Chess Opening Essentials: Indian Defences, Vol. 3

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Author: Stefan Djuric | Dimitri Komarov | Claudio Pantaleoni

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Chess Opening Essentials is an accessible primer and a reference book at the same time. It gives a flavour of,hor,r' e-\,ery- opening rvorks and explains the similarities lvith other openings as well as the clifferences. In addition, it also points at the various middlegame plans that appl.v nfter the opening has ended.

Grandmasters Dimitri Komarov and Stefan Djuric, and International l{aster Claudio Pantaleoni do not propagate forcing tactical variations to be menrorized mechanicall'r.', but explain rvhat vou shoulcl actually be rrying to achieve w-hen pla.t'ing the opening of your choice. The.-v inclucle the mair-r alternative responses and give clear inclications for further studr,'.

This thorottgh, understandable. and ven' readable manual gives vou a foundation on which to build your repertoire. Beginning and improving chess players should get this porverful book befbre thev buv an.y other chess opening book!

line explairred and the reader: rnade hungry for more, but he gets enough strategic knorvledge and insider-tips to get. even if he pla,vs the opening for thc first time, into the rrricldlegamc safelv" "N*ot only is the rnain

Rochade Europa Magazine

"All systems are clearl.v listed and presentecl, rvithout losing itself in endless variations." FreeChess.com

"l don't think sornething liker Chess OJiening

Essentials. in this size, vet exists. For players rvith a rating up to 1900, this book coyers a Iarge part of the roAcl." Schakers.Info

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Chess Opening Essentials

Volume 3 - Indian Defences, Complete

Praise for Chess Opening Essentials Volume 1: The Complete 1.e4 "The amount of information available on chess openings is so gigantic that one gets almost all l.e4 systems are clearly listed and presented, without losing itself in endless variations." FreeChess.com

suffocated. In this book

"Gives an outline of each opening and major variation in tum, explaining the ideas and most popular choices for the benefit of elementary players. I was impressed by the practical advice given in the notes in this well-produced volume."

British Chess Magazine "Full of great ideas, clear explanations and instructive games (...) I have frequently enjoyed browsing through the beautifully-presented volume." GM Paul Motwani, The Scotsman

"I think this

is one of the few nearly indispensable works on the openings that belong in every amateur's library." The Chess Mind

"When you open this fat paperback for the first time, you will be surprised: colorl Compared with this, books from Everyman, Gambit or Olms look like black-and-white television. (...) Not only is the main line explained and the reader made hungry for more, but he gets enough strategic knowledge and insider-tips to get, even if he plays the opening for the first time, into the middlegame safely." Erik Rausch, Rochade Europa Magazine

"It

is about the basics of the opening, about ensuing middlegame positions, and about the plans one should pursue. Ideal for the club player who wishes to improve."

Nederlands Dagblad

'At

the beginning ofeach major variation there is an extensive exposition ofideas, structures and plans. The games do give a good impression of the sfyle of a particular opening system and will help the student to decide if he feels 'at home' in the positions."

Thomas Berens, Chess-International

'A

complete overview of all 1.e4 openings, well explained with a large amount of readable text. Buy it for the clear cut explanations!" John Elburg Chess Reviews

"A patzer like me, Iet alone someone with

an Elo rating under 1700, should not buy a complex monography on the Najdorf before getting this instructive opening book." Pekka Pakarinen, Suomen Shakki Magazine (Finland)

"Well organized, easy to follow, adequate space for notes to other opening references. Good explanations of why a particular opening is or isn't used by the world's best players." Mark Weeks, About.com

"I don't think something like with

a

'Chess Opening Essentials', in this size, yet exists. For players rating up to 1900 this book covers a large part ofthe road."

Schakers.Info

The complete Ches Opaiog Esenticls series:

Volume 1: The Complete 1.e4 Volume 2: l.d4 d5 / 1.d4 various / Queen's Gambits Volume 3: Indian Defences, Complete Volume 4: l.c4 / 1.6ft / Minor Systems (appears 2010)

Stefan Diuric

- Dimitri Komarov -

Claudio Pantaleoni

Chess Opening Essentials Yolume 3 - Indian Defences, Complete

New In Chess 2009

2009 New In Chess @ Messaggerie Scacchistiche 2005 Revised and updated English edition published by New In Chess, Alkmaar, The

Netherlands www.newinchess.com This edition is published by arrangement with Le due Torri - ft.ly - www.chess.it

-

Chess Departrnent Store

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by aoy means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission from the publisher. Editor: Pierluigi Passerotti Cover design: Steven Boland Editor English edition: Peter Boel Translator: Richard Jones Proofreading: Ren6 Olthof Production: Anton Schermer

ISBN- I 3 : 97 8-90-5 69 l -27 0-3

Preface This is an ideal book for the active club player who wants to understand what's going on in the opening of a chess game. I believe Chess Opening Essentials is:

a o o

Comprehensiae:

it covers all main variations likely to arise

Easy-to-use: important moves and key positions are highlighted

in colour

Long-lasting: it doesn't outdate quickly because it is about the basics, not the latest

fashions

. o o

Complete:

it explains the plans and counterplans for both White and Black

Down-to-earfh: simple, verbal introductions (no database-dump full ofdead trees) Conaenienf : every

opening is illustrated with

a

number of instructive games.

The authors quite lucidly explain the plans behind the various openings, as well as many subde similarities and differences between them. This way, without giying endless variations, they manage to get across the essence of every opening. Also, the often colourful history of variations is elaborated upon il an entertaining way. Although Chess Opening Essentials is about understanding the ideas behind the openings, and not about following dre latest fashions in top-level chess, we could not do without a limited amount of updating. This volume of the originally Italian series Capirele Aperf ure (published in 2 0 0 5) has been brought up to date with new developments and games until the beginning of 2009. The colours in this book we believe to be a great help for the reader to navigate more quickly, and to distinguish beftveen, for instance, main lines and others. Coloured text highlights important moves, and also key initial positions and positions arising after important sequences. Bold type, be it in black or in colour, indicates main lines, which are also classified and sub-classified. Lines given in italics are unsound lines that should be avoided. But this is not all. There are also numerous graphic features highlighting moves, plans, and suong or weak points. We believe that all this makes for a higtrly pleasant and accessible presentation, and hope that you, our readers, will agree. I am convinced that by studying this book, beginners, casual players as well as club players can improve their game and enjoy a deeper understanding of the game of chess in its entirety. For even stronger players it can be a tool to test and review their

opening repertoire. Peter Boel

Editor

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 3

Glossary of chess symbols !! !? ?! ?

brilliant move

+-

interesting move dubious move

+

mistake

?? blunder

N t +

+ = +

novelty

+

initiative

-+

attack

#

White has a decisive advantage White has a clear advantage White has a slight a&nntage equal Black has a slight advantage Black has a clear advantage Black has a decisive adrnntage checkmate

Gontents Preface.

symbols Introduction. Glossary of chess

Minor Defences: 1.d4 Af6 2.c4 - 2...6c6 and 2...b6.

- BudapestGambit2...e5. - Oldlndian(with...Ae7).. MinorDefences after 1.d4 Af6 2.c4c5 - BenkoGambit - BenkoGambitDeclined-4.Various. - BenkoGambitAccepted ModemBenoniDefence - FianchettoVariation. - Variations with 6f3 - Variationswithf2-f4 - Minorvariations after6.e2-e4g7-g6. - BronsteinVariation7...a6!? - Mainline.' CatalanOpening - OpenCatalan - Semi-OpenCatalan - Closed Catalan BlumenfeldGambit. Bogo-IndianDefence Queen'slndianDefence - Petrosian Variation 4.a3. . - 4.93 Variation' Nimzo-IndianDefence - KasparovVariation4.aB- Siimisch Variation - Variation4.R.. - CapablancaVariation4.Vc2 - RubinsteinVariation4.e3... - Rubinstein Variation with 4...0-0 - ClassicalMainline GriinfeldlndianDefence.... - FianchettoVariationwithg3 - Minorlinesafter3.6c3d5.... - ExchangeVariation - Exchange Variation with 7.hB

.... ....''

'

5 6

"'---9 --

- 14

'...15 ......-.20 ... '....25 ...'.-28 ...-..29 ....34 .. ' ' '...42 .......45 . . . . .... 47 ......-49 ...'..54 ........58 ........59 ........69 ....'..70 ........76 ..-" 86 ....90 ...."'.99 .

.

106

..... ll4 '.137

......-143 .

.

147

"..153 .,..........160 ......I72 ..

. I82

...'.'.192 '.. I97 ..'...200

...204

.......210 ...

'

213

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 3

- Exchange Variation with 7.4c4. - MainlineoftheT.Ac4Yariation... - RussianVariation King's Indian Defence - FianchettoVariation. - MinorVariations - AverbakhVariation - Siimisch Variation - Classical Variation - Mainline.. - Mar del Plata Variation Index ofPlayers.' . .

. . . 222

'.....23I

...238 .

. 248

"---'249

.-.261

.".."274 .

'

280

' . 298

.......304 . . . . 309

....

333

After the move 1.d4. White has the same dm as with 1.e4, namely to advance the compalion central pawn fwo squares so

EAEgEgAE t r l. lrl,l*l

as to physically occupy the centre. Aware of this, Black normally wiII exert control over the e4-square with one of

the following moves in order to frustrate White's plan:

1...d5

g.Ag'

':,.:, :'-

'

lll

AAAAAAAA

tr

agg€aa

tr '1,..,_

In the second and third volumes in our series on the opening phase of the game we will study the positions that occur after the move 1.d4. We have decided to divide this into two volumes because of the large amount of material involved. In the second volume we have looked at all the defences that are defined by the

'.:',,,..

A A Ai ZIAA,

AAF? B Q1 I A

1...4f6 (vol.3)

ElhE

tl*ll

move 1...d5, and the less popular

E€8. E ltl t

defences (the Dutch, the Modern, 1...e6

etc.). In this third volume we

AAA AAAA

will examine all 1...6fe (the introductory move for the Indian

tr agg€AA tr

the defences that arise after

defences).

or

EhABSA E l r I I l,l.l.l t,".

,

.:,..

a

.

-

more rarely

AA tr

A

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IJ

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A S'A A

aawga

...f5

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- with

tr

AAAAAAA AZIA AZICI.5

tr

aag€aa

tr

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume 3

After l. e4, Black can let White occupy the two centre squ:ues - by playing the French, the Caro-Kann or the Pirc - also after l.d4 Black can ignore White's threat to push his pawn to e4 and play 1...e6, 1...d6 or 1...c6. Here White is allowed the opportunity to play 2.e4 naturally, transposing into one of the semi-open g.rmes. However, most of the time, a l.d4-player will choose to play 2.CA so as to remain within the realms of the Queen's Pawn Game. Throughout our book, we use the term Queen's Pawn Game in its most general sense, i.e. for any chess opening which stafts with 1.d4, regardless of whether White follows up with an early pawn advance to c4, ornot. Let's go back a step, and repeat the question we asked at the beginning of the ftrst volume: Whnt is tlu best moae in this position?

t ffisffi€ffihffi

ffi ir$rerffirffir

ffiwffiffi ffiffiffi ffiffiffiffi ffiS# ffi ffiffiw ffi ffi

A A ffiAffiAffiAre

affisffisffiE

of moving the strategic centre of gravity to the kingside (where we usually find the tn'o kings after casding), laying the groundwork for an attacking initiative against the black monarch, something which is less common vantage

in the Queen's Pawn Game.

if all this is true, why is rhe move 1.d4 equally popular and equally

Well,

sfrong?

The answer to this question lies

in the fact that after Black's principal responses, White can continue with 2.c4!, leaving the c4 and d4 pawns aligned, with strong control of the centre. This is not something that happens in a King's Pawn Opening; well, at least

not in the open games, or when Black plays the Sicilian, with the very intention of denying White the opportunity to align the two centre pawns. To put things simply, you could say that

with

1.e4, White has the honourable intention of delivering a quick checkmate to the black king; while rhe move l.d4 represents a more patient attempt to control the centre, acquire greater piece mobility, gain some material and win in the endgame. Therefore, we have the popular conception that 1 d4 is a positional move, while l.e4 is an ag-

The classical approach is still to occupy the centre with pawns. But which pawn

gressive, tactically orientated one.

should we move first, given that there

way of seeing things is to a certain extent true, one should keep an

are two centre pawns to choose from?

As we noted before, our great-grandparents had few doubts: the move 1.e4! It favours the development of the king's bishop and the queen.It also has the ad-

l0

Even

if this

open mind. For example, the young Karpov - the quintessentially solid player - preferred to open with l.e4; Kasparov in the I 920's and 80's - when

Introduction

he was probably even more aggressive than at the end of his career - usually

ing for even the most seasoned attacking player. The point is that it is {ine to

chose 1.d4.

know and respect the general principles that have shaped our chess thinking

With 1.e4, it is doubtlessly true that White often has a good initiative against the black king from a strategic point of view - one only has to think of certain lines in the Sicilian. However, there are more than a few variations af-

ter 1.e4 in which Black

casdes queen-

side, taking the king away from the heat of the battle, with the intention of forcing a slow strategic struggle - the Classical Variation of the Caro-Kenn immediately comes to mind.

There is also no doubt that 1.d4 is the more solid choice; however, there are certain lines in the Four Pawns Attack of the King's Indian, and even more so,

in the Bowinnik Yariation of

the

Semi-Slav (which we discuss in Volume 2), which are absolutely hair-rais-

since the times of Wilhelm Steinitz. However, they should be utilized with the awareness that every position has its unique characteristics, and therefore generalisations may be irrelevant in any given position. Here is a useful example to make this idea clearer: if you employ three tempi to exchange a bad bishop for a good one, you perform a strategically justified marloeuwe. However, if in those tluee tempi your opponent can launch a winning attack against your king, yoril manoeuwewas simply afatal error. Thus, we see the difficulty and beauty of chess: the necessity to be able to

weigh up the interconnected relationships berween dynamic and strategic/positional elements.

l1

2...c5 3.d5 b5 Benko Gambit 3...e6 ModernBenoni 2...e6 3 .6ft b6 Queen's

Indian

3...4b++fogo-Indian

s € tr tcrtr n**

2...e6 3.g3 d5 Catalan 2...96 3.hc3 d5 Griinfeldlndian

ffiEfi Eg

:GT

:a::l

:=

ar:

t* ?i:AA,

n

AAI-R-:

*:*

,:t

A$ *ti A 'x EA gs Afitr

s.IAgz King'slndian

I

It is important to remember that White l:^^--^*.1-1,ri\i5 .L^:--^-..:.L the frequently plays -t^-.^ 2.6f3 with intention of delaying the c2-c4 advance. This move has already been discussed in the section on the Queen's Pawn Game (l.da without an early c4 in the 2nd volume of our series). The knight move has the advantage of avoiding some defences (the Budapest

As we mentioned before, the Indian defenceshave 1...2tf6 asacommonde- Gambit, the Benko Gambit and the nominator. However, they are then later Benoni), but at the same time it obvidifferentiated by Black's second or third ously limits White's options as he can move reply to 2.c4. Which move Black no longer push the f-pawn or develop chooses will determine the strategic theknighttoe2. characteristics of the game. Below is a Before going on, we will have a glance tableofthemostimportantdefenceswe at two rare minor lines: 2...6c5 with willdealwith. the replies 3.4c3 and 3.4f3, and 2...e5 Budapestcambit 2...b6.

l3

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume

3

4.

d4-d5

Or 4.6f3 and we are in an English Openingwith 1...e5.

4. H *re A)

6b8-c6

2.

ffia #ffiffi ffi15

+trEi

/\

ffiffi Affi

ffi

ffi

ffiffi #ffi

#ffi

nffi

a*s ffi AffiSA ffie

;lgjE ffiaffi ffiAffi

A

somewhat provocative move that should not be ulderestimated; certaidy, if its respectable results are anything to go by. Black is not worried about the knight being kicked about and prepares a possible pawn advance to e5. Often you see transpositions to the Bogo-Indian or the Nimzo-Indian, and sometimes also the King's Indian. It is now a relatively fashionable defence and has been dignified with an imaginative n.une: the Black Knights'Tango. In effect, if White pushes d4-d5 and perhaps f2-f4, Black will make a number of successive knight moves that makes one think of a dance. However, White rarely cooperates by playing 3.d5 as he usually wants to avoid creating the chaotic positions that Blackwould appear to enioy.

A1) 3. Abl-c3

rffirffi rffi

ffi*ffi ffi *ffiAffi ffi

sw

ffiffi

A A ffiS

ffi

f-iffi

n a$a ffis *{S

Affi

5. e2-e4 5.h4!?, to discourage both ...96 and ...6g6, is not often played, but it looks promising.

5.

Ae7-g6

The most thematic, with the idea of ex-

ploiting the weakened dark squiles. However, Black can also continue with 5...d5, followed by ...g6, ..3g7 and ...0-0, and if White responds with the natural Af:, Ae2 and 0-0, we have a transposition to the Mar del Plata r/ariation of the King's Indian!

6.

Ac1-e3

Preventing ...4c5.

6. 7. f2-tg 8. b2xc3 9. gd1-d2 10. h2-h4!

gf8-b4 gb4xc3+!? d7-d6

at6-d7 h7-h6

11. g2-93

And White's initiative more than compensates for the weaknesses in his pawn structure.

e7-e5

The alternative 3...d5 transposes to the Chigorin Defence.

t+

ffiEffi€ ffi ffiAffi

EffiE effi

ffirffi I $rerffi I

Q-:c6-e7

A2> 3. 6s1-f3 The most popular move.

Minor Defences: 1.d4 616 2.c4 3.

e7-eG

This position is often reached via the move sequence 2...e6 3.6f3 hc6l?. 4. az-as Before occupying the centre, White puts a stop to ...4U+, and in so doing he maintains the defining characteristics of this minor defence. Indeed, after 4.g3 Ab++ s.Adz Wez, you are in a Bogo-Indian, while after 4.4\c3 AU+ you transpose to a Nimzo-Indian. 4. d7-d6 5. Ab1-c3 g7-g6!? 5...4e/ is playable but passive. 6. e2-e4 Af8-g7 7. Af1-e2 0-0 8. 0-0 It is difficult to say if there are more advantages or disadvantages with this position compared to a normal King's Indian: the c6 knight may be useful, but the e6 parvn will certainly be played to e5. However. it is also true that White's pawn on a3 is of doubtful value.

B) 2. b7-b6 A doubtful way to proceed. As we will see in our discussion of the Queen's Indian, Black should only fianchetto his bishop if White relaxes his control of e4 as a result of playing Af3. 3. 6b1-c3 Ac8-b7 4. Wd1-c2!

Now there is nothing Black can do to stop e2-e4.

4. 5. c4xd5 6. 6g1-f3 7. e2-e4 8. b2xc3

d7-d5 Af6xd5 e7-e6 6d5xc3

And White is doing better

as he has an

improved version of the Petrosian Variation of the Queen's Indian, in which he has saved a tempo as there is no need to play a2-a3.

Budapest Gambit 2...e5

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 8.

trf8-e8!?

With the idea of a pawn advance to e5 and then to play ... ad4. 9. d4-d5l? And we have a position that is not easy to evaluate.

6g8-f6 e7-e5

This enterprising gambit was first proposed by the Hungarian player Breyer in 1917. and hence the name. It was already doing its stuff the following year at the Berlin tournament (Rubinstein playing White had to face it three times, 15

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume 3

earning a meagre haif-point!). Some prefer to describe the Budapest as a defence rather than a gambit, as the pawn

A)

E ffi A

In the past, it was a favourite of Thrtakower and R6ti. Now it is given an occasional outing by strong players, but only as a means to get off the beaten

it is not usually part of

€ffi

A,E.B€& :l

their

a

,g

IrIr II ffiffiffiffi ffiffiffiffi Waff 3W # ffiffiffiffi

ffi$ffi

ffi:

ffi AA ffi Affi ffiffiffi A ffi ffi AnHffin, #Ii A.ffi

normal repertoire:

E

:€ffi ffi

tr il ffi I ffir$re I ffi iiF.l ffi trH

'sacrifice' is only temporary.

path and

Af6-e4

3.

ffiAffi FI

From the anything-is-playable school of chess, we have the Faiarowicz Yariation, which is probably better than irs reputation would suggest. There have been recent attempts to promote its re-evaluation, induding some thick books dedicated to this ask alone. Black wishes to create active play on the dark squares with ...4U++, or more rarely with ...9h4.

Affi ffiAffiAffi Ea&ggad\tr

Its strategic concept is ambitious: Black wishes to demonstrate that the move 2.c4is premature!

3. d4xe5

A1) 4.

Fritz's move.

broken, and Black exploirs the weakened dark' squares with lively piece play. However, in real life thing do not alThus, White's central pawn front is

gd1-d5

4. 5. Abl-d2 6. a2-a3 7. Aclxd2 8. Ad2-g5!

Af8-b4+ 6e4-c5 Ab4xd2+

8.

9d8xg5

b7-b6!

run so smoothly: Black must lose Not 8.Wxa8?, when the queen is lost time to recuperate the pawn, often hav- after...AbZ and...6c6.

ways

ing to

exchange

off one of the

two

bishops, only to iind himself \Mirh a 9. WdSxaS tsg5xe5 passive position that is usually without And it is not obvious how White should

prospects.

bestproceed. Because of this. riskier variations in which Black does not seek ro win back A2, 4. gd1-c2 d7-d1l? the e5 pawn are becoming increasingly 5. ebxd6! Ac8-f5t popular. These may be speculative lines, 6. Ab1-c3t Ae4xd6 but in tournament play they ofren score 7. e2-e4 6d6xe4! g. Afl-dg! well. Perhaps because White does nor treat them with enough respect! 8.axe4 is too risky: 8...4M+ 9.€e2 Ac6.

l6

Minor Defences: 1.d4

8.

6te4xf2l 6f2xh1

9. Ad3xf5

With unclear play.

A3) 4. 6,b1-d2 6e4-c5!? 5. 691-f3 6b8-c6 6. s2-s3 d7-d6! 7. e5xd6 Wd8xd6 8. Af1-92 AcB-fS 9. 0-0 0-0-0 And the chess engines agree that Black should be pleased with the compensation he has received.

Aq 4. 6g1-f3

AfB-b4+

+...b6!?.

5. Ac1-d2!? 6. Ablxd2 7. a2-a3 8. Wd1xd2 9. Wd2-c3

4,e4xd2 6b8-c6 Ab4xd2+ Wd8-e7 b7-b6!?

Keeping both castling options open.

10. e2-e3 11. Af1-e2 12. Ea1-dl

So as

Ac8-b7 0-0-0

to defend the pawn with EdS.

12....

Ed8-e8!?

The other rook is destined for g8.

13.

Ed1-d5

Z.c+

A5) 4. a2-ag Using a tempo ro stop the irritatlng check...Ab4+. 4. 6b8-c6 +...Wh+ looks artiff.cial: 5.g3 gh5 6.992 Bxe5 7.4f3, and White has a big lead in development and all the associated advantages that come with it. An attempt to make the variation valid could be 4...b61?.

5. Asl-f3 6. Wd1-c2!

d7-d6!?

E., AB @EE rrl lll ,al A

A

AA

,,:',:.

14)

AW

traa

AAAA

€4tr

Taking on d6 gives good compensation to Black.

6. 7. e2-e3

d6-d5

The instability of Black's cenrre should represent a clear advantage for White.

Eh8-s8

B) 3.

EEE

back on e5.

EAES€E llll llr

F?A ,lJ 21

A

A g ABAAAA AA

EAElI\ c$l HH

6f6-ga

The most played. Black wants to take

rgrrgrlr la A

6Ie

E

A

H

With the idea of ...g7-g5. The position is too complex for a simple evaluation.

.A A AA AAAA tr agggaa tr t7

Chess Opening Essentiols

Now there

-

Volume

3

are three alternatives:

81) 4.

e2-e4 on development, but the weak dark squares may cause White some discomfort later on in the game. 4. 6g4xe5 5. t2-t4 6e5-cG Also 5...hg5!? is playable; it invites the pawn advance f+-fS, but leaves the c6-square for the other knight. 6. Ac1-e3 Stopping...AcS. 6. Af8-b4+ Focuses

7. abl-d2t It is best to avoid the doubling of pawns

After 6.6c31?, Black has to casde and should not be in a hurry to take back on e5: 6...6gxe5?! 7.6xe5 6xe5 8.f4! Ace S.AdS, and White has the initiative.

6. 7. 0-0 8. Af3xe5 9. Abl-c3

0-0

6g4xe5 6c6xe5 Ef8-e8

10. b2-b3 10.f4!?.

10....

Ac1-b2

a7-as

11. Ea8-a6!? A typical way to get the rook over to the kingside.

12.6c3-e4

Ac5-a7

on the c-file.

Wd8-e7

7.

8.

a2-a3t?

An interesting sacrifice. 8.9d3 f5 is OK for Black.

8.

9. €e1-f2 10. gd1xd2

ffi

Be7xe4 Ab4xd2

I $rerffirffi I Et ffiffiffiffi SEF

ffiffi

rffirffirffir

ffiffi^ffi ffiffi ffi a ffiffisffiffi

ffi

ffiffiffi ffiffiffiAffi Affitr

It is diflicult to say if White has got enough compensation for the pawn.

82) 4. 6s1-f3

Af8-c5

4...6c6 5.4g5!.

5. e2-e3 6. Af1-e2

18

6b8-c6

a

ffiffiaffi

ffi#

AffigSffi Affi ffigffiAffi

EffiEffi€ffi ffi ffiffi

EffiEffi€

ffi

:ffi

ffiwsffiffitrffi

gdl-ds

13. Ea6-h6!? 14. Ab2xe5 c7-c6 g7xf6! 15. And anything could happen.

Ae5-f6l

83) 4. Acl-f4 This is considered to be the most accurate: noq after 4...4c5 5.e3, unlike in Variation 82, the pawn does not block the path of the dark-squared bishop.

4.

6b8-c6 4...g5 pops up now and then: 5.493 (s.gd2 is also good) 5...Ag7 6.6R o'c6 7.dc3 Agxe5 8.Axe5 Axe5 9.e3 d6 10.4e2, and the pawn on 95 is not a

Minor Defences: 1.d4 pretty sight. The gambit line 4...9b4+ 5.4d2 d6 is double-edged, but probably unsound: 6.exd6 Wfe z.Ahgt Axfz

8.€xf2 Axh3

9.g31.

s. 6s1-f3

EAgE

tllr

'L

EA AANAA'\ AA

Af8-b4+

rlr

6.

a

AA

AA a

AA'\AA'{ q) AA

AAAA

17461

way.

7. 8. Af3xe5 9. Af1-e2

6g4xf6 d7-d6

11. e2-e3 at too.

11.

... 12. At1-e2

0-0 b7-b6

13.0-0

Ac8-b7

r-e.r

lar

E€

g lr a

::, AWAa

Ff e

0-0

for White; indeed, after 13...d6 there is 14.Axe5 dxeS (forced) 15.Eacl, with clear advantage.

10.0-0

After 10...d5 and 1 1.4b3. the

b+ bishop has some problems. An interesting alternative is 10...496 1l.Ag3 (if

the bishop takes on c7,

A/h AE

AAAAA A

6g4xe5 Ac6xe5

9...b6 10.0-0 Axd2 I 1.gxd2 Ab7 17.c5 ? bxcS 13.Wa5, with nice play

a

E

AAA

Wd8-e7

Ab4xc3+!

worth looking

AA

AA

White wishes to save the tempo that would be needed to play 7.a3 6gxe5 8.hxe5 (taking on b4 allows S...ad3 checkmate!) 8...6xe5 9.e3 Axd2+ 10.Wxd2 d6 11.4e2 0-0 12.0-0 b6 13.b4, which gives White an edge any-

much so. It leaves the d-file open for the defence of the e5 pawn by the queen.

.g3 !? is

/\/1

trg€4tr

tr

Ab1-c3

6. 7. b2xc3 8. gd1-d5 9. e5xf6 10. gd5-d3

ab1-d2

EAs E I r I rgr I r

E

An ambitious move - perhaps too

11

6.

Ell

2.c4

White seeks a positional advantage and not the preservation of the extra pawl. 6. Wd8-e7 7. e2-e3

A

A

tra g€a B31)

B32)

6f6

A A

Fl .0-) eE

With good compensation for the paurn.

it will be

trapped) 11...4d6!? 12.Axd6 9xd6 13.4e4! We5! 14.4c3 and Black still needs to complete his development, but

his position seems playable.

11. 12.

Wdlxd2 gd2-d5!?

d7-d6

19

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

Inviting Black to play the pawn to c6, and in doing so, weaken d6. The moves 12.b4 and l2.Bc3 are also promising.

12.... 13. trf1-dl

Ef8-e8 6e5-g6

14. Af4-g3

not to stop e4-e5 and then fianchetto on the kingside, but rather in preparation for a quick ...e7-e5 - either immediately or after a preparatory ...4bd7. The plan was then to continue by solidly developing the bishop to e7, creating a position that resembles the Philidor Defence (1.e4 e5 2.4f3 d6), with rhe diflerence that White's pawn is on c4. The resulting

positions are solid but a little passive. Nonetheless, it is not rare for the posi-

tion to open up after a long

A;x AE

e $aa ..:.,,

.

phase

marked by lengthy manoeuwing. Lr the past, the Old Indian was played once in a while by Chigorin, Capablanca and R6ti, and later on by Kotov, Bronstein, Boleslavsky, Petrosian and Larsen. It is still relatively popular as it is one of

of the two bishops and the ever-present positional threat of a c4-c5 advance represent a clear advantage for

those openings one can play without

White. White may not win automatically; however, even with correct play

stand the typical manoeuwes.

Possession

Black's task is an arduous one.

Old Indian (with ... Ae7)

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 ',' lrr,:'1i'i;:i:r.:, '.:,, ' ,

E

',:t,,:,

698-f6 d7-d6 ln..':]:ti=.:n:i:i,::'

ff-e.,ge

.E rtf ...f. I n

$ l*'

,.,.

Agg€4fftr Before the King's Indian enjoyed its boom in popularity, Black played ...d6 20

having to remember long, precise move sequences; it is usually enough to under-

3. 6b1-c3 White often plays 3.6f3 so as to stop ...e7-e5 (generally transposing with 3...4bd7 followed by ...e7-e5). Remember that Black can always play ...96 and ...4g7 with a transposition to the King's Indian, and in this case, White

may be caught out if variations with Af3 are not part of his repertoire. The move 3...4f5 is more originai (better now than after 3.6c3, as explained in the notes for the Janowsky Variation below) 4.6c3 AbdT (or 4...h6) unconcerned about exchanging offone of the two bishops after 5.Ah+ as this move lessens White's control of the cenre. 3. e7-e5 In some books this is called the Ukrainian Variation. Black is not worried

Minor Defences: I.d4 about exchanging his queen; however, if he does not want to simplify, he can prepare for the ...e7-e5 advance with

6fe

Z.c+

the queen now blocks the path of the f8

bishop) 6.94! Axg4 7.Ag2

AeZ 8.Agxe4Axe4 9.Axe4t? c6 t0.gd3.

3...4bd7. An akernative is 3...4f5. which is some-

times called the Janowsky Variation, which was also played by Colle and Capablanca. The idea is stop e2-e4. At *ris point, White can contilue quietly with 4.g3 or 4.61c-, and we have an Old Indian in which the bishop on f5 does not seem so usefully placed. However, the critical move is obviously 4.f3, which endeavours to create a large centre with a gain of tempo: 4...e5! 5.e4 (s.ds ea!) 5...exd4 6.Wxd4 Ace z.WdZ Ae6 8.b3 , and White has an edge. Let's return to the Ukrainian Variation. 3

...e5

.

f::

lr I

.Eg&E ,1,

-fi

ldh

AA

,\ q\ FT

E

l'l I

"'AN I

r ..'t

AA cl z_1

r.,.,

r, l

l^\ q\

A A.A A E

gg€4,',',

After 4...6bd7 White can choose from three main lines. Please note that we do not discuss variations in which Black plays a kingside fianchetto. These will

be

discussed King's Indian.

in the section on the

4. 6s1-f3 4.e4 has the advantage of physically stopping Black from advancing to rhis square, and White also has the option of developing the knighr ro e2. However, there is the possibility of 4...exd4 5.Bxd4 Ac6, and Black has an acrive

play e2-e3 only after the bishop has been developed. The resulting game tends to be positional, but you will see plenty of sharp lines whenever White

game.

unexpectedly castles queenside

A) 5. Ac1-s5 A very fashionable move. The idea is to

!

4.dxe5, followed by the exchange of queens, has not scored well. Indeed, Black has a slightly betrer performance in this line. In paft, rhis is explained by the fact that weaker players frequently play this move in the hope of drawing

6. e2-e3 c7-c6 6...498!?, with the inrenrion of exchanging off the bad bishop, is a more refined move: 7.9xe7 AxeT 8.Ae2 0-0 9.0-0 oc6 10.9d2, and White is

against a higher-rated opponent.

slightly better.

4.

ab8-d7

The ambitious 4...e41? complicates *rings, but with correct play White should be left wirh a berter posirion: 5.4g5 AfS 1S...We7l? is an ahernarive consider: it prevents White from

to

playing 6.94!; the only problem is that

5.

7. Wd1-c2 8. af1-d3

Af8-e7

0-0

Naturally, the more solid 8.4e2, followed by 0-0, is playabte.

8. trf8-e8 After 8...h6 White can also maintain a degree of tension with 9.h4!?, while 2l

Chess Opening Essentiols

the

-

Volume 3

EffiEffiIffi€ ffirffiaffirffrer r@r# * € ffiffiffi ffiAffi ffi

predictable 8...9c7? allows

9.Axh7+ 6xtrZ t 0.9xe7. 9. 0-0-0!?

I * ffiE. * I resffi ffi il w ih ffi r$rer I ffiffi ffi

Affi ffiA AregffiArcE ffiEffi ffi

gre

ffi

5

#$E

e# A ffi ffi €4.6 ffi affi

zl

g

:ffi

ffi.tr

ffiffi ffiAffi ffie

This may not be the strongest move, but it is certainly the one that Black will like the least as an Old Indian player usually

prefers games characterised by solid set-ups and slow manoeuwing. 9.

9d8-a5

10. g2-s4l? Continues with the policy

of

aggres-

Black is less active on the dark squares compared to analogous lines in the King's Indian. Nonetheless, his position is solid and free of weaknesses, and though White may have a tangible adv:rntage, it is difficult for him to gain anything concrete.

C) 5.

The normal continuation. White occupies the centre in classical fashion, and hopes to exploit his space advantage.

5. 6. Af1-e2 7. 0-0

sion. Obviously, with a relatively unexplored position such as this one, other continuations are possible.

10....

ad7-f8 The most solid. 10...h5 I l.Ah4 6xg4

0-0

ffirffi

gm

ffireffi

ffiAffiAffi

ffi

ffiaw

Af8-e7 c7-c6

0-0 Ud8-c7 trf8-e8

10. b2-b3

9e7-f8

This is the key position (tabiya) of the Old Indian. Black's game is obviously more passive than in the analogous

11.9c1-b2

a7-a6

set-up

I 1...e4!?. 12. Ea1-cl 22

c7-c6

rffiaffir#ffi

however, results tend to favour White.

6. 9f1-s2 7. 0-o 8. 9d1-c2 9. gfl-dl

9f8-e7

ffiAffi ffiE

must surely be too risky, even the material-hungry chess engines are hesitant to accept this pawn. Now the position is difficult to judge;

B) 5. g2-93

e2'e4

in the King's Indian, in which

the bishop is developed to g7. Nonetheless, none of the many plans available to

Minor Defences: 1.d4 616 2.c4 White give him

a convincing advantage,

which shows us yet again that the number of playable openings is far greater than we could have ever imagined in the days before the advent of sophisticated computer programs.

8.

Acl-e3

with its younger sister defence, this is the move of the moment. The classical approach was to play 8.Ee1 folIowed by Aft or 8.Wc2 and then Ed1. The immediate 8.d5 is playable; however, the idea of 8.4e3 is to delay this pawn advance to d5 until the most opAs

portune moment so

as to create play on

the weakened queenside.

8.

a7-a6 9.d5! is also appropriate after 8...EeS, as the rook will have to return to f8 in order to create counterpiay.

9.

d4-d5

Now the b6-square is accessible. 9. c6xdS 10. c4xd5 b7-b5

af3-d2 '12. a2-a4l 13.6c3xa4 11.

ad7-b6 b5xa4 Q.b0xa4

'14. tra1xa4

And White's position

is

somewhat

better.

YuneenAlexey Ylassov,Nikolay St Petersburg-Moscow

2003 (1)

1.d4 AfO 2.c4 66 3.6c3 e5 4.d5 a,e7 5.e4 696 6.4e3 gb4 7.f3 ge7 Lgd2 Acs 9.0-0-0 Axe3 10.Wxe3 d6 11.Q:ge2 cG 12.dxc6 bxc6 13.9d2 d5 14.exd5 cxdS 15.Axd5 6xd5 16.Wxd5 Eb8 17.Wc6+ Ad7 18.gd6 Bxd6 19.trxd6 €e7 20.tra6

trb7 21.6c5 trhbg 22.b4 ExM

23.6d5+

€eB

24.6xb4 Exb4

25.gd3 Q:t4 26.&c2 6xg2 27.trb1 tra4 28.Hxa4 Axa4+ 29.€d2 Ac6 30.4e4 gd7 31.trb8+ *e7 32.trb7 €dB 33.c5 olt4 34.c6 9eG 35.trxa7 h5 36.Ad3 Ads g7fuc4 gcg 38.Ed7 Ab4 39€xe6 fxe6 40.trxg7 Axc6 41.trh7 ad4 42.trxh5 sd7 43.€e3 1-O Rubinstein,Akila Vidmar,Milan sr Berlin 1918 (3)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 6tg4 4.At4 6c6 5.4f3 Ab++ 6.6c3 Be7 7.8d5 Axc3+ 8.bxc3 Ba3 9.Ecl f610.exf6 axf6 11.9d2 dG 12.ad4 0-0 13.e3 6xd4 14.cxd4 6e4 15.8c2 BaS+ 16.se2 trxt4 17.ert4 gfs 18.Wb2 tre8 19.€f3 6d2+ 20.€g3 6e4+ 21.&h4 tre6 22.Ae2 trh6+ 23.4h5 trxhs+ 24.€xh5 Ag6+ o-1

Sokolov,Ivan Zaja,Ivan IsLanbul

2003 (7)

af6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 4i:,94 a.914 Ac6 5.4f3 Ab4+ 6.abd2 We7 7.a3 s:xd2+ 8.Wxd2 6gxe5 9.e3 6xf3+ 10.gxf3 d5 11.tr91 f6 12.Wc3 AfS 13.0-0-0 0-0-0 14.h4 €b8 15.e4 9g6 16.4e3 ghs 17.tr93 EhgS 18.4e2 h6 19.trd5 Af7 20.c5 dxc5 21.trxc5 o'e5 22.t4 6d7 23.Ha5 Ab6 24.e5 f5 25.b3 Bxh4 26.&b2 Se7 27.9:c5 We6 28.a4 trd7 29.8a3 a6 30.ixa6 bxa6 31.Exa6 1.d4

gb7

32.89'a5

trb8 338c3

trds

€c8 35.trxc7+ &dB 36.8a7 tra8 37.BxbG Wxb6 34.tra7+

38.3xb6 se8 39.eG i-xe6 40.tre3

z3

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume

3

Minor Defences: 1.d.4 6f.6 2.c4

Miroshnichenko,Evgeny Peregudov,Nikolay Moscow 2008 (1)

1.d4 af6 2.at3 d6 3.c4 c6 4.6c3 abdT 5.e4 e5 6.4e2 Ae7 7.0-O 0-0 8.9b1 treB 9.d5 c5 10.6e1 a611.a3 hO 12,b4 Wc7 13.Wb3 bG 14.4d3 Eb8 15.4e3 ah7 16.Wa4 Ab7 17.Hb2 Ag5 18.Axg5 hxg5 19.bxc5 dxc5 20.Efb1 gG 21.4g4 f5 22.ext5 ahf6 23.f9 e4 24.6t2 exf3 25.fxg6 We5 26.6ce4 b5 27.cxb5 Axd5 28.gxf3 axb5 29.Exb5 trxb5

30.tsxb5 32.Axe8

This is an ambitious concept, and whatever its strengths and weaknesses may be, it has the benefit of producing livelier positions than those created by the classical approach.

3.

d4-d5

ENASEA ll llllr t IA

E

A

9xe4 31.Axd7 Axbl 9e1+ 33.€g2 6xe8

AA AAAA aag€aa tr

tr

34.6e4 Af6 35.9b3+ €h8 35.9b2 1_0

Ivanov,sergey

toginov,Yalery St Petersburg

2005

(i)

abd74.af3 c€ 5.e4 e5 6.9e2 9e7 7.0-O 0-0 1.d4 Af6 2.c4 d6 3.Oc3

&Ae3 a6 9.d5 hO 10.4d2 c5 11.a3 4lhl 12.53 &g5 13.f4 exf4 14.gxf4

gf6

15.4d3 Ee8 16.9f3 Bbg 17.€h1 b5 18.Egl b4 19.axb4 trxb4 20.wh5 96 21.e5 €h8 22.Axg6 fxg6 23.Exg6 6xe5 24.fxe5 trxeS 25.Wxh6 AfS 26.trg3 trr.}l2 27.9t4

tre7 28.9f1 We8 29.Axd6 trel 30.trgg1trxf13l.trxflAg5 o-l

Minor Defences after 2,c4 c5

t.d4 at6

Black's second move invites White to advance his d-pawn to d5. The plan is to establish counterplay against White's cenue, revealing it to be overextended.

The move that seeks to get the most from the position. 3.e3 is too passive to cause Black any headaches, while 3.Af3 transposes to the Symmetrical English. It is a telling curiosity that in 1 9 3 9 Reuben Fine considered Black's position after 3.d5 to be hopeless and fatally passive! But even as early as the 1950's the evaluation of this position was far less dogmatic.

will now take a glance at a few interesting minor lines.

We

A)

3. 6f6-e4 Known as the Yulture Defence, this was first used in the 1980's. After an initial boom, lt fell into obscurity, and it is still rarely played: the objective is ro interfere with White's development with a check from a5, but after 4. Wd1-c2 Wd8-a5+ 5. Ab1-c3! 6e4xc3 6. Ac1-d2! White is better. Z5

Chess Opening Essenticls

B) 3.

-

Volume

3

s7-96

Otherwise, first 3...d6 and then 4...96.

4. 6b1-c3

E

9f8-97

Black establishes a King's Indian set-up in which there is .lt a pawn on c5 "dy factor a that resfricts his options. -

5.

e2-e4 Not the only move, but certainly the mostdirect. 5. d7-d6 +w

E ffisffi ere ffi ffirffi

rffi

I

ffiffi ffir ffiKs ffiffi ffiAffi 4ffiffi ffi ffiffi zl ffiffi ffis tr

{w

ffis ffieffi

At this stage the most played move is:

6. bgl-f3 to say, there are lots of alternative moves) transposing to the King's Indian or the Benoni, which we will look atlater.

e7-e5

3.

This is sometimes called the Czech Benoni, and it is the most solid of the d7-d6

The closed centre allows for slow behind-the-lines manoeuvring. However,

White has a space advantage, which allows him to manoeurre with greater ease: in addition the bad bishop on f8 seem to be 'more bad' than its opposite number on 26

fl

.

ffi ffi

ffia reffi ^ @ AE€

ffi Affi aiffi

Affi

ffi

w @

ffiffi ffis

reAffi tr

This is a strategically complex position; the classical approach is for White to attack on the queenside with a3, b4, Ebl etc., while Black will prepare play on the kingside with the advance ...f/-f5 in King's Indian fashion. However, recendy it has become increasingly popular to discourage this freeing advance with h2-h3 and g2-g4, and perhaps after queenside castling to start attacking on the kingside. For his part, Black can

ftanchetto the bishop on g7, but

it

is

velop it to e7 and then after ...he8, White willing, exchange it for White's goodbishopon95. 5. Af8-e7 gf1-d3t? 6. 6.93 is interesring: 6...0-0 7.4h3!? A common continuation is 6.4f3 0-0

7.9e2 abdT 8.0-0 6e8 9.a3 96 l0.gh6 a,97 r1.Ed2 Af6 (pushing ...f7-fS allows 695, with an advantage

minor variations.

4. Ab1-c3 5. e2-e4

!*#*

ffirffre I

more in the spirit of the variation to de-

(needless

c)

E* €ffi

I hffi

for White) 12.b4 b6 l3.6el EhS, with the idea of Ag8, and we have a complex game.

6. 7. h2-h3l 8. 6g1-f3

0-0

Af6-e8

Stopping...Ag5.

ab8-d7

8.

9.

s2-s4l

a7-aG

Minor Defences: 1.d4

a2-a4 11. Ac1-h6 12. gdl-d2 1O.

13.

g7-go

6e8-97 ad7-f6

€el-e2!?

E AB E€

I

ErAr

I I ills . IAI AAAA AAA A A WgA :--.-..---l

=

The king would not be so adventurous if the centre were not closed.

13....

€g8-hB

14. Ea1-91 And White's initiative seems to be more promising.

6fe

Z.c+

!*1:*Sg"stantin

Bachin,Yitaly

Krasnoyarsk ch-RUS 2003 (7)

1.d4 Arc 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.ttl'c3 dB 5.e4 96 6.4e2 Ag7 7.€e3 O-O 8.h4 a6 9.g4 abd710.h5 trb8 11.a4 Wa5 12.t3 6-se9 13.Ad3 f6 14.hG gh8

15.6le2 trf7 16.gd2

6f8

17.6g3 18.a5 b6 19.axb6 Wxb6 2}.tra2 trfb7 21.Ac2 gd8 22-bs 6lc7 23.Q:ce2 We7 24.&t2 Ae8 25.4-tc1f5 26.exf5 ef6 27.fxg6 hxg6 28.6e4 4\h7 29.€g2 gfg 30.4e2 gd8 31.42g3 €h8 32.We2 Exb3 33.Axb3 trxb3 34.Bdl trb8 35.Wc2 traB 36.trb1 a5 37.trba1 Ea7 38Axa5 Ah4 39.4e1 trt7 40.Ea8 Ad7 41.We2 8:g5 42.Axg5 Axg5 43.Q-te4 AxhG 44.Ag3 Afa 45.gx!4

gd8

gxf4 46.8h1+ eg8 47.trh3 se7 48.We1 Exe4 49.€9xe4 Wg5 50.f4 gf6 51.fxe5 WgS 52.eG Wd2+ 53.€gl Bc1+ 54.&t2 WdZ+

Fah n enschmidt,Gerhard

55.€g1 Bc1+ 56.€f2 Bd2+

Biicker,stefan

57.We2 Wf4+

58.€g2

1-o

Bad Wiessee open 2005 (3)

1.d4 6116 2.c4 c5 3.d5 6e4 4.Wc2 Ba5 5.4c3 6xc3 6.4d2 e5 7.Axc3 Wc7 8.g3 d6 9.9h3 Axh3 10.6xh3 Wd7 11.4g5 h6 124e4 ts 13.ad2 Wt7 14.t4 e415.g4 e3 16.6f1 fxg4 17.axe3 h5 18.we4+ €d8 19.0-0-0

ad7 20.at5 €c7 21.8e6 Be8 22.9xg7 trh7 23.898 Wg6 24.e4 trxg7 25.Qsxg7 WxgT 26.We6 AbG 27.e5 6xc4 28.trhel trd8 29.tre4 ab6 30.f5 dxe5 31.f6 Bg5+ 32.&c2 ed6 33.f2 g3 34.h4 E9'g7 35.Egl

g'h7 36.9d3 eA+ 37.€e3 trfB 38.trx93 acs+ 39.€d2 wxe4 40.tr96 ab4+ 41.€dl Be1+ 42.&c2Wd2+

Bosboom,Manuel Van Kerkhof,David Dieren ch-NED-open 2005 (6)

1.d4 616 2.eA c5 3.d5 e5 4.6c3 d6 5.e4 Ae7 6.g3 0-0 7.tr92 4,e8 8.h4 a6 9.69e2 b5 10.cb5 abS 11.6b5 9a6 12.6bc3 6ld7 13.0-O g6 14.4h6 Agz 15.Wd2 gb6 16.9h3 tra7 17.&92 trbg 18.trab1 g'b4 19.Efc1 6f6 20.8e3 kte9 21.14 et4 22.g14 th4 23.a3 Wc4 24.b4 cb4

25.Wal bc3 26.8e3 trb1 27.Hb1 Wa2 28.Ebg 9e2 29.e5 Abs 30.sgl gbl 31.€h2 c2 32.t5 95 6h5 34.4g2 as3 35.111

3l*=*

z7

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume

3

The Benko Gambit is one of the most important milestones in the evolution of chess theory, and it is one of the purest examples of a positional sacrifice: Black gives up a pawn in order to activate his pieces on the queenside, with enduring pressure. Let's look at the

following historical po-

sition:

ffi

ffi

#e

l= I

E==are # iGr .

ffis # a. *ffi A= # *s

ffi

#

-Arc #src

This was formerly known as the Volga Gambit as it was analysed in Russia at the end of the 1940's. Today, its name

justifiably pays tribute to

the Hungaro-American Pal Benko, who made it popular with the most persuasive of all arguments: good results. In addition, the Volga was generally associated with a violent pawn break on e6, while now in the Benko Black replies to 4. c4xb5 with the characteristic 4. a7-a6t establishing a more positional approach. The Benko has become a feared and respected weapon, and there is more than one player who will choose 2.6f3 so as to avoid it. It is true *rat after 2...c5 3.d5, Black can play 3...b5 anyway; however, without a white pawn on c4 it is less effective, and after 4.495!, White can play a favourable line of the Torre Attack. 28

=

It is from the Taimanov-Bronstein game played in the famous 1953 Zurich Candidates' tournament. Black maintained ongoing positional pressure and won the game. A classical evaluation would tell us that White has an almost decisive advantage thanks to his exffa pawn and the passed a-pawn. However, after this game,

it was understood that even after

simplifying with piece Black's initiative makes it

exchanges,

difficult, if not

impossible, for White to exploit his material advantage - even in the endgame. In the above game, the ...b7-b5 push

was not made on the third move but later on, and it was White who took on a6

with his bishop, whereas in the nor-

mal Benko Black's captue on fl forces White to lose tempi moving his king.In other words, though we are looking at a less favourable version for Black, the game teaches us to look at this type of

Benko Gcmbit

a dubious strategy to renounce Black. queenside counterplay. In the light of this, it is not surprising 5. 6b1-c3 d7-d6 g7-go that many white players would rather 6. e2-e4 position from a different perspective be and

as

possibly playable for

not have to face this sort of initiative, and will therefore decline the gambit. In a gambit, you should never underestimate the importance of psychology: the fact that White scores better if he declines the Benko Gambit does not necessarily prove that this 'prudent' ap-

proach is objectively better. It is more likely that for stylistic reasons Black is psychologically less suited for the quiet lines that he now has to play, and thus performs less well.

6...4a6!?.

Benko Gambit Declined 4. Various

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. d4-ds

-

Ag8-f6

I t,,1..

.t..,.'..

10. Ac4-b5!

AndWhitehasatinyadvantage.

b7-bs

a

l-: A _,.

",,',;;,

AA AAAA tr aaw€aa tr ".,'.

B) 4.

ab1-d2

Recently very fashionable.

4. b5xc4! 4...Wa5 5.e4 Axe4 6.4d3 seems good for White. 5.

,.,,,,,

,.-' $t:'..' t., t,t',

A) 4. a2-a4

Af8-97 0-0 Ab8-a6

c7-c5

EAASgA E f ':,.,1,1'l l l ,r,::

7. Aftxc+ 8. 6g1-f3 9. 0-0

e2-e4 5.6xc4?l Ab7 and the d5 pawn must be pushed, with a plus for Black. 5. c4-c3!? 6. b2xc3 97-96 7. Qtd2-c4l? d7-do Not 7...hxe4, whenthings become too risky after 8.We2!.

An attempt to show that the ...b7-b5 push is premature: ...a7 -a6 is not playable. and therefore Black has to decide on what to do with the b-pawn.

8. Af1-d3 9. Ag1-f3 10. 0-0

Af8-g7 0-0

Ac8-a6:

4. b5xc4 C) 4. 6g1-f3 The most natural. 4...b4 has scored White ignores the b5 pawn and prefers quite nicely, even if it would appear to to concentrate on natural development. 29

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume

3

4. 9c8-b7!? This move is the most ambitious option; it applies pressure to the d5 pawn. 4...96 5.Bc2l 9g7 6.e4 is promising forWhite. E

rffi Affiffi $A ffi @ A

ffiffi

ffi A

ffiaJ ffi

ffi

ffi ffi affi ffi ffis ffis.ffi FI

affi

sffiffi

weakness on d5. Black has scored nicely

by replying ro 5.a4 with

5...Wa5+

5.4d2 b4, whereas 5.abd2 leads to an unclear game after 5...bxc4 6.e4 e6! 7.dxe5 dxe6 8.e5 AdS.

b5xc4 e7-e6

e6xd5 Ab7xd5 hf6xd5

10.0-0 And the hunter becomes the hunted: the loss of the pawn is well compensated for, but of course it is always difficult to say exacdy to what extent. Let's return to

1. d2-d4 2. c2-d 3. d4-d5

A*ireAffi ffi

ffiffiffiffi ffiffiffiffi

ffi ffiAffiAffi AffigffiAffitr

The move 4...e6 was normal when this defence was called the Volga; now ir is

rarely played: 5.Adt exdS 6.Axd5 Abl l.e+!, and White has the advantage.

It is at this point in the game that White

Wdl-c2!? At the time of wriring, this is the most popular choice: it prepares e2-e4 without concern about the subsequent

5. 6. e2-e4 7. Af1xc4 L e4xd5 9. 9c4xd5

tl

ffiffi

#ffi

5.

Ag8-f6 c7-cs

b7-b5 White usually continues with: 4. c4xb5 a7-a6 30

I ffiffiffiffi

rffi I

ffi ffi ffi

ffirffirffir

ffiffi

ffi ffie ffi ffi

ffi iEffiffi rffre

ffisffi@re ffi

E

takes

on a5 and accepts the gambit.

Therefore, the alternatives that follow are still part of the Benko Gambit Declined.

A) 5. Ab1-c3

a6xb5

6. e2-e4 White wishes to advance to e5 and ignore the offered pawn. Igor Zaitsev came up with this idea in the 1970's: this line is sharp and double-edged, but after a few successes, adequate countermeasures were found and it is now not so popular.

6.

7.

b5-b4

6c3-b5

EffiAffi * ffi

KffiT ry r$re

ffi# ffiffi

ffiffi Affi

I

ffi ffijs

ffmm

ffi

ffi Affi A

E ffis

Benko Gambit

The knight is aggressively posted on this square; however, it has burnt its bridges as it no longer has any retreat squares. The tactical justification for this line is that if Black captures on e4, after 8.We2 White has the winning threat of 9.6'd6 checkmate. 7. d7-d6 8. Ac1-f4 Again supporting the central pawn advance; 8.4c4 AbdTl gives White nothirg. 8. s7-95! E

E

*:a # & ,.6. 5 -

+=

-

* r== I

# #

a* A

.-7fr

+

=

A

=

ue € =

- =

# =# itrs A

= *= - =A €

#

;:=: :-_

dvY

'/x

The move drat put the whole line in doubt; the idea is to take on e4, attacking the bishop on 95.

Taking on e4 is playable but risky: 8...4xe4 9.We2 g5l 10.Ae5l dxe5 1 1.Wxe4. The alternative S...abd7 9.kft 6xe4!? 10.4d3 fs 1r.Ah4 also looks promising for White. 9. Af4xg5 9.4e3 Ag7 has scored well for Black. 9. Af6xe4 10. Ag5-f4 Wd8-a5! 11. Af1-c4 1 1.We2? b3+ 12.€dl Wxa2!. 11. ... Af8-g7 12. Bd1-e2 b4-b3+ 13. €el-f1 t7-f5 14. t2-t3 0-0!

The position is complex; who stands best is not clear. However, over the board Black should have better chances.

B) 5. t2-t3 E

n,aE,e

i:at tg f

f *.

t::

xar aa.

A

rt fi

E

I

;;it

:{t

;a :il: *a: :'t:tA.:: A ;iJ,A -:'u,a t\ -;':::]r.

l:?fi

Ea

r.a:]i

WiE HZJ

Dlugy's move has been popular since the 1980's, and it is one of White's most aggressive options. The plan is to play e2-e4 and take possession of the centre, with the drawback of a certain weakness on the dark squares.

5. e7-eo The most combative. The normal 5...96 allows White to gain an edge after 6.e4 d6 7.Q-.,a3 Ag7 8.4e2 0-0 9.6c3: whereas if Black decides to recaptures the parnm with 5...axb5, after 6.e4

Wa5+ 7.AdZ b4 8.Aa3l d6 9.6c4 Wastz 10.4d3, white has a more fluid game.

6. e2-e4

e6xd5

The bold 6...c41? E 'a:i::j

I

g: :_'l:a?

#A A

.Ta.l -El

AE,g

E.

,/- L

I {4 €r

I r

:ai

*;

*j AA

:ttll -){

---.i--

agw

!::,: :?*l

:*,*

5i AA ;::* ffi ,{./\A :4.. -7t H c93 -F:;

1i

.a

31

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Voiume

3

enjoyed some initial success and was thought to be an interesting option (its

scope

is to exploit the weak

dark

squares). However, nowadays it is considered to be dubious as after 7 .Axc4 axb5 8.Axb5 | (fearless), Black has a little compensation, but two pawns represent a lot of material!

7. e4-e5 L Wdl-e2

Wd8-e7!

9. hb1-c3 10. 6g1-h3!

Ac8-b7 c5-c4!

Af6-98

13....

EA

I A AA aat

E

rgr I r

A

I t\

IA tl U

'4)

sltr

F?A E.E

,\

q) AA

Al1

gE

14. a2-a3

14....

1

1

With a discovered attack.

16.... WaS-dB 17. We2xc4 tra8-a7 18. tral-c1 In exchange for his piece White has two pawns, a lead in development and an initiative. Though he may not have an objective advantage, he certainly has an easier position to play.

c)

5. E

I

Ae3 axbS

1.

We7-c5

...

In the past Black was considered to have an optimal position here... 12. Q:t4xd5ll

EA BEaE l,lll I 'E AgAA I

g AA AA F? .l .+. .N

But isn't it hanging? 37

CAEggA

rlllr

E

a

AIA .A

A

AA AAA tr aaggaa tr A quieter approach. White controls the bS-square without committing himseH to an overly advalced pawn centre that would be subject to enemy counterattack. 5.

g7'gG

Black usually chooses this solid move.

,\A q)a

EEEEts

e2-e3

12.0-0-0

Wb+t and Black's position holds. 1

Wb4-a5

15. Ae3-d2 Ad5-e6 16. Ac3-d5

11. ah3-f4!

Sharper than

Wc5-b4

The second deflection.

Forced.

gEA

9b7xd5

12.... 13. Ac1-e3 The first deflection.

Fi

More ambitious is 5...axb5 6.Axb5 Wa5+ l.6cZ Abl 8.4e2! (White sacrifices the d5 pawn in exchange for better

development) 8...4xd5 (8...4xd5!?) 9.0-0 Axc3 10.Axc3 e6 11.e4 Ae7 12.4f+.and White is a little beuer.

Benko Gombit

6. 6b1-c3 7. a2-a4 8. Ag1-f3

Af8-g7 0-0

Ac8-b7!?

In the 1990's, Shirov managed to make this obscure secondary line both the most played and the most promising

Aiming for the break ...e7- e6. After the natural-looking 8...d6 9.tra3 (White delays kingside development in order to recapture on bS with the bishop using only one tempo)

weapon against the Benko. This is a paradoxical move. White would be a pawn up if he took on a6, but instead he loses a tempo giving up his pawn. The concept is the product of the dynamic style

9...6bd7 10.e4! 6e8! ll.gb3!? axbs 12.Axb5 Aa6 13.0-0 6c7 l4.Eel, White's position is preferable, even if

that characterises contemporary chess. White keeps the a-file closed and denies Black his usual counterplay. Recently, this idea is seen with 4.a4 or 4.4f3, whenever Black takes on c4. However,

not by much.

9. tra1-a3 a6xb5 It is also possible to play 9...e6 immediately, delaying the capture on b5.

10. Af1xb5 e7-e6 11. d5xe6 f7xe6 12. gdl-d6! Attacking c5, but above all else stopping Black from taking control of the centre

with...d5. 12....

manoeuwe combined with 6fs-dz-c+ can be highly e{fective.

D1) 5.

Bd8xb6

The most natural, but here the queen is

exposed to attack after the knight tour

Wd8-c8

13. O-0 hf6-e8 1a. Wd6-93 Ab7xf3 15. 6b8-c6 As is so often the case with the Benko, the critical position is not easy to judge. White is a pawn up and has the two bishops, but Black has actively placed

g2xf3

here there is also the advantage that the b6-square is weakened, and the a4-a5

6fs-dz-c+.

6. 6b1-c3

7. e2-e4 8. As1-f3 9. aB-d2

d7-d6 97-96 Af8-g7 0-0

10. ad2-c4

pieces and a good centre.

D) 5. b5-b6

10.

...

gb6-d8!?

Black prefers to leave the c7-square free for the manoeuvre ...6f6-e8 -c7-b5.

11.

9f1-e2

ab8-d7 33

Chess Opening Essentiols

12.9c1-t4

-

Volume

3

ad7-b6 Af6-e8 Ae8-c7

13. Ac4-e3

14.0-0 15. a2-a4 And White has

a

6. 6b1-c3

6f6xd5

6...9,b7!? 7.e4 exdS 8.exdS d6 9.a4 a5 10.Ac4l? Ae7 1l.af3, and Black's position is a tad passive.

7. 6c3xd5 8. Wd1xd5

small advantage.

DD 5.

d7-d6

In exchange for

e6xd5

6b8-c6

weakening his pavvn

With the idea of recapturing on b6 with structure, Black gets nice piece play. the knight. 9. 6g1-f3 6. 6b1-c3 ab8-d7

E*Eg & € .* *r t:: r.rr r A=:* i* X:g x;

-€.9€E E €E *a*r:*r

:ia:i

rff ;:9tt

ff::* * ta iit xt * *tfi::*i:'

Aff g Afftr :g ''A]$A$ 7.

a2-a4l Every variation has its virtues and defects: capturing with the knight now allows a4-a5, with an advantage for White. Therefore, Black prefers: 7.

A risky move but

a6-a5!? playable. It stops

:.:::t:

:= =:*

a *

H/fr HE

move 10.41e5 ! is very snong. 1O.

e2-e4

After 10.4e5 Wfet 1l.Axc6

dxc6. Black's dynamic position compensates for the weaknesses in his pawn structure.

10.... 11. Af1-c4 12. Ac1-d2

the b5-square.

97-96

Af8-s7

-

9. tra8-b8 After either 9...4b7 or 9...8xb6. the

a4-a5, but at the same time concedes

8. e2-e4 9. 6g1-f3 10. gf1-b5 11. 0-0

:,:::::: 3iti A ,. v1 \ 'J{- A -A. A .){ 2{ -}{. A.. F? EH

Af8-e7 0-0

trb8xb6

0-0

13. Ad2-c3 Even though the white pieces are some-

6d7xb6

what more active. either side could

12. h2-h3

win.

And White has an edge.

D3)

5. e7-e6 As is always the case in these lines, the ...e7-e6 advance is the most ambitious

option risky. 3+

-

and, obviously, also the most

Benko Gambit Accepted

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. d4-d5

Ag8-f6 c7-c5 b7-b5

Benko Gombit

4. c4xb5 5. b5xa6 White

a7-a6

pawns and push e4-e5; however, he de-

lays e2-e4 so he can take back on with the rook.

takes up the gauntlet.

9cBxa6

5.

There are some who believe it more precise to play 5...96 immediately so as

7.

g7-g6

8. Ag1-f3 9. e2-e4

Af8-97

9.

9a6xf1 0-0

fl

to discourage White from playing the 6.b3 Variation (after which it would be more effective to take back on a6 with the knight). Ignoring the fact that this almost always transposes to normal variations, it is difficult to imagine why you would want to discourage your op-

ponent from playing lines which are not particularly good.

6.

Ab1-c3

White can also fianchetto on both wings: 6.b3 g5 7.9b2. Ag7 S.g3 d6 9.492 o-o 1o.Ah3!? abdz 11.0-o Ea7, with the idea of ...WaS and ...Eb8, and Black should be satisfied with his position.

6.

ge-e E ',, I I l'l.::: I A tA

ternative.

11....

6f6-e8!

risky. 12.

,\

13.

&e1-t2 gd1-e2

ab8-d7

With an unclear position.

/\/\/\a

E, Ag€AA

l?

The move 10...9b6!? is a olausible al-

The continuation 1 1 ...dxeS 12.fxeS 6ga l3.We2 6al t+.ee is excessively

.

/\/\

Ehlxfl

11. e4-e5 more It is prudent to play I l.€f2 with the idea of then playing *g 1.

d7-d6

q\ AAAAAN

10.

tr

B) 7. Ag1-f3

Otherwise, you can invert the moves by playing 6...96 first and then d6.

This is the starting position of

the

Benko Gambit Accepted.

A) 7. t2-t4 The start of the most aggressive line. Whlte wishes to occupy the centre with

Most of the time transposing to C or D. Here we will look at a specific line that some opening manuals call the Taimanov Yariation.

7.

97-96

9. e2-e4

Af8-s7 9a6xf1

8. afs-d2l? 10. Ad2xf1

35

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

Effi g€Xx € 3? *rgr

AA^*

\AAA tr aw€b tr This is the plan: the knight has its eye on the nice e3-square; capturing this way saves the tempi employed to castle by hand in Variation D. However, the knight manoeuwe costs tempi too four to be precise. 10. 11.

... 6f1-e3 12.0-0 13. Acl-d2 14.

Wd1-c2

ab8-d7! 9. More venomous than the predictable 9...0-0, even if this often the leads to move inversion 10.0-0 abdT I l.trbl !. The idea behind the text move is that if White continues with the automatic I0.0-0, then after 10...4b6! you cannot go into the main line as after I I.trb1?!, there is I1...4c4, which wins either the pawn on a2 or the one on d5. Therefore, White immediately plays

10.

x g€ I r 2rra I ar :* tax: * ** Ir

E

0-0

A

Ab8-d7 Wd8-a5 Wa5-a6!

**r

:ia::.: a,-::;

:it

AAi +6 A A g AAA 2\: *=

Ad7-e5

A

Here there is some debate about the adequacy of the compensation (the weak

d3-square). However, the simple fact that Kasparov has chosen to enter this position with the black pieces would persuade most people that there is suffi-

tral-b1!

:.s:

tr*

*

Removing the rook from the sights of the g7 bishop.

10.

...

0-0

Now after 10...4b6, it is possible to play 11.b3!, which will control c4, and

cient compensation.

after 11...0-0 12.0-0 Ea7 13.tre1 Wa8 14.e4, White's central counterplay

C) 7. s2-s3 A kingside fianchetto, which was only a

seems to be more effective than usual.

playable option in the previous line, is White's most solid optionhere.

11...4b6 12.b3 transposes to the line

7.

g7-96

8. Af1-g2 9. Ag1-f3

Af8-g7

9.4h3!?, gets an occasional outing. It has the plus of allowing the knight to go to the good f4-square, and the minus of conceding the eS-square to the black knight. 36

11. 0-O

Wd8-a5

discussed in the previous note.

12. Wd1'c2 trf8-b8 13. Ac1-d2

l3.Edl

!?.

13.... 14. h2-h3 15.6f3xe5 16. b2-b3

Af6-g4 494-e5 Ad7xe5

Benko Gambit

Now White's dilemma is where to put the king so he can complete development: on g7? or h2? Most often players choose g2; probably because it is quicker.

Dl)

10. h2-h3

It keeps the f6 knight off g4, while at the same time vacating h2 for the king. This square is a safer home than 92, but getting there reThe most solid.

A typical Benko theme; does the pressure on the queenside sufficiently compensate for the pawn? As you would expect, the materially-minded chess engines like White's chances, whereas human beings have differing ideas, determined by taste and prejudice.

D) 7. e2-e4 White occupies the centre but loses his right to castle. 7. Aa6xf1 8. €e1xfl 97-96 9.

6g1-f3

There were immediate doubts about the

wisdom of attacking on the kingside

with the king on fl ,

nonetheless Seirawan's idea of 9.g4 was popular for a while at the end of the 1980's, but af-

ter the discovery of 9...Wc81, nobody ever played it again.

9.

if8-g7

quires an extra tempo.

...

10. o-o 11. €fl-91 Ab8-d7 11...6a6 is also possible: 12.€h2

gb6

l3.Eel ad7 r+.8e2 6b+t ls.Ags EfeS 16.9d2 Wa5, and the weak d3-square represents some compensation for Black. 12. €91-h2 Wd8-a5 13. trh1-el trf8-b8 14. tre1-e2 As in the next line, Eht -et -eZ is a characteristic manoeuvre that allows White to prepare e4-e5 and defend b2. After l4.Bc2 - with the plan of an im-

- rhere is l4...ab6l l6.gd2 Efa4. with com-

mediate AaZ

l5.Adl

t c4t?

Pensation.

14....

Af6-e8 Black can also play 14...Wa6 or 14...trb4!?, but the knight move, which attacks c3 and prepares ...6e8-c7-b5, is

the most popular.

15. tre2-c2! An odd-looking way to defend c3.

15.... 16.

Wd1-e2

ad7-b6 Wa5-a6!

Again a paradox: Black offers to exchange queens when he is a pawn down.

Chess Opening Essentiols

EE

..lt,

t,

glh

A

-

Volume

.,..''..@

3

t,'1;1'

'l I rEr 'l'' *, A

t.t.::l

,.'

A

A

'

15.Axe5 6xe5 16.Exe5 Eb7 1Z.gB Ae8 l8.Ee2 ad6, with a balanced game. 13. trhl-e1 Wd8-a8

t9,,",:

g&. a/||rEr E--{ Ytl .'i IA

A'1..,' U

8,." gA Ag

AA

&6

rF?

A

A 17.

We2xa6

q)

tra8xa6

ggs

Not only is White's queenside under pressure, but also his centre can be undermined with ...f7-f5. This is an advance that Black can play more serenely with the queens off the board.

To sum up: Black has su{ficient comDensation.

DD

10. 11.

g2-g3 €fl-92

g

u&

EI

.i:'".14 :

Ab8-dz E? d{a

EE

I rEr

''l h1"'' ,',

tA ,\:.

AA

0-o

'

,,

'..

6 $ttr .aE

-,.-: :'

The rook on a6 defends d6, making the pawn move ...e7-e6 possible. Now the

position is more open, which holds promise for Black, given that the white king and queen are on the long Iight-squared diagonal. 14. Ac1-g5l? h7-h6 15. e7-e6 16. fTxe6

Ag5-d2 d5xe6

It is not clear if the central black pawn is objectively a good or bad thing. This uncertainty is evident over the board, where usually both sides have chances.

/\/{ /t\ A

!4):

)\A A t4) ts ts

A

€.A rF

D22)

12.

A subde move. Black prepares ...Wa8, increasing not only the pressure on the

on White's cenne. in popularity to the text move is 12...Wa5 l3.Ee1 Efb8 14.e5!? dxe5

gE& ,,'.alrEr

E

D21) 12. h2-h3 Stopping ...6ga. Now Black can choose from two alternatives that are more or less equally good. 12.... tra8-a6!?

trhl-el

:'

...'.,.

I fil'1" IA A a a& ,.'i,:

,\ tl, F?

: '4€'.A ggtr ..',.,ir:

queenside, but also Second

38

White continues along the lines of Variation D 1 . Here, the most played move is:

Benko Gombit

12....

Ad7 14.4c4 Wc7 t5.af5

6f6-94

though its popularity does not mean

it

is necessarily the best; the alternatives 12...Wa5 13.e5!? Ag4! and 12...tra6t? 13.tre2 WaS are not inferior. 13. Wd1-e2! The plan is 14.4d2! 6ge5? 15.f4!, winning a piece. The standard I3.EeZ gives Black good counterplay after 13...Wa5 14.HcZ EfbA l5.We2 Wa6l. 13. ... O94-e5 14. hf3xeS! l+.adz ab6 15.fa 6edz 16.a4t EaTl 17.a5 Wa8 produces an unclear position.

14.... 15. f2-f4

6d7xe5 Ae5-d7

16. Ac1-d2

Eg iA

H&

rrEr I I AA AA

5

AA AW gA EH IJ

TJ

1-o

Tseshkovsky,Yitaly

Alburt,Lev Vilnius zonal 1975 (9)

1.d4 AfC 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 aG 5.6c3 axbs 6.e4 b47.abid6 8.4f4

abdT 9.4f3 AbG 10.trc1 4xe4 Il.Adg 6f6 12.We2 eG 13.dxe6 fxe6 14.495 Abds 15.6xe6 hxf4 t6.Axf4+ Ae7 17.Ac4 Ag4 18.f3 efs 19.trd1 €f8 20.94 95 21.he6+ €xe6 22.Wxe6 €97 23.9f7+ €h6 24.h4 We8 25.hxg5+ €xg5 26.trd5+ &t427.&t2 1-0 Lalic,Bogdan Khalifrnan,Alexander

aI6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 aG 5.f3 e6 6.e4 exdS 7.e5 We7 8.We2 6g8 9.41c3 gb71O.4\h3 c4 11.4e3 axbs 12.0-0-0 gb4 13.4tu 6:e7 14.gb6 h5 15.Exd5 BxcS+ 16.bxc3 6xd5 17.6xd5 Axd5 18.Wd2 Ae6 19.4e2 Q:cB 2O.f4 b4 21.f5 bxc3 22.Bxc3 tra3 23.Wb2 c3 24.Wb:c '1.d4

Axf5 25.trf1 trxa2! 26.trxf5 Ab4 27.Wa5

And here Black's counterplay seems to be less effective than usual, even if a certain amount of compensation has been achieved.

KrasenkowlMichal Sievers,stefan Erfurt German Cup Z00a ( l)

af6 2.c4 c53.d5 b5 4.atg AbT 5.abd2 Wa5 6.e4 bxc4 7.Axc4 eG 8.0-0 exdS 9.exd5 d6 10.Ee1+ Ae7 11.b4 cxb4 12.4d4 9c8 13.4b5+

gG

0-1

Yaisser,Anatoli Chernin,Alexander New York PCA 1994 (1 1)

Af6

c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a5 5.e3 axbS 6.9xb5 BaS+ 7,8:c3 ilbt 8.D-te2 6xd5 9.0-0 6c710.9c4 Aa6 11.Axa6 Abxa6 12.e4 gE 13.4g5 Ag7 14.9d2 ab4 15.trad1 trd8 16."?id5 6cxd5 17.exd5 h6 18.d6 e6 19.Axd8 WxdS 20.a3 6cG 21.b4 cxb4 22.axb4 gb6 23.trb1 gb5 1.d4

1.d4

Axb5

Linares 199l (10)

IA ,\A ,4)

16.4cxd6+

2,eA

39

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

24.6c3We5 25.b5 Ad4 26.b5 Wxd6 gb6 20.h3 gxf3 21.gxf3 AfG 27.6:e4 WeS 28.Wd3 0-0 29.f4 gds 22.EdS AeS 23.Eed1 96 24.a4 Wc7 3O.trfcl Ebg 31.4c3 WcS 32.4e4 25.g3 €g7 26.We3 €g8 27.h4 gds 3{l.gh1 Sh7 34.trc5 Wa2 Ebbg 28.h5 trfeg 29.h6 We7 30.f4 35.hg d5 36.4c3 gf2 37.trf1 Wb2 Ad4 31.81xd4 cxd4 32.Wxd4 $fB 38.6a4 Wb4 39.WaG afs 40.€h2 33.Exd6 tre7 34.e5 HbeS 35,eG fG 95 41.Wa7 trtB 42.b7 6e3 43.Ef3 36.Sg2 Wxh6 37.gxf6 Wg7 gd2 44.Exe3 Wxe3 45.b89 ExbS 38.Wxg7+ €xg7 Sg.Eae Ec7 46.WxbB e5 47.Wb1+ e4 48.Exd5 40.Exa5 €fG 41.94 h6 42.trb5 EecB gxf4 49.4c5- f5 s0.trxfs Wg3+ 43.a5 trxc4 44.bxc4 Exc4 45.tre5 51,ghlflt52Exf3 1-o €e7 46.€f3 trc3+ 47.8e3 Ecs 48'Ea3 *xe6 49aG Ec8 50 a7 1-0

BeriavskpAlexander Mas,Hafizulhelmi Dresden olympiad 2008

(6)

HortrVlastimil Alburt,Lev

a6 Ab7 8.4d2 SbG 9.4c4 e610.6ge2 exd5 1.d4 AfG 2.c4 cS 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 5.e3 axb5 6.9xb5 WaS+ 7.4c3

Decin te77 (7)

1.d4 AfG 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 11.9b3 wxb3 12.axb3 aa6 13.0-0 5.bxa6 g6 6.6c3 axa6 7.4f3 d6 Ae7 14.6f4 c4 15.9d1 Ac5 16.4f3 8.g3 Ag7 9.4g2 AbdT 1O.O-0 ab6

Ace4 l7.gfdl EbB 18.4e1 Ab4 ll.Ee1 0:0 12.ad2 Bc7 13.8b1 19.Eac1 Ac5 20.Acxd5 Axel Wb7 14.b3 afxds 15.Axd5 Axd5 21.Axf6+ AxfO 22.Exel Exb2 16.4f1 6c3 17.Axb7 -Axb7 18.9d3 23.Axc6 dxc6 24.8e2 trb4 25.Eec2 Ae4 19.Beg Ad4 20.Wh6 Axbl Ea4 26.4e 2 O-O 27.6lc3 Ea5 28.e4 2'la3 Aa2 zz.adztrfb8 23.b4 cxM

Ad7 29.8b1 6e5 30.€f1 6d3 31.a4 24.axb4 Exb4 25.6f3 9g7 26.g'h3 f5 32.exf5 Eaxf5 33.f3 Ha8 34.8e2 Af6 27Wf1 gc4 28.€g2 Eal

6f4 35.Eel adl

cxd5 37.gbb7 EgS 38.h4 trgG 39.h5 trhG 36.Axd5

29.6g1 gbbl 30.ghg hS 31.f4 Ae6+ 32.€g2 Ads 33.€f3 Ac3

34Ed1ab2

0-1

8r845€5Ef; iS.glfi'l'*.U.ru?'ffi4^Xi

t*jffd1

ffiiliitl#t,,,

Hffiflt,;n ,."f;T1'flr'.H#'r.ou

,;,Air,**iii'Jou4cxbba6

b5 4.cxb5

5.b6 eG 6.4c3 6xd5 7,6xd5

?,Y**'f*"Hff'=Ti:

a6 3:il"jr,?t, iffil#"f,

exd5

ESlUg

119d2 Ab6 12.b3 Wa3 13.0:0 0-0

l$lffi t13:l"tK;:,T3, Hi$

I

S:ff

14,4c3 As4 l5.tradl Ab4 16.Axb4 Ad7 2O.Ab5 Ec8 21.ghg f5 224g5 Exb4 17.b3 gc8 18.9d3a5 19.Efe1 aes 23.bxc5 Wxa4 24.6xc7 Ws7

Benko Gcmbit

25.c6 Ac8 26.ext9 HxlS 27t4 Qte{ 28.8b4 Ba7+ 29.&52 Wc5 30.8b8 Ab2 31.Wf3 Wxc2+ 32.tre2 Wb1 33.Axf5 Wxfs 34.g4 gfz 35.Axe7

h5

36.AxdG hxg4 37.8e4 ghz

38.Axc7 Afs 39.8e3 Wxd5+ 4O.€93 Ac4 41.Wt2 Bd3+ 42.&s2 €e4+ 43.trxe4 Bxe4+ 44.st1 wd3+ 45.€e2 8td2+ 46.€e1 6f3+ 47.&11 6lxh2+ 48.ee1 9c3+ 49.ef2

g3+

trxg2+42.€h1trf2

o-1

0-1

Gross,Ronald Benko,Pal

Bozic,Aleksandar Udovcic,Mijo

Aspen US Open 1968

(t4) 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6

Belgrade ch-YUG i948

1.d4 -lti 5.bxa6 AxaG 6.4c3 d6 7.e4 g6 8.AxaG 6xa6 9.69e2 Ag7 10.O-O o-o 11.f3 Bd7 t2.Ae3 trfb8 13.9d2 €lc7 14.trac1 trb4 15.trc2 trab8 16.Acl 6fe8 17.4d3 tr4b7 18.trb1 6a6 19.4e2 6ec7 2O.Ebcl f5 21.b3 txe4 22lxe4 Ab4 23.Axb4 Exb4 24.trc4 trxc4 25.trxc4 Efe 26.trc1

Wg4 27.9d3 Ae5 28.h3 gh4

29.sh1 g5 30.4g1 94 31.4c3 Ef3 32.9d2 Af4 33.We2 Axet 34.gxf3 wxh3+ 35.9h2 €xf3+ 36.wg2 9xc3 37.Wxg4+ 9g7 38.8c8+ Bf8 39.8g4+ gs7 40.9h3 gh6 o-1

TaimanonMark Bronstein David Zwichct 1953 (i) 1.d4 AfG 2.c4 cS 3.d5 g6 4.6c3 d6 5.e4 b5 6.cxb5 Ag7 7.atg 0-0 8.Ae2 aG 9.bxa6 Axa6 10.0-0 Wc7

1l.tre1 AbdT .12.Axa6

Wa6 21.Wd2 Hxa2 22.Hxa2 Wxa2 23.e5 Wxd2 24.6:xd2dxe5 25.Exe5 €fB 26.6:lb5 c4 27.Q:c5 tra1+ 28.sh2 AfO 29.he4 ad7 30.trg5 tra2 31.tr94 tS 32.trt4 4b6 33.695 4xd5 34.trd4 ab6 35.5d8+ €97 36.f4 h6 37.6e6+ wt7 38.6d4 f.a4 39.trc8 Axc3 40.trxc4 hd5 41.olfs

trxa6

13.8e2 EfaS 14.h3 4b6 15.9g5 Ae8 16.4d2 6,a4 17.kxa4 trxa4 18.9c3 9xc3 19.bxc3 Ba5 20.9d3

af6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 €xa6 6.6c3 d6 7.e4 Axfl 8.sxf1 g6 9.g3 Ag7 10.€g2 0-O 11.6se2 gb6 12.trb1 6aG 13.b3 8:c7 14.t3 e6 15.dxe6 fxe6 16.Ae3 E9'c6 17.\9,d2 d5 18.exd5 exds 19.4f4 d4 20.Q.:a4 afds 21.trhfl Ae6 22.trt2 dg 23.6g1 Aexf4+ 24.gxt4 dxt4+ 25.€h1 gd4 26.Eff1 1.d4

2'e2

0-1

Comas Fabrego,Luis

Topalov,Yeselin Pampiona 1994/gS (3)

1.d4 at6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 96 6.6c3 9xa6 7.e4 Axfl 8.€xfl d6 9.93 Ag7 10.sg2 6,bd7 11.4f3 0-0 12.h3 traG 13.Ee1 Wa8 14.tre2 trb8 15.We1 e6 16.dxe6 fxe6 17.495 tre8 18.t4 c419.4e3 e5 20.8d1 hG 21.4f3 ert4 22.gxf4 Q.sxe4 23.6:d5 gb7 24.9d4 Wxd5 21.trxg7 gfs 26.€xh6 trxa2 27.trxd6 trxb2 28.trxb2 6xd6 29.Wc3 WfG 30.Wxf6 Axf6 31.4e5 4Ie4 32.h4 c3 33.8c2 Afs 34.€f3 Ad2+ 35.&f2 4lxh6 36.€",

^:_l +1

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

modern version, that the time for White to suffer began. We are thereficre dealing with a double-edged defence in which either side can easily trip up and lose. The nicest summary of the Mod-

ern Benoni was provided by

EffiE#€ isrffir**rffir=.

,.:ri

la gs; g€: a [$ #' ** *x#d $ .

A #A#A ;affis eftrtr

The diagram shows the starting position of the Modern Benoni. The defence is called modern so as to distinguish it from the antique defence of the same name 1...c5 2.d5 e5. Few know that its name comes from the Hebrew ben-oni, which means 'child of my sorrow'. A Jewish scholar named Aaron

from depression and sought relief at the chessboard, which resulted in a published analysis of this defence. When published the tide alluded to his sad period of study with the words ben-oni and thus the Reinganum suffered

name,

Not the most encouraging name for an opening, but certainly appropriate for its debut appearances: as you will see in the section on the Czech Benoni. the resulting positions did indeed sadden the heart of many a black player. It was only later on, when people started to realise the dynamic potential of the 42

the

Irish-born Master and World War II code-breaker C.H. O'Donel Alexander. who wrote: lf God played the Benoni against God,l belieoe White would win. But

at the human, eoen World Championship, Ieuel, practical chances are about equal.

In old opening manuals the Benoni was once called the New King's Indian as it was considered to be a version of the King's Indian in which Black 'more properly' advances the pawn to c5, instead of playrng the 'anri-positional' ...e7-e5 pawn push, which renders the

g7 bishop bad. However this is limited

a

the ...e5 advance, which is so common in the King's Indian, is made with the intention of a assessment:

kingside attack by Black. Such an attack is a rarity in the Benoni, which is why more players prefer to play the King's

Indian rather than the 'version' with ...c7-c5. The Modern Benoni started to become popular towards the end of the 1950's when the brilliant victories of the rising star Mikhail Tal forced dogmatic commentators to accept its strategic validity. In the decades that followed, it was occasionally employed by many champi-

ons with an aggressive playing style, suffice it to mention Fischer and the young Kasparov. At the beginning of the new millennium, Topalov is the only one of the elite that still uses it with any frequency

Modern Benoni Defence

5. 6. Af1-92 7. b2-b4l?

After 3...e6, the most popular move is also the most natural:

4. 6b1-c3

b7-b5l? d7-d6

Before looking at that, let's examine two

is interesting. Even the fianchetto varia-

alternatives that are important for

tions can be played in a dashing Ro-

transpositional reasons.

mantic style!

t.6fz

ge 8.0-0 Ag7 9.e41? 0-0 10.e5 dxe5 1 1.Axe5 AUz t 2.Qtc6 Wbe , and

D 4. s2-s3

the position is unclear.

Ea)gHw-€. E }I,,'..1r',,,:l11 :l:....

,',:,,..

i,

'r.,i.Ifi A

,1.t,-,

.'.. ."..,'

A ,.lll.l., ...'.i. ..,.-. .A. AAAAA AA A AA

:g.6Ag€gA

tr

This position is often reached by means of the following sequence:

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. g2-93

White wants to play

6g8-f6 e7-e6 a

Catalan, but after

c7-c5l? who would normally play the A player Nimzo- or Queen's Indian, will play the aggressive Benoni as White has reduced his options with 93. Now 4.6f3 ffansposes to the Symmetrical English, but after the normal. 4. d4-d5

8. a2-a3 9. hb1xa3

e6xd5 would be dubious to continue

4.

Here

it

along the lines 4...b5

?! as

of the Benko with

there is 5.dxe6 fxe6 6.4e2.

5.

c4xd5

Now 5...d6 would take Black into the Fianchetto Yariation. but the continuation

b4xa3

Ac8-d7

10. Ag1-f3

With unclear compensation.

B) 4.

6g1-f3

EAAg&A'

l' l

A

AA

itr

:E

..t..: 1 '.1;, 1''1-,. 1

'.,,ll'

3.

We have the diagram position.

c5xb4

7.

...9,b7 l? 8 .bxcS dxcS 9.e4, and it is no easy matter to decide if Whlte's centre is strong or weak. 7

la

A,'',1''l'

.,,.lii.l.

,,i\

tr1 \

AAAA

agg€A...l.i.l''E

This position too is often reached by means of another move sequence: 1.d4 hfe z.c+e6 3.4f3 c5!?. As with the previous line, Black is not averse from complicating the game. It would be opportune to stress that a Nimzo-Indian player (2...e6 3.4c3 Ab+) is not as conservative as you might think. As we will see, this is a defence that entails taking strategic risks, and which is often played with the full point in mind. Aware of this fact, if +3

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume

3

Black is presented with 3.4f3, he will often abandon the somewhat arid solidity of the more popular 3...d5 (Queen's

Gambit), 3...b6 (Queen's Indian) or 3...4b4+ (Bogo-Indian), *d accepr the adventure of the stormier Benoni. This choice has another benefit: White can no longer play the annoying systems involvingf2-f4 or 6ge2.

For example, t-he Romanian GM Suba exclusively plays this Nimzo-Indian/ Benoni combo when he faces 1.d4. Indeed, many of those who believe the Taimanov Attack (7.f4 and S.AbS+, discussed later) to be very strong, dogmatically assert thar ro wair for :.4f3 or 3.g3 before pushing ...c7-c5 is the only way to make the Benoni playable; but quite frankly, this seems to be an exaggerated claim. With the move 4.d5 we arrive at the previous diagram position. Nov4

4. e6xd5 5. c4xd5 d7-d6 6. Abl-c3 transposes to normal lines of Benoni, whereas 4...b5!? is

ter 2...e6 he would play 3.4f3. But

if

Black plays 3...c5, after 4.d5 White will have to adopt a line against the Benoni that would not be his first choice.

On the other hand, players who play 3.4c3 after 2...e6 will not have any problems. In this case, it is irrelevant whether Black advances ...c7-c5 on the second or the third move. We have now come to the main line.

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4

3. d4-d5 4. 6b1-c3 5. c4xd5

Ag8-f6 c7-c5 e7-eo

e6xd5

Now some offbeat players choose 5...4d6 with rhe idea of moving the bishop to c7 and perhaps a5. It may be hard to take this line seriously, but it would be a mistake to underestimate it as it has performed reasonably well. However, most people choose to play:

5.

d7-d6

the

the

Blumenfeld Gambit. which we look at next.

In conclusion, remember that you can play the Modern Benoni with the sequence 2...e6 and 3...c5.

This approach does not have any parricular negative aspects, and indeed White

will

often have problems harmonising his repertoire. We will provide an example to make this last point clearer: let's say that a player facing the Benoni Iikes the Kapengut System with 7.f3; all's well if Black plays 2...c5. Now let's imagine that the same player enjoys playing against the Queen's Indian, af4+

It is clear that we are looking at a defence that carries some risks and which is demanding to play. White has a cenrral pawn majority and the prepared pavm push to e5 would be devastating. However, Black has his trumps: the bishop on g7 has more scope on the dark-squared

Modern Benoni Defence

will try to create

(the idea is that the

spontaneous

queenside counterplay with ...a7-a6 and ...b7-b5 (a plan that White will oppose

11...b5? would be met

by

diagonal, and Black

with a2-a4). These pawn moves will provide good counterplay on the queenside, and without having to sacrifice a pawn as in the Benkol Anyway, enough chat. Let's look at the moves.

Fianchetto Variation

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. d4-d5 4. Ab1-c3 5. c4xd5 6. g2-93

6g8-f6 c7-c5 e7-e6 e6xd5 d7-d6

The Fianchetto Variation is solid, but nonetheless it contains a drop of poison.

6. 7. afr-sz 8. Ag1-f3 9. 0-0 E

ll

g7-s6

af8-s7 0-0

A'\ AA

a

rEr

trag

AT A

advantage.

10. 11.

a2-a4

ab8-d7

af3-d2 The standard plan, with the aim of transferring the knight to c4. It is also possible to initiate a centre strategy with 11.Lf+l? We7 12.h31 h6!? 13.Ee1 Eb8 14.e4 95!? (ugly-looking but effective against e4-e5) l5.Ae3 b5, with balanced play. trf8-e8 11. ... The most natural choice. even if 1 1...6e8!? has racked up a lot of points for Black. 12. h2-h3 A useful preparatory move that denies

Black the option of ...4f6-g4-e5. 12.8)c4 6)e5 l3.Aa3 ahs 14.h3 f5 looks promising for Black.

AEg EE

I IA

12.Axd6

Wxd6 13.4f4 and 14.d6) 11...4fe8 12.a4 b6 l3.Wd2 (a curious move made to make b3 possible) and after 13...4a6 1+.b3, White has a slight

AA AAA tr&

This is the starting position of the variation. Black aimost always proceeds with 9. a7-a6 The alternative 9...Ee8 tends to transpose to the main line, while 9...ha6 is a

distinct line: 10.adz 4,c7 I1.6c4l

12....

tra8-b8 odd-looking l3.Ace4! has given White nice results: 13...4df6 14.6xf6+ 6xf6 15.6c4. 13.6d2-c4 Ad7-e5 13...4b6 is also playable: 14.6a3 A.d7 (vacating the cS-square for the knight) 15.e41 AcS 16.9d3 Wc7 1 7 .48 o,a7

After 12...4h5, the

.

and after the push ...b7-b5, Black has an acceptable position.

'14.6c4-a3 The exchange on e5 gives Biack an easy game. The knight move prepares f2-f4; however, distancing the knight from the heart of the batde allows Black to become dangerously active on the kingside.

14.

...

af6-h5 45

-

Chess Opening Essentials

Volume

3

it clear that he has his eye to discouragef)-f4, and also to supporthis own advance ...f/-fS. It may seem incredible, but it might be feasible to play l+...4d7 !!? straight Black makes

on 93 so

as

away! After 15.f4

ahs!

16.fxe5 Axe5.

E gE

&

a*A

-i

u'''

,\. /t\ q q

.

B :. B AAE

gxtr

16.€h2t aaZt (16...fs 17.f4 bs in the famous 1982

appeared

Kortchnoi-Kasparov game, which was won in fine style by Black; however, with correct play White gains the upper

:*f:*A$I*tI lll

:ii tA. A-

if this still remains a valid alternative. The rook returns to f8 to support the advance ...f7 -f5. unconcerned about White's own advances on the kingside: even

hand) 17.We2 (controlling b5: 17 .f4 b5!) 17...f5 18.f4 fxe4 19.6xe4 with an unclear game.

The old main line is no longer played:

8a A A

15...f5 l6.exf5 Axf5 17 .g+ Axg4 l8.hxg4 gh4! 19.gxhs trf8 20.h6 AtrS Zr.Q)c4t 694 22.Wxq4, with a plus for White... well that is what the-

Black's compensation

will not be suffi-

cient. However, in the rough-and-tumble of a real game, it would be unwise to underestimate Black's chances.

ory

says

anyway!

16. a4-a5! Black would get a nice game by meeting 1 6.94wirh 1 6...b5!.

15. e2-e4 Both 15.g4?l gh4! and 15.f4?l Axg3

16.... 17. g3-g4

Dut Black ahead.

't8. t2-t4

15....

9c8-d7!

Taking away the last refuge available to

the e5 knight! The idea is to ignore f2-f4 and to advance ...b7-b5 (without the threat of a fork). This move has now become more popular than Timman's paradoxical I 5...trfS

!

?

:$a €!&:=t $rx *r$r lll IAffi AA 'ffil '{X :*

: t* ffia Ag tr€

+6

Bd8xa5 ahs-f6

After 1S.g5 Ahs 19.f4 6c4t 20.Axc4 Wxal 21.Axd6 Axc3l 22.bxc3 Wxc3, Black's three passed pawns are more significant than White's ones in the centre.

18.... 19. h3xg4

€

xE*.:&

*'{ r;gE€

I :*

Ae5xg4 6f6xg4

r r

t **r$ :x *a* **a a** :u€ qJ fi $**:a# g*tr

A

ri&

A

F,:

:

Modern Benoni Defence

The position is unclear, but over the board easier for Black to play The risks are such in rhis line wlrh 6d2-c+-a3. that it is easy to understand why 11.4f4!? is chosen with increasing frequency.

of breaking open the centre. 8.a4 looks normal, but after 8...497 9.e4 Ag4l, White will find it hard to gain the upper hand. 8.

9. Variations with

Wd1-e2!?

With the clear intention of

ef3

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. d4-d5 4. 6b't-c3 5. c4xd5 6. 6g1-f3

b7-b5

4,98-f6 c7-c5 e7-e6 e6xd5 d7-d6

advancing

his pawn to e5. 9.4d3 is a valid ahernative.

9.

Af8-e7!

Here we look at lines in whlch the knight move is not connected to the e2-e4 advance.

6.

97-96

EAAS€E E ,, ll :l

l' I I Al ,lA.'' )\ q)

,\ q)

AAgggA,' AAAA tr E A) 7. Ac1-f4!? A menacing move: White wishes to add a check from a4 to the Dressure on d6. 7.

a7-a6!

Safer than the normal move 7...997

8.Wa4+l AdZ (lnterposing the knight the d6 pawn open to capture) 9.9b3 Wc7 10.e4 0-0 11.4d2!, and White has achieved optimum performance results with this position. 8. e2-e4l? With this move, White concedes the queenside to Black, but with the hope leaves

In the Modern Benoni, it is a rare occurrence to see the bishop so awkwardly piaced on e7; however, Black is not the only one with an oddly located piece: White's queen on e2 is botding up his bishop.

10. We2-c2 Now the bishop is free.

10.... 11. Af1-e2 12. at3-d2

0-0

trf8-e8 Ae7-f8

With a balanced game.

B) 7. Ac1-s5 8. Ag5-ha

h7-h6!

s6-95

The most radical; it weakens the light squares, but gains the bishop pair. S...Agi 9.e3 0-0 10.4d2 (now that h5 is controlled, Black can no longer exchange off White's dark-squared

bishop) 10...a6 11.a4 6bd7 12.4e2 +7

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

Ee8 13.0-0 EbS la.Ag3 6e5 15.h3, and White has an edge.

9. Ah4-g3

af6-h5

10. e2-e3

Given that the light squares in Black's position are weak, it seems wiser to

9...9d7!? (Black simply moves rhe queen out of the pin,preparing ...b7-bS) 10.a4 and now that the b4-square is accessible, we have 10...4a6 1 1.e3 6b4 wirh the threat of ...WfS, and Black has

h2xs3 gf1-d3 Bd1-c2

I l.' ', fg f ll i', '''' ..,,

Af8-g7 ab8-d7

:l A .'r

ae

Wd8-e7

EAs& E l I ,,:{\gf g ll u

IA.:tr, .l

,.', :'..

.ri\,AA,4\A ' 14_J g A ?l

A

Ag

ggg

.

::' a-1

AA

a:

6f6-e8

EAEBAE€'..

10...4g7 l 1.abs+!?. 11. 12. 13.

,i\ t4)

AA AAAA tr .$q$Q.'''r'.9 ,,r

The safest. Sacrificing the d6 pawn

trb4

1

5.b3 !, seems too chancy.

gd1-d2 e2-e3 12. a2-a4

White would appear to stand better given the holes on h5 and f5; however, this advantage is an optical illusion: the activity of the g7 bishop on the dark

Preventing ...96-95.

squares counterbalances these static weaknesses.

White begins the customary knight's 'tour'towards c4.

7.

Af8-g7

...abd7t? 8.Ac+ 6be

8.

13. h2-h4

13.... 14. Af1xc4 D) 7.

EA AB€A

The move 8.e4 transposes to the Classi:...::

cal Variation.

0-0

9.495!? is equally popular; it is followed by the original but good reply +8

Aa6xc4 a7-a0

h2-h3!?

ll

.

Q:d2-c4

8. 9. Acl-f4

b7-b6

9c8-a6 t7-t5

And things are balanced.

c) 7. at3-d2

with

9...b6 10.Axd6 Ee8 1 1.e3 de4 l2.6xe4 Exe4 13.493 b5 t+.adzl 10. 11.

7

good position.

a

9.

push the pawn only one square, leaving the b 1-h7 diagonal open for the bishop. 10. ... Ah5xg3

'l-

.l A ;:; : '.a.

-:.:.

AA

{h

A

I

E 'l'.:

:,':'

'l

:

.,:6

g "tr

A AW€A tr ,''.;.'

A,Ai

.

Modern Benoni Defence

An attempt to enter the Modern Variation, sidestepping the lines in which Black seeks to avoid the line by playing an early .Ag+ (this is discussed later). However, even now Black can avoid the

A)

8. E

ll

AEgE

Modern with the interesting.

7.

L a2-a4

e4-e5

a7-a6

I IAA

E

ler

chl aJ

Sdg-eztt

And White can no longer advance the

AA

pawn to e4!

Variations wiffif2-t4

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. d4-d5 4. Ab1-c3 5. c4xd5 6. e2-e4 7.

E

ll

698-f6

a

t2-f4

chAE,sA

8. 9.

Ac3-b5

The check on d6 denies Black the right to castle, but White is too far behind in deveiopment to be able to exploit this.

9.

E

10. 11.

ab5-d6+ 6d6xc8+

EAg

AA

ll

q) AAAA

AA

.-1A tr ag€aatr

d6xe5 €e8-e7 Wd8xc8 eI

rh&rEr I

lal

A.

21 (J

White's intentions are clear: prepare the advance e4-e5 without worrying about

AA AA tr aw€aatr

the weak e4 pawn. After.

7.

Afe-gz White can choose from three options: the first is 8.e5, which is increasingly rare; the second is S.6f3, with a position which is more commonly reached via the King's Indian; the third is the one that is most feared by Benoni players:8.4b5+.

6t6-d7

The following is also playable: 8...dxe5 9.fxe5 afd7 10.e6 fxe6 1 1.dxe6 9eZ.

I I I Al IA AA

n

tr

little foolhardy.

d7-do

g7-g6

ag€aa

The Mikenas Attack, which is probably

c7-c5

e7-e6 e6xd5

AA AA

White has all his pieces on the first rankl

12.6:g1-t3 The alternative 12.d6+

*f8

does not

improve mamers. 12. ... e5-e4!? Keeping the central lines closed. +9

-

Chess Opening Essenticls

Volume

3

After 12...Ee8 13.fxe5 Axe5 14.4b5 abdT 15.Axe5 €fA t6.0-0 Exe5, the

10. e4-e5!

EnAg

position is unclear.

13.6f3-s5

*

ad7-b6!

14. d5-d6+

If

14.6xe4, then 14...8d8, with prom-

complicated position,

but

f

I Ar '.::

:ti:,fll'A&

ising counterplay for Black. 14.... €e7-f8

A

':,,,,

&,.

f

':.'

a

Black's

game inspires more confidence.

B)

8. hgl-f3 9. Afl-e2

0-0 10.

EnAg lS,@'.',' |; 1.:.::: I € I I Al l'1,.

10

..

.afd7

U\

11. f4xe5 12. 13. 14.

Ac1-g5 O-0 €sl-h1

.'.....t,,

hf6-g4 gd8-b6 c5-c4+

ab8-d7

After 1+...4f2+?l 15.trxf2

U\

AA A E g€

d6xe5

is perhaps the lesser of wvo

evils.

r',-..:

.t A ,". AA r\ ,\

!?

...

AA .,.:,,8

Wxf2

16.4xb5, White has a virtually decisive advantage. The alternative 14...6xe5

15.Axe5 Axe5 16.9;e7 Ee8 17.d6 gives White a clear plus.

The number one choice. It is worth not-

ing that 9.4d3 is nor

as bad as people

make it out to be.

The diagram position is important, in that is often reached via the Four

Pawns Attack in the King's Indian (1.d4 af6 2.c4 96 3.6c3 Ag7 4.e4 d6 5.f4 0-0 6.4f3 cs 7.d5 e6 8.4e2 exds 9.cxdS). However, here we will respect the ECO classification. which considers it to be part of the Benoni.

15. e5-e6

And the ensuing complications favour White.

BD 9.

Ac8-94 The most solid option. Black is prepared to concede this bishop in order to stop, or at least delay, the e4-e5 push.

10.0-0 11. h2-h3 11.8e1!?. 11. ...

ab8-d7

81) 9. b7-b5 This pseudo-pawn sacrifice is possible because of the tactic ...Axe4 followed by ...sfa5+; however, it is probably dubious as it gives White a free hand in

Wc7 16.8e2 Eac8 17.Wn 6c5. and

the centre.

things are complex.

5U

12.9e2xt3 trf1-e1

Ag4xf3 trf8-e8

13.

Wd8-a5!? Otherwise, 13...a6 14.a4 c4l? l5.Ae3

Modern Benoni Def.ence

14. Ac1-e3 15. a2-a3

aAgE s 1 €' l I al 't.t',1

b7-b5

E

ad7-b6

ll. l.,.,.,.',

'16. e4-e5

HH@

1'

, lAl gla I al

I

AA

A ',; AA A E, glg$

6\,,.,'_.":,:.:

AA ,,.,,,r:,.E

10. e4-e5

It is also possible to play the more timid 10.4d2 a6 11.a4 abdT 12.0-0 c4l?

This position is difficult to judge.

83)

[',''.,,:,'.':::"::t:,','::'

,,.,,:.,

I a,a A gA'. Aa A

AA trgtrg

1i1'..:.,.

13.9h1! 6c5 14.e5, with a complex position.

... 11. f4xe5

'10.

9.

In the past, this didn't even rate a mention in the ECO; now it is becoming increasingly popular. However, it probably needs further testing. 10. e4-e5 d6xe5 11. f4xe5 12. e5-e6

Af6-94

E Ag

E&

lr AAIrEr IA

,\ q)

)\ q) NNAAA

d6xe5

Af6-94

12. Ac1-95 12.0-0!? Axe5 13.4f+ is an insidious, but little played sacrifice.

12....

gd8-b6

The best square, with the option of a future discovered check ...c5-c4. 12...f6!?

is an attempt to simpiify the position, but White has scored well after 13.exf6 Axf6 1+.Wd2 Axg5 15.Wxg5. 13. 0-0 Og4xe5

t

EA

ll

trgggtr 4UU

A,, E,','&,',',i,,"' ir lArl

gl

After 12.495 Wbe, glack has an improved version of the line that follows.

12.... With unclear play.

84)

9.

AA A AA tr : .,:,,E €

Ad7-e5!

Wf

trf8-e8

Otherwise, there

is 13...c4+ 14.9h1

The critical move. Black invites White

AdZt (winning the

to push the pawn without fear of the re-

check

sulting complications.

counterplay

exchange

on f2 gives White

with

a

winning

with Ae4-d6) 15.e6 fxe6 5l

-

Chess Opening Essentiols 1

Volume

3

6.dxe6 adf6!, with a complex positi-

16.

17.

on that offers equal chances.

The following two moves are equal in terms of popularity and performance.

B41)

14.6f3xe5

l4...Exe5

!?.

move repeti[ion: 17...&g7 18.Ecl 18. gd1-d5 19. €91-h1 20. Ea1-b1 !

set on f7.

EA A:'

9"'.. &

ll tul ,l ':.'l I

rAE

6 .a

a

A

Wc3

Ae5-d4+ Ac8-f5

Brilliant. 20....

Wb2xb1

Forced: 20...Wxc3? 21.Exb7; 20...Axbl ?? 2t.Wxf7 -. 21. Ac3xb1 6b8-d7 And evaluating this position is a real

..'.''.

headache.

':.

tr

B4D

15. ... Wb6xb2t? This is the critical line at the time of writing. Playable alternatives are 15...9b4, which gains a rempo by attacking the bishop, and 15...4f5, which closes the f-fiIe. In this last line White does not have prospects for more than a draw: 16.ab5 (in order to advance his pawn to d6) 16...a6 17.d6 axb5 18.9xf/+ €xfZ t9.Exf5+ gxfS 2o.Whs+ €f8 2r.Wxhz Wxd6 22.9h6+ 9xh6 23.Wxh6+.

