstantinov-
D.Kaiumov, Alushta 2002, is another
of many wins for Black in this line. ]
13...b4 14.Ne4 Bb7 15.Nf5 Qd7
16.Nxe7+ Rxe7 17.Bg5 Ree8 18.f3 --
[ This was all played in J.Timman-B.
Spassky, Hilversum 1983. After
18...f5 19.Ng3 Qf7 20.Qd4 a5
21.Rad1 h6 22.Bf4 Ng6 23.Nh5!
Timman was having to play 'only
moves' just in order to stay in the
game, which was eventually was
drawn. ]
[ 18...Qf5 intending 19.Qd4 Bxd5!
may be even stronger than 18...f5,
and Black is simply better in this
position. ]
C84
White Plays 6 d4
B21: 9 Nxe5
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.d4 exd4 7.Re1 b5
8.e5 Nxe5 9.Nxe5 bxa4 10.Qxd4 0-0
In this position White can either capture
on a4 immediately or avoid losing time
and develop the rest of his pieces first.
11.a3
[ 11.Nc3 normally transposes to the
main text after Rb8 12.a3 , ]
[ although here Black has the extra
possibility of 11.Nc3 a3!?
so it makes sense for White to rule
out that option. ]
[ The most important alternative for
White is 11.Qxa4 Rb8 and now we
have the following:
A) Black gained a clear advantage
after 12.c4 Re8 13.Qc2 Bd6
14.Nf3 Bb7 15.Nbd2 Ng4 16.h3
Ne5 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 18.Kf1 Qf6
in F.Perez Perez-J.Donner,
Beverwijk 1955.;
B) Also insipid is 12.Nc3 when
Rb4 13.Qa5 Bb7 14.f3 Rh4
15.Nd3 Bd6 16.Bg5 Rh5 17.Bxf6
Rxa5 18.Bxd8 Rxd8 reached a
pleasant endgame for Black, who
had the bishop pair, in A.Galkin-V.
Yemelin, St Petersburg 1994.;
C) 12.Nd3 Nd5 13.Bd2 Bf6
14.Na3 ( 14.Nc3 Nxc3 15.Bxc3
Bxc3 16.bxc3 d6 17.Re3 Rb5
18.Rg3 Qf6 19.Qc4 Bf5 20.Qxc7
Rc8 21.Qa7 Qxc3 22.Rf1 Qxc2
, as played in A.Fuderer-M.Euwe,
Beverwijk 1952, was another
success for Black in this line )
14...d6
C1) Black is also doing well
after 15.Nc4 Qd7
96
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic
and now either 16.Qxd7 ( or
16.Qa5 Qc6! ) 16...Bxd7;
C2) 15.Qa5 Bb7 16.c4 Nb6
17.Qf5 Na4! and Black took the
initiative in S.Reshevsky-W.
Unzicker, Dubrovnik 1950.;
D) 12.-- ]
11...Rb8 12.Nc3 Rb6 13.Bg5
[ 13.Nd3 Re6 14.Bg5 h6 15.Bh4
Bb7 16.Rad1 Re8 transposes to
Reich-Shvidler (see the note to
White's 15th move, below). ]
[ Black gained a clear advantage, and
an impressive pawn centre, after
13.Nxa4 Re6 14.Bg5 Bb7 15.Nc3
c5 16.Qa4 Qc7 17.Nd3 d5 18.Rxe6
fxe6 19.Ne2 e5 in M.Manik-R.
Berzinsh, Moravka 1994. ]
13...h6
[ Black can also play the immediate
13...Re6 . For example, 14.Rad1 Re8
15.Re3 h6 16.Bh4 Bb7 17.Qxa4
and now the following continuations
have been seen: -- ( 17...Qa8
is aesthetically pleasing, and more
importantly it's a good move. After
18.Ng4 Bc6 19.Qc4 Nxg4 20.Rxe6
dxe6 21.Qxg4 Bxh4 22.Qxh4 Bxg2
23.Rd3 Bc6 24.Rg3 Kh7 Black is
doing well because of White's
obvious kingside weaknesses.;
17...Bd6 is a decent alternative. For
example, 18.Ng4 Nxg4 19.Bxd8
Nxe3 20.fxe3 Rxd8 21.Qc4 Rde8
and Black had sufficient
compensation in S.Biro-G.Todorovic,
Budapest 2003, a game he eventually
won. )]
14.Bh4 Re6 15.f4
[ 15.Rad1 Re8 16.Nd3 Bb7 17.Rxe6
fxe6 18.Ne5 Nd5 19.Bxe7 Qxe7
20.Ne2 d6 , as seen in Y.Reich-E.
Shvidler, Lenk 1990, is also okay for
Black. ]
15...Bb7 16.f5 Rd6 17.Qa7 Ba8
18.Re2 Nd5 19.Bxe7 Nxe7 20.Rf1
Nc6 21.Qe3 Nxe5 22.Qxe5 Bc6
Black has a strong bishop on c6 and
enjoys good counterplay, S.Makarichev-
G.Timoschenko, Tashkent 1987.
C84
White Plays 6 d4
B22: 9 Rxe5
[Milos Pavlovic]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.d4 exd4 7.Re1 b5
8.e5 Nxe5 9.Rxe5 d6 10.Re1
[ The alternative 10.Rg5
is not convincing: bxa4 11.Rxg7 c5
12.Ng5 Bg4 13.Qd3 Bh5 14.Nxh7
Qa5 15.Bd2 Qb5 16.Nxf6+ Bxf6
17.Qe4+ Kf8 18.Rg3 Re8
and 0-1, F.Eid-A.Grischuk, Internet
(blitz) 2000, is just one of numerous
good examples of how to deal with
this idea. ]
10...bxa4 11.Nxd4 Bd7 12.Qf3 0-0
13.Nc6 Bxc6 14.Qxc6 Nd7 15.Nc3
[ 15.Qxa4 is the alternative, but Bf6
16.Nd2 Nc5 17.Qc6 Re8 18.Ne4
Nxe4 19.Rxe4 Rxe4 20.Qxe4 Rb8
21.c3 Qd7 22.Qe2 Qb5 23.Qxb5
axb5 24.Kf1 Kf8 25.Ke2 Ke7
26.Kd3 Kd7 left Black with an
advantageous endgame in M.
Mosquera-Z.Gyimesi, World Junior
Ch., Medellin 1996. ]
15...Bf6 16.Nd5 Alternatives are no
better, or in some cases worse:
[ a) 16.Bd2 a3 17.b3 Bd4 18.Rad1
Ne5 19.Qa4 Qf6 20.Ne4 Qg6
21.Ng5 Bb6 22.Qe4 h6 23.Nh3
Rae8 with a clear plus for Black, G.
Sax-J.Smejkal, Amsterdam 1979. ]
[ b) Black equalized comfortably after
16.Nxa4 Ne5 ( 16...Bd4
is a promising alternative to 16...Ne5,
97
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic

and Black gained reasonable move forces White to either displace his
counterplay after 17.Be3 Ne5 queen or accept a slight weakness in
18.Qe4 Bxe3 19.Rxe3 f5 20.Qd5+ his position.
Kh8 21.f4 Ng4 22.Re2 Qh4 23.g3 13.f3
Qh5 in R.Grabczewski-A.Grabowski, [ Or 13.Qd2 Bd7 14.Nc3 and now:
Warsaw 1987 ) 17.Qe4 Re8 18.Bd2 A) 14...bxa4 15.Nxa4 Re8 16.b3
d5 19.Qf5 Nc4 20.Bc3 Bxc3 Qb8 17.h3 Qb7 18.f4 Ng6 19.c4
21.Nxc3 c6 in G.Horvath-J.Franzen, Bf6 20.Bb2 Bxd4+ 21.Qxd4 f6
Trnava 1983. ] 22.Nc3 Rxe1+ 23.Rxe1 Qxb3
[ c) 16.Qxa4 Bxc3 17.bxc3 Nb6 and Black is pawn up with a good
18.Qc6 Qd7 19.Qxd7 Nxd7 20.Be3 position, F.Gobet-G.Milos,
Rfb8 21.Rab1 Rxb1 22.Rxb1 Rb8 Thessaloniki Olympiad 1984.;
23.Rb3 Kf8 24.Kf1 c5 25.Ke2 Ke7 B) 14...b4 leaves White with
26.Bf4 Nb6 with a better endgame for another decision to make:
Black in view of his superior pawn B1) 15.Nce2 a5 ( this is okay
structure, Z.Petronijevic-D.Blagojevic, for Black, but instead of 15...a5 I
Nis 1994. ] prefer 15...Qb8! 16.b3 Qb7
16...a3 17.Nxf6+ Qxf6 18.Qxd7 axb2 attacking the d-pawn ) 16.b3
19.Bxb2 Qxb2 20.Qxc7 d5 Qb8 17.Ng3 Re8 18.Bb2 Qb7
White has tried two moves in this 19.Ndf5 Bf6 20.Rab1 Rad8
position, but neither of them offers him 21.Red1 Kh8 22.Ba1 Qc8
any chances to fight for an advantage: 23.Ne3 Ng4 24.Bxf6
21.-- was agreed drawn here in S.
[ a) 21.Reb1 Qf6 22.Qb6 Qf5 Velickovic-B.Abramovic,
23.Qb3 Rfc8 24.Qd3 Qxd3 25.cxd3 Belgrade 1984.;
Rc2 and Black has the edge in this B2) 15.Nd1 a5 ( again 15...Qb8
double rook endgame, M.Lanzani-P. deserves serious attention )
Lukacs, Rome 1988. ] 16.b3 Re8 17.f4 Ng6 18.Bb2
[ b) 21.Qa5 d4 22.Qa4 Rac8 Bf6 19.Nf2 Ne7 20.g4 h6
23.Rab1 Qxc2 24.Qxd4 Qxa2 21.g5 hxg5 22.fxg5 Be5
25.Ra1 Rfe8 26.Rxe8+ Rxe8 27.h3 23.Nd3 Bxd4+ 24.Bxd4 Nxd5
Qe6 28.Qa7 and the game was 25.Qg2 Bc6 and Black was
shortly drawn in N.Gaprindashvili-J. doing well in J.Votava-P.Lukacs,
Smejkal, Leipzig 1977. ] German League 1995.;
B3) 15.--;
C) 14...-- ]
C84 13...Bd7 14.f4
White Plays 6 d4 [ After 14.Nc3 , capturing on a4 or
B12: 12 a4 pushing the b-pawn are both good
[Milos Pavlovic] options for Black:
A) 14...bxa4 and now: 15.-- ( 15.f4
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 c5 16.fxe5 cxd4 17.Qxd4 dxe5
Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.0-0 Be7 7.Re1 b5 18.Qxe5 Re8 19.Qd4 Bc5!
8.Bb3 d6 9.Bd5 Nxd5 10.exd5 Ne5 20.Qxc5 Rxe1+ 21.Kf2 Rh1
11.Nxd4 0-0 12.a4 Bg4 This strong and White resigned, Kachipinen-E.