EA I

ll

,rr,E&' .1."'l ,,

Er

ue e

AA ,,',1t,,,''.,AA tr € 52

Ee8-f8! Ef8xf7

Axc3 19.Eb1t Ad++ 20.€h1 21.8b3 Wal 22.8b1 Wd 23.Eb3.

15. Ae2-c4

With its targets

9c4xt7+

Declining the piece offer creates a chaotic position that supplies the opportuniry for

a Ag7xe5

d5-d6

14. ds-d6 With the idea of Ad5. 14. ...

Wb6xb2

EAE E s rEr Ir AI

I a;

aaA

Ag

tr g

A'A

tr€

- not so much for the pawn, but more because of the direct threat to the c3 knight, and the indirect threat to the a 1 rook. 15. Ac3-d5 Strangely, this is the best

Played anfway.

15....

The move 15...9f5 also maintains a precarious dynamic balance after r. A s Ar gxe/ l6.q)e/+ I/.dxe/ ?lbct) 18.€h1t?EeS!.

Modern Benoni Delence

Ae2xf3

Ag7-d4+! With twin benefits: the first is that it forces the king away from the centre; the second is that the g7-square is now vacant for his ovm king. 16...Wxa1 17.6'e7+1, with good compensation tor Whrte. 17. €g1-h1 Wb2xal 18. Wdlxa1 Now the intermediate check on e7 leaves Black with the advantage after 18...€g7. Ad4xa1 18.... tLbS-d7 19. trf1xa1 lv...ge5la. 20. Ag5-e7 16.

H

F'1

E-€.E&

ll

aar l AI la I

-xA a\

AA

FT

cb

To ston the activation of the rook. The fork zb.6cz? does not work: 20...treS

21.4f4 trfs. Looking at the diagram position it is easy to understand why most chess engines give Black some advantage. This is not so much because Black is temporarily the exchange up, but more for the two-pa\ rn advantage, which represents a considerable plus.

However, the reality is that Black is so tied dornm that he will have difficulty exploiting his advantage, and therefore parity seems to be the wisest assessment.

c)

8.

Af1-b5+

EAES€

ll

I

E

rEr

dhr

ATA AA a

AA

AA

tr aw€ atr The feared Taimanov Attack. With this astute check. White seeks to make the e4-e5 push more effective.

aI6-d7 8. Virtually forced; 'virtually' in the sense that once in a while there is an attempt to rehabilitate the alternatives. but with little success, if the truth be told. 8...4d7?! is certainly dubious: 9.e5 dxe5 10.fxe5 ah5 1 1.4f3 o-0 1 2.Axd7 AxdT 13.g+, and Black's compensation for the piece is nebulous. It is more complicated to refute 8...Abd7 (presuming you can, of course!): 9.e51 dxeS 10.fxeS ah5 1 1.e61 Wh4+! 12.g3 Axg3 13.hxg3 Wxhl 14.4e3! Axc3+l 15.bxc3 a6! 16.exd7+ AxdT 17 .Axd7 + €xd7

18.Wg4+!? (white weakens the e5-square before exchanging off queens) 1 8...f5 1 9.9f3 !

-

E

ll

la I {1

n

I

l€

A tr

O

AultrAD

.AEl

€ag 53

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume

3

12.... gb5-f1

19...9xf3 20.6xf3 - a rook and two pawns for rwo minor pieces does not seem bad

13. 14. h2-h3

in terms of material. but here

you get the impression that the d5 pawn represents an advantage for White.

9. a2-a4 Anticipating ...a6 and ...b5. The move 9.4d3 is less played but still insidious: e...0-0 10.4f3 6a6 11.0-0 Ebs 12.9h1 8tc7 13.a4 a6 1+.f5!? b5. with an unclear game.

9.

0-0 This is the most frequent and also the most natural move.

a7-a6 Ef8-e8

E:::*Eg E*.]&.*: IEl ll..'f * *,,1€. "*.. * A;..1 it .;!..1..:th1.:.i

;; Afi::rtA ,\ .:ri\'n

-

:' .':.

q)a

q\

:,'tf.1

.A

tr

,'i{'l

'.,.'. g

14....

A *. = A€ tra8-b8

Some prefer the refinement 9...Wh4+ 10.g3 9e7 (or indeed 10...9dS).Ir is true that White's pawn is better placed

l+...f51? is controversial. It breaks up White's centre, but at the same time

it seems fool-

15.9c1-e3 It will not be easy for Black to activate the usual counterplay with ...b5, and therefore White may hold a slight advantage. However, this is not nearly

on 92 than on 93, but

hardy to waste a tempo in such an aggressive line in order to create a weakness that is so academic. This does not mean that 9...9h4+ cannot be played (we have already seen how the advent of chess engines has led to a frequent and dramatic reassessment of what is actually playable). However, to suggest that this could be the best line is a completely different matter.

10.691-f3 6b8-a6 With the other knight on d7, this move seems to be the most logical.

11. 0-0

6a6-b4

The knight profits from the fact that the

pawn is already on a4, and finds a

se-

cure home.

11...6c7 is playable, but Black must be ready to meet the aggressive 17.Axd7 !?

AxdT 13.f5!. 12. trfl-el Preparing the e4-e5 advance and leaving the fl-square for the bishop. 54

weakens the e6-square.

enough to justify the claims of refuting the Benoni that are in circulation!

Minor variations after 6.e2-e4 g7-96

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. d4-d5 4. 6b1-c3 5. c4xd5 6. e2-e4

698-f6

c7-c5 e7-e6 e6xd5 d7-d6 97-96 Before examining the usual 7 .6f3, we will take a look at two minor variations: the Kapengut and the Penrose.

A) 7.

t2-t3

The Kapengut Variation is clearly analogous to the Simisch Yariation in the

Modern Benoni Defence

King's Indian, indeed this position is most often reached by means of the

A stunning move that reminds one of ...4h5 in the Spassky-Fischer match of

will respect it as part

1972, brtt in that case Black obtained the advantage of the two bishops. 9...a6 10.a4 h5 is the normal continuation, with equal chances.

King's Indian. However, we

the ECO entry, which classlfies

of the Benoni. There is a historical explanation for this: in the past, few played 6.995 in the Siimisch, which is the most common means of transposing (1.da dfe Z.c+ 96 3.4c3 Ag7 4.e4 d6 5.f3 0-0 6.495 c5 7.d5 e6 followed by ... exdS); whereas after the normal 6.4e3 it was not yet popular to play the gambit line 6...c5!?, which after 7.d5 e6 indeed transposes to the Kapengut.

E

AAggE

II , ..:

a: T1

7

i',

I "l

E

I hl

la'

a' A

11 U

,A AA tr

.f3, a solid move that reinforces the

centre, stops ...hg4 and, Black permitting, is made with the following moves in mind: AgS, Wdz, Ae2-g3, Ae2, 0-0 and f4. However, it is not a move that favours development. Other negative as-

pects are that the dark squares are slightly weakened, and a possible f3-f4 will involve the expenditure of another tempo. As usual, the pro's and con's balance each other, which is good for the game. Otherwise, we would all play the same opening! 7.

A1) 8. o,s1-e2 9. Ae2-s3

E

Ag3xh5

g6xh5

AAg.

Il', 't .',.. ,'','.,

'l A'

:':': a '-' S'',.'.,'' AA tr gW€Q''':

I

The doubled h-pawns are ugly and not surprisingly, most chess engines give a big advantage to White. In reality, the dark-square weaknesses and the fact

l

aw€aa

10.

Af8-s7 0-0

Af6-h5!?

that Black can activate his play with ...f5 represent some compensati on.

11. gf1-d3 t7-15 12. 0-0 hb8-a6 It is also worth considering 12...6d7, \.ith the possibility of pushing the parnm to f4 and planting *re knight on e5.

a2-a3 14. Wd1-c2 '13.

Ac8-d7

gd8-f6

15. €g1-h"1 Most chess engines see White as having a clear advantage, but this seems to be

an overestimation; to the human eye Black's more dynamic position would appear to be adequate compensation.

AD 8. Ac1-e3 Little played in this context, but often reached in the Si'rnisch King's Indian. 0-0 8. 9.

gd1-d2

55

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

9.6ge2!?.

10. Ag5-e3 After 10.Axh6 Axe4 11.Axe4 Wti++ 12.93 Wxh6 l3.Bxh6 Axh6 14.Axd6 Adz, better development and darksquare play gives Black enough com-

9.

a7-a6 10. a2'a4 trf8-e8 11. hg1-e2 ab8-d7 12.6e2-93 h7-h5!

E

I

lat:l*

pensatron.

E*; e5:

A

..=-

10.... a7-a6 This is identical to the previous line, with the difference that the black pawn

I x* a$r

tfi r€

tb.$

* A" n A :i*i "a-lhA € ti HA

$r

t::a:;

wx EA

B,

is on h6.

r:rti

11.

n n, :*; g:: e u

A typical move in these positions; plan is to disturb the 93 knight.

the

15.9e3-f2 To relocate the

extra tempo for both players.

13.

there is always rhe racrical motif of ...Axe4 followed by ...Wh++.

14.... 15. 16.

8. L gdl-d2

EfiA ig €'x la **r

A'ffr€*r

t:.,:;t * A .., ) < -:-::: ...

-

' '-

,)i\ .q \:

l

arqi

?J:

)( tJ'-'

'a

-:"-l '

-

gA Aq-

gA

.:'.:Ff' *-:i-':

l

A

'a?1 +

:-:

,

t 55

' '.L

f ::-.=

0-0 h7-h6

12.4e2 b5 is an interesting plan.

AA. AZI

h6-h5 t7-t5

gE*e*: *r* :* €a a:*.: X *f:t;

e...gd7!? lo.Age2 8)a6 t1.Ag3 trb8

:e: E

0-0 €g1-hl

H ,A

E

The most played.

€;:t

af6-h7

t4...ahs!?.

A3) 8. Ac1-s5

,....

Ad7-e5

Remember that after the caprure on h6

With equal chances.

.

...

14.9j1-e2

knight on e3.

15.... Ad7-e5 16.6f1-e3 Wd8-g5 17. 0-0 t7-f5

'i:

trf8-e8

ab8-d7

13. 6e2-c1!? 13.493 h5 transposes to A2 with an

9f1-e2 h5-h4 Ag3-f1 af6-h7

13. 14.

a2-a4

12.691-e2

t\ q)

-i{i

1d I a---: ::::

tA-,-ffrt A

./4.

E ,-- a'--' n ---:- -.,

.

:- ^ --..

**nx Afi:tr

With the usual active play, and either side

couldwin.

B) 7. Af1-d3

Af8-g7

8. 6g1-e2 8.h3 0-0 9.495!? is an alternative.

interesting

Modern Benoni Defence

E llA€,9s!? rar ry /L Ar fV a rAI^ 2)E AA^^-i

retreated to c2. Another line from the

E

any thing- is-play able

school

!

a2-a4

ab8-d7

12.6:e2-93

Wd8-c7 c5-c4

10. 11.

h2-h3

trf8-e8

t2-t4

13.

14. Ad3-c2 Ea8-b8 15. Ac1-e3 To discourage...b5.

I

AAAg tr Ag€+ tr

15....

The text move introduces the menacing Penrose Yariation, named in honour of

the English player who defeated the mighty Tal in 1960. White's plan is 0-0, 693,fa, with a possible Wf3 and Ag5, after which the threat of the oositional

After

15

6d7-c5

...b5 I 6.axb5 axb5

17 .Ea7

,

White is better. 16.

A

gdl-f3

position reached

in hundreds of

games.

16....

b7-b5

Naturally, Black does not jusr sit there

Otherwise, 16...4fd7 I Z.e5 dxe5 18.f5! e4! 19.Agxe4 Ae5, with an un-

twiddling his thumbs while all this

clear game.

sacrifice e5-dxe5-f5 is looming. is

a4xb5

happening, and he has a number of re-

17.

disposal. However, if Black plays mechanically he may find himself losing with remarkable speed. Compared to other lines, White does

18. e4-e5 19. 20. Ae3-d4!

20.9f4 afd7, wirh optimum compen-

not adequately control the c4-square,

sation for the exchange.

sources

at his

f4xe5

and Black's counterplay centres on the

20....

pawn advance c5-c4 supported by the queen on c7 . This will in turn make the ...b7-b5 advance easier. In addition, the

21.693-e2

8.

0-0 9. 0-0 a7-a6 The classical approach. Some

60a

rar E

-a

lc

positional and tactical tension immediately rises, and we are now in one of the most complicated lines of the

a

rA

a

g

tre8xe5

tre5-95

HA tg

cS-square will be an excellent square ro activate the d7 knight. As you will now appreciate, the level of

Benoni.

a6xb5 d6xe5

AA E

UUA A\A

AA z)a Fl .9.)

players with a complex game that is not easy ro have scored well by experimenting assess. with the surprising 9...69+l?, heading Larer we wili look at the main line of fore5 andthenc4afrerthebishophas the Benoni:6.e4 96 7.aft, with the 57

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

natural 7 ...A'g7 . However, first we will have a glance at an interesting alternative that allows Black to avoid the insidious ModernVariation:

White is unconcerned about the advance ...b7-b5. Remember that 8.4f4 is also possible, and transposes to the 7.4f4 variation, which we have already discussed.

b7-b5

8.

Bronstei n Variation 7...a6!?

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. d4-d5 4. 6b1-c3 5. c4xd5 6. e2-e4 7. Ag1-f3

9. gfl-d3

Protecting the e4-square.

9. if8-g7 10.0-0 0-0 11. Ac1-f4 trf8-e8 12. trf1-e1 Ha8-a7l?

6s8-f6 c7-c5 e7-e6

e6xd5 d7-d6 97-96 a7-a0

t* fiAgE€g -* ,gl :;:: r I l*tfir

a:r*.a*;* .* t:iag

t:A

*;t:

:::a:ta

aa;;a:.t A .A =' €. ::*W Inviting White to play a2-a4 and then intending to exchange the bishop on 94 for the knight on f3. However, White does not have to play a2-a4.

A

t::i:i

A position that has inspired much debate: opinions differ as to whether Black's queenside pawns are weak or strong. In practice, both sides have equal chances.

C)

8. a2-a4

Ac8-g4!?

Before White plays h3 or Ad2.

D 8. Wd1-e2!? With the idea to follow up with e4-e5. This promising idea was the brainchild of Epishin. Probably Black's best reply is the equally strange-looking :

8.

Wd8-e7

which prevents the pawnpush.

B) 8. 58

aforementioned

Efig ....:

ll*

I

.at

'.:' ttA :.

A

1-Z-) -

,gl Ag h2-h3!?

,:..

*

:,1 *:A :^

6ia :iaaa

aA

E

l.= r

fir

aa:aL:..,1

:]ij,.i',.

n al l;::.:i:1

A

a:a:i:

A.A i:\ A

:::t::l

,\,

::t:i

it,::i L4\ 1i

E'l

FT

Modern Benoni Defence

to control e5. and he is willing to give up the advantage of the Black's aim is

Main line

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. d4-d5 4. 6b1-c3 5. c4xd5 6. e2-e4 7. 6g1-f3

bishop pair to achieve that end. Do not forget that in the previous line the bishop move would be premature at this point due to 8.Wa4+1.

9. gd1-b3!? White seeks to exploit the weak

b7

pa\ m.

If White continues in normal fashion with 9.4e2. after 9...Axf3l 10.Axf3

lt

l

AA

Ag4xf3

Otherwise. 6d2 would follow. 10. Wb3xb7 ab8-d7!

11. 12. 13.

g2xf3 9f8-g7 Wb7-c6! 0-0!

Wc6xd6

af6-h5

E:, g Eg :.f.. fEf lgl ',",' t[ ,r '5 AA 2{

2(

AA q)a

A

H /ff HEgEg

In

exchange

r..;.

6 Ne.b

EBES-

AA

for the fwo

H

sacrificed

pawns, Black has obtained some positionally favourable features: however, whether these represent sufficient compensation for the lost material is di{ficult to say.

/\AAA 2\ /1

6

F?

E

For historical reasons this variation, in which White plays both Af3 and e4, is classified as the main line. The line is subdivided into the Modern and Classical Yariations, which discussed soon.

D

8.

will

be

Ac1-s5

This is not very popular anymore, but

it

is always a dangerous move.

8.

,-6-A

I

I Al

qq)

win.

Iess clear.

Af8-g7

i.,., I'A,..,':..'1.,,:

reached through the Classical Variation, that offers both sides equal chances to

The compensation after 10...4xg2 is

c7-c5 e7-e6 e6xd5 d7-d6 97-96

Eagge E i''.,,1 g,l

Ag7 11.0-0 0-0 12.4f+ We7 13.Eel 6bdz r+.as EfeS 1s.gd2 hs!? r6.h3 Ah7, we have a position that is often

9.

Ag8-f6

h7-h6

This attempt to get rid of the pin is the most played move, but it may also be a good idea to play an early 8...a6!? so as not to have to worry anymore about the check on b5. In response to this, the critical line is 9.OdZ ! (controlling h5 in case of ...h7-h6 and ...g7-g5) 9...b5 10.a4 b4 1i.Acbl 0-0 12.4d3. with complex play.

9. Ag5-h4

96-95 qq

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume

3

The other option 9...a6 is played with the same idea mentioned in the previous note.

10.

Ah4-g3

Af6'h5

Black is prepared to weaken his light squares in order to have the advantage of the two bishops. 11. gf1-b5+! Forced: the defence of

maintained'

and if

€e8-f8 d6 should be 1

1...AdZ?!

12.Axd7+ Wxd7, there follows 1

3.4e5 !, which

amacks h5.

wirh

a clear

plus for White.

12. e4-e5!

AA'B ,9, E t, I 'i.,r ::' f A ,,1,':l 1. :a''. ,tl ..'',.,"A{A E

,l

A

'' A ',.'..taA A 'A .''... *,A A 'F? .:..,Wi

tr

Spicing up the posirion.

12....

Ah5xg3

The move 12...a6!? is a possibility.

13. f2xg3!

With the idea of using the f-file to better exploit the light squares.

13. ... d6xe5 14. 0-0 White's compensation is evident. Black may survive with correct play, but in practice, this position is not fun to play.

The idea is simple and surprisingly effective: once h3 is played, the bishop

can be developed to d3 without any further concern for the pin from 94. Now White will play Af4, 0-0 and Eel with the intention of e5. Aware of this, Black responds energetically with 9. b7-b5!? Although playable, this move has a discouraging defect for many players; there are quite a few lines that are forcing through to the ending. Those who would prefer to play a game of chess instead of memorising long lines could try 9...a6 10.a4 AbdZ 11.0-0 Ee8 12.4f4 WeZ 13.Ee1 Wf8l. on this square the queen is less exposed and supports - White permitting - ...ahs and ...Ahg, wirh active play on the dark squares.

The alternative 9...4d7 has recently been demonstrated to be playable, as has 9...4h51? 10.0-0 6_sat 1t.Ag5 Af6tZ. The facr that these lines are now considered to be viable is further evidence of the creative vitality of modern chess.

B) 8. h2-h3 9. gfl-d3

0-0

Bl)

10. 11.

Ad3xb5

6c3xe4

6f6xe4

The popular and feared Modern Varia-

Wd8-a5+ Winning back a piece, but losing the d5

tion.

pawn.

OU

Modern Benoni Delence

12. ats-d2l 13.6e4xd6

Wa5xb5 Wb5-a6!

14.6d2-c4 Not 14.Axc8?? Ee8+, andBlackwins. 14.... abe-d7 On its way to b6, where it will challenge the two mutually supporting knights.

15.0-0

ad7-b6

16.6c4xb6 17. Ad6xc8

Wa6xb6! Ea8xc8 In exchange for the palvn, Black has counterplay against b2 and d5: but will this prove to be enough compensation?

18. 19.

tral-b1 Ac1-f4

Ef8-dg

gb6-b7

19...c4!?.

d5-d6 gd1-d3! 22.914xd6 23. trf1-dl 20. 21.

Eg7-f8 af8xd6! trc8-c6

gb7-d7!

E€

*

a::g.t f t;:f Ae I I -,\t

'elJ

AA :n..:

sryA :n.':

FiFl'.6 ':-E:-H...\41-

::

AA

BD 10.6c3xb5

forced 11.Axe4 Ee8 12.2.95

black queen.

24. Wd3-a3 trc6xd6 25. Wd7xd6 26. Wa3xa7 Black's position holds, even if it is a bit of a struggle.

trd1xd6

h6

13.4e5! (an elegant way to block the

file)

13...Wa5+! 14.6c3 Axc3* Wxc3* 16.4d2 Wc4 1 7.gf3l Axe6 18.8c1 gd4 19.0-0 (threatening 15.bxc3

20.4c3 and 21.9f6) 19...4xh3! 20.Ac3 Axg2l 21.Wf+! Bxe4l 2}.trfel!

(the back-rank mate theme at

work) 22...ad7 23.Exe4

Axe4 24.Wxh6 f6 25.9f41, with an advantage for White. However, the way things are going it is not improbable that the move 10...4xe4 will be favourablv reassessed in the future. 11. 0-0 1 1.4d2 Axd5, with equality. 11. ... Af6xe4 12. trf1-e1 12.Wa4!?.

12.... 13. Ab5-a3 14. 15.

Eelxe8+

Acl-95

a7-a6l Ae4-f6 Af6xe8 Wd8-c7

Efi A ?,u A iaa'€ a:La:a..:

{e

.1a,:'j

r L

::ar

Better than the obvious 23...Ecxd6 24.Wxd6 Exd5 25.trxd6. and the two white rooks are more powerful than the

Ef8-e8!

The old move 10...4xe4 is considered to be bad bv most as there is the almost

ti].::

"-

*.,

t:rrr:::

t\ *. qJ

A .J, &l A

;i,:...:: .::il9:€

*

A

*

,:r:lt::l

rE I :::: r

;l:ii i:.rl

*t

..fr.'

tl

*: A

].:r:l:]:f

a i:::: c/-) A ?A

---l

A

)

.,.*:

:::: $tr

A..

A rt::ti

iJA

;:.:ial(

White has the advantage by virtue of his better development. However, this is only temporary, and Black should have no problems equalising.

61

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume

3

C) 8. Af1-e2

12. a2-a4

The Classical Variation (many openings that fearure Af3 and Ae2 are classified as classical). Sometimes White immediately plays S.Ad2!?, which usually transposes. It is often played in order ro avoid 9...Ag+ (Variation C2).

8. 9.

a2-a4 12. Ae2xf3 13. trf1-e1

aa a r*a a

c3)

e. a7-aG A move that in itself does not define anv particular variation, and instead after...

W*1ttr€ Ab8-a6

1O.

af3-d2

a2-a4

it

tends to transpose into other lines. The following is an indicative example: ...

r0.gf4t?. 10.

... af3-d2

6f6-e8!?

...

10. trf8-e8 11. Ab8-d7 12. Ea1-a3! This useful move defends the kingside, and it is also to be see in Variation C42. Here it has the additional advantage that Black has lost a rempo playing his pavm

*iA€lA€&it

f::r a.'lr r *all tAt .r: A r: :.ll; a *A& fiA&A& E AW trg

to a6.

12....

Vacating the d 1-square for the knight.

... 14.6c3-d1 15.6d1-e3 13.

push to f5. This line was successfirlly em-

in the 2004

1

1...f5!?. 62

6a6-c7

it

96-95 Ae5-96

6g6-f4

16.9e2-d1

World

Championship match againsr Leko, and has thus become more popular.

11.6d2-c4

Ad7-e5

13. Wd1-c2!?

hotecting d6 and preparing the pav,n ployed by Kramnik

a7-aG

Ag4xf3!? Wd8-e7 6bg-d7 This takes us into the Bronstein Yariation, which we discussed before.

A

e.

...

11.

x fir:*

10.

Ac8-g4

10. Ac1-f4 10.4d2 Axe2 I 1.Wxe2 AUaz t 2.8)c4

10.

**A**

E

CD 9.

Black has active play.

EAAg E& I :* I rEr

cl)

trf8xf5!? 14.9.e2-94 trfs-fg With a diffi cult-to-iudge position.

ab6 13.4e3 WeZ 14.f3 Ah5. and

0-0 0-0

tr

17-t5

13. e4xf5

Black

is weak on the kingside

Iight-square complex, but his dynamic potential gives him chances that should not be underestimated.

Modern Benoni Defence

C4) 9. Black is yet to decide pa\ rn to a6 or not.

10.

trf8-e8 if he will play the

16. Ae2xc4 a7-a6 17. gd2-d3 Stopping ...b5. The following is an in-

teresting alternative: 1 7.Efe l l8.afll?.

af3-d2

EChEgE € rar I rhr

17.

lr

IA

E ll

A A

AAgg' AAAAA tr€

,\nd now we

see the last

af6-h5!

Es ag l€l I

I

IA gA AAA Ag A A AA

uz)

E

...

b5

,',

Fl

of the alterna-

Fl .0-)

tive sub-variations.

C41) 10....

6b8-a6

The old line. The knight is heading for c7, where it will support the ...b7-b5 push and discourage White's advance e4-e5, as d5 would be left undefended. 11. f2-f3 Protecting the e4 pawn so as to free the d2 knight. 1

1.

...

12.a2-a4

Aa6-c7 b7-b6

tz...ad7 r3.gh1 b6! 14.dc4

a'e5 17.exf5 gxfs 18.4d3 Wfo rs.Wcz ah6 2o.Ad2, and White has an edge. The normally thematic 17...a6?! would be an error here il riew of 13.6c4 Eb8 14.4f4 Afs ts.as,

15.6e3

f5

16.f+

aI7

and White has a clear advantage.

13.o,d2-c4

Ac8-aG

And now we see the idea behind I 2...b6: to take on c4

after l+.Af+.

14. Ac1-95 gd8-d7!? 15. gdl-d2 Aa6xc4 In order to advance his pawns to a6 and bs.

Now that Black's efforts have come to a halt on the queenside, he seeks counterplay on the other side of the board. 18.

19. 20.

g2-g4

€sl-hl tral-b1

Ag7-d4+ 6h5-g7

h7-h5 The position is not easy to evaluate with any precision; in the rough and tumble of a real game either side could win.

c4D 10....

ab8-d7

The most natural and dynamic wav to proceed.

11. a2-a4 The most played move. Now there is the option of Ea3. 11 .f+l? transposes to the f4 lines already

discussed. There is also the threat of 11.h31? g5!? (the normally thematic

11...6e5 is not good in this position because of 12.f4) 12.6c4 Axe4 13.6xe4 Exe4 l4.Axd6 trd4 15.Wc2 trxd5, with an unclear game. 63

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

Another idea is Polugaevsky's I l.Wc2 Ae5 1 2.b31?.It is a little played line but worthv of consideration. 11.... Ad7-e5

The k.y position of the Classical Benoni. Black stops 6c4 and saves the tempo necessary to play ...a7-a6 so he can immediately become active on the kingside. Usually Black continues with the somewhat risky ...g5. This move weakens the light squares, but sets up good play on the dark squares with either ...4e5-g6-f4 oa after the further

push ...g5-g4, with ...4f6-h5-f4 and ...gds-f6. White, for his part, will manoeuwe so as to place the knight on 93 or e3, with the option of a timely f2-f4 advance, whereas the rook on a3 will have an important defensive role on the kingside. As you will have noted, this is a position of great complexity that is characterised by an eternal theme: dynamic advantages on one side pitted against structural superiority on the other. 12. Ea1-a3 12.Wc2 usually transposes (unless Black plays the Fischer-like move 12...4h51?). An effective alrernarive plan is 12.Ee1 in order to transfer the knight to 93 via fl. g6-95 12.... 13. Wd1-c2 In addition to freeing the dl-square, this move defends e4 and allows Ac4 in

14.6c3-d1 14.6c4l?. 14.

6e5-96

...

l4...ahs ls.f4!.

15.6d1-e3

Ae2-b5

Wd8-e7

Ee8-f8 16...9d7? would fatally weaken the 16.

Iight squares.

17.

a4-a5

Ea8-b8

El l l -9.gr-gr laa g::,,,

E

o

&',..',,,

*a

AI sq) AgA A A A tH

,\

A

tr€

With a classic Benoni position in which White's advantage is really only academic.

Aronian,Levon Carlsen,Magnus Elista 2007

(l)

1.d4 af6 z.atg e6 3.c4 c5 4.d5 exdS 5.cxd5 d6 6.hc3 96 7.93 Ag7

8.392 0-0 9.0-0 a6 1O.a4 Ee8

on

11.4f4 o,e4'12.6xe4 Exe4 13.4d2 trb4 14.b3 trxf4 15.gxf4 Axal 16.Wxa1 2,d7 17.6e4 We7 18.8c1 bO 19.trc3 af6 20.tre3 6xe4 21,9xe4 WdS 22.tr93 gh4 23.e3 Se7 24.Ad3 Ab7 25,e4 Ee8 26.f5 gh4 27.h3 ac8 28.8c3 gf4 29.9f6 Be5 30.Bxe5 Exe5 31.f4 Ee8 32.f6 gd7 33.tre3 b5 34.axb5 axbS 35.e5 €f8 36.9f2 €g8 37.4e2 €fs 38.h4

tunities.

41.gd3 h5 42.e6 fxe6 43.Axg6

some lines.

13.... After 13...a6 14.hd1

95-94

696 15.6e3 Af4

16.9d1 b617.f3 46h5, White's positiseems more harmonious, but in practical play Black has excellenr oppor-

64

€g8 39.€el gf8 40.€d2

h6

Modern Benoni Def.ence

exd5 44.gxe8 gxe8 45.8e6 c4 46.trxd6 cxbS 47.*cg €f7 48.€xb3 eg6 49.€b4 €f5 50.Sc5 9f7 51.€xb5 AeG 52.*c5 €xf6 53.€d4

€f5 54.€e3 sj7 55.€fg AeG 56.tra6 Af7 57.tra8

€f5

€f6

26.trxf8+ trxf8 27.We1 6xe4+

28.€g2 Wc2 29.Axe5 Ht2+ 30.Wxf2 Axf2 31.tra2 gfs 32.6xd7 adg 33.AhG WxdT 34,9a8+ gfz 35.trh8 €f6

36.gf3Wxh3+

Ag6 60.tr91 €f5

Avmkh,Boris

61.€e3 Af7 62.Eg5 €e6 63.€d4

Kamsky,Gata

59.8a1

€f6 64.€c5 €e7 66.Exf7+

65.trg7 €f6 1-o

Scheeren,Peter

Timnan,Jan teeuwarden ch-NED 1980 (2) 1.d4 eG 2.c4 Q;tG 3.g3 c5 4.d5

exd5

5.cxd5 d6 6.hc3 g6 7.4g2 Ag7 8.4f3 0-0 9.O-O treB 1O.6d2 aG 11.a4 hbd712.h3 trbB 13.6c4 6e5 14.6a3 6h5 15.e4 trfB 16.g4 Bh4 17.gxh5 AxhS 18.h6 Ah8 19.4e2f5 20.exf5 Exf5 21.6g3 gbf8 22.6,rt5 trxf5 23.Wb3 Axg2 24.&xg2 Se4+ 25.€ Axf3 26.gxf3 trxfg 27.trxfg We2+ 28,trf2 Wg4+ 29.9f1 Wdt+ 30.sg2 gd4 31.8b1 Wg4+ 32.€f1 B'dl+ 33.€92 Wg4+ 34.€f1 b5 35.axb5 axb5 36.tra1 Axf2 37.&xt2 Wa4 38.trb1 Wh4+ 39.€e2 We4+

40.€d1gf3+41.€d2

0-1

Kortchnoi,Yiktor

Khanty-Mansiysk 200 7

5.cxd5 d6 6.6c3 g6 7.4g2 Ag7 8.af3 0-0 9.0-0 aG 1A.a4 tre8 11.ad2 AbdT 12.h3 trb8 13.Q:c4 AeS 14.4a3 Ahs 15.e4 Ad7 16.a5 9xa5 17.94 6lt6 18.s5 6h5 19.f4 6,c4 20.oxeA Wxal 21.4xd6 AxcS

22.bxc3 Bxc3 23.Axe8 trxe8 24.trf3 Wd4+ 25.Bxd4 cxd4

26.8d3 Ecg 27.9d2 a5 28.Af3 a4 29.Ag4 f5 30.gxf6 4xf6 31.Axd7 6xd7 32.e5 Ab6 33.e6 Axd5 34.trxd4 6e7 35.trxa4 kc6 36.tre4

gf8 37.9b4+ €e8 38.*g2

hxg6 53.€g4

gd1

0-1

Kortchnoi,Viktor Suba,Mihai Beer-Sheva 1984 (1

gG 3.g3

b5

39.4c5 6e7 40.Af2 trbg 41.4c5 trcB 42.At2 6cG 43.4c5 Ed8 44.tre2 trds 45.9f2 b4 46.tra2 b3 47.tra1 b2 48.trb1 trd2 49.€f3 6a5 50.9h4 Ac4 51.f5 gds 52.fxs6

Luzem oll,rnpiad 1982 (10)

af6 2.4

(2i

1.d4 AfG 2.c4 e6 3.g3 c5 4.d5 exdS

Kasparov,Garry 1.d4

o-1

58.tra6+

Ag7 4.9e2

c5 5.d5 d6 6.4c3 O-0 7.4f3 e6 8,0-0

exdS 9.cxd5 a6 10.a4 tre8 11.4d2

abd7 12.h9 trbg 13.4c4 he5 14Aa3 6h5 15.e4 trf8 16.€h2 f5 17.f4 b5 18.axb5 axbS 19.6axb5 fxe4 20.Axe4 Ad7 21.9e2 Sb6 22.4ra3 EbeS 2g.Ad2 Wxb2 24.fxe5 AxeS 25.6:c4 Axg3

l)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 eG 3.4€ c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.6c3 g5 ZAf4 aG 8.e4 ag79.wa4+ ad71o.gb3 wc7 11.AxdG Wxd6 12.Wxb7 0-0 13.e5 Ac8 14.Wxa8 Bb6 153xa6 Axa6 16.0-0-0 Q:ga fl.d6 trxeS 18.6xe5

Axe5 19.9f3 ad7 z0,trdz trbB 21.8e1 Ab7 22.Weg gd4 23.W93 af6 24.tre7 Ac8 25.6a4 gbs 65

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume

3

26.Wb3 Wxb3 27.axb3Ae6 28.8c7

6e4 29.tre2 6xd6 30.6xc5 6f5 31.Ed2

Axc5

o-1

Petrosian,Tigr"o Nunn,John Hastings 1977 /78 (13)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.6c3 exdS 5.cxd5 dG 6.af3 96 7.8:d2 As7 8.6c4 o-0 9.Ag5 h6 to.Af4 b6 11.9xd6 Ee8 12.493 4e4 13.6xe4 trxe4 14.e3 b5 15.4d2 trb4 16.b3 Axal 17.Wxa1 Wxd5 18.a3 trg4 19.4e2 Ac6 20.Af3 Bte6 21.Axg4 Bxs4 22.O-O Ab7 23.f3 E9'e6 24.6e4 trdB 25.Axc5 Wxe3+ 26.9t2'We7 27.tre1 Bc7 28.h4 h5

29.6e4 Ae7 30.4f6+ gf8 31.b4 Ac8 32.6xh5 gxh5 33.8h8+ Ag8 34.9c5+ Ed6 35.Se5

1-0

49.trc6+ €f5 50.Ef6+ €e5 51.EhG afs 52.Exh5 b4 53.Ehg ad4+ 54.€s4 Ae6+ 55.*h5 b3 s6.trb8 trb4 57.trxb4 cxb4 58.9c1 4f4+ 59.€95 6d3 6O.h5 €e6 0-1 Kasparov,Garry Nunn,John Lucerne olympiad 1982 (9)

1.d4 af6 2.c4 eG 3.6c3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 gG 7.t4 Ag7 8.4b5+ 6td7 9.a46a6 10.6f3 6b4 11.0-O a612.9xd7+ Axd713.f5 O-O

14.995 fG 15.4f4 gxf5 16.Axd6 Axa4 17.Exa4 '9xd6 18.6h4 fxe4 19.4f5 gd7 20.axe4 €h8 21.Q)xcS 1_O

Ivanchuk,Yasily Kramrrik,Vladimir Las Pal mas I

Ivanchuk,Yasily Topalov,Veselin l'lov-S3rod

legs (9)

1.d4 aI6 2.6;t9 eG 3.c4 c5 4.d5 d6 5.6c3 exdS 6.cxd5 gG 7.6rd2 Ag7 8.Q:c4 0-0 9.g3 bG 1O.a4 Aa6 11.4b5 6e8 12.€92 Axb5 13.axb5 €:ld714.kt4 8e715.0-0 s5 16.4d2 Ac7 17.Elb3 f5 18.Eae1 f4 19.gxf4

sxt4 20.€h1 6e5 21.4f3 gd7 22.trg1 Wxb5 23.Bxb5 6xb5 24.f;lxe5 dxeS 25.Ag4 €h8 26.9:d7 6:c7 27.AcG trad8 28.e4 fxe3 29.trxe3 Axd5 30.tre93 \eT

6xc6 32.4e3 trd6 33.trc7 trg8 34.trxg8+ €xg8 35.€92 e4 36.*g3 trfG 37.As5 EfS+ 38.€s2 ad4 39.Exa7 afs 40.8a4 gb3 41.Exe4 trxb2 42.trt4 697 f'.trtl trM 44.gfg h5 45.h4 b5 46.trc6 Ec4 47.trc8+ gf7 48.trc7+ €g6 31.trx97

66

996

(5

)

1.d4 af6 2.c4 gB 3.4c3 9.gl 4.e4 d6 5.Z,ge2 0-O 6.f3 c5 7.d5 e6 8.693 exd5 9.cxd5 AbdT 10.Ae2 aG 11.a4 h5 12.Ag5 We8 13.Wd2 ah7 14.9h6 WeS 15.Axg7 WxgT 16.4f1 f5 17.exf5 gxf5 18.6e3 €hg 19.4c4 gf6 2O.O-O trbB 21.trfe1 b5 22.axb5 axbS 23.6a5 b4 24.q.bs Aa6 25.6c7 Axe2 26.trxe2 trg8 27.4il,ci trbc8 28.6e6 tra8 29.Eae1 traZ3o.6t4Bg5 31.h4 Wg3 32.tre6 Adf6 33.Ae7Ega8 34.6fg6+ 1-0 Penrose,Jonathan

Tal,Mikhail Leipzig olympiad i 960 (l i) 1.d4 Af6 2.c4 eG 3.6c3 c5 4.d5 exdS 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 96 7.9d3 Ag7 8.6ge2 O-0 9.0-0 a6 10.a4 Wc711.h3 abd712.f4 treB 13.693 c4 14.Ac2 6c5 15.Wf3 6td7

Modern Benoni Def.ence

16.4e3 b5 17.axb5 trbg 18.9f2 axb5 19.e5 dxeS zO.tS Eb7

21.tradl 9a8 22.oce4 2la4 23.€xa4 bxa4 24.lxgi fxg6 25.Wf7+ €h8 26.6c5 9a7 27.Wxd7 WxdT 28.6xd7 trxb2 29.4b5 trb3 30.Axc4 trd8 31.d6 Bc3 32.trc1 trxcl 33.trxc1 Ads 34.4b6 Ab3 35.4e4 hG 36.d7 Afa 37.trc8 Ae7 38.4c5 gh4 39.93 1-0

AhfO 21.6c4 6e8 22.t4 Ad4+ 23.€h1 trd8 24.4f3 gb8 25.Qse2 trg7 26.4c3 b5 27.axb5 axbS 28.6xb5 Axd5 29.exd5 trxe1+ 3o.trxe1 Wxb5 31.f5 gb4 32.trf1 95 33.Axd6 Axd6 34.Axd6 AeS 35.Axe5 6xe5 36.We2 6xf3 37.trxf3 c4 38.f6 trxdS 39.8e3 trdg 40.tre8+ trxe8 41.8/xe8+ gf8 42.Bxf8+ €xf8 43.€g1 €e8 44.€f 2 &d7 45.€e3

€e6 46.€d4 €xf6 47.*xc4 48.b4 fS 49.b5 g4 S0.hxg4 51.€d4€d6 52.€e4

Geller,Efim Tal,Mikhail

1-0

Leko,Peter

Tbilisi ch-URS 1959 (4)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.6c3 exd5 5.cxd5 dG 6.e4 g6 7.4f3 Ag7 8.495 aG 9.a4 h6 1o.Af4 Ag4 11.4e2 0-0 12.0-0 tre8 13.Wc2 Wc7 14.Efe1 6lbd7 15.h3 Axf3 16.Axf3 c417.9e2trac8 18.a5 6c5 19.Axc4 6txe4 20.6xe4 trxe4 21.trxe4 6xe4 22.Wxe4 Wxc4 23.9f3 gb4 24.Wg3 Wxb2 25.tre1 gbs 26.9f3 AI8 27.h4 Wxa5 28.8b1 b5 29.h5

g5 3o.Bs3 Wa2 31.9d1 We2

32.gdg Ag7 33.Wh3 trc2 34.AxdG Ec1+ 35.€h2 Bxf2 36.trf3 Wg1+ 37.€g3 Wel+ 38.9h2 Ae5+

39.Axe5 Wxe5+ 40.Wg3 Wxd5

4l.trdgWc542.Sg4We5+

€e5 txg4

o-1

Yakovenko,Dmitry GashimorlYugar Sochi 2008 (l 1) 1.d4 af6 2.cA e6 3.4f3 c5 4.d5 dG 5.6c3 exdS 6.cxd5 gG 7.h3 Ag78.e4 0-0 9.4d3 a6 10.a4 tre8 11.0-0 abdT 12.He1 b6 13.4f4 wc7 la.wd2 g:b7 15.4c4 Ahs16.gh2 h617.trad1 €h7 18.Wc2 Ee7 19.4e2 €g8 2O.Ad2

Kramnik,Yladimir Brissago Wch-match 2004

1.d4

(13)

af6 2.c4 e6 3.4f3 c5 4.d5 dG

5.4c3 exd5 6.cxd5 96 7.4d2 Ag7

Le4 0-0 9.4e2 Aa6 10.O-0 6eB

11.acA 6ac7 12.a4 f5 13.exf5 Exf5 14.994 trfB l5.Axc8 ExcS 16.9b3

b6 17.4b5 6xb5

18.axb5 Ec7

19.9d2 trcf7 20.Ac3 Wd7 21.f3 g5 22.6e3 trf4 23.trfe1 h5 24.Wc2 Wf7 25.h3 gd4 26.axd4 Exd4 27.6t5 gxfs 28.gxf5 Exf5 29.trxe8+ €f7

30.9b8 Edxd5 31.trxa7+ €e6 32.8e8+ €f6 33.94 hxg4 34.hxg4 trdl+ 35.€f2 Ee5 36.8h8 trd2+ 37.€g3 tree2 38.trf8+ €g6 39.trg8+ gf6 40.trf8+ €e6 41.tre8+ €d5 42.trxe2 trxe2 43.trg7 treS 44.8b7 c4 45.trxb6 tre2 46.t4 tre3* 47.@t2 gxf4 48.trb9 Ebs 49.b0 Se4 5O.Ee8+ sd3 51.tre2 d5 52.sf3 d4 53.g5 c3 54.bxc3 dxc3 55.tr92 trb2 56.b7

trxb7 57.€xf4 trb2 58.tr91 c2 59.Ec1 Ebl 60.Exc2 €xc2 61.96 €d3 62.9f5 Hbs+ 63.9f6 trb6+ 64.€f7Exg5 65.€xg6

1/z-1/z

67

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

Averbakh,Yury Tal,Mikhail

Kramnik,Vladimir

Riga ch-URS 1958 (4)

Dortmund 2001 (6)

Topalov,Yeselin

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 eG 3.6c3 c5 4.d5 exdS 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.4e2 Ag7

8.4f3 0-0 9.O-O tre8 10.Wc2 oa0 11.4f4 ab4 12.9b1 4xe4 13.6xe4 gfs 14.afd2 Axd5 15.9xd6 6f6

16.Afg Axe4 t7.6lxe4

Axe4 18.Axe4 WxdG 19.9c2 tre7 2O.Af3 EaeS 21.trad1 gd4 22,a4 bO 23.bg treS 24.HdZ h5 25.8e2 Exe2 26.axe2 h4 27.€h1 gfa 28.s3 Wf6 29.9d1 Ed8 3o.As4 9:rt2 31.8e2 trd2 32.We8+ €97 33.gxh4 Wd4 34.9h3 Wd3 35.9s2 trdl 0-1

r.d4 af6 2.eA eB 3.Af3 cS 4.d5 d6 5Ac3 exdS 6.cxd5 96 7.4d2 Ag7 8.e4 0-0 9.4e2 tre8 1O.O-0 AaG 11.f3

6c7 12.a4

14.tra3

4i'd7 13.9h1 bo 8e715.6b5 flxb5 16.Axb5

Ed8 17.a5 aG 18.AcG trbB 19.axb6 6xb6 20.b3 AeS 21t4 Ag7 22.t5 6d7 23.Axd7 AxdT 24.9f3 Ad4 25.f6 gf8 26.6c4 Abs 27.9e3 AxeS 28.Wxe3 h5 29.h4 €h7 30.trfa1 Axc4 31.bxc4 trb4 32.8c3 tre8 33.trxa6 trbl+ 34.€h2 trfl 35.trca3 trxf6 36.e5 EfS 37.e6 fxe6 38.tra7+ €gB 39.9g3 gf6 40.8a8 trxa8 41.Exa8+ €gZ 42.8a7+ €98

Gligoric,svetozar Tal,Mikhail

1/z'1/z

Bled/Belgrade ct 1959 (23)

1.d4 af6 2.c4 ci 3.d5 eG 4.6c3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.6f3 Ag7 8,4e2 0-O 9.0-0 tre8 10.4d2 6lafl ll.trbl Ad7 12.tre1 trbB 13.b9 b5 14.4b2 Ac7 15.Wc2 We7 16.4d1 AhO 17.fs Ah5 18.af1 AxdS 19.exd5 Af5 20.8c3 Ag7 21.8c1 Axbl 22.Axg7 €xg7 23.Wxbl hf4 24.8ste3 We5 25.Axb5 Exb5 26.4f5+ gxf5 27.trxe5 trxeS 28.g3 Qse2+ 29.&t2 €98 30.6e3 Ad4 31.f4 Ee4 32.g4 trxf4+ 33.€92 fxg4 34.acA 6f3 35.8c1 EfG 36.We3 sfg 37.We4 Eb8 38.Wxh7 tre8 39.tsh8+ €e7 40.897 Ah4+ 41.€91 af3+ 42.9g2 tr96 43.Wc3 Ad4 44.b4 *f8 45.6e3 93 46.h3

Ef6

68

,

0-1

Spassky,Boris

Fischer,Robert Reykiavik Wch-match l97Z (3)

,.d4 at6 2.c4 eE 3.4f3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.6c3 96 7.4d2 abdT 8.e4 Ag7 9.4e2 0-0 10.0-0 tre8 11.Wc2 ah5 12.Axh5 gxh5 13.4c4 6e5 14.6e3 gh4 1s.gd2 hg4 16.6x94 hxg4 17.4f4 gf6 18.93 Ad7 19.a4 b6 20.trfe1 a6 21.tre2 b5 22.Eae1 896 23.b3 tre7 24.9d3 Eb8 25.axb5 axbs 26.b4cA 27.Wd2 EbeS 28.tre3 h5 29.tr3e2 €h7 30.8e3 €g8 31.tr3e2 Axc3 32.Wxc3 trxe4 33.trxe4 Exe4 34.trxe4 Wxe4 35.AhG Wg6 36.Ac1

gb1 37.€fl Afs 38.€e2

We4+ 39.we3 Bc2+ 40.9d2 gb3 41.9d4

Ad3+

o-1

-

the game takes on the violent characteristics of a gambit. This may Catalan

not always be to the taste of

a

l.d4-player, who will usually prefer a more positional approach to the opening.

will respect the ECO classifications that consider the Catalan as part of the Indian Defence family (Vo1.3). This is in fact debatable: the opening is conceptually part of the Queen's Gambit, given that Black's d-pawn is on d5. However, it must be noted that the CataRegarding move order, we

lan is a flexible opening, and can be reached by a number of different move sequences: 1.4f3, 1 .c4 and l.g3 can all lead into the Catalan. Nonetheless, White usually waits for Black to play This is the starting position of the Catalan. It acquired its narne as it was first played by Tartakower in the Barcelona tournament of 1929. Tartakower played

d4, af3, 93, Ag2 against Marin y Llovet and named the opening, which was not original, after the region. The move c2-c4 later became an essential part of the system. As you will note from the diagram, we

are dealing with a type

of

Queen's

Gambit Declined in which White fianchettos his king's bishop instead of developing it to e2 or d3. This brings with it the advantage of increased pressure on the important long lightsquared diagonal (it is no coincidence that the 'Catalan bishop'has become a byword for this effectively placed bishop). The downside is that the c4 pavm is left to its fate, and when Black captures it with no intention of giving it back - as in certain lines of the Open

...d5 before opening the fianchetto. For example for the ECO, if Black plays 3...c5!, the game is likely to transpose into an English or Benoni line. Needless to say, Black has the additional

option of 3...4b++, along the lines of the Bogo-Indian. For this reason, White often plays :.Afg and will only continue with 4.g3. If Black plays 3...d5, however, this approach means that White must be ready to deal with the Bogo-Indian or the Queen's Indian.

A further problem with classification is created by the possible presence of a knight on c3. Often this will involve the sacrifice of the c4 parvn; Black's pawn on c4 will often be supported by ...b5, cre-

ating positions normally associated with the Semi-Slav. For example, in the previously discussed Romanishin Yariation of the Semi-Slav (1.d4 dS 2.c4 c6 3.4f3 af6 4.Q)d e6 5.g31?), whenever 69

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

or

the normal move was 5.Wa4+ in order to win back the pawn on c4. Now it has become clear that after 5...6bd7 6.4f3

in the dia-

a6 7.Wxc4 b5 8.Wc6 Eb8 9.0-o Ab7

(the alternative move 4.4f3 does not change things much), fundamentally Black has three approaches:

At this point, Black can choose from as many as nine (!) playable continuations; a testimony to the strategic richness of this opening. The ninth alternative we

- to

will

Black takes on c4 he enters the Open Accepted Variation of the Catalan. Let's go back to the position gram: after

4.

1

Af1-92

take imrnediately on c4: Open

Catalan

0.Wc2

good counterplay.

c5 , Black has

of the Semi-Open

classify as part

Catalan.

- capture the c4 pawn after 4...4e7 so as to be ready to casde: Semi-Open

A)5.

b7-b5

if it has never been

Catalan

Litde played, even

- ignore the c4 pawn and develop solidly: ClosedCatalan

Catalan into a true gambit.

clearly refuted. This move turns the

6. a2-a4 7. O-O

Open Catalan

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. s2-s3 4. Af1-92

Ag8-f6 e7-e6

d7-d5 d5xc4 This move is played not so much with the idea of maintaining the extra pawn, but more to obtain active piece play, and with it greater chances of victory.

ihAggA rll ll,l

E

7.axb5 cxbS 8.4e5 AdS S.6c: AU+ 10.0-0 Axc3 11.e4! was the'official'

refutation of this line in the 1980's; however, the simple fact that no one plays it anymore would suggest this may not be so strong in reality.

Ac8-b7 Af6-d5 9.b3!? cxb3 l0.gbZ. wirh un-

7.

8. Af3-e5 8...a61? clear play.

9. E

I iA

A

;

A

traawg atr

F?

,\ 6 Sltr

e-llaE

6g1-f3 is easily the most popular

choice. In the early days of the opening, 70

ggA

rA : rir l'l I AA

IA 1] 'r, A AA A A A. 5.

b2-b3!

EA

la

Today this

c7-co

E ,

:,,,,

A.

a_l

AAAN AAEl: F? .f1

This appears to be the most promising move.

Cotolon Opening

9.

a4xb5 Wdlxb3 12. e2-e4

10. 11.

ENE 1gf

c4xb3 c6xb5 a7-a6

*r tr:1

ad5-f6

13. d4-d5!

g

a

..:.. "':

t:

H'

5.

c7-c6

6.

6.0-01? b5

6.

tI

titat

*:l i1: :aFi: r*:ia:

i:t:tti3::

i:::

>
-::

/\ -:l{. z_1 ';

A .a

t?{':,:

sation.

.a4.

Af8-b4+

D) 5.

This is the idea.

7. 6b1-c3

7

:a:aaa

€ :a:ni

And White has typical Catalan compen-

Af3-e5 7

;*.r - ff

..-t\ --i :.-.q \'.'...

pawndown.

B)

;s I

:ta:: I

:fi:

White's attack is highly dangerous, and

more than compensates for being

as 'El

Ac8-d7

Introduced by Kortchnoi in the 1980's. It is playable, but has never been popu-

risky. 7. af6-d5 8. Ac1-d2 ad5-b6 9. 6c3-e4 a7-as

.AdZ Wxd4 is excessively

lar.

6. 6f3-e5

Ad7-c6

Ea BsA

10. e2-e3

With sufficient compensation.

C) 5. Af8-b4+ This move became fashionable after Topalov used it in his 2006 match against Kramnik.

Xr*a €r;nlr la **nt'i: IA

**l* AA g AAAA :

h

6. Acl-d2

E

rtltr

6.abd2t?.

6. a7-a5 And here we have it: Black concedes rhe 7. Wd1-c2 Ab+xdZ+ queen's bishop for countdrplay against A common alternative is 7...6c6 d+. 8.Wxc+Wds. 7. 6e5xc6 6b8xc6 8. Ab1xd2 8. 0-0 More natural than recapturing with

queen. 8. 9. a2-a4 10. b2-b3!

6d2xb3

11. 12. 0-0

b7-b5 c7-c6 c4xb3 0-0

the

To give up the Catalan bishop in order to see Black with tripled isolated pawns is inviting, but it does not give White

any advantage after 8.Axc6+

bxc6

9.0-0 c5.

8.

9. e2-e3

wd8-d7 tra8-b8 7l

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

10. Wd1-e2 b7-b5 11. b2-b3! As you can see, this pawn sacrifice is

a

characteristic and important resource for White in these lines. 11.

...

c4xb3

12. a2xb3

And if you realise that the materially-minded chess engines give White

€ * rtr *EffEg€ r*r*rtr x

*:rg ff * rA ***:&

Affi ATA* Ba, g**tr€

the advantage, you can be confident that

the compensation is more than And now White's best bet is abundant.

E) 5. Natural but

ab8-d7 a

little passive.

6. 0-0

c7-c5

6...Hb8!? 7.a4 b6 S.afd2! e5 with a freer game for White.

9.Axc4,

7. Ab1-a3 Ad7-bG 8. Sla3xcA Ab6xc4 9. Wd1-a4+ Ac8-d7 10. Wa4xc4 b7-b5 11. Wc4-c2 tra8-c8 12.

d4xc5

Af8xc5

13. Wc2-b3 The weak black queenside pavms

repre-

sent an edge for White.

thepawn.

8. F) 5. a7-a0 A flexible move: it prepares ...b5, ...c5 or ...4c6, depending on the circumstances.

6.

0-0

Otherwise, 6.4e5 c5l 7.Aa3l Ea7!, and the position is unclear.

6. 6b8-c6 An interesting new idea is 6...b5 7.Q-:e5 c6!? (instead of the normal 7...ads).

72

8.b3!

(8.Axc6 Wbe is OK for Black) 8...cxb3 9.6xc6 WUe tO.6a5 Ea7 ll.Axb3. with nice compensation. 7. e2-e3 Calmly preparing e3-e4. 7.2,c3 is chancier: 7...8b8 8.e4 b5 9.d5 ab4 10.b3!,withaveryunclearposirion. 7. 9c8-d7 The idea behind 7.e3 is that if Black continues with 7...trb8, White will play S.afd2! and recapture on c4, given that Black cannot play b5 as it would leave the c6-knighthanging. 8. Wdl-e2 After 8.6c3 adst 9.4d2 ab6 10.We2 Aa5 White will struggle to win back

9. trfl-dl

b7-b5

Cotolan Opening

After 9.6c3 ads!? Black has defended

himself with ease.

If

9.6e5 Axe5l

10.Wc3 Wxd4 11.0-0. and White's in development does not represent

lead

10.Axa8 Wxa8 1 1 .dxe5 Ae4, Black has excellent compensation for the ex-

a

change.

This move reveals the idea behind the

9. 10. 11.

e3-e4

Bd8-e7 0-0

Abl-c3

Which is better? A good pawn centre or an extra pawn? This unresolved dilemma is

G)

as

old

as

the game itself.

Ab8-c6

5.

E ABgA E tf * :r:l*l

a la

*:r *' * AA AAAA a w€ tr

tangible advantage.

7. Ac1-d2

preceding check: the c4 pawn is no longer threatened, and Black seeks active piece play by attacking the queen.

8. S.gb5

!

?

b4.

6. Wdl-a4 Pinning the knight and immediately attacking c4. After 6.0-0 trb8 (with 6...a6 you transpose to Variation F) 7.6c3 b5 8.4e5! Axe5 9.dxe5 AdTl l0.Ac6 a6 1 1.9d4, the position is unclear.

6.

Af8-b4+

Those of you who may not enjoy long

forcing lines could prefer 6...4d71? 7.Wxc4 ab6 8.9d3 esl? 9.Axe5 Ab4

Ad2xb4

deserves serious attention.

8. 9.

6d5xb4 a2-a3 The most forcing line, but it may well be possible that the sober 9.0-0 is objectively stronger; after 9...4d7

(9...trbs!?) 10.4e5! a5 1t.Axd7 WxdT 12.68 trds 13.trfdl, White's

position inspires more confidence. 9. b7-b5!

EAg*E

:x:*irtr

This modern interpretation is currently very popular: Black denies himself the ...c5 advance. but instead he now has

the option of pushing his pawn to e5; the knight move applies pressure to d4 and, depending on the circumstances, Black can transfer the knight to a5 or to

Af6-d5!

an

A1),\ F?

-'- a n 2' q

attszl

.+-.) H

H E

This move of Taimanov is the key element of Black's play: distracting the queen makes a fork on c2 possible. it is true that Black will have to give up both knights for the rook, but the unhappy placement of the white king is sufficient compensation for the small loss of material. 10. Wa4xb5l 6,b4-c2+ 11. 6:c2xa1 12. Wb5xc6+ Ac8-d7 13. Wc6xc4

€e't-d2

73

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

Etss,E

I lA,,', fll I WA

A gA'AAA '':"''f $ A

AA

Though the position is dynamically balanced, a flesh-and-blood player will find Black's position easier to play. This is confirmed bv Black's favourable results.

H)

classical continuation, Black contests White's centre in the most logical and natural way.

6. As you can see in the diagram, the al knight has no square to escape to and will soon be captured. To what extent Black's counterplay compensates for his loss is still the subject of debate even after 50 years ofplay.

13....

c7-c5

Considered to be the best:

it opens lines

of attack on the white king, and the panrr is immune from capture as the queen would be lost. The old 13...8b8 has never been clearly refuted. After 14.b4 c5l 15.Wc3! cxb4 16.axb4 a5 17.Wxa1 axb4. White has a technical advantage, but in practice, the dangerous b-pawn will give Black chances. 14. Wc4-a2 Wd8-a5+! 15.b2-b4 15.4c3 miraculously seems to hold after 15...cxd4 16.Axd4EdS 17.Exa1 e5 1s.b4 Wb6 19.6c2 Ae6+ ... and now? 20.4d5 (interposing the bishop saves both the king and the queen!) 20...Wxf2 2l.trdl with €c1 to follow: however, there are not many players who would enjoy playing a position that features such an exposed king. With the move 15.b4 at least the d-file will remain closed. However. after

15. 16. 17. 7+

... Ba2xal

Af3-e5

c5xb4 Ea8-c8! gd7-b5

c7-cs

5.

With this

0-0

6.Wa4+ AdZ 7.Wxc4

Ac6

8.0-0

abd7, with equality.

6b8-c6

6.

Now White has two options that, more or less, perform equally well:

H1) 7. Bdl-a4

ASEE I l'. lll A ra I I E

E

A

$M

A

..

A A ,\A A U\

,\A q)b AA/54 AAEA

tr€

7. Ac8-d7 After 7...cxd4 8.6xd4 Wxd4 9.Axc6+ Aaz 10.trd1 Axc6 1 1.Wxc6+, the endgame will be very favourable for White, and therefore Black has no other choice but to sacrifice the queen by 10...Wxd1+ 11.Wxdl Axc6. Perhaps Black's position is defendable with correct play, but after 12.4d21, Black's performance results are not encouraging.

8.

Wa4xc4

8.dxc5 6a5l 9.Wc2 Axc5, with equality

8.

b7-b5!?

The most energetic. The alternative 8...cxd4 is playable, but Black is tor-

Catolon Opening

tured in typical Catalan style: 9.Axd4 Ec8 10.4c3 Axd4 1 1.Wxd4 AcS 12.9h4 Ac6 13.trd1 gb6 l4.Axc6+ Exc6 15.9h6!! Afa (forcedl) 16.trd2, and White has a small but unoleasant advantage.

9.

Wc4-d3

AdS (a queen exchange does not help Black) 9.4a3! gd7 l0.Axc4 Ac6 11.e4!. while 7...6xd4? loses because of 8.e3 followed by a queen exchange and a knight fork on

ofl:limis. tra8-c8

Needless to say, the b5 pawn is

9. 10. d4xc5!

10.4c3 cxd4 11.Axd4 6e5l 12.Wd1 b4 13.6e4 6dS, wlth satisfactory play

8.

after 10...cxd4 1 1.Wxc6+

Af8xc5

9. Aa3xc4 j€:l

f

--*g:46*: *::

*:a

A u:

=tr

tage that Catalan players are often adept

exploiting.

.aa

*A:g@E.

A

A

The move 9...4xe5 does not resolve all of Black problems either after l0.hxe5 WUe t l.AxdZ AxdT 12.Wa4.

gd1-b3

Wd8-cB This looks like the best move. After 10...0-0 11.Wxb7 Axe5 l2.6xe5 trbS 13.9f3, Black has gained enough com-

:tl

Ac1-f4

0-0

The immediate 11...4d5 altows 6)xf4

:g

ft= *:ltl =A*M,' ta":: :i

=r

have the white pieces!

11.

The most ambitious move.

*

fact that Black has the two bishops, a better pawn structure and an extra pawn, most players would prefer to

pensation.

HD 7. Af3-e5 I

Af8-c5

The number one choice. 9...9.e7 l0.gb3 Wcz! 11.4f4 ahs 12.Eac1 6xf4 13.gxf4 and notwithstanding the

10.

With the sort of imperceptible advan-

E

c5xd4

8...4d5!?.

11. a2-a3l?

E- sx --r *E*r* I t i*aj:: r n :i: ta*:

ad7

12.Wxc4 Ac5.

8.

10....

at

f/.

Ab1-a3! The old line 8.Axc6 Axc5 9.Axc6+ bxc6 10.8a4 gives Black equal chances

for Black.

a

Ac8-d7

7.

7...4xe5 is good for White after 8.dxe5

:= i:;

A*j : =A a3gw*tr

is

fi.dxci!

12.6-:d3

Axe2+ 14.&h1, and White

clearly better.

12.

Ea1-c1

af6-d5

After 12...trd8?!, we have 13.6xfl! followed by Axc6, Ae5 + and Exc5. 13.6e5-d3!? More ambitious than 13.4xd7. which often results in a draw 13.... Ad5xf4 14. g3xf4! 75

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

Black is not able to exploit the weakened kingside, the pawn advance to e5 has been prevented and the d3 knight is

At this point we have come to a major

very powerful.

Some have jokingly called this the Semi-Open Catalan as it requires the coexistence of the moves ...dxc4 and Ae7, which respectively characterise the Open Catalan and the closed version. The diagram position is usually reached by the move sequence 4...4e7 (Closed Variation?) 5.aB 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 (no,

-

Ei&

\iU,,.

ll

fi'lf

A s-

AI 6

tl

g a,.lq))\ :.

AA

,

tt

:.t' A

crossroads.

5.

thanks!).

A/fr4

6. 0-0 Do not forget that, as always, 6.Wa4+ does not lead to anything special for

EH

14. ... Ac5-e7 15. Ac4-e5 White has clear compensation for the pawn: more active pieces, a space advantage and an opponent with a weak d4 pawn. It may not be correct to speak of an objective advantage, but White's position is without doubt easier to play.

White after 6...4d7 7.Wxc4 Ac6. Black's approach is the most common way to deal with the Catalan; it combines the solidity of the closed line with

the winning chance that exist

6.

1.

E

rl'

d2-d4 c2-c4 92-93 Af1-92

6g8-f6

Ag1-f3

IrI rA

E

IA t4) t3 AA AAAA ,E tr AAgg ,\A

.ri

76

AA AA

ZIz5

tr

AAB'wA

l'1,

AEg

e7-e6

d7-d5 d5xc4

the

0-0

lrl

Semi-Open Catalan

in

open one.

E

2. 3. 4. 5.

if8-e7

Il@

Erlr la /\A q) as

AAAA

agg tr€

Now White has many ways of going after the c4 pawn, the least appealing of which would appear to be 7.6bd2 as after 7...b5 8.a4 c6, White's compensation is uncertain. The move 7.a4 also seems to be comparatively weak because of 7...4c6! 8.4a3 Aa5.

Catqlon Opening

A) 7. 6b1-c3 White does not wish to be distracted from proceeding with his development. 7. Ab8-c6!? 8. e2-e4

9. Acl'e3

a2-a3

Ea8-bB b7-b5

10. Oc6-a5 11. Wd1-c2 Ac8-b7 12. tral-d1 With a complicated position that is dif-

ficult to

B)

7. 6b1-a3 Recapturing on c4 with the knight would seem ideal, but travelling via d2 allows ...b5. However, with the knight

8. b2xa3

Ae7xa3

af6-d5 ad5-b6

evaluate the precise

amount of compensation, but it would appear that Black will be able to defend his position successfully.

7. Af3-e5

Ab8-c6!?

Et Ets €:**l

r{ r t*r *a*rrn .

'-n

on a3 Black can play:

Ad7-c6 6b8xc6

13. e2-e3

It is a challenge to

c)

assess.

7.

9. 6f3-e5 10. Ae5xc6 11. Acl-b2 12. tral-bl

IA

AA

rt \

..

-,'.

:)<

AAAA

EA$W:itr€

A bizarre-looking move that overshadows the old 7...c5 which, after 8.dxc5!, allows White to get a nice game. Black sacrifices the pawn on c6 and allows his pa\ rn strucrure to be ruined, but in exchange, he obtains active piece play

8. Ag2xc6 8.Axc5 bxc6 9.Aa3l? Axa3 10.bxa3, and it is difficult to say whose pawn Is White's control of the dark squares and his ability to apply pressure on the b-file sufficient compensation for his ugly doubled parvns? As is so often the case, the position is too complex to justify a simple yes or no answer.

8. Ac8-d7 The most popular choice. The ambitious 8...b5 is also possible: 9.a4 a6 10.4a3 EeS 1 1.Aes Ads 12.e4. with an unclear position.

structure looks worse!

8. 9. Ae5xc6

b7xc6 Wd8-e8

10. Ac6xe7+ WeBxeT 11. Wdl-a4 c7-c5l? 12. Wa4xc4 c5xd4 13. Wc4xd4 White has an extra pawn, but Black's lead in development and the c8 bishop ready to dominate the light squares give Black adequate compensation. The fact 77

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

that the chess engines agree with this assessment shows how far our silicon friends have come in terms of positional 'understanding' in recent years. It makes you wonder to what extent these chess programs will contribute to chess theory in the years ahead.

D) 7. Wd1-c2

9.

pa\Mns!

a7-a6

l

.

l

Af'Il la

trr'

::.

.,j

A IA

Ad7-c6

9.

10. Ac1-95!

10.4c3 b5 ! - a tactic worth remembering; if White takes the pawn he will lose a rook! I 1.9d3 b+ 12.Abl Ae4 I 3.gdl c5, and Black has no problems.

EA3.g E€ ,'.,

theme)

10.hxc6 6xc6 11.e3 6a5 l2.ad2 c5, with equality. 9.trd11? is sharper: 9...4c6 10.4c3 Axf3 ! (playing against the threatened advance e3-e4) 1 1.Axf3 6c6 l2.Axc6 bxc6, and White's queenside weaknesses compensate for having tripled

Todav this is the main line. The move 7 .Wa4 usually transposes to D2.

7.

Wc2xc4

9.6e5 Ac6! (a recurring

10....

9c6-d5

to advance the pawn to c5. The solid 10...a5!? is also possible, So as

with the idea of transferring the knight to

,

I I AAg

aa AAAA Eag ,E g

b4. However, after 1 1.4c3 6a6 r7.9xf6t? Axf6 t3.e4 6b+ l4.trfdl. White's initiative in the centre looks nasty.

By far and away the most popular move:

Black is ready to open an extended {ianchetto after the capture on c4. On 7...b!?l8.a4 c6 9.axb5 cxbS? l0.Ag5! wins the exchange.

11. Wc4-c2 Ad5-e4 12. Wc2-c1!? Continuing to obstruct the ...c5 push.

the b4-square. 8.

Ac8-d7 On its way to c6. The Nvo alternatives 8...c5 9.dxc5 Axc5 10.Abd2 6c6 11.6xc4 9e7 12.Afe5 and 8...4c6

g.9xc+ Wds 10.Abd2 trd8 78

a

slight advantage.

h7-h6

Ae7xf6 a6-as Ae4xf3

Ag5xf6 trf1-d1

15.6b1-c3

D1) 8. a2'a4 This is not as frequently seen as the immediate capture of the pawn. However, it is increasingly popular: White stops the ...b5 push at the cost of weakening

both give White

12.... 13. 14.

11.e3

16.

Ag2xf3

17.6c3-e4

c7-c6 Ab8-aG

White has a small space advantage and his pieces can thus manoeuvre a little more easily, but Black's position is solid and he has a useful outpost on b4 to help him create queenside activitv.

D2l 8. Bc2xc4 9. Wc4-c2

b7-b5

Ac8-b7

Catolan Opening

g Eg EA gr l'

Erlr rih

L,

With equality. /t\ A uL ts

g

AA F? I\

A.i A AE

D2D10.

A

F? .$1

bishop-moves that are more

or

less

equally valid.

g Eg

arlr rdh

IiA

I

A a1

ri\

&

,\A

q)L

A ASU e? ,r\

AA/hA AA-TZA EH

It is important to be flexible: the ...c5 10...4d6 11.abdZ abdT 12.a4

ab8-d7

E g E€ AIAETTT l la d)

--F_

A

A

AAg

tra

ET

Ab8-c6!

advance can wait.

Ac1-s5

I

Ac1-f4

E

One of the most important positions in the Catalan. Black has developed well, but his queenside pawns - in particular the one oncT - are weak; however, if he can manage to push his pawn to c5 his opening problems will be resolved. Hundreds of games have demonstrated that White can choose from three

D21) 10.

Abz-ee Ae4-d5 Adsxug Ae7xc5

14. d4xc5 15. Wc2-c3 16. Eal-cl 17. Wc3xb3

AA

AAAA

Eg

has

scored well for White, while after the spontaneous 1 0...4d5, which defends

c7 and attacks f4, there is 11.6c3! 6xf4 17.gxf4 and, as we have seen before, the resulting pawn structure favours White. 11. Ef1-d1 6c6-b4 12. Wc2-c1 tra8-c8

13.6b1-c3 ab4-d5 And now with ...c5 Black should

be

able to achieve equality.

11. Ag5xf6! Otherwise, Black will push his pawn to

D23) 10. Ac1-d2 Currently the favourite. The bishop

c5.

now has the option of going to a5, pinning the c7 pavm.

11. 11

...

6d7xf6

...Axf6?l 12.695 and White is better

o{f,

12. 13.

abl-d2 ad2-b3

Played anlrway!

Ea8-c8 c7-c5l?

10. ... Ab7-e4 Forcing the queen to occupy the square intended for the rook. However. the e4 bishop will also have to retreat. After

10...4c6 11.e3 Ab4 12.Axb4 Axb4 79

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume

3

13.a3

Ae7 14.4bd2. wirh rhe idea of

6b3.

Black still has not resolved the

Closed Catalan

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. s2-s3 4. Af1-g2 5. 691-f3

problem of his c-pawn.

At the time of writing, 10...Ea7!? is seen more frequently than

in the past;

after 1 1.Ec1 Ae4 12.gb3l abdT 13.4a5 WUS t+.We3, White's position inspires more confi dence.

he could try 11...4bd7 12.4a5 trc8 13.Abd2 Aa8 14.Wc2 WeS 15.b4 ab8 16.a3 6c6 17.ab3. The...c5 advance has permanently been prevented, but the bishop on a5 is certainly not the most active piece on the board!

6.

Af8-e7 0-0

(6.Wc2 c5l) Black decides not to take instead solidly continues

on c4, but with

6.

ab8-d7

Or 6...c6.

g Eg AA I l,l

2.Wc2 repeating the position.

9e7-d6

I AA

Unlike in Variation D22, here the move

Another possibility is 12...4d5 13.4c3

6xf4 14.Wxf4 ad7 15.9fd1,

and

'la

AA

17...6c6 does not work as ...4b+ will no longer threaten the queen.

if after

0-0

12. gd2-t4

12....

e7-e6 d7-d5

We use the term Closed Catalan

11. Wc2-c1 Ae4-b7 A tacit draw offer. If Black wishes to win

1

Ag8-f6

AA

tr

,\n q)a

AAAA

aag.,: E €

White is a little better.

ab8-d7 gb7-d5

13. ab1-d2

14. ad2-b3 15.

trfl-d1

g Eg IA lll

-

I

I ,^ q)

AA AA Ffl g

ET rh

.i''

A&

6 .&

A

.A

gtr

A

AA AAA €

And we have a characteristic Catalan position: balanced, but with one or two extra opportunities for White. 80

This has always been a popular approach for Black. Its chief virtue - and at the same time its principal defect - is the defence's somewhat routine, mechanical nature: first you finish klngside develop-

ment, and then you

trrn your attention ...Abi,

to the queenside with ...c6, ...b6,

...EcS....Wc7 etc. Before we proceed, it is important to note that Black has the fourth move alternative +...4b++, played in the

knowledge that alter 5.4d2 Ae/ (5...a5 transposes to the Bogo-Indian) he will be playing a more favourable version (weil, perhaps) of the Closed Catalan as White's bishop is considered to be better on c1 than on d2. However.

Catalan Opening as

is so often the case, positive and neg-

ative aspects are inevitable bedfellows il so many positions, and thus we are speaking about a commonly held opinion and not an absolute truth. 7. Wd1-c2 Easily the most common reply. It has the merit of 'forcing' Black to play ... c6 as the natural 7...b6 gives White an advantage after 8.cxd5 due to the hole on c6. After 7.b3 b6l 8.9b2 9b7, glack manages to push his pawn to c5 using just one tempo.

The ambitious 7.hc3 is playable, but after 7...dxc4t 8.e4 c6 9.a4 (9.4f4!?)

will have difficulty executing the liberating ...c7-c5 advance: 10.Exe4 Black

AUz 1l.Edl Axe4 12.9xe4 af6 13.Wc2 Wc8 14.c5!, and White has the advantage. One should always keep this

pawn advance in one's mind; it concedes the dS-square, yet at the same time it gains space on the queenside and paralyses Black on this side of the board. 9...4a5 ! ? is similar to the text move.

10. e4-e5

Otherwise, there is the waiting move

10.b3 trc8 11.4b2 c5 l2.exdS exd5 I 3.dxc5 dxc4 l4.Axc4 b5! followed by Exc5, with equality.

9...e5 !. Black has scored well.

10....

c7-c6 Basically White can now choose between two plans: move the knight to d2 and then advance the pawn to e4, or otherwise transfer the knight to c3 after b2-b3 and prepare the e2-e4 push with

11. b2-b3

7.

Edl orwithAUZ anaEadl. There is also the interesting alternative

of 8.Afa, which is played so as ro interfere with Black's queenside development, and then after 8...4h5 the plan is to follow up with 9.Abd2 !?. The move 8.Edl transposes VariationA or B.

A) 8. ab1-d2

to

eirher

b7-b5

After 8...b5 9.c5! a5 10.e4 dxe4 1

1.Axe4, White's initiative is more sig-

nificant than Black's non-productive control of the ds-square, which is not

11.cxd5 exdS!? so as to vacate the e6-square for the e8 knight. 11. ... Ea8-c8 12. Acl-b2 c6-c5 As in the French, Black seeks to undermine the d4/e5 pawn chain by playing ...c5. The resulting game will be complex, with chances for both sides.

B) 8. b2-b3 9. Ac1-b2

b7-b6

9.trd1 Ab7 lo.Ac3 Ec8 11.e4 dxe4 (11...h6!?) 12.Axe4 6xe4 13.Bxe4 af6 l4.Wc2 Bcz ls.Af4 Ad6 16.Axd6 Wxd6 17.c5!. with a small plus for White. 9.

9...9;a6

?,

Ac8-b7 which stops Ac3, is a move

that merits serious consideration.

10.6b1-c3 11. tra1-d1!

going to have any impact.

9. e2-e4

Withoutdelay! 9.

6f6-e8

gc8-b7!

In this particular position, this move is better than the automatic 9...dxe4 as

Ea8-c8 Wd8-c7 11...b5 12.c5 b4 13.abl. and White has an edge.

12.e2-e4 Ac3xe4

13.

d5xe4

6f6xe4 81

Chess Opening Essentiois

14. Wc2xe4 15. d4-d5! 1

5 ..

.Af6

!

?

-

Volume

3

6d7-t6

g4 25.9g2 Ht7 26.d5 HtdT cxd5 28.cxd5 g6 29.dxe6 €xe6 30.Ee3 Af5 31.9e4 trf8

e6xd5

32.Axf5 gxf5 33.Ee5 trdt7 34.trfet

c6-c5

24.trd1 27.;5t1

is safer.

16. We4-c2 17. Ab2-e5!

€g7 35.9f2 €g6 36.tre7 ExeT 37.trxe7tr17

H&

Ir

al r

e

frAB

l

Beliavsky,Alexander Kiev ch-URS 1985 (10)

i.

Ff r?a

An important zwischenzug: after immediate 17.dg5?, there

is

an

17...d+

and White's attack is finished.

17.

...

Wc7-d8

18.6f3-s5

dxc4 22.d5 €d7 23.Se3 gd6

24.Wa7+ Sc7 25.dxe6+ fxe6 25.9d4+ €c8 27.ExeG c3 2g.Ahg €b7 29.9{d5+ ea7 30.ag2 a]a6 1-o

97-96

19. h2-h4!

White can recapture on d5 at his leisure; his priority is to make his pieces more active. Naturally, it would be inappropriate to speak of a decisive adyantage for White, but Black's position is unenviable.

Tartakower,savielly Marin y Llovet,Yalentin Barcelona 1929 (lr4) 1.d4 d5 2.g3 9f5 3.4g2 e6 4.6f3 hG 5.0-O Af6 6.c4 c6 7.6c3 abdT 8.bg

Ad6 9.9b2 0-0 10.tre1 tle411.6d2 Adf6 12.6dxe4 Axe4 13.6xe4 dxe4 14.Wd2 '9g5 15.Bxg5 hxg5 16.f3 exf3 17.Axf3 Ab4 18.tred1 Ac2 19.trdcl Ag6 2O.e4t5 21.exfS Axf5 22.Ac3 Axc3 23.trxc3 EadS 82

1.d4 d5 2.c4 eG 3.af3 4f6 4.93 dxc4 5.4g2 b5 6.a4 c6 7.axb5 cxb5 Lhe5 6d5 9.6c3 gb4 10.O-O Axc3 11.e4 Axb2 12.exd5 Axal 13.Aa3 a5 1a.Bg4 b4 15.Wxg7 trfB 16.trxa1 Ea6 17.Ac1 exdS 18.gh6 Exh6 19.Wxh6 AeG 20.tre1 Be7 21.6sxc4

31.trc6

The threat is 19.4xf6.

18....

1/zr/z

BalashotYury

l'l A A-

38.8e2

KasparorlGarry

Koftchnoi,Viktor London match 1983 (7)

1.d4 at6 2.4 eG 3.g3 d5 4.Qs2 dxc4 5.6f3 Ad7 6.Wc2 c5 7.0-O Ac6 8.Bxc4 qtbdT 9.Ag5 trcB 10.Axf6 6xf6 11.dxc5 Axf312.gxf3 Axc5 13.8b5+ Wd7 14.dc3 Wxb5 15.6xb5 €e7 16.b4 €:xb4 17.6xa7 trc7 18.trfc1 trd7 19.trab1 gd2 20.trc2 trhd8 21.gxb7 €f8 22.6ulci trc7 23.trbb2 trdO 24.a4 Ae1 25.trb1 6d5 26.4a8 trcB 27.9b7 Hc7 28.8c4 6:e7 29.6e5 AaS 30.tb5 Ael 33.a5 8te7 34.aG 6xc6

35.trxc6 trxc6 36.9xc6 Ea1 37.Eb8+ €e7 38.trb7+ gd6 39.9b5 ac3 40.trxf7 af6 41.trd7+

Cotolon Opening

€c5 42.4d3 h6 43.trb7 tra3 gds45.f3 sd646.Eb6+

44.a7 1-o

Krarnnik,Vlad.imir Morozevich,Alexander Mexico Ciry Wch ZOOT (7)

1.4f3 af6 2.c4 eG 3.g3 d5 4.d4 dxc4 5.992 a6 6.4e5 gb4+ 7.6c3 ads LO-O 0-0 9.8c2 b5 10.Axd5 exdS 11.b3 c6 12.e4 f6 13.exd5 fxeS 14.bxc4 exd4 15.dxc6 9e6 16.cxb5 d317.c7 Wd4 18.Wa4 2.d7 19.4e3 Wd6 20.Axa8 trxa8 21.9t4

gf8

22.bG Ae5 23.Axe5 gf3 24.9d1 We4 25.b7 Ef8 26.c88 ads 27.f3 1-0 EvseetDenis Khruschio.qAlexey Peterhof 2008 (9)

1.d4 d5 2.c4 eG 3.4f3 6f6 4.g3 dxc4 5.492 a6 6.0-0 6c6 7.e3 €d7 8.tc3 ads 9.ad2 6xc3 10.bxc3 b5 11.a4 9.e7 12.9h5 gG 13.Wf3 o-o 14.4a3 f5 15.Axe7 BxeT 16.e4 trab8 17.axb5 axbs 18.exf5 exfs 19.tra6 trf6 20.'g,f4 Ed6 21.trfa1 *g7 22.6t3 Ee8 23.h4 gf6 24.h5 gxh5 25.4h4 6:xd4 26.Wxd4 Wxd4 27.cxd4 Exa6 28.trxa6 Ee1+ 29.sh2 c3 30.tra7 c2 31.Exc7 c1B 32.trxd7+ €f8 33.trxh7 tre2 34.d5 Exf2 35.d6 gd1 36.d7 trd2 37.trh8+ €g7 38.trc8 f4 39.gxf4

Bg4

o-1

EhlvestJaan San Sezundo Carrillo.Pablo CaJvia

olympiad 200a ( | Z)

4.992dxc4 5.hf3 hc6 6.8a4 gb4+ 7.kd2 a.ds 8.Axb4 Axb4 9.a3 b5 10.Bxb5 6,c2+ 1.d4 AfG 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5

11.gf1 6:xa1 12.6e5 0-0 13.Axc6 f6 14.Afg e5 15.Bxc4+ €h8 16.€g2 Ebg 17.abd2 trxb2 18.trxa1 exd4 19.ab3 d3 20.exd3 gd6 21.Afd4 BeS 22.Wc1 Ah3+ 23.€91 tre8

24.Axe8

1-0

Ivanchuk,Vasily

Kortchnoi,Viktor Tilburg 1989 (9)

af6 2.c4 eG 3.93 d5 4.A92 dxc4 5.4f3 6c6 6.'9a4 gb4+ 7.9d2 6d5 8.Axb4 6xb4 9.a3 b5 10.Bxb5 D:c2+ 11.9d2 Axal 1.d4

12.Wxc6+ Ad7 13.9x c4 c5 14.Wa2 Ec8 17.6e5 9b518.€e3 trc2 19.9f3 0-0

BaS+ 15.b4 cxb4 16.Wxa1

2O.a4 tG 21.ads 9:c4 22.6d2 sg5+ 23.at4 e5 24.6xc4 exf4+ 25.gxt4 gfs 26.ad6we6+ 0-1

Kortchnoi,Yiktor Ivanchuk,Vasily Istanbul olympiad 2000 (5)

1.afs d5 2.e36f6 3.492 e6 4.d4 c5 5.0-0 6c6 6.c4 dxc4 7.8a4 Ad7 8.Wxc4 b5 9.9d3 trc8 10.4c3 cxd4 11.4xd4 6e5 12.8d1 b4 13.t:e4 6d5 14.695 Ae7 15.Axd5 exd5 16.69f3 6:c4 17.Wd3 o-o 18.trd1 Ee8 19.8b1 gf6 20.b3 4ldi 21.9d2 g'b6 22.trbc1 6:e4 23.9e1 h6

24.*g2 a5 25.h9 trc5 26.Exc5 t$xc5 27.e3 trc8 28.94 Wb6 29.2.91 9xd4 30.exd4 AbS 31.8b1 'Sc6

32.9d2 Bf6 33.Ae3 trc3 g4.gb2 trxe3 35.txe3 gh4 36.trd2 Wg3+ 37.€h1 Wxe3 38.trc2 hg3+ 39.€g2 gfl+ 40.€h2 a.e4 41.8c1 B'g3+ 42.&h1 Ad3 43.Ec8+ €h7 44.trh8+ eg6 45.tr'c6+ af6 46.tre8

sh7

o-1

83

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

gfg

Ttrkmakov,Vladimir Van der Sterren,Paul Wijk aan Zee 1993 (3)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.6t3 dxc4 5.4g2 c5 6.0-0 6c6 7.6e5

Ad7 8.6a3 cxd4 9.haxc4 AcS 10.Ag5 0-O 11.trcl trc8 12.Wb3 bG 13.trfd1 hG 14.Axf6 gxf6 15.6xd7 BxdT 16,Wf3 €g7 17.Wg4+ e.h7 18.a3 f5 19.9h5 €e7 20.e4 b5 21.exf5 bxc4 22.Ae4 @g7 23.Hxc4 exfS 24.Axf5 gds 25.trdc1 trc7 26.Wg4+ AgS 27.Ae4f5 28.Bxg5+ 1-O

24.trab1 €e7 25.b5 gdg 26.4d3 axbS 27.Exb5 b6 28.6de5 Sf8 29.Axb6 Excl 30.6bd7+ 6xd7 31.Axd7+ €eB 32.6xb8 trc8 33.6a6 trc2 34.e3 tra2 35.4c5 9c7 36.trb7 €d8 37.trb4 €e7 38.4e4 f5 39.trb7 trc2 40.4s5 h6 41.4f3 gf6 42.ad4 trc4 43.4b5 Ae5 44.f4 Ac3

45.Ef7+ €xf7 46.4d6+ €e7 47.6xc4 gd7 48,sf3 €cG 49.e4 €c5 50.6e5 fxe4+ 51.€xe4 €b4 52.6c6+ &xa4 53.4d4 gb4 54.6xe6 €c4 55.94 AfG 56.h3 gb2 57.h4 Ac3 58.f5 Cb2 59.Axg7Axg7 60.95

Kozul,Zdenko Zelcic,Robert

Kramnik,Yladimir

Solin/Split 2000 (2)

Carlsen,Magnus

1.d4 AfG 2.4]f3 e6 3.c4 d5 4.g3 Ae7 5.€g2 0-0 5.0-0 dxc4 7.Wc2 a6

8.Wxc4 b5 9.8c2 Ab7 10.Af4 6cG

11.trdl 6b412.Wc1 abdS 13.Abd2

6xf4 14.gxf4 gd6 15.6e5 €xg2 16.€xg2 4:.d5 17.6df3 Wf6 18.e3 19.h3 tG 2O.8-:g4 h5 21.Ash2 95 22.Eg1 &f7 23.9h1 gxt4 24.e4 Bxe4 25.8c6 trg8 26.h4 gf5

gfs

27.trxg8 trxg8 28.Wxa6 2:b4 29.gb7Ad3 30.trf1

B96

o-1

1-O

Dortmund 2.007 (+)

1.4f3 Af6 2.c4 eG 3.g3 d5 4.d4 9'e7 5.Ag2 O-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Wc2 a6 8.\9xc4 b5 9.Wc2 Ab710.Ad2 6c6 11.e3 6b4 12.9xb4 9xb4 13.a3 4e714.6bd2 trc8 15.b4 a5 16.6e5 Ad5 17.4b3 axb4 18.6a5 Aa8 19.6ac6 AxcG 2O.hxc6 Wd7 21.&xdS exdS 22.axb4 trfe8 23.tra5 AfB 24.4e5 BeG 25.Exb5 trb8 26.trxb8 trxb8 27.Wxc7 Ad6 28.Wa5 Axb4 29.trb1 gYdG 30.8a4 1_O

Kramrrik,Yladimir Gelfand,Boris Astana 2001 (l) 1.d4 af6 2.D:f3 e6 3.s3 d5 4€g2 Ael 5-c4 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Wc2 a6 8.a4 9:d7 9.Eirxc4 9c6 10.495 Ad5 11.Wc2 Ae4 12.'Sd1 c5 13.dxc5 Axc5 14.Wxd8 ExdB 15.Abd2 Ac6 16.4b3 €,bd717.trfcl gb6 18.Afd2 Axg2 19.€xg2 trdc8 20.Axf6 6xf6 21.ac4 9:c7 22.6rc5 EabS 23.b4 8+

Krafirrlik,Vtadimir Leko,Peter Moscow 200i (3) 1.d4 al6 2.eA e6 3.93 d5 4.4-92 Ae7 5,6f3 0-0 6.0-0 dxeA 7.Wc2 aG 8.Bxc4 b5 9.8c2 eb7 lO.Ad2tral 11.trc1 Ae412.Bb3 4c613.e3 Wa8 14.9d1 b415.9f1 .gds16.4e1 trc8 17.6bd2 6a5 18.6e5 c5 19.dxc5 AxcS 20.4d3 gf8 21.Axd5 6xd5

Catqlon Opening

22.e4 6:bG 23.Exc8 E/xc8 24.4f3 Bb7 25.Axb4 Bxe4 26.9d3 Bxd3 27.6xd3 6ac4 28.b3 6d6 29.trc1 Ads 30.Ec6 Afs 31.9a5 EaB 32.4fe5 AfeT 33.EdG at0 34.b4 6ed5 35.trc6 Ae7 36.a4 gG 37.4c4 €fB 38.6c5 Axc5 39.bxc5 €e8 40.f3 498 41.4b6 AgeT 42.trd6 Eb8 43.hxd5 6xd5 44.trxa6 trc8 45.gb6 6b4 46.tra7 2lci 47.trb7 EaB 48.trc7 ad4 49.a5 trxf3+ 50.€f2 Axh2 51.c6 6g4+ 52.9f3 af6 53.trb7 6d5 54.€e4 2,b4 55.c7 Ec8 56.€d4 €d7 57.€c5 6c6 58.aG h5 59.a7 f5 60.a8W ExaB 61.c88+ €xc8 62.€xc6 1-0

Gelfand,Boris Harikrishna,Pentala Bermuda 2005 (8)

1.d4 AfG 2.atg e6 3.c4 d5 4.93 9e7 5.492 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Wc2 a6 8.Bxc4 b5 9.Sc2 gb7 10.4d2 abdT 11.4a5 tra7 12.trc1 Ae4 13.9b3 Bb8 14.8e3 b4 15.Abd2 Aa8 16.4b3 trc8 17.Hc2 Ae4

18.4e5 Axg2 19.6xd7

21.6xb4

1-o

Sosonko,Genna Short,Nigel London P&D 1980 (8)

1.d4 AfO 2.c4 eG 3.93 c6 4.992 d5 5.4f3 Ae7 6.0-0 0-O 7.Wc2 6lbd7 8.b3 b5 9.c5 a5 10.,abd2 treg 11.e4

dxe4 12.hxe4 Axe4 13.Wxe4 6fG 14.8c2 Ab7 15€g5 ads 16.Axe7 WxeT 17.trfe1 trad8 18.a3 fo 19.6d2 Ac7 20.Wb2 gd7 21.at3 AdS 22.b4 a4 23.Eadl o.e7 24.Wc1 6115 25.Wt4 e5 26.dxe5 Wxdl 27.Exdl trxd1+ 28.4f1 6:d 29.&92 6e6 30.€9g4 f5 31.Bxf5 AcB 32.We4 gd7 33.9d3 g6 34.8e2

Eal

35.Wb2 trd1 36.8c2 tra1 37.9b2 Edl 38.9c2 trdS 39.4e4 trdl 4O.Ac2 Eds 41.\Sc1 ad8 42.9e4 AeG 43.h4 Ed7 44.h5 gf7

45.9h6 Ee6 46.495

1-0

Qlxd7

20.€xg2 Wb5 21.trac1 c6 22.9f3 6bB 23.Ec4 trd7 24.:e3 hG 25.We2 EeB 26.Se1 Wa4 27.Qxb4 Wxa2 28.We3 Axb4 29.trxb4 c5 30.dxc5 a5 31.6xa5 Bd5+ 32.e4 Wa8 33.c6 trc7 34.Hc4 6a6 35.b4 Wb8 36.4b7 ExcG 37.trxc6 SxbT

38.trc8

11.trd1 l]b4 12.6e5 We7 13.Ae3 Ad7 14.6xc4 6xc4 15.Wxc4 b5 16.8e2 trab8 17.axb5 cxbS 18.e5 4e8 19.d5 exdS 20.4''xd5 Wxe5

1-0

Botvinnik,Mikhait Lasker,Emanuel Moscow 1936 ( l0) 1.4f3 d5 2.c4 eG 3.g3 Af6 4.9.g2 Ae7 5.0-0 O-0 6.d4 f,bd7 7.6c3 dxc4 8.e4 c6 9.a4 a5 10.89'e2 6b6

Kortchnoi,Yiktor Spassky,Boris

l (lZ) 1.4f3 d5 2.eA e6 3.g3 AfG 4.Ag2 Ae7 5.0-0 0-0 6.d4 c6 7.8c2 abdT 8.b3 b6 9.trd1 Ab7 10.6c3 b5 11.cxb5 cxb5 12.6xb5 Wa5 13.a4 Qle4 14.ad2 Eac8 15.Wa2 a6 Moscow I97

1

6.Axe4 dxe4 1 7.Ac 4 trxc4 1 8.bxc4

axb5 19.axb5 Wc7 20.c5 gds

21.8a7 Bd8 22.cG af6 23.Ra3 Axa3 24.trxa3 Ac4 25.b6 e3 26.trxe3 adS 27.b7 6xe3 28.fxe3 €9,g5 29.d5

9xe2

1-O

eq

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

good. The compensation is apparent, but a pawn sacrifice is not to everyone's taste.

At first glance, the Blumenfeld appears to be a close relative of the Benko; however, this is purely an optical illu-

E iirll' A €

ti r$

sion. In the Blumenfeld, a pawn is given up so as to take possession of the centre (the validity of this concept was already well understood in the pioneering days of chess theory and thus such a gambit was frequendy seen in the 1920's); on

€

ftf i#trff $if|

IWiA*'

the other hand, the compensation in

:l'

:::*Aift:: E;. ;1;t *a= A ':: A, A;

agg€a

:l

the Ben-ko is represented by the ability to apply pressure along the a- and b-files. This compensation is far less 'concrete', and it is thus no coincidence that half a century had to pass before its merit was appreciated.

tr A)

::::l:::::::

l I

i:.::-:

,'- il

After 4.d5 Black can transpose with 4...exd5 to a Benoni in which White has played Af3 instead of 6c3. He also has another option: +...b7 -b5, This line was successfully employed by Alekhine in his famous 1922 game against Thrrasch. At first it was a big hit, but

with the discovery of 5.495 its popularity quickly waned. Todalr this presumed refutation has itself been refuted and the move is no longer feared: as a result, the Blumenfeld Gambit has become relatively fashionable again. However, although it is now considered

playable,

it still remains a line that

involves taking risks.

The move 4...b5 is very logical; with 4.d5, White has exposed the head of the pawn chain, but Black attacl$ its base. The problem is rhat if White rakes on e5 and then on b5, he will be a pawn to the 86

5. d5xe6 6. c4xb5

f7xe6 d7-d5

ChAggA E i& *: tirr f ::ilff * ':t i1"A*l.:ei ;;:: ==:t;= i::.: it;iia=; E

AA==g AAAA g*:tr

iEiA

tried to improve Black's game with 6...9b71?, but after 7.abdz Ae7 8.Wc2. White's scores are better. Some have

7.

e2-e3

The normal annotation that follows on a move like this is solidbut passiue. However, with extra material in hand this is a virtue not a defect! Other normal de-

veloping moves are naturally playable (in particular the increasingly popular

Blumenfeld Gombit

7.g3), with Black's compensation still uncertain.

gf8-d6

7.

8. Af1-e2 9. 6b1-d2

10.0-0 11. b2-b3

'12.9c1-b2 13.

e3-e4!

0-0

Ac8-b7 ab8-d7 tsd8-e8 e6-e5 d5xe4

14.6t3-h4 And White is a little better, but, needto say, this line is just an indicative example from a wide variety of possi-

81) 5.

b5xc4 ofall alternatives. 6. Ab1-c3 d7-d6 7. e2-e4 e6-e5 After 7...exd5?? S.Axf6 Wxf6. the The least good

move 9.Wxd5 wins.

8. ol13-d2 9. 6d2xc4

9f8-e7

Black's position is passive and without prospects.

BD

Iess

A

5.

b5-b4

little timid but playable.

6. e2-e4 7. gf1-d3 8. ab1-d2

bilities.

B) 5. Ac1-95

d7-d6 a7-as

White has a small plus, but nothing more.

83)

s.

6. gdl-d2!?

Wd8-a5+

6.4c3 6e4 is complicated; 6.Abd2 has some venom: 6...4e7 7.e4t? 6xe4 (7...d6) 8.Axe7 €xe7 (forced) 9.ba! Wxb4 1 0.Ebl with an initiative. 6. Wa5xd2+ 7. 6f3xd2! This move is annotated with an excla-

il most opening manuals, perhaps because such a non-materialistic approach appears to impress. However, statistics from hundreds of games mation mark

demonstrate that it is not superior to Variation A and the exclamation mark is not iustified. With the text move, White ignores the pawn on offer and pins the

knight with the idea of advancing e2-e4. Black lost quite a few games when this line was first used. However, today theory considers Black's game to

be acceptable, even roses.

if it is no bed of

The other knight is destined for c3.

7. 8. 92-93 9. Afl-g2

b5-b4!? 6b8-a6 Ea8-b8 With aminimum advantage forWhite. 87

Chess Opening Essentiols

84) 5.

-

Volume

3

e6xd5

Also this move is less bad than its tation would suggesr.

6. c4xd5 7. e2-e4 8. a2-a4

repu-

d7-d6! a7-a6

Af8-e7!

ArABs E alll I'la g lla E

n A

A

F?

a

g€gAAAE

l{a O 'i\

Indirectly defending the b5 pawn by attacking the e4 pawn.

9.

ab1-d2

9.Axf6 has not given White the results

that were initially hoped for; after 9..Axf6 l0.axb5 Axb2 lt.Ea2 Afe l2.Ad3 0-0 13.0-0 Ab7, Black does not have any significant problems.

9.

With

Af6xd5

an unclear game.

85) 5. 6. Ag5xf6! 7. Ab1-c3

At this point, both the ambitious 9...g5 and the solid 9...e5 appear to be playable.

In conclusion,

even the Blumenfeld is now a respectable opening! Its chief limit is that it cannor be the main weapon in Black's repertoire as it cannot be played after 3.Ac3.

Tarrasch,siegbert Alekhins,4lexander Bad Pistyan 1922 (l) 1.d4 at6, 2.6lt9 eG 3.c4 c5 4.d5 b5 5.dxe6 fxe6 6.cxb5 d5 7.e3 AdG 8.6c3 0-0 9.4e2 gb7 10.b3 AbdT 11€b2 We7 12.0-0 trad8 13.Wc2 e5 14.Efe1 e415.ad2 heS 16.6d1 6fg4 17.Axg4 6xg4 l8.6fl WgS 19.h3 ah6 20.9h1 a$ 2t.ah2 d4 22.9c1 d3 23.Wc4+ €hB 24.$:b2 4g3+ 25.€gl Ad5 26.8a4 4le2+ 27.&h1 trf7 28.Wa6 h5 29.b5 4g3+

30.€gl axb6 31.Bxb6

6e2+ 32.9h1 Ag3+ 33.€s1 d2 sfi.trtl axfl 35.axf1 AeG 36.€hl Axh3 37.gxh3 Ef3 38.693 h4 39.sf6 SxfG 40.Axe4 trxh3+

h7-h6 Wd8xf6

0-1

F'.hlvestJa:rn

Alexeev,Evgeny Moscow 2007 (5)

Preparing the advance e2-e4; if the knight is attacked it can be actively

1.d4 af6 2.c4 e6 3.Afg c5 4.d5 b5 5.dxe6 fxe6 6.cxb5 dS 7.Q:c3 4-:bdl

olaced on b5.

8.e4 d4 9.e5

Rfter Z.WcZ, the move 7...6a61? looks promising.

7. 7

b5-b4

...a6!? is a recent idea.

8. Ac3-b5 Ab8-a6 8...€d8 appears to be a little rash after 9.a3!Wxb2 10.axb4Wxb4+ I l.Ad2. 9. e2-e4 88

6g4 10.4e4 Ab7 11.8e2 Ads 12.6xd4 cxd4 13.Wxg4 Axe5 14.9h5+ 6g6

15.9d3 Ab4+ 16.€e2 Sc7 17.a3 Ae7l8.Ad2 0-0 l9.trhcl gb7 20.f9 trfS 21.9h3 Ae5 22a4 4xd3 23.€xd3 a6 24.Wg3 e5 25.Aa5 Axe4+ 26.fxe4 Ef4 27.Wel axbS 28.ad2 8ff8 29.a5 b4 30.b3 Wb5+

Blumenfeld Gombit

31,trc4 trxaS 32.trxa5

Wxa5

33.Wcl BaG 34.8d1 hC 35.W94

sh736.gd7\8a2

o-1

Beliavsky,Alexander Hcrvath,Tamas Austria tt 2007/08 (5)

1.d4 at6 2.eA 6 3.,afg c5 4.d5 b5 S.dxe6 fxe6 6.cxb5 aG 7.bxa6 Ae7 &ac3 9.ra6 9.g3 O-O 1OAh3 geg 11.0-0 ac612.tre1 Wh513€92 trad8 14.4 aW 15.m Affi 16.Ee3 c4 17.9a4 hcS1S.9c2 4d319.tre2 he8 21,ad4 96 214e3 trb8 22.Wa4 Ac5 23.9d1 ad3 24Eb1gcs 25.9a4 Eb6 26.Bxd7 trd6 2?.9a4 6lc7 28.Qte2 Axe3 29.Oxe3 Wcs 30.Wa3 Wd4 31.trfl gb7 32.Wa5 6e8 33.6c2 Wg7 34.aM fixb2 35.e5 €xg2 36.€xg2

€{bz+ 37.€gl trds 38.4xd3 cxd3

39.tre4d240.trM

1-o

19.ts9xd3 Eb4 20.trxb4 Bxb4 21.6e3 Bxb2 22.trb1 Wa2 23.8:t5 O-O 24.h4 94 25.4ld2'WaS 26.6-sxg7 €xg7 27.Wd4+ f6 28.Eb6 sh7 29.e5 f5 30.8e3 sg8 31.Eg6+ €f7 32.trf6+ €eB 33.Wxh6 trg8 34.9h7 Bxd5 35.e6 1-o

Avrukh,Boris Volokitin,Andrey Ermioni Argolidas

rL

2005 (9)

af6

2.c4 eG 3.,2f3 c5 4.d5 b5 5.&95 exdS 6.cxd5 dG 7.a4 b4 8.e4 Ae7 9.9b5+ gd7 10.0-0 0-0 ll.Eel Axb5 12.axb5 abdT 13.abd2 AbG 1.d4

14.9t4 9d7 15.8e2 .h516.4e3 f5 gxfs 18.gxc5 dxcS 19.Wxe7 6f4 20.W95 Bxg5 21.6xg5 Ad3 22.tre7 6xd5 23.Edl ast4 24.kde4 c4 25.93 h6 26.gxf4 hxgS 27.b3 trxf4 28.b6 trxe4 29.traxa7 HxaT 30.bxa7 tre8 31.trb7 cxb3 32.trb8 17.exf5

RoiaMichael

b2 33.trxe8+ &t7 34.aBB blW+

Swicarz,Maciej

35.€g2 af4+ 36.€s3 Bg1+ 37.9f3 Bdl+ 38.eg3 Ahs+ 39.€g2 6f4+ 40.€g3 6e2+41.9f3af4+ Yztz

Pardubice 2003 (2)

af6 2.6f3 e6 3.c4 c5 4.d5 b5 5€g5 Ba5+ 6.4€ Ae4 7,cxb5 Ab7 e.Ad2 Axc3 9Axc3 Wxb5 10.e4 gb6 119a4 Ae7 12€xg7 trg8 13€c3 Exg2 14.6se5 fG 15.9h5+ gd8 1.d4

15.Whg

trs8 17.Bxh7 tre8 18.4f7+

€c819.0-0-0Aa620.trhg1

1-0

Tatai,stefano Liuboievic,Ljubomir tt 1972 2.c4 e6 3.4f3 c5 4.d5 b5 5.495 exdS 6.cxd5 h6 7.Axf6 Wxf6 8.Wc2 ha6 9.e4 trb8 'l0.Ac3 c4 Reggio Emilia

1.d4

af6

11.4e2 95 12.0-0 497 13.a4 6b4 14.9d2 a6 15.4d1 6d3 16.?xd3 cxd3 17.axb5 trxbS 18.tra4 WbG

Portisch,Laios Rogers,Ian Reggio Emilia 198al85

(i

1)

1.d4 Af6 2.e4 e6 3.6f3 c5 4.d5 b5 5.4g5 h6 6.Axf6 WxfG 7.6c3 b4 8.4b5 €d8 9.e4 s5 10.4d3 9b7

11.e5 Bg7 12.Wa4 a5 13.0-0 94 14.ad2 9xe5 15.'*A9'c2 tra6 16.trfe1 Wg717.a3 h5 18.axb4 cxb4 19.dxe6 fxe6 20.ge4 6c6 21.Ead1 h4 22.abg a4 23.6,3d4 6xd4 24.6xd4 Axe4 25.Bxe4 €c8 26.€h1 AcS 27.E.e2 trf8 28.arb5 93 29.fxg3 hxg3 30.h3 a3 31.bxa3 bxa3 32.Wb1 trf2 33.tra2 Exa2 34.Wxa2 B'b2 0-1 89

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

the Bogo. This demonstrates again, that

while the Bogo-Indian is no Sicilian Dragon, the scope for interpretation in an opening is greater than you would imagine. A good example of this is Kasparov, who injected new cutting vig-

Elfl3.Be-. ,Hl * f : il .= I *.1 rA :,... ..i..;. l;.:: EA8 :.'; ,dt. .:,: jlilil.t :.:A r;l AA AAAA ,#A ,g$l[;.;:;g ....:,

our into many of the lines used against the Griinfeld and the Queen's Indian that had previously been considered to be relatively tame. Naturally, there are limits as to how far you can take this: the nature of some lines demands a doser adherence to their strategic character; for example, within the realms of the Queen's Pawn Game it would hardly appear feasible to play the Orthodox Defence aggressively; or worse sCrll, a solid and restrained King's Indian! The Bogo-Indian is considered to be the

The Bogo-Indian is so named in hon-

our of the Ukrainian/German Efim Bogoljubov4 who played it several times in the 1920i against some of the best players of that time. However, it should be noted that his early results with the defence were not thrilling (+ I - + = 2).Indeed, the defence has always been perceived as solid but passive; a probable explanation for its limited popularity (the Queen's Indian is played three times as often).

On the other side of the coin, many players - Petrosian and Smyslov come readilv to mind - have been attracted to the defence because the importance of strategic themes appealed to them and there was not the need to memorise the long move sequences of alternative sharp defences. Others, such as Keres and more recently Kortchloi -, have instead innoduced various sharp lines into 90

little brother of the

Queen's Indian (3...b6), and it includes many identical

strategic themes and there are possible transpositions. It is also conceptually re-

lated to the Nimzo-Indian (3.6c3 Ab4), in as much as Black - especially in the +.Abd2 line - is caimly prepared to concede the bishop pair.

Now we have arrived

at

White's two re-

4.4d2 Andwhynot4.6,c3? In fact the move is playable, very popular and indeed has a name: the Kasparov Variation (that man's name automatically gives credibility to any plies: 4.6bd2 and

line!). However,

it is a normal part of the Nimzo-Indian (which is discussed later), in which the development of the knights is in reverse order (3.4c3 Ab4 +.4f3), while this line is a rarity in the Bogo. This comes as no surprise; a per-

Bogo-Indian Defence

son who prefers :.Af: to 3.4c3 is more likely to be a conservative solid player, and thus it is normal that after the check on b4 such a player would wish to avoid the complex strategic adventures associated with 4.4c3.

White ambitiously avoids the exchange

In addition, many people have been discouraged from exploring the line be-

A1) 4. d7-d6 A theme often seen in the Nimzo-Indian. Black is about to concede the bishop and he therefore puts his pawns on dark squ;ues (usually d6 and e5) so that his other bishop will be good. 5. a2-ag Obviously less thematic moves are also

in

old opening manuals, to be dubious due to 4...9xc3+ (played before White can avoid having his pawns doubled) cause

several

4.Q:c3 was considered

5.bxc3 d6.

of bishops so

as

to maintain the tension.

it scoring better, this line is a lot less popular than the Inexplicably, despite

bishop move alternative.

oossible. 5.

6.

Ab4xd2+ Wd1xd2

Giving the bishop the b2-square.

ab8-d7

6.

7. 8.

e2-e3 d4xe5

e6-e5

To prevent an ...e5-e4 advance.

L

to say in reality things are more complex. It is true that from Black's viewpoint you are looking at a somewhat improved version of the Simisch Yariation of the Nimzo-Indian (3.4c3 Ab+ +.aZ Axc3+ 5.bxc3) Needless

f3 knight is stopping the dangerous pawn moves f3 followed by e4. However, this is a static consideration: White has already developed his knight, and an extra tempo is an extra tempo. as the

Therefore. the current theoretical evaluation which gives White a small advantage seems to be more correct. In conclusion: if you play the Bogo-Indian, do nor forger 4.Q)c3!

A) 4. ab1-d2

9. b2-b4

d6xe5 0-0

Now e2-e4 would make it possible for the knight to occupy the d4-square. 10. Acl-b2 And White is somewhat better as he can apply irritating pressure along the long dark-square diagonal.

AD Here

4.

5. a2-a3 6. Ac1xd2

c7-cs Ab4xd2+

it is better to take back with

the

bishop.

6. 7. d4xc5!? 8. Ad2-c3 9. Ea1xd1

d7-d6 d6xc5 WdAxdt+ b7-b6 It does not seem easy for White to exploit the advarrtage of the bishop pair. 91

Chess Opening Essenticls

A3) 4. 5. 5.a3

-

Volume

3

7. e4-e5 8. b2-b4l 9. b4-b5

d7-d5 e2-e3

Ae7 6.93!?.

5. 6. a2-ag

at6-d7 a7-a5 c7-c5

10. Ac1-b2

O-0

9b4-e7 Black does not play in the spirit of the defence and keeps his bishop; his reasoning is that compared to the normal Queen's Gambit, the knight is more passively placed on d2 than it would be

Black has a position that is a tad passive and his results are not encouraging.

A5) 4. 5.

b7-b6 a2-a3 The move 5.e3 is a popular choice:

s...Abz 6.4d3 o-o 7.0-o ds

on c3.

7.

b2-b4 7.4d3 c5 with equality.

8.a3

Black does not seem to have any prob-

Axd2!? 9.Axd2 dxc4 10.Axc4 AbdT 1 1.b4 Ae4, with a balanced position that is often reached by means of the Queen's Indian with 4.e3. 5. Ab4xd2+ 6. Aclxd2 Ac8-b7

lems.

6...h6!?.

7. 8. b4-b5 9. b5xc6

A4) 4. 5.

a7-a5 c7-c5 b7xc6

7. Ad2-95 8. e2-e3 9. gf1-d3

0-0

a2-a3

ab8-d7 h7-h6

10. Ag5-h4

5.g3 !?.

5. Ab4-e7 Risky: conceding the centre in search

of

is more solid: 6.Axd2 6e+ 7.s;f+ d6 8.e3 b6 9.Wc2 AUz t o.o-o-o!?, with a complex game. 6. e2-e4 d7-d5 counterplay. 5...9xd2+

Ah4-g3

EBgE

,

:4,

AAA

,i'

..1;1,:,,,:'',.,',.$.:,,,::,,,,

A A

There are similar positions in the Queen's Indian with 4.6c3 that are more favourable because there is a pawn on b2 instead of on c3, while here Black has not received any structural compensation for no longer having the bishop pair. That said, after g7-95 10. ... 11. h6-hs!?

ErhAg Es lll, Al,ll la , ' .:,.l :AAA

tr Ag€A tr

Here's the idea: Black hopes to demonstrate the White's centre is overextended. The reality is that after 92

d7-d6

rErfi. l ::,;...: ::r:I lra

tr

AA :4.Annn Aa AA ZI

trggtr

.lAA'

It is not easy to evaluate the position.

Bogo-Indion Defence

B) 4. Ac1-d2 The most natural, and probably for that reason the most played.

81) 4.

ab4xd2+!? This move was viewed with susoicion for quite some time.

5.

Wdlxd2!

the c3-square for the knight. d7-d5 5.

To vacate

6.93!?, proceeding in Catalan style, is a good alternative.

6.

0-0 Wd8-e7! Andersson's move: it vacates the d8-square for the rook and prepares ...dxc4 and ...c5: obviously, this manoeuvre is only possible because of the

7. e2-e3

absence of the bishop. As the reader will perhaps remember, we have already mentioned in the section on the Queen's Gambit - in par-

ticular, in the part on the Tartakower Yariation - that one of Black's probIems is to find a good home for his queen. While Black has not magically

solved this problem here, the line is playable.

8. tral-c1 9. Aflxc4

0-0

10. 11. Wd2-e2

Now we are in a type of Queen's Gambit necHned in which the dark-squared bishops are offthe board. In the past, theory maintained that this absence clearly favours White, both for

the extra tempo gained (the queen is better on d2 than on d1) and given that his central pawns are on light squares, Black should not have parted with his good bishop. All in all, these are academic considerations when you take into account that the pawns still relatively mobile and not blocked as they are in the French. In addition, this evaluation ignores the fact that piece exchanges favour the side whose position is cramped. Furthermore, in this specific case, the concrete value ofthis strategic concept is seen immediately.

6. 6b1-c3

d5xc4 c7-c5 trf8-d8

White can apply nice pressure in the centre, but the line's performance results are not so different from the normal Queen's Gambit Declined.

BD

4, c7-c5 Vitolinsh's idea suddenly came to light towards the end of the 1970's. As always, the paradoxical ideas of the late lamented Latvian master stand the test of time: indeed, this move is one of the

most played

5. Ad2xb4 Why not? Some prefer 5.g3, avoiding the strategic challenge that this variation presents.

5.

c5xb4

To capture away from the centre may not

appeal to classically-minded players, yet 93

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

it

denies the bl

has the plus that

it

Volume

3

knight its natural developing square c3.

EAAS€ ll,':l

lll

To take possession of the cS-square. Other possibilities are the 'waiting moves' 9...a5 and 9...tre8.

E

E AE E& ll llr al a

la

'l

IAA AA AAAA EA ,ggA tr

IAA AA AA AAAAA

In addition, the b4 pawn proves to be so irritating that White often pushes his pawn to a3 just ro ger rid of the blasted thing, and in so doing, re-establishes the integrity of Black's pawn structure.

6. s2-93

Given the absence of the c-pawn, fianchettoing the bishop seems to be the most natural way to develop the bishop, even if, obviously, 6.e3 is playable.

6.9d3!? is also interesting. The idea

is

to make the e2-e4 advance immediately,

but after 6...d6 7.e4 0-0 8.abd2 6fal tZ - with the plan to push his pawn to e5 - Black has a satisfactory game. It is also possible to get

tr w tr€ d4-d5 a2-a3

10.

11.

Ac6-b8 Ab8-a6

With balanced play.

83)

4. a7-a5 It is not a good idea to take on b4 here, and if Biack wishes ro relocare the bishop in the future rhe move ...a5 will prove to be useful.

5.

g2-s3

The number one choice, but the direct 5.6c3 b6 6.e3 gb7 7.4d3 d6 8.8c2 Q)bd7 9.e4 is also worrh a look.

5.

b7-b6

The move 5...d5 is important as it is often played in analogous positions in the

rid of the

Catalan when Black gives check from b4 on the fourth move: 6.492 dxc4 7.WcZ Ac6 8.Wxc4 Wds s.Wd: We+

Otherwise, 6...b61? produces a position that can also be reached by means of the Queen's Indian. We then have Z.Ag2 AUz s.o-O a5l? 9.a3 Aa6. with an advantage for White that is so slight that the game will often end in a draw

10.Wxe4 Axe4 I 1.a3 Axd2 l2.Abxd2 Ae7 13.Ec1, and notwithstanding the bishop pair, Black still has a few prob-

pawn on b4 by playing 6.a3!?.

6.

7. Af1-g2 8. 0-0

9. ab1-d2

94

0-0

lems.

6. Af1-g2 7. 0-0 L gd2-t4

d7-d6 Ab8-cG

Threatening

e6-e5

c4-c5 and a2-a3.

Ac8-b7 0-0

to trap the bishop with

Bogo-lndion Defence

9b4-e7 8:t6-e4

8.

9. ET

:*

r:

6b1-c3

$: ur

Eg

E* I r:*r

*

:.=

:.,t:,,:.'.:.

I ::ti

:.a

:.:,::i].:,

:l} :r:a::.:i

6

,\.1 q] '-

t':i:: ':a..:a.:..

,3r

A&

:,:r,a A :in:r :.) ti: A A 'rt' :ila:i @ i-.-':;

'

g

.. :-,

:

/\'A q) L\ B 1fr Ai 7\ E ?\. Fl .9-)

Equality or an edge for White? In truth, probably somewhere between the two.

84) 4.

10.ds ab8 ll.Ael 0-0 12.4d3 Aa6 13.a3 c6!, and Black has managed to maintain the balance. For this reason, White usually prefers the more energetic:

6. Ab1-c3! So as

Ab4xc3

to occupy e4.

7. Ad2xc3 8. tra1-c1 9. Afl-92

d4-d5

6f6-e4 0-0 d7-d6

Ac6-d8 With the idea of going to ff after the advance ...f7-f5. 10...4b8 is a natural 10.

move, but a tad passive.

Af3-d2

11. 12. trc1xc3

he4xc3

Wd8-e7

Defending the bishop

with the queen

remains the most frequently played move.

5.

92-93

5.e3 b6 does not cause Black anv headaches.

5.

6b8-c6

Although Black's position is playable, White's pieces give the impression of being better coordinated, and if Black pushes ...e7-e5, White will achieve a good queenside initiative by pushing his c-oawn to c5.

A very popular line. The move is menacing. If White continues with the natural-looking 6.492, there is 6...Axd2+

and White can not recapture with queen because of 7...Q-le4 followed by 8...9b4+. Therefore, play continues with 7.Abxd2 d6 8.0-0 aSl 9.e4 e5 95

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume

3

15.gd6 Bc6 16.b5 Bb7l7.trcl €f7 18.4b4 gd8 19.e4 6e8 2O.e5 €g8 21.8c3 6xd6 22.exd6 a5 23.bxa6 gd7 24.8e5 gf7 25.trc7 ad7 26.Wc3Wf8 27.6cG 1-o

Ivanchuk,Vasily Moiseenko,Alexander Edmonton 2005 (8)

1.d4 olt6-2.c4 e6 s.afg 9b4+ 4.abd2 0-O 5.a3 Ae7 6.e4 d5 7.e5 atdT 8.b4 a5 9.b5 c5 10.9b2 bG 11.a4 treB 12.4d3 Ab7 13.cxd5 Axd5 14.tsc2 Af8 15.dxc5 Axc5 154e4 abd717.Axd5 exd5 18.0-0 trcg 19.Wf5 6e6 20.4b3 AfB 21.trfdl 6dci 22.obd4 s6 23.9b1 gd7 24.6-tci 6lt4 ZS.trS Ace6 26.Wa2 o,c5 27.Ac1 afd3 28.Aa3 Af4 29.8c2 trxc6 30.bxc6 9xc6 31.Ac1 Afe6 324e3 Ag7 33.trd2 h6 34.8b1 trc8 35.trb5 €h736.6d4 We8 37.6xe6 6xe6 38.Wdl d4 39.9xd4 6xd4 40.Exd4 Axe5 41.trds Ec4 42.g3 Ag7 43.h4 Wc6 44.9f3 Bc7 45.Ebd5 trxa4 46.Ed7 Ea1+ 47.€g2 Wc1 48.trd1 gb2 4g.gxf7 trxd1 50.h5 gxhS 51.Wf5+ sh8 52.trxd1 gf6 53.wxh5 wc6+ 54.€91 a4 55.gf5ga8 56.trc1 1:O Ivanchuk,Vasily Nisipeanu,Liviu Dieter

Petursson,Margeir

Kortchnoi,Yiktor Reykjavik rs87 (1)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 e6 3.4f3 Ab4+ 4.9:d2 c5 5-Axb4 cxb4 5.a3 bxa3 7.trxa3 0-0 8.e3 bG 9.9d3 Ab7 10.6c3 dG 11.gb1 a5 12.b4 axb4 13.trxa8 AxaS 14.Sxb4 e5 15.d5 Aa6 16.Wb1 6c5 17&c2 AbZ 18.0-0 Aa6 19.4d2 Wc7 2o.Bb4 gG 21.tra1 trc8 22.93 tra8 23.trb1 hfdT 24.Ha1 f5 25.Ea3 trc8 26.4a4 e4 27.kxc5 €xcS 28.Wxc5 AxcS 29.4a4 €f7 30.9c6 trc7 31.Bal Ab7 32.tra7 tre7 33.Axb7 ExbT 34.Exb7+ {rxb7 35.94 ef6 36.gxf5 €xfs 37.€g2 g5 38.h3 acs 39.f9 h5 40.fxe4+ 6xe4 41.6b3 g4 42.od4+

€95 43.hxg4 €xg4 44.fif3 6s5 45.4h2+ €f5 46.€g3 €e4 47.6t1 €d3 48.€h4 2.e4 49.€xh5 €xc4 5O.€g4 b551.€f4

gd3 '

o-1

Horvath,Csaba

Rozentalis,Edrardas

:

Austria tt 2007l08 (9)

3.4f3 gb4 4.9d2 c5 5.4b4 cb4 6.g3 0-0 7.a92 d6 8.0-O a5 9.abd2 treB 1O.Wc2 e5 11.de5 deS 12.trfd1 Be7 13.4f'l Wc5 14.6e3 Ae6 15.695 Ac6 16.ad5 ads 17.9d5 tre7 18.e3 s6 l/z-Vz 19.trd2 trae8 20.6e4 1.d4

af6 2.c4

eG

Khanty-Mansiysk 2007 (3)

1.d4

Af6 2.af3 eG 3.c4 Aba+

Pavlovic,Milos Kovacevic,Aleksandar

4.Abd2 b6 5.a3:ixd2+ 6.Wxd2 9bZ 7.e3 0-0 8.4e2 d6 9.0-O AbdT 10.b4 Zadbor 200s (3) Ae4 11.8c2 f5 12.9b2 trf6 13.d5 1.d4 AfG 2.c4 e6 3.4f3 Abc+ trg6 14.trad1 e5 15.4d3 c6 16.Axe4 4.4d2 c5 5.Axb4 cxb4 6.93 O.0 fxe4 17.Bxe4 cxdS 18.cxd5 Af6 7.Ag2 d6 Labd2 4c6 9.6f1 e5 19.grc4 Ec8 20.Wb3 gd7 21.4e1 10.4e3 Ag4 11.0-0 treB 12.trc1

€:622t3€:c4 , 96

0-1 ghs

13.d5 Axf3 14.Axf3 ad4

Bogo-Indion Defence

15.9d2 b3 16.a3 Axf3+ 17.exf3 Ad7 18.8c3 6c5 19.h4 Bd7 20.94 gG 21.g5 h5 22.sxh6 f5 23.9h2 €f7 24.h5 EhB 25.hxg6+ exg6 26.trg1+ €f6 27.6g4+fxg4 28.fxg4 €96 29.trh3 EafB 30.tr92 trf4 31.95 Eg4 32.We2 Exg2+

33.€xg2

o-1

h4a6ftsnzie,George

Noa,Josef London 1883

1.hf3 e6 2.d4 af6 3.c4 gb4+ 4Ad2 Axd2+ 5.Abxd2 0-0 6.e3 6c6 7.4d3 d5 8.Ec1 gd7 9.0-0 Be7 10.Ab'l HacS 11.a3 e5 12.cxd5 6xd5 13.Wb3 6b6 14.dxe5 Axe5 15.Axe5 Sxe5 16.4ff Be717.Wd3 9618.8c3 trfe8 19.h3 Ac6 20.ad4 Ad5 21.trfe1 c5 22.6e26ld7 23.og3 WgS 24.e4 Ac6 25.tre3 b6 26.4f5 tre5 27.h4 BfG 28.4h6+ €f8 29.Aga WeG 30.Axe5 6xe5 314a2 gd6 32.9d5 treB 33.gxc6 Bxc6 34.trd1 *98 35.8d5

4iS4 36.tred3 Wc7 37.g3 6e5 38.trd1 Ac6 39.9c4 Wc8 40.€92 ad4 41.t9 h5 42.M 6eG 43.bxc5 6xc5 44.8d6 €97 45.9d4+ gh7 46.gf6 Eg8 47.Wxf7+ Hs7 4e.gf5 WaG 49.Sb2 gb7 50.81d5 9e7

51.9d48f752.tre5

1-0

Tarrasch,siegbert Yidmar,Milan sr Semmering Baden 1926 (6)

1.d4 af6 2.c4 eG 3.af3 Ab4+ 4.gd2Axd2+ 5.6bxd2 d5 6.e3 0-0 7.Wc2 abdT 8.trc1 c5 9.9d3 treg 1O.O-O h6 11.6e5 Axe5 12.dxe5 6:ld7 13.f4 Ac5 14.9h7+ €hg 15.cxd5 exdS 16.trg6 fxg6 17.Egxc5

Ad718.e4 95 19.exd5 grt4 2}.alc4 cxd5 21.6d0 gfg 22.Wxd5 Bb6+

23.trf2 Ac6 24.Wc5 Wd8 25.e6 €g8 26.Afs WfG 27.6e7+ €h8 28.Exf4 WxeG 29.trxf8+ ExfS 30.6g6+ Wxg6 31.Wxf8+ gh7 32.lg'f2 a6 33.h3 we6 34.b3 ws6 35.trc4 Ae4 36.8c3 h5 37.trg3 $dG 38.We3 gG 39.Wf2 Wdl+ 40.€h2

Wd6 41.9f7+ €h6 42.h4 Be5 43.9f2 €97 44.Wel gf4 45.€91 gfs 45.8e3 gd6 47.8c3+ &t7 48.We5 Wdl+ 49.Eel gd8 50.trc1 Wd2 51.Ec7+ g]dl 52.trxb7 gd1+ 53.€h2 Sg4 54.9d5+ €e8 55.Wxd7+ WxdT 56.trxd7 €xd7 57.€g3 €d6 5e.gf4 €c5 59.€g5 €b4 60.€xg6 ea3

61.€xh5

1-o

Monticelli,Mario Prokes,Ladislav Budapest 1926 (10)

1.d4 af6 2.atg eG 3.c4 Ab++ 4.Ad2Axd2+ 5.Wxd2 b6 6.93 Ab7 7.9.92 0-0 8.6c3 6e4 9.Wc2 6xc3 10.695 Ae4 11.Axe4 9xe4 12.Wxe4 Wxg5 13.9xa8 Wa5+ 14.9f1 Wa6 15.We4 Bxc4 16.b3 Wb4 17.9d3 c5 18.dxc5 Wxc5 19.€g2 f5 20.trac1 WaS 21.trc2 d5 22.Hc7 gd6 23.trhc1 Ad7 24.tr1c6 We7 25..Hxal t4 26.trcc7 fxg3 27.hxg3 9f728.f3 trd8 29.Exd7 t-o KarporlAnatoly Serper,Grigory Dortmund 1993 (5)

1.d4 AfG 2.c4 e6 3.Af3 gb4+ 4.9:d2 Axd2+ 5.Bxd2 d5 6.g3 4,bd7 7.As2 c6 8.Wc2 0-0 9.Abd2

bO 10.e4 dxe4 11.6xe4 4xe4

12.Wxe4 gb7 13.0-O EbB 14.8e3 c5 15.dxc5 6xc5 16.trfd1 Wc7 17.b4 4d718.trd4 6f6 19.We5 We7 20.a3 97

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Tolume

3

trbc8 2l.tradl trc7 22.6h4 HfcS 23.4f5 exf5 24.Wxe7 ExeT 25.Axb7 EfB 26.AaG 96 27.c5 bxcS 28.bxc5 trc7 29.trc1 tre8 30.c6 €g7 31.€f1 treS 32.4b7 traS 33.trcd1 treS 34.trd7 tre7 35.trxc7 ExcT 35.trd8 tre7 37.f3 g5 38.8a8 g4 39.fxg4 fxg4 AO.Exa7 ads 41.tra4

ae3+42.€91*f643.trf4+

1-o

Spraggett,Kevin Smyslov,Yasily

af6 2.c4 e6 3.af3 Ab4+

4.9d2 a5 5.6c3 0-0 5.e3 dG 7.Wc2 abdT 8.4d3 e5 9.0-0 tre8 10.e4 exd4 11.hxd4 c6 12.Eae1 Ae5 13.h3 AcS 14.Ae3

Axh3

o-1

Browne,Walter Smyslov,Vasily Las Palmas

izt 1982 (10)

1.d4 af6 2.c4 eG 3.4f3 Ab4+ 4.s.d2 aS 5.g3 d5 6.4g2 dxc4 7.Wc2 hc6 8.Bxc4 Wd5 9.Bxd5 exdS 10.hc3 AeG 11.trc1 a4 12.abi Axd2+ 13.exd2 €dg 14.6e5 Ea515.6xc6+ bxcS 16.4c3 &e7 17.6d19d6 t8.fg c5 19.dxc5+ trxcS 20.trxc5 Sxc5 21.6c3 €b4 22.Hc1 c5 23.e3 d4 24.exd4 cxd4 25.a3+ €b3 26.4d1 Ac4 27.at2 6d5 28.he4 Ae3 29.6c5+ &a2 3o.eh3 ab3 31.ad7 6c4+ 32.9d3 0-1(time)

Marshall,Frank Capablanca,Jose RauI Berlin 1928 (a)

1d4 af6 2.4f3 e6 3.c4

Ab++ 4.Ad2 We7 5,4cS b6 6.e3 Axc3 7.Axc3 6e4 8.8c1 gb7 Lgdg O-O 98

24.Ee3 f5 25.h3 trd8 26.a3 trd1+ 27.&h2 gf6 28.9f4 g5 29.trg3 €f8 30.9b8+ Ed8 31.wes BxeS 32.696+ €f733.6xe5+ €f6 o-1 Kasparov;Garry Petrosian,Tigran

Montpellier ct 1985 (6)

1.d4

d5 11.4d2 Axc3 12.trxc3 c5 13.dxc5 dxcS 14.Wh5 h6 15.f4 Ad7 15.e4 e5 17.atg EaeS 18.6h4 ext4 19.trxf4 WgS 20.tsf3 t:e5 21.Wt2 6xd3 22.trxd3 trxe4 23.trxe4 Axe4 1O.0-O

Bugojno 1982 (6)

1.d4 af6 2.eA eG 3.4f3 Ab++ 4.9d2 Be7 5.g3 Axd2+ 6.Bxd2 O-O

7.492 dS 8.0-0 dxc4 9.6a3 c5

10.dxc5 Wxc5 11.tracl 6c6 12.4xc4 We7 13.6fe5 6xe5 14.6xe5 ads 15.Efd1 AbO 16.Wa5 s6 17.trd3 6d5 18.e4 ab6 19.Af1

tre8 2o.Eddl trfB 21.a3 &g7 22.b3 €g8 23.a4 Ed8 24.8c5 1-o Piket Jeroen Anand,Yiswanathan Wijk aan Zee 1996 (6)

af6 2.c4 eG 3.4f3 AM+ 4.9;d2 We7 5.g3 6c6 6.4c3 dG 7.992 Axc3 8.Axc3 ae4 9.trc1 6xc3 l0.trxc3 e5 11.d5 6b8'12.e4 0-0 13.4h4 a5 14.0-0 Aa6 15.8e1 95 16.4f5 9xf5 17.exf5 4c5 18.Ae4 9f619.f3 trfe8 20.8e3 €g7 21.&92 h5 22.8h1 tr98 23.h3 h4 24.s4 trgb8 25.Ehc1 b5 26.cxb5 ExbS 27.tr1c2 trab8 28.Wd2 gd8 29.b3 Be7 30.trc4 tr8b6 31.9f1 gdg 32.€e2 €f6 33.Wc1 gb8 34.8e3 tra6 35€d3 Ea7 36.f4 gxf4 37.g5+ €g7 38.f6+ €g8 39.trxc5 fxe3 40.trxb5 We8 41.trci e4 42.Ac2 tra8 43.Eb7We5 44.Ebxc7$l4 o-1 1.d4

changes and lifeless positions, and they are often played out by grandmasters with the tacit understanding that the intention is a quick draw. Thus, there is the perception that the Queen's Indian is only good for a draw

crdmel Strangely, despite the fact that virtually every champion has used it,

and not favourable for players whose aim is to win, be they White or Black.It is no surprise that the notoriously aggressive King's Indian is often described as an opening for the young, while the Queen's Indian is for the old. Predictably, opinions differ as to whether this is a compliment or not! The reality is that Black has some sharp options, usually cenued around ...4a6 or the advance ...c7-c5, and these lines are now the most popular in a period where dynamism is the watchword. Naturally, the Queen's Indian cannot stand alone in the centre of Black's repertoire as it can only be employed against 3.4f3. Against the equally popular 3.6c3 the Nimzo-Indian is an excellent companion in a repertoire for a positionally-minded player who, though prepared to concede a draw, is seeking a win without taking excessive risks. 3. b7-b6 A logical move: this cannot be played a move earlier as White would take control of the centre with 6c3, Wc2 and e4. Black profits from White's previous move (6f3 does not control e4 and makes f2-B impossible) to adopt a strategy based on piece control of the e4-square (...4f6, ....0b7 and ...4b+), instead of the pawn push to d5 as in the

amongst amateurs it is little appreciated and has the reputation of being solid and boring. There is no doubt that there are some lines that quickly lead to ex-

now the bishop can be developed to a6, or that the pawn is often advanced to d5, shows the strategic richness of

E Eges.

E

l, ,-,1..,... I l' I la I -

a.:...

'-''t

i=i

=.is the starting position of This

the

Queen's Indian. It is so named because the queen's bishop is developed with a queenside fianchetto, as opposed to the kingside fianchetto that characterises the King's Indian. Nimzowitsch played it first in 1914 (the stem game was Blackburne-Noa, Frankfurt I 887), and it became increasingly popular during the 1920's when it was adopted by Simisch, Bogoljubow, Alekhine, Euwe and Capablanca... a formidable group indeed! It is still a favourite; in the 197 0's the Russian Anatoly Karpov used

it, and today it is frequently employed by Kramnik, Anand, Adams, Leko and Judit Polgar; once agaia the crdme de la

Queen's Gambit. However, the fact that

99

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

chess, and cautions

us to

Volume

3

avoid

dogmatic thinking. The two main lines (4.a3 and 4.g3) are

sufficiently important to merir individual sections dedicated to them alone. However, before looking at these, we would like to discuss the following important options:

A) 4. Ac1-s5 A typical move from the good old days,

but no longer a popular choice. It is now understood that Ag5 is more e{l fective when Black has lost the opportunity to unpin the knighr with ...4e7, as we will see in Variation D. In this case, Lasker's advice to develop knights before bishops is wise! 4. Ac8-b7

The more ambitious 4...h6 also seems promising: 5.4h4 Ae7 6.6c3 c5l?. 5. 6b1-c3 h7-h6

6.

Ag5-h4 The alternative 6.Axf6 Wxfe Z.e+ Ab+ 8.4d3 c5 gives Black good counterplay. 6. Af8-e7 6...9b4 transposes to D. 7. e2-e3 6f6-e4

8. Ah4xe7 9. Ac3xe4

WdBxeT

Ab7xe4

n g s€ t: xir E rt $€ I €$ E

::"i:t

nA :H];

::::

*xa$ A *

*s

-2{.1

:, SU _,, €

With a balanced game. 100

:;::t

h-

a$

A .,*. w EH

B) 4. Ac1-f4 The Miles Yariation was played many times with success in the 1970's by the late lamented English GM.It may not be as popular as it once was, but it still rea dangerous weapon, especially if Black plays mechanically. The idea is to

mains

develop the bishop outside the parnm chain, and to follow up with e3, h3 and, if Black pushes to ...d7-d5, with 6e5 and ga/gs. 4. Ac8-b7 5. e2-e3 Af8-e7 Sometimes you see 5...4b4+, which is playable: 6.afd2!? 0-0 7.a3 Ae7 8.6c3 d5, with a Queen's Gambit pawn structure, but the knight is poorly placed on d2. On the other hand. 5...c5?l seems dubious because of 6.d5! exdS 7.Ac3l dxc4 8.hb5. 6. h2-h3 Anticipating . .4h5, this move vacates the h2-square for the bishop.

6.

0-0

6...c5 is more of a fighting move, even if after 7.dxc5l bxcS 8.4c3 0-0 9.4e2. White maintains certain pressure along the d-fiIe.

7. Ab1-c3

d7-d5

Effig

e rtr € x** I ffi. r € Affi

rE

/i-

.=}

E':

:

*ff a'*a ga* **g EHa** :J{

d\

.H

In the Queen's Indian, Black prefers to control e4 with pieces, if at all possible.

Que

However, here the pawn push is safer:

now we are in a Queen's Gambit with Af+, in which White has lost a tempo by playing h2-h3. 7...Q)e4 gives White acrive play after

8.Axe4 Axe+ s.Ad2 9'b7 10.4d3. If should be noted that now 10...4xg2? loses because of 11.Eg1 AUZ tZ.AxtrZ+ €xtrZ l:.Wh5+ €gS l4.Exg7+! €xg7 15.Wh6+ €g8 16.€e2, with the idea trg I and mate to follow. 8. c4xd5 6f6xd5! 9. 6c3xd5 Wd8xd5 Black is unconcerned about the loss of the c7 pawn: indeed, after 10.Axc7 AU++ 11.ad2 6c6, White has big problems completing development. 10. gf1-d3 c7-c5 And Black has comfortable equality.

C) 4.

5...6e4 is rare, but probably better than manypeople think. 5...c5 is another possibility, but after 6.0-0 Ae7 7.68 (threatening 8.d5) 7...cxd4 8.exd4 d5 9.cxd5! hxd5 l0.Ae5! 0-0 I l.Wga, White's initiative is unpleasant.

The solid 5...4e7 is often seen, but is a litde passive: after 6.0-0 0-0 7.4c3 d5 8.b3 abdT 9.4b2 c5 10.8e2, the position is almost symmetrical. Nonetheless, White's We2/Adg set-up is not only without doubt more active than Black's WdA/AeZ configuration, but also allows a more rapid development of the rooks.

gg g ffg r At t# I ffi lr ilrflii.! a*:

e2-e3

*r A

bishop) but highly considered by

:." A :A.;

and Spassky, who played the resulting positions with

a

certain frequency!

En g€st g€

ta* I

rtr fi*

r

.l

::rjr

..

*a*HA. *:* ..-- /\

:; ::.. ^ -11.a1

/\

7\

A. ,r.r ' -, Y)'

:-::::-: ..:

:.: ';.-.

A

9c8-b7

gf1-d3

agsg

*a-n

-::Ij

::::t

ZJ:

great champions such as Smyslog Keres

4. 5.

gf8-d6!

6. 0-0

A seemingly timid move (closing in the

cl

en's Indion Defence

,\ .". --t A ,\ '*: q)'' na ZJA '* FT M.

rtSt:i:

ags

And now we see the idea behind the previous move: White can no longer develop his bishop to 95, and Black has the luxury of playing this active bishop move so rarely seen in the Queen's Gambit. 6...dxc4 is also worth investigating. 7. 6b1-c3 Sometimes White places this knight on d2, but developing it to c3 seems more active and natural.

The alternative is 5.4c3 Ab4, transposing to the Nimzo-Indian.

5.

d7-d5

7.

8. b2-b3 9. Ac1-b2

0-0

ab8-d7 a7-aG 101

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

So as to no longer have to

Volume

3

worry about

q)D5. 10.

tral-cl

Wd8-e7

The position is even. Black can continue

aggressively

with ...6e4 and ...f5, or

otherwise seek complete pariry wirh the push ...c7 -cS.

D)

4. Ab1-c3

gf8-b4!

A-€.9s I ll ltl I la E

E

'....'

EAA

" 6' 6:;::;.; AA AAAA tr AggA. E And we have entered a position that is classified as belonging ro rhe NimzoIndian, but which in rerms of philosophy and statistical frequency is best dealt with here. Some call this hybrid line the Nimzo-Queen's Indian; not very catchy, but at least, for a change, we have an informative namel The natural +...s'b7 is obviously playable, but it allows White the opportunity to play 5.a3! and transpose inro a line of the Petrosian Yariation in which Black does not have the option of 4...4a6 and 4...c5 (see the next section). Indeed, there are more than a few White players that prefer to enter the Petosian yaria-

tion by means of +.6c3,

even though they must be prepared to batde against the Iine being discussec.

Now White has two principal alternatives, remembering that 5.e3 transposes the

to the Rubinstein Yariation of Nimzo-Indian. t0z

D1) 5.

gd1-b3

EfiAB&.:,.'

l ll

rlr ra

I

E

AAA ga6

A.A tr. g

A,A A A

€a,,,,

E

This is Seirarvan's favourite move. It was a rarity ar the beginning of the 1980's, but now it is very popular, especially at higher levels, where players keenly follow developments in opening theory. 5. c7-c5 It looks logical ro support the bishop and attack White's centre, but it is also worth considering the venom of the simple 5...a5, with the idea of 6.a3 a4!? (if White now caprures the bishop, ...4c6 and ...Ea5 will follow and the queen will be trappedl) 7.Wc2 Axc3+ 8.Wxc3 Abz l.Ags h6 t0.Ah4 d6 1 1.4d2 abdZ , and Black has an acceprable position. 6. a2-ag

After 6.495 AUz z.Eal? 0-o

cxd4 9.exd4 Axc3*!

8.e3

l0.bxc3

(10.Wxc3 Aeal) 10...Wc7!, Black does not have any problems. 6. 9b4-a5 A satisfactory akernarive is 6...4xc3 +

7. 9c1-95

I

?.

h7-h6!

Avoiding 7...s,b7 8.dxcSl? Aa6l 9.c6!!, with an unclear game. 7...6c6?l is dubious: 8.0-0-0 Axc3 9.d5 !.

8. As5-h4 9. Ah4-s3

s7-s5 s5-s4

Queen's Indian Defence

DD s. Ac1-s5

Also after 9...4e4 the position is

h7-h6

if not played immediately will come afrer 5...4b7 with

A useful move, which

clear.

af3-d2 6c3-b5 12.6b5-c7+

cSxd4

10. 11.

E ChEg

I Ar 'l I ll

E

6f6-e4! €e8-fB

a

FT

{4)

simple move inversion.

6. Ag5-h4 Ac8-b7

7.

@E

a,* AI

AW' ai\

a

e2-e3

EA gE E tElr ll I la I .,.,..

..

t:a.

A EAA h A "-, AA AAA g€A

H

AAAAFi

A,..,,1:,

.+. gEEA

tr

E

And now after

13.

tral-dl

7.ad2l? is an ambitious alternative that neutralises Black's counterplay

Or 13.0-0-0, assessing this position is a far from simple task. Here is an indica- against e4, and at the same time pretive line that shows the sort of chaos pares the pawn pushes n-fi and e3-e4. Here, 7...6c5, with the idea of thatiscreated:

Q-:e4xd2 ...6e7-g6, is worth thinking about, 13.... 14. trd1xd2 Aa5xd2+ but Black's best reply would appear to 15. €e1xd2 Ac8-b7 be the paradoxical 7...9e717. The idea Ag3-d6+ is that after the obvious 8.e4, Black can 16. €f8-g7 continue with 8...Axe4l 9.Axe7 Axc3 17. Wb3-g3 Sdg-g5+ 10.gf3l! (truth is stranger than fic18. gd6-f4 Wg5-f5 19. Ac7xa8 6b8-c6! tion: the exclamation marks are for 20. 6a8'c7 e6-e5! originality) 10...Wc8! 1 .Wxc3 €xe7 21.e2-e4l 12.d5 gfS 13.0-0-0. with unclear 1

pray.

E

raar la

r€ I rg

AIAAT Aue A € AAA .A

Returning

to 7.e3, we

have

a

vantage of the bishop pair.

U€

EH

F7

key

Queen's Indian position that is historically important as it has supplied rich ground for the growth of strategic ideas related to doubled pawns and the ad-

o21)

7.

9b4xc3+

The most positional option.

8. b2xc3

d7-d6 103

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume

3

EA gE E lEr ll I ,lrih I ;:l:1,,,,

't AAA

..'.

AA A A

E

A AAA B :'g€A'":E

gd1xd3

16. af6-h5! Played before White can pin the knight

wirhAh4. 17.

at3-d2l

With the plan of playing f3 and then e4.

ab8-d7

9.

10. f2-f3 Wd8-e7 11. gfl-d3 e6-e5 this way Black threatens to capture

on d4.

on f4 via 96.

12...g5 is also playable: l3.Af2 1+.aflf5 !, wirh an unclear game.

ahs

13. Ad2-f1!

13.... 14. gh4-t2

6f8-s6 6s6-f4

15. Af1-e3

Eg

grr 1 lla

r-€,

I

AAAA AAAA1i

ge

The critical position

t0+

The position is complex: Black's pawn structure is healthier, but the possibility of 6dS and a possible c4-c5 will give White opportunities for active play. As is well known, the importance of seiz-

ing the initiative increases when there

D22)

7.

8. Aha-s3

s7-s5

6f6-e4

Black plays dynamically, unafraid of the

ensuing complications. Now White with

usually defends c3

The e3-square is ideal for the knight.

F?

0-0

are opposite-coloured bishops.

e3-e4

12. ad7-tg With the idea of activating the knight

A A

g2-g3

18. 0-0

squares.

In

seem

the upper hand.

Naturally, after conceding the bishop, it is now wise to place the pawns on dark

9.

if it would

odd to move the knight several times only to exchange it off for a passively placed bishop. The point is that after the natural 15...96 l6.Af1, followed by 93 and Ads, White seems ro be gaining

..''ir'.l:

A'\ L\Z)

Af4xd3+

15.... Probably best, even

5. AA

9. Bdt-cz But recently Stein's sacrifice 9.ad2l? has become fashionable.

EA g€

l Ir 1 I

r-e.

.........

,'.':lt .l A A A A....

E

I

,\A/\ 14)AE

AA' a 'A.AA trW€4tr 9...4xc3 10.bxc3 Axc3 11.Ecl Aa5!? l2.ha Eg8, and the position is unclear.

Queen's Indion Delence

d7-d6

9.

Or 9...9xc3 + immediatelv. 10. Ab4xc3+ 10...f5 1 1 .Axe4! is good for White. 11. b2xc3

Af1-d3

E

tse at* ttr

White can choose from many alternatives, but the best would appear to be: 14. trt1-t2 0-0-0 15. Wc2-a4 With active play.

!!a,

r,*

*

:5:::

..!.1

tt

D22D11.... 12. d4-d5!

ffi ge*s

XA A :*{: ** *a* &, A *si# ,){ ){ A: A

$*s

17-t5

Eff

,,"r .rfr. wU "At, A

t #r** a**rt #a** .&i:

/n . ..4"; \- H?5UIHi '\. '\

.'-?1i

.'/

We are now at the last major crossroads; as is invariably the case, one path is more solid, the other more aggressive.

6e4xg3

D221)'t1..,.

Black would like to ease the tension. but White has other ideas.

12.t2xg3l The other capture lacks punch. This way White aims to exploit the newly available f-fiIe.

12.... ab8-d7 Or r2...g4 13.4h4 Wgs 1a.0-0t ad7 1

5.Ef4 and White

has a plus.

13.0-0

E'' E

--..

-.

Wd8-e7 '---.

g r

*:A*AHr

* *r :** .

a i* a$ g *s a $a ss tr

E

E:

t :i::

**g " .'

g

:,rr.- rt -t:a

"l

Considered a novelty when played by Keres in the 1950's; in fact, it had already been played as far back as the 1920's!

White is prepared to sacrifice a pawn so that he can plant a knight on d4 and mal<e the most of the weak lightsquare complex, and, indeed, practice has shown that Black's double capture on d5 is an act of positional suicide.

Therefore, players with the black pieces have spent quite some effort trying to ascertain the best way to decline the gift. 12.... ab8-d7!? This became the most played continuation when confidence in 12...4c5 was lost: 13.h4 94 14.4d4 Wf6 15.0-0 6xd3?l (15...4ba6 is the lesser of two

evils) 16.Wxd3 e5 17.Axf5 Ac8 18.f4!!. Miles played this extraordinary novelty in the 1980's. 105

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

EAA , & i.

I

3

E

,',:,

''l lg

'':,:;l

''t',,,. A l6 .,,., A -.'',l: A,l

l

.,1

..

AA

AW.'A A

Ff E

.A

a\

Fl .f'\ EE

The position is

difficult to

assess.

White is temporarily two pawns up, but the one on e6 will not be on the board for long. After its departure, it is not easy to decide if Black's better pawn structure compensates for being a pawn down. The impression you get is that with correct play Black may be able to

hold his own, but White must

have

better chances of winning.

18...9xf5 19.e4, with a decisive advantage for White. A variation which strategically has a lot

in common with the main line is 12...o,a6!? l3.Axe4 fxe4 14.Wxe4 gf6 1s.o-o o-o-0. 13. Ad3xe4 White wants to play a favourable end-

game. 13.4d4 is more lively: 13...4dc5 14.dxe6 gf6! 15.f3 f+t?. and both sides have chances.

13. 14.

... f5xe4 Wc2xe4 gd8-f6

Both the e6- and the g6-square need to be defended.

15.0-0

gives White a better game.

We4xe6

d5xe6 Af3-d4

r:1,:"

Wf6xe6

Ad7-c5 Ed8-eB

Ep ,1',,19 !(

l'E I

.:

l '.1 lA ,,:,,i,' Ch lrl:' ti AA

..',,,.l

A

Ff e

106

A A

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. Ag1-f3

A AAA Ff .ga gE

6g8-f6 e7-e6 b7-b6

White very often plays the apparently passive move

4.

a2-ag

EAAS€A

I 'lL',lll t rh

0-0-0

The continuation 15...4c5 16.9d4 16. 17, 18.

Petrosian Variation 4.a3

A'\

E ,

AA >< )< UU

5q)

AAAAA .I A.IA.J

E6gW€A

tr

It seems

excessively prudent to use a valuable tempo to stop ...4b+; yet paradoxically this line is famous as the most

aggressive way to fight the Queen's Indian. The explanation for this is that without the annoying ...4b+, White is ready to play Ac3 and further prepare for the e2-e4 advance with Wc2 or d4-d5. White's aim is to control the centre by mearls of direct physical occupation, in-

Queen's Indion Defence stead

r *

of the more distant control that other Queen's Indian

characterises

lines. Naturally, the game immediately becomes sharper.

it*l *g

t*:1

This line was named after the great Tigran Petrosian, who used it to achieve some important victories from the early 60's on (often with the sequence 4.6c3 AUz s.a:). However, he was not rhe first to play it; suf{ice it to say that Sultan Khan used it to beat Capablanca (!) in Hastings 1930 / 31. In fact, the person whose name would most merit to be tagged to the variation is Garry Kasparog who employed it in the 1980's to notch up many brilliant victories, and in doing so, helped it to

become one

of the most

played and

heavily analysed defences in a1l opening theory. At the time of writing, it is still very popular, and it is only slightly less common than 4.g3, which has always been supported by a committed group of enthusiasts.

fi. A lil$ g

t*

t

I

r*r

I $3F **

A ni:

t# a1 *

'? \:

g

A-.

ct) 'n

A n A 7t /\

e5

6

€

su €

A:l

?1-:

a .---. H -H_ .:- H

Ac8-a6

5.

This is the move that is almost always played. However, it is difficult to believe that 5...exd5 could be so bad: 6.cxd5 7.Q-lc3 96, and now it is hard to imagine that in comparison with a normal Benoni White's push a2-a3 is more useful than Black's pawn move ...b7 -b6.

d6

6.

Wdl-c2

Defending c4 without leaving the d5 pawn unprotected.

A few have played the incredible 6

ing both compensation and theoretical approval! The fact that the chess engines

Enough of words, let's look at the moves: we will now examine Black's three main continuations in order of as-

worrying for supporters of this defen-

cending popularity, namely 4...c5,

ture on d5 White wins with 8.We4+.

are not disdainful of White's position is sive Linel Note that after the double cap-

6. 7. c4xd5 8. Ac1-f4!?

4...4a6 and4...Ab7.

A)4.

c7-c5

Emboldened

by White's quiet fourth

move Black establishes a Benoni pawn structure.

Despite scoring well, this move is not often played; probably because someone who loves the Benoni will play the defence from the outset, and a black player who is not wild about the Benoni will avoid this transposition.

5.

d4-d5

e6xd5

97-96

The most menacing move. The alternative 8.4c3 Ag7 9.g3 enters a type of Benoni Fianchetto that is perfectly playable for Black: a3 and Wc2 are cer-

tainly no more useful than ...b5 and ...4a6.

L

d7-d6

Black cannot prevent the check on a4: after 8...4g7?! there is 9.4d6.

9. Ab1-c3

Af8-97 107

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume

5.

10. Wc2-a4+!

Wdl-c2

The most played, but White has other

Eiffi **:

ai$

gr

r

l::ll *.

,'.,ij

t :t{ The only way to give Black any problems; the target is the d5 pawn.

10.

...

b6-b5t?

A recent attempt to liven up the line.

The endgame position created after l0...gd7 I l.Axd6 Wxa4 l2.dxa4 6xd5 13.0-0-0 may be feasible, but no one with the black pieces will be too thrilled

at the prospect

ofplaying it.

11. Ac3xb5 0-0 12. Ab5-c3 The pawn on d5 needs defending.

12....

gd8-b6

13. tra1-bl! There is doubt in some quarters as to whether Black's compensation is objectively sufficient. However, in practice

Black certainly has his fair share of chances.

B) 4.

Ac8-a6

The curious development of the bishop to a6 is so much taken for granted in the Queen's Indian and the Nimzo-Indian that no on ever dreams of questioning it. Yet it must have put a few noses out of joint when it first appeared in the 1960's. If you played this line with reversed colours. the move Aa3 would probably strike you as pretty weird! 108

reasonable ways to defend c4. The most interesting of these seems to be 5.gb3l?, which recently has been met by 5...96!? 6.6c3 Ag7, and we have a strange mix of the Queen's and the King's Indian Defences. 5. Aa6-b7l

Efi gs# t-C.tltiirtl * : ar{ :1'l =rff =:r € r.-;,A&

.* *:

$ =:; :::'r:ia:.l' Ag AAAA

.E6

€4.,'rltr

It would be quite reasonable for

a

reader to object to this move on the grounds that we are always having it drummed into us that you should not move the same piece twice in the opening, which is a very valid piece of advice most of the time. However. in this case Black correctly believes that for his ends (the pawn advance to c5) White's queen is worse off on c2 than it is on dl. Whether the idea of pushing the pawn to c5 is good or not is another question.

6. 6b1-c3

The point being that

c7-c5

with the queen on

dl, the d4-d5 advance White a healthy advantage.

7.

would

give

e2-e4l

Here the push 7.d5 gives White nothing after 7...exd5 8.cxd5 Axd5l 9.495!

(9.Wea+ is useless as it is met by 9...We7) 9...4e7 t0.Abs 0-0 I r.Ad6.

en's Indicn Defence

Que

Eff

HE **

-F:

r *r ffirt.# I

€.€.*x

.

A

:*:a

.:

**AffiA * /4\

a-:' v)

:

:t:*

.,2-r,

E

:i::

le- n ial: &ExA 2la n::, tr$ -

9:ta?

And Black maintains the

balance

(which could even be tipping in his favour) with the spectacular 11...4e311 12.fxe3 Axf3. The alternative 7.dxc5 is playable but very ho-hum. 7. c5xd4 8. Af3xd4

This could be an interesting attempt to exit from the usual positional schemes of the Hedgehog.

BD

exchanges.

9. Ad4xc6 10.

Eg *A :i:: r*: -f *-. I EN

A

x

:,,:lti i:.tri:

r;a}

]=:

In

;ri-:' =ii T\A :::,1:. A 'vJ ts :a:::i A

,\,

t3

via

.:1::::

::i:

I 0.We2 ! ? is a

fianchetto. However, opinions differ as to the mera

its of 10.e5 Ag8!.

10....

Af8-c5

11. Af1-e2! >
2\ 9':: -,l ':

&

Now Black has three ways to proceed: curiously, the least played is the best performing line, whereas the lowest scorer is the most popular!

81)

Acl-f4

new and interesting idea; now the plan is to develop the bishop

i.:.,.

ue ii-L:

Ab7xc6

Il E

tr:;.a

v/_l

6b8-c6

8.

To remove some of tne pressure with

Stopping...ahs. 11. 12.

...

Eal-dl Controlling d+, and

0-0

in so doing,

'threatening'bz-b+.

to the reply 12...4h5! 13.Axh5 Wh4, and after 12.e5?! looks fishy due

Black wins one of the two bishops under attack, he will have the advantage. 8.

d7-d6

With this move Black arrives at a normal Hedgehog formation - solid but flexible.

9. Af1-e2 10. Acl-e3 11. 0-0-0!?

Af8-e7 a7-a6

12.... 13. 14.

a7-a5

Af4-93!? Bdg-ez

e4-e5

Af6-e8

15.6c3-e4 At first sight, White appears to have an excellent position, but this is an optical illusion. 109

-

Chess Opening Essentiols

Volume

3

C) 4.

Ac8-b7

The 'normal'way to proceed.

5.

Ab1-c3

As mentioned before, White is ready to take possession of the centre. Black usu-

ally prevents this with:

5.

d7-d5

However, the combative 5...96

is

also

on the cards.

After 15...ff-f5! it has been demonstrated that Black has adequate re-

The thinking is that after the thematic

push ...d7-d5, the bishop is nicely placed on 97 . For this reason, it is prob-

ably best for White

sources for the task ahead.

to prepare e2-e4

with 6.Wc2. Then, after 6...Axf3!?,

83) 8.

9f8-c5

both means of recapturing give White promising play, but the position is so uncharacteristic that Black's resources

The most ambitious move.

9, ad4-b3

6b8-c6t

Black does not withdraw the bishoo as the outpost on d4 that would be created by its capture is considered to be an ad-

5...4e4 appears to allow White a nice initiative: 6.6xe4 Axe4 7.Ad2t 9'b7

vantage.

8.e+ Wf6 9.d5 10.

Acl-95

After l0.gf4!? o-0 1l.Axc5

bxc5

12.9d6 Aa+ t3.gd3 Ele8, things are murky: the fork on b3 prevents taking on c5,

10. 11.

... Ag5-h4

h7-h6

Ac6-d4t

Black simplifies by exchanging pieces; he will then seek to take control of the dark squares.

12.6b3xd4 13. gf1-d3 14. Ah4-s3

Ac5xd4 gd8-b8t Ad4-e5

15. 0-0-0

15.0-0 is risky because of 15...4xg3 1 6.hxg3 h5 | , with the idea of . . h4, and all of a sudden Black has a menacing at.

tack on the kingside.

15....

0-0

16. €c1-b1 With a dynamically balanced position. 110

should not be underestimated.

Ac5 l0.Af3 9g6

11.b4!Wxe4+ 12.4e2. On the other hand, 5...4e7 is certainly dubious (a typical beginner's move); after 6.d5, White is clearly better off, However, it is an exaggeration to suggest - as some do - that White's position is winning. As anyone with a little tournament experience can tell you, there is a world of difference between a clearly advantageous position and an actual victorv.

Ech BsA

l'A l

I

E

,r,,1r*:l

la

'':;,,t'. .t t L ,,,..'

......,

AA

* A . 4.i",A AAAA

tr Ag€A tr

Queen's Indion Delence

Returning to 5...d5,

a quick glance at the accompanying diagram is enough to see that the position has the characteristics

of a Queen's Gambit Declined in which White has played the fairly useful pavm move a2-a3. and Black has established a {ianchetto somewhat prematuely. It is no easy task to say who stalds better.

Cl) 6. Wd1-c2 A subtle move which postpones the exchange on d5 and seeks to transpose to C3, therefore reducing Black's options.

However. Black can achieve a satisfactory position with:

6.

7. e2-e4 8. d4-d5 9. e4xd5 10. Aflxc4 11. 9c4-a2 C2) 6.

d5xc4!?

c7-cs e6xd5 a7-a6l b6-b5

gf8-d6

Ac1-g5

Kasparov and Anand!

8.

6.

Af8-e7

Wa4xd7+

8.Wc2 is probably a better attempt to gain something from the opening.

8. 9. 6c3-b5

6b8xd7 Ae7-d8!

E:*

e .t:

Ei

t*l

fi

::tir:: :a::::

*-€.tA:* r* t Xa:xr::::i A't .. 2\ 2\

8A h

:,:,'

tl :.:.:ir:,:

:ili

:ila,i

A:i

/\ ^

'

*

AA AA -;'tl: ;..-

,..,,,..,,.,,

ar:;.t:

Gelfand's idea for an easy draw. Instead, after the old 9...€dS, Black still has one or two problems to solve.

10.

The most natural.

7.

a move as it has recently been played by no less than

couldn't be too bad

c4xd5

e2-e4

11. With equality

Af6xd5 ads-fo

Wdt-a++

Seeking to take advantage of the premature fianchetto.

After 7.e3. we are in the Tartakower Yariation in which the move a3 has wasted a tempo. It is therefore under-

that White would prefer something more dynamic. After 7.cxd5 Axd5 !, further exchanges would favour standable

C3) 6.

c4xd5

The most popular choice. Unlike

Exchange Yariation

in the

of the Queen's

Gambit Declined, if Black recaprures with his pawn, the b7 bishop will remain passive; if he takes back with the knight, White has opportunities for dynamic play.

Black's defence. The following line may have an interesting future:

7.Axf6 Axf6

8.cxd5 exds 9.Wb3 0-0 10.Ed1. 7.

7...c6 8.Axf6

wd8-d7 Axf6 9.cxd5 exd5 10.g3

has scored very well indeed for

The final alternative

7

White.

...9.c61? was first

viewed with suspicion. However, it

C31) 6.

e6xd5

By maintaining a Queen's Gambit parnm structure Black hopes to demonstrate the pointlessness of a3; however, the passive

placement of the b7 bishop would appear to be a more significant problem.

7.

g2-93! 111

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

EA tss3,

" l''l,l

ll'A l'

la

',,,, lr

3

The knight capture is twice as popular as the capture with the pawn, and it is more in the spirit of the opening. The obvious plus is that capturing with the knight leaves the diagonal open for the bishop on b7;on the minus side, White is left with a dangerous mobile pawn centre. Now White has three ways to

E

"ta,,.

){ U

A' A AA A AA A gggA.,,E H' AAAN

prepa-re e2-e4, remembering that the pavrm sacrifice 7.e4?l 6xc3 8.bxc3

The natural 7.AgS would also be good.

It can transpose to C2. Establishing

a

fianchetto seems to reduce the number of Black's strategic options. To avoid a passive position, Black must sooner or

Iater advance his pawn to c5. This would create two hanging pa\Mns, which the 92 bishop appearc to be perfectly placed to target.

7.

Af8-e7

8. Af1-s2 9. 0-0

0-0 c7-c5

Ac1-f4

6b8-a6

10. On theway to e6. 11.

Wd1-a4

6:a6-c7 b6xc5 Ac7-e6

Efl-dl

EA g€E ll

E

llr

A A

A /1

A q\ '^\ AAAAA A

q\ '\ AAAA

F? -.e A$ltrc$^,6 E E- Er'-+ t17

7.

will

prepare

Qf8-e7

The classical continuation, but the interesting alternative 7 ...961? is increasingly popular: 8.4b5+ c6 9.4d3 Agz 10.e4 6xc3 l1.bxc3 c5 and this position is very reminiscent of a Griinfeld in which Black appears to have ade-

8. gfl-b5+

A refinement; before playing the bishop

to d3, White forces Black to close off

9. gb5-d3

Of6xd5

r

C321)7. e2-e3 The old main line: White for e2-e4wirhAd3.

8.

6.

r-E

9...9h4!.

the b7 bishop's diagonal.

With an edge for White.

c32)

after

quate counterplay against the centre.

6f3-e5 12. d4xc5

13. 14.

Axe4 9.4e5 looks dubious

F? -e.

'

e3-e4 b2xc3 12.O-O 13. c3xd4 10. 11.

c7-c6 0-0

6d5xc3 c6-c5 c5xd4 6b8-c6

14. Ac1-e3 It is also worth considering putting this bishop on b2 instead. 14. ... Ea8-c8 15. Wd1-e2 6c6-a5 16. trf1-d1 With a characteristic position taut with tension.

Queen's Indicn Defence

rA I

Hluu

1\

11. tra1-d1 Risk-takers could find 11.0-0-0 attrac-

E(@

Errr I

tive.

11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

AA 6 6r\ &&-()

A

gA

tr€

AA

pieces, which would head aggressively for the kingside. However, Black's

pieces are well coordinated, and with correct play, he has nothing to fear.

C32D7. Ac1-d2 with the bishop) borrowed from

the

Griinfeld.

7.

8. Wd1-c2 9. e2-e4

Af8-e7 0-0 6d5xc3

10. Ad2xc3

E€

uv

rEr Errr I

)<

AA A

.H-

Ag

A

,\ t'L

AAA

.0rA E.E.

F?

E

ab8-d7 to help White. In fact, 11.dxc5 bxc5! gives Black a playable position: the c5 pawn is weak, but it controls d4 and a semi-open b-file has 10....

10...c51? seems

been created.

Wd8-c8 trf8-d8 c7-cs c5-c4 e6xd5 offers

something to both players, even if you get the impression that White has one or two extra chances.

C323) 7. Wdl-c2 This has been the most played move since the late 1990's: the idea is to employ only one tempo for the e2-e4 push.

An interesting idea (recapturing on c3

I

gf1-d3 0-0 d4-d5 Ad3-e2 e4xd5

!e7-f6 With a complex position that

White occupies the centre and a possible positional sacrifice with d5 is always Iooming. This would activate White's

EA

...

7. Af8-e7 7...6xc3 ? is playable: 8.Wxc3l? AdZ 9.995 He/ l0.Hxe/ Bxe/ (necessary, but the king is less exposed than you would imagine) 11.g3 Af6 12.492 Wd6 13.0-0 c5. and Black has an acceptable position. 8. e2-e4 8.4d2 transposes to the previous line. 8. hd5xc3 9. b2xc3 0-0 10. Af1-d3 c7-c5 11. 0-0 Wd8-c8!

EAg

E€

ra,, alll ll

I AA A AA A W AAA F? A

E

&

F?.S1 EH

113

-

Chess Opening Essentiols

Volume

3

This threatens a queen exchange after cxd4, vacates d8 for the f8 rook, and keeps open the option of ...4a6. 11...6c6 is perhaps playable, but Black has to deal with a disagreeable initiative after 1 2.Ab2l cxd4 I 3.cxd4 Ec8 14.We2 Aa5 15.Ead1 gf6l 16.h4t?. 1

l...Wc7!? could be a nice ad7 13.4b2 c4r? 14.Ac2 12.Wc2-e2

12.We2

idea: b5.

black side. The light-squared bishops are often exchanged of{, producing a drawish position, which explain the line's reputation for solidity. However, if the draw rate is higher than normal, it follows that the number of Black victories is smaller, which is appealing to many who play 3.4f3 with a safety first mentality.

as

Black has two main replies: the classical +...9'b7 and the modern 4...Aa6. The

from here the queen will make the

move 4...4b4+ transposes to the

d4-d5 advance more effective. How-

Bogo-Indian or to one of the main al-

There are some who prefer 12.Wa2,

ever, the difference is academic.

12.... 13. Ef1-dl

Ab7-a6 Aa6xd3 ab8-d7

14. Ed1xd3 15. e4-e5 White still has something of an initiative, but Black's position is not inferior.

E A-e.E

l'

r

I

AA E

the most natural move has always been the first to be explored.

sA

Ill la

:,-,..

E

,-,1..,

.,

AA

This has always been the most popular move. White develops his fl bishop on the long diagonal to contest control of e4 and to oppose its counterpart on the 11+

Ac8-b7

Ag8-f6

aa A ,', aAg€A E

AAAAN

4.

e7-e6 b7-b6

a1.... AN cla

The Classical Variation:

The old main line, which was already frequently played in the 1920's by all the top players of the day. Throughout the evolution of chess opening theory

4.93 Variation

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. Ag1-f3 4. s2-93

ternatives.

We should quickly mention the 'ugly' 4...c61?: after 5.4g2 d5 White cannot avoid going into a Closed Catalan.

5. Af1-92

Af8-e7

5...c5 is not to be recommended because of 6.d5! exd5 7.ah+ 96 8.cxd5, and we are in a version of the Benoni that favours White.

5...4b4+ is strategically most fustified:

it

quickens kingside development, and exchanging off a piece takes off some of the pressure being exerted by White.

However, the fact remains that probIems related to the long light-squared

diagonal remain: 6.Ad2l Axd2+ (other moves along the lines of the Bogo-Indian are also playable) 7.Wxd2 0-0 8.6c3! Ae+ g.Wdgt Axc3 (9...fs!) 10.Ags

!.

Queen's Indian

EA g A

7.

EE

rl

Ae7-f6!

Discouraging d5, which would create doubled c-pawns, giving Black a magnifi.cent outpost for his knight on c5. 7...f51? is playable, but hazardous; after

A

rh

8.d5 Afe 9.Wc2 We7! 10.trd1t, White's position inspires more

AN

AA AA

confidence.

cb e

The Monticelli Thap: by threatening mate on h7, White wins the exchange:

10...4e4 11.Axe4 Axe4 12.Wxe4 Wxg5 13.Wxa8 6c6 1a.Wb7 6xd4. Black has gained some compensation, but the general opinion (but not therefore necessarily the correct one) is that it is insufficient.

A)

Def.ence

6. 6b1-c3

6f6-e4!

Now or never. 6...0-0 is positionally risky, as Karpov learnt to his cost when he lost a famous game against

in 19 moves! 7.Wc2l c5 (7...d5 or 7...2,a61? are probably

8. tral-c1!? An interesting line that is peculiar to this variation: the more prudent 8.0-0 transposes to9272. 8. Af6xd4!?

EA ge

I

lErr ll ,,..ilA

A

lll

AA ,\A

AA/5,\ ACI EZI

trg€

q) t3 AAA .l&A

Kortchnoi

better) 8.d5! exdS 9.695!, and White has a clear plus after the capture on d5.

E4h

g€

E

rErrarrr I 1,.,

AAA

a AA

A

trAg€ 7.

aa

AAA E

This combination is possible

because

the bishop on 92 is undefended and the queen is still on d 1 .

9. Af3xd4

Ae4xc3

10. Ag2xb7! White's counter-combination. 10. ... 6c3xd1 11. trc1xdl

EA g€. IAl_l lr "I

Ac1-d2

With the plan of

advancing d4-d5.

White wants to recapture on c3 with the bishop; he is happy to exchange it off

as

he gains control of the centre.

I

15

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume

3

8.

Black must lose another

piece. 11...6c6? is not on because of 12.Axc6

dxc5 13.Axc6+

€fg t+.AU+*,

EA g

Eg ratrgrlr la

and af:

ter 11...4a6 12.Axa6 White, with three pieces for the queen, stands better. Therefore, Black has no other option but to concede the rook in the hope of trapping the bishop with either 1 1...c6, or

.'.

B)

6. 0-O

O-O

Now White has two main paths he can travel down, remembering that 7.b3 d5! 8.cxd5 6xd5! and 7.Ee1 o,a6l? 8.6c3 he4 give Black no cause for

S.Ad4 was played until it was discovered that 8...4c51 gave Black good play. Now d5 is attacked three times.

8.

En g E'g lAl, r Err r ,,.:,

:.:

A

AAAAAA

AA

la

a-1

,::,,.,:',,

, tfi,l$, A.JHA

E6AW tr& An insidious gambit that goes back to the 1940's. It is often associated with rhe name Polugaevsky, because he found an improvement on the move that follows. Its great popularity in the 1980's was in part due to Kasparov's paffonage.

7.

e6xd5

The move 7...Q)a6l? could be worth a look if you do not like being on the defensive. 116

c7-c6!

Naturally, Black defends his extra pawn. 8...4e4 is useless due to 9.cxd5f Axh+

10.4xe4, andWhite has the advantage.

9. c4xd5

Af6xd5

The move 9...cxd5 is possible but a lit-

81) 7. d4-d5t?

.'':At,

a

A A AAA g'aag'..E €

concern.

I

'

A

It has been-Nventy years since this line came to light, and no definitive evaluahas yet been made.

l-

AAjr.

'.-

with 1 1...0-0 l2.Axa8 c6.

tion of the position

af3-h4!

tle passive: after 10.4c3 Oa5 11.4f5 o,c7 12.9:f+, White's compensarion is evident. 10.

Ah4-f5

6d5-c7!

This has demonstrated itself to be the best: it prepares the push ...d7-d5 and the knight eyes the optimum e6-square. 11. e2-e4 d7-d5 12.

A

trfl-e1!?

subtle alternative to the normal 12.6c3 AfAt t 3.Af+ (13.exd5t? cxd5 1+.9;f4 may be an improvement) 13...4c8!, with a satisfactory position

for Black.

12....

Ae7-f6

This paradoxical bishop move (it allows

e4-e5) seems to be the best. 12...dxe4 gives White obvious compensation af: ter 13.Wg44f614.Dr:. 13. e4-e5 :ab7-c8!? 13...4e7 is also playable: Black has lost some tempi (...4e7-f6-e7), but the d5

Queen's Indian Delence

pawn is no longer under pressure. After 1a.Wga 96, control of the dark squares is evident compensation, but nonetheless. no one has been able so far to come up with a line that gives White a

8.

6c3xe4

9.

14. e5xf6 Ec8xf5 15. trf8-e8 16. trelxe8+ Wd8xe8 17. 6b1-c3 The position is difficult to judge: Black has a nice centre and the d-pavrm will prove to be a winning factor if an endgame is reached, but White still has his initiative and he also controls the dark

f6xg7

6f3-e1 a

constructive plan.

9e4xg2

9.

10.6e1x92 And the'90% draw rate says it all. The distinct possibility of findiag yourself in this sort of line makes many an ambitious player steer well dear of +...4b7.

B2D 8. Ac1-d2

g€s r r* I tE* :ir*: a* *:a Efi

squares.

7.

6b1-c3

Efi

Af6-e4!

.g €€

a::l

r r* ::tI *a* * :*r i:=

=a . .. p4\ t\:

AA a15 'g.]. ::;3i,:

A

s=

::* ;::;

a,t /i\

';z5g

'ttaa

::1:

if

Ab7xe4

8.

It is hard to find

clear advantage.

BD

821)

Too tame, but it is the move to play you are looking for a draw.

:r:riri.i aia:-a:

t::iil

:;i=

.i:.,:

3l:'; A -:-

t\.. !4\

.J{-,

'r At5 e?

H"

':::a:

AAA/l\ EA'-:E

w:*E

a::t::,

){.

I=7 cg1: e€'

Also here the knight move is the safest

option.

In Closed Catalan style, there is 7...d5, which is passive but still playable as after 8.cxd5 exd5 9.4e5!, Black will reply with 9...c6, or better still, 9...4a6!. If he plays 9...4bd7?l instead, things are grim after 10.Wa4l (threatening to capture on d7), and now the only way to hang on to the d5 palvn is with 1o...abs!. Tiviakov's 7 ...6-:a6!? is an alternative whose future may be bright.

As with Variation A, White is quite h"ppy to concede the bishop, but Black is not going to accommodate him. 8221\8. t7-15 Permits d4-d5, yer at the same time it activates Black's pieces.

9. d4-d5

Ee7-fG

10.

Ab8-a6

tral-c1

On the way to c5.

11. a2-a3 c7-c6l? A new alternative to the normal

11...6ac5. which would leave White with a slight advantage after 12.b4 Axc3 l3.Axc3 6e4 14.Axf6 Wxfe ts.Wd+. 12. d5xc6 d7xc6 13. b2-b4 c6-c5 117

-

Chess Opening Essentiols

EgEg l $.''.. ,

al t-.:,,

3

823)

.t f

rE

f

Volume

1..

.

AAAAA EAAEA

Edh g Ew

EtW:, ,E

l'all

:l:r::l .AA

gA.-5 t,.,6 a, AA AAAA

Ae7-f6

...

9. Eal-cl 9.Wc2 forces the exchange on d2, but

tr A

it

wastes a tempo; after 9...4xd2 10.Wxd2 d6 1 1.e4 Ad7, glack's position is acceptable.

c7-cit?

9.

The most combative move and the one that scores the best.

d4-d5!

c4xd5

e6xd5!

't2.6t3xd2

En '.g

6e4xd2l d7-d6

E,g'''

r.E rll l lE 'r:.. l'A'

',,,,,,','

,,,;.,,:r',

6,

,t,1,,,.,

A,

AA AAAAA ,t,- trg E g This is practically a Benoni (even if Black's dark-squared bishop has not been fianchettoed!) in which the b7 bishop is passive, but White is missing his important dark-squared bishop. The position is dynamically balanced. I

18

lt:l

ll

the weakness on e6.

10. 11.

6e4xc3

8...fs?!9.4e5. L Wc2xc3

Black finds dynamic compensation for

8.22218.

Wd1-c2

today it is less popular. 8.

A aAA a'a'a

.:l.,

8.

In the past the most played move, but

','E€

An attentive reader who remembers the Monticelli Trap mentioned at the beginning of this section may well ask: if it worked so well there, why not play it here? Doesn't 9.695 threaten mate and

a

discovered attack on the b7-bishop? Sadly, White's plans come undone with 9...4xe2+: and if now 10.€hl, Black will capture on 92 with check; if instead White chooses to play 10.Wxe2, now there is no longer mate on h7, and Black will simply take on 92.

create

In both cases Black picks up a piece. The diagram position is a historical one

that has appeared in thousands of games. With a percentage score of 55%, White has an overall performance in line with 1.d4. The percentage of draws (more than 60% compared to 37% with 1.da) is rather high, but we knew that all along. In compensation, Black's percentage of victories drops from 25

to 14%.

8231)9.

Abz-e+

Queen's Indicn Defence

Along the lines of Variation 821. Black is aiming for a draw. However, the queen is more active on c3 than on dl, and White will not propose an exchange of bishops, but rather conserve a small plus with normal development.

10.9c1-f4

d7-d6

11. 12. tra1-c1

ab8-d7

trf1-dl

This position, though a little passive, is flexible and without weaknesses.

8233) 9. ... c7-c5 This reply is both the most common and the most solid (the ...c7-c5 push leads to aggressive play only when White can advance his pavm to d5). 10.

gfl-dl

Easily the most common choice

.s: €g** *i *'A€rtr x *:f* *: --.:

10.

E--

a:a:t:

A =:

a:art

::i:;::,

-A.g

W .tA

A.l. '--

::i...j.::'

B23D 9.

F?

*a F?

*

:€e:* s x Ex rtr t tf : * E

e

ffi

*l

a*-:

.+"'

€ e'

ii* A A

H

d7-d6!

...

$

A-l ){

:r::a,::

1a::

'.' 'l

g .-A.h/A.rr xax :.ta\:i

l

* AZ:5A :: ;

trg

-

d7-d6

...

Generally this does not establish a variation with a distinct identity but instead

After 10...4f5. we see the astute I 1.gd3l (threatening Ag5) I 1...Wc8

into one of the following two variations - depending on how Black replies. Players who do not want to transpose should consider the

I 2.d5 , and White is doing berter.

transposes

following line: 10. 11. 12. I

E

b2-b3 Ac1-b2

Wc3-c2

ii

ab8-d7 Ae7-f6!? g7-go

'g

€:*l

Al-A= rigr x*r Ert= -: *

..:a:.,

:tt:, ;:-i:a: ':raa,

X : :: ,:; =a ><

A

:i]::-:i::

l:-..

t:.::

a

g::: A $a F? .01

EH

t:t:a

11. b2-b3 The d5 push is premature, and the only thing 1 1.dxc5 bxc5 achieves is to give Black a nice pawn centre. 11. ... Ae7-f6 12. Acl-b2 Wd8-e7 13. Wc3-d2 Ab8-c6!

E

E€ grtr tA* lalrE

*r*:: AA *tA:t:

*

:#AiI$

AA WAAAA

:.;

EE-H

::

i*

Ff

i

.er

t19

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

Eg

With equality. B.23$

9.

t7-t5

...

Ea g

,E*',.'

rgrrA ll ll

I AA ' g aa AA AAAA E A. tr€

I

f -+-'+,. f f

I raE\f

lr A A gAA AA A F? F? F?

A

C+1

UA

The most ambitious move.

in the Dutch. Black controls e4 and establishes the means for a kingside initiative. but at the same time he is urlnerable to a central d4-d5 pawn break. This break would be premature if played immediately, so White calmly As

makes the necessary preparations.

10. b2-b3

Some maintain that 10.6e5!? represents the refutation of 9...f5, but quite frankly this seems to be stretching things quite a bit.

10.... 11. Ac1-b2 12. Eal-d1 13. Af3-e1

14.6e1x92

Ae7-f6 d7-d6 a7-as Ab7xg2 6b8-c6

15. Wc3-d2 gd8-d7 16. d4-d5 The thematic advance has taken place, but after

16.... 17. 18.

Ab2xf6 d5xe6

6c6-d8 trf8xf6 6d8xe6

19.692-e3 an advantage for White has failed to materialise.

r20

It is true that there is an outpost for the knight or other white pieces on d5, but Black has active play on the kingside.

Now it is time to examine the Modern Yariation.

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4

4g8-f6

3. 6s1-f3 4. 92-93

e7-e6 b7-b6

Ac8-a6

g€E E I l,l 1lI EdA

ar

,,,

ra

AA AA

D\A

AA AA .EA EAAggA This line was greeted with scepticism

when it was first played

by 1925, and it was only in the 1950's that we start to see it being used with relative frequency, even though much more rarely than its 'natural' alternative. This is curious, as the performance statistics for that period demonstrate that 4...4a6 scored signif-

Nimzowirsch

in

In the 1980's, 4...4a6 overtook 4...€b7 in popularity icantly better.

Queen's Indicn Delence

(Kasparov and Karpov started to use 4...4a6 in their matches. and we all like to play the moves of champions), and

However, over-the-board experience at

in recent years it has been played more frequently than 4...9b7. This comes as no surprise; on a6 the bishop is more active (attacking c4), and the fact that to the classical eye the move looks ugly is of little interest to the modern player, who is always on the lookout for plans that offer reasonable chances of winning. The dynamic quality of modern chess is not so much the fruit of a different philosophy but more the result of practical thinking. With the proliferation of open tournaments, the percentages sufficient to win a round-robin are no longer good enough, and it is obvious that when a draw is not sufficient for either side, the game is going to become

to name a few) has demonstrated that

the very highest level (Kramnik, Topalov, Carlsen, Gelfand and Aronian,

there is concrete

compensation.

Though White is not objectively better off to date no-one has yet discovered a clear line that allows Black to equalise. Given the optimum results White has achieved after 8...4xd5 9.4c3 Ac6 10.e4 d6 1 1.4f4 followed bv 12.0-0-0, Black's attention has turned to:

8.

6f6xd5 Now if White calmly continues with

9.

0-0

sharper.

White has 5 reasonable ways of defending the c4 pawn.

A) 5.Wd1-c2

Aa6-b7

with a transposition 6.d51 Abt t.Agz.

Otherwise 5...c5, after

6. Af1-92 7. d4-d5!

something from the opening. Until the

beginning of 2006, the d4-d5 advance a

dubious reputation.

7. L

9.

c7-c5

There are some experts who consider this to be the most significant development in recent years, and there is no doubt it is the only way White can gain

had

and the natural

e6xd5 c4xd5 Black can take on d5 with either the knight or the bishop, and in both cases White's compensation seems nebulous.

Af8-e7

10. trf1-d1

(the curious 10.We4l? has also been tded) we reach a critical position. At the time of writing, the best way to proceed appears to be with the subtle move 10. ... Wd8-c8 This defends the b7 bishop without having to deal with moves like Af4 or ad+. as would be the case after

10...Wc7. Now the spontaneous 10...0-0 leaves White better after 1.We4l, which takes advantage of the pin on the knight. 10...6c61? is an in1

rz1

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

teresting alternative (the idea

is

3

that

I l.trxd5? would be met by 11...4b4), despite the fact that White continues to

apply strong pressure after

11

.gf5l

af6

12.e4. Theory regarding the next move is still in a state of evolution. Nonetheless, the fact that a player of Topalov's calibre has played

11. a2-a3l?

EAg & E lE" rEr I r I

'l a'

A AA AW AAAA g

trAAE.

Eg€E ,'ll'l I

ll

^

AA acl

Er

la

g

aa AA AAA A tr A €A.E 7. 8. d4xc5 9. e2-e4

c7-c5 b6xc5

The complex nature of this position guarantees both players chances.

C) 5.

Wd1-a4

This was the standard move in the early days of the variation; it appears to be highly logical to defend c4 and at the

(anticipating a future jump to b4 by the d5 knight), with the plan of e2-e4,6c3

same time tie the b8 knight to the defence of the bishop. Once countermea-

and a possible Ag5, would suggest that this is the direction of the future.

sures were discovered the line was quickiy forgotten, but now it is fashionable once more.

B)

5. gd1-b3

Aa6-b7

5.

This move was rare until a few years ago; now it has attracted a good num-

Or 5...c5 6.9g2 9b7, transposing. Bronstein's sacrifice 5...c6 6.4c3 b5!?

ber offans. 5.

7.cxb5 cxb5 8.Axb5

Ab8-c6! The most logical move: the threat is ...4a5.In addition. the solid 5...c6 with the idea of ...d5 is playable.

6.

ab1-d2

After 5.4d2, Black gets good play with 6...gb71, which brings with it the threat of ...6xd4. 6c6-a5 6. 7. Wb3-c3 The move that revitalised this line. Before

this people usually played Z.Wa+ AbZ 8.492 c5 9.dxc5 bxc5 10.0-0 Ae7. 122

gb6

9.6c31 is

viewed with a certain amount of suspicion, but perhaps it is playable.

6.

Af1-s2

Eih tseA E lal r l l l I la g AA q)L A AAA AA ,\A

trAA €

E

Queen's Indion Defence

Unlike

in the Classical Variation, the

E

I

queen is on a4 instead of d1. Who has the advantage? It is difficult to say. The queen on a4 does not prevent c5, yet at the same time. it is off the back rank and the rook is ready to slide over to dl at the earliest opportunity. One thing is for certain: the draw rate is significantly

ar

ll

lll

,,g

la

AA .jA AAF.AAA 2jtJ

,\A u8 UJAt5

A

tr Ag€A tr

Iower than in the line in which the queen stays on its original square. 6. c7-c5 The idea behind the bishoo manoeuwe

A geE

In the past, several

...4c8-a6-b7. 7. d4xc5

scholars had their doubts about this move: Geller spoke badly of it because he believed the knight on d2 is passively placed and

After 7.0-0 cxd4 8.Axd4 Axg2

does not control the important

9.€xg2 WcS, the Hedgehog set-up is

dS-square. However, the move does develop a piece, and the discovery of aggressive lines in which White makes an e2-e4 advance - even at the cost of a

good for Black.

b6xc5!?

7.

the b-fiIe. This plan has scored convincingly enough to make it more popular than the more natural 7...4xc5. which of Seeking counterplay along

course is still feasible: 8.0-0 0-0 9.4c3

ge/

!.

8. 0-0 9. 6b1-c3 10.

trf1-d1

E j

Ig E g

I

a

Af8-e7 0-0

knight on d2.

gd8-b6

D)

5.

ab1-d2

5. seems logical

6. Af1-92 7. 0-0 8. 6f3-e5

aa €

Af8-e7 0-0

Aa6-b7

To develop the b8 knight. White would prefer to have the knight on c3. Nonetheless, after

9.

Black has achieved satisfactory results here.

D1)

d7-ds to establish a Queen's Gambit pawn structure with the white

AAAAA A A A A-H-A

gtr

re-evaluation.

It

Eg rErlr rrh

A

pawn - has led to the variation's

b2-b3

he preserves a tiny advantage.

D2!.

5.

c7-c5

Conceptually consistent with ...4a6. In recent years, it has lost a lot ofits popuIarity because of:

6. e2-e4l 7. e4-e5 L h2-h3

c5xd4 Af6-g4 Ag4-h6 123

Chess Opening Essenticls

9. Afl-92 10.0-0

-

Volume

3

hb8-c6 ah6-f5

11. a2-a3

Eg9g?AE t r,'r I l,l I

ETA I AA A lr AI+ / AAA A 6 AA E AE trg

8. 0-0! 9. Af3xd4

d7-d6

And White is facing a version of the Hedgehog formation that does not favour Black.

9. 10. 11.

ab8-d7

trf1-e1 a2-a4l

a7-a0 Ea8-b8 Obviously, 11...4e7? is a blunder due to 12.e5. 12. a4-a5 White will next transfer the d2 knight to a5 via b3, with an advantage.

White prepares b2-b4 and 6e4 with optimum

compensation.

D4) 5.

gf8-b4

The most solid; by pinning the knight,

D3) 5. Aa6-b7 Black indirectly attacks c4 and prepares 6. Af1-92 c7-c5 theoccupationofthee4-square. With his late ...c5 push, Black appears 6. gd1-c2 to have prevented white's e2-e4 ad- Not forced, but easily the mosr comvance; but... surprise! surprise! mon move. 7. e2-e4t. 6. Aa6-b7 7. Af1-92 Ab7-e4! Flouting dogma, the bishop is moved a EA E

gEA rE , I rir l rA I

'.

AAA

AZI FT

t\ q)

agg

,|1\A q) L\ A/AA

CJE'11

Capturing on e4 is not

c5xd4 on 7...6xe4?

14.6xf7 €xf7 15.€fe6 checkmatel

Ab4xd2+ 0-0 d7-d6

ab8-d7

12. tral-c1

I

8.6e5! d5 (8...4c3? e.ghsl g6 10.9h3!+- is worrh mentioning) 9.Wa4+l ad7 10.cxd5 exd5 1l.6xe4 dxe4 12.4h3 Ac8 13.Wc6 trbS r2+

8. Wc2-b3 9. Ac1xd2 10.0-0 11. Ef1-d1 E

Played anyway!

7.

third time.

g

E&

la rt]r

l lrdh AA6

DU-

S.,,, A

AANAAAA AA EAAETS FH

HH

H

.

Queen's Indicn Defence

White enjoys the technical advantage of the bishop pair, but it will be difficult for him to open up the position and profit from this. Black's set-up is solid and elastic, and the still fluid pann structure offers him various plans to choose from. In short. this is the sort of position that favours the player with a better understanding of strategy, who

will

probably win regardless colour ofhis pieces.

of

the

E) s. b2-b3 The most popular choice by a big margin. White defends c4 once and for all, freeing his pieces to develop. A minor drawback are the weaknesses created on c3 anda3.

d7-d5

7.

The fact that there are four other equally valid alternatives here (...a5, ...c5, ...9c6 and ...4b++) is testimony to the sffategic richness of this line. However, the

number one choice for top players is 7...d5. It looks bad to leave a backward pawn on c7, but Black's idea is to close the centre andplay on the queenside.

E1) 5.

b6-b5 Introduced by Adorjan in the 1980's.It is a curious fact that this is the best performing, yet the least played move: probably because it is aesthetically un-

appealing to a positionally-minded Queen's Indian player. The move in itself is logical: it attacks c4 and if White takes on b5. Black will be left with an extra centre pavm. However, this sftategy is accompanied by a certain delay in development.

6.

c4xb5 Adventure lovers could Iind 6.492!? iust the ticket: 6...bxc4 7.Q-:eS Ab++ S.Ad2 cxb3! 9.axb3! (9.Axba? b2!) 9...4xd2+ 10.Wxd2 d5 11.0-0 0-0 12.Ec1, with compensation that is difficult to evaluate. 6. 9a6xb5 7. At1-92 The continuation 7.4c3 AU+ S.AaZ Ac6 has scored nicely for Black.

8.

ab8-d7 Ab5-a6 Until now no one has been able to come up with a convincing plan for 0-0

9. Ab1-c3

White. This appears odd when you consider that the semi-open c-file is ready to be exploited and the a7 and c7 pawns appear to be weak. However, with the absence of the usual white paum on c4, Black's pawn cen0e seems to be very

stable and most

of the time the

queenside weaknesses have

little

real

impact on the game.

ED 5.

d7-d5

A line that can be highly tactical... or very positional!

6. Af1-g2! If White wishes to avoid complications, he can play 6.cxd5 exd5 7.492, even though it is difficult to imagine gaining an advantage after the tension has been removed in the centre.

tz5

Chess Opening Essentiols

6.

-

Volume

3

d5xc4

Black is ready for a brawl. However,

it is important to remember that he can continue more solidly with 6...c6 and then follow up with ...4bd7, ...Ae7 and ...0-0, along the lines of the Closed Catalan.

7. 6f3-e5 8. €el-f1!

Af8-b4+

8.4d2 cxb31 threatening b2. gb4-d6! 8.

If the king were not on f1 , White would certainly be better. But with the king belng where it is, Black has excellent practical chances, even if White's position inspires more confidence.

E3)

9a6-b7

5.

With an eye on the undefended queen on d1. This tactical motif discovered by Igor Zaitsev in the late l970's, will be seen again

in the following moves.

9.

6e5xc4

White can win the exchange with 9.Axa8 Axe5, but he will lose the important d4 pavvn after 10.e3 c5, since 11.4b2? is nor playable because of 9.6xtr1? looks good, but no one has yet had the courage to play it. It is worth considering the interesting move 9.Ad2l?, introduced by Vasily

Once White has been induced to play his parvn to b3, the bishop moves back to its natural diagonal. It is difficuk to believe that the white paum is badly placed on b3 compared ro b2. However, we can presume that it is: Black's performance with 5...Ab7 is significantly

Ivanchuk,

betrer rhan wirh 4...4b7.

1

1...c3+.

9.

10. e2-e4 11. Ac1-b2 t<

rt

l'1.e5

|

af6-d5 6d5-e7

rl:

Hxe5 is a double ain!

11.

...

12. ab1-d2 126

6b8-c6

6. 7.

Afr,sz

Af8-b4+

Ac1-d2

The first negative impacr

of

7.abd2? is not playable followedby Axd4.

of 7...Ac3

7.

because

at-ail

5.b3:

Queen's Indiqn Delence

Eih 9€, ,E rl'r arr I la

An idea we have already seen in other Iines; Black physically blocks the e2-e4 advance and now the flexible ...c7-c6 will not block the path of the bishop. 13. Wc2-b2 After 13.Wc1!? - the queen has the intention of going to f4 - the most energetic response is 1 3 ...a4 1 4.b4 b5 ! , and Black's control of the dS-square gives him good chances.

IVAAA A

AA

A/AAAAA A EAAEA

tra we

E

l...fuel and 7...c5!? are also playable, but this pawn push is more in the spirit of the variation: the presence of the pawn on b3 in some lines makes it possible to advantageously open the a-file

13....

The idea is Ad2.

with...a4.

14.

8. 0-0 9. 6b1-c3

0-0

After 9.Wc2 d6 10.Ag5l? a4 1l.Q)c3

Axc3! l2.Wxc3 AbdT 13.b4

h6

14.4c1 b5l, Black's position is satisfactory.

L

d7-d6! Black is ready to concede his b4 bishop

Wdl-c2

10. 11. Ef1-el

Ab4xc3 Ab7-e4!

12. Ad2xc3

E g Es la lll I lla I AAA Ag AA A W AAAA

FT EEE

FT

af3-d2

16. 17.

Ac3-d2

Ad2xe4

b6-b5 b5-b4! Af6xe4

gd8-fo

E4) 5.

Af8-b4+

The most solid line, and by far and away the most played.

6.

Ac1-d2

Forced.

ab8-d7

To assist the advance e2-e4.

11....

...

ls.

And Black has an optimum position.

and he therefore puts his pawns on dark squares.

c7-c6!?

This row of pawns lined up on the sixth rank is curious. 14. As2-f1

6.

Ab4-e7!

g€E I rr-9. lll AT ri\ EA

AA A a\.

A F?

'\

}\A q)5

AAA ,ggg

A

tr

Bishop feints are a speciality of the Queen's Indian! This back-and-forth bishop manoeuwe, which we have already seen in the Dutch and the Catalan, sets out to prove that the white 177

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

EA g Eg

bishop is not as well placed on d2 as it would be on c1. In this particular instance, this is doubtlessly the case. After 6...4xd2+ 7.Wxd2 c6 8.4c3 d5 9.e4! dxe4 1 0.695, White has the basis for a dangerous initiative. We have now reached al imoortant

l I Arlr ra Er I AA AA

AA AA A trWgA tr

AA'AAA A HAA

crossroads.

E41) 7. Ab1-c3 A dynamic move that once again highlights a paradox: less commonly played lines often score the best. This phenomenon can be explained by the fact that our decision-making is often conditioned by our acceptance of established theory, and we thus tend to make what we perceive to be natural moves, regardless of their objective merit. 0-0 Another popular choice is 7...c6 8.e4

7.

d5, after which the most

menacing

continuation appears to be 9.Wc2 dxe4

10.Axe4

Ab7 11.Aeg5l!

9. c4xd5 6f6xd5! 10. Af1-92 Ad5xc3 11. Ad2xc3 Aa6-b7: E42)

7.

Af1-92

Easily the most played.

c7-c6!

7.

with the option of recapturing on d5 with the c-pawn. The

Preparing ...d5,

immediate 7...d5 is playable but no longer fashionable. After 8.cxdS exd5 9.4c3 0-0 10.0-0 AUz t 1.8c1. White has a tiny advantage.

(Topalov)

11...c5 12.d5. with an initiative that is

E421)8. 0-0 9. Wdl-c2

d7-d5

ab8-d7

difficuit to halt. 8. Ea1-cl! Another move by Topalov. White postpones the central pawn push until the most favourable moment. The old 8.e4 has been played many times in high-level games. However, after 8...d5! 9.cxd5 Axfl t0.€xf1 exd5 1 1.e5 6e4 12.€g2 WaZ t 3.Ee1 Axc3 14.Axc3 D,c6 - with the idea of ...6d8-e6 - Black is doing well. 8. d7-d5! If instead Black plays 8...c6, he will have to deal with a strong initiative after 9.e4 d5 10.e5 he4 I 1.4d3. Also here White feints; he prepares to fianchetto and

This is reminiscent of a Closed Catalan where the bishop on d2 prevents the natural AbdZ (Ac3 is playable but involves sacrificing the c4 pawn). White seeks the

then develops the bishop to d3

idtiative by pushing the a-pawn.

128

!

10. trf1-d1

0-0

E g

Eg lgrr aErrr la

I

AN

Acl A,}\A A

ULtS

A gAAAAA EA\ E &

Queen's Indion Delence

a2-a4l? 12. a4-a5 13. c4-c5 11.

tra8-c8 b6-b5 Q:t6-e4

The queenside paum majority is of academic value, and the position is equal; the 7 0% draw rate is comment enough.

This position is not easy to weigh up.

Hasek,Josef Vecsey,Zoltan

E42D8. Ad2-c3

A

strange-looking move,

but

logical;

the bishop vacates the d2-square for the

5.9h4 s5 6.4g3 Ab4+ 7.6c3

knight. d7-d5

8.

9. 9.4e5

ab1-d2

is another popular move:

9...afd7l (attacking the defender of the c4 pawn forces an exchange) 10.Axd7 AxdT 1 l.ad2 0-0 12.0-0 EcS 13.e4 b5 14.8e 1 dxe4 15.Axe 4bxc4 is equal.

e.

ab8-d7! 9...0-0 10.Oe5 AfdT 11.6d3t gives White the advantage. 10. 11.

0-0 trf1-e1

0-0 c6-c5

12. e2-e4

12....

d5xe4

Il...dxc4!? is more combative: l3.Axc4 AbZ ana White is probably a liule better However, the position is complicated

and anythirg could happen.

13.6,d2xe4 6f6xe4 I

3...4b7 also equalises. 14. 15.