98
Fighting the Ruy Lopez - Milos Pavlovic

Geller, Moscow 1986. An excellent C84

game by one of the finest ever Ruy White Plays 6 d4
Lopez players.; 15.Nxa4 Bh4 B2: 8 e5
16.g3 Bf6 17.Nc3 Re8 18.Ne4 [Milos Pavlovic]
c5 19.dxc6 Nxc6 20.c3 Bxd4+
21.cxd4 d5 22.Nc3 Rxe1+ 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
23.Qxe1 Qf6 and Black took the Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.d4 exd4 7.Re1 b5
initiative in V.Small-M.Hebden, 8.e5 Nxe5 Here White must decide how
Lloyds Bank Masters, London to recapture on e5. The choices are:
1988. ); B21: 9 Nxe5
B) 14...b4 15.Nce2 ( or 15.Ne4 B22: 9 Rxe5
Re8 16.f4 Ng4 17.b3 Nf6
18.Nxf6+ Bxf6 19.Bb2 Rxe1+
20.Qxe1 Qb8 21.Qf2 Qb7 22.Qf3
Re8 with some advantage to Black,
S.Makarichev-R.Kholmov, Tallinn
1983 ) 15...Bf6 16.b3 Re8 17.Bf4
Qb8 18.Qd2 Qb7 19.c4 bxc3
20.Nxc3 Qb4 21.Ne4? Qxd4+
and White resigned, P.Cramling-Y.
Balashov, Hastings 1985/86. The
comment I made about Geller
could equally be applied to
Balashov as well.;
C) 14...-- ]
Now let's return to the position after 14
f4:
14...c5! This is an absolutely key move,
which allows Black to take the initiative.
[ Even so, 14...Ng6 is also interesting,
and this move worked out well for
Black in L.Milov-S.Smagin, Podolsk
1990: 15.Nc3 b4 16.Na2 Qb8 17.c3
a5 18.cxb4 axb4 19.b3 Bf6 20.Rb1
Qb7 21.Be3 Ne7 22.Qf3 Rab8
and 0-1. ]
15.dxc6 Nxc6 16.Be3 Bh4 17.Nxc6
Bxc6 18.Re2 bxa4 19.Nc3 Rb8
20.Rd2 Qe7 21.Bd4 Rfe8 This is J.
Donaldson-S.Gligoric, Lugano 1983.
Black is more than fine here, and
Gligoric eventually won the game.

99