E

trelxe4 tre4-e3

AxcS+ 8.bxc3 dG 9.8c2 9b710.e3 6e4 11.4d3 f5 12.d5 exd5 13.4d4 gf6 14.f3 6c5 15.Axf5 dxe4 16.4g5+ *ds 17.0-0-0 Ac6 18.6xc6+ 6xc6 19.h4 Ae7 2O9e4 trbg 21.hxgS hxsS 22.Ehf1 b5 2g.Erd4 6e6 24.trd2 b4 25.trtd1 bxc3 26.Exd6+ cxd6 27.9:xdi old4 28.Axb8 gc8 29.trxd4 SxbS 30.9b1+gb6 31.wxb6+ 1-0

Miles,Anthony Spassky,Boris

Suddenly the position ignites.

ofl

Prague Evony 1928 (5)

1.d4 AfG 2.c4 e63.Afg b6 4.4g5 hG

Aa6-b7 9e7-f6

g E€

la, a rll l ra

I AA Ag trAA A AAA trwg

Montilla/Moriles

1

978 (2)

1.d4 Af6 2.tlt9 bG 3.c4 eO 4.4f4 Ab7 5.e3 Ae7 6.h3 0-0 7.4c3 d5 8.cxd5 exdS 9.4d3 c5 10.O-O Ac6 11.6e5 4 12.3;c2 a6 13.94 b5 14.95 6e8 15.S94 gG 16.tradl 6g7 17.h4 Ab4 18.4d7 Ac8 19.6xd5

€hg 20.45f6 tra7 21.d5

4.e7

22.4e5 trxd7 23.h5 Exd5 24.Wf4 Exdl 25.Exd1 Wa5 26.4e8 f6 27.gxt6 eg8 28.6xg7 1-0 Keres,Paul Spassky,Boris Gothenburg izt 1955 (4)

af6 2.e.4 eG g.afg bG 4.e3 Ab7 s.gdg 4e76.0-0 o-o 7.b3 d5 8.9b2 abd7 9.6c3 e5 10.We2 dxc4 1.d4

11.bxc4 Wc7 12,Ead1 Eadg 13.d5 a6 14.dxe6 fxe6 15.6g5 9cG r6.f4 129

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

h6 17.4f3 8c718.6h4 Ad6 19.gb1 2O.Wt2 afg 21.Wg3 Ahs 22.Wh3 6f6 23.696 e5 24.4d5 Axd5 25.fxe5 Axe5 26.6xe5 Ae6 27.Wg3 Exdl 28.trxd1 b5 29.Efl

trfe8

A6d730.Wxg7+

1-0

23.Wd5 trdB 24.6eG Ed7

26.WxdG

€c8+ 25.€b1 1-o

Bogoliubor{6Efim

Monticelli,Mario SanRemo 1930 (5)

1.d4 AfO 2.c4 eG 3.6c3 Ab4 4.4f3

Bernstein,Ossip

Nimzowitsch,Aaron St Petersburg

prelim 1914 (a)

1.d4 AfO 2.6f3 eG 3.c4 b6 4.6c3

Ab7 5.e3 gb4 6.9b3 We7 7.a3 Axc3+ 8.Wxc3 d5 9.b4 abdT 1O.Ab2 a5 11.Ae2 axb4 12.axb4 Exal* 13.9xa1 0-0 14.0-O 6e4 15.Wc2 f5 16.4d2 Axd2 17.Wxd2 EaB 18.Ac3 Be8 19.d5 e5 20.f4 AcB 21.Wb2 We7 22.fxe5 Axe5 239d4 Ad7 24.tra1 Ee8 25.Eal Wd8 26.Wa1t4 27.ext4 hg6 28.4f3

6xf4 29.Axs7 WgS so.ghg Adg 31.h4 WgS 32.tra8 Ac8 33.Ae4 Wf2+ 34.€h2 Sxh4+ 35.€91 6e5

36.Axe5 Wxe4 37.9h8 We3+ 38.9h2 gf4+ 39.9g1 wg3 40.4c3 we3+ 41.9h1 gf4 42.9d1 gh6+

a3.€gl We3+ 44.€hl Wh6+ 45.Sgl We3+ 46.€h1 Wxc3 47.Exc8 trxc8 48.Wg4+ @t7 49.Wxc8 Wxc4 50.Wf5+

Vtrlz

Seirawan,Yasser

TimmanJan Hilversum 1990 (5)

af6

2.eA eG 3.4f3 b6 4.hc3 eb4 5.gb3 c5 6.a3 AaS 7.Ag5 6c6 8.0-0-0 Axc3 9.d5 exdS 10.cxd5 AeS 11.dxc6 We7 12.cxd7+ AxdT

1.d4

13.e3 trd8 14.Hxd7 trxd7 15.Ab5 AdG 16.8d1 0-0 17.Axd7 BxdT 18.9f4 c4 19.Sc2 he8 20.495 f5 21.wxc4+ €h8 22.axd6 6xd6 130

b6 5.Ag5 Axc3+ 6.bxc3 Ab7 7.e3 d6 e.gd3 abdT 9.0-0 We7 10.4d2 h6 11.9h4 g5 12.&s3 0-0-0 13.a4 a5 14.Ebl trdg8 15.f3 h5 16.e4 h4 17.AeI e5 18.h3 6h5 19.c5 dxc5 20.d5 Af4 2t.6,c4 trh6 22.trf2 f5 23.d6 Exd6 24.Axd5+ Bxd6 25.4c4 Ef8 26.exf5 trxfs 27.trd2

We7 28.9b3 Ef8 29.4d3 e4 30.Axe4 Axe4 31.fxe4 Wxe4 32.Wc2 ScG 33.c4 g4 34.Axh4 gxh3 35.g3 AeS 36.trb9 6e2+ 37.Exe2 gfl+ 38.€xfl Wh1+ o-1 Bacrot,Etienne Carlsen,Magnus Baku 2008 (13)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 e6 3.4c3 Ab4 4.4f3 b6 5.995 gb7 6.4d2 h6 7.Ah4 6c6 8.a3 Axc3 9.bxc3 We7 10.e3 95 11.4g3 d6 12.h4 0-0-0 13.4e2 ad7

14.4b3

f5

15.Wc2 EhfB 16.f3 e5

199d3 21.Ad2 Aa6 exd4 22.exd4 6a5 23.Edh1 Ee7 24.Wa4 EeS 25.8h7 We8 26.Wc2 Afo 27.HTh6 gb728.Af2 trxd3 29.Wxd3 AdS 30.8e1 Wa4 31.Wc2 Wxa3+ 32.Wb2 Wxb2+ 33.€xb2 Axc4+ 34.6xc4 Axc4 35.4e3 94 36.fxg4 fxg4 37.EgG a5 38.Exg4 a4 39.Eg3 a3+ 4o.gxa3 tra8+ 41.€b2 Ea2+ 42.€ct 6xc3 43.4d2 6:e2+ 44.Hxe2 Axe2 45.Eg7 Ea4 46.4c3 b5 47.94 AfS 48.s5 b4 49.4b2 Ea5 17.hxg5 hxgS 18.0-0-O EdeS

gf7

2O.ghO

Queen's Indian Delence

50.€c2 AdS 51.Ee79c4 52.4c1 trfS 53.Cd2 Ef2 54.96 tr92 55.97 €c6 56.tre8 gf7 57.trb8 b3+ 58.€c3 ExgT 59.*b2 gc4 60.€c3 &d5 61.Eb7tr93+ 62.€b2 €xd4 0-1

rhalifrnan,Alexander Emelin,Yasily St Petersburg

1.d4

1996 (9)

af6 2.c4 e6 3.afg

bG 4.8:c3

AM 5.495 9b7 6.e3 Axc3+ 7.bxc3 d6 Lad2 abdT 9.f3 Se7 10.e4 e5 11.9d3 h6 12.4h4 95 13€f2 Ah5 14.at1 4f4 15.6e3 94 16.0-0 gxfS 17.gxfg exd4 18.6d5 6xd5 19.exd5 8:e5 20.We4 dxc3 21.9h4 gd7 22.gf6 EgB 23.Eae1 c€ 24.Axe5 dxes 25.wxe5+ €f8 26.9f5 gd8 27€e6 Eg728.Axf7 1-o

AxeG 17.Rxf5 Ag7 18.996+ €d7 19.f3 traf8 20.fxg4 We7 21.e4 €c8 22.WdZ €bg 23.trxf8+ trxf8 24.89'xh5 Ac8 25.8e1 Axg4 26.c5 gf6 27.cxd$ Ahs 28.e5 Wxg6 29.Bxg6 Axg6 30.e0 acs 31.d7 6xd7 32.exd7 Ed8 33.8e6 AhS 34.4e5 trxd7 35.EhG gf7 36.Axg7

Axd5 37.9e5 Axa2 38.h5 gb7 39.g4 a5 40.95 3c4 41.96 trdS

42.9:t4 Ef5 a3.Ag3 a4 44.trh7 Ec5 45.h6 a3 46.iie7 a2 47.tre1 9d3 48.h7 Eh5 49.8a1 AxgG 50.trxa2 trxh7 51.€f2 Ed7 52.€e2 trds 53.8a4 c5 54.8f4 Ae8 55.€e3 Edl 56.tre4 9b5 57.c4 Ad7 58.€e2 Egl 59.Ee7 ExgS 60.Exd7+ €a6 1/z-1/z 61.9d2 €a5 62.8d6 Van Wely,Loek

MiIes,Anthony Beliavsky,Alexander

Adams,Michael Wijk aan Zee 1998 (9)

Tilburg 1986 (1)

af6 2.c4 e6 3.4f3

1.d4

af6

2.c4 eG 3.4f3 b6 4.a3 AaG

bG 4.6c3

5.8c2 Ab7 6.6c3 c5 7.e4 cxd4

Aba 5.Ag5 Ab7 6.e3 hO 7.9h4 95 8,493 6e4 9.Wc2 dG 1O.Adg AxcS+ 11.bxc3 f5 12.d5 6c5 13.h4 94 14.hd4 gf6 15.0-0 6xd3 16.Sxd3 e5 17.6xf5 Ac8 18.f4 Wxf5 19.e4 WhS 20.fxe5 dxe5 21c5 €d8 22.d6 We8 23.dxc7+ €xc7 24.gd5 Ac6 25.trt7+ Ad7 26.trafl Ed8 27.E1f6 €cB 28.cxb6 axb6 29.9b5 t-0

8.Axd4 AcG 9.6xc6 Axc6 10.Af4 Ac5 11.9e2 0-0 12.0-0-0 6eB 13.4g3 e5 14.€b1 gd4 15.4b5 Axb5 16.cxb5 trcB 17.8a4 Afo 18.4h4 h6 19.f4 95 20.fxe5 Axe5 21.Ae1 Ee8 22.Wb3 We7 23.4c4 &g7 24.h4 s4 25.Efl Ec7 26.trf5

1.d4

Kasparov,Garry

:

TimmanJan

:

:

trec8 279d3 dG 28.4f2

We6

29.9b4 trc4 30.we1 Ec3 31.trxe5

dxes 32.bxc3 Wb3+

33.€a1

Wxa3+ 34.9b1 Wb3+ 35.€a1 trxc3 36.9b1 Wa3+ 37.4a2 o-1

Ec2

Hilversum lgS5 (4)

1.d4 af6 2.c4 e6 3.Afg bG 4.4c3 Ab4 5.495 Ab7 6.e3 h6 7.4h4 g5 8.Ag3 Ae4 9.8c2 Axc3+ 10.bxc3 d6 11.9d3 f5 12.d5 6c5 13.h4 94 14,ad4 gf6 15.0-0 6ba6 16.6xe6

Pelletier,Yannick Karpov,Anatoly Biel199/ (t) 1.d4 af6 2.c4 eG 3.4f3 b6 4.a3 A:b7 5.4c3 d5 6.4g5 Ae7 7.Wa4+ Ac6 r3i

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

8.9b3 dxc4 9.Bxc4 0-O 10.e3 Ab7 114e2 a6 12.Ecl abdT 13.0-0 b5 14.Wa2 c5 Is.trfd1 6d5 16.Axe7 WxeT 17.dxc5 6xc5 18.b4 6xc3 19.Exc3 Ae4 2O.Ecd3 gds 21.9b2

EacS 22.ad2 AdG 23.f3

Ac4 24.6xe4 Axc4 25.Wm AbG 26.3:t1 hG 27.8d6 6d5 28.trxa5 Ec3 29.9b2 EfcS 30.e4 4le3 31.Ee1 axfl 32.Exf1 Ec2 33.8e5 trdg 34.Bxb5 Hdd2

35.9b8+ €h7 36.9g3 gd7 37.tra5

gd4+38.€h1trd1

o-1

Sultan Khan,Mir Capablanca,Jose

Petrosian,Tigran Smyslov,Yasily Moscowch-URS 1961 (7)

6f6 2.6c3 e6 3.6f3 bG 4.d4 €b7 5.a3 d5 6.cxd5 6xd5 7.e3 Be7 8.4b5+ c6 9.ad3 c510.6xd5 Sxds 1.c4

11.dxcS Bxc5 12.Ad2 4c6 13.Ec1 Wd6 14.8c2 trc8 15.0-O h616.Efd1 O-0 17.4c3 18.Wa4 EfdS

gb8

19.9e4 sG 20.Ws4 hS 21.ghg f5 22.94 trxd1+ 2s.trxdl &t7 24.e4 Wf4 25.tre1 Sg4 26.exf5 tsxc4 27.fxg6+ €e8 28.97 e5 29.Wxh5+ €d7 30.gd1+ AdG 31.Axe5 6d4 32.6xd4 t-o

Hastings 1930/31 (3)

1.4f3 at6 2.d4 b5 3.c4 Ab7 4.4c3 e6 5.a3 d5 6.cxd5 exdS 7.ilg5 '*e7

8.e3 0-0 g.Adg 6e4 1o.Af4 ad7 11.8c2 fS 12.6b5 Ad6 13.6xd6

Kasparov,Garry Portisch,Laios Niksic 1983 (a)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 eG 3.4f3 b6 4.6c3

cxd6 14.h4 Ec8 15.9b3 Be7 16.o'd2 adf6 17.6xe4 fxe4

&b7 5.a3 d5 6.cxd5 6xd5 7.e3 Axc3 8,bxc3 AeT 9.4b5+ c6

18.4e2 trc6 19.94 trfc8 20.95 6e8 21.9g4 Ecl+ 22.&d2 tr8c2+ 23.Wxc2 trxc2+ 24.&xc2 Wc7+ 25.9d2 Wc4 26.9e2 gb3 27.trab1

10.4d3 c5 11.0-0 AcG 12.4b2 trcB 13.We2 O-0 14.Ead1 9c7 15.c4 cxd4 16.exd4 AaS 17.d5!- exd5 18.cxd5 Axd5 19.9xh7+ €xh7 20.Exd5 €g8 21.Axg7! €xg7 22.a,e5 trfd8 23.Wg4+ €f8 24.9f5 fG 25.ad7+ ExdT 26.trxd7 WcS 27.wh7 Ec7 28.8h8+ €f7 29.trd3 Ac4 SO.gfdI Ae5 31.Wh7+ €eG 32.898+ €f5 33.94+ €f4 34.trd4+ €f3 35.Wb3+ 1-o

Sf7 28.trhc1 €e7 29.trc3 Wa4 30.b4 Wd7 31.trbc1 a6 32.891

gh3 33.Egc1 gd7 34.h5 €d8

35.81c2 Wh3 36.€cl gh4 37.9b2 wh3 38.Ecl gh4 39.tr3c2 th3 4O.a4 Wh4 41.€a3 gh3 42.4g3 gfs 43.4h4 gE 44.hG gd7 45.b5

a5 46.4s3 gf5 47.9t4 gh3

48.€b2 Wg2 49.€b1 ghs 50.€a1 Ws2 51.*b2 gh3 52.trs1 Ac8 53.EcG Wha 54.Egc1 Ag4 bs.gfl WhS 56.Eel ghl 57.Eec1 thb

58.€c3 gh4 59.493 Wxg5 60.9d2 gh5 61.Exb6 9e7

62.trb7+ €e6 63.bG af6 64,4b5 gh3 65.trb8 1-o t32

KasparotGarry Gheorghiu,Florin Moscow izr 1982 (12)

1.d4 AfG 2.eA eG s.Afg b6 4.6c3 Ab7 5.a3 d5 6.cxd5 AxdS 7.Sc2 c5 8.e4 6xc3 9.bxc3 9e7 10.4b5+ Ac6 11.Ad3 ad7 12.O-O h6 13.trd1 Bc7 14.d5 exdS 15.exd5 Axd5

Queen's Indion Delence

16.4b5 a6 17.A14 gxf4 18.gxd7+ €xd7 19.trxd5+ €c7 20.8e1 9d6 21.8f5 Wc4 22.tre4 gbs 23.trxf7+ gb8 24.tre6 Edg 25.c4 WcG

32.gb4 gf8 33.gb5 €g7 34.trs3 trc7 35.8b1 ab7 36.tre3 ScS 37.tree1 Wxb5 38.trxb5 Ad6 39.Hb2 h5 40.f3 h4 41.9f2 trh8

26.6e5Wc8

42.8a1f5 43.a5 b5 44aGt4 45.ZaS

27.Wb1

t-o

trbg 46.€g1 trbG 47.&h2 €f6 48.trb4 trc8 49.sh3 trcb8 50.Adl g5 51.rle2 94+ 52.€xg4 h3 o-1

Carlsen,Magnus Aronian,Levon Elista Wch final

2007 (1)

Kortchnoi,Viktor

3.4f3 bG 4.a3 Ab7 5.6c3 d5 6.cxd5 Axd5 7.Erc2 Ae7 8.e4 6xc3 9.bxc3 0-0 10.4d3 c5 11.0-0 9c7 12.We2 ad713.gb2 c4 14,Ac2 b5 15.4c1 a5 16.trb1 9a5 17.e5 b4 18.axb4 axb4 19.995 abo 20.Efe4 g6 21.9h4 tra7 22.9tG Axf6 23.exf6 ads 24.9:e4 gf4

1.d4 Af6 2.6+s e6 3.s3 b6 a.Ag2 Ab7 5.c4 Ae7 6.6c3 0-0 7.Wc2 c5 8.d5 exdS 9.6g5 6cG 10.6xd5 gG 11.Wd2 6xd5 12.Axd5 trb8 13.Axh7 tre8 14.Wh6 6e5 15.4g5

25.Axd5 Wxh4 26.6xh4 exdS 27.Hxb4 Ac8 28.8b6 EaS 29.trc1

Axd5 18.0-0 Axc4 19.f4

1.d4 AfG 2.c4 eG

Ae6 30.4f3 EfaB 31.h4 hG 32.4e5 Ea1 33.trxal Exal+ 34.€h2 tra3 35.trb8+ €h7 36.f4 trxc3 37.h5 gxhS 38.Efg tra3 39.f5 gxf5 4o.trxf7+ €g8 41.trg7+ €f8 42.trb7 tra8 43.*g3 gd8 44.9f4 Ae4 45.93 cg 46.8f7+ *g8 47.trs7+ €f8

48.6d7+trxd749.trxd7

1-o

Karpov,Anatoly Moscow 1974 (21)

9xg5 16.Axg5 Bxg5

17.Wxg5 1-O

Karpov,Anatoly Salov,Valery Rotterdam World Cup I 989 ( I 5)

af6 2.c4 eB 3.4f3 b6 4.s3 Ab7 5.Ag2 9e7 6.4c3 Ae4 7.4d2 Af6 8.trc1 Axd4 9.6xd4 6xc3 10.Axb7 1.d4

11.trxd1 c6 12.9t4 0-O 13.gd6 EeB 14.Axag gc8 15.b4

Axdl

Lenic,Luka Morozevich,Alexander

4a616.b5 BxaB 17.bxa6 c5 18.6f3 Be4 19.trc1 f6 20.a3 Wc6 21.8d1

Dresden 2008 (10)

Wa4 22,ad2 Wc6 23.atg

1.d4 Af6 2.eA e6 3.Afg bG 4.a3 Ab7 5.41c3 d5 6.cxd5 6xd5 7.Wc2 6xc3

8.bxc3 Ae7 9.e4 0-0 10.4d3 c5 11.0-0 Bc7 12.tse2 hc6 13.9b2 trad8 14.Ead1 gG t5.Be3 trfe8 16.h4 e5 17.d5 6a5 18.9b5 trfB 19.gh6 fG 20.4d3 c4 21.4c2 AcB

22.trdet 9c5 23.€h1 gf7 24.a4 Wd7 25.9c1 E9g4 26.4a3 Axa3 27.Wxa3 WhS 28.€gl 9g4 29.tre3 9xf3 30.trxf3 Wxh4 31.trd1 gh6

Wa4

24.ad2 Wxa3 25.0-0 €!txa6 26.e4 Efa4 27.e5 Wc6 28.trfe1 a6 29.tre3 h6 30.Ec1 Ea8 31.6e4 fxeS 32.f3 a5 33.Ea3 a4 34.h4 EaS 35.e92 b5 36.cxb5 Exb5 37.€hg trbS 38.trxc5

Wa6 39.trc3 gbs 40.€g4 €h7 41.h5 Exa3 42.Exa3 gG 43.ef8 €g8 44.9dG gf7 45.trc3 gxhS+ 46.€xh5 Wf1 47.€g4 €g6 48.Axe5 d5 49.hc5 gh1 50.sf4 whs 51.€e3 Wxe5+ 52.9d2

d4

o-1

133

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

PolugaevskpLev

695 23.€xg5 Axg5 24.trbel trf7

Kortchnoi,Viktor

25.Ee2 EafS 26.6e1 a4 27.f3 axb3 28.axb3 EaB 29.6c2 h5 30.trg2 h4 31.f4 traf8 32.4e3 exf4 33.Se6 fxgS 34.Exf7 Axe3+ 35.Wxe3 ExfT 36.hxg3 hxg3 37.Wel gf3 38.tra2 €f739.8e2 treS o-1

Buenos Aires 1980 (12)

1.4f3 Af6 2.4 b6 3.g3 e6 4.Ag2 gb7 5.0-O &e7 5.d4 0-0 7.d5 exdS 8.4h4 cG 9.cxd5 hxdS 10.6f5 Ac5 11.e4 6e7 12.6xgl €xg7 13.M gxb4 14.Wd4+ fG 15.Wxb4 c5 16.gd2 Abc6 17.4b2 ga6 18.gdl 6e519.6a3 A7c6 20.We3 We721.f4 ad 22.0lxc4 gxc4 23.e5 fxeS 24.Axc6 dxc6 25.trd7 BxdT 25.sxe5+ €f7 27.wf6+ €g8 28.995+ €f7 29.tre1 We6 30.Wg7+ €eB 31.Exe6+ AxeO 32.gf6 Af7 33.4g5 €d7 34gh6 c4 35.Wxh7 c5 36.Axfg trxf8 37.Wg7 &e7 38.We5+ €d7 39.g4 Ee8 4O.Wf6 Ads 41.95 tre242.h4b5 43.Wf5+ €d6 44.Wf8+ €c6 45.Wc8+ €d6 46.Wd8+ ec6 47.Wa8+ gd6 48.Wf8+ €c6 49a3 tre3 50.h5 c3 51.Wf6+ 9e6 52.€f2

c2

53.Wb2 Eh3 54.€s2 efs

55.9f6+ €c756.Wxf5 clW 57.We5+ gb6 5&sxh3 b4 59.axb4 cxb4 60.h6 wht+ 61.€g4 gd1+ 62.gf5 wc2+ 63.gf6 b3 64.h78xh765.We3+ €c6

66.Wxb3 Wh8+ 67.€e7 gh4

Carlsen,Magnus Pelletier,Yannick Biel 2008 (1)

af6 2.c4 eG 3.4f3 b6 4.g3 Aa6 5.Wc2 Ab7 6.A92 c5 7.d5 exdS 8.cxd5 6xd5 9.0-0 Ae710.Hd1 6c6 11.9f5 af6 12.e4 d6 13.e5 wd7 1.d4

14.Wxd7+

6xd7 15.exd6 AfG

16.tre1+ €f8 17.4c3 6b4 18.Ags 6c2 19.8e7 gxf3 20.Axf3 Axgs 21.Exd7 Ed8 22.trxd8+ gxd8 23.8d1 6ld4 24.Ag2 h5 25.a4 aG 26.9b7trh6 27.d7Ed6 28.AcB AfS+ 29.€g2 Exdl 30.6xd1 6e1+ 31.gf1 af3 32.h4 €e7 33.6e3 gG 34.Axa6

€xd7 35.€e2 6e5 36.f4 654 37.4b5+ €e7 38.drd5+ gd6 39.9c4

Ah6 40.6e3 gf6 41.4d3 gdg 42.€f3 6g4 43.Axg4 hxg4*

44.exg4 €e6 45.4c4+ €e7 46.sf3

Fridman,Daniel Atalik,suat

f5 47.€e2 gf8 48.9d3 AfO 49.b3 Ab2 50.gd5 Aa3 51.€c4 Ab4 52.sb5 AaS 53.4c4 €e7 54.€cG sf6 55.gd3 sf756.h5 gxhS 57.Axf5 gf6 58.9e4 €g7 59.9f3 gho 60.€b5 SgG 61.4d1 €ho 62.4e2

Lake George CCA-ICC op 2005 (7)

€gG 63.4f3 €h6

68.gc4+ sb6 69.gb4+ €c6 70.We4+ 73.We5+

gbs

71.9f7 a5 72.g6 Wg4 1-O

1.afg 6lt6 2.c4 eG 3.g3 b6 4.4g2 gb7 5.0-O Ae7 6.6c3 0-0 7.d4 6e4 8.Wc2 6xc3 9.Wxc3 d6 10.gd3 f5 11.We3 EfcS 12.6e1 Axg2 13.Axg2 6c6 14.d5 Ad8 15.Wd3 gf6 16.8b1

a5 17.b3 e5 18.e4 fxe4 19.Hxe4 ShS 20.6re1at7 21.€lt9 h6 22.4d2 134

64.4c6

1-o

Ivanchuk,Yasily Elianov,Pavel Foros

2007 (7)

af6 2.c4 e6 3.af3 b6 4.g3 AaG 5.Wc2 Ab7 6.Ag2 c5 7.d5 exdS 1.d4

Queen's Indion Defence

8.cxd5 Axd5 9.0-0 Ae7 10.Ed1 gcg 11.19If5 af6 12.o.c3 0-0 13.9g5 d5 14.4h4 6c6 15.Wxc8 EfxcS 16.af5 gf8 17.ab5 6eB 18.4f4 gG 19.Afd6 6xd6 20.6xd5 Axd6 21.Axd6+ Q:e7 22.Axd5 Axd5 23.trxd5 trd8 24.tradl €e8 25.tre5 trd7 26.trd3 f6 27.8e4 f5 28.Ee5 aG 29.Ede3 EaaT 30.Ee6 EabT S1.trf6 c4 32.€fl a5 33.€e1 b5 34.9d2 M 35.sc1 EbS 36.trfe6 EbbT 37.EfO Ebs 38.€c2 Eds 39.tree6 trd4 40.f3 trb7 41.a4 c3 42.€b3 cxb2 43.€xb2 trd2+ M.e?b3 E.d7 45.h4 trd5 46.h5 gxh5 47.gh6 Ed2 48.tref6 Exe2 49.trxh7

Eb7 50.gf4 sd7 51.Exf5 €e6 52.Exa5 Ac6

53.trh6+

Bilbao 2008 (a)

1.d4 AfG 2.c4 eG 3.Afg b6 4.g3 Aa6

5.8c2 Ab7 6.4g2 c5 7.d5 exd5 8.cxd5 6xd5 9.0-0 Ae7 10.trd1 Wc8 11.a3 6fG 12.4g5 d5 13.Axf6 gxf6 14.4c3 Axc3 15.bxc3 6a6 16.4h4 96 17.Axd5 AxdS 18.trxd5 0-0 19.tradl 4.c7 20.trd7 6eG 21.9e4 €fe8 22.6f3 c4 23.9h4

25.trf1

1-o

Sargissian Gabriel Grischuk,Alexander Dresden olympiad 2008 (7)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 e6 3.4f3 bG 4.g3 Aa6

5.8c2 cS 6.d5 exdS 7.cxd5 gb7 8.Ag2 6xd5 9.O-O Ae7l0.trd'l 9c8 11.a3 6c7 12.4c3 AcG 13.Af4 0-0 14.Axc7 BxcT 15.4b5 gd8 16.6e5 4xe5 17.9xb7 trbg 18.4e4 a6

19.Axh7+

gh8 20,'gif5

g5

axbs

23.gh6 Ag5 24.8h3 €g7 25.9xg6 *xg6 26.8d6+ €g7 27.tradl trgB 28.f4 AfG 29.e4 trhB 3o.gg4+ *fg 31.e5 Ae7 32.trxd7 Be8 33.f5 fG 34.Wf4 c4 35.eG trc8 36.81d4 Eh7 37.h4 €g8 38.€h2 trs7 39.Wf3 Sh8 40.tra7 Wf8 4l.trdd7 EeB 42.trabl trbB 43.tra7 Ee8 44.9h3 WgB 45.EaO gh7 46.EaB trxa8 47.Wxa8+ EgB a8.Wf3 Eg7 49.Wf4

ghs

50.g4 WeB 51.trb7 gh7

52.We4 AcS 53.95 ExbT 54.Wxb7+ we7 55.96+ 56.wd7 b4 57.axb4 Axb4 58.*sa Sh6 59.€f3

sg7

b5 60.Se4 9c5 61.€d5 Ab4 62.€cG WcS+ 63.€b7 We7 64.Sa5

1-o

Topalov,Yeselin Anand,Yiswanathan

t,c524.tre7 Edg

21.Bxe5+ Af6 22.Wt4

1-O

Grtirrfeld,Frnst Nimzowitsch,Aaron Breslau 1925 (l) 1.d4 AfG 2.c4 e6 3.4f3 bG 4.g3 Aa6 5.Wa4 c5 6.4g2 b5 7.cxb5 cxbs 8.9d1 gb7 9.0-0 ae7 10.Abd2 0-0 11.4b3 dG 12.a4 b4 13.a5 AdS 14.6e1 Axb3 15.Wxb3 d5 16.9a4 gd7 17.4d3 Ac6 18.4g5 Wb719.e3 trfc8 20.Efc1 h5 21.Axf6 gxf6 22.olc5 Axc5 23.Exc5 a6 24.trac1 6e7 25.9f1 Exc5 26.trxc5 f5 27.Wc2 tra7 28.9d3 €s7 2e.Wd1 WbB 3o.Wf3 WdG 31.g4 fxg4 32.Bxg4+ Ago 33.S93 Wxg3+ '34.hxg3 4,e7 35.9f1 €fB 36.€e2 €eB 37.9d2 €d7 38.€c2 €dO 39.*b3 6c6 40.Ec1 4xa5+ 41.*xb4 Ac6+ 42.&a3 Ec7 43.Ehl a5 44.trxh6

ab4 45.4b5 Hc2 46.trh2 &cl 47.*b3 €b6 48.gfl Ed2 49.€c3 trc2+ 50.€b3

Ed2

1/z-1/z

135

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

Topalov,Yeselin Anand,Viswanathan

25.8h7 We5+ 27.&t1 €c6 28.8e8+ gb6 29.9d8+ *c6 30.Ae4+ 1-o

Sofia 2005 (6)

af6 2.c4 eG 3.4f3 b6 4.g3 Aa6 5.b3 ab4+ 6.9d2 ae7 7.6c3 c6 Le4 d5 9.Wc2 dxe4 10.Axe4 Ab7 11.6eg5 c5 12.d5 exdS 13.cxd5 h6 14,a*7 €xf715.0-0-0 gd6 16.4h4 AcB l?.Eel Q\aG l8.treG Ab4 Ig.Axb4 cxb4 2O.Ac,4 b5 21.Axb5 Ae7 22.6'gG 6xd5 23.trxe7+ 6xe7 24.9c4+ *f6 25.6xh8 gd4 26.trd1 wa1+ 27.&d2 Bd++ 28.€e1 Be5+ 29.We2 Wxe2+ 30.€xe2 Afs g1.al7 a5 32.94 Ah4 33.h3 Ea7 34.8d6+ €e7 35.trb6 trc7 36.6e5 6g2 37.6g6+ €d8 38.9f1 gb7 39.Exb7 trxb7 40.€xg2 trd7 41.Afg trd2 42.6e6+ ge7 43.6xg7 trxa2 44.a+5+ €f6 4S.AxhG Ec2 46.9t7 1.d4

trc3 47.t4 a4 48.bxa4 b3 49.g5+ €g7 50.f5 b2 51.f6+ sh7 52.4f5 1-o

Kramnik,Yladimir Aronian,Levon (l+) 1.d4 Af6 2.c4 e63.Afg b6 4.g3 Aa5 5.b3 gb4+ 6.9d2 Ae7 7.Ag2 c6 8.Ac3 d5 9.6e5 atdT 10.6xd7 hxd711.Ad2 0-O 12.0-0 trc8 13.e4 dxe4 14.Q:xe4 b5 15.Ee1 bxc4 16.af1 ab6 17.trb1 ads 18.aa1 Ab4 19.4c5 Axel 20.€xel cxbS 21.flxa6 bxa2 22.Hb2 6:c7 23.trxa2 6xa6 24.Exa6 gd7 25.Wc3 f6 26.Wc5 trf7 27.9c3 gb7 28.9c4 Mexico City Wcb 2007

Bd7 29.Ag2 *h8 30.Axc6 Bb7 31.€g2 h6 32.d5 Bb8 33.dxe6 Ee7 1-O 34.4b4 trec735.e7 TopalorlYeselin Anand,Viswanathan Wiik aan Zee 200/ (8)

Topalov,Veselin Ponomarion Ruslan Sofia 2005 (9)

1.d4 af6 2.c4 e6 3.af3 b6 4.g3 Aa6 5.b3 Ab4+ 6.9d2 Ae7 7.4c3 0-0 8.Ecl c6 9.e4 d5 10.e5 6e4 11.9d3 6xc3 12.Exc3 c5 13.dxc5 bxcS 14.h4 h6 15.gb1 f5 16.exf6 €xf6 17.8c2 d4 18.6g5 hxgS 19.hxg5 dxc3 2}.gt4 €f7 21.Wg6+ €e7 22.gxf6+ Exf6 23.Wxg7+ trt7 24.ag5+ gd6 25.Efxf7 wxg5

136

1.d4 AfG 2.c4 e63.Af3 b6 4.g3 Aa6 5.b3 Ab4+ 6.4d2 Ae7 7.Ag2 cG

8.Ac3 d5 9.6e5 6ltd7

10.Axd7

Axd711.Ad2 O-0 12.0-0 6fG 13.e4 dxe414.a46d5 15.cxd5 g$1 16.d0 Axg2 17.dxe7 WxeT 18.€xg2 f5 19.b4 gd7 20.Efe2 Wds 21.t9 exf3+ z2.a]rtg h6 23.Ee1 trfe8 24.wc2 trad8 25.ad2 gd7 26.&t2 trc8 27.9148d5 28.tre5Wd7 29.h4

tra8 30.gd2 trac8 31.9c4 €h7 32.4c3 WdG 33.6e1 b5 34.Wc5 gd8

35.4d3

1-o

The practical advantage of not yet de-

fining the pawn structure is that the position will be more complex strategically, which usually allows a stronger player to dominate. From a strictly technical point of view; the doubled pawns on the c-file favour Black in the event of an endgame. However, there is the disadvantage of almost always having to part with the dark-squared bishop, and more than a few games have been de-

Enag€*:

rtr trtr garff ** sx

cided by violent middlegame attacks by

White. A A A-A'

A A A A AA

ffi gg

The celebrated 1938

;'\.

Botvinnik-

Capablanca game immediately comes to

?1

Affitr

mind. It was indeed dark-square play that was the key factor in White's brilliant victory:

After 1 .d2-d4 Ag8-f6 2.c2-c4

:.Abt-c:.

e7

-e6

of the e4-square by playing. :...4f8-b+ instead of physically occupying the centre with 3...d5, as occurs in the Black can contest control

t*t {& $r rg ffr** 'l- l -t{ --':' |J

::::::-::::

Queen's Gambit Declined. The Nimzo-Indian is one of the most instructive defences in that it illustrates

i€

:t* I

*;-

ru\* *t'*

more than most lines the eternal struggle of bishop against knight, and the contrast between the dynamic and static elements in a position. Nimzowitsch played it for the first time in l9l4 (the very same year in which he introduced the Queen's indian to the world!). In fact, the move had been played a couple of times 'by chance' in the previous century. The original quality of this defence lies in the fact that the ...d7-d5 advance is postponed, or

omitted entirely, in favour of dark-square strategy

...d5l...e5.

a

with ...d6l...c5 or

'i:

-> <::

'u\ '5-

3:*

'- -:--- /\/1 -:?ai 7\:

** 30. Ac1-a3!! We7xa3 31. Ag3-h5+ g6xh5 32. We5-95+ Etc.

We wiII counterbalance the negative impression given by this last game, with a notable example of Black's strategy triumphing. The game is from the mythical World Championship encounter of 1972 between Boris Spassky and Bobby Fischer. 137

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

thus it cannot be bad per se. Its defect is that by nature it is a prophylactic move that lacks ambition, and Black equalises

without effort.

4. Needless

to

b7-b6 say, Black can play almost

anything here, but this move is the one that is most in keeping with the spirit of the defence.

5.

t2-t3l?

With an already inferior position (pas-

Contesting the e4-square. S.6f3 causes

sive bishops, compromised pawn struc-

no problems for Black after 5...4b7 6.a3 Axc3 7.Axc3 Ae4 8.8c2 0-0 9.e3 d6 l0.gd3 fs.

ture) Spassky played 27. Wd3-c2? And Fischer forced his immediate resignation with

27....

Ad7xa4!

On 28.Wxa4 Wxe4 wins. As usual, we see positive and negative aspects side by side in the same opening, and it is for the individual player

to decide which are more important within the context of their personal taste and style.

Whitet principal rephes (a.Af3, 4.a3, 4.f3, 4.Wc2 and 4.e3, all of which merit individual attention) we will look at some minor lines of inreresr (4.4d2, 4.9b3, 4.g3 and a.Ag5). A few 'free thinkers' have given 4.e4? a try, but after 4...4xe4 5.Wga Axc3 6.a3 (5.Wxg7? Wfe t, and Black emerges with an extra piece) 6...9e7 7.bxc3 Afe, wnite has reBefore looking at

ceived zero compensation for the pawn.

D

4.

Ac1-d2 This line does not even rate a mention in some books. However. it is a natural move (indeed, a beginner's favourite) that has a certain logic (unpin the knight and avoid doubled pawns), and 138

Ab4xc3 5...d5?? is reckless because of 6.Wa4+. 6. Ad2xc3 d7-d5 c.

7. e2-e3 ic8-a6 8. Wd1-a4+ gd8-d7

With equality.

B) 4. gd1-b3 The Spielmanl Variation was very popular in the early days of the Nimzo-Indian (what could be more natural than avoiding doubled pawns and at the same time attacking the bishop?). Its popularity quickly waned after the discovery of,

4.

c7-c5! 'lhking advantage of the fact that the d4 pawn is now unprotected.

5. d4xc5 6b8-c6 Theory declares that Black is doing well; he can recuperate the c5 pawn when he wants and the queen on b3 is more exposed than in analogous variations with 4.Wc2. The odd thing is that White's statistical performance is more than acceptable.

6. 6.Ag5l?.

Ag1-f3

Nimzo-Indicn

5. Af1-g2

6f6-e4!?

6.

6...4xc5 is simpler.

7. Ac1-d2 8. Af3xd2

0-0

It is somewhat early to capture on c4; the check on a4 would win a piece as after ...6c6, White can reply with Axc5+.

Q:e4xd2

t7-I't?

6. Agl-f3 E

E

:gl: €

tr A I lr -it

ip:

l

2\l 6 JL A ** t\l '-- ue € a\:

aii..\

A.A

aa5 '*i:::

,rli: 14

F?

\.

ia-,:

*:f

:.,::

*:a

*

n

,c-t

^'--:;-:

$A$rff

A ?I: A.5. .;

.fi6 F&

..... - it

stops

'-

Ab4xc5 0-0 White has developed more harmoniously; Black has the two bishops. Now after 11.0-0 or 11.0-0-0, the game is

Af1-e2

dynamically balanced.

t4)

n.,ttt4) ts

7...c5 8.dxc5 ! has scored well for White.

8.

Ac1-95

Recendy the most played move. h7-h6 8.

C) 4. s2-sg

9. Ag5xf6

In the past, this line was named after Alekhine: now it is known as the Romanishin Yariation. The Ukrainian a marked preference for set-ups in which a kingside fianchetto is teamed with a knight on c3, as seen in

10. 11. 12. 13.

GM has

the lines he plays against the Semi-Slav or the Catalan.

4.

ETA ,i\ -.'

x:

Aa A AAA B gsi tr

9. e2-e3 10.

6b8-c6!

E$E*. €e$ ar ffirt-:r

.:ii::.i

The most combative option Q:e4.

knight on c3. 7. 0-0

ra:.i.:a

..:it al;

i*r ::::

d5xc4!

And now we see the point: it will not be easy to win back the pawn with the

E

aaa

Defence

d7-d5

4...c5 is more thematic, but after 5.4f3 you transpose to the Kasparov Yariation, which is discussed further ahead. It may not seem to be in the spirit of the defence to push the d-pawn, yet this has

the advantage of producing a type of Catalan in which White has developed his knight to c3 a little prematurely.

tral-cl e2-e3

Wd1-e2

Af3-d2

gd8xf6 trf8-d8 Wf6-e7

Ac6-a5 Ac8-d7

With an evenly balanced game.

D)

4.

Ac1-g5

The historical Leningrad Variation (St Petersburg's former name is attached to

variations in different openings - see the French and the Dutch - , giving you an idea of the intense activity in the city during the Soviet period!). This aggressive white line has some pretty impressive admirers (Spassky, Timman, Bareev), but

it

has never enjoyed great

popularity. 139

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume

3

The bishop move is very natural White responds to the pin with a pin of his own. Compared to the variations with Ag5 that we have already seen in the Queen's Indian, White has the advantage of being able to develop his kingside in a more elastic way (for example, with f3le4 or with Ae2). Nevertheless, the impression remains that a.Ags is slightly premature. Black can (and must) react with vigour (the queenside fianchetto is too slow here), and therefore the most appropriate

move is the pawn push to c5, with or

without

an intermediate h6.

4.

h7-h6

There are some who prefer not to play this move and to push ...c5 straight away, producing similar lines whose differences are usually irrelevant. However, it is generally considered to be advantageous to kick the bishop to h4 so that it can no longer return to support the queenside. The following variation is one of the few lines in which it pays to omit the move +...h6.

Axc3* 6.bxc3 d6 7.e3 We7 8.9d3 6Uaz q.Aez (e.af3t) 9...exd5

4...c5 5.d5

10.cxdS We5!

5. Ag5-h4 6. d4-d5

c7-c5

EAAg&i:,, E, t'1.'' l:.1.1,1, .,,.':t

,..,1fi ili

t'? 'l A.,.'::: r...

€

g '.:' 1,,,,, a =:..,' A

= AA AAAA E W€A E :]".

Now Black can choose from two principal alternatives. Note that 6...exd5 7.cxd5 d6 8.e3 looks good for White, whereas the following imaginative queen sacrifice is completely unplayable 6...6xd5?!? 7.Axd8 Axc3 S.Wb:

o,e4+ 9.€d1 Axf2+ 10.€c2 €xd8 1 1.8g3 Axhl 12.Wxg7, with a decisive advantage for White.

Dl) 6. b7-b5 This move has the reputation of being dubious, but

if

the Blumenfeld is possible then so must this gambit. Indeed,

here the pawn sacrifice seems to be even more positionally justified. 7. e2-e4l? This idea of Estrin, soon adopted by the young Portisch, does not refute the line, but it does give Black a position that he

will not enjoy playing. Accepting

the T.dxe6 fxe6 8.cxb5 d5 9.e3

pawn with 0-0 gives Black evident compensation: whether it is objectively sufff.cient or not is unclear, but in practice Black's results are satisfactory.

The queen attacks both d5 and the bishop on g5, and after White's forced exchange, Black has

r+0

a

nice game.

7, 8. Ah4-93 e. wd1-f3

97-95

6f6xe4

Nimzo-Indion The move 9.9e5 (played by Estrin in his game against Levenfish, Baku 1951) is also worth a look.

9.

f7-t5 9...exdS 10.0-0-01 Axc3 11.Exd5 is good for White. 10. gf3-h5+ €e8-e7

EAAS

l

r&

E .,

ll

llA rlw AA ,\ A q)g

This refined move has replaced the old 8...e5, which is still of course perfectly playable: 9.f3! (the best plan) 9...abd7 10.4d3 WeZ 1l.gbl!? 95 12.Ag3 hs

t3.h4 94 14.6e2 €d8! 15.€d2 €cz

(three consecutive king moves with almost all the pieces on the board is a rare sight!) 16.a4. White has the initiarive, but Black's position is solid. The queen

move 8...8fe7!, with the option of advancing ...e6-e5 or taking on d5, prevents Black playing the f3 line.

9. gfl-d3

AAA

tr

erAA tr

Another advantage of putting off the ...e5 advance is that after l0.Ae2, the move 10...4e5 ! is good.

10.... With a position that is truly difficult to

Now

11.

11.e4

d7-d6

Or the immediate 6...4xc3+.

7.

e2-e3 After 7.f3 exd5! we have a typical Benoni pawn sfiucture that is favour-

and the closed centre favours Black, who has a better pawn structure and a good bishop. g7-95 11. ,.. 12. €e8-d8!

Ah4-s3

Al{

A

tr

AN aJ 2l

AAA

,,g€aatr

ae+. E ll rAE I la+ IAI IV eE

7.

EAA gll E E lr' L^a I LEl AA

af3-d2

af8!,

able for Black.

9b4xc3+ The attempt to preserve the bishop with 7...We7 ? is interesting: S.AeZ 6bd7 9.a3 Aa5, with a complex position. 8. b2xc3 gd8-e7!

e6-e5

yes.

evaluate.

DD 6.

ab8-d7

10.6s1-f3

,|\

AA

Defence

l

[::.,:;:"

AAAA AEII A

tr

E

A AAA ..gg ,..-.E

A typical manoeuvre: it is not on the cards to castle kingside, and Black has an optimum refuge for his king on cZ. Once his monarch is safe, he will begin

to push the h- and g-pawns in order to create a good kingside initiative. Obvi141

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

ously White has opportunities on the b-file (Black must avoid advancing his pawrr to b6 so as to prevent White from

opening the a-file with a4-a5).In addition, the dark-squared bishop on 93 can suddenly spring to life if White succeeds in making adequate preparations for an f2-f4 push. To sum up, a strategically rich position that provides both sides with winning

Maalot-Tarshiha 2008 i6)

1.d4

af6 2.cA eG s.Acl Ab4 a.Ags

8.4d3 WaS 9.6e2 6xd5 10.0-0 Axc3 11.bxc3 c4 12.4c2 O-O

Stahlberg,Gideon Alekhine,Alexander Hamburg olympiad 1930 (3)

1.d4 af6 2.c4 e6 3.4c3 Ab4 4.9b3 c5 5.dxc5 6c6 6.hf3 o,e4 7.9d2 4xc5 8.Wc2 f5 9.a3 Axc3 10.Axc3 0-0 11.b4 Ae4 12.e3 b6 13.Adg 6xc3 14.Wxc3 Ab7 15.0-0 Ae7 16.Ae2 WeB 17.trfd1 gdg 18.a4 t4 19.a5 fxe3 20.Wxe3 6f5 21.Wc3 d6 22.axb6 axb6 23.ael e5 24.Eal

6d4 25.We3 Ed726.Ea2 HdtT 27.f9

Ef4 28.4d3 ghs 29.4f1

trxf3

WgS o-1

Potapov,Alexander

Kholmov,Ratmir Olomouc 2005 (1)

1.d4 Af6 2.4 eG 3.4c3 Aba 4.g3 d5 5.Ag2 0-0 6.Afg c5 7.cxd5 cxd4 8.6xd4 6xd5 9.Ad2 Axc3 10.bxc3 AcS 11.0-0 Axd4 12.cxd4 Wxd4 13.Wc2 6cG 14.Efdl e5 15.4e4 Ae6 16.trab1 trac8 17.4e3 Wc4 18.Axh7+ €h8 19.trxb7f5 20.Wxc4 Axc4 21.Edd7 Aa6 22.trxg7 AxbT 23.Exb7 ad4 24.&t1 a6 25.9h6 trbB 26.tre7 EfdS 27.e3 6c6 28.trc7 trbc8 29.Exc8 trxc8 30.gxf5 gbg 1+2

Moiseenko,Alexander Khenkin,Igor

c5 5.d5 d6 6.e3 exdS 7.cxd5 abdT

chances.

30.trf2 h6 31.€h1

6b4 33.a3 6a2 34.Ag5 €g7 35.4d3 a5 36.h4 Ac3 37.4f5 Abs 38.h5 6xa3 39.h6+ gf7 4O.gdB EbB 41.Axa5 ?lc4 42.9c78h8 43.95 1-o 31.94 Hb2 32.4e4

13.ah4 aes 14.wd4 wc5 15.Efd1 6d3 16.9.xd3 cxd3 17.trxd3 Sxd4 18.Exd4 Ae6 19.e4 AbG 20.Exd6 EacS 21.f3 olc422,trd4 6a3 23.Ecl trfe8 24.8a4 6,c4 2S.HxaT bo 26.ad4 traB 27.trc7 EecS 28.Axe6 fxe6 29.Exc8+ Excg 3O.Eb1 traB 31.Eb4 b5 32.Exb5 trxa2 33.trb1

trc2 34.4e1 6e3 35.4f2

Exc3

36.h4 h6 37.h5 Ed3 38.8b8+ gf7 39.9b7+ €fB 40.8c7 Ebg 41.9h2 ajl1+ 42.&h3 Ebs 43.€h4 Ad2 44.4e1 6b3 45.Ac3 e5 46.f4 6d4 47.Axd4 exd4 48.Ed7 E;b2 49.g3 trd2 50.€g4 d3 51.9f5 trh2 52.€e6 €gB 53.Exd3 trxh5 54.e5 Eh3 55.€e7 h5 56.e6 h4 57.8d8+ gh7 58.gxh4 €96 59.Ed5 Exh4 60.f5+ €h7 61.€dZ Ha4 62.e7 Ea7+

63.€eG

1-o

Spassky,Boris

Tal,Mikhail Tallinn 1973 (13)

Af6 2.c4 eG 3.6c3 9ba 4.495 h6 5.8h4 c5 6.d5 b5 7.dxe6 fxe6 8.cxb5 d5 9.e3 0-0 10.6f3 WaS 11.gxf6 ExfG 12.Sd2 a6 13.bxa6 4c6 14.Ae2 d4 15.exd4 gxfS 1.d4

Nimzo-India n

16.gxf3 cxd4 17.0-0 dxc3 18.bxc3

Axc3 l9.Wd6 Exa6 20.€xc6 Ab4 21.gbg trxc6 22.tracl AcS 23.Ec2 Wa4 24.9b3 Wf4 25.W93 gfs 26.Efcl Ab7 27.9f3 Sg5 28.gbg trc7 29.93 Axf2+ 30.*xf2 Bfe+ 31.€el WeS+ 32.sf1 Aa6+ 33.€91 Wd4+ 34.€g2 We4+ 35.€g1 Ab7 36.h4 wh1+ 37.*f2 trf7+ 38.9e2 Se4+ 0-1 Spassky,Boris

Smyslov,Vasily Bucharest 1953

(l)

af6 2.c4 e6 3.6c3 Aba a.995 h6 5*Ah4 c5 6.d5 dG 7.e3 exd5 8.cxd5 AbdT 9.4b5 0-0 1O.4e2 6e5 11.0-0 4g6 12.4g3 Ahs 1.d4

13.9d3 4xg314.hxg3 he5 15.4e2 Axc3 16.bxc3 gh4 17.t4 6tg4 18.Axg4 Axg4 19.Wa4t Ac8 2O.e4 Wga 21.8c2h522.trt2 b5 23.e5 h4 24.6t1 Afs 25.9d2 dxeS 26.fxe5 Ag6 27.tre1 h3 28.d6 Ae4 29.6e3 WeG 3O.Ef4 Axg2 31.4f5 EfeS 32.8e3! trad8 33.6xg7! trxd6 34.Axe6! 1-O

Li Shilong Balogh,Csaba Moscow 200i (5) 1.d4 AfG 2.c4 eG 3.6c3 9b4 4.9g5 hG 5.gh4 c5 6.d5 d6 7.e3 €xc3+ 8.bxc3 We7 9.9d3 4irbd710.4f3 e5

11.6d2 g5 12.4g3 e4 13.4c2 6f8 14.9b1 4f515.f3 exf3 16.0-O Axc2

Ahs 18.AxdG WxdG 19.we4+ Be7 20.Bxf3 6g7 t7.Wxc2

21.Eab1 4ld7 22.Hxb7 O-O 23.d0 Be6 24.Wd5 Ab6 25.Wxc5 EacS 26.9d4 afs 27.trxf5 wxfs 28.ale4 Exc4 29.6f6+ €h8 o-1

Kasparov Variation

4.6t3

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. 6b1-c3 4. 6g1-f3 E

Ag8-f6 e7-e6

gf8-b4

aAgrg?

lI'l'l.r,

Def ence

|||

E

la

..-.r.rt:,..

AAA

&OO

,4\

AAAAAA

ACI

,,"\

wl_)

AAAA

tr Ag€A

tr

We have already discussed this move when we discussed possible transpositions from the Bogo-Indian. Some authors have dubbed this line the Flexible Yariation as the knight can be developed in several ways; however, it is much more frequently referred to

the

as

Kasparov Variation. Rightly so too, given that the boy from Baku repeatedly played it in the 1980's in his classic encounters with Karpov. As a result, this obscure variation became the third most common way of meeting the Nimzo-Indian for a period of time, and it is still popular today. Depending on Black's reply this knight move has the advantage of allowing the option of developing the bishop to 95.

Here is a concrete example: Let's say that White is a devotee of the Rubinstein Yariation 4.e3, but does not relish the prospect of meeting the

Hiibner Yariation (a...c5

and

6...4xc3+). If he plays 4.af3, he can wait for Black to play 4...0-0 or 4...d5, t+3

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume

3

and only then play 5.e3. If instead, Black persists with 4...c5, White can play the insidious 5.g3, which we will examine soon. However. the downside is that it is impossible for White to play the very fashionable Rubinstein lines with Age2. It is only natural that there is some type of drawback to this and every other line - an opening that offers everything is yet to be invented.

prematurely, but White can no longer play f3 or Ae2 - it is not clear who stands better.

6.

7. 8.

Ag5-h4 e3xd4

h7-h6 c5xd4 Wd8-a5

highlight the chameleon nature of the variation we will list the possible

Tio

transpositions:

4...d7-d5 - Queen's Gambit with 4...4b4. 4...b7-b6 5.4c1-g5 - Queen's Indian with4.6c3. 4...b7-b6 5.e2-e3 - Nimzo-Indian: Fischer / Nimzowitsch Yariation.

4...c7-cS 5.e2-e3

-

Nimzo-Indian:

Rubinstein Variation.

4...0-0 5.9d1-c2

-

Nimzo-Indian:

Capablanca Variation.

+...Abs-ce 5.9d1-c2

-

Nimzo-In-

dian: Capablanca (Zurich Variation).

4...6b8-c6 5.e2-e3

-

Nimzo-Indian:

Rubinstein (Taimanov Yariation)

.

Now after 9.Wc2 6e4 10.Ec1, or the enterprising gambit 9.4d3!? Axc3+ 10.bxc3 9xc3+ 11.€f1. we have unclear positions.

B) 4.

d7-d6!?

A move in tune with the spirit of the opening - anticipating his concession of the bishop, Black places his pawns on dark squares; in addition, delaying castling makes 5.4g5 less terrible.

5.

Wdl-c2

As you can see, there are not many lines

Obviously White has other valid alter-

that do not transpose! Here are the varithe ations that strictly belong

natives, but it seems a reasonable idea to avoid doubled pawns. Also here we have

Kasparov Yariation:

wound up at another destination (the Capablanca Variation) ! A possible con-

A) 4. 0-0 Slightly provocative: Black castles without concern for the pin.

tinuation is:

to

5. Ac1-g5!

c7-c5l

An energetic reply is of the essence.

6.

e2-eg

!? transposes to a Leningrad Variation in which Black has castled 6.d5

14+

5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

,ab8-d7 s2-s3 b7-b6 Af1-g2 Ac8-b7 O-0 Ab4xc3!? €9c2xc3 a7-as White has the bishop pair, but Black will not be concerned about this as the

Nimzo-Indio n Delence

EAAS Eg

position is sufficiently closed for the

tl.f

bishops to be less effective.

C) 4. 5.

92-93

a

I AAA AUU

ANAAA Ail

A

l,lll

At5

A

:;;,,:t;:; ,iA

A

AAA

trag€tr

ra ','

1I

L','

EAA ',,:;;r,..,

EA-€,9&',.''E .t.',,,,

la

:

c7-c5

lr

,..,.,,.a,11

Now White has to decide whether to defend his pawn, exchange it off or

A

tr Ag€A tr It could be argued that also this position

leave it to its fate.

cl) 8. 0-0 A

controversial gambit, but one that well. 8. d5xc4

scores

to the +.93 Variation (Romanishin); however, it is most com9. gdl-a4! 6b8-a6! monly reached by means of the se- 9...Wxd4 lO.Wxb4 6a6 1l.Ba3 gives quence that we are discussing here. White an advantage. 5. c5xd4 10. ad4-bs! af6-d5! With this capture, Black has an extra 11. trfl-d1 belongs

centre pawn, but the white knight becomes active.

There are other playable options: 5...4e4 6.9d3 Wa5 7.Wxe4 Axc3+ S.Ad2 Axd2+ 9.Axd2 6c6 10.dxc5, and White is a little better; or 5...Oc5 6.992 Was (6...Aeal?) 7.0-01? Axc3 8.bxc3 Wxc3 9.Afa. with an unclear position.

6. 6f3xd4 0-O After 6...6e4 7.E9d3 Axc3+

E':',AB ,,S-@ ',..'lll If Jh 1,, {\,,.' 6 '. gEr |1\A t4)

,'1

al

AA AAgA g

tr

AE,.,.,.

Withunclearcompensation.

(7...Was!? 8.4b3!) 8.bxc3 6c5, it is not easy to say which is more signifi- CD 8. gd1-b3 cant: the weak dark squares or the dou- It would appear to be only natural to bled white pawns. defend the pawn being attacked by the 7. Af1-92 d7-d5 bishop, but Black has nice central An important position. Black's attack on counterplay. c4 gives him counterplay, and if White 8. Ab4xc3+ takesond5,thepressurewillshifttoc3. 9. Wb3xc3 145

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume

9.bxc3 6c6t 10.cxd5 Aa5

3

11.WcZ

forWhite. 9. e6-e5! 10. ad4-b3 Ab8-c6! The move 10...d4 is possible, but Black will have some problems after 1 1.Wa5!. 11, Ac1-g5l 1 1.cxdS opens the position to the benefit of the bishop pair, but the advantage of Black's superior development after 1 1...4xd5 seems to be more significant. 11. ... d5xc4! 12. Wc3xc4 Ac8-e6 13. Wc4-h4 Ae6xb3 '14. a2xb3 Ac6-d4 Axd5.

has not done so well

ll .,).

..

A

A

A

\4/

I+6

13. 14.

b2xc3 Efl-dl

9b4xc3 Ac8-a6 Wa5-c5

Eg

I . lll Ell gA SryA

H ,lJ

A

ArfrAAAA A EAAgA F? F? .fi It will be hard for White to creare a position that will allow the two bishops to show their clout.

Af6xd5

A

AA F?A HE

12....

AAA

AEg Eg l, l l,l I

EA

b7xc6 Wd8-a5

12.9c1-d2

E

The position is difffcult to assess - Black has some immediate threats and a nice ourpost for the knight; White has his powerful bishop pair in an open position.

C3) 8. c4xd5 e. gd1-b3

Ad4xc6 0-0

Threatening 13.Axd5 Axd2 14.4e7+.

2l

A

,.,'.,t'.'WA AA

10. 11.

IA g a

A

E

q)c5.

Eg rtl a

ur

Ir

B

9.4d2 Axc3l l0.bxc3 e5l I l.Ab5 Ace 12.0-0 Ae6, with balanced play. 9. Ab8-c6 After 9...Wb6 l0.Axd5! exd5 11.4e3, White gives the impression of having a slight advantage. On the other hand, 9 ...6a61? looks more promising: 10.0-0 Axc3 I 1.bxc3 AeZ 12.trd1

KasparoRGarry Karpov,Anatoly Moscow Wch-match 1985

(i)

1.d4 af6 2.c4 eG 3.4c3 Ab4 4.4f3 c5 5.93 ae4 6.9d3 Wa5, 7.Bxe4 axc3+ 8.4d2 axd2+ 9.6xd2 wb6

il.trbl Bc312.Wd3 Bxd3 13.exd3 Aa6 14.d4 trb8 10.dxc5 Sxb2

.. ',2 *: AAAA AAHA .+\ Fl WH

15.4g2 €e? 16.€e2 trdg 'l7,Qse4 18.4d5 , €lcl 19.trb4 Ae8 20.6xe8 €xe8 21.trhbl Aa6

b6

Nimzo-Indic n

22.&e3 d5 23.cxd6 trbc8 24.€d3 ExdG 25.8a4 b5 26.cxb5 trbg 27.trab4 Ab7 28.Axb7 trxb7 29.a4 €e7 30.h4 hG 31.f3 EdS 32.8c1 tsbd7 33.a5 g5 34.hxg5 Exg5 35.94 h5 36.bG axb6 37.axb6 trb7 38.trc5 39.gxh5 trxhS 40.€c4 EhB

f5

41.€b5

tra942.trbc4

1-o

Def.ence

47.e5 sd7 48.€c5 9aG 49.9f8 96 50.€b4 €c6 51.e6 9c8 52.e7 €d7 53.€c5 9a6 54.sd5 g4 55.c5

ab7+ 56.*e5 g5 57.9f5 gf3

58.€xg5 €e8 59.Sf4 Ae2 60.€e5

€d761.c6+

1-o

Kramnik,Vladimir Anand,Viswanathan

Moiseenl
Bacrot,Etienne Grischuk,Alexander Poikovsky 2005 (l) 1.d4 at6 2.c4 e6 3.4c3 gb4 4.Afg c5 5.g3 0-0 6.A92 cxd4 7.6xd4 d5 8.cxd5 6xd5 g.gbg WaS 10.4d2 6c6 11.Axc6 bxc6 12.0-0 9xc3 13.bxe3 Aa6 14.Efd1 WcS 15.e4 Ac4 16.Wa4 ab6 17.9b4 ghs 1e.gf4 c5 19.Wb2 e5 20.4e3 EfcB 21.f3 WgG 22.a4 a5 23.4h3 Ae6 24Wxb6 Axh3 25.Wxg6 fxg6 26.&t2 AeG 27.trab1 trab8 28.trxb8 ExbS 29.Axc5 €f7 30.4d6 gb2+ 31.€e3 €f6 32.9c7 9c4 33.8d6+ €e7 34.trd2 trxd2 35.€xd2 €e6 36.f4 exf4 37.gxf4 9b3 38.9xa5 Axa4 39.€e3 9b5 40.9b6 Aa6 41.4d4 &tT 42.9e5 gb743.gd4 hG 44.eA g5 45.fxg5 hxgS 46.4d6 €e6

Bonn Wch-match 2008 (10)

1.d4 at6 2.c4 eG 3.6c3 gb4 4.4f3 c5 5.g3 cxd4 6.6xd4 0-0 7.992 d5 8.cxd5 6xd5 9.Wb3 Wa5 10.9d2 6c6 11.6xc6 bxc6 12.0-0 Axc3 13.bxc3 Aa6 14.trfd1 BcS 15.e4 gc4 16.Wa4 ab6 17.9b4 Whs 18.8e1 c5 19.8a5 EfcS 20.Ae3 9e2 21.At4 e5 22.4e3 Ag4 23.Wa6 tG 24.a4 Wf7 25.9f1 Ae6 26.Eab1 c4 27.a5 4a4 28.trb7 Be8

29.9d6

1-o

Sdmisch Variation

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. Ab1-c3 4. a2-a3 -

6s8-f6 e7-e6

Af8-b4

hAg&''"''"'

Ill,',,,,,IlI t .t-, .,r',,,'

l't"'t

l h,

t',,

a.

Ari

'

".

A,

,,.,1.,',,,i', ,,,,r,,

.,.,:,.,'

,.1.

a A lA,' ''],,,.': u,

*

'l]',..'l]

il..-].]

U,^,U,,A,

Ag

This line is important,

.Aetr as

4.a2-a3 is to

certain extent the critical move

in 147

a

the

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

Nimzo-Indian. White puts the question to the bishop and calls Black's bluff; in addition, he keeps the diagonal open for the cl bishop with the future option of playing his f-pawn to f3. It is as if he were sayilg to Black: OK pal, let's see if you can stop me on the dark squares. Experience has shown that Black does have in fact the resources to do this. However, the resulting games are double-edged and they appeal to aggressive

take to think of opening theory as a tidy

series

of neat compartments;

ence with other lines helps us to play our own openings better. It is also important to note that while the overall performance of the Simisch

is nothing to write home about, the draw rate is one of the lowest in the whole Nimzo-Indian, which is a definite selling point for some.

This line was relatively popular at the end of the 1920's (even though it never threatened the supremacy of 4.e3 or a.Bc2), following Friedrich Simisch's successes with it: he beat no less than

Gninfeld, R6ti and Capablanca (to be fair, we should point out that in a moment of distraction Capablanca lost a piece on the tenth move!). In the 1950's, it was often played by Kotov, Bronstein and Geller, all of whom obtained good results with it. In the 1960's. Botvinnik used the Simisch more than once in his two matches with Tal.In fact, Botvinnik often played an interesting version of a Simisch deferred with 4.e3 and 6.a3. but we will discuss this line further on. At the beginning of the 1970's effective defensive measures were discovered and interest in the Simisch has declined to such an extent that its sister variation 4.f3 is much more frequently played. stressing that anyone wishing to deepen their knowledge of either of these two lines (4.a3 or 4.f3) would be wise to study both of them, given

It is worth

their conceptual similarities and

the

frequent mutual transpositions that occur. Another reminder that it is a mis-

t48

Ab4xc3+

4.

5.

players.

experi-

b2xc3 ::if,i

Eggixii,

.iGl':i':::

lr I

',4=1 ,,..,.

A

*

E.'

,i.i.. ',.,-;

',..il,, a.'t.ir i',i.'.'

g

i:::.A A-"A F?

l=l

aa tr

After this exchange White's centre has been weakened... or reinforced, depending on how you look at it. To be precise, White's centre is in effect more compact and the d4 pawn is supported by its colleague on c3, which means that White can advance e2-e4 uncon-

cerned about Black's pawn push ...c7-c5. It is the c4 pawn that is weak, and it will be become Black's chief target. Often this pawn is eventually captured, but in the meantime, White's initiative on the kingside begins to take on

worrying proportions! Black has five playable replies, remembering that 5...d5 is a mistake on principle. It is not very logical to allow White to free himself of his doubled pawns without getting anything in re-

Nimzo-Indian turn. After 6.cxd5 exdS 6.e3!. followed by Ad: and Ae2, White's initiative is dangerous-looking.

A)

6f6-e4!?

5.

Not often played, despite the fact that it has an optimum performance and there is little theory to study. Thl used it four times in his match with Botvinnik in 1960 (+ draws). Black cannot capture on c3 as after Wc2 he would lose the knight: the idea is to now play ...f/-f5, knowing that 6.f3 is not playable at the

Defence

B)

5. d7-d6 As always in the Nimzo-Indian, ...d6 is a strategically exemplary move, even if sometimes a little unadventurous.

6.

t2-t3 This is logical, given that Black has done nothing to stop it. The more cautious 6.e3 c5 7.4d3 Ac6 transposes to Variation

D.

6.

6t6-d7t?

moment because of the check on h4.

6. e2-e3 6.4h3 is interesting. The plan is to play f2-f3: 6...c5 7.Wc2 gasl S.Ab2 f5 9.f3 Ad6 10.e3, and the position is compli-

cated.

6. 7. Wd1-c2

t7-t5 b7-b6

Ege * Lt € rr* I * **r L73 E

:J*

*;..

=: =*= A *=

=A g€ ==g*=

3:=

;{

,uU }( ->
an, E ?J.

8. afl-d3 After 8.f3

9tr++

9.g3

6xg3 l}.Wn f+

- with the intention to play ...4f5 Biack does not have any problems.

8.

9. 6g1-e2 1O.6e2-t4

Ac8-b7 Wd8-s5!? Wg5-ha g7-95

11. 0-0 This line is so sharp, either side could

win.

A promising plan. Black

prevents the pin on 95, avoids castling too early and prepares for the typical development

plan of Ac6, b6, Aa6, 6a5 in order to gang up on the c4 pawn.

7. e2-e4 8. af1-d3 9. 691-h3 10. Ac1-e3 11. Wdl-e2 12. 0-0

4.:b8-c6

b7-b6 Ac8-a6 Ac6-a5 c7'c5 Ea8-c8

13. tra1-c1 With a difficult-to-judge position. After ... Efc7, the c4 pawn_can no longer be defended, but the f2-f4 advance is the first step in what will be a promising white kingside initiative.

c) 5.

6. t2-t3 7. e2-e4 8. 6g1-h3!?

b7-b6 Ec8-a6 Ab8-c6

t49

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

Otherwise, 8.e5 Ag8, and the knight will relocate to e7. 8. Ac6-a5 9. Wdl-a4 The only way to defend c4. On this square the queen is away from the action, but from here it does stop ...d6. 9. h7-h6 10.

gfl-d3

Axc3+ 7.bxc3), with the aim of avoiding the Htibner Variation.

d7-d6 6'91-e2 In the Siimisch, it is almost always better to develop the knight to e2 instead of f3 as here it would block the 7.

8.

path of the f-pawn.

8.

€

9.

H,

$r rt

eH*€ :ix:

3S

*x

*i:*r, A }L] "A' €*l .fi, a s9J:r )n{ .-.;l i5E .J:--l ::::i-:: ^ ;:*: 'r/\ 'Hll{F

a

.n"

t;i:: :i€

aitJ

H .H

I

:g*:

**

JI 7\F?

A dangerous gambit that Black usually

c7-c5

A logical move. It applies pressure to the centre, fixes the weak c4 pawn, and the pawn is exchanged at some time in the future, the c-file will open.

if

e2-e3

After 6.f3 d5 (here this advance is jusrified by the weak dark-square complex around the white king) you transpose

to the Yariation 4.f3, which we will with in the next section. 6. 6b8-c6 Otherwise,6...b5 Z.gd3 AbZ s.f3 ac6 9.8)e2 trc8!? 10.e4 Aa5 11.e5 Ag8, with unclear play. In fact, the most played move here is 6...0-0, which transposes to Variation E.

af1-d3

position often reached in the Rubinstein (4.e3 c5 s.Ad3 8)c6 6.a3t?

h7-h6

9.

Capturing twice on d4 opens too many diagonals for the dark-squared bishop. 10. 0-0 11. h2-h3!? The usual story: if Black gets through the middlegame unscathed he will have

0-0

:

.!

i

better endgame prospects..

E)

i

i

0-0

5.

,l

ii

deal

A

n\ t]n:

declines.

D) 5.

7.

.l ir:

-iF a$s

:13:

cl

The position is complex, but White's

6.

:iii

*l

s:*

s1

game inspires more confidence.

E

$ t :*:: Affi af *A /\ Jf =:; * gsS* n)

.-:.

-:

& :

AE 6i., t:3ir !Gl: E.:

tr AT

I ffi:** ff

A-25] Z:

e6-e5 e3-e4

E €s r tr**rtr rn *$ *x: a$ x* $5* $ **AffiA$ ggA tr

tt

Effi 3

:!i.,'a*

A-,

!

'6

ro

n

fl E m

fr

fl

150

$ ;

"$

il

fr

Nimzo-Indiqn It could seem risky to castle so early, but it is in fact feasible as long as Black plays correctly afterwards.

El) 6. t2-t3

d7-d5

Also here fZ-f3 justifies ...d7-d5.

7. c4xd5

e6xd5!

In contrast to the analogous position that we will examine in the Yariation 4.R, here 7...6xd5?! allows 8.e4!, with a

distinct advantage.

8. e2-e3

Ac8-f5!

EA g E€ Ill IIr ,',,

.t'r,

c7-c5

As we have already said, in analogous positions 6...d5 7.cxdS exd5 8.4d3! c5 9.6e2 gives White a dangerous central

initiative (look at the previously mentioned Botvinnik-Capablanca game): White calmly prepares to advance his pawn to e4 (usually with f3, Ag3 and Eael), after which Black will have difficulty finding adequate counterplay. 7. Af1-d3 Ab8-c6 8. 6:g1-e2 White defends pawn d4 before pushing e3-e4. 8. b7-b6 8...e5 9.e4!? d6 uansposes to D.

a

l

E2l 6. e2-e3

Defence

9. e3-e4

E

6f6-e8!

.A * A AA..

AA AA

tr aggaatr

:,.':

This position is often reached rria the earlier 4.f3.

9.

hg1-e2 9.g4?!Axg4t.

tl /\AAA/\ /\

aA

l:g '\A

)i\AAA IZIAil.l

g€

E

I r,',i.E

c7-c5

9.

10...6xg4 l1.fxg4 th++ 12.€d2 Ae4 13.trg1, is considered to be good

in 1929, this is a fundamental defensive measure. The move is practically forced as it is necessary to deal with the positional threat of Ag5 followed by f2-f4, and, indeed, in a sample of hundreds of games it is the only move played in this position. From e8, the knight can eventually relocate to d6 and attack

for White.

the c4 pawn.

9 ..

.abd7

17

could be

a

nice idea because

after 10.g4, the move l0...Axg4 stronger than when played after

9 .. .c5

is .

10. g2-g4!

10.493 A96 1 1.4d3 Ac6, with equality.

10....

11.o'e2-t4

Af5-96

ab8-d7

12.9f1-s2l And White has a small but irritating advantage.

Played by Capablanca

0-0

10. 11. f2-t4

Ac8-a6

This pawn's dream is to make it to f6!

11....

t7-t5 151

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

E gAE*.. I ''.','.L tI ala I

16. Ae3-f2 17. h2-h3

E ;':':; Eg lg I E AITJhT I ,: I

AAAA A.JA2l

AA,AAE A

A AA E g tr€ Another important defensive move. Black physically prevents the f-pawn from marching on in the future. It is worth noting that 11...6a5!? is also playable 12.f5 f6 (this move is rruly forced) 13.4f4 exf5 14.exf5 ad6, with an unclear game. After a good number of successes in the 1980's and 90's, the position in the diagram was considered to have been exhaustively analysed and to be good for Black. However, at the beginning of this cen-

tury the Belarussian GM Alexandrov had several victories which demonstrated the hitherto unseen potential of White's position.

12. d4xc5l? Another 'ugly' but practical move thar we associate with the modern approach to the game! 12.exf5!? has also been shown to be playable, whereas both 12.d5?! and 12.e5?! lose a pawn after 12...6a5. In the past, people considered the following to be forced: 12.693 g6 13.4e3. However, Karpov's idea of 13...cxd4 14.cxd4 d5!? 15.cxd5 Axd3 16.Wxd3 fxe4 l7.Wxe4 Wxd5 gives Black a good endgame.

12.... Ac1-e3

13.

14.6e2-93 15. 1,52

Ef1-el

b6xc5 d7-d6 g7-go Wd8-c7

6e8-f6

Arrr:-A A

A AA..AAA

A

5Zl tr gtr€

The position is complex and offers chances to both players. There is no

doubt that c4 is weak, but

the dark-squared bishop could become a

very powerful piece if the position should open up.

Siunisch,Friedrich Capablanca,Jose Raul Carlsbad 1929 (16)

af6 2.c4 eG 3.4c3 Ab4 4.a3 &xc3+ 5.bxc3 dO 6,f3 e5 7.e4 6c6 8.Ae3 bG 9.9d3 Aa6 10.8a4 gb7 11.d5 gd7 12.dxc6 Axc6 13.8c2 0-0-0 14.6e2 WeG 15.4g5 h6 16.Axf6 WxfG 17.0-0 h5 18.f4 gh6 19.trael EheS 20.f5 9e3+ 21.€hl Wc5 22.9c1 f6 23.trf9 ghg 24.9b2 a5 25.trb1 h4 26.ad4 ad7 27.4b3 1.d4

9c6 28.6xa5 SaB 29.4b3

h3 30.g3 gG 31.fxg6 f5 32.Eic2 trhg8 $.ad2 il 34.srt4 trxs6 35.f5 Eg2 35.tr91 EdgS 37.trx92 hxg2+ 38.€gl Wxa3 39.8g3 trxg3 40.hxg3 Aa4 41.Sb1 9xc3 42.atg Ab3 43.€xg2 Axc4 44.9:xc/. Bxc4 45.et2 d5 46.exd5 e4 47.ad2 Wxd5 48.Se2 Wxf5 49.Bxe4 gbs+

Nimzo-Indion

50.€f3 Ba5 51.6c4 Wal

52.94

Variation 4.f3

Bg1+ 54.€h4 Bhz+ 55.sg5 sb8 56.sg6 sa7 57.g5 b5 58.4e5 c5 59.Wd5 Wc2+ 60.€f6 b4 €9f1+ 53.€g3

61.96 b3 62.g7

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. 6b1-c3 4. t2-13

1-O

Botvinnik,Mikhail Tal,Mikhail

E

1.c4 6f6 2.6c3 e6 3.d4 Ab4 4.a3 jsxcS* 5.bxc3 b6 5.f3 9a6 7.e4 d5 8.cxd5 gxfl 9.€xf1 exdS10.995 hG

:,.

11.9a4+ c6 12.4h4 dxe4 13.tre1 g5 14.4f2 We7 15.6e2 b5 16.8c2 9xa3 17.h4 gxh4 18.Axh4 abd7

31.Ad6 bxc3 33.tr1a4

1-0

Alexandrov,Alexey GareerlTimur

Af6

e7-e6

gf8-b4

ltlll

la

,.,tr:r.:.'

::,::,-,

AAA &OU q)a

tr

E

:.'':: ':

A

A

AA

'AW,€46.'E

in the 1930's, this move was to become popu-

Thought up by Bogol;ubow

lar at the end of the 1980's. and it has remained unchanged in fourth place on White's list of preferred moves. Needless to say it had its supporters in the past: notable is its role in Gheorghiu's unexpected victory against Fischer in 1966

Moscow 2007 (8)

Ab4 4.a3 Axc3+ 5.bxc3 bG 6.4g5 h6 7.9h4 g5 8.493 Ae4 9.e3 Ab7 10.4e5 trgB 11.h3 dG 12.4h2 4d713.f3 94 14.fxe4 g3 15.6f3 gxh2 16.Wc2 Be7 17.O-0-0 0-0-0 18.trxh2 trg3 19.4d3 trdg8 20.€b2 gb8 21.trd2 e5 22.tre2 t5 23.6d2 at6 24.di t4 25.411 tr395 26.trt2 ahs 27.ext4 exf4 28.o,d2 trg3 29.4f3 Af6 30.4d4 WeS 31.trh1 Ad7 32.tre1 1.d4

,l'

ANAAA A.-1

19-hg3 O-0-0 20.6xe4 HheS 21,&t2 4xe4+ 22.fxe4 f6 23.8a1

32.4c5+ gbs

'

Ag8-f6

CAESE

,lll '.l,l

Moscow Wch-match 1961 (7)

We7 24.trxa7 Bxe4 25.Bxe4 trxe4 25.tra8+ Ab8 27.4g3 €b7 28.trha1 Ec8 29.tr8a7+ €b6 30.Axb8 b4

Defence

2.eA e6 3.6c3

As in the Simisch Variation, White aims

for an immediate

occupation

of

the

centre without losing a tempo with a2-a3. Due to White's extra tempo, Black cannot ignore White's 'threat' and must respond with energy.

A) 4.

0-0

This appears to be slow, but the idea is that

5.

e2-e4

gf6 33.4f5 6e5 34.gfl Aa6

will

35.€b3 c6 36.hxg3 trxg3 37.Wd2 f3 38.dxc6 €c7 39.c5 Ad3 40.Axd3 Be6+ 41.&b2 txg2 42.s;b5 bxcS

And Black puts his faith in his better development.

43.Bxg2

Af344.gf2

1-0

be met by

5.

6. e4-e5

d7-d5!

af6-d7 153

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume

EAAS E€ "all{\'':'"'l1: I 'i::'EAA a I

AA ,p

A

3

EAES&

7.

AA

A

Fi E

A

6 Strcb 6 &EEy+

6.

a2-a3

Axc3* 9.bxc3

does

not give White anything special

after

9...f6!.

7. 8. b2xc3 9. Ag1-h3

Ab4xc3+ d5xc4

c7-c5

9.

AA

,\ Fi "1)A

d7-d6

The most solid.

7. e2-e4 8. gfl'd3

e6-e5 ab8-d7!

It is best not to castle - an advance of the white g- and h-pawns would quickly produce a crisis for Black.

Not good is 9.Axc4? in aieut of 9...6xe5! 10.dxe|Wh4+.

10.6h3-g5 And the path ahead is not clear for either side. If this line proves to be good for Black, then White will have no choice but to transpose to the Simisch

9. 691-e2

Ad7-fg

We have a snategically complex position; White has a nice space advantage and the two bishops, but it will be the black

knights that are best suited for such a closed position. Black must undermine the centre with ...f/-f5. but first he has to tuck his king away on the queenside.

10. Ad3-c2

wirh 5.a3!?.

B)

ra

IA /\ AA AAAA

Aw€aa tr

7.cxd5 exd5 8.a3

l'i:111

l,ll

1

E

c7-cs 5. d4-d5 Ab4xc3+ Black exchanges on c3 without being pressured to, as the doubled pawns are even uglier with the white pavrn on d5; 4.

this is an idea that we have already seen

in the Leningrad Yariation. 5...b5!? is occasionally played, notwithstanding that after 6.e4! White has had

E Asgfl' ll 1-x rll IA AA AA A..

A a'

traggtr

E

AA off the

good results.

Taimanov's idea for exchanging

5...4h5!? merits consideration (the 6...9h4+), with a complicated

bad bishop. Occasionally, you also

threat is

game after 6.93 or

6. 154

b2xc3

6.4h3.

see

10.h4!? get an outing. It is playable and its objective is to acquire space on the

kingside.

Nimzo-lndia n Defence 10.

...

€e8-d7!

The exclamation mark is for originality.

11. 12.

Ac1-e3 Ea1-b1

€d7-c7 6f8-96

13.0-0 White has a small initiative, but Black's defences are solid; he just needs to be careful and avoid allowing positional sacrifices by the knight on c5 or d4,

which would give new life to

the

Capturing on e5 is not on, and after 8.6f3 exd4. Black has a comfortable game. Now White has a queenside majority and Black must act immediately if he hopes to exploit the temporarily weak dark squares.

8. Ee7-c5! 8...a5 is slow; while 8...6ga alows 9.b4!, which will keep the bishop well away from c5.

9. Ag1-f3

bishop pair.

9.b+? Ad+followed bv 1 0...4xe4.

4.

c)

d7-d5

The most natural way to prevent e4. It is true that generally in the Nimzo-Indian

will

avoid making this pawn adit is important to be flexible. ln this particular case, the desire to take advantage of the weakness on e3 and White's slight backwardaess in development has made it the most popular move. Black

vance. However,

5.

a2-a3

0

-0 , it is uncertain

A

t4) 'A\

l3.Wa4 axb5! 14.Wxa8 Ad+, with ex-

it.

d5xe4

if there is sufe6-e5

A A

An improvement on the old 10.b4 Afz+ t1.€e2 (now White threatens h2-h3) 11...c51! (with the idea of 12...4d4! after 12.h3) 12.ab5 a6l

ficient compensation for the pawn.

7. f3xe4 8. d4-d5

EAT

r\ la8 tr ,aw€a ,E

After 6...c5 7.cxd5 exd5 8.dxc5 d4 .da4

AEg& 'E I l,'l' I l, I E

A

Ab4-e7 c1) 5. In the spirit of Variation A, Black concedes the centre and then attacks

.

10. hc3-a4!

A

A-g.gs& E lll lrl la I AAA AA A A AA trAaw€aatr

9

have an edge after 1 0.h3

4",

E

6. e2-e4

9. Q:f6-g4l? 9...Ag+ is more solid, but White will

cellent compensation for Black.

10. 11.

...

AcS-f2+

€el-e2

This seems to be a game between two beginners: White has put his king on

e2, Black has moved the knight and bishop a total of 5 times only to give check on f2. However, appearances can be deceptive! Now White is threatening to win a Diece with h2-h3. After 155

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

11...4b6?, 12.c5 wins; while both 11...4d4 and 11...4fr+ give White an advantage.

11.

b7-b5!

...

Strange moves keep on coming! 1 1...f5 also saves the piece, but White will have

a plus after 12.h3

Ag3 13.hxg4

fxe4

14.Wc2 exf3+ 15.gxf3.

'12.... 13. h3xg4 14. Eh1-h3 15. Aclxf4 E

E

deal

with it here.

6. c7-c5! Black is wise to immediately strike back

in the centre. Indeed 6...0-0,

12. h2-h3 Black's idea was 12.cxbS

Ab6.

We now have a position that was once considered to be part of the Sirnisch Yariation (+.a3). However, today it is almost always reached by this move sequence, and so it seems more logical to

AaZI t3.Ac3 b5xa4

Af2-93 Ag3-f4 e5xf4

dhage

E

I I '....:.-,I,l I 12.J

\

E

AAg.8' ,lll I rch

ll''

E

I AA

A

.A : I A:.',." AtA /\F7 x A gA ;,r, $,:.., I

although playable, transposes to Variation El of the Simisch. As we have already seen, this line is not so easy for Black. The alternative 6.. .c6 | ?

,'

.L

A A '.,A',. A AA tr gggaatr

FT

is a curiosity from the late 1990's, and

The position is really complex and difIicult to assess. White's centre is good, but his pieces are badly coordinated; both sides have weak pawns.

c2)

Ab4xc3+

s.

6.

b2xc3

E C\-A.g@

, llr

lll la 'l AA A' A',,,,.4A.

E

,AA

E.' AW€AA 156

tr

it

is another startling contribution from the anything is playable school of chess. At

first glance, it seems to be strategically counterproductive to concede the b4 bishop and then put the pa\ ms on light squares. However, it must be taken seriously as many sftong players have adopted the line; more importantly still, it has scored well. Black's plan is to play ...b6 and ...4a6 so as to rid himself of his bad bishop, and if White takes on d5, Black will take back with the c-pawn and White will be saddled \ rith a backward c3 parnm on a semi-open file. For example: 7.Wc2! (7.e+t?) 7...0-0 8.e4 dxe4 9.fxe4 e5! 10.4f3 abd7, and White's advantage is minimal.

Nimzo-Indion Let's return

to 6...c5. White continues

with

7.

c4xd5

Andnow

10.Sc2! (the check on h4 prevents the recaprure 10.fxea?) 10...e3! I 1.4d3 a,al t2.c4 Wa5* 13.9f1 Asfe . with an unclear game.

Af6xd5! is both the most popular and the best scoring reply. Now that the pawn is on

9.

7.

c5. the threat to take on c3 is real. As we have said before (Variation El of the

Simisch), the pawn structure that is created after 7...exd5 gives Black a playable position, but one which inherently tends to favour White.

8.

Defence

e2-e4l

E A&€*

r r trx x:r* g ttffAi* ::

A.

..4,

d4xc5!

Now the capture on c3 - either by the knight or by the queen - gives White an almost decisive advantage, and thus Black must decide which is the best square for the knight.

c21)

e.

10.

gdl-d4!

6d5-c7

10.4e3 e5l? 11.9b3 Ae6 is still considered to be the best. The move is odd-looking, but at the same time highly logical. White abandons the idea of a strong centre, and instead opens nice lines for his Keres's old idea is

dark-squared bishop. Shirov's S.gd3 was briefly popular, but was abandoned

when the effectiveness of 8...b6! was appreciated: 9.e4 Aa6. L Wd8-a5 The capture on c3 is followed by a queen exchange and Abz, with a clear plus for White. On the other hand, 8...f5 is playable. It tries to prevent e2-e4 and to maintain the knight in the centre. Now the most energetic continuarion is 9.e4 (9.4h3!?) 9...fxe4

satisfac-

tory for Black. 10. ... t7-16 11. gd4-b4 Forces an exchange ofqueens. 11. ... Ab8-c6 12. Wb4xa5 6c6xa5 13. Eal-b1 Ac8-d7 14. Ac1-e3

.* x €* I t *rffiE* fi #r* *:t ,fi .rr :E,

E

:

2{:

--,--

,2t

:r-:.

qJl

: ::

-:.:-- 21:":,-

A.. .A.ni: it:a:: EA.I ::ga:

a:* ::::-:.

.::::-;

tr.&

* r

^ t::": / \ ')

(:

affi r57

Chess Opening Essentiols

It is not

clear

if

Black

-

Volume

will

3

manage to

win back the pawa. Whatever happens, Black's position is not going to be easy to play.

c2D

s.

14.

der to attack c5.

Ac1-e3!

0-0

gdl-b3 11.&nl? afd7 12.trb1 (rhe idea is to play trb5 after the capture on c5) 1Z...trds 13.9b3 Wcz l4.Ed1 trf8l (so as to take on c5), Black maintains the balance.

11.

a4-a5l 15. Ag1-h3 16. Aflxa6

Ad5-f6

As a result of this move. Wd+ will no longer attack g7. Another benefit is that from f6 the knight can go to d7 in or10. 11.

back the pawn, Black offers a promising pawn sacrifice. The idea is to recapture with the pawn if White takes on b6, after which the pawns on a4 and c3 will be weak.

...

Ac8-a6 Ab8xa6 Black completes development and the game is heading for a draw, even if you get the feeling that White must have one or two extra chances.

c23)

Ad5-e7

e.

Both the most played and the most flexible. 10. Ac1-e3

Af6-d7

Now 10.9d4 0-0 11.9b4 Wc7 is not

Wa5-c7!

very effective. 10. 0-0! 10...Wxc3+ has proved to be inferior afl

12. a3-a4l

With the idea of Wa3. 't2....

b6xc5

...

After l2...Axc5? 13.gb4l

Wxb4

ter 11.*f2 0-0 l2.Ae2 Wa5 13.9d2!.

14.cxb4 8)cd7, with the two bishops in

In an endgame of this sort the two bish-

an open position, a space advantage and

ops exert their maxirmrm power.

better development, White may not

11.

gd1-b3

have won yet, but he is well on the way.

13.

Wb3-a3

Eg

b7-b6!

E:';: lE,E::l: €t,A*1: I g: I i::t f ,:3 ,;t:' l, rl.:: a:.

$ :F|:

:{l;

A:*-.,

it:::

A:::l

a ]:;ta,ae

:*:

158

of

struggling

i:::i::

rt:.il

:i,.::i

A

:,.la,lj:,,r1

g j:.;:U

'iii::: )A{ )< 'A}\i EI4J.

:

An important position. Here Black has tried manv different moves. The best is

An important resource that is also available in the Grihrfeld when there is the same type of queenside pawn configu-

ration. Instead

fi r I I ii*

to win

probably Karpov's elastic move: 11. ... Wa5-c7! Black maintains the option of transfer-

ring the knight to a5 or of advancing

Nimzo-Indion

Defence

his pav,rr to b6, depending on the circumstances. Now White can play 12.a4 in order to transfer the queen to a3; otherwise, there is the subtle 12.9b5. However, it seems to be more natural to

trd8 33.Ee1 Wxd5 34.Bxd5 Exd5

continue with development by piaying: 12. hgl-h3 6e7-c6 This knight is on its way to a5, the other is destined for d7 . 13. Ah3-f4 6c6-a5 14. Wb3-a4 ab8-d7 15. b7-b6!?

tra4 46.Exa4 bxa4 47.&dg a2

Af4-d3

Again this thematic sacrifice, which White ignores. 16.

Ea1-b'l

Ac8-a6!

IA ga lll r

ll

2l

sie

a?lg8 Ao

r\ H A

With unclear

€f7

38.tre2 Ed3+ 39.4e3 trxb3 41.trc2 trxa3 41.trxc5 trb3 42.trc8 a4 43.&e4a3 44.tra8 Eb4+ 45.Ad4

48.&c2se749.gc5+

1-o

Malaniuk,Yladimir Ivanchuk,Yasily Moscow ch-URS 1988 (ll) 1.d4 at6 2.c4 eG 3.6c3 gb4 4.f3 d5 5.a3 tse7 6.e4 dxe4 7.lxe4 e5 8.d5 a-:ga 9.6:t3Ac5 10.b4 gf2+ 11.se2

c5 12.ab5 aG 13.8a4

axb5 cxd4

14.Bxa8 9;d4 15.6xd4

E€

-

35.e7 Ea8 36.e8E+ ExeS 37.Exe8+

J-A \4/B

t\ Jl UU H !J

play.

16.Wxb8 0-0 17.€e1 Bh4+ 18.93

gf6 19.4f4 95 20.c5 exf4 21.Wd6 Wg7 22.gdg 4le5 23.@d2 f3 24.We7 g4 25.Axb5 4g6 26.W95 h6 27.9h5 d3 28.Axd3 treB 29.h3 treS 30.hxg4 trxhS 31.gxh5 6e5 32.Eae1 Wg5+ 33.€c2 f2 34.trd1

BeS

o-1

Nordahl,Helge Tiviakov,sergey Gausdal 2005 (6)

Aronian Levon Efimenko,Zahar Warsaw Ech 2005 ( l0) 1.d4 AfG 2.eA e6 3.4c3 Ab4 4.f3 c5 5.d5 0-0 6.e4 dG 7.trd2 exdS Lcxd5

ahs 9.g4 B'h++ 10.€e2 4g3+

1.d4 f,:lti 2.c4 e5 3.6c3 eb4 4.f3 d5 5.a3 Exc3+ 6.bxc3 c6 7.e3 0-0 Lgd3 b6 9.cxd5 cxdS 10.6h3 AaG 11.0-0

Bc8 12.4b2

a-:.c613.a4

ha5

14.Aa3 Cxd3 15.9'xd3 tre8 16.9b4 f;l,c4 17.e4 a5 18.e5 hd7 19.4a3

Wxhl 12.€f2 ad713.As2 14.a3 Axc3 15.Axc3 gh6 16.f4 Wg6 17.9f3 Ee8 18.es2 fG 19.Efc2 b5 2O.Ah3 ab6 21.f5 gfz 22.b9 4ld7 23.6t4 6e5 24.Eh1 h6 25.{le6 AxeG 26.dxe6 Wc7 27.trd1

Axa3 20.Exa3 6xe5 21.9b5 ac4 22.Ha2 Sc7 23.Ee2 EecS 24.trc1 WcG 25.Bxc6 ExcG 26.Q:t2 HacS

Axf3 28.€xf3 a5 29.€.d2 EaG

35.6e3 gxt4 36.6xd5

30.trh1 d5 31.exd5 Wb7 32.We4

37.€g2 g,f5

11.hx93

gh2

27.6rd1

€f8 28.€f2 &e7 29.tra2

sd7 30.ee2 Ee8 31.trcc2 e5 g2.@n e4 33.f4 EifO 34.g3 g5

fxg3+

159

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

EAAtsg

Anand,Yiswanathan

llll

Kramnik,Vladimir Borur Wch-match 2008 (2)

lll

la

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 e6 3.hc3 Ab4 4.f3 d5

5.a3 Axc3+ 6.bxc3 c5 7.cxd5 hxdS 8.dxc5 f5 9.9c2 6d7 1O.e4 fxe4 11.fxe4 h5f6 12.c6 bxc6 13.6f3 WaS 14.4d2 AaG 15.c4 BcS 16.gdg a)sa 17.4b4 We3+ 18.9e2 O-O-0 19.gxe3 6xe3 2O.&t2 hg4+ 21.€g3 adf6 22.eb1 h5 23.hs h4+ 24.6xh4 AeS 25.4f3 6h5+ 26.&t2

E

E.AA ,\ t4)

A Ag tr a

AAAA gaatr

Axf3 27.&rt3 e5 28.Ecl at4 29.tra2 6d3 3O.trcg 2lt4 31.9c2

The variation starting with 4.Wd1-c2 is named after the great Cuban champion, who used it frequently from the end of the 1920's on. In fact, Alekhine used it

6e6 32.€g3

much earlier

trd4

Vz-lz

in

i 91

5 (therefore

onh'

one year after the defence's debuQ. This comes as no surprise as Efc2 is a natural

Milov,Vadim Akobian,Varuzhan

move (it prevents the doubling of

Morelia 2007 (6)

key e4-square), and natural moves are always the first to be explored. In honour of its many years of service, some authors have dubbed it the Classical Variation, but given that this adjective

pawns and at the same time controls the

1.d4 af6 2.c4 e6 3.4c3 ab4 4.f3 d5 5.a3 Axc3+ 6.bxc3 c5 7.cxd5 Axd5

8.dxc5 Wa5 9.e4 6c7 1O.Bd4 f6 11.9b4 hc6 12.Bxa5 AxaS 13.8b1 Ad7 14.4e2 e5 15.hg3 gG 16.f4 €te6 17.fxe5 fxeS 18.4e3 0-0-0 19.h4 at4 20.h5 gxhS 21.4xh5 Ac6 22.9:rt4 exf4 23.AfO h5 24.8h4 trhfg 25.e5 f3 26.gxf3 AxfS 27.4h3+ 9c7 28.8f4 Ag4 29.Axg4 hxg4 30.gf2 6cG 31.trel Oe7 32.€g3 9c6 33.€xg4 €xcS 34.6d7+ trxd7 35.trxf8 6c5 36.e6 Eg7+ 37.€h5 1-0

Capablanca Variation 4.Wc2

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. 6b1-c3 4. Wdl-c2 160

6g8-f6 e7-e6

Af8-b4

has been somewhat overused, we prefer

this more informative name. Until the 1950's. this line was the mosr popular way to meet the Nimzo-Indian; then it was thought that adequate Black countermeasures had been found, and

it was greatly overtaken in popularity by the Rubinstein Yariation 4.e3. However, when both Kasparov and KarPov began to play the Capablanca Variation in the 1990's, rather inevitably the line became fashionable again. At the

time of writing, 4.Wc2 continues to be more popular than 4.e3, but there are signs that this is changing. 4.9d1-c2 is by nature a solid move, bur in practice, it sometimes leads to some very sharp lines. This is because Black

Nimzo-Indian

E*Es&::xr

no longer creates doubled white pawns in compensation for conceding the bishop, and thus tries to exploit his advantage in development, accentuating the tension. However. he can also continue more quietly if he wishes, conceding the advantage of the bishop pair with confidence as the position is relatively closed. We should remember that in many variations White too can con-

.*r*A*r la

Delence

r

:**i*

AA *a Ag A

::: AAA

€tr aatr

tinue solidly with a2-a3 in order to take 8. Ab4xc3 one of the two bishops, or make the ag- A radical solution for the problem of gressive e2-e4 advance so as to conquer Ae4. the centre. This plethora of possible ap9. Wc2xc3 Wd8-e7 proaches explains why the Capablanca 10. gf1-d3 b7-b6 Variation has acquired so much theory It is true that his possession of the two

in recent years, with the unsurprising bishops gives White an edge, but result that many players now seek Black's position is solid - and there is refuge in less theoretical lines (4.f3

and

not very much theory to study!

4.4f3). Before examining Blacks five main

re-

B)

4.

6b8-c6

plies, we would like to mention Vito- It camot be bad to develop a piece and Linshi move 4...b5. which could well at the same time attack an undefended merit an exdamation mark for its origi- pawnl This is known as the Zurich naliry: with 5.cxb5 a6 Black oeates a tFpe Yariation, and in the 1930's ir was conof genko Gambit, but after 6.bxa6 Axa6 sidered Black's best reply (nobody is

Axfl g.gxfl,compen- quite sure why). However, ir has a steadily declined in popularity over the question mark may in fact be the more years, and it is now less popular than appropriate annotation syrnbol. the three lines that follow. 7.6fi0-0

8.e41

sation for the pawn is insufficient and

A)

5. 691-f3

4.

d7-d6 Used by Smyslov. The idea is not

so

much that of supporting an ...e6-e5 push, but rather to advance ...c7-c5 and to recapture with the pavm after dxcs.

g& :'€ *l t: f I:f E.

6. e2-e3 7. d4xc5 8. 0-0-0!?

c7-c5 d6xc5

A

rlY n*: :.:l:t.a

::i::i cA :rri:i:i

t::::

5. Acl-g5 5.hf3 Ac6 ftansposes to B. 5. ab8-d7

d7-do

A .t{: A A :lJ: F..

,a:':

A.A H

u

w -A

:l::::

l:..:a::

)\ *i q)

$a$

A.. d3 el

F?

1.61

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

The customary dark-square

3

strategy

that aims for an ...e6-e5 advance.

6. a2-a3 The most direct. but also 6.Ad2l? is promising; the idea is to recapture on c3 with the bishop. Ab4xc3+ 6. 7. Wc2xc3 a7-as Otherwise 7...We7, without concern for b2-b4, as played by no less than Nimzowitsch himself!

8.

b2-b3

9. Ac1-b2

Wd8-e7 0-0

10. 11.

trf8-e8 e6-e5

e2-e3 Af1-e2 12. d4-d5

hc6-b8

13. af3-d2 With a tiny advantage for White.

c)

4.

move.

Cl) 5. a2-a3 Very direct: White will have to deal with a black initiative, but if he survives unscathed, his future prospects are good.

To prevent... a4.

8.

Botvinnik's famous victory over Keres. However, when Kasparov found improvements for White, players started to abandon the move. At the time of writing, 4...d5 is the second most popular

d7-d5

5.

Ab4xc3+ 6. Wc2xc3 Af6-e4 Black is wise to create immediate counterplay.

Those of you who prefer a quieter life could try 6...dxc4!? 7.Wxc4 b6. Lately, the interesting line 6...c5!? 7.dxc5 d4 has also been tried, This position can become chaotic after 8.Wg3 0-0 9.9h6 ?Je6

Here, this Queen's Gambit style move

is 'justified' by White's slight

loss of time and the undefended d4 pawn. This can create a highly tactical game in the lines in which Black seeks to capitalise on his advantage in development by playing ...8)e4and ...WaS.

or 10.h4. c7-c5 7 ...e5? also seems playable: 8.cxd5 Wxd5, whereas not everyone would want to enter the long forced move sequence 7...Q)c6 8.e3 e5 9.cxd5 Wxd5 10.Ac4 Wa5+ 11.b4 Q)xb4! 12.Wxe4 2,c2+ 13.€e2 We1+ 14.*f3 Axat r s.abZ! 0-0 16.*93!. and now either 10.0-0-0

7. Wc3-c2

The move 4...d5 was considered to be

the best in the 1940's, following 162

Nimzo-Indic n

E A

E€

lll

6

a{lE

A

lll

,AAAA

A

A€

g

f2-square is available to the king, and thus the check from c2 is useless as there is mate on g7.

13. b4-b5

I

/}Ntr

E

AAtl

Trying to keep the position closed. After 13.cxb6? Wxb6, Black's pieces are too active.

13.

AE

I

b6xc5!

6$Itr

'EE'

c4xd5

An immediate 9.4f3 will be met by 9...Wa5+! 10.4d2 Wxc5 (without a pawn on c4, White would exchange

6

..=-

A', a AAAA

gAtr

Piece activity is the number one consid-

eration.

14.

queens to his advantage).

After 9.e3 WaS+ 10.9d2 Axd2

14...trb8!?.

11.Wxd2 dxc4 12.Wxa5 Axa5 13.Ec1 b5! 14.cxb6 AUzt t5.bxa7 €e7, Black

16.

has sufficient counterplay.

17.

9.

lll

i

6b8-c6!

Development ahead of anything else.

Eg

e

atl

16...h6! 17.h+l WdZt and drew with Kasparov, and after that people started to have their doubts!

8. d4xc5!

...

Eut

This position was considered to be nice for White, but in 2004 Adams played

9.

b5xc6

Q)d2xe4

it is not easy to say how

And

move because of L0...W f6.

chess engines believe

0-0!

11...4g3?! 12.gb2l axhl 13.Wxg7 trf8 14.4h6 gives White a plus. 12. Ac1-b2 b7-b6!? The most direct. but 12...Ee8!? is also

is a blunder because of 13.9c3 d4 14.6xd4 Axd4 (and what to do now? the threat of

playable. 12...693?

15...4c2+ looks lethal) 15.fxg3l. The only move, but a good one! Now the

Ea8-b8 Wa5xc7 Af5xe4

18. Bc2-d2

e6xd5

Ac8-f5

Wd8-a5+

15.6t3-d2 c6-c7!

10.691-f3 10.e3 Af5 1 1.4d3 Ae5 is OK for Black, whereas 10.b4?7 is a disastrous

10.... 11. b2-b4!

Def ence

much

compensation Black has received, but it is encouraging that the usually sceptical

it to be adequate.

CD 5. c4xd5 Now Black can choose from rwo replies that are the same both in terms of performance and frequency. What does differ is the draw rate. which is much higher in the first case.

c21)

5.

WdBxd5

The most solid.

6. hg1-f3 163

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

After 6.e3, both 6...c5 and 6...e5 appear to be satisfactory for Black.

gd5-f5

6.

C2D

5.

e6xd5

The most combative.

Ac1-95

h7-ho 6. It is always useful to distance the bishop

from the queenside and to have the option of ...g5. 7. Ag5-h4 The following does not give White much: 7.Axf6 Wxf6 8.a3 Axc3+ 9.Wxc3 0-0 10.e3 Afs t t .6ez2.dl. 7. c7-c5 Clearly risky, but in this line Black must generate active piece play.

8. This move, which was first played by Romanishin in 1993, has superseded the old 6...c5 as after 7.dxcS ! White has scored weII.

7.

e6xf5

Here we would advise you to read the comments on page 132 of Volume 2 regarding 6.6in+ e6!? in the Main Line Slav. The kingside pawn structure is the same and many of the assessments there are also valid here.

8. a2-a3

Ab4-e7

The move S...Ad5 has proved itself to be playable; there appears to be no reason to be concerned about conceding the bishop after 9.4b5 Ae6l.

9. Ac1-f4 10. e2-e3 11. af3-d2

c7-c6

Ac8-e6 ab8-d7 White's advantage is academic. Certainly, it is no easy task for Black to win, but in compensation, it would be very unlikely that a GM would lose either. This explains the popularity of this line at the highest levels, where a draw with the black pieces is seen as a good result.

l6+

EfiEgg

tr:= =ral t: r*

Wc2xf5

7.9d1!?.

7.

d4xc5

EA ...' ut\ ,::!+

A

Ag *:

:*

--: .i:ra::

:.):.,...

AAAA tr

€A

White accepts the challenge. After 8.e3 cxd4 9.exd4 Ac6. Black does not have any problems.

g7'95

8.

8...4c6 is slightly more solid: 9.e3 95 10.493 6e4 11.a3!? (the most recent

idea) 11...Axc3+!? 12.bxc3

Wa5

13.4d3 Axg3! 14.hxg3 d4! 15.exd4 Axd4 16.9b2 AdZt, and Black's position appears to

be holding.

9. Aha-g3 10. e2-e3

Af6-e4 Wd8-a5

11. 491-e2

After 1 1.4e5 0-0 12.4d3 6c6l 13.Axe4 6xe5 14.Axd5 Ag4l, Black maintains the balance. 11. ...

Ac8-f5

Nimzo-Indion

If

11...4c6, White achieves a certain with 12.a3! Af5 13.Wc1 Axc5 14.axb4! ad3+ 15.€d2 Wxb4 advantage I b.aa+.

l5.Wxf5 Ae4+ 16.€d1 the position is unclear) 15.4d3 Eaxb8. However, afrer 16.4b3 White has an edge.

A more complex alternative is 13...4xc3 14.Axf5 (also 14.Wxf5

12. Ag3-e5

The alternative l2.Wc1 6,alt

Defence

13.a3

6dxc5! looks good for Black. The paradoxical 1 2.Axb8 ! ? has also been played, with the idea of 12...trxb8 13.4d4! (now ...4g3 does not gain a piece anymore) t 3...Adzl l4.ab3, and the position is difficult to evaluate. 12.... 0-0! l2...Axc3? loses: l3.Wxf5 6te4+

14.68 Axc3? 15.Wc8+ WaS

16.Wxd8+ €xd8 17.bxc3. 13. Q:e2-d4

En *: €g *r:t *t*=

Q-:e4+ 15.€e2 is a possibility) 14...6e4+ 15.€d1 Ac6 16.4d6.

Ex *l €eX

tl*:

$t* AAI

. Earxat

:::: l* $ X A

AW A A A *s:*g:*tr

This is a tricky position to weigh up:

it

is true that the black king is more exposed to danger than the white monarch (a check from h6 is looming), but Black's better developed pieces compensate for this. Any future counterplay in the centre could imperil the life of the white king relegated to d1. In short, in the absence of any decisive forcing

g $*rga*- I :r' € aa.* ] 1,:] :: A W:::,:gAtr $A*:

lines, anything could happen.

A critical position for the assessment

of

this variation. Here opinions on how Black can best continue have changed over the years.

13.... ab8-d7 This recent novelty simplifies the position. At first the natural 13...496 was considered best, but then this fell out of favour when it was realised that 14.4b3! Axc3 15.Axc3 creared complications that favoured White. Then the paradoxical 13...Ee8!? seemed excellent (but isn't the f5 bishop hanging?)

14.Axb8 A96 (also after 14...6xc3

Let's go back

14.

to 13...2,d7

.

Qtd4xt5 6d7xe5

15. hf5-e7+ Strangely, capturing help White's cause.

on h6 does not

15....

15.6e7xd5

Ad5xc3

17. 18. Wc2xc3

sg8-97 Ab4xc3+ 6e4xc3

Also after 1 8.bxc3 Eac8.

Black

equalises.

18.... 19. b2xc3

Wa5xc3+ tra8-c8 165

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume

if it does not seem that way at first glance. It is also possible to immediately play

EE

lg

l'l

:i',.'

AAI

AA AA AAAA A Fi H\wEA

5...4xc5 (or 5...WcZ 6.4f3 Axc5), to establish a solid Hedgehog set-up with ...4e7, ...d6, ...abd7 , ...b6 and ...Abz.

' I

6.

(ir eor '_1AA Fl

20.Eb1 Exc5 2l.trxb7 Exc3 is equal.

White can't play 22.Exa7? Ecl+

a2-ag If 6.4f3 6,a6l 7.a3 Axc3+ 8.Wxc3 Axc5 (unlike in the previous line with 5...6a6, here White cannot play his pawn to f3 because his knight is on that square) 9.e3 a5, and Black should be satisfied with his position.

23.9d2 (23.€e2 Eb8) 23...trfc8 and a

6.

deadly check on c2 is on its way.

7. Ag1-f3

D)

4. c7-c5 A logical move; Black threatens to take the undefended d4 pavm, gaining a central majority.

5. d4xc5 Other moves are too passive; White hopes to exploit the semi-open d-fiIe.

5.

0-0

The most played, but if Black wants to, he can immediately spring into action

with the ambitious 5...6a6

6.a3

Axc3* 7.Wxc3 6xc5 8.f3 (8.ba Acea 9.9b2 is probably best) 8...d51 (an interesting sacrifice, which is justified by Black's lead in development) 9.cxd5 b5!

Agg lll I I la E.

',

E

dAa

ASryA €

b7-b6

7...6c6 is followed by 8.495 Ad+l: 9.Axd4 Axd4 10.e3 9a5 l1.exd4 Wxgs 12.9d2 Wxd2+ (12...Wg61?) 13.€xd2, and White has a miniscule advantage thanks to having greater space and a queenside majority.

8.

Ac1-95

S.Af+ is equally popular: 8...4b7 9.Ed1 Q)c6 10.e4 (10.e31? appears to be the most effective) 10...he7!? 11.h3 hg6 17.Ahz,and both sides have chances.

8. 9.

Ac8-b7 e2-e4

Edh g E&

rE l llr I la AA AA

A '^\ Aq)q)

'\

AW .+. AA A A

F? g.wEH

F?

A.A .{-Ar\H A AA Fi

The most direct. 9.e3 is less common; Black can respond to this by creating a

10.b4 a,a4 11.9b3 b5 12.e4 a6 and

solid Hedgehog formation: 9...Aei 10.4e2 h6 l 1.4h4 a6 12.0-0 d6

Black has reasonable compensarion, even

13.trfdl Wc7 14.Eac1 abd7.

H

166

E

BE%-IH

Nimzo-Indian h7-h6 Ac5-e7 6b8-c6 11...ahs 12.4g3! 6xg3 13.hxg3 allows White to develop a strong initiative after e5 and he4. 12. At't-e2 gd8-b8! 13.0-0 trf8-d8 With a characteristic Hedgehog configuration; White will find it difficult to 9.

10. 11.

Ag5-ha tra1-d1

exploit his space advantage, and Black is ready to create counterplay with ...b5

and...d5.

E) 4. 0-0 The most played. It would seem that Black is complying with White's plan, but in reality, he is unconcerned about surrendering the bishop pair as he is confident about the effectiveness of his fluid piece play. 5. a2-ag The most thematic. The alternatives 5.4f3 and 5.495 tend to ffanspose to Variation D, whereas the aggressive 5.e4!? is controversial: is White's centre strong or weak? After 5...d5 (5...d6!?) 6.e5 Ae4 7.4d3 c5l 8.a31? Axc3+ 9.bxc3 cxd4 10.cxd4 Wa5+ 11.€f1. the jury is still out. 5. 9b4xc3+ 6. Wc2xc3

Defence

Now to develop the bishop by means of a fianchetto is both the most natural and the most popular option. However, it is not necessarily the best, and Black's other alternatives deserve to be examined. It is worth reiterating what a deep game chess is: even the odd-looking 6...We8 has been played, with acceptable results. In various lines the queen supports ... e5, in others it aggressively shifts to h5 after ...6e4 and ...f5. and in still others it transfers to a4 whenever White advances his pawn to b4!

El)

b7-b5!?

6.

This gambit is a violent attempt to make the most of the weak light squares. Like

4...b5 at the beginning of the section, this is an idea by Vitolinsh, but this tirne the move has more positional justification. Initial scepticism (the move appeared

in

1982) gave way in the face

of

good results: 6...b5 has been played in hundreds of games, scoring extremely

well! So it is no coincidence that in the early 2lst century it started to pop up in the games of super GM's. The fact that it is still not so popular (only in l0% of games) may be explained by questions of style - Nimzo-Indian players usually prefer to adopt

a

strategic approach.

7. c4xb5

c7-c6!

167

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

8. 9. f2-tg 10. e2-e3 11. d4xe5 12.6h3-t2

Here's the idea: if White takes on c6, after ...6xc6, ...AUZ and ...8c8, Black has nice counterplay.

8.

Ac1-95

White gives back the parrrr. 8.f3!? is an interesting alrernative: S...ad5 9.9d3 f5!?, with a position that still needs ro be fully evaluated. 8.e3 has proved to be less good because of 8...cxbS 9.Axb5 Ae4! 10.9d3 Aaet, with optimum compensation.

8.9d3 l? cxb5 9.e4 is a recenr development that has not been fully evaluated.

8.

9. e2-e3 10.691-f3

c6xb5 Ac8-b7 a7-a0

7. Wc3-c2

EIhEg E& llll tl I l' AAA AA Ag AAAA

trA€Atr

a

small plus for White.

to either c5 or e5.

7.

g2-g3l?

EAAE Es lll lll lla '(A A2l

Ag A A AA A Ft A .$./fiAF?

6f6-e4 t7-t5

Giving the game a 'Dutch' flavour, but the knight will soon have to retreat. 8. 6g1-h3!

g

E

E-€LZJ

168

H

Stopping ...b7-b6. After 7.f3, there is

the obvious 7...c5. The

paradoxical

7...d5 is probably another good move. The latter seeks to demonstrate thar White's pawn was better on f2 than on f3.

The most common continuation is 7.4g5, and after 7...abd7 8.e3 b6, this transposes to the next line.

7. e6-e5!? A pawn sacrifice that White cannot afford to accept.

L d4xe5 With the intention of f2-f3, which was not possible before due to the check on h4.

d6xe5

6b8-c6

E3) 6. d7-d6!? This leads to an independent line as long as Black does not fianchetto on the queenside, but instead advances a pawn

11. gfl-d3 Technically White has the advanrage of the two bishops, but it will not be easy to exploit them if Black is careful to keep the position relatively closed. 6.

Ae4-f6 e6-e5

13. b2-b4

With

10...h6!?.

ED

d7-d6

9. Afr-sz

9.Wxe5?!

Ac6

d6xe5

10.Wc3 Q)e4 11.9d3

WeZ, and Biack is bemer.

Nimzo-Indian

ta* **rxr *. rn*:

10. Ag1-f3

trf8-e8 11.0-0 c7-c5! Having the bishop pair is not always an advantage; now White would be happy if he had an extra knight to plant on d5 12. Ac1-g5 Ab8-c6 13. e2-e3 Ac8-f5 With a balanced game.

firt A$@A

b7-b6

*:x *:x A .,

@€ *:I tri*ri*r la

AA

.s;:: *

tr A

->{

.A /A ,i\,

Fr

AAAA

€AAtr

7. 6s1-f3 8. Ac1-g5

8.e3 is common but

Ac8-b7 it lacks punch: af-

ter 8...d6 9.4e2 abdT 10.0-0 Ae4 l1.Wc2 fS 12.b+ Ef6. Black's iniriarive should not be underestimated. d7-d6

6t3-d2

The most energetic - the plan is fZ-B and e3-e4. After 9.e3 abdT 10.4e2 trc8, followedby ...c5, Black has a nice game.

ab8-d7

9. '10.

f2-f3

e2-e4 12. af1-d3 11.

13. 14.

':

cfl: el be

E42, 7. Ac1-95 Ac8-b7 7...c5 8.dxc5 gives White an edge, whereas after 7...4a6, the move 8.9f3 I ? is interesting, and after 8...6c6 9.e3, it is not clear how significant the imminent doubled f-pan-ns will be. 8. I2-t3 The most direct approach.

8. 9. Ag5-h4

It

the most played move.

8. 9.

A E%J

And the weak dS-square will not

The most natural and by far and away

E41)

--- a t!: '''''lJ u:

easy to exploit.

EffiA.

A

H

-UEU

!

E4) 6.

gE.*g*:

E**

Wd8-e7

9.

Defence

Wc3xd4

Ad3-c2

c7-c5

trf8-e8!? c5xd4 6d7-c5 e6-e5!

h7-h6 d7-d5! does not seem to be in the spirit of

the variation to advance a pawn to a light square, but in this case, playing the pawn to f3 has weakened the e3-square

hf3 is no longer possible. In addition, it is a good thing to stop and the move

the e2-e4 advance. After 9...c5 10.dxcS bxc5 I 1 .e3, White is a little better off, 10. e2-e3 After 10.cxd5 exd5, the weak e3 pawn on a semi-open file is a more concrete target.

10....

ab8-d7

11. c4xd5

11.ah3t?.

11. ... 6f6xd5 The number one choice. Black exchanges queens in order to take some of the pressure off, Another possibility 169

-

Chess Opening Essentiols

Volume

3

is the ambitious 11...exd5 12.4d3 c5 13.4e2 Ee8 14.0-0, and though White has obtained a small obiective advantage, Black has slightly increased his practical chances ofobtaining a victory.

A

A$ry

z_1

'

a1 F?

Moscow 19l5 (9)

1.d4 af6 2.eA eG 3.6c3 Ab4 4.8c2 bG 5.e4 gb7 6.4d3 9xc3+ 7.bxc3 d6 /rl

AA

clA

AA

Al-1 HEIZJ H ..$--,AAF?

12. Ah4xd8 6d5xc3 13. gd8-h4

Or 13.Axc7 ad5 14.4d6 hxe3, with equality. l3.Ae7l? Efe8 l4.Ah4 is sometimes presumed to be a refinement because in some lines the b5 bishop pins the knight on d7. However, this is academic: neither side is better.

... gh4'12 15, e3'e4

Ac3-d5 c7'cs Ad5-e7

13.

14.

The move I 5...Af4leads to equality too'

Af1-bs Ab5xc6 18.6g1'e2 19.6e2xd4 20. At2xd4

16. 17.

consequence.

Alekhine,Alexander Zubarev,Nikolay

Eg Eg IEiA ll ' I ,fr ll .,.

With equality. As the pawns are not mobile, the theoretical superiority of the bishop over the knight is ofno practical

Ab7'c6 he7xc6 c5xd4 6c6xd4 tra8-c8

8.2re2 abdT 9.0-O o-O 10.f4 h6 11.6g3 We7 12.8e2 trae8 13.4a3 c5 l4.traet ghg 15.d5 698 16.e5 96 17.9d2 exdS 18.cxd5 dxeS 19.c4 €h7 2O.Ab 2 6gt621.fxe5 694 22'eG gh4 23.gxf7+ HxfT 24.axg6+:€xg6 1'o 25.Wd3+ €g5 26.Ac1+ ' KeresrPaul

Bowinnik,Mikhail Moscow ch-URS 1941 (3)

Af6 2.c4 eG 3.6c3 Ab4 4.8c2 d5 5.cxd5 exd5 6.:ig5 h6 7.4h4 c5 8.0-0-0 Axc3 9.9xc3 g5 10.4g3 cxd4 11.gxd4 Ac6 12.8a4 AfS 1.d4

13.e3 Ec8 l4.gdg gd7 15.€bl axd3+ 16.trxd3 gfs 17.e4 axe4 18.€a1 o-O lg,trd1 b5 20.Wxb5 Ad4 21.9d3 6c2+ 22.&b1ab4 o-1 Gyimesi,Zoltan Abnasi,Zoltan Sibenik 2007 (9)

I

..E

I

af6 2.c4 eG 3.4c3 Ab4 4.Hc2 d5 5.cxd5 exd5 5.4g5 c5 7.dxc5 hO 1.d4

EW

a ll

8.Ah4 AcG 9.e3 g5 10.Ag3 WaS 1l.Afg 0:e4 12.6d2 6xc313.bxc3 Axc3 14.9b1 gb4 15.AdO Ae6 16.4d3 0-0-O 17.€e2 trhe8 18.4b3

ll

AA E /\ n A

A A 2\ /1 ala

A

A

E 170

EE

FT

9a4 1g.ghdl d4

2O.U1 dxe3

21.fxe3 9:a5 22.old4 Wxc2 23-A:xc2 ab4 24.4b3 Axb3 25.Exb3 Ed7

Nimzo-Indian

26.trdb1 QtdS 27.6:bS &dB 28.-lxa7 9c7 29.trxb7 Axd6 30.cxd6 trxd6 31.Eb8+ Ee7 32.6c8+ trxc8

33.trxc8 6xe3+ 94.&f2 6g4+ 35.€gl Ed2 36.a4 tra2 37.tre1+ gf6 38.h3 6e5 39.Ea8 Ad3 40.trf1+ €g7 41.tra7 at4 42.trt2 tra3 43,€h2 *96 44.a5 h5 45.g3 4d346.trfxf7

1-0

Def ence

17.kg5Be8 18.6b5 e5 19.Ad3 e4 20.Ae2 h6 21.4d6 €xd6 22.9xd6 hxgS 23.hxg5 4lh7 24.trxh7 €xh7

25.9xf8 BxfB 25.Wxe4+ €g8 27.9d5+

1-0

Vawak,Peter Graf,Alexander Kavala 2008 (2)

af6 2.c4 eG 3.4c3 Ab4 4.Wc2 c5 5.dxc5 0-0 6.a3 9xc5 7.6f3 BbG 1.d4

PonomariorlRuslan Moiseenko,Al exander

8.e3 Wc7 9.9d3 6c6 10.b4 Ae7

Cala Mayor 2008 (4)

Af6 2.c4 e6 3.4c3 Ab4 4.Wc2 d5 5.cxd5 exdS 6.:Lg5 c5 7.kt3 hG 8.Axf6 Wxf6 9.a3 Af5 10.8a4+ gd7 11.9b3 Axc3+ 12.Wxc3 0-0 13.Wxc5 trc8 14.Sxd5 Wb6 15.b4 1.d4

a5 16.b5 AeG 17.8e4 Wxb5 18.9b1 tr'xb1+ 19.trxb1 Ec3 20.e4 Exa3

11.4b2 hG 12.trg1 d5 13.cxd5 exdS 14.g4 trdB 15.95 hxgS 16.4x95 Bxh2 17.0-0-0 Ag4 18.Ede1 6e5 19.Eh1 6xd3+ 20.Wxd3 Wc7 21.€bl Wd7 22.*a1 gfs 23.gxf5 gxtS 24.ab5 6e4 25-6xe4 Axe4 26.Ehg1 9:tg 27.6rd4 trdG 28.trc1

trbG 29.trc7 trd8 30.€a2 gdo

21.d5 Ad7 22.&d2 Ea2+ 23.€e3 Ea3+ 24.€d2 tra2+ 25.€e3 tra3+ 26.€d4 tra4+ 27.&e5 b5 28.Axb5 9xb5 29.trxb5 Ad7+ 30.€d6 Afo 31.e5 ae4+ 32.&e7 tra7+ 33.€e8 6c3 34.trb9 hxdS 35.trd1 trb4 36.Exb4 f,xb4 37.6:d4 a4 38.f4 a3 39.f5 a2 40.tra1 tra8+ 41.€d7 traS 42.6:cE trd5+ 43.€c7 trcS 44.e6 fxe6 45.fxe6 6xc6 46.trxa2 6,b4+ 47.€b6 treS 48.Ea8+ €h7 49.Ee8

31.4e6 g6 32.Exb7 fxe6 33.trg7+ gf8 34.f3 e5 35.trxa7 gfs 36.Ehl

€g5 50.€c7€f651.trb86a6+

af6 2.c4 eG 3.6c3 &b4 4.Wc2 0-0 5.a3 Qxc3* 6.Bxc3 d6 7.trg5 Abdz 8.e3 b6 9.4e2 gb7 10.Wdg

o-1

Kasparov,Garry

ChuchelortVladimir Rethymnon tt 2003 (l) 1.d4 af5 2-c4 eB 3.6c3 Ab4 4.Wc2 c5 5.dxc5 0-0 6.a3 AxcS 7.4f3 b6 8.4f4 ahs 9.Ag5 Ae7 1o.h4 Ab7 11.0-O-O €rc612.e4 6f6 13.e5 4g4 14.9:t4 trcB 15.€b1 f516.exf6 6xf6

trd7 37.Ea8+ ell7 38.f4

exi4 39.exf4 Axf4 40.4d4 trbb7 41.Ea6 tre7 42.Eh8 tre2* 43.€a1 trh2

44.Ef6+ €e7 45.Ehfg Eh7 46.a4 o-1 trc747.Ac5* Exc5 Nakamura,Hikaru Milov,Vadirn Santo

Domingo 2003 (5)

1.d4

a5 11.4c3 a412.Wb2 Ea5 13.Axf6 6lxfi 14.6xa4 Ae4 15.Bdl EfaS 16.6c3 9xg2 17.Eg1 Axfl 18.€xf1

Efs 19.tr92 g6 20.€g1 4.e4

21.6xe4 Wxe4 22.trc1 c5 23.trg4 it9c6 24.b4 traB 25.b5 gb7 26.a4 h5 27.trg3 We4 28.trc3 cxd4 29.f3

Exf3

o-1

171

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

Morozevich,Alexander Beliavsky,Alexander Heraklion Ech-tt 200/ (4)

af6 2.c4 e6 3.4c3 Ab4 4.9c2 0-0 5.a3 AxcS+ 6.Wxc3 b6 7.4g5 Ab7 8.e3 dG 9.4e2 AbdT 10.Wc2 c5 11.trd1 Wc7 12.6c3 cxd4 13.Exd4 a6 14.Ae2 h5 15.9h4 Axg2 16.trg1 th3 17.6e4 6xe4 18.Wxe4 9f5 19.9g2 Ag6 20.4e7 d5 21.Axfg 4xf8 22.h4 BeS 23.wg3 gf6 24.h5 af5 2s.gc7 b5 26.Wc6 trd8 27.cxd5 gh7 28.Wxa6 9e5 29.d6 gh2 30.Efl e5 31.8b4 EcB 32.9xb5 Ecl+ 33.9d2 trc2+ 34.9d14d735.4d3 1-0 1.d4

Fridman,Daniel Almasi,Zoltan Germany Bundesliga 2004/05 (8)

Af6 2.c4 eG 3.6c3 Ab4 4.8c2 0-0 5.a3 Axc3+ 6.Bxc3 b6 7.Ag5 gb7 8.f3 h6 9.9h4 d5 10.e3 AbdT 11.cxdS AxdS 12.Axd8 AxcS 13.4h4 Ads 14.4f2 c5 15.e4 6f4 16.4e3 696 17.0-0-0 trac8 18.€bl cxd4 19.Exd4 Ade5 2O.8-:h3 Q:e7 21.4b5 Ac6 22.9a6 EcdS 23.trc1 b5 24.4zlf2 f5 25.exf5 4rd5 26.Ec5 6xe3 27,ExdB trxd8 28.trxe5 Axf5 29.Exe6 6d4 30.tre3 afs 31.trc3 trd6 32.4c8 Ah4 33.4h3 €h7 1.d4

34.8d3 tr96 35.93

1-0

Gurevich,Mikhail Leko,Peter Elista 2007

(l)

1.d4 af6 2.c,4 e63.6c3 9b4 4.8c2 0-0 5.a3 Axc3+ 6.Wxc3 b6 7.4g5 Ab7 8.f3 h6 9.9h4 d5 10.e3 olbd7 11.cxd5 AxdS 12.Axd8 Axc3 13.eh4 ads 14.9f2 c5 15.e4 6e7 172

16.he2 f5 17.493 fxe4 18.fxe4 cxd4 19.Axd4 trac8 20.trd1 Efdg 21.Ac3 As6 22.Ab5 6c5 23.0-0 Aa6 24.9:xa6 6xa6 25.Exd8+ trxd8 26.b4 o,c7 27.a4 b5 28.a5 Ae8 29.6e2 e5 30.Ec1 Af6 31.hg3 h5 32.h3 a6 33.€h2 EcB 34.4d2 trxcl 35.Axc1 h4 36.4f5 6xe4 37.g3 hxg3+ 38.6xg3 Axg3 39.€xg3 €f740.€g4 Ee7 o-1

Rubinstei n Variation 4.e3

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. 6:b1-c3 4. e2-e3

6g8-f6 e7-e6

gf8-b4

g6g$@,,, E

llII'Ii,

la

l

EAA q)a '\A

AAAA'l

AE5

AAA

tr ag€aatr As we mentioned before,

Akiba

Rubinstein's 4.e2-e3 has always been the main competitor to 4.Wc2 in terms of popularity, notwithstanding the fact that it is a difficult move to understand and would appear unnatural to a beginner (and more advanced players too!): why would you deliberately want to close in the cl bishop? In fact, 4.e3 is a very flexible move. As in the 5.e3 Varia-

tion of the Semi-Slav, White caiml1 prepares to further advance the paum to

e4 once his development has

been

Nimzo-Indion

Defence

is that the cl will then come into its own, especially in the absence of its counterpart on the black side. In addition, White has the other plan of playing 6ge2 in order to take back on c3 with

Or, more prudently, 6...0-0.

the knight, and thus avoid compromising his pawn structure. The absence of

d7-d5 This does not usually lead to an independent line, but instead often ends up transposing to Variation E. White can seek to exploit this somewhat premature advance with 5. a2-a3l? Now, if Black captures on c3, there is a uansposition to the Siimisch Variation 4.a3 in which Black has already advanced his pawn to d5 (something he would normally avoid doing), and

completed. The idea

7. c4xd5 8. e3-e4 9. d4-d5

bishop

direct threats allows Black to choose from a wide variety of approaches. As a result, this line is one of the strategically most complex in all opening theory. Now Black has five replies, which we will examine in ascending order of importance: 4...Q)c6, 4...d5, 4...b6, 4...c5 and 4...0-0.

A) 4.

Ab8-c6

This move of Taimanov's does not look good at first, as it blocks the path of the c-pawn. In fact, it is an elastic move that

is reminiscent of the Black Knights' Tango, which is discussed on page 14 of this book.

gf1-d3 After 5.4e2 d5 (5...e5!?) 6.a3 Ae7 or 5...4d6, we have reasonable positions

5.

that are relatively unexplored.

5.

6.

Af6xd5 ads-b6

And White has an edge.

B)

4.

therefore...

Ab+-ez

5. ... is probably best.

Elh &6 g€E

ir t Elll lfl ,:.

A

e6-e5

lrrtl.

::4,1.

:':: l ',:,,' A: t'." A a\

''l,l'

,\i

"'

A

YJ

A

691-e2 F?

'rfr.

It is true that

'rrt,.'

i,,i,,,

4,. .. AAA ggaatr Black has moved his

bishop two times and that his position is passive; it is equally true that the usefulness of a3 is doubtful and, more im-

,i\AA ULH IS

AA AAAA E AgE ..E 6.

d7-d5!?

portantly, in this Queen's Gambitlike position the bishop cannot go to f4 or 95. This is one of those positions where it is a challenge to decide who is worse off! AII jokes aside, White has a tiny advantage, but nothing more.

173

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

c) 4. b7-b6 Aiming to control e4. This move is the one that is most in keeping with the spirit of the Nimzo-Indian.

EAABg+ t,rLL rg lalll

rErr ll

Eg

ll

I

AAA AAAA

E

.E.AA

AA AA

EA g

A UE

tr A EUUU

AAA

tr€

White must take countermeasures

AAA

tr awsgatr

This is often called the Fischer Yariation, even if originally this name referred to the specific sequence 5.4e2 Aa6. As in the Queen's Indian, Black has the option of developing his bishop to b7 or to a6, depending on the circumstances.

c1) 5. afl-d3 Or first 5.4f3.

against Black's growing initiative on the

kingside. 10.

af3-d2

Or 10.4e1!? c5 11.f3 ad6. with

a

complex position.

gd8-h4 10.... Threatening to win with ...4xd2. ...4xg2, ...Wga+, ...Wf: + and ...8f6. '11. t2-t3 Either 11.g3?! Ag5! or any capture on e4 will give Black a powerful attack. 11. ... D.e4xd2 Or 1 1...4g5!? with unclear play. 12.9c1xd2 Ab8-cG Black should be satislied with the wa1'

Ac8-b7 As1-f3 6.D'e2l? Axg2 7.trg1 Af:, with an un-

the game is progressing.

clear game. 6.

This was played by the very sarne Rubinstein in 1925, and it is still the

transposes to the Euwe Variation.

most popular move. 5. Ac8-a6!? This move did not appear until as late

5.

6.

6t6-e4l? The more prudent 6...0-0 7.0-0 d5

7.

Wdt-cz

The alternative 7.0-0!? Ieads to a draw after 7...4xc3 8.bxc3 Axc3 9.Wc2

Axf3 l0.gxf3 Wgs+ 11.€hl WtrS 12.trg1 Wxf3+ 13.trg2 f5 14.Wxc3 Wat+ l5.Eg1Wf:+. 7. t7-t5 8. 0-0 Ab4xc3

9. b2xc3

17+

0-0

C2) 5.

691-e2

the 1950's, and from then on it

as

was

nominally considered the main line. It took the place of the normal 5...4b7, which gives White a good game after 6.a3 Ae7 7.d5. The modern 5...6e4 seems to give White nice play after 6.Wc2 Ab7 7.f3 Axc3 8.bxc3 Ae7 9.e4

Nimzo-Indian

Defence

5.

0-0 This looks provocative as it allows the e3-e4 advance, but Black has faith ln his superior development. If you wish to try ...d7-d5 instead, you must first play 6...4xc3+ (6...d5?? 7.Waa+) 7.bxc3

d5 8.4a3 (s.gf3!?) 8...4xc4 9.Axc4 dxc4 10.0-01? WaZ t 1.trb11 (stopping gb5) l 1...h5 12.h4 wc6 13.e41, with optimum compensation for White.

7. e3-e4

initial success. However. the more recent 5...c5 6.a3 Aa5!? 7.Eb1 6a6 and enjoyed

7

...dst?.

8. (preventing b2-b+) is set to become the most popular. it is too early to give an accurate assessment of this line, but it

6b8-c6

af1-d3

An e4-e5

advance would overextend White's centre. The consecuences of S.Ag5l? h6 9.h4! a.e not cleai.

8. 9. d4-d5

has scored very well indeed.

e6-e5 Ab4xc3+

9...6,d4?7 10.Wa4! picks up a piece. 10. b2xc3 6c6-e7 10...4a5!? 11.We2 Ae8! is a valid alternative.

Ac1-95 a2-a4 Ag5-e3 14.0-0 11. 12. 13.

Af6-e8 t7-t6 c7-c5l?

Ae8-d6

With balanced play.

C21)

6.

6e2-93

Reshevsky's aggressive move defends c4 and prepares for an e3-e4 advance.

C2D

6.

a2-a3

Most in keeping with the spirit of the Rubinstein Variation. 175

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

gb4-e7 C221r6. ... The umpteenth example of a little-played line with a good performance! It would appear that taking on c3 is more instinctive for a Nimzo-ln-

An uncharacteristic position. Black

has

a better pawn structure, but

the

fS-square is weak, and White can activity with a pawn advance to e4.

dian player.

7.

6e2-t4

Defending c4 and controlling d5.

7. 8. c4xd5

9a6xf1

e6xd5

EA g€ E I l Errl lrh A/,\A AVLC: AAA

A

Play is balanced.

ZJ

A

tr

The idea is to push on to g5.

10. 11.

...

g7-g5!

af4-h5

176

Ab4xc3+ d7-d5

Here's the idea: attack c4, and if White exchalges he will lose the right to castle.

8. gdl-f3!? 8.cxdS Axfl 9.€xfl exd5 offers White nothing, while 8.b3 is a popular choice: 8...0-0 9.a41? Ac6 10.Ael Wd7

!?,

wirh

8. 9.

a

complicated position.

0-0

g2-g4l

EA g ,lll E€ l r TA AT l' .l

.'

.

AA A A A AW, A AA tr A €g'.E 9.

Aa6-b7

10. g4-g5

1o.Ad3 abdT 11.g5 6e4l 12.Axe+ dxe4 13.Axe4 Axe4 14.Wxe4 Wxg5=. '10.... Af6-e4

11.6c3xe4 12. Wf3-s3

d5xe4

f7-t5

13. Ac1-d2!

I 1.4d3 hs!.

11. ... 12. g4xh5

...

This may not be the most elegant move. but it is effective.

AA

tr gg,€ .,\

gd1-f3 e3-e4

7. 6e2xc3

9...6xd5 is also good: i0.6cxd5 exd5 11.ghs c6 (11...4gs1?) 12.6e6t 96 13.We5 Afe t l4.6xd8+ Axe5 15.Axc6l Axc6 l6.dxeS Axe5 1 7 .Adz and White will have a small advantage in the endgame, even if it is unlikely to be enough for awin. 10. g2-g4l

I

Ab8-a6 Aa6-c7!

c22D6.

9.dxe6!? should not be underestimated: 9...4a6 10.exf7+ €xfZ t 1.e4. with an unclear position. 9.

c7-c6

13. 14.

d7-d5

8.b3!?isarecentidea.

8. 9. €elxfl

12....

seek

Af6xh5

The position is complex, but White has one or two extra chances.

Nimzo-Indian

D)

4. A standard move

c7-c5

in the Nimzo-Indian.

When it is played on the fourth move, we can presume that Black will postpone castling in favour of immediate action in the centre. In effect, White now has three different approaches to choose from: immediately play 6e2;

Ad: and then Ae2; or develop'normalty' with Ad3 and Af3. first play

Efi3.ge:*

€,

xr*r*rtr €xrfi* **3:1:

a t* '* *

a a gs€efitr = E =

Def.ence

More frequently played than 6...0-0 7.a3 Ae7 8.ds (8.6f+t?) 8...exds 9.cxd5 Ee8 10.d6 (10.g3!?) 10...4f8 (the d6 pawn is paralysing Black, but

will soon be off the board) tre6l? 12.4f+ ahs 13.Ae3

it

11.93

trxd6

14.Wc2.

White may be a pawn down, but he clearly has the advantage of better development, and the fact that even the matedally-minded chess engines give White a small plus should cause Black some concern.

D11) 7. a2-a3

Ab4-e7

The aim of 6...d5 was to give the posi-

tion the character of a Queen's Gambit, and therefore taking on c3 (even if it is sometimes played) would be contradictory.

D1) 5.

8tg1-e2

Another Rubinstein move in the Rubinstein Variation! The obvious idea is to play a2-a3 and to recapture on c3 with the knight. The best way Black can fight this plan is by immediately responding in the centre.

5.

6.

E E

* x:ri

c5xd4! e3xd4

fiE. .e l l* rt r ::* *t:iri fi tt ::::t

=.,

€,1

a:{ta

:taaa.

s

.A A /\

".::;

'

,, = ,\ q\

€s

6.

a,t:,4

= ,:i: 'AAi:::rl AA (rl

5-'

>{ TA

l

d7-d5

8. c4-c5t? Ambitious. The parvn structure is the same as in the Panov-Botvinnik Attack in the Caro-Kann, and it is therefore logical that this advance, which seeks to profit from the queenside majority, is playable - even more so with the white pawn on a3. The only problem is the knight on e2, which hampers White's development.

A less radical alternative is the promising 8.4f4. 8. b7-b6 9. b2-b4 a7-a5

tra1-b1 a3xb4 12.92-g3

10. 11.

a5xb4 0-0 b6xc5

13. d4xc5!? After the normal l3.bxc5 6,c6 14.492 Aa6 15.0-0 e5, Black has at the very least equalised. 177

Chess Opening Essentials

E

-

Volume

3

a-e.g E e

-€.rrr

ta

7. 8. Ac1-d2

White can also further his development

+AIV

wirh

AAul),,i\ A ts trAggA

8...Axc3l?.

aA

tr

Wd1xd2 Of the many moves that have been tried, the classical 9...a5 is srarring ro lose ground to the odd-looking

9.

i,A;r e, LL/g llf ,/l a)bAar

Ac8-a6!? This is the most interesting of the many

E

AL

+a WAAAA AA F? .$. ,A

available moves.

14. Af1-92 White does not take the bait. 14.b5 in effect appears to be too risky:

14...4xc51 15.bxa6 6ga 16.ad+ t 7 .&xfZ Wfe + 18.€g2 Axd4. Here the chess engines see things as pretty even after 19.4a3 f WfZ+ 20.€h3, but mosr flesh-and-blood players would rather have the black

6xfzt

.H.

Aa6-c4 6b8-a6

The advance b4-b5 has been prevented for the time being, but the position still remains unclear.

EE

F?

H

The idea becomes clear immediately.

10. 11.

a2-a3 92-93

irb4-a5 9a5-d8

The bishop has found a nice refuge on d8!

12. 13.

oieces.

b2-b4 Af1-g2

0-0 b7-bo

With a position that is difficult to

as-

SCSS.

DD 5. Af1-d3

Ab8-c6 Ag1-e2 Often played in order to avoid the feared Hiibner Yariation, (see D3). Another way of achieving this end is to play 6.a3, transposing to the Sirmisch Yariation. 6. c5xd4

6.

c4-c5

Also here White tries to get

his queenside majority rolling, but pushing the pawn immediately blocks the bishop's return to e7 as well. The problem here is the slowness of the plan Black can, and must, respond energeti-

178

Wd8-d7!?

E

13....

cally.

2'e4xd2

9.

The diagram position has a lot of strategic and tactical tension: White has two dangerous passed pawns; Black has an imposing centre and the advantage of better develoDment.

DID 7.

8.g31?.

8.

A

14. ... 15. 0-0

Q:f6-e4

The characteristic Hubner 6...4xc3+ 7.bxc3 d6 is less

moye

effective

Nimzo-Indic n

here in the

presence

of a

mobile

f-pawn.

7.

8. 9.

e3xd4 c4xd5 0-0

d7-d5

Af6xd5 0-0

Def.ence

the bishop, put all the pawns on dark squares so the remaining bishop is good, and then make the superiority of the knight felt after first closing the centre. Naturally White has his trumps: his i.mposing centre could become the launching board for a dangerous initiative.

D31)

8.

0-0

The most fluid alternative.

8. 9.

e6-e5

ats-d2l?

The following line is worthy of mention: 9.495!? 0-0 10.f+l? h5 11.4f3 Ee8, and now anything is possible.

A normal isolated queen's pawn position, which can also be reached via the

Panov-Botvinnik Attack in

the

Caro-Kann. The knight is less active on e2 than on f3. and this should allow Black to equalise with relative ease.

D3) 5. 6g1-f3

6. Af1-d3 7. b2xc3

EABg

6b8-c6 Ab4xc3+!?

9.

0-0

Accepting the gift on d4 is not on. 10. b7-b6

tra1-b1

11. h2-h3!

In this line White

does not want to

close the centre and persists with the d4 parnn ' sacrifice' .

11.

...

Ac8-d7

12.t2-t4l

d7-d6!

*f::...: i::rf*f

E

alla lv

:::'

AA

A*A.:i:l AAA

A g

*s

The famous Hiibner Yariation ("t mentioned before, it was played in the 1977 Spassky-Fischer match). This variation is characterised by the purest Nimzo-Indian style strategy: concede

A complex position; now that he

has

concluded development, Black can ambitiously take on d4, or otherwise con-

tent himself with a solid but slightly passive position after 12...exf4 13.Exf4. 179

Chess Opening Essentials

D32)

8.

-

Volume

3

After 1 2.af5 Axf5 1 3.exf5 6xf4

e3-e4

The most direct approach.

8. 9.

e6-e5

12....

d4-d5

A nice alternative is 9.h3!? (maintains the tension by preventing Aga, followed by the usual idea of a d4-pawn sacrifice) 9...h6 10.0-0 0-0 I 1.4e3 b6 12.d5 (it is difficult to find useful waiting moves) 12...6)e7 13.Ah4l? 95t 14.4f3 A96, with equal chances. 9. 6c6-e7 It is best to use this knight for the defence of the kingside.

10.

af3-h4

White has closed the centre in order to facilitate his kingside initiative. 10. ... h7-h6 Not so much to stop Ag5 but more to discourage f2-f4, while reserving the possibility of g5. 11. t2-t4 Played anyway! A recent idea is 1 1.g3l? gs 12.4g2. 11. ... 6e7-96!

EEgg E ll lr l aar lAl.AA A

A

A/fr AE

trgwg Fischer's move

-

t7xg6

It wouid appear that White has no cause for complaint - now Black has doubled pawns too; after fxe5, the d5 pawn becomes a supported passed pawn; in addition, the f-file is open and diagonals have been opened for the dark-squared bishop, but all is not what it seems: the

data at hand show that Black's performance is better than White's. 13. 0-0 14. Wd1-el The exchange on e5 is now considered to be doubtful: the passed d5 pawn will have no special significance until the endgame, while Black can mobilise his pawn majority with ...g5. In addition, Black's doubled pawns make the king's position more solid and thus the

0-0

initiative on the f-file will not bear fruit. 1+.f51? is playable but out of fashion: 14...gxf5 ( 1 4. .b5 !?) I 5.exf5 e4! 16.4e2 We7, with a balanced game. 14. ... Ac8-d7 15. We1-93 Bd8-e8 E

A

e

ll

a

E

A

A A/fl

unnatural-looking but

AE

A IJ

Ft

H

gE€

I

I rhrl IA I

AA

very powerful. After the spontaneous l1...exf4?l l2.Axfa 95?, there is 13.e51 694 14.e61 af6 15.0-0, wirh an overwhelming attack. 12. Ah4xg6 180

1+.Axf+ exf4, the black knight is srronger than the white bishop.

.-i

.,i .E-

AA

W e AA AA

Fl r9-r Eg

Black defends without any great problems.

Nimzo-Indian

Harnmes,Michael Akopian,Vladimir Kallithea tt 2008 (2)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 e6 3.6c3 Ab4 4.e3 c5 5.4e2 b6 6.a3 AaS 7.4d2 O-O 8.a14 cxd4 9.exd4 Axc3 1O.Axc3

d5 11.9f3 ab7 12.4d3 abdT 13.cxd5 Axd5 14.6xd5 Axd5 15.9h3 f5 16.0-0 Ef6 17.4d2 trg6

18.f3 Abg 19.Eac1 6c6 20.4e3 9f6 21.4c4 6xd4 22.Axd5 exd5 23.trcd1 6e2+ 24.&h1 EeB 25.f4 693+ 26.hxg3 trxe3 0-1 Portisch,Laios Fischer,Robert Siegen olympiad

Defence

19.6e7+ €h8 20.e5 fxeS 21.9xe5 6tG 22.Axh7 4xd6 23.Wf2 Aga 24.wd4 we3+ 25.wxe3 trxf't+ 26.trxf1 6xe3 27.trt3 Ac8 28.4g6 1-0

Zatonskih,Anna Browne,Walter San Diego ch-USA

2004 (6)

1.d4 af6 2.c4 eG 3.4c3 Ab4 4.e3 c5 5.4e2 cxd4 6.exd4 d5 7.a3 s.e7 8.4f4 dxc4 9.Axc4 0-0 10.0-O 6c6 11.4e3 AdO 12.4h5 ads 13.gfg

gh4

14.g3 6xd4 15.9d1 6xe3 Af3+ 17.Wxf3 Bxc4 18.6e4 AeS 19.trac1 Wds 2O.trcdl

16.fxe3

i970 (10)

1.d4 af6 2.c4 eG 3.6c3 Ab4 4.e3 b6 5.he2 Aa5 6.4g3 Axc3+ 7.bxc3

d5 8.4a3 dxc4 9.e4 Wd7 10.4e2 6cG 11.Wc2 0-0-0 12.0-0 h5 13.trfd1 h4 14.6t14h5 15.d5 6e5 16.dxe6 WeB 17.trxd8+ SxdS 18.Axh5 trxhS 19.f4 Ad3 20.exf7c5 21.We2 trh8 22.e5 €b8 23.e6 Wf6 24.tre14b5 25.Axc5 bxc5 26.trb1

aG 27.a4 6xt4 28.gfg Axe6 2g.gxf6 gxf6 30.axb5 axb5 31.trxbS+ €c7 32.4e3 Ef8 33.Ea5 €b7 34.6xc4 ExtT 35.Exc5 Axc5 36.4d6+ €c6 37.6xf7 de4 38.ah6 gds 39.4f5 h3 1/z-1/z

1-O

Portisch,Laios

TimmanJan Wijk

aalr Zee 1978 (5)

1.d4 af6 2.c4 eG 3.4c3 Ab4 4.e3 c5 5.4d3 6c6 6.4f3 Axc3+ 7.bxc3 d6 8.0-0 e5 9.4d2 cxd4 10.cxd4 exd4 11.exd4 6xd4 12.8e1+ 6e6 13.4a3 0-0 14.4b3 Wd7 15.tre3

Wc6 16.Axd6 trd8 17.4e5

6,d7

18.9h5 h6 19.4b2 Wxg2+ 20.€xg2 Q:t4+ 21.€gl Axhs 22.trd1 trf8 23.4a3 trd8 24.9b2 trf8 25.4a3

Ed8 26.9f5 ahf6 27.9e7

EeB

28.Axf5 4xf6 29.trxe8+ AxeS 30.trd8 €f8 31.Axc8 1-0

Spassky,Boris

Hiibner,Robert Munich 1979

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 eG 3.6c3 Ab4 4.e3 b6 5.6e2 Aa6 6.693 O-0 7.e4 6cO 8.9d3 e5 9.d5 AaS 10.We2 Axc3+ 11.bxc3 c6 12.6f5 6e8 13.f4 Bc7 14.fxe5 Bxe5 15.0-0 fG 16.4f4

Wxc3 17.tracl Wa3 18.d6 ab7

Alexand:ov,Alexey Parligras,Mircea Dresden 2007 (6)

1.d4 6lt6 2.c4 eG 3.4c3 Ab4 4.e3 c5 5.4d3 AcG 6.6f3 Axc3+ 7.bxc3 dG 8.0-O e5 9.6d2 0-0 10.tre1 cxd4 11.cxd4 exd4 12.exd4 Ag4 13.f3 ghs 14.4b3 trcB 15.9f5 trc7 r81

Chess Opening Essentiols

- Volume 3

16.A95 Ag6 17.Ae4 h6 18.4h4 Ee8 19.9d3 6b4 20.Wc3 6cG 21.o,d2

trc8 22.Wd3 €h7 23.trab1 o,ai 24.t4 trxe4 25.2;e4 6:xc4 26.Hxb7

d5 27.8:xt6+ Bxf6 28.Axf6 Axd3 29.9e7 a6 30.Ac5 f6 31.tree7 Eg8 32.g4 ad2 33.€f2 gc4 34.a3 h5 35.gxh5 8te4+ 36.€e3 Aa2 37.t5

gc4 3e.€f4 at2 39.gd6 8te4

40.9b4 at2 41.ad2 a,e4 42.g;b4 Q:t2 43,&e3 4s4+ 44.€f3 Ah6 45.@t4 Ad3 46.tre6 €h8 47.trdi Ac4 48.trbd7 tre8 49.EeG traB 50.Eee7 Eg8 51.Ae1 Ad3 52.trxd5 trc8 53.trc5 trd8 54.Ac3 trbB 55.Ee3 Ab1 56.tre1 Ad3 57.9b4 trdg 58.trd1 Ae2

59.trd2

1-o

58.€s2 trhdl 59.trf2+

€e4

60.trbb2 tr5d3 61.tra2 cA 62.tra4 gd4 63.trf8 e4 64.Ec8 tr1d2+ 65.€f1 trc2 66.€el €e3 67.Eaxc4

tre2+

0-1

Spassky,Boris Fischer,Robert Reykjavik Wch-match t972 (5)

1.d4 at0 2.c4 eG 3.6c3 954 4.619 c5 5.e3 6c6 6.4d3 Axc3+ 7.bxc3 dG 8.e4 e5 9.d5 OreT 10.6h4 h6 11.f4 AgG 12.6x96 fxg6 13.fxe5 dxe514.Ae3 b615.0-0 0-O 16.a4 aS 17.trb1 gd7 18.trb2 trb8 19.trbf2 We7 2O.€:c2 g5 21.9d2 WeB 22.9:e1BgG 23.Wd3 ahs 24.trxt$+

trxf8 25.trxf8+ €xf8 26.4d1 af4 Zaia,Ivan DelcherlAlexander Zadar 2007 (6)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 eG 3.4c3 Ab4 4.e3 c5 5.4f3 6c6 6.4d3 Axc3+ 7.bxc3 d6 8.6d2 e5 9.0-0 0-o 10.6e4 Af5 11.6xf6+ WxfG 12.e4 Ad7 13.d5 Ae7 14.Wh5 hG 15.trb1 b6 16.s3 996 17.WxgG Axs6 18.€g2 f5 19.exf5 9xf5 20.Axf5 trxfS 21.f3 Ee8 22.4e3 trt7 23.a4 fre7 24.9:d2 g5 25.trbe1 gh7 26.h3 tr98 27.tre4 AfS 28.4e1 trs6 29.s4 697 3o.Ag3 he8 31.tre3 AfG 32.trh1 €s8 33.h4 gxh4 34.Axh4 ahs 35,493 6xg3 36.€xg3 &97 37.a5 trf4 38.axb6 axb6 39.trb1 trxc4 40.trxb6 h5 41.&t2 hxg4 42.txg4 gh6 43.&e2 €g5 44.trt9 €xg4 45.trf8 trxc3 46.gd8 €f4 47.trdxd6 tre3+ 48.€d2 trg2+ 49.€d1 trh3 s0.EhG

trd3+ 51.€e1 trxd5 52.trh4+ €f5 53.Ec4 tr94 54.trc2 tre4+ 55.*f2 tred4 56.€e2 trh4 57.9f1 trh1+ 182

27.Wc2Lxa4

o-1

Rubinstein Variation with 4...0-0

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. 6b1-c3 4. e2-e3

6g8-f6 e7-e6

af8-b4 0-0

EAAS Eg llll

lll

la

AfiA

aod

AA AA AAA tr ag€aatr The 4...0-0 line merits irs own individual section as it is of historical importance and also because of the large number of associated sub-variations.

Nimzo-Indian

This normal developing move has always been the most played. Now White has the same options available to him as after 4...c5, namely 6e2 and aA, Ad: r A 1 A.^ r ,A r and ?]e2. %f 3 and Hd3. The move 5.a3 is an interesting additional option. It transposes to the Simisch Variation;

8.b4 c6 9.493 Ee8 10.4d3 a5, bur recendy players have preferred to keep the game fluid by capturing the knight.

8. Acl-d2 A useful waiting move whose scope is to recapture on c3 with the bishop, given that 8.e4 looks a little premature.

however, the two preceding moves 4.e3

and 4...0-0 players.

of

accentuating

the

tension

6. a2-ag

Ab4-e7

e6-e5

Af1-92

I A A A A A AAAAA A A

trw€E 't1.

0-0

12.6e2xd4

a

could be 5...8e8!? 6.a3 AfSt.

10.

rrlaarlr A

of this move helped to make it popular, and today it is more played than ever - probably in order to avoid the excessive quantity of theory attached to the other lines. White slows down the game, but avoids all the risks associated with the doubled c-Dawns. 5. d7-d5 The most logical: given that the e2 knight and the e3 pawn are both pas-

means

ab8-d7 ads-f6!?

E Ag Eg

A) 5. o'91-e2 Reshevsky's use

Queen's Gambit pawn structure. However, if he is looking for a win, a valid

9. s2-93

8.

limit the oDtions of both

sively positioned, Black adopts

Def.ence

With balanced

e5xd4 Ad7-e5

play.

B) 5. Af1-d3

d7-d5

The move 5...c5 is feasible: 6.6e2 (6.d5 b5!) 6...b6t? 7.0-0 cxd4 8.exd4

The most natural, but 6...AdO!? is also played a lot - especially at high levels.

zir ED/.-

On this square, the bishop is more active, but Black has to weigh up the consequences of 7.c5 Ae7 8.b4 c6 9.81f4

Remember that

b6 10.4e2 a5, as it is not clear if

for Black to continue with

White's queenside pawns are a strength

8.Axc4 c5. and now 9.4f3 Ac6 10.0-0

or

Wc7 ransposes to the Main

a

weakness.

7.

c4xd5 dxc4l? 8.Axc4 c5 with a reason7.af+ able version of the Queen's Gambit Accepted.

7.

4f6xd5

The less flexible 7...exd5 is also playable:

6. 691-e2 in

response

to the at-

tempt to transpose to the Simisch with 5.a3!? Axc3* 7.bxc3, it would be wise 7...dxc4! Line.

9.6,e2 is innocuous. 6.

d5xc4!?

Otherwise, 5...c5 7.cxdS cxd4 8.exd4 Axd5 9.0-0 Ac6, arriving at the same position as in Variation D2 of the 4...c5 line. 183

Chess Opening Essentiols

7. I

Ad3xc4

ne normal

-

Volume

3

e6-e5!?

/ . ..c5 8.0-0

hc6 is also

fine.

8. 9.

0-0

a2-a3 10. d4-d5

Ab8-c6 ab4-d6 Ac6-e7

E Egrhlll E& tll -€. a

aU

AI

A A A A AAAA

tr ag With complex

C1) 6. in Chigorin

style with the plan to establish active piece play, which comes ar the price of blocking the c-pawn from making its customary freeing advance.

7.

0-0 a7-a6 Black is preparing ...4d6 and does not want his plan to be disturbed by 4b5.

8.

h2-h3

A productive waiting move. Now Black proceeds with his plan of advancing his pawn to e5.

8. d5xc4 9, Ad3xc4 Ab4-d6

tr€

10. e3-e4! 11. Ac1-e3 12. trf1-e1

play.

C) 5. hs1-f3

Ab8-c6

The Nimzo-Indian is a flexible defence: it is not rare for the knight ro come out

d7-d5

e6-e5 h7-h6

5...c5 6.4d3 b5 (6...d5 rransposes to E33) 7.d5!? appears to be good for

E Ag

White.

IAEAI I AAA A AA A AA AA

ll

6. gf1-d3

EAES E€ lll llr la I AAA

AAAA

AA

AAA

trAW€E

E€

ll

tr wtr€ And White has an edge.

cD 6.

b7-b6

Played by Eurve

in 1928 (but with a dif-

ferent move order).

6.4e2 is less submissive than it seems to be, whereas after 6.a3, Black has no reason to fear a transposition to the Simisch with 6...4xc3+, given the less than ideal placement of the knight on f3.

Now Black 184

has three playable options.

7.

0-0 Ac8-b7 This position is often reached by means of the 4...b6 variation.

8.

c4xd5

8.4d2 is interesring: 8...Abd7!? 9.hxd5 6xd5 l0.cxd5 Axd2 11.dxe6 12.gxf3, with an unclear game.

Axf3

Nimzo-Indiqn

H

An important alternative is 8.a3 Ad6! (this position that is virtually the same as in the Queen's Indian with 4.e3, only here there is already

dxc4 10.Axc4 e5,

a

l ll aa

abd7 11.4b2 a5 12.b5

AA AA

with satisfactory results for Black. 8. e6xd5

AU

AAA'\

AA

9.

AAA g

tr A

AII

E€

If 1 3 .. .Wxd7 ?, then 1 4.Axh7 + 13. €g1-hl

,\ AAA ul) AAN

AA trag

UU Ed"

r3. aarlr

pawn on a3) 9.b4

EA g T@ rar rll I a I AA

Defence

E

W

!.

Hda

rE l l laa al

AAA

gg

8 rq)

Af3-e5

AA AAA AA H6H.01

The most aggressive.

9.a3 is also possible: g...Ade 10.b4 a6 1 1.9b3 AbdT 12.a4 We7 13.Aa3 trfb8t, with the idea of ... c5 and a bal-

W

AA

E'gEE

anced game. 9. ab4-d6 After 9...4bd7 White can gain a small advantage with 10.Wa4l Ad6 1 1.6xd7 10. f2-f4 With the noted Pillsbury Formation .

White blocks the path of the c1 bishop, but it offbrs nice auacking possibilities. 10.... 11.

gdl-f3

c7-c5

11.8f3, with the intenrion of going to h3, can also be unpleasant for Black. 1

1.

12.

...

gf3-h3

Ab8-c6

A typical manoeuvre; the threat is ?txo5.

12....

g7-g6

After 12...6e7?, White wins with the lovely tactical shot 1 3.4d7l!.

The position is objectively balanced; however, most players would rather be White.

c3)

c7-c5

6.

7.

0-0

EAAS E@ ll lll la

lr

AAA

5DO

AAAA

AA

AAA

tr aw trg

At this point there are three principal ways of proceeding. Some players have also had reasonable results by experi185

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

menting with 7...b6, with the idea of playing the bishop to a6; and with 7,..abd7 , so as to transfer the knight to d5 after exchanges on c4 and d4 - presuming White allows it, of course.

C31) 7.

L e3xd4 9. 9d3xc4

c5xd4 d5xc4 b7-b6

The famous Karpov Variation was made popular by the future World Champion at the beginning of the 1970's. We have already seen many isohere Black has the advantage that the queen's bishop can be nicely developed to b7. It

lated queen's pawn positions;

is worth noting that it is becoming somewhat fashionable to play 9...a61? and 9...4bd7, even

if

these lines are

still less played. 10. Ac1-95

uration for the white pieces would be: I I .WeZ seems very natur"l, followed

by putting the rooks on the c- and d-files. Some have instead played 1.Ec1 in order to recapture on c3 with the rook; another idea is 1 1.9d3. with 1

the idea of putting the bishop on c2. Recently the immediate

11. 6f3-e5!?

has attracted quite a few players; the idea is to play Axf6 at the opportune moment, for instance after 11...8)c6?l 12.Axf6 gxf6 (forced) 13.Axc6 Axc6 14.d5, and White has an advantage. 11.

...

12.

b2xc3

Ab4xc3 ab8-d7!?

13. Wdl-e2! After 13.6xd7 WxdT 14.Axf6 gxf6, the doubled pawns are not as bad as they seem - Black has a certain amount of counterplay on the g-fiIe.

Not the only move, but it is certainly the most popular. With a bishop on b4, the most logical thing is to pin the f6

14.6e5xd7 Or 14.4f4 Axe5 15.Axe5 Wc6,

knight.

Black is doing well.

10....

Ac8-b7

13....

14.... 15. Eal-c1

16. f2-t4t More active than I6.f3 16. ... 17. Ac4-d3

Now the strategic theme is

apparent; White needs to establish an active game

by exploiting the outpost on e5 or by threatening to advance his pawn to d5. It is difficult to say what the best config186

Wd8-c7

6f0xd7 Wc7-c6!

Ea8-c8

and

Nimzo-Indion

The position is not easy to evaluate, White has dynamic play that will give him some good chances, but his pawn structure is slightly compromised: three parnm islands facing two and an f4 pawn that could become weak.

C3D

games to examine, we still do not have

a

definite opinion on who stands better.

10....

c5xd4!

Ac3-b5! 12.6b5xd4

11.

13.b2-b4

Ab4-e7 Ac8-b7 a7-a6

14. Ac1-b2

7.

d5xc4

8. Ad3xc4 Ab8-d7 This elastic move defines the Parma Yariation. Black delays the pawn advance to b6, and he has the future option of capturing on d4 at the right mo-

E g E€ A AATTT

ll

ous threat. The strategic richless of these variations becomes apparent when we look at some of the alternatives that are played with satisfactory results: 8...4d7 (Bronstein), 8...We7 (Smyslor) and 8...b5. Also 8...4c6 is possible, with a likely transposition to c3 3.

Wd1-e2

9.a3 cxd4l? 10.exd4

Axc3 1 1.bxc3 Wc7

12.WeZ b6 we are

in a Karpov Varia-

tion in which White has lost a tempo with the a2-a3 advance. The line 9.9b3 b6 10.d51? Axc3 I 1.dxe6 Aa5 12.exd7

A /Ar\

b7-b6

White has an edge - more space and his rooks are ready to be developed to the c- and d-files. However, the nature of the position is such (symmetrical pawn structure) that it is unlikely White can hope for much against correct play.

C33) 7.

Ab8-c6

Ag E&

E

A

ll A

possible.

3

10. a2-a3

ates fierce complications:

AA

F? .+a

HE

The most thematic, but 9...a6!? is also

10.Ed1 (threatening d4-d5) l0...cxd4 1 1.exd4 Ab7 transposes to the Karpov Variation. The immediate 10.d5!? cre-

AA

gA

ll

WxdT produces an equal position.

9.

ra

as E-u4)

ment. However, he has to do this before White's advance d4-d5 becomes a seri-

9.

Delence

AA AA rE9

A

lll

I dh

AA

AA 1l q)

Ag

AAA

Ff .'Ol Etg

after

10...4xc3 l1.dxe6 6e5! 12.exf/+ €hS 13.bxc3 Ag4 14.e4, Black has evident compensation; however, two pawns is a lot of material and even with cuite a few

An important position in

the

Nimzo-Indian. If the black bishop were

on d6, we would have an absolutely symmetrical Semi-Tarrasch position 187

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Voiume

3

(and a transposition is possible with 8.dxc5 Axc5). However, the fact that the bishop is on b4 increases the strategic complexity of the game. 8. a2-a3 The alternative 8.cxd5 is hardly ever mentioned and almost no one plays it; yet it is a legitimate move. After 8...exd5 9.dxc5 Axc5, we are in a position characterised by an isolated queen's pawn (Black's this time) with chances for both sides. Black has other

18.Wxe4 g6 19.9h4 h5 20.4b3, wirh a practically decisive attack. 15. Ac1-h6 Ef8-e8 16. Eal-d1 White is applying a great deal of pressure. Black's problem is that in these lines the knight is not well placed on

valid alternatives to capturing on c3.

9axb4l? cxd4!.

off the threat of d4-d5 is always on the cards.

c6; with the b7 bishop cut

c332)

8.

9.

...

Ab+-as

9.

C331)

8. ...

c5xd4

The least played.

9. 10. 11. 12.

Ad3xc4 Ef1-e1 Ac4-d3

d5xc4 Aba-eZ b7-b6 Ac8-b7

This position is sometimes reached in the Karpov Yariation. 13. 14.

Ad3-c2 gd1-d3

tra8-c8

Eg Eg

rala Erlr la )\ ilif, q)w

tion! Black has the option of capturing on c3 whenever White takes on c5, and his plan is to play the bishop to b5 so as to

further attack the d4 pawn. Remember that another possibility is 9...4xc3, which transposes to the main line. We will discuss this soon. 10. wd1-d3! To make it possible to protect d4 with si, r A ^ r ' go1. Inrs move arso prepares Ea/-Dt, with strong pressure on the black kingside. After 10.4a2 AUe t1.dxc5

Wxdl 1Z.Exdl Axc5 13.b+ Ae7 1+.9,b2, White has a space and devel-

/\A A A

This is the Larsen Variation, which was a favourite of Karpov's in the 1970's -

until he came up with his own varia-

e3xd4

9.axb4 dxc3 is satisfactory for Black.

9.

,\ q)

/\A,AAAA _H i\ /\ a\ F? A F? .{. gEgw

opment advantage, but the position is

too arid to offer him

...

g7-g6!

14...tre8? is a big boo-boo that even great champions such as Balashov and

Karpov (!) have made: 15.d5! exdS 16.495 Ae4 (forced) 17.Axe4 dxe4 188

Dractical

possibilities. 10.

...

Ef1-d1 12.9c4-a2

11. 14.

d5xc4

9d3xc4

a7-a6 b7-b5 c5-c4l?

tusky but good. t 2...4b7 I 3.dxc5 Axc3 14.Wc2l We7 15.Wxc3 gives White a slight advantage. 13.

Wd3-e2

Wd8-e8!

Nimzo-Indio n Defence

I

gE€

A

E

ET

rll lA V

A

IA

,\

A ,AA gA

1'1)

FT

-F- H

Wd8xd5 Wd5xc5

18.

with a future Ad5. 14. e3-e4 e6-e5 15. d4-d5 Ac6-d4! 16. Af3xd4 e5xd4 17. trd1xd4 We8-e5 18. Ac1-e3 Af6-ga 19. t2-t4 We5-b8 A position that is almost impossible to evaluar.e with confidence. With ...AUe , Black is about to win the exchange, but White has not only an extra pawn, but also an imposing centre. With these types of position, the safest bet is to say

Ef8-e8

\lil/H H Eee

ll

6ta

E

lll

A Jh I .&

attacked

simply that the position is unclear!

WcS-c8

gdl-b1

dl e

An odd-looking move but very strong: the idea is to prepare ...e6-e5 without having to worry about the queen being

tra8-d8

17. gb2-d4

Eyeing h3.

AA

F?

Ag4xf3

15. Ad3-e2 16. Acl-b2

WA A A .N

...

fl.92rt3

13.

A A AA AA

U

trg

Fi $M eE

It is rrue that the black rooks

are active

and White's kingside is weakened to a certain extent, but it is hard not to prefer White's chances when you see two bishops in a position as open as this one.

c334)

8.

9.

Ab4xc3

...

b2xc3

Now we reach the final

crossroads:

9...Wc7 or 9...dxc4 10.Axc4 Wc7.

Ab+-as c333) 8. ... This Reykiavik Variation is similar to the previous line, but White can ex-

EIA

Aa5xc3 Ac8-94

AA

e6xd5

E-

ll

Forced.

11.

b2xc3

12. c3-c4l

If lZ.trbt Wc8! 13.4e2 trds 14.9b3

12.... 13.4b2!?.

A

Eg

lll

h

AAA 6 AAA

F? &E 6 $Itr

E

EbS, with equality.

13. c4xd5

Wd8-c7

rrgAI

change on d5.

9. c4xd5l 10. d4xcSl

9.

Fl .O-t

Oc6-e5

The ever-popular Khasin Yariation. Double control of e5 prevents the estab189

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

of the Pillsbury Formation, 13. ... Wc7-a5 which is a powerful possibility after 13...4ga merirs considerarion: 9...b6 10.cxd5 exdS 11.6e5! Wc7 14.We1!: or 13...4e4 14.Axe4 Exe4 Iishment

tz.f+t.

1s.ad2.

of 14. Wd1-cl 6f6-e4 entering the main line by playing 15. Ac2xe4 Ee8xe4 ...dxc4 on the following move, and in 16. af3-d2 Ee4-eg so doing, reduce the number of options 17. e3-e4 Ac8-e6! at White's disposal; for example, it is Andbothplayershavechances. impossible for White to enter the 1 1.4e2 variation if Black delays capturReshevsky,samuel ing on c4. However, as is always the case Botvinnik,Mikhail in the opening, if you prevent one thing Netherlards AVRO 1938 (10) In addition, Black reserves the option

you allow another. In this case, 10. c4xd5

denies Black the option of playing ...dxc4. However, many prefer 10.Wc2, l0.gb2 or 10.h3, in an atempt to enter the main line. For his part, Black is not obliged to play 10...dxc4; he also has the option of tO...AaSl?, which may not be obiectively stronger, but e6xd5

11. a3-a4 The original 1 1.4h4 is no longer a common choice; after 1l...Wa5l (better than the old 11 ...4\e7) 12.4b2 EeS 13.Wel Waef , Black has a pleasant game.

The waiting move 1 1.h3 is becoming increasingly popular; a possible continuation is 1 1...8e8 12.4b2 c4 B.AcZ

6c4 14.Axe4 Exe4 15.4d2

'13.b4 a6 14.Ee1 tre8 15.4b2 Afg 16.Wdg Ae6 17.f3 kd7 18.ka4 bG

6b6 21.4c3 tra7 22.e4 6,c4 23.tra1 Axc5

19.Eac1 b5 20.6c5

24.dxc5 trd7 25.9d4 fG 26.t4 dxe4 28.tracl Exc3

27.Wxe4

avoids heavily analysed lines.

10....

1.d4 af6 2.c4 e5 3.4c3 Ab4 4.e3 0-0 5.4e2 d5 6.a3 Ae7 7.cxd5 6xd5 8.Axd5 exds 9.g3 ad7 10.492 af6 11.0-O Ad6 12.2'c3 c6

Ed3

29.trxc3 Af7 30.trd3 Bb8 31.tredl trxe4 32.Axe4 gf8 33.Ed8 AeB 34.tre1 €f7 35.Axh7 Q,eS 36.fxe5 gh8 37.A;c2 €e7 38.trc8 f5 39.Axf5 gihs 40.94 Bg5 41.trc7+ €dg 42.trc8+ €e7 43.e6 96 44.trc7+ €dg 45.8d7+ €c8 46.e7 gxfS 47.trd8+ €c7 48.trxe8 Bxg4+ 49.€h1 gf3+ 50.€91Wg4+ 1/zt/z

16.9f3 Ae6 17.trfel f5. with an un-

Garcia Palermo,Carlos Karpov,Anatoly

clear game.

Mar del Plata 1982 (9)

11. ... 12. Ac1-a3 13. Ad3-c2

EeS

White prepares to advance his centre

1.d4 af6 2.c4 eG 3.4f3 b6 4.6c3 Ab4 5.e3 0-0 6.9d3 d5 7.0-o Ab7 8.cxd5 exdS 9.4e5 Ad6 10.f4 c5 11.9f3 AcG 12.4d2 cxd413.6xc6 AxcG 14.exd4 gd7 15.f5 EfeS

pawns.

16.ef4 Q:e4l7.Axd6 Wxd6 18.Axe4

Ef8-e8 c5-c4

Now that Black's centre pawns are {ixed,

190

Nimzo-Indion

dxe4 19.8e3 fO 20.d5 Ad7 21.tradl tre5 22.2xe4 Wb4 23.8d4 Wxb2 24.trn wbr+ 25.trt1 wc2 26.Ht2 wbr + 27.Ht1gbs 28.a4 wa5 29.d6 trxfS 30.trc1 Ed8 31.trc7 Ee5 32.h3 €f8 33.9f4 tre6 34.6c3 a6 35.trd5 b5 36.9d4 tree8 37.axb5 Ae5 38.tra7 Ed7 39.trxa6 gdg 40.trc5 h6 4l.trac6 €98 42.b6 ghg 43.4b5

trb7 44.dc7 gd7 45.6xe8 WxeS 46.trc7 Exb6 47.trc1 trbB 48.&h2 trd8 49.tr1c3 gf7 50.8e3 tre8 51.tre7 trxe7 52.dxe7 Ae8 53.Wc5 €h7 54.trc8 9:d7 55.trf8 We6 56.Wc2+f5

57.Wxf5+

1-o

13.bxc3 Wc7 14.6xd7 6xd7 15.trac1 trfe8 16.4b3 hG 17.9h4 Wf4 18.4g3 We4 19.Wxe4 Axe4 20.f3 Ac6 21.Efd1 trac9 22.c4 e5 23.d5 A;b7 24.A'a4 tred8 25.Axd7 trxd7 26.Axe5 b5 27.dG trxc4 28.trxc4 bxc4 29.€f2 f5 30.4g3 g5 31.€e3 h5 32.h3 94 33.fxs4 hxg4

34.h4 9xg2 35.9d4 €f7 36.€xc4

€g6 37.€c5 Ae4

38.tre1 €f5 39.9d4 Ac6 40.trc1 9;a4 41.trc4 Ad1 42.trc7 €e6 43.h5 trdB 44.h0 Aa4 45.tr97 EhB 46.h7 a5 47.&c5 €f5 48.dT AxdT 49.trxd7 9e4 50.9h4 f5 51.4f6 trc8+ 52.€b5 g3 53.8d8

Portisch,Laios Karpov,Anatoly

1-0

Petrosian,Tigran Balashov,Yury

Milano 1975 f5)

e6 3.4e3 Ab4 4.e3 c5 5.4d3 d5 6.4f3 0-0 7.0-0 dxc4 8.Axc4 cxd4 9.exd4 b6 10.tre1 Ab7 11.a3 Ae712.Ad3 6c6 13.4c2 tre8 14.9d3 trc8 15.d5 exdS 16.495 4)e4 17.6xe4 dxe4 18.Wxe4 96 19.9h4 h5 20.trad1 Wc7 21.Axg6 fxg6 22.wc4+ &s7 23.4f4 ga6 24.Wc3+ gf6 25.Axc7 Axc3 26.trxe8 ExeS 27.bxc3 Ae2 28.tre1 trcB 29.Exe2 trxc7 30.tre6 Ad8 31.tre3 gf6 32.€f1 Ae6 33.93 g5 34.h3 EcS 35.6,d2 trdS 36.€e2 6tc5 37.c4 trd4 38.tre8 h4 39.trf8+ '1.d4 4rt6 2.c4

€e740.Eh8hxg341.fxg3

Def.ence

Vz-1h

Moscow tt

Al Ain 2008 (7)

1.d4 d5 2.c4 eG 3.6c3 Ab4 4.e3 Af6 5.af3 0'0 6.9d3 c5 7.0-O cxd4 8.exd4 dxc4 9.Axc4 bG 10.495 Ab7 11.6e5 abdT 12.We2 Axc3

+

Ecg 14.9d3 Ee8 15.d5 exd515.Ag5 6e4 17.6:xe4 dxe4 18.Wxe4 g6 19.9h4 Wc7 20.4b3 h5 21.We4 €g7 22.9:rt7 gxfT 23.gh6 gd6 24.Wc/,+ €f6 25.trad1 ad4 26.Wxd4+ Wxd4 27.trxd4 trcS

28.h4

1-0

Topalov,Yeselin PonomariorlRuslan Vitoria Gasteiz 2007 (9)

1.d4

Nguyen Anh Dung Jobava,Baadur

197

1.4 at6 2.6c3 e6 3.d4 Ab4 4.e3 c5 5.9d3 d5 6.4f3 0-0 7.O-O dxc4 8.Axc4 Ac6 9€d3 cxd4 10.exd4 Ae7 1l.tre1 b6 12.a3 Ab7 13.4c2

af6 2.c4 eG 3.ae3 Ab4 4.e3 0-O

5.9d3 c5 6.4f3 d5 7.0-0 dxc4 8.Axc4 abd7 9.Wb3 cxd4 10.exd4 Axc3 11.bxc3 b6 12.6g5 tre8 13.tre1 atg 14f3 ab7 15.4f1 trc8 16.4b2

Wc7 17.c4 tred8 18.trac1 gf4

19.ah3 Wc7 20.6lt2 trd7 21.6e4 22.Axf6+ gxf6 23.d5 Wgs

gdg

t9r

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume

3

24.tre4 Wd8 25.Wc3 f6 26.dxe6 tre7 27.tr94 trxe6 28.Wa3 h5 29.trd4 We7 30.trcd1 Wxa3 31.Axa3 Eee8 32.c5

bxc5 33.trh4 96 34.tra4 aC 35.4c4+ €g7 36.trb1 trc7 37.Axc5 trxcS

38.trxb7+ gh6 39.h4 a5 4O.tra7 trel* 41.&h2 tree5 42.trt7 6;h7 43.9b3 tre8 44.trd4 trf8 45.tra7 f5 46.trd6 6:t6 47.a4 f4 48.trb6 trc1 49.9t7 €97 50.4e6+ €h6 51.trxa5

gd8 52.trb4 trd6 53.9b3

gb1

54.trab5 trd3 55.4c2 Exb4 56.trxb4

trd257.4b3trb258.trb795

1-o

Classical Main Line

1. d2-d4

2. c2-c4 3. hb1-c3 4. e2-e3 5. hg1-f3 6. Af1-d3 7. 0-0

Ag8-f6 e7-e6

gf8-b4 0-0 d7-d5 c7-c5

times this is done by playing his pawns to f3 and e4 after the exchange on e5; at other times, the bishop goes directly to b2 with the hope of a c3-c4 advance. The extraordinary depth of this position is made clear by the fact that White can choose from ten (!) or so playable moves. For reasons of space, we will not

Ab8-c6

8. a2-a3 Ab4xc3 9. b2xc3 d5xc4 10. Ad3xc4 Wd8-c7 HA E€

Iook at all of these, but instead we wili

r rg lll 'a iA IAA t EA

AA AA

.EA

H .g=t 6$tr e

about some relic of the past: it is still popular with top players who like a positionally complex game. With 10...Wc7, Black keeps a tactical eye on the c4 bishop and prepares to advance ...e6-e5. This advance is not played in order to open up the position, which with White's two bishops would be against Black's interests, but in order to grant freedom to the c8 bishop and to create an initiative in the centre. Sometimes after the f3 knight is exchanged for its opposite number on e5, the white kingside remains dangerously Iacking in defence. Even if the exchange on e5 does not occur. the advance ...e5-e4 can give Black a nice kingside initiative. White's task is above all to activate his dark-squared bishop - some-

try to make clear the common plans.

A)

11. Ac4-b5

A subtle move, perhaps too much so. Having

AA

to move the bishop, White first it to b5, to encourage Black to play

decided

AAA

plays

...a6, we-akening the b6-square; the bishop

will now reteat to e2 or to d3. Curiously the

This was considered the Main Line for

same idea is present

the entire Nimzo-Indian from

*re French Winawer (see page 213 of the fint volume). h both cases, the refinement seems [o be ofon]v academic interest.

the

1950's untii the explosion of interest in

1990's. Now it is less played than other lines, but the name has stuck. However, we are not talking

4.Wc2

192

in the

1

1.

in the

...

12. gb5-d3

7.a4 variation

a7-aG

of

Nimzo-Indiqn Or 12.4e2

12....

E 'A''

rg laa

e6-e5

E€',,,

lll

ll

C)

11. 9c4-a2 1980's

In vogue in the rather rare.

-

Defence

today

it

is

...

11. e6-e5 12. h2-h3 With the bishop 'out of play' on a2 it is

important to stop Ag4

12....

A

A AgAA

tr Ag

12...b61? is also playable.

AAA

E ,.A.'

E€

' .iJi

whether the pawn is on a6 or on a7.

Z-\

B)

12. d4xe5

with an adBlack. '12.... Ac6xe5 13. 6f3xe5 Wc7xe5 14. t2-t3 Ac8-d7

12.d5?! e4! 13.dxc6 Ag4!, vantage for

E

ll

E@

E llr 4 lg g A A AA W AA

tr A

tr€

1

E@

illl r rg -',4',,,,

In comparison with Variation F, it does not seem to make any great difference

11. Wd1-e2 It is strange that this move is so often played, as it is notoriously dubious. 11. ... e6-e5

e5-e4

t\. Z-1

A

trag

n

.l' A'\A

t\q)

AA

':"

a

ata Fl .h

af3-h2!

Wc7-e7l? 13...4f5 1a.6\g+l has scored well for White. 14. a3-a4 Ac8-eG 15. Ac1-a3 Ae6xa2 16. Ea1xa2 b7-b6 Wirh a balanced same. 13.

D)

11. Ac1-b2 e6-e5 12. h2-h3

Er6

rrga e&

Eg

ill A.

I I AA U

N'\

Ail

A

And Black has no problems. The queen A A.' g is not well placed here compared to II $e other lines in which White exchanges on e5 and the ugly pawn structure is At the time of writing, this line is very not sufficiently offset by the advantage fashionable. of the two bishops. 12.... b7-b6!?

tr€

193

Chess Opening Essentiois

-

Volume

3

Both 12...4f5 and 12...e4 are also playable, while the following tactical shor by Black backfires: 12...cxd4?! 13.cxd4 6)xd4? i4.Axe5t Wxe5 15.4xd4. and the bishops dominate.

Wd1-e2 Ac8-b7 14.9.c4-a2 Ea8-d8

13.

Now

1'1.

17.AxcZAxe4 18.Ee1 Afs. 13..,. 6c6xe5 14.6f3xe5 Wc7xe5 15. f2-f3

AH

Ei

With equal chances.

E)

9'g+l?, with unclear play) 14.Axc4 exd4 15.cxd4 6a5 16.4d3 Wxc2

ll

9c4-e2

e6-e5

13.dxc6

694l

gAAAA AA

A A

6

Hcts)

gives Black a good game.

14. t2-14

,Ac6-e5 e4xf3

A protective measure against ...6g+. This is a typical position. Black has

15. g2xf3

Ac8-h3

greater space, harmonious development and a better pawn structure; White enjoys the bishop pair and a good centre.

13....

E

r rg

laa

E@

III

cA

A AA E AA agatr€

n F'

With equal chances - White has a nice centre; Black's pieces are both more active and better coordinated.

F) 11. Ac4-d3 Exposing himself to the fork on e4, but with this move White presumes an ex-

15....

11. ... e6-e5 12. Ef8-e8 13. d4xe5 13.e4 does not give White a lot after 1 3...c4 (otherwise, 13...exd4 14.cxd4

Wdl-c2

Ac8-d7

15...9e6!?. 16. 17. 18. e3-e4

a3-a4 trf1-e1

tra8-d8 Ad7-c6

White activates the c1 bishop and prepares to push his centre pawns, so Black

must respond energetically.

18.... 19. Ac1-d2 20. gd3-f1

ll

EE A

-=-

change on e5.

19+

lll

a

lg

12. d4-d5 after 12...Ee8. White continues

with 1 3.e4! and the bishop comes to life. 12.... e5-e4! 13. Af3-e1

60a

AE

AI

A

A

gA Fi

af6-d5 6,d5-t4 c5-c4!

@

rll

g AA A

AA

trA€

Nimzo-Indion

Defence

With the central pawns fixed, the position is balanced and thus offers both

8.a3 €xc3 9.bxc3 Wc710.Wc2 dxc4 11.Axc4 e5 12.Ad3 tre8 13.e4 exd4

players chances.

14.cxd4 Ag4 15.e5 Axf3 16.exf6 6:xd4 17.Axh7+ €hg 18.fxg7+ €xg7 19.4b2 trad8 20.gxf3 Eh8

Naidorf,Miguel Reshevsky,samuel Buenos Aires match 1953 (16)

Af6 2.e4 e6 3.6c3 Ab4 4.e3 c5 5.9d3 0-0 6.4f3 d5 7.0-0 Ac6 8.a3 dxc4 9.Axc4 Axc3 10.bxc3 Wc7 11.a4 b6 12.4a3 e5 13.Wc2 Ab7 14.4e2 e4 '15.6'd2 6a5 16.dxc5 bxcS 17.4 trfe8 l8.trfdl trad8 19.4f1 h5 20.4g3 h4 21.6f5 Ac8 22.6,xh4 flcG 23.4b2 6e5 24.Wc3 Exdl+ 25.trxd1 Ag4 26.t9 Ahs 27.Wel Wb7 2g.Axes trxe5 29.f4 Axe2 3O.trbl We7 31.fxe5 Ag4 32.eG Axc4 33.exf7+ AxfT 34.993 Wg5 35.tre1 gh5 36.8f1 Ah6 37.h3 €h7 38.9f4 ads 39.4f5 at7 40.Bc7c441.Wd7AaB 42.trt4 1-o 1.d4

Rodriguez Yargas,Orestes Olafsson,Fridrik Las Palmas 197

8 (1)

af6

2.c4 es5 3.4c3 Aba +.eg c5 5.4d3 O-0 6.4f3 d5 7.0-0 Ac6 8.a3 Axc3 9.bxc3 dxc4 10.Axc4 1.d4

Wc7 l1.trel e5 12.d5 6a5 13.dG Wd8 14.6xe5 Axc4 15.6xc4 Ae6 16.9d3 69417.He2 Axc4 18.Wxc4 Bxd6 19.93 Ae5 20.Wa2 Sg6 21.e4 trad8 22.4t4 kt3+ 23.&g2 wg4 24.h3 6h4+ 2s.gh2 gf3 26.trgl Bg2+ o-1

21.€h1 ExhT 22.trg1+ €h8 23.trg3 WeS 24.tra9'l trh4 25.Wc1 gh7 26.9b1+ €hB 27.9f1 WeG 28.Wg2 1-O

Alexandrov,Alexey Tunik,Gennady Zvenigorod 2008 (2)

af6 2.e4 e6 3.4c3 Ab4 4.e3 0-0 5.4d3 c5 6.6f3 d5 7.0-O Ac6 8.a3 Qxc3 9.bxc3 dxc4 10.Axc4 Wc7 11,h3 e5 12.€.a2 b6 13.d5 e4 14.dxc6 exf3 15.Wxf3 Ae6 16.c4 Be5 17.Eb1 '*4e4 18.Wg3 Bxc6 19.9b2 gf5 20.trbd1 trfd8 21.f3 fugG 22.e4 Ae8 23.h4 Wc7 24.Sf2 We7 25.trde1 trd7 26.4b3 trad8 27.tre2 6.c7 28.9a4 trd3 29.4c2 tr3d7 30.94 AeG 31.Wg3 ad4 32.Axd4 cxd4 33.Aa4 d3 34.9d2 trd4 35.h5 Eixa3 36.9d1 Exc4 37.hxg6 fxg6 38.We5 trcG 39.9b2 Wc5+ 4O.&s2 h5 41.9b3+ sh7 42.trh1 trfO 43.9d5 trxd5 44.exd5 Wxd5 45.trh3 trf4 46.gxh5 gxh5 47.Wc3 trg4+ 48.trg3 Exg3+ 49.€xg3 Wg5+ 50.€h3 Wgl 1.d4

51.Wxd3+€hG 52.Ed1

1-0

Lugovoi,Alexey Naiditsch,Arkady Moscow Aeroflot 2005 (2)

Sokolov,Ivan Kasparov,Garry Wijk aan Zee 1999 (9)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 eG 3.6c3 9b4 4.e3 5.9d3 d5 6.4f3 c5 7.0-0 6c6

O-O

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 e6 3.6c3 Ab4 4.e3 0-0 5.9d3 d5 6.af3 c5 7.0-0 Dc6 8.a3 Axc3 9.bxc3 dxc4 10.9xc4 Wc7 11.4b2 eS 12.h3 b6 13.9a2 Aa6 14.Eel trad8 15.e4 cxd4 19s

Chess Opening Essentials

- Volume 3

6d5 18.eG fxe6 19.trxe6 €h8 20.695 El'f4 21.9h5 Wxf2+ 22.&h1Ad3 23.Axd5 trxdS 24.4ilt7+ trxf7 25.Wxd5 trfB 26.Eae1 A96 27.8d6 d3 28.Ac3 Adg 29.tr6e3 €g8 g0.gd5+ ghg 31.trf3 trxf3 32.gxf3 h6 33.Bxd8+ 16.cxd4 exd4 17.e5

€h734.9f8

1-0

Kurukin,Dmitry Alexandrov,Alexey Minsk 200s (1)

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.6c3 Ab4 4.a3 Axc3+ 5.bxc3 c5 6.e3 Ac6 7.AdS

196

dxc4 8.Axc4 af6 9.af3 O-O 1O.O-O Wc7 11.Ab2 e5 12.h3 e4 r3.kd2 6a5 14.4a2 c4 15.a4 tre8 16.Aa3

Ae6 17.trb1 trac8 1B.Ab4 6c6 19.Ac5 b6 20.4a3 6d8 21.9b4

S:b7 22G€3 gd5 2S.We2 Bc6 24.Eb5 a5 25.Eb4 Ad6 26.trfb1 Ad7 27.tr4b2 ab7 28,trb4 Aa5 29.ws4 tre6 30.8h5 h6 31.E4b2 Es6 32.9b4 €lb7 33.tre1 trgS 34.9d1 Bs6 35.93 gfs 36.4b1 h5 37.&e2 9g6 38.Ae7 tG 39.6t1 h4 40.gh2 €f7 41.4a3 fs 42.trd2 trhg 43.8c1 hxg3+ 44.fxg3 trgh5 o-1

in

1922 in Ernst Defence to

When the defence appeared

the games of the Austrian

Grunfeld, the Orthodox the Queen's Gambit reigned supreme. You can therefore imagine how bizarre the idea must have seemed, even if the Alekhine Defence (1.e+ 6f6), which

has the same strategic theme, appeared one year earlier. However, within ten years of the Grtinfeld's debut it had already become

EAABgA E ll l lrl al I:

evident that the defence had great dy-

namic potential and was based on

AA

sound strategic principles. So much so, that great champions such as Alekhine, Flohr, Botvinnik, Lilienthai and Spielmann started to use it with a certain regularity. It has remained relatively popular ever since; in the 1950's and

a

AA AAAA tr ag€aatr After 1.d2-d4 Og8-f6 2.c2-c4 Black can establish a fianchetto with 2...g7-96 in order to play more ambitiously, and naturally riskier as well, than in games that usually arise after 2...e6.

Playing this way, Black does not oppose White's central expansion in the same way as in the Nimzo-Indian, and therefore after 3.6b1-c3 he cannot prevent White gaining possession of the centre. By playing 3...4g7 ,Black allows the im-

mediate push e2-e4, which we

will

60's the patronage of Boleslavsky, Uhlmann,

Smyslov, Gligoric and

Filip increased its appeal. In more recent years, Adorjan,

Jansa,

Ftacnik and Smeikal have used it as their

main weapon against 1.d4. When you add the names of Kortchnoi. Leko. Svidler and former World Champions Fischer and Kasparov to the list of players who have endorsed this defence, you can see that it has a lot to recommendit.

see

in the King's Indian. Before looking at that defence, we will examine the Grtinfeld Indian Defence. which be-

Before we examine the Gninfeld

with the move 3...d7-d5. This move temporarily prevents the e2-e4 advance, in the full knowledge that after an exchange on d5, the advance has been de-

Iays the development of his knight to c3. In this case, Black needs to be care-

gins

Iayed for one move only.

This is exactly the idea of the defence concede the centre and then attack it.

in the

strict sense of the term. we will examine the alternatives in which White de-

ful. After the ...d7-d5 advance. White can exchange pawns and then push e2-e4, and now with no white knight on c3, Black's d5 knight must retreat, which is a problem for Black. r97

Chess Opening Essentiols

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4

-

Volume

Ag8-f6 97-96

Now, for example, White can try:

3.

$

6g1'f3!?

EAAS&E

lllllr

al

E

l

AA AA /r1\ q)

AA AAAA trAAW€A tr

This was played more than a few dmes in the 1930's by Alekhine, and this only partially explored line is still quite popular. If Black continues with 3...4g7, after

4.e4 d6 5.4c3, you have a transposition to the Si'rnisch Variation of the

King's Indian, which is nor going ro a Grunfeld player very happy. Adorjan's 3...e5 1? is a sharp attempt to exploit the weakness of the dark squares. it threatens 4...9h4+, but after 4.dxe5 ahs s.ah3 6c6 6.Ags Ac7 7.Axe7 WxeT 8.4c3 White is a little better.

make

3.

4. c4xd5 5. e2-e4 6. Ab1-c3 7. Ac1-e3

If

Black continues unthinkingly with 3...d5?1, after 4.cxd5 Axd5 5.e4 6b6 6.h3 White has a firm grip on the centre and Black has insufficient counterplay. For this reason, if Black wishes to play the Gninfeld. he should continue with 3. Af8-g7! and only after

4.

6b1-c3

hf6xd5 ads-bo Af8-g7

0-0 White has a nice centre, but the fl bishop does not have a natural square to develop to: e2 is for the gt knight, Ad3 would leave the d4 pawn undefended and Ac4 is not possible. White therefore makes preparations to castle queenside or otherwise advances his oaum to f4.

play the thematic

4.

d7-d5

8. gd1-d2

d7-d5

8.f4 2,c6 9.Q:fZ 9g+ 10.d5 AaS 1 1.4d4

The idea of delaying the development of the knight to c3 is the explanation

e5 ! gives

for the insidious

More natural and stronger than 8...e5, which is nonetheless played. 9. 0-0-0 t7-fsl

B) 3. t2-t3'!?

EAAggE llllll

AT

E

I

6b8-c6

E Eg Es lll I Er aa I AA AA

AA A

AA A AA tr aawgaa tr 198

Black sufficient counterplay. 8.

I

A AA AAgHg AA .$^ F7

,A H Hq)H '\

Griinfeld Indion

A good but risky move. White ignores the threat and goes for the 'big prize': 10. h2-h4 f5xe4 11. h4-h5! If 1 1.fxe4. then 1 1...Axd4l reveals Black's idea: tactics. After the series of exchanges on d4, the f1 bishop is hanging!

11.

g6xh5!?

...

Also 11...e5 12.d5

Ad4

13.hxg6 hxg6 I4.fxe4 Ag4 seems to hold.

12. 13.

d4-d5l? Ae3-h6

hc6-e5 Ae5-c4!

€g7 20.h4 AeG 21.€f2 trIdB 22.s4 &t7 25.4f5 Afg 26.ad5 trac8 27.trc1 Ac5+ 28.€e2 Ad4+ 29.6xd4gxd4 30.&d3 trg8 31.trxc8 trxc8 32.f4 Eg8 33.f5 trg3+ 34.€e2 Eg2+ 35.€f3 trf2+ 36.€g3 Exb2 37.trc1 al2+ 38.€h3 ab6 39.trc8 tre2 40.Eb8 Exe4 41.Exb7+ €f8

fC 23.gxh5 gxh5 24.D'e7

43.€92

vz-1/z

Kramnik,Yladimir

Kramnik,Vladimir Leko,Peter

Shirov,Alexey

Tilburg i998 (6) 1.d4 Af6 2,c4 gG 3.f3 e5 4.dxe5

Cazorla match 1998 (9)

Ah5

5.4h3 Ac6 6.4g5 Ae7 7.Axe7 WxeT 8.6c3 WxeS 9.54 6g7 10.f4 We7 11.4d5 gd8 12.9d3 0-o 13.Sc3 6e8 14.95 6e7 15.4f6+ Axf6 16.gxf6 QstS 17.e4 tre8 18.695 c5 19.0-0-0 Ad4 20.e5 d6 21.4f3 Ag4 22-Axd4 Axdl 23.4b5 dxeS 24.txe5 Aa4 25.ad0 tre6 26.9.g2 trxd6 27.exd6 Wxd6 28.Axb7 tre8 29.b3

wf4+ 3o.gb2 tre3 31.trd1 32.Wa5 tre2+ 33.€a3

6xd7 13.6xd5 gd6 14.6le2 h5 15.9b4 Wxb4+ 16.6xb4 Ah6 17.4d5 0-O 18.4ec3 hc5 19.Edl

42.dxt6 tre3+

With an unclear position.

Def.ence

h5

gf2 34.9d8+

Ae8 35.trd2 Hxd2 36.Wxe8+ &h7 37.Bxf7+ gh6 38.€a4 Exa2* 39.€b5 We3 40.4d5 Wxb3+ 4'1.€cG tra6+ 42.€d7 Wh3+ 43.4e6 gds+ 44.€e8 Wd6 45.We7Wxe6 o-1 Khalifrnan,Alexander Leko,Peter Budapest match 2000 (5)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 gG 3.f3 d5 4.cxd5 Axd5 5.e4 6b6 6.4c3 Ag7 7.4e3 e5 8.d5 c5 9.Wd2 cxdS 1O.Ab5+ 9:d7 11.9xb6 Wxb6 12.9xd7+

1.d4 Af6 2,cA g6 3.fg d5 4.cxd5 6xd5 5.e4 Ab6 6.6c3 9g7 7€e3 0-0 8.9d2 e5 9.d5 cG 10.h4 h5 11.4e2 cxdS 12.exd5 A8d7 13.d6 af6 A.€:gl Ee8 15.Ed1 Ae6 16.4h3 Ac4 17.Axc4 Axc4 18.b3 Aa6 19.4d5 e4 20.Axf6+ Axf6 21.d7 gb6 22.dxe8W+W+ trxe8 23.8e3 Axg5 24.Wxb6 Axh4+ 25.&d2 axb6 26.fxe4 trxe4 27.&c2 trg4 28.trd2 Ae7 29.trs1 €g7 s0.at? gf4 31.4d3 tre4 32.Egd1 gbs 33.a4 Ac6 34.tre1 Exel 35.Axe1 Ab4 36.tre2 Axel 37.trxel Axg2 38.€d2 h4 39.se3 gds 40.b4 h3 41.tre2 tS 42.trd2 Ae4 43.ef4 Ag2 44.trd7+ €f6 45.Hh7 95+ 46.€93f4+ 47.&g4&e548.b5 o-1 Motylev,Alexander Svidler,Peter Wiik

aan Zee 2007 (8)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 gG 3.f3 d5 4.cxd5 LxdS 5.e4 6b6 6.41c3 9g7 7.4e3

0-0 8.9d2 6cG 9.0-O-O f5

10.e5 199

Chess Opening Essenriols

- Volume 3

ab4 11.ah3 AeG 12.9b1 Wd7 13.4f4 9:t7 14.a3 a5 15.d5 Axe5 16.axb4 axb4'17.6b5 traS 18.Axb6

but which will probably irritate Black, who, in choosing the Grunfeld, has indicated a fondness for asymmetrical

cxb6 19.9xb4 trfa8 20.8d4 9xd4

oositions.

21.Wxd4

tral+ 22,&c2 trxf1

23.Exf1 Wxb5 24.Ec1trdB 25.We5 Axd5 26.6xd5 trxdS 27.We6+ €f8 28.9c8+ gf7 0-1

Stellwagen,Deniel DeJongJan-Willem Amersfoort n 2008 (2)

1.d4 af6 2.c4 96 3.f3 d5 4.cxd5 6xd5 5.e4 6b6 6.6c3 Ag7 7.Ae3 o-0 Lgd2 6c6 9.0-o-0 f5 10.h4 fxe4 11.h5 gxhS 12.94 e5 '13.d5 6d4 14.trxh5 trf7 15.6xe4 Wxd5

16.Axd4Bxa217.trxe5

1-o

Fianchetto Variation with 93 1. d2-d4 6g8-f6

2. c2-c4 3. g2-93

97-96

c7-c6 (!)

with the c-pawn. Any opening expert would agree that this is technically the best move. Indeed, recapture

3...c6 is Black's best performing move and it is very difficult for White to obtain any concrete advantage when playing against it.

why is it so little played? The answer is: because of the very high draw rate, and also because Black will find it verv arduous indeed to win with such an arid position. 4. Af1-92 d7-d5 5. Ag1-f3 Af8-97 6. 0-0 0-0 Now Black is ready to take on c4, with So

an active game.

EAAS€E E lrlAll I

I ar

c4xd5

such as

i.gb3

7.b3

or z.Abdz,

have

not gained more than equality

c6xd5

After 8.4c3. the move 8...4e41 is con-

A a1

AA AA tr agw€aa

7.

The most played. Alternatives by White,

7. 8. Af3-e5

Y

AN Zlal

A)3.

So that after a ...d7-d5 push Black can

A

tr

sidered to be good: 9.hxe4 dxe4 10.4e5 Wast. This is the only way Black can equalise.

e7-e6! The move that achleves equality: overprotecting d5 so as to drive off the e5 8.

If White wishes to develop his bishop by means of a fianchetto, it is better to do so immediately postponing the development of the b1 knight, and reserving the e2-square for the other knight.

This is a positional approach, which may not be the strongest objectively, 200

knightwith ...4fd7. After 8...4c6 9.6xc6 bxc6, the weak c5 pawn may not be such a serious problem, but it does give White something to play against.

Griinfeld Indian Delence

E

ll

AAg Eg

7. hb1-a3 The most natural way to capture the

rEr

I AT

pau'n on c4.

7.

ra

c4-c3 The idea is that after 7...c5 the move

A

AA

tr

8.dxc5! is good for White; however, this is not on with a pawn on c3. 7 ...o,c6l? gives Black a satisfactory game too: 8.Axc4 Ae6 9.b3 Ads

){

A Ad\A

aaw tr's

9. 6b1-c3

l0.gb2 af6-d7

as.

8. b2xc3

c7-c5

10. f2-14

Like it or not, it is necessary to support the lcright - reneatiag it or exchanging it offon d7 gives Black complete equality

10.... 11.

ll

A-e.g

I

Ab8-c6l

Acl-e3

The caprure on c6 would give Black good

counterplay with ...4a6 and .. .Wa5

11.

E

...

.

t7-f6

n q)

Ae5-f3 Ae3-f2

Ad7-bo f6-f5 Ac8-d7 Wd8-e7

With equality.

a

.gE sltr

B)

9. e2-e3 10. Wd1-e2

Ab8-c6 Ac8-f5

11.

Wd8-a5

12.

Af8-97 away.

3. 4. Af1-g2

Ef1-d1

Ac1-b2 Aa3-c4

both sides have their chances.

d7-d5!?

Black continues in the spirit of the defence. 4...d6 transposes to the King's

Indian.

81) 5. 6g1-f3 6. 0-0

0-0

BD 5. c4xd5

A A

A

6.

d5xc4 6...c6 leads into A, while after 6...6,c6, White can play the solid 7.6bd2 or 7

.cxdS

6f6xd5

EAAgg E I r I r rEr I

6.cxd5 transposes to 823.

transpose to 82 3 with

Ef8-dg

Wa5-a6 A typical Gninfeld position: White has a nice centre; Black has active pieces 13.

Or, if you prefer, 3...d5 right

,\'l ct3

NAAN AAEA

n

Or 1 1...6b6 immediately. 12. 13. Stopping e2-e4. 14. Af3-e5 15. e2-e3

A A

A

A

E€ rrEr ,Af

.

AAAAAA

C.\A

n A Z'\AEA

traaw€ atr 201

Chess Opening Essenticls

821)

6.

-

Volume

3

Ab1-c3

11. 12.

Allowing Black to exchange on c3. 6.

7. b2xc3 8. 6s1-f3

Ad5xc3 c7-c5

With

e4xd5 b2-bg

an unclear

Ab8-a6 Ef8-e8!?

position.

B23) 6. Ag1-f3

once a secondary line, but now it is oft

Ad5-b6! A subtle move; by postponing castling, Black denies White the menacing line wirh d4-d5. 6...0-0 2.0-0 Ab6 (the old 7...6c6 and 7...c51? are possible alternatives, but they are no longer played very often) 8.4c3 Ac6 9.d5 (now it is useless to take on c3 as there is l0.dxc6, whereas 9.e3 transposes to the main line) 9...4a5 10.e4 c6 11.4f4! Aac4 12.8e2, and now White has a nice open position, but Black seems to have

played.

sufficient resources.

8.e3 followed by 9.Age2 is passive and does nothing to help the problematic c1 bishop. 8. 6b8-c6!

9. Ac1-e3!?

10.0-0

0-0

Ac8-e6

And Black has no difficulties.

822) 6. e2-e4 The most straightforward. This

was

6.

ad5-b6 Also the seemingly iliogical 6...hb4

7. 6b1-c3 has

recendy become popuJar. After the supposed refutation 7.d5, there is 7...c6! 8.a3 WaS and now the game is not so clear.

7. Ag'1-e2

e7-e5l?

{hEg& , E lff :':,,'lAl E

al

,. ',t' ..

AA

tr

AAi,

,

that 6...4b6 was designed to prevent!

8.

,A

AAAA

aag€ ','' E

This alternative to the ...c7-c5 advance is quite common in the Grunfeld. 7...c5 8.d5 e6 9.0-0 exdS 10.exd5 0-0 11.6ec3 6,a6 12.ad}, with an edge

forWhite.

8. d4-d5 9. Ab1-c3 10.0-0 702

L e2-e3 In fact, White can sacrifice the d4 pawn with 8.0-0!? Axd4 9.A)xd4 Wxd4 10.ab5l Wc4 11.a4, and it is nor clear who is doing better. If Black does not like the idea of this line, he can play 8...0-0, but now White can respond with 9.d5, which is exactly the move

..',i'.1'I'1.t., '.,

Ab8-c6

Here is the idea: now Whlte cannot advance his pawrr to d5 as Black will take on c3 (with check!) and then on d5.

c7-co 0-0 c6xd5

9. 0-0

0-0

Ef8-e8

A shrewd walting move. It is better than the immediate 9...e5 as after 10.d5 Oa5

(10...ea1?) 1 1.e4 c6 12.Ags fe l:.4e3 cxd5 14.Axb6l Wxb6 15.6xd5, White

with the superior position. 10. d4-d5 In the absence of anything better to do, is left

White pushes the pav,'n forward.

10....

2lc6-a5

11.

Ac8-d7

af3-d4

Griinfeld Indian

Def.ence

13. Efl-e1

47.t4+ €g6 48.€f3 ad1+ 49.€e4 Ac2+ 5O.€d5 b5 51.4a3 Ad3

H

52.€d6 ShS 53.€e7 f5 54.h3 €s6 55.4e8+ €97 56.€e6 af1 57.€xf5

'12. e3-e4

c7-c6

€ rar ll Er I Ar UUH

AA

a AA

F?

e

6O.Axb4

gfl 59.f5 b4 1-0

Liuboievic,Ljubomir Cheparinorllvan

AA

rlA AAA AEA .01 6 $Itr F7 .E'E e B

Amsterdam 2008 (5)

White has more space and occupies the centre, but this is not going to worry a Gninfeld lover.It is no easy task to say if White has an objective plus or not. As usual, opinions differ. The thing that

most players look for are practical chances, and in this case Black has reasonable possibilities to create

Axh3+ 58.€g5

trouble.

1.d4 af6 2.c4sB 3.g3 Ag74.Ag2 d5 5.cxd5 6xd5 6.6f3 0-0 7.0-0 ab6 8.6c3 6cG 9.d5 6a5 10,Wc2 c6 11.dxc5 AxcG 12.trd1 We8 13.9f4 e5 14.4e3 AfS 15.Wc1 9e716.6d5 6xd5 17.4c5 Wd7 18.Axfg trxf8 19.Wc5 trdB 20.e4 Axe4 21.Axe5 8f5 22.Axc6 bxc6 23.Axe4 Wxe4 24.Wxc6 Ad4 25.Eac1 AbG 26.trd2 @97 27.a3 h5 28.Wc2 gf3 29.gdl WfS 30.Wc2 gf6 31.trd3 h4 32.Ecdl

gfs

33.we2 h3 34.9f3 wxf3 3s.trxfg trc8 36.€fl af6 37.&e2 Ag4 38.trf4 tre8+ 39.€d2 6xt2

Tkachiev,Yladislav Yachier Lagrave,Maxime Aix-les-Bains 2007 (6) 40.Ef1Ae3+ Af6 2.c4 gG 3.g3 c6 4.4g2 ds 5.8a4 Ag7 6.cxd5 Axd5 7.Af3 Ab6 8.Wc2 AfS 9.e4 Ag4 10.6e5 Ae6 11.4e3 c5 12.Wxc5 agdT'l3.Axd7 WxdT 14.4a3 Ec8 15.9b4 Ac4 16.0-0 a5 17.Wb5 Bxb5 18.Axb5 0-0 19.Efc1 6xb2 20.e5 6,c4 21.4g5 tG 22.ext6 exf6 23.4f4 g5 24.9.c7 trtT 25.d5 gd7 26.4d6 AxdS 27.Axd6 Af8 28.ExcB AxcS 29.9b8 afs 30.d6 Ed7 31.trdl €f7 32.9c7 Ae6 33.4f1 Axa2 34.9b5 Axd6 35.Axd5 trd8 36.trd2 Ab3 37.9b4 Exd2 38.Axd2 a4 39.9b4 €e6 40.gf1 h5 41.€e2 €e5 42.€e3 h4 43.gxh4 gxh4 44.9c3+ €f5 45.9d7+ gss 46.4b2 Ac2

0-1

1.d4

Nielsen,Peter Heine Carlsen,Magnus Germany Bundesliga 200+/05 (12)

1.4f3 af6 2.c4 gG 3.93 Ag7 4.9;52 0-0 5.0-0 d5 6.cxd5 Axd5 7.Dc3 6c6 8.d4 6b6 9.e3 Ee8 10.d5 Aa5 11.4d4 Hd7 12.e4 c6 13.8e1 cxdS 14.exd5 trcB 15.4f4 6bc4 16.b3 Ab2 17.9d2 6ac4 18.bxc4 Axc4 19.9d3 6b2 20.We3 o,c4 21.We4 f5 22.9d3 6,b2 23.Wd2 6'c4 24.gdl Ab2 25.9b3 Axd4 26.d6+

e6 27.adi Aa4 28.9xb7

ad3

29.6e7+ €h8 30.4e3 trc4 31.Wa6 6xe1 32.Wxc4 Axal 33.9d4+ e5

34.We6

1-0 203

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

Minor Lines after 3.4c3 d5

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. Ab1-c3

As8-f6 g7-96

d7-ds

Before looking at the &vo most important lines, we will examine White's nu-

merous alternatives, excluding

the

more bizarre options such as 4.h4 and 4.g4, which most definitely are nor go-

ing to make Black tremble, whereas 4.g3 can transpose to the fianchetto line.

D) 4. e2-e3 This move is solid but not to be underestimated.

4. 5.

A) 4. t2-f3 Premature. 4.

5. d4xc5 6. hc3-b5 7. e2-e3 8. e3xd4

5.4f3

transposes ro G

5.

c7-c5!

d5-d4 Ab8-c6 e7-es 6c6xd4

gd1-b3!?

Af8-97

l

e7-e6!?

Black wants to keep open the option ...c7 -cS .5 ...c6 is playable bur passive.

6.

And Black has no problems.

E

of

Wb3-a3

{\Eg

I lr

B) 4. Wdt-a++ Ac8-d7 5. Wa4-b3 6b8-c6! 5...dxc4.

6. Ag1-f3 7. gb3-b4

Ac6-a5 Aa5-c6

A.A,

Withequality.

C) 4. gd1-b3!? 5. Wb3xc4 6. e2-e4

F?A €E

A AA

€Aa

E

d5xc4 AfB,g7 0-0 Now 7.6f3 transposes to the Russian Variation. Otherwise, White can stay in relatively uncharted waters with

As the Romans used to say: in cauda uenenum (the sting is in the tail). This stops ...0-0, and Black must play with precision in order to maintain the bal-

Now Black has many alternative lines

6. c7-c6 Or 6...6c6 with rhe idea of ...4e7 and

7. Afl-e2

along the lines of the Russian Variation, it is difficult ro judge if the delayed development of the king's knight is going to be of benefit to White. and

20+

ance.

...0-0.

7. 6g1-f3 at-al! L b2-b3 6b8-a6 9. Af1-e2 6a6-b4

Grrinfeld Indian Delence 10.

Wa3-b2

c6-c5

E

I

Withequality.

a g*_€, E

E) 4. Ac1-s5

A natural move borrowed from

the

Queent Gambit. Like 5.495, which we will discuss in G2, this move has the defect of allowing lt t6-e4 4. In the 1990's, people realised that +...Ag7!7 was also possible: 5.Axf6 Axf6 6.cxd5 (after the pawn capture with the knight, Black retreats his bishop to 97, and he has optimum compensation on the dark squares with ...c5 and ...4c6) 6...c6 7.dxc6 Axd4 8.cxb7 Axb7. and Black has more than made up for the lost pawn.

5. Ag5-h4 This old move of Tairnanor.'s remains the most popular. It is dubious to take on e4, whereas 5.9f4 is an interesting option. 5. 6e4xc3 Otherwise, 5...c5 6.cxd5 Axc3 7.bxc3 Wxd5 8.e3 Ag7 (8...cxda g.Bxdal?) 9.9f3 ! Was I, with unclear play. 6. b2xc3 d5xc4!? 6...c5 7.cxdS transposes to the previous note.

7. 7

e2-e3

ll I E l

ll IIA Z_\

/A

A'\ q)

I .4

a5

a\

F?

eEEAe

Instead

AAA AAA

$l&.0r

6

Fi

of the normal 9...997,

Black

aims to hang on to the extra par m.

10. e3-e4

l0.Ag5 is

useless:

10...4d5 11.e4 h6

and Black is doing well.

10.... With

b6-b5 difficult to

a complex game that is

ASSCSS.

F)

4.

Ac1-f4

White develops normally but not unambitiously: Black must respond with vigour to avoid an inferior position, and the resulting lines are very sharp. White can play e3, Af3 and Ecl in different order. However, here we will deal with the lines without Af:; the 6f3 variations will be discussed later in G3.

4. 5.

Af8-97 e2-e3

Now that d4 is defended, the c7 pawn is

.e4l?.

7. 9c8-e6 hanging. 8. Ea1-b1 s.trcl Ahsl? 6.495! h6l 7.4h4 dxc4 s.Wb 1 is now fashionable; after 8.e3 Ae6 9.4e2 Afe . with a satisfac8...gds! 9.4ft a,at 10.4e2 ab6 tory position. 11.a4 Wa5 12.0-0. White has nice compensation, but, as the old adage says: a pawn is a paurn...

b7-b6 8...4d7!? is worth thinking about. 9. 6g1-f3 c7-c6l? 8.

5.

c7-c5

5...c6 is solid but a tad passive, whereas

the historic sacrifice 5...0-0 6.cxd5 (6.Ecl is also good) 6...6xd5 7.6xd5 Wxd5 8.Axc7 is now viewed with suspicion, even if after 8...4a6 9.Axa6 205

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume

3

Wxg2 10.9f3 Wxf3 1 1.Axf3 bxa5, the endgame does not appear to be such a

Black. 6. d4xc5!

disaster for

The only move that gains something

White. 6.

for

Ac3-b5! Wc5-h5 6e2-g3 gh5-h4 13. 6b5-c7 e7-e5! 14. Af4xe5 6c6xe5 15. 6c7xag Ac8-d7 16. Aa8-c7 Ad7-c6 '11.

12.

Wd8-a5!

A-A.g€ E lr llEr g al al AA

lla

E

E@

A

a

(,

-a

:

O.8

g

A'\ ALA

SM

AA AA g€aatr AAA tr

rEr ar AAA

AA

BH With uncertain compensation for

7. Ea1-cl

the

exchange.

7.cxd5?! Axd5 leads to a forced draw

and also after 7.Wa4* Wxa4 8.8)xa4 AdZt S.Ac: 6e4t 10.Axd5 Aa6 Black should be satisfied with the way the game is proceeding. 7

.af3 is

(7

playable: after 7...0-0 ...6e+ 8.4e5!) we transpose to G3. 7. d5xc4

A solid option that has

!

overtaken the if this line

classical move 7...4e4. even

has never been refuted: 8.cxd5 Axc3 9.9d2 Wxa2 10.bxc3 (10.trxc31?) 10...Wa51 11.4f3 ad7 12.Ac4 Axc5 13.9e5, with a small advantage for

White. 8. Af1xc4

9.

0-0

6tg1-e2 The most natural. 9.6f3 transposes Variation

Af8-97

E^gge E lll rrEr al I

AA

aaAAAA

AA

tr ag€g tr The moves 5.9b3 and 5.cxd5 will be examined in the last two sections of this discussion of the Grrinfeld. At this stage, we will look at three lines: 5.e3, 5.9g5

and5.Af4.

G.

9. Themove 9...6bd71? native.

10. )ia

ro

G) 4. 6g1-f3

gdl-b3

Wa5xc5 G1) 5. e2-e3 couldbeanaker- 6. gdl-b3 6bg-c6

O-O

6.b4 is an unsuccessful attempt to prevent ...c5. It does not work because of 6...b61

Grrinfeld Indion Delence

7.9b3 c5 8.bxc5 bxc5 9.cxd5 Aa6

and

after .. .Eb8 , Black has a nice position.

e7-e6

6.

in Variation D, Black keeps open the option of the..,c5 advance: it is logical that Black will try to complicate things after White's decision to play a very

As

solid line.

7. Ac1-d2

b7-b6

8. tral-c1 c7'cs With a balanced position that is suffi-

Protects the knight with the plan of giv-

ciently complex to offer chances.

GD 5. Ac1-g5 6f6-e4 Easily the most played, but not forced. rich game indeed! The following two lines have been revealed as not only playable, but also perhaps more combative: 5...dxc4!? 6.e4 c5 7.d5 b5 8.d61? gb7, with unclear play; or 5...c5!? 6.Axf6 Axfe Z.cxdS cxd+ S.Axd+ Wb6 9.4b3 a5 with good compensation. 6. c4xd5 The move 6.Aln+ is another possibility, which is played along the lines of Variation E: 6...4xc3 7.bxc3 dxc4l 8.Wa4* Wdz q.Wxc+ b6 10.e3 Aa6 11.9b3 Chess is a

Axfl 12.€xfl 0-0 3.€e2 1

c5

with an even game. Another alternative is 6.Af+t? Axc3 7.bxc3 c5 8.e3 0-0 9.cxd5 Wxd5 10.4e2 cxd4 11.cxd4 oc6 12.0-0 AfS t t 3.Wa4 Wa5, with equality. Ae4xg5 6. 6...4xc3 7.bxc3 Wxd5 8.e3 is not suf14.Ehd

8. gd1-d2

1,

ing check on e3. The old S.Af:

Axc6 1o.Af3 AdTl 1 1.gdl Wbe , and Black gets back the pawn.

8.

e6xd5

8...h6 9.4h3 exd5

1l.af4

produces

10.We3+

gf8

position

that

a

slightly favours White.

9. Wd2-e3+! €e8-f8

We3-f4 h2-h4

Ag7-f6 h7-h6 The alternative I1...€g7 12.e4! gives White a powerful initiative. 12. 6c3xd5!? Or more prudently 12.4f3 €g7 13.e3, with equal chances. 10. 11.

ficient for Black to equalise.

7. Af3xg5

e7-e6

A double attack on 95 and d5 recoups the pawn. 7 ...c61? is a true gambit; after 8.dxc6 Axc6 9.d5 Wa5 10.9d2 ad4 (threatening ...4b3) 1 l.Ec1, the compensation

is

unconvinci

is

played less often: 8...exdS 9.e3 0-0 10.b4 c6, with a typical minodty attack, but here White would be optimistic to hope for an objective advantage. 8.Wa4+!? is insidious: 8...c6! 9.dxc6

n g.

207

Chess Opening Essentiols

Volume

3

8. Eal-cl

Af6xg5 Eh8-h7 Ab8-c6 Ac8-f5 6c6xd4 €f8-s7

12....

13.9f4-e5! 14, 15. 16. 17.

-

h4xg5 We5-e4 We4-f3

Wf3-a3+

In this position after 8...4e4, the reply 9.Ae5l is strong, and therefore Black usually continues with 8. d5xc4!

18.6d5-e3 With

a

ErA3.

ll

diffi cult-to-judge position.

G3) 5.

Ac1-f4

\il{/

EAESE E lll lrEr I AA A aa AA AAAA

In Variation F (with the

I+l g

Ar'\ wL)

as

AAA AAA

trg€A

tr

Wa5xc5

i0.ab5 Ae5! 11.Axe6 Wxb5 lZ.Ac4 Wxb2 seems to be good for Black.

10.... 11. 0-0

in-

stead of the knight on f3) we have seen that the threat to c7 is real. In this position, BIack can casrle instead of making the pawn sacrifice. Some players have experimented with 5...c5 and 5...dxc4, with acceptable results.

6.

e2-e3 In this position, Black can obtain optimum counterplay if White exchanges on d5 and takes on c7, due to the fact that the knight is not weil placed on f3.

6.Ec1 is met by 6...dxc4t 7.e4 Ag4 8.Axc4 6hSt S.Ae: Axf3 10.gxf3 e5, with a pleasant game for Black. 6. c7-c5! 7. d4xc5 Wd8-a5 7...6e4 S.Ecl ! Axc3 9.bxc3 Wa5 10.cxd5 ad7 11.9b3 Axc5 12.9b4. and White has an edge. 208

I ,\ q)

10. Ac4-b3

0-0 parnm on e3

AT

9. Af1xc4

trgEAE 5.

I r-€.r

A

NN AA

AT

H&

Ab8-c6 Wc5-a5

12. h2-h3

Preventing ...Aga and making the h2-square available to the bishop.

12....

Ac8-f5

A worthy alternative is 12...Wa6, which stops We2.

13. Wd1-e2 Af6-e4 14. Ac3-d5! Although this is risky, it is the only way to give Black problems. It threatens to

pick up a piece with Ac7, and prepares an exchange sacrifice on c6; on the

downside,

it

allows Black

ro

play

...e7-e5.

14. ... e7-e5 15. gf4-h2 Safer than the brilliant 1 5 Exc6 I ? bxc6 16.8)e7 + ghS t7 .8)xc6 gb6 .

!

18.hcxe5 Ae6! - an exffa rwo Dawns for the exchange should be more than

Griinfeld Indion Defence enough compensation, but in this position, Black's piece activity makes it hard to give an objective evaluation. 15. ... 6e4-c5 16. e3-e4 i 6.4c4 e4l. tra8-d8!! 16. ... With this strange move (but isn't the f5 bishop hanging?) Black maintains a dynamic balance. 16...4xb3 17.axb3 Ae6 18.Ea1, with an advantage for White. 17. Efl-d1 This seems to be the best: after the capture on f5, Black takes on b3 and then on d5, with 17.

18. 19.

a

nice game.

...

trc1xc5

We2-e3

Af5xe4 €e4xf3 Af3xdl

trxd1+ 16.trxd1 Ed8 17.6d4 6e8 18.€xg7 h8xg7 19.6xe6 trxd1+ 20.Axd1 6xe6 21.€e2 €f8 22.6,c3 o,c7

Vzt/z

Petrosian,Tigran V Fischer,Robert Buenos Aires

1.d4

8-.16

match

197

1 (2)

2.c4 96 3.Q:c3 d5 4.9'f4

€g7 5.e3 c5 6.dxc5 Ba5 7.trc1 6e4 8.cxd5 hxc3 9.9d2 Wxa2

10.bxc3 BaS 11.4c4 ad7 12.6le2 14.Axe5 Axe5 15.ad4 Bxc5 16.4'xf5 gxf5 17.0-0 BaS 18.Sc2 t4 19.c4 fxeS 20.c5 wd2 21.wa4+ €f8 22.trcd1 €e2 23.d6 ghs 24.t4 e2 25.fxe5 exdl B 26.trxd1 Bxe5 27.trt1 tG

6e5 13.Aa2 gti

28.9'b3 €g7 29.9f7+ sh6 30.dxe7 f5 31.Exf5 Bd++ 32.s.h:

20. Ec5xa5

1-0 g

-

EW

rEr

e

ll

a

FT

I

ar

London Wch-match l936 ( I

A

A

A 5-

Karpov,Anatoly Kasparov,Garry

AA cb

And the position will remain unclear after Black takes on either a5 or b3.

1.d4 af6 3.ffc3 d5 4.Cf4 Ag7 5.e3 c5 6.dxc5 Wa5 7.trc1 dxc4 8.Axc4 0-O 9.,2.t3 Wxc5 1O.Cb3 hc6 11.0-0 r$a5 12.h3 Af5 13.8e2 de4 14.6d5 e5 15.trxc6

exf4 16.Ec7 9eG 17.He1 Wb5 18.6e7+ sh8 19.4xe6 fxe6 2o.gb1 alg5 21.ah4 4rxh3+ 22.&h2

Sirnisch,Friedrich Griinfeld,Ernst Bad Pisfyan 19ZZ

{7)

l)

2.c4 gG

w

d-)

AA

^t-

1.d4 af6 2.c4 gG 3.6-c3 d5 4.9f4 Ag7 5.e3 c6 6.h3 0-0 7.4f3 abdT 8.Ec1 dxc4 9.Axc4 c5 10.dxc5 6xc5 11.04 Sxdl 12.trfxd1 Ae6 13.Axe6 Axe6 14.9e5 trfdg 15.€f1

gh5 23.hexg6+

hxg6

24.Wxg6 BeS 25.trt1 ExfT 26.Wxf7 6s5 27.6,96+ €h7 28.hxe5 6:xt7 29.6xt7 €g6 30.4d6 fxe3 31.hc4 exf2 32.trxf2 b5 33.4e3 a5 34.€93 a4 35.trc2 trfg 36.sg4 Ad4 37.tre2 Axe3 38.trxe3 trf2 39.b3 trxg2+ 40.€f3 trxa241.bxa4 Vzrlz 209

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume

3

Kramnik,Yladimir

Kamsky,Gata

:

Moscow 2008 (6)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 gG 3.6c3 d5 4.at3 9g7 5.4f4 0-0 6.e3 c5 7.dxc5 9a5

8.8c1 dxc4 9.Axc4 Bxc5 10.9b3 6c6 11.0-0 Wa5 12.h3 Af5 13.We2

2re4 14.ad5 e5 15.4h2 AeG 16.trfd1 trfd8 17.9c4 6f6 18.e4 trac8 19.695 Ad4 20.4e7+ €f8 21.6xe6* €xe7 22.6xd1 Exc4

23.trxc4 o'e8 24.krt7 b5 25.4d5 6'e2+ 26.€h1 6xc1 27.Hxcl gd2 28.trc8 gxf2 29.Ag1 Wfl 3O.tra8 Ac7 31.Exa7 &d7 32.b3 95 33.a4 94 34.hxg4 Wf6 35.g5 Wf4 36.axb5 Wh4+ 37.gh2We1+38.4g1 1/z-1/z

quate counterplay. It is therefore natural that this line immediately established it-

self as the main anti-Grunfeld line (1922).It is worth noting that it would be around ten years before the effectiveness of the set-up with Ac4 and 6e2 was appreciated; the variation then quickly became the main line and it still is today. It must seem incredible to a young player who has grown up in the world of the Internet and chess engines that it could have taken this long. However, not that far in the past a theoretical novelty could remain a secret, despite being used on more than one occasion! After 4...6xd5 White can respond with

the thematic e2-e4 advance. However, before looking at this line, we will take a quick iook at some minor variations. Remember that 5.4f3 transposes into

Exchange Variation

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. Ab1-c3 4. c4xd5

6g8-f6

other lines, and 5.g3 leads into the

97-96 d7-d5

Fianchetto Yariation.

Af6xd5

EAASEA E lll ll I I A

,"\ tlf

A A

AA AAAA tr ag€aatr From a conceptual point of view, the d5 capture with subsequent centre expansion by White is the critical line. White accepts Black's challenge and takes control of the centre; it is now Black's job to demonstrate that he can create ade210

A)

5, gd1-b3

6. b2xc3 7. Ag1-f3 8. e2-e3 9. Ac1-a3!?

6d5xc3 Af8-g7 c7-c5 0-0

With a baianced position that can

be

reached via the Symmetrical English.

B) 5. Ac1-d2 With the idea of taking back on c3 with the bishop. This move is often attributed to Smyslov; in fact the former World Champion used to play AdZ after 5.6f3 Ag7; then, instead of advancing the pawn to e4, he would continue .r r -g wrtn/.gcI.

5. 6. e2-e4

9f8-g7 ad5-b6!

Gninfeld Indion Defence

A3.gg E lrl rrEl al

E

a

AA AA

Anri\AAA AA E

E

AAt5

WgAatr

Now the threat to d4 forces White to move the bishop again. The standard 6...4xc3 7.Axc3 0-0 8.gdz has given White excellent results.

7. Ad2-e3 8. Afl-e2

0-0

6b8-c6 Ac6-e5

10. gd1-b3!? This is a relatively unexplored position that offers chances to both players.

C) 5. E

6:c3-a4

q)a '\A

ll

A

strategic principles that have been drummed into us since our verv first lesson, we will take time out to make a few comments that we hope are pertinent (apologies in advance if we go on a bit). What would Thrrasch say if he were confronted with 5.8)a4? He would probably be saddened to see the modern 'disregard' of time-honoured principles (as does every passing generation).

ble innovator such as Bronstein must have been enthusiastic at the idea of such an important novelty appearing on the 5th move of such an oft-played opening - without doubt, he was aware that the move had been tried! Which of the two is the correct approach? With the data at hand - the latter; like it or not,5.Aa4 has achieved acceptable results.

AAge-9,

lrl

immediate push ...c7-c5. Given that this move quite flagrantly violates the sound

Whereas we are sure that an indefatiga-

The move 8.f4!? is risky but interesting, while 8.4f3 allows 8...4ga, and Black exerts a fair amount of pressure.

8. 9. d4-d5

tion, it prepares e2-e4, and prevents the

E

I

I

So are established principles no longer relevant? That is certainly not the case. To challenge dogma does not mean you can do as you please. Cer-

tain principles will always be valid, and this is true not only on the chess-

AA A.AAA tr awsaatr

board. One must be cautious when something appears to contradict accepted wisdom: if, after due consideration and analysis, an unconventional

This paradoxical idea of

Ashot Nadanian first appearedin 1997 . White

move proves itself demonstrably good, this does not mean that the

moves his only developed piece to the edge of the board, where the knight is notoriously less active! In compensa-

principle itself is wrong, but just that it should not be interpreted mechanically. It is obvious that it is generally 211

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume

3

better to avoid distancing the knight from the centre. However, in the case at hand, the move appears to bring with it compensating advantages. So why not play it? After 5.6a4, White is ready to advance the pawrr to e4 without the possibility of Black's knight capturing on c3. Is it worth it? One cannot say in advance - at times you cannot even say afterwards! This complicates but enriches the game: every position is unique. This is without doubt the greatest contribution of computer technology in recent years: the chess engines have forced us to take seriously those 'ugly' moves that we have always insti.nctively disregarded. Who knows? The next proposal could be 5.4b1! After so much philosophy,

it is time to

examine the moves themselves: e7-e5! 5. Probably the best. Here the established

principle of responding to premature action on the wings by playing in the centre works! For this reason, White at times delays ba4 one move, and plays it after 5.4f3 Ag7, but in this case f2-f3 is no longer possible and thus 6...4f51 is good for Black. The'normal' 5...4g7 6.e+ Q)b6 is playable. So is the 'counter-provocative'

s...6f6!? 6.f3 (6.4c3 !?) 5...6c6!, with an unclear game.

6. d4xe5

7. Ac1-d2

EAE E E I I lll I g A

21

AN AA

AA WA

UUEU

gF?

An ignominious end for the knightl White has an extra pawn, but three of them are on the e-file. 11. Af1-g2

After i 1.9d4 Wa5+ 12.b4 Wa3, Black indeed stands better. 11. ... Wa4-d7! 12. Wd2-c3 0-0 Wd7-e7! 13. with the be satisfied And Black should way things are going.

Ag1-f3

And now we come to the most played move by far.

5. e2-e4

White has an extra tempo compared to Variation

B.

6. b2xc3

9f8-97 Or 6...c5 immediately, with probable transpositions.

EAESE E lrl lr-e.r I

AA AA

And now we see the point of the pawn

212

8. f2xe3 9. Wdlxd2

Ab4xd2+ gd8-h4+

10.

Wh4xa4

g2-g3

Ad5xc3

5...ab6 is followed by 6.4e3, and

gf8-b4+ 6d5-e3!

sacrifice.

A

c+1A/)\F? \58 LZ_l H

A

A

AAA

E Ag€AAtr

Griinfeld Indiqn Delence The diagram position is one of the key ones for the Griinfeld. Here White has

Exchange Variation with

two main ways to proceed. Each of

1.

these is sufficiently important to merit an individual section.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

d2-d4 c2-c4 hb1-c3 c4xd5 e2-e4 b2xc3

7.

6g1-f3

Before examining them, it is worth menrioning 7.wa4+ adTl? 8.4f3 0-0 9.4g5, with an interesting position that

has only been analysed a little; and more importantly 7.4b5+!?, which was relatively popular in the 1990's: after 7...c6 8.4a4 aSr.? 9.o,e2 b5 10.4b3 a4 I l.AcZ c5, Black has an active position, but it is not clear if Black's advanced a-and b-pawns are a plus or a

7.4f3

As8-f6 g7-go d7-d5 Af6xd5 6d5xc3 Af8-97

minus.

7.4e3 is also playable. It usually transposes to Variation A of the next section, unless White after 7...c5 does not play 6f3: 8.9d2 Wa5 9.trb1!?. However, 9...b6! gives Black a good position.

There is a litde confusion regarding the names of the Exchange Variation's two mail systems. In some books the varia-

tion with 6fg * cailed the Modern Variation, as opposed to the Classical Variation with Ac4 and Ae2. The name modern came about due the boom in the popularity of 1.6f3 that started in the late 1970's. and which ended 7.4c4's 50 years of supremacy.

However, as we noted at the beginning of the section, Af: was virtually the exclusive choice in the 1920's, and therefore it is curious to call the line modern, given that it was played before the Classical Variation even existed!

You may well wonder why it took so long for such a natural move to gain ascendancy. The answer is that in the past it was thought that ...Aga gave Black an easy game. In reality, it is not quite that

simple. 7.

c7-c5! LIJ

-

Chess Opening Essentiols

Volume

3

It could seem

excessive to annotate such a natural move with an exclamation mark. but we wish to underline the fact that the equally spontaneous 7...0-0?l is dubious because of 8.4e2! c5 9.0-0 Ac6 10.d5!. After the text move, the natural developing move 8.4e2 is not so good because of 8...4c6! 9.4e3 (now after the

d5 oush Black will take on c3 with A. check) 9...9g+ and White's centre is teetering. Therefore, White reinforces the centre with 8.4e3 or seeks active r

Dlav

. r

gr

^ wltn 6.gD

.

I

10. Ea1-c1

The 'feint' 10.Eb1l? a6 11.Ecl

does

not change matters much.

10.,,. 11. c3xd4

12.

c5xd4

Wa5xd2+

€elxd2

White has a good centre, but his king's placement is not ideal.

'12.... 13. d4-d5 14. €d2-el 15. Ae3-95 16. af1-d3

0-0

trf8-d8 Ac6-a5 Ac8-d7 t7+51

And Black maintains the balance.

.

A) 8. Ac1-e3

Wd8-a5!

B) 8.

tra1-bl

The move 8...4c6?! is doubtful due to 9.Ec1! Wa5 10.d5! Axc3* 11.Exc3

This is the Gelfand Yariation, which is named h honour of the Israeli cham-

Wxc3* 12.4d2, with

pion whose

forWhite.

9.

a clear advanrage

gd1-d2

EAE

ll gl

gE

lrEr I

A H

9.

g AAAAA .frl6 BA

has

the critical line against the Grunfeld!

AA

A

with this line

success

contributed to its popularity 8.Eb1 is not a very natural move (usually the minor pieces are developed firsQ and it has only been played frequendy since the 1980's. Barely mentioned in old opening manuals, today many consider it to be

H E

6b8-c6 those rare occasions

This is one oI when a move by Kasparov does not Iook so good: 9...4g4 has given White 1 I .Exb7!. 9...0-0 is possible, but it is best not to give White the option of recapturing on

E

ll

CAAS€

lrar

I

E

I

AA AA

AA A AAA EAg€A tr

nice results after 10.Eb1l a6

d2 with the knight: 10.trc1 cxd4

(10...8d8!?) 11.cxd4 12.6)xd2t?.

2r+

Wxd2+

This once again highlights the

vast

number of possibilities that still remain uncharted. This is a very complex line a weighty tome exclusively dedicated to this variation has recently been pub-

Griinfeld Indion

lished. However. there still remains much that is unexplored. For obvious reasons of space, we will have to limit ourselves to a quick examination of the most important points.

What is the idea behind this rook move? In the Af: line the best square for the bishop is e2, but we have seen that the immediate 8.4e2 is dubious. By playing this rook move, White post-

pones the development

of the bishop

and thus denies Black much of his counterplay. The rook attacks b7 in order to discourage ...4g4, and it is taken off the dangerous dark-square diagonal so as to have the option of playing

11. 1

...

12. Wd3-e3

12.8c2!?.

12.... e7-e6!? Discouraging da-dS without concern for the plight of the c5 parvn. l2...cxd4 is often played: 1 3.cxd4 Wd7.

13. d4xc5 The move I 3.trd1 is safer.

White contents himself with a tiny advantage.

13.... 14.

We3xe2

I

t^g ,*,

9. Aft-ez

A

F?

AA

H

A

E --Et-

b7-b6

Aa6xe2 Wd8-c7!

E

E

8. 9.

Ab7-a6

1...e6!? is an alternative.

d4-d5 after ...Q)c6.It looks like the perfect move, but as always, there is a probIem: in this particular case, it is the a2 pawn (Variation84). 0-0

81)

Def.ence

I

@...',

Ial r.

l.....

::

SAA.A H.$.

e )g

The most solid of the various alternarives.

Black sidesteps complex theory and develops normally. This set-up may appear a bit passive, and, indeed, r.rntil a few years ago it was viewed

with a certain degree of

suspicion. However, recendy renowned Griinfeld specialists such as Jansa, Kudrin, Svidler and Sutovsky have begun to play it, so it cannot be too bad!

10.0-0

15. c5xb6 a7xb6 It is a matter of opinion how much compensation there is, but in practice seems to be sufficient.

it

9c8-b7

The first step ahead for Black: the e4 pawn must be defended.

11.

A typical sacrifice; often it is better to be down a pawn rather than having to look after a weak one!

gd1-d3

A little artificial looking, but good.

The sacri{ice 11.d5 Axc3 l2.Ac4 was initially greeted with suspicion, but it has proved to be more promising than was originally imagined.

B.2)

€fd8-a5 Wa5xa2 10...Wxc3 is borderline in terms of playability: 11.Ad2l Wa3 12.9c2! (threatening trb3 and Abs) 12...9d7 l3.Exb7 cxd4 l4.Ecl, with a plus for s. 10. 0-0!

White. 11. Ac1-g5 215

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

central piece play can become very dynamic. 12. gd1-d2!

An improved version of Variation 84 (apart from the two c-pawns, the posi-

tion is very similar). White did not have to deal with the check from a5, and the bishop is certainly more active on g5 than on d2.

However. this does not mean that Black's position is not playable. After 1 1...We6 or 1 1...cxd4 12.cxd4 Ee8. White's advantage still needs to be demonstrated.

A strange way to defend the c3 pawn: however, by doing it this way, White controls f4 twice and prevents Black from blocking the dark squares with ...Wc7 or ...Wde. After 1z.Wcz Wde I

13.g3 e6! 1+.f4 AgZ 15.c4

exd5 15.cxd5 Ee8, White is behind in devel-

opment, and therefore his centre is

83) 9.

hb8-c6 A standard move in the Gninfeld, but here it is not so popular as Black will be

weak rather than strong.

on the razor's edge after:

B.f+ Ag7

10.

d4-d5!

6c6-e5

10...4xc3+ is a high-risk move: 11.4d2 Axd2+ 12.Wxd2 Aa5 (Black has won a pawn, but the kingside is dangerously unprotected) 13.ha Aga 14.h5 Axf3 15.gxf3, and White has a strong, though not necessarily winning attack. The fact that the material-conscious chess engines give White the advantage is significant.

11. Af3xe5 Ag7xe5 What has Black gained? He has removed some of the pressure by exchanging off his opponent's active knight and he has fixed White's pawn structure. The problem is that White's 216

12.... e7-e6 After 12...b6, White executes his plan:

14.c4 e5l? 15.0-0

f5!?

16.4b2, with an unpleasanr initiative.

13.t2-t4

Ae5-c7!?

A truly curious-looking move that

is

now more popular than the classical re-

ply 13...4g7 14.c4 tre8l? 15.e5! f6 16.d6 fxe5 17 .Abz exf4 18.Axg7 €xg7 19.0-0, with good attacking chances for White.

14. 0-0 The 'obvious' 14.c4?? would be met by 14...4a5, and now we see the purpose of Black's previous 'ugly' move. On the other hand, 14.4c4 is playable: 14...a6 1

5.a4 b5 !?, with an unclear game. '14. ... e6xd5

15.

e4xd5

ac7-a5

Griinfeld Indiqn Defence

E

1

t

1.

Wa5xa2

...

12.0-0

#E.i* €..€ :t r# trEr +- ilF $r# r

A

*

& A €a

i1_3-=

:,ii:'-. a.t+

$a#

#

g =isii;+: ;:iria# 9,*rA i+=

It is a rare sight to see Black's dark-squared bishop on a5 in the

tr=s#tr1$

=+:=

Grrinfeld! The concept is that by pinning White's c-pawn, Black has made it

We are at another critical position of the

difficult for his adversary to

White has no immediate threats, and at first sight, it is hard to figure out what

develop

harmoniously. 16. d5-d6 There is also the interesting but somewhat unrealistic 16.Eb5!?. The plan is 16...b5 17.Exa5!? bxa5 18.c4 followed by Abz. A line that should be explored is 16.f5!? Axf5 17.8xb7. with an unclear game.

16....

b7-b6

16...8b8!?.

Ae2-t3 18. Af3xa8 17.

Ac8-f5 Af5xbl

19. Aa8-c6! gbl-f5! And Black maintains the balance.

84) 9.

c5xd4

c3xd4 Wd8-a5+ The critical line - Black has his eve on 10.

the a2 pau.n. 1

11. Ac1-d2! 1.9d2 was popular in the early

days

of this variation, but then it was realised

that 11...Wxd2+ 12.Axd2 b6 did not give White more than equality, whereas in the meantime, the dynamic potential of the pavm sacrifice became more and more apparent.

Grunfeld.

his compensation is. In the King's Gambit (which is considered by many to be dubious) and in the

Poisoned Pawn Variation of the Najdorf, compensation is evident: the open f-file and the easy-to-attack f-pawn in the former; and the sidelined queen (which, indeed, often risks being ensnared in the Aa+-U: line), but more importantly an advantage in development in the latter. Here, as we have said, White has neither an apparent initiative nor the ability to immediately create one. In effect, White has a good centre, but any advantage in development is modest. As far as Black is concerned. there are no problems bringing the queen back as it can ent-er into play via e6, and his two passed a- and b-pavms will represent a deadly weapon in the endgame and it is Black's turn to move!

Notwithstanding these considerations, data from hr.rndreds of games reveal that White's performance is clearly better than you would expect. Here, the usual psy717

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Voiume

3

chological consideration that it is more B,42) 12. ... ab8-d7!? difficult to defend than to attack is not a Heading for the excellent b6-square, factor. White has objective srengths in from where it will stop Ac4. By virtue

hisfavour.Let'sexamilewhattheyare: of its control of the dS-square, the knight can assist in undermining o As is so often the case with the White'scentrewith...f5insomelines. Grunfeld, the d-pawn quickly turns 13. gd2-b4! ad7-b6! into a dangerous passed parnm, and it 14. Ebl-al is closer to the promotion square An alternative is 14.Ae5l? f6! 15.Ea1 than its black rivals are. In addition, We6 l6.ad3,withanuncleargame. even

if

o

o

to paraposi-

this pav,'n never makes it

the promotion square it has a lysing effect on the adversary's

tion when it is pushed to d5 or d6. Black's kingside is somewhat lacking in defence without the f6 knight, and White is often able to launch sudden and unexpected attacks on the black king. It is not easy for Black to push his aand b-pawns without creating weak-

14. ,.. 15. gd1-b1! 16. tra1-a5!

Wa2-e6

Ac8-d7

g

NCSSCS.

o

Black is yet to deveiop his queenside pieces and the queen on a2 must find a better home.

White's position is not only promising, but also easier to play.

absence of immediate threats. B43) 12. Black has many playable moves to choose from. We will limit ourselves to examining the five most common replies so as to give you an idea of the typical manoeuwes that characterise

In the

...

a7-as

this complex line.

841)

12.... 13. 14. 15. 16.

Wd1-c2 Wc2-d3

trfl-c'l

Wa2-e6

Be6-c6 b7-b6 Wc6-d7

Wd3-a3 Ac8-b7

This move is correctly described as 'im-

'17. d4-d5l pertinent'. However, a little impertiAnd Black will have serious problems nence is not necessarily a bad thing on completing development. the chessboard! Black immediately ad218

Griinfeld Indiqn Defence vances his passed pawn

in the hope of

distracting White from his objectives

in

the centre.

13. Ad2-s5 13.Wc1!? is worth a look. This is an important move in these variations. On c1, ih. qrr""n prepares Ac4, and it is ever on the lookout for an opportunity to invade on c7. A possible continuation is 13...We6 (13...4g+l?) 14.4c4 Wxe4 tS.Axfz+l? (15.tre11? is more sober) 15...trxf/ (after the other capture, there

is a fork on g5)

15.Wxc8+ Ef8 17.Wc4+ e6 18.trbS, with the custom-

16. ... 17. Wc1-d1 18. h2-h4!

EAE lA lll 6 &

E .,,.'r'l A I

An AA

E

n

cJ

q)

ge 'i,.

Ef8-c8 e7-e6

WE

AA

.$r )g

This move of Komarov's reveals the potential of White's position and iniects a5-a4l 13. ... Black does not defend e7 . After new life into White's game. 18. ... h7-h5 13...We6 14.Ee1. White has the advan19. Wd1-e2 tage - in this specific variation, the initiative is more than enough White's on e6. is on a2 than better llueen compensation for the pawn. However, 14. Ef1-e1! ary unclear position.

After 14.Axe7 Ee8, Black wins back thegameisfarfromover. the lost material on e4, with - yes, you guessed it - an unclear game Ac8-g4 14. ...

Ag5xe7 trf8'c8 Eb1xb7 Ab8-c6 17. Ae7-c5 a4'ag And now anything could happen. 15. 16.

844') 12. ...

b7-b6

Ac8-s4 845, '12.... At the time of writing, this is the most played move in the entire Griinfeld. It has scored nicelv and could thus merit an ex-

clamation mark. However, this would not be prudent, given the complex nature of the Gelfand Yariation: what is viewed as good today may well be seen as bad to-

As always in the Griinfeld, it is logical morrow-andviceversa. for Black to fianchetto the light-squared bishop. However, this is a bit slow.

EI\

ll

13. gd1-c1 1

3.Ag5

l? is

met by 1 3...9b7!.

13.... 14.9e2-c4 15. Ac4-b5

9c8-b7 Wa2-a4 Wa4-a2

16. Efl-e1 White is not interested in a draw

- his

plan is to directly attack the castled king.

Eg

lrEr I

A A -. ,Q) '\

g F?

I

A'''.''."

AAAAA w H& 2t9

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

Black leaves b7 undefended, with the idea of recouping the pawn on d4. 13. Ad2-g5 The most logical: it defends d4 and at-

tacks e7. After 13.4e3 oc6 14.d5 (L+.trxb7 EabS!) 14...2,a5t? 1s.Ags 9a3!, Black's position seems to be holding. 13. ... 14. Ag5-e3 Compared to the line

h7-h6!

in the previous note, the black king's defences have been weakened by the pawn move to h6. Are we sure? In effect. in some variations the move Wcl gains a tempo by attacking h6, but there is debate as to how significant this is. A serious alter-

narive is l+.ah+!? g5l? 15.ag3 6c6 16.d5 trad8! 17.Hxb7 fSt. with a chaotic position; the capture on e7 has been shovm to be dubious. 14. ... 6b8-c6!

15. d4-d5! Ag4xf3 This seems to be the best in this line wirh...h6. 16. Ae2xf3 16.gxf3!? ad+l?. 16. ... Ac6-e5 17. trb1xb7 a7-a5

E ,:

g

, .,,

1\ 9g .aa

.'l

AAA

w tr€

White's position has promise. However,

the a-pawn gives Black sufficient counterplay.

220

,'

' (4) 1.d4 AfG 2,c4 gG 3.6c3 d5 4.cxd5 6xd5 5.4f3 Ag7 6.e4 6xc3 7.bxc3 c5 8.Ae3 6cG 9.trc1 BaS 10.d5 6e5 11.6xe5 Axe5 12.9d2 O-O 13.t4 g.9714.c4 Bxd2+ 15.€xd2 b6 Dresden olympiad 2008

:

16.9e2 e5 17.trhfl f5 18.fxe5 exeS 19.4h6 treB 20.4d3 fxe4 21€xe4 Ag7 22.9x97 €xg7 23.trce! Ad7 24.d6 trad8 25.4d5 trxel 26.trf7+ €h6 27.€xe1 aS 2a.&t2 gfs 29.9f3 trxd6 3O.€f4 Abl 31.h4 trd8 32.g4 95+ 33,hxg5+ €96 34.trf6+ €97 35.Exb6 Axa2 36.trb7+ €h8 37.96 hxg6 38.wg5 Exd5+ 39.cxd5 9xd5 40.trb5 €97 41.trxc5 Ae4 42.trxa5 1-0

Nakamura,Hikaru Mamedyarov,Shakhryar Dresden oll.rnpiad 2008 (4)

1.d4 AfG 2.c4 gG 3.4c3 d5 4.cxd5 6xd5 5.e4 6xc3 6.bxc3 AgZ 7.6f3 c5 8.trb1 0-0 9.4e2 b6 10.0-0 gb7

11.d5 Axc3 12.4c4 Ad7 13.Af4 Ag7 14.8e2 af6 15.Efd1 gd7 16.h3 trad8 17.6e5 BcB 18.4b5 e6

19.6c5 Axc6 20.Axc6

exds

21.exd5

AA

'

Ganguly,surya

:::

gfs 22.9f3 4e4 23.4c7 Bxf3 24.grt3 6c3 25.d0 trxd6

I.}€/

'E rrEll

+

Gris&uk,Alexander

26.trxd6 Axbl 27.trd7 gf6 28.493 cA 29.trxa7 c3 3O.Aa4 Ec8 3l.Ac2 ad2 32.&s2 kc4 33.4f4 AeS 34.AhG 6d6 35.tre7 gf6 36.trd7

Afs

37.4e3 trcG 38.9f1 gfg

39.€e2 4e740.€d1 6xe3+ 41.fxe3 trcS 42.A;b3 Eh5 43.trb7 Exh3

44.9b8+ €97 45.8b7

gb4 46.Exf7+ €h6 47.trf4 trh1+ 48.€e2 trh2+ 49.9f1 aa5 50.8c4 €g5

Grunleld lndron Delence

221

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

Exchange Variation with 7.9c4

More prudent is the natural

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. Ab1-c3 4. c4xd5

E

EI

Aft-c+

AN F /\

A_e.gg

lll

A F?A H.H-

I

I

A A

W E

AAA ,\H q)H

10. Ac4-d5!? Black gets too much play

.2\

A A

Ac8-a6!

.:A

E

rrEr

AAA H /\

A .5

e4-e5

Ejh g E€ ll lrEr

6f6xd5 6d5xc3 Af8-g7

5. e2-e4 6. b2xc3 7.

9.

6s8-f6 g7'gG d7-d5

AAA AAA

tr ag€

1980's. At the time of writing, there has been a return of interest in 7.4c4, perhaps due to the mountains of recent theory for 7 .Q-tf3. Even after decades of

if White

ac-

cepts the exchange sacrifice.

10. ... 11. 12. h2-h4

atr

As we have noted, this line was suggested by Alekhine in 1924, but it was not played until the 1930's, and from that time on predominated until the

8.6f3

0-0

8.

ad5-b3

c7-cG

gd8-d7

The move 12.6e2 is less ambitious but perhaps better.

12....

c6-c5!

The validity of this sacri{ice is not clear, but it is probably the only way to avoid ending up with a passive position.

Ab3-d5

practical experience, this line continues

13. c5xd4! 14. Ad5xa8 14.cxd4? 6c6! 15.9xc6 Wxd4 puts Black

to reveal its secrets.

ahead.

At this point, the most played move is the thematic 7...c5. However, before discussing this move, we will look at other lines in which the ...c7-c5 advance is either postponed, or not even

14. ... d4xc3 A rook is a valuable prize, but White is dangerously behind in development and doubts remain about the feasibility

considered by Black.

D7.

b7-b6 Employed several times by Timman in the 1980's without any great success, this is now a rarity.

8. gd1-f3!?

222

ofthe sacrifice.

B) 7.

0-0 Q:91-e2 Given that Black is only applying minor pressure on the centre, 8.Ae3l? may be an interesting move. It keeps open the

8.

option of developing the g 1 knight to

Griinfeld Indion Delence

f3 whenever Black chooses lines without...c5.

Ab8-c6

9.

10. Ac4-d5! 10.h5 Aa5 I 1 .Ad3 e5 is less clear.

gd8-d7!

10.... 11. h4-h5

e7-e6

12. ad5-b3

With good attacking

chances

on

the

h-fiIe.

gd8-d7

83) L 81)

6b8-c6

8.

9.

0-0

e7-e5

This move is possible because of the little control White has over e5. Another possibility is 9...b6 10.495 AUZ

11.9d2 Waz rz.AUS! a6 1g.Ada

ee

14.e5 !. and White has an initiative.

10. Acl-e3 Wd8-e7 11. f2-f3 1 1.d5 is playable, but the position is unclear after 1 1...ha5 12.9d3 c5l. gf8-d8 11. ... 12. Ea1-c1

With an edge forWhite.

BD 8.

b7-b6 This is a trifle Variation. The Simagin slow, and White can thus launch a direct attack on the castled king position:

9.

h2-h4l

The Larsen Yariation. The Danish wizard experimented with this from 1967

onwards, but today it is largely forgotten. As in the previous line, the idea is

to play ...b7-b6, but in this case, Black has first taken protective measures against the advance of the h-pawn.

9.

0-0 Now after 9.h4 Black can couriterattack the powerful light-squared bishop bear-

ing down on Black's kingside position: 9...b5 1o.Ad5 c6 11.4b3 a5 12.h5 a4 1

3.9c2 c5, with

a

balanced game.

b7-b6

9.

10. e4-e5!?

White can play the normal tO.Ae: AbZ 1.f3, but the e4-e5 advance, followed by 6f+,Wga, h4 and h5, is an important at1

if Black is not energetic enough with his play ln the centre. Ac8-b7 10. ... tacking scheme

11.

Q:e2-t4

e7-eb 223

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

12. Wd1-g4 c7-cs 13. Acl-e3 Obviously not I 3.hxe6? Ee8l.

13....

Ab8-c6

14. tra1-d1 White's nice centre and kingside prospects represent an edge.

c)

c7-c5

7.

8.

Ag1.e2 This move was played by Botvinnik. Its

aim is to undermile the white centre with ...e6 and ...f5, and rhen once White advances his paum to e5, Black will install his knight on d5 via b6. However, the plan seems too ambitious to be feasible. The more common 9...Ac6 fansposes to C2Z. 10. Ac1-g5! Forcing Black to weaken his kingside. 10.

...

And now the aforementioned aggressive Ac4lAe2 set-up is established.

11. 12.

The knight is less effecdve on rhis square than on f3, but it no longer has to worry

Ag5-e3 tra1-cl

13. de2-t4

about ...Ag4 (rhanks to f2-f3) and can later be more aggressively located on f4. 8.6f3 allows ...4g4, with too much counterplay for Black.

h7-h6 Wd8-c7 a7-a6

Threatening to take on 96. White has

a

promising initiative.

C2) 8. 9. Acl-e3

Ab8-c6

However, the bishop move cannot be

played immediately: 8...494? is followed by

9.Axf/+.

cl) 8. 9.

o-o 0-0

Ac6 10.trc1t? was fashionable in the beginning of the 1990's: 10...cxd4 1l.cxd4 Wa5+ 12.€fl! (the idea is to now play ha-hs) 12...Wa3! 13.ha Aga!, and White will have culties executing his attack.

224

9.

c5xd4 c3xd4 b7-b5 10...wa5+ 11.9d2 gd8 (11...ghs 12.d5!) 12.d5! (more dynamic rhan 12.4c3) 12...4e5 13.Ac3 0-0 14.4b3 WUe t 5.f4, and White is a little better. 11. Ac4-d5! I l.Axb5 does not lose a piece as many believe, but it does lead to complere equality after I l...Wa5+ t 2.Ac3 Wxc3* 13.4d2 Wxd4 t4.Axc6+ AdZ 10.

The line 9.4e3

9.

C21)

ab8-d7

diffi-

15.Axa8 Wxa1.

Griinfeld Indiqn Defence 11. 12.

... Ac8-d7 tra1-c1 Ea8-c8

13.0'0

0-0

Eg : xl* :- Hie Eit I ,Al I ffia rA ,:,- ffir:*,1_

I

rffi e-.

ssa ;csl

l1ll":

-:r\l-

.*{f} :(Jt

ttE

*l:

C221)10....

Ac4-d3 b7-b6 Onceagainthistypicalpawnsacrifice. 12.

12....

ffi

.$iq*

H! €w €:

!si15

A {.w

I Wr wffiffi$*r* $tr

ffiffi

ffis waw

iis?t

rffi

#B {9;S;F

Lq;rai

sffiti 1t**t!

A s*a w A.e:

.:a{"l

14.... trc8xc6 15. trc1xc6 Ad7xc6

More popular rhan 17...9,b7 13.9d2 Waz t+.An6e5 l5.h4.wirhinitiative. 13. d4xc5

9.

knightacomfortablehomeond6. 13.... 9c8-e6! 14. c3-c4l The idea is Ae2-c3-d5 14. ... b6xc5! 15.Ae3xc5 Ag7-h6! After 15...Ee8 16.4e3 the amount of compensation is difficult to quantify

16. d4-d5 Ac6-d7 17. gdl'd2 a7-a5 18. trf1-c1 And White has a slight advantage.

c2D

isa6*

trffi

14. Ad5xc6!? White concedes the bishop pair in exchange for an initiative.

e7-e5l?

Effi EE

() (l

E.*q**

Eal-cl

l2.dxc5 Wc7!.

;."-- -;r H ,rxs n iri-" I .:- r^r l.r,: n /\ al t-. "":'q \ :tL

-

6c6-a5

11.

0-0

10. 0-0

E=AE =€S *r- *r*r

=A= =r=

=*=-

=a*a= = =*g= a= a*

=a E =W:.:-,tr€

Closing the centre

with 13.d5

gives the

Effi g isai E e xri{

ffiffi :i

s*il

'ilii3

1t;

tiCiS

:ffi

A

alH ffi .:-. if s$;

I I I i9t9*-

a"l

&]is{

gigi

A *$ \ i&** A !'93 r***i A ta*a t&!.9 si:! *1.- 5-

tl-t-:i /

:-- l

!'.

^ tr .:l ) ( -r*'-

g

$.{{

6 lr+: A

7<- A

Another key Grunfeld position. Black has a wide choice of possible moves 16. Ac5xf8 Ah6xc1 that we will now examine. Please note 17. 6e2xc1 Wd8xf8 that the following rare moves are also With compensation rypical of these playable: 10...e5, 10...b6 and 10...Wa5. lines:pieceactivityandaweakc4pawn. 225

-

Chess Opening Essentiols

c22D10.... 11. c3xd4 12. Ac4-d3 E E.'

,ll

..1

Volume

3

c5xd4 6c6-a5 Ac8-e6

ue H&

rr-ar ,l

E

c\

gained

a

clear advantage.

C223)1O....

.4\ .l gg

tr wAAAA trg 12...b6 is similar to the previous line, while r2...6c6 t3.Ab5! Ad7 14.Eb1 gives White the advantage.

Ac8-d7

g Eg

E

ll

AA

AI

And now we see the idea: this move is not possible with the pawn on f3. White wins back the exchange and has

E,rrEr

al

I.,,

AAA EAA

AE AAAA g tr Eg A

13. d4-d5! An excellent exchange sacrifice.

13. ... 14. Wd1xa1

Ag7xa1

The only difference between this and the Sokolsky Gambit, which we will discuss soon, is that the pawn is on f2 and not f3. However, this is not a minor detail as in many lines Black does nor have the useful queen check on b6.

14....

I7-t6 15. Ae3-h6 trf8-e8 16.8:e2-t4 Ae6-f7 16...4d7 17.e51 gives White a powerful attack. 17. ad3-b5

EgEg ll ra I I

{hA ..,.':...

gA 226

ll-*

A

AA '"

,'

AAA

trg

The newly popular and high-scoring Svidler Yariation. Black develops normally and wants to play ...EcS, and then either ...Wa5 or ...4a5. However. he will always be on the lookout for the possibility of ...b5!? Axb5 Axd4. 11. tra1-b1! Attacking b7 puts a fly in the ointment. 1 1. ... a7-a6 With the idea of ...b7-b5: the possibility of a knight fork on a5 protects bZ The move ll...Wc7!? is worth a look: 12.AfaWcS!. 12. d4xc5!

g E*

E

l arral

rfaI A

)<

A

AA .HA.l AE

A

AAAA

E W trg

Griinfeld Indiqn Defence

Normally, this

is an anti-positional

Wd8-c7

c224J10....

move that would not be taken into con-

sideration, but

in this position,

EB t:

the black a5 pawn changes everything. The capture is now no longer just playable,

r rgr 1.,.:

but excellent - another example of not Ietting consideration of general principles blind you. Let's have a look at the advantages offered by this weird-look-

AA i: g2. A A.AIA ,r.',rt

gtr€

ing move: it stops ...b7-b5; the b7 pawn can now truly be taken; the b6-square is

weak and this can sometimes be exploited tactically by means of c5-c6 and Abe ; the d4-square is available for acti-

vating the knight; and the c5 pavm, though ugly and doubled, is still an extra pawn.

Wd8-c7

12....

12...4a5 13.4d3 Wc7 1a.Ad4! EfdS 15

.We2 e6 16.f4 . and White is better.

13.2'e2-d4!

e7-e6

14.

Ac6-a5 e6-e5

f2-t4 15. Ac4-d3 16. f4-f5!!

A great positional piece sacri{ice. After

16....

e5xd4

.

The Smyslov Yariation is so named in honour of the former World Champion's victory against Gligoric in 1959.

It is both a logical and natural move. The queen has its eye on the undefended c4 bishop and vacates the d8-square for the rook. This line was played by Levenfish in 1939, and it was also employed by Fischer in two his-

toric games with Spassky in 1966 and I 9 7 0. In both of these games the American champ was soundly beaten... but these losses were not the fault of the opening. Today the line is still very

17. c3xd4

popular.

E

11. trf8-d8 One of the drawbacks of this line is the weakening of fl. 12. Ae3-f4!

Eg

rga , rAr

ll AA

AA 6A .5&

It took

A

a while before people figured

out that this was the best move. Before this realisation, the most played

'. AA A 1S'i',',E tr € It is difficult to objectively

tra1-c1

assess the

amount of compensation obtained. One thing is for sure: the vast majority of players would rather be White.

variation was 12.Wd2 Wa5l 13.Efdl.

but then 13...6e5! was discovered: 14.Ab3 Agal ls.f4 (1s.f3? Axf3) 15...4c6! 16.d5 Wa6 l7.Ee1 c4 18.4c2 e6, with

dynamic balance. The alternative 12.h3 looks a little slow. An interesting-looking move is 12.f4, but it proves to be too ambitious: a

277

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

12...4g+ 13.f5 Aa5 (13...gxfs 14.h3!) &xf7 15.fxg6+ €gS 16.gxh7+ €h8.

14.Axf7+!?

EEr& rTE I AI AA AA AE

A

A

be stronger than imagined:

EA

which will have problems finding

A

AA

And White's attack is fizzling out. You

get the impression that the piece is stronger than the three pawns (Black will take back the h7 pawn at the most opportune momentJ.

Wc7-d7

Both 12...e5 13.4g5 Ede t+.AdStand

12...Wa5 13.Wb3

e6 14.d5

exd5

15.Axd5! give White an advantage. A The strange 12...9e51? has recently played been with good results; yet fur-

ther evidence of the

inexhaustible

wealth of the game.

E AE s rrg ll l :: al I E A'

trg'aAA'A tr€

Exchanging

the dark-squared

under strong attack. 14. Ac4-d5! Another strange move which deliberately subjects the piece to a pin! The idea is to answer 14...e6?l with I5.Axc6, and

White has a clear advantage. 14. ... Ac8-d7 15. gd1-d3! e7-e6 16. Ad5xc6! Once again concrete goals prove to be more significant than abstract principles.

low him to create

bishop

after 13.Axe5 Axe5 14.4b3 6g+ 15.493 Wf+, Slack's active play is on

228

Axe5 15.9b3! e6 16.f4 Ag7 lZ.Ecdl Wc7 18.Exd8+ Wxd8 19.f51. and f7 is

Ad7xc6

17. af4-d6 White is a little better; not so much because of the extra pawn, but more for his control of the centre, which will al-

seems to weaken the king's security, but

these very squares.

a

good square to develop to. These factors are enough to justify the capture on c5. After 1 3.d5, Black appears to obtain adequate counterplay with 13...he51 14.4b3 (14.4xe5!?) 14...b5 15.h3 a5t. 13. ... Wd7-e8 After 13...4a5, there is 14.4b51. whereas 13...4e5 is met by 14.Axe5

16....

AAA1h l{ a a:5-

.A

Black's

pieces are badly coordinated and poorll' placed - in particular the c8 bishop,

trw trg

12....

13. d4xc5! Once again we see this 'anti-positional' move. This capture was played in the 1970's and it quickly revealed itself to

an

initiative.

c225)10.... Ac8-g4 This move seems useless given White will reply with 11. t2-t3

that

But this is exactly what Black wants: his ambition is to open the b6-gl diagonal

Griinfeld Indicn Defence

and energetically to attack the white centre before White can consolidate it. Now Black can choose from two continuations:

1. ... Ag4-d7l? This move we will examine immediately, while 1 1...4a5 can be considered the main li.ne because of its historical importance and its popularity. It merits 1

its owl section. To be precise, there is also the third alternative 1 1...cxd4. However. this variation usually transposes to one of the

other tvvo lines. The move is also too committal, and it is generally best to postpone this exchange until a more opportune moment.

g ,,H l'.,,.,,.A'l l9l l ",.,r al E

S,...,','

,.,t,, :l

,,l.:.ll

.t.t,',.

AAA

,' A' A A A A cbAA ,tr W f, .,,' ,

,.,,

-,,'.,

..',.

White would appear to have an edge.

Carlsen,Magnus Ivanchuk,Vasily

l) Arc 2.eA gG 3.6c3 d5 4.cxd5 6xd5 5.e4 6xc3 6.bxc3 Ag7 7.9c4 Morelia/Linares 2007 (1

1.d4

c5 8.4e2 6c6 9.Ae3 O-010.0-0 Aa5 11.4d3 b6 12.trc1 cxd4 13.cxd4 e6 14.V!d2 9b715.h4 We7 16.h5 trfc8

trxcl 18.trxc1 EcB 19.Exc8+ AxcS 20.4S5 Wc7 21.gf6 Ac6 17.e5

22.8g5 h6 23.Wc1 95 249b5 edz 25.d5 exdS 26.ad4 S*f6 27.exf6 Sd6 28.€xc6 Wxf6 299;d7 Bxd4 30.g3 Wcs 31.Wxc5 bxcS 32.AcG d4 33.9b5 €f8 34.f4 gxf4 35.gxf4 1-o

12. tra1-bl The game that follows is obviously very similar to the 10...4d7 line, and we are aware of only one variation where the differences are not academic: 12.... a7-aG

13. 14.

d4xc5! Ac4-d3

6c6-a5 Ad7-e6!?

Weak in the Svidler Variation.

15. Wdl-c2 16. Wc2xa2 Here, the bishop on e3 is 17. Ae3-d4 And now after

18. ad4-t2

Ae6xa2! Bd8xd3 hanging.

e7-e5

Navara,David Kamsky,Gata Sochi 2008 (13)

1.d4 at0 2.4 gG 3.6c3 d5 4.cxd5 AxdS 5.e4 6xc3 6.bxc3 Ag7 7.AeA c5 8.4e2 0-0 9.0-O 6c6 104e3 6a5 11.9d3 b6 12.9d2 e5 13.dxe5 Ae6

l4.tradl ac4 154c4 gxc4 16.f4 We7 17.Wc2 EadS 18.trfe1 h5 19.6c1 SeG 20.trd2 AbS 21.4b3 W eA 22.€:t2 g5 23.4g3 srt4 24drt4 $eG 25.8d6 trxd6 26.exd6 gf6 27.Wt2Wxc3 28.e5 tre8 29.6d2 Ac€

30.h9

gdg 31.8e3 gd4 32.4f1

zz9

h4

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume

3

$.ah2 Axe5 34.trxe5 Bal+ 35.gfl 9d++ 36.4e3 Bxes 37.6g4 9c3 38.4h6+ €h8 39.Axf7+ €97

40.4h6+€g6

o-1

Geller,Efim Smyslov,Yasily Moscow Candidates qfa 1955 (5)

af6 2.c4 96 3.6c3 d5 4.cxd5 6xd5 5.e4 Axc3 6.bxc3 Ag7 7.9c4 c5 8.6e2 0-O 9.0-0 6c6 10.4e3 9c7 11.trcl trdA 12t4e6 13.€h1 b6 14.f5 6a5 15.4d3 exf5 16.exf5 Ab7 17.9d2 Ee8 18.4g3 Bc6 19.8f2 EadS 2O.ghG gh8 21.Wt4 Ed7 22.Ae4 c4 23.4c2 trde7 24.Ecf1 Exe4 25.fxg6 f5 26.Wg5 gd7 27.&91Ag7 28.trxf6 tr94 29.gxh7+ €h8 30.Axg7+Bxg731.Wxg4 1-o 1.d4

Gligoric,Svetozar Smyslov,Vasily Kiev URS-YUG 19s9 (3)

af6 2.c4 gG 3.4c3 d5 4.cxd5 6xd5 5.e4 6xc3 6.bxc3 Ag7 7.9c4 c5 8.4e2 0-0 9.0-0 6c6 10.4e3 Wc711.Hc1 gd8 t2.hg bG 13.f4 e6 't4.we1 ab715.gf2 aas16.ad3 f5 17.e5 c4 18.4c2 AcG 19.g4 6e7 20.€h2 9c6 21.693 bS 22.a4 a6 23.8b1 EabB 24.4d2 bxa4 25.8a1 Aa8 26.Axa4 Wc7 27.tra2 Eb6 28.gxf5 exf5 29.Acl ads 30.4e2 a5 31.4c2 gb3 32.Axb3 cxb3 33.Ea4 AfB 34.4b2 6e3 35.Efa1 1.d4

6,c4 36.4g3 Ae7 37.4f1 38.Exc4

ghl+ 39.€g3 h5

o-1

Spassky,Boris

1.d4

230

2.eA SG

9f739.trf8+

1-o

Spassky,Boris Fischer,Robert Santa

Monica I966 (8)

1.d4 ati 2.c4 g6 3.6c3 d5 4.cxd5 6xd5 5.e4 6xc3 6.bxc3 Ag7 7.9c4 c5 8.6e2 AcG 9.4e3 0-010.O-0 Wc7 Il.trcl trd8 12.We1 e6 13.f4 6a5 149d3 f5 15.Ed1 b6 16.8f2 cxd4 17.gxd4 Axd4 18.cxd4 Ab7 19.h93 gf7 2O.d5 fxe4 21.dxe5 Wxe6 22.f5 Bf/ 23.9xe4 Exdl 24.Hxd1 trfg

25.Abl Wf6 26.8c2 €hg 27.txs0 hxs6 28.9d2 €g7 29.trf1 We7

30.9d4+ trfO 31.4e4 Axe4 32.Axe4 WcS 33.Bxc5 Exfl+ 34.€xf1 bxcs 35.h4 ac4 36.€e2 AeS 37.€e3 *f6 38.9f4 6f7 39.€e3 g5 40.h5 6h6 41.9d3 €e5 42.4a8 €d6 43.€c4 g4 M.a4 D'98 45.a5 Ah6 46.4e4 93 47.9b5 6s8 48.4b1 ah6 49.€a6 9c6 50.Aa2 1-0 Cheparinov,Ivan Kazhgaleev,Murtas Dresden olympiad 2008 (11)

af6 2.eA gG 3.hc3 d5 4.cxd5 Axd5 5.e4 hxc3 6.bxc3 Ag7 7.9c4 c5 8.4e2 0-0 9.0-0 6c6 1O.Ae3 1.d4

olympiad 1970 (1a)

af6

trdG 38.tre8+

Wc6

FischetRobert Siegen

6xd5 5.e4 6xc3 6.bxc3 €.g7 7.9ca c5 8.6e2 6c6 9.4e3 0-O 10.0-0 Bc7 ll.trcl trd8 12.h3 bG t3.f4 e6 14.We1 6a5 15.4d3 f5 16.94 fxe4 17.Axe4 Ab718.Agg Ac4 19.Axb7 BxbT 20.gt2 Wc6 21.Se2 cxd4 22.cxd4 b5 23.6e4 Axd4 24.6g5 Axf2+ 25.trxf2 Ed6 26.tre1 gb6 27.6:e4 trd4 28.4f6+ €h8 29.Wxe6 trdG 3O.9e4 trf8 31.g5 trd2 32.trf1 Bc7 33.trxd2 6xd2 34.9d4 trd8 35.4d5+ €g8 36.trf2 aeA 37.tre2

3.4c3 d5 4.cxd5

Griinfeld Indion

Defence

Ag4 !1.f3 gd7 12.trb1 trc8 13.4d3 Black would like to rerreat the bishop to WcZ 14.9d2 trfd8 15.trfc1 a6 e6, and he therefore plans to remove 16.af4 e6 17.d5 6a5 18.c4 bG 19.h4 the c4 bishop from the a2-g8 diagonal. gd6 2O.gfI e5 21.adg Ab7 22.Wt2 Now White has three oprions: gb8 23.9b2 Aa5 24.Wa3 Wc7 25.9:d2 6b7 26.Sxa6 6d6 27.Wa3 A) 12. Ac4-d5 f5 28,4f2 Ea8 29.9b2 Ea6 30.4c3 The bishop does nor wanr ro leave the Be8 31.tre1 t4 32.4d3 4xc4 diagonal. 33.9b3 b5 34.dG 9a7 35.a4 Exa4 12.... Ag4-d7 36.tra1 Exal 37.trxa1 gb6 38.4xe5 12...e6?? B.Ara, and the 94 bishop is a AxeS 39.Axc4+ €g7 4O.AxeS+ goner. ExeS 41.trd1 *hG 42.9b2 tre8 13. tral-bl Wd8-c7 gd8 43.e5 44.4f7 trf8 45.eG tsxh4 14. Ae3-f4 Wc7-c8 't5. a2-a4 Ad7-c6 46.We5 fucG 47.d7 trd8 4S.Sc7 gxf3 49.trf1 Axg2 50.Bxf4+ Wxf4 16. Ad5xc5 Wc8xc6 51.gxf4Ac652.Ae8€g553.e? 1-0 17. d4-d5 Wc6-d7 18. Wd1-c2

Main line of the 7.4c4 Variation

1. d2-d4 6g8-f6 2. c2-c4 g7-go 3. Ab1-c3 d7-d5 4. c4xd5 Af6xd5 5. e2-e4 6d5xc3 6. b2xc3 Af8-97 7. Af1-c4 c7-ci 8. As1-e2 Ab8-c6 9. Ac1-e3 0-0 10. 0-0 Ac8-94 11. f2+3 6c6-a5

E g Eg lr lrEl I

AI

AAA A A AA A A AA

tr

w,','

* =

.: E&

eI.

I l, glrEr IA

A A

:A

tl

u&

E.

I

.,1

:-

NA AE i:45 ,\AA t4) .J al F? .Sa

18....

e7-e5

And once Black has moved his knight to d6 his position is satisfactory.

B)

12. Ac4xt7+

t

lr

a

A A. A:,

I

g E* rAET I AA A U& n.

AA

-""

A

ury '.:r,

E

AA

€

231

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume

3

The Seville Yariation is named after the city that hosted the 1982 KarpovKasparov match. Karpov used this line 4 times in this historic encounter. Although the results were not exceptional (+1 -1 =2), Karpov obtained promising positions in every game, and the variation enjoyed a subsequent boom. The move 12.9xf7+ used ro be played one move later ( I 1...cxd4 1 2.cxd4 Aa5 13.Axf/+), but ir was not popular. It

was thought that Black had an easier

game without the pawn exchange. However, Karpov demonstrated that Black still has an uphtll battle ahead. Winning the pawn is not White's main objective as Black achieves good dynamic play in compensation. White's intention is to profit from the resulting pawn structure (c3/d4/eS and the pawn on g5) and ro make the gZ bishop passive. Against the Griinfeld rhis is no small achievement!

Curiously, at the time of writing 12.4xfr + is considered to be the most solid choice as it minimises White's Iosing chances - even if at the same time it reduces the likelihood of his wrnnrng too.

Ef8xf7

13. f3xg4 14. €g1xfl

Ef7xfl+

232

81)

14.

gd8-d7

...

The most natural move - Black develops while attacking the 94 parvn.

15. g4-g5! More effective than 15.h3, with the ambition of entombing the dark bishop.

15.... Ae3-f2 d4-d5! gd1-d3

16. 17. 18. 19. €f1-91

ll

gAlal A,\ /\

o,ai-c4 e7-e5

Ag7-f8 Wd7-a4

E€

E

A $Itr OE

I

I

.lA

a U\

,ABA g /\ /\ cb €

not decisive.

92) 14....

-

g@

A

I AA AA

A

We6, Black has a nice game.

At this point, Black has three paths he can follow. Note that 14...8)c4 is weak in view of 15.9b3 b5 16.a4.

White's advantage is evident, though

12....

ll

14.Bxf1 appears ro be more natural, but after 14...6c4 15.Wc1 Waz te .fr:

l ar I

t

gll ar E

ll

A

A.' ,AA $tr cn Eg

aOa

e

ch

gd8-d6

I

NAA AIA

AA uc& A

A

,\AN q) Atl

g€

Griinfeld Indion Established theory considers this Black's best move.

to be

Black's position

Def.ence

is difficult, but still

playable.

15. e4-e5 Protects h2

with tempo, but at the cost

ofweakening the light squares.

wd6-d5

15....

16. Ae3-f2! After the natural 16.€91, the move 16...D,c4 is strong.

16....

tra8-f8

It is logical to activate the rook on the open file, but there are those who prefer 16...trd8. 17. €f1-91 17.g5 Wf/ l8.We1 Ac4! (threatening ...6e3-c2, as well as ...6b2-d3) with

optimum counterplay. 17. ... As7-h6 Before being boxed in by g4-g5.

h2-h4 Af2-g3 20. €g1-h2 18. 19.

gd5-f7 Ah6-e3+

$A:{*A!

H $g

i*

Stopping Wd3.

21. d4xc5! The only possibility makes things worse.

-

every other move

21.... 21...4xc5 22.ad+!.

Wc4xg4

22.6e2-d4

Wg4xd1

23. Ea1xd1 24. e5-e6

14.

...

c5xd4

15. c3xd4 e7-e5! Ivanchuk's idea is considered to be the best antidote to the Seville - for the time being anyway. The old 15...Wb6 15.€g1 We6 l7.gd3l has proved to be favourable for White.

E$g$e

rw $s Tr $S *. xSr nw$$ wa$Sa $ i$w$$ Affi SA$A

Wt7-c4

$; s* se :r;S t $f $*i $ $i:r$ n*$$ ."gA .AA

$$TT A$

83)

gf8-d8 trd8-d5

15...e5 is paradoxical; it grants White a supported passed pawn and limits the scope of his ourn bishop! However,

there are many pluses to offset the minuses: the blocked bishop will find a better diagonal (c1-h6 or a3-f8); the a5

knight will go to the optimum with a blocked centre, the queenside majority could become meaningful; and the white knight, which is denied the e4-square, will struggle to find activity. 16. €f1-91! Perhaps for the above reasons, nobody has played 16.d5 for several years: 16...ac4 t7 .gn (1i.gd3!?) l z...gf6 18.€gl Ef8 19.We1 Afre 2o.Ag3 Wa6l (threatening 21...8xf2), and d6-square;

Black has a strong attack.

16....

tra8-c8 233

Chess Opening Essentiols

Volume

-

3

This is better than capturing on d4, which leads to a difficult endgame for

trf1xal gb4-d4 18.

Black.

19.

17. tra1-bl!? AIso here closing the centre

with

17.

17.d5

would activate Black's pieces.

... 18.9e3-f2 17.

da5-c4

19. h2-h3

Wd8-d7 b7-b6

White's extra pawn is difficult to exp1oit, and Black should be able to bal-

C)

Ac4-d3

c3xd4

Jh

ll

AA

$e E

AAA

A

clear

14. d4-d5t?

1950's and '60s bi Bronstein and Giigoric, but the following decades were marked by a certain frequently

...Q)c4

White has three ways of stopping this:

c1)

14. wd1-a4 This move is not often played, but it deserves respect

a7-aG 14. ... Preparing ...b5 and ...6c4.

b7-b5 Ag7xa1 Or 16...4c6!? (curiously, Biack walks into the fork) 17.Wc5 Ae5, with an

Wa4-b4

compensation for the exchange. It is a comment on the improvement in chess engine evaluation that all of them judge

The Sokolslcy Gambit was played quite

AA

tr w tr€

15. d4-d5!

It is difficult to evaluate White's

cD

Now Black is ready to play

AA .0-)

advantage.

gAA

A

I

ago saw Black as having a

AA

234

I AI

whereas programs of only a few years

AI

unclear game.

E€

Er

this position to be more or less equal,

E g E€ ll lrEr

15.

E g

Ff

12. c5xd4! Before putting his bishop on e6, Black opens the long diagonal. 13. Ag4-e6

A

e4-e5

A

ance things up.

9e6-d7 f7-f6

in the

dogmatism, and it gradually disappeared. We are dealing with an exchange sacrifice made in order to gain the initiative. Although this is an intriguing idea, the instincti.ve reaction was that it must be unsound. However, in play, this gambit has stood up against the merciless precision of the chess engines, and at the time of writing, it is more popular than ever.

14.

...

15. Wdlxa1

Ag7xa1

Gninfeld Indion

r

Def.ence

and away the most popular choice. It defends the bishop on d3 and thus

ll

makes the threat of dxe6 real, with the additional advantage that it denies Black the typical tactical resource of the

A

queen check on b6. On the downside, White increases the chances of a queen exchange (usually unwelcome for a player who has made an exchange

A. ue €

sacrifice).

15....

16....

t7+6

In order to render Ah6 useless: the threat was to win the exchange by

Ae6-f7 After 16...9.d7, the move 17.e5!

Ae3-h6 gd3-b5

threatening checkmate. The bishop on e6 cannot really be taken as its counterpart on d3 would be captured by the

17. trf8-e8 18. e7-e5! Avoiding the loss of the exchange

queen.

rook can now seek refuge on

Testimony to how fast theory changes is the fact that 16.9h6. which until a few years ago was the most popular and best scoring move, is now almost never played at top levels.

e7-square.

Also the old main line, the strange 16.trb1 (the idea is to stop the check

19.

stopping ...9b6

rh

A

I l,ll

was considered to be

Egg ll, 83.'l lls

fra a lAA

Ell ,.1

A

AAA Fl

tre8-e7 with the aim of

20.t3+41

E€

t4) '\AA a

the the

nary

$UA EU A

-

-

as

the only viable move, but then Mr Topalov came up with the extraordi-

16. Wa1-d4!?

g

gd4-f2

At this point, 20.4e3

on b6), is very rare nowadays.

-

has

scored excellently for White.

a5

,,,,

AgA .E€ A

.9.

EH

Until recently, this move used to

be

His discovery is the reason for the current popularity of 16.9d4. The idea is

considered harmless, even by weighty books devoted entirelv to the Grunfeld.

rhar after 20...9b6 21.Wxb6 22.fxe5 fxeS 23.hc1!, Black is

At the time of writing,

lysed.

this strange-looking queen move is by f"t

2O....

axb6 para-

e5xf4 235

- Volume 3

Chess Opening Essentiols

Wt2xt4

21. Wd8-b6+ 22. €s1-h1 Black cannot capture the bishop on b5 because of 23.Wxf6, with mate to fol-

Iow buthe can 22....

stay

in the gamewith:

Af7xd5!

e4xd5

23. Wb6xb5 24. Wf4xf6 Threatening mate on f8.

24....

Wb5-e8

Now the dangerous passed pawn on d5 and the exposed black king represent obvious compensation for the exchange. It is true that with accurate play Black can defend himself, but it is always a more arduous task to defend than to attack.

C3)

14.

Eal-cl

The old main line may not appeal so much to the modern eye, but ir is his-

torically important. White sacrifices a pav,-n in exchange for queensj.de activiry.

15...4e6. After 16.d5 Ad7 t Z.gb4

16.

E g

ll' A g $ 1s.ds

9eGxa2

from behind

rrg.r I

AA

AAA Ff H

Ab3 16.Wel

A

AA

F .Or e)5

e6 has proved to be

b7-b6

rhe f3 / e4 / d5 pawn chain.

17. Ae3-g5 In order to weaken the e6-square with

the intention of placing a knlght there by way of d4.

After 17.d5 - with the threat of trbl Black will gain the advantage with 17...9d61. I 7.Ec3 !? is worth considering: 17...4e6 18.4f4! Wael. with an unclear game. 17. Forced.

...

t7-t6

As5-h4!

gd8-d6

Wb4xd6

e7xd6

1s...Afir? 19. 20.

Ew

Wa4-b4

In this way Black can get his bishop

18. 14. ... 15. Wd1-a4!

e6

18.4c3 exdS l9.Axd5 Ae6 20.Efdl Axd5 2l.exd5 tre8 22.Af2, White's compensation objectively gives him no more than equality. However, over the board the central pawn, supported b1, the rwo bishops, makes Black's life difficult.

d4-d5

Ef8-c8

2'1. Q:e2-d4

EE

I ll AA A6

aa

H

ll

e ET /\ &I

AA q\/\ n A

AA F? .0^,

EE

good for Black.

15....

Aa2-b3!

A recent discovery by Anand that has performed better than the classical 235

White has definitely obrained

good

compensation, and objectively he does not stand worse. However. there are few

urunleld lndrcn

32.8x a4 6-st1+ 33.€h3 trdl 34.Wc2 trc1 35.'*9e2 h5 36.4e1

players who would relish the prospect of playing an endgame a pawn down (and

Ad2

wvo adversary passers to worry about!).

Wd737.WxaG tra1

38.Wxg6+

1-0

Hansen"Curt McShane,Luke

Karpov,Anatoly KasparovrGarry (l l) 1.d4 AfG 2.c4 gG 3.6c3 d5 4.cxd5 Axd5 5.e4 6xc3 6.bxc3 Ag7 7.9c4 c5 8.4e2 4cG 9.4e3 0-0 10.0-0 9g4 11.f3 Aa5 12.9xt7+ trxf7 13.fxg4 Exfl+ 14.€xf1 wd615.€g1 1B'e6 16.8d3 gc4 17.Wxc4+ 6xc4 18.4f2 cxd4 19.cxd4 e5 20.d5 Ah6 21.h4 9d2 22.9d1 AaS 23.Ec1 b5 24.trc2 6dG 25.Agg 6,c4 26.af1 8:d6 27.6g3 ac4 28.g5 sf7 29.a11 Sevilla Wch-match 1987

ad6 30.4g3 Q.c4 31.€f1 €e7 32.9c5+ €f7 33.8f2+ €97 34.trf6 Ab6 35.EcG 8:a5 36.Axb6 6xc6 37.9c7 Ef8+ 38.€e2 trtT 39.9d6 trd7 40.4c5 ha5 41.f_:l11 trc7 42.9:dO Ec2+ 43.€d3 trxa2 44.6e3 &t7 45.6g4 Ac4 46.6xe5+ 6xe5+ 47.Axe5 b4 48.gf6 b3 49.e5 Exg2 o-l 50.e6+*f8

KarponAnatoly KasparorlGarry Sevilta Wch-match

Delence

I

987 (5)

3.6c3 d5 4.cxd5 1.d4 af6 Axd5 5.e4 6xc3 6.bxc3 Ag7 7.Ac c5 8.6e2 6cG 9.Ae3 O'O 1O.O'O Ag4 11.f3 AaS 12,gxt7+ trxt7 13.fxg4 gxft+ 14.€xf1 wd6 15.e5 gds 169f2 Ef8 17.€g1 gh6 18.h4 2.c4 gG

B'f7 19.4g3 Ae3+ 20.€h2 Wc4 21.trb1 b6 22.trb2 gds 23.9d3 ac4 24.trb1 b5 25.€h3 aG 26.hg1

cxd4 27.atg EdA 28.a4

dxc3 29.Bxc3 WeG 30.€h2bxa4 31.8b4

Copenhagen/Malmo 2003 (9)

1.d4 AfO 2.c4 96 3.6c3 d5 4.cxd5 6xd5 5.e4 Axc3 6.bxc3 997 7.gcA c5 8.4e2 O-O 9.0-O AcG 10.Ae3 9g4 11.f3 cxd4 12.cxd4 AaS 13.9d3 Ae6 14.d5 Axal 15.Wxa1 f6 16.gh6 tre8 17.€h1 trc8 18.4f4 Ad719.e5 o,e.4 20.dxg6 Aa4 21.e6 hxg6 22.9xg6 6e5 23.Ae4 Ac2 24.9xc2 trxc2 25.Wdl €h7 26.f4 €xh6 27.fxe5 Ec4 28.9d3 b5 29.exf6 exf6 30.dG €97 31.Wg3+ sh7 32.9h3+ €s7 33.Wg3+ eh7 34.Wfg €96 35.8d5 Hh8 36.h3 a6 37.9d3+ &g7 38.8g3+ €h7 39.trf5 Be8 4O.ExfG EgB 41.9d3+ €g7a2.gf5 EcS43.Ef7+ 1-o

Topalov,Yeselin Shirov,Alexey Morelia/Linares 2008 (l l) 1.d4 Z116 2.c4 gG 3.Q:c3 d5 4.cxd5 6xd5 5.e4 6xc3 6.bxc3 Ag7 7.9c4 0-0 8.6e2 c5 9.0-0 6c6 10.4e3

9g4 11.f3 6aS 12.9d3

cxd4 13.cxd4 9eG 14.d5 Axal 15.Wxa1 fG 16.9d4 gf717.gh6 EeS 18.9b5 e5 19.Wf2 tre7 20.4d3 trc8 21.f4 f,rr'.- 22txe5 hxeS 23.gxf6 Axd5 24.exd5 6g4 25.9f4 AxhG 26.wxh6 '9b6+ 27.@h1 BeS 28.9h4 treS 29.SfG tree8 30.9x96 hxg6 31.Wxg6+ sh8 32.9f6+ €h7 1-o 33.9f7+ gh8 34.af4 237

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

Russian Variation

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. 6b1-c3 4. Asl-f3 5. gdl-b3 So named because

698-f6

The Russian Variation has different advantages and disadvantages compared to the Exchange Variation.

S7-gG

d7-d5

Let's look at the positive aspects first:

Af8-g7

o all the

pieces are still on the board, which favours the player with more

from the 1930's it

was played by a succession of great Rus-

sian champions such as Botvi.nnik, Smyslov and Bronstein. It has remained a favourite, and it is second only to the Exchange Variation in popularity. In recent times, players such as Bareev, Karpov, Kozul, Piket and Sosonko have contributed to its development.

E

AEgs&i,

E

lrr rrar al A.J r\ Hq)

AA H

'A HEHgH

,\ q)

AAAAH .6^,A

the queen on c4 makes it more diffi-

cult for Black to respond with

the classical advance to ...c7-c5, and thus

Black is forced to adopt more complicated and riskier plans to find adequate counterplay.

o the

presence

of the knight on f6

makes the e4-e5 advance

o

a

latent

possibility. in many lines, White has the aggres-

sive option

of

castling queenside. which is not possible in the Exchange Variation.

I A'\

rl,ltr

White.

space, namely

o

On the debit side:

o the

queen is somewhat exposed to attack on c4 and Black's minor pieces can gain valuable tempi by striking at

her.

wirh 5.Wb3 White attacks the d5 pawn a third time, and Black is virtually forced to take on c4 as otherwise he would have to passively defend the

o in the Exchange Yariation, the f6 knight and its counterpart on c3 have been exchanged, thus removi ng an important defender and making the kingside vulnerable to dangerous attacks along the h-file; here Black's castled kingside position is some-

pawn with ...c7 -c6.

5.

.

6. Wb3xc4

7. e2-e4

d5xc4 0-0

And White has the centre. Not that this concern Black; temporarily conceding the centre is the defining concept of the Gninfeld. Now Black's problem is exactly how to develop counterplay against White's occupation of the centre.

will

238

o

what more solid. Black has the small advantage of being slighdy ahead in development. which allows him active piece play in the initial phase of the game.

We will now turn our attention to the specific moves. Black has five principal

Gninfeld Indion Delence replies, ignoring the playable 7 ...afd7l?, which normally transposes to B or E.

A)

c7-c6

7.

Preparing ...9b6, or ...b7-b5 and then

the other push ...a7-a5, but without ...c7-c5 it will be difficult to equalise. 8. Wc4-b3 This prophylactic move is a common feature of the Russian Variation. a7-a5l? 8.

9. Af1-e2 10. Wb3-c2 11. 0-0!?

a5-a4 a4'ag a3xb2

12. Ac1xb2

r r :*r:g *r* nr*: *

:::

::1::

AA

:* fi *at*: AAW AAAA

B a: :..8 E

And

it is hard to believe that spending

three tempi in order to exchange a parvn is justified for Black. White is slightly better, but Black's position is nevertheless playable.

B)

7.

6b8-c6

E Ag E* l 'f ta I'lE al,:j: :.,: :a: gA A :*AA.AAA fi *tA;::.: A'5

B

Grunfeld player.

8. Aft-eZ The number one choice. However. 8.e5!? and 8.4e3 are also worth considering. One of the pluses of 7...Q)c6 i.n respect to 7 ...Ag4 is that after 8.4e3 there is the strong 8...Aga!.

Ac8-g4 More natural than S...4d7. which is nonetheless equally good: 9.4e3 (e.dsr?) e...ab6 1o.Wc5 ad7t? (Djuric) 11.Wa3 (11.Wca Ab6 with a repetition) I 1...e5, with a diffi8.

EAAS E*

'ij*

A move which has always had its supporters. Black provokes the advance of the d-pawn, which makes White's centre rigid, with the option of ...4g4 and the typical manoeuvre ...4f6-d7-b6. Naturally, this is a high-risk strategy, but one that is well suited to the typical

AAts

gA:::tr

cult-to-j udge position.

9. d4-d5 After 9.4e3, the move 9...4xf3! followed by 10. . . e5 gives Black a pleasant game.

9.

6c5-a5!

E g e r trt.* *:sr nrx. g: *fn.a gAA

ff **45 AA AAAA . 3*s

.:.::

In the Griinfeld, Black does not see the knight on the rim as grim; 9...4xf3 10.gxf3! AeS 11.9b3 gives White an advantage.

10. Wc4-a4!? 239

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume

3

After 10.9b4 Axf3 t 1.Axf3 c6 12.0-0 WUAIZ, the game is dynamically balanced.

10....

€94xf3 After 10...c6?? the move 11.e5 wins

12.b4?

Ae2xf3

of pieces neglects development, and White wiil be in a position to launch a dangerous counterattack.

a

piece.

11.

attacking the queen with pavms instead

c7-c6

12.0-0 6xd5!.

Now 8.a4 is useless as afrer 8...b5. White can no longer take the b5 pawn. and after 9.9b3 c5 ! . Black is fine. White therefore has only two valid alternatives.

12.... c6xd5 After Botvinnik's 12...b5 13.9b4 a6 14.trd1 AdZ, the best way ro respond to the threat of ...c5 is with the optimum 15.4b1!!. 13. trf1-d1 6a5-c6 14. e4xd5 Ac6-e5 15. Af3-e2 The ECO evaluates this position as equal, which is difficult to accept, given that White has the two bishoos and a

C1) L

Aft-ez

EaAg' Es

rl lrEr l al gA

aa AA AAAA A

F?4.+.H E.AH.s

space advantage.

c)

The most classical and the most sober a7-aG

7.

continuation.

Played as far back as 1935 by Alekhine

(in a different move order), this

is

known

as the Hungarian Yariation due to its use by Adorjan, Sax and Leko.

E

A-g.g

E@

I rlvI lla_l ar WA A

a a AA ' AAA trA€Atr ,,1,

The idea is to drive off the queen with ...b7-b5 so as to be able to play...c7-c5; in addition the bishop can be developed to b7 , from where it can attack the e4 pawn. The drawback of this move is rhat 2+0

8. b7-b5 9. Wc4-b3 c7-c5! It is important to break up White's pawn front. The alternative 9...AbZ 10.e5

Ad5 11.0-0

has allowed White

to score well.

10. d4xc5 11. 0-0!

Ac8-b7!

White concedes the e4 pawn, but he lntends to hang on to the one on c5. I I .e5 afdZ gives Black a nice game. 1

1.

...

12.8tc3xe4

Af6xe4 Ab7xe4

13. Ac1-95 13.fuf+l? could be an improvement.

13....

6b8-c6 gd8-d5!? 14...4f5 15.Ah6l?, and White has an 14.

edge.

Wb3-e3

Grtinfeld Indion Defence

tra1-d1

15. Wd5-e6 The position is balanced.

CD 8. e4-e5 This direct approach is equally popular. 8. b7-b5!

9.

EN A {& g e A At I ;*s ra* *tl I - t*i;:l !-

t

r=.'

$r ;* fr' ti:

n ,,n,: 2\ /\l

** iaa

EstiaE

*tsffi trff#ffimEffir :ffirw wa ffir$5

I

ffi wrffi ,*ffi s$ $Affiffi i#affi g ff ffiA*l*

-A..]

'z_\

'''E $e vlL

for Black. 12. wb3-d1 ad7-b6 13. e6xf7+ trf8xf7 14. h4-h5

at6-d7

Wc4-b3

i;3aa

1...fxe6 12.h5 cxd4 13.hxg6 4c5 l4.gxh7 + €hS 1 5.4h4 looks too risky 1

:*:*

l

3:a5i

l..:?t3l

a /]

wg a$,ffitr

n- ::-- ; A 2\.

'g

Notwithstanding the fact that many of the world's top players have frequently played this position, it is still not clear which of the following three moves is best.

10. h2-h4 This would seem to be the most consistent follow-up to the e4-e5 advance. The solid l0.Ae3 has gone a little out of fashion. 10.e6!? remains an interesting option:

10...fxe6 11.Wxe6* (11.Ae3!? 6b6 12.a4 is perhaps better) 1 1...€hS 12.We4 Ab6 13.9h4 (using 5 moves to get the queen to h4 seems to be a waste of valuable time) 13...Q)c6 14.4h6 e5 15.695 We7, and Black defends himself with ease. 10.... c7-c5! 10...4b6 allows 11.h5 c5 l2.hxg6 hxg6 13.dxcS Ae6 l4.Wc2! AfS 1s.gd2! 6eat t6.gf4Axc5 1Z.gh4. with a suong attack on the h-fiIe. 11. e5-e6 c5-c4

With

D)

an unclear game.

7.

6b8-a6

E$-€,

@,*t

r$ trffir aiffi ffi ffrffi $#$#** "WAA i #ffiffiaffi AAAAA a t5' F? A sHggg

..6^

a -. H

The Prins Yariation became popular in the 1980's after Kasparov adopted it. The aim is to play ...c7-c5, and after White plays d4-d5, Black will attack his opponent's cenlre with ...e2-e6, obtaining active piece play. White's passed d-pawn could become a valuable weapon, but it can also turn into a weakness.

8. Af1-e2 9. d4-d5

c7-c5

After 9.dxc5 Wa5. Black wins back the pavrn, and does not have any problems. 241

Chess Opening Essentiols

9. 10.0-0

-

Volume

3

E Eg ll '',: fAf Ag AT IA E $tr

e7-e6 e6xd5

11. e4xd5 Until here the sequence has virtually been forced, but now Black can choose

from several oDtions:

EE

E ,,..A9

rEr ar

ll

A

, la

.a',

U&r E

a

L/)

AA F?

H

A,\ q) Hq) '\ AAAAAA AA EAAS

gAAA

/fr

_H-

D1) 11.... Ef8-e8 12. trf1-d1 wd8-b6 13. d5-d6!? Ac8-e6

F? E

13. b2-b3! Ef8-e8 14. Eal-dl Ea8-d8 15. h2-h3 White has the theoretical advantage of

concretebenefitfromit

D3)

11.

... A

E

El €

*E

tl

,,,

II' "'.1EI AgA EAT wr AA CE? A

g

Hg

F?

E€ r-9.r

Ult/

^r

AW

AA

a AAAA cb e

a,a6-b4t?

IA

:

,\ q)

a

well-supported passed pawn, but Black's piece activity will make it difncult - if not impossible - to gain any

14. Wc4-b5 eET

H.$. EE

F?A H.A

d

a':

AAAA

EZ_1AA

trg

The latest development - it attacks d5 and prepares ...b6 ard ...4a6. The im-

This position has yet to be fully ana- mediate 11...b6!? has proved to be weak lysed, but it looks promising for hviewof 12.9h4!6xd5 13.Ag5. White.

12. Ac1-95!

12.trd1 b6 13.9h4 6c2!

D2)

...

11. 12. Ac1-e3

and Black has a nice game.

Ac8-f5

t2.Af4 Ee8 (12...9b5!?) 13.Ead1 Ae+ I +.4b5, with an unclear game.

12.... 2+Z

gd8-b6!

l+.trbl afs,

12.... 6b4xd5! Ea1-dl 6d5xc3 trd1xd8 6c3xe2+ Wc4xe2 trf8xd8 We2-e7 Ac8-e6!

13. 14. 15. 16.

Griinfeld Indion Delence

EE

I

EA g

grEr rrCID

1.,

l

AAT

:,ti\.

& )^\ ('L

AA 17. 18.

..::.

Ann .-\Ac:

AA

We7xc5

trd8-d7 Ag7xf6

will probably make it impossible for White to profit from Black's two bishops

his material advantage.

Ac8-s4

game comes immediately

to

mind,

which was unfortunately the only occasion that these two World Champions played each other.

of the bishop move is clear it develops a piece and applies

The idea

to the centre. Now comes the complex part. White continues with 8. Ac1-e3 Ac6 transposes to Variation B. 8.4e2 After the text move, Smyslov came up with an important contribution in

pressure

1947, namely: 8.

tA l^\

H{4) AAA iJAA

€4tr

The knight retreat immediately puts pressure on the d4 pawn: for examPle, after 9.4e2 ab6 lo.gb3? (1o.Wd3 or 10.Wc5 are correct) l0...Axf3 1 1.Axf3 Axd+. White will not have sufficient compensation after 12.trd1 p(

The Smyslov Yariation has been overtaken in popularity by the previous two lines. However, in historical terms it is the most important system in the Russian Variation. The celebrated 1962 Botvinnik Fischer

enough:

c,\.

Fl HW.O'\

Ag5xf6

E) 7.

E.€:

af6-d7!

Not a very natural-looking move, and, indeed, before he thought of this move Smyslov used to play the dubious 8...4c6, to which White can reply 9.d5 !, with an advantage.

Now White can select from three principal alternatives:

E1) 9.

0-0-0

EA g Er4? llla,llal I gA A 3. ,\ d\A uL &n)

AAAAA /\/\ .6r F? )3H

1\AA 4ri

F? .H.

This worked well for Smyslov (with the

white pieces!) in his 1957 World Championship match with Botvinnik. The move has never been popular, even though it has scored excellently and there is little theory to study. It would appear that a 1.d4-player is reluctant to castle queenside! Howeveq in recent

times this bold move has been seen with increasing frequency. It is difficult to propose a typical line for such an un2+3

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume

3

explored variation; the following is not forced and is only one of many possible continuations:

9.

the c4-square to the black knight) l3...Efd8 14.d5 Ae5 1s.abs gf5 1 d.f4 AedT r 7.e5 9xf4!.

ad7-b6

concede

9...c61?.

10.

Bc4-c5

ab8-d7

12.... Bd6xc5 d4xc5 6b6-c8! B...ad7 14.h3! Axf: ts.gxf3! Efd8

10...e6!?.

Wc5-a3 12. d4-d5 13. g2xf3

11.

With

an unclear

The old line used to be Botvinnik's 12.h3, which offers White nothing after l2...Axf3 13.gxf3 (White cannot

e7-e5l?

13.

eg4xf3 gd8-h4

(arry capture on e5 results in the loss of a piece) 16.f4, with a clear plus for

position.

White.

ED 9.

Eal-dl

This transposes to E3 whenever Black plays ...hb5 and White retreats the queen to b3. 9.

6b8-c6!

14. h2-h3 Agaxf3 15. Ae2xf3 Ag7xe5 16. Af3xc6 b7xc6 17. Ae3-d4! Ae5-f4! And Black maintains the baiance.

9...6b610.Wc51?. 10.

E3) 9.

Afl-e2

1o.gb3 e5r. ad7-b6 10.... 11. Bc4-c5 Now it is too late to go to b3 as the d4 pawn

will

be lost, whereas

possible.

11. ... 12. e4-e5!

E

1l!

'a:,,,

1

1.gd3l/

is

gd8-d6!

Wc4-b3

Attacking b7 stops ...4c5. 9.

ad7-b6

The normal reply; however, the audacious 9...c5!? is often tried: 10.d5 6a6 1 l.Ad2l? e6 12.g.c4 (12.d5!?) 12...exd5 13.Axd5 Ab+ t+.0-0, and even though White has an edge the position remains drawish. 10. Eal-dl

€@:tr

$ r'1 r r ilAg.'..:l:..'' ,a:1

iil'.i

a,tla

fl; A

':'i, ,g $ t.l,...A|;,l, A €4,l . .-a a8 tr =t € '.'.r.S

a,ii &

A

"t1t:

Karpov's move. White is prepared to ex-

If we exclude the risky l0...Axf3

change queens, but only on his terms; he will lose the e5 pawn, but Black's pieces will remain passive.

1.gxf3 e6 12.h4!, Black has two possibilities now: directly attack the centre or make a prophylactic move first.

24+

1

Griinfeld Indion

E31) 10. ... 11.

e7-e6

Af1-e2

hb8-c6

Now everything seems to be OK; the d4 pawn is being attacked and its advance would be harmless.

White does not seem to get anywhere after 12.e5 Ae7. 12.6;t3-g1! Ag4xe2 13.691xe2 Wd8-e7 14.0-0 trf8-d8 15. a2-a3 There are some who believe White stands a little better here; others believe the position is equal. Does this mean the truth lies somewhere in berween?!

E32) 10.

6b8-c6

...

Riskier but more dynamic.

11. d4-d5 Lc6-e5 '12.911-e2 Ae5xf3+ Practically forced; the positional *reat was to capture on e5 and then push fl-f4, forcing Black to exchange. How-

ever, 12...4xf3 would give White a meaningful advantage after 13.gxf3, followed by fz-fa and h2-h4-h5. 13. g2xf3 Ag4-h5! On this square, the bishop is relatively safe and it physically prevents h4-h5. In addition, it discourages White from castling because of ...9d7-h3. 14.

* E

trhl-g1!

A

ct

Itr'Siii

*

I

* t{ O::

'> <.:

,:-:--: , il

.,. - F?

l4...Axe2 l5.Axe2 c6! (it is necessary to respond straight away, before h4-h5 becomes dangerous) 16.dxc6 Wc7.

14....

gd8-d7

With the idea of transferring the queen to h3. A valid alternative is 14...Wc8!?. which takes the queen off the uncomfortable d-fiIe. After 15.Eg3 c6 16.a4 ad7 17.a5 6e5, Black's active piece play compensates for White's queenside initiative. 15. trg1-g3 c7-c6 '16. a2-a4t If 16.dxc6 Wxc6 t7 .abs Efc8 18.dxa7 ExaT 19.Axb6 Eaa8. and Black has good compensation.

16....

Wd7-c7

Vacating the d7-square for the knight and preparing for ...4e5.

17.

a4-a5

ab6-d7

18. Wb3-a3

With

a

complex game that could go ei-

--:

s

1.d4 AfG 2.4 sG 3.4c3 d5 4.Wbg dxc4 5.Wxc4 Ag76.e4 0-0 7.4f3 aG 8gf4 b5 9.Wxc7 We8 10.4e2 ac$

A

-:

,.fq-,

tJ:

::{ .}{i

Euwe,lVlachgielis Alekhine,Alexander Netherlands Wch-match 1935 ( l2)

1frA

Htru -:'l -/A' 5-a tix ':?{ A

a,aaa,

-Ei a,

€€n :-, ,: )<

This strange move, first played in Van den Berg-Bozic, Belgrade 1949, was employed by Portisch in 1974 and it has injected new life into the variation. Its simple aim is to transfer the rook to 93, from where it has proved to be particularly useful. The old move 14.f4 does not cause Black any serious concern after

ther way.

s @ r tr * *.I

**

Def.ence

:

AM

12.0-0 Axe4 13.6xe4 14.8c1 Afs 15.6g3 EcB 6xd5 16.Wd2 6xt4 17.Wrt4 Ac2 18.Wba 11.d5

245

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume

3

Wdg 19.he1 Aa4 20.gb1 gd4 21.af3 AcS 22.9h4 9:c2 23.Ebcl

fG 24.4c4+ bxc4 25.Bxc4+ gg7 26.Sxc2 WaS 27.We2 e5 28.a3 Qe7 2g.Ad4 Excl 30.trxcl €hE 31.6c6

32.Wxa6

gc8 33.Afl gbg

35.Wxc8+

1-o

9c7

34.6xe7 9xe7 35.8c8+ trxc8

26.AbG Axb6 27.AxbG trxa2 28.93 29.trd1 30.gf1 Ec2

ad6

€f8

31.trd4 tra8 32.trxb4 trc6 33.9h3 f5 34.g4 EaG 35.9d4 trxc7 36.gxf5

axfs 37.9f1 Ecl 38.4b2 39.4e5 tra54O.AhB

497

trb1 o-1

NaerrEvgeny

Kurnosov,Igor Morozevich,Alexander YanWely,Loek

Krasnoyarsk Z0O7 (+)

Wijk aan Zee 2009 (2)

af6 2.c4 gG 3.6c3 d5 4.4f3 Ag7 5.Wb3 dxc4 6.Bxc4 O-O 7.e4 a6 8.8b3 c5 9.dxc5 Wc7 1O.Bb6 Wxb6 l1.cxb6 AbdT 12.9:e2 Axb6 13.4e3 abd7 l4.Ad4 bo 15.f9 gb7 16.0-0-0 h5 17.4b3 gh7 18.9d4 EfcS 19.ghd1 Ec7 20.€b1 AhG 21.Axh6 *xh6 22.6d2 95 23.a4 6le5 24.6c4 €:xcA 25.trxc4 trac8 26.trcd4 &97 27.e5 6e8 28.g3 fG 29.f4 fxeS 30.fxe5 94 31.trb4 trc6 1.d4

32.4d5 Ec2 33.6f4 b5 34.axb5 axb5 35.6xh5+ €hG 36.Axg4

tr8c5 37.4f4 trxh2 38.6d3 trcc2 39.9f5 Af3 40.9f1 9:e2 41.&xc2

axfl+42.€c36c743.894

af6 2.c4 gG 3.af3 Ag7 4.6c3 d5 5.9b3 dxc4 6.Bxc4 O-O 7.e4 1.d4

1-O

Aa6 8.4e2 c5 9.d5 e6 10.0-0 exd5 11.exd5 Afs 12.gdl gb6 13.4h4

gd7 14.h3 EadS 15.9f4 EfeS 16.8d2 Wa5 17.Ag5 h6 18.AxfG gxf6 1g.af3 b5 20.9f4 Axc3

21.bxc3 Bxc3 22.trad1 c4 23.6d4 Ba3 24.4e6 fxe6 25.dxe6 Wfg

26.Wga €xe6 27.Wxg6+ Wg7 28.9x97+ €xg7 29.trxd8 trxd8 30.trxd8 4b4 31.a3 c3 32.axb4 c2 33.9d1 cxdlB+ 34.9xd1 €f6 35.f4 gc4 36.€f2 a5 37.bxa5 b4 38.€e3 bg 39.9d4 b2 4O.9c2 Afl 41.s3 Axh342.€c3

1-0

BareerlEvgeny Sutovsky,Emil Sochi tt 200s (7)

Onischuk,Alexander Svidler,Peter Foros 2008 (5)

2.& gG 3.6c3 d5 4.4f3 Ag7 5.8b3 dxc4 6.9xc4 O-O 7.e4 a6 8,4e2 b5 Lgbg c5 10.dxc5 Ae6 11.Wc2 AbdT 12.4e3 trc8 13.trd1 b414.6a4 WaS 15.0-0 6xe4 16.c6 ad6 17.b9 Ads 18.trxd5 Wxd5 19.Ecl 6b8 2O.c7 Ad7 21.Axa6 Ea8 22.Wd3 9xd3 23.Axd3 trfc8 24.ad4 Axd4 25.Axd4 6eB 1.d4 AfG

2+6

1.d4 AfG 2.c4 gG 3.6c3 dS 4.atg Ag7 5.8b3 dxc4 6.Wxc4 O-O 7.e4 Q:aG 8.Ste2 c5 9.d5 eG 10.0-0 exdS 11.exd5 Ab4 12.trd1 b6 13.9b3 AfS 14.6e1 treB 15.Ag5 9d6 16.a3

4,g4 17.Axg4 Axg4 18.f3 ef5 19.axb4 cxb4 20.6e4 Axe4 21.fxe4 Hxe4 22.4]lf3 Ee2 23.trd2 Wc5+ 24.9h1 Exd2 25.Axd2 a5 26.8c1

a4 27.9d3 gd6 28.9b5 9xb2 29.Axb4 gf6 30.Wxa4 Wdg 31.gdl Axcl 32.Wxc1 Sxd5 33.h3

Gninfeld Indicn

b5 34.8e3 We6

35.Wc5 Wc4 36.8e7 Bcl+ 37.6g1 Efc6 38.6f3 Bc1+ 39.Ae1 Bf4 40.Wc5 Bc4 41.Wb6 tra2 42.&h2 Wf4+ 43.€s1 Eal 44.9/12 Ea2+ 45.€f1 h6 1/z-1/z 46.Bxb5 Be3 47.h4 Ec2 Smyslov,Vasily

Botvinnik,Mikhail Moscow Wch-match

| 95

25.AxcB ExcS 26.4xd5 trxc6* 27.@d2€e6

28.6c3

1-o

Botvinnik,Mikhail Fischer,Robert Varna olympiad 1962

43.tra3 tre7 44.trt3 trc7 45.a4 trcl 46.trt7 tra5 47.trxh7 trxa4 48.h4+ gfs 4g.trt7+ ees 50.trg7 tral 51.sf3 b5 52.h5 Ea3+ 53.€g2 gxhs 54.Eg5+ €d6 55.trxb5 h4 56.f4 €c6 57.trb9 h3+ 58.€h2 a5 59.f5 €c7 60.trb5 €dG 61.f6 €eG 62.trb6+ &f7 63.Ea6 €g6 64.trc6 a4 65.tra6 sg?f7 66.trc6 trd3 67.Ea6 a3

7 (6)

1.d4 AfG 2.c4 gG 3.6c3 d5 4.af3 9g7 5.Wb3 dxc4 5.Wxc4 O-O 7.e4 Ag4 8.4e3 AfdT 9.0-0-o 6c6 t0.h3 exfS 11.gxf3 Ab6 12.Wc5 f5 13.4e2 Wd6 14.e5 Bxc5+ 15.dxc5 8:c4 16.t4 trfdg 17.Ag2 Axe3 18.fxe3 hb4 19.Axb7 EabS 20.cG €f7 21.ad4 eG 22.4zlb5 Ads 23.Exd5 exd5 24.Q\xc7 EdcS

(10)

1.c4 gG 2.d4 at0 3.hc3 d5 4.afg Ag7 5.Wb3 dxc4 6.Wxc4 O-O 7.e4 Ag4 8.Ae3 tfdT 9.Ae2 4c6 10.trd1 Ab6 11.Wc5 gd6 12.h3 Axf3 13.gxf3 trfdg 14.d5 Ae5 15.4b5 gf6 16.f4 4ed717.e5 9xf418.Axf4 6xc5 19.Axc7 trac8 20.d6 exd6 21.exd6 $:xb2 22.O-0 AbdT 23.trd5 bG 24.gtg 4eG 25.Axe6 fxe6 26.trd3 2'cS 27.tre3 e5 28.9xe5 Axe5 29.Exe5 Exd6 30.tre7 trd7 31.trxd7 4xd7 32.4g4 trc7 33.tre1 sf7 34.€g2 6c5 35.Ee3 tre7 36.9f3+ €g7 37.trc3 tre4 38.4d1

trd4 39.Ac2 €f6 4o.gf3 €g5 41.9g3 6e4+ 42.9xe4 Exe4

Defence

68.€g1

Vzt/z

Beliavsky,Alexander KrasenkowlMichal Barcelona 200/ (8) 1.d4 616 2.c4 gG 3.4c3 dS 4.at3 Ag7 5.9b3 dxc4 6.Bxc4 0-0 7.e4

Ag4 8.9e3 'Ztd7 9.9b3

ab6

10.trd1 Axf3 11.gxf3 e6 12.d5 exdS

13,6xd5 hxd5 14.trxd5 lgrf6 15.f4 Wxb2 16.Wxb2 9xb2 17.Eb5 Ac3+ 18.€e2 b6 19.e5 6a6 20.9g2 trab8 21.trc1 €,b4 22.trc6 trfe8 23.4d5 trbdg 24.9c4 gcs 25.trb1 Axe3 26.fxe3 6tc5 27.trxc7 H-d7 28.trxd7 6-:xd7 29.h4 h5 30.Ed1 6c5 31.trd6 sg7 32.sf3 He7 33.e4 €f8 34.€e3 &g7 35.8c6 sfg 36.8d5 gg7 37.@d2 ef8 38.Ec8+ €g7 39.€e3

€h7 40.9cG €g7 41.Ab5 €h7 42.trd8 eg7 43.Ed5 4e6 44.2e2 Q:c7 45.8d6 €f8 46.4c4 €g7 47.ZcG €fg 48.gdg tt eG 49.t5 trc7 50.Exc7 AxcT 51.€e3 €e7 52.&t4 gxfS 53.exf5 f6 54.e6 4e8 55.€e2 ag7 56.€e4 gd6 57.4d3 €c5 58.a4 ec6 59.sd4 gd6 60.sc4 2eB 61.Ac2 €cG 62.9e4+ gd6 53.€b4 €e7 64.4c2 ad6 65.9d3

€d8 66.ec3 €e7 67.€d4

a6

68.€d5 b5 59.a5 6,b7 70.Axb5 hxa5 71.Axa6 6b3 72.Ae2 4,d2 73.Qxh5

6t174.&d4

1-o

z+7

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

astonishing is to find the famously dogmatic Siegbert Thrrasch on the list of players who used the defence in 1885. However, these were just impromptu appearances,

and

it

was only

in

the

1920's that the King's Indian started to

EffiEg gl# ffirssr ryrre I

r ffi*$ #i# ,ffiffi

*tr$

WAW

ffiffi ffiffi AffiW AffiA

ffiAffi A

F?

be used with greater conviction by a few top players, in particular Yates, R6ti and Euwe. It was to be another 20 years before the defence really took off after its pauonage by several Soviet players. In particular, Bronstein, Boleslavsky and Geller made an enormous contribution to both its development and to its popularity. Other champions who further advanced the defence were Gligoric, Najdor{, and Fischer, and more recently Stein, Uhlmann, Nunn, Gelfand and of course Kasparov.

The King's Indian, like the Griinfeld, is

an ambitious defence. After l.d2-d4 Og8-f6 2.c2-c4, Black chooses to establish a kingside fianchetto with 2,47-96 instead of playing the solid 2...e6. He then responds to 3.4b1-c3 wirh 3...Afs-g7, which allows White to take possession of the centre with

4.

e2-e4 Black will then attack the centre with either ...c7-c5 or ...e7-e5. This is most definitely a modern idea, even if the first noted game is when Paulsen (whose name is famously associated with the Sicilian variation) used it 1879. There is always someone way ahead of the times! What is truly

in

248

Why is it called the King s Indian? As we have noted the term Indian was coined in the 1920's by Thrtakower. While reading an old German journal he came aooss an 1875 game played by rwo Brahmans (!) that began with l.d4 hf6; thereaftea he jokingly referred to this as the 'Indian Defence'. Evidently, before then 1...6fe belonged to that poor group of irregular opens that did not warrant a namel It makes you wonder how the future generation ofchess players will look back at us in a hundred years time! The word 'King's' obviously refers to the fact that Black opens the fianchetto on the King's side.

namic options available to Black, you also reduce your own number of possibilities. Therefore, the game becomes more positional than in other variations. The draw rate is obviously highea but the overall performance remains

the same as that of other lines.

Effi &6 lqt € *::r

:ai':

iGr

i::ia

A :J|i /\ :g "\l fi\ 'lJ.U\

We

E €,

-tg

g3:

**

Fianchetto Yariation should therefore not be underestimated and it is well suited to players who enjoy a slow

t *:I * ffir I Lliii:l

A al

*g

sti

!5

sw

.)< {J

-ll'

EI

strategic battle.

3.

ii{

*:ti

,A ,K.

HqJ.

0-0

It is interesting to delay the develop-

,Al 7S

ment of the king's knight and instead play 5.6c3 d6 6.h3!?. This was played a few times by Eingorn: the idea is to transfer the 91 knight to e2 after having

FT

will now return to the third

Af8-g7

4. Af1-92 5. As1-f3

-2 S.:

A

The

move.

with 3. 92-93 If he wishes, White can open the fianchetto one or two moves later - after either Ac3 or Af3, or both. However, it is best to delay the e2-e4 advance as long as possible, as often it is not advisable to make this advance Let's start

when the bishop is on 92. By fianchettoing the bishop, White puts pressure on the queenside while improving his kingside defences, which is something that should not be neglected when facing a defence that is so often characterised by a flank assault on the

whiteking. However, many of the typical black attacks on the kingside are rare here, as a pawn assault on the wings is a risky affair when the centre is fluid. Obviously, this increased security comes at a price: when you reduce the number of dy-

advanced the pawn to e3 or e4, depend-

ing on the

circumstances. 6...o,c6? 8.age2 gd7 9.b3 Eb8 1o.ds Aa5! 1 1.a4, with a balanced game. 5. d7-d6 Obviously, 5...d5 transposes to the Griirrfeld. 6. 0-0 7.e31? a6

EffAg €gX

xrt gstffrr$r :: :

::::t:

..-" A -A. :.-)\.){r

:t-:: -

-:- :

!

-.-

'.: .

-

.:" .-., -,U\,>\: n nl .....n a_\E &.. /A ','' a a'r:

a$sffitr$

This is often considered to be the start-

ing position of the Fianchetto Yariation. Black now has four main options: 6...c5, 6...6c6, 6...c5 and 6...4bd7 . z+9

Chess Opening Essentiols

A) 6.

- Volume 3 c7'c6

The natural 10...e5 is also playable.

Shortening the bishop's diagonal and opening

a

diagonal for the queen.

7. 6b1-c3

11. 11.8b1!?.

Wd8-a5

1

1.

Acl-e3 9a5-b4

...

I 1...c5 12.e5!. 12. gdl-b3 And White is slightly better.

B) 6. A:

Ll gA AA

7.

€ The Kavalek Yariation. The idea is ...9h5, followed by ...4h:, with a kingside initiative. Larsen's 7...4f5 is worth considering; the plan is to simplify with ...he4. After 8.b3 6e+ g.AbZ Axc3 10.Axc3 Ae4 1 1.9d2 6d7 12.We3 ds 13.9h3

Axf3 la.Wxf3

e6,

it will not be easy

6b1-c3 7.d5 Aa5 8.afd2 c6! is good for Black. At this point, Black can choose from several plans that are very different in nature: he can attack in the centre, on the kingside, and also on the queenside!

81) 7. ...D,e4.

7...a6 looks slow: 8.e4 b5 9.e5! 2te8 10.c5! dxcS 11.dxc5, with a clear ad-

I

e2-e4

The most natural move. Once. 8.h3 was considered to be the best, but now most experts believe that after 8...4e51? 9.d5

cxd5 l0.ad4 dxc4! l1.6xe6

fxe6

l2.Axb7 AbdT 13.Axa8 Exa8, Black has received adequate compensation for the exchange.

8.

Ac8-g4

With 8...e5! 9.h3 abdT there is a transposition to Variation D. 9. h2-h3 Ag4xf3 10. Ag2xf3 or 10.Wxf3 afd7t? ll.Edl c5 12.d5. and Black will have problems equalising. 10. ... at6-d7l? 250

8.

6f3-e1l? for an e2-e4 advance. 8.d5 Aa5 9.a,d2 c5!? 10.dxc6! bxc6

In

vantage.

Ac8-f5

Black stops e2-e4 and intends to play

for White to exploit his bishop pair.

8.

6b8-c6

A useful waiting move. Black will make his decision on a pawn break later.

l

preparation

e4 also seems good.

8. 9. e2-e4

9d8-c8 gf5-h3

10. f2-t4l?

The move 10.6c2 is quieter and perhaps better.

Ah3xg2

10.... 11. €g1xg2

E ''g ''

l l'l .'.

E@

r rer

al 'rall'

,'

'. a AA

:,'.:,

tr

AAAA AAAA

9W4 E

A

€A ,t,,

King's Indion Defence Is White's centre a real threat or in fact just overextended? It is difficult to say over the board any result is possible.

82) 7.

Ac8-g4

The Simagin Variation, which intensifies the pressure on d4, is logical but not very common anymore.

L d4-d5 This seems to be the most effective; however, 8.h3 Axf3 9.Axf3 6dz to.eg is also good.

8.

Lc6-a5

Or 8...4xf3 9.exf3 ! AaS 1 0.We2!. with an advantage.

9.

at3-d2

Eur

ir I .r.,'

NA

E€ ,1.

{ ,,.

,:.:

+a

wise to opt for

rEr a

la fl A AgZl AA .A

..:.:

€ag

t5

AAA

H.{r EE

Now the bishop on 94 seems to

have

10. Af3-e1 The d3-square is ideal for the knight.

ternative.

10.

Wd1-c2

h2-h3 b2-b3 13. Acl-b2

11. 12.

7.

L

d4-d5

... Ae1-d3

c7-c5 a7-a0

10. 11. 12. Ac1-g5

Ag4-d7

I7-t5 Ad7-f6

b7-b5

Continuing the struggle

Ea8-b8

e4-square.

14. tra1-b1!? The position is similar to that in Variation C, but White has the advantage of having played the useful extra move h2-h3.

83)

more flexible set-up.

pawn to c5.

lost its way. The move 9.b3 is a good al-

9.

a

9. e2-e4 Often 9.c5 is played immediately, but after 9...he8 10.cxd6 hxd6!. Black will find it easier to maintain the balance. 9. 6t6-d7 Otherwise, there is 9...4e8, which has the virtue of not blocking the path of the c8 bishop, but at the same time it makes it easier for White to advance his

AI ,-

The Uhlmann Variation. This line is reminiscent of the Mar Del Plata Yariation (see page 309), with the difference that the white bishop is on 92, and not e2. His protected king and control of the e4-square are other differences that favour White, and thus Black is

12.... Ag5xf6 '14. t2-t41,

13.

for

the

h7-h6t? trf8xf6l? e5xf4

e7-e5

15. Ad3xf4 White's better piece coordination is more significant than Black's two bish-

6c6-e7

ops.

25l

Chess Opening Essentiols

84) 7.

-

Volume

3

a7-a6

much anymore. After 10...9d7 I l.Ecl e5, Black has nice active play.

9.

b7-b5

9...0,d7l? is more prudent. 10. e4-e5!

This is called the Panno Yariation in honour of the strong Argentinean player who made it popular in the 1950's. The aim is to play ...Ebg and then push the b-pawn to b5. It is usually a good idea to exchange a flank pawn for a central one. The problem is that sometimes the c7 pawn becomes a weak backward pawn on a semi-open file, and the hole on c6 wiII become a factor. Be it good or bad, this is a fighting defence, and for this reason it is very popuiar.

8. h2-h3 The most frequently played move; it prepares e2-e4 without allowing .Ag+.The sequence 8.d5 D,aS 9.4,dz c5 10.Wc2 ransposes to Variation C22.

8.b3 is a wolf in sheep's clothing: 8...Ebs 9.4d5!? ahs! (this strange move has proved to be the best) 1o.Ab2 e6 11.6e3 f5!? l2.gd2 ae7 and Black has an active game in compensation for his somewhat oddly-co-

There is logical reasoning behind this advance. Black has 'wasted' three tempi

with moves on the wing and White 'punishes him' in the centre. Those who prefer a quieter life will plail0.cxb5 axbS ll.Eel e6!, with a balanced game. Now Black has two alternatives. The fust is safer; the second is more in the spirit of the King's Indian.

841)

11. d4xe5 12. Eflxdl 13. e5-e6 14. c4xb5

8.

tra8-b8

e5!?.

9.

e2'e4

Kortchnoi's old move 9.4e3, with the

idea of 9...b5 10.4d2, is not played 252

d6xe5 Wd8xd1

at6-d7 ITxe6 a6xb5 White 15.4e3, or Now. after l5.Af4 has good compensation: certainly one cannot speak of an objective advantage, but White's results have been excellent.

ordinated development.

S...Ad7 is interesting; the plan is 9.e4

10....

842)

10.... 11. e5-e6! 12. d4-d5

af6-d7l?

f7xe6 Ac6-e5! l2...exd5 with Accepting the pawn really ties Black down after 13.cxd5 6ce5 l4.Ad4.

King's Indion

af3-d4 c4xb5

ad7-b6 e6xd5!? After 14...6xd5 15.41xd5 exd5 16.f4 c5 17.bxc6 6fi 18.f5. White has a promising advantage. 15. t2-t4 c7-c5 With unclear play. 13. 14.

c)

c7-c5

6.

EA3.g E€

lr

lr3.r

I

I Al

tr

aag

With

a7-a6

trfl-e1

small advantage for White.

CD 7. 6b1-c3

6b8-c6

7...cxd4 8.6xd4 takes us into a Sym-

metrical English.

8.

C21)

d4xc5

Najdorf's move is less innocuous than you would imagine. 8. d6xc5

9. Acl-e3

E Ag Ew ll rr-g,r

AA

AAAA

a al

F? .$1 EH

:, t

The Yugoslav Yariation, which was the subject of much theoretical discussion

in the

a

h2-h3

fence

e.gf+!?.

AA

AA

11. 12.

De

- above all because of Gligoric's patronage - but its popularity has slowly decreased over the years. Variation C22 is played a lot at the moment; however, this is usually reached

A

a AA

1960's

via the Panno Yariation.

c1) 7. d4-d5 Stopping the planned ...4c6. 7.

tr

The attempt to transpose to the Benoni

with 7...e6 is too risky: after 8.dxe6! Axe6 9.495 Axc4 l0.AxbZ AbdZ 11.4a3, the compensation for the ex-

9.

Wd8-a5

Or 9...4e6!? 10.Wa4 Ad4l 11.trad1 AdZ 1 2.Wa3 6'c2 I 3.Wxc5 b6 1a.Wgs h6 1s.gf4 95 16.We5 trc8, with compensation that has not yet 10. gd1-b3 10.Wa4 is useless: 10...Wxa4

10.... 11. Ae3-f4 12. gt4-d2 13.6f3xd4!

is worth

the Benko.

Q:a6-c7

Ea8-bB b7-b6

l1.6xa4

b6! with equality - 12.6e5? is met by l2...Axe5 13.Axa8 Ad7, winning either the knight or the bishop.

considering: 8.cxb5 a6, transposing to

8. 6b1-c3 9. a2-a4 10. e2-e4

gaa' A Ag..A w trg

been fully evaluated.

6b8-a6

change looks doubtful. On the other hand, 7...b51?

i,,,,..''

Lt6-g4 e7-e5 Q\c6-d4

c5xd4

14. wb3-b5! And White is applying unpleasant pressure.

2s3

Chess Opening Essentiols

C2D

8. d4-d5

-

Volume

3

6c6-a5

s-4.

g

$.g'=

rgr

fi l.:t

Donner's move threatens to take on d2 and then on c4. Some experts believe

9...e5 and, more importantly, 9...e5 are

that it is more accurare to play ...Ane one move earlier, without exchanging on c4, but no one really understands why! It is true that in some lines Black has the extra option of ...b5-b4 if he does not exchange on c4. However, these are not critical lines, so it really

both played. The latter prepares a

does not seem

kingside attack with the advance ...fr-f|, but with this pawn structure and a knight on a5, it would be more

difference. 14. t2-t4l 14.Acb1 is more elegant but less ener-

Another historical King's In&an position - Black is active, but the a5 knight is away from the action.

9.

at3-d2 9.b3? 6xd5. a7-a6

9.

logical to get ready for a ...b7-b5 push and apply pressure on c4.

10.

gdl-c2

Defending the knight so as to play b2-b3. lO.Ebl!? is worth a look. The idea is to play b3 and AbZ, and it is not necessary to play Wc2.

10.... 11. b2-b3

tra8-b8 b7-b5

12.9c1-b2 12.8b1!?.

12....

b5xc4 72...e6 and 12...e5 are both interest-

ing

alternatives. However, after 13.dxe6!? fxe6! 14.cxb5 axb5 tS.Ace+ Ab7 16.8ad1, White has scored well, even if the position is objectively balanced. 13.

254

b3xc4

Ag7-h6

to make any

great

geric: 14...e5!? 15.4c3 gaZ t5.6a3 (now there is a difference: if the b-pavvns were present we would now have a fork) 16...9,b41 (a thematic ex-

change sacrifice) 17.9xb4

cxb4

18.Aab1 Wc7!, and White has serious problems completing development. 14. ... e7-e5! Attacking the head of the chain. 15. d5xe6l

15.Eae1 is a natural move that reinforces the kingside, but Black has enough counterplay with l5...exf4 15.gxf4 Ahs t7.e3 AgTl l8.ad1 Afs 19.4e4! (19.e4?t trxb2! 20.6xb2 Aa++ 21.€hl Wtr+, wittr what is probably a winning attack) l9...Axe4 20.6xe4 Axb2 2l.bxb2 Ee8. with equality

King's Indian

15....

Defence

9c8xe6

Black must play actively and therefore attacks c4.

After 1 S...fxe 6 l 6.6ce4 Axe4 l 7.Axe4!, White keeps his slight advantage.

16.6c3-d5

Both human and computer evaluations of this position differ;therefore, the annotation unclear position is appropriate and does not represent laziness on the part of the commentator.

A 16....

Eb8xb2! An important resource to keep his pieces active.

Perhaps

16...4xd5 17.cxdS Ag4!? is l8.ab3! - wirh rhe

playable, but after

idea of Wc3

- White's position certainly inspires more confidence. 17. Wc2xb2 Ah6-97 Black has conceded the exchange, but he now threatens a winning discovered attack, and White cannot take on f6 as the subsequent exchanges are followed by Wfe, and the c4 pawn is a goner. Notwithstanding the vast amount of ac-

cumulated experience with this line, it is still not clear to what extent Black is compensated.

18. Wb2-c1

After l8.Wa3 Axc4l 19.Q)xc4 Axd5. Ae5xd5 l8...Axd5 l9.cxd5 AaZtU is worrh ...

c4xd5 tra1-b1

often follows and we have those typical positions (which we will also see in the Classical King's Indian wirh ...abd7)

in which White has activity on the semi-open d-fiIe, and Black has the same on the e-fiIe.

These are the kind of positions in which Black will have to play with verve if he does not wish to be suffocated slowly.

7. 6b1-c3

e7-e5 e2-e4 8.h3!? usually transposes to the main

8.

line. An interesting alternative is 8.Wc2. White develops the queen with the in-

a

1

l.e4 (blocking the

threatened 4)c5

...e4-e3) I l...exd4 12.6xd+

look. 19. 20.

ab8-d7 which remains highly popular: Black prepares for the ...e7-e5 advance. An exchange on d4 6. The classical approach,

tention of transferring the rook to the d-file; 8...tre8 9.trd1 c6 10.b3 We7

the compensation is evident.

18.

D)

Q:t6-94

hg4-e3

13.f3, with a characteristic position that offers both sides chances. 255

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

E Ag Eg lf A,,,,lAl I al ', ..r..

coming up with

AAA aa ..... AA AA &

...c5, and sometimes play the knight to e5, from where it attacks c4; in addition Black has his eye on the kingside, with a possible ...h7-h5 and then ...h4 pawn

l

::,..,.

a

tr ag

tr€

Now Black has basically two

ap-

proaches: concede the centre, or main-

tain the tension by postponing ...exd4 until a more opportune moment. Another alternative is 8...tre8. even though this usually transposes to one of the two following lines.

D1) 8. Here we

e5xd4

will examine the variations in

which Black does not play ...c6.

9. 6f3xd4

Ef8-e8

10. h2-h3 So that after Ae3 the bishoo will not be hassled by ...6ga. 10. ... a7-a6l

AgE = rla rEr r VV r\ ar || {

Er

AAA '.., AA AA

, A AA :E Ag

,:r,

E

€

The Gallagher Yariation, which has re-

l1.Eel a5 (or 11...4d7!? with the intenrion of ...8c8) l2.adb5!, with an edge for

placed the old 10...4c5

White. Denied the possibility of playing ...c7-c6. Black will have a hard time 255

a

constructive plan.

in the diagram position is ambitious and atypical: to seek active queenside play with ...trb8, ...b5 and Black's plan

march. The price for playing across the entire board is the weakness of the dS-square and the d6 pawn: it is here. more than elsewhere, that a potential advantage for White lies. If he can manage to neutralise Black's dynamism, he will be left with a clear positional advantage.

Initial scepticism towards this line way when it started to score well. 11. Ef1-el

gave

The most commonly played move, but it's

not out of the question that I 1.4e3 may be more effective: 11...Eb8 12.b3! c5 (12...Wei1?) l3.6de2

b5 14.Wxd6l br

15.4a4 Axe4 16.Axe4 Axal 17.Exal Exe4 18.4xc5, and White has optimurn compensation for the exchange.

... Eal-b1 b2-b3

tra8-b8 dd7-e5l? c7-c5 14.6d4-c2 Ac8-e6!? 14...b5 15.cxb5 axb5 1 6.f4 is good for White. 15. a2-a4 11. 12. 13.

E gE *.' ..''lEl ':: I l l3.ar I{h AAA AA AA A AA

trggtr €

King's Indion Defence

will be taken with check) la.tradl, and excellent

To the classically trained eye White should be better. as the backward d6 pawn on a semi-open fiie is weak. However, the modern school of chess attaches more importance to piece activity than was done in the past, and therefore Black's position is now con-

after which the e8 rook

sidered to be acceptable.

ation) 11.dxe5!? dxes 12.a.d2 abd7 13.Wc2, and White's position is

D2) 8. 9.

c7-c6 h2-h3 This is still the number one choice, but 9.b317 is becoming increasingly popular; the idea is to make ...9b6 less effective. Also the old 9.4e3. which was put in mothballs after the famous Botvlnnik-Smyslov game of t9S+, is not as bad as it might seem: 9...694 10.Ags gb6 1 1.h3 exd4l 12.da4 Wa6 l3.hxga b5 14.c51 (the move that rehabilitated the line) 14...bxa4 1 5.cxd6, with unclear play.

9.

slightly more favourable due to his lead in development. 10. c4-c5 This 'novelty' from the 1970's has become more popular than the more sober 10.Ee1 exd4 11.Axd4 Ae8!? (this

is an interesting alternative to

E*:3.*r €,e

ilr *:: X tit

li.:.:

:!:i!1

I *rtliA*:rE gr*

* a $'a l;:A *A A& ::: &A 3:a

:7:j',: :::t,i.:

A

r;ra,r:

l:.1t:

W*:tr€

16.Ec1 Wff t 7 .f4, wit}. compensarion that is difficult to evaluate.

10,... 11. d4xe5

bishop to the defence of b2 and seeks to

provoke d4-d5 in order to install the knight on c5. If 9...tre8 10.Ae3l exd4 11.Axd4 Ac5 12.Wc2 We7 13.Efe1 a5 (the capture on e4 is a no-no because White will exchange two times and then play AdZ,

d6xc5 Af6-e8

An atypical position characterised by a rlvo-pawn majority for White on the kingside and the same for Black on the queenside.

12. e5-e6!

A positional

sacrifice that blocks the path of the c8 bishop and thus slows down Black's development. Other moves may be playable, but they are less

incisive.

12.... The main line. Black commits the cl

the

poorly regarded 1 1...8e8 12.tre21?) 12.ab3l a5 13.4e3! Wb+ t+.a: Wxc+ 15.4d4 (threatening 16.9f1) 15...f6

gd8-b6 ilrit

'.=

scores demonstrate that White's position is easier to play. The other important alternative is 9...Wa5 10.4e3 dAett (the c4 pawn is the Achilles'heel of the Fianchetto Vari-

f7xe6

13.6f3-95 White prepares to suffocate Black with f4. e5 and he4. 13.... Ad7-e5 14. t2-14 6,e5-t7l 14...c4* l5.gh2 hdg t riskv as ir will bemetby 16.e5!. 15. Ag5xf7 Ag7-d4+! 257

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume

3

Before the bishop is boxed in by e4-e5

16.

€91-h2

trf8xf7

17. e4-e5

HA

{\,"r"S

lrgr ea

I

EI I 'l A

.-1

E

cL)

AA

AA F?A HE

g

n l:

AA AA

Acb

,+E

43€fg

Eb2 44.Ae4 a3 45.95 Ad++ 46.9f3 a2 47.trc14e5 48.6f4 trh2 49.€g3 Ed2 o-1

Kortchnoi,Viktor Lee,Peter Lugano olympiad l963 (6)

af6 2.c4 sG 3.6cS As7 4.93 G0 5.492 dO 6.4f3 6cG 7.0-0 a6 8.h3 trb8 9.4e3 b5 10.4d2 Ad7 1.d4

11.8c1 e5 12.dxe5 6xe5 13.b3 Ae6 14.t4 6ed7 15.4a7 tra8 1 6.4f2 Eb8

17.e4 bxc418.6xc4 Axc4 19.bxc4 Exe2 22-Wxe2atd7 23.ad5 Ee8 24.Wc2

gb2 20.Eel ab6 2'l.He2 With good positional compensation for the paum: the e8 knight and c8 bishop are passive and White's centre cannot be attacked as Black does not have pa\ ms on the d-and f-files. Perhaps it would be an exaggeration to speak of an objective advantage, but we are certain that most players would rather be White.

af6

25.Axf6+ Axf6 26.c5 dxcS 27.€xc5 Wd2 28.9c2 WaS 29.e5 Ae7 30.Wxc7 trcg 31.9xe7 Excl+ 32.€h2 Ac8 33.We8+ €g7 34.e6

Bc735.exf7

1-o

Minasian,Ara FedorovrAlexey Moscow Aeroflot 2004 (6)

Pert,Nicholas Svidler,Peter Bunratty 2008 (4)

1.d4 af6 2.4f3 s6 3.c4 Ag7 4.g3 0-0 5.4g2 d6 6.0-0 6c6 7.6c3 a6 8.h3 Ad7 9.e4 e5 1O.Ae3 exd4 11.Axd4 Ee8 12.tre1 Wc8 13.6xc6 bxc6 14.94 EbB 15.trb1 Ae6 16.c5 h5 17.f3 Ed8 18.cxd6 cxd6 19.gg5 Wc7 20.Wd2 hxg4 21.fxg4 tre8 22.9t4 Wb6+ 23.Wf2 Wxf2+ 24.&rt2 tred8 25.€91 trb4 26.493 d5 27.exd5 cxdS 28.a3 gb3 29.9h4 trdb8 30.gbd1 trxb2 31.Axf6 Axf6 32.6xd5 Ah4 33.trf1 g8b3 34.9f3 trxf3 35.Axf3 trbS 36.992 Exa3 37.614 Ab3 38.trb1 €g7 39.Af1 a5 4o.4e2 Af6 41.4g2 a4 42.&t2tra2 258

af6 2.at3 g6 3.g3 Ag7 a.9g2 0-0 5.0-0 d6 6.c4 6c6 7.6c3 a6 8.d5 6a5 9.4d2 c5 10.Eb1 AfS 11.e4 gd7 12.b3 e5 13.Ab2 h5 14.a3 bG 15.b4 ab7 16.We2 h4 17.4d1 cxb4 18.axb4 a5 19.4a3 axb4 20.Axb4 Ac5 21.4c3 Ah6 22.abi We7 23.6b3 Ag4 24.Wc2 h3 25.4h1 Ahs 26.6xc5 bxcS 1.d4

27.Ad2 Axd2 28.W xd2 tra4 29.Efc1 31.8tc7 Ec8

trfa8 30.8e3

gf6

32.4b5 gh7 33.f3 Ad7 3a.trb2 s5 35.8e2 EcaS 36.6c3 tra3 37.6d1 s4 38.trc3 Wg5 39.9d2 Wxd2 40.trxd2 Exc3 41.hxcg tra3 42.ad1 9a4 43.Sf2 9xd1 44.trxd1 tra2+ 45.€91 AfG 46.tre1 €g6 47.txg4 trc2 48.9f3 €g5 49.tra1 Axg4

King's Indion

50.€xg4 €xg4 51.trfl trg2+ 52.ghl tre2 53.€91 trxe4 54.trxf7 Exc4 55.trf6 trc2 56.trxd6 tr92+ 57.ghl Ed2 58.€gl c4 59.Ec6 €f3 60.Ef6+

€e3

o-1

26.A:dS 9xd5

27.exd5 Wxds 28.f4 gd4+ 29.€h1 tra2 30.Af3 trb2 31.f5 Ae5 32.8e1

Spassky,Boris Moscow Wch-match 1966 ( I 0)

1.4f3 af6 2.g3 g6 3.c4 €97 4.€.52 0-0 5.0-0 6c6 6.fic3 d6 7.d4 a6 8.d5 6a5 9.6d2 c5 10.Wc2 e5 11.b3 Zg4 12.e4 t5 13.exf5 gxfS 14.6d1 b5 15.f3 e4 16.€b2 exf3 17.Axf3 9xb2 18.Bxb2 AeS 19.9e2 t4 2O.gxf4 gh3 21.A:e3 gxfl 22.Hxt1 6S6 23.4g4 axt4 24.trxt4 trxf4 25.4e6+ trf7 26.8se4 Wh4 27.Axd6 WgS+ 28.€h1 tra7 29.Axf7+ trxf730.Wh8+ r-o PonomarioaRuslan Kasimdz}anoY,Rustam Vitoria Gasteiz 2007 (10)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 gG 3.4f3 Ag7 4.93 0-0 5.Ag2 d6 6.0-0 6c6 7.4c3 a6 8.d5 4'la5 9.4,d2 c5 10.trb1 trb8 11.b3 b5 12.4b2 Ah6 13.e3 bxc4 14.Q:xc4Axc4 1 5.bxc4 WaS 1 6.4a1 9d717.trb3 49718.a3 694 19.4f3

gh3 21.tre1 ad7 22.trxb8 trxb8 23.6e4 Afs

6e5

8.e4 exd4 9.6xd4 Acs 10.f3 AfdT 11.4e3 c6 12.Wd2 a5 13.Ead1 AeS 14.b3 a4 15.6de2 axb3 16.Axc5 6xc4 17.8c1 bxa2 18.hxa2 Wa5 19.Bxc4 9e6 20.Wcl dxcS 21.6:ac3 b5 22.4b1 b4 23.afl gb3 24.Ed6

c4 25.trxc6 c3

Petrosian,Tigr*

Defence

2O.Ae2

24.Axg7 Axe4 25.4h6 Ae5 26.trf1 Wxa3 27.f3 gd3 28.Axd3 Wxd3

trds 33.Ae4 €g7 34.f6+ €gB 35.tra6 h5 36.8a5 h4 37.Axg6 Exh2+ 38.€xh2 Axg3+ 39.Hxg3 hxg3+ 40.€h3

fxg6

o-1

Svidler,Peter Radiabov,Teimour Monaco rapid 2007 (8)

1.d4 AfO 2.c4 s6 3.g3 Ag7 4.4s2 0-0 5.af3 d6 6.0-0 6;bd7 7.6c3 e5 8.h3 treB 9.e4 exd4 10.6xd4 6c5 11.Ee1 9.d712.gI4 hG 13.Wc2 Bc8 14.&h2 6lh7 15.{-lt9 9e6 16.b3 a5 17.Ead1 95 18.9c1 94 19.Ada h5 20.h4 AeS 21.4ld5 €hB 22.f4 gxf3 23.axt3 $,97 24.9:b2 Ag4 25.e5 AfS 26.Scl dxeS 27.Exe5 Exe5 28.4xe5 9e6 29.8f4 WgB 30.6xc7 Ef8 31.4d5 tre8 32.9d4 6aG 33.gf3Ag434.Axf7+ I-o

Drasko,Milan Gallagher,Joseph Aosta 1990 (4)

Kotov,Alexander Geller,Efim

1.d4 af6 2.c4 gG 3,af3 Ag7 4.93 0-0 5.9g2 dO 6.0-0 {i,bd7 7.6rc3 e5 8.h3 tre8 9.e4 exd4 10.Axd4 aG 11.9e3 EbB 12.8c2 c5 13.6de2 b5 14.trad1 We7 15.Af4 6e5 16.cxb5 axbS 17.Ag5 gfg 18.14 8-:c419.Wc1

Moscow ch-URS 1949 (16)

AaG 20.e5 dxe5 21.fxe5 4xe5

29.Bxd3 6xd3 30.tral Eb6 31.e4 #re5 32.&f2

trb2+

o-1

1.d4 af6 2.c4 gG 3.4c3 9.g7 4.g3 O-0 5.Ag2 dG 6.4f3 AbdT 7.0-0 e5

22.9x16 b4 23.9xe5 trxeS 24.€d5 ExdS 25.Exd5 bxc3 26.6xc3 Ad4+ 2s9

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

27E{t2 gb7 28.trd7 Be8 29.trcl Be5 30.trxf7 Bxg3+ 31.€fl Aa6+

32.*e1tre8+ ,

o''t

Botvinnik,Mikhail Smyslov,Vasily Moscow Wch-match 1954 (14)

1.d4 at6 2.cA g6 3.g3 9g7 4.&s2 5.6c3 d6 6.afg AbdT 7.0-0 e5 8.e4 c6 9.4e3 Aga 10.4g5 Eb6 11.h3 exd4 12.6a4 Wa6 13.hxg4 b5 14.6xd4 bxa4 15.Axc6 WxcG 16.e5 Wxc4 17.Axa8 6xe5 18.trc1 gb4 19.a3 Wxb2 2O.Wxa4 Ab7 21.trbl 6f3+ 22.€lh1 AxaS 23.trxb2 hxs5+ 24.*h2 af3+ 25.€h3 axb2 26.Wxa7 Ae4 27.a4 €g7 28.8d1 AeS 29.9e7trc8 3O.a5 Ec2 31.€g2 ad4+ 32.€f1 Af3 33.trb1 6c6 o-1 O-O

Hiibner,Robert Kasparov,Garry Dortrnund 1992 (6)

1d4 AfG 2.c4 gG 3.g3 Ag7 4.9;g2 0-O 5.4c3 dG 6.4f3 abdT 7.0-0 e5 8.e4 c6 9.h3 BbG 10.c5 dxcS 11.dxe5 AeB 12.6a4 Wa6 13.9g5 b5 14.4c3 6c7 15.4e7 tre8 16.4d6 Q),e617.a4 b4 18.ale2 8a5 19.6d2 9:a6 20.14 c4 21.&h2 EadS 22.9c2 abo 23.Efd1 Af8 24.ats c3 25.fled4 6xd4 26.6xd4 cxb2

260

27.Wxb2 Ac4 28.9b3 tsbG 29.a5 gb7 30.gxf8 €xf8 31.eG c5 32.e5 Bc7 33.exf7 WxtT 34.4c6 Exdl

35.trxd1 6xe5 36.4d5 Ac4 37.Wc2 6g4+ 38.hxg4 Ee2+ 39.Wxe2

Axe2 40.Axf7 Axdl 41.94 b3 42.6xa7 b2 43.9a2 €:e2 M.*52 Adg 45.8f3 €e? 46.€e3 blg 47.Axb1 9xbl 48.hb5 €d7 49.aG €c6

50.f5

1-o

ShirorlAlexey Kasparor',Garry Linares 1993 (12)

1.d4 AfG 2.cA g6 3.g3 Ag7 4.4g2 O-0 5.6c3 d6 6.4f3 abdT 7.0-0 e5

8,h3 c6 9.e4 gb6 10.c5 dxcS 11.dxe5 Ae8 12.e6 fxe6 13.495 6e5 14.f4 at7 '15.€lxf7 Ad++ 16.9h2 ExfT 17.e5 6rc7 18.6e4 4d5 19.a4 a5 2o.tra3 Wc7 21.6d6 trtg 22.h4 bG 23.h5 Bg7 24.hxg6 hxg6 25.9e4 Aa6 26.Ee1 6e7 27.&92 trad8 28.trb3 Axe5 29.fxe5

BxeS 30.9g+ ExdS 31.Af4 Exfa 32.gxf4 Ed2+ 33.€93 Bf6 34.trxb6 Ad3 35.Eb8+ €f7 36.Wh3 Axe4 37.8h7+ BgZ 38.Bxg7+ €xg7 39.trxe4 afs+ 4O.€f3 €f6 41.trc4 trd5 42.8f8+ €e7 43.tra8 Ad6 44.trc3 c4 45.8a6 Ec5 46.b3 €f6

47.bxeA

1/zt/z

King's Indion Defence

This is the key position. White makes the advance ...e7-e5 more difficult and at the same time simply continues to develop now that the bishop is outside the e3ld4 pawn chain. White does not take any risks, but at the same time he is

At this point, White almost always makes the advance e2-e4. Before discussing that move, we will briefly examine the alternative

4. 6g1-f3

not going to be able to make much of a dent in Black's position. The main danger for Black is that he becomes impa-

tient and tries to force things, to his own detriment.

ab8-d7

6.

The reply most in keeping with the themes of the King's Indian. 6...h6 is also possible: 7.Ah+ cs, and now White can continue solidly with 8.4e2 or in Benoni fashion with 8.d5 95

9.993 ahs 10.4d2 6xg3 ll.hxg3.

However, the strong g7 bishop compensates for the kingside weaknesses.

7. Af1-e2 8. Wd1-c2

will

come across this position fairly frequently. In part because you can often reach it via the English Opening or

You

8.0-0 h6 e.Ah4 gs lo.Ag3 6hs (Uefore White prevents this with ad2) 1 1.4d2 Axg3 12.hxg3 af6, with equality.

1.4f3, usually transposing to the Classical King's Indian after the subsequent

8.

advance e2-e4.

10. 11.

4.

9. tral-dl

d7-d6

Needless to say, 4...d5 is a transposition to the Griinfeld. At this point of the game, few people like 5.e3 as it is too passive. 5.4f4 makes less sense here than in the Gninfeld as Black's d-parvn is on d6. Nonetheless. it is an interest-

ing possibility.

5.

Ac1-g5 The Smyslov Yariation. This is not ftrme as itlooks. 0-0 5. 6. e2-e3

c7-c6

Ag5-h4 d4xe5l?

e7-e5 h7-h6 Wd8-e7 d6xe5

12. at3-d2 White's advantage - presuming there is one

-

is miniscule.

Now we will discuss the most natural move, namely

4.

e2-e4

Black almost always stops a further adas

vance to e5

4.

with

d7-d6 Otherwise, Black can simply play 4...0-0. in view of the fact that 5.e5 261

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

E CAES€ E .ll'.l ,llEI

would now prove to be premature as it would be met by 5...4e8 followed by 6...d6.

EfiEg@ .

I l,l I'

a:

E

,l lE I

I al

ANA A'_1 A

E Ag€AAtr

All of White's main variations arise from the diagram position. In this section we will deal with all the minor Iines. The 'normal' moves 5.4e2, 5.f3 and s.Af3 will be examined in the final

at

A

n A A ,h u/)

AA ACJ F?A H5-

i_

a.:, AA AAA

..''

l ar

an{s L

w ga.' tr

White's plan is somewhat basic, but

at

times effectivel After the centre becomes closed, White intends to plal Ag3 followed by h4-h5, and if nou Black responds with ...h7-h5, White will continue with Ag5 and Ae2xh5, with an attack that in practice is verl' difficult to deal with, if not necessarill' winning.

5.

three sections.

0-0

Fearful of this attack, Black sometimes

A) 5. Ac1-s5 6.

gd1-d2

0-0

postpones castling and instead plays 5...a6 followed bv ...c6 and ...b5. However. such nervousness seems to be un-

A comparatively unexplored line. 6.h3, 6.4e2 and 6.f3 transpose to other vari-

warranted.

ations.

The most played, but as always, 6...c5 is a valid alternative: 7.d5 e6 8.4e2 exd5 9.exdS (9.cxd5!? transposes to the

6. 7. gf1-d3 8. d4-d5 9. 691-e2 10. Ad3-c2 11. c4xd5 12. 0-0

6b8-a6!? e7-e5 c7-c6

Aa6-c5 c6xd5 a7-a5 Ac8-d7

With a balanced game.

6. 4e2-93

Benoni), with

a tiny

e7-e5

advantage for

White.

7. d4-d5 It is logical to prepare

c7-c6 counterplay on

the queenside. 7...a5 is also very popular: 8.4e2 ha6

9.h4 h5 (in fact, you can allow White

B) 5.

to play h4-h5, but this Q-sg1-e2

The Kramer Variation This line has never been really popular.

However, it can be dangerous - especially if Black plays mechanically. 262

seems safer)

10.4g5 We8! (the knight is no longer pinned, and thus Axh5 is not on)

11.9d2 €h7, with a

complicated

game that offers both sides possibilities.

King's Indicn

8. Afl-e2 9. c4xd5 10. h2-h4 11. Acl-g5

c6xd5

This is the variation's key position.

ab8-dz

White has three main options:

h7-h5

gd8-b6!

Here I l...Be8? is a mistake because of

Wd1-d2

a7-a0

With balancedplay.

Even though this line was employed by R6ti, Thrrasch and Tartakower, it has always been a minor variation. Since the 1990's, it has been played with comparative frequency, chiefly because of the influence of Bagirov and Krasenkow. 5.h3 is a flexible move: it stops ...6g+

after Ae3 (or after Ag5-h6-Ae3); it keeps open the option of developing the knight to e2 or f3; and after the centre becomes closed, the h-paum supports a g2-g+ advance. The idea ofthis is not necessarily to stop Black's thematic push to f5, but to give White new

with the opening of

the

g-fiIe. It is worth mentioning a rare but playable alternative: Black can profit from the absence of a knight on f3 and immediately play 5...e5 ! ?.

5.

0-0

6b8-a6

s$ :r r

AAA

c) 5. h2-h3 The Makogonov Variation.

prospects

Cl) 6. Ac1-s5 EF A

*rX a* t ffr*: &$

12.abs. 12.

Defence

fi iit

AA

tr

xtA AA

w€aatr

This elastic move is increasingly seen in many King's Indian variations. It prepares the ...e7-e5 push, which cannot be

played immediately because of the exchanges on e5 and d8, followed by 6d5. Usually Black avoids 6...h6, as after 7.4e3, White is in an improved version of Variation 82. It could be worth considering to play in Benko fashion wirh 6...c5 7.d5 b5!?, or

in Benoni style with 7 ...e6.

7.

af1-d3

Some prefer an immediate 7.Age2 and

after 7...e5 8.d5 c6, to continue with 693, Ae2, 0-0 and f2-f4, or otherwise with g2-g4 and Ag3. 7. e7-e5 L d4-d5 c7-co After 8...We8, which prepares ...f7-f5, the best plan seems to be 9.g4!? followedby Ag1-e2-g3. 9. 691-e2 Here White abandons the idea of af3-d2 in favour of g2-g4 and hg3. 9. c6xd5 10. c4xd5 Aa6-c5 11,

Ad3-c2

12.0-0

a7-ai Ac8-d7 263

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

13.... 14. a3xb4

El €,..:

I A,l

th

15. tra1-b1

f:l,,

&A

.

a5xb4 6c5-a6

With a position that offers something to both players.

:'.'

C3) 6.

Ag1-f3

This position is often reached by means

With the intention of playing

...b5.

of 5.6f3 0-0 6.h3, and therefore the ECO considers it to be a sub-variation of the Classical Variation.

White is planning a2-a3 and b2-b4, but Black is sufficiently active to maintain

EAES E& lrr, I rrEr al

the balance.

C2, 6. Ac1-e3 7. d4-d5

e7-e5

This is very similar to the previous line, with the difference that the bishop is on e3 instead of g5.

8. gf1-d3

a.'.r .'

Ab8-a6

c7-c6

8...6h5 are very common in Variation C3. As White still has

:.

AAA ZJAA ,a\ )\ q\ q\ A'\AA A'I

a

1l

AA

tr ***g'.,i'E

Plans involving

the possibility of developing the knight to e2, here, these plans are less convincing.

9. 6g1-e2

c4xd5 Ad3-c2 '12. a2-a3

10. 11.

c6xd5 Aa6-c5 a7-as gc8-d7

And now there is the interesting

13. b2-b4l?

-

I

themes. There are three continuations to be considered: 6...c5, 6...e5 and 6...6a6.

C31) 6.

7. d4-d5 8. gfl-d3

c7-c5 e7-e6 e6xd5

g E€'.

The waiting move 8...6a6 could also be good: 9.0-0 dc7 , with the option of an ...e7-e5 advance. Black's position is

:1. {\

passive but solid.

rEr l...,., I a a,l' ,.A..

'"',

AA AA ,\/AA q)EA it I\

Ar..:r''6

AA

"l'tll'g€ 264

it seems more logical to include it here given the common However,

'',;,,

...',,,

E

9. e4xd5 9.cxd5!? transposes to an important Benoni variation (page 60, Modern Yariation). 9. Ef8-e8+ 10.

Acl-e3

King's Indicn

7.

Defence

af6-h5

This thematic continuation is now

less

popular than 7...6a6, which, after S.Ag5 We8 9.g4, transposes to C33. Another possibility is 7...4bd7 8.Agsl? (or 8.Ae3) 8...h6 9.Ae3 AcS 10.4d2 a5 I 1.a3! (l 1.g+t?) 1 t...Ae8 12.b4 axb4 13.axb4 Exal l4.Bxal Aa6 15.Wa3, with a nice initiati.ve on the queenside.

10. Ab8-a6!? 10...9.h6 is risky: 1 1.0-0 Axe3 12.fxe3 Exe3?! (12...We7! 13.e4 the lesser of

8.

...

two evils) 13.9d2 tres 14.9h6 AbdT I 5.4g5 , with a winning attack.

The curious move l0...AfS is unaesthetic rather than bad - it is played without concern for the creation of doubled pawns: after 1 1.Axf5 gxfS 12.0-0 he4 13.Axe4! fxe4 14.6,d2. White maintains an edge. 11. 0-0 6a6-c7 12. a2-a4 Ac7-a6!? Now b4 is accessible. 13. tral-a3!? 14. ad3-b1

92-93

Stopping ...4f+.In quite a few books you will find a.Ah2 (Lilienthal 1947) followed by two exclamation marks. However, a recent discovery on the 1Zth move puts this enthusiastic annotation

into doubt. After 8...8e8 9.9e2 6f+ 10.4f3 f5 11.g3! (11.h4 is too slow: I l...Aa6 12.g3 6c5!l l3.gxf4 exf4,

with excellent 1

compensation) 1...6xh3 12.Agz Wfztt.

6a6-b4

White has greater piece activity, but Black is not

without resources. ::a':.;

c32)

6. e7-e5 This is the classical continuation.

7.

d4-d5

The exchange 7.dxe5 is playable but insipid. If White is looking to draw with a

stronger player, it is not too clever to give up the advantage of the first move, even though it allows the queens to be exchanged: 7...dxe5 8.Wxd8 Exd8 9.495 c6l? 10.6xe5 Aa6 11.4d3 h6l

-

l:j:l-r'

16',,Str&r .Xi€E

Black has good compensation and the

position is suf{iciently complex to give

himwinning

chances.

And here is the novelty: the idea is to at-

tack fZ (after 12...f+ I 3.af3 g5 14.gxh3 g4 15.492 gxf3 16.9xf3,

White is better) 13.gxh3 fxe4 14.694 (14.6xe4 Axtr3, and Black has the advantage) la...Axga 15.Wxg4 WxfZ+

16.€dl Wd++ 17.€e1 White cannot avoid perpetual check (tZ.-*dZ? e3; 17.&c2? EfZ+ t8.€b3 Aa5, with a winning attack) 17 *WfZ+,with a draw. 265

Chess Opening Essentiols

8.

-

Volume

3

E '!''BE€ lll ,lEl all AI A AA A A .A AA AAAA

t7-t5 g6xf5

9. e4xf5

',

10.6f3-g5

EaAg' Es& ll Er

i'

I AITAA ,:,,-,

trg€tr

r.

AA

a-l a

And after

1\

ggA.E

a

1.4f3 f5. Black can count on Wd8-e8

7.

10. ... ah5-f6 11. 9f1-g2 h7-h6 12. Ag5-e6 Ac8xe6 13. d5xe6 hb8-c6 And any outcome is possible with such a complex position.

C33) 6. 6b8-a6 This lateral development of the

1

strong initiative.

Again a useful waiting move. Another subtle move is 7...c6!7, to which the best reply is probably 8.4d2 !.

8.

E A ,BE & rll ll ET a I jh l.

b8

knight is becoming ever more popular. Its first advantage is that the knight does not block the path of the c8 bishop (which occurs with ...Abd7), the second is the possibility of playing ...e5 when the circumstances are more

g2-g4l

E.* A: A

AAA

AA g€gA tr

tj

The classical 7.4e3 lost its gloss after

In light of Black's Iast rwo moves, White feels justified in making this advance, which 20 odd years ago would have been frowned upon. However, the facts speak for themselves; an ample database of games show that this move clearly

favourable.

Below we look at lines that do not transpose to C3 2.

7.

Ac1-g5!?

Kasparov's famous victory over Kavalek

outperforms 8.4d3 and 8.4e2, and

in 1982:

therefore the exclamation mark is bv no

7...e5 8.d5 ahsl 9.ah2 (here less effective than in 832; 9.4d2 is probably better) 9...We81 (a common resource in these lines. It defends h5 in order to play ...ff-fS and become active on the

means too generous.

kingside) t0.Ae2 Af+. 766

8.

e7-e5

8...c5 9.d5 also scores well for White.

9. d4-d5

Aa6-c5

Even 9...€h8!7 has been tried with the idea of ...4g8 and ...Ahe : 10.Eg1 Ag8

King's Indian Defence I

l.gd2!f5 l2.gxf5 gxf5 13.exf5 Axf5

I+.ah+,

and White has an edge.

White is also doing better after 9...4d7 10.Eg1€h8 11.4e2!. 10. Af3-d2 a7-as 11. gdl-f3!? af6-d7 12. 0-0-0 c7-c6 13. h3-h4

of the 1970's.

However, the fortunes of an opening line can change very quickly; within a few years, this line had appeared in

E ,,'A gE.€

thousands of games, and it was eventually to become one of the most popular variations. It also appears with a certain

"l.',.{\,,'lEl rl l g

I .. aar A Aj

regularity in the games of top-notch players such as Bareeg Dreev and Ivan

., a ..w..,AA AAgtra A A.

Sokolov.

EP

In this position anything could happen, but White's kingside initiative is at a

more advanced stage than

Black's

queenside counterplay.

D) 5. gf1-d3 6.

Dl)

0-0

EAAg Eg

l lal I 4r

c7-c5 e7-eo

6.

7. d4-d5 8. 0-0

E{hEg E€.,,'' ''::1*^ Il

llal

i,i' IA

AAA

AA AA A.A A A

ag AA AAAA

trAge

White's strategy is simple and effective: the f-pawn remains mobile, and if Black continues classically with ...e5, ...4h5 and ...f5, White will gain an advantage by replying with exf5 and f4 (or Ag3!? so as to take back with the f-pawn). Black's most reliable plan is to apply pressure to the weak d4-square.

691-e2

llr

for many decades, it was dogmatically dismissed because it creates a weakening of the d4-square. The line fell into such disrepute that it was barely mentioned in opening manuals Yet

tr

The Seirawan Variation helped American GM make a comeback in

tr the the

8.

was

8...Q-:g+l?, playable.

early 1990's.

This means of development adopted by Simisch as far back as

1

925

.

9.

"

AW,.'.... E

€

e6xd5

with the idea of ...4e5, e4xd5 267

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

E Ag

If you prefer, you can transpose to the

E& 3lr,AI AT rgr

Benoni with 9.cxdS.

9. 10. 11.

Al/16-S4l?

Ad3-c2!? Ab8-a6 h2-h3 694-e5

":.'

a

tt,. AA'.t'

miniscule ad-

AA

vantage.

E" Ag

DD 6.

7. d4-d5

8. 0-0 Ab8-a6 9. t2-t3 6a6-c5 10. Ad3-c2 c7-c6

9c1-e3 c4xd5 13. a2-a3

11. 12.

''1t1,

e7-e5

This is the normal conrinuarion. but rhere are two interesting alternatives

The alternative 7...6,hs 8.0-0 o,d7 9.4e3 f5 10.exf5 gxf5 I 1.Ag3l Axg3 wirh which 12.fxg3 6c5 l3.Ac2 gives White a d4pawn: better position.

:.,::

AAAA ':"'=

7. 0-0

e7-e5

a7-a5

:'ri::

AAA

12.b2-b3 And White has achieved

'aa:a

Black can directly attack the

7...ad7t? 8.4c2 e5 9.d5 Ad+ l0.Ae3!? Q)xcZ 11.Wxc2. with a oosi-

tion that is difficult to evaluate;

7...ahst? 8.Ac2le5 9.d5

c6xd5 Ac8-d7 b7-b5

E -€,9 E& I I l' .1-g I al I .Al .A AA

14. b2-b4

And White seems to have better prospects on the queenside.

q)

D3) 6.

A'AA'aAA'A tr€

tr Ag

ab8-d7!?

The objective is to push ...c7 -cS and, after d4-d5, exchange the knight for the

bishop with ...4e5.

7.

Ad3-c2! Anticipating this, White retreats the bishop in order to play b2-b3 in reply to...Ae5.

7. 8. d4-d5

9. 0-0

e7-e5 a7-a5 Q:d7-c5

Transposing to D2.

D4) 6. The thematic response.

268

6b8-c6

9...6e7 (now 9...Ad4loses a pawn after 10.6xd4 exd4 l1.ab5. Unlike the previous line, Black does not have the oprion of ...Abe) 10.a4 f5 11.exf5 gxf5 12.693! Q:f+tZ, and also this position is too complex for a clear assessment.

8. d4-d5 6c6-d4 The alternative 8...4e7 is probably better than its reputation: after 9.693

h5 10.f3 h4 I l.ah1 Ahs, Btack's position seems playable.

King's Indion

It would be reasonable to

Def.ence

say that the

position is equal.

E) 5. t2-t4

E;hABg

E

tlr* $r€:r ai: t ffr:tl 9.

6e2xd4 Seirawan himself has recently played 9.Ag5. However, after 9...h6 10.4h4 c5, White does not appear to have

. A A.A AAAA . ,,i\ q) AAA'\

AA

A

AA

.E W Alfig

gained very much.

9.

e5xd4

10. hc3-b5 The most ambitious 10.41e2 is possible: 10...tre8 1 1 .f3 c5 12.4g5 ! WcZ 1 3 .gd2 ad7, wirh a balanced position.

10....

trf8-e8!

10...4e8 1.4c2! Wf6 12.f+ looks nice 1

forWhite.

6t6-d7l? 11. Efl-e1 1 1...a6 12.6)xd4 Axd5 1 3.cxdsl Axd4 14.Wc2 Aaz t5.Ae3. and White is a litde better.

1l...Aga 12.h3 a6 13.hxg4 axbS 14.cxb5 Wtr+ t5.gf4! also seems ro give White an advantage.

'12.9d3-c2 13. Ab5xd4

Ad7-e5 Ae5xc4

The famous Four Pawns Attack. Conceptually, this can be considered the

critical King's Indian line. Black

has

conceded the centre and White grabs all the space he can. This is not a mistake in itself, However, pa\ m moves help development but are not developing moves themselves, and White runs the risk of being infiltrated with a classic counter-

attack: as we all know, pawns that have been advanced too far cannot go back. We have already seen this theme in the

Four Pawns Attack in the Alekhine as with that attack, the deabout its merits often takes on a rebate

Defence, and

ligious fervour. However, the truth is too complex to justify a simple black-and-white assessment. even if these two colours do have a natural appeal for a chess player; the intelligent use of statistical analysis allows today's commentators to make assessments that are based on something more concrete

than subjective opinion. The performance of 5.f4 is in line with other White variations. The real surprise is that the draw rate is equivalent too, 269

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume

3

which is certainly not what you would expect for such an aggressive line. We can therefore see that many theoretical debates are in reality heavily influenced by questions of style: the reason 5.f4 is not played that frequently is simply because a more aggressive player is likely to begin the game with 1.e4.

Before beginning a concrete examina-

tion of the moves, it is worth pointing out that what is considered to be Blackt main defence, 6...c5 7.d5 e6 8.Ae2 exd5 9.cxd5, tansposes to the Benoni

7.

e7-e5!

E ia €e2* lll rEr A::: t nf

*=t:* AAAA a6 AA A AA 'E g 8.

=tr

f4xe5

(the discussion of the analogous posi-

After 8.dxeS dxe5 9.Wxd8 trxd8

tions can be found on page 5 0)

10.6xe5 Ac5, the position is highly reminiscent of the Exchange Variation of the Classical King's Indian, and, predictably, Black has enough compensation here as well. 8. d6xe5

5. 6.

E

.

0-0

As1-f3

AEg

$r*

9.

d4-d5

9.Axe5 c5! is good for Black.

Oa6-c5

9.

10. Acl-95! 10.Wc2? Afxe4lt 11.Axe4 an advantage for Black.

10.... Given the comparative unreliability of

6...Aga, 6...6bd7 and 6...e5, Black will usually be looking at one of the following two options: prepare the ...e7-e5 advance by playing ...4a6, or directly push the parnm to c5.

El) 6.

6b8-a6

The Modern Variation.

7.

Af1-e2

7.4d3!? Aga (with the cenrre well defended, the ...e7-e5 push is less good)

8.0-0 adzl? 9.Ae3 e5 10.fxe5 c5t? with an unclear game. 270

11. 12. 13.

Ag5xf6 b2-b4 a2-a3

AfS. wtth

h7-h6

gd8xf6 6c5-a6 c7-c5!

With a balanced game.

E2) 6. 7. d4-d5

c7-c5

White can also take a positional approach and arrive at a similar pawn structure with 7.dxc5 Ba5! 8.4d3 Wxc5 9.We2 6-:c6 l0.Ae3 Wa5. with equality; or with 7.9;e2 cxd4 8.Axd4 Ac6 (8...6a6!?) 9.4e3 e5!?, and both players have their trumps.

7.

e7-e6

King's Indic n

Defence

if on the other hand Black in blocking the pawrr's ad-

7...b5?, along the lines of the Benko.

prospects;

Objectively, this may not be perfectly sound, but it will certainly knock White off balance as the attacker is now sub-

succeeds

vance, it could represent a weakness.

9.

trf8-e8

ject to attack: 8.cxb5 a6 9.a4! (with 9.bxa6 we are in the real and proper Benko) 9...e6! 10.dxe6 Axe6 11.4e2 axbS 12.Axb5 d5l?, Black's compensation looks a little doubtful. but over the

blocked the path of the f-pawn and the weak e6-square is controlled by the c7

board anything could happen.

knight.

8.

The most natural. Another attractive op-

tion is 9...4e8!?, with the idea of 10.0-0 6,c7 1 1.4d3 f5: Black has

Afl-e2

The exchange 8.dxe6 has always had its

supporters: 8...fxe6 (8...4xe6 9.9d3 6c6 10.f5 Ad7 I 1.0-0 gives White the edge) 9.4d3 Ac6 10.0-0 a6 11.€h1 6d+, with equality 8. e6xd5

12. 13.

14.

With

9.

10.0-0 11. Ae2-d3

a

Wd1-c2 Wc2xd3

a2-a3

Ac8-f5 gd8-d7 Af5xd3 Ab8-a6 Q:a6-c7

balanced position.

e4xd5

9.cxd5 transposes to the Benoni (page S0); 9.e5 Q-te4l l0.cxd5 (10.4xd5 hc6l) 10...4xc3! 11.bxc3 Ad7, and Black is on top.

Unlike the 'Benoni' variation with cxdS, the capture with the e-pawn robs the position of its dynamism, but it has the 'advantage' of being less risky. We have already seen similar positions in the minor variations of the King's Indian: here the presence of the f-pawn adds a little spice - if White manages to advance it to f5 he may gain attacking

Serper,Grigory

ilf:-T"Hilr-' 1.c4 gG 2.e4 Ag7 3.d4 dG 4.4c3 6f6 5.Age2 abdT 6.493 c6 7.4e2 aG 8.&e3 h5 9.f3 b5 10.c5 dxc5 11.dxcS Wc712.0-0 h4 13.ah1 ahs 14.9d2 e5 15.4f2 hf8 16.a4 b4 17.4d5 cxdS 18.exd5 f5 19.dG Wc6 271

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Voiume

3

20.9b5 axbs 21.axbS 9xb5 22.trxa8 WcG 23.Efa1 t4 24.H1a7

Ad7 25.trxc8+ gxcg 26.Wd5 fxe3 27.we6+ €f8 28.trxd7 exl2+ 29.€f1 BeB 30.trf7+ WxfT 31.8c8+ We8 32.d7 €f7 33.dxe8g+ trxe8 34.Wb7+ Ee7 35.c6 e4 36.c7 e3 37.9d5+ €f6 38.9d6+ &t7 39.Wd5+ €f6 40.9d6+ &t7 41.Wxe7+ €xe7 42.c89 gh6 43.8c5+ €e8 44.9b5+ €d8

45.9b6+ €d7 46.Bxg6

47.&xt2Ae3+48.€e1

e2+ 1-0

Tarrasch,Siegbert Euwe,Machgielis Amsterdam 1923 (3\

af6 2.at3

sG 3.c4 As7 4.6c3 0-0 5.e4 d6 6.9d3 e5 7.d5 a5 8.h3 1.d4

Aa6 9.4e3 h6 10.9d2 €h7 11.g4 6g8 12.0-0-0 b6 13.g5 hS 14.6:e2 6c5 15.493 hxd3+ 16.9xd3 6e7 17.We2 We8 18.€b1 Aa6 19.trc1 Wd7 20.6e1 b5 21.c5 ghs 22.af3 dxc5 23.Exc5 c6 24.trd1 cxdS

25.exd5 EacB 26.trxc8 trxc8 27.gb6 6xd5 28.6e4 9b7 29.ad6 b4 30.9d2 6c3+ 31.bxc3 Wxf3 32.cxb4 trcG 33.Axa5 Ae2 34.b5 trxd6

0-1

Kavalek,Lubomir Kasparov,Garry Bugoino 1987 (9)

kt6 4.e4 d6 5.trf3 0-0 6.h3 e5 7.d5 6a6 1.c4 gG 2.d4 Ag7 3.6c3

8.4e3 ahs 9.4h2 We8 10.Ae2at4 11.4f3 f5 12.h4 We7 13.g3 6b4 14.9b3 afd3+ 15.€e2 f4 16.9d2 fxg3 17.fxg3 trxf3 18.Axf3 Ag4 19.traf1 trfg 2o.ad1 gf7 21.4e3 272

Axf3+ 22.&d2 gd7 23.Ehgl wh3 24.a3 9xe4 25.trxf8+ AxfS 26.axb4 Wh2+ 27.&c3o,cl 0-1

Sokolov,Ivan

Awulh,Boris Heraklion Ech-n 2007 (5)

af6 2.c4

3.4c3 s.g7 4.e4 d6 5.4d3 O-O 6.69e2 c5 7.d5 e6 8.h3 exdS 9.exd5 atdT 1O.t4 15 11.0-0 6a6 12.4e3 6,c7 13.€h1 1.d4

gG

af6 A.At2 gd7

15.9h4 We8 16.9b3 Eb8 17.a4 6a6 18.Eae1 ab4 19.9b1 Wf7 20.6g1 trfe8 21.atg ahs 22.ab5 Axb5 23.axb5 trxe1 24.9xe1 We7 25.4h4 Af6 26.tre1 Bf8 27.AxfG 9xf6 28.Wc3 EfB 29.9d2 Ag7 30.tre3 h6 31.Wc3 a6 32.b0 gf7 33.4h4 tre8 34.893 g5 35.fxg5 h5 36.9h2 Ee5 37.Ef3 a5 38.8d2 a4 39.96 gf6 40.gho

6a6

1-0

Atalik,Suat Radjabov,Teimour Heratlion Ech-tt 2007 ( I)

af6 2.c4

3.4c3 €.g7 4.e4 d6 5.9d3 0-0 6.Age2 6c6 7.0-0 6d7 8.4e3 e5 9.d5 6d4 10.4c2 1.d4

gG

Axc2 11.Wxc2t512.ext5 gxfS 13.f4 af6 14.h3 ahs 1s.gd2 g.d716.Ef3 We717.Eaf1 trae8 18.b4 b6 19.4b5

Axb5 20.cxb5 gd7 21.a4 af6

22.6c3 e4 23.trg3 h6 24.9d4 gh7 25.Qte2 trf7 26.trc1 tree7 27.Ec6 9e8 28.Axf6 Axf6 29.Wc2 h5 30.h4 gf8 31.Wc4 trg7 32.8g5 Axg5 33.hxg5 e3 34.Wc2 gf7 35.9d3 h4 36.8c4 €sB 37.€f1 h3 38.sxh3 ghs 39.4s1 gh4 40.we2 Wg3 41.h4 trh7 42.atg tre4 43.Ec3

trxh4

0-1

King's Indicn Defence

Seirawan,Yasser

Kozul,Zdenko Wijkaan Zee 1991 (6)

1.d4 af6 2.c4 96 3.6c3 Ag7 4.e4 d6 5.Ad3 0-0 6.6ge2 6c6 7.0-0 e5 8.d5 Ad4 9.f3 c5 10.Axd4 cxd4 11.6a4 9:d712.b4 a5 13.b5 bG 14.f4 Ag4 15.f5 gxfS 16.exf5 gh4 17.h3 4e3 18.Axe3 dxe3 19.Wg4 Wxg4 20.hxg4 e4 21.9:e2 Axal 22.trxa1

trab8 23,9h2 h5 24.9xh5 Axf5 25.€g3 &g7 26.&t4 Hh7 27.s4 tG

gh6 29.ad1trbe8 3o.4xe3 treS 31.trf1 trg8 32.4d1 f5 33.Ae2 trg5 34.c5 bxcS 35.bG tre8 35.gxf5 EbB 37.8b1 trgg8 38.b7 €97 39.trb6 €f7 40.4a6 €e7 41.trc6 28,6,c3

€d742.trc8

1-o

Schwarz,Adolf Pau-lsen,Louis teipzig 1879 (2)

Af6 2.d4 g6 3.4c3 Eg7 4.e4 do 5.f4 O-O 6.4f3 abdT 7.Ad3 e5 8.fxe5 dxeS 9.d5 c6 10.0-O hg4 t1.We2 hc5 12.4c2 f5 13.h3 fxe4 l4.dxe4 gb6 15.€hl 6xe4 16.Axe4 af6 l7.dxc6 6xe4 1.c4

18.Wxe4 bxc6 19.We2 Ae6 20.4g5 gd4 22.bs 9:ts 23.6ts gd3 24.Wd2 e4 25.Wxd3 exd3 26.trad1 trae927.6-sd2 h6 28.4f4 95 WcS 21.6d2

29.9d6 trf7 30.4c5 a6 31.g4 Ag6 32.trxt7 €xf7 33.trf1+ eg8 34.€g2 Ee2+ 35.trf2 Ac3 36.6b1

Ae1

o-1

Englisch,Berthold Tarrasch,Siegbert Hamburg 1885 (2)

1.d4 AfG 2.c4 gG 3.6c3 €:g7 4.e4 dO 5.f4 0-0 6.4f3 2,bd7 7.9e2 e5 8.dxe5 dxe5 9.fxe5 o.g4 10.4g5 Be8 11.6d5 6gxe5 12.9e7 hxf3+ 13.Axf3 cG 14.Axf8 BxfS 15.6c3 Wc5 16.tr'b3 heS 17.0-0-0 6xc4 18.trd8+ gfg 19.trhd1 AeG 2O.trxa8 wgs+ 21.sbl a]d2+ 22.Exd2 Axb3

23.trdd8

gc4

24.Exf8+ €g7 25.trfd8 b5 26.b3 Af1 27.trd7 gcs 2e.6,d1 b4 29.trd2 We5 30.trxa7 Wxh2 31.Eddz €hG 32.Exf7 Ad3+ 33.€cl WeS 34.€d2 9xe435.Axe4 Wxe4 36.4e3 Wb1 37.&e2 Bb2+ 38.9f3 c5 39.Ead7 Wc3 40.g4 Wal

41.trxh7+ 43.95+ se6

€95 42.trd5+ 44.trdd7

€fo 1-o

273

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

would attack h6. If Black does not want to play 6...c5 with the resulting Benoni-like pawn structure, the modern trend is to leave the bishop on 95 and to prepare for an ...e7-e5 advance wirh 6...4bd7 orwith 6...a,a6.

A) 6.

7. gdl-d2

7...c6

ab8-d7 e7-e5

8.df3 d5!? has been tried with

good results.

8. E

lAEg EE

rll

fl€ i' fir g,

5.

d4-d5

After 8.4f3, White needs to be carefirl; if after 8...c6!? 9.0-0 exd4 10.Axd4

Ac5 he continues with the spontaneous 11.f3? (ll.gf4l), Black will gain a clear advantage with 1 1 ...6fxe4!!.

8. 9.

9.4f3

D-td7-c5

f2-f3

has been played, but

it

falls to

convince.

9. 10. The line with 5.4f1-e2 0-0 6.Ac1-g5 suddenly enjoyed a boom in 1954 after

a famous victory by

Averbakh over Panno. However, this was not the first time the Russian GM had used it with success. In addition, it had also been used by Ivkov

h2-h4

a7-a5 c7-c6

11. g2-g4

White can also castle queenside, but his king is probably safer in the centre. 11.

12.

... h4-h5

a5-a4 Wd8-a5

13.6g1-h3

with good results.

it has been adopted by noted players such as Alburt, Uhlmann, Farago, Kaidanov, Petursson, Yakovich and Bareev. With the wvo bishop moves, More recently,

White prevents the characteristic

advance 6...e5? (after the exchanges on e5 and d8, 9.4d5 wins material): it is true that Black can precede ...e5 with 6...h6, but in the positions after 7.4e3 e5 8.d5

off on h7, both for the weakness on 96 and also because of a possible Bdz, which

E ::,:-

.-.,1$, E €..,1..','. , l ET

....',I {E

I

.:.i::i

A

A

I {\ l=

r gA ..'.:A :r,A..,: n,

'A\ A

lha

a

$-

..,.t

,A WA '.,. '1 €

,h q)

=

Black's pawn would better

27+

It is not easy to weigh up this position, but you get the impression that White

King's Indion has a few extra chances, not only with possible queen exchange on d2.

B)

Ad1-c2 a7-as 691-e2 Ac8-d7

10. 11.

his attack, but even after a

11...Ahs?! 12.abs.

f2-t3

h7-h5!? position is strategically very complex - White can castle 12.

6.

7.

gd1-d2

6b8-a6

7.h4!? and 7.f41? are worthy of consideration.

7. 8. d4-d5

e7-e5

To prevent g2-g+. The

either kingside or queenside,

play positionally, or launch a kingside assault with his pawns. Anything could hap-

in

pen, but also here White is

The comments from the previous line are relevant for the alternative 8.4f3 . 8.

Delence

gd8-e8!?

8...4c5 fansposes to A; 8...c6 is interesting: 9.f3 cxd5 10.cxd5 Ad7 1 I .Abs ! ?, with a small plus for White. 9. Ae2-d1!

the

driver's seat.

c)

h7-h6 c7-c5 As we have already noted, 7...e5, although often played, is inadvisable after ...h6: 8.d5 c6 9.9d2 h5 10.f3 a611.h4 6.

7. 995-e3!

cxd5 1 2.cxd5 abdT 1 3.4h3

b5

1+.4f2 Ab6 1 5.b3 and White is somewhat better.

8.

e4-e5!?

n A.glit e:t x I * tr E

-E:

i:t:

r* *

** A.n lat::.ui:

:r*i The idea of Black's last moye is to free

the knighr from the pin so that after 9.4f3 or 9.f3, he can play 9...4h5, blocking White's typical attack with h}-h+ and g2-g4. The bishop still continues to control h5, the e2-square is now free for the knight, and the bishop can be transferred to c2 in the event that e4 comes under attack.

9.

6a6-c5

Inspired by the Benoni. Some players have given 9...4h5 a try but it is hard to see what compensation Black receives for the ugly doubled h-pawns.

A

q_J ?J&r:

:45:

**$ttr ":1 i:.i:ia: E

: .nrt *i /A' E

,

A$Aff & An =:

An interesting 'novelty' from the 1970's. 8.dxc5 is insipid and will be met by 8...Wa5, whereas 8.d5 transposes to D3 1 below.

8. d6xe5 If 8...4fd7 9.exd6 exd6 t0.Af3. White has an edge.

9. d4xe5

Wd8xd1+ 9...4fd7 10.f4, with a clear plus for White. 10.

tralxd1

6f6-94 275

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

This is possible after the queen exchaage.

Ae3xc5 12.6c3-d5 11.

6g4xe5 6b8-c6

12.,6n6? 13.Axe7 EeS 14.b3 AfS, witfi compensation that is difficult to gauge.

The presence of White's queen/bishop battery makes it difficult for Black to find a constructive plan. 11. ab8-d7

0-0 h2-h3 13. Ae2xf3 12.

13.t2-f4 13.4f3 is more solid. 13.

...

With unclear

D)

a7-a0

14. a2-a4 With a small plus for White.

play.

c7-c5

6.

7.

6e5-94

9g4xf3

DD 7.

b7-b5l?

As we have already seen,

d4-d5

this Benko-like advance is often possible in the King's Indian.

Here, as elsewhere, the move may be objectively doubtful, but in practice it scores satisfactorily. In addition, it was played by Kasparov, which in itself is reason enough to treat it with respect!

8. c4xb5 9. a2-a4l

a7-a6

9.

Wd8-a5

After the dull 7.dxc5. both 7...Wa5 and 7...dxc5!? achieve equality At this stage, Black has three choices. We have excluded

7...Wa5 S.Ad2!. which has shown itseH to be advantageous forWhite.

Dl)

7.

8. gdl-d2 9. e4xd5! 10.691-f3

e7-e6 e6xd5

trf8-e8 Ac8-g4

Ag5-d2

10. Wa5-b4!? 11. Wd1-c2 a6xb5 12. Ae2xb5 Ac8-a6 13. f2-f3 And it is debatable if Black has obtained sufficient comDensation.

D3) 276

7.

h7-h6

King's Indicn

EffiA

€ .::*

r* xr I xxn tax* l

-:;a::rl :4"4,

A

,:+R

A*A$ t:::i ffi* *; A A A *w n

-=.5=

13.691-f3

8. Ag5-e3

L gdl-d2

6a6-b4

14. ad3-b1 With an edge for White.

D32)

8.

Ag5-f4

By attacking d6 White seeks to prevent ...e7-e6, but Black is not going to be put off so easily.

8.

e7-e6!

A {T' EN tra: -€E

Before advancing ...e7-e6, Black gets rid of the annoying pin.

D31)

Delence

tr

:aa.. ::.irai;

ll

::1:l

e7'e6 e6xd5

10. e4xd5

With 10.cxd5, White can transpose to

A .4, Arl

the Benoni. This is not often played, but

it should not

be underestimated. 10. ... €g8-h7 11. h2'h3!

ET

E

* a:.i:t:j

fiag

r*:

€l

6da

E

*:tta'3 r * :i:t A

.]a*il * /\a.::a /fr. uuE

n A

t*

i*

=I :,i:;

li::::i

$wa ll *1

:r:a:

It may be a good idea to delay the pawn sacrifice and play 8 .. .a6 9 .a4 e6, but it is not clear which side gains the most from the pawn moves on the a-fiIe.

9. d5xe6

ic8xe6

::a:

10. gd1-d2 The fact that this move is currently the

A

most popular is confirmation of the

A

1l ::i

Stopping both 11...Aga and 11...AfS, which would be met by 12.g4!, when 17...Q)e4?? would lose a piece after 13.Axe4Axe4 14.f3. '11. ... trf8-e8 12. Ae2-d3 Again played to prevent 12...4f5. Ab8-a6 12.... The sacrifice 12...b5!? has scored well: l3.cxb5 (13.Axbs Aea!) 13...4bd7, with the idea of ...6b6.

sacrifice's validity. In fact, 10.Axd6 Ee8

ll.af3 Ac6 12.0-0 (12.4xc5? Wa5) t}...ad+l 13.e5 Ad7 14.Axd4 cxd4 15.Wxd4 Axe5! l5.Axe5 Wxd4 leads to an equal endgame.

However, it is an error to play l0.Bxd6?! Wa5. and Black has excellent counterplay.

10....

gd8-b6!

ln the King's Indian, the most

active

move is almost inevitably the sftongest. After 10,..€]n7,ll.Axd6l is better than

if played a move before as 1 1 ..

.Ee8

will

be followed bv

now 12.f4l. 'laa

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Voiume

3

11. Af4xh6 I 1.4f3 looks tame after 1 1...4c6 12.0-0 ad4. 11. ... 9g7xh6 12. Wd2xh6 Wb6xb2 13. tra1-cl Ab8-c6 14. h2-h4l? The position is difficult to judge. White has an obvious kingside initiative, but his pieces are not harmoniously coordinated and after 14. ... 6c6-e5

E

Eg

ll

l

rAATg 'lA AA A ,\ Ag AAA t'1)

E€

Black

Atr

will not have problems defending

himself.

€e5 35.6b2 6g5 36.Ec3 c5 37.b4 tre4 38.9d2 trd4+ 39.€el Ee4 40.€d2 axb4 41.axb4 cxb4 42.trb3 f3 43.Axf3 Axc4 44.Q,:xc4* Exc4 45.9:g2 trh4 46.h3 ole6 47.tre3+ €d6 48.4e4 6c5 49.A:c2 hG s0.gb3 Ef4 51.€c2 €c6 52.€b2

sb5 53.gdl Et2+ 54.€cl trh2

55.tr93 €c4 56.trg4+

€c3

o-1

Bonsch,Uwe Gallagher,foseph Germany Bundesliga 2002/03 (8)

af6 2.c4 gG 3.4c3 Ag7 4.e4 d6 5.4e2 O-0 6.495 6a6 7.Wc2 h6 8.4f4 c5 9.d5 e5 1o.dxe6 Axe6 11,9d1 Ab4 12.9b1 Ee8 13.AxdG WaS 14.a3 AcG 15.af3 6xe4 16.Wxe4 Ah3 17.9d3 Axg2 18.tr91 AxfS 19.gxf3 6d4 20.trxd4 cxd4 21.9b4 Wc7 22.6e4 Wc6 23.9f1 trxe4 24.9d3 We6 25.trg3 Ee8 26.9f3 f5 27.9d2 €h7 28.c5 h5 2e.b4 h4 30.8h3 gf6 31.9d1 gds 32.9f3 Ba2 33.€g2 trg4+ 34.Axg4 1.d4

fxg4

0-1

Tatai,Stefano

Belotti,Bruno Chianciano ch-IIA 1989 (1 1)

1.d4 af6 2.c4 96 3.4c3 Ag7 4.e4 d6 5.4e2 o-0 6.4s5 abdT 7.Wd2 e5 8.6f9 cG 9.0-0 exd4 10.6xd4 Acs 11.f3 4fxe4 12.fxe4 Axd4+ 13.Wxd4 Wxg5 14.trad1 a5'15.trf3 Ae6 16.8g3 Wh4 17.We3 We7 18.e5 dxeS 19.Sxe5 trfe8 20.tre3 gfg 21.9d6 Wxd6 22.trxd6 tred8 23.trxd8+ ExdS 24.€f1 €s7 25.b3 Ed6 26.8e5 b6 27.tre3 f5 28.93 g5 29.€e1 €f6 30.adl trd4 31.a3 f4 32.gxi4 gxf4 33.trc3 Ae4 34.trf3 278

Yitiugov,Nikita Inarkiev,Ernesto Moscow 2007 (9)

1.d4

af6 2.c4 gG 3.AcB Ag7

4.e4 d6

5.4e2 0-0 6.4g5 h6 7.4e3 e5 8.d5 c5 9.94 b5 10.cxb5 a6 't1.bxa6 WaS '12.f3 Axa6 13.9d2 gb8 14.h4 h5 15.95 6d7 16.ahs Eb4 17.a12 t6 18.gxf6 AxfG 19.trc1 gdg 20.trg1 €h7 21.495 Axg5 22.hxg5 6,c7 23.a3 trd4 24.We3 Ab6 25.b4 cxb4 26.axb4 trxb4 27.6,a2 trb2 28.6c3

Aa6 29.Afd1 trb3 30.9f2

Wa8

King's Indion

31.tra1 gb7 32.s93 Ad7 33.tr92 6c5 34.€xa6 67xa6 35.trga2 Ef7 36.tra3 trxa3 37.Exa3 Ab4 38.4a4 6rc2 39.Axc5 We7 40.Wc1 ffxa3 41.he6 abl 42.a12 olc7 43.2lxc7 WxcT 44.Bxc7 HxcT 45.4d1 *97 45.4e3 h4+ 47.&94 trt7 4S.AIA Ef4+ 49.€h3 Exf3+ 50.€h2 &f8 51.6xd6 tre3 52.€g2 &e7 53.4b7 0-1

Defence

TukmakorrVladimir Kasparov,Garry Frunze 1981 (1/) 1.d4 af6 2.c4 gG 3.4c3 9:97 4.e4 dG 5.Ee2 0-0 6.895 c5 7.d5 b5

a5 9.a4 h6 10.9d2 e6 11.dxe6 Axe6 12.at3 axbS 13.Axb5 6a6 14.0-0 6c7 15.tre1 6xb5 16.6xb5 d5 17.exd5 6xd5 18.6e5 tre8 19.trc1 Afs 20.6cG

8.cxb5

Wd7 21.Exc5 Exel+ 22.Wxe1 Ee8 23.Wc1 o,bi 24.b3 Ee2 25.Aa5 9e4 26.6e5 Be7 27.fld4 tra2 28.Axb6 Axe5 29.8e3 Wxc5 o-1

Averbakh,Yury Panno,Oscar Buenos Aires 1954 (3)

1.d4 af6 2.c4 gG 3.4c3 Ag7 4.e4 d5 5.4e2 0-0 6.A95 c5 ZdS a6 8.a4 Ba5 9.Ad2 e5 10.g4 6e8 11.h4 f5 12.hs t4 13.g5 trf7 1a.As4 Wds 15.9xc8 WxcS 16.4f3 Af8 17.€e2 trgl 18.Eh4 old7 19.hxg6 hxg6 20.gh1 Ae7 21.trh8+ gf7 22.9h6

Af8

23.trh1 trb8 24.Axt4 Bc7 25.9h2 Ad7 25.9ffi AfB 27.trxf8+ €xf8 28.9eG trg8 29.6h4 Ad8 30.4xg6+

€9731.6xe5

1-o

Alexandrov,Alexey Zolotukhin,Valery Moscow 2008 (6)

1.d4 AfO 2.e.4 gB 3.4c3 Ag7 4.e4 d6 5Ae2 0-0 6.Ag5 c5 7.d5 h6 8.€f4 e6

9.dxe6 Axe6 10.Hd2 6::lc0 11.gxh6 4\d4 12.Axg7 €xg7 13.4f3 6xe2 14.Wxe2 BaS 15.6g5 d5 16.cxd5 9xd5 17.0-0 Ac6 18.f4 c4 19.e5

Bc5+

2O.Ht2

Ads 21.f5 aI422.Wd2

Ad3 23.f6+ €gB

24.Age4

1-o

279

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

continue along the lines of the Yugoslav Attack in the Dragon with Ae3,

Waz, g+, h4, h5, Ahe and possibly 6d5 to exchange off the last defender of the castled king. However, in the real world, this noble

plan rarely comes to fruition, and White is obliged to be flexible and adapt to the various defensive options

EaABs E lll rrEr I al

AAA

AA AA AA tr ag€gatr 5.f2-f3 was first used by Simisch when he played against Yates in 1925, and from that time it has been second in popularity only to the Classical Variation.

As in its Nimzo-Indian namesake. White occupies the centre with pawns in order to launch a kingside attack. Naturally, the strategic themes are completely different here. White does not have to concern himself with doubled c-pawns, but Black conserves the bishop pair. The factors that are common to both lines are central expansion and

a space

advantage.

What is the point of this move, given that the e-pawn is already defended? Gufeld also suggested that you ask the g I knight for its opinion of 5.f3 I It is highly likely that Black wiII soon

castle kingside and White intends to 280

available to Black.

In this sense. the Simisch can also be an effective positional weapon, and the imposing White centre can simply be a means to limit Black's mobility. The list of champion players who have frequently used the Simisch is a long one: among the most devoted there is Gheorghiu, Spassky, Portisch, Karpov, Knaak, Timman, Dreev and

Sakaer,-.

Let's take a step back: as we have seen before, Black can castle instead of playing 4...d6, usually resulti.ng in a simple move inversion. However, in this case after

4. 5.

0-0

t2-f3

Black can try

5.

c7-c5l?

EAAS

ll

E&

rtrEr al

I AAA AA AA.gg€aatr AA tr 6.&c5, Black can reply with the promising

The idea is that after the capture

King's Indicn Defence 6...b6!? (after 7.cxb6, the move Wxb6 applies pressure to b2 and prevents cas-

tling). Aware of this, White could opt for

6. d4-d5 With a transposition to the Benoni. For this reason, many texts say that if White wishes to play the Siimisch, he should play 5.4e3!, and only after 5...d6 continue with 6.f3. All this, presuming it is true, has become irrelevant since it was discovered that the gambit 6...c5 against the Simisch is perfectly playable, and White's best reply is probably the advance to d5. We will discuss this at further length later on. Let's return to the usual sequence: after

4.

5.

d7-d6

t2-f3

This is White's reasoning: given that I cannot prevent 6...c5, I will postpone development of my queen's bishop as

in some lines it could prove to be more useful on 95. A minor drawback is that it is impossi-

ble to play 7.9d3 or 7.dh3, which in the 'normal' Simisch has proved itself to be most eflective against 6...c6 and

6...4bd7 respectively. e7-e5

6.

Black can decide not to castle and in-

The classical reply in the King's Indian,

stead play 5...e5 6.d5 (6.Age2!?)

but certainly not the only option: be-

6...Ahs 7.4e3 f5 8.gdz f+ e.An Afatz to.Age2 Atr+ t1.g3 Ag5, but

sides the two moves that have just been mentioned, Black has at his disposal all the other lines that are playable in the 'normal' Simisch and it is not easy to

White maintains an edge. However.

5.

O-0

is easily the most popular reply, and in the past White responded almost exclu-

with 6.4e3 so as to prevent 6...c5. However, when it became clear

sively

that the paurn push was in fact possible, two previously marginal lines became very popular 6.dge2 and 6.4g5.

A) 6.

of Ag5 repre-

sents a true advantage.

6...8:c6 or 6...a6 are invitations to transpose to the Panno Variation, whereas 6...c5 7.d5 (7.4e3!?) 7...e5 8.493 exd5 9.cxd5 is dealt with in the section on the Benoni on page 5 5 . At this stage,

7. 6s1-e2

Much loved by Alexey Dreev. It comes as no surprise that he also likes to play the Kapengut Variation in the Benoni, in which this move is a common feature.

say when the possibility

Ac1-95!

has such a good performance that you could almost wonder about the viability of the ...e7-e5 advance.

However, the reality is that Black can survive, even if the process is somewhat gruelling. 281

Chess Opening Essenticls

EAAg

lll AA AA

E

-

Volume

3

E&

rar

I al IA AAA AA A AAH Strch 6 EE.AE

7. 8. E'd1-d2 9. d4-d5

c7-c6

ab8-d7

wings.

gA AA F? .0-'A

e

A F?

EE

.4.

Now the typical sequence 13.

h2-h3!

B) 6. Ac1-95

af6-h7!

c7-c6l?

EAAS E* ll rrEr ll al(, A

c6xd5

10. c4xd5 10.6xd51? is an interestinp alternative capture.

10....

AA AA /hAA u1 \ E /\

gives Black an acceptable position.

Usually white players prefer this positional approach, but probably 9.0-0-0!? is the most effective way to continue here: afrer 9...Wa5 10.€b1 a6 11.d5. White will have a good space advantage as well as better prospects on both

9.

E Ag E@ I TE l A I ar al I

a7-aG

AAA

AN AA FT

AA g€aaAAtr AA

11. g2-g4

Now White seems to have an unstoppable attack, but perhaps 11.4g3, which prevents Black's next move, ts more ac-

You must first control the d5-square if you want to make the ...e7-e5 push; the immediate 6...e5? loses at least a pawn

curate.

after 7.dxe5 dxe5 8.Wxd8 Exd8

1. ... h7-h6! Without this move, the line would not 1

be playable.

12. Ag5-e3! After l2.Axh6, there is the noted tactic 12...Q)xe4!, which takes advantage of the possibility of a check on h4 by the queen.

12....

h6-h5! Transposing to a variation of the Orthodox Simisch with an extra move for both players. z8z

9.ads. The most dependable reply is 6...c5! 7.d5 e6 S.gd2 exdS 9.cxd5, and you are in Variation 43 of the Benoni (page 56). If White wants to avoid this transposition he can try 9.Axd5!?, but Black maintains the balance after 9...4e6 10.4e2 Axdsl? 11.cxdS AUaZ t 2.Q)c3 a6 13.a48'c7. Another popular alternative is 6...4c6 7.Age} a6 8.9d2 Ebg wtth a sorr of Simisch Panno, for which all the argu-

King's Indion ments for and against the bishop on 95 are relevant.

7. gd1-d2 8. d4-d5 9. Ac3xd5!?

e7-e5 c6xd5

9.cxd5 a6 l0.6ge2 6bd7 transposes to Variation A.

9. 10.691-e2 11. c4xd5

9c8-e6 Ae6xd5 ab8-d7

12.6,e2-c3

Def.ence

ble 6...a6, which allows Black to postpone his decision until the next move. For example, if White plays 7.4d3, Black can enter an improved version of the 6...c5 line with 7...c5! (as played by Kasparov). However, as White almost

always continues with 7.9d2 or 7.dge2, this refinement seems to be academic.

It is worth noting that the curiosity 6...a5 has been tried (only a few times if the truth be told!). After 7.Wdz a+tz, what can you say? Is this genius or madness? The fact that some chess engines only give White a minimal advan-

tage at this point is certainly food for

thought

A)

!

b7-b6

6.

The Double Fianchetto Yariation. The two bishops and the absence of any valid Black counterplay represent a concrete advantage for White, even if it is not yet decisive.

Now we will return to the principal move, namely

6. Acl-e3

At this point, Black has a healthy choice of six playable replies, besides the flexi-

However. the aim is not to fianchetto the bishop on b7, but rather to support

the advance ...c7-c5, without the risks of the sacrifice. It was quite often played in the 1950's and 70's. but now it is rarelv seen.

7.

af1-d3!

E: Ag { .l'

*t

The planned 7...c5? would now be a big blunder as there is 8.e5 followed by 9.4e4, and at the very least White wins the exchange.

283

Chess Opening Essentiols

7.

-

Volume

3

8.

a7-a6

Preparing...c5 and making

the a7-square available for the rook. 7...4b7 8.Age2 c5 9.dS creates a

h2-h4t?

AAg Eg I I rEr I ll AT

E

Benoni pawn structure in which the b6 pawn and, in particular, the b7 bishop look out ofplace.

AAA

...afd7 l7 is worth considering: 8.6ge2 c5 9.4c2!, with the normal edge that White has in the opening 7

AA

phase.

8. Ag1-e2 9. e4-e5! Played by Polugaevsky

in

I

af6-d7 After 9...4e8 10.4e4 EaZ 11.&c5 bxcS 12.4xc5, there is probably not enough compensation for the lost material. 10. Ad3-e4 tra8-a7 11. e5xd6 11.dxc5l?.

... 12.0-0 13. Ae4-c2

e7xd6

ad7-f6 Ab8-c6

14. gd1-d2 White's pieces are more harmoniously placed, giving him a small plus, but in

practice the position is sufficiently complicated to give Black opportunities.

c7-co a7-a0 It is clear that Black intends to advance 6.

7. gd1-d2

the b-pav".n to b5.

White's best strategy is to ignore this 'threat' because after 8.a4 a5! and ...6a6-b4, Black has an acceptable position. 78+

A

€aa

This 'Anti-Dragon'

9.

B)

@ e

tr

c7-c5

961. This is a very strong move that takes advantage of the slornmess of Black's game.

11.

A

,\/AA q) EA

advance, which

seeks to punish Black's delayed develop-

ment, is more energetic than the nor-

mal a.Ad: b5 9.Age2 AUaz to.O-0, with a minimal advantage for White. 8. e7'e5 After 8...h5 9.0-0-0 b5 10.g4, it iooks like White will get there first. 9. d4xe5! Now that b6 is weak, this exchange is good. 9.h5 6xh5 is not so clear. 9. d6xe5 10. Wd2xd8 trf8xd8 11. 6c3-a4 ab8-d7 12. 0-0-0 And White is slightly better.

c)

6, ab8-d7 A natural and flexible move that reserves the options of ...c5 or ...e5. This idea was barely considered before the 1980's, but then it started to be seen more frequendy. The fact that the eminent King's

Indian expert John Nunn frequently chose it means it must be shown due respect - not to mention that it was played a few times by Kasparov himself! Its de-

fect is that in the positions that arise from the main line the knight is not ideally placed on d7.

King's Indian

7.

Ag1-h3t

10. 11.

12.

c4xd5 ah3-f2

at2-d3

Defence

a7-a0

af6-h5 t7-t5

And Ae2 comes next. Now White will have slightly better prospects, whether he castles kingside or queenside.

D)

E*:E9 ,8.@:.i. llr v lar rlEr ar

On the other hand, this knight is nicely located on h3, and were it not for the d7 knight, which stops ...4xh3, this

move would be impossible. From h3 the knight can go to f2, so as to control 94, or possibly to d3. The traditional role of a knight on e2 - namely to support d4 - is less important here, given that it is impossible for Black to attack

d4with...6c6. Obviously, 7.9d2 is also playable: after 7...c5 8.6ge2!? (or 8.d5 6e5! 9.4g5) 8...a6 9.Ah6 Axh5 10.Wxh6 b5! 11.h4 b4l l2.ad5 e6!, Black has successfully defended himself

c7-c6l?

7.

If Black wishes to push ...e7-e5, it is a good idea to first play 7 ...c6; otherwise, the break is not possible as an exchange

of the d5 pawn is no longer possible the d6 pawn would be hanging after dxc5.

After 7...e5 s.d5

ahs 9.9d2

fs

10.exf5 gxf5 11.0-0-0, White prepares

g7-g+, with a pleasant advantage. After 7...c5 8.d5 2c5 9.6f2 e6 l0.Ae2 exdS l1.cxdS a6 12.a4 h5 13.0-0. White is only somewhat better.

8. gdl-d2

9. d4-d5

e7-e5 c6xd5

6b8-c6

6.

'':

Y

':.,r::]:i

AAA

6 AA AAAB

..'., A'I

tr

,

AA

w@ar\tr 6ClgoiAA*

-eeGJ-

As

in the Fianchetto Variation, also here

the line with the knight move to c6 is called the Panno Yariation. This line first came to light in the 1950's but it quickly became one of the most popular variations. It was a firm favourite of both Fischer and Kasparov. As is so often the case, 6...4c6 had actually been played several times before; indeed, it featured in the previously mentioned 1925 debut game of the Simisch Variation. However, this move was originally a preparation for the ...e7-e5 push, and

after White played d4-d5 the knight would reffeat to e7. This is what Black does in the Mar del Plata Yariation, which is discussed further on. However. here White has some advantages: he has already played f2-f3 and he is ready to sftut a queenside initiative, whereas in the earlier variarion, White has to lose tempi in finding a better home for the f3 knight. Panno's insight was to connect 285

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume

3

the knight move to a6 and Eb8, with

12.

the idea of advancing ...bi-b5. if White exchanges on b5, Black gets a

central pawn majority, while

af6-h5!?

EAB Es ll r-gr

if White

does not exchange, Black can open the b-file and activate his rook. In addition, if the White knight leaves e2 (it usually goes to c 1 , clearing the diagonal for the fl bishop and preventing ...b5), Black will take advantage of the weakened d4-square by advancing his e-pavm to e5 and then installing the knight on d4. For his part, White can play positionally with the manoeuvre Ae2-c1-b3. but more usually he will attack the black king by castling queenside and advanc-

At1xe2

lll

z:l

a

AAA AAA r'\ AA WL) EA A A ltlfr^

AA

A A

HE

^0.

Fl

Fl

Profiting from the absence of the king's knight. 13.

With

92-94

a balanced game.

ah5-f4 If Whi.te accepts

the pawn, Black obtains excellent com-

ing the g- and h-pawns. As you can imagine, this results

in competing attacks on both wings, producing scintillating skirmishes that appeal to players who are looking for an adrenalin buzz. The extraordinary duel between Bagirov and Gufeld from 197 3 immediately comes to mind; it is deservedly one of the most famous King's

pensation on the dark squares.

Indian games of ali time. It is no easy matter to catalogue this line as White can continue in three different

prevented, what else can Black do?

ways: o play WdZ without[)ge2 r play lge2 withoutBdz o play both 6ge2 and Wd2

suffi cient counterpiay.

DD 7. 6tg1'e2 8. 6e2-c1

On the way to b3, from where it will suppoil the centre. 8. e7-e5 Now that the ...b7-b5 advance has been

9,

d4-d5 9.4b3 exd4 10.Axd4 AeS gives Black

9.

8.. .bs

!

?.

H

8. 0-0-0

a7-ad tra8-b8

9. h2-h4

e7-e5

10. 11,

Ac6-d4

d4-d5 691-e2

I

AA AA

11

...c5

!?

10....

Eg

III/

rEr

I ar AI

1\

12.dxc6 bxc6 13.6xd4 exd4 14.Axd4 is less convincing here. 286

ll

A 3E

,\ ,\ q)q_J

6-sd4xe2+

The safest. The typical sacrifice

6c6-d4

10.6c1-b3 e

D1) 7. gd1-d2

a7'a0

AAA

5 A

gEA

tr

6d4xb3

King's Indic n

The sacrifice 10...c5 is probably also playable (compared to Variation D1, White has moved the knight three times) 1 1.dxc6 bxc6 12.Axd4 exd4 13.Axd4 Ebs 14.9d2 Ee8, with suffi-

As

cient counterplay.

gives Black good counterplay.

times, which forces Black to adopt Plan B.

counterplay.

11. ... at6-d7t? 11...c5 12.dxc6! bxc5 13.0-0-0. and White is a little better. 12. 0-0-0 t7-f5 With equal chances.

D3) 7. 691-e2 L Wdl-d2 H a \llt/

E&E

ll

I Al

10. d4-d5

in D2. 10.4b3 exd4 11.Axd4 Ae5

10....

1. ... 6d4xe2 11...c5!? is a possibility: 12.dxc6 bxc6 13.Axd4 exd4 14.4xd4. and we are in the note for the tenth move of Variation

E@

w\ '\AA H 2\

D2.

12. Al1xe2 13.0-O-0

EAg Es ll Er

AA AA

lll

ever, even though this rook move is use-

ful, it is not always necessary. It is therefore best to begin immediate queenside counterplay. In the diagram position,

White has tried a wide variety of moves. We will restrict ourselves to the four most important alternatives.

9.

6,e2-c1

The consistent positional approach. The

b5-square

Af6-h5! t7-t5

14. c4-c5

This is the key position of the Panno. Once in a while, you see 8...Ee8. How-

D31)

It may seem strange to return to e2, but White has achieved his aim of preventing ...b7-b5. Naturally, 1l.ab3 is also playable, but here White can only recapture with the pawn. After 1 1...4xb3 (11...c5!?) 12.axb3 c5 13.94 h5 14.h3 6h7, the position is complex and thus 1

AAA

trgg

6c6-d4

11.6c1-e2

both sides have chances.

a7-a6 Ea8-bB

l rhr rE r

AA WA

e7-e5

9.

11. Wd1xb3 More popular than I l.axb3 c5l 12.4d3

ah5, and Black has kingside

Def ence

is now controlled

three

AAII

JA

A

A

A AA AA gA AA ^-^tF lJ \4/

lJ

It is curious to see both sides attacking by advancing pawns in front of their kings. However, the aim is not to directly deliver checkmate, but rather to gain space in the area of the board that their respective pawn structures favour. 14. ... ahs-f4 15. Ae2-f1 287

-

Chess Opening Essentials

Volume

3

The double capture on f4 is a strategic

mistake (and tactical error

in this particular

as

case,

a

Wd8-e7

16. €c1-b1 White's queenside prospects are good, but this will not cause undue concern to a King's Indian player.

9.

g2-g4l? Perhaps not very refined, but dangerous. This move is designed to discourage Black's prophylactic ... h5

.

b7-b5 h7-h5! Played regardiess! It is to risky to allow the opening of the h-file with 10...bxc4 9.

10. h2-h4

1

1.hs.

11. 6e2-g3 Consistent.

EAg Eg I r rE I AI AT ll AAA gaaAA

a AA E

F? -E 1

.0. E4 .i

F? .s

1. ... e7-e5! it is not on to go pawn grabbing:

Once again

11...hxg4?! 12.h5 gxf3? 13.h6!, followed by

h7+,andWhitewins.

12. d4xe5 12.d5? !

should be able to defend himself successfully.

D33) 9. Ae3-h6 Another all-or-nothing attacking line. its defect is that it relaxes control over d4.

Ag7xh6!

9.

9d2xh6

10. e7-e5 The old strategic precept that the best defence to a flank attack is to counterattack in the centre still holds good! 11. 0-0-0 b7-b5 12. h2-h4 b5xc4 13. h4-h5 Wd8-e7!

Eg 'grE& l l I al a\e lx rAA

s)

AA/i\A

cla

A A

q) a F? A F? EE .E H

.S.

White was threatening Ad5. Now after the capture on 96, Black wiil retake with the f-paurn and the h7 pawn is laterally defended. White's attack seems to be running out of steam, and White's king on the queenside has good reason to be concerned about his future.

ad4,zaith aplusfor Black.

12. ... 13. 14. t3-f4

Afl-e2

6c6xe5 h5xg4

After the black knight captures the c4 pawn (or gives check on f3), White 288

advance the pavm to h5, with a dangerous attack. However, his pieces

look poorly coordinated and Black

well).

15....

D32)

will

D34) 9. h2-h4 The most played. White wanrs

to

ad-

vance to h5 without making preparatory moves.

9.

h7-h5!

King's Indian

Defence

9...b5 is possible, but it is obviously riskier: 10.h5! e5 11.d5 Aa5 12.6:93l bxc4 and after 13.0-0-0, White seems

has a

to have the more dangerous attack.

is for the exchange is hard to assess.

10.0-0-0 An immediate t O.AdS

Wd2xh6 b5xc4 14. g2-s4 The position is unclear and there are many differing opinions among commentators as to who is better: some see 13.

IZ

is also feasible,

with the idea of removing a kingside defender. Another playable option is 10.4h6, but it seems more natural to finish development. A third possibility is 10.6c1, along thelines of 9.4c1, but it is more consistent to continue with the kingside attack, along the lines of the 9.h4variation. 10. ... b7-b5 11.

winning attack) 14...6a71 (with the idea of hbS) 15.Axf8 €xf8, and exactly how much compensation there

9e3-h6l

White as having a clear

while others give the same to Black. After 14. ... Ac8xg4! You get the impression that the second group are more on the mark. We now have

15.6d5xf6+ 9d8xf6

After 1 t.6-tf+bxc+ 12.Axc4 e5 13.dxe5 6xe5 14.4b3 We8!, Black has no problems. 11. ... 1 1...bxc4 12.g4!. 12. QtcS-d5l?

e5xd4

The threat of ... d3 forces White to play

17. wh6-f4

e7-e5

And after

17.

gH

Wf6-g7

...

EE

E I E

$llr

&tr

f3xg4

16.

::lH 6 E€ rE l'. .Al ara ..,'L 6 ll AA AA A g AA AA .l E5E

advantage,

I

lg I nr I / >r AgA A *V ,1i,,

,\ q)

AA AA

€-

.$. Fl

F?

AF? EE

Now White threatens 13.Axf6+ Wxf6 1 a.Ag5, winning material. The alternative 12.Axg7 €xg7 13.dxeS AxeS l4.df4 bxc4 15.4e2 produces a

In view of this. White has little choice

balanced game.

but to play AxgT on the I 2th move.

9g7xh6 12...bxc4 ? may be possible: 13.hxf6+ Axf6 14.d51 (14.Axf8? would be met bv 14...exd4!! 15.4h6 Ab4 and Black

6. c7-c5t? For quite some time, this pawn sacrifice was considered to be of doubtful

12....

Black has a powerful attack in addition to the three pawns he has obtained for the piece.

E)

289

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

merit, and it was rarely played before

8.

the early 1980's. However, its adoption

9.

by

Ae3xc5

trf8xd8 Ab8-c6

Chekhov, Khalifman, Shirov and

Gelfand has created a growing interest in the line. So much so, that at the time of vwiting 6...c5 has become the most popular anti-Simisch weapon.

E

ll

rla ,\ q) AA aat F'

A /iAA

-H_

AA

w€aa

tr

may prove that this is not the case at some time in the future; however, the

modern belief that this sort of positional sacrifice is valid is increasingly gaining widespread credence.

7. to

d4xc5 say, this is the critical line.

7.d5 leads to a Benoni in which the bishop is not particularly well placed on e3, whereas 7 .6)ge2l? is worthy of considerarion: 7...6-\c6 8.9d2 (8.d5 Aes again transposes to the Benoni) 8...e6 9.0-0-0 b6, with complicated play. 7. d6xc5 8. Wdtxae An immediate capture on c5 is risky; with the queens still on the board, Black's counterplay is even more dangerous. 8.e5 has not produced the hoped for results: 8...Afd7 9.f4 f6l.

AH

&E

A ,4\

rrar AT .a$b

I

A A

rrEr I AT

The c5 pawn is hanging and White can exchange queens! Nonetheless, experience has demonstrated that Black has adequate compensation. Somebody

290

ll

A3.g Eg & A\

Needless

E

A A

t'1)

A'\

AN

c_\

a

gaa tr

An extra pawn, a nice solid centre, and the queens off the board; things cer-

tainly appear to be rosy for White. It therefore comes as no surprise that it took over half a century to understand the true nature of this positionl We now realise that in fact Black has his trumps: the f2-f3 advance has not only weakened the dark squares, but also made kingside development complicated; the c6 knight is ready to jump threateningly to b4 or to the hole on d4; the g7 bishop is more active than its white counrerparr; and the f6 knight can also get into the act by going to e5 via d7. When you add Black's slight lead in development to all this, it comes as less of a surprise that an ample database of games shows Black's performance to be superior to 50%! We do not want to suggest that Black is objectively better; that would be an exaggeration. However, making the safe

assumption that the average white player

will

usually have a less sophisti-

cated positional understanding than Karpov (who had excellent resuits with the white pieces), these positions are easier for Black to play.

King's Indion Defence

Now White usually chooses between the following two lines, but an increasingly popular alternarive is 10.6ge2 ad7 11.4e3 Ade5 tl.af+ Ab+ and the two black threats of ...4c2+ and ...4d3+ (after ...g5) represenr com-

the dark squares and hungrily eyes the weak c4 and a2 pawns. An indicative Iine would be the following:

Ag1-h3 Ad7-c5 ah3-f2 Ac8-e6 17. 9t1-e2 Ea8-c8 18. 0-0 Ed8-d6 19. Efl-d1 Ed6-a6 15. 16.

pensation.

El) 10. Ac3-d5 Attacking e7 and closing the d-fiIe. However, moving the knight again neglects development.

10. ... af6-d7! 10...4xd5 does nor do the rrick: 1l.cxd5 Axb2 12.Ebl Ac3+ 13.€f2 Aa++ 14.Axd4 Axd4 15.€e3 e5 1

6.f4, with an advanrage for White.

11. Ac5xe7

is less convincing: 11.6xe7+ Axb2l t3.trbt Ac3+ 14.9d1 Ee8 lS.€c2 AgZ l6.Ad6

capture

Q)xe7 l2.9xe7

with good compensarion. 1 1. ... 6c6xe7 12. Qtd5xeT+ €98-f8 13.6e7-d5 13.Axc8?! is dubious: l3...Axb2!. 13. ... Ag7xb2 14. tral-bl Ab2-97 !,

E r,..4 AE II fEf I ,,., S AA :,,. A,,,., ''.AA AF? .SaA/\H s!?

:.

e

ED

10. Ac5-a3 This prophylactic move, which defends b2, has recently become the most played option.

10....

a7-a5t

With the plan of installing

a

knight on

b4. This is more energetic than the po-

sitional 10...b6.

White concedes his bishop so as to keep the strong knight on d5. The alternative

Ae5

And the game is still dynamically even.

HE!z_]

11. 12.

Ac8-e6 Ac6-b4! Shirov's optimum move has replaced the less convincing 12...4xd5. 13. Ad5xe7+ €98-h8! Black does not want to walk into a nin: if the king goes ro f8 the b+ knight is pinned.

14. QteT-d5 Playing 14.Exd8+ first does nor make White's task easier.

14.... 15. €e1-f2 16. b2xa3

6b4-c2+l o'c2xa3 b7-b5!

-

e

iIf A

g'

Who is better off? White is a pawn up with a dominating knight; Black rules

Ea1-dl

Ac3-d5

.t:

,,

291

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume

3

Black undermines the knight's supporr, with sufficient compensation for the two pawns (more precisely a pawn and a

half as the doubled a-pawns' value is

obviously discounted)

D6.

.

e7-e5

This was played as far back as the 1920's, and it is thus sometimes called the Orthodox Yariation by some commentators.

EaAg

lll

Es

rar

I Al I

AAA : A AA AA NB .IA .1A g€aatr tr

As we have already explained, a manoeuvre such as 7...4)c6 8.d5 6e7 leads to an inferior Mar del Plata Yariation from Black's point of view. An interesting but probably inadequate line is 7...exd4 8.Axd4 c6 9.Wd2 d5 10.cxd5 l cxd5 11.e5!, with an advantage for White.

8. gd1-d2 8.d5 transposes to F2.

8. 9.

9.Edt is playable, but 9...a6 10.dxe5 Axe5l led into one of the most humiliating defeats for White with the Simisch: the famous Karpov-Kasparov game of 1 993. 9. a7-a0 10. €c1-bl b7-b5

E Ag E& JA TAT l ll Ar

For a Benoni lover, it could seem strange to block the path of the poor g7 bishop and then perhaps find it necessary to

ll

lose time exchanging it off via h6 or f6-ha (the same issue comes up in the Mar del Plata Yariation. which we will

F1) 7. Q:91-e2 White maintains the tension, preferring to keep the centre fluid. 7. c7-c6! 297

AAA A AA

gA AA AA gtrAtr

examine soon). As always in the opening, there are pro's

and con's. It is true that the gZ bishop suffbrs, but other pieces benefit. After the advance ...f7-f5, a pawn on e5 will be the fulcrum for a kingside initiative; this would be unthinkable in other anti-Simisch variations.

ab8-d7 0-0-0

Now after 1 1 .Ac tion is balanced.

1

or 1 i .c5l?,

the posi-

FD 7. d4-d5 Gaining space on the queenside and blocks the path of the g7 bishop. Now Black has two options, given that the attempt to block the queenside with 7...c5 has scored unsatisfactorily after 8.ga!.

F21)

7.

af6-hs

King's Indian Defence

& e

*'' € The aggressive and appealing Uhlmann Yariation is truly in the spirit of the

King's Indian and

it is thus

a popular

choice, regardless of whatever objective defects it may have. It would appear to be a strategic contradiction to attack on

the kingside when your opponent can still castle to the other side of the board. However, the resulting positions become so complicated that both sides

will

always have chances.

8. gd1-d2

And now Black has two possibilities:

And now the threat of a fork on g2 allows Black to also pick up the c4 pawn. Usually, a queen is worth more than rwo bishops and two pawns, but here Black has all his pawns on the board

and

it is difficult for White to open

lines ofattack for his pieces.

12.

gh4-f2l

lr the past, 12.&e2 was considered to be l3.Ecl! 6a6! 14.Adl Abe rs.6e: Ad7 16.4h3 f6, White has only a minimal advantage. With this queen move, White tries to best, but after 12...4xc4

openup the posirionwirh h2-h4.

Wd8-h4+!?

F211) 8.

12....

Wf2-e2 Ac3-b5 tra1-cl

This noteworthy idea of Bronstein's has

13. 14. 15. 16. h2-h4

always had its devotees.

9.

s2-s3

The critical move. However, you can always avoid the complex established the-

ory involved with this last move

by

playing 9.Af2 We7 10.0-0-0 or with the odd-looking 9.€dt t?. 6h5xg3 9.

gd2-f2! Pinning the knight with the move 10.9n? does not work because of

Ae3xc4 Ac4-b6 6b8-a6 gc8-d7

White has one or two more possibilities than Black, but in reality it is not easy for him to exploit his material advantage.

f7-t5

F212>8.

9.

10.

9.exf5

!

O-0-0

?.

9.

ab8-d7

10...6xf1 , which attacks the queen. After the queen move, the knight looks

Easily the most popular move. However,

doomed, but there is 10. 11. Wf2xh4

viously worth considering. On the other hand, it looks dubious to

...

Ag3xfl! Aflxe3

Kasparov played 9...a61?, so

it too is ob-

close up the position with 9...f+ 293

-

Chess Opening Essentiols

Volume

3

10.4f2 Afe i 1.We1 ! (stopping ...Atr+; 11...Aez 17.g+ 697 13.h4, and White is doing better.

gfl-d3

ad7-f6 10...4c5 1l.Ac2 a6t? 12.6ge2bit? 10.

-

this attack looks a tad premature, but in

It is true that in the King's Indian White often plays c4-c5xd6 to gain space on the queenside. However, here White will probably castle queenside, and the opening of the c-file could prove to be of more value to Black.

practice it can work.

11. e4xf5! This is sharper than the normal 11.6ge2, which lets Black simplify wirh I l ..fxe4, even if possession of the e4-square after 12.Q:xe4 gives White an edge.

11.

...

g6xf5

Eg E€ ll l Er IA AIT A

F221)8.691-e2 9. c4xd5 10. s2-g4

c6xd5 a7-a6 h7-h5! An important move that is worth noting. It attacks 94, and if White pushes or takes on h5, his initiative evaporates. There is no other option but to play

-

11. 12.

E

gd1-d2 9. c4xd5

F222)8.

A

12.

AAA

W &H

A

AA

Q-sg1-e2 €g8-h8

Ae3-95 Ed1-e1

F22) 7.

c7-c6!

EAAS Eg 'lal ll ll ar AI AA A AA AA AA

tr 29+

w€aatr

b7-b5

c6xd5 a7-a6

9...o,a61?

0-0-0!? €cl-b1 12.6s1-e2

10. 11.

A\tr

13. Wd8-eB 14. We8-f7 15. g2-g3! With the idea of h2-h3 and 93-g4, and a promising White initiative.

ab8-d7

With equality.

A

AA AA

h2-h3 gd1-d2

ab8-d7 b7-b5 Ad7-bo

13. Ae2-c1 And the game is balanced.

F223)8. gf1-d3 Polr-rgaevsky's move is different to the others as the plan is to castle kingside.

8. c6xd5 The most energetic move is 8...b5!?. Even though this has been played many times, it remains controversial. Now the best move is probably the quiet 9.a3 bxc4 i 0.Axc4 c5 I 1.b4 and White has I

a

small advantage.

9. c4xd5

af6-h5

Or 9...4e8, which will be followed by similar continuations. 10. 691-e2 11. e4xf5

t7-f5

King's Indicn Defence

Or I l.gd2 a6 I2.exf5 11. 12. 13.

... 0-0

Beliavsky,Alexander g6xf5 ab8-d7

Nunn,fohn Wi

tral-cl

In order to retreat the bishop to b

13.... 14. gd3-b1

jk aan Zee 1985 (2)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 gG 3.6c3 tr57 4.e4 d6 5.f3 0-0 6.4e3 6bd7 7.9d2 c5 8.ds Ae5 9.h3 ahs 10.9f2 f5 11.exf5 trxfS 12.94 trxf3 13.gxh5 gf8 14.8:e4 AhG 15.8c2 Wf4 16.4e2 Exf2 17.6xf2 Af3+ 18.€d1 gh4 19.4d3 gfs 2o.6ecl 6,d2 21.hxg6 hxg6 22.Ag 2 6:xc4 23.9f2 6e3+ 24.&e2 Wc4 25.4f3 Ef8 26.trg1 6:c227.&d1Axd3 0-1

1

Ad7-cS a7-a5

15. f3-f4!

Spassky,Boris

Kortchnoi,Viktor Kiev match 1968 (7)

White's pieces are more harmoniously placed, and objectively he has an edge,

but the position is sufficiently complicated to offer Black chances.

Polugaevsky,Lev

Stein,teonid Moscowch-URS 1961 (1)

1.d4 af6 2.c4 S6 3.6c3 Ag7 4.e4 d5 5.f3 O-O 6.4e3 b5 7.9d3 a6 8.Age2 c5 9.e5 6fd7 10.exd6 exd6 11.0-0 6c6 12.€:c2 Ab7 13.Wd2 AfG 14.trad1 cxd4 15.6xd4 OeS 16.b3 d5 17.gh6 trc8 18.Axg7 &xg7 19.Wg5 Ac6 20.4f5+ gh8 21.6xd5 Axd5 22.gh6 gf6 23.trxd5 trfd8 24.trxd8+ trxd8 25.4e4 ad4 26.6g3

9xe4 27.lxe4 We7 28.Wf4 €g8 29.e5 6e6 30.19'fG Bxf6 31.exf6 trd2 32.trt2 Edl+ 33.4f1 95 34.trd2 trxd2 35.6xd2 h6 36.6e4 €h7 37.ba €96 38.g4 4'lf4 39.c5 bxcS

40.bxc5

1-o

1.d4 AfO 2.c4 SG 3.4c3 Ag7 4.e4 d6 5.f3 0-0 6.Ae3 hc6 7.6ge2 a6 8.hcl e5 9.d5 Ad4 10.4b3 6xb3 11.Bxb3 c5 12.dxc6 bxc6 13.0-0-0 Ae6 14.Wa3 6e8 15.h4 fG 16.c5 E;I7 17.Wa4 Wc7 18.9c4 Axc4 19.Wxc4 Af8 20.h5 dxcS 21.hxg6 hxg6 22.BeG trdB 23.trxd8 BxdB 24.8d1 Be7 25.WxcG Q)cl26.gb6 &g7 27.kd5 Be6 28.€xc5 Axc5

29.Bxc5 abs 30.We3 Wc6+ 31.9b1 4d4 32.trc1 gbs 33.4c7 We2 34.6e6+ €h735.Wh6+ 1-0 EhlvestJaan

Smirin,Ilya Foxwoods open 2003 (6)

1.d4

af6 2.c4 gG 3.'6c3 Ag7 4.e4

dG

5.f3 0-0 6.4e3 4'cG 7.6tge2 a6 Lgd2 trb8 9.6c1 e5 10.d5 6d4 11.ab3 c5 12.dxc6 bxc6 13.6xd4 exd4 14.9xd4 tre8 15€e2 d5 16.cxd5 trb4 179c5 6xe4 18.fxe4 Axc3 19.Bxc3 Ebxe4 20.0-0 trxe2 21.dxc6 Bg5 22.Af2 tr8e3 23.9c4 295

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Voiume

3

Ee4

trxb3+ 29.€c2 6b4+ 30.€xb3

26.9b3 fueG 27.c7 Axb3 28.c8W+ treB 29.Wc1 Bxcl 30.Efxc1 Ae6 31.b3 trd8 32.tre1 trc2 33.Eec1 Edd2 34.Exc2 trxc2 35.h4 €g7

ads+ 31.€c2 wb2+ 32.€d3 BbS+

Ee4 24.9d3 E4e3 25.WcA

36.b4 9xa2 37.trd1 Ac4 38.9d7 *f6 39.trc7 €f5 40.trc5+ gf4 41.9h2 h5 42.trc6 €e4 43.trf0 Eb2 44.9c5 Ae6 45.trf9 tra2 46.trt2 Ea1 47.trd2 trc1 48.Ae7 Ac a9.Ag5 Ebl 50.Ae7

Ad3 51.8f2 f5 52.€s3 Ab5 53.4c5

trb3+54.8f3f4+55.9f2trbr

0-l

Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son Nolte,Rolando Vung Tau 200S (7)

1.d4

af6

2.c4 gG 3.6c3 Ag7 4.e4 d6

5.f3 0-0 6.4e3 Ac6 7.6lge2

aG

8.9d2 trb8 9.g4 b5 10.g5 ad711.h4 ab6 12.b3 bxc4 13.h5 e514.t4 4lb4 15.Ag2 6d3+ 16.9f1 c5 17.dxe5 dxe5 18.f5 gxfs 19.exf5 Axfs 2O.693 Ae6 21.4e4f5 22.gxf5 Axf6 23.Sg1 *hg 24.trf1 trg8 25.496 flf4 26.6ce4 AbdS 27.Axc5 cxb3 28.gd6 EbG 29.6xf6 WxfG 30.4a3 WgS 31.9f2 bxa2 32.trh2 trbg 33.4b2 Exg3+ 34.ghl af6 o-1

BagironVladimir Gufeld,Eduard IylJ g6 1.d4 2.c4 Ag7 3.6c3 dG 4.e4 Af6 s.fg 0-0 6.4e3 4lci 7.€lge2 trbg 8.9d2 a6 9.Ah6 b5 10.h4 e5 11.Axg7 €xs7 12.h5 €hB 13.ad5 bxc4 14.hxg6 fxg6 15.9h6 Ahs 16.g4 Exb2 17.gxh5 g5 18.tr91 g4 19.0-0-0 trxa2 2O.kef4 exl4 21.6xt4 Exf4 22.Wxf4 c3 23.Ac4 Ea3 24.fxg4 ab4 25.€b1 Ae6 26.axe6 ad3 27.gf7Bb8+ 28.9b3

0-1

Wang Yue Radiabov,Teimour Sochi 2008 (9)

1.d4 AfG 2.c4 96 3.4c3 Ag7 4.e4 d6 5.f3 0-0 6.4e3 c5 7.dxc5 dxcS 8.Wxd8 ExdS 9.Axc5 Ac6 10.6ge2 b6 11.4a3 Ab7 12.8d1 a5 13.6c1 ab4 14.4d3 gh6 15.4d5 Afxd5 16.cxd5 e6 17.Axb4 axb4 18.dxe6 Axcl 19.e7 trdc8 20.eBB+ ExeS 21.trxc1 t5 22.trc7 AdS 23.0-0 fxe4 24.fxe4 Axa2 25.8a1 Ads 26.trxa8

AxaS 27.4b5 treS 28.Ac4+ €fB 29.trc8+ tre8 30.Exe8+ €xe8 31.e5 €e7 32.*t2 9c6 33.93 95 34.€e3 ho 35.€d4 gd7 35.9d5

Abs 37.9f3 Ae8 38.A92 Aa4 39.9d5 Abs a0.As8 gf8 41.9c4 Aa4 42.9d5 Abs 43.4f3 €e7

44.9s4 gfl 4s.&d5 Ab5 46.9f5 Ae8 47.&c4 b3 48.€xb3 Abs 49.€c3 Ae2 5O.€d4 gbs 51.9d5 Aa4 52.b4 gbs 53.4g4 Aa4 54.AcB €dB 55.4a6 gd7 56.e6+ €e7 57.Ac8 gbs 58.4d7 9e2 59.€c6 b5 60.9b6 Ac4 61.Axb5 AxeG

62.€c7

1-o

[rrovaDad

296

Karpov,Anatoly Kasparov,Garry Linares 1993 (10)

1.d4 af6 2.c4 SG 3.hc3 €;97 4.e4 d6 5.f3 0-O 6.4e3 e5 7.69e2 c6 e.gd2 abd7 g.Edl aG l0.dxe5 6xe5 11.b3 b5 12.cxb5 axb5

13.9xd6 atd714.t4 b415.4b1 Ag4 16.9d4 Axd4 17.Bxd4 trxa2 18.h3 c5 19.Wgl 6gf5 20.e5 2,e4 21.h4

King's Indion Delence

c4 22.8sc7 c3 23.6xa2 c2 24.Wd4 cxdlw+ 25.€xd1 6dc5 26.wxd8 ExdS+

27.&c2olt2

0-'l

Wang Yue Cheparinov,Ivan Khanty-Mansiysk 2007 (a)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 gG 3.4c3 9:gl 4.e4 dG 5.f3 0-0 6.4e3 e5 7.d5 ahs 8.9d2 fS 9.0-0-0 a6 10.€b1 6d7

11.4d3 AcS 12.4c2 b5 13.cxb5 axb5 14.Axb5 AaG 15.4c3 Wb8 16.Age2 Wb4 17.Axc5 dxc5 18.a3 WaS 19.4c1 Ac4 2O.Ab3 AxbS 21.Axb3 Bb6 22.Wc2 trfbS 23.€a2 2lt4 24.6c1 4 25.trd2 AfB 26.s3 Axa3 27.bxa3 trxa3* 28.€xa3 Bb4+ 29.&a2 tra8+ 30.6a4 c3 31.€a1 cxd2 32,6a2 trxa4 33.gxf4 wd++ 34.9b1 Bc4 35.wb3 fxe4 36.d5 cxd6 37.fxe4 9xe4+ 38.€b2 Bxhl 39.9xc4+ €g7 40.BeG dlA+ 41.&c2 6e3+ 42.€d3 Afs

43.fxe5

wf3+ 44.&d2 gfZ+

45.*d3 Wd4+ 46.&c2dxe5 47.4c3 wf2+ 48.gbl sg1+ 49.€b2 9xh2+ 50.€a3 Wg3 51.€b4 gf4+ 52.€a5 gd4 53.4d5 Bc5+ 54.€a4

gd6

o-1

Kortchnoi,Viktor Stein Leonid lillinn l96s (9) 1.d4 AfG 2.eA gG 3.6c3 Ag7 4.e4 dG s.fg 0-0 6.8e3 e5 7.d5 4:h5 8.9d2 f5 9.0-0-0 Ad71O.gdS fxe4 11.6.xe4 6,t4 12.4c2 Af6 13.hc3 b5

14.6xb5 Aa6 15.6a3 Eb8 16.93 a4h5 17.b9 gb718.Abl c6 19.dxc6 Axc6 20.Wxd5 We8 21.Eel gf7 22.9d? gf8 23.9d3 e4 24.Wc3 Ag7 25.6h3 6g4 26.fxg4 Axc3

27.6xc3

gf8

6f6 28.g5 4ld7 29.6xe4

30.4c3 trfs 31.4b2 Ee8 32.9b1 Axe4 33.Axe4 Exe4 34.trxe4 gfl+ 35.9e1 Wf5+ 36.€a1 Exhl 37.trxh1 BxhS 38.Ada Sg2 39.trg1 Wd2 40.9xa7 2le5 41.4c5 6d3 42.Aag ab4 43.Axb4 gd4+ 44.&b1Wxg1+ o-l

Erdos,Yiktor Kozul.Zdenko Sibenik 2008 (8)

1.d4 AfG 2.c4 gG 3.6c3 9:g7 4.e4 dG 5.f3 0-0 6.4e3 e5 7.Age2 cG 8.9d2 abdT 9.d5 cxdS 10.cxd5 6b6 11.4g3 Ad712a4 Wb8 13,a5

AcB 14.4b5 Axb5 15.6xb5 aG 16.6a3 b5 17.axb6 6xb6 1&O-0 Ec8 19.Efc1 trxcl* 20.trxc1 a5 21.trc6 atdT 22.Wc2 9f8 23.9b3

acg

24.Wxb8 ExbS 25.8tc4 a4 26.6e2 t5 27.6c3 t4 28.At2 traB 29.€fl 95 30.€e2 6f6 31.€d3 6eB 32.6,a3 he7 33.trc4 EbB 34.Aab5 6gG 35.Exa4 h5 36.b4 g4 37.6aT g3 38.hxg3 fxg3 39.€.xg3 h4 40.4h2 trb7 41.4c5 h3 42.93 trt7 43.Se2 f,e7 44.b5 AfG 45.Adg Eh7 46.4e6 Ah6 47.tra8+ gf748.bO 1-0 Muhammad,stephen Smirin llya Minneapolis open 2005 (7)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 sG 3.4c3 As7 4.e4 d6 5.f3 0-0 6.Ae3 a5 7.d5 c6 8.4d3 cxdS 9.cxd5 Ahs 10.69e2 f5 11.exfS gxf5 12.0-0 a6 13.8c1 6d7 14.b4 gh4 15.a3 e4 16.4f2 WgS 17.h4 gh6 18.fxe4 t4 19.da4 t3 20.493 fxg2 21.9x92 at4+ 22.&e1

4e5,23.9e2 Wxh4 24.ab6 ah3+ 25.€g2 Axf2 26.Exf2

Ah3+

,o-1

297

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

e7-e5

6.

In fact. both 6...6bd7 and 6...4a6 are possible (they are usually used as a means of avoiding the irritating Exchange Yariation), but after the subsequent ...e7-e5 advance, you transpose to the lines discussed below Also 6...c5 does not lead to a distiact line:

if

EAAS E& 'l I I l'lE'l I al AAA )\ ,\\ q) q)

AA

'. AAAA

EAW€E

Now we have come to the favourite weapon against the King's Indian, namely the Classical Variation. It was adopted more than once by Colle in the 1920's (he did not exclusively play the system to which his name is so famously associated!). The epithet classlcal is not just a reference to the line's Iongevity and predominance. It is also common to refer to set-ups characterised by the moves Af3 and Ae2 as classical. Once White has occupied the centre. he will continue with natural moves

and postpone aggressive action until development has been completed. Compared to the wide range of opiions that are frequently employed by Black against the Simisch, here Black almost exclusively plays

298

the white d-pawn advances to d5 you transpose to the Benoni, whereas if White plays 7.0-0, after 7...cxd4 8.Axd4 you are no longer il a Queen's Pawn Opening but irt a Mar6czy Bind against dre Accelerated Dragon in the Sicilian. 6...Aga is an alternative worth looking

g E€ lrAr I al

EA

lll

A ,\

t4) AA

al._\

..1

AA q)

gAAA

F?A --H. ue CO H

EI

It applies pressure to the d4-square, which is now somewhat'weakened'by the previous pawn advances to e4 and c4. After 7.Ae3l afdTl (White permitting, the idea is to play ...6c6, take on f3, push ...e7-e5 and install the knight on d4) 8.491!? (needless to sa)a the natural 8.Ecl is a playable alternative) 8...4xe2 9.Agxe2 c5 10.0-0 cxd4 1 1.6xd4 6c6 we have a position t)?ical of the Accelerated Dragon, but without the light-squared bishops, which is a favourable factor. This line's lack of popular appeal can be explained by the fact that the resulting

King's Indion

Mar6czy Bind pawn structure is too positional to appeal to a typical King's Indian enthusiast. We now return to 6...e5.

Defence

White has exchanged queens and threatens AdS with a fork on f6 and c7. However, the game is far from over, and do not forget that even though the draw rate may be high, it is also possible for Black to win, especially as the weakness on d4 could become a future problem

forWhite.

9.

Ed8-e8 This classical response is still the most played, but it is also possible to play

il order dark squares: to gain active play on the 9...c61? and sacrifice the e5 pawn

There are four main paths available for

White:

o Exchange Variation 7.dxe5 o Gligoric Variation 7.4e3 o Petrosian Variation 7.d5

r

Main Line 7.0-0

10.6xe5 Ee8 11.0-0-0 o,a6l 17.f+h6 13.9h4 g5!, with an unclear game. 10. Ac3-d5 Af6xd5 11. c4xd5 c7-c6! Naturally Black rids himself of the weak cZ oawn.

12. Simpler 14.Ec1!

7.

d4xe5 The notorious Exchange Yariation is the bugbear of many a King's Indian player; but why worry about a line with a less than 50% performance! It is true that after

7.

8. Wdlxd8 9. Ac1-95 11 E

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B) 7. Acl-e3

:*r t

t: I A

Ab8-d7!

h6 15.Ae3 Afe t is good for Black. 14. ... Ad7-c5 With equality - but this does not mean the game will necessarily end in a draw.

Efi A $E

ta::l

A

Ac4xd5

14. ats-d2l To defend e4. The immediate 14.Ec1

The Gligoric Variation.

,.3.;.

..:::i:

.. A -'..><.

d6xe5

c6xd5

than 12...b5 13.9b3 Ab7 13.

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Ae2-c4

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x 299

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

This line was made popular by the Yugoslav GM in the 1960's. Curiously, he developed the Gligoric Variation to

avoid another'GIigoric Variation', namely 7...Q)c6 after 7.0-0. Indeed, his

theoretical contribution to this last black line (which, as we'll soon see, was labelled the Mar del Plata Variation)

is such that the variation could almost be named in his honour.

The variation 7.4e3 is very dangerous, especially if Black plays mechanically.

For example, if Black plays the spontaneous 7...4c6, after 8.d5 Ae7 9.ad}l - unlike the 9.hd2 variation that we will see in the Main Line - White has a

bishop on e3 without having castled; this is clearly advantageous. 7.

Highlighting the

aJ6-94 downside of the

bishop move; this has always been the most popular move. However, Black has many other alternatives that are more or less playable:

7...Q)a6l? 8.0-0 transposes to the line that we discuss in the next section; 7...h6? - Nunn's favourite - wirh the

idea of controlling 95 before playing

"'6g+t 7...exd4 8.6xd4 Ee8 trying to establish active piece play;

...We7 applies pressure to e4 and enWhite to capture on e5 or push d4-d5; and lastly 7...c6, which is a preparatory move with the option of a more effective exchange on d4. As you can see, we are dealing with a very complex variation 7

courages

that has many unexplored possibilities.

8. Ae3-g5!

t7-t6

Blocking the path of the g7 bishop.

9. 300

Ag5-h4

9.4c1. It could seem odd to make three bishop moves only to find the bishop back on its original square, but Black's 94 knight will need to use tempi to relocate, and the f6 Some prefer

pawn is most certainly not on its ideal

square. After 9...6c6 10.d5 6e7 1 1.4d2 ah6 12.b4 f5 13.c5, we have a typical position characterised by competing wing attacks, and it is difficult to say which one will succeed first. g6-95 9. After 9...4c6 10.d5 o,e7 11.ad2 Ah6 12.f3 c5 13.Ebl afi t+.0-0 f5 1s.b4 b6, White's initiative seems to be more advanced.

10. Ah4-g3 694-h6!? With the idea of ...g4. 11. h2-h3 If White finds the idea of playing the diagram position unappealing, he can try the valid alternative 1l.d5l? ad7 lz.adz fs t:.exfS 6fe t+.6de4 6xe4 15.Axe4 Axf5 1e .Ad: s+.

E g E€ lll ar lA arg a666I AA

AAA

trw€tr

White controls the

important

e4-square, but, as is so often the case with the King's Indian, Black's active pieces compensate for his weakened pawn structure. 11. trb8-c6

12.

... d4-d5

6c6-d4l?

King's Indio n 13. Af3xd4 14. Wdlxd4 15. gd4-d2 16. Ag3-h2

f, ,,,,-',.4E

ll I|.,|ll

ponents' threats before they had even thought of them. In this line White plays Ag5 to stop the typical manoeuwe 6hS and f5, and if Black kicks the bishop with ...h6 and ...g5, White receives positional compensation. The problem with this prophylactic strategy is that White's d4-d5 push represents a

eSxd4 f6-f5 f5-f4

r,Ei€''t'i.r',..

Hf 'l '.: fi ':':'"'"''

I A.

I

.A.A

premature commitment. Against the King's Indian, it is usually better to wait for Black to force the advance with ...o,c6; on eZ the knight is more passively placed than on d7 and it requires an extra tempo to get it there.

.':

AA

With a position that is not easy to

as-

Black's compensation for the pawn (the h2 bishop out of play and possession of the e5-square) seems evident to the human eye, but for some reason the chess engines are more sceptical than sess:

usual.

c) 7. d4-d5 The Petrosian Variation.

E€ rE r lhl' ,

The Petrosian Variation was a favourite for a long period, but now it is much

less played. However, this does not mean it has fallen into disrepute. Far from it; players of the calibre of Vallejo Pons and Kramnik frequently play the Iine. Black has two principal alternatives, excluding 7 ...6a6, which is playable. but not much liked because of 8.4d2!? (Black can no longer advance his pawn to a5). 7...4h5 has also proved to be unsatisfactory as there is 8.g3!. Now 8...f5 is weak: 9.exf5 gxf5 10.Axe5! Axg3 11.hxg3, with a clear advantage for White.

c1) 7. AA

ala

,,i\ q) AA AA

Def ence

A

cl

F?

This line was played as far back as the 1920's and was often used by the Armenian champion from the 1950's onwards. It reflects the philosophy of the former World Champion; it was said that Petrosian would neutralise his op-

ab8-d7

The main reply in the early days, but now it is less common.

8. Acl-95 The very old 8.0-0 Ac5 9.8c2 a5 10.495, though not often played, scores respectably.

h7-h6

8.

9. Ag5-h4 Weakening

s6-s5

the kingside but

freeing

Black of the pin.

10.

Ah4-93

Af6-h5 301

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume

3

Before White stops it with ad2. The idea is not so much to capture on 93, which would leave the light-square

complex very weak, but 11...4f4, which is the best response to 1 1.0-0 or 1l.adZ. 11. h2-h4! Keres came uo with this in 1963.

E Ag Eg

,llla'rE ::

ll ': ,al ra AA A

cD

7. a7-as Controlling b4 and now Black would like to play the knight to c5. 8. Ac1-95 Also 8.h3 is a possibility that is similar to the Makogonov Yariation, but in that line the bishop is better placed on

d3.

9. Ag5-h4 Ab8-a6 Here 9...g5 - along the lines of C1 -

AAA

trg€tr

less convincing, given that the a6

Its introduction has spiced up the variation. White is unconcerned about the

doubled g-pawns and puts his faith in exploiting the semi-open f-fiIe. 11. ... s5'94 11...6f4 l2.hxgS hxgS 13.WcZ! gives White a plus. After l1...Axg3 l2.fxg3 gxh4!? 13.Axha Wg5 la.Aga AcS

15.Axc8 Wxg3+ 16.€f1

Eaxc8

17.6-f5. White has received more than abundant compensation for the pawn.

12. at3-h2 f5 ! 1 3 .exf5 adf6 is satisfactory

for Black.

12.... 13. f2xg3 14.0-0

Lh5xg3 h6'h5 t7-t5t?

Played before White permanently pre-

trflxfS!

White wants to put the other rook on

Wd8-e8! A common way to get out of the pin in

302

the King's Indian.

af6-h7 11. 0-0 Here going to h5 is obviously not possible...

12. a2-a3 Having completed his development, White

seeks

to expand on the queenside.

12....

Ef8xf5

Ac8-d7

13. b2-b3 Preventing...a5-a4.

gE@ E rIA TEA ll a I Al I AAE A AA

fl

.)

AAA A A g Eg tr 13....

immediately.

15....

af3-d2

AAA

vents it.

15.

is

knight

is so far away from the weak kingside.

10.

12.ad}

h7-h6

8.

b 'ag

AA

e4xf5 gd1-d2

Ad7-c5 16. Ac8xf5 17. 18. tra1-f1 And White is slightly better.

h6-h5

The most solid approach, with the plan

King's Indian

of relocating the bishop via h6. You may well be wondering why the usual 1 3 ...f5 ! ? is not played here. In fact, it has been played - even by

Kasparov. However, note that we are dealing with an exchange sacrifice! Af-

ter I4.exf5 gxfS (14...4xf5!? 15.g4 e4 seems playable) 15.4h5 Wc8 16.Ae7, the black rook has nowhere to go to. It is true that after 16...Ee8! 17.Axe8 Wxe8 1S.Ah4 e4 19.Ec1 Ac5, Black has optimum compensation, but his chances of victory are slim. 14. f2-t3 Vacating the f2-square for the h4 blshop. It would be a mistake to presume that Black is only thinking about strategy; there is also the tactical threat of ...96-95 and ...h5-h4. 14. ... Ag7-h6

The aiternative 1+...9f61? has never been refuted, yet it is only seen occasionally: 15.4f2 We7, to exchange off

Preventing b3-b4 and attacking a3: certainly the fact that 4 tempi are required to get the f8 bishop to c5 makes you appreciate the complexity of modern opening play! After

17. Wd1-c1 f7-f5 We have a complicated game that could go either way.

Petrosian,Tigran Geller,Efim Moscow ch-URS 1949 {+)

af6 2.atg 96 3.c4 Ag7 4.6c3 0-0 5.e4 d6 6.4e2 e5 7.d5 abd7 8.0-0 flcS 9.Ad2 a5 10.Wc2 Ah6 11.ab3 Axcl 12.6xc5 Ah6 13.4d3 1.d4

fxe4 17.c5 axb4 18.axb4 ilxal 19.trxa1 gfs 20.9b3 e3 21.f3 e4 22.8tc4 exfS 23.Axf3 6:54 24.53 25.492 Ads 26.h3 Wf2+ 27.&h1Wxg3 0-1

gf6

the bad bishop for its counterpart on h4.

KeresnPaul

15. Ea1-b1 You can also prevent the check from e3

Matanovic,Aleksandar

with 1 5.4f2, but after 1 5...We 7l i6.Wc2 h4 17.trab1 Af+ 18.trfd1 Wg5, Black's active kingside play represents a slight advantage.

15.... 16. €91-hl

El :.

Ah6-e3+ Ae3-c5

w

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AA

A

aAA'... [1

trwtrg

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Defence

Moscow 1963 (10)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 96 3.6c3 slg7 4.e4 5.4f3 0-0 6.4e2 e5 7.d5 AbdT

dG

8.4g5 h6 9.4h4 s5 10.493 ahs 11.h4 g4 12.o.d2 6xg3 13.fxg3 h5 14.0-0 Ah6 15.9d3 AfO 16.8e2 4le817.trt24g7 18.traf1 f6 19.sh2 9d7 2O.b4 a5 21.bxaS trxa5 22.6b3 Ea3 23.c5 4:le9 24.8b5 c6 25.dxc6 bxc6 26.ac4+ €si7 27.trd1 gb8 28.cxd5 Wb4 29.9d3 tra7 30.trb2 Axd6 31.Wxd6 Bxc4 32.8c5 Wa6 33.trd6 €eB 34.4d5 Ba3 35.Bxa3

Exa3 36.AeT tra7 37.4f5+ €96 38.trf2 traf7 39.6c5 Ac1 4O.Ad3 Aa3 41.6xe5+ €h7 42.6x17 trxf7 43.trd84d7 1-0 303

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

Yusupov,Artur Kasparov,Garry

EgB 56.94 h5 57.af5 hxs4 58.e7+ egs 59.hxg4 Ee8 6o.trxc5 1-o

Barcelona 1989 (3)

1.4f3 Af6 2.c4 96 3.4c3 kg7 4.e4 d6 5.d4 0-0 6.Ae2 e5 7.d5 a5 LAg5 h6 9gh4 6a6 10.6d2 9e8 11.0-0 4lh7 12.a3 Ad7 13.bS f5 14.exf5 gxf5 l5.gh5 Wc8 16.4e7 tre8 17.Axe8 WxeS 18.4h4 e4 19.9c2 WhS 20.As3 trfs 21.4f4 Vg422.s3 6g5 23.9h! af3 24.trac1 6c5

25.6xf3 wxf3+ 26.€s1 ad3 27.Wd2 Ad4 28.trc2 &h7 29.h3 Eg8 3o.gh2 ghs 31.4d1 6e5 32.f3 ad3 33.6e3 6,xt4 34.gxt4 gb6 35.9f2 9g6 36.tre2 AcS

Main Line

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. 6b1-c3 4. e2-e4 5. 6s1-f3 6. Afl-e2

Ag8-f6 g7-gG

Af8-s7

d7-d6 0-0 e7-e5 We have now come to White's fourth option in response to e5, namely: 7. 0-0

EAAS E@ lll r_a.r I al I

37.fxe4 fxe4 38.f5 ghs 39.trd2 tr95 4o.gf4ge8 41,694 1-o

AAA

KomarouDimitry

aaAAAA

Ezat,Mohamed Ismailia 2004 (4)

AA

1.d4 A$ 2.6f3 96 3.eA AS7 4.6c3 0-0 5.e4 d6 6Ae2 e5 7.d5 a5 &Ag5

ag

rr

tr€

h6 9.4h4 6a6 10.6d2 tse8 11.0-0 6,h7 12.a3 gd7 13.b9 f5 14.exf5 gxfs 15.9h5 gcg 16.4e7 tre8 l7.Axe8 WxeB 18.4h4 e4 19.8c1 6c5 20.trc2 4d3 21.Agg atB 22.t3 8g6 23.fxe4 6g4 24.We2 t4 25.Wxd3 6e5 26.We2 fxg3 27.h3 6g4 28.Afs at2 29.We3 trf8 30.trfid2 gxt2+ 31.Exf2 wf6 32.e5 dxeS 33.6e4 Bf4 34.9xf4 exf4 35.6c5 Ac8 36.8e2 b6 37.he6 tre8 38.€f2 Axe6 39.dxe6 a4 40.bxa4 gfg 41.ah4 €h7 42.&fg Axa3 43.Exf4 Ad6+ 44.€f3 Ef8+ 45.€e3

The main line has its own section due

Ae7 46.4f3 tra8 47.&e4 €g6

is so often the case - it obstinately re-

48.6e5+ 9f5 49.4c6 Es8 50.hd4 AcS 51.trf2+ €g6 52.E;t7 gdg 53.9d7 Ee8 54.trxc7 €f6 55.trc6 304

to its importance. As we

will

see, by far and away the most

common move now

is 7...4c6. but

Black also has many other valid alternatives: 7...4h5, 7...We8, 7 ...c6, 7 ...exd4, 7 ...6-:a6 and Z...AbdZ.

A) 7. af6-h5 With the plan of going to f4. This lateral move by the knight is standard in the King's Indlan. However, at this point it

must be seen as dubious because the centre is not closed, but in practice - as sists refutation!

8.

s2-93

The simplest.

King's Indion

E

AE.g

lll

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AE

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Def.ence

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A

AAAA E,l AW''t,,,E€

for h3. Both 8.dxe5 and 8.Ee1 6f+S.Lft Ag+

White controls f4 without concern the weak square that is created on are less convincing.

8.

Ac8-h3 Or 8...Aga!? 9.dS ad7 10.Ae3, with

a

slight plus for White.

9. 10. 11.

gdl'b3

We8-e7 c7-c6

With the intention of playing Aa3. 11. ... Ef8-d8 12. Ac1-a3 We7-c7 13.

9. Ef1-e1 e5xd4

b4-b5!

tral-dl

AndWhiteisbemer.

White was threatening Ag5. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

Af3xd4 Ac1-95 995-e3 gd1-d2 f2-t3

ah5-f6 h7-h6 ab8-d7 €g8-h7 a7-a0

C) 7.

c7-ci

A wairing move which tends ro rranspose to one of the three following lines, in particular to line E after 8.Ee1 Aa6. This was the move sequence preferred AndWhite'sadvantageisonlyminimai. by the Croation GM Kozul, who is an expert on the King's Indian.

B) 7.

Wd8-e8 8. d4-d5 A favourite of Polish GM Kempinski, AIso 8.4e3, which transposes to the this is another'odd' move whose per- GligoricYariation,isinteresting. formance is better than its objective 8. 6bg-a6 merits would suggest possible: the idea 9. Ac1-g5!? is to apply pressure to e4.

L

d4xe5! Removing the threat and highlighting the unhappy placement of the black queen. 8.Ee1 looks natural, but it is not

enough

to gain an advantage:

-

E

.ll .'.":.'

after

8...exd4 9.dxd4 (9.Wxdal ?) 9...Axe4l

10.ads Wag t1.Af3 Axf2! 12.€xf2 Wfr++ I 3.93 !, we have equality 8. d6xe5 9. b2-b4l

,. ,.,

AA UU FT

-€.9 .E @

ll nl Ar..'. A A A

i

a,,':lA :A':A ,',,:'$,:;,

pr:l.'fl

@.

30s

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

With a sort of deferred Petrosian Variation in which ...c6 and ...6a6 seem to be of less effective than White's kingside castling. However, it must be pointed out that White no longer can play the h2-h4 pawn break (see Keres's move on page

302) and thus Black can more confidendy weaken White's kingside by

sive 11...f5 12.Q\xc6 bxc6 13.c5 d5 1a.AgS ! is less convincing.

12.

Ef1-dl!

White is happy to concede the bishop pair, given that the one on e2 is bad.

12....

13.6c3xe2

dt4xe2+ Ac8-d7

14. tra1-cl And White has an edge.

pushing his pawns to h6 and 95.

D) 7.

e5xd4 Conceding the centre so early has always been considered premature: this

E) 7.

Ab8-aG

The Modern Yariation. This line started to become noted in the 1990's,

assessment is probably correct as Black,

and quickly became a favourite with

after some initial piece play will find himself with a slightly cramped, infe-

many players, so much so that now it is second only to 7...dc6 in popularity. Not bad, when you consider it was not

rior position and with none of

the

broad strategic objectives characteristic of the King's Indian open to him. But of course White still needs to {ight hard if he wishes to gain more!

8. 6f3xd4 9. t2-t3

trf8-e8 6b8-c6!?

9...c61? is the classical continuation: after

10.9h1 abdT

.ags h6 12.4h4 aes B.6,cZ (but not 13.9d2? Axe4!) 13...9e6 14.6e3,White is a little better, but Black is not without resources. 10. Acl-e3 af6-h5!? Glek came up with this move in the 1990's and it has injected new life into the line. The alternatives are playable, 11

but too passive. 11. gd1-d2l After 1 1.f4 the knight goes back to f6,

and then there is l2.gf3 Ag4!, and Black's performance has been optimum. Ahs-f4 11. ... This is the idea: by exchanging off some pieces, Black makes White's space advantage less meaningful. The aggres306

even mentioned in volume E 1978 edition of ECO.

of

the

When you think of the enormous amount of theoretical data that the Mar del Plata has accumulated, it is not surprising that players seek ways of winning that do not iust require a perfect memory It is worth noting that in order to avoid the Exchange Variation some people play ...6a6 on the sixth move and make the ...e7-e5 advance after 7.0-0. As in the following line, the knight has its eye on the cS-square, but as the bishop now has an open path, there is also the future option of ...Aga. White's best seategy for preventing ...6c5 is to maintain the central tension for as long as possible.

El) 8. trf1-e1

c7-c6

Otherwise, 8...8e8!? 9.9f1 Ag4 1 0.d5 Ab+, with an analogous continuation.

9.

Ae2-f1

Protecting e4, with the plan of playing d4-d5, when now b2-b4 is possible af-

ter...6c5.

King's India n

9.

Ac8-g4

10. d4xe5!

Threatening ...9xf3. 9...exd4!? is worth

a look: 10.Axd4 Aga 11.h3

WUe

12.hxg4 Wxd4 13.g51? and commentators' evaluations are either equality or an edge for White.

10.

d4-d5!

Defence

This simplifying move is made legitimate by the less than optimum placement of the queen on e8. The very recent l0.c5l? exd4 11.4d5 also looks promising. 10.

6a6-b4

...

d6xe5

11. h2-h3

After 11.4d2 f6! 12.4h4 h5!? .aa::tl

IT. ';

13.a3

Ae6, we have equality

:!::i:..t:

11.

...

t7-f6

Of late. considered to be the critical move. However, also 1 1...h6 and

..-.

11...6-f6 are playable.

12.9.s5-d2

a'/\:

12.hxg47l fxg5 leaves White too weak

A€

:g

on the dark squares

12.... The intention is ...Axf3 and ...4c2 after the queen has captured on f3, but perhaps the more 'prudent' 10...4e81? 1 1.h3 Ad7 12.trb1 c5 is more likelv to produce a win. 11. Afl-e2 The bishop returns to e2 so as to be able to recapture on f3.

11....

a7'as

12. Eal-b1 The plan is a2-a3 and b2-b4 and White

694-h6

13. c4-c5!

::,::.,

a

a-1'

stands a little bit better.

ED 8. Ac1-e3

6f6-g4

This position is often reached

in

the

Gligoric Yariation. The alternatives 8...8e8 9.dxe5l, and 8...c6 9.d5! are less appealing.

Ae3-g5

9. Wd8-e8! And now Black is ready to take on d4 and then seek play on the dark squares. After 9...f 6 l0.Ac I I c6 11.h3 ah6 12.c5!. White has the advantage.

This temporary pawn sacrifice is the only chance of obtaining something concrete in the opening phase. After 13.4e3 c6 14.c5 Ac7!, in order to carry out the ...f6-f5 advance immediately, without having to worry about doubled a-pawns. Black has enough counterplay.

13.... 6a6xc5! After 13...c6 White will obtain an edge

with 14.Axa6 bxa6 15.Axh6! Axh6 16.Wa4. 307

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume

3

Wd1-cl

E.:'AEAE€

ah6-f7 6c5-e6 Now White can win back the oawn with I 6.Q)xc7 or mainrain the pressure with le.Ab+; both moves create posi14.

tl rh la I ":,'.,lall I

15.6c3-d5

tions that are difficult to

F)

7.

ab8-d7

This is a highly natural move, and thus it comes as no surprise that it was historically the first move players thought of, We are therefore in the Classical Yariation of the Classical King's Indian! While not as popular as it once was, there has been a recent reawakening of interest. Remember this position is also reached

in the OId Indian, when Black

plays

...d6, abdT and ...e5 and then decides to develop the king's bishop by means of a fianchetto instead of on e7. By using this move sequence, Black avoids several

anti-King's Indian lines, such as the Simisch or the Four Pawns Attack. 8. Ac1-e3! More energetic than the old 8.Ee1 c6 s.Aft aS 10.trb1 tre8l? 11.d5 Ac5 12.b3 cxd5 l3.cxd5 AdZ. with balanced play.

8. trf8-e8!? Starting a somewhat convoluted manoeuwe, but one that should be shown due respect, given the fact that it has recently been adopted by King's Indian specialists such as Kotronias, Bologan and Radjabovl

With 8...494, Black finds himself in

a

line similar to the Modern Variation but not as good. 8...c6 remains playable: 9.d5!? (with the black pawn on c6, this move is more attractive than usual) 9...c5 (Black closes the centre in preparationfor ...f7-fS) 10.4e1 6e8 11.g4!?. 308

AAA AA gA tt tr watr€

assess.

White will capture fwice on f5 when Black pushes his pawa, and his ownership of e4 will give him a small but unpleasant superiority.

9. d4-d5 The standard reply to ...E1e8. 9.Wc2 exd4 10.Axd4 c6 gives Black an active game.

9.

af6-h5

With the idea of ...4f4. 10. 92-93 And now? White is threatening to play Ae I and at first glance the h5 knight does not seem to have a bright future. .. 10. ... Ag7-f8! Vacating the g7-square for the knight. 11. Af3-e1 ah5-97

E

EgEE.&

lllA..,lih I :ll AI AA IAAA AA gA A p. watr€ Black's piece placement does not make a good impression: there is a knight on

the edge of the board, the rook look odd on e8, and the f8 bishop is passive.

King's Indion

Defence

But in this case appearances are obvi- Now we will examine the last and most ously deceptive, and Black has achieved popular of Black's seventh move opoptimum scores atter: tions, namely: 12. 6e1-d3 t7-ts 7. Ab8-c6 13. f2-f3 Af8-e7 Also here we have dedicated an entire 14. wd1-d2 ad7-t6 section to a single variation in recogni15. c4-c5 f5xe4 tion of its historical and strategic 16. f3xe4 Ac8-h3 significance. 17. trfl-cl Af6-94 A typical King's Indian position, with competing attacks on opposite wings, offering chances for both players.

Gelfand,Boris Radiabov,Teimour Wijk aan Zee 2008 (1 l) 1.d4 Dlt6 2.cA gG 3.6c3 9g7 4.e4 d6 5.Ae2 O-o 6.4f3 e5 7.0-O abdT LAe3 EeB 9.d5 6h5 10.g3 9fB 11.6e1 69T 12.Dd3 f5 13.f3 Ae7 14.9d2 6f6 15.c5 fxe4 16.fxe4 gh3 17.cxd6 cxd6 18.trfc1 6i54 1 9.Axg4

Axg4 2O.Ab5 trfg 21.trc3

ao

gdg

25.Wc2 trf3 26.9b3 trxc7 27.trxc7 AxcT 28.6xg4 Wxg4

29.Exc7 6eB 30.tre7 Bxe4 31.trxe8+ &t7 32.Ec8 trxe3 33.Bxb7+ gf6 34.Hf8+ €g5 35.9xh7 trel+ 36.gfl Wd4+ 37.€g2 tre2+

o-1

Mar del Plata Variation

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. 6b1-c3 4. e2-e4 5. Ag1-f3 6. Af1-e2 7. 0-0

As8-f6 97-96

Af8-s7 d7-d6 0-0 e7-e5

The first thing we will discuss is its name. Ignoring sporadic appearances in minor tournarnents in the 1930's and 40's, the first example of 7...hc6 in high-level play was in 1952. In the Russian Championship of that year, Taimanov won two important games against Bronstein and Aronln with the move 10.4e3. However, in the spring of tqS3, in the Mar del Plara tournament in Argentina, Gligoric won two games with the black pieces against Najdorf and Eliskases. Najdorf actually played 10.4d3, but the breakthrough was that in the first game Gligoric used the move sequence that was to become standard for any King's Indian player: ...gs, ...496, ...Hf7 and ...4f8. These moves protect d6, grant control of the 7th rank and activate the rook. which will support a ...g5-g4 push. The World Char'npionship Candidates' tournament was held in the summer/autumn of the same year ( 1 95 3). Taimanov - unaware 309

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume

of Gligoric's innovation -

3

proceeded

with his favourire 10.4e3 againsr the very same Najdorl who, needless to say, had not forgotten his experience with Gligoric. The Argentinean scored a brilliant victory that remains one of the most famous in the hisrory of the King's Indian. These were definitely different times: in today's era of live Internet broadcasts, it is unimaginable that an important theoretical novelty could remain unknornm for 5 monthsl Before beginnlng our examination of 8.d5, which is the move that is almost always played, it is worth mentioning the interesting

8.

Acl-e3!?

E i.-e.g E €

ll,l

lEl al al r''I' ',

that the additional moves 0-0 and ...6c6 have been played, which explains why transpositions are frequent.

10. Ag5-c1!?

At a high level, this move is considered to be better than l0.Ah4, which none_

theless is playable: after 10...g5! 11.4g3 ah6 l2.dxe5l fxe5 13.h3, we have a balanced position.

10....

t2.Ae3, with a miniscule advantage for White. 11. Ac1-95 Wd8-eB 12. d4xe5 An alternative is I 2.d5 ! ?. 12.... d6xe5 13.6c3-d5 We8-f7

E.A Eg llt , gEl '.4 'l

AAA

aaa

AA. AAAA tr '" E€

A

was natural that after Black's initial White would search for alternatives to the d4-d5 push. However, this bishop move was soon thought to be innocuous due to the presumed antidote 8...E1e8!?, which was played with the belief that after 9.d5 Ad4!. Black successes

had a problem-free game. Subsequently, when it was understood

that 9.dxe5l is not as harmless as it looks, players turned ro

g.

6f6_94! t7-t6 Arriving at a characteristic Gligoric Variarion position, with the difference

9. Ae3-95

310

alra AA

AN

Ac-1

a" AAAA

gir,, 8

WP::.''

It

f6-f5

Or 10...6h6 il.dxeS dxe5

g

With a complex game that offers both colours chances. Let's return to:

8.

d4-d5

Ac6-e7

E A.g E& ,lll ArEr -. . IAl al :.

AA

+A

A

>E€ tr Ag&oo

ola

King's Indion This is the starting position of the Mar del Plata Variarion. White is faced with the prospect of a Black kingside attack. He has five logical ways to establish his defence and create queenside counterplay

E,,r,,..,

l[: rllAnlfl,

,-:, :,;.' 'lr l;:11 A

i'lliltr; :t:l '..til'W AA SAAAA

A simple developing move which

(however,

a good position

guarantee victory both games!).

does not

- the Russian

lost

9.

6f6-e8 Otherwise, 9...4h5 10.93 fS 11.695 6fe t2.exf5 Axf5!, and it is nor clear which is more important: White's possession of e4 or Black's possession of d4.

10.

Eal-cl

Or l0.Ae1 fs 11.4d3 6f6 rz.f3. transposing to Variation 83. 10. ... t7-t5 gdl-b3t? \ 11. This was Taimanov's reply, but today it is more common to play I 1.4g5!? hf6 12.exfS.

11.

Stopping

... b7-b6 c5 and liberating

trg

B) 9. Acl-95 More dangerous than it looks: Eingorn first came up with the idea and now it is a favourite of Pelletier's. White intends to follow up with 6d2, creating a type of deferred Petrosian Variation.

9.

ah5 gives Black nice play). After 10.Axf6 Axf6 t 1.b+ Ag7 12.c5 f5 13.4d2, White's queenside initiative is further advanced than usual. but at the price of conceding the advantage of the bishop pair. It is not clear if it is worth it.

10.6f3-e1!? Allowing the knight to intrude on f4. After 10.g3 h6 11.9d2 f5 12.exfS 6xf5!, both sides have chances.

10.... 11. 6e1-d3

the

g6xf5 h7-h6 Ac8xe6

15. d5xe6 The position is unclear; the e6 pavrn will probably be captured, but White will receive good compensation on the light squares.

af6-h5

And the bishop looks a little bit as if it is hanging in the air. The other critical idea is 9...h6 as White has to exchange his bishop (10.4h4

c8-bishop.

12.e4xt5 13.6f3-g5 14. Ag5-e6

€1,

l..r*i^A

A) 9. Ac1-d2 allows White to postpone the decision as to where to best develop the king's knight. This was very rarely played before I 97 l. It then became fashionable after Taimanov obtained good positions when he played it twice against Fischer

,g

Def.ence

12.

ah5-t4 6t4xe2+

Wdlxe2

Also here you wonder if it is a good idea to move the knight many times, only to exchange it off for White's bad bishop! There are few certainties in the opening phase of the game, which probably explains its endless fascination.

3ll

-

Chess Opening Essentiols

EI AlIIU

lll e

-€J

'1

Volume

3

path of the

H 6Sa E

E

ar AI IA

AI

A.:.i A

AA AA

HtlatlA

12....

A

t7-t5

c) 9. at3-d2

Eg E€ ll ,l arEr E

I

I l^ +

chr

A

':l

I

/AAAA nA \ EAAl_1 g AW F? .0a g

This move became popular in

the

1960's, and ever since has always had many admirers; an incomplete but impressive list includes Mikhail Gurevich, Ftacnik, Gleizerov, Lputian and Sakaev. This knight move prevents ...4h5, prepares to support the centre with f2-f3 and after c4-c5, the idea is to transfer the knight to c4, where it will be ideally placed. Naturally, there are also drawbacks: compared to the knight on d3 in Variation E the d2 knight does not support the advance c4-c5, it blocks the 312

allows

will

in Variation E. a number of games have demonstrated that it is prudent for Black to take preventive measures before attacking the white king. For example, after the direct 9...4d7 10.b4 fs tr.f3 f+ n-.cst af6 13.0c4 95 14.4a3! 696 15.b5 Ae8 16.b6, White's attacking forces have arrived, whereas Black is still some distance from threatening the white king. The same can also be said for 9...4e8. A radical alternative is 9...c5. It was chosen by Fischer in his famous 1 9 7 I Candidates' match with Larsen. which ended in a remarkable 6-0 whitewash. Although it is true that the knight can no longer go to c4, White can still obtain good play on the queenside with l0.Eb1 Ae8 11.b4 b6 12.bxc5 bxcS 13.Wa4Ah6 14.4b3. There js also the very old 9..,4h6, with the idea of getting rid of the bad bishop, even though nobody plays it anymore. It is indeed hard to fustify moving the bishop three times only to exchange it for its counterpart still on its original square. It is also important we

13. t2-f4l? White has a nice lead in development, but he has opened the game to the advantage of Black's two bishops. The result: an unclear position.

l.A

it

moves before advancing his pawn to b4 (a2-a3 and Ebt). Unlike the lines that

F? .$1

FT

bishop and

9. a7-a5l By a good margin, the most played: now White will need to make two

.&

aa rllfr A

cl

Black to play ...4h6.

see

to remember that as far as the bishop is concerned, 'bad'does not always mean 'worthless'!

As Tarrasch wrote: Before the

endgame,

the gods haae placed the middlegame. For

example, in the absence of the g7 bishop, after the push ...f7-f5, White can more confidently take on f5 as

King's Indion

Delence

until Black moves

Black no longer threatens to favourably open the game with an ...e5-e4 ad-

plays waiting moves the knight from d7.

vance.

13. Wd1-c2 The pawn move 13.f3 is also very pop-

1O.

a2-a3

af6-d7

The positional c4-c5 sacrifice is no lon-

ular.

ger viable without the possibility of Aa3 and Biack can begin his usual counrerplay. 10...4d7, with the 'threat' of ...a5-a4, is also very common. After I 1.b3, the following manoeuvre is very interesting: 1 1...4c81? 12.Ebl ab6, and if White now advances b2-b4. Black can reduce the pressure with ...8-:a4, even though his position

13.... Ae7-g8l? Another possibility is 13...4f6 14.f3 axb4 15.axb4 c6l (by attacking the centre, Black stops c4-c5) 16.€hl g5!?, with unclear play. 14. t2-t3 Or the less predictabie 14.exf5!? gxfS 15.f4, with a complicated game. 14.... Ag8-f6 15. Ae2-d3! Forcing Black to close the position. 15.... t5-t4 16.6c3-b5 b7-b6!

remains somewhat passive.

11. 12.

Eal-b1 b2-b4

I7-t5 €g8-h8!

EAgE& *3r*4fi r ll iri xA*:r:;:: ^ :' AA

In an attempt to stop c4-c5.

17. c4-c5l? Played all the same! l7 ergetic.

17.

A

$ ffi '-:t :t fie$a$

d6xc5

18. b4xa5 19. Q:d2-c4

**trgw*tr

vacates the

g8-square, which could be useful for the knight, and

...

17...bxc5 18.4b3! axb4 19.axb4 cxb4 20.6xc7 , and White is doing better.

':,7::

A subtle waiting move; it

.A,bl is less en-

it also takes the king off

And at last the knight arrives on c4! 19. ... traS-a8

20. a3-a4 E

the long light-squared diagonal. This makes it safer to undermine White's

*::

centrewith ...c7-c6. However, the main advantage

:;::l

is

that

White will have difficulty to develop

a

constructive plan on the queenside. The c4-c5 advance has been stopped for the time being, and playing Ab3 in order to suppoil this pawn push denies White the possibility of transferring the knight to c4. For this reason, White

tra8xa5

?::.4 t:::t]:

t

A

nr at

iii:i:

z)

t

:li

t: E' $e

ta: 1t]:

&

x A:ti: Ei I

n {.2, ,\ j:-rli:: z) A

::;.:.1

{gE 'et

Ait ,A..-. A

'': :---:

A

-.

*:t:

*,

.,

A irtil )< )
.-. .. - H,.e^ a \E/

White has obvious compensation for the pawn, with a slightly better game. 313

Chess Opening Essenticls

- Volume 3

D) 9. b2-b4 This was a marginal line for decades, and then it suddenly became highly popular in the 1990's after its adoption by Bareev, Epishin, Van Wely, and, most influentially Kramnik. At the time of writing, it is the number one choice and it is the most serious challenger to the Mar del Plata Variation.

E

.tuAB

,€

€'''

l,i fir Er I al

t.l't,l :',,r,g

AA

:a.

.

A

.it, A\. 1:...5

A :g

..

gAAA

Ag-,,ttr

€

tics are marked by sudden ups

arrd

downs, but after a while effective countermeasures are discovered and results enter the normal band. It is worth remembering chat in recent rimes openings that were once considered to be doubdul have been re-evaluated and they are now

- the Albin Counter-Gambit, the Chigorin De considered perfectly playable

fence, the Evans Gambit and the Budapest Gambit, just to mention a few. It is therefore impossible to imagine that an established line such as the Mar del Plata Variation will ever be refuted. Let's rerurn to the specifics. The critical continuation is obviously 9. af6-h5 With the idea of activating the knight on f4 and making an ...f7-f5 advance.

immediatelv turns his attention to the c4-c5 advance. The direct thrusting na-

Another attempt to highlight the shortcomings of 9.b4 is 9...a5, which exploits the fact drat it is impossible for White to play a2-a3, and thus Black can break up White's pawn front. The result

ture of the move inspired the name Bayonet Attack. At the beginning, it

is an atypical pawn structure characterised by a semi-open b-fiIe, which forces

was considered harmless enough, but in the 1990's, new improvements were discovered that quickly revealed how dangerous it is (see 10.Eel!). For a while, Black continued to try various aggressive replies in the hope of gaining an advantage. However, this ap-

Black to defend b7, but at the same time denies White the chance to make pawn

White does not take precautionary measures against ...Ahs and ...f5, but

proach backfired and allowed White to gain excellent results. With the establishment of the Bayonet's reputation,

now have l0.Aa3 (more frequent than l0.bxa5, which gives Black the option of 10...c51?) 10...axb4 1l.Axba 2,d7 12.a+ gln6 (preventing breaks. We

Ag5 before advancing ...f/-f5) 13.a5 fs 14.4d3 €hs 1s.Ad2 698, and White has only a minimal advantage. After 9...6h5, White has three continu-

players appreciated that it was necessary to approach it with more caution, and

ations:

in 2005, its performance was back in

10. c4-c5 This move had a mini-boom at the beginning of the 1990's, but now it is seen less often. White is prepared to concede

line with other King's Indian variations. This is a cornmon phenomenon; with the discovery of a novelry performance statis-

31+

Dl)

King's Indion one of his bishops and to open the diagonal for the black bishop in exchange for advancing his queenside initiative.

10....

it

has

scored satisfactorily.

Ac1xf4

ter I l.2ld2! the knight has to return to f5 blocking the path of the f-pawn. 11. Af3-g5!

ah5-t4

10...f5 may be less thematic, but 11. 12.

Delence

e5xf4

E*:Eg

*r*

tral-cl

=

n

*.

,i'

Now the knight is ready to go to e6. It is true that after the exchange, the e6 pawn is a goner, but White obtains nice compensation on the light squares. 1 1. ... ah5-f6 12....

h7-h6

The most common move;

it

malces

12.1243 t5-t4 More active than 12...c6 13.9e3! f4

ready for ...g5 and ...6g6.Another pos-

r+.g:n.

sibility is 12...a5 l3.ab5l?, with un-

13. €91-g2l? The king consolidates his defences by

clear play.

13. af3-d4 Centralising the knight seems best.

13....

protecting 93 and by preventing an invasion on h3. The double capture on f4 allows I 5...Afxd5 !, whereas I 3.c5!? dxcS l? is interesting. Another option is 13.b5 (to

96-95

14. Ae2-h5

With the plan of taking on g5

after

...69614.

...

15.a2-a3 15. a3xb4

a7-a5 a5xb4 c7-c6!

With a complicated game.

stop ...c7-c6) 13...h6! 14.6e6 Axe6 l5.dxe6 firg3 l6.hxg3 Bc8 17.4d5 9xe6 18.Axc7 gh3 19.Enn (in an attempt to win - after the capture on a8 there is perpetual check) 19...4xe4! 20.trh2 WaZ zt.Axa8 hxg3, and Black has obtained optimum compensarion.

D2,

10. g2-g3

The old main line. White controls f4 but weakens the light squares in front of the king.

10.... t7-t5 It would be great if Black had time to play 10...h6 before this advance, but af-

13....

c7-c6

Of the many playable alternatives, this seems to be the most logical. After the exchange on e6 the knight loses access to d5. At this point, a possible continuation could be:

14.

gdl-b3

h7-h6 3r5

Chess Opening Essentiols

15.695-e6

d5xe6 trfl-dl

16. 17. 1 7...Wxe6? 18.trxd61.

-

Volume

3

Ac8xe6 Bd8-c8 Ef8-d8!

18.6c3-d5!? Rather than lose a piece, White chooses to sacrifice a piece.

c6xd5

18. ... 19. c4xd5

variation! It can only make you wonder what theoretical breakthroughs are in store for us in the years ahead! The beautifully simple idea of the rook

E 'gE s

tl lahrl a , Al

-e.

A g . A

F? H

/A Fi EH

This is the strongest move according to the results at hand. What is mind-boggling is that this move did not come to Iight until 1995. The Bayonet had been played again and again over a 4O-year period at the highest levels, yet after all that time such a strong novelty was discovered only two half-moves into the

AI .AA A gA

move is that it vacates the f1 -square for the bishop in the event of ...6f+. 10. ... t7-t'l Experience has demonstrated that after

10...4f+ 1l.Afl the knight is not so well placed on f4: for example, after 1 I ...f5 there is I 2.Axf4! exf4 1 3 .e5 I . with a plus for White.

that White has gained suf{icient compensation for the loss of a piece for just one pawn. However, it is important to appreciate the paralysing effect the e6 pawn has on Black's position. It is noteworthy that some of the materially conscious chess

11. Af3-s5! ah5-f6 After 11...4f4 l2.9xf+ exf4 13.Ec1.

engines give Black only an advantage of a less than one pawn. This is probably an accurate evaluation.

D31) 12. f2-f3 The most solid. White supports the centre with a slight subsequent weak-

It is difficult to believe

White

has scored favourably.

Now White can choose between two equally effective schemes

:

ening of the dark squares.

D3)

10. trf1-e1!

E Eg Eg lrr I arar 'l ,'

utu

AA )<

a

l-1 ."

:l

Egg 316

P

u /AA..AA

qala.l F? I EE

c$1

12.... af6-h5!? An odd-looking innovation: now that h5 is no longer controlled, Black relocates the knight (...4f6-h5-f6-h5!). After the normal 12...c6 13.4e3 gh5 (threatening ... f+) 1+.h4! White appears to be a little bit better.

12...€hS is worth a look: 13.c5!? h6 14.4e6 Axe6 15.dxe6 d5! l6.exdS afxds 17.Axd5 Wxd5!. with a balanced game.

King's Indicn Defence

- ':

ag EE II A.E I ll J\r * L^a AA s 6

13. c4-c5 (leaving the g7-square for knight) 14.8)e6 Axe6 l5.dxe6 f4 the

13.g3

Af6!

16.g+ Q:g7 , and Black has an edge.

13.

,' ..

ahs-14

...

14.9e2-c4 After 14.Axf+ exf+ 1 5.Ec I , the position is the same as that in the note after Black's 1 1th move. The strange thing is that White has played the two extra moves, f2-f3 and c4-c5, but the position favours Black! 14. ...

*98-h8

EAgE*

llr

ch Er ll a a,l ra

AA t4) ,\A

a

trggtr€

AA

This position is complicated and any result is possible. One of many possible Iines is:

g2-g3 16.695-e6 17. d5xe6 18. f3xe4 15.

With

h7-h6!

Af4xe6 f5xe4 Oe7-c6

F?

A.A

ZI

r$1

it is difficult to know what White's best plan is: we are dealing with a position that is still in a state of theoretical flux. At the time of writing, three moves 13.9b3 (Bacrot), 13.4e3 (Kraninik) At this

stage,

13. Ac1-b2 (Shirov) are vying for the top spot. A promising reply to this last move is: 13. ... h7-h6! 14. Ag5-e6 AcSxeG 15. d5xe6 f5xe4 16. 6c3xe4 hf6xe4 17. trelxe4! d6-d5 18. c4xd5 c6xd5 19. Ee4xe5! Positionally forced.

19....

20. Ab2xe5 21. Ae5-b2!

an unclear game.

D32) 12.4e2-f3 The favourite move. White wishes to establish lively piece play.

c7-c6 The most logical reaction; without a pawn on f3 to support the centre, Black sers about demolishing it with exchanges on e4 and d5. a

ll

n :,.',

UU A

I

l1

[

.

L

l

..,,,1

/\

aI AAA

A.\ AE

rr

ig7xeS gd8-b6

E&

eE

12....

There is no need to say that this is high-risk strategy.

Ag

ts?.r

and

AA

AAA A

a

B:

A

TU

a9-)

317

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume

3

White has received optimum compen_ sation for the exchange; his domination of the dark-square diagonal is evident, but if Black plays correcrly White will probably not gain an objective advan_ tage.

for White wirh rhe d7 knight ready ro occupy e5. The only advantage of playing ...6e8 is to con_ trol the c7-square, which can be useful in a few lines in which White quickly less appealing

opens the c-file.

That said,

E) 9. 6f3-el

This move used to be the most played, but now it has slipped to second place.

trol the important b+-, f+-

9.

-Eg .:&.':.. lr IT. ,', 4hA E E._. aa l, l r A jr

tl'',

.ti\n -, A r,

and

it is sometimes

A A

E

at6-d7

to quickly prepare for

...f7 -f5, which in effect is the only plan available to Black in this line.

Sometimes Black does in fact play 9...4e8 with the same idea, but given that the knight almosr always ends up on f6, it does not change much. Only in a few lines do we see small differences. Generally, it is preferable to place the knight on d7 as it makes the c4-c5 advance more difficult. In addi_ tion, a possible f2-f4 push becomes 318

rhar

IE

usefully posted on f2 so as to defend its monarch against a kingside attack.

The plan is

noring

tion was to encourage l0.Ae3. In_ deed, in the line 10...f5 ll.f3 f4 l}.gf} 95 ir is true that, unlike in Variation E2, White can immediately play I 3.c5 !. It is also rrue rhar in some lines Black can recapture on d6 with the knight; a possible continuation is: 13...h5 14.a4 trf6 (a typical way of getting ro g6) 15.cxd6 Axd6!? 16.4d3 Eg6 17.6c5.

The plan, besides the usual objectives of stopping ...4h5 and preparing f2-f3, is to move the knighr to d3, from where ir can support the c4-c5 advance and con_

e5-squares. In addition,

it is worth

Kasparov played 9...6eg a couple of times in the 1990's; perhaps his inten_

q\

.

..:..,

2{

Alr.A SEA2l

g .:. E.g

,rr.

At first glance White seems to be clearly better, but a more accurate examination would suggest that Black's counterplay is sufficient to maintain the balance.

Probably White's best response to 9...6e8 is 10.f3 f5 H.g4! along the lines of Variation El, in which the knight cannot be developed to c5.

wili now rerurn to 9...4d7 and discuss White's three principal options: We

10.f3, 10.4e3 and 10.ad3.

King's Indion

Delence

Which introduces the idea of ...4g8 and ...Ahe. After the old 11...4f6 t2.ad3 c6! 13.4e3 €hs 14.h3 a5

l5.an,White

is somewhat better.

12. g4'95r.?

An interesting attempt to keep the kingside closed. 12.4e3 Ag8 13.9d2 f+ t+.Afz h5l 15.h3 Afe is sarisfacrory for Black.

E1) 10. f2-f3 This can transpose to one of the two following variations. Here we will look at one specific line: 10.... t7-t5 11. g2-g4l? This move was introduced to the world by Portisch in 1956 and it was later of-

Also 12.692 a5l 13.h4 Ac5 l4.Ae3 Ag8 gives Black a promising position. 6e7-g8 12. ... 13. h2-h4 A &€'

- )< ,'/rA .vz)a AA/frA aes

)<

'E-

tr agatr€

tl

11.94 is a strange-looking move; adin front of the king Iooks like an act of suicide. However. this is not the case as the typical black attack is centred on the ...f5-f4 push followed by ...g5-ga.If 11...f+ is played vancing the pawns

immediately, White will respond with 12.h+1, and Black will have problems opening lines of attack. For this reason. Black maintains central tension with the flexible

11.

...

€g8-h8!

H E]

aE

iI'A.* e I ii-'

:la,atr /t 2<

ten played by Benko and Pinter.

E.*8' ,. tg.&..:. Xf ,An lEf ll 1* ::::Atrr::i

illr

'' -:

I i::::

:]lJl

/1 -2<::

r\-A 14)

'A

r.ZJ:.

:i,:..r

&6

i:::i:

gfitr ... €g1-92

h7-h6 13. 14. t5-t4 In an attempt to win the 95 parn'n. 15. trf8-f7 This rook move is played with the idea

trf1-h1

of ...4g7-f8-e7.

16.6e1-d3 Ag7-f8 17. Wd1-91 HI7'h7 18. €g2-f1

H

e

ASlr &:

*,,rxax l

i*.,.xat n ,'-.

...- i1 --

A A A'J

n /\

):\',\-.. tq\:..

ga,€ H

i*r* :i€ riiX:

.l:

/11 U:

a1

--*rrff

"T'E

.'.:

;:.]

:]::

l:riila

€gtr

319

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume

3

The 95 pawn is weak, yet it paralyzes Black's position. If Black continues with

the obvious 1 8...4e7, the

sacrifice

10. 11. 12.

ising.

Ae3-f2

96-95

E Eg E€ IIIAA ET I al I A AI q)a .'AgAA AA gatr€

10. Ac1-e3

E Ag E& lrlaihrEr '' l'I

,\A

s

AA AA

,,,$A ,.gAAA AA, gatrg tr

t7-t5 t5-t4

Naturally, Black does nor rhink rwice

tg.6:xf+tZ exf4 20.9xf4 is verv Drom-

ED

... t2-t3

At this

stage, White has tried many moves, none of which has proved to be clearly superior.

As we said at the beginning

of this section, this move was first played by Taimanor,-. However. there are some who rightly call it the Kortchnoi Yariation in honour of this man's significant contributions to the line from the

E21) 13.6e1-d3

E Ag Eg lrlalh Er I Al ll A AI

1980's on. The line has been the subject of debate, and it is one of the sharpest variations in

the entire King's Indian. The bishop on e3 favours the ...f5-f4 pawn push, with an acceleration of Black's attack. and once the bishop is on f2, it is exposed to the pavm advance to 93. However, it also equaily true that on f2 the bishop can effectively contribute to Whitet queenside assault by attacking a7 and controlling the important b6-square. In short, we are dealing with a race. Performance results reflect the small advantage that White always has. It comes as no surprise that this is the King's Indian line with the lowest draw rate - lower than that of the Four Pawns Attack. 320

6aa

AA gAAAA

tr

tr€

It

seems oniy natural to support the c4-c5 advance, but this move is not played anymore because the knight on d3 leaves the kingside unprotected.

13.... 14. c4-c5 15. Ea1-cl 16. c5xd6 17. Oc3-b5

6d7-i6 6e7-g6

trtB-t7 c7xd6 g5-g4l Black has a promising initiative. The pawn cannot be taken as e4 would be left hanging.

King's Indian

E2D 13.b2-b4 Logical, but recently players have preferred trying to advance the pawn to c5

Delence

However, Black can always reply more energetically:

trf8-f6t?

13....

without losing this tempo. 13.... ad7-t6 14. c4-c5 Ae7-96 15. Ea1-c1 Ef8-f7 16. c5xd6 Before Black can recapture on d6 with the bishop after ...9f8. 16.... c7xd6 17. a2-a4 Ag7-f8!

.l I A A /iA EAAA

cb tr€ E

-

lr

A $llf

a@,,.

-F

I

A

A

AA

,)\ q)

li A

With the brutal plan of ...Eh6 and ...We8-h5, and checkmate will be deIivered along the h-file as h2-h3 will be met by the devastating...4xh3, whereas h2-h4 after ...696 only suc-

E t:r,,, I AA','''':..

*

I,

''.':."

A'.,1.''

ceeds in delaying the inevitable by a few moves. However, White is not just go-

AAA A

trg atrg

...94-93, it is best to have the h5-square

ing to sit there twiddling his thumbs. One defensive option is 14.4d3 so as to transfer the knight to f2 and then play h2-h3. Otherwise, there is 14.9h1 so that h2 can be defended by Ag1. But

free for the knight.

the most energetic is

Kasparov's contribution,

which is

an

improvement on the old 17...h5: after

18.

a4-a5

Ac8-d7! Black is not worried about 19.4b5, which by weakening e4 makes 19...g4! possible, with a powerful attack. 19.

€sl-hl!

A strong prophylactic move. Now any result is possible.

E23) 13. Ea1-c1 The idea is that after Black

plays 13...496, there is the interesting sacrifice: 14.c5!? (Kozul) 14...4xc5 15.b4

6a6 with compensation afrer 16.ab5 or 16.Od3, given that on a6 the knight

a

14.4-c5l 15. b2-b4 16. 17.

sacrifice.

Ael-d3 a2-a4

Ad7xc5 hc5-a6 trf6-ho Wd8-e8

EA.g*

llr' .1,n Er E

A',,, ,,,.1,

.rilr'Al l

AA .',',,'

AI

,6;6,',"':: A

:

AAAA

,$.P, 'f, S

has been sidelined.

321

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume

3

18. €g1-h1! Forced. so that the threat

13....

of 18...9h5 with can be parried 19.Agl. At this

point, it is no simple task to give

b7-b6!

The knight move is shown to be

a

waste

of time.

a con-

&=

crete evaluation of each side's respective

r

prospect on the wings. White's queenside initiative seems to be further advanced, but there is no need to point out that weak pawns are a less noble target than the enemy's king.

x

E2D 13.6c3-b5

€e* -r rtaff t '*ag *:$,*;3 E

iH

We are now in a version of Variation E22 in which Black has played the extra

A...A/\.A.'\] - $$aa' al-

moves ...a6 and ...b6. These moves mav not be particularly useful, but they certainly have not done his position any harm.

;itsfftr€

Kortchloi's idea from 1987 had a couple of initial successes, only to find itself quickly abandoned. The strategic concept is to eliminate the fundamentally important c8 bishop after 13...a6 14.Q-:a7 . Do not forget that Black's chances of successfirlly attacking the kingside are reduced to practically zero without the light-squared bishop, which supports ...g5-94 and attacks the h3-point. This is ffue not only in this line, but for aI the Mar del Plata variations. The tactical justification for the move lies in the fact that after 14...Hxa7 15.AxaZ b6 16.b4 Aal t7.c5 dxcs

18.trc1, every attempt to capture the bishop on a7 has failed. However, unfortunately for White, after the simple 322

a7-a0

A *AX

lr :::A''At::: ::: A

14. b2-b4 15. Ab5-c3

E25) 13. a2-a4

H"-=

A

-r. E::---rj---

==

A== A ==

#

=*

*r

=Affi=€. -.==-

a-=a. -A=== =A=A* w#tr#

An attempt, yet again by Kortchnoi, to improve the previous line. This time with success: 13.a4 is now the most popular line! The idea is that after abs b6. White plays a4-a5 and Black does not have time to play ...a6 because of axb6.

13....

a7-as

King's Indicn

Def.ence

This is considered to be the most reliable. Another possibility is 13...696 (it is wise to keep the knight on d7, from

With a typical position characterised by attacks on opposite wings. Perhaps White has an edge, but in practice,

where it prevents the advance c4-c5) 14.a5 trf7 15.c5!? (seeking to exploit the a2-g8 diagonal) 1 5...6xc5 16.Axc5dxc5 17.A.c4

Black's chances are good.

E3)

NAA

TI

tr

:Eg

E

€ EEg I r I EEr

A IAI A AI AA

10.6e1-d3

E&

ll :IAATET

rI

,''ll' :',Al

, ,..,,,

AA

,\ F' q)q)

gAAA aw tr€

,

AA AA

AA

FT

WAE€

17...€h8 18.a6!, with unclear compen-

In the past, this was considered to be the main line; now it looks a little

sation.

old-fashioned.

14.6e1-d3

10....

b7-b6

15. Af2'e1!? So as to vacate the f2-square for the knight, and to recapture on b4 with the bishop. Another possibility is the immediate

There is no need to immediately play

11.f3; after l1.exf5 gxf5 l2.f+ 696,

with the knight on d7, White

18.6c3-b5

11.

ad7-t6 h7-h5

trf8-f7 Ag7-f8

19. b2-b4

EAgAs I 6E lla ra al ll AAA AI '...,'

AA ]'A A

tr

AAA gatrg.

has

achieved nothing.

15.b4axb4 16.4b5!?

15.... 16. ad3-f2 17. h2-h3

f7-ts

11. Ac1-d2

ad7-f6

...

positional error: after 12.9.g+1, White exchanges off his bad

1

| . ..f4? is a grave

bishop with

a

clear plus.

Fischer's suggestion 1 1...c5 has not stood the test of time: after 12.trb1! af6 13.f3 f+ 1+.b+ b6 15.bxc5 bxcs

16.trb2! 19.Wa4

95 17.an hs 18.h3 trf7

AfS 20.8fb1. White's initia-

tive is at a more advanced stage. it is not in the spirit of the

Even though

King's Indian, Black can simplify with

l1...fxe4 12.Axe4 6fs t3.Ac3l Af6 14.4f3, and White's advantage is minimal. 12.

t2-t3

f5-f4 323

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

The standard way to proceed. The flexi-

ble 12...€h8!? has steadily

become

more popular since the 1990's. It keeps

the position fluid. After 13.trc1 c6 l4.Ae3 a6, White is a little better, but

24.

E3.t-r

the position is complex enough to offer Black opportunities.

9

13.... 14.

c5xd6

17.Afz Ehs. s6-s5 c7xd6

&Wi::rA6A

E tr

t fi6.=4

we have an unclear position.

tral-c1

..'.W=E€ 15.... 16. h2-h3 17. Bd1-c2 18. trf1-c1

17.

.

...

.

6f6-e8

Q.e7-gG

h5xg4 b7-b5! BdSxbG Now so as to not give back the g+ pawn, White has to play:

u.trn,

and White has

an advantage.

18.a2-a4

h7-h5

An interesting sacrifice.

32+

White perseveres with the idea of oc7

20.o,e6 9Ue+

Ef8-f7 a7-a6 Stopping AbS followed by 6xa7. &97-f8 19. a2-a4 2O. a4-a5 S5-g4!?

21.t3x94 22.h3xg4 23. a5xb6

The b5 knight cannot be captured: after 16...9b6+ 17.an the e2 bishop defends it.

The attempt 17...g4 does not work because of l8.hc7 gxf3 19.gxf3 Ah3

E31) 15. Ad3-f2 the other rook can go to cl

6e7-g6 trf8-f7

17. Bd1-c2

*..

Aiii;:A&

So

i:::

'-:.

16.6c3-b5

::'a

g,.''

.'..

E32) 15.

,: fit,* ir; A,t i- :=

tra8-b8

* :aC a al

fashionable in the 1990's and it is in the spirit of Variation E1. Nowadays it is little played, given that Black has achieved good results after 13...g5! la.Ael h5

€fl

Wb6-a7

,,::.: '*Ea:.' L':ii,,' '* A=

13. c4-c5 The classical reply 13.94 was briefly

1s.h3 A96 16.€92

dc3-a4 Ad2-a5

25. And after 26. g4-g5l

h7-h5

18...a6 weakens the b6-square (Aa3-c4 and Aa5).

19. 1

9...9d7

|

?

ad3-f2

Ag7-f8

is a recent alternative.

20. h2-h3 20.6xa7 is no longer considered dangerous. After 20...4d71 (20...trc7 2l.AaS is less clear) 2l.ab5 Eg7 22.h3 Ah4, Black has excellent attacking chances, even if at this stage the chess engines struggle to assess accurately the extent of Black's compensation.

King's Indian

Et7-sT As6-ha

20.... 21. Wc2-b3

22.trc1-c2

E ASAA€g I 1,.,.. I ,

A,ii,:i..

A

W

A

I lr I AI Jh

AA

AtrAAAA

trg

With the idea of doubling the rooks on the c-fiIe. This move also defends 92 (the importance of which we will appreciate after Black's ...g5-g4). 22.... a7-a6l In some lines the advance ...g5-g4 is better when the knight is away from b5. 23.6b5-a3 6e8-f6! 24.9.d2-e1l White does not have the time to play Efcl. With a coming ...g4, it is essential to keep open the option of Axh4 and to clear the second rank for the c2 rook.

24....

h3xg4 26.f3xg4

95-94 h5xg4

25.

27.9e2x94 28.6:t2xg4

6f6xg4 Ac8xg4 Eg7xg4

E&,

Defence

who in turn has adequately defended his queenside. The position is dynamically

White

has parried Black's attack,

balanced: White

till

has some chances

on the queenide, and Black can still mount

an attack on the kingside.

Speelman,]onathan

grrnn,]ohn

Hastirgs 1987/88 (10)

1.Af3.AJ6 2.eA gG 3,Dc3 AgT 4.e4' dG 5.d4 0-O 6.4e2 e5 7.O-O 6cG 8.9e3 tre8 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.h3 Ae6 11.c5 Be7 12.Wc2 trad8 13.Ead1 Exdl 14.trxd1 Edg 15.9b5 trxd1+ 16.Wxd1 Ad7 17.4c4 Ae6 18.4d5 gd7 19.9b3 b6 2O.AxeG fxe6 21.9c4 hG 22.b4 6h5 23.93 €h7 24.*g2 ad4 25.b5 Axf3 26.*xf3 4lf6 27.a4 h5 28.c6 Wf7 29.€e2 gh6 30.Axh6 &xh6 31.h4 We7

32.abl gdo 33.4d2,,g5 34.gdg WcS

35.9d8

r-o

Diuric,stefan Touzane,Olivier Montpellier 1997

1.d4

aI6 2.eA gG 3.6c3 Ag7 a.e4

d6 s.afg 0-0 6.&e2 e5 7.0-0 6c6 8.Ae3 6s4 9.4s5 f5 10.4c1 6h6 11.h3 exd4 12.6xd4 Axd4 13.9xd4

Ae6 14.4e3 atl 15.9d2

c6

16.tradl tse7 17.b3 €h8 18.f4 f5 199d4 Eg8 20.Af3 fxe4 21.6xe4 trad8-,22.8fe1 cb 23.Axg7+ ExgT 24.9c39h425.Aft 1-0 TaimanovrMark ','l Fischer,Robert ,' ,

'

Yancouver march 1971 (3)

1.d4 AfG

2.4

gG

3.6c3 9:97

4.e4

d6 5.4f3 0-0 6.9e2 e5 7.0-0 6c6 325

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume

3

8.d5 6e7 9.gd2 AeB 10.8c1 f5 11.Wb3 bG 12.exf5 gxfS 13.695 at0 14.t4 h6 15.fxe5 dxe5 16.c5 Afxd5 17.6xd5 Axd518.cxb6 axb6 19.8c6 €hB 20.afs Ab7 21.896 at4 22.Axt4 exf4 23.trd1 We7

fxg2+ 31.€91 Axe4 32.Wxe4 6f3+ 33.€xg2 6d2 o-l

24.He6 WcS+ 25.sf1

EfdB

31.Bxc6 Wxc6 32.Exd8

Wf6

1.d4 af6 2.c4 gG 3.4c3 Ag7 4.e4 dG 5.4f3 0-0 6.4e2 e5 7.0-0 6c6 8.d5 Q-'e7 9.8-:d2 a5 1O.a3 4ld7 l1.trbl t5 12.b4 €h8 13.f3 6g8 14.Wc2 6gf6 15.Ad3 f4 16.abs b6 17.c5 dxcS 18.bxa5 Exa5 19.6c4 tra8 2O.a4 6e8 21.a5 Aa6 22.Ad2 Axb5 23.Exb5 Ad6 24.trb2 We7

26.Exd8+ trxd8 27.Wa4 Wc1+ 28.9f2 AfB 29.b4 Ae4 30,8e8 Ac6 33.8c8 Se7 34.€f1 gh7 35.4d4

Ag7 36.ab5 9e5 37.a3 gdz 38.tra8 f3 39.gxf3 Axh2 40.€92 Wg7+ 41.€xh2 WeS+

42.&g1

o-1

AfB 30.Ac1 g5 31.9b2 gf6

6f6 2.6c3 96 3.e4 d6 4.d4

9s7 5.6f3 0-0 6.Ae2 e5 7.0-0 6c6 8.d5 Ae7 9.Ad2 4d710.b4 f5 11.c5

dxcS 12.bxc5 Axc5 13.4a3 Axe4 14.6dxe4 fxe4 15.hxe4 Ef4 16.dG cxd6 17.4c4+ €f8 1S.hxd6 Af6

19.9b3 gb6 2o.gb5 9g5 21.g3 EfO 22.6e4 trtS 23.Axg5 Exg5 24.Ead1 e4 25.Wc3 trxbS 26.Wh8+ 1-o

LarsenrBent Fischer,Robert

I (a) 1.c4 96 2.6t5 As7 3.d4 Af6 4.6c3 0-0 5.e4 d6 6.4e2 e5 7.0-O 6c6 8.d5 Ae7 9.4d2 c5 10.Eb1 6e8 11.b4 bO 12.a4t513.a5 6f6 14.Wa4 Ad7 15.Wa3 gh6 t6.gds Wc7 17.bxc5 bxcS 18.exf5 gxfS 19.trc2 aG 20.6de4 Axcl 21.4xf6+ Exf6 22.trfxc1 EafS 23.trb0 Acg 24.2re2 t4 25.A.e4 6f5 26.trc6 9g7 27.trb1 ah4 28.9d3 Afs 2e.€hl f3 30.4s3 Denver match 197

326

bxaS

27.4c6 trab8 28.Ea2 trt7 29.trxa5

Germany Bundesliga 2005/06 (2)

*f727.Wxh7+

Linares 1992 (3)

25.6xd6 Sxd6 26.9b5

Gurevich,Mikhail Mann,Christian 1.c4

Ivanchuk,Yasily Kasparov,Garry

32.9xd7 ExdT 33.trfa1 Ad6 34.Aa3

g4 35.Axc5 EgB 36.EaB Hg7 37.sh1 Wg6 38.AxdG cxd6 39.trc8 gxf340.Exg8+ ExgS 41.gxf3 Vz-Vz

Arlandi,Ennio Radiabov,Teimour St Vincent tt 2005 (l) 1.d4 Af6 2.c4 gG 3.6c3 Ag7 4.e4 dG 5.4f3 0-0 6.Ae2 e5 7.0-0 Ac6

8.d5 6e7 9.4d2 a5 10.a3 6d7 Il.trb1 tS 12,b4 €h8 13.Wc2 af6 14.gdl axb4 15.axb4 AdT t6.f3 c6 17.c5 cxdS 18.exd5

6fxd5 19.6c4

6xc3 20.Bxc3 e4

21.We1 d5 22.ab6 tra2 23.Ag5 We8 24.9:xe7 WxeT 25.6xd7 WxdT 26.Ac4 Ea3 27.Exd5 We7 28.fxe4 txe4 29.Ed3 traa8 30.trbd1 1Se5 31.Ee3 trae8 th-1/z 32.9d5 trdg Carlsen,Magnus Socko,Bartosz Germany Bundesliga 2008/09 (9)

1.d4 Af€ 2.c4 96 3.6c3 Ag7 4.e4

King's Indion

d6 5.4f3 0-0 6.€e2 e5 7.0-0 4c6 8.d5 QteT 9.b4 a5 10.bxa5 trxa5 11.a4 b6 12.3.d2 Ea8 13.6e1 4)e8 14.4d3 f5 15.f3 f4 16.flb5 g5 17.a5 c6 18.dxc6 6xc6 19.axb6 trxa1 20.89'xa1 Wxb6+ 21.*h1 Ef7 22.ab4 4ld4 2s.4ld5 Wa6 24.gd3 Ab3 25.9b2 6xd2 26.tra1 WcG 27.Wxd2 Ae6 28.Wa5 trd7 29.Ac2 Wxc4 30.Aa4 Axd5 31.exd5 e4 32.ka3 Wc7 33.Wxc7 HxcT 34.trei tra7 35.9xe8 trxa3 36.fxe4 94 37.4h5 g3 38.hxg3 fxgs 39.*sl tra2 40.8d1 Ae5 41.9f1 Ef2+ 42.&g1 €s7 43.8f1 sh6 44.9g4 trb2 45.9f5 ad4+ 46.€h1 trt2 47.trd1 trf4 48.tre1 Ae3 49.4h3 Hxe4 50.trd1 gd4 51.trf1 €:tz 52.8d1 €g5 53.AeO gf6 54.9h3 €e5 55.AeG €f4 56.8b1 gd4 57.tra1 €e3 58.tra3+ €d2 59.ef5 trh4+ 6o.eh3 tre4 61.Ea1 trd4 62.4g4 €c3 63.trc1+ gb2 54.9d1

trf4 65.4e6 Ad4 66.4h3 €c2 67.tre1 Ac3 68.trg1 Ef6 69.4e6 gh6+ 70.ghg Hhs 71.trf1 Exd5

72,9:t5+ €d2 73.Asa gd4 74-Hd1+ &c2 75.tre1 9:t2 76.4d1+ ec3 77.g:fg Ea5 78,trc1+ gb2 79.trd1 tra4 8O.Ed2+ €c3 81.8c2+ €xc2 82.9d1+ €d2 83.Axa4 d5 84.Ac2 hO 85.4e4 d4 86.4g6 €el 87.4f5 h5 88.494 h4 89.4f5 Ae3 90.4s5 €f2 91.9f5 ah6 Taimanov,Mark Gligoric,Svetozar SantaFe 1960 (7)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 gG 3.6c3 Ag74.e4 d6 5.4f3 O-O 6.4e2 e5 7.0-0 Ac6 8.d5

2,e7 9.b4

Def.ence

6h5 10.s3 f5 11.6s5 Af6

12.f3 hG 13.4eG AxeG 14.dxe6 c6

15.b5 Wc7 16.Eb1 EfdB 17.Wa4 gcg 18.bxc6 bxc6 19.Ae3 WxeG 2A€bT a5 21.trfbl t4 22.9't2 h5 23.trc7 trd7 24.trbb7 gxcT 25.Exc7

fxg3 26.hxgg gh6 27.c5 d5 28.exd5

cxdS 29.9b3 trcg 3O.gbG €f7 31.4b5 trxc7 32.Wxc7 €:18 33.Wxa5 6c6 34.WaE ad4 35.6xd4 exd4 36,Axd4 Drd7 37.cG 9c5 38.Axc5 6xc5 39.Wa7+ We7 40.rgb6 Wxe2 41.Wxc5 Wel+ 42.&g2 We2+ 43.9f2 Wc4 44.t9a7+ &tG 45.c7 Wc2+ 46.€h1 Bc1+ 41.&92 Bc2+ 48.9f2 Wxc749.Wd4+ €e6 50.9d3 €f6 51.Wxd5 Wc2+ 52.*h3 Wcl

53.9d4+

.€e6 54.we4+ €d7

55.&h4 Wd2 56.8e5 Wxa2 57.€95 gf2 58.9f4 Wb6 59.9ff+ €cB 60.wxg6 wd8+ 61.Sxh5 wdS+ 62.sh4 €b8 63.8g5 Wd1 64.Wf4+ *a7 65.We3+ €aG 66.94 Bd6 67.f4 1&h6+ 68.€g3 €b5 69.9d3+ €a4

70.95

1-0

Kramnik,Yladimir Kasparov,Garry Novgorod 1997 (5)

1.4f3 AfG 2.e.4 gG 3.4c3 Ag7 4.e4 dG 5.d4 0-0 6.4e2 e5 7.0-0 6c6 8.d5 Ae7 9.b4 AhS 10.8e1 6fa 11.9f1 a5 12.bxa5 Exa5 13.6d2 c5 14.a4 Ea6 15.9d3 g5 16.93 6h3+

17.Axh3 Axh3 18.9h5 gd7 19.9xg5 h6 20.Se3 f5 21.We2 f4 22.ab5 &h7 23.gxt4 exf4 24.€h1 Aga 25.4f3 AsG 26.8g1 Axf3+ 2?.Bxf3 he5 28.9h5 gf7 29.9h3 Axc4 30.trf3 AeS 31.6c7 Exa4

32.Axf4

1-o JL/

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume

3

8.d5 6,e7 9.b4 ahs 10.tre1 f5

Carlsen,Magnus Ivanchuk,Yasily Foros 2008

1.d4

(l)

af6 2.c4 gG 3.Ac3 Ag7 4.e4

d6 5.4f3

6.9e2 e5 7.0-O 6c6 9.b4 Ahs 10.tre1 fs 11.6s5 AfG 12.f3 €hB 13.b5 Ae8 14.4e3 Af6 15.6e6 Axe6 16.dxe6 697 17.AhG 6xe6 l8.Axf8 gxfS 19.c5 AxcS 20.Ac4 Ag5 21.Efe2 Wh6 22.trad1 trfg 23.a4 b6 24.g3 gh3 25.9s2 WhG 26.We2 Bh3

8.d5

O-O

Q-te7

27.€h1 6d7 28.8a1 gh6 29.Ha2 AfG 30.€g2 Ahs 31.Adb 6xd5 32.Axd5 Af4 33.Wf2 fxe4 34.Axe4 Bg5 35.Ec2 d5 36.Axd5 Axg3 37.hxg3 at4+ 38.sf1 4xd5

39.trce2

gf6 40.trxe5 Wxf3

41.gxf3 trxf3+ 42.&e2trf5 43.trxf5

gxfS 44.9d3 c5 45.Ee5 6b4+

46.€d2

1-O

€xg6 32.Axc6

bxc6

33.tre5 WxeG 34.Exe6 Exe6 35.894+ €f7 36.Wxd4 a6 37.94

trg8 38.f3 trfG 39.€f2 treB 40.8c4+ €g7 41.Wxa6 tref8 42.gd3 c5 43.a4 Ea8 44.8c3 €g6 45.Bxc5 trfa6 46.€93 trxa4 47.9d6+ :*fz 48.s5 tr8a6 49.9d7+ &s6 50.f4

traI 51.8d3+ *s7 52.9d4+ gg8

53.€94 Ela2 54.gdg+

Ss7

55.Efc7+ €gB 56.f5 Ea7 SZ.Wd8+

€97 58.f6+ gh7 59.9d3+ €h8

aan Zee 1998 (2)

1.6f3 96 2.d4 9:s7 3.c4 6f6 4.Q)c3 0-0 5.e4 dG 6.9e2 e5 7.0-0 6c6 8.d5 6le7 9.b4 Ahs 10.tre1 fs 11.hg5 Af6 12.4f3 c6 13.4e3 h6 14.6eG Axe6 15.dxe6 95 16.exf5 Axfs 17.9d3 6xe3 18.trxe3 We7 19.gd1 EadB 20.4e4 94 21.6xf6+ gxf6 22.gxg4 Wxf2+ 29.€hl trf4 24.trt9 gh4 25.Exf4 ext4 26.gfg We7 27.8e1 Ae5 28.Wg6+ Bg7 29.e7

1-O

Shirov,Alexey RadiaborlTeimour Linares 2004 (6)

1.d4 aI6 2.c4 g6 3.6c3 9gT 4.e4 d6 5.4e2 O-0 6.Afg e5 7.0-0 6c6 328

31.Wh4+

60.€f5 traB 61.Wh3+ €s8 62.€s6 tr2a7 63.We6+ €fg 64.9d6+ €g8 65.9d5+ €h8 66.ght+ 1-0

Kramnik,Vladirnir Niiboer,Friso wilk

11.6s5 AfG 12.9f3 c6 13.9b2 h6 14.6e6 9xe6 15.dxe6 fxe4 16.Axe4 6xe4 17.trxe4 d5 l8.cxd5 cxdS 19.Exe5 Axe5 20.Axe5 Wb6 21.$:b2 €h7 22.r$e2 d4 23.h4 trf6 24.Eel 9xb4 25.a3 SdG 26.hs traf8 27.We4 0lci 28.hxg6+ Sg7 29.4c1 We7 30.Axh6+ €xh6

Portisch,Lajos DelpPeter Budapest 1956

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 gG 3.6c3 Ag7 4.e4 d6 5.4f3 0-0 6.Ae2 e5 7.0-0 6c6 8.d5 6e7 9.4e1 Ad71O.f3 f5 11.g4 hO 12.h4 €h7 13.4e3 fxg4 14.txg4 Exfl+ 15.Axf1 Af6 16.4e2 gd7 17.g5 Wh3 18.4f2 hxsS 19.gfl Wg4+ 20.Bxg4 6xg4 21.hxg5 6xf2 22.g,xt2 a6 23.€g3 gd7 24.Ahg

Axh3 25.€xh3 Ef8 26.€g3 Efl

27.4ile2 6c8 28.Ect Afg 29.Afg Excl 30.Axc1 AbG 31.b3 €gZ

32.4d3 Ae7 33.Ss4 6ld7 34.c5 &t7 35.a4 c6 36.dxc6

bxc6

Vzt/z

King's Indion

TaimanotMark

firgninrlev Moscow cb-URS 1952 (8)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 gG 3.4c3 Ag7 4.e4 dO 5.4f3 0-0 6.4e2 e5 7.0-0 6c6 8.d5 Ae7 9.6e1 6d7 10.4e3 f5 11.f3 h5 12.6:,d5 f4 13.4f2 95 14.c5 Af6 15.trc1 9416.Wb3 Ah6 17.cxd6

cxd6 18.6xe5 g3 19.4e1 dxeS 20.d6+ €h8 21.dxe7 WxeT 22.4,b5 AeG 23.4b4 Wt7 24.tr'c3 gxh2+ 25.sh1 trgB 26.Wxe5 996 27.Ht2 Axa2 28.4c3 Ag5 29.gfl trae8 30.9c5 Ae6 31.6dG tref8 32.trd2 h4 33.We5 gh7 34.Wxe6 ghs 35.e5 6e8 36.AxeB trxe8 37.Wf5+ Eg6 38.9d3 trgB 39.Wf7+ €ho

40.9xg6

1-o

Defence

d6 5.4f3 0-0 6.4e2 e5 7.0-0 Ac6 8.d5 6e7 9.Ael 6d7 10.9e3 f5 11.f9 f4 12.4f2 g5 13.4d3 AfG 14.c5 4g6 15.trc1 trf7 16.Wb3 g4 17.txg4 Axg4 18.Axg4 Axg4 19.Wxb7 f3 20.Ae3 olt4 21.9xt4 exf4 22.gxt3 gh3 23.€h1 gxfl 24.Exf1 Ad4 25.e5 dxeS 26.6e2 trb8 27.BcG gf6 28.4rxd4 exd4 29.d6 cxd6 30.9d5 €h8 31.cxd6 trg7 32.d7 trdg 33.6e5 trdxd7

34.6xdl WgG 35.'&a8+

EgB

36.9x98+ HxgS 37.b3 B,g5 38.8e1 d3 39.6e5 d2 4}.alt7+ sg7 41.Edl Wh4 42.€92 Be1 0-1 Taimanov,Mark Najdorf,Miguel Zurichct 1953 (4)

TaimanotMark Bronstein,David Moscow ch-URS 1952 (10)

1.d4 AfG 2.d dG 3.4f3 g6 4.6c3 Ag7 5.e4 0-O 6.Ae2 e5 7.0-0 6c6 8.d5 6e7 9.6e1 6d7 10.4e3 f5 11.f3 f4 12.9f2 s5 13.4d3 trf6 14.c5

EhG 15.cxd6 cxd6 16.4b5 Af8 17.Ael aG 18.6a3 b5 19.6c2 6d7 2O.a4 bxa4 21.trxa4 6tG 22.4n 25.h3 Wf7 26.6a3 Ahs 27.trbzgc8

28.Hc7 4g3 29.tre1 Ebg 30.4c4 WeB 31.AbG trfO 32.Wc2 trf8 33.Ec1 gfs 34.4d3 €g6 35.4d7 Axd5 36.9c4 trbs 37.6xf8 Axf8 38.Axd5+ Exd5 39.9c4 he2+

40.9h2 94 41.hxg4

1-o

Eliskases,Erich Gligoric,Svetozar MardelPlata 1953 (16)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 96 3.6c3 Ag7 4.e4

1.d4 AfO 2.c4 s6 3.6c3 A:g7 4.e4 d5 5.6f9 0-O 6.9e2 e5 7.0-0 6c6 8.d5 6e7 9.6e1 Ad7 10.4e3 f5 11.f3 f4 12.Af2 s5 13.4d3 Af6 14.c5 4196 15.trc1 Ef7 16.trc2 €f8 17.cxd5 cxd6 18.Hd2 94 19.trfc1 93 20.hxg3 fxg3 21.Axg3 Ahs 22.trh2 Ae7 23.6b1 gd7 24.8e1 Ags 25.ad2 Ae3+ 26.€h1 Wg5 27.4f1 traf8 28.Ed1 b5 29.a4 a6 30.axb5 axb5 31.trc7 trg7 32.ab3 Ah4 33.Ec2 Ah3 34.We2 4xg2 35.€xg2 Axg2+ 36.Wxg2 Wh4 37.Bxg7+

€xg7 38.tr92+ €h8 39.4e1 Af4 40.Eg3 Af2 41.trga gh3 42.4d2 h5

43.Eg5

o-1

Shiro\r,Alexei Radiabov,Teimour Morelia,/Linares 2008 (7)

1.d4 Af6 2.c4 g6 3.6c3 tr97 4.e4 d6 5.Ae2 0-0 6.4f3 e5 7.0-0 6c6 8.d5 6e7 9.4e1 6d7 1O.Ae3 f5 329

Chess Opening Essentials

11.fg

-

Volume

3

f4 12.At2s5 13.4d3 h5 14.c5

Af6 15.trc1 94 16.ab5 6eB 17.fxg4 aG 18.6c3 hxg4 19.Axg4 AfG 20.Axc8 trxc8 21.g3 Be8 22.€h1 Wg6 23.We2 f3 24.gxf3 6fxd5 25.6xd5 4xd5 26.8e2 af6 27.trce1Sf7 28.g4 996 29.h3 Ef7 30.€g2 6d7 31.As1 WeG 32.b3 Exfl 33.Exf1 d5 34.95 a5 35.h4 WcG 36.He1 Efg 37.exd5 Bxd5+ 38.8e4 c6 39.Ah2 WeG 40.Ag3 Ef5 41.a3 trt7 42.M Wa2+ 43.8e2 Wxa3 44.gG t-o PiketJeroen Kasparov,Garry Tilburg 19S9 (8)

af6 2.4lt3 96 3c4 A:97 4.6c3 0-0 5.e4 d6 6.ie2 e5 7.0-0 4c6 8.d5 Ae7 9.6e1 6d7 10,Ae3 f5 11.f3 f4 12.gt2 95 13.b4 6fG 14.c5

PiketJeroen Ivanchuk,Vasily Wijk aan Zee 1999 (1 t)

1.d4 AfG 2.c4 gG 3.6c3 A:g7 4.e4 d6 5.4f3 0-0 6.4e2 e5 7.0-0 hc6 8.d5 6e7 9.4e1 Ad7 10.9e3 f5 11.f3 f4 12.4f2 s5 13.trc1 6g6 14.c5 Axc5 15.b4 Aa6 16.ad3 trf7 17.6b5 Ad7 18a4 We8 1g.4jb2 gb8 20.Wc2 AeB 21.gd2 h5 22.tr4 Ah6 23.trfc1 €s7 24.ad3 gd8 25.Wc3 g4 26.6xc7 6xc7 27.trxc7 g3 28.4e1 gxh2f 29.9h1 Ag5 30.Exf7+ Art7 31.Wc7 Wb8 32.b5 AdB 33.Wxb8 trxb8 34.Ab4 Ae7 35.trc7 gfg 36.4b2 €eB 37.Ac4Sd8 38.AxdG 1-o

1.d4

4:gG 15.cxd6 cxd6 16.Ec1 trt717.a4

Af8

ed7 19.4b5 s4 2o.2.c7 g3 21.6:xal ahs 22.9h1 gxf2 23.Exf2 Ag3+ 24.&91 WxaB 18.a5

25.4c4 a6 26.Wd3 Wa7 27.b5 axbS 28.Axb5

6hl

o-1

Szabo,Laszlo Spassky,Boris Bucharest 1953

1-d4

fl8)

Kortchnoi,Yiktor Cheparinov,Ivan Amsterdam 2008 (3)

1.d4 af6 Z.eA gG 3.4c3 Ag7 4.e4 dG 5.4e2 0-O 6.4f3 e5 7.0-0 AcG 8.d5 6e7 9.6e1 6d7 10.Ae3 f5 11.f3 f4 12.g12g5 13.trc1 Ef6 14.c5 hxcS 15.M Aa6 16.AbS trh6 17.6xa7Ad7 1 8.AxaG bxa6 1 9.8c2 94 20.Wxc7We8 21.g3 €hB 22.trc2 6sB 23.fxs4 Axs4 2a.AbG 896 25.6c6 fxg3 26.4d8 trxd8 27.Wxd8 gxh2+ 0-1

af6 Z.c+ Ae 3.4f3 96 4.6c3

Ag7 5.e4 0-0 6.4e2 e5 7.0-0 6c6 8.d5 6e7 9.6e1 Ad7 10.4e3 f5 11.f3 f4 12.AtZg5 13.b4 trfG 14.4d3 Es615.c5 af616.9b3 €hB 17.trfcl g4 18.fxg4 Axg4 19.9f1 Af3 20.Wc4 Axg2 21.Axg2 f3 22.4le1 fxg2 23.6xg2 Ah6 24.Ec2 Bg8 25.Ag3 trxg3 26.cxd6 cxd6 27.Wc7 Eg728.WxdOAg429.sh1 trfB o-l 330

Kortchnoi,Yiktor XieJun Prague 1995 (9)

1.d4 af6 2.c4 gG 3.6c3 AgT 4.e4 dG 5.4e2 0-O 6.4f3 e5 7.0-O 6cG 8.d5 Ae7 9.6e1 6d7 10.Ae3 f5 11.f3 f4 12.A,t2 95 13.a4 h5 14.a5

6g6 15.ab5 AfG 16.6xa7 17.c5

9;d7

94 18.c6 93 19.hxg3 fxg3

King's Indion Delence

20.Axg3 ExaT 21.cxd7 h4 22.9:t2 tra8 23.8:c2 gh6 24.6e3 Af4 25.a15 AhS 26.9b5 Ag3 27.Wc2 Wg5 28.8fd1trt7 29.aG h3 30.Axg3 Axg3 31axb7 EafB 32.gxh3 6f4 33.9f1 trh7 34.tra8 trxh3 35.trxf8+

€h736.Ef7+

1-o

Naidorf,Miguel Gligoric,Svetozar Mar del Plara 1953 (12)

1.d4 AfO 2.c4 g6 3.6.c3 Ag7 4.e4 dO 5.af3 0-0 6.4e2 e5 7.0-0 4c6 8.d5 4e7 9.6e1 ad7 10.4d3 f5 11.f3 f4 12.9:d2 af6 13.b4 s5 14.c5 h5 15.4f2 696 16.Ecl trf7 17.cxd6 cxd6 18.a4 Ef8 19.a5 trg7 20.h3 Ahg 21.ab1 g4 22.txg4 hxg4 23.hxg4 aB 24,Q\a3 Adl 25.6c4 trcB 26.4b6 Excl 27.9xc1 Ae8 28.9a3 6f7 29.Wc2 ah6 30.g5 trxgS 31.trc1 tr93 32.4b2 Dtg4 33.6x94 6xg4 34.Axg4 trxg4 35.9f2 A96 36.trc4 We7 37.4c3

2trh439.*f2 f3 40.We3 Ef4 41.gxf3 wh2+ 42.&e1 Bht+ 43.&e2gh5 44.9d2 trxf3 45.8'g5+ Ag7 46.ec2 trfz+ 47.Ad2 Wdl+ 48.€c3Sa1+ o-1 Wh7 38.We

Ivanchuk,Yasily Cheparinorllvan

t,i;%i3'1.9

ge 3.ac3 as7 4.e4 d6 5.6f3 0-0 6.Ae2 e5 7.0-0 6c6 8.d5 Q-,e7 9.6e1 ad7 1O.Ad3 f5 11.4d2 Af6 P.t3 f4 13.c5 g5 14.Ecl 696 15.cxd6 cxd6 16.4b5 trt7 17.Wc2 Ae8 18.4f2 h5 19.a4 Afs 20.h3 Eg7 21.Wb3 6:h4 22.trc2

g4

23.txg4

af6

24.9.e'l hxg4 25.hxs4 ahs 26.4h1 f3 27.Axf3 4lfa 28.693 Axg4 29.Axg4 trxg4

Ec8 31.AeG trxc2 32.€/xc2 sb6+ 33.€h1 Q,hxg2 34.6f5 E'a6 35.tr91 gd3 36.Bxd3 4xd3 3}.6-:lc7

37.Ah4 trxe4 38.Exg2+

e,t7

39.4xd6+ 9xd6

1-o

40.4g5+

331

Index of Players The numbers refer to pages.

If the page number is bold the player was Black. A Adams

131

Akobian Akopian

160

Alburt

39,40 24,88,142,

Alekhine Alexandrov

r81

170,245 l8l, 195, Z79

tS3, tg6,

Bozic Bronstein Browne Bricker

+l 4t,329 98, 181 27

c Capablanca

Carlsen

98,132, 152 40,64,84,

Alexeev

88

130, 133, 134,

Almasi Anand

170,172 98,135,136, r47, t60

203,229,326,

tulandi Aronian Aronin Atalik Averbakh

Awukh

6+,133,136,

Chernin

159

Chuchelov

t7r

329

Comas Fabrego

+1

r34,272 68,279 65,89,272

Cramling

40

130, 1+7 , Z2l 296 82, 191

t43

Bareev

246

Belotti Benlo Bernstein

Bogoliubow

39

D

27

Balogh Beliavsky

203,230,297, 330, 331

326

B Bachin Bacrot Bagirov Balashov

328 Cheparinov

De Jong

200

Delchev Dely

182 328

Diuric

325

Drasko Dreev

+o

259

E

131, Eflmenko

+0,82,89, t72,2+7 ,295

Ehlvest

159 83, 88, 295

278

Elianov

134,221

4t

Eliskases

329

130 130

Emelin

131

F-nglisch

773 297

86nsch Bosboom

278

Bowinnik

85, 153,170, 190,247,260

27

Erd6s Euwe

2+5,272

Evseev

83

Ezat

304 333

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

F

J

Fahnenschmidt

1'7

Fedorov Fischer

258

Fridman G Gallagher

Ganguly Garcia Palermo Gareev

Gashimov Gelfand

Jobava

68,181,182, 209 ,230, 2+7 , 325,326

K Kamsky

65,21O,229

Karpov

74,97 , 131,

r33,146,190, 19t,209,237 ,

134, 177

2s9,278 220

Kasimdzhanov Kasparov

190 153

796 259 65, 66, 87, 98, 131, 132, 146, 17

t, t95,209,

237,260,272, 279,296, 304, 326,327 ,330

67

84, 85,221

t9l

,

309

67,230,2s9,

Kavalek

272

303

Kazhgaleev

230

Gheorghiu

132

Keres

Gligoric

68,230,327, 329,331

Khalifman Khenkin Kholmov Kluuschiov

129,170,303 39,131,199 t42

Geller

Graf

t7l

Granda Zuniga

2+

Grischuk

t3s, r47,220 +l

Gross

Griinfeld Gufeld Gurevich Gyimesi

Komarov

30+

Kortchnoi

65,82,83, 85, 96, 133, 134, 258,295,297,

135,209 296 172,326

t70

330

Kotov Kovacevic

H 181

Hansen

237 85

Harikrishna Hasek

r29

Hort Horvath tluDner

40

89,96 181,260

I Inarkiev Ivanchuk

Ivanov 33+

278 66, 83, 96, r34, 1s9,229,326, 328,330,331 25

259 96

Krasenkow Kurnosov

8+,273,297 66,67, 68, 83,84,136, 1+7,160,199, 2r0,327,328 39,213,247 246

Kurukin

196

L Lahlum Lalic

2+

Larsen

326

Lasker Lee

85

Kozul

Hammes

142 83

Kramnik

39

2s8

Index of Players Leko

67

,84,172, t99

Nikolaidis Nimzowitsch

271

Lenic Li Shilong

133 1+3

Nisipeanu Noa

96 97

Likavsky

Loginov

z5

Nolte Nordahl Nunn

296

Ljubojevic

24 89, 203

Lugovoi

195

Malaniuk

159

66,29s,32s

o

M Mackenzie

130,135

97 159

Olafsson

195

Onischuk

221,246

Mamedyarov Mann Marin y lJovet Marshall

220 326

Panno

279

82

Parker

24

98

Parligras

181

Mas

40

Paulsen

273

Matanovic

303

Pavlovic

96

McShane

zLt,237 129, r3r 160, t7r

Pelletier

131, 134,221

Penrose

66 25

Miles

Milov Minasian

P

Peregudov Pert Petrosian

Miroshnichenko

258 25

Moiseenko

96, t+2, t+7,

Monticelli Moreno Carnero

97

Morozevich

83,133,172,

Petursson Piket Polugaevsky

2+6

Ponomariov

Moskalenko

24

t7l

,130

147

Motylev

r99

Muhammad

297

Naer

2+6

Naiditsch

Najdorf

95,195 195,329,33r

Nakamura

17

Navara

229

Nguyen Anh Dung Nguyen Ngoc

191

1

66,98, 132, 191,209,259, 303 96

Potapov

98,330 134,295 136, l7t,t9t, 259 89,132,181, 191,328 142

Prokes

97

Portisch

N

258

R Radjabov

,220

259,272,296, 309,326,328, 329

Reshevsky

190,195

Rodriguez Vargas

195

296

Rogers

89

Ni Hua

221

Roiz

89

Nielsen

203

Rozentalis

96

Nijboer

328

Rubinstein

23

Truong Son

33s

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

3

s

Timman

89,278 65,130,131, 181 159 203

Tatai

Sakaev

27

,9s

SaIov

133

Siimisch San Segundo Carrillo

rsz,209 83

Tiviakov Tkachiev

Sargissian Scheeren

r35

Tiopalov

65

41,66,68,135, 136, r9r,237

273 130,273

Touzane Tseshkovsky

32s

97,27

lirkmakov Tunik

8+,279

Schwarz Seirawan Serper

1

Short

199,22r,237, 260,328,329 24,8s

Sievers

39

Udovcic

Smirin

295,297 98, t3Z, r43, 230,2+7,260

Vachier Lagrave

Shirov

Smyslov Socko

326

Sokolov

23,195,213,

Sosonko

272 85

39

19s

U

4l

v Vaisser Van der Sterren Van Kerkhof Van Wely

203 39

84 27

+0, 131,246

68,85, 129, 142,143, l8l, 182,230,259, 295,330

Vawak

t7l

Vecsey

129

Vidmar Vitiugov

23,97

Speelman Spraggett Stahlberg Stein Stellwagen

325 98

Vlassov

23 89

Suba

65

Sultan Khan Sutovsky

r32 246 199,246,258, 259

Spassky

Svidler

Volokitin

1+2

w

295,297 200

Swicarz

89

Szabo

330

778

Wang Yue

296,297

x Xie Jun

330

Y Yakovenko Yuneev Yusupov

67 23

30+

T Taimanov TaI

Tarrasch Tartakower 336

41,32s, 327

,

z

329

Zaia

66,67,68,

t42,ts3

Zatonskih Zelcic

88,97,272,273

Zolotukhin

82

Zubarev

23, r82 181

84 279 170